We kids are better songwriters because of Bill Anderson,” said Vince Gill. Tune in this February for upcoming episodes of the hit TV series, “Country’s Family Reunion,” which will pay tribute to one of the most iconic songwriters in the history of country music, who also happens to be the host of the show — Whisperin’ Bill Anderson. Other legendary music stars to be honored include GRAMMY® nominated artist T. Graham Brown, ‘The Singer’s Singer’ Gene Watson, Texas Country Music Hall of Fame member Moe Bandy, BJ Thomas, The Whites and Riders In The Sky.
Whisperin’ Bill Anderson may be known for his soft vocal style, but his unprecedented accolades shout from the rooftops. A six-time Songwriter Of The Year Award winner, he is the only known songwriter in history to have earned the distinction of an entry on the country charts for seven consecutive decades. Penned top-charting hits include “Whiskey Lullaby” (Brad Paisley, Allison Krauss), “A Lot Of Things Different” (Kenny Chesney), “Give It Away” (George Strait),” “Country” (Mo Pitney), and many more. Anderson is also a successful radio and television host, having starred on “ABC’s The Better Sex,” “Fandango,” “Larry’s Country Diner,” and serving as the host of “Country’s Family Reunion.” Tune in for a special tribute to Anderson’s venerable career on “Country’s Family Reunion” the first week of February on RFD-TV at 7 p.m. CT (Friday) and 11 p.m. CT (Saturday).
On February 12-13, “Country’s Family Reunion,” will recognize the extraordinary musical contributions of T. Graham Brown and BJ Thomas. Having recorded over 15 studio albums and charted more than 28 singles, six of which hit No. 1 on the country charts, T. Graham Brown is also recognized from his singing in ad campaigns for McDonald’s, Disneyland, Almond Joy and others. Brown still actively tours throughout the year including multiple appearances on the legendary Grand Ole Opry. His latest album, Forever Changed, garnered him his very first GRAMMY® Award nomination in 2015.
Five-time GRAMMY® Award and two-time Dove Award winner BJ Thomas has sold more than 70 million records and is ranked in Billboard’s Top 50 most-played artists over the past 50 years. His well-known hits include “Raindrops,” “Another Somebody Don Somebody Wrong Song,” “Lonesome,” and his gospel albums earned him the title of garnering first four platinum albums in the entire history of the genre – Home Where I Belong, Happy Man, You Gave Me Love and Amazing Grace.
The Whites and Riders In The Sky will be the featured honorees on the February 19-20 episodes of “Country’s Family Reunion”. Consisting of sisters Sharon and Cheryl and father, Buck, The Whites’ career began in Texas before they moved to Nashville, creating five acclaimed albums and maintaining a rigorous touring schedule. Having earned spots on recordings by Emmylou Harris, Ricky Skaggs, Kenny Rogers, Charlie Daniels, Connie Smith, Paul Brandt and others, they celebrated their own Top 10 hits including “You Put The Blue In Me,” “Hangin’ Around,” “Give Me Back That Old Familiar Feeling” and “Pins And Needles.” Further, they have garnered acclaim in the bluegrass and country genres. In 2001, they were hand selected among bluegrass music’s finest to participate in the O Brother Where Art Thou? soundtrack which brought them GRAMMY® and ACM Awards, as well as a CMA Award nomination – all in the “Album Of The Year” categories.
Grand Ole Opry members and GRAMMY® Award winning Western and comedy quartet, Riders In The Sky have been reviving and revitalizing the format for over thirty years. Having chalked up over 6,100 concert appearances in all 50 states and 10 countries, they have appeared everywhere from Carnegie Hall to the Hollywood Bowl. Their cowboy charisma and comedic flair made them naturals for television, and landed them their own weekly show on TNN as well as a Saturday morning series on CBS. They are also prolific songwriters, having written many award-winning songs for their own albums, and also the score for Pixar Animation’s 2002 Academy Award winning short “For The Birds,” and they won two GRAMMY® Awards for their contribution on the soundtracks for Toy Story 2 and Monsters Inc.
On February 26-27, “Country’s Family Reunion” will honor Gene Watson, masterful country stylist from Houston, Texas who has been thrilling audiences for more than 50 years. Watson’s tally of 75 charting titles, 23 Top 10 hits and six No. 1 records has led to membership in the Texas Country Music Hall of Fame and the Houston, TX Music Hall of Fame. Classics include “Farewell Party, “Fourteen Carat Mind,” and “Love In The Hot Afternoon.” Known as “The Singer’s Singer,” Watson is considered one of the finest pure-country singers of his generation. The episode will also honor Moe Bandy, Texas Country Music Hall of Fame member who has celebrated 40 Top 10 singles, 66 charted releases and 10 No. 1 hits including “Too Old To Die Young,” “Bandy The Rodeo Clown,” “Hank Williams, You Wrote My Life,” and “Just Good Ol’ Boys.” The honky-tonk legend is thankful for all of the riches his career has brought him – from his fiercely loyal fan base to his closed friendship with former President George H.W. Bush, who counts Bandy’s 1988 hit “Americana” as one of his favorite songs.
“Country’s Family Reunion” episodes air on Fridays and Saturdays each week on RFD-TV. The renowned television series was developed in 1996 by long-time disc jockey Larry Black, founder of Gabriel Communications. Its purpose was to bring America’s favorite country, bluegrass and Gospel artists together in one room to reunite and share their favorite memories about their music careers. While on the show, they also share exclusive, intimate performances while the cameras role. The result has been pure magic, documenting history in a way unlike any other program.
Upcoming “Country’s Family Reunion” airdates:
February 5, 6 – “Tribute Series – Bill Anderson”
February 12, 13 – “Tribute Series – T. Graham Brown, BJ Thomas”
February 19, 20 – “Tribute Series – The Whites, Riders In The Sky”
February 26, 27 – “Tribute Series – Gene Watson, Moe Bandy”
Air times are 7 p.m. CT / 8 p.m. ET on Fridays, and 11 p.m. CT / 12 a.m. ET on Saturdays. Scheduled line-ups are subject to change.
Purchase the entire “Country’s Family Reunion” Tribute Series which honors the legacy of many artists, both living and passed, including Jim Ed Brown, Blake Shelton, Vince Gill, Charley Pride, Ricky Skaggs and many more by visiting cfrvideos.com or clicking here.
ABOUT “COUNTRY’S FAMILY REUNION”
Gabriel Communications, started in 1996 by long-time disc jockey Larry Black, is the producer of the popular “Country’s Family Reunion” and “Larry’s Country Diner” series. Black first applied the “Reunion” concept to the legends of country music in 1997. The idea was simple: bring America’s most-treasured artists together into one room to reunite and reminisce about their careers, perform signature songs and share stories while the cameras roll. The result has been pure magic, documenting hundreds of stories and performances that would have otherwise been lost. The series’ popularity has led to top-rated shows on RFD-TV and wildly successful DVD sales, spurring the creation of more than a dozen more projects and “Country’s Family Reunion” News (a monthly newspaper that highlights the music of yesteryear), as well as giving rise to sold-out theatre shows and ocean cruises by the ever-growing fan base. For additional information on Gabriel Communications, please visit www.cfrvideos.com.
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.@WhisperinBill @tgrahambrown @MoeBandyMusic @genewatsonmusic & more #CountrysFamilyReunion @OfficialRFDTV in Feb