Ralph Stanley will be there on Wednesday, Sept. 8, and Gene Watson on Friday, Sept. 10. I haven’t made it to the Russell County Fair yet this year, but I will be on hand on Saturday, Sept. 11, to see Chuck Wicks.

This fair is not just about the entertainment. They have a huge arena for their horse show, and of co urse have a Miss Russell County Fair pageant, Demolition Derby, all kinds of rides, and lots for everyone in the family to do! For more information about this fair, visit their website.

The Washington County Fair in Abingdon, Va., kicks off on Monday, Sept. 13, with The Trailer Choir. I reviewed their CD recently, and I am sure they are going to put on a fantastic show. Tuesday night, Sept. 14, will be Jamey Johnson on stage for what I’m sure will be a great night of music! Wdnesday, I’ll be in the audience for Chris Young. It’s been a while since I saw Chris, so I’m looking forward to that one.

On Thursday and Friday, there will be a few tribute bands taking the stage. The first is a tribute, and then on Friday,. a tribute to the Beatles.

The Fair closes out on Saturday, Sept.18, with Luke Bryan on stage. Sorry I have to miss this one, but I’ll be out of state. I’m leaving immediately  after Chris finishes on Wednesday night, and won’t be back until sometime on Sunday, Sept. 19. I do have someone going to Luke’s show though, so we’ll have pictures.

Sorry about getting the Russell County Fair info up a little late – but for those of you in the area, there is still plenty of time to head on over to Castlewood, Va., and get ready for some great shows! Any of you out there on Saturday night, look for me!

More soon!
Country

Sorry I haven’t put much up the past few days, but I will get back on schedule real soon.

In the mean time, I hope you are all planning a fun-filled day. Whether it’s a picnic, a party, or a short day trip, I hope you find a little time to just sit back and relax.

I’m going to use a little bit of my Monday to get some e-mail answered. And I’ll talk to you all very soon!

Later,
Country

LoCash Cowboys

Stroudavarious Records artists LoCash Cowboys played a "double-header" last night. The high-energy duo, comprised of Preston Brust and Chris Lucas, first performed the National Anthem at LP Field, before the Tennessee Titans defeated Super Bowl champions New Orleans Saints, and then immediately flew off to make their 10 p.m. performance at the DuQuoin State Fair in DuQuoin, IL.

If you aren’t familiar with these guys, I hope you’ll check out their web site. They have some music there you can listen to. I love “Right Here in Front of  You. If you like their slower songs, listen to “Keep In Mind,” too.  and  And of course, I think “C-O-U-N-T-R-Y” is a great song!

Chris and Preston have a lot of shows up on their web site, too – so if they’re coming somewhere near you – you might want to check them out. I haven’t seen them perform live yet, but I like their music – and whenever they get close to me, I’m definitely going to be in the audience.

That’s all for now. I have some e-mail to answer right now.

More later!
Country

"I am so happy that these singers wanted to do this record," says Loretta. "I love ‘em all, and it was so great to hear all the different ways they did my hits," she said, referring to how each artist recorded with their own choice of producer and musicians. "I hope people like it as much as I do and we sell a bunch of records!!"

Anyone who saw the movie "Coal Miners Daughter knows that Loretta’s first single was “Honky Tonk Girl.” I loved the scenes in the movie where Loretta recorded it, then set out on a cross country radio-tour to promote the single and get it played. She was definitely a pioneer – and today’s artist continue to follow in her footsteps taking debut singles out to radio stations everywhere.

That first single quickly jumped to No. 14 on the country charts, and we all know how many hits she had after that. She did a number of duets with the late Conway Twitty, who I was in love with at the age of 10.

The 75-year-old has been entertaining us for 50 years. She is a four-time Grammy winner, who was honored with a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award earlier this year, and will receive the Recording Academy’s President’s Merit Award in recognition of her contribution to country music.

Loretta will also be re-releasing her best selling autobiography, with a new forward she wrote for the book. There will also be an audio edition, narrated by Sissy Spacek, who portrayed Loretta in the movie about her life. Sissy won an Oscar for that role.

Loretta still keeps busy performing all across the country. I had the pleasure of seeing her at Freedom Hall in Johnson City a few years back. You can find out where else she is going to be by clicking here.

