Country Music Notes

courtesy of Webster Public Relations

JOHNNY CASH: "JUNE'S MUSIC & HEART BELONGED WITH PEOPLE"

May 16, 2003 (Nashville, TN) - Today, Johnny Cash personally superseded the earlier press release regarding the fact that June Carter Cash's funeral be a private occasion.

"Johnny wants June's fans and friends everywhere to be able to come and pay their respects along with her family," said Johnny and June Carter Cash's manager Lou Robin.

Johnny Cash in a personal statement just released is quoted as saying, "Thanks to June's friends, fans, and loved ones for the outpouring of love at this terrible time. I love you all."

Cash kept a vigil by his wife's side since her heart surgery on May 7th. She died from complications yesterday, May 15th, at Baptist Hospital in Nashville. June Carter Cash was 73.

Visitation will be today, Friday, May 16th and tomorrow at the Hendersonville Funeral Home, 353 Johnny Cash Parkway, Hendersonville, Tennessee. Times will be 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. both nights. Flowers may also be sent to this address.

The funeral will be on Sunday, May 18th at 2:00 P.M. at the First Baptist Church of Hendersonville, in Hendersonville, Tennessee.

Music legend June Carter Cash, passed away Thursday, May 15, 2003, in Nashville, Tennessee.

Flowers can be sent to:
HENDERSONVILLE FUNERAL HOME, 353 JOHNNY CASH PARKWAY, HENDERSONVILLE, TN 37075

US NAVY DEPLOYS COUNTRY SINGER JETT WILLIAMS

MAY 17, 2003 Jacksonville, Fl - This morning, the US Navy deployed Jett Williams, daughter of legendary Hank Williams, out to sea on the USS Philippine Sea. Jett is the distinguished guest aboard the USS Philippine Sea and will accompany the sailors on their journey from Jacksonville, Florida to New York, New York to take part in the 16th Annual Fleet Week, in which President George H.W. Bush and Barbara Bush serve as event co-chairs. Jett, along with husband F. Keith Adkinson and a guitar player set sail this morning and will arrive in New York on Wednesday, May 21, 2003.

"This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and I am so thrilled that the Captain asked me to join them on this journey," says Jett Williams. "For me to join the sailors that risked their lives in Operation Iraqi Freedom, is an honor so deep that it's almost beyond my ability to express my appreciation. So I am going to pick some guitar and sing some songs and really show them some appreciation for what they have done us Americans."

ABOUT JETT WILLIAMS:
Jett Williams, for several years, struggled to validate her birth as the daughter of Hank Williams who died just five days before Jett was born. Hank's little girl fought a legal system determined to prevent her rightful entitlement. Raised a ward of the state of Alabama rather than the acknowledged daughter of one of the greatest names in the music industry, Jett endured eight years of courtroom battles to win back the right to claim her blood lineage. Today, Jett tours to keep the 'legend alive' and makes appearances in support of the Hank Williams estate.

ABOUT THE USS PHILIPPINE SEA:
The ship's name commemorates the World War II Battle of the Philippine Sea, fought near the Marinas Islands in June 1944, in which U.S. Naval forces destroyed over 400 Japanese planes and three aircraft carriers. The first Navy ship to be named USS PHILIPPINE SEA (CV 47) was an aircraft carrier of the famed "Essex" class. Commissioned in 1946, the first USS PHILIPPINE SEA saw nearly continuous action throughout the 1950-1953 Korean conflict, receiving nine battle stars for its service. The ship was decommissioned in 1958.

The current USS PHILIPPINE SEA (CG 58) was commissioned in March 1989 and is home ported in Mayport, Florida. The ship's first deployment to the Mediterranean and Red Seas came in 1990 as part of Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. During Desert Storm, the ship fired ten Tomahawk cruise missiles and boarded many merchant vessels during coalition actions against Iraq. For its service, PHILIPPINE SEA received the Navy Unit Commendation, the Southwest Asia Service Medal and the Kuwait Liberation Medal. While deployed, the ship transited the Suez Canal six times and visited Italy, Greece, Turkey, Egypt and Saudi Arabia, returning home in the spring of 1991.

Later in 1991, the ship served as the flagship for a joint task force conducting counter-drug operations in the Caribbean, earning the Joint Meritorious Unit Award. In May 1992, PHILIPPINE SEA sailed again to the Mediterranean and Red Seas. While deployed, the ship made two Suez Canal transits and boarded thirty-nine vessels in support of United Nations sanctions against Iraq, earning a second Southwest Asia Service Medal. Additionally, PHILIPPINE SEA supported United Nations operations off the coast of the former Yugoslavia. Port visits were made to Spain, France, Italy, Egypt and Israel The ship returned from deployment in November 1992 and received the James F. Chezek Award for the highest Naval Gunfire Support score in the Atlantic fleet in 1992.

