News ~ January 2004

Superstar Spectacular Tickets Go on Sale
This year's Grand Ole Opry® Superstar Spectacular will be held on Thursday, June 10th at the Ryman Auditorium. Past Superstar Spectacular attendees and loyal Opry® visitors were able to purchase tickets starting several weeks ago; however, people who did not receive notification of the early sale are able to buy tickets beginning February 4th. For tickets to the show, call (615) 871-OPRY. Proceeds benefit the Opry® Trust Fund. 1/30/04

McEntire Will Host ACM Awards
Reba McEntire is set to host this year's Academy of Country Music (ACM) Awards, which will be held in May at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino in Las Vegas. The songstress, whose hit single "I'm Gonna Take That Mountain" recently caused a stir at radio, has been the host of the show for the past two years. The awards show will be broadcast on CBS at 8:00 P.M. ET/PT on May 26th. 1/30/04

Tribute to Banjo Player Thompson
According to CMT, banjo players Allen Shelton and Bela Fleck will soon pay tribute to fellow banjo player Bobby Thompson, a former member of Jim & Jesse's Virginia Boys and a performer on "Hee Haw." The tribute is scheduled during the 11th Annual McReynolds Memorial Concert, which will include appearances by Jesse McReynolds, the Hager twins, the Larry Stephenson Band, the Osborne Brothers, Lulu Roman, Mike Snider, Roni Stoneman, Leroy Troy, and Jett Williams. The show will take place on February 5th in Gallatin, Tennessee. Until he was forced to retire in 1987, Thompson recorded as a session musician for some of the most celebrated artists in country music including Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard, Loretta Lynn, Bill Monroe, Dolly Parton, Marty Robbins, and Tammy Wynette. 1/28/04

Paisley To Host Valentine's Day Special
In February, Grand Ole Opry® member Brad Paisley will host a special Valentine's Day episode of America's Grand Ole Opry® Weekend, the Opry®'s syndicated weekly radio program. Paisley, an Opry® member since February 2001, will discuss the story behind his latest hit "Little Moments" on the two-hour show. He will also play music by Opry® stars Vince Gill and Alison Krauss, and Dierks Bentley will be one of his special guests. America's Grand Ole Opry® Weekend airs over Westwood One. 1/28/04

Dolly Not Likely to Tour in 2004
According to a letter from Dolly Parton posted on the DollyMania web site, she will not tour this year. She also will not make her regular concert at Dollywood this year for the Dollywood Foundation. Instead, she will perform at various functions and will promote her current CD, For God and Country and the tribute album Just Because I'm a Woman. To read Dolly's letter in its entirety, click here. 1/28/04

Lum York Ill
According to the Drifting Cowboys Web Site webmaster Nathan Parker, former Drifting Cowboy Lum York has been hospitalized with congestive heart problems and needs the prayers of the country music community. If you would like to send Mr. York a get well card, please get the address from Nathan's Drifting Cowboy's Web Site. 1/27/04

Fox Doing a Special on the Ernest Tubb Record Shop
Fox will be airing a special on the Ernest Tubb Record Shop this Sunday, January 25, 2004. Check your local listings for correct broadcast times. Country Music Hall of Fame member Ernest Tubb established the record shop in Nashville in 1947. To visit the web site of the record shop, click here. 1/22/04

Martin and Vincent Doing Better
Recently, both Jimmy Martin and Rhonda Vincent made visits to the hospital. Thankfully, Jimmy Martin has been out of the hospital for some time now and is doing better. Vincent, who had her gall bladder removed on Tuesday, January 20th, is also home. Although her surgery went well, the bluegrass star is still recovering and could use your prayers. If you would like to send her a card, send it to P.O. Box 31, Greentop, Missouri 63546. 1/22/04

Dean No Longer Jimmy Dean Spokesperson
It sounds odd, but it's true: Jimmy Dean is no longer the spokesperson for Jimmy Dean Sausage. A publicist for Sara Lee Corporation said that the company declined to renew Dean's contract because the "brand [is] going in a new direction." Dean told the Associated Press, "The company told me that they were trying to attract the younger housewife, and they didn't think I was the one to do that. I think it's the dumbest thing. But you know, what do I know?" Dean, the artist behind the country standard "Big Bad John," founded Jimmy Dean Sausage in 1968. Sara Lee Corporation acquired Jimmy Dean Meats in 1984. 1/21/04

