Country Reunion Magazine, January 2022 by Country Reunion Magazine

Country Reunion m a g a z i n e

January 2022

Stonewall Jackson

M go Smith Old Crow Medicine Show

Gary Scruggs

Leroy Vandyke Makky Kaylor Makenzie Phipps Paul Overstreet Margaret Everly MARSHALL TUCKER BAND

Jimmie Allen

Maggie Baugh

December 2021 … and mor

Country Reunion Magazine Who’s inside? Stonewall Jackson, p. Mckenzie Phipps, p. Margo Smith, p. Margaret Everly p. 1 Leroy Van Dyke, p. 1 Marshall Sucker Band, p. 1 Makky Kaylor, p. 1 Cranberry Bread, p. 1 Jimmie Allen, p. 1 Old Crow Medicine Show, p. 1 Dolly Parton, p. 2 Nadine, p. 2 Gift Ideas, p. 2 Old Crowe Medicine Show, p.2 Paul Overstreet, p. 2 Renea’s Book Club, p. 2

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Legendary Performer Stonewall Jackson Passes by Claudia Johnso

A Singer, songwriter and guitarist Stonewall Jackson became a member of the Grand Ole Opry on Nov. 3, 1956, and when he passed away on Dec. 4, 2021, following a long battle with vascular dementia, he was still a member In an unprecedented move by Opry o cials, though Jackson did not yet have a record deal, he was o ered a ve-year contract upon his rst appearance in 1956. Within months, on Nov. 3, 1956, he became an Opry inductee, serving longer than any other current member “I intend to play it as long as I can still sing ‘Don’t Be Angry,’'” Jackson said in a 2013 postretirement interview, referencing his debut single released in 1958 having signed with Columbia Records His breakthrough came in the country Top 40 in late 1958, with “Life to Go,” a song written by a young George Jones that peaked at No. 2 in early 1959. “Stonewall’s breakout hit ‘Life to Go’ was written by George, and they both became members of the Grand Ole Opry in 1956,” wrote Jones’ widow, Nancy in a released statement. “They held a special friendship over the years, and although Stonewall was retired, he participated in the nal ‘George Jones No Show’ tribute event after George passed. I will always have a special place in my heart for Stonewall. May he rest in peace.”

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Jackson’s follow-up record, “Waterloo,” was No. 1 in the late 1950s for ve weeks and crossed over into the Top 40 of the Bi board Hot 100 Chart where it reached No. 4. The track also reached No. 24 in the UK Singles Chart in July 1959. It sold more than one million copies and was awarded a gold disc Between 1958 to 1971 Jackson had 44 singles on the Billboard country chart – 35 of them becoming Top 40 country hits – with the hard-driving honkytonk sound made popular by stars such as Hank Williams, Lefty Frizzell and Ray Price. Mentored early in his career by Ernest Tubb, who bought Jackson his rst stage clothes and hired him as his opening act, Jackson was presented with the Ernest Tubb Memorial Award in 1997 for his contributions to country music

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Jackson’s relationship with the Opry was not always congenial. In 2008, at age 75 after a two-year legal battle, he settled a federal age discrimination lawsuit against the Opry’s parent company, Gaylord Entertainment, for an undisclosed amount. He sought $10 million in compensatory damages and $10 million in punitive damages, claiming that Opry o cials had cut back his appearances starting in 1998. In 2008 Jackson returned to the Opry stage, playing there until he retired in 2012 "I'm not putting down the record end of the business because that's very important, too," Jackson said upon his retirement. "But to me, the way I came here and all, the Grand Ole Opry's been the mainstay in my career. I still love the Grand Ole Opry very, very much. The Grand Ole Opr y performance on the Saturday night after his death was dedicated to Jackson A Veteran of the U.S. Navy who served on the submarine rescue vessel Kittiwake, Stonewall Jackson was born on Nov. 6, 1932, in Tabor City, N.C. His biological father, a South Carolina-born railroad engineer named David Waymond Jackson, wanted his third son to be named after Thomas Jonathan “Stonewall” Jackson, the Confederate general from whom he claimed to have been descended. Since the general, a Virginia native, sired only female children with two of them dying in infancy, it is unlikely that the child who would become a Country music hitmaker was related at all David Jackson died on April 13, 1933, of acute pellagra at age 26, according to his death certi cate on ancestry.com. Lulu Loraine Turner, his widow,

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who was a 22-year-old mother of three young boys under the age of ve, Marvin, Wade and Stonewall, remarried soon after his death. S o m e t i m e b e t w e e n 1 9 3 5 - 1 9 4 0, Ja c k s o n’s stepfather, James Leviner, moved the family to Hamilton, Georgia. With Leviner, Lulu gave birth to sons James Jr. and LeRoy, daughters Brenda, Mavis and Teresa, and a baby girl, Lonnie Etta, who died when she was around age two In Jackson’s 1991 autobiography, From the Bottom Up: The Stonewa Jackson Story as Told in His Own Words, he revealed that Leviner had often abused him, once hoisting him high above his head and dashing him against a rock. During another childhood incident, Leviner beat him to unconsciousness and abandoned him in a eld because the boy accidentally spilled a bucket of water “The physical scars and pain of being abused don’t last long,” Jackson observed in his book, adding, “but the mental part of it goes on and on and on. Ma n y p u b l i s h e d accounts of Stonewall Jackson’s life indicate that his mother left his stepfather because of the abuse he and his brothers su ered at the hand of Leviner. However, the 1940 U.S. Federal Census shows Lulu and her ve young sons, including Marvin, Wade and Stonewall, in the Leviner household in Georgia. Lulu and James Leviner are buried with a joint headstone in the Boston Cemetery in Thomas County, Georgia. Both of them were living in Boston, Georgia, at their deaths. He died in 1984 and she in 2003 at age 93. Her tombstone names her as Lulu Turner Leviner A death notice for Lulu ran in the Nashville Tennessean the week after her death that made no mention of Leviner or her children with him. In fact, she is listed as Lula Lorene Turner Jackson. The obituary says she was preceded in death by her husband, David W. Jackson, and is survived by sons Marvin, Wade and Stonewall January 2022

