Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum celebrates Sam Phillips’ 100th birthday
by Preshias Harris
2023 marks the 100th anniversary of the birth of one of the most influential people in the realms of virtually all popular music – country, blues, R&B, rock n’ roll and pop. Sam Phillips was born January 5, 1923 in Florence, Alabama, but made his indelible mark on music in Memphis, Tennessee.
It was there, in 1950, that he set up the Memphis Recording Service and then Sun Records that would launch the careers of Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis and many more.
(L to R) Jay McDowell, Jerry Phillips talk at the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum. Photo: Preshias Harris
In February, The Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum honored the legendary Sam Phillips at a special event marking what would have been his 100th birthday. In attendance was Sam’s son Jerry Phillips who took the podium for an informal Q&A, led by the Museum’s multimedia archivist Jay McDowell.
Read my full story and interview at Center Stage Mag here.
Colton James is one busy guy. But he’s not complaining. As the saying goes, ‘Do what you love and you’ll never work a day in your life.’ Colton is passionate about his music, about helping veterans and about his lovely wife Cassie.
Colton James talks about his new 7-song EP titled America and plans for Land4Heroes
Colton and I caught up in January to talk about what’s new and exciting in his life, including his new EP, titled America, released January 20, 2023. The seven-track project includes “Ring On Her Finger” that will certainly be played at a LOT of weddings in the months and years ahead. The song has a special poignance for Colton who co-wrote it with Kim Tribble.
“’Ring On Her Finger’ was the very last song that me and Kim wrote together,” Colton recalled, “And it was the last time I saw him alive. I told that story at his Celebration of Life and Kim’s wife Patti wanted me to play it. I think about him every day. Not only were we writing buddies, we fished together, we hunted together, we hung out together. He was like family.” See the official music video for “Ring On Her Finger” here.
Another track on the EP has a unique backstory: “I Miss America” co-written with Rick Dawson, the owner of Rich Strike, the 80-1 outsider that came from behind to win the 148th running of the Kentucky Derby.
New year… new music column! The January 2023 edition of my Inside Track on Music Row column is a mix of the good news from 2022 so we can reflect on happy times and also look ahead to some wonderful things coming up as we move into 2023.
You can read the entire column, along with photos, graphics and video links, at Nashville Music Guide here. The new year marks another milestone for Inside Track on Music Row... still the longest continuously-running country music column in the USA. My eternal thanks to you, the reader, for your support… and the artists, songwriters and publicists who alert me to music news that I can share with you!
Here is a taste of just some of the news items you can find in the January column…
ERNEST celebrated his fifth, sixth and seventh Number One as a songwriter in 2022 while his debut single (feat. Morgan Wallen) reached Platinum certification. Now his ‘Deluxe” album is due February 10…
Cole Swindell racked up two Platinum multi-week Number Ones and received a Pandora Billionaire plaque for surpassing 3 billion lifetime spins. He’ll be joining Thomas Rhett for his Home Team Tour 23…
The Cadillac Three have announced their upcoming Bandana Tour as they take their country-fuzz spirit on the road with Koe Wetzel joining TC3 on select dates…
Miranda Lambert was surprised with $5,000.00 from Tractor Supply Company, in honor of her MuttNation project, to donate to area animal shelters to help senior pets and pets with special needs…
Springer Mountain Farms Bluegrass Nights at the Ryman returns to Nashville’s historic Ryman Auditorium starting on Thursday, June 22 and continuing each Thursday night through July 27…
Eddie Montgomery has released the deluxe edition of his debut solo album Ain’t No Closing Me Down via Average Joes Entertainment saluting his lost Montgomery Gentry bandmate, Troy Gentry, who was tragically killed in a helicopter crash in 2017…
George Jones will be remembered and celebrated – by fans and fellow artists – at a concert, titled Still Playin’ Possum, set to take place April 25 at the Von Braun Center in Huntsville, AL, one day before the tenth anniversary of Jones’ passing…
Willie Nelson and Family, the first authorized work exploring the life and career of the Country outlaw icon, will debut at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival, taking place January 19–29, 2023, in Park City, Salt Lake City…
Plus so much more about The Oak Ridge Boys, Randy Rogers Band, The lineup for New Faces of Country Music at the 2023 Country Radio Seminar,Craig Campbell, Dustin Lynch, Craig Morgan, upcoming music festivals, Opry news and more.
Read the entire Inside Track on Music Row column at Nashville Music Guide here!
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 here. Follow her blog and read her regular ‘Preshias On The Row’ news stories at Center Stage Magazine.
Now it’s really beginning to feel a lot like Christmas! Music will always be part of Christmas and certain songs instantly conjure up childhood memories that stay with us throughout our lives. Here’s a roundup of some Christmas music news that might create some new memories for you and your family. Scroll down for info on Opry Country Christmas, O.N.E. The Duo, Mikayla Lane, Craig Campbell, Drew Aldridge, Chris Isaak and Opry NextStage.
