Craig Judge Retires Following Father's Death

It was a shock to all when a few weeks ago Pat Judge, who was lead singer in the UK band Circuit Judge, died. Now, in a statement, his son Craig has decided to retire from country music.

"Over the past 17 years I have appeared alongside my father in various different formats playing our type of country music our way," he said. During the last seven years since Stuart Payne joined us we have enjoyed
particular success and I have many treasured memories from these times. With these thoughts very much in mind and after careful consideration I have decided that now is the right time for me to call it a day. I can no longer find it in my heart, or have the desire to carry on with new members and prefer to keep the wonderful memories that I have intact."

"I would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for the kindness shown to my family over this difficult time and for the wonderful support given to Circuit Judge over the years, allowing us to play our brand of country music. We were delighted with our new album and for those of you who choose to purchase it, I hope that it brings you pleasure and fond memories. I also hope that you will be able to support me in this decision.

On behalf of my mother and the rest of my family, I would like to thank everyone who attended the moving service at the crematorium. We were
overwhelmed with the cards and messages of condolesences and also appreciated the kindness of those who sent flowers and made donations to charity. Touching thoughts at a very sad time. Yours sincerely, Craig Judge."

A tribute single from the album by Circuit Judge, will be released on
October 1st.

Paul Brandt To Host CCMA Awards Show

Talented fan-favourite and country star Paul Brandt is onboard to host this year's annual awards show for country music. Canada's Canadian Man will host the 2002 Canadian Country Music Awards show September 9th in Calgary. The announcement returns Brandt to a leading role on the annual show, after hosting and co hosting in recent years.

Paul Brandt has been a shining star in Canadian country for several years, and says his role as host of the 2002 show " is the third time I've been asked, so I must be doing something right - and with all of the talent on this year's show, I'm sure even I can't mess it up!" Brandt added he's "...excited to be a part of Country's biggest night."

Anne Murray To Canadian Country Hall Of Fame

The Canadian Country Music Association has announced the induction of recording artist Anne Murray and industry builder Art Snider into the Hall of Fame during Country Music Week in Calgary this September.

Anne Murray is one of Canada's greatest international success stories. Now in her 34th year in the entertainment industry this phenomenal achievement is matched only by her high personal and professional standards.

Born in 1926 in Ottawa, Art Snider was on the road as a piano player for Toronto area dance bands while still in his teens. He went on to become a producer and record company owner, television network music conductor, and record studio owner, playing a key role in launching the careers of many Canadian artists.
The Canadian Country Music Hall Of Fame is located on the grounds of the Calgary Stampede.

You can vote for Canada's Country Entertainer of the Year at www.ccma.org between Terri Clark, Paul Brandt, Jason McCoy, Adam Gregory or Carolyn Dawn Johnson.

For further information, contact: Aimee Hill, Publicity, Canadian Country Music Association (CCMA)
Phone: 780-488-5891 Fax: 780-497-5607 E-mail: aaccess@telusplanet.net

Sheila Hamilton Phone: 905-850-1144 Fax: 905-850-1330 E-mail: country@ccma.org
or mail to CanCountryUK@aol.com

Submitted by Canadian Country UK

Chesney Rewards Session Musicians

Kenny Chesney has provided $1,000 bonuses to 23 studio musicians who performed on his latest hit album, 'No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problems.' Chesney made the presentations earlier this week after inviting the studio players to
join him for a catered breakfast on Music Row. Chesney told the group, “I’ve had a really good year this year --
and you guys were absolutely a part of it.” Although session musicians routinely receive gold and platinum plaques from artists, one of the recipients noted that
Chesney’s gesture exceeded anything he had experienced during three decades in the studios.

In The Pink

Songwriter Rhonnie Scheuerman is tickled pink at her latest achievement -
Songwriter Of The Year in the annual ICMAG Awards. Congratulations.

'MAVERICK' Gets Off To A Good Start

The new country music magazine, "Maverick", edited by Alan Cackett, has got off to a tremendous start, with a very strong subscription base to its
credit already and a string of positive comments coming through from satisfied readers. We asked Alan to comment on the success so far.

