Hillbilly Music

We've Been Roaming Around and Listening...

Dave Sichak — Sun, 04 May 2008 06:09:00 +0000

Good evening Folks,

Ole Gran'pa H. M. Crittick has been roaming around the internet checking out the sounds and sites. And of course, we're doing it from the confines of our local home computer.

WRVK in Renfro Valley, KY
We've been checking out B-Bob's Hillbilly and Western Jamboree show on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays the past few weeks. The timing of the show is about perfect for us out west - we can listen in at the end of the day. I tell you - if you're a fan of the old-time traditional style we call hillbilly music - you will enjoy B-Bob's show. You won't hear the Top 30 tunes - you'll be taken back in time to that bygone era and hear a lot of folks you don't hear on today's radio at all. We had some fun recently with him trying to figure out if there were two Al Rogers singers because in the end we found out Al actually did change his style of singing on his recordings. You got a computer and sound card? Check out B-Bob's show - you won't be disappointed.

But we're trying to make sure we get to take in Pete Stamper's Supper Time Jubilee on Tuesday's, but so far, we've been working too late to catch it!

Ernest Tubb Midnight Jamboree
Folks, you gotta respect tradition. And the folks that run Ernest Tubb's Record Shops are doing just that. Ole Gran'pa checks in the show just about every week over the internet as a way of paying a tribute to ole Ernie. We visited Nashville many times in the past when Ernest was alive, but for whatever reason, we never did take in the Midnight Jamboree while Ernest was around. That's our fault. But you check out www.wsmonline.com on Saturday nights after the Opry is done - you will be treated to the longest running show of it's type as Ernest would have it. You still get to hear a snippet of a Jimmie Rodgers' tune - a hero of Ernest's. And each week, you get to hear one of the classic country artists. A week or so ago, we got to hear Connie Smith. Before that, we got to hear folks such as Charlie Louvin, Mel Tillis, Jett Williams and last year, one treat was when Cal Smith, the Country Bumpkin himself hosted the show and kept the audience in stitches with his many tales.

Ole Gran'pa recommends you check out those show listings each day and give those shows a listenin' - judging by what we've been listening to - you're sure to be tapping those toes...

And Floy Case and Mary Jean Shurtz, wherever you are... here's to you...we've been listening, too.

Concert Review: Merle Haggard Brings Country Music to the Gallo Center in Modesto

Dave Sichak — Sun, 06 Apr 2008 00:24:00 +0000

Friday night - Modesto's newest concert venue paid tribute to the country music roots of the central valley of California by playing host to Merle Haggard. The concert was said to be sold out, but not everyone showed up to sit in their seats. And shame on them - they missed a good one. Ole Gran'pa H. M. Crittick got himself a ticket somehow and had to put on some clean clothes, but it was well worth it.

The evening started off with the opening acts - running until about 8:45 (show started 8pm). Chris Milpass was one of the opening singers - he did an old Hank Williams tune, trying to do the bended knee stuff, etc. But when you're waiting for someone like Merle, you get a bit itchy, even if that person is pretty good.

After the intermission - Noel Haggard opened the second half of the show - giving you a resemblance of Merle and what he looked like in his early career. You can't help but compare him to that early version of Merle you grew up listening to, even the way he handles himself with the guitar.

Merle finally came on about 8:45pm or so - to a standing ovation.

As someone who grew up listening to his tunes of a bygone era, you knew he wasn't going to get to all of the hits, but the crowd enjoyed each one he did sing.

He had about 11 people backing him up. Norm Hamlett, a long time member of Merle's Band, the Strangers, was again on steel guitar - dressed a bit like someone from the Blues Brothers.

We got to hear Merle in his best form doing his classics - Swinging Doors, Silver Wings, Big City, Mama Tried, the Lefty Frizzell classic, If You Got the Money, I Take a Lot of Pride In What I Am and then the crowd pleaser, his classic Okie From Muskogee.

He didn't lose a beat as he moved into a duet with the female backup singer of the Johnny and June Cash classic, Jackson.

One down side is while he introduced local act Chester Smith, they didn't do a duet number together. Why couldn't they do the tune they recorded together, "Wreck On The Highway"? Was there a union rule? What is the protocol in such a situation - does the main act give a portion of their fees to the guest singer? Of course, Chester may have been a bit under the weather, too and couldn't sing. But still, it would have been great to hear them perform together, even if just one song. Chester still has good stage presence based on the last time I saw him in action.

Merle was in fine form, vocally and on the guitar. Sometimes he was in his hat along with dark glasses but once in a while, he tossed the hat and glasses aside so folks got a better look at him. Perhaps they're props that fit the mood of the music he was doing.

He closed with Sing Me Back Home and Rambling Fever. The crowd gave him a rousing ovation, a standing ovation - but evidently the contract would not allow him to come back for anything more or the concert venue has a time limit. But God help us if
Willie Nelson comes to town - they may have to start at noon to let him get through all of the tunes he's known to do at his concerts.

