PO Box 271238 Nashville, TN 37227 Email: intlcma@aol.com

Publisher: Scarlett Gremard Editor: Bobbie Patterson

Music Reviews: Rhett Ashley

Music Question # 1

What is Randy Travis' real name? Answer later, in this issue.

George Jones Has New Indie Record Deal

"The Possum" has formed a partnership with former Assylum Record chief Evelyn Shriver. Together with Susan Nader, they have founded Bandid Records. They will be releasing a new Jones album entitled, "Stone Cold Country." His first single is expected, in July.

Tennessee C. M. A. Offers Free Membership

Executive Director, Jean Massengale has announced the Tennessee C. M. A. will be giving free memberships away, at Ambassador Charlie Ray's Nashville Music Festival. It has also been announced Barbara Doss has accepted a postion on their Board of Directors. Ms. Doss has been offered a postion, by another Tennessee country music organization, but had declined it. When asked why she accepted a postion on the board of this association. She replied, "The fact this one doesn't charge for membership was a big factor. It proves they want to help emerging artists, not just take their money. The impeccable reputations & high professionalism of the other board members was the deciding factor."

Faith Hill & Tim McGraw Have A Lot Of Class

The couple showed their true country class, at an expensive Nashville restaurant. About thirty kids in formal attire were having dinner at the Palms, on their graduation prom night. Faith and Tim were having dinner, as well. Imagine the high schoolers' delight when the waiter told them Tim and Faith had picked up their tab! It cost the couple an estimated $1,500 and created a prom night the kids will always remember.

Terri Clark Arrested

On May 2nd. MS Clark was arrested and charged with DUI. She refused to take a blood test, but arresting officers said she failed 3 field tests. A court hearing has been set, for May 24th.

Answer To Music Question # 1

Randy Travis was born in Marshville, NC. The year was 1959 and the name on his birth certificate reads Randy Traywick.

Music Question # 2

What was Hank Williams first number hit and when? Answer later, in this issue.

George Harrison Recovering From Lung Cancer Surgery

The former Beatle had surgery at the Mayo Clinic, in Rochester, MN. In 1997, he fought a battle with throat cancer.

Seminars to be Conducted at Ambassador Charlie Ray’s Nashville Music Festival:

The Business of Songwriting

Dr. Jim Fullen (Newark, OH) about 1 hour Jim is retired from Ohio State University, where he served for several years as professor of “Ethics” and “Logic.” Jim has served several terms as Mayor of his village within Newark, OH. Following the Korean conflict, Jim was signed by Dot Records. A few years later, he married and completed his education. He continued writing songs and operating a publishing company. His seminar will be aimed at answering common questions such as, what a publisher does, what a performance rights organization is and how to join, how to choose a demo service, how to pitch a song, and etc. This seminar will be important to the beginning songwriter.

The Differences in European and American Radio

Rein Wortelboer (Venray,Holland) about 1 hour. Rein serves as an international trouble shooter for the Xerox corporation. He has helped set up remanufacturing plans in France, England, and Mexico. In his free time, he hosts radio programs at his local radio station. His weekly country music program has been on the air more than 10 years. He also hosts a monthly bluegrass program and a gospel program. Rein has spent his annual vacation in the U. S. for several years. He has been awarded their highest honors by the Nebraska Country Music Foundation, the Virginia CMA, the Lone Star State CMA, and the Ohio Country Music Alliance. His seminar will begin by explaining European radio is largely tax payer supported & noncommercial. It will compare this system to privately owned advertiser supported radio, in the U. S. It will point out some of the many differences, this creates. This seminar will be important to people wishing to promote their songs & music to the European radio market.

Entertainment Tax Law

Minette Cline Streeter (Pensacola, FL) -about 2 hours. Ms. Streeter is a professional tax consultant who specializes in income tax as it relates to people in the field of entertainment. Her seminar will cover a range of topics such as deductions for travel, entertainment, professional services, etc. This seminar will explain how to deduct common business expenses such as organization dues, travel expenses, song demo expenses, postage costs, fees paid to song pluggers, promoters, and etc.

Introduction to The Nashville Number System

Col. Keith Bradford (Nashville) -about 1 hour. Keith performed at Opryland, for several seasons, He toured as bass guitarist with Freddie Hart, during his peak years. He spent 16 years touring with Kitty Wells, as her opening act. After leaving Kitty Wells, Keith founded KMA studios, in Madison, TN. This seminar will provide a quick overview of the music writing system used by Nashville studio musicians. This system is much easier learned, than the classical note and bar system used in most other areas. For those interested in learning this simplified system of writing music, Keith will recommend books available through most national bookstore chains.

The History & Evolution Of Country Music

Col. Buster Doss (Estill Springs, TN) -about 1 hour. Buster ran away from home at age 12, and joined a traveling medicine show. He served in the U. S. Navy, during WW II. He was assigned to a special services unit, which entertained the troops. Following the war, he starred in several B westerns as Bronco Buck Cody. In 1949, he joined the Louisiana Hayride. Later, he managed and owned a series of radio stations. In the 1960’s, he became an artist manager. Among his clients were Billy Walker, Billy Grammer, and Sky King. Later, he owned and operated a circus and a series of country music theaters. Currently he owns Stardust Records, one of the best known independent country music record labels, in the industry. Buster's long history and vast experience in entertainment makes him ideal to lead this informative and very entertaining seminar.

