Hank Williams, Willie Nelson, Bob Wills Recordings Among 2015 Grammy Hall of Fame Inductees

Willie Nelson.

Willie Nelson.


Recordings from Hank Williams, Willie Nelson, Bob Wills, and the Fisk Jubilee Singers are among the classics to be inducted into the 2015 class of the Grammy Hall of Fame. The 27 new inductees span several decades and musical genres, ranging from a gospel recording from 1909, to recordings from the Abba and the Sex Pistols. “Honky Tonkin,” recorded in 1947 by Hank Williams and his Drifting Cowboys, made the list, as did Willie Nelson’s 1978 offering “Stardust” and Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys’ 1939 recording of “San Antonio Rose.” The 1909 recording of the Fisk Jubilee Singers’ “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot” also made the 2015 inductee list.
The new inductees brings the list of Hall of Fame titles (including albums and single recordings) to 987. Each nominee for inclusion into the Grammy Hall of Fame must be at least 25 years old and exhibit historical and/or musical importance.
The complete list of 2015 Grammy Hall of Fame inductees:
“AUTOBAHN”
Kraftwerk
Vertigo (1974)
Album
“BIG GIRLS DON’T CRY”
The 4 Seasons
(Bob Crewe, Bob Gaudio)
Vee-Jay (1962)
Single
“BLOOD ON THE TRACKS”
Bob Dylan
Columbia (1975)
Album
“THE BRIDGE”
Sonny Rollins
RCA Victor (1962)
Album
“CALYPSO”
Harry Belafonte
RCA Victor (1956)
Album
“DANCING QUEEN”
ABBA
(Benny Anderson, Stig Anderson, Björn Ulvaeus)
Atlantic (1976)
Single
“HARVEST”
Neil Young
Reprise (1972)
Album
“HONKY TONKIN’”
Hank Williams And His Drifting Cowboys
(Hank Williams)
Sterling (1947)
Single
“I FOUGHT THE LAW”
Bobby Fuller Four
(Sonny Curtis)
Mustang (1965)
Single
“JITTERBUG WALTZ”
“Fats” Waller, His Rhythm And His Orchestra
(“Fats” Waller)
Bluebird/RCA (1942)
Single
“JOHN PRINE”
John Prine
Atlantic (1971)
Album
“LE FREAK”
Chic
(Nile Rodgers, Bernard Edwards)
Atlantic (1978)
Single
“NEVER MIND THE BOLLOCKS, HERE’S THE SEX PISTOLS”
Sex Pistols
Warner Bros. (1977)
Album
“NICK OF TIME”
Bonnie Raitt
Capitol (1989)
Album
“RESCUE ME”
Fontella Bass
(Raynard Miner, Carl Smith)
Checker (1965)
Single
“SAN ANTONIO ROSE”
Bob Wills And His Texas Playboys
(Bob Wills)
Vocalion (1939)
Single
“SCHOOL’S OUT”
Alice Cooper
(Alice Cooper, Michael Bruce, Glen Buxton, Dennis Dunaway, Neil Smith)
Warner Bros. (1972)
Single
“THE SHAPE OF JAZZ TO COME”
Ornette Coleman
Atlantic (1959)
Album
“SIXTY MINUTE MAN”
The Dominoes
(Billy Ward, Rose Marks)
Federal (1951)
Single
“SONGS OF LEONARD COHEN”
Leonard Cohen
Columbia (1967)
Album
“STAND!”
Sly And The Family Stone
Epic (1969)
Album
“STARDUST”
Willie Nelson
Columbia (1978)
Album
“SWING LOW, SWEET CHARIOT”
Fisk Jubilee Singers
(Wallis Willis)
Victor (1909)
Single
“SWING LOW, SWEET CHARIOT”
Paul Robeson
(Wallis Willis)
Victor (1926)
Single
“TELL IT LIKE IT IS”
Aaron Neville
(George Davis, Lee Diamond)
Par Lo (1966)
Single
“TRY A LITTLE TENDERNESS”
Otis Redding
(Jimmy Campbell, Reg Connelly, Harry M. Woods)
Volt (1966)
Single
“WALK ON THE WILD SIDE”
Lou Reed
(Lou Reed)
RCA Victor (1972)
Single

