Diane’s Country Music Newsletter — 28 May 2025
NEWS
At a May 17 concert in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, during his Last Call: One More for the Road Tour, Alan Jackson, 66, announced he is “winding down.” He confirmed, “This is my last road show.” According to a press release, this is his last year of major touring, with his “big finale” set for summer 2026 in Nashville. “We just felt like we had to end it all where it all started, and that’s in Nashville, Tennessee – Music City – where country music lives,” he explained. “I gotta do the last one there.”
Jamey Johnson, 49, married attorney Brittney Eakins, 33, at Graystone Quarry in Franklin, Tennessee, on May 20. According to PEOPLE, the couple scheduled the wedding for a weekday to enable touring musicians to be there. The 350 guests included Kid Rock, Lukas Nelson, Chapel Hart, Zac Brown, Gary Allan, Dean Dillon, Nancy Jones, Randy and Mary Travis, and Mac McAnally. Towering trees and lush greenery at the reclaimed Limestone rock quarry set a romantic and tranquil tone. Following a private ceremony, Jamey and Brittney again exchanged vows at a ceremony officiated by country singer Randy Houser. The 15 bridesmaids wore floor-length black gowns, and the groomsmen wore black suits. The newlyweds shared their first dance to Chris LeDoux’s “Look at You Girl,” sung live by ERNEST. The couple met in Jackson, Mississippi, at the inauguration of Governor Tate Reeves at the State Capitol in 2019.
Artists such as Randy Travis, Cardi B, Mary J. Blige, and the Dave Matthews Band have expressed support for the NO FAKES Act, a bill offering federal protection against deepfakes of one’s name, image, or voice. Stereogum reports that Martina McBride spoke at a Senate Judiciary Subcommittee hearing. She said passing the NO FAKES Act could “set America on the right course to develop the world’s best AI while preserving the sacred qualities that make our country so special.” She described a situation where her fans believed they were talking to her; they eventually sold their house and funneled the money to someone they thought was Martina. “That is so devastating to me to realize that somebody who trusts me could be duped like that,” Martina stated.
American Idol runner-up John Foster celebrated the end of his journey by singing Toby Keith’s “Courtesy of The Red White and Blue (The Angry American).” Country Now reports Jamal Roberts won Season 23 and Breanna Nix was third. Earlier in the evening, Foster and judge Luke Bryan sang “Deeper Than the Holler,” the 1988 Randy Travis hit from his Old 8×10 album.
When Crittenden County High School in Marion, Kentucky, graduated its Class of 2025 last week, Bill Anderson was there from Nashville to present the first annual Eugene “Mose” Ward scholarship to one of the graduates. Joining him was Gus Arrendale, President of Springer Mountain Farms, and 2024 graduate Cutter Singleton of the band Cutter & Cash and The Kentucky Grass. Gene and his wife, Jeannie Seely, mentored Cutter & Cash, and Jeannie produces music with them. Following Gene’s death in December, his family established a scholarship in his name to be awarded annually at Crittenden County High School as a tribute to the relationship formed between the Singleton brothers, Mose, and Jeannie, reports The Crittenden Press.
Violet Elaine Tubb Wingerter, 85, the eldest daughter of Ernest Tubb and his first wife, Elaine, died May 20. In the 1950s, she recorded for Decca Records under the name Scooter Bill Tubb. For many years, she worked at the Ernest Tubb Record Shop in downtown Nashville. Family and friends gathered at Hermitage Funeral Home on May 23 to celebrate her life.
The Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum recently celebrated the opening of its newest exhibition, Dolly Parton: Journey of a Seeker. Alison Krauss & Union Station sang “Coat of Many Colors” and “The Seeker.” The evening concluded with remarks by Dolly. The exhibit, which will be open until September 2026, covers Dolly’s more than 60-year career and the obstacles she overcame on her way to become one of the most beloved and widely recognized celebrities in the world.
Musicrow reports that Lisa Sutton, daughter of Lynn Anderson, is holding a clothing and estate sale of her mother’s possessions on May 31-June 1 at her Nashville residence, the former home of her father, Glenn Sutton. Among the items for sale are Lynn’s clothes, worn during her performances at the CMA Awards, Grand Ole Opry, and on The Lawrence Welk Show. The street address will be provided upon RSVP to gd*******@************ty.com. When my sister and I visited Lisa several years ago, she was almost overwhelmed by the amount of possessions she had inherited from both parents and would have to distribute. I’m glad she’s making progress.
