Independent Artist Linda Marks Interview with DJ Bratty Highlights

 Linda Marks 
www.lindamarksmusic.com

A very successful singer/songwriter, but who is she really? 

Linda sat down with DJ Bratty and talked about the music industry, her own personal experiences and when asked what should other artists do to be successful, here are a few highlights.  Linda Marks is a multi-faceted and talented singer and songwriter, one that has a career that she loves, but needs a second career to enjoy the career that has her heart.  It doesn't mean she doesn't embrace her second career, and she is excellent at it, puts her all into it while she is working, but her heart and soul lie in the music she sings and the songs she writes. 

Here are a few things that she expounded on in her interview with Bratty.  

1) Be yourself, let your music speak through you.  
2) Be prepared, it's a long journey, it's a hard road, sometimes you have to have two careers, one to pay the bills, one to follow your dream.  
3) There are things that have to be done properly, song delivery, get a voice coach to help you achieve the vocals that will expand your voice to the realm of what it could be, don't be satisfied with "what it is".  
4) Protect the voice that you do have, when it's overworked you may not get back to the point you were before, or worse. 
5) Surround yourself with the right people.  
6) Understand that this is hard work, practicing your vocals, honing your writing skills, go to retreats that offer coaches and other like minded people that can help you access your best and your worst. 
7) Publicity, social media, while they don't pay the bills, they are important.  This isn't 1980 when everyone was buying cd's and listening to those, making a living at this with all the basically free access platforms, Spotify, Deezer, Youtube, Facebook, they don't add up to dollars in the pocket.  You are going to have to find venues that actually pay or have a second career that pays your bills.  
8) You need self-care to keep pursuing, whether a walk by a lake or just down time to be yourself without boundaries, everyone needs self care.  

Every songwriter/artist has a story to tell, they are as varied as the many genres that make up the music industry, you have to know your story. 

Linda's 17th album tells a lot of stories, each song has a different story to tell, from a tear down to hard bricks and boulders,  Music not only tells us stories, it tells us the person behind those stories, I hope you will enjoy hearing hers. 

www.lindamarksmusic.com 
Visit Her Website, Sign Up for Her Newsletter to learn more about her ongoing activities.  

//DJ Candy// 

1973 - The Tragedy In The Country Music Community - Cold Blooded Murder

 It isn't a secret, but it's a story that isn't talked about today. 

STRINGBEAN & Wife Estelle 

In the 60's life in Nashville. TN was a wonderful place to be, country music was thriving and on Television The Saturday Night Hee Haw show, and later, the likes of Porter Wagoner, Jerry Lee Lewis, Dolly Parton were a Saturday night event for many families.  One favorite in those times was Stringbean, (David Akeman).  His signature hat and 5 string banjo with baggy old pants with a humorous story and songs to tell and sing captivated America, especially the South.  He was beloved by all that met him, or even saw him on various television programs.  People wrote into Hee Haw programmers and other shows requesting him.  He was one of the most loved singers during that time, but sadly his days of fame have fallen away since his death.  But even in death he left a captivating story. 

Stringbean grew up during the depression, life was hard and he never lived above his means, or even close to it.  He and his wife Estelle could have had a fancy house and car based off his earnings, but they lived in a simple sprawling cabin house in Ridgeton, TN.  Most Saturday nights they made their way to appear on the Hee Haw show.  November 10, 1973, was no different at the start of the night, but returning home on that fateful day, Stringbean was shotdown inside the doorway of their home and Estelle was shot outside. 

There had been rumors that Stringbean didn't trust banks and kept all his money hidden in the walls of their home, and Marvin and John Brown acting in cold blood ransacked and took money from the house and then killed them.  They were caught and sent to prison, but the joke was on them ultimately, they did fine some cash that they spent before being caught, but most of the money had been hidden behind the chimney and in the walls.  It was rumored that there was at a minimum 20,000 found,, but many say there was much more.  

The horror of what happened to Stringbean set the Nashville music stars on edge, they felt robbed of a dear friend and musician, and wondered if such could happen to such a man of simple means, what could happen to them. It was a trying time in Nashville.  

The trial was messy, details sketchy at best of what happened that dreadful night, and people were saddened that such a wonderful, kind and gentle man could be killed in cold blood.  It wasn't enough that people were charged and convicted, that could not bring back the man that people loved on the Saturday Nights.  

A man was mourned, a wife was mourned, both simple people that loved life and music, and preferred raising chickens and vegetables to cadillacs and fancy houses, two lives lost that would ultimately change the face of country music artists lives.  

While Stringbean isn't known by many people today, in the heart of the south great grandparents and some grandparent's still talk about Stringbean, and of course in the South, Country Music Legends never really die, they are kept alive through those that loved them and their music. 

