Longtime Grand Ole Opry announcer and General Manager Hal Durham passed away last weekend at his home in Cape Coral, Florida. He was 77. A native of McMinnville, Tennessee, Durham started his career at Knoxville’s WROL while he was still attending the University of Tennessee. In 1964, he moved to Nashville to work at WSM as Opry announcer and on-air personality. He then moved from jobs as WSM’s Program Director to Opry Manager, and finally, to Opry General Manager from 1978 to 1993. During Durham’s tenure, the Opry inducted the following members:  John Conlee (1981), Boxcar Willie (1981), Ricky Skaggs (1982), Riders in the Sky (1982), The Whites (1984), Lorrie Morgan (1984), Johnny Russell (1985), Mel McDaniel (1986), Reba McEntire (1986), Randy Travis (1986), Roy Clark (1987), Ricky Van Shelton (1988), Patty Loveless (1988), Holly Dunn (1989), Mike Snider (1990), Garth Brooks (1990), Clint Black (1991), Alan Jackson (1991), Vince Gill (1991), Emmylou Harris (1992), Travis Tritt (1992), Marty Stuart (1992), Charley Pride (1993) and Alison Krauss (1993). Durham is credited with updating the Grand Ole Opry, relaxing attendance requirements by members and clearing the way for the use of drums onstage. A baseball fan, Durham retired to Florida in 1996 where he was a regular attendee at preseason games.

by Steve Goetzman, [email protected]

In America we look up to a man of principle after doubt is satisfied we’ve placed our fingers in his wound looked him in the eye and maybe pressed a little to be sure he is hurting. For we intend to align ourselves and tell his story and should be certain because are we not a man of principle, too? Dan Seals was a man of principle. This story can be told by a witness.

Dan’s agency scored an exclusive relationship with a cruise line of ships sailing from Singapore. Led by a flamboyant man bent on featuring high-profile American acts on board his ships, the cruise line CEO threw exorbitant, staggering sums of money at available talent and enjoyed it immensely. He treated his customers to luxurious entertainment and himself to the joys of sharing-the-wealth. A parade of American acts made the trek to Asia, performed a handful of shows on week-long cruises and returned home with more cash than some of them made in a year. In the end the CEO disappeared and the account dried up, but not before Dan would have his chance at the cash carousel.

Dan Seals was a mountain of talent. Through the latter years of his career he played shows as a trio because he could overwhelm any audience with his diminutive act—a couple of deeply talented ‘sidemen’ who would be insulted by the title, and rightfully so. During an age when performing with less than a full band, or acoustically, or to pre-recorded tracks sorely limited opportunities, Dan’s little trio played the big and small stages and all in between. A tight, low-overhead, easy to transport act with enough punch to compete at all levels, Dan’s little trio covered a lot of ground and made money.

Shortly before a Holiday season the cruise line needed an act in a hurry and loved the idea of presenting Dan Seals. The agency called Dan’s long-time manager and friend, Tony Gottlieb, and floated an offer of $90,000. “Dan won’t do it,” came the shocking reply. Dan was booked on a show out west for $3,500 right smack in the middle of the Singapore cruise and he would not break his contract. Dan’s manager suffered every manner of persuasion the agency could muster, but held his ground. Finally, with deadlines sizzling, the agency got permission to approach the $3,500 promoter and offer a replacement act for Dan. If he were voluntarily released from his contract, Dan said, he would go to Singapore.

Concert promoters who buy $3,500 acts are usually gambling with scared money. Dan’s promoter had paid out a few thousand dollars for advertising and needed the show to recoup his investment. The agency offered to reimburse all costs and provide a replacement act, but no go. Acting on fear or principle, the promoter would not release Dan.

The Bahia faith is a mystery to many on Music Row, yet it came as an explanation, at least in part, for Dan’s decision to honor his contract and pass on the cruise in Asia. For whatever reason he held in his heart, Dan Seals and his family enjoyed a $3,500 Christmas, and what could have been his $90,000 sailed away at Singapore.

Our beloved music business manufactures heroes daily, spins them out and hopes the plastic won’t snap in transit. Mature artists well past prime will join with the new heroes, one needing the other bad, a mutual anointing, for the mirror. The new hero gets a float, the old guy gets fifteen more minutes, and everyone else applauds politely.

And then there’s Dan Seals who stood on principle, real hard-won talent and a mysterious faith we might never understand, even after pressing into his wounds. Undeterred, Dan Seals died as he lived; principled.

Read Dan Seals Passes

The fans have been patiently waiting and it’s finally arrived — the official Kellie Pickler Fan Club. The Fan Club, created at www.kelliepickler.com, provides an environment for fans to get engaged in the singer’s career. Pickler Fan Club members will receive the first shot at tickets to Pickler’s shows, rare photos & videos, a members-only message board, exclusive contests & giveaways, as well as the opportunity to meet the singer. Members also qualify for merchandise discounts at Pickler’s store and pre-sales on concert tickets, including the current Fearless Tour with Taylor Swift. The yearly subscription price for the Kellie Pickler Fan Club is $19.99. “We took our time developing this site, so that it’s a cool experience from the get go,” Pickler said. “I’ve already had the opportunity to meet some of the first members, and we’ve got a whole tour coming up to meet with fans all year long.”

Benny Brown, President/CEO of Broken Bow Records, which launched the careers of Craig Morgan and Jason Aldean, has announced the opening of its new imprint, Stoney Creek Records. The label will be located at 705 18th Ave South. Industry veteran Denise Roberts will serve as Stoney Creek’s VP of Radio Promotion. Joining her as Regional Promotion Managers will be Heather Propper/ Southeast and Stacy Blythe/Northeast/Mid-West, and former KWNR/Las Vegas, MD, Bill Lubitz/West. The Stoney Creek promotion staff will report to Carson James, BBR’s Senior VP of Promotion. Announcements regarding artists signed to the new label are forthcoming. “I am extremely excited to expand our involvement within the Nashville music community,” says Brown. “With the talented and passionate team of industry professionals joining us in our new venture, the future is bright at Stoney Creek.”

Contact Information for Stoney Creek Promotions Department:

Denise Roberts, 818-679-5479, [email protected]
Heather Propper, 602-317-0551, [email protected]
Stacy Blythe, 615-887-9860, [email protected]
Bill Lubitz, 702-580-6886, [email protected]