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International Country Music Association Newsletter P. O. Box 271238 - Nashville, TN - 37227 Free Nashville Showcase If you are a singer or songwriter and would like to showcase your music in Nashville, here's how. Each Saturday evening the "Ground Zero Show" spotlights a special guest, for about 45 minutes. The show is located in the Nashville International Airport area and is hosted, by Ernie Lee Simms. For more information, contact Ambassador Charlie Ray. His email address is c4promo@aol.com or you may call 615-252-8202. Music Quiz Question What legendary promoter made Elvis Presley the world's first super star, and when was he born? Answer, later in this issue. Announcing First Annual International C. M. A. Song & Lyric Writing Contest The entry and judging fee is $5 per entry. Entries must be postmarked on or before August 15, 2001. The contest will offer prizes in four categories. The categories are: Country Song: This category requires complete songs both words and music recorded on either cassette or CD. First prize: Free web page and 2 years hosting, in the songwriters' section of radiocountry.org and a free release on the Songwriters' CD Demo. The Songwriters' CD Demo is sent to more than 800 record companies, movie production companies, television production companies, and recording artists. Every current member of the Grand Ole Opry receives a copy. Second Prize: Free web page in the songwriters section of radiocountry.org and 2 years hosting. Third Prize: Free web page in the songwriters' section radiocountry.org and 1 year of hosting. Fourth Prize: Gold embossed Certificate of Achievement. Country Lyric: This category requires only written or typed lyric sheets. First Prize: Professional demo recording and web page in the songwriters' section of radiocountry.org with 2 year of hosting. Second Prize: Professional demo recording and web page in the songwriters' section of radiocountry.org with 1 year of hosting. Third Prize: Professional demo recording. Fourth Prize: Gold embossed Certificate of Achievement. Gospel Song: This category requires complete songs both words and music recorded on either cassette or CD. First prize: Free web page and 2 years hosting, in the songwriters' section of holylandmusic.org and a free release on the Songwriters' CD Demo. The Songwriters' CD Demo is sent to more than 800 record companies, movie production companies, television production companies, and recording artists. Every current member of the Grand Ole Opry receives a copy. Second Prize: Free web page in the songwriters section of holylandmusic.org and 2 years hosting. Third Prize: Free web page in the songwriters' section of holylandmusic.org and 1 year of hosting. Fourth Prize: Gold embossed Certificate of Achievement. Gospel Lyric: This category requires only written or typed lyric sheets. First Prize: Professional demo recording and web page in the songwriter's section of holylandmusic.org with 2 year of hosting. Second Prize: Professional demo recording and web page in the songwriters' section of holylandmusic.org with 1 year of hosting. Third Prize: Professional demo recording. Fourth Prize: Gold embossed Certificate of Achievement. Answer to Music Quiz Question Colonel Tom Parker was born June 26, 1910, in Austria. He entered the United States illegally and changed his almost unspeakable Austrian name, to Tom Parker. His highly creative and original methods of promotion created the world's first and still greatest super star. The three most recognized expressions on the entire planet are "OK," "Coca Cola" and "Elvis Presley." It took World War II, 20 million Americans in uniform, and hundreds of Hollywood movies to make "OK" the most recognized expression, on the planet. It took more than 50 years and billions of dollars worth of advertising to make "Coca Cola" the second most recognized expression on the planet. It took the promotional genius of Colonel Tom Parker less than 10 years to place "Elvis Presley" in the number 3 spot. From the mountains of Tibet to the Amazon rain forest and from the Eskimo igloos of the Arctic to the Arabian tents of the Sahara desert mention Elvis Presley and folks are sure to understand, even if they don't speak English. Even