John Conlee Honored by Georgia Sheriffs’ Association with Award for Supporting Law Enforcement

L-R:Jones County Deputy Sheriffs Hunter Blount and Jonathan Joyner, Jones County Sheriff R. N. “Butch” Reece, Eatonton Police Officer Lynn Stanford, Putnam County Sheriff’s Sgt. Jim Barbee, Putnam County Sheriff Howard Sills, John Conlee, Georgia Sheriffs’ Association Executive Director Terry Norris

The Georgia Sheriffs’ Association presented Grand Ole Opry star John Conlee with a plaque for supporting law enforcement at the country hitmaker’s live show in Putnam County, Ga. The award was presented to commemorate Conlee’s dedication to the "men and women in the state of Georgia who walk behind the star."

Conlee first caught the attention of Putnam County Georgia Sheriff Howard Sills while listening to the legendary Grand Ole Opry on 650 AM WSM. When the country legend took the stage, he performed his song, “Walkin’ Behind the Star,” from his latest album Classics 2. The track pays tribute to law enforcement with standout lines like, “So God bless all of the women and men sworn to uphold the law, and thank them for the fallen ones, the ones that gave it all.”

Merle Haggard's legacy to be celebrated on RFD-TV

Merle Haggard - photo by Steve Kalinsky

Upcoming brand new, never before seen episodes of “Country’s Family Reunion” will pay tribute to country music legend, Merle Haggard. Artists in this series include John Conlee, Vince Gill, Bobby Bare, Gene Watson, Moe Bandy, Teea Goans, Rhonda Vincent and more.

This is one of the biggest ever Reunions as they pay tribute to the life and music of Merle Haggard. Featuring songs and stories from three of Merle’s sons, along with John Conlee, Vince Gill, Bobby Bare, Gene Watson, Moe Bandy, Teea Goans, Rhonda Vincent, Ray Benson, The Isaacs, Mark Wills, David Frizzell, Ronnie Reno, Mac Wiseman, Bill Anderson and more.

The idea behind the hit “Country’s Family Reunion” series when it all started in 1997 was simple – ask the great people who shaped country music to get together and talk about their history, and maybe sing a few songs. Each episode of Country’s Family Reunion is hosted by country legend and hit songwriter, Bill Anderson who guides the discussion and supplies viewers with inside stories from his many years in the business. Nearly 20 years later, Gabriel Communications celebrates more than a dozen projects, featuring hundreds of songs and never-before-heard stories from some of country music’s original artists, which would have otherwise been lost forever. Click here to find out where to watch RFD-TV and “Country’s Family Reunion” in your area.

Upcoming “Country’s Family Reunion” Airdates:

*All episodes re-air on Saturdays at 12 am EST

Friday, November 11 at 8 p.m. ET – A Tribute to Merle Haggard: Guests include Ronnie Reno – “Honky Tonk Night Time Man,” David Frizzell “The Way it was In 51,” Bobby Bare “Ramblin' Fever,” and Vince Gill “Lost In A World Without Haggard.”

Friday, November 18 at 8 p.m. ET – A Tribute to Merle Haggard: Guests include John Conlee “Okie From Muskogee,” Teea Goans “I Didn't Mean To Love You,” Ray Benson “Misery and Gin,” Mark Wills “I Think I'll Just Stay Here And Drink,” Rhonda Vincent “Mama Tried,” and Marty Noel & Ben Haggard “Workin’ Man Blues’.”

Friday, November 25 at 8 p.m. ET – A Tribute to Merle Haggard: Guests include The Isaacs “If We Make IT Though December,” Moe Bandy “Today I Started Loving You Again,” Gene Watson “Tonight The Bottle Let me Down,” Tony Booth “I Had a Beautiful Time,” Mac Wiseman “Sing Me Back Home,” Marty haggard “Mama's Hungry Eyes,” and Noel & Ben Haggard “The Runnin' Kind/Lonesome Fugitive.”

Friday, December 2 at 8 p.m. ET – A Tribute to Merle Haggard: Guests include Jim Lauderdale “I'm Always On A Mountain When I Fall,” T. Graham Brown “Big City,” Mo Pitney “Farmer's Daughter,” Jeannie Seely “Everybody's Had the Blues,” Ben Haggard “It's All in the Movies,” and Daryle Singletary “Footlights.”

