DAVE'S DIARY - 13/9/2021 - PREVIEW OF EPISODE 3 - SERIES 49
TRACY LAWRENCE HEADLINES NU COUNTRY TV
Texan singer-songwriter Tracy Lawrence headlines Nu Country TV on Saturday September 18 at 9.30 pm on Channel 31/Digital 44.
Our multi-talented lockdown host-producer-editor Laith Graham sweetens the show with Illinois singer Mo Pitney and bluegrass belle wife Emily's honey recipe.
Historic bluegrass family band The Isaacs and expat Gippsland singer-songwriter Gord Bamford return to Behind Bars on the program repeated Wednesday at 11.30 pm.
Former Geelong and latter day Woodend singer-songwriter-DJ Donna Fisk and Albury born Hayley Jensen also boomerang.
Nu Country TV is a highlight of C 31 streaming list on Digital 44.
Further info - https://www.c31.org.au/
TRACY AND EDDIE MONTGOMERY
 |
Texan singer-songwriter Tracy Lawrence is joined on the lost highway by Eddie Montgomery of Montgomery Gentry.
They take a trip to the Grand Ole Opry and other major stages as Tracy, now 53, reveals perils of the price of fame.
It's on his 19th album Hindsight 2020 Volume 2 , released on August 13 and follows Hindsight 2020, Vol 1: Stairway to Heaven Highway to Hell.
The album celebrates Tracy 's 30th Anniversary in Country Music with five new tracks including a collaboration with Tracy Byrd.
“I was eager to create an official music video for this song featuring Eddie, that included Troy ,” Tracy revealed of the video that features Eddie's late recording and performing partner Troy Gentry.
“The images we used to highlight our careers really backs up the message of this song and brought back so many great memories for me. I am so blessed with all the friendships in the industry and outside of it and can't believe I've been lucky enough to do this for thirty years and thankful that the fans have stuck with me on this wild ride.”
Tracy appeared on Nu Country with his video for When The Cowboy's Gone from his 18th album Made In America.
Lawrence and songwriter Flip Anderson wrote lyrics and music for Storming Heaven: The Musical - based on Denise Giardina's award-winning novel about labor strife in southern West Virginia coalfields during 1920-21.
Lawrence appeared in L.A. Dirt movie filmed around Mobile , Alabama , and plays Uncle Charlie to nephew, Ty Hargrove, portrayed by Michael Roark, and performed his Dirt Track Demon on the soundtrack.
Further info - http://www.tracylawrence.com
MO AND EMILY PITNEY TASTE LOCAL HONEY
 |
Mo Pitney and his bluegrass belle wife Emily celebrate a trip to a local market.
They chose a sweet treat from the fruit and orchards where the male lead meets a local woman selling jams.
It was a fitting locale - Mo, now 29, was born in Cherry Valley in Illinois.
His video illustrates Local Honey from his second album Ain't Looking Back that was released on August 14 and features outlaw Jamey Johnson.
Mo said the song inspiration came from his mother.
“Believe it or not, this song was my mom's idea,” Pitney revealed.
“I was walking into a writing session and she texted me ‘local honey.' Since I'm grown up and not living at my parent's house anymore, I didn't figure she was sending me a grocery list, so my mind immediately went to song.”
Ain't Looking Back also features his videos for Ain't Bad For A Good Ol' Boy and Mattress On the Floor.
Mo and singing spouse Emily of The Bankesters bluegrass band, wed in March, 2016, in her home town Carbondale before welcoming daughter Evelyne.
CLICK HERE for a Mo feature in The Diary on November 21, 2016.
THE ISAACS SMILE ON THE AMERICAN FACE
 |
Bluegrass veterans The Isaacs prove true talents on their Behind Bars return after being inducted to the Grand Ole Opry on September 14.
The family moved to the U.S. in 1945 as Polish holocaust survivors.
Joe and Lily Isaacs formed the band in 1971 and performed as Calvary Mountain Boys and Sacred Bluegrass.
Sonya Isaacs wrote their 25th album title track The American Face with husband Jimmy Yeary and Tom Douglas.
They enlisted Ben Smallbone and Andrea Royer, known for work with For King & Country , for the concept video for the album released on August 13 and produced by Ben Isaacs and Bryan Sutton.
It features new material and classics More Than Words by Extreme, You're The Inspiration by Chicago , We Can Work It Out by The Beatles and Forever and For Always by Shania Twain .
The Isaacs found inspiration for their 12-song disc from diverse genres including country, bluegrass, R&B, folk, contemporary, and Gospel.
The Isaacs appeared on Nu Country with Daniel Prayed off their 22nd album The Living Years.
They feature Lily, daughters Becky and Sonya and son Ben and John Bowman (husband of Becky) as instrumentalist and songwriter.
Joe Isaacs, formerly a singer and banjo player in the group, left after his 1998 divorce from Lily and now works solo.
The Isaacs have won seven Doves and several Grammy nominations in their career in which they spread messages of hope and grace through song and stories.
Further info - http://www.theisaacs.com
GORD BAMFORD FINDS HEAVEN ON DIRT IN CANADA
 |
Traralgon transplant Gord Bamford found fame after moving to Alberta in Canada with his mum Marilyn and sister Twila when he was aged five after his parents' divorce.
Gord, now 45, has three children and 20 plus Canadian music awards.
Heaven On Dirt is on his 10th album Diamonds In A Whiskey Glass he produced with songwriter/producer Phil O'Donnell.
The video directed by, Kash Tahen, leaned on green screen, animation, and live-action footage to bring the song to life.
