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by Scott
Stem
So, you’re in the midst of winter and wondering
where you want to go on your summer vacation. You want to go some
place warm with music everywhere.
Boy, have I got just the place for you!
Come to Nashville, Tennessee on June 5-8, 2003 for the 32nd Annual Fan
Fair, an annual event aptly dubbed as “The World’s Biggest Country
Music Festival.”
Fan Fair has over 40 hours of music, from
superstar celebrities, to classic legends, and many rising newcomers.
Today’s best country music ––
bluegrass, alt-country, Americana, traditional country, Texas-style and
more –– can be found at Fan Fair. For four days, this
massive music festival takes over downtown Nashville with a ton of
exciting events. There is something for every music lover. Nightly
concerts are held at The Coliseum (home of the Tennessee Titans); daily
concerts are performed on the banks of the Cumberland Rivers; and
autograph sessions with your favorite Country artists as well as NBC
daytime stars from television dramas such as “Days of Our Lives” and
“Passions,” are held in the air-conditioned Nashville Convention
Center.
In addition, catch one-of-a-kind
performances from your favorite artists and top local acts at all the
great clubs and honky-tonks on lower Broadway until the wee hours of the
morning when “Fan Fair After Hours” gets revved up. Bring the
kids, because the “Family Zone” will return with inflatable rides,
games and other great activities designed for all ages.
This year’s line-up of artists has not
been set yet, but to give you an idea of what you can expect, here’s
just a brief listing of a few artists who participated in Fan Fair last
year –– Trace Adkins, Alabama, Steve Azar, Bastard Sons of
Johnny Cash, Bellamy Brothers, Brooks & Dunn, Mark Chesnutt, Rodney
Crowell, Kenny Chesney, Billy Ray Cyrus, Diamond Rio, Andy Griggs, Eric
Heatherly, Rebecca Lynn Howard, Alan Jackson, George Jones, Toby Keith,
Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, Little Big Town, Lonestar, Martina
McBride, McBride & The Ride, Neal McCoy, JoDee Messina, Oak Ridge
Boys, Jamie O’Neal, Brad Paisley, Lee Roy Parnell, Rascal Flatts, Earl
Scruggs, Dan Seals,
SHeDAISY, Blake Shelton, Marty Stuart, Pam Tillis, Travis Tritt, Keith
Urban, Kevin Welch, Bryan White, Lee Ann Womack, and many more.
In addition, the cast of PAX-TV’s
“Doc” signed autographs while the characters from PBS’s hit
children’s series “Between the Lions” performed shows that
entertained the audience while teaching the joys of reading.
Check out www.FanFair.com
or call 1-866-Fan-Fair for tickets and more information.
In addition to telling you about Fan
Fair, there are four new albums, that as your country music columnist, I
simply must bring to your attention this month. These albums are
must haves for any serios country CD collection!
JOHNNY CASH -- “American IV: The Man Comes Around”
The greatest living legend in Country Music
returns with another amazing album. With a voice full of passion,
authority and well-earned wisdom, Cash covers a wide variety of songs as well
as a few he wrote himself.
On this album, you hear his inspired versions of
the traditional “Danny Boy;” Simon & Garfunkel’s “Bridge Over
Troubled Water” (with Fiona Apple providing harmonies); the Beatles’ “In
My Life;” Hank Williams Sr.’s “I’m
So Lonesome I Could Cry;” the Eagles’ “Desperado;” Depeche Mode’s
“Personal Jesus;” and Nine Inch Nails “Hurt,” among others.
It’s rare that an artist can take songs from
such a myriad of musical styles and make them his own, but Cash makes each song
sound as if it was written for him. He was the first person elected to
both the Country Music and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame; this recording
perfectly illustrates why. It’s the great global Songbook album of
2002-2003.
ALISON KRAUSS & UNION STATION -- “Live”
This is one of the best live albums I’ve heard in
years. Talented musicians, great songs, wonderful voices – a heavenly
listening experience. This two-disc set features such great Krauss songs
as – “The Lucky One,” “Baby, Now That I’ve Found You,” “New
Favorite,” “Oh, Atlanta” and “When You Say Nothing At All.”
In addition, Union Station member Dan Tyminski
sings lead on the classic “I Am A Man Of Constant Sorrow” (featured in the
George Clooney movie “O Brother, Where Art Thou?”). Krauss’ voice
fills all the empty spaces in your soul while Union Station’s musical talent
embraces you with warmth and vitality.
TIM McGRAW -- “Tim McGraw & The Dancehall Doctors”
It’s not always easy to be a superstar artist and make a
great album that both holds up musically and sells in massive numbers.
Yet, McGraw succeeds with this album. McGraw has an amazing ability to
pick wonderful songs and
sing them so passionately that you forgive his imperfect voice. His songs
are about everyday life and love and all that encompasses. He continues
to be a powerhouse on the modern country music scene.
STEVE WARINER -- “Steal Another Day”
One of my favorite Country artists returns
after taking a break during the last few years. This album features new songs
such as the first single “Snowfall on the Sand;” in addition, Wariner has
also re-recorded some of his biggest hits for inclusion, such as “The
Weekend” and “Some Fools Never Learn.”
An amazing guitar player, a smooth singer, and
one of the best songwriters around; to top it off, Wariner is also one of the
nicest guys you could ever meet. Do yourself a favor and pick up this album.
That’s it for this month. I’d like to
dedicate this column to two of God’s newest angels, Janie Hodges and Gene
Stem, who both passed away in December 2002. Your lives were inspirations to
all who knew you. The lessons
you taught will never be forgotten. Enjoy your rewards in Paradise.
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