April 29, 2009
Vern Gosdin RIP
Singer-songwriter Vern Gosdin, who achieved mainstream country success in the '80s with hits such as "Set 'Em Up Joe" and "Chiseled in Stone," died late Tuesday (April 28) at a Nashville hospital at age 74. Gosdin, who was often referred to as "the Voice," reportedly suffered a stroke several weeks ago.
Born in Woodland, Ala., he had already achieved success with his brother, Rex, as the Gosdin Brothers before launching his solo career. As a teenager, his family hosted The Gosdin Family Gospel Show on a radio station in Birmingham, Ala. Vern and Rex Gosdin moved to the Los Angeles area in 1961 and began performing in a bluegrass group, the Golden State Boys.
In the early '70s, Vern Gosdin moved to Atlanta, where he ran a retail store, but he continued to perform in area clubs. Emmylou Harris, who knew him from their days in California, teamed with Gosdin to record a demo single featuring two songs -- a remake of "Hangin' On" and a new one, "Yesterday's Gone." The demo resulted in Gosdin's contract with Elektra Records. "Yesterday's Gone" became his first single for the label and reached No. 9 on the country chart in 1977.
During the late '70s and early '80s, Gosdin charted other Top 10 singles for the Elektra, Ovation and AMI labels before scoring his first No. 1 hit in 1984 with "I Can Tell by the Way You Dance (You're Gonna Love Me Tonight)," written by Sandy Pinkard and Rob Strandlund. After moving to Columbia Records in the late '80s, he quickly scored a series of Top 10 singles with songs he co-wrote, including "Do You Believe Me Now," "Chiseled in Stone," "Who You Gonna Blame It On This Time" and "That Just About Does It." His recordings of two other original songs from that era -- "Set' Em Up Joe" and "I'm Still Crazy" reached No. 1. Gosdin's last Top 10 singles were released in 1990 -- "Right in the Wrong Direction" and "Is It Raining at Your House."
Born in Woodland, Ala., he had already achieved success with his brother, Rex, as the Gosdin Brothers before launching his solo career. As a teenager, his family hosted The Gosdin Family Gospel Show on a radio station in Birmingham, Ala. Vern and Rex Gosdin moved to the Los Angeles area in 1961 and began performing in a bluegrass group, the Golden State Boys.
In the early '70s, Vern Gosdin moved to Atlanta, where he ran a retail store, but he continued to perform in area clubs. Emmylou Harris, who knew him from their days in California, teamed with Gosdin to record a demo single featuring two songs -- a remake of "Hangin' On" and a new one, "Yesterday's Gone." The demo resulted in Gosdin's contract with Elektra Records. "Yesterday's Gone" became his first single for the label and reached No. 9 on the country chart in 1977.
During the late '70s and early '80s, Gosdin charted other Top 10 singles for the Elektra, Ovation and AMI labels before scoring his first No. 1 hit in 1984 with "I Can Tell by the Way You Dance (You're Gonna Love Me Tonight)," written by Sandy Pinkard and Rob Strandlund. After moving to Columbia Records in the late '80s, he quickly scored a series of Top 10 singles with songs he co-wrote, including "Do You Believe Me Now," "Chiseled in Stone," "Who You Gonna Blame It On This Time" and "That Just About Does It." His recordings of two other original songs from that era -- "Set' Em Up Joe" and "I'm Still Crazy" reached No. 1. Gosdin's last Top 10 singles were released in 1990 -- "Right in the Wrong Direction" and "Is It Raining at Your House."
April 25, 2009
Glasgow Americana
The third Glasgow Americana Festival brings to the city an exciting programme of Americana music with fantastic performers from near and far.
There will be eight great gigs at eight different venues including the CCA, Tron Theatre, The Twisted Wheel, Classic Grand and Bar Brel. The Stairwell Sisters will perform at the Royal Concert Hall.
