CONCERT REVIEW – ZACH TOP A long awaited (by me, anyway) concert came to Sioux Falls almost two weeks ago. Marty Stuart and His Fabulous Superlatives opened for Zach Top at the Denny Sanford Premier Center. They came onstage exactly at eight o’clock and kicked off with “Tear the Woodpile Down.” That extremely fast polka […]
IN THE SPOTLIGHT – EDDIE BAYERS When Nashville session drummer Eddie Bayers was called to the office of Country Music Association CEO Sarah Trahern in 2021, he expected a meeting to discuss voting criteria for Musician of the Year. Instead, Sarah informed him he had been elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame. That […]
By Cleve Francis Cleve Francis is a famous country singer you may have never heard of. And it wasn’t for lack of trying. Growing up in the Jim Crow South in Jennings, Louisiana, he faced discrimination at every turn. The town’s Carnegie library, the oldest established library in the state, stood as a bulwark […]
BOOK REVIEW – DO MY HEART GOOD Cleve Francis is a famous country singer you may have never heard of. And it wasn’t for lack of trying. Growing up in the Jim Crow South in Jennings, Louisiana, he faced discrimination at every turn. The town’s Carnegie Library, the oldest established library in the state, stood […]
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 […]