"The reaction to Maverick, both from readers and the industry has been very positive. The general consensus of opinion is that it is refreshing to have an intelliegently-written country music magazine that looks good, but without the gaudiness that is so typical of most country music magazines both here and in the US. In some quarters the magazine has been described as
being alternative country, which is far from being accurate - it is very
rootsy in musical direction, but with a wide range of features, with music from Willie Nelson to Jerry Douglas, Allison Moorer, Be Good Tanyas, Dolly Parton, Mark Chesnutt, Chip Taylor, Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard, etc, and
introducing newcomers such as Jenai, Victoria Boland, Cicero Buck, Lisa O'Kane, etc. It is hardly alternative, just a little wider in scope than other country music magazines. The review section has been widely applauded.
Over 50 CDs reviewed in each of the first two issues by a panel of writers who really know their stuff.

"It is interesting (as we offer a free weekly email news update) that only 40% of our subscribers actually have email addresses, way below the figures
we are assured nationally have email access - which really means that old-fashioned print magazines really do have a future and that internet access is not as widespread as official figures lead us to believe. Though the magazine has absolutely no connection with Country Music International or Bluerchip Ltd (the publishers of CMI), I can report that within six weeks of publication of the first issue, Maverick has actually passed the number of subscribers that CMI had when it was suddenly closed down in November 2001. In short, with the support of country music fans, the media and the industry alike, I believe that Maverick is a magazine that fills a gap and is definitely here to stay."

To find out more check out www.maverick-country.com or email editor@maverick-country.com

Future of Monroe’s Mandolin Still in Play

The Bill Monroe Foundation has until October 26 to raise the balance of the $1.125 million it needs to finish the purchase of Monroe’s 1923 Gibson mandolin. The foundation hopes that the mandolin will be the centerpiece of Monroe’s restored home in Rosine, Kentucky. State support has not been forthcoming, however.

The foundation is selling $25 shares in the mandolin to cover the remaining debt of $975,000. The Country Music Hall of Fame and the Gibson company also have expressed interest in the famous instrument. A Cackett

Roy Rogers’ Museum Moves to Branson

The Roy Rogers-Dale Evans Museum is leaving Victorville, California., for Branson, Missorri. Due to open in spring 2003, the museum will include a theatre and is being built on four acres behind Yakov Smirnoff’s theatre at a cost of $3 million.

A two-time member of the Country Music Hall of Fame, as a solo act and as a member of the Sons of the Pioneers, Rogers died in 1998. Evans died in 2001. "We know Mom and Dad have a big fan base in the Midwest because people there still promote love of country, faith in God and true family values," said "Dusty" Rogers Jr., the couple’s son. A Cackett

M. C. Carpenter’s Wedding

New information has come out about Mary Chapin Carpenter’s marriage June 1 to builder Timmy Smith. The wedding took place outside Charlottesville, Virginia. The bride and groom met through mutual friends a year and a half ago. In addition to Sissy Spacek and Dave Matthews (already reported), Terri Clark, Beth Nielsen Chapman and Annie Roboff were among the guests. Bill Kirchen and his band, Too Much Fun, entertained. The newlyweds spent their honeymoon at a ranch in Colorado.

Joe Allison (composer of 'He'll Have to Go') Dies

Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame member Joe Allison (77) died of respiratory failure Friday afternoon (2nd) in Saint Thomas' Hospital.after a long battle with lung disease

He is remembered as the composer of such hits as the Jim Reeves' classic He'll Have to Go and Faron Young's Live Fast, Love Hard, Die Young.

His contributions to the music world were many. In addition to writing hits, Joe Allison was a recording executive, radio personality, song publisher and record producer. He worked with Willie Nelson, Bob Wills, Tex Ritter, Hank Thompson and numerous other top stars. He was also a founding board member of the Country Music Association (CMA).