Those appearing are:
16th May - Rachel Harrington and Doghouse Roses CCA 0141 352 4900
17th May - The Handsome Family The Tron Theatre 0141 552 4267
18th May - Otis Gibbs wth Jim Byrne at The Twisted Wheel 0141 221 4851
19th May - The Hotclub Of Cowtown ABC2 0844 847 2363
20th May - Annie Keating Bar Brel 0141 342 4966
21st May - David Ferrard, Kim Edgar, and Yvonne Lyon with Huck Notari The Classic Grand 0141 204 5151
22nd - Po Girl The Classic Grand 0141 204 5151
23rd - The Stairwell Sisters The Strathclyde Suite GRCH 0141 353 8000
More at www.fallenangelsclub.com
There will be eight great gigs at eight different venues including the CCA, Tron Theatre, The Twisted Wheel, Classic Grand and Bar Brel. The Stairwell Sisters will perform at the Royal Concert Hall.
Those appearing are:
16th May - Rachel Harrington and Doghouse Roses CCA 0141 352 4900
17th May - The Handsome Family The Tron Theatre 0141 552 4267
18th May - Otis Gibbs wth Jim Byrne at The Twisted Wheel 0141 221 4851
19th May - The Hotclub Of Cowtown ABC2 0844 847 2363
20th May - Annie Keating Bar Brel 0141 342 4966
21st May - David Ferrard, Kim Edgar, and Yvonne Lyon with Huck Notari The Classic Grand 0141 204 5151
22nd - Po Girl The Classic Grand 0141 204 5151
23rd - The Stairwell Sisters The Strathclyde Suite GRCH 0141 353 8000
More at www.fallenangelsclub.com
May Festivals - Johnstone & Kelso
It's Festival season again. This month sees two events.
In Johnstone Town Hall in Renfrewshire, Spring Into Country on Sunday 3rd will run from 2pm-11pm with music from Jolene & Barry, Carson City, Norman Borland Duo, Rockin' Horse & Robbie & The Brothers.
Full information at www.springintocountry.co.uk
Later in the month, Bronco's Festival is back Springwood Park near Kelso in the Scottish Borders. It runs right through from Friday 29th-Sunday 31st May, with a full programme of events and music from Little Rock, The Hayleys, Wrangler, Diesel Cowboys and The Gibsons amongst others.
Check out www.broncosfestival.co.uk for all the info.
In Johnstone Town Hall in Renfrewshire, Spring Into Country on Sunday 3rd will run from 2pm-11pm with music from Jolene & Barry, Carson City, Norman Borland Duo, Rockin' Horse & Robbie & The Brothers.
Full information at www.springintocountry.co.uk
Later in the month, Bronco's Festival is back Springwood Park near Kelso in the Scottish Borders. It runs right through from Friday 29th-Sunday 31st May, with a full programme of events and music from Little Rock, The Hayleys, Wrangler, Diesel Cowboys and The Gibsons amongst others.
Check out www.broncosfestival.co.uk for all the info.
May dates
The San Quentin C&W Club are back in Polmont Golf Club in Maddison on Friday 1st May with a visit from Buzzard Creek. The following night Weirs Club in Alloa is home for the visit of Country Blues to The Prairie Star C&W Club. The Prairie Star have another cruise at the end of the month (see below), so make sure you boook your place at the regular club night.
Back to Maddison, and the Polmont Linedancers will strutt their stuff to Jolene & Barry on Friday 15th, the same night as Calico play for The Bootleggers.
Back to Maddison, and the Polmont Linedancers will strutt their stuff to Jolene & Barry on Friday 15th, the same night as Calico play for The Bootleggers.
April 14, 2009
Prairie Star cruise
The Prairie Star Country & Western Club will be having their 3rd Country Cruise on the River Forth on Sunday 31st May, leaving Alloa dock at approx. 7.30pm, and as numbers are usually limited, anyone interested should contact Dorothy asap. with their names and deposits to assure a place on the 'Maid of the Forth' this is a fun night for all, this time it is a Country'n'Scottish evening, so be fast, or last. Contact Dorothy on 01259 724352
April 08, 2009
Spring into Country
Spring Into Country is an all day event on Sunday May 3rd in Johnstone Town Hall in Renfrewshire. Robbie & The Brothers, Jolene & Barry, Norman Borland Duo, Rockin' Horse & Carson City provide the music.
All day tickets are £12 in advance from 07749 852305.
