This celebration was created to bring together all artists, musicians, country music associations, websites, radio stations and country music fans all over the world, as well as to promote country music worldwide. Come celebrate with us!
In a period of global crisis, Country Music has proved its strength and the international country music markets faced the challenge of a changing economy with reliability, confidence and good country music around the world.
There are many highlights and remarkable festivals, tours and concerts all over the planet, but on this occasion, just to summarize this year, we would like to point out three special events that show us the way to ‘build’ a stage for international country music possibilities.
Once again these events proved to be the best showcase for international country music artists in America. They show how country music is played and lived in other countries and the extraordinary quality and values of artists that deserve a special place of consideration and promotion in shows like these ones.
Many of these original artists play in music markets in which Country Music is a minor style, so they have to work harder and sing “louder” to be heard and respected.
We wish that one day, these showcases could cross borders and be watched in other countries to be really “global” and promote Country Music everywhere.
2. Toby Keith’s World Tour
Toby Keith took Europe by storm. His shows in the Scandinavian countries and Great Britain last November were a complete success, filling venues and making audiences go wild.
He is a top Country Music star in the USA, but let´s face it: in Europe, outside the Country Music fan base, he is not a familiar face.
But it shows us that when you have the right Country Music star for the right market, you can draw many people to the style. Garth Brooks did it some years ago. Gail Davies and the Bellamy Brothers do it every year. Toby Keith has done it now and it can be done again.
3. International Country Music Ambassador Awards
Under the motto “One Day, One World, One Country” these year´s campaign expressed again our support of International Country Music and the people who work and fight for it daily.
In words of Judy Seale: “Country Music has soul. Country Music has so much to tell the world about an attitude, about people with feelings. About men and women that live, love, work, pray and die. Life is a way and Country Music is the way that we choose every day to express that we all belong to a musical community with no borders. That’s why the ICMDay Org. chose the day Sept 17 which is Hank Williams’ birthday, to tell us one simple message that could be a motto for all the people that work in the international Country Music market . That message is One Day, One World, One Country.”
Rodrigo Haddad presented the award to Gail Davies and said: “The members of the ICMDay Organization honor Miss Gail Davies with the award of International Country Music Ambassador of the year 2009 because of her remarkable and long international career as singer, songwriter, producer and female pioneer. In the words of Miss Brenda Lee: “a rare jewel that continues to shine with honesty, energy and inspiration for all the artists that belong to the international country family. “
Gail Davies, the new International Country Music Ambassador said when she picked the award: “It’s a very nice honor and I appreciate it and I think that you know there are a lot of young people coming up today in country music, songwriters that need to pursue their careers in Europe and around the world, in Australia, Japan because we have fans over there and there’s nothing more rewarding than being on stage in Kyoto and having ten thousand people out there singing the lyrics to a song you wrote and realize that you are able to translate to music a feeling that you have to people who speak another language in another part of the world. So it’s really a privilege and I really enjoy touring.”
After that, Judy Seale presented the award to Jeff Walker with these words:
“The members of the organization also honor Jeff Walker with the award of International Country Music Ambassador of the Year 2009 because of his tireless promotion of international Country Music, providing services throughout the world in the areas of video distribution, public relations, marketing and promotion.”
Jeff Walker felt honored with the award and said grateful:
“There’s so many people I could just thank for what, ah, myself personally, what Aristomedia has gotten in the music industry and I’ll be celebrating thirty years with the company It’s truly been really rewarding, really been thankful.”
“I just really appreciate everybody carrying the torch, I believe that Country Music will continue to grow and continue to prosper overseas with the Internet and the ability to download songs all over the world. I think it’s gonna really help spread the gospel of Country Music so thank you all for coming. Thank you for this award, the International Country Music Day Org. What a great honor this is for me.”
The ceremony was held in the popular Second Fiddle Club in Nashville, Tennessee coinciding with the CMA Awards week.
PHOTOS:
Gail Davies & Rodrigo Haddad
Judy Seale & Jeff Walker
Rodrigo Haddad, Gail Davies, Mark Moffatt, Jeff Walker & Judy Seale
Tim Holland (Manager of ABC Music Australia), Gail Davies, Jeff Walker, Tim Daly (Producer, Country Music Channel Australia ), Mark Moffatt
Ted Ellis (CMT Canada), Jeff Walker, Michelle Anderson (CMT Canada)
Chris Scruggs (Gail´s son), Gail Davies & Nikos Garavelas (*)
From left to right Maria Petroulia, sterling member CMA Greece, Irene Marinou, marketing manager CMAG, Rodrigo Haddad, Eleni Karamitsou, Magda Riga, President CMAG (*)
All photos of the ICMDAY Awards by Bev Moser, except (*) by Eleni Karamitsou.
Video by Rodrigo Haddad.
