The Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum will open Patsy Cline: Crazy for Loving You on Fri., Aug. 24 for a 10-month run in the museum’s East Gallery. The exhibition will offer career-spanning audio and video which allows Cline to largely tell her story in her own words. The centerpiece will be a powerful film created by museum staff that includes performance footage, audio clips and new interviews with Country Music Hall of Fame members Harold Bradley, Brenda Lee, Willie Nelson and the Jordanaires’ Ray Walker, each of whom knew and worked with Cline. The audio clips, isolated without instrumentation, are from Owen Bradley’s original three-track recordings of some of Cline’s greatest performances including “Crazy” and “Sweet Dreams.”
Upon entering the exhibit gallery, visitors will be able to read Patsy’s biography via text-panel reproductions of the bio Cline herself crafted in 1962. Among the dozens of artifacts are hand-written letters, daughter Julie’s baby book, Patsy’s jewelry box and costume jewelry, her red cowgirl-style skirt and blouse with longhorn-steer and wagon-wheel motifs, and her stage and evening wear including gold lamé pants, matching ankle boots and fur stole.
The exhibit will be accompanied by the release of a beautiful 80-page companion book, titled Patsy Cline: Crazy for Loving You. Published by the museum’s Country Music Foundation Press, the volume will include a foreword by artist Rosanne Cash and an essay by noted Cline authority Paul Kingsbury.
“Though she recorded for only eight years and made her last record nearly 50 years ago, her body of work—those classic torch songs and ballads of heartache—have continued to resonate with music fans of all genres,” says Museum Director Kyle Young. “While she considered herself a country singer, she was equally adept at pop stylings, and was a key influence in bringing the two genres closer stylistically in the 1960s. Her prodigious vocal stylings and unique delivery have influenced scores of artists including Loretta Lynn, Linda Ronstadt and Reba McEntire.”
Cline recorded classic songs “Crazy,” “She’s Got You,” “I Fall to Pieces,” “Sweet Dreams (of You)” and many more before her untimely death in a plane crash on March 5, 1963. Cline’s achievements were formally acknowledged with her 1973 induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame.
The opening weekend of the exhibit will include an Aug. 25 panel discussion featuring Cline’s husband Charlie Dick, and daughter Julie Fudge, Country Music Hall of Fame member Harold Bradley, and singers George Hamilton IV and Jan Howard. There will be an Aug. 25 concert featuring Bradley, singer-songwriter Jessi Alexander, Always…Patsy Cline star and singer Mandy Barnett, duo Striking Matches and singer Emily West.
Details at countrymusichalloffame.org.
Josh Turner Releasing Cracker Barrel Exclusive Live Album
/by Eric T. ParkerJosh Turner out on tour this year. Photo: George Holz
Josh Turner is planning to release his second Cracker Barrel exclusive album, Josh Turner—Live Across America, on Aug. 27.
The live recordings were made during 12 different live shows throughout Turner’s 2012 Cracker Barrel-sponsored tour, which continues through December. The collection, which includes a never-before-released version of Waylon Jennings’ “America,” will be available in Cracker Barrel stores, online on crackerbarrel.com, Amazon, and on iTunes. Turner previously partnered with Cracker Barrel for 2007’s Live at the Ryman.
“We came up with the idea of taking a mobile studio out on the road and recording our show every night,” said Turner. “And that’s what Live Across America is: the best renditions of songs from all over the country.”
In addition, a sweepstakes is available from the Old Country Store offering an all-expenses paid trip to Nashville to meet Turner before his performance at the Grand Ole Opry. Entries for the contest will be accepted through Sept. 14. Official details here.
Josh Turner—Live Across America track listing:
1) “All Over Me” – Live In Biloxi, MS (3:28)
2) “Firecracker” – Live In Lancaster, PA (3:47)
3) “Everything Is Fine” – Live In Knoxville, TN (3:52)
4) “So Not My Baby” – Live In Lake Charles, LA (3:35)
5) “Would You Go With Me” – Live In Plant City, FL (3:48)
6) “Long Black Train” – Live In Austin, TX (5:27)
7) “I Wouldn’t Be A Man” – Live In Savannah, GA (3:39)
8) “Me And God” – Live In Key Largo, FL (3:17)
9) “Another Try” – Live In Atlanta, GA (3:51)
10) “Your Man” – Live in Kansas City, MO (3:38)
11) “America” – Live in Charlottesville, VA (3:33)
12) “Why Don’t We Just Dance” – Live In Atlantic City, NJ (4:00)
Lady A Wraps European Run
/by Sarah SkatesDuring the tour Lady A played its first-ever shows for Scandanavian fans in Copenhagen, Denmark; Gothenburg and Stockholm, Sweden; and Seljord, Norway.
