Echota Records USA Staff Writers
Featured Song Of The Week
Chris Keith
" Gonna Be There Soon"
Written By:
John Cole & Vic Holdroyd
Steve Owen
Song of the Year "Gravity"
Written by Steve Owen & Don Haddock
Josie Music Awards 2016
Steve Owen
My story begins in the year 1964. I was in the 8th grade, Huffman Elementary School, Birmingham, Alabama. One of my friends came up to me and had some baseball cards, or so I thought, but when he showed them to me it had pictures of 4 musicians from Liverpool England and all had the same, strange look hair style. Their names were John Lennon, Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr and George Harrison. They called their band “The Beatles”! I really didn't think much about it until I got home and turned on my 8 Transistor Radio to WSGN and this song came on: “I Want To Hold Your Hand”! It was that band The Beatles that my friend had talked about in school earlier. WOW!!! I was hooked! I'd never heard anything like even though I love Elvis, Jerry Lee, Carl Perkins, Hank Williams and Johnny Cash, not to mention Fats Domino, Little Richard and Chuck Berry. “I Want To Hold Your Hand” was the turning point for me and my wanting a career in Rock & Roll.
I went over to my friends’ house, next door, and I knew he was taking guitar lessons. He had this beautiful Kay guitar and somehow I talked my Dad into buying me one, but it wasn’t a Kay but it WAS a guitar. My friend and I stated taking lessons from a man named Tony and would show notes, scales but just glazed over when he started this music theory crap. I wanted to play songs, learn chords and start a rock band! I didn't care about music theory or scales. As luck would have it, my friend and II took guitar lessons with a class mate that, at that time, was twelve years old and could play “Scratchy, “Pipeline”, and some other Ventures songs. So I got with him and we started a band. I was in heaven, even though I could only play 3 chords and I couldn't play them very well. I guess I was 14 by this time and all I had was this cheap, but lovely, acoustic guitar but the lead guitarist had a Fender Jaguar and Stratocaster. I fell in love with Strat and played it until my Dad bought me one in 1966, and a Fender Deluxe Reverb Ampl! I was in heaven.
So, I played in that band, or some form of it, from about 1964 to about 1970.
After I graduated from Banks High School (Go Jets!) in 1968, I had no direction I wanted to take except playing in a band. In August, 1970 I received my welcome from Uncle Sam to join the U.S. Army. Now the Viet Nam was war was still going on and didn’t really like the reason we were there but I was going to serve my country – it was my duty. I started “boot camp” at Ft. Polk, Louisiana in September 1970. HOT, MUGGY, OUT OF SHAPE – I didn’t know what I had gotten myself into. But after a couple of weeks of running, exercising, running, exercising, running, exercising, running with full gear and metal helmet, with a fiberglass liner that just beat the hell out of my head, and exercising, I started to get into the training. I actually love the rifle range but I hated the 10 – 15 mile run, again with full gear and that dang helmet that we had to do to get out there. And, there was also that 10 -15 mile run back!
After basic training and schooling, again at Ft. Polk, my orders came in to send me to Germany. I was in the HHC, 15th Ordnance Battalion for 2 and ½ years, as Company Clerk and then Battalion Adjutant Clerk (basically Secretary – opps – I mean Office Administrator. I received an Honorable Discharge in June of 1973.
As soon, as got back home to Birmingham, AL, I enrolled at Jacksonville State University, Jacksonville, Alabama, and graduated December 1976, with a BS degree in Business Management with a minor in Economics.
In Jan 1977, I started working as a “manager trainee” at Woolco Department Stores, where I met my future wife, Beth Cunningham. Now we weren’t supposed to date the employees but after I saw her I didn’t care if I got fired!! We kept it secret until our Wedding on August 12, 1978. Best day of my life! We’ve been married almost 38 years and it just gets better.
I worked at Woolco, JC Penny’s, back to Woolco and got promoted to “Assistant Manager” in Tallahassee, Florida in 1980. Well, that lasted about 2 weeks and I decided that wasn’t the life for me and Beth agreed. So, in November 1980, we packed up and back to Birmingham we go – neither without a job. I worked a couple of odd jobs after leaving Woolco and in June of 1981 landed my career job – Procurement Agent, Hayes International Corp., Birmingham, AL. I learned a LOT there, buying all kinds of things from mops, rags and other things to Military and Commercial Aircraft Parts. I stayed there until September 1984 and landed a job with The Boeing Company, Huntsville, Alabama where I worked until I retired in December 2012.
So where does my songwriting career come into being? I was so busy, after high school - Army, College, Married, Kids, Work – that I didn’t really do any songwriting or music, except I would occasionally pick up a guitar and strum for a little while.
John Cole
My name is John{J. D.} Cole. I was born in the mountains of western North Carolina..in a little town named Marion. Raised on Mountain, Bluegrass and REAL country music. Mountain music and Bluegrass were close to the same but just a little different. Parents moved the family to Indianapolis, Indiana when I was 8 and 1/2. It was there I wrote my first song at age 10. When I was 18 that song was my first recorded.
