Nashville 2010

Though he can sing honky tonk, Gene Watson built a reputation for soulful ballads in the classic country tradition. Born one of seven children in Palestine, TX, Watson married early and was working as an auto-body man when he began frequenting the clubs in Houston. He recorded for a few small-time regional labels like Wide World and Stoneway during the early '70s. Watson finally had success in 1974, when a steamy single for Resco "Love in the Hot Afternoon"..was picked up for national distribution by Capitol Records, igniting a firestorm of national hits: "Where Love Begins", "Paper Rosie," "Farewell Party," "Should I Come Home (Or Should I Go Crazy)," and "Nothing Sure Looked Good on You." In 1982, shortly after moving to MCA, Watson recorded his only chart-topper, "Fourteen Carat Mind." A parade of Top Ten entries followed during the early '80s, including "Speak Softly (You're Talking to My Heart)" and "You're Out Doing What I'm Here Doing Without." Between 1993 and 1997 Watson released four albums on the independent label Step One: Uncharted Mind, Good Ole Days, Jesus Is All I Need, and A Way to Survive. Four years later From the Heart was issued on RMG Records, Followed by the 2005 Koch release Gene Watson..Then & Now. In a Perfect World appeared on Shanachie Records in the summer of 2007. David Vinopal, All Music Guide

One of the most respected vocalists to emerge during the urban cowboy era, John Conlee was known for his superb taste in material and his distinctively melancholy voice. Conlee was born and raised on a tobacco farm in Versailles, KY, in 1946, and took up the guitar as a child, performing on local radio at age ten. He went on to sing with the town barbershop chorus, but didn't initially pursue music as a career, instead becoming a licensed mortician. He also worked as a disc jockey at numerous area radio stations, and made important industry connections via that area when he moved to Nashville in 1971. Five years later, Conlee's demo tape got him a contract with ABC. He released a few singles, but didn't find acceptance until 1978's "Rose Colored Glasses," a song he'd co-written with a newsman at his radio station, rocketed into the country Top Five. Conlee spent the next decade or so scoring hit after hit, nearly all of them helmed by producer Bud Logan. He had two number ones in 1979 alone -- "Lady Lay Down" and "Backside of Thirty" -- and four number two hits through 1981, which included "Before My Time," "Friday Night Blues," "She Can't Say That Anymore," and "Miss Emily's Picture." Conlee returned to the top of the charts three times over 1983-1984 with "Common Man," "I'm Only in It for the Love," and "In My Eyes," and had his last number one in 1986 with "Got My Heart Set on You." All told, Conlee made the Top Ten 19 times through 1987, when he moved from MCA to Columbia and reached the Top Five with "Domestic Life." Never much for touring, Conlee subsequently curtailed his recording activities as well, instead devoting his time to charity work (often on behalf of American farmers), raising his family, and running his own farm outside Nashville. ~ Steve Huey, All Music Guide

Being the son of the famous country singer Merle Haggard has created many challenges for Marty Haggard. Raised in a boxcar by his grandmother, Marty Haggard was already quite a country music star by the time he was 12 years old. In his teens, he managed to begin an acting career, was in a TV series, and involved in the formative stages of a Henry Fonda movie. His acting career ended when he picked up a hitchhiker who shot him and left him in the desert for dead. He somehow drove himself back to civilization while first gaining and then losing consciousness. A long recovery followed.

In 1979, Haggard began his formal career as a country music singer and toured with his own band. In 1981, he signed with Dimension Records and cut his first single, "Charleston Cotton Mill." He traveled with his father's band from 1983 to 1985, but missed having his own personal career so returned to Nashville in 1985.

In 1986, Haggard signed with MTM Records. It released Trains Make Me Lonesome, which won him a nomination by the Academy of Country Music as Top New Male Vocalist. In 1988, just as he was being acknowledged as one of the hottest up-and-coming country stars, Haggard again had a physical disaster when he was thrown through the windshield of his car and incurred serious head injuries and memory loss. It was almost four years before he regained his memory, motor skills, and ability to function.

In 1995, after Haggard signed with the Critique/BMG label, he felt strongly that he needed to return to God and walked out on the album he was recording to begin seeking how to serve his Lord. Critique released both the album Borders & Boundaries and the single, "Amnesia," in 1996. After more than a year in California, Haggard went to Conway, AR, to began his spiritual/singing ministry in July of 1998.

