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International Country Music Association Newsletter January 2002 Post Office Box 271238, Nashville, TN 37227 ********************************** The Following DJs Need Your Music Bryan Chalker, 4A Hall Drive, Upper Sydenham, London, SE26 6XB, U. K. ********************************** Magazine Will Review Your Music Western Mail, Attn. Iris Paech, Scharnweberstr. 118, 13405 Berlin, Germany ********************************** Let's Help Each Other Almost everyday, we receive email from somewhere asking the location of the nearest songwriters' association or country music association. When we can, we email the name and address of the nearest association. In many cases, we don't have that information in our files and can't provide it. If you are a member of a local association, please email contact information to us. We need name and address of the association and the name of whom to contact about joining. If your association would like to exchange links from our website to yours and from yours to ours. Please email us. We received over 1300 hits in a recent 10 minute period. Exchanging links can be beneficial to both of our organizations. ********************************** Get Your Personal Page At www.radiocountry.org We have greatly increased our storage, bandwidth, and server speed. The board of directors has announced a New Year's special. Until March 1, 2002, send us your album or recorded demo. We will provide a full year of hosting free. You pay only a small service fee for our webmaster's time. That's right! You pay only for the labor of building your personal page. The hosting is free! Your page will be in your choice of the songwriters' section or the artists' section. For details, email intlcma@aol.com ********************************** Ambassador Charlie Ray's Nashville Music Festival Announces 2002 Dates The Memorial Day 2001 event was a great success. You can read about it and see photos at www.nashvillemusicfestival.com or access it through our website. The dates for 2002 are May 25 through May 27. It will held, at the same location. A number of improvements are being planned. It will include a songwriters' stage. The songwriters' stage will be managed by Jim Fullen. Jim led a very informative seminar for songwriters, at the 2001 event. He has had a life long and rich in experience. He was signed by a major label in the 1950s. He went on to become a college professor, a well traveled entertainer, a great songwriter, a music publisher, and mayor of his town. His stage will be set aside for songwriters to showcase their original songs. There will be two band stages and several track stages. The track stages will be ran karaoke style. You can use your own tracks. And, thousands of karaoke tracks will be available.. Cameras both still and video will be welcome. Here's your chance to get photos of you performing in Nashville. More than 30 record companies have already reserved tickets and/or booth space. Several contracts were signed last year. Perhaps; the biggest was signed between Foxfire Records and Di Ann Foxx. They announced their agreement from the band stage the final day of the festival. Di Ann received a limo & $10,000 as her signing bonus. Several newspapers and magazines attended and did wonderful articles about the festival. Radio stations from as far away as Grand Island, NE did remote broadcasts. Start making your hotel reservations early. You can't afford to miss this chance to meet, talk with, and be seen by so many record company executives There are no stage fees or fees to attend seminars. Your $50 ticket covers everything for all of the three day event. Tickets will go on sale February 1, 2002. Contact Ambassador Charlie Ray through www.nashvillemusicfestival.com or his personal website www.charlieray.com. You may telephone him at: 615-252-8202 during normal business hours. ********************************** I. C. M. A. Songwriting Contest Our first contest was a success and is finished. All winners have been notified. We received so many good songs, the board of directors decided to do another contest. The categories and prizes have changed, so here's the scoop: Categories & Prizes Rules & Deadline Each entry must be plainly marked with category, in which it is entered. No more than 8 entries per writer. All entries must be postmarked no later than February 15th. Entry Fee: $20 per song or lyric. Mail all entries to: International C. M. A. Song Contest. POB 271238, Nashville, TN 37227 ********************************** Well Known Nashville Promoter Dies Suddenly Without Explanation Chuck Dixon (birth name Charles Detterline pronounced Det ter li ne') is no longer among the living. He died unexpectedly December 23, 2001. His body was flown to South Philadelphia, PA, for a private memorial service. According to our sources, his funeral was attended, by numerous members of the old Scarfo crime family. As of this writing, the cause of death is still unknown. During their peak, Chuck