Hits: Jerry had his first cut in 1968, when Charley Pride recorded The Day The World Stood Still, which reached the Top 5, and followed it up with the Top 3 hit, The Easy Part’s Over, the latter earning the first of their two BMI awards. The following year, Jeannie C. Riley had a Top 40 success with The Back Side Of Dallas. In 1970, Stan Hitchcock had back-to-back hits with Call Me Gone and Dixie Belle. However, that same year, Mel Tillis had a Top 5 with Heaven Everyday. In 1971, Foster and Rice racked up a slew of hits that included, All I Want to Do Is Say I Love You (Brian Collins), At Least Part Of The Way (Stan Hitchcock), Give Him Love and Think Again (both Patti Page) and Is It Any Wonder That I Love You and What About The Hurt (both Bob Luman). That year, they set the then ASCAP record, receiving 5 awards. The following year, the duo had a bumper crop of major hits that included, Somebody Loves Me, Someone To Give My Love To and Love Is A Good Thing (all by Johnny Paycheck), It Takes You and When You Say Love (both by Bob Luman), Is It Any Wonder That I Love You (Nat Stuckey) and Would You Take Another Chance On Me (their first No.1, from Jerry Lee Lewis). Lewis also recorded Think About It Darlin’ as the flip-side of his follow-up single, Chantilly Lace. During the year, they broke their own ASCAP award record by receiving 10 awards. In 1973, it was Jerry’s turn to make his chart debut, when Copperhead scraped in and then Looking Back (a 1958 Pop hit for Nat "King" Cole), reached the Top 60, both on Cinnamon. That year, Foster and Rice had another generous helping of songs cut and made hits of by other artists, including All In The Name Of Love (Narvel Felts), Darling You Can Always Come Back Home (Jody Miller), I Hate Goodbyes (Bobby Bare), Something About You I Love (Johnny Paycheck) and Take Time To Love Her (Nat Stuckey). During 1974, their run continued unabated with Born To Love And Satisfy (Karen Wheeler), Loving You Has Changed My Life and Hey There Girl (both David Rogers), When Your Good Love Was Mine, Until The End Of Time and I Want To Stay (all by Narvel Felts/Felts and Bill Rice’s future wife, singer/songwriter Sharon Vaughn), I’ll Think Of Something (Hank Williams, Jr.), Song And Dance Man and My Part Of Forever (both by Johnny Paycheck) and Rosie Cries A Lot (Ferlin Husky). Once again, they broke their own ASCAP record when they received eleven awards plus four production awards for their newly constituted production company, Farah. Their roster was Narvel Felts, Bobby Bare, Sharon Vaughn and Foster and Rice themselves. During 1975, Eddy Raven had hits with Foster and Rice’s Ain’t She Something Else and You’re My Rainy Day Woman. The following year, Paycheck scored with another of Jerry and Bill’s songs, I Can See Me Lovin’ You Again. In addition, they had hits from Jacky Ward with I Never Said it Would Be Easy and Jerry Lee Lewis with Let’s Put It Back Together Again. In 1977,Mickey Gilley took their song, Here Comes The Hurt Again into the Top 10. They had major cuts from Steve Wariner with Easy Part’s Over (1980), Jerry Lee Lewis with the Top 5 single Thirty Nine And Holding (1981), Johnny Rodriguez with First Time Burned (1984) and the No.1 hit from Conway Twitty, Ain’t She Something Else (1985). Jerry has had over 500 songs recorded during his career, mostly by major artists. Jerry and Bill are the most awarded songwriting team in the history of ASCAP, and hold the records for most awards received in one year. They also hold the distinction of having 10 songs in the billboard country music charts in one week. Honors: 1977 - Cash Box’s "Composers of the Year." 1981 - Nominated for a Grammy for Gilley’s “Here comes the Hurt”. By 1993 Won Over 60 ASCAP Awards, 1994 - Inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. 2007 - Inducted into the North American Country Music Association International Hall of Fame Film: He worked with David Stratharian, Henry Thomas, Martin Landau, Jennifer O'Neil, Lindsey Wagner, Armmie Hammer, Miley Cyrus, Barry Bostwick, Vanessa Williams, Vivica Fox to list a few. Some of his film credits include HANNA MONTANA THE MOVIE, BILLY THE EARLY YEARS, JUNKYARD DOG, THE GREEN MILE, SPARKLE AND TOOTER, THE MARTIN, CIVIL BRAND, PROUD HEART , FRAMED, and W.W. and THE DIXIE DANCE KING. He has appeared on shows such as NASHVILLE NOW and videos with Emerson Drive, Diamond Rio, Gretchen Wilson, and Trace Atkins and has hosted several TV shows. |
Of the many reasons people love Middle Tennessee, one of the
most important is its roots in country music with entertainers
such as Johnny Cash, the Oak Ridge Boys and Conway Twitty
calling Sumner County home over the years. While many of
Tennessee’s precious treasures often go unnamed, Ruth and
Michael Tolbert of Hendersonville are making sure that one in
particular is not forgotten. Meet Hendersonville’s own Carl
Knight. 
