The country music thread

Here we go: a long-overdue thread devoted to country music. Most of the threads I start wind up becoming my own personal blogs because hardly anyone else ever posts anything. I would love for other Sirius Buzz members to participate here. This is a discussion site, after all.

Bakersfield post office is named for hometown boy Merle Haggard

http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/l...407-story.html

For your amazement and amusement, here is a small sample of the playlist for the online Red White & Booze channel. In many instances, the channel is playing only three or four songs by artists who have had dozens of big hits. If a song isn't likely to be on a jukebox in a barroom, forget it! Chart positions are from the Billboard country chart.

SiriusXM Online
Channel 350 - Red White & Booze

Act Naturally - Buck Owens (1/1963)
Ain't Going Down Til The Sun Comes Up - Garth Brooks (1/1993)
American Honky Tonk Bar Association - Garth Brooks (1/1993)
As She's Walking Away - Zac Brown Band/Alan Jackson (1/2010)
Big City - Merle Haggard/Leona Williams (1/1982)
Blowin' Smoke - Kacey Musgraves (31/2013)
Beer Run - George Jones/Garth Brooks (24/2001)
Born On The Bayou - Creedence Clearwater Revival (--/1969)
C C Waterback - George Jones/Merle Haggard (10/1982)
Calling Baton Rouge - Garth Brooks (2/1993)
Celebrity - Brad Paisley (3/2003)
Chasin' That Neon Rainbow - Alan Jackson (2/1990)
Chattahoochee - Alan Jackson (1/1993)
Country Boy - Alan Jackson (1/2008)
Cowboy Cadillac - Garth Brooks (52/1997)
Cowboy Casanova - Carrie Underwood (1/2009)
Crazy - Patsy Cline (2/1961)
Cryin' Time - Buck Owens (B/1965)
D-I-V-O-R-C-E - Tammy Wynette (1/1968)
Daddy's Moonshine Still - Dolly Parton (LP/1971)
Don't Let Our Love Start Slippin' Away - Vince Gill (1/1992)
Don't Rock The Jukebox - Alan Jackson (1/1991)
Don't The Girls All Get Prettier At Closing Time - Mickey Gilley (1/1976)
Don't You Think Outlaw Bit's Out Of Hand - Waylon Jennings (5/1978)
Down On The Corner - Creedence Clearwater Revival (-/1969)
Fancy - Reba McEntire (8/1991)
Fortunate Son - Creedence Clearwater Revival (--/1969)
Friends In Low Places - Garth Brooks (1/1990)
God Blessed Texas - Little Texas (4/1993)
Good Ride Cowboy -- Garth Brooks (3/2005)
Good Time - Alan Jackson (1/2008)
Green River - Creedence Clearwater Revival --/1969)
Hello Trouble - Buck Owens (LP/1964)
Hello Walls - Faron Young (1/1961)
Honky Tonk Attitude - Joe Diffie (5/1993)
Honky Tonk Night Time Man - Merle Haggard (B/1974)
I Don't Even Know Your Name - Alan Jackson (1/1999)
I Fall To Pieces - Patsy Cline (1/1961)
I Heard It Through The Grapevine - Creedence Clearwater Revival (LP/1970)
I Like It I Love It - Tim McGraw (1/1995)
I Think I'll Just Stay Here & Drink - Merle Haggard (1/1980)
Indian Outlaw - Tim McGraw (8/1994)
It's Five O'Clock Somewhere - Alan Jackson/Jimmy Buffett (1/2003)
Little Bitty - Alan Jackson (1/1996)
Living In Fast Forward - Kenny Chesney (1/2005)
Long As I Can See The Light - Creedence Clearwater Revival (--/1970)
Longneck Bottle - Garth Brooks/Steve Wariner (1/1997)
Louisiana Saturday Night - Mel McDaniel (7/1981)
Mama Tried - Merle Haggard (1/1968)
Mexicoma - Tim McGraw (LP/2013)
Modern Day Bonnie & Clyde - Travis Tritt (8/2002)
Papa Loved Mama - Garth Brooks (3/1992)
Playing Dumb - Tom Petty/Heartbreakers (LP/2014)
Pop A Top - Alan Jackson (6/1999)
Proud Mary - Creedence Clearwater Revival --/1969)
Reasons To Quit - Merle Haggard/Willie Nelson (6/1983)
Redneck Woman - Gretchen Carlson (1/2004)
Rodeo - Garth Brooks (3/1991)
Sam's Place - Buck Owens (1/1967)
Set 'Em Up Joe - Vern Gosdin (1/1988)
She's Got The Rhythm - Alan Jackson (1/1992)
Something Like That - Tim McGraw (1/1999)
Southern Voice - Tim McGraw (1/2009)
Standing Outside The Fire - Garth Brooks (3/1993)
Summertime Blues - Alan Jackson (1/1994)
Suzie Q - Creedence Clearwater Revival --/1968)
Swinging Doors - Merle Haggard (5/1966)
Tall Tall Trees - Alan Jackson (1/1995)
The Bottle Let Me Down - Merle Haggard (3/1966)
The Fightin' Side Of Me - Merle Haggard (1/1970)
The High Cost Of Living - Jamey Johnson (34/2009)
The Night The Lights Went Out In Georgia - Reba McEntire (12/1992)
The Redneck Side Of Me - Jamey Johnson (LP/2006)
Two Of A Kind Workin' On A Full House - Garth Brooks (1/1991)
Two Piña Coladas - Garth Brooks (1/1997)
Walkin' After Midnight - Patsy Cline (2/1957)
When Will I Be Loved - Everly Brothers (8/1960)
Why Haven't I Heard From You - Reba McEntire (5/1994)
Wrap It Up - Fabulous Thunderbirds (--/1986)
Your Good Girl's Gonna Go Bad - Tammy Wynette (3/1967)
4th Of July - Shooter Jennings/George Jones (26/2005)