We´d like to thank Gail Davies, Jeff Walker, Judy Seale, Rodrigo Haddad, Mark Moffatt, Eleni Karamitsou, Raúl Tejeiro and the Aristomedia team (Ryan Moore and Matt Watkins), for their help, support, collaboration, photos, videos, translations and friendship that made possible the awards ceremony and this article.
The International Country Music Day Organization has announced the results of the international poll launched among the activities for its campaign this year, “One Day, One World, One Country”, to know the best Garth Brooks #1 song.
Until his retirement Garth Brooks was the most influential artist in the 90s -bringing massive audiences to country music-, as well as one of the best and most impressive country music artists in the history of this musical style. His mixture of contemporary country, honky tonk, rock and his great sensitivity as a composer reached fans all over the world. But, which song do his fans think is the best of his #1 songs after all these years?
No doubt, the readers of the International Country Music day web has voted “The Dance” (written by Brooks’ friend, Tony Arata) as the best Garth Brooks´ #1 ever with 34% of the votes, followed by “If Tomorrow Never Comes” with 14% of the votes and “The River”, in third place, with 10% of the cast. Garth Brooks was very well known by his electrifying shows but it seems that after the years his fans prefer his ballads and reflective songs.
Some international country music personalities talked about Garth Brooks and the influence of him in their careers, life and international country music:
“In 1998, Garth came to Brazil for a concert in our biggest rodeo event. I was part of the brazilian crew and I presented him a brazilian soccer team jersey. For our surprise he hid it all the time under his western shirt during the show - just before “Standing Outside the Fire” he showed it and everybody got “wild” at the stadium. That’s a real showman!
For sure Garth was one of guys that made country music even more popular all around the world. And I can tell you by myself how his music impacted my life as a musician and as a man.”
Rodrigo Haddad, International Country Music Ambassador of the year 2008, Brazil.
“´The Dance´ from Garth Brooks is a wonderful song. But all songs from the list are wonderful. It was very difficult to choose just one. All Garth Brooks´ songs are exceptional. This guy is exceptional. He is a living legend, with songs of legend. I just hope he’ll continue to record CD´s and perform on stage for a long time. Garth Brooks is THE Entertainer!.” Florent Dufour, President of the French Association of Country Music, FACM, France.
“One day coming back home in my car an awesome guitar on the radio called my attention and an hypnotizing voice, unknown to me until that moment, intoned a melody that froze my core and woke something up that I had forgotten. That incredible artist was Garth Brooks, and that love was country music. And I´ve never given up since then”. Albert Antolín, Dimelo Country Radio Web radio Coordinator, Spain.
Garth Brooks has come out of retirement for a series of special concerts in the Encore Theater at Wynn Las Vegas. Concerts began last December 11, 2009. Tickets are sold out.
Later on Walker was promoted to Vice President of Operations for Con Brio. During his tenure, the label saw considerable growth, charting over forty records in a remarkable three-year period.
The AristoMedia Group. A standard of excellence.
In 1980, Walker took his experience and a leap of faith and formed The AristoMedia Group. He integrated the word “aristocrat” into the company’s name to communicate his vision of a company that prided itself on upholding the highest standards of excellence.
The initial success of AristoMedia as an independent publicity firm prompted Walker to expand his business into video promotion in 1983. His foresight and willingness to embrace this new format was a key move in the development of both his company and the music video market in Nashville.
Through the company’s new video promotion branch, AristoMedia played an integral role in launching the careers of some of Nashville’s biggest names, including Shania Twain, Keith Urban, Alan Jackson, Toby Keith and Sugarland.
Gretchen Wilson
Walker made his next major expansion in 1991, founding Marco Promotions for radio promotion operations. Over the past seventeen years, Marco Promotions has played a significant role in garnering national and regional hit records for artists like Garth Brooks, Taylor Swift, Gretchen Wilson, The Dixie Chicks and Trisha Yearwood.
His company continued its growth in the ’90s, with Walker forming The Goodland Group in 1994 and Jeff Walker & Associates in 1995. The Goodland Group was set up to provide video duplication services, while Jeff Walker & Associates remains a special interest branch that offers international consulting, advertising opportunities and special event services.
As the industry evolved, so did The AristoMedia Group. Rapid technological advances and corporate consolidation only accelerated Walker’s growth. He realized there was a virtually untapped market for dance club promotion, so he created Marco Club Connection in 2004 to increase exposure for clients with dance-oriented material. The company had already seen previous success with their involvement in videos like “Achy Breaky Heart” and “Save a Horse (Ride a Cowboy),” so the transition was a logical move.
He followed with a New Media department the following year, calling it AristoWorks. The division serves as an important lynchpin to integrate the various departments of The AristoMedia Group. Both recent ventures continue to thrive in an otherwise unpredictable industry.
If it seems overly ambitious for one company to manage so many interests, one only has to look to Music Row magazine, which voted AristoMedia “Best Independent Publicity Company” for three consecutive years as proof that Jeff Walker has an uncanny knack for adapting to the latest trends. The newest frontier, he says, is developing overseas.
