Grammy Nominations Bring A Nod

I’m usually one to shake my head and roll my eyes when awards nominations are announced. As the Grammy nominees were released today, I was actually raising my eyebrows, with a bit of a smile.

Tanya Tucker, Willie Nelson, Reba McEntire, Dolly Parton, Rosanne Cash, Vince Gill… all on the list for Grammy nods. Did we turn the clock back 30 years? Nope. It’s a testament to the resilience and relevance of country artists of previous decades who focus more on good music and less on what’s going to be ‘a hit.’

Tanya was nominated for overall Song of the Year, Best Country Solo Performance and Best Country Song with “Bring My Flowers Now” as well as Best Country Album for “While I’m Livin’.”

Tanya will be going head-to-head with Willie for Best Country Solo Performance, which includes Willie’s “Ride Me Back Home.”

Reba McEntire got a nod for Best Country Album with “Stronger Than The Truth.”

There’s no sign of slowing down for Dolly Parton, who has a nomination for Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song for her collaboration with for King & Country on “God Only Knows.” She also has a second nomination, which is for Best Song Written For Visual Media, “Girl In The Movies” that Dolly wrote with Linda Perry for the movie, “Dumplin’.”

Rosanne and Vince will be going head-to-head for Best American Roots Song. Rosanne’s “Crossing To Jerusalem” co-written with her husband, John Leventhal, goes against Vince’s “I Don’t Wanna Ride The Rails No More.”

Looking at the list of nominations also reminded me of how the last two years have been huge for Brandi Carlile, not just as a singer, but also as a songwriter, producer, collaborator and an overall do-er. Brandi was a producer for Tanya Tucker’s album, “While I’m Living’” as well as co-songwriter for Song of the Year & Best Country Song nominee, Tanya’s “Bring My Flowers Now.” Brandi was also nominated for Best Country Duo/Group Performance with Maren Morris on Maren’s “Common.”

I also need to give a nod to recognition for Ashley McBryde, who was nominated for Best Country Solo Performance and Best Country Song for “Girl Goin’ Nowhere.”

A few other ladies to be recognized for Grammy nominations include the Pistol Annies with Best Country Album for “Interstate Gospel” and Natalie Hemby and Lori McKenna for some songwriting credits.

Entries now being accepted for 10th Annual Mountain Soul Vocal Competition in Sevierville

Sevierville, Tenn. - [February 11, 2014] - The anticipation has begun as the Sevierville Chamber of Commerce announced today that the entry period for the 10^th Annual Mountain Soul Vocal Competition, celebrating the legendary songwriting of Sevierville’s favorite daughter, Dolly Parton, is now open. The national competition, part of Sevierville’s annual Bloomin’ BBQ & Bluegrass event on May 16-17, 2014, invites vocalists to record themselves singing one of Dolly’s original songs (there are more than 3,000) in their own style for the chance to take home cash, prizes, and even a professional recording session in Nashville, Tennessee.

“We’re proud of the fact that the Mountain Soul Vocal Competition is the only vocal competition in the world that specifically honors the songwriting of Dolly Parton,” says Amanda Maples Marr, Marketing Director, Sevierville Chamber of Commerce. “Not only is it an appropriate tribute to our hometown icon, but it also shines a positive spotlight on Sevierville.”

The Mountain Soul Vocal Competition includes two age divisions:  13-and-up and 12-and-under. Interested vocalists may obtain an application online at www.BloominBBQ.com or by calling the Sevierville Chamber of Commerce at 1-888-889-7415. A completed application and entry fee must be returned along with an audition tape, CD, VHS or DVD to the Sevierville Chamber of Commerce by Friday April 11, 2014, to be considered. 

All entries will be judged by a panel of entertainment professionals who will identify 30 finalists (20 in the 13+ category and 10 in the 12 and under category). Those finalists will then perform during the Mountain Soul Vocal Competition finals at Bloomin’ Barbeque & Bluegrass on Saturday, May 17, 2014, at the Sevier County Courthouse near the bronze statue of Dolly Parton.

For a complete list of Dolly’s songs, competitors can visit www.dollymania.net. More information about the Mountain Soul Vocal Competition and Bloomin’ Barbeque & Bluegrass can be found by visiting www.BloominBBQ.com.


