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Lonnie Ratliff Country Music Newsletter

August 17th. , 2008

Note: New Subscribers that would like to read old NEWSLETTERS just
click the LINK below

http://www.ymlp65.com/pubarchive.php?NashvilleRecordProducer (
http://www.ymlp65.com/pubarchive.php?NashvilleRecordProducer )

Number of NEWSLETTER subscribers: 5,991


=====================================================================

I have re-run the chapter from my Wordweaver project at the bottom of
this NEWSLETTER because there was a mistake and one paragraph was left
off in the last NEWSLETTER - Lonnie

=====================================================================

..

"Spotlight Artist"

" Heather Myles"

"click" PHOTO below for website

Heather Myles

Heather Myles (born 1963 ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1963 )) is a
country ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Country_music )singer (
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Singer ). Her honky tonk (
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honky_tonk ) singing is in the
Bakersfield sound ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bakersfield_sound
)-style and has been likened by many to that of Dwight Yoakam (
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dwight_Yoakam ). She has had her songs
featured in a major feature film and has performed with some of the
country greats. Building a dedicated following of fans in the US and
Europe, Heather seens to have succeeded in spite of disdain from
Nashville and the major record labels. "You Will Love Me One Day"
features on the film Transamerica

She was born in Riverside, California (
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Riverside,_California ), where her
parents bred and trained horses for racing (
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horse_racing ).

Myles has released five albums as of May 2007 - including two on
HighTone Records, and two on Rounder. While not a Top-40 country star
in the contemporary Nashville mode, she has had considerable influence
on the larger country-western music sphere due to her stubborn
adherence to traditional country music. Through near-constant touring
in the 1990s and early 2000s, she has built up a small but loyal
following that appreciates her throw-back style and refusal to
compromise her vision of what country music should be.

As with most critically acclaimed country music, Heather Myles' songs
are rarely heard on mainstream country radio. These days, when a
magnifying glass is almost mandatory for anyone trying to find the
smallest speck of country music anywhere on a CD, that ought to
account for something. Fortunately, that problem never arises with
Heather's "Sweet Talk and Good Lies." Her straightforward country
roots hit you square between the eyes from the first to the last
track.

Not since the glory days of country, when Loretta and Tammy could
easily be found on the airwaves, has there been a finer example of a
female country singing artist. Heather twangs, rocks and croons in all
the right places. There's no saccharine sweet, overly glossed
sentiments here.

Sweet Talk and Good Lies follows up Heather's 1998 hardcore country
release "Highways and Honky Tonks." With the refreshing candor of
Loretta, the understated class of Tammy Wynette and the voice of a
hillbilly angel, Heather Myles gets straight to the nuts and bolts of
what a good country song should be. Real life. If you're listening
Nashville: demographically speaking, there are more than a few of the
female species that are tired of "perfect love songs." Penning all but
two of thirteen tunes on the album, Heather repeatedly demonstrates
she's in touch with what country music fans have been longing for.

"Click" buttons below for more Heather Myles websites

.. ..........

===============================================================

Tips for chasin' that neon rainbow

WELL-ROUNDED DOESN'T CUT

Imagine the world's attention as a big foggy cloud. So thick you
could cut it with a knife.

You want to cut through that foggy cloud, to call attention to your
music.

Only problem is, if you're well-rounded, you can't cut through
anything. You need to be sharp as a knife. Sharply defined.

Example: Your name is Mary and you put out an album called "My
Songs", and the cover is a picture of your face. The music is good
quality, songs about your life, and when people ask what kind of music
you do, you say "Oh, everything. All styles.". You send the album out
to be reviewed and nothing much happens. Doors aren't opening.

Imagine instead: Your name is Mary and you write 9 songs about food.
You put out an album called "Sushi, Souffle, and Seven Other Songs
about Food". Maybe you recorded your vocals in the kitchen. Maybe you
quit cooking school to be a musician. Yes it's a silly example, you
see how this would be MUCH easier to promote.

You may be thinking, "But I have so much to offer the world, I can't
just limit myself like that!" If you want to increase your chances of
the world hearing your music at all, though, strongly consider
stretching-out your musicial offerings to the world, and keeping each
album focused clearly on one aspect of your music.

Notice the long careers of David Bowie, Madonna, Miles Davis, Paul
Simon, and Elvis Costello to name a few. Each went through
sharply-defined phases, treating each album as a project with a
defined mission.

Here's some top-sellers at CD Baby:

Eileen Quinn. She's a full-time sailor. She writes songs about
sailing. That's it. Five albums of them. And sailors LOVE it. She gets
written-up in sailing magazines all the time.

