CMT.com: News

Thursday, March 17, 2005

CMT.com: News: "Volunteers Wanted for 2005 CMT Music Awards Mosh Pit
Wed. March 16.2005 6:44 PM EST

Seats for the 2005 CMT Music Awards are almost sold out, but the show's producers are looking for volunteers who can help provide an enthusiastic audience on the main floor of Nashville's Gaylord Entertainment Center. Many of the locations in the free admission area will be in key camera shots for the April 11 awards show. Those on the floor will be required to stand throughout the entire evening without any breaks."


What??? Come on. This is amazing.

1st, mosh pit and country music do NOT go in the same sentence. 2ndly, if you want great shots of fans having fun, you create an exciting show to have fun at, not coach the crowd into having a good time and faking it. See, this is exactly the problem with the big media. They don't understand what country music is about. CMT, owned by Viacom, which also owns MTV and among many other media outlets, is trying to create a MTV persona to CMT. The only thing that a channel like MTV is like CMT... is the "T."

I haven't missed a CMT Award show in an extremely long time, even back when it was the Music City News Awards. Of course, it isn't the same show. I just may pass up watching this one. They are trying to create country music into something that it isn't supposed to be. Come on, bring country music and honor the makers of the music with awards in the tradition and respect that is deserves.

Now, LeDoux Gets Noticed

Thursday, March 10, 2005

Here are 2 things scheduled in memory of LeDoux:

XM Satellite Radio is airing an encore presentation of a conversation with Chris LeDoux, Friday at Noon, Saturday at Midnight -- and Monday at 5am (all times Eastern) on XM 10.
In April 2002, Chris joined XM's Shannon for a reflective chat celebrating his life and career, as he looked forward to the relase of his upcoming CD, After the Storm. The hour-long feature was recorded at the Country Music Hall of Fame.

GAC's Storme Warren will host a 30-minute special on the life and music of Chris LeDoux, Saturday night. As of now, it's scheduled air following "Grand Ole Opry Live."
Filming took place at the site of LeDoux's last long-form on-camera interview, the log cabin porch of Charlie Daniels' office in Mt. Juliet, Tennessee.
Included the GAC special is footage of Chris' 1976 bare-back rodeo championship, live performance, music videos and Chris himself.
http://www.gactv.com/gac.html

The Impact of Country Music Videos

Do you realize how much influence that a music video has on your interpretation of a song?

Take this example:

Listen to Toby Keith’s “My List.” Read the lyrics and come up with your own judgment of its meaning. My thought is the song is a reminder of life in general, remembering we aren’t here for an eternity. So, be sure to do the things in life that are important, with focus on family.

In my mind, I can see a beautiful day, front porch swing on the porch, kids around playing with a loving father.

Now, watch the video for the song.

The video gives the song an visual twist that has seem to have a large impact on the country music audience in their perspective of the song. The video portrays the events of 9-11 and the personnel. This portrayal may be somewhat along the lines of the theme of the song, but not exactly.

If you listen to a country music listener that watches videos, you will hear them add this song to the list of patriotic themed lyrics that Keith sings. If it is a country music fan that doesn’t watch videos, you will not hear a connection to patriotism.

The song itself mentions in no way 9-11, New York, or anything alike. The videos made the song take a theme of difference.

Videos have seemed to limit the creativity of our own minds. Interpretation of a song should be left to the listener, in most cases.

Are videos, to me, a bad thing? No; not at all. A video is a great promotion piece for the artists (just like radio.) Also, videos are a great entertainment source. However, I just believe that the video should not interpret a song for the viewer. If it is a song that has a defined meaning, then tell the story. If not, don’t create the story for the listener.

Country music videos have become a huge part of the industry. CMT, GAC, and VH1-Country, have all become vital sources of promotion. A video can make a song that sometimes may not be a hit, become one. The more exposure the artist receives, the better from the artist prospective.