All three of her Jackson boys have passed away in the past two years. Wade, a 20-year Army veteran who died at 90 in 2020, was an accomplished musician and entertainer and a BMI award-winning songwriter who wrote thousands of songs. In January 2021, Marvin, also a career Army veteran who served in WWII, the Korean War and the Vietnam War, where he earned the Purple Heart and Bronze Star with Valor, died at age 93. Fo r d e c a d e s S to n e w a l l Ja c k s o n l i v e d i n Brentwood, Tennessee, on a compound he called "Lake Waterloo." Jackson’s wife of 62 years, Juanita Wair Jackson, passed away Jan. 11, 2019.

She was Jackson’s business manager and personal manager and operated Turp Tunes, his song publishing company. The couple had one son, Stonewall "Turp" Jackson, Jr. and two granddaughters, who survive Fellow musicians and fans shared memories of Jackson on social media after his passing, with one tribute being especially poignant. “Stonewall Jackson was one of the rst Opry stars I met when I started coming to Nashville, and as two ol' boys with Georgia roots, we became fast friends,” Bill Anderson remembered. “We toured the U.S. and Canada together, sharing a lot of laughs and a lot of country music. He was about as "genuine" a person as I've ever known. He will certainly be missed.” January 2022 countryreunionmagazine.com

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Click to listen to a young Stonewall Jackson Sing

Young Country Entertainer Hopes Her Music will Make a Difference Interview by Claudia Johnso

Makenzie LaRhea Phipps may be only 19 years old, but the Blue eld, Virginia, native and fulltime college student has been entertaining since childhood. With her traditional Country voice and strong guitar skills, her performances are reminiscent of the great ladies of Country music, including her hero, Loretta Lynn After years of performing at festivals, fairs, sporting events and honky tonks, in 2021 she released her rst single, “Maybe,” and a holiday song, “Christmas Snow. In an exclusive interview with CFR News and Country Reunion Magazine, Phipps discussed her family, her music and her dreams. CFR News: Tell our readers about yourself. Phipps: My dad is a registered nurse, and my mother is a respiratory therapist. It makes me very proud to have two hardworking parents who have the opportunity to help others get better Listen to Makenzie Phipps and healthy again. My older brother is a middle school English teacher. I always love to hear how he interacts with his students and am so glad that he’s made a di erence in some of their lives. CFR News: Into what genre does your music fall

the chance to hear some of his music too. A lot of my uncles on my mom’s side were musicians too. They would always come to my grandmother’s house and bring their guitars and sing outside when we had family functions. It was always fun getting to learn some playing tips from them

Phipps: I would say that my music falls into country mixed with aspects of soul. Country is such a broad genre, and I feel that some of my songs have the grasp of both classic Country and some modern Country. I have a very soulful and strong voice at times as well, so I like to add those kinds of CFR News: Have you had any musical or vocal elements to my Country sound training, are your abilities natural or is there a combination of both CFR News: I know your late uncle, Ron Simons, was a songwriter, but were there other musical Phipps: I was trained in both piano and guitar, but as far as vocals, I never really had much training. I in uences in your family or childhood started singing when I was four, and when I went to Phipps: My Uncle Ronnie was a very talented the music school, my teacher would give me tips on singer/songwriter/musician. I am so thankful for the certain things such as how to handle nerves, how to time I got to spend with him. I loved getting to harmonize, etc. Other than that, I guess you could share with him songs that I loved to sing and getting say the good Lord made me born to sing, and for that I will always be grateful January 2022