An International Country Music visionary: The Global Events.
“Over the years, Nashville has largely ignored the country music being made in other countries,” he says. “They’ve been preoccupied with the artists here, which is understandable, but I think they’re starting to think more globally now in that respect.”
Walker certainly has his finger on the pulse of the international country market. He’s been responsible for hosting and conceptualizing the annual Global Events that take place the week of the CMA Music Festival for the past four years.
The Global Events are a series of showcases sponsored by AristoMedia and the CMA Music Festival that bring the best international talent together in Nashville for the premier country music festival in the U.S. For many of the artists, it’s the first time they’ve ever been to Music City. Walker cites this involvement in the global community as one of the things he’s most proud of in his nearly 30 years in the business.
“I think AristoMedia has provided a lot of opportunities for new artists over the years, and that certainly applies to global entertainers, as well,” Walker says. His company’s success with artists like Keith Urban and Shania Twain is affirmation of that statement.
Global Showcase June 9th, 2009 - Nashville, TN at the Second Fiddle
His efforts in the Country Music business go beyond the singular needs of his company, however. Walker’s contributions to the community in general have spanned several decades. He continues to serve on numerous boards, including those of the Country Music Association and Country Radio Broadcasters among others.
Jeff Walker, Adam Harvey (australian country music superstar), Tammy Genovese
His international involvement has led to voluntary board positions for the Canadian Country Music Association and the Contemporary Country Music Coalition in Australia. In addition, Walker has served as Executive Producer and Talent Coordinator for the CMA Music Festival’s Daytime Stages for the past five years.
Multi-tasking: his clue for success
The philosophy and diversity of The AristoMedia Group has led to an enviable position in Nashville, as Walker’s company remains one of the few independent “one-stop shops” in the business. Their success in publicity, marketing, video and radio promotion, consulting, event coordination, new media relations and dance club promotions has created a truly unique reputation in the music business.
This perpetual multi-tasking only means more opportunities for Walker’s company in the future. “Necessity is the mother of invention,” he says in his typical easygoing fashion. “As long as we remember that content is king and continue to provide professional niche market media services, the future looks bright.”
The AristoMedia Group encompasses a broad range of services dedicated to offering the entertainment industry innovative integrated marketing strategies. AristoMedia’s distinct advantage is housing entertainment PR, new media, video marketing, record promotion and club promotion under one roof. The AristoMedia Group epitomizes synergy. Together, the divisions combine talents to maximize client exposure through print, radio, television, online and video outlets.
Interview. Jeff Walker talks about his life, his work, and his dreams.
ICMDAY: What kind of country music did you listen to when you grew up in Australia?
Jeff Walker: “In Australia, music formats aren’t segregated the way they are in America, so I was exposed to Country music and artists like Roger Miller, Tom T. Hall, Glen Campbell through their crossover records that were very successful in Australia. So that would have been my first introduction to Country music in Australia.”
ICMDAY: Tell us your first experiences in Nashville.
Jeff Walker:“I took a job working for a record label, which gave me a great overview of what the music business was, and I found an area during that time that I particularly liked, which was public relations, because it was getting artists out in front of the industry.”
ICMDAY: But you had your personal envision, a new idea that has been successful through these years… Tell us about the umbrella company concept.
Jeff Walker: “The umbrella company was a way to provide services for different people within the industry. That way you could get a select group of clients in different divisions, and not have to rely on getting too many clients in any one division. The idea is to provide specialty services for a smaller roster of clients, and that idea has worked very well for us.”
ICMDAY: In 1980 you made your dream come true and formed the AristoMedia Group. What difficulties did you have to face?
Jeff Walker: “Just the difficulties of starting a new business - building relationships. I had already formed some through my years running the record label, but mostly I just faced the challenges of building credibility and working with new artists. But after you’ve proven yourself over a period of time, it got easier.”
ICMDAY: Through the years your envision proved to be a big success and you has developed your group into publicity, marketing, video and radio promotion, consulting, event coordination, new media relations and dance club promotions… what´s next?
Jeff Walker: “I think there’s a lot of new opportunities arising out of new media. I don’t want to show my hand with what specifically is next, but I think there are a lot of new opportunities with the way the industry is marketing their artists.”
ICMDAY: During these years you have helped some really big stars to be on the top of country music: Toby Keith, Keith Urban, Alan Jackson, Shania Twain… what is it more difficult in PR: to keep on a big star at the top or to launch a new good promise?
Jeff Walker: (Pause) “That’s a difficult question to answer, because there are different degrees of difficulty, but I think in terms of a challenge, it’s very exciting to take a new artist, like we did with Keith Urban, and bring them up to where they are recognized on a national level. I enjoyed that, and I’ve enjoyed putting together marketing plans or video campaigns like we did with Shania Twain before she was a star, or sitting in a meeting with a big group of executives, figuring out how my company could be part of the team for the O Brother, Where Art Thou? project. If it’s going to be easy, I don’t think you’ll enjoy it as much as something where there’s a challenge and where you can roll up your sleeves. Then you can relate to the fact that you’re directly responsible for the some of the results. That’s when it’s very satisfying.”
