Diane’s Country Music Newsletter — 9 July 2025
TRIP REPORT – RANDY TRAVIS BOOK RELEASE IN NASHVILLE
This was my first ever trip to Nashville without going downtown. We stayed mostly in Music Valley. Perry Steilow drove with me to Nashville for my Randy Travis book release. We arrived at 11:15 Wednesday evening, June 25, and were at WSMV Channel Four TV studio at 8:30 in the morning for the taping of Today in Nashville.
Sam Ehlinger, publicity coordinator at the University of Illinois Press, set up this wonderful opportunity to advertise the upcoming book release party. Carole Sullivan was the host. She certainly surprised me by talking about my Navy career and one-room country school. My four-minute segment on Today in Nashville was the third of four in the half-hour show. Perry and I returned to our hotel to watch the 2 p.m. airing.
On the set of Today in Nashville with Carole Sullivan
That evening we went to the Music City Bar & Grill to hear the Music City Playboys. We’d been looking forward to seeing them again since our last visit: Randy Mason on drums, Rusty Danmyer on steel, William Bagby on lead guitar, and Joey Schmidt on keyboards. I didn’t catch the bass player’s name, and there were several featured singers. Now that’s genuine country music!
Friday was a free day. After coffee and email catchup, I headed out for my daily run. This year I tried a new route, the northern perimeter of Music Valley. I ran along the Cumberland River and under Briley Parkway. While exploring, I realized I must be in Jeannie Seely’s neighborhood. (When I’d earlier invited her to my book release party, she told me she’s still a long way from going out or being able to perform.)
This Nashville trip finally had enough time to visit Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage, something Perry and I had both been wanting to do. We concluded our tour just before the afternoon downpour. What amazed me about the mansion was how much has been preserved, right down to wallpaper from 1832. That’s largely due to the house staying in the family and under Tennessee state control. It was never sold to outsiders. The original mansion was built in 1821 and remodeled in the 1830s while Jackson was President. He lived there until his death in 1845. His son sold it to the state due to indebtedness, with the provision that family members could continue to live there. When they died, it fell somewhat into disrepair until the grandchildren formed a nonprofit in the 1870s, and it’s been a museum ever since.
Much of the current museum tells the story of slavery. When Jackson bought the 425-acre property in 1804, he turned it into a cotton plantation and renamed it The Hermitage. His family lived in a two-story farmhouse with expensive furniture and wall hangings. The kitchen was in a building next door. His rise as a political figure called for a fancier home, which is why he built the mansion. After touring the mansion, I walked to the original farmhouse, which had been turned into slave quarters after the Jacksons moved out. But did Jackson allow enslaved people to live in a two-story house? No. The building was jacked up, the first floor removed, and the second floor settled to the ground. All that was left were three bedrooms and an attic for complete families to live in. When the museum was established in the 1870s, it was believed that the Jackson family had lived in this “small cabin,” roughing it on the prairie, so to speak. The slave story was added after the true history was discovered
Friday evening we walked to the Nashville Palace to see bass player Becky Hinson and the Nashville Palace Band, our other favorite band, whose members were doing double duty: William Bagby, Randy Mason, and Rusty Danmyer.
William Bagby, Randy Mason, Becky Hinson, and Rusty Danmyer
We then went to Caney Fork, which was the original Nashville Palace, to listen to the Meltones. Dave and Chris Melton have been playing there for 19 years, Chris on guitar and husband Dave on upright bass. The other two members of their acoustic band play fiddle and mandolin/banjo. Chris had worked at the Palace as a college student at the time Randy Ray worked in the kitchen. When I told her I was trying to picture what it looked like then, she said it looks the same. The kitchen is still where it was, and she pointed to the stage. I can now visualize Randy rushing out of the kitchen and up to the stage when called by the band to sing.
Saturday afternoon was the big event. Jenny Webb, owner of the Legends of Country Music Museum in Music Valley, hosted my book release party and did a great job of arranging everything. Museum admission was free that afternoon, with chairs set among the displays for the guests. Jenny made this poster:
Chris and Dave Melton learned five Randy Travis songs to open the show; they were joined by Allysa Adario on guitar for a three-piece band. Chris gave me a pair of guitar earrings she’d made for me in Randy’s tour colors, grey and burgundy.
