COUNTRY….on the move!
The Rural Roots Music Commission has
been in existence for about six years now. It was formed in the upper
Midwest by a group of old-time music lovers who wanted to do something
honoring music makers and recording artists that still held gallantly to
the premise that ‘real’ country music should come from the country, and
‘real’ country music should retain the ingredients that made it so
popular in the first place. According to Sheila Everhart who sits on
the Commission, “We can see very plainly what is happening in the
commercial music world, ‘real’ country music is locked out. There is a
‘country’ music, but it has forsaken the ingredients of what ‘country’
music is, and what the word ‘country’ means. So far we’ve been very
fortunate to be able to review and acknowledge the wonderful CD’s that
are till being produced by artists who actually live in the country.
It’s been a fascinating experience just to listen to some of these very
very talented and gifted music makers, and one I really appreciate.”
been in existence for about six years now. It was formed in the upper
Midwest by a group of old-time music lovers who wanted to do something
honoring music makers and recording artists that still held gallantly to
the premise that ‘real’ country music should come from the country, and
‘real’ country music should retain the ingredients that made it so
popular in the first place. According to Sheila Everhart who sits on
the Commission, “We can see very plainly what is happening in the
commercial music world, ‘real’ country music is locked out. There is a
‘country’ music, but it has forsaken the ingredients of what ‘country’
music is, and what the word ‘country’ means. So far we’ve been very
fortunate to be able to review and acknowledge the wonderful CD’s that
are till being produced by artists who actually live in the country.
It’s been a fascinating experience just to listen to some of these very
very talented and gifted music makers, and one I really appreciate.”
As the husband of Sheila, it has been
my good fortune to also sit in on, review, and write about what I call
‘works of art’ coming from artists who do not find the need to travel to
Nashville to make a recording. Some of the material coming out of the
upper Midwest is simply beautiful, but because our record reviews
appears in “Midwest Country News” and “Country Music News International”
we are getting a lot of submissions from outside the upper Midwest.
That makes it even more important. These incredibly gifted musicians,
songwriters, recording artists, vocalists, have been left out of the
music world. Deliberately so. What that means is the ‘real’ country
music is still in the ‘country’ meaning it’s still ‘rural’ America that
still calls the shots on what is and what isn’t ‘real’ country music.
Sometimes referred to as ‘deplorables’ this rural population of America
still knows what they like when it comes to ‘rural’ music.”
my good fortune to also sit in on, review, and write about what I call
‘works of art’ coming from artists who do not find the need to travel to
Nashville to make a recording. Some of the material coming out of the
upper Midwest is simply beautiful, but because our record reviews
appears in “Midwest Country News” and “Country Music News International”
we are getting a lot of submissions from outside the upper Midwest.
That makes it even more important. These incredibly gifted musicians,
songwriters, recording artists, vocalists, have been left out of the
music world. Deliberately so. What that means is the ‘real’ country
music is still in the ‘country’ meaning it’s still ‘rural’ America that
still calls the shots on what is and what isn’t ‘real’ country music.
Sometimes referred to as ‘deplorables’ this rural population of America
still knows what they like when it comes to ‘rural’ music.”
“As the Rural Roots Music Commission
advanced the cause of promoting and publicizing ‘rural’ music over the
past six years, there has been a noticeable change in ‘how’ they
describe the music they are advancing. Formerly known simply as a
‘country music’ CD of the year award with emphasis on content, there has
been a noticeable difference in how the awards are labeled. The words,
‘downhome’ ‘old-time’ ‘traditional’ homegrown’ ‘heritage’ and even
‘vintage’ now appear more frequently on the CD of the Year descriptive
titles. AND, there has been a noticeable increase in the number of CD’s
submitted for review and consideration. It’s a wonderful opportunity
to keep music alive, especially a musical art form that is so typically
all-American in style and nature. It is with some degree of pleasure
and pride that the Rural Roots Music Commission selections for CD of the
Year awards is as follows:
advanced the cause of promoting and publicizing ‘rural’ music over the
past six years, there has been a noticeable change in ‘how’ they
describe the music they are advancing. Formerly known simply as a
