Nashville Country Music Scene

Music City Beat - February 2012

2012-01-12T18:28:00.008-06:00

Dierks Bentley vs. Joe Isbell; John Rich gets the boot; Billy Dean barn burns

NASHVILLE -- Cowpunk-country rocker Jason Isbell, formerly of Drive By Truckers' fame, took on country prince Dierks Bentley (left) in a battle of words that alleges plagiarism. After listening to Bentley’s chart-climbing hearttugger “Home,” Isbell posted his thoughts on Twitter regarding similarities between his tune “In a Razor Town” to “Home,” co-authored by Bentley, Dan Wilson and Brett Beavers (Beavers also co-produced Dierks’ Capitol single). A listen to the arrangements leaves us wondering specifically about the resemblance of “Home’s” uptempo chorus to a portion of “ . . . Razor Town,” heard on Isbell’s solo CD “Sirens of the Ditch” (released July 10, 2007). Not being an authority on the subject, it remains to be seen if a court could determine copyright infringement or not. This war of words reminds us that a similar complaint - though less vocal - was raised about Bentley’s 2010 “Up On the Ridge” as being reminiscent to Matt King’s “Hard Luck Road.” Here’s how Isbell’s initial Twitter went out Jan. 6 to some 15,000 followers: “Dierks has officially ripped off my song ‘In a Razor Town.’ Dierks is a douchebag. The song (by) Dierks is called ‘Home’ . . .” The next day, Jason shared his thoughts further: “I have had too much stolen lately. Not gonna let this slide,” no doubt a reference to last year’s theft of his van and stage gear. Isbell later posted: “I’ve said what I had to say. Not gonna Twitter fight with another grown person. Not gonna change my position either.” On Jan. 8, Jason tweeted: “Officially can’t talk about it right now,” thanking fans for their support, adding, “I love y’all enough to be honest with you. If a song has my name on it, I wrote the sumb----!” In reference to his admiration for Dierks’ co-writer Dan Wilson, Jason Tweeted: “I love @DanWilsonMusic’s songwriting, but I bet he’s never heard my song. I bet Dierks brought that idea to the table and Dan ran with it.” Dierks, in turn, belittled Jason’s Tweet, but misdirected his message to another Jason Isbel’s Twitter site (note a difference in spelling): “@JasonIsbel: ‘I bet Dierks brought that idea to the table and @DanWilsonMusic ran with it.’ HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! That is some funny s---! Is that what you ‘bet’ happened? That’s how you imagine it? #fantasyworld #getoveryourself. JUST IN: Nashville and L.A. songwriters running out of ideas . . . rushing to steal jason songs!” Apparently inundated with negative Tweets fom Bentley fans, Jason Tweeted Dierks’ reputed 205,000 followers: “I think this is a good time to ask all Dierks Bentley fans to unfollow me. We just weren’t meant to be friends.” Alabama native Isbell & His 400 Unit’s current CD is “Here We Rest,” while “Home” is the first single off Bentley’s album of that name, due out Feb. 7. On CBS’ Late Night With David Letterman, Jan. 11, the host told guest Dolly Parton that he admired Isbell’s writing, and the country diva replied that she’d like to record an album of Isbell’s songs. Nice.
Scene Stealers: Maverick singer-songwriter-producer-home owner John Rich, 38, boarded a plane Dec. 4, in Las Vegas, hoping to return to Nashville, but Southwest Airlines staffers deemed him too drunk to fly and ordered him to debark. According to Christi McNeill of Southwest, “Our crew assessed the situation and determined that the passenger was not fit for travel. Our employees are responsible for the safety and comfort of everyone on board a flight. If we can mitigate an uncomfortable situation prior to departure, it is our preference to do so, and that is what happened in this scenario.” Rich’s publicist denied a report that John had been involved in an altercation with other passengers before take-off. Southwest did give Rich a refund and offered him a later flight, but the artist chose another way home. Rich, fnoted for his association with Lonestar and Big & Rich, co-wrote such hits as “Redneck Woman,” “Wild West Show” and “Save a Horse (Ride a Cowboy).” See Rich in left photo . . . What’s the deal with public relations guru Kirt Webster’s promotion on a supposedly-new Janie Fricke CD in the new year, titled “Janie Fricke: Countryside of Bluegrass”? Webster’s credited as Executive Producer, too, though the whole package appears to be a re-release of mi’lady’s fine 2004 “Janie Fricke’s Bluegrass Sessions,” initially produced by Bil VornDick. The selections are the same, including 12 bluegrass-style interpretations of her sterling country hits such as “He’s a Heartache,” “She’s Single Again” and “It Ain’t Easy Bein’ Easy” plus a bonus track cover “Ring Of Fire,” this time courtesy the New Music Deals’ label. Incidentally, we just caught Janie performing a couple of its gems while promoting the CD as a new release, on Larry Black’s RFD series Larry’s Country Diner (Dec. 31). Fricke, a two-time CMA Female Vocalist of the Year (at right) charted more than 50 singles and albums for Columbia Records, 10 of which went #1. She made her mark first as a background vocalist in Nashville with The Lea Jane Singers, made many jingles before gaining ground in what were actually unbilled duet vocals with male stars like Johnny Duncan. Fortunately fans demanded to know who was supplying such strong, heartfelt vocals on Duncan songs such as “Stranger” and “Thinkin’ Of a Rendezvous.” She deserved better then - and now. Don’t get us wrong, we’re big fans of Fricke’s vocals and always welcome watching and listening to her perform, but this all seems a bit misleading to the public . . . Keith Urban and Monty Powerll co-wrote “For You” for the motion picture “Act of Valor,” Keith’s first such venture. The film, scheduled for release Feb. 24, boasts real Navy SEALS participating in a fictional screenplay (by Kurt Johnstad), though prompted by real-life events. Producing and directing are Mike (Mouse) McCoy and ex-stuntman Scott Waugh. Its actual stars include Alex Veadov, Rosalyn Sanchez and Emilio Rivera . . . Country superstar Taylor Swift has reportedly been offered a role in the forthcoming cinematic adaptation of the Broadway hit “Les Miserables,”slated to star Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe and Anne Hathaway. If agreed upon, Swift would play the character Eponine in what would mark her film debut . . . Two-time CMA Female Vocalist of the Year Miranda Lambert is squealing with delight at being cast in her favorite TV drama series Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, as an actress who’s indeed a victim. She’s assaulted by a reality TV show producer (Michael McKean), being investigated by the show’s star Mariska Hargity as Detective Olivia Benson and guest star Harry Connick, Jr., who appears in several episodes this season due to former co-star Christopher Meloni’s departure. No word on when NBC may beam the Lambert segment. Meanwhile, Miranda’s latest “Four the Record’s” sales resulted in her CD being certified Gold by RIAA . . . The big screen movie “Joyful Noise” co-starring Queen Latifah and Dolly Parton, premiered Jan. 9, at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre in Hollywood. The seemingly-ageless Dolly delighted media and fans alike with her hour-glass figure and colorful antics. “Joyful Noise,” directed by Todd Graff, amounts to a film comeback for the superstar, whose past cinematic achievements include “9 to 5,” “The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas” and “Steel Magnolias” . . . He of the booming voice Gary Morris and his son Garon reportedly are set to appear in a new Broadway-bound musical “Soul Doctor,” with Gary portraying Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach, hailed as the “Father of popular Jewish music.” It is anticipated that the production will premiere on Broadway in March. Garon will play a Carlebach brother as a youngster (and also understudies the young Shlomo). Morris, whose hits include classics like “Wind Beneath My Wings,” acted previously on the Great White Way in “La Boheme” (with Linda Ronstadt) and “Les Miserables.”
Arts Briefs: Veteran vocalist Billy Dean, currently on tour with Kenny Rogers’ troupe, heard some sad news out on the road: A fire destroyed a 1,500-foot barn on his Dean Acres farm in Smithville, Tenn., during the recent holiday season. Dean was saddened to learn of his losses: “I lost a lot of things that were very meaningful to me, but no one was hurt and that’s really all that matters at the end of the day.” Among items destroyed were a boat, tractor, numerous demos and master recordings, and personal photos and mementos from his early days. “We’ll rebuild, but I’m really going to miss that tractor and fishing boat this spring.” Dean’s co-written hits include “Somewhere in My Broken Heart,” “Billy The Kid” and ironically “Trying To Hide a Fire in the Dark” . . . The Roys - siblings Lee and Elaine - have landed a Vietti Foods sponsorship as part of a promotion program labeled Vietti Vinyl. This makes them the first to appear on Vietti’s Family Style Beef Stew wrappers, that is, their image will be embossed on 500,000 cans distributed to Family Dollar stores across the country in 2012. Vietti also boasts a popular canned chili product. Under the program, Vietti’s Chili participants had included Bo Bice, Chris Young, The Isaacs, John Corbett and Riders In the Sky, offering consumers a chance to sample new sounds and videos. Notes Elaine: “We are beyond excited to join the Vietti Family. The company is dedicated to the creation of superior product and active in several charities” . . . Promising new talents deserving a listen are: Maggie Sajak, whose debut single is “First Kiss.” The 16-year-old’s dad is Pat Sajak, host of ABC’s gameshow Wheel of Fortune. Check out her song on MaggieSajak.com; And Jay Skot, a young Phoenix bachelor whose premiere single “Becoming Me” is a ballad of awareness. Hear his song on iTunes or JaySkot.com . . . The American Country Music Awards, conducted in Las Vegas, Dec. 5, honored Jason Aldean via six wins. He earned the top entertainer trophy plus being named best touring artist, and also took home best album for “My Kinda Party,” best male single for “My Kinda Party,” plus top single vocal collaboration and best duo music video, thanks to teaming with Kelly Clarkson on “Don’t You Wanna Stay.” Other victors were top female artist, Carrie Underwood; best male artist, Brad Paisley; and best group, Lady Antebellum. Winners in the following categories included: breakthrough artist, Chris Young; new artist and best single for Scotty McCreery and his “Voices” ; best female single, “Mama's Song,” by Carrie Underwood; top duo or group single, “Are You Gonna Kiss Me or Not,” by Thompson Square, which also earned best breakthrough single, and best breakthrough music video. “Who Are You When I’m Not Looking” by Blake Shelton received both best music video and best male video; while Carrie Underwood’s “Mama’s Song” earned best female video . . . Wynonna Judd, 47, and Scott (Cactus) Moser, 54, announced on Christmas Eve that they will wed, though no definite date has been given. Judd, of course, gained her biggest success as half of the mother-daughter duo The Judds (with mom Naomi), chalking up 14 #1 singles such as “Mama He’s Crazy,” and she later scored four #1 solo singles including “To Be Loved By You.” Moser, formerly with Highway 101, enjoyed four charttoppers, notably “Somewhere Tonight,” and is currently touring with Wynonna and The Big Noise . . . Singer-songwriter Lee Brice, 32, proposed Jan. 2 to longtime girlfriend Sara Reeveley, 29, who is mom to Lee’s 3-year-old son Takoda. No date set yet on the actual exchange of nuptials. Best known for his 2010 hit “Love Like Crazy,” the future bridegroom’s newest chart single is “A Woman Like You”. . . Lady Antebellum’s Dave Haywood and Kelli Cashiola, both 29, became engaged Dec. 19. She is a marketing vice president for Warner Music-Nashville. No marriage date was given . . . Meanwhile, Lady Antebellum’s Hillary Scott married Chris Tyrrell, Jan. 7, in upstate New York, with family and friends in attendance. Lady Antebellum’s current hit: “We Owned the Night” . . . Incidentally, Lady Antebellum, Jason Aldean and Taylor Swift made the Nielsen SoundScan’s annual report of Top 10 best-selling artists of 2011. The Top 10 are Adele, Justin Bieber, Michael Buble, Lady Gaga, Lil Wayne, Lady Antebellum, Cast of “Glee,” Jason Aldean, Taylor Swift and Drake, in that order . . . Taylor Swift along with Kenny Chesney, also made the year-end poll of the Top 10 touring acts, placing fifth and sixth, respectively. According to Billboard Boxscore, the Top 10 are U2, Bon Jovi, Take That, Roger Waters, Swift, Chesney, Usher, Lady Gaga, Andre Rieu and Sade. Irish band U2’s 44 concerts grossed more than $293 million, three times the take for Swift’s shows . . Marco Club Connection’s eighth annual ranking of Top 10 tunes heard in country dance clubs was released, Jan. 9, with Luke Bryan’s “Country Girl” the most-played song of 2011. Winners cited, based on MCC’s survey of some 250 club owners, DJs and dance instructors stretching across North America, according to the Aristo Music-Nashville affiliate. “We are thrilled that ‘Country Girl’ was selected as the number one dance song of the year,” said Taryn Pray, Capitol Records media chief. “This single took Luke Bryan to the next level, and it’s great to have the recognition of the dance club community.” Here’s the latest list:
1. Luke Bryan - “Country Girl (Shake It For Me)”
2. Blake Shelton - “Footloose”
3. Big & Rich - “Fake ID”
4. Blake Shelton - “Honey Bee”
5. Gloriana - “Wanna Take You Home”
6. Billy Currington - “Love Done Gone”
7. Jason Aldean - “Dirt Road Anthem”
8. Dierks Bentley - “Am I The Only One”
9. The Lacs - “Kickin’ Up Mud”
10. Chris Young - “You”
Ailing: Country artist Wade Hayes, 42, underwent cancer surgery at Vanderbilt University Medical Center here, Dec. 9. The Oklahoma native had previously been diagnosed with Stage IV colon cancer. A posting on Wade’s website noted the surgery went well (and he has since been released): “Thank you all very much for your prayers and well-wishes . . . I really appreciate it.” Hayes’ hits include “What I Meant To Say,” “On a Good Night” and, of course, his self-penned #1 signature song, “Old Enough To Know Better.”
Final Curtain: Bluegrass banjo picker Edward William (Shorty) Eager, 70, died Dec. 19, at Cobb Wellstar Hospital in Austell, Ga.,following an extended illness. He had been a member of Jimmy Martin’s Sunny Mountain Boys, performing regularly on WWVA’s Wheeling Jamboree. The Pennsylvania native recalled having met Martin at Sunset Park, and was hired to replace J. D. Crowe: “They had a show every Sunday (at Sunset Park). I saw The Osbornes, Reno & Smiley, The Louvin Brothers, Wilma Lee & Stoney Cooper, Ola Belle Reed & Alex Campbell - they were the home band. That’s been a long time ago now. I remember getting out in the parking lot and pickin’ with Del McCoury and Jack Cooke.” He also fronted his own band, Shorty Eager & The Eager Beavers, and on another occasion the Log Cabin Boys, and as Elaine & Shorty, The Grasskats, were based in Atlanta. A Celebration of Life was held Dec. 22 in Cartersville, Ga.
Producer-manager Rick (Crabber) Crabtree, 57, died Dec. 21. He had been production manager for such notable country music venues as the Wildhorse Saloon in Nashville and the Mohegan Sun Casino in Connecticut. He had also been road manager for country stars Tanya Tucker, Ricky Van Shelton, Tammy Cochran, Johnny Paycheck and Lorrie Morgan.
Billionaire bluegrass aficionado-philanthropist F. Warren Hellman, 77, founder of San Francisco’s Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival and vocalist-banjoist for The Wronglers, died Dec. 18, at the University of California-San Francisco Medical Center. Hellman, who had been undergoing treatment for leukemia, declined chemotherapy last fall in order to perform at his own bluegrass festival and tour with Jimmie Dale Gilmore.
Although a life-long Republican party member, investment banker Hellman nonetheless supported labor unions, preferred the company of entertainers, horsemen and the working class, while agreeing with billionaire Warren Buffett that the rich should pay more taxes. In 2008, he left the GOP but refused to join another party. The lanky musician was founder-chairman of The Bay Citizen alternative publication, and in 1984 launched Hellman & Friedman LLC, an equity firm that raised more than $25 billion in capital.
Born in New York City in 1934, the son of banker Marco Hellman, he was the great-grandson of Isaias W. Hellman, a Jewish immigrant from Bavaria, who founded one of California’s first banks in a Los Angeles dry-goods store, going on to earn millions in banking, real estate, transportation and oil. Warren wrote and sang about his successful ancestor: “I.W. Hellman, he was a pioneer/Came to California in his 16th year/He crossed the isthmus to come here/And become California’s greatest financier . . . He went to work in a dry goods store/And said this is not what I came here for/So I’ll put me a safe right here by the door/Because I am probably a banker at my core . . .”
Once Hellman discovered the banjo, he bought folk hero Pete Seeger’s instruction booklet, “How to Play the 5-String Banjo.” He derived joy from pickin’ and singin’, and hanging out with musicians he admired. Along with his denim garb, Warren wore the Star of David on stage, calling himself “The Rhinestone Jewboy.”
A proud moment in his life was performing in 2011 on radio’s A Prairie Home Companion with Garrison Keillor, The Wonglers and his idol Jimmie Dale Gilmore. Hellman called the three-day Hardly Strictly festival he founded, “the single most fulfilling thing” he’d ever done. Meanwhile, his musical peers regarded Warren as a talented banjo player and his backing band as equally impressive. The eccentric billionaire was also a skilled swimmer, skier, equestrienne and a running enthusiast.
Warren was devoted to his alma mater - the University of California-Berkeley - and donated millions to the school. Forbes magazine once quoted Warren saying money was like cow manure, “If you spread it around, good things will grow, and if you pile it up, it just smells bad. I do believe that.” Reportedly, he assembled his children one time to discuss which of his projects should continue after his demise.
When Hardly Strictly was mentioned, one heir stated, “It’s gone!” Warren replied, “That was dumb! You just endowed it!” Thus he endowed the festival financially to continue for at least 15 more years, and told a reporter, the festival “is as close to Heaven as I’m gonna get.” Survivors include his wife Patricia Christina (Sander), a former ballerina and competitive skier, who suffers from Alzheimer’s; daughters Frances Hellman, Patricia Hellman-Gibbs and Judith Hellman; son Marco Warren Hellman; 12 grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. A memorial service was conducted Dec. 21 at Congregation Emanu-El, San Francisco, followed by a community celebration of Hellman’s life.
Fiddler Paul (Mouse) Justice, 74, died from a stroke the weekend of Jan. 7, following a lengthy battle with Alzheimer’s disease. He had been a band member with Mel Tillis’s Statesiders off and on for some 20 years, and at one point also backed the late Johnny Paycheck. According to fellow Statesider Brian Sterling, a guitarist who also picked with Jack Greene and Ray Stevens: “I was with Mel Street at the Longhorn Ballroom in Dallas when I first met Mouse. Tillis’ band came there to hear us. You know he was a real good fiddler, probably one of the best I ever played with backing artists. After he got Alzheimer’s, Mouse (a widower) moved to California to live with a sister. I believe he had two sons who lived in Las Vegas.” No funeral arrangements were announced by press time.

Music City Beat - January 2012

2011-12-16T22:36:00.013-06:00

Tim McGraw and wife Faith Hill in this Patricia Presley photo.

Tim McGraw, Mindy McCready, Rodney Atkins hitting the courts in separate cases . . .

NASHVILLE -- Christmas came a wee bit early for Tim McGraw, when his personal Santa, Nashville Chancery Court Judge Russell Perkins, ruled Nov. 30, in his favor against Curb Records. The ruling gave McGraw the legal right to record for other labels, after 20 years under contract to Curb. McGraw insisted he had fulfilled his obligations to Curb, calling the label’s efforts to retain him longer “indentured servitude.” Still McGraw must face the Curb attorneys again next July when their lawsuit charging breach of contract comes to trial - at stake are millions of dollars.
Meanwhile, the artist breathed a big sigh of relief at the judge’s verdict, saying only he’s “just very happy,” as he departed the courtroom hand-in-hand with singer-wife Faith Hill. Days later, Curb sent “Better Than I Used To Be” by McGraw to radio stations across the country, and plans to release “Emotional Traffic,” the CD figuring in their legal dispute, in January 2012. Label owner Mike Curb’s office claimed McGraw recorded that album (cut last year) too soon following his previous CD release, which violated terms of their contract. The singer maintained that Curb was unfairly “prolonging” that contract over the time factor. In the wake of his court victory, McGraw released his own indie single “Christmas All Over the World.”

Legal Briefs: Singer Mindy McCready defied a court order to return her 5-year-old son Zander to Mindy’s mom Gayle Inge - who was named guardian of the boy in 2009 - after an alleged abduction. Reportedly, the singer fled with Zander during a visit at her dad’s Cape Coral, Fla., home, claiming her child had suffered abuse at the hands of Inge, who denies the accusation. Mindy, claiming she’s seven months pregnant with twins, and Zander were discovered by authorities at a friend’s house in Arkansas, hiding in a stairwell closet. A closed-door hearing in Izard County has resulted in a juvenile court judge’s decision to look into the case, while placing Zander temporarily in the care of a foster family. McCready, 36, whose country hits include the #1 single “Guys Do It All the Time,” remains in Arkansas awaiting further proceedings. Upon departing the courthouse, she declared, “I can’t talk about it, but I can tell you all I’m a happy girl. I’m a happy girl right now. I love Judge Harrod, I’ll tell you that. I love that man. He’s a good man.” She and her mom have feuded since the birth of her baby, resulting in Mindy being charged with physical assault following an altercation at her mother’s home in Fort Myers, Fla., in 2007. According to reports, McCready’s troubles started with substance abuse and a problematic relationship with Zander’s dad Billy McKnight, who was arrested after choking the star, but has since tried to straighten his life out. He said he didn’t think it would be wrong for Mindy to have her son overnight following the Thanksgiving weekend. There’s also an ongoing lawsuit filed by McCready against Mrs. Inge, charging her mother falsely libeled her in statements made to the National Enquirer tabloid . . . Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller has ruled that the state will offer $300,000 to the families of seven people who died at the Indiana State Fair when a windstorm caused the stage to collapse, Aug. 13. Headlining the show was Sugarland (Kristin Hall and Jennifer Nettles), whose hits include “Something More,” though the storm canceled out their appearance (but the act did recently return to play Indianapolis for free, in tribute to the dead fairgoers and injured). In addition to the sum for the deceased’s families, Zoeller announced on Dec. 6 that money from the state’s $5 million tort fund would go to 58 others injured as the stage and speakers toppled onto fans during the incident . . . Curb Records' star Rodney Atkins (right) was arrested Nov. 21, charged with domestic assault, after wife Tammy Jo, summoned the law, claiming her inebritated husband assaulted her and attempted to suffocate her with a pillow. Subsequently, Atkins filed for a divorce, denying he had attacked his spouse, after engaging Nashville attorney Rose Palermo to represent him in the proceedings. Palermo insists that the argument between the couple never became physical and allegations of violence are “completely untrue.” She said her client decided on filing for divorce based on false statements his wife made to police. Both sides allege inappropriate marital conduct in their divorce filings in Williamson County. Rodney seeks joint custody of their only child, Elijah, 10, while Tammy Jo seeks full custody. A hearing is slated Dec. 20. His hits include the #1 “If You’re Going Through Hell.”
Bits & Pieces: Get set go . . . Country Music Hall of Fame recording group Alabama is coming out of retirement to record new music and play some shows, according to lead vocalist Randy Owen. He says, “It’s just things rock on sometimes. I still love to play and sing, and I’m sure the other guys do, too. I know that’s our plans, and there’s some very exciting things out there we’re looking at, and thinking very seriously about going out and doing the music.” Alabama shared in Brad Paisley’s recent #1 record “Old Alabama,” yet another charttopper added to their previous 32 #1 singles . . . Justin Moore and wife Kate welcomed their second daughter Kennedy Faye, Nov. 21. The couple’s first-born is Ella Kole, aged 22 months. Moore says, “Faye was my grandmother’s name, who passed away a couple of years ago, so we thought it would be a great way to remember her. And we both just liked Kennedy.” . . . . Hey, Tim McGraw has again been named one of People Weekly magazine’s sexiest men alive! He and longtime buddy Kenny Chesney will reteam for a 19-day Brothers in the Sun tour next summer, sharing the bill with Jake Owen and Grace Potter & The Nocturnals . . . Among the country entertainers invited to play in the seventh In Performance At the White House, Nov. 21, for President and Mrs. Barack Obama were Kris Kristofferson, Alison Krauss, Dierks Bentley, Lyle Lovett, The Band Perry, Lauren Alaina and Darius Rucker. Additionally some of the artists also participated in an afternoon workshop at the White House for 120 local students proclaiming the culture and history of country music. The concert was broadcast by PBS, on Nov. 23 . . . Country crooner Craig Morgan acted and sang on the Lifetime TV series The Army Wives, a first for the artist . . . Jimmy Wayne has been holding book signings for his “Paper Angels” book, a novel co-authored with Travis Thrasher. The title comes from his song of that name, says Wayne. “The reason why I write music and helped write this book is because to me, it’s another way of helping somebody. I feel like when people read this book they’ll be inspired to help (others) . . . That’s what this book is about.” You may recall that Wayne walked 1,700 miles from Memphis to Phoenix to bring awareness to his Meet Me Half Way project that aids youth who are aging out of the foster care program . . . Singer Tracy Lawrence conducted his sixth annual “Mission Impossible Turkey Fry” at the Nashville Rescue Mission, Nov. 23, the day before the U.S. Thanksgiving holiday, to feed the homeless. Titan football players Jordan Babineaux, Rob Bironas and Daniel Graham combined their financial contributions by providing an estimated 1,327 meals and helped Tracy reach his goal of 500 donated turkeys. Other celebrity pals assisting Lawrence included The Roys, The McClymonts, Restless Heart and American Idol’s Lacey Brown . . . Toby Keith’s “Red Solo Cup,” a party song, was featured on TV’s popular high school musical sitcom series Glee, Dec. 6. Seems a bit odd, as the tune depicts drinking booze . . . George Jones paid homage Dec. 3 to former wife and fellow Country Music Hall of Famer Tammy Wynette, at a benefit to fund a memorial park in Tremont, Miss. The park will be part of the Mississippi Country Music Trail, which has added a marker for the fabled First Lady of Country Music. The performance occurred as part of a Wynette Birthplace Concert in the Itawamba Community College’s Davis Event Center, during which Jones sang two of their duets “Take Me” and “Golden Ring,” as well as his own solo successes, noting, “I know if she could be here, she would really appreciate it so much. She was a great singer and she deserves anything being done for her. And I appreciate it on my part.” Their only child together, daughter Georgette, also attended, as did George’s current wife Nancy . . . Pianist-producer Tony Brown has announced his engagement to Jamie Nicole Antee. The recently-divorced Brown says their wedding will take place March 3, 2012, in the Caribbean, where they will honeymoon. He is the former MCA producer of such notables as Reba McEntire, Vince Gill, Steve Earle, Brooks & Dunn and George Strait. In his earlier days, he was keyboardist for such legends as Elvis Presley and Emmylou Harris. His former wife Anastasia was a talent judge on the Nashville Star reality TV series . . . Hunter Hayes, Sunny Sweeney, David Nail, Thompson Square and the Eli Young Band will headline the New Faces of Country Music Show during the 2012 Country Radio Seminar, scheduled Feb. 24. The annual event is sponsored by the Country Radio Broadcasters.
Ailing: Country music businessman David McCormick is recuperating, following a seizure at the Texas Troubadour Theatre, Nov.19, while hosting an unveiling of a sculpture saluting his late friend James T. Davis, first fallen Vietnam veteran. McCormick, who owns the Ernest Tubb Record Shop franchise, and produces the 65-year-old WSM Midnite Jamboree program, was hospitalized several days after being rushed to Skyline Medical Center here during the 3,380th Saturday night show. Doctors ruled out a heart attack, but McCormick (seen at right with Connie Smith) had been under extreme stress due to a very busy schedule. “Tom” Davis died from receiving enemy fire while on a mission 10 miles west of Saigon, on Dec. 22, 1961. McCormick had the statue sculpted by Bill Rains of Montana, who has produced similar works on Tubb and Hank Williams Sr. Jan Howard and Rockie Lynn co-hosted the Jamboree, following the tribute for the man then-President Lyndon B. Johnson later called “The first American to fall in defense of our freedom in Vietnam.” Jan Howard, of course, lost a son in combat during the Vietnam War.
Final Curtain: Guitarist-songwriter Paul Thurman Yandell, 76, died Nov. 21, at his suburban Hendersonville home, following a lengthy fight with cancer. As a sideman, the Mayfield, Ky., native backed such superstars as Kitty Wells and Johnnie & Jack, the Louvin Brothers, George Hamilton IV, Jerry Reed and for some 25 years, Chet Atkins. He also wrote Wells’ 1964 Top 10, “I’ll Repossess My Heart.” Following a stint in the Army, Louvin joined Johnnie & Jack’s Tennessee Mountain Boys (1961-1969). As a session guitarist he played on the records of the Louvins, Wells, Reed, Wright, Dolly Parton, Hank Thompson, Perry Como, Roger Whittaker, Les Paul, Woody Herman, the Everly Brothers, Steve Wariner, Mary Chapin Carpenter and Atkins. In tribute to his mentor, he also released a solo album “Forever Chet” in 2001. On his later CDs “Dream Train” (2004), “In the Groove” (2005) and “Drive On” (2006), he played on a New Gretsch Nashville Classic guitar that he co-designed with Fred Gretsch. Yandell had once concluded: “All I ever wanted to do when I was a kid was to come to Nashville and play at the Grand Ole Opry, that was my dream night and day. The dream eventually came true. Over the years, I’ve had the opportunities to play with all my heroes. What more could a guy want?” Survivors include his wife of 50 years Marie (Jones) and son Paul Micah Yandell. A Celebration of Life service was conducted by The Reverend Raymond Langlois on Nov. 25, at Hendersonville’s Memory Garden Funeral Home, with interment in Clark’s River Baptist Church Cemetery in Symsonia, Ky., Nov. 26.
Country Radio Disc Jockey Hall of Famer Charlie Douglas (China), 78, died Nov. 24 on Thanksgiving Day. A native of Ludowici, Ga., the former WSM personality resided in Picayune, Miss. During his colorful radio career, he broadcast from a hot-air balloon in Texas, but they lost control of the navigation and wound up drifting over the Gulf of Mexico. Reportedly he was the first person to broadcast while parachuting from an airplane, standing in a lion’s cage, and while riding on the back of a bull. In 1975, Douglas took his show on the road, broadcasting from 40 different locations in 50 days. Douglas first broadcast at KLIC-Monroe, La., in 1953, and then at WWL-New Orleans, becoming the all-night host of Road Gang, geared to the nation’s truckers. Douglas once recorded a “Diesel Duets” album with America’s truck driving vocal hero Dave Dudley, and solo a comedy disc “Me and Dammit Ray.” He also penned a Country Music Scene column for Overdrive magazine. Douglas had stated: “Truckers and construction workers are the last vestiges of hard-nosed pride in being male. They are the last ones to practice that time-honored art of whistling at pretty girls. This nation would be in one helluva fix if it weren’t for the men that follow lines between the ditches . . . and the ladies too, ‘bless ’em. I appreciate and admire the entire industry.” He was inducted into the DJ Hall of Fame in 1994, while at WSM, and retired from radio in 1995. Survivors include his wife and three children.
Percussionist Tom Roady, 62, died Nov. 27, while on a concert tour, of a heart attack, after having suffered from cancer. He refused to let a cancer prognosis deter his touring and had just finished rehearsing with the Skaggs Family Christmas troupe, including Ricky Skaggs and The Whites. As a session player of note, he’s heard on such hits as Vince Gill’s “What Cowgirls Do,” Kenny Chesney’s “When the Sun Goes Down” and Brooks & Dunn’s “My Maria.” He has also toured with VIPs such as Paul Anka, John Denver and James Taylor. From St. Louis, the drummer preferred playing conga, shakers, tambourines and additional rhythmic instruments. He once played R&B in Muscle Shoals, Ala., performed in Los Angeles and in 1983 moved to Nashville, playing on albums of Chesney, Emmylou Harris and Trisha Yearwood, among many others. Survived by wife Melanie, services were conducted Dec. 4 at Highland Park Church, where he also played in the band.
Bassist Dan (Bee) Spears, 62, died Dec. 8, after a fall outside exposed him to the elements while unconscious. He earned his spurs pickin’ with Willie Nelson from 1968, and in addition to touring is heard on hit albums with Willie such as “Red-Headed Stranger” and “Stardust,” and appears in Nelson movies “Honeysuckle Rose” and “Songwriter.” Other stars he has recorded for include Leon Russell, Waylon Jennings, Guy Clark and Jerry Jeff Walker. Survivors include wife Julia (Jones); sons James Spears, Lucien Niccore and Cyrus Niccore; daughters Joanna Pangalinan and Christy Cook; and five grandchildren. A Native American Celebration of Life service was held Dec. 13, at Williamson Memorial Funeral Home with Native American Spiritual Leader Donnie Dowd, of the Ojibway Indians, officiating.
Smooth-voiced singer Dobie Gray, 71, died Dec. 6, at his Nashville residence. Although primarily hailed as an R&B artist known for soulful mega hits “Drift Away” and “The ‘In’ Crowd,” he charted four 1980s’ Billboard country singles for Capitol, including his self-penned Top 40 “The Dark Side of Town” and Jerry Fuller’s “That’s One To Grow On.” The son of a sharecropper, he was born Leonard Victor Ainsworth on July 26, 1940 in Simonton, Texas, but raised by an aunt, and grew up influenced by both gospel and country sounds. During the early 1960s he moved to Los Angeles, appearing in legitimate theater, including the rock musical “Hair.” A Decca Records contract propelled him into the bigtime as a soulful singer of love songs. But Gray also scored as songwriter and producer. He is survived by three sisters and a brother. Funeral services were held Dec. 15 at Brentwood Baptist Church, suburban Brentwood, and interment in Woodlawn Memorial Park.
German-born Barbara Orbison, widow of singer-songwriter Roy Orbison, died during a hospitalization in Los Angeles for pancreatic cancer. She was 61. Mrs. Orbison kept her husband’s music alive during the nearly quarter of a century since his passing. Ironically, she died on the anniversary of her husband’s death (Dec. 6, 1988 at age 52), after continuing to preserve his musical legacy through the years. She headed up the publishing arm Still Working Music, as well as Orbison Records and Barbara Orbison Productions, companies that not only promoted Orbison songs but also sponsored promising writers and artists. According to producer Mark Wright, who worked with Barbara on songs by Gary Allan and Brooks & Dunn, “She was very shrewd and ran that company from all over the world. She was 24-7 and a force of nature. She will be hard to replace.” Stepping up, however, are sons Roy Jr., 43, and Alex Orbison, 36, who currently drums with the rockin’ West Coast band Whitestarr. Meantime, Clay Myers continues as vice president and general manager. The former Barbara Ann Marie Wellhoener Jakobs, 18, first met Roy during a 1968 London concert, and they were wed a year later. His only surviving son from his marriage to Claudette, who died, is Wesley Orbison, 46, who resides in Texas and is not involved in the Orbison businesses. According to her wishes, Barbara Orbison will be buried next to her husband at Westwood Village Memorial Park in Los Angeles. BMI plans a later Celebration of Life in her honor.
In a freak accident on Dec. 1, newly-wed Paul Jackson Warren, 28, died in a Sumner County pile-up on an icy highway that ensnared some 45 vehicles. He is the grandson of famed fiddler Paul Warren, and son of John Warren, who recently cut a fiddle tribute album to his father Paul. Like dad, young Paul was also an avid golfer. He graduated Lipscomb University with an MBA degree in Business, and working as a vice president at Volunteer State Bank. He was traveling on Vietnam Veterans Parkway enroute to work on a foggy morning and didn’t anticipate “black ice,” a thin covering that made the highway treacherous. His Toyota Corolla slammed into the back end of an 18-wheeler truck, the last in a chain reaction of crashes that resulted. At least 17 others were hospitalized, but Warren was the only fatality. Following his granddad’s death, his paternal grandmother Eloise later remarried, making bluegrass legend Curly Seckler his step-grandfather. Paul was married two months earlier to his bride Molly. His sister Lori was to have been married Dec. 3, but the wedding was postponed. Dad Johnny Warren told the press, “He was my best friend. I was the best man at his wedding. We feel really, really bad for our loss, but we feel really bad for Molly.” Other survivors include his mother Kathy (Powers) Warren, sister Lori Warren, grandmothers Eloise and Martha Powers. Funeral services were held Dec. 5 at Hendersonville First Baptist Church, with a Life Celebration conducted by Pastor Doug Varnado and David Gregory officiating. Interment in Hendersonville Memory Gardens.
Guitarist Jack (Houston) Pruett, 78, died Dec. 5. He had been a longtime picker in Marty Robbins’ band and was the former husband of country songstress Jeanne Pruett of “Satin Sheets” fame. He had a keen sense of humor, according to steel-guitarist Jack Stoner: “I was told a funny story about him yesterday, by one of his many friends. The friend said he asked Jack how he lasted so long with Marty. He said Jack told him ‘When Marty is in the front of the bus, I’m in the back; when Marty is in the back of the bus, I’m in the front.’” Actually theirs was a good relationship lasting nearly 30 years, and Jack later played for Marty’s son Ronnie Robbins. Born in Goodwater, Ala., Jack would wed Norma Jean Bowman, an Alabama native with whom he relocated to Nashville in 1956. There she won fame as Jeanne Pruett on WSM’s Grand Ole Opry, though they were later divorced. Some sources say he was a younger brother to Hank Williams’ bandsman Sammy Pruett, and earlier played in Curley Williams & His Georgia Peachpickers band. Survivors include two children, Jael and Jack Jr., from his marriage to Jeanne. Funeral services were held Dec. 9 at Middle Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery near Bellevue, Tenn.
Veteran vocalist Billie Jo Spears, 74, died Dec. 14, at home in Vidor, Texas, after suffering from lung cancer. Best known for her 1975 charttopping tune “Blanket On the Ground,” written by Roger Bowling, Spears enjoyed a career resurgence abroad when she became a fan favorite during the late 1970s.
Born Billie Jean Spears in Beaumont, Texas, Jan. 14, 1937, she made her public performing debut at 13 in Houston, and the teen went on to guest on KWKH-Shreveport’s historic Louisiana Hayride. Under the stage name Billie Jean Moore, she garnered attention via an in-your-face ’53 recording “Too Old For Toys, Too Young For Boys,” on the indie label Abbott Records.
Spears spent four years working as a carhop at an area drive-in, while performing with bands at Neva’s, a nitery north of Beaumont. She moved to Music City USA in 1964, hoping to further her career.
An early mentor was Nashville songwriter Jack Rhodes, whose hits include “A Satisfied Mind,” “Silver Threads and Golden Needles” and “The Waltz of the Angels.” He helped the promising talent land a major disc deal with United Artists, though little came of that initial association.
Steel-guitarist Pete Drake took her under his wing, too, helping land her major record pact with Capitol. Spears’ first bona fide hit was the 1969 Top Fiver “Mr. Walker, It’s All Over,” written by Gene Crysler, the best ranking out of her eight Capitol singles and two albums: “Mr. Walker . . .” and “Miss Sincerity.” She made her first 1960s’ overseas flight touring U.S. bases abroad to such places as Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK.
Spears, who liked being called “B.J.,” confided to this reporter that she credited Tammy Wynette with giving her some sound vocal advice, notably soften her delivery, and as a result attained her #1 “Blanket On the Ground” back under the United Artists’ banner. It was followed by a pair of Top Five singles: Kenny O’Dell’s “What I’ve Got in Mind” and a revival of Bob Montgomery’s standard “Misty Blue.” Although Spears achieved 34 Billboard chartings, she had her final Top 10 record “If You Want Me,” penned by Ben Peters, in 1977. UA’s eight charted Spears’ LPs include a duets “By Request: Del & Billie Jo” with labelmate Del Reeves. Spin-off singles by the duo were “On the Rebound” and “Teardrops Will Kiss the Morning Dew,” both in 1976. They failed to chart Top 10.
B.J. fared better overseas where her records continued to chart, and saw bigger stars from the U.S. opening shows for her in the United Kingdom. Like Slim Whitman and Boxcar Willie, she recorded albums for British fans that weren’t released Stateside. Attesting to her popularity, a Country Music People magazine feature (in Great Britain) acclaimed Spears “The Queen Mother of Country Music.” The feisty star’s private life was less successful as she suffered several broken marriages, and underwent open heart surgery in 1993. She had returned to touring abroad, and reportedly had dates firmed in Glasgow, Croyden and Liverpool for 2012.
R.S. Farmer Funeral Home in Silsbee, Texas, was in charge of funeral arrangements for the artist. A memorial service is being scheduled Jan. 14, at a site to be announced. Survivors include sons Tim Pierce of Nederland and Kevin Jones of Vidor; daughter Donna Coker of Jasper; five grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.

Music City Beat - December 2011

2011-11-08T19:23:00.018-06:00

Garth Brooks and Julie Ingram (left) share the spotlight with fellow songwriter Frank Wainwright at a Rock & Roll banquet in New York City . . . That's the late Liz Anderson at right.

