Diane’s Country Music Newsletter — 14 May 2025
NEWS
Johnny Rodriguez (December 10, 1951 – May 9, 2025)
One of my favorite singers, Johnny Rodriguez, 73, died May 9 after a few days in home hospice. His daughter Aubry, 27, announced his death. Juan Raoul Davis Rodriguez was born December 10, 1951, in Sabinal, Texas. At age 21, he moved to Nashville. According to MusicRow, “Discovered by country legend Tom T. Hall, Rodriguez made his debut in 1972 with the album Introducing Johnny Rodriguez, which featured the chart-topping single ‘Pass Me By (If You’re Only Passing Through).’” His other number ones included “You Always Come Back (To Hurting Me),” “Ridin’ My Thumb to Mexico,” and “That’s the Way Love Goes” (in 1974, ten years before Merle Haggard). My favorite Rodriguez song is “How Could I Love Her So Much.” He was inducted into the Texas Country Music Hall of Fame in 2007. I finally got to see him perform in 2021, in Brady, Texas. Here’s that photo and the album I’ve had for a long, long time.
In a May 7 press release, Jeannie Seely, 84, provided an update on her recent health issues. She says she went through “multiple back surgeries in March, as well as two emergency abdominal surgeries in April, followed by eleven days in the intensive care unit and a bout with pneumonia.” She adds, “Rehab is pretty tough, but each day is looking brighter and last night I saw a light at the end of the tunnel. And it was neon, so I knew it was mine! The unsinkable Seely is working her way back.” Jeannie, we hope you’ll soon be back in action.
The three performers who will portray Dolly Parton in Dolly: An Original Musical have been named. All come from Broadway and national roles. Quinn Titcomb will portray young Dolly, Carrie St. Louis will take on Dolly’s rising star years, and Katie Rose Clarke will play modern-day Dolly. According to Country Thang Daily, none of the three leads came from The Search for Dolly, the show’s national casting competition, but two of those candidates will join the Nashville cast. The production premieres at Belmont University’s Fisher Center in Nashville, running from July 18 through August 31, with an official opening night on August 8. It will head to Broadway in 2026.
A recent ICE operation in Nashville has spread fear throughout parts of the city. The Tennessean reports Immigration and Customs Enforcement partnered with the Tennessee Highway Patrol to make 150 traffic stops as part of a public safety operation that focused on “areas with a history of serious traffic crashes and suspected gang activity.” It took place in the early morning hours of May 4 in the Antioch area surrounding Nolensville Pike and Harding Place. The Nashville mayor’s office insisted the Metro Nashville Police Department was not involved. Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition estimated over 100 people were picked up for minor traffic incidents and arrested under civil immigration charges. “We’ve heard of mothers who were just trying to get to work who were picked up,” a spokeswoman said. “Many families have not yet been able to locate their loved ones.” ICE has not released the names of any of the 84 it says were arrested. In just over a week, more than 500 traffic stops were conducted in Nashville, resulting in over 100 immigrant-related arrests. “The whole conversation out there was it’s Hispanics who are undocumented,” one citizen explains. “So it is uncomfortable to even go to a grocery store, and people kind of look at you.” There are over 2,000 Hispanic-owned businesses within Nashville. Rumors of ICE enforcement on Lower Broadway shut down at least two restaurants there. FOX 17 News could not confirm whether ICE agents were present on Broadway: “Reporters visited multiple bars and restaurants on Sunday, and while none reported direct contact with ICE or sightings of uniformed officers, the widespread concern was undeniable.” As rumors of ICE presence in the area circulated, staffs at several establishments fled. “The general consensus is it doesn’t matter if you’ve got the right paperwork or not, the fear is the same, regardless,” a manager said.
James Dupré, the featured vocalist on Randy Travis’s More Life Tour, has a new single, “Knee Deep In a River,” produced by Kyle Lehning and Jerry Douglas. The song was written by Bob McDill, Dickey Lee, and Kenneth Jones. You can learn about James on his official website at jamesdupre.com.
The ACM New Male Artist of the Year is Zach Top. The announcement came several days before the actual awards show, when Brooks & Dunn delivered a special video message to Zach prior to his sold-out show in Wilmington, North Carolina. The Instagram post announcing his award has more than 95,000 likes. Country Now reports that Zach then made his debut on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, where he sang “I Never Lie” from his debut album, Cold Beer & Country Music. The song Zach co-wrote with Carson Chamberlain and Tim Nichols is the story of a man in denial about his recent breakup: “I ain’t been lonely since you said goodbye/ Wish I could say I miss you, but you know I never lie.”
