Joe Diffie is your 2009 Headliner!
By: Joel Spears
ROGERSVILLE — It’s only January, but country music entertainer Joe Diffie is already planning to spend Independence Day in Rogersville.
The Rogersville 4th of July Committee made an official announcement on Monday that Diffie will be this year’s headline entertainment.
“This is our 20th year as a committee and we’re excited to have Joe Diffie as this year’s headline act for our anniversary,” Dr. Blaine Jones, chairman of the 4th of July Committee said.
Diffie will cap off the evening’s entertainment at Rogersville City Park on Saturday, July 4.
Since he first topped the charts in 1990 with “Home,” the Oklahoma native has delivered 12 Number One hits, 20 Top 10 songs and four gold and platinum albums.
Some of Diffie’s best-known songs are “Ships That Don’t Come In,” “Third Rock from the Sun,” “Pickup Man,” “John Deere Green,” and “If the Devil Danced (In Empty Pockets).”
In addition to the hits he kept for himself, Diffie’s songs have been recorded by Holly Dunn, Tim McGraw, Tracy Lawrence, Conway Twitty, Doug Stone, and most recently Jo Dee Messina, who’s recording of “My Give a Damn’s Busted” was a hit.
His journey to Nashville began when a song he wrote called “Love on the Rocks” was recorded by country artist Hank Thompson. Diffie then moved to Music City where he dived into songwriting and sang demos.
Singer Vern Gosdin once described Joe Diffie as “the man with the golden voice.”
As Diffie’s reputation as a demo singer grew, he caught the attention of music row’s record executives and was on his way to becoming a star.
Since then, Diffie has won a Grammy, CMA Awards, and been honored as Humanitarian of the Year by the Country Music Broadcasters.
He is also a member of the Grand Ole Opry, has recorded with George Jones, and toured the country numerous times.
“If you haven’t seen Joe’s live show, do yourself a favor and make sure you’re at Rogersville City Park on Saturday, July 4,” Jones said. “He will help us celebrate our nation’s independence, as well as the special occasion of Rogersville’s 20th Annual 4th of July Celebration.”
The Rogersville 4th of July Celebration Committee is an all volunteer, non profit organization. Volunteers are sought in every capacity and anyone who would like to help support the show may send donations to The Rogersville 4th of July Celebration, P.O. Box 35, 37857, Rogersvlle, Tennessee 37857 or visit www.rogersvillejuly4th.com.
Jesse Watson
Unlike most country artist today, Jesse Watson offers a kind of connection with the listener that usually is reserved for your superstars. This wholesome, cleancut cowboy approaches his music with such honesty and grace that you cant help to get caught up in the magic. His songs are about real people and real situations, and as you listen you find yourself feeling the joy, pain, and sorrow of the charraters in his songs. Born and raised in Blaine TN he has always wanted to express himself with his songs and thats just what he did. From an early age Jesse has been writing and singing, He also enjoys horses and is Vice President of a childrens charity called “Inner City Slickers”. Eventhough his love for music dives him, his heart belongs to his wife and four little girls. He is currently traveling to Nashville several times a month in attempt to land a Record Deal. He looks forward to performing at the Fourth of July show in Rogersville and promises a show that will not soon be forgotten. This will be the second time he has played there and is very excited about playing there again.
Bulls Gap
Bulls Gap, a small town nestled cozily in the southern corner of Hawkins County, Tennessee. It’s a place where simple values are interwoven in everyday life. It was here that Scott Arnold and Jerry Vincent met while attending grade school. The rural values that they learned in Bulls Gap have become the driving force behind their music: therefore, it seemed only appropriate that these two lifetime friends should choose Bulls Gap as the name for their band. Arnold’s and Vincent’s roots dominate their music as Vincent’s distinctive mountain vocals combined with Arnold’s time-warn harmonies to provide a glowing base for their regional themes. The marriage of their talents produces an unvarnished sound that is unmistakably pure country. This should not come as a surprise, since everyone is a product of their environment and of their commitment to success. The duo has been actively playing together as a band since they were 17. In reality, though, their singing began while they were in grade school, where they performed each year in talent shows. The fact that they have been together for the greater part of their lives explains the precision of their harmonies. There can be little doubt as to the commitment the duo have to their career. Bulls Gap has captured the truly authentic country audience with the sincere delivery of their songs.
THE DIXIE HIGHWAY BAND…
Their unique style of music defies labels, crosses musical boundaries, appeals to a variety of age groups and packs houses throughout the southeast and mid-west. Most any night of the week you will find these five, talented musicians turning whatever stage their on, into a high energy show filled with lots of fun, great music and good times. The Dixie Highway Band genuinely loves what they do for a living. It’s apparent to all who watch as they make their way through a musical odyssey of cover tunes and a string of strong, original material that stirs the soul.
Now in their tenth year as a successful touring act, Dixie Highway is still a relatively young band. But they’re confident in who they are, what they do, and how to get it done and their fans across the country are loving it.
Lots of other folks are noticing The Dixie Highway Band as well. They’ve shared the stage with some of Country Music’s biggest stars like; Blue Moon Rising, Robinella and the C. C. String Band, Sammy Kershaw, Carlene Carter, Amy Grant, and Sawyer Brown, Foreigner, Kansas and Diamond Rio just to name a few.
