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Country Music Awards, Nashville 10/2/91 [OA 8329] [2]
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Country Music Awards, Nashville 10/2/91 [OA 8329] [2]
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Folder Title:
Country Music Awards, Nashville 10/2/91 [OA 8329] [2]
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cTa
COUNTRY ICASSOCIATION
Country Music Listener Facts
Country radio is the most listened-to of all radio formats. In a typical
weekday, almost 15 percent (14.73%) of all U.S. adults tune to Country.
#
Second and third are adult contemporary (13.72%) and contemporary hit
1
radio/rock (11.54%), respectively.
Of all adults who graduated from high school, a larger number listen to
Country on a weekly basis than those who listen to the other top formats.
Over 15 percent (15.3%) of those who graduated from high school listen to
Country. In comparison, 13.52 percent of those who graduated high school
listen to adult contemporary and 12.51 percent to CHR/rock. In addition,
those adults who graduated from high school are 5 percent more likely to
listen to Country radio than is the general population.
More adults who own their residence listen to Country radio than any other
format. (15.36% of those who own their residence listen to Country; 14.3%
listen to AC and 10.5% to CHR/ROCK). According to the index for this
comparison, adults who own their own residence are 4 percent more likely to
listen to Country than is the total population.
Of those adults who are employed full time, more listen to Country radio than any other format.
(15.75% of all adults employed full time listen to Country, 14.97% listen to Adult Contemporary
and 12.94% listen to Contemporary Hit Radio/Rock).
Almost 1/4 of the people who live in the Southwest region* can be found listening to a Country
radio station at any time. This figure (24.90%) is almost twice that of the next most popular
format for that region. (adult contemporary, 11.79%) Of all the listeners of Country radio, almost
20 percent (18.98) live in the Southwest marketing region.
Of those adults who are heads of households, more listen to Country than any other format.
14.6 percent listen to Country, and next is adult contemporary with a 13 percent share.
13 percent of all adults who are employed as professionals and managers listen to Country radio
on a weekly basis.
Over 34 percent of those who listen to Country have an individual employment income of
$35,000 or more.
Almost 40 percent of the adults who listen to Country on a weekly basis were involved in work-
related purchase decisions of $1,000 or more in the last 12 months. These adults also are
employed as professionals and managers.
Adults who listen to Country on a weekly basis and are employed as professionals and managers
are nine percent more likely to have been involved in a business computer software purchase
decision in the last 12 month than the general population of professionals and managers is.
Today, more than ever, Country appeals to a broad range of ages. 12.4 percent of the Country
radio audience is between the ages of 18-24. The largest group of Country listeners is within the
25-34 age bracket. Next largest is the 35-44 age group with a 21.4 percent audience share.
Note: radio listenership is based on a 24 hour time period where the listener must report hearing or more minutes of the respective
format during one or more dayparts during the 24 hours. (6:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m., 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m., 3:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.,
6:00 p.m. - 12:00 midnight. and 12:00 midnight 6:00 a.m.)
PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICE
ONE MUSIC CIRCLE SOUTH
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE 37203
(615) 244-2840 FAX (615)726-0314
cTa
COUNTRY MUSIC ASSOCIATION
Talk Show Audiences:
A breakdown of audiences by radio listenership
Nine top talk shows were cross-tabulated with the top three radio formats
(Country, adult contemporary, contemporary hit radio/rock) to determine the
breakdown of the viewing audience by music preference. Out of the nine shows
in the survey, seven had a larger Country radio-listening audience than any other
radio format. Here are the statistics:
14.64 percent of the viewing audience of the Arsenio Hall Show is comprised of
Country radio listeners. Second is CHR/Rock with 14.43 percent of the audience.
More adults who watch the Byron Allen Show listen to Country radio than any
other format. 11.05 percent listen to Country, and second, 9.38 listen to
CHR/Rock.
Of the viewing audience for Donahue, more adults tune to Country radio than any
other format. Almost 15 percent of the audience listens to Country.
The largest portion of viewers of Live With Regis and Kathie Lee listens to
Country radio. Second is adult contemporary.
Within the viewing audience of the Oprah Winfrey Show, 13.29 percent listens to
Country radio. Following is adult contemporary with 13.14 percent audience
share.
Of the adults who watch Sally Jessy Raphael, a larger portion tunes to Country
radio than any other format (13.19 percent). Following Country is adult
contemporary with 12.91 percent.
The Tonight Show viewing audience contains more Country listening adults than
any other radio format. 13.36 percent of the viewers listen to Country. Next is
adult contemporary with 13.16 percent audience share.
Geraldo and the Joan Rivers Show were the two talk shows in which Country did
not place first. For both shows, Country placed second with its listeners, having
the second largest audience share.
Note: Radio listenership is based on a 24 hour time period where the listener must report hearing 5 or more
minutes of the respective format during one or more dayparts during the 24 hours. (6:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.,
10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m., 3:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m., 6:00 p.m. - 12:00 midnight, and 12:00 midnight - 6:00 a.m.).
Television viewership audiences are reported in terms of the average half-hour: the number of people viewing
any part of each half-hour of a program is summed and divided by the total number of half-hours.
PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICE
ONE MUSIC CIRCLE SOUTH
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE 37203
(615) 244-2840 FAX (615) 726-0314
cma
COUNTRY MUSIC ASSOCIATION
Entertainment Tonight viewers:
A Breakdown of Audience by Music Preferences
For the following comparisons, Entertainment Tonight viewers were cross-tabulated with
the top three radio formats and their respective listeners in order to determine a break-down
of its audience by music preferences.
Almost 12 percent (11.92%) of those who watch Entertainment Tonight
listen to Country radio. Country holds the second largest audience share of
ET viewers, placing second behind adult contemporary and ahead of
contemporary hit radio/rock which holds a 10.33 percent audience share.
An estimated 2,945,000 adults who watch ET listen to Country radio. Next
is CHR/rock with an estimated 2,553,000 of viewers listening to this format.
Source: Simmons
Note: Radio listenership is based on a 24 hour time period where the listener must report hearing 5 or more minutes of the
respective format during one or more dayparts during the 24 hours. (6:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m., 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m., 3:00
p.m. 6:00 p.m., 6:00 p.m. 12:00 midnight, and 12:00 midnight - 6:00 a.m.). Television viewership audiences are reported
in terms of the average half-hour: the number of people viewing any part of each half-hour of a program is summed and
divided by the total number of half-hours.
PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICE
ONE MUSIC CIRCLE SOUTH
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE 37203
(615) 244-2840 FAX (615) 726-0314
Country is booming
More doors are opening for today's stars
COVER STORY
Big deals,
movie roles
beckon
By Greg Kinney
NO "URBAN COWBOY: Like many of Nashville's new superstars, Garth Brooks has been offered
acting roles, endorsements and commercials, but he's cautious not to stray from his country roots.
But many fear
By David Zimmerman
USA TODAY
success may
Garth Brooks wheels
test-the
around Nashville in the
same red pickup he had be-
music's
fore he got a recording con-
tract - only now it has a
down-home
phone that rings every mile
or so.
philosophy
Reba McEntire, a former
rodeo barrel racer, ponders
10 movie scripts that arrived
after her recent perfor-
mance at the Academy Awards.
Clint Black, who once wandered through Houston's Bear
Creek Park performing for anybody who asked, is touring
as the first country headliner sponsored by Miller Lite,
which underwrote the Who's 1989 reunion tour.
These are among the high-decibel marks of a country
music boom that's testing the genre's down-home image
and "don't get above your raisin' philosophy. And it's
bringing fundamental changes to an industry based on bed-
rock sounds.
"It's going to be a whole new world, and it's going to be
wonderful," promises Evelyn Shriver, a publicist who
moved from New York to Nashville and corralled such star
6/3/91
clients as Randy Travis, Ricky Van Shelton, K.T. Oslin and
Country picking its way up charts
Continued from 1D
bama's Randy Owen, have
buses and two tractor-trailers
been guests at the White
with state-of-the-art lighting
Shelby Lynne_
House.
and sound systems.
Whether it's all wonderful
"I've always had the theory
Like many rock stars, Black,
remains to be seen. Some wor-
that there are a lot of closet
Travis and others follow body-
ry that success might spoil
country people who like and
building regimens to boost
country, that high numbers
buy country music but don't
their energy for coping with
make the industry wary of tak-
necessarily wear blue jeans
the rigors of the road.
ing chances, and that egos may
and cowboy boots," says Los
Should they falter, many are
expand like some rock stars'.
Angeles-based manager Jim
prepared to take their places.
There are still a few wild
Moray, who recently signed
Never has Nashville cranked
ones who emulate the hard-li-
Shelton.
out so many hungry newcom-
vin' honky-tonkers of old. But
"I started catching on when I
ers, boosting competition in a
most of today's young country
saw the youths in the audi-
genre where, as in pop, star-
stars seem drawn more to the
ences and the T-shirts with Cin-
dom increasingly depends on
bottom line than to the trap-
derella and Megadeth," Brooks
your next hit.
pings of glamour: They're ea-
says. "I'm not just competing
Though country's new arriv-
ger-to-please careerists.
with country groups. I'm com-
als may be starry-eyed, they're
"There's-a tremendous
peting with rap groups, rock
also more prone to look at the
amount of professionalism,
groups, pop groups."
bottom line.
which somewhat reflects
At the moment, Brooks sits
Chuck Flood, business man-
young people now," says Ken
proud, his No Fences album
ager for such performers as
Kragen, who has guided the ca-
No. 7 on the pop chart and No.
Shelton, Vince Gill, Patty Love-
reers of Kenny Rogers and Lio-
1 in country, with his debut,
less and Mary Chapin-Carpen-
nel Richie, and now manages
Garth Brooks, at No. 2. He's
ter, says some newcomers seek
Travis Tritt. "They're much
mulling two major beer en-
financial advice "even before a
more focused and driven to do
dorsements, as well as com-
record deal is finalized.
things properly."
mercials for soft drinks, fast-
"They think about their old
Black says that his entou-
food chains and clothing
age, wills, pension plans and es-
rage allows no drinking before
companies. He's also been of-
tates. I don't think you saw that
shows and that there's no space
fered movie roles and a TV se-
10 years ago."
for the antics of Country Past,
ries.
Successful clients often are
as when George Jones repeat-
Unlike country stars of yore,
told they can count on only
edly missed shows, earning the
for whom such offers were
"five, maybe six years of peak
nickname "No Show Jones."
scarce, Brooks is in a position
earning potential" and to "get
"The record company
to hang back, waiting for a deal
your house, get it paid for and a
wouldn't put up with that for
that doesn't take too much time
considerable amount of money
one minute," Black says. "Too
away from his music - and
in the bank."
many other people are trying
one that fits his image as per-
An idol of many ambitious
to do it right."
fectly as his traditional-with-a-
performers is Dolly Parton.
The latest measure of the
quirk hat shape.
Without losing her country
country boom is a revised and
"Anything that you repre-
credibility, she's starring in two
more accurate Billboard chart-
sent, represents you," says
upcoming feature movies and
ing system that moved 35 coun-
Brooks, who has "half a mas-
owns companies that handle
try albums - up from 20 the
ter's degree" in advertising.
everything from music publish-
week before- into the top 200
Popularity and savvy have
ing to film production. McEn-
on the mainstream pop chart.
won lucrative deals for a few
tire, Travis and George Strait
Brooks' album shot to No. 4.
stars, but Shriver says country
also are self-contained con-
And last week's annual Bill-
still gets short-changed. One
glomerates. McEntire, who has
board and Arbitron radio sur-
problem, she says, is a persis-
her own publishing, publicity,
vey indicates country radio has
tent "keep country stupid" the-
advertising, promotion and fan
11% of the listening audience,
ory within the industry. But she
club offices, says branching out
its highest share ever. That's
says the music's higher visibili-
helps "keep me fresh."
less than one point below Top
ty now can enable more stars
"My record sales just leaped
40 listenership, which has been
to finagle their share of en-
after the Oscars. It's just like
dropping
dorsements, TV appearances
opening another door to a new
It's not that Nashville didn't
and other high-profile jobs that
kind of audience."
know how popular country
can increase record sales and
But the last time so many
was, it's that others are just
liberate them from killer year-
doors opened in country, they
finding out.
round touring.
slammed shut. A decade ago,
Writers from Rolling Stone,
These days, country con-
the Urban Cowboy trend
Entertainment Weekly and
certs rival rock shows in so-
raged. But it fizzled horribly,
People have been trailing the
phisticated production. Black's
and the music took years -
touring Kentucky HeadHunt-
handlers held him back from a
plus traditional revivalists
ers, along with TV crews from
major headline tour until they
Ricky Skaggs and Travis - to
Real Life With Jane Pauley,
believed he could draw sell-out
regain its focus.
Personalities, VH-1 and HBO.
crowds and deliver a bang-up
"The Urban Cowboy craze
With President George Bush
show.
was full of phonies," Brooks
one of country's most outspo-
"The whole industry has re-
scoffs. "This time, it isn't It's
ken fans, dozens of country
fined itself," says Black, who
very sincere and it's going to be
stars, including Oslin and Ala-
travels in a caravan of four
around for quite some time."
GOOD OL' TIMERS AND NASHVILLE
NEWCOMERS MIX IT UP-WITH SMILES-ON
COUNTRY MUSIC'S BIGGEST NIGHT
S
ome were country when country
"We've got so much to celebrate, we'd still
wasn't cool, and some weren't even
do it even if I didn't bring home an
born then. But when they all came togeth-
award," said Black, toasting his good year
er for the 24th annual Country Music As-
by flying his entire family up from Hous-
sociation-Awards in Nashville last week,
ton. But Vince Gill, this year's Best Single
everyone seemed to fit right in.
winner, for "When I Call Your Name,"
George Jones crooned with Randy
was glad for his reason to be there. "Now
Travis. Barbara Mandrell planted a puck-
I'm starting to have some fun," said Gill,
er on Roy Rogers. And Hall of Fame in-
long relegated to low-profile success.
ductee Tennessee Ernie Ford, 71, tipped
For Randy Travis, however, who seems
his weathered hat to newcomer Clint
to be suffering a variety of the dreaded Su-
Black, this year's Best Male Vocalist. As
san Lucci syndrome, there was less to
for guitarist Richard Young of the rowdy,
celebrate. Having again failed to cop the
rockish Kentucky Headhunters (winners
Entertainer of the Year award, to even
of Best Album and Best Vocal Group
winner George Strait's surprise, Travis
awards), he simply thanked the crowd for
could only look to next fall. But in a town
"letting us be a part of your town." After
where the once tempestuously married
the show the crowd headed for the lavish
George Jones and Tammy Wynette can
trade verses without throwing punches,
"It blessed my
"This is a
CMA party and the buffets of record com-
pea-pickin'
dream come true,
pany bashes scattered around Nashville.
hey, it could happen.
heart," said Hall
and it's nothing
of Famer Tennes-
Horizon award
like you could
see Ernie Ford,
winner Garth
imagine," said
Brooks celebrat-
signing auto-
Best Male Vocal-
ed with wife
graphs for some
ist winner Clint
fans from the Air
Black, killin' time
Sandy and mom
Force Academy
with his own
Colleen, a one-
Chorale.
cake at the RCA
time country sing-
er herself, who
party.
plans to be on her
son's next album.
As the specter
of Hank Williams
hovered nearby,
country veteran
Roy Rogers got
a backstage
smooch and an
autograph from
singer-author Bar-
bara Mandrell.
38
A bottle of
Duet partner
champagne, a va-
T. Graham Brown
cant stairwell and
affectionately
thou: Former En-
calls her "pretty
tertainer of the
raucous," but
Year Reba McEn-
Tanya Tucker was
tire and country
only a little
iconoclast Lyle
cheeky with old
Lovett prepare to
pal Tammy Wy-
pop a post-
nette at the CMA
awards cork.
get-together.
Photographs by Slick Lawson
39
Administration of Ronald Reagan, 1984 / Sept. 13
nt in basic re-
everybody's income tax rates so we can
equal chance but a much greater chance to
Imost 30 per-
have more jobs, growth, and opportunity
pursue the American dream.
y forward that
for all the people of America?
We can build an America that offers pro-
to support tax
You know, Roy Acuff composed a song
ductive, secure job opportunities for all our
and develop-
called "We Live in Two Different Worlds."
fellow citizens, from assembly line workers
0 lessen con-
in our older industries to research scientists
ch and devel.
And the choice in 1984 is between two very
different worlds. They see America wring-
in new industries such as biotechnology, ro-
may violate
ing her hands; we see America raising her
botics, and information processing.
hands. They see America divided by envy,
If we strengthen incentives, invest fully
ology is born
each of us challenging our neighbors' suc-
in the new technologies, and reach for
ires incentives
cess; we see an America inspired by oppor-
great breakthroughs in productivity then,
t. We've seen
tunity, each of us challenging the best in
yes, we can and will outproduce, outcom-
tionship. The
ourselves. We believe in knowing when op-
pete, and outsell anybody, anywhere in the
followed by
portunity knocks; they seem determined to
world. We can ensure adequate supplies of
tax rates and
knock opportunity.
affordable energy, because America must
1 schedules for
never again be held hostage by a foreign
Well, I believe the American people are
iven an enor.
cartel. We can apply new agricultural tech-
isk-taking and
saying, "Don't hold us back. Give us a
nologies to preserve our soil and environ-
chance and watch what we do." America
ment, and dramatically enhance crop yields
has always been greatest when we dared to
for the benefit of millions who look to us for
I industry was
be great. And you can feel a new spirit in
its of only $39
help and hope.
this land to excel again. The new patriotism
incentives had
Our nation is more than 200 years old,
is a mighty force for good, drawing us to-
but somehow America has never been
S to $4½ bil-
as much. New
gether-all of us, from every race, religion,
younger, never been more filled with hope.
and ethnic background-giving us courage
a record last
Everything is before us. And if we keep
and confidence to surge toward great new
gain this year.
America free, everything will be possible.
challenges in the future.
The land that President Lincoln called "the
stment is the
tivity is rising;
I believe America can and will meet our
last, best hope of man on Earth," will rise to
iew jobs in the
number one challenge in space: to develop
meet her greatest days, and the eagle will
I stole it from
a permanently manned space station and to
soar.
n nothin' yet.
do it within a decade. We can conduct new
Well, I thank you today for your warm
te had had his
research, explore distant planets, unlock the
welcome, and thank you for what you did
vast potential for commercial ventures, and
for Tennessee and for America, and what
gains would not
do it all for the sake of a more peaceful,
you're doing for America and your State
20 percent, it
prosperous world.
every day of the year.
to 70 percent.
historic reduc-
As American technology transforms the
Thank you again, and God bless you all.
demanded the
great black night of space into a bright new
Note: The President spoke at 11:19 a.m. in
would bring in
world of opportunities, we can use our
the Memphis Room at the Opryland Hotel.
getting more
knowledge to create a new American op-
Following his remarks, the President met
ower rate than
portunity society here at home. We can
at the hotel with local Republican leaders
And that's the
ensure that every person has not only an
and Reagan-Bush campaign leaders.
as crucial. Will
rates, penaliz-
and increasing
Remarks at a Birthday Celebration for Roy Acuff in Nashville,
rking families,
Tennessee
S and corpora-
September 13, 1984
1, proinflation
conomy to its
rica go forward
Thank you, Roy. And thank you all, ladies
now that I've appeared at the Opry, I've
growth with an
and gentlemen. Thank all of you up here on
really arrived.
e tax system,
the stage, the great artists of the first of all
I'm going to interject something here,
and lowering
American art forms, country music. I guess
just a little note that was not part of my
1295
Sept. 13 / Administration of Ronald Reagan, 1984
prepared remarks, except I might also say,
You know, he was born the son of a Bap-
Roy, that the whole thing of being here a
tist minister up in Maynardsville in 1903.
couple of days early, no problem at all for
He showed a certain talent for music when
me.¹ But if the 13th had fallen on tomor-
he was a boy, and he was so good at sports
row, I'd have really had problems then.
that he walked out of high school with 13
[Laughter] Friday the 13th.
letters. The New York Yankees wanted him
But I just want to say here that I talked
to come up north, but I guess Roy didn't
this morning to the husband of Barbara
want to leave home. He stayed in Tennes-
Mandrell,2 and he asked me if I would say
see, worked as a callboy on the L&N Rail-
thanks to so many of you who have contact-
road, and hung around the house learning
ed them and who have called and who've
to play the fiddle.
expressed concern. And I know that she's a
In the 1930's he joined a traveling medi-
member of the family and should be here,
cine show, and he put together a group,
too. And you all know she was in an acci-
and soon he had his own radio shows over
dent. And I told him that I was sure that
in Knoxville. Roy started making records,
everyone was doing what we were doing,
and that was in the 1930's when labor prac-
and that was praying that everything was
tices were not what they could have been.
all right, and praying, also, for the tragedy
In one session, it was so hot in the studio
of the White family, and a prayer that she'll
that the band recorded in their underwear.
be well soon. But he said she's doing very
[Laughter] You may have heard of a few of
well; so is their son. And the children are all
the songs that they were working on. One
right, also. So, I thought you'd be glad to
was the "The Great Speckled Bird," and
hear that.
the other was "Wabash Cannonball." In an
And now, I'll get on with it's wonderful
earlier appearance of mine-not here-Roy
to be here in Nashville. And it's wonderful
and his band played that, as he said, for
to be here in Tennessee. This is one of
about 45 minutes from-{laughter}-my en-
those special States. It's more than just a
trance and greeting of a lot of people.
place; it's a state of mind. The secret of
But he first played at the Opry in 1938.
