Come Out and Support KIDS IN DISTRESS at the

Dania Beach Roller Coaster

May 19th and 20th   10:00 AM - 4:00 P.M.

Great Balls of Fire, "The Killer" is coming to O-Town.  Of course, it's Jerry
Lee Lewis.  He will be appearing at Downtown Disney House of Blues, May 20th.
 I'd take a whipping to see him again.  Jerry Lee had two successful careers.
 When his rock and roll career went bye, bye, he started singing country.  He
was doggone good at singing Country Music.  One of his hits being
"Milwaukee, Here I Come."  His coun-try releases never sold like his rock and
roll signatures, but, he had a nice career as a country star.

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Hey Randall!!!  Thanks for the NEWS....  I think it's great....  Wishing you
much success.... I read it twice.... Now how's that reading it.... Keep em
com-- ing.
Hal Willis
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THE ROLLIN RIVER BAND is gonna be a lazy river for a while.  Gene, and the
"river brats" gave their notice, effective May 26th at Kelly's in Seffner.  
To keep with the band, float a log on to www.ROOLINRIVERBAND.com.

South Florida has a new country band in SOUTHERN DELUXE.  Members are: David
Morgan, Bob Powers, Trine Mitchell, Billy Helms and Steve Mancuso.  Wasn't
the name of the group, Billy Helms' nickname before he married?  Anymore, I
think there are more bands here than places to play.

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Randy.... It felt old times...reading the NEWS....  Again you managed to
touch on some items I knew nothing about.  THANKS FOR THE UPDATE!!!

In case you didn't know, our ole buddy Ken Bozeman, THE ALABAMA FLASH,
battling, but winning cancer, is better.  Picking each Friday and Saturday at
the Sunshine Opry in Eustis.  He played guitar for me some forty years and
none better.

Hang in, son....as always.  I always enjoy your passion for real Country
Music.  At least, we've always agreed on that.

God love and keep you, Randy.  Your friendship has, and always will be a
blessing.

Clay Daniels
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For you, outside of central Florida, Clay Daniels was a highly acclaimed DJ
on WHOO-Orlando for years He's a whale of a singer, recording for Soundcot in
the 70's.  He, Roy Marler and Jeff Blair recently put together "The Three
Amigos" for playing and profit.

I am jumping and down with glee over the news about Ken Bozeman's health.  A
picker can whip anything.  Once, I rode from Mobile to Orlando with Ken.  He
talked every mile and Lord at the stories he told.  Ken worked with Del
Reeves as well as other Opry regulars.

A front page story in the latest hard copy of the NEWS will play Moose #776,
Orlando.  Jack Blanchard and Misty Morgan will appear at the lodge on May
18th.  This is another couple who haven't been living on east street since
having hits like "Tennessee Bird Walk" and others.

Just yesterday, someone asked, if Merle Haggard would have a new CD soon.  He
shall pop through those "Swinging Doors" with a July set 'em up.  The title
is "Fresh Milk" with several of M.H.'s heroes singing with him.  One being
Willie Nelson.  I wish "'drinking songs" would come back.  They, whoever,
they are, thought that we hillbillies might be promoting chug-a-lugging.  I'd
better get off this subject right now.

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GREAT NEWSLETTER Randall....also good to hear from you....how's your health
doing these days....feeling a whole lot better, I hope....I just got over a
terrible bout off pneumonia....Holy Crappers....don't want to go there
again....EVER!!!  Can appreciate good health BIG TIME now.  Hope you're
keeping well...and if you feel like a chat....come on back....take ever good
care.

Pappy and the Weez
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Thanks to Billy Parker for his great, great note.  He's one of my bestest
friends in Country Music.  Billy was the all-night, TRUCKING DJ at KVOO-Tulsa
for years.  I believe, he's still on the air, but not nightly.  He sings the
BEST out of a country song.  Was with Decca Records for a few and then with
an "indie" even longer.  He and I met at a DJ Convention many years ago.  
Hope that's right -- it's been so long ago.  Billy was the "front man" for
Tubb's Texas Troubadours for several years.  

Remembering, Ernest Tubb, The Ernest Tubb Midnight Jamboree, a Saturday night
show on WSM-Nashville is celebrating 50 years this year.  Guess everyone in
coun- try, including Elvis has been on the show.

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Glad to see you back in circulation.  I really like getting the NEWS in this
form.  I missed your unique take on the Nashville scene.  Will add your
column back into the web site edition if that's O.K. It will extend your
reader- ship.

Roxanne Moore
Country Grapevine
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Tomorrow night, there's a SPECIAL Hall of Fame night at the Grand Ole Opry.  
From Little Jimmy Dickens to Charley Pride, most of the living members will
be there.

