IN MEMORY - Don Williams

In place of The Party List this week, we are remembering the Gentle Giant - Don Williams.

May 27, 1939 - September 8, 2017

Photo courtesy of Kirt Webster - WebsterPR

Credit: David McClister

We Should Be Together was my first introduction to Don Williams. The song released in 1974. There was something about his voice that spoke to me. I was 13. As an adult, the lyrics found their own importance in my life. During my dance-hall/ bar days, Tulsa Time was one of my favorite tunes to flatfoot across a dance floor.

And now... Don Williams, The Gentle Giant has left us with only our memories of him and the great tunes he penned throughout his career. 

Born Donald Ray Williams in Floydada Texas May 27, 1939 his career spanned 50 of his 78 years of life. That's one helluva run, though his career actually sparked when he entered a talent contest at the age of 3. He won the honor of First Place and an alarm clock. He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2010.  A Tribute to Don Williams album was released in May of this year. 

I was torn with which other video to showcase. You're My Best Friend is truly the song of my heart, describing my relationship with my husband of 33 years, Bob. But I think this one is best played now.

Country Blessings!

Kelly

TURNTABLE TUESDAY - Jamie Richards Band

Real Country Music is alive and well, thanks to artists like Jamie Richards. 

Thirteen tracks take you on a journey down the dusty red dirt road from Shawnee OK to Ft. Worth TX and every honky tonk in between. All of the songs were written by Jamie, including help from talented songwriters such as Walt Wilkins, Wayd Battle, Bruce Bouton, Mark Powell, Shannon Carpenter, and David Banning. 

Whether you've loved, lost a love, still in love with your soul mate, looking for someone who understands your journey or just love great country music, there is something on LATEST & GREATEST for you. 

Jamie's talented lyrics have brought praise from traditionalists as well as 'outlaws' of the genre. 

Justin Frazell joined Jamie on Real. The lyrics shoot from the hip, and pretty much sums up Jamie Richards in 2:53. 

"With LATEST & GREATEST, I feel I've put together songs that show my fans who I really am from start to finish."

Jamie Richards is a traditionalist with deep roots. You hear each fingerling of those roots delivered by the crying steel that would have made the late Don Helms proud.  

If digitally this is who Jamie Richards is, I can't wait to see him perform live. 

A prime example of what you can expect from Latest & Greatest shows in how the first single, Second Hand Smoke, has been received by Texas Regional Radio audience:

Debuting at #60 in the Top 100 Chart

Most Added

Highest Debut

Most Spin Increase

Record to Watch

If you've been doubting the existence of country music as it should be played, then I encourage you to pick up your copy of  JAMIE RICHARDS - Latest & Greatest.  The new album will be released October 14th to all digital retailers.

In the mean time, you can get acquainted with Jamie through is various Social Media channels

WEBSITE      FB      TWITTER     INSTAGRAM      YOUTUBE     

TURNTABLE TUESDAY - The Rose by Juanita Rose

THE ROSE -
With a classic voice like those of the artists she spent her musical career with, Juanita Rose opens up the CD by introducing us to the King of Country Music – Roy Acuff. Who else remembers he seldom was without a yo-yo in his pocket?

From She Dropped the Whole World In My Hands (which she co-wrote with the late Jimmy Widener) to Six Weeks Every Summer, Juanita takes us back in time when music had an unmistakable sound. She has chosen songs by notable songwriters such as Kim Carnes and Ray Griff. Juanita knows a good song when she hears one as well as the feelings she wants to evoke in her listeners.

Any of these tracks would have shot to the top of the charts back when the legends of country music reigned supreme. The fact that people still want this genre is evident in the climb of The King of Country Music and its current position on the IndieWorld charts.

If more people get behind artists like Juanita Rose, we will see the pendulum of quality music swing once again.

