Diane’s Country Music Newsletter — 16 October 2024

NEWS

Where to begin to summarize news reports of the Garth Brooks sexual assault scandal? CNN first broke the story by reporting that Garth’s former hair and makeup artist (“Jane Roe”) had filed a lawsuit with the California Supreme Court in Los Angeles County, accusing Garth of raping and sexually assaulting her in 2019. In a statement obtained by Country Now, Garth responded by saying, “For the last two months, I have been hassled to no end with threats, lies, and tragic tales of what my future would be if I did not write a check for many millions of dollars. It has been like having a loaded gun waved in my face.” He explained that he had filed a lawsuit in Mississippi a month earlier, under the name John Doe to protect the families.

That lawsuit said Roe worked as an independent contractor and moved to Mississippi in 2020. Experiencing financial difficulties, she asked Garth for financial assistance, and he complied. Her demands increased, and when he said no, she responded with allegations of sexual misconduct from several years ago. He claimed he was the “victim of a shakedown” and that Roe “devised a malicious scheme to blackmail” him into paying her “millions of dollars” after he “rejected her request for salaried employment and medical benefits.” On October 8, Garth submitted court documents saying that he would “re-file his [original] complaint without pseudonyms” against “Jane Roe,” claiming her attorneys “disclosed” his identity to the press. Roe’s attorneys issued a statement to PEOPLE after Garth refiled his complaint, accusing her by name of “extortion” and “defamation.” They said: “With no legal justification, Brooks outed her because he thinks the laws don’t apply to him. On behalf of our client, we will be moving for maximum sanctions against him immediately.” They also said, “We are confident that Brooks will be held accountable for his actions and his efforts to silence our client through the filing of a preemptive complaint in Mississippi was nothing other than an act of desperation and attempted intimidation. We encourage others who may have been victimized to contact us as no survivor should suffer in silence.”

Music industry executive Marty Gamblin, 80, died October 9, reports MusicRow. A native of Philadelphia, Mississippi, he served as a consultant for Marty Stuart’s Congress of Country Music. He spent twenty years as president of Glen Campbell Music Group in Nashville, where he managed the careers of Alan Jackson, Bryan White, Dorothy Moore, Pearl River, and Ruby Lovette. The company notched 16 No. 1 hits during his tenure. He was a member of the advisory board at Belmont University’s Mike Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business. After his return to Mississippi in 2003, he was inducted into the Mississippi Musicians Hall of Fame and became the founding executive director of the Mississippi Arts + Entertainment Center (The MAX). He was honored with a marker on the Mississippi Country Music Trail in 2019.

News On 6 in Tulsa, Oklahoma, reports that downtown Muskogee has a new statue in front of the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame. A bronze statue of Merle Haggard was unveiled on October 10 outside of the Civic Center, on the 55th anniversary of when he recorded “Okie from Muskogee” there. The statue is in view of “Old Glory down at the courthouse,” one of the lyrics in the song. Ben and Noel accepted the honor on their dad’s behalf and then headlined a concert that night. In 1996, the Oklahoma State Legislature designated Muskogee as the site for the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame & Museum. Since then, more than 130 people have been inducted. The Hag, although not from Oklahoma, was the first inductee because of the impact he had on Muskogee and the state. “Okie From Muskogee put this little town on the map,” says the executive producer of Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame. “He was pretty proud of this song and we’re pretty proud of him for doing that song.”

Radio-Online reports a new Classic Country format in Los Angeles. Mount Wilson FM Broadcasters flipped Classical KMZT-AM (1260) to “Go Country Gold,” effective October 1. Also heard on KKGO-HD4, it will focus on ’80s, ’90s, and early 2000s and will include Garth Brooks, Alabama, Reba, Randy Travis, Brooks & Dunn, George Strait, The Judds, Alan Jackson, and Patsy Cline as core artists. “We won’t forget about the ’60s or ’70s and also feature West Coast classics that influenced the format,” says owner and station manager Saul Levine. “For years, Southern California country fans sold out venues from the Palomino Club and The Troubadour to The Forum and now So-Fi Stadium. We’re proud to offer these passionate music fans a second radio station for Country Music.”

Faith-based community Homestead Heritage is suing Rory Feek’s eldest daughter, Heidi, and the Taste of Country website for defamation after both published accusations of a history of child abuse within the community. Heidi (37) has claimed her half-sister, Indiana (10), is not safe with their father, Rory Feek (59), because he and his new wife, Rebecca, are raising her within the Homestead Heritage culture. According to PEOPLE, Rory has barred Heidi from contacting her sister due to what he calls their differing worldviews. Homestead concedes that one isolated incident of incest in 2005 was reported to authorities. Homestead is seeking at least $250,000 in compensatory damages and a trial by jury.

