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Lonnie Ratliff Country Music Newsletter
April 20th, 2009

Number of Newsletter Subscribers: 7,469

=====================================
Spotlight Artist

The Mateki's

"Click" Photos & Logos below for Mateki's Website & YouTube Videos

+

____________

________

Paul and Helen Mateki are two of the most respected Independent
artists in the world today! Before Paul fell in love with and married
Helen, he worked relentlessly for 10 years, honing his songwriting
skills, vocal abilities, becoming a master on the guitar, and a
prolific studio producer of all the songs he's sessioned to include on
CDs.

Paul released 5 dynamic CD's in those early 10 years... the latest
one in 2003 with his wonderfully talented wife Helen.

He has recieved untold Independent awards in the European music
industry, including ECMA "Independent Album of the Year" 1998 ("Across
the Miles," which spent a record-breaking 85 weeks in the ECMA Top 40
Album Chart) along with numerous #1 hits on the European Charts. He is
also a valued member of the "Colorado International Country Music Hall
of Fame" in the U.S.A.

Paul has shared the stage with and opened for many well known
artists, including Lyle Lovett, Gene Watson, Tommy Cash, Norma Jean,
The Oak Ridge Boys, and Ernie Ashworth, just to name a few. He has
also recorded 3 duets with his good friend Ernie Ashworth, of Grand
Ole Opry fame, as well as an appearance with Helen and Ernie on the
"Ernest Tubb Midnight Jamboree".

Paul has toured Europe 10 times and Australia twice, with
ever-increasing chart success, gaining cherished and solid fan support
wherever he goes. With the recent inclusion of his talented wife,
Helen, in the act, the popularity of their "duo" endeavors and
seamless harmonies has caught the ears of DJs and fans throughout the
world, keeping them continually high on daily playlists and chart
activity.

Known worldwide now as "THE MATEKI's", and recent recipients of the
European CMA "Duo of the Year" Awards 2005, Paul and Helen are
currently working on fresh, new material for their eagerly anticipated
next CD. It's obvious that European DJs and fans are in for a real
surprise and treat from this very talented Texas U.S.A. duo.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
=================================================

Great store - Traditional Country - Steel Guitar CD's - Original
Western Swing CD's

"click bannder below"

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

Affordable Internet Radio Promotion $150

Radio tracking of your airplay for 5 weeks
I send your song mp3 to 550 + internet radio station DJ's
Build you aYouTube SlideShow of your song

Please check out the slideshow below I just posted on YouTube for
Desi Hickman who I am promoting.

If this sounds like something you would be interested in just contact
me
Lonnie Ratliff (615) 742 0666
E Mail NashvilleShowcase@...

"Click" on the little CowPokes PHOTO above to watch Desi's YouTube
SlideShow
You get a SlideShow like this for your song on YouTube as
part of the promotion package.

If this sounds like something you would be interested in just contact
me
Lonnie Ratliff (615) 742 0666
E Mail NashvilleShowcase@...

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

WHP Announcement: DJ’S For DJ’S Comp CD

It’s been awhile since WHP put out a DJ’s for DJ’s Compilation
CD so we are getting ready to do another one in May 2009. If you are a
Radio DJ and have some songs recorded, new or old, you can email me a
MP3 or just mail me a copy on a CD. If you email them to me they have
to be ripped at 320 kpbs and in MP3 format. I also need the Writers
information. There are 30 slots open and it is first come first serve.
They will be distributed through Airplay Direct,
http://www.airplaydirect.com/music/ to the entire Globe Free of
charge. For those emailing them to me use this email,
gbradshaw3@.... Both terrestrial and Internet Radio Jocks are
welcome. For snail mail use the address below this.

Gary Bradshaw

4557 West Bloomfield Road

Glendale, Arizona85304

To register your Radio Station with Airplay Direct just go to the
link below, check the circle called “Radio Station” and fill in
the short registration form and then you will be able to download
1000’s of songs for free from artist from Dolly Parton to the newest
beginning Artist. This is for Radio StationsONLY. The rest of the
World can listen but not download.

http://www.airplaydirect.com/register.html (
http://www.airplaydirect.com/register.html )

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
ATTENTION: DJ's looking for the latest Independent Country Music

The best way to get on artist & record label mailing lists is to POST
YOUR PLAYLIST

AM & FM DJ's post here
http://members3.boardhost.com/NashvilleBoard/
.
Internet Radio DJ's post here
http://members3.boardhost.com/WorldwideDJ/
.
Note that these websites are for PLAYLISTS only. They are NOT
MESSAGE BOARDS
If you post anything other than a PLAYLIST it will be DELETED
DJ's make sure you include your E Mail address on your PLAYLIST so
Artists & Labels can contact you.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

If you missed the NEWSLETTER where your favorite country artist was
featured just click on their names below where that particular
Newsletter is archived.