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CFR News: What instruments do you play and Phipps: Mine and Shane’s song, “Maybe,” was how did you learn them nominated for a Josie Music Award in September 2021. We were so honored to have even been Phipps: I play two instruments; I play guitar and nominated. I believe they said there were more than piano. When I rst started singing, I attended my 30,000 submissions worldwide, and we were one of local church with my grandmother, and I would hear the nominees! How cool is that?! “Maybe” won hymns every Sunday. One day, I went to the piano Country Female Song of the Year! That was one of before Sunday service and listened to the notes. I my proudest moments in my career, and I can’t wait began playing little songs by ear that I had heard the to see what we can do in the future! choir sing, and from that point on I wanted to learn how to play. I took my rst piano lesson at age 10. CFR News: Do you have musical heroes As the years went by, I always told myself that I would never play a stringed instrument. Then one Phipps: I have always looked up to Loretta Lynn day, I had watched “Camp Rock” and thought about ever since I was a little girl. I got a pink, Cinderella how cool it would be to maybe learn another boom-box kit for Christmas one year, and I only instrument. So, I told my mom I wanted to learn owned one CD. It was Loretta’s. I used to go around the guitar, and she got me my very rst Baby Taylor. my house and sing all of her songs every chance I I took my rst guitar lesson at age 15 got. Watching her movie and seeing what all she went through to get where she is today just CFR News: When did you “discover” that you had encouraged me so much. She is just such an amazing the talent to perform publicly and perhaps have a singer, and I hope to one day get the chance to meet career in music her. I sing her songs at my shows, I have many videos of her songs on my Facebook page, I just love Phipps: I used to do small talent shows at my everything about her. school when I was younger. Then as I got older, I had a friend who introduced me to a music school in CFR News: What do you imagine seeing yourself West Virginia. I started going there when I was doing over the next few years career-wise around 12. They taught instrument and vocal lessons and had groups that you could join to play with one Phipps: I hope to have an album out in the next another. We also would enter local competitions and year and to start touring the country! With all of my perform shows together. That school gave me my followers on Facebook, I would love to get to meet start in performing. I started doing my own shows them in their own states. I have friends from all at 15 years old, and I’ve been performing ever since over the country and world who follow my musical journey, and to have the chance to give back to them CFR News: Are you also a songwriter? by performing in their hometowns would mean the world to me Phipps: I have been getting into songwriting a lot more these last two years. I wrote my rst song CFR News: What do you consider personal and when I was 15. As of recently, the new songs that professional success I’ve written by myself and with my co-writer, Shane Begley, have been performed at my shows. I love Phipps: Honestly, personal and professional to me getting to put emotion into a song and getting to are in the same category. My life revolves around share it with people. I think the more connection music so much that it’s no longer professional nor and emotion you have with the storyline, the more personal, it’s all wrapped into one life! Getting to connected you are with your audience. If I can write connect with my audience in so many di erent ways a song and have it touch someone’s heart, then I feel through music is the greatest success of all. I think as though I’ve done my job. if my music can change people’s lives for the better, then I have done my job CFR News: What has been the most exciting thing you have done so far in your career

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January 2022

by Sasha Dunavant

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Smith’s second single, “Paper Lovin,’” made the Top 30. Smith then signed with Warner Brothers due to her label shutting down. “Save Your Kisses for Me” reached the Top 10 on the Bi board Country Singles survey in 1976. Smith’s 1976 studio album entitled “Song Bird” reached the Top 40 Bi board’s Country Albums chart. The single, “Take My Breath Away,” climbed to No. 7 on the Billboard chart. The song was Smith’s rst released single from her third studio album, “Happiness.” Three singles were released from the album. The single “Love Explosion,” a duet with a well-known producer Norro Wilson, landed the song on the Top 20 hit list. Smith covered two Pop songs, “Don’t Break the Heart That Loves You” and “ It Only Hurts for a Little While.” The songs made it to No. 1 on the Bi board Country songs survey. Smith’s next single, “Little Things Mean a Lot,” climbed to No. 3 on the Country songs chart and had also been a Pop cover prior to Smith’s rendition of the song.

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Margo Smith, “The Tennessee Yodler,” gave her rst public performance following a particularly exasperating public moment when she realized she would have to sing without a piano “I was only 5, but I knew a lot about music,” Smith said in a September interview with The Villages Daily Sun newspaper. “I said, ‘How am I supposed to get my pitch without a piano?’ Then my mom looked at me and said, ‘Sing the song.’ The 79-year-old said that she sang the song “Jesus Wants Me for a Sunbeam” and hasn’t really ever stopped Never expecting that she would become a Country music star who would appear on the Grand Ole Opry or record three No. 1 hits or tour with some of the greatest Countr y musicians of her time, Smith graduated from Ohio’s Wittenberg University with a major in elementary education and taught school for seven years In Smith’s early thirties she decided to pursue her lifelong dream of being a Country music singer and yodeler. She initially performed on local radio broadcasts and at PTA meetings. She wrote her own songs and soon she gathered her on fan following. The busy singer recorded a demo record and released her rst album in 1971 entitled “I’m a Lady.” Smith composed eight tracks of the 12 tracks on the record. Some of the songs were gospel covers, including the well-known gospel song, “In the Garden.” When 20th Century Fox Records signed her in 1975, the Ohio native used her real name, “Betty Lou Miller,” given her upon her birth April 9, 1942. However, she began presenting herself to the world as “Margo Smith” shortly after she signed the Fox contract. Smith’s rst single, “There I Said It,” made the Top 20 on the RPM Country singles chart in Canada. Smith’s self-titled debut album, “Margo Smith,” was issued by 20 th Century Fox and included self-penned tracks. The album was Smith’s rst to make the Bi board Country Albums list.

