Thanks for the responses to our quest to find the perfect, small, country music lovers paradise somewhere in America. It sounds like there are a few to choose from. It's not up to me, but Craig, Colorado sounds pretty ideal. Mildridge, Maine doesn't sound too bad either.
It's nice list so far, but we want a few more towns to speak up before we start the voting process.
As a reminder, please read the following:

It's time to start thinking about our annual summer trip to the heart of America.
Do you come from a small dot on the map packed with die-hard Country Music fans?
If so, I want to hear from you. Tell me about your town and why you think we should bring our show there. Get creative! Your letters WILL be posted for all to view.
We'll pick the top 5 letters and then I'll let you, my little blogging friends, pick the winner.
Sorry, no big cities will be considered. Small towns only.

Show your hometown pride!

storme

Posted by Storme Warren at 04:23 PM | Permalink | Comments (29)

As I sit here typing, the only sounds I hear are palm fronds flapping in the breeze and waves gently lapping the sandy white beach. That's it. Nothing more.
I'm an idiot if I EVER complain about my job.

We're on San Salvador, a tiny island on the north-eastern side of the Bahamas island chain. The island is only 12 miles long and 5 miles wide, but it hold a pretty important place in history. This is the island that Christopher Columbus first landed on back in 1492.

The Club Med folks were kind enough to invite us down to their Columbus Isle resort.
The trip is part of our dedication to "Country in the Rockies" - the annual T.J. Martel Cancer research benefit week in Crested Butte, Colorado.
Who would have thought a week in the snow would result in a 5 days on the sand?
John Vanderslice- That's who.
The President of Club Med North America decided it might be nice to help raise funds for Cancer research by offering an auction package that includes a week at one of his premiere resorts, plus the opportunity to help write a song with mega-hit songwriters Dean Dillon and Aaron Barker (look them up on your google search if don't know who they are. You'll be impressed, I promise you.)
As added incentive for the auction buyer, we tossed in the promise that the song created on the excursion would be documented on our show.
Ironically, the two times we've participated in the auction challenge, it was another huge songwriter who ended up buying the trip. Two years ago it was Bob DiPiero (again, look him up.)
This year, Scotty Emerick joined the party ( I hate to sound repetetive but....look him up. Toby Keith fans know who he is).

Our trip started kind of rough. Two of us- including me- forgot our passports. Not good for a trip to a foreign country. Somehow, we both managed to contact people who had access to our respective birth certificates and they were able to fax copies to the airport just in time for our departure.
Quick sidenote- Thanks Mom and Dad.
The other guy, the emcee for Country the Rockies, Tom Gross, got his birth certificate faxed by the manager of his condo complex. We were on our way.

But when we arrived in the Bahamas, we were alerted to the fact that our TV gear had been held hostage by customs officials. No gear, no show. Period.
Long story short, we got our stuff 36 hours later. That left us just a day and a half to shoot everything we needed to. We counted on 4 days.

As I pack up my things to leave this beautiful island, I can't believe we pulled it off. And I mean WE.
The writers pounded out a great song called "The Key's in the Conch Shell." My cameraman Tom Zaleski captured everything we needed. And Club Med bent over backwards to help all happen.

Besides capturing the creation of a song from start to finish, we also were lucky enough to capture a wedding!
Dean Dillon married his fiancee Susie Ringo at a stunning sunset waterfront ceremony. It was truly a fairytale event.

We do alot of traveling for our show. We've been to 20 states and 5 countries in our short 2 and half year history as show. But nothing matches the magic of putting the true masters of songwriting in a tropical setting to let them do their thing.
I do what I do for one simple reason. It's the closest I can get to music, without knowing ANYTHING about the art of creating it. I don't play an instrument. I don't sing. I don't write.
But I love Country Music. And to be able to get the opportunity to observe the creation of music at it's inception is one of the most thrilling parts of my job. Oh yeah, the backdrop of paradise doesn't hurt either.

To Dean Dillon, Aaron Barker and Scotty Emerick - Thanks for letting us tag along.

Should the song they created - "The Key's in the Conch Shell", or any other song written during this trip - get recorded by an aritst, proceeds from the song will go straight to Cancer research. You can't beat that combo.

Tomorrow, it's back to reality.

Speaking of reality, my sincere condolences to Bonnie Owens' family and friends. Bonnie was the first ever recepient of the ACM Female Vocalist award.
Buck Owens' kids lost their Mom and Dad in just 30 days. That's tough, to say the least.
She was amazing lady. I've only had the chance to be around her twice, but each time she lit up the room. She was married to both Buck and Merle Haggard in her lifetime. Both knew a good woman when they saw her.

This recent heart-breaking trend of losing legends must stop. i can't take it.
Country Music will continue on, but when the heroes that created it's foundation continue to fade away, it's tough to imagine an industry without them.

More about our trip and what you can expect on our next show in a couple days.

Thanks for checking in!
From the Bahamas- over and out.