Rondellus. Sabbatum. A traditional medieval music group from Estonia
doing an album of Black Sabbath songs played on medieval instruments
and sung in Latin.

4th25. American soldiers in Iraq wrote and recorded an album in their
barracks on a cheap computer with a $100 mic, about what it's like to
be over there at war.

Each of these albums got a LOT of press and a lot of sales, because
they were sharply-defined, newsworthy, interesting to write about,
easy to tell friends about.

======================================

IF YOU DON'T SAY WHAT YOU SOUND LIKE, YOU WON'T MAKE ANY FANS

A person asks you, "What kind of music do you do?"
Musicians say, "All styles. Everything."

That person then asks, "So who do you sound like?"
Musicians say, "Nobody. We're totally unique. Like nothing you've
ever heard before."

What does that person do?
Nothing.
They might make a vague promise to check you out sometime.
Then they walk on, and forget about you!
Why???
You didn't arouse their curiosity! You violated a HUGE rule of
self-promotion! Bad bad bad!

What if you had said, "It's 70's porno-funk music being played by men
from Mars."
Or... "This CD is a delicate little kiss on your earlobe from a
pink-winged pixie."
Or... "It's deep-dancing reggae that magically places palm trees and
sand wherever it is played, and grooves so deep it makes all
non-dancers get drunk on imaginary island air, and dance in the sand."


Any one of these, and you've got their interest.

Get yourself a magic key phrase that describes what you sound like.
Try out a few different ones, until you see which one always gets the
best reaction from strangers. Use it. Have it ready at a moment's
notice.

It doesn't have to narrow what you do at all. Any of those three
examples I use above could sound like anything.

And that's just the point - if you have a magic phrase that describes
your music in curious but vague terms, you can make total strangers
start wondering about you.

But whatever you do, stay away from the words "everything",
"nothing", "all styles", and "totally unique".

Say something!

Derek Sivers

============================================================

.
Watch for current release on WHP Comp.
Big B

Raised On A Gravel Road
Written by Clint Maki

"click" Photo above to see YouTube

============================================================
.

============================================================
.

What the rest of the world is
watching on YouTube

.........................
Funny Advertisment................Famous Trunk Monkey Ads

..........................
Husband plays prank.......... ............. Lion Reunion
"click" PHOTOS above

______________________________

==========================================================
" Spotlight" on an original song from the Lonnie Ratliff Catalog
.
NashvilleShowcase@...

..Erin Hay "Where You're Concerned"

.

Where You're Concerned
.

.
lo-fi URL:
http://www.soundclick.com/util/streamm3u.m3u?id=5430192&q=lo

hi-fi URL:
http://www.soundclick.com/util/streamm3u.m3u?id=5430192&q=hi

If the LINKS above do not work try this
one:http://soundclick.com/share?songid=5430192
.

(Chorus)
Where you're concerned I'll always be concerned
It don't matter how many bridges that you think we've burned
And even though I know you look at me as another lesson learned
Where you're concerned I'll always be concerned

(Verse)
I know that you don't understand when I call from time to time
And considering we've said goodbye I guess you think I'm out of line
But I'm not looking to rekindle some old flame out of the past
I just need to know that you're alright now is that too much to ask

(Chorus)

(Inst.)

(Bridge)

So if I call you on your birthday or send a Christmas card this year
Don't look for some hiding meaning it only means that I still care

(Chorus)

TAG: Where you're concerned I'll always be concerned

Lonnie Ratliff
Copr. Okie Acres Music (BMI)

==========================================================
==========================================================

" Nashville Nightlife Internet Radio Show "

"click" ICON below for Radio Show

____________________________________________________________________

( http://starsinyereyes.com/jwp/fest.html )

Erin Hay & Perley Curtis ~ Maine Tour

Sat Aug 23rd, we're at the Piscataquis Valley Fair in Dover-Foxcroft,
ME at 8:00 PM

http://www.piscataquisvalleyfair.com (
http://www.piscataquisvalleyfair.com/ )

Thurs, Aug 28th we're at The Bull Run in Shirley, MA at 8:00 PM

http://www.bullrunrestaurant.com/concert.htm (
http://www.bullrunrestaurant.com/concert.htm )

And Friday and Sat Aug 29th & 30th, we're at The Wagon Wheel in
Abbott, ME at 9 PM-1 AM both nights

_________________________________________

Check List for your CD packaging

This is some of the things you need to make sure you include in the
artwork of your CD