Chris Melton, Dave Melton, Allysa Adario at Legends Museum
Jenny introduced both me and Terry Tyson, whom she’d invited to be my co-host. I’ve known Terry since meeting him in 2019 at the Ernest Tubb Record Shop, where he was the manager. Now he handles merchandise for Randy Travis and Alabama tours. He had plenty of stories to tell, and it took the pressure off me to have someone share the talking.
Terry Tyson and me
Terry presented me with a framed and autographed print of the Three Wooden Crosses watercolor Randy had painted as part of his therapy. When his therapists wanted Randy to try watercolor painting, they’d assigned him to paint one of his horses. That was way too difficult, and Mary suggested the three crosses. Randy could do that. Terry sells the framed prints with their merch. Randy makes a point of autographing each one in a different spot. I’m honored to be able to display this one in my living room.
It was good to see Coleman Murphy; we met him some years ago when he was John Anderson’s lead guitarist. And Randall Bart, who attended my Marty Robbins book event. And to meet Jayne and Scot England. Scot has co-authored several autobiographies; the ones of Jimmy Capps and Moe Bandy are on my bookshelf. One person who bought a book told me he’s been a fan ever since he recognized Randy’s voice on the Hey, Arnold! cartoon. That’s when he started listening to Randy’s music.
Scot England and me
Mary and Randy Travis couldn’t attend because they were in California for the Clay Walker Charity Golf Classic at Pebble Beach. The event raised money and awareness for the fight against multiple sclerosis. Clay has had MS for several decades. Mary responded to my text by saying, “Sorry we missed it—the golf tournament was great fun and a nice boost for Clay’s MS charity work.”.
Perry and I completed our trip with the time-honored Saturday night attendance at the Grand Ole Opry. There is only one show now, beginning at 7 p.m., with intermission, and lasting less than three hours. There were eight performances, in addition to the square dancers. We enjoyed seeing Erin Enderlin, whom we’d met at Bill Anderson’s Country Music Hall of Fame celebration in 2021. I was disappointed that Mandy Barnett had to cancel. She has a great voice, and I wanted to see her in person. Our favorite performer was comedian Jeff Allen.
Sunday morning we headed to South Dakota and were at my house in Sioux Falls by 10 p.m. My car has 1,930 more miles on it than when we left on Wednesday.
NEWS
Ray Stevens, 86, was admitted to a hospital in Nashville on July 4 after he began experiencing chest pain. A heart catheterization procedure confirmed that he’d had a heart attack. Taste of Country reports he underwent surgery on July 7 to address the conditions that led to the heart attack. He has canceled all scheduled performances at his West Nashville CabaRay Showroom in July. After retiring in 2024, he came out of retirement to book shows in support of his 2025 comedy album, Ray Stevens … Say Whut? He is a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame, the Grand Ole Opry, the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, the Georgia Music Hall of Fame, and the Christian Music Hall of Fame.
Dolly: Live in Las Vegas has been announced as a limited run of shows at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace from December 4–13. This is the first extended Vegas run by Dolly Parton in over 30 years, reports Country Now, and it coincides with the National Finals Rodeo. Dolly has stated that she is getting through the difficult time after the death of her husband, Carl Dean, by staying busy. Her many different ventures include her musical, DOLLY: An Original Musical, releasing a new line of frozen foods, and celebrating the 40th anniversary of Dollywood. She appeared at the Country Music Hall of Fame for the opening of its latest exhibition, Dolly Parton: Journey of a Seeker. The Country Music Foundation Press has published a companion book to go with the exhibit, and I will be reviewing the book in an upcoming newsletter.
“Two weeks ago, she had a stroke,” Tess Frizzell writes about her mother, Shelly West, on July 2 on Facebook. “Since then, she’s been working hard in the hospital doing physical therapy. I want to thank the amazing staff for their kindness and care, as well as my uncles, Dale and Kerry, who have been there in an instant whenever I needed to step away to leave town for shows.” Shelly and Tess are daughter and granddaughter of Dottie West.
