Hazel Dickens
Renowned Appalachian vocal stylist
Hazel Dickens has died at age 75.
The West Virginia native was noted for her strongly feminist song lyrics, support of coal miners and participation in bluegrass and folk-music groups such as The Strange Creek Singers and Hazel & Alice. She recorded for the Rounder, Folkways and Arhoolie record labels.
The Hazel & Alice arrangement of The Carter Family’s “Hello Stranger” served as the template for Emmylou Harris’s recording of the song. The duo’s recording of “The Sweetest Gift (A Mother’s Smile)” inspired Naomi & Wynonna Judd to form their musical partnership. Dickens appeared with The Judds during one Fan Fair concert in the 1990s.
Her songs were featured in the Oscar-winning 1976 documentary
Harlan County U.S.A., and she appeared in the 1987 coal-mining movie
Matewan.
Raised as one of 11 children in rural West Virginia, Hazel Dickens was the daughter of a preacher. Her brothers were coal miners. Seeking a better life, Dickens moved to Baltimore in 1954. She worked in factories, but via her performances in the bluegrass bands The Pike County Boys and The Greenbriar Boys, she came to the attention of singer and folklorist Mike Seeger.
She played bass and sang in Seeger’s Strange Creek Singers bluegrass band, which also included Alice Gerrard on guitar and vocals. The group began recording in the mid-1960s.
The two women formed a bluegrass/folk duo and began recording for Folkways around this same time. A shift to Rounder resulted in their best known LPs, 1973’s
Hazel & Alice and 1975’s
Hazel Dickens and Alice Gerrard. These included the feisty Dickens “signature” songs “Working Girl Blues,” “My Better Years” and “Don’t Put Her Down, You Helped Put Her There.”
Dickens launched her solo recording career with 1980’s
Hard Hitting Songs for Hard Hit People, also on Rounder. It featured her blue-collar anthem “They’ll Never Keep Us Down,” which was one of the songs featured in
Harlan County U.S.A. The 1982 LP
It’s Hard to Tell the Singer From the Song included her striking composition “Will Jesus Wash the Bloodstains From Your Hands.” The punk band X subsequently revived this tune.
The Hazel Dickens song “Won’t You Come and Sing for Me” has been recorded by Hot Rize, Delia Bell, Kate Brislin, High Atmosphere and other bluegrass acts. Cherryholmes and The Burns Sisters have recorded “Working Girl Blues.” The Johnson Mountain Boys repopularized “My Better Years,” and New Riders of the Purple Sage recorded “Don’t Put Her Down, You Helped Put Her There.” Laurie Lewis, The Lynn Morris Band, Bobby Osborne, James King, Dolly Parton, Dry Branch Fire Squad, Kathy Mattea and Cathy Fink are among the others who have recorded Hazel Dickens songs.
In 1994, Dickens became the first woman to receive the International Bluegrass Music Association’s Award of Merit. In 2008, The National Endowment for the Arts presented her with its National Heritage Award, and Alison Krauss inducted her into the West Virginia Music Hall of Fame. Her autobiography,
Working Girl Blues, was published by the University of Illinois Press later that same year.
Hazel Dickens died at a Washington D.C. hospice on Friday, April 22. from complications of pneumonia.
Mark Wills Lends Voice To Military Vets
/by Sherod RobertsonHe will be the official spokesperson and voice for the “Crazy Being Home” outreach to encourage and support veterans. His recording of “Crazy Being Home” (written by Chris Lindsey, Robin Lindsey, Brett Warren and Brad Warren) will be the campaign’s anthem, and will be on Wills’ album Looking for America, due in June 2011.
Kicking off the “Crazy Being Home” campaign, Wills will perform at the 6th Annual National MilBlog Conference in Washington, D.C. on Friday, April 29. Also slated to make a guest appearance is former Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld.
PTSD is an important cause to Wills, whose father was affected by serving in Vietnam. He has been working with USA Cares since 2009, and has made more than seven trips to Iraq and Afghanistan to entertain the troops.
Fun Photo Spread
/by Sarah SkatesTackleBox Film’s owner/director Shaun Silva directed the new music video for Capitol Records Nashville’s Luke Bryan last week in Los Angeles. The new single, “Country Girl (Shake It For Me)” is Bryan’s fastest rising single to date and is Top 20 after five weeks on the charts. Bryan and Silva have been working together for over five years.