Tennessee, the way I see it, is its people
And soon he and the Smokey Mountain
and the music they make. And, you know,
Boys were regulars, and they were so popu-
the man who founded the Opry explained a
lar that they beat out Frank Sinatra in some
little about both when he said, "The Grand
of the national music polls. It's no exaggera-
Ole Opry is as simple as sunshine. It has a
tion to say that Roy Acuff brought country
universal appeal because it's built upon
music into the mainstream of American life.
good will, it expresses the heartbeat of a
And he and his music were so much a part
large percentage of Americans who labor
of our lives, it's said that during World War
for a living." Well, I agree.
II when the Japanese would storm a beach
And now, we're here today to celebrate
they would yell, "To hell with Roosevelt, to
the 81st birthday of the King of Country
hell with Babe Ruth, and to hell with Roy
Music. And, Roy, the other day I met with
Acuff!" [Laughter]
some senior citizens in the White House,
A few years later a Governor of Tennes-
and I told them the only way I could sum
see was invited to appear at the Opry, and
up my feelings about older folks is to greet
he turned it down with the statement that
them by saying, "Hi, kids." [Laughter] So,
he thought country music was "disgracing
now I want to share my thoughts about a
the State." Roy Acuff didn't like that a lot.
kid named Roy Acuff who, in a couple of
[Laughter] So, he ran for Governor in the
days, will be celebrating the 42d anniversa-
next primary. [Laughter] He didn't win, but
ry of his 39th birthday. [Laughter]
he made his point. I don't think a lot of
politicians criticize country music anymore.
1 Mr. Acuff had earlier referred to the
In 1962 Roy Acuff became the first living
fact that his birthday was September 15.
musician to be honored as a member of the
2 The President had telephoned Ken
Country Music Hall of Fame. A few years
Dudley earlier in the day.
after that he was in a bad car accident, but
1296
Administration of Ronald Reagan, 1984 / Sept. 13
f a Bap-
within months he was up and out of his sick
the White House who doesn't believe that
n 1903.
bed to entertain the troops in Vietnam. And
you're undertaxed? [Applause]
c when
he was there to sing at the White House
Well, then, let me ask you one more
t sports
when the POWs returned in 1974.
question: Is America better off than it was 4
with 13
Roy Acuff isn't just a great artist, he's a
years ago? [Applause]
ted him
fine man and a patriot. He loves America,
Now, the other side keeps saying the
didn't
and he's stuck by her through thick and
answer to all this success is to start another
Tennes-
thin. I'm personally honored by the oppor-
old round of tax and tax and spend and
N Rail-
tunity to come and to honor him. And, Roy,
spend. I think we all better remember that
earning
I know I'm speaking for everyone here
the other side's promises are a little like
when I say you will always be the King of
Minnie Pearl's hat-they both have big
g medi-
Country Music and, therefore, the only ap-
price tags hanging from them. [Laughter]
propriate thing to say on your 81st birthday
But the price tag on those promises comes
group,
is, "Long Live the King!"
to over $1,800 for every American house-
VS over
There's one thing I want to add, some-
hold.
records,
thing I was thinking about on my way down
or prac-
here on the plane. All of you are aware, I
And I don't know about our opponents,
e been.
think, that there's a great resurgence of pa-
but there's an old country and western song
studio
triotic feeling sweeping the country. And
called "Home on the Range," where seldom
erwear.
it's heartening, and I've been moved by it.
is heard a discouraging word. I guess they
1 few of
You could see it during the Olympics, how
haven't campaigned there yet. [Laughter]
on. One
the crowds out in Los Angeles would wave
You could invite them here. If you don't,
d," and
the flag and sing along to "The Star Span-
that's just as well. [Laughter] But they
In an
gled Banner." And you can hear it in the
couldn't perform here anyway, because all
re-Roy
popular music these days, and you'll hear it
they do is sing the blues. [Laughter]
aid, for
when Lee Greenwood sings "God Bless the
The truth is there are things to be happy
-my en-
U.S.A."
about and proud of in this country these
e.
Now, there are a lot of reasons, I guess,
days. The misery index is just about half
n 1938.
why this good spirit has returned to our
what it was, and the forces of international
ountain
land. But it got a lot of encouragement
communism have not, in these past few
0 popu-
from Nashville. It's the people of this city
years, been gaining ground. And here at
in some
who never forgot to love their country, who
home the decent, homely virtues, the
taggera-
never thought patriotism was out of style.
wholesome habits, are in style again.
country
And I know you were just expressing how
There's so much before us, so much of
can life.
you felt; you didn't know that you were
the future to be seized and shaped by us.
1 a part
doing your country a great service by keep-
We can simplify the tax system so that
rld War
ing affection for it alive in your songs. But
people aren't sick with worry and confusion
a beach
you were doing it a service, and I don't
every April 15th. And if we do, we can
evelt, to
know if anyone has ever thanked you. But
continue to lower tax rates, which will fur-
ith Roy
if not, thank you. People like you make me
ther encourage the working men and
proud to be an American.
women of this country and further ençour-
Tennes-
Now, this is such a fine day, and I look at
age economic expansion.
'ry, and
all of you and somehow I don't see why the
We can continue the fairness of our for-
ent that
other side keeps saying things are so terri-
gracing
ble in this country. According to them,
eign policy so that our friends will know
we're in desperate straits. So, I hope you
that we're their friends, and our adversaries
t a lot.
in the
don't mind my asking, do you feel better off
will know we're not a doormat.
vin, but
than you did 4 years ago? [Applause]
And we can continue together to encour-
lot of
Could it be because the economy is ex-
age respect for traditional values. We're
lymore.
panding again, and we have real prosperity
greatly blessed in this country. We've been
it living
without inflation, and because there are 6
allowed to stand for something. So much of
of the
million new jobs in the country in the past
our greatness is behind us, but so much of
V years
20 months, and that you have a friend in
our greatness is still before us.
nt, but
1297
Sept. 13 / Administration of Ronald Reagan, 1984
dreams. And no matter what your party, I
in, but my pocket was full.
hope you can join with us this year and
Note: The President spoke at 1:15 p.m. in
walk with us toward a better future. You're
wanted and welcome. And no one should
the Grand Ole Opry Theater at Opryland,
U.S.A. Following his remarks, a cake was
feel left out. Our party is open to you and
waiting for you.
brought out on stage and everyone sang
"Happy Birthday." Prior to his appearance
And I thank you so much. I thank you,
at the celebration, the President met with
Roy, and Lee, and all of you. God bless you
Mr. Acuff at his residence.
all.
And now, Roy, we have a little something
Following his remarks, the President re-
special for you here. I was going to bring it
turned to Washington, DC.
Remarks at a Ceremony Honoring Hispanic Excellence in
Education
September 14, 1984
The President. Well, thank you all very
And this is especially true for the young
much, and welcome to the White House.
people who are here today. I know you've
Buenas tardes.
been selected because you've demonstrated
This is National Hispanic Heritage Week,
superior academic skills, outstanding leader-
and I know you've been told already, and I
ship, or exemplary service to your commu-
can think of no better way of topping off
nity.
the week's activities than with a ceremony
I want to congratulate all of you for your
that highlights the invaluable role of educa-
personal standards and for what you've al-
tion.
ready accomplished. I know your families
With a median age of 23, compared to 31
are proud of you, and so am I. We want you
for non-Hispanics, as a group, Americans of
to soar like eagles in the coming years as you
Hispanic descent are younger than their
finish your education. We want you to shine
fellow countrymen. And this enormously in-
in whatever endeavor you choose when you
creases the importance of education to the
get out of school.
Hispanic community.
We also hope you'll help others along-
It's encouraging to observe, in recent
others who may be having a difficult time.
years, the marked improvement in the level
The dropout rate among Hispanic students
of schooling of young Hispanics. Since 1970
is still far from acceptable. I'm asking Secre-
the percentage of college graduates has
tary Bell to look into this, but let's not kid
doubled, and the number of Hispanics fin-
ourselves: There are no easy answers. We
ishing high school has increased dramatical-
need your support in letting your peers,
ly. What we see is a picture of a group of
other young Hispanics, know just how vital
our citizens on the move.
it is to stay in school and get an education.
Americans of Hispanic descent are
You can help them understand what a
moving into the business and professional
bright future beckons if they'll just take ad-
community as never before. They-and that
vantage of their educational opportunities.
includes some of you with us today-are
playing a major role throughout this admin-
Perhaps some of you in the not too dis-
istration. This generation of young Ameri-
tant future may be teachers yourselves. And
cans of Hispanic descent, due to an expand-
I can think of no other profession which
ing economy and increasing opportunity,
offers as much of a chance to help others in
will have it within its grasp to achieve more
such a meaningful way, doing things that
and advance further than any generation of
will change people's lives.
Hispanics at any time, in any country of the
And today, thanks to the efforts of re-
world.
sponsible people all over the United States,
1298
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
September 18, 1991
MEMORANDUM FOR: ROBERT SIMON
FROM:
SUBJECT:
VIEWED GARY J. MOVIES WALTERS
As you requested, here are the movies that the President has seen
since May 30, 1991.
June 1
Impromtu
2
What about Bob?
8
City Slickers
9
Hudson Hawk
21
The Marrying Man
22
Only the Lonely
July 5
Terminator II
6
Naked Gun 2 1/2
7
Soapdish
28
Regarding Henry
August 2 The Doctor
3 Mobsters
Sept. 6
Doc Hollywood
7
Delirious
13
Dead Again
14
The Commitments
15
Robin Hood
SENT EXPRESS MAIL TO:
Ms. Terry Moran
Assistant to Jo Walker-Meador
Country Music Association
1 Music Circle South
Nashville, Tennessee 37203
AND FAX TO: (615) 726-0314
Attn: Terry Moran
Enclosure: color photo of the President
GB/JW/TD/SMG/1td
CC: L.DeHart/J.Witherspoon,Rm.93/T.Donovan/
Speechwriting/Tony Benedi/CF
EVENT: Oct-91
DUE: Sept 16 91 for printing
Country
September 17, 1991
I am delighted to join with everyone in
celebrating Country Music Month this October.
Few art forms in the United States are more
uniquely American -- or more widely acclaimed --
than country music. Like a favorite pair of faded
blue jeans, this delightful musical style fits the
way we live. From the lively sounds of Bluegrass,
which capture the joys and optimism of a free
people to the traditional ballads that resound
with the themes of faith, family, and hard work,
country music represents the heart of the American
Experience. During the month of October, we
proudly celebrate this art form and salute those
musicians who give it life.
Although country music has millions of fans around
the world, it is virtually impossible to listen to
it without feeling that it was written expressly
for us -- we cannot avoid sensing a special bond
between ourselves and the artists. Indeed, part
of the enduring appeal of country music is that
it reflects our shared hopes, aspirations, and
concerns.
As a longtime country music fan, I am delighted to.
join in recognizing its continuing importance to
our Nation's cultural life. Barbara joins me in
sending best wishes to fellow country music fans
everywhere. God bless you.
GEORGE BUSH
of America. I love it for what I know it has meant to mankind since the day
of its institution. I love it because I feel that it has grown to be a great
stabilizing force in world civilization. I love it, above everything else, for the
opportunity that it offers to every man and every woman that desires to
take advantage of it.
No man that I know of or that I ever read of has more reason to love it
than I have. They kept the gateway open for me. It is a matter of common
knowledge throughout the country, and I do not state it boastfully, because
it is well known, that, deprived by poverty in my early years of an educa-
tion, that gateway showed me how it was possible to go from newsboy on
the sidewalks of New York to the Governorship of the greatest State in
the Union.
I have five children and I have ten grandchildren, and you take it from
Appendix I
me I want that gate left open, not alone for mine-I am not selfish about it-
not for mine, but for every boy and girl in the country. And in that respect
I am no different from every father and mother in the United States.
"COME BACK
Now, think it over for a minute, figure it out for yourself. It is possible for
your children's success to be your success.
TO YOUR FATHER'S HOUSE"
I remember distinctly my first inauguration as Governor of New York,
and I am not sure that the young folks understood it thoroughly, but there
were three people at that inauguration that did understand it: One was my
mother, and the other was my sister, and the third was my wife, because
they were with me in all of the early struggles.
I am here for another reason. I am here because I am a Democrat. I was
born in the Democratic party and I expect to die in it. I was attached to it
in my youth, because I was led to believe that no man owned it. Further-
more, that no group of men owned it, but, on the other hand, that it be-
ALFRED EMANUEL SMITH
longed to all the plain people of the United States.
Address before the American Liberty League dinner, Washington, D.C., and a
Now, I must make a confession. It is not easy for me to stand up here to-
national radio audience, January 25, 1936.
night and talk to the American people against a Democratic administration.
It is not easy; it hurts me. But I can call upon innumerable witnesses to
testify to the fact that during my whole public life I put patriotism above
MR. CHAIRMAN, members and guests of the American Liberty League, and
partisanship.
my friends listening in, as I have been told by the newspapers, from all
And when I see danger, I see danger. That is the stop, look and listen to
parts of the United States: At the outset of my remarks let me make one
the fundamental principles upon which this government of ours was organ-
thing perfectly clear. I am not a candidate for nomination by any party, at
ized. And it is difficult for me to refrain from speaking up. What are these
any time. What is more, I do not intend even to lift my right hand to secure
dangers that I see? The first is the arraignment of class against class. It has
nomination from any party at any time.
been freely predicted that if we were ever to have civil strife again in this
Further than that, I have no axe to grind. There is nothing personal in
country it would come from the appeal to the passions and prejudices that
this whole performance in so far as I am concerned. I have no feeling
come from the demagogues who. would incite one class of our people
against any man, woman or child in the United States. I am in possession of
against the other.
supreme happiness and comfort. I represent no group, and I speak for no
In my time I met some good and bad industrialists. I met some good and
man or no group, but I do speak for what I believe to be the best interests
bad financiers, but I also met some good and bad laborers. This I know-
of the great rank and file of the American people in which class I belong.
that permanent prosperity is dependent upon both capital and labor alike. I
I am here tonight also because I have a great love for the United States
also know that there can be no permanent prosperity in this country until
industry is able to employ labor, and there certainly can be no permanent
recovery upon any governmental theory of soak the rich or soak the poor.
"We believe that a party platform is a covenant with the people to be
faithfully kept by the party when entrusted with power and that the people
And let it be said to the glory of our educational institutions, that even
are entitled to know in plain words the terms of the contract to which they
the children in our high schools know that you can't soak capital without
are asked to subscribe.
soaking labor at the same time.
The next thing that I view as being dangerous to our national liberty is
"The Democratic party solemnly promises by appropriate actions to put
government by bureaucracy instead of what we have been taught to look
into effect the principles, policies and reforms herein advocated and to erad-
to: government by law. Just let me quote something from the President's
icate the political methods and practices herein condemned."
message to Congress:
My friends, these were what we called "fighting words." At the time
"In thirty-four months we have set up new instruments of public power
that platform went through the air and over the wire, the people of the
in the hands of the people's government, which power is wholesome and
United States were in the lowest possible depths of despair, and the Demo-
appropriate, but in the hands of political puppets, of an economic autocracy,
cratic platform looked to them like a star of hope. It looked like the rising
such power would provide shackles for the liberties of our people."
sun in the East to the mariner on the bridge of a ship after a terrible night.
But what happened to it?
Now, I interpret that to mean that, if you are going to have an autocrat,
take me. But be very careful about the other fellow.
First plank: "We advocate an immediate drastic reduction of govern-
There is a complete answer to that, and it rises in the minds of the great
mental expenditures by abolishing useless commissions and offices, con-
rank and file, and that answer is just this-we will never, in this country, tol-
solidating departments and bureaus, and eliminating extravagance, to
erate any law that provides shackles for our people. We don't want any
accomplish a saving of not less than twenty-five percent in the cost of the
Federal Government."
autocrats, either in or out of office. We wouldn't even take a good one.
The next thing that is apparent to me is the vast building up of new bu-
Well, now, what is the fact?
reaus of government, draining the resources of our people, to pool and re-
No bureaus were eliminated, but the alphabet was exhausted in the crea-
distribute them, not by any process of law but by the whim of the bureau-
tion of new departments. And-this is sad news for the taxpayer-the cost,
cratic autocracy.
what we refer to as "housekeeping costs" over and above all emergencies,
Well, now, what am I here for? I am here not to find fault. Anybody can
that ordinary housekeeping cost of government is greater today than it has
do that. I am here to make a suggestion. Now, what would I have my party
ever been in any time in the history of the Republic.
do? I would have them re-establish and re-declare the principles that they
Another plank: "We favor maintenance of the national credit by a Federal
put forth in that 1932 platform.
budget annually balanced on the basis of accurate executive estimates with-
in revenue."
Even our Republican friends, and I know many of them, have all agreed
that it is the most compact, the most direct and the most intelligent political
How can you balance a budget if you insist upon spending more money
platform that was ever put forth by any political party in this country.
than you take in? Even the increased revenue won't go to balance the bud-
The Republican platform was ten times as long. It was stuffy, it was un-
get, because it is "hocked" before you receive it.
readable, and in many points not understandable.
It is much worse than that. We borrow. We owe something. We have
No administration in the history of the country came into power with a
borrowed so that we have reached a new high peak of Federal indebted-
more simple, a more clear, or a more inescapable mandate than the party
ness for all time. Well, that wouldn't annoy me so very much ordinarily.
that was inaugurated on the 4th of March in 1933. And, listen, no candidate
When I was Governor of New York, they said I borrowed a lot of money. If
in the history of the country ever pledged himself more unequivocally to
it solved our problems and we were out of trouble, I would say, "All right,
his party platform than did the President who was inaugurated on that day.
let it go." But the sin of it is that we have the indebtedness, and at the end
Well, here we are. Millions and millions of Democrats, just like myself,
of three years we are just where we started. Unemployment and the farm
all over the country, still believe in that platform. What we want to know is,
problem we still have with us.
why wasn't it carried out?
Now, here is something that I want to say to the rank and file: There are
There is only one man in the United States of America that can answer
three classes of people in this country. There are the poor and the rich,
that question. It won't do to pass it down to an Under-Secretary. I won't
and in between the two is what has often been referred to as the great
even recognize him when I hear his name.
backbone of America. That is the plain fellow that makes from $100 a
Let us take a look at that platform and let us see what happened to it.
month up to the man that draws down five or six thousand dollars a year.
Here is the way it started out:
There is that great big army.
Forget the rich; they can't pay this debt; if you took everything they got
280
away from them, you could not pay it, there are not enough of them.
any lawyers in Congress any more?" Just then the lights changed. I was
There's no use of talking about the poor. They will never pay it, because
afraid to answer him for fear I might disconcert him, but I was all ready to
they've got nothing. This debt is going to be paid by that great big middle-
say: "Yes, son, but they don't function."
class that we refer to as the backbone and the rank and file. And the sin of
We got another plank! "We advocate strengthening and impartial en-
it is, they ain't going to know that they're paying it.
forcement of the anti-trust laws." What happened? The NRA just put a gas
It is going to come to them in the form of indirect taxation. It will come
bag on the anti-trust laws and put them fast asleep. And nobody said any-
in the cost of living, in the cost of clothing, in the cost of every activity they
thing about it. I don't know whether they are good or whether they are bad,
enter into. And because it isn't a direct tax, they won't think they are pay-
but I know that they didn't work.
ing it, but take it from me, they are going to pay it.
Another one: "We promise the removal of government from all fields of
Another point: "We advocate the extension of Federal credit to the States
private enterprise, except where necessary to develop public works and na-
to provide for unemployment relief when the diminishing resources of the
tional resources in the common interest."
State render it impossible to provide for them."
NRA! A vast octopus set up by government that wound its arms around
That is pretty plain. That was a recognition in the national convention of
all the business of the country, paralyzed big business and choked little
the rights of the States. But what happened? The Federal Government took
business to death. Did you read in the papers a short time ago where some-
over most of the relief problems. They started out to prime the pump for
body said that business was going to get a breathing spell? What is the
industry in order to absorb the ranks of the unemployed, and at the end of
meaning of that? And where did that expression arise? I will tell you where
three years their affirmative policy is absolutely nothing but the negative
it comes from. It comes from the prize ring. When the aggressor is punching
policy of the administration that preceded it.
the head off the other fellow, he suddenly takes compassion on him and
We favor unemployment and old age insurance under State laws. Now,
gives him a breathing spell before he delivers the knockout wallop.
let me make myself perfectly clear so that no demagogue or no crack pot
Here is another one: "We condemn the open and covert resistance of
in the next week or so will be able to say anything about my attitude on
administrative officials to every effort made by Congressional committees
this kind of legislation. I am in favor of it, and I take my hat off to no man
to curtail the extravagance and expenses of government and improvident
in the United States on the question of legislation beneficial to the poor, the
subsidies rendered to private interests."
weak, the sick or the afflicted, men, women and children. Because when
Now, just between ourselves, do you know any administrative officer
I started out a quarter of a century ago, when I had very few followers in
that ever tried to stop Congress from appropriating money? Do you think
my State, during that period I advocated, fought for and introduced, as a
there has been any desire on the part of Congress to curtail appropriations?
legislator, and finally as Governor, for eight long years, and signed more
Why, not at all. The fact is that Congress is throwing them left and right,
progressive legislation in the interest of men, women and children than any
don't even tell what they are for. And the truth is that every administrative
man in the State of New York. The sin of this whole thing, and the part of
officer sought to get all he possibly could, to expand the activities of his
it that worries me and gives me concern is, that this haphazard legislation is
own office, and throw the money of the people right and left.
never going to accomplish the purpose for which it was designed. And bear
As to the subsidy-never at any time in the history of this or any other
this in mind-follow the platform-"under State law."
country were there so many subsidies granted to private groups and on such
Here is another one: "We promise the enactment of every constitutional
a large scale. The fact of the matter is that most of the cases pending before
measure that will aid the farmers to receive for their basic farm commodi-
the United States Supreme Court revolve around the point of whether or
ties prices in excess of cost."
not it is proper for Congress to tax all the people to pay subsidies to a par-
Well, what is the use of talking about that? "We promise every con-
ticular group.
stitutional measure." The Supreme Court disposed of that within the last
Here is another one: "We condemn the extravagance of the Farm Board,
couple of weeks. And, according to the papers the other day, some brilliant
its disastrous action which made the government a speculator in farm prod-
individual has conceived the idea of how to get around the Constitution. We
ucts, and the unsound policy of restricting agricultural products to the de-
are going to have forty-eight AAA's, one for each State.
mands of domestic markets."
