2007 Radio and DJ Hall Of Fame Inductees

Sarah Gilbert – 10/31/2006

On Feb. 27, 2007 Larry Daniels, Bob Moody, and Les Acree will be inducted into the Country Music Radio Hall of Fame, and Joe Ladd and Big John Trimble will be inducted into the Country Music DJ Hall of Fame. Tickets to the ceremony and dinner at the Nashville Convention Center are available for $75 per person. Visit www.crb.org or calling 615-327-4487 for tickets and more information.

CMA Adds Performers, Presenters

Sarah Gilbert – 10/31/2006

Brooks & Dunn will be joined by Sheryl Crow and Vince Gill to open the Nov. 6 CMA Awards with a performance of "Building Bridges," a song nominated for Musical Event of the Year. Added to the list of performers are Jason Aldean, The Wreckers, and a second appearance by Gill who will be joined by Crow, daughter Jenny Gill, and wife Amy Grant. Presenting trophies will be Gary Allan, Billy Currington, Montgomery Gentry, Lee Ann Womack, Trisha Yearwood, and the stars of ABC and Disney television including Billy Ray Cyrus and daughter Miley Cyrus (Hannah Montana); James Denton (Desperate Housewives); Eva Longoria (Desperate Housewives); Cameron Mathison (All My Children); and Kimberly Williams-Paisley (According to Jim).

Marijohn Passes On

Sarah Gilbert – 10/31/2006

Songwriter Marijohn Wilkin passed away at her home in Nashville on Sat., Oct. 28. Visitation and funeral services were scheduled for this afternoon (10/30) at Woodlawn-Roesch-Patton Funeral Home and Woodlawn Cross Mausoleum. She was 86 and had suffered a lengthy illness following an unsuccessful triple bypass surgery three years ago. As co-writer of “The Long Black Veil,” “Waterloo,” and “Cut Across Shorty,” Wilkin established her role as one of Music Row’s treasures. “Waterloo” was a No. 1 song on both the pop and country charts in 1959. “The Long Black Veil” was a hit for Lefty Frizzell and was recorded many other times by artists including Johnny Cash, Joan Baez, The Band, and Bruce Springsteen. After growing up in Texas and working as a music teacher, Wilkin moved to Nashville in 1958 and started work at Cedarwood Publishing. There she was part of an all-star writer roster including Mel Tillis and John D. Loudermilk. In 1964 Wilkin founded Buckhorn Music, where she gave Kris Kristofferson his first publishing deal. Almost ten years later, he would join her in writing the gospel classic “One Day At A Time.” She was a founding member of Nashville Songwriters Association International and held many of the organization’s first meetings at her home. In 1975 Wilkin was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. She is survived by one son, John Buck Wilkin. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the charity of the donor's choice.

Shows At Wildhorse Saloon Celebrate Country

Sarah Gilbert – 10/31/2006

As part of “Nashville Celebrates Country” week, Miller Lite will host two nights of performances at the Wildhorse Saloon. On Sat., Nov. 4, Capitol recording artists Eric Church and Luke Bryan will play beginning at 8 p.m. Midas Records Nashville artists Emerson Drive will perform the next night at the same time. Tickets are $10, or both shows for $17, and can be purchased via the Wildhorse Saloon or Ticketmaster outlets.

Overton Joins SunTrust Board

Sarah Gilbert – 10/31/2006

EMI Music Publishing Executive VP/GM Gary Overton has joined SunTrust’s Nashville Region Advisory Board. The announcement was made by Rob McNeilly, SunTrust Region Chairman, President and CEO.

Tillman Franks Dies At 86

Sarah Gilbert – 10/31/2006

Longtime country musician and businessman Tillman Franks died this morning (10/26) in hospice after a lengthy illness, reports the Shreveport Times. The 86-year-old had worked many years on the Louisiana Hayride, first as a performer, and later as a manager. He toured with Webb Pierce and his band which included Floyd Cramer and Faron Young. Franks was seriously injured in the 1960 car crash that took Johnny Horton’s life. He played stand-up bass and wrote or co-wrote the songs "Honky Tonk Man," "Springtime in Alaska" and Kitty Wells’ "How Far is Heaven." Services are not yet finalized but will be held at the Oakmont Church of God in Shreveport. www.shreveporttimes.com

An EMI Trilogy: Fraud, Death and Departure

EMI Music Group reported last week it had discovered fraud in its Brazilian division resulting in an overstatement of revenue and profits. The changes will be represented in the quarter ending September 30 and according...

ACM Names 2006-07 Board

Sarah Gilbert – 10/31/2006

Opry’s Winter Run At The Ryman

Sarah Gilbert – 10/31/2006

The Grand Ole Opry® presented by Cracker Barrel Old Country Store® will return to the Ryman Auditorium for a fall/winter run, beginning tonight, Oct. 31. Opry At The Ryman will continue through Feb. 24, 2007. In addition to Saturday night shows at 6:30 and 9:30 p.m., the Opry will host two Friday night shows Nov. 24 through Dec 15, at 7 and 9:30 p.m. Otherwise Friday shows are at 8 p.m.

GRAMMY U At The Opry

Sarah Gilbert – 10/31/2006

Local students from MTSU, Belmont University, TSU and Trevecca Nazarene participated in GRAMMY University Network's GRAMMY U at the Opry over the weekend. In addition to a backstage tour, they attended a panel comprised of Billy Sherrill, recording engineer and sound mixer for Grand Ole Opry Live, King Williams, Opry engineer, and Kevin Reiner, Opry chief technical engineer. The group of 30 students also sat in on a soundcheck for this week's Grand Ole Opry Live with performers including Suzy Bogguss, Blaine Larsen and Lorrie Morgan. Membership in GRAMMY U is open to all full-time college students who want to pursue a career in music or in a music-related field.