Gary Hayes Country

My weekend of adventure started around 9 AM on Friday, I got very little sleep Thursday
night as I was busy packing and preparing the articles for you.
I had the rough draft sketch already laid out all I had to do was fill in the information.

Let me say THIS..and this is an honest statement. I wouldn’t do Muddy Roots without
La Quinta Inn, folks this place is THAT nice. The free breakfast is a real good spread
the staff is nice and friendly and they let me into my room early enough to get to the
Junebug Ranch and get my wristband.
The rates are a little high but for what all you get it’s worth EVERY penny and
I would suggest it to anyone. I just went swimming and re did my cooler although
I am not planning on having any beers unless it’s at the hotel room later.

So far I have no drawbacks about the festival at all. Everything looks to be
running smoothly right now, I had an overlap problem with Urban Pioneers ..I
missed them to cover the set for J.B.Beverley.

Rachel Kate opened Muddy Roots in high
gear and people got more excited by the minute.
I missed most of her music because I was busy getting ready with paperwork and such.
I will cover her set on Tuesday at Live True Vintage with Calamity Cubes string band and the master
of all things with strings James Hunnicutt.

Whiskey Hill Swillers are a punk rooted
bluegrass and country band and they use bluegrass instruments.
They are a damn fine bunch of guys and always full of jokes and music.
They got a washboard player that climbed on the amp stacks and goes through the audience
and they have fun when on stage.

I have covered them many times and I recognized most of their set list
and they opened their set with “Whiskey Calling” and ‘Want To Know”.
Then they started throwing little (I call them airplane bottles) of whiskey
out to the audience. OK So I had one nip for history’s sake.

Third song was called “Girl” and I had to ask about it I don’t recall ever
hearing that one and they also played “Back To The Bottom” and “Loosing Hope’.
They played ‘Hollow Eyes’ which is a cool song in my opinion and they
covered a new age song.
They closed their set with “What Went Wrong” and “Make It Right”

All in All they did a pretty damn fine job on the Ol Wood Stage
and I think they deserve to be on future Muddy Roots lineups for sure!

I like string bands a lot. If you study the history of Country Music
and the Opry you will find that string bands pretty much began it all.
You know it really wasn’t until the early 1940s when Ernest Tubb and Hank
began introducing the steel guitar.
If you look at people like Dr. Humphrey Bates and his Possum Hunters
and Dixie Cloggers and Fruit Jar Drinkers in the 30’s that first
played the Opry…they were all string bands.

I stayed at the Ol Wood Stage to get to see Call Me Bronco who received TWO encores last night.
I was just talking with the guy down the hall about how good their set was
last night. They opened their set with a song they dedicated to a recent friend
that took their life and their second song was ‘Burn The Witch” and that one is
my favorite one they do.

They also played ‘Stopped Drinking For The Dog” and ‘Devil’s Daughter”

All the while this band was on the Tent Stage had The Buzzjumeprs
tearing up the place and I missed most of it to cover Call Me Bronco.
They played “Broken Man” and “Ky Girl” as an encore and a new song.

I had to go eat then before J.B. Beverley and I’m going to say THIS.
J.B. was one of my top 2 sets of the festival so far.
I may not get to finish part 2 of day 1 until later which will start out
with J.B. set. But man oh man I tell you he was SPOT ON and he played
a lot of my favorites.

Kentucky Opry.

This series of article will be the same format as my other ones.
I’ll post the past links up above and you can catch previous ones you
have missed.
My “Music Festivals” one has become so large I lost track of my past
ones I made there are so many!
I am still learning this gig folks…

These little Oprys all over the United States have uncovered some
really amazing singers and musicians from ALL OVER and I’m really
enjoying uncovering some of these hidden places.

This edition of the series bring us to Terra Haute Indiana off
Us Hwy 41 is Boot City Opry.
This 5,000 foot square auditorium seats 300 plus and runs Saturday
only shows from April-December.

Their website has stated that they have recently added brand new
stage lighting and other new features.

