MUSIC NEWS: SATURDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2015
DAUPHIN'S COUNTRYFEST
Dauphin's Countryfest, Canada's longest running country music festival, is pleased to announce that country music star DWIGHT YOAKAM will play the Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries Main Stage on Sunday night,
Pioneering honey-tonker Yoakam began his major label recording career 30 years ago, with distinctive vocals accented with his Kentucky croom. His latest album, Second Hand Heart, was self-produced, and reflects where he's been, and where he's going.
Yoakam played Countryfest once before, in 2004. Now fans will get a second chance to see him in 2016.
"Dwight Yoakam performed a fantastic show the last time he was at Countryfest, and we're looking forward to hosting him again." says Eric Irwin, President of Dauphin's Countryfest.
BILLBOARD HONOURS MERLE HAGGARD WITH TOP RECOGNITION:
Back in November, Billboard Magazine released their list of "The 30 Greatest Country Artists of the Modern Era." Topping the list, in the number once position, is Merle Haggard. This is why they chose him: "Jimmie Rodgers and Johnny Cash sang about the prison experience, but Merle Haggard lived it. A singer/songwriter who made his mark with songs about the common men and women, his music ran the gamut - from songs of love and heartbreak to unabashed patriotism."
It's not just media who have labeled Haggard the best country artist. The acclaim comes from his peers too. Country Outfitter Life recently posed the question to Country Music Hall of Fame member Vince Gillm about who he thought was the greatest country music artist of all time, and Vince Gill said Merle Haggard. "He epitomized everything I wanted to be," said Gill,
Merle will entertain fans at Dauphin's Countryfest for the first time ever, on Sunday July 3.
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Women In Music (US-Music-Billboard-Women) By Mesfin Fekadu
Lady Gaga and Missy Elliott were in tears as they discussed the struggles they faced in their careers at an event honouring women in the music industry.
Gaga was named Billboard's woman of the year Friday, while Elliott _ who has largely stayed out of the spotlight in recent years but returned with a new single last month _ was dubbed innovator of the year in New York City.
Loretta Lynn, Demi Lovato, Selena Gomez, Brittany Howard of the Alabama Shakes, Lana Del Rey, girl group Fifth Harmony, pop singer Tori Kelly and country singer Kelsea Ballerini were also honoured at the event, along with 50 female music executives.
The Billboard Women In Music event, which included guests like Alicia Keys, Paul Rudd, Martina McBride and Jussie Smollett from ``Empire,'' will air Dec. 18 on Lifetime.
(The Associated Press)