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---------------------------------------------Randy Person,
Thanks for the latest Country Music by way of E-Mail.  Interesting.... Sad
about Johnny Russell.  He's a good one...reminds me of me.  He's that good.  
And sad about my fav singer, Gene Watson.
I think Barf Brooks stinks.  I just had to get that in.
I noticed that you mentioned several of Orlando's more prominent country
performers BUT my name wasn't mentioned at all.  So, if you want a copy of my
latest CD, which is absolutely something you're gonna have to beg and plead.
It took 100 years to produce and no animals were injured or hurt during the
making of Will Campbell's COUNTRY MUSIC.
So, I'll be waiting for your response.
Meanwhile, I'm gonna to put a few of Barf's CD's on and....
No wait I have a new CD, maybe I'll play that...

Will Campbell
Wcamp@hotmail.com
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How could I have forgotten Will Campbell?  (I'm slapping my face while I'm
writing.)  One must know Will to love him.  Then one wonders, if it's love or
acid indigestion.  Oh, he even hates Garth's dog.  And, Will has never shook
paws with the dog.

"I'd had to asked if it was a paying gig.  I never turn down a paying gig.  
Of course, my pay ranges from a cola drink to a bag of sugar," said Will
Campbell.  The newest Opry star, Brad Paisley said, "No" to Playgirl.  The
magazine wanted him to appear in his birthday suit.  They wouldn't even okay
him wearing a hat or holding his guitar.

Francine Michaels, a very good traditional country singer from Pennsylvania
informed me of the following.  Terry Eldridge, a member of The Osbourne
Brothers band, suffer- ed a serious auto accident in April.  He will be laid
up for a while.  Terry needs our help.  All donations will be appreciated at
SUN TRUST, Terry Eldridge Benefit Trust Fund, 1026 17th Avenue, S.,
Nashville, TN  37212.

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---------------------------------------------Hey J.R.,

I think you've got a winner here.  It's fast, easy and informative.

Don't know if he still remember me, but the next time you E Clay Daniels say
"Hi" for me.  I worked with Clay a long time ago at WALA-TV in Mobile.  I
used to direct Jack Cardwell's TV show and Clay used to make appearances now
and then.

We will be appearing at the Florida Folk Festival at White Springs over the
Memorial Day weekend.

That it for now.  Good to hear from you.  Keep up the good work.

Stay tuned,
Carl Wade
www.carlwade.com
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My it was great to see Barbara Mandrell and husband, Ken Dudney at the
Academy of Country Music Awards, May 9th.  In the 70's, she played Fort
Lauderdale, especially, the Country Music Cabaret quite often.  Got to be
friends with the two, along with Barbara's Dad, Irbey Mandrell.  The ACM
presented Barbara with the Pioneer Award.  The Academy did a beautiful
tribute to the star.  The lady is now a- stay-at--home Mom, in her words,
"Taking care of Ken and my ninth grader.  I'm washing dishes and taking care
of the house.  Never had a job that I didn't get paid for."

ACM presented Kenny Rogers with their Lifetime Achievement Award.  But, the
three  hours belonged to Leann Womack, Dixie Chicks and Toby Keith.  He
walked away with the Artist of The Year trophy.  There were so many young
artists it looked like school had just let out.

I learned one thing from the ACM show.  I must start listening to more
country radio.  I hadn't heard any of the winning songs or the young artists.
 It's a vicious circle, I turn on country radio, get mad, because I recognize
no songs or artists and switch it off.

Did you see Billy Joe Shaver, Wednesday A.M. on Imus In The Morning?  Billy
Joe is quite a guy.  He has a new CD which is making a little rattle around
the country.  No noise, just a rattle.  Imus aired two cuts and it's very
good.  Billy Joe holds this al- bum above all of his others, because it is
last recording done with his son.  His son died on New Year's Day of a drug
overdose.

I wish to thank Dick Shuey for adding The E-Mail Edition to his web site,  
www.twangtown.com.  He goes around the world and up your britches' leg.  Now,
your editor can make enemies worldwide.  Dick has an excellent site.

Wanna join me?  I'm gonna hit Joe Diffe up for a tall, cool un.  The ol' boy
picked the right hay muncher in the Kentucky Derby and won $25,000.  Way to
go, Joe!

Again, I want to thank those above for their comments.  The NEWS' web site is
still up, I just can't change the text.  Please drop by
http://amjon.com/florida, sign the guest book and read on The Editor's
autobiography and we have a collection of jams and jellies.

Always, country,

J. Randall Collier
Editor
121 N.E. 47th Street
Fort Lauderdale, FL  33334
954/771-6479   Fax 954/771-7106  E-Mail:  JCountrylad@aol.com