News ~ October 2003

RIAA Files More Lawsuits
The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) has filed 80 more lawsuits against alleged illegal downloaders. According to the association, the defendants were among 204 individuals who received letters threatening legal action for copyright infringement. The other 124 people agreed to pay cash settlements. 10/31/2003

Warner Chappell on the Block
According to various news sources, Warner Chappell is up for sale. Warner Chappell is the music publishing division of Time Warner. The sale of the company could bring in over $1 billion for Time Warner, which is selling assets to trim $24 billion in debt. The New York Post reports that Viacom is the leading bidder to purchase the company. 10/31/2003

Byrd Launches Food Line
Like fellow Texans George Jones and Tanya Tucker, Tracy Byrd is set to launch his own food line. On Saturday, November 1st, Byrd will launch a new product line called Tracy Byrd's Tiny Town Products in Wal-Mart stores. The product line includes marinades and seasonings. Five cents from each product sold will benefit the Children's Miracle Network. 10/31/2003

DreamWorks Sold
The Universal Music Group has announced that it will purchase the DreamWorks record division for nearly $100 million. The purchase will be complete by the end of the year. Universal already owns Nashville labels MCA, Mercury, Universal South (which Universal co-owns), and Lost Highway, so Nashville will now have three major labels: Sony, Warner Brothers, and Universal. DreamWorks SKG will continue to produce films. 10/31/2003

Songwriter Rides for Down Syndrome
Songwriter Phil Thomas will leave Nashville for San Antonio on Saturday, November 1st to raise awareness for Down Syndrome. He will trace Davy Crockett's path and is expected to arrive at the Alamo on December 21st. The ride honors Monte Warden's son Van, who has Down syndrome. Thomas has co-written a number of country songs including "My Heart Cracked (But It Did Not Break)" for Randy Travis and "Baby Your Baby" for George Strait. 10/31/2003

WSM-AM Celebrates Award Winners
The Country Music Association (CMA) Awards will be held this Wednesday, November 5, 2003. WSM-AM is celebrating by spending this weekend playing songs by past CMA award winners. As always, if you can't get WSM-AM on your radio dial, tune in online at WSMOnline.com. 10/31/2003

OCMS To Be in Macy's Parade
According to the band's web site, the Old Crow Medicine Show (OCMS) will be in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on November 27th. The band will be riding on the new Marshmallow Peeps float. The Old Crow Medicine Show moved to Nashville several years ago to perform each week in the Opry® Plaza and just this summer, was asked to play in the Electric Barnyard Tour with Merle Haggard and Marty Stuart. For more information on the group, click here. 10/31/2003

Ron Davies Dies
Songwriter Ron Davies died of a heart attack in his Nashville home on Thursday, October 30, 2003. Davies, the brother of Gail Davies, was 57. Though Davies wrote a number of songs recorded by rock 'n' roll artists, he also penned songs by country artists Randy Travis, Ricky Skaggs, Vince Gill, and the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. Funeral arrangements have not yet been announced. 10/31/2003

Reed Producing Musical
Guitar Man Jerry Reed is producing an original musical entitled Cod Roaster. The musical, which was written by songwriter Bryan Kennedy, will be staged November 7th at the Boiler Room Theatre in Franklin, Tennessee, just outside Nashville. The story centers on three men sitting around a campfire singing songs. Reed had several hits on the Billboard country chart in the 1970's and 1980's including "When You're Hot, You're Hot," "East Bound and Down," and "She Got the Goldmine (I Got the Shaft)." 10/30/2003

Mellons' CD Delayed
Ken Mellons' latest CD, Sweet, was supposed to be released today, October 29th, but it was not. The release of the CD has been delayed until later this year. The album is being reworked to include a recently recorded duet with George Jones called "Institute of Honky Tonks." Vince Gill and Earl Scruggs are also featured on the CD. Mellons' latest single, "Paint Me a Birmingham," is currently at #9 on the Texas Music Chart. 10/29/2003

Stuart/Haggard Video on CMT & GAC
Not long ago, Marty Stuart and Merle Haggard recorded a video for their duet "Farmer's Blues" in Georgia. The video has quickly become one of the top 20 most requested videos on both CMT and Great American Country (GAC). Stuart's current single is "Too Much Month (At the End of the Money)." 10/28/2003