I read some really positive feedback on the people that have
visited the Opry and I noticed that on October 18th they
will welcome Georgette Jones.

In November there are several great shows coming including a
Ray Price tribute and another band called “Walking With Cash”.
FROM THEIR WEBSITE:

Keith Furry is well aware of the complexities surrounding Johnny Cash, in fact,
he embraces them. “One of my favorite lines to describe Johnny Cash is from the book
‘Cash’ by Rolling Stone magazine: ‘Sinner, Saint, Rebel, Voice of Protest, Man of Faith’,
says Furry, leader of the tribute band Walkin’ With Cash.

Hailed as one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century, Cash had that rarest
of crossover appeals, having earned induction into the Rock n Roll, Country and Gospel Halls of Fame.
Furry captures those intricacies with a fan’s eagerness and a musician’s skill. From his note
perfect trembling baritone voice to his all black outfits, every detail rings true during a
Walkin’ With Cash show.

Of course, much of Cash’s music, particularly toward the end of his stellar career,
focused on moral questions and the search for redemption but Furry’s rendition of this
often dark and mysterious superstar never translates into a dour, over-serious experience
on stage. Instead, Furry delves deep into the Cash catalog shining a spotlight on every
corner of this legend-from his rockabilly beginnings to his flirty duets with wife June
Carter Cash, expertly recreated in the Walkin’ With Cash performances by Jan Daily.

I hope they do not mind I just posted that directly from them..cause I think this
will be a stellar show. If you are in the area you should certainly go check them out.

You can log onto their website above and inquire how to perform on there
or call Miss Stacey. Her contact number is included on there I will not post
her phone number on this site..to many people see it.

Store hours for the Boot City Western Superstore are

Monday-Saturday 9:00 A.M. to 9:00 P.M.
Sunday 12:00 P.M.- 5:00 P.M.

YOU CAN rent the facility for functions too just hollar at them.
I do not usually get around to that area but I’ll have to come up
and visit them one Saturday night.

My friends down in east Nashville at Live True Vintage always have local bands and
Independent musicians performing summer concert series shows there and usually
on Tuesday nights.

I have had the pleasure of seeing Austin Lucas and Baskery there in 2014 and
in 2013 I got to see Jake Cox and Dag And Bulleit Boys.

Joshua Morningstar was supposed to be there in place of Austin Lucas and
could not make the show for personal reasons.
It still was indeed a good show and a good time was had by all.

It’s a great way to support our local community and friends businesses.
And I always say that’s what music is all about.

Two days after we are all coming home from Muddy Roots Music Festival
Live True Vintage will welcome The Calamity Cubes, James Hunnicutt and Rachel Kate.
Now I WILL SAY I have had the honor to see James Hunnicutt play numerous times
and he SHREDS the guitar!
In fact if you ask me the most aggressive player I would say it’s him or Dallas Moore.

The Calamity Cubes are a little bit of all kinds of genres.
Thrashicana is what their Facebook page says.
Theyr’e just a downright jam string band from Kansas.
I have seen their set many times as well and they NEVER DISAPPOINT.

The shows usually are donation based and usually start at a reasonable 7:00 start time.
It gives me time to get back up to Kentucky from a short 40 minute drive down there.

I’ll more than likely be there why don’t YOU JOIN US!

For the first time in almost seven years Lee Ann Womack will
release a new album on Sugar Hill Records.
It will be produced by her husband Frank Liddell and is scheduled
for a September 23rd release date.

“The Way I’m Living” will hit stores at midnight in September.
The title track is now supposedly being played on radio
I have been searching for it and haven’t found it on FM radio
yet.

This album features song written by Chris Knight, Mindy Smith, Buddy Miller,
Mando Saenz, Hayes Carll, Neil Young and Bruce Robison. It also includes a
cover song written by Roger Miller.

She hasn’t released any new music since 2008 accept for a few
soundtracks and some small projects.

I’ll write more about this album VERY SOON.

Folks it’s not everyday I get to report on crossover Legends!
I spent quite a bit of time studying Jerry Lee Lewis and the Sun Records
pioneers of Sam Phillips from days of old.

