The Hank Williams box set is showing up on numerous best of 2010 lists, earning raves from the Washington Post and CMT.com’s Chet Flippo. The meticulously compiled project won a Pulitzer Prize in May, and is nominated for a 2011 Grammy for Best Historical Album.
Hank Williams: The Complete Mother’s Best Recordings…..Plus! is culled from his 1951 Mother’s Best radio show on Nashville’s WSM. The recordings, which were nearly thrown away in the 1970s, include his versions of chestnuts like “Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain,” “Cool Water,” and “On Top of Old Smoky,” as well as his own classics, such as “Cold, Cold Heart” recorded just days after it was written. Joining Williams on the live show were his wife, Audrey, and his Drifting Cowboys band. The set reveals a seldom seen side of Williams’ personality, with him talking openly between songs about his life and career.
There’s also a bonus DVD featuring a conversation between Hank’s daughter Jett Williams and the two surviving members of his Mother’s Best group. The set comes with a 108-page book that includes a Foreword by Hank Williams, Jr., an Afterword by Jett Williams, a 25,000 word essay by Colin Escott, and many previously unpublished photographs from the collection of Marty Stuart.
Joe Palmaccio, who won a Grammy for his work on The Complete Hank Williams, handled audio restoration for the Mother’s Best set.
The Band Perry Earns Platinum Single
/by Sarah SkatesRepublic Nashville's The Band Perry recently made a visit to Edmonton, Alberta, Canada’s first full-time country station – CFCW-AM. Pictured (L-R): Reid and Neil Perry, CFCW-AM’s Larry Donahue and Stella Stevens, and Kimberly Perry.
The Band Perry’s “If I Die Young” has been certified Platinum by the RIAA for sales exceeding 1 million units. The self-penned song from the trio scored a Grammy nomination and is their first No. 1 single.
“This song is about hope and contentment,” says lead vocalist Kimberly Perry. “Fans seem to have taken this song to heart as a positive reminder to appreciate each day you’re given. Every night we sing this song, it’s a reminder to us as well – we couldn’t be more grateful for this response.”
The Band Perry will perform “If I Die Young” on ABC’s The View tomorrow (12/15).
Praise For Hank Williams Box Set
/by Sarah SkatesHank Williams: The Complete Mother’s Best Recordings…..Plus! is culled from his 1951 Mother’s Best radio show on Nashville’s WSM. The recordings, which were nearly thrown away in the 1970s, include his versions of chestnuts like “Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain,” “Cool Water,” and “On Top of Old Smoky,” as well as his own classics, such as “Cold, Cold Heart” recorded just days after it was written. Joining Williams on the live show were his wife, Audrey, and his Drifting Cowboys band. The set reveals a seldom seen side of Williams’ personality, with him talking openly between songs about his life and career.
There’s also a bonus DVD featuring a conversation between Hank’s daughter Jett Williams and the two surviving members of his Mother’s Best group. The set comes with a 108-page book that includes a Foreword by Hank Williams, Jr., an Afterword by Jett Williams, a 25,000 word essay by Colin Escott, and many previously unpublished photographs from the collection of Marty Stuart.
Joe Palmaccio, who won a Grammy for his work on The Complete Hank Williams, handled audio restoration for the Mother’s Best set.
House Foundation Signs Off Tomorrow
/by Sarah SkatesFaith Hill and Tim McGraw bid adieu to the House Foundation.
Country Radio Hall of Fame inductee Gerry House ends his venerable show, “The House Foundation,” tomorrow (12/15). During its 22 years on-air, the program on Clear Channel’s WSIX has become a Nashville institution. “The House Foundation” has been counting down the 12 Days of Christmas in celebration, featuring tons of celebrity guests leading up to tomorrow’s final sign-off on the twelfth day. Send well-wishes and see all the stars who have stopped by to visit House here, including Martina McBride, Taylor Swift, Kenny Chesney, Alan Jackson and Rascal Flatts.
Current “House Foundation” members include Mike Bohan, Richard Falklen and Katie Bright, though many others have been involved through the years.
House’s 30-year career has lead to four CMA Awards, seven ACMs, eight Billboard Awards, and being the only country DJ in the National Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame.
Nashvillians Score Golden Globe Nods
/by Sarah SkatesOne nominee is “Coming Home,” performed by Gwyneth Paltrow for the Country Strong soundtrack and written by Bob DiPiero, Tom Douglas, Hillary Lindsey, and Troy Verges.
