Diane’s Country Music Newsletter — 7 August 2024
CONCERT REVIEW—LONESTAR
Lonestar gave a crowd-participation concert at the Washington Pavilion in Sioux Falls on July 25. Founding member Dean Sams is one of the best I’ve seen in talking to his audience. Of course, a smaller venue with people sitting below him in the orchestra pit makes possible a connection that can’t happen in a large arena.
The stage went dark at 7:30 with the announcement, “Please welcome Lonestar in just a few moments.” Then followed several minutes of loud music and the band’s name in flashing lights before five musicians appeared onstage, three at the front microphones, drums and bass guitar on a back riser. They opened with “You Walked In.”
Dean Sams mentioned “something that happens at every show”: A couple in the front row comes in late. He pointed out the couple, asked why they were late, and reminded us that people are expected to be on time at a Lonestar concert. It was all in good fun and easy to see he was teasing. The band members then discussed what they had been doing in the hotel room before the show–which led into “Tequila Talkin’,” their debut single from 1995. Dean introduced “After All These Years” by telling us the band was still together after 32 years. During that time, they have only missed one show, which was because of an international flight delay.
In 1992, five Texans at Opryland in Nashville got acquainted and put together a band that became Lonestar. Three of them are still there: Michael Britt (lead guitar and harmony), Dean Sams (keyboards and harmony), and Keech Rainwater (drums). Lead vocalist Richie McDonald and bass guitarist John Rich eventually left to pursue solo careers. Robbie Cheuvront now plays bass guitar, and Drew Womack took over as lead vocalist in 2021.
‘We’re four weeks into a brand new show,” Dean said. To get all their number ones into the show, there has to be a medley. “We hope you like this medley,” he said. “If you don’t, in seven minutes, it will be over.” In 2021, they recorded an album titled Ten to 1, which consisted of their nine #1s and the #2 “Everything’s Changed.” That allowed them to have all their greatest hits recorded with Drew Womack as lead vocalist.
I enjoyed hearing the familiar songs, “No News”, “What About Now”, “My Front Porch Looking In,” although Drew overdid the number of times he called on the audience to sing back to the band. I wondered which song would be the finale, a question answered when Dean pointed to one couple and said he knew which song they were waiting for, “Amazed.” Then he said, “You have to wait 90 minutes for that one.”
He pointed to one man in the orchestra pit who didn’t seem to be enjoying himself and said, “I know what he’s thinking. He loves somebody so much, he’s enduring this when he’d rather be somewhere else. Isn’t that right?” As he chatted with that couple, I was thinking, Please don’t say it. Just leave it at that. But, of course, he had to add the obligatory, worn-out comment about getting lucky when you get home.
“Mr. Mom” is probably my favorite Lonestar song. I like the melody, the message, the well-written lyrics, and the overall sound. “I’m Already There” was dedicated to the military and first responders. It’s a good song for that purpose. It’s an adult song. I’ve never cared for the verse where a little voice comes on the phone and asks, “Daddy, when are you coming home?” What father would say, “I’m already there. Take a look around.” The little kid would go running off to find where his daddy was hiding–and then start crying with disappointment to not find him.
Lonestar’s newest album is called Iconic, Vol. 1. It’s an EP of famous songs from female artists, for which each band member had chosen his favorite. Dean raved about Drew’s vocal ability and told us to just listen. I had no idea what song he was singing, but I looked it up later, and it was Cyndi Lauper’s “Time After Time.” I waited to recognize the “iconic female” of the next two songs but couldn’t. That’s because they were the Eurythmics’ “Here Comes the Rain Again” and Fleetwood Mac’s “You Make Loving Fun.” Songs I’d never heard of.
At one point, Dean said, “I hope you’re having a good time.” As the audience cheered, he finished the comment with, “If you’re not, it’s your fault.” After singing “Amazed,” the band left the stage at 9:00. They returned for a ten-minute encore of “Life in the Fast Lane,” which the internet told me came from the Eagles.
This concert was a pleasant contrast to Deana Carter’s appearance at the Pavilion several weeks ago. Although both shows contained hits from the 1990s, Lonestar focused on the music, while Deana’s show was about her. She kept reminding us how these were her number ones from thirty years ago and how the audience had grown up with her songs.
If Lonestar comes to your town, I recommend attending the concert.
