In fact the original Texas Honky Tonk format established by Eddie Kilroy and Gary Hightower – on the air as Catfish – is now gone for good.

When you think about it, however, what they actually did was drop almost everyone associated with the television show “TruCountry”, and many others.

What does that tell us about real country music and traditionalists? About income, revenue, and residuals for artists we once heard? For that matter, what does this tell us about the future of Texas Honky Tonk music – the country music we all grew up with?

The Amber Digby & Justin Trevino CD “Keeping Up Appearances” is just $13.95

“Amber Digby really is one of the best singers I have ever known,” Justin Trevino said. “Aside from having a beautiful voice, impeccable timing, complete mastery of pitch and vibrato, and an incredible vocal range, she also had an innate understanding of how a country song should be sung.”

The Texas A Team musicians are included in this project including Jake Hooker on bass, Randy Lindley on rhythm and lead guitar, Jim Loessberg on drums, T. Jarrod Bonta on piano, Bobby Flores and Reggie Rueffer on fiddle, Dicky Overbey on steel guitar and Ronnie Huckabee on piano.

“Amber and Justin have two of our biggest sellers,” Heart of Texas Records President Tracy Pitcox said. “They perform together all over Texas and it certainly made since for them to record an album together. We are so excited about ‘Keeping Up Appearances’.”

Buy Your Copy Today!!
Will Ship Immediately
www.heartoftexascountry.com
(325) 597-1895

Since the debut on January 01, 2010 TruCountry , a half-hour show of the finest traditional country music entertainment that America offers is soaring to the top and quickly becoming one of RFD TV’s most popular shows according to the Nielson ratings.

Debra Perry from Milestone Media productions said: “America has spoken! people are sick and tired of what they are seeing on TV and hearing on the radio that doesn’t even sound like country music. This is good family entertainment for all ages. A must see.”

Singer/songwriter Heather Myles said: “This music speaks to the working class and that’s who we’re playing it for. It’s pure, it’s good and it’s the real deal. It’s America’s Music”

TruCountry and RFD TV would like to invite everyone who loves America’s music to come out and be a part of the show in Hamilton Texas, filmed live at the Circle T arena April 23rd at 7:30 PM. Tickets are still available but going fast to see this seasons traditional country music Stars like: Rosie Flores, Jake Hooker, Heather Myles, Georgette Jones, Curtis Potter, Darrell McCall, Mona McCall, Justin Trevino, Bobby Flores, Amber Digby, Kim Murray, and the HOT TruCountry Band! Don’t miss out on a night full to the brim with hot ‘n heavy shuffles, heartfelt ballads and shimmering steel guitar.

Dance across Texas to the streets of Bakersfield and beyond with TruCountry! Airs Fridays at 12:30 PM and 10:30 PM and Sundays at 12:30PM Central. For tickets check out the www.trucountry.com or call 1-800-371-4121

This week’s show started with Leslie Sloan singing “Honky Tonk Hangover” from her CD “Between The Whisky And The Wine”. Leslie writes her own blog where you can always keep up on what’s going on.

Leona Williams performed the second song of the night “New Patches”, a song written by Tommy Collins. A gifted songwriter herself, Leona Williams was once married to Merle Haggard. As the third song of the night Leona chose “Blue Darlin’”, a song from her CD titled “I Love You Because“.

As the fourth song of the night on Tru Country, Leona thrilled everyone with “Guitar Pickin’ Man”, after which an interview with Leona was very interesting. During the interview Leona talked about feeling like she was being taken for granted. In 1983 she put her thoughts on paper, writing a #1 song for Merle Haggard titled “You Take Me For Granted”, and performed the song as the fifth and final song of the night.

After seeing the interview, and listening carefully, “You Take Me For Granted” by Leona Williams was very touching.

You can visit the official Leona Williams website to learn more about her. I’m sure you will find her bio very interesting, and Leona is a true professional. Her experience in the music business is very impressive, and she still holds Merle Haggard in high esteem.

