Karen Walker
Where Are They Now: Linda Davis
Linda Davis is a unique artist. She never became a multi-platinum seller like Reba or Shania Twain, but she has been a very important mainstay in Nashville. Without her voice, some of the biggest singles in the late '80's and early '90's wouldn't have been as successful as they were...
Where Are They Now: Janie Fricke
Way back in the 80's, I was an impressionable teenager. One day, I heard a song on the radio by a woman with a killer and somewhat teary sound. I wanted to be just like her! So, I bought some headbands, slicked back the sides of my hair and tried (but failed) to sing just like her...
Where Are They Now: Joe Diffie
In 1994, Joe Diffie was on a roll. He was riding the wave of Prop me Up Beside The Jukebox and kept going with songs like Third Rock From The Sun and Pickup Man. But as all things do, the fun came to an end. In 2002, he had his last hit on Country radio...
Jack Greene: The 1960’s ‘Garth Brooks’
Sometimes writing a blog like this is difficult. When I am close to a subject, especially a person, it's tough to convey how truly important they are. That's my problem here.
Jack Greene, the Opry and Country Music legend, that passed away this week, was more than just another old time singer...
Where Are they Now: Michael Martin Murphey
I will never forget when I first heard "Wildfire" by Michael Martin Murphey. It was the summer of 1975, and I was playing out in front of my Grandmother's house in Connecticut. The first strains of the piano started and I stopped cold. By the end of the song, I had tears in my eyes...
Remembering Patsy Cline
Today marks the 50th anniversary of the death of Patsy Cline. I will never forget hearing I Fall To Pieces on the radio for the first time.I was pretty young and I couldn't believe the rich, expressive voice I was hearing. I was hooked!
If you don't know much about Patsy, you should know if it wasn't for her, women like Reba, Shania Twain and Miranda Lambert wouldn't be as strong or as successful
Where Are They Now: Mary Chapin Carpenter
Mary Chapin Carpenter has had a song-writer's life. Which is good because she is a legendary one. As a performer, she's a natural. You may not hear her new songs on the radio, but she is going strong.
Let's go back to how it began for Chapin Carpenter...
How Vince Gill Keeps Country Music’s History Alive
We all know Vince Gill from his hit songs and supporting vocals work with artists ranging from Kelly Clarkson to Conway Twitty, but there are other things Vince Gill is accomplishing.
Where Are They Now: Exile and Restless Heart
When I was growing up in the 80's, I loved Exile and Restless Heart. They both had a string of number one hits and released some great videos. Oh, and their hair was fierce!
Exile (then called The Exiles) formed in 1963 by J.P. Pennington...
Mindy McCready’s Death Offers Lessons About Mental Health Care
Mindy McCready was a talent to be reckoned with when she arrived in Nashville at age 18. She had graduated high school early, at age 16, she was talented and determined. What happened from there was anything but a happy ending.
Mindy struggled with mental illness, reportedly a personality disorder and abuse issues, and drug/alcohol addiction...
Where Are They Now: Phil Vassar
Phil Vassar has a had, literally, a roller coaster ride of a career in Country Music. In the late '90 he flew out of the gate as a songwriter, giving Jo Dee Messina the perfect song, "Bye Bye" to be her first number 1 hit. He penned hits for Tim McGraw, Kenny Chesney, Neal McCoy, Kenny Rogers and Diamond Rio as well, to solidify himself as a top Nashville tunesmith...
Where Are They Now: Collin Raye
Collin Raye had a solid beginning in music, playing with family in the band "The Wrays". In 1990, he scored a record deal and released his debut "All I Can Be". It did well, but the followup "Love Me" was a huge success. It hit number one quickly and Collin followed with 15 more number one hits...
In Step With Taste Of Country Music Festival Artists Montgomery Gentry
Eddie Montgomery and Troy Gentry make being Country stars look easy. But it hasn't been; at least for the the last few years.
In 2010, Eddie discovered early, thank goodness, that he had prostate cancer. Right on the heels of his diagnosis came the divorce papers from his longtime wife, Tracey...