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46 Coun&y Nashville Scene By KIP KIRBY Hard to believe we're already counting out "Mery Griffin," "Solid Gold," 'The Dean Martin Century club in Denver, Ronnie McDowell will be the remainder of 1981 as this last column of Christmas Special," "Country Top 20," "Enter- at Peoria's Continental Regency Hotel, Willie 1981 goes to press. Country music has contin- tainment Tonight," "Battle Of The Las Vegas Nelson slated for the Summit in Houston, and ued to generate its own growth fuel within the Show Girls" and the "Oral Roberts Christmas Charly McClain will warble at the Sheraton Hotel past 12 months, just as it did in the preceding Show." T.G. is also scheduled to be featured on in scenic Steamboat Springs, Colo. (Now that's 12, and there have been many highlights that HBO's "Jamboree In The Hills," while in Janu- the kind of Alpine setting we'd like to enjoy for make 1981 another standout year for this in- ary, he hosts a syndicated new tv special for pro- New Year's Eve!) dustry. ducer Don Kirshner. Remember an album called "The Legend Of Perhaps 1981 will best be remembered as Many artists come off the road for several Jesse James," written and produced by English the "year of the new art- months during this season, but Crystal Gayle has songwriter Paul Kennerly and released through ist," with a number of already committed to making her first concert A &M Records? The album featured Emmylou these achieving their first appearance of 1982 in February at the MGM Harris, Waylon Jennings, Charlie Daniels and No. 1 single this year. It Grand Hotel in Las Vegas. This will cause her to Johnny Cash in its soundtrack and focused on was as if everyone recog- bypass the premiere Feb. 10 of Francis Ford characters situated in the Civil War.... Well, it nized the need for new Coppola's newest film, "One From The Head," seems that Jeff Wald (Helen Reddÿ s manager/ blood in the industry at for which Crystal and Tom Waits perform the husband) and movie producer Julia Phillips the same time and score. (whose credits include "Taxi Driver," "The opened the doors wide to North Carolina's Super Grit Cowboy Band is Sting" and "Close Encounters") have plans to TILLIS TONIGHT -Mel Tillls chats with "Tonight Show" host Johnny Carson the newcomers. Yet the charts continued to be scheduled to appear Jan. 30 on Ralph Emery's turn the album into a Broadway musical -and about his career in a recent airing. sprinkled with the familiar names as well, indi- "Nashville Alive" show via live satellite from they want to have all four of these artists re- cating that there is plenty of room for both. Opryland's Stage Door Lounge. Super Grit will create their recorded roles onstage. None of the Nashville Scene would like to extend its also be playing Billy Bob's Texas March 3 -4. singers has yet been contacted by the producers congratulations to all the artists who broke Unfortunately, the title of Earl Thomas Con - to see their reactions (it will be interesting to through to the top this year, along with a warm ley's RCA debut album proved to be somewhat see if any are willing to consider appearing on New On The thctts welcome to the future new acts coming along in of a prophecy for one Columbia, S.C. club was he Broadway), but it is definite that Kennerly's MIKE CAMPBELL 1982. And to all readers of this column, best supposed to perform in recently. The club original score will be used for the musical. " wishes for a peaceful, musical "Barroom Games holiday season. burned to the ground only two days before Con - Apparently, Wald hopes to unveil the ambitious -* Along the subject of increased visibility for ley's scheduled appearance there. (And for any- project next fall "either at the World's Fair in At the age of six, after hearing country performers, T.G. Sheppard has been lit- one who's suffering amnesia, Earl Thomas' al- Knoxville or in Nashville at the Grand Ole Opry Elvis Presley, Mike Campbell de- erally burning up the tv airwaves, with national bum is entitled 'Are And Smoke "!) House." Wald says he wants to keep this project cided he wanted to become a appearances on "The Barbara Mandrel! Show," Definite that Gary Stewart and Dean Dillon "Southern -based ... true to the roots of the per- rock'n'roll are cutting in the studio together. Could be an formers involved." star. When Campbell formed a high school his fa- album project, depending on how things turn Larry James, a former CMA medium -market band, out. Either way, it ought to be a very interesting award -winning air personality, has left WDAK- ther encouraged him