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March
Mississippi
Celebrates "Steve Azar Day" On March 13
The great state of
Mississippi will celebrate Steve Azar Day on Monday, March 13. The Greenville,
MS native was bestowed the honor in 2003, by Governor Ronnie Musgrove and
legislature in recognition of his music's influence on the nation and abroad,
along with his songwriting talent that communicates tales of the Mississippi
River and the Mississippi Delta.
"The Delta gave me so
much. It gave me everything – my musical soul," says Azar, the next-to-youngest
in a family of five children, who grew up listening to old blues and jazz
musicians that would gather behind his father’s liquor store.
Azar is currently putting
the finishing touches on Indianola, his highly anticipated new album for
Dang Records/ Midas Records Nashville. The new project highlights Azar's
extraordinary songwriting talent that he has become known for and offers even
more insight into his life in the Delta.
Courtesy of countrychatter.about.com
February
Midas Records Nashville will release
country music recording artist Steve Azar's next recording through a deal
with his imprint Dang Records.
Azar, who scored hits
with "I Don't Have to be Me ('Til Monday)" and "Waitin' on Joe" will release his
first project for Midas, "Indianola," this summer. The release will be through a
partnership between Midas and Dang Records.
Azar serves as producer
and writer/co-writer on all fourteen tracks of "Indianola." Exxon-Mobil will
sponsor Azar's 2006 tour promoting the new CD.
Midas was launched last year by
entrepreneur Ron Clapper, founder of Los Angeles-based Midas Records, as well as
Keith Follese and Brad Allen. Courtesy of Nashville Business
Journal - February 22, 2006
Steve has been announced as one of the many
performers at this years CMA Fest in Nashville, June 8-11th.
Steve took part in the Hats of
Hope fundraiser for victims of hurricane Katrina by signing hats with the
Mississippi Magazine logo. The khaki-colored caps feature a red heart with a
black Mississippi logo. Hats without celebrity signatures can be purchased from
the magazine for $15. Proceeds go to the Mississippi Hurricane Recovery Fund
started by Gov. Haley Barbour. The auction runs until February 14th on ebay.
Happy New
Year!!!
December
Just in time for Christmas
– Catfish Christmas downloads are now available.Just go
to Dang Records
and you can now own your own copy of the single and the video!!!
WAY TO GO SAFANS!!! Catfish Christmas
is the featured video at CMT.com! CMT will begin airing the video on
Monday at 2pm. DON'T STOP WATCHING!!! Keep Steve in the rotation by
clicking on the video link.
Catfish Christmas has been added to the
Christmas edition of the Crook & Chase countdown, which will air Christmas
weekend. Courtesy of SteveAzar.com
STEVE AZAR'S "CATFISH CHRISTMAS"
REELS IN THE FANS
Steve Azar recently released his first holiday single titled, "Catfish
Christmas." The Cajun-style tune has quickly become a favorite with radio
listeners and was recently crowned the champion of ABC Music Radio's Country
Coast to Coast song challenge. Steve's humorous new video for "Catfish
Christmas" was recently filmed at a small pond just outside of Nashville and
features former Chicago Bears' quarterback, Jim McMahon,
Food Network's
Iron Chef, Cat Cora, and U.S. champion snow skier, Terry Ahola. Catch the video
airing throughout the holiday season on GAC! Courtesy
of GAC.com
ABC Radio Network’s
Coast to Coast song challenge this past week was Keith Urban's week. He beat
Keith Anderson, Jamie O Neal, Craig Morgan and Jo Dee Messina. Oddly enough he
was taken down by the simple catfish.
Yeah, Steve Azar's
"Catfish Christmas" took down Entertainer of the Year.
Courtesy of SteveAzar.com
Special thanks to all who
helped with Steve's First Annual Toy and Book Drive for the children at St.
Jude's Children's Hospital. We hope to have some pictures of Steve and the
kids soon.
November
"Catfish Christmas" has officially
been released to radio - call your local radio stations and start requesting!!!!
