Diane’s Country Music Newsletter — 16 September 2026
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 over twenty years to arrange both that show and the National Independence Day celebration. This past year, he wrote the charts for the performances of Jamey Johnson and Mickey Guyton on the Memorial Day show and for Trace Adkins and Carly Pearce on A Capitol Fourth.
Bergen was born in Miami, Oklahoma, in 1939. His father was a Southern Baptist minister who moved the family to Missouri and then Texas and then Memphis, finally settling in Nashville when Bergen was in the eighth grade. “Every city we were in, I’m singing in his choir,” Bergen says. “I grew up singing in his choirs. As a result, I knew a lot that I didn’t even know I knew. I learned to read music and didn’t realize–doesn’t everybody do this?”
One of his eighth-grade classmates was Bobby Russell, who later wrote “Honey” and “Little Green Apples.” They started singing together, Bobby singing lead and Bergen singing harmony. After they graduated from college, Bergen taught school for two years, and Bobby started working with a company that did sound-alikes–cutting knockoffs of chart hits to sell cheaply in supermarkets. “He could sound like anybody,” Bergen says, “but he wasn’t real good at singing harmony. I was pretty good at that.” Bobby called one night in 1964 and asked if Bergen “wanted to come over and sing on some of these sound-alikes to make a little extra money.”
When Bergen started singing harmony behind Bobby on the sound-alikes, the producer noticed his new harmony singer was interested in more than just singing, and he invited Bergen to try arranging. Thus began his career. The first song he arranged was a cover of “Yesterday” by the Beatles, using a string quartet and one guitar.
“You talk about jumping into things I wasn’t ready for,” Bergen reminisces. The viola player called him over and pointed her bow at a note on the music sheet. She said, “I can’t play that. It’s not on the instrument.” That’s when he learned that C is the low note for the viola. The sound-alike sessions were where he got acquainted with Pig Robbins. Pig played on many of them, and he had also played on many of the original recordings.
Bergen wrote the arrangements for two R&B hit records. First was “Polk Salad Annie,” written and recorded by Tony Joe White. That song caught the attention of Elvis Presley, who wanted Bergen to arrange a version for him to perform. The songs Bergen did for Elvis cemented his reputation as an arranger. “Chokin’ Kind” with Joe Simon became the first number one that Bergen arranged.
He also worked on recording sessions as a backup singer, usually as a Jordanaire fill-in. He’d known Gordon Stoker since the age of seven, when his father and Gordon both attended Oklahoma Baptist University. Gordon would call Bergen if one of the Jordanaires couldn’t make it to a session.
“I was very, very blessed, Diane,” Bergen says. “It seemed like every time I turned around, a new door opened. And I walked through it. I worked with just about everybody at one time or another. Like I said, right place—matter of fact, I wrote a book. It’s called Right Place at the W-R-I-T-E Time.”
When I asked if he’s still working, he answered, “Oh, yeah, I’m still working. I’ll keep doing the Memorial Day show and the Fourth of July show as long as they ask me to, cuz I love to write. It’s fun writing for the symphony. I do a couple of sessions every year but not much. That’s past tense. Nobody wants to hire an 87-year-old arranger.”
Bergen concluded our conversation with his immediate wish: “I can’t wait to play golf. It’s too hot to play golf right now, so I’m waiting till it cools off so I can get back.”
NEWS
Warner Records Nashville and Randy Travis have announced the highly anticipated release of an album of new music, Same Old Way, on November 13. These 12 original Randy Travis songs come from the vault, going back to 1986. Producer Kyle Lehning told me during our interviews for Randy’s biography that he had remixed and remastered a selection of songs he pulled from the vault, tracks he and Randy had recorded but that never made it to an album. Mary Travis told me in 2022 that the songs were still being researched to determine ownership of the masters and publishing. The album remained in limbo until those determinations were completed. Apparently, that has finally been settled. Two singles from Same Old Way were released earlier this year, “Fish On” and “I Don’t Care.” According to a press release by 117 Entertainment, the title track has now been released. Randy and Kyle co-wrote “Same Old Way.” This is the only song they wrote together and Kyle’s first time with a major songwriting credit.
