The second edition of the Hank Williams tribute (La Noche de Hank Williams) was held last September 16 in Montevideo, Uruguay, paying tribute to the legendary singer-songwriter, and celebrating a new edition of the International Country Music Day. Uruguayan artist John Fisher opened the night with his acoustic renditions of such Williams' classics as "I don´t care (if tomorrow never comes)", "(Last night) I heard you crying in your sleep", "I´m so lonesome I could cry", "Lonesome whistle", "There´ll be no teardrops tonight", "I´d still want you", "Lovesick blues", "Hey good lookin´", "I´m a long gone daddy", "There´s a tear in my beer."

Invited to perform on this night, Argentinian duo Hard Travelin´ covered more of Hank's compositions, which included "Alone and forsaken", "Nobody´s lonesome for me", "I´ll never get out of this world alive", "Swing wide your gate of love", "My main trial is yet to come", "Wedding bells", "Howlin´ at the moon", "I just don´t like this kind of living", "I can´t help it (if I´m still in love with you)", "You´re gonna change (or I´m gonna leave)", "Be careful of stones that you throw", "I want to live and love", "Take this chains from my heart", "Moanin´ the blues."

The five-piece band Honky Tonk Blues, also from Uruguay, was in charge of the second part of the tribute. Honky Tonk Blues is a band which specializes on the music of the unforgettable Williams and therefore, they offered their personal renditions of "I can´t get you off of my mind", "Long gone lonesome blues", "Cold cold heart", "You win again", "Honky tonkin´", "Move it on over", "Mind your own business", "Why don´t you love me", "Settin´the woods on fire". Singer Andrea Pochellú was their special guest to perform on such classics as "Honky tonk blues" and "Your cheatin´ heart". The show closed with Fisher, Hard Travelin, Pochellu and Honky Tonk Blues performing "Jambalaya" . The event took place at the prestigious Shannon Irish Pub in Montevideo, Uruguay, where the two-night Tribute to Elvis Presley by Uruguayan band Bel Air was held in August. All these shows have been sponsored by the Country Music Association of Uruguay (Asociacion de Musica Country de Uruguay, AMCU) and Zona Country Prod.

Raúl Tejeiro

President of AMCU, Association of Counrty Music of Uruguay

“I Forgot To Remember to Forget has been chosen by the readers of http://internationalcountrymusicday.blogspot.com/ as the song that brings together country music artists and fans all over the world, as well as representing the values that our music stands for during the International Country Music Day, which is held every year on September 17.

This year, the associations and websites that are taking part in the event: Country Music Association of Spain -CMA-Spain-, Country Music Association of Uruguay –AMCU-, country2.com –Argentina-, Country CD –France- (fomerly FACM), Country Music Association of Greece –CMA-Greece-, United States Hispanic Country Music Association and Dímelo Country –DCWR-.have decided to pay tribute to Elvis Presley on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of his passing, thereby honoring his outstanding contributions to the country music field.

Country fans all over the world have made their choice among a list that includes Elvis’ 11 best country numbers. The winning song, “I Forgot To Remember to Forget” got 32 % of the votes, just in front of “Always On My Mind,” which came out second with 20 % of the votes, and “Blue Moon Of Kentucky,” which came out third with 16 % of the votes.

Jessi Colter on the Internacional Country Music Day

Country singer Jessi Colter, wife of the late country great Waylon Jennings, has praised the celebration of the Country Music Day: “I think it’s a very good idea. Country music fans all over the world are always very kind and really appreciate the music. They deserve something like this!”


International Country Music Day Keeps Growing

New associations and websites such as TISBA (The International Singing Brakeman Association, devoted to the promotion of the memory of the father of country music, Jimmie Rodgers) and the Hispanic country website latonky.com have decided to support this non-profit celebration starting next year. The organizers of the International Country Music Day invite everyone interested in promoting cooperation between country artists, professionals, and fans worldwide to join the celebration.

The International Country Music Day is held every year on September 17, commemorating the birthday of Hank Williams.

Come celebrate with us and enjoy country music!

2007 marks the 30th anniversary of Elvis' passing, and therefore, the country music associations and websites that celebrate this special occasion would like to honor the legend of the King.

By his own admission, Elvis was not strictly a country artist, but he always showed a great deal of respect for the genre and went on to record countless country numbers, giving country music his own special touch. That is why we have decided to honor Elvis and his musical legacy by designating one of his songs as the Official Song of the International Country Music Day 2007.

Vote for your favourite song. The winning song will come out of votes cast in Argentina, Spain, the United States, France, Greece, Uruguay, and the rest of the world.

Blue Moon of Kentucky (1954)
Released as his first single, it was the song that Elvis chose for his only appearance on the Grand Ole Opry, where he was greeted with light applause. However, even Bill Monroe would eventually update his early version inspired by Elvis’ reading of the song.

I’m Left, You’re Right, She’s Gone (1955)
The first Elvis song that made it to the national country music charts, peaking at number 5 on Billboard in July 1955.

I Forgot to Remember to Forget (1955)
Like the previous songs, this one was released on the Memphis-based Sun label, and it delves deep into the hillbilly side of the style that was flourishing at the beginning of Elvis’ career, which would be known as rockabilly.

(Now and Then) There’s a Fool Such as I (1958)
This Hank Snow original is a good example of how Elvis understood country music when he switched labels and started his tenure with RCA, where he would cross paths with legendary country guitarist and producer Chet Atkins.

There’s Always Me (1961)
Rock’n’roll, the music for which Elvis became known, represented an important threat for country music. Therefore, the genre looked towards pop in order to broaden the market and thus the Nashville Sound was born. On this recording, Elvis shows his ability to assimilate to the new style.

Guitar Man (1967)
Elvis waxed many Jerry Reed originals. This number was initially included in one of his movie soundtracks and became a highlight of Elvis’ career when it was performed on his 1968 NBC-TV Comeback Special. In 1981, it rose all the way to the top of the country charts, which is ample proof that Elvis’ popularity and importance did not diminish after his passing.

I Was Born About Ten Thousand Years Ago (1970)
This song was divided into twelve small sound bits that were placed at the end of each track on his 1970 Elvis Country LP, turning it into an unusual concept album. The song would not be heard in its entirety until two years later, when it was finally restored and included in the album Elvis Now.

Little Cabin on the Hill (1970)
Another Bill Monroe number (co-written with guitarist Lester Flatt) covered by Elvis. Although it sounds close to the original, Elvis still manages to give it his own personal touch.

Always on My Mind (1972)
Elvis’ recording of this song only peaked at number 16 on the country charts, yet it is one of his best-known songs. This is perhaps due to the fact that his divorce from Priscilla was very near, and so this song had a special meaning for him, which shows through in his performance.

I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry (1973)
Elvis never forgot his roots, and Hank Williams was one of his foremost influences. Recorded live in Hawaii, his version of this song became a mainstay of his live performances in the 1970s.

Moody Blue (1977)

Elvis’ last country number one hit, which charted not long before his passing. The style with which he began his career would eventually earn him his last hit.

Come celebrate with us!