Zane Lewis / Wine Fest Re-Cap

This is what we love about Sunday.... a lazy day at the wine fest! Despite the weatherman's threat of rain, and early overcast skies, the blue sky formed a halo over the fairgrounds and it turned out to be a sunny day at the Harvest Wine Festival! Eager wine tasters arrived early to sample the wares of wineries from around New Mexico. Crowds grew as the skies cleared and by mid-afternoon the fairgrounds were a flurry of activity. UnDiskovered, a cover band from Albuquerque, entertained early on with a variety of familiar songs. The grape stomp turned out to be a popular event. By mid-afternoon, eager participants were lined up waiting to claim a barrel. Winners were adorned with golden medallions of the highest quality precious plastic. Slant Records recording artist Zane Lewis took the stage for the late afternoon music set. The audience warmed up to him immediately after Zane made that announcement that his parents were NMSU Alumni, and he delivered the elder Lewis' greetings to old friends in Las Cruces. Zane and The Bad A$$ Country Band then proceeded to rock out with familiar covers of Hank Williams, Jr., Merle Haggard, and Charlie Robison as well as selections from his own two CD's This Town and Zane Lewis. In between sets, Zane signed autographs and met with new Las Cruces fans.

The video is a sample of Zane's show for those who missed the fun. Be sure to check out ALL the pictures of Zane and the wine fest activities in the Photo Gallery on the main web page.

Bellamy Brothers and Zane Lewis Interviews

Yee Haw! It's a pre-Labor Day Weekend Feel Good Friday! Today is the Grand Finale of the Great Gas Giveaway, and The Country Station has not one, but TWO interviews for you today! Stay tuned after the last gas stop, because Zane Lewis will be calling in to talk to Sheila this afternoon after 1:00. You'll want to hear about what kind of a show he'll be doing at the Harvest Wine Festival on Sunday.


And in support of the Bellamy Brothers concert at Whiskey Dicks - TONIGHT - Sheila spoke to Howard Bellamy this week from his ranch in Florida:

SKK: Hi, Howard. The Bellamy Brothers are going to be in El Paso Friday night?

Howard Bellamy: Yes we are.

SKK: That’s just down the road from us here in Las Cruces, so we thought we’d talk to you and see what’s up. We haven’t gotten to talk to you since last year when you were up in Ruidoso.

HB: Yeah, it’s been a while. You guys all right?

SKK: Yeah, we’re doing pretty good here. You just keep skirting us a little bit. You’re up in Ruidoso; you’re down in El Paso, one of these days we’ll have to get you right here into the heart of Las Cruces.

HB: Yes, we’ll have to work on that.

SKK: Looking at your tour schedule, you and David have been around everywhere. Did you get to go to Europe this year?

HB: Well, we’ve been twice already, so yes, we’ve seen plenty of Europe this summer, and we have another tour in the winter. In February we go back; so a lot of overseas travel is still going on.

SKK: Do you ever get to rest very often? What do you and David enjoy doing in your downtime?

HB: Well, you know, you can’t do 50 albums in 30 years having a lot of downtime. So in our downtime we’re writing songs, or we’re working on the ranch, or you know … it’s kind of not like work when you’re doing something you like. That’s the great thing about having a career in something you love to do.

SKK: You mentioned 50 albums. Is this your Number One Hits? Tell me about that.

HB: Yes it is. We have a Number One Hits album out that is our number 50th, and it’s been out in the stores now a couple months. You can download it in any ITunes or on our website bellamybrothers.com. It’s a collection over the years. It’s twelve songs, of our number one songs of course. You know, it’s the first time we’ve had a total number one album out over the years.

SKK: You’ve had a lot of Greatest Hits, but all of your hits weren’t necessarily number ones then. Is that what you’re saying?

HB: Exactly. Yeah, we’ve had thirty-something hits, but I think we’ve had fifteen number ones. So this is twelve of ‘em; so you’re getting a lot of ‘em on this collection.

SKK: Now the Jesus Is Coming album, you had a lot of success off of that one, for being gospel. Do you plan on doing anymore gospel work, or do you plan on doing any more new country work?