I recently learned that multi-instrumentalist and session musician Bruce Watkins died February 1 at age 71. Born in Missouri in 1954, Bruce began playing piano when he was four years old. He built a career as a session player and producer in Nashville, performing and recording with instruments such as acoustic guitar, banjo, fiddle, mandolin, and rhythm guitar. He started Bruce Watkins Productions in Hendersonville, Tennessee, in 2012. He appeared frequently on Alan Jackson albums and live recordings.
The Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority Board of Commissioners has announced, “It’s official! The Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority Board of Commissioners voted unanimously, 6 to 0, to modify our existing naming policy, marking the first step toward renaming Nashville International Airport in honor of Dolly Parton.” The effort to rename Nashville’s international airport after Dolly Parton began in 2025 through a change.org petition, reports Whiskey Riff. In the week following Dolly’s death, the Tennessee legislature and Metro Nashville City Council threw their support behind the name change. Governor Bill Lee formally announced in a press release that the state intended to name BNA in honor of Dolly Parton. The name change was approved on September 11. The exact name has not yet been decided. The airport code of BNA is not expected to change. The airport—one of the first major WPA projects in the area—was dedicated in 1936 as Berry Field, named after Colonel Harry S. Berry, the Tennessee administrator for the Works Progress Administration.
The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame (NaSHOF) has announced that George Strait will receive its prestigious Career Maker Award, reports Country Now. He is known for his ability to recognize and champion great songwriting. The Texas native has recorded 264 songs written or co-written by NaSHOF members. Of those 72 songwriters, 44 had not yet been inducted when he first recorded their songs. The award honors artists and other influential figures outside of the Hall of Fame who have helped songwriters achieve career milestones and ultimately earn their place in the Hall of Fame. George is the second person to receive the Career Maker Award, following Reba McEntire, who was honored in 2018. The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Gala, to be held October 26 at the Music City Center, is considered one of the biggest nights of the year for the music industry. It also serves as a fundraiser for the nonprofit Nashville Songwriters. “You folks definitely make the world a better place through your amazing abilities as songwriters and artists. See you there,” George said.
Dolly Parton originally intended to celebrate her 80th birthday with DOLLYFEST in Nashville in January of 2026. The venue was booked and the announcement ready to go, reports Country Now. Dolly planned to perform and host the multi-artist event. Then she announced in August 2025 that health challenges required her to take a step back from performing, and DOLLYFEST was put on hold. According to a new announcement from Dolly’s estate, her vision for this unique event will move forward in 2027 across two weekends and two continents, with festivities planned across Nashville and London, England, in 2027. The official Team-Dolly-produced DOLLYFEST will project the vision Dolly herself hoped to bring to life. CEO Danny Nozell says, “As far as a traditional memorial goes, that is not something Dolly wanted. So, instead, it feels more appropriate for us to take a beat, let all the tributes that immediately make sense occur naturally, and then, see through this festival-style concept that was truly dreamed up by Dolly.”
Rosanne Cash, 71, has postponed three upcoming shows in Wyoming and Montana “due to an unexpected medical emergency,” her management team revealed on Instagram. Temporarily restricted from traveling and performing, she is recovering under her doctors’ supervision. She has a string of European shows scheduled in October, followed by one Nashville performance in November and three California dates in January, reports PEOPLE. She and husband John Leventhal celebrated 30 years of marriage in April. John, 73, posted, “I love you more than I could/would possibly ever say on Instagram. Marriage side note: I’ve recently been told the first 30 years are the hardest.”
During a recent concert at Cincinnati’s Riverbend Music Center, reports Country Now, Tim McGraw suffered a fall while singing “I Like It, I Love It.” As he stepped back from a raised platform, the heel of his boot appeared to catch on a hole in the stage. He fell backward onto the floor and bounced back to his feet with a smile on his face. He walked over to the spot in the stage and joked, “There’s a hole there.” When he stepped on other platforms, he checked each one to ensure there were no more holes. His Pawn Shop Guitar Tour launched in July and runs through September. He will then go to Las Vegas for a residency at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace from October 23 – November 7.
