Country Music News

TODAY IN COUNTRY MUSIC HISTORY

(Wed., Nov. 21)

Fiddler and one-time Opry member Hal Smith was born James Harrell Smith in Cullman, Ala., in 1923.

Slim Williamson was born B.L. Williamson in Arcaid, Ga., in 1927.

Jean Shepard was born Ollie Imogene Shepard in Pauls Valley, Okla., in 1933.

Merle Travis recorded "When My Baby Double Talks to Me" and "Kentucky Means Paradise" for Capitol in 1947.

Tommy Duncan recorded "Never No Mo' Blues," "In The Jailhouse Now," "I Don't Believe You're Mine Any More" and "Chattanoogie Shoe Shine Boy" for Capitol in 1949.

Flatt & Scruggs' first Columbia recording session was held in 1950.

Johnny Cash's album, Johnny Cash's Greatest Hits, Volume I, was certified platinum and double platinum in 1969.

George Jones' top five recording of "A Good Year for the Roses" made its debut on the charts in 1970.

The Byrds' album entitled The Byrds' Greatest Hits was certified platinum in 1986.

Lynn Anderson's Rose Garden was certified platinum in 1986.

Johnny Cash's albums, Johnny Cash at Folsom Prison and Johnny Cash at San Quentin, was certified platinum and double platinum in 1986.

Alabama's Greatest Hits Volume III and Love A Little Stronger by Diamond Rio went platinum in 1995.

COUNTRY MUSIC TRIVIA

Q: What Opry member's latest endeavors is a one-of-a-kind project titled "Clinch Mountain Country," which includes collaborations with 34 artists such as Ricky Skaggs, Joe Diffie, Hal Ketchum, Jim Lauderdale, Alison Krauss, Connie Smith, Bob Dylan, Gillian Welch, Vince Gill and others?

A: Ralph Stanley, who returns to the Opry during Opry at the Ryman this Saturday for the 1 p.m. Holiday Matinee and also both Saturday Night Opry shows.

MUSIC AND MORE

GARTH COAST TO COAST

Garth Brooks began his series of CBS Special concerts, "Garth Brooks: Coast To Coast Live," in Los Angeles last Wednesday. Among the celebrities in attendance for the first show were Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds and actors Woody Harrelson, Marlee Matlin and John Travolta. Woody helped Garth pass out front row tickets to those seated in the nosebleed sections of the arena.

Brooks' second concert will be aboard the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Enterprise in Norfolk, Va., this Wednesday night (at 10 p.m. ET), where he will hand out boxes of cookies from his daughter Taylor's school classmates to the sailors and their families.

His publicist says pop singer Jewel will also appear on the show. She'll perform two songs from her latest album, "This Way," and visit with military personnel aboard the Enterprise.

SHEDAISY SINGS FOR PRESIDENT, MILITARY PERSONNEL

SHeDAISY -- Kristyn, Kassidy and Kelsi Osborn -- will be joined by Sara Evans, Phil Vassar, Carolyn Dawn Johnson and Craig Morgan for a day of music for President Bush, dignitaries and the service men and woman of Ft. Campbell, Tenn., Wednesday.

More than 20,000 base employees, special dignitaries and troops being deployed this coming weekend will share an early Thanksgiving meal with the president. SHeDAISY will then kick off the music and close the show with "The Battle Hymn of the Republic." The concert will include patriotic tunes as well as the artists' hits.

"Being able to give thanks for our many blessings and to sing for our heroes and our President during this time of national healing and support is an unprecedented feeling," said SHeDAISY in a statement. "We are trilled to have Sara, Phil, Craig and Carolyn Dawn join us for this special day."

This will be Bush's first visit to Ft. Campbell, home of the 101st Airborne.

PERFORMERS BENEFIT FROM TV APPEARANCES

Don't tell anyone who's ever put out a record or appeared in a movie that the free publicity you get from appearing on an awards show can't help your career. Country.com reports that nearly 20 artists and songs featured on the recent Country Music Association Awards telecast have suddenly jumped up on the music charts. All have a "bullet" associated with their rankings. Among the most dramatic gain was George Strait's new CD "The Road Less Traveled." It rocketed to the No. 1 spot, dethroning the soundtrack for "O Brother, Where Art Though?" That album had been at the stop for months.

(Thanks to UPI Feature Reporter Dennis Daily)

OPRY MEMBERS CHRISTMAS PLANS

Opry member Little Jimmy Dickens will participate in the 3rd Annual Ryman Christmas Tree Lighting Celebration at the Ryman Auditorium in downtown Nashville this Friday. Joining Jimmy is David Ball.

Meanwhile, Opry member Travis Tritt will be a part of the 78th Annual Christmas Pageant of Peace in Washington, D.C., on Dec. 6. Part of the event includes the lighting of the National Christmas Tree by President Bush.

In Econdido, Calif., Opry member Joe Diffie along with Tammy Cochran and Carolyn Dawn Johnson will appear at the Cox Carols by Candlelight at the California Center for the Arts on Dec. 6-7.

On TNT, Opry member Reba McEntire will host the 20th Annual Christmas in Washington on Dec. 9. It'll be taped for airing Dec. 16.

RANDY TRAVIS IN UPCOMING FILM

Opry member Randy Travis will appear in a new film, Texas Rangers, opening Nov. 30. The film stars Randy, Usher, Dylan McDermott and James Van Der Beek and is based on the book by George Durham, Taming of the Neuces Strip: The Story of McNelly's Rangers. Filming took place in 1999 around Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

KRISTOFFERSON HONORED

Kris Kristofferson was honored by the Multicultural Motion Picture Association with their Lifetime Achievement Award in a ceremony during its 9th Annual Diversity Awards show last Saturday. Kris was selected by the 1,2000 voting members of the MMPA.

Coming Soon To The Opry Stage:

Nov. 23: David Ball, Jimmy Dickens, Confederate Railroad, Dale Ann Bradley & Coon Creek, T Graham Brown, Doyle Dykes, Bill Anderson, Jeannie Seely and others

Nov. 24 (1 p.m. Matinee): David Ball, John Conlee, The Whites, Mike Snider, Ralph Stanley, Bill Anderson, Jimmy Dickens, T. Graham Brown

Nov. 24: Del McCoury Band, David Ball, Jimmy Dickens, Ralph Stanley, T Graham Brown, Ricky Skaggs, John Conlee, Doyle Dykes and many more

Nov. 30: Joe Diffie, Steve Wariner, Del McCoury Band, Diamond Rio, John Conlee, Jean Shepard, Ricky Skaggs

Dec. 1 (1 p.m. Matinee): Asleep at the Wheel, Carolyn Dawn Johnson

Dec. 1: Joe Diffie, Asleep at the Wheel, Del McCoury Band, John Conlee, Jean Shepard, Crystal Gayle, Ricky Skaggs, Carolyn Dawn Johnson

Dec. 7: Gillian Welch, Clint Black

Dec. 8 (1 p.m. Matinee): Gillian Welch and Dave Rawlings

Dec. 8: Travis Tritt, Diamond Rio, Gillian Welch, Clint Black

Dec. 14: Jeff Carson, Charley Pride

Dec. 15: Tracy Lawrence, Jeff Carson, John Prine, Charley Pride

Dec. 15 (1 p.m. Matinee): Jeff Carson

Dec. 21-22: Dale Watson