Nashville drummer Buddy Rogers has died at age 73.
He performed and/or recorded with Danny Davis & The Nashville Brass, Jerry Reed, Marty Robbins, Charlie Rich, The Wilburn Brothers, The Music City Jazz Band, The Tommy Dorsey Band, Jerry Lee Lewis and many others.
He was also in the Grand Ole Opry house band for four years.
Born in Arkansas in 1939, he joined the Air Force Band in the 1960s. Moving to Memphis, he enrolled in Memphis State University and performed in local nightclubs.
Rogers moved to Nashville and had a 25-year career playing on recording sessions and at shows in Music City.
Leaving music behind, he gained further fame as the founder/owner of Uncle Bud’s Catfish in Franklin, as well as its branches (1980-1989). During this time, he was named Restaurateur of the Year and president of the Tennessee Restaurant Association. Later, he helped establish the organic enterprise Buffalo Valley Farm.
He sold his restaurants’ name in 1989, but the family has continued in the catfish business, cooking at The Catfish Express and The Best Little Catfish Place in Pegram.
Buddy Rogers died at home on May 30. He is survived by his wife Sydney and six children, 14 grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, a brother and two sisters.
Visitation will be at the West Harpeth Funeral Home today (5/31) at 3-8 p.m. and tomorrow from noon until the funeral service at 2 p.m. The private burial will be at Middle Tennessee Veterans Cemetery.
ZBB Bringing Southern Ground Festival To Music City
/by Sarah SkatesSouthern Ground Music & Food Festival is promoted by JAM, Outback Concerts, and Sound Events.
The festival debuted last year in Charleston, SC with much success and will return there in October. It was voted Best Music Concert of 2011 by Charleston City Paper readers.
Two-day festival passes start at $89. VIP options include Front Porch Stage Boxes, with on-stage seating, drinks and a gourmet meal prepared under the direction of Southern Ground Executive Chef Rusty Hamlin.
Ticket pre-sale for fan club members will begin Tues., June 5 at 12 PM/CT, and general sale opens Thurs., June 7 at 10 AM/CT at southerngroundfestival.com.
Zac Brown Band’s new album Uncaged (Atlantic/Southern Ground) is due out July 10 and features contributions from Amos Lee and Trombone Shorty. Check out a performance of “Uncaged” at JazzFest here.
Cagle Is “Back In The Saddle” With New Album
/by FreemanBack In The Saddle was produced with Keith Stegall (Zac Brown Band, Alan Jackson) and features Cagle’s current single “Got My Country On.” Cagle wrote five of the 11 tracks on the album, which also features contributions from Danny Myric, Kim Tribble, the Warren Brothers and more.
“The experience I’ve had making this record has rekindled the passion I had for music when I recorded my first record,” says Cagle. “Back In The Saddle is my life! I wouldn’t change anything about it; it is a record that I can live or die by and be content. I have given the fans my heart and soul, if it’s not good enough, I can live with it. If it is good enough, well then, I can’t wait to see what happens!”
Cagle will be in Nashville for CMA Music Festival next week before heading back out on the road to visit radio and play concert dates. He is scheduled to host his 2nd Annual Unbridled Concert on Friday, June 8 at the Wildhorse Saloon. The event benefits Saddle Up, a therapeutic horseback riding program for physically and mentally challenged children. More info here.
Warner Music Announces Exclusive Venue at Music Fest
/by Caitlin RantalaRenamed “The Warner Sound” for the WMN live events, the celebration will take place at aVenue located at 120 3rd Avenue South from June 6 through June 10. Fans are welcome and invited to purchase a limited supply of tickets at warnermusicnashville.com including a three day pass.
A scheduled list of events is as follows:
Wednesday, June 6 9:30 pm – The Warner Sound / CMT Awards ‘Fan After Party’ featuring Gloriana (and special guest Charlie Worsham). Tickets here.
Thursday, June 7, 3 pm – Jana Kramer’s Album Release Party. Entrance is free. VIP meet & greet tickets are sold out.
Thursday, June 7, 5:30 pm – Music City’s Most Wanted Live: Hunter Hayes in Concert. Hunter Hayes will play a full 90 minute show for the first time in Nashville. Tickets here.
Friday, June 8, 5:30 pm – Frankie Ballard opens for noted parody artist Cledus T. Judd. Tickets here.
