Country Reunion Magazine, December 2021

Country Reunion m a g a z i n e

December 2021

Bill Anderson Osborne Brothers Jamie O’Neal

Bob Wills Ray Stevens The Oak Ridge Boys CMA Awards

Gift Ideas

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December 2021

Country Reunion Magazine Who’s inside?

Bill Anderson, p.

Mckenzie Phipps, p.

Osborne Brothers, p.

Nadine’s Corner, p.

Mandy Barnett, p.

Rockin’ Around, p. 1 Jamie O’Neal, p. 1 Diner Chat, p. 1 Ray Stevens, p. 1 Coconut Cake, p. 1 Bob Wills’ Grave, p. 1 The Bilbrey’s at CMA, p. 1 Ericka Jane Amerikais, p. 1 Gift Ideas, p. 2 Oak Ridge Boys, p. 2 Statler Brothers, p. 2 Rhonda Vincent, p. 2 Published monthly b

Country Road Managemen 710 N. Main St., Suite B Columbia, TN 38401 Larry Black, Publisher Paula Underwood Winters, Editor, Print Layout & Design Claudia Johnson, Writer, Online Layout/Desig Online Subscriptions $15 per yea http://countryreunionmagaine.com/ Annual Print Subscriptions $29.95; renewals $24.9 To subscribe or renew cal 1-800-8 20-5405 or mail payment to PO Box 610 Price, UT 84501

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December 2020

Bill Anderson Honored with Country Music

Hall of Fame Exhibit A new exhibit, “Bill Anderson: As Far as I Can See,” at Nashville’s Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum examines Anderson’s unprecedented career and enduring musical legac In 1957, a nineteen-year-old college student, Bill Anderson, sat atop a three-story hotel overlooking a few stoplights in the small town of Commerce, Georgia, and wrote “City Lights” on his guitar — singing to the starry night and envisioning a bustling metropolis “A bright array of city lights as far as I can see, the great white way shines through the night for lonely guys like me,” he observed in “City Lights.

The song, which soared to the top of the country charts for singer Ray Price a year later, kicked o a country music career for Anderson that has spanned more than six decades and de ned the depth and imagination of his songwriting that still resonates with audiences and artists today The exhibit, which opens Friday, Dec. 3, and runs through March 19, 2023, traces the Country Music Hall of Fame member’s story from childhood to his days in Georgia, where he excelled as a baseball pitcher and sportswriter while in high school and a disc jockey in college, through his contributions as one of the most decorated

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recording artists, songwriters and entertainers in history Known as “Whisperin’ Bill” for his soft-spoken and conversational singing style, Anderson has placed 80 records on the Bi board charts as a recording artist, with his singles reaching country’s Top 20 more than 40 times.

His original songs have been recorded by a wide array of artists, including James Brown, Elvis Costello, Aretha Franklin, Jerr y Lee Lewis, the Louvin Brothers, Dean Martin, Willie Nelson, Charley Pride, Connie Smith, George Strait and many more. As a songwriter, he’s placed songs on the country charts in seven consecutive decades Anderson, who also achieved popularity as an actor and game show host, remains a mainstay performer on the Grand Ole Opry today, recently celebrating his 60th anniversary as a member on the historic radio show.

More than 60 years after composing “City Lights” on that starry night in Georgia, Anderson is still ourishing as a contemporary songwriter in Nashville, collaborating in recent years with artists Kenny Chesney, Jamey Johnson, Brad Paisley and many others

“Bill Anderson not only forti ed and evolved country music, but his remarkable body of work establishes him as one of the most proli c and preeminent American artists and songsmiths across all genres,” said Kyle Young, CEO of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. “But it’s his natural curiosity, humanity and ability to forge true, emotional connections with audiences – both as a performer and songwriter – that constantly replenishes his relevance and endears him to so many today.

Items featured in the exhibit include historic photographs, treasured ke e p s a ke s , instruments, manuscripts and more.

