The Dan Tyminski Band (L-R) Barry Bales, Adam Steffey, Dan Tyminski, Justin Moses, Ron Stewart
Today the IBMA announced the nominees for the 20th Annual International Bluegrass Music Awards, to be hosted by Kathy Mattea and legendary bluegrass band, Hot Rize, on Thursday, October 1, 2009, at the historic Ryman Auditorium in Nashville.
The Dan Tyminski Band, including Union Station alumni Adam Steffey and Barry Bales, lead with nine nominations on the strength of the chart-topping album Wheels. In addition to Entertainer of the Year, Instrumental Group, Album, Song, and Male Vocalist nods, band members received individual nominations.
Dailey & Vincent, whose popularity has only continued to grow since they received seven awards in 2008, including Entertainer of the Year, have seven IBMA nominations.
Actor/musician Steve Martin burst onto the bluegrass scene this year, trusty banjo in hand, to receive nominations in six IBMA award categories. Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper have also been recognized with six nominations.
The Grascals, who were named Entertainers of the Year in 2006 and 2007, have nominations in five categories.
This year’s inductees for the International Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame are The Lonesome Pine Fiddlers, the legendary string band formed in 1937 by Ezra, Ray and Ned Cline in West Virginia; and The Dillards, the influential band from Salem, Missouri, known for their popular appearances on The Andy Griffith Show.
IBMA’s Distinguished Achievement Award will go to early bluegrass pioneer Hylo Brown; long-time event producer from Maine, Pati Crooker; veteran performer and radio announcer Jody Rainwater; author, musicology and radio broadcaster Dick Spottswood; and the National Council for the Traditional Art’s Joe Wilson.
The member-voted IBMA Award Show is the centerpiece of the World of Bluegrass week, including the industry’s Business Conference and Bluegrass Fan Fest, slated for September 28 – October 4 in Nashville. Ticket and conference details at www.ibma.org. The award show will be broadcast live on Sirius XM Satellite Radio and syndicated to more than 300 U.S. markets and 14 foreign networks.
THE NOMINEES for the 2009 INTERNATIONAL BLUEGRASS MUSIC AWARDS
ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR
• Dailey & Vincent
• The Grascals
• Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver
• The Del McCoury Band
• Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out
• Dan Tyminski Band
VOCAL GROUP OF THE YEAR
• Blue Highway
• Dailey & Vincent
• The Isaacs
• Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver
• Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out
INSTRUMENTAL GROUP OF THE YEAR
• Blue Highway
• Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper
• The Infamous Stringdusters
• Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder
• Dan Tyminski Band
MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
• Jamie Dailey
• Russell Moore
• Danny Paisley
• Junior Sisk
• Dan Tyminski
FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
• Dale Ann Bradley
• Sonya Isaacs
• Claire Lynch
• Alecia Nugent
• Rhonda Vincent
ALBUM OF THE YEAR
• Blue Side Of The Blue Ridge, Junior Sisk & Ramblers Choice (artist), Ronnie Bowman (producer), Rebel Records
• Brothers From Different Mothers, Dailey & Vincent (artist), Jamie Dailey & Darrin Vincent (producers), Rounder Records
• Keep On Walkin’, The Grascals (artist/producers), Rounder Records
• The Room Over Mine, Danny Paisley & The Southern Grass (artist), Ken Irwin & Danny Paisley (producers), Rounder Records
• Wheels, Dan Tyminski, (artist/producer), Rounder Records
SONG OF THE YEAR
• “Don’t Throw Mama’s Flowers Away,” Danny Paisley & The Southern Grass (artist), Chris Stuart & Ivan Rosenberg (writers)
• “Iron & Diamonds,” The Gibson Brothers (artist), Leigh & Eric Gibson (writers)
