Country Music Hall Of Fame Welcomes Tammy Wynette Collection

The entire collection of professional memorabilia documenting the stellar career of Tammy Wynette has arrived at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. The move was facilitated by George Richey, Wynette’s widower, and Wanda Williams, after numerous discussions with the Museum.

Among the 14 ultra-feminine stage costumes, all dating from the latter years of her career, are the red jacket trimmed in gold brocade that Wynette wore when she sang “Stand by Your Man” with Lyle Lovett on NBC’s Tonight Show in 1993. The collection includes her trademark beaded jackets, gowns and jumpsuits, most created by fashion designers Jeff Billings and Lillie Rubin.

A crate of awards memorializing Wynette’s remarkable contributions to country music includes Grammys for “I Don’t Wanna Play House” (1967) and “Stand by Your Man” (1969); CMA Female Vocalist of the Year Awards for 1968, 1969 and 1970; and her ACM Pioneer Award (2000).

Among the framed letters and notes are messages from Presidents Gerald Ford, Ronald Reagan and George H. Bush. One of the more unusual pieces is a lyric sheet for “A Woman’s Needs,” a song Tammy Wynette recorded with Elton John for his 1993 Duets album. The autograph reads: “The Queen of Country Meets the Queen of England. Love you, Elton John.”

“Like Kitty Wells, Dolly Parton and Loretta Lynn, Tammy’s songs articulated a woman’s perspective rarely found in country music at the time,” said Museum Director Kyle Young. “Like many of her peers in the Country Music Hall of Fame, she overcame the limitations of an impoverished rural childhood to become one of America’s defining cultural icons.

“These relics and accoutrements of her career are important touchstones worthy of study and interpretation, and that’s why we are so grateful to see them arrive here,” Young said. “Thanks to Wanda and George, we expect to have many of them on exhibit before the end of this year.”

“We are glad to have these extraordinary artifacts in a place where they will be respected and preserved, and where they can be returned to her fans,” Williams said. “Tammy would be thrilled.”

In the 1960s and ’70s, as a solo artist and as the duet partner of David Houston and later George Jones, Tammy Wynette racked 20 number one hits. Among her most well-known songs are “Your Good Girl’s Gonna Bad,” “I Don’t Wanna Play House,” “D-I-V-O-R-C-E,” “Stand By Your Man” and “We’re Gonna Hold On.” Known as the First Lady of country music, Wynette died at age 55 in April 1998. She was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame later that year.

New Music Video From Zac Brown Band & Jimmy Buffet- "Margaritaville"

New Music Video From Katie Armiger- "Kiss Me Now"

New Music Video From Eric Church- "Hell On The Heart"

Fresh Music Friday

Country Music Hall Of Fame Collaborates With Country's Best For Inspirational CD- Sunday In The Country

Themes of family and faith run deep in country music, as evidenced by the explosion of inspiring hits topping the mainstream radio and sales charts.

New Haven Records in partnership with the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum will release the CD Sunday in the Country: 12 Inspiring Hits From Today’s Top Country Artists this month. The project is set for a March launch at Christian retail through Provident-Integrity Distribution, and will be released to mainstream outlets through SONY Distribution.

The landmark new release includes a virtual “Who’s Who” of Grammy, Country Music Association and Academy of Country Music award-winning artists. Artists featured include Trace Adkins, Alabama, Diamond Rio, Vince Gill, Tracy Lawrence, Martina McBride, Tim McGraw, George Strait, Josh Turner, Keith Urban, Steve Wariner and Lee Ann Womack.

“Inspirational songs have always had an important place in the country music canon,” adds Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum Director Kyle Young. “The songs that comprise Sunday in the Country uphold this rich tradition, offering hope, fellowship, solace and gratitude. New Haven Records has been releasing meaningful country and gospel recordings for two decades, and we’re pleased to be partners with them on this project.”

New Music Video From Newcomer Matt Dylan- "Carolina Moonshine"

From the soundtrack of the independent feature film "Red Dirt Rising" comes the music video for the song "Carolina Moonshine" by Matt Dylan. It includes a special appearance by Junior Johnson- Racing Hall-of-Fame inductee. The movie chronicles the origins of stock car racing.

