Country Music News

TODAY IN COUNTRY MUSIC HISTORY

(Thurs., Jan. 10)

Fiddler Curly Ray Cline born in Baisden, W.Va., in 1923.

Loretta and Oliver "Mooney" Lynn were married in 1948.

Elvis Presley's first RCA recording session yielded "I Got a Woman" and his first No. 1 single, "Heartbreak Hotel," in 1956.

Glen Campbell's "Hey, Little One" album was certified gold in 1969.

Linda Ronstadt and Rex Smith opened on Broadway in the "Pirates of Penzance" in 1981.

Clint Black joined the Grand Ole Opry in 1991.

The governor of Ohio, also in 1991, commuted the prison sentence of country singer Johnny Paycheck to time served. Paycheck had been imprisoned after being convicted in a 1985 barroom shooting that left one man wounded.

Johnny Rodriguez wed Lana Nelson in 1995.

Garth Brooks was named Favorite Male Performer at the 25th Annual People's Choice Awards in 1999.

MUSIC AND MORE

AMERICAN MUSIC AWARDS

Tim McGraw was a double winner at the 29 th annual American Music Awards, handed out Wednesday night in Los Angeles.

McGraw's "Set This Circus Down" won for favorite country album. He and his wife, Faith Hill, were named favorite male and female country artists for the second straight year.

Brooks & Dunn also repeated as favorite country band, duo or group while Trick Pony won for favorite new country artist.

The AMA show is rarely attended by controversy, but there was a dust-up this year when producer Dick Clark filed a $10 million lawsuit against Recording Academy president/CEO Michael Greene, accusing the Grammy chief of strong-arming musical artists into refusing invitations to perform on the AMA telecast.

Speaking with reporters backstage at the Shrine Auditorium, Garth Brooks said it isn't right that artists find themselves in the middle of power struggles between producers of awards shows. "I say back off," he said, "you're nothing without the artists."

Brooks was presented with the AMA Award Of Merit for "outstanding contributions to the musical entertainment of the American public." In his acceptance speech, he thanked a long list of people including his ex-wife, Sandy Brooks: "I don't think you could talk about a Garth Brooks career without mentioning Sandy Brooks. Even beyond marriage she has been great to me and her family has been great to me. And my three girls, Taylor, August, and Allie, I am madly in love with you."

Brooks joined a list of Award of merit winners that includes The Beach Boys, Irving Berlin, Chuck Berry, Johnny Cash, Bing Crosby, Ella Fitzgerald, Benny Goodman, Merle Haggard, Janet Jackson, Michael Jackson, Billy Joel, Little Richard, Loretta Lynn, Paul McCartney, Willie Nelson, Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, Stevie Wonder and Tammy Wynette.

Country music winners:

-- Favorite Male Artist: Tim McGraw

-- Favorite Female Artist: Faith Hill

-- Favorite Band, Duo or Group: Brooks & Dunn

-- Favorite Album: "Set This Circus Down" (Tim McGraw) (3rd AMA)

-- Favorite New Artist: Trick Pony

-- Award of Merit: Garth Brooks

Winners of the 29th American Music Awards were determined by the public in a national poll conducted by the National Family Opinion, Inc. firm under the supervision of Broadcast Research and Consulting, Inc.

COUNTRY STARS GET REAL MEAL DEAL

For years, Toby Keith and Brooks & Dunn have made no secret about the fact that they are enamored of Mexican food. Now comes word that one of the country's best-known Mexican fast-food chains is going to reward the three music stars for their kind words about the eateries.

The news provider country.com says that to honor Keith and Brooks & Dunn for their participation in this week's American Music Awards, the chain Baja Fresh will be giving them VIP passes to its restaurants nationwide.

Now in case you don't think it's a big deal, just consider this: the chain says each of the three stars can eat free for one year at any Baja Fresh outlet. And each can bring nine friends with them each time they eat. That's 30 free meals a day for every day in 2002.

It's very unlikely that the stars will be able to take the chain up on the full extent of its offer ... the total is nearly 11,000 free meals. But, what the heck, if you owned a restaurant chain, wouldn't you like prospective customers to know that there's a chance they might see Keith or Brooks & Dunn in one of your establishments?

WILKINSONS PREPARING NEW CD

"We're about 70 percent through with the project." That's the way RCA is relaying news from the country family trio the Wilkinsons about their latest CD project on BNA Records. Papa Steve Wilkinson says that he'll be back into Nashville studios later this week for at least two more days of recordings with daughter Amanda, 20, and son Tyler, 18.

Since the siblings are now heading toward adulthood, the elder Wilkinson says the content of the lyrics of their latest batch of songs will be more mature than earlier ventures.

No date has been set for release of the CD, and the project remains without a name.

(The above two items thanks to UPI Feature Reporter Dennis Daily)

BOBBY AUSTIN DIES

The music world is mourning the passing of singer, songwriter and bassist Bobby Austin. Country.com reports Austin died last Sunday in Camas, Wash., at age 68.

Austin was perhaps best known for "Apartment No. 9," the song he co-wrote with Johnny Paycheck. It was Austin's first chart single, topping out at No. 21 in 1966. The following year, it also became Tammy Wynette's first hit, although she took it only to the No. 44 slot. It also was the first tune to be named song of the year by the Academy of Country Music, being so honored for 1966.

Austin's other chart singles were "Cupid's Last Arrow" and "This Song Is Just for You" (1967), "For Your Love" (1969) and "Knoxville Station" (1972). His albums include "Apartment No. 9," "Old Love Never Dies" and "Bobby Austin."

Austin is survived by his wife, Fern, and his four children.