SCOTCOUNTRY MUSIC NEWS

Due to the obscurity of some of the nominees and performers, the BBC have dropped their TV coverage of next month's CMA Awards. Traditionally, BBC2 have shown an edited version on the Saturday night after the event. In recent years, many observers felt that the TV show did Country music's image in Britain, more harm that good.
You'll still be able to find out the winners by logging on here on November 13th.

Craig Morgan officially became the newest member of the Grand Ole Opry, Saturday night, at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville.

Lorrie Morgan has filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in federal court in Nashville, providing a list of creditors including the Internal Revenue Service, attorneys and financial institutions. In court documents, the 49-year-old singer reported assets of $500,000 to $1 million but estimated her debts at between $1 million to $10 million. Morgan filed for bankruptcy in 1992 but later withdrew the petition after settling more than $800,000 in debts. Morgan filed for divorce from Sammy Kershaw in 2007 following his unsuccessful bid to become lieutenant governor of Louisiana. Kershaw filed for bankruptcy shortly before announcing his candidacy.

The Prairie Star get the month started with a visit from Reunion to their Weirs Club, Alloa venue on Saturday 1st.
The San Quentin Club at Polmont Golf Club, Maddison meet on Friday 7th with Western Rythm, and the Polmont Linedancers meet at the same venue on the 14th with local boys Buzzard Creek, who have a new Cd available. (See the review on the ScotCountryalbums link on the left)
Then on the 21st, The No Angels club have Springfield in Glen Village, and the following Friday, have Crossfire in Slamannan.
Also on Friday 28th, The Bootleggers in Bannockburn Club have a visit from Calico.

Glasgow based, Gram Parsons inspired City Sinners play this Saturday (Nov 1st) in Milngavie at The Place music club, St Joseph's Church Hall, Station Road, with a 7.30 start. John, Sandra and Tim from the band will also be appearing at Tchai Ovna, Otago Lane, Glasgow on Monday 25th November and at Glenfarg Folk Club in Perthshire the following Monday 1st December.
John & Malcolm from the band apeared on Celtic Music Radio's "Celtic Country" this past Sunday.

Once again Glasgow’s Celtic Connections Festival offers the widest array of musical talent for it’s event in 2009. This year’s events include a number of Burns related events to mark the Bard’s 250th Anniversary (including a Jamaican Burns evening and a 12 hour marathon) , and a number of events with an African theme.
There’s also a number of concerts which will be of interest to Country fans, headlined by Kathy Mattea and Nanci Griffith, who will both be seen twice during the 2 ½ week event.
Kathy Mattea plays the City Halls on Saturday January 24th, with support from Dean Owens, whilst Nanci plays the same venue on Wednesday 28th. Both are back for The Transatlantic Sessions : Bringing It All Back Home (Friday 30th -Sunday1st) in the Concert Hall, alongside Dan Tyminski , the voice of George Clooney in The Soggy Bottom Boys.
The brilliant ex New Grass Revival banjo master Bela Fleck returns to Celtic Connections with a production called “Throw Down Your Heart”. Bela went to Africa recently to rediscover the origins of his favourite musical instrument. Bela’s concert is in the main Royal Concert Hall on Saturday 17th.
Also worth seeing will be Rodney Crowell, supported by Steve Earle’s son Justin Townes. They’ll play the ABC on Tuesday 27th. Tim O’Brien returns to the Festival on the same night (28th) as Nanci Griffith’s concert, which is a bit of a clash. Tim will be just round the corner in The Old Fruitmarket,
The wonderful Tift Merritt returns to play The Classic Grand on Friday 23rd, and those other ladies, Mary Gauthier and Carrie Rodriguez are at The Tron Theatre on Thursday 29th.
Elsewhere, catch The Wilders at The Strathclyde Suite on Friday, January 16th, homegrown Cajun band, Deaf Shepard at the ABC on Thursday 22nd, and Jerry Douglas with the fabulous Cherryholmes at The Old Fruitmarket on Saturday 31st.
On the final night of the festival (Sunday Feb 1st), James McMurtry and David Olney are at Oran Mor, and Southern Rockers Little Feat are at The Old Fruitmarket.
There’s certainly a huge amount for Country fans to take in. These are just a few of the events that form the Celtic Connections Festival. Check out www.celticconnections.com for more info and bookings. You can also book by phone on 0141 353 8000, or in person at Glasgow’s Royal Concert Hall.

Ricky Skaggs picked up three awards during the 14th annual Inspirational Country Music Awards held Thursday night (Oct. 16) in Hendersonville, Tenn. Skaggs was named musician of the year, and his recent work with the Whites resulted in wins in the mainstream country artist and inspirational bluegrass artist categories. Mainstream country artists receiving awards included Tracy Lawrence (video of the year for "Till I Was a Daddy Too" ), George Strait (mainstream inspirational song for "I Saw God Today") and the Bellamy Brothers (vocal duo). Sonya Isaacs and Del Way respectively won in the female and male vocalist categories, and CrossCountry the Band won the entertainer of the year award.

Irish favourite Sean O'Farrell returns to play The Strathclyde Suite at Glasgow's Royal Concert Hall next saturday (October 25th). He also has a new 2 track CD single featuring the old Val Doonican classic "Special Years", and Sean's own composition, "When the TV Changed To Colour".
Sean will be calling in to Celtic Music Radio's Celtic Country programme this Sunday (Oct 19th) between 2-5pm.

Isla Grant has a new website, www.islagrant.net where you can buy her new CD,"Isla Sings Hank", find out her tour dates, view her photo gallery and buy other merchandise like mouse mats, mugs and polo shirts.
Check out my review of Isla's new album on the Scotcountryalbums page.

The musical, Conway Twitty: The Man, the Music, the Legend, opened in Nashville on Sunday (Oct. 12) at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center. Twitty's story is told through the eyes of daughters, Joni and Kathy. Randy Johnson created and directs the production. Singer-songwriter and producer Anita Cochran, who recorded a tribute featuring Conway's own voice serves as musical director. The show will next be in Branson, Mo., Oct. 22-25.

The sweet-singing duo Dailey & Vincent went from emerging artist of the year to entertainer of the year in just two and a-half hours Thursday night (Oct. 2), winning seven awards from the International Bluegrass Music Association. They were nominated for a total of 10 awards.
"They didn't leave none for the rest of us," moaned the affable Del McCoury, who hosted the sold-out show at Nashville's Ryman Auditorium.
Still in their first year as a recording act, Jamie Dailey and Darrin Vincent also won for top album (Dailey & Vincent), top vocal group and gospel recorded performance ("By the Mark"). Dailey copped the male vocalist prize, and Vincent shared in the recorded event of the year trophy for (Everett Lilly & Everybody and Their Brother).
For the second year in a row, Dale Ann Bradley was proclaimed top female vocalist, and Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper again scored the instrumental group of the year prize.
The Grascals, the Del McCoury Band, Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver and Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder all were shut out. Rhonda Vincent, Darrin's sister and normally a trophy magnet, was cited only for her part in the winning recorded event of the year album.
The late author and cultural historian Charles Wolfe and musician, song collector and festival organizer Bill Clifton were inducted into the International Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame.