LAUGHS - Remember when ...
Blake Shelton said something, anything and everything but what about the Whisper Challenge with Jimmy Fallon?
Brad and Carrie paid a loving, yet humorous tribute to the late country music legend, Little Jimmy Dickens on the CMA Awards? Dickens was a frequent guest on the awards show in hilarious skits. Brad and Carrie talked about LJD wanting people to remember him as someone who made people laugh and fulfilled that final wish by reaching into his "supposed" ashes and pulling out the world's smallest urn and making the entire audience burst out in laughter. What a great moment. (Sorry, no video to be found.)
Jason Aldean impersonated Luke Bryan for Cody Alan? - http://on.cmt.com/1YzDycn
Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard told us "It's All Going to Pot" in their own special way?
We also prayed for Nashville producer, Dave Brainard, who was a victim of a random, unprovoked beating while crossing the street in downtown Nashville in September. Brainard was left unconscious and required reconstructive surgery of his jaw. The attackers have since been arrested and are scheduled to go to trial soon. Dave is thankfully out of the hospital and doing much better, making the rounds as usual and spending time with friends.
TEARS - We fondly remembered and mourned the passings of ...
ACCOMPLISHMENTS - Remember When ...
- The Oak Ridge Boys FINALLY had their long deserved and much overdue honor of being inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame? It took over 40 years, too many miles and cities to count in order to reach the pinnacle and crowning moment in their career, but when these four men finally reached the top, the look back at the road they traveled took to get there was a long one, but the view from their perspective was spectacular and emotional as fans cheered, critics raved, the angels sang and we all cried. Congratulations Joe, Duane, William Lee and Richard on finally coming home. YOU are home.
- Virtual unknown underdog singer/songwriter Chris Stapleton swept 3 major award categories at the CMA Awards and stunned the world? Remember how his record sales skyrocketed, his Youtube views went through the roof, how radio suddenly noticed that the best music obviously wasn't always on their stations and now it is? The good guys might finish last but they finish big. This year the good guy finished first, finished big and actually never finished at all because he's just getting started. Thank you Chris for putting the "try" back in country and for reminding us what good music and natural talent sound and look like.
- Women finally made their mark on country radio again with breakout artists like Kelsea Ballerini, Maddie and Tae, Kacey Musgraves, Mickey Guyton, Cam, Jana Kramer, Sunny Sweeney, Clare Dunn, Lindsey Ell, Cassadee Pope, Lauren Alaina, and Danielle Bradbery getting more and more airplay? They definitely proved #Saladgate wrong, women are much more than just the tomatoes in a country music salad and they're more than window dressing. They're here to stay and here to let the Keith Hills of the world know that they're not going anywhere.
- Traditional country music started a comeback with new artists like Mo Pitney and William Michael Morgan while country music veteran favorites like Clint Black, Garth Brooks, George Strait, Hank Jr, The Oak Ridge Boys, Alan Jackson, Reba, Ronnie Dunn, Sammy Kershaw, and Alabama released brand new music to the thrill of traditional country music fans everywhere? You could almost smell the sawdust on the old wooden dance floors again.
- Little Big Town finally got pay off for the years of paying dues by being the biggest vocal group on the planet during 2015? When "Girl Crush" came out, it pretty much cemented the fact that they were finally gonna be taken seriously and won every award having to do with a song, group performance or songwriter? It also made everyone that thought a well written song about jealousy in a relationship was about lesbians look kinda stupid for not actually listening to the very evident story inside the song.
RECORD SETTERS ... Remember When ...
The 2015 ACM Awards 50th anniversary show held in Dallas at ATT Cowboy Stadium on April 19th secured a spot for Country Music in the Guiness Book of World Records for drawing a crowd of 70,252, along with more than 20 live performances while Miranda Lambert set a record for most consecutive wins as Female Vocalist of the Year as she took home her 6th award?
