2011 March Issue - Country Entertainment USA, Free … 5 LIPSCOMB UNIVERSITY'S “OPERATION YELLOW RIBBON” EVENT Charlie Daniels, Wynonna, Montgomery Gentry and The Grascals Charlie

REBA

Publicizing Entertainers & Entertaining Our Readers

Suzy Bogguss

Charley Pride Gives Fans Choices

On March 8

Country Entertainment USA STAFF

DISCLAIMER:

Country Entertainment USA is not liable for any inaccura-

cies submitted by freelance writers, advertisers or publicists.

Opinions and claims made by advertisers and writers are

their own, and do not represent Country Entertainment USA

Magazine or Publisher.

CONTENTS

4 Charley Pride

Releases Choices

5 Operation Yellow Ribbon with Musical Appearances by

Charlie Daniels plus other Artist

6 42nd Dove Awards Ricky Skaggs & Oak Ridge Boys

7 2011 CMA

Photo Contest

8 Suzy Bogguss

9 LIVE FROM

HOLLYWOOD

10 Musicians

for Mor Mor

12 CD Reviews

13 Grand Ole Opry

Performer Diane Berry

15 Festivals &

Music Venues

PG 3

Editor:

Cindy Gordon

Associate Editor:

Holly Marie Tong

Managing Editor, Sales, Marketing

& Distribution Manager:

Roy Skropits

Writer:

Doug Dyer

CD Reviews:

Brenda L. Madden

GENERAL INFORMATION:

[email protected]

ADVERTISING & RATES:

[email protected]

PRESS RELEASES:

[email protected]

By Mail

Country Entertainment USA

P.O. Box 100985

Nashville, TN. 37224

Office (615) 977-1734

Cell (615) 474-0162

www.countryentertainmentusa.com

PG 4 www.countryentertainmentusa.com

CHARLEY PRIDE GIVES FANS CHOICES ON MARCH 8 Pride Keeps Tour Trail Hot; Joins Texas Rangers for Spring Workouts

Without doubt, Charley Pride is one of the most respected

and successful personas in all of country music. After all,

it was the three-time Grammy winner who made music

history when his 1969 classic “All I Have To Offer You Is

Me,” bolted to the top of the US Country chart, making

him the first African American in country music to land a

No. 1 hit. To date, the multi-platinum selling Pride holds

36 No. 1 hits and has sold more than 70 million records

(albums and singles combined).

On March 8, 2011, Pride releases Choices (Music City Re-

cords), his first all-new album in five years.

Choices are exactly what fans will get on the diverse album, which

features 13 new recordings. Album cuts include songs penned by

some of Pride’s favorite writers including Ted Harris (“Crystal

Chandeliers”), Ben Peters (“Kiss An Angel Good Morning”), Charlie Monk, Eddy Raven and Richie McDonald,

formerly of Lonestar.

“I’ve been in the studio a lot over the last few years. So, I had to make some hard choices when selecting which

of the new recordings to include on the album,” notes Pride. “I’m very happy with the final result and I’m

thrilled to finally be able to share some of the new music with my fans.”

On the road, the Country Music Hall of Famer shows no signs of slowing down as he kicks off an 11-city tour of

Canada starting April 27 in Regina, Saskatchewan.

In addition to maintaining a healthy tour schedule, Pride, who recently acquired part ownership of Major League

Baseball’s Texas Rangers, is currently in Surprise, AZ, keeping himself and the team both in shape and enter-

tained. Ownership stake aside, it is a long-standing tradition for Pride, a former Negro American League All-

Star player, to workout with the Rangers during spring training.

From humble beginnings as a sharecropper’s son, to becoming one of country music’s greatest pioneers, the

“Pride of Country Music” is the first and only African American Grand Ole Opry member in its over 70 year

history. Pride’s accolades are endless with multiple Grammy wins, CMA Entertainer of the Year and Top Male

Vocalist awards, a Country Music Hall of Fame induction and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

www.charleypride.com


LIPSCOMB UNIVERSITY'S “OPERATION YELLOW RIBBON” EVENT

Charlie Daniels, Wynonna, Montgomery Gentry and The Grascals

Charlie Daniels, Wynonna, Montgomery Gentry and The

Grascals are set to perform for 'Operation Yellow Ribbon'

at Lipscomb University March 29, 2011. General Tommy

Franks (Ret.) has been confirmed as the keynote speaker,

and the Center for Deployment Psychology will be featured

at the Symposium for university administrators.