Shaun Silva (L) and Luke Bryan (R) on the set of Bryan's new video.
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Steel Magnolia teamed with Chevrolet and CBS Radio to help Chevrolet’s “Cell Phones For Soldiers” campaign. The initiative raises funds to purchase pre-paid calling cards to send to soldiers serving abroad. Students from high schools in Ft. Pierce and Tampa, Florida collected 800 phones, winning an acoustic performance from the Big Machine Records duo. WIRK and WQYK helped promote the contest.
Pictured (L-R): Steel Magnolia’s Meghan Linsey and Joshua Scott Jones during a concert for students at Braden River High School in Tampa, FL. Photo credit: Jeff Davis (Courtesy of Big Machine Records)
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Redneck Records artist Gretchen Wilson performed an infield concert at the Talladega Superspeedway Saturday night (4/23) and hung out in the pits of her favorite driver, Mark Martin, on Sunday. Wilson and her buddies Big & Rich, Cowboy Troy and Two Foot Fred will hit the road in June for Xtreme Music The Tour.
Gretchen Wilson at Talladega.
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The Academy of Country Music welcomed Aria Records Nashville recording artist David St. Romain to the office when he was in Los Angeles. While at the Academy, he sang his current single “Twenty Years Late” and others from his recently released CD All I Really Wanted To Say.
(L-R): Bob Romeo, CEO of the Academy of Country Music and David St. Romain. Photo: Michel Bourquard/Courtesy of the ACM
Big Machine Label Group Joins iHeartRadio Lineup
/by FreemanJustin Moore will give listeners a preview of his album "Outlaws Like Me" on iHeartRadio today (4/26).
Clear Channel Radio has announced the addition of Big Machine Radio to its iHeartRadio lineup. The commercial-free, digital station offers exclusive interviews, rare recordings, and a weekly “From the Vaults” feature from the label group’s artists including Taylor Swift, Rascal Flatts, Reba, Martina McBride, The Band Perry and more. The station is accessible at iheartradio.com or via the iHeartRadio application for smartphones and iPad.
“As one of the most popular music apps, with more than 25.5 million downloads, Clear Channel’s iHeartRadio was an easy choice when it came to expanding our reach with a digital radio partner,” says Big Machine President/CEO Scott Borchetta. “We’re excited to launch on iHeartRadio and give fans even more access to amazing interviews, rare recordings and special radio features from our artists.”
As part of the launch listeners tuning in this morning (4/26) will hear a preview of Valory artist Justin Moore’s sophomore album Outlaws Like Me, which will be available June 21. On Thursday (4/28), the first “From the Vaults” program will spotlight Jewel’s 2010 radio special for her Sweet and Wild album.
Grand Ole Opry Benefit Marks Flood Anniversary
/by MichelleNashville charitable organizations including Hands On Nashville, the American Red Cross, and United Way of Metropolitan Nashville will provide promotion codes to their supporters such that $10 from every ticket purchased using the codes will be returned to the charity. Additionally, proceeds from Play On, Nashville! commemorative prints available exclusively at the Opry House that night will go to Hands On Nashville.
Nashvillians can be a part of the night by submitting photos of their flood relief efforts to be shown in the Opry’s signature barn backdrop during the show. The photos, which will also be used in the commemorative print from the night, should be submitted tooprymail@opry.com no later than Thurs., April 28.
The Grand Ole Opry House was one of Nashville’s most famous icons affected by the May 2010 flood. Four feet of water engulfed the stage, and the show temporarily moved to several other Nashville venues throughout the summer before returning to the Opry House following an around-the-clock six-month recovery and restoration.
“The May 2010 flood devastated homes, businesses, and lives, but it also showcased the unsinkable spirit of our city and its citizens in ways we are still learning about a year later,” said Pete Fisher, Opry vice president and general manager. “We want to celebrate that the Opry’s hometown is stronger than ever the best way we know how— with a one-of-a-kind night of great music.”
Darius Rucker Marks Latest No. 1 With Media Rounds
/by Sarah SkatesPhoto by: Lloyd Bishop/NBC
Darius Rucker performed on Late Night With Jimmy Fallon last night (4/25). While in New York City he visited the Today show yesterday, and the syndicated Wendy Williams Show, set to air today (4/26). He also played a benefit concert to fight homelessness and AIDS.
