The voice of the long-haul trucking industry and a Grammy-winning songwriter, Bill Mack was one of the greats of classic country music.
The longtime national broadcast personality passed away at age 91 on Friday (July 31). Mack was elected to the Country Music Disc Jockey Hall of Fame in 1982, to the Texas Music Hall of Fame in 1995 and to the Texas Country Music Hall of Fame in 1999.
He was famed for his all-night broadcasts from Ft. Worth, Texas over WBAP. “The Bill Mack Trucking Show” began in 1969 and continued for more than three decades with its creative programming that featured a diverse musical mix, a wide variety of guests, trucker call-ins and information for long-haul drivers about weather and road conditions.
Mack was a native Texan, born Bill Mack Smith in Shamrock on June 4, 1929. He played guitar and harmonica and formed a band while at Shamrock High School. He began his radio career in the late 1940s as a college student at West Texas State College. He worked at stations in Amarillo, San Antonio and Wichita Falls before arriving in Ft. Worth.
His dulcet speaking voice carried over into a strong singing talent. He signed with Imperial Records in 1951 and recorded such proto-rockabilly numbers as “Sue-Suzie Boogie” and “Play My Boogie.”
On Starday Records, he recorded such rockabilly classics as “Kitty Cat” and “The Cat Just Got Into Town” later in the 1950s.
He subsequently recorded for United Artists, Hickory, MGM, Phillips and other labels. His most successful single was “Ladonna” on Hickory.
But he had more success as a songwriter than he did as a recording artist. Mack’s jazzy “Drinking Champagne” became a big hit for Cal Smith in 1968. The song was revived by George Strait and again became a smash in 1990.
The songwriter’s other major copyright is “Blue.” Originally recorded by Mack in 1959, he intended to pitch it to Patsy Cline, but never did. Following her 1963 death, the song lay fallow for decades until a teenaged LeAnn Rimes launched her career with it in 1996.
It earned Bill Mack a Best Country Song Grammy Award. “Blue” was also named Song of the Year by the Academy of Country Music.
His songs have also been recorded by George Jones, Ray Price, Jerry Lee Lewis, Dean Martin, Waylon Jennings, Boxcar Willie, Hank Thompson, Don Gibson, Jim Ed Brown, Johnny Cash and more.
His gospel tune “Clinging to a Saving Hand” has been recorded by Rimes, Connie Smith, Conway Twitty, Bill Monroe, The Chuck Wagon Gang, George Hamilton IV, John Conlee, Dale Ann Bradley and others.
Mack’s overnight trucking show was variously titled “The Bill Mack Trucking Show,” “The Midnight Cowboy Trucking Show,” “The U.S. 1 Trucking Show,” “Open Road” and “The Country Roads Show.” WBAP’s clear-channel signal meant that the broadcaster could be heard in most of the continental United States.
He left WBAP to launch a similar program on Sirius/XM satellite radio in 2001. He remained there until 2011, then returned to terrestrial radio on KSNZ in his hometown, Shamrock, Texas.
In addition to his trucking show, Bill Mack was the host of the nationally syndicated “Country Crossroads.” This gospel-oriented series was launched in 1969 and aired on more than 800 stations at its peak. He also hosted the syndicated “Overtime Top Ten Countdown” show.
In addition, Bill Mack was a television emcee. He hosted such syndicated series as The Buck Owens Show, The Bob Wills Show and Cowtown Jamboree. His radio show was translated into the cable TV series Country Crossroads.
He published an autobiography in 1971 titled Spins and Needles.
His death was due to complications resulting from the COVID-19 virus, with underlying conditions. His wife Cynthia (“Sweet Cindy”) was frequently his collaborator on the air, particularly in later years. She survives him, as do his children Debbie, Misty Dawn, Billy Mack Smith III and Sunday Renee, as well as several grandchildren.
Lifelong Friends Vince Gill, Rodney Crowell, Emmylou Harris Reunite For Opry Show
/by Lorie HollabaughPictured: Vince Gill, Emmylou Harris, Rodney Crowell. Photo: courtesy Grand Ole Opry LLC. Chris Hollo, photographer
Rodney Crowell, Vince Gill, and Emmylou Harris made some Opry magic Saturday night (Aug. 1) when the three stepped into the circle together to perform on the Grand Ole Opry’s 4,935th consecutive Saturday night broadcast.
