News ~ March 2004

Golden Voice Show On
Last week, we reported that the Golden Voice Family Affair had been canceled; however, another Golden Voice Show will be held. Jeanne Pruett is the event coordinator for the Golden Voice Show, and it will be held at the Williamson County Agriculture Expo Center in Tennessee. The event will begin at 11:00 A.M. on Thursday, June 10th, and will include Razzy Bailey, the Browns, Johnny Carver, John Conlee, Helen Cornelius, David Frizzell, Stonewall Jackson, Sonny James, Brenda Lee, Hank Locklin, Charlie McCoy, Stu Phillips, Jeanne Pruett, Jeannie Seely, Jean Shepard, Margo Smith, Billy Swan, Rhonda Vincent, Jett Williams, and the Opry® Staff Band. The M.C. for the event will be Eddie Stubbs. Tickets can be purchased by mail; just send a self-addressed stamped envelope along with a check for $40 per ticket made out to the Performers' Benefit Fund, 4446 Trinity Peytonsville Road, Franklin, Tennessee 37064. No mail orders can be accepted after May 15th, but tickets can be purchased at the door. 3/30/04

Dickens Recovers from Surgery
According to All About Country, Jimmy Dickens is recovering from another round of surgery at the Cleveland Clinic. This week's surgery is a follow-up on the previous procedure. Dickens, a Grand Ole Opry® favorite, is likely to return home Thursday or Friday. 3/30/04

Tin Pan South Begins
Nashville's annual Tin Pan South festival begins in Nashville today, March 30th. The festival, which continues through Saturday, will include a number of shows at various venues around town. Songwriters scheduled to perform include Bill Anderson, Pam Tillis, and Darryl Worley. 3/30/04

Bentley Undergoes Surgery
As we reported last week, Dierks Bentley sustained a knee injury when he jumped over a set of steps onstage at a concert on March 20th. He had surgery on his knee on Monday, March 29th, and is now at home recuperating. He will continue touring as planned. As we reported not too long ago, Dierks' debut CD was recently certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). A gold record party was scheduled before Dierks' mishap; instead of postponing that party, Capitol Records executives presented Dierks his plaque before he was wheeled into surgery. "Having visitors bring me a gold record isn't a bad way to go into surgery," Dierks quipped. 3/30/04

Strait to Perform at Gala
According to Great American Country, George Strait will be the featured performer at this year's Breeders' Cup World Thoroughbred Championships Charity Gala on October 29th in Fort Worth, Texas. Proceeds from the event will be donated to the Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation and the Texas Wild! Teacher Institute for the conservation and management of wildlife. 3/30/04

Nichols Named CMN Spokesperson
Joe Nichols has been named the spokesperson for the Children's Miracle Network, a charity that raises money for children's hospitals across North America. Nichols hopes to raise public awareness of the organization. In related news, Nichols will release a new CD, Revelation, on June 29th. 3/29/04

Lawrence's Bus Smoking
Tracy Lawrence recently went to dinner with radio station staffers while he was visiting San Diego. While he was at dinner, observant police and firefighters saw smoke in his bus. Noticing Tracy's children's toys in the bus and fearing that the family may have been aboard, the police and firefighters broke a window and entered the bus. Fortunately, the bus was empty. The smoke in the bus was caused by wiring in a generator. Tracy thanked the firefighters and the police and held an impromptu meet and greet with them. 3/29/04

Cash on Upcoming PBS Series
One of Johnny Cash's last interviews will be broadcast when the upcoming PBS series The Appalachians airs this fall. In addition to including the interview, the show will feature Cash singing with daughter Rosanne. The series will also include appearances by Ricky Skaggs, Ralph Stanley, Loretta Lynn, Vince Gill, Alison Krauss, Little Jimmy Dickens, and Marty Stuart. Naomi Judd narrates the series. 3/29/04