The country trio Rascal Flatts has reunited and is back on the road. The band says in a press release, “In 2020, we announced the farewell tour after being on the road extensively for 20 years. To put it simply, we needed a break. Then COVID hit and our plans came to a screeching halt, like the rest of the world.” Lead vocalist Gary LeVox, lead guitarist Joe Don Rooney, and bassist Jay DeMarcus will celebrate 25 years of hitmaking with their 21-stop “The Life Is a Highway Tour” across the U.S. from February 13 (Evansville, Indiana) through April 5 (Jacksonville, Florida). They will be in Sioux Falls on February 27.

MusicRow reports Jamey Johnson, 49, has signed with Warner Music Nashville through his record label, Big Gassed Records. “The reason I signed with Warner Music Nashville is Cris Lacy,” he says. “She is one of my longest-term friends I’ve had in the music business. We started our careers around the same time. She cares about me being able to put out music.” Cris is co-Chair & co-President of Warner Music Nashville and the person behind Randy Travis’s recent AI-generated single release. Cris says, “For 14 years, those of us in the industry, and fans outside of it, have been begging Jamey Johnson to release another solo studio album. . .. Warner Music Nashville has the great honor of reintroducing this incomparable artist to a worldwide audience…on his terms…proof that great things are worth waiting for!” Jamey’s first release is “Someday When I’m Old,” a song written by Chris Lindsey, Aimee Mayo, and Troy Verges. “It was the last demo I sang before I started working with BNA Records,” he says. “Aimee called me back then and she wanted to be able to say she hired me to sing my last demo.” Jamey remembered it from 2004 as being a great song, and it “seems to be exactly where I am right now.”

One of many Facebook posts purporting to be from Alan Jackson says, “I Alan Jackson promise to love you from the very depth of my heart If I can get Hi from you.” Hundreds liked that post, and hundreds more shared the post or left comments telling Alan they love him. Another from “Alan Jackson’s private page” says, “I will be happy to see HI from my fan that truly loves my songs.” And one says, “Two the most sweetest fans who truly love Alan Jackson I need you to TEXT me HI now.” If this were actually Alan, he would probably use correct grammar. And still, people like and comment and share these posts, apparently thinking they’re talking to Alan. There’s a new Merle Haggard one that asks people to post “One song of mine you love most.” And they do! A response by “Noel Haggard” says, “Thank you for being an amazing supporter! I’d love to connect with you more closely – feel free to send me a direct message anytime for exclusive insights and discussions!” Yeah, right. Like Merle’s son would post that. How can people be suckered in by this stuff?

Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI) reports it will celebrate the career of Alabama frontman Randy Owen, 74, by naming him a BMI Icon during the 72nd annual BMI Country Awards. The invitation-only event will be held at BMI’s Nashville office on November 19. Since his 1974 affiliation with BMI, Randy has received more than 25 BMI Million-Air awards, earned the BMI President’s Award, and received the BMI Country Song of the Year accolade for “Fallin’ Again.” The BMI Icon Award recognizes exceptional songwriters for their unique and indelible influence on music makers over many generations. Previous BMI Icons include Toby Keith, Loretta Lynn, Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, Dolly Parton, Kris Kristofferson, Dean Dillon, Hank Williams, Jr., Stevie Nicks, Little Richard, Carole King, Patti LaBelle, Brian Wilson, James Brown, and more.

During a press conference in the parking lot of a Walmart in Newport, Tennessee, Dolly Parton announced she will personally donate $1 million from her own bank account, along with an additional $1 million from the Dollywood Foundation and other partners, to assist in Hurricane Helene relief efforts. She donated to a nonprofit called Mountain Ways Foundation that provides flood relief across the Appalachian region. Salon quotes her as saying, “God has been good to me and so has the public, and I feel that if there’s anything I can do to give back in any way I can I’m always willing to do that. I want to feel like I’m doing my part.” Taylor Swift, according to Reuters, donated $5 million to Feeding America to alleviate some of the pain of the storms’ destruction across the Southern States. Keith Urban, Luke Combs, and Eric Church have organized a concert benefit called “Concert for Carolina” on October 26. Morgan Wallen participated in a food drive in Knoxville, Tennessee, and donated $500,000 to the American Red Cross for hurricane relief.

Zach Top, 27, made his debut at Billy Bob’s Texas in Fort Worth this past weekend. Randy Travis, 65, joined him onstage as he sang Randy’s first hit, “1982.” Zach said, “I’m gonna try to do as good of justice as I can to one of this man’s songs. It’s one of my favorites, and a whole bunch of his are my favorites.” Country Chord reports Zach delivered a knockout cover while Randy looked on and smiled.