My later life led me to Nashville where I worked with National Life and Accident Insurance Company, the company that owned Opryland, WSM radio and Television and The Grand Ole Opry. A friend of mine that used to demo my songs in Indiana moved there as well and started to work with Starday Records. He introduced me to Joe "Red" Hayes {the writer of 'Satisfied Mind'} and he at that time was running the publishing company of Starday records. He asked me to be part of Straday Publishing. He and I co-wrote a few songs before his passing.
While there Red Sovine recorded a song of mine called "I'm Just Lucky, I Guess" in his Giddy-Up Go LP. It did great, however, Gene Stuart of Ireland picked it up in 1973 when he was with “The Mighty Avons” and it became a big hit in Ireland. Since then it has been recorded and re-recorded many times over. It has been recorded by Daniel O’Donnell, Phil Mack, Declan Nerney and many other Irish country singers. Lisa Barrett of New York is the first female to record it and just recently Mary K. Burke of Scotland did. Country music is doing great in Ireland I have been blessed by having songs cut by many of those artists. Truthfully, I am thankful that so many artists all over the world has recorded the songs that come to me. Yes, I say come to me in my mind. Songwriting is a gift, a God-given gift. I don't write'em, I just write'em down. It's been that way since age 10.
I have retired and now live in Vero Beach, Fl. with my wife Charlotte, she is so great. I am still write'em down and love every minute of it. Looking forward to working with all of the artists with Echota records. Am mighty proud of Ed and all he has accomplished along with his team. May God bless everyone with their gift, be it singing or writing , J. D.
Bobby Johnson
Bobby has had several songs on Internet radio stations in rotation as well a on they’re top 40 count downs all across the world.
With stations such as Best Country Radio (The Iceman) A Day To Nashville, LOZ Radio, The Josie Show, High Tide Radio, Night Wave Radio, WAAK 97.4 FM Radio, Black Sheep Radio,
Spectrum Pettswood Radio. UK (With over 10 songs in they’re ( Hall Of Fame) Hamilton Radio, The Kraze, Florida Country Radio, Rockin’ Country 105 Radio with Rob Charles, And has also had songs on TV Specials as well…
Bobby has a team of 15 members that do it all from hosting shows, posting songs in groups and on his pages, to getting his songs to the stations to be played and everything else that needs to be done for networking and promoting him.
He is sure to create excitement every time he takes the stage and always dose he best at every show.
He does do live shows out and on Facebook. He has played 3 years in a row at CMA Fest in Nashville and is sure to be back again.
Playing the Boot Barn, Manuels, And a number of songwriter after parties.
He has given a lifetime to music and still dose to this day. He believes that the older country music will never die and continues to keep writing it to this day.ning title
I was born and raised on a farm in Northwestern Kansas. I quit school in my senior year of high school to join the Army and see the world. While in high school I was a member of the glee club and sang solo at some of our concerts. I sang in Church and was a member of a quartet that sang in a competition at the FFA contest at the County Fair, we didn't win but we had a lot of fun doing it. The first year in the Army was spent in Texas and then it was off to Germany for a couple years. While in Germany I met a guy who was a member of a little country band that played all the On Post clubs in the Stuttgart area. I got to sing once in awhile with them. I liked doing the Hank Williams songs and usually got asked to do one or two every time I showed up at one of their gigs. When I was discharged I went back to the farm again and worked on the Oil Rigs in the area in the winter time. After a couple more stints in the military I finally ended up driving trucks over the road for about fifteen years. During these years I started writing song lyrics as a way to stay awake on the long boring runs cross country. I saved a lot of these lyrics and after retirement I put one of these song lyrics on face book one day, and lo and behold, Lonnie Ratliff, a songwriter himself, contacted me and told me he thought my song should be put to music. Along with Lonnie and his friend, Vaughn Lofstead, I got a song put together and then another and then I was off and running. I was nominated for Songwriter of the Year at the Josie Awards in Nashville last year and a song of mine that was the Title Track on a Jesse Jones cd was nominated for Song of The Year. I didn't win either category but was proud to have been nominated. I have been extremely lucky as I usually get a cut on about every tenth song I write. I thank the Lord and the wonderful Artists that cut my songs for the privilege of supplying them with songs to sing. Today I was asked to become a writer for Echota Records, something I am really proud to say I accepted. Thanks, Ed, Tim, and Donna for the privilege.
Benny Pitsinger
Born and raised in Huntsville, Alabama just a short drive from Nashville and spittin’ distance from Muscle Shoals, Benny picked up his first guitar at 12 years old and immediately knew that it would always be a major part of his life. Garage band practices lead to private parties, sock hops, coffee shops and eventually pubs and nightclubs. He has performed in clubs from Maryland to California both solo and with bands, having gigs at San Francisco’s Fisherman’s Wharf and Baltimore’s Inner Harbor. He came to songwriting later in life inspired by great lyricists such as Steve Earle, John Prine and Harry Chapin. His lyrics come straight from the heart and will either make you laugh or cry, as they range from tear-jerking serious to belly-laugh comical. Currently getting frequent airplay on local FM stations and internet stations around the world, Benny’s songs have done well in numerous competitions including The Great American Song Contest, Nashville’s Rising Star and The Josie Awards. Although he loves to sing, he says that there is no greater compliment than having someone else want to sing one of his songs and include it in their own project.