| 2008 Award Tom T. Hall Born May 25, 1936 in Olive Hill, Kentucky. Tom T. is an American country balladeer, songwriter, and country singer. He has written 11 #1 hit songs, with 26 more that reached the Top 10, including the pop crossover hit "I Love", which reached #12 on the Billboard Hot 100. As a teenager, Hall put together a band called the Kentucky Travelers that performed before movies for a traveling theater. During a stint in the Army, Hall performed over the Armed Forces Radio Network and wrote comic songs about Army experiences. His early career included being a radio announcer at WRON, a local radio station in Ronceverte, West Virginia. Hall was also a DJ at WVRC Radio in Spencer WV in the 1960s
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| One of his earliest successful songwriting ventures, "Harper Valley PTA," was recorded in 1968 by Jeannie C. Riley, sold over six million copies, and won both a Grammy Award and CMA award. The song would go on to inspire a motion picture and television program of the same name. Hall himself has recorded this song, on his album The Definitive Collection (as track #23). Hall's recording career took off after Ms. Riley's rendition of the song, and he had such hits as "A Week in a Country Jail," "Old Dogs, Children and Watermelon Wine," "I Love," "Country Is," "The Year Clayton Delaney Died," "I Like Beer," "Faster Horses (The Cowboy and the Poet)," and many others. He is also noted for his children-oriented songs, including "Sneaky Snake" and "I Care," the latter of which hit #1 on the country charts in 1975. |
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Hall's big songwriting break came in 1963, when country singer Jimmy
C. Newman recorded his song, "DJ For a Day." Soon, Hall moved to
Nashville, and within months, he had songs climbing the charts. Hall has
been nicknamed "The Story Teller," and he has written songs for dozens
of country stars, including Johnny Cash, George Jones, Loretta Lynn,
Waylon Jennings, Alan Jackson, and Bobby Bare. Hall won the Grammy Award for Best Album Notes in 1973 for the notes he wrote for his album Tom T. Hall's Greatest Hits. He was nominated, but did not win, for the same award in 1976 for his album Greatest Hits, Volume 2. He also hosted the syndicated country music TV show "Pop! Goes the Country" in 1980 |
| His 1996 song "Little Bitty", from the album Songs
from Sopchoppy, became a #1 single that year when it was recorded by
Alan Jackson for the album Everything I Love.
His song "I Love", in which the narrator lists the things in life that he loves, was used, with altered lyrics, in a popular 2003 TV commercial for Coors Light. On July 3rd, 2007, he released the CD "Tom T. Hall Sings Miss Dixie & Tom T." on his independent bluegrass label Blue Circle Records. On February 12th, 2008, Hall was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame |
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2007 Life Time Achievement Award "Outlaw" Waylon Jennings
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Waylon was the first country singer to sell a million records, Waylon's career spanned 6 decades. Grammy Winner, songwriter, actor, author and businessman; he was a lot of things to a lot of people. He is an American original. |
Waylon personified the outlaw country movement. Jennings rejected the conventions of the recording industry back in the '70s with other songwriter/artists such as Willie Nelson and Kris Kristofferson. The whole "outlaw" movement -- so-named because of the artists' ragged, maverick image and their independence became one of the most significant country forces of the '70s. |
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Jennings was born and raised in Littlefield, TX, where he learned how to play guitar by the time he was eight. When he was 12 years old, he was a DJ for a local radio station and, shortly afterward, formed his first band. Two years later he left school and spent the next few years picking cotton, eventually moving to Lubbock, TX, in 1954. |
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Once he was in Lubbock, he got a job at the radio station KLLL, where he befriended Buddy Holly. Holly became Waylon's mentor, teaching him guitar licks, collaborating on songs, and producing Jennings' first single, "Jole Blon." Later that year, Waylon became the temporary bass player for Holly's band the Crickets. |
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Jennings was also scheduled to fly on the plane ride that ended in Holly's tragic death in early 1959, but he gave up his seat at the last minute to the Big Bopper, who was suffering from a cold. Waylon Jennings last comment to Buddy Holly was "Hope your darn ole plane crashes." "Mainly what I learned from Buddy," Jennings recalled, "was an attitude. He loved music, and he taught me that it shouldn't have any barriers to it." |