• “Leaving Baker County,” Junior Sisk & Ramblers Choice (artist), Tom T. & Dixie Hall (writers)
• “Moneyland,” Del McCoury Band (artist), John Herald (writer)
• “Wheels,” Dan Tyminski (artist), Patrick McDougal (writer)
RECORDED EVENT OF THE YEAR
• “After The Fire Is Gone;” Bobby Osborne, Rhonda Vincent & Darrin Vincent (artists); Glen Duncan & Bobby Osborne (producers); Rounder Records
• “The Crow,” Steve Martin with Tony Trischka (artists), John McEuen (producer), 40 Share Productions
• “Daddy Played The Banjo;” Steve Martin with Tim O’Brien & Earl Scruggs (artists), John McEuen (producer), 40 Share Productions
• “Proud To Be A Daughter of Bluegrass;” Daughters of Bluegrass featuring Dale Ann Bradley, Heather Berry, Lisa Martin, Gloria Belle, Sierra Hull, Rhonda Vincent, Lisa Ray, Linda Lay, Sally Jones, Jeanie Stanley, Carol Lee Cooper, Sonya Isaacs, Becky Isaacs Bowman, Michelle Nixon, Jeanette Williams, Sophie Haislip, Louise Tomberlain, Mindy Rakestraw, Lizzy Long, Frances Mooney, Lorraine Jordan, Annette Kelley, Lily Lieux, Dixie Hall, Judi Marshall, Melissa Lawrence, Beth Lawrence, Rebecca Frazier, Donica Christensen, Lisa Manning & Jenni Lyn Gardner (artists); Dixie Hall, Paula Wolak & Frances Mooney (producers); Blue Circle Records
• “Sad Wind Sighs,” The Grascals with Vince Gill (artists), The Grascals (producers), Rounder Records
GOSPEL RECORDED PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR
• “Darkness Wept,” Lonesome River Band (artist/producers), Dee Gaskin & Rebecca Bowman (writers), Rural Rhythm Records
• “On The Other Side;” Dailey & Vincent (artist); Jimmy Fortune, Kevin Denney & Tom Botkin (writers); Jamie Dailey & Darrin Vincent (producers); Rounder Records
• “What A Journey,” Paul Williams & The Victory Trio (artist), Bret Bronson & Louise Gorman (writers), Paul Williams (producer), Rebel Records
• “When The Last Of Our Days Shall Come,” Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver (artist), Chris Stuart (writer), Doyle Lawson (producer), Rounder Records
• “Who’ll Sing for Me?” Audie Blaylock & Redline (artist), Thomas J. Farris (writer), Audie Blaylock (producer), Rural Rhythm Records
INSTRUMENTAL RECORDED PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR
• “Angeline The Baker,” Rob Ickes & Andy Leftwich (artists), public domain, Rob Haines (producer), Mel Bay Music
• “The Crow,” Steve Martin (artist/writer), John McEuen (producer), 40 Share Productions
• “Don’t Tread On Me,” Kristin Scott Benson (artist/writer/producer), Pinecastle Records
• “Jerusalem Ridge,” Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper (artist), Bill Monroe (writer), Jeff White & Michael Cleveland (producers), Rounder Records
• “Struttin’ To Ferrum,” Lonesome River Band (artist/producer), arrangement by Gene Parker, Rural Rhythm Records
EMERGING ARTIST OF THE YEAR
• Sierra Hull & Highway 111
• Danny Paisley & The Southern Grass
• Junior Sisk & Rambler’s Choice
• The SteelDrivers
• Josh Williams Band
INSTRUMENTAL PERFORMERS OF THE YEAR
BANJO
• Kristin Scott Benson
• J.D. Crowe
• Steve Martin
• Sammy Shelor
• Ron Stewart
BASS
• Barry Bales
• Mike Bub
• Missy Raines
• Darrin Vincent
• Marshall Wilborn
FIDDLE
• Hunter Berry
• Jason Carter
• Michael Cleveland
• Stuart Duncan
• Ron Stewart
DOBRO
• Mike Auldridge
• Jerry Douglas
• Andy Hall
• Rob Ickes
• Randy Kohrs
• Phil Leadbetter
GUITAR
• Jim Hurst
• Tony Rice
• Kenny Smith
• Bryan Sutton
• Josh Williams
MANDOLIN
• Jesse Brock
• Sam Bush
• Sierra Hull
• Ronnie McCoury
• Adam Steffey
BLUEGRASS EVENT OF THE YEAR
• Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival; Oak Hill, New York; July 2008
• 33rd Annual Tri-State Bluegrass Festival; Kendallville, Indiana; May 2008
• 2008 World Cultural Fusion Festival; Kawaguchi City, Japan; July 2008
BLUEGRASS BROADCASTER OF THE YEAR
• Kyle Cantrell; Sirius XM Satellite Radio; Nashville, Tennessee
• Katy Daly; HD Radio WAMU 88.5 Channel 2, 105.5 FM & www.bluegrasscountry.org; Washington, D.C.
