Patty Griffin Scores Two Awards At AMAs
- Merle Haggard’s latest album, The Bluegrass Sessions, “was produced by a bluegrass musician with bluegrass musicians, recorded at a bluegrass studio, released on a bluegrass label, racked under bluegrass in record stores, aired on bluegrass radio, covered by the bluegrass press, and it’s currently in it’s fourth consecutive week at # 1 on Billboard’s Bluegrass chart,” but is being excluded from consideration for nomination in its “Best Bluegrass Album” Grammy category. Album producer, an eight-year veteran of Haggard’s band, Ronnie Reno put it in more frank terms, “that’s pure b******t.”
- I found it odd that among the list of people Baron Lane met at the AMA Conference Janet Reno’s name was mentioned. Could it have anything to do with this? Or maybe she’s really just a fan of Americana music.
- Gary Allan claims that he’s “introverted in a business that forces you to be extroverted.” Joe Edwards says that Allan grew weary of the constant well-meaning expressions of sympathy after his wife’s suicide and decided to drop the “meet and greet” before his shows for a while. He has since resumed the practice, but only allows three fans at a time. Also, don’t expect to hear “Yesterday’s Rain” at a live show any time soon. Because of its emotional impact the song is off-limits.
- The memorial ceremony for Porter Wagoner was concluded in song by Dolly Party and Opry members as they sang “I Saw the Light”. Chet Flippo says the funeral tribute underscored his life, career, and legacy.
- On a pilgrimage through Bakersfield, California in 2001 Lester Heder was able to witness a Buck Owens performance at the Crystal Palace. By that time Owens’ health had begun to deteriorate and the show suffered for it. In his review of Dwight Sings Buck, Heder thanks Dwight Yoakam for reviving Buck Owens’ soul.
- Thursday’s big winner at the AMAs was Patty Griffin. She took home awards for album of the year and artist of the year, while the Avett Brothers earned a pair of trophies for duo group and new/emerging artist.
Other winners included Buddy Miller, instrumentalist of the year; Darryl Scott, song of the year for ‘Hank Williams’ Ghost’; Lyle Lovett, Trailblazer Award; Joe Ely, lifetime achievement for performance; Ry Cooder, lifetime achievement for instrumentalist; Willie Nelson, lifetime achievement for songwriter; Mary Martin, lifetime achievement for an executive; Jim Dickinson, lifetime achievement for a producer engineer; and Townes Van Zandt, the president’s award.
- The San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo scored a nice list of headliners.
- Chevrolet has partnered with the CMA for the past 16 years; a spokesperson says that “country music fans tend to be more brand-loyal than fans of other music genres.” Meanwhile, Toyota seems to be catching on as they were a huge part of Big State Festival, even having new vehicles for fans to test-drive. Hopefully one of these auto-industry behemoths is paying attention to the blogosphere and wants to sponsor a modest country music blog. All kidding aside, the original article mentions that another CMA sponsor, Mary Kay Cosmetics, will auction off lip prints from Sara Evans, Wynonna, Clint Black, Sugarland, George Strait and Martina McBride to benefit a cause dedicated to ending domestic violence.
- Rumor has it that Sammy Allred didn’t say the A-word on air, but rather “Ask Cole,” referring to his partner, Bob Cole.
- When listening to Lisa Hayes, Hardcore Troubadours says “you can hear the influence of honky-tonk, of old cowboy music, of rock n’ roll, even of the fiddle that brings reminiscence of old hills music.” On her MySpace Hayes says she’s been described as kind of like Sheryl Crowe if she was sleeping with the Dixie chicks. MySpace: Lisa Hayes.
- Update: Apparently Gary Allan punched a dude in a restaurant a couple of weeks ago in Nashville. So much for staying up to date with the news.
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