Terry & Rita Reid
Songwriters- Terry Lee Reid and Rita Reid
We have been a team since Dec 1966. Our writing style comes from personal life experiences and "downhome working man" lessons.
Terry was born and raised in Iowa...the son of an average family in hard times. Rita was born and raised in Oregon to a farming family. They met and married in Oregon and lived a average long life together, through many trials.
Their actual writing began as an individual effort for their own amusement before they married but the joint effort only began about 2009, when Terry asked Rita to rewrite one of his songs and make it flow. Since then they have pooled their efforts on most of their songs, rewriting, and reworking some of the older efforts as well.
I have raised and breed an trained cutting horses for over 30 years. My family said put your memories into songs in 1999 so today I have written over 700 song lyrics, I don't sing or play any instruments. Last year I asked for help on a song to get it recorded for my 44th anniversary and Clay Pierce in Derry, Ireland accepted and we co-wrote my first recorded song
called " Have You Ever Heard " then Joe Navarth co-wrote one called " Dancin' With Crystal Rose " then my friend Jeffrey Lambert did my next song he cowrote with me called " Cryin Inside " a tribute to my daughter who died in 1981. The next 2 songs I penned was cowrote with Deby Kelley the 1st one called " Cowboy Chasin Hell Of A Time " the 2nd one called
" Some Do The Cryin " so I have more to get Demo's on one at a time. Terry Lee Reid I have been married to the same lady for 45 years we have 3 sons 8 grand kids & 5 greatgrand kids we miss them all. I do genealogy also to pass the time
AR Kessinger
I was born on July 14, 1942 to Estell and Pearl Kessinger in a log cabin. The youngest of six children we lived a very modest lifestyle in Butler County, Kentucky.
After dropping out of school in 1959 I worked in construction with no interest in education and/or writing.
In the mid 1970’s I discovered a sincere interest in writing country songs and poetry after receiving my GED in the military.
I began loosing my sight to glaucoma in 1978, which provided the time to focus on my newfound literal craft.
By the early 90’s I had aspirations to develop literature, however, my loss of sight made it difficult to use the typewriter. During this time computer training was offered and I immediately took advantage of the opportunity. With the use of a computer screen reading software I was able to begin development of this work.
A. R. Kessinger
Larry Clark
Larry Clark is a Retired Navy Chief Petty Officer. Vietnam Vet.
I've Been an Entertainer 50 years. A recording artist 40 years. A BMI songwriter 25 years. I've had songs on several major charts including Cashbox. Also known as "The Old Chief". I am a retired Navy Chief, a disabled VietNam Vet and a BMI songwriter. My songs are published by Ellemsee Music BMI. All of my songs are Recorded at Java Jive Studio, Nashville TN, and mixed and mastered by Mark Moseley, Sound Control, Nashville TN. My songs are always backed by eminent Nashville Pickers.
Bonnie McGill
I am one of 13 children raised in a three bedroom house and had little means of entertainment,, So I would make up bedtime stories to tell my sisters as 5 of us younger girls share one bed ,, It kept us warm that way,, I always knew I had a gift to write and sing and to tell stories,, I decided to start writing things down on paper and saving What I'd write,,
I'd sing hymns in church every Sunday since I was 3 years old,, and my voice would ring out above so many,, I'd often be called up to sing to the congregation with the accompaniment of a piano.. When I started school, the other kids made fun of me ,, because I was poor,, and I loved the song Dolly Parton wrote Coat Of Many Colours because I had a coat just like that. I walked over a mile to school and home every day.. It was often freezing cold so I'd sing to take my mind off it,, I made up songs, I published a Book Called Bonnie's Poems in 2009 through xlibris.com.. It has 221 pages of real life stories and poems about me and different events in my life,, There are 85 original songs in the book written by me. I have written about 400 songs by now, and continue to write every day,, People tell me all the time,, that it is a Gift From God,, the way you write.. I am thankful for that ,and believe it to be true,, That God would Bless a poor child such as me in this way,, I have one CD with 18 original songs on it. I have recorded In Nashville Tenn, and In London Ontario, Canada You can find me on www.reverbnation.com and listen to several of my songs,, Several other artists have sung some of my songs,, Especially the male ones that I couldn't do,I play a 12 string Ovation Elite guitar which my husband Andy bought for me,, He also plays rhythm for me on my songs, We live in a small town in West Lorne Ontario, Canada at 124 Graham Street ,, postal code n0l 2p0 I am writing my own Biography It will be called KIRSCHNER IS MY NAME
That was my maiden name,, and I want people to see that a poor girl can make it in this world too with the help of family, friends, music,, and GOD .A lot has happened since then...My songs are being played on several radio stations on the internet ... I continue to write every day and my husband Andy has been my greatest inspiration .. I have 3 CD's out now and am planning to get more done in the near future.. Several artists have recorded my songs ...and Audrey King was very inspirational and encouraging to Andy and me to get my songs out on radio stations so they could be heard all over the world...