CMA Announces New Board of Directors

Pictured (L-R): John Esposito, incoming CMA Board President and President and CEO of Warner Music Nashville; Sally Williams, incoming CMA Board President-Elect and Vice President of Business and Partnership Development of Ryman Auditorium; Jessie Schmidt, CMA Board Secretary/Treasurer and President of Schmidt Relations; Frank Bumstead, incoming CMA Board Chairman and Chairman of Flood, Bumstead, McCready & McCarthy, Inc; Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer. Photo: Christian Bottorff / CMA

Pictured (L-R): John Esposito, incoming CMA Board President and President and CEO of Warner Music Nashville; Sally Williams, incoming CMA Board President-Elect and Vice President of Business and Partnership Development of Ryman Auditorium; Jessie Schmidt, CMA Board Secretary/Treasurer and President of Schmidt Relations; Frank Bumstead, incoming CMA Board Chairman and Chairman of Flood, Bumstead, McCready & McCarthy, Inc; Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer. Photo: Christian Bottorff / CMA


With Ed Hardy completing his term as Chairman of the CMA Board, current CMA Board President Frank Bumstead (Chairman of Flood, Bumstead, McCready & McCarthy) will now assume the role of chairman. CMA President-Elect John Esposito (President and CEO of Warner Music Nashville) has moved into the role of President. The Ryman Auditorium’s VP of Business and Partnership Development Sally Williams has been named President-Elect. Schmidt Relations’ Jessie Schmidt returns as Secretary/Treasurer of the CMA Board.
“Ed Hardy has been an important part of CMA’s growth and success this year,” said Bumstead. “I am fortunate to follow my very good friend in this important position and intend to keep him involved in the Association so that we do not lose the benefit of his experience and knowledge of CMA and its staff. And on behalf of the entire Board, I thank Sarah Trahern for the effective leadership transition she has managed over the past year. I’m also looking forward to collaborating with John Esposito and Sally Williams – who are each respected, passionate leaders in the community – to take CMA to new heights in 2015.”
“This is a very exciting time to be President of the CMA Board of Directors,” said Esposito. “The Association is especially strong as we enter 2015 with the unequalled success of our core initiatives and clearly defined strategic objectives with the resources, professional staff, and Board support to make them a reality. The future is promising and I am looking forward to serving the industry alongside Frank Bumstead and Sally Williams.”
Appointments will take effect Jan. 1, 2015.
In recognition of their service to the CMA Board of Directors, outgoing CMA Chairman Ed Hardy, and current President and incoming 2015 CMA Chairman Frank Bumstead, were presented the crystal gavel and globe, respectively. The presentation was made by CMA Chief Executive Officer Sarah Trahern at the election of Directors at Large meeting in Nashville. Photo: Christian Bottorff / CMA

In recognition of their service to the CMA Board of Directors, outgoing CMA Chairman Ed Hardy, and current President and incoming 2015 CMA Chairman Frank Bumstead, were presented the crystal gavel and globe, respectively. The presentation was made by CMA Chief Executive Officer Sarah Trahern at the election of Directors at Large meeting in Nashville. Photo: Christian Bottorff / CMA