Operation Yellow Ribbon features a daylong symposium

sponsored by Lipscomb University and featuring experts

from the Center for Deployment Psychology (CPD), Chal-

lenge America, Not Alone and the Department of Veterans

Affairs. The day will be filled with clinical as well as non-

clinical approaches to working with veterans and develop-

ing a better understanding of this unique population. An-

other focus of the symposium is to bring together university

administrators, certifying officials and others who work with student-veterans to discuss best approaches in cre-

ating veteran-friendly campuses as thousands of veterans across the country are enrolling in universities through

the Post 9/11 GI Bill.

Capping off the day’s events, Franks will address attendees at Lipscomb’s Allen Arena. Musical appearances by

Charlie Daniels, Wynonna, Montgomery Gentry and The Grascals are scheduled for the evening event at 7 p.m.

in Lipscomb’s Allen Arena.

“Our goal is to provide an informative day for those who work with veterans at universities across the country to

help equip them with knowledge and expertise to make their campuses more accessible and friendly for veter-

ans. By partnering with the Center for Deployment Psychology we want to help educate university counseling

teams so they can offer programs that adequately serve our veterans as they reintegrate home and adjust to uni-

versity life,” said David K. Hughes, Lipscomb University assistant dean of students and director of the Yellow

Ribbon Program.

Admission to the symposium is open to any university representative or administrator who works with student-

veterans or coordinates Yellow Ribbon programs on their campuses. Registration is $75 per person, which cov-

ers all activities, materials, meals and VIP tickets for the concert. For more information or to register visit yel-

lowribbon.lipscomb.edu or call 615.966.5176.

Tickets for the evening event only will go on sale for $10 on Feb. 18 at the Lipscomb University box office. Call

615.966.7075. Members of the military and their families will be invited as guests of the events corporate spon-

sors. Proceeds from the event benefit Lipscomb University’s Yellow Ribbon Program.

Lipscomb’s Yellow Ribbon Program offers eligible Post 9/11 GI Bill veterans and their family members an un-

dergraduate degree tuition-free or a graduate degree tuition-free or at a greatly reduced tuition rate.

The Center for Deployment Psychology (CPD) is a non-profit, tri-service center funded through a grant awarded

by the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences to train military and civilian behavioral health pro-

viders.


Oak Ridge Boys, Ricky Skaggs & Rural Rhythm Christian RECEIVES NOMINATIONS FOR 42ND ANNUAL DOVE AWARDS

The Oak Ridge Boys have won a total of 9 Dove Awards throughout

their career and they are looking to add to that number in 2011. It

was recently announced that the Oak Ridge Boys received 3 nomina-

tions for this year’s 42nd Annual Gospel Music Association Dove

Awards, including:

Southern Gospel Recorded Song of the Year, “Live With Jesus”

Country Recorded Song of the Year, “God’s Gonna Ease My Trou-

blin’ Mind”

Long Form Music Video of the Year, An Inconvenient Christmas

"The GMA has been so very good to The Oak Ridge Boys," said

group member Joe Bonsall. "On every show we try to sing some

Gospel songs and take the time to remind our audience where our roots and heritage reside. We cannot say thank

you enough for these nominations! I might add...... there is STILL room on that shelf!"

www.oakridgeboys.com

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It was recently announced that the legendary Ricky Skaggs has been

nominated for the 42nd Annual Gospel Music Association Dove

Awards. Skaggs will be competing in the Country Album of the

Year category for Mosaic. Gordon Kennedy and Skaggs Family

Records also received a nomination for their work on the album as

producer and record label, respectively.

