Richard Fagan. Photo: Bev Moser/Moments By Moser
Hit Nashville songwriter Richard Fagan has succumbed to liver cancer.
He died Friday (Aug. 5) with his wife by his side, The Tennessean reported.
Working with a variety of collaborators, Fagan was responsible for such country hits as John Michael Montgomery’s “Be My Baby Tonight,” “I Miss You a Little” and “Sold (The Grundy County Auction Incident),” as well as George Strait’s “Overnight Male.”
As a writer, Fagan had six Top 10 hits, 20 charted songs and more than 65 recorded titles.
His songs were sung by Shania Twain, Hank Williams Jr., Neil Diamond, George Jones and The Blues Brothers, among many others. Albums containing his songs have sold more than 25 million copies. His works have appeared on the soundtracks of five feature films and in national television sports broadcasts.
Noted for his colorful lyrics and novelty numbers, Fagan was just as colorful as a personality. His high-strung personality often manifested itself in an irreverent sense of humor.
Richard Fagan was born in 1947. His father died of tuberculosis when the boy was 3, and he was raised in the housing projects of South Philadelphia. His mother cleaned homes and offices for a living. Fagan’s education was on the rough streets of his hometown.
He picked up the guitar at age 14 and began leading street-corner harmony groups shortly thereafter. Fagan was drafted and sent to Vietnam, where he turned 21. His tour of duty included singing war protest songs, going AWOL, growing his moustache and being arrested for having subversive literature.
Following his discharge in 1968, he became a homeless vagabond. He married and had a son, but when the marriage ended in 1975, he sank into drug and alcohol abuse. He again became homeless.
But he also began writing songs. Philadelphia music entrepreneur Tom Oteri recorded Fagan singing his works in 1976 and began sending the tapes to industry tastemakers. Producer Bob Gaudio heard and liked one of them. Gaudio had famously worked with The Four Seasons, Diana Ross, Frank Sinatra and Barbra Streisand. He took Fagan’s “The Good Lord Loves You” to Neil Diamond, and it became an adult contemporary hit for the singer in 1980.
Guadio also got the songwriter a pop recording contract with Mercury Records and produced his debut LP Richard Fagan. It was released in 1979. But the follow-up LP was shelved by the label two years later and Fagan lost his recording contract. In 1985, he made his first exploratory trips to Nashville.
Up to this point, he had mainly written songs alone. In Nashville, he discovered he enjoyed co-writing. His collaborators over the ensuing years included Larry Alderman, Robb Royer, Ed Hill, Patti Ryan, Ralph James, Rich Grissom and Gordon Kennedy.
Fagan and Oteri moved to Music City in January 1986. Within a week, Con Hunley became the first country star to record one of his tunes, “Blue Suede Blues.” In 1988, Fagan had his first Top 10 success when Moe Bandy recorded his “Americana.” It became an official campaign theme song for President George H.W. Bush, who was a big country fan.
Next, Opry star Mel McDaniel had a Top 10 success with Fagan’s “Real Good Feel Good Song.” McDaniel also recorded 1989’s “You Can’t Play the Blues (In an Air Conditioned Room),” which was covered by The Blues Brothers in 1992. In the early 1990s, the songwriter also began providing novelty tunes to such comedy acts as Pinkard & Bowden, Ethel & The Shameless Hussies, Cledus T. Judd, Kacey Jones and his own band, Phillybilly.
In 1992, Strait included “Overnight Male” on the multi-million-selling soundtrack album of his movie Pure Country. Twain sang Fagan’s “Crime of the Century” on the soundtrack of the Nicolas Cage thriller Red Rock West the following year. Kevin Costner’s 1996 film Tin Cup included Patty Loveless singing the songwriter’s “Where Are You Boy.”
Meanwhile, Tom Oteri’s daughter, Cheri Oteri, gained national fame as a manic comic force on NBC-TV’s Saturday Night Live in 1995-2000. She memorably lampooned Barbara Walters, Judge Judy, Kathie Lee Gifford and other celebrities and starred opposite Will Ferrell in the “Spartans Cheerleaders” segments.
During this same period in Nashville, Tom Oteri ran Fagan’s publishing company as Collin Raye, B.B. Watson, Jason Ringenberg, Ray Kennedy, Chris LeDoux, The Crickets, Jeff Carson, Shenandoah, Ricochet and others were snapping up the songwriter’s compositions. The team’s publishing company was called “OF music,” the “O” standing for Oteri and the “F” standing for Fagan.
