Not enough classic sounding country music?

My artest friend Kimberly Manning writes
"Two myths that are running rampant today:
1. "They don't make country music like they used to." FALSE -- Yes... WE DO. There is plenty of us making music just like they used to.

2. "You can't find any country music in Nashville." FALSE FALSE!! Go into Roberts Western world on any given weekend and tell me that ain't country. Or the ET Record shop or the Station Inn or..."

to which I respond
 If they don't make country like they used to why am I finding more great country,honky tonk, bluegrass and western swing then I have the time and space to broadcast on this station. ?

 Despite listening hours that are half of what they were last July, I will continue to get behind artests
most radio stations won't touch or whose play is limited to weekly shows.

 Also if you can support us with a premium membership, check out the latest desktop players for computers and phones.

Mid year recap

BRC Mid Year top 15

1. "All Over Again" The Mavericks
2. "There's A Tear In My Beer" Hank Williams Jr
3. "Osborne Brothers Medley" Joe Mullins and the Radio Ramblers
4. "Kiss Me Big" Tennessee Ernie Ford
5. "Engine Engine Number 9" Roger Miller
6. "What Do I Care" Johnny Cash
7. "Wolverton Mountain" Claude King
8. "The Mountain Doctor" Don Rigsby
9. "Choo Choo Chi Boogie" Western Swing Authority
10. "Is It Already Time" Wade Hayes
11. "I Know One" Jim Reeves
12. "They Call It Music" The Gibson Brothers
13. "Country Sunshine" Dottie West
14. "Lay My Body Down" Bonnie Bramlett
15. "Gypsy Runaway Train" The Roys

Ratings are still down with Live 365 issues and increased ways to listen to music. As far as new music though it's been the strongest early year I've heard since I started broadcasting in 2008.   Bluegrass is hot with Western Swing hanging in behind. Also a few great albums from elder legends including Emmy Lou Harris/Rodney Crowell, Kris Kristofferson and Willie Nelson. 

While it's tough to fill the shoe's of George Jones, let us also remember Patti Page, Jack Greene and Gordon Stoker.

Travel highlights were the 3rd  Don Walser reunion show, the evening with Miss Leslie and Joe and a long night at the Station Inn with Flatt Lonesome and Joe Mullins and the Radio Ramblers.

Keep in touch and lets keep my definition of country on the air.

Some recent playlist adds

Playlist Adds March 19

Get Well soon David Allan Coe
"You Never Even Called Me By My Name" 

Nominated for Americana song for the Independent Music Awards
"Cold Dark and Lonely" The Carper Family
"I've Got A Feeling" The Western Swing Authority

"Within This Broken Heart of Mine" Hank Snow
"Engine Engine Nr 9" Roger Miller
"Garbage Man" Merle Haggard
"Osborne Brothers Medley" Joe Mullins and the Radio Ramblers
"You Don't Know Me" Willie Nelson
"Looking Back To See" Buck Owens/Susan Raye
"I Lost My Job of Loving You" Buddy Miller and Jim Lauderdale

Playlist Adds March 14
"They Call It Music" The Gibson Brothers
"Blessed Be the Bad Ones" Dallas Moore
"Last Day At Vicksburg" Bradley Walker
"The Lady in Gray" Ronnie Bowman
"Feeling Mortal" Kris Kristofferson

BRC Top 14 for first quarter of 2013 (A reminder our charts end in October)

BRC Top 14 for first quarter of 2013 (A reminder our charts end in October)

1. "There's A Tear In My Beer" Hank Williams Jr/Hank Williams Sr
2. "Chug A Lug" Roger Miller
3. "Kiss Me Big" Tennessee Ernie Ford
4. "Choo Choo Cha Boogie" Western swing Authority
5. "What Do I Care" Johnny Cash
6. "New Star Over Texas" The Time Jumpers
7. "Country Sunshine" Dotty West
8. "Wreck and Ruin" Casey Chambers & Shane Nickolson
9. "Kaw-Liga" Hank Williams Sr
10. "Years I've Been Loving You" James Hand
11. "Saturday Night" Amber Digby
12. "Ragged But I'm Right" George Jones
13. "Fightin Side of Me" Merle Haggard
14. "Time Stood Still" Vern Gosdon

Your alternative to the likes of Blake Shelton

I'm in the camp of folks who don't insalt my country music elders. I've been able to support these legends since I got online in 1995 and hooked up to some interesting music folks and their fans. This station is the penicle of my support and I love getting to mingle with folks from Raleigh to Nashville to Austin. I'm looking forward to the April 17 march on Music Row.