Storme

Posted by Storme Warren at 11:20 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Let's use the entry "Our Show" as the platform for all comments regarding "Country Music Across America".
You can comment on stories you've seen, things you want to see more, or things you want to see less.
Simply put, if it's about our show, this is the place to talk about it.

Thanks for watching.

Storme

Posted by Storme Warren at 12:23 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)

Earlier today I got a tip from a co-worker of mine to tune in to Nashville Country radio station WSIX.
The station devoted the day to raising funds for the victims of this past weekend's tornadoes that devastated some areas around middle Tennessee.
At first I thought, "Great. Another fundraiser built to hide another agenda." But after listening to the station's broadcast periodically throughout the day, my mind was changed.
The station called it "Pay For Play". Make a donation and you earn the right to pick a song to be played. Not a new concept. But what made it fun was the fact ANY song could be requested.
In the span of 15 minutes I heard Journey's "Don't Stop Believing", Clay Aiken's "Sollitare" and "Donka-Shein". And this is a Country station!
Sure, the station knew it would get good press for doing this. But the way they pulled it off was the key. No attitude. No grandstanding. Just people calling or e-mailing with their bizarre requests.
The guys from Rascal Flatts called in and pledged a thousand bucks for each song played from their new album. The station oblidged and proceeded to play their entire CD.
It was electric. You never knew what you would hear. You never knew who would call in. But you knew, that with each call or e-mail request, money was being raised for a common goal- relief for people who lost everything.
I love radio. It's what got me into this business. Let me back up. I love everything about the roots of radio - playing music the listeners want to hear.
It's a blessing and a shame that a tragedy brought to light one of the best parts of radio. A part that has been lost for long time.

I grew up as a kid calling into radio stations believing that my request meant something. I sat on the phone for hours dialing my local station in Oklahoma, hoping to get my chance to request my favorite song. When I got through to a real person, it was like talking to the President. I was nervous. My voice shook. This was my chance to speak up about the music I loved. When I hung up, I waited. And waited. And waited. When my song was finally played, I cranked it up and stood proudly, thinking "I did that!"
Little did I know at the time that the song was already lined up to be played in the normal "rotation" of music on the station.
When I was 13, my first job was answering request lines at KELI in Tulsa, Oklahoma. I quickly learned the reality of radio. It was a sobering reality. I was the one playing "President". I carefully logged every request and handed my list to the DJ. It took a few months for me to realize that these requests meant virtually nothing. The lists got entered into a data-base and were sent off to record label promotion personnel, sales staff or wherever for "analysis". But as for the immediate gratification of getting requests heard when a listener requested them? That was the sobering part.
Yes, there are 'portions' of shows on the radio that still respond to direct requests. Around here they're called "Request Lunch Blocks" - One or two hours devoted to actual requests. Still, how many of those songs have already been "lined up" for airplay? The requests that get through just happen to be the songs already scheduled.
To you radio folks out there - sorry. It's a business. I get that. But wouldn't it be cool to REALLY let the listeners decide the music that gets played?
Loretta Lynn used to get in her car and drive to radio stations and hand-deliver her new song to stations. The stations would play it and get audience response on whether they should keep playing it.
OK. "Make it or Break it", right? Yep, that does still exist on some stations. Usually in a morning drive or evening shift. Two songs go head-to-head for the chance of "survival". KDF here in town calls it "The Rumble on Rutledge Hill". I'm sure you have your own variations in your town.
These token gestures to listener participation do nothing for the greatest ideal of music based radio.
LET THE LISTENERS DECIDE THE MUSIC!
When will a major market station go back to the core of what makes radio cool? I don't know if they can. Commerical sponsors drive radio. Proctor & Gamble holds Country radio hostage. They own the bulk of radio commercial time these days. If P&G wants a certain message out there, they dictate what music gets played. If a drinking song or a controversial song is up for "adds" on a station, the station has to listen to its sponsors. If the sponsor's don't like the music, it doesn't get played. Period.
I use P&G as an example. I'm not pointing any fingers at a particular company. My point is that the control of the music heard on the radio is in the wrong hands.
Yep, I'm an idealist. It's ONE of my most brutal faults. Brutal in the fact that my idealistic heart gets broken alot. Especially in the entertainment business.
I'm a fan of music. I love to watch new artists blossom and succeed. I love to hear music that I know my fellow radio listeners want to hear.
Instead, radio has reversed the one element it was built on, LET THE LISTENER DECIDE THE MUSIC.
Listeners are "force-fed" music. We're told what to listen to. Is it sponsors? Is it the record companies?
Probably both. Again, it's business. And again, I realize that. But at some point, radio must be returned to the people that make, or rather, could make it successful...the LISTENER.
JACK-FM stations have popped up around the country. They claim to play whatever they want to play.
It's a neat concept. Alot of different kinds of music gets played on those stations. They play alot of songs I really like. But still, it's music we're "forced" to listen to. Listeners are told pretty blatantly that they have no say in JACK playlists. The concept is based on sponsors and their need to reach a particular audience based on the music the stations play.
Listeners are thrown the "bone" of participation by getting the chance for their phoned-in compliments of the station to be played on-air. The calls get received by an answering machine and are culled out based on the importance of the station's agenda - to please the sponsors.
Sponsors are needed. They support the radio industry. But shouldn't sponsors LISTEN to the people who are LISTENING to their ads?