1. The most important thing on your CD and the one that is overlooked
or done wrong the most often is CONTACT INFORMATION. The first thing
you need to do is just PLAN FOR GOOD LUCK. Just tell yourself as you
are laying out your CD for printing that 10 years from today George
Lucas is going to be making a sequel to INDIANA JONES and somehow he
has gotten a hold of your CD (It does happen) and he thinks one of
your songs will be a perfect fit for the soundtrack for his sequel. He
starts looking on the CD for some way to get in touch with you. Will
you still have that same Website and E Mail in 10 years ? Probably
not. How many new Websites and E Mail addresses have you already had
since you been on the internet? Will you still be living in that
apartment or home. There's about a 50/50 chance you won't even have
the same spouse. You need a permanent contact address on that artwork
somewhere. Maybe a P.O. Box that you always keep paid up or your
parents or something. Just think about what you can do. A song on an
Indiana Jones soundtrack will probably pay you enough to retire on and
if you get it or not may all depend on how you lay out this album.

2. Info on the SPINE - The spine is the narrow part of the TRAY CARD
that appears on both ends. It is about 3/8" and is perforated so they
can bend it up and it is what you see when you slip the CD into a CD
Rack. The narrow edge in other words. You will have 2 spines. One on
each end of your CD and the info on them should be identical. That way
no matter how you slip it in the rack you can read what CD it is
without taking it out.

Reading from left to right this is what you will see. Extreme left
will be the artist Name in the middle is the name of the CD and far
right will be the record number. I will use the new Erin Hay CD for a
sampler. Your spine will look like this when you look at it.

Erin Hay - the collection - WIR 0602 D

OK for the explaination. You know your name and the name of your CD
so all that may need explaining is your Record Number

WIR 0602 D = WIR =Westwood International Records / 06 means it was
manufactured in 2006 / 02 means it was the second CD manufactured that
year by Westwood Int'l. Records / D = Disc for Compact Disc

You are welcome to use my system or invent your own.

I know the first thing you are gonna say is well I don't have a
Record Label. Well make one up. It makes you look professional, It's
legal and it don't cost anything. Also once again PLAN FOR SUCCESS -
If you get a hit song off that CD the Record Distributors will order
that CD from the Record Label (You) by the Record Number. That is how
distributors keep their books so let's make it easy for them. I also
have found that the more professional your product looks the less
likely someone is gonna try to take advantage and not pay you. Also
remember to put your Record Label address somewhere on the CD. I like
to put mine on the back Tray Card so people can pick the CD up in the
store and get the address off it without having to buy that CD if they
don't want to. It looks like this

Distributed by Westwood Int'l Records - P.O. Box 41818 - Nashville,
TN 37204

3. CD Cover - That is the front of the CD and is usually a photo of
your smiling face or some other photo of you. This is one of the
weakest points of most Independent Artists CD's. I can usually look at
the cover and tell if it is an Indie CD or not. I shouldn't be able to
do that if you had done your job right. This is the first thing a fan
is going to see. You get the same amount of money for your CD as Alan
Jackson or Carrie Underwood does so you don't get a "pass" on the
album cover photo. Yours should look as good as theirs does or so
close that the average person can't tell the difference. There has to
be some photographer that lives close to you who can get you a photo
that is competitive. You have thousands of dollars invested in the
music on that CD so spend a couple of hundred dollars so it looks like
that's the kind of music fans will hear once they buy it. If it don't
look like a great CD why should they believe it is going to sound like
a great CD ?

Here is a good plan. This week go get a photo taken for your next CD
cover even if it is months away before you start recording. That way
it will be done and paid for and you won't have to worry about it
after you have already blown the budget in the studio once you do get
to make your album.

4. CD COVER: (The front of your CD)

All you need on the CD Cover is the photo you are using of course,
your name and the name of the album.

Part 2 - Label Copy

I don't know what everyone else calls it but I have always called the
song information label copy.

It includes the following information

1. The number of the track = 1, 2, 3 etc

2. Title of the song 1. Somebody's Angel (2:47)

3. Time in brackets 7 smaller font following the title = (2:47)

4. Underneath the song title in a smaller font and in brackets list
the songwriters

(Lonnie Ratliff / Lindy Gravelle)

5. Under or following the songwriters names, if you have room, list
all publishers and performance affiliates

Okie Acres Music (BMI) Lorelle Publishing (ASCAP)

Random reasons why you dang well better not make a mistake on the
label copy.

1. Songwriters names (Spelled correctly) Songwriters are FREE
PROMOTERS if you make sure you have all their information correct on
your CD - How would you like it if the pressing plant sent your 1000
CD's back from the pressing plant with YOUR NAME SPELLED WRONG ? You
would throw a fit and send them back if you could. Well it is your
personal responsibility to make sure the songwriters, musicians,
producers names are spelled correctly on your CD. Remember you are
using other people's property so be respectful and businesslike.