This is from the Taste Of Country website, April 8:

Jo Dee Messina releases brand-new inspirational song, Bigger Than This

When Jo Dee Messina was diagnosed with cancer last year, the 47-year-old singer admitted the ordeal seriously tested her faith. However, thankfully, she's now feeling better and she has a new song that came out of that intense struggle. The singer shared the song April 7 during a world-premiere performance on Huckabee, which you can hear at http://tasteofcountry.com/jo-dee-mes...ger-than-this/

The lyrics speak of being overwhelmed, with "waves crashing in" and "darkness surrounding," before going into the uplifting chorus: "My God is bigger than this. His love is greater." Messina's song is available for download at https://jodeemessina.selz.com/item/b...-song-download

Even Kenny Rogers knows you can't be a gambler when it comes to your health.

Kenny Rogers cancels remainder of farewell tour over health issues

http://www.nydailynews.com/entertain...icle-1.3916224

Last night's ACM Awards ceremony took place at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, not far from the site of the country music festival where 58 died and 851 were injured October 1 when a gunman opened fire. Jason Aldean, who was performing when the shooting started, opened the Awards telecast -- not with a song but with a message about the healing power of music and the strength of country artists and fans coming together as a community in the wake of the shooting. Here are the award nominees and winners:

Miranda Lambert, Chris Stapleton win big at 2018 ACM Awards

http://www.tasteofcountry.com/2018-a...-winners-list/

Today is Memorial Day. We should honor and thank our veterans every day, not just on the last Monday in May. Here are two must-read articles from the Taste Of Country website:

Brantley Gilbert hopes we all remember the meaning of Memorial Day

http://tasteofcountry.com/brantley-g...litary-troops/

10 songs that honor fallen soldiers

http://tasteofcountry.com/songs-abou...-memorial-day/

Here is a small sample of the playlist of SiriusXM's Bakersfield Beat channel, which is curated by Dwight Yoakam and, not surprisingly, plays a lot of Dwight Yoakam songs. Chart positions are from the Billboard country chart or, if followed by an "h," the Hot 100. Leonard Sipes' first record is on the list. On all his subsequent records, he called himself Tommy Collins. (He was the subject of Merle Haggard's 1981 hit Leonard.) And the Farmer Boys' song was co-written by a 27-year-old up-and-coming singer named Alvis "Buck" Owens.

