2011 March Issue - Country Entertainment USA

Charley Pride
Gives Fans Choices
On March 8
REBA
Suzy Bogguss
Publicizing Entertainers & Entertaining Our Readers
Country Entertainment USA
STAFF
CONTENTS
4 Charley Pride
Releases Choices
Editor:
Cindy Gordon
Associate Editor:
Holly Marie Tong
Managing Editor, Sales, Marketing
& Distribution Manager:
Roy Skropits
Writer:
Doug Dyer
5 Operation Yellow Ribbon
with Musical Appearances by
Charlie Daniels plus other Artist
6 42nd Dove Awards
Ricky Skaggs & Oak Ridge Boys
7 2011 CMA
Photo Contest
8 Suzy Bogguss
CD Reviews:
Brenda L. Madden
9 LIVE FROM
HOLLYWOOD
GENERAL INFORMATION:
[email protected]
10 Musicians
for Mor Mor
ADVERTISING & RATES:
[email protected]
PRESS RELEASES:
[email protected]
By Mail
Country Entertainment USA
P.O. Box 100985
Nashville, TN. 37224
Office (615) 977-1734
Cell (615) 474-0162
PG 3
12 CD Reviews
13 Grand Ole Opry
Performer Diane Berry
15 Festivals &
Music Venues
DISCLAIMER:
Country Entertainment USA is not liable for any inaccuracies submitted by freelance writers, advertisers or publicists.
Opinions and claims made by advertisers and writers are
their own, and do not represent Country Entertainment USA
Magazine or Publisher.
www.countryentertainmentusa.com
CHARLEY PRIDE GIVES FANS CHOICES ON MARCH 8
Pride Keeps Tour Trail Hot; Joins Texas Rangers for Spring Workouts
Without doubt, Charley Pride is one of the most respected
and successful personas in all of country music. After all,
it was the three-time Grammy winner who made music
history when his 1969 classic “All I Have To Offer You Is
Me,” bolted to the top of the US Country chart, making
him the first African American in country music to land a
No. 1 hit. To date, the multi-platinum selling Pride holds
36 No. 1 hits and has sold more than 70 million records
(albums and singles combined).
On March 8, 2011, Pride releases Choices (Music City Records), his first all-new album in five years.
Choices are exactly what fans will get on the diverse album, which
features 13 new recordings. Album cuts include songs penned by
some of Pride’s favorite writers including Ted Harris (“Crystal
Chandeliers”), Ben Peters (“Kiss An Angel Good Morning”), Charlie Monk, Eddy Raven and Richie McDonald,
formerly of Lonestar.
“I’ve been in the studio a lot over the last few years. So, I had to make some hard choices when selecting which
of the new recordings to include on the album,” notes Pride. “I’m very happy with the final result and I’m
thrilled to finally be able to share some of the new music with my fans.”
On the road, the Country Music Hall of Famer shows no signs of slowing down as he kicks off an 11-city tour of
Canada starting April 27 in Regina, Saskatchewan.
In addition to maintaining a healthy tour schedule, Pride, who recently acquired part ownership of Major League
Baseball’s Texas Rangers, is currently in Surprise, AZ, keeping himself and the team both in shape and entertained. Ownership stake aside, it is a long-standing tradition for Pride, a former Negro American League AllStar player, to workout with the Rangers during spring training.
From humble beginnings as a sharecropper’s son, to becoming one of country music’s greatest pioneers, the
“Pride of Country Music” is the first and only African American Grand Ole Opry member in its over 70 year
history. Pride’s accolades are endless with multiple Grammy wins, CMA Entertainer of the Year and Top Male
Vocalist awards, a Country Music Hall of Fame induction and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
www.charleypride.com
PG 4
www.countryentertainmentusa.com
LIPSCOMB UNIVERSITY'S “OPERATION YELLOW RIBBON” EVENT
Charlie Daniels, Wynonna, Montgomery Gentry and The Grascals
Charlie Daniels, Wynonna, Montgomery Gentry and The
Grascals are set to perform for 'Operation Yellow Ribbon'
at Lipscomb University March 29, 2011. General Tommy
Franks (Ret.) has been confirmed as the keynote speaker,
and the Center for Deployment Psychology will be featured
at the Symposium for university administrators.