The “’Country’s Family Reunion’ Collection Series” DVD box set features four different show compilations including “Country’s Family Reunion Original,” “Country’s Family Reunion Celebration,” “Country’s Family Reunion Gospel,” and “Stories From The Golden Age Of Country.” Purchase the entire series and have unlimited access to over 50 legendary country music artists with 130 rare live performances online by visiting www.cfrvideos.com.

Renfro Valley kicks off 77th season in April

Renfro Valley 2016 Schedule

Renfro Valley is back and excited for 2016 as this year marks Renfro Valley's 77th season of great classic country, southern gospel and mountain bluegrass.

For the first time ever, patrons can enjoy one of the great Renfro Valley original shows and their favorite country music headliner in the same night! Renfro Valley shows will begin at 6:30 p.m. so that patrons can see a show, grab a bite to eat, then head to an 8:30 p.m. headliner. 

This year also brings two new shows to Renfro Valley, Elwood's Smooch's Hillbilly Hoedown and Renfro Valley Bandstand.

Elwood Smooch's Hillbilly Hoedown is Dollywood's most famous funny man.  The Smoky Mountains most honored musical-comedy clown, brings his laughing, singing, barn burn- ing "Baptist burlap spectacular" to the Kentucky hills every Thursday night at 6:30 p.m, in 2016, beginning May 5th.

Renfro Valley Bandstand will take the audience down memory lane so they relive the music of their life from the 50's, 60's, 70's and 80's! It happens every Friday night starting April 29th at 6:30 p.m.

Being revitalized for the 2016 season is the Mountain Gospel Jubilee. This show features the best of southern, country, and bluegrass gospel that you are sure to leave this show with a warm heart and a big smile on your face.  It happens every Saturday at 3:00 p.m. starting April 30th.

You don't want to miss the world famous Renfro Valley Barn Dance.  Having started in 1939, it is America's longest running Barn Dance in the United States and the second longest running show behind the Grand Ole Opry. The Renfro Valley Barn Dance is performed every Saturday night starting April 16th at 6:30 p.m.

Renfro Valley is also proud to announce their 2016 Headliner Concert Series that includes 30 Country Music artists, kicking off on April 16th with Tracy Lawrence. Kentucky's own "Coal Miners Daughter" Loretta Lynn will grace the stage of the New Barn Theater this season along with the "big man" himself, Trace Adkins, in the Valley for the first time April 24th. Also for the first time, Renfro Valley is proud to welcome LeAnn Rimes, her career expands more than two decades with over 44 million albums sold - this will be a show you definitely won't want to miss. Renfro Valley also welcomes back some of your favorite legends such as Gene Watson, John Anderson, Earl Thomas Conley, Marty Stuart with Connie Smith, Travis Tritt and many more. 2016 at Renfro Valley is sure to be a year that you will not want to miss!

For tickets and more information, be sure to visit www.renfrovalley.com.

Renfro Valley announces 2016 concert season

Trace Adkins is set to perform at Renfro Valley.  Photo by Mike Coppola

One of Kentucky's best concert venues is Renfro Valley Entertainment Center. It is located just an hour south of Lexington off exit 62 on I-75. Renfro Valley is known as "Kentucky's Country Music Capital" with its new barn headliner entertainment, along with their old barn theater, as well as the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame.

Tracy Lawrence kicks off Renfro Valley's 2016 Headliner Concerts with the first show of the season on April 16th. Tickets go on sale Tuesday, February 16th. There are many shows that return each year, including the Oak Ridge Boys, as well as Marty Stuart with his wife Connie Smith.

Tickets can be purchased online at www.renfrovalley.com or by calling the ticket office at 1-800-765-7464. Box office sales begin at 9:00 a.m. and Online/Phone sales begin at 10:00 a.m.

Renfro Valley also announced their new shows in the historic Old Barn Theatre. Thursdays at 6:30 p.m., Dukes of Hazzard fans will have to join in with the Hazzard County Hoedown. Friday nights at 6:30 p.m., it is the Renfro Valley Bandstand. Saturday is complete with a Mountain Gospel Jubilee at 3:00 p.m., followed by the longstanding Renfro Valley Barn Dance at 6:30 p.m.

Below is a list of the headliner concerts at Renfro Valley. Please note that the schedule is subject to change. Ticket prices can be located at www.renfrovalley.com.