PHILIPPINE SEA completed a dry-docking period in Boston during 1993, followed by pre-deployment workups as part of the Saratoga Battle Group. In January 1994, the ship sailed with the Saratoga Joint Task Group for its third Mediterranean deployment, returning again to the Yugoslavian coast in support of U.N. Operations in the Adriatic. While deployed, the ship participated in numerous exercises with NATO forces. PHILIPPINE SEA made port calls in Spain, Turkey, Greece and Italy, and returned from deployment at the end of June 1994. For this deployment, the ship was awarded the Meritorious Unit Commendation. In July, August, November and December of 1994, the ship again conducted counter-drug operations in the Caribbean. The following year, PHILIPPINE SEA was chosen as the flagship for U.S. Baltic Operations '95 in Northern Europe from mid-May to mid-July. The ship then returned to homeport for a yard period to close 1995.

PHILIPPINE SEA deployed with the Enterprise Battle Group in the summer of 1996, to the Mediterranean and Adriatic Seas supporting U.N. operations in the former Yugoslavia and conducting multi-national exercises with seven other countries as part of NATO's Partnership For Peace program. The PHILIPPINE SEA has completed its inter-deployment cycle and is prepared to support the missions of the navy.

GAC TO TELECAST 13th ANNUAL CITY OF HOPE CELEBRITY SOFTBALL CHALLENGE

4/29/03 Nashville, TN - GAC: Great American CountryÆ, Inc. will telecast the 13th Annual City of Hope Celebrity Softball Challenge on June 20th and June 21st as a part of the network's special Fan Fair coverage. The game, which brings country music's hottest stars together for an afternoon of softball, pranks and fun, will be held on Thursday, June 5 at noon at Nashville's Greer Stadium.

This year's game will feature Vince Gill, Joe Nichols, Rebecca Lynn Howard, Montgomery Gentry, Trick Pony, Clay Walker, Chris Cagle, Lorrie Morgan, Steve Holy, Dean Sams of Lonestar, Aaron Lines, Emerson Drive, Tammy Cochran, Jimmy Wayne, Brian McComas, Billy Dean, Sixwire, WSM and WSIX staffers and many others. Past participants in the game have included Garth Brooks, Shania Twain, Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, Lee Ann Womack, Brad Paisley, National Football League players Frank Wycheck, Al Del Greco, Troy Aikman and Major League Baseball Hall of Fame member, Nolan Ryan.

This annual event has raised over one and a half million dollars to support the City of Hope National Medical Center and the Beckman Research Institute in its commitment to prevent and cure cancer and a host of other life-threatening diseases. The proceeds also support the humanitarian efforts of "The Spirit of Life" Endowment Fund for Middle Tennesseans who need the quality care and treatment provided by City of Hope.

The City of Hope National Medical Center and Beckman Research Institute, a National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center located in the Greater Los Angeles area, is one of the world's leading research and treatment centers for cancer and other serious diseases including diabetes and HIV/AIDS. The work conducted at City of Hope is shared with medical centers worldwide, touching the lives of millions of people everywhere.

Great American CountryÆ, Inc. (GAC) is best known for its music intensive format, which features a mix of current and past country videos that appeal to the largest market segment of the country music audience. GAC is home to country television's only daily request show, CRL, broadcast from the heart of Nashville. GAC airs more music videos back-to-back and fewer commercials bringing the viewers more of what they want . . .the hottest country music videos.

Tickets for this year's event are available for $15 and $17 dollars through Ticketmaster at 615-255-9600 or by logging onto www.CountryStars.com. For more information about how you can support City of Hope's lifesaving research and treatment programs, please call (800) 260-HOPE, or visit the Web site at www.cityofhope.org.

COUNTRY STAMPEDE TO SHOWCASE TOP NASHVILLE SONGWRITERS & FEATURE 'NASHVILLE STAR' CONTESTANT KRISTEN KISSLING

5/6/03 Manhattan, KS - Today, Country Stampede announced the addition of the Singer/Songwriters Tent for the Manhattan, Kansas event. Becoming a country artist, hitting the mainstage, or even cashing a royalty checks- you must remember one thing - It all "starts with a song".