Amber Digby (
http://www.ymlp65.com/pubarchive_show_message.php?NashvilleRecordProducer+453
), Arly Karlsen (
http://www.ymlp65.com/pubarchive_show_message.php?NashvilleRecordProducer+946
), Becky Hobbs (
http://www.ymlp65.com/pubarchive_show_message.php?NashvilleRecordProducer+1305
), Bellamy Brothers (
http://www.ymlp65.com/pubarchive_show_message.php?NashvilleRecordProducer+488
), Billy Joe Shaver (
http://www.ymlp65.com/pubarchive_show_message.php?NashvilleRecordProducer+77
), Billy Yates (
http://www.ymlp65.com/pubarchive_show_message.php?NashvilleRecordProducer+552
),
Cindy Standage (
http://www.ymlp65.com/pubarchive_show_message.php?NashvilleRecordProducer+1436
), Connie Smith (
http://www.ymlp65.com/pubarchive_show_message.php?NashvilleRecordProducer+590
), Dale Watson (
http://www.ymlp65.com/pubarchive_show_message.php?NashvilleRecordProducer+1176
), Darrell McCall (
http://www.ymlp65.com/pubarchive_show_message.php?NashvilleRecordProducer+1082
), Dick Damron (
http://www.ymlp65.com/pubarchive_show_message.php?NashvilleRecordProducer+1768
), Dolly Parton (
http://www.ymlp65.com/pubarchive_show_message.php?NashvilleRecordProducer+612
), Erin Hay (
http://www.ymlp65.com/pubarchive_show_message.php?NashvilleRecordProducer+1490
),
Ernie Ashworth (
http://www.ymlp65.com/pubarchive_show_message.php?NashvilleRecordProducer+1597
), Gene Watson (
http://www.ymlp65.com/pubarchive_show_message.php?NashvilleRecordProducer+1827
), Gina Michaells (
http://www.ymlp65.com/pubarchive_show_message.php?NashvilleRecordProducer+1252
), Heather Myles (
http://www.ymlp65.com/pubarchive_show_message.php?NashvilleRecordProducer+1044
), Inger Nordstrom (
http://www.ymlp65.com/pubarchive_show_message.php?NashvilleRecordProducer+633
), Jack Greene (
http://www.ymlp65.com/pubarchive_show_message.php?NashvilleRecordProducer+332
), Jann Browne (
http://www.ymlp65.com/pubarchive_show_message.php?NashvilleRecordProducer+799
), Joe Sun, (
http://www.ymlp65.com/pubarchive_show_message.php?NashvilleRecordProducer+1102
) Joni Compretta (
http://www.ymlp65.com/pubarchive_show_message.php?NashvilleRecordProducer+1212
), Lance Miller (
http://www.ymlp65.com/pubarchive_show_message.php?NashvilleRecordProducer+1372
), LeRoy Van Dyke (
http://www.ymlp65.com/pubarchive_show_message.php?NashvilleRecordProducer+873
), Mel McDaniel (
http://www.ymlp65.com/pubarchive_show_message.php?NashvilleRecordProducer+1001
), Mike Anderson (
http://www.ymlp65.com/pubarchive_show_message.php?NashvilleRecordProducer+1134
), Moe Bandy (
http://www.ymlp65.com/pubarchive_show_message.php?NashvilleRecordProducer+1550
),Perley Curtis (
http://www.ymlp65.com/pubarchive_show_message.php?NashvilleRecordProducer+1734
), Red Jenkins (
http://www.ymlp65.com/pubarchive_show_message.php?NashvilleRecordProducer+106
), Rustie Blue (
http://www.ymlp65.com/pubarchive_show_message.php?NashvilleRecordProducer+404
), Shawn Camp (
http://www.ymlp65.com/pubarchive_show_message.php?NashvilleRecordProducer+524
), Shane Worley (
http://www.ymlp65.com/pubarchive_show_message.php?NashvilleRecordProducer+677
), Stonewall Jackson (
http://www.ymlp65.com/pubarchive_show_message.php?NashvilleRecordProducer+241
), Sunny Sweeney, (
http://www.ymlp65.com/pubarchive_show_message.php?NashvilleRecordProducer+88
)
Kimberly Murray (
http://www.ymlp65.com/pubarchive_show_message.php?NashvilleRecordProducer+1868
)

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

================================================================================\
========

Click on PHOTOS below to play demos produced by Lonnie Ratliff

Kenny Chesney
Demo

Click Photo to Play
Garth Brooks Demo

Click Photo to Play
Shawn Camp
Demo

Click Photo to Play
Jack Greene
Erin Hay / Duet

Click Photo

If you are thinking of recording in Nashville feel free the check out
the artist below that
I have produced music on. No matter who you choose to produce your
next CD you
owe it to yourself to check out their credentials as well as listen
to previous work by
that producer. After you have already written the check it is too
late to find out
you are dealing with a shyster or a producer who is more interested
in your money
than they are in your music. It's a business, treat it that way &
shop smart.

( http://www.ymlp65.com/controlpanel/ )

"Click" BANNER above for $ $ production prices $ $

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

Lonnie's Featured Original Song

Goodbye Ireland is a song I wrote with my buddy and fellow "Okie" Jim
Carter. I have always been very proud of this song because it sounds
like one of those songs that never had an origin but was just always
there. Some of the language used in it I guess are what gives it that
feel that it could have been written hundreds of years ago.
Another thing that people find unique about it is how it lyrically
works on so many different levels. The most obvious meaning of the
song is that it is about The Great Famine (Irish (
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irish_Potato_Famine )An Gorta Mór) (
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irish_Potato_Famine ) and it does work
that way quite well but actually a little closer to how it was
originally intended is that it was just a song about saying goodbye to
someone you love and realizing that it is an irreprable separation and
"Ireland" symbolized that person. Lots of songs work on two different
levels. "I Can't Be Myself" by Merle Haggard comes to mind, where the
most obvious meaning is that Merle is singinging about a woman but
those in the know swear he is singing about the music industry,
Nashville'smusic row ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Music_Row ) in
particular. It works either way. Although it was never intended that
way a friend of mine and a rock n roll musician told me he always
though Goodbye Ireland was a song about a person on the verge of
suicide and much like the famous RobertFrost (
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Frost ) poem that some say was
also about a man contemplating suicide.
.
Stopping By Woods On A Snowy Evening

WhosewoodstheseareIthinkIknow.
Hishouseisinthevillagethough;
Hewillnotseemestoppinghere
Towatchhiswoodsfillupwithsnow.
Mylittlehorsemustthinkitqueer
Tostopwithoutafarmhousenear
Betweenthewoodsandfrozenlake
Thedarkesteveningoftheyear.
Hegiveshisharnessbellsashake
Toaskifthereissomemistake.
Theonlyothersound'sthesweep
Ofeasywindanddownyflake.
Thewoodsarelovely,darkanddeep.
ButIhavepromisestokeep,
AndmilestogobeforeIsleep,
AndmilestogobeforeIsleep.