The Capitol Records Nashville artist recently celebrated his fifth chart-topping single, “This.” It was co-written by Rucker, his producer Frank Rogers, and Kara DioGuardi.
Rucker will be touring throughout the summer in support of his latest album Charleston, SC 1966. He will host the Darius & Friends Benefit Concert for St. Jude on June 6 in Nashville, as one of the events surrounding CMA Music Festival.
Ronnie Dunn Reveals Solo Album Details
/by MichelleThe video for “Bleed Red,” the first single from Dunn’s upcoming album, premiered recently (4/22) on CMT, CMT.com, and CMT Pure as part of the network’s Big New Music Weekend. It will be released for purchase as a digital download on April 26.
Complete track listing for the Sony Music Nashville project:
1. Singer in a Cowboy Band (Ronnie Dunn/Craig Wiseman)
2. I Don’t Dance (Ronnie Dunn/David Lee Murphy/Craig Wiseman)
3. Your Kind of Love (Maile Misajon/Jeremy Stover)
4. How Far to Waco (Ronnie Dunn/Terry McBride)
5. Once (Jamie Floyd/Philip LaRue/Peter Sallis)
6. Cost of Livin’ (Phillip Coleman/Ronnie Dunn)
7. Bleed Red (Andrew Dorff/Tommy Lee James)
8. Last Love I’m Tryin’ (Ronnie Dunn)
9. Let the Cowboy Rock (Ronnie Dunn/Dallas Davidson)
10. I Can’t Help Myself (Ronnie Dunn/Terry McBride)
11. I Just Get Lonely (Ronnie Dunn)
12. Love Owes Me One (Ronnie Dunn/Terry McBride/Bobby Pinson)
CMT's USA Weekend Breakthrough Video Noms Revealed
/by Freeman2011 USA Weekend Breakthrough Video of the Year Nominees:
Lee Brice – “Love Like Crazy”
Aaron Lewis – “Country Boy”
Jerrod Niemann – “Lover, Lover”
The Band Perry – “If I Die Young”
Thompson Square – “Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not”
CMT host Evan Farmer will present the remaining awards categories Wednesday (4/27) on NBC’s Today during the 10 am ET hour, which will also feature a performance by The Band Perry. Voting will begin on cmt.com immediately following the announcement.
Industry Ink Monday (4/25)
/by Sarah SkatesSinger-songwriter Kristy Lee stopped by ASCAP Nashville to become a member and perform for the creative staff. The Alabama native will head into the studio this summer to record with co-producers John Hopkins (of the Zac Brown Band) and Zac Brown. Kristy Lee performs at 7PM tonight (4/25) at the Basement. Pictured (L-R): ASCAP’s Mike Sistad, LeAnn Phelan, Kristy Lee, ASCAP's Robert Filhart, Ryan Beuschel, Jesse Willoughby
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Stokes Nielson of The Lost Trailers is launching Stokes Tunes, an entertainment brand marketing and management company. Among his first clients are artists Corbette Jackson, McKenzie Comer, and Lighter Ray. The Stokes Tunes offices are located at 35 Music Square East.
Meanwhile, The Lost Trailers are working with famed producer Eddie Kramer (Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin) in his first voyage into mainstream country music.
• • • • •
CAA recently promoted staffer Jim Butler to Agent.
• • • • •
Congrats to Lori Genes Christian, Senior Director of Media & Public Relations for Capitol Records Nashville and husband Augie Christian on the birth of Augustine Jackson Christian. He was born April 24, 2011 at 4:04 PM, and weighted 7 lb, 12 1/2 oz and measured 20 1/2 inches long.
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Latocki Team Creative (LTC) is expanding its web-based services, and has hired Brett Shumaker as Web Developer & Designer. Luellyn Latocki Hensley, owner and creative director, explains, “Brett proved himself as an outstanding designer and programmer while we were developing LoriMcKenna.com, so we know he will be able to provide custom web solutions that will meet the needs of our clients, keeping their websites consistent with their brands.” Shumaker most recently worked at Thrive Creative Group.
CRS Names Agenda Committee
/by Sarah SkatesThe Agenda Committee is made up of volunteers from all areas of the Country radio and record industries and gathers each year to plan events for the upcoming Country Radio Seminar. This year’s committee, which features nine new members, will meet June 23-24, 2011, to put together the framework and topics for next year’s event.