My ideal radio station? An entire station devoted to doing what WSIX did all day today - Listeners picking what they want to hear. I tuned in today and had a blast. Not to mention, it raised a bunch of money for people who really need it.

My advice to radio stations wanting to break the format wide-open? Open it up for an entire playlist built on "make it or break it". If the song doesn't get requested, don't play it. If it gets requested, play it. It's that simple. Forget sponsors. Forget pressure from record labels. Put the power back into your listener. The sponsors and record companies will follow.

Listeners want to feel like their a part of the radio they listen to. I did. And I still do.

Congrats to WSIX for getting me excited about radio again. Great concept for a great cause. Imagine the potential if a station did this on a daily basis.

Storme

Posted by Storme Warren at 10:42 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)

Our "correspondents" Troy Gentry and Eddie Montgomery helped us out during their trip overseas to Iraq. The footage they brought back for us is amazing. You can check it out this Thursday at 9pm ET, 8pm CT and 6pm PT on "Country Music Across America".
Can't wait for the story? Read all about it in Troy's journal available on GACTV.com

storme

Posted by Storme Warren at 12:04 AM | Permalink | Comments (4)

Buck Owen's adopted hometown of Bakersfield, California honored the legend beautifully.
From signs hanging from freeway overpasses to makeshift memorials all along Buck Owen's Blvd, the people of Bakersfield expressed their sorrow and gratitude for one of their city's most proud citzens.
The turnout at the memorial service at Valley Baptist Church was jaw-dropping. Almost 3000 people packed the church to say goodbye. Local radio station KUZZ and all 3 network TV stations simulcasted the service for those who couldn't attend.
Of course, Dwight Yoakam was there. He's taking the loss of his musical father figure very hard. Brad Paisley made it to the service just in time. You might recall, Brad wore one of Buck's stage jackets when he got inducted into the Grand Ol' Opry. Instead of taking a private jet from his show the previous night in Memphis, Brad found a way to get across the country on a commercial plane. Brad told the crowd that Buck would've killed him if he paid for a private jet. Brad remembered a conversation that he and Buck had about money management as artists. Buck said all the young artists driving around the country in more than one bus were being ridiculous. It's just a waste of diesel fuel in Buck's mind. To avoid hearing the lecture himself, Brad, who has a few more than ONE bus, said that in recent visits to the Crystal Palace, he made his other busses park about a mile away and then he and his band and crew would show up to the Palace in one bus.
Dwight apoligized for putting his hat on in church. He said he did it to honor another piece of Buck's advice. At one time Buck told Dwight "You look good in that hat. You should wear it more often."
There were many emotional and funny moments during the service. Listening to Buck's sons and nephew speak about their Dad, Uncle and Boss was both heartwarming and heartbreaking. Buck wasn't always there for his kids, especially when they were young. But after hearing the sons speak, it was obvious that their Dad more than made up for his absence later in life.
Trace Adkins, John Berry and Lulu Roman also participated in the service. All singing and speaking from the heart. Garth Brooks attended, but stayed away from the spotlight.
The one, almost kind of odd, celebrity spotting was when ice-skating star Scotty Hamilton walked into the church. It seems Scott and Brad have become buddies and Scott offered to race Brad up to Bakersfield from Los Angeles airport in his new Porsche. Scott said he got a crash course in Buck Owens history during the two-hour drive and was glad he could help Brad get to the church in time.
Following the service, the sad mood was replaced with one almost resembling celebration. Musicians, family and friends packed into Buck's Crystal Palace theater for an amazing jam session with the Buckaroos backing entertainers Dwight Yoakam, Jim Lauderdale, Brad Paisley and Buck's son Buddy (a dang good singer, by the way).
It was almost haunting to watch Buddy sing his dad's music, especially with how much the two look alike.
All in all, the entire day was a perfect tribute to a man who has done so much for Music and so much for the town of Bakersfield. I was honored to attend. And even more honored to have had the chance to know Buck and his amazing family and staff. Buck preached and practiced loyalty. It was obvious on Sunday that that loyalty is a two-way street.
The Crystal Palace officially re-opens tomorrow with concert from Clint Black.
It would be great to see the Palace continue its reputuation as "the gateway" to Country Music.
Every aspiring Country singer should have three goals - 1) Reach as many people as you can through your music 2) Play the Grand Ol' Opry and 3) Play the Crystal Palace. It's a magical place built on a foundation of passion for Country Music. A passion Buck carried with him to the very end. And a passion that will continue through Buck's staff and family for years to come.
To Buck's family, friends and staff, and to my friends Jerry Hufford and Jim Shaw - my deepest and most sincere condolences. To the people of Bakersfield - thanks for taking of Buck the same way Buck took care of you.

storme

Posted by Storme Warren at 06:36 PM | Permalink | Comments (7)