Touchscreen interactives will also give visitors the opportunity to delve into Anderson’s songs and songwriting process through archival materials, performance clips and exclusive interview footage in which Anderson reveals the stories behind his songs “I grew up dreaming of the day they’d put my ball g l o v e i n t o t h e B a s e b a l l Ha l l o f Fa m e i n Cooperstown, never dreaming that one day it would end up in the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville,” said Anderson. “But now that old glove, along with some guitars, a few rhinestone suits and some scribbled song lyrics are on display in the “Bill Anderson: As Far as I Can See” exhibit in Music City. When the museum does an exhibit, they really do it up right, and I’m honored to know that I am now a small part of their incredible legacy. I’m not sure I could have ever seen this far.

In addition to his induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2001, he’s b e e n i n d u c t e d i n t o t h e Na t i o n a l Songwriters Hall of Fame (2018) and several other halls of fame. In 2021, Connie Smith’s 1964 recording of his song “Once a Day,”

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was added to the Library of Congress’s National Recording Registry More information about this exhibit and the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum can be found at www.CountryMusicHallofFame.org

December 2021

Christmas Snow to become a new Holiday Classic Country music singer-songwriter Makenzie Phipps sets the scene for a blissful holiday season with the release of her latest festive single, “Christmas Snow.”

Phipps adds her unique sound to the beautifully written tune, making for the perfect combination of southern sweetness and cozy Christmas delight.

He r s t r o n g a n d v i b r a n t v o c a l s t e l l a heartwarming story during the cold winter days, placing comfort in the feeling of being in the arms of the one you love.

Bright and romantic, the single captures just what it’s like to fall in love during the holidays.

Country Reunion Magazine will have an exclusive interview with Phipps in our January issue.

Click "Christmas Snow" for a free listen!

December 2021

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Osborne Brothers Made Bluegrass Mainstream

by Sasha Dunavan

One half of the sibling duo who made “Rocky Top” a perennial Bluegrass favorite has died. Sonny Osborne passed away on Oct. 24 at age 8 Sonny and his brother, Bobby, 90, were born in Roark, Kentucky, but then moved to Dayton, Ohio, where during their youth they sang and performed throughout Southwestern, Ohio.

Sonny was drafted into the United States Marine Corps in 1952 during the Korean War. Bobby went on to perform with the “Father of Bluegrass Music,” Bill Monroe. Upon his discharge from the military, Sonny joined Bobby to begin performing as a duo on radio stations such as WROL in Knoxville, Tennessee, and WJR in Detroit, Michigan.

The Osbourne Brothers worked with RCA Victor and Jimmy “King of Bluegrass” Martin to record six songs. They returned to Dayton, Ohio, in 1956, after playing on WWVA Jamboree with Martin. They started playing in Dayton-area clubs and replaced their guitarist, Enos Johnson with a

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new guitarist, Red Allen. They also added a ddler, Art Stamper.

After cutting eight tracks under the pseudonym “Stanley Alpine” and with the help of disc jockey friend, Tommy Sutton, the brothers earned a deal with MGM Records.

They made their debut in July 1956 with a 45 RPM that proved to be incredibly successful. This recording, “Ruby Are You Mad,” was the rst time two banjos were used on a Bluegrass recording As a result of their sudden recognition, the Osbourne Brothers became regular performers on WWVA Jamboree in October of 1956. The talented brothers experimented with musical styles, and in addition to Bluegrass success, they made the Country chart with their song “One More” in 1958 They performed the song as a trio with Red Allen singing the lowest part of tenor, while Bobby sang the lead and Sonny sang baritone. The trio would become known for their interchangeable technique with a high lead.

December 2021

They also recorded songs with their special techniques such as “Blame me,” “Sweethearts Again” and their version of the Carter Family’s “Fair and Tender Ladies.” The Osbournes caused controversary in Bluegrass music when they added e l e c t r o n i c a n d p e r c u s s i o n i n to b o t h l i v e performances and studio work.

They soon signed with Decca Records in August of 1963. A year later the Osbourne Brothers were inducted into the Grand Ole Opry. They have remained members for 57 years Their best-known hit, “Rocky Top,” was released on Christmas day in 1967, selling 85,000 copies in a two-week time frame. “Rocky Top” was chosen as the Tennessee state song in 1982.

Their song, “Kentucky,” was considered become an o cial song of the State of Kentucky, but Johnny Cash’s version of “My Old Kentucky Home” was adopted instead. A few years later the brothers were honored with the adoption of their song to represent Kentucky.

See them perform it below

Kentucky performed by the Osborne Brothers In 1971 the duo won the CMA for Vocal Group of the Year, and in 1973 the brothers were the rst Bluegrass act to perform at the White House.