The Dos & Don’ts of Song & Promo Kit Presentation

Lt. Colonel Jim Case, (Portland, TN) -about 1 hour. Col. Case has an extensive background in country music. His first national television appearance was in 1954, when he appeared on the Ed Sullivan Show. In 1956, he won the Arthur Godfrey Talent Scout Show. He went on to do a series of military base tours including a 1965 tour of Germany, with Loretta Lynn. They did 38 shows, in only 17 days. He did over a thousand shows in Vietnam and Thailand, during the Vietnam conflict. Returning to the U. S., he started a booking agency and was the first agency to book Mark Collie and Billy Dean. He did the Jimmy Dean television show with Patsy Cline & Roy Clark. Currently, he owns and operates Aaron Records in Portland, TN. His seminar will cover what to do and common mistakes to avoid, when presenting a package to record companies and booking agents. If you are a songwriter presenting a song for review, this is a must attend seminar. If you are an artist sending promo kits to record companies and/or booking agents, you need this information.

The Importance of Production

Jennifer Foxx, (Nashville, TN) -about 1 hour. Jennifer is a well known record promoter. She was the promoter who broke, “He Stopped Loving Her, Today” into the Billboard charts. She was the first promoter hired for Alabama, by Larry Mc Bride. Larry was so pleased with the results, he later hired her to promote his second discovery. They became known as "Atlanta, the Super Group." Jennifer will discuss how crucial a great production is to successful radio promotion.

What Your Local Songwriting Association Can Do For You

Dennis Kahler, President Alabama Songwriters' Guild, Garden City, Al. Dennis is known throughout the songwriting world, from New England to Australia. The editors of the two largest songwriting magazines, in the United States consider him a personal friend. He has had more songs recorded than you can shake a stick at, and has co-writers as far away as South Australia. If you write songs and are not an active member of your local songwriters' association this seminar will explain why you should be. If you are active, it will help you get the most out of it.

How To Write A Press Release

Ambassador Charlie Ray (Nashville, TN) -about 1 hour. Charlie began managing garage bands, while in high school. He soon learned bands are not booked or paid, for their talent. (If you doubt this, explain Tiny Tim.) The number of bookings and the fees paid are entirely based on an acts ability to draw a crowd. Draw power is based on name recognition. The most direct path to local & regional name recognition is newspaper exposure. Since the 1960’s, Charlie has sent out well over a million press releases, for more than a thousand acts and numerous politicians. Through trial, error, experimentation, and careful record keeping he has turned the art of writing press releases into a science. He has been given their states’ highest honors, by governors of eight states. He was appointed Ambassador of Goodwill, by Bill Clinton. This seminar will explain how to avoid the common mistakes and hit the right buttons, to get the newspaper exposure you need.

All seminars will include question and answer periods. Other seminars may be added.

Music Question # 3 What country star was born, in Seminole, TX?

Answer To Music Question # 2

Hank Williams, Sr., hit the top of the charts, in 1949. The song that put him there was, "Lovesick Blues."

Music Reviews

If you would like your CD reviewed, please mail it to, International CMA Music Reviews, Att: Rhett Ashley, P. O. Box 271238, Nashville, TN. 37227

All music will be reviewed, in the order it was received.

Australia, "Better Off Alone," Graem Connors This is as good as it gets. Country music is supposed to make your eyes moist. 5 Stars

England, "Mexican Romance," Joe Clarke, Very good songs & nice music 3 1/2 Stars

Nashville, "Politically Incorrect Redneck," Darren Rhodes, This is a fun song to hear & Darren had fun recording it. 4 Stars

Texas, "The Best Of Robert Oerman," Robert Oerman, The studio was bad. The musicians were bad. The songs were average, but the vocals were good. 1 Star

California, "Trying To Get The Best Out Of Life," R. Barry Knox, The production uses a lot of electronic effects, but they are used very professionally. 3 1/2 Stars

California, "Last Chance," Hunter Payne, Fine vocals and great instrumentation make this a favorite around the office. 4 1/2 Stars

Boston, "This Time Love's For Real," Bob Whitelock, Some of the songs need tweaking, but overall it's a good album. 3 1/2 Stars

Australia, "Morning Star," Stiff Gins, Four versions of the same song. Three are good. The planetary mix is great. Lookout Britney Spears, the Ozzies are coming! 4 1/2 Stars

Canada, "Other Side Of Town," Jessie Tylre Williams, She an appealing natural huskiness in her voice. When she stays with it, she's great. When she strays from it, she's only good. 4 Stars

England, "Bottom Of My Heart," Ethan Allen, Good vocals & an interesting production. 3 Stars

England, "Last Of The Cheap Seats," Cheap Seats, Overall a good project, but you feel it's lacking something you can't quite put your finger on. 3 1/2 Stars

Texas, "Stone Country," Renee Olstead, This is a very talented lady. She deserves a better production. If she could get Jason Hawkins to produce her, it would be a killer combination. 4 Stars

Answer To Music Question # 3 In 1949, Seminole, TX was the birthplace of Larry Gatlin

The USA Songwriting Competition is currently accepting entries. Entrants could win a grand prize of over $50,000 US, in cash, merchandise and exposure. This the largest prize package in any annual songwriting competition. Winners' songs will be heard, on The Acoustic Cafe radio program syndicated to 60+ North American cities. Judges include Warner/Reprise Records, Sony Music, Epic Records, Mars Music Records, and Peer Music. The 15 categories include Pop, Rock, and Country. Enter now and receive free copies of "Performing Songwriter" magazine. For more information, visit www.songwriting.net

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