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In 1963,
Waylon landed a contract with Herb Alpert's A&M Records. his single,
"Sing the Girl a Song, Bill," and album flopped. |
Waylon released his first single for RCA in '65, "That's the Chance I'll Have to Take," and it became a minor hit. With his second single, "Stop the World (And Let Me Off)," he had his first Top 40 country hit, and it began a string of moderate hits that eventually developed into several Top Ten singles -- "Walk On out of My Mind," "I Got You," "Only Daddy That'll Walk the Line," "Yours Love" -- in 1968 |
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In 1970,
Jennings recorded several songs by a struggling but promising songwriter
called Kris Kristofferson, which led to a pair of ambitious albums --
Singer of Sad Songs and Ladies Love Outlaws -- the following year. |
During the following year, Waylon began collaborating with Willie Nelson, recording and writing several songs with the songwriter. Just as importantly, he also renegotiated his contract with RCA in 1972, demanding that he assume the production and artistic control of his records. |
 Waylon's success continued
throughout 1975, voted the Country Music Association's Male Vocalist of
the Year. Jennings truly crossed over into the mainstream in 1976, when
Wanted! The Outlaws -- featured songs from his wife Jessi Colter,
Willie Nelson, and Tompall Glaser -- peaked at number one on the pop
charts.Following the success of Wanted!, Waylon became a superstar, as well
known to the mainstream pop audience as he was to the country audience.
During many of these same years, the TV series The Dukes of Hazzard ---
for which Jennings wrote and sang the theme song and served as
off-screen narrator --- further popularized his sound and the trademark
image of his leather-covered guitar. |
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For the next six years,
Jennings' albums consistently charted in the pop Top 50 and went gold.
During this time, he recorded a number of duets with Nelson, including
the multi-platinum Waylon & Willie (1978), which featured the number one
single "Mammas Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys." |
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Over the course of the late
'70s and early '80s, Jennings scored ten number one hits, including "Luckenbach,
Texas (Back to the Basics of Love)" (which hit number 25 on the pop
charts and spent six weeks at the top of the country charts), "The
Wurlitzer Prize (I Don't Want to Get Over You)," "I've Always Been
Crazy," "Amanda," "Theme from 'The Dukes of Hazzard' (Good Ol' Boys),"
and three duets with Nelson. |
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Jennings rugged individualism and musical vision continue to inspire both seasoned veterans and young, aspiring songwriters. The Legacy continues...... |
 Shooter Jennings |
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2006 Recipient |
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Controversial and
shunned. The fest does not shy away from the status quo.
DAVID ALLAN COE, the Ultra-Long-Haired, Tatoo'd, "Over-The-Top," Mysterious, Country Music Outlaw who said, "Take This Job and Shove It." "Coe is always willing to talk about the success of other writers in the business on his concert stage to acknowledge those who helped such as Johnny Cash. Coe takes the time to give the songwriter recognition on stage during his performances to reminds us of the songwriter's contribution to the music industry!" Cherokee Mangus |
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DAC wrote a number 1 song for Tanya Tucker, 'Would You Lay With Me (In A Field Of Stone)?'. Coe became naturally a glorifying outlaw with his song, 'Longhaired Redneck' which he wrote about himself. And song, 'Willie, Waylon And Me'. |
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And Johnny Paycheck had a US country number 1 with Coe's 'Take This Job And Shove It' as well as David Allan Coe's own successes include, 'Divers Do It Deeper', and 'Jack Daniels If You Please'. Also, 'Now I Lay Me Down To Cheat' and song, 'The Ride', (which conjures up a meeting between Coe and Hank Williams.) |
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Coe's hilarious additions to Steve Goodman's 'You Never Even Called Me By My Name'. One of Coe's Country-Pop crossover hits, 'Mona Lisa's Lost Her Smile', reached number 2 on US country charts, |
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Coe's Recordings
with other performers include
'Don't Cry Darlin'' and
'This Bottle (In My Hand)'
with George Jones,
'I've Already Cheated On You'
with Willie Nelson, and song, 'Get
A Little Dirt On Your Hands'
with Bill Anderson.