Episode thirteen of Tru Country was a joy to watch. Band members are Bobby Flores on fiddle, Jim Loessberg on steel guitar, Jake Hooker on upright bass, Bob Gothar on lead guitar, Larry Mitchell on drums, and Bodie (Bode) Barker on piano.

To watch music videos by many of the artists on Tru Country and other stars of Texas visit the Stars Of Texas video library at The Country Classics.

Tru Country from the Circle T Arena in Hamilton Texas is on RFD TV every Friday at 12:30pm and 10:30pm CST, with replays on Sunday at 1:30pm and 2:30pm EST. The show features traditional country music at its best. You can order CD’s by calling 1-800-371-4121, or by mail. The address is TruCountry, PO Box 1422, Brady TX, 76825. You can also go to the TruCountry website to hear previews and to order.

Jake Hooker started the show with “As Long As I Live” from his “Outsider” CD. Visit the Tru Country website or Jake Hooker’s official website for more from Jake.

As Jake started the second song of the night informed listeners knew, with only three notes from the fiddle of Bobby Flores, that the song was “Outsider” from the CD by the same name. Bobby sang harmony with Jake Hooker.

Viewers can also see Jake on “In The Bunkhouse”, another fine RFD TV program with Red Steagall, brought to you by Cowboys and Indians magazine.

Amber Digby was beautiful, as always, with “We’re The Kind Of People That Make The Jukebox Play”. Visit Amber’s website or rea dour article “Get To Know Amber Digby” to learn more about one of the hottest rising stars in traditional country music today.

The next song by Amber Digby was “Bitter They Are” from Amber’s “Here Come The Teardrops” CD.

Jake Hooker and Amber Digby performed a duet, singing “Put It Off Until Tomorrow”.

The final song of the night was by Jake Hooker. “Faded Lights And Lonesome People” is from Jake’s 2005 CD by the same title.

Many of the stars of Tru Country can be your friends on Facebook, and while you are there consider becoming a fan of The Country Classics. The Tru Country website is here.

Tru Country from the Circle T Arena in Hamilton Texas is on RFD TV every Friday at 12:30pm and 10:30pm CST, with replays on Sunday at 1:30pm and 2:30pm EST. The show features traditional country music at its best. You can order CD’s by calling 1-800-371-4121, or by mail. The address is TruCountry, PO Box 1422, Brady TX, 76825. You can also go to the Tru Country website to hear previews and to order.

If you want to watch almost ten minutes of Tru Country watch this video, on file in our country classics video library.

“Time Changes Everything” is a Western swing standard written by Tommy Duncan. Bobby was flawless, as always, and viewers enjoyed shots of the band. Band members are Bobby Flores on fiddle, Jim Loessberg on steel guitar, Jake Hooker on upright bass, Bob Gothar on lead guitar, Larry Mitchell on drums, and Bodie (Bode) Barker on piano.

When Bobby said “Bode” and waved to the piano we knew it was time for Mr. Bode Barker to thrill us on piano.

Bobby Flores came right back with the second song of the night, “24th Hour”, a superb version of the classic Ray Price song. After the break and a word from the Heart Of Texas Museum, Bobby performed another Ray Price classic “One More Time”, from The Essential Ray Price on Columbia Records.

“One More Time” is a song that’s great to hear, and Bobby was smiling, Jake Hooker was singing with him, Jim Loessburg was making the steel guitar ring, and everyone was having fun. You couldn’t ask for more.

James Hand was up next, singing “Just A Heart” from his new CD “Shadows On The Ground”. Did you miss it? Just click here and you can watch the video.

James Hand writes all of his own material. Does he remind you of Hank Williams? I always think of Hank when I see James, and I like to see James Hand as often as I can.

James Hand continued after the break with “In The Corner, At My Table, By The Jukebox”, a song that receives plenty of air play on Willies Place – the Texas Honky Tonk on Sirius 64. It is from his CD “The Truth Will Set You Free”.