Sincerely,,, Bonnie McGill...
Don Haddock
Don Haddock has been playing and writing songs since he was 15 years old. Originally from San Diego, Ca., he grew up playing Rock and Roll in a 3 piece power group. He took a break from music to try and make a career as a professional baseball player. By the age of 28 he knew he had gone as far as he could with baseball and got back into writing and playing music again. He joined a Bluegrass band as a rhythm guitar player and vocalist and performed throughout San Diego County for about 5 years. He later moved to Orange County for a job and to raise a family. It was here he started playing and writing Country Music and eventually started a band called "Free Reign". Free Reign played all the Honky Tonks and local bars in Southern California for about 8 years. The band was nominated for country band of the year, and Don Haddock was individually nominated for "songwriter of the year". The "Free Reign" band played Top 40 Country Dance Music throughout the 90's.
His original songs are now being performed by the Band "Matt Slagg and the The Tramp Iron Railroad". This is a project formed in June 2012, and exclusively performs the original music written by Don Haddock. The Band went into the Magic Muse Studio and Produced their 1st Album "Country Soul" which is now available on iTunes, Amazon.com and at the at the Reverb Store.
Early in 2015, the band went back into the studio to record their 2nd album entitled "IN THE WIND" by the TRAMP IRON RAILROAD. This time they recorded at Vulcanic Studioz in Costa Mesa, Ca.
This album is by far the best work to date of the original music of Don Haddock. On this album is also the first time Don has worked with Co- writers Steve Owen, Jeff Thorsnes, and Larry'S Jones. This Studio album also includes the addition of Jeremy Long on pedal Steel and Organ, and Eric Brenton on Fiddle and Mandolin. The new CD MP3 is available now on ITunes, and the physical CD be available by late August and can now be Pre-Ordered direct by contacting Don Haddock via email: dhhaddock@yahoo.com
All together Don Haddock has recorded a blend of Country Americana that reflects his roots in Bluegrass and Rock while remaining a consummate Singer/ Songwriter. Having gained some local recognition playing private parties and local events for Charities and fundraising, they were recently invited to be the opening act at SoundWave 2015 which was broadcast live on FM radio and live streamed on YouTube.. From the resounding reception at these events, the Tramp Iron Railroad us looking to branch out from the Studio to playing Live dates soon throughout Orange County..
AWARDS:
2014 and 2015 - Band of the Year/ Clays Country Radio
2016 - Best Live Country Performance/5th annual Indie Music Channel AWARDS
2016 - Song of the Year "Gravity" by Don Haddock and Steve Owen/ The Josie Music Awards
Chet A Blum
It all started after seeing The Beatles on Ed Sullivan. I got this crazy notion that if Lennon & McCartney could write songs so could I. I know, ha ha. The problem was I wasn't very good musically and I was never lucky enough to meet a musician I could work with. I'd hear the melody in my head but had no one to bounce the idea off of. Essentially I was Bernie Taupin waiting for his Elton John.
Then life took over. As John Lennon once said, "Life's what happens to you while you're busy making other plans." So my dream of writing song lyrics as a career took a back seat to life. But the dream never died. I like to think it just got postponed.
So, here I am today chasing my dream. Thanks to modern technology I've been lucky enough to meet some wonderful musician's who I've gotten to write songs with, without ever having met most of them in real life.
I love words and love writing lyrics, but the process of co-writing with various musician's and getting to see my lyrics come alive with music and melody excites me and has made the entire journey worthwhile.
Mary L. Palermo
Mary L. Palermo, is a 62-year-old poet songwriter that lives along the South-east, Texas Gulf Coast. Her love of imagery crossed over from poetry to songwriting. She is known for such songs as Blackbirds in A Willow Tree, and more recently My Sweet Lady. She hopes to continue her love for songwriting touching hearts along the way. One thing she says about her song. Each will make you feel something. Laughter or tears, you Will experience some emotion.
I have a songwriting , poetry group on Facebook called The Enchanted Poetry Book andhave a poetry book titled The Enchanted Poet Out.
I have many more poetry book, and tons of songsI have written. I have a dream of one day writing that just right song for all the world to hear.
She wants to thank Echota Records for the great opportunity to join with Echota Records as a staff writer. Thanks to Ed Gowens President of Echota Records, , Tim Hicks Vice President and Donna Ray Chief Executive & Secretary, Deby Kelley Executive Secretary, Becky Harges Promotions, Ron Hoysted Executive Assistant, Charles Leon Senior, T'onna Ray Assistant to Ed Gowens and all of our Echota Records Team.
Kimberly Smoak
Kimberly Smoak
Energetic, Charismatic and Entertaining!! Some of the many words that describe Kimberly Smoak - a Traditional Country, Country Rock, Christian Country, Patriotic Songwriter & Entertainer. She is also a Combat Veteran, Community Volunteer, Pool / Billiards Player, Wife, Mother and Friend.