Operation Yellow Ribbon features a daylong symposium
sponsored by Lipscomb University and featuring experts
from the Center for Deployment Psychology (CPD), Challenge America, Not Alone and the Department of Veterans
Affairs. The day will be filled with clinical as well as nonclinical approaches to working with veterans and developing a better understanding of this unique population. Another focus of the symposium is to bring together university
administrators, certifying officials and others who work with student-veterans to discuss best approaches in creating veteran-friendly campuses as thousands of veterans across the country are enrolling in universities through
the Post 9/11 GI Bill.
Capping off the day’s events, Franks will address attendees at Lipscomb’s Allen Arena. Musical appearances by
Charlie Daniels, Wynonna, Montgomery Gentry and The Grascals are scheduled for the evening event at 7 p.m.
in Lipscomb’s Allen Arena.
“Our goal is to provide an informative day for those who work with veterans at universities across the country to
help equip them with knowledge and expertise to make their campuses more accessible and friendly for veterans. By partnering with the Center for Deployment Psychology we want to help educate university counseling
teams so they can offer programs that adequately serve our veterans as they reintegrate home and adjust to university life,” said David K. Hughes, Lipscomb University assistant dean of students and director of the Yellow
Ribbon Program.
Admission to the symposium is open to any university representative or administrator who works with studentveterans or coordinates Yellow Ribbon programs on their campuses. Registration is $75 per person, which covers all activities, materials, meals and VIP tickets for the concert. For more information or to register visit yellowribbon.lipscomb.edu or call 615.966.5176.
Tickets for the evening event only will go on sale for $10 on Feb. 18 at the Lipscomb University box office. Call
615.966.7075. Members of the military and their families will be invited as guests of the events corporate sponsors. Proceeds from the event benefit Lipscomb University’s Yellow Ribbon Program.
Lipscomb’s Yellow Ribbon Program offers eligible Post 9/11 GI Bill veterans and their family members an undergraduate degree tuition-free or a graduate degree tuition-free or at a greatly reduced tuition rate.
The Center for Deployment Psychology (CPD) is a non-profit, tri-service center funded through a grant awarded
by the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences to train military and civilian behavioral health providers.
PG 5
www.countryentertainmentusa.com
Oak Ridge Boys, Ricky Skaggs & Rural Rhythm Christian
RECEIVES NOMINATIONS FOR 42ND ANNUAL DOVE AWARDS
The Oak Ridge Boys have won a total of 9 Dove Awards throughout
their career and they are looking to add to that number in 2011. It
was recently announced that the Oak Ridge Boys received 3 nominations for this year’s 42nd Annual Gospel Music Association Dove
Awards, including:
Southern Gospel Recorded Song of the Year, “Live With Jesus”
Country Recorded Song of the Year, “God’s Gonna Ease My Troublin’ Mind”
Long Form Music Video of the Year, An Inconvenient Christmas
"The GMA has been so very good to The Oak Ridge Boys," said
group member Joe Bonsall. "On every show we try to sing some
Gospel songs and take the time to remind our audience where our roots and heritage reside. We cannot say thank
you enough for these nominations! I might add...... there is STILL room on that shelf!"
www.oakridgeboys.com
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
It was recently announced that the legendary Ricky Skaggs has been
nominated for the 42nd Annual Gospel Music Association Dove
Awards. Skaggs will be competing in the Country Album of the
Year category for Mosaic. Gordon Kennedy and Skaggs Family
Records also received a nomination for their work on the album as
producer and record label, respectively.
“I’m very excited about the Dove nomination,” says Skaggs,
“Mosaic is a project that is near and dear to my heart. It seems to
have a life all its own. I believe it will continue touching lives for
years to come.”