Between the three of them, the music legends have amassed a whopping 36 Grammy Awards and 109 nominations. Harris kicked off the show with “If I Could Only Win Your Love,” from her debut album Pieces of the Sky, and shared that it was the first song she ever sang on the Grand Ole Opry when she debuted in 1975. She reflected on performing it that night with Charlie Louvin, who had written and recorded the classic with his brother Ira.
The rich history and deep friendship between Crowell, Gill and Harris spans almost 50 years and was clearly evident as the three storytellers often found themselves going off their intended set lists to harmonize and collaborate on each other’s songs, including Harris’ “Out Under the Stars” and the Crowell-penned “Even Cowgirls Get the Blues.”
Crowell performed “Still Learning How To Fly,” and “Bluebird Wine,” which he wrote and Harris recorded for her debut album, and together Crowell and Harris performed “You Can’t Say We Didn’t Try” from their 2015 duets album The Traveling Kind. Gill kicked off his performance with “Oklahoma Borderline,” which he co-wrote with Crowell and Guy Clark. When he performed Crowell’s “Till I Gain Control Again,” he described the tune as “the song that bonded a friendship that has lasted almost 44 years,” and he brought his friend Crowell to tears as he performed the Crowell-penned “Song For the Life” for Crowell’s upcoming birthday, with Crowell admitting, “For as long as I’ve known you, you can still make me cry.”
The three friends closed their Opry show with another Crowell-penned hit, “Leaving Louisiana in the Broad Daylight.”
BBR Music Group/Music Knox Records Sign Tim Montana
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured (L-R): Michael Knox, Tim Montana. Photo: Spidey Smith
BBR Music Group has added Tim Montana to its roster. The singer-songwriter joins Music Knox Records, Michael Knox‘s partnership imprint with BBR Music Group/BMG.
“What hit me first about Tim was his music. When I found out about all the other things going on in his world, it was just icing on the cake,” said Knox. “What I love the most about Tim is that you feel his life, good or bad, through his music. It didn’t take me long to see how personal this all was to him and why he has no plan B. Tim is all in and so am I.”
“I’ve always had the objective to do things differently and out work everybody and couldn’t be more thrilled to find a label home with the same thought process. Knox brought me to a whole new level in the studio and challenged me to pull out the big guns as a writer,” Montana said. “I couldn’t be more honored to join a roster of some of the best and most diverse talent in our genre. They’ve got the rocket and I’ve got the fuel so let’s ride this sled to the moon!”
“Tim is the consummate professional who knows his brand and is building an impressive business. It’s a lifestyle, not just a music career,” said Jon Loba, EVP BBR Music Group. “I can’t wait to see what happens when we combine that with Knox and his vision for the music.”
Montana recently joined several friends including Charlie Sheen, Lee Brice, Chris Kirkpatrick, Michael Ray, Chase Rice and more for the video for “Quarantine,” penned by Monatna and Mat Best. Montana’s music has also been used as the theme song for World Series Championship runs, NHL games, NASCAR telecasts and action movies and has earned him spots opening for Kid Rock and performing alongside the Foo Fighter’s Dave Grohl.
In addition to his music career, Montana has his own show, “Tim Montana’s Wild Side,” on Velocity Outdoor Channel. He is also involved in products including Polaris, Black Rifle Coffee, Fender, Gerber, Giant Bicycles, Indian Motorcycles, K&N, Kicker Performance Audio, Orange Amplifiers, Snap On, Traeger Grills and more.