The day that the United States Supreme Court decided the case I left my
Listen, and I will let you in on something. This has not leaked out, so
office to attend a board of trustees meeting. I got in a taxicab to go down-
kind of keep it to yourself until you get the news. On the first of February
town. The driver was reading the extra, "Supreme Court Declares AAA Un-
we are going to own 4,500,000 bales of cotton. The cost is $270,000,000.
constitutional." We rode along for a few minutes and then we got caught at
And we have been such brilliant speculators that we are paying thirteen
a red light. The taxi fellow turned around and said: "Governor, ain't there
cents a pound for it when you add storage and carrying charges, and it can
be bought in any one of the ten cotton markets of the South today for 11½
mittee on resolutions is about to report. The preamble to the platform is:
cents. Some speculators!
What about the restriction of our agricultural products and the demands
"We, the representatives of the Democratic party, in convention assem-
of the domestic market? Why, the fact about that is that we shut out en-
bled, heartily endorse the Democratic administration." What happened to
the recital of Jefferson and Jackson and Cleveland when that resolution
tirely the foreign market, and by plowing under corn and wheat and the
destruction of foodstuffs, food from foreign countries has been pouring into
was read out? Why, for us it is a washout. There is only one of two things
our American markets, food that should have been purchased by us from
we can do. We can either take on the mantle of hypocrisy or we can take a
walk, and we will probably do the latter.
our own farmers.
Now, leave the platform alone for a little while. What about this attack
In other words, while some of the countries of the Old World were at-
tempting to drive the wolf of hunger from the doormat, the United States of
that has been made upon the fundamental institutions of this country? Who
America flew in the face of God's bounty and destroyed its own foodstuffs.
threatens them, and did we have any warning of this threat? Why, you don't
There can be no question about that.
have to study party platforms, you don't have to read books, you don't have
Now, I could go on indefinitely with some of the other planks. They are
to listen to professors of economics. You will find the whole thing in-
unimportant, and the radio time will not permit it. But just let me sum up
corporated in the greatest declaration of political principle that ever came
this way: regulation of the Stock Exchange and the repeal of the Eighteenth
from the hand of man-the Declaration of Independence and the Constitu-
tion of the United States.
Amendment, plus one or two minor provisions of the platform that in no
way touched the daily life of our people have been carried out, but the bal-
Always have in your mind that the Constitution and the first ten amend-
ance of the platform was thrown in the waste-basket. About that there can
ments were drafted by refugees and by sons of refugees, by men with
be no question.
bitter memories of European oppression and hardship, by men who brought
And let us see how it was carried out. Make a test for yourself. Just get
to this country and handed down to their descendants an abiding fear of
the platform of the Democratic party and get the platform of the Socialist
arbitrary, centralized government and autocracy. All the bitterness and all
party and lay them down on your dining-room table, side by side, and get
the hatred of the Old World was distilled, in our Constitution, into the pur-
a heavy lead pencil and scratch out the word "Democratic" and scratch out
est democracy that the world has ever known. There are just three prin-
the word "Socialist" and let the two platforms lay there, and then study the
ciples and in the interest of brevity I will read them. I can read them
quicker than I can talk them.
record of the present administration up to date.
After you have done that, make your mind up to pick up the platform
First, a Federal Government strictly limited in its powers, with all other
that more nearly squares with the record, and you will have your hand on
powers except those expressly mentioned reserved to the States and to the
the Socialist platform; you would not dare touch the Democratic platform.
people, so as to insure State's rights, guarantee home rule and preserve
And incidentally, let me say that it is not the first time in recorded history
freedom of individual initiative and local control. That is simple enough.
that a group of men have stolen the livery of the church to do the work of
The difference between the State Constitution and the Federal Constitution
the devil.
is that in the State you can do anything you want to do provided it is not
If you study this whole situation you will find that it is at the bottom of
prohibited by the Constitution, but in the Federal Government, according
all our troubles. This country was organized on the principles of a represen-
that document, you can do only that which that Constitution tells you that
tative democracy, and you can't mix socialism or communism with that.
you can do.
They are like oil and water. Just like oil and water, they refuse to mix.
What is the trouble? Congress has overstepped its power. It has gone
Incidentally, let me say to you that is the reason why the United States
beyond that constitutional limitation, and it has enacted laws that not only
Supreme Court is working overtime, throwing the alphabet out of the win-
violate that, but violate the home rule and the State's rights principle. And
dow, three letters at a time. I am going to let you in on something else. How
who says that? Did I say it? Not at all. That was said by the United States
do you suppose all this happened? The young brain trusters caught the
Supreme Court in the last ten or twelve days.
Socialists in swimming and they ran away with their clothes.
Second, the government with three independent branches: Congress to
It is all right with me if they want to disguise themselves as Karl Marx
make the laws, the Executive to execute them, the Supreme Court, and so
or Lenin or any of the rest of that bunch, but I won't stand for allowing
forth, and you all know that. In the name of heaven, where is the independ-
them to march under the banner of Jackson or Cleveland.
ence of Congress? Why, they just laid right down. They are flatter on the
What is worrying me is: Where does that leave us millions of Democrats?
Congressional floor than the rug under this table here. They centered all
My mind is all fixed upon the convention in June in Philadelphia. The com-
their powers in the Executive, and that is the reason why you read in the
newspapers reference to Congress as the rubber-stamp Congress.
We all know that the most important bills were drafted by the brain
Well, in twenty-five years of experience I have known both parties to fail
trusters and sent over to Congress and passed by Congress without consid-
to carry out some of the planks of their platform, but this is the first time
eration, without debate, and without meaning any offense at all to my Dem-
that I have known a party, upon such a huge scale, not only not to carry out
ocratic brethren in Congress I think I can safely say without 90 percent of
the planks, but to do directly the opposite thing to what they promised.
them knowing what was in the bills, what was the meaning of the list that
Now, suggestions-and I make these as a Democrat, acting for the suc-
came over.
cess of my party, and I make them in good faith. Here are my suggestions:
And beside certain items was "must." Speaking for the rank and file of
Number 1-I suggest for the members of my party on Capitol Hill here in
the American people, we don't want any Executive to tell Congress what it
Washington that they take their minds off the Tuesday that follows the first
must do. We don't want any Congress to tell the Executive what he must
Monday in November. Just take your mind off it to the end that you may do
do. We don't want Congress or the Executive, jointly or severally, to tell the
the right thing and not the expedient thing.
United States Supreme Court what it must do.
I suggest to them that they dig up the 1932 platform from the grave that
On the other hand, we don't want the United States Supreme Court to tell
they buried it in and read it over and study it, read life into it and follow it
either of them what they must do. What we want, and what we insist upon,
in legislative and executive action to the end that they make good their
and what we are going to have, is the absolute preservation of this balance
promises to the American people when they put forth that platform and the
of power which is the keystone upon which the whole theory of democratic
candidate that stood upon it 100 percent-in short, make good.
government has got to rest, and when you rattle it you rattle the whole
Third, I would suggest that they stop compromising with the fundamental
structure.
principles laid down by Jackson and Jefferson and Cleveland.
Of course, when our forefathers wrote the Constitution, it couldn't be
Fourth, stop attacking the structure of our government without recourse
possible that they had in their minds that that was going to be all right for
to the people themselves, as provided in their own Constitution which really
all time to come, so they said, "No, we will provide a manner and method
belongs to the people, and not to any administration.
of amending," and that is set forth in the document itself. And during our
Next, I suggest that they read their oath of office to support the Constitu-
national life we amended it many times.
tion of the United States and I ask them to remember that they took that
We amended it once by mistake, and we corrected it.
oath with their hands on the Holy Bible, thereby calling upon God Almighty
And what did we do? We took the amendment out. Fine! That is the way
himself to witness their solemn promise. It is bad enough to disappoint us.
we ought to do it. By recourse to the people.
Sixth, I suggest that from this moment on they resolve to make the Con-
But we don't want an administration that takes a shot at it in the dark
stitution again the Civil Bible of the United States and to pay it the same
and that ducks away from it and dodges away from it and tries to put some-
civil respect and reverence that they would religiously pay the Holy Scrip-
thing over in contradiction of it upon any theory that there is going to be a
ture. I ask them to read from Holy Scripture the paragraph of the prodigal
great public power in favor of it and it is possible that the United States
son, and to follow his example, "Stop, stop wasting your substance in a
Supreme Court may be intimidated into a friendly opinion with respect to
foreign land and come back to your father's house."
it. But I found all during my public life that Almighty God built this country
In conclusion, let me give this solemn warning: There can be only one
and He did not give us that kind of a Supreme Court.
capital, Washington or Moscow. There can be only one atmosphere of gov-
Now, this is pretty tough for me to have to go after my own party this
ernment, the clear, pure, fresh air of free America, or the foul breath of
way, but I submit that there is a limit to blind loyalty. As a young man in
communistic Russia. There can be only one flag, the Stars and Stripes, or
the Democratic party I witnessed the rise and fall of Bryan and Bryanism,
the flag of the godless Union of the Soviets. There can be only one national
and in the memory of Bryan, what he did to our party, I know how long it
anthem, "The Star-Spangled Banner" or the "Internationale." There can be
took to build it after he got finished with it. But let me say this, for the
only one victor.
everlasting memory of Bryan and the men that followed him, that they had
If the Constitution wins, we win. But if the Constitution-stop, stop there-
the energy and the courage and the honesty to put into the platform just
the Constitution can't lose. The fact is, it has already won, but the news has
what their leaders told them.
not reached certain ears.
They put the American people in the position of making an intelligent
choice when they went to the polls. The fact of this whole thing is, I speak
now not only of the Executive but of the Legislature at the same time-that
they promised one set of things, they repudiated that promise, and they
launched off on a program of action totally different.
see Ron ghrech Blue
by Bo b Terry
handles
Drill pipe and mud
instead of cattle.
work, grit
you could a heart
a peri drop.
is sor death by
guit
Geor Se Jerry felf Walher Bush
car as without air cannet -
Legra - of you're south money
withs wrote
1950
Fadellove in 1951
-
And with who Cold 1951 Heart
CW is a his famils.
a ho PPer is a place
and a cove
no one is playing a steel
guitar in the back
as d reate there lines
It's a family - songs about
one amo ther, lings 1 dead.
lift us one of the blues w/ a -
face us to me ality
seme of isonic humor and
Hats Off!
Garth Brooks
ALBUM
Pop Album Chart
Continued from F1
Rank
Rank 2
Weeks
dleman Co., an independent distri-
Title (Label)
Last Week
Weeks Ago
on Chart
Tops Chart
bution firm that services more than
1. "Ropin' the Wind"
1
7,000 discount retail store outlets
Garth Brooks (Capitol)
such as K mart and Wal-Mart, said
2. "Metallica"
1
1
5
Pop music: Country singer's
that Brooks' top showing this week
Metallica (Elektra)
proves country music is making a
new album topples Metallica.
3. "Unforgettable"
2
2
14
comeback.
Natalie Cole (Elektra)
Fans are gleeful but have no
"It's a real phenomenon," DeFi-
4. "C.M.B."
5
4
8
lippo said. "We've never seen such
illusions-next week GNR's sales
Color Me Badd (Giant)
a response to a country artist
will be counted.
before."
5. "Luck of the Draw"
4
3
12
Bonnie Raitt (Capitol)
But Russ Solomon, president of
By CHUCK PHILIPS
the Sacramento-based, 84-outlet
-DENNIS HUNT
SPECIAL TO THE TIMES
Tower Records chain, expects the
two Guns N' Roses albums to push
G
arth Brooks' new "Ropin' the Wind"
Brooks into the No. 3 spot next
is about to become the first country
week.
two hours it went on sale Tuesday,
For the Record
album ever to enter Billboard Maga-
said Geffen Records, the Los An-
zine's national pop chart in the No. 1 spot.
"No doubt about it, pop music
geles hard-rock band's record la-
fans certainly love this guy," Solo-
Wrong video-"The Doors: The
Selling more than 300,000 copies since its
bel. By midday Thursday, the al-
mon said. "Garth Brooks' record is
Soft Parade, a Retrospective,"
Sept. 10 release, Brooks' album will unseat
bums had each sold about 500,000
selling great for us across the
which was released on video Sept.
the heavy metal "Metallica," which has
copies, a Geffen spokesman said.
12, entered the video rental chart
held the No.1 1 position on Billboard's
board. But it pales in comparison to
Besides Brooks, two other al-
at No. 38. Due to incorrect infor-
Top 200 album chart for four weeks, when
Guns N' Roses. There's simply no
bums also entered the national
mation supplied by chart compil-
the Sept. 28 issue of the trade magazine hits
competition."
charts this week in the Top 20:
ers, Oliver Stone's movie "The
the newsstands this weekend.
Retailers reportedly sold an esti-
rock groups Tesla, whose "Psy-
Doors" was incorrectly reported at
Brooks" reign at the pinnacle of the pop
mated 250,000 copies of both Guns
chotic Supper" ranked No.13, and
No. 38 in Thursday's Calendar.
music world is expected to be short-lived,
N' Roses' "Use Your Illusion I" and
Dire Straits, whose "On Every
Stone's film will be available on
however. Retailers are reporting phenom-
"Use Your Illusion II" in the first
Street" finished No. 15.
video on Wednesday.
enal sales:of the two new Guns N' Roses
"Illusion"" albums, which were released
Tuesday and will show up on the Billboard
charts next. week. The "Illusion" albums
/-may turn out to be the hottest records since
Michael Jackson's "Bad" was released in
1987. Combined sales of the two GNR
records topped the 500,000 mark in their
first day in the stores.
But Brooks expected short reign atop the
pop. list is not dampening the glee in
country circles.
"This kid is SO damn hot, it's unbeliev-
"able," said Jimmy Bowen, president of
Capitol Nashville Records. "I've been in
this business since 1953 and I can honestly
say that I haven't seen this sort of reaction
to an artist since Elvis."
The Country Music Assn. plans to throw
a huge party in Brooks' honor Tuesday in'
Nashville, where Mayor Philip Bredesen
will proclaim "Garth Brooks Day."
'F
rom Florida to California, Garth
Brooks rules," said Mike Fine, whose
SoundScan company compiles sales figures
for Billboard and the record industry. Fine
said that Brooks' album topped sales, in
every retail market- across the country
except in the Northeast.
"Ropin' the Wind" outsold No. 2 "Metal-
lica" by :150,000 copies, according to
SoundScan figures. However, Metallica's
album still holds the highest one-week
total-600,000-of any release since Bill-
board started using SoundScan's comput-
erized system to rank records in May:
Brooks, whose last album has sold almost
5 million copies thanks to such country
smashes as "Friends in Low Places" and
"Unanswered Prayers," said: "I'm not sure
that this is as much a reflection of my
music as it is a reflection of the great people
that surround me." Brooks was in Dallas
filming a concert video.'
Mario DeFilippo, senior vice president of
purchasing at the Troy, Mich.-based Han-
Please see ALBUM, F2
Photocopy-Preservation
'91-09-16 12:54 DOUG GAMBLE
P.1
DOUG GAMBLE
424-36th . Place
Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
Sept. 16/91
(213) 546-6409
TO: CHRISTINA MARTIN
2 Pages
COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS (Joe Duggan)
1 WANT YOU TO KNOW I'M IN THE RIGHT SPIRIT TONIGHT. I WAS DRIVEN OVER FROM
THE AIRPORT ON "PICKUP TRUCK ONE."
THERE MAY BE SOME WATCHING TONIGHT WHO AREN'T COUNTRY FANS ALL YEAR AROUND,
BUT I AM. I KNOW THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN RANDY TRAVIS AND TRAVIS TRITT.
ONE OF THE REASONS IT GIVES ME so MUCH PLEASURE TO STAND ON THIS HISTORIC STAGE
IS BECAUSE, JUST LIKE BARBARA MANDRELL, I WAS COUNTRY WHEN COUNTRY WASN'T COOL.
I DON'T KNOW HOW OTHER PRESIDENTS TOLD THEIR WIVES THAT A STATE DINNER AT THE
WHITE HOUSE WAS COMING UP, BUT I TELL BARBARA "ALL MY ROWDY FRIENDS ARE COMING
OVER TONIGHT."
IT LOOKS LIKE THIS IS MY YEAR TO MINGLE WITH ROYALTY. FIRST, QUEEN ELIZABETH,
AND NOW, ROY ACUFF.
MORE
i '91-09-16 12:55 DOUG GAMBLE
P.2
- 2 -
DOUG GAMBLE
TO: CHRISTINA MARTIN - COUNTRY MUSIC (CONT'D)
COUNTRY MUSIC ENCOMPASSES SUCH HUMAN EMOTIONS AS GREED, LUST, ANGER, SADNESS,
HARD TIMES AND HEARTBREAK. BUT ENOUGH ABOUT LIFE IN WASHINGTON.
THE NATION IS so MUCH RICHER FOR THE MUSIC WE CELEBRATE TONIGHT. AMERICA
WITHOUT COUNTRY MUSIC WOULD BE LIKE MINNIE PEARL WITHOUT A HAT.
The dustry West texas Roads
Thats the was it was
in 51
- Pappy O'Doniel
George Jerry Jeff Walker Bush
Moe Bandy
Arary Chasin Carpenter - - get her into the Cosmos Club
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release
October 3, 1991
REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT
AT COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS
Grand Ole Opry
Nashville, Tennessee
10:05 P.M. EDT
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you, thank you, Reba, and
congratulations to all of tonight's award winners. It's great to be
here with friends and with the music I love. And Barbara and I come
here as fans.
Country music gives us a window on the real world. And
when I want to feel a surge of patriotism or turn nostalgic or even
when I need a little free advice about Saddam Hussein I turn to
country music. (Laughter and applause.)
But country songs do say a lot about life and sometimes
-- and this is true -- in the Oval Office, I read a sentence that's
under the glass, right-hand corner of my desk and it says, "If we're
gonna see a rainbow we'll have to stand a little rain."
And country entertainers treat each other as family.
Let me just say that Barbara and I sympathize with the country music
family on the loss of a great lady, Dottie West. (Applause.) And we
are very sorry that our dear friend, Minnie Pearl, could not be with
us tonight. She's not been well. And, Minnie, you have America's
prayers and best wishes. (Applause.)
And Barbara and I will always be grateful for what the
country music family did for our troops in the Gulf and for their
families. (Applause.) You sure helped them "stand a little rain,"
so when Desert Storm went by they could see that magnificent rainbow.
You know, it's easy to see why America loves country
music -- country music loves America. Thank you and may God bless
this great country of ours. (Applause.)
END
10:09 P.M. CDT
SEPTEMBER 1991
lose Op
.
Y
On The Cover
Reba McEntire To Host
1991 CMA Awards
CONTENTS
R
Back-To-Back Breakers
4
eba McEntire will host the "25th Annual CMA Awards"
Robin Lee
to be aired Wednesday, October 2 on CBS Television at 9
p.m. (EDT). This marks the second consecutive year she
has hosted the show.
SRO '91
5
The two-hour special will be broadcast live from the Grand Ole Opry
House in Nashville. "The CMA Awards" was the first of any music awards
CMA Award Nominees Named 6
show to be carried on network television and has consistently scored high
in the ratings. The telecast was number one in its time slot last year,
Horizon Award Nominees
8
according to A.C. Nielsen. In 1990, more than 27.2 million people watched
the show, which gained an almost 20 percent increase in adults ages 18-24
over the previous year, evidencing Country's growing appeal to younger
Liner Notes
10
audiences.
Kirk "Jelly Roll" Johnson
McEntire's year has been one of triumph tinged with tragedy. Her
current lp RUMOR HAS IT, containing the singles "You Lie", "Rumor Has
It", "Fancy" and her latest hit "Fallin' Out Of Love", was certified platinum
Broadcast Personality Finalists 12
just a few weeks after her road manager and seven band members were
killed in a plane crash enroute to a concert.
I Write The Songs
14
The Oklahoma native was discovered singing the national anthem at the
Gene Pistilli
National Finals Rodeo in 1975. A year later she cut her first record. Since
then, she's sold out Carnegie Hall, become a member of the Grand Ole
Behind The Lens
16
Opry and is now considered one of Country Music's leading female enter-
tainers. She's also dabbled in acting with a notable appearance in the big
screen science fiction movie "Tremors". McEntire is currently starring
Vocal Groups: New Singers,
opposite Kenny Rogers in a two-part television movie "Luck of the Draw:
New Sounds
18
Gambler IV" which airs in November.