''Joe will be remembered as one of the most multi-talented people who ever worked in this business,'' said famed record producer Fred Foster last night. ''He was a poet and a producer, and he was so witty, funny and quick. He could converse with you on any number of levels. I'll miss him. We all will.''

Foster is coordinating the funeral arrangements for his late friend.

Tracy Byrds Son (4) Likes 'Big Butts'

Tracy Byrd was doing his list of TV and radio interviews in Dublin, Virginia recently, before a fair appearance. Four year old son Logan kept grabbing at his microphone cord during an interview, so the singer finally asked on-air, "Son, do you want to say something?" With a mic in his face, the youngster promptly said "I like big butts and I cannot lie". Apparently, it's the hook of an old rap song that's played at the end of the big movie "Shrek". Tracy was embarrassed, but the interviewers thought it was hilarious

The Bellamy's Bring Smiles To One Of Their Youngest Fans

At 6 years old, Megan Allen is a new generation of beautiful heartbreakers for The Bellamy Brothers.

Hospitalized at All Children's Hospital in St. Petersburg, Florida, Megan has recently undergone surgery for a cranio-pharyngiom: a rare childhood brain tumor.

Surrounded by stuffed animals and tucked in under her brightly colored Little Mermaid blanket, Megan doesn't seem to even notice the blip of her heart monitor in ICU as she listens to the music played for her every day by music therapist, Julie Tatro, a regular visitor to the tiny blonde blue eyed patient since she was admitted in May for surgery. Like everyone else on staff at All Children's, Julie has fallen in love with the little charmer she daily serenades.

“One of her biggest requests of all is The Bellamy Brothers,” said Julie. She was asking me for this song called “Redneck Girls,” which she said reminded her of the music she heard her daddy play at home, and I had to admit, I wasn't familiar with the song. I suggested “Comin' Round The Mountain,” but Megan told me right away that she loves The Bellamys more than the mountain song!”

When word reached them on the road from an article that appeared in the St. Petersburg Times, Howard and David Bellamy were moved by the dedication of their little fan. Lifetime Florida cattle ranchers when not running the rigors of the road as country music's busiest duo, The Bellamys, determined to cheer Megan up, came up with a plan to 'rustle' one of their favorite cows from their own herd. The gigantic stuffed cow, surrounded by balloons that carried a personal copy of their new CD—“Redneck Girls Forever” and a special card from Howard and David was readied for shipping to Megan.

With surgery behind her, and her outlook for a complete recovery optimistic, the future for Megan Allen is now bright. Still unsure of what to name her Bellamy cow, Megan is indeed sure that she has two new fans of her own named Howard and David. Webster & Associates PR

Pat Judge (Circuit Judge) Passes Away

Pat Judge, of the popular Circuit Judge, who are widely known on the country scene in the U.K, as one of the top trios, especially on the line dance scene, passed away Monday 15th July of a heart attack.

Tillis Will Shut Branson Theater

The Associated Press reports that Mel Tillis has sold his theater in Branson, Mo. The country star announced the sale of his 2,600-seat venue and 13 acres of land on Wednesday (July 10). He will perform 135 more shows there,
through New Year’s Eve, then he plans to write songs, record with his band, the Statesiders, and make a
Christmas album with his family.

Tillis has been a main- stay of the Branson scene since 1990. He built the theater he sold this week in 1994. The new owner will lease the theater to the Tri-Lakes Assembly of God, to be used as a church. Sale price was not disclosed. Tillis will split time between homes in Branson, Tennessee and Florida.

Acuff-Rose Publishing
Sold

Acuff-Rose Music Publishing has been sold by Gaylord Ent. The
buyer is Sony/ATV Music Publishing The purchase price was announced as $157 million. Gaylord bought the company in 1985.

Acuff-Rose was named for founders Roy Acuff and Fred Rose when they opened shop in 1942. It's believed to be the first country music publishing company. Acuff-Rose controls some of music's most valuable copyrights in its 55,000 song catalog, including the works of Hank Williams.

Meanwhile, Gaylord also sold off its piece of the Opry Mills Shopping Center in Nashville to the Mills Corporation. The price tag was $30.8 million. Gaylord closed and razed Opryland to build the shopping center.