University of Tennessee football players will be wearing a new emblem on the back of their helmets this fall, reports Country Living. Every Volunteer will display an orange butterfly sticker with “Dolly” scrolled across it, a little reminder of Dolly Parton. “Butterflies don’t sting, they don’t bite, and they are so beautiful,” Dolly once said, “I just kind of related to them with my own personality. I claimed them as my little symbol.” Coach Josh Heupel told ESPN, “All that she’s meant across the world, this country, and certainly the Queen of East Tennessee. A lady that was extremely proud of her roots. You look at her impact, her ability to give back, make an impact to people, certainly here in East Tennessee.” Dolly’s birthplace in the Great Smoky Mountains is roughly an hour from Neyland Stadium, where the Volunteers play. In 2009, she gave the commencement speech, and she performed in the stadium on multiple occasions over the years. In 2023, she led the crowd in “Rocky Top” during a game against Georgia, with the university choir backing her.
Glenda Gayle Hill, 90, died August 18 at her home in Ashland City, Tennessee. She took her first job on Music Row in 1970, as Girl Friday for Epic Records producer Glen Sutton. “When I went into the studio with Glenn,” she once said, “it sparked an instant love affair with the recording process.” Three years later, she formed G Hill & Company, initially a PR agency that produced jingles on the side: “At first, I thought I would starve. Then Coca Cola called me.” She rocketed to advertising superstardom by producing the Dottie West “Country Sunshine” jingle for Coca Cola. She later hired other stars for the Coke account–including Loretta Lynn, Sonny James and the Glaser Brothers—and then became a go-to-jingle producer for GMC, Miller Beer, Kraft, Rubbermaid, Stouffer’s, Pizza Hut, and many others. Her ability to link national advertisers with country artists earned her executive positions on the boards of CMA and NARAS (now the Recording Academy). In 2019, SOURCE Nashville honored her legacy by inducting her into their Hall of Fame. Thanks to Martha Moore for sending the obituary.
Country Now reports that Miley Cyrus has dropped her last name, and her dad, Billy Ray Cyrus, approves. “I told Miley yesterday I felt good about her going with her first name,” he says in an Instagram post. “I mentioned Dolly and Cher. Thinkin about it more and more … Elvis .. Prince …and so on. It’s a natural progression for an iconic superstar legend. And the legend continues!” He adds, “I was just CYRUS before ‘Achy Breaky Heart’ came out in ‘92.”
The Grand Ole Opry will celebrate the 35th anniversary of Vince Gill as an Opry member on Saturday, October 17, according to MusicRow. Vince’s wife, Amy Grant, and longtime friends Ricky Skaggs, Patty Loveless, Wendy Moten, and more will join him. Vince debuted on the Opry in 1989 and was inducted as a member on August 10, 1991. He recently concluded his 27-city “50 Years From Home Tour” that celebrated five decades since leaving Oklahoma to pursue his music. His ongoing 50 Years From Home music series is a year-long collection of EPs featuring new songs alongside tracks from throughout his career.
A historic bench in Centennial Park has been dedicated to the memory of Dolly Parton. In 1975, photographer Raeanne Rubenstein captured the young singer and rising star lounging on a bench in Centennial Park’s Sunken Garden. One of those photos will be placed on permanent display in the Parthenon when its “Athens of the South Exhibit” reopens. The recent dedication of the bench marked the grand opening of the revitalized north side of Centennial Park. A plaque on the bench reads “Turn a Page Sing a Song And imagine For Dolly, We will always love you.” For the past eight years, Dolly’s Imagination Library has partnered with Centennial Park Conservancy’s Kidsville program to promote childhood literacy through programming at the Parthenon and Musicians Corner. A representative of Imagination Library of Middle Tennessee said, “It is incredibly meaningful to see her honored here in Centennial Park, a place where she made memories early in her career and where, decades later, her Imagination Library continues to connect children with the joy and possibility of books. This bench is a beautiful reminder of Dolly’s legacy and the countless lives she has touched through music, storytelling and her unwavering belief in the power of imagination.”