Lady A keeps Copenhagen fans on their feet.
This marked the group’s second visit to Switzerland, with the most recent tour including a stop in Zurich where they performed at an outdoor venue on a beautiful night. In the UK, the trio played in Glasgow, and took a break from their headlining run to open for Bruce Springsteen in London’s Hyde Park.
Lady A at Hyde Park opening for Springsteen.
Photos by Adam Boatman.
Snapshots (7/30/12)
/by MichelleJason Aldean recently played at the Country Thunder Festival in Twin Lakes, WI and visited with some friends from WMAD/Madison, WI. Aldean’s new single “Take A Little Ride” from his upcoming album is already at No. 32 on MusicRow’s CountryBreakout Chart.
(L-R): Broken Bow Records' Carson James, Jason Aldean, WMAD's Abby Zellmer, WMAD's Mike Ferris
• • •
Warner Music Nashville’s July 26 “Pickin’ On The Patio” event featured Big Smo.
(L-R): Warner Music Nashville Sr. VP Brand Management and Sales Peter Strickland, WMN artist Big Smo and WMN Sr. VP of Promotion Chris Stacey.
BMLG Launches “Racecars and Country Stars” Contest
/by Eric T. ParkerThe promotion offers fans a chance to win David Gilliland’s race-used firesuit and a guitar signed by Big Machine Label Group recording artists The Band Perry, Justin Moore, The Mavericks, Greg Bates and Sunny Sweeney.
Prior to entering the contest, fans will need to ‘like’ both Big Machine Label Group and Front Row Motorsports on Facebook. Bonus entries can be earned by ‘liking’ the pages BMLG artists and Front Row Motorsports partners. Visit here for details.
Big Machine had a big presence at yesterday’s (7/24) Brickyard 400 race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway where, for the second year running, the label partnered with the event to supply musical entertainment. Gilliland’s BMLG-sponsored No. 38 car featured images of select artists during the race.
“Miss Rita” Lee Passes
/by FreemanMusicRow offers its condolences to family and friends of “Miss Rita” Lee, the widow of Buddy Lee Attractions founder Buddy Lee, who passed away the morning of Friday, July 27.
Visitation will take place Tuesday, July 31 from 4-8 pm and Wednesday, August 1 from 2-8 pm at Bond Memorial Chapel (1098 Weston Drive, Mount Juliet, TN). www.bondmemorial.com
Funeral service will be held Thursday, August 2, at The Cathedral of the Incarnation (2015 West End Ave., Nashville) at 10 am. www.nashvillecathedral.com
Lee is survived by her children Joey, Donna, Gina, Tony and grandchildren.
Johnny Cash Radio Special Available Via Airplay Direct
/by Eric T. ParkerParticipating artists include Willie Nelson, Kris Kristofferson, Sheryl Crow, Shelby Lynne, Rhett Miller, Brandi Carlisle, Amy Lee, Lucinda Williams, Shooter Jennings, and Sam Beam.
“Johnny Cash is a legend and we are very excited to have this wonderful radio special on AirPlay Direct, that celebrates his music and life.” said Robert Weingartz, Chairman & CEO of AirPlay Direct.
Americana Music Festival & Conference to Feature Key Industry Leaders
/by Eric T. ParkerBonnie Raitt
The 13th annual Americana Music Festival & Conference is fast approaching for Nashville’s Downtown Sheraton hotel.
Set for Sept. 12-15, the conference hosts panels from industry leaders and musicians including the legendary Booker T. Jones as well as special keynote interview (9/12), hosted by NPR’s Ann Powers, with previously announced Bonnie Raitt. Later that evening Raitt, Jones and Richard Thompson will be presented with Lifetime Achievement Awards at the 11th Annual Americana Honors and Awards at the Ryman Auditorium.
Other conference participants include industry leaders Ian Rogers from Topspin, who will lead a business keynote, and Bob Santelli of The GRAMMY Museum, who will lead 100 Years of Woody, a panel discussing the impact of Woody Guthrie. Jessie Scott of Music Fog will moderate Robert Ellis, Charlie Faye, John Fullbright, Lera Lynn and Paul Thorn in a performance panel. In partnership with the conference, Parnassus Books will host Music in Books featuring Sylvie Simmons on Leonard Cohen; David Menconi on Ryan Adams; and Kinky Friedman on himself.