NEWS
Twelve songwriters have been nominated for 2024 entry into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. Six winners will be inducted during the 54th Anniversary Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Gala on November 6 at the Music City Center. All nominees experienced their first significant songs at least 20 years ago. Contemporary Songwriter nominees are Al Anderson, Shawn Camp, Desmond Child, Jim Collins, Gordon Kennedy, Frank J. Myers, Annie Roboff, and Liz Rose. Contemporary Songwriter/Artist nominees are Steven Curtis Chapman, Brad Paisley, Phil Vassar, and Lucinda Williams. Two songwriters and one songwriter/artist will be elected from these two categories. A separate body of voters will choose a Veteran Songwriter, a Veteran Songwriter/Artist and a Legacy Songwriter (deceased), who experienced their first significant songs at least 30 years ago.
Country Music Association CEO Sarah Trahern was honored with the Bob Kingsley Living Legend Award during a special event at the Opry House to benefit the Grand Ole Opry Trust Fund. She has led the CMA since January 2014. MusicRow reports the Bob Kingsley Living Legend Award has raised over $350,000 in ten years to support the Grand Ole Opry Trust Fund’s mission of helping country music community members in need. Previous recipients include Joe Galante, Jim Ed Norman, Lorianne Crook and Charlie Chase, among others.
The Ernest Tubb Record Shop sign on Lower Broadway in Nashville has been taken down for restoration and to protect it while the building is being renovated. Ernest Dale Tubb III announced on social media, “We have partnered with a great team that not only respects and values the legacy of my grandfather but is part of the music community. They are committed to keeping the record shop at 417 Broadway.” The record shop itself will be located on the second floor. “This structure was basically untouched and requires much updating,” he wrote. “There will be more to come but I ask that you wait for the final product before conclusions are made. There are some really committed people involved.”
Singer/songwriter Sandy Posey, 80, died July 20 following complications from dementia. She grew up in West Memphis, Arkansas, and worked as a backup singer before signing a record deal. Martha Sharp (before moving to Nashville, becoming VP of A&R at Warner Bros. Nashville, and making Randy Travis a star) wrote Sandy’s million-sellers, “Born a Woman” and “Single Girl.” Sandy moved from pop to country music in 1971 when Billy Sherrill produced her single, “Bring Him Safely Home to Me.” She continued to release singles throughout the 1970s, before retiring from performing in the 1980s.
Country Thang Daily reports singer Rory Feek married his now wife, Rebecca, on July 14, “under a beautiful timber-frame pavilion in Greycliff, Montana.” For almost a decade, Rory was half of the country and bluegrass duo Joey + Rory. They married in 2002 and started recording together in 2008. Joey Feek died in 2016 due to terminal cervical cancer. Their daughter, Indiana, is now ten years old. Rory and Rebecca developed their relationship after Rebecca became Indiana’s schoolteacher. They became committed to being together but didn’t talk about marriage because they didn’t want to hurt Indiana. She figured it out on her own — and told them she thought they should get married. At the wedding, Rory surprised his bride with a song titled “I Do.”
The seven-month marriage of Billy Ray Cyrus and Firerose (Johanna Hodges) is over. They reached a settlement agreement at mediation, and the judge declared the parties divorced on August 5. Firerose gets no money but does get credits and royalties to any songs they wrote together. Billy Ray cited irreconcilable differences and inappropriate marital conduct when he filed for divorce in May. Arguing that she was trying to benefit from his last name, he requested a restraining order to get her to stop using his credit card. She accused him of abuse. Taste of Country reports they were married las October during a ceremony described as “the most perfect ethereal celebration of love.”
When Lainey Wilson was performing during the Faster Horses Festival at Michigan International Speedway, she split her bell bottom pants while climbing atop a pickup truck. She quickly changed clothes and returned to the stage, telling the crowd, “Y’all just about got a real show!” Y!Entertainment reports she posted a Tik Tok video to demonstrate her new concert warmup routine, deep squats, high knees, and shimmies. She said she was “adding this into my routine before a show so my britches don’t rip like they did last night at Faster Horses.”
Twenty years after winning American Idol, Carrie Underwood will become the show’s newest judge, replacing Katy Perry in 2025 for the show’s 23rd season. She is the first American Idol alum ever to become one of its judges. Returning judges will be Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie, as well as longtime host, Ryan Seacrest, who announced Carrie as the winner back in 2005.