In reality You would think Ray Price originally cut the song “Crazy Arms”
that was wrote by Ralph Mooney (I get steered off track easy).
But Jerry Lee Lewis also cut the song in 1956 and it sold only 300,000 copies.
Both artists cut the song the same year.

After the national scandal about his marriage his mainstream success
plummeted but he kept on going and was determined to bounce back.

I could write an article longer than my arm about this man
and nowadays his shows are just as good as they were years ago.
Jerry is known for energetic live shows even in his age they are
still known for being pretty rowdy.

Now I can tell you THIS: HE IS the last surviving member of
Sam Phillips “Million Dollar Quartet”. Which consisted of
Johnny Cash,Carl Perkins,Roy Orbison and Elvis.

He is cousins with Country Legend Mikey Gilley and TV Evangelist
Jimmy Swaggart who he actually did buy a car for once.

On saturday October 4rth the Ryman Auditorium will
welcome Jerry Lee Lewis as he plays a FULL CONCERT
for us.

Folks I am REALLY excited about this exhibit that opens August 25th!
The folks at The Country Music Hall Of Fame have outdone themselves!
They have opened a new exhibit honoring Alan Jackson who is certainly well on his way to becoming
a country legend with a whole exhibit honoring his 25 years in the industry.

You know when I think about the current state of country radio (I’m talking FM) and the
current state of the CMA and ACM awards the only two MAJOR mainstream superstars
that do not leave a sour taste in my mouth are Alan Jackson and George Strait..
I for one just cannot grasp the concept of how listeners can actually accept
a playlist with Alan Jackson and flip flopping to Brantley Gilbert and honestly
thinking it’s ALL country.

As previously stated this exhibit opens on August 25th 2014 and will run until March 30th 2015.
This exhibit will include MANY of his personal artifacts from his career in Country Music.

The guitar he played on the CMA Awards when he debuted “Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning)”
just two months after the September 11 terrorist attacks and the nation’s response that inspired the song.
The front of an old, red Ford pickup truck that served as Jackson’s first Fan Fair booth, before
his sister and brother-in-law had it made into a desk.

Items from Jackson’s collection of “Mayberry” memorabilia—a jacket, jersey and autographed picture from Don Knotts—from one of his favorite television shows, The Andy Griffith Show.
Jackson’s first tricycle, childhood bike and scooter, evidence that his love of vehicles started early.
Harley-Davidson motorcycle from the cover of the seminalalbum A Lot About Livin’ (And a Little ’bout Love).
The water ski Jackson rode, while wearing his trademark white cowboy hat, in the “Chattahoochee” music video.
Along with handwritten lyrics from Jim McBride who wrote Chattahoochee along with a few other
of Alan’s hits.

A collection of belt buckles from the Houston Rodeo—which Jackson has played more than 20 times.
Handwritten manuscripts of classics like “Drive,” “First Love” (about his ’55 T-bird), “Livin’ on Love”
and “Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning).”

Numerous music awards, a sailfish caught by Jackson and much more.

AUGUST 29th-Sept 1st ONLY!!
His “first love” a used 1955 Ford Thunderbird will be on display in the Curb Conservatory
along with the story of how his wife helped reunite him with his car.
Alan saved his money and bought the car at 15 and restored it with his father
and drove it throughout high school but sold it to place a down payment
on a home with his wife.

Songwriter Session: Jim McBride
Saturday, August 30, 2014 • 11:30 a.m.

Family Program: When Daddy Let Me Drive: The Museum’s Cool Cars
Saturday, August 30, 3014 • 1:00 p.m.

Film Screening: Alan Jackson: The Greatest Hits Collection (1995)
Sunday, August 31 • 2:00 p.m.

Alan Jackson will be the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s 2014 Artist-in-Residence
this fall.
This will make Alan Jackson the twelfth Artist In Residence in history.
Each year, the Museum invites a noted artist or musician to give a series of
original performances that highlight their career and explore their artistry. Tickets go
on sale to the general public at NOON on Monday Sept 8th.