Mosaic was released in August of 2010 and is Skaggs’ return to a
full band sound, a style that made him one of the best-selling artists
in country music history. He worked closely with fellow
GRAMMY winner Gordon Kennedy to create an album with music and lyrics that speak to Skaggs’ faith, making “music that is in my head and in my heart,” says Skaggs.
If Mosaic wins, this will be Skaggs’ third Dove Award; having won Bluegrass Recorded Song of the Year in
2001 for "Are You Afraid To Die"and Bluegrass Album of the Year in 2008 for Salt Of The Earth.
www.rickyskaggs.com
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
RURAL RHYTHM CHRISTIAN is very proud to announce the label's two 2011 GMA DOVE AWARD
NOMINATIONS for BLUEGRASS ALBUM OF THE YEAR: LOOK TO THE LIGHT: Songs of Faith from
the Pen of Rick Lang – Various Artists, produced by Rick Lang, John Miller and Jesse Brock; and SOUNDS
LIKE HEAVEN TO ME by Lou Reid and Carolina, produced by Lou Reid.
PG 6
www.countryentertainmentusa.com
2011 CMA Music Festival Holds Photo Submission Contest
As Part Of It's 40th Anniversary Celebration · Winning Entries to Become Event Ticket
As part of the 40th anniversary festivities for CMA Music Festival, past attendees will be able to submit their
event photographs online to create an on-going photo archive that fully documents the fan/artist connection that
is the heart of the event. Submitted photos will be considered for use on CMA websites, publications, displays,
exhibits, and more. 2011 CMA Music Festival will take place in Downtown Nashville, June 9-12.
For the first time, CMA will hold a contest on CMAfest.com with six submitted photos to be used as the artwork
on the official event tickets. The contest will begin Feb. 17 and run through Mar. 7. Prizes will be awarded to
submitting fans, including commemorative, framed 40th anniversary CMA Music Festival plaques with a ticket
containing their photograph displayed for the top three photos; merchandise prize packs; and more. The Grand
Prize winner will also receive two Gold Circle four-day tickets to the 2012 CMA Music Festival.
"Everyone that has attended CMA Music Festival in the past has taken hundreds of photos that captured their
experience," said Steve Moore, CMA Chief Executive Officer. An event ticket containing one of these photos is
a great way to celebrate our 40th anniversary while also providing a permanent souvenir to every ticketholder.
"It would be amazing if each photo chosen to be on the event ticket showcased a different aspect of the Festival
at a different point in its history," said Wendy Pearl, CMA Vice President of Corporate Communications and
Executive Editor of CMA Close Up. "We are hoping this new Festival photo archive will be as complete as possible, showcasing the entire breadth of the event from 1972 onward, so that we can fully document this amazing
and iconic event for all to see. CMA appreciates the fans and past attendees searching through their scrapbooks
for photos to submit."
For full contest rules and to submit photos, fans can visit CMAfest.com beginning Thursday, Feb. 17.
Photo Credit:
Max Vadukal
Photo Credit:
Russ Harrington
PG 7
Photo Credit:
James Minchin III
Photo Credit:
Chapman Baehler
Trace Adkins, Jason Aldean, The Band Perry, Sheryl Crow, Lady Antebellum,
Miranda Lambert, Martina McBride, Reba, Darius Rucker, Blake Shelton, Keith
Urban and Rascal Flatts are the first performers who have been announced for
2011 CMA Music Festival. Additional talent will be announced soon.
www.countryentertainmentusa.com
Suzy Bogguss to Perform
The Station Inn, Nashville, TN
Thursday, March 10th at 9pm
Music City Roots at The Loveless Barn
Wednesday, April 20th at 7pm
Franklin, TN High School for Band Together
A Benefit for The Franklin Band
Thursday, April 21st at 7:30pm
www.suzybogguss.com
AWARDS:
Academy of Country Music, 1989 - Top New Female Vocalist
Country Music Association, 1992 - Horizon Award
Country Music People International, 1993 - Rising Star Award
Country Music Association, 1994 - Album of the Year - Common Thread
GRAMMY, 2005 - Traditional Folk Album - “Beautiful Dreamer, The Songs Of Stephen Foster”
LIVE FROM HOLLYWOOD ON THE
WORLD FAMOUS SUNSET STRIP
ALLIE JORGEN (LE REVERIE) + DALE BOZZIO (MISSING PERSONS) =
ONE GREAT KEY CLUB SHOW ON THE FAMED SUNSET STRIP!