Robert Frost
.

"Click" PHOTO to play

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h9HlWOwfII8&feature=channel_page

GOODBYE IRELAND (Female Version)
lo-fi URL:
http://www.soundclick.com/util/streamm3u.m3u?id=4114306&q=lo

hi-fi URL:
http://www.soundclick.com/util/streamm3u.m3u?id=4114306&q=hi

Goodbye Ireland (Male Version)
lo-fi URL:
http://www.soundclick.com/util/streamm3u.m3u?id=2775638&q=lo

hi-fi URL:
http://www.soundclick.com/util/streamm3u.m3u?id=2775638&q=hi

Goodbye Ireland

The moment's drawing nearer now and I know this means more than most
goodbyes
I linger on familiar scenes, it's like looking through a stranger's
eyes
I'm no vagabond traveller in my heart you hold all that I hold dear
In my soul I feel a famine and on my face I feel an emerald tear

Goodbye Ireland I must sail across this ocean alone
Knowing time's a silent thief knowing should I never see you again
An emptiness shall follow me til my life ends
Goodbye Ireland

The ship lies in the harbor now the captain he'll not wait for nary
man
Tis fair the well my fair lady quickly I will go while I still can
(Male)
Tis fair the well I must be saying then quickly I will go while I
still can (Female)
There's a new world waiting for me and I go in search of something
that we've lost
Please say that you'll forgive me my heart's too weak to bare a heavy
cross

Goodbye Ireland I must sail across this ocean alone
Knowing time's a silent thief knowing should I never see you again
An emptiness shall follow me til my life ends
Goodbye Ireland

Goodbye Ireland will I ever see you again

Lonnie Ratliff / Jim Carter
Copr. Okie Acres Music (BMI) Bull's Run Music (ASCAP)

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

Risque (Dirty, Sexy) Songs

Super Secret CDSTORE for hard to find mp3's of hard to find
Party Songs. If you do not want to be offended then just
DO NOT GO LISTEN = .99 cent downloads.
"click" button below

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

"Click Banners Below"

____

"Click" PHOTOS DOWNLOAD i-Tunes Legal .99 cent Erin Hay songs
from all 4 CD's

_______________

Click BANNERS below for more Erin Hay Websites and Information

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

Click Banner ABOVE --- The Circle CD___ The Collection CD___Bid on
Erin CD's EBAY

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

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

"Click" the "PLAY" logos below to hear these 10 original songs. For
artists this is a great way to get acquainted with the songwriter who
could end up writing the song that makes you a star. Don't wait until
2 weeks before you go to the studio to find the songs for your next
CD. Start looking now. If you are not looking for songs right now it
don't hurt to get to know the songwriters who write the style of songs
you like. In 7 days these song links will stop playing the songs so
don't wait around and lose a great song. Contact the writer by sending
them an E Mail. If you are just a fan of original songs it's OK to
send the songwriters an E Mail and let them know if you hear a song
you like as a fan.
Next week we will feature 10 more original songs. - Lonnie

Title Suitable for
singer Click to Play Contact copyright owner
========================================================================
1. It's The Woman Behind The Man
(Female)
devoreii@...
========================================================================
2. Little Girl Eyes (Male)
devoreii@...
=====================================================================

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

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

ATTENTION SONGWRITERS - Have your song featured above

Above is a SAMPLE of what I am offering for songwriters or publishers
looking to get someone to cut one of their songs.
The cost will be $10 and you can have exactly what you see with your
song replacing one of the songs above.
There will be a maximum of 10 original songs featured in each
NEWSLETTER and a maximum of 2 songs per NEWSLETTER for
each songwriter or publisher.
The songs will be playable for a minimum of 7 days and then the link
will stop working so I can upload new songs for the next newsletter.
Just send me an mp3 or CD of the song and $10. You can pay by PayPal
or just mail me a check.
I have no idea how successful you will be and will not make any
predictions but at $10 it has to be a good deal I believe.

You get your song title listed - People can "click" and listen to
your song - Artists can E Mail you if they want to cut it. I can buy
breakfast with your $10 at Cracker Barrel so this is a winner for
everyone.

Contact: Lonnie Ratliff NashvilleShowcase@...

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

Lonnie Ratliff Original Songs

I have spent a lot of time updating my SONGWRITER website so artists
can find the original songs they are looking for much quicker. Hope
you will take the time to check it out if you are looking for original
songs for your next recording project. If you find a song you are
interested in just E Mail me NashvilleShowcase@... or phone
me at
(615) 742 0666 and I can issue you a Mechanical license (Cost is
normally $45.50 or $91.00) to use + I have several (Music Tracks to
these songs for lease for $250 where you can just add your vocal to my
tracks). You can have original songs legally that you can perform
live, use in contests, put on your CD or demo or sell downloads of on
the internet. Keep your career legal and keep out of trouble. "Click
Link Below" for 4 pages of Lonnie's original songs.

http://www.soundclick.com/bands/page_music.cfm?bandID=392838 (
http://www.soundclick.com/bands/page_music.cfm?bandID=392838 )

"click" to E Mail Lonnie below

NashvilleShowcase@...

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

BETHLEHEM STEEL

Life is a little nuts.
You never know what it's up to.