Following is a list of 2015 CMA Directors and Directors at Large:
Directors By Membership Category (newly-elected Directors are indicated in bold)
Advertising/Public Relations/Media
Ebie McFarland, Essential Broadcast Media, LLC
Brian Philips, CMT
Affiliated
Joe Galante, Galante Entertainment Organization
Tim DuBois, AMP, Inc.
Artist
Brett Eldredge
Karen Fairchild, Little Big Town
Broadcast Programming & Air Talent
John Marks, SiriusXM Satellite Radio
Becky Brenner, Albright & O’Malley & Brenner Country Radio Specialists, Seattle, Wash.
Composer
Jim Beavers
Shane McAnally, Smack Songs, LLC
Entertainment Services
Stacey Schlitz, SchlitzLAW
Dwight Wiles, Smith Wiles & Company
International
Ted Ellis, CMT Canada, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Milly Olykan, AEG Europe, London, United Kingdom
Marketing/Digital
Jennie Smythe, Girlilla Marketing
Music Publisher/Performing Rights Organization
Troy Tomlinson, Sony/ATV Music Publishing
Pat Higdon, Patrick Joseph Music
Musician
Kenny Greenberg
Eric Darken
Personal Manager
Kerri Edwards, KP Entertainment
Marion Kraft, ShopKeeper Management
Producer/Engineer/Studio
Mark Bright
Radio Management
Clay Hunnicutt, iHeartMedia
Charlie Morgan, Emmis Communications, Indianapolis, Ind.
Record Company
Mike Dungan, Universal Music Group Nashville
Gary Overton, Sony Music Nashville
Talent Agent
Kevin Neal, William Morris Endeavor Entertainment, LLC
Talent Buyer/Promoter
Brian O’Connell, Live Nation Nashville
Larry Vallon, AEG Live, Los Angeles, Calif.
Touring Personnel
Scott Scovill, Moo TV
Venue
Ed Warm, Joe’s Bar, Chicago, Ill.
Lifetime Directors
J. William Denny, Denny Properties
Ralph Peer II, peermusic
Ex-Officio Members
Jim Free, The Smith-Free Group, LLC, Washington, D.C.
Kyle Young, Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
Directors at Large:
Marcie Allen, MAC Presents, LLC, New York, N.Y.
Charlie Anderson, Anderson Media Corporation, Knoxville, Tenn.
Rob Beckham, William Morris Endeavor Entertainment, LLC
Dierks Bentley
Scott Borchetta, Big Machine Label Group
Kix Brooks
Luke Bryan
Steve Buchanan, Opry Entertainment Group
Frank Bumstead, Flood, Bumstead, McCready & McCarthy, Inc.
Tony Conway, Conway Entertainment Group, LLC
John Dickey, Cumulus Media, Atlanta, Ga.
Bob DiPiero, Love Monkey Music
Chris DuBois, Sea Gayle Music
Ann Edelblute, The H.Q.
John Esposito, Warner Music Nashville
Jeff Garrison, Cox Media Group, San Antonio, Texas
Ed Hardy
Lon Helton, Country Aircheck
Clint Higham, Morris Higham Management, Inc.
Greg Hill, Hill Entertainment Group
John Huie, Creative Artists Agency
Brett James, Cornman Music
Kurt Johnson, Townsquare Media, Dallas, Texas
Michael Knox, peermusic
Ken Levitan, Vector Management
Jon Loba, BBR Music Group
Michael Martin, ASCAP
Deb McDermott, Media General
Mike Moore, Entercom Communications, Portland, Ore.
Jim Ed Norman, Curb Records
Jason Owen, Sandbox Entertainment
Rob Potts, Rob Potts Entertainment Edge, Five Dock, Australia
David Ross, BossRoss Media
Jessie Schmidt, Schmidt Relations
Sally Seitz, iTunes
Victoria Shaw, Songalicious Publishing
Bob Shennan, BBC, London, United Kingdom
Bill Simmons, The Fitzgerald Hartley Company
Clarence Spalding, Maverick Management
Jeff Stevens, Jeff Stevens Music
Mike Vaden, Decosimo Vaden
Ben Vaughn, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Troy Vollhoffer, Premier Global Production Company, Inc.
Jeff Walker, AristoMedia
Jody Williams, BMI
Sally Williams, Ryman Auditorium
Chris Young

CRS Adds Executive Coach and Shazam CEO as Speakers

Riley and Adkinns

Riley and Addicks


Lori Addicks (leadership and team development coach) and Rich Riley (Shazam CEO) have been announced as featured speakers for Country Radio Seminar 2015.
Addicks’ presentation, Increasing Your Resilience & Performance with EQ (Emotional Intelligence), will take place Thursday, Feb. 26 followed by Riley’s address Friday, Feb. 27, about the use of Shazam for programming and promotions.
As President of Larkspur Group, Addicks is a consultant, facilitator and executive coach specializing in leadership, organizational and team development, as well as multi-generational diversity. She has more than 25 years of experience in over 60 countries working with multiple industries including Coke, Cox, Apple, Aetna, AT&T, Atlanta Housing Authority, Walton Communities, McKesson Health Care, Recall, Brambles, Dean Foods and PC Tools.
Riley’s app has more than 100 million monthly active users and recently introduced its Hall of Fame. In 1999, he led the team that developed and patented what would become the Yahoo Toolbar (Log-Me-On.com). He spent 13 years in diverse leadership roles at the internet company including EVP, Americas and SVP, EMEA and led Corporate and Business Development. In 2011, Riley was a 40 Under 40: Ones To Watch by Fortune. Shazam is the No. 1 sales referral app for iTunes.
CRS 2015 will be held Feb. 25-27 in Nashville, Tenn.