Vincent's Travel Woes
Rhonda Vincent and her band the Rage had quite a frustrating weekend as they attempted to travel from a show in Colorado to a show in Tennessee. The band arrived in Denver, Colorado, on Friday morning, expecting to catch a plane to Nashville. However, before they boarded the plane, they were told that the plane was delayed because a passenger from the previous flight was somehow "ensnared" in his seat. When the band was finally able to board the plane, they learned that the cargo door was ajar and that their luggage would have to travel separately. When the plane door closed, a flight attendant fainted. Some time later, the band finally landed in Nashville, got on their Martha White bus, and traveled to Knoxville. They made their show, arriving just minutes before stage time. 3/29/04

Bailey Brothers, Patsy Barnes Pass Away
Several country legends have passed away during March. Charlie Bailey, age 88, one-half of the Bailey Brothers, died around the middle of the month. His brother Danny, age 84, the other half of the duo, passed away early last Monday, March 22nd, in Knoxville. He was buried on Thursday. Patsy Barnes, the widow of songwriting legend Max D. Barnes, also passed away last week. Mrs. Barnes was a songwriter as well as a vocalist. Max D. Barnes co-wrote "Look at Us" as a tribute to her. 3/28/04

Golden Voice Family Affair Canceled
Sadly, Bettie Crook-Walker has canceled the Golden Voice Family Affair that was scheduled for June 10-11, 2004, in Nashville. A letter explaining the reason for the cancellation of the show was sent to each person who purchased tickets. 3/28/04

Kirby Ill
Dave Kirby, who has been ill for some time, recently learned that he has multimyloma and metstatic disease, mainly around his liver. He is scheduled to meet with a cancer specialist next week. Sadly, he also currently has pneumonia and is on oxygen; however, he has been released from the hospital and has gone home. Kirby, Leona Williams' husband, is the songwriter behind songs like "Is Anybody Goin' to San Antone," "Ain't No Good Chain Gang," and "Memories to Burn." 3/27/04

Cash Movies on DVD
Two rare Johnny Cash movies have been released to DVD by Bear Family: Five Minutes to Live, later renamed Door to Door Maniac, and The Night Rider. In addition to Cash, the latter film also includes Eddie Dean, Merle Travis, Gordon Terry, Wesley Tuttle, and Johnny Western. Neither of these movies has been previously released on DVD or on video. 3/27/04

Georgia Highway To Be Renamed
Months ago, we told you that the State of Georgia was considering renaming a portion of I-85 after Georgia native Alan Jackson. The Senate has passed the bill, and on Thursday, March 25th, the House passed it and sent it to the governor for his signature. No date has been set for the official dedication. 3/27/04

Pop Lewis Passes Away
Roy "Pop" Lewis, the father of the Lewis Family, passed away shortly before noon on Tuesday, March 23, 2004. Lewis was 98 years old. His funeral was held on Thursday, March 25, 2004, at Hephzibah Baptist Church in Lincolnton, Georgia. His wife, "Mom" Lewis, had passed away in February 2003. The Lewis Family is known as the First Family of Bluegrass Gospel Music. 3/25/04

Strait, Jackson, and Buffett Concert
George Strait, Alan Jackson, and Jimmy Buffett will perform at a single concert together on May 29, 2004, at the Texas Stadium in Dallas. Tickets are priced from $40 to $125 and will go on sale at Ticketmaster outlets on April 3rd. All three artists will have equal billing, but Jackson will open the show with Strait performing in the middle and Buffett singing last. Finally, all three will take to the stage for a finale. To purchase tickets, go to Ticketmaster.com. 3/25/04

