COUNTRY MUSIC SPECIAL 1979 Songwriters: Unsung Heroes The Future Looks Bright For Are Enjoying New Popularity Country Music Labels, Artists (continued from nage C-22) (continued from page C-20) very little monetary reward for some time," Songwriters Hall of Fame. Founded in 1970, "Television seems to be the primary that area slowing down either. Cavender noted. "It takes tenacity, dedica- the list of Hall of Famers now boasts some market in any country in getting the big "I've always contended that if country tion, hard work and total concentration for a 74 names. Four more songwriters will be word out," Walker said. "Getting the music could be heard more, it would long, thankless period. But the writer does immortalized this week (Oct. 7) when the awards show on would allow us to expose become more popular," said Walker. "That receive something very important - self association announces this year's new country music to a large group of people was the theory behind trying to get more fulfillment. I don't think you can ask for members. who 'may have never heard country music radio stations to program country music. much more of a reward than fulfillment of A nomination list is comprised yearly by before." That was our first goal when the CMA was self." the NSAI board of directors, the past presi- Of the countries the CMA is hoping to organized. I think the figures speak for The NSAI was formed in 1967 to aid the dent of the association and a selected elec- develop, Walker said that Germany would themselves. A recent survey indicated that songwriter in becoming recognized as a torate. The criteria is two -fold: the probably be one of the better markets for about 1,400 stations are now programming viable part of a very lucrative business. songwriter must have made his living by the product, if that country took to country country music exclusively. For one type of Little Recognition songwriting for at least 10 years (originally it music. music, I think that's really good. "The songwriter was the least recognized was 25 years). The electorate also takes "If country music catches on in Germany, "We recently sponsored an Arbitron sur- person in the industry," Cavender said. "I into consideration the impact a songwriter it would take a good decade to thoroughly vey that proved the country music listener has look at it this way: if it weren't for the made on the music scene as a whole. develop," Walker pointed out. "But it's a is no different from other listeners," Walker songwriter, we wouldn't need anybody to In the first two years of its existence, the beautiful record market. If country catches added. "The reason we did this was Hall pick the tune, or a singer or any of that. It of Fame played a catch-up game, en- on there, it will really help country music because there were still a few advertisers used to be that people didn't even notice tering 41 names to its prestigious Hall of record sales." hanging back - they didn't think country who wrote the song - it was always the per- Fame roster. Walker added that they would not only be music listeners owned homes or former's song. But that is changing." Members inducted in 1970 include Gene developing these foreign countries for automobiles; that they didn't ride airplanes A pet project of the NSAI is the Nashville Autry, Johnny Bond, Albert Brumley, A.P. American acts, but for the native country or drink wine. The survey disproved that Carter, Ted Daffan, Vernon Dalhart, Rex music acts as well. theory, and that opened the market for Griffin, Stuart Hamblen, Pee Wee King, Vic Media exposure has always been an at- country music." E/A Ups Profile McAlpin, Bob Miller, Leon Payne and tractive, as well as effective, means of in- Of course all of the promotional Jimmy Rodgers. troducing an artist and particular mode of strategies would not mean a thing if there With New Staff Also inducted in 1970 were Fred Rose, music to the masses. People involved with were no more artists singing country music. Redd Stewart, Floyd Tillman, Merle Travis, (continued from page C-28) country music - from the label promotion After all, it has been said that new artists are Ernest Tubb, Cindy Walker, Hank Williams person, to the booking agent, to the the lifes blood of the industry. Walker sees and Sammy Davis Jr. as well as with Sterl- and Bob Wills. manager to the artist have utilized the no threatening probelm in this ing Whipple, Mel Tillis and Roy Head. - area. Inductees for 1971 include Smiley Bur - media (television, movies and radio) ad- "I think that as country music becomes Among Bowen's declared policies is that a nette, Jenny Lou