Country Music Executive Jim Halsey Releases New Book

After building the number one country-music agency in the world, Halsey eventually sold it to found the Jim Halsey Institute, which focuses on helping others pursue their dreams in the music industry. In his new book released nationwide this month, titled “Starmaker,” he continues that mission by sharing the secrets he learned while shepherding the careers of entertainment giants.

Published by Tate Publishing and Enterprises, the book digs deep into the fundamentals: how to develop an act, how to get an agent, how to use the press to build your audience, how to play the biggest and best forums. His incisive advice will help readers find their place on the team—the position that provides the most successful and most fulfilling career. Whether you dream of seeing your name in lights or prefer a powerful position behind the scenes, Halsey can tell you how to achieve your dream.

The book is available through bookstores nationwide, from the publisher at www.tatepublishing.com/bookstore, or by visiting barnesandnoble.com or amazon.com.

Throughout his career, Halsey has worked with The Oak Ridge Boys, Roy Clark, Hank Thompson, Reba McEntire, Wanda Jackson, Tammy Wynette, Rick Nelson, Roy Orbison, Dwight Yoakam, Clint Black, the Judds, Merle Haggard, Waylon Jennings, Lee Greenwood, and a host of others. Since 1990, The Jim Halsey Institute has been helping artists’ dreams come true everyday. Halsey continues his active management of the supergroup, The Oak Ridge Boys. When he is not traveling, teaching, or writing, he lives near Tulsa, Oklahoma, with his wife, Minisa.

CD Reviews- Blake Shelton- Hillbilly Bone

The Background
Blake Shelton, who has garnered more attention in recent months from his publicized relationship with Miranda Lambert than from his music, returns with ‘Hillbilly Bone,’ a six-track mini-album that is his latest long-overdue collection of music. Throughout his near-decade long stint with Warner Brothers Nashville, Shelton has enjoyed renowned success for such singles including “Austin,” “The Baby,” “Some Beach,” and “She Wouldn’t Be Gone.” With his outlandish southern-pride influenced demeanor and attitude, Blake has developed a reputation for his humor-based catchy sing-along tunes, while also surprising fans at times with his more sensitive, slowed down appreciation of the genre as well. With every release, Shelton continues to add to his diversified collection of music, adding influences and elements to his repertoire that are setting him apart from his country male artist counterparts.

The Review
Shelton thrives at the upbeat, twang-rock influenced tunes on this album, as he has in the past. The aggressive vocals alongside the clean yet edgy riffs set the stage for some chart-topping singles. The pride-driven southern anthem “Kiss My Country Ass” is a prime example of a song that will be sure to have country music fans, who have never been “south of Queens,” singing along to every word. “Hillbilly Bone” is evened out by a pair of slowed-down, traditionally-acoustic sounding tunes that fall just short of making this a truly exceptional collection of music. Both “You’ll Always Be Beautiful” and “Delilah” are second-rate attempts at diversifying the album, and the overall predictability and lack of authenticity results in boredom midway through the songs. The catchy laugh-and-sing-along lyrics of “Almost Alright” and “Can’t Afford To Love You” return this album to top form, allowing for Blake’s undeniable sense of humor to shine through once again. This abbreviated set, even despite a couple momentary lulls, puts Blake Shelton back on the top of the male vocalist charts, which is right where he belongs.

Sounds Like
Blake Shelton A Year After ‘Startin’ Fires’

Track Highlights (Suggested iPod Adds)
Hillbilly Bone
Kiss My Country Ass
Can’t Afford To Love You

The Verdict
Three Stars Out Of Five

Review by Chad Carlson. Chad is the Editor of SteelTownRock.com, Pittsburgh’s New Music Authority. To contact Chad, reach out to him at chad.carlson(at)steeltownrock.com

Jessica Harp Makes Stunning Announcement- She's Stepping Away From Performing

Jessica Harp took to her website yesterday and made a very stunning announcement that she will be leaving her career as a performing artist and will concentrate solely on a career as a songwriter. Below is a letter she posted on her website to all of her fans.

