E-mail Me! Click Here!
Louisville Music News.net
Bookmark Louisville Music News.net with these handy
social bookmarking tools:
del.icio.us digg
StumbleUpon spurl
wists simpy
newsvine blinklist
furl blogmarks
yahoo! myweb smarking
ma.gnolia segnalo
reddit fark
technorati cosmos
Available RSS Feeds
Top Picks - Top Picks
Top Picks - Today's Music
Top Picks - Editor's Blog
Top Picks - Articles
Add Louisville Music News' RSS Feed to Your Yahoo!
Add to My Yahoo!
Contact: contact@louisvillemusicnews.net
Louisville, KY 40207
Copyright 1989-2024
Louisvillemusicnews.net, Louisville Music News, Inc.
All Rights Reserved  


Issue:October 1998 Year: 1998
this one


By Michael W. Stout

32nd Annual CMA Award Winners

When the 32nd Annual Country Music Association Awards were handed out at the Grand Ole Opry House on Sept. 23, it was an unforgettable evening for Steve Wariner and The Dixie Chicks. Steve Wariner's "Holes In The Floor Of Heaven," which he co-wrote with Billy Kirsch, was named Single of the Year and Song of the Year (which is a songwriter award). The hot new group The Dixie Chicks not only took home the Horizon Award, but were also named Vocal Group of the Year. George Strait was named Male Vocalist of the Year, Trisha Yearwood, Female Vocalist, and the Garth man was once again named Entertainer of the Year. New inductees into the Country Music Hall of Fame included: "The First Lady of Country Music," Tammy Wynette, the late Grand Ole Opry member George Morgan, "The King of Rock & Roll," Elvis Presley and E.W. "Bud" Wendell, the former President of Gaylord Entertainment. Pam Tillis was honored with the CMA Founding President's Award.

The entire list of winners is as follows: Entertainer of the Year: Garth Brooks; Female Vocalist of the Year: Trisha Yearwood; Male Vocalist of the Year: George Strait; Vocal Group of the Year: The Dixie Chicks; and Vocal Duo of the Year: Brooks & Dunn.

Patty Loveless picked up a CMA Award for Vocal Event Of the Year with George Jones.

Horizon Award: The Dixie Chicks; Vocal Event of the Year: Patty Loveless & George Jones' "You Don't Seem To Miss Me"; Album of the Year: Tim McGraw's everywhere; and Single of the Year: Steve Wariner's "Holes In The Floor Of Heaven."

Song of the Year (Songwriter Award): "Holes In The Floor Of Heaven" by Billy Kirsch / Steve Wariner; Music Video of the Year: Faith Hill's "This Kiss"; and Musician of the Year: Brent Mason on guitar.

Radio Station of the Year, Small Market: WUSY in Chattanooga, Tenn.; Medium Market: KUZZ in Bakersfield, Cal.; Large Market: WTQR in Winston-Salem, N. Car.; and Major Market: WUBE in Cincinnati, Ohio. Broadcast Personality of the Year, Small Market: Chuck Johnson/Debbie Johnson of WKXC in North Augusta, S. Car.; Medium Market: Scott Innes of WYNK in Baton Rouge, LA; Large Market: J.D. Cannon of WFMS in Indianapolis, Ind.; and Major Market: Ben Campbell/Brian Egan of KMLE in Phoenix, Ariz.

Congratulations to all the winners!

Shania Dominates CCMA Awards

Shania Twain dominated the recent 17th Annual Canadian Country Music Association Awards show hosted by fellow-Canadian Terri Clark last month in Calgary. Shania wound up walking away with trophies in six of the eight categories for which she was nominated. She nabbed the CMT Maple Leaf Foods Fans' Choice Award, Female Vocalist of the Year, Album of the Year and Top Selling Album for Come On Over, Video of the Year for "Don't Be Stupid (You Know I Love You)," and Single of the Year for "You're Still The One." "I Do" singer Paul Brandt was named Male Vocalist of the Year and was honored with the Humanitarian of the Year Award at the CCMA's President's Dinner the night prior to the awards program.

