Nashville News Roundup - Week Ending 10-17-2014

You can hear me live on two radio stations here in Kentucky for the Nashville News Roundup on Friday mornings.  I try to give you a little piece of news, some history, and a download of the week to check out.  Tune in at 8:15 am on WKFC and 9:20 AM on WFKY.

If you are a station that would like to broadcast this segment, feel free to contact me.  

Vince Gill honored by Nancy Jones:  During the National Funeral Directors Association meeting in Nashville this week, Nancy Jones, wife of the late country legend George Jones, presents Vince Gill with a token of affection for his friendship and singing Go Rest High on That Mountain at her husband’s funeral last year.

Jamey Johnson in Studio: Just got the exclusive info that Jamey Johnson and his band, the Kent Hardly Playboys, have been busy working in the studio on some new material.  You can also sign up for his newsletter over at www.jameyjohnson.com and get the latest news.

The Nominees Are….Toby Keith and Vince Gill are among the nominees for possible induction into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2015.  Other nominated non-performing writers include Bobby Braddock, who wrote George Jones’ “He Stopped Loving Her Today” and Billy Currington’s “People Are Crazy,” and Bob McDill, who wrote Alan Jackson’s “Gone Country” and Alabama’s “Song of the South.”  

The Songwriters Hall of Fame honors composers and lyricists whose work has had an impact around the world. Voting among the Hall of Fame’s members is underway now through December 15. The inductees will be announced following the vote, and they’ll be honored at the 2015 Songwriters Hall of Fame Awards Gala on Thursday, June 18 at the New York Marriott Marquis.

Awesome Possum Fact of the Week: On this date in 1958, Alan Jackson was born in Newnan, Georgia. The first artist signed to Arista Records' country division in 1989, he becomes a traditional icon thanks to such hits as "Don't Rock The Jukebox," "Chattahoochee," "Gone Country" and "Where Were You (When The World Stopped Turning)".

Handpicked Download of the Week:  Josh Turner – Lay Low

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Song Review: Alan Jackson - Blue Side of Heaven

With Alan Jackson's newest release, "The Bluegrass Album," he showcases so many timeless hit songs while featuring some of his own well written works. One particular song, "Blue Side of Heaven," is one to take note. The story behind the song is that as George Jones was passing away, Alan Jackson wrote the song. He would present it to George Jones wife, Nancy, who gave its blessing. The heartfelt tune is about the passing of a love one and them telling their spouse that they look forward to seeing them in heaven. Below are the lyrics to this heartfelt tune that definitely leaves a long lasting impression on the hearts of country music and bluegrass music fans.

Lyrics to "Blue Side of Heaven"
By Alan Jackson

Don't be sad darlin I love you
And I'll take you with my soul's memory
I'm just going ahead to tell them about you
So they will all know you the way that I do

And I'll meet you dear on the blue side of heaven
Where angels sing and days never end
And I'll dance with you on the blue side of heaven
Where God will bless our love once again

I'll teach them all the songs that we love dear
And I'll tell them of our babies at home
I'll hug and kiss all of our loved ones
Who came before so I'm not alone

And I'll meet you dear on the blue side of heaven
Where angels sing and days never end
And I'll dance with you on the blue side of heaven
Where God will bless our love once again

So let me go and tell me you love me
I'm not afraid as darlin' I know
That someday soon you'll be there with me
We'll be together as long as time goes

And I'll meet you dear on the blue side of heaven
Where angels sing and days never end
And I'll dance with you on the blue side of heaven
Where God will bless our love once again

So don't be sad you know that I love you
And I'll see you when it comes to your time
We'll walk along some beautiful river
Hand in hand on life's other side

Check out more on Alan Jackson by going to www.alanjackson.com.

Haunted Songs in Country Music: Midnight In Montgomery

When Alan Jackson first started out in the early 1990s, he recorded the self-penned tune, Midnight In Montgomery. The haunting tune tells the story of Alan Jackson stopping by a grave on his way to a New Year's Eve show. Throughout the song, he reveals that he meets someone who was a tall man wearing a cowboy hat and a Nudi suit. That person would then disappear in the mist, but as Alan gets back on his bus, he sees the shadowy figure once again as a train rolls by.

The experience and song itself is the haunting Jackson experienced while visiting Hank Williams, Sr.'s grave on the hillside of Montgomery, Alabama. There have been many sightings and hauntings of the legendary performer over the years. The sound of the steel guitar playing gives that lonesome and chilling effect as the listener pays attention to the song.

Midnight in Montgomery peaked at the Billboard Charts at the #3 position. It comes from the album, Don't Rock the Jukebox. The video itself would go on to win the Country Music Association's Video of the Year in 1992 and TNN/Music City News Video of the Year in 1993.

Midnight in Montgomery Lyrics:
Midnight in Montgomery, silver eagle, lonely road
I was on my way to Mobile for a big New Year's Eve show
I stopped for just a minute to see a friend outside of town
Put my collar up, I found his name, and felt the wind die down

Then a drunk man in a cowboy hat took me by surprise
Wearing shiny boots, a Nudi suit and haunting haunted eyes
He said 'Friend it's good to see you, it's nice to know you care'
Then the wind picked up and he was gone
Was he ever really there

'Cause it's midnight in Montgomery
Just hear that whipporwill
See the stars light up the purple sky
Feel that lonesome chill
Cause when the wind is right, you'll hear his songs
Smell whiskey in the air
Midnight in Montgomery
He's always singing there

Well, I climbed back on that eagle, took one last look around
Through red tail lights a shadow moved slow across the ground
And off somewhere a midnight train is slowly passing by
I could hear that whistle moaning
I'm so lonesome I could cry

'Cause it's midnight in Montgomery
Just hear that whipporwill
See the stars light up the purple sky
Feel that lonesome chill
Cause when the wind is right, you'll hear his songs
Smell whiskey in the air
Midnight in Montgomery
He's always singing there
He's always singing there
Oh Hank's always singing there