Country music videos can be a very good thing and quiet important to the country music industry, however, the artists and producers of these videos must keep in mind the impact they have on interpretation.

My Thoughts on Chris LeDoux

Wednesday, March 09, 2005

It is yet another sad day in country music. The death of Chris LeDoux is a tough one for me, personally. Sure, LeDoux may have not been the most know country music artist, but to me in high school he meant so very much. Chris LeDoux deserves so much more credit in the mainstream country music community than he seems to get. His live shows were amazing, his talent of songwriting is at the heart of country music in sharing lyrics of true life, and his vocals were distinctive, fun, and could share a story perfectly. He has recorded with Garth Brooks, Bon Jovi, and Charlie Daniels. He influenced Garth Brooks...now, that says something.

LeDoux's music taught me something about country music and their fans.

A very good friend of mine in high school, that I have lost contact with, was in love with his music. If you wanted to see a smile come to her face or really get her singing and having a good time, pop in anything from Chris LeDoux. It would do the trick every time. She introduced me to his music, and I too became a lover of his music. Unfortunately, being on the east coast, LeDoux didn't make his way to the side of the country often. LeDoux reminded me somewhat of George Strait in some ways. LeDoux loved performing his music and writing, however, he liked being close to home and spending time on the rodeo circuit and his ranch. However, a little stroke of luck came my way and LeDoux came to a fairly large club in Greenville, North Carolina; 6 1/2 hour road trip from here in Richmond, Virginia. My friends and I planned a trip down to see him as a bit of a surprise for my good friend. We kept it a secret as much as we could due to being close to her birthday.

That night, I learned something I never really experienced in my life until then. I saw a face light up and an outpouring of intense energy be expressed by her when he took the stage. The connection she felt, standing a few rows of people back from him was something I will never forget.

What I learned from this experience has to do a lot with my dedication to music, especially country music. The intensity of feeling music brings us is extreme. The connection between the artist and the fan is also powerful. From that point in my life on, I understood music like never before. Before then, I was a huge country music fan, however with this little lesson in life it changed me. Music became even more of an important part of my life and has grown even more so through the years.

I can thank Chris LeDoux for this lesson in life. It is most definitely a sad day in country music. One of the great talents is gone. Today, he may be gone, but tomorrow and everyday of my life he continues to be a part of mine through this story I have shared.

Thank you to my friend, wherever she may be, and thank you Chris for your music.

For more about Chris LeDoux:
http://www.chrisledoux.com/

Country Music Alive:
http://www.countrymusicalive.com

Merle Kilgore

Monday, February 07, 2005

Yesterday, Merle Kilgore died at the age of 70 from
congestive heart failure from medical complications
related to cancer.

Kilgore was one of those country music industry
individuals that you may not hear from very much as far as
in music, but certainly was a very important part of the
industry. He will be missed greatly.

Kilgore was most known for co-writing"Ring of Fire" with
June Carter Cash. He also wrote "More and More" for Webb
Pierce and "Wolverton Mountain" for Claude King. Kilgore
also performed on his own, opening for Hank Williams, Jr.
that he managed.

Kilgore is probably most known for his management of Hank
Williams, Jr. He actually began his relationship with the
Williams family when Hank Williams, Sr. was playing on the
Louisiana Hayride in Shreveport, Louisiana where Kilgore
grew up. He asked Hank Williams, Sr. if he could carry
his guitar for him up to the studio, since the elevator
was out of service. Never did Kilgore know many years
later that he would be managing Hank Williams Sr.'s son.

Kilgore also was an actor, with a a part in "Coal Miner's
Daughter."

Kilgore was the Country Music Association's 1st Manager of
the Year in 1980. Kilgore was also was a member of the
board of director's, elected vice-president of the CMA,
president of the Nashville Songwriter's Association
International, president of the Nashville Songwriter's
Foundation, two term president of ROPE (the Rite of
Passage Experience), Louisana Hall of Fame inductee, and
also was named Honorary State Senator of Tennessee.

