October 30, 2007
Opry loses a legend
Porter Wagoner, the rhinestone-encrusted personification of Nashville tradition, host of the longest-running country-music variety show in TV history and mentor to Dolly Parton, died Sunday night of lung cancer. He was 80. Wagoner was hospitalized earlier this month, diagnosed with cancer.He was released from the hospital Friday and transferred to hospice care.
Country singer and fellow Opry member Dierks Bentley visited Wagoner in the hospice over the weekend and said Wagoner led them in prayer, thanking God for his friends and family. Dolly Parton also visited her old duet partner over the weekend. She told reporters that she feels like a part of her died along with her Wagoner.But Parton says she was grateful that she was able to spend a few final hours with the man who launched her career before he succumbed to cancer Sunday.
Wagoner had a streak of hits in the 1960s and '70s, and enjoyed a comeback in recent months. His final album, "Wagonmaster," produced with Marty Stuart, was released in June 2007 and earned Wagoner some of the best reviews of his career. Over the summer, he was the opening act for the influential rock duo White Stripes at a sold-out show at New York's Madison Square Garden.
Country singer and fellow Opry member Dierks Bentley visited Wagoner in the hospice over the weekend and said Wagoner led them in prayer, thanking God for his friends and family. Dolly Parton also visited her old duet partner over the weekend. She told reporters that she feels like a part of her died along with her Wagoner.But Parton says she was grateful that she was able to spend a few final hours with the man who launched her career before he succumbed to cancer Sunday.
Wagoner had a streak of hits in the 1960s and '70s, and enjoyed a comeback in recent months. His final album, "Wagonmaster," produced with Marty Stuart, was released in June 2007 and earned Wagoner some of the best reviews of his career. Over the summer, he was the opening act for the influential rock duo White Stripes at a sold-out show at New York's Madison Square Garden.
October 27, 2007
November dates in the Forth Valley
Despite the Butlin's, sorry Haven, Country Weekend at Ayr, the San Quentin are still holding their November night at Polmont Golf Club, Maddison on Friday 2nd, with a visit from Southern Boulevard.
The Prairie Star return to Weirs Club, Alloa on Saturday 10th with Stateline. and have another Fishcross event at The Ochilview Lounge on the 24th with Texas Express.
On Friday 9th, line dance favourite Gemma Fairweather plays for the Bootleggers at Bannockburn Miners, and the No Angels gang have 2 nights in November. On the 16th, Muddy Boots play in Boness Town Hall, and on the 30th, you can catch Nashville Skyline in Slammannan Bowling Club.
The Prairie Star return to Weirs Club, Alloa on Saturday 10th with Stateline. and have another Fishcross event at The Ochilview Lounge on the 24th with Texas Express.
On Friday 9th, line dance favourite Gemma Fairweather plays for the Bootleggers at Bannockburn Miners, and the No Angels gang have 2 nights in November. On the 16th, Muddy Boots play in Boness Town Hall, and on the 30th, you can catch Nashville Skyline in Slammannan Bowling Club.
October 23, 2007
Tanya's home threatened by fire
Tanya Tucker's Mailbu home is one of 500 properties evacuated in California as a result of wildfires that have destroyed more than 2,400 acres in the area. So far, approximately 1,500 Malibu residents have been evacuated because of the fires which have already destroyed five homes and damaged nine others in the area. "All my stage clothing -- boots, belts and wardrobe -- is in that house," Tucker said. "I have so much memorabilia since I just moved from Nashville to Malibu this summer."
Wagoner has cancer
Grand Ole Opry member Porter Wagoner, 80, has been diagnosed with lung cancer. Although the nature of his illness had not been previously disclosed, Wagoner has been listed in serious condition since being admitted to a Nashville-area hospital on Oct. 15.
Election defeat for Kershaw
Country music singer Sammy Kershaw was defeated in his bid to become Louisiana's lieutenant governor. Incumbent Lt. Gov. Mitch Landrieu, a Democrat, received 701,777 votes -- 57 percent -- to win re-election without requiring a runoff in November. Kershaw, a Republican, received 375,964 votes -- 30 percent -- to finish second in the field of five candidates. He is married to singer Lorrie Morgan.
Celtic Connections 2008
The line up for Glasgow's Celtic Connections Festival has been announced.