• Ned Luberecki; Sirius XM Satellite Radio; Nashville, Tennessee
PRINT MEDIA PERSON OF THE YEAR
• Tom Adams, Banjo Newsletter
• Dan Miller, Flatpicking Guitar
• Roger Siminoff; Siminoff’s Luthiers Glossary, Banjo Newsletter and Bluegrass Breakdown
LINER NOTES FOR RECORDED PROJECT
• Charlie Cushman, Marty Stuart, Eddie Stubbs & Johnny Warren (writers); A Tribute to Fiddlin’ Paul Warren; Johnny Warren & Charlie Cushman (artists); no label
• Eddie Dean (writer); Old-Time Pickin’: A Clawhammer Banjo Collection, Ralph Stanley (artist), Rebel Records
• Steve Martin (writer), The Crow, Steve Martin (artist), 40 Share Productions
BEST GRAPHIC DESIGN FOR RECORDED PROJECT
• G. Carr & Salli Ratts (designers), The Crow, Steve Martin (artist), 40 Share Productions
• Stumptown Printers (designer), Uncle Charlie Osborne: The June Appal Recordings, Uncle Charlie Osborne (artist), June Appal Recordings
• Loren Witcher (designer), Inside Out, Missy Raines & the New Hip (artist), Compass Records
Otto And Houser Set For Buds-n-Suds
/by Sarah SkatesMiley Pole Dances At Teen Choice Awards, More From The Web
/by Sarah SkatesIf she was trying to get attention, I guess it worked…
Miley Cyrus’ pole dance at the Teen Choice Awards (of all places) is being bashed by bloggers all over the Internet.
These quotes may not phase the star, who won six surfboards that night, mainly for her work as “Hannah Montana.” She also won for best music single for “The Climb,” written locally by Jon Mabe and Jessi Alexander. Billy Ray Cyrus won an award for Choice TV Parental Unit. Other big winners were David Archuleta and all things Twilight related.
Several other locals rocked out that night, too:
Choice Music Female Artist: Taylor Swift
Choice Music Rock Group: Paramore
Choice Music Rock Track: Paramore – “Decode”
Choice Music Album Female Artist: Taylor Swift – “Fearless”
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iLike has a $99 special to build an iPhone/iPod app for your band. It’s here for a limited time.
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With the Tennessee Lottery offering Tennessee Titans branded lottery tickets…would country music tickets be such a stretch? The football theme tickets, available Sept. 1, kick off the season offering prizes ranging from the chance to win Titans Club season tickets for 20 years, to $100,000 cash, to merchandise.
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A new documentary focuses on Jimmy Page, Jack White and The Edge. It Might Get Loud tells each guitar hero’s story, explores the power of the electric guitar and shows them jamming together.
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And if you prefer more sophisticated dance moves…Nashville Ballet will open sales of single night tickets on Sept. 7. Season highlights include the new Nashville based Nutcracker, American Originals with Hal Ketchum, and A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Tickets start at $23 at www.nashvilleballet.com.
Benefits, Video Golf, TV Appearances and More
/by MichelleJack Ingram
Jack Ingram will be featured on the Are You Smarter Than A 5th Grader game show for charity this week to support his new philanthropic partner Friends of TOMS, the non-profit partner of TOMS Shoes. He will also make his Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien debut on Fri., Aug. 14., where he will perform “Barefoot & Crazy,” the lead single off his forthcoming Big Machine Records album Big Dreams & High Hopes, out Aug. 25.
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“One in Every Crowd,” the hit Montgomery Gentry song co-written by Ira Dean, will be featured on Golden Tee Golf’s newest release, Golden Tee 2010. The popular video golf game can be found in bars across the US. A trailer for the game, featuring Ira Dean Band, can be found here.
