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2006
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October 30, 2006
ROBERT REYNOLDS is doubtlessly breathing a sigh of relief that he has not been arrested in the HANK WILLIAMS notebook caper.
Metro’s finest arrested Reynolds’ buddy, STEPHEN SHUTTS and Sony/ATV Music Publishing cleaning crew employee FRANCINE BOYKIN after the two turned themselves in on October 30th. They were charged with felony theft with bond set at $2,500 each.
October 29, 2006
DEBBIE WINANS and GRETCHEN PETERS entertained at an October 29th rally for HAROLD FORD JR., while ASHLEY JUDD slammed The Tennessean for running a blurb about the actress and for “three times” using the word “abortion” to mischaracterize Ashley’s position on sex education.
Judd, flanked at one point by bodyguards, reminded the largely partisan group that birth control, abstinence and attention to the spread of HIV would reduce the rate of unwanted pregnancy in this country. Of course, Ashley failed to mention that having access to such education did not dissuade her sister, WYNONNA from conceiving- twice yet- outside of marriage.
MAC writes “Remember my good friend JAS PATRICK that you were so gracious enough to post an email about his career and website on your report? Well like most friends these days we're asking for a little help again!...
"Just a quick update to get you up to speed, Jas is working in the studio right now on finishing his debut album, Working On My Soul to be released early 2007.
"Along with the album to come Jas shot a music video for the first single to be released, Best I Can Be. This is all grass roots type project, jas directed the video on a $500.00 camera, played just about every instrument on the album short of a few lead guitar parts and we're all putting as much time, attention and funds into his careet as possible! "Where we need all the help possible right now is with the video. YouTube.com has started a contest for bands and musical acts to enter. If we can get Jas into the top 20 he'll be able to compete for the grand prize, the chance to appear on Good Morning America and have his video featured on the show. Not bad exposure for and unsigned independent artist at the least, not that I have to explain that to you!..."
Mac invites Report Readers to view and vote for Jas' video on
October 27, 2006
Counterfit told his wife, KAREN, he wanted to go home, but medical personnel at Wesley said that Johnny will be a guest of the hospital for a little while longer. (Counterfit's impression of DR. KILDARE authorizing his release didn't fool anyone!)
During Johnny’s recuperation, Counterfit’s long-time friend, STEVE BROOKS, is handling media and personal contacts for the family. Brooks, the former senior information and broadcast officer for the presidential cabinet-level Secretary of the Interior, recently retired, purchasing a residence in Middle Tennessee.
Steve may be reached at (615) 449-3466 or by clicking here.
Another Music Row age-discrimination allegation noted in steel-guitarist BOBBE SEYMOUR’s Bobbe’s Tips newsletter: “I just received an email from the great EDDIE GOSSIEN, steel guitarist for DARRYL WORLEY. Or should I say, ex-steel guitarist for Darryl Worley. He also, it seems, has felt the age discrimination sword fall.
”He worked for Darryl for seven years and obviously did a great job as he did for Mel McDaniels [SIC] 10 years previously. He was told in the beginning by Darryl that he’d always have a job and the Darryl Worley band would never be without a steel guitar.
”Well, Eddie was fired last December at age 45 with the excuse that the band needed to have a more modern sound and there was no longer any place for steel guitar in Darryl’s music.
”What a shame as Darryl was one of the great supporters of traditional country music the way we all loved it.”
October 26, 2006
As I predicted, Judge ROBERT E. LEE DAVIES has issued a gag order in the SARA EVANS divorce case (though one more limited in scope than some would prefer).
Professing his love for Sara in response to a question raised in court October 26th, CRAIG SCHELSKE and his children were the initial winners (in the end, the attorneys will be the ONLY winners) as both parties, after being warned to behave themselves, to get counseling and to monitor AVERY, OLIVIA and AUDREY’s TV viewing, were told to split the money Craig withdrew and transferred from the couple’s joint bank account to his own account, with Schelske’s portion to be used for his and the children’s living expenses.
While joint custody issues are being discussed, Davies doesn’t want Craig and Sara living in the same home. Though that might be perceived as a victory for Sara, restraining orders are no longer exclusive to Craig. And Schelske’s attorneys were successful in having ALISON CLINTON LEE’s name redacted from court filings to date despite the fact that the proverbial cat has long since been out of the bag.
And this happened only after one of Sara’s attorney’s explained the lengths to which Alison has gone to clear her name, even though the Judge retorted. “That doesn’t mean a hill of beans to me. The only thing that matters is what is said in this courtroom.”
Though Davies didn’t even like all of that. When Craig attempted to speak to Sara in the courtroom, after the couple, seated on different sides of the courtroom, had mostly avoided eye contact, the Judge reprimanded him.