Songwriters honored, as music scene loses writer
legends Liz Anderson, Taz DiGregorio, Billy Barton in recent weeks

NASHVILLE -- Words won my friend Frank Wainwright the 2011 Tennessee Songwriters Association International (TSAI) annual Songwriter of the Year award.
Wainwright was honored specifically for his compositions “You The Man, Babe” cut by Julie Ingram and “Thank God” recorded by inspirational artist Hannah Faith, 10, during ceremonies conducted Oct. 15, at Belmont University here.
“I never thought I would win such an award when I came to Nashville to write my songs,” says Wainwright. “I feel highly honored by this recognition.”
The prestigious award goes to members whose words and music represent the best of TSAI writers throughout the year of eligibility. In 1997, Wainwright won TSAI’s Horizon Award, a most promising newcomer’s accolade.
Stamford, Conn., locksmith Frank Wainwright relocated to Nashville in 1991 to try his hand as a tunesmith, a longtime dream. He earned the Connecticut Songwriters Association’s CSA Outstanding Service award in 1995.
“I started songwriting . . . well, actually all my life,” explains Frank. “I began by jotting down little things, ideas here and there, but never did nothing with them, just saved ’em up. Then I went through a divorce and had some bad times when the economy dropped out back in Connecticut. I lost everything I’d worked for over 25 years, but was healthy and my kids grown, so thought I’d go to Nashville and give it a shot.”
Following in his father’s footsteps, Frank, Jr., continues as a Stamford locksmith, operating Alert Security Plus, while daughter Elinor Delia lives in Fairfield, Conn. Two in his corner urging Frank to follow his dream were close friend Brenda Fahmy, an opera singer, and former brother-in-law Ray Mallozzi.
Wainwright didn’t know a soul in Music City, but as luck would have it soon met up with pianist-producer-arranger Jay Vern, who had a studio on Music Row. After listening to Frank, Jay said he should try Nashville and even gave him a place to stay for a year: “We put together about eight songs for a demo recording.”
Frank recalls, “I went to a meeting of the Nashville Songwriters Association, and there were about 120 people in the room with a basketful of songs. They listened to probably a verse and maybe a chorus, and you didn’t know whose they’d listen to. Well, they didn’t take any until they worked through about 25 tapes, then, all of a sudden, they stopped and asked, ‘Who wrote this song?’ It was mine and I didn’t know whether to answer or not, while slumping further down into my seat, I did raise my hand. The man said, ‘We’d like to put this song on hold.’ It was a song I’d simply titled ‘Country Music,’ but that was encouragement enough. It got me hooked.”
Unfortunately nothing came of their “hold,” but led to Frank’s signing with Charlie Monk’s Monk Family Music, whose writers included Randy Travis, Victoria Shaw and Aaron Tippin. His “Manana” was a song Monk much admired and has been cut by Shannon Brown and Butch Baker, major label artists who cut demos for Frank. Monk, incidentally, also hosts his own weekly Sirius XM Satellite show on which he invites Wainwright, calling his friend “Frankie Yank,” who now also serves as Monk Music’s A&R director.
Wainwright found his former occupation helpful while getting established in Nashville, sharing a story noting how he promoted his locksmith skills to industry VIPs.
“I walked up to Joe Galante (RCA/Sony Music chief), introduced myself at an event and said, ‘Joe, I’m Frank Wainwright and I know you can open doors for artists in the music business. Well, I can also open a lot of doors for people, so if you ever have a door you can’t open, don’t hesitate to call me.’ I handed him my card and he looked at me like I was crazy, as he walked away. Then I saw him read my card and he looked back laughing, and put the card in his wallet. Sure enough, two weeks later he called to say, ‘C’mon over, someone’s locked out of their car!’ I still do it when called upon.”
Among other titles he’s penned is “I Lived To Tell It All,” which he wrote for George Jones. ASCAP writer Wainwright’s favorite of all his songs, however, is “I Love You,” recorded last fall by Julie Ingram, who included it along with “You The Man, Babe” on her CD “Remember Always.” Her label, Longshot Records, saw its potential and made a music video on the song, filmed on location in north Texas at scenic Lake Texoma. Released in mid-July, it has continued to see increased play.
“First thing, it’s not a regular love song. It’s a song about people in your life who have passed on, and you regret never having taken the time to tell them you love them, whether a spouse, a friend, whatever. I had a friend and used to drive by his town, always meaning to stop. Then I lost his phone number but wanted to see him, so I got hold of his brother to inquire, but he told me, ‘I’m sorry to tell you, but we buried him about six months ago.’ That struck me and inspired the song.”
Its lyrics: “I’m not waiting to say I love you/Till it’s time to say goodbye/I’m gonna express my feelings/There’s no point in being shy . . . From one friend to another/I can count on like no other/I want you to know I love you/Before we ever say goodbye.”
“Now when I leave people, I’ve got in the habit of telling those close to me, ‘I love you,’ and you know I’ve got them telling me back they love me, too!” Good advice. Congrats, Frank!
More Honors: John Bettis, Thom Schuyler and Allen Shamblin were named to the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, Oct. 15, along with stars Garth Brooks and Alan Jackson as artist-writer members. Meanwhile, its sponsor the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) voted Taylor Swift her fourth songwriter-artist of the year, during a simultaneous awards ceremony that saw Chris DuBois (“This is Country Music”) elected Songwriter of the Year. NSAI’s Song of the Year statuette went to “If I Die Young,” penned by Kimberly Perry, and recorded by her unit The Band Perry. Bettis’ credits include “Top Of the World,” “Heartland” and “Slow Hand.” Among Schuyler’s career hits are “16th Avenue,” “Long Line of Love” and “Love Out Loud,” while Shamblin’s successes include “He Walked On Water,” “Life Is a Dance” and “I Can’t Make You Love Me.” Numbered among Brooks’ efforts are “If Tomorrow Never Comes,” “Unanswered Prayers,” “The Thunder Rolls,” and Jackson’s self-penned gems include “Here in the Real World,” “Chattahoochie” and “Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning).” . . . Broadcast Music,Inc. (BMI) honored its choices, Rhett Akins and Dallas Davidson as Songwriters of the Year, Nov. 8, at the performing rights organization’s 59th annual country awards here. BMI’s prestigious Icon honor recognized veteran writer Bobby Braddock, thanks to such classic compositions as “He Stopped Loving Her Today,” “Golden Ring” and “People Are Crazy.” The Akins-Davidson collaboration, “All Over Me” (recorded by Josh Turner) was named Song of the Year. Other Akins-Davidson co-writes cited were “All About Tonight” (Blake Shelton), “Gimme That Girl” (Joe Nichols) and “The Shape I’m In” (Nichols) . . . The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP), a performing rights organization, voted Ben Hayslip its Songwriter of the Year, Nov. 6, as it honored singer-songwriter Brad Paisley as Artist/Songwriter of the Year. Designated top song of 2011 was Allen Shamblin's “The House That Built Me” (cut by Miranda Lambert). Don Williams received ASCAP’s Golden Note, a career achievement award recognizing such self-penned hits as “Till the Rivers All Run Dry,” “Lay Down Beside Me” and “Love Me Over Again.” Hayslip’s past year successes include “The Shape I’m In,” “Gimme That Girl” and “All About Tonight,” while Paisley penned his hits “Anything Like Me” and “This Is Country Music.” Versatile artist Josh Kear was recipient of the Global Impact trophy, thanks in part to his creations “Need You Now” (Lady Antebellum) and “Before He Cheats” (Carrie Underwood) . . . Further, ASCAP Vice President Ralph Murphy, a British-born Canadian producer-songwriter, received the CMA’s Jo Walker-Meador International Award recognizing exceptional overseas promotional efforts. (He co-wrote the hits “Call My Name,” “Good Enough To Be Your Wife” and “He Got You.”) Additionally, The McClymonts, Australian sisters, were presented CMA’s Global Country Act Award . . . The Nov. 7 SESAC songwriter awards saw Hilary Scott (of Lady Antebellum) win her third Songwriter of the Year trophy, plus individual citations for her Lady Antebellum hits “Just a Kiss,” “Need You Now” and “Our Kind of Love.” In addition, she earned a special writer’s performance recognition honor for having penned Sara Evans’ comeback charttopper “A Little Bit Stronger.” Nonetheless, it was SESAC writer Anthony Smith’s creation “Tomorrow” (as cut by co-writer Chris Young) that garnered Song of the Year. In a newer category - Americana Performance Activity - pioneer artist Bob Dylan received recognition for his contributions to albums by Wanda Jackson, Old 97’s, Sarah Jarosz, and the North Mississippi All-Stars. Besides her multiple honors, Scott was also why the performing rights organization announced a charitable donation for missionary work in flood-ravaged Haiti, her cause . . . Country queens Connie Smith and Kathy Mattea are among multiple artists named to the West Virginia Music Hall of Fame. They’re being inducted along with musicians Jimi Hendrix, Billy Cox, Butch Miles, singer Diamond Teeth Mary, composer Jack Rollins (“Frosty the Snowman”) and rockin’ Red Clay Ramblers’ founder Tommy Thompson.
Legal Skirmishes: Josh Holly, 21, has received three years’ probation after having been found guilty of hacking e-mail accounts, but was not charged for hacking singer Miley Cyrus’ e-mail accounts. This despite the fact that he published racy pictures of the star taken off her website; however, federal agents discovered on searching his computer, illegal possession of some 200 credit card numbers belonging to others. Subsequently, in August 2011, Holly pleaded guilty to a charge of electronic mail message fraud for hacking MySpace. Reportedly, Holly received more than $100,000 in commissions for steering on-line traffic to a website hawking cell-phone ring-tones . . . Singer-actor Clint Black has to be pleased with the Tennessee Supreme Court’s decision not to hear an appeal concerning the case in which Black sues former business manager Charles Sussman and others for alleged mismanagement, account malpractices and breach of contract. Black had received a favorable ruling from the Tennessee Court of Appeals in June, which means that the lawsuit will be returned to Davidson County Chancellor Carol McCoy, who overturned Clint’s case for technical reasons. Then the Court of Appeals overturned McCoy’s ruling, which stands now that the Supreme Court nixed hearing the case. Black and Sussman collaborated to create Equity Records in 2003, which signed one of the hottest new acts Little Big Town, but apparently due to Sussman’s negligence, the act’s contract was allowed to expire. The label has since folded . . . A Nov. 29 hearing in Nashville should determine whether Tim McGraw can record more music while awaiting his July 9, 2012 trial to settle a contractual dispute with his label, Curb Records. The singer seeks release from Curb, on which he shot to stardom in 1994, with a million-selling single “Indian Outlaw.” He claims his last CD fulfilled his obligation, while Curb insists the artist is still under contract, and cannot record for any other company.
Bits & Pieces: Best CD release party we’ve attended this year was that hosted by Larry Black for “The Sheriff” Jimmy Capps, the Opry guitarist featured on RFD’s TV show Larry’s Country Diner. In fact, Black held the salute for Capps’ new album “In Time For Dinner” backstage at RFD (and was the disc’s executive producer). Speaking of dinner, Black spared nothing, serving up prime rib and all the fixin’s. Guests included such familiar faces as Stonewall Jackson, Jeannie Seely, Johnny Carver, Jan Howard, Jim Glaser, Charlie McCoy, Dickey Lee, Joey Miskulin, Dennis Crouch, Hoot Hester, Gene Crisman, Denis Solee, Michele Capps, Tim Atwood, Ronnie Reno, Ray Pillow and The Roys. Behind-the-scenes people spotted included Stacy Harris, Keith Bilbrey, Martha Moore, Kirt Webster and more. Added to original songs the Capps wrote like “Larry’s Place,” “Bilbrey’s Bounce” and “What’s For Dinner, Diner Man?,” Jimmy picks such standards as “Shenandoah,” “Pop-A-Top,” “Detroit City” and “Tumbling Tumbleweeds,” a winning combination for this CD . . . Billy Dean co-starred in the faith-based TV movie “Decision” with Natalie Grant, filmed on location in Kingston Springs, Tenn. Dean appears as the dad to a teen-ager in the flick which beamed nationwide Oct. 16 on the Gospel Music Channel. A father of two teens, the actor-singer noted, “Someone told me a long time ago that teen-agers rebel against hypocrisy. I had to do a lot of soul-searching and not tell them to do one thing and me do another. I relied a lot on that in the movie” . . . Dan Hays, Executive Director of the International Bluegrass Music Association, has announced he will resign his post, effective Feb. 29, 2012. Dan says that he has no other job plans at the present time. Meanwhile, a replacement will be sought by the IBMA board of directors. (That's Dan below right with bluegrass legend Mac Wiseman last year, as taken by Patricia Presley) . . . John Carter Cash has been attending a lot of book-signings of late helping to promote his new book “House of Cash: The Legacies of Johnny Cash, My Father” ($39.95). He also penned the earlier bio on his mother: “Anchored in Love: An Intimate Portrait of June Carter Cash” (2007) . . . Artist manager Stuart Dill is receiving glowing reviews for his first novel “Murder On Music Row” (John F. Blair, Publisher). Of course, you can’t copyright a title, so there’s nothing the Larrys, Cordle or Shell, can do regarding Dill’s use of their song title (as recorded by Alan Jackson & George Strait). In his own Music Row career, Dill has represented notables Jo Dee Messina, Billy Ray Cyrus, Freddy Fender and Dwight Yoakam. A key character in the mystery is called Ripley Graham, a platinum-selling singer apparently going off the deep end, though Dill won’t disclose who he may have modeled him after. So how did it evolve? “I started this around 1997, and I think I did 14 rewrites. Having a creative outlet outside of the rhythms of my regular world actually created energy and delight,” he told The Tennessean newspaper, indicating fiction was an escape from hectic real-life business . . . Charlie Daniels & Friends’ concert Nov. 21 at the Ryman Auditorium, benefits the Christmas 4 Kids charity. Contributing their talents, too, are Phil Vassar, Joe Nichols, Colt Ford and Sawyer Brown. “You think about making a kid smile when there is very little to smile about in their life. That’s what Christmas 4 Kids is all about, ” says Daniels. The non-profit project began more than 25 years ago, an idea originally conceived by entertainers’ tour bus drivers to provide needy children a holiday shopping spree. More than 400 kiddies will celebrate a day-long visit, Dec. 12, to the Hendersonville mall, riding aboard an artist’s bus, participating in a Christmas party hosted by Santa Claus, receive a new coat and $150 for a shopping spree, after being greeted by the stars whose buses enabled their fun trip . . . Singer Eric Church, 34, and wife Katherine (Blasingame) became parents to Boone McCoy Church, Oct. 3, at Centennial Women’s Hospital in Nashville. Their baby weighed in at 7 lbs. 11 oz., and may explain Eric’s most recent self-penned success - “Drink in My Hand” - as he’s merely saluting being a first-time father. “Everybody always tells you what an awesome and unique experience being a parent is,” says Church. “Words can never do the feeling justice. I am very thankful and blessed to have a healthy and happy baby boy and baby mama!”
On The Mend: Country Music Hall of Famer Loretta Lynn, 76, was hospitalized with bacterial pneumonia, Oct. 22, the day she was slated to perform at the Performing Arts Center in Ashland, Ky. The management insists the show will be rescheduled at a later date. Reportedly, the star is recuperating back home in Hurricane Mills, Tenn. In August, Lynn canceled shows due to knee surgery, and was a no-show later in Connecticut and Ohio, after being hospitalized briefly suffering from “heat exhaustion.”
Final Curtain: A little known figure in the annals of country music, John “Hill-Billy” Barton Grimes, 81, died at home, Oct. 8. His writing credits include “A Dear John Letter,” “Forgive Me, John” and “I Love You,” hits that charted for Jean Shepard, Ferlin Husky, Ginny Wright and Jim Reeves. A Kentucky native, born Nov. 21, 1929, he studied in order to get a job as a tobacco auctioneer at 16. Following military service, he married Rhoda Holland, mother to daughter Carolyn and son Ronnie.
As “Hillbilly Barton” he was pickin’ and singin’ on radio station KXLA-Pasadena, Calif. Meanwhile, he was writing songs he kept in a notebook. His first record releases were duets with future star Johnny Horton for the indie Abbott Records.
After obtaining a regional hit with “A Dear John Letter,” recorded for Tally Records by co-founder Fuzzy Owen and (Buck Owens’ then-wife) Bonnie Owens, Fuzzy and Lewis Tally took the song to Capitol A&R chief Ken Nelson, who confided: “I liked the idea and decided to make it the B side of a recording by Jean (Shepard) titled ‘I’d Rather Die Young.’ I asked Ferlin to do the recitation. He agreed, but said it wouldn’t be necessary to pay him for doing it. I was sure ‘I’d Rather Die Young’ would be a hit, but I was sure wrong. ‘A Dear John Letter’ took off like a scared rabbit, and before you could say ‘Jack Rabbit,’ it was #1 on the country chart and #4 on the pop chart. When I saw what was happening I immediately arranged for Ferlin to receive one-quarter cent royalty for each record sold. It sold a million.”
After dropping the “Hill,” Billy Barton had to share writer’s royalties with Owen and Tally, whose efforts got the song on Capitol. Fortunately for its 1953 sequel “Forgive Me, John,” an idea from singer Shepard, he only had to share writer credit with Jean. Although not a pop crossover, it peaked at #4 on Billboard’s country chart.
The next year saw his solo composition “I Love You,” as recorded by Reeves & Wright, hit #3 on the country chart, seemingly indicating a promising future for the newcomer. In 1958, Webb Pierce added his name to Barton’s “You’ll Come Back,” and took it into the Top 10 country chart. No doubt he first met Webb when both were performing on KWKH’s Louisiana Hayride.
Incidentally, Barton’s songs marked the first chartings for Shepard, Husky and Wright, and later artists recording his #1 included Skeeter Davis & Bobby Bare, Johnny Wright & The Kitty Wells Singers, Ernest & Elaine Tubb (and a later Tubb version with Loretta Lynn), and even Swedish duo Alice Babs & Charlie Norman. In 1970, Red Sovine titled his album “A Dear John Letter.”
Billy’s own duet partner Hattie Starnes also became his bride. In later years, they performed primarily country gospel songs, many of which he penned. The couple were parents to Debbie, John and Julie. Survivors also include seven grandchildren. Services were held at Woodlawn Memorial Park in Nashville.
Pianist-vocalist Joel (Taz) DiGregorio, 67, died Oct. 12, after a single car accident on Interstate 40, as he was enroute in his SUV from his residence in Burns to meet the Charlie Daniels tour bus. DiGregorio performed more than 40 years with the Charlie Daniels, and is credited as co-writer on Daniels’ signature song “The Devil Went Down to Georgia,” which earned a Grammy, as well as “In America,” “Boogie Woogie Fiddlin’ Country Blues,” “Simple Man” and “All Night Long” (CDB performing with MontgomeryGentry).
Daniels canceled the week’s remaining shows in respect of DiGregorio: “I am in shock now. Taz was one of my best friends. We traveled many miles together and shared so many nights on the road. We’re going to miss you, buddy. You were one of a kind and will never be forgotten.”
William Joel DiGregorio became a renowned southern rock keyboardist. His early musical influences included Fats Domino, Little Richard and Ray Charles.
“A self-taught keyboardist with deep bluesy roots, DiGregorio used his natural gift for creating melodies to co-write many of the (CDB) band’s songs,” acknowledged producer Neil R. Portnow, CEO of the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences, who praised his talents thusly, “Taz DiGregorio greatly influenced southern rock and country music with a career that spanned almost half a century as an integral member of the Charlie Daniels Band.”
DiGregorio stated in an early interview, “I was born in Worcester, Mass., and lived there until about 1962, when I went on the road. The first band I played with was called Paul Chaplan & The Emeralds, famous for a song called ‘Shortnin’ Bread’ and we sold about 250,000 records.”
Following a military stint, DiGregoria hooked up in ’64 with then-unknown Daniels, the beginning of an unusually lengthy collaboration. Besides playing on many CDB albums, Taz co-wrote additional charters including “The Legend of Wooley Swamp,” “Carolina,” “Ragin’ Cajun,” “American Farmer,” “Cowboy Hat in Dallas,” “Midnight Train,” “Mr. DJ,” “A Few More Rednecks,” “America, I Believe in You” and the sequel “The Devil Comes Back to Georgia,” which boasted Johnny Cash, Mark O’Connor, Marty Stuart and Travis Tritt sharing vocals with CDB (1993).
In 2001, Taz released his first solo album “Midnight in Savannah,” but continued with CDB. Taz’s nickname came from a comment by tour manager Jesse Craig, who chuckled upon seeing the longhaired DiGregorio awakening aboard bus at daybreak, his hair standing straight up, saying he looked like the Tazmanian Devil. Charlie heard it and on the next record release, credited him as “Taz” DiGregorio, and the name stuck.
The artist is survived by four children: Joel, Blake, Rachel and Savannah DiGregorio; his mother Louise LaRochelle; and father Anthony DiGregorio. Services scheduled Oct. 17 at Harpeth Hills Memorial Gardens, were followed by a Celebration of Life at the Loveless Barn in suburban Nashville.
Sweet-voiced singer-songwriter Liz Anderson, 84, died Oct. 31, from complications of heart and lung disease at St. Thomas Hospital, after an earlier battle with cancer. In addition to her own hits such as the Top Five “Mama Spank,” she wrote hits for other artists including Merle Haggard, Bonnie Owens, Del Reeves, Roy Drusky, Bill Phillips and her daughter Lynn Anderson.
Born Jan. 13, 1927 in Roseau, Minn., Elizabeth Jane was the daughter of Mildred and Edward Haaby. As a young girl, she moved with her family to Grand Forks, N.D. Initially at 8 “Liz” learned to play mandolin to accompany her vocals, but at 10 soon took up the guitar.
In 1943, at 16 she met fellow North Dakotan C. S. “Casey” Anderson. Three years later, Liz and Casey were wed. Their only child Lynn was born Sept. 26, 1947 in Grand Forks.
After the family moved to Sacramento, Calif., housewife Liz started writing songs in her spare time, something she had done since her younger days.
“When Casey and I moved to Sacramento in 1957, there just weren’t any country stations around,” recalled Liz in our first interview. “I wasn’t hearing any new songs - and being the country girl I am, I just started writing so I’d have some to sing myself.”
According to daughter Lynn (seen below left with Liz and Casey in this Patricia Presley shot): “Mother’s very good at picking up on people’s emotions and at raising the level of those emotions . . . she does it with her words and cleverness.”
Among Liz’s cleverly-worded songs that Lynn would record herself were “If I Kiss You (Will You Go Away),” “Mother, May I” (which Lynn cut with Liz), “Big Girls Don’t Cry” and “Flattery Will Get You Everywhere.” In fact, Lynn’s very first charting was mama’s creation “Ride, Ride, Ride,” a 1966 Top 40, later covered by Brenda Lee.
“Music was always a part of my family life,” added Lynn. “Mother would play piano or organ, her sister would play guitar, while another would beat on the drums or play a harmonica.”
As a typical teen-ager, Lynn was into the rockin’ sounds of Roy Orbison, Brenda Lee and the Everly Brothers: “Mom would drive me to school, and have a real country song by someone like Hank Williams playing with the windows down. Well, there was a lot surreptitious dial-turning by me.”
Liz studied at the Redwood City Business College in Redwood City, Calif., and worked as a secretary. Casey was in partnership with Slim Williamson and Ott Stephens in Ribbon Music, Inc., and met with Jack McFadden, a country music promoter, then managing newcomer Del Reeves. In turn, Del recorded three of Liz’s compositions, one of which “Be Quiet Mind” became his first Billboard charting (#9, 1961).
Bonnie Owens was pitched Liz’s “Just Between the Two Of Us,” which she cut for the independent Tally label, calling on boyfriend Merle Haggard to share the mic in a duet. The following year, Merle recorded Liz’s ballad “(All My Friends Are Gonna Be) Strangers,” scoring his first Top 10 single and that Tally release landed him a major label deal with Capitol, where “The Fugitive,” co-written by Liz & Casey, gave Merle his first #1 single (March 4, 1967).
Meanwhile, 4-Star’s Bob Jennings was influential in landing Liz her 1966 recording contract with RCA, though little did the Andersons think it would also mark the start of daughter Lynn's success story.
“When we came to Nashville, we came specifically for Mother to get a record contract. But they started letting me sing (backup) on her sessions,” recalled Lynn. “In effect, they heard me and said, ‘Would you like a contract, too?’ I did feel guilty about it for awhile, because it was so easy for me, when in fact, it had taken Mother years to get to that point.”
The younger blonde was inked to Chart Records, an RCA subsidiary. Actually by the time Mom’s first release - “Go Now, Pay Later” - was ready, Lynn’s debut single “In Person” was out, as well. Liz, however, hit first with a Top Five single “The Game of Triangles,” which Cy Coben wrote, teaming her with Bobby Bare and Norma Jean.
That 1966 release was a rarity, a ballad depicting the three sides concerned in an extra-marital love affair, with Bobby being the husband, Norma Jean the other woman, and Liz the wronged wife: “Every triangle has three sides, it’s true/(Liz) There’s the wife’s side/(Bobby) The husband’s/(Norma) And my side, too . . . (All) What’s the difference who’s to blame/Everybody suffers the same/For the game of triangles/Is a heartbreaking game.”
The following year, Liz hit again with her own copyright “Mama Spank,” a novelty number peaking at #5 and earning her a Grammy nod. Her follow-up “Tiny Tears,” which she wrote, stalled at #24, followed by a Top 40 “Thanks a Lot For Tryin’ Anyway” (by Jim Glaser) in 1967.
Early the next year came her and Lynn’s duet “Mother, May I,” a Top 20 release, while Lynn also had a Top 10 single “No Another Time,” followed by another success “That’s a No, No” (by Ben Peters), a near charttopper. A year later, Lynn signed with Columbia where she struck paydirt with her multi-million selling signature song “Rose Garden,” winning a best vocalist Grammy. (She was wed to hit songwriter Glenn Sutton, who would also produce Liz.)
Besides Lynn, other artists recording Liz’s songs included Conway Twitty (“Guess My Eyes Were Bigger Than My Heart,” his first country charting); Charley Pride (“In the Middle of Nowhere”); Roy Drusky (“Strangers” and “Pick Of the Week”); and Bill Phillips (“The Words I’m Gonna Have to Eat”).
In addition to raising horses, the Andersons also owned their own Piper Comanche 400 airplane in which they toured during her heyday: “We sold it to Earl Scruggs.”
After RCA, Liz signed with Epic, Jan. 1, 1970, though her subsequent chartings failed to register Top 10, with the last being Helen Cornelius’s composition “Time To Love Again” (#72, 1973). She continued to tour, slowly slipping into semi-retirement, but always continuing to write, and at one point, she and Casey co-hosted a short-lived 1980s’ TNN travel show Side By Side.
The Andersons also formed their own label, Showboat Records. Among Showboat’s final releases were Faron Young’s “Buy American,” Lynn Anderson’s “Cowgirl” and Liz’s children’s CD “The Fairy Grandmother,” featuring her and Casey performing their own creations citing holidays, including “Chelsea the Easter Chicken,” “Tommy Turkey” and “I Love You (Valentine’s Day).”
As a writer, she published some 260 songs and earned five BMI awards. Regarding her writing, Liz said, first came the inspiration: “After all, inspiration is the idea, then the work really begins
. . . it’s write and rewrite, change the tune, rearrange. Yes, it takes a lot of effort.” Other artists recording her songs included Ernest Tubb, Kitty Wells, George Jones, Skeeter Davis, Waylon Jennings, Tammy Wynette, Bill Anderson, Connie Smith, Lorrie Morgan and Faron Young.
One of her laments was the lack of interest in traditional type tunes in later years: “I used to write a lot of slow, sad songs but nowadays nobody wants to record them. While something snappy or uptempo seems to go right up the charts.”
Survivors also include granddaughters Lisa Sutton, Melissa (Bunny) Hempel and grandson (William) Gray Stream; and great-grandchildren Matilda Grace Stream and Geddings Hempel. Services were conducted Nov. 5 at Woodlawn Roesch-Patton Funeral Home, Nashville, with the Reverend Lemuel Wade officiating.
Author Patsy Bale-Cox, 66, died Nov. 5, due to complications from emphysema. The Kansas native co-wrote such successful country music biographies as Ralph Emery’s “50 Years Down a Country Road,” Tanya Tucker’s “Nickel Dreams,” Tony Orlando’s “Halfway to Paradise” and Loretta Lynn’s “Still Woman Enough.” In accordance with her wishes, there was no funeral service.

Music City Beat - November 2011

2011-10-14T13:42:00.011-05:00

Hank Williams, Jr. sounds off on the President and his Veep!

NASHVILLE -- Well obviously Hank Williams, Jr., won’t be receiving any invitations to the White House, at least before 2013. “Bocephus” sounded off Oct. 3 on what else, Fox & Friends morning news show, regarding President Barack Obama, whom he regarded as “the enemy” along with Vice President Joe Biden.
He kicked off criticizing fellow Republican John Boehner, Speaker of the House of Representatives, for golfing last summer with “the enemy” (Obama), calling the pairing a big mistake: “Oh yeah, you remember the golf game they had? That was one of the biggest political mistakes ever! That turned a lot of people off. It just didn’t go over!” Hank blasted forth, likening it to Hitler golfing with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, current leader of the Jewish people.
His actual words: “Come on, come on, that would be like Hitler playing golf with Netanyahu . . . In the shape this country is in?”
When the powers-that-be at ESPN (sports network) got wind of his ravings, Williams’ longtime opening anthem “Are You Ready For Some Football?,” was yanked from that evening’s Monday Night Football program. No doubt some of the team’s members would be highly offended by him calling President Obama a modern-day Adolph Hitler.
“While Hank Williams, Jr. is not an ESPN employee, we recognize that he is closely linked to our company through the open to Monday Night Football,” an ESPN spokesman stated. “We are extremely disappointed with his comments, and as a result we have decided to pull the open from tonight’s telecast.”
To his credit, the Fox show host Brian Kilmeade responded to Hank, saying he didn’t understand the analogy between Obama and Hitler. Williams shot back, “I’m glad you don’t brother, because a lot of people do. They’re the enemy: Obama! And Biden! Are you kidding? The Three Stooges (though he failed to clarify who the third stooge was - maybe Boehner?)!”
Hank Jr. also criticized the crop of contenders currently campaigning for the Republican presidential nomination, thought reminded he had originally rooted for Sarah Palin.
“Boy was I (then hesitated) … I don’t know, like I said guys they’ve turned a lot of people off. Look at USA Today’s poll, 89% said Congress should be completely replaced. I agree with them. The healthcare bill doesn’t fly either.”
When Fox & Friends co-host Gretchen Carlson acknowledged that he obviously wasn’t a fan of the President or Congress working together to find compromise, Williams added, “We’re more polarized than we’ve ever been guys, I’m not going to sugarcoat it …”
Carlson replied, “Well you didn’t. You used the name of one of the most hated people in the entire world to describe the President …”
Junior grimaced, noting, “Well, that’s true, but I’m telling you like it is . . . Like (former Presidential candidate) Fred Thompson said you may not want to ask me a question, because I’ll give you too straight of an answer.”
When it hit him how widespread his caustic comments were, and in consideration of being bounced from his ESPN slot (which he’s done for some 22 years), Williams issued a half-hearted apology, claiming his statement comparing Obama to Hitler was “misunderstood.”
“Some of us have strong opinions and are often misunderstood. My analogy was extreme - but it was to make a point. I was simply trying to explain how stupid it seemed to me - how ludicrous that pairing was. They’re polar opposites (Obama and Boehner) and it made no sense. They don’t see eye-to-eye and never will. I have always respected the office of the President.”
Hank Jr.’s last Top 10 single was “Good Friend, Good Whiskey, Good Lovin’,” released in 1990, though the ESPN gig has kept him before the fans.
Issuing yet another statement the following day, Williams admitted his comments were “dumb” and apologized: “The thought of the leaders of both parties jukin’ and high-fivin’ on the golf course while so many families are struggling to get by simply made me boil over (three months later?) and make a dumb statement . . . I am very sorry if it offended anyone. I would like to thank all my supporters. This was not written by some publicist.” Immediately thereafter, Williams went fishing, as it appears his ESPN spot’s gone, too.
Legal Tips: The stalker of country superstar Shania Twain has been ordered to undergo psychiatric treatment, following the artist’s testimony in a Toronto, Canada, court. Giovanni Palumbo was charged with three counts of failure to coply with a court order and criminal harrassment. His lawyer stated he would plead guilty to the charges. Twain, who says she fears he may continue to stalk her, nonetheless testified that she has compassion for Palumbo . . . Sugarland, whose “The Incredible Machine” is still charting Billboard albums’ chart, may need all the money they can make off it, after being notified they’ve been named as a potential defendant in a planned lawsuit. Parents of fan Jennifer Haskell, 22, who died Aug. 13 when a Sugarland stage prop toppled on her in a storm during a gig at the Indiana State Fair, have claimed they plan to sue. (That's Sugarland's Kristian Bush and Jennifer Nettles at right) . . . It must be an embarrassment to singer Lane Brody (“Yellow Rose of Texas”) to find the ex-honcho of Walden Puddle Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, allegedly stole more than $10,000 from the charity. Brody (Mrs. Eddie Bayers) hosts an annual fall benefit in which she invites fellow artists to volunteer their talents to help raise funds to care for sick, injured or orphaned native wildlife. The Davidson County D.A.’s office reports that Donald Deatheridge entered a plea of guilty to the embezzlement charges and was given 10 years probation, ordered to perform 400 hours of community service, and ordered to make restitution to the charitable institution. Reportedly, Deatheridge repaid $60,000 to the organization, Sept. 22.
Honors: Bobby Braddock (below left) will be honored as Broadcast Music Inc.’s 2011 Songwriter Icon, Nov. 8, during the annual BMI writers awards. Bobby penned such classics as “He Stopped Loving Her Today,” “I Wanna Talk About Me,” “Time Marches On” and “People Are Crazy.” He is also one of the Country Music Hall of Fame inductees this year . . . Country Hall of Famer Don Williams, meanwhile, is scheduled to get ASCAP’s like honor - the Golden Note Award - on Nov. 6, during their annual awards show. Williams sang some of his own creations, including “Till the Rivers All Run Dry,” “I’ve Got a Winner in You” and “Love Me Over Again” . . . Opry star Bill Anderson performed in his former hometown of Commerce, Ga., Sept. 17, in of all places The Bill Anderson Performing Arts Center. The seed for the center, named in his honor, was originally planted in 1997, during the 40th anniversary of WJJC-Commerce (where as a college student Anderson worked as a radio DJ). At the time, Whisperin’ Bill told the city fathers that he would perform annually, “If the city can come up with something to benefit area families.” After a decade headlining their benefit “City Lights Festival” (named after his #1 breakthrough composition, recorded by Ray Price in 1958), a goal of giving the community a concert hall within Commerce High School became a reality. Upon playing his inaugural concert in the new site, the Country Music Hall of Famer said, “Every brick in that building ought to have somebody’s name inscribed on it because somebody helped put it there.”
Bits & Pieces: As WSM marks its 86th year, management invited country rockers Rascal Flatts to become the next act to join as cast regulars on the Grand Ole Opry, on Oct. 8. Vince Gill who issued the invitation during their performance Sept. 27, said, “It’s always fun to see people you like succeed and they’ve succeeded in grand fashion over the last 12 years. It’s been fun to
watch and I’m just so grateful that they have a heart and a love for this place out here.” Rascal Flatts (right) has attained 11 #1 discs, including “These Days,” “Mayberry” and “Fast Cars and Freedom” . . . Randy Travis, 52, fainted during a benefit concert, Sept. 26 - The Crystal Heart Gala - for the Huguley Memorial Medical Center in Fort Worth, Texas. Doctors Jeff Beeson and Steve Davis treated him. It was determined that Travis was suffering with laryngitis, due to chronic allergies complicated by medications taken and the heat on stage. The singer was taken aboard his tour bus and returned home where he is resting up . . . Brad Paisley’s first book “Diary Of a Player” (Howard Books, Simon-Schuster, $25) hits bookstores Nov. 1. Co-written with David Wild, the work is described as “a salute to the guitar gods of country, blues and rock and roll, who have shaped his life.” Meanwhile, Brad co-hosts the annual CMA Awards gala with Carrie Underwood, Nov. 9 . . . Joan and John Rich welcomed their second baby boy Colt Daniel, Sept. 29, weighing in at 7 lbs., 14 oz. Their first child, Cash, is now age 20 months . . . Jason Aldean’s sixth annual Concert For the Cure at a sold-out show in the Roanoke (Va.) Civic Center raised $315,000 to benefit the Susan G. Komen fundraiser’s battle against breast cancer. “This is one of my favorite things we do all year and taking it on the road to other cities has been huge in helping us bring in more money for Komen,” said Aldean (left). “All the money we raised will go to the local Roanoke effort, allowing them to give free mammograms to those who can’t afford it. We’ll pick a different spot for next year.” . . . Fellow singer Dierks Bentley performed on behalf of the Believe In Heroes, a Wounded Warrior Project, during his 2011 Country & Cold Cans Tour. Dierks hosts pre-show parties with fans nationwide on select dates leading up to Veteran’s Day (Nov. 11). He launched the series in Lacrosse, Wisc., Oct. 6, and it’s set to end in Denver, Nov. 19. Sharing the spotlight with Dierks are Jerrod Niemann and the Eli Young Band. For details check out www.woundedwarriorproject.org Funds raised help support and honor wounded veterans. “I meet so many servicemen and women at our shows, so I love being able to support the Wounded Warriors Project and honoring the heroes who have served our country. This program fits perfectly with the message of ‘Home,’ so we are going to do what we can between now and Veterans Day to really honor these people. I hope fans will plan to get there early and be part of it!” . . . Country singer Gene Watson and band were shaken up when his bus veered off the road and nearly flipped over, enroute to a Sandstone, Minn., show Oct. 2. They were on a narrow gravel road when the bus driver pulled over to avoid an oncoming truck, but the road beneath gave way and the bus landed on its side. Watson and crew had to climb out of a window, but no one was seriously injured. A 50-ton rotator truck arrived later to put the bus back on the road. Meanwhile, Gene and his band were driven to their gig, minus stage costumes or instruments, but were able to borrow an opening act’s instruments. Breathing a sigh of relief, Watson said, “I was glad none of my band or crew were hurt in the accident.”
Final Curtain: Pioneer country-bluegrass matriarch Wilma Lee Cooper, 90, died Sept. 13, in Sweetwater, Tenn., after a lengthy illness prompted by an on stage stroke suffered in 2001 at the Grand Ole Opry. Cooper, best known as half the recording duo Wilma Lee & Stoney Cooper, scored a breakthrough chart success in 1956, with her self-penned “Cheated Too,” but it was the uptempo “There’s a Big Wheel,” penned by Don Gibson, that became their signature song (#3, 1959).
She was born Wilma Leigh Leary, Feb. 7, 1921 in Valley Head, W. Va., into a musical farm family, which later gained regional renown touring as The Leary Family gospel group. She first sang publicly at age 5, then learned to play guitar and appeared regularly with her folks on radio and religious revivals, where they became much in-demand.
In 1938, the Leary Family was featured at a National Folk Festival sponsored in part by America’s First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt and their home state. It earned them a regular radio spot on WSVA-Harrisonburg (Va.).
As a small girl, Wilma recalled having dreams of “driving off into a new life” beyond the mountains: “Dad made us (she had two younger sisters Peggy and Jerry) go to bed when it got dark (they had no electricity), and I used to lay there and listen to a train whistle - it went through our farm and gave off such a lonesome, mournful sound - that made me want to go . . . I just waited for the day that I would be old enough to get my license - you had to be 21 then to get a driver’s license - and then I’d just drive away.”
But it was a marriage license that took her away. As a pretty, dark-haired teen, the vocalist soon became enamored of the fiddler - Stoney Cooper - that her daddy hired as a sideman. He was also a West Virginia native, a farmer’s son, who shared her love of hill ballads.
Actually, for a time Wilma thought a business career might mean a more steady future, and studied at Davis-Elkins College in Elkins, W. Va. The love of music was such a part of her DNA, that despite having earned a degree, she devoted herself to showbusiness thereafter.
At 20, Wilma wasn’t old enough to qualify for that driver license, but she and fellow West Virginian Dale Troy Cooper were wed, June 9, 1941. They soon formed their own band - Clinch Mountain Clan - basing themselves at different radio stations, such as WMMN-Fairmont (W. Va.), and WWNC-Asheville (N.C.), among others.
“During those early years, we moved from station to station. That was the way you done back then,” said Wilma Lee. “An act would play in an area about two years at most. By then, you’d played it out (doing personal appearances).”
Farther afield, they even performed for a time on stations like WJJD-Chicago, or KLC-Blytheville, Ark., all the while broadening their fandom. In 1947, the act joined the 50,000-watt WWVA-Wheeling Jamboree. Wilma Lee & Stoney first recorded that year for Rich’R’Tone, cutting the songs “This World Can’t Stand Long” and “The Tramp On the Street.”
Subsequently, Uncle Art Satherley signed the duo to Columbia Records, turning out such gospel classics as “Legend of the Dogwood Tree,” “30 Pieces of Silver” and “Walking My Lord Up Calvary Hill.”
Somewhat reminiscent of Molly O’Day’s, her pure mountain-stream-like vocals prompted Hank Williams to call her his favorite female singer. Like Stoney, Wilma was musically adept, having also learned to play organ and clawhammer banjo.
After a decade at WWVA, the couple was invited to join WSM’s Opry Jan.12, 1957. “King of Country Music” Roy Acuff had also signed the act to his Hickory Records, for which they scored seven secular Billboard chartings, including the Top Five singles (Josh Graves' composition) “Come Walk With Me” (featuring daughter Carol Lee’s vocals) and “Big Midnight Special,” co-written by the Coopers.
The duo recorded their final Top 10, a revival of “Wreck On the Highway,” in 1961, but remained a force in the booming folk and bluegrass genres, recording for such as Decca and Starday Records. They also did tours in Europe, gaining new audiences for their traditional sound, and their discs are preserved in the Library of Congress’ Smithsonian Institute for posterity.
“I sing just like I did back when I was growing up in those West Virginia mountains,” proclaimed a proud Wilma Lee, right. “I’ve never changed. I can’t change. I couldn’t sing any other way.”
The Coopers’ only child Carol Lee, born March 21, 1942, grew up and married Hank Snow’s son Jimmie Rodgers Snow and they had two daughters before divorcing: Vanessa and Shannon. Since 1973, she’s led the Carol Lee Singers, a harmony quartet, on the Opry. (They also work occasionally as backup singers for various studio sessions.)
Stoney Cooper died March 22, 1977, whereupon Wilma Lee and her renovated Clinch Mountain Clan continued as an Opry act, until the stroke sidelined her in 2001. Nonetheless, she was able to celebrate (in a wheelchair) during a singalong with cast members at the flood-damaged Opry House’s reopening on Sept. 28, 2010, her final gig.
During the 1980s, Rounder Records released her self-titled “Wilma Lee Cooper” LP of traditional tunes; Leather Records issued “A Daisy a Day,” boasting old and new favorites; and Rebel Records put out her “White Rose.”
Wilma Lee confided during our last interview, “I love ‘The Legend of the Dogwood Tree’ because I love story songs . . . I think ‘A Daisy a Day’ is another pretty story song. I like a good tune or melody first, and then I love a song that tells a story.”
She never ceased to be amazed at the interest in the mountain music she grew up with: “They call it Bluegrass now, but back then people used to call it hillbilly or mountain music.”
Some fans of the genre referred to Wilma Lee as the First Lady of Bluegrass.
For many years after Stoney’s death, Wilma Lee’s kid sister Jerry Johnson (who once sang with Acuff’s Smoky Mountain Boys) traveled with her. She told my mom, Madeline, backstage: “It gets kinda scary for a woman alone out there on the road. So she’s a great comfort to me.” (Jerry has since died.) Wilma Lee’s survivors include Carol Lee and granddaughters Vanessa Brusseau and Shannon Rogers. In keeping with the star’s wishes, however, there was no memorial service.
Pioneering Opry harmonica player and Country Music Hall of Famer DeFord Bailey’s great-grandson DeFord Bailey IV, 29, died Sept. 21. No reason was given for his untimely death. Survivors include his father DeFord Bailey III, mother Debra Nunn, brothers Demetrius and Lamonte Steptoe; grandfather DeFord Bailey, Jr. Services were conducted by The Reverend James Tibbs at St.Teresa Holiness Science Church, Nashville, Sept. 30.
Steel guitarist John Bechtel, 74, died Sept. 28. Known as “Big John,” was admitted to the hosptial on Sept. 8, then released to a nursing home. Earlier in the month he had admitted his wife to a nursing home. He was a fan of Jerry Byrd’s Hawaiian guitar stylings, and was himself a sideman. Among artists he played behind were Charlie Louvin, Ray Pillow and Billy Walker.
Late songwriter Dave Kirby’s son Paul Kirby, 48, died Sept. 25, following a heart attack. Paul, a country rocker, was lead singer-songwriter of the Cactus Brothers, which also featured dulcimer player David Schnauffer, drummer Dave Kennedy, banjoist Will Goleman, guitarist John Goleman, steel guitarist Sam Poland, and Tramp, a multi-instrumentalist. The group recorded for Capitol Records (“Cactus Brothers,” 1993) and appeared in the George Strait movie “Pure Country.” Dad Dave Kirby is best known for such song hits as “Is Anybody Goin’ to San Antone” and “Memories to Burn.” Survivors include mother Emma Lou Kirby, sister Janis Ross, and brother Wade Kirby.
The artist known as Country Johnny Mathis, a day shy of 81, died Sept. 27, from pneumonia. A native of Maude, Texas, he first gained prominence while working on KWKH-Shreveport’s Louisiana Hayride, and wrote the Top 10 country song “If You Don’t, Somebody Else Will” recorded by him and Jimmy Lee Fautheree as the duo Jimmy & Johnny (1953). His composition “Brown to Blue” was recorded by George Jones and later Elvis Costello. Others cutting Mathis’ songs were Ray Price, George Hamilton IV and Charley Pride. In 1964, upon writing “I’m Gonna Thank Jesus,” he began concentrating on gospel music. Mathis suffered a stroke in 1999, which left him incapacitated. Survivors include wife Jeannie, daughter Sherie Craver, sons John, Jr., Bill and James, plus 11 grandchildren, sevengreat-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren. Services were conducted by Lawrence Brothers Funeral Home, Chapel Hill, Tenn.
Songwriters Hall of Famer Don Wayne, 78, died on the night of Sept. 12, after having suffered from brain cancer. A high school dropout, Wayne’s first #1 song was the Lefty Frizzell comeback recording “Saginaw, Michigan” in 1964, followed by the hits “Belles of Southern Bell” (Del Reeves, #4, 1965) and “If Teardrops Were Silver” (Jean Shepard, #10, 1966).
No doubt his finest achievement and the favorite of all his songs was “Country Bumpkin” (#1, 1974) recorded by Cal Smith, earning Wayne Song of the Year from the Academy of Country Music, Country Music Association and Nashville Songwriters’ Association International, with the latter also naming Don Songwriter of the Year.
Cal Smith took Wayne’s follow-up “It’s Time To Pay the Fiddler” straight to the top of the Bilboard charts, as well, in 1975. Smith also charted these Wayne songs: “She Talked A Lot About Texas,” “MacArthur’s Hand” and “Woman, Don’t Try To Sing My Song.”
A Great Depression era baby, Donald William Choate Wayne was born May 30, 1933 in Nashville. He attended William James High School in White Bluff, Tenn.
“Some of the happiest times of my childhood were spent listening to country music on the radio or playing records on an old wind-up victrola,” recalled Wayne. “Some of my favorite singers then were Eddy Arnold, Ernest Tubb and Roy Acuff. One summer day when I was about 11 years old, I was on my front porch pretending to play an old guitar someone had gave me. The lady next door called me over and asked me if I knew ‘Rainbow at Midnight’ by Ernest Tubb. I said, ‘Yes but I don’t know if I can remember all the words.’ She went in the house and came out with an Ernest Tubb Song Folio, and we sat there having a great time, singing a lot of those old Ernest Tubb hits. I suppose that was the beginning of my dream of someday doing something in country music.”
Wayne, who had worked as a tool and diemaker, made an attempt to become a recording artist himself, when in 1959 he cut “Poor Little Jimmy” for the indie label Look Records, but failed to chart. Later, two of his favorite singers, Hank Snow and Burl Ives, covered the song.
The first major artist to record one of Don’s songs was George Morgan, who cut “The Lonesome Waltz” (co-written with Vic McAlpin) on Columbia in 1953. Other artists who later recorded his songs have included Jim Reeves, Connie Smith, Jack Barlow, Loretta Lynn, Conway Twitty, David Houston, Lucille Starr and Hank Williams, Jr.
“He was a sweet, gentle person,” says book author Ruth White (widow of steel-guitarist Howard White). “The last time I saw Don he was with Jack Barlow, who recently died. I met him through Howard at Tree Music, and we just got to be the best of friends. We’re all going to miss him.”
Wayne signed with Tree Publishing in 1963. In addition to winning three BMI Awards, Wayne also won an ASCAP Performance Award. He was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Association International’s Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1978.
“I think ‘Country Bumpkin’ is by far my best song and it will always be special ’cause ‘it’ came along and picked me up at a very low point in my songwriting career. I love all my songs, but I also feel a special affection for those recorded by the heroes I idolized as a youngster, among those are ‘Don’t Water Down the Bad News’ by Ernest Tubb, ‘What in Her World Did I Do’ by Eddy Arnold, and ‘MacArthur’s Hand’ by Tex Ritter.”

