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.

Vince Gill on Kentucky Collectibles tv show

Country music singer-songwriter, Vince Gill, was recently featured on the television series "Kentucky Collectibles."  It airs on KET on Sunday afternoons.  This special edition of Kentucky Collectibles, Grammy Award-winning country music artist Vince Gill sits down with vintage instrument appraiser Mike Reeder to talk about some special guitars from Gill's storied collection, reminisce about his early years in Kentucky, and share a few other musical memories.

Here are the re-air dates if you would like to watch on your tv:

KET2: Monday, February 22 at 7:30 PM ET

KET2: Thursday, February 25 at 1:00 PM ET

KETKY: Sunday, February 28 at 6:30 AM ET

KETKY: Sunday, February 28 at 6:30 PM ET

KETKY: Thursday, March 3 at 8:30 AM ET

KETKY: Saturday, March 5 at 7:30 AM ET

KET2: Thursday, June 2 at 1:00 PM ET

KET: Saturday, June 18 at 4:30 PM ET

Click here to view the full episode if you would like to watch it now.

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

Be sure to check us out over on Facebook.  Feel free to subscribe to our updates for more road trip adventures, concert photos, and country music news!

Who has recorded in RCA Studio A in Nashville?

From RCA Studio A - Ben Fold's Website

Ben Folds has sent out a letter to various Nashville publications with a passionate plea to save the historic RCA Studio A.  He has been a tenant of the building that Chet Atkins and Owen Bradley built with a vision.  Word has gotten out that a potential developer has purchased the building.  Thus, the plea to try to preserve real American musical history.  Nashville itself has boomed in the recent years.  Downtown is towering with skyscrapers, condos, new convention center, and much more.  Nestled down the road is Music Row with its quaint buildings that stir into that world of music.  From recording studios, to record labels, to publishing companies, to publicists, there is a lot of things that happen down on Music Row.

Even more astounding is who all has recorded at RCA Studio A.  

Peter Bradley Adams, Gary Allan, Brent Anderson, Anika, Arlis Albritton, Asleep at the Wheel, The Beach Boys, Ben Folds Five, Tony Bennett, Amy Black, Jason Blaine, Blind Boys of Alabama, Joe Bonamassa, Wade Bowen, Eden Brent, Jim Brickman, The Brothers Osborne, Rachel Bradshaw, Brentwood Benson, David Bullock, Laura Bell Bundy, Ken Burns, The Canadian Tenors, The City Harmonic, Steven Curtis Chapman, Chocolate Horse, Brandy Clark, Brent Cobb, Jesse Colter, Elizabeth Cook, Wayne Coyne, Margaret Cho, Billy Currington, Matt Dame, Danae, Ilse DeLange, Rebecca de la Torre, Steve Earle, ESPN, Jace Everett, The Fabulous Headliners, Dani Flowers, Danny Flowers, Colt Ford, The Frog Sessions, Eleanor Fye, Cami Gallardo, Billy Gibbons, Sarah Gibson, Vince Gill, Alyssa Graham, Peter Groenwald, Harlan Pepper, Harper Blynn, Connie Harrington, Hunter Hayes, John Hiatt, Faith Hill, JT Hodges, Adam Hood, James House, Sierra Hull, Alan Jackson, Joe Jackson, Casey James, Jenny Jarnigan, Jewel, Jamey Johnson, Josh Jones, Kristin Kelly, Kesha, Anna Krantz, Ben Kweller, Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert, Sonny Landreth, Samatha Landrum, Mark Lanigan, Stoney LaRue, Jim Lauderdale, Frank Liddell, LIfeway, Meagan Lindsey, Longmont All Stars Jazz Band, Lyle Lovette, Luella and the Sun, Tayla Lynn, Amanda Palmer, John Pardi, Rich Parkinson, Alan Parson, Charlie Pate, Kellie Pickler, Pistol Annies, Pretty Lights, Mike Posner, Sean McConnell, Scotty McCreery, Kate Miller Heidke, Ronnie Milsap, Miss Willie Brown, Danny Mitchell, Allison Moorer, Kacey Musgraves, Musiq Soulchild, David Nail, the Nashville Symphony, Jerrod Neimann, Willie Nelson, Joe Nichols, Sierra Noble, Natalie Noone, The Oak Ridge Boys, Jake Owen, Rainfall, Johnny Reid, Thomas Rhett, Lionel Richie, The Robertson Family, Henry Rollins, Shannon Sanders, Jader Santos, Alejando Sanz, Mondo Saez, Kate Schrock, Bob Seger, Sera B., Brian Setzer, Nikki Shannon, William Shatner, SHEDaisy, Jordyn Shellart, Joel Shewmake, Sleeping With Sirens, Jake Shimabukuro, Mike Shipp, Kevin Shirley, Anthony Smith, Joanna Smith, Dr. Ralph Stanley, Chelsea Staling, Steel Magnolia, Tate Stevens, Jay Stocker, Rayburn, RED, RockIt City, Jeff Taylor, Justin Towns Earle, Josh Thompson, Those Darlins, Josh Turner, Bonnie Tyler, Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban, Ben Utecht, Phil Vassar, Venus and the Moon, Andy Victor, Amanda Watkins, Chuck Wicks, Hank Williams Jr., Williamson Country Youth Orchesta, Alicia Witt, Lee Ann Womack, Word Entertainment, and Charlie Worsham. 