October 25, 2006
Comedian and singing impressionist JOHNNY COUNTERFIT, suffering from complications from a perforated appendix sustained while on the road over a week ago, remains hospitalized in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. Johnny's wife and family are now at his bedside, praying for a complete recovery.
Cards and best wishes may be sent to Johnny c/o Wesley Medical Center, 5001 Hardy Street, Hattiesburg, MS 39402.
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reporter REGE BEHE will love this: First Rege, now SCOTT CORBEN, has requested an interview with yours truly. (Scott identifies himself as a “British producer, based in London,” who is “working for… Al JAZEERA" of all entities!)
October 22, 2006
Comedian and singing impressionist JOHNNY COUNTERFIT missed a performance for the first time in his quarter century career.
Counterfit, known for habit of always arriving well before a performance, was on his way to appear at the Legends of Country and Bluegrass Music Festival in Columbia, Mississippi. He stopped at a motel in Hattiesburg, Mississippi on October 13th where he suffered a ruptured appendix.
Johnny underwent emergency surgery at Wesley Medical Center in Hattiesburg. He's now resting and waiting for the doctors to tell him when he can go home.
ICEBERG- FAQ #21, who hears from MINDY McCREADY of Mindy’s relief to hand the tabloid headlines over to SARA EVANS, didn’t have to hear the following from a little birdie; the “Berg’s already a Red Robin fan: “It was like attending a wedding without the knowing the bride and groom and having benefit of the food and festivities.
”That was the unique scenario at the New Red Robin Burgers and Spirits, which is having its sneak preview at the Providence Marketplace in Mount Juliet, Tennessee. Tennesseans -- up to a group of four -- were invited to sign up for what amounted to a full dress rehearsal of the state's first Red Robin location.
”As the cast rehearsed, the guests enjoyed a complimentary meal, dessert and other goodies. The free reservations went quickly. The restaurant opens its doors October 23rd." October 20, 2006
CRAIG SCHELSKE refers to CRAIG NEWMARK in his various court filings in response to SARA EVANS’ divorce petition, but none of the names one keeping up with the Evans divorce battle would expect to find in Schelske’s response, including the petition for legal separation from Sara he says he was planning to file upon learning that Sara was having an affair, is there.
Schelske’s allegations, including one that he and Sara had a shared interest in “adult entertainment” and in being photographed together during an intimate moment of celebration of their 10th wedding anniversary, and his requests of the Chancery Court are too numerous to mention here, but are contained in my e-mail extras. I’ll be happy to answer any specific questions of readers who have not seen Schelke’s court filings.
I can tell you that Craig wants certain information that I already have- the couple’s home address, social security numbers, etc.- that have been public record since Sara’s filing the original documents, redacted, and the evidence presented re: the charges you know about placed under seal.
It will be interesting how this all shakes out and I predict it won’t be long until Judge ROBERT E. LEE DAVIES issues a gag order.
Another prediction: With KEITH URBAN in rehab, NICOLE KIDMAN will file for a separation in early 2007.
The November issue of Country Music People (with GEORGE STRAIT on the cover), contains SPENCER LEIGH’s highly-critical review of MICHAEL STREISSGUTH’s JOHNNY CASH: The Biography; a book Leigh doesn’t believe fulfills the expectations of its subtitle.
Spencer poses questions that Michael doesn’t answer and that, due to a confidentiality agreement with TOMMY CASH, I must refuse to answer. But once Leigh (if he has not already done so) and I have read MARSHALL GRANT's I Was There When It Happened: My Life With Johnny Cash (ghostwritten by CHRIS ZAR), perhaps Spencer will be better educated and I will have fewer secrets to keep.
GEORGE JONES fractured his right wrist when entering KEITH STEAGALL’s recording studio. The reportedly sober Possum supposedly didn't notice the awning support over the front door, hit it and fell backwards down some stairs, hitting the cement walkway, breaking his fall with his right hand.. Jones was facing surgery at Baptist Hospital October 23rd, but it had to be postponed due to Jones’ being on Coumadin.
GEORGE JONES broke his wrist when, in a recording studio, the Possum took a nasty tumble down some stairs. He’s facing surgery at Baptist Hospital October 23rd. BOBBE SEYMOUR writes, in the current edition of his Bobbe’s Tips newsletter, of fellow steel guitarist “TERRY CRISP, who we hear was just let go from JOE NICHOLS’ [band] because he reached his 50th birthday."
October 19, 2006
The polygraph ALISON CLINTON (MRS. CHRIS) LEE has now taken for the benefit of the Entertainment Tonight audience proves nothing, not only because it will not be considered by the Williamnty Chancery Court, but also because the results of Alison’s panson Coudering were not achieved under controlled circumstances and would not have been released, per negotiation, had she failed. Meanwhile, Alison’s father, EDDY (who is kin to BILL CLINTON), is a self-confessed adulterer.