ICMDAY: You had another envision: we have to think more globally in country music. You even said “Over the years, Nashville has largely ignored the country music being made in other countries.” The Global Events by AristoMedia and CMA want to meet this lack and to show its richness to the American audiences. How have these shows been received by the American public and the industry?
Jeff Walker: “I think the fact that we’ve had standing-room only at these shows the last several years is indicative of how popular they’ve become and the demand that there is for this kind of music. I think it will only continue to grow, with the ability of the Internet and tools like iTunes to expose people to music on a world-wide basis.”
ICMDAY: Are we going to see these shows out of USA anyday?
Jeff Walker: “I would love to see these shows expand. It’s obviously enticing to a promoter, and I think the way to approach that is for a national sponsor to step in and say that they’re interested in developing that idea.”
ICMDAY: Some years ago Garth Brooks -the last big international country music star- retired, satellite media like CMT Europe and Brazil closed, and the foreign country music artists were ignored… What have the consequences been of these events in USA and overseas?
Jeff Walker:“I think overseas it has slowed down the development of Country music. I think maybe there is a sense that some of these things were trying to happen before their time, but it makes sense for the record labels to have overseas bases and overseas initiatives so they can sell their product. While record companies in the past have been very departmentalized by territories, now it’s changing because of the digital world, and I see that being a good thing.”
ICMDAY: What would be the steps to consolidate the remaining markets and to create new country markets like China, for instance?
Jeff Walker:“I think there is a thirst for good quality music anywhere. Music is the universal language, and Country music with its lyrics and melodies certainly is that way. I think it’s just going to take new marketing initiatives, and people are starting to realize that there is a demand for it in some of these foreign markets. It hasn’t happened as quickly as I would like, perhaps, but it is starting to happen.”
ICMDAY: Though some new country acts do well in Europe like Sugarland it seems that many fans still prefer traditional country performers, in South America many artists sing in Spanish or Portuguese, in Australia they´ve got the bush style… Is it important to respect the special characteristics of each market or everything can be changed in order to create a global country music market?
Jeff Walker:“A popular radio programmer once told me, ‘Think globally, act locally,’ and I think it’s important to respect local traditions and sort of marry them to other things that are already working. I think that there are elements of music in every country that can work in other areas around the world. I don’t think you need to go over there and change what they’re doing, and vice versa. It’s sort of a metamorphosis and a blending process, and that’s what we need to be looking for.”
ICMDAY: In the 80´s the video revolutionized country music. It proved to be an opportunity for your company but still today many people see internet as a threat, how can PR use the web 2.0., the social networks, the blogs, YouTube, etc., to make people being part of a global country music community?
Jeff Walker:“That’s a hard question to give a defined answer to, because there’s so much potential with the Internet. I’ve never seen it as a threat; I see it as an opportunity, a strengthening tool to grow Country music. You can use so many tools to get your message out there worldwide, so I really have nothing but positive thoughts for the Internet as a marketing tool.”
ICMDAY: Many people around the world still see Country music as an exclusive American music. What has to change in people´s minds to make them see this is an international music like jazz, blues or rock?
Jeff Walker: “I think that they need to recognize the variety that it offers. I see today’s country music very much like the Pop music of the late ‘60s and early ‘70s. If people continue to discover new music through the Jack-FM format or Internet radio sites like Pandora, they are going to recognize the universal appeal of Country music, and it’s going to change the way people listen to music. Country music will certainly benefit from that growth.”
ICMDAY: If we start to think more globally in country music, what would our future be?
Jeff Walker: “An increased market share. Here in the U.S., we are restricted to a 10 or 11 percent market share. If you increase your opportunities and demand, then you have to make up for it with supply. It’s that simple. It’s just economics.”
Interview by Andoni Urkiaga
ICMDAY Coordinator
“If there is a stronger supporter of Country Music internationally than Jeff Walker, I haven’t met him. During my years with CMA, I watched Jeff emerge as Country’s most passionate and persistent global advocate. His love and devotion to Country’s cause around the world has been without financial reward to Jeff. In fact, most of his efforts have been at his own expense. Everyone who works with Country Music internationally has certainly benefited from Jeff’s unwavering belief in its universal appeal. I can’t imagine anyone more deserving of this award than my friend Jeff Walker.” - Ed Benson (former Executive Director/President of the CMA)
Gail Davies: 2009 International Country Music Ambassador. Her story.
Gail Davies (born Patricia Gail Dickerson on June 5, 1948) is an original, trendsetting and talented singer-songwriter who has shown the way to many female artists who started producing and handling their own career. She has also been a successful songwriter (“Grandma’s Song,” “Someone is Looking for Someone Like You”) and her songs have been covered by artists such as Jann Browne, The Whites, Susan McCann, George Hamilton IV, Nana Mouskori and many others.