HB: Well you know, there’s just no telling what we will do, Sheila. We enjoyed doing the gospel album for sure. It was a great thing to do. I know our mother was very happy with us. She’s 83; she finally thinks we did something worthwhile. We did a gospel album, and we got nominated for two Dove Awards. It was kind of going back to our roots to do that project. And I must say it was one of the more enjoyable projects we’ve ever done, and we most likely will do another one, you know. We’re not going totally in that direction, of course, but we’ve always liked to do various kinds of songs. You know, you can look back even on our number one hits and there’s a lot of variety on there. We’ve never been accused of not touching on different subject matters for sure.

SKK: What else does The Bellamy Brothers have in the works? RFD films did a bit about your ranch for an American Ranchers show, how was that?

HB: You know that was great. We’re big RFD fans. It’s a rural network for your ranchers, farmers, and agricultural people, of course, and we were raised on a ranch in Florida … still live here, and yeah, the RFD came out and did a story of our old ranch. It’s been in our family since 1870, so it’s a pretty interesting piece. We had a good time doing that. The rural network … they do different stories on different ranches around the country. They do cattle sales on there, and various things …stories of ranches. They do a lot of rodeo, bull riding, and that sort of thing. So it’s, you know; if you’re a real cowboy or cowgirl, you’ll like it.

SKK: You guys ought to write a book, you’ve had such an interesting life.

HB: Well we’re working on one, as a matter of fact. You know, we see these people who had a five year career … two year career, and they’ve already had a book out. We’ve been around thirty-three years; so we’re working on a book right now actually. We’ve toured and traveled in some sixty-five countries around the world over the years and have a lot of stories. Some of ‘em we can’t tell over the air, so we had to put ‘em in a book.

SKK: What about a movie? Who do you think should play Howard and David in a movie?

HB: Oh, Cheech and Chong, I guess. (laughs) I have no idea, but we have had a colorful career, you know … got to travel the world more than most acts, especially country acts, and been lucky enough to have a lot of big records overseas as well as the States. So we’ve gotten to see the world and a lot of different cultures, which is something we always wanted to do growing up.

SKK: The Bellamy Brothers have definitely had an excellent career, and you do travel a lot, and you do try to make it into our area. It seems to me to be at least once a year, if not every couple of years that your schedule brings you into the southwest. So we definitely look forward to seeing you Friday night.

HB: Yes, we love the southwest. We try to get there during green chile season. We love the food, of couse, in the southwest.

SKK: You’re coming during chile season. Are you going to be able to stick around? Because you’re playing Whiskey Dicks on Friday night, and then on Labor Day Weekend up in Hatch is where the big green chile festival takes place. So it’s all the chile you could possibly want.

HB: Oh we know all about Hatch, and we actually order from them during the season there every year. And we just got our big order in. We’re not going to be able to go to the festival, because we’re headed on to Arizona. But we will get our chiles for sure.

SKK: Have you ever been to Whiskey Dicks before?

HB: This is our first time there. We’ve played El Paso many times over the years, but definitely our first time there. So looking forward to it … heard some good things about it.

SKK: So it’s a 10:00 show with yourself, your brother, all of your hits that you do per tradition, and you’ll just have people dancing out there and just loving’ you all night long.

HB: Well that’s what we hope for. I tell everybody we’re always insulted when people don’t get up and dance. We’ve kind of been know for getting people on their feet over the years and dancing to our music. We enjoy that.

SKK: I appreciate your time, Howard; it’s been wonderful to talk to you.

HB: My pleasure, Sheila; and you go to that chile festival and eat some for us.

SKK: We’ve got a wine festival going on this weekend, too, so it’s chile one direction and wine in the other direction.

HB: Oh boy! It don’t get better than that!

Don’t miss The Bellamy Brothers, 10 PM at Whiskey Dicks on George Dieter in El Paso. Doors open at 7. Tickets are $20, available in advance at Corral West at Mesilla Valley Mall. $25 at the door.