After knocking around every bar in the Miami area,
from luxury hotels to creepy back street dumps,
Misty and I lucked into a pretty good job at El Bolero Steak House.

El Bolero was a Coral Gables supper club,
and our band played dance music for the classy clientèle...
me in black mohair suit and silver tie, and Misty in evening gowns.

Larry King, some movie actors, and big time politicians were
regulars.
Richard Nixon came in and played the piano.
It was that kind of a joint.

We stayed there about three years,
which beat our previous record of three weeks.
But, we were going nowhere, careerwise.

I wrote and directed the music for a short movie about the
Everglades.
As a result, artists started asking me to produce for them.
I commuted to Nashville for two or three years as a producer for
other artists,
before Misty and I ever got to record.
We still needed a big change, and soon,
so we decided to take a chance.

We worked out a new image for ourselves,
which was the exact opposite of the old suit and gown.
I stopped getting haircuts, got some radical sunglasses,
bought a bunch of wild clothes,
and a pair of English riding boots which I wore outside the tight
pants.
I looked a like a hippie Captain America.

Misty went with micro-mini skirts and boots
which got us tossed out of a couple of snooty restaurants.
She changed her name from Maryanne to Misty,
and I wrote some new songs for duets.
The first one was "Bethlehem Steel",
a composite of the Buffalo factories where I'd worked.

We booked a gig at the Gold Coast Lounge in Key West.
and thought everybody would laugh at the way we looked, but they
didn't.
They ate it up.

I sang in my new rough voice, which is now the only one I have,
and we opened with "Bethlehem Steel".
The crowd, mostly sailors, went wild,
and the place became packed every night.

This was a huge surprise to us.
We were doing almost all original songs, country with a touch of rock
and blues,
which was a new thing in those days.
Misty sang her strange harmony and everything seemed to be working.

In just a couple of weeks we were offered a recording contract,
and went to make our first Jack and Misty recording in Nashville.
Our first single release "Bethlehem Steel", got a "Pick" in
Billboard,
and went about half way up the chart.

There were two more singles, and then "Tennessee Birdwalk".
Things moved fast after that.
I wonder if my old Captain America suit still fits?

You can listen to the song here...
BETHLEHEM STEEL:
Broadband:
http://www.soundclick.com/util/getplayer.m3u?id=7213985&q=hi
Dial-ups:
http://www.soundclick.com/util/getplayer.m3u?id=7213985&q=lo

* * *

"BETHLEHEM STEEL" LYRICS...

Well, I'm making big money workin' at Bethlehem Steel...
And I drive a big car
And I look like a pretty big wheel.
But I'd rather be home now plowin' a Tennessee field,
Instead of making big money
Workin' at Bethlehem Steel

(Chorus.)
Guess I better get goin' now.
I better get on home now.
Goodbye honey, goodbye money,
Goodbye automobile.
Goodbye honey, goodbye money,
Goodbye Bethlehem Steel.

Well, I spend all the money I'm making at Bethlehem Steel
Just to satisfy a woman
Who don't understand how I feel.
How I'd love to sit down to a home cooked Tennessee meal,
Instead of making big money
Workin' at Bethlehem Steel.

(Repeat chorus.)

--
Jack Blanchard & Misty Morgan...
Grammy Nominees... Billboard's Duet of the Year.
* * * * * * * * * *
* * *
Home page: http://jackandmisty.com
Myspace: http://myspace.com/jackandmisty
SoundClick: http://tinyurl.com/755b4w
CD catalog: http://elvinsystems.com/jm/catalog.htm

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

Do these 7,433 people in the country music business know about you ?

How many times have you said to yourself "If the right people knew
about me and what I am doing I bet I could get signed to a record deal
or maybe get one of my songs recorded by someone"
Nashville is full of stories of how artists and songwriters have lost
thousands of dollars trying to find a shortcut into the business.
There ain't no easy answers but there are a lot cheaper ways to get
your name out there. Here is a way you can at least let people in the
business know you are trying.m Just write a simple update about
yourself and what you are doing and I will include it in the next
Newsletter I send out. Now that alone will probably not be the answer
to all your dreams of stardom but I can guarantee it will do you more
good than sitting on the couch watching Oprah and wishing. And it
COSTS YOU NOTHING.
All you need to do is to put some thought into it and realize that
7,433 people in the music business are going to be reading it. If it
looks boring no one will remember it and you are back to watching TV
and wishing. If it stands out from the crowd a little bit a few
people will probably "click" on your website URL and go check you out
a little closer. You don't have to write like John Steinbeck or Mark
Twain you just have to make your half a dozen sentences more
interesting than the rest of the artists that submit an Update for the
Newsletter. You can do this every issue and never spend a dime.
Remember it is real easy to make your Update so lackluster no one will
read it but that kind of defeats the purpose. Spend a few minutes
working on it. You may not have thousands of dollars to spend on
hiring a promotion firm but you have access to a lot of people in the
music business who could help you out. It is up to you if you take
advantage or not.

To submit your Artist Update send to E Mail below (Don't Hit Reply)

Include you website URL if you want me to include it
E Mail me your Update to

NashvilleShowCase@...

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

Here's the Artist Updates for this NEWSLETTER

Be sure to submit yours for the next one.
It is OK to send an Artist Update every week if you have anything
newsworthy. Send in at anytime. Just put UPDATE in the Subject Line
of your E Mail and send to
NashvilleShowcase@...
.

Gordon Ellis
Hey Lonnie, Everyone,
This may be of more interest for those in town, but the first Friday
of every month I co-host the Co-Creators' Coffeehouse at the Nashville
Center For Spiritual Living, 6705 Charlotte Pike, from 7 - 10 p.m.

