Country Music Hall of Fame to Present the Williams Family Legacy

The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum will present an intimate, behind-the-scenes portrait of a great American musical dynasty in Family Tradition: The Williams Family Legacy, Co-Presented by SunTrust and Ford Motor Company, a more than 5,000-square-foot exhibition opening on Friday, March 28, 2008, and closing on December 31, 2009.

“The Williams family story may seem familiar,” said Museum Director Kyle Young. “However, this exhibit will take the visitor inside the family to revisit the life and impact of Hank Williams, examine the struggles and musical successes of his only son, Randall Hank Williams, and study the direct descendants, who are now striving within a new generation of artists, all measuring themselves by the example of Hank Williams.”

The exhibition has benefited enormously from the blessing and cooperation of the family, including Randall Hank Williams, now known as singer-songwriter Hank Williams Jr.; Lycrecia Williams Hoover, Hank Jr.’s older sister and the only member of the family with clear personal memories of Hank Williams; and singer-songwriter Jett Williams, who discovered her Williams parentage in the 1980s. Lending their own stories and family mementoes are Hank Jr.’s eldest children, singer-songwriters Shelton Williams, now Hank III, and Hilary and Holly Williams.

Gone Country Reconsidered

So I blogged on the CMT reality Program Gone Country hosted by John Rich (of Big & Rich fame)  without seeing one episode and trashed it (see Gone Stupid.)  Well I sat down this weekend and watched three epoides in a row and have to say, It’s not as bad as I suspected it might be.

The participants, Carnie Wilson, Maureen “Marcia Brady” McCormick, Twisted Sister front man Dee Snider , Sisqo of “Thong Song” fame, Julio Iglesias Jr., “American Idol” runner-up Diana DeGarmo and Boston bad boy Bobby Brown, seem genuinely sincere in wanting to succeed in writing a decent country song and living a country lifestyle.  That is if living includes wearing high-dollar be-spangled Manual suits, wearing huge fur coats (as John Rich does) and living in a swanky “rustic” Nashville nation. The other thing I was struck by is the absence of viciousness that runs through most reality programs, Except for Bobby Browns hygiene the show plays it pretty clean.

I still think John Rich is a tool that writes schlock meanwhile laughing all the way to the bank., but the man understands the mechanics of Nashville like few do and he seems to be the right PT Barnum for this circus.

I  just can’t wait for Dee Snider to kick all their butts with a gem of a tune.

Johnny Cash 76th Birthday Bash – Brooklyn, NY

Hopefully you already bought your ticket for The Johnny Cash 76th Birthday Bash (Feb 23) at Brooklyn’s Southpaw – 125 5th Ave. (@ St. John’s Place) Brooklyn, NY – because the event is SOLD OUT.

The show will feature Alex Battles’ Whisky Rebellion performing a full rendition of “At Folsom Prison” in celebration of the albums 40th anniversary.

Episode #12 of It Burns When I Pee! The Valentines Day Massacre!

Something missing in your life, friends? Been itchy, twitchy and filled with impure thoughts over the last two months? Well step eyeing the chickens and get yer keester over to www.section86.com and download Episode #12 of It Burns When I Pee! The Valentines Day Massacre!

This episode features an interview with Bill Anderson of the Meat Purveyors. Anderson talks about his career, the in and outs of The Meat Purveyors, and what he is doing now-a-days. Also check out the  premier of their new comedy skit, The Trailer Park Dating Game.

The show as usual is filled with music from the likes of The Von Ehrics, Stacy Dean Campbell, Joecephus & The George Jonestown Massacre, OldBoy, Hank Williams Sr, and of course some tunes from The Meat Purveyors.

So quit your bitching about Trashville dreck, put some salve on that thing and get over to get your Pee on!

“I’ll Love You till I Die” – Top 30 Country/Roots Love Songs

George+Jones++Tammy+Wynette

Sure most genres deal with topic of love but few can work all the angles like country and roots music. Courting, marriage, sex, cheating, fighting, break-ups, shooting, disposing of bodies… it’s all there in all its heart-wrenching glory.

Some old, some new, all guaranteed to get to you some when mixed with tequila and memories.

I’m sure I let some beauties sip so feel free to add your own.

1. He Stopped Loving Her Today – George Jones
2. I Walk The Line – Johnny Cash
3. Angel Flying Too Close the Ground – Willie Nelson
4. Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain – Willie Nelson
5. Always On My Mind – Willie Nelson
6. Valentine’s Day – Steve Earle
7. Still I Long For Kiss – Lucinda Williams
8. Marry Me – Drive By Truckers
9. Arlington – Ridley Bent
10. Dale Watson – Every Song I Write For You
11. Before The Next Teardrop Falls – Freddy Fender
12. Behind Closed Doors – Charlie Rich
13. Oh My Sweet Carolina – Ryan Adams
14. Carrying Your Love With Me – George Strait
15. Cowboy Take Me Away – Dixie Chicks
16. Crazy – Patsy Cline
17. Gentle on My Mind – Glen Campbell
18. Lovin You Against My Will – Gary Allan
19. Golden Ring – George Jones and Tammy Wynette
20. He’ll Have To Go – Jim Reeves
21. Hello Darlin – Conway Twitty
22. Melissa – Allman Brothers Band
23. Hello Walls – Faron Young
24. Help Me Make It Through the Night – Sammi Smith
25. I Cross My Heart – George Strait
26. Kiss An Angel Good Mornin’ – Charley Pride
27. It Only Hurts When I Cry – Dwight Yoakam
28. Please Break My Heart – Thad Cockrell and Caitlin Cary
29. Lovesick Blues – Hank Williams
30. I’m So Lonesome, I Could Cry – Hank Williams

2008 Country Music Hall of Fame Inductees Announced

From CMT.com – Emmylou Harris, Tom T. Hall, the Statler Brothers and country-bluegrass music pioneer Ernest “Pop” Stoneman are the newest inductees into the Country Music Hall of Fame. The inductions were announced Tuesday (Feb. 12) at a press conference held at the Ford Theater in Nashville’s Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.

Except for Stoneman, who died in 1968, all the new members were on hand to comment on the honor. With the addition of these four figures, the Hall of Fame will have 105 members.

Although membership in the Hall of Fame is conferred by the Country Music Association, this is the first year the inductions will be entirely separate from the CMA Awards Show, where they used to be formally recognized. This year, the official induction will take place at the annual medallion ceremony tentatively set for April 27.