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A benefit for Mel McDaniel will be held today (8/13) at the Nashville Palace at 6 p.m. There will be over thirty entertainers, and more than 70 items available in a silent auction. $10 donation at the door. Additional donations: checks payable to Mel McDaniel; mail to Two Rivers Campground c/o Cathy Rust 2616 Music Valley Drive, Nashville, TN 37214.
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Emily West
Capitol Records Nashville recording artist Emily West recently appeared on TNT network’s Wedding Day show. She sang the self-penned song “If I Get Married” for the featured couple’s first dance. Also coming, West will tape an episode of Are You Smarter Than A Fifth Grader with Jeff Foxworthy, and sing the national anthem at LP Field for the Tennessee Titans’ pre-season game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
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The Lost Trailers broke an attendance record Tuesday night at the Alpena County Fairgrounds in Alpena, Michigan, by packing over 5,000 country fans into the grandstands. This stop was one of many during the band’s busy summer tour, which also includes shows with Tim McGraw and Montgomery Gentry, among others.
Petition Seeks To Add Buxton To Urban Tour
/by bossrossSarah Buxton
A fan petition addressed to Keith Urban and management firm Borman Entertainment is circulating the social network corridors, urging Urban to add Sarah Buxton to his Escape Together Tour.
“Being an opening act on the tour would be a great way for Sarah Buxton to gain more recognition as an artist,” the web page says simply. “It would also be a wonderful opportunity for Sarah to connect with her new and open-hearted fans.”
The site which currently (8/13; 12:15 CT) has 143 signatures was created by Kacey Molchan (ace219love@yahoo.com) on www.petitiononline.com. Molchan says she saw Buxton perform with Urban at a show in Phoenix, AZ when the singer filled in for Sugarland who were unable to appear.
Can a viral petition change the course of country concert history? Let’s see.
Now there’s a video to go with the petition…
Les Paul Has Died
/by Sarah SkatesOne of the foremost influences on 20th century sound and responsible for the world’s most famous guitar, the Les Paul model, Les Paul’s prestigious career in music and invention spans from the 1930s to the present. Though he’s indisputably one of America’s most popular, influential, and accomplished electric guitarists, Les Paul is best known as an early innovator in the development of the solid body guitar. His groundbreaking design would become the template for Gibson’s best-selling electric, the Les Paul model, introduced in 1952. Today, countless musical legends still consider Paul’s iconic guitar unmatched in sound and prowess. Among Paul’s most enduring contributions are those in the technological realm, including ingenious developments in multi-track recording, guitar effects, and the mechanics of sound in general.
A private funeral service will be held in New York. A service in Waukesha, WI will be announced at a later date. Details will follow and will be announced for all services. Memorial tributes for the public will be announced at a future date. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Les Paul Foundation, 236 West 30th Street, 7th Floor, New York, New York 10001.
Click for more on Les Paul.
Keith Urban statement on Les Paul:
“I have a mix of emotions today. On one hand, I am deeply saddened at Les Paul’s passing, and on the other a feeling of incredible gratitude and awe for his unquantifiable contribution to the world of music. His name adorns so many of the creations that I communicate through every night out here on the road…He is also very present every time I set foot in the studio and am able to lay multiple tracks as I record, when I use echo, etc., the list of his inventions, in addition to his famous signature model Gibson, are extraordinary. I also feel that even in his nineties, the fact he was still playing every Monday night in New York is perhaps the most beautiful and inspiring achievement of all. As Vince Gill would say, “Go rest high on that mountain Les…cause son, your work on earth is done.”
Statement from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum:
“Without Les Paul, we would not have rock and roll as we know it. His inventions created the infrastructure for the music and his playing style will ripple through generations. He was truly an architect of rock and roll.”–Terry Stewart, Pres. and CEO
“Les Paul was truly a unique human being. He was an artist who made his mark as a tremendously influential guitarist. He was also an inventor, the man responsible for the solid-body electric guitar and multi-track recording. Few people have accomplished as much as Les did in his legendary career. We will truly miss him.” —Jim Henke, vice president of exhibitions and curatorial affairs
Joe Satriani Statement:
“Les Paul set a standard for musicianship and innovation that remains unsurpassed,” said Joe Satriani. “He was the original guitar hero, and the kindest of souls. Last October I joined him onstage at The Iridium club in NYC, and he was still shredding. He was and still is an inspiration to us all.”