FRIDAY, MAY 1ST, we will be celebrating our TENTH ANNIVERSARY.
Unlike our normal format which includes an open circle for performers,
followed by a featured act, May 1st, we will have a 3 hour concert
from 7-10 bringing back over 20 of the acts that have been featured
since our 5th anniversary celebration.

We will each be doing a song, I will also be co-hosting the event,
which will also serve as a benefit for one of our members who had some
major surgery and an extended hospital stay.

This should prove to be a great night, as our 5th anniversary concert
was, and I invite anyone in the vicinity to drop by.

Thanks.

Gordon

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

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

Heidi Raye
I just received my first country music news letter update, and I was
wondering if I might be able to get in on the next letter?
I recorded my debut album on music row with producer Arlo Gilliam
from Emerson Drive in Decemeber, 2008. My first single, "My List" was
released in February 2009 to Canadian Radio and since then has made it
on the Top 100 Canadian County Music Charts. My single has also been
picked up by several other stations accross the States. My CD will be
released on April 18th at my CD release party in my home town of
Dawson Creek, BC, Canada. As of that date, the CD will also be
available on all online music stores as well as in hard copy from
www.heidiraye.com
I have placed as Top 100 contestant on Canadian Idol and have opened
for Randy Travis. This summer I will be performing as a mainstage
artist at Extrene Country Fever in Grande Prairie, AB, and will be
opening for Paul Brandt and Crystal Shawanda at Merritt Mountain Music
Festival this coming July.

Thank you for your time,
Sincerely,
Heidi Raye

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

Hoss Curtis

Hi all CW-lovers!!!

I'm a CW-singer/musician from Norway. Been singing most of my life,
but more formally with a band since 2003. The name of the band is "The
Ramblin Men". I will keep on working on my skills as a musician;
mainly singing and rehearsing on the guitar. I do sing other stuff
too, and I like a lot of different music -but nothing beats country!!
I also like a lot of music from Norway, Denmark and Sweden. I am also
working on other projects, as my own music-studio -also looking out
for other talents and wannabis. It is partly dedicated to "poor"
musicians/artists and teens/young people with some "baggage" in life
trying to do something better with it! Look me up if you live in the
area or nearby. I have uploaded a few songs that are homemade demoes
-"garage-style", but it sounds a bit like live -without audience! Real
basic takes with a few mics and a 4 track analogue tape recorder...
I'm out with 34 takes on my pages, look them up! Nowadays I'm working
with two CD's, hopefully it'll be out in the fall! Hope to see you on
my sites -my main site is on Myspace, but I'm also on other sites too!

Regards,
Hoss Curtis

Links:
http://www.myspace.com/hosscurtisandtheramblinmen
http://www.reverbnation.com/hosscurtis

Hope to hear from you Lonnie! I've also been thinking of going 'over
there' and cut a cd, been studying you offer and it seems very
interesting. Tell me if I'm good enough to try!

Hoss ;-)
========================================================

Leyla Fences

Hey Lonnie,

What’s new with me? Well, I’m in the process of recording my
debut CD – 12 original tracks of Girl Power Country!

I just posted the first song (lyrics and link can be found on my
website) and will post the others as we wrap them up.

Let me know what you think!

Next project …. Coming to Nashville to do a traditional country
music CD.

P.S. If you are in the Dallas-Ft. Worth Metroplex, come out and join
me and Brazos Valley Boys of Texas (Hank Thompson’s Former Backing
Band) for

a night of country music like it used to be! Our schedule can be
found at www.leylafences.com ( http://www.leylafences.com/ )!

Living the dream,

Leyla Fences

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

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

Tel: 214-862-0229

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

Larry Bisbee

Countryfolk Music Theatre opens its 10th consecutive season on
Sunday, May 25, 2009, Memorial Day Weekend. (every Sunday thru Labor
Day 12 noon-6PM / always free and for families)

Big plans are in the offing this year for the 10th year celebration
including lots of traditional country music, folk and gospel and
bluegrass.

Scheduled Jamborees, Christmas in July ( July 5th), youth music
scholarship weekend, Banjos to Bagpipes & Old Maine Days celebration &
Mountain Man Rendezvous, 4 days with 50+ musicians, dance and special
guests ( July 23, 24, 25, 26) A Dick Curless Look-A-Like contest
(Labor Day Weekend- 3 days of music), country dances, 50/50 and door
prizes, Barefoot Country Girl (the movie, with cast members at
Countryfolk), pot luck meals and loads of FUN.

We welcome new musicians every week and also have a Friday night
campfire jam too from 5-9PM

Tent and RV Camping for musicians is always welcomed and free and we
now have a free "Countryfolk Bunkhouse" for musicians.

We're always looking for NEW musicians to come and join us, so come
along and have some fun with us. We're the "BIGGEST" backyard jam in
Maine with 20-40 musicians each weekend and "special" events.

More info at 207-645-7531 or email mainebiz@...

or catch Larry "BUCK" Bisbee on the nearest streetcorner telling one
of his "Wicked Good" Maine stories, singing his new "Mosquito" song or
telling his whopping big ol' "Black Fly's of Maine" tale. No matter
what ya do, get ahold of him soon.

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

Just in case there is even one person left in the world who hasn't
seen this !

Susan Boyle (Scotland)
From her debut performance on Britan's Got Talent

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

Artists make your music available to radio stations around the world
for free downloads through Airplay Direct. Only radio stations are
allowed to download from this website so it does not hurt your paid
downloads. Contact Gary Bradshaw for setting up a website for your
music (Reasonably priced).
E mail Gary at gbradshaw3@... or phone (602) 896 9910

Radio Stations "Click" on these artist names to see what music
they have available to radio free.