“I’m very excited about the Dove nomination,” says Skaggs,

“Mosaic is a project that is near and dear to my heart. It seems to

have a life all its own. I believe it will continue touching lives for

years to come.”

Mosaic was released in August of 2010 and is Skaggs’ return to a

full band sound, a style that made him one of the best-selling artists

in country music history. He worked closely with fellow

GRAMMY winner Gordon Kennedy to create an album with music and lyrics that speak to Skaggs’ faith, mak-

ing “music that is in my head and in my heart,” says Skaggs.

If Mosaic wins, this will be Skaggs’ third Dove Award; having won Bluegrass Recorded Song of the Year in

2001 for "Are You Afraid To Die"and Bluegrass Album of the Year in 2008 for Salt Of The Earth.

www.rickyskaggs.com

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

RURAL RHYTHM CHRISTIAN is very proud to announce the label's two 2011 GMA DOVE AWARD

NOMINATIONS for BLUEGRASS ALBUM OF THE YEAR: LOOK TO THE LIGHT: Songs of Faith from

the Pen of Rick Lang – Various Artists, produced by Rick Lang, John Miller and Jesse Brock; and SOUNDS

LIKE HEAVEN TO ME by Lou Reid and Carolina, produced by Lou Reid.


2011 CMA Music Festival Holds Photo Submission Contest As Part Of It's 40th Anniversary Celebration · Winning Entries to Become Event Ticket

As part of the 40th anniversary festivities for CMA Music Festival, past attendees will be able to submit their

event photographs online to create an on-going photo archive that fully documents the fan/artist connection that

is the heart of the event. Submitted photos will be considered for use on CMA websites, publications, displays,

exhibits, and more. 2011 CMA Music Festival will take place in Downtown Nashville, June 9-12.

For the first time, CMA will hold a contest on CMAfest.com with six submitted photos to be used as the artwork

on the official event tickets. The contest will begin Feb. 17 and run through Mar. 7. Prizes will be awarded to

submitting fans, including commemorative, framed 40th anniversary CMA Music Festival plaques with a ticket

containing their photograph displayed for the top three photos; merchandise prize packs; and more. The Grand

Prize winner will also receive two Gold Circle four-day tickets to the 2012 CMA Music Festival.

"Everyone that has attended CMA Music Festival in the past has taken hundreds of photos that captured their

experience," said Steve Moore, CMA Chief Executive Officer. An event ticket containing one of these photos is

a great way to celebrate our 40th anniversary while also providing a permanent souvenir to every ticketholder.

"It would be amazing if each photo chosen to be on the event ticket showcased a different aspect of the Festival

at a different point in its history," said Wendy Pearl, CMA Vice President of Corporate Communications and

Executive Editor of CMA Close Up. "We are hoping this new Festival photo archive will be as complete as pos-

sible, showcasing the entire breadth of the event from 1972 onward, so that we can fully document this amazing

and iconic event for all to see. CMA appreciates the fans and past attendees searching through their scrapbooks

for photos to submit."

For full contest rules and to submit photos, fans can visit CMAfest.com beginning Thursday, Feb. 17.

Photo Credit:

Max Vadukal

Trace Adkins, Jason Aldean, The Band Perry, Sheryl Crow, Lady Antebellum,

Miranda Lambert, Martina McBride, Reba, Darius Rucker, Blake Shelton, Keith

Urban and Rascal Flatts are the first performers who have been announced for

2011 CMA Music Festival. Additional talent will be announced soon.

Photo Credit:

Russ Harrington

Photo Credit:

James Minchin III

Photo Credit:

Chapman Baehler

Suzy Bogguss to Perform

The Station Inn, Nashville, TN

Thursday, March 10th at 9pm

Music City Roots at The Loveless Barn

Wednesday, April 20th at 7pm

Franklin, TN High School for Band Together

A Benefit for The Franklin Band

Thursday, April 21st at 7:30pm

www.suzybogguss.com

AWARDS:

Academy of Country Music, 1989 - Top New Female Vocalist

Country Music Association, 1992 - Horizon Award

Country Music People International, 1993 - Rising Star Award

Country Music Association, 1994 - Album of the Year - Common Thread

GRAMMY, 2005 - Traditional Folk Album - “Beautiful Dreamer, The Songs Of Stephen Foster”

LIVE FROM HOLLYWOOD ON THE

WORLD FAMOUS SUNSET STRIP

ALLIE JORGEN (LE REVERIE) + DALE BOZZIO (MISSING PERSONS) =

ONE GREAT KEY CLUB SHOW ON THE FAMED SUNSET STRIP!