Friend and mentor dies

2011-09-28T13:57:00.013-05:00

Johnnie Wright with wife Kitty in a recent photo by Patricia Presley.

Friend and mentor Johnnie Wright dies

By Walt Trott

NASHVILLE -- Country music pioneer Johnnie Wright, 97, died Sept. 27, at his suburban Madison residence after being bedbound in recent months. He was surrounded by his singer-wife Kitty Wells, their son Bobby, and daughter Sue. “Daddy died at 1 a.m. He died in his sleep and apparently felt no pain,” notes actor-recording artist Bobby. “He had a good, full life.”
Wright is best known as half the RCA recording duo Johnnie & Jack, breaking nationally in 1951, with their Latin-flavored country ballad “Poison Love.” Their unique beat led to Top 10 singles “Cryin’ Heart Blues” and “Three Ways Of Knowing.”
Among future legends who opened their shows were Elvis Presley, Patsy Cline and Pat Boone. Johnnie & Jack (below in 1942) were in the first Opry troupe to play Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C. in 1947, and in 1954 headlined the Palace Theatre on Broadway with Kitty and King of Country Music Roy Acuff & his Smoky Mountain Boys.
It was in 1954, the innovative duo fused R&B to country, resulting in their #1 disc “I Get So Lonely (Oh, Baby Mine)” and Top Fiver “Goodnight, Sweetheart, Goodnight,” followed by Top 10 novelties “Beware of ‘It”,” and “Kiss-Crazy Baby.”
After departing RCA, the duo’s Top 20 “Slow Poison,” became their first Decca charting in 1962, followed by an album “Smiles and Tears.” On March 7, 1963, Johnnie’s brother-in-law Jack Anglin died in a one-car crash at age 46, while enroute to memorial services for singers Cowboy Copas, Hawkshaw Hawkins and Patsy Cline, killed in a March 5 plane crash.
A&R honcho Owen Bradley launched Johnnie as a solo artist (spelled “Johnny” Wright) with his Decca debut single “Sweet Snow Deer,” followed by the hits “Walkin’, Talkin’, Cryin’, Barely Beatin’ Broken Heart” (co-written by Roger Miller and Justin Tubb) and a #1 ballad (written by Tom T. Hall) “Hello, Vietnam,” which became the most popular Vietnam War song. He also recorded duets with Kitty, including “We’ll Stick Together” and “Heartbreak Waltz.”
Wright, of course, was a knowledgeable behind-the-scenes businessman, who guided his career and that of his wife, now a Country Music Hall of Famer, and daughter Ruby Wright, who like mom hit with an answer song “Dern Ya” (to Roger Miller’s “Dang Me”). Ironically, Johnnie died on the second anniversary of Ruby’s untimely death (Sept. 27, 2009).
Paul Yandell, guitarist-songwriter (who wrote Wells’ Top 10 “I’ll Repossess My Heart”), told us this about his former boss: “Johnnie’s really a jack-of-all-trades. He has a good mechanical eye; that is, he can look at something and tell you how to fix it. More importantly, John’s a man of his word. He’s a good businessman, who kept everything on an even keel. I wouldn’t have stayed with the show 10 years otherwise.”
Johnnie Robert Wright, son of John and Maggie Hughley Wright, was born May 13, 1914, into a farming family in Mt. Juliet, Tenn. He and younger sister Louise were latter-day babies, meaning six siblings were nearly grown when they arrived.
Johnnie recalled being regarded as “the runt of the litter,” by two older brothers Delbert and Thomas, who bore the brunt of farm chores while he was growing up. (His elder sisters were Eugenia, Lillian, Bessie and Annie.)
Louise, two years his junior, grew up to wed Jack Anglin, whose brother Jim became a prolific songwriter, penning and collaborating with Jack and Johnnie on many successes. Among those recording their songs were the duo, Kitty Wells, Webb Pierce, Roy Acuff, and the Desert Rose Band. Incidentally, Jack was born the same day as Johnnie (May 13, only in 1916).
Life was hard for the Wrights, not that Johnnie complained, except to say how picking cotton caused hurt fingers from the burrs or “stickers” encountered. Then there was the gathering of corn: “As the ‘runt’ brother, I pulled the down row, so called because the wagon would always knock down a row it was straddling (going through the cornfield). Being little, it was my job to get the corn from that downed row.”
Johnnie was influenced by his granddaddy Thomas Hughley, an independent sort who during the Civil War changed his surname’s spelling after siding with the north, and the other Hewgleys supported the Confederacy. Tom Hughley not only stood tall for his beliefs, but was musically inclined, winning fiddle contests, while Johnnie’s dad was a banjo player.
“Neither played professionally or anything like that, but they were in considerable demand in the community,” he smiled, noting dad also did a mean Tennessee jig. “That’s how I learned to do that little dance shuffle I do at our stage shows. My father was real good at it.”
A treat for Johnnie was visiting Benton Lowe’s community store and garage on Saturdays to listen to WSM radio, then featuring old-time fiddler Uncle Jimmy Thompson. Sometimes enroute to the radio station, Thompson stopped by Lowe’s to gas up.
“He drove an old one-ton Model T truck with a canvas over the back end,” Wright recalled. “I don’t know for sure that he ever slept in it, but it sure seemed like he might have.
“Sometimes he’d have an old lady with him, Becky Bruce (a sister to George Wilkerson of the Fruit Jar Drinkers, a WSM Barn Dance act). She’d really kick up her heels on that hard concrete floor while Uncle Jimmy fiddled for all his worth. That was quite a sight for a little ol’ country boy to see . . . I suppose now thinkin’ back on it, Becky Bruce was probably only about 45 then. Everybody in the community knew her. She was married to an old farmer, Alvin Bruce.”
Uncle Jimmy was the inspiration for then-WSM music director George D. Hay (The Solemn Old Judge) finally launching the historic Grand Ole Opry (1927), evolving from the Barn Dance.
Johnnie loved music and learned to play guitar, but his greater satisfaction came from being a “shade-tree mechanic,” that is, he enjoyed fixing cars under the shade of a tree on a hot summer day at Lowe’s garage. That talent would serve him well in his years ahead on the road.
It was pretty, darkhaired Muriel Deason, whom he started dating in 1936, that got him thinking about being an artist. She had started singing with cousin Bessie Choate as the Deason Sisters on WSIX-Nashville in 1935 (little dreaming she would one day become Kitty Wells, Queen of Country Music).
Johnnie made his own radio debut on WSIX, pickin’ with the Anglin Brothers (Jim, Van and Jack) in ’36. After surgery sidelined Bessie, Muriel teamed with Johnnie in their WSIX act Johnnie Wright & His Harmony Girls in 1937, also featuring sister Louise.
In 1938, Johnnie and Jack first paired off as a duo calling themselves The Backwater Boys, playing gigs to benefit the flood victims as the Cumberland River overflowed its banks. Similarly, the Ohio River was rampaging and flooding such cities as Cincinnati, Evansville and Louisville, putting more than a million people at risk.
Admittedly, the boys initially patterned their style after the Opry’s brother duo, The Delmores, Alton and Rabon, whose successes included “Brown’s Ferry Blues” and “Blues Stay Away From Me.”
Now a team, the boys played local honky tonks: “We used to take our pay in refreshments a lot of the time. Back then if you could play a guitar and sing, people used to think you were really something. Though we were working on radio and at our regular jobs (his being Davis Cabinet Company as a carpenter), Jack and I would perform sometimes at night, just for the drinks they’d buy us to play.”
On Oct. 30, 1937, Johnnie and Muriel were wed and years later in their shows he’d tell the crowd that since they got married on Halloween Eve, Kitty didn’t know whether she got tricked or treated.
On WSIX, their first band featured future musicians of note: Paul Warren on fiddle; Emory Martin, one-armed banjoist; and Ernie Ferguson on mandolin. Sometimes Johnnie played bass fiddle. Initially they did a Western style show as radio’s Roving Cowboys, but before long the band billed themselves as the Tennessee Hillbillies.
In late 1941, Johnnie, Jack and their troupe (including harmony vocalists Muriel and Louise) accepted an offer to perform on WBIG-Greensboro, N.C. That was short-lived due to the jealousy of Charlie Monroe (Bill’s brother), who succeeded in getting them put off the station.
Still, it was the beginning of a lengthy journey that saw them playing regional radio stations like WCHS-Charleston, WHIS-Bluefield (both in W. Va.), WPTF-Raleigh and WNOX-Knoxville, before making their WSM-Nashville bow in 1947 on the Grand Ole Opry. There they were pressured to change their band name from Tennessee Hillbillies to Tennessee Mountain Boys, as WSM disliked the term hillbilly.
It was in 1947, that Johnnie and Jack cut their first recordings together at King Records, as part of the King Sacred Quartet (featuring Clyde Moody and Ray “Duck” Atkins) doing six sides. That same year, they flew into New York to record a dozen secular songs for Apollo Records, though little came of subsequent singles from either label.
On April 3, 1948, Johnnie & Jack with Kitty and the band played the very first program launching the Louisiana Hayride on KWKH-Shreveport. They remained there more than three years, during which Johnnie & Jack scored their first hit on RCA Records, “Poison Love” (#4, 1951). It brought them back to the Opry.
As noted, Johnnie & Jack’s “Poison Love” boasted a calypso beat, concocted for them by studio bassist Ernie Newton (from Red Foley’s band), in liaison with guitarist Eddie Hill. It gave the duo an identifiable sound that spiced up such follow-up singles as “Cryin’ Heart Blues,” “Three Ways of Knowing,” “Ashes of Love” and “(Down) South in New Orleans.”
“That sound kind of set us apart from other duets,” said Wright. “We continued with that style or beat on nearly all the songs we cut for a long time and we had hit after hit with it.”
In Shreveport, the boys became great friends with another up-and-comer Hank Williams, often partying on nearby Lake Caddo with him and his wife Audrey.
Audrey was the one who told Kitty Wells that the answer song to Hank Thompson’s “Wild Side of Life” she’d cut was becoming a hit record across the nation. Johnnie had suggested Kitty record J.D. Miller's “It Wasn’t God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels,” after chatting with songplugger Troy Martin and Decca honchos Paul Cohen and Owen Bradley about the catchy song sequel one night after coming off the Opry.
It not only gave Kitty a #1 record to mark her 1952 Billboard chart debut, but went on to sell a million records. She became the first country female to chalk up a charttopper in the male-dominated trade lists, joined the Opry and spent some 20 years at Decca making hit after hit.
Meanwhile, the couple had three children: Ruby Jean, born Oct. 27, 1939, just prior to their hitting the road; John Robert, born March 30, 1942 while they were performing at WCHS-Charleston; and Carol Sue, born July 8, 1945 in Nashville. Ruby and Bobby each spent time touring with their parents troupe. After co-starring on ABC's 1960s' hit sitcom McHale's Navy with Ernest Borgnine and Tim Conway, Bobby’s 1970s singles included “Here I Go Again” and a country cover on “Seasons in the Sun.” (At right he's seen with mom and dad in the 1990s.)
It was in 1943, that Johnnie gave Muriel her stage name, taken from one of his favorite recordings, The Pickard Family’s “Sweet Kitty Wells,” feeling it easier than Muriel to remember.
Johnnie enjoyed different forms of music, most notably Big Band sounds, and now and then listened to R&B or “race records,” as the genre was then called. Thus, in 1954, Johnnie & Jack recorded Pat Ballard’s R&B song “I Get So Lonely (Oh, Baby Mine),” country style, doing even better than the original, as their RCA version ranked #1 for two weeks.
Its follow-up, “Goodnight, Sweetheart, Goodnight,” was another country cover (#3, 1954) for the team, even outpacing The Spaniels’ Top Five rendition. Its flipside, their self-penned “Honey, I Need You” (#15), made theirs a two-sided success. Their next release “Beware of ‘It’,” and “Kiss-Crazy Baby,” gave them a two-sided Top 10 single, making 1954 their biggest year, polling among the Top 10 country acts.
After a dry period at RCA, Johnnie & Jack rebounded with another strong Top 10, Carl Belew’s “Stop the World (And Let Me Off)” in 1958. It would be the team’s final Top 10 disc. Billboard ranked the duo among the Top 20 country acts of the 1950s decade, after copping most of the best duo awards in that pre-CMA era.
As a writer, Wrights’ credits include “Ashes of Love,” “I Can’t Tell My Heart That,” “You and Me,” “I Apologize” and the #1 “One By One” (as recorded by Kitty and Red Foley).
Following Jack’s death, Johnnie opted to go solo. With the blessing of Decca chief Owen Bradley, he recorded a series of singles, culminating in his smash 1965 hit “Hello, Vietnam.” (It was used as the theme for Stanley Kubrick’s 1987 classic anti-war film “Full Metal Jacket.”)
Wright’s “Hello, Vietnam” LP peaked at #5 in 1966, charting 19 weeks on Billboard’s album chart. He also recorded a series of Decca duets, both secular and gospel, with diva wife Kitty, heard on their LPs “We’ll Stick Together” and “Kitty Wells & Johnny Wright Sing Heartwarming Gospel Songs.” Wright attained 30 Billboard chartings, via singles and albums.
Along with their daughter Ruby, the couple co-starred in the Vic Lewis movie “Second Fiddle To a Steel Guitar” (1965), along with fellow stars like Faron Young, Sonny James, Dottie West, Little Jimmy Dickens, Webb Pierce, Minnie Pearl and Homer & Jethro. Hollywood comics Arnold Stang, Huntz Hall and Leo Gorcey rounded out the cast.
Wright produced the 1969 color variety program The Kitty Wells Family Show, originally sponsored by Coca-Cola, and also syndicated throughout Canada and via the Armed Forces Television Network to the military stationed abroad. For some 60 years, Johnnie and Kitty hit the road, entertaining across the U.S. and Canada, plus overseas appearing at the annual Wembley Country Music Festival in London, as well as showdates throughout the UK, and on the mainland in such countries as Germany, Italy and Spain.
The duo’s RCA albums include “Johnnie & Jack & the Tennessee Mountain Boys” (1957), “Hits By Johnnie & Jack” (1959), and a double LP “All the Best Of Johnnie & Jack” (1970).
In 1974, both Johnnie and Kitty signed with rocker Phil Walden’s label Capricorn, where his singles included “Chicken Pickin’ Hillbilly Band” and “Froggie’s Return” in 1974, “Wild, Passionate Lover” in 1975, and his self-penned “The Peanut Special” in 1976, Johnnie’s salute to then-President Jimmy Carter. That was the same year, the Wrights parted ways with Capricorn, filing a million-dollar lawsuit, later dropped in return for their recording masters and an undisclosed settlement.
Johnnie also oversaw their music publishing, including Need-A-Hit and Kitty Wells Publications, and created the independent Ruboca Records (an acronym using the first two letters of his children’s names: Ruby, Bobby and Carol Sue). He brought Kitty back to the charts in 1979, via the Jim Anglin composition “Thank You For the Roses,” which Wright produced.
Ruboca also released the albums “Johnny Wright” and “Johnny Wright’s Greatest Hits.” In 1983, Johnnie purchased a former newspaper office, turning it into The Kitty Wells-Johnnie Wright Family Country Junction, a museum in Madison, housing their career mementos from a half-century performing.
The Johnnie & Jack recording of “What About You” (1950) has been recorded for posterity in the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D.C. In 1992, Bear Family Records in Germany released a six-CD box-set “The Johnnie & Jack Story” featuring a booklet co-written by Eddie Stubbs & Walt Trott (the latter having authored “The Honky Tonk Angels,” which Johnnie called their 300-page “life history book”).
(Johnnie and Kitty left with another country diva, Dolly Parton.)
In 2004, with an assist from David McCormick, who owns the Ernest Tubb Record Shops, we conducted a 90th birthday salute to Wright at the Texas Troubadour Theatre. Fellow artists Jim Ed Brown, George Hamilton IV, Gail Davies, Stonewall Jackson, Chris Scruggs, Jeannie Seely, Gary Bennett, Jay McDowell, Jimmy C. Newman, Dave Peterson & 1946, Jean Shepard, Harold Bradley, Martha Carson, Bobby Wright and Mac Wiseman lent their talents to honor him.
Notable in attendance, too, were former Tennessee Mountain Boys bandsmen George Edwards, Paul Yandell, Stu Basore, Eddie Canaday, Allen Funderburk, Jimmie Crawford, Keith Bradford, Russ Hicks, and musician-grandsons Duke Stephenson and Johnny Sturdivant, Jr. Some other TMB players were Chet Atkins (playing fiddle of all things), Marion Sumner, Wayne Manning, Shot Jackson, Harold Morrison, Bob Moore, Benny Martin, Mac O’Dell, Tommy Jackson, Pete Wade, Lester Wilburn, Pete Wade, Ray Atkins and Joe Zinkan. (Incidentally, Chet later produced their RCA hits.)
Among other familiar faces in the birthday crowd were Kyle Young, Liz Anderson, Don Helms, Patsy Bradley, Ted Harris, Billy Walker, Charlie Dick, Jerry Strobel, Rose Lee Maphis, Ron Elliott, Howard White, Scotty Turner, Weldon Myrick, Bill Phillips and Terry Anglin (Jack’s son).
Bobby enticed Dad to take the stage to join him in a rendition of “I Get So Lonely (Oh, Baby Mine),” which he obviously relished. Wright confided that upcoming was a Canadian tour which Brian Edwards booked for him, Kitty and Bobby, sharing the bill with Jean Shepard, George Hamilton IV and Bill Anderson & his Po’ Boys band.
“This is just so wonderful . . . and the talent is so great,” grinned the birthday gent. “It’s truly a night to remember.”
Johnnie’s last professional appearance occurred in 2006, after which his bus was permanently parked outside his Madison residence “just in case.” Wright’s buses are a story in themselves. He sold one early on to neighbor Hank Snow, whom he ran into up in Canada, where the Singing Ranger complained to Johnnie that he and his boys nearly froze enroute from Madison. A quick check-up and Johnnie determined that a maintenance man had merely forgot to rehook up a heating hose after servicing the vehicle. Yet another time, his very frugal friend found the battery running down, so Snow sent a band member over to Wright’s home to see if Johnnie still had the warranty from his original purchase. Yet another was sold to that “Harper Valley PTA” singer, Jeannie C. Riley, who was thrilled to be riding in the Queen of Country Music’s former bus, and had no complaints.
Johnnie served many years as a Deacon at the Madison Church of Christ, where he was a founding member of the Madison Children’s Home. The couple also helped launch their syndicated Sunday morning TV series Amazing Grace Bible Class, under his production banner.
In October, Johnnie and Kitty would have celebrated their 74th wedding anniversary. Survivors also include son John Robert (Bobby), daughter Carol Sue Sturdivant, grandchildren Larry (Duke) Stephenson, Kitty Elizabeth Ervin, Corrie Cluck, LeAnn Henson, Kamela Stewart, John Sturdivant, Jr., David Sturdivant and Stephanie Sturdivant; 12 great-grandchildreen; and three great-great-grandchildreen. Brother Steve North was scheduled to conduct the Sept. 30 services at Madison Church of Christ. Wright’s nephews serve as Pallbearers, while Honorary Pallbearers consist of surviving members of the Tennessee Mountain Boys, with internment in Spring Hill Cemetery, Madison.

Music City Beat - October 2011

2011-09-12T19:54:00.011-05:00

Garth Brooks inducted into Songwriters Hall of Fame.

Feds raid Gibson Guitar's building sites again . . .

NASHVILLE -- Rep. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) has jumped aboard Henry Juszkiewicz’s media bandwagon blaming President Barack Obama because Gibson Guitar has again been raided for allegedly using rare woods in making instruments here and in Memphis. Juszkiewicz, Gibson’s CEO, chose to go on the internet to build support for his battle with the feds. Of course, Blackburn always seems anxious to find ways to blast the Democratic President, but should check the facts before going public. The culprit behind Gibson’s troubles looks back at Henry every morning as he shaves. As former editor for The Nashville Musician union newspaper for two decades, I wrote about the federal law amendments to the Lacey Act, warning musicians how it affected them, and cautioned them not to carry instruments containing these endangered materials into countries banning their use, or risk impoundment and possible charges. Incidentally, the Lacey Act is named for Representative John F. Lacey (R-Iowa), who introduced it in 1900, to protect wildlife. During the Bush administration in May 2008, it was expanded to include protection of certain plant products (threatened by poachers). Wonder if Rep. Blackburn voted for this? One would think that 2009 crackdown at Gibson should’ve convinced Juszkiewicz to quit violating a law that has been similarly enacted in other civilized countries, covering illegal importation of such endangered species. But now he’s mounting an internet campaign to join in on his pity party, and this from a man who served on the board of the Rainforest Alliance, a non-government conservation organization. Indeed, Gibson makes superlative instruments, and in doing so has honored some of our finest practitioners via models bearing their names. By continuing to import these doctored illegal woods, however, Henry has blemished both his credibility and the honored name of Gibson, and has only himself to blame.
Court Data: Reportedly the Florida judge hearing the charges of theft against singer Bucky Covington, his twin brother and sister-in-law, has dropped them. This prompted the Florida Attorney General’s office to release a statement: “After a review of the information and evidence presented, the prosecutor determined that there was insufficient evidence to prove the charges against Mr. Covington beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.” A promoter had accused the Covingtons of absconding with $1,500 from the Ormond Beach, Fla., box office take, after he (booker William Fuller) had been rushed to the hospital following an apparent heart attack, June 30. Covington had denied the charges . . . Six Nashville policemen who worked as off-duty security guards for country singer Taylor Swift have been suspended for allegedly ignoring the rules on outside employment. Mel Brown III, Mike Clark, Milton Elrod, Thomas Rollins and Donald Long were suspended 10 days, while Daniel Walz was suspended 12 days, all for continuing to work off-duty after being denied permission to do so by a superior officer. Swift’s security company Firefly Entertainment, was unaware the lawmen were told not to accept the job offers. Spokesperson Paula Erickson noted, “As soon as Firefly was made aware that there was a problem, they stopped using these officers immediately.” An anonymous complaint led to the departmental investigation. Their duties for the star consisted mainly of driving Swift’s security team around town as necessary. According to Elrod, “We all needed money; it was easy money.”
Bits & Pieces: Singer Kellie Pickler will appear in the fall 90210 series, making her acting bow as Sally, who surprisingly is a country chirp and cousin to “cowboy” star Justin Deeley. Reportedly Pickler will get to sing her latest single “Tough” from her upcoming CD. “I’m really excited and a little bit nervous about it, but it will be a fun and unique place to perform (‘Tough’),” she says . . . On the q.t. we’ve heard that Reba McEntire’s making or has made a TV pilot for an upcoming series, supposedly set in Malibu (Calif.). She’s a natural, having scored so well with her earlier self-titled cable comedy sitcom . . . The estate of the late singer-songwriter Charlie Rich (at right) and his widow songwriter Margaret Ann, also deceased, was auctioned off in Memphis on Aug. 29, reportedly for in excess of $250,000. Following the death of their mother last year, his children divided portions of their estate, but decided to auction off the remaining memorabilia estimated at about $400,000. Rich, who died in 1995 at age 62, was a Sun Records artist, who later scored nine #1 Billboard hits, such as “Behind Closed Doors,” “The Most Beautiful Girl,” “There Won’t Be Anymore” and “A Very Special Love Song.” Among items that did not sell was a $21,000 antique diamond engagement ring and a $39,500 brooch with a 5-carat diamond surrounded by 5 carats of smaller diamonds . . . Local Studio Tenn’s August production of Damon Runyan’s “Guys & Dolls” won high praise for its sheen and professionalism, due in no small part to the show’s Sister Sarah Brown, played by soprano Carrie Tillis. Yes, she’s Mel’s lilting daughter, which of course makes her Pam’s sis. Congrats to Carrie . . . Singer-songwriter Randy Houser, 34, married fiancee Jessa Lee Yantz on Sept. 2, in the Dominican Republic before family and friends. The couple co-wrote their vows and were joined in wedded bliss by friend Rob Hatch who officiated. Houser (seen below) hit big with “Boots On” (#2, 2009) . . . On Aug. 20, singer Chely Wright wed Lauren Blitzer before some 200 guests at Lauren’s aunt’s home in Connecticut. The couple had two ceremonies, one by a minister and the other by a rabbi as Blitzer is Jewish. At the reception, barbecue was served to the well-wishers, but Chely didn’t dish any up for herself as she’s a vegetarian . . . Former dancer Dean Sheremet, ex-hubby to singer LeAnn Rimes took a new bride, this time photographer Sarah Silver, Aug. 30 in New York City. His ex, LeAnn, married actor Eddie Cibrian last April . . . George Strait, 59, who released his 39th studio album Sept. 6 - “Here For a Good Time” - discloses that he and wife Norma will be first-time grandparents come February, when son Bubba and wife Tamara anticipate their baby’s arrival. Bubba, a champion rodeo team roper, also co-wrote songs for pop’s new CD.
Awards: Five new names will be added to the Nashville Songwriters’ Hall of Fame, Oct. 16, in an awards ceremony at the Renaissance-Nashville Hotel: Alan Jackson (“Where Were You”), Garth Brooks (“Unanswered Prayers”), John Bettis (“Slow Hand”), Allen Shamblin (“I Can’t Make You Love Me”) and Thom Schuyler (“A Long Line of Love”) . . . The Lonesome River Band’s banjoist Sammy Shelor has earned the second annual Steve Martin Prize for Excellence in Banjo & Bluegrass. In addition to a bronze sculpture, Shelor receives a cash prize of $50,000. No stranger to awards, Shelor has won four best banjoist IBMA awards. In honoring the best pickers, Martin (himself a banjoist of note) brings together a panel consisting of Earl Scruggs, Bela Fleck, Tony Trischka, Anne Stringfield, Alison Brown and Neil. Rosenberg to determine the recipient. In addition to the prize money and sculpture, Shelor’s Lonesome River Band gets to perform with Martin, Nov. 3, on the CBS Late Show With David Letterman . . . The Reunion Of Professional Entertainers (ROPE) landed bluegrass queen Rhonda Vincent & The Rage to entertain at their annual awards banquet Oct. 6, at Al Menah Shriner’s Temple in Nashville. She has been voted IBMA Female Vocalist of the Year seven times and with her band has been named IBMA Entertainer of the Year, as well, but she’s probably still too young to qualify for a ROPE award, which primarily goes to veteran artists. Vying this year for ROPE Entertainer of the Year are: Tommy Cash, Jim Ed Brown, Jan Howard, Stonewall Jackson and separately those Williams gals, Jett and Leona (of course, we all know they’re not related). Next year marks the 25th anniversary of ROPE, co-founded by the late fiddler Gordon Terry . . . Millie Kirkham, Barbara Orbison, Evelyn Shriver, Roberta Edging, Janice Wendell, and Georgia Twitty-Chellman were honored by SOURCE Awards, Aug. 25, which annually recognize the women in the Nashville music industry for their outstanding contributions. Author Robert K. Oermann was the evening’s main speaker, while Grammy-winning vocalist Jeannie Seely (seen left with fan Hope Bradford) co-hosted the ninth annual event at the Noah Liff Opera Center here. Millie is the studio soprano who with The Jordanaires sang on Elvis Presley recordings, among many others; Barbara is singer Roy Orbison’s widow, who carries on his publishing and recording works; Roberta was the longtime administrative assistant to Eddy Arnold; Evelyn is the publicist-artist manager who works with notables like Randy Travis and George Jones; Janice was associated with Erickson Advertising here; and the late Georgia Twitty-Chellman worked with The Gospel Jubilee and Music City Hotline . . . Latest news has the Americana Music Association's annual meet presenting Lifetime Americana Achievement Awards to Gregg Allman, Jerry Douglas, Rick Hall, Bob Harris and Lucinda Williams in their respective fields, during the organization's awards show, Oct. 13, in the historic Ryman Auditorium . . . Singer-bandleader Del McCoury, 72, and George Shufler, 86, former lead guitarist for the Stanley Brothers, have been voted as the newest members of the IBMA Bluegrass Hall of Fame, Class of 2011. According to 1993 Hall member Mac Wiseman regarding Del, “He’s past due, very well-qualified and will carry the banner for our kind of music for many years to come. Del’s the sort of fellow who never changes, even when he’s enjoying great success. I admired him for staying with his family while raising his children by working the sawmill and such. He’s more than paid his dues.” . . . Mention of Mac reminds us that even confined to the home fires while a broken leg heals, he’s staying busy. Not only did he record a duet with Leona Williams (“The Good Times Are Ready To Come,” heard on her new CD “Grass Roots”), but is writing his biography, “Mac Wiseman: Voice With a Heart,” and overseeing production of his 153-track box-set “The Mac Wiseman Story,” due to hit the streets in early October. Featured on this compilation are such greats as Merle Travis, Chubby Wise, Johnny Gimbel, Arthur (Guitar Boogie) Smith, Jerry Douglas, Eddie Adcock and the Osborne Brothers.
More Briefs: Sony Nashville’s Jimmy Rivers, v.p., is among a dozen staffers let go Aug. 25, in a revamp of the national label which affected the Columbia division here. On Aug. 16, Sony Music pink-slipped 20 employees at other U.S. branches, and on Aug. 24 laid off 20 workers with Sony’s RCA Records division . . . Movie star Reese Witherspoon, a Nashville native, was hit by a car driven by an 84-year-old woman near Los Angeles, Sept. 7. Reese, 35, had been out jogging in Santa Monica when the car traveling about 20 mph struck her, causing her to be hospitalized briefly for minor injuries. Witherspoon earned an Academy Award playing June Carter Cash in the 2005 film “Walk The Line” . . . Here’s an update on the freak windstorm tearing through the Indiana State Fair, Aug. 13, toppling huge scaffolding (holding lights and sound system), killing seven people and injuring dozens more. Sugarland, the show’s headliner, was due to perform, but road manager Helen Rollens delayed their going onstage after she observed the darkening sky. Reportedly, when they heard the noise of the stage collapsing, Sugarland’s Jennifer Nettles and Kristian Bush and their band hit the deck after taking cover by a wall. They next scurried from the backstage area and boarded their tour bus. After learning of some negative comments regarding the act’s quick departure, Sugarland manager Gail Gellman issued this press statement: “There was no running out anywhere . . . No one knew what happened. It was just the moment when your eyes get big.” Meanwhile, Bush stated, “Our fans just came to see a show, and it ended in something terrible! My heart is totally broken for the family and friends of those who lost their lives. It’s broken for all the people who got hurt, for the people who were scared.” Sugarland’s ambitious stage set saluting their Incredible Machine tour was destroyed in the mishap, prompting the duo to cancel the next day’s scheduled show at the Iowa State Fair. A few days later, they were back on schedule appearing in Albuquerque, New Mexico (Aug. 18), where they paid special tribute to the dead and wounded in Indianapolis. It was not known whether authorities inspected their stage and rigging equipment prior to the show that didn’t occur in Indiana. Although their Indiana State Fair contract called for payment of their fee ($335,000) regardless of a bad weather cancellation, Sugarland informed fair officials they would not seek any money . . . Country singer Ty Herndon teamed with former football star Kevin Turner for a music video “Journey On,” from which proceeds benefit the Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) ailment a.k.a. Lou Gehrig’s Disease (which Turner has). The duo’s efforts helped raise a whopping $4.3 million to benefit the charity. Thus on Sept. 1, Herndon and Turner were at Boston’s Fenway Park to present a check to the ALS Therapy Alliance for that sum. The pair were named celebrity spokesmen last June, and combined with CVS drug stores’ Researching a Cure fund-raiser, their video was beamed into 7,200 stores, even as “Journey On” was being downloaded via the internet earning more ALS money. Total campaign funds raised reportedly totaled over $27 million. See www.ALSTherapyAlliance.org for further details . . . Craig Morgan was all smiles himself, as he presented more than $95,000 to a Nashville children’s charity, Billy’s Place, in Dickson, Tenn. The money was raised through Morgan’s fifth annual Charity Motorcross Ride, Concert & Sporting Clay Shoot, Aug. 6-7. “It’s amazing how much this event has grown over the last five years, and I’m over-the-top grateful to everyone, from our celebrity friends and the Dickson and Middle Tennessee communities, for their support.” Billy’s Place provides shelter for displaced youths.
Ailing: Country-pop icon Brenda Lee, 66, had to undergo back surgery recently causing her to bow out as speaker-host at the annual SOURCE Awards gala, Aug. 25. Opry star Jeannie Seely stepped in for the legendary lady (seen at right) responsible for such classic hits as “I’m Sorry” and “Big Four-Poster Bed” . . . Producer-songwriter Billy Sherrill, 74, is reportedly suffering from a brain aneurysm. He’s the songwriter of such hits as “Stand By Your Man,” “A Very Special Love Song” and “Almost Persuaded,” who produced such country music giants as Charlie Rich, George Jones, Barbara Mandrell, David Houston and Tammy Wynette . . . By now everybody knows that Glen Campbell, 75, and his wife Kim have revealed that the singer-guitarist is suffering from Alzheimer’s disease, but the positive thing is that the veteran vocalist is continuing a string of showdates he planned that takes him through the fall. His last studio album “Ghost On the Canvas” was released Aug. 30. Of course, he created an impressive list of hits in his heyday, including #1s “Wichita Lineman,” “Galveston,” “Rhinestone Cowboy” and “Southern Nights.”
Final Curtain: Singer-songwriter Gerald “Owen” Davis, 64, died Aug. 19, following a lengthy illness. Among the many songs he wrote was “Play Me or Trade Me,” a Top 40 recorded in 1981 by Nancy Sinatra and Mel Tillis. Others who recorded Davis’ songs include Leon Redbone, and Owen composed the theme music for the independent movie “The Other Side of Nashville,” featuring an all-star cast with Chet Atkins, Terri Gibbs, Emmylou Harris, Carl Perkins, Kenny Rogers, Kris Kristofferson, Willie Nelson, Hank Williams, Jr., and Alabama. Survivors include his wife Deborah, and daughter Shaela Wolken. The family asked in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Minnie Pearl Cancer Foundation (www.minniepearl.org) in his name.
Known primarily as a rock and roll writer, Jerry Leiber nonetheless is responsible for a bevy of Billboard country-crossover classics, including “Hound Dog,” “Jailhouse Rock,” “Don’t” and “Yakety Yak.” Lyricist Leiber, 78, died Aug. 22 in Los Angeles. He spent his formative years growing up in Baltimore and L.A., where he first developed an appreciation of the blues. Jerry collaborated on some of his major successes with composer Mike Stoller. Actually R&B pioneer Big Mama Thornton scored their first breakthrough hit on the Leiber-Stoller creation “Hound Dog” in 1953. Elvis Presley turned it into a monster smash as half of his two-sided 1956 RCA multi-million selling single coupled with “Don’t Be Cruel,” both of which went #1 and are in the Grammy Hall of Fame. Attesting to their prowess as composers, they provided Peggy Lee’s pop anthem “Is That All There Is” in 1969. They also co-produced records, and their many successes earned them induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1987. Other Leiber song credits include “Kansas City,” “Charlie Brown” and “Stand By Me.” Among artists recording Leiber’s lyrics were The Coasters, Dion & The Belmonts, The Drifters and Ben E. King.

Music City Beat - September 2011

2011-08-12T10:47:00.015-05:00

Ronnie (at left) with manager Bert Stein.

Ricky and Ronnie announce book releases . . .