Kilgore's legacy will never burn out and will always be
apart of country music. His direct influence through the
management of Williams Jr., his entertaining way of
providing information about who Hank Jr., and of course
the penmanship of "Ring of Fire" with June Carter Cash
for Johnny.

My heart filled condolences go out to the Kilgore family.

Saturday, February 05, 2005

On Tuesday, Lee Ann Womack will release her newest album, "There's More Where That Came From."

The album has been talked about quiet sometime. The album was created by Womack that she would do what she wanted and just enjoy making an album for herself. Kenny Chesney also released an album last week with the same thought in mind.

Both albums are amazing. They are filled with so much life and feeling. The "fun" they had can truly be heard in the music. The listeners can really hear passion when it is a its strong point.

Just maybe this will become the industry standard. What a thought.. do what you enjoy and not try to please every chart, radio station, and listener market. My thought is if you do what you love, it allows you to give it your all. Then, the rest is history... the listeners will love it, some won't of course. Then again, some don't like what you do when you be sure the sound is "radio friendly."

If all the artists would do this, well, then radio has two choices. They can either play what the artists put out or they can allow their listeners enjoy white noise of nothing being played. These two albums though should be an example. Kenny Chesney's newest release went straight up the charts to #1. Womack will probably do about the same thing this coming week. Both albums have already had had huge single success with just one song from them released. That should tell the artists, radio, and everyone else one thing:

The artists should make music from the heart, only. Radio, love it or leave it. The fans.. be yourself as well and love what you love, and leave what you dont. Music is based so much on personality of a person. There is going to be plenty you will love and hate. Nothing against the artist, but it just doesn't fit your style and liking.

Charlie's Soapbox

Thursday, January 27, 2005

Charlie's Soapbox

Charlie Daniels is one of country music's gems. An amazing talent in vocals, lyrics, and instrumentation. There is one more thing that makes Charlie Daniels such an wonderful role model to everyone. Why do I call him a role model? Daniels stands up for what he believes and isn't ashamed or scared to share his thoughts. In fact, every 3 to 4 days Daniels has something to say right on his website.

It is worth taking a look at Daniel's "soapbox." Whether you believe in what he does or not, it is a wonderful read.

By the way, Daniels has a new album ready for release in March. It is titled "Songs From The Longleaf Pines" and is a gospel/bluegress collection. I have a feeling this will be one special album.

Country Music Meetup Groups

Tuesday, January 11, 2005

Have you ever wondered if there is a way to get a group of people together just to dicuss country music and make a few new friends?

Well, meetup.com is the place for just that. Here how it works in a nutshell. Search the website using your zip code and it will list the groups in your area. Don't see your interest/topic in the list, you can create a group. Others in the area join the group. Then, you decide on a place to meet such as a resturant.

What a cool idea and ideal for country music fans I think. Take the time to join one on your area. If you are in the Richmond, VA area, I am the organizer for the group.

Oh, it is totally free.

http://www.meetup.com

or directly to country music groups:
http://countrymusic.meetup.com

Richmond, VA area Country Music Meetup:
http://countrymusic.meetup.com/4/

Concert Date Update

Friday, January 07, 2005

I got a response from the Patriot Center yesterday.

Apparently they made a mistake about the" Disney on Ice"
coming. And indeed, the tour is coming to the Patriot
Center on March 18. Country Music Alive, of course, will
be covering the show.

However, the tickets for the show dont go onsale until
January 15th. That's less than a month away from the
show. I don't like that idea one bit. It doesn't make
much since to me. It doesnt give fans enough time to buy
tickets, which turns out low sales.

I've had my Alison Krauss tickets for months. Show this
month. The same with George Strait, tickets went onsale
Dec 4 for a Jan 20. That's the way it should be.