All day tickets are £12 in advance from 07749 852305.
Isla Grant
Isla Grant's Glasgow gig in aid of Yorkhill has been postponed for the moment, but the lady's short UK tour will go ahead. She's At Kelso's Tait Hall next Thursday (16th), Dumfries Theatre Royal (17th) and Webster Theatre,Arbroath (18th).
After this, she heads off to Nova Scotia, New Zealand & Australia. She'll be back for a longer Scottish tour later in the year.
After this, she heads off to Nova Scotia, New Zealand & Australia. She'll be back for a longer Scottish tour later in the year.
Brad & Carrie lead ACM's
Brad Paisley & Carrie Underwood were the big winners at the 44th Academy Of Country Music Awards presented in Las Vegas this week.
Brad collected Top Male Vocalists award as well as Video of The Year, for "Waitin' On A Woman", and Vocal Event for his pickin' & singing duet with Keith Urban on "Start A Band".
Carrie took the top honour of Entertainer Of The Year. The formal American Idol also collected the Top Female Award.
Taylor Swift collected Album of The Year for "Fearless", which has been released in the UK as a pop album.
Boy band Rascall Flatts won the Vocal Group award, and Recent UK visitors Sugarland were Top Duo.
Song Of The Year went to Jamey Johnson, his song "In Colour", whilst Trace Adkins' "You're Gonna Miss This" was the Top Single.
Former Dancing With The Stars champion Julianne Hough was the Top New Artist.
Brad collected Top Male Vocalists award as well as Video of The Year, for "Waitin' On A Woman", and Vocal Event for his pickin' & singing duet with Keith Urban on "Start A Band".
Carrie took the top honour of Entertainer Of The Year. The formal American Idol also collected the Top Female Award.
Taylor Swift collected Album of The Year for "Fearless", which has been released in the UK as a pop album.
Boy band Rascall Flatts won the Vocal Group award, and Recent UK visitors Sugarland were Top Duo.
Song Of The Year went to Jamey Johnson, his song "In Colour", whilst Trace Adkins' "You're Gonna Miss This" was the Top Single.
Former Dancing With The Stars champion Julianne Hough was the Top New Artist.
April 03, 2009
It was just an April Fool (sadly)
Britain got a new Country FM station this week....
In Yorkshire, Minster FM went re-brand crazy as it turned itself into Country 104 for half an hour - convincing listeners that results from a listener feedback survey had suggested more country music was needed on the radio. They even had a new logo and website.
Sadly it was only an April Fool.
The mere thought of such a station coming from The Local Radio Company, (which owned Central FM when their Country programme was dropped in 2005) is quite ironic. There no Country music on any of their stations.
Dan Seals dies
Dan Seals, who amassed 11 No. 1 country singles as a solo performer in 1980s and ‘90s, died last week after a long bout with cancer.
Dan’s easy-going nature was well represented in a smooth voice that fit some of the most infectious releases of his era. His recording of the nostalgic "Bop" won the Country Music Association’s Single of the Year award in 1986, the same year he and Marie Osmond claimed Vocal Duo of the Year for "Meet Me In Montana." Both songs were penned by singer-songwriter Paul Davis, who died last April.
Long before Jewel, Jessica Simpson and Darius Rucker attempted transitions from pop music to country, Dan had one of the most successful shifts ever into the genre. He had previously established himself as one-half of the pop duo England Dan & John Ford Coley, which earned a gold record with its first single, "I’d Really Love To See You Tonight," in 1976
Dan’s easy-going nature was well represented in a smooth voice that fit some of the most infectious releases of his era. His recording of the nostalgic "Bop" won the Country Music Association’s Single of the Year award in 1986, the same year he and Marie Osmond claimed Vocal Duo of the Year for "Meet Me In Montana." Both songs were penned by singer-songwriter Paul Davis, who died last April.
Long before Jewel, Jessica Simpson and Darius Rucker attempted transitions from pop music to country, Dan had one of the most successful shifts ever into the genre. He had previously established himself as one-half of the pop duo England Dan & John Ford Coley, which earned a gold record with its first single, "I’d Really Love To See You Tonight," in 1976
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