Jennifer Nettles of Sugarland was in New York City for the 25th Anniversary Commemoration Ceremony on September 11. Taste of Country reports that she sang “Go Rest High” at the site of the tragedy, in an outdoor performance, backed by a keyboard and gentle vocal harmonies. In a social media post, she talked about singing for the anniversary of one of the nation’s greatest tragedies. “Emotion ‘catches in your throat,’ as they say,” she wrote. “The voice is sacredly situated between the head and the heart. And that is precisely why, even though it may be hard, we must sing through the sadness. It was my honor to try and offer comfort and connection to these precious people.” She said that Vince Gill, who wrote the song, gave her his blessing to sing it that day.
VOICES OF COUNTRY LEGENDS PODCAST
I’m pleased to announce the launch of the Voices of Country Legends, an audio podcast hosted by Frank Gerard, who narrated the audiobooks for my four biographies. Frank is producing this series in connection with Jenny Webb, owner of the Legends of Country Music Museum in Nashville. Jenny hosted my book release party for Randy Travis: Storms of Life at her museum in 2025. Voices of Country Legends is an interview podcast that preserves the stories of artists, songwriters, musicians, family members, and others who helped shape country music.
The podcast launched with guest William Lee Golden of the Oak Ridge Boys. It continues Thursday, September 17, with the second episode featuring three of David Allan Coe’s children (Tanya Montana Coe, Shelli Coe, and Josh Pruitt) sharing stories about their father and his music. Future announced guests include Donna Fargo, David Frizzell, Debby Boone, Lacy J. Dalton, John Berry, Deborah Allen, Kelly Lang, John PayCheck, and Bobby Marquez. New episodes will be released weekly on Tuesdays, with occasional bonus episodes on Thursdays and Saturdays. “Voices of Country Legends” is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and VoicesOfCountryLegends.com.
“Each conversation is meant to feel like sitting down for a visit,” Frank says. “We give our guests room to relax, follow the memories wherever they lead and share the stories that mean the most to them.” Episodes explore the songs, recording sessions, personal relationships and unexpected moments behind guests’ public careers. The series also offers guests an opportunity to talk about the country legends who influenced them and the history they personally witnessed.
“The museum is filled with country music history, but the stories behind it are what bring it to life,” Jenny explains. “Frank’s podcast gives the people who made the music, knew the legends and witnessed the history a chance to share those stories in their own words.” You learn more about the museum at https://www.legendsofcountrymusic.com/. Frank can be reached at FrankGerardVoice.com. Congratulations to Frank and Jenny on this new venture. I wish you great success.
LETTERS
Becky Hobbs says, “Thank you for keeping me on your newsletter list. I love keeping up with all that’s going on! Beckaroo”
Steel guitarist Doyle Grisham writes, “This is just a short note to tell you how much I enjoy seeing your newsletter show up in my email. You always have interesting articles and keep me informed about things that I fail to do for myself. Keep up the good work. I look forward to each and every newsletter.”
Mike Johnson says, “Thanks for a wonderful Dolly Parton recognition. The world has truly lost an authentic, down to earth, no-nonsense beautiful soul. May she rest in Peace in Hillbilly Heaven.”
Jackie Allen Thomas writes from Arkansas, “Thank you for the great tribute to Dolly, a real sad loss. Always look forward to your great newsletters.”
Bobby Fischer says, “Tomorrow is Helen’s ninety first birthday. We’re married 66 years. Here’s one of the songs I wrote, thinking of her, with Don Wayne and recorded by my hero Eddy Arnold. ‘What In Her World Did I Do.’ You’re a pal to run some of my information. It is a gift to be mentioned in that fabulous newsletter. Full steam ahead, Captain.” Bobby also sends this note: “In the Sixties I wrote and recorded ‘Lonely City’ at Columbia Studios Nashville. The great Buddy Killen was my producer. They have now named the turnaround at the end of Music Row 16th Ave South ‘Buddy Killen Circle.’ I was on Dial Records–recorded nine songs I wrote there; it was intimidating, as you stood to record your vocals in the same spot where Johnny Cash, Marty Robbins and more of my heroes recorded. The Jordanaires were my backup, and the musicians were the top as that is what Buddy used. Great memories.”