Opry Country Christmas returns to Grand Ole Opry House
The Grand Ole Opry® has kicked off Nashville’s newest holiday tradition with the return of Opry Country Christmas at the Grand Ole Opry House. Hosted by Grammy®-winning Opry member Larry Gatlin, Opry Country Christmas will showcase songs of the holiday season, running on select dates through Dec. 22. Each show features Opry members The Gatlin Brothers, Riders In The Sky, Mandy Barnett and Country Music Hall of Famer Charlie McCoy. Other Opry members, special guests, and spotlight artists will round out the shows made up of artists’ original songs and timeless Christmas favorites. Spotlight Artists for this year’s run include Lauren Alaina (Dec. 1), Scotty McCreery (Dec. 4), Steven Curtis Chapman (Dec. 8); Chris Janson (Dec. 11), Josh Turner and Chris Young (Dec 15), Lorrie Morgan (Dec. 21), and Ricky Skaggs (Dec. 22). Additional artists scheduled for various Opry Country Christmas shows include John Berry, Jason Crabb, Louise Mandrell, Kathy Mattea, Jeannie Seely, and Rhonda Vincent. Tickets are on-sale now here starting at $55.00.
“Happy Holiday With Me” from mom/daughter duo
O.N.E. The Duo
O.N.E The Duo, Music City’s own mother-daughter Country/Americana duo (Tekitha and Prana Supreme), are ringing in the Christmas spirit with “Happy Holiday With Me,” via a new music video out now. Inspired by Mariah Carey’s iconic “All I Want For Christmas Is You” video, the clip is reminiscent of a vintage candid home video. The song can also be found on their new holiday EP O.N.E Very Merry Christmas, available here. “Christmas, and the holiday season in general, is my favorite time of year and that’s really what I wanted to capture for this video. Growing up, my family didn’t really celebrate Christmas in the traditional way, so it was fun to create those moments for this song,” says Prana Supreme — daughter of Wu-Tang Clan’s RZA and Wu-Tang vocalist Tekitha — who wrote “Happy Holiday With Me” with her mom, Nash Overstreet, and Shane Stevens. Directed by Brandon Vestal, the festive clip features the duo celebrating some of their favorite Christmas traditions like baking apple pie together, while Ron Zamber (Chairman and Founding Partner, Visionary Media Group and Private Equity Group Partner) makes a cameo as Santa Claus. More info here.
Included in Nashville Music Guide’s 2022 Holiday issue
It’s that time again! Where did 2022 go?! Check out the current edition of my column, Inside Track on Music Row, now posted as part of the 2022 Holiday Guide at Nashville Music Guide. Inside Track on Music Row is the longest continuously-running country music column in America. Read the entire issue and find the column on pages 33 through 39.
In the column you’ll find news items on Brantley Gilbert, Thomas Rhett, Randy Rogers Band, Chris Tomlin, Jason Crabb, Christmas 4 Kids, CMA Country Christmas, Caylee Hammack, Cole Swindell, Flat River Band, Billy Strings, Jacob Bryant, Average Joe’s, Eddie Montgomery, Elvie Shane, Cody Johnson, One Spark Entertainment, Jeannie Seely, Graciela, Allie Colleen, William Lee Golden, Kentucky Headhunters, Mandy Barnett, Luke Combs, Brett Young, Drew Aldridge, Ashley Cooke, Tucker Beathard, Ernie Haase & Signature Sound, Paulina Jayne, Jenny Tolman and more!
Find the 2022 Holiday issue of Nashville Music Guidehere.
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 here. Follow her blog and read her regular ‘Preshias On The Row’ news stories at Center Stage Magazine.
There’s no city on earth better qualified than Nashville to honor the men and women who create the music we love… and no better place in Nashville than the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum.
For me, it is still just about the best music-related museum I have ever visited because you can feel the love and respect with which every exhibit is treated, regardless of its size or fame. I was one of the first visitors to the Museum at its original location on 6th Avenue South and have enjoyed many visits at its current location. The Museum reflects the love and dedication of co-founders, the late Joe Chambers and his wife Linda who has now stepped into the leadership role as CEO.
The induction ceremony of the Musician’s Hall of Fame Class of 2022 was a star-studded night to remember.
2022 Musicians Hall of Fame Inductees (L-R): Kenny Vaughan, Harry Stinson, Mick Conley, (The Fabulous Superlatives), Marty Stuart, Chris Scruggs (The Fabulous Superlatives), Linda Chambers, CEO/Co-Founder Musicians Hall of Fame & Museum, Vince Gill, Billy F Gibbons, Don McLean, Ray Stevens, producer James William Guercio, and engineer George Massenburg. Photo Credit: Royce DeGrie, Musicians Hall of Fame & Museum
Billy F Gibbons, Don McLean, Marty Stuart and The Fabulous Superlatives (Chris Scruggs, Harry Stinson, Kenny Vaughan, and Mick Conley), Ray Stevens, and Vince Gill — along with engineer George Massenburg and producer James William Guercio — were inducted into the Musicians Hall of Fame & Museum November 22, 2022.