In 1994 the Osbourne Brothers were inducted i n t o t h e In t e r n a t i o n a l B l u e g r a s s Mu s i c Association’s Hall of Honor.

They performed on May 31, 2013, at a rededication ceremony to mark new ownership of The Gatlinburg Inn, the location where Felice and Boudreaux Bryant wrote their unexpected hit, “Rocky Top. Over the years Bobby continued to perform with his band, Rocky Top X-press. The band included Bobby’s three sons.

Bobby’s latest video was posted on his personal website, www.bobbyosbourne.com on Jan. 5, 2021.

He has collaborated with many Bluegrass and Country music artists such as Vince Gill and Molly Tuttle in recent years.

Sonny, who was born Oct. 29, 1937, is credited with development of a banjo style that allowed Bluegrass music to begin to ourish. He retired in 2005, but he regularly wrote a column for the publication, Bluegrass Today. In fact, his last "Ask Sonny Anything" column was published the week before his death "I appreciate the kind words," he wrote to a fan that week. "It’s always nice to hear someone say they have enjoyed something you did.

Get Festival Info Here

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Rocky Top performed by the Osborne Brothers

December 2021

Nadine’s Corner Well, h e we e in Decemb . It slips up me ev y ye , like I can't rememb what m th it is! I s e w ld l e to go back to those simple Christmas's of l g ago! Well Nadine, y can. What do y mean… y wish! (I said that to myself, just n ) N days Christmas is a race to see which gives t f st, y r m ey y r feet. What most of us want n f Christmas, is the day aft , since most of us dream of a white Christmas but it seems it always leaves us in the red!

At Christmas, most p ents spend m e m ey the children than they did the h eym n that st ted it all! The way we spend Christmas is f m e imp tant than h much! Take s e time to help those nd y in need. We have ev ything we need and it always brings us m e j than any present c ld!

I pray it's a w d ful Christmas f each and ev y e of y .......that said I be get g ng and get my knees and st t praying ab t my a itude t ds H 's relatives, since they're c ing f Christmas! L d HELP ME! L e ya'll,

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Mandy Barnett Inducted into Opry Nov. 2 An uncompromising singer whose style is rooted in the classic country of Patsy Cline, Jim Reeves, Webb Pierce, and B r e n d a L e e , Ma n d y B a r n e t t ’s ke e n interpretive sense enables her to delve into a song, study the intricacies of its emotional content, and render a powerful performance through her full-bodied voice.

He r t o r c h y d e l i v e r y o n h e r contemporary yet retro-sounding country and pop-tinged material harkens back to the likes of all-time great female singers and timeless sounds Mandy has starred as Patsy Cline in the m u s i c a l p r o d u c t i o n Al w a ys… Pa t s y Cline at Ryman Auditorium in Nashville on and o since 1994 – most recently in Summer 2011. Mandy tours regularly in concert, nationally and internationally, and is a frequent guest on the Grand Ole Opry She has released critically applauded albums, including her self-titled debut, I’ve Got a Right to Cry produced b y O w e n B r a d l e y, t h e C h r i s t m a s a l b u m Wi n t e r Wo n d e r l a n d , Sw e e t The Isaacs with Connie Smith and Jeannie Seely and Dreams, and I Can’t Stop Loving You: The Mandy Barnett welcome Mandy Barnett upon her induction Songs Of Don Gibson. Mandy has also been on Nov. 2, 2021 featured on movie soundtracks Reviewers have heralded Mandy’s talents as “one of the most beautiful ‘classic country’ voice and sings e ortlessly. Barnett is a true master female voices of all time. She has total control of her of her craft.

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Still Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree

By Sasha Dunavant The catchy Christmas tune, “Rockin’ Around to the Top 10 to reach No. 3 on Bi board’s the Christmas Tree,” was rst released for Christmas Singles chart.

Christmas 1958 after Brenda Lee recorded it on a "It was magic, and I think we all knew it,” Lee blazing, summer day observed in a 2019 interview with the Nashville The diminutive Lee was already known for her Tennessean. “It took a few years to take o , but mature and powerful voice, which led her to a once it did, it really did. lengthy and acclaimed career in the music industry, “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” was but when she recorded the song in the Quonset chosen as part of the soundtrack for the 1964 Hut, the rst music recording studio in the animated special “Rudolph the Red- Nosed historic Music Row district of Nashville, she Reindeer” and its 1979 sequel, “Rudolph and was just a child Frosty’s Christmas in July.