Two terrific female rockers past and present team up for one great night of
rock 'n' roll when Allie Jorgen of L.A. Goth-Rock group Le Reverie and
Dale Bozzio of renowned longtime band Missing Persons perform in concert together at the:
Key Club
9039 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood
Friday, March 4. Tickets $18
($15. with coupon code LeRev3411) at www.lereveriestore.com
Info: (310) 274-5800, www.keyclub.com or www.lereverie.com
Le Reverie recently released their debut EP, "Truth & Lies," produced by Ron Nevison (known for his work
with, among other greats, The Who, Rolling Stones, Bad Company, Thin Lizzy, UFO, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Meat
Loaf, and Styx). A song off the album, "Hold Me Down," helped garner the band "Breakout Single of the Year"
at the 2010 (20th Annual) Los Angeles Music Awards.
Want More Customers or Fans
Advertise in the Country Entertainment USA Magazine
www.countryentertainmentusa.com
Call (615) 474-0162
or E-mail
[email protected]
Country Entertainment USA
P.O. Box 100985
Nashville, TN. 37224
Musicians for Mor Mor
by Brenda L. Madden
The entire Nashville community banded together after the
historic flood last year; the music industry, in particular,
stepped forward with numerous
benefits to raise money for
those caught in harm’s way. In
Nashville, that is the rule rather
than the exception, whether the
call for help is of historic proportions or on a more
personal level.
Jason Reeves, a songwriter with more of a pop flare,
co-wrote ten of the twelve tracks on Colbie Caillat’s
debut album Coco - including the singles “Bubbly”,
“Realize,” and “The Little Things” which went platinum.
Recently local businesswoman, Mary Warchol (or
“Mor Mor” as her grandchildren call her), was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer. After surgery medical bills began to reach astronomical proportions.
When the Driskills learned of Mary’s situation, they
immediately wanted to help. Marc Driskill, ASCAP’s
Vice-President/General Manager Nashville, called a
few of his friends and together with his wife, Peggy,
the benefit began to take shape and “Musicians for
Mor Mor” was created.
Not only did these wonderful musicians step up for
the cause, but schools and businesses joined in by
contributing items for the silent auction. Almost
thirty items were on the auction block, everything
from jewelry and Android cell phones to limousine
services and catering for twenty. Yielding the highest
bid of the night was a Yamaha guitar signed by Brad
Paisley, Carrie Underwood and numerous others,
which sold for $1,100.
At the Hard Rock Cafe’s Reverb Room on February
24th, hit songwriters Brett James, Neil Thrasher, Jason Reeves and Allen Shamblin took the stage on
Mary’s behalf. Each of these songwriters have a resume that include cuts by some of music’s finest, but
on this night, it was not just their talent in the spotlight, it was their heart.
Brett James, perhaps best known as the songwriter of
Carrie Underwood’s hit, “Jesus, Take The Wheel,”
has also written number one hits for Jessica Andrews,
Martina McBride, Kenny Chesney, Rodney Atkins
and Jason Aldean.
Allen Shamblin has had over 100 cuts as a songwriter. His first number one being “He Walked On
Water” by Randy Travis. And the hits continue, most
recently with “The House That Built Me” - an awardwinning song for Miranda Lambert.
The evening was a huge success, raising approximately $5,500, all of which will go to assist with
Mary’s medical bills. If you would like to help, it is
not too late.