As someone who became a national performer at age 13, LeAnn Rimes, now 42, no longer has many career firsts. But she did recently, reports Country Now, when her teeth fell out while she was singing. “I’ve had a lot of dental surgeries and I have a bridge in the front,” she later posted on Instagram. “It fell out in the middle of my song last night. I panicked and said, ‘Hold on’ and ran to the side of the stage and popped it back in, and then just went on singing. For the rest of the show, I was pushing my teeth in every couple lines and singing. I never knew how many F’s and Th’s and Sh’s that I have in my songs!” She advised her fans, “In case anybody has an issue on stage and feels embarrassed, just watch this video and remind yourself that the show can go on even in the midst of sheer utter embarrassment. You just got to be real with people.”
While on his way to a tour across North America, Sammy Kershaw was stopped by airport security in Lafayette, Louisiana. TSA flagged his bag and called the FBI. “It was early, I was half-awake and clearly not thinking straight,” Absolute Publicity reports Sammy as explaining. “I’ve sang songs about heartbreak and hard times but not about forgetting to check my carry-on for a loaded firearm. That’s a new one!” He was fined $5,000 for the offense. Sammy reminds others that TSA takes these matters seriously: “I guess it’s safe to say I won’t be packing heat to my next show. Let this be your friendly PSA: check your bags, check ‘em twice. Let’s all stay safe out there.”
“The Outlaw Music Festival’s 10th Anniversary concert event scheduled for July 1, 2025, at Lucky Star Amphitheater in El Reno, OK has been canceled due to unforeseeable circumstances,” read a statement on Instagram. Willie Nelson, 92, is the headliner for the 2025 Outlaw Music Festival, sharing the stage with Bob Dylan, Sheryl Crow, and more. Heavy rains and high winds had forced the crowd to evacuate the Thunder Ridge Nature Arena in Ridgedale, Missouri, during the June 29th concert. Several days were required to assess and repair the damage to the waterlogged equipment. The Outlaw Music Festival is North America’s largest touring music festival.
“Getting to be in my own adventure movie for the day was pretty great,” Shania Twain, 59, says about starring in a commercial for Clearly Canadian, the beverage brand’s first in 34 years. In the one-minute spot, she searches through the Canadian wilderness for the sparkling drink made from pure spring water. “For years I’ve been searching,” she says. “Finally, I found it.” She carries a cooler under one arm while running through the woods, across steppingstones in a river, and doing a flip as she maneuvers through the wild terrain. “As a proud Canadian, the fact that it’s natural spring water and bottled right here is perfect—it’s pure nostalgia in a bottle!” PEOPLE reports her as saying. “Getting to shoot this in the Canadian outdoors, fighting to do my own stunts (I think I can still tumble!), and sampling all the new flavors hardly felt like work.”
In a video he shared on TikTok, Randy Travis, 66, can be seen racing Clay Walker, 55, as the two friends are pushed in their wheelchairs in a hotel lobby. They were in California for the Clay Walker Charity Golf Classic at Pebble Beach. Randy suffered a stroke in 2013, and Clay was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1996. Clay will portray Randy in the upcoming biopic, Forever and Ever, Amen, to be released in the spring of 2026.
Because the Canada Border Services Agency refused to allow his production trucks to cross the border into Canada, Cody Jinks had to cancel his weekend shows in Abbotsford, British Columbia, and Kelowna, British Columbia. “Getting them into Canada was made a logistical impossibility despite following all of the prescribed procedures given to us,” Cody posted on Instagram. “It is incredibly important to me that everyone who spends their hard-earned money to see a show gets the absolute best experience possible, and right now, that standard just can’t be met without my trucks.” He didn’t say why the trucks were denied entry. Tour opener Ward Davis wasn’t quite so kind in his remarks. “The Canadian Country Music Defense System was fully operational yesterday and turned Jinks’ trucks around with all their everything still packed inside, leaving the man no choice. And just like that, we ain’t playing in Canada now,” he wrote on X. “For all the problems we have in this world, we should thank God we have these denim warriors keeping songwriters out of Canada. The last thing people need is music. Seriously.” The Hippies and Cowboys Tour will resume July 10 in Wheatland, California.
Bill Anderson writes in his fan club newsletter that MCA Records is planning to release a group of his old albums that have been digitized. “They include Live From London (never before available in the U.S.), Wild Weekend, Always Remember, Ladies Choice, Nashville Mirrors, Where Have All Our Heroes Gone, and If It’s All The Same To You with Jan Howard,” Bill says. “I’m told they’ll be out shortly with eleven more slated for release not long afterward.”
