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WALKIN’ A COUNTRY MILE
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COUNTRY MUSIC COLUMN
by Scott
Stem
DIXIE CHICKS: It’s Time To Move On...
In
these are troubled times, one thing that truly rattles my cage is the
attack on one of the basic rights of being an American – the right of
free speech. As Americans,
we have the right to speak our minds.
Case in point: The
Dixie Chicks. The Chicks are
Americans and have voiced their opinion, an opinion that is shared by
many people both in this country and around the world. No one is saying that everyone has to agree with the Chicks.
People have the right to express their opposing views, both
vocally and with how they choose to spend their money – that’s how
our system works.
Those who call the
Chicks “un-American” and claim they do not have a right to make
political statements fail to understand what it means to be an American.
Freedom of speech is a right for all Americans, not just those
who believe in the same thing as the majority.
It would be akin to
Nazism if we allowed only one group of people to voice an opinion.
We need to listen to all points of view in order to determine our
own opinions. Question
everything – then make up your own mind. That is what America asks its
citizens to do. Those who
don’t question their leaders are not truly living up to their
responsibilities as Americans.
Vince Gill summed it up
perfectly backstage at the
CMT Flameworthy Awards by saying –– “There are political
leaders that have said a lot worse things about George
Bush than Natalie did. I
feel she’s been bashed enough.”
Wise words.
It’s time to move on people.
“FLAMEWORTHY”
WINNERS...
Speaking of the CMT Flameworthy Awards, congrats to all the winners! Toby Keith walked home with three awards; Tim McGraw took two awards; Faith Hill, Martina McBride, Joe Nichols, Rascal Flatts and Shania Twain each received one award each. Martina’s video directors Robert Deaton and George
Flanigen also received an award for Martina’s “Concrete Angel” video. Special congrats to Johnny Cash, who deservedly received the “Special Achievement Award.” Johnny’s been
ill lately, so his wife June
Carter Cash (who will be releasing a new album soon) accepted the
award for him.
Kid Rock and Sheryl Crow performed a duet of “Picture” while Alison Krauss & Union Station joined Shania Twain for a scaled down version of her song “Forever and For Always.” For more information on the winners and for a current schedule of when the show will re-air, check out – www.CMT.com “NASHVILLE STAR” SEEKS OUT TOMORROW’S BIG NAMES IN COUNTRY…
Have you been watching “Nashville
Star” on the USA Network each Saturday night?
The Country Music reality show combines elements of other
programs like “American Idol” and “Big
Brother,” as 12 people compete for a Sony Music recording
contract. The show is
hosted by the gorgeous and wonderful Nancy
O’Dell (of “Access
Hollywood”) and judged by artist
Charlie Robison, journalist Robert
K. Oermann and music industry executive Tracy
Gershon. It’s your
opportunity to catch the next Country Music star in the early stages, so
check it out. While you’re at it,
look for the new “Nashville Star: The Finalists” album featuring each
competitor performing a classic Country song in record stores now.
Speaking of “Nashville
Star,” the winner will perform at CMA’s “Fan Fair 2003: The World’s Biggest Country Music Festival”
which takes place on June
5-8 in Nashville, Tennessee. “FAN
FAIR” UPDATES & INFO...
Billy Ray Cyrus, Wynonna Judd, Brad Paisley, Travis Tritt and comedian Cledus T. Judd
have also been added to the line-up of “Fan Fair” performers who will entertain during the nightly
concerts at The Coliseum.
Previously announced Coliseum performers include:
Trace Adkins, Steve Azar,
Brooks & Dunn, Chris Cagle, Kenny Chesney, Terri Clark, Tammy
Cochran, Diamond Rio, Sara Evans, Vince Gill, Billy Gilman, Jennifer
Hanson, Alan Jackson, Lonestar, Patty Loveless, Brad Martin, Martina
McBride, Jo Dee Messina, Montgomery Gentry, Joe Nichols, Sawyer Brown,
Blake Shelton, Marty Stuart, Trick Pony, Keith Urban, Mark Wills and
Darryl Worley.
Check out www.FanFair.com
or call 1-866-Fan-Fair for schedules, prices, information on special
packages, or to purchase tickets.
Fourteen NBC Daytime
Stars from “Days of our Lives”
and “Passions” will also
be at “Fan Fair” -- Peter
Reckell, Kristian Alfonso, Kyle Brandt, Bryan Dattilo, Galen Gering,
Justin Hartley, Lindsay Korman, Kyle Lowder, Eric Martsolf, Jesse
Metcalfe, Alison Sweeney, McKenzie Westmore, Deanna Wright and Arianne Zuker. BLUE
COLLAR HUMOR...
