NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – Merle Haggard says Ray Price “was probably the first outlaw” in country music. And Haggard says he thinks Willie Nelson will agree – even though they both he and Nelson have reputations as renegades. Haggard says Price “was out there fighting for what he believed and doing it his way.” In the end, Haggard says Price “knew what he was doing.” Price died this week at age 87. Other country musicians offered their thoughts about Price. Willie Nelson says he is “sad beyond words.” And Charlie Daniels says Price had the gift of making any song he did his very own – and that he “was one of a kind.”

 

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DALLAS (AP) – He may not have gotten the credit he deserved for it. But those in country music who know such things say Ray Price will be remembered for changing the sound of country music and setting trends that are still being followed today. Price has died. He passed away yesterday from pancreatic cancer at age 87. Among those remembering him is Ray Benson of Asleep at the Wheel. He says Price was “a giant” in Texas and in country music. Benson says aside from having “one of the greatest voices that ever sang a note,” Price had a career of more than 65 years “in a business where 25 years would be amazing.” Price is best known for his hit “For the Good Times.” He was elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1996, long after he had become dissatisfied with Nashville and returned to his home state of Texas.

 

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UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. (AP) – Blake Shelton says he wants to have a Grammy in his home when the awards are given out early next year – and he doesn’t really care whether he or his wife, Miranda Lambert, wins it. Both she and Shelton are up for Grammys this year. And rather than it being a source of competition, Shelton says it just means he has twice the number of chances having another in his house. He says no matter who ends up winning, people who visit their home will see the Grammy on a shelf – and he can let them think he won it, instead of his wife. Lambert already has one Grammy to her name, winning it in 2011. Shelton hasn’t won one yet.

 

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Singer and songwriter Kris Kristofferson will be honored with the Recording Academy‘s Lifetime Achievement Award during a Grammy Week ceremony Jan. 25, with formal acknowledgment of the honor made during the Jan. 26 Grammy telecast onCBS-TV. Kristofferson joins the Beatles, the Isley Brothers, Kraftwerk and more as this year’s recipients. The award recognizes “performers who have made contributions of outstanding artistic significance.”

 

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TYLER, Texas (AP) – Country music star Ray Price is in what his wife calls his “final days.” The musician has ended treatment for pancreatic cancer and is now receiving hospice care at home. Price was discharged from the East Texas Medical Center in Tyler – and the hospital says the cancer has now spread to Price’s liver, intestines and lungs. His wife says her husband is “alert and aware of his surroundings”- but is losing his two-year-long fight against the disease. She says her husband’s “final message” to fans thanks them for their support – and she says he hopes he hasn’t let them down. Price started in the 1950s as a honky-tonk singer and branched out toward pop with hits like “For the Good Times.”

Fans may leave message for Price on his Facebook Page:  https://www.facebook.com/pages/Ray-Price/368389809921178

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NBC Olympics has teamed with The Voice and Republic/Big Machine’s Danielle Bradbery for a promotional campaign featuring her song “My Day,” which debuted Tuesday night on the network. Sixty and 30-second spots featuring her performance will air across NBC’s family of networks leading into the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi. Watch here. The song was written by Ross Copperman, Tom Shapiro and Mallary Hope.

 

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WASHINGTON (AP) – Veteran country star Ricky Skaggs will be coming to Washington next week. And like most people who come to DC on official business, he’ll be there mostly to talk, not to perform. He’s to be the featured luncheon speaker at the National Press Club a week from today. He will share memories of his 50-year career in country and bluegrass music. And it’s expected he will break out his guitar and sing some of his biggest hits for the audience.

 

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Billy Currington will take his We Are Tonight Tour on the road in the Spring. The run starts March 6 in Tulsa, OK and features openers Brett Eldredge and Chase Rice. See full list of dates here.

 

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Garth Brooks is firing up the machine with tour announcements and a new single release from his current Walmart exclusive box set. “You know what, since it’s you and since we’ve had a history forever, let’s announce it,” Brooks told ABC-TV‘s Good Morning America anchor Robin Roberts Monday morning. “We’re going on a world tour in 2014. I can’t believe I just did that but you are a doll.” Later on CBS-TV‘s The Talk, Brooks revealed plans for a three-year world tour that will make everything else he’s ever done “look small.” As for radio, Brooks’ new single is “The Call” and features Trisha Yearwood. Watch the GMA interview here. Brooks retired from the road in 2000.

 

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