My sweet friends.

If someone had told me a couple years ago that I’d be sitting here writing you this letter I would’ve laughed. But as I’ve been through so much personally and professionally those last couple of years, and the older I get, I realize more and more how quickly time flies. How short life really is. And most of all, that change is ok, and sometimes for the best.

I’m writing to you with news that I’m certain you’re not expecting, and will most likely be very surprised by. After reading through your responses to my last post, I had a good long cry being the sap I am, knowing how wonderful you are and that I would be having to share with you something so unexpected. My hope is that you will understand and support what I’m about to tell you, just as you have lovingly and tirelessly supported me for so long. :wub:

Last week I announced to those in my professional world a decision that I only recently made in certainty. It’s a decision that began as a ‘what if?’ out of preparation, then slowly turned into ‘what if?’ out of personal necessity. It’s a decision that was long thought about, long discussed with those closest to me, long soul searched and prayed about. It wasn’t easy…until it came to feel right in one’s search for fulfillment and happiness. Until I realized a change of heart.

It’s with the certainty of choice, but the heavy heart of a woman who will mourn the closing of a very long chapter in her life that I tell you…I have decided at this point to stop pursuing my career as a recording artist and focus on songwriting full time.

The decision wasn’t easy and less easy to tell you guys. You, who have stood by me through the ups, downs and in betweens. Some who have supported me since I was just an independent singer/songwriter trying to follow my dream. Many who followed me through a blessings of success in a duo with my friend. Now through the rollercoaster that has been the transition from duo to solo artist, waiting patiently for songs to be written, a record to be made, songs and videos to be released. And that all elusive record with many assured timeframes of release followed by many pushes back. But I’m happy to tell you that thanks to WMG I get to leave you with a parting gift – A Woman Needs is finally going to be available for digital download (at all digital retailers) on March 16th.

The people in this community are the reason that I’ve loved doing my job. The people who have encouraged me continually through battles as well as achievements. The people at my shows, singing every word at the top of your lungs. YOU are why this career has been fulfilling to me. So for that, I can only tell you again – THANK YOU. I’ve appreciated you more than you’ll ever know, and have come to care so much for you. And the only regret I have in this decision is letting you down. Because you’ve never let me down.

I love music so much and I can’t imagine it not being a part of my life. And moving forward as a songwriter, I will hopefully be able to share my music through the voices of artists who DO have their hearts in what they’re doing. Of course I’ll miss being the one on stage seeing those smiling faces and always will. But I have memories to last a lifetime, and I’m at a point where I feel anything’s possible. I don’t think I’ve stepped on my last stage. But I know the stage is better left for others at this time.

I also realized I’ve had other passions and intrigues, some for a long time, others more recent. And I’ll have the opportunity to explore those now as well. It’s a new chapter for me. It’s not the end of the book, it’s just a new chapter. And it feels so nice to feel inspiration again.

So all that’s left for me to do other than begin writing the next chapter is to somehow try to express to you guys what you’ve meant and will always mean to me. But I don’t think there are words that make that fully possible. I just want you to know that you’ve meant so much to me, not just as an artist but as a woman. And you always, always will. And I don’t think this is the last time we’ll be in touch. Actually I know it’s not, because I’ve created an e-mail address just for you.

emailjessicaharp@gmail.com

Post any response you feel here, I’ll be sure to read it. But also feel free to e-mail me. I’ll check it, read and reply as my schedule allows. That doesn’t mean you won’t get a response, it just means don’t think you won’t if it takes me a little time. I’ve got a few irons in the fire now kitty cats. Oh, and I’ll still have my Twitter. And my YouTube Channel in case I decide to start a reality internet show from my living room or something.

So now, with the support of my friends and family, my professional team and Warner Music Nashville…all I need is your blessing. And other than that, I only ask one other thing. My favorite thing about this group of people is seeing the bonds that have formed by people who may not have met otherwise. So after this site/board goes away (which won’t be immediately but I will let you know before it happens), promise me you’ll keep those bonds. And find another lucky artist to support, encourage and cherish the way you have me. And I tell ya, they’ll be damn lucky.