The entire list of winners is as follows: CMT Maple Leaf Foods Fans' Choice Award: Shania Twain; Male Vocalist of the Year: Paul Brandt; Female Vocalist of the Year: Shania Twain; Vocal Duo or Group of the Year: Leahy; and Wrangler Rising Star Award: Bruce Guthro.

Single of the Year: Shania Twain's "You're Still The One"; SOCAN Song of the Year: "Born Again In Dixieland" written by Jason McCoy, Naoise Sheridan and Dennis Carr; Video of the Year: Shania Twain's "Don't Be Stupid (You Know I Love You)"; Vocal/Instrumental Collaboration of the Year: Michelle Wright & Jim Brickman's "Your Love"; Album of the Year: Shania Twain's Come On Over; and Top Selling Album: Shania Twain's Come On Over.

Congratulations to all of our Northern country winners!

Jerry Clower: 1926 - 1998

The laughs ended Aug. 24 as country music's longtime favorite comedian Jerry Clower died of cardiorespiratory arrest at Baptist Medical Center in Jackson, Miss. After canceling his first show in 32 years on Aug. 4, Jerry underwent six heart bypasses after complaining of exhaustion. The Liberty, Miss. born comedian began his adult life as anything but a comedian as he was in the Navy during WWII and he later became a fertilizer salesman for the Mississippi Chemical Corp. Jerry's true talent was discovered as he spoke at an agriculture convention which was attended by a record executive. From then on, Jerry and Marcel and Odel Ledbetter have been household names.

Jerry recorded his first album in 1970 and recorded more than 25 records throughout his career. He became a member of the historic Grand Ole Opry in 1973. Despite his fame and fortune, Jerry never moved from his hometown and was faithful and active in the local Baptist church until the very end.

Jerry is survived by his wife of 51 years, Homerline, four children and a whole slew of grandchildren. Jerry Clower will be greatly missed.

Tim McGraw Headed Home

Turbo-tonkin' Tim McGraw, who was sporting a new platinum-blond hairdo during his four-star performance at the Kentucky State Fair on Aug. 28, is headed home to Rayville, Louisiana on Oct. 11 to host Swampstock ‘98, his annual celebrity softball game and benefit concert. Proceeds from this event allow the superstar to give something back to his hometown, this year's funds going to the Steve Colvin Memorial Scholarship Fund and Rayville's Dixie League Baseball. Joining Tim for the festivities will of course be his lovely wife, Faith Hill, as well as the likes of Rhett Akins, The Clark Family, Jay Novacek, Daryle Singletary, Jo-El Sonnier, Sons of the Desert and Chely Wright.

Mrs. Tim McGraw fans won't want to forget that Faith Hill will be rolling into town just one week later on Sun., Oct. 18 for a show at The Palace Theatre on 4th Street.

Tim & Faith Rule CMT's Top 100 Video List

Speaking of country music's favorite couple, Tim McGraw and Faith Hill, the two recently dominated the top of Country Music Television's Top 100 Video List. Faith landed at the #1 spot with "This Kiss," while her and hubby Tim's duet "Just To Hear You Say That You Love Me" occupied the #3 slot and "It's Your Love" was #8 (an amazing feat as this video was #1 last year). Tim also charted three more times with "One Of These Days" at #46, "Don't Take The Girl" at #49 and "I Like It, I Love It" at #99.

The top 10 videos are as follows: 1) Faith Hill's "This Kiss," 2) LeAnn Rimes' "Commitment," 3) Faith & Tim's "Just To Hear You Say That You Love Me," 4) The Dixie Chicks' "There's Your Trouble," 5) Kenny Chesney's "That's Why I'm Here," 6) Garth Brooks' "To Make You Feel My Love," 7) Shania Twain's "You're Still The One," 8) Tim & Faith's "It's Your Love," 9) Shania Twain's "Don't Be Stupid (You Know I Love You)," and 10) Reba McEntire and Brooks & Dunn's "If You See Him/If You See Her."

Fans voted for their favorite videos by calling a 900 number. Congratulation to all and keep up the good work.

