T. GRAHAM BROWN, DANNY SHIRLEY (CONFEDERATE RAILROAD), EXILE, JIMMY FORTUNE, LORRIE MORGAN, T.G. SHEPPARD AND JOHN ANDERSON FEATURED IN DUKE FM’S VIDEO VAULT SERIESS
Weekly Episodes Air Through Nov. 4
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (September 19, 2016) – Duke FM, where the “Legends of Country Hang Out,” is teaming up with Webster Public Relations again to feature its roster of legacy artists in candid, sit-down interviews on air, online and across Midwest Communications digital platforms. T. Graham Brown, Danny Shirley, Exile, Jimmy Fortune, Lorrie Morgan, T.G. Sheppard and John Anderson will be featured in the second round of Duke FM’s Video Vault series. Click here to watch the Video Vault series.
The Video Vault series will be hosted on Duke FM’s eight stations in Knoxville, Tenn., Appleton, Wis., Green Bay, Wis., Lansing, Mich., Evansville Ind., Fargo ND, Duluth, Minn. and Terre Haute, Ind.
Duke FM will also be providing listeners an opportunity to win a prize each week for watching the videos, with all entrants going into a grand prize drawing for a trip for two on the Country Music Cruise. The 2017 artist lineup includes Vince Gill, Charley Pride, The Oak Ridge Boys, Brenda Lee, Lee Greenwood, Tanya Tucker, Johnny Lee, Moe Bandy & Joe Stampley – Good Ole Boys Reunion, Dailey & Vincent, Jimmy Fortune of the Statler Brothers, Wade Hayes, Jo-El Sonnier, Sylvia, Deborah Allen and Chuck Mead & His Grassy Knoll Boys and host Lorianne Crook, plus a special Grand Ole Opry at Sea performance event.
In addition to one-on-one interviews with the artists, Duke FM also carries syndicated country video news series “The Pickup,” which highlights today’s stars and classic country artists making news today. “The Pickup” is produced by The Hot Seat.
“Duke FM reintroduced a multitude of Country Hits to the public that have not received radio airplay in numerous years. This music was popular then and continues to be popular today. As a result of consistently delivering these great hits to the fans, we decided to invest the time and money to bring the Legends stories closer to the DUKE-FM fans. Our first round of interviews in Nashville far exceeded our expectations and now DUKE-FM is sharing those thought-provoking stories with country music aficionados throughout the United States with a positive response on all levels,” said Jeff McCarthy, Vice President Programming, Midwest Communications, Inc.
Video Vault Series:
Sept. 19 T. Graham Brown
Sept. 26 Danny Shirley (Confederate Railroad)
Oct. 03 Exile
Oct. 10 Jimmy Fortune
Oct. 17 Lorrie Morgan
Oct. 24 T.G. Sheppard
Oct. 31 John Anderson
Recommended tweet:
.@websterpr clients featured in Duke FM Video Vault Series bit.ly/1XldR29
About T. Graham Brown:
T. Graham Brown has recorded over 15 studio albums and charted more than 28 singles on the Billboard and Gospel charts. Six of these singles reached Number One and eight more reached the Top Ten. Brown’s voice is also recognized from his singing in advertising campaigns for McDonald’s, Disneyland, Almond Joy, Coca Cola, Dodge Truck, Ford, Hardee’s and many others including the Taco Bell “Run For The Border” television spots. This past year, his appearance in the concept video for “Working on A Building” with Marty Raybon, Jimmy Fortune and Trace Adkins aired across multiple national television networks. Brown still actively tours throughout the year including multiple appearances on the legendary Grand Ole Opry and television appearances such as Larry’s Country Diner and Country’s Family Reunion. His uniqueness has made him one of the most beloved performers of the day. The latest album, Forever Changed, garnered T. Graham his very first Grammy nomination in 2015. Brown has recently been featured on CMT.com, Country Weekly, Billboard and more. Visit tgrahambrown.com.
