PO Box 271238 Nashville, TN 37227 Email: intlcma@aol.com

Publisher: Scarlett Gremard Editor: Bobbie Patterson

Music Reviews: Rhett Ashley

MCA Nashville To Release Freddy Fender Collection

With the rising demand for Latino Music, MCA Nashville has decided the time is right to re-release Freddy Fender. The album will include "Wasted Days and Wasted Nights" and "Before The Next Teardrop Falls." These songs were top 10 in both the country and pop charts. He was born, Baldemar Huerta and grew up in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas. His first real hit record is little known, in the U. S. He did a Spanish version of Elvis', "Don't Be Cruel." The song went number one, throughout Latin America. His recordings of , "Wasted Days And Wasted Nights," "Before The Next Teardrop Falls," "Secret Love" and "You'll Lose A Good Thing" all went number 1 in the U. S. He won numerous awards as a soloist. In 1990, he won a Grammy, for his performance with The Texas Tornados.

Please Add Your FreeLink

We now have an Artist's FreeLinks page at www.radiocountry.org so please add your link to your artist's webpage by clicking on "Artists" and then "FreeLinks".

Music Quiz Question # 1

Where and when was country star Vince Gill born? Answer, later in this issue.

Are you a singer or songwriter? Are you hoping to be discovered? If the big boys won't come to you, you should go to them. Over 20 record companies will be looking for new talent, at Ambassador Charlie Ray's Nashville Music Festival. For more information on how to be where the big boys are, go to www.charlieray.com

Tennessee CMA Giving Free Memberships

Jean Massengale, Director of the Tennessee CMA has announced she will be giving away free memberships, at Ambassador Charlie Ray's Nashville Music Festival. You will be able just fill out an application and receive your free membership, at the Tennessee CMA booth. The Lone Star State CMA, the Wisconsin CMA, the Indiana CMA, and the International CMA will also be handing out free memberships, during the festival. The festival dates are May 26 through May 28. For more information, visit www.nashvillemusicfestival.com The Tennessee CMA is having a new website constructed at www.tennesseecma.org. They have selected a new executive board and board of advisors that is very impressive. The details will be posted at their website. In addition to Ms. Massengale, the officers include Ambassador Charlie Ray, Colonel Buster Doss, Colonel Keith Bradford, Colonel Bobbie Patterson, Colonel Bill Foster, and Colonel Helen Foster.

Danish DJ Needs Your Music

Long time country music DJ, Johnny Nielsen has a highly popular radio program, in Denmark. His mailing address and email address is posted on the DJ Message Board, at our website. Several other DJs both U. S. and foreign have started posting their playlists and contact information there. Just go to radiocountry.org. Look at the left sidebar and click on message boards. You'll see the DJs' board and several others. All DJs are invited to post their playlists and other information there.

Sammy Kershaw's Divorce Finalized

According to Nashville's daily newspaper, Kershaw was ordered to pay $4,000 per month in alimony until his ex-wife dies or remarries. She was also awarded primary custody of the children.

What Do Country, Gospel, Zydeco, Tex-Mex and Bluegrass Have In Common? They are all going to Ambassador Charlie Ray's Nashville Music Festival.

Music Quiz Question # 2

Which song did Marty Robbins win a Grammy for, in April 1961? Answer later, in this issue.

Answer to Music Quiz Question # 1 Vince Gill was born April 12, 1957, in Oklahoma City, OK

AOL and Time Warner Merger Changing Nashville

The latest measures from the merger, have led to the early retirement of several high level Nashville executives. Also; Leslie Satcher moves to Warner Brothers Records, from Reprise. Lila Mc Cann moves to WB, from Asylum Records. Restructuring of Asylum's Nashville office has lead to the label dropping George Jones, Chad Austin, Jamie O'Hara, and Mackey Hooper. Reckon the new executives could be making room for new artists?

New Country Music Fan On The Way

Tracy Lawrence and wife Becca are expecting their first child, in August.

Good Music In The Ears Of The Listeners?

Mindy Mc Cready's neighbors have filed suit, in a Nashville court. They seek to have her ordered to vacate her condominium. They accused her and her guests of playing their instruments too loud, late at night. The attorney for one neighbor stated his client is going through a difficult pregnancy. He said the "noise" is making it worse. I guess we could say, "one woman's music is another woman's noise."

When What You're Doing Isn't Working, Grab At Straws?

MCA Nashville knows they need something different to rekindle falling record sales. We might assume they are grabbing at straws and taking long shots, in the hope that something will work. They recently signed a 7 piece group called Bering Strait. The group is from the former Soviet Union. That puts a new definition on "old country." With the major record companies getting desperate enough to sign a Russian group, it's a fairly safe bet they'll be scouting Ambassador Charlie Ray's Nashville Music Festival. With several hundred unsigned singers and bands showcasing in Nashville, they are much too desperate to miss it.

Citadel Communications Corporation Still Losing Money

Citadel owns, controls, or has signed purchase contracts for more than 200 radio stations. It reported a $39,200,000 loss for year 2000. It has filed a Form 10-K with the Securities Exchange Commission. The form states Citadel expects to lose money this year, as well. Makes you wonder if they ever thought about playing the kind of music people want to hear, don't it? American radio is supported by advertising revenue. Advertising revenue is based on the number of listeners. Sort of seems that, what they're doing just ain't working. Maybe they need to remember way back when country music sold 20% of the records sold, in the U. S. Whatever they were doing back then, worked!

