More Murder on Music Row

Terry Downs · Post by **Terry Downs** » 14 May 2000 12:02 pm

I got this from the MKOC newsletter....

Some news from Nashville,

Jim Lauderdale was dropped by RCA

Warner Records cut Paul Brandt, Michael Peterson, Claudia Church (the wife
of Rodney Crowell) and David Ball. Stating their only successful Nashville
act is pop singer Faith Hill.

Mercury Records dropped Sammy Kershaw because of no recent hits and Shane
Minor for selling only 40,000 records.

The Four Guys were fired by Opry head Pete Fisher who said that other
older musicians on The Opry will also be replaced.

Pop country singer Sherrie Austin is off Arista. No hits.

The Bellamy Bros. are suing Mike Curb and Curb Records. The Bellamys claim
to being cheated in royalties owed.

Marty Stuart is off MCA because "The Pilgrim" failed on the sales charts.

Lorrie Morgan is off RCA, no current hits.

1999 not very good for Nashville, sales down almost 5 percent, overall
music sales were up 6 percent.

This will be the last year of touring and performing for Kitty Wells and
Johnny Wright.

Arista Records Nashville will close down in June. Alan Jackson and Brooks
& Dunn will go to RCA. Lee Roy Parnell, BR549, Michelle Wright, The
Tractors, Diamond Rio, BlackHawk will soon be without a label.

And finally, ticket sales for Fan Fair 2000 continue to decline. Last year
the CMA failed to sell 1500. This year Capital Records has pulled out.
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Terry Downs
http://nightshift.net
terry@nightshift.net

Janice Brooks · Post by **Janice Brooks** » 14 May 2000 2:34 pm

Someone just summerized the past 5 months. Do you realy think the money counters who took over 10 years ago care about country ?

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Janice "Busgal" Brooks
ICQ 44729047

Jack Stoner · Post by **Jack Stoner** » 14 May 2000 4:56 pm

Why do you think we're seeing "country rap" and other types of non traditional country music? They have lost most of the country music buyers and have to look elsewhere to sell their product.

BJ Bailey · Post by **BJ Bailey** » 14 May 2000 8:55 pm

I know longer even think of Naville As being country anymore.

I don't think Im that old ,meaning Im just and old foaggie,But I don't lisson to what an't there no more.

I could care less if they all went out of buisiness.

Maybe then some new bean counters could move in with a differant out look on what country is all about.

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BJ Bailey

John Macy · Post by **John Macy** » 16 May 2000 1:50 pm

Kix Brooks laments country backlash

NASHVILLE, Tennessee -- Country music purists should think twice before
accusing artists of selling out to pop influences, says Kix Brooks of the country
duo Brooks & Dunn.

County music traditionalists have a history of eschewing change, Brooks said
recently when Country Weekly magazine asked him about the uproar over
"Murder on Music Row," the hit song that accuses country music of abandoning
its roots. The tune, performed by George Strait and Alan Jackson earlier this
month at the Academy of Country Music Awards, says change is killing the
music of Hank Williams and Lefty Frizzell.

"When they first played drums on the Grand Ole Opry, people went crazy," he
told the magazine's May 30 issue. "And when Buck Owens plugged in a
Telecaster for the first time, they were going, 'This isn't country music!' Now,
Buck is considered the heart of traditionalism."

Rich Paton · Post by **Rich Paton** » 22 May 2000 8:01 pm

I happened to see the cover of the Cordle CD with "MOMR" last weekend. It has a picture of a Pedal Steel being loaded into a hearse. http://www.rockabillyhall.com/BarryKLarryCordleRev.html [This message was edited by Rich Paton on 22 May 2000 at 09:04 PM.]

Lem Smith · Post by **Lem Smith** » 23 May 2000 9:29 am

Here's the pic that Rich was talking about, in case you haven't seen it.

L.[This message was edited by Lem Smith on 23 May 2000 at 10:31 AM.]

hank R · Post by **hank R** » 23 May 2000 6:12 pm

Terry ,
Did I hear right .Alan Jackson looking for a label . That is unbelievable . I think there is 3 bars in the whole state of NJ with live country music and they Are just hanging on . What is the answer for the 20/30 year old market now ,? They are the future listeners. If young acts played more trad this audience could become more CONDITIONED to this sound. There is one younger band around drawing them in around here . But the music of Tracey Lawrence ,Byrd Chesney etc .is almost even passe'. They were doing David Al Coe . one night and 20 somethings were singing along ,perhaps there is potential there.

Marty Pollard · Post by **Marty Pollard** » 23 May 2000 8:18 pm

...Diamond Rio, BlackHawk will soon be without a label.

Worked openers for both these groups and can't say I will miss them much. On the other hand, I really enjoy Brooks and Dunn; sound mighty country to me (and I don't like country all that much).

Terry Downs · Post by **Terry Downs** » 23 May 2000 10:20 pm

Hank,
f you read the article again it will state that "Arista Records Nashville will close down in June" meaning Alan will transfer to RCA.

Terry Downs · Post by **Terry Downs** » 23 May 2000 10:26 pm

John Macey,
I agree with Kix comments. I am not concerned that we are getting away from the roots. I am concerned that the 5th time I open for "Perfect Stranger" they couldn't afford to fix the air conditioner on their bus. Why is the chance for success for the new artist so volatile?

Olli Haavisto · Post by **Olli Haavisto** » 23 May 2000 10:33 pm

I`d love a poster of the Cordle CD-cover on the wall of my music room!
Is there one available and where?

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Olli Haavisto
Polar steeler
Finland

Boomer · Post by **Boomer** » 24 May 2000 9:53 am

Terry - Years ago, there were only a handful of artists looking for radio slots in a 24 hour day. Today the number of artists is staggering, but the radio slots in a 24 hour day haven't changed. And while there are more radio stations, they basically play the same format their competition and consultants dictate. Best, Boomer

Rich Paton · Post by **Rich Paton** » 24 May 2000 6:07 pm

Lem; pretty cool album cover, eh?

Olli; my boss in a part time job doing live sound for Bluegrass festivals & shows is a close freind of Larry's. He's headed to Nashtropolis in July, so I'll ask if they exist. If so, chances are I can get it signed by Cordle.
I have some Warner Bros. promo posters of Neil Young, and they are quite striking visually.
I'd like a poster of the Cordle "Funeral" too!

Lem Smith · Post by **Lem Smith** » 24 May 2000 7:13 pm

Yeah Rich, it's a real eye catcher for sure!
I don't know about poster size, but it enlarges pretty nice in a photo editing program if you save the pic to your HD. Still not big and plain enough to see the make of the steel tho!!

L.

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http://users.50megs.com/steel/home.html

hank R · Post by **hank R** » 25 May 2000 7:01 pm

Terry,
I overreacted , like I almost was quick to say to myself ,"well, they got Alan Jackson " !I'm sure ,although it is transitional ,it is still an indicator of the quicksand condition of the Nashville Country Music industry at this time. First you see " Pop a Top " now you don't!

Hank

Jim Roby · Post by **Jim Roby** » 25 May 2000 11:15 pm

hank R · Post by **hank R** » 26 May 2000 12:59 pm

Its like who wants to hear music that doesnt stick in your mind past the concert. No good melody , no good lyrics and people singin from the bedroom to the kereoke to the stage as was probably the extent of it . It was said that they didnt like Buck and his combo at the opry and now its considerd traditional. Well my answer was they were making a MISTAKE then and NOW .
hank