JETT WILLIAMS claims STEPHEN SHUTTS and ROBERT REYNOLDS are in possession of stolen property. Shutts' and Reynolds' ultimate compensation for purchasing HANK WILLIAMS' notebook (bought at a yard sale staged by an Antioch, Tennessee couple who thought the notebook belonged to ROY ORBISON, according to Chicago Sun-Times Staff Report DAVE HOEKSTRA), Jett’s husband, attorney F. KEITH ADKINSON, predicts will be, rather than the spoils of a bidding war,“an arrest warrant for knowingly being in possession of stolen property!”
according to Chicago Sun-Times Staff Report DAVE HOEKSTRA), Jett’s husband, attorney F. KEITH ADKINSON, predicts will be, rather than the spoils of a bidding war, “an arrest warrant for knowingly being in possession of stolen property!”
Collectors Shutts and Reynolds, curators of an extensive, traveling Honky-Tonk Hall of Fame collection beg to differ, of course.
Unless Roy Orbison was writing songs at age 11, of the sophistication suggested by the lyrics of the songs in the notebook (including the ones Hank recorded), there is no possibility that the notebook belonged to Roy. The couple may have thought otherwise because they had some insurance documents that belonged to Orbison.
Hoekstra’s timeline of the notebook’s disappearance suggests a key date was 2002, when Sony Music bought Acuff-Rose publishing. Dave’s article includes comments from all of the usual subjects, with the notable exception of the most suspect of all, officials of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.
There are some wonderful country-music related stories to be found in TAB HUNTER Confidential: The Making of a Movie Star.
One of particular interest concerns Tab’s recording of RIC CARTEY and CAROLE JOYNER’s Young Love. In 1956, when Randy Wood, whose Dot Records label was located on Sunset & Vine, adjoining Wallach’s Music City (Hollywood’s largest record store), suggested Tab cut a record for him, Hunter replied “Mr. Wood, I’m not much of a singer.
”I don’t want to make a fool of myself,” the silver screen’s “sigh guy,” whose vocalizing had been confined to his membership in a church choir, added.
When Wood persisted, the actor agreed on the condition that “If we record something and I don’t like it- that’s the end of it, okay?”
Within the next 20 minutes Randy had introduced Tab to BILLY VAUGHN and (producer) MILT ROGERS. They wanted Hunter to hear SONNY JAMES’ recording of Young Love which was “already climbing the country charts…. I’d been in love with country music ever since I’d heard it on the jukebox at the Sip and Bite Café on 69th and Figueroa.” (Don’t believe it? Hunter describes one performer who affected a “yodeling wail that sounded like SLIM WHITMAN with a sore throat.”)
After Randy and Billy played Sonny James’ record for Tab, they asked Hunter to sing a few bars while Vaughn accompanied him on piano. Hunter recorded the song on Saturday, December 15, 1956.
Chicago D.J. HOWARD MILLER played Tab’s record and by Monday morning 100,000 copies had been shipped to distributors. By January 5, 1957, Dot had shipped 400,000 copies. The following week the song debuted at #60 on BILLBOARD’s Hot 100, jumping to #15 five days later, landing at #4 on Billboard’s pop chart on February 2, 1957.
Tab doesn’t recall the amount of his first royalty check for Young Love, but vividly remembers that the IRS’ share was $56,000. (Tab’s recording hit #1 on February 16, 1957, where it stayed for five weeks, remaining on the charts for another 12 weeks. Hunter knocked ELVIS PRESLEY’s Too Much from the #1 slot, evoking Elvis’ fury that his own backup group, THE JORDANAIRES, had been on Hunter’s recording.”
As a hit singer, Tab was thrilled to work with THE EVERLY BROTHERS, aware that they were CHET ATKINS’ protégés. (Hunter has a photo of the Everlys, SAL MINEO and himself taken in 1959 during a two-week Australian concert tour. Hunter’s fellow gay actor/singer Mineo had two rock hits: Start Movin’ and Lasting Love.)
Tab sang Oh Lonesome Me with the Everlys (which either he, or ghostwriter EDDIE MULLER, points out was written by DON GIBSON) and “I contributed a lyric to a new song they were working on: And Then She Kissed Me.."
Phil and Don “reinspired my love of country music, so much so that I’d talked Warners into letting me do nothing but country tunes for my second album, R.F.D. (rural free delivery, for you city folk)."
October 18, 2006
Speculate no more on the first of CRAIG SCHELSKE's promised bombshells about the previously-reported public argument between Craig and his estranged wife, though it took little imagination to predict that, after SARA EVANS’ pre-taped interview that aired on Dancing With the Stars October 17th, that Craig's camp would accuse Sara of having had an affair with TONY DOVOLANI.