Country Music Nation reports Carly Pearce was performing at WE Fest in Minnesota when she reached her limit with a heckler near the stage who continually shouted rude comments at her. Once, when she said, “I want to tell you all a little bit about me,” he yelled, “No one cares.” According to an audience member, he called her a body part. Frustrated by the disrespectful comments, she yelled, “Out! Somebody get him out of here! I do not want him at my show.” Security removed the man from the crowd. Carly then lectured the crowd on the impact words can have: “Do not say mean things to people just to be mean. Don’t think that there aren’t consequences for it. It’s not kind. It’s not right.” She added, “That is the first time I have ever sent somebody out of one of my shows. But if somebody’s going to be that mean and disrespect me, you are not welcome.”
Stacy Harris of Stacy’s Music Row Report is pleased to announce her inclusion in the Tennessee Entertainment Commission’s Music Business Directory. A music business veteran of more than fifty years, she was dubbed the “Doyenne of Music Row” by late Nashville reporter Bruce Honick.
When I reviewed the spoken word album by John Mceuen, The Newsman: A Man Of Record, for my May 1 newsletter, I had no idea he was in the hospital at the time. The album was released April 12, three days after his triple bypass surgery at Ascension Saint Thomas Hospital West in Nashville. He spent over two weeks in intensive care. He had been driving with his wife, Marilyn, along a frontage road when he passed out and hit the car in front of them. Doctors determined his heart arteries were almost completely blocked, one at 98% and one at 97%. McEuen, 78, tells PEOPLE in a recent interview, “It’s obvious if you have blocked arteries and they’re restricting that much oxygen, guess what’s going to happen?” Two heart attacks followed, leading to the triple bypass. “There I was laying in the bed, my chest ripped open and sewn back up thinking, ‘I hope this works,'” he remembers. “The surgeon was very confident, telling me everything was going to be OK. I decided I was going to believe him.” A month after his surgery, he was back walking more than a mile a day, and he now has a “clean bill of health” from his doctors. He is currently headlining a tour in Canada.
LETTERS
Jeannie Seely writes from Nashville, “Thank you again for your continuing support of my career…not only the record review but the video documentary as well! It was such a special time for all of us…the musicians who remembered so many sessions, to those who had heard about it but had never had the opportunity to record there. My mind of course tumbled back 59 years to when I recorded my first session there, and to memories of Dottie. I could just hear her saying ‘Seely…you just won’t do!’ one of her favorite comments to me.”
Don Ewert in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, says, “Sorry to hear about Sandy Posey’s passing. I loved her songs.”
Dave Barton in Franklin, Kentucky, says, “Bluegrass music has changed so much over the last 20 years. This new generation of musicians is really good. I think that’s also true in the new more modern country music acts, a lot more so than when I was playing on the road with several Opry acts. Take a listen to this group picking an old bluegrass song, it’s hard to beat twin violins: Panhandle Country live video from Missy Raines & Allegheny – Bluegrass Today.”
Bobby Fischer announces from Nashville, “On August 5th, I turn 89. I share the date with some pals of notoriety: Vern Gosdin (cut our song ‘The Garden’), Buddy Mize (wrote ‘Hangin’ On’), Barry Tashian (opening act for the Beatles when they first came), Terri Clark (sang our dandy demo). It is also the great Bobby Braddock’s birthday—what a bunch of hits he created. I wonder if there are some on your massive list that we share the date with? Just wonderin’.”
Ronnie Traywick writes from Marshville, North Carolina, “As always, a great read.”
Eric Calhoun says, “Nice to know Lorrie Morgan is going strong, I can hardly wait to hear Dead Girl Walking. I had a major problem trying to buy The Watch Me! CD, which I love with a passion, because she did a great job, covering ‘It’s a Heartache.’ I later found out that she also remade Carole King’s timeless classic, ‘Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow?’ That’s a song I adore a lot. Miranda really cracks me up sometimes. I think she wants to keep her fans guessing. I love that about Miranda. Also, thank you for the note on Dave Loggins. I know Anne Murray is still going strong in Nova Scotia. One song I like from Anne came out in the late 1970s, I believe, and I have played it for my pen pals. She did a cover with Shania Twain, and that cover is priceless. Got a link for this, please? And finally: Rodney Crowell’s music must return. I love his sound.”
Diane: Here’s the link to the Anne Murray / Shania Twain duet of “You Needed Me”. The YouTube post says, “Anne Murray’s favourite song gets a new twist on her 2008 CD, Anne Murray Duets: Friends and Legends. Anne recorded her vocals in Toronto, while Shania did her part in Switzerland.”