But the venue made for a great honky tonk - you can't beat the sound, even from where I sat - up in the balcony.

The crowd was decidedly demographically unappealing to today's radio stations - over 50 - the folks that probably grew up listening to him on the radio. Trust me - we still know how to whoop and holler and have a good time. The odd thing was the local country station KATM listed this concert as something that was part of their 'classic country series' yet they were no where to be seen, nor did I even hear a mention of the concert on Friday afternoon. In fact, I don't recall hearing even one song by Merle listening to them while driving around doing my errands. Sorry, but the local radio station doesn't get any kudos for this one.

And for one Saturday night - downtown Modesto was doing a toe-tapping two-step rather than a hyphy stomp or some other rock stuff. It was something the entire family could enjoy whether mom and dad remembering the tunes they listened to on the radio or their kids that were getting to see one of the legends of country music.

But the thing is - he showed why he won entertainer of the year awards, he showed us why he was a legend, he showed us why today's radio won't play his music - the truth is - he's better than what's being spun. He can still pick the guitar, he can still sing his classics, he can still entertain an audience.

Later in the weekend - the Gallo Center for the Arts hosts a tribute show to Patsy Cline.

Well, at least for a night or two, hillbilly music (also known as country and western music) was more than an old 78rpm.

WOV Broadway Barn Dance

Dave Sichak — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 06:01:00 +0000

An author-historian friend of ours is looking for information on one of the old radio shows. Read on and if you can help him out - send him an email!

Wayne writes:

I'm looking for information on the WOV Barn Dance. WOV was (is still?) a radio station in New York City. All I know about the show is the following that I
found recently in the Saturday, July 22, 1944, issue of Billboard, p. 16:

On Saturday, July 1, WOV inaugurated the WOV Broadway Barn Dance, taking over Palm Garden at 52d Street and Eighth Avenue, a stone's throw from the Stem. They brought in a cornhusker crew of musicians and singers for a half hour of live broadcast, followed by an old-fashioned barn dance. At 85 cents a head, the 1,200-capacity hall has been jammed both Saturdays and is again tonight. Station is taking ticket orders for several weeks in advance, and next two broadcasts are sold out.

Does anyone know how long the show lasted and/or who performed on it?

Thanks,

Wayne W. Daniel
wwdaniel@yahoo.com

Review: Blue Grass Country Featuring the Twin Country Accordions

Dave Sichak — Mon, 23 Jul 2007 04:26:00 +0000

Blue Grass Country - Twin Country Accordions

Greetings once again Country Music Fans,

Can you fans remember when the accordion was a major part of the band for many country music acts in that earlier era? We can think of Doc Williams and his Border Riders and move right up to one in the Hall of Fame - Pee Wee King. Or even when the Moms and Dads captured the interest of the nation with their "Ranger's Waltz"?

This came in the mail box one day and well, Gran'pa got a bit curious as to how it would turn out. There's three fellows listed as the musicians on this release - Dan Yarnick on accordion; Eddie Liszewski on accordion and Lee Martin doing work on guitar, mandolin, bass and fiddle.

First comment - folks, some of the new generation of singers and musicians might want to give a listen to this one. They might learn that good music doesn't have to be coming out a decibel levels that would bust an eardrum in the next county. It was nicely mixed and balanced.

Second - the 'sound' that I heard reminded me of another easy style type of instrumental country I found a few years ago by a fellow named Joe Weed. This one is like that a bit - all instrumentals and as relaxing to listen to as sitting on your front porch on a summer afternoon with a pitcher of good iced tea.

Fans will recognize many of the tunes on this one. One of my favorites is the first tune, "When My Blue Moon Turns To Gold Again; Then there's "Little CAbin Home On The Hill", "Kentucky Waltz", "Red Wing" and "Wabash Cannonball".

There's even a couple of Bob Wills tunes on this one, "A Maiden's Prayer" and "Faded Love".

Ole Gran'pa enjoyed this one. The true test came when I put it in the car on those long drives just to ease the tensions of being in traffic. It's great to hear an instrumental album only once in a while, and the accordion sound is a nice treat, too. But ole Gran'pa wonders if they might be up to trying some Cajun stuff someday?

The record is on the Lee Records lable out of Creekside, Pennsylvania and can be purchased on the CD Baby web site.

Gran'pa H.M. Crittick

Review: The Stanley Brothers - The Definitive Collection (1947 - 1966)

Dave Sichak — Mon, 23 Jul 2007 03:36:00 +0000

The Stanley Brothers Definitive Collection

Howdy Real Country Music Fans,

Time for Gran'pa to take a break from the summertime chores of mowing the lawn and tending to the vegetable garden. You know there's just something nice about planting some corn and beefsteak tomatoes and tending to them and knowing that in a few weeks, you'll savor those things just a tad bit more. The cucumbers are coming in just great, too!

Now where do you start when you start talking about such a group like the Stanley Brothers and listening to a 'definitive collection'. This set was released in April of 2007, on the 60th anniversary of their first studio recordings. Now the fact that someone thought there music was good enough for all you folks out there to hear their legendary music six decades later ought to tell you something. Good music lasts for generations and defies demographics.