Two terrific female rockers past and present team up for one great night of

rock 'n' roll when Allie Jorgen of L.A. Goth-Rock group Le Reverie and

Dale Bozzio of renowned longtime band Missing Persons perform in con-

cert together at the:

Key Club

9039 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood

Friday, March 4. Tickets $18

($15. with coupon code LeRev3411) at www.lereveriestore.com

Info: (310) 274-5800, www.keyclub.com or www.lereverie.com

Le Reverie recently released their debut EP, "Truth & Lies," produced by Ron Nevison (known for his work

with, among other greats, The Who, Rolling Stones, Bad Company, Thin Lizzy, UFO, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Meat

Loaf, and Styx). A song off the album, "Hold Me Down," helped garner the band "Breakout Single of the Year"

at the 2010 (20th Annual) Los Angeles Music Awards.

Want More Customers or Fans

Advertise in the Country Entertainment USA Magazine


Call (615) 474-0162

or E-mail

[email protected]


P.O. Box 100985


Musicians for Mor Mor


Jason Reeves, a songwriter with more of a pop flare,

co-wrote ten of the twelve tracks on Colbie Caillat’s

debut album Coco - including the singles “Bubbly”,

“Realize,” and “The Little Things” which went plati-

num.

Allen Shamblin has had over 100 cuts as a song-

writer. His first number one being “He Walked On

Water” by Randy Travis. And the hits continue, most

recently with “The House That Built Me” - an award-

winning song for Miranda Lambert.

Not only did these wonderful musicians step up for

the cause, but schools and businesses joined in by

contributing items for the silent auction. Almost

thirty items were on the auction block, everything

from jewelry and Android cell phones to limousine

services and catering for twenty. Yielding the highest

bid of the night was a Yamaha guitar signed by Brad

Paisley, Carrie Underwood and numerous others,

which sold for $1,100.

The evening was a huge success, raising approxi-

mately $5,500, all of which will go to assist with

Mary’s medical bills. If you would like to help, it is

not too late.

“Musicians for Mor Mor”

Are still accepting donations at

Wells Fargo/Wachovia Banks

The entire Nashville commu-

nity banded together after the

historic flood last year; the mu-

sic industry, in particular,

stepped forward with numerous

benefits to raise money for

those caught in harm’s way. In

Nashville, that is the rule rather

than the exception, whether the

call for help is of historic proportions or on a more

personal level.

Recently local businesswoman, Mary Warchol (or

“Mor Mor” as her grandchildren call her), was diag-

nosed with a rare form of cancer. After surgery -

medical bills began to reach astronomical proportions.

When the Driskills learned of Mary’s situation, they

immediately wanted to help. Marc Driskill, ASCAP’s

Vice-President/General Manager Nashville, called a

few of his friends and together with his wife, Peggy,

the benefit began to take shape and “Musicians for

Mor Mor” was created.

At the Hard Rock Cafe’s Reverb Room on February

24th, hit songwriters Brett James, Neil Thrasher, Ja-

son Reeves and Allen Shamblin took the stage on

Mary’s behalf. Each of these songwriters have a re-

sume that include cuts by some of music’s finest, but

on this night, it was not just their talent in the spot-

light, it was their heart.

Brett James, perhaps best known as the songwriter of

Carrie Underwood’s hit, “Jesus, Take The Wheel,”

has also written number one hits for Jessica Andrews,

Martina McBride, Kenny Chesney, Rodney Atkins

and Jason Aldean.