NASHVILLE -- Ronnie Milsap has a good marketing strategy for his newest CD “Country Again,” as he plans to couple it with his biography “It Was Almost Like a Song,” which he co-authored with Tom Carter, as originally published by McGraw-Hill.
“The thing that happened with McGraw-Hill, who we got talked into going with by some (literary) agent, was their biography division was about to go out of business. That occurred right after we got in there (May 1990),” Ronnie notes, adding, “Tom Carter’s a real good writer and he did a fine job. But now it’s coming back and being repackaged with this ‘Country Again’ album.”
Multi-instrumentalist Milsap, who is sightless, has been a real inspiration to the multitude since his career caught on initially on the 1965 R&B and pop charts, and after focusing primarily on country music in the 1970s, chalked up some 40 #1 records on various trade charts. Among his country crossover charttoppers are “There’s No Gettin’ Over Me,” “Any Day Now” and “Smoky Mountain Rain.”
“Actually, folks can get the CD, book, a T-shirt and any other thing we have available,” chuckles Milsap, 68, who is releasing it all on the indie Bigger Picture label.
Meanwhile, country-bluegrass star Ricky Skaggs is tackling his life story, with a helpful writing hand from Eddie Dean. Skaggs has produced a trio of CDs over the past three years: “Ricky Skaggs: Country Hits, Bluegrass Style” (2011); “Mosaic” (2010); and “Solo: Songs My Dad Loved” (2009).
“It wasn’t long after that album (‘Solo’), I started thinking about this book I’m working on now, which will be published by Harper-Collins, probably sometime next year,” Ricky confides. “So there’s more dredging up of my dad and my mom. I’ve got a young guy who helped Ralph Stanley do his biography (‘Man of Constant Sorrow: Life & Times of a Music Legend’), Eddie Dean. He’s done a few music things and is very knowledgeable.
“I look at what we’ve done and I think, ‘Wait a minute, we’ve got so much of it started and I’m only up to age 19, I mean we’re not doing a Magna Carta here, OK.’ So I don’t know how much we’re going to try and edit out,” continues Ricky (seen right in an earlier photo).
“I think the real trick is getting a writer who could find my voice; that is, the way I say something. I mean I don’t speak the King’s English, man. I didn’t realize it, the way I say some things sometimes, until I saw it transcribed just the way I said it. You certainly can tell I was educated in Eastern Kentucky, not New York, New York,” he laughs aloud.
Scene Stealers: Former Lyric Street singer Bucky Covington, 33, denies a police report citing his crew for an alleged theft of $1,500 from promoter William Fuller’s cash box, while the booker was being treated at a hospital for chest pains. The reported incident occurred following an Ormond Beach, Fla., gig, June 30, when supposedly Covington’s two family members had access to the funds. “My family and I are extremely hurt and disappointed to be falsely accused,” said Bucky. “I, nor my (twin) brother Rocky (and his wife Terra), would never steal anything. When the real truth is released, the records will show I, along with several others, were the victims, and me and my family will be vindicated.” Fuller told the Volusia County Sheriff’s office, witnesses watched Rocky and Terra take “the gate” money belonging to his Pit Row Music Posse agency. Incidentally, a portion of the proceeds were to benefit Joplin, Mo., tornado victims. In another chat with the Daytona Beach News-Journal, Bucky insisted, “It’s absolutely and completely false. The promoter didn’t have his fingers together. He did not pay people. I didn’t get paid.” Covington says he may take some legal action against Fuller. Bucky initially was an American Idol runner-up, when Lyric Street signed him for a self-titled 2007 #1 debut album that spawned two Top 10 singles: “A Different World” and “I’ll Walk” . . . Singer Tracy Lawrence, 43, got a little wild and crazy himself at a Smokin’ Country show date in Bloomville, Ohio, Aug. 6, taking on the venue’s owner apparently over his parked tour bus. It was a rainy night as Tracy and Elmer Cole, Jr. exchanged blows, following a heated discussion. Ohio’s Seneca County Sheriff Bill Eckelberry’s office charged both with disorderly conduct. Lightning forced Lawrence (seen right with Hal Ketchum) to delete one song, while fellow artist Randy Houser canceled his set. Reportedly Tracy was concerned about his bus being pulled out of the mud, while Eckelberry’s crew was busy freeing other stuck vehicles. Both men were taken to Mercy Tiffin Hospital where they were treated and released. Summons to appear in court at Tiffin, Ohio, were issued. Lawrence is known for such hits as “Sticks and Stones,” “Alibis” and “Lessons Learned.” Hmmm . . . The Oak Ridge Boys’ official recognition as members of the WSM Grand Ole Opry cast occurred Aug. 6, as a letter from their hero, former President George H.W. Bush in Maine, was read to the quartet on stage: “I cannot think of any group or any person who deserve this honor more. I think of the Opry and the Oaks both as American icons, beloved from coast to coast and known around the world. I can’t think of a better union.” Pint-sized Jimmy Dickens did the actual presentation for the Oaks: Duane Allen, Joe Bonsall, William Lee Golden and Richard Sterban. Of course their first chart hit occurred in 1977 with “Y’all Come Back Saloon,” followed by 17 #1 singles, though their last Top 10, “Lucky Moon,” registered in 1991, 20 years ago. Guess that’s no stranger than two other fairly recent selections set forth by Opry manager Pete Fisher: Ralph Stanley and Charlie Daniels . . . Superstar Dolly Parton has apologized and offered a refund to lesbian couple Olivier Odom and Jennifer Tipton for alleged discrimination committed against them by a Dollywood theme park staff near Pigeon Forge, Tenn., July 9. It seems an employee requested Odom wear her jersey inside out so the statement “Marriage is so gay,” wouldn’t offend other tourists. After complying with the request, the couple complained to WBIR-TV in Knoxville regarding their treatment indicating Dollywood was not gay friendly. Park spokesman Pete Owens reported Dollywood is open to all families, but a dress code policy is to ask those wearing offensive clothing or tattoos to cover up: “We try to provide an environment for families of all shapes and sizes to enjoy themselves.” Later, Parton apologized and issued a statement noting, “Everyone knows my personal support of the gay and lesbian community. Dollywood is a family park and all families are welcome.” Odom and Tipton welcomed Parton’s supportive statement, but added, “We still want to see the policy changed.”
Bits & Pieces: John A. Brown, 60, convicted in the murders of Opry comedian-banjoist David (Stringbean) Akeman and his wife Estelle 38 years ago, was again denied parole by a seven-member board hearing his plea. According to an Aug. 3 news story, Brown’s next parole board hearing could take place in April 2014. More than 450 persons wrote or spoke before the board opposing his release, it was disclosed. Among those pleading on his behalf was Pastor Steve Williams and Brown’s wife Debra . . . The late Shelby Singleton’s label Sun Entertainment Corporation is taking a Houston label Compadre Records into court over misuse of Johnny Cash recordings in advertisements. Sun’s officials say the copyright infringement involves ads and a trailer for the movie “Zombieland” that feature a remixed version of “Country Boy.” Yet another fraudulent use of Cash’s “Get Rhythm” by Compadre has been heard in another advertising campaign including the CMA Music Festival, Sun citing breach of contract. The lawsuit is pending in the U.S. District Court in Nashville . . . Patsy Cline’s childhood home in Winchester, Va., has just been restored to the tune of $100,000, as a memorial to the late singer, who died March 5, 1963 in a plane crash near Camden, Tenn. She attained two #1 singles “I Fall To Pieces” and “She’s Got You,” plus a #2 that’s probably her most famous song, “Crazy.” The movie “Sweet Dreams” starring Jessica Lange, portrayed the Grand Ole Opry lady who was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1973 . . . Reportedly there are 12 songs gleaned from supposedly-lost notebooks containing the lyrics of Hank Williams, who died Jan. 1, 1953 at age 30, while enroute to a gig in Canton, Ohio. As a result, more than half a century later his heirs are overseeing the Oct. 4 release of an album “The Lost Notebooks of Hank Williams,” a joint project of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Bob Dylan’s Egyptian Records, a Columbia Records imprint. Artists besides Dylan heard on the disc are Holly Williams (Hank’s granddaughter), Jack White, Sheryl Crow, Norah Jones, Merle Haggard, Lucinda Williams (no relation), Jakob Dylan, Patty Loveless, Alan Jackson, Rodney Crowell, Vince Gill and Levon Helm. Wonder why Hank's publisher Acuff-Rose wasn’t made aware of these creations? . . . Willie Nelson, who helped launch the popular Farm Aid Concerts, inducted Aug. 13 into the National Agricultural Hall of Fame in Bonner Springs, Kan. Simultaneously a benefit concert's scheduled that day at Livestrong Sporting Park in Kansas City to aid needy farm families. Nelson acknowledges he is deeply honored to become the 39th inductee in the Agricultural Hall of Fame . . . Superstars Keith Urban and Taylor Swift are individually pairing with perfumeries to develop their individual fragrances for fans. Swift’s perfume will be Wonderstruck, taken from a lyric in her song “Enchanted,” and is being produced by Elizabeth Arden’s company. Urban’s shower fragrance, created in collaboration with Boom LLC, will be called Phoenix. . . . The Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum plans to more than double its size by joining the Music City Convention Center and Omni Nashville Hotel downtown. On July 28, CMA and Country Music Foundation officials joined Mayor Karl Dean in an announcement, noting the expansion will carry a $75 million price tag. To raise the funds, the country folk are coming together to launch a campaign called “Working On a Building: Country Music Lives Here.” Completion date is tentatively set as spring 2014, with the size being increased from the existing 140,000 square feet to a proposed 350,000-plus square feet. Included will be an 800-seat theater, a recording studio, an educational center with classrooms, plus more exhibit and storage space . . . Singer Eric Church and his wife Katherine anticipate being parents to a baby boy any day now. Meanwhile, he’s happy to see his album “Chief” hit the top of the Billboard chart . . . Justin Moore, not to be outdone, saw his CD “Outlaws Like Me” hit the top spot on Billboard’s country chart, while its lead single “If Heaven Wasn’t So Far Away” also made #1, and he and wife Kate expect a little sister for their 1-year-old Ella this fall. He’s not sure what her name will be: “We had boy names, but we don’t really have any girl names. I guess we need to get on the ball.”
Ailing: Loretta Lynn, 76, bowed out of shows in July claiming heat exhaustion, including Ohio’s Jamboree in the Hills. She’s now taking time off to undergo knee surgery. The Country Hall of Famer (seen at left) will be off her leg until Sept. 3, when she hopes to be recuperated enough to resume touring. Fans waiting on her return to the road, can check out mi’lady’s website www.lorettalynn.com for rescheduled show dates . . . Superstar Tim McGraw, 44, is suffering a broken foot and is not quite sure how it occurred: “I don’t know if it happened running or in the part of the show where I jump off speakers. It hurt for awhile and I kept running and kept working out and kept doing shows. It finally got to where I couldn’t walk.” Wife Faith Hill had him check it out, resulting in being put in a corrective boot. Meanwhile, medics have ordered him not to run and to take it easy.
Final Curtain: Vocalist Billy Grammer, 85, died Aug. 10 at a hospital in Benton, Ill. (He made his home in nearby Sesser, Ill.) Of his eight Billboard country chartings, “Gotta Travel On” was his biggest hit, a reported million seller that peaked at #5, and crossed over into the pop charts (#4, 1959). He was equally acclaimed for his superb guitar pickin’ style, playing on a variety of sessions ranging from country hitmaker Charley Pride to jazz bandsman Louis Armstrong, and designed his own best-selling Grammer Guitar model for Gower Guitar (in which he was half owner). One of 13 children, Billy was born Aug. 28, 1925 in Benton. His father taught him to play fiddle at age 5. That merely whet his appetite to learn to play guitar, banjo and mandolin. Following a stint in the U.S. Army, he began playing in bands fronted by such legends as Hawkshaw Hawkins and Grandpa Jones. Radio icon Connie B. Gay engaged Grammer for his 1950s’ broadcasts and began booking him throughout the Washington, D.C. area. Gay scheduled Billy for The Jimmy Dean Show on CBS-TV 1957-’58. Music mogul Fred Foster sought him out to record a 19th century folksong he took a liking to, retitled it “Gotta Travel On,” and his fortune was made. In 1959, Billy became a permanent cast member of WSM’s historic Grand Ole Opry program. Grammer also had the original Top 20 recording of the Mel Tillis-Danny Dill classic “I Wanna Go Home” in 1963, which later that same year became a Grammy Award-winning cover by RCA newcomer Bobby Bare under a revised title “Detroit City.” Grammer albums include “Country Guitar” and “Gospel Guitar.” Due to ill health and failing eyesight, Grammer (seen at left) curtailed his Opry appearances over the past two decades. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Ruth Grammer, with whom he had three children: Donna, Dianne and Billy Jr.
Bassist and artists manager Marshall Grant, 83, died Aug. 7 at St. Bernard’s Medical Center in Jonesboro, Ark., after suffering an aneurysm. Grant had just participated in a concert to raise funds to restore Johnny Cash’s boyhood home in Arkansas, sharing the stage with John Carter Cash and Rosanne Cash, two of the late artist’s children. Marshall worked with Cash, both as a musician and a manager, in one way or another from 1954 thru 1980. Grant also played bass on the Statlers’ breakthrough hit “Flowers On the Wall” in 1965, and managed the group until their 2004 retirement. He originally played guitar, but voluntarily switched to bass fiddle when he and fellow mechanic-guitarist Luther Perkins joined guitarist Johnny Cash to record for Sun Records in Memphis. In 2006, Grant’s autobiography “I Was There When It Happened: My Life With Johnny Cash” was published. He claimed Cash’s drug problems led to dissolving their partnership in 1980, though they later reconciled. In recognition of Grant’s contribution to Cash and his unique Tennessee Two backup boys, Marshall was inducted into the Musicians Hall of Fame here in 2007. Survivors include wife Etta Grant and son Randall, and services were conducted by Memorial Park Funeral Home in Memphis. Johnny’s singer-daughter Rosanne Cash “tweeted” Aug. 8, “Grateful I was w/him last 2 days. Boom Chica Boom old friend.”
Texas-based recording artist Joe Paul Nichols, 69, died July 27 in Jacksboro, from Lou Gehrig disease a.k.a. ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis). He kicked off his professional career at age 16 on the Cowtown Opry in Fort Worth in 1957, and three years later joined the Big D Jamboree in Dallas. He led his own band The Five Pennies. Shortly before being diagnosed with his fatal illness, Paul hosted the WSM Midnite Jamboree. His final studio album for Heart Of Texas Records was “The Price is Right,” a tribute to fellow Texan Ray Price. Survivors include wife Carolyn (Martin) Nichols, son Joe Paul, Jr., daughter Jennifer Gasca and seven grandchildren.
Former Dot Records artist Jack Barlow (Butcher), 87, died July 29, at Jackson Memorial Hospital, following a lengthy illness. Barlow charted such Billboard singles as “Catch the Wind” a 1971 Top 25, and also recorded briefly as Zoot Fenster, scoring a novelty Top 30 with “The Man On Page 602.” He was born Jack Harold Butcher in Muscatine, Iowa, in 1924, the son of Jennie and Harold Butcher. During World War II, Jack served in the U.S. Navy, after which he launched a brief career as a Midwest DJ. During the mid-1960s, he initially recorded and released his first song “I Love Country Music.” Barlow worked on bills with such artists as Johnny Cash, George Jones, Patsy Cline, Lefty Frizzell, Dottie West, Chet Atkins, Mel Tillis and Porter Wagoner. He appeared at the Las Vegas niteries The Landmark and Golden Nugget. Barlow recorded jingles for such products as Big Red Chewing Gum, Busch Beer, Chrysler, Uncle Ben’s Rice, Kellogg’s and Dollar General Stores. He is survived by his wife of 24 years Diane (Gobelet) Butcher, daughters Sherry McGuigan and Jacque Mayberry, sons Doc, Mike, Beau and Cole Butcher, two grandchildren and one great-grandchild. A public tribute to Barlow was scheduled Aug. 13 at Harpeth Hills Memory Garden Funeral Home in Nashville.

Walt's Music City Beat - August 2011

2011-07-17T22:12:00.009-05:00

Cowboy Jack Clement & Carlene Carter (left).

Blaze damages Cowboy Jack's historic studio . . .

NASHVILLE -- Cowboy Jack Clement’s Belmont Boulevard home here was in flames June 25, sparked by a fire that ignited in the attic space. Fortunately, no one was injured as firefighters battled the blaze that destroyed or damaged valued music tapes, instruments and memorabilia. Jack was relieved to retrieve his favorite guitar and pet cats. Clement, 80, bought the roomy Tudor-style home (built by singer Pat Boone’s grandfather) in 1970, and renovated the upstairs as his Cowboy Arms Hotel & Recording Spa. There such stars as Eddy Arnold, Charley Pride, John Prine and Mac Wiseman recorded masters. Stored in the studio, too, were reel-to-reel tapes, including unreleased tracks by the legendary likes of Johnny Cash and Big Bandleader Louis Armstrong. Clement, who got his start as Sam Phillips’ assistant at Sun Records in Memphis, collaborated with such notables as Cash, Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis, Charlie Rich, Roy Orbison and Pride. More recently Clement produced three tracks for U2’s “Rattle & Hum” sessions. As a writer, Jack’s credits include “Ballad Of a Teen-Age Queen,” “Guess Things Happen That Way,” “Just Someone I Used To Know,” and “Does My Ring Hurt Your Finger.” Jack’s house was featured in the acclaimed documentary film “Shakespeare Was a Big George Jones Fan: Cowboy Jack Clement’s Home Movies.” Clement said he's still not sure what's salvagable yet among his treasured memorabilia.
News Briefs: The Tennessee Court of Appeals has OK’d Clint Black’s original lawsuit against his former business manager going forward again, claiming Davidson County Chancery Court Judge Carol McCoy was wrong for dismissing the singer’s suit alleging “technical reasons.” In November 2008, Black charged ex-partner Charlie Sussman (Equity Records) with breach of fiduciary duty, accounting fraud, breach of contract and mismanagement, following their label’s demise. Black (see photo left) insists Sussman advised the artist to invest millions into the label project, while collecting $10,000 a month as the firm’s chief financial officer . . . Oak Ridge Boys will become the newest act among regular cast members on WSM’s Grand Ole Opry, as the senior member Little Jimmy Dickens (joined 1948) extended the invitation on behalf of management, July 9. The foursome (Duane Allen, Joe Bonsall, William Lee Golden, Richard Sterban), responsible for such hits as “Elvira,” “Fancy Free,” “Bobbie Sue” and “American Made,” will officially join the cast Aug. 6. Allen’s wife Norah Lee has long performed backup vocals on the Opry with the Carole Lee Singers. “It’s something we’ve dreamed about for a long time . . . it is an honor beyond words,” adds bass singer Sterban . . . The Opry’s Riders In The Sky being honored, July 31, with the Cowboy Keeper Award presented annually by National Day Of The Cowboy, dedicated to preservation of the cowboy culture in the U.S. and abroad. The foursome - Ranger Doug (Greene), Woody Paul (Chrisman), Too Slim (Fred Labour) and newest member Joey (Miskulin) The Polka King - promote “the cowboy way” via various radio shows (such as Riders Radio Theater, Sirius XM Satellite), Grand Ole Opry TV-radio appearances (joined in 1982), film (“Toy Story2”) and a series of records of originals and standards promoting both western swing and prairie ballads . . . Guitar god James Burton, 71, is the newest name in the Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum’s continuing Nashville Cats series. Louisianan Burton backed such icons as Ricky Nelson and Elvis Presley, and is a member of the Rockabilly Hall of Fame, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and the Nashville-based Musicians Hall of Fame . . . Mention of the latter reminds us a deal appears closer to reality for Joe Chambers’ relocation of his Musicians Hall of Fame into the downtown Nashville Municipal Auditorium, though occupancy may be delayed until April 1, 2012. Chambers, who owns a guitar store on West End and wrote country songs such as Ricky Van Shelton’s #1 “Somebody Lied” (with Larry Jenkins), is still a bit skeptical however, “It’s been a year and they're still changing the offer. I can’t continue to be in a state of suspended animation. Of course, the original Hall was situated in twin buildings on Sixth Avenue until the city ordered him to vacate the premises to make way for Mayor Karl Dean’s proposed Music City Center currently under construction. The city fathers’ five-year lease would require Chambers pay for improvements, new signs, cosmetic alterations to the 60,000-square foot exhibit hall, and give the city $1 from every admission ticket. The auditorium would retain all beverage and food concession income. The pact permits three five-year lease extensions . . . A film company, i25 Productions of Colorado, is recreating Jimmy Wayne’s “Meet Me Halfway” walk from Nashville to Phoenix in 2010, as a documentary. According to Wayne, the film project will be another way to raise awareness for at-risk youths and runaways . . . The always upbeat Neal McCoy was especially happy on July 7 with the arrival of his first grandbaby Titan McCoy Strong, who weighed in at 7 pounds, 6 ounces, in Texas. He is the son of Miki (Neal and Melinda’s daughter) and Trevor Strong. All are doing well . . . New bride Miranda Lambert has a side project going musically with fellow chirps Ashley Monroe and Angaleena Presley, performing as The Pistol Annies, which she likens to the long-ago Highwaymen collaboration. The trio’s been in the studio to record new songs for “Hell On Heels,” but as Miranda notes, “It is everything but a goofy side project to me . . . It’s something that I’m so passionate about, that I have to make sure I focus on Miranda Lambert at times . . . I think it’s time for artists that share a passion to join together creatively and not let politics, get in the way” . . . Steel Magnolia’s Meghan Linsey and Joshua Scott Jones are officially engaged, though the lovers aren’t sure about a wedding day yet. Meghan smiles when Josh suggests July 10, 2012, his birthday: “He just thinks July 10 because of his birthday, and I’m going, ‘Well, do you know if it’s a Saturday? Is it a Tuesday?’ He doesn’t think about those things” . . . The Chely Wright movie “Wish Me Away,” depicting her life - including coming out of the closet - won the Los Angeles Film Festival’s best documentary award, June 25 . . . Country gospel duo Jeff & Sheri Easter’s tour bus was involved in an accident overnight July 8, in Lewisville, Ark., after an uninsured driver crossed over into their lane causing a crash. Fortunately no one was seriously injured, thanks to the quick-thinking of their bus driver: “Our driver Tyler noticed one headlight coming toward us in our lane. He veered to avoid hitting the driver. All of a sudden, the driver of the car made a hard right hitting the side of our bus,” explained Sheri. The Easter crew completed a show in El Dorado, Ark., and were enroute to a gig in Mesquite, Texas, when the 2 a.m. collision occurred. Police arrested the negligent driver, charging him with DWI. The optimistic duo’s known for such successes as “Life Is Great And Gettin’ Better” and “Expecting Good Things.”
More News: Dickey Lee’s beaming these days over the renewed success of a song he wrote a half-century back, “Memphis Beat,” recorded anew by Nashville artist Keb’ Mo’ and theme for a popular TV cop show of that title. Lewis named a 1966 album after his rendition of the tune, with its chorus: “I’m goin’ to Memphis where the beat is tough/Memphis, I can’t get enough/It makes you tremble and it makes you weak/Gets in your blood, that Memphis Beat . . .” In the TNT series, star Jason Lee (no relation) portrays a policeman by day and an Elvis Presley impersonator evenings. Nashville Songwriters Hall of Famer Dickey Lee’s credits include “She Thinks I Still Care,” “The Keeper Of the Stars” and “Let’s Fall To Pieces Together,” and as a pop-country artist scored with “Patches,” “Never Ending Song of Love,” “Rocky,” and “9,999,999 Tears.” The TV theme earned Lee (see photo at right) yet another BMI award. He will include the song on his upcoming CD “The Classic Songs Of Dickey Lee,” due out Sept. 20, but confided: “I have to relearn how to play it. I had kinda forgotten about it. It’s just kind of a neat little deal”. . . Chet Atkins is the next artist slated for the 10-month salute at the Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum, his tribute is scheduled August - June 2012. Already saluted by the foundation were Kitty Wells, Brenda Lee and Tammy Wynette . . . A July 6 SoundScan music industry survey disclosed sales rose 8.5 per cent from the year before; meanwhile, Worldwide Concert ticket sales went up 11 per cent attaining a $1.65 billion total just for the first half of 2011, a promising sign for country superstars Kenny Chesney, Taylor Switft and Brad Paisley currently launching their summer touring . . . The Hollywood Walk of Fame has selected Vince Gill to be immortalized in 2012 with a Star on the famed movieland walkway. The Country Music Hall of Famer will be in good sidewalk company next year, joining fellow nominees Jennifer Aniston, Scarlett Johansson, cartoonist Matt Groening and the band Heart . . . A report in the daily Tennessean newspaper claimed some 65,000 attended the various events of the four-day CMA Music Festival in June, accounting for an expenditure by fans of some $30 million for the community, resulting in record numbers booking hotel rooms. That tally set a record, allegedly $6 million over the prior year’s totals . . . Singer Justin Moore and wife Kate have announced they expect a new baby in November, to join sister Ella Kole Moore. His latest release is “If Heaven Wasn’t So Far Away.”
Ailing Artists: Country-pop hitmaker Glen Campbell, 75, has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, but according to his wife Kim, intends to go ahead with his fall farewell tour across the country. He won CMA’s Entertainer of the Year and Best Male Vocalist awards in 1968. What his label - Surfdog Records - is calling Campbell’s final studio CD - “Ghost On the Canvas” - will be released Aug. 30. Best known for such classic singles as “Gentle On My Mind,” “Wichita Lineman,” “Galveston” and “Rhinestone Cowboy,” the Grammy Award-winning Campbell attained his last Top 10, “She’s Gone, Gone, Gone” (by Harlan Howard), 22 years ago. Glen and Kim decided to go public with his affliction because as she says, “Glen is still an awesome guitar player and singer, but if he flubs a lyric or gets confused on stage, I wouldn’t want people to think, ‘What’s the matter with him? Is he drunk?’” . . . Meanwhile, Hall of Fame songwriter Wayne Carson (Thompson), 69, is recovering here from surgery. He’s hailed for such classics as “Somebody Like You” (Eddy Arnold), “Always On My Mind” (Willie Nelson), “The Letter” (The Boxtops) and “Barstool Mountain” (Moe Bandy). Carson (right) also teamed for a time with Ronnie Ronnie.
Final Curtain: Nashville artist Bill Johnson, 68, who created Rolling Stone magazine’s logo and earned a Grammy award for his artwork on Rosanne Cash’s acclaimed album “King’s Record Shop” in 1987, died of lung cancer at home June 15. A year after the Cash CD, Johnson won a second Grammy designing The O’Kanes’ album “Tired Of the Runnin’,” and also worked his magic on CBS albums like Willie Nelson’s “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” and George Jones’ “Shine On Me.” During the 1970s, he was Rolling Stone’s art director. He is survived by wife Cynda, and children Becky and Noel, and grandkids Dakota and Tyler.
Jolene Mercer Dakil, 66, died May 28, following a lengthy illness. She headed up her own managment firm The Mercer Group, and as a publicist had worked for such clients as Garth Brooks, Asleep At The Wheel, Little Texas, Neal McCoy, Charley Pride and the Oak Ridge Boys. She had been wed to Texas artist Floyd Dakil, who enjoyed the regional hit “Dance Franny, Dance.” Survivors include daughter Ashley, sons Gary, Kip and Michael, plus several grandchildren. Services were held at the Greenwood Funeral Home, Fort Worth, Texas, June 13.
Pioneer gospel singer-songwriter Harold J. Lane, 82, died June 6 in Nashville. For 22 years he was tenor vocalist with the Speer Family Quartet and co-founded his Gospel Harmony Boys group. Among his greatest compositions were “I’m Standing On the Rock” and “Touring That City.” He was inducted into the Southern Gospel Music Hall of Fame, and has taught at the Stamps-Baxter School of Music and Ben Speer School of Music. Lane arranged music for fellow acts such as The Florida Boys, The Rambos, Jake Hess, The LeFevres and Bill Gaither, including “The King Is Coming.” He is survived by son Jerry, daughters Rebecca and Judith, plus four grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. Services were conducted at Mt. Olivet cemetery, June 13.
Seasoned bluegrass dobroist-singer-songwriter George (Speedy) Krise, 89, died June 9, with wife Freda by his side. A resident of Portsmouth, Va., in later years, Krise initially played in the bands of such legends as Molly O’Day and Carl Butler, was the musician who introduced dobro to bluegrass sessions, and saw his songs cut by artists such as Butler, Roy Acuff, Carl Smith, Jim & Jesse and Mac Wiseman. Among Krise compositions recorded were “No Trespassin’,” “Georgia Waltz,” “Heartbreak Express,” “You Plus Me,” “Our Last Rendezvous,” “Plastic Heart” and “Goin’ Like Wildfire.” Upon hearing Wiseman’s version of “. . . Wildfire,” pop vocalists Frankie Laine and Jo Stafford cut it as a duet. The West Virginia native was the son of a C&O Railroad brakeman and his wife, who taught her boy to play guitar. It was a sister’s beau who inspired him on the Hawaiian steel guitar that led to his love of dobro. In his ’tween years, Speedy bought one by sweeping out the schoolhouse for $1 a month. In younger days, Krise also worked with Little Jimmy Dickens at WJLS-Beckley, W. Va., where he formed his Blue Ribbon Boys; played in Jack Shelton’s Green County Boys; did a trio with Archie Campbell; played such radio shows as WNOX-Knoxville’s Mid-Day Merry-Go-Round and Tennessee Barn Dance. “Radio was the thing that made mountain music popular,” Krise insisted. “TV never did what radio could.” Krise was a World War II veteran, who operated a control tower for the Army Air Corps, during which some of the pilots responded to his thick southern drawl with “Thank y’all!” Jack Shelton, now 85, lives in Asheville, N.C., and recalls his musician-friend fondly: “Speedy was unique because he could play almost anything on the Dobro, and took the lead with the fiddle, and could sing, too.” Speedy himself believed, “Country music is good for the soul, heart and mind.” Survivors include wife Freda, daughters Sue, Georgia, Carolyn and son Ed; 10 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren and a great-great grandchild. Services were held June 15 at Brent Lox Baptist Church in Chesapeake, Va., while burial’s in a family plot at Hinton, W. Va.
Nashville songwriter Charles (Charlie) Craig, 73, died July 1. His song hits include “Wanted” (Alan ackson), “She’s Single Again” (Janie Fricke), “Let’s Get Over Them Together” (Becky Hobbs-Moe Bandy), “Between An Old Memory and Me” (Travis Tritt)” “I Would Like To See You Again” (Johnny Cash) and “Leavin’s Been a Long Time Coming” (Shehandoah). Others who have cut his tunes include Conway Twitty, B.J. Thomas, Kenny Rogers, Kitty Wells, Jeannie C. Riley, Wayne Newton and Keith Whitley. A native of Watts Mills, S.C., a cotton-mill town, Craig pondered in his biography “Old Memorie & Me,” published in 2009: “How could I possibly have known that the Sears & Roebuck Silvertone guitar I got when I was about 14 years old would lay the musical path to Nashville, and pair me up with the likes of Alan Jackson, Travis Tritt, Dolly Parton, Johnny Cash and a lot of other great stars. It still amazes me how this all happened . . . So why me? I don’t honestly know. I do believe that God gave me a gift and something inspired me to take that gift and make it my craft.” After moving to Nashville in 1968, his songwriting career included such anecdotes at hiring an unknown Charlie Daniels to play guitar; paying newcomer Alan Jackson to sing a demo; spent time with cowboy hero Roy Rogers, whom he introduced to Johnny Cash; and reportedly helped get The Wilkinsons to their record deal.
Songwriter Gerald (Jerry) House, 69, died July 5. Aside from Top Five hits he wrote - “Midnight, Me & The Blues” and “I Got the Hoss” (Mel Tillis) - he was also a violin-maker and worked in the printing business. The Alabama native wrote “Dial-A-Chord,” a how-to guidebook for musicians understanding of the studio’s Nashville Numbering System. On TV, Jerry’s colorful “Tubman” character appeared on three different Nashville fishing programs. Survivors include his wife, Faye Booth House, daughter Lisa, son Michael, and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Funeral services were conducted July 9 at Woodbine Funeral Home in Hickory Chapel, Nashville, with The Reverend Ben McGinnis officiating.
Bluegrass fiddler Kenneth Clayton (Kenny) Baker, 85, who had shared the mic with legends like Bill Monroe, Don Gibson, Tom T. Hall, Josh Graves and the Osborne Brothers, died July 8 at Sumner Regional Medical Center near Nashville. The pioneer performer suffered a stroke earlier in the week. While a sideman in Monroe’s classic Blue Grass Boys, Bill introduced him as “the greatest fiddler in bluegrass music.” Following a lengthy tenure, Baker chose to exit the band in 1984, much to the chagrin of Monroe who wouldn’t speak to the fiddler until 10 years later when Kenny played Bill’s Beanblossom Bluegrass Festival in Indiana. His smooth long-bow style set Baker apart from fellow players, and added an edge to Monroe’s vintage music. Born in Burdine, Ky., Kenny began to play fiddle at age 8, learning from his father, before choosing guitar. While a teen, he worked in the coalmines, until the Navy beckoned in World War II, when he again picked up the fiddle. Reportedly, Kenny was highly influenced by Marion Sumner, fiddler for Johnnie & Jack’s Tennessee Mountain Boys. The highly applauded personal style Baker developed relied on mountain roots, but he incorporated portions of jazz, swing and classical sounds, as well. Monroe first hired Baker in 1957, to fill in, but in 1968 made him a regular bandsman. Kenny’s heard to great advantage on Monroe’s historic “Uncle Pen” album in 1972, and on Baker’s own solo instrumental records, notably “High Country,” “Baker’s Dozen,” “Cotton Baggin’ 2000” and “Spider Bit the Baby.” Kenny teamed with Josh Graves for gigs, until the latter’s death in 2006. Baker received national recognition by receiving the National Endowment For the Arts’ National Heritage Fellowship Medal in 1993, and induction into the IBMA Bluegrass Hall of Honor in 1999. Survivors include his wife since 1946, Audrey (Sizemore) Baker, sons Kenneth Jr., Johnny Baker, four grandchildren and several great-grandchildren. Services were held July 12 at Burdine Baptist Church in Burdine, Ky.

Walt's Music City Beat - July 2011

2011-06-10T21:41:00.008-05:00

Cowboy Copas (left) subject of memorial festival in Ohio.

McGraw, Travis, Adkins hit the newswires . . .