Tribute to Cash at CMA Awards
Kris Kristofferson, Willie Nelson, the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Travis Tritt, and Hank Williams, Jr., will take part in a tribute to Johnny Cash on the Country Music Association Awards show on November 5th. The Man in Black is nominated in four categories. In related news, Jimmy Dickens will join Brad Paisley for a performance of "Celebrity" on the show. The CMA Awards ceremony will be shown on CBS. 10/28/2003

Skaggs Releases Concert DVD
Ricky Skaggs will release his first solo DVD on Tuesday. The DVD, titled Soldier of the Cross - The Concert, was recorded in 2000, not long after the Soldier of the Cross CD was released. Skaggs' current single, "Simple Life," currently holds the #1 spot on the Bluegrass Unlimited singles chart for the third month in a row. 10/28/2003

Deaths Ruled Accidental
The deaths of Rosey Adams and Jimmy Campbell have been ruled accidental by the Tennessee state medical examiner. The bodies of Adams and Campbell were found in a converted school bus in Tennessee last Friday. Cause of death is listed as carbon monoxide poisoning, which was caused by several propane heaters in the bus. Autopsies showed that Adams' blood contained a carbon monoxide level of 79%. Campbell's blood level was 74%. Drugs were found on the bus, but the medical examiner ruled that drug use did not appear to be a factor in the deaths. Funeral services for both Adams and Campbell are Wednesday, October 29th. 10/28/2003

Morgan Joins Salvation Army
Lorrie Morgan has been named the Salvation Army's Angel Tree 2003 Honorary Chairperson. The Salvation Army Angel Tree program began in the 1970's and now provides help for over 17,000 citizens in Nashville. Morgan's current single is "Do You Still Want to Buy Me a Drink (Frank)." 10/28/2003

Loveless Tapes Video for New Single
Patty Loveless was recently at the historic Fly House on a Nashville farm to film the video for her new single "On Your Way Home." The video will premiere in three weeks. Loveless's current single, "Lovin' All Night," reached the top 20 on the Billboard chart. 10/28/2003

Jewell to Sing at Football Game
After next week's Country Music Association awards show, Buddy Jewell will head to Pittsburgh to sing the National Anthem before a football game between the Steelers and Arizona. Jewell's first single, "Help Pour Out the Rain," was a hit. The video for his second single, "Sweet Southern Comfort," is currently airing on Great American Country (GAC). 10/28/2003

CMA Victory in Case Against CCMA
According to the Tennessean, the Country Music Association (CMA) has won a preliminary injunction to keep the Christian Country Music Association (CCMA) from using the acronym CCMA. The CMA claims the similarity in the CMA's and CCMA's acronyms confuses music fans. CMA executive director Ed Benson said that the CCMA is free to use the words Country Music Association, but the word Christian must precede it. The Christian Country Music Association has until the end of the year to change literature that uses the CCMA acronym. 10/28/2003

New Baby for Derailer Bassist
According to CMT, Ed Adkins, the bass player for the Derailers, and his wife Amy welcomed their first baby, a boy, into the world on Sunday, October 19th. The couple named their new son Paul Edward Adkins III. Ed and Amy met on the set of the Derailers' video for "The Right Place." 10/27/2003

Turner CD Debuts in Top 20
Josh Turner's CD Long Black Train scanned over 10,000 units last week, making it the #19 CD on this week's Billboard chart. The title track is currently holding spot #2 on the Top Country Singles sales chart. Turner will sing that song on the Christian Country Music Association (CCMA) Awards show on November 6th. 10/27/2003

Daughter of June Carter Cash Found Dead
Rosey Carter Adams, better known as Rosey Nix, was found dead in a school bus on Friday night in Montgomery County, Tennessee. She was the daughter of June Carter Cash and second husband Rip Nix. The body of Jimmy Campbell, a fiddler who has played for Bill Monroe, the Osborne Brothers, and Jim & Jesse, was found inside the bus with Adams'. Drug paraphernalia was also found inside the bus. The cause of death is unknown, and a sheriff's department spokesperson called the deaths "suspicious." The bodies have been sent to the medical examiner for autopsies. The Carter and Cash families have had a difficult year. June Carter Cash passed away earlier this year on May 15th. Johnny Cash, Adams' step-father, passed away September 12th. For more information on this story, click here and here. 10/25/2003