Vancouver Emerges As CCMA Country Music Hotbed
/by bossrossPacked Agenda Includes Showcases, Songwriter Events, Networking Opportunities, Industry Awards, Superstar Performances, More…Sept. 10-13
Country Music Week begins Thursday, Sept. 10, with the Canadian Country Music Association Awards capping off the week’s events on Sunday night, Sept. 13 at General Motors Place. This year’s awards, hosted by Jason Priestley, features performances from U.S. superstars Reba and Martina McBride, as well as many of Canada’s finest: Terri Clark, Johnny Reid, Doc Walker and more. The CCMA Awards show airs live at 8 p.m. on CBC Television with encore airings on CMT in Canada. Visit www.CCMA.org for more information about the CCMA Awards.
One of the week’s highlights will be the Keynote Address from Terry McBride, the CEO of Nettwerk Music, a Canadian record label that has proven to be quite innovative with its business models (and quite successful). Events during the week include the Songwriter’s Café, New Artist Showcase, Industry Brunch and Awards, FanFest, Educational Panels, Gala Dinner and Awards, Gospel Showcase, All Star Band Awards and Jam Session, Guitar Pull and Open Mic Night. For more specific information on each of the Country Music Week events, visit: www.countrymusicvancouver.com/events.
Artists appearing at this year’s FanFest include: Johnny Reid, Jessie Farrell, Aaron Pritchett, Doc Walker, Shane Yellowbird, Deric Ruttan, Tara Oram, Dean Brody, Steven Lee Olsen, The Higgins, Jason Blaine, One More Girl, Carolyn Dawn Johnson, Ridley Bent, Victoria Banks and more. The free event will be held Saturday, Sept. 12, between 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. and offers fans unique photo and autograph opportunities, as well as performances from the artists.
The 2009 Canadian Country Music Hall of Honour members will also be inducted during Country Music Week. This year’s inductees are: artist Buffy Sainte-Marie, industry veteran Barry Haugen and Country radio broadcaster John Murphy.
Tickets for the CCMA Awards are available at all Ticketmaster locations, online at www.ticketmaster.ca, and by phone at 604.280.4444. Ticket prices range from $20 to $125 (plus applicable taxes and service charges).
Tyminski Leads Bluegrass Award Nominees
/by Sarah SkatesThe Dan Tyminski Band (L-R) Barry Bales, Adam Steffey, Dan Tyminski, Justin Moses, Ron Stewart
Today the IBMA announced the nominees for the 20th Annual International Bluegrass Music Awards, to be hosted by Kathy Mattea and legendary bluegrass band, Hot Rize, on Thursday, October 1, 2009, at the historic Ryman Auditorium in Nashville.
Dailey & Vincent, whose popularity has only continued to grow since they received seven awards in 2008, including Entertainer of the Year, have seven IBMA nominations.
Actor/musician Steve Martin burst onto the bluegrass scene this year, trusty banjo in hand, to receive nominations in six IBMA award categories. Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper have also been recognized with six nominations.
The Grascals, who were named Entertainers of the Year in 2006 and 2007, have nominations in five categories.
This year’s inductees for the International Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame are The Lonesome Pine Fiddlers, the legendary string band formed in 1937 by Ezra, Ray and Ned Cline in West Virginia; and The Dillards, the influential band from Salem, Missouri, known for their popular appearances on The Andy Griffith Show.
IBMA’s Distinguished Achievement Award will go to early bluegrass pioneer Hylo Brown; long-time event producer from Maine, Pati Crooker; veteran performer and radio announcer Jody Rainwater; author, musicology and radio broadcaster Dick Spottswood; and the National Council for the Traditional Art’s Joe Wilson.
The member-voted IBMA Award Show is the centerpiece of the World of Bluegrass week, including the industry’s Business Conference and Bluegrass Fan Fest, slated for September 28 – October 4 in Nashville. Ticket and conference details at www.ibma.org. The award show will be broadcast live on Sirius XM Satellite Radio and syndicated to more than 300 U.S. markets and 14 foreign networks.