and his associate Gary Bradshaw had absolute control over the "Cashbox Magazine" country charts. In the late 1980s, "Cashbox" was considered the most desirable chart, other than "Billboard." Chuck's and Gary's promotion clients totally dominated it. "Cashbox" was started as a jukebox chart decades ago. From the 1940s until the late 1970s jukeboxes were in tens of thousands of bars and cafes throughout America. At the time, big city jukebox companies along with prostitution, gambling, the Teamsters. and various other unions were alleged to be controlled by organized crime. The Scarfo crime family of South Philadelphia was alleged to be the major force, in jukeboxes. From the beginning, "Cashbox" was rumored to be controlled by the mob. As sports television and other forms of amusement replaced jukeboxes in bars, "Cashbox" tried to make the switch from being a jukebox chart to a radio chart. There were numerous accusations of chart fixing, but nothing was proven. In an apparent effort to restore its creditability "Cashbox" replaced the head of its country chart division, Tony D' Antonio. It chose a clean cut young man from a respected main stream American family. His name was Kevin Hughes. The theory appeared to be Kevin's super clean background would lend an air of honesty to the "Cashbox" chart. According to all reports, Kevin's morals were too high to allow him to become involved in a chart fixing scheme. At last report, Tony D'Antonio was residing near the Sicilian city of Palermo. If Kevin had remained in charge of the "Cashbox" chart, his creditability might have transferred over to "Cashbox." We'll never know, because just weeks after assuming his new position Kevin was murdered. He was gunned downed in the streets of Nashville's Music Row district. According to a witness, Kevin was entering a parked car, on 16th. Ave. His friend, Sammy Sadler, was at the steering wheel. A man wearing black combat clothing came around a building and fired a shot wounding Mr. Sadler. Kevin began running down the middle of the street. The gunman ran into the street, dropped to one knee, took careful aim, and shot Kevin in the back. Kevin fell face down into the street. The gunman ran to where Kevin lay bleeding and calmly put two bullets into his head. Shortly thereafter, music promoter Gene Anderson was shot multiple times, while exiting the Hall of Fame Motor Inn, across from the Faron Young music office building. A "Cashbox Magazine" competitor, "Indie Bullet Magazine" had offices in the Faron Young building. Those offices were the target of a submachine gun attack. "Indie Bullet" publisher, Roy Hawes, cheated death by diving under a desk and hugging the floor. Roy left the music industry and is now a school teacher. His safety concerns prevent us from revealing his exact whereabouts. The Kevin Hughes case has been featured more than once on the television series, "Unsolved Mysteries." It remains unsolved. "Cashbox Magazine" has closed its Nashville office. Gene Anderson recovered and moved to Arizona. He continues to tell investigators he did not recognize the shooter. In 1998, Gene was the subject of a major investigative report, in Nashville's daily newspaper. No charges have been filed. His business associate, Don Reed was once a high profile promoter, in Nashville. He moved his operation to Pigeon Forge, TN and is maintaining a much lower profile. Another of Mr. Bradshaw's business associates also operates from a small town in East Tennessee. Country Discovery Records is based in South Pittsburgh, TN. Its chief executive, Mike Headrix , appears to be closely allied with Mr. Bradshaw. The Kevin Hughes murder case was inactive for several years. However; Tennessee's Attorney General, started a special unsolved major crime squad. They opened a new investigation into Kevin's murder, in December of 2000. Chuck and other Nashville music industry executives were questioned. Bradshaw had left Nashville in the early 1990s following unproven accusations of child molestation, and was not available for questioning. He now resides in Arizona, and reputedly has business contacts, with Frank Fara. Mr. Fara is President of Comstock Records. Comstock is based in Arizona, where elements of the Bonono crime family remain active. Before moving to Arizona, the Bonono family was reputed to be one of the five crime families known as the New York families. It was headed by Joseph Bonono. He was better known as Joe Bananas. If enough evidence is gathered, Mr. Bradshaw will be indicted and extradited to stand trial in Tennessee. However; without solid evidence that Mr. Bradshaw hired a hitman, a Grand Jury cannot and should not indict him. Our system of laws requires certain standards of proof. Such a system sometimes seems to allow the guilty to go unpunished, but is designed to protect the innocent. Given this background of fact, myth, and rumor; it is easy to understand the urge to speculate about the unexplained death of Chuck Dixon. The most common Music Row rumor states Chuck had