In the south we say, "Good Man", and Stringbean sure was one of the best of the "Good Men".  

If you are looking for a song of his, listen to his Fishing Song, while humorous, it's also true, especially in the south where country music, fishing and neighborly love thrive. 

Long live the "story and music of Stringbean" and his beautiful wife Estelle. 

Tune In To Party Central Radio, where the legends never die. 
//dj candy// 

INDEPENDENT ARTISTS - Struggles & Challenges

 The Struggles of being or becoming an Independent Music Artist 

The struggles of an independent artist are real.  It makes one think that in this digital age that there would be a clear pathway for IA's to follow so that they were endowed with the knowledge and pathway to follow.  Nothing is farther from the truth.  

I have supported IA's for more than 20 years, many of my first were gospel artists and country.  I've seen many that have made it to the big record labels, some by accident, someone recommended them to a producer and others, just sheer luck by being in the right place at the right time, others, being a show opener band for a major artist (and that was sometimes by accident when the original opener group was unable to perform).  Sometimes lucks is the way through the door.  

What I find wrong in this industry are the large amount of vultures and wolves in sheep clothing pouncing on artists, promising them exposure and success for a price.  I was recently approached by one of the hunters, I knew immediately they were a hunter because I only have two songs that have been recorded that I wrote, and I did not sing either of them.  I allowed them to pursue me so that I could get a feel for how these hunters work, but honestly it was disgusting.  For the price of $1500 US dollars they would promote me.  It didn't stop there, there would be additional costs for promotion fees, mastering fees (to someone else that they outsourced), fees to enter me into competitions, fees, fees and more fees.  All carefully crafted to give me the sense that I would become a star quickly.  They "supposedly" had all these connections to the Awards and Labels... I wanted to check out the validity of them having a connection to one label, one label that I personally have a relationship with and provides mainstream music to me.  I wasn't surprised that they had never heard of this promoter.  In the end I simply sent an email back -  Check your "FAX" machine, there's your check for all the fees ... it was a subtle way of saying, I know you are a fraud.  I did get a response back, that they would pursue making someone else a true star.  That did not set well with me, and I stated I hope if you continue to sell your invisible clothes to people that someone burns you like you are burning them.  

I would like to expose that promoter, but unfortunately they have more $ than I do, and I don't want to get sued by them.  

Here is my advice to all of you, if someone approaches you wanting $ to promote you, ask for a list of their successful artists with their contact information - phone/email. If they are that successful they will have no problem providing that as their successful artists understand they need to support their promoter by being an advocate for them.  If they don't provide that, run run run...  it's that simple.  

Alot of IA's ask me is the Award from xxx a real bona fide establishment.  Honestly, I don't know, there are some that you can immediately tell are flat out fake by messaging from the website for information, others seem quite real but are not 100% truthful, others are questionable.  The problem is this, the entire Independent Artist Music Community are prey and ripe for being slaughtered financially because music is their passion, their life's blood and life's work.  The wolves are at the door waiting to consume you and your $.  

What do I think works for Independent Artists?  
1) Build your network of peers - IAs like yourself.
2) Expand your network to include Main Stream Artists 
3) Contact more well known artists - offer to open shows for them 
4) Exposure - Venues are important, what venues are important 
5) Airplay - We provide free airplay as do several stations, how does this help?  It provides you with airplay #s (when the stations are licensed and legal, alot are not); it also gives you audience exposure which has a trickle down effect.  Sometimes it just takes the right person hearing your song, relating to you, and that person may have connections ... 
6) Don't despair
7) Make sure your music is well mastered/produced.  
8) Learn how to properly tag your music when you submit it, (see my guide).  
9) I am always happy to assist you with tagging properly.  ISRC #'s are important.  

Willie Nelson - The Red Headed Stranger - A Man of Constant Sorrow

 WILLIE NELSON 

Many people unfortunately only know Willie from the "stuff he smoked". They have no idea of how Willie became Willie, his struggles, his life, or what influenced his music. 

After Willie was born, his parents separated, mom moved on and Willie's grandparent's Alfred and Nancy Nelson took Willie and Bobbie.  They weren't wealthy, living off of the wages of a blacksmith and Nancy's wages as a cotton picker, life wasn't easy, and I feel quite sure both of them were bone weary at the end of everyday.  Their children were out of the house, perhaps thoughts of not working as much or as hard had crossed their minds, but they took on the role of parents, and to Willie and Paula they were their parents.  