You are all beautiful souls and I love you. Thanks for being such a special part of my life. We’ll talk again.

Yours,
Jessica

Academy Of Country Music Award Nominations Announced

The ACM Awards air on April 18th…here are the full list of nominations… who do YOU think will win each category?

Entertainer of the Year:

•Kenny Chesney
•Toby Keith
•Zac Brown Band
•Carrie Underwood
•Brad Paisley
•Keith Urban
•Taylor Swift
•George Strait

Top Male Vocalist of the Year

•Kenny Chesney
•Brad Paisley
•Keith Urban
•George Strait
•Darius Rucker

Top Female Vocalist of the Year

•Miranda Lambert
•Taylor Swift
•Carrie Underwood
•Reba McEntire
•Lee Ann Womack

Top Vocal Duo of the Year

•Brooks & Dunn
•Joey & Rory
•Montgomery Gentry
•Steel Magnolia
•Sugarland

Top Vocal Group of the Year

•Lady Antebellum
•Rascal Flatts
•Zac Brown Band
•Little Big Town
•Randy Rogers Band

Top New Solo Vocalist of the Year

•Luke Bryan
•Jamey Johnson
•Chris Young

Top New Vocal Duo of the Year

•Bomshel
•Joey & Rory
•Steel Magnolia

Top New Vocal Group of the Year

•Eli Young Band
•The Lost Trailers
•Gloriana

Album of the Year

•American Saturday Night-Brad Paisley
•Lady Antebellum-Lady Antebellum
•Play On-Carrie Underwood
•The Foundation-Zac Brown Band
•Revolution-Miranda Lambert

Single Record of the Year

•Need You Now-Lady Antebellum
•Red Light-David Nail
•People Are Crazy-Billy Currington
•Toes-Zac Brown Band
•White Liar-Miranda Lambert

Song of the Year

•“You Belong with Me”-Taylor Swift
•“White Liar”- Miranda Lambert
•“People Are Crazy”-Billy Currington
•“Cowboy Casanova”-Carrie Underwood
•“Need You Now”-Lady Antebellum

Video of the Year

•“Need You Now”-Lady Antebellum
•“Boots On”-Randy Houser
•“Welcome to the Future”-Brad Paisley
•“You Belong with Me”-Taylor Swift
•“White Liar”-Miranda Lambert

Vocal Event of the Year

•“Hillbilly Bone”-Blake Shelton & Trace Adkins
•“Seeing Stars”-Jack Ingram & Patty Griffin
•“I Told You So”-Carrie Underwood & Randy Travis
•“I’m Alive”-Kenny Chesney & Dave Matthews
•“Honkey Tonk Stomp” -Brooks & Dunn and Billy Gibbons

That Nashville Soundbites- The Harters- Family Love Harmony EP

That Nashville Sound receives many different CD releases throughout the year from indie and new artists that we’re doing short mini CD reviews on. We call them That Nashville Soundbites- it’s a feature that will allow us to give some props to some albums and artists that deserve a spotlight on their work.

Release Date: December 2009
Music Label: Bigger Picture Group
The Skinny: Sounding a bit like a more twangy Lady Antebellum, this sibling trio's debut EP shows incredible promise. The runaway bride story of "Jenny" highlights an album filled with soaring harmonies- although the paternal thank-you "I Owe You" is also a terrifically written and performed track as well. Hopefully, we'll hear more than these five songs from this dynamic threesome.
Sounds Like: Lady Antebellum
Standout Tracks: "Jenny," "I Owe You,”
The Verdict: Three Stars Out Of Five

An Interview With Josh Thompson Over At The 9513

In Josh Thompson, working-class country has found one of the more authentic spokesman in recent history. A compelling singer, he is an artist whose songwriting reflects both the gritty realities of blue-collar life and the beer-fueled release of the Friday-night honky-tonk.

There is no doubt about his work ethic, which was perhaps most evident in the days when he was juggling the publishing deal he earned just seven months after moving to Nashville and the concrete-pouring trade he had worked at since he was 12. He just recently launched his first album, Way Out Here that has spawned the big hit, "Beer On The Table."