Neil Thrasher, whose father was a member of the leg-

endary Thrasher Brothers, is carrying on the musical

tradition. He has written songs for Rascal Flatts, Reba

McEntire, Diamond Rio and Montgomery Gentry as

well as co-writing the Kenny Chesney smash, “There

Goes My Life.”

by Brenda L. Madden


Mail CD's for Reviews To:


P.O. Box 100985


Charley Pride’s voice has been a staple in country music for over thirty years, so it

is no surprise that his new CD, Choices, is a satisfying and valid piece of work. Al-

though some song selections are a little different than might be expected, there is

still plenty of classic Charley to choose from with songs like “The Bottom Line”

and “You Touched My Life.” His signature vocal stands tall in this straightforward

country production, particularly on “Except For You.”

The legend continues.

by Brenda L. Madden

Up To 5 Star Rating

These seventeen songs are from a new musical by singer/songwriter, Becky Hobbs

and co-playwright, Nick Sweet. Nanyehi is based on the life of Becky’s 5th-great

grandmother, Nancy Ward, who was first honored as a Cherokee warrior, then as a

peacemaker in the 1700’s. Becky captures a hauntingly, spiritual sound throughout

the CD and her reverence for the Cherokee history and people is evident. While

this is not typical Becky Hobbs, she has done a nice job bringing the past into the

present.

Peter Rudy offers up a CD full of self-penned bluesy songs. While his vocals are

raw, they are authentic and ear-catching. The earthiness texture although almost

melancholy, brings a smile to the listener with songs like “Honus Wagner’s Bat”

and “Dumdedum.” There is nothing typical or formula here - just Peter’s interpre-

tation of the songs written by his own hand. Call it blues…call it rock…or simply

call it just Peter Rudy.

Charley Pride - Choices Music City Records

www.charleypride.com

Peter Rudy - Mud Shack

Big Chief Records

www.peterrudymudshack.com

ABecky Hobbs - Nanyehi - Beloved Woman Of The Cherokee Beckaroo Records

www.beckyhobbs.com

Introducing Classic Country Songbird & Grand Ole Opry Performer Diane Berry


Opry stage as an

artist as the most

memorable experi-

ence in her musi-

cal journey.

Diane’s Nashville

career quickly

bloomed as she

has worked with

many of country

music’s finest art-

ists such as Dottie

West, Jeannie

Seely, Jim Ed

Brown, Joey Mar-

tin (Joey & Rory), Connie Smith, Charlie Louvin,

Tanya tucker, Tommy Cash, Vern Gosdin, Tom T.

Hall, Jean Shepard and many more. Alongside ap-

pearing on the WSM Grand Ole Opry for the past 28

years, Diane has also been on TNN, Ernest Tubb’s

Midnight Jamboree, Pop Goes the Country with Tom

T. Hall, The Ralph Emery Morning Show Channel 4

(Nashville), XM Sirius Radio and many more. Diane

also counts a traveling experience as a favorite mem-

ory. She notes that they played 10 shows in 11 days

covering Germany, Holland, England, Norway and

Denmark in which she was a band leader and a musi-

cal director for a television show.

Diane is an accomplished studio musi-

cian who has played rhythm guitar on

many albums. She has also sung lead

vocal on many demos, as well as back-

grounds vocals on hundreds of studio

projects, while singing harmonies. In

the midst of all of her studio work, she

has also sung many commercials radio

stations in Nashville and in other states.

She appears on Little Jimmy Dickens

last album as well as other recordings

with Jeannie Seely, Charlie Louvin and

many more. You can also hear

These days it seems like everyone

wants to be country. Obviously

stated though, not everyone is “born

country.” While Music City seems to

become more and more of a musical

melting pot, we still thankfully con-

tinue to have some extremely note-

worthy acts that have an uncompro-

mising timeless traditional country

sound thus having the utmost respect for what country

music was built upon. These particular artists were

faithfully country before it was ever considered “cool”

and they still faithfully stick to their roots without wa-

vering. Diane Berry is one of these rare find enter-

tainers that I am referring to.

An Amarillo, Texas na-

tive, Diane was raised

on country music as she

was surrounded by a

musically gifted family.