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 2015 Inductees Announced

rock and roll hall of fame11Green Day, Joan Jett & the Blackhearts, Lou Reed, The Paul Butterfield Blues Band, Bill Withers, and Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble are among the latest inductees into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Joining the inductees during the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame ceremony on Saturday, April 18 at Cleveland’s Public Hall are Ringo Starr, who will be honored with the Award for Musical Excellence, and The “5” Royales, who will be honored with the Early Influence Award.
“As we mark 30 years of Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductions, we’re proud to honor these artists,” said Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation President Joel Peresman. “These Inductees epitomize rock and roll’s impact over the past 50 years and continuing through today.”
The 2015 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame performer inductees were chosen by a voting body of more than 700 artists, historians and members of the music industry. To be eligible for nomination, an individual artist or band must have released its first single or album at least 25 years prior to the year of nomination. The 2015 nominees had to release their first recording no later than 1989.
Induction ceremony presenters, performers and broadcast information will be announced at a later date.
Tickets will go on sale Thursday, Dec. 18, 2014 at 10 a.m. ET. Individual tickets will be available for $75, $150, and $300. A two-ticket limit applies to all purchases. To purchase tickets, visit ticketmaster.com or 800-745-3000.

Old Dominion Set To Open On Chesney's Big Revival Tour

Old Dominion

Old Dominion


ReeSmack/Thirty Tigers’ Old Dominion has received a slot on Kenny Chesney’s The Big Revival Tour’s 17 stadium shows in 2015.
“We couldn’t believe it when we got the call,” says the band’s leader Matt Ramsey. “As an independent band, you fight for any chance to get your music in front of as many people as possible – and you can fit a lot of people in a stadium! We are beyond excited and honored that an iconic artist like Kenny is sharing his stage and his fans with Old Dominion.”
The band has opened for acts such as Chase Rice, Jake Owen, Trace Adkins and Brett Eldredge and are ready for the challenge of a stadium show.
“People need breaks,” Chesney says. “Coming up, I played for tips… in bars… anywhere people could hear my music. It’s part of building, and it’s part of learning how to do it…I think the audience understands and likes seeing newcomers.”
Old Dominion – comprised of Ramsey, Trevor Rosen, Brad Tursi, Whit Sellers and Geoff Sprung – has provided songs for a variety of country’s top names including The Band Perry, Luke Bryan, Keith Urban, Jake Owen, Chesney and more.
Their first single. “Shut Me Up” has received more than 1.9 million Spotify plays and “Break Up With Him” is already in the Top 5 on SiriusXM.

'American Country Countdown Awards' Ratings Bested by 'The Voice'

american-country-countdown-awards1111featuredAccording to Zap2It.com, the American Country Countdown Awards’ inaugural outing last night, Monday, Dec. 15, on Fox wasn’t enough to best competitors.
In the 8 p.m. ET time slot, the American Country Countdown Awards came in behind offerings from the other major networks, including the first night of the season finale of NBC’s The Voice (12.17 million viewers), CBS’ Two Broke Girls (7.83 million viewers), and ABC’s The Great Christmas Light Fight (6 million viewers). The American Country Countdown Awards brought in 3.39 million viewers, and a 18-49 rating of .9. The Voice earned a 2.9 rating among viewers 18-49.
Ratings for the new awards show also fall below last year’s ratings for the now-defunct FOX vehicle, the American Country Awards. In 2013, the ACAs brought in 5.14 million viewers in the 8 p.m. ET time slot, with an 18-49 rating of 1.4.
While many of country’s biggest names were accepting awards and performing on the American Country Countdown Awards, fellow country star and The Voice coach Blake Shelton was performing with contestant Craig Wayne Boyd. The pair covered Randy Houser’s “Boots On.” Boyd, a 35-year-old frontrunner in the competition, also offered Alabama’s “In Pictures,” as well as the original song “My Baby’s Got A Smile on Her Face,” which was gifted to him by Shelton.
For a full re-cap of the American Country Countdown Awards click here.