An East Tennessee based group, their roots run deep into the mountains of east Tennessee. So deep in fact, they took the name of the band from the old “Dixie Highway“, who’s eastern route once ran straight through the middle of Knoxville, Tennessee. It was a good choice of names for the band for as surely as that old highway was filled with twists, turns, and surprises, so is this band of guys who call themselves, The Dixie Highway Band. They’re as original in appearance as they are in sound and as individuals these guys each are truly good people. But most importantly they’re all great singers, song writers and musicians. But when they come together as a band that’s when it really gets good. Something unexplainable happens and whatever it is, folks begin to listen because they can’t help but listen until suddenly the audience is caught up in The Dixie Highway magic.
With all the fun any group could hope to create, the desire to succeed that anyone could want and the talent to make it all happen, The Dixie Highway Band is a band and a name you might as well get used to. It’s a pretty safe bet, there gonna be around Country Music for a long time.
“Greylan James” is a 12 year old from Knoxville, TN who has been singing and performing since he was 5 years old. In his brief career he has already performed at well over 300 events; from fairs to festivals. With a passion for country music, His musical influences include several legends from Hank Williams, Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Merle Haggard, Kenny Chesney, Brad Paisley & James Burton. Greylan is a true entertainer who plays several instruments from the electric and acoustic guitar to the mandolin and bass and continues to grow musically with the help of many talented local musicians and band members.
Over the years Greylan has competed at many state and local events and is currently the Tennessee Country Music Association’s 2008 & 2009 Male Vocalist, Entertainer, and Instrumentalist of the year; the 2008 & 2009 North American Country Music Association International’s Male Vocalist, Entertainer, Instrumentalist and Songwriter of the year, and Nashville’s 2008 Rising Star Winner. Greylan is also a member of the Country Music Association,BMI and the thing he is very proud of, The Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
Greylan, also just recently completed his first CD which features several traditional country songs; but most importantly it features two songs that he wrote
At the age of eleven about his Grandmother who passed away 18 months ago. The title track “Dear Grandmommy” is the song he wrote the day she passed away and performed it at her service. He continues to write and record and has several new projects; along with a busy performing schedule that he is working on at the ripe old age of 12.
With a passion for music beyond his years, you’ll see a true performer with star quality on stage.
You also can visit Greylan at
www.myspace.com/greylanjamesmusic
Jeff Orr & Wildwood Rhythm
Mountain born and farm raised, Jeff Orrs’ love of his roots run deep in his music,
best described as his own brand of “True Blue Country” by the storyteller himself,
Tom T. Hall. Orr is a published writer with Tom T. and Dixies’ Good Home Grown
Music and the sole artist on their Blue Circle Country label. Orrs’ songs reflect the
everyday complexities of life,love and loss from the heart of a true blue country
boy. Jeff Orr and Wilwood Rhythm combine the original compositions of Orr
performed by the singer-songwriter in an all acoustic setting,complimented by the
ever present, tasteful sounds of Vic Graves on dobro.
” Jeff Orr ”
Mountain born and farm raised in the Blue ridge mountains of Carolina, Jeff Orrs’
music reflects his country roots.He sang from an early age, played banjo for the Tarheel cloggers at Twelve,and began songwriting after the death of his mother at fourteen.Nashville bound at eighteen,Orr was first signed to Chory records and later to GBS where he recorded all original material.Dissallusioned with the industry, he left town as his first single with GBS reached the Cashbox and Billboard charts.
He continued writing and pursuing the music he loved.As a side man he has written for and toured with Paul Williams, and Trey Hensley recording numerous projects with both.Jeffs’ songs have been recorded by numerous artist including
Larry Sparks, Paul Williams,Trey Hensley, Linda Lay,Springfield Exit, Blueridge,
Rob Nichols,Stacey York,The VW boys,Kentucky Sasafrass,and many more.
Orr is a published writer with Tom T. and Dixie Halls’ Good Home Grown Music and the sole artist on their Blue Circle Country label. ” Jeff Orr is such an all -around talent it’s hard to do him justice in a few words.Ask Paul Williams, George Jones and Tom T. Hall.All have encountered Jeff along lifes’ way and all were caught up in his ability to write,sing and now record his brand of true blue country music.” the Halls write.Former CMA president Tandy Rice compares Orrs’ writing to that of his mentor Tom T. and his sound to that of Jones with heavy doses of Waylon,best described by the storyteller himself as True Blue Country straight from the heart of a true blue country boy.
EXIT 33 Biography
Christian Rock N Blues Band EXIT 33 is five members strong with a classic Rock N Blues sound, tight harmonies with a powerful message.
Formed in August 2004, the band started out as a Prison Ministry playing and ministering to local and regional prisons but God started opening more and more doors for the band to spread his message to include churches, festivals and many local events.
Whether in front of 50 people at a local church or 500 at a regional festival one thing stays consistent with EXIT 33 and that is to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ through their music.
“Through His Words Come Our Songs Of Praise”
EXIT 33
Alan Wells: Lead Guitar, Vocals
David Tankersley: Rhythm Guitar, Vocals
Duke Carico: Bass, Vocals
Jeff Johnson: Drums, Lead Vocals
Willie Smith: Keyboard, Sax, Harmonica, Vocals
http://myspace.com/theexit33band