OCTOBER 1998 HIGHLIGHTS

THIS WEEK’S HEADLINE STORY:
Opry Mills Breaks Ground: End of One Era; Beginning of Another

INDUSTRY NOTES
Singing cowboy Gene Autry, age 91, ay on October 2nd at his home in
Studio City, California. His death comes just a few months after the death of
Amrican’s other famous singing cowboy, Roy Rogers.

The park is no more, but Opryland productions continues. Entertainers
for various locations will be auditioned here in Nashville on Oct. 16. For
more information, call 1-800-947-8243.

NEW RELEASES
ALBUMS
ALABAMA SONG, Allison Moorer (MCA)
GREATEST #1 HITS, Randy Travis (Warner Bros.)
FIDDLE FIRE, Charlie Daniels (Blue Hat)
REAL MAN, Billy Dean (Capitol)
LONG WALK BACK, Junior Brown (Curb)
SOME THINGS I KNOW, Lee Ann Womack (Decca)
STEP INSIDE THIS HOUSE, Lyle Lovett (MCA)

SINGLES
Slow Down, Mark Nesler
Take Me, Lari White
Stand Beside Me, Jo Dee Messina
Something to Think About, David Kersh
No Place That Far, Sara Evans
By the Book, Michael Peterson
Whereever You Are, Mark Chesnutt
Spirit of A Boy, Wisdom of a Man, Randy Travis
Hold On to Me, John Michael Montgomery
Same Old Train, Various Artists
These Arms, Dwight Yoakam

TRACKING THE STARS
Randy Travis and his wife Elizabeth [formerly known as Lib] Hatcher had
a frightening experience on Sunday, Sept. 27. Minutes after boarding a
limo at L.A International airport following their flight from Nashville, the
driver dropped his head and veered off onto a curb. When he realized that the
driver had lost consciousness, Randy climbed over luggage and turned off the
ignition. Although he was able to hail down a passing shuttle bus with a
doctor aboard, it was too late. The man (who was only in his early 50’s)
was dead from a heart attack. Randy (whose mother passed away suddenly from
a heart attack earlier this year) was said to be shaken by the incident.

We were promised “a surprise” from Alan Jackson at the CMA Awards. It
turned out to be a Spanish verse to his hit, “I’ll Go On Loving You.” Arista
reports strong response and stations in areas with large Spanish-speaking
populations are being mailed copies with the the new version.

The CBS-TV movie “Forever Love” starring country music’s own Reba
McEntire rated at No. 6 in TV ratings for the week -- although it was “sweeps”
week with new shows debuting and old hits returning. Reba was just behind the
season premier of top hit shows “Frasier” and “Friends.”

Did new CMA Female Vocalist Trisha Yearwood think she would win? No, she
says her prediction was Martina McBride. Trisha was feted at a party at MCA
President Bruce Hinton’s home last week were Garth Brooks presented her
a new truck. Yes, she really is a truck drivin’ gal. Hubby Robert Reynolds, on
tour with the Mavericks, wasn’t able to attend, but sent a taped greeting. By
the way, the Mavericks, who are building a following in Europe, will be
promoted as a pop act out of MCA’s Los Angeles office. (Was it something we said
-- or is it a fashion thing?)

Garth Brooks confirmed in a post-CMA press conference that he is taking
off all of next year. He’s already shut down his fan pub, Believer Magazine,
and given his musicians notice (although they’ll receive a hefty severance
check.). Don’t expect to see less of Garth anytime soon, though. He’s
due for a media blitz beginning next month to promote the Nov. 17th release of a
2-cd release of recordings from his live shows. Plans are also going ahead
for a duet album with Trisha Yearwood. This week, the superstar is in
Minneapolis for nine-sold out shows.

Remember the Tractors hailed with high hopes two years ago, only to chug
off into the back-40 after a hit or two? They’re reappearing on the horizon
with a Nov. 3 release of a second album. Expect a rocky edge with such guest
artists as Bonnie Raitt, Leon Russell and several former musicians from Elvis
Presley’s band.

The Tammy Wynette tribute scheduled for Oct. 7 in Nashville has been
postponed due to scheduling problems. A November date is being planned and will
include both artists who appear on the Asylum cd as well as some who aren’t on
the album.

Good News/Bad News Department: Kenny Chesney is getting married in
November (good news) and he’s being sued by his former management company (bad
news). Steve Wariner who took home two CMA awards also received two nominations
for Playboy Magazine’s readers poll awards (good news). Steve was stopped
and given a traffic ticket on his way to the CMA Awards (bad news -- but
with so much good news, he didn’t even mind.)

Alabama played to an enthusiastic crowd in Nashville this past weekend.
Local newspaper critic Tom Roland said “In 1 hour and 35 minutes, the band
strung together a solid wall of hit songs.” Fans who can’t see the Supergroup
in concert can hear 41 of their No. 1 hits on their new 2-cd collection,
FOR THE RECORD.

TV Notes
Prime Time
Oct 12 Diamond Rio, Terri Clark
Oct 13 Alabama, Dixie Chicks
Oct 14 Billy Ray Cyrus, Sherrie Austin
Oct 15 “An Evening With Travis Tritt”

The Grand Ole Opry will be preempted on TNN on Sat., Oct. 17 by coverage
of the PEPSI 400 NASCAR Winston Cup Race from Daytona International
Speedway. But the Opry will be taped that night for a special to be televised on TNN,
Tuesday, Oct. 20. The show will feature special guests The Wilkinsons,
along with many Opry favorites, including new members Diamond Rio.