Allen Karl ( http://www.airplaydirect.com/allenkarl ), Cheryl K
Warner ( http://www.airplaydirect.com/cherylkwarner1 ), Cindy Lane
Adams ( http://www.airplaydirect.com/cindylaneadams ), Cindy
Standage ( http://www.airplaydirect.com/cindystandage ), Copperhead
Creek ( http://www.airplaydirect.com/CopperheadCreek ), Danny Griego
( http://www.airplaydirect.com/dannygriego )
David Cline ( http://www.airplaydirect.com/DavidClineTexasHoldEmAlbum
), Desi Hickman ( http://www.airplaydirect.com/DesiHickman ), Dick
Damron ( http://www.airplaydirect.com/dickdamroncanada ), Distillery
Dave ( http://www.airplaydirect.com/distillerydave ), Erin Hay (
http://www.airplaydirect.com/ErinHay ), Ernie Ashworth (
http://www.airplaydirect.com/ErnieAshworth ), Hal Willis (
http://www.airplaydirect.com/HalWillis ), Irma Young (
http://www.airplaydirect.com/irmayoung )
J. Gale Kilgore ( http://www.airplaydirect.com/jgalekilgore ), Jack
Blanchard/Misty Morgan (
http://www.airplaydirect.com/jackblanchardmistymorgan ), Jamie
Cutler Harper ( http://www.airplaydirect.com/jamiecutlerharper ),
Jerry Hill ( http://www.airplaydirect.com/JerryHill ), Jessee
Williams ( http://www.airplaydirect.com/JesseeWilliams ),
Jim and Linda Davis ( http://www.airplaydirect.com/heartsinharmony ),
Joni Compretta ( http://www.airplaydirect.com/jonicompretta ), Lana
Brown ( http://www.airplaydirect.com/LannaBrown ), Mark Chesnutt (
http://www.airplaydirect.com/MarkChesnuttAXBARWHPRecords ), Michael
B. Rowe ( http://www.airplaydirect.com/michaelbrowerowe ), Myrol (
http://www.airplaydirect.com/myrolmusic )
Paul & Helen Mateki ( http://www.airplaydirect.com/paulandhelenmateki
), Peggy Lynn ( http://www.airplaydirect.com/PeggyLynn ), Perley
Curtis ( http://www.airplaydirect.com/perleycurtis ), Ron Wayne
Atwood ( http://www.airplaydirect.com/ronwayneatwood ), Stephen
Shepherd ( http://www.airplaydirect.com/stephenshepherd ), Stonewall
Jackson ( http://www.airplaydirect.com/stonewalljackson )
Ted Snyder ( http://www.airplaydirect.com/tedsnyder )

WHP Digital Comp Vol 94 (
http://www.airplaydirect.com/whpcompilationvol94 )
WHP Digital Comp Vol 95 (
http://www.airplaydirect.com/WHPDigitalCompilationVol95 )

"Click" BANNER below

Listen to Nashville Nightlife
Internet Radio Station while
you read the NEWSLETTER
I do not program this station
so I can't put your song on it.

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

Here is a short story I wrote about a year ago and since we have
doubled our
newsletter subscribers I have decided to re-run it for those who have
not read it.

Sharecropper’s Rose
By
Lonnie Ratliff

Clayton pulled his car over to the side of the narrow paved road as
far as he could and as he stepped out he looked up and down the road
and walked around the car to see if there was enough clearance there
for another vehicle to get by, just on the outside chance that one
should come by on this lonesome Oklahoma stretch of blacktop. He
decided he was probably far enough off to the side that someone could
squeak by on the outside, if they happened to be coming this way. He
hadn’t passed anyone in either direction since he turned North off
highway 3 between Atoka and Antlers on to the Miller Road.
.
That drive East from Atoka had brought back a flood of memories,
especially as he passed the Atoka Pushmataha county line where the old
Darwin store had stood in 1954. He and his little brother had walked
three miles from another one of the little shotgun shacks in this area
that they had lived in. They had taken the quarter their mom had given
him and bought a quart of kerosene for the kerosene lamp the family
used for light for a dime, two soda pops for six cents each, and three
cents worth of penny candy. A pretty good haul for a quarter compared
to what twenty five cents would buy today.
.
This highway was filled with a lifetime of memories but Clayton was
able to just let them fly by like trailers from a movie, until he came
to the Darwin cemetery. He slowed down a little as he glanced out
across that field of stone and thought about pulling into the
cemetery, but decided that although it was something he would have to
deal with eventually, he could put off that meeting with the ghosts of
his past until a later date after he had reinforced himself with a few
more pleasant memories from his past. Maybe it would be best to save
it until he was leaving Pushmataha county for what he was sure would
more than likely be the last time.
.
Clayton had pulled off the side of Miller road right where the
entrance to the old Tarkington place had been. Back then it had been
an old run down cattle guard and but now there was a gate complete
with a chain and lock. He glanced up to where the house had once stood
and nothing remained but a fallen down chimney and a bunch of grown up
weeds. This was where his family lived in 1965 when Clayton had
graduated from high school. An old house with no electricity, no
running water and an outhouse. A setting that would have fit right in
with Steinbeck’s "Grapes of Wrath" was home sweet home back then.
Clayton didn’t really see any reason to walk the fifty yards up to
where the house had burned down but he had already come this far so he
decided to go ahead. He climbed over the locked gate, walked up to
where the house once stood and kicked around through the ancient
rubble, even though he had no idea what he expected to find. He
didn’t figure the new owners would care even if they happened by and
besides they probably lived in Oklahoma City or Dallas anyway. It
wasn’t like there was anything left to steal.
.
He walked into what he guessed would have been the living room,
though he did not trust his memory enough that he would have bet any
money on it. Lying half buried in the dirt was the charred remains of
an old cap pistol that had been in the house when it had burned down.
There was probably a pretty good chance that it had once been a prized
possesion of one of his little brothers. Then he saw the old burned
out wooden kitchen stove where his mom had cooked many a meal. Since
he remembered where it had set against the north wall of the kitchen
he was able to orient himself, and all of a sudden he was back in the
old home place, instead of standing in the middle of a cow pasture on
the Miller road. Clayton just stood there as forty four years rolled
away and he was once again a sixteen-year-old kid with his whole life
ahead of him. He was still in this halfway hypnotic trance as he
walked out the back of the house toward what once was the barn,
passing by where the well used to be. There was the old tree where
they had hung a hog they were butchering and he had hung a borrowed
chain hoist to pull the motor out of his ’46 Ford pickup.
.
Clayton judged the distance to where he thought the barn would have
been and sure enough he saw a few worn out cultivator plows and some
pieces of chain to verify that this was indeed where the old barn had
been. As he glanced around he realized that this was about all there
was left of the old home place and soon time would even take that.
.
Clayton figured he might as well get back to the car and drive on to
Antlers and drop in on his sister that he hadn’t seen in years. As
he started walking back toward the car he noticed that he had drifted
over to the right as he had walked past the old home site. He then
remembered that this was where there used to be an old fence that
separated the house from pasture, which had been rented to Jackie
Greenwood to run his cattle.
.
There had been an old dirt road alongside the fence although all
signs of the road were long gone; it was just instinct that had him
walking where it had once been. Clayton walked to a point which would
have been the corner of the yard when he saw it there. He froze and
stared in disbelief. There it was, somehow still alive and bravely
fighting the battle of time. How could this be? The odds had to be
astronomical, but against all odds out in the middle of what now was a
pasture, was the rose bush his late Mother had planted in 1965.
Clayton walked over to the rose bush and just sat down on the ground
closed his eyes and let his life pass in review.