A chilly morning didn’t stop Tracy Lawrenceand around 250 volunteers from cooking up 1,200 turkeys at the seventeenth annual Tracy Lawrence’s Mission:Possible Turkey Fry two days before Thanksgiving.
Volunteers at work with one of the many turkey fryers. Photo: Tracie Moore
Those 1,200 turkeys – the most ever in the annual event’s history – provided 9,600 meals to those in need during the Thanksgiving holiday. This year, the Turkey Fry moved to the Nashville Fairgrounds from its original location at the Nashville Rescue Mission’s parking lot, allowing the team to set up even more fryers.
Tracy told me, “I’m just happy we haven’t set anything on fire today,” when I caught up with him as the first turkeys were coming out of the fryers. He admitted it was a big undertaking, but added, “We’re going to reach hundreds more people in need around the Greater Nashville area this year than we’ve ever been able to do in the past.”
Kevin McGinty, Opry audio engineer, shares wit and wisdom
By Preshias Harris
It seems hard to believe, but NAMM has been around for more than a hundred and twenty years. The National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) was founded in 1901 with a mission to strengthen the music products industry and promote the pleasures and benefits of making music.
Since those early days, NAMM has achieved national (and now international) acclaim, not only for the stunning annual music industry trade shows, but increasingly for the development of relevant educational programs for NAMM members. NAMM also focuses on promoting music education as a right for all children in the face of cutbacks at school districts nationwide.
2000 saw the launch of the NAMM Oral History Program with the stated goal of preserving the rich history of the music industry through first-person accounts of the people with the hands-on experience in music product creation, pro audio, live sound, entertainment technology, recording artists and more.
The NAMM Oral History Program recently celebrated an amazing milestone: their 5,000th interview. Think about that: it’s an achievement that would be the envy of any television network, but as a project produced with the sole focus on the music industry, it’s even more remarkable.
Grand Ole Opry audio engineer Kevin McGinty
In this special 5,000th edition, the program features Kevin McGinty, famed audio engineer, and Front of House for the Grand Ole Opry that presents the best in country music live every week from Nashville.
Jeff Cook, one of the founding members of the iconic band Alabama, passed away November 7, 2022 as a result of complications from Parkinson’s disease. He was 73 years old. Alabama racked up an amazing forty-one No. 1 hits on the Billboard country charts and have sold over 75 million records.
Jeff Cook
The loss of Jeff Cook is a matter of personal sadness for me. My earliest memory of Jeff was from the early 1980s when Alabama was appearing at a show at the E.A. Diddle Arena in Bowling Green, KY. At the time, I was a very sick kid, undergoing dialysis while awaiting my first kidney transplant. I was standing in line to meet the band and get their autographs. My mom was trying to convince me – unsuccessfully – that it was too stressful on my health to stay in line, but I was adamant: I wanted those autographs! A WKU security officer went over to Randy Owen and whispered in his ear he looked up saw me and asked Security to bring me up directly to their table. Jeff was so gracious to that sick kid, as were Teddy Gentry and Randy, and I got my autographs.
As years passed and I came to Nashville, our “go to place” in Printer’s Alley was Barbara’s. This is where a lot of country music royalty would hang out away from the tourists. I have a picture of John Michael Montgomery on stage with Jeff to do an impromptu jam. It really was like a music family club.
Through the years I became friends with Jeff and Lisa and would see them there when they were in town. In 2008, I ended up working for Teddy and met up with them on occasions and attended their local shows whenever possible.
One of the last times I saw Jeff was when Alabama was inducted into the Musicians’ Hall of Fame. In fact, Lisa and Teddy’s wife Linda ended up sitting with me at the media table during the induction ceremony because all the chairs had been taken. It was a joy to see the recognition of Alabama’s musicianship and how their influence has been felt across the genres of country, Southern rock, bluegrass and pop music. I was honored to know Jeff.
Jeff and his wife formed the Jeff and Lisa Cook Foundation and the Jeff and Lisa Cook Children’s Home to house orphaned children worldwide. The family requested donations to the foundation here in lieu of flowers.
Fans, friends and members of the music community came together, Friday, October 28, to honor the newest inductees into the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame. The historic event was held in the auditorium of the Renfro Valley Entertainment Center’s New Barn, Mt. Vernon, Kentucky.
Carly Pearce reacts to introductory comments before receiving her award. Photo credit: Preshias Harris
Read my full report of the star-studded Kentucky Music Hall of Fame show at Center Stage Magazine here.