Martha Moore of so much MOORE media, writes from Nashville, “Over Labor Day weekend in Meshoppen, Pennsylvania, Billy Jam Records’ Alex Miller opened for Warner Music Nashville / Harpeth 60 Records artist Chris Janson at the Wyoming County Fair — the 3rd time they have shared the stage in the past couple of years. But this time Janson invited Miller to join him at the mic and sing ‘Good Hearted Woman’… a nod to Waylon and Willie. Here’s a short clip from Facebook. Alex celebrated Hank Williams’s 103rd birthday at the Hank Williams Museum Davis Theatre this past weekend in Montgomery, Alabama. His 45-minute set of originals also included nods to Hank –’Hey Good Lookin’ and ‘Mind Your Own Business.’”
Mike McCloud says, “Thank you for putting me back on the newsletter list. I very much enjoy reading these newsletters and get caught up on what’s happening in Country music. Recently we have lost a bunch of our older stars. Melba Montgomery, Jeannie Seeley, now Dolly There aren’t too many left. The ones that are I wish good health and happiness.”
Kathy Thomas says, “Again, I have absolutely loved your newsletter, I am so sorry and sad about Dolly. She was one of the greatest. I got to meet her back in the early 70s and she was the sweetest kindest person I ever met.”
Eric Calhoun writes from Los Angeles, California, “I am still reeling over Dolly Parton’s death; she did so much, for so many people, she also has a Hollywood Walk of Fame star. Thank you for letting us know.”
Dave Sichak of Hillbilly-Music.com writes from Modesto, California, ”The world was blessed by her life. Hard to believe – but I did see her last concert appearance with Porter Wagoner at the Hammond (IN) Civic Center on May 12, 1974. They had done their last Opry appearance on May 4. I had my Polaroid camera. I still have the ticket stub. And the promo ad. Youtube was overflowing with remembrances in video shorts. There is a video clip of her debut on the Porter Wagoner show. And the one where she did a tune with two of her sisters – they used enough hair spray to knock out the ozone layer. PS: Was it a typo on your part or did the LA Times really report this: The Los Angeles Times reports that Dolly Parton was laid to rest September 28.”
Diane: That was my error. Thanks for the correction. It was August 28.
Paul Potter in England says, “I was shocked and devastated about the passing of journalist and author Vernell Hackett through your newsletter. My heart sank. Me and Vernell were close friends for years, she really helped a young ole boy from the good old UK and she helped me a lot with work on both my Dottie West book and my soon-to-be-relaunched website about Dolly Parton. She wrote a lot of reviews for my projects. The last email I got from Vernell was on Thursday, August 30, at 01:52: she was helping me on a Dolly project. Her last words to me were, ‘Paul, I’m headed out on vacation tomorrow so it will be at least a week or 10 days before I can do anything on it.’ I just learned through your newsletter that she passed at the Chicago airport on her way to Mexico for a vacation. If you had not mentioned this, I would have never known. This is how important your newsletter is, keep up the great work. Does anybody know if there will be a tribute and funeral for Vernell? I’m certainly going to miss her. Oh, and I wanted to state this, I’ve been getting so many emails from Dottie West fans regarding my book I’m writing about her, I’m happy to confirm it’s still going ahead, it’s nearly done and will be put out but I’ve had a lot of health issues and family loss. I do know Mr. Bill Anderson. When Loretta Lynn passed away, he was interviewed on a Nashville news channel and told a brief story of Loretta and himself and others who did a small UK tour in England and how Loretta got mad over the newspapers and what she said on stage. If you are reading this, Mr. Bill Anderson, if you could tell the story in as much depth and anything else about Loretta on that trip, send it to Diane and she can forward the message to me. I really want to preserve the story to put on my Loretta Lynn tribute website.”