Talk to you all soon. Have a great Friday!
Country

Single of the Year:  (Award goes to artist and producer.) A Little More Country Than That, Easton Corbin; Producer:, Carson Chamberlain
Hillbilly Bone, Blake Shelton featuring Trace Adkins; Producer, Scott Hendricks
Need You Now, Lady Antebellum; Producers:, Paul Worley and Lady Antebellum
The House That Built Me, Miranda Lambert  Producers, Frank Liddell and Mike Wrucke
White Liar, Miranda Lambert; Producers,  Frank Liddell and Mike Wrucke

Vocal Group of the Year: Rascal Flatts, The Band Perry, Little Big Town, Lady Antebellum, Zac Brown Band

New Artist of the Year: Luke Bryan, Easton Corbin, Jerrod Niemann, Chris Young, Zac Brown Band

Vocal Duo of the Year: Brooks & Dunn, Joey & Rory, Montgomery Gentry, Steel Magnolia, Sugarland

Music Video of the Year (Award goes to artist and director): Hillbilly Bone, Blake Shelton featuring Trace Adkins; Director: Roman White
Need You Now, Lady Antebellum; Director, David McClister
The House That Built Me, Miranda Lambert; Director, Trey Fanjoy
Water, Brad Paisley; Director,  Jim Shea
White Liar, Miranda Lambert Director, Chris Hickey

Song of the Year (Award goes to songwriter)
A Little More Country Than That, Songwriters: Rory Lee Feek, Don Poythress and Wynn Varble
Need You Now, Songwriters: Dave Haywood, Charles Kelley, Hillary Scott and Josh Kear
The House That Built Me, Songwriters: Tom Douglas and Allen Shamblin
Toes, Songwriters: Zac Brown, Wyatt Durrette, John Driskell Hopkins and Shawn Mullins
White Liar, Songwriters: Miranda Lambert and Natalie Hemby

Musician
Paul Franklin — Steel Guitar, Dann Huff — Guitar, Brent Mason — Guitar, Mac McAnally — Guitar, Randy Scruggs — Guitar

Entertainer of the Year
Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert, Brad Paisley, Keith Urban, Zac Brown Band

Male Vocalist of the Year
Brad Paisley, Blake Shelton, George Strait, Keith Urban, Dierks Bentley

Female Vocalist of the Year
Miranda Lambert, Martina McBride, Reba McEntire, Taylor Swift, Carrie Underwood

Album of the Year  (Goes To Artist & Producer)
Need You Now- Lady Antebellum; Play On- Carrie Underwood ; Revolution- Miranda Lambert; Twang- George Strait; Up On The Ridge- Dierks Bentley

Vocal Event of the Year
“Bad Angel”- Dierks Bentley, Miranda Lambert, Jamey Johnson; “Can’t See You” Zac Brown Band and Kid Rock ;“Hillbilly Bone” Blake Shelton and Trace Adkins ; “I’m Alive”- Kenny Chesney and Dave Matthews ; “Till the End”- Alan Jackson and LeAnn Womack

I’m really not sure who how these nominees are chosen. I agree that Zac Brown Band should be in the category of Entertainer of the year, and he belongs in the category for Vocal Group of the Year – but New Artist of the Year? Really?

I’m glad to see Miranda Lambert nominated for Single of the Year, Song of the Year, Entertainer of the Year, Female Vocalist of the Year, and Video of the Year. I’m very glad to see this kid getting the kind of recognition she deserves. “The House That Built Me” is a fantastic song. That one will definitely stay one of my very favorites.

We’ll just have to wait until November to see who wins this year. I know I have my favorites picked out. Who do you think should take home the awards this year?

Have a great day!
Later,
Country

I think everyone remembers Bo Bice, form American Idol. And a lot of you now know Gwen Sebastian. I’ve written about her before – great singer, and a great entertainer. (You can read one of those articles here.) I’m sure you guys who live anywhere near Chattanooga are going to want to go to this show.

And guys, it’s free! The show will take place at Miller Plaza, starting at 6:30 p.m. The folks at 107.9 The Duke WOGT are putting it all together. Everyone is invited to come out and enjoy this “Back to School” concert.

I’m still winding down from six straight nights of fantastic fair concerts. SI am sorry this is a little short this morning – but I really hope all of you in the Chattanooga area will head on over to see this show.

More Later!
Country