The one thing Alfred and Nancy believed was that music was a part of one's soul, Nancy had taken correspondence courses from the Chicago School of Music and she taught children in the area to play the piano.  Alfred sang and played.  When Willie turned six Alfred gave him a guitar, and one year later Willie had written his first song.  His youth was spent by the age of ten playing with bands, Bobbie played the piano and they played and sang gospel music.  Willie's unique vocals intrigued people, but life was going to get harder.  Alfred died in 1940 of pneumonia, but Nancy still kept going with them.  She stayed through his teenage years, his move to Nashville and lived his joys and sorrows through his music career.  She lived to be 97 yrs old and by that time had seen "The Red Headed Stranger" and his career unfold.  Alfred and Nancy left a legacy behind of two children that went on to bring happiness, joy and music to the world.  Willie has never claimed to be perfect, what he has claimed is that all of his success is due to the two people that loved him unconditionally without boundaries of where love would exist, a love that shows in the music that he plays for all of us until now. 

These days, just as Nancy saw his life and career unfold, he's had the opportunity to witness with his own family.

For Willie's 90th birthday celebration, filmed in April 2023 Lukas and Micah took to the stage to sing tributes to their father's musical legacy.  When Willie was asked "what kind of a dad are you", he said, " most would think not a really good one" (because of his traveling. )

 His wife, Annie, said, "That's his interpretation," she said. "Ours and how they grew up was, this is a good example of what it means to come here and do what you came here for." She added, "When he was home, he was home."

credit: Michael Kovac/Getty

Willie's health is declining, but he keeps on bouncing back, never giving up his love of music or his family.  A man that's had alot of "constant sorrows", I hope his legacy will live on through his music, his children, their children and their children. This is a family that deserves to be remembered - Thank you Alfred and Nancy for your kindness and love to them, your legacy lives on in him and his family. 

From my personal experience with Willie, on a hot afternoon in Georgia, broken down bus and he appeared where I was "singing with my wedded family", and I loved him, his humor, almost a shyness but outgoing, an enigma of sorts, he had no qualms about grabbing onto the outstretched guitar and playing to a afternoon festival audience, which was by no means a large crowd like he was used to, he captured my heart that day with his sincereness, and everyone laughed when I said that I had never understood his talent for dragging three steps behind the music and then catching up.  That is however one of the things I learned to love about his music, his uniqueness and the depth.  

If you aren't a Willie fan, listen to Angels Flying to Close to the Ground, if you listen to that song, I guarantee you will be a Willie fan for life. 

I hope he has many more years left to embrace his dreams, and to give us that uniqueness that only he can bring to life through music.  

ERIC DIAMOND & PARTY CENTRAL RADIO

 ERIC DIAMOND 


Eric Diamond's songs are Swinging Western Style Music.  One of my personal favorites is "Slide Off Of those Satin Sheets".  He brings alot of things in his songs, characterization sometimes from a more simpler time, and quite possibly could be categorized with a more Classical Country Style. 

Eric Diamond has reached a wide audience in his career, beginning in his teenage years and still continuing today.  Here's a closer look at somethings you might not know about Eric Diamond. 

He was at the State Finals at the Jimmy Dean Country showdown at the age of 15 and 16.  This pushed him to pursue his dreams.

 In his teenage years he played in local country bands in Santa Fe, New Mexico and Durango Colorado.  By the age of 21 he had already made a name for himself as talented musician with a flair for Western Swing Music. 

He was featured in People Magazine in a special Country Music edition.  That same year he was ISSA Entertainer of the Year in the Western Swing Category and Singer of the Year with ISSA.   He was nominated for 7 categories at the Red Carpet Awards in Europe.  

 He was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Gov. Of Texas.  He was also inducted into the Western Swing Music Hall of Fame.  

Today he will honor Party Central Radio by chatting with followers and our listeners in a live interview;  November 12, 2025 at 3:30 pm.  

Thank you Eric for all of you music contributions, they are appreciated. 

PARTY CENTRAL RADIO - RANDY HARRIS RELEASES NEW SINGLE "True Love Never Dies" ft. Marnell McCarthy

The new release from Randy Harris ft. Marnell McCarthy titled True Love Never Dies is a pop/rock song that is soulful and it pops!  Have a listen on our station partycentralradio.net  
You may also listen via the below links on other stand alone platforms. 

 

Here is the SPOTIFY link for this release:

https://open.spotify.com/album/1mKUKNRQbT7iyRn7YW1VCu?si=47g-6ZDiQU-nb98hMBWlbA

 

the Apple Music link for this release:

‎True Love Never Dies (feat. Marnell McCarthy) - Single - Album by Randy Harris - Apple Music

 

and the You Tube link for this release:

True Love Never Dies (feat. Marnell McCarthy)

 

October 3rd - 8th - Come Celebrate a Week Long Event 22 YRS Party Central Radio

 

A Week long celebration - 
We will be doing the following items during the Live DJ Shows.  
to win prizes. 
You will need to participate in the PCR Chatroom for these events. 