In the past several years, she's filled in for Joan Lunden on "Good
International
20
Morning America", guest hosted the "Home Show" and made dozens of
television appearances, including a performance on this year's motion
picture Academy Awards.
Side Bar
21
CMA's Entertainer of the Year in 1986, McEntire also garnered Female
Vocalist honors for a record four times from 1984-1987. She's racked up
Talent Pool
22
dozens of other honors including a Grammy and numerous American
Dr. Robert Ossoff
Music Awards. She helped usher in Country traditionalism in the early
80s with such tunes as "The Last One To Know", "Whoever's In New
(continued on page 3)
Update
24
Awards
Clint Black and Carlene Carter announce the nominees for the 25th Annual CMA Awards.
Media
New Companies
Newsline
On The Move
Signings
Fact File
30
Datebook
32
On The Cover
Reba McEntire will host
Photo by Allen Mayor
the 1991 CMA Awards.
Harlan Howard
CMA board member Tim DuBois (right) poses a question to (l to r)
Mel Tillis
Richard Leigh, Thom Schuyler and Don Schlitz. The songwriters were
Pam Tillis
featured at a guitar pull hosted by CMA during the July board of
directors meeting in Cleveland. WGAR sponsored the event, which was
held at the Palace Theatre.
Pam Tillis, Mel Tillis
To Host 8th Annual
Harlan Howard Birthday Bash
ountry star Mel Tillis and Arista's Pam Tillis will keep
the hosting duties all in the family as they join
Harlan Howard for the Eighth Annual Harlan Howard
Birthday Bash and Guitar Pullin' at 6:30 p.m. on Monday,
September 9.
The industry-wide party will feature some of Music City's
top songwriters, including Pat Alger, Joe Allen, Robert
Byrne, Warner Bros. artist Beth Neilsen Chapman, Hank
Cochran, Richard Leigh, John D. Loudermilk, Jackson
Leap, Ron Peterson, Curly Putman, Allen Reynolds, Don
Schlitz, Allen Shamblin, Billy Joe Shaver, Arista artist Steve
Wariner and Curtis Wright.
The festivities honor Howard, who penned Country
CMA board member Terry Cline (center) is all smiles as he, Dick Frank
classics like "I Fall To Pieces", "Heartaches By The Number",
(left) and Kitty Moon (right) enjoy the reception preceding the guitar
"Pick Me Up On Your Way Down" and "I've Got A Tiger By
pull sponsored by CMA and WGAR in Cleveland.
The Tail".
Broadcast Music, Inc., Nashville Songwriters Association
International, THE NASHVILLE SCENE and WSIX Radio
are sponsors of the event, which will take place in the BMI
parking lot at 10 Music Square East in Nashville.
Proceeds from the $15 tickets will go to NSAI and the
Nashville Songwriters Hall Of Fame.
Cu
Reba McEntire
(continued from page 2)
tage of the past 25 years. We felt Reba would be the perfect
England" and "New Fool At An Old Game" and showed
person to host this anniversary show," said Irving Waugh,
her versatility with definitive versions of Aretha Franklin's
executive producer for the CMA Awards. Waugh has
"Respect", the Everly Brothers' "Cathy's Clown" and the
served as executive producer since the CMA Awards were
rhythm & blues standard "Sunday Kind Of Love".
first telecast in 1968.
Last year, she shared hosting duties for the CMA Awards
Bob Precht of Sullivan Productions will produce the
with Randy Travis and gave a stirring performance of "You
show again this year. Walter Miller of Los Angeles will
Lie".
direct. For the ninth year, a stereo radio simulcast of the
"This year's special will showcase Country Music's
show will be satellite-delivered by the Mutual Broadcasting
incredible new talents while acknowledging the rich heri-
System. CTV will also carry the show live in Canada.
CU
CMA CLOSE UP September 1991
3
COUNTRY MUSIC ASSOCIATION
BREAKERS
CloseUp
SEPTEMBER 1991
Vol. XXVI No. 9
Editor:
Teresa George
Editorial Assistants:
Janet E. Williams
Mandy Wilson
Circulation Assistants:
Chuck Dillehay
Bill Petty
Intern:
Carin Caravita
Hobart & William Smith College
Geneva, New York
Art Director:
Bob McConnell
ROBIN LEE
Diane Shehan
McConnell Graphics/Nashville
Atlantic recording artist Robin Lee has gained a reputation as a sultry
Typesetting:
BesType/Nashville
singer from hits such as "Black Velvet" and "Love Letter", but the
Printing:
Nashville native says she is really a free spirit who likes to have fun.
Ambrose Printing/Nashville
Robin got a chance to show a more lighthearted side of herself in the
Country Music Association Staff: EXECU-
TIVE: Jo Walker-Meador, executive director;
video "Nothin' But You". "I can honestly say there isn't anything that I
Ed Benson, associate executive director;
don't like about that video. In the 'Black Velveť video there were a few
Peggy Whitaker, assistant to the executive
things I didn't like, particularly some shots from the rear. It was a sexy
director; Terry Moran, administrative assis-
song and we sort of carried that over into the video for 'Love Lettter'.
tant; ADMINISTRATIVE: Tammy Mitchell
Genovese, director of administrative
But you can only wear a black leather jacket for so long. It was gettting
services; Dennie Simpson, information
warm. 'Nothin' But You' is such an upbeat song that I wanted to do
systems manager; Chris Felder, marketing
something fun. People tell me all the time that it seems more like the
assistant; Lara Riser, receptionist; Scott
real me. It makes me look more human."
Barrett, mail clerk; MEMBERSHIP: Janet
Bozeman, director; Chuck Dillehay,
Her latest lp, HEART ON A CHAIN, was produced by James Stroud.
membership assistant; Bill Petty, member-
"Working with James was great because not only is he a great
ship assistant; PUBLIC INFORMATION:
producer, but he's also a great musician. He thinks like one of us.
Teresa George, director; Janet Williams,
public information assistant; Mandy
When we got in the studio he let my band play on the record. He
Wilson, public information assistant;
accepts everyone's input. It's more like a group effort rather than a
SPECIAL PROJECTS: Helen Farmer,
producer telling you what to do."
director of programs and special projects;
Bobette Dudley, senior program assistant;
How does she feel about being a female in the music business? "I
Angie Acker, program assistant;
disagree with the notion that women are out. The day of the cowboy
EUROPEAN OFFICE, LONDON: Martin
Satterthwaite, European operations
hat is in, but I think people are ready for a change. At one point, I was
director; Laura Buckley, European opera-
thinking maybe I could get a cowboy hat and a belt buckle and that
tions assistant.
would work. Or maybe I should have a sex change and become Rob
Statements of fact and opinion are made on
Lee. No, seriously, it's time for a female to get in there and really kick."
the responsibility of the contributors alone,
and do not imply an opinion on the part
Robin has recently signed with a publishing company and is currently
of the officers, directors or members of
concentrating on her songwriting. "If you focus on recording and
CMA. Copyright 1991 by the Country
being an artist, you tend to lose the realness of the music. Every song I
Music Association, Inc. Materials may not
write may not be the biggest hit, but it keeps me in touch with what
be reproduced without written permission.
I'm doing. I think it would mean more to me to have someone else cut
CLOSE-UP MAGAZINE (ISSN 0896-372X)
one of my songs because that's an area of my talent that nobody's ever
is the official monthly publication of the
really seen."
Country Music Association, Inc., One
Music Circle South, Nashville, TN
What does Robin see for her future? "This is going to go on forever. I'm
37203-4383. (615) 244-2840, Available to
going to be a recording artist. I'm going to work the clubs and the road.
CMA members only. CLOSE-UP's
It's always going to be a battle with the charts. Sometimes I'm guilty of
subscription price of $12.00 per year is
thinking I'm not good enough to try things or that people wouldn't
included in membership dues. Second
Class postage paid at Nashville, Tennessee.
want to write with me. But all you can do is ask. Once you do it, you're
POSTMASTER: Send address changes to
either going to look great or stupid. People are going to talk no matter
CMA CLOSE-UP, One Music Circle South,
what you do."
Nashville, TN 37203.
4
CMA CLOSE UP September 1991
Nominees Announced For
SRO '91 Awards
N
ominees for the SRO '91 Awards, honoring out-
standing professional achievement within the
Country Music touring industry, have been
announced by CMA. The SRO Awards, which were estab-
lished last year, will be awarded October 5 during a gala
Roger Miller
banquet and show hosted by Roger Miller in Nashville. The
event is part of CMA's entertainment expo, SRO '91, which
William Morris Agency; Rick Shipp, Triad Artists, Inc.; Dan
takes place October 3-5 at the Stouffer Hotel and adjoining
Wojcik, Entertainment Artists.
Nashville Convention Center.
Lon Varnell Award (presented to talent buyer/promoter of the
SRO nominees were selected by a distinguished panel of
year): Don Gattis, Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo; Joe
CMA member artists, musicians, talent buyers, promoters,
Gehl, The Gehl Group; Jim McCormick, Music Fair
managers and booking agents. All CMA members in those
Productions; George Moffett, Variety Attractions; Steve
membership categories received the final ballot.
Moore, Starwood Amphitheatre.
Two SRO awards have been be renamed in honor of
Other events on the SRO schedule include four talent
individuals who made significant contributions in their
showcases featuring 21 of Country Music's most exciting
respective fields. The award for Road Manager of the Year is
entertainers and SRO Expo '91, a full-service marketplace
now the Jim Hammon Award, in honor of Reba McEntire's
featuring talent agents, artists/touring attractions, record
road manager who died in a plane crash earlier this year.
companies, sound/lighting/stage companies, catering
The Lon Varnell Award, which is presented to the talent
companies, musical equipment companies, venues/clubs,
buyer/promoter of the year, acknowledges the achieve-
bus companies, travel agencies, ticketing companies and
ments of one of the nation's top promoters for over 40 years.
hotel chains.
Varnell died in February at the age of 77.
One highlight of this year's event promises to be Ken
The SRO '91 awards nominees for each category are:
Kragen's keynote address to participants. Kragen, manager
New Touring Artist of the Year: Mark Chesnutt, Vince Gill,
of Kenny Rogers and Travis Tritt, returns to SRO by popular
Alan Jackson, Doug Stone, Travis Tritt.
demand. One of the country's most sought-after speakers,
Touring Artist of the Year: Alabama, Garth Brooks, The
he will share the insights he's gleaned in over 30 years in
Highwaymen, The Judds, George Strait.
the entertainment industry.
Support Services Company of the Year: Bandit Lites, Nash-
For the first time, CMA will present a conference
ville; Florida Coach, Kissimee, FL; Tom Kat's Catering,
focusing on the growing international marketplace. In
Nashville; Show Co., Dallas; Studio Instrument Rentals,
addition, SRO attendees will participate in seminar
Inc., New York.
sessions and roundtable discussions presented by the
Festival/Special Event of the Year: Big Valley Jamboree,
International Entertainment Buyers Association and the
Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada; Cheyenne Frontier Days,
Nashville Association of Talent Directors. NATD's seminar
Cheyenne, WY; Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo,
will include an audio/visual presentation of the most
Houston; Jamboree In The Hills, Wheeling, WV; Volunteer
honorable representations of the total image of Country
Jam, Nashville.
Music and a panel discussion of how to overcome the
Club/Theatre of the Year: Cowboys, Dallas; Crazy Horse
lingering stereotypes of Country Music.
Steak House, Santa Ana, CA; Grizzly Rose, Denver;
Friday evening's reception will be sponsored by Arista
Harrah's, Reno, NV; Toolies Country, Phoenix, AZ.
Records, Atlantic Records, BNA Entertainment, Capitol
Venue of the Year: Busch Gardens, Williamsburg, VA;
Nashville, Curb Records, MCA Records, PolyGram
DuQuoin State Fair, DuQuoin, IL; Grand Ole Opry, Nash-
Records, RCA Records, Sony Music, Step One Records and
ville; Starwood Amphitheatre, Nashville; Westbury Music
Warner Bros. Records. Other sponsors of SRO events are
Fair, Westbury, NY.
West Rents, Lebanon, Tennessee; Cowboy's, Dallas, Texas;
Jim Hammon Award (presented to road manager of the year):
The Gehl Group, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida; Pace Facilities
Bo Bres (Lyle Lovett), Rick Crabtree (Ricky Van Shelton),
Group, Houston, Texas; and Redman Country Concerts,
David Hill (Sawyer Brown), Jim Hammon (Reba McEntire)
Richmond, Virginia.
(posthumously), Al Schiltz (K.T. Oslin).
In addition, Audio Visions, Omaha, Nebraska; Bandit
Artist Manager of the Year: Bob Doyle/Pam Lewis,
Lites, Knoxville, Tennessee; AMUSEMENT BUSINESS,
Doyle/Lewis Management; Stan Moress, Moress Nanas
Nashville; POLLSTAR, Fresno, California; and PERFOR-
Golden Entertainment; Dale Morris, Dale Morris &
MANCE, Ft. Worth, Texas are providing services to ensure
Associates; Ken Stilts, Ken Stilts & Co.; Bob Titley, Bob
that this year's SRO will bring the best of the touring
Titley Management.
industry to attendees.
Talent Agent of the Year: Tony Conway, Buddy Lee Attrac-
Registration information may be obtained by contacting
tions; Joe Harris, Buddy Lee Attractions; Sol Saffian,
CMA's Special Projects Department at (615) 244-2840.
CU
CMA CLOSE UP September 1991
5
Gill, Jackson
Top CMA
ward Nominees
Vince Gill
C
ountry sensations Vince Gill and Alan Jackson tied
with six nominations each when finalists were
announced for the 25th Annual CMA Awards.
Platinum-selling Garth Brooks garnered five nominations.
All three singer/songwriters were first-time nominees last
year.
Clint Black and Warner Bros. artist Carlene Carter
announced the nominees in 12 categories from the Grand
Ole Opry House in Nashville on August 15. Black captured
three nominations.
Gill, who won Single of the Year last year for "When I
Call Your Name", is up for 1991 Entertainer of the Year, Male
Vocalist, Single and Album of the Year for "Pocket Full Of
Gold", Vocal Event (as part of the New Nashville Cats) and
Song of the Year for "When I Call Your Name" with
cowriter Tim DuBois.
Jackson, who received four nominations last year, is up
for Male Vocalist. In addition, his "Don't Rock The Jukebox"
is nominated for Single, Song (with Roger Murrah and
Keith Stegall), Album and Music Video. His songwriting
earned another Song of the Year nomination for "Here In
The Real World" with cowriter Mark Irwin.
Last year's Horizon Award winner Garth Brooks is up for
Entertainer of the Year, Male Vocalist, Single ("Friends In
Low Places"), Album (NO FENCES) and Music Video
("The Thunder Rolls").
Reba McEntire, who will host this year's show, garnered
four nominations: Entertainer, Album (RUMOR HAS IT),
Female Vocalist and Music Video for "Fancy".
Black was nominated for Male Vocalist, which he won
last year, Entertainer and Album for PUT YOURSELF IN
MY SHOES.
Others receiving multiple nominations were Pam Tillis
for Horizon and Single ("Don't Tell Me What To Do"); Travis
Alan Jackson
Tritt for Horizon and Single for "Here's A Quarter (Call
Someone Who Cares)"; George Strait for Male Vocalist and
6
CMA CLOSE UP September 1991
Entertainer; Chet Atkins for Musician of the Year and Vocal
ALBUM OF THE YEAR:
Event with Mark Knopfler, leader of the British rock band
DON'T ROCK THE JUKEBOX
Alan Jackson
Arista
Dire Straits; Mark O'Connor for Musician and Vocal Event
NO FENCES
Garth Brooks
Capitol
with the New Nashville Cats; and The Judds for Vocal Duo
POCKET FULL OF GOLD
Vince Gill
MCA
and Music Video ("Love Can Build A Bridge").
PUT YOURSELF IN MY SHOES
Clint Black
RCA
Music video directors Jack Cole and Bud Schaetzle
RUMOR HAS IT
Reba McEntire
MCA
garnered two nominations each: Cole for McEntire's
"Fancy" and K.T. Oslin's "Come Next Monday"; Schaetzle
SONG OF THE YEAR: (Awarded to songwriter)
for The Judds' "Love Can Build A Bridge" and Brooks' "The
"Don't Rock The Jukebox"
Alan Jackson/Roger Murrah/Keith Stegall
"Friends In Low Places"
Thunder Rolls".
Earl Bud Lee/Dewayne Blackwell
"Here In The Real World"
Alan Jackson/Mark Irwin
Artists receiving nominations for the first time include
"The Dance"
Tillis, Knopfler, Mark Chesnutt, Doug Stone, Mary-Chapin
Tony Arata
"When I Call Your Name"
Tim DuBois/Vince Gill
Carpenter and Diamond Rio. Winners will be announced
on the 25th Annual CMA Awards which will air live
FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR:
Wednesday, October 2 on CBS Television at 8 p.m. (CDT).
Patty Loveless
Reba McEntire
Tanya Tucker
The complete list of finalists in each category includes:
Kathy Mattea
Lorrie Morgan
ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR:
MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR:
Clint Black
Vince Gill
George Strait
Clint Black
Vince Gill
George Strait
Garth Brooks
Reba McEntire
Garth Brooks
Alan Jackson
SINGLE OF THE YEAR:
VOCAL GROUP OF THE YEAR:
"Don't Rock The Jukebox"
Alan Jackson
Arista
Alabama
Kentucky HeadHunters
Shenandoah
"Don't Tell Me What To Do"
Pam Tillis
Arista
Diamond Rio
Restless Heart
"Friends In Low Places"
Garth Brooks
Capitol
VOCAL DUO OF THE YEAR:
"Here's A Quarter (Call
Baillie & The Boys
Foster & Lloyd
Sweethearts
Someone Who Cares)"
Travis Tritt
Warner Bros.
The Bellamy Brothers
The Judds
of the Rodeo
"Pocket Full Of Gold"
Vince Gill
MCA
VOCAL EVENT OF THE YEAR:
Chet Atkins & Mark Knopfler
The Highwaymen (Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, Kris
Kristofferson)
Mark O'Connor & The New Nashville Cats (featuring Steve Wariner,
Ricky Skaggs & Vince Gill)
Dolly Parton with Ricky Van Shelton
Randy Travis with George Jones
MUSICIAN OF THE YEAR:
Chet Atkins
Paul Franklin
Matt Rollings
Barry Beckett
Mark O'Connor
MUSIC VIDEO OF
THE YEAR:
Director
"Come Next Monday"
K.T. Oslin
Jack Cole
"Don't Rock The Jukebox"
Alan Jackson
Julian Temple
"Fancy"
Reba McEntire
Jack Cole
"Love Can Build A Bridge"
The Judds
Bud Schaetzle
"The Thunder Rolls"
Garth Brooks
Bud Schaetzle
HORIZON AWARD:
Mary-Chapin Carpenter
Doug Stone
Travis Tritt
Mark Chesnutt
Pam Tillis
The two-hour special will originate from the Grand Ole
Opry House in Nashville. The CMA Awards was the first
music awards show to be carried on network television and
has consistently scored high in the ratings.
Irving Waugh serves as executive producer for the CMA
Awards.
Bob Precht of Sullivan Productions will produce the
show again this year. Walter Miller of Los Angeles will
direct. For the ninth year, a stereo radio simulcast of the
show will be satellite-delivered by the Mutual Broadcasting
System. CTV will also televise the show live in Canada.
Cu
Garth Brooks
CMA CLOSE UP September 1991
7
CMA Announces
Nominees For
MARY-CHAPIN CARPENTER
Her biting performance of the satirical "Opening Act" on
the 1990 "CMA Awards Show" brought Mary-Chapin
Carpenter national acclaim and recognition as a young
woman with much to say. She's found chart success with
self-penned tunes like "How Do", "You Never Had It So
Good", "Quittin' Time" and "Down At The Twist & Shout",
and her three Columbia Records lps evidence a diverse
musical artistry that blends blues, rock and folk with
Country Music. Long a favorite in the Washington, D.C.
area, Carpenter has expanded her audience throughout the
United States and Europe.
MARK CHESNUTT
Talking firsthand with George Jones about the trials and
F
inalists for the 1991 Horizon Award have been named
tribulations of Country stardom is something Mark Ches-
by the Country Music Association. The five
nutt never imagined he would do. But his debut lp on
nominees are: Mary-Chapin Carpenter, Mark
MCA Records, TOO COLD AT HOME, has helped a lot of
Chesnutt, Doug Stone, Pam Tillis and Travis Tritt.
dreams come true for the Beaumont, Texas singer. Songs
The Horizon Award is given to the individual or group
like "Blame It On Texas", "Too Cold At Home", "Brother
who has demonstrated the most significant creative growth
Jukebox" and his current single, "Your Love Is A Miracle"
and development in overall chart and sales activity, live
have established him as one of Country Music's most
performance professionalism and critical media recognition.
talented new voices. Since the album's release, Mark has
All five Horizon nominees have made a notable impact
been busily touring the country, opening for such acts as
on Country Music during the past year.
George Strait, Reba McEntire and Merle Haggard.
8
CMA CLOSE UP September 1991
DOUG STONE
The "Stone Age" has definitely dawned on Country
Music with the arrival of Doug Stone. His first Epic single,
"I'd Be Better Off (In A Pine Box)", resulted in a Grammy
nomination and launched a string of top five hits including
"These Lips Don't Know How To Say Goodbye", "Fourteen
Minutes Old", and "In A Different Light". The latter became
the first number single for the Georgia native. His current
single is the title cut from his second album, ITHOUGHT
IT WAS YOU.