NASHVILLE -- Everybody cheered Jean Shepard, Bobby Braddock and Reba McEntire receiving their Medallions, May 22, signifying induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame. All are more than qualified, though Shepard’s seems way overdue, considering her first charting at age 19, the #1 ranked “A Dear John Letter,” hit more than a half-century earlier. Shepard's successes continued into the 1960s with “Second Fiddle (To An Old Guitar),” and the ’70s with “Slippin’ Away,” meaning her 45 singles charted in three decades. An Opry member since 1955, she’s guested in films and on TV, while continuing to take her show to appreciative fans throughout the country. Sadly, in 1963, Jean lost her husband of three years, singer Hawkshaw Hawkins, in a plane crash, a month before giving birth to their second son. (She’s been wed to musician Benny Birchfield since the 1960s.)
Fellow Oklahoman Reba McEntire, a 25-year Opry member herself, has charted hits in over four decades, recently scoring her 35th #1 single “Turn On the Radio.” Branching out into other showbusiness ventures have made her a household name.
Bobby Braddock was elected in a newer songwriter’s category, and comes highly recommended, having such #1 hits as “Golden Ring,” “I Wanna Talk About Me” (probably country’s first rap song) and “People Are Crazy.” He’s scored a #1 in five different decades. In 1981, Bobby was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame; since discovered Blake Shelton; and saw his Grammy-winning George Jones hit “He Stopped Loving Her Today” (co-written with Curly Putnam) win CMA Song of the Year awards in both 1980-’81.
At the Medallion ceremony, Dolly Parton paid tribute to McEntire, serving as her official presenter, adding, “We kinda have a lot in common.” Like Dolly, Reba’s attained success in films a la “Forever Love” (1998), on stage via a 2001 revival “Annie Get Your Gun,” and by late 2001 debuting a hot TV sitcom (2001) Reba. (Both stars are also known instantly by their first names.)
George Jones put the Medallion around Shepard’s neck. She said, “Thank you, George . . . thanks for showing up (a reference to his earlier no show reputation).”
Enduring songwriter-singer Bill Anderson did the honors for Braddock, noting the writer’s versatility, citing melancholy titles amidst novelty numbers. After accepting his medal, Braddock quipped, “It’s like getting to go to your own funeral without having to die. How awesome is that?”
Oddly enough, they call this a new category, though the very first Hall of Famers in 1961 were a deceased trio of superb songwriters: Fred Rose (“Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain”), Jimmie Rodgers (“In the Jailhouse Now”) and Hank Williams (“Cold, Cold Heart”).
Country Music Hall of Famers in attendance for the 2011 Medallion gala included Anderson, Jones, Parton, Harold Bradley, Vince Gill, Sonny James, Brenda Lee, Jordanaires’ Gordon Stoker, Curtis Wright and Ray Walker, Ralph Emery, Barbara Mandrell, Charlie McCoy, Billy Sherrill, Jim Foglesong, Bud Wendell, (Statler) Jimmy Fortune and Jo Walker-Meador. Mingling, too, were such familiar faces as Matraca Berg, Tony Brown, Elizabeth Cook, Bruce Hinton, Amy Grant, Tracy Lawrence, Jan Howard, Billy Currington, Rafe Van Hoy, Don Light and the Opry’s Steve Buchanan.
Kyle Young, foundation chief for the Country Hall of Fame & Museum, did his usual keen biographical snippets, while highlights of the musical performances in the renovated Ford Theater (damaged in the 2010 flood) included an opening recording by “Father of Country Music” Jimmie Rodgers’ “Blue Yodel #9.”
Among performers giving their all were Gill & The McCrary Sisters’ rousing “Down By the Riverside” intro; newlyweds Miranda Lambert & Shelton delivering Braddock’s “Golden Ring” ironically a song about a marital breakup, prompting the (May 14) bride to show her wedding ring’s intact; fellow Okie Garth Brooks sang McEntire’s Grammy smash “Whoever’s in New England”; Garth’s wife Trisha Yearwood did “How Blue” (reprising it with Reba’s sis Susie McEntire); “Does He Love You?” was covered by Martina McBride and Kelly Clarkson; (Riders in the Sky’s) Ranger Doug (Green) recreated Shepard’s “Second Fiddle,” complete with Western yodel. As Braddock played “He Stopped Loving Her Today” on piano, he was joined by harmonicat Charlie McCoy, guitarist Jimmy Capps and octogenarian soprano Millie Kirkham (all of whom played on the original record), with George Jones belatedly chiming in by reading the last lines of the recitation.
Shepard, who sang her hit “Satisfied Mind,” called on the Country Music Hall of Fame voters to remember other yesteryear performers, specifically naming Skeeter Davis, the Wilburn Brothers, Mac Wiseman, The Browns, Jimmy C. Newman and Leroy Van Dyke. She pleaded, “Let’s get these people into the Hall of Fame. Don’t let their efforts fall by the wayside.”
News items: Trace Adkins was away awaiting transportation for his tour in Alaska, June 4, when he heard the devastating news his house was destroyed in a blaze. Fortunately, wife Rhonda and their children were safe, though their suburban Brentwood home was gutted by a fire believed to have been caused by an electrical malfunction in a garage power strip. The singer canceled tour plans temporarily to jet back to Nashville. According to Brentwood firemen summoned to the Saturday afternoon scene, the garage fire spread quickly to the attic, eventually engulfing the 5,000-square-foot structure in flames. Lost also were Adkins’ Harley-Davidson motorcycle and a Cadillac Escalade. Reportedly Rhonda was driving home when she spotted the smoke in the air, recalling, “I said, ‘Oh my God, this isn’t happening, this isn’t real!’ . . . ” Two of the couple’s daughters were at home when the fire started, under supervision of their nanny. Everybody escaped unharmed. Trace’s spokesperson issued this statement on his behalf: “Trace wishes to express his gratitude for the immediate response of the Brentwood Fire Department and is humbled by the outpouring of concern from friends and fans.” In a later quote, Adkins called on those who’ve offered him and his family donations, to instead direct them to flood and tornado victims by sending funds to the American Red Cross via CMT One Country (www.cmt.com/one_country): “I have been blessed. My kids are OK, my wife is OK. I have my guitar and my songs. Everything else can be replaced.” His current charting is “Just Fishin’.” . . . Tim McGraw’s disagreement with his label Curb Records erupted into a June countersuit seeking a legal determination of contract fulfillment, and unspecified punitive damages. The singer’s charging Curb with trying to impose “involuntary servitude” upon him. Curb sued the superstar a month earlier for breach of contract, claiming he turned in an album of previously-recorded songs instead of a CD of current tracks, insisting McGraw still owes the label two albums. Mike Curb signed McGraw in 1992, and he charted his first Top 10 “Indian Outlaw,” a gold record, in early ’94. This was followed by 23 #1 chart singles, notably the recent “Felt Good On My Lips,” while promoting another career as actor, including star roles in “The Blind Side” (with Sandra Bullock) and “Country Strong” (with Gwyneth Paltrow). Tim, 44, is the son of late baseball champ Tug McGraw . . . Dwight Yoakam reunites with filmmaker Billy Bob Thornton in the latter’s upcoming screenplay “Jayne Mansfield’s Car,” which also co-stars Oscar winner Robert Duvall and Dennis Quaid. Yoakam and Thornton were first involved in the classic cinematic drama “Sling Blade” . . . Lorrie Morgan, George Jones and Alabama lead singer Randy Owen may be among those subpoenaed to testify in an ongoing gambling probe, initially connected to promoter Ronnie Gilley’s Country Crossing, a proposed outdoor park complex and casino in Dothan, Ala. Gilley and two lobbyists pled guilty to offering legislative bribes to permit the ambitious project. Ex-Gov. Bob Riley spearheaded an anti-gambling task force to derail their Country Crossing train slated for southeast Alabama. The trio of country stars supported what was termed “Sweet Home Alabama” legislation, and would be treated as witnesses. Montgomery federal prosecutor Steve Feaga told potential jurors: “This case is not about whether gambling is good or bad for Alabama.” He stressed it was mainly focused on any possible conspiracy to furnish funds to legislators in return for their votes. The bill passed the Alabama Senate in March 2010, but once the federal investigation took root, it died in the state’s House of Representatives . . . Marie Osmond, “a little bit country” when she cut her first #1 “Paper Roses” for producer Sonny James at 13, also scored #1 hits as an adult, like “Meet Me in Montana” (with Dan Seals) and “There’s No Stopping My Heart.” After mourning the loss of her grown son Michael, who committed suicide last year, Marie’s currently out plugging her new CD “Donny & Marie,” an album with brother Donny Osmond. He and she had a Top 20 country duet success “I’m Leavin’ It All Up To You” in 1974, and shared a successful prime-time TV variety series Donny & Marie (1976-’78). Another positive factor in her life is her May 4, 2011 marriage to first husband Stephen Craig (1982-85), father to her son Stephen. She was divorced from Brian Blosil, with whom she had seven children, five of whom were adopted. She stood by daughter Jessica in 2009 when she came out of the closet announcing she was lesbian, then suffered the loss of Michael Bryan, 19, when he jumped from the eighth floor of his Los Angeles apartment building, Feb. 26, 2010. So how does the only Osmond daughter cope with such setbacks? “Some days are harder than others, and you take it one day at a time.” Famed songwriter Buddy Cannon produced the new CD “Donny & Marie,” and he’s also producer for Kenny Chesney.
Bits & Pieces: Superstar Shania Twain has signed a two-year pact to perform at Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas, a fact she disclosed while participating in the 2011 CMA Music Festival in Nashville. Meanwhile, she’s been highly visible on the new Oprah Winfrey Network with her reality show Why Not? With Shania Twain, and due to her new autobiography “From This Moment On.” Of course, she was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame at the Juno Awards in March 2011; and on June 2, celebrated her new star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame . . . Faith Hill and Tim McGraw will revisit their Soul2Soul tour for a trip Down Under in Australia this year . . . Randy Travis, 52, allegedly erupted in anger while guesting on Fox & Friends, June 8, in New York, punching a hole in the wall in the studio. No word on what set off the veteran vocalist, who recently divorced Lib, his wife of 19 years, and last month learned of the $1.3 billion sale of his record label, Warner Music Group, to Access Industries. A Travis source witnessing the outburst, noted, “He turned up - looking like he’d been up all night - for a soundcheck around 5 a.m., then punched a wall in the Green Room and makeup area.” No word on what angered him, but he did do his performing bit, though a taping for Good Day New York, a morning show, was supposedly skipped. Among his 16 #1’s are “Diggin’ Up Bones,” “Too Gone Too Long” and “Hard Rock Bottom Of Your Heart.” Fox & Friends declined to comment on the incident. Travis makes his home in Hawaii . . . Singer Rodney Atkins headlined Music City Gives Back, May 31, a downtown Nashville benefit for the American Red Cross to aid tornado victims. Sharing the stage with Atkins were Josh Thompson and the duo Thompson Square. Anyone desiring to donate can do so via www.redcross.org . . . The CMA Music Festival kicked off with a riverfront performance by Gary Allan, then proceeded with the usual star-studded parade downtown, and Bridgestone Arena plaza performances for free. Fans had plenty of activities to choose among, some featuring superstar names like Keith Urban, Brad Paisley (who was boasting his latest album features a whistling Clint Eastwood), Carrie Underwood, Jason Aldean, Taylor Swift, as well as veteran artists such as Tom T. Hall (seen in right photo), Gene Watson, Jim Ed Brown, Shelly West and Lynn Anderson. Visitors were dealing with record temperatures for early June, and June 9 some 250 sought relief from heat exhaustion at first aid centers . . . New Hall of Famer Jean Shepard was a no show at the annual ROPE benefit concert, June 8, due to a minor health ailment, but the show, featuring famous yesteryear duets, proved a success anyway, thanks to the reuniting of such stars as Jeannie Seely and Jack Greene, who admittedly is encountering failing eyesight (as well as early stages of Alzheimer’s disease) . . . The following night, June 9, Marty Stuart’s annual Late Night Jam at the Ryman was a sell-out. Little wonder when his guests were Dolly Parton, Mel Tillis, Doug Kershaw, Duane Eddy, Ricky Skaggs and Marty’s wife Connie Smith. For good measure, there was also the hot Texas group The Quebe Sisters, as the Jam raised more than $30,000 earmarked for NARAS’ MusiCares program to aid artists addicted to substance abuse . . . Author John R. Simon is sponsoring the third Cowboy Copas Music Festival in Winchester, Ohio, Copas’ home county, Aug. 20, at the New Red Barn Convention Center. Simon wrote the biography “Cowboy Copas & The Golden Age of Country Music” (Jesse Stuart Foundation/2008), about the legend responsible for such singles as “Signed, Sealed & Delivered” and “Alabam.” Simon lured daughter Kathy Copas out of retirement to sing at this year’s memorial concert, along with the Cantrell Family Band and Bobby Mackey & The Big Mac Band. Her dad Copas, of course, died in the plane crash in March 1963, which also claimed the lives of Hawkshaw Hawkins, Patsy Cline and Kathy’s pilot-husband Randy Hughes . . . Yet another third-year festival, Joey & Rory’s Bib & Buckle Fest, June 4, was billed as “a homecoming concert, food and fun time,” at their farm near Columbia, Tenn. The new Vanguard/Sugar Hill Records bluegrass duo recorded two Top 10 CDs “The Life Of a Song” (2008) and “Album Number Two” (2010), earning them the Academy of Country Music’s Top New Duo award. Their hit single’s “Cheater, Cheater” . . . Joe Chambers effort to find a home for his displaced Musicians Hall of Fame has hit yet another snag with Nashville’s city fathers. His downtown location was taken over so that Nashville Mayor Karl Dean's proposed new convention center could be built, though Joe thought the powers-that-be were going to make his Hall a part of the facility - or at least connected to a multi-million dollar hotel being included in the mix. Soon, he discovered that instead, the Country Music Hall of Fame would be added to the complex rather than his Hall. Next, he was given information that it could be set up in the city’s Municipal Auditorium for a token $10 a month rent, to help him get it running again, notably since many of the donated star instruments were water-damaged during the 2010 flood. Now Joe’s finding out that he’s being asked to pay $8,000 a month rent, and awaits a meeting with the city's committee to determine the final outcome. We’ll keep you posted . . . Singer Mandy Barnett returns to the title role in Ted Swindley’s “Always, Patsy Cline,” co-starring Tere Myers, during its revival at the Ryman Auditorium, for six weekends, June 18-July 24.
Honors: Vince Gill was made an honorary doctor of humanities during a May 14 commencement ceremony at Belmont University here. He has been a big supporter of the school, including contributions and raising funds for scholarship and program enhancement for both athletics and music business programs . . . Blake Shelton won two CMT Music Awards, during their annual gala June 8, in Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena. Shelton’s “Who Are You When I’m Not With You” earned best male video, while his and directors Adam Rothlein & Jon Small’s controversial “Kiss My Country Ass” won best web video of 2011. Trey Fanjoy won CMT’s best video director award, while Taylor Swift’s “Mine” was voted Video of the Year. Miranda Lambert (Mrs. Shelton) took best female video honor for “The House That Built Me,” and Lady Antebellum garnered best group award for “Hello World.” Sugarland won best duo with their “Stuck Like Glue” video. Best breakthrough award went to The Band Perry for “If I Die Young.” Justin Bieber was here to accept his collaborative win with Rascal Flatts for their joint effort “That Should Be Me.” Jimmy Buffett and Zac Brown Band earned top honors for their “Margaritaville” from CMT Crossroads segment as a best event entry. Though we didn't see it, reportedly Shania Twain took a tumble while participating in the awards bash, but wasn't hurt . . Nashville’s own Reese Witherspoon, who won a 2005 Oscar portraying country star June Carter Cash in “Walk the Line,” was awarded MTV Movie’s Generation Award in Hollywood, June 5 . . . On June 16, Garth Brooks’ induction into the National Songwriters Hall of Fame in New York City, boasts a presentation made by Billy Joel. Incidentally, Brooks revived Joel’s smash “Shameless” in 1991 as a country charttopper. Garth’s writing credits include “Much Too Young,” “If Tomorrow Never Comes” and “The River” . . . Bill Anderson and Keith Urban received Stars on the new Music City Walk of Fame during a ceremony May 15, bringing the total number honored to 50. Urban, born in New Zealand, began his career in Australia, but has called Nashville home for the past 19 years. His early hits as part of The Ranch trio included his self-penned “Walkin’ the Country,” while later solo smashes include “Somebody Like You.” Anderson, born in North Carolina, spent his formative years in Georgia before moving to Nashville in 1959, thanks to early compositions “City Lights,” “That’s What It’s Like To Be Lonesome” and “Ninety Nine.”
Ailing: Bluegrass veteran guitarist Ronnie Reno’s recuperating at home from recent urinary tract surgery. Host of RFD’s weekly Reno’s Old time Music Show, he hopes to be back on the job soon. Ronnie, now 63 (at left), was part of dad’s Reno & Smiley troupe in the early 1960s, and went on to tour with Merle Haggard. Ronnie also wrote such song hits as “Homemade Love” (Reno’s own single) and “Boogie Grass Band” (for Conway Twitty).
Final Curtain: Former record mogul Steve Popovich, 68, died June 8, at his home in Murfreesboro, southeast of Nashville. His maverick reputation befitted his roughhewn appearance, including casual attire, while working on Music Row.
When affiliated with Mercury Records in the 1980s, he helped promote the careers of such country classics as Lynn Anderson, Johnny Cash, Tom T. Hall, Kathy Mattea, Johnny Paycheck, Billy Swan, Donna Fargo, Kris Kristofferson and the Statler Brothers. Pop acts to benefit from Popovich’s push included Bruce Springsteen, Chicago, Mac Davis, Santana, Tommy Roe and Paul Simon. As Epic Records honcho, he signed Charlie Daniels, Boston, Ted Nugent, Cheap Trick, and The Jacksons with Michael Jackson.
The son of a Pennsylvania coalminer, Popovich’s personal favorite genre was polka music. Thanks in part to his efforts, the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences awarded the polka Grammy. Steve, who signed Polka King Frankie Yankovic to Mercury, is himself a member of the Polka Music Hall of Fame, Class of 1997.
As a top record promoter, he created crossover successes for Anderson, Cash, Ray Price and Marty Robbins. His label Mercury/PolyGram also enjoyed a major sales success via the Class of ’55 collaborative LP (1986), spotlighting Sun Records’ alumnae Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis and Roy Orbison.
Reportedly, Popovich sued Sony for unpaid royalties in 1995, regarding Meat Loaf’s “Bat Out Of Hell” album, on Steve’s Cleveland International (CI) label, released in liaison with the major music group, selling some 40 million globally. Allegedly Steve received several million in a settlement with Sony. (His indie had introduced Meat Loaf onto the major music scene.)
Popovich’s independent label also was home to the likes of Ian Hunter, Ellen Foley, Ronnie Spector, Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes, The Rovers, and Slim Whitman. In his youth, Steve set out to be a performer, moving to Cleveland, Ohio, where he first played bass in The Twilighters. Although his first affiliation with a record company came on the loading dock at Columbia Records’ warehouse, he was quick in working his way to the top in the world of vinyl.
Once engaged by CBS, Steve found himself helping promote such legends as Tony Bennett, Andy Williams, The Hollies, Janis Joplin, Tom Jones, B. J. Thomas, and Sly & The Family Stone. One of his philosophies - which worked against him with brass - notably at Mercury-Nashville was giving veterans another shot at the big-time. He took chances on Anderson, Cash, Fargo, Paycheck and Kristofferson, as well as Yankovic.
“People laugh at my roster, but these are the people that built this industry. I believe in having the best of the old and the best of the new. Music’s either good or bad to me. I don’t look at the age of an act, it’s the talent that counts.”
Although he resided in the Nashville area, his roots remained entrenched in Cleveland, where final arrangements were finalized. Survivors include daughter Pamela Popovich, son Steve, Jr., who works on the Nashville music scene, and two grandchildren. Burial will be in Western Reserve Memorial Gardens in Chesterland, Ohio.

Walt's Music City Beat - June 2011

2011-05-15T16:34:00.007-05:00

Hey Shelton, remember the saying, loose lips sink ships!

NASHVILLE -- Groom-to-be Blake Shelton twittered an apology May 5 to those who took issue with his “fix” on a Shania Twain song “Any Man Of Mine” on his new NBC-TV reality series The Voice the night before. Known for his country hits “The Baby” and “Some Beach,” Shelton revised Twain’s lyrics on the show to read, “Any man that tries touching my behind/He’s gonna be a beaten, bleadin’, heavin’ kinda guy . . .” Literally speaking, GLAAD (Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation) immediately called Shelton onto the carpet for making an anti-gay comment. Upon learning of the brouhaha brewing, Blake twitted this prompt response: “Hey y’all, allow me to seriously apologize for the misunderstanding with the whole re-write on the Shania song last night . . . It honestly wasn’t even meant that way . . . I now know that their (sic) are people out there waiting to jump at everything I say here or anywhere.” Besides saying he was sorry, Shelton suggested fans support GLAAD’s mission, stating “Anti-gay and lesbian violence is unacceptable!!!!!” The new series marks Blake’s first regular TV series, which sees him acting as a vocal coach of sorts. Meanwhile, on May 14 in Texas, he married hit singer Miranda Lambert (who credits Blake for that #1 “The House That Built Me,” which he passed on so she could cut it). He’s been divorced from Kaynette Williams since 2006, and proposed to Lambert on June 9, 2010. Regretting his joking around with Twain’s tune, however, Shelton said, “When it comes to gay/lesbian rights or just feelings . . . I love everybody!”
Bits & Pieces: Singer-actress LeAnn Rimes, 28, (of “Blue” fame) wed screen actor Eddie Cibrian, 37, on Good Friday, April 22, in Malibu, Calif., in a small ceremony. Among the attendees were his two sons Mason, 7, and Jake, 4, from his previous marriage to Brandi Glanville. Rimes is divorced from dancer Dean Sheremet. Reportedly the 40-some invited guests anticipated an engagement party, but instead witnessed the couple’s actual nuptials. The co-stars met during their filming of the 2009 TV movie “Northern Lights,” co-starring Rosanna Arquette . . . Oscar winning actor Jeff Bridges (“Crazy Heart”) is trying for a recording career with EMI’s Blue Note Records label. The wannabe country crooner is readying an album under the guidance of producer-songwriter T. Bone Burnett, due for release this summer. Reportedly, Bridges includes some of his own compositions, as well as those from the pens of such tunesmiths as Stephen Bruton, Greg Brown and Bo Ramsey. Among the studio musicians participating is bassist Dennis Crouch. No word yet on the CD’s title, but guest artists on the set include Rosanne Cash, Sam Phillips and Benjie Hughes . . . . Bluegrass music’s hot duo Dailey & Vincent are suing their CPA and business management, Rayburn Bates & Fitzgerald, alleging funds were embezzled that were supposed to go towards the IRS for taxes due and other accounts. Jamie Dailey and Darrin Vincent have filed suit in Davidson County Chancery Court regarding their nearly-$70,000 loss. Since their teaming in 2007, the hot-as-a-pistol duo have won three IBMA Entertainer of the Year trophies, and just recently earned a Dove Award for best album. A staffer cited in the suit is Jan Spencer, who reportedly failed to make payments promised, and allegedly transferred another client’s $13,000 earnings into Dailey & Vincent’s account to cover a $20,000 donation they’d made to the Tennessee Bible College, before departing. Meanwhile, the IRS had notified the team of their nonpayment of 2010 taxes due. Although Rayburn Bates & Fitzgerald have acknowledged the fraud committed by their ex-employee, they have not yet paid the overdue sums . . . Singer Jimmy Wayne donated $25,000 from his charity Meet Me Halfway, which was well-publicized via his 2010 foot march from Nashville to Phoenix, Ariz., seeking to create greater awareness for homeless young people - having been a homeless teen himself. Wayne, known for the hits “Stay Gone” and “I Love You This Much,” made the presentation in April to Nashville’s Monroe Harding facility that provides a home for at-risk youths and enables them to continue their education . . . Other do-gooder activities slated by country stars included a May 19 Artists For Animals benefit to fund AFA’s New Leash On Life project (helping rescue dogs from euthanization) in Cumberland University’s Baird’s Chapel, headlined by Tracy Lawrence of “Lessons Learned” fame . . . Big & Rich co-star Kenny Alphin teamed with gospel artist Michael W. Smith on behalf of Samaritan’s Purse, to personally help in a clean-up effort in Alabama, following the recent tornados, which Big Kenny termed “absolute devastation . . . there are still some 400 people who aren’t accounted for” in the Tuscaloosa-Birmingham area. As of May 2, more than 18,000 Alabamians had applied for aid . . Entertainment-wise, Brad Paisley joined Country Hall of Fame act Alabama, who sang with him on their hit “Old Alabama,” in pledging to donate iTunes sales of the song to aid tornado victims in the state. According to Alabama lead singer Randy Owens, “Our state is devastated. There’s no way to describe the destruction that’s going on.” . . . Brand new bride Roni Stoneman called to invite us to a Hee Haw Reunion, slated May 24 at the RFD Studios in Nashville. Sadly, that TV variety series - which ran for more than a quarter of a century - has lost many of its main players, notably Buck Owens, Grandpa Jones, Archie Campbell, Minnie Pearl, Kenny Price, Junior Samples and terrific musicians Chet Atkins, Boots Randolph, Danny Davis, Bobby Thompson, Floyd Cramer and Jethro Burns. Fortunately, still alive and kickin’ are Roy Clark, Gailard Sartain, Lulu Roman, Gordie Tapp, George Lindsey, Marianne Gordon, Irlene Mandrell and Charlie McCoy, among others. Borrowing from the show’s sign-off, here’s our Salute!! to the ageless program: “We loved the time we spent with you/To share a song, and a laugh or two/May your pleasures be many, your troubles few . . .”
Scene Stealers: Third generation country singer Jesse Keith Whitley is celebrating the release of his debut single “Kentucky Thunder,” produced by power player James Stroud (for Octabrook Records). Although a toddler when dad (Jackie) Keith Whitley died May 9, 1989 at age 33, Jesse’s right arm boasts a tattoo commemorating pop, whose hits include “Don’t Close Your Eyes” (which Jesse covers). The 24-year-old singer’s mom is superstar Lorrie Morgan, herself a daughter of Country Music Hall of Famer George Morgan, who died in 1975 . . . Country’s glamour girl Faith Hill has been picking up pocket-change shooting video ads for Teleflora, the on-line florist firm. She’s already done TV plugs for SuperBowl XLV, Valentine’s Day and more recently Mother’s Day. “I love flowers,” says Faith, in a “behind-the-scenes” video explaining the making of “Help Me, Faith,” their Super Bowl commercial (directed by Bryan Buckley). “I love receiving flowers. I always have. My mom was an incredibly gifted gardener and my dad, as well. Unfortunately, I did not get their ‘green thumb,’ but I certainly love trying to put together the most beautiful arrangements I can. It’s been fun making these arrangements for Teleflora.” . . . Independent channel CMT assigned headline news announcer Robin Meade to co-host Music Builds: The CMT Disaster Relief Concert, beamed live from the Grand Ole Opry House and Studio A, May 12. Gorgeous Robin, who hosts her own HLN Morning Express telecast, shared the stage with blue collar comic Ron White and ESPN network’s Erin Andrews for the all-star benefit, to aid the American Red Cross’s Disaster Relief program for southern states suffering from recent tornado and flood disasters. Musical entertainment included the talents of Alabama, Trace Adkins, Alan Jackson, Lady Antebellum, Ronnie Dunn, Sara Evans, Little Big Town, Tim McGraw, Keith Urban and Hank Williams, Jr. Some of the hardest hit locales included Tuscaloosa, Ala., Vicksburg, Miss., Vidalia, La., Tiptonville, Tenn. and Raleigh, N.C. Meade, incidentally, has been in Nashville, honing her songwriting skills and recording a debut album, featuring a bevy of top stars. She added, “When I anchor stories about the recent storms in the south, my mind isn’t on the statistics, or the footage, or the sound bites, my thoughts are with that person who looks around and wonders, ‘What am I going to do now that everything is gone?’ I’m so touched by the resiliency of the storm victims, and the generosity of music fans and viewers to help these folks, whose lives are now in disarray, and that’s what this telethon is going to be about, lifting up storm victims, letting them know, they’re not alone.” . . . Yet another fund-raiser, this for Nashville flood victims (from May 2010) was the Grand Ole Opry-sponsored Play-On Nashville!, conducted May 3, on the Opry stage. Headlining the benefit were Brad Paisley, Dierks Bentley, Luke Bryan and the Charlie Daniels Band. Actually, the Opry House was among sites heavily damaged by the floods, which prompted closing it several months during which the show was continued at other sites. “The city of Nashville, the Opry and the country music community were so resilient and came together to rebuild so quickly after the devastation,” said Bentley, who added, “I’ve never been more proud to be an Opry member, and I’m looking forward to celebrating that sense of community again on Tuesday.”
Ailing: Canadian Country Music Hall of Famer Lucille Starr, 73, is recuperating at her Las Vegas (Nev.) residence, after being diagnosed and treated for a brain tumor. She is wed to businessman Bryan Cunningham, formerly of Sarnia, Ontario. Born Lucille Marie Savoie in St. Boniface, Manitoba, she moved to Maillardsville, British Columbia at age 7. Lucille won acclaim as half of the Canadian Sweethearts, pairing Lucille and former hubby Bob Regan (who died in 1990), whose hits included “Hootennanny Express.” Her solo successes included “Is It Love?” and the 1964 bilingual million-selling single “The French Song.” Reportedly, there's a Starr biographical stage musical making the rounds in Canadian cities. (No news on the status of Nova Books author Ruth White’s upcoming bio on the legendary singing star, seen here in her heyday.)
Final Curtain: Dot Records’ founder Randolph (Randy) Wood, 94, died April 9, at home in La Jolla, Calif., after suffering injuries in a fall, stated son John Wood. A graduate of Middle Tennessee State University in 1941, Randy Wood served in the Army Air Corps during World War II. Following discharge, the Tennessee native settled in Gallatin, where he opened Randy’s, an electronics repair store. As a plus for customers, he sold used records in a discount bin at a quarter each. Watching how fast the discs disappeared, Wood sponsored a late night program on WLAC-Nashville, Randy’s Record Shop, that offered mail-order sales. Its success prompted him to change Randy's to a music store, specializing in R&B (then known as race records) mail orders, the biggest sellers.
In 1950, Wood started his own label, and recorded such R&B acts as Cecil Gant and Johnny Maddox. Another act he produced was George Toon & The Tennessee Drifters, a teen band from Nashville’s East High School, with a regional hit, 1950’s “Boogie Beat Rag,” Expanding his musical boundaries, Randy signed balladeer Mac Wiseman, an acoustic artist who scored both country and bluegrass successes. Additionally, he engaged Mac as Dot’s A&R producer, recording such up-and-comers as Don Reno & Red Smiley, Tommy Jackson, Leroy Van Dyke and Jimmy C. Newman.
Dot got its first pop hit thanks to The Hilltoppers, a collegiate group from Kentucky, featuring Billy Vaughn, via their recording “Trying” (#7, 1952). Follow ups included their million-selling “P.S. I Love You” and “From the Vine Came the Grape.” Billy Vaughn and Nashville’s Beasley Smith co-wrote “I’d Rather Die Young” for The Hilltoppers. Vaughn, something of a musical genius, went on to be Dot’s music director, and also fronted his own orchestra hits “Melody of Love,” “Shifting, Whispering Sands,” “Sail Along Silvery Moon” and “Raunchy” for the label.
Vaughn produced Nashville student Pat Boone, who became one of Dot’s biggest moneymakers in the ensuing years, initially doing covers of R&B classics. Boone, upon learning of Wood’s passing, called Randy, “One of the people I owe my career to . . . he picked out all my early hits,” including such smashes as “Ain’t That a Shame,” “Don’t Forbid Me,” “Love Letters in the Sand” (previously cut country by Wiseman) and “Moody River.”
Indeed, Dot boasted a diverse list of hits, ranging from The Surfaris’ “Wipeout,” Jimmy C. Newman’s “A Fallen Star,” Tab Hunter’s “Young Love,” Gale Storm’s “I Hear You Knocking,” Del Vikings’ “Come Go With Me,” Bonnie Guitar’s “Dark Moon,” Debbie Reynolds’ “Am I That Easy To Forget” and Lawrence Welk’s charttopper “Calcutta.”
Wiseman learned of his former boss’ death from his widow Lois. Mac recalls, “He was a wonderful man to work with, and very innovative in his thinking. (Randy) gave both radio and the jukebox major credit for making a song a hit. When Randy told Jim (Bulleit, who had by then sold his Bullet Records) he sought an artist who could sing high a la Bill Monroe, Jim said he had just the singer for him. Randy then came to Shreveport to check me out. Well, we hit it off from the start. We recorded my first four sides for Dot on May 23, 1951, my 26th birthday, at the station (KWKH-Shreveport), using my Country Boys. Randy asked, ‘What do you got to record?’ I told him ‘’Tis Sweet To Be Remembered,’ and I wanted it to be my first recording and also the first release. Due to its change in tempo, Randy said, ‘No, we can’t do that because we’ll never get it on the jukeboxes.’ At that time, I’d have given my left nut to get on records, but I came up with a retort that if we couldn’t have that song as the first, to just forget the deal.
“So he consented to cut and release ‘Tis Sweet To Be Remembered.’ It hadn’t been out but a week when he called me to say I’d been right and from then on, I could pick the songs. Oh, Randy would submit songs, but I had the final word on everything. And you know we stayed together 13 years . . . If he hadn’t given me that first break, I might not have been in the business for long. I’m forever thankful to him.”
In 1957, Wood sold Dot, but part of the deal with Paramount was he would remain as the label’s chief executive, and also keep on his staffers Vaughn and Wiseman (for A&R). When no longer associated with Paramount-Dot, Wood went into partnership with Lawrence Welk in 1968, creating RanWood Records. It became home to numerous Welk artists from his TV series, and is now run by Larry Welk, Lawrence’s son, in Santa Monica, Calif.
Although long retired, Randy called Mac earlier this year and suggested they do another album together, before the bluegrass legend steered the conversation to another topic. He pointed out that in appreciation of Wood’s accomplishments, the closed Randy’s Record Shop in Gallatin had been designated a historic site in Tennessee. Besides his jazz-pianist son John Wood, survivors include Lois, his wife of 69 years, their teacher-son Larry Wood, and daughter Linda, a book publisher in LaJolla, Calif., three grandchildren and a great-grandchild. Funeral services were private.
John Joseph Koval, 77, a member of the DJ Hall of Fame, died May 6, from cancer. Known to listeners as “Johnny K,” he was heard on such radio stations as WSM-Nashville and suburban WENO-Madison, during a 50-year broadcast career. Johnny K was the recipient of numerous accolades denoting his excellence as an announcer, including the annual Reunion Of Professional Entertainers (ROPE) Media Award (2003). Preceded in death by his son John Jr., he is survived by wife Betty June, sons Mark Steven and Joseph Kenneth; daughter Mary Hale-McCoy; four grandchildren and a great-grandson. Services were scheduled at White House First United Methodist Church, May 12, with Steven Lee officiating.
Charles E. Fach, Jr., 82, died April 25. A former Mercury Records A&R chief, Fach was a native of Pennsauken, N.J., who served as a Navy radioman (1946-’48). He graduated from Ursinus College with a BA degree in Business (1952). Survivors include son Charles of Hermitage, Tenn., daughter Kimberly Lawson of Gig Harbor, Wash., and three grandchildren. Services were held April 30 at the Hermitage Funeral Home here. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the NARAS Grammy Foundation.

Walt's Music City Beat - May 2011

2011-04-16T19:09:00.006-05:00

It's never too late, says Roni Stoneman . . .

Roni Stoneman's a bride again!

NASHVILLE -- Top of the news this month is the April 14 nuptials here of banjoist-comic Roni Stoneman and her British beau Thomas Connor of Maryport, Cumbria, England.
Veronica Loretta Stoneman is the youngest daughter of the 23 children born to Hattie and Ernest (Pop) Stoneman, a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame. This is Roni’s sixth marriage, and as she says, “I wasn’t looking for a husband when we met last May, but we just fell in love. Now he’s crossed the ocean to ask me to be his wife. Those Englishmen are so romantic.”
Stoneman, a member of her father’s Stoneman Family Band of the 1960s, played folk festivals and Las Vegas with Pop and her siblings, recorded for MGM, charting five singles including a Top 20 rendition of Jack Clement’s “Five Little Johnson Girls.” Their band earned the very first CMA best vocal group award in 1967, prior to dad’s death on June 14, 1968.
Roni went on to win wider acclaim with her three-finger banjo pickin’ style and comedy antics as Ida Lee, the nagging wife at the ironing board on TV’s long-running Hee Haw series. In her candid biography “Pressing On” (University of Illinois Press, 2007), the colorful entertainer wrote about her life, rising from dire poverty, struggling through five failed marriages, raising her children alone, before finding fame, if not the fortune.
“My great grandchildren, ages 5 and under, will be my flower children, and each of my children, when the preacher asks who will give away this woman, will say ‘We do!’ My groom’s brother Chris and his wife Desiree are coming over for the wedding.”
Performing the wedding will be Dr. Harry Yates, who is married to Joanne Cash (Johnny’s kid sister), participants in the Cowboy Church here on Music Valley Drive. An evening reception is scheduled at the newly-relocated Nashville Palace nitery.
Asked about a honeymoon, Connor replies, “Well Roni has a show to do in Pennsylvania with Little Jimmy Dickens and Bill Anderson near the end of the month. Maybe after that we will motor through Maryland, as she takes some time off.”
Roni chuckles, “Yeah, but I’ll do the driving, because I’m afraid he might get us wiped out, driving on the wrong side of the road!”
Honors: Actor-singer-songwriter Kris Kristofferson, 74, was awarded the Nashville Film Festival’s 2011 Career Achievemen Award, April 15, at the Regal Green Hills Theatre here. The honor was given just prior to the screening of “Bloodworth,” in which Kris portrays an estranged father returning to his family after a 40-year absence. Other Hollywood types attending with him will be the film’s director Shane Dax Taylor and actors Reece Thompson and W. Earl Brown, who’s also the screenwriter. Among Kristofferson’s films are “Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore,” “A Star is Born” and the “Blade” trilogy, and songs the former Rhodes Scholar’s scored with include “Me and Bobby McGee,” “Help Me Make It Through the Night” and “Why Me (Lord).” Kris is a member of both the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame . . . Country singer Chely Wright was also involved in this year’s Nashville Film Festival, as the Bobbie Birleffi-Beverly Kopf documentary “Wish Me Away” premiered. It focuses on Wright, who came out of the closet sexually when she disclosed that she is lesbian. The screening also occurred April 15. Wright’s #1 disc hit was “Single White Female” in 1999 . . . Singer Craig Morgan was honored March 19 by the Tennessee City Volunteer Fire Department at the Grand Ole Opry for having braved a burning house (Feb. 13) to rescue children trapped inside. He and his son were driving by when they spotted the fire, before professional help arrived. Pulling over to the curb, Craig had then darted inside without delay. Aside from the award, the TCVFD made his an honorary member of their group, complete with fire helmet. The former Army Ranger responded, “I’m humbled by this kind recognition from the Tennessee City Volunteer Fire Department and the National Volunteer Fire Council. They are the real hometown heroes” . . . The Goins Brothers (Ray and Melvin), Larnelle Harris, Patty Loveless, John Michael Montgomery, Steve Wariner, Keith Whitley and posthumously Molly O’Day were inducted into the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame, April 7 in Lexington. Regarding the Class of 2011, the Hall of Fame’s CEO Robert Lawson says, “This year’s inductees include some of the most recognizable music artists in the world.”
Bits & Pieces: “Communication I think is one of the biggest problems we as human beings have in this whole world, and I think . . . for the first time, me and my entire family are really communicating with each other . . .” says Billy Ray Cyrus, who has reconciled with estranged wife Tish, as the singer’s relationship with daughter-superstar Miley Cyrus also has improved . . . Pop icon Tony Bennett was in Nashville recently to record his upcoming “Duets II” album, sharing the mic with country singers Carrie Underwood, Willie Nelson and Faith Hill, as well as k. d. lang, Norah Jones, Josh Groban, Andrea Bocelli, Lady Gaga, Mariah Carey, Sheryl Crow, John Mayer, Amy Winehouse and Michael Buble. Bennett, who attained major 1950s’ hits covering country songs “Cold, Cold Heart” and “There’ll Be No Teardrops Tonight” (both by Hank Williams), no doubt has a soft spot for the genre. Following a session, Bennett stopped by Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge to see owner Steve Smith, though we don’t believe he sang a note. Surely some of the patrons would’ve known the octogenarian who recorded such standards as “Because of You,” “Rags to Riches” and “A Stranger in Paradise.” Meanwhile, filmmaker Dion Beebe is shooting a documentary on Bennett due out this fall. In 2006, Tony’s first “Duets: An American Classic” earned two Grammy awards. Reportedly his new duets disc will be released in August helping to mark his 85th birthday. Among fans also seen at Tootsie's were Canadians Jan and Brad Henderson, and Carole Vye, some very nice people . . . Singer-songwriter Chely Wright, who created the #1 Billboard sales charter “The Bumper of My SUV,” has revealed that she and civil rights activist Lauren Blitzer are engaged. The couple plan to marry Aug. 20 in Connecticut. On the Internet’s People.com, Chely claimed, “The freedom of being out and open about who I am, allowed me to find and fall in love with Lauren, the most amazing woman I’ve ever known.”
. . . Carrie Underwood’s big screen acting debut “Soul Surfer” opened across the U.S. April 8, co-starring Dennis Quaid and Helen Hunt. It’s the true life story of Bethany Hamilton, who despite losing her arm at 13 in a shark attack, continued to compete as a surfer. Anna Sophia Robb portrays Bethany, while Carrie is her group leader Sarah Hill . . . Another blonde singing sensation Taylor Swift will supply the voice of Audrey in the Dr. Seuss animated film “The Lorax,” currently in production for a 2012 release. Others furnishing character voices include Betty White and Danny DeVito . . . Kix Brooks, Dolly Parton, Charlie Daniels and Gretchen Wilson are country artists “kickin’ in” to aid returning U.S. service members from combat overseas in a Boot Campaign. Its motto: “When They Come Back, We Give Back!” It involves sales of boots from which proceeds benefit charities that treat military members for post traumatic stress disorders or physical injuries, and also help their families cope. Reportedly the Boot Campaign’s goal is to see a million Americans buying a pair of “Give Back . . .” boots. Aside from the country kickers, other celebrities such as Dallas Cowboys’ Troy Aikman are also promoting the program . . . Alan Jackson has signed with Capitol Records after departing Arista/Sony, following more than 20 years of hitmaking. Mike Dungan, Capitol’s chief, welcomes the superstar as “A true American original, a future Hall of Famer, and an artist whose work to date is not only commercially successful, but is of historical cultural significance. We are honored and we are jacked!” . . . Singer Jimmy Wayne has been named national spokesman for the National Court Appointed Special Advocate Association. Wayne, whose hits include self-penned “Stay Gone” and “I Love You This Much,” was once a homeless youth himself. Last year, Jimmy spent seven months on his solo walkathon from Nashville to Phoenix to help raise awareness for homeless and at-risk young people . . . National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences’ CEO Neil Portnow is not a popular figure these days in Music City USA, since it became known that he and the NARAS board plan to reduce the number of nomination categories for the annual Grammy Awards. The idea is to cut back on such as best country instrumental and best country collaboration categories, as well as the traditional and contemporary folk and gospel categories, in which many country and bluegrass artists compete. A few seasons back, NARAS eliminated the polka slots. In other reductions announced, some categories which previously cited five nominees will now include only three nominees. Portnow explains, “We feel this is a step forward and a positive move on our part. We don’t see it as cutting or eliminating. We really are redistributing where our entries wind up . . . For us it raises the bar. It makes a Grammy more prestigious.” For instance, he says male and female vocal categories will be considered in “Solo Performance” fields, thereby reducing by half the nominees in country and gospel genres. Some musicians think that the streamlining will lock out specialty players, and in some cases may pit them against higher profile artists, making it virtually impossible to win a Grammy, which proves helpful in advancing careers. Nashville instrumentalist-producer Steve Fishell, a Grammy winner for his work on the indie Stephen Foster salute “Beautiful Dreamer” in 2005 as top traditional folk CD, frowns on the changes: “In the end, something gets lost when these albums aren’t recognized.” . . . Katherine and Eric Church expect their first infant this fall: “Katherine and I are very excited and are looking forward to becoming parents . . .This year has gotten off to an amazing start for us, and this news has made it so much better than we could have ever anticipated.” Eric had just won the Academy of Country Music’s new solo vocalist of the year honor that also puts him in line for ACM’s new artist of 2011 honor . . . John Rich and Kenny Alphin a.k.a. Big & Rich, reunite for their Summer Xtreme Tour, a 30-date jaunt that kicks off June 18 in Springfield, Mo. The duo, famed for such cuts as “Save a Horse (Ride a Cowboy), will feature Gretchen Wilson, Cowboy Troy and Two-Foot Fred as part of their MuzikMafia mix. Rich notes, “It’s good to be back together again.”
Court hi-jinks: Jokingly it was said that if Willie Nelson performed for the court, he could resolve marijuana possession charges filed after being arrested Nov. 26 at a U.S.-Mexican border patrol checkpoint. Reportedly, Hudspeth County Attorney Kit Bramblett made the comment if Nelson sang his classic “Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain” for the court, pleaded guilty and paid a $100 fine, he could walk. Bramblett noted Judge Becky Dean-Walker demanded the star appear in court and not issue his plea by mail. The jurist in turn told AP she thought the prosecutor was making an attempt at humor and got carried away. In fact, she says the artist can enter a plea through his attorney, without having to appear in person (or perform).
Final Curtain: Nashville songwriter Todd Cerney, 57, died of cancer March 14, after suffering from cancer. He co-wrote the 1987 Grammy-nominated #1 hit “I’ll Still Be Loving You,” recorded by Restless Heart. It was also voted ASCAP Country Song of the Year. A Detroit native, Cerney moved to Music City in 1974, where he also worked as a demo and studio backup singer and audio engineer. He was proud of having played with the Nashville Mandolin Ensemble, and of having penned Steve Holy’s hit “Good Morning, Beautiful,” which spent five weeks at #1 in 2001. Survivors include his journalist-wife Kip Kirby . . . Ralph Mooney, 82, a member of the Steel Guitar Hall of Fame, died March 20, at his home in Kennedale, Texas. He had been suffering from kidney cancer. Mooney was a major studio musician who enhanced the Capitol hits of Wynn Stewart, “It’s Such a Pretty World Today,” Buck Owens, “Under Your Spell Again,” and Merle Haggard, “The Bottle Let Me Down,” among others. Mooney was born Sept. 16, 1928, in Duncan, Okla., and began playing guitar, fiddle and mandolin as a youth. Influenced by Leon McAuliffe’s “Steel Guitar Rag,” at age 12, he turned to the steel guitar. During the mid-1940s, Ralph moved in with a sister in California, where he began his career performing in honky tonks. Ralph made his first recordings with Skeets (“Don’t Let the Stars Get In Your Eyes”) McDonald. Former Bob Wills’ Texas Playboy Jesse Ashlock guided Mooney in perfecting his steel stylings. In the 1950s, Ralph co-wrote “Crazy Arms” (with Chuck Seals). It became Ray Price’s first #1 record (staying in that spot 20 weeks of its 45-week chart run in 1956) and is now a Grammy Hall of Fame Record. He also penned “Foolin’,” a 1983 Top Five record for Johnny Rodriguez. In 1961, Mooney worked with Wynn Stewart’s band in Las Vegas over a two-year period. According to Byrds’ founder Chris Hillman, “Ralph Mooney was one of the chief architects of the Bakersfield Sound. Nobody played steel like Ralph. When Ralph took a solo, you knew it was all California.” From 1969 on until his retirement, he played in Waylon Jennings’ band. He’s heard on such Waylon cuts as “Dreaming My Dreams” and “Mamas, Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys” (with Willie Nelson). While a Capitol session player, Mooney did cut an instrumental LP, “Corn Pickin’ and Slick Slidin’,” with fellow picker James Burton (1968). Ralph also performed with Waylon and The Waylors on the 1975 movie soundtrack, “Mackintosh & T.J.” starring Roy Rogers and Clay O’Brien. Other artists Mooney worked on sessions with were Wynn Stewart, Johnny Cash, Neil Young, Wanda Jackson, Tommy Collins, Donna Fargo, Hoyt Axton, Jessi Colter and Marty Stuart. Until recent years, the steel-guitarist appeared regularly at instrumental gatherings, offering guitar demonstrations and lectures. Stuart lured Mooney from retirement to record on his 2010 “Ghost Train: The Studio B Sessions.” On that Grammy-winning effort, Ralph opens the CD’s “Crazy Arms” cover with a spoken introduction. In June 2010, Marty invited Ralph to perform with him at Nashville’s historic Ryman Auditorium. According to his wife of 62 years, Wanda Mooney, “He did two gospel numbers (solo). Everybody stood up, both the bottom and top floors, in silence. He went into the second song and they just kept standing. I thought that was marvelous.” The steel-guitarist’s health, however, worsened over winter. Besides Wanda, survivors include son Richard Mooney, daughter Linda Yates, four grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. Services were held at Pleasantville Baptist Church in Arlington, Texas, March 23 . . . A public memorial service was conducted for Grand Ole Opry star Mel McDaniel, April 13, at Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry House. McDaniel is best remembered for his Top 10 hits “Louisiana Saturday Nights,” “Big Ole Brew,” “Stand Up” and his sole charttopper “Baby’s Got Her Blue Jeans On.” He also co-wrote Conway Twitty’s 1978 Opry salute “The Grandest Lady Of Them All” (with Bob Morrison). McDaniel, 68, died March 31, from lung cancer. He had been an Opry member 25 years, and is a native of Checotah, Okla. Other Top 10 singles include “Right In the Palm Of Your Hand,” “Take Me To The Country,” “I Call It Love” and “Let It Roll.” Just prior to his passing, Mel finished “a life-long dream of recording an album of his written songs . . . titled ‘The Last Ride.’ (He co-wrote his 1977 breakthrough release, ‘God Made Love’).” Mel charted 41 songs on Billboard’s singles chart, plus another 10 titles on its albums chart, including the Top Five LP “Let It Roll” in 1985. His final Top 10 single was “Real Good, Feel Good Song” (#9, 1988). Mel’s final Opry appearance occurred Sept. 28, 2010, when its cast gathered for the showplace’s reopening following flood damage. Survivors include former wife Mary McDaniel, daughter Danielle; grandson Joseph; and good friend Barry Roberts. In lieu of flowers, McDaniel’s family requests memorial donations be made to the Opry Trust Fund, 2804 Opryland Drive, Nashville, TN 37214.