to incorporate pairing of two talented and unusual artists. AM in Columbus, Ga. Interested programmers a fiddle and steel guitar player, so Johnny Cash and his wife June made a guest may reach him at (404) 689 -1233. the group could play country tunes. visit to ABC -TV's "Good Morning America" to When Ed Bruce made his debut as a featured But Campbell did not become inter- chat about their holiday tv special aired a week character on NBC's new "Bret Maverick" tv ested in country music until he ago, "Christmas in Scotland." The show was series with James Garner, he found himself part heard Merle Haggard's `Branded filmed on location in Edinburgh, Scotland, home of what may be the season's newest hit show - Man" during his final year at Pan of Cash's ancestors. the premiere episode snared a 35% share out of American Univ. in Texas. - Ricky Skaggs and Charly McClain were fea- the box, making it the highest rated new pro- Following a stint as a solo per- tured headliners at Manhattan's newest country gram of the season schedule. Bruce is quick to former in Austin, Campbell moved nightery, the Sundown Club, when the venue add that his new tv responsibilities won't inter- to Nashville, upon the advice of life- made its official debut in the Big Apple. fere with his recording for MCA. With both Ed long friend Larry Gatlin. Encour- When Larry, Rudy and Steve Gatlin made and Barbara Mandrell attaining national media aged by Bob Beckham of Combine their traditional holiday concert appearance in attention via the tube, this gives MCA/Nash- Music, Campbell began doing demo Nashville at the Grand Ole Opry House to ben- ville two very visible artists within its recording sessions. Then his father died and Records' label show during the an- efit the Christian counseling services, they stable. the singer /songwriter went to Tulsa nual DJ Week festivities. Within a brought along as special guests Mike Campbell Terry Slane, now an air personality at WIRK- to be with his family. Upon return- month following that performance, and gospel group the Masters Five. As in previ- AM/FM in West Palm Beach, Fla., tells Scene ing to ous years, the Gatlins also brought all their chil- that even though George Jones failed to show up Nashville some months later, Campbell had secured contracts dren onstage for a family -oriented finale. for a "Country K- sponsored" concert during the Campbell tried to make a living with Columbia Records, MCA Mu- More New Year's Eve itineraries for country week of Thanksgiving, his record sales escalated working the night club circuit, but sic and BMI. jet- setters looking for a spot to spend soon packed his bags and moved to "Barroom Games" is penned by SATELLITE DISH -Con Hunley per- the tradi- immediately afterwards anyway. Now that's a tional ringing in of the new year: Merle Haggard Edinburg, Tex., where he opened his Campbell, Gerry House and pro- forms on a recent satellite telecast switch -higher sales after a "no- show." Guess will be at the Nugget in Sparks, Nev., Bobby only George Jones own club. ducer Jerry Crutchfield, who also of "Nashville Alive" at Opryland's could get by with this one! Bare is set for Graham Central Station in Phoe- Nashville songwriters Holly Dunn and Stew- Encouraged by the of Stage Door Lounge. Gatlin, Campbell heads Nashville division nix, Doug Kershaw headlines the Turn Of The art Harris have scored with one of their first col- relocated to Nashville for the third MCA Music. For more information laborations, a song titled "Could It Be Love." time in the fall of 1980. Gatlin ar- about Campbell, contact CBS Rec- The theme was featured during a recent airing ranged for Campbell to sing a tune ords, 49 Music Square West, Nash- of tv's "Flamingo Road." during the group's slot on the CBS ville, Tenn. 37203. (615) 329-4321. Chart Fax By ROBYN WELLS "Love In The First Degree" sizzles to the top "Wichita Lineman," Glen Campbell, Capitol, apiece, giving RCA 17 weeks at the country sum- for Alabama. It's the third No. 1 single for the 15 weeks, 1969. mit. This compares with 13 toppers in 1980 for fearsome foursome this year, following "Old "Greatest Hits," Waylon Jennings, RCA, 15 the Nipper, with one tune- Ronnie Milsap's "My Flame" and "Feels So Right." weeks, 1979. Heart" / "Silent Night (After The Fight) "- retain- Alabama also becomes the fourth act this "I've Got A Tiger By The Tail," Buck Owens, ing the premier position for three weeks, giving year to rack up three chart- toppers, joining the Capitol, 15 weeks, 1965. the label 15 weeks at the top in 1980.

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