TRAVIS TRITT
With a gold debut album and hit singles like "Country
Club", "Help Me Hold On", "Drift Off To Dream", "Put
Some Drive In Your Country" and "I'm Gonna Be Some-
body" to his credit, Travis Tritt is firmly entrenched in the
consciousness of contemporary Country Music. The
Georgia native has dedicated himself to his ever-
burgeoning career with an intensity and desire that has
paid off handsomely with sold-out concerts, an appearance
on "The Tonight Show" and national media coverage. The
recent release of his second Warner Bros. lp, IT'S ALL
PAM TILLIS
ABOUT TO CHANGE, and the single "Here's A Quarter
The daughter of CMA's 1976 Entertainer Of The Year, Mel
(Call Someone Who Cares)" have put him in a perfect posi-
Tillis, Pam Tillis is finally following in her father's footsteps.
tion to bring more fans to the music he loves.
Cu
Following several years of musical experimentation, Tillis
realized her true calling was Country Music. Signed to
Arista Records, her first single, "Don't Tell Me What To Do",
drew an immediate response from Country fans, industry
executives and radio programmers and became Tillis' first
number one record. She followed that with a top five hit,
"One Of Those Things". Tillis' current single, the title track
from her PUT YOURSELF IN MY PLACE lp, has just been
released and promises to keep her in the Country spotlight.
CMA CLOSE UP September 1991
9
INER OTES
Kirk "Jelly Roll" Johnson
M
usician Kirk "Jelly Roll"
While many artists are in tune with
Although he still plays backup in
Johnson prefers to let his
their audiences, Jelly Roll seems to
clubs around Nashville, his most well-
harmonica do the talking.
drift into his music so deeply that he
known work has come in the studio
Ask him to sit down and talk about
almost forgets people are watching
on tunes like "Turn It Loose" and "I
himself, and he's reticent. Ask him to
him. But audiences can't help noticing
Know Where I'm Going" by the
play you a song on the harmonica,
the music he plays.
Judds, "No Place Like Home" by
and he can explore emotions too deep
With a $10 harmonica, Jelly Roll can
Randy Travis, "I'd Be Better Off In A
and complex for words.
transport a listener to the bluesy back
Pine Box" by Doug Stone and cuts by
"I think of the harmonica as the
instrument closest to the human
voice," he reflects.
The harmonica kind of picked me. "
Jelly Roll, a lanky sort not at all like
his name, has the deftness of a cat.
His movements are fluid and slow.
alleys of Beale Street or the jazz-filled
Mark Collie, Kenny Rogers and Reba
When he was accompanying an artist
sidewalks of Decatur and Bourbon in
McEntire to name a few.
at a club recently, he stayed off to one
the French Quarter.
Jelly Roll is the master of economy.
side in a smokey, dim corner, slightly
"The harmonica brings a lot of
"The tendency for most harmonica
behind a plant. Dressed in dark colors
emotion to a song. It can be sad or
players is to play from the downbeat
that contrast with his pale skin, he
mournful, happy. That's what I try to
out," says singer/songwriter Pat Alger
plays with his eyes closed, rarely
do, listen to what the song is saying
("The Thunder Rolls" and "Unan-
catching a spotlight's harsh glare.
and respond to that."
swered Prayers"). "And Jelly Roll is
10
CMA CLOSE UP September 1991
always finding the right spot for the
proposition in Nashville, a town filled
relate to the instrument, because
harmonica and then laying out for the
with several thousand musicians. But
everybody has fooled around with
rest of the song. He just plays in these
before he quit singing, he was tagged
one. It's not like the trumpet or flute
tasty little spots."
with his nickname.
or violin. You can't get any kind of
Jelly Roll walks into a studio
"First of all, there's kind of a tradi-
sound if you picked one up. You really
carrying a small, light case weighing a
tion for harmonica players to have a
have to work to get a note. Anybody
few pounds while other musicians
nickname. And there's this blues song
can pick up a harmonica. All you've
got to do is breathe in and out, and
you've got some notes."
11/ think of the harmonica as the instrument
And what about those B-Westerns
closest to the human voice. "
where the cowboy is sitting around a
campfire, playing the harmonica?
"I can usually tell if he can really
hire cartage companies to haul truck-
called Jelly Roll Baker' I used to sing
play or not," he says picking up his
loads of equipment worth thousands
and my friends decided that
harmonica and playing "Home On
of dollars from session to session.
would be a good name for me."
The Range".
Jelly Roll has over 100 harmonicas
Jelly Roll first got his start in
"He's the only harmonica player I've
including, the most expensive, a $300
Country Music performing on the
every met," Alger says, "who can
bass harmonica. He can go through
road for Con Hunley. That led to
cover so much ground from stone
regular harmonicas as quickly as one
Country harmonica to the blues of
a month. "The reeds wear out," he
Paul Butterfield, the white harmonica
says.
player of the 60s and 70s. And," Alger
With an instrument that's palm-
laughs, "he's the only harmonica
size, he can shove one in his pocket or
player I've ever met who wasn't
carry several in the glove compart-
stoned and drunk all the time."
ment of his car. Even technological
Alger first introduced Jelly Roll to
advances haven't hurt the tried and
MCA recording artist Trisha Year-
true harmonica. The quirky noises
wood ("She's In Love With The Boy")
that come out of fancy electronic
almost two years ago when both
gadgets and synthesizers still haven't
began backing Alger at small Nash-
quite duplicated the harmonica.
ville clubs. Recently, Trisha featured
He says of Nashville, "It's still real
Jelly Roll on a cut off her new album.
people playing real instruments."
"On Whisper Of Your Heart', we
Yet playing harmonica has some
had finished the song, and it just felt
drawbacks. For every song, a
like it was missing something but we
producer is naturally going to call a
really didn't know what," Trisha
drummer and several guitarists, but
recalls. "I think it kinda hit (producer)
may not think to use a harmonica
Garth Fundis and I about the same
player. But long-shot odds don't
second - Jelly Roll.
daunt him.
"We knew if we put him on there,
When Jelly Roll was 19, he wanted
his playing wouldn't stick out or be
to join a rock band but had one
pretentious but if it wasn't there,
problem. His only musical training
you'd miss it. It's a real subtle thing, a
had been on the clarinet in school.
real tasteful thing."
Little use for that in a rock band. His
"You would never guess what he
dad had played what Jelly Roll calls
does for a living if you didn't know it.
"campfire" harmonica and urged his
son to learn.
"I still remember. It's very vivid, and
" He just plays in these tasty little spots. "
I don't know why. The harmonica
- Singer/songwriter Pat Alger
kind of picked me. After I was playing
for a week or two, I just got this
feeling that this was the instrument
playing on one of Con's album which
He looks like an insurance salesman."
for me. I could really express myself
was being produced by Kyle Lehning.
Jelly Roll isn't in the insurance busi-
on it."
"It was a good thing for me 'cause a
ness but he sure knows how to sell a
Playing harmonica in a rock band
little while after that Kyle started
song with the harmonica.
Cu
may not have been the best choice of
producing a new guy named Randy
instruments so he also filled in with
Travis, and he used me on those
- Teresa George
the sax and clarinet as well.
sessions too."
After a few years, Jelly Roll gave up
Almost everybody has tried the
the sax, clarinet and singing to "live
harmonica at one time or another.
and die by the harmonica", a risky
"I think that's why people can really
CMA CLOSE UP September 1991
11
cTa
BROADCAST
PERSONALITY Finalists Named
T
he 1991 Broadcast Personality of the Year finalists have
been announced by the Country Music Association.
All interested full-time Country air personalities in
the U.S. and Canada were eligible to enter.
Judging is conducted in two rounds by an anonymous
panel of leaders in the broadcast industry. The first round
determined this year's finalists. The second round will
decide the winners in each market category. Winners will
be recognized on the "CMA Awards Show" to be telecast
live Wednesday, October 2 on the CBS television network.
Following are the finalists within each market category:
LARGE MARKET: (more than 1,000,000 metro)
WBAP
K102
The
FM
Country
RADIO B20
CHARLIE BUSH & JOHN HINES
HAL JAY & DICK SIEGEL
KEEY, St. Paul, Minnesota
WBAP, Fort Worth, Texas
LUCY GRANT & DAVE PERKINS
WGAR, Cleveland, Ohio
CLEVELAND'S COUNTRY
WGAR
108F
FM 99.5
COUNTRY
ICI
B-105.com
GREAT COUNTRY!
WUBE
STU EVANS
BILL WHYTE
KMLE, Phoenix, Arizona
WUBE, Cincinnati, Ohio
12
CMA CLOSE UP September 1991
MEDIUM MARKET: (250,000 to 1,000,000 metro)
wUSY
KDB7
KAYD-FM
101
BIG JON ANTHONY &
GARY LEE LOVE
CAPTAIN BOBBY BYRD
KAYD, Beaumont, Texas
WUSY, Chattanooga, Tennessee
CHUCK "HOSS" BURNS
WSIX, Nashville, Tennessee
98WSIXFM
COUNTRY
K98
WIQR
KVET AM/FM
REAL COUNTRY
ERNIE BROWN
DALE MITCHELL & AUNT ELOISE
KVET, Austin, Texas
WTQR, Winston-Salem, North Carolina
SMALL MARKET: (under 250,000 metro)
K99
DANA CAROLE &
MIKE LAWRENCE
KGEE
RICK MIZE & GWEN WILSON
KGEE, Odessa, Texas
WKNN, Biloxi, Mississippi
GEORGE HOUSE & JOHN MURPHY
WAXX, Eau Claire, Wisconsin
25yrs
Q
106.5
Brevard's Country.
FM STEREO of 104
WHKR 102.7 FM
TODAY'S COUNTRY
Country
The Hitkicker
1966-1991
BOB DUCHESNE
BARRY SMITH
WQCB, Brewer, Maine
WHKR, Rockledge, Florida
CMA CLOSE UP September 1991
13
WRITE THE ONGS
stayed friends with Jim and with Tommy's wife, Pat, who
broke up with him. She had a friend, Tim Houser, who
was in a band called Snake Oil. They were playing some-
where on Long Island, and I went out to see them.
"After the show we went back to their hotel and started
Gene Pistilli
jammin' and singing some old tunes, and the fellow who
You want to paint pictures, go to Paris.
You want to write songs, go to Nashville.
booked them said, 'If you guys teamed up I could get you
some work, SO the Manhattan Transfer with Gene Pistilli
was born. We had a great time. It was like Mickey Rooney
and Judy Garland, 'Hey! My uncle's got a barn. We could
put on a show!'. It wasn't as slick as it is now. We cut half the
JUKIN' album in New York and half in Nashville. But the
album didn't go anywhere, work kind of dribbled up. left
the band."
There's more to Gene's leaving the group than that. "We
were opening for Lily Tomlin in Boston. Timmy wasn't at
the rehearsal, so Lily walked in - she loved us. She said,
'You mind letting me review all your introductions to make
sure none of your material conflicts with mine?. Standard
wenty or thirty years ago, it was fairly easy to identify
practice.
a Country songwriter. He was the hard-livin' guy
"In this one song, Timmy did a piece about a kid in the
driving a beat-up step-side pickup who hung out at
50s with the sponge rubber dice on his rearview mirror and
Tootsie's with a bunch of other hard-livin' guys who drove
a pack of Marlboros rolled up in his sleeve. Well, she used
beat-up step-side pickups. Today's new breed of Country
that - the Marlboros rolled up in the sleeve - as the corner-
tunesmith isn't so easily identifiable. In fact, if you take a
piece of one of her bits. She said, 'Everything's fine, just
look at Gene Pistilli's resume, the last thing you'd expect
don't use that cigarette thing. It's critical to one of my
him to be is a Country songwriter.
pieces.' No problem. Timmy's not at the rehearsal, so just
"I started out in a rock 'n' roll band called Chips &
before we went on, I told him not to use the Marlboro
Company with a fellow named Desmond Slattery - Dirty
thing. Fine. We go on, get a standing ovation, and go into
Des, a real character. He was a publicist for us on this cock-
our encore number.
amamie tour that turned out to be a scam. The promoter
"Timmy gets up there and introduces it just like I never
hadn't booked any hotels or any dates, he just got a couple
said anything. Lily's manager comes storming across the
hundred thousand dollars from this teen council and was
stage, looks at me and says, 'Lily's not going on tonight. You
going to put it in his pocket. So we find this out
Des
can tell the audience why' I walked back in the dressing
was a real trouper. He said, 'You can either go home or we
room and tried to strangle him. I really did. I left the group
can have a fun summer. Let me see what I can scare up. We
after that. I didn't want anybody to have to make a choice. I
were game. He booked a bunch of gigs for us that were
quit just in time. Just before they made it big.
very successful. We got a record deal on ABC Paramount.
"I got married and moved to California. A new life. You're
They put out a couple of records on us but we didn't go
in Hollywood so you try to be an actor. But unless you're
anywhere, and they dropped the band.
working real parts - you arrive at 6 in the morning and sit
"Terry Cashman, who wrote Talking Baseball Blues',
and wait. Sometimes they'll put your makeup and costume
said, 'I really like your stuff. If there's ever a chance, I'd like
on that early, then you'll wait until 4:30 for them to tell you,
to work with you.' I had just decided that the music wasn't
'We're not gonna get around to you today. It was a real
paying off, and it was time to go to school at night and put
disillusionment. I realized I was chasing two rabbits. Film-
up industrial fencing in the day. Then I got a call from Terry,
work was not for me.
who says, 'My boss is retiring, and I'm the boss now. How
"Bette Midler was an old friend from Manhattan Transfer
about a job as a songwriter?'. My dad didn't understand
days. David Yaeger, who used to manage us, called and
why I couldn't do that at night. I always felt bad about that -
said, 'Bette's making a movie. Maybe you could write a
it kind of broke his heart. So I started writing songs for
song for it.' So I wrote a song called 'Give My Soul To Rock
ABC Paramount. I wrote a song called 'Sunday Will Never
'N' Roll' for The Rose, which they used, although she
Be The Same' - Spanky & Our Gang, bing bing boom, big
changed to title to 'Sold My Soul To Rock 'N' Roll'. As my
hit, and I go partners with Terry Cashman and Tommy
brother the attorney says, 'What's the big deal? From a
West.
legacy to a betrayal with one word. You're in the movie,
"Terry was the publisher, Tommy was the promotion
aren't you?. And it was."
man. Tommy had a friend, a young fellow from Pennsyl-
Gene's list of acquaintances from his Hollywood days
vania, kind of a folksinger - Jim Croce. We produced Jim,
isn't limited to Bette Midler. Jane Jenkins, a friend from
but I wasn't very happy with the situation. So I left, but I
Brooklyn, is one of Hollywood's most sought-after casting
14
CMA CLOSE UP September 1991
agents. She provided Gene with plenty of "day roles" to
songwriter - to go to Nashville, it's like bringing bread to a
help make ends meet. And then there's his friend Gene
bakery.' But he was right."
Kirkwood.
All Gene had to show for his efforts after two years in
"When I first met him, he was this hustler, always had
Nashville were some new friends. "I had this song, 'Too
some gambit going. He had an office on the MGM lot, and
Gone Too Long. I played it for Don Gant - he was Mr.
they didn't know it. He got to know the guard and had a
Nashville Music to me. He takes it out of the cassette deck
phone, stationery with his name on it. When they found
like he wishes he had rubber gloves on. 'Oh, it's a little
out that he had done this, they were so impressed with his
swing thing, and I don't know what I could do with it.
nerve that they offered him a job, but he turned them
Then I go to my ex-partner Tommy West. He was too busy
down. He had gotten a better offer somewhere else.
to see me. I went to see Chet Atkins. He'd produced a
"Sylvester Stallone had been all over town, and I think
couple records of my songs in the late 60s, early 70s. He
he'd gotten to the point where somebody was offering him
wasn't home, so I left the tape for him.
$300,000 and a percentage to let Burt Reynolds or Ryan
"Went to see Margie Hunt over at CBS who says, 'You
O'Neal or somebody like that play Rocky. And he said, 'No,
ought to get this song to Randy Travis'. To me that was like
I'm Rocky. Gene Kirkwood brings him to Chartoff and
Winkler, who he was working for, and says, This guy's
Rocky. They went for it. This guy goes from having his car
Bette Midler was an old friend
repossessed to executive producer of Rocky'. He had some-
from Manhattan Transfer days.
thing like four points of the gross or the net, whatever the
lowest is - but it was enough. It was millions.
saying, 'You ought to get this song to Frank Sinatra'. It was
"So he invites us to his house on Stone Canyon Boule-
very sweet of Margie but nobody at CBS was going to cut it.
vard. His neighbors are Blake Edwards and all these big
It was the Tuesday before Thanksgiving, and I had one
time Hollywood people. As we drive up the hill I can see
more appointment - with David Conrad at Almo Irving,
this schmut cloud covering Los Angeles - this beautiful
who had been very supportive. He always had a minute to
view except there's this greenish, yellowish haze. Stallone
listen to my new stuff. I almost went home, I was so down.
calls while we're there, the latest psychic was there, Robert
But I said, This guy's very busy, and he's making time for
Powell - who played Jesus of Nazareth, this lovely French
you'. As David tells the story, I blocked his car in the
woman - her husband was an old-time comic, he was
driveway so he couldn't get out. He might be right.
Mickey Rooney's partner - she was a delight, an old Folies
"I played the song and he said, 'Let me hear that again.' I
Bergere girl, a gangster's girlfriend, she was a lot of fun.
knew when he said that
here's a guy who listens to
1,500 songs a day. When he says, 'Let me hear that song
Then I get the call every songwriter
again', you've got something. He says, I'm going to play a
should get once in their life.
song of mine for Martha Sharp for Randy Travis. You mind
if I bring this with me?. 'No'. He calls me that night, Martha
loves it. She's gonna play it for Randy over the holiday
"We have dinner, then we get back in our car - I had this
weekend.' I'm high as a kite on that. Then I get the call
old Ford convertible that I just loved - it was like 'Love That
every songwriter should get once in their life. Monday he
Bob. We're driving down the hill away from this house, and
calls me and says, 'He liked it so much they called a special
I said to my wife, 'If we were to stay here and be successful
session over the weekend, cut it with two other songs, - it's
beyond our wildest dreams, this is it. This is it. We're outta
the one.' And that was that - my day on the carousel. You
here."
couldn't have written it in a movie to happen any better
For Gene, the Los Angeles "mystique" had disappeared.
than it did."
"Maybe years ago when Clark Gable could ride his horse
Conrad remained a good friend - and supporter. "About
from his ranch in San Fernando Valley to his beach house in
three years ago, Troy Seals and I wrote a swing song called
Malibu - maybe it was real special then. It's just like any
That's How The West Was Swung. David said, 'You know
other city now, except worse. Jack Kerouac called it a blather
who should record this song? Roy Rogers'. So two and a
of asphalt and delay, and that was in the early 50s. It's not
half years later, I find out that David has pitched it, and Roy
my cup of tea."
Rogers cuts it with the Kentucky HeadHunters. I see David
Gene started a new group, The Jazz Millionaires, upon
on a Friday afternoon - I'd heard about it that morning - he
his return to New York, but that city had also lost its appeal.
walks by and looks at me and says, 'Told ya".
"Teddy Erwin, a brilliant guitarist and songwriter - he just
With his background in jazz, pop and rock 'n' roll, Gene's
won an Emmy for music on 'The Guiding Light' - he kept
brand of Country Music is full of diversity. "I write pop and
saying to me, 'You ought to go to Nashville'. I kept saying, 'I
some different things, but I don't enjoy any of them as
don't write Country Music. One day he said that, and I said
much as Country. Country Music as it is now offers a wider
that, and he got very angry with me, the first time I ever
scope for a writer. I can write a r&b kind of ballad, a swing
heard him raise his voice. He said, 'I didn't say you wrote
tune or a hard drivin' Ricky Skaggs bluegrass thing. It's a
Country Music. I said you ought to go to Nashville'.
golden age for me."
"This bulb went off in my head - you want to paint
After seven years in Nashville, Gene calls himself a
pictures, go to Paris. You want to write songs, go to Nash-
"godson of the South". He also admits to another epithet. "I
ville. So we packed up the kids, sold the house and came to
have to face it. Country artists record my songs. I am a
Nashville. I'm saying, What am I doing? I'm 40 years old,
Country songwriter."
CU
I'm selling my house, moving my wife and kids to be a
- Janet Williams
CMA CLOSE UP September 1991
15
from
Capitol director while shooting Nashville Jack Cole her singer (left) "Three Films. and Linda director of phography Way gets Beresford some - Rob Photo advice Lindsay by produced Beth (right) Gwinn the
clip for Flashframe
Capitol Nashville singer T. Graham Brown called on director
Jim May for his latest video, "You Can't Take It With You".
Brown's stylized performance is accompanied by a series of
moving still-life portraits which were shot by Mac Bennett and
Gene Smith in Nashville. Mary Matthews and Joan French
produced the clip for Studio Productions.
Marty Stuart tapped long-time friend Jerry Sullivan to make a
cameo appearance in his "Tempted" video. John Lloyd Miller
directed the clip, an action-packed performance piece. Scene
Three's Cynthia Biedermann produced.
Patty Loveless travelled to New Orleans' historic French
Quarter for her new video, "He Hurt Me Bad (In A Real Good
Way)". The clip follows a day in the life of three couples, and
features a guest performance by John Jorgenson of the Desert
Rose Band as Loveless' love interest. Marc Ball produced the
video for Scene Three, and John Lloyd Miller directed.