Mike McCloud writes, “Greetings from beautiful Nashville, Tennessee. Hope you are having a good summer. I celebrated my 59th birthday on July 13 and today, July 23, begins my 12th year living by myself in MUSIC CITY USA!!!! I have enjoyed living here and cannot see myself living in any other city in the US. I am still wanting to do a little singing in public. Such as Opry Backstage Grill or someplace like that.”
UPDATE ON RANDY TRAVIS BIOGRAPHY
I’ve received the schedule for the next steps in preparing Randy Travis: Storms of Life for publication. I’ll get the edited version from the copyeditor in early September and will have several weeks to review those changes and add anything else I might want to add. The page proofs will arrive in mid-November. That will be my last chance to correct any mistakes, and Kayo and I will use that document to build the index. I’m currently working on the marketing questionnaire and have returned the book cover questionnaire.
VIDEO OF THE WEEK
I thought I’d already talked about Randy Travis’s appearance on CBS Sunday Morning, but apparently not, so here it is. Cris Lacy, co-president of Warner Music Nashville, came up with the idea of using artificial intelligence (AI) for a good purpose by giving Randy Travis his voice back. She asked producer Kyle Lehning to make it happen. He recorded Randy’s AI voice on “Where That Came From.” When they had the song ready, Cris flew to New York City to request an appearance on CBS Sunday Morning. The date was set for the weekend of Randy’s 65th birthday, and Cris released “Where That Came From” as a single. It debuted at number 45 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart, Randy’s first chart song in almost 20 years.
NASHVILLE SONGWRITERS HALL OF FAME – 2022 – first half
Hillary Lindsey, born in 1976 in Washington, Georgia, moved to Nashville in 1994 to attend Belmont University. She signed a publishing deal during her senior year and celebrated her first #1 songwriting hit in 2002 when Martina McBride recorded “Blessed.” Then came “Jesus Take the Wheel” by Carrie Underwood, who has recorded almost forty of Hillary’s songs, including “So Small” and “Wasted.” Hillary’s other co-written hits include “American Honey” by Lady Antebellum, “A Little Bit Stronger” by Sara Evans, “Shotgun Rider” by Tim McGraw, “Girl Crush” by Little Big Town, “Blue Ain’t Your Color” by Keith Urban, and “I’ll Never Love Again” by Lady Gaga & Bradley Cooper. Two months ago, Hillary was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in New York City. Carrie Underwood sang “Jesus Take the Wheel,” and Keith Urban joined Hillary in singing “Blue Ain’t Your Color.” I didn’t find a website for Hillary; she is 47 years old.
David Malloy, born in Iowa in 1952, grew up in Los Angles until age 13, when his family moved to Nashville. He is the son of engineer/producer Jim Malloy. Two years later, he took his first guitar lesson and immediately knew his career would be writing and producing music. His first BMI songwriting award came at age 19, when Sammi Smith recorded his co-written “Then You Walk.” David joined Eddie Rabbitt and Even Stevens to write Eddie’s chart-topping hits, such as “Drivin’ My Life Away,” “I Love a Rainy Night,” “Step By Step,” “Someone Could Lose a Heart Tonight,” “Gone Too Far,” “You Can’t Run From Love,” and “Suspicions” (also a hit for Tim McGraw). He also co-wrote “Love Will Turn You Around” by Kenny Rogers, “Real Love” by Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers, and “One Honest Heart” by Reba McEntire. David Malloy is 72 years old.
Born Lincoln Wayne Moman in 1937 and raised on a Georgia farm, Chips Moman left school at age 14 to hitchhike to Memphis to join the music scene. He co-wrote the 1961 R&B and Pop hits, “Last Night” by The Mar-Keys and “This Time” by Troy Shondell. In 1967, he and Dan Penn wrote “The Dark End of the Street” by James Carr and “Do Right Woman, Do Right Man” by Aretha Franklin (later a Barbara Mandrell hit and the name of her band). Chip moved to Nashville in the early 1970s, where he co-wrote “(Hey, Won’t You Play) Another Somebody Done Somebody Wrong Song” and “Everybody Loves A Rain Song” by B.J. Thomas, “Luckenbach, Texas (Back To The Basics Of Love)” and “The Wurlitzer Prize (I Don’t Want To Get Over You)” by Waylon Jennings, “Love Looks Good On You” by David Houston, and “So Much Like My Dad” by George Strait. Chips was inducted into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame in 1990 and the Memphis Music Hall of Fame in 2014. He died in 2016 in his hometown of LaGrange, Georgia, at age 79.