The other night I
attended a preview screening of
“Blue Collar Comedy Tour: The Move” starring Jeff
Foxworthy, Bill Engvall, Ron White, and Larry the Cable Guy. I haven’t laughed so
hard in a long time. It’s
a great diversion for your mind in troubled times like these. The movie is rated PG-13.
There are a few jokes not quite appropriate for young children,
but for teenagers and above this movie is a comedic treat. Chris Cagle joins the boys during the closing credits to perform his version of Lynyrd Skynyrd’s classic “Don’t Ask Me No Questions.” As you might guess, there is a movie soundtrack album featuring all the stand-up material from the movie, Cagle’s song, and two previously released songs from Brad Paisley and Leon Russell. ARTIST
ALERT!
Keep an eye out for Jimmy Wayne, currently on radio with his debut single “Stay Gone.” His self-titled album should be in-stores in mid-June. This guy has such potential as both a writer and a vocalist. I was fortunate to hear him do a short acoustic set last month and he was an incredibly compelling entertainer. I predict big things for Wayne. “NEW
& NOTEWORTHY” RELEASES...
One of my all-time
favorite singers Rosanne Cash
returns after too long an absence with “Rules
of Travel.” Cash
possesses one of the most beautiful and pure country voices on record;
she also knows how to choose songs for an album.
Whether recording her
own songs or those of others ––
Marc Cohn, Jakob Dylan, Joe Henry, Craig Northey, Robert Burke Warren,
or her husband John Leventhal
–– Cash conveys a consistent and organic body of work.
Guest vocals add yet another dimension to these songs. Her father Johnny
Cash adds his commanding presence to “September
When It Comes;” Sheryl
Crow provides harmony on “Beautiful
Pain;” Steve Earle gives weight to “I’ll
Change For You;” and Teddy
Thompson joins in on “Three
Steps Down.” This
album is not being marketed as a Country CD and that’s unfortunate,
because Country radio should embrace this music, which both entertains
and makes you think.
Nickel Creek’s Sean
Watkins just released his second solo album, “26 Miles,” and it is tied with the Rosanne Cash project as
my favorite new albums of 2003 thus far.
Watkins’ music wraps
around you as you listen and the lyrics make you think, make you laugh,
and make you cry. Watkins
wrote and produced the entire album.
His sister (and fellow Nickel Creek member) Sara
provides harmony vocals and fiddle on several tracks; Glen Phillips (of Toad the
Wet Sprocket) also provides harmony vocals on a few cuts.
Watkins’ fellow
Nickel Creek member (and mandolin player) Chris
Thile also has a new album, an instrumental duet with mandolin/mandocello
player Mike Marshall called, “Into
The Cauldron.” The
CD is a masterpiece and both Marshall and Thile are in fine form.
Thile continues to impress as he continues to explore music in
all its styles. His joyful
attitude comes across in all that he does.
Hal Ketchum arrives with “The
King of Love.” Ketchum
wrote or co-wrote every song on the album.
In addition, he produced all but one song, making this album a
cohesive work featuring the vision of one of today’s best song
stylists.
Speaking of returns, Deana
Carter is back with
“I’m Just A Girl,” her first new CD in years. It features her current single, “There’s No Limit.” With
her trademark breathy voice, Carter celebrates life and love in twelve
new songs. Fans of her “Strawberry
Wine” days, will want to pick this up!
Another veteran artist -- Vince Gill --
returns with “Next Big Thing.”
This album finds Gill returning to classic form. His first
single, “Next Big Thing,” has
already been embraced at both Country radio and CMT.
The CD has an astonishing 17 songs.
A highlight is, “This
Guitar And Me,” a celebration of Gill’s love affair with music
through the years.
Jeannie Kendall has released a
self-titled album, her first solo album ever!
Best known as half of The
Kendalls (“Heaven’s Just A
Sin Away”), Jeannie hasn’t recorded in a while since her
father/duet partner Royce Kendall
died. Now she’s back with
an amazing acoustic album that truly showcases her voice.
Alan Jackson duets with Jeannie
one song while Alison Krauss,
Allison Moorer, Ricky Skaggs and Rhonda
Vincent provide harmonies on others.
Two songs were recorded before Royce’s death and feature his
harmony vocals, providing both comfort and a natural transition from the
past to the present.
Until next month... Count your blessings each day and thank God for your family and friends. Pray that all the world leaders will use wisdom and compassion in their decisions. And most of all –– Pray for peace. |
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