It was a lifelong dream of Toby Keith to have a horse in the Kentucky Derby. And this year, a Thoroughbred from Toby’s breeding and racing operation competed in the Kentucky Derby. Country Now reports, “Heading into Saturday’s post-position draw, Render Judgment — co-owned by Keith’s Dream Walkin’ Farms — was ranked 21st on the points leaderboard.” But only twenty horses can race. When an injury forced one of the contenders to withdraw, Render Judgment entered the race. He came in number 17 of 19 finishers.
Reba McEntire, 69, is looking back on a half-century of creative dominance. In 50 years she has released 32 studio albums, 26 compilation albums, two live albums and three extended plays, in addition to a career on television. She has 16 ACM Awards, 15 American Music Awards, nine People’s Choice Awards, six CMA Awards and three Grammy Awards. “I never thought at the 20th anniversary that I’d be hitting this one,” she tells PEOPLE. “I have to give a lot of credit to people who have been before me —Tammy, Dolly, Loretta — who have paved the roads for girl singers of my generation and the ones that are coming up after me. It’s been a lot of fun.”
At the eighth annual Nashville Songwriter Awards scheduled for September 23 at the Ryman Auditorium, two of the organization’s highest honors will be celebrated with special segments. MusicRow reports that Alabama will receive NSAI’s pinnacle honor, the Kris Kristofferson Lifetime Achievement Award, in recognition of the band’s contributions to the American songbook–43 number ones and over 80 million records sold. Previous Kris Kristofferson award recipients include Alan Jackson (2024), Bobby Braddock (2023), Garth Brooks (2022), Bill Anderson (2018), and Willie Nelson (2013). Brenda Lee will be awarded the NSAI President’s Keystone Award for her significant contributions to the industry for the betterment of all songwriters. She signed her first record deal at the age of 11 and has sold over 100 million albums. She was the first woman inducted into both the Rock and Roll and Country Music Halls of Fame. She holds the record for longest gap between No. 1 charting hits, from “I’m Sorry” in 1960 to “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” in 2023.
At the 2025 ACM Awards show, Alan Jackson, 66, received the first-ever Alan Jackson Lifetime Achievement Award. “A few years ago, one of my fans named their dog after me. I thought that was really something,” PEOPLE reports him as saying. “I came to Nashville with a paper sack full of songs and a crazy dream. And all these years later I’m standing here receiving such an honor. It’s just mind-blowing.” Prior to the award, he sang his 2003 hit, “Remember When.” (The first time I heard that song was when Lloyd Green proudly played it for me to hear their collaboration.) Alan suffers from a degenerative nerve condition called Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, which affects his ability to walk and perform on stage. He once told an interviewer, “I don’t want them to think I’m drunk on stage because I’m having problems with mobility and balance. I have this neuropathy, neurological disease I inherited from my daddy.” There is no known cure for the disease, which affects the nerves that control the muscles.
Belmont University awarded Trisha Yearwood and Hillary Lindsey with honorary Doctor of the University degrees during its 2025 Spring Commencement ceremonies May 2-3 at the Curb Event Center, according to MusicRow. Trisha Yearwood graduated from Belmont in 1986 with a degree in music business. In 1991 she became the first female country artist to have a No. 1 debut single, “She’s in Love with the Boy.” She is a New York Times bestselling cookbook author, Emmy-winning host of Trisha’s Southern Kitchen on Food Network, and philanthropist. Hillary Lindsey, a Belmont alumna and award-winning songwriter, has written 28 No. 1 country singles, including Carrie Underwood’s “Jesus, Take the Wheel.” She is a member of both the Nashville and National Songwriters Halls of Fame.
At the 60th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards in Frisco, Texas, Brooks & Dunn received their 17th Duo of the Year award. Their first ACM award came in 1992. The release of Reboot II last fall has given their career a resurgence. Whiskey Riff reports they are the most awarded duo in ACM history, with 31 total wins.
WLBT-TV in Jackson, Mississippi, reports that the lawsuit Garth Brooks filed against his former hairdresser in U.S. District Court in Mississippi, followed by her motion to dismiss, has been closed. The judge found her motion moot, which means it is no longer relevant. Garth initially filed in her home state to prevent her from going public with allegations that he raped and sexually assaulted her. She then filed charges in California state court; the case was moved to a federal court in California. Garth filed a motion to dismiss that lawsuit, but his motion was refused because the “original action” was still open in Mississippi. Now that the Mississippi case has ended, the case in California may move forward.
LETTERS
Judi Myrick writes from Nashville, “I look forward always to reading your newsletter. The April 30th was extra special because of the correspondence from Nobuhiko Ogino in Kobe, Japan. My late husband, Weldon Myrick, picked with Nobuhiko at the City Lights in Kobe, Japan. I am enclosing a photo of Nobuhiko and his precious family with Weldon at The Long Horn restaurant when they came to Nashville in 2002. It brought back so many good memories. Thank you!”