The concerts will take place October 8 and 22nd.
Both mid-week shows begin at 7PM and you can soon purchase tickets.

There are so many names I can give you when you ask me about underrated artists within
Country Music and when I give them many people argue with me.
One name I give will always be Gene Watson..why?

Well for one thing he has never been asked to join the Grand Ole Opry
however he performs on it almost more than some that ARE members.
Now mind you, I understand some great Legends haven’t been asked…or have been
and refused because of performance demands like George Strait and Merle Haggard.
Whatever the reasons the fact he is not a member has always saddened me immensely.

Watson’s long career has notched two number ones, 23 top tens and over 75 charted singles.
However despite national recognition he sells out venues all over the world.
And in 2012 he celebrated 50 years in the music business with a great album and
on June 10th he released a concept album of his personal favorite Country songs
for us to enjoy…I would like to tell you about it.

I kind of bought it and put it on my backburner list because I get SO MANY
albums and others grabbed my interest first.
I WAS SADLY WRONG!!!!

This album is REALLY GOOD. The first track is a song that Country Legend Dottie West
wrote called “Here Comes My Baby Back Again”.
Faron Young also recorded it long ago and It’s not really well known.

“Don’t You Believe Her” was a Ray Price song taken from the 1968 album
Take Me As I Am. Honestly most of these songs are VERY obsolete
and not well known.

“Slide Off Of Your Satin Sheets” was a Paycheck song from The Soul And The Edge
wrote by Dan Carson.
It was the “B Side” for Colorado Cool-Aid.

“Make The World Go Away” was a Hank Cochran tune recently recorded by
Jamey Johnson for his tribute album. However so many people recorded it
but Eddy Arnold is credited with first cutting the song.

“Long Black Veil” his version is the same as the Lefty Frizzell version
of this song written in 1959 by Danny Dill.

“It’s Not Love But It’s Not Bad” is a Merle Haggard tune that most avid fans
know but not the general public fans. If you have only listened to a
“Greatest Hits” album you’ll not be as familiar with this song.

“Walk Through This World With Me” was a song made popular by George Jones.

“Turn Out The Lights The Party’s Over” is another less known song written
by Willie Nelson in 1966.
It had an album named after it and Gene always closed his shows with this song
and sometimes he still does that very thing.

“I forget You Everyday” is another Merle Haggard song that isn’t too well
known. I’m actually not sure what album that song is on.

“Count Me Out” was a Marty Robbins song from 1966 I believe.
This was the song I was most unfamiliar with and I’m still
doing research on this song.

“Hello Trouble” was of course the very song made popular by Buck Owens.
And on this following promo video you can see the coming of this REALLY GOOD album.

If you are like me you moved here to bring your music and your songs to “Music City U.S.A.”
or you came here to study Country Music’s history.
Perhaps you came to study at one of it’s fine schools or to admire it’s
historical places and people.

Country Music in a nutshell didn’t really originate here in Nashville.
Some say it started in Chicago…and somewhat that’s an accurate statement.
Some say it came from Appalachian regions of America and some say it came from
“nooks and crannies” of America or even churches and front porches.

Wherever you personally claim or believe it came from it is up to US
to decide where it’s headed.
THAT IS one of the reasons I started this website folks. I don’t make any
money off doing any of this, this all comes from my heart and my brain.
I don’t personally care if tens of thousands of people read my articles
I’ll write them as long as I’m alive…because I love to.
My heart lies within Country Music and Nashville, and one piece of
Nashville is in jeopardy and that why the page Save Printer’s Alley is so crucial.

To some fighting and preserving Country Music means analyzing pop country
and attacking it, or helping to promote those that do this.
To some it means supporting local community and local bands and small
venues working for tips.
Whatever your version of preserving Country Music MINE IS becoming involved
with causes like this one.