I had an opportunity to interview Josh over at The 9513 this last week. You can read a snippet of the interview below and see the entire thing HERE.

KMJ: Besides the obvious fact that it’s a song on the album, is there a relevance to the title of the album, Way Out Here?

JT: I felt like it explained the album and the theme that I was going for which was my way of life. It’s not necessarily where you live or how far out in the country you live, but a set of beliefs. Some people still believe in the bible. Some people still believe in their second amendment right. Some people won’t wait for a hand-out. They’ll just get to work. That’s basically just the theme of it all.

Bucky Covington Releases New Tribute To Fathers- "A Father's Love" Premieres Today

With a self-titled debut album that has gone on to sell nearly 500 thousand copies and a string of top 10 hits including “A Different World,” “It’s Good To Be Us” and “I’ll Walk,” Lyric Street recording artist Bucky Covington returns with his newest single, “A Father’s Love (The Only Way He Knew How).”

Beginning this morning (March 1), Bucky Covington will give PEOPLE.COM an exclusive FIRST LISTEN to “A Father’s Love” which tells the story of a father who shows his children how much he loves them by taking care of all the little things in life. Written by Liz Hengber, Thom Sheperd and Steve Williams, the featured track is from his upcoming sophomore album, I’m Alright, releasing fall 2010. Listen to the track HERE.

"We were basically done with the new CD when this song came across the desk ... the minute I heard it I knew that I had to cut it," said Bucky. "It reminds me of my dad when I was growing up and I think many people will relate to it too!"

New Music Video From Josh Thompson- "Blame It On Waylon"

Up & Coming New Nashville- Blue Mother Tupelo (With Exclusive Interview)

“The 14 songs are brimming with delta soul and Appalachian energy. Tupelo and Always Lookin’ are back-and-forth duets that fall somewhere in the space between Johnny & June and an uncontrived version of Sheryl Crow and Kid Rock.”—Uncommon Music

Not a bad comparison in either case.

Ricky and Micol Davis, shortly after marrying in 1994, began their musical life together at an open mic night at Sassy Ann's in Knoxville, which proved to be the beginning of something very special. After releasing their debut album, My Side Of The Road, in 1997, they moved to Nashville in 1998. Vanguard recording artist Mindy Smith, who had just moved from Knoxville to Nashville a few months earlier, encouraged Ricky and Micol to move to Music City. The four-piece band continued to perform throughout Tennessee, western North Carolina, and Georgia in clubs and opened concerts for Delbert McClinton, Grand Funk Railroad, and Pat Travers. In between the 4-piece combo shows, the Davis duo performed at open-mike nights and songwriters’ rounds in The Music City. A change in musical direction led to regrouping, and Ricky & Micol set out on their own again.

It's been said that a BMT performance is like stepping into a "pentecostal revival" -- with Ricky and Micol's gritty, sweet, soulful harmonies, earthy sounds of gutbucket guitar and slide, gospel piano & roadhouse pounding of tambourines. But the foundation to all of their work is to channel what is innately deep within them and to let it come forth naturally without definitions or restrictions. In May 2009, Blue Mother Tupelo released their third studio CD called, "Heaven & Earth". "Heaven & Earth" is an album that's honest & earthy, soul-stirring & foot-stompin', celebratory songs of love, faith, friendship, wandering, longing and beauty - southern soul, hill country blues.



That Nashville Sound- What brought you to music in the first place? >> We both (Ricky and myself) have an innate love of music - it’s gotta be something that we were both born with because we pretty much can’t help ourselves when it comes to making music and loving it. Ricky grew up in a family of guitar pickers and with a Dad who writes songs, passing the time on the long & lonesome highways during his job as a truck driver. I was born into a music loving family with church singing being the main outlet. My dad was a Baptist preacher and I was brought up to “sing it like you mean it”.