The Hall of Fame Celebrates Women in Country
The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum will celebrate women in country music this weekend. The celebration starts Saturday at 1:00 P.M. with a panel discussion to include Goldie Hill, Jan Howard, and Sharon and Cheryl White. The discussion is free with admission to the museum or $5.00 for people who want to attend only the discussion. At 3:00 P.M. on Saturday, October 25th and Sunday, October 26th, the film Sweethearts of the Rodeo will be shown in the museum's Ford Theater. The Country Music Hall of Fame is located in downtown Nashville. A full schedule of events is available on the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum web site. 10/25/2003

WSM's Fall Back Weekend
Daylight Savings Time ends this weekend, and WSM is helping you remember to set your clock back with its Fall Back Weekend. All weekend long, WSM-AM will be playing songs related to time. Songs played this weekend will range from Tracy Lawrence's "Time Marches On" to Lefty Frizzell's "If You've Got the Money, I've Got the Time" to Grandpa Jones' "Daylight Savings Time." Can't get WSM-AM on your radio dial? Tune in online at WSMOnline.com. 10/25/2003

The "Battle of the Birminghams"
Ken Mellons and Tracy Lawrence have both released "Paint Me a Birmingham" as their current singles. Radio station WACF in Paris, Illinois, played both versions and requested that listeners vote on their favorite. Mellons' version won. 10/25/2003

A.P. Carter's Birthplace to Open
A.P. Carter's birthplace stood near Maces Spring, Virginia, for over a century, off limits to visitors. But earlier this year, the cabin's logs and chimney were dismantled so that the cabin could be restored and relocated. Beginning next year, the cabin will be located next to the Carter Family's Museum in Hiltons, Virginia, and will be open to visitors. If you are interested in visiting the newly restored cabin, call (276) 386-9480. A. P. Carter's birthplace is on the National Register of Historic Places. 10/25/2003

Bellamy Brothers Launch "Lifetime Career Project"
The Bellamy Brothers are currently in the recording studio working on a new "Lifetime Career Project." They are rerecording a number of their hits with some of their closest friends. Alan Jackson will join the duo on "Whistlin' Dixie," while K. T. Oslin will perform with the Bellamys on "I'd Lie to You for Your Love." Other guest artists are being confirmed. 10/23/2003

Jones on CCMA Awards
George Jones has joined the list of acts that will perform at the Christian Country Music Association (CCMA) Awards on November 6th. Jones will sing a song from his recently released 2-CD set, George Jones Sings the Greatest Stories Ever Told: The Gospel Collection. Other artists slated to appear at the CCMA Awards show include Josh Turner, Daron Norwood, and Buddy Jewell, who will act as co-host. The show will be broadcast live from the Ryman Auditorium at 7:00 P.M. on Great American Country (GAC). 10/23/2003

Martinez Inks Record Deal
According to the Tennessean, last season's "Nashville Star" contestant John Arthur Martinez has inked a record deal with Dualtone Records. Dualtone, an independent label, is home to several artists including David Ball and Jim Lauderdale. No word yet on a release date for a new single or CD from Martinez. 10/23/2003

More "Nashville Star" News
Charlie Robison has announced that he will not be a judge on the second season of "Nashville Star." In addition, the Tennessean hints that country music critic and historian Robert K. Oermann will not return to the show either. No word yet on replacements. Sony Nashville executive Tracy Gershon will likely return to the show, as will the host, Nancy O'Dell. The second season will premiere on March 6, 2004, at 9:00 P.M. Central on the USA Network. 10/22/2003

Krauss and Paisley to CMA Awards
Alison Krauss and Brad Paisley are slated to perform on the Country Music Association (CMA) Awards on November 5th. Krauss + Union Station will perform "Every Time You Say Goodbye." Paisley will sing his hit song "Celebrity." The show will air on CBS. 10/21/2003