What happens if you mess up ? You probably won't ever get another
song from that songwriter and remember if they wrote one song you
liked they are probably gonna write more. More important than that is
the fact that a lot of songwriters have great contacts within the
music business and if they think you did a great job on their song
they very well could take it to a label and you could end up getting a
record deal all because of them. What do you think the odds of that
happening are if you spelled their name wrong or even worse didn't
list it.

Publishing Information. Unlike songwriters if you don't list the
Publishers correctly they can just have their lawyer send you a cease
and desist letter and you won't sell another CD until you get the
artwork fixed (at you expense) with their information correct.

Keep in mind that you as an Artist are responsible for both the
songwriters and publishers getting paid. If you don't get this label
copy correct you will cost them money. If you want to stay in the
music business you need to make as few enemies as possible. We all
know each other in the music business so what you do today could come
back to haunt you years down the road.
Hopefully these tips will help you

Lonnie Ratliff

================================================================

"Click Banner Below for Lonnie's Website"

=========================================================

Spotlight Songwriter = Jim Carter ~ Nashville, TN via Indiahoma,
Oklahoma

Jim has had cuts by Tracy Lawrence, Moe & Joe, Charly McClain, Brook
Benton and tons of Indie cuts. Go add him as a MYSPACE friend by
"clicking" on PHOTO and leave him a comment if you would like to cut
one of his songs.

=========================================================

When you "Click" on the ICON above the DOWNLOAD for iTunes 7 will be
in the upper right corner of page

Shop for music, movies, TV shows, audiobooks, podcasts, and games.
For Mac + PC.
Tired of paying $15 bucks for a CD and it only has one or two good
songs on it ?
Just "click" on the ITunes ICON above and download their simple
little
program to your computer then "click" on any PHOTO below and you
can browse through all the songs on the CD, listen to samples from
each song and then buy legal downloads of the songs you like
for .99 cents. Might as well learn how to do this now if you
don't know how because this is the way music sells
are heading and it makes so much sense.
.

________
Leona Williams______Becky Hobbs________Craig Morgan__Erin
Hay___________Heather Myles
.

( http://cdbaby.com/cd/erinhay3 )________
Brad Paisley_______Lacy J Dalton___________Blake Shelton______Joe
Nichols____Wanda Jackson
.

________
Buck Owens___Allison Moorer___Trace Adkins ____ Rhonda Vincent
____Randy Travis

.

___________
Erin Hay______Bobby Bare_______Carrie Underwood______Jim
Reeves______Dale Watson
.
________
Taylor Swift___Mike Anderson_____Miranda Lambert__Western
Swing__Susie Hopman
.
________
Erin Hay_______Joe Diffie____Connie Smith_________Danny Griego_____R
Rated Party CD

________
Joe Sun__________Erin Hay____Kellie Pickler________Joni
Compretta__THORNBIRDS
.

=========================================================

=========================================================
Links below for those of us easily amused
.

Drag Queen sings Tammy Wynette karaoke
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nSwptUJ2MMI (
http://www.myspace.com/tommyoverstreet )

Jake and the Greased Pig Contest
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I1H9mojOLbA
.

Girl Riding Donkey
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Femr7xsoWcA

Midget Tossing
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i38X8GA0wAY

Lawnmower Racing
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DPQcya9KtWo&feature=related
.

Goose Attack
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yd6Tp-dTisw
.

Rabbit Bites Snake
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G9YnCIEDE1Y
.

South Park / Harry Potter (Ginger Kids) Rated -"R" (Language)
.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n4yvY6vqFO0

( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i38X8GA0wAY )

Here's a "Live" Cam of Broadway in Nashville.

http://www.earthcam.com/usa/tennessee/nashville/ (
http://www.earthcam.com/usa/tennessee/nashville/ )
.
Andy Kaufman Elvis impersonation (1979 Johnny Cash show)
.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mzl0O8rsgAM&feature=related
.

A Walking Tour of Nashville, Tennessee

Just "Click" Next to walk through the 10 Photos showing Nashville
Lower Broadway sights

http://nashville.about.com/od/historyandsites/ss/lowerbroad.htm (
http://nashville.about.com/od/historyandsites/ss/lowerbroad.htm )
.

Goldie Hawn explains Time Zones
.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4b7BGBa6MTI
.

=========================================================

"When It's Too Country For Everyone Else, It's Just Right For Me"

Erin Hay

THE COLLECTION "Click" Photo to purchase Erin's CD's THE CIRCLE

"Click" Yellow Button below to play

Lo-Fi Samples from THE CIRCLE CD

Lo-Fi Music Samples from this 23 song CD

"click" on EBAY Logo below

=========================================================

Lonnie's Economy Recording MusicPackage

Check out my little side business. For you artists that can't afford
the time or money to come to Nashville to record right now or just
need a song or two to finish out your CD or to put up on MYSPACE etc!
- I have a website of songs I own the Master Recordings on and I can
lease you the music track and furnish you with a Mechanical license so
you are 100% legal for $250 - The only catch is that you have to be
able to sing them in the key they are recorded in so just go to the
website below to find out. They are much like the Karaoke tracks you
buy except most of them are original songs though not all of them and
you will have a Mechanical License giving you the right to use the
songs. You can post it on MYSPACE, YouTube, Sing it on American Idol,
Put it on your CD to sell or sell downloads of it on the internet.
You can pay for these music tracks with your credit card if you
prefer. I then mail you a CD with the music track and you just take it
into your local recording studio and add your vocals and harmony and
you got it. If this sounds like something you may be interested in
just go to my website below and see if there is anything you like
there that is in your key. I have most of the Lyrics posted. Just
"Click" on lyrics to see them. Any questions just E Mail me
NashvilleShowcase@...

Visit my website to see what songs are available

==========================================

Artists looking for original songs click on my banner and check out
my songwriter website with 2 pages of original songs. If you hear
something you like and need more info or a mechanical license to
record it just contact me.

Lonnie Ratliff
NashvilleShowcase@...

**********************

============================================================

Lonnie's "Spotlight Songs"

"God Knows"

This is a song I wrote with Billy Stone. Pretty hardcore country
although many years ago George Strait had it on hold for one of his
albums. I believe the album was "Ocean Front Property" but not sure.
Lots of artists over the years have really liked this song but it
neverfit into Music Row's idea of what country music was supposed to
be

.

.... Vocals by Jody Prince

( http://www.soundclick.com/util/streamm3u.m3u?id=2778429&q=hi )

" God Knows"
"click" LINK below to listen

http://soundclick.com/share?songid=6462873

I haven't played one sad song on the jukebox
I've got a heartache but I don't let it show
I ain't asked your friends how you're doing
But God knows I'd sure like to know

Today was our little boys birthday
I'd forgotten how fast kids can grow
I guess he don't even remember me
But God knows I'd sure like to know

God knows all prayers are answered
But sometimes the answer is "no"
And maybe you'll never love me again
But God knows I'd sure like to know

(Inst Break)

God knows all prayers are answered
But sometimes the answer is "no"
And maybe you'll never love me again
But God knows I'd sure like to know

Lonnie Ratliff / Billy Stone

Copr. Okie Acres Music (BMI) Billy Stone Music (ASCAP)
==================================================================
........Demo sung by Tara Lyn Mohr-Hart
.
Nothin' Like A Dream
.
"Click" LINK below to listen
http://soundclick.com/share?songid=2780932 (
http://soundclick.com/share?songid=2780932 )
.
It was Southern Louisiana 1999
Two friends reachin' for the brass ring, planning out their lives
You said you'd have white picket fences, lead the Cinderella life
I've heard that he's rock solid and you've made the perfect wife
(MOD)

I kept a picture of the Ryman on an old postcard
Marie you always shared my dream, It didn't seem that far
But now it's one more song and penny tossed into the wishing well
I pay my dues, keep on singing and believing in myself

(Chorus)
But it ain't nothin' like we talked about Marie
Nothin' like you and I thought that it would be
It seems like every step you take there's a piper to be paid
And when the foot lights from the stage blind your view
You can't always see their face
But you give your heart and soul on faith
When they give it back to you
There's nothin' like a dream coming true

(Bridge)
Sometimes I can't help but envy you Marie
And knowing you the way I do I bet that's a two way street
When the truth is neither one of us would ever trade their place
Since Louisiana 99 we've both come a ways

(Repeat Chorus) Tag: There's nothin' like a dream coming true

Lonnie Ratliff (BMI) / Tara Lyn Mohr (PROCAN)

Copr. 1995 Okie Acres Music (BMI)
==================================================================
...........Demo singer Ronnie Kimball
.
"Click" LINK below to listen
http://soundclick.com/share?songid=5089836 (
http://soundclick.com/share?songid=5089836 )
.
"Hear The Angel's Crying"
.
The sun goes down tonight and the world fades into darkness
It seems like heaven just can't wait to tell some fools good night
What makes a man take a foolish chance when he knows that it's not
worth it
Why will he trade her warm sweet love for a cold dark bitter night

But heaven knows if you listen close, you can hear the angels crying
For the love that he once had then threw away
He's on his knees and praying but his prayers all go unanswered
He just hears the angels cry as his heart breaks

(INST.)