Growing up, every Sunday, she was glued to the old time dial radio for the Casey Kasum American Top 40 Countdown. “That literally was the highlight of my week growing up in a small town in Oklahoma and having musical aspirations. I remember Casey would always say at the end of each countdown “Keep Your Feet On The Ground & Keep Reaching For The Stars”. And that’s basically how I manage my life and my Songwriting Career” she says with a smile.
Kimberly had recently taken some time off from writing to learn more about the craft, get married to hubby Mark Copeland, own/operate a NAPA Pool League and watch her only son Jake Smoak, graduate from US Army Reserve Basic Training. “I needed the time off to build a solid foundation for my life. I wanted and needed that stability in the topsy, turvey swings of the music business” she says.
She has recently started back up writing and is experimenting with Contemporary Christian but staying very close to her traditional country roots. She has written, co-produced and recorded 4 CD's ~ "The Power of Ten", 2010 ,"Smoak'N" 2012 and "Honoring Those Who Serve" 2012 with Rich McCready which they sent out to troops free of charge & gave away at Veterans Hospitals. As an Army Combat Veteran of the first Gulf War, this CD is very close to her heart.
She just released her 4th CD "Cowgirl Rockabye's" digitally on April 24, 2017; which is a collaboration of 4 Engineers, 2 Recording Studios, 8 Musicians, 3 Harmony Singers, 1 Co-Writer, 9 Veterans and a Lil Ole Songwriter from Oklahoma.
Kimberly has performed all over Oklahoma, Missouri, Kansas, Texas, Australia, Germany and Nashville, TN @ The Bluebird Café & The Opry Mills Mall; among other infamous venues. She performs at a variety of veteran’s events & charity functions throughout the year in her hometown. She is also a member of the Performing Rights Organization of ASCAP.
This year, Kimberly has been nominated for 3 awards at the 2017 Josie Music Awards – Songwriter of the Year. Her song “How Bout You (Veterans Tribute)” which she wrote, produced and sang has been nominated for Song of the Year in the category of Songs Saluting America. She wrote, sang & produced this song. And, “Hello, Hallelujah” sang by Deby Kelley, co-written with Kim Ehm & Doc McCready is nominated for Gospel Country Song of the Year.
In 2016 she was nominated for Female Songwriter of the Year in the Country Music Category at The Josie Music Awards. She has been featured in 2016 & 2017 in Fair Play Country Music Magazine on the cover; as well as her story of her musical journey co-author of the book “The Artist Collection: Every Music Artist Has A Story”.
Please cruise on over to Facebook or Reverbnation to find out more about Kimberly and her music; which is available on CD Baby, Amazon.com and many other digital outlets. You may also contact her directly if you are wishing to purchase any of her music on CD.
Please stop by her official website www.kimberlysmoak.com when you have a moment
Pete Rose
I am a singer songwriter of country gospel and americana songs I have been writing songs since I was 14 and I have recorded my own ,,music on.a regular basis for the last ,ten years lam a radio dj on wglulp 106 fm and www.wglulp.net in Barneveld ny I do my best to touch people with my music and I thank God for each new song he gives me
Mellanie Book Randall
My love for music started as a young girl listening to country music with my dad, and my uncle's record collection he left for me while in Vietnam Nam. I started playing the piano by ear when I was about 8 years old and I would play on our neighbor's old upright piano; picking out tunes. One of my first songs I learned was " Green Green Grass of Home". I began to write poetry some in high school and short stories, but writing songs didn't happen until years later. I graduated from high school
And went on to graduate from Louisiana Tech University in 1983. I began my teaching career that year, got married in 1985, had my daughter in 1986, and our son in 1989. My husband, at the time, was in the military and was away from home a lot of the time, so I began to write as a hobby. I would hear melodies in my head, or just catch a phrase that would trigger a song. I have made trips to Nashville to have demos recorded and also recorded and performed some songs locally, but I was never able to get anything accomplished. Feeling discouraged; I would try not to write anything, but the words kept coming. I do not claim to be a great writer by any means, but I am so thrilled to have the opportunity to have Echota Records bring some of my music to life! I am truly blessed with a wonderful husband and family that supports my dreams! My advice to all of us; Never give up!
