DENNIS WELCH 10-20-2022
DENNIS WELCH
If songwriter/recording artist/author Dennis Welch could wave a wand over how the world will remember him, he would choose just one word:
Storyteller.
Over 500 songs. Two books. Concerts far and wide. It’s what he is meant to do here in this world. Tell stories and create a place to go to find yourself or answers, or maybe just a good laugh. One thing for sure. You’ll always find love there.
He has been privileged to write with some of the great songwriters: Allen Shamblin. Monte Warden. Fletch Wiley. Will Callery. Lenny Cochrun. He has learned from each writing partner along the way and he continues to grow.
His latest collection of songs is What Love Makes Us Do, his fifth studio album. It was produced by long-time Little River Band Guitarist, Rich Herring and released September 2021 on Herring’s Wurld Records.
Dennis believes it is his best work. But he strives to do even better.
He is six songs into his next recording, due out in Spring 2023.
Why? Because there’s always another story to be told.
The next one.
joHN FORD COLEY 10-27- 2022
JOHN FORD COLEY
John Ford Coley was one-half of the Grammy nominated duo that gave us such timeless classics as I’d Really Love To See You Tonight, Nights Are Forever, It’s Sad To Belong, Gone Too Far, Love Is the Answer and so many more. England Dan and John Ford Coleywere legendary performers with double platinum and gold record hits and their music endeared them to audiences around the world. Dan Seals is now deceased, but John Ford Coley has kept their music alive.
“I’d Really Love To See You Tonight”appeared in the film "Long Kiss Goodnight" with Geena Davis and Samuel L. Jackson and most recently his and England Dan Seals’ song “Simone” was featured in the new HBO Series “Vinyl” where two actors portray John and Dan in the studio singing the song.
Over the years John has shared the stage with many of the music industry’s famous hit makers. Some of those, include, Elton John, Heart, Fleetwood Mac, Chicago, Carole King, Bread, Loggins and Messina, Led Zepplin, Carly Simon, Bill Cosby, Steve Miller Band, Randy Bachman, Jesse Colin Young, Air Supply, Ambrosia, Poco, Terry Sylvester (formerly of the Hollies), Orleans, Lou Gramm, Gordon Lightfoot, Dan Hill and Stephen Bishop, to name a few.
John’s television exposure crosses all demographic boundaries. He's hosted “The Midnight Special” and co-hosted “The Mike Douglas Show”. He's appeared on “The Tonight Show”, “Merv Griffin”, “David Soul and Friends”, American Bandstand”, “Hollywood Squares” (A Special Rock Edition), “Make Me Laugh”, “Don Kirshner’s Rock Concert”, “Prime Time Country”, and the “Trinity Broadcasting Network.”
SONGS
England Dan & John Ford Coley- What Can I Do With This Broken Heart
England Dan & John Ford Coley- Gone Too Far
England Dan & John Ford Coley- Love Is The Answer
England Dan & John Ford Coley- Lady
England Dan & John Ford Coley- Hollywood Heckle and Jive
England Dan & John Ford Coley- Calling You Again
England Dan & John Ford Coley- I’d Really Love To See You Tonight
AN AMERICAN CHRISTMAS WITH WILLIAM LEE GOLDEN & THE GOLDENS
WIILIAM LEE GOLDEN & THE GOLDENS
William Lee Golden and the Goldens will perform 'An American Christmas' at Americanaville!
William Lee Golden is a shining example of a life well lived. A true American original. Since joining the Oak Ridge Boys in 1965, he has become a member of the legendary Grand Ole Opry, inducted into both the Country and Gospel Music Halls of Fame, won 5 Grammy Awards (+ 23 nominations), 1 American Music Award, 4 Country Music Association (CMA) Awards, 4 Academy of Country Music (ACM) Awards, the 2008 ACM Pioneer Award, 10 Dove Awards and the 2010 President’s Honor.
In addition to those accolades as an Oak Ridge Boy, Golden has also recorded and released such critically acclaimed solo projects as 1986’s American Vagabond and 2000’s My Life’s Work. He has received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Alabama Music Hall of Fame and has received the Entertainer of the Year Award from the Cherokee Indian Association, which is composed of 21 tribes from across America.
Never one to sit still, Golden gathered his sons Rusty, Chris, and Craig in the studio, along with his grandchildren Elizabeth, Rebekah and Elijah and friend Aaron McCune to record a 3 album collection. The result of those marathon sessions became Country Roads: Vintage Country Classics, Old Country Church Gospel (featuring their first #1 with the single "Come And Dine”) and Southern Accents: Pop & Country Rock.
Rusty and Chris have performed together as The Goldens since the 1980’s (Epic Records, Capitol/SBK Records) and have had award winning solo careers in their own right.
At the age of 19, Rusty played on his first #1 record with Larry Gatlin. The next year he received a solo development deal with ABC MCA. At 24 he received a RIAA GOLD record as a songwriter. That has been followed up by two Billboard top 40 singles, Songwriter of the Year trophies from SGMA, two Song of the Year awards, two Grammy nominated albums, 2010 BMI AWARD most performed traditional gospel song, and five #1 charting songs.
Chris played with The Oakridge Boys for 17 years, as well as with Alabama, and Restless Heart. He has earned seven No. 1 Gospel singles, two top five, 2019 Entertainer of the Year at the Inspirational Country Music Awards, Producer, Instrumentalist, and Male Vocalist of the Year, and 2019 Country Gospel Artist of the Year from AGM. Chris’s ability to captivate an audience with an inspirational message has afforded him opportunities to perform for every living United States President.
Although each of the members of William Lee Golden & The Goldens have performed at The Grand Ole Opry many times over the years, they made their successful Opry debut as a family band in June 2022.
“I feel like these recording projects and videos with my sons and grandkids will ultimately be my greatest legacy in music,” William Lee says. “I’m baring my heart and soul. We sang these songs to bring people hope and comfort in spite of all of the negativity you see on TV. In doing so it fed our souls and brought us even closer together”.
In addition to his musical pursuits, the 83-year-old icon loves sharing his life with his beloved wife Simone in their historic Tennessee home as well as refining his craft in painting and photography.
All his life, Golden has bravely pursued his visions and lived life on his own terms. “Throughout life you’ve got to keep your focus,” he says. “A lot of people will try to take you down side roads that you don’t want to go, but you’ve still got to keep your focus on who you are, what brought you to the game and what game you are playing to win. I want to be able to sing what’s in my heart. It’s certainly a mental, emotional, physical and spiritual release to get it out of me. ”
Golden has been moving forward every day for more than eight decades and shows no sign of slowing down. After all, how many octogenarians record four albums and write a book during a pandemic? That’s William Lee Golden—always on the move, always creating, and always turning visions into reality.
Be sure to catch William Lee Golden and The Golden’s on tour. From revered gospel classics to beloved country gems and iconic rock favorites, Golden leads his family through the songs that have been stepping stones on his well-traveled musical journey. It all comes together as a rich sonic tapestry that fans will cherish.