The Bakersfield Beat
SiriusXM Channel 349

A New Love - Wynn Stewart (--/1957)
A Thousand Miles From Nowhere - Dwight Yoakam (2/1993)
Act Naturally - Beatles (47h/1965)
Act Naturally - Dwight Yoakam (LP/2007)
Ain't That Lonely Yet - Dwight Yoakam (2/1993)
Beneath Still Waters - Emmylou Harris (1/1980)
Close Up The Honky Tonks - Buck Owens (LP/1964)
Don't Let Your Goodbye Stand - Rick Nelson (LP/1972)
Dreams Of The Everyday Housewife - Glen Campbell (3/1968)
Drinkin' My Baby Goodbye - Charlie Daniels Band (8/1986)
Fast As You - Dwight Yoakam (2/1993)
Flash Crash & Thunder - Farmer Boys (--/1957)
Floyd County - Dwight Yoakam (B/1988)
Fool Me Again - Buck Owens (LP/1962)
Girls Night Out - Judds (1/1985)
Goodbye Good Luck God Bless You - Buck Owens (LP/1962)
Hillbilly Bone - Blake Shelton/Trace Adkins (1/2009)
Honky Tonk Night Time Man - Merle Haggard (B/1974)
Hotel California - Eagles (1h/1977)
How Long - Rick Nelson (LP/1970)
I Ain't Living Long Like This - Emmylou Harris (B/1978)
I Can't Stop My Lovin' You - Buck Owens (17/1962)
I Don't Need It Done - Dwight Yoakam (LP/1990)
I Sang Dixie - Dwight Yoakam (1/1988)
I Was There - Dwight Yoakam/Buck Owens (LP/2000)
I'd Trade All Of My Tomorrows - Merle Haggard (LP/1965)
I'll Be Gone - Tommy Collins (--/1955)
I'll Love You Forever & Ever - Buck Owens (LP/1966, B/1968)
I'm Layin' It On The Line - Buck Owens (LP/1966)
I've Got A Tiger By The Tail - Buck Owens (1/1965)
If You Fall Out Of Love With Me - Buck Owens (LP/1965)
If You Gotta Go - Flying Burrito Brothers (--/1970)
Little Sister - Dwight Yoakam (7/1987)
Little Ways - Dwight Yoakam (8/1987)
Lodi - Creedence Clearwater Revival (52h/1969)
Look Over Me - Merle Haggard (LP/1968)
Love House - Rank & File (LP/1987)
Memphis - Buck Owens (LP/1965)
Mental Revenge - Linda Ronstadt (LP/1970)
Mental Revenge (Live) - Nashville West (UR/1967, LP/1978)
Money Tree - Merle Haggard (LP/1968)
No More Me & You - Buck Owens (B/1966)
One More Name - Dwight Yoakam (B/1988)
Population: Me - Dwight Yoakam (LP/2003)
Pretty Horses - Dwight Yoakam (--/2018)
Rain Rain - Wynn Stewart (UR/1959, LP/1988)
Rebels - Tom Petty/Heartbreakers (74/1985)
Silver Stallion - Highwaymen (25/1990)
Sing Me Back Home - Merle Haggard (1/1967)
Streets Of Bakersfield - Dwight Yoakam/Buck Owens (1/1988)
Take Me Home - Wanda Jackson (LP/1965)
Take Me In Your Arms - Joe Carson (--/1957)
Tequila Sunrise - Eagles (64h/1973)
The Road Goes On Forever - Robert Earl Keen (LP/1989)
Then Here Came Monday - Dwight Yoakam (--/2018)
There Never Was A Fool - Buck Owens (LP/1966)
This Time's The Next Time - Wanda Jackson (LP/1967)
Too Beautiful To Cry - Leonard Sipes/Rhythm Oakies (--/1951)
Wait A Little Longer Please Jesus - Owens/Haggard (LP/1966)
When Will I Be Loved - Linda Ronstadt (2h/1975)
Wings Of A Dove - Ferlin Husky (1/1960)
Yes Ma'am He Found Me In A Honky Tonk - Leona Williams (--/1970)

I wonder if she'll be working 9 to 5.

Dolly Parton is making an eight-episode Netflix series based on her songs

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/on-demand...s-based-songs/

Today The Washington Post published a story detailing why so many country singers nowadays sing drinking songs and why country singers who crave "authenticity" look to Hank Williams, who died of drug abuse and alcohol abuse at 29. Ummm.....maybe there are better role models than ol' Hank.

'The Hank Williams syndrome': How alcoholism destroyed some of country music's greatest stars

https://www.al.com/entertainment/ind...drome_how.html

I wonder if Naomi and Wynonna would have been equally as successful if they had used their real names: Diana and Christina. By the way, Wynonna adapted her stage name from the Lakota word winona, which means "first-born daughter."

Judds exhibit set to open at Country Music Hall Of Fame & Museum

http://tasteofcountry.com/judds-exhi...-hall-of-fame/

"Lemme see now, I can write a bunch o' new songs and record 'em and put out a CD and make a lot o' money.....or I can do a few concerts and sing all my old songs and put out a three-CD set of the concert performances and make even more money. Whoa now, what to do, what to do?"