agreed to cooperate with the Attorney General's office and provide evidence linking Mr. Bradshaw to the murder of Kevin Hughes. Music industry people speculate Chuck may have been poisoned or otherwise murdered, to prevent his cooperation. Mr. Bradshaw was not convicted of child molestation. He has never been charged, tried, or convicted of hiring a hitman to murder Kevin Hughes. The Attorney General's office has not issued a statement saying Chuck Dixon was cooperating in it's investigation of the Kevin Hughes murder. If Chuck was not cooperating, Mr. Bradshaw would have no apparent motive to have him poisoned or murdered by any other means. Such speculation serves no purpose. If Gary Bradshaw is paying hitmen to murder his enemies, the truth will eventually be known. The thing to do is chill out and let our law enforcement agencies do their jobs. In other word's the man is innocent; until proven guilty. The only thing that can be stated with absolute certainty is Nashville has became a much more wholesome city. After intensive investigation, we have been unable to find any Nashville based company with close ties to Gary Bradshaw. The unsavory elements of the country music industry are no longer operating in Nashville. They have settled in Arizona or elsewhere. ********************************** Music Reviews If you would like your music reviewed in a future issue, mail it to International C. M. A. Music Reviews, Post Office Box 271238, Nashville, TN 37227. Athens, Greece, Angelos Michalopoulos, "Jimmy The Human Supermarket" 10 sides, country leaning lyrics & alt pop instrumentation, different in a most pleasant way. 4 Stars Athens, Greece, Angelos Michalopoulos, "The Vault", 10 sides, social protest with a message, alt rock production, songs, production, & mix, top drawer. 4 1/2 Stars New Jersey, Randy Moore, "Randy Moore & The Fabulous Deltones" 11 sides, good country songs and vocals, production hurried, professional mastering badly needed. 3 Stars New York, Karen Starwald Entz, "Heart Of Glass", 11 sides, songs well written, good vocals, production and mix poor, mastering terrible. 2 Stars Canada, Victoria Boland, "All Woman Girl" 12 sides, I caught her on stage at Amb. Charlie's Music Festival. She blew me away. So does this album. 4 1/2 Stars California, Earl Flores, "Love Never Says Good-bye" 1 side, patriotic 9/11 tribute song, good voice & OK production. 3 1/2 Stars Massachusetts, Johnnie Bubar & The Rogue Wolf Band, "It's Me" Wow! No wonder it was named album of the year, by the New Hampshire CMA. 4 1/2 Stars Iowa, Gary W. Hall, "Neon Dreams" 13 sides written by Gary & performed by various artists, good stuff. 3 1/2 Stars California, Fletcher Harrington, "Eyes On Fire & Knuckles Sore" 12 sides, He's great as lead singer for Cowboy Buddah & even stronger as a soloist. 4 Stars Nashville, Cross Canadian Ragweed, "Hiway 377" 12 sides, This band works about 160 dates per year. Professionalism & quality is the reason. 4 1/2 Stars Canada, Wolfe Milestone, "From The Heart" 11 sides, I saw Wolfe on stage at Amb. Charlie Ray's Music Festival. Live or on CD, Wolfe does country the way it ought to be. 4 1/2 Stars Louisiana, Johnny Bee, "The Best Of Johnny Bee Vol. 2" 10 sides, His years of touring experience give the intimate feeling of a live performance and studio quality. 4 Stars Germany, Herman Lammers Meyers, "Christmas In Heaven" CD single, Solid old style traditional country with a European flavor 4 Stars California, Brine Cline Band, "Within Without" 6 Sides, Fantastic guitar work & great vocals make this CD a must hear. Professional mastering would have improved. 3 1/2 Stars Canada, Steve Fox, "Small World" 16 sides, All 16 cuts are solid country and professionally rendered. 4 1/2 Stars California, Comanche Moon, "Old Dogs" 13 sides, Great vocals, good songs, good production, and acceptable mix but better mix & mastering would have helped. 3 1/2 Stars California, Vern Nelson, "America Is Rising Up Again" 4 sides, patriotic songs inspired by 9/11 rushed to completion. Less haste would have helped. 3 1/2 Stars North Carolina, Ty Bennett & Chris Emerson, "Candlewyck" 12 sides, Great Bluegrass! clean, simple & honest. 4 1/2 Stars Sweden, Roger Midtsian, "What's In It For Me" 2 sides, I listened to every note and wanted more! The office staff is wearing it out. 4 1/2 Stars California, Darlin' and Rose, "Darlin' and Rose" 11 sides The only thing between them & major stardom is effective promotion. They should hire Ambassador Charlie Ray. 5 Stars Illinois, Thomas Leary, "TL", 16 sides, Written, performed, and produced by the singer. the album is good, but an outsider could have mixed & mastered better. 4 Stars Tennessee, Troy Hawkins, "Love American Style" 12 sides, Don't quit your day job. 1 Star Kentucky, Karen Jones, "Here I Stand" 10 sides Stay home and can green beans. 1 Star Missouri, Stephanie Weatherford, "In The Buff" 14 sides, Great photo! You're too pretty to sing. Get married and make pretty babies. 1 Star ********************************** |