Little Jimmy Dickens
Singer/Opry and Country Music Hall of Fame member
(December 19, 1920 – January 2, 2015)
Jim Ed Brown
Singer - "The Browns"/Opry and Country Music Hall of Fame member
(April 1, 1934 – June 11, 2015)
Bobby Emmons
Musician
( February 19, 1943 - February 23, 2015)
Red Lane
Songwriter
(February 9, 1939 – July 1, 2015)
Johnny Gimble
Musician
(May 30, 1926 - May 9, 2015)
Arthur "Guitar Boogie" Smith
Musician, songwriter, producer and radio/TV host
(April 1, 1921 - April 3, 2014)
Bob Johnston
Producer
(May 14, 1932 - August 14, 2015)
Hugh Wright
Co-Founder/Drummer of "Boy Howdy"
(1951 - Died September 25, 2015)
Jimmy "Spider" Wilson
Opry guitarist
(June 9, 1935 - February 26, 2015)
Billy Joe Royal
Singer
(April 3, 1942 - October 6, 2015)
Billy Block
Beloved music champion, the new artist's best friend and host of "The Billy Block Show"
(1955 - March 11, 2015)
Don Robertson
Songwriter
(December 5, 1922 - March 16, 2015)
Sid Tepper
Songwriter
(June 25, 1918 - April 24, 2015)
John Jennings
Musician/Producer
(1953 - October 16, 2015)
Lynn Anderson
Singer/Opry and Country Music Hall of Fame Member
(September 26, 1947 - July 30, 2015)
Ted Harris
Songwriter
(August 2, 1937 - November 22, 2015)
Iris Dixie Dean ("Dixie Hall")
Songwriter/Beloved wife of Tom T. Hall
(May 26, 1934 - January 16, 2015)
AJ Masters
Songwriter
(December 20, 1950 - January 12, 2015)
Don Chapel
Songwriter/Ex-Husband of Tammy Wynette
(1931 - December 6, 2015)
Don Pfrimmer
Songwriter
(September 9, 1937 - December 7, 2015)
Randy Howard
Singer
(May 9, 1950- June 9, 2015)
Tommy Overstreet
Singer
(September 10, 1937 - November 2, 2015)
Daron Norwood
Singer
(September 30, 1965 - July 22, 2015)
Buddy Emmons
Musician
(January 27, 1937- July 21, 2015)
Billy Sherrill
Producer
(November 5, 1936 - August 4, 2015)
Ramona Jones
Fiddler/Singer/Wife of "Grandpa Jones"
(1924 - November 17, 2015)
Oak Ridge Boys HOF Induction Ceremony
- The Oak Ridge Boys FINALLY had their long deserved and much overdue honor of being inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame? It took over 40 years, too many miles and cities to count in order to reach the pinnacle and crowning moment in their career, but when these four men finally reached the top, the look back at the road they traveled took to get there was a long one, but the view from their perspective was spectacular and emotional as fans cheered, critics raved, the angels sang and we all cried. Congratulations Joe, Duane, William Lee and Richard on finally coming home. YOU are home.
Chris Stapleton
- Virtual unknown underdog singer/songwriter Chris Stapleton swept 3 major award categories at the CMA Awards and stunned the world? Remember how his record sales skyrocketed, his Youtube views went through the roof, how radio suddenly noticed that the best music obviously wasn't always on their stations and now it is? The good guys might finish last but they finish big. This year the good guy finished first, finished big and actually never finished at all because he's just getting started. Thank you Chris for putting the "try" back in country and for reminding us what good music and natural talent sound and look like.
Kelsea Ballerini
- Women finally made their mark on country radio again with breakout artists like Kelsea Ballerini, Maddie and Tae, Kacey Musgraves, Mickey Guyton, Cam, Jana Kramer, Sunny Sweeney, Clare Dunn, Lindsey Ell, Cassadee Pope, Lauren Alaina, and Danielle Bradbery getting more and more airplay? They definitely proved #Saladgate wrong, women are much more than just the tomatoes in a country music salad and they're more than window dressing. They're here to stay and here to let the Keith Hills of the world know that they're not going anywhere.