Texas C. M. Hall Of Fame

Tanya Tucker, Gene Watson and the late Nat Stuckey are headed for the Texas Country Music Hall of Fame. Ceremonies are scheduled for August 17th in Carthage, Texas. The Hall's new museum will be officially opened that weekend.

The International Songwriting Competition Is Now Accepting Entries Until September 30th 2002!

The International Songwriting Competition has now increased its total prize package to over $65,000 (USD) in cash and merchandise. It also gives you
the opportunity to have your songs heard by the music industry's top professionals!

ISC judges include: Monte Lipman (President of Universal Records) Rob Thomas (Lead Singer/Songwriter of Matchbox 20) Arif Mardin (VP/GM of Manhattan Records) Andy Summers (performer and ex-member of The Police)
Kim Stephens (VP A&R of Atlantic Records) Jeff Fenster (Sr. VP and Head of A&R, Island/Def Jam Records) David Bendeth (Sr. VP A&R of RCA Records) Eddie Krame (Producer/engineer of The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, The Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix, etc.)

Categories include: Pop, Rock, Country, Folk, R&B, Hip-Hop/Rap, World Music, and Lyrics Only.

ISC accepts online electronic submissions (MP3 files) as well as postal mail submissions. Entrants may submit multiple songs in as many categories as they wish. Deadline for submissions is September 30 2002. All entries must be postmarked before or on this date.

For more information and to enter,
www.songwritingcompetition.com

Top Athlete Jo Fenn Is A Country Singer Too

When Jo Fenn lined up for England at the Commonwealth Games in Manchester and ran under 2 minutes for the 800 metres for the very first time in coming seventh, many of the athletics fans didn't know that in fact she is also a great singer-songwriter, who has been tipped for stardom in the music
business too.

She told Stuart Cameron of 'Hot Country News' and the 'Country Hotdisc', where her interest in athletics came from. "It came from listening to some great music at a very young age. My mother is St Lucian and father British. My parents would play their favourite records to me, my brother and sister and we would sing and dance for them. My mother and father loved a range of music from Ella Fitzgerald to Crystal Gayle. I grew up listening to these influences and really played these records throughout my teenage years. I would also sing karaoke to The Carpenters "Rainy Days and Mondays" and Crystal Gayle's "Don't it make my brown eyes blue" every Thursay night in the "Red Lion" in Leytonstone, East London (straight after training!) My father would meet me in there and be really proud of my country versions!"

Asked if the writing was more important to her than the singing at this time, she said "Since getting a guitar at Christmas 1999 from my husband, I began writing my own material and performing them at songwriting clubs. Singing has always come naturally to me and to actually write a song and perform it knowing that you have created it is an absolute buzz. I have worked with Lorna Flowers who is a very talented songwriter so am learning all the time. We have written three songs together and have written them about the joy and pain an athlete has to go through. It was great fun and we will work together in the future. I am fairly inexperienced as a songwriter but
sometimes the simple songs are the best! To create a song is really exciting
and to sing that song is amazing."

Jo currently has two publishing deals (six songs); one with a Nashville based company called Waynebow Publishing and one with the UK based Toby Darling Ltd. "This set up suits me because at this stage in my career, I
need to focus on Athletics presently," she said. These two companies are
marketing my songs to artists such as Lee Anne Womack and Faith Hill.
Obviously I would love to perform these songs myself but it's an ideal situation for me to be in at the moment with the Commonwealth and European Championships this month."

Stuart put it to her that it would not have escaped her attention that with a high profile at the moment through her athletics achievements this would do
her no harm at all. "A lot of people say it is a unique story and the press have picked up on it. The BBC too have expressed an interest in using one of
my songs for athletics coverage so the exposure has been good."

She lists Chalee Tennison, Trisha Yearwood, Laura Cantrell, Michelle
Shocked, Dixie Chicks, Nanci Griffith and Kasey Chambers as some of her many influences. So how does she see herself being able to combine her athletics and music over the next few years?

