ARTICLE: 6th Annual Leadership Music Dale Franklin Award Honors Jim Foglesong, Allen Reynolds and Garth Brooks.

The Renaissance Hotel Grand Ballroom looked as grandeur as the guests in black tie attire who were present to either be a part of the all-star salute or join the seven hundred plus music industry executives, collaborators, friends and family who attended the memorable evening honoring the recipients of the Dale Franklin Award on August 23rd.
The award, which was named after the founding Executive Director, recognizes music industry trailblazers who exemplify the highest quality of leadership. 2009 recipients included Country Music Hall of Fame member; Jim Foglesong; music producer/songwriter, Allen Reynolds and country music artist and enigma, Garth Brooks. The honorees’ celebrated careers came together when Foglesong signed Brooks to Capitol Records, and Reynolds produced his record breaking albums.
Inspiration along with integrity were words chosen to describe all three recipients during the five hour gala dinner and awards presentation. In a business where words roll off the tongues and from the pens of artists and writers day and night, there were plenty to go around as special tributes to each of the honorees and the commitment to their music were given by their peers through song, video and during touching and sometimes tongue in cheek recollections of the colorful course and path of each man’s career.
Emmylou Harris, George Strait, Barbara Mandrell, Charlie Daniels, blues musician Keb’ Mo’, Hall of Fame member Jo Walker-Meador, Dierks Bentley, Donna Fargo, Dolly Parton, the Oak Ridge Boys, Huey Lewis, Sawyer Brown's Mark Miller and even Elmo contributed to the many video montages of congratulations and praises towards the three recipients throughout the celebration of the evening.
Kathy Mattea kicked off the musical tributes with the song "I Believe In You," followed by Lee Greenwood, who sang his first hit, "It Turns Me Inside Out." Both songs had Foglesong’s hand in the making and Grand Ole Opry star John Conlee, earned a lively standing ovation for his performance of "Rose Colored Glasses."
Crystal Gayle sang a part of “We Must Believe In Magic” and wowed the crowd with "Ready For The Times To Get Better," a 1978 hit Allen wrote and produced. Hal Ketchum amazed the crowd with his version of "Five O’Clock World", another song written by Reynolds. Songwriter-engineer-producer "Cowboy" Jack Clement, age 78, took to the stage and sang Reynold’s "Dreaming My Dreams"
Upon accepting his award and expressing his gratitude for the recognition, Reynolds stated “It’s a little surprising to find that I’m being honored for leadership. I never tried to do that. All I ever did was try to take care of the music, live up to the standards of my musical heroes and give to others the same consideration I have received.”
Steve Wariner, long time friend of Brooks, performed their co-written song "Longneck Bottle," and Martina McBride’s rendition of "The Thunder Rolls" brought the crowd to it’s feet.
Trisha Yearwood spoke lovingly of her husband, pointing out he was moved to tears more than once throughout the evening and then sang a captivating and touching version of "To Make You Feel My Love," while Garth stood with a smile on his face and his cowboy hat in hand at his table in the center of the room.

Taking to the stage to accept his award, Brooks opened his thank you with “I really thought tonight was gonna suck," Garth confessed, "and this was really cool." He spoke of representing the truth, with tongue-in-cheek humor elaborating on the importance of standing up for what you believe in and using examples of influences on the youth of today through Disney movies and fictional characters to enforce his stance as well as the importance of fighting for the preservation of intellectual property. Brooks then moved to center stage to resonate some of the signature songs from his musical career including "Much Too Young (To Feel This Damn Old)," "We Shall Be Free," and "Friends In Low Places". Between each song Garth expressly introduced the seven session players on stage with him (Milton Sledge- drums, Mike Chapman- bass, Mark Casstevens- acoustic guitar, Bobby Wood - piano,Pete Wasner- keyboards, Bruce Bouton - steel guitar, Rob Hajacos- fiddle, Chris Leuzinger - electric guitar)and also recognized and gave accolades to the three backing vocalists (Vicki Hampton, Karyn Rochelle and Robert Bailey) who contributed to his recordings, giving detail and attention to specific instances in which they brought more than expected to the table with a special lick to a song or by giving a signature sound to a particular piece of work. Brooks also encouraged an industry legend and engineer Mark Miller to come to the stage for recognition, as any project would not be complete without his task of putting it all together.

In true fashion of ending a Garth Brooks performance, Brooks put his heart into "The Dance" as his finale and then closed the evening out by bringing Foglesong and Reynolds back to the stage for an unforgettable version of the Soggy Bottom Boys “I Am A Man Of Constant Sorrow.”

“It was a really warm, heartfelt evening, where a lot of really great artists, producers, music business folks and friends had the opportunity to say thanks to Jim, Allen and Garth for being such a big help to them in their careers and for making such a big difference in the music world.” said Chris Leuzinger, one of the session players.

It is not often in the music industry that you can bring so many people together in one room and be witness to the purpose behind the gathering, but on this night, the highest quality of leadership was honored with integrity and inspiration for those who follow in their footsteps.

About Leadership Music
Leadership Music is an educational non-profit 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to nurture a knowledgeable, issue-oriented community of music industry professionals through an annual educational program and events. This is accomplished through the identification and exploration of topical issues in an annual series of off-the-record educational seminars (the Program), and continued alumni nurturing and education. Over the past 20 years, Leadership Music has graduated more than 740 music industry-related executives. www.leadershipmusic.org

INTERVIEW: Holly Williams

Holly Williams the daughter of Hank Williams, Jr. and half-sister of alternative-country singer Hank Williams III. Williams has released two studio albums: The Ones We Never Knew and Here with Me, in 2004 and 2009 respectively. The latter album has produced two chart singles for her on the Billboard country singles charts with "Keep the Change" and "Mama". I recently visited with Holly about the new project and about some of the personal things in her life.

Bev: Thank you Holly for spending some time with me, can you tell me a little about the new project?

Holly Williams: Thank you for taking time, I would love to share a little. “Here With Me” was released on June 16 and I recently was on the Craig Ferguson show prompting my CD and I have been touring with Sugarland. I currently have a couple shows in September and I’m going back to Europe in November. Basically I have been just touring and promoting as much as I can.

Bev: How does this project differ from the first CD you released?

Holly Williams: They are somewhat similar in the sense that the styles didn’t change. It was more the production of the project that changed. I’m 5 years older; therefore I’ve grown up a lot since the first record and vocally, I am a lot stronger.

Bev: How much of an impact did the car accident have on this project for you?

Holly Williams: I had written about half of the songs before the car accident happened. I did write a song called, “Without Jesus Here With Me” after the accident and because of it. Surviving this has just made me want to better myself in every aspect.

Bev: Did you write a majority of the songs on this project?

Holly Williams: Yes I did.

Bev: What kind of writing style do you have when you write your songs?

Holly Williams: I like to have a storytelling style to my songs. I like to see things visually and see the story.

Bev: Is there any Williams family traditions you try to carry on?

Holly Williams: Not really, I’ve mentioned a few things but it’s not something I try to do.

Bev: Do you have a favorite song on this C.D.?

Holly Williams: “Alone” is my personal favorite. It is a song I wrote about three years ago and many people can relate because so many people have a fear of getting close right away and committing yourself to someone.

Bev: You’ve done a lot of touring with bigger name artists, do you have a favorite to perform with?

Holly Williams: That’s tough to say. On the country side Keith Urban was amazing! Sugarland was great. Madeleine Peyroux , I adore and have been a fan for years. She’s probably been my favorite in the “female world”.

Bev: Do you have any memorable stories from on stage performances or embarrassing moments?

Holly Williams: I’ve left my fly down more than two or three times, had bugs go up my nose and it’s hard to compose yourself during a song when something like that happens. I haven’t fallen off the stage or tripped.

Bev: Can you tell me a little bit more about the clothing boutique that you have?

Holly Williams: The clothing boutique is in Green Hills, and is called H. Audrey. I’ve always loved fashion and design, and I opened it in 2007. We have quite a few stylists and artists come in, such as Taylor Swift and Kelly Clarkson. It’s a fun thing and I have a great store manager and employees. I love music, but this is a nice step away on occasion; especially as a solo artist, you tend to get a little overwhelmed at times.

Bev: How did you come up with the name?

Holly Williams: It’s my first initial and middle name.

Bev: Does your mom go out on the road and perform often with you?

Holly Williams: She comes out when she can. She performed on Conan [O’Brien] with me and she has joined me at a couple of the Sugarland shows I’ve done.

Bev: Is there anything else about the current C.D. project you really want people to know about?
Holly Williams: My favorite song is “Alone” and there is a great Johnny and June type of duet “A Love I Think Will Last”. Another great song is called “Mama” and it’s about my mom and her split with my dad.

Bev: Holly, I have really enjoyed visiting with you today and thank you so much for your time and all you have shared. I look forward to seeing you perform again soon.

Holly: Thank you so much and I look forward to you coming to a show too.

For more information on Holly Williams visit www.myspace.com/hollywilliams

INTERVIEW: Ricky Lynn Gregg

Country-rocker Ricky Lynn Gregg has recorded three studio albums: two on Liberty Records (1993's Ricky Lynn Gregg and 1994's Get a Little Closer) and one on Row Music Group (2001's Careful What You Wish For). His first two albums produced three hit singles on the Billboard country music charts, including the No. 36-peaking "If I Had a Cheatin' Heart." In 1993, Billboard ranked him at No. 4 on its list of Top New Country Artists of the Year. There is no doubt Gregg is a mainstay artist in country music. I had the opportunity to meet RLG and visit about some of his past, talk about the present and discuss what he has planned for the future.

Bev: Thank you so much for taking the time to visit. Can you give me an update on what you’ve been doing?

RLG: I released my last single in 2003, which was released to European media. European media is like R&R and goes between New Zealand and Russia. I had a No. 1, “I Just Want To Be Loved By You,” which was on the charts for five weeks. It was very rewarding. I just came back from Switzerland this last March and had a great tour. In June, I got together for a rock ‘n’ roll reunion with Savvy, a band out of Texas. My (former) band (Head East) and I played a festival in front of 10,000-plus fans. It was great to have all hometown boys there.
Since then, we have our own show at Bally’s in Tunica, doing two shows a night every weekend. They have a “sister” casino called The Resort, which we also play at. Both places allow me to play my music and let me be Ricky Lynn Gregg, which is very satisfying because I can play a lot of genres of music.

Bev: Are you working on any CD projects right now?

RLG: I am working on a gospel CD that I will be releasing independently. Nowadays, that’s tough because of the economy. It is so hard for everybody right now. I am waiting patiently for the economy to turn around.

Bev: Your last full album came out in 2001, right?

RLG: Yes, it was called Careful What You Wish For and we released a video for it. It did well on American radio. It connected well with my core audience and I co-produced it with the legendary Barry Beckett, Andy Gore and Steve Crawford. It was an album that was a little on the edge of rock ‘n’ roll/country and allowed me to sing ballads and basically said, “Here I am.”
We took the second single and video to Europe. It’s great to have a market there and still be alive in America. Doing this broadened our fan base beyond our expectations. It was so gratifying to have all the European markets embrace the music as they did.

Bev: I read that you selected each song because they had a special message. Do you look for songs like that? Do try to find songs that have special messages for your fans?

RLG: ABSOLUTELY! You can’t do a song unless you’ve lived it! Even if I sing blues, I try to make it happy. I love the old music and I listen to the songs and the ones that I connect to are the ones I have lived a piece of, so I think to connect to my own fans and be able to perform a song and do it right, I feel like I have to be the song. So to answer you on the special message, yes, each song has to posses that quality.

Bev: How have you changed as an artist through all that you’ve done?

RLG: When you first start this business it’s almost as if you’re a freshman in high school and you have those “freshman jitters.” In 1993, when I was singing rock ’n’ roll, it became so cut-throat that I got out of it. You just have to feel comfortable, and that’s why I got out. The most important thing I’ve learned with your first record you gain friends, with the sophomore you gain more experience. I became a better singer, and then this last record I’ve gained knowledge. Your styles and song choosing match these changes. Especially now when I can sing more songs that I have lived. Besides musically, you gain knowledge about the business and that you stand in line and know what to wait for and it’s all about recognition in this business. The greatest thing, though, is my improvement with my vocals.

Bev: What did it mean to be asked to be a part of the recent Mel McDaniel benefit concert?

RLG: It made me think this is the way things should be—so many different artists showed up to honor this man and be there for him. The camaraderie was great. All the fans of the different artists came together to make the benefit work. We had everyone from Jim Ed Brown and David Ball, to Little Jimmy Dickens and Tommy Tutone! The love in that room was amazing. There were people in the crowd there for support that made it so special. George Jones’ wife came out. I just was so glad to be a part of it.

Bev: Are you still producing, I know you were, for awhile, with Darryl Dasher.

RLG: I’m still with Darryl; he’s one of my projects. I’m producing the developmental end of the songwriting, studio work and the whole gamut of the preparatory work. Darryl is more contemporary gospel. I help get him on stage and in front of people, then we critique the performances. He’ll be a big star.

Bev: Is there a piece of advice that you would like to pass on? Especially those who are new to the business?

RLG: The best advice, without writing a book, is to be careful and be persistent, especially if you’re serious. It’s good to be careful because there isn’t any danger or negativity that you can look out for, and if singing is really what you want to do, you’ve got to be persistent. Make sure you have your mind set (to) thinking there is no turning back. If you have to go back to what you were doing, that is a thing called fate. If it turns back, it wasn’t your decision, it was fate. Don’t give up.

Bev: What was your most embarrassing moment?

RLG: [Laughs] I’ve just got so many! I was doing a gig in Dallas Texas, and right above the drums was an aluminum bar attached from one side of drums to the other. That night, the lighting company that set the lights up didn't use that bar. During a song, when the guitar took their solo, I grabbed the light truss and worked my way down to the aluminum bar. I hung my legs over the bar and sang upside down, facing the audience. After about 60 seconds on the bar, my 200 pounds-plus began to bend the aluminum bar—it eventually bent, and I fell entirely on the drums—breaking the tom-toms off, knocking the cymbals over, causing physical distress. But, through it all, the drummer, Joel Parks, with his snare and kick only (the only two things left standing) played through the song, and I kept singing, and I finished the song, despite the most major-league mishap you could have on stage. I give credit to determination, and as the saying goes, "The show must go on."

Bev: Has there ever been an interview where you have been asked a question you just didn’t want to answer?

RLG: I’ve had some ridiculous questions, anything from “boxers or briefs” to how the corn is going to do this year? Apparently the public is concerned on what Ricky Lynn thinks the weather is going to do or how the corn will grow [laughs].

Bev: Any pre-stage rituals you do?

RLG: I get in the shower and I meditate, then go in t

o do the same routine of washing my hair and my body, dry off the same arm. Same everything in the same order. I am like MONK. (laughing) Then I shave and start this process of getting dressed. It throws me off if something is not in order. I say a little prayer before I begin.

Bev: Have I missed anything or is there anything I did not ask you about that you wanted to make sure we talked about?

RLG: No, you have asked a lot of great questions and I really appreciate this time we have spent together. Thank you for taking time to visit with me.

For more information on Ricky Lynn Gregg visit http://www.rickylynngregg.com. Also, catch Ricky Lynn in the Sept. 14 issue of Country Weekly on newsstands beginning Sept. 7.

INTERVIEW: Darius Rucker for "Alright"

Darius Rucker and co-writer Frank Rogers recently took a little time out to visit with media during the #1 celebration for "Alright", Rucker’s third straight #1 hit song off of his current project. Members of the media were invited to a private Q & A session prior to the awards presentation at ASCAP on August 25th.
Q. I would like to know a little more about the hospitalization stories that revolve around this song.
DR: [laughs] We started to write the song, the first verse, and I wasn’t feeling good and went to the hospital to find out I had an infection that started in my knee. Then with the second verse we had my neighbor’s and their kids over. We have this big fish tank and I was in the other room and I heard a loud crash. My neighbor’s kid had pulled the fish tank over and it landed on her face. It’s crazy that every time we get together some disaster happens. This song took two disasters for us to write it.
Q. How did you guys get together to write this song?
DR: There’s a song on the record called “All I want” and Frank was sent out to me so I could meet him to decided if he would produce the record or not. When he came out we were sitting around talking and we wrote “All I Want”, but I didn’t want to record it. When we started writing a lot Frank told me he hadn’t written for years and we had so many wonderful things coming from it. I just wondered why he hadn’t written for so long. When creating this record it wasn’t about getting #1’s; it was about a career, it was about being able to produce another record. I thought we created a special record and a lot of “special records” people don’t ever hear, I thought I was going to be put in that category. To be able to sell a million records now, when selling a million records means something, that’s something special.
Q. Are you already looking ahead to this next year with things you want to accomplish?
DR: We’re already looking to put out another record, but we’re not in any rush to get to the studio. We’ll go when we’re ready.
Q. As a golf fan and you touring all over the country, are there any courses you’ve sought out and hope to go back again?
DR: Yeah every day. I’ve been able to play with Joe Don Rooney [from Rascal Flatts] a few times. It’s pretty easy to get to play on a course when you play with a guy from Rascal Flatts. We play some pretty nice courses and that’s one of the best things about touring.
Q. What is your favorite course?
DR: AUGUSTA! We’ll just leave it at that. There’s no other course like Augusta.
Q. How does the third number one feel compared to the first number one coming into the country music format?
DR: I didn’t actually think that they were going to be #1’s, but this third one it was more special because it was like I was really part of the family.
Q. With three number ones do you feel like you’re no longer an outsider?
DR: Absolutely! I feel more like a country artist than anything else. I’m happy to be where I am.
Q. With college football right around the corner, do you have any predictions?
DR: I’d say Florida. They’ll go undefeated.
Q. Any predictions for NFL?
DR: I’m going to go with the Patriots and the Sea Hawks.
Q. What makes you and Frank such a good team, speaking of teams?
DR: Well first Frank wants me to sing and secondly when I get bored doing a vocal he knows exactly what to say. Most of the stuff you hear on the record comes from Frank and what he has said. We just get along really well and when we first met it was like we had known each other our entire lives.
Q. You’ve had quite the busy week with your platinum party and the Opry, but what has been most memorable to you?
DR: Last night playing the show at the Opry; seeing people stand up for an hour and a half at the Opry was pretty amazing. The highlight however will be tonight when I stand up behind that sign that says WSM on the Grand Ole Opry stage and sing my three songs.

For more information on Darius Rucker visit www.dariusrucker.com

For additional photos of the event visit http://www.digitalrodeo.com/drphotos/photos/album/DariusRucker1CelebrationatASCAPforAlright

MUSIC ROW MAGAZINE: Charlie Daniels Headlines NSAI Benefit

Pictured (L-R): AristoMedia President Jeff Walker; NSAI Executive Director Bart Herbison; Charlie Daniels' Manager/Co-owner Blue Hat Records David Corlew; Daniels; Daly and BMI Vice President, Writer/Publisher Relations Jody Williams. Photo Credit: Bev Moser

Charlie Daniels Band headlined the second concert in NSAI’s “It All Begins With A Song” Performance Series at the Wildhorse Saloon on Thursday night (8/27). The packed house was treated to a few tunes by Old Union prior to an energetic performance by the CDB, which included hits “Long Haired Country Boy,” “The South’s Gonna Do It Again” and the gospel classic “How Great Thou Art.” As the night concluded, Daniels was presented with BMI MillionAir Awards for one million performances of “The South’s Gonna Do It Again,” “In America,” “Drinking My Baby Goodbye,” and four million performances of “The Devil Went Down to Georgia.” He also received specially autographed lyrics of the “Tennessee Waltz” from NSAI for his contributions to the music industry. During the band’s final song, “The Devil Went Down to Georgia,” the CDB was accompanied by Pro Golfer John Daly.