There is currently a political proposal that could close several businesses around
the historical Printer’s Alley district of Downtown Nashville to make way for a new
“boutique” hotel.
The four targeted buildings include the former Utopia Hotel building — which features
the Downtown Cleaners and strip club Brass Stables as tenants — and the vacant space
above the businesses. It also includes the buildings that house Lonnie’s Western Room
and Fiddle & Steel Guitar Bar on the Printers Alley side and the buildings that are home
to Taste of Italy Pizza, Santorini Greek Restaurant and Kebab Gyros on the Fourth Avenue side.

The website says “progress” seems to be slowly erasing the very things that made
Nashville the city that it is today…I AGREE!
I think Opry Mills ruined Opryland in it’s own right, I still patronize both places
but if I had my choice Opryland would be here again.

You can buy these shirts at the Fiddle And Steel Guitar Bar
in the Alley and you can sign the petition that is in circulation.
I’ll be soon taking the opportunity to purchase one and make MY voice heard!

Friends we CANNOT LET this happen and we CANNOT LET our precious historical
Country Music background die.
I will include several more links so you can study this issue further like
THIS TENNESSEAN article that started the whole
Save Printer’s Alley movement.
They want to make Printer’s Alley another Green Hills!

Nashville Scene
Fox 17 News
News Channel 5
More Fox 17 News

Folks you can click on the above link and purchase a shirt and add your
support…PLEASE JOIN THIS CAUSE.
Let’s keep this part of historic downtown HISTORIC for our children and
grandchildren so they have the opportunity to also remember where
Country Music thrives and the heart of it beats.

One of the most active series in the local music scene is The Last Honky Tonk Music Series.
I have done a lot of coverage for them in the past and I have been following them
as quite a few of them are going ALL OVER the United States bringing acoustic music
to places that would normally not have such an array of talent.

It still features Brigitte London and now it has begun to feature
Seth Turner is making his debut Texas run with the Series, starting with Bad “S” Icehouse.
Christopher Corkery has done a bunch of shows and the
huge amount of shows I see pouring into so many locations makes it easy for
a more wider audience to attend…and a reporter hard to follow totally.
But I been doing JUST THAT!

Dallas Moore has been doing several shows all over the place for the series as well.
And I have other news about him in later articles.
Announcements will be coming shortly involving our 2015 plans, new artist & venue additions,
new web site features & apps), live streaming, TV pilot, community plans, a Last Honkytonk Music
Series radio station (yes!) & more.

This series has introduced my ears and my heart to people like Hal Bruni and to be able to
become better aquainted with the music of Jill Kinsey.
You have got a fantastic duo I have reported on before 2 Country 4 Nashville that does a WONDERFUL JOB to entertain
people with classic country music.

Some of them are on a west coast jaunt and some of them are in Ohio..they are all over the place
in memory of our friend Wayne Mills who helped come up with the idea of the national series.
Honestly if I tagged ALL the venues involved in ALL the places I’m seeing it would
take me a month to write one article…it’s THAT BIG!
They just announced several new venues all over the place.

Also the first week of June 2015 (June 1st- June 7th) there will be a bus tour!
This will feature ALL of the Last Honky Tonk Series artists going from Morgan City
Louisiana and ending in Clarksville Ohio. Along the way there will be several stops
at participating venues on EVERY NIGHT along the way. This will be filmed LIVE and streamed
online so everyone can watch the music. MORE DETAILS BELOW!

I’m not sure how I will be able to be involved with this event schedule wise BUT I PROMISE
I will have some coverage of this event.
Dec 28th Win Place Or Show Cincinnati, Ohio
Dec 28th The Hunt Store Hunt, Tx
Dec 28th Garage On Back Salt Lake City, Utah
Dec 28 Garage On Beck Salt Lake City, Ut
Dec 30th Rusty Nail Miamisville Ohio
Jan 3rd The Drink House Morgan City, La
Jan 9th Backyard Grill Clarksville, Ohio
Jan 10th Pivo’s Ice House Fayeteville,Tx
Jan 16th The Outpost Armington,Il
Jan 24th Cigar Club Lake Charles,LA
Feb 7th Uncle Stewey’s Roadhouse Spring Valley,Il
Feb 12th Jay’s Sports Columbus, Ohio
Feb 13th Rusty Nail Madisonville, Ohio
Feb 13th Drink House Morgan City,La
Feb 14th Backyard Grill Clarksville, Ohio
Feb 19th Jay’s Sports Columbus, Ohio
Feb 20th Backyard Grill Clarksville, Ohio
Feb 20th Jay’s Sports Columbus, Ohio
Feb 27th Backyard Grill Columbus, Ohio
Mar 6th Jay’s Sports Columbus, Ohio
Mar 7th Backyard Grill Clarkville, Ohio
Mar 21st Backyard Grill Clarksville, Ohio