What surprises me is that KENNY CHESNEY’s name is also being floated as one of what is expected to be other celebrities with whom Sara is being accused of engaging in adulterous relationships. Did these affairs happen, if they did, before or after Sara had the “exhaustion breakdown” ALISON CLINTON LEE is saying occurred in December 2005?
No comment from HOLLY GLEASON. A Sony BMG receptionist says the label will have no further comment on Sara's divorce. Thanks to MARTHA MOORE for the invitation to attend a VIP cocktail reception at Planet Hollywood- Paris France (you were thinking Paris, Tennessee?) on November 18th at 6 p.m.
The event honors CARLTON MOODY of BURRITO DELUXE. Moody is being presented with the International Country Artist Achievement Award: “Join us in celebration of the European launch of Burrito Deluxe’s new album, with a concert at Billy Bob’s in Disney Village at 8 p.m. In the interest of full disclosure, and to answer the rumors, yes, I am kin to SAMANTHA HARRIS. (Yes, Samantha also hosted TNN’s What are the Odds? back in 2002.)
We are second cousins once-removed and also distantly-related to PINKY LEE, MORTON GOULD and BUTCH LEVY.
You shouldn’t infer from this, however, that Samantha, nor anyone else in particular, for that matter, is a source for any of my ongoing exclusive SARA EVANS divorce information, as the scandal progresses. But I can tell you that the October 17th segment of Dancing With the Stars was edited (hence all the jump cuts), after it had already been heavily vetted, due to a perceived threat directed from CRAIG SCHELSKE toward ABC-TV.
I have never been able to reconcile Sara’s public image with her demeanor the one and only time I met her. This didn’t seem relevant- everybody has a bad day, occasionally- until her filing. But it also seems in character with CHRISTIAN JOSI's admission of the public fight between Craig and Sara that was the proverbial straw that broke the camel's back.
That said, there is a reason the adultery charge was not more specific and that speaks to the prosecution’s strategy. After all, the only pre-trial evidence presented (as of October 17th) relates to Internet porn and improper use of joint funds; each of which would be sufficient grounds for the granting of what, so far, is an uncontested divorce.
All of the parties involved-including ALISON CLINTON LEE- now have lawyers and publicists. (Alison, the diamond-nosed, alleged “other woman” who fears an anorexic relapse as a result of being drawn into the fray, is being represented by JASON ROSE. Inquiring minds want to know where she got the money for such high-powered representation.) WSMV’s TERRY BULGER is first with the news of the discovery of HANK WILLIAMS’ 59-year-old missing tattered, brown notebook worth hundreds of thousands of dollars.
The find confirms rumors of a list of hand-scribbled lyrics for 17 songs (including Honky-Tonkin' Mama, I Wish I Had a Dad and Tomorrow May Not Come) Williams never lived to record.
Metro Nashville detectives are investigating how the notebook surfaced: Was it stolen? Was it recovered from a trash bin and sold to a yard sale, etc.?
Sony/ATV Music Publishing officials insist that the notebook contractually belongs to the company, but, with big bucks at stake, Sony is bracing for a legal battle for possession.
STEPHEN SHUTTS and ROBERT REYNOLDS somehow figure into the find. Reynolds prefers that the notebook be bound (no pun intended) for the Country Music Hall of Fame or the Smithsonian Institution. October 17, 2006
It ain’t exactly Burke’s Law [and let’s hope it’s not enough to lead 87-year-old GENE BARRY (née EUGENE KLASS) to an early grave], but ALISON CLINTON has hired RONNIE BERKE, of the Chattanooga law firm of (MARVIN) BERKE, (RONNIE) BERKE & (ANDREW) BERKE to represent her in light of SARA EVANS’ “sad, unlawful and despicable” portrayal of Clinton as “the other woman.”
Interested parties are advised that Evans served as Clinton’s matron of honor, CRAIG SCHELSKE a groomsman and the Schelske children as ring bearer and flower girls at Alison’s July 1st wedding and that Alison only quit being the family’s nanny in 2004 because of her anorexia. Once Alison was back on track, Sara rehired Clinton as the singer’s personal assistant and fan club co-president, supposedly simultaneously encouraging Alison to give Sara some competition as a singer.
Clinton says that after Evans heard her demo, Sara promised Alison work as Sara’s back-up singer and dancer once Evans returns to the road in December 2006 as well as Alison being Evans’ and her brother’s first artist signed to their new country-music production company. (Just a wild guess- it ain’t gonna happen!)
Alison’s vow to take a lie detector test could clear her name in the court of public opinion, but the results of a polygraph would not be admissible in court.
