CMT News

NASHVILLE SKYLINE: Press Releases That Were Not Issued

Old Scrapbook Yields a Fascinating History That Almost Was

Not so long ago, I visited an old friend who recently retired. She was a press agent for many years, dating back to when they proudly called themselves just that -- press agents. She said she had something she wanted to show me. She went into a storeroom and returned carrying a dusty, worn scrapbook. Carefully wiping away the dust and cobwebs, she opened it and said, "These are some releases that were written that never went out. I wish some of them would have." I began reading:

HOLLYWOOD, Jan. 6, 1975/PRWireIntl/Elvis lead


Elvis Accepts Lead Role Opposite Barbra in "Star" Re-make

Singer Elvis Presley has agreed to play the lead male role opposite Barbra Streisand in a new update of the motion picture "A Star is Born," Warner Bros./Barwood Films announced today. Although both Marlon Brando and Neil Diamond had been considered for the role, Kris Kristofferson had been the frontrunner for the role before Streisand reportedly said she favored Presley. "My boy will be a smash in the movie," said Presley manager Col. Tom Parker. The movie is scheduled for Christmas 1976 theatrical release. Presley's last movies were Charro, The Trouble with Girls, and Change of Habit, all released in 1969. more

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NASHVILLE, Mar. 1, 1963/PRWireIntl/Cline lead


Singer Cline Announces Custom Bus Tour

Singer Patsy Cline has announced that she will undertake a new tour, traveling exclusively by specially customized bus. She had previously traveled by automobile and private airplane, but had grown more concerned about travel after a near-fatal car crash in 1961. Her first tour date is March 3 in Kansas City. more

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BEAUMONT, Tex., July 15, 1991 (AP)


Singer Nelson Begins Prison Term

Country Singer Willie Nelson began serving a twenty-year prison sentence in the United States Penitentiary here today. Nelson was convicted of failure to pay $16.7 million in back income taxes. His representatives said the singer vowed to continue his efforts to have the sentence reversed. more

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JUPITER, Fla., Sept. 1, 1977/PRWireIntl/Wynette lead


Country Diva Wynette to Retire

Country singer Tammy Wynette has announced plans to retire from country music to open a hair and beauty salon here. Wynette said she had always kept her beauty operator's license renewed throughout her country music career. She had recently divorced her fourth husband, a Nashville businessman, and expressed a desire for a more stable life. more

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NASHVILLE, Jun 1, 1996/PRWireIntl/Parton lead


"Sister Sunshine" Parton Opens Revival Tour

In what is being dubbed the "Sister Sunshine Tour," The Rev. Dolly Parton begins her first series of revival services on the road at the Rev. Jimmy Snow's Evangel Temple in Nashville today. Further dates include Birmingham, Montgomery, Louisville, Cincinnati, Kansas City, Little Rock and Dallas. Parton retired from country music after her last No. 1 hit, "Rockin' Years," in 1991 and announced her conversion. more

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OKLAHOMA CITY, Nov. 1, 1985/OKPRWire


OSU Grad Opens Ad Agency

Oklahoma State University alumnus Garth Brooks announces the opening of his advertising agency, GB Unlimited, in Oklahoma City. Brooks formerly lived in Nashville, where he recorded country songs. His degree in advertising from OSU was awarded in 1984. more

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NASHVILLE, June 1, 1983/PRWireIntl/Cash lead


Cash Announces Move to Branson

Country singer Johnny Cash has announced that he is moving to Branson, Mo., to open a year-round dinner theater and concert venue. "Cash's Cooking Corner" will be the tentative name of the venture. Cash's wife June Carter Cash will also make the move and appear with him in shows in the theater. Cash's last No. 1 country song came in 1970 with "Flesh and Blood." The singer said he welcomes the opportunity to cut down on tour traveling and to "stay put in one place for awhile." more

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Note: this was one of two newspaper clippings I saw:

NASHVILLE, Sept. 1, 1952 (AP)


Singer Hank Williams Cancels Tour

Country singer Hank Williams has canceled all touring dates on his schedule for the time being, a spokesman for Acuff-Rose said today. Further details were not announced but there have been reports here that Williams had entered an unspecified clinic for treatment. He had repeatedly missed show dates recently due to "personal problems." Scheduled shows had included a New Year's Eve performance in Charleston, W. Va., and a New Year's Day show in Canton, Ohio.