George Strait "Cold Beer Conversation" CD Cover
- Traditional country music started a comeback with new artists like Mo Pitney and William Michael Morgan while country music veteran favorites like Clint Black, Garth Brooks, George Strait, Hank Jr, The Oak Ridge Boys, Alan Jackson, Reba, Ronnie Dunn, Sammy Kershaw, and Alabama released brand new music to the thrill of traditional country music fans everywhere? You could almost smell the sawdust on the old wooden dance floors again.
Little Big Town
- Little Big Town finally got pay off for the years of paying dues by being the biggest vocal group on the planet during 2015? When "Girl Crush" came out, it pretty much cemented the fact that they were finally gonna be taken seriously and won every award having to do with a song, group performance or songwriter? It also made everyone that thought a well written song about jealousy in a relationship was about lesbians look kinda stupid for not actually listening to the very evident story inside the song.
RECORD SETTERS ... Remember When ...
The 2015 ACM Awards 50th anniversary show held in Dallas at ATT Cowboy Stadium on April 19th secured a spot for Country Music in the Guiness Book of World Records for drawing a crowd of 70,252, along with more than 20 live performances while Miranda Lambert set a record for most consecutive wins as Female Vocalist of the Year as she took home her 6th award?
Guiness made several presentations that night for accomplishments in Country music:
- Alabama as the record holder for Most Consecutive Wins as ACM Entertainer of the Year (5 years in a row between 1981 - 1985)
- Brooks & Dunn as the record holders for 2 categories, Most Wins for ACM Vocal Duo of the Year (16 wins) and Most Consecutive Wins for ACM Vocal Duo of the Year (8 wins)
ENGAGEMENTS ... They liked it so they put a ring on it ...
- Austin Webb and Melanie McFarlane Payne
- Josh Gracin and Katie Weir
- RaeLynn and Josh Davis
- Barry Knox (Parmalee) and Kristin Joyner
- Mo Pitney and Emily
- Cam and Adam Weaver
MARRIAGES ... We gathered together to witness the unions of ...
- Tyler Hubbard (Florida Georgia Line) and Hayley Stommel
- Jerrod Niemann
- Ray Scott and Stacey Beard
- William Lee Golden (Oak Ridge Boys) and Simone Staley
- DeeJay Silver and Jenna Michelle Straub
- Jason Aldean and Brittany Kerr
- Jana Kramer and Michael Caussin
- Preston Brust (LoCash) and Kristen White
- Greg Bates and Shelley Skidmore
- John Osborne (Brothers Osborne) and Lucie Silvas
- Shannon Haley and Ryan Michaels ("Haley and Michaels")
- Maggie Rose and Austin Marshall
- Brantley Gilbert and Amber Cochran
- Eric Paslay and Natalie Harker
DIVORCES ... Remember the alimony, the media saturation and the world's speculation on what went wrong between ... they're moving on and we should too ...
- Blake and Miranda
- Jake and Lacey
- Reba and Narvel
BIRTHS ... 2015 saw the births of country music's newest fans ...
- Mallary Hope and husband Ryan Dokke welcomed their daughter, Scarlett Ruth Dokke on January 19.
- Clara Henningsen (of the Henningsens) and husband, Jacob Calaway, celebrated their Valentine's Day with the birth of their son, Louie Cannon Calaway, on February 14.
- Logan Mize and his wife Jill also celebrated Valentine's Day this year with a welcome addition to their family, their second child, Violet Raye Mize, born on February 14.
- Eric Church and his wife Katherine just missed Valentine's Day by one day but celebrated the day after with the birth of their second child, a son named Tennessee Hawkins Church.
- Hit songwriter, Dallas Davidson, and his wife Natalia had their first child, son Dallas Gerald Davidson, Jr on February 25.
- Country sweetheart, Carrie Underwood, and her hockey player husband, Mike Fisher, had their first child, Isaiah Michael Fisher, on February 27.