Haggard's success in his chosen direction is evidenced by his appearing over seven times on Nashville Now, four times on the Trinity Broadcasting Network, five times on Music City Tonight, ten times on Crook & Chase, and two times at Grand Ole Opry. He has also appeared on The Today Show and been featured in People Magazine. ~ Eleanor Ditzel, All Music Guide

From the very beginning, HELEN CORNELIUS has had a vision of her destiny. As she told Bill Littleton of Performance Magazine, "Belief in oneself is probably the most important ingredient to success that there is, because if you believe in yourself, then nothing is gonna knock you down. I'm ready to fly."

If he had know her, Mark Twain would have liked a lot of the traits deeply ingrained in HELEN'S character. The kind of spirit of adventure he so often wrote about; the determination to meet life's challenges head-on; the character and positive belief in herself that Joseph and Lu Elsie Johnson imparted to HELEN LORENE and her seven brothers and sisters.

HELEN grew up on a farm in Missouri, where she listened to radio's Grand Ole Opry and sang with her sisters, accompanied by her brothers who played in country bands. Since her musical debut at the age of five, HELEN has won numerous talent contests, including three winning appearances on The Ted Mack Amateur Hour in 1970.

It was her songwriting that initially swung open the doors along the corridors of Nashville's Music Row. By the mid-70's, HELEN had songs recorded by a number of major artists, including The Oak Ridge Boys, Reba McEntire, Jeannie C. Riley, Connie Smith, Charlie Louvin & Melba Montgomery, LaCosta, and Dottsy... just to mention a few. While it was her writing that first won her major credibility, it was the voice that RCA Record executives heard that won HELEN CORNELIUS her first major recording contract in 1975. With it, history was about to be made.

HELEN'S teaming on record with Jim Ed Brown was further crowned with success by her individual nomination as "Most Promising Female Vocalist" by Music City News in 1977. Following this win, the West Coast based Academy of Country Music gave her their prestigious nod in the "Best New Female Vocalist" category. Also in 1977, Jim Ed Brown and HELEN CORNELIUS won the coveted CMA Award for "Vocal Duo Of The Year", "Single Of The Year", and "Album Of The Year".

For four and a half years HELEN was an integral part of the Jim Ed Brown Show, and was seen weekly by seven million viewers as a regular on the Nashville On The Road syndicated television shows. The results of this association, including HELEN'S first number one record "I Don't Want to Have to Marry You" were astounding and HELEN would be the very last to underestimate the impact of those years.

But there was always the desire to do more than just stand in front of a microphone and sing her half of a duet. She was capable of much more, and anyone who has seen her perform lately knows just how much!

October 1980 HELEN assembled a five piece band, worked up and energetic, entertaining show, taking full advantage of the freedom to display all sides of her talent. She immediately began touring with Conway Twitty for the next year and a half. Her experience has grown to match her tremendous self-confidence. She says, "With me, it's never a question of if I do a certain thing, it's always when I do it." HELEN and her band, Southern Spirit, toured year round and developed a reputation as one of the most dependable acts in the business.

January 1984 HELEN prepared to add a new and very exciting chapter not only to her own career, but to the course of country music as well. Bill Fegan Attractions chose HELEN to play the lead in a road show revival of Irving Berlin's "Annie Get Your Gun".

On the heels of closing in "Annie Get Your Gun", HELEN shifted gears to tour with The Statler Brothers on their sellout concert series for the next two years along with the demands of her own individual concert dates. Notes fro major reviewers caught the impact of what was happening. As one reviewer deftly pinpointed... "HELEN CORNELIUS has grown into a performer who can walk on-stage, grab a crowd, and hold it right where she wants it... in the palm of her hand."

March 19, 1998 at The Little Nashville Opry in Nashville, Indiana... two sold-out performances for the much heralded re-teaming in concert of Jim Ed Brown and HELEN CORNELIUS in a flurry of media attention, country music's award winning duo launched a reunion tour that emblazoned a clear message... Brown and CORNELIUS still possessed that certain magic to ignite a song and an audience when they walked on-stage together.

In 1991, ready for a new challenge HELEN opened a diner theater in Gatlinburg, TN. She performed nightly at "Nashville Soutn" through December 1996. As she stated, "I loved getting to sing different songs each night, take requests, and do such a variety of music. I also loved hiking the mountains and becoming a part of the beautiful Smoky Mountains".

In 1997, HELEN joined with Jim Ed Brown to perform in the Eagle Mountain Theater in Pigeon Forge, TN along with Con Hunley. "I loved that show, and having great voices surrounding the blend of Jim Ed and myself was such a pleasure".

HELEN performed in Branson, MO at the 76 Music Hall with the Grand Ladies of Country Music Show (featuring Jan Howard, Margo Smith, Leona Williams, Jean Shepard and others) until May of 2003. At that time, HELEN began accepting road dates and started touring the country again.