THE NOMINEES for the 2009 INTERNATIONAL BLUEGRASS MUSIC AWARDS
ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR
• Dailey & Vincent
• The Grascals
• Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver
• The Del McCoury Band
• Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out
• Dan Tyminski Band
VOCAL GROUP OF THE YEAR
• Blue Highway
• Dailey & Vincent
• The Isaacs
• Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver
• Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out
INSTRUMENTAL GROUP OF THE YEAR
• Blue Highway
• Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper
• The Infamous Stringdusters
• Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder
• Dan Tyminski Band
MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
• Jamie Dailey
• Russell Moore
• Danny Paisley
• Junior Sisk
• Dan Tyminski
FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
• Dale Ann Bradley
• Sonya Isaacs
• Claire Lynch
• Alecia Nugent
• Rhonda Vincent
ALBUM OF THE YEAR
• Blue Side Of The Blue Ridge, Junior Sisk & Ramblers Choice (artist), Ronnie Bowman (producer), Rebel Records
• Brothers From Different Mothers, Dailey & Vincent (artist), Jamie Dailey & Darrin Vincent (producers), Rounder Records
• Keep On Walkin’, The Grascals (artist/producers), Rounder Records
• The Room Over Mine, Danny Paisley & The Southern Grass (artist), Ken Irwin & Danny Paisley (producers), Rounder Records
• Wheels, Dan Tyminski, (artist/producer), Rounder Records
SONG OF THE YEAR
• “Don’t Throw Mama’s Flowers Away,” Danny Paisley & The Southern Grass (artist), Chris Stuart & Ivan Rosenberg (writers)
• “Iron & Diamonds,” The Gibson Brothers (artist), Leigh & Eric Gibson (writers)
• “Leaving Baker County,” Junior Sisk & Ramblers Choice (artist), Tom T. & Dixie Hall (writers)
• “Moneyland,” Del McCoury Band (artist), John Herald (writer)
• “Wheels,” Dan Tyminski (artist), Patrick McDougal (writer)
RECORDED EVENT OF THE YEAR
• “After The Fire Is Gone;” Bobby Osborne, Rhonda Vincent & Darrin Vincent (artists); Glen Duncan & Bobby Osborne (producers); Rounder Records
• “The Crow,” Steve Martin with Tony Trischka (artists), John McEuen (producer), 40 Share Productions
• “Daddy Played The Banjo;” Steve Martin with Tim O’Brien & Earl Scruggs (artists), John McEuen (producer), 40 Share Productions
• “Proud To Be A Daughter of Bluegrass;” Daughters of Bluegrass featuring Dale Ann Bradley, Heather Berry, Lisa Martin, Gloria Belle, Sierra Hull, Rhonda Vincent, Lisa Ray, Linda Lay, Sally Jones, Jeanie Stanley, Carol Lee Cooper, Sonya Isaacs, Becky Isaacs Bowman, Michelle Nixon, Jeanette Williams, Sophie Haislip, Louise Tomberlain, Mindy Rakestraw, Lizzy Long, Frances Mooney, Lorraine Jordan, Annette Kelley, Lily Lieux, Dixie Hall, Judi Marshall, Melissa Lawrence, Beth Lawrence, Rebecca Frazier, Donica Christensen, Lisa Manning & Jenni Lyn Gardner (artists); Dixie Hall, Paula Wolak & Frances Mooney (producers); Blue Circle Records
• “Sad Wind Sighs,” The Grascals with Vince Gill (artists), The Grascals (producers), Rounder Records
GOSPEL RECORDED PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR
• “Darkness Wept,” Lonesome River Band (artist/producers), Dee Gaskin & Rebecca Bowman (writers), Rural Rhythm Records
• “On The Other Side;” Dailey & Vincent (artist); Jimmy Fortune, Kevin Denney & Tom Botkin (writers); Jamie Dailey & Darrin Vincent (producers); Rounder Records