Saturday, June 9, 3 – 6 pm – TouchTunes Karaoke sing-off & Kiss My Country Ass model search. Warner Music Nashville is casting country guys and girls to model the Kiss My Country Ass merchandise line, while the TouchTunes Karaoke party is underway. Entrance is free.
Date Set For Grammy Awards
/by Sarah SkatesAdditionally, The Grammy Nominations Concert Live!!—Countdown To Music’s Biggest Night, which reveals nominations in several categories along with performances will air live on CBS Wed., Dec. 5, 2012.
The eligibility year for the 55th Annual Grammy Awards is Oct. 1, 2011, to Sept. 30, 2012.
Grammy Week, which culminates in Music’s Biggest Night, will again feature celebrations of music, education and philanthropy, including Grammy Camp Basic Training, the Entertainment Law Initiative luncheon, the Producers & Engineers Wing event, the Grammy Foundation’s Music Preservation Event, the MusiCares Person of the Year tribute, the Special Merit Awards Ceremony, and Clive Davis and The Recording Academy’s Pre-Grammy Gala.
The 54th Annual Grammy Awards attracted 39.9 million viewers, the largest Grammy audience since 1984 and the second largest in history.
Americana Music Nominations Revealed
/by Sarah SkatesJason Isbell and the 400 Unit
Jason Isbell and Gillian Welch lead the nominations for the Americana Music Honors and Awards, revealed today (5/31) at a ceremony in Los Angeles. Isbell earned four nods, and Welch followed closely with three nominations.
Music aficionado John C. Reilly announced the nominations at the event hosted by Jim Lauderdale at The Grammy Museum’s Clive Davis Theatre. The celebration featured performances by Lucinda Williams, Shelby Lynne and Robert Ellis alongside the Americana All-Star band led by Buddy Miller with Lauderdale, Greg Leisz, Don Heffington and Don Was. Late artists Levon Helm, Earl Scruggs and Doc Watson were honored with a rendition of “Will the Circle Be Unbroken.”
Gillian Welch
The Americana Music Honors & Awards Show returns to the Ryman Auditorium on Sept. 12, 2012, as part of the Americana Music Festival running Sept. 12-15. Lauderdale will once again host while Miller will lead the All-Star Band.
Americana Music Honors & Awards 2012 Nominees
Album of the Year
Here We Rest – Jason Isbell
I’ll Never Get Out of This World Alive – Steve Earle
The Harrow & The Harvest – Gillian Welch
This One’s For Him: A Tribute to Guy Clark – Various Artists
Artist of the Year
Gillian Welch
Hayes Carll
Jason Isbell
Justin Townes Earle
Emerging Artist of the Year
Alabama Shakes
Dawes
Deep Dark Woods
Robert Ellis
Song of the Year
“Alabama Pines” – Written by Jason Isbell and performed by Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit
“Come Around” – Written and Performed by Sarah Jarosz
“I Love” – Written by Tom T. Hall and performed by Patty Griffin
“Waiting on the Sky to Fall” – Written and performed by Steve Earle
Instrumentalist of the Year
Buddy Miller
Chris Thile
Darrell Scott
Dave Rawlings
Duo/Group of the Year
Carolina Chocolate Drops
Civil Wars
Gillian Welch and David Rawlings
Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit
Punch Brothers
Elizabeth Cook Announces New EP, Plans Tour
/by FreemanCook was inspired to record Gospel Plow after participating in the California-based Strawberry Music Festival’s Sunday morning gospel show in 2011 and being moved by the music. The resulting collection features six of Cook’s favorite Southern gospel songs and a cover of Velvet Underground’s “Jesus.”
On Wednesday, June 13, Cook will perform on The Late Show With David Letterman. She previously appeared on the show as a sit-down guest. Additionally, she and her band (featuring her husband Tim Carroll on guitar and Bones Hillman of Midnight Oil on bass) will be on tour throughout summer. Full dates here.
Catch Cook’s “Apron Strings” on SiriusXM’s Outlaw Country Mon. – Fri., 9 am – 1 pm CT
“Uncle Bud” Passes Away
/by Robert K OermannHe performed and/or recorded with Danny Davis & The Nashville Brass, Jerry Reed, Marty Robbins, Charlie Rich, The Wilburn Brothers, The Music City Jazz Band, The Tommy Dorsey Band, Jerry Lee Lewis and many others.