Opry® Returns to Ryman
The Grand Ole Opry® will return to the Ryman Auditorium for a four-month run beginning Tuesday, October 28th. The live radio show will return to the Grand Ole Opry® House in March 2004. 10/21/2003

Stuart & Smith Participate in "Rhythm of the South"
On November 1st, Marty Stuart and Connie Smith will participate in "Rhythm of the South," a program developed to create interest and increase tourism in several Southern cities. Stuart, Smith, and Diamond Rio will perform for tourists, tour operators, and journalists and will also participate in a question-and-answer session wherein they will discuss their careers, country music, and Nashville. The event was coordinated by the Nashville Convention and Visitors Bureau. 10/21/2003

"Nashville Star 2" Auditions Begin
Auditions for the second season of "Nashville Star" will begin tomorrow, Wednesday, October 22nd. If you want to try out, be at the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville at 8:30 A.M. Visit the USA Network site for contest rules and eligibility and audition requirements. 10/21/2003

Tritt Joins Cash Memorial
Travis Tritt is now on the list of acts that will perform at the Johnny Cash Memorial Tribute on November 10th at the Ryman Auditorium. Tritt performed his own rendition of "I Walk the Line" on the Marty Stuart-produced CD Kindred Spirits: A Tribute to the Music of Johnny Cash. Can't attend the memorial or doubt that you'll win tickets? CMT will broadcast the tribute on Saturday, November 15th, at 7:00 P.M. 10/21/2003

Another New Cash Book
A new book, Ring of Fire: A Tribute to Johnny Cash, is one of many about Johnny Cash that are being rushed to bookshelves. According to CMT.com, the book will feature black-and-white pictures taken by former Grand Ole Opry® photographer Les Leverett. Also included are quotations and stories about the Man in Black including bass player Marshall Grant's account of the incident that got Cash kicked off the Opry®. The book will be released on Valentine's Day next year. To pre-order the book, click here. 10/20/2003

Cody Wins Nashville A.I.R. Awards
WSM-AM's Bill Cody won three awards at the March of Dimes Achievement in Radio Awards last week: Best Morning Show, Best Entertainment Interview, and Funniest Bloopers. Other WSM winners include Jerry Minshall for news and Kevin Ingram for sports. Never listened to Bill's morning show? Tune into WSM every weekday morning from 5:30-10:00 A.M. Central. 10/20/2003

Opry® House Renovation Complete
The renovation at the Grand Ole Opry® House is complete. Visitors can now buy tickets at a new box office, enjoy food and drinks from new concession stands, and purchase Grand Ole Opry® memorabilia from a new gift shop. To purchase tickets to a Grand Ole Opry® show, click here. 10/18/2003

New Show on GAC
Great American Country (GAC) will soon premiere a new show called "Country Music Across America." News, new releases, and a countdown will be featured on each episode. The show, produced by Different Drummer Productions of Nashville, will be hosted be Storme Warren and will include a different celebrity co-host for each episode. Vince Gill will co-host the first episode. Look for the show to debut on November 4th. 10/18/2003

Johnny Cash In His Own Words
According to the Tennessean, in July Johnny Cash gave an interview about the Appalachians to a filmmaker. That interview will soon be turned into a book, Johnny Cash in His Own Words, which will be released next year by Random House. The Man in Black passed away September 12th, and in the weeks since, publishers and record labels have announced plans to release a number of books on and CD's by the Country Music Hall of Fame member. 10/16/2003

Cash Memorial To Be Aired on CMT
The Johnny Cash Memorial Tribute will take place at the Ryman Auditorium on Monday, November 10th. On Saturday, November 15th at 7:00 P.M. Central, CMT will air the concert. The Man in Black's longtime manager Lou Robin says that the Cash family wants the memorial broadcast on television to allow fans without tickets to the memorial the chance to take part in paying tribute to the legend. Cash's September 15th funeral was not open to the public. 10/16/2003