‘country music’ CD of the year award with emphasis on content, there has
been a noticeable difference in how the awards are labeled. The words,
‘downhome’ ‘old-time’ ‘traditional’ homegrown’ ‘heritage’ and even
‘vintage’ now appear more frequently on the CD of the Year descriptive
titles. AND, there has been a noticeable increase in the number of CD’s
submitted for review and consideration. It’s a wonderful opportunity
to keep music alive, especially a musical art form that is so typically
all-American in style and nature. It is with some degree of pleasure
and pride that the Rural Roots Music Commission selections for CD of the
Year awards is as follows:
(Single of the Year, Bobby Lewis for
“Hitchhiking Rides to Memories In My Mind”) (Memory CD of the Year, Ken
Mulhus for “Last of the Summer Wine”) (Young Country CD of the Year,
Natalie Gelman “Streetlamp Musician”) (Young Original CD of the Year,
Ted & Alice Miller “Adults Don’t Speak) (Folk-Country CD of the
Year, River Pickers for “Dulcimer Strings & Other Things”)
(Traditional Folk CD of the Year, Jeffrey Messerole for “Halfway Home”)
(Traditional Gospel CD of the Year, Bill Bryant for “Jesus Is Coming
Back Down”) (Traditional Country CD of the Year, Aces & Eights for
“The Heart Of Country Music”) (Traditional Western CD of the Year, Larry
Robertson for “Born To Be Branded”) (Traditional Hillbilly Gospel CD of
the Year, David Green for “Gospel Favorites”) (Traditional Yuletide CD
of the Year, Janine Sherry for “Christmas Songs To You) (Legendary
Gospel CD of the Year, Terry Smith for “Lift Up Your Voice And Sing”)
(Legendary Classic Country CD of the Year, Terry Robbins for “New
Memories”) (Legendary Folk CD of the Year, Alex Smith for “Close To
Home”) (Legendary Honky Tonk CD of the Year, Mike Johnson for “Let Me
Die In A Honky Tonk”) (Real Classic Country Music CD of the Year, Al
Hooper for “Whiskey Bent & Crazy) (Real Traditional Country Music CD
of the Year, Howard Steele for “The Man Behind The Teardrop”) (Real
Country Music CD of the Year, Bobby Darren for “Real Country”) (Real
Folk Music CD of the Year, Mike Felton for “Diamonds & Television”)
(Real Country Gospel CD of the Year, Sandra Krueger for “When We Meet
Again”) (Real Classic Gospel CD of the Year, Glenn & Dottie Tubb for
“Share The Joy Of The Lord”) (Old Time Radio Country CD of the Year,
Little Riddles for “Little Riddles”) (Old Time Gospel CD of the Year,
Reg Benoit for “Love, Tears, & Sacrifice”) (Old Time Western Country
CD of the Year, Jan Schiferl for “The Game Horse”) (Old Time Bluegrass
CD of the Year, K. C. Groves for “Happy Little Trees”) (Acoustic Country
CD of the Year, Dianne Lindsay for “All Things Country”) (Western Music
CD of the Year, Marty Davis for “Legends & Choices) (Cowboy CD of
the Year, Barry Ward for “Welcome Home”) (Classic Country & Western
CD of the Year, Dennis Stroughmatt for “One More Time”) (Down Home
Country CD of the Year, Terry Juhl for “The Good Life”) (Heritage
Country CD of the Year, Michael T Wall for “The Singing Newfoundlander”)
(Vintage Gospel CD of the Year, Stangl Family for “Telling His Story”)
(Instrumental Country CD of the Year, Paul Evans for “Steelin’ From The
Heart”) (Instrumental Folk CD of the Year, Gary Gale for “On The Squid
Jiggin’ Ground”) (Instrumental Gospel CD of the Year, Matt Carlson for
“Hymns From My Heart”) (Contemporary Folk CD of the Year, Shawn Dugan
for “Soujourners”) (Contemporary Gospel CD of the Year, Chuck Hancock
for “It’s Never Too Late”) (Homegrown Country CD of the Year, Jonah
Riddle for “Traditions”) (Homegrown Gospel CD of the Year, Rayne Magill
for “Thank You Lord”) (International Traditional Country CD of the Year,
Linda Evans for “Sweet Memories”) ( Duet Classic Country CD of the
Year, Allen Karl and Donna Cunningham for “Doin’ Those Covers”) (Duet
Classic Gospel CD of the Year, Don Joy & Melanie Lynn for “He Looks
Down From The Cross”) (Classic Gospel CD of the Year, E. E. Earnest for
“Higher Fire”) (Original Country CD of the Year, James Adelsberger for
“My Heart Still Sees”) (Original Western CD of the Year, Carol Markstrom
for “Crossing Borders”) (Original Traditional Country Music CD of the
Year, Slim Forsyth for “Greatest Hits”)
“Hitchhiking Rides to Memories In My Mind”) (Memory CD of the Year, Ken
Mulhus for “Last of the Summer Wine”) (Young Country CD of the Year,
Natalie Gelman “Streetlamp Musician”) (Young Original CD of the Year,
Ted & Alice Miller “Adults Don’t Speak) (Folk-Country CD of the
Year, River Pickers for “Dulcimer Strings & Other Things”)
(Traditional Folk CD of the Year, Jeffrey Messerole for “Halfway Home”)
(Traditional Gospel CD of the Year, Bill Bryant for “Jesus Is Coming
Back Down”) (Traditional Country CD of the Year, Aces & Eights for
“The Heart Of Country Music”) (Traditional Western CD of the Year, Larry
Robertson for “Born To Be Branded”) (Traditional Hillbilly Gospel CD of
the Year, David Green for “Gospel Favorites”) (Traditional Yuletide CD