But heaven knows if you listen close, you can hear the angels crying
For the love that he once had then threw away
Oh he's on his knees and praying but his prayers all go unanswered
He just hears the angels cry as his heart breaks

TAG: As he prays Lord take me back to yesterday

Lonnie Ratliff
Copr. Okie Acres Music (BMI)
==================================================================

********************************************************************************\
*****************

Lonnie Ratliff

Your comments on songs are always welcome and
if you would like to record one of my songs just
E Mail me at: NashvilleShowcase@...

====================================

====================================

Subscriber Roundup

This Newsletter section is meant to help introduce you to some of the
other Subscribers to this Newsletter. Just click on the Photos or
Banners to go to their websites where you can read about them, send
them and E Mail or sign their guestbooks. Take a few moments to get
to know some of these subscribers. Lonnie Ratliff

"Click" PHOTOS below

Gary Jennings ..........Kimberely Murray...

Ray Barnette.....Sherrill Blackman........ .

Brent Moyer...........Penni Lawrence.....

==========================================

Excerpt from my future book " The Wordweaver "

Early family history (The Weaver side of the family)

By

Lonnie Ratliff

They say that we are the choices that we make in life and I can't
argue with that but we are also equally influenced by our ancestors
and especially the generations that we can remember. I see my family's
influence in almost every song I write and it is a rich field to till
since I mostly write country music and as they say "We were as country
as cornbread". Sometimes in the songs I write I have to change the
names to protect the guilty as Waylon would say and sometimes I just
use the names because they are so perfect sounding. In the song
"Midnight At The Old Soldiers' Home" I wrote with Erin Hay we made the
central character's name Sgt. Luther Tibbs which to me sounds like the
name of someone who would have stormed the beaches at Normandy like
the soldier in our song did. Although as far as I know I didn't have
any family members at Normandy Beach. The truth of the matter is my
father's name was Luther although he went by L.C. Ratliff and my Great
Grandma Ratliff 's maiden name was Tibbs so I just combined them for
mine and Erin's soldier's name.

.

This story is about my mother's side of the family and I have mined
that family source for song material on several different occasions.

My mom was Catherene Florene Weaver and I have no qualms about
admitting I was a Mama's boy all my life and losing her was the
hardest thing I ever have gone through in my life. Mom's parents and
my Grandparents were Grandpa Bill (Willie Smith Weaver) who was a twin
to Uncle Wilson Weaver and my Grandma Sadie Weaver (Grandma is the
"Sister Sadie played piano" in my song "Running Down The Road") . My
Mom's brothers and sisters included Uncle Harry who became a
Pentecostal preacher and as far as I was ever concerned was a perfect
example of a hypocrite and the only one of all my kinfolks I never had
much use for. All I ever took from Harry's life was the sad truth that
there's some jerks in this world and they sometimes turn up as your
kinfolks. My Aunt Rachel (Billie Rachel) Webb was everything an Aunt
should be and I have always loved her. From her I, early on, learned
some conservative values and that we don't have to be a victim just
because of the station in life we are born to. I am sure she never had
any idea I was paying attention or knew that her and her husband Uncle
Walter set a pretty good example for a little snot nosed "Okie" kid.

My Uncle Leo was one of my heroes and I always thought he was just
like "Elvis" and I wanted to be like Uncle Leo. We both had a weakness
for pretty girls and fast cars for the early parts of our lives. I
learned from Uncle Leo not to be nervous around women just by watching
him and because of that knowledge, for my whole life, I have been very
comfortable around women and had a lot of women who are very close
friends that have added so much to my life. I see it in my songwriting
and my life has been better for it.