“I was only…13 years Since then “Rockin Around old so that was a biggie to the Christmas Tree” has been me,” Lee recalled in a featured in lms like “Home 2018 Billboard ar ticle Alone,” “Pluto’s Christmas about the day the song Tree” and “Mickey’s Christmas was recorded. “Everybody Carol.” was dressed Christmassy, Lee’s 1958 version of the song and the lights were low. gets plenty of airplay even We had a Christmas tree. today. The song has returned It was wonderful.” a l m o s t e v e r y y e a r to t h e Though it became a Billboard 100, and it even radio favorite on multiple peaked at No. 2 in 2019. charts, its decidedly “ Ro c k i n’ Around the Countr y sound was Christmas Tree” climbed the c r e a t e d b y Na s h v i l l e Un i t e d K i n g d o m c h a r t s , musicians Hank Garland peaking at No. 6 after just Listen Here and Harold Bradley on being released to the U.K. in guitar, Boots Randolph on 1963. It also did well in the U.K. saxophone, Buddy Harman on drums, Floyd in 2013 due to digital downloads, and in 2017 it Cramer on piano and Bob Moore on bass guitar. climbed to No. 9. The song also charted in Austria, Written by Johnny Marks, who also wrote France, Germany, Czech Republic, Finland, “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” and “Holly Canada, Australia, Hungary, Greece, Italy, Latvia, Jolly Christmas,” the now-classic Christmas song Lithuania, Netherlands and many more countries did not hit the big time until it reached No. 14 on across the decades. the 1960 Bi board Hot 100. In fact, it only sold Hundreds of artists from all musical genres 5,000 copies the rst Christmas it was on the have performed the song live, and dozens have market, 1958, and did not do much better in 1959. covered it on their own albums. Some show the In December 1965 the song nally broke through diversity of the song’s lasting appeal December 2021

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Hundreds of artists from all musical genres have performed the song live, and dozens have covered it on their own albums.

Some show the diversity of the song’s lasting appeal •Kim Wilde and Mel Smith, a parody sister act called Mel & Kim, recorded a version that climbed to No. 3 on UK singles chart in December 1987. Sale of the duo’s recording bene tted the Comic Relief fund.

•Pop sensation Justin Bieber expressed his love for “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” by teaming with Amazon Music to release an adult contemporar y version of the song for a promotional single in November 2020. His

rendition charted in Canada, America and the U.K. •Grammy-winning Countr y artist Kacey Musgraves paired with Cuban-born American singer-songwriter Camillo Cabello to release a Country version of the song in November 2019.

It charted at No. 13 on the U.S. Bubbling Under Hot 100 singles (Bi board) chart and came in at No. 20 on Bi board’s U.S. Hot Country Songs.

Despite its genre-bending history, this festiv Country-rooted melody makes Christmas come alive. And to think it all started with a teenager recording it in the middle of the summer only to make the Christmas spirit continue to ring for the holiday season 63 years after the fact

Watch Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree | Rudolph and Frosty’s Christmas in July

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December 2021

“White Christmas” from Upcoming Holiday Album Singer-Songwriter Jamie O’Neal, who’s been a guest on “Larry’s Country Diner,” spreads holiday cheer with her newly released cover of festive standard “White Christmas.”

Written by Irving Berlin and debuted 80 years ago

by Bing Crosby, “White Christmas” serves as a prelude to O’Neal’s rst holiday album, slated for release in 2022.

“O’Neal’s new take on the Irving Berlin song turns the arrangement on its head," said Sterling Whitaker of Ta steofCountr y.com, which premiered the track exclusively. "She opens the rst verse with solo voice and piano in a wistful mood, but by the second verse, she adds more instr umentation for a Western Swing-tinged performance that’s far more playful than the familiar track.”

