European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - January 5, 1987, Darmstadt, Hesse                                New faces in country music in 1986 Dwight Yoakam loathe o Kanes above and Randy Travis right. An Avalanche of new Talent in country music by Jim Lewis United press International n All the interviews Lor this column with More than 50 at lists and Industry Execl rvs Over Iho past year there was a Standard question to what do you attribute the acknowledged and dramatic improvement in the Quality of country music the answer with varying degrees of Artic Lacy was always the same the Avalanche of new Talent it must be remembered thai Ricky Skaggs Roba Mcentire and George Strait Are Iho veterans who Are being challenged by the newcomers and Skaggs Cemire and Strait have been a1 the top Lor Only Jive years or less. Thai is not to say they Are on the decline Mcentire was named country music association entertainer of the year Strait repealed As male vocalist of the year and Skaggs had firs Best year commercially Over and Alabama continued its huge commercial Success m spite of the fact thai Tho no. 1 act in country music was not nominated for a single award in this year s Cha show. But Tho onslaught of new Talent has been the real s Lory and Hal claim is epitomized by the arrival of Randy Travis. A year ago the 26-year-old Singer was washing dishes Between singing stints at Tho Nas Viila the Yearin review Palace club today he s a Skeg in Gold i a Sale of More than a Hall million copies of his fantastic album slams Otto Travis a shy North carolinian has struck a chord will live Counley audiences As Well As with country radio to is the newest Zombor of the grand Clio opry and his Impact cannot to overemphasized.  13 a  in a Way Hal music Row executives in Nashville would hardly have accepted five years ago in last to was t accepted then. The euphemism is thai he was discovered Only in Pic past year. But As Travis explained in an interview to hag been kicking around in country music since to was n in Dot Ager trying to make it. Why his change in Allilda by the people who decide who gals record Label contracts ii seems axiomatic in retrospect but record Industry producers Ond local vice presidents o the major labels had their backs against the Wall. Their product in Tho Early 1980s had become stagnant to a Greal out Cal but Nowil is vibrant. Tho latent had Boon Inere for a Long Trio but had never been Given a Chance. Now comes along Travis t Graham Brown. Dwight Yoakam Keith wet Ley. Lyle Lovett. Steve Earle Pake Mcentire the girls next door Holly Dunn Judy Rodman Kathy Mallea the forester Sisters. Sweel Charls of the Rodeo res loss heart Sawyer Brown Tho o Kane Sand others Bui those now laces who have come upon the scone Tell Only Parl of the Story. Thero Are people who have been around Lor a while who Are making not exactly comebacks but resurgence is at the very least. These include Dan seals Marie Osmond Michael Johnson. Billy Joe Royal Tanya Tucker to Namo Only a few. In a review of country music Over Iho past year it would be absurd to. Overlook Tho contribution made by the judds the Mother daughter team of Naomi and Wynonna. They were honoured with their second straight country duo of the year by the Cha. The reason they won the award is thai their music continues to be Iresh and. Most important country. But even with Randy Travis popularity Iho year cannot go completely to the traditionalists. Travis Success is measured by his album sales and the singles released from it 1982, on the other hand and Diggin up Bones. By that yardstick t. Graham Brown has had three nil s of his own wish i could hurl thai Way again i Tell ii Lite ii used to be and hell and High water. All three came of the same album / Tell it like it used to be. Brown is  a traditionalist but a blues oriented Singer of vast Talent who proved once again Hal country music will never confine itself to restrictions and special mention must be made of Dwight Vaham the Man with an almost messianic Mission to resurrect Honky Tonk music. He has done that with a vengeance with his album Quillis Cadi lacs Elc now approaching Gold Lalus in searching for what is the common thread of the most successful artists in country music during 1966, it is apparent thai the younger audiences have assorted themselves and they want authenticity and simplicity. They get it Wilh Travis the georgian Brown and the Cah wornian Yoakam. As country superstar Hank Williams jr., whose Success Sims mainly from younger audiences noted in Ono of the few interviews to granted during 19b6 when they Young people listen to my albums they Don t get a Bunch of songs about i m drunk again and my Darlin a gone " what they re getting is Beller music from younger artists and record Industry execs who Are letting Falen Iod people do their own thing i Ghoul the Handicap of the shackles of the past in Tho form of a this is the Way it s always born Dono Altitude. Page 16 the stars and stripes monday january a 1987