Mark Your Calendar—August 2020
/by LB CantrellSingle Add Dates
August 3
Martina McBride/Girls Like Me/Vinyl Recordings, LLC
Tim Dugger/You’re Gonna Love Me/Curb
Bruce Larson/What Love Can Do/Busy@Play
Drew Taylor/Wayback
August 10
Darius Rucker/Beers And Sunshine/Capitol
A Thousand Horses/A Song To Remember/Warner/WEA
Cam/Classic/Triple Tigers Records
Dylan Gerard/Simple Things/SSM Nashville
August 14
Josh Christina/Old Piano/Burning Ground Entertainment
August 17
Taylor Swift/betty/MCA Nashville
August 21
Alexandra Kay/I Kinda Don’t/Alexandra Kay Music
August 24
Lainey Wilson/Things A Man Oughta Know/Broken Bow Records
August 27
Jesse Lopez/Way Past Words
Album Releases
August 7
Luke Bryan/Born Here, Live Here, Die Here/Capitol Records Nashville
Mary Chapin Carpenter/The Dirt and the Stars/Lambent Light Records/Thirty Tigers
Joel Crouse/WasteLAnd/Hum Records
August 14
Mo Pitney/Ain’t Lookin’ Back/Curb Records
Caylee Hammack/If It Wasn’t For You/Capitol Nashville
Lindsay Ell/heart theory/Stoney Creek Records
Jeannie Seely/An American Classic/Curb Records
RaeLynn/Baytown/Round Here Records
Orville Peck/Show Pony/Columbia
Tori Kelly/Solitude/Capitol Music Group/School Boy Records
Eric Paslay/Nice Guy/Paso Fino Records
August 21
Mandy Barnett/A Nashville Songbook/Melody Place
Josh Turner/Country State of Mind/MCA Nashville
Tim McGraw/Here on Earth/BMLG
Tucker Beathard/King/Warner Music Nashville
August 28
Ruston Kelly/Shape & Destroy/Rounder Records
Colter Wall/Western Swing & Waltzes and Other Punchy Songs/La Honda Records/Thirty Tigers
Ryan Griffin/Name On It/Altadena/Warner Records/Warner Music Nashville
Industry Events
August 18
MusicRow Awards – Winners Announced
Sony/ATV Renews Deal With Jon Pardi
/by Jessica NicholsonJon Pardi. Photo: Jim Wright
Sony/ATV Music Publishing Nashville has extended its worldwide publishing agreement with the multi-Platinum, award-winning singer, songwriter, artist and producer Jon Pardi.
Pardi’s hits include 3x Platinum, multi-week No. 1 single “Dirt On My Boots,” 2x Platinum, No. 1 singles “Head Over Boots” and “Heartache On The Dance Floor,” and Gold-certified single “Heartache Medication.”
Recently, he partnered with Thomas Rhett on the popular No. 1 single “Beer Can’t Fix,” and his album Heartache Medication is nominated for ACM’s Album of the Year category this year, making him a double-nominee as both an artist and producer.
Sony/ATV Nashville CEO Rusty Gaston stated, “Jon Pardi is a honky-tonk genius—his music is dynamic and captures every aspect of life and love, which is why his songs will remain timeless. On behalf of all of us here at Sony/ATV, we are grateful to continue working with Jon and making country music history together.”
Sony/ATV Nashville VP, Creative Tom Luteran said, “Jon is the ultimate unicorn as an artist. He is constantly breaking new ground with his music and his genre defining sound. It’s been a pleasure to accomplish what we have during the past four years and going forward I’m sure we will continue to hit new heights.”
“Sony/ATV has been incredible to work with and has believed in me from the start. We all share in a unique, creative vision that has taken us to some incredible places, and I’m excited to keep that going,” said Pardi.
DISClaimer Singles Reviews: Dan + Shay, Taylor Swift, Randy Travis, Reyna Roberts, And More
/by Robert K OermannDan + Shay
We have no shortage of superstars this week in DisClaimer.
Everybody from Hall of Famers Alan Jackson and Randy Travis to redhot current giants Blake Shelton and Dan + Shay are here. Leading the pack is Taylor Swift, whose return-to country-track easily nabs the Disc of the Day prize.
I’m happy to report that there are plenty of baby acts in the mix today as well — Reyna Roberts, Joey Hendricks, Tyler Booth and our DisCovery Award winners, Bexar (that’s pronounced “Bear” or “Bay-har” to you non Texicans).
JOEY HENDRICKS/Yours Or Mine
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Sony
– Airy and attractive, in a pop kinda way. There is too much “process” on the vocal for the lyric to be clear, but the young-and-in-lust message is plain.
BLAKE SHELTON/Happy Anywhere
Writers: Ross Copperman/Josh Osborne/Matt Jenkins; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Warner
– Bopping, sunny and bright, plus loaded with romantic optimism. If I’ve ever heard a quarantine/pandemic love song, this is it. Sweetie Gwen Stefani provides the harmony vocal.
REYNA ROBERTS/Stompin’ Grounds
Writers: Reyna Roberts/Noah Henson; Producer: Noah Henson; Publisher: none listed; CEN/Orchard
– This is a very dandy slab of Southern rock, replete with a wailing delivery, a slamming beat, searing electric-guitar work and a sassy, welcome-to-Alabama lyric. Vocal fireball Roberts represents the latest entry in a very, very long quest for a Black female country star. With this blazing debut single, she’s on her way.