Country records are best-sellers in 2004 - Thursday, 01/06/05

Thursday, January 06, 2005

Country records are best-sellers in 2004 - Thursday, 01/06/05

Take a look at this article in the Tennessean. It is a really well written look at the past year just in sales. It also confirms the 12% rise in country music sales for 2004. Pretty good to hear, thats for sure.

This article uses Nielsen Soundscan for the figures while what has been most seen in the past week would have been Billboard's numbers. The biggest difference, as noted in the article, is Nielsen uses the calendar year for sales figures. Billboard collects December 2003-November 2004.

Checking Concert Schedules

Wednesday, January 05, 2005

You know, you always hear.. "always check with the venue
before planning to travel for concerts..." I always
thought that it was just the normal legal speech to cover
the person who put the information up in the first place.

Well..

Andy Griggs, Sara Evans, and Brad Paisley have teamed up
for what could be one of the best tours of 2005, and its
only January. The schedule on both Evans' and Paisley's
official website and Pollstar.com list a date for the
Patriot Center on February 18, 2005. The wait for ticket
onsale has been a long one, with no listing on the Patriot
Center's website nor Ticketmaster.com.

Today, the Patriot Center's website posted a Disney on Ice
event for the night that is scheduled.

So, the saga will continue... Will keep you updated on
what I find out about the actual date or what is going on.

The Times Record - Fort Smith, Arkansas

Sunday, January 02, 2005

The Times Record - Fort Smith, Arkansas

Here is an interesting article that you may enjoy reading.

2004 was "Big & Rich", sorta

Well another year has passed. The end of the year reviews are complete, published, and talked about. Billboard, CMT, my site, and all the rest have had their say. The book has closed on 2004. However, now 2 days into 2005, we should take a look at what has changed or what has been learned in country music in the last year.

The biggest change, if you will, in country music this year was introduction to a new style of country music. Every decade, just about at the turn of the decade, country music seems to go through a change. This change we usually don't notice til its over. I think 2004 though showed us what movement country music will be apparent when we look back in 2010 at the 00's. The pop/country sound will be prevalent when we look back.

Big & Rich has lead this movement, like them or not, they have changed country music. Their high paced, rock influenced, mimicking style has become one of the hottest groups in music. They have crept their way onto the "I don't like country, BUT I do like..." Artists list.

Their style is definitely not what could be called "traditional," but they do have a country music influence in their music. Also, in songs like "Holly Water," the country music influence and tone is there to hear. Many traditional country music fans find the embarrassing and intolerable.

Which side of the issue you are on is for you to decide and has been debated since the release of their debut album in May 0f 2004 (that ended up #5 in the year end Billboard issue). However, like it or not, they are a part of the country music community now. Other artists with like sounds are sure to come around and even some that are around share the same sound as well. 2004 brought that to light that this decade will be remembered as one of a much more pop influenced country music sound.

Yes, there many great traditional artists still thriving... Alan Jackson, George Strait, Brad Paisley.. The list goes on. At the same time though, new artists continue to thrive in the new pop/country movement. The next year will definitely be interesting to see if the movement continues. I believe it will and only come stronger. I don't think it will be quiet a change as it was in the 90's with the "Class of 89," but close to it.

Proud To Be A Country Fan

Thursday, December 02, 2004

You all know my love for the music by now. It is always has and always be a deep passion inside me burning intensely bright for country music. I can tell you so many ways why that I point out daily just about when people ask why country?

Today, and in the last week or so, a reason I've always known about became personal experience. You see, I have been working with a few friends on a silent auction fund raiser for a scholarship fund that is in honor of an officer that was killed in the line of duty from my department. I sent a quick e-mail to some of the people I work with daily to bring you all country music news and information. The response I got was amazing. I can't thank enough the support of the labels of Universal-South (provided items from Joe Nichols through Paula Erickson Piblicity) and Universal Music Group (provided items from Jedd Hughes, Sugarland, Lee Ann Womack, Billy Currington, Darryl Worley, Terri Clark, and toby Keith through Stephanie Watanabe of i.e. Marketing.)