Recently, we got to hear their tunes in that movie "O Brother Where Art Thou?". I just shake my head and chuckle though to think someone like a George Clooney is doing a movie with old time country music classics weaved into the story.

Now let's talk about the music in this collection. There's three CD's with a total of 60 recordings to enjoy. It was a lot of fun to listen to their original tunes Gran'pa had heard by other artists previously. Some I had never heard by the Stanley Brothers before. Remember Ricky Skaggs' versions of such tunes as "Don't Cheat in Our Home Town" or "If That's The Way You Feel"? You can then see the influence on Ricky I think in the way he handled those and included great harmonies on the choruses, not just voices singing together.

You get to hear the tune the Soggy Mountain Boys gave a rousing rendition to in the movie - "Man of Constant Sorrow". There's tunes associated with Hall of Famer, Bill Monroe as well - "Blue Moon of Kentucky", "Molly and Tenbrooks". I enjoyed tunes like "Orange Blossom Special" (never get tired of hearing how other folks add their touch to that tune); "Angel Band"; "Will You Be Loving Another Man" (I first enjoyed this tune when I discovered an old Lester Flatt and Mac Wiseman album on RCA when some ages ago I was getting a higher education of some sorts.); "Roll In My Sweet Baby's Arms" and "Rank Stranger".

Now if the music wasn't enough, they've included a great 40 page color booklet of biographical information and photos. I bow to the level of detail they include in the chronological history of this storied and revered group. The booklet includes the recording details of each tune.

Because ole Gran'pa's sidekick runs this hear hillbilly music web site, we have to include a quote attributed to Carter Stanley in describing their musical efforts as the term "bluegrass music" had not been invented back then.

" I think anytime that you play a good song, to me it's hillbilly music. The Carter Family played good hillbilly music and they're definitely not bluegrass, and J. E. Mainer played good hillbilly music and he's not bluegrass, and I don't figure we're bluegrass. We're the Stanley Brothers, that's the way I've always tried to work it... we have gotten out, I think, and developed a sound of our own."

Before I get to ramblin' on ole Gran'pa just wants to add another note. The dozens of tunes on this CD I found to be quite a treat. Every time I put one in the car to drive around town or going back and forth to work, playing them at random, it just felt like I'd discover another gem or treat to listen to and even repeat the song. Legends don't get to be known as legends for nothing - they earned and deserve their status.

Gran'pa H.M. Crittick

Review: Country Music is Alive and Well in Tokyo!

Dave Sichak — Sun, 27 May 2007 08:17:00 +0000

Miya Ishida - Himawari
Howdy Country Music Fans,

Gran'pa knows a few people as you might reckon and several of them were taking an overseas trip to Tokyo in Japan. Naturally, ole Gran'pa prodded them a bit to find a country music venue to hear that good old sound.

It took my friends a try or two, but they did manage to find a nightspot where one could hear some good ole true country music. They found a gal named Miya Ishida performing with the Citylites, which was led by her steel guitar playing father. They must have liked what they heard because they brought back a copy of her latest CD, Himawari; backing her up was her father's band, The Citylites.

Just the song titles alone would got my curiosity up a bit to hear their tunes. Blue Moon of Kentucky; Hobo's Meditation (the old Jimmie Rodgers tune); Roly Poly; (Now and Then There's) A Fool Such As I; I Do My Crying At Night; You Don't Know How Lucky You Are and on it goes. A few golden oldies, some others of a later era.

Two of the tunes are in Japanese, the title song of the album, Himawari and Love Song. Miya co-wrote those two tunes with Katsuki Okayama. The CD includes the lyrics to the tunes, including the Japanese tunes. But you'll have to listen to the tunes she co-wrote as the lyrics included were only provided in Japanese. Perhaps forcing one to listen to the melodies, the instrumental backing and her voice.

To me, one of the tests is whether you would play the CD again after hearing it. This one I've listened to several times. My mode is to not necessarily play the songs in order, but use the car's or home stereo's shuffle feature. There are some nice country songs and arrangements on this one that Nashville today would be hard pressed to duplicate.

Hobo's Meditation got my attention. The instrumental intro to this tune seems to cause a person to think of the Far East then there's no mistaking the old tune - nicely done. Gran'pa may be fussing a bit, but Jimmie always yodeled on his recordings - every one of them. But that's hardly a minus on this CD, just reminding the folks out there to do your homework and know what Jimmie was about. No one's passed a law against yodeling that I'm aware of.

You Don't Know How Lucky You Are is another keeper and one I came back to more than a few times. She does ballads quite well, they seem to give Miya a chance to be a bit more expressive in her vocal inflections. Then like the old country recordings, her dad Shintaro Ishida kicks in with a nice steel guitar interlude between verses.

Miya sings tunes like Roly Poly and I Do My Crying At Night that will get your feet tapping in no time.