Many of the stars of Tru Country can be your friends on Facebook, and while you are there consider becoming a fan of The Country Classics. The Tru Country website is here.

Tru Country from the Circle T Arena in Hamilton Texas is on RFD TV every Friday at 12:30pm and 10:30pm CST, with replays on Sunday at 1:30pm and 2:30pm EST. The show features traditional country music at its best. You can order CD’s by calling 1-800-371-4121, or by mail. The address is TruCountry, PO Box 1422, Brady TX, 76825. You can also go to the TruCountry website to hear previews and to order.

Kimberly Murray, a rising star of “Real Country Music”, with Dickey Overbey is a combination made in Heaven. It doesn’t stop there, as Kimberly teams up with Jake Hooker. In 2009, Kimberly Murray was honored with The Will Rogers Award from the Academy of Western Artists for Pure Country Song of the Year, her duet with Jake Hooker, “Living & Learning”. This is quite an accomplishment for a debut album, and it sure won’t be the last award she’ll receive.

This red-headed star from Texas is on Facebook, and you can become a fan of hers on Facebook with one click. You can also go to Kimberly’s website to learn more, listen to music, and read all about this talented artist. Here at The Country Classics we already included Kimberly’s music videos in our Stars Of Texas music video library. She is a star, and I’m sure you’ll agree.

Kimberly Murray is a Texan but she also performs in Oregon. In Texas the band is The Lost Lawman Band, which is mainly Danny Adams/Joe Paul Clark on Drums, Buddy Hrabal/Johnny Cox on Steel, Jimmy Don Pack /Steve Stewart on bass, JD Smith/James Faver on fiddle. “You never know who’ll show up to sit in”, said Kimberly.

In Oregon the band is The Honky Tonk Roadshow, which consists of Bob Manning rhythm guitar/baritone guitar, Jim Denno Lead guitar, Doug Jones steel guitar, Larry Berent bass guitar, Cactus Davis drums.

Kimberly Murray is also a very talented songwriter. She can be seen on Texas County Line, where she opened the show in this 22-minute television clip. Notice Amber Digby backing Kimberly Murray and Dickey Overbey makes the steel guitar ring. Regarding her songwriting Kimberly said:

My goal for my songwriting is to write new songs that sound as if they were written in the 50′s or 60′s. There was such an innocence and purity in music during that time – nothing like what you hear on today’s modern country radio.

In 2004 she was invited to perform the National Anthem for the Future Pro Bullriders Association in Granbury Texas. After her performance she became the official National Anthem singer for the FPBR and performed at over 40 rodeos that year. The excitement of performing was reborn for Kimberly and she hasn’t slowed down since. Word spread of Kimberly’s ability and talent which led to repeated performances at the Cross Timbers Opry in Stephenville Texas, the Llano Opry, the Mason Opry as well as the Cowtown Coliseum rodeo in the Ft.Worth Stockyards, the De Leon Peach and Melon Festival and various other fairs and rodeos.

At Kimberly’s website you can play her songs and buy her CD. The song selection on Kimberly’s website is outstanding, and I’m sure you will enjoy your visit.

Texas County line video clip © 2008 Texas County Line Productions, LLC

Cowboys & Indians Magazine takes great pride in presenting the half-hour program, which will air at 1 and 11 p.m. EST Wednesdays on RFD.

As RFD gains viewers through traditional country music venues such as Tru Country, Larry’s Diner, and Country Family Reunion, the channel is becoming more popular.

I was finally able to watch my first episode of Red Steagall’s “In The Bunkhouse” last week and enjoyed the show. It is good to see Jake Hooker in the band. I’ll have more information and the details as it becomes available.

A recent dispute between Dish Network and RFD TV appears to have been resolved, but viewers of RFD on Dish Network held their breath while final contract and carrier negotiations threatened to terminate RFD TV on Dish Network on February 12th, 2010.