Born in Broken Bow, in Oklahoma, she moved to Seattle with her brother and her mother after her parents split up. With her brother Ron she formed a folk-rock duo, recording for A&M. Her brother –whose song “It Ain’t Easy” had been recorded by David Bowie and Three Dog Night- inspired her to become a songwriter and she moved to Nashville to write songs.
One of her first compositions, “Bucket to the South,” was a hit for singer Ava Barber and was eventually recorded by Lynn Anderson and Mitzi Gaynor. Davies signed with the Lifesong label in 1978 and started logging country hits with “No Love Have I” and “Poison Love”. Her own “Someone is Looking for Someone Like You” became a hit and was recorded in seven languages, meaning a contract with Warner Brothers Records and scoring such hits as “Blue Heartache,” “I’ll Be There,” “It’s a Lovely, Lovely World” and “Grandma’s Song.” “Round the Clock Loving”, written by K.T. Oslin, was included in her third album, 1982’s “Giving Herself Away” and was a huge success while Davies gave birth to Christopher Scruggs, son of Gary Scruggs and grandson of the legendary banjo master Earl Scruggs.
She has given the world “international” a true meaning, since she has toured extensively outside the U.S. and she has recently given an exclusive interview to the Country Music Association of Uruguay (A.M.C.U.). Therefore, the International Country Music Day Organisation is proud to choose Gail Davies as 2009’s International Country Music Ambassador.
An Interview with Gail Davies: a female icon of the country sound.
AMCU - You were the first woman to produce her own recordings. Do you think record labels knew how to deal with this?
Gail Davies - I was very fortunate in that Andrew Wickham (head of Warner Brothers country division in 1979) believed in my ability. He went on a limb to support me in producing my first album. I had trained in L.A. under the tutelage of an engineer/producer by the name of Henry Lewy. Henry worked on all of the early Joni Mitchell records, as well as other legendary artists.
AMCU - Your choice of songwriters has always been very interesting, ranging from classic country tunesmiths like Harlan Howard or Boudeleaux Bryant to Rodney Crowell or Ray Charles. What do you look for in a song?
Gail Davies - A song has to speak to me. That’s the only way that I can sing the lyrics. It doesn’t have to be a deep message, just honest and believable. “You’re A Hard Dog To Keep Under The Porch” (written by Harlan Howard and Suzanna Clark) is a great example. It is light-hearted, yet interesting in content.
AMCU - Many of the composers whose songs you have covered, like Delbert McClinton or Mark Knopfler, many years later found a place in Country Music. Do you feel yourself like a visionary in this area?
Gail Davies -I first heard Delbert McClinton in 1974, in Austin, Texas. I loved his first album and played it until I wore out the grooves. I knew he was destined to do great things. Mark Knopfler was already famous when I recorded his song. I’ve always been a fan.
AMCU - But you are also a very gifted songwriter. What do you prefer, covering somebody else’s song, adapting it to your style, or writing what you feel you need to sing?
Gail Davies -I like to write my own material, especially at this point in my life when I am not trying to please the record labels by coming up with songs they can get played on the radio.
AMCU - With trends going back and forth in Country Music, from pop-country to neotraditionalists and lots of other labels, you have tried to surf the waves of traditional-sounding country. Do you think you should have adapted more to the different fads in music in order to gain more commercial attention?
Gail Davies - I believe having 18 songs in the Billboard Top 20 with 6 in the Top Ten would qualify as commercial success. According to historians, I was one of the first neotradionalists. When I came to Nashville in 1976, pop/country was the rage and Barbara Mandrell ruled the airwaves. I wanted to bring attention to some of the forgotten legends of country music, which is why I recorded songs by Webb Pierce, Carl Smith, Ray Price and Johnny & Jack.
AMCU - “Caught in the Webb” has been considered one of the best tribute albums ever and the list of artists included is impressive. Are you satisfied with the result?
Gail Davies - Yes, I most definitely am. Webb Pierce was one of my favorite artists when I was growing up. He was not in the Country Music Hall of Fame as of 2000. I woke up one morning and told my husband, “Webb Pierce has been ignored by the music industry long enough. I’m going to change that.” I had a ball arranging and producing this tribute album. I am very proud of it.
AMCU - Who else would you like to pay tribute to?
Gail Davies -I started another tribute back in 2003, shortly after my brother, Ron Davies, passed away. Ron was best known for having written “It Ain’t Easy” for Three Dog Night. This song also appeared on David Bowie’s album “Ziggy Stardust.” A host of great artists have already recorded songs for this tribute: John Prine, Dolly Parton, Vince Gill,Bonnie Bramlet, Alison Krauss,Delbert McClinton and others. Sadly, this tribute has been placed on hold due to complications with my brother’s widow. Long story…
AMCU - What artists do you like listening to?
Gail Davies -One of my favorite artists is my 26 year old son, Chris Scruggs. He is unique, not only because he is a great songwriter and multi-talented instrumentalist, but also because he is intent on keeping authentic country music alive. He is one of the few young people (Chris is 26 years old) playing steel guitar without pedals in the style of Jerry Byrd and Kayton Roberts. Chris is reviving a lost art form - a piece of American music history. Eddie Stubbs, announcer for WSM radio and The Grand Ole Opry, was recently quoted as saying, “You want to know who is going to fill their shoes - Chris Scruggs.” Chris has also turned me on to some wonderful people like Neko Case, The New Pornographers, Matt Ward, Calexico and a band from England called Gomez. I can’t think of any country artists that I listen to, other than the lovely and talented Miss Alison Krauss.
AMCU - You even met Neko Case…
Gail Davies -I first met Neko Case in the recording studio, when the two of us were performing on the Johnny Paycheck tribute, “Touch My Heart.” I was impressed with her singing and later, when I got to know her better, by her songwriting and production abilities. Having produced my own albums through the years, I feel a strong kinship with Neko Case as a woman who is in control of her own career. Her voice encompasses everything I love about good music. It is soulful and honest - a beautiful mix of Janis Joplin and Loretta Lynn.
AMCU - If you had the chance to produce the “comeback album” of an older artist, whose album would you like to produce and why?
Gail Davies - Carl Smith beyond a doubt, although I know he would never do it. My son and I were visiting him at his house a few weeks ago. His wife, the legendary singer, Goldie Hill, was one of my best friends. She passed away two years ago. Carl has no interest in recording any more, but then you and I are just talking hypothetically, right?
AMCU - Would you like to produce any of the newer artists? Why? Why not?
Gail Davies - I am not interested in producing any more. To be quite honest, I haven’t heard anything on the radio of late that has moved me. It all sounds the same - songs without melodies and lyrics that can be summed up on a cheesey bumpersticker.
AMCU - Who was Grandma Whitten? Did she get to listen to her own recording on “Grandma’s Song”?
Gail Davies -Her full name was Frances Marion Whitten. She was my grandmother and lived in Broken Bow, Oklahoma - where I was born. It is her voice that you hear in the beginning of “Grandma’s Song” singing an old Irish folk tune.
AMCU - Did you know that the International Country Music Day -September 17th, Hank Williams? birthday- was origined in Spain? Are you aware of the popularity of Country Music outside the U.S. ?
Gail Davies - Yes, I have been touring around the world for years and know how much people love country music. I played a show in Madrid a few years ago and received a beautiful plaque from the Spanish CMA. I also perform in Barcelona at a club managed by two of my dearest friends, Hanny and Andreu Nello. My son, Chris, and I just finished doing a 41 day tour of Europe, so I guess I am not as retired as I would like to think.
AMCU - What are your plans for the future?
Gail Davies -I have been writing a book about my life and the music business. It is still in the process of being edited. I hope to have it out by the end of this summer.
AMCU - Is there anything else you like to add?
Gail Davies -Yes, please say hello to my fans in Uruguay and tell them they can reach me through my fanclub at www.GailDavies.com. I could tell by your questions that you were well informed about the history of country music. I appreciate that and being included in your interviews. Thanks.
Interview by Raul Tejeiro
President,
Asociacion de Musica Country de Uruguay and
ICMDay member.
The International Country Music Day Organization has named this year´s International Country Music Ambassadors. The honor was bestowed on Gail Davies, singer, songwriter, producer and female pioneer with a long and remarkable international career, and Jeff Walker, CMA Board Member, President of the PR and multimedia company Aristomedia, a well known promoter of international country music.
In the words of Andoni Urkiaga, Coordinator of ICMDAY from Madrid, Spain: “These awards honor not only a model career in international country music but also a visionary way of promoting country music, opening new markets, setting new paths and predicting future tendencies for the rest of the market and the industry with their music, their behaviours or their ideas. I think everyone would have to stop and listen to what these people have to say about international country music”.
Both, Gail Davies and Jeff Walker were extremely humble when they learnt about the Award. Gail Davies, that was touring in Sweden by that time, said: “What a nice surprise!. I am very honored that you have chosen me as the 2009 International Country Music Ambassador”. Jeff Walker, from his Aristomedia office in Nashville, said: “I am thrilled to receive this award. It is very satisfying to me that the Country music genre is steadily growing globally.” .
Over the past few days, ICMDAY.org has received several notes from artists and industry personalities congratulating this year’s International Country Music Ambassadors on their awards.
Gail Davies: A rare jewel that continues to shine.
