Trailer Choir will stream a direct-to-fan concert performance on Aug. 31 at 8 p.m. ET on CMT.com. In addition to singing many of its fan favorites such as “Rockin’ The Beer Gut,” and “Shakin’ That Tailgate,” the trio will also take questions from a select audience of contest winners.

The live stream event is part of an ongoing series on CMT.com that has featured artists such as Lee Brice, Randy Houser, Joey & Rory, Joe Nichols and Blake Shelton. Trailer Choir’s Crystal, Butter and Big Vinny were discovered by Toby Keith and signed to his Show Dog Universal Music record label.

To watch the live stream, visit: http://www.cmt.com/videos/misc/545919/cmtcom-live-streaming-event.jhtml.

The Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum recently (8/19) hosted a reception for its new exhibition Tammy Wynette: First Lady of Country Music, Presented by Great American Country Television Network. The exhibit, which runs through June 12, 2011, features video narration by Faith Hill. The reception was supported by RJ Young.

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Buddy Miller performed for the third and final time on Tuesday (8/24) as part of the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum’s annual Artist-in-Residence series. Special guests for the sold-out show included longtime friends and collaborators Shawn Colvin, Jim Lauderdale and Emmylou Harris. Guests for the previous two shows included Bill Frisell, Patty Griffin, Tom T. Hall, the McCrary Sisters, Darrell Scott and Lee Ann Womack. Recaps, along with photos and video clips from all three evenings, can be viewed here.

As President of the Nashville Musicians Association, AFM Local 257, I must clarify the statements made in last Friday’s article in MusicRow regarding engineers joining the Musicians Union. It was premature to say that engineers can “now sign the card on recording sessions.” What should have been said is that we were “considering the possibility of allowing engineers to work under Union recording Agreements when applicable.” This topic is not new and has been discussed with engineers, the AES, and Local 257 members, for quite some time, but no new formal agreement or “understanding” exists, as was stated in Friday’s article.

While it is clear that engineers have the right to join the AFM, when it comes to signing the card as an engineer on a recording session, things are not so simple. After speaking with AFM counsel this morning, it has come to my attention that there are legal obstacles to this concept that cannot be overcome at this time. The 6 p.m. Tuesday meeting was intended to be for an informational discussion, not a formal invitation for engineers to join the AFM as was implied, nor is it intended to be a full scale debate on the topic. I regret any confusion that this incorrect description of where we are in this process may have caused.

The engineer community in Nashville is an important part of our creative process, and Local 257 respects them and the work they do. As we look towards the future, we hope that the positive, constructive dialogue we have had with all segments of the Nashville music community about our collective goals will continue. Local 257 is proud to be the home of “the finest musicians in the world,” and we will continue our mission to represent “Music City” at the highest level possible.

Dave Pomeroy
President, Nashville Musicians Association, AFM Local 257

The speeches were kept to a minimum, and that left more time for music, music, music.

The good folks at Leadership Music are going to be hard-pressed to top the talent parade that performed at this year’s Dale Franklin Award ceremony. Staged Sunday evening (8/29) at the Renaissance Hotel ballroom, the event saluted Fred Foster, Kris Kristofferson and Willie Nelson and featured tribute songs from Rodney Crowell, Charlie McCoy, Billy Swan, Dolly Parton, Shawn Camp, Lyle Lovett, Lee Ann Womack, Jamey Johnson, Lorrie Morgan and Randy Travis.

Leadership Music executive director Karen Oertley and current board president Jamie Cheek welcomed everyone. Oertley noted that past recipients of this honor have been Tony Brown (2004), Gerry House (2005), Emmylou Harris (2006), Frances Preston (2007), the Bradley family (Owen, Harold, Patsy, Jerry, Connie, 2008) and Jim Foglesong – Allen Reynolds – Garth Brooks (2009). Tony Brown, Patsy Bradley, Harold Bradley and Jim Foglesong were all in the house.

Vince Gill was our able host for the gala. “What three amazing people, and what a legacy they have built,” he noted. “Fred was a true visionary. The motto at Fred’s label was ‘Monument Is Artistry.’”

Foster’s Monument Records was home to not only Kristofferson, Nelson, Swan, Parton and McCoy, but also to Roy Orbison, Boots Randolph, Tony Joe White, Jeannie Seely (who attended), Larry Jon Wilson, Larry Gatlin, Grandpa Jones, Ed Bruce, Henson Cargill and Ray Stevens, among others.

BMI’s Del Bryant recalled the close friendship forged between Foster and his late father, Boudleaux Bryant. “I’m proud to be a part of the night that honors you,” he said.