TAYLOR SWIFT/Betty
Writers: Taylor Swift/William Bowery; Producers: Aaron Dessner/Jack Antonoff/Taylor Swift; Publishers: TASRM/Songs of Universal/William Bowery, BMI; MCA Nashville/Republic
– Kissed by wafting harmonica notes and strummy guitar, this is a lovely acoustic track. Lyrically, it’s quite striking, since she’s singing from the point of view of 17-year-old “James,” who cheated on “Betty” via a summer fling. Swift is a fountain of creativity in this return to her country roots.
BEXAR/Again
Writers: Ross Copperman/Chris Ryan/Logan Turner; Producer: Ross Copperman; Publisher: none listed; Warner
– This is a band fronted by the duo of Texan Chris Ryan (guitar/lead vocal) and Kentuckian Logan Turner (banjo/guitar/vocals). Their sound is terrifically accomplished, acoustic yet thumping, polished yet earthy. The song yearns to recall the innocence of a teen romance. I cannot wait to hear more from these guys. In the meantime, please put this on your playlist at once.
RANDY TRAVIS/Fool’s Love Affair
Writers: Milton Brown/Keith Stegall/Charlie Monk; Producer: Kyle Lehning; Publisher: none listed; Warner
– Radio personality Charlie Monk has also been a longtime Music Row song publisher. He found a tape of Travis singing this song as a demo. Recorded just before the vocalist broke through as a superstar in 1985, the slow-burn, cheatin’ ballad is a clear reminder of what a stunning country baritone he was. Producer Lehning surrounded that voice with new tracks and the result is the first new Travis single since his stroke seven years ago. This, my friends, is what Real Country Music sounds like.
ROBERT COUNTS/What Do I Know
Writers: Robert Counts/Hardy/Jake Mitchell; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Arista Nashville
– Blue-collar wisdom, redneck philosophy and dirt-road life lessons wrapped in a hillbilly-banger production. Very promising. Send more.
LAUREN ALAINA/Run
Writers: Lauren Alaina/Ben Johnson/Kennedi; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Mercury Nashville
– This tempo tune is super hooky. If you’re not bopping and singing along to this catchy, repetitive, repetitive thing, you’re not listening. Also, she’s singing splendidly here.
CAYLEE HAMMACK & ALAN JACKSON/Lord I Hope This Day Is Good
Writer: Dave Hanner; Producer: Dave Cobb; Publisher: none listed; Capitol Nashville
– These two Georgia natives sound supremely awesome together on this flawless remake of the 1981 Don Williams classic. I have always loved the song, and these two voices harmonizing on it make it even more heavenly.
TYLER BOOTH/In God and Trucks We Trust
Writers: Tyler Booth/Randy Montana/Phil O’Donnell; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Sony/Villa 40
– Ya gotta love it. There might not be many of us who are farmers these days, but the down-home, semi-corny values espoused here can be embraced by just about anybody.
DAN + SHAY/I Should Probably Go To Bed
Writers: Shay Mooney/Dan Smyers/Jason Evigan/Sean Douglas; Producer: Dan Smyers; Publisher: none listed; Warner
– Shay Mooney tingles the spine by singing at the top of his range throughout the ballad performance. Dan Smyers played all the instruments and produced the whole thing in his home studio. These two are dynamite, and this should blow up in no time.
Mechanical Licensing Collective Adds Three To Leadership Team
/by Lorie HollabaughPictured: Benjamin, Kilgore, Russell
The Mechanical Licensing Collective has hired several new staffers who will help lead the company’s finance, public relations and rights management efforts: Monique Benjamin, as Head of Finance, Natalie Kilgore, as Head of Public Relations, and Maurice Russell, as Head of Rights Management.
As Head of Finance, Benjamin will lead The MLC’s internal budgeting process, track The MLC’s operational costs, and lead the company’s efforts to set up its initial internal financial policies and processes. She brings more than 18 years of experience to The MLC, and launched her career at PricewaterhouseCoopers before transitioning to the music industry. Benjamin held various finance-related roles at Word Entertainment and Warner Music Nashville, eventually rising through the ranks to become Warner’s Senior Vice President of Finance before joining the MLC.
In her new role as Head of Public Relations, Kilgore will oversee The MLC’s external communications. A long-time creative champion, she brings nearly two decades of publicity experience in the music and entertainment industries. Her professional endeavors include launching the in-house publicity departments for both the Big Machine Label Group and BBR Music Group, and serving as the Communications Director for the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI).