Steve Wariner joined Mark O'Connor in a rural setting outside
of Nashville for O'Connor's "Now It Belongs To You" video. Also
appearing in the clip is O'Connor's 3-year-old son, Forrest, who
is already following in his father's footsteps by putting bow to
string. The video was directed by Gustavo Garzon for Planet
Pictures.
Ralph Emery (right) makes a special appearance in newcomer Marty
Jerry Landsdowne shot portions of his debut Step One video
Brown's latest MCA video, "High And Dry". Director John Lloyd Miller
"I Give You What You Need" on location in Daysville, KY. The
shot the clip in Nashville. Marc Ball produced for Scene Three.
upbeat clip was produced and directed by Kenny Kiper for
Kenny Kiper Video Productions.
The Statler Brothers used an old lumber mill in Richmond, VA
for their latest Mercury video, "You've Been Like A Mother To
T.G. video, Sheppard "One A.M.". (left) Paul dons Kaltenbach hospital attire produced for the and filming directed of his the latest clip in Curb
Me". Director Richard Jernigan also shot footage in and around
the Dallas/Ft. Worth area to intercut into the clip. Marilyn
Rochester, New York.
Leamann served as executive producer for Leamann
Productions.
Lorrie Morgan recently completed the second video from her
SOMETHING IN RED lp, "A Picture Of Me (Without You)". Jack
Cole directed the clip in Nashville, which was produced by
411
Robin Beresford.
Randy Franks, costar of NBC's "In The Heat Of The Night",
shot his latest video, "Handshakes And Smiles", on location in
Covington and Dahlonega, GA at the 17th Annual Dahlonega
Bluegrass Festival. Special appearances included Jesse McRey-
WILDLIFE
nolds, Travis Lewis and Lewis Phillips of The Lewis Family and
Mark Wheeler of The Marksmen.
16
CMA CLOSE UP September 1991
BEHIND
ENS
()TN
Mark O'Connor (center) and Steve Wariner (left) on location during the
filming of the Warner Bros. video, "Now It Belongs To You". The video
was directed by Gustavo Garzon for Planet Pictures.
- Photo by Caryn Wariner
Milsap takes a trip back to the by 50s Deaton for his Flanigen latest RCA Productions video,
and
Ronnie "Since I Don't by Kimberly Have You". Lansing, Nashville. Directed the clip was shot at the Martin Luther
produced King Magnate School in
- Photo by Don Putnam
CMA CLOSE UP September 1991
17
Vocal Groups:
that's when I sing my best!" And she brings another ear
that wants to make the same kind of music that we do.
New
New
CU: Nikki, did you have any trouble fitting in musically?
NELSON: Right from the very beginning it's been
Singers
Sounds
comfortable for me. I haven't had to do anything that I
wouldn't have wanted to do.
STONE: The four of us all have the same vision of what
we want to do. As it was the last couple of years
B
eing part of a vocal group requires a somewhat
compromise was getting harder and harder to feel good
different attitude than that of a solo artist. A solo
about. Paulette is the best at what she does, but Nikki is the
vocalist doesn't have to worry about sharing the
best at what she does too. We never would have done "The
spotlight or coordinating wardrobe, just two of the many
Restless Kind" or "Til I Get It Right" before because Paulette
concerns group members must take into consideration.
didn't sing like that. We probably wouldn't do "Just Say
What happens, then, when a group member leaves to
Yes" now with Nikki.
pursue a solo career? CLOSE UP talked with three groups
CU: You were recording a new album just a few weeks after
who have experienced personnel changes to find out how
Nikki joined the group. How did that affect your choice of
making a change affected the group.
material?
STONE: Some of the songs that we picked out for the
record, we had picked before we even had a singer. We
didn't want have people come in and sing the old tunes
trying to sound like Paulette. Most of the audition songs
were not old Highway 101 songs. It was a good process for
us as far as seeing what other people could bring to a new
song, and Nikki liked the same songs that we all did.
NELSON: It was good, too, because we were all learning
the songs at the same time. They were working arrange-
HIGHWAY 101
ments, and it was like going in and working together.
STONE: We're a new band and an old band at the same
When lead singer Paulette Carlson left Highway 101 to pursue a
solo career, band members Curtis Stone, Cactus Moser and Jack
time. Nikki is like the glue. Everybody works real well
Daniels auditioned approximately 15 people for the job and had
together - it's a unit. If anyone else was to quit, I think we'd
narrowed it down to four. According to Stone, they knew after two
just find someone to plug in and go on. Maybe. I don't
songs - maybe after one - that Nikki Nelson was their new lead
know if we could go through this whole thing again.
vocalist.
CU: What made Nikki stand out at her audition?
STONE: Her general attitude. The quality of her voice.
She was Country but not hillbilly, and she has the ability to
bring emotion to a lyric and a melody. She has all the best
elements of my two favorite Country singers, Reba McEn-
tire and Wynonna Judd.
NELSON: When I auditioned, I had strep throat and was
taking antibiotics and trying to get well. I feel like I did a
really terrible job. When they called me, I knew they were
EXILE
going to say, "Thanks for auditioning. See ya next time".
They told me I had the job, and I was just in shock. I still
In 1988, two members of Exile elected to leave that group to
have to pinch myself every once in a while.
pursue solo careers within six months. CLOSE UP talked with
STONE: There were probably people who thought we'd
Exile's Sonny Lemaire to discover the ramifications that losing two
get somebody who looked like Paulette and sang like
vocalists had on the group and with Paul Martin, who joined
Paulette, and we'd just go out on the road and do a
Exile during its transitional period.
Highway 101 tribute to her. That was never our intention.
CU: When Les Taylor left the group, was it a difficult process to
Our intention was to do something different.
replace him?
CU: What qualities did Nikki bring to the band?
LEMAIRE: We got the word out, had tapes submitted,
STONE: Besides youth and vitality? She brings an
then set up a place to audition people. A mutual friend had
energy, an enthusiasm. We've been doing this for 4 or 5
told Paul we were looking for somebody, and he submitted
years, and it was starting to feel a little like going to work
a tape. Paul grew up playing and working in a studio that
everyday. It's hard to feel that way when there's somebody
his dad owned, so there were all kinds of music - Country,
saying, "Isn't this great! Two shows! I love the second show,
bluegrass, commercials he'd written, heavy metal, a
The funniest thing to me is that nobody realizes I didn't want to be a lead vocalist.
- Paul Martin, Exile
18
CMA CLOSE UP September 1991
complete variety of styles. We were blown away by the tape
considering that he also played all the parts. We cancelled
the auditions. Right then and there we said, "This is it".
MARTIN: The day they offered me the job, I was caught
off-guard. I thought it was an audition. I walked in, and
there wasn't anybody else around. I went away as an
OAK RIDGE BOYS
employee of the band.
Perhaps no vocal group has endured such a highly publicized
CU: What are Paul's strengths?
change of personnel as the Oak Ridge Boys did in 1986. According
LEMAIRE: Instrumentally he brings a lot of freshness to
to Joe Bonsall, he, Duane Allen and Richard Sterban never consid-
the band. We've never used outside players when we go
ered anyone except Steve Sanders, who played guitar in their
into the studio, and whoever we chose had to fit into those
band, to become a member of the group.
standards. Paul did in an amazing fashion. He plays a
BONSALL: Steve had played in our band for several
variety of musical instruments. Not only guitar, keyboards
years, and we'd all known him before that. He's a great
and drums, but mandolin, banjo and steel. As a result of
singer, very soulful. We had to have a guy who was really a
that, my songwriting stretched out. Now I can write things
top-notch pro, and we got that with Steve. He just moved
that the band can actually play.
his stuff from one bus to the other.
CU: Were you consciously looking for that?
CU: Steve, did you suspect that you would be asked to become a
LEMAIRE: Not really. It seemed like we would know
singing member of the group after being in the band for so long?
what we wanted when we heard it. There were lots of good
SANDERS: I'd been playing guitar with them, and I'm
tapes submitted, but Paul's was head and shoulders above
not really a guitar player! Later, they said they never had
everybody.
anybody else in mind but me. I never knew that - it was a
CU: Paul, what reaction did you get from fans?
total surprise to me.
MARTIN: I was accepted by the die-hard Exile fans right
CU: Joe, you'd all known Steve for a long time. What factor did
off the bat. The thing that made me feel good was that I was
that play in the decision to add him as a vocalist?
the 20th member of this group in the period of time it had
BONSALL: We needed somebody who had the same
been around. Member changes always meant it was time
philosophy as the Oak Ridge Boys - it's a teamwork thing.
And Steve shares that kind of "Hit 'em high, hit 'em low,
and don't be afraid to get your uniform dirty" thinking that
When I auditioned, I had strep throat.
we have. It's the only way to make a group work - you've
- Nikki Nelson, Highway 101
got to pull together.
CU: Because of all the publicity, there were a lot of people
for the band to move in a new direction, to change with the
watching the Oaks to see what would happen.
times.
BONSALL: From the moment Steve joined us as a
LEMAIRE: Musically, he fit in immediately. Then it was
singing member of the group, I figured the only way to
just a question of personalities beginning to mesh. It wasn't
answer any critics, cynics, fans and friends was to just be
anything dramatic or drastic that had to happen, it just
by-God great! If we hit that stage and we were great, they
required us being out on the road together. The real chal-
would realize why we did what we did. And it worked.
lenge was yet to come. It's one thing for a lead singer to
SANDERS: I think it helped because I had been with the
leave a band, but then our second lead singer left.
band for so long, and the band has always been such a part
CU: Was it disheartening when J.P. Pennington elected to leave?
of the Oak Ridge Boys show. It wasn't that drastic of a
LEMAIRE: We were getting ready to renew the deal with
change. I was busier. Suddenly, I had a lot of extra things to
Epic when Les quit. That shook things up - they put the
do that I hadn't had to do when I was playing guitar.
deal on hold. As Paul was working in, they saw how great
CU:You've had some big records since Steve joined the group.
that was working, and we were getting ready to renew the
BONSALL: He's added some things to our group sound-
deal again when J.P. left. It was really a difficult period for
wise that we didn't have before. When we sing as a group,
us.
Steve's voice is a little thicker so it has made us sound
CU: Paul, you're not the "new guy" anymore, now that Mark
bigger. Also his voice is truer, so the pitch has been better.
Jones has become a member of the band.
When he sings on his own, we've got a whole new entry.
MARTIN: Mark came on as an employee, like I did.
We've got a new act right here within the old act.
Now I'm a full partner - you might say I'm part of the debt
CU: Joe, it seems like the change in personnel didn't have any
now. Mark played on the last album, and as of January 1
adverse effect on the Oak Ridge Boys at all.
this year he became a partner too. Now he's part of the
BONSALL: I'm very thankful, and I feel very blessed
debt. Splitting it five ways, it's not as bad.
that the Oak Ridge Boys are out there and doing well -
LEMAIRE: I've learned one thing for sure. I knew this all
especially in this day and age with all the new kids. I'm
along, but I know it for certain now. Nobody is
very proud of the fact that we're making it happen.
irreplaceable.
CU
- Janet Williams
We had to have a guy who was a top-notch pro, and we got that with Steve.
- Joe Bonsall, Oak Ridge Boys
CMA CLOSE UP September 1991
19
NTERNATIONAL
Country Album Chart
The Bellamy Brothers got the royal stamp of approval when
CMA's United Kingdom Country Album Chart appears bi-
they were knighted at Augustusburg Castle in Chemnitz,
weekly in MUSIC WEEK, the U.K.'s major trade magazine. It's
Germany during their recent European tour. The Atlantic
featured on BBC Radio and in numerous consumer publica-
Records duo played to sold-out audiences during 11 shows in
tions in the U.K. and Europe. The charts are compiled by
Germany, Switzerland, Austria and Norway.
Gallup, the organization which also compiles the British pop
Kevin Welch, Texas Tornados, Joe Ely, Brenda Lee, Jim
charts. Released every two weeks on Monday, the chart ranks
Lauderdale, Butch Hancock and Jimmie Dale Gilmore
the top 20 Country releases in combined sales of lps, cassettes
performed at the prestigious Swiss Montreux Jazz Festival in
and compact discs. The charts are compiled using Gallup's
July. Lauderdale, whose debut Reprise lp is slated for a fall
computer-based panel of 880 record outlets.
release, also recently performed at Switzerland's Frutigen
TWO
Festival and at the Bad Ischl Festival in Austria.
THIS
WEEKS
WEEK
AGO
August 10, 1991
RADIO R-35 in Norway, reaching 60,000 listeners, adds to its
Country programming this fall with a top 50 countdown show,
EAGLE WHEN SHE FLIES
"Country Music Countdown". Odd M. Stillerud is Radio R-35's
1
1
Dolly Parton - Columbia
program director.
THE LAST WALTZ
For the second year in a row, Country fans across Canada will
2
3
Daniel O'Donnell - Ritz
select the Bud Country Music Fan Choice Entertainer of the Year,
an award sponsored by Labatt Breweries of Canada. Ballots were
NECK AND NECK
available in over 1,000 record stores during July and August. The
3
2
Chet Atkins/Mark Knopfler - Columbia
winner will be announced during the "Canadian Country Music
ABSOLUTE TORCH AND TWANG
Association Awards Show" on September 15. The nominees for
the fan-voted award are George Fox, Rita MacNeil, Anne
4
5
k. d. lang and the reclines - Warner Music
Murray, Prairie Oyster and Michelle Wright.
SWEET DREAMS
Don Williams journeyed to South America for the first time to
5
4
Patsy Cline - MCA
headline the Second Annual Skol Country Music Festival in Sao
SHADOWLAND
Paolo, Brazil. The RCA singer was joined by Asleep At The
Wheel, Wild Rose, Doug Kershaw, Lee Roy Parnell and The
6
7
k. d. lang - Warner Music
Nashville Bluegrass Band. The August 28-September 1 event
ONE FAIR SUMMER EVENING
took place at the 12,000-seat Palladium. The Skol Country Music
7
6
Nanci Griffith - MCA
Festival was produced by Judy Seale of Refugee Management in
Nashville.
BRAND NEW DANCE
Following appearances in Holland, England, Belgium and
8
15
Emmylou Harris -Warner Music
France, Emmylou Harris headlines the Seventh Ostee-Festival in
NO FENCES
Germany. Harris is also slated to perform at Switzerland's
9
8
Garth Brooks - EMI
Gstaad Festival with Holly Dunn, Exile, Hoyt Axton and Jeff
Turner on September 21.
TRUE LOVE
Texas Tornados completed a successful European tour that
10
9
Don Williams - BMG
included dates in Holland, Switzerland, England, Ireland,
HEROES AND FRIENDS
Norway and Sweden. Guy Clark, Peter Rowan, John Stewart
and Townes Van Zandt toured the U.K. in August. Delbert
11
14
Randy Travis/Various - Warner Music
McClinton and Kinky Friedman each performed in London.
LONE STAR STATE OF MIND
Friedman also hosted a four-hour U.K. television special, "Texas
12
10
Nanci Griffith - MCA
Saturday Night".
RE-
KILLIN' TIME
Norway's Arne Benoni embarks on his fall tour of the U.S. in
October. The singer made several U.S. appearances earlier in the
13
ENTRY
Clint Black - BMG
year with Country legends Grandpa Jones, Jack Greene, Tommy
UNTOLD STORIES
Overstreet, Charlie Louvin and Melba Montgomery. Addition-
14
16
ally, Benoni is joined by Dottie West for a duet on his AS FOR
Kathy Mattea - PolyGram
ME lp.
CHILL OF AN EARLY FALL
15
12
George Strait -MCA
ALWAYS AND FOREVER
16
20
Randy Travis - Warner Music
LITTLE LOVE AFFAIRS
17
13
Nanci Griffith - - MCA
RE-
OLD 8 X 10
18
ENTRY
Randy Travis - Warner Music
PUT YOURSELF IN MY SHOES
19
17
Clint Black BMG
RE-
HERE IN THE REAL WORLD
20
ENTRY
Alan Jackson - BMG
© CIN. Compiled by Gallup for CIN and CMA
Backstage at London's Cambridge Theatre, (l to r) Sandy and Garth
Brooks get acquainted with Kevin Kane and Chris Hooper, members of
the British band Grapes of Wrath.
ARISTA TRIPLE THREAT
Chris LeDoux (center) swaps his spurs for a soundboard as he prepares
for his debut Capitol Nashville album. Co-producers Jimmy Bowen (left)
and Jerry Crutchfield (right) help LeDoux make the transition from
rodeo arena to recording studio.
Co-producers Tim DuBois (left) and Scott Hendricks (right) get ready to
- Photo by Beth Gwinn
hit the trail as they round up Arista's newest "hat" act, Steve "Tex"
Wariner (?).
Side Bar
Reba McEntire has been in the studio with producer Tony
Brown working on the her forthcoming lp. Musicians on the
sessions include Larrie Londin, drums; Leeland Sklar, bass;
Steve Gibson and Michael Thompson on guitar; and John Jarvis
and Matt Rollings on keyboards.
The Castle Recording Studios, Inc. have been busily working
on projects for several Country artists. Recent patrons include
Ricky Skaggs and Baillie and the Boys. Mac McAnally is
producing Skagg's new album and Rob Feaster is engineering.
John Boylan is engineering and producing for Baillie and the
Boys.
DuBois and Hendricks promise nine innings of hits, plenty of four-
baggers and a top-notch ERA (Excellent Records from Arista) from "cap"
act, Steve "Say Hey Babe" Wariner (?).
Producers Allen Reynolds and Richard Bennett are busy
mixing the latest Emmylou Harris album. Harris recorded the
album live at the Ryman Auditorium.
PolyGram artist Ronna Reeves has been cutting tracks at the
Music Mill for her new album. Harold Shedd is producing the
project. Also at the Music Mill, PolyGram artist Billy Ray Cyrus
is mixing his first album for the label. Jim Cotton and Joe Scaife
are producing for Cyrus.
Wynonna Judd was recently in the studio working on her
debut solo album. Musicians on the session were Eddie Bayers,
drums; Stewart Smith, guitar; Willie Weeks, bass; and Matt
Rollings and Steve Nathan on keyboards. Tony Brown is
producing the project.
DuBois and Hendricks convince Steve Wariner to go "topless" for the
release of his debut Arista lp, I AM READY.
CMA CLOSE UP September 1991
21
ALENT POOL
HOPE ON THE HORIZON: "There's a young group of
really dedicated professional people that just do everything
right. Randy Travis is probably the first to emerge in that
generation that we've had an opportunity to treat. We've
had several in succession, three or four in a row that were
Horizon Award winners. They are very clean living
individuals. At least half the battle is won because you
don't have to convince them to stop drinking or stop
smoking."
DOCTOR'S ORDERS: "What we advise is not total
elimination, but rather discretional use. You have to modify
the way the artist behaves in terms of lifestyle, not dramati-
cally altering it to the point where it's not fun to live - just
minor adjustments. Scheduling is very important. There
has got to be some rest time in a seven-day week for those
vocal muscles to get their strength back. We recommend a
typical week as four performance nights followed by three
days rest."
ROBERT OSSOFF, D.M.D., M.D.
ASSET PRESERVATION: Dr. Ossoff's staff at the
Department of Otolaryngology
Vanderbilt University School of Medicine
Vanderbilt University Medical Center will open a Voice
Center this fall, fully dedicated to the care and preservation
of the voice. "We need to focus on the whole support group
STAYING IN TUNE: Musicians have a certain degree of
that associates with the artist to help better educate them. I
security in knowing that if an instrument breaks or gets out
call it 'asset preservation, with the artist's voice being the
of tune, there is a way to repair it. But what does a Country
asset. The message has to get out to that entire group. We
singer do when his or her most important instrument, the
want to teach what the early signs are SO road managers
human voice, "breaks"? Dr. Robert Ossoff specializes in
and artists know what to look for. If you catch it early,
the care of the ears, nose, throat, head and neck, but
sometimes you can be back on stage the next day."
Cu
focuses his attention on the larynx (voice box).
PATIENTS INCLUDE: Larry Gatlin, Kathy Mattea,
Randy Travis, Earl Thomas Conley, Ricky Van Shelton,
Johnny Cash, Minnie Pearl, Pam Tillis, Lorrie Morgan, K.T.
Oslin and Crystal Gayle.
Discount Airfares
TIME PASSES BY: During Fan Fair, Kathy Mattea was
advised not to speak due to voice problems. "She's doing
For
AA
very well. She came in at an inopportune time as far as the
fans were concerned and in terms of her busy touring
CMA Members
AmericanAirlines
schedule, but took time to miss only two performances. It
was unfortunate, but if she waited until now, she probably
would have missed eight or 10."
A
merican Airlines is offering a special Meeting Saver
Fare to CMA members who will be travelling to
YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT: "When people come in to
Nashville from September 27 - October 8. Tickets
see us, we examine what their risk factors are in terms of
must be purchased seven days prior to departure in order
vocal qualities, specifically: are they drinkers, are they
to qualify for the exclusive low fare. The discounted fare is
smokers, do they use caffeine, a lot of dairy products, are
valid for roundtrip travel to Nashville on American Airlines
they choco-holics. The reason I stress the last three is
and American Eagle domestic flights and is available only
because it is a known fact that a lot of caffeine, dairy
through the Meeting Services Desk.
products, and/or chocolate intake makes the mucus very
For more information, call the American Airlines
thick, and the mucus should be thin and watery. It acts as a
Meeting Services Desk at (800) 433-1790 and ask for STAR
lubricant for the vocal cords."
file #S-05Z1FM.