Our best wishes go out to Chris Gage and his wife, Christine Albert. She reports that Chris has Stage IV prostate cancer that was already advanced when discovered in October; he also narrowly survived a heart attack. She writes on social media, “It has been a balancing act between the heart and the cancer ever since, and Chris has given his all to testing, multiple treatments, and constant trips to MD Anderson in Houston. . .. Chris has metastases in his bones from femur to jaw, and that is a heavy pain burden to carry. He is on some serious meds and received palliative radiation last week at MDA.” Chris, a native of Pierre, South Dakota, was the founding member of the still-beloved 1970s country swing band, Red Willow Band (inducted into the South Dakota Rock and Roll Hall of Fame). He moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma, to play piano with Roy Clark for eight years. He appeared with Roy on the Grand Old Opry, the Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, Hee Haw, and a 1988 tour of the Soviet Union. Chris and Christine own MoonHouse Studio in Austin, Texas. Chris plays keyboards in the all-star house band for the Austin City Limits Hall of Fame specials that air on New Year’s Eve.
Don Mills, former member of Ernest Tubb’s Texas Troubadours and Cal Smith’s Country Bumpkins, died May 17. He lived with his wife, Carrie, in Manor, Texas, and suffered from dementia. I haven’t found an obituary.
The Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum has renewed its lease with Metro Nashville Government to remain at the Nashville Municipal Auditorium through 2045, reports Musicrow. The museum plans to renovate and expand the Grammy Museum Gallery, which is housed within the museum. Philanthropist Mike Curb provided a $500,000 gift to the Grammy Museum Foundation for the renovation. Linda Chambers, CEO and co-founder of the Musicians Hall of Fame, says, “The Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum has been a passion project for decades, celebrating both undersung and legendary musicians, as well as the session musicians, engineers and producers who create your favorite songs.”
Jelly Roll, 40, visited the Adult Detention Center at Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office ahead of his show in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on May 20. He spoke with the sheriff, staff, and detainees about his time being incarcerated and how it influenced him as a father. He was first charged at age 13 and spent the next 13 years in and out of the system. He was jailed over 40 times for various drug charges and eventually got charged as an adult for a crime he committed as a juvenile. “That was the most impactful thing that ever happened in my life,” he said, “and the darkest moments of my life still were being that 15-year-old scared kid spending Thanksgiving away from his family.” Born Jason DeFord, he got his GED while in jail. “Music, like being famous, wasn’t even a thought then,” he said. “I just wanted to be a good dad.” He had to go to court to get supervised visits to see his toddler daughter.
LETTERS
Bill Anderson sends a correction about the newspaper article that said Trisha Yearwood was the first female country artist to have a No. 1 debut single. Bill says, “I guess whoever wrote this is too young to remember Connie Smith and a song called Once A Day from back in 1964. For the record, THAT was the first time a female country artist had a #1 debut single. (PS) Guess this proves I still read your newsletter (even the small print) and continue to enjoy it. Hope all is well in your world.”
Diane: I’m glad you still read my newsletter, Bill. I guess I’d better improve my fact-checking efforts.
Sherwin Linton writes from Minnesota, “Interesting note you wrote about Chubby Checker. I booked him several times and did shows opening for him. He told me his mom was a big fan of Ernest Tubb and named him Ernest. Dick Clark’s wife gave him the name Chubby Checker as a play on Fats Domino. He sure was a very personable and wonderful entertainer to work with. He was LONG overdue for his induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Thank you for continuing to write your Country Music Newsletter.”
Bill Black says, “Regarding the passing of Velma Smith – there is a story that when she recorded her first session with Jim Reeves, he didn’t like the idea of a female guitar player possibly thinking she got the job, not because of her ability but, because she was someone’s girlfriend. He must have been happy with the results as she is on many of his later sessions.”
Nobuhiko Ogino writes from Kobe, Japan, “I was so surprised to find the photo with Weldon!! And very happy to know Judi remembers us. I used to receive Christmas card from Weldon every winter. Now I don’t have the address of Judi & Weldon. I would like to express my gratitude to her, but I don’t know her email address. I would be grateful if you could convey my feelings to her. I’m grateful to you for creating this opportunity.”
Diane: I’m happy to have reconnected the two of you. Judi Myrick says, “Thank you for putting us in touch with each other! The highlight of my week!”
Mary Mitchell says, “Like you, I loved Johnny R. One of my favorite songs is ‘What a memory you make.’ I have not heard anything about a funeral and what his cause of death was, I did see medical issues.”
Gary Sill writes from Mt. Zion, Illinois, “Thank you for all your detailed research required for each newsletter, just to keep us all up to date.”
Beth J. Petty, Director of the Hank Williams Museum in Montgomery, Alabama, writes, “I helped Ed Guy work on a project recently and he asked if I would submit the poster to you for consideration in your publication. Ed Guy is the mastermind behind a new project called ‘The Evolution of The Lovesick Blues.’ It is now in an 18×24 poster. It features the first person to record the song, Elsie Clark, and goes up to Hank Williams and those in between. These are sold only at www.thehankwilliamsmuseum.net.”
Research by Ed Guy, Hank Williams Collectibles. Designer and Editor, Beth Petty, Published by The Hank Williams Museum, Montgomery.