O ’ Ne a l d e d i c a t e d “ W h i t e Christmas” in loving memory of her sister, Sam, who passed away earlier this year, and to her parents for the Listen great Christmas memories they all shared as a family. She, her parents and her sister performed throughout her native Australia as The Murphy Family in the 1970s “I can’t wait to release my full album next year," O'Neal said. "The title track, ‘You Were Christmas to Me,’ is a very personal song for me, written about losing a loved one and carrying on traditions that represent that special someone from your past who is always with you, especially at Christmas time. The album also includes some fun original Christmas songs and some classics we all know and love to hear every year.

Produced by O’Neal with her husband Rodney Good, the Christmas album will also featur n e w m a te r i a l , p e n n e d b y O ' Ne a l , s u c h a s “Christmas You,” which will be released this December.

“White Christmas” and “Christmas You” follow O’Neal’s 2020 holiday release, a cover of Joni Mitchell’s original “River,” that will also be included on the full album.

O’Neal’s October 2020 album, "Sometimes," celebrated the 20th anniversar y of her debut album, "Shiver." The critically-acclaimed project

features collaborations with John Paul White, Lauren Alaina, Martina McBride, Sara Evans and O’Neal’s daughter Aliyah Good and, according to Ro ing Stone Country, proved that O’Neal “hasn’t lost an iota of her powerhouse vocal talent."

The platinum-selling singer-songwriter had back-toback No. 1 singles, “There Is No Arizona” an “When I Think About Angels.” With multiple hits that followed, including “Shiver,” “Tr ying To Find Atlantis” and “Somebody’s Hero,” O’Neal caught re and earned numerous career accolades, including three GRAMMY nominations, an Academy of Country Music™ Award for Top New Female Vocalist and a Billboard Award for New Country Artist.

While the talented 53-year-old has penned most of her own songs, O’Neal has also written hits for Reba McEntire, Martina McBride, LeAnn Rimes, CeCe Winans, Idina Menzel and others. Her voice can be heard Here internationally in major studio lms, i n c l u d i n g “A l l b y My s e l f ” f o r “Bridget Jones’s Diary.”

Fo r updates on O ’ Ne a l , follow her on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter and

Jamie, right, performing with her sister, Sam, as a youth in her native Australia.

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Jamie O’Neal Releases Her Cover Single of Classic

Cruise We are all very disappointed that our 2022 Cruise was canceled. But we are looking for new dates as soon as the Cruise lines relax on the Covid restrictions. This can’t last forever!!!!

So continue to check with customer service for new dates.

Yes, we are ilming new Larry’s Country Diner shows next year. Right now you are watching re-runs…. but hey, at our age you probably won’t remember you saw them!!! Lol

Books

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Yes I have new books that will be added to my Book Club. My irst new book is my third memorial book, “Country Music Legends, Gone But Not Forgotten”. This book is a little different because I have added information about Country’s Family Reunion. Almost everyone in the book, except for a few, has been on one or more of the series. I added which series, what song they sang and where they sat in the circle. Two of the CFR band members are in this book, Jimmy Capps and Randy Hardison. I hope to have the book ready to ship before Christmas.

The other two books that I will have early next year is the 2021 Newspaper Book and Phil’s Funnies. Many of you love the CFR NEWS BOOKS and this one is going to be very special. Then Phil’s Funnies will keep you smiling. It is a funny photo book straight from Larry’s Country Diner. Nadine has written the Forward. So watch for them soon.

I just inished ilming “Nashville Memorial Tours” DVD Volume 4. I stopped ilming during the summer but inally got it inished last week. So again…..once we get it back from the duplicator I will have all four DVD’s available to ship. Of course Volume 4 has Jimmy Capps, Jan Howard, Charley Daniels, and more of our dear friends who passed away recently.

Add any of the photo’s of new stuff (Gone But Not Forgotten, Phil’s Funnies, or Nashville Memorial Tours Volume 4 DVD.) that you already have.

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Where does the time go? I can’t believe it is Christmas already!

It is my favorite time of the year.

My Christmas tree is up and I have my “Elf on the Shelf” waiting for the Rio and Sedona to ind. I don’t t h i n k t h e y r e a l l y b e l i e v e i n this tradition…but it sure is fun.

They both RUN in the house looking for the Elf that is hidden. And they have multiplied over the years.

We now have a girl, several boys and yes…even a dog, all visiting from the North Pole. It really does add fun to the season.