Renfro Valley 2016 Headliner Concerts

April 16 Tracy Lawrence
April 23 Sawyer Brown
April 24 Trace Adkins
April 30 Exile
May 15 Merle Haggard
May 20 The Time Jumpers 
June 11 Billy "Crash" Craddock
June 18 Oak Ridge Boys
July 9 LeAnn Rimes
July 16 Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver
July 22 Wynonna and the Big Noise
July 30 Ronnie Milsap
August 5 Sara Evans
August 6 All Night Gospel Sing with Dove Brothers, Michael Combs, The Singing Cookes, and His Heart Quartet
August 20 Earl Thomas Conley
August 26 Jamey Johnson
September 3 Bobby Bare
September 9 Loretta Lynn
September 10 Gene Watson
September 16 John Anderson
September 17 The Isaacs
October 1 Dailey & Vincent
October 8 John Conlee
October 14 Mickey Gilley
October 15 Marty Stuart & Connie Smith
October 29 Rhonda Vincent & the Rage
November 5 Travis Tritt

November 18 - December 17 Christmas in the Valley

John Conlee to perform new single on TBN "Praise the Lord"

Kentucky native, John Conlee, is also known as the man behind “Rose Colored Glasses,” and seven other No. 1 hits, will be performing his newest release, “Bread and Water,” on TBN’s “Praise the Lord” Monday, Jan. 11 at 10/9c. TBN is viewed globally on 70 satellite providers and more than 18,000 television and cable affiliates. Click here to find local listings to watch “Praise the Lord.”

“Bread and Water,” written by Vince Gill and Leslie Satcher, captures a moving message about the power of faith and holds a deep meaning to the veteran Opry legend. The single is available on Conlee’s latest project Classics 2, available for purchase here.

“It hit me right in the heart the first time I heard it. It is a story of redemption and a reminder that with God, all things are possible,” Conlee said.

“Bread and Water” chorus:

Bread and water, man that’s all you need

Bread and water, brother just believe

If you ain’t too proud to get down on your knees

The bread and water’s free

Bread and water’s free

Conlee continues his long-standing relationship between faith and the country music industry. “Out of concerns for today’s America it has affected the way I’m applying my musical energies. I believe in prayer and I feel like now more than ever is the time to be singing about it and hopefully inspiring others to do the same,” Conlee said.

The 2015 release from his own Rose Colored Records includes new material along with Conlee’s hits. Classics 2 features standards that haven’t been available for purchase since Columbia and 16th Avenue Records originally released the records, including “Harmony,” “Mama’s Rockin’ Chair” and “Hit The Ground Runnin.”

To learn more about John Conlee, his new album Classics 2 or tour date specifics, visit www.johnconlee.com.  Check out our exclusive interview with John Conlee just a few months ago about his song, "Walking Behind the Star."

John Conlee 2016 Tour Dates

Jan. 10 San Antonio, Texas | Tobin Center for the Performing Arts

Feb. 10 Tampa, Fla. | Florida State Fair

Feb. 12 Houston, Texas | Stampede Houston

Feb. 13 Ft. Worth, Texas | Stagecoach Ballroom

Feb. 18 Social Circle, Ga. | Social Circle Theatre

Feb. 19 Murphy, N.C. | Tri-County Community College

Feb. 20 Lawrenceburg, Tenn. | Crockett Theatre

Mar. 5 Erath, La. | Quality Sports Complex

Mar. 11 Crossville, Tenn. | Palace Theatre

Mar. 12 Powderly, Ky. | Merle Travis Music Center

Mar. 19 Huntington, Tenn. | The Dixie Carter Performing Arts Center

Apr. 2 Corsicana, Texas | The Palace Theatre

Apr. 7 Hawkinsville, Ga. | Hawkinsville Opra House

Apr. 8 Calhoun, Ga. | The Gem Theatre

Apr. 9 Lenoir City, Tenn. | Lenoir City High School

Apr. 10 Lebanon, Pa. | Lebanon Expo Center

Apr. 22 The Woodlands, Texas | Dosey Doe

Apr. 23 Shawnee, Okla. | The Grand Events Center

May 21 Winchester, Ohio | Red Barn Convention Center

June 9 Elizabethtown, Ky. | The Historic State Theatre

June 10 Crawfordsville, Ind. | Strawberry Festival

June 11 Covington, Ky. | Madison Theater

July 8-July 9 Shipshewana, IN | Blue Gate Theater

Aug. 5 Schulenburg, Texas | Shulenburg Festival

Sep. 17 Hartford, Wis. | Schauer Arts and Activities Center

Oct. 8 Mount Vernon, Ky. | Renfro Valley Entertainment Center

Kentucky native John Conlee records bluegrass version of classic tune

Kentucky country music fans will enjoy this latest collaboration of John Conlee along with Lorraine Jordan & Carolina Road.  For Lorraine's latest project, "Country Grass," they recorded "Common Man."  They also just released a new music video of the tune.