LETTERS

Bill Anderson writes from Nashville, “Thanks so much for the nice paragraph about my new EP in your October newsletter. I performed the first single, ‘The Last One I’ll Forget,’ on the Opry for the first time this past Saturday night. Steve Dorff, my co-writer and record producer, came out to play keyboards with me onstage. It was his first time to ever play the Opry, and was quite exciting for us both. Hope you’re well and happy.”

Doug Lippert in Carmel (Greater Indianapolis), Indiana, says, “I know I speak for all of your readers when I say ‘thank you for another great newsletter.’ My random thoughts as I read: Kris Kristofferson was an amazing person, let alone singer/songwriter/actor, wasn’t he? I can only hope my obit is 1/10 the good read Kris’s was. So nice to always see Bill Anderson mentioned. Clearly he exemplifies how staying active and thriving can help contribute to a long life. I’ll need to take a road trip to see the Jerry Lee Lewis statue. Thanks for making us aware of it. PS. Are all your readers as blown away as I am that JLL also taught his cousins Mickey Gilley and Jimmy Swaggart to play piano the way they do?”

Roger Ryan writes, “Greetings from Ireland. Many thanks for your latest newsletter, chock full of news as usual. Heading back to Nashville soon for CMA Awards.”

Ronald Reagan says, “I am so glad to see Tori Martin getting recognition. I follow her on Facebook. She did a Christmas song several years ago. I uploaded it to my YouTube channel when I couldn’t find it anywhere.”


Mike Johnson writes from Alexandria, Virginia, “So sad hearing about the passing of another great songwriter, Kris Kristofferson. I remember when I was recording my songs in Nashville during the 1980s, one of my goals was to become a staff writer for Tree Publishing Company and possibly get to work with Kris, Roger Miller, and Willie Nelson. I changed my mind when I learned that everything a staff writer writes, belongs to the publisher, so I started my own publishing. Thanks for mentioning Joyce Leonard, Michigan’s Yodeling Sweetheart. It’s 11:36 p.m. and I’m about to chill with a movie. Just back from watching two of my local music friends perform.”

Mary Mitchell says, “WOW, a great letter again. Kris K. is a great loss. I did not see where he is buried. Tommy Cash is also someone I enjoyed listening to. I have a light king-sized spread of Bill Anderson. It features an 8×10 picture of Bill and across the side of the picture is an 8 x 10 block with one of his songs written. My sons are not interested, and I am going to be eighty-seven in January. I do not want it to go to a Thrift Store. I paid 360.00 for it many, many years ago. Never been slept on as it was in one of my spare bedrooms. It’s truly a vintage item. Les Singer suggested I put it on Facebook. I am so sorry for the loss of Les, we were very good friends. I had two phone calls with him shortly after he got sick. He is at peace with no more pain.”

Diane: If anyone is interested in purchasing Mary’s quilt, email her at WoodlandPark1@aol.com.

Marc Covington writes from Ellis County, Texas, “Been enjoying your newsletters for years. I have your books about Faron Young and Marty Robbins….loved them both and can’t wait until your Randy Travis book is available. I’m 80 years old and have been a fan of Ray Price since I was fifteen or sixteen. He’s always been my favorite singer since I discovered him. The great steel guitar work of Buddy Emmons, Jimmy Day, et al, was a big part of what drew me to him. And it was the impetus for me to begin steel guitar lessons at age 19.  Unfortunately, I had to stop after five months due to financial/transportation reasons. I had to take two buses each way from my small town into the big city for lessons with a travel time each way of one hour and forty-five minutes. Sorry….I digress. I knew Ray recorded a song that I believe he wrote called ‘Each Time’ that was on his Sweetheart of the Year album in 1969. The lyrics were very good, but I never cared for that arrangement as it was done with a lush, large orchestra. I grew up with honky-tonk music and that’s still my favorite genre. And that’s my reason for writing this letter. Recently I was on YouTube and discovered a video of ‘Each Time’….and it was done in 1966 in honky-tonk style, stating ‘Unissued.’ I thought I would send a link and let your readers enjoy a real country song. Sorry for this long-winded letter.”

Martha Moore of “so much MOORE media” says, “Making sure you got our Tori Martin news… big things happening!!” LuckySky Music recording artist Tori Martin returns to guest host two episodes of Country Fix airing through October 27. In support of her hit single, Lost In The Country, she is expanding her touring schedule to share select dates with Drew Baldridge, whose recent release, “She’s Somebody’s Daughter,” made him the first self-released artist to have a debut single hit No. 1 on the Country Aircheck/Mediabase chart. Tori says. “I love to perform, and I’m ready for us all to get lost in the country … music together.”