HELEN continues to perform with Jim Ed Brown periodically on the Grand Ole Opry, as well as county and state fairs, in addition to her own solo appearances.

"I feel so blessed to be able to make a living doing something I love so much."

In May of 2005, HELEN was honored by the State of Missouri when she was inducted into the Missouri Country Music Hall of Fame during a ceremony in Springfield, MO.

With her present day country music honors and accomplishments, many feel HELEN has done as much as Mark Twain to put their mutual hometown of Hannibal, MO in the mental map of America!

You know Joe. When you meet him, he’s the guy you thought he’d be. When you hear him sing, you can feel the honesty in his words.

Most people don’t know that long before Joe moved to Nashville and became the country star we all know today he was building the foundation for his career by honing his skills as a bluegrass artist. Along with his band Special Edition, he recorded three albums and was a favorite at bluegrass festivals throughout the dust bowl.

With his legacy as a world-class singer firmly established in the annals of country music history, Joe is re-visiting the music that set the wheels of his storied career in motion. With a deep respect for the pioneers of bluegrass and for the artists that continue to carry the torch today, Joe is excited to begin a new era in his career. He’s found the perfect home for his upcoming bluegrass projects at Rounder Records, arguably the most well-respected bluegrass label in the business.

Since he first topped the charts in 1990 with Home, Joe has remained on a steady course, staying true to his roots and delivering hit after hit totaling twelve #1’s, twenty top 10’s and four gold and platinum albums. When you attend a Joe Diffie concert, you’re not waiting for him to sing his hit - you’re waiting for him to sing your hit. Whether it’s Ships That Don’t Come In, Pickup Man, John Deere Green, or If the Devil Danced (In Empty Pockets), Joe’s music always makes you remember where you were the first time you heard it.

Joe’s success as a recording artist is matched by his achievements as a songwriter. In addition to the numerous hits he kept for himself, Joe’s songs have been recorded by Hank Thompson, Holly Dunn, Tim McGraw, Tracy Lawrence, Conway Twitty, Doug Stone, and most recently Jo Dee Messina, who’s recording of My Give a Damn’s Busted became a #1 hit.

Vern Gosdin once described Joe Diffie as “the man with the golden voice.” He’s won a Grammy, CMA Awards, and been honored as Humanitarian of the Year by the Country Music Broadcasters. He’s a member of the Grand Ole Opry, recorded with George Jones, and toured the country numerous times. You would think that would be enough, but not for Joe Diffie.

He’s got a lot of great music left to make, and fans everywhere will be anxiously awaiting his first project for Rounder. You know Joe – he’ll deliver.

After years in a duo with her father, the late Royce Kendall, Jeannie Kendall has emerged with her first solo album. It is a splendid debut. The album features guest performances by some of the most distinctive vocalists in bluegrass and country music, notably Alan Jackson, Ricky Skaggs, Rhonda Vincent, Darrin Vencent, Allison Moorer, Steve Gulley and Alison Krauss. Royce Kendall sings on two of the tracks. Krauss' award-winning band, Union Station, backs Kendall on four others.

Born in St. Louis, Jeannie Kendall began singing professionally with her father when she was in her teens. The Kendalls secured their first recording contract in 1970. That same year, they scored their first hit, a cover of John Denver's "Leaving On A Jet Plane." Although they charted four more singles over the next seven years, the Kendalls were making little headway until 1977 when they recorded "Heaven's Just A Sin Away." This airy, intense and, for the times, audacious celebration of sensuality rocketed to the top of the country charts and stayed at No. 1 for four consecutive weeks. It also went on to win a Grammy for Best Country Vocal Perfamance by a Duo or Group and a Country Music Association award for Single of the Year. The Kendalls continued to spin out No. 1 and Top 10 hits for the next several years, among them "It Don't Feel Like Sinnin' To Me," "Pittsburgh Stealers," "Sweet Desire," "I Had A Lovely Time," "You'd Make An Angel Wanna Cheat," "I'm Already Blue," "Put It Off Until Tomorrow," "Teach Me To Cheat," "If You're Waiting On Me (You're Backing Up)" and "Thank God For The Radio." The Kendalls signed to Rounder Records in 1998, and were just getting their first album for the label on track when Royce Kendall died.

To a great degree, Jeannie Kendall follows the plan envisioned for the original duet project. "We were just going to do a total acoustic album," Kendall explains, "bluegrass oriented and focusing on vocals, with songs that were more poetic. We sort of wanted to go back to some roots.