Gary Buck Dies
Canadian country figure Gary Buck passed away Tuesday, October 14th in Alberta. Buck had a top 20 Billboard hit with "Happy to be Unhappy" in 1963. He also spent 12 years as the international director of the Country Music Association (CMA) and later founded the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame. Buck was inducted into that hall in 2001. At the time of his death, Buck was 63. 10/15/03

Paisley, BR549, and Riders Head to Japan
Brad Paisley, BR549, and the Riders in the Sky will soon head to Japan for the 15th Annual Country Gold Festival in Kumamoto. The October 19th event will take place at the bottom of Mount Aso, an active volcano. The Stevens Sisters, who will soon go on tour with Paisley, will also be on the bill, as will Ricochet. The festival has been held annually in Japan since 1989. 10/14/03

Cash Memorial Tickets To Be Given Away by Lottery
Want to attend the public memorial for Johnny Cash? The 1,000 tickets to be given away to fans will be distributed by lottery. If you want tickets, send a 3½- by 5-inch card with your name, address, and daytime telephone number to Johnny Cash Memorial Tribute, P. O. Box 20003, Nashville, Tennessee 37203. Only one entry per person will be entered, and all entries must be received by 11:59 P.M. Eastern time October 26th. Winners will be chosen on October 27th and will be notified by phone by the end of October. Each winner will receive two tickets to the memorial, which will include performances by Jack Clement; George Jones; Kris Kristofferson; Willie Nelson; Hank Williams, Jr.; and Dwight Yoakam. Johnny Cash passed away on September 12th. A private funeral was held for him in Hendersonville, Tennessee, last month. 10/14/03

Cash Memorial Moved
The public memorial for Johnny Cash has been moved from November 12th to November 10th, 2003. The service will be held at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville and will include appearances by Willie Nelson, Kris Kristofferson, and Hank Williams, Jr. Cash's friends and industry executives will have reserved seating. The remaining tickets will be distributed to the public via a lottery system. More details regarding ticket distribution will be released within the next week. 10/9/03

Tucker & Lasater Split
According to the Tennessean, Tanya Tucker and her ex-fiance Jerry Lasater have split, and Tanya has filed a petition against Lasater asking the Williamson County Chancery Court for custody of the parties' daughter Layla and for child support. For more information, visit the Tennessean's web site. 10/8/03

Sony Renews Deal with "Nashville Star"
Sony Music Nashville has renewed its deal with the USA Network show "Nashville Star." As with the first season of the show, the winner of the second season will receive a recording contract with the label. This year's winner, Buddy Jewell, released his self-titled CD with Sony in July. That CD has already spawned one hit, "Help Pour Out the Rain," which is currently a top ten hit. People who are interested in following in Jewell's footsteps on the reality show should visit the "Nashville Star" web site for information on the audition process. 10/7/03

Wesley Tuttle Dies
Wesley Tuttle passed away Monday, September 29, 2003, in a California hospital. Tuttle recorded for Capitol Records and scored five top 20 Billboard hits from 1945-1954: "With Tears in My Eyes," "Detour," "I Wish I Had Never Met Sunshine," "Tho' I Tried (I Can't Forget You)," and "Never," a duet with his wife, actress Marilyn Myers. An accomplished yodeler, Tuttle was the voice of one of the dwarfs in Disney's "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs." A memorial service will be Sunday, October 5th in San Fernando. 10/4/03

Nashville Scene Names WSM-AM Best Country Radio Station
In the October 2nd issue of the Nashville Scene, Michael McCall named WSM-AM Best Country Radio Station. In his review of the station, McCall reserved special compliments for Eddie Stubbs: "There's not a more knowledgeable or more engaging radio personality in America. Stubbs doesn't obsess on making you laugh--he's going straight for your heart." Those who have never listened to the legendary station can tune in online at WSMAM.com. 10/3/03

McCoury Invited to Join Opry®
Ricky Skaggs and Sonny Osborne surprised Del McCoury at the IBMA Awards last night. As McCoury accepted his band's award for Entertainer of the Year, Skaggs and Osborne walked onstage next to McCoury and asked him what he would be doing October 25th. When McCoury hesitated, Osborne asked him if he'd like to join the Opry®. After receiving a standing ovation, McCoury accepted the invitation. The bluegrass legend will be inducted during the early show on October 25, 2003. To purchase tickets to the induction, visit Opry.com. 10/3/03

