CAMPAIGN FOR TRADITIONAL COUNTRY MUSIC (old & new) AND OUR GREAT LEGENDS

Interests: CAMPAIGN FOR TRADITIONAL COUNTRY, BLUEGRASS AND GOSPEL MUSIC

Traditional country music has always been my favorite form of music. Legends like Billy, George, Tammy, Hank, Sr., Kitty, Jim, Patsy, Marty, Jack, Jean, Skeeter, The Statlers, Waylon, Willie, Kris, Johnny, Whisperin' Bill, Gov Jimmie Davis, Carl & Pearl, Buck, Ernest, Bob, Merle, David Alan, Ray Benson & AATW, All Hanks, Faron, Loretta, Lefty, Porter & Dolly, are just a FEW of my favorites. BUT, have you noticed, you DON'T HEAR THEM on many country radio stations anymore?!

Yes, I also like Alan, Mark, Sammy, George, Clint, Tracy (both), Reba, BR5-49, Ricky Van, newcomers MC Potts, Wayne Horsburgh (pronounced Horsboro), David Oxford, Hank, III, Jett, Darryl Singletary, Dale Watson, Justin Trevino, and many other new artists.

I wasn't aware how far DISCRIMINATION, against traditional country music and our great legends, had gone until I watched a documentary by Forrest Sawyer, ABC News Day One.

He interviewed a couple Nashville executives. The radio exec said: "We don't play anything for sentimental reasons. We respect yesterday, but we play what the listeners want to hear" (referring to Hot New Country).

The record exec said he would have to think about putting Waylon Jennings on his label. When Mr. Sawyer asked why, he said, "HIS AGE!"

In other words, once an artist turns 40 and wrinkles appear, WE (the listeners) don't want to hear them anymore! My opinion is wrinkles DON'T AFFECT THEIR MUSIC!!!

I got really upset, but figured what can one person do about this discrimination?! I wrote a long letter to Mr. Sawyer, but never mailed it. I figured he wouldn't be interested in my complaints.

THEN, in August 95, I saw "Full Access, On Tour With George & Tammy." On June 3, 1995, their album "One" was released - GREAT album! But, Nancy Jones said radio told her the album couldn't get airplay until it went PLATINUM (one-million copies) to which Nancy replied: "If it doesn't get airplay, how in the heck is it gonna go platinum?!"

At this same time, radio was playing the heck out of Reba's and Garth's new albums that weren't even scheduled for release until October and November, respectively. I had NO problem with Reba and Garth getting airplay! I DID have a problem with George and Tammy NOT getting airplay!!!

This REALLY made me mad and I wrote a letter to the editor (LTTE) of our Syracuse papers. The response was so good, I expanded to other areas of New York State. Again, great response!!!

That's when I got the idea of mailing to major cities around the US, including Nashville TN. I don't know how many papers published, but I received mail from Missouri, California, Ohio, Delaware, Florida, and many areas around NYS.

I received a call from Tom Roland, Music Writer for the Nashville Tennessean. He said he would like to do an article, rather than just a LTTE. I was excited! Getting published in the Nashville Tennessean!

Well, that was just the beginning of the excitement! A few days later, I received a call from Cathy. She said, "I work for Billy Walker, in Hendersonville TN. Billy wanted me to call and tell you how much he appreciates what you are doing for him and the other legends. He will be getting his letter off to you very soon." Wow! Billy Walker, "The Tall Texan!" I could hardly contain myself!!! Cathy also told me I had the support of Jack Greene, Jean Shepard and Skeeter Davis!

The mail started pouring in from Tennessee. I heard from record companies, current and former editors of Music City News, the publisher of a Canadian country newspaper, the Hard Country Beat (Nashville), singer/songwriters, an Australian star, a Canadian star, and many, many disgruntled listeners.

In November 95, I joined AOL and gained so many great friends and supporters. I have amassed thousands of cards, letters, FAXes, e-mail and great comments from online - both AOL and the newsgroups.

I have printed out all the mail and comments. I have a stack of printouts that's at least six feet tall and other stacks all over the house!!!!

In time, there will be enough documentation to approach the powers-that-be, in Nashville - or wherever they hang their hats! We will PROVE there's STILL A VAST AUDIENCE wanting to hear the great sound of traditional country, gospel, bluegrass, swing and any other classic country, from our great legends and the new artists that are sticking to the roots of country!!!

Since August 95, my life has been consumed by this campaign and I WILL NOT back down or get discouraged by anyone saying, "It'll never work!" I KNOW IT WILL!!!

Everyone asks what they can do to help** I ask them to pass my name and addresses along to others (especially those without online service) and stress the importance of them writing - hearsay doesn't prove anything!!!

Besides AOL (NReeves663), my FAX is (315) 676-3729; snail mail Nola Reeves, PO Box 9, West Monroe NY 13167.

If you think this campaign doesn't apply to your favorite NEW SINGER, think again!!! They, too, will age and the same fate awaits them if we don't change radio formats NOW! If radio only plays the last four or five years, it's not going to take long before it reaches your artist!!!

If we JOIN TOGETHER, we can BEAT this handful of CONSULTANTS that DICTATE what is heard on most radio stations!

I would also like to thank EVERYONE that has responded and mentions my campaign on or offline. It is a group effort and I truly appreciate all your help!!!

HOPE TO HEAR FROM YOU SOON!!!

OTHER WAYS YOU CAN HELP
Updated 4/2/98

*After nearly three years of trying to do this on my own, I've had to swallow my pride and ask for help.

(1) This has been a very costly endeavor. If you'd care to help by sending a dollar toward bond/computer paper, printer ink and ribbons, phone calls, faxes, reproduction, envelopes, postage, etc., I'd be truly grateful!!!

*When I posted this, little did I know, the more exposure the campaign gets, the more my expenses would increase (especially phone bills). I definitely didn't expect what is happening to us now (next paragraph).

We are, I guess, considered the low end of middle income - though at times it feels like low income! ;-) Anyhow, my husband's employer (world renowned company) announced, on 3/31/98, they may be closing down one whole building and moving it out of NYS. This will affect more than 500 employees - my husband being one. Whatever they decide, 250 will lose their jobs.

UPDATE: It looks like my husband will be picked up in another building starting 6/1/98. Thank you for caring.

The campaign has really started to reach people who have the power to help (like Country America Magazine**) get the word out - about some so-called country radio stations that refuse to play the good country music. Sure hope I'm not forced to stop this campaign due to lack of income.

(**Country America Magazine plans to do an article on the campaign in the June/July issue.)

Therefore, any support you might be able to give will help keep this campaign going. Thanks so much!!!

(2) Campaign T-shirts are available. E-mail me and I'll send a list of slogans and prices.

(3) There's a PETITION to gather signatures (addresses are optional) which can either be faxed, e-mailed (need to know if you have Microsoft Works or Word Perfect) or snail mailed to you.

NReeves663's Home Page #3 (Picture - May 97)
NReeves663's Home Page #4 (Picture - May 97)
NReeves663's Home Page #5 (Picture - Feb 97)

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