I.R.S. Nashville Hires Gwen Foster, Will Robinson

Gwen Foster

Gwen Foster


Gwen Foster and Will Robinson have joined I.R.S. Nashville Records as Directors of Promotion, announced label President John Grady. Both will report to VP of Promotion Tom Moran.
I.R.S. Nashville’s first artist signing is duo Striking Matches, whose debut album will be released first quarter 2015.
Foster previously handled Southwest/West promotion for Average Joes Entertainment, and earlier for Treehouse Records. She has spent 22 years in radio, including time at KMLE/Phoenix, KNIX/Phoenix, KPLX/Dallas and Edens Broadcasting in San Diego.
“I am thrilled to be a part of the I.R.S. Records team!” Foster says. “I’ve been blessed to work with some amazing people on the label side of the business, and now I get to work with John Grady, Tom Moran and Will Robinson. You can bet that the artists will be one of a kind, and the music will blow you away.”
Will Robinson

Will Robinson


Adds Moran, “Gwen has that combination of intelligence and passion that we want I.R.S. to be known for. She is a perfect fit.”
Robinson, a 20-year music industry veteran, was most recently with RPM Entertainment and worked with Moran at Nine North Records. He has held programming positions at WFRE, WCAT and WQYK. “I’m excited to be a part of the one of the most iconic record brands ever,” Robinson says. “To be reunited with my mentor Tom and to work with John is so a dream come true. I know we will turn heads.”
Adds Moran, “I knew I wanted Will to be a part of the company the moment I joined I.R.S. He is an outstanding promotion man and we are lucky to have him.”
I.R.S. has a rich musical history that includes albums by The Police, Black Sabbath and R.E.M. The label was shuttered in 1996 and revived in 2011 as a joint venture between EMI Music North American and Crush Management. Caroline, the independent services division of Capitol Music Group, created I.R.S. Nashville in 2013.

Industry Ink: Doug Seegers, Tim O'Brien, Norman Productions, TM Studios

Doug Seegers

Doug Seegers


A blog called The Bitter Southerner offers an in-depth look at the life of longtime Nashville songwriter Doug Seegers, who went from being homeless in Music City to stardom in Sweden.
Among those interviewed for the piece are A&R vet Tracy Gershon and musician/producer Will Kimbrough.
Read the story at bittersoutherner.com.

• • •
Musician Tim O'Brien

Musician Tim O’Brien


Nashville non-profit writers’ collective The Porch is celebrating its first anniversary in January 2015 with a fundraiser featuring National Book Award-winning author Tim O’Brien and Nashville Grammy Award-winning musician Tim O’Brien. (Yes, two Tim O’Briens). The evening will include performances from local artists, moderated by author Andrew Maraniss.
“A Tale of Two Tims” will take place Jan. 17, 2015 at Green Door Gourmet (7011 River Road Pike in Nashville). The reception will begin at 6:30 p.m., with general admission seating beginning at 8 p.m. For more information, visit porchtn.org.
• • •
Norman De Vasure is holding a Music Row coat drive this week. Employees can place a box in their Music Row offices, and boxes will be picked up on Friday (Dec. 19). All coats will be given to The Mission and Room In The Inn. These organizations give coats to the homeless for free.
For more information, contact Norman De Vasure at 615-320-7300, or at norman@normanproductions.com.
Donations can be made to The Nashville Mission, 639 Lafayette Street, Nashville, TN 37212.
• • •
tm studios logoTM Studios, a division of Westwood One, has announced that its 360 Country Imaging Service has created Brand. Brand features fully-customized and infused sound-alike intros for program directors who seek another way to sonically own the music in their markets. Stations can imbed their brand directly into the music, instead of around it.
“As Country music continues to evolve, it makes sense that Country radio gets the tools and toys previously locked-up by our friends in CHR,” says Ryan Drean, Creative Director at TM. “While multiple Country stations are launching in competitive markets, a jingle package may not always be the solution. BRAND doesn’t place a station’s name around the music; it performs it in the music.”
Brand pre-launched on Detroit’s 99.5 WYCD. Brand is a jingle alternative or add-on to TM’s 360 Country Imaging Service, which provides imaging and regularly-updated jingles created by Nashville singers and musicians. Stations receive fresh content each month.

In Pictures: American Country Countdown Awards

Reba  American Country Countdown Awards 2014  Moments By Moser  110

Reba McEntire with her Nash Icon honor. Photo: Bev Moser/Moments By Moser


Kix Brooks  American Country Countdown Awards 2014  Moments By Moser  65

Kix Brooks. Photo: Bev Moser/Moments By Moser


Luke Bryan  American Country Countdown Awards 2014  Moments By Moser  115

Luke Bryan rejoices in his win at the ACCAs. Photo: Bev Moser/Moments By Moser


Luke Bryan American Country Countdown Awards 2014  Moments By Moser  92

Miranda Lambert. Photo: Bev Moser/Moments By Moser


Jason Aldean  Brittney Kerr American Country Countdown Awards 2014  Moments By Moser  83

