41 Country

NASHVILLE -Coming off its first release, the 1973 "Smithsonian most successful series Collection of Classic Jazz," which in nine years, the Smithsonian Insti- Smithsonian Going For has reportedly sold more than tution's division of performing arts 200,000 record sets. has announced the lineup for its Closter is enthusiastic over the 1980 -81 season, as well as plans for role the Smithsonian plays in high- the full release of its first -ever classic More And LP Music country lighting the cultural impact country music LP package. By ROBYN WELLS music has on American heritage. He This year's theme, cites the Tom T. Hall concert of this "Great Vocal- ally soldout within a week from their sic series has led the Smithsonian According to Cynthia Hightower, ists In Country Music," is centered season's "Tribute To Great onsale date. In terms of popularity, Collection of Recording, the mu- the label's director, the Smithsonian past on the cultural contributions made Country Music Songwriters" series, Harold A. Closter, country music seum's record label, into preparing a Collection of Recording is now seek- to country by various artists. Sched- which was attended by a contingent coordinator of the division of per- classic country music package, ing permission to use releases from uled to appear in the 565 -seat Bar- of visiting Chinese diplomats. forming arts, estimates that the mu- scheduled for fall release. This eight - such country greats as the Coon rett Auditorium in the Smithso- seum's country series ranks high up record set, produced from archival Creek Girls, Gene Autry, , Closter is currently working in nian's Museum of Natural History with the Smithsonian's jazz and recordings, will be comprised of ap- Woody Guthrie, , conjunction with Carl Scheele, cura- in Washington are , Oct. chamber music programs. proximately 144 releases, encom- , , tor of the museum's popular enter- 19; Mac Wiseman, Nov. 16; the Since the preservation of cultural passing great country artists from , , tainment collection on a possible ar- Lewis Family, Feb. 15, 1981; Buck heritage is of primary importance to 1920 -1979. Bobby Bare, and Lo- chive of country music items. White and the Down Home Folks, the museum. sometimes a perform- in the package will be a retta Lynn. March 29; and Patsy Montana, Pee Included "We're not looking to compete ance will be videotaped or recorded with liner notes Retail price of the package, avail- Wee King and Redd Stewart, April 60 -80 page booklet, with the Country Music Hall of with the artist's permission. These by Dr. Bill Malone of Tulane Univ., able for purchase solely through the 26. he explains. "We're looking recordings are done solely for re- a foreword by James R. Morris, di- Smithsonian museum shop, will be Fame," Tickets for the country series, one search purposes, rather than for rector of the division of performing $53.95, plus postage. Hightower for what is appropriate to collect in of eight areas in the Smithsonian's commercial ventures. arts, and an introduction by legen- feels that this country music package country music in terms of American performing arts program, are gener- The popularity of the country mu- dary guitarist Chet Atkins. will rival the popularity of the label's heritage." Cover Award Nominations Swept By Robbins, Gatlin NASHVILLE - year. Gatlin is competing for male The Statler Brothers will be trying streak in the female artist of the year and album of the year); Moe Bandy and Larry Gatlin have swept the artist, songwriter, musician and to make it 10 in a row as they vie for category) is once again a finalist, as (most promising male vocalist and field of nominees vying for top hon- single of the year. the vocal group of the year award, well as the only female nominee in duet of the year with Joe Stampley); ors in the upcoming Music City Addironally, both artist's bands an honor the group has scored for the musician of the year classifica- (musician and band News Cover Awards, to be telecast are in the running for top vocal the previous nine consecutive sea- tion. Lynn is up for duet of the year of the year); and live nationally June 9 from the Opry group and band of the year honors. sons in this competition. with her singing partner Conway (male artist and songwriter of the House. is a triple nominee The Statlers are also up for com- Twitty, while Twitty is competing year). Robbins is a finalist in all but six in the three categories for which he edy act, single and album of the year for male artist and songwriter of the In the television program cate- of the 15 categories, while Gatlin fol- won awards in 1979: male artist, awards, while the Statler Brothers year honors. gory, nominees are "," lows with six of his own nomi- duet (with partner ) and Cowboy Symphony Orchestra is Other multiple nominees include PBS' "Live From The 'Grand Ole nations. Robbins is up for this year's single of the year. Rogers is also nominated for band of the year. T.G. Sheppard (most promising Opry,' ' "Pop! Goes The Country," male artist, songwriter, musician, nominated for album and tv pro- (who ended male artist and single of the year); "Marty Robbins Spotlight," and comedy act, single and album of the gram of the year honors. 's 12 -year winning (female vocalist (Continued on page 44) WARD'S OUT!

JackyWird's fastest moving single ever, "SaveYour Heart For Me:' #57022 BILLBOARD 42 * (Country Singles)

v

PHONOGRAM, INC. A POLYGRAM COMPANY ON MERCURY RECORDS ANO TAPES

Wnte of call your local Polygram D,$k.buf,on SM.. office toe oi.of.ys and oMr prOaOtbOøSgar n.n .

www.americanradiohistory.com