Industry Ink: InDo Nashville, WRTB, Freddy Powers

Gary Burr Master Class Moves To InDo Nashville

Gary Burr is hosting his annual three-day Songwriting Master Class at InDo Nashville, April 21-23.  This marks the first time the event will be held at InDo Nashville, the coworking, office and event space located in the SoBro neighborhood of Nashville. Songwriters interested in attending the three-day intensive seminar can get more details at garyburr.com.  The course includes one-on-one critiques and lectures by Burr and other writers, and is designed to help songwriters improve and raise their game.

Gordon Mays Joins WRTB The Bull

Gordon Mays will join MusicRow panel station WRTB 95.3 The Bull in Rockford, Illinois, for afternoons, beginning in mid-May.

“Gordon is talented, personable and relates well with listeners,” said WRTB PD Steve Summers. “He also brings years of experience in imaging, and as a booking talent for live music venues, various festivals and events. He is the perfect fit for 95.3 The Bull and we look forward to hearing him having fun riding “The Bull” in Rockford!”

Freddy Powers’ ‘Spree of 83’ Coming To The Big Screen

A book based on the life of late songwriter Freddy Powers, titled The Spree Of ’83, will hit stores in July, and a movie about his life will be developed by L.A.-based Yakima Productions. The Spree of ’83 will depict Freddy’s start in the 1950s with Paul Buskirk and fellow unknown Willie Nelson before rising in the 1960s and 70s to the top draws on the West Coast Casino circuit,  and kindling a 30-year friendship and songwriting collaboration with Merle Haggard.

The two penned Haggard’s signature hits like “Natural High,” “I Always Get Lucky With You,” “Let’s Chase Each Other Round the Room Tonight,” and “Looking for a Place to Fall Apart” against the backdrop of Lake Shasta. Freddy’s battle with Parkinson’s Disease will also be chronicled in the story as well. Powers died in June 2016, at age 84.

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Lorie Hollabaugh

Hollabaugh, a staff writer at MusicRow magazine, has over 20 years of music business experience and has written for publications including American Profile, CMA Close Up, Nashville Arts And Entertainment, The Boot and Country Weekly. She has a Broadcast Journalism and Speech Communication degree from Texas Christian University, (go Horned Frogs), and welcomes your feedback or story ideas at lhollabaugh@musicrow.com.

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