Kenny Chesney To Tie The Knot

Country crooner Kenny Chesney, who has been riding high on the success of his recent tune "That's Why I'm Here," won't be coming down off of cloud nine anytime soon. Kenny is going to marry his longtime love, Mandy Weals, next month. The two met more than 10 years ago at East Tennessee State University in Johnson City, Tenn. and they got to know each other better while they worked at the same restaurant during college.

You may be wondering, "Just what is the wedding of a major country music star like?" Well, with Tracy Lawrence and Skip Ewing singing at the wedding, I'm sure it will be quite some shindig.

WHKW Presents Louisville's Own Country Music

Our very own fearless leader here at Louisville Music News, Publisher and Editor-in-Chief Paul M. Moffett, is promoting Louisville's very own country music by hosting Trax on 98.9-FM WHKW, The Hawk. This half-hour program, which spotlights "Louisville country music (plus Bluegrass and a little acoustic roots rock Americana)," can be heard every Sun. night from 10:00 - 10:30 pm. If you are a local artist with material you would like to submit for consideration to be included on this program, you can send it to: Louisville Music News, P.O. Box 148, Pewee Valley, KY 40056. If you have comments about the program, feel free to give Paul a buzz at (502) 241-2699.

Thanks for helping spread Louisville's very own country music, Paul!

Kathy Mattea Continues Her Involvement With AIDS Research

Over the years, two-time CMA Female Vocalist of the Year, Kathy Mattea has been very active in helping research a cure for AIDS in any way she can. She was recently named Honorary Chairperson for the 7th Annual Nashville CARES AIDS Walk and will open the ceremonies before the thousands of Middle Tennesseans expected at the benefit for Nashville CARES on Oct. 18.

"Nashville CARES is an organization that touches the lives of nearly 60,000 people in Middle Tennessee each year," Kathy says. "By participating in the AIDS Walk, our community can help make a difference in the lives of these people."

T. Graham Brown's Comeback

T. Graham Brown, known for hits like "Don't Go To Strangers," "Hell And High Water," and "Darlene," has cleaned up his life and is hoping to make a huge comeback with his brand new Intersound Country album titled Wine Into Water, which includes the powerful self-penned autobiographical title-track. T. Graham has finally gotten his life and career back on track by kicking his serious drinking habit, thanks in great part to his wife. He says, "I'd start [drinking] early, before I even brushed my teeth."

Wine Into Water is a strong album to leave a mark on country music. The next time you are in your favorite record store, look for this album. I think you'll like what you hear.

Congratulations and best of luck, T. Graham!

Country Music Hits the Race Track and the Court

Country music will soon hit the race track and then the court (and not the latter caused by the former). Singer/songwriter Mark Collie will host the Fifth Annual Mark Collie Celebrity Race for Diabetes Cure on Oct. 7 at Nashville, Tenn.'s Speedway. Country legend and spokesperson Loretta Lynn will join Mark, as well as celebrity racers such as Rhett Akins, Mike Alexander, Bobbie Allison, Stan Barrett, Brooks & Dunn, T. Graham Brown, Terri Clark, Anita Cochran, Rodney Crowell, Billy Ray Cyrus, Red Farmer, Harry Grant, Faith Hill, Tracy Lawrence, Coo Coo Marlin, Jo Dee Messina, Tim McGraw, The Mavericks, David Lee Murphy, Ricochet, Marty Roe, Larry Stewart, Lisa Stewart and Doug Stone. All proceeds from this benefit will be used for research to find the cure for diabetes, a disease Mark Collie has personally struggled with since he was a teenager.

Vince Gill will be joined by his friends, which just so happen to be some of the biggest names in country music, for his ninth Vince Gill Annual Celebrity Basketball Game & Concert to be held in Nashville, Tenn.'s Belmont University's Striplin Gymnasium on Nov. 2. Proceeds from this event will provide scholarships and program enhancements for the Music Business and Athletic Departments at Belmont. If you are interested in attending, you can call 1-615-460-VINC for ticket information.

Believe it or not, this month's column marks the fourth anniversary of "Cowboy Corner." I hope that you have enjoyed reading it as much as I have enjoyed writing it for you. That's all I've got time for for this month. Always remember: "Keep your boots shined up and your hat on straight, ‘cause country music is comin' your way."

Bookmark and Share