Lee Greenwood “God Bless the USA” Don Williams Billy Ray Cyrus { Publicizing Entertainers & Entertaining Our Readers } Country Entertainment USA CONTENTS STAFF 4 Bobby G. Rice Allen Karl & Donna Cunningham Guest on Our Show for February 5 Lee Greenwood “God Bless the USA” Managing Editor: 7 CD Reviews Roy Skropits Editor: 9 HTi Music Cindy Gordon Still Going Strong Writers: Brenda L. Madden 11 Billy Ray Cyrus The Insiders & Don Williams CD Reviews: Brenda L. Madden 12 IndieWorld Top 40 Chart Video Reviews: Steven B. Riley 15 Riley's Reviews {Music Videos} ADVERTISING & RATES: [email protected] PH: (615) 474-0162 If you would like to sponsor, advertise are be on our show contact Roy Skropits (615) 474-0162 or GENERAL INFORMATION: e-mail: [email protected] [email protected] PRESS RELEASES: [email protected] By Mail Country Entertainment USA P.O. Box 100985 DISCLAIMER: Country Entertainment USA is not liable for any inaccura- Nashville, TN. 37224 cies submitted by freelance writers, advertisers or publicists. Opinions and claims made by advertisers and writers are Office (615) 474-0162 their own, and do not represent Country Entertainment USA Magazine or Publisher. PG 3 www.countryentertainmentusa.com Guest on Our Show for February show.countryentertainmentusa.com If you would like to sponsor, advertise are be on our show contact Roy Skropits (615) 474-0162 or e-mail: [email protected] Country Recording Artists Allen Karl and Donna Cunningham New Single “Ain't That A Lovin' Shame” Allen Karl Donna Cunningham www.allenkarlproductionsllc.com www.donnacmusic.com Sponsor Country Recording Artist Bobby G. Rice New Single “Down in Texas” www.bobbygrice.com Sponsor Bobby G. Rice www.bobbygrice.com PG 4 www.countryentertainmentusa.com "GOD BLESS THE USA" CELEBRATES 30TH ANNIVERSARY & ITS ENDURING MARK ON AMERICAN CULTURE From times of great national tragedy to times of joyous patriotic celebration, the words of “God Bless the USA” have stood as one of our country’s most beloved anthems and the cornerstone song of those that best encompass pride in America. So much so, that CBS.com called the song, “the most recognizable patriotic song in the country.” Written by Grammy Award winning country star Lee Greenwood in 1983, the iconic song marks its 30th anniversary this year. Its life to date includes the distinction of being the only song of any genre to skyrocket up the sales charts multiple times since its original release in 1984. Radio stations and fans alike returned to the song in 1991 during the Gulf War, in 2001 following 9/11, in 2003 during the war in Iraq, and in 2009 following Hurricane Katrina. “God Bless the USA” had a resurgence in 2011, when Beyoncé recorded the song offering proceeds of the download to benefit the New York Police & Fire Widows' & Children's Benefit Fund. That same year, it was the winning song on ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars” and performed on “American Idol.” Greenwood wrote “God Bless the USA” in response to the hurt and anger he felt following the downing of a Korean jet on a flight from New York to Seoul with 269 passengers aboard, including 63 Americans. Russian authorities shot the plane from the sky, killing all aboard because “they thought the airliner was on a spy mission.” “I saw the senseless strike as a personal attack against our countrymen and it moved me to put pen to paper,” says Greenwood. “The song came so easily, it nearly wrote itself.” The song hit an emotional chord with the American populace as well and “God Bless the USA” was named “Song of the Year” in 1985 at the CMA Awards. “After 9/11, it was a song of unity and rebuilding and after Hurricane Katrina, it was a song for life and hope. It just makes me really proud that I've done something for the country and for my family. It's my family's heritage,” Green- wood told AOL’s The Boot. ABOUT GREENWOOD: Throughout his expansive career, international country music star Lee Greenwood has earned multiple CMA and ACM Awards as well as a Grammy Award. His discography includes twenty-two studio albums, seven compilation albums and thirty-eight singles including hits like “Ring On Her Finger, Time On Her Hands,” “Dixie Road,” and “Somebody’s Gonna Love You,” among numerous others. He’s been honored with the prestigious National Pa- triot’s Award, presented by the Congressional Medal of Honor Society and entertained troops on more than 30 USO Tours. In November 2008, President George W. Bush appointed Greenwood to a six-year term as a council member on the National Endowment for the Arts. The California native wrote his second book in 2012, a collection of inspi- rational essays titled “Does God Still Bless the USA; A Plea for a Better America” (Tate Publishing). His