Country Music News Source

Reba’s expectations were exceeded by leaps and bounds with the debut of her new Duets album. The album hit #1 on the Top 200 Bilboard Albums Chart. Okay Reba is extremely popular, but was anybody really surprised by this? I mean look at all the artists that she sings with. It would be novel just to hear her sing with Justin Timberlake. Timberlake’s fans would probably buy the album, just to hear him on one more song. Of course the duet with Kelly Clarkson is on the album, you know the one that has saturated country radio and CMT to the point to where your stomach starts to turn. I wish she would have done something with Eminem(just kidding). Albums that are all duets is not an original idea, but don’t attribute all the success of this record to the artists that Reba sings with. Reba is still a larger than life singer. She performed recently on Good Morning America, and every member of the studio audience knew “Fancy” word for word. And her show was marginally successful on the WB. She has had eight albums debut at #1. So you might want to call her a cop out, because of the duets album, but she has done everything else, and has succeeded.

All you southern rock fans get ready. The Eagles have received a nod to perform at this year’s CMA’s. ABC will host the show on November 7th. Their new single, “How Long,” is currently on the country charts. The Eagles are going to release a new album later this year called Long Road Out of Eden. Now I don’t have anything against The Eagles, but I do think that the producers of the awards show did not weigh out all their options. Why do you never see Merle Haggard or Gene Watson get some playing time on the show? I think what also would be incredible is if the Last Breed Tour(Haggard, Willie Nelson, and Ray Price) would get a spot on the CMA’s. I think the demographic for the show would be more diverse if they had both old and new. They should know that Classic Country is not dead. But they have been shunned for so long, I am pretty sure that they would tell the producers what they could do with the CMA’s.

It’s amazing how one group that used to sing background vocals for Johnny Cash, were able to gain so much popularity. Even though the Statler Brothers have made more of a name for themselves in country music circles, their gospel music catalog is just as impressive. The boys are going to be inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame. October 29th is the official day of the induction. The real question is when are they going to be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. “Flowers on the Wall” is one of the most recognizable songs of all time. Even people that have never listened to country music, have heard this song one time or another. When Lou Dewitt stepped out because of health reasons, their popularity did not slow down. A great tenor by the name of Jimmy Fortune took his place. Jimmy penned the great ballad “Elizabeth,” which is such a well written song. I would like everyone’s feedback on this issue. Does the Statler Brothers belong in the Country Music Hall of Fame? My answer is definitely yes. But I would prefer everyone else’s opinion on this issue.

Million Dollar Quartet member Jerry Lee Lewis will be honored in a Nov 10th concert at the Playhouse Square’s State Theatre in Cleveland, Ohio. The concert is a part of the 12th annual American Music Masters Series held by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Kris Kristofferson, Shelby Lynne, and the Rev. Jimmy Swaggart are slotted to perform. This is the first time the concert series will feature somebody who is still living. Wanda Jackson, Cowboy Jack Clement, George Thorogood, Narvel Felts, Billy Lee Riley, Jason D. Williams, NRBQ’s Terry Adams, and Linda Gail Lewis(Jerry Lee’s sister) will be featured. It will consist of panel discussions, and even Swaggart doing some piano playing himself. Even if you love him or hate him, you’ve got to admit Lewis has been very influential to American Music.

It’s hard to believe that of all the talented songwriters that make up the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame they have not had to a place to call home, until now. The Hall of Fame will set up shop in the same building that the new songwriting major, ran by Belmont University, is conducting classes. The fit seems to make sense. The building is located on music row, which used to be where Marty Robbins, Elvis Presley, Jim Reeves, Sonny James, Patsy Cline, Brenda Lee, Roy Orbison, and the Everly Brothers have recorded albums. Dolly Parton, who is a member, is very happy about the new location, and jokingly said that she wanted to take some classes. It is about time there was a place that people can go and experience the genius that is behind the members of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame.