Saddened to announce that Doc Watson has died at 89 in NC

I just got this news...
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (AP) — The manager of Grammy-winning folk musician Doc Watson says the artist has died. He was 89. Mitchell Greenhill said in a news release that Watson died Tuesday at Wake Forest Baptist Hospital Medical Center in Winston-Salem, N.C. A hospital spokeswoman also confirmed Watson's death. Watson w...as a master flatpicker, playing his acoustic guitar at lightning speeds that could intimidate other musicians. The blind musician also sang and played other instruments, including the harmonica. His many awards include the National Medal of the Arts in 1997 and the lifetime achievement award from the Grammys in 2004. His albums earned seven other Grammys. Watson was also known for Merlefest, an annual gathering of musicians in Wilkesboro named after his son, who died in a tractor accident in 1985.

I had the pleasure to meet Doc Watson and play with him somewhere around 1984 in Roanoke, Virginia. I extend my deepest sympathies to his family and fans. He was an awesome picker. RIP Doc...the music industry has lost a legend.

TODAY AT THE NATIONAL UNDERGROUND IN NASHVILLE

SPECIAL GUESTS INCLUDE:

JIMMY PARKER

TOMMY TURNER

MIKE WOOTAN(?)

AND THE

EUROPEAN HIGHWAYMEN!

Watch it at home! www.facebook.com/rosskeycountry

Click the USTREAM icon!

SAT • MAY 19: ROSS KEY COUNTRY 2012 SPRING FLING

PRESS RELEASE
05/17/2012

LEBANON, TN -- Ross Key will host his first Annual Spring Fling in Lebanon, Tennessee this Saturday, May 19 at PRO BOWL WEST located at 501 West Baddour Parkway. This annual event has been a Ross Key Country tradition in his hometown of Lynchburg, Virginia. Now that Ross resides in Nashville, he has decided to carry on his concert featuring performers and songwriters from around the country with special guest appearances. You just never know who may show up!

"Every year I do this to give back to the community, fans, friends and family who have supported me throughout the years of my career," Key stated. "Having moved to Nashville in 2011, I wanted to do the same for my new home. We've got a fantastic lineup of talent encompassing traditional country, country, blues, bluegrass, swing, gospel and so much more. The event is a means for performers and songwriters to have the chance to meet and form new friendships, network and enjoy the freedom of meeting and making fans."

The event is free and open to the public. There are 21+ performers on the lineup, and the event begins at Noon on Saturday and runs until midnight. Food and beverages are available in the venue's Legends Lounge. Lots of free parking. This is an indoor and outdoor event.

Where else can you find an event of this magnitude at no cost? Bring the entire family. Gather up your friends and come out to one of the biggest events being held in Lebanon, Tennessee this Saturday!

Pro Bowl West's owner, Billy Hawk, agreed to sponsor the event after hearing Key perform. Other sponsors include Buttonwood Productions, midSTATE Graphix, and Inside Today's Traditional Country Music ezine.

Traditional Country Music & I need your vote now!

This is what I do...This is a live recording from my performance at RampBash 2012 here in Nashville. VOTE 2012 ICMA BEST MUSICIAN CATEGORY...ROSS KEY

I Need Your Votes!

I have been nominated in the 2012 Best Musician category by the ICMA (Independent Country Music Association). I need your help to win. If you will please go to http://www.icmaawards.com and click the button next to my name (Ross Key) and then click the button "Cast Your Vote". You can vote once each day (every 24 hours) throughout the month of April. Judges make their final decision on the winner in early May based on Popularity (the votes), Talent, Marketability, and Reputation. The voting is now going on. Thank you for your support.

Chance to WIN Personally Autographed CD & Poster

Okay...lets see if I can get all of you motivated to go vote for Ross Key as ICMA's 2012 "Best Musician". Whoever votes every day and sends the most friends, family and co-workers to the site to vote, by April 30th, I'll personally autograph my "Ross Key Country "The Originals: Live & Raw" CD and a full color 13X19 poster, and mail it to you.

Send everyone you know this blog and tell them to click this link http://www.icmanet.com/voting/fanvoting.php. Whoever votes every day and sends the most people to vote will have their name put in a drawing each time someone you sent voted. A name will be drawn by one of the staff and an email will be sent to the winner by 05/02/2012.

Vote every day until April 30, 2012.

Good luck!

Ross Key

The CD

 The Poster

Ross Key Nominated "Best Musician"

PRESS RELEASE

04/01/2012

NASHVILLE, TN: Ross Key learned today that he has been nominated by the Independent Country Music Association (ICMA) as 2012's "Best Musician" category. There are four other contenders and now it is up to the fans, family and friends to vote him into the finals. Please take the time to click on the link below and vote for Ross in the Best Musician category. Your support and vote are very much appreciated during this critical voting process.

"I'm honored and surprised at the same time," Key said quietly. "Just to be nominated by this esteemed organization and the panel of judges is quite the honor. Win or not, I'm truly honored to even be considered a nominee."

The link to cast your vote is: http://www.icmanet.com/voting/fanvoting.php