TNS Video History- Jack Ingram Covers George Strait's "All My Ex's Live In Texas"

Music Legend Etta James Passes at 73

Etta James, whose assertive, earthy voice lit up such hits as "The Wallflower," "Something's Got a Hold on Me" and the wedding favorite "At Last," has died from complications of leukemia at the age of 73.

She is regarded as having bridged the gap between rhythm and blues and rock and roll, and is the winner of six Grammys and 17 Blues Music Awards. She was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1993, the Blues Hall of Fame in 2001, and the Grammy Hall of Fame in both 1999 and 2008. Rolling Stone ranked James number 22 on their list of the 100 Greatest Singers of All Time and number 62 on the list of the 100 Greatest Artists.

A lot of folks don’t know that James set out to record a country album back in the 90s. It is terrific. It’s called Love’s Been Rough On Me. 

That said, in this Rolling Stone interview from 1997, James didn’t seem to have the same high regard for her foray into Nashville. 

Well … I’d been dying to make a country record. I love the women in country ‑ Patsy Cline, Loretta Lynn, Kitty Wells ‑ and I wanted to be the first black woman to do the Grand Ole Opry, if just to say it’s the same fucking thing as rhythm & blues! So I did Love’s Been Rough on Me with Barry Beckett [James' longtime producer], and when it was done, the label heard it and said, “You gotta pizazz this up or it won’t get played. [Growls) Needs some of that ass‑kicking shit." Uh, OK. So they put all these horns on it and remixed it. Even the cover photo ‑ they wouldn't use the one I wanted. That record has nothing to do with me ‑ looking like some old woman with a leopard scarf around my neck, getting ready to go make some spaghetti!

But I wasn't gonna fight it, 'cause I wasn't gonna win. Nowadays, when you get past 35, it seems like you can't get a record going. I never hear my stuff played on the air, unless it's an oldies station and somebody goes [mock DJ voice], “Now we’re gonna go waaaay back.” But I’ll make that country record yet. I’ll be on the cover standing by an old wagon wheel, with my foot propped up on a cactus or something, with a cowboy hat on and one of those shingle leather jackets. Etta Goes Country

RIP, Miss James.

Drifting Cowboy "Pee Wee" Moultrie Passes Away

Cois E. “Pee Wee” Moultrie, a former member of country singer Hank Williams’ Drifting Cowboys band, died this week of a heart attack.

Moultrie sang with Williams from 1938 to 1940. He is featured in two songs on a recently released CD box set — “Fan It,” in which Moultrie sings and Williams plays, and “Alexander’s Ragtime Band,” with Williams singing and Moultrie playing the accordion.

Moultrie toured, lived and played with Williams until he joined the Army Air Corps. He said even then he knew his pal who gave him the nickname “Pee Wee” would be a star.

“Back then, we were playing Ernest Tubb and Roy Acuff, but he was meant for the big time,” Moultrie said. “We weren’t even trying to write songs, but he’d see something in a paper that would make a good song so he’d tear it off and put it in his pants. He could write a whole song in one car ride. He was terrific.”

“He played in a band his entire life. Even when he was in the Air Force he played in a band,” Moultrie's daughter said. “He always played the accordion, but he could play other instruments. “What always amazed me was that he couldn’t read music. He played by hearing,” she said. “He instilled the love for music in us, too, and probably in his grandchild even more.”

Dolly Parton and Opry Owners To Build Theme Park in Nashville

Gaylord Entertainment and Dolly Parton’s Dollywood Company have entered into a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for a 50/50 joint venture to develop a 114-acre family entertainment zone adjacent to the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center. The Dollywood Company will serve as the operating partner. Phase one of the project is a yet unnamed approximately $50 million water and snow park, the first of its kind in the United States. A late 2012, early 2013 groundbreaking date is expected with the park opening slated for summer of 2014.

Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam and Nashville Mayor Karl Dean joined Dolly Parton and Colin V. Reed, chairman and chief executive officer, for Gaylord Entertainment at today’s announcement at the Grand Ole Opry House at Gaylord Opryland.