A couple of more modern tunes were "Poor Poor Pitiful Me" and "Jolene" - tunes made famous by Linda Ronstadt and Dolly Parton. Not quite classical country but probably crowd pleasers with the rhythms those tunes provide.

Miya began singing with her father's group around 1992 or 1993 according to the notes sent to us by Mr. Ishida. He appeared at the International Steel Guitar Convention back in 1987, appeared onstage with Buddy Emmons and got himself a standing ovation as well. Shintaro has been playing country music since he was a teen-ager in high school.

Miya Ishida's Official Web Site is at: http://www.jah.ne.jp/~networld/country/

Til next time, keep it country and don't be afraid to hear some good steel guitar licks on a record once in a while. Thanks to some good friends, we got to listen to some great sounds that show that good country music crosses the borders and demographics. This one stays in my collection. Meanwhile, you folks traveling over to Tokyo - have no excuse for not finding some good country music while you're on the road.

Gran'pa H.M. Crittick

Review: Darrell McCall - Old Memories and Wine

Dave Sichak — Sun, 06 May 2007 05:41:00 +0000

Darrell McCall - Old Memories and Wine
Howdy Country Music Fans,

Well, old Gran'pa took a while to get the keyboard oiled up to start reviewing the musical CD's that get sent to our post office box out yonder. Luckily I got a fella that drives down there every now and then to pick up the mail. 'Nuf said about that.

I imagine there's one or two of you out there that is out on the road somewhere away from home in some strange town, having to sleep in some place other than your own home. You ask around to the local folks you meet where you might here some country music. Work for the day is done, it's time to unwind a bit, relax, have a cold one - iced tea or whatever and a decent meal even. You're just getting ready to sip that cold one when you hear a twin fiddle or hard steel guitar kick off a tune ... and then the voice of that singer kicks in ... and suddenly, you're not so tired. You know you've come to the right place. You found the real deal.

Ole Gran'pa felt just like that when he started spinning this CD by Darrell McCall. There is no mistaking the sounds you hear on this CD. Darrell's voice is as strong and powerful as you knew it back then. The twin fiddles, steel guitar, rhythms - you can tell Darrell has a good handle on what "his" sound is. And his producer Justin Trevino was smart enough to not try to pop-i-fy it like today's conglomerate country music media radio outlets seem to play. You want to know what country music sounds like - this would be a good place to start.

You get a good mix of new and old songs on this CD. Darrell also introduces you to his family on this CD as well - his wife Mona sang two tunes, his son Cody sang harmony and his daughter wrote the title song. The album does not lose any of its appeal with those inclusions.

Remember the tunes "I Miss You Already" written by Faron Young? Or the classic "Divorce Me C.O.D."? A great showcase of Darrell's style - the Werly Fairburn tune, "I Feel Like Crying"? Then there's the old Roger Miller tune, "When Your House Is Not A Home" that ole Gran'pa recalls Connie Smith did. In fact, ole Gran'pa was thinking - Darrell and Connie would probably be an interesting duet on that tune. There's even an old Ernest Tubb tune written by Cindy Walker - "Answer the Phone".

I enjoyed the fiddle playing in the background on this CD (attributed to Bobby Flores) - the style, the sound level, the weaving in and out with Darrell's renditions - are what you enjoy hearing. The steel guitar sound by Dickie Overby and Rick Price - ole Gran'pa mutters - sounds great. Today's so-called country music radio seems to have put the steel guitar on the 'missing' picture you see on a milk carton sometimes. Once in a while it's almost too loud, but then, that sound and rawness is what gives the music its edge, makes you feel like you're listening to country music the way it was meant to be and many folks still enjoy.

We need more CD's like this.

Til next time, keep it country, will ya!?!
Gran'pa H.M. Crittick

Introducing Gran'pa H.M. Crittick

Dave Sichak — Sun, 18 Feb 2007 08:17:00 +0000

From Hillbilly-Music.com
Howdy friends and neighbors!

Folks, there's a web site getting a bit of attention from folks who are recording music and think they're good enough to be a part of what many of you folks would consider traditional country music. You know what I mean, a song with lyrics you can understand, includes instruments that Nashville seems to want to bury such as the steel guitar, fiddle and guitar and a distinctive sound that tells you instantly who you're listening to.

Folks, that hillbilly-music.com site gets its fair share of attention and mail and CD's from the new generation trying to get some attention as well as the artists that made the history.

So, they've given me the chance to let y'all know what I think of the current crop of music. Keep in mind that if they sound like a group of folks singing in unison in the local bar restroom we're going to tell you so.

In short, if they don't measure up to the traditional sound of country music - we're going to tell you up front.

No syrup. No apologies. If a singer or group is game enough to send us a CD, old Gran'pa is gonna let y'all know whether it's worth opening a wallet and buying that album.

Folks, just because they put it on a CD doesn't mean it's good ole country music. We're here to let you know if they're the real deal. Before you open your wallet, you'll want to hear what we think.

Now excuse me while I pull out my dobro and pluck a few tunes...

