 | WALKIN’ A COUNTRY MILE
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COUNTRY MUSIC COLUMN
by Scott Stem
2004 CMA MUSIC FESTIVAL & FAN FAIR! A HUGE SUCCESS!
The 2004 CMA Music Festival/Fan Fair ended on a high-note with a four-day attendance of over 132,000 fans. Nashville is the perfect host city for “Country Music’s Biggest Party.” Among the highlights of the four days: • Hank Williams, Jr. gave an amazing performance on Sunday night, which included a rendition of “Family Tradition” with guests Chris Cagle, Montgomery Gentry, Michelle Poe, Darryl Worley and Poison’s vocalist, Bret Michaels. • Gretchen Wilson came out during Brooks & Dunn’s set for a hell-raising performance of “Redneck Woman.” • Willie Nelson singing a duet with Pat Green. • Brad Paisley sang harmony as Josh Turner performed his debut hit, “Long Black Train.” • Glen Campbell brought out Bryan White for a duet of his country chestnut, “Rhinestone Cowboy.” • Uncle Kracker performed three songs. New artist Rachel Proctor joined him on his hit, “Drift Away.” Among the fabulous artists who performed over the four days were: Trace Adkins, Jessica Andrews, Steve Azar, Jeff Bates, Dierks Bentley, Clint Black, Blue County, Suzy Bogguss, Brook & Dunn, Chris Cagle, Glen Campbell, Terri Clark, Billy Currington, Billy Ray Cyrus, Charlie Daniels, Diamond Rio, Scotty Emerick, Sara Evans, Pat Green, Lee Greenwood, Andy Griggs, King Wilkie, Tracy Lawrence, Shannon Lawson, Lonestar, Martina McBride, Brian McComas, Neal McCoy, Jo Dee Messina, Ronnie Milsap, Miss America 2004 Ericka Dunlap, John Michael Montgomery, Montgomery Gentry, Willie Nelson, James Otto, Brad Paisley, Pinmonkey, Rachel Proctor, Rascal Flatts, LeAnn Rimes, Julie Roberts, SHeDAISY, Tanya Tucker, Josh Turner, Uncle Kracker, Keith Urban, Rhonda Vincent, Clay Walker, Jimmy Wayne, Hank Williams, Jr., Trent Willmon, Gretchen Wilson, Lee Ann Womack, Darryl Worley, Wynonna and many more. Check out www.CMAfest.com to see everything that took place. The entire event was filmed for an upcoming two-hour television special airing on CBS later this summer. Stay tuned to CBS for the exact date and time – you don’t want to miss this!
WHAT’S COOKIN’ IN COUNTRY...
• Ever since Chris Cagle got the doctor’s okay to go back to singing, he’s making up for lost voice time. When he is not on the road performing, he’s in the studio laying down tracks for his next album due late this year. • Keith Urban’s new single, “Days Go By” from his upcoming album, has radio programmers and country fans cheering. A week before the official add date, the song was slipped onto playlists at 74 stations reporting to the industry trade publication, R&R, making it the second highest number of add for a country single this year. • Shawn Camp presents Live At The Station Inn. This multi-talented singer/songwriter/instrumentalist captured a magical live performance at the legendary Nashville nightclub and put it on CD. • “American Idol” finalist Josh Gracin releases his first album this summer. The self-titled album features his hit single, “I Want To Live.” • Con Hunley has released Sweet Memories, his first new album since the 1980s. • The legendary Kris Kristofferson has released Breakthrough on DVD. According to the DVD jacket, Breakthrough is a gripping documentary which clearly illustrates the tireless work of human rights activist Kristofferson. It includes intimate live performances of Kristofferson and his band, The Borderlords. Compelling interviews with the iconic artist demonstrating his commitment to social justice causes round out the story. The 13 performances include “Sunday Morning Coming Down,” “Me and Bobby McGee,” “Burden of Freedom” and others.
• SHeDAISY returns with their third album, Sweet Right Here. The album, which features their single “Passenger Seat,” sold 42,000 copies in its first week of release. • Dwight Yoakam is back with Dwight’s Used Records. This compilation CD features songs Dwight has recorded for other album projects, including tribute albums to Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Web Pierce and more. This is a great album worth obtaining. • The Country Music Hall of Fame presents Country’s 20 Classic Gospel Songs of the Century. The album features previously recorded songs by The Carter Family, Johnny Cash, Patsy Cline, Tennessee Ernie Ford, Vince Gill, Merle Haggard, Ferlin Husky, Alison Krauss, Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton, Elvis Presley, Jim Reeves, Ricky Skaggs, Connie Smith, Hank Williams, Tammy Wynette and others. Happy Birthday America! Have a great summer everyone! | ||
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