HFA Publisher Services Team Lead Danielle Boone was pleased to be on hand to applaud her former boss – she worked for CDB Music, LLC prior to joining HFA.

Pictured from left to right: Bob Regan (Legislative Chair NSAI and songwriter), Charlie Daniels, Danielle Boone (HFA Publisher Services Team Lead) and Barton Herbison (Executive Director, NSAI). Photo: Bev Moser

INTERVIEW: The Bellamy Brothers and The Bacon Brothes "Guilty Of The Crime"

The Bellamy Brothers, well known country duo for their hit song “Let Your Love Flow” have teamed up with the Bacon Brothers (Kevin who alone is a well established movie actor and Michael an accomplished film and TV composer, and together have had a band for 15 years.) with a new single titled “Guilty of the Crime” as well as a new video. The video was filmed at a prison in Memphis, TN and features the Beverly Hills 90210 star Shannen Doherty.

The two sets of brothers were in Nashville on Tuesday September 1st and invited media to join them for a private invitation meet and greet and interview prior to their performance on the Grand Ole Opry.

Q.The most excited thing everyone in the room is looking forward to is seeing all four of you on the Grand Ole Opry tonight. Could I have each of you share your comments on sharing the Opry stage this evening?
A.(Michael) I never expected in my whole life I would be playing at the Grand Ole Opry and I think it is going to be one of the most amazing experiences I have ever had. When you do anything live, and this is live radio, anything can happen, so we hope nothing bad happens.
A.(Kevin) It has taken the grace of the Bellamy Brothers to get a couple boys from Philly down here and play with them. Michael used to live here and I remember being a little boy and standing outside the Ryman and the whole experience would blow me away because it was like nothing I had ever seen growing up. For me it is one of the things, I guess like my own Bucket List I can check off.
A.(Bellamy Brothers) For us it is quite a feat. We do not get to play at the Opry as often as some artist so each time is very meaningful and special and to do it with the Bacon Brothers makes it even more special to us.

Q.What is one of the biggest surprises in doing all of this that you really did not
expect when you started this?
A. (Michael) We really did not expect anything! (laughter) We met each other at
Sturgis, SD and hung out and they asked us to collaborate on a song and we did; a few months went by and they called and said “Hey let’s shoot this video for the song” and we did. We have had a great time, and they have treated us like buddies and we felt like we wanted to be a part of the promotion, so they asked us to come down.
(Bellamy Brothers) There has not been any grand strategy. We were pleased and surprised by the Bacon’s passion for the music.

Q.Los Angeles and Nashville are two very different creative communities that do not often work well together. How big of a potential do you see for the filming and recording to be blended?
A. (Kevin) For myself, I always try and keep the two things separate. I will get ideas
pitched to me in the acting side where they have a script where I get to sing, but
the song stinks and would not do any justice to me; and on the flip side I try to keep the music separate.
A. (Michael) I like to see music based shows when they work, but I do not have any
idea how much of an audience there is for that. I do not know if there is a
marriage for the two right now. I started to compose and write music when I lived
in Nashville and I love the songwriting aspect.
A. (Bellamy Brothers) We are about to celebrate our 35th Anniversary in the music
business and we are very song driven people, so this project in particular was
refreshing for us.

Q. How did Shannon Doherty become involved?
A. (Bellamy Brothers) My wife has a friend who is a very close friend of Shannon’s
and when it came time for the video shoot and we needed a female actress she
called her and it all just fell into place.

Q. Is there a story about the selection of the song you choose to collaborate on?
A. (Bellamy Brothers) No, we simply liked the song and it worked well with the
Bacon Brother’s. Hopefully this will bring some of our people and our fans to
them and vice versa. And in fact we just cut one of their songs.