About Confederate Railroad:
Overnight sensation. One of the most over-used and misapplied coronations ever. It’s been used to describe CONFEDERATE RAILROAD in that very manner. In the case of Railroad, it most often refers to the frenzy that surrounded the 1994 mega-hit, “Trashy Women.” From lead singer, DANNY SHIRLEY’s perspective, “We weren’t an overnight sensation; ‘Trashy Women’ was.” The facts are simple. The debut self-titled album had three singles before “Trashy Women” and was selling well. On the strength of “She Took It Like A Man,” “Jesus and Mama” and “Queen of Memphis” the album sold more than 500,000 copies in its first 72 weeks. However, it sold more than 500,000 copies in the first seven weeks “Trashy Women” was the designated single. It was a song that had every chance of never being recorded which is the stuff of ironic legends.Headed by founder and frontman Danny Shirley, the former backup band for both David Allan Coe and Johnny Paycheck got their big break by signing with Atlantic Records. The first single from their debut album (“Confederate Railroad”) was “She Took It Like A Man”. It went to No. 26, a preview of what was to come. “The next two singles, “Jesus and Mama” and “Queen of Memphis” went to the top of the charts. Three more huge hits followed, “Trashy Women”, “When You Leave That Way You Can Never Go Back”, and “She Never Cried”. “Trashy” would lead to a Grammy nomination and become their signature song. That album with six hits and nearly three million sales brought Confederate the Academy of Country Music’s Best New Group Award in 1993 as well as numerous nominations from the Country Music Association and the British Country Music Foundation. The second album, “Notorious”, produced one of the group’s most popular songs “Daddy Never Was the Cadillac Kind” which became a No. 1 video as well. “Elvis and Andy” and “Summer in Dixie” would further establish the Railroad as one of the most versatile acts in the business. This album would sell more than one million. Their overall totals are 18 charted hits and 5 million albums sold. Shirley, the lead singer and vocalist, and his mates, Mark Dufresne on drums, Wayne Secrest on bass, Rusty Hendrix on lead guitar and Bobby Randall on steel guitar, fiddle and vocals and Mo Thaxton on guitar & vocals are obviously having fun right along with their appreciative audience. Visit confederaterailroad.net.
About Exile:
EXILE formed in 1963 looking to play small clubs in Richmond, Kentucky, but managed to top both the pop and country charts during their over 50 year-long career. Their most successful hit, “Kiss You All Over,” spent four weeks at the top of Billboard’s pop chart in 1978. In the early 1980’s EXILE start to focus on country music. During their run on the country charts EXILE has successfully had ten No. 1 singles including “I Don’t Want To Be A Memory” and “Give Me One More Chance.” They have toured with acts including Aerosmith, Fleetwood Mac, The Oak Ridge Boys, The Gatlin Brothers and The Judds. The 5 original EXILE members reformed in 2008 and continue to tour today. Current members of the band include J.P. Pennington, Les Taylor, Sonny LeMaire, Marlon Hargis and Steve Goetzman.
About Jimmy Fortune:
Jimmy Fortune toured, sang and performed with the legendary Statler Brothers for 21 years. He joined them first as a temporary replacement for Lew DeWitt, after DeWitt heard him singing at a ski resort and recommended him. Following an audition in Nashville, Jimmy was contacted by the Statler Brothers and performed his first show with them on January 28, 1982, in Savannah, Georgia. Due to the debilitating effects of Crohn’s Disease, Lew was unable to return to the stage with the Statlers, and Jimmy was hired as a permanent replacement in August of 1982. Fortune quickly lived up to his name. He wrote the group’s second No. 1 hit, “Elizabeth,” on their 1983 album Today, and followed that with two more No. 1 hits–“My Only Love” (from 1984’s Atlanta Blue) and “Too Much On My Heart” (from 1985’s Pardners in Rhyme). Fortune also wrote the top-10 hit “Forever” from 1986’s Four for the Show and co-wrote the top-10 hit “More Than a Name on the Wall” from 1988’s The Greatest Hits. Jimmy and The Statler Brothers were inducted into the GMA (Gospel Music Association) Hall of Fame on October 29, 2007, and inducted into the CMA (Country Music Association) Hall of Fame in June 29, 2008. After the Statler Brothers retired on October 26, 2002, Jimmy seized the opportunity to launch a solo career to share new music with his fans. His first solo CD, When One Door Closes, was released August 2003 on Audium/Koch. He released a gospel album, I Believe, in June 2005, a Christmas CD, Feels Like Christmas, in 2006, a live concert DVD in 2007 a country CD, “Windows” in 2009, “Lessons” in 2012, and “Hits and Hymns” CD and DVD through Spring House Productions in 2015. The DVD debuted at #1 on Billboard. Jimmy is currently living in Nashville, writing, and touring. Visit JimmyFortune.com.