The songwriter reached the peak of his success when John Michael Montgomery hit the top of the charts with a trio of his works in 1994-97. Clay Walker had a big 1996 hit with “Only on Days That End in ‘Y.’”
Fagan’s band Phillybilly released its self-titled CD in that same year. As the lead vocalist of a later group called Superfan, Fagan was widely heard singing the rocking “My House” promoting the 2002 Winter Olympics for eight months on NBC-TV. That song has subsequently been used in more than 30 major-league sports facilities nationwide.
Fagan had a comeback on the country charts with Hank Williams Jr. singing his “Why Can’t We All Get a Longneck” in 2004. He also had cuts with a number of independent-label artists.
Then old demons returned to haunt Richard Fagan. According to The Tennessean, he and Oteri drank heavily on Saturday, April 26, 2008 and had a huge argument around 9 p.m. Fagan slashed Oteri’s wrist with a pocketknife. They were roommates, business partners and longtime friends.
Oteri, 69 at the time, was not a big drinker and was noted for his congenial personality, fatherly manner and gentle disposition. He was not argumentative. He was also weak and ill at the time. Fagan had never been violent and was much loved by Oteri’s adult children.
At about 10:45 p.m. that night, Fagan was arrested on a D.U.I. charge while driving in East Nashville. He called a friend to check on Oteri. After entering the home, this friend called the police. Gaetano Thomas Oteri was pronounced dead at the scene.
Fagan was charged with homicide. He was ordered to enter an alcohol and drug treatment facility. Tom Oteri’s death was later ruled an accident.
Kacey Jones and Cledus T. Judd continued to record his songs, but mainstream country stars stopped recording his works. He reportedly had been ill for some time before he was correctly diagnosed.
Brad Paisley Foundation Donates $250,000 To West Virginia Rebuild
/by Craig_ShelburneBrad Paisley
The Brad Paisley Foundation has joined a number of organizations to raise $1.75 million in donations for West Virginia flood relief.
Pharmaceutical company Mylan, which is based in West Virginia, donated $1 million. MedExpress, a corporation that operates several neighborhood medical centers in West Virginia, donated $500,000. Paisley’s foundation provided $250,000 from his #WVFloods GoFundMe account, which launched on June 29.
Their collaborative launch of the Homes for West Virginia campaign is in partnership with local stakeholders and St. Bernard Project (SBP), an nonprofit organization that rebuilds communities after natural disasters.
The campaign’s first initiative is Homes for White Sulphur Springs, named for a city near the state’s southeastern border. A groundbreaking for a 42-home neighborhood and community park was held in White Sulphur Springs on Saturday (Aug. 6).
Homes for West Virginia’s total fundraising goal is $20 million. The partnership aims to help rebuild homes, restore lives and rejuvenate communities devastated by the 2016 West Virginia flooding with local, regional and national businesses, organizations and volunteers.
Paisley said, “My heart continues to go out to the many people in West Virginia affected by the floods. I hope that our initial contribution is another step in helping residents rebuild their lives. I saw the devastation on a recent trip to Kanawha County. While we initially established a GoFundMe account for flood victims, I wanted to do more. Through Homes for West Virginia, we can rebuild our communities in a somewhat quick and sustainable manner. It’s easy to focus on a disaster in the short term. With today’s support, I encourage others to step up and donate for the many West Virginians still in need.”
LifeNotes: Country Songwriter Richard Fagan Passes
/by Robert K OermannRichard Fagan. Photo: Bev Moser/Moments By Moser
Hit Nashville songwriter Richard Fagan has succumbed to liver cancer.
He died Friday (Aug. 5) with his wife by his side, The Tennessean reported.
Working with a variety of collaborators, Fagan was responsible for such country hits as John Michael Montgomery’s “Be My Baby Tonight,” “I Miss You a Little” and “Sold (The Grundy County Auction Incident),” as well as George Strait’s “Overnight Male.”
As a writer, Fagan had six Top 10 hits, 20 charted songs and more than 65 recorded titles.
His songs were sung by Shania Twain, Hank Williams Jr., Neil Diamond, George Jones and The Blues Brothers, among many others. Albums containing his songs have sold more than 25 million copies. His works have appeared on the soundtracks of five feature films and in national television sports broadcasts.
Noted for his colorful lyrics and novelty numbers, Fagan was just as colorful as a personality. His high-strung personality often manifested itself in an irreverent sense of humor.