Many country music fans switched to Dish Network when DirecTv dropped PBR bull riding – actually they dropped all of the Versus network – and later terminated Willie’s Place, Outlaw Country, and Roadhouse music channels.

As fans of traditional country music, cowboy country, and outdoor events we certainly dodged another bullet.

“The Parakeet” is from James Hand’s new CD titled “Shadows On The Ground”. Visit his website for more information.

James introduced the second song of the show by saying he “scratched it out one afternoon, and wrote it for nobody but himself.” The song was “Just an Old Man with an Old Song”, from his CD “The Truth Will Set You Free”. Jim Loessberg was introduced on steel guitar, and Bobby Flores performed beautifully on fiddle. Will Indian played guitar with James “Slim” Hand.

After the break viewers were treated to a song by Bode Barker. While playing keyboard and piano, Bode Barker sang “April’s Fool”, and his great voice resonated. We would like to see more from this great Texas musician. If you noticed, the graphics called the song April Fools, so we’ll put that in the article too, in case that is what you were searching for.

During the song Bode Barker also recognized Jim Loessberg on steel guitar, followed by Bobby Flores once again on fiddle. “There goes April’s fool” was indeed a treat. The song is a Ray Price song, also released by Jack Greene. Recorded 1969, the song went to #14 on Billboard. It was written by Dave Kirby and Glenn Martin.

A Ray Price version of the song is in our Stars Of Texas music video library.

Miss Leslie Sloan started the next song of the night with a fiddle intro. The song was “You Left Me A Long Time Ago”. You may have noticed a different steel player. Ricky Davis plays pedal steel guitar and Leslie plays fiddle, so Jim Loessberg and Bobby Flores got to take a short break during “You Left Me A Long Time Ago”. The song is also from Leslie’s CD titled “Between The Whiskey and The Wine”.

Did you know Miss Leslie Sloan has her own blog? Read the latest news, and let Miss Leslie tell you what’s new and exciting. Get her impression of the Tru Country band. If you are on Facebook you can add her as a friend.

The next song of the show featured Miss Leslie and Bobby Flores with a twin-fiddle instrumental of “Faded Love”, a beautiful song beautifully done by everyone.

Following the instrumental of “Faded Love” was another song by Miss Leslie Sloan titled “I’ll Stand In Line”. The song is from Leslie’s CD titled “Between The Whiskey and The Wine”, and was the final song of the show.

Episode seven of Tru Country was a joy to watch. Band members are Bobby Flores on fiddle, Jim Loessberg on steel guitar, Jake Hooker on upright bass, Bob Gothar on lead guitar, Larry Mitchell on drums, and Bodie (Bode) Barker on piano.

To watch music videos by many of the artists on Tru Country and other stars of Texas visit the Stars Of Texas video library at The Country Classics.

Tru Country from the Circle T Arena in Hamilton Texas is on RFD TV every Friday at 12:30pm and 10:30pm CST, with replays on Sunday at 1:30pm and 2:30pm EST. The show features traditional country music at its best. You can order CD’s by calling 1-800-371-4121, or by mail. The address is TruCountry, PO Box 1422, Brady TX, 76825. You can also go to the TruCountry website to hear previews and to order.

The Canton Western Swing Festival features Jody Nix & The Texas Cowboys, the Quebe Sisters Band, Dave Alexander & his Western Swing Band, Jake Hooker, and many more.

Any Single Day $30.00 or $20.00 after 5pm any day. Tickets for all three days are only $75! For tickets call 903-567-2991.

RV spaces are available, with other accomodations provided by Motel 6, 903-567-0455, Azalea House B&B 903-567-0991, Comfort Inn & Suites 903-567-0909, and Canton Square B&B 903-567-1680.

Organizers of Canton Western Swing Festival said:

We will be offering a Special Steak Dinner for Saturday night the 13th. So plan on enjoying a special Valentine’s Dinner with your sweetie at an additional charge.

If you need to contact us, do so through the Chamber of Commerce