| Geoff Wilbur's Renegade Newsletter Summer 2002 The One And Only Dick Shuey By Geoff Wilbur I'd known about Dick Shuey for a while through his promotion Activities ---the wonderful help he lends other musicians ---but when I heard his latest disc. I knew this was someone country fans and the country music industry should know nore about. Asked about his latest big endeavors , Dick responds. "Everything is big, Geoff. There's never anything small in the country music business. Everything is important --- because you never know who is watchin'." "I just came out of the studio about 3 weeks ago. My good buddy Ernie Ashworth from the Grand Ole Opry invited me to record a duet with him. We had a ball cutting 'Anywhere But Here'." It has been advanced shipped to some D.J.s already and will be included in the upcoming Hero Records "TWANG COUNTRY" Project. " I don't have any appearances scheduled at the present time. Time is my problem. Between DICKSHUEY.COM , TWANGTOWNUSA.COM and a little songwriting, it's just about around-the-clock, non stop here at the Ranch." What about Dick's album? He responds, "Country From The Heart" came about because I had never had an album release, and no record company was interested in releasing one on me, so I formed Hero records and distributed it myself. It encludes songs from all my sessions from way back in 1969. I figured that since I had these masters lying around all these years I'd throw it out there and watch what would happen.. I've been pleasantly surprised. "Country From The Heart" has done better than my wildest dreams. The DJs have been just wonderful in accepting its content. Just about every track is getting its fair share of play. The variety is wide enough range that there's just about something for everybody if they are a coiuntry music fan. When asked, Dick states "I guess 'Houston Is A Honky Tonk Town' would be my favorite. Anytime one can work with Grand OleOpry stars on a recording, that has to be building memories. Ernest Tubb, Justin Tubb, Charlie Walker...Ernie Ashworth, Little Roy Wiggins, Charlie Louvin, Connie Eaton... These folks are and were real pros. Talk about history in country music ! Wow ! Dick recalls the beginning of his songwriting career. "I started writing songs --- or trying to --- while in the Navy and doing DJ work for the Navy. I ran the ship's radio station on board the USS Canopus {AS-34}. Everything just kind of grew out of that. I was young and dangerous --- and had no sense --- so here I am today. It gets in one's blood and they can't help themselves. It was better than doing garbage pick-up, even if the garbage worker makes more money. Songwriting doesn't stink as bad when it's 100 degrees in August." Where does Dick get his inspiration? He notes, "Everything one sees and hears --- one has to do a lot of listening and observing. I may read something, hear something that will kick in the computer between my ears. Some work and most don't, but that's the nature of being a songwriter. I'm writing a song right now with Don Powell. {"Bill Anderson Write Me A Good Country Hit Song"} I love to co-write. Makes for the chance of a better song when the product is complete. Well, maybe..." Through the years, Dick has shared the stage with lots of country music luminaries. He recalls, "Ernest Tubb, Charlie Louvin, Ernie Ashworth, Conway Twitty ... and Bill Anderson...in prison...Ha-ha-ha --- that's the truth. It was up in Connectticut at the state prison when I was working at WEXT Radio in West Hartford. Kenny Price, Don Bowman and Jan Howard were on that show. I was doing a benefit for the prisoners with my local band and Bill's show happened to be in town. The warden called me and wanted to know if it was alright for Bill Anderson to bring his group and be on the show. Ha! Can you believe that?! It's the truth. I still chuckle about that one. I'll always be a "Whisper" fan. And there's many more too numerous to mention. The country music field is just a wonderful industry to be involved in." As for awards. Dick says, "Nothing that I would consider very big, not that they aren't important. One always appreciates being recognized for their work. I guess the biggest thing is being able to get paid and make a living while I do what I love to do and having fun. That's the biggest reward. I don't get very excited about hanging anything on the wall. Don't get me wrong --- it's always nice--- but the important thing is the music, not me nor what I do. One is known by their work. Hard work brings good luck." It is normally more important to the organizations that give them out than to me. In fact, I have this hang-up that when I get an award that tomorrow it will begin the short, speedy ride downhill. I want to keep doing this and enjoying it until they close the lid on me." Dick's promotion technique is simple. "Well", he sys, "I do the very best that I'm able to do in the project at the time --- throwit out there to the radio stations and hope for the best, just like everybody else in this business should do" "If the radio folks like it, they will play it. If they don't, they'll throw it in the garbage can. It's just like rollin' the dice ---one hopes it doesn't come up snake eyes." "The DJs and the country music fans aren't dumb. They'll let you know whether they like it. If I put it out and don't receive any airplay, you don't have to be a rocket expert to know you had better get on the stick and try again." Of course, as mentioned earlier, Dick's involvement in country music extends beyond performing and promoting his own music. He explains, " Ive been real lucky in the country music business and have had the opportunity to be involved in a wide range of projects and business --- publishing, radio, producing and record company, booking agent, songwriter, artist, and now my own Internet Radio Station and web news site --- TWANGTOWNUSA.COM --- plus DICKSHUEY.COM. which is a country music story and photo gallery web site. "This Internet deal is a brand new baby --- a wonderful way to communicate and reach not only the industry but also to the country music fan. The possibilities are only limited by one's imagination." When asked what the future holds, Dick replies with a candid, "I don't have the least idea. It changes every day. Every day is a brand new day. Of course, I want to continue writing and recording. I like having my cake and eating it too." "I don't know any better and can't help myself for what I do. I can't see me doing anything else --- except maybe going fishin'." "I hope that I can continue to work with not only with the established artists but also contribute in a positive way to youmger struggling artists also. I get great satisfaction on working with other prople to make good things happen. That's what it is all about." Beyond the questions I have for him, Dick has a few more closing thoughts, definitely worth including. He begins, "I guess I'd like to mention my mentors---- Roy Horton, Ernest Tubb, Bill Anderson, Haze Jones, Smiley Wilson, Cary Simpson, Julian Gross, Dick Chapman and Ernie Ashworth. Without their help and encouragement I probably would be catching the garbage truck in the morning." "Had it not been for Bill Anderson's letter of encouragement back in l966 I wouldn't be doing this interview." "I'll always be indebted to all the great people in the country music industry that took the time to pay a little attention to me and pick me up when I stumbled." "I'll always be indebted to Charlie Louvin for giving me the opportunity to appear and sing on the Grand Ole Opry stage. Ernest Tubb for inviting me to be on the Midnite Jamboree. Those aren't and never have been easy gigs to get. An artist would sell his soul for that opportunity. That's priceless!" He closes with some words of advice worth remembering: "Don't you ever get the idea you are a success in country music without a little help from your friends. It's not having a hit record, it's having friends who are there for you when you need them and helping you have fun with what you do. Country Music is good about that." ....30... Geoff Wilbur |