European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - January 04, 1990, Darmstadt, Hesse                                George Strait who hit with beyond the blur Neon won entertainer of the year honors. Country Kathy mall a a traditional country stylist was chosen As the Cha s top female vocalist. Ricky Van Shellon the Cha s top male vocalist in 1989, recorded Loving proof. By in Lewis United press International country music has come a Long Way since Eck Robertson fiddled his Way into history in a new York City recording studio in 1922. Robertson who was born in Amarillo Texas in 1887, is credited with making the first country music recording. He and fellow fiddler Henry Gilliland met in Virginia and decided to go to the big City to make a few records. Robertson s Solo was the first Cut and a duet with Gilliland was right behind. How limes have changed. Today talented country artists show up before record Label executives with their organizations in place. They have lawyers agents Slick demons ration records a keen business sense and ambition. And they Are Selling records galore. From january through september 1989, there were 26 Gold or Platinum records by country artists. For the entire Calendar year 1988, there were 24. To Walker Meador executive director of the country music association said one Way to measure How country music is doing is to watch the Cupit in outlay of the record companies. Curb Arista and Atlantic have All opened offices in Nashville tenn., she said. Also the established labels Are expanding their operations in the City and the Cha itself is building a new Headquarters building. Walker Meador said country music has More than 2,000 radio stations across the country and is in every major Market. We feel very Good about country radio. Many of our stations Are no. 1 in their markets and several in major markets Are no. 1." the Cha a unique organization whose Only function is to promote country music has hired a new York consultant to make presentations to advertising firms. We feel that there Are improved attitudes about country music and More dollars Are flowing to country music stations Walker Meador said. There Are More corporate sponsorships and endorsements of products than  country music she said is also becoming established overseas. In the United kingdom country radio has grown by 40 percent with deregulation. She noted that the first country festivals were held last year in Japan and in Brazil. In 1989, As in the past three or four years major new acts have burst upon the scene. Foremost among these is Clint Black whose album killing unit has already gone Gold. And Long established performers likes Willie Nelson George ones ill Buck Owens Are enjoying a new round of popularity with soaring record sales and sold out concerts. In october one of the oldest of the old liners Bill Monroe 78, celebrated his 50th anniversary on the grand Ole opry the live country music show he helped transform into an american institution. In february he won a grammy award in a newly added category Best Bluegrass recording. In 40 years with Mca records Monroe has sold More than 50 million records. He has entertained in every stale and in several foreign countries Anil still performs 100 times a year at Bluegrass festivals country music shows and the like. None of the growth would have come about 11 the the top 20 country and Western albums of 1cjhbased on Bill Burti Magazine s Survey of sales Ami broadcast play. Were 1. No Holdin Back Randy Travis 2. Killin time  3. Whin Lime Kern Dolly i Irton 4. Reba live Reba Mcentire 5. Simple Man Chariot Daniels band 6. The boys Are Back Sawyer Brown 7. Lookin for a hit Dwight Yoa Karn 8. Loving proof Ricky Van Shellon 9. The Road not Takin Shenandoah 10. Leave the Light on Lorrie Morgan 11. Garth Brooks Garth Brooks 12. Greatest mils Iii Hank Williams a. 13.1 wonder do you think of me Keith Whilley 14. Alone Vern Gosdin 15. Beyond the Blue Neon George Strait 16. Keys to the Highway Rodney Crowell 17. A horse called music Willie Nelson 18. An old time Christmas Randy Travis 19. Something inside so Strong Kenny Rogers 20. This woman . Oslin music itself had not continued to improve said i Larold Shedd a producer and head of Mercury poly ram s Nashville office. He said he sees improvement both musically and technically. It s better than it s been since i came to Nashville in 1972," Shedd said. I think right now the country music Industry covers a very Broad spectrum. For example Mercury poly ram has Kathy Mattea who is As traditional As can be and on the other end there s the Kentucky headhunters who Are pushing the boundaries. One of the reasons country music is becoming More popular is that there is a bigger and better Range of  the music of the headhunters a five member band from Glasgow ky., is As intriguing As their name. They play country Rock n Roll Bluegrass blues and jazz what member Doug Phelps Calls a blend of Merle Haggard Bill Monroe and led  Shedd noted that 25 percent of the top 100 charted country songs in mid december were performed by female artists adding that s never occurred in country music  Shedd said the major labels Are in direct Competition to find new Talent in country music. They the labels Are not trying to hide from new artists. A Guy i m looking at is being looked at by four other labels. There s More  Shedd said the atmosphere has never been better for up Antl coming Arliss. If they really have the Talent and Are dedicated they will have the Opportunity. There s a lot of Luck involved but i think the secret is to be Able to negotiate he said. George Strait was honoured As entertainer of the year in the 23rd annual country music awards show in september. Black won the horizon award for the most promising newcomer. Other Cha winners included Ricky Van Shelton and Kathy Mattea male and female vocalists i m no stranger to the rain by Keith Whitley single will the Circle be unbroken vol. Ii by the nitty Gritty dirt band album chiselled in Stone written by Max d. Barnes and Vern Gosdin song Highway 101, vocal group and the judds vocal duo. Country legend Hank Thompson and music publishers Jack Stapp and Cliffie Stone were named to the Cha s Hall of Fame. January 4, 1990 stripes Magazine