She can recall her first

singing experience tak-

ing place at the opening

of a local Dairy Queen

when she was just 3

years old. She sang

“Rubber Dolly” and got

a great deal of applause, which resulted in her singing

it again. From that moment on, Diane was and still is

a country music performer. The musical

family of 5 all moved to Arkansas when

Diane was 9 years old. It was there where

her family started their own afternoon radio

show on the local station (KCAB) and the

Valley Jamboree Music Show every Satur-

day night. When she was 13 she began

playing guitar. In 1982, she made the

move to Nashville working in a show at

Opryland Park. That fall she amazingly

landed a spot at the Grand Ole Opry as Roy

Acuff’s special guest. She recalls walking

her time of walking out onto the Grand Ole

by Holly Marie Tong

Diane’s work in jingles, com-

mercials, radio stations and pro-

mos. Additionally, you can even

hear some of some of her music

over in England! Notably her

cover of “Under Your Spell

Again” has received extensive

and successful play over there.

On the songwriting end she has written and recorded

many of her own songs. Excitedly, Opry legend Con-

nie Smith has recorded her song “Take My

Hand” (soon to be released), a song that she wrote in

memory of her mother. Diane’s songwriting contains

pure emotion whether it is sadness, joyfulness or any-

thing in between, she will find a way to express it.

When listening to Diane’s vocals the words “smooth

and sweet” come to mind. She has a rare kind of

country classic voice that you simply do not hear any-

more. Being surrounded by the best company of mu-

sicians, her influences come through in her top notch

recordings. It has been said that no matter type of

music Diane Berry is singing…it will come out as

pure country.

So you may be wondering what is on the horizon for

Diane Berry? Well, she is currently in the studio re-

cording with country music legend Jack Greene for

her upcoming album in which she has penned for

originals. Her talents will be collaborated with sev-

eral country music greats. She said she “maintains a

balancing act in her career by keeping it fun and try-

ing new things.” It is clear that Diane is a genuine

person with a true love for real country music and that

is precisely why she does what she does. She’s main-

tained a good reputable character, a successful career

and ongoing relationships with some of country mu-

sic’s biggest acts.

When I asked her about the best advice she’s ever re-

ceived in the music business she recalls the great Roy

Acuff saying, “Always stay true to yourself. Other

people may get you in the door, but unless you’re tal-

ented enough, you won’t stay there.” Diane undoubt-

edly took Roy’s advice as she is most certainly an art-

ist of integrity, individuality and true talent….and that

my friends is precisely what country music is.

www.myspace.com/dianeberrymusic

Festivals

The National Festival of the West www.festivalofthewest.com

WestWorld in Scottsdale, Arizona

March 17-20, 2011

Arizona Country Thunder Music Festival

www.countrythunder.com

Florence, AZ

April 7–10, 2011

Nashville SongWriters Festival

www.SongWritersFestival.org

Nashville, TN

June 3-5, 2011

Wisconsin Country Thunder Music Festival

www.countrythunder.com

Twin Lakes, WI

July 21-24, 2011

Music Venues

Bobby’s Idle Bar • (615) 726-0446

1028 16th Ave S., Nashville, TN. 37212

John A's • (615) 885-1540

2421 Music Valley Dr, Nashville, TN. 37214

Nashville Center Stage • (615) 915-2043

514 8th Ave. S., Nashville, TN. 37203

Red Rooster • (615) 457-2781

1530 Demonbreun St., Nashville, TN. 37203

Smeraldo's • (615) 865-6533

701 Gallatin Pike N., Madison, TN. 37115

Tin Roof • (615) 313-7103

1516 Demonbreun St., Nashville, TN. 37203

Tootsie's • (615) 726-0463

422 Broadway, Nashville, TN. 37203

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Documents

2011 March Issue - Country Entertainment USA, Free … 5 LIPSCOMB UNIVERSITY'S “OPERATION YELLOW RIBBON” EVENT Charlie Daniels, Wynonna, Montgomery Gentry and The Grascals Charlie