U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee succeeded in stripping the controversial AI moratorium from President Trump’s tax bill, reports USA Today. The original provision would have imposed a decade-long ban on states’ enforcement of laws or regulations addressing AI. Initially, she and Senator Ted Cruz of Texas agreed on a revised version to protect children and artists by lessening the moratorium from 10 to 5 years, but critics felt the legal loopholes could leave Americans vulnerable to misuses of AI. Musical artists are navigating more AI deepfakes and vocal clones than ever before. The amendment to strike the moratorium passed by a vote of 99-1 on July 1. “We can’t block states from making laws that protect their citizens,” Blackburn said.
When PBS presented the live broadcast of A Capitol Fourth, the 45th annual celebration of America’s national Independence Day tradition on July 4th, Josh Turner joined the star-studded lineup to celebrate America’s 249th birthday on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol. He sang “Firecracker” from his 2007 album Everything Is Fine and his song, “Unsung Hero,” which he wrote in 2015 after seeing his granddaddy’s medals and papers. MusicRow quotes him as saying, “I was made aware that he was an American hero and no one really knew about what he had been through. It was clear to me that he was the epitome of an unsung hero. I feel like there are so many others just like him that we don’t know about or have taken for granted. God bless all of our troops and veterans who have made the sacrifices necessary for us to enjoy the freedoms that we have.”
On July 17, the Grand Ole Opry will return to the Ryman Auditorium for a special tribute to the final night of the Opry’s original Ryman run, March 15, 1974. Moments from the 1974 broadcast will be closely recreated for the Ryman and radio audiences, reports MusicRow. Bill Anderson, the Opry’s longest-serving member ever, is scheduled to reprise his set from that historic evening. “My mom and dad had driven up from Georgia to be in the audience,” Bill remembers. “Twenty years earlier, in 1954, they had brought me to Nashville and to the Ryman to see the Opry for the first time. None of us could have imagined the summer before my senior year in high school that only a few years later I would be performing on that very stage, let alone go on to become the longest serving Opry member in history. That night in 1974 I stood alongside many of my heroes from those earlier days, smiling down at my parents, and saying so long to the only Opry home I had ever known…definitely a moment I will remember for the rest of my life.” Among those joining him will be Lorrie Morgan, whose father George Morgan was the final artist to perform on the 1974 Opry show.
Riding High in Texas, the 32nd album by Asleep at the Wheel, will celebrate the band’s five-decade mark in the Lone Star state, “the adopted home where all their dreams came true,” according to MusicRow. Ray Benson says, “It’s been fifty-five years for Asleep At The Wheel as a band, and fifty of them have been spent in Texas. We are known worldwide for being a Texas band and playing Texas and Western Swing music, and it gives us great pride to carry this torch and responsibility.” Since 1970, over 100 members have come through the band. Riding High in Texas is due out August 22 and is a ten-song collection featuring some of the best songs about Texas from a wide range of songwriters. This first single is “Texas In My Soul,” written by Ernest Tubb and popularized by Willie Nelson. Ray says the song represents “how we felt in 1974 when the band moved to Texas.”
When Tim McGraw recently posted a photo on Instagram of him and Faith Hill relaxing at an outdoor dining establishment in Copenhagen, Denmark, the response wasn’t what might have been expected. They were in Denmark to support their daughter, Audrey McGraw, on her international tour. But Tim, 58, was resting his arms on a cane. Social media followers flooded the comment section asking if Tim was okay. Whiskey Riff responds, “For all those wondering why he’s currently using a cane to help him get around Copenhagen… does two back surgeries and two knee surgeries in the past two years answer your question?”
Keith Urban, 57, was not the one who ended the interview with Australia’s Mix 102.3’s Hayley & Max in the Morning on July 1, as has been reported throughout the social media tabloids. They talked about his upcoming Australian leg of his High and Alive tour, and he said he was excited to be back in his home country and performing at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre on August 28. Further into the conversation, Max Burford asked, “What does Keith Urban think when he sees his beautiful wife with beautiful younger men like Zac Efron having these beautiful love scenes on TV and radio?” The line grew silent, and the producer said Keith had disconnected from the Zoom call. Hayley Pearson commented, “I think his team hung up on us because they didn’t want us to ask that question.” PEOPLE corrects the misinformation, quoting a source that said, “Keith did not hang up, period. He doesn’t host his Zoom interviews.” The source added that Keith is a “very easygoing” interview subject and didn’t personally take issue with the question.