Waylon Jennings, in 'Living Legends', remarked about David Allan Coe: 'He may still be an outlaw but that only means double-parking on Music Row.' |
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David Allan Coe is a sensitive, intelligent writer. Coe is always willing to talk about other writers in the business on his concert stage to acknowledge those who helped him such as Johnny Cash. |
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REMEMBERING Dottie West By Brad Fischer
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Country Dreams Come True As a young girl Dottie West dreamed of one day being able to sing on the same Grand Ole Opry stage as her heroes. Born in McMinnville, then nothing more than whistle stop in Tennessee, she was proud of her heritage which included her Cherokee great, great grandmother. But music ran deep in her soul and she attended the Tennessee Technological University where she obtained her music degree. At that time, she was one of the first in country music to have one. While in college she met Bill West who played a mean steel guitar. The two married and moved to Cleveland where they performed on the local country music television program, Landmark Jamoree. In 1959 she was signed by Starday Records and the couple move to Nashville. Their circle of friends soon included other struggling young performer/songwriters like Willie Nelson, Hank Cochran, and Roger Miller. |
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Dottie finally got a cut with her first composition "Is This Me?" which became a hit for Jim Reeves and earned her a BMI Songwriter's Award. Reeves then brought her to the attention of Chet Atkins who was instrumental in landing her a recording contract with RCA Records. The very next year one of her lifelong dreams came true when she became a regular cast member of the Grand Ole Opry. Two years later she had her first hit as an artist with "Here Comes My Baby" which she co-wrote with her husband. |
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Dottie then went into the studio to record her first duet, a format that soon became a great success throughout her career. Her partner was Jim Reeves, and the song was Justin Tubb's "Love Is No Excuse." It became a Top Ten hit and spawned a collaboration that was cut short when Reeves was killed in a tragic airplane crash. Undaunted, Dottie continued to record many hits of her own. |
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Life is full of changes and Dottie's was no exception. Through maintaining a busy touring schedule throughout the U.S.A., Canada, and Europe, she learned like many other performers that constant traveling wreaks havoc on a marriage. After a long collaboration she and Bill were divorced. Eventually she married her drummer, Byron Metcalf, and also switched to the United Artists label where she recorded two duet albums, Every Time Two Fools Collide and Classics, with Kenny Rogers. Both albums went Gold, and the Country Music Association named them Vocal Duo of the Year in '78 and '79. After divorcing Metcalf she had a string of hit singles, either written by her or co-written with favorite collaborators like Alex Harvey, Mark Grey and Larry Gatlin. Like legend Patsy Cline, who was her mentor, Dottie constantly took young songwriters and performers under her wing. Another sure sign of a great lady. |
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Although eventually plagued with financial troubles, Dottie West remained the trouper she always was right to the end. Ironically, like her good friend Jim Reeves, her life was tragically cut short by a freak car accident while on her way to perform at the Grand Ole Opry. The truth is, no-one deserved a Life Achievement Award more than Dottie West. God bless her soul! |
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"The family anxiously awaited this meaningful and most welcome Lifetime Achievement Award presentation, captured only by Fox 17 network, and a number of Dottie West fans/ photographers; Brad Fischer ask for a moment of silence for Dottie West outside the United Artist Towers downtown Music Row." which was Dottie's Label as well as RCA; one could sense Dottie's spirit very near as we gathered prayerfully to recognize a legend." |
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Mr. Mason's own words: Here's the photo. This was Taken at the Opry during Dottie's last appearance. In fact, this was the first time I saw Dottie since Cleveland, Ohio when She was playing with Wendy Blevins on the Jamboree. We talked about old times and past memories. For a very short time I was a member of Wendy's band. Dottie and another female singer I think her name was Kathy, were featured singers. I left for California in 1964, and raised a son Billy who, is now the drummer for Tim McGraw. I retired from music in 2004 and at present I'm a photojournalist for the Coast Guard Auxiliary, Percy Priest Flotilla. William R. "Bobby" Mason, (Left, One of Dottie's Drummers.) Dottie West (right) |
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During
this time she wrote a jingle for Coca-Cola based on her song "Country
Sunshine." The commercial was such a success that she received a Clio
Award (the Grammy of the advertising industry), the first country
performer to be so honored. As a result, Coca-Cola gave her a lifetime
contract to write jingles for the company. By the late seventies she had
written and produced 15 such tunes for them.
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Bob Hicks
(Conway Twitty, Loretta Lynn, George Strait, and other cuts past and present.) Hasn't missed a fest yet. Ask him about his bio and the old days when ya see him. He loves to share his experiences. |
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Bob Cargile This gentleman drove all the way from Seattle to be at our festival. When Bob had registered for the fest he sent some old news clippings, Billboard rankings and 45's. It touched our hearts so we took the memorabilia, framed it and represented it back to him. Thus began the humble beginnings of our lifetime Achievement Award. |
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Sign Me Up Places To Stay Keep Me Posted 615-424-1491 or 931-296-4067 www.songwritersfestival.com |