As The MLC’s Head of Rights Management, Russell will lead The MLC’s internal team of publishing experts, as well as The MLC’s publisher relations efforts, ensuring that publishers always have a direct line of communication with the company. He will also coordinate The MLC’s operational relationship with the Harry Fox Agency, the primary outside vendor for administration. Russell most recently served as the CEO/Founder of consultancy firm Media Rights Management where he helped his clients navigate the industry’s growing licensing and data challenges. A recognized industry expert in matters pertaining to music publishing administration, he has served on advisory groups at the U.S. Copyright Office and the U.S. Patent and Trade Office, and has also been a long-time participant in the Digital Data Exchange, the preeminent music industry standards-setting organization.
“I’m excited to welcome three new executives to The MLC’s leadership team as we continue to build our organization,” said The MLC’s Chief Executive Officer Kris Ahrend. “Monique, Natalie, and Maurice each possess many years of experience working in the music industry, they are recognized leaders in their fields, and they are well-respected by their peers. I am grateful that they have decided to join The MLC.”
Taylor Swift Returns To Country Radio With “Betty”
/by Jessica NicholsonTaylor Swift is returning to country radio with the harmonica-laced ballad “Betty,” from the superstar’s recently-released album folklore. Country radio stations in Nashville, New York, and Tulsa are among those already playing the track, though its official add date is Aug. 17.
“Betty” will be worked to country radio by Universal Music Group’s MCA Nashville imprint (Swift signed to Universal Music Group in 2018). Swift is a co-writer on the song, which she also co-produced alongside Jack Antonoff and The National’s Aaron Dessner.
Swift’s most recent song to gain traction in the country market came with last year’s “Soon You’ll Get Better” (ft. The Chicks), which reached No. 10 on the Hot Country Songs chart. In 2018, “New Year’s Day,” the closing track to Swift’s album reputation, reached No. 41 on Billboard‘s Country Airplay chart.
One week after Swift surprised fans with the unexpected release, folklore has become the top-selling album of 2020, with more than 2 million in global sales and more than half a billion total streams on audio and video in seven days. The album reached No. 1 on iTunes in more than 85 countries.
Swift is the only female artist to have seven albums each sell at least 500,000 copies in a single week, with the albums Fearless, Speak Now, RED, 1989, reputation, Lover, and now folklore.
Last week, folklore broke the global record for first day album streams on Spotify by a female artist with 80.6 million streams and delivered the most-streamed pop album on Apple Music in 24 hours with 35.47M streams.
Charlie Daniels Volunteer Jam To Continue In 2021 As Tribute Concert
/by Lorie HollabaughArtwork by Erick Anderson
Charlie Daniels‘ annual Volunteer Jam will continue in 2021, as a tribute to the late Country Music Hall of Fame member, who died July 6 at age 83.
The 2021 Volunteer Jam is set for Monday, Feb. 22 at 7 p.m. CT at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena, with ALABAMA, Ricky Skaggs, Old Crow Medicine Show, Junior Brown and Cece Winans added to the previously announced lineup.
Hazel Daniels, Daniels’ wife of 55 years, believes her husband would be thrilled with adhering to the old adage “the show must go on.” “I am forever grateful for all of the love and support Charlie Jr. and I have received since Charlie’s passing,” says Hazel. “Charlie would be excited and extremely proud that his Volunteer Jam would continue. I want to express my sincere thanks to the artists paying tribute to Charlie.”
“Charlie’s entire day, week, year, and life revolved around his faith, family, and his cherished live performances,” explains Daniels’ longtime manager David Corlew. “We, as a team, 24-7, were focused on that two hours of his day, the part he loved most. There’s no better way to honor and continue his legacy than to do a show with The CDB, their music, the artists, family, friends and fans. We got this.”
The salute to Daniels will include performances by The Marshall Tucker Band, Chris Janson, Charley Pride, Larry, Steve & Rudy: The Gatlin Brothers, Big & Rich, Gretchen Wilson, Cowboy Troy, Delbert McClinton, Keb’ Mo’, The Outlaws, 38 Special, The Allman Betts Band, Cedric Burnside, Jenny Tolman, the Atlanta Rhythm Section, Travis Denning, Mickey Gilley, Johnny Lee, Rhett Akins, Scooter Brown Band, The SteelDrivers, Pure Prairie League and comedian Dusty Slay. Daniels’ longtime band, The Charlie Daniels Band, will also perform to honor their legendary frontman.