Top country artists like Dolly Parton, George Jones, Emmylou Harris, Brenda Lee and Suzy Bogguss, most of them long-term Gail Davies friends and collaborators, have spoken extensively about the honor that she has received and her valuable contribution spreading country music internationally:
“Gail Davies. Who better to be an International Country Music Ambassador? Everybody in the world loves her, especially in my world. She is one of the most talented and wonderful people I know. I will always love her”. - Dolly Parton
“I love to see Gail Davies as International Country Music Ambassador. She is one of the most talented people I know”. - George Jones
“I have been a fan of Gail Davies for over 30 years. There is no denying the talent of that woman on every level, writing, singing and producing.” - Emmylou Harris
“Gail Davies is a rare jewel that continues to shine. She has woven into the tapestry of our musical world some of the best singing and songwriting I have ever heard. I am proud to be her contemporary, but even more proud to be her friend.” - Brenda Lee
“I was moved by Gail Davies the first time my ears were vibrated by her voice! I remember it was before I moved to Nashville. I was living in a small town in Illinois and a few of us would get together on Wednesday nights to hear what new music our buddy, Randy would buy in Chicago. We’d listen and get all heavy about the stuff, often dissecting an artist and the production. When we heard her debut album, “impeccable” was all we could say. The songs, her honest performance, that amazing, energetic and raw voice. I always used to cry when I would hear someone that I aspired to be like. Gail received buckets of tears and I believe she was the inspiration for me to move to Nashville. As I got more into her music, it was clear that see that she and a few brave pioneers had conquered the “Don’t you worry your pretty little head” syndrome and I wanted to be there, too!” - Suzy Bogguss
Jeff Walker: A tireless promoter of international Country Music
Some of the most popular personalities in the Country Music Industry emphasize unanimously the professional values and the contributions of Jeff Walker to International Country Music:
“If there is a stronger supporter of Country Music internationally than Jeff Walker, I haven’t met him. During my years with CMA, I watched Jeff emerge as Country’s most passionate and persistent global advocate. His love and devotion to Country’s cause around the world has been without financial reward to Jeff. In fact, most of his efforts have been at his own expense. Everyone who works with Country Music internationally has certainly benefited from Jeff’s unwavering belief in its universal appeal. I can’t imagine anyone more deserving of this award than my friend Jeff Walker.” - Ed Benson (former Executive Director/President of the CMA)
“Jeff Walker has been a tireless promoter of country music everywhere, but especially beyond the shores of the US. To many, country music is measured internationally in terms of units or tickets. To Jeff, it’s always been about connecting fans with the music, and he’s given immeasurable amounts of his time and personal resources to expose country music to the world. To him, it’s about the music and the people who make it. Jeff’s has probably maxxed out twenty passports, and country music is much better off because of it.”- Paul Allen (former Executive Director of the Country Radio Broadcasters, CRB)
“Jeff Walker is a believer and a doer! He epitomizes dedication to connecting and sharing Country Musics Talented people with each other and the world! Congratulations to you my loyal friend, you are truly deserving of this prestigious International Country Music Ambassador Award.” - Lane Brody (recording artist)
“I have had the pleasure of working with Jeff Walker in the international marketplace for more than a decade. Jeff’s entertainment conglomerate “Aristo Media” has been instrumental in providing services throughout the world in the areas of video distribution, public relations, marketing and promotion, internet services and consulting. Jeff has been the driving force behind the Country Music Association’s support of country music in the global marketplace. He is extremely deserving of the ICMDAY International Award.” -Judy Seale(President of JSI, Inc and 2008 International Country Music Ambassador)
“All of us at The Consortium were thrilled to learn that Jeff’s being honored. I’ve had the distinct pleasure to have known, and worked with, Jeff the past twenty years. Not only does Jeff continue to work circles around the best of his peers…he does so with his incomparable, infectious positive attitude. Jeff is country music’s international ambassador extraordinaire. So many artists, worldwide, have benefitted from his tireless endeavors and belief that the country music genre is viable wherever music lovers reside. We’re all proud to call Jeff Walker our true friend.” Mike Martinovich(The Consortium)
Two extensive interviews with this year’s International Country Music Ambassadors will be published on the website of the International Country Music Day Organization.
The International Country Music Day Organization, among the activities for its new campaign this year, One Day, One World, One Country, launches an international poll to choose the best number one song by Garth Brooks, celebrating the 20th anniversary of Garth Brooks´ self-titled debut album in 1989.
Garth Brooks was the most influential artist in the 90s -bringing massive audiences to our genre-, as well as one of the best and most impressive country music artists in the history of this musical style. His mixture of contemporary country, honky tonk, rock and his great sensitivity as a composer, reached fans all over the world.
Since the release of “If Tomorrow Never Comes”, his first Number 1 hit in 1989, this native of Tulsa, Oklahoma, broke almost every single record in the industry, being the first country music artist to go multi-Platinum and, later on being awarded a Diamond Record for sales of over 10 million records sold of the same album. Giving massive concerts like never before, and selling more than 123 million records in the USA alone, he became the best-selling recording artist in the history of recorded entertainment.