This just another way country music is special. Their dedication and support to the community is so many ways is impressive, to say the least. They don't do it for the publicty or to show off. None of the artists required anything in return or special mention of any kind. The labels, representing the artists, did from the bottom of their hearts and the way the artists of country music are brought up and live their lives.

Right now, I can't even begin to express how good it feels to be a country music fan. I am so proud of the way that they treat their communities and fans in giving back. Sure, it doesnt take much time or cost for them to sign an autograph. However, that simple gesture in providing these items will go a long way in supporting a worthy cause such as a scholarship for a high school senior or whatever the cause is.

I know the ones of you that read my writings are fans of the music and support. Well, this is one of many reasons you can feel good about being a fan of country music and be so very proud to be a country music fan.

The Silence

Friday, November 26, 2004

Holidays sure do die things down a bit. It sure is nice in a way. Went Tues/Wed with probably 30 emails a day to Thurs/Fri with 1.

Happy Thanksgiving continued, and maybe I can get caught up on all the emails that I haven't read.

Happy Thanksgiving

Thursday, November 25, 2004

To all my country music friends, members, and people I don't even know that read my blog:

I wish you each a very Happy Thanksgiving.

From a country music prospective, this year I am thankful for so many things. The music is what is all about for me and so very thankful for the country music. So very much has happened in the past year as far as the newsletter goes. All the exciting things and hard work will be mentioned as I look back on the year in about 5 weeks from now. However, I am so thankful that I have you all that enjoy reading my comments, read my newsletter, and value my opinions.

I truly have some of the best people as members. If I am feeling down or un-motovaited, all I have to do is look at the list of my members and the passion I have for writing returns almost instantly.

Here in Richmond, Virginia, the sun is fastly fading down as the clouds continue to hover in the sky and the temperature drops from the mid 60's to a nice fall evening of 49 degrees. Another Thanksgiving holiday is coming to an end, however, the reflections that have been made today will continue on for many days to come.

Country Weekly's Calendar Insert

Wednesday, November 24, 2004

Today, I got my Country Weekly in the mail, almost on time for a change. This issue was unusually heavy. The reason was in the center of it was a 2005 standard size wall calendar. Of course, its an advertisement for Chevy. Really good idea I think. Great picutres through it and very well put together.

I begin to think quickly when January 2006 arrives, how many of the artists featured will we actually remember?

Here is the list of artists featured:
Blue Country (January)
Josh Turner
Julie Roberts
Trick Pony
Katrina Elam
Dierks Bentley
Trace Adkins
John Michael Montgomery
Big & Rich
Blake Shelton
Gretchen Wilson
Rachel Proctor (December)

Looking through the list, there a few I sure hope will be around still. There a few that I sure hope will disappear even before their "month" shows up on my wall. September will be a very long month to look at this year, thankfully, it is only 30 days.

One Website To Stay Away From

Friday, November 19, 2004

you know, I love telling people about great sites to visit and love helping people out with their web experience.

This is one time, I am going to suggest one to stay away from.

cowboylyrics.com STAY AWAY.

Sure it has a good listing of lyrics. However, it is full of spyware and hidden downloads. I visited the site once a few months back and crashed my computer. I didnt know what caused it until today. I visited the site again tonight and noticed that it was downloading something. It downloaded a search bar which I cant stand, a rebate assistant of some kind, and at least 3 auto pop-up programs. Not pop-ups, but programs that generate pop-ups even just being connected to the net.