Uncle "Snake" (Kenneth Ray Weaver) now "Snake" is one of a kind if
there ever has been one. "Snake' was the baby in the Weaver family and
probably a book unto himself if I had the time to write it. He was
what people back then called a "change of life" baby and all I know is
he changed everybody's life who ever came in contact with him. He was
only two years older than me and we pretty much grew up together and
from him I learned how to get along with people who were not that easy
to get along with. The other thing I learned by being around "Snake"
was that my Grandma Sadie loved him more than life itself. As a little
kid it did not make a lot of sense to me because he would do some
things that would drive her crazy and she would just say "Now Kenneth
that ain't nice" Grandma Sadie never called him "Snake" Oh I almost
forgot to tell you how he got that "nickname" When he was a little kid
he would always stick out his tongue at everyone hence the name
"Snake". Like I said I never understood until I was grown about this
unconditional love my Grandma Sadie had for "Snake" but many years
later I came to the conclusion that we all need at least one person in
our lives that we just love with no questions asked and with no
excuses made. I thank God I have always had someone like that in my
life. I also thank God that they don't act like Uncle Snake. HA! One
last parting snippet about Uncle Snake. After we were both grown he
showed up on my doorstep in Macomb, Illinois in an old Pontiac that
held everything he owned and on the back bumper was a sticker that
said "Hell yeah I'm drunk, what do you think I am a stunt driver" Now
you know a little bit about Uncle Snake.

The last one of the Weaver's in my Mom's immediate family was always
just known as Little Susie Ann. She died as a child and has always had
an almost spiritual hold over our family I have never quite understood
even though I myself hold Little Susie Ann with the same reverence
every one else in the family does. Maybe her death was such a
milestone in my Mom and Aunt Rachel's life who were also children when
she died that the love for her along with the sorrow has just managed
to be passed down through the family all these years. I know I talked
to my younger sister Shirley Ann last week on the phone and she told
me she had been out to the Darwin Cemetery and put some flowers on my
Mother's and Little Susie Ann's graves so they would look nice for
Decoration Day. Little Susie Ann probably died at least 75 years ago
but there have been Weaver's and Ratliff's putting flowers on that
little girl's grave all these years and there will probably be
children and grandchildren of those same Weaver's and Ratliff's taking
care of her grave for years to come. We all are the choices we make in
life and influenced by our family ancestors and Little Susie Ann has
left our family with a tradition that I can't find any word other than
"sweet" to explain.

==========================================

===============================================

Buying a house in Nashville ?

If you are thinking of moving to Nashville and need to buy a house I
recommend you get in touch with my buddy Craig Stahl.
Some of you will know Craig from his 13 years working with Alan
Jackson and also as my partner in Okie Acres Music & Studio.
Give him a call when you need property in Nashville or sign up for
his Newsletter
I hope you enjoyed our first issue of Roadie Real Estate.com. Please
email me your thoughts and suggestions. If you liked it
please hit the forward e-mail button at the bottom of the page.
Please visit my website at www.RoadieRealEstate.com (
http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=8jdziecab.0.rguiddcab.iwlxrccab.36&ts=S0278&p=http%3A%2F\
%2Fwww.roadierealestate.com%2F
) I would love t
o help you buy or sell your next home or help you with any of your
Real Estate needs. If you are not moving anytime soon,
please keep me in mind to be of service to friends and family. I
really appreciate your referals.

Craig Stahl "The Roadie Realtor"
615-578-9175
rocksolidproperties@... (
http://www.ymlp65.com/controlpanel/rocksolidproperties@gmail.com )

===============================================

=========================================================

Gary's Country Music Coffee Shop

http://members.boardhost.com/GaryBradshaw/ (
http://members.boardhost.com/GaryBradshaw/ )

Now there is a Message Board where you can find discussions going on
about just about any subject you can imagine. This is a fun place to
check in to every day. Not intended to be one of those boring, come
visit my website and play my songs, message boards this is a great
place to just read about everything from the proper way to hang
criminals in olde England, clubbing baby seals in Canada to the
possibility of using Rattlesnakes to keep children off your lawn.

"Click" LINK below to visit Gary's Coffee Shop
MESSAGE BOARD
http://members.boardhost.com/GaryBradshaw/

Below are some of the subjects covered this last week. Come join in
and introduce your own subject or put your 2 cents worth in on someone
elses discussion. If you are the bashful shy type you can just lurk
around behind the scenes & read.

Interesting Sign Discovered On --LONNIE RATLIFF'S --Front Lawn. (
http://members.boardhost.com/GaryBradshaw/msg/1219144511.html ) -
Roving ReporterToday, 4:15 am

* It is much better than the LAST SIGN Lonnie had in his yard (
http://members.boardhost.com/GaryBradshaw/msg/1219161072.html ) -
That's a replacment signToday, 8:51 am

When Dixon was a little boy he had to walk to school and it was 3 (
http://members.boardhost.com/GaryBradshaw/msg/1219083047.html ) - Kids
got it easy todayYesterday, 11:10 am
Erin Hay & Perley Curtis tour dates in Maine (
http://members.boardhost.com/GaryBradshaw/msg/1219077597.html ) -
Maine ScheduleYesterday, 9:39 am
Aussie mayor urges unattractive women to move into town (
http://members.boardhost.com/GaryBradshaw/msg/1219076662.html ) -
Looking for wives in Australia