"Athletics is a short career so I am focussing on that for now. I control
that; if I train hard I can achieve, running determines its own success. The more successful I become the more flexible people become around me. I
believe I could combine both one day but for now, I'll keep running to make
my own records! After my athletics career, I will certainly look to a singing/songwriting profession, but if something happens sooner and it was
right for me, I would go for it.
Hot Country News

Eagles Re-Union Tour

One of America's most popular and influential music groups over the past three decades is showing strong signs of a rebirth. The Eagles, formed 31 years ago in Southern California, have been back out on the road with a 30th Reunion Tour celebrating the group's first record, "Take It Easy," and first public appearances, which were 30 years ago this summer.

Along the way the Eagles have hit the country charts many times, and their strains of country rock brought many young players and singers into the intersection of rock and country. A Nashville tribute album to the Eagles, Common Thread: The Songs of the Eagles, was named the CMA album of the year in 1994 and led the group to re-form for their Hell Freezes Over album that same year.

Founding member Don Henley says that the reunion occurred because they "realized at some point, partially because of the Common Thread album, that we still had a big following out there and there were a lot of people who wanted to see us. All the people who didn't get to see us the first time around or people who had grown up listening to our music and were too young to come and see us the first time around. We were kind of surprised by that. You know, we had no idea that we could go out and sell out football stadiums and arenas. Once we found that out, we kind of went, hmmm, maybe life does have a good fourth quarter."

Asked about the Eagles' influences on country music, Henley acknowledges it. "I suppose we have had some influence on country music," he says. "You know, people say that a lot of the country records coming out now sound like us. I hate to pigeonhole anyone,including ourselves, but, it's flattering to think that we might have influenced something."

Now, the group are re-thinking their future again, and a new studio album is in the works. Henley says what heartens him most is that the group is totally free of major record label affiliation. A prominent activist in the Recording Artists Coalition which is championing artists' rights against the labels, Henley says, "We don't have a record label breathing down our necks, so we can take our own sweet time. We're paying for it ourselves and doing it at our own pace. It's going to be interesting to see if it flies, you know. We're competing with our own legacy. You know, people may not want to hear new songs from us. But we just want to make a good album with good songs on it, like we've always done. And the rest will probably take care of itself."

Musically, Henley says, he is seriously looking to record in Nashville on a solo project. "I'm gonna probably do some recording in Nashville coming up in the next few months. My next album may very well be a country album. Or my version of a country album, anyway."

C.C.M.A. Fans Award Nominee's

The final list of nominees for the 2002 fan-voted award "Fans' Choice" has been released by the Canadian Country Music Assoc. The list chosen by CCMA voting members using a series of ballots, consists of: Paul Brandt, Terri Clark, Adam Gregory, Carolyn Dawn Johnson and Jason McCoy.

Fans are facing one of the most difficult decisions in the award's history. On the list for the first time is popular 17 year-old Albertan Adam Gregory, and for the second time fellow Albertan, multiple CCMA award winner, and recent ACM winner, Carolyn Dawn Johnson. They will compete with two time previous Fans' Choice winner Terri Clark, and previous multiple nominees in the category: Paul Brandt and Jason McCoy. Brandt and McCoy will try to take home the award for the first time in their careers.

The decision will be in the hands of Canadian music fans beginning August 1st. Fans will be able to vote by calling 1-900-870-CCMA until midnight September 8th, 2002 (99-cent toll charge applies). Or online at www.ccma.org. The winner will be announced at the conclusion of Country Music Week, during the Canadian Country Music Awards this September.

Canadian Country Music Week takes place September 6th to 9th in Calgary. Tickets to the individual events, delegate information and details about the annual Awards show at Pengrowth Saddledome September 9th, can be found at www.ccma.org. Tickets to the awards' show can be purchased at TicketMaster outlets.

For further information, contact:
Aimee Hill
Canadian Country Music Association (CCMA) Phone (780) 488-5891 Email: aaccess@telusplanet.net Or Sheila Hamilton Phone 905-850-1144 Fax 905-850-1330 Email country@ccma.org

Great American Song Contest Results

This year's Great American Song Contest judges agreed that the overall quality of songwriting was excellent.