Richard Fagan was born in 1947. His father died of tuberculosis when the boy was 3, and he was raised in the housing projects of South Philadelphia. His mother cleaned homes and offices for a living. Fagan’s education was on the rough streets of his hometown.
He picked up the guitar at age 14 and began leading street-corner harmony groups shortly thereafter. Fagan was drafted and sent to Vietnam, where he turned 21. His tour of duty included singing war protest songs, going AWOL, growing his moustache and being arrested for having subversive literature.
Following his discharge in 1968, he became a homeless vagabond. He married and had a son, but when the marriage ended in 1975, he sank into drug and alcohol abuse. He again became homeless.
But he also began writing songs. Philadelphia music entrepreneur Tom Oteri recorded Fagan singing his works in 1976 and began sending the tapes to industry tastemakers. Producer Bob Gaudio heard and liked one of them. Gaudio had famously worked with The Four Seasons, Diana Ross, Frank Sinatra and Barbra Streisand. He took Fagan’s “The Good Lord Loves You” to Neil Diamond, and it became an adult contemporary hit for the singer in 1980.
Guadio also got the songwriter a pop recording contract with Mercury Records and produced his debut LP Richard Fagan. It was released in 1979. But the follow-up LP was shelved by the label two years later and Fagan lost his recording contract. In 1985, he made his first exploratory trips to Nashville.
Up to this point, he had mainly written songs alone. In Nashville, he discovered he enjoyed co-writing. His collaborators over the ensuing years included Larry Alderman, Robb Royer, Ed Hill, Patti Ryan, Ralph James, Rich Grissom and Gordon Kennedy.
Fagan and Oteri moved to Music City in January 1986. Within a week, Con Hunley became the first country star to record one of his tunes, “Blue Suede Blues.” In 1988, Fagan had his first Top 10 success when Moe Bandy recorded his “Americana.” It became an official campaign theme song for President George H.W. Bush, who was a big country fan.
Next, Opry star Mel McDaniel had a Top 10 success with Fagan’s “Real Good Feel Good Song.” McDaniel also recorded 1989’s “You Can’t Play the Blues (In an Air Conditioned Room),” which was covered by The Blues Brothers in 1992. In the early 1990s, the songwriter also began providing novelty tunes to such comedy acts as Pinkard & Bowden, Ethel & The Shameless Hussies, Cledus T. Judd, Kacey Jones and his own band, Phillybilly.
In 1992, Strait included “Overnight Male” on the multi-million-selling soundtrack album of his movie Pure Country. Twain sang Fagan’s “Crime of the Century” on the soundtrack of the Nicolas Cage thriller Red Rock West the following year. Kevin Costner’s 1996 film Tin Cup included Patty Loveless singing the songwriter’s “Where Are You Boy.”
Meanwhile, Tom Oteri’s daughter, Cheri Oteri, gained national fame as a manic comic force on NBC-TV’s Saturday Night Live in 1995-2000. She memorably lampooned Barbara Walters, Judge Judy, Kathie Lee Gifford and other celebrities and starred opposite Will Ferrell in the “Spartans Cheerleaders” segments.
During this same period in Nashville, Tom Oteri ran Fagan’s publishing company as Collin Raye, B.B. Watson, Jason Ringenberg, Ray Kennedy, Chris LeDoux, The Crickets, Jeff Carson, Shenandoah, Ricochet and others were snapping up the songwriter’s compositions. The team’s publishing company was called “OF music,” the “O” standing for Oteri and the “F” standing for Fagan.
The songwriter reached the peak of his success when John Michael Montgomery hit the top of the charts with a trio of his works in 1994-97. Clay Walker had a big 1996 hit with “Only on Days That End in ‘Y.’”
Fagan’s band Phillybilly released its self-titled CD in that same year. As the lead vocalist of a later group called Superfan, Fagan was widely heard singing the rocking “My House” promoting the 2002 Winter Olympics for eight months on NBC-TV. That song has subsequently been used in more than 30 major-league sports facilities nationwide.
Fagan had a comeback on the country charts with Hank Williams Jr. singing his “Why Can’t We All Get a Longneck” in 2004. He also had cuts with a number of independent-label artists.
Then old demons returned to haunt Richard Fagan. According to The Tennessean, he and Oteri drank heavily on Saturday, April 26, 2008 and had a huge argument around 9 p.m. Fagan slashed Oteri’s wrist with a pocketknife. They were roommates, business partners and longtime friends.