Country artist Steve
Azar joined Kid Pan Alley founder Paul Reisler in a songwriting session with two
fourth grade classrooms at Nashville’s Fairview Elementary School on Nov. 7 as
part of the Kid Pan Alley program to bring the process of writing, arranging and
recording songs into the classroom.
Courtesy of Music
Row Subscriber email updates - Thanks Kathleen
Hazel Smith mentioned Steve:
Steve Azar is back with an attitude and a single, "Catfish Christmas," set for a
Nov. 29 release. Now signed with an independent label, Dang Records, Azar should
have an album out just past tax filing time. Courtesy
of CMT.com
STEVE AZAR IS HAVING A
"CATFISH CHRISTMAS"
Azar To Release First Christmas Single November 28
Nashville, TN November 1, 2005...Dang Records singer/songwriter,
Steve Azar is gearing up to release his first Christmas single to radio
on Monday, November 28. In "Catfish
Christmas," a Cajun-style tune co-written and co-produced by Azar and
producer/songwriter Rafe Van Hoy, Azar takes you directly to the Delta in Mississippi
with his signature sound as he delivers his take on spreading the holiday
cheer.
In 2001, Azar took the hit song "I Don't Have To Be Me ('Til Monday)" to the
Top Five on the country music charts. Since then, the single has reached over 2
million radio spins. He reached the number one position in 2002 with a moving
video for his song "Waitin' On Joe," starring Academy Award winner Morgan
Freeman. As he prepared to head into the studio in 2003 to begin work on his
third album, Azar realized that years of touring had taken a major toll on his
vocal chords that led to his throat hemorrhaging. In the Fall of 2004, Azar was
forced off the road and had career threatening surgery to correct the problem.
Now signed with independent label, Dang Records, Azar is currently in
the studio putting the finishing touches on his highly anticipated album
Indianolaslated for an April 25, 2006 release date. The album's debut single will be
released in January 2006.
"All that's on my mind now is to get back out there and entertain the people,"
Azar says today. "It's when I feel the most alive and the most complete. I just
want to make music. Forever. So far I've been blessed enough to pull it off."
Azar recently finalized a sponsorship with ExxonMobil that will support tour
dates throughout 2006. For more information and a complete list of tour dates
visit www.steveazar.com
October
October 12th The Prilosec Country Music Tour: TheRoad to the CMA's in New York,
stops in St. Louis, MO - Steve will be appearing at 5pm at the St. Louis Mills
Mall.
Mark you calendar – Steve will take part in a benefit for
the survivors of Hurricane Katrina. “Mississippi Rising” Saturday October 1,
2005 at the University of Mississippi Coliseum in Oxford, MS. More details soon.
September
Steve will be performing on
Sunday, Sept.11th, at the Nashville Convention Center for a benefit for the
victims of hurricane Katrina. The benefit will take place from 11am until
3pm. Tickets are $25 per person or $50 per family. Over fifty
restaurants will be participating and all proceeds will be donated to America's
Second Harvest Hurricane Katrina Relief Fund.
Courtesy of Vanderbilthustler.com
August
Steve's latest release from Mercury has been delayed.
As soon as we have any information we will pass it along.
Steve is featured in the August '05 issue of
Nashville Living magazine. For those outside of TN you can order a copy by
calling 615 259 3636.
Fair slides to a
record ending Advance promotion,
sunny weather helped fair attendance shine
With a ramped up promotional
campaign and a little help from the sun, the 2005 Clatsop County Fair attracted
large crowds and left fair organizers pleased.
By Friday afternoon, the fair had eclipsed last year’s attendance of 7,600. And
when the five-day event closed Saturday evening, it had attracted more than
11,000 visitors.
“The community has embraced the fair this year,” said fairgrounds manager Angela
Sidlo.
But even before it drew to a close and the final numbers were tallied,
expectations were running high.
In addition to the gate receipts, Sidlo said they sold more than 700 week-long
passes before the fair opened, which was a record for advance sales. A more
aggressive marketing campaign, which began in May, helped drive the sales
increase.
