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Ronnie Lee Hurst
Co-Producer & Co-Host
Growing up in a log house in rural Oregon, Ronnie's love for country music began at a young age. Some of his earliest musical influences included Hank Williams, Sr., Tom T. Hall, George Jones, and Earl Scruggs. It was when he first heard Merle Haggard, that Ronnie's interest in song writing began. Ronnie even payed tribute to his favorite singer/songwriter by writing and recording, "Merle's The Man".
Ronnie has co-written with several writers throughout the years,starting with his time in the US Air Force. Ronnie's songs range from Country, to Bluegrass, to Gospel. His song, "I Underestimated Loving You" reached the top 10 of the European Country Music Charts in 2008. His most satisfying experience came with the completion of his song, "That's Just Me". It was a project that included a total of 25 people from around the world. He was humbled and honored that so many people would contribute without expecting
anything in return.
Being a singer/songwriter himself, Ronnie has experienced the frustration of trying to get his songs heard, and has deep appreciation for the DJ's from around the world who have, and are playing his music. That's why Ronnie is very excited to join Al Shephard in this new venture called "Country Dreams".
Ronnie looks at it as a chance to give back what he can, and give his fellow unsigned peers an opportunity to be heard.
If you're an artist looking for material, check out Ronnie's stuff HERE.
Email Ronnie
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Al Shephard
Co-Producer & Co-Host
Al started this journey as a mobile DJ and webmaster of WBTN. In 2007, he volunteered his equipment to the local teen club, Knapps Underground, handling both lighting and sound engineer duties.
In 2008, he created Bennington Rocks, a music show featuring unsigned pop/rock artists, on 1370 AM WBTN.
During 2009 many exciting things happened. He launched You Space Radio, a 24/7 internet station to promote unsigned artists. He also expanded Bennington Rocks to two hours, adding karaoke singers and unsigned country artists. This led to some aspiring artists asking for his help, so he started learning the music business and discovered his ability to write Country lyrics. He also became friends with many talented songwriters, including Ronnie Lee Hurst. 2009 ended with Al becoming a full-time employee at WBTN, pulling multiple duties as Station Technician, Music Programmer, Production Editor, Board Op, and Host. This full schedule meant something had to give, so both "Bennington Rocks" and "You Space Radio" went on indefinite hiatus.
In 2010, Al threw out the idea that although they were 3,000 miles apart, Ronnie and Al should host a new show devoted to independent country artists and singer / songwriters.
On January 1st, 2011, Al founded the Independent Country Music Association (ICMA) to further promote the indie country artists.
Al also added Artist Management & Promotion to his bag of tricks, allowing him to steer young artists in the right direction with the help of all of his great friends in the industry.
He also started a new home-based business opportunity to ensure that someday he can actually stop working...but still get paid. Learn more about it by clicking HERE
Al is always looking for musicians to co-write with. Check out his lyrics HERE.
Email Al
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We have listeners from all over the world!
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Matt DylanIf you were to trace Matt Dylans roots back to rural North Carolina, you would find the definition of 'grew up country'. Born and raised on a large farm, evening and weekends were spent in the fields, cutting wood, feeding the chickens and helping tend to the farm. A lot of folks CLAIM they are country but Matt Dylan IS.
Dylan, the son of a factory worker and whose mother worked in a school cafeteria, knew early on who and what he wanted to be. Embracing a guitar at the age of 8, he endeavored to learn the instrument and started writing elementary songs. Inspired by the likes of Elvis, Roy Orbison, Waylon, Johnny Cash and Merle Haggard, Dylans journey began.
Matts journey has led to some pretty impressive highlights, but still finds him hungry to accomplish more. To date Matt has had the opportunity to open / tour with artists such as: Rascal Flatts, Montgomery Gentry, Aaron Tippin, Pat Green, Walt Wilkins, Jamey Johnson, Rockie Lynne, Billy Joe Royal, Delbert McClinton, The Lost Trailers, Shooter Jennings, Trace Adkins, and many others.
Dylans high energy shows and following led him to being signed by a major indie label in early 2004. Matts first single 'Lets Get It On', was released in September of that year. That single charted on several Indie Charts, landing as high as 2. It also landed at 42 with a bullet on the NMW Charts. 'Lets Get It On', was featured on Radio Compilation CDs along side Alan Jackson, Tim McGraw, Shania Twain, Toby Keith and others. During that time Matt was also featured in Music Row Magazines Monday Morning Downloads twice. In 5 short months the single was played on over 100 Radio Stations in the US and in 20 plus countries overseas. Unfortunately due to poor management the label was dissolved in Feb of 2005.
Dylan had spent 2001 to 2005 performing for audiences nationwide with his band Tombstone, so it was time to get back to what he knew best... PERFORMING. In 2006, Dylan got a call from a good friend, Kevin Mercer who informed him the BeachWagon in Myrtle Beach was looking for a feature performer. After one meeting with management and auditions to find a band Dylan went back to work. It didnt take long for the news to spread about Matt and his high energy shows making one of the best known artists in the area. Not only did Matt develop a heavy local following but each week he entertained hundreds of new fans that traveled to the SC coast.
The love for songwriting that began at the tender age of 8 also continued to develop as the musician and entertainer did. Dylan penned songs 'If You Knew' and 'Take Me Back to the Farm', were stables of live shows for many years. Over the last several years songs such as 'Changes', 'Between the Bourbon and The Bible', 'The Price', and others are defining the man and the roads he has witnessed.
Matt went into the studio on Sept 21st to begin his self-titled new CD!!! The CD will be released by Resilient Records South, on Jan. 30th 2010. Congratulations to Matt for being the first artist signed by Resilient Records South!! Visit Matt Dylan's Website
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This weeks featured artist on Country Dreams is Matt Dylan, plus music by Kaleb McIntire, Wayne Warner, Jamie Lee Thurston, Jimmy Parker, Brian Hughes, Kelly Parkes, Kenny Chesney, Freddy Hart, Chris Young, Sherry Lynn, Scott Carter, Acklen Park, Luke Bryan, Katrina Elam, Ira Dean, The Band Perry, Lee Kernaghan, Anne Murray, Maggie Sajak, and Nu-Blu.
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Want to be noticed in the US, Europe, and Australia? Advertise on Country Dreams HERE! |
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Want to carry Country Dreams on your station? Click Here! |
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A BIG thank you to all of our affiliates, who spread independent Country music around the world! |
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ICMA members can use our TV channel to broadcast their gigs! Signup at icmanet.com! |
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Aledo, Texas
jimmieh4@hotmail.com