“Musicians for Mor Mor”
Are still accepting donations at
Wells Fargo/Wachovia Banks
Neil Thrasher, whose father was a member of the legendary Thrasher Brothers, is carrying on the musical
tradition. He has written songs for Rascal Flatts, Reba
McEntire, Diamond Rio and Montgomery Gentry as
well as co-writing the Kenny Chesney smash, “There
Goes My Life.”
PG 10
www.countryentertainmentusa.com
Mail CD's for Reviews To:
Country Entertainment USA
P.O. Box 100985
Nashville, TN. 37224
by Brenda L. Madden
Up To 5 Star Rating
Charley Pride - Choices
Music City Records
www.charleypride.com
Charley Pride’s voice has been a staple in country music for over thirty years, so it
is no surprise that his new CD, Choices, is a satisfying and valid piece of work. Although some song selections are a little different than might be expected, there is
still plenty of classic Charley to choose from with songs like “The Bottom Line”
and “You Touched My Life.” His signature vocal stands tall in this straightforward
country production, particularly on “Except For You.”
The legend continues.
ABecky Hobbs - Nanyehi - Beloved Woman Of The Cherokee
Beckaroo Records
www.beckyhobbs.com
These seventeen songs are from a new musical by singer/songwriter, Becky Hobbs
and co-playwright, Nick Sweet. Nanyehi is based on the life of Becky’s 5th-great
grandmother, Nancy Ward, who was first honored as a Cherokee warrior, then as a
peacemaker in the 1700’s. Becky captures a hauntingly, spiritual sound throughout
the CD and her reverence for the Cherokee history and people is evident. While
this is not typical Becky Hobbs, she has done a nice job bringing the past into the
present.
Peter Rudy - Mud Shack
Big Chief Records
www.peterrudymudshack.com
Peter Rudy offers up a CD full of self-penned bluesy songs. While his vocals are
raw, they are authentic and ear-catching. The earthiness texture although almost
melancholy, brings a smile to the listener with songs like “Honus Wagner’s Bat”
and “Dumdedum.” There is nothing typical or formula here - just Peter’s interpretation of the songs written by his own hand. Call it blues…call it rock…or simply
call it just Peter Rudy.
PG 12
www.countryentertainmentusa.com
Introducing Classic Country Songbird &
Grand Ole Opry Performer Diane Berry
by Holly Marie Tong
These days it seems like everyone
wants to be country. Obviously
stated though, not everyone is “born
country.” While Music City seems to
become more and more of a musical
melting pot, we still thankfully continue to have some extremely noteworthy acts that have an uncompromising timeless traditional country
sound thus having the utmost respect for what country
music was built upon. These particular artists were
faithfully country before it was ever considered “cool”
and they still faithfully stick to their roots without wavering. Diane Berry is one of these rare find entertainers that I am referring to.
An Amarillo, Texas native, Diane was raised
on country music as she
was surrounded by a
musically gifted family.
She can recall her first
singing experience taking place at the opening
of a local Dairy Queen
when she was just 3
years old. She sang
“Rubber Dolly” and got
a great deal of applause, which resulted in her singing
it again. From that moment on, Diane was and still is
a country music performer. The musical
family of 5 all moved to Arkansas when
Diane was 9 years old. It was there where
her family started their own afternoon radio
show on the local station (KCAB) and the
Valley Jamboree Music Show every Saturday night. When she was 13 she began
playing guitar. In 1982, she made the
move to Nashville working in a show at
Opryland Park. That fall she amazingly
landed a spot at the Grand Ole Opry as Roy
Acuff’s special guest. She recalls walking
her time of walking out onto the Grand Ole
PG 13
Opry stage as an
artist as the most
memorable experience in her musical journey.
Diane’s Nashville
career quickly
bloomed as she
has worked with
many of country
music’s finest artists such as Dottie
West, Jeannie
Seely, Jim Ed
Brown, Joey Martin (Joey & Rory), Connie Smith, Charlie Louvin,
Tanya tucker, Tommy Cash, Vern Gosdin, Tom T.