CMT Flame Worthy Finalists Announced
The nominations for this year's CMT Flame Worthy Awards were announced Wednesday, March 24th, and a few traditional country artists received nods. Alan Jackson and Jimmy Buffett's "It's Five O'Clock Somewhere" received a nomination for Video of the Year, as did Brad Paisley's "Celebrity." Alan also picked up a nomination for Male Video of the Year. Collaborative Video of the Year nominees included Jackson and Buffett, Alison Krauss and James Taylor's "How's the World Treating You," and Marty Stuart and Merle Haggard's "Farmer's Blues." Fan favorites Buddy Jewell, Dierks Bentley, and Josh Turner all received nominations for Breakthrough Video of the Year. This year's Flame Worthy Video Music Awards show will be held on Wednesday, April 21st. Dolly Parton will host the show. 3/24/04

RIAA Files More Lawsuits
The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) has filed yet another round of lawsuits against accused illegal fire sharers. The organization filed 532 suits this week. Eighty-nine of those defendants used university networks to share files. 3/24/04

Bentley Injures Knee
At a concert in Biloxi, Mississippi, on March 20th, Dierks Bentley jumped over a set of steps onstage and sustained a "bone bruise" to his knee. He will undergo surgery in the near future, but will not cancel any upcoming tour dates. 3/23/04

Cash Biopic to Begin Soon
Production on the Johnny Cash biopic Walk the Line is expected to begin this summer. Joaquin Phoenix will play the role of the Man in Black while Reese Witherspoon acts as June Carter Cash. The film will focus on Cash's early years and the personal struggles he overcame. 3/22/04

Hank Jr. Joins Waylon Tribute
Hank Williams, Jr., will join Jessi Colter and Shooter Jennings for a Waylon Jennings tribute in Scottsdale, Arizona, on April 4th. Want to attend but can't? If you have Sirius Satellite Radio, you will be able to hear the broadcast. Proceeds from the show will benefit Rosie's House, a music academy for children in Arizona. The show will be held at the Handlebar-J nightclub. 3/22/04

Country Records Added to Library of Congress Historic Registry
The Library of Congress has announced that it will add fifty recordings to its registry of historic sound. Three of those to be added are in the country genre: Bob Wills' "New San Antonio Rose," Patsy Cline's "Crazy," and Johnny Cash at Folsom Prison. 3/22/04

New Singles
If you still listen to country radio, you will be thrilled to hear that Brad Paisley's next single will be the hauntingly beautiful "Whiskey Lullaby," a duet with Alison Krauss that was penned by Bill Anderson and Jon Randall. Josh Turner is also set to release a new single, "What It Ain't," on April 5th. His second single, "Long Black Train," broke a record at Radio & Records, becoming the longest-running country single in the history of the magazine. This week, Joe Nichols' latest single goes for adds at radio; the single is titled "If Nobody Believed in You" and will be on his upcoming CD, which will be released this summer. 3/22/04

Jim Reeves Panel Set for May
The International Country Music Conference will hold this year's annual meeting May 27-29 at Belmont University in Nashville. Those attending the conference can attend a panel discussion about the works of Jim Reeves, who died in a tragic plane crash forty years ago in July. The panel will include Reeves' guitarist Leo Jackson, secretary Joyce Jackson, and country artist Ginny Wright. 3/22/04

Larry Sparks Tribute in the Works
Bluegrass and old-time country fans know that Larry Sparks was the person who took Carter Stanley's place with Ralph Stanley after Carter passed away nearly four decades ago. Since that time, Sparks has forged a path of his own. Accordingly, Rebel Records is preparing to release a 40th anniversary tribute album to him. The album will pair Sparks with other bluegrass and country artists. According to CMT, Tom T. Hall and Ralph Stanley have already recorded duets for the tribute. Rebel Records expects that the album will be available by late summer. 3/22/04

King of Bluegrass Has Cancer
According to the Tennessean, Jimmy Martin, known in country and bluegrass circles as the King of Bluegrass, has been diagnosed with cancer of the bladder. Martin, a bluegrass Hall of Fame member, will begin radiation treatments on Monday, March 22, 2004. Want to send well wishes? Send cards and letters to Jimmy Martin, P.O. Box 646, Hermitage, Tennessee 37076. 3/20/04