Gary Jennings Sr
Gary was born in Sidney , a small town in upstate New York. He started his singing career at the age of 12 when he started to sing with a neighborhood band as he got older he decided to persue his singing career and travled from state singing with various bands from Flordia to Texas , where he sang at Guileys in Pasadena and was fortunate enough to meet Mickey Gulliey. Gary has been lead singer in various bands. The most recent was his band Midway After Gary went to Nashville in 2001 and recorded his cd Phases of Time the band broke up . Gary is now doing a track show named Double Barrel and is booked quite frequently at different bars, private parties, Hometown Days in Sidney and other towns around him, ,also other organizations such as the Moose Club and American Legion. He also does alot of benefits for people that need help. Garys show is a variety of different kinds of music from classic country to classic rock, 50's - 90's and some new country. He has opened up for National Acts such as: Johnny Paycheck, Dan Seals, Hank Williams III, John Cafferty and the Beaver Brown Band Known as Eddie and the Cruisers, Conway Twitty, Charlie Pride, and Melvin Seals and The Jerry Garcia band... Melvin was the piano player for Jerry Garcia and The Gratefull Dead. Gary is charting overseas with a couple songs from his cd. His First cd Phases of Time is all orginals written by Gary Jennings. He is also featured in the April, 2003 Country Western Magazine and 2003 Country Roundup Magazine. Gary recorded his second cd Doing It My Way it is getting overseas airplay as well. The second cd is of his originals and a few cover songs. Gary has won the International Country Male Rising Star of the Year Award , and 2- 2002 Career Achievement Awards. He is also in the New York Hall Of Fame of honors at the New York State Country Music Hall of Fame . He was also nominated for the Trailblazer Award in 2005 which was giving to him in Texas. Gary in 2005 was inducted in the New York State Country Music Hall Of Fame with Brian Prout from Diamond Rio and Victoria Shaw a famous song writter from Nashville. Gary has now recorded a 3rd cd Hobos Heaven out now which is now starting to chart overseas. It consist of 9 orginal songs. He also just finished an eleven week tour in New York at a well-known resort. If Gary aint doing his music and performing he loves to spend quality time .He enjoys fishing bbq , and watching movies . For further information you can check out his other web site atwww.soundclick.com/garyjennings.us , www.international recording artist gary jennings facebook.com or email Gary at gjennings_55@yahoo.com
Jerry Jake Howard
JerryJake Howard was born in Battle Creek Michigan. He was influenced by classic rock-n-roll and country music. He got his first guitar at the age of 14 and by the time he turned 15, he was writing songs. He joined a small bluegrass band playing stand-up bass and then guitar. The band did a 30 minute TV show on Sunday afternoons.
In 1958 he joined the Army and began playing with country band with other soldiers in Germany, France, Korea, and Alaska
After he was discharged from the Army in 1966, he married and raised 5 children. He continued to write songs and tried breaking into the country music business in Nashville. But his family took preference over a singing career.
In 2014 he teamed up with Mike Jones and together they have written over 500 songs. Although traditional country is his favorite music to write, he says he really enjoys blues, and has written many blues songs.
Born in Greenville SC, a child of the fifties. The music radio of the late '50's carried a heavy dose of classic rock and roll music, and Mike gravitated to that sound. His mother was devoted to her Church and gospel music and his Father was a big country music fan, which also influenced her musical tastes.
At the age seventeen, he joined the US Navy. He began writing poems at age 18. This was a way to express his feeling and never thought about turning them into music until he retired in 2011.
Mike bought a home in the mountains of Murphy NC. There he began to write lyrics about past events in his life. He wrote about his father, the bootlegging days, the hard farm life. He wrote gospel in remembrance of his Mother. When asked about his sad songs, he said, “I’ve been married 4 times, drank more Johnnie Walker black that most men I know. What time I wasn’t sitting on a bar stool, I was laying on a bar room floor. So I have plenty to write about”
Mike Jones
I started writing lyrics just a few years ago when I retired. I guess I am just lucky to have a tough life that helped draw these lyrics from me. While in high school I played guitar with a couple bands. But, never made it a career.
I met Jerry Howard in August 2014. He has been playing music form the age of 12. We had a similar life and just came together with the same interest in music. Jerry spent his life playing country music. While in the Army, he played with several bands oversees.
We have over 500 songs between us and have written 275 song together. We collaborate extensively when writing songs. It is rare that a song would be without some input from both of us. In many instances, one of us will sketch an idea or a song fragment and take it to the other to finish or improve it. All our songs are available to be recorded by other artist.
Our songs are rated in the top 10 in many countries. Just recently we were # 1 in France, # 10 in Germany and # 1 in Japan.
We have written 4 songs for Shavonne Aliphon, 1 song Someday is now being played on WSM Radio, the Grand Ole Opry. She plans on recording 6 more of our songs.
Donna Ray has recorded 3 songs, I'll Cry Too, Who Will It Be and The Way It Use To Be.
A great female counrty star in Canada, Sharon Westlake is in the process of recording an album of 10 songs writtem by us.
The Country Blast Josie Awards have nominated Crosing Texas as Outlaw Band Of the Year. They are asking for some songs for their next album.
We continue to write new songs every day. Mostly traditional country. But we also write blues, bluegrass and southern rock. We have a large catalog of songs, but if needed we can write a song or assist in creating a song for an artist that is searching for new material.
Nancy Bauer
Started writing song 20 years ago a bad foot kept me from working and disabled for 35 years till it finally went down .I love country classic music and love telling a story in my lyrics .I met Geary Hanley along the way he was on the road with John Schinder (Bo Duke) from the Dukes Of Hazard. In his younger years he sang and played guitar on stage with John .I ask him to do a demo and from there sent him many of my lyrics and he made them into wonderful demos for me .Together we have our own publishing company KidsBeat publishing BMI only for our own songs .Im so proud to say I have had Ronnie Caywood do several of my songs and Grant Daniels in Canada did one and Bruce Greaves did 4 of mine . I love to write lyrics and would be my dream to write Lyrics for anyone to record .Usually takes me 20 mins to write a complete song if you want something special written just for you contact me .I Love Country Classic Music
Stephen Bailey
My name is Stephen Bailey I worked many years as a Fireman and Paramedic after retiring I started writing songs. I love real country music and what I like to call country Gospel music. I now have my own publishing company and continue to write as much as I can. I look forward to working with everyone at Echota Records
Larry Granger
Born and raised in St. Andrews, Ontario Canada on July 5th 1959, I’m married to the love of my life Sally and have three grown children and six grandchildren.
