Country news roundup for late January 2019
‘Inside Track on Music Row,’ my monthly music news column appears in Nashville Music Guide. The February edition will drop any day soon – a special edition for Country Radio Seminar (CRS) 2019. Here are some Country news items that just missed the NMG print deadline. Check back here later for an excerpt from the February column and a link to it at NMG.
- Garth Brooks’ new album: a FUN project
- Ray Stevens: 60 years in music
- John Berry asks for prayers, God’s healing
- Maxine Brown passes
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Garth Brooks’ new album: a FUN project
Garth Brooks revealed the title of his upcoming studio album is FUN. Garth divulged the information during “Inside Studio G,” a weekly Facebook Live series airing every Monday on Garth’s Facebook page at 7:00 PM EST. Garth fans have been given a teaser of what to expect from his anticipated studio album, with Garth releasing “All Day Long.” The much-awaited record is available to preorder now.
“The title of the album was sparked because making it has been such a fun process to go through,” explained Garth. “Being able to go in and out of the studio while being on the tour, working with the same guys, it’s been amazing. The album will be available this spring and I want the fans to just have fun with this, because that’s what this has been.” More at Garth’s website and Facebook page.
Ray Stevens: 60 years in music
MusicRow Magazine recently caught up with GRAMMY® Award-winning country and comedy music legend Ray Stevens for an exclusive interview profiling his storied career. The newly published article covers a variety of topics including Stevens’ 60 years in music, his 80th birthday (Stevens turned 80 on January 24, 2019) his CabaRay Showroom, new music and more. Read the full story here at MusicRow’s website.
Multi-platinum selling Ray Stevens began his musical career in his home state of Georgia in the late 1950s. As one of the original pioneers of Music Row, Stevens moved to Nashville in the early 1960s where he formed a lifelong friendship with Chet Atkins, produced Dolly Parton, recorded with Waylon Jennings and played on sessions with Elvis Presley. As a recording artist, Stevens has released more than 50 albums that spawned over 30 hit songs and sold millions of copies along the way.
John Berry asks for prayers, God’s healing
Grammy winning singer/songwriter, John Berry shared an upbeat and positive message to fans regarding an unexpected discovery on his musical journey. Treated with antibiotics for a tonsil infection that started in November, it never cleared up, even after a second round of antibiotics and steroids. A January CAT scan revealed what appeared to be a tumor in one of his tonsils. He went in for surgery to have both tonsils removed on January 10 and it was found that the tumor was larger than his tonsil on one side and they also removed a small portion of his soft palette.
The biopsy report confirmed a malignant tumor on both tonsils. The expected treatment is only five weeks and has over a 90% cure rate. John and his wife Robin have asked that the community lift them up in daily prayers, asking God for healing, strength, wisdom and patience as they go through these next few months. John will continue to keep fans, family, friends and the music community updated with frequent social media updates on his progress. More about John’s music at johnberry.com.
Maxine Brown passes
Maxine Brown Russell, the vivacious entertainer, passed away at Bowman Hospice in Little Rock, Arkansas from complications of heart and kidney disease at the age of 87. Her family was by her side. As one-third of the popular Country trio The Browns, Maxine enjoyed a lengthy career that spanned the 1950s and ’60s.
The group released multiple million-sellers, including “The Three Bells,” “The Old Lamplighter,” “Scarlet Ribbons,” and “Send Me The Pillow You Dream On.” As a songwriter, her first taste of success came with The Browns’ release of “Looking Back To See.” The Browns joined The Grand Ole Opry in 1963 and appeared on numerous hit television shows of the day.
Preshias Harris is a music journalist and music career development consultant with the emphasis on new and aspiring artists and songwriters. Her book, ‘The College of Songology 101: The Singer/Songwriter’s Need to Know Reference Handbook’ is available at www.collegeofsongology.com Follow her blog at www.nashvillemusicline.com