Clayton remembered the rose bush from over forty years ago, when his
mom had stuck a single cutting in this almost barren Oklahoma ground
and carried water from the well as it fought for its meager existence
that first year. It never was much of a rose bush, or at least nothing
like the pictures of the ones shown in the seed catalogs they would
get in the mail every year. As best Clayton could remember it only
produced a bumper crop of the beautiful flowers that one year. Other
than that one time it was pretty much like the woman who planted it
and the sharecropper kids that chased the cattle away from it, always
looking like they were both only one more bad year away from disaster.

.
Never more than a few roses grew on the bush, but they always managed
to bloom right when they were needed the most. Although Clayton tried
to build a little fence for his Mom around the bush to keep the cattle
and other varmints away from the roses, it was usually a losing
battle. As he stared at the bush now he thought to himself, this old
sharecropper's rose bush is a living monument to a time long past and
has pretty much served its purpose on this earth quite honorably.
Noticing the scraggly condition it was now in, he figured that the
lonely rose bush at best had just one or two more blistering Oklahoma
summers left on this earth. Like a lot of things that had grown on
this farm, it had lived its life right there on the edge, but at least
it had always found the strength to keep going when it needed to and
someone was depending on it.
.
Clayton remembered the first time the rose bush had come through for
him as clear as could be. It was his graduation from Moyers High
School and mom's rose bush came up with that one perfect flower for
his date for the prom. The next time of any significance he remembered
when the rose bush was called in to duty it offered up just enough
roses for a bridal bouquet for his oldest sister's wedding. Those two
times the sharecropper's rose bush acted just like a trusted member of
the family, producing just enough roses for the job at hand and saving
Clayton and his sister from embarrassment. The third time they turned
to the rose bush for flowers for the family was as far as he could
tell the reason that God probably put that rose bush on earth and gave
his mom the strength to draw water from the well every day of those
hot summers and carry it to the corner of the yard where she would
water it and manage to keep it alive for the future job that lay
ahead.
.
As his mind drifted back to that last winter he spent here on the old
Tarkington farm, he almost shivered as he remembered just how
uncommonly cold that winter was. His and his brother's little lean-to
bedroom that had been built on to the house had cracks in the walls
that were big enough to throw a cat through. They had picked up some
empty cardboard boxes when they were in Antlers and ripped them apart
and tacked them up like wallpaper and that kept a lot of the cold wind
out. Luckily their bedroom was on the south side of the house or they
might have frozen to death. No one had time to think about their mom's
rose bush during that winter, and even if they had, there was nothing
that could have been done. The sharecropper's rose bush appeared to be
just another lost cause in a family that was used to lost causes.
.
Spring came through like gang busters, and lo and behold one day,
Clayton's mom quietly announced that the rose bush they had given up
for dead was just loaded down with rose buds. As much as she loved
that old rose bush, you would have thought she would have been more
excited about it looking like it was going to have a bumper crop of
roses that year. From the safety of all the years that had now passed,
Clayton realized that his mom must have sensed a dark omen of things
to come that spring as she saw the rose bush with all those young
buds. That was just not the way a rose bush planted in Pushmataha
county soil and living under the worst of conditions was supposed to
act. Clayton remembered how she would just sigh when one of the little
kids would break a toy or some other knick knack and then say "We
can't have nothing". It seemed to Clayton that life by then had
probably beaten his mom down so many times that even on a beautiful
spring day after a long hard winter she could not let herself believe
that a sharecropper's wife living out on the Miller Road could even
have a rose bush full of beautiful roses. That was a hard truth to
face but it brought him much closer to her at that moment, sitting by
a rose bush she had planted over forty years ago, than they had ever
been in life.
.
Now he could see that destiny had already chosen the destination that
spring, when the rose bush was loaded with buds and preparing for its
triumphant summer filled with flowers. They were all just along for
the ride, never suspecting it was the end of the line for life as they
had known it up until then. Clayton's last memory as he got up from
the ground by the rose bush was that his mom never got to see all
those beautiful roses the one year that the rose bush produced its
bumper crop. That was the summer that, even though she was not that
old, she came to the conclusion that she just couldn't take any more
of a life where you just can't have nothing. One morning as the
sharecroppers rose bush came alive with the roses that would cover her
grave, she refused to open her eyes and her battles were over.
.