Sincerely,
Gran'pa H. M. Crittick

Country gets its turn in Grammy week

Dave Sichak — Sun, 18 Feb 2007 08:12:00 +0000

From the Forth Worth Star-Telegram
Country took its turn in the Grammy week spotlight with LeAnn Rimes, Marty Stuart, Charley Pride and Porter Wagoner among the stars calling attention to efforts to preserve vintage country audio and video performances.

Rimes on Thursday night kicked off the "The Soul of Country," this year's Grammy Foundation Music Preservation Project with a rendition of the Patsy Cline classic "Crazy."

"It's so important to preserve music history," she said. "I want my kids to know all these great artists of the past."

Porter Wagoner, known for his duets with Dolly Parton, made his Los Angeles debut at age 79 at the Wilshire Ebell Theater, performing "Men With Broken Hearts" while Stuart accompanied him on guitar.

Pride credited Wagoner for being one of the first musicians to give him a break as Wagoner's opening act when he toured with Parton. Wagoner is marking his 50th year as a member of the Grand Ole Opry.

Besides the live performances, the event featured film footage from the archives of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, including Richard Nixon's 1974 piano-playing appearance at the Grand Ole Opry.

Pride hobnobbed with actor Terrence Howard, who will portray the groundbreaking country singer in an upcoming movie. The two men plan to spend a couple of months together before filming.

"I had a chance to play Bob Marley or Rick James or Charley Pride and I chose Charley," Howard said. "I'm so ready and so excited."

Read the article
Fort Worth Star-Telegram

Book Captures Life, Times of Doc Williams

Dave Sichak — Sun, 24 Sep 2006 07:01:00 +0000

From The Intelligencer & Wheeling News-Register
Growing up in East Wheeling back in the ’50s and ’60s I was too young and too busy playing cowboy and Indians to realize that my neighbors were Country Music stars and legends Doc and Chickie Williams.

Also at such a young age, with absolutely no interest what-so-ever in girls, I didn’t really pay attention to their three lovely daughters Madeline, Barbara and Karen, Pooch, Peeper and Punkin as they were called, let alone their respective musical talents. Well, musicians keep time while performing and Doc Williams to this day keeps time and has recorded for friends and fans the times of his life, Chickie’s and the family’s in a new book titled, “A Country Music Legend Doc Williams Looking Back”.

Starting in 2002 at the age of 88, Doc started to record his memoirs on tape and daughter Barbara organized the material into the newly released book. Madeline wrote in the Preface, “How do you write about a lifetime?”

“It has to be a labor of love,” Doc said about the book, which was published by James Thornton, owner of Creative Impressions in Wheeling. The 184-page book contains stories and close to 200 black-and-white photographs which help tell the story.

Relaxing on his front porch and sporting black pants, a red shirt, bolo tie, suspenders, boots and a Stetson and with guitar in hand Doc said, “You might say I’m running out of steam, but I have enough steam left to sit down and talk.” He estimates that they traveled well over a million miles while performing, taking their Doc Williams Show to small towns, “in nearby and faraway places.”

The book is available by contacting Doc Williams, Wheeling Music and Publishing Co., P.O. Box 902 Wheeling, WV 26003, or by calling the publisher James Thornton at Creative Impressions in Wheeling at (304) 232-9623.

Read the article
The Intelligencer & Wheeling News-Register

Steel yourself: six-string festival slides into town

Dave Sichak — Sun, 24 Sep 2006 04:21:00 +0000

From The Globe and Mail
Vancouver Steel Guitar Festival

Just over a century ago, a Hawaiian musician found that by raising the six strings of his instrument and sliding a small metal rod over them, he could produce a harmonious glissando. Thus, the steel guitar was born. The new style of playing caught on quickly, especially in North America, and inspired guitar makers to develop ingenious variations on the basic box.

"The main types are the Dobro, the Weissenborn, the lap steel and the pedal steel -- all of which you'll be able to hear at our event," says Kat Wahamaa, co-founder of the Vancouver Steel Guitar Festival, which starts on Sept. 21. "I've always loved the sound they make because it's so much like the human voice. You can play all the notes between the notes, and bend them around."

There will be concerts on Thursday and Friday nights, and workshops on Saturday for learners. Highlights include performances by ShinyBuckle with veteran pedal-steel player Hank Rodgers, Dobro master Doug Cox with Todd Butler, Juno-Award winner Steve Dawson, and the Gang of Five -- an all-steel-guitar band led by local luthier and gypsy-jazz player Michael Dunn.

The Vancouver Steel Guitar Festival runs Sept. 21 to 23. Workshop tickets are $10, concerts are $20 and festival passes are $40. WISE Hall, 1882 Adanac St., 604-254-5858, http://www.shinybuckle.com.

Read the article
The Globe and Mail

Honky Tonkin’ at the Civic Theatre

Dave Sichak — Sun, 24 Sep 2006 04:18:00 +0000

From the Albert Lea Tribune
Country music fans will find lots of their old favorites and those who aren’t necessarily country fans will find lots of laughs in the Albert Lea Community Theatre production of “Honky Tonk Angels.” The musical review opens Thursday at the Albert Lea Civic Theatre.