latest pro- ject, a seven song EP, I Want to Be In Your World, features more songs penned by Greenwood as well as him on saxophone. Lee and his wife, Kimberly, a former Miss Tennessee, currently reside in Nashville and have two sons. www.LeeGreenwood.com PG 5 www.countryentertainmentusa.com Promote Your Company or Artist(s) Advertise Events, Products or Services Great Rates ♦ ♦ Great Service March issue deadline is Friday, February 22th Country Entertainment USA Magazine www.countryentertainmentusa.com Call Roy (615) 474-0162 or E-mail: [email protected] PG 6 www.countryentertainmentusa.com by Brenda L. Madden Mail CD's or DVD's for Reviews To: We Review Movies Too Country Entertainment USA So Send Us Your DVD's P.O. Box 100985 Nashville, TN. 37224 7 Star Rating System Amanda Nagurney • Gone • www.AmandaNagurney.com Amanda Nagurney’s Gone CD displays her progressive sound on six contemporary country songs. From the opening uptempo song, “That’s What I Love About This Life” to the ballad “You Can Make It On Your Own,” Amanda delivers strong and entertain- ing vocals amid a solid production. The high point is “It Ain’t Just Music,” which Amanda sings with sincerity and believability - it obviously ain’t just music to her! Darin & Brooke Aldridge • Live At Red, White And Bluegrass! www.DarinAndBrookeAldridge.com Darin & Brooke Aldridge’s CD, Live at Red, White and Bluegrass! is brimming with toe -tappin’ bluegrass with a slight country edge! From the instrumental, “Foggy Mountain Rock” to the more country-flavored “Making Plans,” Darin & Brooke and band deliver a dynamic live performance. The Jerry Salley, Gina Boe & Lee Black song, “Every Scar” is particularly appealing. This group has a winning sound. Erich McMann • American Songbook • www.erichmcmann.com Erich McMann composed all 10 songs on this CD, American Songbook. The project, originally conceived in Branson, Missouri, was cut “in a spontaneous, old-school-style manner and environment” - recording 9 songs in one day with only a few overdubs added later. His music is a throwback to times past with songs like “Keep Me Loving You” and “Back On The Farm,” creating a distinctive project. Mike Bryant • I Need You Strong For Me • www.mikebryant-nashville.net Mike Bryant’s CD, I Need You Strong For Me is comprised of 17 thoughtfully selected songs, including the poignant and personal song, “Watching Over Me” which Mike wrote about his two best friends as well as a re-make of the Charley Pride song, “Amy’s Eyes.” A solidly traditional country album, there is plenty of steel guitar, fiddle and mandolin wrapped around Mike’s rustic vocals. PG 7 www.countryentertainmentusa.com HTi Music Still Going Strong by Brenda L. Madden Music production businesses in Nashville, Tennessee are much like the singers and song- writers that walk the sacred streets of the dream - filled Music Row - here today and gone tomorrow; however, there are a small number of companies that have stood the test of time and HTi Music is one of those mainstays still going strong. Currently relocating their offices to Goodlettsville, Tennessee, just a few miles north of Nashville, HTi Music is continuing an already lengthy and successful 53 year legacy. At the core of HTi Music is Harrison Tyner and Tom K. Pick, two well-known and re- spected names within the music community. Harrison Tyner has worn many hats throughout his entertainment career including re- cording artist, music producer and video director. As a recording art- ist, he had national success with “Blow A Kiss” and “Once Again The Sun Will Shine.” Donning the producer hat, he produced the classic Songs I Sang For Elvis by Sherrill (Shaun) Nielsen - a double LP released on Adonda Records shortly after the death of Elvis - a timeless album that has since been re-mastered and will soon be re- leased under the new title, Treasured Memories Of The King. Among his early film credits was a documentary entitled “Olympic Cowboy,” based on two-time Olympic Gold Medal Winner and Dallas Cowboy NFL Super Bowl Champion, “Bullet” Bob Hayes. On the other side, Tom K. Pick has an impressive music resume as a recording engineer. After graduation from DeVry Technical Institute in Chicago, Tom worked for Boulevard Studios and RCA in Chicago, later landing in Nashville at the request of Chet Atkins and serving as RCA’s Chief Engineer for over 15 years. Later, he took on the role of studio manager as well as engineer for Porter Wagoner’s Fireside Studios, Merit Recording Studio and Belden Enterprises. The list of artists that Tom has worked with over the years is a virtual Who’s Who in Nashville including Charley Pride, Dolly Parton, Porter Wagoner, Eddy Arnold, Donna Fargo, Mickey Gilley and Janie Fricke, just to mention a few.