So many folks continue to complain and miss the old days of commerical radio. Why not give our station a listen? Our listening hours are way down and issues with Live 365 are not all the blame. also let me know what you like or hate.

The first quarter of our reporting year for 2013 favored a nice batch of classics but also a couple gals Amber Digby and Kasey Chambers who would never fit the country mold.  (Jan through Oct). As long as it's there my mission will be to expose folks to new Bluegrass, Honky Tonk and Western Swing as well as tributes as
they fit.

BRC Top 20 Jan 5 2013

BRC TOP 20 Week Ending January 5

     1.  "New Star Over Texas"  The Time Jumpers
     2.  "New Day Dawning"  The Roys
     3.  "Choo Choo Ch Boogie"  The Western swing Authority
     4.  "Color Of the Blues"  Leona Williams
     5.  "How Much is That Hound Dog In the Window"  Homer and Jethro
     6.  "Tennessee Waltz"  Patti Page
     7.  "Midnight"  Red Foley
     8.  "There's A Tear In My Beer"  Hank Williams Jr
     9.  "Cowboy Ramsey"  Don Walser
   10.  "Darcy Farrow"  Chesapeake
   11.  "It Hurt's Me"  Buddy Miller & Jim Lauderdale
   12.  "Settin The Woods On Fire"  Chuck Mead and the Grassy Knoll Boys
   13.  "Wreck and Ruin"  Kacey Chambers & Shane Nicholson
   14.  "Every Storm (Runs Out of Rain)  Gary Allan
   15.  "Mountain of Love"  Charlie Pride
   16.  "I Just Dropped In To Say Goodbye"  Carl Smith
   17.  "If He's Moving In I'm Moving Out"  Brady Bowen & Swing Country
   18.  "Years I've Been Loving You"  James Hand
   19.  "Going Down the Road"  Bobby Bare
   20.  "Take Hold Of My Hand"  Dwight Yockam

   Welcome to BRC 2013.  Lot's of recent releases here and a bunch more coming.

Anyone want to give us a bumper

Cindy and I might be making some new bumpers tonight (Monday) for our 5 year birthday and the holidays.
If anyone (artists or fans) would like to give us a greeting I can possibly give you a call.  Otherwise you can email me an mp3 up to 20 seconds.

Top 29 for 2012

1. "I'm Not Even Close" Georgette Jones
2. "I'm Barely Hanging On To Me" Johnny Paycheck
3. "No Yodelin On the Radio" Karen Collins
4. "One More Teardrop" Andy Vaughn and Driveline
5. "Got A Feelin For Ya" Kelly Willis
6. "Take Me Back To Tulsa" Colby Shepard
7. "Amigo's Guitar" Laura Cantrell
8. "My Own Kind Of Hat" Alan Jackson

9. "Riverboat Gambler" Eight Dollar Mountain
10. "Rose Garden" Lynn Anderson
11. "Thirty Years of Farming" James King
12. "Too Gone Too Long" Randy Travis
13. "This Weary Heart You Stole Away" Keith Whitley/Ricky Skaggs
14 "Tennessee Local" Carolyn Martin
15. "Me and Bobby McGee" Kris Kristofferson
16. "I Broke It" Buck Ford
17. "I'm a Walking Advertisment For the Blues" Karen Collins
18. "My Name is Jimmy Martin" Eight Dollar Mountain
19. "Here Comes Country" Joni Harms
20. "Until At Last I'm Home" Dailey and Vincent
21. "Skip A Rope" Henson Cargill
22. "Down Along the Dixie Line" Gillian Welch
23. "All Through Throwing Good Love After Bad" Verlin Thompson
24. "25 Minetes To Go" Johnny Cash
25. "Talkin Texan" Gary Nicholson
26. "Singing As We Rise" The Gibson Brothers
27. "Holding On To Nothing Left" Marty Stuart
28. "Your the Reason God Made Oklahoma" David Frizzell & Shelly West
29. "Why You Been Gone So Long" Lard Bucket

Happy 5th BRC

Now featuring our 5 year anniversary  celebration. It was mid December 2007 when I got a chance to revamp what was Ram Radio on Live 365.  I started out with a lot of classic's and a few of my favorite acts that were not featured much but fit my format (Most of my friends had not heard of Marti Brom or Terri Joyce who wrote our top song of 2008 "Blue Tattoo").  Our first bluegrass buzz was the release of the first albums of The Steeldrivers and Dailey and Vincent.

Our bluegrass hour started in 2008 and switched to rotation of Classic and Current in late 2010. In 2012 we added Del McCoury's radio show "Blue Side of Town" and a Western Swing hour each twice a week. I joined IBMA in 2010.