late Start in Country did not Hinder Margo Smith

“Don’t Break the Heart that Loves You,” “It Only Hurts for a Little While” and “Little Things Mean a Lot” were all on Smith’s fth studio album called “Don’t Break the Heart that Loves You.” The album combined original as well as cover songs. In 1979 Smith teamed up with songwriter Mack David and producer Norro Wilson to write an anthem for middle-aged women called “Still a Woman.” The song made it to No. 7 on the Bi board’s Country list and the Top 20 on the RPM chart that same year. “Still a Woman” was released on an album called “A Woman,” which reached No 36 on Country Albums chart. The album’s second single, “If I Give My Heart to You” made it to the Top Ten on the Bi board Country chart. Smith’s e orts to be open about her sexuality and to create a platform for other women to discuss their sexuality, gave her a larger female fan base. Smith’s 1979 album, “ Just Margo,” featured Smith in only a satin robe on the cover of the album. Canadians loved the album. This caused “Just Margo” to make it to the No. 14 slot on the RPM Country Albums survey. Smith’s 1980 album, “Diamonds and Chills,” spawned two singles. The rst was a cover of Mary Wells “My Guy.” The song did well in North America. Smith collaborated with fellow country artist Rex Allen Jr. for a duet, “ Cup of Tea,” a song that peaked at No. 12 on the Country songs chart. Throughout the 1980s Smith began working with her new label, Cammeron Records, an independent label founded by Smith’s second husband, Richard Cammeron. In 1981 Smith released the album “Ridin’ High” followed by the album, “The Best Tennessee Yodeler,” in 1983. The album showcased a di erent side of Smith by focusing on her yodeling abilities. It was marketing directly to the public through television advertising. In 1985 Smith was chosen to be among Dot Records’ veteran Country singers to release new music. The next year she released her second selftitled album in conjunction with Dot Records and MCA Records. The album featured Smith’s hits from the 1970s. Smith released her next studio album entitled “The Best Yet” in 1987. A single from the album, “Echo Me,” was Smith’s last charting hit.

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In the 1990s, Smith teamed up with her d a u g h t e r, Ho l l y, a n d g a i n e d s u c c e s s o n contemporary Christian radio stations by doing several duets. The pair released their rst album in 1991 called “Just the Beginning.” In 1992 they released their second album, “Wishes.” The mother- daughter duo was nominated for “Vocal Duo of the Year” at the Christian Country Music Awards. They continued their popularity by touring and performing for charitable events until the mid-1990s. Smith continued performing, selling a lear ning to yodel tape on TV and making appearances on local television shows such as “America’s Got Talent.” In 2005, Smith released her album, “Nothing to Lose.” Smith was inducted into the International Country Gospel Music Association Hall of Fame and also earned a Canadian Countr y Music Association Living Legend Award. In 2014 Smith was involved in a near-fatal automobile accident, but by the following February, she was back to yodeling at performances in The Villages, Florida, where she has been a resident for several years Although Smith fell ill with double pneumonia in 2016 and was on life support, she recovered and has appeared on stage as late as 2019. She attends Fairway Christian Church in The Villages, where before the pandemic she and her daughter frequently performed together

Listen to Margo Smith Yodel January 2022

Force Behind Everly Brothers Dies Margaret Everly, the mother of Don and Phil Everly, died Dec. 6, 2021, in Nashville at the age of 102. Margaret and husband Ike and their two sons moved to Shenandoah, Virginia, in the mid-1940s when Ike was a performer on KMA and KFNF in the era of live music over the airwaves. Ike was the family's rst performer, but it was Margaret who encouraged Don and Phil to become musicians. Eventually, the Everlys moved to Tennessee in the mid-1950s, and the Everly Brothers became music legends, churning out hit after hit. Ike Everly died in 1975. Margaret outlived both sons. Phil died in 2014, and Don passed away in August 2021. Click the video below to watch an interview with Margaret

Fan Club – Everly Brothers International Everly Brothers International (EBI) has been the o cial and the biggest Everly Brothers fan club for more than 50 years now. The fan club is a continuation of the original USA/UK fan clubs and the Dutch fan club 'Our Stars'. Although all of them had folded by the mid 70s, EBI which was founded in late 1966 is still thriving today with even more members than ever before thanks to the new media like Facebook, YouTube, Twitter and of course its own website, which is found at everly.net January 2022

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January 2022

Leroy Van Dyke’s Still Going Strong at 92 Leroy Van Dyke of "Auctioneer" and "Walk on By" fame and star of the movie, "What Am I Bid?" is known around the world as an entertainer, recording artist, radio and television star, actor, auctioneer and veteran of the Nevada circuit. He has recorded over 500 songs and claims to hold the record for most repeat-performance bookings of any working, name country music entertainer. He has worked 40 to 70 fairs and livestock events per year for some six decades in addition to a great variety of other engagements. Van Dyke was born on a farm – not in a hospital – in rural Pettis County, Missouri, without the amenities of running water and electricity. Elementary schooling was in one-room country schools, then to high school at Sedalia, where he ranked third in a class of 180 graduates. A graduate of the University of Missouri with a dual major in Animal Husbandry and Journalism, with a minor in Speech, he received a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture, did one semester of graduate work and was a member of both the junior and

Leroy in Korea senior University of Missouri intercollegiate livestock judging teams. After serving as a special agent, U. S. Army Counter-Intelligence Corps, in Korea, Van Dyke was catapulted into show business while working as a journalist when his self-penned "Auctioneer" recording sold a million-plus copies just weeks after its release. He soon joined Red Foley's ABC-TV Network "Ozark Jubilee" in Spring eld, Missouri, as a regular member and continued in that position for three years until the show left the air Van Dyke again had a multi-million seller with "Walk on By," a record that stayed in the charts an incredible 42 weeks – 19 in the number one position – and named by Bi board magazine as the biggest country music record in history at that time. The entertainer moved to Nashville, Tennessee, and became a regular performer on the Grand Ole Opry. Music industry experts named him the Country Music Entertainer of the Decade for the 1960s.