But Garth Brooks was also very successful in Europe: in the UK, Ireland, Spain and in every place where he played abroad, he contributed to spread the flame of country music and his deep mark can still be felt in every single country fan all over the world..
Today the International Country Music Day Organisation (icmday.org), invites you to choose your favourite Garth Brooks Number 1 hit from his list of 19 songs which reached that coveted position.
The winning song of this international country music poll will be named 2009 International Country Music Day Song of the Year. Previous winners include “Crazy” by Willie Nelson and “I Walk The Line” by Johnny Cash.
The International Country Music Day is celebrated every year on September 17, honouring the birth of the late great Hank Williams, one of country music’s greatest legends.
Sixteen prominent international Country artists will convene in Music City to participate in a series of global Country Music events, beginning June 8 in downtown Nashville, Tennessee.
The event, hosted by Country artist Jace Everett, will feature a total of eight artists from Australia, Ireland, U.K., Canada and New Zealand, including Australia’s “Telstra Road to Tamworth” winner, Peter McWhirter.
The annual AristoMedia Global Showcase will be held Tuesday, June 9 at 3 p.m. at The Second Fiddle. Former Mavericks bassist and Digital Rodeo Director of Industry Relations Robert Reynolds will host the event.
“The chance for these artists to travel and perform here is not only an exciting opportunity for the artists, but for the city of Nashville and the entire international Country Music movement as well,” says AristoMedia President Jeff Walker.
Saturday, March 14, 2009, 20:30
Theater “Louiza”, Nea Elvetia, Vyronas
The show is dedicated to the outstanding performer Garth Brooks who succeeded to move New Country Music at the top.
His concerts have been always overbooked . The sales of his albums have reached the peak, this way
surpassing legendary, on international grounds, artists.
During this show we will follow Garth’s eminent course right from the beginning until today. This will be an audiovisual journey into the world of an artist who is still writing a history in music.
Special Guest: Nikos Georgas
NIKOS GARAVELAS PRESENTS CYPRUS
“ ELVIS PRESLEY !
THE VOICE OF 20th CENTURY”
APRIL 11 at the Amphitheater of St. Raphael in Limassol, Nikos Garavelas organizes a special presentation, a tribute to the “King” of Rock’n Roll, Elvis.
Nikos will show us, via a documentary video, the life, the brilliant presence, the seismic music course , the dramatic moments, the absolute loneliness of success and the end of Elvis Presley.
1ST COUNTRY MUSIC FESTIVAL
July 17th, at the Garden Theater of the Municipality of Limassol and with the collaboration of the Municipality, Nikos organizes the 1st Country Music Festival in Limassol.
Performers: George Gakis & The Troublemakers
Andreas Gomozias & The Country Gentlemen
It was about time that an event like that would be presented to Cyprus. The audience will experience the unique feeling of the Country Music Festivals , a cultural event that for 7 consecutive years is acknowledged by the audience throughout Greece and Europe and which consist a “must” for the Greek cultural events.
GREECE
7th COUNTRY MUSIC FESTIVAL
THE GRASCALS
In September 12th , fans of the institution of Country Music Festivals,
From all over Greece and Europe, set a date in Athens, Greece.
Nikos Garavelas presents , a country - bluegrass band THE GRASCALS!
The GRASCALS is one of the most famous bands of Country and Bluegrass Music. You will attend their show at the Theater of Vrahon Melina Merkouri during the 7th Country Music Festival organized by Nikos Garavelas.
Terry Eldredge-guitar, Jamie Johnson-guitar, Terry Smith-bass, Danny Roberts-mandolin, Kristin Scott Benson-banjo, Jeremy Abshire-fiddle. These are the GRASCALS.
The group recorded their first album in 2004. Their long collaboration with the “diva” of Country Music, Dolly Parton, gave their listeners the opportunity to acknowledge them. Then they collaborated with Brooks & Dunn, Dierks Bentley, Patty Loveless, Mac Wiseman, J.D. Crowe, Charlie Daniels, Kenny Rogers, Steve Wariner, Vince Gill, The Jordanaires and many others. They became well-known from the very beginning. In 2005 they were nominated from the International Bluegrass Music Association as Emerging Artist of the Year while all the following years they have won the most significant title for an artist “Entertainer of the Year”.
Their music style is unique and their presence on stage is excellent., thus justifying the bestowal of all the awards which they have gained till now, while they are considered as one of the most promising new groups. Their recent album “Keep on Walking” is no 1 in the charts of this month National Bluegrass Survey Top 15 Bluegrass Album Chart. At the same time the single “Sad Wind Sigh” is in #3 and “Choices” in #17 at the Top 30 Bluegrass Songs Chart.
This is the group, the unique Bluegrass artists, that Nikos Garavelas has chosen to present to the public in September the 12th . An outstanding musical event dedicated to the fans of Country Music Festivals!
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