Ray Stevens’ Recording of “Play Misty for Me”

by Claudia Johnson

An impromptu jam session transformed a jazz standard into a Grammy-winning country song.

Written in the 1950s, “Misty” became the signature song of Johnny Mathis. It was covered a dozen times by singers from pop to gospel before it became an integral component in the plot of Clint Eastwood’s 1971 movie, “Play Misty for Me.” In 1975 “Misty” became a country classic, and Lisa Silver was in Ray Stevens’ studio the day it happened.

Silver is a vocalist, musician and songwriter who for four decades has made a career as a backup singer, studio musician and fiddle player in Nashville. She’s earned more than 20 gold and platinum albums for her contributions to thousands of recordings by hundreds of artists. More than 50 of her original songs have been recorded, and her number one song, "Forty Hour Week," recorded by the group Alabama, earned her a Grammy nomination.

Back in 1975, however, Silver was a relative newcomer in Nashville when Stevens invited her to his studio to play fiddle and sing for possible inclusion in a tour band he was assembling. Among the stops would be performances at “Disneyland” and on “The Tonight Show” with Johnny Carson. Stevens offered her the gig, and Silver was thrilled when rehearsals began at Stevens’ studio adjacent to his Nashville office.

“Everything was set up, then the steel [guitar] player began jamming on the song “Misty,” Silver recalled. “We all just chimed in, and when we got to the line where it says ‘and a thousand violins began to play’ I started sawing on the country fiddle.”

Stevens quickly called in his engineer.

“Ray worked up this really fun, cool arrangement,” said Silver, who can be heard playing the fiddle and singing with Stevens on the background vocals. “We recorded it, we overdubbed the vocals and it was done in about an hour.”

“Misty” garnered a Grammy Award in the Best Arrangement category for Stevens that year.

“It was spontaneous,” Silver said. “Ray had this flash of inspiration. He hears things in his own way,

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and he puts his own stamp on it. He knew this would be great, and it just took off.”

Silver has maintained a professional relationship with Stevens since that day.

“He has always been fun to work with,” Silver said. “Even though he seems wacky, he is very serious about getting the music right.

Lisa Silver He would often write out the musical notation of what he wanted us to sing and play. He is a brilliant guy.”

A recent project in which Silver participated was Stevens’ eight-volume CD set, “Encyclopedia of Recorded Comedy Music,” which features 12 tracks of Stevens’ comedy songs and 96 new recordings of classic comedy songs, all performed by Stevens.

“When we were working on it, we would listen to the original, then we would listen to the way Ray wanted to do it,” Silver explained. “There were elements of the original, but we did them in his own unique, Ray Stevens way.”

Silver said that since first touring with Stevens from 1975 through 1981, she has been asked to work with him in some manner almost every year since – public performances, television appearances, studio sessions – and she does.

“He’s consistently professional. He knows what he wants and knows how to do it,” Silver observed. “He is also very loyal. There are not that many people who would be calling the same folks more than 45 years later. It has been a great association with him.”

Listen Here

December 2021

southern cooking

by Areeda Schneider Stampley

Classic Coconut Cake 1 cup butter, softened 2 cups sugar 4 eggs 3 cups plain our, sifted 3 teaspoons baking powder 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 cup whole milk 1 teaspoon almond avoring Cream butter and sugar until light; add eggs one at a time, beating each in thoroughly.

Sift and add dry ingredients alternately with milk and avoring. Bake in 3 greased and oured 9-inch cake layer pans in 350° oven for 20-25 min.

When layers are cold, brush coconut milk (small amount) on top of each to make layers moist.

Fi ing 2 1/2 – 3 cups coconut (fresh or packaged) 2 1/2 cups coconut milk (fresh or canned) 2 cups sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla 1 teaspoon lemon juice 1/4 teaspoon salt 2 heaping tablespoons cornstarch 1/4 cup water

Bring coconut milk and sugar to a rapid boil. Boil 5 minutes. Add 2/3 of coconut to coconut milk/sugar mixture; cook 5-8 min. Add vanilla, lemon juice and salt.Mix cornstarch in 1/4 cup water, pour into Fi ing, stirring. Let boil for 2 min. Cool in refrigerator until cold. Spread between and on top of cake layers. After cake has settled, sprinkle remaining coconut on top and sides of cake. Keep cake refrigerated.