Raul Malo of the Mavericks has been battling cancer since a colonoscopy and CAT scan last year revealed two cancerous spots in his intestines. He has since undergone surgery to remove a tumor on his liver. Raul recently posted a health update on Instagram, thanking his family and friends for their support. He said, “My sinus infection literally brought me to my knees. I had never felt headaches like that. I went to a specialist. Got it taken care of but the residual results are a numbing of the left side of my face. Neurologist said it will repair over time. The damage is not permanent and not visible. A little drooling here and there…oh well. Perspective: I’m alive.” Most challenging is the abdominal hernia: “First of all it’s very visible. And at times it has been really painful. Most of the time it’s just really uncomfortable as I have to wear this hernia belt around my abdomen to help keep my insides in place…ugh! I’ve basically been turned into a drooling, farting potato…sigh. Perspective: I’m alive.” He wants others who are going through similar situations to know that challenges will arise. Being able to go onstage helps keep him focused on the end game. His colon surgery is scheduled for August, with the hernia repair later in the year because it will require a longer recovery time. He says, “16 rounds of chemo have done what they’re made to do…kill cancer. I’m not out of the woods yet but I’m on my way.” He goes for a drive in the countryside, “listening to Pavarotti while driving a little over the speed limit,” and wife Betty makes him a delicious Spanish omelet.
LETTERS
Marlene Nord says, “I was so tickled to hear that traditional Country Music is finally getting its own Grammy recognition. I’ve always believed that, although it isn’t my favorite to listen to, there is a place for the modern Country style. But I also felt very strongly that the traditional sub genres have been lost in the shuffle, sadly swallowed up by the new Country sound. This is great news, long awaited for by me, as well as many other Country traditionalists.”
Jackie Allen Thomas writes from Arizona, “Your newsletters always bring joy. It’s hard reading about the deaths of some of my favorite people, but so grateful for the news that we don’t hear anywhere else. Saw Riders in the Sky in concert about 40 years ago and glad to see they’re still out there singing. They were so good. Thank you again for a great read and please keep well and keep us updated on country news.”
Terry Beene says, “So sorry to hear bout Larry Hunt he was the first musician I worked with back in Texas. Also, congratulations on your Book.”
Glen Bren in Brookings, South Dakota, says, “Anyone who likes country music has got to read that book. I’m a bigger Randy Travis fan than ever. By golly, that’s the best written book I’ve read in a long, long time.”
Nelda Buchanan asks, “While researching Fred LaBour, did you learn about his wife Roberta ‘Bert’? She was a really nice lady. She died a few years back from breast cancer. I met them when I joined a group to save the land that is now Beaman Park. Their daughter was just a toddler then. I was proud to call Roberta a friend. Fred is one of the nicest people out there.”
Diane: Yes, you’d like the book, Riders in the Sky. There was a lot about Bert in it. She played a major role.
Bobby Fischer writes from Nashville, “My daughter Lori moved to Tennessee to take care of Helen and me for the last six years. Right after she moved here, I had a heart attack. She got me to the hospital in seven minutes, and two stents later I was back home. Wanting to share what she’s learned, Lori wrote a book called Caregiving Tips and Stories. Can you do me a favor and put that on your super great site? I think it could help a lot who go through this with older folks. Helen and I will soon be 90—broken bones, heart attacks, falling etc. Lori tells a lot of stories while in the business of acting, making movies, and songwriting.” Bobby adds, “I was talking to Leroy and Gladys Van Dyke a little bit ago. I said can I forward this great newsletter a writer in South Dakota does. She said we already get it, and we love it. They are wonderful. He cut two of my songs years ago. I remember it was such a thrill riding around Music Row with him and knowing he would be recording with us. It always stuck with me he said a producer had suggested he invest in a new stock that he was in, so he did. It was called the Holiday Inns.”
Dave Morris asks, “How do I subscribe to your newsletter?”