More memories coming

Adds for Aug 20 Remembering Danny Roy Young

Wednesday August 20, 2008 I was excited about my upcoming 50th birthday. It happened to fall on a Thursday which meant a night with the Cornell Hurd crew at Joveta's. I could not believe I got a cell phone
message to call a friend and learn of the passing of my Austin guardian.

Danny gave me many rides to shows or from lunch at the Texacalli back to my hotel. I wonder what he would think of the changes south of the river such as the closing of more venues and changes around the Broken Spoke.  I still get to Austin but I miss my dear friend.

Playlist adds

The Cornell Hurd Band
"Mad At You"  version from Cool and Unusual Punishment
"Morning Noon and Night"  A Stagecoach named Desire

"A Sinful Life"  Ponty Bone and the Squeezetones

BRC Top 20 Week Ending August 18

1. "You Win Again" Hank Williams
2. "Heart's Like Our's" Connie Smith/Marty Stuart
3. "Bridge Over Troubled Water" The Whitstein Brothers
4. "Gentle On My Mind" Richard Bennett
5. "My Heart Is On the Mend" Larry Stephenson
6. "She Dreams" Karen Collins
7. "Just Call Me Lonesome" Radney Foster
8. "Country Gal" Old Crow

 Medicine Show
9. "Making Believe" Merle Haggard
10. "Rose Garden" Lynn Anderson
11. "Amigo's Guitar" Laura Cantrell
12. "Can You Find It In Your Heart" Kitty Wells/Webb Pierce
13. "Saddle Bronc Girl" Ian Tyson
14. 'Singing As We Rise" The Gibson Brothers
15. "I Give You Music" Dennis Adkins
16. "Sick Sober and Sorry" Austin Music Band
17. "One More Teardrop" Andy Vaughn and Driveline
18. "Back In Your Arm's Again" The Mavericks
19. "I'll Keep Calling" JP Harris and the Tough Choices
20. "La Porte D'en Arriere" Gary Roadarmel & the Parrish Commissioners"

Nice week folks. Adding a couple Cornell Hurd tracks tonight to honor my buddy Danny who will be gone 4 years tomorrow. Grange Fair is this week and I hope to see and meet Leona Williams on Friday. I'm also excited for a bunch of Bluegrass friends for their recent achivements and nominations.

Oldest track of the week "You Win Again".

BRC Top 20 Week Ending August 11

1. "La Porte D'en Arriere" Gary Roadarmel & the Parish Commissioners
2. "Back In Your Arms Again" The Mavericks
3. "Wine" The Lucky Tomblin Band
4. "Momma's On A Roll" Lee Ann Womack
5. "Jealously Insane" Johnny Bush
6. "Trademark" Carl Smith
7. "Detroit City" Bobby Bare
8. "One More Teardrop" Andy Vaughn and Driveli

ne
9. "Lackawanna County Blues" The Saddletones
10. "I'm Barely Hangin On To Me" Johnny Paycheck
11. "My Bucket's Got A Hole In It" Hank Williams Sr
12. "Farewell To Carolina" Carl Caldwell
13. "Rose Garden" Lynn Anderson
14. "Got A Feelin For Ya" Kelly Willis
15. "Here Comes Country" Joni Harms
16. "Grandpa's Barn" The Roys
17. "I'm Over You" The Boxcars
18. "Amigo's Guitar" Laura Cantrell
19. "And So It Goes" Don Williams
20. "Just Call Me Lonesome" Radney Foster

Can't wait until Wednesday evening and the IBMA announcments

Oldest track of the week "My Bucket's Got A Hole In It"

Playlist adds Aug 10 and 11

Pickin"  California  Slaid Cleaves  Album Even More Songs of Route 66

"Freeborn Man"  Jimmy Martin
"To a Sleeping Beauty"  Jimmy Dean
Remembering Jimmy Martin (1927) and Jimmy Dean (1928)  A Bluegrass legend and a singer who brought country music to mainstrem TV then moved to pork.

"The Last Letter"  Rex Griffin
"Won't You Ride In My Little Red Wagon"  Hardrock Gunter and the Dalhart Imperials

Born August 12, 1912  Rex was one of the early acts on Decca.  Won't You Ride In My Little Red Wagon later became the theme song for Hank Penny. Alcoholism, and Diabetes killed him at age 46.