Jones Expands Product Line
George Jones already has a line of dog food as well as a line of sausage. Public reaction to those products has been good, so he will soon expand his product line to include drinking water, which will be called George Jones' White Lightning Tennessee Spring Water. The water will be pumped from a natural spring in Tennessee. In related news, the Possum is currently in the studio with producer Keith Stegall. A new release is expected in the fall. He also recently recorded with Jerry Lee Lewis for Lewis's upcoming duet project. 3/19/04

McCoury Video Nominated for Award
The video for the Del McCoury Band's "My Love Will Not Change" has been nominated for the best new music video award at the Nashville Film Festival. The video was directed by Roger Pistole. Two awards will be presented in the category: one selected by a panel and the other selected by attendees at the film festival. The winners will be announced May 1st. 3/19/04

Stanley Honored
Ralph Stanley will be in Roanoke, Virginia, on March 19th to accept his award as the 2004 Virginian of the Year Award from the Virginia Press Association. Stanley is a native of Dickenson County in Virginia. Previous recipients of the award include the late June Carter Cash. 3/19/04

Worley to Perform at Fort Campbell
Darryl Worley will be at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, on Thursday, March 18th to welcome home the soldiers of the 101st Airborne. Worley will give an acoustic concert for the soldiers and their families prior to a speech by President Bush. In related news, Worley is working on a new album, which is expected to be released later this year. 3/17/04

Alabama To Be Honored with Merit Award
According to Great American Country, the Washington, D.C. USO will soon award Alabama its 2004 Merit Award. The honor is being bestowed upon the group for its support of the members of the United States military. The award presentation will take place next Tuesday, March 23rd. 3/17/04

South by Southwest Begins
The South by Southwest Music Conference kicks off Wednesday, March 17th, in Austin, Texas, and runs through Sunday. According to CMT, roughly 1,000 live music performances will take place during the event. Country artists scheduled to perform at the conference include Dierks Bentley, Junior Brown, BR549, Cowboy Jack Clement, the Derailers, Dale Watson, and Dwight Yoakam. 3/16/04

Turner to Benefit for Reading, Writing & Rhythm
Josh Turner is getting a lot of exposure these days. He will be one of the artists taking part in the annual benefit concert for Chely Wright's Reading, Writing & Rhythm Foundation. The concert will be held June 8th at the Wildhorse Saloon in downtown Nashville. Last year's concert raised $100,000 for the non-profit organization, which raises money to provide musical instruments and equipment to public school music departments. To purchase tickets to the event, call the Wildhorse Saloon at (615) 902-8200. 3/16/04

Country Stars Help Red Cross
March is Red Cross Month. Accordingly, Brad Paisley and Dierks Bentley have recorded public service announcements (PSA's) in support of the organization. The PSA's will air over several different media in a few weeks. 3/16/04

Jackson to the Bahamas
According to Great American Country, Alan Jackson will be heading to the Bahamas this month, but not simply for rest and relaxation. He will be going there to begin recording for his next album, the follow-up to his monstrously successful Greatest Hits Volume II. A release date for the upcoming CD has not been set. 3/16/04

Roberts Has Stroke
On Classic Saturday on March 13th, Eddie Stubbs revealed that Kenny Roberts, one of country music's great yodelers, suffered a stroke sometime last week. According to friends, Roberts was hospitalized, but has since left the hospital. Although many falsely believe that Patsy Cline was the first to record Bill Mack's "Blue," a 1996 smash for LeAnn Rimes, Roberts was actually the first to record the song. 3/15/04

Haggard To Sell Houseboat
Have an extra $200,000 to spare? If so, you could be the new owner of Merle Haggard's houseboat. The boat, located on Lake Shasta, was the Hag's home for five years. Click here for more information. 3/15/04

