On thing is sure today; the hottest producer in the business now is Dann Huff. He has completed the trifecta. A few weeks back, his production on the new Martina McBride “Shine” album debuted at #1. Ditto the Keith Urban and now the Rascal Flatts. His work really sparkles. Dann is a hot guitarist, as well. He comes from good stock. His dad, Ronn Huff is a wonderful musician and conductor. He is a legend in the Christian music industry. So, we can see where Dann gets his musical genes.

When it comes to production of country music, producers need to put together recorded material that can get played on modern-day “country” stations. Producers make music for radio. Country radio programmers use the copout that they can only play what Nashville sends them. At any rate, we have switched to listening to stations that play traditional country. They don’t play just oldies, but they do play current records that are solid country as sung by country singers and written by country writers. To take this a little further, we will do a section on “The Ears”. It will deal with Country programmer’s radio backgrounds and it will help explain why we hear so much garbage on modern County radio stations. Don‘t miss it.

Steve Buckingham is leaving Vanguard Records/Welk Music Group after 11 years, where he served as Sr. VP A&R. Steve will be missed. Welk will shift A&R duties to the Santa Monica, CA headquarters. Steve has a great history in the business and has a wonderful reputation with all in the industry. We’ll keep you posted on his next move.