Bobby Fischer writes from Nashville, “Nice off-the-wall compliment for our song ‘You Lie.’ Reba has a ‘you lie’ button on The Voice TV show.”

SONG OF THE WEEK

A song that disc jockeys often play on Thanksgiving Day or whenever they want to thank someone is Thanks a Lot by Ernest Tubb. And I always wonder, Have they listened to the song? It’s pure sarcasm. It begins with the chorus, “Thanks / Thanks a lot / I got a broken heart / That’s all I’ve got.” The first verse includes the lines, “You said I deserve / Just what I got / Well if that’s how you feel / Honey thanks a lot.” Ernest Tubb brought the song to #3 on Billboard in 1963. It was co-written by Don Sessions and Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame member Eddie Miller, who also co-wrote “There She Goes” and “Release Me”; all three songs won BMI awards.

NASHVILLE SONGWRITERS HALL OF FAME – 2024 – SECOND HALF

Two veteran songwriters and one veteran singer/songwriter will be inducted during the 54th Anniversary Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Gala on November 6, along with the posthumous induction of Tony Joe White as the Legacy songwriter. This category honors hall-of-fame-worthy candidates who did not get inducted during their lifetimes. Born in Louisiana in 1943 and raised on a cotton farm with six older siblings, Tony Joe moved to Nashville in the mid-1960s and often said Bobbie Gentry’s “Ode to Billie Joe” was his inspiration for songwriting. Numerous stars have recorded his songs, including Elvis Presley, Dusty Springfield, Brook Benton, Ray Charles, Waylon Jennings, and Tina Turner. He was known for his swamp-rock sound–a mix of rock, country, and R&B, with his biggest songwriting hits being “Polk Salad Annie” and “Rainy Night in Georgia.” He died unexpectedly of a heart attack at his home in Leiper’s Fork, Tennessee, on October 25, 2018, at age 75.

Dan Penn was born Wallace Daniel Pennington in 1941 in Vernon, Alabama. While in high school, he wrote “Is A Bluebird Blue,” which was recorded by Conway Twitty. In 1962, he became the first staff songwriter for FAME Studio in Muscle Shoals. In 1966, he moved to Memphis, where he co-wrote “Do Right Woman, Do Right Man” and “The Dark End Of The Street” with Chips Moman. Dan produced “The Letter” for the Box Tops. He and Spooner Oldham co-wrote such hits such as “I’m Your Puppet,” “It Tears Me Up,” “Cry Like A Baby,” and “Sweet Inspiration.” After Dan moved to Nashville, his songs were recorded by Mickey Gilley, Porter Wagoner & Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson, Charlie Rich, John Prine, Kris Kristofferson, Johnny Rodriguez, and T.G. Sheppard. Dan, now 82, is touring this fall, both as a solo act and with Spooner Oldham.

Born in 1962 in Manhattan, New York, Victoria Shaw moved with her family to Los Angeles at age five. She wrote her first song at age 11 and formed a band at age 13. She moved back to New York at 18, managing a studio and playing in piano bars. She began commuting to Nashville in 1983 as a singer/songwriter. In 1990 Gary Morris signed her to his publishing company. She and Garth Brooks co-wrote his hits “The River” and “She’s Every Woman.” She also wrote or co-wrote “Too Busy Being In Love” by Doug Stone, “I Love The Way You Love Me” by John Michael Montgomery,” and “We Don’t Have To Do This” by Tanya Tucker. Victoria earned two Daytime Emmys for Outstanding Original Song: “This Is Our Moment” by Olivia Newton-John (on As The World Turns) and “When I Think Of You” by Victoria Shaw (on One Life To Live). She has a website and is 62 years old.

Veteran songwriter/artist David Bellamy, born in 1950, and his singing partner/older brother, Howard, still live near their hometown of Darby, Florida. They followed in the footsteps of their country musician father. David’s first songwriting success came in 1974 when Jim Stafford recorded their co-written “Spiders and Snakes.” The first country hit for the Bellamy Brothers was David’s “If I Said You Have A Beautiful Body (Would You Hold It Against Me).” David wrote their chart toppers, “Sugar Daddy,” “Dancin’ Cowboys,” “For All The Wrong Reasons,” “Redneck Girl,” “I Need More Of You,” “Kids Of The Baby Boom” and “Old Hippie.” He has written or co-written songs sung by Carl Perkins, Clint Black, Rod Stewart, Blake Shelton, Frankie Miller, Alan Jackson, Dolly Parton, and others. Most recently, he wrote “No Country For Old Men,” which the Bellamy Brothers recorded with John Anderson. David, 74, and Harold, 78, have a website at https://honkytonkranchtv.com/.

This completes my series on the members of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, which began in August 2022. What Hall of Fame do you want to learn about next? Or some other series?

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