"WE DON'T NEED COUNTRY MUSIC FANS!" (A Rant)
Disclaimer:  The views expressed here are from your humble webmaster and may not be the views of the West family. 

Since the early 70's, the country music community has hosted an annual event called Fan Fair.  Fans could get up close and personal with their favorite stars and it was a way for the stars to THANK their fans for their support.  Everyone knows that country music fans are the most loyal and devoted in all genres of music.  A newcomer can have a song out one day and have fans.  They can hit bottom and their fans are still there.  Country stars know that...or do they? 

For YEARS, the biggest names in country would perform at the week long Fan Fair.  They would have booths, free concerts, meet-and-greets, fan club parties of all kinds and just hang out with their fans.  Around the mid-90's, this all started to change.  Big names were no longer showing up.  If they did, it would be for a short stint in their booth and maybe a couple of songs.  The old timers still go from Bill Anderson to John Anderson.  Newcomers love Fan Fair because it gives them exposure to THOUSANDS of people.

What?  Can't call it Fan Fair anymore?  Too "Country" sounding?  I'm sorry.  It's now called the CMA Music Fest.  It has been moved from the old fair grounds to a big nice arena area.  No more "country" feel to it--it's too icky.  BUT, don't worry about that because it looks like Fan Fair or CMA Music Festival might be a thing of the past...

Kix Brooks (of Brooks & Dunn fame) is a past chairman of the CMA board.  He tells CMT, ""We have a danger in my opinion," Kix said. "And the reason being, all these artists that are playing are playing for free."  Kix indicated some artists could command as much as $600,000 per show on tour. When they appear at the music festival, they not only work for nothing, they still have to pay their bands as much as $30,000 to play the date.

Playing for free is a problem?  How many country music artists have you heard talk about the days when they were starting out playing for FREE because they just wanted to play.  I'll let the country music artists of today in on a little secret...WE MADE YOU AND WE CAN BREAK YOU!!  WE--the FANS made YOU the stars that you are.  WE--the fans--buy YOUR albums, see YOUR shows, support YOU and MAKE YOU MONEY.  This is the thanks we get?  YOU are too important to come for ONE WEEK to Nashville and give YOUR FANS what they want?  Fans come from all over the world, spending thousands of dollars to get there, buy your stuff and get an autograph and all YOU can do is complain that you're not making any money?  YOU better get down on your hands and knees and THANK the country music fans for what you have been given (and THANK GOD, too!).  I guess you don't make enough money the other 51 weeks out of the year...

HALL OF FAME PASSES ON WEST, AGAIN
The Country Music Hall of Fame has announced the latest round of inductees and, once again, Dottie was passed over.  The Statler Brothers, Tom T. Hall, "Pops" Stoneman and Emmylou Harris were honored for 2008.  Please continue to circulate our petition and you can also write directly to the HOF via snail mail. 

Country Music Hall of Fame
Induction Committee
222 Fifth Ave. S.
Nashville, TN 37203

HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES TO BE ANNOUNCED FEBRUARY 12TH
The Country Music Hall Of Fame will hold a press conference to announce this years inductees to the Country Music Hall of Fame.  Of course, we're all hoping that this will be Dottie's year! 

Hall of Fame Announcement

WEST BY WEST VIA THE GRAND OLE OPRY REUNION SERIES
Seventy country music legends gathered recently at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum to tape the latest installment of Country's Family Reunion, a 9-DVD set that will be released sometime in early '08.  Shelly West was one of the performers.  "When I was singing her song 'Country Sunshine,' I could tell they were thinking of her and looking at me. It was an overpowering feeling."  Other stars included Charley Pride, Jeannie Seely, Larry Gatlin, Vince Gill and host Bill Anderson.  "We realize now we're not just making entertainment; we're making country music history. What we're doing today in that room is something that five years from now, 10 years from now, maybe 50 years from now will be an insight for people to look and see what country music was like during the era of people in that room."

Country's Family Reunion, a nine-DVD set, will be available for four payments of $29.99. Information: www.gabrielcommunications.com.

Country Greats Make Music

COUNTRY SUNSHINE - A TRIBUTE TO DOTTIE WEST UP AGAIN!!
Country Sunshine, A Tribute to Dottie West, is back in business!!  Brad's site was the first (and really only) place for Dottie fans, and it inspired me to share my love for Dottie, as well.  Brad has been a wonderful friend for the past five years and I've greatly enjoyed his stories and passion for Dottie and keeping her legacy alive.  The new layout is great and I would hope that you would stop by and check it out.  Let Brad know we're glad to have him back!!

Country Sunshine - A Tribute To Dottie West

HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM DOTTIEWEST.NET!!
Happy 2008!  A new year and a new look for DWN!  Thanks to all who stopped by this past year for a visit and those who took the time to write, too!  We had close to 61,500 visitors this past year--a new DWN record!  Thanks to all who helped to contribute to the site from pictures, articles, goodies, fan thoughts, etc.  We couldn't do it without you.  Here's to 2008 and *hopefully* a Hall of Fame induction!

GREATEST HITS DVD
A new Dottie West DVD was released on November 20, 2007.  It is a repackaged version of the "Best of Dottie West Live" DVD that came out a couple of years ago.  It was a concert that was part of a TNN show called "Church Street Station".  Two more songs are added and they've also included Tom Wopat's segment.  Country singer Freddie Weller is also mentioned, but was not on the original show.  Here is a list of songs included on the DVD:

Ain't Nothin' Like A Woman
A Lesson In Leavin'
Here Comes My Baby
An American Trilogy
Rocky Top
What Are We Doing In Love
I Fall To Pieces/Sweet Dreams/Crazy
Leavin's For Unbelievers

Tom Wopat - She Leaves Me Right Out Of My Mind
Tom Wopat - True Love
Freddie Weller - Games People Play
Freddie Weller - Road Home


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