Hank Williams News

Today, the Academy of Country Music is announcing the winners of awards that will not be televised during the 48 th ANNUAL ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS, due to time constraints.

Wayside Theatre Artistic Director, Warner Crocker, announced the cast and schedule for The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, the last show of Wayside's 51st Season. This show was conceived by Rebecca Feldman, with music and lyrics by William Finn, book by Rachel Sheinkin, and additional material by Jay Reiss. This production is sponsored by WVPT - Your Source for PBS and More and TV3-Winchester.

Beginning Tuesday, March 26, Ben Hope will play the role of 'Guy,' Laura Dreyfuss will play the role of 'Girl,' Carlos Valdes will play the role of 'Andrej' and Claire Wellin will play the role of 'Reza.' Steve Kazee, Cristin Milioti, Will Connolly and Elizabeth A. Davis, from the original cast, will play their final performance on Sunday, March 24, 2013.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. 'Fiddler' and the Paramount triumph and make plans, two Sondheim shows next year from Gary Griffin, the return of 'Hank Williams' and 'Last Five Years,' 'Parade' and 'Pirates' in short runs, and two Victorian musical dramas, spanning the pond...and more!

The Board of Directors of the Blyth Centre for the Arts has announced the appointment of Marion de Vries as the next Artistic Director of the Blyth Festival. "Making the choice of one person from a short list of people with superb skills and experience was an excruciatingly difficult task, so now, with this decision happily behind us, the Blyth Festival's Board of Directors is looking forward to the exciting years that lie ahead, with Marion as our Artistic Director," says Wendy Hoernig, Board President.

Producing Artistic Director Gwendolyn Whiteside of American Blues Theater, Chicago's second oldest Equity ensemble, announces the Ensemble's 28th season. The season begins with the Chicago professional premiere of Hank Williams: Lost Highway by award-winning playwrights Randal Myler and Mark Harelik, directed by Damon Kiely, September 5 - October 6; the 12th smash year of It's a Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago! , now at the 199-seat Greenhouse Theater Center, directed by Ensemble member Marty Higginbotham, November 22 - December 29; world premiere of 2012 Blue Ink Playwriting Award-winning script American Myth by Christina Gorman, directed by Steve Scott, February - March 2014; Chicago premiere of 2012 Smith Prize winner Grounded by George Brant, June 2014. American Blues also announces year-long development and public reading of Ensemble member's Nambi E. Kelley's adaptation of Richard Wright's Native Son which will receive a production in fall of 2014.

Bay Street Players hosts the return of Cash & Friends, a tribute to the legendary music of Johnny Cash, June Carter, Patsy Cline and Waylon Jennings, tonight, March 8-9 at 8:00pm, and March 10 at 2:00pm. Last year's three day engagement sold out. BSP is recommending you get your reservations early so as not to miss this year's show.

This morning, the highly anticipated artist lineup for the 31st annual 99.5 WYCD Downtown Hoedown, presented by Ram Trucks, Coors Light and Coca Cola, was officially announced on The All New Dr. Don Morning Show featuring some of country's greatest superstars including Jake Owen, Uncle Kracker, Joe Nichols and Craig Morgan. The weekend-long event will once again turn the expansive grounds surrounding Comerica Park into county music central from Friday, May 31 through Sunday, June 2. Last year's 30th anniversary event marked a tremendous milestone for Detroit's original country music must-see summer event with its debut move to Comerica Park.

On First Friday, today, March 1st the Ware Center will contribute its share to the day's festivities offering an array of events and performances - ALL FREE. Included are singer/songrwriter Leo DiSanto, The Lancaster County Young Artists Art Exhibition Gold Special Award Winners Opening Night, and the film 'Miss Representation'.

It is a trip down country music's memory lane. In Hank & My Honky Tonk Heroes, Jason Petty pays tribute not only to Hank Williams and his influence on country music but also to the stars who influenced Hank and those whom Hank influenced. These include Jimmie Rodgers, Roy Acuff, Ernest Tubb, George Jones, and more. Hank & My Honky Heroes will perform in Three Stages on Thursday, March 7, 7 pm; Friday, March 8, 2 pm & 7 pm; Saturday, March 9, 2 pm & 7 pm. Tickets are $29-39.

Bay Street Players hosts the return of Cash & Friends, a tribute to the legendary music of Johnny Cash, June Carter, Patsy Cline and Waylon Jennings, March 8-9 at 8:00pm, and March 10 at 2:00pm. Last year's three day engagement sold out. BSP is recommending you get your reservations early so as not to miss this year's show.

On First Friday, March 1st the Ware Center will contribute its share to the day's festivities offering an array of events and performances - ALL FREE. Included are singer/songrwriter Leo DiSanto, The Lancaster County Young Artists Art Exhibition Gold Special Award Winners Opening Night, and the film 'Miss Representation'.

Louisiana's Lt. Governor Jay Dardenne, on behalf of the Louisiana Office of Tourism, and The Oxford American Magazine have partnered to present five Louisiana Soundtrack Experience events around the state.

Phillip Phillips grew up in Georgia and enjoyed spending time with his family. Everyone in his family loved singing and Phillip started to take an interest in music after hearing his siblings sing. When he auditioned for American Idol, he was sure that they were going to give him terrible feedback. But, instead, he became the 11th Season winner of American Idol. I recently had the chance to interview Phillip while he was touring with Matchbox Twenty. As he shared his experiences, it was easy to see why America fell in love with Phillip and his unique style of music.

Following an exceptional media blitz leading into the GRAMMY's, including performances on the GRAMMY telecast, The View and The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Hunter Hayes continues his celebration with six Academy of Country Music Awards nominations

Merry-Go-Round Playhouse and Finger Lakes Musical Theatre Festival have officially merged under the producing umbrella of the Merry-Go-Round Playhouse. The Playhouse is the parent organization, building on its reputation in the community and theater industry. The Merry-Go-Round Playhouse now comprises Merry-Go-Round Playhouse, Merry-Go-Round Youth Theatre and Finger Lakes Musical Theatre Festival.

In eerie fashion, almost as a sign from the long gone masters of the genre, Waylon Jennings, Johnny Cash, and Hank Williams Sr. himself, Moore's label Sol Records has released this epic 12 song cd seemingly in response to pop country artist Blake Shelton's recent statement that folks who perform and /or listen to classic country music are “old farts and jackasses.”

To continue to celebrate the release of her sophomore album Cigarettes & Truckstops, acclaimed Nashville-based artist Lindi Ortega is set to embark on a nationwide solo tour in 2013. Full details on reverse. Ortega has toured extensively throughout 2011-2012, opening for acts like Social Distortion, Dierks Bentley, and James Vincent McMorrow.

Wayside Theatre Artistic Director, Warner Crocker, announced the cast and schedule for Smoke on the Mountain Homecoming, the sequel to one of last season's most popular productions. Smoke on the Mountain Homecoming was written by Connie Ray, conceived by Alan Bailey, and has musical arrangements by Mike Craver.