of the Year, Janine Sherry for “Christmas Songs To You) (Legendary
Gospel CD of the Year, Terry Smith for “Lift Up Your Voice And Sing”)
(Legendary Classic Country CD of the Year, Terry Robbins for “New
Memories”) (Legendary Folk CD of the Year, Alex Smith for “Close To
Home”) (Legendary Honky Tonk CD of the Year, Mike Johnson for “Let Me
Die In A Honky Tonk”) (Real Classic Country Music CD of the Year, Al
Hooper for “Whiskey Bent & Crazy) (Real Traditional Country Music CD
of the Year, Howard Steele for “The Man Behind The Teardrop”) (Real
Country Music CD of the Year, Bobby Darren for “Real Country”) (Real
Folk Music CD of the Year, Mike Felton for “Diamonds & Television”)
(Real Country Gospel CD of the Year, Sandra Krueger for “When We Meet
Again”) (Real Classic Gospel CD of the Year, Glenn & Dottie Tubb for
“Share The Joy Of The Lord”) (Old Time Radio Country CD of the Year,
Little Riddles for “Little Riddles”) (Old Time Gospel CD of the Year,
Reg Benoit for “Love, Tears, & Sacrifice”) (Old Time Western Country
CD of the Year, Jan Schiferl for “The Game Horse”) (Old Time Bluegrass
CD of the Year, K. C. Groves for “Happy Little Trees”) (Acoustic Country
CD of the Year, Dianne Lindsay for “All Things Country”) (Western Music
CD of the Year, Marty Davis for “Legends & Choices) (Cowboy CD of
the Year, Barry Ward for “Welcome Home”) (Classic Country & Western
CD of the Year, Dennis Stroughmatt for “One More Time”) (Down Home
Country CD of the Year, Terry Juhl for “The Good Life”) (Heritage
Country CD of the Year, Michael T Wall for “The Singing Newfoundlander”)
(Vintage Gospel CD of the Year, Stangl Family for “Telling His Story”)
(Instrumental Country CD of the Year, Paul Evans for “Steelin’ From The
Heart”) (Instrumental Folk CD of the Year, Gary Gale for “On The Squid
Jiggin’ Ground”) (Instrumental Gospel CD of the Year, Matt Carlson for
“Hymns From My Heart”) (Contemporary Folk CD of the Year, Shawn Dugan
for “Soujourners”) (Contemporary Gospel CD of the Year, Chuck Hancock
for “It’s Never Too Late”) (Homegrown Country CD of the Year, Jonah
Riddle for “Traditions”) (Homegrown Gospel CD of the Year, Rayne Magill
for “Thank You Lord”) (International Traditional Country CD of the Year,
Linda Evans for “Sweet Memories”) ( Duet Classic Country CD of the
Year, Allen Karl and Donna Cunningham for “Doin’ Those Covers”) (Duet
Classic Gospel CD of the Year, Don Joy & Melanie Lynn for “He Looks
Down From The Cross”) (Classic Gospel CD of the Year, E. E. Earnest for
“Higher Fire”) (Original Country CD of the Year, James Adelsberger for
“My Heart Still Sees”) (Original Western CD of the Year, Carol Markstrom
for “Crossing Borders”) (Original Traditional Country Music CD of the
Year, Slim Forsyth for “Greatest Hits”)
There’s still a ‘grace’ period before
submissions end for the year. The RRMC always keeps some ‘title’ CD of
the Year awards available for any last minute CD submissions before the
final due date of August 1. Then it all starts over again for another
year. The awards for this year will be made in ceremonies held at the
42nd National Old Time Music Festival, Aug 28-Sept 3, 2017, in LeMars,
Iowa. Every artist is given an opportunity to share their music as they
accept this very ‘rural’ honor from the upper Midwest of America. Every
artist receives a certificate of participation and an award honoring
their specific CD. It is the best wishes of the National Traditional
Country Music Association that artists who make recordings of music that
might be considered old-time, traditional, classic, or country,
bluegrass, or folk music in general, to please submit them for review
and then award consideration. Send all CD’s to RRMC, c/o Bob Everhart,
P. O. Box 492, Anita, Iowa, 50020. Anything received after August 1,
will be automatically moved to the 2018 considerations for CD of the
Year awards.
submissions end for the year. The RRMC always keeps some ‘title’ CD of
the Year awards available for any last minute CD submissions before the
final due date of August 1. Then it all starts over again for another
year. The awards for this year will be made in ceremonies held at the
42nd National Old Time Music Festival, Aug 28-Sept 3, 2017, in LeMars,
Iowa. Every artist is given an opportunity to share their music as they
accept this very ‘rural’ honor from the upper Midwest of America. Every
artist receives a certificate of participation and an award honoring
their specific CD. It is the best wishes of the National Traditional
Country Music Association that artists who make recordings of music that
might be considered old-time, traditional, classic, or country,
bluegrass, or folk music in general, to please submit them for review
and then award consideration. Send all CD’s to RRMC, c/o Bob Everhart,
P. O. Box 492, Anita, Iowa, 50020. Anything received after August 1,
will be automatically moved to the 2018 considerations for CD of the
Year awards.
By Bob Everhart, www.music-savers.com for Country Music News International