CU
22
CMA CLOSE UP September 1991
CMA Adds New
Creek Country
Membership Benefit
STUDIO
CMA's Ed Benson (left) and Jo Walker-Meador (right) welcome Curb
recording artist Hal Ketchum as he becomes a CMA member.
INSTRUMENT
RENTALS
New CMA Organizational
MA is pleased to announce a new membership bene-
fit in conjunction with Studio Instrument Rentals.
Members
SIR will give CMA members a 10 percent discount for
equipment rentals and studio time at all five SIR locations.
Individual members can present their CMA membership
C
MA would like to recognize its newest Organizational
card to take advantage of this benefit. Organizational
and Patron Members and thank them for their
members can request a letter authorizing the discount from
support and involvement. The Board approved the
CMA's membership department.
following new members at its July meeting:
SIR has locations in Los Angeles, Nashville, New York,
Broadcast Organizational Members
San Francisco and Las Vegas.
KATJ-FM, Victorville, CA
For more information concerning the special SIR
KCLK-AM/FM, Clarkston, WA
discount, contact Janet Bozeman, Chuck Dillehay or Bill
KGLL-FM, Fort Collins, CO
Petty in CMA's Membership Department at
KHOL-AM, Beulah, ND
(615) 244-2840.
CU
KIKT-FM, Greenville, TX
KKWQ-FM, Warroad, MN
KMRF-AM, Marshfield, MO
KOYN-FM, Paris, TX
KSTA-AM/FM, Coleman, TX
KWLV-FM, Many, LA
WAAI-FM, Hurlock, MD
WAIS-AM, Nelsonville, OH
WFGY-FM, Altoona, PA
Mitchell Continues
WGSQ-FM, Cookeville, TN
WHLZ-FM, Manning, SC
WHPO-FM, Hoopeston, IL
To Lead CMA
WHVK-FM, Athens, AL
WITL-AM/FM, Lansing, MI
WJOD-FM, Galena, IL
Membership Drive
WKAA-FM, Tifton, GA
WLRV-AM, Lebanon, VA
WMNI-AM, Columbia, OH
S
ongwriter Dan Mitchell of Coshocton, Ohio con-
WMCL-AM, McLeansboro, IL
tinues to lead CMA's 1991 Membership Extravaganza,
which runs through September 6. Charlene Bordanaro
WOKO-FM, Burlington, VT
of The Nashville Network and Ed Russell of Castle Records
WPHB-AM/FM, Philipsburg, PA
in Nashville remain tied for second place in the recruitment
WTYL-AM/FM, Tylertown, MS
drive. Prizes for the contest are:
CHEQ-FM, Smith Falls, Ontario, Canada
GRAND PRIZE: Trip for two to the Bahamas for four
CHSJ-AM, Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada
days (includes airfare and accommodations at the Lucayan
CJQM-FM, Sault St. Marie, Ontario, Canada
Beach Resort & Casino)
CJWW-AM, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
SECOND PLACE: "CMA Awards Show" VIP package
Other Organizational Members
(includes two VIP seats for the show, tickets to the post
Ancy Records, Florence, MS
awards party and rehearsal passes)
Bison Entertainment, Wilmington, DE
THIRD PLACE: Personalized portfolio organizer (recruit
Country Music Video Magazine, Los Angeles, CA
at least five new members)
CW Talent Management, Hermitage, TN
FOURTH PLACE: Canvas beach bag with CMA logo
Great Cumberland Music Group, Nashville, TN
(recruit one new member)
Hangin' Gold Music, Stoneville, NC
Others who have recruited new members are: Jerry
PIXX, Kernersville, NC
Bentley, Debra Brawner, Vern Dant, John Denny, Jerry Free,
Renfro Valley Folks, Inc., Renfro Valley, KY
Joe Harris, Gene McKay, Robert Metzgar, Kevin Neal,
RWS Producoes Art. Ltda., Sao Paulo, Brazil
Thelma Persing, Gaynelle Pitts, Ronna Rubin and Eve
Silver City Productions, Mountain Howe, PA
Vaupel.
Cu
Viking Productions, Inc., Wilmington, DE
Western Connection, San Dimas, CA
Cu
CMA CLOSE UP September 1991
23
UPDATE
AWARDS
Travis Tritt and The Kentucky HeadHunters both received
Ampex Golden Reel Awards for RIAA certified gold albums. Tritt
earned the award for his COUNTRY CLUB lp, while the Head-
Hunters won for PICKIN' ON NASHVILLE. Donations were
made to the Oasis Center in Nashville on behalf of the Head-
Hunters and to St. Jude's Research Hospital in Memphis on
behalf of Travis Tritt.
WMZQ in Washington, D.C. was recently honored by the New
York International Radio Festival Awards. The station won in the
history category for its program "To Answer The Call". The
program was written and produced by Katy Daley and Bill
Worthington.
Pro Tech Marketing of Salt Lake City, UT was named Sales
Representative of the Year by Shure Brothers Inc. The award is
based on superior sales performance, outstanding customer
service and consistent communication with the factory. Shure
Brothers Inc. is a major manufacturer of microphones, circuitry
products and teleconferencing equipment.
The Amusement & Music Operators Association has
announced the nominees for the 1991 Jukebox Awards. This year's
top Country nominee is Garth Brooks. Brooks' songs "Friends
While taping the Wolf Trap 20th Anniversary Gala for PBS, K.T. Oslin
In Low Places" and "Two Of A Kind Working On A Full House
(left) paused to visit with Broadway star Chita Rivera.
are both contenders for Country Record of the Year. In addition,
Brooks' album, NO FENCES, is up for Country CD of the Year.
Country newcomers Pam Tillis and Mark Chesnutt also received
nominations for the Rising Star Award along with rock acts such
as Mariah Carey and Vanilla Ice. The awards presentation will
MEDIA
take place September 13 in Las Vegas.
Songwriter Roger Murrah was honored with a bronze star in
MCA Records has released THE BRENDA LEE
the Alabama Music Hall of Fame's Walk of Fame. Murrah has
ANTHOLOGY, a 40-song collection featuring songs from Lee's
written such hits as "Don't Rock The Jukebox" for Alan
25 years with Decca/MCA. The collection is available as a two-
Jackson, "High Cotton" for Alabama and "Ozark Mountain
CD set or as two separate cassette volumes. Along with her five
Jubilee" for the Oak Ridge Boys.
biggest Country hits, 19 of Lee's top 20 pop hits are included in
the set. Nostalgia fans will also hear cuts from Lee's first
recording session in 1956 at the age of 12.
TNN: The Nashville Network traveled to Billy Bob's Texas in
August to tape 10 episodes of "On Stage". The Fort Worth club
has been billed as "the world's largest honky tonk". Artists
appearing on the upcoming shows include Holly Dunn, Travis
Tritt, Restless Heart and T. Graham Brown.
The home of Country Music served as the locale for "A Day In
The Country", a recent VH-1 special hosted by Carlene Carter.
Joining Carter on location in Nashville were guests Vince Gill,
Rodney Crowell, Marty Stuart and Kevin Welch. Taping for the
special took place at the Ryman Auditorium, Ernest Tubb
Record Shop and Hank Williams' Family Tradition Museum.
Viewers also got a tour of Carter's home and local attractions
including Arnold's Diner and Hatch Show Prints.
Los Angeles radio stations KZLA-FM and KLAC-FM have
joined forces with May Company Travel to promote "Travel
Theme Month", a program spotlighting different travel destina-
tions each month. The arrangement gives KZLA/KLAC
advertisers direct access to one of Southern California's largest
leisure travel operations. In addition, the program will receive
priority display in the May Company's computerized sales
system.
Nashville singer Bill Young has been chosen as the grand-
prize winner of TNN: The Nashville Network's "Be A Star"
Larry Boone dropped by CMA recently and entertained the staff with a
national talent search program. Young received $25,000 in cash
few songs from his latest Columbia Records lp, ONE WAY TO GO.
and a recording contract with PolyGram/Mercury Records. He
24
CMA CLOSE UP September 1991
will also appear on TNN's "On Stage" and "Nashville Now".
company is located at 1019 17th Avenue South, Suite 201, Nash-
The program debuted in April, and contestants are judged by a
ville, TN 37212; telephone (615) 327-4650, fax (615) 320-1496.
10-member panel selected from the studio audience.
Keene Garrett and Cindy Montano have formed Alternative
Grand Ole Opry member Stonewall Jackson shares the story
Visions, Inc., a company specializing in film, video, print and
of his rise to fame in "From The Bottom Up", his new autobiog-
image consulting. Montano worked formerly as a producer at
raphy. The book also spotlights other Country artists such as
Scene Three Productions and Garrett served as director of
George Jones, Loretta Lynn, Roger Miller and Ernest Tubb. To
marketing for the company. Alternative Visions is located at 2102
order copies of the book, contact L.C. Parsons, Blue Chip
Ashwood Avenue, Nashville, TN 37212; telephone (615) 386-3915.
Management, P.O. Box 463, McMinnville, TN 37110 or call (615)
473-1866.
In October MCA Records will release THE PATSY CLINE
COLLECTION, a musical anthology containing more than 100
songs. The collection contains Cline's entire catalog of Decca
recordings from 1960 to 1963 and her recordings on 4 Star
NEWSLINE
Records. The anthology was compiled in conjunction with The
Country Music Foundation and is part of the Country Music
Eddie Rabbitt will represent Country Music at Paul Newman's
Hall of Fame Series.
Second Annual "Hole In The Wall Gang" Camp Benefit on
Grand Ole Opry announcer Hairl Hensley will host "Tuesday
September 14 in Ashford, CT. The western-style camp hosts chil-
Night Bluegrass", a new show spotlighting the latest in modern
dren with blood-related diseases. All money raised from ticket
bluegrass music. The show will feature artists such as Alison
and auction sales will benefit the camp and its various programs.
Krauss and Tony Rice.
The day-long event will include two shows written by author
The Riders In The Sky were recently featured in a segment of
A.E. Hotchner with music composed by Broadway's Cy
"Entertainment Tonight". Reporter Leonard Maltin talked with
Coleman. Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward will play active
the trio about their upcoming Saturday morning children's show,
roles in the program along with Phylicia Rashad, Bobby Short,
debuting September 14. The Riders first Columbia Records lp,
Judy Collins, Jason Robards, Julie Gold, Gene Shalit and
HARMONY RANCH, was released in August and contains
others.
many of the children's songs which will be featured on the show.
Rodney Crowell, Pam Tillis, Carlene Carter, Molly & The
Heymakers, Texas Tornados and the Desert Rose Band
performed at the first Chicago Country Music Festival in July.
The festival was produced by the Mayor's Office of Special
NEW COMPANIES
Events at the behest of Mayor Richard Daley, a self-admitted
Country fan. Sponsors of the event were Alcala's Western Wear,
Breyers Ice Cream, Bub City Restaurant, United Airlines, The
BMG Music has opened a new Country record label, BNA
Chicago Transit Authority, Eastman Kodak, Hyatt Regency
Entertainment. Ric Pepin will serve as general manager for the
Chicago, AT&T, Hinckley & Schmitt/Anjou, WUSN-99.5 FM,
company. Other staff members include Richard Landis, vice
Chicago Sun-Times, WCCQ-98.3 FM and WOPA-1200 AM. Dolly
president, A & R; Ken Van Durand, director of national promo-
Parton later presented a certificate of appreciation to the mayor
on behalf of CMA.
tion; Jim Della Croce, manager, artist development; Tommy
Daniel, manager, sales; Chuck Thagard, manager, regional
Roy Carter has announced his retirement from The Chuck
promotion; Carl Brown, manager, regional promotion; Tom
Wagon Gang. The group welcomed new member Brian Phelps
Sgro, manager, regional promotion; Scott Michaels, manager
in July, who now sings bass with the famed group.
regional promotion. BNA is located at 1 Music Circle North,
The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers
Nashville, TN 37203; telephone (615) 780-4400.
has reported a record 29 percent increase since July 1990 in the
Prime Time Radio Service has opened an office in Nashville.
amount of royalties distributed to writer and publisher members
The company distributes comedy material for disc jockeys. The
resulting from performances abroad. ASCAP distributed $44
million to its members in July 1991 and will make a second distri-
bution in December of royalties received from England, France,
Canada, Japan and Italy.
Mac Wiseman, Chris Hillman and Marty Stuart will host the
International Bluegrass Music Awards Show in Owensboro, KY
on September 26.
Richard Leigh will host a benefit "Writers In The Round"
songwriter's show at Maude's Courtyard in Nashville on
November 17. Joining Leigh will be Pat Alger, Fred Knobloch,
Thom Schuyler, Pamela Brown Hayes, Gilles Godard, Ralph
Murphy and Jennifer Pierce. Tennessee Stage and Studio will
provide the sound system. Rick Cassity is donating his services
as sound engineer. Proceeds from the fundraiser will be
earmarked for Project To End Abuse Through Counseling &
Education.
Arista Records and Cuervo 1800 Tequila teamed up at a recent
Brooks & Dunn and Diamond Rio showcase to raise money for
Nashville's W.O. Smith Community Music School. During the
Epic Records artist Les Taylor spent a day at the races serving as the
show at the Ace of Clubs, Cuervo 1800 set up a "cantina" and
celebrity crew chief for KCee Motorsports at the Nashville Speedway.
sold specially-printed "Arista Hot Shot" glasses with or without
Taylor (left) congratulates driver Jay Sauter on his top 10 finish.
tequila. All proceeds from the cantina sale were contributed to
CMA CLOSE UP September 1991
25
P ATE
the W.O. Smith School, which provides music lessons to chil-
Ron Baird will oversee all Nashville operations for Creative
dren from low-income families at a nominal fee and is supported
Artists Agency, Inc., a literary and talent agency based in Beverly
solely by gifts and grants from private and corporate benefactors.
Hills, CA. The company's roster of Country acts includes Dolly
"Operation Merry Christmas" is the name of a new program
Parton, Clint Black and Dwight Yoakam among others. Baird
to be inaugurated by the Country Music Hall of Fame &
comes to the company from the William Morris Agency.
Museum in the upcoming Christmas season. Country fans can
Carol Lee Hoffman has been appointed as the West Coast A&R
leave seasonal messages for their favorite stars in an oversized
representative for Atlantic/Nashville. Hoffman will be working
mailbox located in the museum lobby. The messages will be
out of the label's Los Angeles office in the development of televi-
delivered to each Country celebrity by the Hall of Fame staff. In
sion and movie projects with Country Music.
addition, a program of special events including acoustic music,
Buzz Stone and U.R. Entertainment have signed an agreement
readings and other activities will be hosted by top Country enter-
with Capitol Nashville to sign and produce new acts. Stone was
tainers in the museum.
formerly director of A & R for MCA Records.
BMG Music Publishing continued its Nashville expansion
RCA Records/Nashville has promoted Alison Auerbach to
with the acquisition of the catalogues of Southwing Music and
manager of media relations. Auerbach is responsible for securing
writer Gene Pistilli. Tunes included in the purchases are "Ocean
print and television coverage for the RCA roster and coordinating
Front Property" and "Miami, My Amy". Pistilli has also signed a
special events. She was previously administrator of media rela-
publishing agreement with BMG.
tions at the label.
Grand Ole Opry star Jerry Clower has been selected to repre-
Jody Williams has been promoted to senior director,
sent his alma mater, Mississippi State University, as part of a set
writer/publisher relations for BMI/Nashville. In his new posi-
of Southeastern Conference football trading cards. Cards
tion, Williams will continue to work with songwriters and
featuring Clower and nine other former football "greats" from
publishers in the administration of their works. Williams joined
other SEC schools, including Archie Manning, Kenny Stabler
BMI in 1987, and he formerly worked as a director of
and Bert Jones, will comprise the "SEC Signature Series".
writer/publisher relations.
Proceeds from card sales will benefit each school's athletic
scholarships. Clower attended Mississippi State on a football
William Bland has been named the new general manager for
grant-in-aid in the 1950s.
WRKZ in Hershey, PA. Bland has worked in all areas of the
broadcasting industry, including on-air work and various sales
Songwriter/performer Redd Stewart and his wife Darlene
positions.
have established a scholarship program for students enrolled in
the Country and bluegrass music program at South Plains
ABC Radio Networks has promoted seven staff members in
College in Levelland, TX. The program will provide a $500
the areas of programming and affiliation. Ron Rivlin will serve
scholarship each fall and spring to a full-time freshman or sopho-
as director of program sales. Rivlin served as manager for the
more majoring in Country and bluegrass music or sound
ABC Rock Network. Patricia Kresner was promoted to director
technology.
of program marketing. Kresner first worked as director of enter-
tainment programming. Irene Minett will act as director of
Travis Tritt and Lynn Anderson will be featured at the 13th
entertainment program development. Minett is the former
Annual Georgia Music Hall of Fame Banquet on September 21st
director of tour marketing and merchandising. Joyce MacDonald
in Atlanta, GA. The event is part of Georgia Music Week.
is the new manager of the ABC Rock Network. MacDonald was
Willie Nelson will host the ninth annual Academy of Country
the manager of the ABC Direction Network. Jessica Ettinger was
Music Celebrity Golf Classic, which will be played on Burbank's
promoted to manager of affiliate services. Ettinger first worked as
De Bell Golf Course on October 14. Proceeds from the event will
the manager of entertainment programming. Paul Miraldi has
go to the T.J. Martell Foundation for Cancer, Aids and Leukemia
been promoted to manager of program sales. Miraldi worked
Research for Children and it's West Coast division, the Neil
previously as manager of entertainment programming. Barbara
Bogart Memorial Laboratory. For information on entering the
Silber is the new manager of program sales. Silber was manager
event, call (213) 462-2351.
of entertainment programming.
Rick Blackburn and Al Cooley, both of Atlantic Records, are
the guests for the Songwriters Guild Foundation Ask-A-Pro
session slated for September 11. The Ask-A-Pro session, as well
as the September 16th Song Critique featuring Almo/Irving's
David Conrad, will take place at the office of the Songwriter's
Guild of America in Nashville.
ONTHEMOVE
Jerry Flowers has been promoted to the newly created position
of executive director for Opryland Music Group. Flowers joined
the company in 1987 as director of publishing. In his new posi-
tion, he will be responsible for all international publishing
activities, business planning, coordination of departmental func-
tions and day-to-day operations. Flowers is a former member of
the board of directors for the Country Music Association.
Steve Miller has joined Mercury/Nashville as national director
Epic Records artist Collin Raye gave the CMA staff some "sweet memo-
of sales and marketing. Miller was formerly with RCA Records
ries" when he stopped by and performed some songs from his newly
where he served as a regional director of sales.
released ALL I CAN BE lp.
26
CMA CLOSE UP September 1991
SIGNINGS
Rob Crosby to the William Morris Agency
Janie
Fricke
to
Intersound Entertainment
Lewis Grizzard to Sony/Tree
Jeannie C. Riley and Tommy Cash (center) are all smiles as they take a
White Canyon and Jodie Sinclair to Comstock Records
break during the recording of their duet album for Playback Records, co-
Tommy Hoehn and Brendan Dwyer to Cumberland Music
produced by Jack Gale (left) and Jim Pierce (right).
Group, Inc
David Lynn Jones and Cleve Francis to The Box
Office, Inc
Stephen Bishop to BMG Music Publishing
Hank Sasaki to Playback Records
Trevor Haley and Steve
Brandon to Bobbi Smith Associates
Tom
Wopat
to
Buddy
NEWSBREAKERS
Lee Attractions, Inc.
CMT: Country Music Television recently signed a multi-year
agreement with A.C. Nielsen for the national people meter
RIAA CERTIFICATIONS
service. In the first data released since the agreement was signed,
CMT achieved higher ratings in both total day and primetime
COUNTRYJULY
hours than VH-1, proving the increased youth appeal of Country
ALBUMS
Music. CMT reaches over 14.2 million cable subscribers.
GOLD
EAGLE WHEN SHE FLIES Dolly Parton
Louisiana House Bill 261 would have prohibited minors from
BACKROADS
Ricky Van Shelton
Columbia
buying, even with parental consent, certain records which
DON'T ROCK THE JUKEBOX Alan Jackson Arista
carried a parental advisory label or other consumer information
PLATINUM
suggesting that the lyrics may be explicit. It was defeated by the
HEROES AND FRIENDS
Randy Travis
Warner Bros.
Louisiana legislature on July 7. Under the proposed legislation,
COUNTRY CLUB
Travis Tritt
Warner Bros.
store clerks would have faced criminal prosecution for selling a
MULTI-PLATINUM
recording which contained labelling information. A grass-roots
NO FENCES
Garth Brooks
4M
Capitol
effort by the National Association of Recording Merchandisers
JANUARY- JUNE
and CMA resulted in thousands of postcards which urged oppo-
sition to the bill being sent to Louisiana Governor Buddy Roemer
ALBUMS
and state senators.
GOLD
ENCORE
Mickey Gilley
Epic
ELECTRIC BARNYARD Kentucky HeadHunters Mercury
Throughout the summer, pop and rock concert promoters
FAST MOVIN' TRAIN
Restless Heart
RCA
have cited sluggish ticket sales and have cancelled performances
JUST LOOKIN' FOR A HIT
Dwight Yoakam
Reprise
by major artists. But Country Music has been enjoying healthy
CHILL OF AN EARLY FALL George Strait MCA
ticket sales. The Judds recently completed a run of sell-out shows
THE BEST OF
Dan Seals
Capitol
HONKY TONK ANGEL Patty Loveless MCA
on the West Coast, including the first sell-out concert in the
LOVE CAN BUILD A BRIDGE The Judds RCA
69-year history of the Independence Stampede in Greeley, CO.
