C O U N T R Y M U S I C C L A S S I C S

Doug Davis
Owner/Publisher/Manager/ Editor/Writer/Gopher/Chief Cook & Bottle Washer
Email to: Classics@countrymusicclassics.com

Tuesday March 25th, 2008

CHECK OUT OUR WEBSITE AT www.countrymusicclassics.com

STORY BEHIND THE SONG

Songwriters write songs for different reasons.

According to Willie Nelson, his 1981 hit, "Angel Flying Too Close To The Ground,⁵¹ was written during the time he and his third wife Connie, were experiencing trouble in their marriage.

Willie commented, "The idea for the song was a pretty general theme and the idea could and was—applied to a lot of different situations. Lots of people applied that song to their individual situations—people could relate the song to a love affair—to some who had died—or to someone they had lost for whatever reason—the song could have several different meanings and it did—to a lot of people—who never had any idea why I wrote that song."

Nelson said he wrote "Angel Flying Too Close To The Ground" in 1976 but didn't release it until four years later.

He said, "Timing has a lot to do with releasing a song. If you release a good song at the wrong time, nothing happens and you've lost a good song. A lot of times, I keep a song for awhile before releasing it, because I have to think the song has a chance to make it and timing has a lot to do with that. If a good song is released at the wrong time and it gets lost in the shuffle, then you always wish you had waited for a better time so the song would have had a better chance to make it."

"Angel Flying Too Close To The Ground" was the second single from Nelson's "Honeysuckle Rose" album and entered the country music charts January 10^th, 1981. It was in the number one spot the week of March 21^st.

It was his 65^th charted single and his tenth number one.

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QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

QUESTION: Do you know anything about Charlie Daniels writing a book about his life? And where can I buy a copy?

ANSWER: Charlie Daniels says that he's been working on his autobiography for several years now, and that it's difficult for him to organize, which he attributes in part to still being alive and active. Another thing making it challenging is all the ground he has to cover. Daniels is celebrating his 50th anniversary in music this year, and says it's all been a great journey so far. He adds that he doesn't plan to quit playing and recording, so it is hard for him to know just where to bring his story to an end. One option would be for him to focus on the first 50 years with this book, and then to write an update with a later volume.

QUESTION: The radio guys said that Reba McEntire was showing her new line of clothes in Texas. Do you have any info?

ANSWER: Fans got to see Reba and her new spring clothing line last Saturday when she visited a Dallas-area Dillard’s. She made a stop at NorthPark Mall Center, where her new line of casual footwear and her spring collection were unveiled. During her Dillard's appearance the singer hung out to sign autographs and take pictures with her fans. Her next endeavor will be a line of luggage that will be out in time for the holidays. In addition to clothing, Reba has home and bath products available at Dillard’s.

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I’m still searching for artists/songwriters/record producers, who had songs in the TOP 40 country music charts from the 1950’s thru the 1980’s...also any musicians who might have played on those recording sessions. If you have contact information for any of those folks, please email info to: classics@countrymusicclassics.com

Many thanks to all of you who have provided contact information on several folks!

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QUESTION: Do you know anything about Jimmy Dean performing with The Gatlin Brothers? My dad says it was on TV news.

ANSWER: Larry Gatlin and the Gatlin Brothers, Lari White, Jimmy Dean, and Leslie Satcher will play a benefit for the Vanderbilt Voice Center at the Ryman Auditorium on April 10^th.

QUESTION: I have heard something about Willie Nelson and a movie about “Delta Rising.” Do you have any information?

ANSWER: Willie Nelson is featured in the documentary “Delta Rising,” which premiers at the On Location: Memphis International Film Fest this weekend. Others who have a part in the film include Morgan Freeman, who owns the Ground Zero Club in Clarksdale, Mississippi; and Elvis Costello, as well as other blues musicians. The film includes people talking about the delta, the music, and artists who gave the delta sound its importance among musical genres.

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FROM TANDY RICE:

Dear Easter Bunny Country Music Lovers:

I was there and saw it "with my own two eyes", as my Franklin, Tn boyhood friends used to say. Twas a phenomenon, pure and simple .

It was at the famed Country Radio Seminar and the King Possum George Jones Himself was the only artist onstage with

interviewer Norro Wilson. I wondered how Mr Traditionalist would fare before this jampacked room of YOUNG deejays from all across the USA.