As Barbara Mandrell said it “I was country when country wasn’t cool” fits me to a tee..
When my friends were listening to rock/rock n roll, I was listening to Johnny cash, Hank Williams and all the great ones. I couldn’t get enough of it.
My mom used to say if I were to memorize my school work like I memorized songs I’d be a genius. Lol
Got my first guitar when I was 11, been playing every since. I love to perform on the stage and connect with the audience. If they’re having fun so am I.
Wrote my first song when I was sixteen. I have to say that putting words to music is my passion now. I still play out sometimes, but not as often as I used to. Still plugging away at writing songs. (Looking for that #1) lol
You can catch a few of my songs on you tube. Just type in my name. Comments are very welcome..
Ben Kitchens
Ben KItchens is a singer/songwriter from Macon, Georgia. He has been involved in music since childhood. In 1969 he was a staff songwriter for Capricorn Records in Macon, Ga but that position was cut short when he was drafted into the Army. He did get one cut by R&B singer Eddie Floyd. About 4 years after getting out of the Army he was encouraged to move to Nashville to persue a songwriting career. Ben lived there until 1989 getting a few cuts by minor artists and was half owner in a demo studio. He moved back to Georgia at the end of 1989 and continued to write and play in various dance bands until 2008. Ben still writes on a daily basis and occasionally plays out. He also sets lyrics to music for various lyricists and does basic demos.
Jack Scott
Jackie Lee Scott was born on December.24th of 1953 in Charleston, W.V. The only child of George and Freda Scott.
My introduction to music began at 8yrs old, A neighbor would play records on her front porch. Hank Williams, Pasty Cline, Johnny Cash and Elvis Presley have been some of my biggest influences.
At the age of 16, I played in my first band “The Northern Lights”. This led to many more bands thru my lifetime, somewhere along the way I began writing songs. Some I would keep for myself and other I would just throw away.
Both of my parents have since passed away. I myself have been married to the same wonderful lady for the last 42 years, We have 4 Spectacular Children and 7 wonderful grandchildren.
Kit Bradley
BMI songwriter and signed to Echota Records.I was a shy chlld the youngest of 5.I took to the piano and wrote songs and played since I was 2. I also enjoyed writing poems on my grandfathers typewriter upon his antique wicker writing desk. Music was always playing in our house whether on piano guitar or record player. My father was a professional piano player and played at 13 at the cleveland public music hall. My mother also played piano daily. My older sisters played guitar. I have over 200 songs to choose from for professional singers.Contact me if interested in one. I also co wrote with many talented and also grammy winning writers such as Roy August from Nashville.
Beverly Perritt Hall
Beverly Perritt Hall is one of 5 siblings and 2 adoptive siblings. She mirrors herself around the Loretta Lynn style and type. Growing up listening to her and Conway Twitty as they were her favorite artist among a few others. She has always dreamed of singing and being a writer/songwriter. She has in her teenage years sang in the church choir where she lived in south carolina. Beverly being raised on a farm down south knows and loves all the things of hard work and the price it pays to want somthing bad enough to go for it. Beverly has been writing since the age of 10. Her dreams of being a songwriter grew stronger as she got older. And as her momma and daddy being her biggest fans of her writings and songs it pushed her to do more and more. Beverly has 2 beautiful children in which she has also written about and for. Her son and daughter wishes to see her do more as well. Beverly resides in Virginia where she claims she got transported from south carolina when her parents decided to move after her junior year in high school. She works two jobs now and still works on her writing as time avails her. Beverlys dreams of being a great songwriter is still big. I believe with the power of prayer and God as her witness that this young lady will succeed in her songwriting.
Necay Howard
I have been a Songwriter for many years and have had my songs recorded by a few of Echota Records artist and became a staff writer for Echota Records Usa in 2017 I had4 brothers and no sister's.. my dad was a military man of 40 plus years
All of my dad's brother's got killed in service..
My mom was Cherokee Indian from large family from Kentucky "the Cordell family'
I spent most of my life til age 10 in various hospital from my asthma.
I have 4 grown sons and I'm raising a grandson I adopted when he was 3 months old he is now 15.and a true blessing. I've worked in many fields hotel/ motel MGMT.. industry
One of my most rewarding jobs was working for hospice being able to help people has always been my calling
I'm a 2x cancer survivor so I know how to deal with battles. My family & grand kids are my life line.
I use to sing but had to give it up to cancer. But I totally love music. I love being able to help artist get Thier music out there.
I love oldies old r&r
And old country music..now I'm able to help all the talented artist & song writer of Echota Records USA.i have a song writer page on FB .