“The word was really out for three months before the event,” Sidlo said. “The
fair board members took a very proactive approach this year.”
The opening day performance by country singer Steve Azar caused traffic to
back up for two miles on Oregon Highway 202 and was easily the fair’s most
popular single event.
Fair staff-member Denise Galeotti said the concert crowd spilled out of the
amphitheater and into the nearby grass. “It was a madhouse. It was awesome.”
Courtesy of The Daily Astorian.com
Yep, I am jealous of Steve Azar. Not because his
song, "Doin' It Right," is chart climbing but because he has a sponsor, Exxon
and Mobil. It takes almost $37 to gas up my car, and it would be music to my
ears if I had Azar's sponsor. Courtesy of Hot Dish by Hazel Smith
- CMT.com
Steve will be performing once again on the Grand Old
Opry on 8/5/05. per UMG Nashville
July 2005
MERCURY’S STEVE AZAR INKS
FIRST SPONSORSHIP DEAL WITH EXXON MOBIL -July 25, 2005 Steve and Exxon Mobil recently
finalized a sponsorship deal that will support tour dates in to 2006. While Azar
continues to promote his current single “Doin' It Right” across the country,
Exxon and Mobil On the Run® convenience stores are helping keep him on the go by
covering his transportation costs when on the road. “I am very proud to have
signed on with Exxon Mobil as my first official tour sponsor,” said Azar. “Since
the first meeting with their brand team, they have made me feel so comfortable
and welcome. They are very supportive and have proven to be a remarkable brand
to be associated with.” “We are very pleased to support Steve Azar’s tour,” said
Mark Shores, Director, U.S.Retail Sales, Exxon Mobil Fuels Marketing. “Steve is a
solid talent who embraces our brand values and personifies life on the move and
the freedom of the open road. Exxon Mobil is represented by a strong network
throughout the country, particularly in the south, where country music has its
roots."
Courtesy of UMG Nashville
& Steve Azar.com
KUPL’s (Portland, OR) Bi-Mart CountryFest takes place at Columbia Meadows in St.
Helens on July 23.
In addition to headliner Wynonna, KUPL has lined up Jamie O’Neal, Steve Holy,
Rebecca Lynn Howard,
Steve Azar
and Hanna-McEuen to play at its 20th Annual Listener Appreciation Concert. Gates
will open at 11 a.m., and the show kicks off at noon with a Military Color Guard
and the National Anthem sung by Staff Sgt Josh Blount of the U.S. Air Force.
Courtesy of
AllAboutCountry.com
July 20th Steve will be participating in the Q104 Celebrity Golf Tournament
at Falcon Ridge. This event is closed to the public.
per Q104 Kansas City
Tune in to GAC on July 19th &30th to see Steve
Azar on CRL. Check GACTV.com for showtimes in your area. Courtesy of Steve Azar.com
COUNTRY MUSIC ARTIST STEVE AZAR HEADLINES FAIR
ENTERTAINMENT
Country music artist Steve Azar will be the headline
entertainer at the 2005 Clatsop County Fair.
Azar,
best known for his No. 2 hit “I Don’t Have to Be Me
(‘Til Monday),” will perform on opening night,
Tuesday, Aug. 2. Admission to his concert is free
with paid admission to the fair.
“We are excited to sign Steve to perform at our
fair. He is a nationally known and popular performer
and song writer who engages his audience,” said Fair
Board Paul Mitchell, who is in charge of
entertainment and promotion.
Azar, who grew up in a tiny town on the
Mississippi Delta, cites such varied artists as Hank
Williams, John Denver, Willie Nelson and John
Mellencamp as his influences. He writes his songs
from everyday life. On “I Don’t Have to Be Me…” he
tapped into the increasingly common need for relief
from job pressures. His single “Doin’ It Right”
reflects his own coming out into the light out of a
period of darkness after throat surgery, according
to Azar’s official web site (www.steveazar.com).
The fair is fast approaching, promising fun and
excitement with daily animal shows, performances and
special events, as well as a logging show.
Courtesy of Clatsop County Oregon
official website.