I love this quote by Ben Folds - "We are Music City - the only city in the world truly built on music."

Come on Nashville, let's help save this historic landmark.  This is where dreams have been dreamed, songs have been created, and lives have been changed.

Concert Review: Vince Gill at the Lexington Opera House

Vince Gill - by Jessica Blankenship

On Friday night, Vince Gill conducted the perfect orchestra of musical blends at the Lexington Opera House in Lexington, Ky. Clocking in just over 2 1/2 hours, audience members took a musical journey of what Vince Gill is composed of.

Opening up the show with East Virginia Blues and Lonesome Wind Blues, it was evident that bluegrass was front and center. Coming to the state where bluegrass originated, you would think Gill would be hesitate to cover tunes by Bill Monroe, The Osborne Brothers, and others from Kentucky that make bluegrass home. Instead, he honored them with his renditions.

One way of honoring the tradition of bluegrass music was playing "Earl's Breakdown" in memory of the late Earl Scruggs. He also spoke many stories over time of the late Bill Monroe, as well as those on Del McCoury and others. He would even go on and play "Blue Moon of Kentucky" much to the delight of audience members.

Midway through his set, Vince Gill allowed his band to take a break so that he could showcase the tunes that made him famous. During each tune, he told the story of how it was written and tidbits that you would not find anywhere else.

During "Look At Us," you could see couples wiping tears from their eyes as they reminisce of their married years. Gill's high tenor vocals soared to feel the room with emotion with "When I Call Your Name" and "Whenever You Come Around." The heartfelt "Go Rest High On That Mountain" was sung with power with each note.

At the end, the band rejoined Gill for more bluegrass music fun. Ending the night was the Bill Monroe classic, "My Rose of Old Kentucky." Whether it is bluegrass or country music, Vince Gill showcased his musical talents with ease. The fans all agree that he is welcomed anytime back to Kentucky for more fun.

Keith Urban is shocked by Opry invitation

Vince Gill with Keith Urban - Ethan Miller/Getty Images

Last night, Vince Gill presented Keith Urban with an Grand Ole Opry microphone stand and asked him join the Opry during the We're All for the Hall Concert benefitting the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum at the Bridgestone Arena.

On April 21st, 2012, Keith Urban will become the first member of the Grand Ole Opry not born in North America.

Keith Urban is no stranger to Kentucky, having sold out concerts at Rupp Arena in Lexington, Kentucky. One of those concerts was filmed for his DVD special. He had previously performed at Renfro Valley Entertainment Center early in his solo country music career.

"I don't know what to say. Gosh, man, thank you so much to everyone at the Grand Ole Opry tonight. I'm shocked. It's a huge honor and how beautiful to have this happen tonight of all nights. I so appreciate this," Urban said on stage, surrounding by other Opry members Gill had called back on the stage. Members of The Oak Ridge Boys, Diamond Rio and Rascal Flatts were among those that came back to welcome Urban to the family.

The evening was packed with entertainment by Alabama, Little Big Town, Lady Antebellum, the Band Perry, Pistol Annies, and Thompson Square. Country Music Hall of Fame members Merle Haggard and Don Williams appeared before the sold-out crowd.