After topping the Billboard country charts in 1983, "Common Man," originally recorded by Conlee, takes on new life by the bluegrass band. "It was nice to be able to do a bluegrass version of one of my songs, and I really enjoyed working with Lorraine on the project," Conlee said. "I understand it has gotten a lot of positive feedback since it has been out, and that is really encouraging to me."

In addition to taking home both "Female Vocalist of the Year" and the prestigious "Song of the Year" at the Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music of America's (SPBGMA) 2015 awards and convention, Lorraine Jordan & Carolina Road have been riding high off of the momentum created by their latest album Country Grass.

The band teamed up with country music's legends on Country Grass, as they re-recorded some of their biggest hits, but with a bluegrass twist. The star-studded project features collaborations with Crystal Gayle, Lee Greenwood, The Kentucky Headhunters, T.G. Sheppard, Eddy Raven, John Conlee and Marty Raybon in addition to the late Jim Ed Brown and Lynn Anderson.

Walking behind the star with John Conlee

Saturday night, John Conlee will be gracing the stage of Renfro Valley Entertainment Center's New Barn Stage.  Just a short drive down the road, you can view his rose colored glasses on display at the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame, where John Conlee is also a member of.  Recently, John sat down with me for a conversation on his hometown roots of Versailles, as well as his song, "Walking Behind the Star."

Versailles has changed somewhat over the years, but slow on growth.  What is one of your favorite memories of growing up in Versailles, Kentucky?

I loved that Versailles was a small town, even smaller of course when I was growing up.  It was always a bedroom community for Lexington, but it seems to be growing together like so many other areas between the two towns.  I can remember when the population was a couple of thousand.  I'd say now it closer to 8,000 or 9,000.  I still have a farm up that way.  I go up there every few weeks and check up on things.  I still consider it home, but I also consider Tennessee home.  I've been here since '72.

When was your first public performance?

I remember my first public performance publicly was "Love Me Tender."  I did it for the whole assembly program for the elementary school in 3rd grade.  It was also the most nervous I've ever been.

How would you best define music of Kentucky to someone outside of the state?

It runs the gamete.  Music of Kentucky, of course, rooted solidly in what we called country and bluegrass.  Very few states can claim people who founded a whole style of music like Kentucky can in the case of bluegrass and Bill Monroe.  We worked in Powderly, Kentucky, the home of Merle Travis, the Everly Brothers, and James Best.  Kentucky has contributed so much to various formats of music.  We can be proud of that.  Kentucky has a rich heritage in music.

One of the neat things about the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame, it honors anyone that has made a mark in music, no matter what form it is.  It isn't just about country or bluegrass. 

With your song, "Walking Behind the Star," you honor our nation's police force. Do you think we honor those behind the badge as much as we should?

We forget - it's a busy world.  Now more than ever, people are so distracted by their iphones, ipads, all the little gadgets we carry around.  It's amazing to go to a place to eat and look around and everyone is staring at a little box in their hands.  So, we get too distracted by things that don't really matter.  One of those things you can see that is easy to forget is the sacrifice of and the way the police put themselves on the line every day.  They do a lot of great things that don't get covered.  If there is a bump in the road and it looks like they abused someone, boy that makes the headlines in a heartbeat.  In many cases, it turns out to not be true.  When they save somebody in a fire, or a wreck, or whatever, a lot of times that doesn't get noticed.  We need to remind ourselves that they are our line of defense between total anarchy and peace.  Thank God for them.  That's why we did this song.

What I'm discovering, so many people have a connection family wise, either presently or in the past, to law enforcement.  They've got a cousin, a brother, uncle, or someone that use to or is currently a police officer.  I think it will touch a lot of people.