“Honky Tonk Angels,” which was written by Red Swindley, is a musical tribute to the women of country music. Featured in the show are Lisa Sturtz and Stephanie Erdman, both of Albert Lea, and Kelly Huff of Medford.

“Honky Tonk Angels” is the story of three women who leave their hum-drum lives to pursue a singing career in Nashville. They meet on a bus and end up forming a musical group.

The review features more than 40 songs, including “Harper Valley PTA,” “9 to 5,” “Ode to Billy Joe,” “Fancy,” “I Will Always Love You,” “Coal Miner’s Daughter,” “Stand by Your Man,” “Rocky Top” and more.

“Honky Tonk Angels” opens Sept. 21 and continues Sept. 22 and 23 and Sept. 27 to 30 at 7:30 p.m. There is a matinee at 2 p.m. on Sept. 24. Tickets for the public go on sale Monday at 3:30 p.m. The box office number is 377-4371.

Read the article
Albert Lea Tribune

Jazzabillies: ‘Show Me’ western swing

Dave Sichak — Sun, 24 Sep 2006 04:15:00 +0000

From The Lake Sun Leader
International acclaim has launched the Jazzabilies to the helm of western swing music. But in order to delve into a Texas-born genre, the band had to present not only their unique sound and harnessed talents to listeners and promoters, but also bring it to the table with a kick.

That's why the group's original tune, "Show Me," boasts the Jazzabillies motto, "kickin' western swing," and allows avid enthusiasts of the genre to give kudos to Missouri musicians.

"When we did {our} CD, we wanted to explain who we were and what our group was about, so we titled [our tune and CD], 'Show Me,' which is also our state's slogan," said lead vocalist and composer Starla Queen. "It's similar to the bluegrass song, 'Mama Don't Allow,' in its set-up. It's a vocal song, but it gives several instrumental breaks to introduce each band member.

At that time, the band included Queen, Jimmy, Dave Owens on bass, Tony Smith on fiddle, Matt De'Peiro on accordian and Matt Wallace on drums. Jazzabillies played regularly at Kula Bay, in Hurricane Deck, for sometime, but when the summer season drew to a close, the musicians pursued their own projects.

Steel guitar and vocalist Scotty Henderson as well as Dave Owens, also played in that country ensemble, belting out a lot of the same rockabilly, jazz and western swing tunes the Jazzabillies play today. The quartet now makes up the current Jazzabillies with drummer Ronnie Blecher and appearences by vocalist and guitarist Lonnie Patteson.

Read the article
Lake Sun Leader

Roy Clark to perform

Dave Sichak — Sun, 24 Sep 2006 03:49:00 +0000

From Myrtle Beach Online
The Brunswick Little Theatre will present country singer Roy Clark tonight at Odell Williamson Auditorium at Brunswick Community College in North Carolina.

Clark is most well-known for hosting one of the first nationally televised country variety shows, "Hee Haw," from 1969 to 1992; on the show, he played both the banjo and guitar. He also made many guest appearances for Johnny Carson on "The Tonight Show."

Clark's popular hits are "Yesterday, When I was Young" and "Thank God and Greyhound."

Read the article
Myrtle Beach Online

Country star Emmylou Harris brings flair for harmony to Wharton

Dave Sichak — Sun, 24 Sep 2006 03:47:00 +0000

The Lansing State Journal
Emmylou Harris reaches the Wharton Center tonight, bearing a sturdy reputation.

She's been a pioneer. She's trampled borders and boundaries.

And that wasn't what you'd have expected in her teen years.

"I wasn't much fun," Harris recalled by phone. "I was a good little girl. I obeyed the rules."

Maybe that's natural in a military family. Harris was valedictorian, getting straight A's for five straight years.

"Emmylou Harris did what had been previously unthinkable," Robert Oermann wrote in "A Century of Country Music" (TV Books, 1999). "She united hip country-rock fans and hard-line country conservatives."

Read the article
Lansing State Journal

Get Out: The Carolina Opry

Dave Sichak — Sun, 24 Sep 2006 03:45:00 +0000

From Myrtle Beach Online
THE CAROLINA OPRY, northern intersection of U.S. 17 and U.S. 17 Bypass, Myrtle Beach, The Carolina Opry Show. Showtimes are 8 p.m. Saturday, Monday, Wednesday and Thursday. Preshow begins at 7:45 p.m. "Good Vibrations" musical variety showtimes are at 8 p.m. today and Tuesday. Tickets are $33.95 for adults; $39.95 for premium seats; $21 for students with ID; and $16 for children 3-16. 913-4000, 1-800-843-6779 or www.thecarolinaopry.com.

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Myrtle Beach Online

Lorrie Morgan is Right Where She Wants to Be

Dave Sichak — Sun, 24 Sep 2006 03:42:00 +0000

From KTWO Radio (Wyoming)
Lorrie Morgan was born into the country music business, so it should be no surprise that she's had the longevity she has.

