Cowboys In Cybersp@ce - November 1999

"Cast Your Net"

Webcasts were all the rage over the last two months. Kix Brooks & Ronnie Dunn held a Listening Party, live from the BMG theatre on historic Music Row in Nashville. It was staged on the eve of the release of their new album 'Tight Rope'. Hosted by U.S. television and radio celebrity Katie Haas, the hour-and-a-half live broadcast featured several songs from 'Tight Rope', which were heard for the first time. There was also an intimate question and answer session with a live audience, comprised mostly of International media representatives. Brooks & Dunn, the top-selling country duo of all time, clowned their way through the session. At one point Kix quipped, "I cast out on the Web for a whole afternoon once, and never caught a thing!" They also had the audience laughing at their attempts to give out their Web site address in a Southern drawl. Fans also had the chance to ask questions by phone or by E-mail .You can catch the archived version of the Brooks and Dunn Cybercast at the Twang This! Web site.

The very next day, the CMA Awards BACKSTAGE PASS Event took place. A day before the prestigious awards show, they presented a Webcast like no other. In association with their pay-per-view television special, CountryCool.com took viewers on an all-access trek through the pre-awards show excitement, with a LIVE webcast of the event, leading up to the CMA Awards. Interviews were conducted with many of the stars of the Awards show, including The Wilkinsons, SHeDAISY, Terri Clark, Alabama and 'N SYNC, plus the elusive George Strait. Interviews held backstage at the rehearsals include Jo Dee Messina, who mentioned visiting Australia, and Lonestar, who were prompted by the mention of the first Entertainer of the Year winner, Eddy Arnold, to launch into an impromptu yodel from "Cattle Call". Two Webcams were also keeping a constant eye on the proceedings. One camera was on the balcony of the stage at the Opry House, while the other was in the Acuff Theatre. If all this live activity wasn't enough, in the Video Gallery you could see archived video of Brenda Lee, Kenny Chesney, Brad Paisley and Sherrié Austin announcing and discussing the nominations.

The following day, while the CMA Awards were being broadcast, the Webcast gave a unique and different perspective to the action. Ever wondered where the stars disappear to after they are presented with their trophies? Well, first call is the Press Room, and a Webcam was there to capture the winners talking to the International media. Winner of the Female Vocalist Award, and soon to be visiting Australia on a promo tour, Martina McBride explained how she felt happiest for her husband. In previous years, he was apparently more disappointed than Martina was herself, that she didn't win. Jo Dee Messina was as excited to have met Dolly Parton as she was to be taking home the Horizon Award. There was much talk of the need for acceptance of 'new' and 'old' style Country Music, with Shania Twain defending her position, and Vince Gill playing the diplomat. If he ever stopped singing, Vince could run for office! Here in Australia it was pleasing to see that the mainstream media carried news reports of Shania's win, and the Sunday papers had pictures in their social pages of Shania, The Dixie Chicks, and Vince Gill at the awards. Coupled with Faith Hill's recent chart success 'This Kiss' and Martina McBride's hit 'I Love You' from the 'Runaway Bride' movie, there must be an improvement of the perception of the broadness of Country Music in the eyes of the Australian public and media. If only we can use that power for good, instead of evil! Back in the CMA Chat Room fans were being less than tolerant, buzzing backwards and forwards with less than flattering opinions about each others favourite stars, and explaining to newcomers the significance of Alan Jackson's protest against the CMA's treatment of George Jones.

Classic country was well served the following week when the sound of Merle Haggard came booming across the Net. To celebrate Haggard's accomplishments, TBA TV produced 'Merle Haggard for the Record.' This three hour 'docu-concert' chronicled Merle's legendary career and featured more than 30 of his number one hits. The famous Las Vegas Hilton served as setting for this historic event, and The Hag's story was told by guest hosts Dick Clark, Ralph Emery, Willie Nelson and others. Special musical guests included pop sensation Jewel, Dwight Yoakam and Connie Smith. My favourite bit was Merle pretending to introduce the band to each other, and explaining to Biff Adams, his drummer of many years, how the beat to one of the hit songs was supposed to go. The sound was relayed by Live On The Net who Webcast many great shows.

The good news is that most of the webcasts mentioned above have been archived, and can still be viewed and heard on the World Wide Web.

• Some local Webcasting; Frank Ifield broadcast one of his 2KY Sunday Special radio shows live from Rooty Hill RSL on October 17th, and out to the world via the Net. Check Frank's Web site now for photos of the show. Special guests included Wayne Horsburgh, Darcy LeYear, Melinda Schneider, and Colin Greatorix, winner of the Golden Saddle Award for New Emerging Talent at the Galston Country Music Festival. Wayne Horsburgh is pictured (left) with his A.C.E. Award for Male Country Performer, 1999.

• The Dixie Chicks, as you might expect, have a Web site that is a lot of fun. Relying on the technology of Shockwave Animation, there are lots of humorous audio and visual metaphors based on the title of their new CD 'FLY'. There is plenty to explore here, and their Guest Book reveals comments from a number of Australian fans who are anxiously awaiting their arrival.

• Speaking of Shockwave, check out the super menu design at the Street Wise Music Group Web site, home of the Stallion Records label. Navigate their pages via an animated laser jukebox. You'll also find more stunning action and sound at the Rough Red Web site. View the pictures taken on the band's first European tour, and read an excerpt from 'I Hope I Die Before I Get Old', John Fegan's literary account of their exploits. Oh, and don't forget the music. Sample some songs from their brilliant new album, 'Seeing Red', out now on the Stallion label.

  

   

• With a swag of awards, including a Grammy, and a chart-busting single paving the way for a new album, Martina McBride is flying high. The songs that make up the album 'Emotion' contain plenty of substance, and her delivery is faultless. On-line, Martina's fans have plenty of choice, including her section at the Twang This site, and a trip to the Martina McBride Fan Club site.
  

• Tanya Self has come up with another winner. Real Good Thing is a CD EP that also includes the Golden Guitar winning track, Drive Away, a duet with Adam Harvey. Visit Tanya's Web site and be sure to go Ahhh! when you click on photos of baby Chalyse Rayne.

• I caught up with Kinky Friedman in a publishing house Chat Room last month. He was there talking about his new mystery novel, 'Spanking Watson'. Kinky says he is looking forward to seeing us all in the New Year. I was fascinated to read the legend of the Kinky Friedman Lucky Plectrum at his Web site, being the proud possessor of one myself. I'll leave you this month with some parting advice from The Kinkster, 'find what you like and let it kill you'.

Don't forget to listen out for Cowboys in Cybersp@ce each month on the radio waves with Belinda Miller of Murri Country , 4AAA –FM (98.9 in Brisbane).
If you want to share the location of an interesting site you’ve seen or request a topic for discussion in future columns, why not E-mail me. Until next month, happy surfing.

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