Hall, Jean Shepard and many more. Alongside appearing on the WSM Grand Ole Opry for the past 28
years, Diane has also been on TNN, Ernest Tubb’s
Midnight Jamboree, Pop Goes the Country with Tom
T. Hall, The Ralph Emery Morning Show Channel 4
(Nashville), XM Sirius Radio and many more. Diane
also counts a traveling experience as a favorite memory. She notes that they played 10 shows in 11 days
covering Germany, Holland, England, Norway and
Denmark in which she was a band leader and a musical director for a television show.
Diane is an accomplished studio musician who has played rhythm guitar on
many albums. She has also sung lead
vocal on many demos, as well as backgrounds vocals on hundreds of studio
projects, while singing harmonies. In
the midst of all of her studio work, she
has also sung many commercials radio
stations in Nashville and in other states.
She appears on Little Jimmy Dickens
last album as well as other recordings
with Jeannie Seely, Charlie Louvin and
many more. You can also hear
www.countryentertainmentusa.com
Diane’s work in jingles, commercials, radio stations and promos. Additionally, you can even
hear some of some of her music
over in England! Notably her
cover of “Under Your Spell
Again” has received extensive
and successful play over there.
On the songwriting end she has written and recorded
many of her own songs. Excitedly, Opry legend Connie Smith has recorded her song “Take My
Hand” (soon to be released), a song that she wrote in
memory of her mother. Diane’s songwriting contains
pure emotion whether it is sadness, joyfulness or anything in between, she will find a way to express it.
When listening to Diane’s vocals the words “smooth
and sweet” come to mind. She has a rare kind of
country classic voice that you simply do not hear anymore. Being surrounded by the best company of musicians, her influences come through in her top notch
recordings. It has been said that no matter type of
music Diane Berry is singing…it will come out as
pure country.
So you may be wondering what is on the horizon for
Diane Berry? Well, she is currently in the studio recording with country music legend Jack Greene for
her upcoming album in which she has penned for
originals. Her talents will be collaborated with several country music greats. She said she “maintains a
balancing act in her career by keeping it fun and trying new things.” It is clear that Diane is a genuine
person with a true love for real country music and that
is precisely why she does what she does. She’s maintained a good reputable character, a successful career
and ongoing relationships with some of country music’s biggest acts.
When I asked her about the best advice she’s ever received in the music business she recalls the great Roy
Acuff saying, “Always stay true to yourself. Other
people may get you in the door, but unless you’re talented enough, you won’t stay there.” Diane undoubtedly took Roy’s advice as she is most certainly an artist of integrity, individuality and true talent….and that
my friends is precisely what country music is.
www.myspace.com/dianeberrymusic
Festivals
Music Venues
The National Festival of the West
Bobby’s Idle Bar • (615) 726-0446
1028 16th Ave S., Nashville, TN. 37212
www.festivalofthewest.com
WestWorld in Scottsdale, Arizona
March 17-20, 2011
John A's • (615) 885-1540
2421 Music Valley Dr, Nashville, TN. 37214
Arizona Country Thunder Music Festival
www.countrythunder.com
Florence, AZ
April 7–10, 2011
Nashville Center Stage • (615) 915-2043
514 8th Ave. S., Nashville, TN. 37203
Red Rooster • (615) 457-2781
1530 Demonbreun St., Nashville, TN. 37203
Nashville SongWriters Festival
Smeraldo's • (615) 865-6533
701 Gallatin Pike N., Madison, TN. 37115
www.SongWritersFestival.org
Nashville, TN
June 3-5, 2011
Wisconsin Country Thunder Music Festival
Tin Roof • (615) 313-7103
1516 Demonbreun St., Nashville, TN. 37203
www.countrythunder.com
Twin Lakes, WI
July 21-24, 2011
Tootsie's • (615) 726-0463
422 Broadway, Nashville, TN. 37203
Ted
LeGarde
www.legardetwins.com
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