Jason Aldean. Photo: Bev Moser/Moments By Moser


Carrie Underwood American Country Countdown Awards 2014  Moments By Moser  44

Carrie Underwood. Photo: Bev Moser/Moments By Moser


Kip Moore American Country Countdown Awards 2014  Moments By Moser  107

Kip Moore. Photo: Bev Moser/Moments By Moser


Lady Antebellum  American Country Countdown Awards 2014  Moments By Moser  81

Lady Antebellum. Photo: Bev Moser/Moments By Moser


Brett Eldredge  American Country Countdown Awards 2014  Moments By Moser  120

Brett Eldredge. Photo: Bev Moser, Moments By Moser


Cole Swindell  American Country Countdown Awards 2014  Moments By Moser  61

Cole Swindell. Photo: Bev Moser, Moments By Moser


 
CLICK HERE to see full list of winners.

Visitation Today For Late Nashville Vocal Legend Millie Kirkham

Museum celebrates vocalist Millie Kirkham with Nashville Cats program The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum recently (9/29) honored soprano Millie Kirkham in its quarterly series Nashville Cats: A Celebration of Music City Musicians. Kirkham entertained the audience with tales from her recording sessions with George Jones, Roy Orbison, Elvis Presley, Leon Russell and many others. Pictured, left to right, (back row) Program Host Bill Lloyd, Ray Walker, Jimmy Capps, Millie Kirkham, Weldon Myrick, D.J. Fontana, David Briggs, Curtis Young and Joe Johnson. (front row) Gordon Stoker and Wayne Moss.     Photo: Donn Jones

In 2012 the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum honored Millie Kirkham in its quarterly series Nashville Cats: A Celebration of Music City Musicians. Pictured here, Kirkham entertained the audience with tales from her recording sessions with George Jones, Roy Orbison, Elvis Presley, Leon Russell and many others. Photo: Donn Jones


The ethereal soprano vocal backing Elvis Presley on the classic “Blue Christmas” is being heard throughout the world this season.
The woman who owned that voice died Sunday in Nashville. Millie Kirkham, the legendary Music Row backup vocalist, passed away in her hometown at age 91.
Kirkham began her career on Nashville radio in 1946 by singing on various programs on WSM. In 1954, she began to concentrate on recording-studio work. She was at times a member of the Anita Kerr Singers as well as an adjunct member of The Jordanaires. Between them, those two vocal groups backed virtually every singer who ever recorded in Nashville in the 1950s, ‘60s, ‘70s and 1980s.
Her soaring soprano voice embellished such iconic hits as George Jones’s “He Stopped Loving Her Today,” Ferlin Husky’s “Gone,” Bobby Vinton’s “Blue Velvet,” Brenda Lee’s “I’m Sorry” and Kris Kristofferson’s “Why Me,” in addition to “Blue Christmas” and many other Presley hits.
She can be heard on the recordings of at least 30 members of the Country Music Hall of Fame. Patsy Cline, Johnny Cash, Charley Pride, Bobby Bare, Mac Wiseman, Hank Snow, Chet Atkins, Porter Wagoner, Connie Smith, Jim Reeves, Reba McEntire, Roger Miller, Willie Nelson, Tom T. Hall, Eddy Arnold, Tammy Wynette, Dolly Parton and Loretta Lynn are just a few of the greats whose records feature Kirkham’s vocal support.
Pop stars including Paul Anka, Little Richard, Bob Dylan, Perry Como, Gordon Lightfoot, Rosemary Clooney, Roy Orbison, Brook Benton, Andy Griffith, Carl Perkins, Duane Eddy and Leon Russell all released records containing Millie Kirkham vocal harmonies. So did Jerry Lee Lewis, Dottie West, Bobby Darin, Burl Ives and The Browns.
The widely beloved recording-session stalwart displayed her gracious good humor during a memorable “Nashville Cats” tribute event at the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2012.
Millie Kirkham was married to a fellow musician, drummer Doug Kirkham. He died in 1986.
She is survived by her daughter, Shelley Richardson (Walter), three grandsons, four great-grandchildren, sister Marilyn Ezell and numerous nieces and nephews.
A visitation will be held 3-7 p.m. today (Tuesday, Dec. 16) at Woodlawn Roesch-Patton Funeral Home. Millie Kirkham’s Celebration of Life Service will be held there at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 17, with a visitation held one hour prior.