The following songwriters scored near the top of their respective categories. Considering the level of competition, this was a very impressive achievement.

Great American Song Contest 2001
HONOR AWARDS

"Hearts & Souls" — Tom Mank
(Ithaca NY)

"House Full of Angels" — Wayne Law (Oberon AUSTRALIA)

"The Lingo" — Steve Quelet
(Cinnaminson NJ)

"Mr. Right" — Colin Brooks
(Bearsville NY)

"Memory To Wear" — Tracy Stark
(Jersey City NJ)

"He Sent Me You" — Russ McIvor
(Calgary AB CANADA)

"Reel Me In" — Jason & Sally Holt
(Boulder City NV)

"I Don't Want To End Up Like Me" Bob Macdonald (Boca Raton FL)

"Raised In A Barn" — Meloney Lee Jackson / Randy Moore (Glen St. Mary FL)

"Only $19.95" — Allen Amenta
(Santa Maria CA)

"Farewell" — Patricia Ossowski
(New York NY)

"Cotton Candy" — Mark Winter
(Union NJ)

"Find Your Way" — Annie Wenz
(Westhampton MA)

"Exact Change" — Sandy Cash
(Bet Shemesh ISRAEL)

"Let the Morning Come"— Julianna Waters (Portland OR)

"Debonaire Jolly Car" — Daniel Sharrett (Lakeland FL)

"I Am" — Anthony Del Maestro
(Toronto ON Canada)

"Cradle" — Mike Borok
(Jefferson Valley NY)

"Resurrection Day" — Jim Hubbard
(Honolulu HI)

"Kiss Me Harder Blues" — Corrinne Curcio (Brooklyn NY)

"On the Road Somewhere" — Effron White (Fayetteville AR)

"Ave Maria" — Anna G. Nazaruk
(Rostov-na-Donu RUSSIA)

"Shir Hashirim" — Michael Borges
(Lake Elsinore CA)

"Queen of Broken Hearts" — John Trentes (Cleveland OH)

"What Might Have Been" — Paula Hoffmann (Vancouver BC CANADA)

"Nursery Rhyme" — Wendy Jamieson (Kingsbridge Devon UK)

"Now & Then" — Jan Seides
(Austin TX)

"I Knew Lonely Too Well" — Donna
Aylor/Mark Oates/Ande Rasmussen
(San Angelo TX)

"Do You Know My Friend Jesus?" — Camille Anderson (Chicago IL)

"The Rock In the Sand" — Louie Ehrlich (San Ramon CA)

"Press On" — Denise Werner
(Madras OR)

"Sticky Fingers, Runny Noses" — Shelly Morin (Nuevo CA)

"Reach Out" — Billy Perkins
(Newbury Park CA)

"The Stone" — Randy Hiett
(Cape Girardeau Mo)
"I Wish" — Debrae Barensfeld
(Hinkley OH)

"Thumbin' Through the Pages"
— Alexander Stuart (Phoenix AZ)

"Before You Go" — Mike Cantwell
(Salisbury MD)

"Seven Years" — Gaylon Embrey
(Quitman TX)

"True Love" — Jim Pickens Jr.
(Owensboro KY)

"Missing You Hours" — Sharon R. Longworth (Bay Village OH)

"You Make Me Feel Loved" — Chris Yurchuck (Richmond VA)

"Trying' To Kiss You" — Martin Dante (Little Falls NJ)

News From Down Under

Bush Ballad Pioneer Dies

Legendary Australian Country Music artist Barry Thornton recently passed
away. He pioneered the Bush Ballad guitar style and travelled 19 years with
Slim Dusty. The details of his career and passing are on the CMAA (Country Music Assoc. of Australia) website at
http://www.countrymusic.asn.au/
tributes/barrythornton.html

If you have any items of NEWS that you would like to contribute to this page, please E: mail me using the link below