To purchase Areeda’s Southern Cooking, a co ection of old-fashioned recipes send $24.45 check (no credit cards) and mailing address to Areeda’s Southern Cooking, P. O. Box 202, Brentwood, TN 37024.

Order online with PayPal or credit card Page 15 December 2021 countryreunionmagazine.com

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Areeda’s

by Renae Johnson, Renae the Waitress

Bob Wills: 1905-1975 Bob Wills died May 14, 1975, of bronchial pneumonia.

He was 70 Bob Wills was born March 6, 1905, in Limestone, Texas He was the song of a champion ddler and struggling cotton farmer. Bob’s love for music was part of his life playing the ddle for ranch dances and love for the blues and jazz. He left home at 16 and traveled from t o w n t o t o w n . He attended barber school during his 20’s and worked a s a barber while still playing music. Wills formed se veral bands a s he played radio stations around the south In 1 9 3 4 h e f o r m e d h i s Te x a s P l a y b o y s band. Bob appeared in a tailored double-breasted suit and polished custom-made boots, and the Texas Playboys dressed in business suits, white shirts, and neckties. They were on their way to becoming the largest and most famous Western band in the history of America, and their image was “Western chic.”

In the 1940s expanding his band’s sound with horns and a jazz-like sound. The band found national popularity into the 1940s with such hits as "Steel Guitar Rag", "New San Antonio Rose", "Smoke On The Water", "Stars And Stripes On Iwo Jima", and "New Spanish Two Step.

Wills was the composer of “San Antonio Rose” and starred in 26 movies. He was universally known as the King of Western Swing Wills had a heart attack in 1962 and a second one the next year, which forced him to disband the Playboys although Wills continued to perform solo Then in 1969 he had a stroke left his right side paral yzed, ending his active career. However in

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1973 Merle Haggard joined Bob Wills and his band for a nal recording session titled “Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys: For the Last Time.

The Country Music Hall of Fame inducted Wills in 1968 and The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inducted Wills and the Texas Playboys in 1999.

Celebration of Life About 500 friends and family paid nal respects T h u r s d a y t o B o b Wi l l s a t E a s t w o o d B a p t i s t Church. Former Rep. Clem McSpadden delivered the eulogy. There were about 50 wreaths, some designed in the shape of a ddle, surrounded Wills’ closed casket.

Mourners from throughout the Southwest were seated in the sanctuary two hours before the funeral.

Much of the gathering was comprised of original members of Wills’ band, “The Texas Playboys.”

Wills’ classics included “Faded Love,” “Maiden’s Prayer” and “San Antonio Rose,” were played by a quartet consisting of guitarist Eldon Shamblin and ddle men, Johnny Gimble, Curley Lewis and Keith Coleman.

The co n was removed to the church foyer and opened as mourners led past the man who was once the nations highest paid and most sought-after bandleader. Wills came home like his album said, …”For the Last Time.”

Resting Place Memorial Park, 5111 So Memorial Drive, Tulsa, Oklahoma 74145

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December Click to order! 2021

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Where the Stars are Buried

The ACM Awards, 2021 Keith B

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The Bilb

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Madie & Tae Jenee Fleenor was honored in 2019 as the rst woman to win Musician of the Year. At the 2021 Academy of Countr y Music Awards she won for the third consecutive year.

Jennae Fleenor

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leton p a t S Chris

Chris Stapleton had multiple nominations and wins during the 2021 with ACM awards for both December his album and his single named “Starting2021 Over.”

by Claudia Johnson Ericka Jane Amerikais an Austin, Texas, artist whose paintings of musicians have been displayed in galleries and museums from Los Angeles to Nashville and beyond She’s been commissioned to create album art for a variety of artists and record companies. Her murals and paintings grace the walls of such diverse locations as Austin’s The Roosevelt Room and The Hard Luck Lounge, Austin Beerworks’ tasting room and Vinnie’s Pizza in Brooklyn, New York.

The Johnny Cash Museum in Nashville purchased her painting, Johnny Cash Ostrich Attack, inspired by Cash’s 1981 altercation with his pet ostrich that resulted in broken ribs and near evisceration of his abdomen The artist chose several of her other favorite paintings for exclusive use in this month’s issue of CFR News and shared her personal reasons for those selections, which appear here with the photos of her paintings.

