AugSept2007Archives

fall on September 1st.

Get to know Jeff Griffith as he
speaks from the heart and
answers questions about
performing at a young age, his
music career, and his new single
"If It Ain't One Thing It's Another"
which is also the title of his country
music album.

Question: Which songs were you
singing in local clubs when you
were 15 years old?
Jeff: Anything by Hank Williams
Jr., Merle Haggard, and George
Jones.

Question: What was it like for
you recording in Nashville?
Jeff: Unbelievable!
Question: What advice do you
have for the singers and
songwriters starting out today in
the music business?
Jeff: Don't give up and always
remember where you came from.
Question: Why did you choose
the song title "If It Ain't One Thing
It's Another" as the title of your
album?
Jeff: It's a saying that everyone
can relate to.
Question: Which song is your
favorite on this album?
Jeff: I don't have one. They all
have a special meaning in one
way or another.
Question: Do you have any
favorite road stories?
Jeff: Not Yet!!!
T R

As the feature writer for The East Texas Opry,
Shelley Anderson aka "Texas Red" shares her
enthusiasm for Country Music and reports on local,
state, and national entertainers, musicians,and
record producers who have contributed and
influenced Country Music.

"Texas Red" has been in the music business for
14 years singing and entertaining on stage
for audiences in North Carolina, Indiana, Michigan
and Texas. She is also a songwriter and currently
working on her next country music album.

Shelley Anderson is back in her home state of
Texas where she says she is "Home For Good".
TR

Record Label Strategy:
Country Music: Marketing To
Parents with Kids

Record labels have adjusted the
marketing wheel recognizing that their
targeted audience doesn't just consist of
teenagers or young adults in their early
20's anymore. Fortunately for us the
record labels are being forced to try other
angles in music to compete not only with
each other but with the intruding internet
just to stay in business.
New country music song titles such as
Last Dollar (fly Away) sung by Tim
McGraw, Would You go With Me sung by
Josh Turner, and Watching You sung by
Rodney Atkins with their respective music
videos are perfect examples of record
labels tyring to market to parents with
small kids.
These songs reflecting family life in my
opinion better balance the scales in true
country music. This new approach with
interest in family values gives me hope for
the future. Yes, a great song is one that
audiences can relate to. So anyone
should be able to hear music that reflect
family values and the establishment roots
that made our country great. Think about
it, we can relate to that!
I have personally talked with many
musicians and artists that have started
families and are frankly tired of the same
old side of country music. They have no
difficulty setting a standard for themselves
and choosing to take a back seat even
leaving the music scene altogether
because of heavy drinking, sex, and
drugs in the business. They refuse to
pass that misery and lifestyle on to their
children.
I have to say that it's refreshing to be able
to put in a CD at family gatherings and
not worry about adult content and
behavior that will compromise what I know
as appropriate. Because of this shift in
country music it should be easier to find
great entertainment in music on the
shelves! Hey, there's still fun to be had in
music, you just have to look in the right
place.
T R

Strait To Hollywood
George Strait "Needs To Do It
Again"

When you think of pure country music,
wrangler pressed jeans and starched shirt,
Resistol cowboy hats, Justin boots, even
Gibson guitars, you think of George Strait,
right?

George Strait is the picture perfect rodeo
cowboy and perfect match for Hollywood
with a few exceptions: he is a Texan, a true
gentleman, happily married, an army
veteran, and overall the real deal.
But Hollywood can't deny that our Texas
friend is not only country music's greatest
star, but a movie star in the true sense of
the word. George Strait has the same
magnetic qualities as legend John Wayne
"The Duke".

Mr. Strait's first movie,
Pure Country , featuring
some of his classic
country hits to include
Amarillo By Morning
and I Cross My Heart,
is a must have for your
movie collection.

New member of Country Music Hall of
Fame, George Strait, in an interview with
CMA Close Up News , reporter Phyllis Stark,
admits he is considering Hollywood once
more to make another movie. He seemed to
enjoy it so much he is ready to "do it again
if the right thing comes along".

Don't know about you, but right now there
aren't many movies out there worth
spending $5 for gas, $7 for a ticket, and $6
for popcorn and a drink! But to see George
Strait on the big screen, I'll pay any price!

T R

Wednesday, September 19 2007
If You Haven't Heard The Song
"If I Die Before I Wake" sung by Dustin Evans, it
is a powerful tribute to the men and women of
the armed forces. This song will instantly bring
tears to your eyes even if you try to hold them
back.

In November 27th 2005 Dustin's popularity was
hurled to the forefront by the military community
beginning with the Pentagon from only the
acoustic version of "If I die Before I Wake". And
like a brush fire the requests began pouring into
the radio stations. Click here to read these
incredible lyrics and to listen to an awesome
tribute to our soldier's!

As a result Dustin Evans, Rick Tiger, Dave
Brainard were invited to Nashville to record a full
studio rendition of this song.

Even today, Dustin Evans is impacting our
country with his patriotism through country music.
Check out his website for other albums at
www.dustinevans.com.
T R