Bobby Fischer sends a Hall of Fame calendar page that “included my little story. Producer Ray Baker called me he had recorded a song I wrote with Sonny Throckmorton on Moe Bandy. Moe was hot. My title was ‘the two of us are one of a kind.’ Ray asked if I would sell some of my publishing on the song. I knew he was doing duets on ‘Moe and Joe’ Stampley. I said I would if he cuts a song I wrote 100% on them. They were hot. He said what is the song? I said ‘partners in rhyme’ he liked the idea he said let me hear it I said I’ll run home and get it. I had not written the song yet it was corny I wrote it in an hour he cut it on Moe and Joe on Columbia Records. It went platinum and our song on Moe was a good hit in the national charts. So it was all worth it//wild and crazy music biz back then.”
Larry Delaney of Cancountry says, “Here’s the latest in the Ontario’s Country Pioneers series. This month’s feature is on Molly-Ann Leikin: Ontario’s Country Music Pioneers (May):
Carolyn Berry writes from Charlottesville, Virginia, “It was a great newsletter. You always do a good job. Your newsletter is how I find out a lot of news. I am totally blind, and my computer reads to me. What is the name of Shania Twain’s book? I would really like to read it.”
Diane: Shania’s book is Shania Twain: From This Moment On.
Martha Moore of so much MOORE media says, “Billy Jam’s Alex Miller visited WAND-TV in Decatur, Illinois, as he kicks off his summer tour with a sold-out show at The Devonshire Lakeshore Amphitheatre. He performed his smash hit, ‘Puttin’ Up Hay,’ chatted with Wake Up Anchor Sierra Rucker and even got to forecast the weather — a life-long dream.”
Anthony Peoples, WAND-TV Meteorologist, Alex Miller, and Sierra Rucker, WAND-TV Wake Up Anchor
Breaking news from Martha Moore of so much MOORE media: “Co-founder of The Curve Recording Studio, record producer and drummer Mark Steven Laws was fatally shot on May 25 in Claiborne County, Tennessee. The 62-year-old resident of Cumberland Gap was a member of the legendary Renfro Valley Barn Dance band, and over the years he drummed for Little Jimmy Dickens, Bill Carlisle, Larry Cordle, and others. For the last five years, he served as band leader/drummer for Billy Jam Records’ artist and American Idol alum (Season 19) Alex Miller.”
Diane: I found this from WRIL-FM in Pineville, Kentucky: On Sunday morning, a grandfather called Claiborne County 911 regarding a shooting at his Cumberland Gap residence. According to the sheriff, 25-year-old Maxwell Madon, who lives with his grandparents, got into an argument with them about cleaning his room and became combative. He assaulted his grandfather, and his grandmother called his stepfather, Mark Steven Laws, who came to the home. Laws began arguing with Madon, who shot and killed him. During the altercation, Madon shot through his own hand and is currently hospitalized. Upon release from the hospital, he will be lodged in the Claiborne County Jail. He has been charged with criminal homicide.
RANDY TRAVIS: STORMS OF LIFE
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. It is free and open to the public.
MUSICIANS HALL OF FAME IN NASHVILLE (5th annual induction) – 2016 (first half)
Garth Brooks & The G-Men have recorded all of Garth’s studio albums and singles. When Garth Brooks came to Nashville in 1987, he began recording demos with a core group of studio musicians: Bruce Bouton (Steel Guitar), Mark Casstevens (Rhythm Guitar), Mike Chapman (Bass), Rob Hajocos (Fiddle), Chris Leuzinger (Lead Guitar), Milton Sledge (Drums), and Bobby Wood (Keyboards), along with Garth on rhythm guitar. Seven of those albums have sold more than 10 million albums each, making Garth the first artist to earn seven Diamond Awards from the Recording Industry Association of America.
Jerry Reed was born Jerry Reed Hubbard in Atlanta, Georgia, in 1937. Following his two years in the Army, he moved to Nashville, where he worked with Chet Atkins. He was one of only five guitarists who Chet Atkins knighted as C.G.P. (Certified Guitar Player). Jerry’s hits featured his unique songwriting and impressive guitar picking, recordings such as “Guitar Man,” “Amos Moses,” “When You’re Hot, You’re Hot,” and “Eastbound and Down. He co-starred in numerous movies, most famously with Burt Reynolds in Smoky and the Bandit. Jerry Reed died of complications from emphysema, at age 71 in Nashville in 2008. He was inducted posthumously into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2017.
The Sigma Sound Rhythm Section – a group of session musicians who developed a unique Philadelphia sound—included drummers Earl Young and Charles Collins, guitar players Norman Harris, Bobby Eli, T.J. Tindall, Roland Chambers III and Dennis Harris, bass players Ronnie Baker and Jimmie Williams, congas Larry Washington, keyboards Thom Bell, and vibes Vince Montana. They backed artists such as Hall & Oates, Patti LaBelle, The O’Jays, Billy Paul, Teddy Pendergrass, Lou Rawls and The Stylistics and played on standards that include “Backstabbers,” “For The Love Of Money,” “If You Don’t Know Me By Now,” and “Love Train.”