Gill Won't Host 2004 CMA Awards
Vince Gill has decided not to host the 2004 Country Music Association Awards in November. Gill, who has hosted the show for the past 12 years, reports that he is not giving up his hosting job permanently, but that he needs some time off. A replacement host has not yet been named. 1/21/04

GAC to Air Jewell Concert
Buddy Jewell is set to play his first Nashville concert on February 3rd at the Trap. Great American Country will film the concert, which will air as a GAC Album Showcase. Expect the special in February and March. 1/21/04

Patty Flies with United
Passengers flying with United Airlines will be able to listen to Patty Loveless on their trips throughout January and February. WSM-AM radio personality Bill Cody interviews the songstress during the 30-minute segment, which includes seven songs from her latest CD, On Your Way Home. The interview has the potential to reach over 11 million listeners. 1/21/04

Morgan & Kershaw Reconciliation Confirmed
According to Great American Country, Lorrie Morgan and Sammy Kershaw have indeed reconciled and are going through marriage counseling. Earlier this month, the couple was seen shopping together in Hendersonville, Tennessee, sparking rumors that the two had reunited. Morgan and Kershaw have been married since September 29, 2001. 1/20/04

Stanley Performs for His Own Museum
Ralph Stanley performed Thursday, January 15th, at a benefit for the Ralph Stanley Museum and Traditional Mountain Music Center. The show was a sell-out and raised over $5,000 for the museum, which is currently being constructed in Clintwood, Virginia. The museum should open in early summer. 1/19/04

Carter Family Documentary
According to CMT.com, producer Kathy Conkwright is currently shooting a video documentary on the original Carter Family--A.P., Sara, and Maybelle. Conkright reports that the hour-long documentary should air on Nashville's PBS sometime this summer. Music scholar Colin Escott is also involved in the project. In related news, Conkwright's documentary on country music pioneer DeFord Bailey will be broadcast on PBS nationally on April 12th. 1/19/04

Diffie and Wife Expecting
According to the Tennessean, Joe Diffie and his wife Theresa are expecting. This child will be the first for Theresa, the fifth for Diffie. The baby is due May 20th. Joe has been absent from the country music scene for a while, but his new single, "Tougher than Nails," will be released to radio on February 2nd. 1/17/04

WSM Moves
650 WSM-AM has been on Sirius Satellite Radio channel 132 for some time. As of Monday, January 19th, the radio station will be moving up to Sirius Satellite Radio channel 137. If you own a Sirius Satellite Radio, don't forget to change your memory settings on Monday. 1/17/04

Vincent Undergoes Another Surgery
After having undergone emergency surgery on her pancreas on New Year's Eve, Rhonda Vincent is scheduled for yet another surgery. On Tuesday, January 20th, Rhonda will have her gallbladder removed. For obvious reasons, her tour dates are being rescheduled. If you have tickets to attend one of her shows next week, check out the tour page on her web site. 1/16/04

Fender Gets Another Transplant
According to the Tennessean, Freddy Fender, the artist behind hits "'Til the Next Teardrop Falls" and "Wasted Days and Wasted Nights," has undergone a liver transplant. Fender, 66, had tests last year that showed that he had cancerous spots on his liver. Doctors feared that a liver would not be found in time to save Fender's life, but on January 1st, Fender received a call saying a liver had been found. Fender has had a number of health problems in recent years. Two years ago, he received a kidney transplant from his adopted daughter. Fender still has his sense of humor; Brad Schmitt reports that Fender now says he needs one more procedure: "a good brain transplant." 1/16/04

Georgia Considers Renaming Interstate After Jackson
According to Great American Country, the Georgia state legislature is considering naming a portion of Interstate 85 after Alan Jackson. A bill to do just that is up for consideration during the current legislative session. Jackson hails from the town of Newnan, Georgia. 1/15/04

Walker Presents Grant for MS Research
Clay Walker's Band Against MS Foundation has bestowed a $150,000 grant upon the University of Texas Medical School at Houston. The money will be used to aid the school in its research on the causes of multiple sclerosis. Walker was diagnosed with the disease in 1996. 1/15/04