Then Crowell and McCoy performed a smoking version of Orbison’s “Dream Baby.” McCoy did his 1972 hit harmonica instrumental of “Today I Started Loving You Again.” Swan romped through his 1974 Monument smash “I Can Help.” Parton performed her 1967 breakthrough hit “Dumb Blonde,” which was produced by Foster.

“It’s amazing how far we’ve come and how far we’ve traveled,” she said. “Thank you for believing in me and for helping me to get started. I love you.”

“I love you, too,” Foster responded. “I will always love you.” Hmmm. I think there’s a song in there somewhere.

Added Foster, “I’m so happy to be part of this music family. To have my name mentioned in the same breath as Dale Franklin is honor enough. I’ve had some wonderful experiences with some wonderful people. This might be the Big Time, right here.”

Attendee Bob Beckham was shown on video, reflecting on Kristofferson’s career. Tribute-show bandleader Shawn Camp was up next, with a sensational cover of “Sunday Morning Coming Down.”

“Man, it’s my birthday!” he exclaimed. “Best birthday present I ever got….I can’t tell you what an honor it is to be part of this night.”

Before I go any further, I have to give a shout-out to the rest of the musicians who backed everyone. They were simply superb – Steve Hinson (steel), Bobby Wood (keys), Kenny Malone (drums), Dennis Crouch (upright bass) and Guthrie Trapp (lead guitar), plus Camp (acoustic guitar) and McCoy (harmonica).

Backed by those guys, Lovett turned in a mesmerizing version of “Me and Bobby McGee.” A tearful Kristofferson gave him a standing ovation. “Kris Kristofferson loves and respects music,” said Lovett. “He takes the personal and makes it universal. He takes the universal and makes it personal.”

Following Womack’s “Loving Her Was Easier,” Tamara Saviano did the award presentation. “The selection committee has chosen well,” she said. “All of us would be better leaders if we followed Kris’s example.

“The Kris I know is a reluctant icon. He is genuinely perplexed by the recognition.”

A clearly moved Kristofferson stammered, “I’m kinda speechless. To be up here getting an award along with Fred Foster and Willie Nelson, I kind of feel like I’m dreaming.”

Host Gill said of Nelson, “They ought to put a fifth head on Mt. Rushmore. He’s done more for this country than just about anybody. He’s what America is all about.”

Steven Colbert appeared on video to salute Nelson. Country radio DJ Hall of Famer Lee Arnold stated of Nelson, “He is the most cherished person in country music today. He has touched more lives than just about anybody, in all genres of music.”

Johnson did “Angel Flying Too Close to the Ground” as a solo with just his own acoustic guitar accompaniment. Backed by pianist Mark Oliverius and the band, Morgan totally nailed the oft-sung “Crazy.”

“I’m such a big fan – This makes me a little bit nervous,” said Travis prior to an excellent rendition of “Funny How Time Slips Away.”

“My, my what a night,” said award presenter Brenda Lee. “Willie Nelson is certainly a rare commodity. You don’t get more ‘real’ than Willie Nelson. I’ve always wondered how somebody that laid back could get so much done.”

“All the nice things people said about me, I almost gave myself a standing ovation,” quipped Nelson.

Gill summoned all the singers to the stage to round out the evening with a spirited “On the Road Again.” To shouts of acclaim, Nelson again left his seat to lead the merry music making of Camp, Lovett, Travis, Johnson, Swan and Kristofferson.

Not surprisingly, the cheering section was liberally sprinkled with major songwriting talents. In the crowd were Bobby Braddock, Dickey Lee, Beth Nielsen Chapman, Eddy Raven, Bob & Leslie Tomasino DiPiero, Gretchen Peters, Randy Houser, Dene Anton, Guy Clark, Dennis Morgan, Fred Knobloch and the legendary Ronnie Hawkins.

Such notable songwriter boosters as Bart Herbison, Erika Wollam-Nichols, Tim DuBois, Tim Fink, Jody Williams and Phil Graham were in attendance, too. Also working the room were Steve Gibson, Steve Fishell & Tracy Gershon, Charles Dorris, John Dorris, John Lomax III, Jonathan Yudkin, Kay Clary, Kay Williams, Kay West, Kerry O’Neil, Kyle Young, Kira Florita, Ken Levitan, David & Carolyn Corlew, Caroline Davis, Jay Frank, Anita Hogin, Denise Stiff, Ben Vaughn, Blake Chancey, Doug Howard, Rod Essig, Evelyn Shriver, Harry Chapman, Michelle Berlin, Peter Collins, Bonnie Garner, Ed Benson and Jo Walker-Meador.