BOOK REVIEW
When D. Bergen White told me he’d written a book, Right Place at the Write Time, I searched for a copy of his 2019 memoir. After writing his first draft, he’d turned it over to his third of five sons, Mitchell, who completed the project and is listed as co-writer. The subtitle is: A Colorful and Candid Behind-the-Scenes Look at My 60 Years in the Recording Industry. It’s divided into sections on producers, artists and writers, musicians, and singers, with each section containing one- to three-page chapters titled with the name of a person or group. He says the repetition and overlap are intentional “so that someone with a shorter attention span can read any section they like and the story will be complete.” It appears that Bergen’s three favorite things to do are play golf, drink alcohol, and arrange music. He once arranged a fifteen-song Easter cantata for Buddy Huey. During the recording, he played a few piano licks as fills. When listing the credits, he added himself as a piano player. A few weeks later, Buddy held a gala at his home to celebrate the cantata’s release. He brought his guests into a large room with a grand piano and announced that a special guest would play some of the songs from the cantata. Waiting with everyone to learn who the special guest was, Bergen almost had a stroke to hear himself introduced. He sat down at the piano, put his hands on the keys, and told the waiting audience, “You know what makes this special is . . . I can’t play the piano.” He never again listed his name on piano credits. He tells the story of arranging the national anthem for Garth Brooks to perform at the 1993 Super Bowl. Garth flew him to Pasadena, California, and had him placed on the fifty-yard line to ensure Garth started singing at the right point, amid all the confusion. Bergen is dutifully counting the snare drum licks when Garth appears out of a huge American flag—looking at the end zone instead of the fifty-yard line. Bergen loses his count while trying to figure out what to do to get his attention. As Garth starts singing, right on time, he looks toward Bergen and smiles. When he next sees Bergen, he points at him and says “Gotcha!” Bergen writes, “He knew where he was all along and didn’t need me. He brought me out there just because he felt like I deserved to be there I guess.” The chatty tone lets the reader feel as if Bergen is telling his stories over a libation with a friend. The historical tidbits and the many names mentioned make this a delight to read.
COUNTRY MUSIC DISC JOCKEY HALL OF FAME – 2007 and 2008
2007
After five years at other Texas radio stations, Joe Ladd joined KIKK Houston in 1968 and stayed there until 1994, becoming one of Houston’s most visible air personalities. He is credited with breaking Gene Watson, Johnny Lee, and Mickey Gilley, and was an announcer at Gilleys nightclub in Pasadena, Texas. In 2001, he was inducted into the Texas Music Hall of Fame. He organized benefits for the Texas Children’s Hospital and Texas Gulf Coast Hurricane Relief. He now manages Mark Chesnutt and can be reached at la******@*ol.com.
Big John Trimble hosted overnight trucking shows for twenty-five years on three different 50,000-watt clear channel radio stations. Born John Nelson Trimble Jr. in 1938 in Paintsville, Kentucky, he began his radio career at age 14 in his hometown. His radio career was interrupted by service in the U.S. Army, where he emceed shows and performed stand-up comedy from 1960 to1963. He returned to radio at Little Rock, Arkansas, in 1963. In 1968 he became Music Director and afternoon air personality at KMO Seattle/Tacoma, where he started the All-Night Trucker Show in 1972. He joined KWKH Shreveport, Louisiana, from 1974-1977 and then hosted a similar show on WRVA Richmond, Virginia, from 1977-1995. He moved to WXGI Richmond as Program Director and afternoon air personality, with his final broadcast airing July 22, 2022, two days before his death at age 84 in Henrico, Virginia.
2008
Bill Cody was a longtime Grand Ole Opry announcer and host of WSM Radio’s flagship morning program, Coffee, Country & Cody. A native of Lebanon, Kentucky, he began his professional radio career in his hometown in 1971. Six years later, at age 17, he accepted an air personality position at WVLK in Lexington. His boss requested he drop his birth name, Trent Clutts, and he became Bill Cody in honor of his childhood hero “Buffalo Bill” Cody. After working at other stations, he moved to Nashville in 1994 and joined WSM Radio. He hosted WSM’s 75th Annual birthday coverage from the Ryman Auditorium, interviewing President George W. Bush and former President George H.W. Bush. His credits over the decades include numerous television and radio shows, as well as syndication, voice-over, and film. Bill Cody, 67, died June 9, 2026, after being placed on life support for heart and kidney failure.
Acclaimed central Arkansas radio personality Bob Robbins (real name of Robert Spears) began his career at KAAY in Little Rock, Arkansas, in 1967. He moved to KSSN-FM in Little Rock in 1979 and was named CMA Broadcast Personality of the Year in 1996. He was the number one disc jockey in Little Rock for over 20 years, leading his station to win a number of industry awards. He worked at Little Rock radio station, 105.1 The Wolf, as a DJ at the time of his death in 2022, at the age of 78, following a heart attack.