Oteri, 69 at the time, was not a big drinker and was noted for his congenial personality, fatherly manner and gentle disposition. He was not argumentative. He was also weak and ill at the time. Fagan had never been violent and was much loved by Oteri’s adult children.
At about 10:45 p.m. that night, Fagan was arrested on a D.U.I. charge while driving in East Nashville. He called a friend to check on Oteri. After entering the home, this friend called the police. Gaetano Thomas Oteri was pronounced dead at the scene.
Fagan was charged with homicide. He was ordered to enter an alcohol and drug treatment facility. Tom Oteri’s death was later ruled an accident.
Kacey Jones and Cledus T. Judd continued to record his songs, but mainstream country stars stopped recording his works. He reportedly had been ill for some time before he was correctly diagnosed.
Olivia Lane Celebrates EP Release At Old Glory
/by Eric T. ParkerBig Spark Music Group held a listening event Thursday (Aug. 4) at Nashville bar Old Glory to celebrate the release of its flagship artist Olivia Lane‘s digital EP. The self-titled project was released on July 29.
Before Lane offered remarks, Big Spark Music Group’s VP/GM Dennis Kurtz welcomed guests, noting the project has been in the works for three years.
“I’m not performing tonight, just drinking,” teased Lane. “Just to clarify, I haven’t got to celebrate because I’ve been on the road for the last month, so tonight’s a celebration!”
Olivia Lane (front middle) celebrates her EP release. Photo: Allison Kurtz
The seven-song project was produced by award-winning Nashville guitarist Ilya Toshinskiy, with Lane collaborating with songwriters Jim Beavers, David Frasier, Danny Myrick and Aaron Scherz, among others. Lane’s current single, “Make My Own Sunshine” has seen over 50 million impressions at radio.
Lane previously released an acoustic version of “Make My Own Sunshine” on a 13-track mixtape Heart Unlocked (2015). Prior EPs include her 2015 Steal Me Away and the 2014, Love Thing.
Olivia Lane Track Listing:
1. “Lightning” (Olivia Lane, Danny Myrick, Leland Grant, Ilya Toshinskiy)
2. “Quarter Life Crisis” (Lane, Aaron Scherz, David Frasier)
3. “Make My Own Sunshine” (Lane, Jim Beavers, Toshinskiy)
4. “She Fits” (Lane, Beavers, Toshinskiy)
5. “My Heartache” (Leland Grant, Toshinskiy, Shaye Smith, Tammy Hyler)
6. “There’s A Guy” (Lane, Scherz, David Frasier)
7. “Keychain” (Lane, Scherz, Bobby Hamrick)
Olivia Lane welcomes guests to her EP release party at Nashville’s Old Glory
Industry Ink: YEP, IBMA, RCA Inspiration
/by Jessica NicholsonYoung Entertainment Professionals (YEP) Visits St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
Pictured (L-R): Garrison Snell, Gyrosity Project; Jaclyn Carter, Shore Fire Media; Jarrod Holley, Suit Music; Rachel Knight, Turnipblood Entertainment; Andrew Cohen, Suit Music.
Board members of industry organization Young Entertainment Professionals (YEP) visited St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee, on Friday (Aug. 5).
Rounder Records Co-Founder To Deliver IBMA Keynote
Leighton Levy will be inducted into the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame during this year’s IBMA Music Awards show.
Phil Thornton Named Sr. VP/GM At RCA Inspiration
Phil Thornton
Phil Thornton has been named Sr. Vice President and General Manager of RCA Inspiration – the Sony gospel label which is moving to Nashville under the Provident Music Group.
Thornton most recently served as VP and General Manager of Urban Inspirational at eOne Music. At RCA Inspiration, he will manage business operations, and establish external partnerships for the label.
Thornton will report to Terry Hemmings, President and CEO of Provident Music Group, and will be based in Nashville.
“Phil Thornton is a demonstrated leader and visionary with an infectious passion for Gospel music and breaking artists,” said Terry Hemmings. “We are thrilled to have him leading the RCA Inspiration team with its renewed focus on the future while continuing to honor the imprint’s rich decades-long heritage.”
Thornton’s career includes founding Ten2One Entertainment in 2007, which specialized in TV production and artist management. Thornton is also an executive producer on the show It’s a Mann’s World, which airs on BET and stars David and Tamela Mann.
Neal McCoy Releases Jazz Album
/by Craig_ShelburneNeal McCoy issued his first-ever jazz album, You Don’t Know Me, on Friday (Aug. 5). The project was released on New Design Records, distributed by WEA.