PARTY CENTRAL RADIO OFFICIAL START DATE JUNE 12 (22 YRS AGO)

PARTIES IN JULY & MORE COMING

Happy Birthday to:
Our Old Friend - DJ Johnny Bee - Celebrating His Youth on 8 July 
Our Illustrious DJ Assist Manager - Slo Rollr - 13 July
DJ Madman - 20 July
Our PCR Morning Greeter & Dj Greet - Mr. Buks - July 25 

 

JOSE AWARDS - Current List of Nominations 2025 ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR - EOTY-DUO GROUP AND ROCK/ALTERNATIVE

 

Congratulations to the Nominees 
2025 Jose Awards 
____________________________________

Entertainer of the Year
Matt Castillo
Abbie Thomas
Tobi Lee
Brady Lee
Kirstie Kraus
Adam Calvert
Krystal King
Waylon Hanel
Clare Cunningham
Brooks Herring
Robert Abernathy
JD Shelburne
Jasmine Cain
Danny Kensy
Tyler Herwig​
​Gary Patric
Entertainer of the Year - Duo/Group
The Malpass Brothers
Hutcheson Brothers
Travis Bowlin & Meg Bowlin
Andrew Moore & Hooch
​The Almas
Dark Waters Project
​Matt Tejeda and The Backwoods Band
Last Train To Juarez
Sugarcane Jane
​Aaron Ball Band
Velvet Rodeo
The Jess Zimmerman Band

​​​​​​​​​​​​​Reviews are currently underway, and nominations can continue to be added as each review is completed.

Song of the Year – Rock/Alt Rock/Metal
​5 and Dime – Blacktop GypZ

Living on the Edge – Billie Nash (See Blog Post About Billie's New Project) 
NOTE:  Billie Nash Also Wrote the Party Central Radio Rocks Song and Recorded it. 
It is amazingly well done and we really appreciate her for doing that. 

Rock N Roll Lives Forever – Tomiko Dixon & Lazie J Ft Claver Menezes
Spring Fever – Mile High Rangers
Rise – Undefeated
Despondency – Iron Oxhide
I Wanna Wake Up in Vegas – Arcana Kings
Shine Through – Ashes Fall
Last of Me feat. Aaron Nordstrom - Coldwards
Worthless Desires – Ted Patton
Not In Our House – Lost Circus
Get Away – BrandiWyne & Josh Kain
Wanted - Beyond Destiny
If I Sin For You? - Celeste Marie Wilson​
Restless Soul - Art James

Tune in to  www.partycentralradio.net  to hear these amazing artists and more. 

June 21, 2025 BEAT THE HEAT SATURDAY - FEATURED ARTISTS

 

Party Central Radio - partycentralradio.net 

DJ CANDY- 1-4 pm
DJ SONGBIRD - 9-12 Midnight 

SATURDAY & SUNDAY MORNINGS COUNTRY CLASSICS SHOW - DJ CRAZYMIZERY 5AM - 8AM EST @ PARTY CENTRAL RADIO

 

DJ CRAZYMIZERY'S COUNTRY CLASSICS SHOW 
5:00AM - 8:00AM (Saturday & Sunday Mornings)

partycentralradio.net 

PARTY CENTRAL RADIO CONGRATULATES - BILLIE NASH (Billienashmusic.com)

 

EXCITING NEWS - BILLIE NASH MUSIC HAS A BRAND NEW ALBUM
 & SOON NEW CD *
UPDATE:  CD IS NOW FINALIZED &
TEST COPIES ON THE WAY

You can check out her site at:
www.billienashmusic.com 
Tune In to Party Central Radio to Hear Her Latest Releases 

Billie Nash is an ISSA INTL Recording Artist, CCMA Artist Member, Recording Engineer.

Record Label
Billie Nash Music

Billie Nash Band Members
Billie Nash Band
Billie Nash - Vocals, Composer, Lyricist.
Talia Morris - Drums
Maya Martinez - Lead Guitar
Charlie Johnson - Keyboards
Nicolas Patterson - Vocals/Bass
Riley Wilson - Banjo
Danielle Martin - Acoustic Guitar

CREDITS:  PHOTO LINKED FROM BILLIENASHMUSIC.COM 
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED FOR IMAGE BY BILLIENASHMUSIC.COM

MASTER POST 1

 

PARTY CENTRAL RADIO - WOLFE MILESTONE - Where My Truck Stops

 

PARTY CENTRAL RADIO REVIEW 
ARTIST:  WOLFE MILESTONE 
SONG:  WHERE MY TRUCK STOPS 




It's not often that I hear a Classic Country Unique Voice and Style Song ... 
I did find one Sunday morning when I listened to Wolfe Milestone's Song - Where My Truck Stops.  (video below).   It's a perfect blend of the throwback to Merle/Hank/Ernest Tubbs and others.  I like his other songs, but this one is the most unique showcasing of his talents in the Classics Category, in my opinion.