Category: Country Music

She was named after a country legend (Tammy Wynette) because her mother liked the sound of it. Now Tammy Wynette Graham is on her way to making a name for herself in country music. Her debut CD, simply titled Tammy Graham (Career/Arista Records) is winning fans the world over. Tammy Graham spoke with us about her life in music. Q – In looking at the credits listed on the inside of your CD, there are a lot of people who were involved in the recording of this project. Besides the…

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Since their 1987 major label debut, Shenandoah has earned the Academy of Country Music’s 1991 “Vocal Group of the Year” Award, as well as the 1989 “Favorite Newcomer” Award in the Nashville Network’s Viewer’s Choice polls. They were also voted “Group of the Year” in Radio and Records’ 1989 annual readers’ poll. And to top things off, the band received two 1989 Country Music Association nominations for the “Vocal Group of the Year” and the “Horizon” awards, along with Cashbox Magazine’s “Country Vocal Group of the Year” Award. Sometimes referred…

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He was the very first winner of USA Networks hit reality show “Nashville Star”. He captured 65% of the nationwide voting, beating out all other contestants including Miranda Lambert by over 2 million votes on the final episode! His self-titled Columbia Records debut release went to number one on the Billboard Top Country Album Charts and was certified Gold later that same year producing two back-to-back Top Five hits with “Sweet Southern Comfort” and “Help Pour Out The Rain (Lacey’s Song)”. Both songs were certified by the RIAA as having…

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“Let Me Love You Tonight” has been riding high on the charts these past few months. For PPL it has proven to be a major breakthrough. We talked with Michael Reilly, the group’s bassist/singer. Q – Pure Prairie League started out Country didn’t they? Now you’ve changed your style and approach. A – Back in the early 70s country was big. We’re trying to expand our musical direction. More Rock ‘n’ Roll and R&B things are startin’ to come out. We don’t have a steel guitar anymore. “Let Me Love…

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At the age of nine, Tommy Sands was singing. By the time he was 17, he had his first hit record, ‘Teenage Crush.” From being a teen idol to an actor, Tommy Sands has done it all. Q – Tommy, you were once referred to as “One of the more talented of the Presley imitators.” Were you, in anyway trying to imitate Elvis? A – I think there might have been a subconscious influence there, because I liked him so much. I can say that honestly now without any loss…

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Evangeline formed in 1988. This New Orleans based band is now the first act on Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville Records, a new label marketed through MCA Nashville. Sharon Leger plays bass and washboard for Evangeline, and we spoke with her about the group. Q – You and two other members of the group, Rhonda and Kathleen, are original members. What happens when you bring in 2 other people into the group? Do they share the same goals as you? A – We just really went out on the hunt to find…

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He was named the American Idol on May 24th, 2006, to a world-wide audience of some 200 million television viewers. He was named the “Hottest Bachelor” by People Magazine for 2006, appearing on the publication’s cover. His debut single “Do I Make You Proud” debuted on Billboard’s Hot 100 charts in the number one slot! His debut album was released on December 12th, 2006, debuting at the number two spot on the Billboard Hot 200 chart. It was certified platinum on January 17th, 2007. This Spring, Random House will release…

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Everybody’s talking about Rhonda Vincent! Billboard magazine has said Rhonda is “too good to be mortal.” When Grand Ole Opry’s Jim Ed Brown saw her perform on the “You Can Be A Star” talent show he offered her a job on the spot. Music critic J.D. Kleinly wrote, “Depending on your mood when you hear her, you’re either inspired to throw your head back and dare to try to sing along, or else you clamp your jaw shut out of shame, vowing never to pretend to sing again.” Nashville’s Jack…

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Back in 1965, a young singer by the name of Billy Joe Royal hit the charts with a catchy song called “Down In The Boondocks.” Other songs followed — “Hush”, “I Knew You When” and “The Greatest Love.” Billy learned up with Dick Clark’s Cavalcade of Stars, made some movies with people like Bill Bixby and Robert Culp, cut some TV commercials, and even tried the Vegas scene. This year finds Billy back to recording again. His new album can be found on Kat Family Records, distributed by C.B.S. Records.…

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Their music is often described as Western Swing. They’ve released more than 20 albums, charting more than 20 singles in the process on the Billboard Charts. Far from being “Asleep At The Wheel”, group leader Ray Benson is fully in charge! Ray spoke with us about his group. Q – Did you like performing at the 2008 New York State Fair? A – Oh, it was great. It was hot. (Laughs). We had a great crowd. Q – I take it you haven’t been through Syracuse before. A – Oh,…

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