Be sure to check out the latest with John Conlee by visiting www.johnconlee.com.  

Country's Family Reunion pays tribute to Ray Price

Ray Price - via his Facebook Page

Ray Price brought us songs like “City Lights,” “Release Me,” “Crazy Arms,” “Heartaches By The Number,” “For the Good Times,” “Night Life,” and the list goes on. He helped to pioneer Nashville’s ‘honky-tonk’ sound; and he left an undying legacy on music with his inimitable wide-ranging baritone voice. Ray Price, country music legend, may have passed away on December 16, 2013, but his legacy lives on in so many ways in country music and beyond. Now, Country’s Family Reunion celebrates his life through the series special, A Tribute To Ray Price.

Tune in throughout July to RFD-TV to watch Janie Price, Ray’s beloved widow, join Bill “Whisperin’ Bill” Anderson and a long list of Ray’s closest friends, band members and fellow country music peers to pay tribute to his songs, life and legacy.

Viewers will be treated to performances by artists such as Moe Bandy, the late Jim Ed Brown, T. Graham Brown, Johnny Bush, Roy Clark, John Conlee, Linda Davis, Janie Fricke, Larry Gatlin, Teea Goans, Wade Hayes, Jan Howard, Tracy Lawrence, Jim Lauderdale, Johnny Lee, Darrell McCall, Dean Miller, Ray Pillow, Mo Pitney, Curtis Potter, Jeannie Seely, and Gene Watson.

Upcoming Airdates:

*Premiere episode airtimes are 8 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. CT

July 10 | Jim Lauderdale, Gene Watson, Wade Hayes, Linda Davis, Curtis Potter, Tracy Lawrence

July 17 | Ray Pillow, Roy Clark, Johnny Bush, Janie Fricke, T. Graham Brown, Teea Goans

July 24 | Johnny Lee, Moe Bandy, David Ball, Jim Ed Brown, Mo Pitney, Jan Howard, John Conlee and Johnny Bush

July 31 | Darrell McCall, Larry Gatlin, Jeannie Seely, Bill Anderson, Dean Miller and Ray Price

*Additional airdates can be found by visiting rfdtv.com.

Country’s Family Reunion airs at 8 p.m. ET on Fridays and 12 a.m. ET on Saturdays and Sundays. Fans can purchase an exclusive, personal copy of the entire A Tribute To Ray Price series on DVD by visiting cfrvideos.com or by calling 800-820-5405.

Versailles native John Conlee to release new album

Fans of one of Country Music’s most distinctive song stylists have new reason to exclaim with delight as veteran performer John Conlee returns to the radio with the emotional single “Walkin’ Behind The Star,” released on his own RCR (Rose Colored Records) label.

The song was written by Nashville industry veterans Ronnie Scaife and Phil Thomas, who collaborated on the Johnny Paycheck hits “Colorado Cool Aid” and “Me and the IRS” together. The touching lyrics were inspired by Phil’s grandfather and great-grandfather, both of whom served in their local sheriff’s department. The song had yet to be cut until recent events made the song a little timelier, and the song was pitched to the Grand Ole Opry star, who was touched by the song’s honesty.

“Recent deadly attacks against the people who keep us safe is unprecedented in America and I wanted to sing this song in honor of their sacrifice and willingness to serve,” says Conlee.

 

“Walkin’ Behind The Star,“ can be found on his upcoming releaseClassics 2, which will feature some new material along with many of Conlee’s latter classics. The set features Conlee hits such as “Harmony,” “Mama’s Rockin’ Chair” and “Hit The Ground Runnin,” which are being issued on CD for the first time since their releases on Columbia and 16th Avenue Records.

 

Conlee recently celebrated the 36th anniversary of his breakthrough hit “Rose Colored Glasses,” and can be found on the road throughout 2015 as well as the stage of the Grand Ole Opry, where he has been a member since 1981.

 

TRACK LISTING FOR JOHN CONLEE / CLASSICS 2

1.   Domestic Life

2.   Stuff That Works

3.   Walkin’ Behind The Star

4.   Hit The Ground Runnin’

5.   A Lot Of Things Different

6.   Mama’s Rockin’ Chair

7.   Love In The Real World

8.   Pocket Full Of Crosses

9.   Harmony

10. The In Crowd

11. Bread And Water

12. Sure

 

For an updated schedule, go to www.JohnConlee.com