Ok FOLKS now I want to tell you about March 21st 2015.
THIS WILL be the one year anniversary that we had the nation launch at Bobby Mackey’s!
And several venues from ALL OVER the United States will stream their performances
ALL AT THE SAME TIME!
I think it will be an online music festival so to speak!

My friend from the Louisville area CJ Cumberland producer of Crescent Hill Radio
(You can link to his website on the sidebar) features many of the artists
on his internet radio shows weekly.

Beginning January of 2015 they will be featuring none other than Ray Lawrence Jr. and I’ll be telling you more about that in the future.

The Last Honky Tonk Train To Clarksville:
A weeklong historic event featuring multiple LHTMS artists beginning in Morgan City LA at The
Drink House and ending at Friends-Backyard Grill in Clarksville OH. A filmed event, this will
feature a bus tour and CARAVAN of music lovers from around the USA, LHTMS venue vehicles,
Sponsors and more, with LHTMS artists traveling and performing shows Mon, Tues, Wed, Thurs,
Friday and Saturday night at Official LHTMS venues. From motorcycle runs, special appearances,
honky tonk shenanigans, radio & LIVE STREAMING, along with SO MUCH MORE, this historic event
will be one to not miss!! Details on this event will be revealed in the days to come.
Be part of history, enjoy the music, live for the times. ***Several special stops scheduled
between shows.
THIS FROM THEIR WEBSITE:
NEWS NEWS NEWS On the Last Honky Tonk Train To Clarksville: This historic event will begin
Monday June 1st thru June 8th (w/ a possible pre-kickoff party/event/hooplah in Texas).
We will launch the “Train” (Buses, vehicles, bikers, sponsors, etc) in Morgan City.
Outline is as follows: Morgan City, New Orleans, Florabama, Alabama, TN, KY, OH.
On the dispersal back to Morgan City from Clarksville, Ohio , there will be ONE stop in Missouri
for an overnight camp/picking circle. The entire experience will be filmed by 3 separate
film companies for documentary/streaming. A set schedule of Live events will be determined
by January 15th. Variables (special appearances, promo stops, etc) will be added and confirmed by March 15).
We will sell bus tickets for whole and half-trip. An open invitation will be extended to anyone in the
general public who wants to bring their own vehicle and join the caravan.

If you are an artist who would like to participate in the Train, please contact me via phone text
& I will explain how the shows will work. We will be live streaming at least 3 of the show events.
The kickoff at The Drink House in Morgan City, Jay’s Sports Lounge in Columbus on Sat June 6 and the
finale at Friends in Clarksville. We would like to live stream all of the shows & we’ll be working with
the venues to make this happen. A more detailed explanation of the event, along with an official Press Release,
will be issued in January. This event will get Nationwide publicity in a big way. The opportunity to share with the world the music of all our artists, promote live music, the venues, community, raise money for local charities, spread the legacy of Wayne Mills, will be unlimited. We can work together to make this the Woodstock of our generation, except let’s encompass our goals even broader for the sake of live music and Independent Artistry. Please “click going” on the event, even if you’re not sure if you can make any of the shows or the whole trip – as this event will help ALL of our VENUES, ARTISTS and SPONSORS.

Now A LOT of venue owners read my website on a regular basis and might wonder WHO to text..send me a personal
message and I’ll get in touch with the correct people.
I’ll be looking into more sponsorship of this event and how I can participate. For now I will continue
to include ALL the news I find on this series.