Tom Barton says, “I was so sorry to read about the passing of Ruth Buzzi. I was also astounded to see a clip from when she appeared on The Marty Robbins Show. She pulled some pranks that Marty was not prepared for, or so it appeared…. Just curious — were they good friends in real life?”
Diane: I never heard mention of her name in my research. I would guess they only came together for the show.
Joseph Allen writes, “I just want to say my favourite Pig Robbins piano is on Tom T Hall’s song ‘Little Brown Suitcase.’ The piano is the prominent instrument that gives this song so much feeling, at least in my ears and mind.”
Diane: Wow, that is some piano. I don’t recall having heard the song before.
Carol Grace Anderson in Nashville says, “Another article filled with interesting info.”
Mike Johnson writes, “Great issue as usual. So sad, so many gone to Hillbilly Heaven. In regard to the copyright infringement of your book cover, you and/or your publisher and attorney should demand eBay identify the Seller’s contact information. I would also click the eBay Seller’s contact link and issue a cease & desist order. I would also demand the name and contact information of the person(s) who created and printed the t-shirts. I say ‘demand’ because your intellectual property is being used without your permission. This is how I’ve always dealt with potential copyright infringers. The internet has made it easier to track the whereabouts of our intellectual property and I’ve taken full advantage of it over the years by periodically monitoring my works online.”
Diane: The intellectual property manager at the University of Illinois Press contacted eBay, and the ad was taken down. I sent a note to the seller but, as expected, received no response.
Jackie Allen Thomas in Arizona says, “Wow, thanks again for a great country music newsletter. So much of this news is never reported in the media and we always hear it from you. Thanks again and keep those great Newsletters coming.”
Bobby Fischer says, “I think Journalism could win the Kentucky Derby. Since you’re a great journalist, you should try a few bucks across the board.”
Diane: He came close, didn’t he?
Moragh Carter writes from the UK, “Just thought you would like to know that Jack Blanchard celebrates his 95th birthday on May 8th. Since his wife Misty Morgan died in January 2021, Jack now has a new partner in life, Bonnie Rother. He and Misty had known Bonnie and her late husband for many years. They seem to be very happy together and he says they ‘make each other laugh’.”
Eric Calhoun in Los Angeles says, “I love the idea that the game between the Braves and Reds will be played at Bristol Motor Speedway. Key fact: The Nashville Sounds used to be the parent club of the Cincinnati Reds in the early to mid-‘80s. There has not been an attempt to play an MLB game at First Horizon (formerly First Tennessee) Bank Stadium. Sorry to hear of Lorrie Morgan having to cancel all concerts through April. Lorrie has been a huge mainstay of country music, the daughter of George Morgan. I’m glad to see there will be an audio book for Dolly Parton coming out. Speaking of Dolly, part of her Dollywood group has bought Castle Amusement Park, Riverside, California. I have been to this park. Fairly small but a great facility.”
Ken Johnson says, “Never knew that Chubby Checker’s earliest musical influence is a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame! That performer is referenced twice in this article.”
Diane: I’ll include this quote for readers who can’t open the link: “I was 4 years old when I saw Ernest Tubb. From there, all I wanted to do was be on stage, and sing music. There was nothing else in my head. I was an obnoxious kid from the time I was 4 until I hit 17 and made my first recording.”
Don Ewert writes from Milwaukee, a great place on a great lake in Wisconsin, “I’m writing to wish Jeannie Seely all the best as she recovers from a couple surgeries. I’m sure she’ll be fine. I just remembered something Penny DeHaven told me about Jeannie; she said, ‘Jeannie is Forever Young.’”
Ronnie Traywick in Marshville, North Carolina, says, “Great read.”
RANDY TRAVIS: STORMS OF LIFE
Sam Ehlinger, publicity coordinator for University of Illinois Press, says, “I have a few advanced reading copies left. If you are a journalist interested in reading an ARC, please reach out to pr*************@*******is.edu with your address. Then we can send out the ones that are left.”
As a reminder, the book release party for RANDY TRAVIS: STORMS OF LIFE will take place at 3 p.m. on Saturday, June 28, at Legends of Country Music Museum, 2613 McGavock Pike in Nashville. The event will be free to the public.
SONG OF THE WEEK
While searching for information about Johnny Rodriguez, I came across a mention on social media of the time he appeared with Johnny Cash on Nashville Now in 1987 to sing “Deportee–Plane Wreck at Los Gatos.” They had recorded the song on the 1985 Highwayman album, with Johnny R. as a guest. Here is the original recording of Johnny C. and Johnny R., along with Willie Nelson, on the Woody Guthrie song. I checked YouTube for any recording by Woody Guthrie and found this duet by Hoyt Axton and Arlo Guthrie.