people who have never heard a music recording or seen a movie recognize the name, Elvis Presley. Can anybody make a convincing argument that Elvis Presley was a thousand times more talented than Garth Brooks, Frank Sintra, Shania Twain, and Humphrey Bogart all put together? If not, there is only one way to account for his world wide stature. There are still those people who want to argue that Colonel Tom Parker took advantage of Elvis' fame. His contract with Elvis specified that he received 50% of all income. Far from taking advantage of Elvis' fame, Colonel Tom Parker was almost solely responsible for creating it. Elvis' family will continue to reap the benefits of Colonel Tom's genius and labor for generations to come. Tennessee C. M. A. To Host Artist Showcase On August 11, the Tennessee C. M. A. will host an unsigned artists showcase just offInterstate 40 at the Expo Center in Cookeville, TN. Several Nashville companies will be there checking out the talent. For details contact one of the following board members, Jean Massengale phone: 423-605-6803, Colonel Buster Doss email: cbd@vallnet.com phone: 931-649-2577, or Colonel Bobbie Patterson email: prayerheals@aol.com phone: 615-890-0665. 25th. Annual Appalachian Celebration Big Success The week long celebration is a Kentucky tradition commemorating their rich mountain heritage of music, dance, crafts, and story telling. It is always held the last full week of June on the campus of Morehead State University, in Morehead, KY. It is always well worth attending, and this year was no exception. Most events are free. Be sure to add this to your calendar, for next year. You'll be glad you did. For details, contact Georgia Sammons Grigsby email: gsammons@morehead-st.edu 9th. Annual King Eagle Awards Show Scheduled For September Jason Hawkins and his lovely wife Jennifer Foxx are hard at work putting together their 9th. annual event. This is the event is so successful Governor Don Sundquist issued an official proclamation honoring it. The dates are September 27, 28, and 29. Ambassador Charlie Ray always a hosts his open microphone party the night before the King Eagle Show.There is never a cover charge to attend his annual bash and it is open to all country music lovers. It's his way of bringing back some old fashion friendliness and warmth to the country music industry. The party starts about 6 PM Wednesday, September 26 and will roll on into the early morning hours. Music folks from all across the United States and several foreign countries come to Nashville to attend Charlie's party and the King Eagle Show. I was there last year, and I can attest to the fact that Charlie knows how to have a party. Numerous Nashville record executives were there. DJs were there from the Netherlands, Denmark and England. Singers from Canada, Denmark and more than 25 states showcased and provided the entertainment. This year's party will be even bigger and better. The guest of honor will be the legendary Colonel Buster Doss, who will be receiving Freddie Hart's Easy Lovin' Heart" award. For those of you who aren't old enough to remember the 1970s, Freddie Heart wrote and recorded "Easy Lovin'." The song not only won a Grammy, but was Country Music Song of the Year two years in row. Freddie is still known throughout the industry for his random acts of kindness and humanity. Several years ago, Freddie and Ambassador Charlie Ray created the Easy Lovin' Heart Award. Each year, it is presented to somebody in the country music industry for a lifetime of charity and humanitarian acts. This year's honoree is Colonel Buster Doss. For time and location of this year's bash, contact Ambassador Charlie Ray, email: c4promo@aol.com or call 615-252-8202. Got A Song Recorded? Want It Heard on More Than 700 Radio Programs? We are currently putting together the International C. M. A. Compilation Vol. 2. It will be distributed to more than 200 radio programmers in Europe, over 125 in Australia and New Zealand, over 150 in Canada, and about 200 in the United States. The complete distribution list is posted on our web site. Just go to radiocountry.org, click on our compilation CD Vol. 1 and follow the links. You'll find our complete distribution list posted there, in a printable format. For information on having your music included, contact us by email: intlcma@aol.com Music Reviews If you would like your music reviewed in a future newsletter, mail it to Rhett Ashley, I. C. M. A. Music Reviews, P. O. Box 271238, Nashville, TN 37227 Nashville, "A Shot Of Whiskey & A Prayer", Danni Leigh, When she's good she's very good and when she's sultry she terrific. 