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COUNTRY MUSIC COLUMN
by Scott Stem
CMA AWARDS GRAB 40 MILLION VIEWERS…
“The 37th Annual CMA Awards” was the #3 television program for the week it aired, with more than 40 million people tuning in at some point during the show. Alan Jackson was named Entertainer and Male Vocalist of the Year; he also won Vocal Event of the Year along with Jimmy Buffett for “It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere.” Martina McBride was crowned Female Vocalist of the Year; Rascal Flatts took home the Vocal Group of the Year award; and Joe Nichols was named the Horizon Award winner. Johnny Cash’s “Hurt” was named both Single and Video of the Year, while his album American IV: The Man Comes Around was chosen as Album of the Year. The duet between Dolly Parton and Norah Jones (with Rhonda Vincent on harmony vocals) was one of the most outstanding musical performances witnessed on television in years. For more info, check out: www.CMAawards.com CASH MUSIC CELEBRATED… “I was privileged to attend the Johnny Cash Tribute Concert at the Ryman Auditorium. Hosted by actor Tim Robbins, the concert featured Brooks & Dunn, Carlene Carter, Rosanne Cash, Sheryl Crow, Rodney Crowell, Larry Gatlin, George Jones, Kid Rock, Kris Kristofferson, John Mellencamp, Willie Nelson, Marty Stuart, Travis Tritt, Hank Williams Jr. and more. Former Vice President Al Gore spoke, as did Cash’s brother Tommy and his original stand-up bass player Marshall Grant. It was a magical night of music, especially when Rosanne Cash sang “I Still Miss Someone,” Brooks & Dunn and Carlene Carter performed “Jackson” while Sheryl Crow gave her rendition of “Hurt.” The event was taped and edited for a CMT special that will have aired several times by the time this column sees print. While the special can never truly capture what happened live that night, it will give a wonderful glimpse into the magic that was created. SCOTT’S “TOP TWENTY” OF 2003… Being that it’s the end of the year, I thought I’d recommend what I consider to be the 10 Best Country Albums of 2003. But…ten is quite a limiting number, don’t you think? So, I upped the number and chose the 20 Country Music albums that I have enjoyed listening to the most this year in alphabetical order. Trace Adkins/Greatest Hits Collection, Volume 1 Gary Allan/See If I Care Brooks & Dunn/Red Dirt Road Mary Chapin Carpenter/Essential Mary Chapin Carpenter June Carter Cash/Wildwood Flower Rodney Crowell/Fate’s Right Hand Emmylou Harris/Stumble Into Grace Jeannie Kendall /Jeannie Kendall Patty Loveless/On Your Way Home Mike Marshall & Chris Thile/Into The Cauldron Alison Moorer/Show Brad Paisley/Mud on the Tires Robinella and the CC Stringband/Robinella and the CC Stringband Charlie Robison/Live Marty Stuart /Country Music Rick Trevino/In My Dreams Josh Turner/Long Black Train Various Artists/Livin’, Lovin’, Losin’: Songs of the Louvin Brothers Sean Watkins/26 Miles Jimmy Wayne/Jimmy Wayne 2003 saw some great artists return with albums, including –– Gary Allan, Rodney Crowell, Emmylou Harris, Patty Loveless, Brad Paisley, Marty Stuart and Rick Trevino. June Carter Cash left us her final masterpiece celebrating her family’s musical heritage. Robinella, Josh Turner and Jimmy Wayne made me sit up and take notice (and if I went up to 22 albums, I’d probably include the debut projects from Dierks Bentley and Scotty Emerick on the list as well). Two live albums made my list -- the fun-loving Charlie Robison’s project and the intense Alison Moorer’s CD. Nickel Creek’s Sean Watkins returned with his second solo album, taking us on a wild musical journey that is hypnotic, sensual and exciting. His bandmate Chris Thile turned in a duet project with Mike Marshall that delights and challenges the listener at the same time. Veteran Jeannie Kendall made her debut solo project, which brought her pure Country voice back after too long of an absence. Country Music Hall of Fame members The Louvin Brothers were celebrated in an outstanding tribute album featuring performances from Pam Tillis, Johnny Cash and The Jordanaires; Linda Ronstadt; Vince Gill and Terri Clark; Marty Stuart and Del McCoury, along with many others. Finally, two greatest hits projects came out that had to be on the list. Trace Adkins has racked up a large amount of quality Country hits in his career and has largely been overlooked by others. Mary Chapin Carpenter has always been one of my favorites -- her recently released Essential album fills a void for me that’s been missing on radio for a while -- and makes me look forward to her all new release coming out next year. Wanting to present a second point of view, I’ve asked my friend and fellow Country Music lover Kyle Quigley to list his favorites of the year. Kyle is much better at sticking to a “top ten list” than I am, and here are his choices: KYLE’S “TOP TEN” OF 2003… (alphabetized by artist’s last name) Gary Allan/See If I Care Dierks Bentley/Dierks Bentley Terri Clark/Pain to Kill Patty Loveless/On Your Way Home Reba McEntire/Room to Breathe Robinella and the CC Stringband/Robinella and the CC Stringband Wayfaring Strangers/This Train Jimmy Wayne/Jimmy Wayne Wynonna/What the World Needs Now Is Love Various Artists/ Livin’, Louvin’, Losin’: Songs of the Louvin Brothers Kyle goes on to say: With Room to Breathe, Reba made one of the best albums of her career. What the World Needs Now Is Love is Wynonna’s welcome return. Other artists returning with new projects in 2003 included: Gary Allan, Patty Loveless and Terri Clark. Impressive debut albums came from: Jimmy Wayne, Dierks Bentley, and Robinella & The CC Stringband. Another CD that lends itself toward bluegrass combined with folk is This Train the sophomore by the Wayfaring Strangers. Lastly, one of the best tribute albums every recorded is Livin’, Lovin’, Losin’: Songs of the Louvin Brothers. If you like Country Music, this is a must have. If you aren't familiar with Country, I can’t think of a better place to start. As we end of 2003, I wish you all a wonderful Holiday season. I wish you love, joy and peace as you begin 2004. | ||
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