The collection was produced by Steve Tyrell, who won a 2004 Grammy as a producer of Rod Stewart’s Stardust…The Great American Songbook Volume III. In the 1990s, McCoy recorded eight Top 5 hits for Atlantic Records, including “No Doubt About It” and “Wink.”
McCoy used crowdfunding site PledgeMusic to create the album. The title track was written by Country Music Hall of Fame members Eddy Arnold and Cindy Walker.
McCoy said, “This album has been on my ‘bucket-list’ for a long, long time! I’ve loved and have been singing this music all my life, thanks to my parents. To work with the iconic Steve Tyrell was amazing, and we’re both from Texas so that made it extremely memorable. I really hope the fans enjoy this new, old side of me!”
Tyrell said, “Neal McCoy is the real deal…and I’m not just saying that because, like me, he hails from the great state of Texas! Sure, we have that in common, but we also share a love and respect for the Great American Songbook. This is the music we were raised on, the music our parents played, and the music that was the soundtrack to our younger years. It was a pleasure and an honor to work with this established country star and to witness how he put his own spin and sound on these timeless standards. My hat’s off to you, Neal! I’m so glad I got to know you and to help bring You Don’t Know Me to life!”
Track Listing For You Don’t Know Me
1. “Unforgettable”
2. “Dream a Little Dream of Me”
3. “All My Tomorrows”
4. “Laura”
5. “That’s All”
6. “It Had to Be You”
7. “It’s Been a Long Long Time”
8. “You Don’t Know Me”
9. “Don’t Get Around Much Anymore”
10. “In the Wee Small Hours”
11. “I Get a Kick Out of You”
12. “The Second Time Around”
13. “I’ve Grown Accustomed to Your Face”
Carnival Cruise Line Books Tim McGraw, Little Big Town
/by Craig_ShelburneCarnival Cruise Line has announced its initial 2017 Carnival Live lineup with Tim McGraw, Little Big Town and comedians Jeff Foxworthy and Jay Leno.
The entertainers will perform on seven different ships departing from five U.S. homeports. Performances are held in the ships’ main show lounges which range in capacity from 900 to 1,300.
McGraw will perform aboard Carnival Breeze on March 2, and Carnival Valor on March 3, while the ships are docked in Nassau, The Bahamas.
Little Big Town will appear at shows in Nassau aboard Carnival Dream on May 11, and Carnival Valor on May 12.
Foxworthy will perform two shows – one aboard Carnival Freedom on June 21, and another aboard Carnival Ecstasy on June 22, while the ships are docked in Nassau.
Leno will entertain guests with a pair of performances in Cozumel aboard the Carnival Victory on May 3, and Carnival’s newest ship the Carnival Vista, on May 4.
Carnival Live tickets for McGraw, Little Big Town, Foxworthy and Leno range in price from $30 to $80 for general admission. VIP tickets are available for $100 to $300 and include seating in the first five rows, a photo opportunity with the artist and a commemorative concert pass.
Lee Greenwood Named Ambassador For Disabled American Veterans
/by Craig_ShelburneLee Greenwood
Lee Greenwood is now an Ambassador for the DAV (Disabled American Veterans), a nonprofit organization that provides support for America’s ill and injured veterans.
Greenwood performed “God Bless the USA” for 4,000 DAV members at the closing ceremonies of the DAV National Convention in Atlanta on Wednesday (Aug. 3). The event marked the start of Greenwood’s official partnership with DAV.
“It was an exciting night at the DAV National Convention in Atlanta. These proud men and women are dedicating their lives after military service to help those who are struggling to fit back into civilian life. They address the challenges of all wounded veterans head on and give hope to each soldier who otherwise might not survive,” Greenwood said.
A known champion of military and veteran causes, Greenwood will work with DAV to bring much-needed attention and support to the needs of the country’s 22 million veterans, their families and survivors. His ambassadorship will include support of many DAV campaigns, including Keep the Promise and Thank a Vet.
“Mr. Greenwood has shown a deep and abiding respect for our nation’s service members and veterans, and we could not be more thankful for his support,” said DAV National Adjutant Marc Burgess. “Our members were absolutely thrilled to hear him perform, and appreciate his patriotism and genuine gratitude for those who served. He is greatly admired within the veteran community and we look forward to working closely with him as advocates for our nation’s heroes.”
Brad Paisley Stars In Nationwide’s New Advertising Campaign
/by Jessica NicholsonBrad Paisley in the new Nationwide’s “Songs For All Your Sides” campaign.