National Barn Dance Documentary in the Works
According to CMT, Chicago producer and director Stephen Parry is shooting a documentary on the National Barn Dance, which ran on Chicago radio station WLS from 1924 to 1960. Parry is a fan of early country music, and he has already talked to artists such as Slim Bryant and Tom C. Fouts. Although Parry has gotten grants from several sources, he continues to look for funds to complete the project, which he hopes to complete by late 2005 or early 2006. 3/15/04

Turner to "700 Club"
Josh Turner has confirmed that he will appear on CBN's "700 Club" later this month. His current single, "Long Black Train," has been on the Billboard country singles chart for just eight weeks shy of a year. 3/15/04

Strait's Voice Problems Resurface
George Strait was sidelined last month because of a throat infection, but he had resumed touring earlier this month, making an appearance at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo the first week of February. According to Great American Country, Strait's voice problems have returned, causing him to cancel a show in Milwaukee and reschedule a show in Columbus. Fans holding tickets to the Milwaukee concert may get refunds from wherever they purchased tickets. 3/15/04

Opry® Goes on the Road
Years ago, the Grand Ole Opry® toured as a tent show. Those tours featured such Opry® favorites as Minnie Pearl, Ernest Tubb, and Roy Acuff. This year, the Grand Ole Opry® is sending some of its current members on a similar tour. Vince Gill, Patty Loveless, and the Del McCoury Band will be featured on the tour and will be joined by Rebecca Lynn Howard, who is not an Opry member. Gill will be the tour's host, and Opry® announcer Eddie Stubbs will appear on the tour at times. The show will kick off April 23rd in Connecticut and will visit venues that will include state and county affairs. 3/14/04

Lorrie Morgan Honored by VFW Auxiliary
According to CMT, the Ladies Auxiliary to the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States will present Lorrie Morgan with the Better World Award on March 19th in a Nashville ceremony. The award recognizes those who have made significant contributions to creating a better world. Previous recipients include Art Linkletter and Danny Thomas. 3/14/04

Turner to IFCO Show
The International Fan Club Organization (IFCO) has announced that Josh Turner will be one of the artists who will perform at its annual IFCO show on Tuesday, June 8th. Tracy Byrd will be the featured guest. Country music historian Robert K. Oermann will host the show; WSM-AM radio personality Keith Bilbrey will host a special Fan Club Challenge/St. Jude segment. Click here to purchase tickets to the event. 3/14/04

ACM Nominees Announced
The Academy of Country Music (ACM) Awards nominees were announced on Wednesday, March 10th, The nominees are as follows:

• Entertainer of the Year
  • Brooks & Dunn
  • Kenny Chesney
  • Alan Jackson
  • Toby Keith
  • Tim McGraw
• Top Male Vocalist
  • Kenny Chesney
  • Alan Jackson
  • Toby Keith
  • Tim McGraw
  • Keith Urban
• Top Female Vocalist
  • Terri Clark
  • Sara Evans
  • Patty Loveless
  • Martina McBride
  • Shania Twain
• Top New Artist
  • Dierks Bentley
  • Pat Green
  • Buddy Jewell
  • Josh Turner
  • Jimmy Wayne
• Top Vocal Group
  • Alabama
  • Diamond Rio
  • Lonestar
  • Rascal Flatts
  • Trick Pony
• Top Vocal Duo
  • Blue County
  • Brooks & Dunn
  • Montgomery Gentry
  • The Bellamy Brothers
  • The Warren Brothers
• Single of the Year
  • "American Soldier," Toby Keith
  • "It's Five O'Clock Somewhere," Alan Jackson and Jimmy Buffett
  • "Red Dirt Road," Brooks & Dunn
  • "Remember When," Alan Jackson
  • "Three Wooden Crosses," Randy Travis
• Song of the Year
  • "It's Five O'Clock Somewhere," Alan Jackson and Jimmy Buffett (written by Jim Brown and Donald Rollins)
  • "Remember When," Alan Jackson (written by Alan Jackson)
  • "Red Dirt Road," Brooks & Dunn (written by Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn)
  • "There Goes My Life," Kenny Chesney (written by Wendell Mobley and Neil Thrasher)
  • "Three Wooden Crosses," Randy Travis (written by Doug Johnson and Kim Williams)
• Album of the Year
  • Honkytonkville, George Strait
  • Martina, Martina McBride
  • Mud on the Tires, Brad Paisley
  • Red Dirt Road, Brooks & Dunn
  • Shock'n Y'all, Toby Keith
• Vocal Event of the Year
  • "How's the World Treating You," Alison Krauss and James Taylor
  • "It's Five O'Clock Somewhere," Alan Jackson and Jimmy Buffett
  • "The Truth About Men," Tracy Byrd with Andy Griggs, Blake Shelton, and Montgomery Gentry
  • "Working for a Living," Phil Vassar and Huey Lewis
  • "Young Man's Town," Vince Gill with Emmylou Harris
• ACM/Launch Video of the Year
  • "Beer for My Horses," Toby Keith and Willie Nelson
  • "Celebrity," Brad Paisley
  • "Concrete Angel," Martina McBride
  • "Hurt," Johnny Cash
  • "It's Five O'Clock Somewhere," Alan Jackson and Jimmy Buffett
• Nightclub of the Year
  • Billy Bob's - Fort Worth, Texas
  • Buck Owens' Crystal Palace - Bakersfield, California
  • Far West Rodeo - San Antonio, Texas
  • Grizzy Rose - Denver, Colorado
  • The Trap - Nashville, Tennessee
• Casino of the Year
  • Ameristar Casino - Kansas City, Missouri
  • Boulder Station Casino - Las Vegas, Nevada
  • Mohegan Sun Resort & Casino - Uncasville, Connecticut
  • Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort - Mount Pleasant, Michigan
  • Turning Stone Casino - Verona, New York
• Don Romeo Talent Buyer/Promoter of the Year
  • Todd Boltin (Variety Attractions' Zanesville, Ohio)
  • Rich Mischell (Mischell Productions; Okeana, Ohio)
  • Brian O'Connell (Clear Channel Entertainment; Nashville, Tennessee)
  • Fran Romeo (TBA Entertainment; Crescent, Iowa, and Omaha, Nebraska)
  • Suzanne Wilson (Wilson Events, Inc.; Petaluma, California)
• Radio Station of the Year
  • WSIX - Nashville, Tennessee
  • KYCO - Denver, Colorado
  • WQYK - Tampa, Florida
  • WUSY - Chattanooga, Tennessee
  • WFMS - Indianapolis, Indiana
• On-Air Personality of the Year
  • Cornbread with Pat James - KFDI, Wichita, Kansas
  • Tim & Willy - KNIX, Phoenix, Arizona
  • Kelly, Jonathan & Mudflap - KYGO, Denver, Colorado
  • JD Cannon - WFMS, Indianapolis, Indiana
  • Jim, Deb & Kevin - WFMS, Indianapolis, Indiana
  • Blair Garner - syndicated
• Producer of the Year
  • Tony Brown
  • Keith Stegall
  • James Stroud
  • Dann Huff
  • Brent Rowan
• Audio Engineer of the Year
  • Billy Sherrill
  • Chuck Ainlay
  • Ben Fowler
  • Julian King
  • Steve Marcantonio
• Instrumentalists
  • Guitar
    • Jeff King
    • J.T. Corenflos
    • Larry Beaird
    • Bryan Sutton
    • Brent Rowan
  • Bass
    • Gary Lunn
    • David Hungate
    • Jimmy Lee Sloas
    • Mike Brignardello
    • Michael Rhodes
  • Drums
    • Shannon Forrest
    • Paul Leim
    • Steve Turner
    • Greg Morrow
    • Eddie Bayers
  • Steel Guitar
    • Scott Sanders
    • Sonny Garrish
    • Dan Dugmore
    • Bruce Bouton
    • Paul Franklin
  • Piano/Keyboard
    • Tim Akers
    • Tony Harrell
    • John Hobbs
    • Gordon Mote
    • Steve Nathan
  • Fiddle
    • Aubrey Haynie
    • Rob Hajacos
    • Stuart Duncan
    • Glenn Duncan
    • Jonathan Yudkin
  • Specialty Instrument
    • Eric Darken
    • Jim Horn
    • Terry McMillan
    • Kirk "Jelly Roll" Johnson
    • Russ Pahl