Prints, mugs, coasters, cabinet knobs and other items depicting her work are available to buy from her website, erikajaneamerika.com

Johnny Cash Ostrich Attack This one has gotten me a lot of attention over the years and has shown up odd places on the internet. If you haven’t heard the story… he was attacked by an ostrich on his land in the ‘80s, causing him to be readdicted to pain killers. Of course I depicted him as if maybe he won the ght. However, he did not! I love this piece because it’s fun, and everyone – and I mean everyone – loves Johnny.

Loretta Lynn The mighty Loretta Lynn, her voice. Her charm. I just can't get enough! Also, I have some of my prints of her in her gift shop at her ranch. That just makes my lifetime!

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Texas Artist Loves Capturing Musical Moments

Jerry Lee Lewis Jerry Lee Lewis! what a character! This one was really fun to paint, and there's no denying what he did for country music.

Also, my friend Mike Judge (writer and director) bought this piece from me, so he is in a good home.

Patsy Cline Patsy Cline – what an amazingly rich voice and such an impact she had in such a short time! She was also purchased by the guy that owns the Patsy Cline museum.

Ernest Tubb I chose Ernest Tubb for a couple of reasons! He is from Texas as well as me, so I've been painting Texans lately. Also, he started the rise of honky tonk, and I will be forever grateful for that! And just look at that smile!!!

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Dolly Parton’s Wig Closet Dolly Parton's wig closet! So, this is just what I imagined her wig closet to look like. Turns out, her wig designer for the past 30 years, Cheryl Riddle, told me it’s rich mahogany with lights and such, but hey! Dolly is obviously one of my favorites. When I was little I used to put balloons in my shirt and sing her songs. My mom has this painting.

Waylon Jennings Waylon Jennings! Swooooooooon! What a voice! Gosh! And he is from Little eld, which is almost where I was born, so all us West Texans stick together!

George Jones The Possum! He by far has more of my favorite songs that anyone, and he is also from Texas as well, so that's why I added the Texas mirror clock. I’m proud of how this one turned out.

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December 2021

Christmas Gift Ideas for 2021

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Give the Gift of the

Oak Ridge Boys Christmas in Tennessee Dinner Show

T h e G r a m m y Aw a r d winning quartet and Country Music Hall of Fame members, The Oak Ridge Boys, are celebrating the holiday season at home in Tennessee this year with a 31-show residency as part of Gaylord Opr yland’s 38th annual A Country Christmas event.

The Oaks’ “Christmas in Te n n e s s e e ” D i n n e r S h o w features a delicious holiday meal prepared by the resort’s culinary team followed by The Oak Ridge Boys and their band performing Christmas classics, new favorites and many of the timeless hits that have shaped their legendary career.

For Tickets Click Here.

June 2021

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Music of The Statler Brothers Anthology The Music of The Statler Brothers: An Anthology AUDIO CD Version!

This is this book, read by the author, Don Reid, on 14 CDs. A lot of time went into recording this v e r s i o n a n d o n ce a g a i n , y o u n o w h a v e t h e oppor tunity to hear Don’s voice a gain! An autographed photo card by Don is included with the audio cd version.

This a must-have for any Statler fan! This book is an in-depth look at the musical career of The Statler Brothers’s forty-year reign as country music’s premier group. Lead singer for the group, Don writes about each song ever recorded by the Grammy Award-winning foursome and gives backstage insight to the writings and the selections of each composition.

A songwriter with 250 recordings of music by his own hand and a member of both the Country Music and Gospel Music Halls of Fame, Reid gives meaningful and often humorous insight into the dayto-day workings and trials of the music industry There has been no other book by someone in the recording business that compares with this song-bysong chronicle. Unique in its content and style, this anthology o ers anyone with an interest in the entertainment business more than a glimpse behind the curtain

Order Here

Rhonda Vincent at The Mansion Theatre

The Mansion Theatre for the Performing Arts

Rhonda brings - "Rhonda Vincent Christmas in Branson" to the Mansion Theatre for select dates this December She will feature guest artist each night along with her band The Rage.

This is a must see for the Christmas Season!

Jeannie Seely will be the guest artist on December 6 and 7 and Moe Bandy is the special guest on December 8 and 10. Alex Miller is the guest artist on December 11 and 12. December 2021

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