Tickets are on sale now via Ticketmaster.com and the Bridgestone Arena box office.
Country Radio Legend Bill Mack Dies At 91
/by Robert K OermannThe voice of the long-haul trucking industry and a Grammy-winning songwriter, Bill Mack was one of the greats of classic country music.
The longtime national broadcast personality passed away at age 91 on Friday (July 31). Mack was elected to the Country Music Disc Jockey Hall of Fame in 1982, to the Texas Music Hall of Fame in 1995 and to the Texas Country Music Hall of Fame in 1999.
He was famed for his all-night broadcasts from Ft. Worth, Texas over WBAP. “The Bill Mack Trucking Show” began in 1969 and continued for more than three decades with its creative programming that featured a diverse musical mix, a wide variety of guests, trucker call-ins and information for long-haul drivers about weather and road conditions.
Mack was a native Texan, born Bill Mack Smith in Shamrock on June 4, 1929. He played guitar and harmonica and formed a band while at Shamrock High School. He began his radio career in the late 1940s as a college student at West Texas State College. He worked at stations in Amarillo, San Antonio and Wichita Falls before arriving in Ft. Worth.
His dulcet speaking voice carried over into a strong singing talent. He signed with Imperial Records in 1951 and recorded such proto-rockabilly numbers as “Sue-Suzie Boogie” and “Play My Boogie.”
On Starday Records, he recorded such rockabilly classics as “Kitty Cat” and “The Cat Just Got Into Town” later in the 1950s.
He subsequently recorded for United Artists, Hickory, MGM, Phillips and other labels. His most successful single was “Ladonna” on Hickory.
But he had more success as a songwriter than he did as a recording artist. Mack’s jazzy “Drinking Champagne” became a big hit for Cal Smith in 1968. The song was revived by George Strait and again became a smash in 1990.
The songwriter’s other major copyright is “Blue.” Originally recorded by Mack in 1959, he intended to pitch it to Patsy Cline, but never did. Following her 1963 death, the song lay fallow for decades until a teenaged LeAnn Rimes launched her career with it in 1996.
It earned Bill Mack a Best Country Song Grammy Award. “Blue” was also named Song of the Year by the Academy of Country Music.
His songs have also been recorded by George Jones, Ray Price, Jerry Lee Lewis, Dean Martin, Waylon Jennings, Boxcar Willie, Hank Thompson, Don Gibson, Jim Ed Brown, Johnny Cash and more.
His gospel tune “Clinging to a Saving Hand” has been recorded by Rimes, Connie Smith, Conway Twitty, Bill Monroe, The Chuck Wagon Gang, George Hamilton IV, John Conlee, Dale Ann Bradley and others.
Mack’s overnight trucking show was variously titled “The Bill Mack Trucking Show,” “The Midnight Cowboy Trucking Show,” “The U.S. 1 Trucking Show,” “Open Road” and “The Country Roads Show.” WBAP’s clear-channel signal meant that the broadcaster could be heard in most of the continental United States.
He left WBAP to launch a similar program on Sirius/XM satellite radio in 2001. He remained there until 2011, then returned to terrestrial radio on KSNZ in his hometown, Shamrock, Texas.
In addition to his trucking show, Bill Mack was the host of the nationally syndicated “Country Crossroads.” This gospel-oriented series was launched in 1969 and aired on more than 800 stations at its peak. He also hosted the syndicated “Overtime Top Ten Countdown” show.
In addition, Bill Mack was a television emcee. He hosted such syndicated series as The Buck Owens Show, The Bob Wills Show and Cowtown Jamboree. His radio show was translated into the cable TV series Country Crossroads.
He published an autobiography in 1971 titled Spins and Needles.
His death was due to complications resulting from the COVID-19 virus, with underlying conditions. His wife Cynthia (“Sweet Cindy”) was frequently his collaborator on the air, particularly in later years. She survives him, as do his children Debbie, Misty Dawn, Billy Mack Smith III and Sunday Renee, as well as several grandchildren.