IBMA Award Winners
The 14th Annual International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) Awards were held last night, October 2nd, in Louisville, Kentucky. The winners:

• Hall of Honor Inductee - J.D. Crowe
• Distinguished Achievement Award Recipients
• Jack Cooke
• Terry Lickona
• The Station Inn
• Bob Turbanic
• Fiddlin' Arthur Smith
• Entertainer of the Year - The Del McCoury Band
• Male Vocalist of the Year - Dan Tyminski
• Female Vocalist of the Year - Rhonda Vincent
• Vocal Group of the Year - Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver
• Instrumental Group of the Year - Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder
• Emerging Artists of the Year - Kenny & Amanda Smith
• Album of the Year - Alison Krauss + Union Station Live, Alison Krauss + Union Station
• Instrumental Album of the Year - The Bluegrass Fiddle Album, Aubrey Haynie (With Barry Bales, Sam Bush, Tony Rice, and David Talbot)
• Song of the Year - "Blue Train (of the Heartbreak Line)" from the CD Hard Game of Love, Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver
• Recorded Event of the Year - Will the Circle Be Unbroken, Volume III, the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band (Featuring Matraca Berg, Sam Bush, June Carter Cash, Johnny Cash, Vassar Clements, Iris Dement, Rodney Dillard, Jerry Douglas, Glen Duncan, Vince Gill, Josh Graves, Jamie Hanna, Emmylou Harris, Alison Krauss, Taj Mahal, Jimmy Martin, Del McCoury, Robbie McCoury, Ronnie McCoury, Jonathan McEuen, the Nashville Bluegrass Band, Willie Nelson, Tom Petty, Tony Rice, Earl Scruggs, Randy Scruggs, Ricky Skaggs, Doc Watson, Richard Watson, and Dwight Yoakam)
• Gospel Recorded Performance of the Year - "The Hand Made Cross" from the CD Hard Game of Love, Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver
• Liner Notes: Recorded Project - Chambergrass: A Decade of Tunes from the Edges of Bluegrass, Berline, Crary & Hickman; Dan Crary (writer)
• Graphic Design: Recorded Project - Big Apple Bluegrass, the Greenbrier Boys; Nate Clesowich and Amy Van Holzhausen (designers)
• Instrumental Performers of the Year
• Banjo - Jim Mills
• Bass - Mike Bub
• Dobro - Rob Ickes
• Fiddle - Jason Carter
• Guitar - Bryan Sutton
• Mandolin - Adam Steffey
• Print Media Personality of the Year - Wade Jessen, Billboard
• Broadcaster Personality - Terry Herd
• Bluegrass Event of the Year - European World of Bluegrass; Voorthuizan, The Netherlands; the European Bluegrass Music Association

The awards show will be broadcast on WSM-AM on Sunday, October 5, 2003, at 9:00 P.M. 10/3/03

Mellons To Release New CD
Ken Mellons will release a new CD titled Sweet on October 28th. The CD, which includes Mellons' latest single, "Paint Me a Birmingham," will feature appearances by Vince Gill, Earl Scruggs, and Rebecca Lynn Howard. To listen to Ken's rendition of "Paint Me a Birmingham," visit KenMellons.com. 10/2/03

Jackson & Strait Go Gold
CD's by neo-traditionalists Alan Jackson and George Strait have been certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). Jackson's latest CD, Greatest Hits Volume II and Some Other Stuff was certified gold and platinum in September, while George Strait's Honkytonkville and 20th Century Masters - The Millennium Collection were certified gold. Jackson's latest CD was just released August 12th, while Strait's latest gold CD's were released June 10th, 2003, and March 26th, 2002, respectively. 10/2/03

Gilley's Dallas Opens
The nightclub Gilley's has been gone from Pasadena for a long time, but Mickey Gilley opened Gilley's Dallas today, October 2nd. The grand opening celebration will take place Wednesday, October 15th and will include Charlie Daniels, the Oak Ridge Boys, Johnny Lee, and Gilley himself. For more information about the club, visit the official Gilley's Dallas web site. 10/2/03