• “What A Journey,” Paul Williams & The Victory Trio (artist), Bret Bronson & Louise Gorman (writers), Paul Williams (producer), Rebel Records
• “When The Last Of Our Days Shall Come,” Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver (artist), Chris Stuart (writer), Doyle Lawson (producer), Rounder Records
• “Who’ll Sing for Me?” Audie Blaylock & Redline (artist), Thomas J. Farris (writer), Audie Blaylock (producer), Rural Rhythm Records
INSTRUMENTAL RECORDED PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR
• “Angeline The Baker,” Rob Ickes & Andy Leftwich (artists), public domain, Rob Haines (producer), Mel Bay Music
• “The Crow,” Steve Martin (artist/writer), John McEuen (producer), 40 Share Productions
• “Don’t Tread On Me,” Kristin Scott Benson (artist/writer/producer), Pinecastle Records
• “Jerusalem Ridge,” Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper (artist), Bill Monroe (writer), Jeff White & Michael Cleveland (producers), Rounder Records
• “Struttin’ To Ferrum,” Lonesome River Band (artist/producer), arrangement by Gene Parker, Rural Rhythm Records
EMERGING ARTIST OF THE YEAR
• Sierra Hull & Highway 111
• Danny Paisley & The Southern Grass
• Junior Sisk & Rambler’s Choice
• The SteelDrivers
• Josh Williams Band
INSTRUMENTAL PERFORMERS OF THE YEAR
BANJO
• Kristin Scott Benson
• J.D. Crowe
• Steve Martin
• Sammy Shelor
• Ron Stewart
BASS
• Barry Bales
• Mike Bub
• Missy Raines
• Darrin Vincent
• Marshall Wilborn
FIDDLE
• Hunter Berry
• Jason Carter
• Michael Cleveland
• Stuart Duncan
• Ron Stewart
DOBRO
• Mike Auldridge
• Jerry Douglas
• Andy Hall
• Rob Ickes
• Randy Kohrs
• Phil Leadbetter
GUITAR
• Jim Hurst
• Tony Rice
• Kenny Smith
• Bryan Sutton
• Josh Williams
MANDOLIN
• Jesse Brock
• Sam Bush
• Sierra Hull
• Ronnie McCoury
• Adam Steffey
BLUEGRASS EVENT OF THE YEAR
• Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival; Oak Hill, New York; July 2008
• 33rd Annual Tri-State Bluegrass Festival; Kendallville, Indiana; May 2008
• 2008 World Cultural Fusion Festival; Kawaguchi City, Japan; July 2008
BLUEGRASS BROADCASTER OF THE YEAR
• Kyle Cantrell; Sirius XM Satellite Radio; Nashville, Tennessee
• Katy Daly; HD Radio WAMU 88.5 Channel 2, 105.5 FM & www.bluegrasscountry.org; Washington, D.C.
• Ned Luberecki; Sirius XM Satellite Radio; Nashville, Tennessee
PRINT MEDIA PERSON OF THE YEAR
• Tom Adams, Banjo Newsletter
• Dan Miller, Flatpicking Guitar
• Roger Siminoff; Siminoff’s Luthiers Glossary, Banjo Newsletter and Bluegrass Breakdown
LINER NOTES FOR RECORDED PROJECT
• Charlie Cushman, Marty Stuart, Eddie Stubbs & Johnny Warren (writers); A Tribute to Fiddlin’ Paul Warren; Johnny Warren & Charlie Cushman (artists); no label
• Eddie Dean (writer); Old-Time Pickin’: A Clawhammer Banjo Collection, Ralph Stanley (artist), Rebel Records
• Steve Martin (writer), The Crow, Steve Martin (artist), 40 Share Productions
BEST GRAPHIC DESIGN FOR RECORDED PROJECT
• G. Carr & Salli Ratts (designers), The Crow, Steve Martin (artist), 40 Share Productions
• Stumptown Printers (designer), Uncle Charlie Osborne: The June Appal Recordings, Uncle Charlie Osborne (artist), June Appal Recordings
• Loren Witcher (designer), Inside Out, Missy Raines & the New Hip (artist), Compass Records
RFD Planning New Show “Larry’s Country Diner”
/by Sarah SkatesWhisperin’ Bill Anderson will be the first musical guest on a new show being created in Nashville at RFD-TV called Larry’s Country Diner, scheduled to debut on Sept. 3.