Rich Lueke wonders, “Do you have a link to sign up for your newsletter? Or, how does one know when you put out a new newsletter?”
Diane: I publish it biweekly, and the email address to sign up is di***@**********an.com.
Eric Calhoun says, “Welcome, Ron Wood, and welcome back, Dominique. I want to say more people are added to Hillbilly Heaven. That’s great that the Shania Twain Foundation will donate money to all cities she tours this summer. Praying for Chris Stapleton’s equipment to be replaced, Greenville will wait.”
Felix Rubaszek writes, “I just finished Twentieth Century Drifter, and I was blown away. Your writing is incredible and includes so much detail. Thank you for the wonderful work you continue to do. I was emotional throughout the book, but especially at the end where it mentions ‘one of his biggest fears was to be forgotten.’ I only wish Marty could see how his impact has continued long past his death. I’ve included a photo of a tattoo I have. He certainly won’t be forgotten as long as I’m around!”
MUSICIANS HALL OF FAME IN NASHVILLE (6th annual induction) – 2019 (second quarter)
Jeff Cook, Teddy Gentry, and Randy Owen received the first ever Lifetime Achievement Award from the Musicians Hall of Fame in 2019, as well as being inducted into the Hall as the group ALABAMA. Celebrating 50 years in 2019, ALABAMA was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2005. Unique as a country band, it was a self-contained unit with no additional sidemen. Professional musicians were used in the recording studio but not on the road. The three Fort Payne, Alabama, natives formed a band as teenagers: Jeffrey Cook (born in 1949), Teddy Gentry (born in 1952) and Randy Owen (born in 1949). They changed the name from Wildcountry to Alabama in 1977 and hired Mark Herndon (born in Massachusetts in 1955) as drummer. Alabama announced its retirement in 2002. The original three members reformed the band and began once again doing show dates in 2018. Jeff Cook, 73, died at home in Florida in 2022, after suffering for years with Parkinson’s disease. Teddy and Randy are still touring as ALABAMA.
Owen Bradley is this year’s Musicians Hall of Fame Producer. He grew up in Nashville and was a professional musician by age fifteen. He became the Nashville-based producer for Decca Records in 1947. Two of his first big successes were “Chattanoogie Shoe Shine Boy” for Red Foley in 1950 and “It Wasn’t God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels” for Kitty Wells in 1952. At a time when women weren’t expected to be stars, he made them stars—such as Kitty Wells, Patsy Cline, Brenda Lee, and Loretta Lynn. Brothers Owen and Harold Bradley were the first to build a recording studio on what would become Music Row. Owen became head of Decca’s Nashville division in 1958, and he and Chet Atkins at RCA developed the Nashville Sound. He retired two years after his 1974 induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame and became an independent producer. He continued producing almost until the end of his life, dying in 1998 at age 82.
Recipient of the 2019 Engineer Award was Billy Sherrill–not to be confused with late producer Billy Sherrill. Raised in Paducah, Kentucky, he moved to Nashville after college to be an engineer. He met producer/songwriter Larry Butler, who invited him to work on the recording session for Jean Shepard’s “Slippin’ Away” in 1973. They then worked together on hit records for Dottie West, Billie Jo Spears, Ed Bruce, Johnny Cash, Charlie Rich, Mac Davis, Mickey Gilley, John Denver, Paul Anka and more. Butler produced and Sherrill engineered many Kenny Rogers hits. Billy also engineered hit records for Kenny Chesney, and he served as sound mixer for the Grand Ole Opry for several years. He died in 2024 at age 77.
The Industry Icon Award is presented to someone for not only making a difference in the world of music, but also in the world itself. In 2019, that was Taylor Guitars co-founder Bob Taylor, the pioneering acoustic guitar maker whose innovations transformed the company from a small shop into a world-class manufacturer. Bob was 19 when he and co-founder Kurt Listug started the company in 1974. In the decades that followed, Bob introduced many groundbreaking refinements to the guitar-making process, establishing new standards of quality and consistency, and making the acoustic guitar more inspiring to players at every level. Taylor is the top-selling acoustic guitar brand in North America. Bob has turned his attention to forest conservation, including planting thousands of trees for the benefit of future generations of guitar makers and musicians.