I am giving The Rose

OUT OF THE CHUTE- Juanita Rose

I am a staunch supporter of Traditional Country music. I grew up on tunes that told stories of something other than partying and acting stupid (though I guess cheating songs could fall into the latter category)

So when I came across this lovely and talented lady, I knew I wanted to know more about her - and to share her with you. Today, we are talking with Juanita Rose.

A bit about Juanita Rose:

Juanita’s Bio


Juanita Rose’s music has taken her from a small rural farming community near Kinston, North Carolina to the Grand Ole’ Opry stage as well as on international tours throughout Canada.

She has lived a musical life most performers can only dream of. As a young teenager she was discovered by the legendary Hank Snow and personally invited to star as his opening act for the Country Hall of Famer’s stage show.


Juanita has also appeared in radio and tv commercials throughout the Midwest.




1 – You have quite an interesting background in country music. Did you have a down time between then and now? And what have you been doing in between? 
Yes I did Kelly...In the down time, I was a radio personality for The State Senate, the state of Tn....

2 – What would you say is the most important thing you learned in those early days and is that associated with anyone in particular?
Well one of the most important things I learned early on, is how important your fans are, and how to relate to them, also how to work with band members...I was fortunate enough to be the opening act with Grand Ole Opry Legend Hank Snow. for several years...He taught me a lot about the business...

3 – Your heart appears to be solid in traditional country music. I appreciate you are recording YOUR music. What attracts you to this genre?
Yes Kelly, my heart is in Traditional Country Music...I was raised on this kind of music and what attracted me was...It is a kind of music that people can relate to of things that might have happened in their lives or in the lives of others...Could be lost love affairs, heartaches, happy times,etc, all of the things that I am not hearing in todays music that they call country...

4 – You have a classic voice, unique in today’s music trends. Do you think we’ll see a return to real country music that you and I grew up with? And what do you think we need to do to get there?
Thank you Kelly, I certainly hope we see a real return of the kind of music we grew up with...People tell me all the time how mush they miss the good country music that we use to share....But I think we just have to all join together that love Traditional Country Music and push radio stations to play this kind of music, that so many people are wanting to hear...No one person can do it alone...We must keep pushing...I know I will..

5 – How did you come to work with James Williams?
Kelly, I can't begin to say enough nice things about James Williams...I was looking for someone to promote my latest single release, and a friend of mine in the business suggested James...He is a great promoter and is wonderful to work with...

6 – Your new album, The Rose, is a beautiful collection. And I see you co-wrote one of the tunes. Do you enjoy writing? And is there a process you follow when writing?
Thank you, I did co-write one of the songs and I do enjoy writing when I can find the time...No, there is no process for me, only feelings...

7 -  What’s next for Juanita Rose?
Continue to record good Traditional Country Songs and do some touring

8 – Anything I’ve not covered you would like your fans to know?
I would like to say a special thanks to all my fans who have been so wonderful to me over the years and I will continue to record the kind of music you have asked for...Lets keep Traditional Country Music Alive...

You can find out more about Juanita Rose on her:
Website: http://juanitarosemusic.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/juanita.rose.545?fref=ts

Come back tomorrow when I review her album - The Rose

OUT OF THE CHUTE - Bill Anderson

Today's Out of the Chute is a bit different. Rather than the basic eight questions, I've put something together based on a recent phone interview. When you're finished here, I hope you'll hop over to Bill Anderson's website Bill Anderson - where you'll find lots of great information as well as goodies in his store... including a FREE download. The song, Gone Away, was recorded with the Oak Ridge Boys in January 2012.


        In my earliest recollection of listening to country music, one of the names that stand out in my memory is Bill Anderson. As a songwriter, a radio and television personality and as a human being, Whisperin’ Bill Anderson is the complete package. Fans may think that from the moment Ray Price took City Lights (link takes you to a YouTube of Mr. Price performing the song) to the airwaves Bill’s life was changed forever. But the change really began long before then… a change Bill Anderson himself was not aware of.