5 Stars Alaska, "Undiscovered Country," Will Triplett, This album deserves to discovered. Good song selection and interesting post modern production. 4 Stars Kentucky, "Coldest Night, Since 1951," Tracy Seth, He's singing about a broken heart and love gone bad. The title cut is a great song, but it's delivery says he's never experienced love gone bad. 1 1/2 Stars Canada, "Orley Allen" , Orley Allen, The lines in his face and his powerful raw vocals tell you, he's been there and done that. 4 Stars Texas, "If You've Got Leaving On Your Mind," November Roberts, Yes! My ears said "Yes, this is the real thing!" 4 Stars Tennessee, "Ridin' Drag For The Herd" , I. S. O. P., Cowboy Country good stuff 3 1/2 Stars Alabama, "Then and Now" , Robbin Mc Combs, Solid cold country fine vocals and clean production 4 Stars North Carolina, "Hometown Girl" , Robin Renee, Her pure country voice has raw edge that makes you feel and believe it. 4 Stars Colorado, "Back Trackin'", Lee Simms and the Platte River Band, Good old fashion country done in a good old fashion way 3 1/2 Stars Nevada, "Pharoah's Lighthouse" , Lighthouse, Good guitar and vocals, but some songs are a little weak. 3 Stars Canada, "Should I Cross The Line" , Doreen Brown, A real country lady singing real country songs 3 1/2 Stars New York, "Big City Cowboy," Drifting Louie, I had never heard western swing done with a hard Bronx accent. Interesting! Try a different style of music better suited to your voice. 1 Star California, "River Of Nightlife" , Don & Annie Kidwell, Traditional country, hot fiddles, smooth vocals, acceptable production 3 1/2 Stars Texas, "Texas Two Bit," Alina Tatum & Kacey Musgrave, These two 12 years old ladies were taught to yodel, by Janet Mc Bride. She's the same lady who taught Leann Rimes. You know they're great! 4 1/2 Stars Australia, "Million Dollar You" , Nattasha Crestani, Uptown country, from the land down under 4 Stars Nevada, "Big Elvis," Pete Vallee, Pete is one of the best known & most loved Elvis impersonators, in Las Vegas. This album proves why. The production is weak, but his voice blows you away. All he needs is a Jason Hawkins production. 4 Stars California, "Life's Lessons" , Bobby James, A kick ass singer does Kickin' country 4 Stars Australia, "What's So Good?" , Sara Stoner, Her fresh approach to writing and vocals grab you and won't let go. 5 Stars Oregon, "Green Green Mountains", Mike Riley, Get yourself a real producer and a studio that isn't in somebody's spare bedroom. 1 Star Indiana, "Country Revival" , Dave Clark, Straight ahead country vocals with a lonesome sounding harmonica. 4 Stars Alabama, "Who Can I Run To? " , Marvin Sheppard, Contemporary gospel with heart felt vocals as smooth as satin and fair instrumentation. 3 1/2 Stars New Orleans, "Anything Can Happen" , Blake Luquette, Modern country with a bayou flavor. 3 1/2 Stars New Orleans, "Wiggle Your Thang" , Lee Telle, Line dancing country nearly as good as it gets. 4 Stars Tennessee, "Different" , Young Harmony, Old time foot stomping gospel and great harmony. 4 Stars United Kingdom, "Going, Going, Gone," Anjelique, Hot steamy vocals. I'm not sure where she's going, but I want to go with her. 4 1/2 Stars Germany, "I'd Like To Live It Again," Hermann Lammers Meyer, Tear in your beer country. This is the real thing. 4 1/2 Stars Texas, "Rick Hertless" , Rick Hertless, This Austin native knows how to sing, but the poor production leaves much to be desired. 2 1/2 Stars Boston, "Deconstructing Paradise" , Paved Country, Good vocals, good songs, and solid production 4 Stars Ohio, "Tribute To Patsy Cline," Carolyn Richards, It takes a lot of nerve to Canada, "Danie Cortese" , Danie Cortese, Sassy music, sexy lady, vocals sometimes alluring, sometimes little girlish, and always interesting. 4 Stars Missouri, "Freedom Music" , Charles Penberthy, Patriotic music well written and sung, but bare bones production. 3 Stars |