"It was a challenge shooting over the last year and we took a risk by doing something completely different in order to still, create something visual for Heaven On Dirt ,” Bamford revealed.
“I filmed myself in front of a green screen to have live-action footage included in the video. Our director then placed it into the rest of the video that also included the animation and live-action footage.
"I feel the messaging of this song is very powerful, especially given the times we all have been living in. It's about finding your own heaven on dirt, that authentic place that brings you happiness. We all live very busy lives and one of the positives of this busy year was that we could slow down and appreciate what is important to us.”
Gord played 20th Deni Ute Muster in 2018 with seven time Grammy winner Carrie Underwood, CMC Rocks Queensland and Village Green , Mulgrave, with Kevin Bennett.
“I have been looking forward to getting back to Oz since I left,” Gord revealed.
“The industry and the country music fans have treated me so well and I believe it's a hidden gem of a market for country music. It is a great atmosphere and I just feel blessed to be able to come to the place I was born, play my music and reconnect with my father and family.”
Further info - www.gordbamford.com
DONNA FISK CRYING
 |
Woodend singer-songwriter and DJ Donna Fisk followed her radio pioneer father Gene Bradley Fisk into a multi-media career.
Donna, 60, travelled the country with Gene who still hosts Geelong radio shows at the age of 85.
Gene wrote songs and performed live concerts while on radio stations diverse as 3UZ Melbourne , K-Rock and 3GL Geelong, 3SH Swan Hill and 3CV Maryborough.
Donna upstaged Gene by singing at the 1998 AFL grand final with duet partner Michael Christian and released three albums as Fisk & Christian.
Their song Rock' N Footy was hit theme for Seven Network footy telecasts.
This week she performs Crying that follows Shoulder To The Wheel also on Nu Country.
It's on her second solo album LIT - Playing Not Working - she recorded in Nashville before the pandemic.
“Dark and drowning in my sorrows this ain't no party tune,” Donna revealed.
“Some songs are such that they can become an individual's personal interpretation. Make of it what you will, but for me it rang of the opinion that joy seems so fleeting and sorrow lingers. Memories flood back of good times that live in the shadow of losing dear ones. There are songs for a time, songs that take you back to a time Crying Over is one of those songs”.
Donna's 1986 debut solo album Turn The Key followed her 1985 duet album with Johnny Chester - Side X Side.
Further info - https://www.donnafisk.com/
HAYLEY JENSEN KARMA
 |
Albury born singer-songwriter Hayley Jensen returns with sensual new video Karma she filmed with director Duncan Toombs.
Karma is a soulful, brooding tale of sweet revenge.
What goes around comes around in the epic, Sin City style video where Karma has her way.
Actors, Kristy Wordsworth and Paul Hughes, play an unfaithful, adulterous pair, passionate and mischievous, living on the edge, with no clue Karma has her eye on them and plans retribution.
Jensen plays Karma, bringing the heat - and giving new meaning to adage if you play with fire, you will get burned - when she catches the pair in the act and sets the adulterer's prized possession, (his car), up in flames.
Karma is on her fourth album Breaking Hearts released on October 22
“The creation of Breaking Hearts was one of the most hands-on and enjoyable creative experiences of my life,” Hayley revealed.
“It was a true labour of love, conceived during a period of global uncertainty and isolation. The production process spanned two continents, three countries, multiple time zones and pushed technology to its limits. Every story told through these songs is charged with emotion and grit - just like me.”
Hayley, 37, wrote and recorded new songs in the wild west of Canada with Troy Kokol and Chris O'Neil before lockdown.
“2020 was so crazy, people have been isolated and kept apart from the ones they love but together we have made it through,” Hayley revealed.
“My fans and family across the globe have shown so much love and devotion, joining my live streams each week, buying my merch, listening to my music and helping spread the word. So, in this video I wanted to shine a light on them. Fireworks is all about the spark of love. That feeling that lights you up inside when you're with the ones you cherish! As a year filled with so much isolation drew to an end I wanted to capture the precious feeling and spark of being together and spread that love across the world."
She showcased Breaking Hearts and The Next Big Thing from 2018 album Turning Up the Dial on Nu Country.
Further info - https://www.hayleyjensen.net
WIN WAYLON, GEORGE JONES AND HIGHWAYMEN
George Jones, Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson were among country historian Barbara Dowling's favourite Texans.
You can win Waylon Jennings, Highwaymen , Merle Haggard and George Jones discs donated by Barbara who died at 77 in December by becoming a Nu Country TV member or renewing your membership.
She co-hosted Long In The Saddle in our Nu Country FM era and was pioneer Australian and Victorian country music awards judge.
Barbara was admired for rising above losing her sight as a young woman and her country passion with annual trips to Waylon's birthplace in Littlefield, West Texas .
Waylon died at 64 on February 13, 2002, and is survived by singing spouse Jessi, now 78, and son Shooter, 42.
WIN KEITH URBAN CDS ALSO
We have expatriate Australasian superstar Keith Urban's chart topping 12th album The Speed Of Now - Part 1.
Also BR5-49 CD Big Backyard Beat Show and Billy Ray Cyrus's historic 1992 album Some Gave All that features Achy Breaky Heart .
Join Watling & Bates as members and win their 13 track CD Small Town Tales
We have other CDS by major artists you can win by becoming a Nu Country TV member or renewing your membership.
They include Brad Paisley, Carrie Underwood, Eric Church, Kip Moore and late larrikin legend A.P. Johnson.
CLICK HERE for our Membership Page for details.