TV STAR ELLEN DEGENERIS MARRIES HER LIVE-IN FEMALE HONEY...... (
http://members.boardhost.com/GaryBradshaw/msg/1218995061.html ) -
Marraige Times8/17/2008, 10:44 am

* Dixon do these love stories inspire you to write songs ? Remember
this wedding ? (
http://members.boardhost.com/GaryBradshaw/msg/1218999443.html ) -
Inspiration for Songwriters8/17/2008, 11:57 am

* I looked at this photo for inspiration and all I got was (
http://members.boardhost.com/GaryBradshaw/msg/1219003293.html ) -
Don't work for me8/17/2008, 1:01 pm

* "I LIKE MY GRASS BLUE".....The Video (
http://members.boardhost.com/GaryBradshaw/msg/1218978247.html ) -
Dixon/CPRI8/17/2008, 6:04 am

* I like my Grass by the (
http://members.boardhost.com/GaryBradshaw/msg/1219000312.html ) - 60's
Hippie Dude8/17/2008, 12:11 pm

* Why do you guys let those dang Hippies on your message board ?
Don't you know (
http://members.boardhost.com/GaryBradshaw/msg/1219003571.html ) -
Cartman (South Park)8/17/2008, 1:06 pm

* I like my grass before it has (
http://members.boardhost.com/GaryBradshaw/msg/1219002512.html )- An
Old Cowhand from Rio Grande8/17/2008, 12:48 pm

* Yep Grass will work - It's all negotiable (
http://members.boardhost.com/GaryBradshaw/msg/1219002835.html )-
Harley Davidson biker8/17/2008, 12:53 pm

* It is with a sad heart I must report that the Bigfoot Alert has
proven FALSE - It was a Homopossumus (
http://members.boardhost.com/GaryBradshaw/msg/1218850752.html ) -
Lonnie8/15/2008, 6:39 pm

* "PARIS HILTON KISSED MY CHEEK" (
http://members.boardhost.com/GaryBradshaw/msg/1218816086.html ) -
Poignant New Love Song

================================================================

"Click" PHOTO to listen to
" Country Music's King "
by

Erin Hay

( http://www.soundclick.com/util/streamm3u.m3u?id=5523126&q=hi ).

Featured song is Erin Hay "Country Music's King" written by Jon &
Jerry Gray and is the current release on Gary Bradshaw's Western
Heart Promo. compilation CD. gbradshaw3@...
Produced by Lonnie RatliffNashvilleShowcase@...

List of "Studio Pickers"

Drums: Steve Holland
Upright Bass: Dow Tomlin
Piano: Rodger Morris
Guitars: Vaughn Lofstead
Steel Guitar: Perley Curtis
Fiddle: Jim Unger
Harmony: Christy Cornelius

This song will be on Erin's next CD entitled "Blue Country Song"
which we hope to have finished this fall.

Send any comments about "Country Music's King" to Erin at:
ErinHay2002@...

Country Music's King - Erin Hay - "click" Links below to listen

lo-fi URL:
http://www.soundclick.com/util/streamm3u.m3u?id=6647375&q=lo (
http://www.soundclick.com/util/streamm3u.m3u?id=6647375&q=lo )

hi-fi URL:
http://www.soundclick.com/util/streamm3u.m3u?id=6647375&q=hi

If the song will not play using LINKS above try this one:
http://soundclick.com/share?songid=6647375 (
http://soundclick.com/share?songid=6647375 )

================================================================

( http://www.myspace.com/nashvillerecordproducer )

Dixon DeVore http://cdbaby.com/all/devore (
http://cdbaby.com/all/devore )

Imprinters To The Stars Since 1985

Since 1985, we have been imprinting and/or embroidering apparel,
pens, cups, keytags, mugs, Tote Bags, Equipment Stickers, CD Carrying
cases and thousands of other products for Bands, Artists DJs and
Promoters. We have our own in-house art department and can take the
simplest idea and morph it into aneffective, multi-color design.
You'll wow 'em in Vegas!
We know The Music Business.

==================================

Artists release your songs worldwide on

Gary Bradshaw's WHP Compilation.

.

.

=======================================================================

Artists if you need a little help getting your latest record off the
DJ's desk and
on to their turntable you might want to contact Sherry.
She speaks the DJ's language fluently.

**************

Artists looking for someone to help you with your CD Cover artwork,
printing and pressing your CD ? Check with Karen Bruno at Amazon Audio

****************

________________________________________________________________________

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