Highlights for Country fans include Steve Earle & Alison Moorer playing the Royal Concert Hall on Thursday January 17th ; Jim Lauderdale with Steve Forbert on Tuesday Jan 22nd at the ABC and Suzy Boggus at the ABC on the 29th. The same night kd lang plays the Royal Concert Hall.
Other acts coming to Celtic Connections include Tim O'Brien, Mindy Smith, Michelle Shocked, Darrell Scott,Chris Thile, The Bills, Paul Burch, Diana Jones and Alison Brown.
Highlights for Country fans include Steve Earle & Alison Moorer playing the Royal Concert Hall on Thursday January 17th ; Jim Lauderdale with Steve Forbert on Tuesday Jan 22nd at the ABC and Suzy Boggus at the ABC on the 29th. The same night kd lang plays the Royal Concert Hall.
Other acts coming to Celtic Connections include Tim O'Brien, Mindy Smith, Michelle Shocked, Darrell Scott,Chris Thile, The Bills, Paul Burch, Diana Jones and Alison Brown.
CD releases galore.
Humphead Records who are distributing MCA Nashville product in the UK, have this week released Trisha Yearwood's Greatest Hits collection. The CD includes 15 of her biggest hits, and 2 unreleased tracks.
Also released this week are "The Wolf" from Shooter Jennings, "Living Hard" from Gary Allan, and the excellent "Everything Is Fine" from Josh Turner.
Next Monday, the label release 2 on 1 packages from Josh Turner,Trisha Yearwood and Gary Allan.
On November 5th, Sony BMG release "Cowboy Town" from Brooks & Dunn
at the same time as Sara Evans' Greatest Hits.
Also released this week are "The Wolf" from Shooter Jennings, "Living Hard" from Gary Allan, and the excellent "Everything Is Fine" from Josh Turner.
Next Monday, the label release 2 on 1 packages from Josh Turner,Trisha Yearwood and Gary Allan.
On November 5th, Sony BMG release "Cowboy Town" from Brooks & Dunn
at the same time as Sara Evans' Greatest Hits.
Jeff Griffith
Look out for Texan singer Jeff Griffith. We've just recieved his debut album, If It Ain't One Thing It's Another, and, believe me, it'a superb. 100% traditional Country class. The CD was produced by Joe Stampley.
New Hugo CD
Radio Ulster's Hugo Duncan has a new CD just out on the Dublin based CMR label. "Song & Dance Man" features 16 easy listening tracks, including Edelweiss, What A Wonderful World and Me & You & A Dog Named Boo.
Hugo continues to present Afternoon Country on Radio Ulster on 1341 AM and Sky 0118
Hugo continues to present Afternoon Country on Radio Ulster on 1341 AM and Sky 0118
October 17, 2007
Sydney recovering
Veteran country singer Sydney Devine could be back on stage within weeks after undergoing major heart surgery, his manager said.
Devine, 67, was recovering in a Spanish hospital following his an operation. He went into hospital after suffering from stomach pains during a stay at his holiday apartment in a Malaga resort.
Doctors discovered that the Tiny Bubbles singer had two aneurysms in his aorta, the main artery transporting blood from the heart
Devine, 67, was recovering in a Spanish hospital following his an operation. He went into hospital after suffering from stomach pains during a stay at his holiday apartment in a Malaga resort.
Doctors discovered that the Tiny Bubbles singer had two aneurysms in his aorta, the main artery transporting blood from the heart
ASCAP winners
Kicking off the Nashville awards season. John Rich and Craig Wiseman won the top songwriting awards at ASCAP's 45th annual Country Music Awards at Nashville's Ryman Auditorium
"Before He Cheats" and "If You're Going Through Hell (Before the Devil Even Knows)" shared country song of the year status. ASCAP also honored Kenny Rogers with its Golden Note award and songwriter Don Schlitz with a career achievement trophy.
"Before He Cheats" and "If You're Going Through Hell (Before the Devil Even Knows)" shared country song of the year status. ASCAP also honored Kenny Rogers with its Golden Note award and songwriter Don Schlitz with a career achievement trophy.
October 15, 2007
New UK Country internet radio
UKCountry.com is a new Country radio station on the web, playing the hottest Country music round the clock. Presenters include Alan Watkiss, Bob Preedy, Denis Hodge, Graham L. Hall & James Gordon.