Starting her career on the Grand Ol' Opry stage in Nashville in 1972 at age 13, she has been a part of country music all her life.

The daughter of well-known country band leader George Morgan, she took over his band when he died in 1975 and led it for three years before striking out on her own.

Eventually she became a vanguard of county music's video revolution in the late '80s and early '90s, scoring more than a dozen No. 1, including the songs "Five Minutes," "What Part of No" and "I Didn't Know My Own Strength."

Morgan is still going strong, touring and playing benefit shows. Though it hasn't always been easy, she said in a recent interview that she's happy with where she's at.

Morgan released her 12th disc, "Show Me How" in 2004 and scored with the hit "Do You Still Want To Buy Me That Drink?" But she's been known to throw a few curves, as she did with her foray in pop music, the 1998 CD "Secret Love."

"I wanted this album to be what made me fall in love with music and that was country music," Morgan says. "I wanted to make sure that people knew that country music was and still is the love of my life. That's what this album is about. It's about what kind of music I love, and that's country."

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KTWO Radio

Opry lands in low-rent spot on new Monopoly

Dave Sichak — Sun, 24 Sep 2006 03:40:00 +0000

From The Tennessean
Bill Anderson, country traditionalist, master songwriter … and owner of the Grand Ole Opry?

He laughs at the notion, but if he has enough play money and lands on the right Monopoly square, he could buy the grand old radio institution for $1 million.

Anderson kind of bristles at the notion that the Opry — where he's been a cast member for 45 years — can be bought and sold for such a relatively small price by those playing the new Monopoly Here & Now, which substitutes modern landmarks for the old-time favorites such as Boardwalk, Marvin Gardens and Park Place.

After all, he says, O'Hare International Airport is $2 million. Disney World is $2.4 million. And Wrigley Field is $3 million.

"I think, based on the comparative prices, that the Opry is priced too cheap," Anderson said.

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The Tennessean

Hillbilly Jazz: From the Blue Ridge to Blue Note

Dave Sichak — Wed, 06 Sep 2006 04:14:00 +0000

From All About Jazz
If you were to take the entire purview of American music, trace each form back to its roots, and compare those roots side-by-side, you would notice several very interesting things. For one, just how easy it is to manipulate you into undertaking a detailed, time-consuming activity with just a single sentence. You'd also notice that virtually all American music can trace their roots to Dixie. The blues, arguably the primer for the lion's share of our collective music, sprang from the fields of the agrarian South. From that source sprang jazz, R&B, rock-and-roll, and that song from that beer commercial that I really like.

Meanwhile, in the Appalachian mountains of the South, the common balladry of the Scotch-Irish settlers who had been settling the region since the early seventeenth century had been undergoing a slow process of assimilation and was developing into a distinctive form unto its own. Known as mountain, or country music, the form was primarily vocal and strings but did not yet closely resemble its modern form because canned beer, mobile homes and pickup trucks were yet to be invented.

With the advent of recording technology at the beginning of the twentieth century, traditional country music expanded beyond its established boundaries and found an audience all over the country wherever blue collars and red necks were allowed to roam free. Early pioneers of the recorded form included Virginia's legendary Carter family who rose from the hardscrabble coalfields to become internationally renowned thanks mostly to the talents and determination of Mother Maybelle Carter, one of the first strong female figures in music. It might be said that she was the Madonna of her age, except without the media whoredom, the crackpot views, and (thankfully) no book of featuring Mother Maybelle posing in erotic situations with Sidney Bechet and Hattie McDaniel.

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FAll About Jazz

Trek to Wheeling brings back fond memories of Jamboree

Dave Sichak — Wed, 06 Sep 2006 04:06:00 +0000

From the Newark Advocate
Once a year I make my annual deposit at one of West Virginia's dog tracks. This year I decided to travel to Wheeling over the long Fourth of July weekend.

While sitting in the Terrace Dining Room at Wheeling Downs, I saw a large white building a few yards beyond the dog track fence. The building triggered my memory. I believed this boarded-up, theater-like structure was a part of Wheeling's entertainment past. The dining room host who was forty-something remembered the building as a skating rink when she was in high school in the early eighties.

I was certain that I was looking at the once-famous jamboree hall, home to the WWVA weekly radio hoedown. A quick trip online confirmed my suspicions. The jamboree is still in existence, though not weekly. It originated at a downtown Wheeling movie theater but moved to the exhibition hall on Wheeling Island in the 1960s. Later, the show returned to the Capitol music hall in the downtown area.
I attended the jamboree one Saturday in the '60s. The jamboree originated in 1933 and became the second largest weekly country music show. Unfortunately, WWVA has adopted a talk news format, so the country music show is only heard on FM. The AM radio broadcast was audible on the 50,000-watt giant for over 500 miles on Saturday nights.

Jamboree Hall held 3,000 country music fans and was sold out most Saturday evenings. Tickets ranged from $8 for the best seats to $2 for the back of the hall. The show I attended featured many of the regulars plus the headlining Osborn Brothers and Little Jimmy Dickens.