Leroy in Korea January 2022

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Click above to listen to Leroy Van Dyke He wa s a founding co-host of "Countr y Crossroads," the most widely syndicated show in radio histor y. He hosted his own syndicated television series, "The Leroy Van Dyke Show" and hosted the 1965 Country Music Association Awards Show at which Ernest Tubb was inducted into the Hall of Fame. Van Dyke was the rst entertainer to receive the prestigious Country Music Association Founding Pr e s i d e n t 's Aw a r d f o r co n t r i b u t i n g to t h e advancement and improved image of country music. He served on the board of directors of the Country Music Association, and also served on the board of the International Entertainment Buyers Association. He w a s s e l e c te d b y t h e C o u n t r y Mu s i c Association to represent it in showcase situations at the Waldorf in New York, The Monteleone in New Orleans, The Edgewater Beach and the Conrad Hilton in Chicago, The Ambassador in Los Angeles and numerous Country Music Association functions in Nashville. Van Dyke is considered by industry moguls and by his peers to be the entertainer who put professionalism in country music. He was the rst to b l a z e a t r a i l a n d t a ke a s t a g e d , p r o d u ce d , choreographed, self-contained country music show to the "Strip" in Las Vegas He was the rst to take country music to Bourbon Street in New Orleans' famed French

Click above to listen to Leroy Van Dyke television, recordings, the Nevada circuit, livestock events, agricultural shows and private functions. Even after six decades as an entertainer, Van Dyke continued traveling in excess of hundred thousand miles annually performing around the world and prides himself in never having missed a show. He is living his dream

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Quarter. He was the only country music performer ever to open a show for Marilyn Monroe. He is a 2001 inductee into the North American Country Music Association, International Hall of Fame. Van Dyke says there are only four things he ever wanted to do: sing, sell, write and raise livestock. In addition to nding success in the entertainment industry, his Arabian mules developed a reputation from New England to California and from Canada to the Deep South. He is also an auctioneering Hall of Fame member. A successful journalist, Van Dyke the author of Auctioneering, Motivation, Success, a textbook for the auction profession. His name is a household word in country music circles around the world. He has performed in all facets of show business, including fairs, festivals, concerts, rodeos, supper clubs, conventions, radio,

January 2022

Historic 50th Anniversary Tour Ne a r l y 5 0 y e a r s a g o , T h e Marshall Tucker Band was f o u n d e d i n S p a r t a n b u r g , S. C . Thanks to hits like “Can’t You See,” “Heard It in a Love Song,” “Fire on the Mountain” and “24 Hours At a Time,” the 5x Gold, 3x Platinum-selling Southern Rock group has sold millions of albums worldwide. MTB songs have been featured in major motion picture lms and television shows including Breaking Bad, Blow, The Box, Swing Vote, Half Nelson, My Name Is Earl, Cold Case Files and Good Guys. CMT (Country Music Television) named the MTB’s “Can’t You See” the #4 Greatest Southern Rock Song. The MTB’s debut album, The Marsha Tucker Band, reigns as Gibson Guitar’s #5 Greatest Southern Rock Album. Ultimate Classic Rock crowned the MTB’s “Can’t You See” as the #1 Southern Rock Song and GRAMMY® Magazine named the group’s logo as one of the most distinctive and iconic brands in music. n 2022, the The Marshall Tucker Band will celebrate ve decades since its inception. To celebrate, the multi-platinum southern rock group will hit the road for its historic “50th Anniversary Tour.” The MTB today revealed over 30 live concert dates with stops in Clearwater, Fla., Atlanta, Ga., Nashville, Tenn., Detroit, Mich., Chicago, Ill., New York, N.Y., Pittsburgh, Pa., Washington D.C., Phoenix, Ariz. and more. “Five decades of The Marshall Tucker Band … sometimes it’s still hard to understand,” says MTB lead singer Doug Gray. “We are just regular people. The fans have given us so many special moments over these 50 years. I’m so proud of our band.” In 1972, original m e m b e r s To y Caldwell,Tommy Caldwell, Doug Gray, Jerry E u b a n k s , G e o r g e Mc C o r k l e a n d Pa u l Riddle came together in Spartanburg, S.C. to form a southern rock band. They knew they had the magic for something that could reach people well beyond the South Carolina state line. They had the sound, the look, and the camaraderie. Problem was, they didn’t have a name. One day while rehearsing in a local warehouse, they came across a key ring with the inscription, ‘Marshall Tucker.’ It belonged to a blind piano tuner who resided in Spartanburg. It was this fated discovery that inspired the band’s moniker, and in that moment, The Marshall Tucker Band was

born. Dave Mason will join the legendary group on select live concert dates. “I’m really looking forward to joining the 50th anniversary celebration of this extraordinary band,” says Mason. “I’ve been waiting to get back on the road, and this is quite the opportunity to bring great music to everybody, everywhere.” “Our special songs, guided by the lyrics of Toy Caldwell, have given us a deep emotional connection with our fans and friends,” adds Gray. “We love you all and can’t wait to see you on the road in 2022.” The tour o cially kicks-o on Jan. 12 at the Dosey Doe in The Woodlands, TX. In the coming weeks, the second leg of the tour will be announced via marshalltucker.com.