- Trailer Choir's March "Butter" Fortney and his wife Emily Robertson of Carter's Chord said hello to their second child, Hutch Robertson Fortney who made his grand entrance on St. Patrick's Day, March 17.
- Speaking of Trailer Choir, former TC singer Crystal Hoyt and her husband Todd welcomed son Ryman Marshall Bray on March 31.
- Randy Rogers and his wife Chelsea Cai Dowlearn welcomed their daughter, Rumer Rain, on June 3, however this beautiful gift passed away at only 6 days old due to health complications.
- Singer Danielle Peck and her husband Josh said hello to their daughter Ava on August 16.
- Jessie James Decker and her husband, Eric Decker, of the NY Jets scored a touchdown of their own and brought their second child into the world on September 4, Eric Decker II.
- Toby Keith took on the title of grandfather this year when daughter Krystal Keith and husband Andrew Sandubrae welcomed daughter Hensley Jack Sandubrae on October 19.
- David Nail and wife Catherine Werne welcomed twins on December 12, a son named Lawson Brent Nail and a daughter, Lillian Catherine Nail.
GIVING BACK ... Remember the generosity
- Of Brantley Gilbert donating $10.5 million dollars to Toys for Tots?
- Of Kelsea Ballerini when she chose to take a cancer patient and friend,Allie Allen, as her date to the CMA Awards?
- Of Dierks Bentley and his fans when they rode for Miles and Music for Kids? The event year to date has raised over $3 million dollars for Children’s Miracle Network hospitals.
- Of Craig Campbell when he held a cornhole challenge during CMA Fest to raise money for colorectral cancer research and had fun with fans at the same time?
- Of Garth Brooks hosting a Teammates ProCamps in each city on his Comeback Tour to benefit children?
- Of Clay Walker's fight against MS with his "Band Against MS" concert?
- Of Kenny Chesney's making the Love Hope Strength Foundation’s "Get On The List" campaign part of his most attended "Big Revival Tour"?
- Rascal Flatts also were presented as record holders in 2 categories - Most Consecutive Wins for ACM Vocal Group of the Year (7 wins) and Most Wins for Vocal Group of the Year (7 wins).
On June 22, Black River Entertainment's breakout female artist, Kelsea Ballerini, became the first female artist to reach #1 on Country Airplay with a debut single, "Love Me Like You Mean It", since Carrie Underwood held the honor in 2006 and not only that, but Kelsea was also the first female artist to do this on an independent label. This girl is going big places and getting there quick!
On July 18, Little Big Town's "Girl Crush" broke the record of weeks at #1 by a group of three or more members, taking the record over from The Browns and their song The Three Bells.
ENGAGEMENTS ... They liked it so they put a ring on it ...
- Austin Webb and Melanie McFarlane Payne
- Josh Gracin and Katie Weir
- RaeLynn and Josh Davis
- Barry Knox (Parmalee) and Kristin Joyner
- Mo Pitney and Emily
- Cam and Adam Weaver
- Kristen Kelly and Jimmy Stanley
- Craig Wayne Boyd and Taylor Borland
- Clare Bowen ("Nashville") and Brandon Robert Young
- Tyler Farr and Hannah Freeman
- Randy Houser and Tatiana Starzynski
- Tyler Hubbard (Florida Georgia Line) and Hayley Stommel
- Jerrod Niemann
- Ray Scott and Stacey Beard
- William Lee Golden (Oak Ridge Boys) and Simone Staley
- DeeJay Silver and Jenna Michelle Straub
- Jason Aldean and Brittany Kerr
- Jana Kramer and Michael Caussin
- Preston Brust (LoCash) and Kristen White
- Greg Bates and Shelley Skidmore
- John Osborne (Brothers Osborne) and Lucie Silvas
- Shannon Haley and Ryan Michaels ("Haley and Michaels")
- Maggie Rose and Austin Marshall
- Brantley Gilbert and Amber Cochran
- Eric Paslay and Natalie Harker
DIVORCES ... Remember the alimony, the media saturation and the world's speculation on what went wrong between ... they're moving on and we should too ...
