Posts Tagged ‘Dwight Yoakam’

An Evening With Randy Travis

WireImage/Sapp

On September 21, 2011 the Grammy Museum welcomed legendary country artist Randy Travis to the very intimate Clive Davis Theater. With seating for only 200 people this show was a sell out. The museum launched its “An Evening With….” Program in 2009 and has since welcomed many stars to the stage including Ringo Starr, and Dwight Yoakam, just to name a few. On this particular evening however, the night was all about honoring Randy Travis’s 25-year career in the country music business. These types of shows are unique. The fans learn more about the artist and hear the stories behind the songs they know and love.

The evening began with the Grammy Foundation’s Vice President Scott Goldman interviewing Randy Travis about his career. Randy and Scott sat up on the stage very relaxed, making the audience feel as though they were watching 2 friends having a conversation. Randy began by briefly reminiscing about his early years. He grew up in North Carolina listening to Hank Williams Sr. and Lefty Frizzell. It seemed music was always a part of his life and by the age of 17 he knew it was destined to be his career. He also alluded to the fact that he was a precocious young child. He gave the crowd a big laugh talking about an incident he had that resulted in a 7 year old, Randy and a 70 year old, his grandfather, throwing rocks at one another.

As the night went on the audience learned more about the career of this legend. Randy kept the audience’s attention with his quick wit and ability to be personable as he took them on a trip down memory lane. Scott talked to Randy about “Storms of Life” Randy’s debut album that really put him on the map. This album let fans and critics alike know that Randy would be sticking around in Nashville. That album had many singles that found there way to the top of charts. “On the Other Hand”, “Diggin’ Up Bones” and “1982” all came from this ground breaking recording. Randy discussed some of the people he has worked with in his career. Paul Overstreet and Don Schlitz have both written for Randy and not only influenced in his career, but have been great friends as well. He shared a great memory he had with Don when they wrote “Heroes and Friends” together. Randy also discussed what makes a great song. He explained how you need a great artist and a great melody, but sometimes a song that hits close to home is the one that will stand out.

Randy’s latest CD, the 25th Anniversary Celebration, is an array of songs featuring duets with Randy and many famous friends. Scott played some excerpts from this CD and talked to Randy about the experience he had working with these various artists. The song “Road to Surrender” features Kris Kristofferson, Willie Nelson, and Randy Travis. He said he loved the relationship he saw in Kris and Willie while working with them. Scott described the trio as “The singing Mt. Rushmore.” Randy also talked about working with Carrie Underwood on “Is It Still Over?” He said when she chose the song he asked her if she was sure that was “the one.” Then he heard her sing it and thought, “Yep, that will work!” Randy spoke about how immensely talented she is. He said she could sing absolutely anything and it would sound good. He also talked about Josh Turner, Alan Jackson, Kenny Chesney and Jamey Johnson and how he was humbled by all of these artists coming out to work on this project with him. As he spoke there was clearly a true reverence for everyone involved.

As the audience had been promised, Scott called on a few people to ask Randy a question. One person congratulated Randy on his upcoming 25 year Grand Ole Opry anniversary and asked him about his favorite Opry moment. Randy smiled and shared 3 that particularly stood out in his mind. The first was being the one to invite Carrie Underwood to join the Opry family live on stage. The next was being on stage for the first time with one of his heroes, Little Jimmy Dickens, and lastly an unforgettable moment he shared with Roy Acuff once backstage in the dressing room. Randy noted those were just a few, but he has shared many memorable moments at the Opry, on and off the stage.

The last part of the evening Randy played the audience a few songs. He asked for a show of hands as to who had never seen him perform live before. As people raised their hand, he jokingly quipped, “Well we have only been out on the road for 25 years, I see how you must have missed us.”, the audience cracked up! Someone from the crowd yelled out “Three Wooden Crosses”, Randy’s very popular gospel/country crossover hit. Randy obliged and started playing the guitar. Next he did a snippet of “On the Other Hand” and his classic “Forever and Ever, Amen”. As Randy Travis finished playing he smiled as he looked out at the crowd to find everyone standing up and applauding for him, a true gentlemen and a true country legend.

——Krissie Humphrey

Dwight Yoakam Returns to Warner Brothers

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dwight Yoakam returns home to Warner Music Group after a decade. The legendary superstar began his career on Warner Music Group’s label Reprise Records, with his debut album, Guitars, Cadillacs, Etc., Etc. and has since recorded 27 albums under both the Reprise Records and Warner Bros. Records imprints. Yoakam is set to release his first studio album in seven years on Warner Bros. Records.