Taped in a typical diner setting, the show is hosted by broadcast personality/producer Larry Black, who is joined by regular cast members, along with announcer Keith Bilbrey.
Anderson will perform on the first show and artists already booked for future shows include Larry Gatlin, The Whites, Jim Ed Brown, Gene Watson, Jeannie Seely, T. Graham Brown, and Bobby Bare.
Larry’s Country Diner is a 60-minute show, which is scheduled to air on RFD-TV every Thursday night at 6:00pm/Eastern and will re-broadcast every Saturday night at 11:00pm/Eastern.
Hall Hosts Cindy Walker Donation Ceremony, Reveals Project
/by Sarah Skates(L-R) Vince Gill, Fred Foster, Kyle Young and David Conrad. photo: Donn Jones
When songwriter Cindy Walker died in March 2006, she left the writer’s share of her cherished catalog of songs to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. Befittingly, the organization celebrated her life and work with a donation ceremony yesterday (8/12) and also revealed plans for a new Walker project.
The 1997 Country Music Hall of Fame inductee’s bequest included files and notebooks related to the songs, sheet music, photographs and business documents. Museum Director Kyle Young explained that Walker, who was once married briefly and had no children, thought of her songs as her “babies.” In one of her files, curators found Walker’s farewell note to her songs. “Goodbye my darling,” she wrote. “You have been so good to me. You have made me rich and famous. I love you, you are the reason I am, and you are in the Hall of Fame. I will miss you. Goodbye, your girl, Cindy Walker.”
“Few things have served as a more emotional reminder of our responsibilities here than Cindy Walker’s note to her ‘babies,’” said Young.
Museum trustee David Conrad described the Museum’s plans for the Walker songs. Crediting the idea to Sony/ATV Music Publishing President-CEO Troy Tomlinson, also a Board member, Conrad announced plans for a 12-song Walker demo to be shopped to film and television music supervisors. Conrad will executive produce, while Tony Brown, Fred Foster and Vince Gill have each volunteered to produce four songs for the project. Artists from different genres will create new arrangements of Walker’s songs which will then be pitched to Sony/ATV’s list of 450 film and television supervisors via MySpace. The publishers will contribute to the recording budget.
The celebration concluded with a musical salute to Walker presented by Nashville’s premier western swing unit, the Time Jumpers. The band presented four songs from their standard repertoire including “Sugar Moon” with Kenny Sears on vocals, “You Don’t Know Me” with vocals by Carolyn Martin, “Miss Molly” with vocals by Ranger Doug, and “I Don’t Care” featuring the voice of Dawn Sears. Museum President Vince Gill joined the Time Jumpers to sing “Dream Baby (How Long Must I Dream).”
Toby Keith Releases Animated Video, Receives Million Air Awards
/by Sarah SkatesPhoto (L to R): Varnell Enterprises’ Ben Farrell, TKO Artist Management TK Kimbrell, BMI’s Director Writer/Publisher Relations David Preston, Toby Keith, BMI’s VP Writer/Publisher Relations Jody Williams and attorney Rusty Jones
Toby Keith is spending the summer on his America’s Toughest Tour and has released an animated music video. BMI’s David Preston and Jody Williams recently traveled through severe weather conditions to join Keith at his Memphis stop. There they presented him with two awards, one as a publisher and one as a writer, for his hit song “As Good As I Once Was” surpassing the two million broadcast mark.
His current single, “American Ride” from his upcoming album of the same name, is one of the fastest rising songs of his career. Keith is premiering the animated music video exclusively on www.cmt.com. The politically-charged video will make its world television debut on CMT tomorrow, Friday, August 14, beginning at 6 a.m. ET/PT, and will air every hour on the hour during CMT’s music video hours throughout the weekend. “I’m a ‘right-wrong guy’ not a ‘right-left guy’ and this video shows that,” Keith says of the Michael Salamon directed video. “We took our shots at everyone.”
Keith’s America’s Toughest Tour heads out west this weekend with dates in San Diego, CA (8/13); Phoenix, AZ (8/14); San Bernadino, CA (8/15); and Mountain View, CA (8/16).
Keith's new animated video for "American Ride."