Carson, Wilf Carter, Zeke vantageously for the field of country music. more and more popular, we will see more Nashville -based E/A artist will be taken Clements, Jimmie Davis, Alton Delmore, Hardly a week passes that there is not some and more young people trying to get into with the same seriousness as an act like Rabon Delmore, Al Dexter, Vaughn Horton country music show on television, or the country msuic if Queen, Jackson Browne, Linda Ronstadtor - even they weren't and Bradley Kincaid. smiling face of a country artist on national brought up on country music," Walker The Eagles, and that he or she will have the said. That year also found Bill Monroe, Bob television shows like "The Tonight Show," "They are going to see it, observe it benefit of the resources of the entire com- and find Nolan, Tex Owens, Tex Ritter, Carson J. "The Today Show" and "Good Morning that it is a more relaxed music, more so pany in promotion, merchandising, Robinson, Tim Spencer, Wiley Walker, America." Walker bets that the future will than some music. I it publicity and in every other area. types of think will at- Gene Sullivan, Jimmy Wakely and Scotty see even more of this, as well as more ex- tract more young artists, A realignment of the E/A Nashville staff and certainly Wiseman joining the Hall of Fame roster. posure through the movie medium. country music needs that we need to has allowed the office ßò continue funciton- - The year 1972 saw the catch-up game "Both television and movies are good keep attracting new artists. Artists from ing with superior efectiveness. Norm Os - end and fewer members elected to the Hall outlets for performers, and movies are par- other fields may be coming over to coordinates sales activities, acting as liaia- country of Fame. They were boudleaux Bryant, ticularly good for songwriters," Walker as well. son between WEA branches and the west Felice Bryant, Lefty Frizzell, Jack Rhodes said. "Of course, songwriters have written "Many times you can predict the future coast home office. He is assisted by Teresa and Don Robertson. scores for movies in the past, but I see this by looking at history," Walker concluded. Grier. Ewell Roussel) is director of Nashville Seven new members were added to the as a field with great potential." "The momentum is I operations, assisted by Carolyn Gilmer, obviously there, and list in 1973. They were Jack Clement, Don Radio Acceptance think that country music will continue to who also maintains a demanding schedule Gibson, Harlan Howard, Roger Miller, Ed Through the years, country music has grow. Some people think that country as A&R coordinator Martha Sharpe has Nelson, Jr., Steve Nelson and Willie Nelson. noticed particularly good acceptance in music will lose its identity. I also joined E/A as assistant to Jimmy don't think so, Hank Cochran was the single new mem- terms at radio airplay. Walker doesn't see not in my lifetime anyway." Bowen. All assistants are fully qualified to ber added in 1974. participate in the decision -making process. In 1975, Bill Anderson, Danny Dill, Eddie 1979 Was A Year Of Changes For The Nashville offices also house an artist Miller, Marty Robbins, Wayne Walker and development staff under Deborah Pardee, Marijohn Wilkin were added. SESAC Operations Around The World and Rhett Walker, E/A local promotion Carl Belew, Dallas Frazier, John D. (continued from page C-32) stantially increasing release and chart pay- rep/Nashville. Loudermilk, Moon Mullican, Curly Putnam clubs, arenas and music spots throughout ments and by extending bonus payments E/A's Nashville team moves into fall '79 and Mel Tillis joined the swelling ranks in the world. This #1 song is rapidly moving by significant amounts. with a 1976, a series of promising new releases. while special award went to into the "standard" category, along with This year marks SESAC's 15th Annual Foster. Stella Parton and Vern Gosdin have just Stephen such other SESAC all-time greats as Country Music Awards Ceremony and the released Best Of sets with Eddie In 1977 Johnny Cash, Rabbitt's Woodie Guthrie, "Hillbilly Heaven," "Burning Bridges," 1979 gala will again be held at the Wood - Best Merle Haggard Kris Of scheduled for October. E/A debuts and Kristofferson were "Crystal Chandeliers," etc. mont Country Club in Franklin on Thursday by Mel Tillis Roy added to the roster. and Head are on the way, Throughout the year, SESAC par- evening, Oct. 11, beginning at 8:00 p.m. And finally, in along with Hank Williams Jr.'s second for 1978, Joe Allison, Tom T. ticipated in numerous seminars, meetings, More than 500 of the nation's leading coun- the label.