He was also in the Grand Ole Opry house band for four years.
Born in Arkansas in 1939, he joined the Air Force Band in the 1960s. Moving to Memphis, he enrolled in Memphis State University and performed in local nightclubs.
Rogers moved to Nashville and had a 25-year career playing on recording sessions and at shows in Music City.
Leaving music behind, he gained further fame as the founder/owner of Uncle Bud’s Catfish in Franklin, as well as its branches (1980-1989). During this time, he was named Restaurateur of the Year and president of the Tennessee Restaurant Association. Later, he helped establish the organic enterprise Buffalo Valley Farm.
He sold his restaurants’ name in 1989, but the family has continued in the catfish business, cooking at The Catfish Express and The Best Little Catfish Place in Pegram.
Buddy Rogers died at home on May 30. He is survived by his wife Sydney and six children, 14 grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, a brother and two sisters.
Visitation will be at the West Harpeth Funeral Home today (5/31) at 3-8 p.m. and tomorrow from noon until the funeral service at 2 p.m. The private burial will be at Middle Tennessee Veterans Cemetery.
Honors Presented at International Country Music Conference
/by Sarah SkatesA special panel at Historic RCA Studio B discussed Chet Atkins and his contributions to the industry. Pictured (L-R): John Rumble, Les Ladd, Charlie McCoy, Don Cusic, Harold Bradley and Paul Craft.
The International Country Music Conference was held May 24- 26 at Belmont University. Co-chairs Don Cusic and James Akenson hosted academic sessions covering the Carter Family, Homer and Jethro, Johnny Cash, Charlie Pool and a special panel about Chet Atkins at RCA Studio B.
Nathan Gibson received the Belmont Book Award for the Best Book on Country Music in 2011. He authored The Starday Story: The House That Country Music Built.
The Charlie Lamb Journalism Awards were also presented at the conference, sponsored by Gary and Peggy Walker. Ronnie Stoneman presented the Contemporary Award for country music journalism to Alanna Nash.
Nathan Gibson was honored with the Belmont Book Award. Pictured (L-R): James Akenson, Gibson and Don Cusic
Alanna Nash received the country music journalism award. Pictured (L-R): Gary Walker, Peggy Walker, Ronnie Stoneman, Nash and Don Cusic
Performers Revealed For “Darius and Friends” Benefit
/by FreemanThe concert portion of the benefit takes place at 7:30 pm at the Wildhorse Saloon in downtown Nashville. Joining Rucker for performances will be Rodney Atkins, Clint Black, Sunny Sweeney, Chuck Wicks, and some special surprise guests.
“We’ve had so much fun the last two years with friends jamming on stage for a great cause,” says Rucker. “I’m excited to continue that tradition with this year’s event.”
A limited number of tickets are still available here or by calling the Wildhorse at 615-902-8200.
Rucker is also currently in the studio with his producer Frank Rogers working on the follow-up to 2010’s Charleston, SC 1966.
Gaylord Selling Hotel Rights To Marriott
/by Sarah SkatesGaylord will continue to own and operate the Grand Ole Opry, Ryman Auditorium and other attractions. According to a press release, no changes are anticipated at these iconic assets and Gaylord is committed to maintaining the legacy of these historic attractions.
Following consummation of the sale, Gaylord will continue to own its hotel properties and other businesses and will reorganize and elect to be treated as a real estate investment trust (REIT) effective January 1, 2013.
Gaylord Hotels will join the Marriott portfolio of brands. Terms of the management agreement call for Marriott to manage the resort and convention centers in the Nashville, Dallas-Ft. Worth, Orlando and Washington, D.C. areas under the Gaylord Hotels flag. Marriott will receive a management contract with an initial 35 year term, 2% base management fee, and an incentive fee linked to improvement in hotel profitability.
Colin V. Reed, Gaylord Chairman and Chief Executive Officer stated, “The REIT structure allows us to benefit from a more efficient tax structure, and establish a platform to grow our distinct asset base through organic growth of our existing portfolio and, in time, through strategic acquisitions. Moreover, we believe that by working with Marriott International, our shareholders will benefit from significant property efficiencies and corporate overhead reductions, as well as revenue synergies which include Marriott’s ability to attract and market to large group customers.”