BOOK REVIEW
After reading Shania Twain: From This Moment On, I am filled with admiration for Shania and all she has overcome in life. I’m also impressed that she wrote her 2011 autobiography herself. She says it began as an exercise to deal with the trauma of the extreme betrayal by her husband and her best friend. It expresses deep emotions that are clearly written from the heart. She doesn’t whine, brag, make excuses, or point fingers. She accepts responsibility for her actions and describes her feelings as best she can. The first half of the book covers her youth in Canada as Eilleen Twain. Her parents fought so violently that she frequently thought her mother had been killed. The family was so poor that they sometimes lived in a one-room basement and the children went to school dirty and without food. After her parents built a tree-planting company, she worked summers as a teenager planting trees in the forests with crews of men. At age 22 she became guardian of her three younger siblings when her parents were killed in a vehicle accident. Her passion was songwriting, and she preferred singing harmony but had to be a lead singer to make an income. Then she moved to Nashville and became Shania Twain.
In the second half of the book, she talks about the record albums she and husband Mutt Lange made together and describes her extensive tours throughout the 1990s. She focuses on her feelings and actions, filling in factual details as needed. The couple moved to Switzerland, where Shania knew no one and couldn’t speak the language. She became friends with Mutt’s assistant, and the two women supported each other as they gave birth at the same time. When Shania worried that Mutt was having an affair in 2008, her friend assured her he would never treat her that way. Until the friend’s husband came to inform Shania that their spouses were having a longstanding affair. Who would think Shania Twain could feel worthless as a person? Who would think she could have body image issues? For anyone living in an abusive relationship, I highly recommend this book. You will know you aren’t alone. For anyone with self-worth issues, I highly recommend this book. Overall, it proves that money doesn’t buy happiness and that the image you form of yourself in your childhood stays with you forever.
MUSICIANS HALL OF FAME IN NASHVILLE – 2014 (final third)
Velma Smith was the lone female member of Nashville’s “A-team” of studio musicians. She played rhythm guitar on hits such as Eddy Arnold’s “Make the World Go Away”, Jim Reeves’s “I Love You Because,” and Hank Locklin’s “Please Help Me, I’m Falling. Born Velma Williams in Kentucky in 1927, the self-taught musician joined Roy Acuff’s Smoky Mountain Boys as a bass player in 1942. In 1948, she married fellow band member Hal Smith, who later co-founded Pamper Music. Velma also played in the bands of Ernest Tubb and Carl Smith. She was the first female to perform a solo on the NBC Network portion of the Grand Ole Opry. Hal died in 2008. Velma died in 2014 at age 87.
Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble are credited with igniting the Blues Revival in the 1980s with sold out concerts and gold records. Stevie on guitar, Chris Layton on drums, Tommy Shannon on bass guitar, and Reese Wynans on keyboards played together from 1978 until Stevie’s death in a helicopter crash in 1990. They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2015. Stevie, born (in 1952) and raised in Dallas, Texas, is considered one of the most influential musicians in the history of blues music and one of the greatest guitarists of all time. He was the younger brother of guitarist Jimmie Vaughan. After Stevie’s death at age 35, Double Trouble continued to record and tour. Chris Layton, now 69, and Tommy Shannon, now 79, released an album in 2001. Reese Wynans, now 77, moved to Nashville in 1992 and still performs.
Mike Curb is the first recipient of the Musicians Hall of Fame Industry Icon Award. Born in Savannah, Georgia, in 1944, he grew up in the San Fernando Valley in Los Angeles, California. He was lieutenant governor of California from 1979 to 1983. At age 18, he formed a record label that he later merged with MGM and became president of MGM Records. His co-written song, “Burning Bridges,” became the theme of the Clint Eastwood movie, Kelly’s Heroes. In 1994, Mike moved to Nashville and founded Curb Records; he is also chairman of Word Entertainment. He was inducted into the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame in 2018 for his “contributions and support of the Hall of Fame.” This is only a short list of the many accolades and contributions credited to Mike Curb in his 80 years.
Roy Orbison, posthumously, is the first recipient of the Iconic Riff award for the famous guitar lick he created on his hit record, “Oh, Pretty Woman.” It is considered “one the most covered and iconic guitar riffs of all time.” Born in Texas in 1936, Roy was signed by Sam Phillips of Sun Records in 1956. After switching to Monument Records, he wrote or co-wrote most of his hits, including “Only the Lonely” (1960), “Running Scared” (1961), “Crying” (1961), “In Dreams” (1963), “Oh, Pretty Woman” (1964), “I Drove All Night” (1987), “She’s a Mystery to Me” (1988), “You Got It” (1988), and “California Blue” (1988). He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1987. He died in 1988 of a heart attack at age 52 and was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame the following year.