TNS- Describe your music- what's the mission behind the music? >> Whatever is part of us is part of our music - whether it’s blues, rock & roll, soul, country … We’re not concerned with genres. We write & play what we feel. Others have described our music as country-rock, bluesy, soulful Americana, swampadelic. Our mission is to explode with what we’re feeling and hope that we can make people feel okay about expressing themselves and feeling stuff, too. Whatever emotion it is, indulge in it and connect. The main thing is being authentic and being ourselves and to encourage the listener (who are people just like us) to let go, let loose, & feel something. <<>> Well, we’re mostly “what you see is what you get”, so this is tricky. Maybe that a homegrown tomato is one of our favorite things, or that Ricky never flew on an airplane until 2005 when we went to the premiere of the movie “Daltry Calhoun” in Hollywood (we have a song in the final scene of that movie), or that I taught elementary school music several years before diving in full-time with Blue Mother Tupelo … are those things surprising?

TNS- What kind of music are you listening to? What's in your iPod? >> well, we haven’t replaced our iPod, which showed up wearing an “unhappy face” the last time we turned it on … but, mostly we listen to stuff that has inspired us from the get-go. Real country music, hill-country blues, mountain music, Muscle-Shoals and Stax stuff …

TNS- If you had a crystal ball and looked forward five years, what do you see for yourself?

>> Gosh, who knows what 5 years from now will look like? We’ve been Blue Mother Tupelo, now, for 14 years and it keeps getting better and better. We can’t be without music and expressing ourselves in this way. We write when we’re inspired to write and we are thankful that we can share our expressions outside of our home, in the homes and hometowns of the people of the world. My prayer is to be where I’m supposed to be and if that means that we get to continue to create music, put it down in records, sell them, make a living at it, then that’s what I want. Every day is an eye-opening surprise and as a youngster I had a certain view of success, my impression of it so impacted by what was/is mainstream, in your face, top 10, etc … If I had my way today, we’d be at the top of our game in 5 years, creating beautiful, raw, emotional music, making the world a better place and making money enough to take care of ourselves, share it with our loved ones, and give to those in need.

TNS- Nickname for your guitar or other instruments?>> As of today, my tambourine’s nickname is Tammy Faye … & Ricky has no nicknames for his guitars -- yet.

PBS To Show Rounder Records 40th Concert All March Long

PBS® will broadcast Rounder Records 40th Anniversary Concert in March, 2010 as part of their March fund drive programming (check your local PBS® station for airdate and time). Filmed in October, 2009 at Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry, the concert was a celebration of Rounder’s 40 years in the music industry and featured Grammy® winning Rounder artists Alison Krauss & Union Station featuring Jerry Douglas, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Bela Fleck and Irma Thomas along with musical host, Minnie Driver, and special guests Nathan & The Zydeco Cha Chas and Jazz/R&B pianist, Henry Butler. The special will include performances by these artists as well as select performances from Steve Martin’s show at The Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, from Alison Krauss and Robert Plant’s 2008 CMT “Crossroads” special, and from Madeleine Peyroux’s 2009 concert in Los Angeles.

The concert was filmed in high definition by High Five Entertainment. Some of the program highlights include Alison Krauss & Union Station’s performance of the song “Restless” from their Grammy® winning, million selling album Lonely Runs Both Ways, Mary Chapin Carpenter’s performance of her smash radio hit “He Thinks He’ll Keep Her,” Irma Thomas belting out her R&B chart topper “You Can Have My Husband But Don’t Mess With My Man,” Steve Martin’s performance of songs from his Grammy® winning album The Crow, Bela Fleck tearing it up with Jerry Douglas on a song from the early Rounder Bela Fleck recording “Duets,” and a rousing grand finale that blended blues, R&B, zydeco, country, and bluegrass during a gospel medley of “Angels Watching Over Me,” “I’ll Fly Away” and “Down By The Riverside.”

The artists featured in this PBS® special have collectively garnered over 53 Grammy® Awards and sold over 25 million albums. The program’s Executive Producer and long time Rounder Senior VP, Brad Paul said, “It is a real thrill to have so many of our amazing artists represented in this show. The musical diversity and artistry is exceptional and rarely seen on TV any more. Hats off to PBS® for their strong commitment to quality television.”

TNS Video History- Wade Hayes- "Old Enough To Know Better"