Column’s congrats to JOHNNY COUNTERFIT. Counterfit is featured in the October issue of N Focus.
What’s this about CRAIG SCHELSKE allegedly withdrawing $275,000 from his and SARA EVANS’ joint checking account and transferring the funds to Craig’s own Portland, Oregon U.S. BANK account October 12, a day after Sara filed a divorce petition with the Williamson County Court and the same day an Order was issued freezing the embattled couple’s assets?
And what was the couple doing with that much money in a checking account (unless it was something like a money-market account, but even then...) anyway?
In lieu of flowers, FREDDY FENDER’s family requests that donations be made payable to the FreddyFender Scholarship Fund Account C/O Capital One Bank, 198 South Sam Houston Blvd. San Benito, Texas 78586
Freddy was a gentleman and a truly nice guy. Were it not so, I would tell you.
What’s the name of that song you just heard on the radio? If you know the station’s call letters, you can find out the song’s title by entering either the information you do know at Yes.com.
Don’t know the call letters? Enter you ZIP code for a stations list and try to figure it out from there.
October 13, 2006
SARA EVANS needn’t have bothered to embarrass ALLEN BROWN with the usual and cryptic rationalizations for Evans’ 24-page filing for divorce from CRAIG SCHELSKE in Williamson County Chancery Court October 11th. (The nature of the provocative filing prevents Sara from realizing her stated desire to “give her family her full attention at this difficult time,” not to mention the standard request for fans and media to “respect and understand her need for privacy in the face of these recent events" described in the statement Evans approved as having “shed light on the status of her marriage.”)
Seeking full custody of the couple’s three children, Sara is ending the marriage to their father just weeks after the Schelskes' 13th anniversary (September 25th, the couple married in Boonesville, Missouri) and, if the language of Evans’ filing is any indication, expect Schelske’s response, which must be filed by November 11th, to be a doozy!
As in all Tennessee divorce filings involving children, the Court has issued the standard temporary restraining order on both parties that, in effect, freezes assets, prevents either parent from moving the children from their home, etc. However, Sara's filing includes an additional restraining order on Craig, approved by Judge TIMOTHY LEE EASTER, forbidding Schelske from physically, verbally and emotionally abusing the singer. Further, Craig is ordered not to harass Sara and to refrain from drinking around her and their children and he is not allowed to show porno to the kids!
In the same order, Easter grants Evans temporary custody of Avery (7), Olivia (3) and Audrey (who turned 2 October 6th) and exclusive possession of the couple’s Franklin home. (Before quitting Dancing With the Stars, Sara lived with Craig and their children in a temporary Beverly Hills home. Craig, a native of Salem, Oregon, is, as of this writing, in Oregon.)
Craig, who shares a May 29th birthday with the late President JOHN KENNEDY, is described in court filings as being age 43 and “unemployed” (though the former congressional candidate describes himself as a “businessman, farmer [and] homebuilder.”
In her divorce petition, Sara cites three grounds: irreconcilable differences (as would be expected), improper marital conduct and adultery. She has alleged in standard legal language that Craig’s improper marital conduct has created a situation in which she can’t live with him because she fears for her safety and because living with Craig under the circumstances would also be “improper.” For these reasons, Sara maintains she is entitled to a divorce.
Sara alleges Craig has had an adulterous relationship with ALISON CLINTON, the woman Evans credits in the liner notes on her Restless CD (in which Evans also refers to Schelske as “my soul mate” and “my one true love”) as her “assistant/nanny/do it all/comic relief."
In fleshing out her complaint, Sara notes that Craig smoked cigarettes and drank “excessively” in front of her and their children, that he has threatened her, called her “crazy” and has “continually interfered” with Evans’ parenting by taking the children to Oregon.
Sara further charges that Craig “frequently watches pornography” on the couple's desktop computers in Franklin and on their Oregon property as well as on his laptop. (These computer images include “at least 100 photographs” of Craig “posing with his erect penis” and well as photographs of Schelske “having sex with other women.”
(Apparently Schelske maintains “Craig’s lists” that would make CRAIG NEWMARK blush! They involve “requests for three party sex and anal sex" as well as "personal ads on his personal sex engine involving him and prospective sex partners.” The graphic exchanges, which did include postings to Newmark’s site. are outlined in the file’s evidentiary exhibits.)
There is mention of a September 28th instance during which Avery confronted Craig about watching “pornographic material on television.” (Sarah allowed TV porn in the couple’s Franklin home without monitoring her children’s viewing with a V-chip or whatever?)
And, on September 17th, while in Los Angeles, Sara says that Craig “screamed” at her, telling Sara she should not allow visits from a Dancing… costume designer, suggesting it would “awful” to have the “Sodomite” in the couple’s home with their children present. The next day Sara says Craig told her that Avery broke out in hives because the child had seen the “sodomite.”