Recordings Added to Grammy Hall of Fame
Each year, a number of classic recordings that are at least 25 years old are added to the Grammy Hall of Fame. This year, those recordings include Johnny Cash at San Quentin, Floyd Cramer's song "Last Date," and Glen Campbell's hit "By the Time I Get to Phoenix." To browse all of the songs inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame since 1973, click here. 1/14/04

Songwriter VanWarmer Dead
Songwriter Randy VanWarmer died Monday, January 12th, at the University of Washington Medical Center after a yearlong battle with leukemia. His country hits include the Oak Ridge Boys' "I Guess It Never Hurts to Hurt Sometimes." VanWarmer was 48. 1/14/04

Jennings' Music Row Building Sold
According to CMT, Waylon Jennings' business offices have been sold. Jennings purchased the building on Music Row for $125,000 in 1976. The building sold for $662,000. Jennings' publishing and merchandising operations will be moving to Arizona, where Waylon and his wife Jessi lived and where Waylon died in February 2002. 1/14/04

Country Tidbits
The Associated Press reports that country sales declined nearly 10% in 2003, a much sharper decline than the overall industry decline of less than 1%. Country Music Association (CMA) Executive Director Ed Benson blames the slump on the lack of new releases from blockbuster acts in 2003...The Grand Ole Opry® has hired a musical director and an audio engineer for "Grand Ole Opry® Live," which airs on Great American Country (GAC). The new musical director will also serve as the creative consultant to "America's Grand Ole Opry® Weekend," a syndicated radio program...Dolly Parton will host this year's CMT Flameworthy Video Music Awards. The show will be broadcast on CMT from the Gaylord Entertainment Center on April 21st...The second season of "Nashville Star" will begin airing on the USA Network on March 6th and will end by naming a winner during May. 1/13/04

Vince Gill to MerleFest
Vince Gill is one of the latest artists to confirm his attendance at MerleFest 2004. Also scheduled to perform at the music festival are the Derailers, Earl Scruggs, Patty Loveless, Gillian Welch, Kelly Willis, Jeannie Kendall, Jim Lauderdale, the Old Crow Medicine Show, and, of course, Doc Watson. The Wilkesboro, North Carolina, festival is held in honor of the music of Watson and his late son Merle. 1/12/04

Songwriter Prestwood Arrested
According to the Tennessean, songwriter Hugh Prestwood was arrested in New York after a loaded gun was found in his carry-on baggage. Prestwood, who lives in New York, was on his way to Nashville when a screener detected the gun. Prestwood was also in possession of two medications for which he did not have prescriptions. He was charged with one count of weapon possession and two of drug possession. Prestwood has written a number of hits including Shenandoah's "Ghost in this House," Randy Travis's "Hard Rock Bottom of Your Heart," Michael Johnson's "The Moon Is Still Over Her Shoulder," and Crystal Gayle's "The Sound of Goodbye." 1/12/04

Songwriters Barnes and Allen Pass Away
Songwriter Max D. Barnes passed away in Nashville on Saturday, January 10th following complications with pneumonia. Barnes was a prolific songwriter who penned hits such as George Jones' "Who's Gonna Fill Their Shoes," Keith Whitley's "Ten Feet Away," Randy Travis's "Always and Forever," and Vern Gosdin's "Way Down Deep," "Slow Burnin' Memory," and "Chiseled in Stone." Mr. Barnes was 67. Another songwriter, Lorene Allen, passed away on Friday, January 9th. Her songs were recorded by Loretta Lynn, Charlie Louvin, Conway Twitty, Eddy Arnold, Ernest Tubb, Dottie West, and Don Gibson. At one time, she worked for the Wilburn Brothers and was also the general manager for Loretta Lynn Enterprises until 1994, when she retired. Ms. Allen was 78. 1/11/04

Country Legends Under the Weather
Fortunately, Jimmy Dickens returned to the Grand Ole Opry® on Friday, January 9th after a bout of the flu, but a number of country legends are still under the weather. Faron Young biographer Diane Diekman informs us that Roy Drusky is fighting lung cancer and has been in and out of the hospital in recent weeks. Marty Stuart reported on the Friday night Opry on January 9th that Jimmy Martin is under the weather, though Stuart did not give specifics. And of course, there are others in the country music community who are not doing as well as we'd like, including Bonnie Owens, who is battling Alzheimer's disease. Please remember these artists in your prayers and thoughts. 1/10/04