June 2005
Steve Azar Performs Free in NYC's Port Authority
6/23 (5 pm ET)
New York City slickers need their country music too, so Mississippi boy Steve
Azar hits the Big Apple to give a free concert. Country artists virtually live
on tour buses, so Steve and his band will be right at home performing at the
Port Authority Bus Terminal and sending New Yorkers home humming his new hit
single, "Doin' It Right."
So if you are in NYC, stop by the North Wing of the Main Concourse in Port
Authority to hear this LIVE special performance. Sure it's rush hour in New
York, but there is always time for great country music - all courtesy of SIRIUS
Satellite Radio - home of 6 commercial-free country music channels - courtesy of
SIRIUS Satellite Radio.com
Steve Azar Performs Free Show at New York Port Authority
Steve Azar, whose current song is "Doin' It Right," and his band, including
a conga rhythm section will perform at a free live performance for
New York commuters. The show
takes place June 23 at 5 p.m. ET at the North Wing of Port Authority Bus
Terminal, adjacent to 42nd St.
entrance in New York City.
SIRIUS
Satellite Radio is presenting the free Steve Azar show.
Courtesy of
allaboutcountry.com
Steve Azar ("Don't Have To Be Me 'Til Monday) has entered into a touring
partnership with Exxon/Mobile. Look for more details to be announced soon.
Courtesy of GAC.com
The CMA Music Festival was the big news for June.
Steve performed on the Greased Lightning Stage at the Riverfront.
Afterwards, he was "in the kitchen" at the Crisco Stage sharing his favorite
recipe for fried chicken. He finished the day competing at the ESPN Sports
Zone. You can view the pictures under 2005 - CMA Fest 2005.
Join our message board to read the fan stories or
to add your own!!!
May 2005
According to GACTV.com Steve
will be signing at their booth Thursday June 9th with Jamie O'Neal from 1:45 to
2:45pm.
Steve has been confirmed to
perform on Friday June 10th, at the Riverfront Stage during the CMA Fest.
Courtesy of GAC.com
June 10th 12-2pm
.
Hooked on Music Show -- Riverfront Park Stages Performers: Steve Azar, David Ball, Linda Davis,
Amber Dotson, Carolyn Dawn Johnson, Aaron Lines, Mark Wills
Courtesy of CMT.com
Welcome back to Steve Azar,
who is back on the radio ahead of the
release of his second record, "Doin' it Right" was released
to radio last week.
Azar is best known for his hits "I Don't Have to Be Me ('Til
Monday)," and "Waitin' on Joe."
Courtesy of Brian
Dugger - ToledoBlade.com
April 2005
STEVE AZAR/Doin’ It Right Writer: Steve Azar/A.J.
Masters/Tony Colton; Producer: James Stroud; Publisher: Cotton City/Riverzar/LaLuna/A.J.
Masters/Dixie Stars/HoriPro/Colton, BMI/ASCAP; Mercury —Charismatic Azar scored big with
“I Don’t Have to Be Me (Til Monday)” in 2001 and had a No.1 video with “Waitin’
on Joe” in 2002. This tempo tune is a welcome comeback for a guy this format’s
been missing.
By Robert K Oermann
Courtesy of Music Row Magazine
STEVE AZAR - NEW SINGLE AND CONTRIBUTES SONG TO BOOK
Steve Azar recently joined forces with author Sonya Kate Childers in the
promotion of her new book entitled Tides of Time. A promotional CD including
Steve's song, "Lay Your Heart Next To Mine," off the Waitin' On Joe album, is
included inside Sonya's book to promote the book's theme of life, love, and the
pursuance of dreams. The book will be available at your favorite book stores
soon.
MEANWHILE, Steve's new single "Doin' It Right" is at radio. Written by Steve,
A.J. Masters and Tony Colton, the feel good tune tells the story of a guy that's
given up his youthful ways of shallow love affairs after discovering what real
love feels like
Courtesy of GAC.com
March 2005
New single to be released everywhere - April
18th!!
