weekly October 23, 2023, Issue 881
Tanya, Patty & Bob Flip The Script
Impeccably planned, scripted and executed, the Medallion Ceremony at which new Country Music Hall of Fame members are inducted each year is a model of consistent excellence. Sunday night’s edition (10/22) celebrating Patty Loveless, Bob McDill and Tanya Tucker was a bit looser – gloriously so. As Townsquare’s Kurt Johnson said at the afterparty, “It went off the rails in all the best ways.” What We’re Gonna Be: Performing for Songwriter category honoree McDill were Charley Crockett (“Louisiana Saturday Night”), Dean Dillon (“All The Good Ones Are Gone”) and Jamey Johnson (“Good Ole Boys Like Me”). Fellow Hall of Famer and tunesmith Don Schlitz handled the induction speech. “Bob McDill was who we wanted to be,” Schlitz said. “He taught me mostly by example, but he also told me a few secrets ... we get 10 songs a year by inspiration; our Charley Crockett Dean Dillon job is to write 40 more for the radio. Respect your music, respect your process, and respect yourself. Take your time and get it right. Most importantly, he taught me that you cannot write country looking down your nose at it.” After Schlitz introduced his wife to Jamey Johnson Don Schlitz McDill a few years ago, she noted her husband’s typical loquaciousness failed him. When he wondered why, his wife said, “Because he’s your hero.” Schlitz added, “And so he is. And I’ve come to understand, Bob McDill, that you were my big break. Thank you for all the wonderful songs. Thank you for the great example you’ve given me and all of us of what a songwriter can and should be.” (continued on page 7)
Fame Of Thrones: Newly inducted Country Music Hall of Famers Tanya Tucker, Bob McDill and Patty Loveless.
Evolution Of Mo & StyckMan
Audacy WUSY/Chattanooga afternoon team Melissa “Mo” Wagner and Greg “StyckMan” Owens will collect their third CMA Award as a team for Medium Market Personality Nov. 8. But the trophy shelves in their homes are already heaving with the more than 25 pieces of hardware they’ve previously won together or separately – including other CMA, ACM and CRS/Country Aircheck awards; a Gracie Award for Mo; and the NAB Marconi Award they jointly took home last year. Mo & Styckman Incredibly, their footprint is still growing.
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