September 19th Craig supposedly drank two bottles of wine and smoked a pack of cigarettes in front of the children; his heavy smoking and excessive drinking in the kids’ presence being an everyday occurrence.
Sara adds that Craig would not allow the children to attend her October 6th performance of The Star-Spangled Banner. While this doesn't rise to the level of putting the deep freeze on Schelske’s political ambitions, Evans' more provocative allegations, true or not, seem to do just that.
In an Order signed by Williamson County Circuit Judges Easter, DONALD HARRIS, RUSS HELDMAN and ROBERT E. LEE DAVIES (all of whom rotate as Chancery judges, though it is Davies who will preside when a hearing date is set), consistent with state law for divorcing parents of minor children, both Sara and Craig must enroll in a parent education seminar (of at least four hours duration) at specific facilities sanctioned by the Court within 30 days of the Order.
October 11, 2006
For all of you wonderful readers who have expressed interest in meeting me, here's your chance: I will be joining my fellow authors, DON CUSIC (preemptively proclaimed by MIKE CURB, the subject of Cusic's next book, as "Music City's finest historian bar none") and MICHAEL STREISSGUTH, as panelists tabbed to discuss Johnny Cash's career.
Yet another author, music industry veteran and now Nashville Public Library librarian RONNIE PUGH will moderate the first discussion of its kind to feature two Cash biographers (Michael and me). It will be held in the auditorium of the library’s Main Branch at 615 Church Street in downtown Nashville, Sunday, October 15th from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. Best of all: Admission is free!
As FREDDY FENDER clings to life at San Antonio’s University Hospital (where Freddy has been since October 4th, when he was flown there from Tulsa’s Cancer Treatment Centers of Amerca Southwestern Regional Medical Center due to a blood infection), there is a backstory to Fender’s deterioration: Freddy’s fame and fortune could seemingly guarantee him not only the best health care, but also a spot at the head of the line, so to speak.
Yet, in a country where medical insurance costs are skyrocketing out of control due to an emphasis on treatment rather than on prevention, it’s worth noting that when Freddy sought admission to the Tulsa facility for treatment of cancer that has now been diagnosed as terminal, the response was the one we would dread to hear were we in his shoes: Fender was told he had to wait three months for an appointment!
The Country Music Association is “dedicated to bringing…country music to the world,” through a “tradition of leadership and professionalism,” while “exceeding the expectations of those we serve,” yet it is The Tennessee Performing Arts Center’s AMANDA VIRGILLITO who has brought my attention to Broadway Meets Country. The October 30th extravaganza will be held at 7:30 p.m. in TPAC’s James K. Polk Theater at 505 Deaderick Street in Nashville. It features scores of Broadway stars (such as BEN VEREEN, FELICIA P. FIELDS, PETER GALLAGHER) along with BARBARA MANDRELL, JOE NICHOLS, TRISHA YEARWOOD, JOSH GRACIN, JAMIE O’NEAL, at ticket prices ranging from $35 to a $500 ticket that includes a VIP pass to the post-concert reception for the performers.
Someone should tell Barbara, Joe, Trisha, Raul. etc. that, when it comes to promoting their participation, their event sponsor, the CMA, has, once again, dropped the ball.
SHELLY MULLINS is first with the news that PATTY GRIFFIN will headline the Third Annual Americana Folk Festival.
CHELY WRIGHT. MINDY SMITH and DAVID MEAD are among more than 30 other Americana, bluegrass and folk artists joining Patty on Saturday, October 21, 2006 from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. at the Montgomery Bell State park in Dickson, Tennessee.
Tickets are $40 and some of the proceeds will be donated to the AFF’s charity of choice: Dickson County-based Community Arts Development . CAD promotes programs for rural artists through scholarships, grant programs, art shows and arts advocacy.
For the complete list of confirmed artists who will entertain during the full day of music, featuring an arts village packed with rural artisans (painters, sculptors weavers, quilters, instrument-builders, etc.) and food (including coffeehouse fare, ethnic delicacies, eco-friendly vegan and organic selections), click here.
Did you see CMT’s full-page ad in the September 28th issue of Church Street Freedom Press? It reads “CMT is proud to support the lesbian, gay and transgender community, except for TERRY FLYNN who stained the rug at our last holiday party.”
RITA COOLIDGE tells SPENCER LEIGH, in the October issue of Country Music People, that Rita’s ex-husband, KRIS KRISTOFFERSON, is “a great father and a great grandfather. I can’t say enough about what a great man he is. It’s just that he was a shitty husband.”