In addition, fans will be able to vote for the recipient of the final award, the Home Depot Humanitarian Award. The nominees for that award are Charlie Daniels, Martina McBride, and Brad Paisley. To vote, click here. The 2004 Academy of Country Music Awards will be telecast on CBS on Wednesday, May 26, 2004, at 8:00 ET/PT. 3/10/04

Davis Passes Away
Anna Carter Gordon Davis has passed away. Davis, the widow of former Louisiana Governor--and music legend--Jimmie Davis, was one of the original members of the Chuck Wagon Gang. Mrs. Davis had been recording since 1936 and was in her late 80's. The funeral was held today, March 9th. Ms. Davis was laid to rest in Mount Olive Cemetery in Fort Worth, Texas. 3/9/04

Twitty Estate Sues
According to CMT, the executors of Conway Twitty's estate have filed suit in a Nashville court for the unauthorized sale of CD, DVD, and VHS copies of a 1982 television special on the late Country Music Hall of Fame member. The suit, filed February 20th, claims that a contract between Conway and Jim Owens Entertainment and other organizations specifically excluded rights to "phonorecords and audio visual devices produced for home use." The suit notes that Jim Owens Entertainment asserts that its contract with Twitty gave them the authority "to sell the reproduction rights to this special and use Mr. Twitty's name and likeness to promote" sales. Obviously, the executors of Twitty's estate disagree with this claim. The suit asks for a hearing, an injunction against further sales, an order for a full accounting of items sold, and a monetary judgment. 3/8/04

Travis's Bus Lands in Ditch
Randy Travis's bus ran into a ditch on Sunday afternoon, March 7th, near Lakeville, Pennsylvania. Luckily, no one was seriously injured. Travis, his wife Elizabeth, and bus driver Jeff Davis were the only ones on the bus, and they received only bumps and bruises. Two trucks were required to pull the 45-foot bus out of the ditch. Travis did make his Sunday night show at a resort. 3/8/04

MerleFest Ticket Discount Ends Soon
Do you plan to go to MerleFest 2004? Have you bought your tickets yet? If not, you should hurry and place your order for tickets; Early Bird discount prices for the event will be available only through March 18th. Beginning on March 19, 2004, higher ticket prices will go into effect. MerleFest is a celebration of the music of Doc and Merle Watson. The festival will take place on the Wilkes Community College campus in Wilkesboro, North Carolina beginning April 29th. 3/7/04

Religious Albums Climb Country Chart
According to CMT, several religious albums have climbed the country albums chart this week. Randy Travis's current album Worship & Faith has risen six spots this week to #29, while his 2002 album Rise & Shine moved up nine spots to #43. Bill Gaither recently released two CD's featuring bluegrass artists such as Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder, Rhonda Vincent & the Rage, and Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver. Both CD's saw increased sales this week; the first volume comes in at #52, while the second volume reaches #64. Dolly Parton's For God and Country climbed to #69. 3/7/04

Dierks' CD Goes Gold
Dierks Bentley's self-titled debut CD has been certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). That's good news for Bentley, but there's more for him: Music Row Magazine has named him their Breakout Artist of the Year, and the Country Music Critics Poll recently announced that Dierks has been named the poll's Best New Act of 2003. Dierks' debut single reached the top 5 on the charts in 2003; his current single, "My Last Name" is currently hovering just outside the 20's on the country singles charts. 3/7/04

