IN THE SPOTLIGHT – BERGEN WHITE When Bergen White answered my telephone call for our Pig Robbins interview, I had no idea I’d be talking to the composer who arranges the music for the National Memorial Day Concert I’ve watched for the past several years. He told me he’s worked with the National Symphony for […]
NEWS Dolly Parton (1946-2026) Is there anyone who hasn’t heard of the death of Dolly Parton? CBS and NBC networks led their evening newscasts on August 25 with the breaking news that Dolly had died at age 80, and both devoted half the broadcast to her. President Trump ordered flags flown at half-staff for seven […]
THE BLUEBIRD EXPERIENCE—A SONGWRITER SHOWCASE Nashville talent came to Sioux Falls this past Saturday night with “The Bluebird Experience—A Songwriter Showcase” at the Military Heritage Alliance. VFW Post 628 sponsored this free show for the entire community; it was disappointing that so few took advantage of the opportunity to enjoy the stories and songs of […]
Here’s the speech I recently gave at the Sioux Empire Fair on August 1, 2026. Good afternoon. Welcome to the Sioux Empire Fair on this beautiful summer day. I am Diane Diekman, U.S. Navy captain, retired, and president of the Battleship South Dakota Memorial here in Sioux Falls. Have any of you visited the Battleship […]
NASHVILLE TRIP REPORT My long-awaited journey to Nashville, Tennessee, to research the life of Hargus “Pig” Robbins has come and gone. Attending Bill Anderson’s 65th anniversary celebration at the Saturday night Grand Ole Opry on July 18 was a special treat. Perry Steilow and I traveled 2,333 miles in his snazzy blue Chevy Silverado during […]
NEWS The second oldest child of late country star Charlie Rich and songwriter Margaret Ann Rich has died, reports the Tennessean. Charles Allan Rich, Jr., 71, passed away July 14 at his home in Cookeville, Tennessee. Born and raised in Arkansas, he was known to family and friends as Allan, later performing and recording as […]
NEWS Nissan Stadium in Nashville contained a sold-out crowd on June 27 to see Alan Jackson host the final performance of his career. Country Now reports that the farewell concert was witnessed by more than 80,000 fans across Nashville, with livestream viewing events at Belmont University’s Fisher Center, the Country Music Hall of Fame’s CMA Theater, […]
NEWS This photo didn’t arrive in time to include it in my trip report about the BIO (Biographers International Organization) conference. So here I am, reading my three-minute excerpt of Randy Travis: Storms of Life on the stage of the CUNY Graduate Center in Manhattan. WSM announcer Bill Cody, 67, died June 9 after being placed […]
BIOGRAPHY CONFERENCE IN NEW YORK CITY For a year, I have been looking forward to the BIO (Biographers International Organization) conference in New York City. It always opens with authors reading three-minute excerpts of their new biographies. Randy Travis: Storms of Life didn’t quite make the window last year, and I had to wait. These […]
NEWS The Nashville Palace at 2412 Music Valley Drive near Nashville is celebrating a former employee of forty years ago. “In honor of the Storms of Life album and years of Randy Travis and The Nashville Palace, the front room will be renamed, forever and ever, The Randy Travis Room,” says Barrett Hobbs, owner of […]