About Lorrie Morgan:
Sultry country songstress Lorrie Morgan has sold over eight million records including fourteen top ten hits, twelve recorded albums and four Female Vocalist of the Year awards. She was the first female artist to ever have three consecutive albums RIAA-Certified Platinum®. She made her mark with what have now become timeless country standards, “Five Minutes,” “Except For Monday,” “Something In Red,” “Watch Me” and “What Part Of No,” and established her place as a country star—a modern woman making country music history. Loretta Lynn Morgan was born to make music. At 13, she made her first and everlasting impression on the country music world when she played at The Grand Ole Opry, making her one of the youngest to have made her debut at the Mother Church of Country Music. Three short years later after her dad, country music star George Morgan’s, passing, Lorrie launched her own career touring with her father’s band. She made history of her own when she became a lifetime member of the Grand Ole Opry at the age of 24 — one of the youngest to ever become a member. Visit lorrie.com.
About T.G. Sheppard:
T.G. Sheppard has always had an unstoppable passion for music. This passion along with 21 number one hits and being ranked as one of the top artists in all of country music, has made him one of the most popular live performers on tour today. It’s only natural with a show chock full of chart topping hits like “Last Cheaters Waltz”, “I Loved ‘Em Everyone”,” Do You Wanna Go To Heaven”, and “Party Time” that T.G. has developed a reputation as a solid performer who delivers exactly what audiences want. All this and more combined with a steadfast dedication to entertainment has truly made him one of the great Legends in country music. T.G. Sheppard’s ardor for life and unceasing energy allow him to fulfill his unrelenting passion for music. Legendary Friends & Country Duets is the latest means by which he shares that passion with the rest of us. For more information, visit tgsheppard.com.
About John Anderson:
Raised in Apopka, Fla., Anderson was exposed to both rock and traditional country growing up and, as incendiary rock outfits like Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers and Lynyrd Skynyrd honed their chops around him, learned to love (and play) both types of music. But Anderson resisted the call of rock ‘n roll, electing rather to pursue his country music dreams. It was the traditional country ballads that lured him in and changed music history, songs like Porter Waggoner’s “Green, Green Grass of Home.” Anderson moved to Nashville in 1972, working construction by day (including as a roofer at the Grand Ole Opry House) and playing the honky-tonks at night. He signed to Warner Bros. in 1977, and notching his first major hit in 1980 with Billy Jo Shaver’s “I’m Just an Old Chunk of Coal (But I’m Gonna Be a Diamond Someday).” Other hits, including the classic “Wild and Blue” in 1982, solidified his status as a powerful new voice in country music. “Swingin’,” written by Anderson and Lionel Delmore, blew the roof off a year later, exploding to No.1 on the Billboard Country chart, propelling Anderson to the CMA Horizon Award, and becoming one of the most enduring hits in the country canon. Anderson plowed through the ebbs and flows of country music (and the country music business) throughout the ’80s, and in the early 1990s engineered one of the greatest “comeback” runs (he never really left) in the history of the genre. Seminole Wind, released on BNA, produced hit singles in “Straight Tequila Night,” “When It Comes To You,” “Money in the Bank,” and the stirring title cut. The latter would have never been released had Anderson not stuck to his guns, a familiar refrain throughout his career as the artist has wound his way through virtually all of Nashville’s major labels.Despite his music biz travails, Anderson, who has made his home in Smithville, TN, for more than 30 years, is far from a bitter man. Rather, he feels more than blessed, and subscribes to the mentality expressed in Goldmine’s compelling “Don’t forget to Thank the Lord.” For more information, visit johnanderson.com.