Walt's Music City News . . .

2011-04-12T14:02:00.004-05:00

Harley Allen, an award winning writer succumbs

Harley Allen accepts 2005 IBMA Song of the Year award for 'Me & John & Paul ' with The Grascals.

NASHVILLE -- Cancer claimed ace songwriter Harley Allen, 55, on March 30, at home in suburban Brentwood, a day after his hospital release. His widow is singer Debbie Nims. Three of his better-known creations are the #1’s: “The Little Girl” (John Michael Montgomery), “The Baby” (Blake Shelton)” and “Awful Beautiful Life” (Darryl Worley).
Allen had a knack of being able to blend heart-rending themes into songs that were commercially viable. His skills came naturally, being the son of late singer-songwriter-musician Harley (Red) Allen, a 2005 member of IBMA’s Bluegrass Hall of Fame.
“I was about 12 or 13 and I remember noticing that he wrote a lot of his songs, and I wanted to try it and see what it was like to write a song,” Harley had recalled.
Red, incidentally, performed some in his later years with sons Harley, Ronnie, Greg and Neal, who recorded as the Allen Brothers. Their albums included “Allen Grass” (1970), “Clara’s Boys” (1976), “Across the Blue Ridge Mountains (1983), “Another River” (1996) and “Live At the Bluebird” (2001). Among notable Harley efforts are: “Suzanne” (with Mike Lily, 1983), “Harley Allen” (1990), “Another River” (1996) and “Live At The Bluebird Cafe” (2001).
Harley himself supplied harmony vocals (as one of the Soggy Bottom Boys) on the Grammy Award-winning track “I Am A Man of Constant Sorrow” off the 2001 blockbuster movie soundtrack “O Brother Where Art Thou,” a CMA Album of the Year, and also won CMA Single of the Year (for “Man of Constant Sorrow”).
Allen’s composition “Me and John and Paul,” as recorded by The Grascals, earned him the IBMA Bluegrass Song of the Year award in 2005 (a songwriter’s honor).
Harley Lee Allen born Jan. 23, 1956, in Dayton, Ohio, was inspired not only by his father but legendary tunesmiths like Hank Williams, Ira Louvin and Tom T. Hall. Noting his own success, Billboard magazine, the trade bible, stated, “Allen wades through demons like a modern day Hank Williams.”
Before he turned 20, Harley had amassed a huge catalog of songs. Two of the Nashville song publishing firms he’d written for were Ten Ten Music, run by Jewel and Barry Coburn; and Harlan Howard Songs.
Jewel Coburn described him as “an unbelievably prolific writer,” while the late Harlan Howard proclaimed, “Harley was the best damn songwriter to hit this town.” No small compliment, coming from one of Nashville’s all-time top five songwriters himself (thanks to such Harlan classics as “I Fall to Pieces,” “Life Turned Her That Way” and “No Charge”).
In 1998, Allen earned Music Row magazine’s top emerging writer statuette. He was Broadcast Music Inc.’s BMI Songwriter of the Year (2005). But many of his peers point out that he was an equally fine singer. Linda Ronstadt, when recording his “High Sierra,” admitted to following his vocals as close as she could to his original demo, feeling its delivery could not be improved upon.
Other distinguished artists who chose Allen cuts include Garth Brooks, George Jones, Alison Krauss, Don Williams, Rhonda Vincent, Craig Morgan, Mark Wills, Dierks Bentley, Kathy Mattea, Ty England, Sammy Kershaw and Hal Ketchum.
Among Harley’s favorite co-writers was Don Sampson, with whom he penned “Tough Little Boys,” a Gary Allan 2003 charttopper. In an earlier interview, Harley noted, “Don and I both have two little girls around the same ages. One day we got to talking about them and I said, ‘Man, I’m such a wuss when it comes to them getting hurt. It just kills me.’ Don: ‘Yeah, I freak out and my wife is always so cool.’ We feel like our wives are stronger emotionally with the kids.”
This exchange prompted them both to realize how tough little boys grew up, and when confronted with baby girls of their own, become big babies themselves.
At their writing session they knew their next number had to be titled “Tough Little Boys,” and written from a father’s vantage point: “The rest came easily . . . the line that starts with ‘I followed your schoolbus to town,’ I actually did that on my daughter’s first day at achool . . . Don drew on his experiences with his girls, and about an hour-and-a-half later, we were done.”
Of course, all Allen’s songs didn’t come that quickly; however, there was another which he claimed he wrote in even less time, his big money-maker “The Little Girl.”
According to Harley, it was inspired by a 2000 internet piece sent him by his brother via e-mail, which read: “There was an atheist couple who had a daughter. The couple never told their daughter anything about the Lord. One night, when the little girl was 5 years old, the parents fought with each other and the dad shot the mom, right in front of the child. Then, the dad shot himself. The little girl watched it all. She was sent to a foster home. The foster mother was a Christian and took the child to church. On the first day of Sunday School, the foster mother told the teacher that the girl had never heard of Jesus, and to have patience with her. The teacher held up a picture of Jesus and said, ‘Does anyone know who this is?’ The little girl said, ‘I do. That’s the man who was holding me the night my parents died.’”
Allen added, “It moved me more than I’d been moved in years by a story. I grabbed the guitar and just started writing. It didn’t take any time at all, about 10 to 15 minutes.”
In a USA Today newspaper Sept. 7, 2000 report by Brian Mansfield, Allen and his brother could never track down the source for attribution, noting at the time regarding its origin: “We don’t have a clue . . . but if it ain’t true, it ought to be.”
Some other hit titles by Allen were “Between the Devil and Me” (#2, Alan Jackson), “Everything I Love” (#9, Alan Jackson, both 1997), and “If Nobody Believed in You” (#10, Joe Nichols, 2004).
The Bluebird Cafe News (for the nitery founded by Amy Kurland) labeled Allen “the real deal,” a fitting epitaph for such an earthy, roots-oriented artist.
Besides wife Deborah Nims-Allen, survivors include son Aaron Allen; daughters Katelyn and Maggie Allen, Jessica Cote; and brothers Ronnie and Greg Allen, and a sister. He was predeceased by brother Neal Allen in 1974; father Red Allen in 1993; and later mother, Clara Mae Allen.
A memorial service April 6 at Christ Church, Nashville, was conducted by Pastor John Lestock. The family asked in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Chet Atkins Music Education Fund, care of the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee.

Walt's Music City News . . .

2011-04-02T17:49:00.007-05:00

Ferlin Husky . . . (Editor's note: Due to a technical difficulty this posting was originally slated for our website's News page, but in response to requests, we're placing it here.)

NASHVILLE -- An entertainer’s entertainer, Ferlin Husky, 85, died March 17 at his daughter Alana Jackson’s home in Westmoreland, Tenn., following a lengthy battle with heart disease. The Country Music Hall of Famer is best remembered for his #1 hits “A Dear John Letter,” “Gone” and “Wings Of a Dove,” and his comedic creation Simon Crum, who scored a near-charttopper, “Country Music Is Here To Stay.”
In the latter 1958 novelty number, Crum (Husky) satirized traditional country even down to mimicking then-current hitmakers Ernest Tubb, Red Foley and Kitty Wells’ throbbing vocals. It was his milestone recording of “Gone,” however, that helped lift country out of its rock-induced doldrums by introducing a more modern uptown approach that would become known as the Nashville Sound sans steel guitar and fiddle. Instead, the Capitol recording adopted lush strings, echo and choral backing by The Jordanaires.
Born Ferlin Eugene Husky, Dec. 3, 1925 on dad Louis Husky’s Missouri farm near the Flat River, Hickory Grove and Cantrell communities 50 miles south of St. Louis. He received musical inspiration from his mother, Fern, whose front parlor was a rehearsal hall for youngsters with guitars.
An uncle, Clyde Wilson, taught Ferlin to play guitar, having received one under the Christmas tree shortly after his 9th birthday. In appreciation, Ferlin later put Clyde’s name on songs he wrote, most notably the Top 10 “Little Tom,” about a poor newsboy.
“I loved Clyde. He passed away and was so proud that I put his name on them. He’d come see me and I introduced him around. Another name I used on songs was Billy Cole. He was my cousin who died of cancer. I’ve used 17 different writer names,” Ferlin confided in our 2006 interview in Hendersonville.
Thinking his own name Husky too unusual for the marquee, Ferlin first used the name Tex Terry as a performer, then opted for Terry Preston when he initially recorded “Gone,” written by friend Smoky Rogers, in 1952. At his father’s suggestion he reverted back to his given name in time for his first million-seller “A Dear John Letter” on Capitol Records, hitting #1 on Billboard, Aug. 29, 1953, spending six weeks at the top.
Husky’s label boss Ken Nelson remembered that Lewis Tally and Fuzzy Owen, a pair of Bakersfield musicians, brought him their ballad “A Dear John Letter,” which Fuzzy put out on a local label: “They had recorded it with Bonnie Owens (Buck’s wife), with Fuzzy doing the recitation. I liked the idea and decided to make it the B side of a recording by Jean (Shepard) titled ‘I’d Rather Die Young.’ I asked Ferlin to do the recitation. He agreed but said it wouldn’t be necessary to (list him or) pay him for doing it (Ferlin wanted Jean to get main credit). I was sure ‘I’d Rather Die Young’ would be a hit, but I was sure wrong. ‘A Dear John Letter’ took off like a scared rabbit (right at the time of the Korean War), and before you could say Jack Rabbit it was #1 on the country chart and #4 on the pop chart.
“When I saw what was happening, I immediately arranged for Ferlin (to get billing and) to receive one-quarter cent royalty for each record sold. It sold a million, and their follow-up record, ‘Forgive Me John,’ was also a hit (#4), but didn’t make the million mark.” It was a career song for both Jean and Ferlin, marking their first Billboard chart entry, all the sweeter coming in at #1.
A little over a year later, Husky hit solo with a two-sided single “I Feel Better All Over (More Than Anywhere Else)” (#6); and “Little Tom” (#7, 1955). That same year he debuted his rube character Simon Crum via a Top Five comedy cut “Cuzz Yore So Sweet.” Next Husky and his band The Hush Puppies had a modest success with “I’ll Babysit With You” (#14, 1955).
After learning of her friend’s death, Jean Shepard told AP: “Ferlin was a great entertainer . . . and I can’t say nothin’ bad about him. If every man and woman who worked together in the music business or whatever had the relationship that me and Ferlin had, it would be a wonderful thing. It was a loving, loving friendship.”
Prior to signing with Capitol, Ferlin had served as a civilian seaman in the merchant marine during the waning days of World War II, carrying vital cargo and troops abroad.
“I began entertaining on ship. We were transporting troops and to entertain them, I had an old guitar I’d play on and sing songs. When we’d have a sub alert or an air raid, I’d tell stories and all them boys would gather ’round me ’cause they were scared, ’n’ hell, truth is, I was scareder than they were. I’d make up the stories.”
One such story centered on an eccentric old farmer he knew back in Missouri named Simon Crump: “Most of my shipmates were yankee boys - oh, there were a few blacks who were my buddies because like me they were from the south - and they all called me ‘Country.’ They would say, ‘C’mon Country, tell us some of those Simon stories.’ (Needless to say this started Ferlin’s fascination with Simon Crum, who also became a recording star.)”
At the end of the war, Ferlin worked the bars in St. Louis, until he met radio veteran Roy Queen, who was big in local broadcast circles. Through that association, Ferlin landed his own radio slot as Tex Terry on KXLW-St. Louis. In 1947, he departed for the West Coast to work in radio, and fortunately got to know Smiley Burnette (former movie sidekick to Gene Autry).
“I got a job working with Smiley at the Big Barn when he had a four or five-piece band workin’ that place. He talked to me backstage and asked me to go on tour with him. Well, I went on the one tour and when we got back, he got rid of all them and just kept me. I worked with Smiley about two years.”
Smiley also suggested another name change, noting screen actor Preston Foster was one of his favorite people, so Ferlin became Terry Preston. Smiley and Gene Autry helped Terry Preston get extra work in films, notably the Durango Kid (Charles Starrett) series. He also landed a recording pact with Bill McCall’s FourStar label, where Burnette also recorded.
In turn, his local appearances on such broadcasts as Cliffie Stone’s, Tennessee Ernie's and Spade Cooley’s impressed Ken Nelson enough to buy up Terry Preston’s contract from FourStar and sign him to Capitol, a major label.
During 1956, Husky had the distinction of Elvis Presley serving as his opening act in the future rock and roll king’s early touring period. Following his second charttopper “Gone,” Husky found himself a superstar himself with invitations to play national TV programs, including Ed Sullivan’s Toast of the Town, Steve Allen’s Tonight Show, and playing a dramatic role in a Kraft Television Theatre presentation “Sextuplet” with Tammy Grimes. Husky became Arthur Godfrey’s 1957 summer replacement, making him one of the first country stars to host a prime-time network show.
That same year he had a Top 10 cover on Jimmy C. Newman’s “A Fallen Star.” Ferlin was also cast in Alan Freed’s 1957 movie “Mr. Rock & Roll.” He followed that with a star role in “Country Music Holiday” featuring Zsa Zsa Gabor, Rocky Graziano and Patty Duke (1958). Later films included “40 Acre Feud” with Del Reeves, and “Las Vegas Hillbillies, with Jayne Mansfield and Mamie Van Doren, both in 1966; “Hillbillies In a Haunted House” with John Carradine and Lon Chaney, Jr., 1967; and “Swamp Girl” with Donna Stanley and Claude King in 1971.Today he has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
After several Top 20 chartings, notably “A Prize Possession,” “My Reason For Living” and “Draggin’ the River,” Husky came up with another smash “The Wings Of a Dove,” an inspirational number, which stayed in #1 spot 10 weeks (as did “Gone”) out of an amazing 36-week run on Billboard’s singles chart in 1960-'61. Like “A Dear John Letter,” “Forgive Me, John,” “Gone” and “A Fallen Star” it also crossed over into the pop charts, enhancing his potential as a pop threat.
This versatile showman’s act was so dynamic that other stars refused to follow him on stage, prompting bookers to slot him (and Simon) last, which didn’t phase Ferlin, as that’s always been the traditional star spot. It’s been said that Elvis learned a lot of pointers from Ferlin during their touring days, though he never mastered the art of comedy.
Husky would achieve two more Top Five records, “Once” (1966) and “Just For You” (1967), and yet another song closely associated with his career “Heavenly Sunshine” (#11, 1970), all of his hits on Capitol, where he enjoyed a 20-year-plus run. He signed with ABC in late 1972, but his best showing chartwise was a Top 20, “Rosie Cries a Lot,” in 1973. All totaled, Husky charted 51 singles and another 14 album chartings, though Ferlin scored major LP successes before Billboard began tracking their sales in 1964 (and he also had the pop hits).
Reportedly, Husky has been wed six times, though he insisted in our interview it was only four and at the time he was in a relationship with Leona Williams, ex-wife of Merle Haggard and widow of songwriter Dave Kirby. Leona remained good friends with Ferlin and talked him into doing another album “The Way It Is (Is The Way It Was)” for the indie Heart of Texas label in Brady, Texas. They also did duets for her album, including “As Long As I Live,” the classic cut originally teaming Red Foley & Kitty Wells.
In his later years, Husky was plagued by heart problems, and recently had surgery here in Nashville. He explained earlier about his operations: “I had four bypasses (the first in Minnesota) . . . the next one when they flew me in from Cody, Wyo., and it was at Baptist Hospital here (Nashville) in 1990. Then while working in Branson, I had another heart attack. I’ve had nine bypasses in all (with another ahead).”
We chatted again with him during the night he was honored for induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame, alongside good friend Billy Sherrill, also a Ferlin Husky fan. Ferlin was in a wheelchair with a bottle of oxygen attached, which prompted him to josh, “I’ve got my own air-line.” This was May 23, 2010, more than a decade after two labelmates he had encouraged, Buck Owens and Merle Haggard, were inducted. But Ferlin saw the glass half-full, rather than half-empty, and enjoyed his Medallion presentation made to him by Charley Pride, another whose career was launched after Husky’s, but who was inducted 10 years earlier.
“The main thing I’m proud of, this is for my family and for the many people who want to see me go in there before I die. It’s a great honor,” adding to us, “not bad for an eighth-grade dropout.”
In our conversation, he was humorous and very candid discussing his 60-plus years career, with its peaks and valleys, and regarding his personal problems, as well, which included the loss of son Danny and daughter Denise. He said the lasting success of his song “Wings Of a Dove” and its inspiring message helped sustain him through it all, citing the lyrics of fellow Missourian Bob Ferguson’s song: “When troubles surround us, when evils come/The body grows weak, the spirit grows numb . . . When these things beset us/He doesn’t forget us/He sends down his love/On the wings of a dove . . .”
May Ferlin Husky’s hit song also bring consolation to his many fans, friends and family, as we mourn the loss of a great showman, and a man who had a good heart, always helping others in their quest for success, among them Tommy Collins, Dallas Frazier, Billy Mize, Buck Owens and Roy Drusky.
Survivors include eight children: Donna, Dana, David, Kelly, Julie, Terry, Jennifer and Alana; 19 grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren. Services were held March 21 at First Baptist Church in Hendersonville, with friend Dallas Frazier, an ordained minister, presiding; and WSM DJ Eddie Stubbs offering the eulogy.

Walt's Music City Beat - April 2011

2011-03-19T12:29:00.007-05:00

New Country Hall of Famer Jean Shepard,
left in photo by Patricia Presley,
and earlier in her career on right.

NASHVILLE -- Country thrush Carrie Underwood's being blamed for hockey hero Mike Fisher’s switch from the Ottawa Senators in his native Canada, to play for the Nashville Predators NHL team. He led the Pred’s to victory in his first game with the Music City-based team, while his blonde singing star Mrs. cheered him on. Checking out the Canadian reaction to the shift with Larry Delaney, who publishes Country Music News, we learned that the Canadians were so upset that some stations were banning Carrie’s records, feeling she’s the reason for Mike leaving the Senators, which originally brought him into NHL's world. Since he and his wife own a home in Nashville, it seemed logical for him to transfer so that he could spend more time with his bride. Reportedly, one Ottawa station even likened Underwood to Yoko Ono, who’s blamed for breaking up the Beatles by some. It’s easy to see why Ottawans liked Mike so much, he’s a genial and disciplined athlete, who hopefully will give a boost to the Preds in their quest for the highly-coveted Stanley Cup. As of this writing, the team’s decidely a longs-hot for playoff participation.
Honors: Hard to find fault with the Country Music Hall of Fame’s newest inductees: Jean Shepard, who should’ve been selected 30 years ago; Bobby Braddock, who wrote such successes as “He Stopped Loving Her Today”; and current hitmaker Reba McEntire, whose first charting occurred in 1976, “I Don’t Want To Be a One-Night Stand,” which she sure wasn’t. But it’s about time the electors considered another large multiple listing to recognize such long-ago legends as Carson Robison, John Lair, Lulu Belle & Scotty, Al Dexter, Jimmy Wakely, Johnnie & Jack, Hank Locklin, The Browns and Skeeter Davis, among others, as they did in 2001 . . . Meanwhile, the Country Music Foundation salutes Norris (Norro) Wilson as the newest honoree in its Poets & Prophets program, with a special salute in the Ford Theatre, via interview, videos, recordings and photographs, March 5, with an autograph session in the museum shop. Norro made his mark as a producer of such artists as Joe Stampley, Sara Evans, Kenny Chesney and Shania Twain. Among the Grammy Award winner’s classic compositions are the #1’s “Soul Song,” “The Most Beautiful Girl,” “A Very Special Love Song,” “Never Been So Loved,” “Night Games,” “He Loves Me All the Way” and “The Grand Tour.” The Kentucky native charted 10 singles as a recording artist, most notably “Do It To Someone You Love,” “Everybody Needs Lovin’,” and a duet with Margo Smith, “So Close Again.” . . . Meanwhile, pianist-arranger David Briggs is being hailed as the latest Nashville Cats recipient, with a tribute scheduled March 26 at the Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum. A veteran session player and producer, Briggs was one of the Muscle Shoals musicians, boasting such classics as “You Better Move On” and “Steal Away.” Once in Nashville, Wilson performed on the hits of such notables as Elvis Presley and Kenny Rogers, and eventually opened his own Quadraphonic Studios in partnership with Norbert Putnam. Briggs also performed publicly with Area Code 615, a cult favorite . . . The Oak Ridge Boys acknowledged their painted likeness being placed on The Palms Restaurant’s Wall of Fame, Feb. 25, in a ceremony helping to mark the award-winning quartet’s 30th anniversary of their top country-pop hit “Elvira” which hit in 1981 (and was penned by Dallas Frazier). According to lead vocalist Joe Bonsall, “Having our portraits on the wall of The Palms Restaurant in Nashville is a very special honor for the Oak Ridge Boys.” The act earned 17 #1 singles out of 48 Billboard chartings . . . Whisperin’ Bill Anderson, a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Nashville Songwriters Association International’s Songwriters Hall of Fame, was given official recognition recently via a Joint Resolution passed by the Tennessee Legislature, as introduced by Senator Joe Haynes, citing Anderson’s upcoming 50th anniversary as a member of WSM’s Grand Ole Opry. Anderson was 20 and a college student when Ray Price took his song “City Lights” into the #1 position for 13 weeks in 1958. As Whisperin’ Bill, he went on to enjoy his own recording career chalking up such charttoppers himself as “Mama Sang a Song,” “Still” and “I Get the Fever.” Meanwhile, he continued to write hits for other artists including Porter Wagoner, Jim Reeves, Kitty Wells, Eddy Arnold, Charlie Louvin, Connie Smith, Lefty Frizzell, Steve Wariner, Mark Wills and Kenny Chesney . . . Garth Brooks has been chosen for the national Songwriters Hall of Fame, along with writers Leon Russell, John Bettis, Allen Toussaint, Billy Steinberg and Tom Kelly. Induction ceremonies are slated June 16 at the Marriott-Marquis Hotel in New York City. Among Brooks’ credits are “Much Too Young,” “If Tomorrow Never Comes” and “The Beaches of Cheyenne.”
Scene Stealers: The Opry’s Riders in the Sky foursome’s “Woody’s Roundup” was played Feb. 26 as a wake-up call for the Discovery shuttle’s joint STS-133 Mission’s final trip in space. It was the cowboys’ special dedication to space specialist Alvin Drew. The song, written by Randy Newman, earned earlier renown featured on the children’s movie “Toy Story2” soundtrack. Ranger Doug observes proudly, “From the New Frontier to the Final Frontier, it’s the Cowboy Way!” Riders, incidentally, were there to perform for the STS-133’s crew at welcome home ceremonies at Ellington Airport in Houston, March 10, marking Discovery’s final return from orbit as the world’s most flown spaceship, before becoming a museum attraction . . . Singer-songwriter Randy Houser’s tour bus caught fire March 9, just before they were slated to depart for a gig at Isle of the Palms, S.C. that evening. Reportedly the blaze broke out in the rear of the vehicle, billowing black smoke throughout the bus. Fortunately, the artist and his crew exited the bus without injury, though all their gear, clothing and personal effects were destroyed. Spontaneously Houser put his cell phone to use videotaping the situation, before texting his manager: “Fire is out! Lost all my clothes! . . . I’m pretty sad, but so thankful we all got off safely. That fire burned all through our home on wheels.” An investigation was underway to determine the cause and whether the bus is salvageable. Houser, who hit Top 10 with his “Boots On” single, also co-wrote “Honky Tonk Badonkadonk” (Trace Adkins) and “Back That Thing Up” (Justin Moore) . . . Julianne Hough is set to star in another major movie “Rock of Ages,” the Broadway musical, along with Tom Cruise, reports director Adam Shankman. Shooting on the cinematic version of the recent stage hit commences May 19 in Florida, though the role of the youthful leading man (played by Constantine Maroulis on Broadway) hasn’t yet been cast. Hough’s no newcomer to film, having appeared in both “Burlesque” with Cher, and more recently “Footloose,” currently in its post-production phase. She’s the Dancing With the Stars hoofer whose biggest country single to date is “That Song In My Heart.” She’s 22 . . . Shania Twain’s sizzling biography hits bookstands May 4 (via Atria/Simon & Schuster Publishers, New York). The singer-songwriter who has sold more than 75 million discs worldwide, will also debut her own documentary series on OWN: The Oprah Winfrey Network this spring. According to Judith Curr, publisher v.p., “When I read Shania’s manuscript, it amazed me how rich, clear, unfiltered and honest she was. There is a depth that comes through in her writing. The book will be a help and inspiration to many and those who think they know her from her music will be surprised at the raw and personal place she writes from.” Following her divorce from producer Mutt Lange, the 45-year-old entertainer wed Frederick Thiebaud, a Swiss-based businessman, this year . . . Movie star Ashley Judd’s new biography “All That Is Bitter & Sweet” (Ballantine Books, N.Y.) is being released April 5. She will disclose her side of growing up as sister to Wynonna with their mom Naomi Judd. Ashley will be in Nashville April 9 to promote her book and participate in a YouthAIDS program at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center. Her next film will be a TV drama “Missing,” hopefully beaming by fall, while her new theatrical feature “Dolphin Tale” with Morgan Freeman and Kris Kristofferson premieres in September . . . Grand Ole Opry singer-guitarist Steve Wariner has launched new how-to instructional videos, being posted on his website. The first mini-lesson spotlights the song “Crafty,” with new clips scheduled periodically, derived from his latest CD “Guitar Laboratory.” I had a great time making this record and experimenting with different guitars, tones, amps and styles. I thought it would be fun to share some of what I did with other musicians out there,” notes Wariner. Interested parties can check out www.stevewariner.com for information.
Bits & Pieces: Music Row magazine’s ninth annual Country Breakout Airplay Awards this year, as revealed in the trade publication’s February-March 2011 issue, went to Lady Antebellum as Artist of the Year; Burns & Poe, Independent Act of the Year; The Band Perry as Breakout Artists of the Year; and Capitol-Nashville as top label . . . Country favorite Toby Keith is entering another arena, this one centered on a Mexican beverage bearing his name: Toby Keith’s Wild Shot Mezcal. It’s being touted by importers Shaw-Ross as a 100 per cent green agave spirit. Keith hosted a kick-off reception March 3 in Nashville, during the annual CRS . . . Singer Ashton Shepherd, 24, has announced that she and hubby Roland Cunningham anticipate their second baby next fall. The newcomer, whose current chart climber is “Look It Up,” is mom to James, 5.
Final Curtain: Country Music Hall of Famer Ferlin Husky was in a Nashville area hospital, March 8, in critical condition, following a recent surgery. Sad to report, Husky died March 17 at his daughter Alana Jackson's home in Westmoreland, Tenn. Husky had been suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Husky, 85, is best known for his hits “Gone,” “Country Music is Here To Stay” (alter ego Simon Crum’s comedy classic) and the inspirational “Wings Of a Dove.” See our full report on NovaNashville's News blog, complete with photos.
Country singer Emma Jacob experienced a devastating happening during her Country Radio Seminar showcase performance, March 2. Her mother, Linda Chapman, 55, suffered a fatal heart attack during her daughter’s mid-performance at the Cadillac Ranch downtown. Emma, 20, has been living in Music City six years, having moved here at 14, with her mom. Currently, Emma’s promoting her new set of songs “Strong Like Me.” Linda LeComte Chapman’s survivors include children Emma, Kaite Espinoza, Lindsey Chapman and Richard Knowlton; granddaughter Morgan Knowlton, brother Kevin LeComte; sisters Lori Fennessey and Kelly LeComte; and her life partner Cynthia Jacob. A memorial service was set March 11, conducted by West Harpeth Funeral Home, Nashville.
Clay Walker is mourning the death of dad Ernest Clayton Walker Sr., 62, who died March 8, following a lengthy battle with cancer at Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas. Senior himself was a singer-musician who had been influenced by his musician father. Junior recalls as a boy asking his parent, “Daddy, what do you think Heaven is like?,” and hearing this response: “It is there for us each one to know individually. You don’t know God through someone else, you know God by your personal relationship with Him. And you’re gonna know Heaven the same way.” Besides Clay, known for such hits as “Live Until I Die” and “Chain of Love,” Walker Sr. is survived by son Douglas Del Mage, daughter Kimberly Walker Murray, and nine grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife Carol Walker. Services were scheduled March 11 at Our Lady of Assumption Church in Beaumont, Texas, with interment at Hillebrandt Cemetery.
Songwriter Todd Cerney, 57, died of cancer March 14, in Nashville. He co-wrote such successes as Steve Holy’s #1 “Good Morning, Beautiful,” Restless Heart’s #1 “I’ll Still Be Loving You” - for which he received a Grammy nomination - and saw his creations recorded by such non-country acts as Aretha Franklin, Cheap Trick and Etta James. Born in Detroit, he was raised in Zanesville, Ohio, and came to Nashville to pursue his music career in the 1970s. In the mid-1990s he and three ex-Bread musicians formed a rockin’ group called Toast. He also sang studio backup vocals for such superstars as Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers. Country singer Ty Herndon also recorded Cerney’s “No Mercy.” Following a brain seizure, Cerney was diagnosed with melanoma in November 2010. Survivors include his wife Kip Kirby, a Nashville journalist.

Walt's Music City Beat - March 2011

2011-02-14T16:08:00.010-06:00

Alan Jackson in this showcase photo by Patricia Presley, as is the shot of Billy Dean at right.

NASHVILLE -- Billy Dean was thrilled with his recent visit to China to entertain, along with six other international artists welcoming the Chinese New Year via their Spring Festival Global Gala. In turn, Dean appeared on Beijing television, Feb. 4, which he believes is a first for a country artist in Communist China. Sharing the spotlight with Dean were David D’Or of Israel; Lara Fabian from Belgium; Christina Hoyos, Spain; Tan Jing, China; Lagaylia, Sweden; and Connie Talbot of the United Kingdom. Despite his own hits including “Billy The Kid,” “Only Here For a Little While” and “Let Them Be Little,” Billy chose to perform “Six Days On the Road” co-written by Carl Montgomery (Melba’s brother) and Earl Green, first popularized by Dave Dudley (#2, 1963) and revived by Sawyer Brown (#13, 1997). “China is known for its hard-working men and women. I thought ‘Six Days On the Road’ would be a very appropriate (song). Hopefully, I turned a few people on to Dave and the Sawyer Brown boys!” Actually Dean recorded “Six Days” himself a few years back in his excellent CD “For Those Who Move America,” a salute to truckers. As Billy confided to us in an earlier interview: “One of my (business) partners is in the trucking industry. I’ve gotten a chance to be around a lot of truck-drivers and understand the trucking industry a little bit. I realize they hold the economy in the palm of their hands. I can identify with them because they’re gone a lot of the time, like me . . . It’s hard to be on the road that many days. I thought they deserved to be sung about, so I did the album.” Even in China it seems.

Honors: The late Johnny Cash became a 2011 inductee into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame during the GMA’s annual awards ceremony, Jan. 24, at Trinity Music City (former Twitty City) in suburban Hendersonville. Accepting posthumously for her famed brother was Joanne Cash, while Trace Adkins sang “Wayfaring Stranger” in honor of the superstar . . . Kenny Chesney has been named the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame’s (TSHF) Tennessean of the Year, thanks to his acclaimed 2010 ESPN-TV documentary “Boys of Fall,” and a new Chesney docu-drama “The Color Orange: The Condredge Holloway Story,” a biographical film account of the Southeastern Football Conference’s first African-American starting quarterback, which premiered Feb. 20, 2011, also on ESPN’s cable network. Presentation of the artist’s award occurred at TSHF’s annual banquet, Feb. 11, at the Renaissance Hotel, Nashville. According to Bill Emendorfer, TSHF president, the award “honors an individual or organization that has made significant contributions to our society through sports or other methods, demonstrating strong character and high profile leadership.” . . . Patsy Cline, who died at age 30 in a March 5, 1963 plane crash, is being honored with her own museum in Winchester, Va. Museum backers are working in collaboration with Patsy’s widower Charlie Dick on the project, which hopefully will be completed this year. Reportedly, the organizers have raised more than $100,000 to restore the Country Music Hall of Famer’s former home in Winchester as the historic site of the museum. Cline, whose records still sell worldwide, is renowned for such hits as “Walkin’ After Midnight,” “I Fall To Pieces” and “Crazy.”
Legal Skirmish: Paul A. Abraham, 61, has filed a lawsuit against Billy Ray Cyrus and his estranged wife for over $500,000 claiming age discrimination. The Jan. 10 document was filed in Davidson County Circuit Court by Cyrus’ former road manager and estate overseer, who alleges the entertainer told his half-brother that Abraham was “old and dumb, and don’t know anything about running a farm.” Apparently the music veteran was engaged in 2007 to serve as road manager with the responsibilities of managing tours, including travel arrangements, show set-up and looking after family and bandmembers. Abraham claimed he had worked on and off for the Cyruses some 12 years on their farm - “Singin’ Hills” - where he made repairs, cut grass and did chores as needed. On May 1, 2010, the couple fired Abraham, who is seeking a jury trial plus compensation and punitive damages for “pain, humiliation, embarrassment and emotional distress.” Cyrus publicist Nicole Chabot in Los Angeles declined further comment.
Bits & Pieces: Veteran hitmaker Alan Jackson and Arista Records parted ways Jan. 20, ending a 21-year partnership that kicked off in a big way with his self-penned 1990 breakthrough hit “Here In the Real World.” Arista parent firm Sony issued this press statement: “Sony Music-Nashville wishes to thank Alan Jackson for their long association and the many hit records achieved as a result of that association. In an amicable parting, Sony confirms that Alan has delivered his final recordings to the company and wishes him well.” Among Alan’s 25 #1 Billboard singles he wrote: “Don’t Rock the Jukebox,” “Chattahoochee,” “Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning)” and “Remember When.” We had the pleasure of conducting newcomer Alan’s first Nashville interview at Spence Manor. Georgia boy Jackson, now 52, was one of the first artists signed to Arista by then-label chief Tim DuBois. He’s in good company, as BNA has also dropped Craig Morgan, Martina McBride and MontgomeryGentry . . . The Cherryholmes Band has called it quits. Papa Jere Cherryholmes announced on their website: “Though it is bittersweet, there comes a time in a family when seasons change. We’ve always known this season would come. Now that it has, we believe it is only right that our young folks be allowed to follow their own dreams and goals for the future . . . They deserve the freedom to choose their own paths without the extreme interdependence that exists in a family business.” Cherryholmes also consists of mom Sandy, daughters Cia and Molly, and sons B.J. and Skip. The band’s last show occurs May 7 in Galax, Va., former home to the Pop Stoneman family . . . Jack White, producer-bandleader, reports his group The White Stripes is also no more. In a joint statement, he and drummer-wife Meg say the band’s closure isn’t due to artistic differences or health problems: “It is for a myriad of reasons, but mostly to preserve what is beautiful and special about the band and have it stay that way.” Jack’s label - Third Man Records - will continue to release recorded product currently “in the can” on the band. White has been focusing his attention on various projects, one of which included producing Loretta Lynn’s comeback album “Van Lear Rose” in 2004, a Grammy winner; and the current Wanda Jackson resurgence CD “The Party Ain’t Over,” not as well-received . . . In an Autostraddle on-line blog, singer Chely Wright claims her “coming out” last May, disclosing she was gay, not only hurt her record sales by a 50 per cent decline, but she has received death threats, but adds, “You won’t hear me moaning about the hate mail I’ve gotten.” According to Nielsen SoundScan her latest record “Lifted Off the Ground,” which received favorable reviews, has sold only about 20,000 units by comparison to the prior CD “Metropolitan Hotel” which sold 60,000 in the same time span, representing a drop of two-thirds. Still she claims no regrets: “I’m proud of who I am as a person” . . . Congrats to Shelly and Zac Brown on the birth of their baby Joni Mason, Feb. 2, in Atlanta. Weighing in at 7 pounds, 14-ounces, she is the fourth daughter for the couple. Her sisters are Justice, 4, Lucy, 2 and Georgia, 1. Zac, of course, heads up the Grammy-nominated country band responsible for such hits as “Free” and “As She’s Walking Away” (with Alan Jackson) . . . Faith Margaret Urban is the new daughter of singer Keith Urban and his actress-wife Nicole Kidman, born Dec. 28, via a surrogate mother at Centennial Women’s Hospital. The couple said in a prepared statement: “Our family is truly blessed and just so thankful, to have been given the gift of baby Faith Margaret. No words can adequately convey the incredible gratitude that we feel for everyone who was so supportive throughout this process, in particular our gestational carrier.” The baby is the Urbans’ biological daughter, and joins big sister Sunday Rose. Nicole, 41, has two adopted children by her previous marriage to actor Tom Cruise: Isabella, 18, and Connor, 15. She attended the Golden Globes awards ceremony in California, Jan. 16, where she was nominated best actress for her performance in the movie “Rabbit Hole,” though Natalie Portman won for “Black Swan” . . . The New York Times’ book reviewer Janet Maslin has praised singer-songwriter Rodney Crowell’s 259-page book of memories, “Chinaberry Sidewalks” (Alfred A. Knopf Publishers, N.Y., 2011), focusing on his boyhood years in the Houston, Texas area: “The heart of the book is Crowell’s outlandishly dysfunctional 1950s childhood . . . becoming a memoirist is a useful change of pace for a 60-year-old musician, especially when the memoir is as rip-snorting as this one. Those who know what a shapely verse Mr. Crowell can turn out may be newly-amazed at his way with words when he simply writes sentences.” Rodney, a member of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, says he wrote and recorded four albums during the time period it took him to write the book, which reveals a turbulent raising by equally-troubled parents, J. W. and Cauzette Crowell. Rodney says in looking back, “I knew it was going to take time, though not as long as it did.” It was about seven years in the actual writing. The daily San Francisco Chronicle’s Joel Selvin also applauded Crowell’s work likening it to “a sad country song, he might have written, distancing himself from the pain and anger with dark humor.” There’s no mention of his 13-year marriage to singer Rosanne Cash or his own Grammy Award-winning career with hits like “After All This Time” and “Above and Beyond” . . . Flying under the CMT banner is a new sitcom Working Class starring Ed (Lou Grant) Asner and Melissa Peterman, regular CMT announcer, beamed Friday evenings. It’s a first for the Viacom-owned cable network which averages some 90 million viewers, mainly tuned in for music videos. No doubt inspired by yesteryear’s Reba sitcom, CMT has disclosed the fiery-haired Reba McEntire will be an occasional guest star on the series.
Ailing: Grammy-nominated songwriter Todd Cerney has been diagnosed with Stage IV melanoma. A benefit concert to aid Cerney’s medical costs was scheduled Feb. 28 at the Red Rooster Bar & Music Hall near Music Row’s Roundabout, boasting Steve Holy, Ty Herndon, Jeff Bates and Restless Heart, among others entertaining. Cerney’s hit songs include Restless Heart’s “I’ll Be Loving You”; Holy’s “Good Morning, Beautiful”; and Herndon’s “No Mercy.” Fellow writers conducting a series of songwriter rounds to raise funds feature Rivers Rutherford, Fred Knobloch, Rich Fagan, Pete Huttlinger, Lisa Carver, Wood Newton, Trevor Finlay, Doug Gill, Lynn Langham and Jim Parker, followed by performances from Buzz Cason and Mac Gayden, Casey Kelly and Leslie Ellis, Bill Lloyd, and Thom Shepherd & the Nashville Hit Songwriters Band. Special guest Peter Noone formerly of Herman’s Hermits joined Restless Heart onstage to sing his classics, “A Kind Of a Hush” and “Mrs. Brown, You’ve Got A Lovely Daughter.” A Silent Auction, with donated items for bidding, included Todd’s own handwritten, personally-autographed lyric sheets for “I’ll Still Be Loving You” and “Good Morning, Beautiful.”
Final Curtain: Guitarist Tommy Crain, 59, died Jan. 13, at his home in Franklin, Tenn. He played some 15 years in the Charlie Daniels Band and helped to co-write Charlie’s Grammy-winning song “The Devil Went Down To Georgia.” Born and raised in Nashville, John Thomas Crain, Jr., mastered most stringed-instruments and kicked off his professional career in the Flat Creek Band with brother Billy Crain. Tommy was a picker in the band Buckeye when it opened in 1974 at the first CDB Volunteer Jam. Charlie engaged him in ’75, the year Tommy also wed his wife Melissa. He played on some 20 Daniels’ albums, and also co-wrote more than 60 songs. A highly influential Southern rock guitarist, he was known affectionately as the “wild man.” Tommy was also bandleader for his Crosstown Allstars of Atlanta. Survivors include wife Melissa (Williams) Crain, daughter Ann McDuffey and grandson Hunter; parents Helen and John Crain; sister Sherry Arledge; and brother Billy Crain.
Recording engineer Jim Williamson, 75, died Jan. 20 at home near Nashville, from lung and heart disease. He had worked the consoles for such notables as Johnny Cash, Bob Dylan, Kris Kristofferson, Merle Haggard and the Statler Brothers. Williamson played an important role, too, in recording artist signature songs, notably Tammy Wynette’s “Stand By Your Man,” Loretta Lynn’s “Coal Miner’s Daughter” and Gene Watson’s “Farewell Party.” He is survived by his wife of 49 years Edith (Flowers) Williamson, daughters Debbie Williamson and Suzy Pender, plus six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Gospel Music Association founder-artist Don Butler, 80, died Feb. 3 at his home in suburban Brentwood. Singer Butler began his career in the groups The Marksmen, The Ambassadors, The Statesmen and the Sons Of Songs. He was a producer and also operated the Sumar Talent Agency. Butler was a member of the GMA Hall of Fame. Survivors include wife Peggy, daughters Donna, Dyana and Denise, son Donald (Dee) Butler, Jr., and seven grandchildren.
Bassist-guitarist Joe Webb Forrester, 91, died Jan. 16. He was brother to the late Howard (Howdy) Forrester, with whom he launched his music career. While Howard went on to work with Roy Acuff, Joe appeared with Harold Goodman on WSM’s Grand Ole Opry. He also performed on KVOO-Tulsa, Okla., and had a show in Tuscola, Ill. While serving with the Third Army in World War II, he participated in the D-Day invasion on Utah Beach, and saw additional combat in France. Following his 1945 discharge, he resumed his music career, performing with country greats Gene Autry, Bill Monroe, Art Davis and played with Georgia Slim Rutland’s Texas Roundup on KRLD-Dallas. In 1949, Forrester returned to Nashville and spent 26 years in his day job for the U.S. Post Office. Although he retired in 1978, Joe remained a Lifetime Member of the Nashville Association of Musicians, AFM Local 257. Survivors include his son Joe Stephen, daughter Luanna Lee Moore, stepdaughters Sandra Wood and Connie Duffy, five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Steel-guitarist Buddy Charleton, 72, died Jan. 25 at his home in Locust Grove, Va., from cancer. He had been a member of Ernest Tubb’s Texas Troubadours band (1962-1973). As a boy of 11 he first learned to play guitar. In his teens he was in area bands, including Patsy Cline’s Kountry Krackers band before she departed for Nashville. It was she who recommended her Buddy as replacement for Buddy Emmons in Tubb’s Texas Troubadours. In later years, Charleton became a guitar instructor in the Washington, D.C. area, whose students included Bruce Bouton, Pete Finney, Bucky Baxter, Robin Ruddy, Robert Flint, Tommy Detamore and Tommy Hannum, who went on to back such stars as Garth Brooks, Reba McEntire, The Dixie Chicks, Bob Dylan, Rod Stewart, Alan Jackson, Doug Sahm, Emmylou Harris, Ricky Van Shelto and Brooks & Dunn. Charleton got to play on the 1965 Ernest Tubb-Loretta Lynn LP “Mr. & Mrs. Used To Be,” and on three Texas Troubadours’ solo albums. In 1993, Charleton was inducted into the International Steel Guitar Hall of Fame in St. Louis, Mo. Survivors include wife Kay Lee Charleton, daughter Kimberly Fowler, sons Elmer Lee (Buddy) Charleton III, five grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, and his mother Edna Charleton.
Behind-the-scenes music executive Ron Baird, 60, succumbed to Parkinson’s Disease, Feb. 3. He was Creative Artists Agency (CAA) Nashville’s senior agent until 1996, overseeing the careers of such artists as Barbara Mandrell, Clint Black, Reba McEntire, Alan Jackson, Billy Dean, Toby Keith and Martina McBride. Earlier he had worked for the Jim Halsey Talent Agency in Oklahoma, booking such stars as Merle Haggard, Roy Clark, Brenda Lee, Conway Twitty, Ricky Nelson, Donna Fargo, Oak Ridge Boys, The Judds, Mel Tillis, Don Williams, Tammy Wynett, George Jones and Ronnie Milsap. A graduate of the University of Montana in Missoula, Ron served as CMA President and Chairman of the Board and was an alumnus of Leadership Music, Inc. Baird was voted three years successively Country Agent of the Year (1996-1998) by Performance magazine, a trade weekly. He is survived by his wife Cheryl, their sons John and Marc Baird, four grandchildren, plus Ron's brothers Rick and George.
Ramsey Casteel, 29, died Feb. 3 in Dallas, Texas, while suffering from brain cancer. A graduate of Belmont University’s Mike Curb College of Music Business, Casteel worked on Music Row as associate manager of the Mike Robertson Management firm until his illness. Survivors include his parents from the Dallas area Caroline (Burk) and Frederick R. Casteel; and sister Catherine Olasky of London.
Helen DeLaCroix, 66, formerly of the LaCroy Sisters country act, died Jan. 12, 2011 . . . Lamar Fike, 75, died Jan. 21, 2011, after a prolonged illness, in Arlington, Texas. He was part of Elvis Presley’s “Memphis Mafia” entourage and also a good friend to Elvis’ mother, Gladys Presley. Lamar first met Elvis in 1954, then moved to Memphis in 1957, to work with the “King of Rock & Roll.” Lamar also worked with the Hill & Range-Nashville music publishing office, reportedly steering songs such as “Kentucky Rain” and “Indescribably Blue” to Presley. Fike also served as lighting director on tour with the artist, until his Aug. 16, 1977 death. He had recalled how his relationship with Elvis was: “At times, very difficult, but most of the time he was a lot of fun. You know you’re around somebody like him 24 hours a day, and you have to watch what you’re doing because you become a little too familiar and you say things you shouldn’t and sometimes you get in arguments. And it was a constant amount of pressure. It never really stopped. It kept you on your toes.” Funeral arrangements were conducted by Brown, Owens & Brumley Funeral Home in Fort Worth, Texas. According to the deceased’s wishes, he was cremated. A memorial service for Fike will be announced for a later date.
Country singer-songwriter James O’Gwynn, known as “The Smiling Irishman,” died from pneumonia Jan. 19, 2011, a week shy of his 83rd birthday, at Wesley Medical Center in Hattiesburg, Miss. James’ only Billboard Top 10 was Bill Anderson’s composition “My Name Is Mud” (#7, 1962). His trio of Top 20 chartings were “Talk To Me Lonesome Heart,” “How Can I Think of Tomorrow” and “House of Blue Lovers.” Self-penned songs he recorded also include “Blue Memories,” “Easy Money” and breakthrough chart single “Talk To Me Lonesome Heart” (1958). As a Mississippi farm boy, he learned to play guitar from his mother Ethel. After serving in the U.S. Marine Corps in World War II, O’Gwynn launched his professional music career. Popular DJ Hal Harris heard and recommended James to Biff Collie, producer-host of the Houston Jamboree, which he joined about the same time as fellow newcomer George Jones (1954). Like Jones, James hooked up with legendary producer Pappy Daley, who promoted his 1956 success “Losing Game.” James soon became a regular on KWKH-Shreveport’s Louisiana Hayride show. Prompted by a hit record, he relocated to Nashville in 1961, making friends with Jim Reeves, who encouraged guest shots on WSM’s Grand Ole Opry. James was preceded in death by first wife Mary and second wife Bertena, and is survived by sons Robert J. and James D. O’Gwynn, daughters Brenda Sullivan and Carol Murdock, stepson Shelley Bordan, 12 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren. Services were conducted Jan. 22 by Pastor Eric Richard of Petal Church of God, which he attended the past seven years. Interment was in Mt. Zion Church Cemetery in Wayne County, MS.