You could have heard a pin drop.

They were totally attentive to the classic Q&A going on onstage. they clung to George's everyword. They couldn't have been more respectful or more appreciative of the 60-minutes shared with this Living Legend. And when it ended, the standing O and resounding ovation left everybody aware that they's received an Early Easter Present. They simply LOVED George Jones. And guess what: George loved them right back. It was a week-early miracle to behold and I wouldn't trade anything for being there.

Just wanted to share that with you.

Also take a moment to check out....www..GeorgeJonesUniversity.net.....which kicks off this coming Thursday at George's Franklin, Tn ranch . Looks like we're gonna have a big crowd, all of whom love traditional Country Music and coming from all over the USA. All of this is coinciding w/the opening of the Hank Williams

Family Tradition Exhibition at the CM Hall of Fame this coming Saturday.

Our cup runneth over. May God Bless all of you and.....Happy Easter.

HAVE A RICE DAY.....

YOUR BUNNY. YOUR POSSUM.

Tandy Rice

Nashville

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THE STUDIO MUSICIANS.

by: Jack Blanchard

It's time we thank those who make our songs sound so good.

One of the world's great electric bass players: Henry Strelecki.
Our favorite banjo players: Bobby Thompson and Henry Cook.
Our friend and steel/dobro player: Lloyd Green.
On piano, Hargus Robbins. Who else?
The great fiddle players: Buddy Spicher, Johnny Gimbel, and Vassar Clements.
Lead guitarist on most of our sessions: Billy Sanford.
Other fine guitarists who recorded with us:
Chip Young, Doug Tarrant, Jerry Shook, and Travis Womack.
Charlie McCoy, who plays all instruments,
and always knows just what it needs.
The great session drummer: Larrie Londin,
and the one and only Junior Huskey on acoustic bass
The beautiful backup vocals of The Nashville Edition and the Leah Jane Singers.
And other amazing talents who have brightened our recordings:
Steel guitar: Weldon Myrick, Buddy Emmons, and Wayne Bridge.
Bassist: Bob Moore.
Let's not forget the gang from Muscle Shoals.
And so many more.
Friends we miss:
Larrie Londin, Bobby Thompson, Junior Huskey,and Vassar Clements.

But, haven't we had fun!
Thanks and much love to you all.

Jack Blanchard

Jack Blanchard & Misty Morgan...
Grammy Nominees... Billboard's Duet of the Year.
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
Home page: jackandmisty.com

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Your comments, suggestions, gripes, etc. concerning this newsletter---are welcome. Email to:Classics@countrymusicclassics.com

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COUNTRY MUSIC HITS THIS DAY IN:

1948 I’ll Hold You in My Heart (Till I Can Hold You in My Arms) - Eddy Arnold

1956 Heartbreak Hotel - Elvis Presley

1964 Saginaw, Michigan - Lefty Frizzell

1972 My Hang-Up is You - Freddie Hart

1980 Why Don’t You Spend the Night - Ronnie Milsap

1988 Life Turned Her that Way - Ricky Van Shelton

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TODAY IN COUNTRY MUSIC HISTORY

compiled by Bill Morrison

1923 - Bonnie Guitar, singer, songwriter, guitarist, producer, and Record label executive, born "Bonnie Buckingham," in Seattle, Washington.

1927 - Joe Talbot 1907-2000, country music executive, born in Nashville, Tennessee.

1934 - Johnny Burnette 1934-1964, Rockabilly singer, songwriter, and guitarist was born in Memphis, Tennessee.

1935 - Leon McAuliffe and his steel guitar joined the Texas Playboys.

1938 - Hoyt Axton 1938-1999, singer, songwriter and actor was born in Duncan, Oklahoma.

1939 - Billboard published its first "Hillbilly Records" chart.

1947 - Johnny & Jack recorded together for the first time in 1947, the same year they joined the Grand Ole Opry.

1949 - Jack Kapp 1901-1949, age 47, co-founder of Decca Records, died today. Jack was laid to rest in Temple Israel Cemetery, in Hastings-on-Hudson, New York.

1953 - Webb Pierce recorded "There Stands The Glass" in 1953. The Decca single charted in October and went to #1.