Garth Brooks announces new album Triple Live

https://www.msn.com/en-us/music/news...wKHi?ocid=AMZN

The abovementioned Garth Brooks holds the record -- no pun intended -- for the most country albums (nine) to reach number one on Billboard's all-genre Top 200 album chart. The female record-holders are Carrie Underwood, Faith Hill, Linda Ronstadt and Taylor Swift, each with three chart-topping country albums -- at least until this week. Underwood's new CD just debuted at number one, becoming her fourth chart-topping country album. She's certainly come a long way since winning on American Idol in 2005!

Carrie Underwood makes country history on the Billboard 200 chart as Cry Pretty debuts at number one

https://www.billboard.com/articles/c...ry-pretty-no-1

Loretta Lynn has had 38 top-ten country hits and 11 number ones. Of her duets with Conway Twitty, 12 were top-ten country hits and five went to number one. Who could have imagined that a "coal miner's daughter" born in a log cabin in Butcher Hollow, Kentucky, would turn out to be so successful?

Loretta Lynn to receive 'Artist Of A Lifetime' award on all-female CMT Artists Of The Year show

https://www.msn.com/en-us/music/news...CwXV?ocid=AMZN

She suffered a stroke, a fall and a fractured hip. She's forced to use a walker and sometimes a wheelchair. She stopped touring but she didn't stop recording. Her new CD, Wouldn't It Be Great, was released September 28. It's her 42nd solo album.

Loretta Lynn, 86, opens up about her stroke and fall: 'I wasn't goin' to let it stop me'

https://www.msn.com/en-us/music/cele...GSzT?ocid=AMZN

Johnny Gimble, a fiddle player, session musician and longtime member of Bob Wills' Texas Playboys, is also in the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame. Speaking of which, there are hundreds of artists who should be in the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame but are not. The Country Music Hall Of Fame snubs artists as well. Toby Keith, Charlie Rich, Dwight Yoakam, Clint Black, Shania Twain, Trisha Yearwood, Kenny Chesney, Crystal Gayle, Tim McGraw, Martina McBride, Hank Williams Jr., Brooks & Dunn, the Judds and the Dixie Chicks have all been recording for the requisite 20+ years and are still not in. Sacrilege!

Country Music Hall Of Fame welcomes Ricky Skaggs, Dottie West, Johnny Gimble

http://www.cmt.com/news/1800178/coun...johnny-gimble/

The 52nd annual Country Music Association awards show took place tonight in Nashville. The program opened with a memorial tribute to the 12 country music fans who were shot and killed six days ago at the Borderline Bar & Grill in Thousand Oaks. Chris Stapleton won for best male vocalist and Carrie Underwood was named best female vocalist. Why do awards shows persist in keeping men and women in separate categories? Keith Urban was named entertainer of the year.

Chris Stapleton wins big at CMAs; Keith Urban nabs top prize

https://www.msn.com/en-us/music/cma-...HBfw?ocid=AMZN

Dolly Parton has two very big........exciting things about to happen. Her new CD, the soundtrack of the upcoming movie Dumplin', comes out tomorrow and "Dolly Week" will be celebrated in Nashville next year. The movie, which will open December 7, stars Danielle MacDonald as an overweight teenager who enters a beauty pageant. Yes, the film carries a message about not judging others by their size.

Grand Ole Opry plans Dolly Parton 50th anniversary celebration

https://www.msn.com/en-us/music/news...hcSj?ocid=AMZN

Tennessee-born singer/songwriter/banjo player Uncle Dave Macon recorded 170 songs, 1924-38, and in 1926 became the first big star of the WSM Barn Dance program, which had begun in November 1925 and would soon be renamed Grand Ole Opry. Bluegrass Junction, SiriusXM Channel 62, just played Macon's 1926 recording of Way Down The Old Plank Road, which was the B-side of Rise When The Rooster Crows (Vocalion 5097). If songs from the 1950s and '60s are "oldies," what do we call a song from 1926? Here is Way Down The Old Plank Road:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Dqjl8Q61bA8

Ketchum, who had 13 top-40 country hits and six top-tens including Hearts Are Gonna Roll, Small Town Saturday Night and Past The Point Of Rescue, has been forced to stop performing. This is sad news.

Hal Ketchum diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease and dementia

https://www.msn.com/en-us/music/news...r-s/ar-BBVXyJT

There's a Frank Sinatra Drive in Hoboken, a Bob Dylan Way in Duluth, a Sam Cooke Drive in Chicago, an Elvis Presley Boulevard in Memphis – and now Sammy Kershaw has a street of his own.

Sammy Kershaw Drive unveiled in country singer's home town of Kaplan, Louisiana

https://www.purecountry1067.com/2019...led-in-kaplan/