"

Playlist adds Miss Leslie, The Time Jumpers, Jeff Parker

"She Gave Up On Herself"  Miss Leslie and her Jukejointers  Album cut from "Wrong Is What I Do Best" 2010

Back in the summer of 2005 on my predecessor RAM RADIO, our Houston DJ Sam programmed the first album from a gal in his part of town. The track Honky Tonk No More grabbed me at first listen. Then I found out her steel guitar player was a dear friend I met through Dale Watson.  Honky Tonk Revival was my album of the year and Leslie showed up after a Cornell Hurd show that September in Houston. (I met Sam the first time that night also).  Since then I've seen about a half a dozen of her show's in Austin and shared many moments on Facebook

This track comes from her third studio album which is mostly original material. A Kickstarter program has just begun for a new album and ebook.

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1664612910/new-cd-and-ebook-by-miss-leslie-anne-sloan


"On the Outskirts Of Town"  The Time Jumpers (Single) featuring Vince Gill

Yes there is Western Swing in Nashville most Monday nights.  A new album will be  released in September and a move from the Station Inn to 3rd and Lindsley.

"Hello Darlin"  Jeff Parker  Album Cut from Go Parker

In our quest to prove there's still good country music being recorded

  La Porte D'en Arriere Gary Roadarmel and the Parrish Commissioners

In December it will be 5 years since I took over the broadcast side of the Real Country radio crew.. Among the aspiring acts I met through the boards was Gary Roadarmel a guy from Nashville with a  punk type country group "Porter Hill Tennessee"  (Think Hank 111) and a gospel release with his then wife.  Gary  is now in Louisiana remarried and just released this new single.

 I'll Keep Calling  J P Harris and Tough Choices  /Album  I'll Keep Calling: Cow Island

I've been a fan/supporter of the Cow Island  label since I first heard of Arty Hill in 2008 then The Dixions and Ethel and the Regulars. The icing on the cake was  Austin singer/songwriter Teri Joyce and her  bud Monica (Little Mo) Passion.

As I often do when I find something on Airplay Direct I got on Facebook to see what folks were liking about
this and Beth Chrisman of the Carper Family recommended "Just Your Memory" which went to Number 1 one week on our top 20.  J P has been touring hard to good reviews even in sub markets such as Lancaster Pa. He also just finished a successful campaign  on Kickstarter to replace a worn out van.

BRC Top 20 Week Ending August 4

1. "Got A Feelin For Ya" Kelly Willis
2. "I'm Barely Hanging On To Me" Johnny Paycheck
3. "Rose Garden" Lynn Anderson
4. "Amigo's Guitar" Laura Cantrell
5. "Here Comes Country" Joni Harms
6. "One More Teardrop" Andy Vaughn and Driveline
7. "And So It Goes" Don Williams
8. "I'm Over You" The Boxcars
9. "Grandpa's Barn" The Roys
10. "Momma's On A

 Roll" Lee Ann Womack
11. "Can You Find It In Your Heart" Webb Pierce/Kitty Wells
12. "Tears Only Run One Way" Robbie Fulks
13. "Just Call Me Lonesome" Radney Foster
14. "Heartbreak USA" Kitty Wells
15. "I'll Keep Calling" J P Harris and the Tough Choices
16. "Singing As We Rise" The Gibson Brothers
17. "Gonna Come Back As A Country Song" Alan Jackson
18. "Are You Gettin' Tired Of Me" BR549
19. "Farewell To Carolina" Carl Caldwell
20. "Old New Straitsville Moonshine Run" Special Consensus

55 % new material and kudo's to the ladie's and bluegrass.
Oldest Track this week "Can You Find It In Your Heart"
A bunch of Hall of Fame birthday adds this week and next
week the final ballot for the IBMA awards.

BRC Top 20 Week Ending July 29

1. "I'm Barely Hanging On To Me" Johnny Paycheck
2. "Got A Feelin For Ya" Keklky Willis
3. "Rose Garden" Lynn Anderson
4. "Eternal Vacation" Dailey and Vincent
5. "Are You Gettin' Tired of Me" BR5-49
6. "Heartbreak USA" Kitty Wells
7. "Here Comes Country" Joni Harms
8. "And So It Goes" Don Williams

9. "One More Teardrop" Andy Vaughn and Driveline
10. "Old New Straitsville Run" Special Consenus
11. "Amigo's Guitar" Laura Cantrell
12. "Jealously Insane" Johnny Bush
13. "Farwell to Carolina" Carl Caldwell
14. "Can You Find It In Your Heart" Webb Pierce/Kitty Wells
15. "Wedding Bells/Lets Turn Back the Years" John Prine/Lucinda Williams
16. "Smoke Along the Tracks" Joe Mullins & the Radio Ramblers
17. "Singing As We Rise" The Gibson Brothers
18. "I Broke It" Buck Ford
19. "Imitation of Love" George Jones
20. "There Must Be Another Way To Live" Amber Digby

Listening hours holding up well but more votes are needed.