Q. Can you talk a little bit about the experience of making the video? Was it fun?
Were there any incidences that happened?
A. (Kevin) Well I wandered into an area I was not supposed too. And keep in mind,
this was a real, working prison. The guards did not tell me I was not supposed to
be there, maybe they were embarrassed or whatever; I noticed it was very loud
and it was not long and they took me back over to the area I was supposed to be
in. There was also a time I had pulled my hand out of my pocket and I dropped a
twenty dollar bill on the ground and a prisoner actually handed it back to me,
which I felt was pretty cool considering where I was.

Q. How much input did you actually have on the treatment and the outcome of the
video?
A.(Bellamy Brothers) When we initially spoke with the director (Laura Lyness) we
initially talked about a different scenario, not a real working prison. Then she sent
us the idea of a girl in a jail cell and it kept evolving from the initial concept.
Making a video is not set in stone, it is more about the lighting and getting
everyone to remember words and the rest just falls into place.

Q. With all the pressures of being a duo, and in light of the announcement of the split
of Brooks and Dunn, you have been together 35 and 15 years respectively;
how have you kept it together?
A. (Michael) We do get on each others nerves at times and we are brothers, so we are
going to fight, but in the same breathe, there is a built in sense of respect and
integrity and we both know where the lines are.

Q. Kevin, I wanted to ask you specifically, what does music fulfill for you that
perhaps the acting does not?
A. I do not know that I play music because it is not something I am not getting from
the acting. I play music because it comes to me, it is in my head and I feel that if
you write a song and you play it for your brother or your family and there is point
where you have a need to play it for other people as well. We had the option of
recording and putting a band together and actually doing that. Michael was
already in a career in the music business when we did that so it was a natural way
to evolve for us. We play very small venues that are intimate. I guess I just
happen to have two separate ways of expressing things; one is acting and the other
is through music.

Q. What part of being brothers makes you good collaborators? Do you think it helps
influence the ability to collaborate over an act that is not family?
A. (Bellamy Brothers) I believe there is a natural telepathy that goes along with
being brothers. I can make the same mistake on stage as my brother while he is
making it, which is a strange thing. The other is communication, which is tighter
than even I realize it is at times (especially after working together so long). Our
parents taught us from a very early age about working together and those ethics
remain with us to this day.
A. (Kevin) I agree there is a lot of unspoken DNA. You have different voices, but yet
there is a special blend that compliments the other like no one else can.
A. (Michael) I think respect is the stronger thing. What a lot of people do not realize
is that my brother writes most of the songs for us, and that is something I respect
about him. We go through many of the same experiences and he will write a song,
then play it for me and I will think to myself “I was there for that” and it makes it
that more special.

Q. Was there a reason you chose the Memphis prison?
A. (Bellamy Brothers) We were initially thinking about the old prison here in
Nashville, but our director and crew were in Memphis and Kevin was on one coast and Michael in New York, so really it was more about logistics. The other thing is, but what we did not know initially was that Shannon Doherty is from Memphis. That was probably a part of the reason we were able to get her for the part; as she was able to spend some time at home.

Q. (Directed to the Bacon brothers) Have you thought about collaborating and
writing for a musical or play?
A. (Kevin) We bounced around the thought of a Broadway play, but the thought did
not last long. It is very hard. In the two films I directed, Michael scored them. He
is an amazing composer and has massive amounts of musical talent which was
great to collaborate with him in that aspect, but to do some sort of a musical or
play is not something we have a desire to do.

Q. Kevin, the Opry is a tough audience, a demanding audience. Is there a point in
your performance when you know that you can look out into the audience and you
know you have them looking at you as Kevin Bacon the singer, and not Kevin
Bacon the actor?
A. No. I think one of the things about live music is it gives you butterflies. Working
on a movie set is like a safe place because you can go back and do it again and
again. Playing music to a live audience you cannot do that. There is always a
certain amount of fear that goes with that.