Also nominated in the category is “There’s A Place For Us,” performed and co-written by Carrie Underwood, with David Hodges and Hillary Lindsey for the soundtrack to Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage Of The Dawn Treader.
The 68th Annual Golden Globe® Awards will air live from the Beverly Hilton Hotel on Sunday, January 16, 2011 from 8:00-11:00 p.m. (EST) on NBC.
Lady A, Corbin and Brice Lead Recent Lists
/by FreemanEaston Corbin was named Top New Country Artist of the Year in Billboard’s year-end charts, followed by The Band Perry and Lee Brice. Top Country Male honors go to Jason Aldean and the Top Female Country artist is Taylor Swift.
Brice’s record-breaking “Love Like Crazy,” which spent 56 weeks on the Hot Country Songs chart, ended up as the most heard song of 2010 in the Hot Country Songs recap. He is followed by Luke Bryan’s “Rain Is A Good Thing” and Josh Turner’s “Why Don’t We Just Dance.”
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The survey included mayors of 200 cities with populations of 30,000 or more. In addition to questions on economic issues, participants were presented with four song choices and asked which best captured their current attitudes. Rounding out the choices were Maroon 5’s “Misery” and Lady Gaga’s “Bad Romance.”
Garth Concert Update
/by Sarah SkatesBrooks has partnered with the Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots program and is asking fans to bring a new, unwrapped toy to his concerts in Nashville. The gifts for children in need will be collected upon entry and will be distributed throughout Middle Tennessee.
Among Brooks’ guests will be performers Trisha Yearwood and songwriter Karyn Rochelle. Rochelle has penned hits including “Georgia Rain” and “This Is Me You’re Talking To” (Yearwood); “Red High Heels,” “I Wonder,” and “Don’t You Know You’re Beautiful” (Kellie Pickler); and “A Table Away” (Sunny Sweeney).
For concert arrival times see the box below. For a recap on parking, click here.
Joe Nichols “Greatest Hits” In The Works
/by Sarah SkatesNichols will wrap touring in December and take a short break for the holidays before gearing back up in 2011, when he will be busy promoting the Greatest Hits release.
Track Listing
Gimmie That Girl
The Shape I’m In
Tequila Makes Her Clothes Fall Off
Brokenheartsville
Size Matters
The Impossible
What’s A Guy Gotta Do
It Ain’t No Crime
Cool To Be A Fool
I’ll Wait For You
George Jones At The Ryman; Little Jimmy Dickens Turns 90
/by Sarah SkatesGeorge Jones
George Jones will perform at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium next year. The show is scheduled for Saturday, March 12 at 8:00 p.m.
Tickets will go on sale Friday, December 17 at 10:00 a.m. through Ticketmaster.com, Ryman.com, and the Ryman box office. Tickets prices are $49.50 / $39.50 / $29.50.
More upcoming shows at the Ryman:
Amy Grant and Vince Gill • Dec 21 and Dec 22
Amy Grant and Michael W. Smith • Feb 22, 2011
A Prairie Home Companion • Mar 26, 2011
Amos Lee with The Secret Sisters • April 8, 2011
Always…Patsy Cline • Jun 17 – Jul 24, 2011
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Little Jimmy Dickens
Little Jimmy Dickens will celebrate his 90th birthday with an invitation-only party on Saturday, December 18.
The performer and Grand Ole Opry star will greet industry guests and close friends at Rippy’s Bar & Grill in downtown Nashville.
BMI Hires Nada Latto
/by Freeman“Nada is a veteran HR executive with over 20 years of well-rounded leadership experience in a number of broad and progressive HR environments,” says Esworthy. “Her valuable experience, insight and leadership will help us guide the human resource element of BMI to higher levels of achievement.”
Latto was previously employed with the Oreck Corporation, where she was involved with all HR functions. Prior to Oreck, Latto was Sr. VP of HR at Ozburn-Hessey Logistics in Brentwood. She holds a BS in Consumer Services from Middle Tennesse State University and is certified as a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR).
Terra Firma Could Default on EMI Loan
/by Sarah SkatesSources told the New York Post that Terra Firma investors refuse to put any more money into the record label. Earlier this year Hands convinced them to plow $156 million into EMI to keep it from defaulting on the Citigroup loan.
Last month, Hands and Citigroup met in the courtroom, and Hands lost the lawsuit in which he claimed Citi convinced him to overpay for EMI.
Among EMI’s Nashville labels are EMI Christian Music Group and Capitol Records Nashville.