In the same issue, MEL McDANIEL complains to CRAIG BAGULEY of corporate control during McDaniel’s heyday at Capitol Records. Mel says that when he complained to Combine Music head honcho BOB BECKHAM about Capitol’s demand that McDaniel’s producer, Combine Music’s JOHNNY MacRAE, be replaced (after producing Mel’s third Capitol LP), an angry Beckham dropped Mel’s Combine Music publishing contract. Then, Mel says, after signing on with LARRY ROGERS as producer of McDaniel’s next four albums, Capitol dropped Larry. After JERRY KENNEDY produced a #1 record for Mel, Baby’s Got Her Blue Jeans On, Mel finally declined to acquiesce: “… when they told me to leave Jerry Kennedy, I tried to stand up for my producer- and they dropped me! I mean, you lose both damn ways if you ain’t careful. You gotta really know what you’re doing- and I didn’t!”
Having already covered some of the events of World of Bluegrass Business Conference (You have some scrolling to do, if you missed it), I have no wish to repeat what has been written about elsewhere (including the lengthy list of the September 28th IBMA Awards Show winners that is readily available on the IBMA Web Site), so let me mention some news of the busy week that you may not have heard: First, you’ll be glad to know that the future of bluegrass music is in good hands, due to the interest of WOB registrants ranging from several Australians I met to STEPHANIE TAYLOR, who, at a very young age, is on the fast track as an assistant professor at MTSU’s Department of Recording Industry (College of Mass Communications).
Equally shocking was the very low turnout at an IBMA seminar on the very important (though very boring, till you need it) subject of health insurance options. Although a health fair was underway next door, there were almost more panelists than participants on hand to hear that one of the reasons health care is so expensive is that the “pool” of insured requires healthy, young people to offset the expenses the health care industry has keeping middle-aged and older, unhealthy people alive and well.
DAVE POMEROY, one of the panelists, revealed that the Nashville’s American Federation of Musicians Local #257 lacks a health care plan for its member (though limited health and welfare payouts are made to studio musicians), even though AFM locals in New York, Chicago and Los Angeles have such plans available to their members.
There was a better turnout for an awards luncheon honoring IBMA’s 2006 Distinguished Achievement Award recipients: FRED BARTENSTEIN, THE BOYS FROM INDIANA, BILL GRANT, RONNIE RENO and THE WHITES. Other special awards went to RED SHIPLEY (Bluegrass Broadcaster of the Year), Claremore, Oklahoma’s 20th Annual Bluegrass & Chili Festival (Bluegrass Event of the Year), SPENCER WALTS (Best Graphic Design for Recorded Project), TOM ADAMS (Best Liner Notes for Recorded Project) and BOB BLACK (Print Media Person of the Year).
DOYLE LAWSON, who is on the administrative board, spoke at the luncheon about the good work of the Bluegrass Trust Fund. Bill Grant noted in his award acceptance speech that “It took me 77 years to find out that I’m somebody.” He also joked that when he once predictably answered the question “How much do you love the music?,” he was told “You’d better love it, because it may be all you ever get out of it!”
After STAN HITCHCOCK presented the Distinguished Achievement Award to Ronnie Reno, Reno quipped that if he’d had known that he’d receive the kudo (formerly called the Award of Merit), he have changed the award’s name to the Hall of Honor (the name of the highest accolade currently bestowed by the IBMA).
Following an introduction by EMMYLOUS HARRIS, THE WHITES tearfully expressed appreciation for their award, noting that the late and much-missed PAT WHITE taught her daughters the harmony parts for which they are so famous.
IBMA Executive Director DAN HAYES challenged registrants to attend at least three seminars amid our partyin’ (I did my part and more, Dan, including one I have not yet mentioned, the media and education constituency meeting with facilitator STEPHANIE LEDGIN. (There I shared the confirmation of my published prediction that BEVERY KEEL would become the Tennessean’s new celebrity columnist. Stephanie said she has yet to meet Beverly, whose praises I was singing, as freelancer STEVE BETTS, who was standing behind me, nodded and gave a thumbs up!)
I also followed Dan’s suggestion that we thank the business conference’s sponsors, when encountering them in the exhibit halls, or wherever, with one omission; due to the fact, that, at the Wednesday (September 27th) brunch, TOM T. HALL elected to “toot my own horn,” first by informing those who didn’t already know that “I’m paying for your brunch” and then by announcing that he and DIXIE (one of the Daughters of Bluegrass) are “remembering IBMA in our wills.” (I guess this is some sort of variation on a more traditional, second-to-die policy in which, upon Tom and Dixie’s demise, their bluegrass record label and music publishing become the property of IBMA, to be administered and exploited as the organization sees fit.)