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Click above to listen to “Fire on the Mountain”

January 2022

Grammy-Winner Gary Scruggs Gary Scruggs, Grammy-winning Country music performer, producer, singer, bassist and songwriter, passed away on Dec. 1, 2021, at 72

Click here to listen to the Earl Scruggs review. The eldest son of bluegrass music legend Earl Scruggs, Gary Scruggs, who was born May 18, 1949, grew up surrounded by music royalty and began playing guitar and bass as a child. He contributed to albums by Flatt and Scruggs as a teenager. With brother Randy Scruggs he released two albums (1969 and 1970) as The Scruggs Brothers, and then formed the progressive Country rock band The Earl Scruggs Revue with their father, Earl. The Revue toured extensively, and during that early time in 1970 Scruggs convinced his father to go to a concert of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. With the help of his father and his mother, Louise's, this led to other iconic traditional Country artists joining them to create the rst “Will the Circle Be Unbroken?” album, an album that is in the Grammy Hall of Fame and Library of Congress Scruggs played guitar and sang backup for Waylon Jennings, produced his records and nally retired from the road in the mid-1980s. At that point he focused primarily on songwriting, and over the course of his career wrote or cowrote hundreds of songs. His incredible “lonesome” song, “The

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Lowlands,” was used for a lm score produced by John McEuen and sung by Vince Gill In 2005 Scruggs and his father coauthored a revised and enhanced version of his father's classic book, Earl Scruggs and the 5-string Banjo In 2008 his song, “Speed of Life,” became the title cut for the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band's record. In 2009 Gary co-wrote “Daddy Played the Banjo” with Steve Martin for his Grammy Winning Best Bluegrass Album, “The Crow. He participated in the recording of “Earl Scruggs and Friends,” which won the Best Countr y Instrumental Performance Grammy award in 2001 for "Foggy Mountain Breakdown. He was also nominated for the Best Bluegrass Album Grammy award in 2008 for "The Ultimate Collection / Live at the Ryman" Scruggs worked with a wide range of musicians, including Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, Doc Watson, The Byrds, Vince Gill, Rosanne Cash, Charlie Daniels, Steve Martin, Patty Loveless and many others In addition to his musical accomplishments, he earned a BA in Philosophy from Vanderbilt University Scruggs is survived by sons Jesse and Jaime, his niece Lindsey, and grandchildren Alex, Camila, Austin and Lily M e m o r i a l contributions may be made to the Country Music Hall of Fame or the Earl Scruggs C e n t e r i n S h e l b y, North Carolina.

January 2022

Makky’s Muletown Sound Captured in “Back To The River” K a y l o r ’s m u s i c , m u c h l i ke h i s b e l o v e d “Muletown” (Columbia, Tennessee), is perfectly situated at the intersection of soul, rhythm and blues and country. The singer/songsmith, who has been a popular guest on “Larry’s Country Diner,” is certainly in his smooth southern soul lane with his soon to be released new studio album “Back To The River,” an original blend of his Memphis soul roots and his years as an integral behind-the- scenes part of the cosmopolitan twang of Music Row as a “go to” demo singer for many Country Music Hall of Fame songwriters and as a formidable songwriter himself. Combined with his longtime friend/drummer and now co-producer Mark Beckett’s Muscle Shoals music industry pedigree (following in his legendary dad Barry Beckett’s footsteps) and their illustrious Swanky South Players band, this project is nothing short of authentic Southern Soul/R&B goodness. “This album and my town both feel like home,” Kaylor said. “There are similarities with my city of origin, Memphis, and the place I now call home, Columbia. For me, there’s a rhythm and a feeling in

Muletown like a familiar river owing through my soul. I call it ‘home.’ That feeling is what I hope to convey with this album.” Kaylor is poised to take this fresh yet familiar rhythm and soul embod- ied in “Back To The River” to a worldwide audience. He’s also developing a vodcast/internet radio show called “Makky’s Muletown Sound” that will begin airing in early 2022 for Main Street Media.

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Makky Kaylor on the streets of Muletown

January 2022

Areeda’s southern cooking by Areeda Schneider Stampley

Cranberry Orange Walnut Tea Bread Delicious for breakfast or day’s end with co ee

3 c. plain our 1 tsp. salt 1/2 tsp. baking soda 3 tsp. baking powder 1/2 c. butter, melted 1 1/2 c. sugar 2 large eggs 3/4 c. water 1/2 c. orange juice 1 tsp. grated orange rind 1 c. chopped nuts 1 1/2 c. cranberries, chopped Optional: Make small mixture of sugar, melted butter and crushed graham crackers to sprinkle on top. Sift together our, salt, soda and baking powder. Cream butter and sugar. Add eggs and mix well. Combine water, orange juice and rind and add alternately with sifted dry ingredients. Fold in nuts and cranberries. Pour into a greased 9x5 loaf pan. Bake 1 hour in a 350° oven. Turn out onto rack to cool. Cool completely before slicing. 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.

