Hank Svenson operates the only 24 hours per day country music radio station in Northern Europe. He has booked more American entertainers on more European festivals than any other European promoter. He is in Nashville as the house guest of Ambassador Charlie Ray, who has released more music to international radio and booked more entertainers onto more international festivals than any other American promoter. Rumors say the two men are discussing a joint venture which will bring Swedish entertainers into American schools and take American entertainers into Swedish schools. Hank will bring over several artists and host a special Scandinavian show at Charlie's Nashville Music Festival, next May. Charlie is planning a trip to Sweden, where he will be looking at the purchase of a building for his planned European office.

"Big Mon: The Songs Of Bill Monroe", the independent album produced by Ricky Skaggs is so successful a second volume is being planned. James Taylor, Elvis Costello, and Shawn Colvin are already committed to sing on the new album. Beatle Paul McCartney is said to have expressed interest in doing a song or two as well. It should be noted that these albums are still more examples of the success serious independent record labels and artists are having. Independent music is blooming. As the major labels continue to offer more of the same stuff they have offered for several years, independents are breaking new ground and having great success.

The sisters, Janis and Kristine are closing their successful clothing store in Franklin, TN. They are working on a new independent album and feel they should devote full time to their effort to cash in on the explosion which is sending shock waves throughout country music. Independent companies and artists are having more success than at anytime, since the glory days of Sun and Monument Records in the 50's and 60's. The major labels appear to have lost their sense of direction and the country music record buying concert attending public is finding what they want to hear on independent labels. What we are seeing is just the tip of the iceberg. Rumors say that both Merle Haggard and George Jones are beginning to see the error of their ways. Since they lost their major label deals they have cut corners on production and promotion. They have cried about American radio not playing their second rate productions without serious promotion. Kenny Rodgers proved that a well produced and well promoted album will get radio play, no matter what label is on it . Word on music row has it that they are both ready to spend the money and the time it takes to produce and promote a serious album.

The special edition guitars will carry independent artist Clint Black's signature. The first one will be delivered to Clint. The contract was signed earlier this month.

Independent artist Willie Nelson is ranked at number 60 and independent Loretta Lynn is ranked at 88. The only major label country artist to make the list  is Garth Brooks, who barely sneaked in at 98. The list is compiled  by "Entertainment  Weekly", and is made up of singers, actors, writers, and producers. Others on the list include Marilyn Monroe, Elvis Presley, and Madonna.

Davenport, Iowa songwriter Ed Green has written dozens of songs and has had nearly 100 recorded. He has recently agreed to allow Millennium Records of Nashville to produce an album of nothing but his songs. The album will be entitled, "The Many Sides Of Ed Green". It will include songs recorded by country, pop, blues, and gospel artists. A Rap and a Hip Hop song may be included,  as well. Millennium specializes in finding niche markets and using high technology in its promotion and marketing.

Colonel Bill Foster, President of The LSSCMA has announced their spring talent competition will be held at the Nashville Music Festival. He said, this event will feature at least 5 stages and is sure to draw major label talent scouts, to see the hundreds of new artists who will entertain there. He wants the Nashville music community to see the quality of these very talented Texas  singers.

I don't want to sound like a stuck record, but the biggest story in independent country music is unfolding right before our eyes. The leaders of non major label country music are all signing on and giving their support to what is sure to be the largest and most important event, since the beginning of FanFair. Bob Everhart; President of the Traditional CMA, Bill Foster; President of the Lone Star State CMA, Mike Vencil; President of the Ohio Country Music Alliance, Wanda Hecht; President of The Nebraska Country Music Foundation, Nell Carter; President of the Arizona CMA, Hank Svenson; President of the Nordic Country Music Organization, Tom Hodges; President of the Greater North American CMA, Norm Hermann; President of the Wisconsin CMA, Buster Doss; legendary showman and President of Stardust Records, Howard Vokes; the King of Pennsylvania Country Music, Gordie Brown; President of the New England Country Music Historical Society, Keith Bradford; President of the International Music Association, David Hanson; Advertising Music Productions, Bobbie Patterson; President of Holy Land Music, Bunnie Mills; President of Greenback Records, Jason Hawkins; CEO of "Airplay International" Magazine and Foxfire Records who worked hand in hand with Colonel Tom Parker creating the success of Elvis, Rein Wortelboer; legendary European country music radio host, and many many other leaders of non major label  music all have one thing in common. They are each throwing their support behind Ambassador Charlie Ray's Nashville Music Festival. This event is scheduled for May 26, 27, and 28 of 2001. That is Memorial Day weekend, when the weather is beautiful in Nashville. The spring rains are over and the summer heat has not begun.  Hundreds of country, gospel, bluegrass, and western swing singers will be allowed to shine on multiple stages right here in Nashville. Instead of spending thousands of dollars on a showcase nobody important attends, they will be given the chance to show the entire Nashville music community what they have to offer. Historically the major labels turn to the independents when they lose their sense of direction and their markets. Sun Records and Monument Records came along when Nashville's major record companies had lost their way. Elvis, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Roy Orbison, Willie Nelson, Chris Krisofferson, Dolly Parton, and other legends came out of those years and off of those labels. You can bet the major labels will not miss a chance to see the cream of independent entertainers gathered in one place for three days. They will be there at the festival. Big companies are not innovators. They wait to see what works and then buy it and use their deep pockets to market it. A hundred booth spaces will be provided free of extra charge to small makers of high quality instruments, Native American craftsmen, independent record companies, and unsigned artists. Seminars will be given on the Nashville Number System, Songwriting, Studio Engineering, Record Promotion, Media Relations and Publicity, and other subjects. All anybody has to do is buy their $50 ticket and attend all three days. There is no extra charge for booth space or stage fees. If you want to sing, just sign up at each stage and take your turn. If you want to attend a seminar, just sign up and be there at the correct time. If you want to sell something or have a fan club,  just sign up for a booth space when you order your tickets. A hundred booth spaces sounds like a lot, but they'll go quickly. If you want booth space, you should be sure to order your tickets early. The International Country Music Association has endorsed this event and we are proud to host their web pages at www.radiocountry.org Just visit our site and click on our festival directory. This event is growing and adding new features almost daily. Be sure to watch their pages for updates on a regular basis. You may download a ticket order form from their pages or you may email c4promo@aol.com for additional information. If you are one of the unfortunate few who have not joined the internet revolution, you may call Ambassador Charlie Ray at 615-252-8202 for more information.

This is the festival season. Volunteer staff members are attending festivals and awards shows throughout the nation. Time has not allowed for our normal carefully listening and review of your songs and albums. We apologize for the delay; but if we can't do it right, we just won't do it. We have received a lot of music to review. You invested your time, money, and dreams into those projects. You don't want us listening to one song and evaluating your entire project based on that one song. You deserve more than we have time to give, at the moment. You have our word that each and every submission will be thoroughly evaluated and fairly reviewed.