“Tourism is the second largest industry in Tennessee, generating more than a billion dollars in tax revenue annually and employing more than 170,000 Tennesseans,” Haslam said. “This project will be a welcome addition to the wide variety of attractions and destinations across our great state, and I applaud the collaboration and spirit that has led to this announcement.”

The water and snow park will anchor the project which offers 35-acres set aside for future expansion. The park will provide a mix of high energy water activities for the summer season and designated snow activities for winter play. Once open, first year attendance is projected at 500,000, a large portion of which will come from out of state, bringing in substantial tourism revenue to Tennessee and Nashville. Dollywood expects to employ 450 full- and part- time employees.

This proposed attraction furthers Gaylord’s focus on growing the leisure side of its business and continuing to drive revenue through its top-notch entertainment attractions throughout the year.

“We are thrilled by the prospect of bringing to Nashville a family focused entertainment center with one of the preeminent theme park owners and operators in the country,” said Colin V. Reed, chairman and chief executive officer, for Gaylord Entertainment. “I am confident this proposed attraction, which will be a destination not only for our hotel guests but also for the entire Nashville community, will meaningfully enhance our transient and leisure strategy by providing a fun, family environment at the doorstep of the Opryland Hotel. With Dolly Parton’s country music legacy and strong ties to Nashville, we can think of no better partner for this venture than Dolly’s Dollywood Company.”

Country Music News Round-Up- Merle Haggard, Steel Magnolia & More

Steel Magnolia

• 74 year old Merle Haggard has been hospitalized in Georgia with pneumonia, causing him to have to cancel several concert dates through the end of January.
• Josh Kelley’s wife and actress Katherine Heigl has directed Kelley’s new music video named after their daughter, “Naleigh Moon.”
• It looks like the duo of Steel Magnolia has come to an end. Reports are confirmed that they’ve split from their music label and there are also reports that the engaged couple has split up as well. The duo enjoyed a Top 5 hit in 2010 with "Keep on Lovin' You."
• Jana Kramer, an actress on the CW Series One Tree Hill and singer on the Warner Nashville label, has set a record with her new country radio single, “Why Ya Wanna.” It has become the fastest added debut single for a female artist in the history of the Country Aircheck/ Mediabase chart. 

Country Music News Round-Up- Blake Shelton, Kenny Chesney & More

Marty Stuart

• Blake Shelton’s father, Dick Shelton, passed away after several months of declining health. Blake had dedicated his recent ACA Award to his father.
• Kenny Chesney is said to be “shopping” himself to several other labels, unhappy on how he’s handled on his current Sony-based BNA Records.
• Although he’s still a couple months away from releasing his first full-on country album, Lionel Richie lands in our news round-up for another reason. Check out THIS great Hollywood mash-up of his song, “Hello.”
• Marty Stuart is working on a country music museum in Mississippi to house the nearly 20,000 pieces he has in his collection. 

New Music Video From Keith Urban- "You Gonna Fly"

New Music Video From Neal McCoy- "A-OK"

Country Music News Round-Up- Alan Jackson, Ashley Monroe and More

Alan Jackson premiered his brand new music video under his new music label, “So You Don’t Have To Love Me Any More.”

Ashley Monroe is headed into the studio today with a big assist from Vince Gill on a brand new solo project.

Taylor Swift is the cover girl of this month’s Vogue Magazine.

Former One Flew South singer/songwriter Eddie Bush has a brand new solo single that has been released off an upcoming solo album called “Broken Wheel.” Listen to it here.

Before her show in Rockford last week, Miranda Lambert went and visited a tragic young vehicle accident victim in the hospital and then dedicated a song in that night’s performance to her.  

Ronnie Dunn premiered the brand new music video for “Let The Cowboy Rock” this morning on his website. 

TNS Video History- Jack Ingram and Miranda Lambert- "Are You Sure Hank Done It This Way?"