January 2022

Order online with PayPal or credit card countryreunionmagazine.com

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Jimmie Allen Is

Everywhere These Days

Black Artists Rewriting Country Music,” he has amassed more than 850 million on-demand streams and performed on The Kennedy Center Honors, Dick Clark’s Rockin’ New Year’s Eve, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Good Morning America, TODAY, American Idol, Tamron Ha Show, The Steve Harvey Show, ACM Awards, CMA Awards, CMT Music Awards, and more. He is a member of the 2021 Artists Committee for the 44th Kennedy Center Honors. His current single “Freedom Was A Highway” with superstar Brad Paisley is climbing through the Top 20 on Country radio as he is out on the road on Paisley’s headline Tour 2021 as special guest this summer Allen’s debut picture book, My Voice Is a Trumpet – a powerful story about speaking up for what you believe in, at any age – was published on July 13, 2021 with Flamingo Books, an imprint of Penguin Young Readers. Allen also serves as Executive Music Producer for Net ix’s series Titletown High, which premiered globally on August 27. His song “Big In A Small Town” is the theme song for the series, which follows a Georgia town where football rules and winning is paramount, a champion high school team tackles rivalries, romance and real life as they work toward the ultimate goal: a state title. He most recently competed as a contestant on Dancing With The Stars’ landmark 30th season on ABC.

Signed to BBR Music Group’s Stoney Creek Records, multi-platinum recording artist and songwriter Jimmie Allen has been blazing trails since the beginning of his breakout career. He made history as the rst Black artist to launch a career with two consecutive No. 1 hits o his 2018 debut album Mercur y L ane (which The New York Times dubbed as one of 2018’s strongest) – the rst being his debut single “Best Shot,” which claimed the No. 1 spot on Country radio for three weeks, and second being “Make Me Want To.” In July 2020, Allen released his star-studded collaboration project Bettie James that has since garnered 171+ million streams and a slew of critical acclaim for the music, the historic nature of various collaborations, and its subsequent place in country music history. Named for his late grandmother, Bettie Snead, and late father, James Allen, Bettie James has been hailed as an “announcement of [Allen’s] arrival” and a “huge step for country” (NPR), and “a powerful statement from a developing voice” (Bi board). On June 25, 2021, Allen released the project’s follow up album Bettie James Gold Edition. Doubling down on Allen’s expansive love for music across genres, the album “broadens country’s borders” (Bi board) and includes nine brand new songs featuring Babyface, BRELAND, Keith Urban, LANCO, Lathan Warlick, L i n d s a y E l l , L i t t l e B i g To w n , LOCASH, Monica, Neon Union, Pitbull, teamwork. and Vikina in addition to the previous collaborations on Bettie James with Brad Paisley, Charley Pride, Darius Rucker, Mickey Guyton, Nelly, Noah Cyrus, The Oak Ridge Boys, Rita Wilson, Tauren Wells and Tim McGraw. Allen won the both the ACM New Male Artist of the Year award and CMA New Artist of the Year award in April and November 2021, respectively. Hailed by GRAMMY.com as one of “5 Jimmie Allen with Leslie Jordan at the Ryman

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January 2022

Old Crow Medicine Show star ted busking on street corners in 1998 New York state and up through Canada, winning audiences along the way with their boundless energy and spirit. They eventually found themselves in Boone, North Carolina where they caught the attention of folk icon Doc Watson while playing in front of a pharmacy. He invited the band to play at his festival, MerleFest, helping to launch their career. Shortly thereafter the band was hired to entertain crowds between shows at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, TN. It's been over twenty years since these humble beginnings. The band has gone on to receive the honor of being inducted as members of the Grand Ole Opry, and have won two Grammy Awards: "Best Folk Album" for Remedy (2014) and "Best Long Form Music Video" for Big Easy Express (2013). Additionally, their classic single, "Wagon Wheel", received the RIAA's Double-Platinum certi cation in 2019 for selling over 2,000,000 copies while the band’s debut album O.C.M.S. has been certi ed Gold (500,000 copies) Old Crow Medicine Show has toured the world

Click here for Current Tour Schedule playing renowned festivals and venues such as: Bonnaroo, Farm Aid, Red Rocks Amphitheater,

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Cambridge Folk Festival, Coachella, London's Roundhouse, The Ryman Auditorium, The Barclays Center, New Orleans Jazz Fest, The Fox Theater Atlanta, The Kennedy Center Concert Hall, Summerstage in Central Park NYC, Forecastle, the Newport Folk Festival, and several appearances on A Prairie Home Companion. They've toured with artists such as Willie Nelson & Family, Brandi Carlile, Mumford & Sons, The Lumineers, John Prine, The Avett Brothers and others. The band also took part in the historic Railroad Revival Tour, traveling from California to New Orleans on a vintage train, which was captured in the Emmet Malloy directed Grammy awardwinning documentary, Big Easy Express Old Crow Medicine Show now has six studio albums to their name, three of which were released by Nettwerk Records - O.C.M.S. (2004) and Big Iron World (2006) produced by David Rawlings, and Tennessee Pusher (2008) produced by Don Was. Following that, ATO Records released the Ted Hutt produced, Carry Me Back (2012), on which the band continued to craft classic American roots music and Remedy (2014), also produced by Ted Hutt Old Crow Medicine Show was signed to Columbia in 2017 and immediately delivered a fulllength tribute to Boy Dylan’s Blonde on Blonde, entitled 50 Years Of Blonde On Blonde (2017). During the same year, Nettwerk also released a Best Of Old Crow Medicine Show compilation. A year later, the band released the Dave Cobb produced Volunteer (2018) via Columbia. The band’s latest release Live At The Ryman (2019) was released on Columbia Records via The Orchard. January 2022

