Country Music News

, June 26 (UPI) -- TODAY IN COUNTRY MUSIC HISTORY

(June 26)

Ralph Ezell, bass player with Shenandoah, born (1953) in Union, Miss.

The Oak Ridge Boys' made their chart debut with "Family Reunion" (1976)

Elvis Presley gave his final concert in Indianapolis (1977)

Of Music and More

LATEST SOUNDS

A new album from SHeDAISY, and a down-home thumper from Heather Myles are in the works for country music fans.

Three years after the release of their debut album "The Whole Shebang" that made them a hit with the younger set SHeDAISY return with a more mature follow-up, "Knock on the Sky" (Lyric Street). The three Osborn sisters --- Kristyn, Kelsi and Kassidy --- of SHeDAISY sold nearly 2 million copies of their 1999 debut disc. The teen-friendly trio established themselves with perky pop songs like "Little Goodbyes," "This Woman Needs" and "I Will ... But." Now, they're banking on an adult audience for "Knock on the Sky," although the album's first single, "Get Over Yourself," raised a ruckus at radio for so-called man-bashing. The follow-up, "Mine All Mine," a country-tinged tune about regret, is climbing the charts now. Dann Huff, who produced The "Whole Shebang," guided this project as well, with SHeDAISY co-producing.

Ty Herndon scrapped a full-length studio effort to release "This Is Ty Herndon: Greatest Hits" (Epic) instead. The 13-cut album will refresh the memories of country audiences with "What Mattered Most," "Living in a Moment" and "It Must Be Love." His new single, "A Few Short Years," is here, but the more modest hits "No Mercy," "She Wants to Be Wanted Again" and "I Have to Surrender" are missing, as is recent Top 40 hit "Heather's Wall."

Nanci Griffith has culled 22 songs for "From a Distance: The Very Best of Nanci Griffith" (MCA Nashville). The Texas-bred warbler has added live versions of four songs including "Love at the Five and Dime." Other selections include "Lone Star State of Mind," "Trouble in the Fields" and "I Knew Love."

If Tammy Wynette had been born in California, she probably would have sounded a lot like honky tonker Heather Myles. Keeping one boot planted in traditional country music, Myles dabbles in classic pop sounds, too. Fans of Buck Owens, Merle Haggard and Dwight Yoakam will be impressed with "Sweet Talk and Good Lies" (Rounder). Yoakam duets on the mariachi horn-laced "Little Chapel." A respectfully twangy remake of "By the Time I Get to Phoenix" is also a highlight.

The David Grisman Quintet, led by the master mandolinist, deliver "Dawgnation" (Acoutic Disc). Dale Watson checks in "Live From London ... England" (Audium Entertainment) and the Domino Kings get in "The Back of Your Mind" (Slewfoot). Popular on the Texas live music scene, The Randy Rogers Band release their first studio album, "Like It Used to Be" (Downtime). Big John Mills, also from Texas, includes the Waylon Jennings tribute "There's a New Outlaw in Heaven" on "Honky Tonks & Neon Lights" (Roaddawg Records).

Jason Ringenberg of Jason and the Scorchers has released an ambitious duets album, "All Over Creation" (Yep Roc Records). The rootsy project features Nashville favorites such as Steve Earle, BR549, Paul Burch, Lambchop and others. Pieta Brown, daughter of the gravel-voiced folk favorite Greg Brown, has debuted with a self-titled effort (Trailer); Lucinda Williams' guitarist Bo Ramsey co-produced with Ms. Brown.

FORMER JORDANAIRE WEST DIES

Ernest Duane West, the baritone member of the singing group the Jordanaires from 1982 to 1999, died last Sunday at age 61. West was also a member of the Southern Gentlemen Quartet with Sonny James in the late 1960s. Known for their four-part harmonies on Elvis Presley's recordings, as well as countless other country classics such as Patsy Cline's "Crazy," the Jordanaires were elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2001. The Gospel Music Hall of Fame also inducted them in 1998.