Unlike Voice of Country (3c) UK Country plays British Country music. Twice a day, at midday and midnight, there won’t be an American in sight. It’s half an hour of country music by UK-based artists.
Unlike Voice of Country (3c) UK Country plays British Country music. Twice a day, at midday and midnight, there won’t be an American in sight. It’s half an hour of country music by UK-based artists.
Pacheco for Glenfarg
Singer songwriter Tom Pacheco returns to play The Beinn Inn on October 30th & 31st. He played folk rock in Greenwich Village, NY in the late 60's and alternative country in Austin Texas in the early 80's. He walked out on the Nashville songwriting factories and spent 10 years in Dublin Ireland recording and touring extensively in Europe.
He now lives in Woodstock, NY and tours both America and Europe.
He now lives in Woodstock, NY and tours both America and Europe.
Thomas Fraser memomrial
One of Scotland’s greatest undiscovered talents is honoured with a festival in his memory next month.
Thomas Fraser of Burra Isle, Shetland, passed away in 1978 aged only 50. Thomas had been a fisherman and crofter by trade, but amazingly left a stunning legacy: 1000s of songs recorded at home in his small croft house using a reel-to-reel recorder. His music wasn’t the usual fare one would hear in the northern isles, more akin to the old time Country blues style of Jimmie Rodgers than Aly Bain! Nearing his death, Thomas quietly observed that maybe someday, his music may see the light of day. The release of 'Long Gone Lonesome Blues' ,five years ago, gave Thomas Fraser the recognition he so richly deserved. The critics have called it "one of the most remarkable stories in recording history" and "some of the greatest American music you will hear".
What is startling about the collection is it's authenticity and the sheer passion poured ‘sinto each track. There has now been 3 CD’s released , the most recent,'Treasure Untold', released in 2005, featured a further 25 stunning tracks, unearthed during the previous two years. The amazing story continued with the release by Moon Guitars of the Thomas Fraser Commemorative Guitar Plans include a fourth CD release (due in November 2008) and an American 'best of' volume. A Memorial Festival will be held in his native Burra Island from Thursday 8th to Saturday 10th November. John Lilly is making a return from West Virginia. Reknown Shetland group The Wisharts are in the line up, as is popular Shetland singer Freda Leask who will join Thomas's granddaughter Rhonda as a duo. Fiddler Gemma Donald, John William Ward, Martin Pottinger, Eddie Williamson, Arthur Pottinger, Robbie Cumming, Allan Tulloch and The Pottinger Bros are welcomed once more while Thomas's daughter May completes the bill John Lilley will also play dates in Kirkcaldy (Acoustic Music Club, Nov 1st), Ullapool, Inverness and Huntly.
Thomas Fraser of Burra Isle, Shetland, passed away in 1978 aged only 50. Thomas had been a fisherman and crofter by trade, but amazingly left a stunning legacy: 1000s of songs recorded at home in his small croft house using a reel-to-reel recorder. His music wasn’t the usual fare one would hear in the northern isles, more akin to the old time Country blues style of Jimmie Rodgers than Aly Bain! Nearing his death, Thomas quietly observed that maybe someday, his music may see the light of day. The release of 'Long Gone Lonesome Blues' ,five years ago, gave Thomas Fraser the recognition he so richly deserved. The critics have called it "one of the most remarkable stories in recording history" and "some of the greatest American music you will hear".
What is startling about the collection is it's authenticity and the sheer passion poured ‘sinto each track. There has now been 3 CD’s released , the most recent,'Treasure Untold', released in 2005, featured a further 25 stunning tracks, unearthed during the previous two years. The amazing story continued with the release by Moon Guitars of the Thomas Fraser Commemorative Guitar Plans include a fourth CD release (due in November 2008) and an American 'best of' volume. A Memorial Festival will be held in his native Burra Island from Thursday 8th to Saturday 10th November. John Lilly is making a return from West Virginia. Reknown Shetland group The Wisharts are in the line up, as is popular Shetland singer Freda Leask who will join Thomas's granddaughter Rhonda as a duo. Fiddler Gemma Donald, John William Ward, Martin Pottinger, Eddie Williamson, Arthur Pottinger, Robbie Cumming, Allan Tulloch and The Pottinger Bros are welcomed once more while Thomas's daughter May completes the bill John Lilley will also play dates in Kirkcaldy (Acoustic Music Club, Nov 1st), Ullapool, Inverness and Huntly.
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