Brad Paisley has teamed with Nationwide Insurance as part of its latest advertising campaign.
In a new video, Paisley reimagines Nationwide’s classic “Nationwide Is On Your Side” jingle, expanding it to include many of life’s little moments, from retirement planning to envisioning a “man cave” for a new home.
“As a songwriter, the whole premise of there being more to the Nationwide jingle beyond those seven catchy notes is exciting,” Paisley said. “It intrigued me right away.”
The “Songs For All Your Sides” campaign will incorporate a mix of musical genres, and focuses on the brand’s diverse set of offerings, including property and casualty insurance, banking, small business protection and retirement planning.
The campaign debuts Friday (Aug. 5) during NBC’s broadcast of the Olympics opening ceremonies.
Industry Pics: Sony Music, Jake Owen, Ronnie Dunn, Watershed Festival
/by Jessica NicholsonJake Owen, Sony Music Celebrate Madison Square Park Concert
Picture (L-R) on the roof of the Sony’s new office building across from Madison Square Park: Julie Swidler, Executive Vice President Business Affairs and General Counsel, Sony Music Entertainment; Doug Morris, CEO, Sony Music Entertainment; Jake Owen; and, Kevin Kelleher, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Sony Music Entertainment.
RCA Nashville’s Jake Owen rocked New York City’s Madison Square Park Thursday (Aug. 4), with reportedly over 3,500 attendees at the summer monthly concert series, sponsored by Sony. Nash FM/WNSH Radio in New York was the presenter.
This event was the last one in a series of media appearances in New York during the launch of Owen’s new album, American Love, which released Friday, July 29.
NASH Icon’s Ronnie Dunn Premieres Latest Single
Pictured (L-R): America’s Morning Show’s Blair Garner and Kelly Ford, Jay DeMarcus, Ronnie Dunn and America’s Morning Show’s Chuck Wicks.
NASH Icon artist Ronnie Dunn and his producer/Rascal Flatts bass player, Jay DeMarcus, stopped by America’s Morning Show to premiere his latest single, “Damn Drunk.”
Watershed Festival Celebrates Sold Out Weekend
Fans attend Watershed Festival in The Gorge, Washington
The fifth annual Watershed Festival launched on Friday, July 29 in The Gorge, Washington, as fans enjoyed the first country festival to host back-to-back weekends.
Fans enjoyed performances from Jason Aldean, Eric Church, Keith Urban, A Thousand Horses, Brothers Osborne, Brett Eldredge, Tyler Farr, Maren Morris, Kacey Musgraves, David Nail, Jon Pardi, RaeLynn, Travis Tritt and more.
The fun returns on Friday, Aug 5-7, where fans will be able to enjoy more of the distinguished and eclectic lineup.
CMA Teams With Hallmark For Musical Greeting Card Line
/by Jessica NicholsonA sampling of greeting cards from the new Hallmark Collection. Photos: Hallmark Corporate
Hallmark Cards will release a collection of 12 greeting cards featuring music from country entertainers, following a new licensing agreement with the Country Music Association (CMA).
The line of cards will appear in select Walmart stores in October. The line will then be distributed through multiple retail channels nationwide in November. The cards are priced at $4.99, and each card features a 15-second song clip, such as Brad Paisley’s “Mud On The Tires,” or Carrie Underwood’s “All-American Girl.”
“People love to connect with each other through music, and we’re thrilled to bring some of today’s hottest Country Music artists to Hallmark cards,” said Kelly Reichman, Director, Hallmark Licensing. “Capturing the spirit of today’s CMA-member artists, this collection celebrates good times with friends.”
“This year marks the 50th anniversary of the CMA Awards, and we are excited this partnership with Hallmark gives our fans another way to celebrate,” said Emily Evans, CMA Director of Strategic Partnerships. “Country Music tells the story of everyday living and these cards are a memorable way to mark life’s special moments.”
Songs featured in the card collection include:
Jason Aldean, “My Kinda Party”
Dierks Bentley, “5-1-5-0”
Luke Bryan, “Kick The Dust Up”
Chase Bryant, “Take It On Back”
Randy Houser, “Boots On”
Toby Keith, “As Good As I Once Was”
Lady Antebellum, “Bartender”
Miranda Lambert, “Gunpowder and Lead”
Little Big Town, “Day Drinking”
Craig Morgan, “Little Bit Of Life”
Brad Paisley, “Mud On The Tires”
Carrie Underwood, “All-American Girl”