“Dwight Yoakam is country music. His voice is immediately recognizable and his artistry is iconic,” said John Esposito, Warner Music Nashville’s President & CEO. “When I heard his current music, I was blown away. I think that it is some of the best music he has ever done and I’m incredibly proud to have him back at Warner Bros. Records.”

Yoakam’s highly anticipated new record is set for an early 2012 release and is expected to be co-produced by Joe Chiccarelli (My Morning Jacket, The Shins, The Strokes) along with producer Yoakam, who has recently finished recording several tracks with musician Beck.

“I’m pleased to be back in partnership with Warner Music Group for the release of my new music,” said Yoakam. “I’m excited about the enthusiasm they’ve expressed in their desire to once again be the conduit for my songs and recordings as well as the ensuing musical journey that it will take us on.”

Yoakam is one of the most respected singer-songwriters in music. He’s sold more than 25 million albums, has 12 gold albums and 9 platinum or multi-platinum albums, including the triple platinum “This Time.” Five of his albums have topped Billboard’s Country Albums chart with another fourteen landing in the Top 10. More than 30 singles have charted, with twenty-two going Top 20, including the incomparable hits “Honky Tonk Man,” “Please Please Baby,” “Little Ways,” “I Sang Dixie,” “It Only Hurts When I Cry,” “Fast as You” and “Thousand Miles from Nowhere.” Yoakam has won two GRAMMY Awards and earned 21 nominations.

For more information on Dwight Yoakam, please visit www.DwightYoakam.com

Got some country music gossip and don’t wanna be a tattle tale? Email me, Tawny Tucker, Tawny@countrymusictattletale.com

Dwight Yoakam’s Alaska Concert Canceled Because Of Safety

The Dwight Yoakam concert set for this Saturday at the Alaska Dome in Anchorage has been canceled because of safety concerns. Anchorage officials denied a permit that would have allowed the concert. A fire official says it’s because the dome over the area is approved only for narrow uses like covering sporting fields or pools. It is not permitted for events like concerts, where large crowds gather underneath the middle of the nearly 184,000-square foot dome, not around the edges. There is no sprinkler system in the dome and at the same time, lots of power is needed for lights and sound.

Country Girl wants you to be a Tattle Tale! Have you been to a country concert lately? Run into a country artist while out on the town? We want to hear all about your country music news and entertainment. Email me at countrygirl@countrymusictattletale.com

Billboards Top 25 Country Artists of the Past 25 Years

Billboard has picked the top 25 country artists from the past 25 years. The Top County Artists 1985-2010 ranking is based on actual performance on the weekly Hot Country Songs and Top Country Albums charts from January 5, 1985 to the Billboard issue dated May 29, 2010. Artists are ranked based on an inverse point system, with weeks at No. 1 earning the greatest value and weeks at the lower end of the chart earning the least.

25. LeAnn Rimes
24. Travis Tritt
23. Martina McBride
22. Dwight Yoakam
21. Ricky van Shelton
20. Brad Paisley
19. Keith Urban
18. Dixie Chicks
17. Vince Gill
16. Faith Hill
15. The Judds
14. Shania Twain
13. Hank Williams Jr.
12. Clint Black
11. Rascal Flatts
10. Brooks & Dunn
9. Alabama
8. Kenny Chesney
7. Toby Keith
6. Randy Travis
5. Tim McGraw
4. Alan Jackson
3. Reba McEntire
2. Garth Brooks
1. George Strait

See more about the list here.

Got some country music gossip and don’t wanna be a tattle tale? Email me, Tawny Tucker, Tawny@countrymusictattletale.com

2 Country Men Just Signed on for New Acting Rolls

Tim McGraw and Dwight Yoakam have signed on for more acting jobs. Variety says they’ll be in an independent comedy set in Oklahoma in 1987. It’s called “Dirty Girl” and will star William H. Macy, Milla Jovovich and Mary Steenburgen. It’s about a high school tramp who runs away with a friend. They’re looking for her father.

Tim is busy on his Southern Voice tour and taping will begin this fall.

Country Girl wants you to be a Tattle Tale! Have you been to a country concert lately? Run into a country artist while out on the town? We want to hear all about your country music news and entertainment. Email me at countrygirl@countrymusictattletale.com

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