Nominees For IBMA Industry Awards, Momentum Awards Announced
/by Jessica Nicholson“While most genres of music only award high profile artists and recordings, the bluegrass music community also celebrates other industry professionals and rising stars achieving excellence during the year,” said IBMA’s Executive Director Paul Schiminger. “The IBMA Industry Awards recognize the exceptional contributions of those talented professionals behind the scenes who are essential to bluegrass music. The IBMA Momentum Awards were added several years ago to shine a bright light on the many early-stage professionals making a huge impact in bluegrass music and the generous mentors providing them invaluable guidance and support. Congratulations to each and every nominee!”
The IBMA Momentum Awards will take place Tuesday, Sept. 29; the IBMA Industry Awards will take place Wednesday, Sept. 30, and will include the presentation of the 2020 Distinguished Achievement Awards. Specific times and additional details for both events, and for other IBMA World of Bluegrass 2020 virtual events, will be shared in the coming weeks across the organization’s social media platforms, through email notification, and on worldofbluegrass.org and ibma.org.
See the full list of nominees below:
IBMA INDUSTRY AWARDS
The Industry Awards recognize outstanding work in categories including Broadcaster of the Year, Event of the Year, Graphic Designer of the Year, Liner Notes of the Year, Writer of the Year, Sound Engineer of the Year, and Songwriter of the Year.
Nominees in each category are selected by specially appointed committees made up of bluegrass music professionals who possess significant knowledge of that field. The recipient of each award is decided on by the Panel of Electors, an anonymous group of over 200 veteran bluegrass music professionals selected by the IBMA Board of Directors.
The 2020 IBMA Industry Awards nominees are:
Broadcaster of the Year
Barb Heller
Michael Kear
Brad Kolodner
Peter Thompson
Alan Tompkins
Event of the Year
The 2019-2020 Emelin Theatre Bluegrass Concert Series – Mamaroneck, NY
FreshGrass – North Adams, MA
Bloomin’ Bluegrass Festival – Farmers Branch, TX
Augusta Heritage Center Bluegrass Week – Elkins, WV
Tell It To Me: The Johnson City Sessions 90th Anniversary Celebration – Johnson City, TN
Graphic Designer of the Year
Grace van’t Hof
Eric Barie
Michael Armistead
Carla Wehby
Lisa Berman
Liner Notes of the Year
Katy Daley – Live At The Cellar Door, The Seldom Scene
Bill Nowlin – The Early Days of Bluegrass, Various Artists
Katie Harford Hogue & Matt Combs – The John Hartford Fiddle Tune Project, Volume 1, Various Artists
Craig Havighurst – Bad For You, The SteelDrivers
Ted Olson – Tell It to Me: Revisiting the Johnson City Sessions, 1928-1929, Various Artists
Songwriter of the Year
Ronnie Bowman
Louisa Branscomb
Milan Miller
Jerry Salley
Donna Ulisse
Sound Engineer of the Year
Van Atkins
Adam Engelhardt
Randy LeRoy
Stephen Mougin
Jason Singleton
Writer of the Year
Bill Conger
Thomas Goldsmith
Derek Halsey
Justin Hiltner
Kip Lornell
IBMA MOMENTUM AWARDS
The Momentum Awards recognize both musicians and bluegrass industry professionals who, in the early stages of their careers, are making significant contributions to or are having a significant influence upon bluegrass music. These contributions can be to bluegrass music in general, or to a specific sector of the industry. The Mentor Award, in contrast to the other Momentum Awards, recognizes a bluegrass professional who has made a significant impact on the lives and careers of newcomers to the bluegrass industry.
Starting with recommendations from the IBMA membership, nominees are chosen through a multi-stage process by committees made up of respected musicians and industry leaders in the bluegrass world.
The 2020 IBMA Momentum Award nominees are:
Mentor of the Year
Alan Bibey
Rick Lang
Scott Napier
Annie Savage
Valerie Smith
Industry Involvement
Malachi Graham
Adam Kirr
Kara Kundert
Jonathan Newton
Kris Truelsen
Vocalist
Tabitha Agnew
Amanda Cook
Victoria Kelley
Leanna Price
Melody Williamson
Instrumentalist (2 selected)
Tabitha Agnew
Thomas Cassell
Alex Edwards
Miles Quale
Lauren Price Napier
Liam Purcell
Sullivan Tuttle
Band
AJ Lee and Blue Summit (San Jose, CA)
Colebrook Road (Harrisburg, PA)
Midnight Skyracer (UK)
Seth Mulder & Midnight Run (East Tennessee)
The Slocan Ramblers (Toronto, Ontario)