NEWS
The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) is celebrating its 100th anniversary with a ceremony at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City on November 17. A select group of American musical icons will be given ASCAP Centennial Awards to recognize their exceptional accomplishments. They are Garth Brooks, Billy Joel, Joan Baez, Stevie Wonder, and Stephen Sondheim.

Ben Haggard, age 21, has been playing lead guitar for six years with Merle Haggard and the Strangers. (more…)

FEATURE ARTICLE – ALASKA CRUISE
Sioux Falls residents Cam and Sharon Lind celebrated their 7th wedding anniversary on the Alaska Cruise sponsored by Country’s Family Reunion and Larry’s Country Diner. I asked Cam to provide a report, and here’s what he said:

The cruise was great and my three favorite country singers were there: Gene Watson, Jimmy Fortune and Moe Bandy. In the first concert, Gene related a story I had told to both him and Moe Bandy; it was so cool to hear him repeat it and give credit to a fan. He also sang an awesome song written by Merle Haggard, “I Forget You Every Day.” He did so at my request. It made a quick climb up my all-time Gene song chart, where it is locked in at number three behind my all-time favorite country song, “Farewell Party.” Next is “The Old Man And The Horn.” Moe Bandy told great jokes and stories about his longtime friendship and also wowed us with “Bandy The Rodeo Clown” and several more of his hits. What can I say about the incomparable Jimmy Fortune…………he sang many of his greats, including “More Than A Name On A Wall,” dedicated to the many military men on the cruise. (more…)