If you want lyrics dont visit this site, rather visit one of these:

http://www.roughstock.com/cowpie/songsnf.html
http://www.lyred.com/

Music Downloads; Cheap, Easy, Convenient, and Legal

Thursday, November 18, 2004

In the digital age we live in, one of the hottest topics in the past years has been downloading music. When it first began through sites like Napster and then Kazza it was highly controversial. The reason was based on it was basically stealing music, in which I believed it was. Sure, I had both programs and used them. However, the only songs I downloaded from the sites were songs that I either already had on a CD or that I intended to buy and wasn't available at that time to buy. The reason I would do it is the convenience of having the song right here on my desktop. It was a whole lot quicker than pulling the album from my vast CD collection, putting in the CD player, and playing it.

Now, we have services through walmart.com, Napster, I-tunes, and countless others that give us the music we want and more at a fair price and easier than ever to use. While I am typing here, I am currently downloading a full album. The first time I have done a whole album. Walmart.com Is priced at $0.88 a song or $9.44 an album in most cases. Literally, it took typing 2 words and 3 mouse clicks. A 16 song album took less than 10 minutes using a DSL connection. Amazing to me.

The best part of it all is the legality. Not that I feel like I'm gonna get slapped with a huge fine or jail time for downloading music, but I feel much better downloading a song that I know that all the people it takes to put an album together get their money. Ever looked in an album cover and noticed how how many people it takes to produce a CD?

I have used most of the services. Walmart I think is the best of them for a couple reasons. Ease of use, exclusive downloads that can't be found anywhere else, and the cheapest price. I also feel very confident in their site to actually work. Also, the files are in MP3 format, unlike I-Tunes that are in MP4 format that makes it very hard to burn to a CD for PC users.

I believe that this is going to be the new way of providing music to their buyers. It has to be a good deal for the people behind the scenes. Think about it. They don't have to pay for materials like CD cases, album covers, CDs, and the costs of making them. I think this is a win-win situation for the music makers and the music listeners.

The only downside to digital downloads of music for me is the lack of a cover. I love to look at the song listings, the photography, and the overall package of a CD. I think one day that this information will become digital as well. My suggestions is to add one file to the downloading process when you buy the full album that would include what we normally find in a CD cover today, and in this format, much more can be provided. Interactive links to go write to the artists website or links to other special features. Also, links to go buy even more from the artist and labelmates.

Happy downloading...easy, cheaply, and legally

Long Time No Post, whoops!

I hadn't realized until I was laying in bed watching a panel discussion that included a mention of weblogs on C-SPAN that it has been forever (any the web-world anyway) since I have posted.

Also, I can't believe it is already the 18th of November. Where is time going. Life has become so fast paced that it is hard to believe the date on the calendar when you see it. However, a fast paced life can be good in some ways. This is a good thing when it comes to my life and Country Music Alive.

I stay so busy because Country Music Alive is a one man operation. I do it all. From this blog, to the website, to the newsletter writings, to the reviews, to everything else that comes under the header of "Country Music Alive" is me. Some people always ask, why don't I get people to help me. Well, its a good question. I think it has to do with my passion for this service I provide. I get so much gratitude from my readers and visitors that I want to be sure what I provide is exactly the way I want it. Not that I don't value other opinions and ways of doing things, but I enjoy the control and knowing that every new member, every reader, every visitor to my site is my work and thought. It gives my site a bit of an edge to it among the other sites like mine. However, I have yet to find another service quiet like Country Music Alive.

I do value opinions of my readers and visitors. I whole-heartly support their point of view and opinions. That is the reason the MSN Group exsists. If you visit the group, you will notice I don't post much...then again it is a fairly slow board in the first place. The reason I don't is because that is a place for my members, visitors, and readers to have their say. I get mine about every 9 days when the newsletter is published or what appears on the website. The board is for people just like you to have your voice heard.

I do stay very busy from reading countless e-mails, press releases, websites, member comments, listening to many albums and keeping current on what's new, hot or not, and writing and preparing the information you get presented to you. I think everyone of you would be amazed how much time and planning of that time it takes to provide the service.

And you know what....

I love every single second of it.

As Always, Keeping Country Music Alive,
Kirk Fitzgerald