Have you checked out or Western Swing Hour on Tuesday evenings or Wednesday mornings. More new music coming.

Oldest track of the week "Can You Find It In Your Heart

BRC Top 20 Week Ending July 20

1. 'Farewell To Carolina" Carl Caldwell
2. "Come From The Heart" Kathy Mattea
3. "Singing As We Rise" The Gibson Brothers
4. "I'll Be There" Ray Price
5. "Amigo's Guitar" Laura Cantrell
6. "Can You Find It In Your Heart" Webb Pierce
7. "It Wasn't God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels" Kitty Wells
8. "Skip A Rope" Hans

on Cargill
9. "And So It Goes" Don Williams
10. "One More Teardrop" Andy Vaughn & Driveline
11. "All Through Throwin Good Love After Bad" Verlon Thompson
12. "My Name Is Jimmy Martin" Ray Edwards
13. "I Wanna Be A Cowboy's Sweetheart" Patsy Montana
14. "Tear The Woodpile Down" Marty Stewart
15. "Love In Three Quarter Time" Kimberly Murray/Bob Manning
16. "Wedding Bells/Let's Turn Back The Years" John Prine/Lucinda Williams
17. "Smoke Along The Tracks" Joe Mullins & the Radio Ramblers
18. "Ace In The Hole" George Strait
19. "Imitation Of Love" George Jones
20. "There Must Be Another Way To Live" Amber Digby

What a week for tributes legends and friends. Aside from the Queen of Country Music "Kitty Wells" we honor Susanne Clark and Dennis Adkins.

Also nice to see The Gibson Brothers on the same chart as one of their idols Verlon Thompson.

Oldest track of the week "I Wanna Be A Cowboys Sweetheart"

BRC Top 20 Week ending July 14

1. "The Gal Who Invented Kissing" Hank Snow
2. "Spanish Fandango" Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys
3. "My Name is Jimmy Martin" Ray Edwards
4. "Skip A Rope" Henson Cardgill
5. "I Broke It" Buck Ford
6. "Don't Fall in Love With A Girl Like That" The Boxcars
7. "Luckenbach Texas (Back To The Basics of Love) Waylon Jennings
8. "I Want To 

Be A Cowboy's Sweetheart" Patsy Montana
9. "Song On the Jukebox" Karl Shiflett & the Big Country Show
10. "My Sweet Lady" John Denver
11. "I Give You Music" Dennis Adkins
12. "Trainride To Bulls Gap" Archie Campbell
13. "Sparkin" Deke Dickerson
14. "Take Me Back To Tulsa" Colby Shepard
15. "Muddy Water" Bobby Osborne and Rocky Top Express
16. "Sweet Sally" Lonesome River Band
17. "I Kissed The Bus" The Geezinslaw Brothers
18. "One More Teardrop" Andy Vaughn and Driveline
19. "Tears Only Run One Way" Robbie Fulks
20. "Imitation Of Love" George Jones

Oldest track of the week "Spanish Fandango"

BRC Top 20 Week Ending July 7

BRC top 20 Week ending July 7

1. "I Kissed the Bus" The Geezinslaw Brothers
2. "Got A Feelin For Ya" Kelly Willis
3. "30 Years of Farming" James King
4. "Imitation Of Love" George Jones 

5. "I Broke It" Buck Ford
6. "Gonna Come Back As A Country Song" Alan Jackson
7. "Muddy Waters" Bobby Osborne & the Rocky Top Express
8. "Long Black Limo" Travers Chandler & Avery County
9. "Calls I Haven't Made" Todd Fritsch
10. "Tears Only Run One Way" Robbie Fulks
11. "Sweet Sally Brown" Lonesome River Band
12. "Smoke Along The Track" Joe Mullins and the Radio Ramblers
13. "The Ballad Of Jed Clampett" J D Crowe & the New South
14. "My Bucket's Got A Hole In It" Hank Williams
15. "Filipino Baby" Ernest Tubb
16. "I'm Barely Hanging On To Me" Johnny Paycheck
17. "In My Dear Old Southern Home" Don Stover/The Lilly Brothers
18. "Wedding Bells" John Prine/Lucinda Williams
19. "One More Teardrop" Andy Vaughn & Driveline
20. "Tennessee Stud" Nitty Gritty Dirt Band/Doc Watson

I've seen or met folks connected to 12 of these tracks. Nine tracks are current and I'm not playing the single from the only act you would hear on Country top 40 stations (Alan Jackson).

Oldest recording My Bucket's Got A Hole In It.