Country Stampede is offering the opportunity to get up-close and personal with some of Nashville's best songwriters, as well as great local and regional talent. Wait, if you just want to play one of your original songs, you can do that, too- just come to the daily open mic, where there will be a guitar waitin' for ya!

Friday June 27, 2003:4:00-5:00 -Mark Selby and Tia Sillers. Join Vanguard Recording Artist ñ Mark Selby, along with his best friend and writing partner, the talented Tia Sillers. These two are the songwriters of hits by the Dixie Chicks, Pinmonkey, Tammy Cochran, Alan Jackson, Jo Dee Messina, and many more! This is a Country Stampede Songwriter's Tent Performance that you won't want to miss!!

6:00-7:00 - Local/Regional Talent. Come join us for local and regional artists who are performing original songs. Take a break and enjoy the intimate acoustic setting.

8:30-9:30 - Open Mic. Come join the Open Mic and let the world hear your original songs! We'll provide the guitars, keyboards, and microphones; just bring your friends to hear your songs!

Saturday, June 28, 2003

4:00-5:00 - So, you're new to Nashville? Join young up and coming singer/songwriters who have recently relocated to Music City. This is your chance to find out what it's ìreallyî like. All of these performers have lived in Nashville for only a couple years, maybe they're stories will inspire and provide insight! Country Stampede artist Shevy Smith and her band will let you in to their world.

6:00-7:00 - Local/Regional Talent. Come join us for local and regional artists who are performing original songs. Take a break and enjoy the intimate acoustic setting.

8:30-9:30 - Open Mic. Come join the Open Mic and let the world hear your original songs! We'll provide the guitars, keyboards, and microphones; just bring your friends to hear your songs!

Sunday, June 29, 2003

3:00-4:00 - Join a real Life "Nashville Starî" Join Kristen Kissling, a contestant on the reality TV series "Nashville Star" Listen up as she tells you all about her experience, from being on television to living in the house with the other contestants. Kristen will be on hand for pictures and to autograph her Nashville Star CD.

5:00-6:00 - Local/Regional Talent. Come join us for local and regional artists who are performing original songs. Take a break and enjoy the intimate acoustic setting.

Attention Songwriters! Are you interested in performing your original music at the Country Stampede? Send us some information about what you do and why we should consider you! Email us at [email protected]

THE "HONKY TONK PARTY" TAILGATES WITH McGRAW!

5/8/03 Nashville, TN -- Legendary "Honky Tonk Tailgate Party" tour buddies Chad Brock, Rhett Akins, and Daryle Singletary got the chance for a personal 'party down' with road pal Tim McGraw at Tim's May 6th concert at the HP Pavilion in San Jose.

The tailgate trio (usually a foursome but Wade Hayes stayed onboard the "Tailgate" bus) crashed Tim's dressing room at the Pavilion - "It was like a living room under the stage...let's talk about star treatment!," noted Rhett. After swapping road stories, McGraw called his buddies up onstage to join him on an all star version of "I Like It I Love It" - a moment in San Jose before the packed house that Daryle described as "Pretty awesome, man!"

Chad re-tells yet another awesome moment: "After the show, Tim decided to head his tour bus over to hook up with our bus - since Wade hadn't made the gig. Wade had the final word: "What a night!"

RHONDA VINCENT DEBUTS AT #2 ON BILLBOARD'S TOP BLUEGRASS ALBUMS CHART

5/7/03 New video to premiere on CMT next week; national tour dates continue

Cambridge, MA - In its first week, bluegrass star Rhonda Vincent's new album One Step Ahead will debut at #2 on Billboard's Top Bluegrass Albums chart as well as at #19 on the Top New Artist Albums chart, #30 on the Top Current Country chart and #37 on the Top Country Albums chart.

Last Saturday night Rhonda Vincent appeared on Grand Ole Opry Live on CMT debuting her new single "You Can't Take It With You When You Go," which will premiere on CMT next week and will be added into medium rotation. Set in dramatically beautiful Big Sur, California the new video captures Rhonda's soaring vocals and mandolin playing against stunning views of the cliffs and the ocean.

Rave reviews of One Step Ahead are pouring in, including a 3-star review in USA Today, along with praise from Billboard, the NY Post, and the Dallas Morning News, among others. Rhonda Vincent and the Rage continue their busy nationwide tour, traveling this week through NC, VA and TN. For an updated list of tour dates visit www.rhondavincent.com or www.rounder.com.

Founded in 1970, Rounder Records is America's premier independent label, with over 3000 albums in its catalogue to date and five additional imprints, together representing a broad array of folk, roots, rock, blues and reggae music.