And I'm single (lol)
I believe in treating people the way I want to be treated..
I thank you for the opportunity to reach out to our echota records USA artist we are "Team Echota Strong' I've been blessed to be part of Headstart I represent my county on board of directors for a non profit agency..I get donations & set up event's for our surrounding area we have app.620 kids
So Head Start is very special to me..
Lisa Barrett
I guess you could call me an unplanned Songwriter. My hometown is Cheektowaga, New York and I now reside in the Rochester area. I come from a very musical family. My six sisters and I always sang in the church Folk Group and rang in the Handbell choir. I also always gravitated toward the school musicals. I wasn’t a Songwriter, however, until the untimely passing of my young nephew Austin in 2001. He lost his battle with cancer at the tender age of 21 months old. About a year after his passing, I was walking past his photo on the wall. I stopped when my eyes met his and I said, “I can almost feel your touch when you look at me”. At that moment, these lyrics and melody popped into my head. I was compelled to start writing the song I would title, “When You Look at Me”. I’ve never stopped writing since! Our entire family was physically broken and emotionally shattered. I started to think that maybe the music could help us all smile again. I found a bit of closure and peace when Austin’s song was the winner in a Best Original Song competition in 2011. I am inspired to write by anything that affects me deeply; whether happy, sad, humorous, inspirational, or even at times, angry. I love a great beat and a catchy hook. I recorded my first album of original music “When You Look at Me” in 2005.
Portions of proceeds from my first album were given to Essential Care for Children, a program of Hospice Buffalo.
I’m thrilled to share that in 2017 I joined Echota Records USA indie record label out of Georgia! My second album “On the Rails” was just released in Spring of 2017 with eleven more originals.
It was quite an honor to be a two-time winner for Best Female Artist in the Clays Country Music Awards in 2015 and 2013.
I also received the Drug-Free Hero Award in 2013 for my original song “Everyday Hero” by the Foundation for a Drug-Free World.
I wrote the song for all youth who choose to live a drug-free life. I was very grateful to be nominated for Female Artist of the Year in the 2016 Josie Music Awards, and again in 2017, for three of my songs, in the Song of the Year category. I’m also very happy to share that Deby Kelley, Country Artist, has recorded my song Through the Rain for her new album two- name titled “Hello Hallelujah/Through the Rain” in 2017.
You can find my music on internet radio stations, YouTube, Facebook, Reverbnation, and more. My goal has always been simple, yet profound. I look to make a positive difference in people’s lives, through the music, in Austin’s memory.Keep smiling and enjoy the music!
As an advocate against bullying, one of the things I’m most proud of is the creation of the hands-on children’s musical “Can’t Bully Me Now”. I was inspired to write it because of the violent bullying my nephew endured and the horrible teasing I endured, as a child. At about an hour long, this musical is perfect for a school assembly. Youth can perform the musical in their own schools to help stop bullying.
Ferrell Nottingham
FERRELL NOTTINGHAM - BIO
My name is Ferrell Nottingham. I am a singer/ songwriter/musician, and live in NE Ohio. I play many stringed instruments, and piano and drums. I sing lead and backup vocals. I have performed at many live venues throughout the years. My main music categories are Country, Gospel and Bluegrass.
I have written many songs throughout my music career, including all the songs from my latest album, "KEEPIN IT COUNTRY", that consists of eleven Country songs and one Southern Gospel song. My songwriting inspirations, come from my life experiences of Love, Family, and God.
For many years I played all over the Eastern US, with my band , "Stoney River". We had the pleasure to meet and open for many of the great Country Stars, including Conway Twitty, Charlie Daniels, Vince Gill, Johnny Cash and many more. During those years we won many awards for Songwriting, Best Vocal Band, True Value Country Showdown (Tri-state regionals), and many more.
In early 2018 I decided to go back in the studio and record a new album with 12 songs that I've written. I am now playing venues all over the country as the opportunities open up. My greatest hope is that people are touched in some special way through my music. Blessings to You All!
William Todd Rodgers
I was born in a little Town in Louisiana not much but a loving home and great family music. Started playing gospel music at six year's old. Raised in a gospel bluegrass family I learned a lot from music and life. You know music is a laungue that s lot of people speak whether in thier ears or heart. I've set a goal in life to spread the word of music to people who enjoys it. Music speaks to folks and I truly believe that we should spread the word. God bless you and your family. Thank you for listening to me. I hope I somehow touch you with music.
Donna Rose Dutchess
Richard Wax
Tammy Mastera
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Jim Colyer
Born in Louisville, Kentucky and moved to Nashville in 1975. I have a son and a grandson in Nashville.
My catalog consists of over 2,000 songs counting the lyrics. Country, rock & pop.
I had my own label in the 70s and 80s called Jim Colyer Records.
I have recorded with many singers and musicians in Nashville studios.
ASCAP member
267 tracks on youtube. Some are full productions. Others are me with the guitar. Type in "Jim Colyer."
I play enough guitar to write songs.
Into astronomy and travel.
Sing karaoke at Santa's Pub in Nashville. It helps me write.
My website is jimcolyer.com
David Johnson