[Note:  It is not necessary, nor is it permitted, for competitors to impersonate Dolly Parton, either physically or vocally.]

Dolly Parton - Better Day

In the 44 years since her first album, Hello, I'm Dolly, was released, Dolly Parton has continued to reinvent herself to the latest generation without changing either her music or herself. With her 41st studio release, Better Day, Dolly brings more of the same countrified brightness as only she can. All of the songs are penned by Dolly, who seems to still be underrated for her songwriting skills. The greatest thing is that she's still able to incorporate the old country/bluegrass sound while making it sound mainstream enough to catch the non-country listener's ear.

While the songs are all written by Dolly, they're not all new. The first single, "Together You and I", is actually a remake of a song she had recorded with her former mentor and duet partner Porter Wagoner for their 1974 LP, Porter 'n' Dolly. This version, however, has a new tempo and has been updated to suit today's country music sound. Other tracks include "Holding Everything", which was recorded by Alabama lead singer Randy Owen; "Missing You" was originally recorded by Dolly for the film "First Dog"; and "I Just Might", "Shine Like The Sun", "Get Out", and "Let Love Grow" were all songs Dolly had written for her Tony-nominated score of "9 to 5-The Musical.

Take a listen to a few songs:
Together You & I:


Country Is As Country Does:


Get Out & Stay Out:

Dolly Parton to be honored during Grammy Week

There will be a flurry of Grammy related events to surround the awards show. On Saturday, February 12th, the Recording Academy will honor Dolly Parton with a Lifetime Achievement Award. She joins fellow honorees Julie Andrews, Roy Haynes, Juilliard String Quartet, The Kingston Trio, Ramones, and George Beverly Shea. Also being honored at the invitation-only event in Los Angeles will be Trustees Award winners Al Bell, Wilma Cozart Fine and Bruce Lundvall; and Technical Grammy winners Roger Linn and Waves Audio.

A day prior to that, Friday, February 11th, Barbra Streisand will be honored as the 2011 MusiCares Person of the Year at a special event celebrating her exceptional artistic achievements as well as her philanthropic work. LeAnn Rimes will be among the performers, which also includes Bebe Winans, Tony Bennett, Seal, Donna Summer, Stevie Wonder, Jeff Beck, Herbie Hancock, Diana Krall, Barry Manilow and Kristin Chenoweth. Proceeds from the event at the Los Angeles Convention Center will support MusiCares, which ensures that music people have a place to turn in times of need.

The Grascals & Dolly Parton raise awareness for childhood cancer

Nashville, TN – In a rare occasion of combined efforts, Nashville’s music community is gathering is support of “I AM STRONG,” a song drawing awareness to the childhood cancer epidemic.

Two versions of “I AM STRONG” have been recorded.  Version 1 includes award-winning, Grammy-nominated group, The Grascals, with special guest Dolly Parton.  Version 2 includes The Grascals, Dolly Parton, Randy Owen, Joe Nichols, Darryl Worley, Terri Clark, Charlie Daniels, Tom T. Hall, The Oak Ridge Boys and Steven Seagal.

A music video was directed by cancer survivor David Corlew of d. corlew films and is already gaining much notoriety.



About “I AM STRONG” and its origin:
"I AM STRONG," was written by Grascals’ band member Jamie Johnson and his wife Susanne Mumpower-Johnson along with Jenee Fleenor after The Grascals visited the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital® in Memphis and were inspired by the stories and power of the children being treated there. "I Am Strong" is powerful in its message and artistic vision and brings together vocals from all of the artists who also appear separately with The Grascals on other tracks on this CD.

In honor of the children and this song, Cracker Barrel is donating a percentage of the proceeds from this CD to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.  The album, The Grascals & Friends - Country Classics With A Bluegrass Spin, has 13 country music songs on it that you have probably heard before, but most likely not like this.  The Grascals bring their own bluegrass style to the tunes and bring the different tracks to life with eight of their friends, including Brad Paisley, Dierks Bentley, Charlie Daniels and Dolly Parton.  The Grascals & Friends - Country Classics With A Bluegrass Spin will be available on January 10th, 2011, exclusively at all Cracker Barrel locations.