1960 - Roy Orbison recorded "Only The Lonely" 1960.

1961 - Minnie Pearl opened for Elvis Presley at the Bloch Arena in Hawaii 1961. Minnie and Elvis were good friends; her husband Henry Cannon flew Elvis to his concerts prior to Elvis buying his own airplane.

1963 - Johnny Cash recorded "Ring Of Fire" in Nashville. June Carter and Merle Kilgore writers, Don Law and Frank Jones produced. Session players: Johnny Cash-Vocals; Luther Perkins-Guitar; Marshall Grant-Bass; W.S. Holland-Drums; Bill Purcell-Piano; Jack Clement-Rhythm guitar; Karl Garvin & Bill McElhiney-Trumpet; The Carter Family Vocal background.

1963 - Robbie Fulks, singer, guitarist, born in York, Pennsylvania.

1966 - Buck Owens and the Buckaroos played to a sold out Carnegie Hall audience in New York City. Capitol records taped the show and released a live album "Carnegie Hall Concert," that spent 5 weeks at #1. On the 40^th anniversary of this very special day in Buck Owens life, he would lose his life to a heart attack, while sleeping in his bed at home. Buck was 76. A few months prior to Buck's death, he was inducted into the Rockabilly Hall of Fame along with Mayf Nutter. The induction was held in Bakersfield, at Buck's Palomino Club. Bob Timmers, founder of the Hall of Fame conducted the ceremony.

1970 - Johnny Cash's ABC-TV show featured guests Jackie DeShannon, Waylon Jennings and Michael Parks.

1970 - Connie Smith and Stan Hitchcock were featured guests on "Hee Haw."

1971 - Lynn Anderson's Columbia album "Rose Garden" was certified Gold by the RIAA.

1972 - Jody Miller and Buddy Alan were featured guests on "Hee Haw."

1972 - Columbia Records released Merle Haggard's self-penned single "Grandma Harp," his twelfth # 1 record.

1972 - Freddie Hart topped the charts with "My Hang-up Is You."

1978 - Buddy Holly's MCA album "Buddy Holly:The Crickets 20 Golden Greats" topped out at #20, on the Billboard Top Country Album charts. The album went to #1 in England.

1981 - Eddie Rabbitt's Elektra single "Drivin' My Life Away" was certified Gold by the RIAA.

1993 - Lyle Lovett's MCA/Curb album "Joshua Judges Ruth" was certified Gold by you know who.

1995 - Rick Trevino's Columbia album "Looking For The Light" charted today.

1997 - Edsel released Jack Greene's "Jolly Green Giant" album.

2003 - Bill Anderson was arrested in Wilson County, Tennessee, on a charge of Aggravated Assault. The charges were filed by Anderson's girl friend, Deborah Marlin. Anderson was released on $1500.00 bond.

2003 - Capitol released Rosanne Cash's album "Rules of Travel."

2003 - The WB Network renewed Reba McEntire's sitcom "Reba," for a third season.

2004 - The Georgia House of Representatives, voted to name a stretch of Interstate 85 the Alan Jackson Highway.

2006 - Buck Owens 1929-2006, age 76, singer, songwriter, guitarist, session musician, radio station owner, co-host of " Hee Haw" died from a heart attack in his sleep. Buck was laid to rest in the Owens Family Mausoleum at Green Lawn Southwest Cemetery, Bakersfield, California. In case you didn't know Bonnie Owens and Buck Owens are Together Again. Bonnie's ashes are located next to Buck in the Mausoleum.

Courtesy Bill Morrison: http://www.talentondisplay.com/countrycalMAR.html

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Dear Friend of ICMC: Below is information about the Friday 4 April 2008 Patsy Cline symposium presented by the Virginia Historical Society and Shenandoah University. The program is excellent and includes ICMC stalwarts Jocelyn Neal and Kris McCusker. Bill Malone (whose Country Music U.S.A. will be a the focus of the Friday, 23 May ICMC panel) will be discussing "Patsy Cline and a Changing South: From Depression to Postwar Affluence." Joli Jensen, another friend of ICMC, will also be a presenter at the Patsy Cline symposium. Links are provided at the end of the announcement to view the program and register.