LOVE IN A SMALL TOWN K. T. Oslin RCA
The duo also set an attendance record at the Miramar Naval Air
COLLECTION OF HITS Kathy Mattea Mercury
Station in San Diego. They set house records for a Country act at
PUT YOURSELF IN MY SHOES
Clint Black
RCA
the Fresno Convention Center, Shoreline Amphitheatre in
THE ROAD NOT TAKEN
Shenandoah
Columbia
Mountain View, CA, and Mervyn's Feather River Pavilion in
PLATINUM
Marysville, CA.
RUMOR HAS IT
Reba
McEntire
MCA
RVS III
Ricky Van Shelton
Columbia
+
GREATEST
HITS
Lee Greenwood
MCA
HERE IN THE REAL WORLD Alan Jackson Arista
Just about everyone in Country Music is profiting from the
LIVIN' IT UP
George Strait
MCA
boom in Country Music with one exception - female performers,
PUT YOURSELF IN MY SHOES
Clint Black
RCA
reports Robert K. Oermann in The Tennessean, one of Nashville's
MULTI-PLATINUM
daily newspapers. Female entertainers have experienced a
GARTH BROOKS
Garth Brooks
2M
Capitol
decline in their share of the market, as only 12 percent of the
GREATEST HITS
Anne Murray
4M
Capitol
Country records on the 1990 year-end ranking by BILLBOARD
NO FENCES
Garth Brooks
3M
Capitol
were by women, the lowest market share since 1958. In fact,
VIDEOS
female records held 38 percent of the market in 1981. Since then,
the percentage of year-end Country charts held by women has
GOLD
stayed between 25-30 percent. So far in 1991, the only women to
"The Real Patsy Cline"
Patsy Cline
Cabin Fever Entertainment
"Love In A Small Town"
K.T. Oslin
RCA Records
crack the top five are Carlene Carter, The Judds, Reba McEntire,
"Here In The Real World"
Alan Jackson
Arista Records
Pam Tillis, Patty Loveless, Lorrie Morgan, Dolly Parton and
"Pickin' On Nashville"
Kentucky HeadHunters
PolyGram Records
Trisha Yearwood.
"Love Can Build A Bridge"
The Judds
MPI Home Video
"Put Yourself In My Shoes"
Clint Black
RCA Records
"To Be Continued"
Ricky Van Shelton
Sony Music Video
The 22nd Annual Happy Birthday USA Celebration, hosted
PLATINUM
by the Statler Brothers on July 4th in Staunton, VA, drew 95,000
"God Bless The USA"
Lee Greenwood
MCA Music Video
fans. The all-day salute to Americana, which featured the
"Full Access"
Hank Williams Jr.
Cabin Fever Entertainment
Statlers, Charley Pride and Neal McCoy, goes in the record
"Love Can Build A Bridge" The Judds MPI Home Video
books as the largest outdoor concert worldwide to date in 1991.
CMA CLOSE UP September 1991
27
U.K.'s Country Music People
Present Awards
Radio Station Promotion
W
hile in Nashville covering Fan Fair, U.K.s
C
LOSE UP would like to recognize the following radio
COUNTRY MUSIC PEOPLE Magazine made
station for their successful promotion idea.
the following award presentations:
International Male Vocalist: George Strait
International Female Vocalist: Emmylou Harris
International Group/Duo: The Judds
KX101
International Rising Star: Garth Brooks
International Musician: Chet Atkins
KXIA-FM's "YOU CAN BE A STAR" CONTEST
Heritage Award: George Jones
KXIA-FM in Marshalltown, Iowa used video stardom to
International Album: Alan Jackson, HERE IN THE REAL WORLD
International Single: Vince Gill, "When I Call Your Name"
attract its audience. Listeners registered for a drawing at
DJ International Artist: George Strait
seven local businesses, hoping for the chance to "be a star"
Independent Single Record: Jerry Lansdowne, "Plenty Of Love"
in Nashville. The grand prize included a trip for two to
Media Award: Robert K. Oermann
Nashville and the opportunity to appear in the next
British/Irish Male Vocalist: Daniel O'Donnell
Bellamy Brothers' video, to be filmed in Nashville later this
British/Irish Female Vocalist: Mary Duff
year. An $800 Fisher VHS-VCR was provided so the winner
British/Irish Rising Star: Dominic Kirwan
will be able to show off his debut video performance with
British Irish Group/Duo: Logue & McCool
the Bellamys. Howard Bellamy travelled to KXIA to
British/Irish Album: Daniel O'Donnell, THE LAST
announce the lucky winner, Burt Squire from Green
WALTZ
Mountain, Iowa.
CU
CU
A COLORFUL, UNIQUE REVIEW OF THIS YEAR'S BEST
The Official 1991
Country Music Association Awards
Program Book
A valuable keepsake for everyone in the Country Music industry!
This exclusive glossy, four color program book highlights the brightest night in Country Music with photos and bios of all nominees,
lists of previous winners and informative articles on the nominees that you have chosen this year. Also included are features
on the nominees to the Country Music Hall of Fame, and the history of the awards.
Don't miss out on our special offer. We are now offering a special CMA member price of $9.95, which includes postage
and handling.
All orders must be received by September 20, 1991.
Please send me
copy(ies) of the 1991 CMA AWARDS PROGRAM BOOK at the special member price
of $9.95 per book, which includes postage and handling (Fourth Class Surface Mail).
Please send my order by:
First Class Mail (Add $3.00 per copy)
International Surface Mail (Add $7.75 per copy)
Fourth Class Surface Mail (No additional charge)
Total amount of order $
is enclosed.
Name
Address
City
State
Zip
VISA
MasterCard #
Expiration Date
Signature for VISA/MasterCard
Complete this form and mail with check, money order or signed charge authorization to:
CMA AWARDS BOOK, One Music Circle South, Nashville, TN 37203
28
CMA CLOSE UP September 1991
DUDE
EARTH
SALUTES
MINNESOTA
STATE
FAIR
This month, Earth Dude salutes the 1991 Minnesota State
Fair for its Reduce, Reuse, Recycle exhibit. The display was
created to increase awareness of solid waste issues and offer
fair visitors tips on recycling, waste reduction and reuse of
goods and materials.
Walk-through models of a grocery store, home, backyard
and office were used to illustrate how to reduce, reuse and
recycle at home and at work. Another part of the exhibit
demonstrated the entire recycling process, including the
collection of materials, processing, remanufacture and new
products made from recycled materials.
Alternatives to solid waste disposal were illustrated
through scale models and photo displays of municipal solid
President Bush (center) welcomes (l to r) Don and Polly Schlitz and
waste composting, incineration and landfills. In addition,
Sarah and Thom Schuyler to the Oval Office at the White House.
four demonstrations were presented every day during the
12-day fair. Topics included composting, paper-making and
waste reduction. An information center offered details on
Presidential Wish Becomes
recycling techniques and community recycling programs.
If you would like Earth Dude to salute an individual or firm for
Top 10 Single
their environmental awareness, please send your suggestions to
Earth Dude, CMA CLOSE UP, One Music Circle South, Nash-
ville, TN 37203.
T
he song "Point Of Light" has become another top 10
Cu
hit for Randy Travis, but his record label didn't ask
him to sing it. An even higher source did.
In his Presidential nomination acceptance speech, Presi-
dent Bush described the United States as a nation of
CMA Awards Show Ticket
volunteer organizations: "a brilliant diversity spread like the
stars, like a thousand points of light in a broad and peaceful
Confirmations Mailed
sky." That phrase captured the nation's imagination,
inspiring the Points of Light Foundation and the naming of
T
icket confirmations for the 1991 "CMA Awards Show"
the President's "daily point of light," a group or individual
were mailed August 23 to those CMA members who
recognized for outstanding volunteer service. Bush, a
ordered tickets by the August 5 deadline. Ticket
Country Music fan, felt his Points of Light Foundation
orders received after August 5 will be accommodated on a
needed a theme song. The request was passed along to
space available basis, and confirmation will be sent as
CMA's Jo Walker-Meador and BMI's Roger Sovine, who in
orders are processed.
turn suggested the idea to songwriters Thom Schuyler and
"The 25th Annual CMA Awards Show" will be broadcast
Don Schlitz.
live from the Grand Ole Opry House by CBS Television on
Schuyler, current CMA president and writer of "Long
Wednesday, October 2.
Line Of Love" and "I Fell In Love Again Last Night", and
This year, patron tickets are $250 each in preferential
Schlitz, a CMA board member and writer of "Forever and
seating areas on the main floor. Regular tickets are $125
Ever, Amen", and "The Gambler", composed "Point Of
each and will be assigned on a first-come basis, with prefer-
Light", which they originally thought would only be
ence given to CMA organizational members. Most such
performed at a few Presidential events. "We never expected
seating will be in the lower balcony levels. Patron and
this kind of success with the song," Schuyler said.
regular tickets include the post awards party.
The song heralds a message of volunteerism. "Point Of
CMA members had the opportunity to order a maximum
Light' is about people doing good things for other people,
of either two patron or two regular tickets as well as an
not a political program," said Schlitz. "Thom and I put a lot
equal number of show only tickets, which do not include
of ourselves into it. We talked about how we felt about the
the post awards party. Show only ticket-holders will be
message to make sure we wrote the right song that said the
seated in the upper balcony. Tickets are not available for just
right thing."
CU
the post awards party.
Groups wishing to be seated together must have
returned their orders in the same envelope with the request
indicated on each individual order form.
Cu
CMA CLOSE UP September 1991
29
AB
-ACTFILE
SEPTEMBER
(* denotes birthdays)
8 *HARLAN HOWARD; Harlan
County, Texas
13 *BILL MONROE; Rosine, Kentucky
*JIMMIE RODGERS; Meridian,
Barbara Mandrell makes chart debut
Mississippi
with "I've Been Loving You Too
*PATSY CLINE (Virginia Patterson
Long", 1969
Hensley); Winchester, Virginia
OLD 8X 10 by Randy Travis certifies
platinum, 1988
14 Hank and Audrey Williams audition
for Fred Rose, 1946
1 *CONWAY TWITTY (Harold Lloyd
Vernon Dalhart dies, 1948
Jenkins); Friars Point, Mississippi
*BOXCAR WILLIE (Lecil Travis
Martin); Sterratt, Texas
15 *ROY ACUFF; Maynardsville,
Tennessee
*STEVE GOETZMAN (Exile); Louis-
Patsy Cline marries Charlie Dick in
ville, Kentucky
Winchester, Virginia, 1957
2 LABOR DAY
Billy Joe Shaver makes his chart
*JOHNNIE LEE WILLS; Hall
debut with "Georgia On A Fast
Train", 1973
County, Texas
Hank Williams, Jr's BORN TO
BOOGIE awarded gold album,
3 *TOMPALL GLASER; Spaulding,
1987
Nebraska
"Heart Worn Memories: A
*HANK THOMPSON; Waco, Texas
9 *TOM WOPAT; Lodi, Wisconsin
Jim Reeves leaves Louisiana Hayride
*FREDDY WELLER; Atlanta,
Daughter's Biography Of Willie
Nelson" by Susie Nelson is
to join Grand Ole Opry, 1955
Georgia
Don Williams hits number one with
Elvis Presley debuts on "The Ed
published, 1987
"I'm Just A Country Boy", 1977
Sullivan Show", 1956
Faron Young has surprise chart
4 *SHOT JACKSON; Wilmington,
success in Britain with top five
North Carolina
pop hit "Four In The Morning",
Merle Haggard, John Schneider,
1972
Hank Snow, Mel Tillis, and
Alabama's JUST US certifies gold,
Tammy Wynette, among others
1988
announce the first Bakersfield to
Chicago "FarmAid" train trip,
10 *TOMMY OVERSTREET; Oklahoma
1985
City, Oklahoma
Ferlin Huskey's "Wings Of A Dove"
5 The Country Music Association is
debuts on the Country charts,
chartered, 1958
1960
Glen Campbell's "Rhinestone
Nat Stuckey makes his chart debut
16 *DAVID BELLAMY (Bellamy
Cowboy" awarded gold single,
with "Sweet Thang", 1966
Brothers); Darby, Florida
1975
Earl Scruggs first records with Bill
"Fancy Free" by the Oak Ridge Boys
11 *JIMMIE DAVIS; Quitman,
Monroe, 1946
tops the charts, 1981
Louisiana
Leon Payne, one of Bob Wills' Texas
17 *HANK WILLIAMS, SR; Georgiana,
6 *ZEKE CLEMENTS; Empire,
Playboys dies, 1969
Alabama
Alabama
Barbara Mandrell has devastating car
Linda Ronstadt's "Blue Bayou" enters
*DAVID ALLAN COE; Akron, Ohio
wreck, leaving her unable to
the charts, 1975
*MEL MCDANIEL; Checotah, Okla-
perform for two years, 1984
homa
George Jones' ANNIVERSARY -
18 The first Country Music show held
Ernest Tubb dies, 1984
TEN YEARS OF HITS certifies
at Carnegie Hall features Ernest
gold, 1989
Tubb, George D. Hay, Minnie
7 Elvis Presley tops the Country charts
Johnny Paycheck's GREATEST HITS
Pearl, and Rosalie Allen, 1947
with his most successful release
VOLUME II awarded gold album,
David Allan Coe's GREATEST HITS
on Sun Records, "Mystery Train/I
1989
awarded platinum album, 1989
Forgot To Remember To Forget",
Willie Nelson is awarded platinum
1955
12 *GEORGE JONES; Saratoga, Texas
and gold albums for PRETTY
30
CMA CLOSE UP September 1991
PAPER and TAKE IT TO THE
*NANCY GIVEN-PROUT (Wild
WSM Radio in Nashville airs for first
LIMIT respectively, 1989
Rose); Pittsburgh, PA
time, 1925
*LYNN ANDERSON; Grand Forks,
THE JUDDS GREATEST HITS
19 Crystal Gayle debuts on the charts
North Dakota
awarded gold album in just two
with "I've Cried (The Blue Right
*MARTY ROBBINS; Glendale,
months, 1988
Out Of My Eyes)", written by
Arizona
sister Loretta Lynn, 1970
Waylon Jennings' I'VE ALWAYS
7 *UNCLE DAVE MACON; Smart
Lee Greenwood makes chart debut
BEEN CRAZY awarded a gold
Station, Tennessee
with "It Turns Me Inside Out",
album, 1978
The Judds and Dolly Parton are
1981
awarded platinum albums for
Travis Tritt's COUNTRY CLUB certi-
27 Connie Smith makes her chart debut
ROCKIN' WITH THE RHYTHM
fies gold, 1990
with "Once A Day", 1964
and GREATEST HITS respec-
Red Foley dies, 1968
tively, 1986
28 *JERRY CLOWER; Liberty,
20 *PEARL BUTLER; Nashville,
Mississippi
8 Hank Snow and Hubert Long
Tennessee
*DAN SEALS; Iraan, Texas
elected to Country Music Hall of
"Why Lady Why" by Alabama enters
RCA Victor holds the first recording
Fame, 1979
the charts and goes on to become
session in Nashville at the YMCA
Anne Murray becomes first female to
their second number one hit, 1980
Hall, 1928
win the CMA Album of the Year,
Steve Goodman, composer of "City
1984
of New Orleans" and Waylon
29 *GENE AUTRY; Tioga Springs, Texas
Alabama named CMA Entertainer
Jennings' "America", dies, 1984
*JERRY LEE LEWIS; Ferriday,
Of the Year for third year in a row,
Louisiana
1984
21 *DICKEY LEE; Memphis, Tennessee
Everly Brothers' "Wake Up Little
30 The Grand Ole Opry televised for
9 Gene Autry's first recording session
Susie" hits both Country and pop
the first time, 1950
takes place, 1929
charts, 1957
Patsy Cline signs with Four-Star
Grandpa Jones elected to Country
Records, 1954
Music Hall of Fame, 1978
22 Riley Puckett makes his radio debut
"May The Bird Of Paradise Fly Up
on WSB in Atlanta, 1922
OCTOBER
Your Nose" by Little Jimmy
Dickens begins its climb to
23 *JUNE FORESTER; Chattanooga,
1 Garth Brooks' eponymous debut
number one, 1965
Tennessee
album certifies gold, 1990
Bobby Bare's recording of "Dropkick
*RAY CHARLES; Albany, Georgia
Me Jesus (Through The Goalposts
Bob Wills takes his Texas Playboys to
2 *JO-EL SONNIER; Rayne, Louisiana
Of Life)" enters the charts, estab-
Dallas for their first recording
*GREG JENNINGS (Restless Heart);
lishing the career of songwriter
session on Brunswick Records,
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Paul Craft, 1976
1935
*LEON RAUSCH; Springfield,
Missouri
10 *TANYA TUCKER; Seminole, Texas
24 Loretta Lynn's "Coal Miner's
Merle Haggard and the Strangers'
Daughter" released on Decca
OKIE FROM MUSKOGEE
Records, 1973
awarded gold album, 1970
[Factfile is compiled from The Illustrated
Clint Black's KILLIN' TIME awarded
Country Almanac by Richard Wootton
gold album, 1989
3 Elvis Presley sings in public for the
(Dial Press), The Illustrated History of
CHRISTMAS TIME WITH THE
first time at age 10 in a talent
Country Music by the editors of
JUDDS certifies gold, 1989
contest at a dairy show, 1945
COUNTRY MUSIC magazine
K.T. Oslin's THIS WOMAN awarded
(Doubleday/Dolphin Books), The People's
25 *ROYCE KENDALL; St. Louis,
a platinum album, 1989
Almanac #2 by David Wallechinsky and
Missouri
Woody Guthrie dies, 1967
Irving Wallace (The Kingsport Press),
*IAN TYSON; British Columbia,
The Encyclopedia of Folk, Country and
Canada
4 *LEROY VAN DYKE; Flat Creek,
Western Music by Irwin Stambler and
Statler Brothers debut on the charts
Missouri
Grelun Landon (St. Martin's Press),
with "Flowers On The Wall", 1965
Willie Nelson tops the Country
Another Beautiful Day by Rod McKuen
Loretta Lynn employed by the Grand
charts with "Blue Eyes Crying In
(Harper & Row), and the Country Music
The Rain", 1975
Foundation's OFFICIAL 1991 COUNTRY
Ole Opry, 1967
MUSIC CALENDAR, as well as from
5 *JOHNNY DUNCAN; Dublin, Texas
original research.]
If you want to be leader,
be reader.
cma
26 *CARLENE CARTER; Madison,
COUNTRY ASSOCIATION
Tennessee
CMA CLOSE UP September 1991
31
12
ATEBOOK
SEPTEMBER
14-21 Georgia Music Week / Atlanta,
OCTOBER
GA / Call (404) 656-5095 for
6 Annual Welkom Show Country
details
1 BMI Country Awards / BMI /
Music Festival / Welkom O.F.S.
21 13th Annual Georgia Music Hall
Nashville
South Africa / Call 011-789-1275
of Fame Awards / Georgia World
2 CMA Awards Show / Grand Ole
for details
Congress Center / Atlanta, GA
Opry House / Nashville
6-8 12th Annual Bluegrass & Chili
21 Country Night / Gstaad, Swit-
3 CMA Board Meeting / Stouffer
Festival / Tulsa, OK / Call
zerland / Call 30-44-222 for
Hotel / Nashville
(918) 583-2617 for details
details
3 CMA Annual Membership
7 Western Night / Wohlen, Swit-
23-29 1991 World of Bluegrass /
Meeting / Stouffer Hotel /
zerland / Call 30-44-222 for details
Owensboro, KY / Call
Nashville
9 8th Annual Harlan Howard
(502) 684-9025 for details
3 SESAC Country Awards /
Birthday Bash and Guitar
26 International Bluegrass Music
Vanderbilt Plaza Hotel /
Pullin' / BMI / Nashville / Call
Awards / Owensboro, KY / Call
Nashville
(615) 259-3625
(502) 684-9025 for details
3-5 SRO '91 / Stouffer Hotel / Nash-
10-15 Canadian Country Music Week /
28 Annual ASCAP Country Music
ville / Call (615) 244-2840 for
Hamilton, Ontario, Canada /
Awards / Opryland Hotel /
details
Call (416) 739-5014
Nashville, TN
20 Country Gold Festival /
11-14 National Association of Broad-
29-30 T.J. Martell Celebrity Benefit
Aspecta / Kumamoto, Japan /
casters Radio 1991 / San
Golf Tournament & Auction /
Call (615) 329-1546 for details
Francisco, CA / Call
Nashville, TN / Call
(800) 342-2460 for details
(615) 248-6900 for details
12-14 Amusement and Music Oper-
29 - 9th Annual Sponsorship &
ators of America Expo '91 / Las
Oct. 1 Event Marketing Strategies
Vegas Convention Center / Las
Seminar / Stouffer Hotel / Nash-
Vegas, NV / Call (312) 245-1021
ville TN / Call (615) 321-4250 for
for details
details
Nashville, TN 37203
One Music Circle South
CloseUp
COUNTRY MUSIC ASSOCIATION
Do dger
Nashville, Tennessee
Los Angeles Dodger manager Tommy LaSorda (second from left) recently
Second class postage paid at
welcomed (l to r) Rodney Crowell, Carlene Carter and their manager
Bill Carter to a Dodgers baseball game.
- Photo by John Soo Hoo
32
CMA CLOSE UP September 1991