CRYSTAL GAYLE HONORED IN INDIANA FOR NATIONAL CONTRIBUTION TO ARTS AND CULTURE

Crystal Gayle, a Wabash High School graduate, was honored Thursday night (4/24/03) during the Fifth Annual Spirit of the Prairie Awards Dinner here. The gala event at the Indianapolis Marriott Downtown honors outstanding leaders who have been pioneers in their life's work and positively influenced the state, nation and world.

Crystal's award was for arts and culture. Previous winners included Sandi Patty, the Dove Award-winning Christian singer, and Raymond Leppard, former music director of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra.

The framed presentation that was presented to Crystal by Jeff Smulyan, president and CEO of Emmis Communications, read: The Spirit of the Prairie honors creativity. Crystal Gayle, troubadour of the heart, businesswoman, mom, Conner Prairie salutes you.

From Wabash to Nashville, you have charmed us with your songs of life, of love and loss. "You crossed the boundaries of genre to interpret American song in its many forms, enchanting us with the beauty and clarity of your voice. Regardless of their shade of color, you have made our eyes twinkle in delight. "The Spirit of the Prairie endures through the lives of its people."

The program said about Crystal: Crystal Gayle has proven herself to be one of the most diverse individuals in the entertainment industry. With almost three dozen hit records to her credit, she has come a long way from her roots in Indiana and Kentucky. The youngest of eight children, Ms Gayle was influenced by a wide variety of music growing up, including folk, pop, rock and roll, gospel, country and show tunes. She often spent her summers traveling and singing with her sister, Loretta Lynn.

Ms Gayle signed her first recording contract while still in school (Wabash High School). Her debut single, "I've Cried (the Blue Right Out of My Eyes)," reached the Top 25 of the national country music charts. Throughout the years, she became famous for her chart-topping hits including "I'll Get Over You,""Talking in Your Sleep" and "You and I." With her fourth album, "We Must Believe in Magic,"Ms. Gayle became the first female country artist to achieve platinum sales status.

Crystal Gayle has been named Country Musicís Female Vocalist of the Year three times by the Academy of Country Music, twice by the Country Music Association and three times by the American Music Awards. She also won a Grammy for her extraordinary performance of her worldwide hit, "Don't It Make My Brown Eyes Blue."

In her spare time, she participates in many charity and community events. She received the Waterford Crystal "Celebration of Light" award in 1988 in recognition of her many charitable activities, served as co-host of the Arthritis Foundation Telethon for several years and recorded the theme song for the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Now a resident of Nashville, Tenn., she spends much of her personal time raising her two children, Catherine and Chris. She also has started a business, Crystal's For Fine Gifts and Jewelry, which has been highlighted in many national television and magazine feature stories

Bellamy Brothers Named International Ambassadors for Childhelp USA

4/1/403 Nashville, TN - Curb Recording artists The Bellamy Brothers were named International Celebrity Ambassadors for Childhelp USA during the organization's fifth annual National Day of HopeÆ ceremony (April 2, 2003). "This was the first time we've held this event in Nashville, TN, and felt it to be appropriate to announce our new International Celebrity Ambassadors at this event," stated Jennifer Willey, Childhelp USA's Community Relations Coordinator, Eastern Region.

The Bellamy Brothers were honored by the CMA (Country Music Association) with their "International Artists Achievement Award" (2002) for their contribution of bringing country music to over 40 countries worldwide. "We feel that Childhelp USA will benefit greatly from The Bellamy Brothers work, not only here in the US, but also on a worldwide basis,"continued Willey.

The organization, whose focus is the treatment and prevention of child abuse, has facilities throughout the US and has served as a role model for visitors from Japan, Russia, France, Iceland, New Zealand and students from Zurich, Switzerland, England, Israel, and Puerto Rico.

Plans are in the works for The Bellamy Brothers to participate in Childhelp USA's PSA program. The Bellamy Brothers are also working on a strategy to encourage radio stations nationally to bring the many services Childhelp USA provides to their individual communities' attention. The Bellamy Brothers are establishing a link from their website to the Childhelp USA website and will announce additional news on the affiliation shortly. "We are grateful to become involved with Childhelp USA," stated David Bellamy, a father of five children himself. "The statistic that three children each day die of child abuse in just the United States is heartbreaking."

