Kellie Pickler, Rita Wilson and Lee Greenwood Among Those With Songs On Upcoming Mr. Rogers Tribute Album

Artists: Compilation
Album: Thank You, Mister Rogers: Music & Memories
Label: Press 75
Release date: October 25, 2019

Kellie Pickler, Rita Wilson and Lee Greenwood are among the country acts that are paying tribute to the late great Mr. Rogers. After fifty years on television, Fred Rogers is back the spotlight again. The success of the Morgan Neville documentary and the highly anticipated film featuring Tom Hanks as Mister Rogers have rekindled a love and affection that inspired Fred Rogers to be known as “America’s Favorite Neighbor.” 

Fred Rogers wrote over two hundred songs for his show, “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood.” Under the direction of two-time Grammy and Emmy winning producer/arranger Dennis Scott, this recording offers fans of a unique collection featuring Mister Rogers’ most memorable songs performed by some of the most recognizable voices in music. 

Micky Dolenz of the Monkees, Jon Secada, Vanessa Williams and “Dancing with the Stars” host Tom Bergeron are just a few of the other guests on the album.

Williams said she’s honored to be part of the record. "As a child you appreciated the songs, but as an adult you really appreciate his music,” Williams said. “The song I’m singing, ‘Many Ways to Say I Love You,’ is perfection.” Songwriter and multiple Grammy nominee Jim Brickman will cover Rogers’ “This Is My Home.” "One of the things about Mister Rogers that was most important to me was that, in some ways, I feel like I learned music from him,” Brickman said. “My best memories of Misters Rogers are music.”

The 13-track album also features the theme song for Rogers’ show, “Won’t You Be My Neighbor,” performed by the Cowsills.

Songwriter Larry Wayne Clark Passes Away

Larry Wayne Clark, a longtime Nashville-transplant songwriter and editorial contributor originally from Canada, passed away after a several year battle with cancer. Among Clark’s catalog is Chris Young’s first single, “Drinking Me Lonely,” and cuts by the Statler Brothers, Lee Greenwood, Buddy Jewel, Adam Gregory, Anne Murray, and many others.  Clark won several awards from the British Columbia Country Music Association, becoming the BCCMA Producer Of The Year from 1990 through ’94. After moving to Nashville in 1995, he would continue to write and produce music, but also began writing for several music publications including Country Weekly, The Country Beat, Music Row Magazine, Music Row, Nashville Scene, SongLink and The Songwriter, the International Songwriters Association’s member magazine.

In April of 2011, he was inducted into the British Columbia Country Music Hall of Fame.

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.

Four Free Country Music Holiday Songs On Amazon

Before we abandon the 2009 holiday season, head over to Amazon.com where you can get way ahead on 2010 by downloading four great holiday Christmas songs for absolutely free. They include:

Richie McDonald (Lonestar)- “Oh Holy Night”
Mindy Smith- “It Really Is (A Wonderful Life”
Tracy Lawrence- “All Wrapped Up For Christmas”
Lee Greenwood- “Joy To The World”

Have Yourself A Merry Little "Lee Greenwood" Christmas

He may be known for the powerful ballad that has become a part of the fabric of America, but Lee Greenwood has had a lasting career for a lengthy string of hits that showcase his insightful songwriting, captivating showmanship and that distinctive voice.

The two-time CMA Male Vocalist of the Year and winner of CMA Song of the Year (“God Bless the USA” in 1985) gives those golden vocals a turn on a Christmas album.

Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas features the inimitable Greenwood on such beloved holiday classics as “What Child is This,” “Little Drummer Boy,” “We Need A Little Christmas” and of course, the wish-filled title cut.

The album will be released on Country Crossing Records in late October 2009.

Conservative Talk Host Sean Hannity Hosts Country Benefit Concert On Satellite Radio Tomorrow Featuring The Charlie Daniels Band & Others

Country legend Charlie Daniels and television host and political commentator Sean Hannity exchange high-fives during a "Hannity Freedom Concert" in Duluth, Ga. The tour raised money for The Freedom Alliance Scholarship Fund, which provides college scholarships to the children of disabled or deceased U.S. military personnel. SIRIUS XM Radio will broadcast select performances from Daniels, Billy Ray Cyrus, Lee Greenwood and Michael W. Smith on Monday, Sept. 7, as part of "Sean Hannity's Freedom Radio." The one-day broadcast will air on SIRIUS Patriot channel 144 and XM America Right channel 166.

Dolly Parton, Wynonna, Neal McCoy, Bo Bice, Lee Greenwood, and The Grascals to Perform on the Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon

Country music joins comedy legend Jerry Lewis for his 44th annual Muscular Dystrophy Association Telethon this next Labor Day weekend, Sept. 6-7.

“I’m determined to keep fighting for a cure for muscular dystrophy because my kids deserve to live long and healthy lives,” said Lewis, MDA’s national chairman and Telethon star.

The annual extravaganza raises millions of dollars for MDA’s research, services and education programs. In 2008, the show brought in a record-breaking $65 million in pledges and donations.

“The Telethon gives us the chance to help put an end to these debilitating diseases, while entertaining and educating the American public,” Lewis said.

The Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon will present great entertainment again this year, including Dolly Parton, Wynonna, Reba McEntire, Tony Orlando, Charo, Train, Bo Bice, Terry Fator, The Grascals, Neal McCoy, comedian George Wallace. Lee Greenwood, Joshua Bell accompanied by Frankie Moreno, Three Dog Night and many more.

A Labor Day icon that set the standard for telethons, the Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon typically draws as many viewers as the Emmy’s, Oscars or Golden Globe Awards. Almost 40 million TV viewers across America will tune in, while countless more around the world will watch on the Internet, thanks to streaming video provided by RealNetworks.

Lee Greenwood accepts Presidential Appointment to National Arts Council

Lee Greenwood, known for writing and performing the most recognized patriotic song of our time – “God Bless the U.S.A.” – will soon be garnering air miles to and from the nation’s capitol. Greenwood has accepted a Presidential appointment to the National Endowment for the Arts council and will serve a six-year term.

Appointed by President George W. Bush and confirmed by the Senate, the Nashville-based country singer is scheduled to be sworn in today, Nov. 17, as one of the 14 regular members of the National Council on the Arts. Council members advise the NEA chairman, and their portfolio includes reviewing and making recommendations on applications for grants from the $145-million-a-year federal agency.

“My appointment to the council of the National Endowment of the Arts is a great opportunity for me to be involved in searching out the best in art in our American culture & to lend a hand to help develop talented artists & artistic programs that would otherwise go unnoticed,” adds Greenwood.

Greenwood, who grew up on a farm near my hometown of Sacramento, is the lone council member appointed by Bush who will serve throughout the four years of the Obama term. The other 13 slots are occupied by Bush appointees but will come due during the next President's term