Turner Goes Gold
Twelve weeks after its release, Josh Turner's debut CD Long Black Train has been certified gold for shipments of 500,000 copies. The CD is now the only record from a debut artist in 2003 to be certified gold. The title track of that CD is currently in the top 20 at country radio. The video is currently #1 on Great American Country. 1/9/04

Sammy & Lorrie Reunited
Apparently, Sammy Kershaw and Lorrie Morgan have reconciled. The Tennessean reports that Sammy and Lorrie have been seen shopping together in public several times in the past month. An eyewitness claims the two were very affectionate while shopping at a Hendersonville, Tennessee, Publix. According to the newspaper, one of Sammy's friends has confirmed that the two have reconciled. Lorrie's publicist Kirt Webster says that the two will fly to L.A. together to make a joint appearance on a game show next week. 1/9/04

Jake Hess Dies
Jake Hess, a member of the Southern Gospel Music Hall of Fame and the Alabama Music Hall of Fame, passed away Sunday, January 4th. Hess, 76, died in East Alabama Medical Center in Opelika, Alabama. Funeral services will be held 2 P.M. Wednesday at Morningside Baptist Church in Columbus, Georgia. 1/5/04

Alabama to Receive Career Achievement Award
Alabama will receive the career achievement award from the Country Radio Broadcasters (CRB) during the annual Country Music DJ Hall of Fame ceremony, which will be held March 2nd in Nashville. This award is given to an individual or group that has made a significant contribution to country music and country radio. Alabama is the seventh act recognized with this honor; previous recipients include Eddy Arnold (1999), Chet Atkins (1998), Reba McEntire (2003), Sonny James (2002), Loretta Lynn (2000), and Buck Owens (2000). 1/5/04

SPBGMA Awards Nominees
The Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music in America (SPGBMA) will hold its 21st Annual National Convention February 5th-8th at the Sheraton Music City Hotel in Nashville, Tennessee. During the convention, the 30th Annual SPBGMA Bluegrass Music Awards will be held. The nominees for that awards show are as follows:

• Bluegrass Promoter of the Year
  • Dwight Dillman
  • Steve Dittman
  • John Hutchinson
  • Jordan/Dilling Entertainment
  • Edgar Kitchen
  • Dreama Stephenson
• Bluegrass Radio Station of the Year
  • WKIX & WKXU-FM - Burlington
  • WBZI-AM - Xenia, Ohio
  • WDVX-FM - Clinton, Tennessee
  • WPAQ-AM - Mount Airy, North Carolina
  • WSM-AM - Nashville, Tennessee
  • WXGI-AM - Richmond, Virginia
• Bluegrass DJ of the Year
  • Sherry Boyd (WPAQ-AM)
  • D.J. Barnett (WXGI-AM)
  • Alex Leach (WDVX-FM)
  • Paul "Moon" Mullins (WBZI-AM)
  • Buddy Michaels (WKIX & WKXU-FM)
  • Eddie Stubbs (WSM-AM)
• Bluegrass Club Newsletter of the Year
  • "The Baba Bulletin" - The Bay Area Bluegrass Association
  • "Bama Grass" - Alabama Bluegrass Music Association
  • "Bluegrass Ramblin's" - Missouri Area Bluegrass Committee
  • "Fireball Mail" - Southern Wisconsin Bluegrass Music Association
  • "Inside Bluegrass" - Minnesota Bluegrass and Old-Time Music Association
  • "Pickin' Post" - The Louisville Bluegrass Music Association
• Bluegrass Songwriter of the Year
  • Harley Allen
  • Bill Castle
  • Larry Cordle
  • Tom T. & Dixie Hall
  • Carl Jackson
  • Wayne Taylor
• Bluegrass Album of the Year
  • Coldest Part of Winter, Larry Sparks (Rebel Records)
  • One Step Ahead, Rhonda Vincent (Rounder Records)
  • Shape of a Tear, the Lynn Morris Band (Rounder Records)
  • Singing on Streets of Gold, IIIrd Tyme Out (CMG Records)
  • Songs from the Workbench, Larry Cordle & Lonesome Standard Tyme (Shell Point Records)
  • Starting Over, Ronnie Bowman (Sugar Hill Records)
• Bass Fiddle Performer of the Year
  • Barry Bales
  • Mike Bub
  • Ray Deaton
  • Terry Eldredge
  • Missy Raines
  • Marshall Wilborn
• Dobro Performer of the Year
  • Jerry Douglas
  • Josh Graves
  • Tim Graves
  • Rob Ickes
  • Randy Kohrs
  • Phil Leadbetter
• Guitar Performer of the Year
  • John Chapman
  • Jim Hurst
  • Tony Rice
  • Kenny Smith
  • Tim Stafford
  • Bryan Sutton
• Mandolin Performer of the Year
  • Wayne Benson
  • Alan Bibey
  • Vernon Hughes
  • Ronnie McCoury
  • Adam Steffey
  • Larry Stephenson
• Banjo Performer of the Year
  • Terry Baucom
  • Greg Corbett
  • J. D. Crowe
  • Rob McCoury
  • Aaron McDaris
  • Sammy Shelor
• Fiddle Performer of the Year
  • Hunter Berry
  • Jason Carter
  • Michael Cleveland
  • Glen Duncan
  • Stuart Duncan
  • Ronnie Stewart
• Female Vocalist of the Year (Contemporary)
  • Honi Deaton
  • Kathie Goad
  • Sonya Isaacs
  • Alison Krauss
  • Patty Loveless
  • Rhonda Vincent
• Female Vocalist of the Year (Traditional)
  • Dale Ann Bradley
  • Polly Lewis
  • Lynn Morris
  • Michelle Nixon
  • Valerie Smith
  • Jeanette Williams
• Male Vocalist of the Year (Contemporary)
  • Ronnie Bowman
  • Larry Cordle
  • Russell Moore
  • Mark Newton
  • Jim Stack
  • Larry Stephenson
• Male Vocalist of the Year (Traditional)
  • James King
  • Del McCoury
  • Don Rigsby
  • Larry Sparks
  • Ralph Stanley
  • Dan Tyminski
• Gospel Group of the Year (Contemporary)
  • The Churchmen
  • The Isaacs
  • The Marksmen
  • New Found Road
  • The Larry Stephenson Band
  • IIIrd Tyme Out
• Gospel Group of the Year (Traditional)
  • Larry Cordle & Lonesome Standard Time
  • Green Valley Grass
  • The Lewis Family
  • Jerry & Tammy Sullivan
  • The Village Singers
  • Paul Williams & The Victory Trio
• Gospel Group of the Year (Overall)
  • The Lewis Family
  • The Marksmen
  • Mountain Heart
  • New Found Road
  • Village Singers
  • Paul Williams & The Victory Trio
• Vocal Group of the Year
  • Blueridge
  • Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver
  • Mountain Heart
  • Rarely Herd
  • The Larry Stephenson Band
  • IIIrd Tyme Out
• Instrumental Group of the Year
  • Blue Highway
  • Blueridge
  • The Lonesome River Band
  • The Del McCoury Band
  • IIIrd Tyme Out
  • Rhonda Vincent & the Rage
• Bluegrass Band of the Year (Overall)
  • Blue Highway
  • Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver
  • The Lonesome River Band
  • Mountain Heart
  • IIIrd Tyme Out
  • Rhonda Vincent & the Rage
• Entertaining Group of the Year
  • Carolina Road
  • Cherryholmes
  • Goldwing Express
  • The Del McCoury Band
  • Karl Shiflett & Big Country Show
  • IIIrd Tyme Out
• Entertainer of the Year
  • James King
  • Doyle Lawson
  • Little Roy Lewis
  • Del McCoury
  • Rhonda Vincent
  • Jeff Weaver
• Song of the Year
  • "A Simple Life" - Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder
  • "Harlan" - Michelle Nixon & Drive
  • "Kentucky Borderline" - Rhonda Vincent
  • "Shape of a Tear" - the Lynn Morris Band
  • "That Bluegrass Music" - the Gibson Brothers
  • "You Ain't Lived" - Larry Sparks

For more information on SPBGMA, visit www.SPBGMA.com. 1/4/04

Rhonda Vincent Recovering
Rhonda Vincent, who underwent emergency pancreas surgery on New Year's Eve, is recovering from the procedure at her home. Several of Rhonda's tour dates have been canceled or rescheduled. Check her web site to check out the updated tour schedule. 1/4/04