Faith Hill's Mountain Music Album Turns Platinum, After Selling 1,000,000

"Oh Brother, Where Art Thou," has been on the market just 16 weeks. It has received very little radio play, but has averaged selling 62,500 copies per week. The album is heavy with old fashion mountain music and considered "too hillbilly," by mainstream radio. They are afraid it would run their audience off. Makes you wonder how it could be selling so many copies, don't it?

Bill Mack Signs Off, After 32 Years

Bill Mack is best known to world, as the writer of Leann Rimes monster hit, "Blue." He is best known in his home state of Texas, as the primary voice of WBAP radio, in Ft. Worth. He is known to the music industry as an amazingly talented writer of hit songs. After 32 years with WBAP, Bill has retired. The last song he played was, "Clinging To A Saving Hand," by Connie Smith. He wrote it. His last line to his loyal audience was, "Thank you for your kind attention and the use of the hall." He remained true to form, a southern gentleman.

Answer To Music Quiz Question # 2

On April 12, 1961, Marty Robbins won a Grammy for his chart topping hit, "El Paso."

Music Reviews

If you would like your music reviewed, send it to ICMA Music Review-POB 271238 Nashville, TN 37227

Iowa, "Shadric Smith and the Billy Buffalo Band", Shadric Smith, Interesting blend of western swing and country. 3 1/2 Stars

Texas, "What's a Poor Boy To Do?", Billy Rawlett, The drummer is a little heavy in the mix, but overall a good album 3 1/2 Stars

Tennessee, "Branded," Marcus David Kennedy, Good songs, very good fiddle, and great voice make this a good album. 4 Stars

As a foot note, Marcus will be performing at Ambassador Charlie Ray's Nashville Music Festival. Record company executives should be sure to catch his showcase.

Alaska, "Limited Edition," Will Triplett, Damn good Honky Tonk country. It'll keep you dancing & warm, during those Alaska winters. 4 Stars

Georgia, "Places You Go," Danny Ray Cole, He wrote the songs. He played fiddle, mandolin, mandocaster, tenor banjo, 5 string banjo, harmonica, classical guitar, and acoustic guitar and he did a super job. 4 Stars

Tennessee, "One Way Ticket", Michael J. Nielsen, His fine vocals and writing deserves a better production. 3 Stars

Pennsylvania, "Go Ahead & Ignore Me," David Fiorenza, The style is somewhere between Jim Croce & Peter, Paul, & Mary. Songs & vocals first rate, but production weak. 2 1/2 Stars

Japan, "Lonely Together," Tomi Fujiyama, It's a very interesting album. She pours her heart and soul into the microphone. 4 Stars

As a foot note, Tomi is traveling all the way from Japan to showcase, at Ambassador Charlie Ray's Music Festival. To the best of our knowledge, she remains the only Japanese female to appear at the Grand Ole Opry. She is frequently featured on American Armed Forces Radio, and tours U. S. military bases throughout Asia.

Louisiana, "Three Ring Circus", The Nomads, If Buddy Holly was still alive, he might sound something like this. 4 Stars

Pennsylvania, "Neon Catus," Bill Matlack, Outstanding vocals and a simple country production creates a combination that's hard to resist. 4 Stars

Arizona, "Rock-A-Billy Swing Thing" (15 songs) "Tuff Country" (16 songs), Kenny Lover & the Rock-er-Fellas, I had to fight the office staff, but I was able to keep them, for my daily commute. Who cares about traffic jams, when these songs are playing? 4 1/2 Stars

Boston, MA, "This Time Love's For Real", Bob Whitelock, The production is a little hard edged, but the vocals almost make up for it. 3 Stars

United Kingdom, "The Best Of Country" (12 songs) "Sunset 2000" (14 Songs), Ron Waters, A refreshingly different approach to some old country standards. If Ray Price had sung, "On The Road Again", instead of Willie, it might have sounded as good as Ron's version. 4 1/2 Stars

California, "Trying To Get The Most Out Of Life", R. Barry Knox, You can only say one thing bad about an album like this, the ladies in the office play it, too much. 4 Stars

United Kingdom, "Master Drummers of Africa," Kopano, Dingane Lelokoane, Masbinini and others on hand made Zulu bass drums, a variety of bush toms, shakers made of calabashes & seeds, weaving in and out over and through a foundation of djembe (the drum traditionally used to call over long distances in West Africa). It was recorded in Mafikeng, South Africa. It is impossible to sit or stand still, while this music pounds away. It unleashes something primitive within you. It transforms you and transports you. 5 Stars

It is available from ARC Music, P. O. Box 111, East Grinstead, West Sussex, RH19-4FZ, United Kingdom. I'll be ordering several, to give as Christmas presents.

Attention Songwriters

The USA Songwriting Competition is currently accepting entries. Entrants could win a grand prize of over $50,000 US, in cash, merchandise and exposure. This the largest prize package in any annual songwriting competition. Winners' songs will be heard, on The Acoustic Cafe radio program syndicated to 60+ North American cities. Judges include Warner/Reprise Records, Sony Music, Epic Records, Mars Music Records, and Peer Music. The 15 categories include Pop, Rock, and Country. Enter now and receive free copies of "Performing Songwriter" magazine. For more information, visit http://www.songwriting.net

Great Recording Studio On West Coast

Darryl Harrelson serves as Vice President of The California Country Music Association. He is also on the Advisory Board of the Lone Star State CMA. His credits in the country music industry as a leader, an instrumentalist, and a producer are much too lengthy to list, in this small space. He has a fine recording studio in California. If you call the West coast home and are looking for a studio, contact him. His email address is mail@majorlabel.org

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