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The Newark Advocate

Hall of Famers push drive for Buck O’Neil Center

Dave Sichak — Wed, 06 Sep 2006 04:04:00 +0000

From The Kansas City Kansan
They came from coast-to-coast and border-to-border to give a helping hand to one of Kansas City’s legends this week.

Baseball Hall of Famers Robin Roberts, Ozzie Smith, Joe Morgan and Lou Brock showed up. Ex-Brooklyn Dodger great Don Newcombe and Willie Wilson flew in from the East Coast, Amos Otis came from his home in Las Vegas, former Arkansas basketball coach Nolan Richardson made the trip from Dallas.

Boxer Riddick Bowe was hand and country and western singer Charley Pride even showed up - all to take part in a reception at the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum prior to the 2006 Buck O’Neil Golf Classic at Shoal Creek Tuesday.

Unfortunately, Buck couldn’t make it. At 94 years of age, the years are catching up with Buck and he’s run into some health problems of late.

This year’s event was made a little more special because Buck was not voted into the Baseball Hall of Fame by a special committee judging the merits of more than 30 former Negro League players, managers and administrators.

That exclusion has made for a more determined effort than ever that Buck’s name be forever enshrined for his efforts on behalf of the many Negro League players who were denied the opportunity to play in the major leagues by establishing the Buck O’Neil Education and Research Center.

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The Kansas City Kansan

Cowboys of Color to enshrine nine, including Charley Pride

Dave Sichak — Wed, 06 Sep 2006 03:55:00 +0000

From the Ft. Worth Star-Telegram
Country-Western music star Charley Pride is among nine notables who will be inducted tonight into the National Cowboys of Color Museum and Hall of Fame.

Pride, who lives in Dallas, is scheduled to perform at the Fort Worth Convention Center. The concert kicks off the three-day Cowboys of Color Extravaganza of concerts and rodeo performances.

Other 2006 inductees include educator Ken Pollard, horseback riding activity organizer Patricia Kelly and riding camp organizer Rosieleeta "Lee" Reed. The list also includes historical figures from the 1800s and 1900s: U.S. deputy marshal Bass Reeves, Native American fugitive Jackson Sundown, Texas politician and military hero Col. Juan Seguin, Oregon bronc rider George Fletcher and trick rider Knox Simmons.

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Ft. Worth Star-Telegram

Lost & found: Hank Williams' notebook

Dave Sichak — Wed, 06 Sep 2006 03:52:00 +0000

From the Chicago Sun-Times
Country music archivists Stephen Shutts and Robert Reynolds (bassist for the Mavericks) curate a traveling Honky Tonk Hall of Fame (www.honkytonkhalloffame.com) featuring more than 1,000 items, among them Elvis' Presley's white underwear (circa 1970) and a piece of the wing from the Patsy Cline airplane crash, which have appeared at events such as the Brooks and Dunn Neon Circus and Wild West Show tour. They even bought the Zippin Pippen in Memphis, which is the nation's second oldest wooden roller coaster and was Elvis' favorite amusement park ride.

But while traveling the lost highway, Reynolds and Shutts came across a Holy Grail of American music. Earlier this summer they purchased a notebook consisting of 20 handwritten, unpublished Hank Williams lyrics and song fragments from May 2, 1947 through 1949. Seventeen of them were never recorded.

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Chicago Sun-Times

New place on dial for radio show - Carl Fitzgerald's 'Remember When'

Dave Sichak — Tue, 17 Jan 2006 07:29:00 +0000

From the Meridian Star
Carl Fitzgerald’s radio program, “Remember When,” has found another home this month, just in time for its 23rd anniversary show.

Fitzgerald, 77, who started as a radio broadcaster in 1952, has produced “Remember When” since 1983.

The show is primarily Fitzgerald reminiscing with guests. Some music is included, such as country classics, big band, gospel, bluegrass, pop standards and 1950s rock.

“Remember When” has aired monthly on several different radio stations over the years, most recently on WYLS, 670-AM, where it had a 28-month run starting in August 2003.

On Friday, Jan. 27, WMER, 1390-AM, will broadcast Fitzgerald’s anniversary show of “Remember When,” which will include highlights from previous shows aired over the years. Fitzgerald said he has produced about 180 episodes.

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Meridian Star

SATURDAY NIGHT OPRY - Gladewater, TX

Dave Sichak — Tue, 17 Jan 2006 07:28:00 +0000

From the Tyler Morning Telegraph
The Gladewater Opry House, 108 E. Commerce St., offers its weekly Saturday Night Opry at 8 p.m. Saturday.

This week's show includes performances by Megan Wellborn, Chad Show, Chelsea Ogden, Bobby Worsham, Jaye Heller, Katelyn Sweet, Anthony Perry and Stoney Jackson. Admission is $8 for adults, $5 for children 6-12 and free for children under 6. For tickets, call (903) 845-3600.

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Tyler Morning Telegraph