news Nashville music

Alan Jackson Top CMA Award Winner with five.
Sample from November 2001 Issue

It was Alan Jackson's night winning a total of 5 CMA awards, but his parting words set the tone for the whole night, "We Should Never Forget". He was referring to 911, but his words were meaningful throughout CMA's 36th Country Music Awards Show on Nov 6. Not forgotten during this year's CMA show was the late great Waylon Jennings when Travis Tritt sang "You Can't Count Me Out Yet" to a historic video backdrop featuring Waylon, Willie, Buddy Holly and others. Not forgotten was the tremendous success of bluegrass music, which took center stage last year with the O' BROTHER WHERE ART THOU CD, and this year was well represented by the popish bluegrass style of Nickel Creek and the more traditional rendering of Alison Kraus. Totally forgotten on this year's show was Garth Brooks. This writer
may be wrong but it seems the "G" man's name wasn't even mentioned.
One thing is for sure, we'll never forget the CMA show of last year when the event played a major part in the healing of the nation after 911 with inspirational performances. This year's inspirational performance was by Dolly Parton, singing the song "Hello God" to a backdrop of a giant cross and with a full choir of "angelic" singers. The song was specifically written by Dolly in remembrance of 911. Almost forgotten from the show were the musicians, who were slighted with a 15 second still of Jerry Douglas as the Musician of the Year Award winner. There was no mention that he played the dobro or the other nominees in that category. A novel idea for next year's CMA's award show producer and President Ed Benson would be to have a "live" performance by the musician nominees of a traditional country tune. Winners
listed on www.CMAawards.com
Review by Dan Wakely and Photo of Denise and Alan Jackson

34th Annual CRS Show
The 34th Annual Country Radio Seminar & Trade Show ,is set for February 19 - 21, 2003, in Nashville, Tennessee. Attendees will have access to over 2,000 top professionals from the country radio and country music industries and exhibits of the latest broadcast and recording technologies. For complete details on CRS-34 contact Lidia Graham of Country Radio Broadcasters, Inc. at (615) 329-2615 or go to www.countryradioseminar.com on the web.
News clip by Brad Fischer.

This content of this section consists of "music" news in and around Music City including concerts, industry seminars, club events, major artist news, benefit events, contests and mini-articles of interest to the Nashville Muisc Community. Below are samples from our November 2001 Issue.

Cindy Lauper in The City
In the midst of a very busy November, NMG had the opportunity to catch Cindy Lauper, who was in town to do a concert with Cher on Nov. 13th. At Tower Records on West End Avenue, she signed autographs, did interviews, took pictures with fans, and eventually took to the stage with some of her musicians to do some songs from her latest CD. She was witty at times, and very sincere at others. A diverse performer, she performed
some mountain/folk songs she has written and then jumped right into a rocker like "Every Woman Is A Whore," one of her big hits. NMG became a fan and will definitely make an effort to see her show the next time around. She's a very talented lady!

Event Clip & Photo by Gordy Collins

CCMA Awards Show
Hosted by country great, Collin Raye, and "700 Club," co-hostess, Lisa Ryan, the two hour broadcast of the 8th
Annual Christian Country Music Association's (CCMA) Awards Show from the Ryman on November 5th produced winners in seventeen categories - topped by Alan Jackson's dual wins for "Song Of The Year," and "Video Of The Year," with his inspirational musical gift to America - "Where Were You When The World Stopped Turning."

Photo l-r Gene Giggins - president CCMA, Marty Raybon - guest
performer, Dottie Rambo, Clifton Jansky

Jim Beam Band Search Finals Final.
The Jim Beam Annual Talent Band Search is history for another  year. The finals were held here in Nashville on November 16  with a total of five finalists in the competition at the  Wildhorse Saloon. All five acts should have been declared  winners just to be featured in this show. Waylon Payne was  here from L.A., Jonathan Harris from up in Spanaway, WA, a  group called The Well Hungarians from St. Louis, MO, three  beautiful and talented ladies called Side Saddle from here in  Nashville, TN, and Keith Anderson also from Music City. It  wouldn't have been a good time to be a judge as all five acts  were well deserving. Audience reaction had little to do with  the outcome, although the Wildhorse Saloon was jam packed  wall-to-wall and three stories high with screamers. No wonder  acts now insist on three banks of stage monitors and  individual ear speakers. It doesn't seem very long ago that  performers wanted the audience to shut-up and listen, then  scream and clap when the song was over, not during. Times have
changed.Today if the crowd volume falls off even just a little  bit, some prompter is out there hollering, "Make some noise!"
In any event, Keith Anderson was the overall winner. A  talented performer and songwriter, NMG wishes him the best. On  the other hand, we preferred Side Saddle. Not only are they  talented musicians and singers, they are much, much prettier  to look at. Sorry, Keith. While the judges were judging,  adding, conferring, and doing whatever judges do, Trick Pony  proceeded to kick things up a notch or three. If you have  never had the opportunity to be at a Trick Pony concert, you  really need to put it on your agenda. You will go away feeling  the high energy for as long as you can remember such things!  Trick Pony is a great show, and well worth the time and money.
E-info: www.JimBeamMusic.com
Event Clip & Photo of Keith Anderson by Gordy Collins