Come With Me to the Wine Fest

Tomorrow is the final day of the Great Gas Giveaway. Don’t miss the Grand Finale Event at the newest Pic Quik off Sonoma Ranch / Hwy 70 tomorrow between 11 am and 1 pm.

Today’s news brings us another inspirational book and CD combo. Faith Hill’s first Christmas CD will have an accompanying book based on the song “A Baby Changes Everything.” The songwriters, Tim Nichols, KK Wiseman and Craig Wiseman, have written a short storybook with the same title. The book and song celebrate the story of Jesus' birth, with the message of how one baby changed the world ... and how all babies change our lives in such a positive, powerful way. Look for the CD Joy To The World on September 16th, and the book October 28th.

Spotlight Artist Zane Lewis performs at the Harvest Wine Festival on Sunday. Bring your good-time attitude and be prepared for a rockin’ show. Citing his influences as .38 Special, Lynard Skynard, Garth Brooks, and Chris LeDoux, this former magazine publisher promises a little rock in his country. Check out the video for the last single “Come With Me.”

What A Story ...

It’s Half Off Wednesday fight fans! 2 for 1 tickets go on sale at 6 am for Powerhouse Sports Presents Live Wire full contact cage fighting. Hurry before the ever-popular fight tickets sell out.

To get you in the mood for Zane Lewis in concert this Sunday at the Harvest Wine Festival, check this out: This smashing moment from the CMA Music Fest in Nashville this past June should give you an indication of what kind of rockin’ show we’re in for on Sunday. And if you missed the video for Zane’s latest single “Welcome to the Southland” just scroll back down to Monday’s post.

For those that will be in front of the television for at least part of the Labor Day weekend, the 43rd Annual Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon begins Sunday. This year’s crop of country artists who will be out to help Jerry’s kids include Reba McEntire, Sugarland, Tracy Lawrence, Jimmy Wayne, and a grown-up Billy Gilman.

The fall TV season is shaping up and again there will be a country star on Dancing With The Stars. Although this time, the country star is the teacher! Julianne Hough will take part in the seventh season of Dancing With the Stars with dance partner Cody Linley. The 18-year-old actor who played Jake Ryan on Hannah Montana is the youngest celebrity ever to compete on the hit show. The rest of this year’s celebrity cast includes Lance Bass, chef Rocco DiSpirito, Olympic beach volleyball player Misty May-Treanor, Olympic runner Maurice Greene, Toni Braxton, Kim Kardashian, Cloris Leachman, Ted McGinley, Brooke Burke, comedian Jeffrey Ross, football player Warren Sapp and Susan Lucci. The show premieres September 22nd on ABC.

Album news:
Kenny Chesney releases his next album Lucky Old Sun October 14th. Following Sugarland's lead, Kenny is releasing a Deluxe Fan Edition of the CD that will include the songs “Boston,” “Soul of a Sailor,” and live versions of “Got A Little Crazy” and “Guitars and Tiki Bars.” Rascal Flatts is putting out their first Greatest Hits package on October 28th. The 16-track CD will include 13 of their biggest hits and 3 Christmas songs, “White Christmas,” “Jingle Bell Rock” and an a capella version of “I’ll Be Home For Christmas.” The three holiday tracks will be available as part of the Rascal Flatts CD for a limited time and will be the only Christmas songs available from the band. And the next project from Tracy Lawrence will be a Christian album. It’s a project his parents have always wanted him to record and he says now was the perfect time to record the CD with songs that could be country or Christian. Tracy even wrote a few songs with his pastor while working on the project.

Ever seen the dog tags that Jack Ingram wears? Believe it or not, Jack explains that he wears the tag as a sign of loyalty to his favorite burger joint, Whataburger. "It seemed appropriate to wear," Jack says with a grin. "It brings back memories of playing for burgers and beer back at Adair's in Dallas when I was starting out." Explaining the rest of his tags, Jack says, “I also wear a 'Never Lost' tag, taken from a Hertz rental car, on the chain with a 'Dreams Come True' tag that Sugarland gave me when we toured together. I just thought, as a touring musician, being never lost and staying on course is important. Of course, maybe what I am really trying to convey is that I am never lost on my way to a Whataburger!"

