Nashville Music Line

20 special performances honor six decades

Time flies when you’re having fun.  Sixty years?  Really?  It was party time in Nashville Wednesday as the Country Music Association (CMA) celebrated its 60th anniversary at an invitation-only music industry party at the Wildhorse Saloon.

I came to Nashville in 1990 and quickly realized that the CMA was country music’s biggest supporter, promoter and resource. The CMA started out with just 160 members and has grown to more than 7,400 (including, proudly, yours truly.)

To mark the occasion the United States Senate, House of Representatives, and the City of Nashville, officially proclaimed September 25, 2018 Country Music Association Day.

It was a gala evening, celebrating the CMA’s growth and success as well as the artists that have been part of that success.  Everybody was there. Michael Ray, Craig Wayne Boyd, Grand Ole Opry member Jeannie Seely, the Gatlin Brothers, Lee Greenwood, Lee Brice, Julie Roberts and the list goes on. More than 20 acts performed 60 years of country hits, backed by my friend Joe Denim and his All-Star Band.

From Jeannie Seely to Lee Brice

After welcoming remarks from CMA Chief Executive Officer Sarah Trahern, Jeannie Seely kicked off the evening with a stunning performance of “Who Needs You.”  Michael Ray and Craig Wayne Boyd performed back-to-back Merle Haggard classics, with Ray singing “Okie from Muskogee” and Boyd singing “The Fighting Side of Me.”

My favorite performance of the event was Halfway to Hazard performing Montgomery Gentry’s “My Town” in a wonderful heartfelt tribute to their own Kentucky boy, Troy Gentry.

Backstage, Lee Greenwood and Larry, Steve & Rudy, The Gatlin Brothers, sang an impromptu version of Greenwood’s hit “God Bless The U.S.A.,” which the Gatlin Brothers provided background vocals for on the original 1984 recording.

Artists joined Trahern and CMA staff on stage for a birthday toast and sing-a-long rendition of “Happy Birthday.” Lee Brice closed the evening with a stellar performance of Hank Williams Jr.’s “Family Tradition.” (See below for the full setlist.)

CMA: the first music genre trade group

Founded in 1958, the Country Music Association is the first trade organization formed to promote a type of music. The organization, which started with 160 members, has grown to more than 7,400 industry professionals around the world representing every aspect of the business. The organization’s objectives are to serve as an educational and professional resource for the industry and advance the growth of Country Music around the world. Find more about the CMA at their website.

The full setlist:

• Jeannie Seely – “Who Needs You” (1960)
• Larry, Steve & Rudy, The Gatlin Brothers – “Houston (Means I’m One Day Closer To You)” (1983) & “All The Gold In California” (1979)
• Michael Ray – “Okie From Muskogee” (1968)
• Craig Wayne Boyd – “The Fighting Side of Me” (1970)
• Joe Denim & Danielle Peck – “You’re the Reason Our Kids are Ugly” (1978)
• Mark Wills – “The Gambler” (1979)
• Hilary Williams – “Old Habits” (1980)
• TG Sheppard & Kelly Lang – “Islands in the Stream” (1983)
• Lee Greenwood – “God Bless The U.S.A.” (1984)
• Ty Herndon – “Living In A Moment” (1996)
• Mark Collie – “Even The Man In The Moon Is Crying” (1997)
• Jamie O’Neal – “There Is No Arizona” (2001)
• Halfway to Hazard – “My Town” (2002)
• Mark Wills – “19 Somethin’” (2002)
• Darryl Worley – “Have You Forgotten?” (2003)
• Julie Roberts – “Break Down Here” (2004)
• Chuck Wicks – “Stealing Cinderella” (2008)
• Michael Ray – “One That Got Away” (2018)
• RaeLynn – “Tailgate” (2018)
• Lee Brice – “Songs In The Kitchen” (2017), “I Drive Your Truck” (2013), and “Family Tradition” (1979)

Preshias Harris  is a music journalist and music career development consultant with the emphasis on new and aspiring artists and songwriters. Her book, ‘The College of Songology 101: The Singer/Songwriter’s Need to Know Reference Handbook’ is available at   www.collegeofsongology.com  Follow her blog at  www.nashvillemusicline.com