- Blake and Miranda
- Jake and Lacey
- Reba and Narvel
BIRTHS ... 2015 saw the births of country music's newest fans ...
- Mallary Hope and husband Ryan Dokke welcomed their daughter, Scarlett Ruth Dokke on January 19.
- Clara Henningsen (of the Henningsens) and husband, Jacob Calaway, celebrated their Valentine's Day with the birth of their son, Louie Cannon Calaway, on February 14.
- Logan Mize and his wife Jill also celebrated Valentine's Day this year with a welcome addition to their family, their second child, Violet Raye Mize, born on February 14.
- Eric Church and his wife Katherine just missed Valentine's Day by one day but celebrated the day after with the birth of their second child, a son named Tennessee Hawkins Church.
- Hit songwriter, Dallas Davidson, and his wife Natalia had their first child, son Dallas Gerald Davidson, Jr on February 25.
- Country sweetheart, Carrie Underwood, and her hockey player husband, Mike Fisher, had their first child, Isaiah Michael Fisher, on February 27.
- Trailer Choir's March "Butter" Fortney and his wife Emily Robertson of Carter's Chord said hello to their second child, Hutch Robertson Fortney who made his grand entrance on St. Patrick's Day, March 17.
- Speaking of Trailer Choir, former TC singer Crystal Hoyt and her husband Todd welcomed son Ryman Marshall Bray on March 31.
- Randy Rogers and his wife Chelsea Cai Dowlearn welcomed their daughter, Rumer Rain, on June 3, however this beautiful gift passed away at only 6 days old due to health complications.
- Singer Danielle Peck and her husband Josh said hello to their daughter Ava on August 16.
- Jessie James Decker and her husband, Eric Decker, of the NY Jets scored a touchdown of their own and brought their second child into the world on September 4, Eric Decker II.
- Toby Keith took on the title of grandfather this year when daughter Krystal Keith and husband Andrew Sandubrae welcomed daughter Hensley Jack Sandubrae on October 19.
- David Nail and wife Catherine Werne welcomed twins on December 12, a son named Lawson Brent Nail and a daughter, Lillian Catherine Nail.
GIVING BACK ... Remember the generosity
- Of Brantley Gilbert donating $10.5 million dollars to Toys for Tots?
- Of Kelsea Ballerini when she chose to take a cancer patient and friend,Allie Allen, as her date to the CMA Awards?
- Of Dierks Bentley and his fans when they rode for Miles and Music for Kids? The event year to date has raised over $3 million dollars for Children’s Miracle Network hospitals.
- Of Craig Campbell when he held a cornhole challenge during CMA Fest to raise money for colorectral cancer research and had fun with fans at the same time?
- Of Garth Brooks hosting a Teammates ProCamps in each city on his Comeback Tour to benefit children?
- Of Clay Walker's fight against MS with his "Band Against MS" concert?
- Of Kenny Chesney's making the Love Hope Strength Foundation’s "Get On The List" campaign part of his most attended "Big Revival Tour"?
The tour was much more than just the most attended country music tour this year, it was a tour that gave back. Attendees at stadium shows were able to register as potential bone marrow donors by doing an easy and simple cheek swab test that, through Delete Blood Cancer, is entered in the national donor bank for potential matches. The tour wound up finding 25 potential matches for those in life-threatening situations.
Looking back, this year was about so much more than simply music, it was about the meaning of music and the wonderful things that happen during the year. Music heals, it helps, it cheers and it creates goodwill among it's community. The music itself was wonderful but it was what happened in the silence between the notes that really left it's mark. I can't wait to see what 2016 holds!
- Jenn
Follow me on Twitter at @Lovinlyrics
Looking back, this year was about so much more than simply music, it was about the meaning of music and the wonderful things that happen during the year. Music heals, it helps, it cheers and it creates goodwill among it's community. The music itself was wonderful but it was what happened in the silence between the notes that really left it's mark. I can't wait to see what 2016 holds!
- Jenn
Follow me on Twitter at @Lovinlyrics
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