Paisley Named 2004 Artist Humanitarian
On Thursday, March 4th, Brad Paisley was shocked to learn that he has been named the 2004 Country Radio Broadcasters (CRB) Artist Humanitarian of the Year. Paisley was deserving of the honor; before he was a star, Paisley donated much of his time to nursing homes and civic organizations. Now that he is a star, he has formed his own charitable foundation to benefit his home state of West Virginia and has supported other charities including St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Disease Research, the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, the Salvation Army, and the T.J. Martell Foundation. Previous winners of the award Paisley received include Vince Gill, Clint Black, and Charlie Daniels. 3/4/04

The 1st Annual Golden Voice Family Affair
Bettie Crook-Walker started the Golden Voice Awards several years ago, but as many of you know, she has elected not to have it this year. Instead, she will be having the 1st Annual Golden Voice Country Affair, which will be held at the Valley Expo at 2611 McGavock Pike in the Music Valley area of Nashville. The event will kick off with the Golden Voice Show (not an awards show) on Thursday, June 10th at 10:00 A.M. At 1:00 P.M. that afternoon, ticketholders will be able to visit with their favorite legends at exhibit booths in the same location. The doors will close at 3:00 that afternoon, but will open again on Friday, June 11th for 5 more hours of visiting at the exhibit booths. Tickets to the Golden Voice Show and exhibit booths are $65.00 per person, and tickets to the show must be purchased by April 1st. Want to go? Make checks payable to Golden Voice - Family Affair, P.O. Box 618, Hendersonville, Tennessee 37077. Want more information? Log on to GoldenVoiceFamilyAffair.com. 3/3/04

More Alabama Appearances Canceled
Alabama member Randy Owen continues to suffer from a severe inner ear infection, and as a result, more Farewell Tour dates have been canceled. Unfortunately, Owen was even forced to miss the presentation of the Country Radio Seminar (CRS) Achievement Award, which was bestowed upon the group at the Country Music Hall of Fame on Tuesday, March 2nd. Teddy Gentry, Jeff Cook, and Mark Herndon appeared at the event and accepted the trophy. According to Greg Fowler, Alabama's publicist, Owen has been battling the ear infection for five weeks now, but is looking forward to returning to work. 3/3/04

ACM Nominees To Be Announced
The final nominees for this year's Academy of Country Music (ACM) Awards will be announced at a press conference on Wednesday, March 10th. Brad Paisley will be among those who announce the nominations. The ACM Awards show will air live from Las Vegas on May 26th on CBS. 3/2/04

Strait Breaks Attendance Records
According to Great American Country, George Strait recently broke several attendance records at several venues, including one record set by the Dixie Chicks during their Top of the World Tour last year. George played the Alltel Arena in Little Rock on Saturday, February 28th, to a crowd of 17,299 people, breaking the Chicks' previous single-day attendance record of 16,500. George has also broken other attendance records including the Pyramid Arena in Memphis and the Houston Astrodome. 3/2/04

Great High Mountain Tour
According to CMT, T Bone Burnett, the producer of the soundtracks to O Brother, Where Art Thou? and Cold Mountain and the person behind the 2002 Down from the Mountain Tour, will present a new tour, the Great High Mountain Tour, beginning in May. The tour, which will feature music from both of Burnett's movies, will kick off May 5th in Knoxville and run through June 16th. Artists expected to participate include Ralph Stanley, Alison Krauss + Union Station with Jerry Douglas, the Nashville Bluegrass Band, the Whites, the Cox Family, and Norman and Nancy Blake. Tickets for the first leg of the tour will go on sale March 8th. 3/1/04

Strait Resumes Touring
After being sidelined for a while because of a throat infection, George Strait has resumed touring. Thankfully, he made all of his tour dates during the last weekend of February. Strait is scheduled to be in Texas for the Houston Livestock Show on Wednesday. 3/1/04