To remind you again of ICMC, two presentations at the Saturday morning 24 May session of the International Country Music Conference will focus on Willie Nelson and on the business of country music. Dr. Travis Stimeling of Milikin University will discuss “Phases and Stages, Circles and Cycles”: Willie Nelson's Compositional Approaches to the Concept Album.” Dr. Con Cusic of Belmont University will discuss "The Business of Country Music. Dr. Erika Brady of Western Kentucky University will preside over the Saturday morning sessions. Sessions will be held in The Frist Lecture Hall of the Gordon E. Inman Center at Belmont University in Nashville.

Registration for ICMC is $100 and includes substantial food at luncheons, breakfasts, and evening functions. A check made payable to ICMC should be sent by Friday, 16 May 2008 to James E. Akenson Box 5042 Tennessee Technological University Cookeville, TN 38505. Additional ICMC 2008 features will be sent to you in the coming weeks. A complete program is posted at www.internationalcountrymusic.org where you may also find a PDF registration form.

There is no official ICMC hotel. West End Avenue hotels are quite convenient. The Holiday Inn Select near the Vanderbilt campus and across from Centennial Park is used by many ICMC participants. Other West End hotels include two Hampton Inns and a Courtyard by Marriott. Throughout the Nashville area may be found the complete range of hotel chains which can be accessed by their respective web pages. You might investigate the Vanderbilt University Scarritt Center for slightly less costly housing at http://www.scarrittbennett.org/retreats/default.aspx.

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Decades After Her Death, Fans Are Still Crazy About Patsy Cline

Symposium and Concert at VHS Explore Virginian's Life and Music

Richmond, VA – At a time in American history characterized by the Cold War, stay-at-home moms, social suppression, and suburbia, how did the beer-drinking, rule-breaking, fringe-wearing, divorced high school drop-out Patsy Cline emerge?

On Friday, April 4, 2008, the Virginia Historical Society (VHS), in partnership with the Community History Project of Shenandoah University, will host a day-long symposium to discuss that very issue. "Sweet Dreams: The Life and Times of Patsy Cline" brings together scholars, authors, and historians who will survey the life of recording artist Patsy Cline, her history, and her enduring legacy. To conclude the conference, Richmond radio personality and music producer Tim Timberlake has created a Patsy Cline review featuring celebrated performers and special guest singers.

"Patsy Cline is arguably Virginia's most significant contribution to twentieth-century American popular culture," said Paul Levengood, Managing Editor of the Society's Virginia Magazine of History and Biography. "More than forty years after her death, Patsy's life and timeless music continue to fascinate and entertain. And, the twentieth-century was the period in which Virginia changed the most. More and more, the Historical Society is using pop culture stories to demonstrate the scope and depth of changes in the state's history."

Patsy Cline (1932–1963), born Virginia P. Hensley in Winchester, Virginia, has been called "the most popular female country singer in recording history" by the Country Music Hall of Fame. Her brief career produced the number one jukebox hit of all time, "Crazy," and her Greatest Hits album, with more than ten million copies sold, is among the elite few to have reached "Diamond" status (others include The Beatles' Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, U2's The Joshua Tree, Michael Jackson's Thriller, and Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band's Live 1975–1985).

Despite the hard-luck stories and the tragic nature of a singing career cut short, Patsy Cline is regularly invoked as the standard for female vocalists, both pop and country, and remains a powerful source of inspiration. She has had a lasting impact on the recording industry as a whole and paved the way for the brightest female talents of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries.

By examining various factors in Patsy Cline's story—the social and political climate, early musical influences, her role as a female pioneer in a male-dominated industry, and her musical accomplishments—the symposium will shed light on why this Virginian is so important and how her life's journey is entwined with our history as a state and a nation. "Discussing Patsy Cline's career is a wonderful way of exploring themes in American history in the 1950s," said Warren Hofstra, Professor of History at Shenandoah University and symposium co-organizer and presenter. "Her story as a struggling artist says a lot about the period and community from which she came."

To register for the event, please visit www.vahistorical.org or call (804) 342-9673. To enhance the experience, symposium and concert attendees are encouraged to wear Patsy Cline-inspired attire.

"Sweet Dreams: The Life and Times of Patsy Cline" is organized with support from the Virginia Foundation for the Humanities and Norfolk Southern.

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THIS I BELIEVE:

God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life (John 3:‘16)

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