Olivia said frontrunner for CMA Honor
For CMA Honor By Jerry Bailey
Olivia Newton-John, an Australian vocalist who couldn’t drawl with a mouth full of biscuits, has a good shot at becoming the Country Music Association’s most lauded singer this year.
According to the CMA’s list of award finalists released yesterday, Miss Newton-John ties with veteran entertainer Charlie Rich with nominations in four categories. Both are up for the prestigious “Entertainer of the Year” title.
IN ADDITION, songs that did well for Rich and Miss Newton-John have been nominated for “Song of the Year.” The tunes are “If You Love Me (Let Me Know),” written by John Rostill, and “The Most Beautiful Girl In the World,” by Norro Wilson and Billy Sherrill.
Rich, a silver-haired piano man not always considered country, was top winner in last year’s ceremonies with three awards.
Winners in each of 10 categories, as well as the newest addition to the Country Music Hall of Fame, will be announced Oct. 14. Johnny Cash will host the eighth annual award presentation live from the Opry House. It will be televised over the CBS network and may be viewed in Nashville on Channel 5 at 9 p.m. The entire list of finalists follows:
ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR: Roy Clark, Mac Davis, Loretta Lyan, Olivia Newton-John, Charlie Rich.
SINGLE OF THE YEAR: “As Seen as I Hang Up the Phano,” Loretto Lynn and Conway Twitty, MCA: “Country Bumpkin,” Cal Smith, MCA: “If You Love Me (Let Me Know),” Olivia Newton-John, MCA “The Most Beautiful Girl in the World,” Chorlie Rich, Epic: “The Strook,” Ray Stevans, Bamoby.
ALBUM OF THE YEAR: “Country Bumpkin,” Col Smith, MCA: “I We Make It Through December,” Merle Haggard, Capital: “If You Love Me (Let Me Know),” Olivia Newton-John, MCA “A Vory Spacial Love Song,” Charlie Rich, Epic “You’ve Never Bean This For Before,” Conway Twitty, MCA.
SONG OF THE YEAR: “Country Bumphin,” Don Wayne; “I We Make It Through December,” Marle Haggard: “If You Love Me (Let Me Know),” John Rostill; “The Most Beautiful Girl in the World.” Name Wilson and Baly Sherrill: “The Streak,” Ray Stevens.
FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR: Lorette Lynn, Anne Murray, Olivia Newton-John, Dolly Parton, Tonya Tucker.
MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR: Marle Haggard, Waylan Jennings, Ronnie Milsap, Charlie Rich, Col Smith.
VOCAL GROUP OF THE YEAR: Brush Arbor, The Bucharoos, The Jordanairos, The Osborne Brothers, The Station Brothers.
VOCAL DUO OF THE YEAR: Jack Greene-Josnaic Socly, Devid Houston-Barbore Mondrall, George Jones-Tommy Wynette, Conway Twitty-Leratto Lyon, Porter Wagonar-Dolly Parton.
INSTRUMENTAL GROUP OR BAND OF THE YEAR: Chet Atkins and Marlo Trevis, The Buchoroos, The Po’ Boys, Danny Doris and the Nashville Bress, The Strangers.
INSTRUMENTALIST OF THE YEAR: Chat Athine, Roy Clark, Lloyd Green, Charlie McCoy, Don Rich.
HALL OF FAME (previously announced): Oven Bradley, Varnen Dolkert, Frock (Pee Wee) King, Minnio Pearl, Mario Travis, Kitty Walls.