That's James O'Gwynn and Charlie Louvin, above, at Nashville's Texas Troubadour Theater;
with Ricky Skaggs in the background - photo by Patricia Presley.

Music City Beat . . . Feb. 2011

2011-01-15T18:51:00.016-06:00

NASHVILLE -- Who’s doing who the favor here? The Metro Nashville Convention Center Authority (NCCA) approved a proposal, Dec. 17, that would connect the existing Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum with a still-to-be-built signature Omni Hotel accompanying the forthcoming downtown Nashville Convention Center. It appears Nashville is giving Omni a sweetheart deal, earmarking $34 million in tax-increment financing (from anticipated property tax revenues) to build the expansion space; in addition to $25 million the city plans to pay Omni in 2012, covering partial costs of constructing an 800-room site catering to the convention hall. Allegedly, the NCCA will own the Hall of Fame’s add-on hotel connector, and will assess the Country Music Foundation (which operates the museum and hall) approximately $500,000 annually over a 60-year lease, reportedly commencing in 2013. Some of the property for the connector is already owned by CMF, and supposedly the two entities plan to share parking. Current foundation honcho Kyle Young notes, “The hotel has certain assets that will really benefit us in addition to how many people will be coming to town because of the new convention center, and in turn, we’re developing some assets that the Omni is really excited about,” including a performance theater. One can’t help but wonder in these turbulent times - among those various predicted convention attendees - how many might be drawn to a country music-themed museum?

Honors: Dolly Parton will be the recipient of a National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences (NARAS) Lifetime Achievement Award, Feb. 12, in Los Angeles. A member of the Country Music Hall of Fame, Songwriters Hall of Fame and winner of various Grammy Awards for performances and songs (such as “Here I Come Again” and “9 To 5”), Parton first hit the music charts in 1967 for “Dumb Blonde,” something she’s not. Dolly joins Grammy Special Merit Award co-winners Julie Andrews, Roy Haynes and The Juilliard String Quartet in accepting this latest accolade. “It is a great honor to recognize and celebrate such a distinguished and dynamic group of honorees, who have been the creators of such timeless art,” said Neil Portnow, NARAS president.
Bits & Pieces: Singer-songwriter Larry Gatlin is journeying farther afield professionally to become a columnist for Fox News.com and Fox Business Network, commencing Jan. 12, with a guest shot on Fox & Friends. We noted during a recent interview Gatlin’s penchant for conservative viewpoints that lean far right politically. Gatlin, known for such songs as “All the Gold in California” and “Talkin’ To the Moon,” wrote all 42 of his Billboard chartings from 1973 to 1990 . . . The Zac Brown Band invited veteran superstar Alan Jackson to join them on their #1 song “As She’s Walking Away,” and he presented Brown the keys to a collectible Cadillac in appreciation. The vintage vehicle, a 1966 El Dorado convertible, came alongside Alan’s professional praise: “I think Zac is one of the coolest new talents to come along, and he’s a Georgia boy like me. It was an honor to be on his record.” Jackson’s own CD “34 Number Ones” recently bowed at #7 on Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart . . . Wynonna Judd’s first novel “Restless Heart” was released Jan. 25 nationwide, in the midst of her Last Encore tour, for which she’s reunited with mom, former hit-making partner Naomi Judd. The book focuses on lead character Destiny, who seeks success on the musical stage. Wynonna’s previous writing effort, a memoir “Coming Home To Myself,” made the New York Times’ best-seller’s list . . . Canadian-born singer Shania Twain, a divorcee, married millionaire businessman Frederic Thiebaud (of the Nestle brand products) on New Year’s Day in Puerto Rico in Rincon, with 40 friends and family attending. Shania divorced producer Robert (Mutt) Lange, father of her son Eja D’Angelo, charging him with romancing her best friend Marie-Anne Thiebaude, then marrid to Frederic. A winning musical team, Shania and Mutt had co-written such successes as “Any Man of Mine” and the now appropriate “I’m Outta Here” . . . LeAnn Rimes, 28, Twittered that she and actor Eddie Cibrian, 37, became engaged on Dec. 27: “We are extremely excited and look forward to a beautiful future. It’s been an incredible last few days, I was shocked! We are blessed, our families are so happy and our lives are filled with love.” The couple met during filming of the 2008 TV movie “Northern Lights” while she was wed to dancer Dean Sheremet. Cibrian, then married to the former Brandi Glanville, is father to two sons Mason, 7 and Jake, 3. Reportedly, Sheremet is now engaged to photographer Sarah Silver . . . Singer Kellie Pickler, 24, was married Jan. 1 to songwriter Kyle Jacobs, 37, on an island in the Caribbean during a private ceremony. Former American Idol contestant Pickler, whose hits include “Best Days Of Your Life,” gushes, “I’m just so excited that I get to spend the rest of my life with Kyle . . . I am so excited that when I am home, I get to wake up next to him, because no one will love me the way that he does.” Jacobs’ compositions include charttopper “8th World Wonder,” recorded by Kimberley Locke . . . Singer Dierks Bentley and wife Cassidy are the parents to daughter Jordan, born Christmas day, their second (sister Evie’s now 2). Dierks’ latest charting, “Draw Me a Map,” he co-wrote with Jon Randall . . . Singer Josh Turner and wife Jennifer welcomed third son Crawford Marion, Dec. 18. Their other boys are Hampton and Colby. Dad’s latest release is “I Wouldn’t Be a Man” . . . Rascal Flatts’ Jay DeMarcus and wife Allison’s first baby, Madeline Leigh, was born Dec. 17. She’s already made her TV debut, with her Country Music Television staffer-mom Allison on the CMT Insider show, Jan. 8. Meanwhile, pop’s current hit is “Why Wait” . . . Pollstar magazine’s recent survey of 2010’s Top Tours discloses several country music acts among the top 50 touring troupes, with pop’s Bon Jovi, whose 80 shows in 2010 grossed more than $201 million, at #1. Highest-grossing country artist was Tim McGraw, ranking #24 on the list, followed by Brad Paisley #25; the combination of George Strait-Reba McEntire-Lee Ann Womack at #26; and Taylor Swift, #27. Others making the list include Carrie Underwood, Rascal Flatts, Brooks &: Dunn, Toby Keith, Sugarland and Jimmy Buffett.
Legal Tip: Josh Holly, 21, who boasted about hacking Miley Cyrus’s e-mail account, has been arrested on charges of possessing other people’s credit cards. FBI agent Victor Rodriguez, who tracked Holly’s trail of illegal actions on Josh’s computer, acknowledged finding revealing photos of Cyrus that Holly posted for others. Court documents indicate Holly, released on his own recognizance Jan. 5, must attend a hearing set for Jan. 12. One unauthorized video making the rounds show Miley taking hits from a “bong,” allegedly filled with a natural herb known as Salvia, which prompts its smokers to hallucinate. The shot was captured five days after she turned 18. Daughter of actor-singer Billy Ray Cyrus, Miley is best known for her on-screen teen character Hannah Montana. Meanwhile, her father (currently going through a divorce from Miley’s mom Tish) posted his surprise on seeing the shot, Twittered, “Sorry guys, I had no idea. Just saw this stuff for the first time myself. I’m so sad. There is much beyond my control right now.” Some say a friend of Miley’s caught the bong incident on a portable device, which was probably stolen, then streamed for the Internet. (No evidence yet this was one of Holly’s efforts.)
Ailing: Country Music Hall of Famer George Jones, 79, went in for a routine check-up Jan. 5 that led to an overnight hospitalization, as medics monitored his vitals. Following treatment, the artist was allowed to return home Jan. 6. When queried by media, Jones joshed that he decided to spend the night in the hospital finding it too cold to drive home. He’ll resume touring, however, keeping gigs in Mississippi, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, leading up to a major March 12 concert at the historic Ryman Auditorium in Nashville.
Farewall Curtain: Singer-musician John Lloyd (Big John) Voit, 75, died Nov. 6 in Pine River, Minn., from prostate cancer. He had been lead guitarist and backing vocalist for Dave Dudley during his “Six Days On the Road” session in March 1963, and became a regular at the famed Flame Club in Minneapolis. Voit, who also played fiddle and standup bass, started off as a Country Rambler before fronting such bands as Big John & The Bad Men and later Plum County Swing Band. Born in Finlayson, Minn., he is a member of the Minnesota Rock & Country Music Hall of Fame. Among his albums are “Big John’s in Town.” Voit died in his last hometown of Pine River, Minn. Survivors include his son Scott Voit . . . Noted guitarist George Lewis Yates, lead guitarist for the vocal group The Imperials, a favorite supporting act for Elvis Presley, died Dec. 31 in Nashville. He was 73. Yates, an inspiration to Jimi Hendrix, was lead guitarist for The Endeavors, as well. Survivors include three daughters, Rhonda Smith, Angela Yates and Stepanie Meyer; three sons, Ronnie Yates, Tony Thompson and Troy Johnson; and a number of grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Services were conducted Jan. 7 at the Temple Church in Nashville, conducted by Pastor Darryl Drumwright . . . Country music industry veteran Nick Hunter, 67, died Dce. 14, after battling cancer. Aside from working with labels such as CBS, Warner Brothers, Giant, Atlantic and his own Audium (later evolving as Koch Records), he “moonlighted” as a hot-shot sports announcer, Nick The Stick, on local sports radio, most recently with George Plaster on Nashville’s 104.5 The Zone. He was a huge baseball fan, though listeners were unaware of Nick’s creden-tials on Music Row, where he helped in the careers of such notables as Randy Travis, Dwight Yoakam, Johnny Paycheck, Willie Nelson and Hank Williams, Jr. One of the more memorable roles he played in an artist’s career involved Paycheck, whom he located living under a bridge penniless in Los Angeles, and prompted him to return to recording and signed him to Epic Records. Hunter brought Johnny back to Nashville, where he enjoyed a major comeback hit with “She’s All I Got” (#2, 1971), leading to the 1978 #1 disc, “Take This Job and Shove It,” written by David Allan Coe. Survivors include his wife of nearly 30 years Margie, and two children, Kate and Sam . . . Southern rock guitar wizard Tommy Crain, three days shy of 60, died Jan. 13 at his home in suburban Franklin, Tenn. The Nashville native played lead guitar in the Charlie Daniels Band 15 years, and performs on the 1979 #1 Daniels disc “The Devil Went Down To Georgia,” which he helped co-write. Daniels issued this comment: “Tommy Crain will always be a part of the CDB family and his music will always be a part of the CDB sound. We have lost a good friend and the world has lost a unique, creative and precious human being. We send our deepest condolences to the family of our brother Tommy Crain. You are special, buddy. We’re gonna miss you.” John Thomas Crain, Jr., began his playing career in bands in Nashville, notably Flat Creek Band in which brother Billy Crain also played guitar. Tommy began piano lessons at age 6, learned to play ukelele in the sixth grade, and went on to play guitar, banjo and pedal steel guitar. It was as a member of Buckeye, a band opening for the Charlie Daniels Band in 1974 at the first CDB Volunteer Jam that he came to the attention of Charlie. He was hired the following year, played on some 20 CDB albums before departing the band in 1990. Subsequent bands include Tommy Crain & The Crosstown Allstars in Atlanta, and he’s since been acknowledged as an influence on up-and-coming rock players. Tommy’s daughter Ella Helen Crain predeceased him. Survivors include wife Melissa (Williams), daughter Ann McDuffee; parents Helen and John Crain, Sr.; brother Billy; sister Sherry Arledge; and grandson, Hunter McDuffee. A memorial service is slated jan. 21 at SoundCheck Nashville.
Country music’s mystery woman Margaret Whiting died, Jan. 10, at the Lillian Booth Actors’ Home in Englewood, N. J., at age 86. Though she never aspired to be a country singer, Whiting scored nine Top 10 country singles (duets with Jimmy Wakely, see photo at left), one of which - “Slippin’ Around” - was not only #1, but stayed in that position 17 weeks of its 28-week run, selling several million records. It also crossed over to become a #1 pop record three weeks out of its 23-week run. That was definitely more her forte.

In a three-year cycle their Capitol Records’ teaming gave Maggie more Top 10s than Grand Ole Opry divas Jan Howard, Jeanne Pruett, Jeannie Seely, and just one behind Jean Shepard. “Slippin’ Around” preceded Kitty Wells’ breakthrough charttopper “It Wasn’t God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels” by three years. Country's purists declined to accept her pioneering vocals, though in fact Whiting helped attract a new generation of fans to the country genre. Further, she performed many of her country recordings on the popular 1950s weekday TV series Club 15, backed by Bob Crosby & His Bobcats.
Meanwhile, Whiting reigned as one of the top interpretors on the 1940s and ’50s pop and jazz scene, then won new acclaim on stage and screen. According to Whiting’s only child, daughter Deborah Busch, her mother had resided at the actors’ home since March 2010, following an illness. She’s the child of Mom’s second marriage to pianist-producer Lou Busch whose stage name Joe (Fingers) Carr is remembered for the Top 10 hits “Sam’s Song” and “Tailor-Made Woman” (the latter with Tennessee Ernie Ford). Busch, previously married to singer-actress Janet Blair (of “My Sister Eileen” fame), also produced Allan Sherman’s comedy classic, “Hello Muddah, Hello Fadduh” (Billboard #2, 1963).

Maggie’s first husband was ABC radio executive Hubbell Robinson, Jr. (once wed to Broadway star Vivienne Segal of “Pal Joey” success); third mate John Richard Moore's a cinematographer credited with founding Panavision; and fourth hubby was director John Robert Stillman (ex-star of erotic movies, as Jack Wrangler), who died April 7, 2009 at age 62. He directed such stage shows as “Catch As Catch Can” with Jane Russell and “Janus” with Jeanne Crain (see him and Margaret above right).
In 1985, when queried about their seemingly-odd relationship, Stillman insisted they “saw things the same way, comically, professionally and romantically.” Reportedly when Jack told Maggie that he was gay, the ultra-liberal lady replied, “Maybe just a little around the edges.” They wed in October 1994.
At the time of our Whiting interview in Nashville, Stillman was co-writer/producer of the Johnny Mercer tribute stage musical “Dream,” starring Lesley Ann Warren and Whiting. Earlier, Maggie toured five years in a one-woman show saluting Mercer, who started out co-writing with her father Dick Whiting on songs such as “Hooray For Hollywood.” Dad’s composing credits included “Ain’t We Got Fun,” “Till The End Of Time,” “On The Good Ship Lollipop” and “Too Marvelous For Words.” Mercer became a musical mentor to Maggie Whiting, following her father’s death on Feb. 10, 1938, of a heart attack.
“Since I hold the performing rights of the Mercer music,” recalled Whiting, who said he died in 1976. “This wonderful woman (Louise Westergaard) who took on the project (‘Dream’) came to me and said, ‘You’ll have to travel with us to see that we’re doing it right, so you should be in the show.’ My appearance is like a cameo really, but when I come out, I hear the thunderous applause and the people stand up, that’s very exciting to me.”
Maggie had a younger sister, actress-singer Barbara Whiting (Smith), who appeared in the movies “Junior Miss” starring Peggy Ann Garner, and “City Across the River” with Tony Curtis. The sisters co-starred in the 1954 TV variety series Those Whiting Girls. (Barbara died in 2004.) Maggie also appeared on the big screen opposite Forrest Tucker in “Paris Follies of 1956.”
“I guess I was the first pop singer to do country. Then Kay Starr did it with Tennessee Ernie Ford (‘I’ll Never Be Free’). But I think Barbara Mandrell is as pop as I am,” she smiled.
Among her many recordings, Whiting earned 12 Gold Records (then indicative of at least a million units sold) and sang for other labels like MGM, Dot, Verve and London, though all her major hits were for Capitol, co-founded by Johnny Mercer in 1942. She was one of his first signees and later enjoyed a smash duet with him - “Baby, It’s Cold Outside” (#3, 1949) - featuring Paul Weston’s Orchestra. Another memorable duet hit was her 1950 "Blind Date" recording with Bob Hope.
In all, Whiting racked up 58 Billboard singles chartings, pop and country, including eight records that boasted two-sided hits, with her last major charting being “The Wheel of Hurt” in 1966. Her very first successes were “My Ideal,” co-written by her father, recorded with the Billy Butterfield band; and “That Old Black Magic,” co-authored by Mercer, which she recorded with the Freddie Slack Orchestra, both in 1943.
Even at a young age, she was an independent thinker, citing an incident while recording “Come Rain Or Come Shine,” a Mercer classic: “Paul Weston was the orchestra leader recording with me and I sort of changed the emphasis, demonstrating how I thought it should go. Johnny came rushing out of the booth and said, ‘What the hell was that?’ And Harold Arlen (co-composer) said, ‘Leave her alone! That’s the way I should’ve written it!’”
Another multi-million-seller was the 1945 Whiting-Butterfield collaboration “Moonlight in Vermont,” which became her signature song. She and Weston enjoyed yet another smash, “It Might As Well Be Spring” (#6, 1945), from the Rodgers & Hammerstein musical movie hit “State Fair.”
Perhaps her finest years were 1948-’51. Whiting had a trio of tunes top-rated in ’48: “Now is The Hour,” “A Tree In the Meadow,” “Far Away Places”; while 1949 saw “Baby, It’s Cold Outside,” “Forever and Ever,” then the country duets “Slippin’ Around,” “Wedding Bells,” and “I’ll Never Slip Around Again”; and 1950 was big, thanks to their “Broken-Down Merry-Go-Round,” “The Gods Were Angry With Me,” “Let’s Go To Church (Next Sunday Morning),” “A Bushel and A Peck.” Come ’51, Maggie and Jimmy hit again with “When You and I Were Young Maggie Blues,” “I Don’t Want To Be Free” and her solo “Good Morning, Mr. Echo.” Wakely’s own solo successes included #1 singles in 1948, “One Has My Name” and “I Love You So Much It Hurts.”
During “Dream's” stopover in Music City, Whiting made what was only her fourth appearance on the WSM Opry, this time singing Hank Williams’ standard “I Can’t Help It.” She recalled during her first Opry guesting in 1949, meeting Hank himself: “WSM head Jack Stapp had taken me to the studio, where I must have done an interview or something. While waiting in this room by myself, I was picking out a tune on the piano when there came a knock on the door. I said, ‘Come in,’ and this tall man with a hat on and a guitar slung over his shoulder, stepped in and said, ‘Howdy, Miss Margaret, I’m Hank William. I come to play some songs for you.’ I know one of them was ‘I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry’ because I later recorded it. But thinking back, that to me was like meeting the country Irving Berlin.”
In 1953, Capitol issued the Whiting-Wakely album “Slippin’ Around” and its follow-up “I’ll Never Slip Around Again” appeared in the next decade on a subsidiary label (Hilltop/Pickwick, 1967). Other Whiting albums through the years include “Margaret Whiting Sings Rodgers & Hart,” “ . . . Sings For the Starry-Eyed,” “The Jerome Kern Songbook,” “Goin’ Places,” “Just a Dream” and “Past Midnight.” Her final album at the time of our chat was “Margaret Whiting: Then & Now” on DRG Records.
Legitimate stage shows she has toured in included “4Girls4” co-starring her, Rosemary Clooney, Rose-Marie and Helen O’Connell; “Call Me Madam,” “Gypsy” and “Pal Joey.” For a time in the summer she would instruct master classes at the Eugene O’Neill Center For the Performing Arts in Connecticut, with a focus on the cabaret symposium.
“I like teaching,” she confided. “I was told, ‘You have to carry on the torch, Margaret. You have to tell them how you did it, so that the wonderful music, the bands and the singing will continue.”
Indeed she performed in cabarets almost to the end, regularly headlining in such niteries as Rainbow & Stars at Rockefeller Center, The Algonquin in Manhattan, The Russian Tea Room in Midtown New York City, Hollywood’s Cine Grill and (the former) Pizza on the Park in London by Hyde Park. She also performed benefits with her husband helping to raise funds for AIDS treatment and research.
Whiting wrote her memoirs, “It Might As Well Be Spring,” which was published by William Morrow Publishers in 1987. Regarding her multiple marriages and career missteps along the way, she said, “I have no regrets. Life’s been good to me, and I’m happy that people still like the old songs today.”

Union President responds to August 2010 blog . . .

2011-01-09T19:00:00.005-06:00

Dear Reader: The following e-mail was received from Dave Pomeroy, president, Nashville Musicians Association (AFM Local 257), which includes his comments in boldface to the column that appeared last summer. Walt's reply follows.

Reference: WALT TROTT’S BLOG JUNE 2010 (actually August 2010)

NASHVILLE -- On June 23, the 98th American Federation of Musicians (AFM) Convention in Las Vegas saw Country Music Hall of Famer Harold R. Bradley unseated as AFM vice president, after a 10-year run. Voted in was Bruce Fife of Flint, Mich., also a member of the Recording Musicians Association (RMA). Fact: Bruce Fife, new AFM Vice President is President of Local 99 in Portland Oregon, and is not and has never been a member of the RMA . . . Ray Hair, another RMA supporter, was elected president over incumbent candidate Tom Lee. RMA, a splinter group that has battled mainstream AFM officials several years, initially succeeded in controlling Los Angeles' Local 47 chapter. Fact: RMA is nor a “splinter group” of the AFM. It is an authorized AFM Player Conference that has been in existence for over 40 years. As for “controlling” the L.A. Local, there are over 9000 members in the Local 47 and less than 1000 RMA members, and this exaggerated claim is one that you do not substantiate in any way.
Former RMA-Nashville president Dave Pomeroy beat out Bradley for the mainstream presidency here in December 2008, ending Harold’s 18-year tenure leading Nashville Local 257. Theirs had been a contentious campaign during which bassist Pomeroy, 54, and running mate, rock drummer Craig Krampf, 65 (on Aug. 25), fought Bradley and his Secretary-Treasurer Billy Linneman as “old hat.” Those are all your words, Walt, not mine or Craig’s. Nowhere in our campaign literature or emails, or speeches can the phrase “old hat” be found. We did not “fight” Harold Bradley and Billy Linneman, we merely ran against them in an election – and won.
Meanwhile, Linneman was elected to the New York-based International Executive Board (IEB), though lost his local position to Krampf. Fact: This is not even close to being correct, and you should know this as you wrote about it in the Nashville Musician in 2007. Fact: Billy Linneman was elected to the IEB at the 2007 AFM Convention, 18 months before the Local 257 Election in which he lost to Craig Krampf. This year, Pomeroy chose to run in Las Vegas last month for a seat on the IEB (and Linneman lost). During the convention, Pomeroy stated he had inherited a financial mess upon assuming office and has since recruited some 200 more members. Country Music Hall of Famer Bradley, 84, rose to the occasion, reporting that indeed he had left office with all debts paid and challenged Pomeroy’s claim of adding members, citing the subscriber list of mail-outs when he left office was at 2,930. That same list, as of May 2010, was 2,728 (both lists contain courtesy copies to other affiliates). Additionally, Nashville’s latest Union newspaper cites a loss of 211 members, either expelled or resigned, including such notables as Keith Burns and Ira Dean (formerly Trick Pony), producer Ron Chancey (Dixie Chicks), Grascals’ Terry Eldredge, Mary Gauthier, Tracy Lawrence, Ronnie McDowell, James Monroe, Daryle Singletary and Darrin Vincent. Quite a numbers crunch, indicative that the Union’s losing members instead of gaining. Fact: My exact words at the Convention were “I inherited a Local that was running at a deficit” and “we recruited nearly 200 new members in a year and a half.” Both of my statements are true. While it may be true that “all bills were paid” at the end of 2008, that does not change the fact that the Local 257 deficit for 2008 was $73,000, as certified by our CPA. This was printed in the Nashville Musician for all to see, not once, but twice. FYI, we are now in the black for the first time since 2007. As for New members, that was exactly what I was referring to: 179 unique NEW members, not the total members of the Local, which constantly fluctuates. I was talking about recruitment. As far as your “list” of expelled members, June is when members who have not paid their dues for the year are finally expelled, and their name being in the paper is often the only motivation they need to remember to pay their dues. This has been going on for years, and as former editor of the paper you should know this! In addition, using the magazine mailing list is not an accurate or appropriate way to confirm our membership numbers. For just one example, some AFM Locals have gone under, former staff members receive the magazine, and some members receive the magazine online.
Re-elected during the June AFM voting were Bill Skolnick of Toronto as Canadian V.P., and Sam Folio as AFM Secretary-Treasurer. Apparently many AFM veterans are concerned about the new direction that may be taken by RMA’s power-grabbers. A June memo sent to all Locals by an L.A. member - “Responsible47” - reads: “Congratulations to the RMA. If you do to the Federation what you did to L.A., it’s all over but the Elegy. Thanks to the economy and 30 per cent of the smaller Locals not being able to afford to attend (the convention), the RMA and a few hundred of their lackeys have taken over the Federation of 85,000 members!”
The only “quote” you use to demonstrate that “many AFM veterans are concerned about the new direction of the that may be taken by RMA’s power grabbers” is from ONE anonymous Los Angeles musician, who may or may not even be a member of Local 47, and will not identify himself in print or on the Internet. Hardly a proper example or reliable source. Democracy was the order of the day at the Convention, and you have completely missed the point in your description of last June’s events that you did not witness yourself. This kind of irresponsible journalism attempts to continue a “war” that has ended. Peace has come to the AFM and to Nashville’s Local 257 as well. I have gone out of my way to reach out to Harold a number of times since the Convention, and my relationship with him is better than it has ever been. The recent events with Billy are tragic beyond words, and we have offered his family our full support.
Regardless of your personal feelings or past loyalties, to disseminate this kind of unsubstantiated slander without regard to its accuracy or sources is far beneath your usual standards, Walt. I am very disappointed by this. I realize that you wrote this some months ago, and I hope you have reconsidered your position since then. I have made it VERY clear to our members that I respect the history of Nashville’s Music Industry and Local 257 and I honor that tradition every day. The Local 257 Executive Board and our rank and file members are more optimistic about the future than ever before. As for the new AFM administration, we are working hard to undo the damage done by the previous administration, which is extensive. However, the changes we are making are already beginning to work.
If you choose to write about Local 257 or the AFM, please make sure that your story is factually accurate. In the future I would appreciate it if you would refrain from this kind of reporting about Local 257 and the AFM, both organizations that you were closely associated with for many years. As always, I am at your disposal if you need to check the accuracy of any information you receive.
Respectfully, Dave Pomeroy, President, Nashville Musicians Association, AFM Local 257; and International Executive Board Member, AFM.

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Dave: I am in receipt of your recent e-mail, belatedly remarking on my August column. I have met the new AFM President, Ray Hair, however, I do not know Bruce Fife, and apologize for placing him in Michigan rather than Oregon. At this late stage, I’m not sure who or what misled me on that data. Nonetheless, I wish them success in their new positions. Excuse me, but I didn’t attempt a union treatise or try to present historical detail on Billy Linneman’s various elections. I was merely familiarizing readers with the fact he had also been elected to the IEB. Obviously, I do know the dates, having reported on all the elections during my time as editor; furnished historical entries on AFM and AFTRA for the Encyclopedia of Country Music (CMF/Oxford University Press, New York 1998); and written extensively on AFM Local 257’s history throughout its 100th anniversary year (2002). I do appreciate your having agreed to my continuing as editor after your election in 2008, and I feel it was time for me to leave when I did, despite not having been given adequate notice. The subject summer Music City Beat column was prompted by an e-mail received from a disgruntled Los Angeles musician (who may or may not be a member anymore) choosing not to disclose his or her identity. Anyway, it’s not about how many members are in the L.A. Local or about the 85,000 or so members in the AFM itself, for as you well know it only takes a number of very aggressive members to splinter a union or a political party, as witness the “Tea Party,” fueled by those who helped turn it into a national movement (like former Republican Congressman Dick Armey). Being a non-member, I did not attend the AFM convention, but instead chatted at length with members who attended. Your own comment supports the hostility then within Local 257, i.e., “This kind of irresponsible journalism attempts to continue a ‘war’ that has ended. Peace has come to the AFM and to Nashville’s Local 257 as well. I have gone out of my way to reach out to Harold (Bradley) a number of times since the Convention, and my relationship with him is better than it has ever been.” Really Dave, I’m truly glad any “war” has ended. Noting the aformentioned Mr. Fife, who on-line also acknowledges the new guard thusly: “This is a generational shift. Based on that, it can’t help but update and move more rapidly along with the changes that are taking place in the industry. The people who were elected, for the most part are very active musically and continue to record at a high level. They’re hands on, and that makes a difference” (so says Mr. Fife, who succeeds Bradley). Yes, some officers, though salaried, continue to compete job-wise with the brethren they represent “to record at a high level” in an economy when fewer labels are cutting less releases. True, you didn’t document age-isms in campaign literature, but after two decades as editor, many members have my ear, and I’ve personally heard detrimental remarks. Regarding your comment “personal feelings or past loyalties” . . . suggests that I’m locked into the previous administration, with whom I had no personal or social contact, apart from a working relationship, which was also true of my association with the current officers. (Hey, in 20 years, not even a Christmas card received.) In retrospect, having worked 18 years for Mr. Bradley, I do feel he’s a class act, and particularly hail his having run the Recording Musicians Association’s column, even as it openly criticized his administration. Conversely, you chose not to run a single farewell commentary by the outgoing Secretary-Treasurer, who lost by about 30 pieces at the ballot-box. Remember please, don’t shoot the messenger, merely because you don’t dig his recyled news. Meanwhile, in these trying times for unions across the board, I wish only the best for the American Federation of Musicians and especially its Nashville branch, home to so many of my musician friends past and present. Respectfully, Walt.

Music City Beat...Jan 2001

2011-01-09T18:03:00.015-06:00

NASHVILLE -- When is enough enough? Seems with all the award shows already in existence for country folk, those with any business acumen would be satisfied with shows produced annually by the Country Music Association, Academy of Country Music, Country Music Television (best videos put-on), American Music Awards; and then there’s the Grammys and Billboard’s trade accolades to heap further praise on the industry’s finest. Not so Fox network, which gave us the fan-voted American Country Awards (ACA), Dec. 6, from Las Vegas. Little wonder its first telecast proved a ratings bust, as more viewers tuned in ESPN’s Monday Night Football (nearly 18 million) or NBC’s silly vocal competition The Sing Off (8.5 million). ACA, in turn, attracted only six million viewers, while tending to weaken the country awards impact among artists and fans alike. The ACA’s first-year winners: Carrie Underwood, who took six trophies home - best artist/act of 2010, best female vocalist, best female single (“Cowboy Casanova”), best album (“Play On”), best female video (“Casanova Cowboy”) and top touring talent. Singer-songwriter Brad Paisley won best male singer; as Lady Antebellum garnered best group, along with best group single and music video (for “Need You Now”); Easton Corbin won breakthrough artist plus breakthrough single and music video (“I’m a Little More Country Than That”); while best male CD single went to “Why Don’t We Just Dance” by Josh Turner, leaving best video and best male video for “Hillbilly Bone” by Blake Shelton and Trace Adkins, who served as a host for the show held at the MGM Grand Hotel.
More Honors: Taylor Swift was voted best country female vocalist, Brad Paisley, best country male vocalist (seen at left with co-writer Bill Anderson), and Lady Antebellum, best country group in the all-genre popular music American Music Awards telecast, Nov. 21 in Los Angeles. Carrie Underwood’s “Play On” won best country album. This annual awards program was initiated by producer and former DJ Dick Clark out of the blue in 1973, supposedly determining its winners by a poll of music buyers, theorizing this represented public opinion. Here’s a bit of trivia: co-hosting AMA’s first telecast 38 years ago were Donnie Osmond and Michael Jackson. It’s interesting to note this year that pop teen idol Justin Bieber scored four major wins, including favorite artist. Being all of 16, that makes him the youngest person to win that trophy. Last year, Swift also scored four wins: best female artist, best country female, best album (“Fearless”) and favorite artist. She was age 19 at her moment of victory (but turned 20 a couple weeks later on Dec. 13) . . . Dallas Frazier, one of the original Bakersfield artists, is the Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum’s current reigning tunesmith in their Poets & Prophets: Legendary Country Songwriters series, highlighted by a 90-minute retrospective and signing, Dec. 11, in the institution’s Ford Theatre. Frasier has written such #1 hits as “There Goes My Everything” (Jack Greene), “All I Have To Offer You Is Me” (Charley Pride), “What’s Your Mama’s Name” (Tanya Tucker), “Beneath Still Waters” (Emmylou Harris),” “Elvira” (Oak Ridge Boys) and “14 Karat Mind” (Gene Watson). Moderator of the program was Michael Gray, museum editor . . . Bonnie Garner, just received the Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum’s annual Louise Scruggs Memorial Award, in recognition of her contribution to country music. Garner, 68, who retired in 2007, after having helped guide the careers of Kris Kristofferson, Willie Nelson and Johnny Cash, is a former A&R chief at CBS/Columbia Records, making her one of the top female executives then on Music Row . . . Meanwhile, Willie Nelson’s recording “On the Road Again” joins Hank Williams’ “Lovesick Blues” and Bob Wills’ “Steel Guitar Rag” as the 2010 Grammy Hall of Fame Records picks. The honor is reserved for recordings that the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences panel deems of a lasting qualitative or historical significance (and must be at least 25 years old to boot).
Legal Skirmishes: Willie Nelson, 77, was charged with possession of marijuana (6 ounces) by Sheriff Arvin West, after being notified by U.S. border authorities who detained his tour bus at Sierra Blanca, Texas, once an officer became suspicious. Reportedly, the officer smelled pot and a subsequent search found the illegal drug, and contacted the Hudspeth County sheriff, who arrested Nelson and two of his co-riders, Nov. 26. Nelson claimed the marijuana was his alone, before being released on $2,500 bond. The artist’s publicist declined to name the others arrested or to give any comment whether they’re bandmembers or not . . . Entrepreneur Ronnie Gilley, who’s trying to promote a $45-million, 400-acre resort called Country Crossing in Dothan, Ala., featuring RV parking and restaurants bearing the names of The Grascals, George Jones and Lorrie Morgan, has been charged with alleged bribery of state lawmakers. Gilley, 45, insists, “There’s a political agenda going on here. I’ve done nothing wrong. When we go to trial, I’ll be acquitted!” Officially the complex kicked off in December 2009, including the RV park, restaurants, outdoor theater and electronic bingo machines. Noted producer James Stroud is a business partner in the venture, who saw its Branson-like potential for country artists and venues. Gov. Bob Riley, meanwhile, spearheaded a task force to shut down the resort in January 2009, citing illegal gambling. Gilley insists the bingo machines are legal and needed to help support the project in its early phase. Nonetheless, Gilley and 10 of his associates were hit by a federal indictment, amid accusations of offering politicians campaign contributions and country talent to aid in their reelection process. Gilley himself faces one count of conspiracy, six counts of bribery, 11 counts of mail and wire fraud, and four counts of money laundering. Gilley owns Country Crossing Records, as well, which has been home to Aaron Tippin, Lorrie Morgan, Lee Greenwood and John Anderson, with Evelyn Shriver and Susan Nadler as its chief executives. Gilley’s trial is set for April 2011. . . . Singer-songwriter John Rich filed another lawsuit, Nov. 19, against Chris Sevier of Severe Records and aspiring singer-songwriter Jared Ashley, alleging “malicious prosecution and abuse of process,” claiming both conspired to give false testimony against Rich. Sevier sued Rich in federal court in 2008, and reportedly has been in copyright disputes with Rich since 2005. Rich, half the recording duo Big & Rich, got into a barroom fracas with Ashley, previously a contestant on the Nashville Star talent telecast (which Rich judged), resulting in charges against Rich for assault and defamation of character that were dismissed by Davidson County Sessions Judge Aaron Holt in late 2009. Sevier vs. Reed was also dismissed last year by U.S. District Court Judge William Haynes. An attorney, Sevier appealed Haynes’ ruling to the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals and filed similar charges in Davidson County Circuit Court early in 2010. Rich’s legal filings contend that Sevier signed Ashley to a recording contract and both since offered to drop their charges against Rich in exchange for $2.9 million. Sevier claims Rich has tried to bully them into dropping legal cases and has deliberately disparaged them within the music community and the public. Among the songs Rich co-wrote are “Come Cryin’ To Me” and “Say When” (something neither side seems to know how to say).
Bits & Pieces: Grand Ole Opry’s senior cast member Little Jimmy Dickens plans to attend his 90th birthday celebration Dec. 18 at Rippy’s nitery in downtown Nashville. Dickens, a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame since 1983, is best known for less than sombre hits “Take an Old Cold Tater (And Wait),” “A-Sleepin’ At the Foot Of the Bed,” “Out Behind the Barn” and his #1 “May the Bird of Paradise Fly Up Your Nose.” The little Dickens was born Dec. 19, 1920 in Bolt, W. Va. and first joined the Opry in 1948 . . . Noted Nashville writer Vernell Hackett has authored “Carrie Underwood: A Biography” (Greenwood Press), an unauthorized 162-pager about the 27-year-old country superstar, whose latest hit is “Mama’s Song.” Carrie hails from Checotah, Okla., and first came to prominence as an American Idol TV winning chirp. . .