Q. Do you feel more comfortable going on stage with the Bellamy Brothers?
A. (Kevin) Absolutely. We have them with us, we are singing their song and have
their band, so it makes it much easier.

Q. Can you tell us the songs that you will be performing tonight on the Opry?
A. (Bellamy Brothers) We will be playing “If I Said You Had A Beautiful Body”,
then bring Kevin and Michael out to do “Guilty of the Crime” and then they will
do a very special version of “Let Your Love Flow” with us. I think the hard part
of doing a show like the Opry, is there is not really time to develop a sound, you
get two three songs and you are off the stage. In a normal show you usually take
the first several songs to warm up and get settled down, and here you do not have
that liberty.

Q. Have you all discussed doing something together again in the future?
A. (Kevin) Sure. The guys have already cut one of our songs called “All Strung Out
On You” and we have talked about future things as well.

Q. (Directed to the Bellamy Brothers) You have done songs with the Forrester
Sisters and now the Bacon brothers, what is next?
A. (Bellamy Brothers) (joking) The brothers and sisters album (laughter) Howard and
I are still open to doing music of any kind. We get bored if we are off the road for
long.

Q. Are you going to let Noah and Jesse open up for you?
A. Yes, we have already had them open for us on several shows and in different
countries and we love that.

Q. Can you both share some things about your respective latest or upcoming albums?
A. (Michael) Ours is called “New Years Day” and is about moving away from home
and missing an event on New Years Day.
A. (Bellamy Brothers) Ours is called “The Anthology, Vol. 1” and with next year
being our 35th Anniversary, this album consists of thirteen number one songs, five
musicals and two duets; the one with the Bacon Brothers and then one with Cliff
Richard. We hope to also write a book for the anniversary and of course follow up
with a Vol. 2 album. We want to try and get two or three years out of celebrating
the anniversary.

Q. What is next for the promotion of this current single and video?
A. (Bellamy Brothers) Howard and I are headed to Wisconsin tomorrow. We thought
we would do this press conference, bring everyone together at one time and then
perform on the Opry. We do not have anything else at the moment planned for the
promotion, but you never k now.

For more information on the Bellamy Brothers visit http://www.bellamybrothers.com/

For more information on the Bacon Brothers visit www.myspace.com/TheBaconBrothers

Additional photos are available at http://www.flickr.com/photos/momentsbymoser/sets/72157622088295351/

Charlie Daniels Headlines NSAI Benefit

Sarah Skates • September 1, 2009

Pictured (L-R): AristoMedia President Jeff Walker; NSAI Executive Director Bart Herbison; Charlie Daniels' Manager/Co-owner Blue Hat Records David Corlew; Daniels; Daly and BMI Vice President, Writer/Publisher Relations Jody Williams. Photo Credit: Bev Moser

Charlie Daniels Band headlined the second concert in NSAI’s “It All Begins With A Song” Performance Series at the Wildhorse Saloon on Thursday night (8/27). The packed house was treated to a few tunes by Old Union prior to an energetic performance by the CDB, which included hits “Long Haired Country Boy,” “The South’s Gonna Do It Again” and the gospel classic “How Great Thou Art.” As the night concluded, Daniels was presented with BMI MillionAir Awards for one million performances of “The South’s Gonna Do It Again,” “In America,” “Drinking My Baby Goodbye,” and four million performances of “The Devil Went Down to Georgia.” He also received specially autographed lyrics of the “Tennessee Waltz” from NSAI for his contributions to the music industry. During the band’s final song, “The Devil Went Down to Georgia,” the CDB was accompanied by Pro Golfer John Daly.

HFA Publisher Services Team Lead Danielle Boone was pleased to be on hand to applaud her former boss – she worked for CDB Music, LLC prior to joining HFA. Pictured from left to right: Bob Regan (Legislative Chair NSAI and songwriter), Charlie Daniels, Danielle Boone (HFA Publisher Services Team Lead) and Barton Herbison (Executive Director, NSAI). Photo: Bev Moser