NashvilleShowcase@...
Copr. 2008 Lonnie C. Ratliff
Acknowledgments: Erin Hay for the original idea to flesh out this
partially true story. We are now writing a song together with this
same title..
Linda Carter & Bill Littleton for making sure my original hen
scratchings and poor spelling became readable.
Thanks for convincing me I had something worth saying to Bill
Littleton, Jim Carter and Dick Damron.

NOTE from Lonnie - I always feel a little guilty because I never have
time to listen to mp3's new artists and songwriters send me,
unsolicited I might add. I hate it but I just delete them because I
finally figured out I could try to be a nice guy or I could try to
work and pay my bills. My banker had a very stern suggestion that I
needed to keep working and be a nice guy on my own time after all my
bills were paid. Turns out that spare time does not exist so I just
had to give up on listening to unsolicited mp3's, CD's and giving my
opinions and suggestions. Now I just concentrate on my music business
out of necessity but I figure I can give you some links that will
answer your questions better than I could anyway.

Here's some books available this week on EBAY
..........
========================================
Click Link to read old NEWSLETTERS
http://www.ymlp65.com/pubarchive.php?NashvilleRecordProducer (
http://www.ymlp65.com/pubarchive.php?NashvilleRecordProducer )

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

Lonnie Ratliff ~ Record Production~ 5 Songs

1. Cost for 5 songs is $3,750 (Three Thousand Seven Hundred & Fifty
Dollars). This includes Studio, Musicians, Etc! and you end up with a
mixed CD of your project. There are not a lot of hidden costs that
will be tacked on. The only additional costs I can think of would be
$150 if you want us to Master it for you before it goes to your
pressing plant. (Call me and I can explain Mastering to you) The other
thing that could cost you later is that you might have to pay
songwriter royalties if you have recorded someone elses songs and are
gonna include it on your CD to sell. (Example = If you want to record
a George Strait song or a Taylor Swift song then you will have to pay
a royalty to use that song) I can help point you in the right
direction to obtain a license from the Harry Fox Agency (
http://www.harryfox.com/public/songfile.jsp ).

2. For those artist who are new at this, Production is just about
getting your songs recorded and ready to be made into CD's that you
can sell. I don't press up the 500 or 1000 CD's for you but I can
recommend Karen Bruno at Amazon Audio ( http://www.amazonaudio.com/
)who can take care of everything for you. I believe it costs about
$1500 for a 1000 CD's. A lot of the artists I produce will cut a
couple of 5 song sessions with me and then put them together and press
up a CD they can sell and get their money back.

3. First thing we need to do is figure out if we can work together
and come up with something we can both be proud of. You can listen to
the artists I have produced (Click Here) (
http://members6.boardhost.com/SongReviews/ ) and get an idea of what I
do. If you are a decent singer and I believe we can make a respectable
recording then I will probably be glad to work with you.

4. Deposits & Payments: The first thing required is a $200 deposit
and once that is paid we can start putting together your session. I
will help you find the songs if needed and will arrange them for you
using any ideas you may have. Once we find the songs and have picked a
date you send me the balance of $3,550 at least 2 weeks before the
session date and I book your session at a studio on Music Row. I
normally use Dixiana Studio (
http://nashvillecdstore.hypermart.net/Joni_Session.html ). We will cut
the basic tracks and overdubs there and then cut the final vocals,
harmonies and mix at Smokehouse studio.

5. The Band normally will consist of Bass, Drums, Rhythm Guitar,
Piano, Steel Guitar, Fiddle, Dobro, Electric Guitar & Mandolin. If I
believe a particular song calls for a specialty instrument I will use
it and there is no additional charge. I do not try to cut corners by
taking short cuts on the musicians we use.

6. Original songs. I have about 200 songs in my Music Publishing
Company that you are welcome to use (Royalty Free) if you are using
them on any project I produce.

7. Time it will take to record. Figure that it will take about 3 days
in the studio. If you are on a tight schedule you're part will be over
in two days. First day we cut the tracks with a scratch vocal and the
second day you will sing your final vocals. I figure you will have up
to 45 minutes to sing each song.

8. Practice Guitar tracks if needed. If you think you may have
trouble singing any of the songs you pick and do not play an
instrument I can record and send you an acoustic guitar track of the
song so you can practice it before you come to Nashville.

9. Final thoughts. Keep in mind that you are hiring me to make you
sound good and I take my job very seriously. I will do my best to see
that you have a good time in the studio. I work with some of the best
studio musicians in Nashville and they will do everything in their
power to make the best recording of your music as possible. Feel free
to E Mail any of the artists I have worked with (Click Here) (
http://members6.boardhost.com/SongReviews/ ) before and ask them any
questions you may have about working with me. Once you have paid your
deposit I am on your team and you can call(615) 742 0666and ask me any
questions you have and I will try my best to give you an answer.
Probably half of the artist I work with are recording their first CD
and have a lot of questions so don't be embarrassed to ask about
anything you don't understand.

I look forward to working with you and hope I can be a part of your
musical future.

Lonnie Ratliff

http://www.NashvilleCDStore.com

( mailto:NashvilleShowcase@... )
===============================================

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 )

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

( 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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