A new year brings the promise of starting over. Many folks see it as a point to make a resolution to complete or change things in their life. Perhaps coming out of the Christmas season gives them hope to make their lives better.
In reality, each new day brings us the chance to improve our lives.
Probably one of my favorite Dolly Parton songs of all time is her 1971 “Coat of Many Colors.” It evokes images of my own families’ Appalachian roots and I am pleased to share with you will be able to watch the movie based on the song Dec. 10.
Throughout my career in music, one of my favorite singers is Crystal Gayle. Crystal’s legacy continues to have a lasting impact in her childhood hometown with the unveiling of a theater named in her honor and an exhibit profiling her iconic career.
The leaf swayed hanging on to the lonely limb tightly. As if, to say to the world “I am not done and you are not going to make me fall down no matter what you throw at me.” All of its fellow leaves had given up the ghost blowing in whatever direction the wind desired them to go. Some managed to find a resting place at the foot of the majestic oak tree to spend the winter becoming the woodland blanket upon which the rain would fall before soaking into the ground.
It’s been nearly 13 years since country legend T.G. Sheppard released his last commercial album, and now he is back and better than ever with Legendary Friends & Country Duets. The star-studded project features collaborations with icons like George Jones, Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, Conway Twitty, Jerry Lee Lewis, The Oak Ridge Boys, Crystal Gayle, Lorrie Morgan and many more. Legendary Friends & Country Duets, released via Cleopatra Records, is available on iTunes, Amazon, and in music retailers nationwide.
Country Music Hall of Famer and Statler Brothers member, Jimmy Fortune, continues his successful career as a solo artist with the release of his latest project, Hits & Hymns, available for purchase now in Cracker Barrel Old Country Store® locations as well as music retailers nationwide. Hits & Hymns is also available online at iTunes, Amazon.
I like so many others have wondered why are there not more good people serving politically.
I come from a family that has always been politically active. As a child, I helped to go door to door as my mother encouraged people to vote for a particular candidate she and my father were supporting. I have helped hand out buttons, stickers and everything in between.
Karen Peck and New River won the Southern Gospel Album of the Year for their newest CD titled Pray Now. The Award was presented at the 46th Annual GMA Dove Awards Ceremony in Nashville, Tennessee on October 13th. Wayne Haun produced the project.
Pat Boone is expanding his horizons by recording his first ever R&B album. And not one to do things in a small way, he was thrilled to work with some of the genre’s biggest superstars of all time! He has powerful duets with James Brown, Smokey Robinson, Earth Wind & Fire, The Four Tops, and KC & The Sunshine Band plus members of Kool & the Gang, and Sister Sledge and even Hip Hop legend Kool Moe Dee. By joining with Cleopatra Records, this stunning album now has national distribution is available to his legion of fans worldwide.
I was honored to stand just off stage a few feet to the right of American Icon Steve Martin Oct. 1 as he accepted his IBMA Distinguished Achievement Award. Directing such a moment will be one of my greatest memories. He described his career of playing banjo as an “Oh No” each and everytime someone else innovated a style or technique he needed to learn. The honor is more than appropriate considering that his career has shined a light upon bluegrass legends and current talents. Alongside him receiving the same award were banjo stylist Murphy Henry, banjo stylist Alison Brown, the late Grand Ole Opry star Bashful Brother Oswald, and the International Bluegrass Music Museum.