He first saw the Grand Ole Opry at the age of fourteen. At the time he felt being a part of something so grand was the ultimate dream for someone who loved country music. While it was a far-fetched idea for a teenager from Georgia, little did he know his dream would become his reality. Mr. Anderson says he is “grateful and blessed for the opportunities and wouldn’t change his life for anything.” 
 
One of his greatest thrills came in 1961 when he was asked to join The Opry family. I asked him if when he got the call, he was caught off guard and had a moment of wondering if they had called the wrong person. ‘If they had, I wasn’t going to tell them,” he replied with a laugh. Joining the Opry then wasn’t the big coronation it is today. Back then, they asked you to join then made it official during the Opry broadcast. A simple ‘we’ll be seeing a lot more of you from now on’ summed up the festivities.

However, his heart-felt accomplishment has been his induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame. For someone with his heart and soul in country music, that is the top of the ladder.

With over sixty years in the business, and having worked with every conceivable person in the industry, there’s one person Bill Anderson said he would like to have had the opportunity to work with. He told me when it came to singing and song writing, Hank Williams, Sr. was the best there was.

While talking with him, I began to see things a bit differently than I have for some time. When I think Bill Anderson, I think Country Music but oddly enough, in the 1960’s he was considered a ‘cross-over’ artist- more contemporary, not country. For years I’ve been digging my heels into what classifies as country music in my opinion. He enlightened me to the fact that everything changes. “The only thing constant is it is constantly changing.” 

Does that mean that what I listen to today isn’t country? Or that Nashville is sacrificing its roots for dollar signs? No. It means that categorically, music has to evolve to tap into its present audience. But I still have to wonder how many of today’s ‘country’ listeners are aware of the foundation on which their contemporary country is built?

While the powers-that-be in Nashville continue to bring us what is current, Bill Anderson and Larry Black work diligently to preserve the roots with programs like Country Family Reunion and Larry’s Country Diner. Both shows, broadcast on RFD-TV, provide a mix of songs and stories from some of the great artists who paved the way for today’s performers. The format for both shows reach an audience radio doesn’t, while letting viewers know the men and women of yesterday’s country are still alive and kicking.

I am thankful to have had the opportunity to speak with the legendary Bill Anderson and for his pearls of wisdom that can only come from someone who has seen so many changes in this business. For as much as the industry has been shouting that THIS is country music... I heard it better in a whisper.
With that said, I’ll leave you with the words from a George Jones classic…
Who’s gonna give their heart and soul to get to me and you… Oh I wonder. Who’s gonna fill their shoes. 

For the rest of the song, check out this YouTube video

CMA Preview

Okay, some of you know this whole CMA thing is a big issue with me. Am I the only one under sixty that remembers when CMA truly stood for Country Music Association? And that what you heard on stage really WAS country music? I think Ralph Emery got the ball rolling when he hosted the show Pop Goes the Country. Because Pop and Rock are what they are passing off as country music. And it's why I listen and promote Texas/ Cowboy music.

I know, like everything else Nashville it's all about the dollar signs. Attracting a younger audience that can afford and will spend their money on CDs, concert tickets, concert memorabilia, yadda yadda yadda is all they look at. DOLLARS and CENTS.

I'm not saying some of these people can't sing. Some of them have great voices and I have my favorites because I like the song. I just don't appreciate them trying to sell it to me as COUNTRY.

Alan Jackson had a song out several years ago about Murder on Music Row. The chorus speaks volumes for the rape and murder that has taken place over the years:

For the steel guitars no longer cry
And you can't hear fiddles play
With drums and rock 'n' roll guitars
Mixed right up in your face
Why the Hag wouldn't have a chance
On today's radio
Since they committed murder
Down on music row

(Courtesy of CowboyLyrics.com)

But tonight I'll be watching and tweeting during the 45th annual CMA's. I guess because I keep hoping I'll catch a glimpse of what Country Music used to be.

Country Blessings!

Kelly