This year’s Agenda Committee Chair is Curb Records’ Annie Sandor, and the Agenda Committee Co-Chair is Federated Media’s Clint Marsh.
Agenda Committee for CRS 2012
Ken Boesen* / WKIS
Craig Cohn* / KPLX
Andy Denemark / United Stations
Shelly Easton / WXTU
Jeff Green / Country Aircheck
JoJamie Hahr / The Valory Music Co.
Gator Harrison / WUSY
Greg Hill* / McGhee Entertainment
Lisa Juillerat / WLHK
John Kijowski / WIL St. Louis
Stephen Linn* / CMT
Clint Marsh / Federated Media
Nick Martin* / WXFL
Mandy McCormack / Big Machine
Mike Preston* / KKWF
Ron Rodrigues* / Arbitron
Annie Sandor / Curb Records
Jennifer Thorpe* / Columbia Nashville
John Trapane / Capitol Nashville
Jeff Winfield* / NRG Media
* Denotes new member to the 2011-2012 Agenda Committee
Hazel Dickens Passes
/by Robert K OermannHazel Dickens
Renowned Appalachian vocal stylist Hazel Dickens has died at age 75.
The West Virginia native was noted for her strongly feminist song lyrics, support of coal miners and participation in bluegrass and folk-music groups such as The Strange Creek Singers and Hazel & Alice. She recorded for the Rounder, Folkways and Arhoolie record labels.
The Hazel & Alice arrangement of The Carter Family’s “Hello Stranger” served as the template for Emmylou Harris’s recording of the song. The duo’s recording of “The Sweetest Gift (A Mother’s Smile)” inspired Naomi & Wynonna Judd to form their musical partnership. Dickens appeared with The Judds during one Fan Fair concert in the 1990s.
Her songs were featured in the Oscar-winning 1976 documentary Harlan County U.S.A., and she appeared in the 1987 coal-mining movie Matewan.
Raised as one of 11 children in rural West Virginia, Hazel Dickens was the daughter of a preacher. Her brothers were coal miners. Seeking a better life, Dickens moved to Baltimore in 1954. She worked in factories, but via her performances in the bluegrass bands The Pike County Boys and The Greenbriar Boys, she came to the attention of singer and folklorist Mike Seeger.
She played bass and sang in Seeger’s Strange Creek Singers bluegrass band, which also included Alice Gerrard on guitar and vocals. The group began recording in the mid-1960s.
The two women formed a bluegrass/folk duo and began recording for Folkways around this same time. A shift to Rounder resulted in their best known LPs, 1973’s Hazel & Alice and 1975’s Hazel Dickens and Alice Gerrard. These included the feisty Dickens “signature” songs “Working Girl Blues,” “My Better Years” and “Don’t Put Her Down, You Helped Put Her There.”
Dickens launched her solo recording career with 1980’s Hard Hitting Songs for Hard Hit People, also on Rounder. It featured her blue-collar anthem “They’ll Never Keep Us Down,” which was one of the songs featured in Harlan County U.S.A. The 1982 LP It’s Hard to Tell the Singer From the Song included her striking composition “Will Jesus Wash the Bloodstains From Your Hands.” The punk band X subsequently revived this tune.
The Hazel Dickens song “Won’t You Come and Sing for Me” has been recorded by Hot Rize, Delia Bell, Kate Brislin, High Atmosphere and other bluegrass acts. Cherryholmes and The Burns Sisters have recorded “Working Girl Blues.” The Johnson Mountain Boys repopularized “My Better Years,” and New Riders of the Purple Sage recorded “Don’t Put Her Down, You Helped Put Her There.” Laurie Lewis, The Lynn Morris Band, Bobby Osborne, James King, Dolly Parton, Dry Branch Fire Squad, Kathy Mattea and Cathy Fink are among the others who have recorded Hazel Dickens songs.
In 1994, Dickens became the first woman to receive the International Bluegrass Music Association’s Award of Merit. In 2008, The National Endowment for the Arts presented her with its National Heritage Award, and Alison Krauss inducted her into the West Virginia Music Hall of Fame. Her autobiography, Working Girl Blues, was published by the University of Illinois Press later that same year.
Hazel Dickens died at a Washington D.C. hospice on Friday, April 22. from complications of pneumonia.