Country singer Neal McCoy also has a new book out, one he’s authored called “A New Mountain To Climb,” inspired by his recent single of that title. Tate Publishing plans to release the Filipino-American’s first book by mid-January 2011. McCoy says each chapter focuses on his personal heroes, people who have inspired him or helped change his life. Among the artist’s hits are the #1 songs “No Doubt About It” and “Wink” (That's Neal, left, with a fan backstage at the Opry) . . . The late Johnny Cash’s rehearsal jumpsuit has proven to be a surprise collectible, as an unnamed Belgium bought it for $50,000, 10 times more than the anticipated $5,000 bid, reports Julien’s Auctions president Darren Julien. During the auction, conducted Dec. 5 in Los Angeles, other Cash collectibles selling well include a Martin Guitar, also $50,000; a Nudie-designed shirt for $31,250; a prison poster announcing Cash’s appearance went for $25,000; a 1968 passport for $21,875; and that same sum ($21,875) bought a pair of Johnny’s boots for another bidder. Cash died Sept. 12, 2003, at age 71 . . . Rodney Atkins isn’t one to mince words. After the artist’s last two singles stalled short of hit status, he told The Tennessean newspaper, “We went from playing coliseums and LP Field (Nashville’s football stadium) to playing state fairs. I guess that’s the wake-up call.” Previously, he enjoyed back-to-back charttoppers “If You’re Goin’ Through Hell,” “Watching You,” “These Are My People” and “Cleaning This Gun,” but then suddenly lost the career guidance received from Curb Records’ honcho Phil Gernhard, a cancer victim (who committed suicide, Feb. 20, 2008). Since he turned to wife Tammy Jo for advice, Rodney’s taken charge of his career again, and is excited about his latest release “Farmer’s Daughter,” which returned him to the Top Five chart.
Ailing: On Nov.20, country singer Eddie Montgomery, 47, announced that he is undergoing treatment for prostate cancer. Then on Nov. 30, wife Tracy served him with divorce papers, which he announced via Twitter and Facebook. Eddie, half of the popular MontgomeryGentry duo, will undergo surgery during December to remove a cancerous tumor. The artist added in a statement through his publicist: “I will be back in January, ready to rock for all the fans!” Among his hits are the #1 “Something To Be Proud Of.” (He’s the elder brother of fellow hitmaker John Michael Montgomery of “Life’s a Dance” fame.)
Final Curtain: Singer-musician Darren Stafford, 43, died Dec. 6 of injuries sustained in a car crash. He was a member of The Catawampus Band, and had worked with Gibson Guitars and the Take Care Health System. He resided in Kingsport, Tenn., before making his move 15 years ago to Nashville in pursuit of his music career. A graduate of Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro, he is survived by wife Kahtrina; parents Sheila and Don Stafford; brother Derek Stafford; and grandmother Billie Jo Stafford. Services were conducted at Carter-Trent Funeral Home in Kingsport, by The Reverend Ray Amos, Dec. 10, with music provided by singer-guitarist Tim Stafford of the Grammy-nominated Blue Highway bluegrass band.

Nashville news . . . Dec. 2010

2010-11-22T10:54:00.007-06:00

NASHVILLE -- Perhaps the most country-sounding song at the 44th annual Country Music Association awards gala, Nov. 10, was sung by Hollywood’s Gwyneth Paltrow.

For the three-hour CBS show’s finale, the Oscar-winning actress reprised “Country Strong,” from the soundtrack of her new film of that title. Offering vocal harmony was Grand Ole Opry great Vince Gill during the program conducted in Nashville’s downtown Bridgestone Arena.

Veteran country diva Reba McEntire chose to sing a Beyonce song “If I Were a Boy,” and surely the late King of Country Music Roy Acuff would’ve winced watching today’s talents mix their country with heavy doses of rock and soul. Co-hosting the show were Carrie Underwood and Brad Paisley, who did a duet on her number “Songs Like This,” for openers. Brad was a surprised winner as Entertainer of the Year, his first such accolade (in that category).

Miranda Lambert earned best female vocalist, while her fiancee Blake Shelton was the underdog winner of best male vocalist, beating out odds-on favorites Paisley, George Strait, Keith Urban and Dierks Bentley. Lambert’s competition was no less fierce, facing Reba McEntire, Martina McBride, Carrie Underwood and Taylor Swift.
Other victors included Sugarland, vocal duo; Lady Antebellum, vocal group; Blake Shelton & Trace Adkins’ collaboration “Hillbilly Bone” garnered best event; Miranda Lambert’s “Revolution,” co-produced by Frank Liddell & Mike Wrucke, won best album; Lady Antebellum’s “Need You Now,” co-produced by Paul Worley and bandmembers, got best single; Lambert’s “The House That Built Me,” written by Tom Douglas & Allen Shamblin, best song; also winning best video, as directed by Trey Fanjoy. Winning the best new artist statuette was the Zac Brown Band, with an earlier off-camera nod to Mac McAnally as top instrumentalist.

Previously announced Country Music Hall of Fame inductees were recognized, as well: Ferlin Husky, Billy Sherrill, Don Williams and the late Jimmy Dean.

Wonder what happened to that famed Southern hospitality? Carrie and Brad musically taunted visitor Gwyneth from center stage, as Underwood proclaimed, “It takes a lot to come to our town and get up here and sing on our stage . . .” Paisley pointedly pursued the subject, “None of us country singers would ever have the nerve to just go to Hollywood and think for a second that we could become a major motion picture star, right Tim?” Country crooner Tim McGraw co-stars as Paltrow’s husband in “Country Strong,” in which she portrays an aging diva who not only battles alcohol, but a younger vocalist whose star is on the rise.

In a life-imitates-art moment, country’s new golden girl Miranda Lambert was caught glaring coldly at Gwyneth, who was nervously making her Nashville vocal debut. Nonetheless, the crowd rewarded the blonde thespian with a well-deserved standing ovation. Off stage, she’s the wife of Coldplay rocker Chris Martin, who encouraged her musical effort including learning to play guitar. Miranda Lambert paid musical tribute to legendary singer-songwriter Loretta Lynn, the “Coal Miner’s Daughter,” along with pop star Sheryl Crow. In turn, Country Music Hall of Famer Lynn presented Lambert her best female vocalist trophy, fittingly on the night of Miranda’s 27th birthday.
She said, “I just told Blake, ‘I think we need to go to church.’ The woman in country music that paved the way for all females, ever, is standing right beside me, handing me this award!”

Lambert, of course, was born 23 years after Lynn’s first Billboard charting “I’m a Honky Tonk Girl” (#14, 1960), so she may not be aware of groundbreakers Kitty Wells, Jean Shepard and Skeeter Davis. Lynn is celebrating her 50th anniversary as a recording star, and the release of a new album produced by John Carter Cash commemorating the occasion.

An interesting sidebar to the awards is that the song which earned both best song and top video, “The House That Built Me,” was originally pitched to Blake Shelton. The lyrics so fit his fiance, he instead offered the song to her, giving Miranda her second #1 single. Still, Shelton - the Opry’s newest cast member - won not only his first CMA award, but a second (shared with Adkins) to sweeten the pot. Theirs was a night to remember.

More Honors: The Nashville Songwriters’ Hall of Fame’s newest inductees - Pat Alger, Steve Cropper, Paul Davis and Stephen Foster - were honored Oct. 17, during ceremonies at the Renaissance-Nashville Hotel. Alger hits include “Unanswered Prayers,” “Goin’ Gone” and “Small Town Saturday Night.” Numbered among Cropper’s creations are “In the Midnight Hour,” “Green Onions” and “The Dock Of the Bay.” The late Paul Davis’s son Jonathan accepted the award which recognizes such song hits of dad’s as “Just Another Love,” “Love Me Like You Used To,” “Bop” and “I Go Crazy.” Kentucky’s favorite son Stephen Foster is being belatedly honored for such classic 19th century contributions as “Old Folks At Home,” “Camptown Races,” “Oh, Susanna!” and “My Old Kentucky Home.” Former BMI executive Frances Preston was also presented NSAI’s Mentor Award . . . The late Johnny Cash joined inspirational acts DeGarmo & Key Golden Gate Quartet and Bill (Hoss) Allen as the 2010 class of the Gospel Music Hall of Fame. Among the GMA Hall’s 150 members are Dolly Parton, Amy Grant and Elvis Presley . . . One of the Country Music Hall of Fame’s newest inductees, Ferlin Husky, who turns 85 on Dec. 3, is being honored as his former hometown of Leadwood, Mo., names a stretch of highway “Ferlin Husky Parkway.” Sponsoring the name change is Missouri Rep. Linda Black Fischer . . . Vanderbilt University’s Monroe Carrell Children’s Hospital in Nashville will name its pediatric surgery center after the Rascal Flatts trio in recognition of their ongoing support. According to Dr. John Brock III, chief surgeon, “Rascal Flatts (Gary LeVox, Jay DeMarcus, Joe Don Rooney) haven’t just given their money. They come by and see our children and are a part of who we are. Through the gift they gave, we will be able to give better care to our children and every day we will be able to save someone’s life.”

Remembrance: Another recent project - Music City’s Walk of Fame - inducted six new names, inscribed on portions of the sidewalk, Nov. 7: Eddy Arnold, Mel Tillis, Kris Kristofferson, Rascal Flatts, Bobby Hebb and Little Jimmy Dickens. That brings the total thus far to 48 on The Walk, a joint program sponsored by the Nashville Convention & Visitors Bureau, Metro Parks, Gibson Guitar, Great American Country (GAC) and the city of Nashville. That’s all well and good; however, whatever happened to a similar Walk of Fame within the old Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum on Music Row? It boasted many of the same stars, as well as Webb Pierce, Johnny Cash, Jim Reeves, Kitty Wells, Patsy Cline, Roy Acuff, and on and on the list went; many of the “stars” paid for by the artists or their fans, who wanted to honor the celebrated names.

Bits & Pieces: Nashville took on the look of Hollywood, as the movie “Country Strong” premiered at the Green Hills Regal cinema, Nov. 8. Among those on the proverbial red carpet were its stars Gwyneth Paltrow, Tim McGraw, Leighton Meester, along with their film’s producer Tobey Maguire of “Spider-Man” fame. Also sharing the media spotlight were other notables like Mrs. McGraw a.k.a. Faith Hill, Luke Bryan, Little Big Town, Sara Evans, Dierks Bentley, Kix Brooks, Mark Collie, Jim Lauderdale, Joey & Rory. Superstar Paltrow told the press, “This has been the most amazing experience to get to sing these songs,” which are featured on the soundtrack of the movie, due for national release Jan. 7, 2011 . . . Although long a noted songwriter, Brad Paisley is trying on an author’s cap as he collaborates with writer David Wild (Rolling Stone) for a biographical book “Diary Of a Player,” scheduled for publication by Simon-Schuster in May 2011 on their Howard Books imprint . . . Not to be outdone, Jerry Lee Lewis has contracted with HarperCollins to write his memoirs for a book set for publication in 2012. Lewis (“The Killer”) mused, “People can read it, burn it or never give it another thought. Either way, the truth is about to be told, and I’m the only man still standing who can touch it.”

Legal Tips: To sue or not to sue . . . Troy Gentry, half of the MontgomeryGentry vocal duo, is the subject of a 2004 video showing the slaying of a tame, but captive black bear being posted on-line by SHARK. In the shoot, “Cubby” the bear is depicted as wild. SHARK (Showing Animals Respect and Kindness) obtained the controversial video from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, as the result of a lawsuit filed under the Freedom of Information Act. Steve Hindi, SHARK president, insisted the video was posted on YouTube, Oct. 25, because he felt Gentry got off too easily, upon pleading guilty in 2006 of falsely registering the kill as having been accomplished in the wild. News reports stated Gentry was fined $15,000, put on three months’ probation, and had to forfeit the mounted bear and the bow used to kill it. No word yet if any action’s to be taken by Gentry’s camp, regarding the posting . . .

Singer-songwriter Randy Travis, 51, and his wife and manager Lib Hatcher, 70, have “agreed to part ways,” as they jointly put it on Oct. 29. (The photo at left shows them in happier times.) Since she rescued him from a possible jail term at age 17, the couple have been inseparable, to the point that her then-husband, owner of the club where Randy first sang, divorced her. Following a tabloid story that the artist was gay, which he denied, Lib and Randy wed on May 25, 1991, in Hawaii, their new home. Now rumors persist that Randy has a new lady in his life, Mary Beougher, a dentist’s wife and mother of two. Reportedly, Lib will stay on as Randy’s manager . . . Singer-actor Billy Ray Cyrus, 49, and Tish, his wife of 17 years, have also filed for divorce, much to the disappointment of their teen pop star daughter Miley. Cyrus also adopted her two other children: Trace and Brandi, aspiring singers both. According to the documents filed in Williamson County, the reason cited is irreconcilable differences.

Ailing: Singer-guitarist Bill Carlisle, Jr., is in critical condition at Vanderbilt Medical Center, following a motorcycle accident near Hendersonville, Tenn. Bill, 67, who resides in nearby Goodlettsville, played regularly as part of The Carlisles family band (also with dad, sister Shelia and Marshall Barnes) on WSM’s Grand Ole Opry . . . Former Opry bandmember Billy Linneman (1962-2005) has been hospitalized with bleeding on the brain. At last report, he was awaiting surgery, with wife Elizabeth by his side. Linneman, son of former session picker Jack Linneman, served as the Nashville Musicians Association (AFM Local 257) secretary-treasurer several years through 2008. As a session bassist, Billy’s proud to have played bass on Charley Pride’s 1970 #1 “Is Anybody Goin’ To San Antone.”

(He’s seen with fellow bassist Bootsy Collins at left) . . . Country music legend Johnnie Wright, 96, is recovering from a bout with pneumonia. Mrs. Wright (Kitty Wells) reports he’s doing better under the doctor’s watchful eye. Wright, former half of the RCA hitmaking team Johnnie & Jack, also recorded solo following Jack Anglin’s death, scoring a 1965 #1 Decca Records single “Hello, Vietnam.” Johnnie & Jack hit #1 with “I Get So Lonely (Oh, Baby Mine)” in 1954, making Wright currently the oldest surviving #1 country recording artist.

Final Curtain: Delbert McClinton’s saxophonist Dennis Taylor, 56, died on tour, Oct. 17, in Greenville, Texas. He had been a regular member of the band for more than two years, when he suffered a fatal heart attack prior to a show. He had only recently finished recording his first solo album working with fellow bandmember Kelvin McKendree (soon to be released). Through three decades of playing, he has worked with such talents as Michelle Shocked, Clarence (Gatemouth) Brown, Buckwheat Zydeco, Webb Wilder and Todd Snider. Additionally Taylor has authored several how-to books for instrumentalists via Hal Leonard Publishing. His stylish playing was heard to good effect on McClinton’s classic “People Just Love To Talk.” Snider called Taylor “a free-spirited artist. His playing was so tasteful, and he was such a warm and good person to be around. What a loss.” Survivors include his publicist wife Karen Leipziger . . .

Country star Bill Phillips died Aug. 23. Hailed for such hits as “Put It off Until Tomorrow” and “Little Boy Sad,” Phillips had in recent years suffered from strokes, complicated by diabetes. The singer-guitarist also penned songs recorded by Webb Pierce, Johnnie Wright, Kitty Wells and Red Foley, while giving a hand to unknown Dolly Parton. Bill himself first recorded Top 20 duets at Columbia with mentor Mel Tillis: “Sawmill” and “Georgia Town Blues.” He also toured for more than two decades with the Kitty Wells-Johnnie Wright Family Show, and appeared on their 1969 syndicated TV variety series of that title. William Clarence Phillips was born Jan. 28, 1936, in Western N.C.’s mountainous Hayward County, to Floyd and Charlotte Phillips. Before turning 16, Bill was playing guitar in local bands in his hometown and later Asheville (15 miles east). By 1955, Phillips was part of the cast of the Old South Jamboree on radio station WMIL-Miami, and later hosted his own show on WMIL-TV. It was there that Mel Tillis heard him pickin’ and singin’ and was impressed enough to urge Phillips to come to Nashville. He signed to Cedarwood Publishing (jointly owned by Jim Denny and Webb Pierce) as a songwriter, and Tillis recommended Columbia Records sign him. Webb recorded Phillips’ “(I Keep) Falling Back To You,” which peaked at #7, Sept. 29, 1958, on Billboard’s Top 10 chart. In addition to his writing, Pierce also championed Bill’s vocals, and engaged him to sing backup on sessions. When Pierce’s producer Owen Bradley heard Bill was leaving Columbia, he signed him to Decca Records.
Bill also toured as a solo headliner, backed by a band of session players billing themselves as The Nashville Express. He also appeared in the 1965 multi-star movie “Second Fiddle To a Steel Guitar” with Kitty, Johnnie, Minnie Pearl, Sonny James, Little Jimmy Dickens, Faron Young and Bowery Boys’ Huntz Hall and Leo Gorcey. He later was featured in two other films: “Road to Nashville” and “Sugarland Express” (with Goldie Hawn). Pitched a song from Tree Publishing in 1966, Bill liked what he heard - “Put It Off Until Tomorrow” - but didn’t yet know its co-writer Dolly Parton (who collaborated with uncle Bill Owens). “Lord, what a great talent. I did three or four songs of hers. So I knew she was a good writer,” grinned Phillips, who had her harmonize. “It was the song that started her off.” That song also became Bill’s first Top 10, quickly followed by another Parton creation “(You’re Known By) The Company You Keep,” which proved another easy Top 10. Yet another female singer-writer, Liz Anderson, provided Bill’s third hit, “The Words I’m Gonna Have To Eat” (#10, 1967). Bill scored a final Top 10, “Little Boy Sad,” written by Wayne Walker, in 1969. Phillips estimated he wrote some 300-plus songs: “Most of the time when I was on the bus riding, I would stay up late at night. I’d get my guitar out and begin writing a song. I find that true life happenings are your best inspiration. If a situation fits me, it should also fit a lot of folks out there.” Survivors include his wife of 40 years, Ann, who encouraged him to record gospel music, as both boasted a strong faith and co-wrote “Heaven Will Be My Home” (which Kitty and Johnnie recorded). A member of the Green Hill Church of Christ, Phillips was a resident of Mt. Juliet for more than three decades. He was predeceased by son William George (Chip) Phillips. Surviving too are sons Rayme Phillips, Mickey Denney; daughter Paulette Burnell; and six grandchildren. Funeral services were conducted Aug. 27, at the Hermitage Funeral Home, followed by committal service in Hermitage Memorial Gardens . . . Singer Linda Hargrove, 61, died Oct. 24 at Big Bend Hospice in Tallahassee, Fla., from leukemia. She was best known as writer of such songs as Johnny Rodriguez’s “Just Get Up and Close the Door,” George Jones’ “Tennessee Whiskey” and Olivia Newton-John’s “Let It Shine.” Although less successful as a recording artist, she did chart singles for Elektra, Capitol and RCA, all songs she penned. Her only Top 40 tune was “Love Was (Once Around the Dance Floor),” which she cut in 1975. Mentor Pete Drake, who co-wrote that and such songs as “Down To My Pride” and “Mexican Love Songs” with her, often engaged her as a session guitarist or pianist. Billed on tour as “The Blue-Jean Queen,” thanks to her premier country cut “Blue Jean Country Queen” (1974); in later years, Linda recorded mainly religious songs.

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Music City news - Nov. 2010

2010-11-02T10:31:00.003-05:00

NASHVILLE -- Just back off a two-week trip to Washington, D.C. (for our annual reunion of Stars & Stripes newspaper reporters) and points further north in Maine and New Brunswick, Canada, visiting family and friends. Particularly enjoyed the colorful fall foliage up there. Judging by the workers we saw in hotels, driving taxi-cabs, or on road constructions crews, the government can't bring down the high unemployment rate, because so many jobs are going to seemingly foreign nationals. This is especially true in our nation's capital, where we found Marriott and Hilton chain staffers barely spoke English. It's amazing how all this has transpired so quickly, and is simply another example of corporate greed; that is, hiring workers dirt cheap, without added financial burden of benefits. Makes us wonder what is this country coming to? Now we must catch up on correspondence, telephone calls and e-mails, etc. Meanwhile, we’re all happy for Blake Shelton being named an official WSM Grand Ole Opry member. A major on-line “Twitter” fan, Blake had just finished a performance on the Opry of his and Trace Adkins’ charttopping “Hillbilly Bone” with Adkins when informed that an important Twitter message was being flashed on screen behind him. Upon glancing back, Blake saw this tweet: “blake shelton you’re invited to join the grand ole opry. see you on 10-23-2010!” (That’s the date Trace did the honors for his “Hillbilly Bone” duet partner.) TV cameras captured the exciting moment near the finale of GAC’s special, Country Comes Home: An Opry Live Celebration, during which a surprised Shelton exclaimed, “Man, it takes a long time! I know a lot of guys that want this just as bad as I wanted it and
. . . uh, forget them.” The two-hour telecast marked the return of the Opry cast to its home, The Grand Ole Opry House, following repairs necessitated by the May 2010 flooding of the Cumberland River. Yet another message marked the occasion, as Blake’s fiancee Miranda Lambert Twittered: “I am engaged to a member of the Grand Ole Opry!!! That rocks :-)”
Bits & Pieces: Speaking of the 85-year-old WSM, the station’s Oct. 15 Opry broadcast “went pink,” that is the theme of the evening show was fight cancer. Guest artists Naomi and Wynonna, The Judds, flicked a switch that turned the traditional red roof of the barn backdrop pink, supporting Women Rock For The Cure and Susan G. Komen For The Cure in their battles against breast cancer. Incidentally, Opry divas Jan Howard and Jean Shepard have long aired radio spots encouraging women to be tested for breast cancer . . . Fellow Opry songbird Jeannie Seely recently revealed she will wed local attorney Gene Ward, whose clients include the Nashville Electric Service and the Reunion Of Professional Entertainers (ROPE). Her one previous marriage was to the late songwriter Hank Cochran, which ended in divorce. The Grammy winner (“Don’t Touch Me”) is sporting a huge diamond that sealed their engagement, and reportedly they plan to marry Nov. 20, 2010. Gene’s affection echoes Jeannie’s Top 10 title “I’ll Love You More (Than You’ll Need).” Fans will recall the blonde vocalist lost her home and car in Nashville’s previously-cited May 2010 flooding, so it’s really great to see her smiling again. We wish the couple all the best . . . Big Kenny Alphin and wife Christiev are celebrating being parents again to a new baby, Dakota Jefferson Holiday Alphin, now 9 months old, whom they recently adopted. Their first son, Lincoln William is 4-1/2 years old. The couple chose to adopt Dakota in July, after their attempts to conceive a second child proved unsuccessful . . . Rascal Flatts’ singer-guitarist Joe Don
Rooney and wife Tiffany welcomed the birth of baby Raquel Blue on Sept. 7. Her big brother Jagger Donovan is 2. Meanwhile, RF’s bassist Jay DeMarcus and wife Allison anticipate their first baby in January . . . Country music fashion designer Manuel Cuevas hopes to open a design school and also plans to sell or lease-to-buy his shop located at 1922 Broadway in Nashville. Regarding the school, which would be limited to about 50 students, Manuel says, “We need more American designers. This is a great central place to do this.”
Honors: Nashville artists fared well at the Inspirational Country Music Awards show here, Oct. 14, as Craig Morgan took home the Mainstream Country Artist of the Year trophy, along with best mainstream country disc for his single “This Ain’t Nothin'”; Carrie Underwood won ICMA’s best video award for “Temporary Home”; while Ricky Skaggs snagged the ICMA bluegrass honor . . . Iconic singer-songwriter Merle Haggard will be among the artists honored during the Kennedy Center For the Performing Arts’ annual Lifetime Achievement Awards, Dec. 5, while seated beside President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama. Others being similarly saluted include TV’s Oprah Winfrey, singer-songwriter Paul McCartney, dance choreographer Bill T. Jones, and Broadway and film lyricist Jerry Herman . . . The 2010 ROPE statuettes were awarded Oct. 7 to the following artists: Best Traditional Entertainer - Bill Anderson and Charlie Louvin (tied); Business - Jack Clement (singer-songwriter-producer); Musician - David Russell (fiddle); Songwriter - Ray Pennington (“Three Hearts in a Tangle,” “Walkin’ On New Grass”); Media - Stan Hitchcock (CMT); Disc Jockey (a new category previously included in Media) - George Riddle; and Mac Wiseman’s Florence Nightengale Awards (honoring caretakers) - LeeAnn LaLonde (for tending to Jack Greene), and Gary Scott (caring for wife Jeanette Scott). Moe Bandy entertained attendees, while Keith Bilbrey emceed . . . Hendersonville High School in suburban Hendersonville has renamed its auditorium after graduate Taylor Swift, as approved by the Sumner County School Board in September 2010. The famous former student last year donated $75,000 to renovate the auditorium’s sound and light system . . . On Sept. 24, family, friends and media attended a gala in Hurricane Mills, Tenn., paying homage to Loretta Lynn, marking her golden anniverary of charting Billboard (“I’m a Honky Tonk Girl,” #14, 1960) and the new release of a digital single “Coal Miner’s Daughter” boasting collaborative vocals by Lynn, Sheryl Crow and Miranda Lambert. This rendition of Lynn’s signature song (which also served as title to her best-selling book and its subsequent hit movie) is part of a 50-song CD produced on the Country Music Hall of Famer by John Carter Cash, son of June and Johnny Cash (released Nov. 9). Among those attending the event were Shawn Camp, Terri Clark, Jack Greene and Marty Stuart. Artists performing on her album include Allison Moorer, Alan Jackson, Steve Earle, Reba McEntire, Lee Ann Womack and Kid Rock.
Legal Tips: Mention of Kid Rock reminds us that an Atlanta suburban jury awarded $40,000 to Harlen Akins, who claimed the artist and his entourage beat him up in 2007 at a Waffle House Restaurant in the area. Akins was seeking $6,000 in medical fees and an unspecified sum in punitive damages. The jury decided Sept. 17, however, not to give Akins punitive damages, but instead awarded him $40,000 in compensatory damages. The payees include Kid Rock and three additional defendants. (Two other defendants’ charges had been dismissed earlier by the judge.) Kid Rock (a.k.a. Robert James Ritchie) had pleaded guilty in a March 2008 court hearing to a misdemeanor charge of simple battery.
Ailing: Country . . . and Bluegrass Music Hall of Famer Earl Scruggs was hospitalized overnight Sept. 15, in Chapel, N.C., where he was slated to perform at a sold-out show on the University of North Carolina campus. According to Gary Scruggs, his 86-year-old dad complained of not feeling well, so was taken to the local hospital as a cautionary move. The Red Clay Ramblers, Earl’s opening act, did the entire show in his absence . . . Singer James Otto was hospitalized Sept. 7 for an abdominal disorder, prompting cancellation of weekend gigs in Clarksville, Tenn., and Berea, Ohio. After a short period of R&R, however, Otto was on the road again.
Final Curtain: Former Nashville music engineer Billy R. Porter, 79, died July 7 in Ogden, Utah, after suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. Among artists he engineered recordings for: Chet Atkins, Eddy Arnold, Roy Orbison, The Everly Brothers and Elvis Presley. Reportedly in a single week in 1960, recordings he worked on accounted for 15 of Billboard’s Hot 100 hits. He was also live sound engineer for Presley, performing in Las Vegas, and continued as Elvis’ touring engineer until the legendary star’s 1977 death. He later served as an educator at the University of Miami School of Music, the University of Colorado, and Webster University in St. Louis, Mo. (where he was born), before retiring in 2005. He was inducted into the Technical Excellence & Creativity Awards Hall of Fame in 1992. His wife Mary Porter preceded him in death. A memorial service was conducted Sept. 24 on Music Row in RCA’s Studio B, where many of his hit recordings were produced.

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Music City Beat - Oct. 2010

2010-09-13T22:39:00.009-05:00

NASHVILLE -- Music City Mayor Karl Dean’s $585 million downtown convention center officials are in negotiation with the Omni Hotel chain to build a $250 million hotel next door; now news is out that the project would suck in the existing Country Music Hall of Fame. When the convention center was announced shortly after Dean took office, succeeding Mayor Bill Purcell, rumor had it that the project would encompass the existing Musicians Hall of Fame, spearheaded by songwriter and guitar-marketeer Joe Chambers, as the two buildings encompassing the Hall were located on the targeted building site (and Chambers was balking at the allegedly small sum being offered by the city for his property, containing many historic pieces from legendary players, after he had invested most of his savings and much of his heart. Following the musicians hall departure, talk died down about any merger with the Convention Center. Now it appears a portion of the Country Music Hall of Fame’s parking space in the rear of that edifice could benefit the future hotel, and the cash-strapped Hall would welcome an opportunity to expand its operation. Although Dean’s grandiose project came at a time when the economy’s down and the existing convention center is only about 20+ years old (opening in 1987), he proclaimed to the public and city fathers that this would not incur any tax increase for citizens and indeed would pay for itself. A Sept. 7 news account reports downtown property owners may expect a property tax hike, while the city offers Omni numerous tax breaks to build their new hotel here. Despite majority City Council approval, many residents deride the deal and its subsequent stench. One of Chambers’ song titles says it all “Somebody Lied.” Many feel the past three Mayors - Bredesen from New Jersey (and now Tennessee Governor); Purcell from Philadelphia; and Dean, raised in Massachusetts, are yankees intent on building memorials to themselves. Bredesen brought in the Houston Oilers, after secret talks with owner Bud Adams, renaming them Tennessee Titans and building them a $290 million football stadium. Other Mayoral proposals included the Predators hockey team, soon ensconced in a $160 million arena downtown. Now there’s talk about a Nashville Sounds baseball stadium that taxpayers anticipate will prompt yet another tax hike.
Movie Trouba-tour: Film actor Jeff Daniels, born in Georgia and raised in Michigan, plays guitar and sings, but notes, “I’ll never be a guitar-slinger like Nashville’s loaded with, but I can get around - and it’s not just three chords. I’ve worked real hard at the fingerpickin’ and being able to play up and down the neck.” He was in Music City to showcase his country-folk style at 3rd & Lindsley, a downtown nightclub, Aug. 27. Tickets were $20 to see and hear this artists whose films include “Terms of Endearment,” “Purple Rose of Cairo” and “Speed.” He travels in an RV, accompanied by his wife and dogs . . . Always newsworthy, country queen Dolly Parton, whose hit movies include “9 To 5,” “Best Little Whorehouse in Texas” and “Straight Talk,” returns to the big screen in a movie musical “Joyful Noise,” for which she’ll write the music score. Sharing star billing is Queen Latifah, who with Parton play a pair of upscale businesswomen combining their efforts to keep a gospel choir from going under, due to lack of funds. It is expected to be a 2011 release.
Bits & Pieces: Legendary showman Jerry Lee Lewis will make his Broadway bow performing a guest stint in the Tony-nominated musical “Million Dollar Quartet,” Sept. 10, for the show’s finale. The hit show’s book reflects on a 1956 jam session among Sun Records’ top talents Lewis, Carl Perkins, Johnny Cash and Elvis Presley. Incidentally, Levi Kreis, who won a Tony portraying “The Killer,” has recorded a duet, “Money,” for Jerry Lee’s forthcoming CD “Mean Old Man” . . . Name artists joining the star-studded salute for the Loretta Lynn tribute CD “Coal Miner’s Daughter,” include Reba McEntire, Alan Jackson, Faith Hill, Sheryl Crow, Miranda Lambert, Martina McBride, Carrie Underwood, Gretchen Wilson, Lee Ann Womack, Steve Earle and The White Stripes. It’s due in stores come November. On Oct. 12, the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences will honor Lynn with the NARAS President’s Award. Incidentally, Loretta’s initial charting occurred June 13, 1960, when her indie single “I’m a Honky Tonk Girl” charted Billboard, peaking at #14 . . . Hillary Williams, formerly half of the Hillary & Holly Williams sister duo, is putting the finishing touches on her biographical book “Sign of Life: A Story of Family, Tragedy, Music and Healing” (DeCapo Press, with M.B. Roberts). She was sidelined from her vocal career by a 2006 car crash near Memphis, injuring her (more severely) and Holly, requiring the former to undergo 23 surgeries. Dad Hank Williams, Jr., has penned the Foreword for the tome, due out Nov. 1 . . . Walkathon hero Jimmy Wayne, whose recent trek from Nashville to Phoenix helped plug his program to aid runaways at risk, is working on a book titled “Paper Angels.” No, it’s not about his seven-month journey but will be a fictional story about foster children, something both he and his sister were growing up.Professional writer Travis Thrasher will co-author the novel being scheduled for a fall 2011 publishing date. Based on his past, Wayne explains, “What I’m trying to do is touch on real things that happen every day in real people’s lives, like I do in my music.” . . . Taylor Swift continues her good deeds by donating $100,000 to the city of Hendersonville, Tenn.’s flood repair efforts. This includes Kids Kingdom, a wooden playground in the Nashville suburb. Maybe it’s the take received from her participation advertising in the milk industry’s latest campaign poster titled “Swift Pick.” The singer seen with her guitar and a milk smear above her upper lip is quoted: “On the road you need energy. That’s why I drink milk. It has B vitamins and protein I need to get me going. So I’m always ready for the next city, the next crowd, the next encore.” (See her photo on this page) . . . Canadian country star Greg Hanna and wife Sheree became parents the second time together on Aug. 19, when Hallee Rae was born in Nashville. Saylor is their first daughter. Greg, whose first Top 10 was “Ain’t No Justice” in Canada, is currently plugging his new release “What Kind of Love Are You On?” in the U.S. He’s a native of Ontario . . . Caroline and Luke Bryan’s second son - Tatum Christopher - was born Aug. 11 in Nashville, weighing in at 6 and a half pounds. Brother Bo, 2, was equally excited about “Tate’s” arrival . . .Ava Katherine Otto made her Nashville debut Aug. 24, much to the delight of first-time parents Amy and James Otto. Dad, who’s been busy most of the summer on tour with fellow talents Trace Adkins and Toby Keith, breathed a sign of relief that she arrived while he was at home. “She is beautiful and healthy, and the most amazing thing I’ve ever seen,” notes her happy father . . . Shelley and Zac Brown are proudly announcing that they anticipate their fourth daughter early in 2011. She’ll join sisters Justice, 3, Lucy, 2, and Georgia, a year old. The Zac Brown Band’s latest CD “You Get What You Give” hits stores Sept. 21 . . . Steve Moore has been selected as the CMA’s executive director, succeeding former CEO Tammy Genovese, who resigned last December. Previously Moore made his mark as a music promoter, and since Genovese’s departure has been interim CEO.
Honors: Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame inductees, Class of 2010, are: Pat Alger, Steve Cropper, Paul Lavon Davis and Stephen Collins Foster. The awards bash will be held Oct. 17 at the Renaissance Hotel downtown. The legendary Foster, of course, is hailed for such 19th century classics as “My Old Kentucky Home,” “Beautiful Dreamer,” “Old Black Joe” and “Oh! Susanna!” He died in 1864 at age 37. The late Paul Davis, a Mississippi native, scored two #1 country duet singles with Marie Osmond “You’re Still New to Me” and Tanya Tucker “I Won’t Take Less Than Your Love” (also featuring friend Paul Overstreet). His creations landed on the pop charts, “Ride ’Em Cowboy” and “I Go Crazy.” Davis died in 2008 at age 60. Pat Alger’s country chartings include “The Thunder Rolls,” “Once in a Very Blue Moon,” “She Came From Fort Worth,” “Unanswered Prayers” and “Goin’ Gone.” Celebrated guitarist Steve Cropper, a founding member of the Memphis-base Booker T. & The MGs, has co-written such songs as “In the Midnight Hour,” “Knock On Wood” and “Sittin’ On the Dock Of the Bay” . . . Leadership Music’s Dale Franklin Awards this year went to historic Monument Records’ mogul Fred Foster, and singer-songwriters Kris Kristofferson and Willie Nelson, Aug. 29, at the Renaissance Hotel downtown. The Opry’s Vince Gill hosted the ceremony, which featured entertainers Brenda Lee, Rodney Crowell, Shawn Camp, Lorrie Morgan, Jamey Johnson, Lee Ann Womack, Billy Swan, Lyle Lovett and Randy Travis saluting the musical accomplishments of the trio . . . Singer Wynonna Judd was named recipient of the 2010 Cecil Scaife Visionary Award, presented on Aug. 24 at the Governor’s Mansion in Nashville. Aside from the Gov. Phil Bredesen and First Lady Andrea Conte, also attending were Nashville Mayor Karl Dean and U.S. Rep. Marsha Blackburn. Judd was recognized for her support of other entertainers in seeking their career goals.
Ailing: Country Music Hall of Famer Frances W. Preston, 76, BMI chief executive director emeritus, is home recuperating from hip surgery. Walking in a brace, Preston was in such pain Aug. 26, that after taking photos with other award recipients, she had to depart the 2010 SOURCE gala, prior to accepting the organization’s Lifetime Achievement Award from Vince Gill. During the festivities at the Noah Liff Opera Center, son David Preston accepted on his mom’s behalf, noting, “It really meant a lot for her to be honored by her peers, the women of Music Row. There are so many women in this town to whom she is an inspiration.” The other winners of SOURCE awards for their contribution on behalf of women in the music industry were Celia Froehlig, Carol Phillips, Sherytha Scaife, Liz Thiels and Ruth White, presented by Brenda Lee or Jeannie Seely. Co-host Charlie Monk kept the audience in stitches. Other notables spotted in the crowd included Michael Bolton, Jo Walker Meador, Charlie McCoy, Don Schlitz, Robert Ellis Orral, Johnnie McCrea, Bob Morrison, Areeda Stampley, Bob Beckham, Millie Kirkham, Blake Chancey, Kira Florita, Rose Drake, Patsy Bradley, Shelia Shipley-Biddy, Bob Oermann and Nashville Mayor Karl Dean.
Final Curtain: Milton (Mike) Hight, 82, died Aug. 24 following an extended illness. Hight, a member of the DJ Hall of Fame, earlier had been an artist who charted Record World magazine in the late 1960s with his first single, coincidentally released on Slim Williamson’s Chart Records label. Formerly he was a cast member on WWVA’s Wheeling Jamboree in West Virginia, and had hosted his own Daytime TV program with his Daybreak Gang band in Raleigh, N.C. In 1969, Hight moved to Nashville, where he managed Charlie Louvin and Webb Pierce, then joined the staff at Joe Taylor’s Talent Agency. The North Carolina native became a disabled veteran of the U.S. Navy, having entered the service in World War II, also serving in the Korean War (1944-1951), sailing on the USS Little Rock and USS Palau. Survivors include his wife of 43 years Martha (Norwood) Hight of Franklin, Tenn., daughters Shelley, Marsha and son Keith Hight, plus a grandson, granddaughter and great-granddaughter . . . Producer-songwriter George Richey, 74, died July 31, after suffering from chronic heart disease. He was the widower-manager of Country Music Hall of Famer Tammy Wynette (who died in 1998 at age 55). It was his request to his fourth wife Sheila (Slaughter) Richey that no publicity be given or services be held, with burial near the grave of Wynette. As a producer, George worked with A Team producers Billy Sherrill and Norro Wilson, and for artists like Johnny Horton, Merle Haggard, Wanda Jackson, George Jones and Wynette. Richey is credited with having helped write such songs as “We Loved It Away,” “Til I Can Make It On My Own,” “You and Me,” “Southern California,” “A Woman Lives For Love,” “A Picture of Me,” “Grand Tour” and “Heavenly Sunshine.” Surviving Richey are his wife of nine years Sheila, daughters Tatum, Deirdre and son Kelly. He recently assisted with the current exhibit Tammy Wynette: First Lady of Country Music, co-sponsored by GAC, at the Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum through June 2011 . . . Oak Ridge Boy bass vocalist Richard Sterban and wife Sandra’s grandson Zachary Sterban, 15, died Aug. 13, from injuries suffered in a car crash. The car’s driver Matthew Sterban, 17, Zachary’s brother, was injured, while Damon Dunn, Jr., 17, another passenger, also died in the accident. Services were conducted in Cornerstone Church in Madison, where Sandra Sterban is an Associate Pastor.

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