And finally, another WhataStory from Trisha Yearwood. Last week, Trisha was on her way home from a three-day, 60-mile walk to benefit the Susan G. Komen breast cancer foundation. "We had been in the air for almost an hour when we heard a loud pop," Yearwood tells People magazine. That pop was a window towards the front of the plane that cracked at 30,000 feet. "The flight attendant came back and told us to remain calm," Trisha explained. "That's when we saw the two pilots with the oxygen masks on. Hearing them breathe like Darth Vader made it a little harder to stay calm." As the crack in the window got bigger and bigger, the plane made an emergency landing in Baltimore before the window completely shattered. After a few hour delay, Trisha was able to get a safe flight home to Oklahoma.

And Also Appearing....

This weekend is the Harvest Wine Festival at the SNM State Fairgrounds. Visit wineharvestfestival.com for more information, including entertainment schedules. You'll see Zane Lewis on Sunday at 3:15, and on Monday at 3:15 a young lady making her way into country music, Rebecca Owen.

Rebecca was recently featured in Country Weekly Magazine with a mention from her June show at the Nashville Songwriters Festival On Music Row. CW magazine editor Larry Holden called her song "Loser In A Lovin' Game" charming and included it in the mag's Listen Up! section and online download page. She wrote the song for the upcoming film The Coyote County Loser now filming in New Mexico. Louisiana-born, New Mexico transplant Rebecca Owen was named Artist Of The Month by Governor Bill Richardson's New Mexico Music Commission for the month of August.

Is it nearly Labor Day Weekend?

The kids are back in school, NMSU is a flurry of activity, sports will be on the air soon, and Labor Day Weekend is knockin' on the back door. Where did the summer go?

A few reminders from The Country Station: The Great Gas Giveaway ends this week. Zane Lewis prize packs and Harvest Wine Festival tickets will be available all week. And don't forget to check out the website beeresponsible.com to study up for the morning quiz so you can qualify to win a trip from Budweiser to see Alan Jackson. Tune into The Country Station for more details.

From the files of the Spotlight Artist: Zane Lewis.
Zane has a new video hitting the video channels this week. Get a peek at "Welcome To The Southland" right here: ...it's got girls ... water .... girls .... mud ... girls .... beer .... pretty much all you need in a summer video. Did we mention the girls?

The Great 8-Track Attack!

Happy Monday. Hope you had a great weekend. Still no pictures of Sunday Urban.

There are some new concert announcements! !
Aaron Watson will be appearing at Take II on August 7th.
Sammy Kershaw show at Whiskey Dicks on August 15th
The Bellamy Brothers have a date with Whiskey Dicks on August 29th.
Zane Lewis at the Harvest Wine Festival on August 31st.
Josh Gracin will be LIVE at the SNM State Fair on October 3rd.
And none other than Miss Carrie Underwood will be gracing the stage of the Pan American Center on November 3rd.

Entertainment will be announced soon for The Whole Enchilada Fiesta, and as more details become available for all of these shows, the information will be posted here on the blog.

While we’re looking ahead to fall entertainment, save a date for Josh Turner. October 10th is release day for Billy: The Early Years. Josh portrays gospel singer George Beverly Shea in the film that follows the early career of evangelist Billy Graham. And if you really want to stretch your boundaries of country, get a load of what’s coming out on October 14th. Rapper Snoop Dog will be putting out an album of Johnny Cash covers. Johnny Cash Remixed features “bold new interpretations” of Johnny Cash classics from top music producers and re-mixers will “infuse” songs like "I Walk The Line" with today’s modern hip hop and dance mix styles.

Now back here at The Country Station, Jerry Hardin has come into some retro wealth. Write to Jerry and in 25 words or less, explain why he should give you an entire collection of 8-track tapes. See the CONTEST tab back on The Official Website for more details. You could be groovin’ to 8-tracks of the original Johnny Cash!