Ray Price Recalls Early Pop Vs. Country Controversy
Filed under: Legends, Country News
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Ray Price is still going strong at 84 years young. He’s singing his beloved hits, including ‘Heartaches by the Number’ and ‘For the Good Times,’ at concerts across the country. It’s just taking him a bit longer to get from city to city.
“I know there’s an end to my career somewhere. But I enjoy what I do, so why stop?,” the 84-year-old tells the Lubbock Avalanche- Journal. “But my flying days are over; I prefer to stay on the bus.”
Ray landed in the music biz after serving in the U.S. Marine Corps and starting college at North Texas Agricultural College. That’s where he met several classmates who were also musicians. After playing at Roy’s House Cafe in Dallas, he changed his career goal from veterinarian to country musician and was soon playing on Big ‘D’ Jamboree and on Hank Williams’ radio shows.
Foster & Lloyd on Track for Musical Reunion
Filed under: Country News, Songs
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Radney Foster’s latest album is titled ‘Revival’ and the singer-songwriter is also planning to take part in a revival of another kind. Radney reveals that he and former duo partner Bill Lloyd have been working on new Foster & Lloyd songs together.
“We’ve cut six songs,” Radney tells the 9513. “They’ve gone really well. I like everything we’ve cut so far. We got the first one back mixed this past week. I think we’ll be done with these six later this month.”
Foster & Lloyd recorded three albums together and scored four Top 10 singles, including their 1986 debut hit, ‘Crazy over You.’ Radney and Bill last shared the concert stage a year ago to celebrate Radney’s 50th birthday. The Texas native says fans can expect the new music to be “a little more mature with our lyrics as writing is concerned,” adding, “we’re still bringing some fun in our mixing and in mixing genres as much as possible in the melodic sense of what we’re doing. It still sounds to me similar to what we were doing live 25 years ago. It’s a lot of fun.
John Daly Releases Second Album in Time for British Open
Filed under: Country News
John Daly is known mostly for his outstanding golf skills and his outlandish pants, but the PGA-tour champion also wants to be known for something else — his music. He recently released his second album, ‘I Only Know One Way,’ and says all the songs, including his cover of Bob Dylan’s classic ‘Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door,’ are autobiographical.
“The album itself is really my life. All of the songs have a meaning,” John says. “Most of the record is happening — or has happened in my life. I hope people can relate to some of the troubles I have had along the way. Everyone around the world has problems, and I want to connect with those people.”
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Joe Diffie’s Kids Try Out for ‘American Idol’
Filed under: Exclusive, Country News
Thousands of young hopefuls have descended upon Nashville in the hopes that they will be the next Carrie Underwood, Kellie Pickler, Danny Gokey or Bucky Covington — stars who got their start on ‘American Idol.’ On Thursday, July 15, more than 10,000 people stood in line in the scorching downtown Music City heat to receive a wristband, which will allow them into the Saturday auditions for Season 10 of the show.
As was the case with just about every previous season, there always seems to be a country connection, whether it is a country star who emerges during the finals, or a country artist who mentors or performs on the show, or as is the case this year, someone who is related to a country star. That’s the case with two of the possible Season 10 contestants.
Joe Diffie’s children, 28-year-old Parker and 25-year-old Kara, are just two of those aspiring stars hoping to catch the judges’ attention this weekend. Their father is certainly proud of both of them and thinks they have what it takes to make it. “They both are really good singers and good people,” Joe tells The Boot. “It’s pretty gratifying to see their interest in music. I’ve recorded both of them here at the house, and people rave about how good they sound.”
Jaron Thanks Toby Keith for Paving His Long Road to Love
Filed under: Country News
Jaron aka Jaron and the Long Road to Love says he can’t help that his tongue-in-cheek anthem, ‘Pray for You,’ is so brutally honest … after all, we all have those moments of weakness when we’re not the nicest, especially when someone does us wrong. The singer says artists like Toby Keith have made it a little easier these days to release songs with those kinds of sentiments.
“Toby’s personality, his songs and his point of view have paved the way for a guy like me,” Jaron tells Country Weekly. “Without Toby Keith, a song like ‘Pray for You’ can’t be accepted the way it is. How many times in traffic have we screamed something out, yelled at somebody? They’re not bad people, we just caught them at a bad time. I tend to write as close to the truth as possible with the ugly parts included.”
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Kenny Chesney Takes Hard ‘Fall’ for New Single
Filed under: Country News, Songs
Kenny Chesney’s long awaited new single, ‘Boys of Fall,’ hits radio airwaves this week. The song tackles one of Kenny’s favorite subjects: football. When the tune made its way to the country superstar, he was blown away by the way songwriters Dave Turnbull and Casey Beathard captured the essence of something he loves so much. Kenny immediately knew it was a shoo-in for his new album.
“I just stopped right there, and played it over and over again,” Kenny says of ‘Boys.’ “I knew — as maybe only someone who has felt that thrill of rushing out onto the field on a cold Friday night can — that was exactly how it is. It also gives you a sense of why playing football in high school is such a powerful thing for anyone who does it. It’s life changing. For anyone who’s never experienced that, this song helps them understand why.”
Listen to ‘Boys of Fall’
Josh Turner Grants Dying Wish to Cancer-Stricken Child
Filed under: Country News
Josh Turner helped make a dying girl’s wish come true, although not the way the notoriously kind country singer had hoped.
Partnering with the Make-a-Wish foundation, Josh had already agreed to meet with 10-year old cancer patient, Elizabeth Pitts, whose last wish was to meet him. Unfortunately, the country star received the news on June 30 that Elizabeth was not expected to live until their scheduled July 17 date, when Josh planned to spend time with her while in her hometown of Valdosta, Ga. as part of his concert tour. Not willing to let the little girl pass away without granting at least part of her wish, Josh called Elizabeth and sang and spoke to her, only moments before she died on July 1, after a courageous four-year battle.
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