Phil Vassar and Friends Celebrate New Album

05/08/2008

Universal Records South recording artist Phil Vassar recently hosted a cocktail party at his home to celebrate the release of his new album Prayer of a Common Man.

Pictured (L-R): Fletcher Foster, Sr. VP/GM Universal Records South; Teddi Bonadies, VP Natl. Promotion Universal Records South; WMIL OM Kerry Wolfe; Vassar; Sirius' Scott Lindy; and Redlight Mgmt.'s Greg Hill.

Radney Foster’s Father Dies in Texas

Sarah Skates – 05/12/2008

John Radney Foster, father of singer-songwriter and producer Radney Foster, died on May 9 after a battle with lung cancer. He was 77. Services will be held today (5/12) at St. Luke's Episcopal Church in San Antonio and tomorrow (5/13) at St. James Episcopal Church in Del Rio, followed by a Texas barbecue and celebration. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to The Sewanee Annual Fund, University of the South, Thompson Union, 735 University Ave., Sewanee, TN 37383.

Carrie Underwood Inducted As Newest Member of Grand Ole Opry

05/12/2008

Reigning Academy of Country Music and Country Music Association Female Vocalist of the Year Carrie Underwood became the newest member of the Grand Ole Opry Saturday night (5/10), inducted by fellow Oklahoman, Opry member Garth Brooks, before a sold-out Opry House audience.

Dottie Rambo Dies in Weekend Bus Crash

Sarah Skates – 05/12/2008

Gospel singer Dottie Rambo, 74, died early Sunday (5/11) morning in a tour bus accident near Springfield, Mo. According to reports, her bus driver Ronnie Meadows, manager Larry Ferguson, and Web master Chris Barnes were hospitalized, as were Ferguson’s wife, two children and assistant.

In addition to recording her own hits like “We Shall Behold Him,” “If That Isn’t Love,” “Holy Spirit, Thou Art Welcome” and “I Go to the Rock,” Rambo penned songs recorded by Barbara Mandrell, Elvis Presley, Dolly Parton and Whitney Houston. Mandrell was on hand to induct Rambo into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame last year.

Rambo had more than 2,500 published songs, many in modern hymnals. She is a two-time inductee into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame—once as a soloist and again as a member of the Rambo trio. She received the ASCAP Foundation's Lifetime Achievement Award in 2001 and is a member of the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame.

Overnight storms and high winds may have contributed to the bus crash. The group was traveling from Springfield to a Mother’s Day show in Texas.

Fun In The Sun In Key West

05/12/2008

Pedestal/Nine North Records artists The Roys, GAC’s Storme Warren and Mercury Nashville artist Jamey Johnson at the BMI kick off party during the Key West Songwriter Festival.

Pictured (L-R): Elaine Roy, Warren, Johnson and Lee Roy.

Adkins Pens TV Title Song

Sarah Skates – 05/09/2008

Trace Adkins

Trace Adkins wrote and recorded the title song for truTV Network's new series Black Gold. The real-life show follows a crew drilling for oil in west Texas. Adkins brings personal experience to the song, he previously worked as a roughneck and derrickman on offshore drilling rigs in the Gulf of Mexico. Black Gold comes to truTV from renowned storyteller/executive producer Thom Beers (Deadliest Catch, Ice Road Truckers), and is set to premiere Wed., June 18, at 9 PM CT.

Underwood Opry Induction This Weekend

Sarah Skates – 05/09/2008

Carrie Underwood

Carrie Underwood’s Grand Ole Opry induction will be televised tomorrow night (5/10) during GAC’s Opry Live, airing at 7 PM CT. Before the induction, the network will show a special half-hour documentary, Road to the Opry: Carrie Underwood, at 6:30 PM, including Underwood and her mom discussing her childhood musical influences and her career today.

Jeremy McComb Packs The Rutledge

05/09/2008

Parallel Records’ Jeremy McComb showcased for an industry crowd at the Rutledge on Wednesday night (5/7), performing songs from his album My Side Of Town, set for release on May 13.

Pictured (L-R): Ron Huntsman, Huntsman Ent.; Hunter Kelly, ABC Radio; David Newmark, CO5; McComb (back); Robin Rhodes, Mediabase; Larry Holden, Country Weekly; Jason Price; Aaron Brougher, Mgr. Parallel Ent.; and Vanessa Parker-Davis, SPLASH! PR.

Artist News Friday (5/9/08)

Universal Records South will release Jennifer Hanson's new studio album as a digital exclusive on June 3. Thankful features all new music written by Hanson, and co-produced by her and Nick Brophy. Label GM...

Lifenotes: Jerry Wallace

Sarah Skates – 05/08/2008

Jerry Wallace at Fan Fair 1975. Photo: Alan Mayor

Jerry Wallace, known for the million-selling hit “Primrose Lane,” passed away on May 5 in California from congestive heart failure. Nicknamed “Mr. Smooth,” Wallace was a successful pop artist before switching to country. His 1964 release “In The Misty Moonlight” was written by Cindy Walker and began his country transition. His biggest country hit was 1972’s “If You Leave Me Tonight I’ll Cry.” During the late 1960s and through the mid ‘70s he was signed to Mercury, Liberty, Decca, MCA, and MGM.