I did extend my thanks to BMI’s Director, Writer/Publisher Relations BRADLEY COLLINS. Bradley hosted BMI’s cocktail party later that (Wednesday) evening in my honor and that of my fellow Leadership Bluegrass alums, one of whom, CINDY SINCLAIR, told me this great story about FAITH HILL’s generosity.
It seems that stars often don’t even thank the people with whom they work in TV productions and so it was that Cindy was surprised, during a wrap party, when Faith presented each member of the crew a thank-you gift of custom-made jewelry. (I forget the specifics, because I wasn’t taking notes, but I told Cindy “these are the types of stories I love to include in my column,” as these selfless acts, not done for show, would otherwise go untold.)
Show some respect, now…: SHELLY MULLINS has invited me to be a biscuits judge as Nashville’s famed Loveless Café. hosts the 2nd Annual Biscuits and Bluegrass Fall Festival Saturday, October 14th from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Eat your heart out J.T. GRAY! (Gray and his bluegrass band are among the featured entertainers of the day.) Attendees are encouraged to bring their instruments and join the impromptu pickin’ parties that will coincide with face painting, pumpkin decorating, apple-bobbing, weaving demonstrations and a myriad of other activities for the whole family.
CAROL FAY, the Biscuit Lady, will also be on hand to say hello and autograph cookbooks.
Admission is free, but, if the aroma of fresh, hot biscuits and the other lures have you reaching for your billfold, know that “part of the proceeds of the day will benefit the MINNIE PEARL Cancer Foundation.” More information is available by clicking here.
The bluegrass community is shaking its collective head now that famed fiddler (ELIJAH) BLAINE SPROUSE (a former Tennessee Assistant Attorney General who currently serves as the Tennesssee Department of Labor’s Assistant Administrator for Workers’ Compensation) has been charged in Davidson County Court with aggravated assault on his fourth wife, MARCI.
With two DUIs on his record, and Sprouse’s admission that he was drinking prior to the incident, you may deduce that Blaine has a fondness for the bottle. What you may not know, though, is that that when not drinking nor collecting spouses, Sprouse is known to pursue his interest in genealogy.
Thanks to KIRT WEBSTER, EMILY EVANS, Vector Management, and Cracker Barrel for inviting me to its Songs of the Year party at the Country Music Hall of Fame October 2nd. Unfortunately, Hors d’oeurves, drinks, partying and Yom Kippur don’t mix, so I have sent my regrets along with the thanks for thinking of me. (On a related note, my diniing companion at the WOB luncheon was wondering what the round white balls were on our plates. I would have thought maybe miniature marshmallows, but those aren’t usually round. He thought matzoh balls..
”No,” I said. “I know matzah balls.” (You won't find them without soup, and there was no soup!) When we finally dug in, we discovered it was tofu!
Some have asked why I have not written of GARY CHAPMAN’s most recent troubles.
I don’t like to simply repeat or rewrite what is readily available elsewhere. Only now when I see others expressing surprise, do I feel it necessary to provide the larger context that has been missing in earlier reports. I refer to the fact that long before Gary’s financial problems and his September 24th arrest, Chapman had a substance abuse problem.
As a matter of fact, Gary’s addiction preceded both his first and second marriages. Relapses are never surprising. It is more surprising when they do not occur.
And, speaking of surprising, I wonder if Gary was as surprised as I was to read what AMY GRANT recently told the Wall Street Journal: Namely that VINCE GILL’s When I Call Your Name is among Grant’s favorite recordings by any artist. (Didn’t Vince write When I Call Your Name for his ex-wife, JANIS?)
SHELLY MULLINS and ANGIE GORE have advised me that representatives from MINNIE PEARL Cancer Foundation. and the LANCE ARMSTRONG Foundation will be on-site, providing informational handouts and taking donations at the Nashville Scene Music Festival 2 (NSMF2).
The November 3rd event (featuring THE SHAZAAM, WIDE AWAKE, AUTOVAUGH, BANG BANG BANG, OLE MOSSY FACE, ALL WE SEABEES, UMBRELLA TREE, GHOSTFIINGER, THE EXPLORERS CLUB, THE TURN IN, THE WORSTIES, UNDER SHADE, GLOSSARY and others yet to be confirmed) will be held at the Belcourt Theatre.
Advance tickets are $10 and go on sale Tuesday, October 3 at Belcourt Theatre (2102 Belcourt Avenue), online. and at Grimey’s (1604 8th Ave. South) New and Preloved Music. Day of show tickets will be available for $15..
(Since its 2001 inception, the LAF Community Program alone has awarded more than $3.7 million to nonprofits across America, including grants to the Minnie Pearl Foundation.)
READ THE PUFF PIECES AND THE HATCHET JOBS, THEN COME TO THE SOURCE FOR THE REAL DEAL!!!
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