Happy St. Patrick's Day from the Possum

There is only one person besides Kermit the Frog that can look good wearing nothing but all green.  That would be George Jones, The Possum. Happy St. Patty's day ya'll!

Nashville News Roundup: Week Ending 12/13/2013

Ray Price - Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

Every Friday I deliver the Nashville News Roundup on WFKY - Froggy 104.9/101.7 out of Frankfort, Kentucky.  You can listen on the radio, online at www.myfroggyville.com, or on the "Tune-In" app on your phone.  Usually airs right around 9:20-9:25 am est.  Here are this week's topics:

 

Ray Price Update

Country music legend Ray Price left an east Texas hospital to go to his home in Mt. Pleasant for hospice care. News channel KLTV revealed today that Price is in the final stages of pancreatic cancer.  Ray has left this final message for his fans: "I love my fans and have devoted my life to reaching out to them. I appreciate their support all these years and I hope I haven't let them down. I am at peace. I love Jesus. I'm going to be just fine. Don't worry about me. I'll see you again one day."  Read more here.

Kristofferson to Receive Grammy Honor

Kris Kristofferson will be honored with the Recording Academy's Lifetime Achievement Award during a Grammy Week ceremony Jan. 25, with formal acknowledgment of the honor made during the Jan. 26 Grammy telecast on CBS-TV. Kristofferson joins the Beatles, the Isley Brothers, Kraftwerk and more as this year's recipients. The award recognizes "performers who have made contributions of outstanding artistic significance."

 

Wayne Mills Update

There has been an outpouring of love and support from the country music community for the family of country music singer Wayne Mills.  Read his obituary that was read at his memorial service this past Sunday here.

Handpicked Download of the Week: Beautiful Star of Bethleham - The Judds

 

Awesome Possum Fact of the Week: May the bird of paradise fly up your nose come December 19th as that will be the day we celebrate Little Jimmy Dickens' 93rd birthday!  He is the oldest living Grand Ole Opry star and still performs from time to time.  On a personal note, I believe it should be a national holiday as I just love Little Jimmy Dickens! :)

Nashville News Roundup - Week Ending 12/6/2013

Every Friday I deliver the Nashville News Roundup on WFKY - Froggy 104.9/101.7 out of Frankfort, Kentucky.  You can listen on the radio, online at www.myfroggyville.com, or on the "Tune-In" app on your phone.  Usually airs right around 9:20-9:25 am est.  Here are this week's topics:

Wayne Mills Update
A memorial service has been set for singer-songwriter Wayne Mills, who was shot and killed at the Pit and Barrel in the early morning hours of November 23 by bar owner Chris Ferrell.  Ferrell claims it was self-defense and has not been arrested. The memorial service will be held on Sunday in Arab, Alabama.  Wayne Mills was a well respected traditional honky tonk singer who shared the stage with Jamey Johnson, Randy Houser, Blake Shelton, and more.  One of 7 albums are available on I-tunes. My personal top song picks are "Homeward Bound" and "Last Honky Tonk."

Read my personal connection to Wayne Mills here.  He was a dear friend and will be greatly missed.

Grammy Hall of Fame
Dolly Parton’s “Jolene” and Kris Kristofferson’s debut album are among 27 new additions to the Grammy Hall of Fame. In order to be selected, singles and albums must be “at least 25 years old and exhibit qualitative or historical significance. Recordings are reviewed annually by a special member committee comprised of knowledgeable professionals from all branches of the recording arts, with final approval by The Recording Academy’s National Board of Trustees.”

Handpicked Download of the Week

Merry Christmas From the Family - Montgomery Gentry

Awesome Possum Fact of the Week

On this date in 1984, Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash and Kris Kristofferson record "Highwayman" at Nashville's Moman Studios. Among the musicians on the session is guitarist Marty Stuart.

Tune Up Thursday: Blackberry Smoke - Come Go With Us

I've been a fan of Blackberry Smoke for several years now.  I've been fortunate to have interviewed the guys as well.  They left a huge impression on me several years ago when they played at Renfro Valley Entertainment Center here in Kentucky a few years ago.  I had seen them performed several times before that show.  However, it was the first time my oldest nephew got to see them and meet them.  They were extremely gracious and kind to him.  It made a huge impression on him, as well as me.

 

With the holly jolly Christmas celebrations, I decided to tone it down for ya'll this week with Blackberry Smoke's "Come Go With Us."  It was released last year but still a great stripped down tune by the guys.  I had to crack up at the description over the "very festive facial hair."

 

 

Weekly Vinyl: Conway Twitty - Merry Twismas

While growing up, there was always a Conway Twitty song playing in our house.  Even to this day, I can hear the first few notes of a Conway song and know which one it is and go back to a memory from that song.  Over the years, my parents would make the trek down to Hendersonville and we would go see Twitty City, the home of Conway Twitty.  These days, it is owned by Trinitiy Broadcasting Company.  You can still tour the home (downstairs) and the grounds.  One of the biggest traditions were the Christmas lights. Oh how I loved seeing them.  There would also be times that Conway himself would greet fans that came to visit.

 

With the holiday season approaching, I thought it would be appropriate to mention this week's "Weekly Vinyl" as Conway Twitty's "Merry Twismas" album.  It was released in November 1983 on Warner Brothers.  It would reach #37 on the US Top Country Music Albums charts.  It is one to add to anyone's collection of great vinyl records.  So hard to believe it has been out for 30 years this year!

 

 

 

Track Listing

Santa Claus is Coming to Town
Nine Little Reindeers
Jingle Bells
White Christmas
Christmas is for Birds
Johnny Snowman
Frosty the Snowman
Winter Wonderland
Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer
Happy the Christmas Clown
Silver Bells
Ding a Ling the Christmas Bell
Kids
Here Comes Santa Claus
Night Before Christmas

Up On the Housetop

Jolly Ole Saint Nicholas
Silent Night

 

Haunted Country Music Songs for Halloween

It's that time of year when all the ghosts and goblins come out to beg for candy.  Here are a few song picks to help you feel a little spooky today.  Click on the links to get the backstory on the song, as well as the lyrics:

Haunted Songs in Country Music: The Ride
Haunted Songs in Country Music: Ghost in This House
Haunted Songs in Country Music: Midnight in Montgomery
Haunted Songs in Country Music: Haunted Heart
Haunted Songs in Country Music: Ghost Riders in the Sky
Haunted Songs in Country Music: Legend of Wooley Swamp

Need a last minute Halloween costume idea? Check out these country music star costume ideas for Halloween - http://www.examiner.com/article/country-music-halloween-costume-ideas-1.