Who’s the RealPerson of the Year? Billionaire Elon Musk was named TIME Magazine’s “Person of the Year” for 2021, but many think it should have been Dolly Parton While mentioning that he was once mocked for his ambitions, TIME wrote: “Now this shy South African with Asperger’s syndrome, who escaped a brutal childhood and overcame personal tragedy, bends governments and industry to the force of his ambition. TIME says that he’s saved taxpayers billions, and that he’s deserving of the “person of the year” title, taking to Twitter to share their opinions “Dolly Parton didn’t spend her millions on space travel,” one Twitter user retorted, reminding that, “She spent it putting 150 million books in the hands of children. And now, because of the help of the country singer, the entire world has the Moderna vaccine available to them, as well as the second vaccination against the deadly virus and a booster shot Last year, Dolly Parton donated $1 million so that research into a vaccine against the coronavirus could be carried out, as well as pushing its development Dolly is a huge gure among those who want nothing but the best for children and their futures. She set up a library called the Imagination Library in 1995. This was to encourage children under the age of six to start reading. The best part? She gives the books away for free from birth to age six so each child can receive a book every month Another Twitter user commented, “How about Dolly Parton, a millionaire who used her money to help fund the vaccine, as a person of the year instead of a billionaire who stroked his ego ghting other billionaires for a pointless rst ride into “space” while he whined about paying taxes? So those are just two reasons why many feel like Dolly should have this honor. But no matter what Time Magazine thinks, the world knows Dolly Parton is Person of the Year every year

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She may not have been on the cover of TIME, but People Magazine’s editors recognized her value and placed her on the cover of their “People of the Year” issue for 2021.

January 2022

Nadine’s Corner

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January 2022

Songwriter Maggie Baugh Reaches Milestones

Multi-instrumentalist Maggie Baugh has wrapped an impressive year of milestones with Spotify naming her as the No. 1 Fresh Finds Country artist on their year end Fresh Finds Country: Best of 2021 playlist Rachel Whitney, Head of Editorial for Spotify Nashville, shared, "We found Maggie’s song, and I remember listening to it, and I was like, ‘If there’s a better country song, I haven't heard it.’ Girl, you did it. It’s so beautiful, congratulations! Baugh’s viral single, "Think About Me,” (click the video above to hear the song) gained her entry into the Spotify Million + club, and her current release, "Drinking to the Broken Hearts,” is hitting milestones of its very own. After being premiered by People.com, CMT decided to give the video the royal treatment by featuring her on their home page and adding her to their Apple playlist, “CMT Next Women of Country.” CMA followed with their endorsement by adding her to two of their Apple playlists celebrating women. "Drinking to the Broken Hearts" is a soul-gripping track melding raw lyrics, a captivating melody, and, of course, Baugh’s striking vocal Baugh, 21, is a sought after touring instrumentalist, sharing the stage with superstars like Luke Bryan, Trace Adkins, Kane Brown, Charlie Daniels, Luke Combs, Jake Owen, Chris Lane, and many more To learn more about Baugh and listen to her music, click here

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January 2022

Paul Overstreet “Sunsets and Songs” 2022 Tour Begins Paul Overstreet, two time Grammy Award winner, NSAI Hall of Fame member, recipient of multiple ACM and CMA awards and the only person to ever achieve becoming BMI Songwriter of the Year ve consecutive years, who topped the charts in the late ’80s and early '90s with songs such as “Daddy’s Come Around,” “Seeing My Father In Me” and “I Won’t Take Less Than Your Love” with Tanya Tucker and Paul Davis will be bringing the “SUNSETS AND SONGS” Tour to venues across North America “You know I was fortunate to have a few phases in my career. I had a record deal with RCA Records and had some hit records and, at the same time, was writing some big ole hits for artists like Keith Whitley, Randy Travis, Tanya Tucker and The Judds,” says Overstreet. “Fast forward a decade and the songs I had been writing became chart-toppers for Kenny Chesney and Blake Shelton. I am happy to still be doing what I love to do. The “SUNSETS AND SONGS” Tour will not only include Overstreet performing his own hit singles but will also showcase the stories and songs recorded by others that were written or cowritten by Paul. Songs include “Some Beach” by Blake Shelton, “She Thinks My Tractors Sexy” by

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Kenny Chesney, “When You Say Nothing At All” by Keith Whitley and Alison Krauss, “Forever and Ever, Amen,” “Diggin' Up Bones,” “On The Other Hand” by Randy Travis, and "Love Can Build A Bridge” by The Judds. Last, but not least, he will perform songs that you will only hear at his concerts, with the promise that you will never forget them

January 2022

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www.cfrvideos.com

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June 2021

Country Reunion Magazine, January 2022

Articles inside

Margaret Everly