Additional speakers include Steve Savoca (Spotify), Jim Mahoney (A2IM), attorney Rosemary Carroll, Sandra Aistars (Copyright Alliance), and Sean Coakley (Songlines).
Registrants receive entrance to all sanctioned daytime conference music, panels and parties, plus priority access to all evening showcase performances and one ticket to the Honors & Awards. Early Bird Registration is available until August 1, here.
Underwood Plans Video Release, “Today Show” Performance
/by MichelleThe exclusive world premiere of Carrie Underwood’s latest video, “Blown Away,” will take place during a 24-hour window Monday, July 30, on E! News at 7 and 11:30 p.m. ET/PT and on the homepage of E! Online.
The “Blown Away” video was directed by Randee St. Nicholas and produced by Brandon Bonfiglo for Randee St. Nicholas Photography. “Blown Away” is the title track of Carrie Underwood’s fourth album and her current single. The song was written by Josh Kear and Chris Tompkins who also co-penned her smash hit, “Before He Cheats.” To view a trailer for the video, visit http://smarturl.it/blownawaytrailer.
On Saturday (7/28), Underwood will attend a private premiere of the “Blown Away” video with country radio station KJ97 and over 200 of its listeners in San Antonio, Texas. Out of hundreds of participating stations, KAJA-FM won an Arista Nashville-sponsored contest to host this special event by receiving the most listener votes.
Underwood will also perform on the Today Show Summer Concert Series in Rockefeller Plaza on August 15 as part of the morning show’s full week of outdoor concerts following the 2012 Summer Olympics.
Soon after her appearance on the Today Show, Underwood will prepare to resume her headlining Blown Away Tour across North America. The tour, which started in June with shows in the UK and across Australia, will launch in North America on September 14 in Manchester, New Hampshire, and continue through December.
Patsy Cline Exhibit To Open At Hall of Fame
/by Sarah SkatesUpon entering the exhibit gallery, visitors will be able to read Patsy’s biography via text-panel reproductions of the bio Cline herself crafted in 1962. Among the dozens of artifacts are hand-written letters, daughter Julie’s baby book, Patsy’s jewelry box and costume jewelry, her red cowgirl-style skirt and blouse with longhorn-steer and wagon-wheel motifs, and her stage and evening wear including gold lamé pants, matching ankle boots and fur stole.
The exhibit will be accompanied by the release of a beautiful 80-page companion book, titled Patsy Cline: Crazy for Loving You. Published by the museum’s Country Music Foundation Press, the volume will include a foreword by artist Rosanne Cash and an essay by noted Cline authority Paul Kingsbury.
“Though she recorded for only eight years and made her last record nearly 50 years ago, her body of work—those classic torch songs and ballads of heartache—have continued to resonate with music fans of all genres,” says Museum Director Kyle Young. “While she considered herself a country singer, she was equally adept at pop stylings, and was a key influence in bringing the two genres closer stylistically in the 1960s. Her prodigious vocal stylings and unique delivery have influenced scores of artists including Loretta Lynn, Linda Ronstadt and Reba McEntire.”
Cline recorded classic songs “Crazy,” “She’s Got You,” “I Fall to Pieces,” “Sweet Dreams (of You)” and many more before her untimely death in a plane crash on March 5, 1963. Cline’s achievements were formally acknowledged with her 1973 induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame.
The opening weekend of the exhibit will include an Aug. 25 panel discussion featuring Cline’s husband Charlie Dick, and daughter Julie Fudge, Country Music Hall of Fame member Harold Bradley, and singers George Hamilton IV and Jan Howard. There will be an Aug. 25 concert featuring Bradley, singer-songwriter Jessi Alexander, Always…Patsy Cline star and singer Mandy Barnett, duo Striking Matches and singer Emily West.
Details at countrymusichalloffame.org.
IBMA Nominations Coming In August
/by FreemanThat evening’s Music City Roots show at Loveless Barn will take place at 7 pm and feature Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, Junior Sisk & Ramblers Choice, Lonesome River Band, and The Isaacs. The press conference will also be streamed at musiccityroots.com and on SiriusXM’s Bluegrass Junction.
The annual IBMA Awards, which will be hosted by Del McCoury and Laurie Lewis, is slated for September 27 at the Ryman Auditorium.
For more information, including tickets to the awards, visit www.ibma.org.