"We are willing to work with Childhelp USA in any way we can to get their extremely important information to our fans," stated Howard Bellamy. "I'll start by stating their national child abuse hotline number 1-800-4-A-CHILD (1-800-422-4453) and hope the word of this resource is heard by everyone. The hotline serves the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Bellamy Brothers Break Silence

3/31/03 Nashville, TN - Notably missing from industry quotes regarding the recent announcement of ACM Nominations, (Academy of Country Music), the Bellamy Brothers came forward today to break their silence on their nomination for 'ACM Duo of The Year. '

Noted campaigners, the brothers stated, "Word of our nomination came to us a week ago, but we refrained from immediate comment. Of course we were most grateful, and very excited about the ACM nomination in the category of 'Duo of the Year,' but with the move of the awards ceremony from Los Angeles to Las Vegas, well, we needed more time to let the odds makers make their predictions as to our chance of taking this coveted award before we launched our strategy for '2003 ACM Duo of the Year' campaign," stated Howard Bellamy.

In 2002, the Bellamy Brothers were nominated for the 15th time by the CMA (Country Music Association) for 'Duo of the Year.' After consulting with an undisclosed campaign strategist, the Bellamy Brothers, launched into a full-blown campaign. Campaign workers mailed post cards to CMA members asking them to "Rock the Boat" and cast their vote for the Bellamy Brothers. Campaign signs covered Nashville's famed music row, attracting the attention of publications nationwide such as PR Weekly and The Tennessean.

Although the Bellamy Brothers did not take home the CMA Duo of the Year Award, they were honored to be presented with the CMA International Achievement Award. The Bellamy Brothers had completed their 40th World Tour in 2002.

"We're not sure yet just how much of a campaign we are going to launch for the nomination," stated David Bellamy. "We're seeking professional advice, and will make a decision shortly."

An Open Letter To The Hollywood Bunch

from Charlie Daniels:

Ok, let's just say for a moment you bunch of pampered, overpaid, unrealistic children had your way and the U.S.A. didn't go into Iraq.

Let's say that you really get your way and we destroy all our nuclear weapons and stick daisies in our gun barrels and sit around with some white wine and cheese and pat ourselves on the back, so proud of what we've done for world peace.

Let's say that we cut the military budget to just enough to keep the National Guard on hand to help out with floods and fires.

Let's say that we close down our military bases all over the world and bring the troops home, increase our foreign aid and drop all the trade sanctions against everybody.

I suppose that in your fantasy world this would create a utopian world where everybody would live in peace. After all, the great monster, the United States of America, the cause of all the world's trouble would have disbanded it's horrible military and certainly all the other countries of the world would follow suit.
After all, they only arm themselves to defend their countries from the mean old U.S.A.

Why you bunch of pitiful, hypocritical, idiotic, spoiled mugwumps. Get your head out of the sand and smell the Trade Towers burning. Do you think that a trip to Iraq by Sean Penn did anything but encourage a wanton murderer to think that the people of the U.S.A. didn't have the nerve or the guts to fight him?

Barbra Streisand's fanatical and hateful rankings about George Bush makes about as much sense as Michael Jackson hanging a baby over a railing.

You people need to get out of Hollywood once in a while and get out into the real world. You'd be surprised at the hostility you would find out here. Stop in at a truck stop and tell an overworked, long-distance truck driver that you don't think Saddam Hussein is doing anything wrong.

Tell a farmer with a couple of sons in the military that you think the United States has no right to defend itself.

Go down to Baxley, Georgia and hold an anti-war rally and see what the folks down there think about you.

You people are some of the most disgusting examples of a waste of protoplasm I've ever had the displeasure to hear about.

Sean Penn, you're a traitor to the United States of America. You gave aid and comfort to the enemy. How many American lives will your little, "fact finding trip" to Iraq cost? You encouraged Saddam to think that we didn't have the stomach for war.

You people protect one of the most evil men on the face of this earth and won't lift a finger to save the life of an unborn baby. Freedom of choice you say?

Well I'm going to exercise some freedom of choice of my own. If I see any of your names on a marquee, I'm going to boycott the movie. I will completely stop going to movies if I have to. In most cases it certainly wouldn't be much of a loss.

You scoff at our military who's boots you're not even worthy to shine. They go to battle and risk their lives so ingrates like you can live in luxury. The day of reckoning is coming when you will be faced with the undeniable truth that the war against Saddam Hussein is the war on terrorism.

America is in imminent danger. You're either for her or against her. There is no middle ground.

I think we all know where you stand.

What do you think?

God Bless America!
Charlie Daniels

Read more "soapbox" articles weekly on www.charliedaniels.com


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