Music Row Magazine
Yes, Kevin Carter, dumped by the Titans, is
leaving for the Miami Dolphins soon, but his fund-raiser is not.
Kevin's Waiting for Wishes Celebrity Waiters' Dinner happens at 6 p.m.
April 12 at The Palm. This has been quite the rowdy event where a bunch
of Titans players serve food, serve drinks, take drinks, and do lots of
goofy things to raise money for the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
If you go: I love the guy, but PLEASE don't pay for Drew Bennett
to sing his college fight song again. Our ears can't take it.
Kevin continues to add country singers to the waiter list, and this
year Andy Griggs, Jeff Bates, Steve Azar and new group
Sugarland will be part of the mix. They'll probably do a lot better
with the singing requests than Drew, but then again, Jeff Bates can't
catch a football to save his life. But I digress.
It's super-pricey but super-fun and it's for a good cause. Call
742-3193 for your $500 tix.
Courtesy of the Tennessean.com
February 2005
Congratulations to Morgan Freeman, on
his win for Best Supporting Actor at this years Academy Awards!!! Morgan
was featured in the "Waitin' On Joe" video and is one of Steve's favorite
actors!!
Steve is the featured artist in the Crisco
spotlight this month. Visit their website for Steve's favorite Spicy
Buttermilk-Battered Fried Chicken recipe!!
CMA FEST Announces first round of commitments
for the June Festival - Steve will be among the performers.
January 2005Happy
New Year!!!
December
News:
Wishing you and yours a very Merry
Christmas!!!
Thank you for making our first year a huge
success!
Here's to an even better 2005!
October News:
CountryStarsOnline.com has selected SteveAzarFans.com as the
Fan Site of the
Week for the week of October 4th!
10/15/04
'I Don't Have To Be
Me' Receives Million-Air Award
Mercury Nashville recording artist
Steve Azar
and his publishing company, Misterssippi Music, received BMI Million-Air
certificates for Azar's hit "I Don't Have To Be Me ('Til Monday)." Co-written
with fellow BMI writers RC Bannon and Jason Young, the BMI
Country Award-winning song appears on Azar's 2002 release Waitin' On Joe.
Based on an average length of three minutes, one million airplays is the
equivalent of 50,000 hours or 5.7 years of continuous airplay.
Congratulations from all of us - we will keep requesting 'Monday!
September News:
MERCURY RECORDING ARTIST
STEVE AZAR TO UNDERGO SURGERY TODAY Mercury recording artist Steve Azar has
been quiet lately but it's not because he hasn't been busy, it's just the
opposite. Azar has been in the studio with renowned producer and co-chairman of
UMG Nashville James Stroud working on his Mercury Records sophomore release.
After long hours and hard work Azar began having throat trouble and was put on
vocal rest along with conservative medical therapy. The attempts to better the
condition without surgery were unsuccessful, so today the singer/songwriter will
undergo surgery for a benign lesion on his right vocal cord. Azar will be in
surgery for less than an hour and will be able to return home the same day with
a recovery time of two months. Azar will then go back in the studio to put the
finishing touches on his album that will release in 2005.
"I'm a little bummed about
the surgery because I've had a great time working in the studio with James on
the new record but I'm looking forward to a new beginning in 2005," states Azar.
"I'll not only have a healthy voice but will have a brand new album for my
friends and fans."
Courtesy of GACTV
August News:
Steve will be making an appearance at the
US99 studios in Chicago, IL on Friday, August 6th - to promote his concert later
that evening at the Morton Arboretum in Lisle. Tickets are $17.00 - bring
your own chair and enjoy this concert under the stars.
June News:
Steve's schedule for the CMA Music Fest
(Fan Fair) has been posted.
Friday:
* 10-12noon RIAA at Mercury (Private)
* 12:15 -1 Grand Old Opry booth
* 2:35 -3:00 Riverfront show
* 3:15-4:00 Tower Records booth
* 4:30-6:00 CMA Sportszone
May News:
DreamWorks Nashville Merges With Mercury and MCA
DreamWorks Nashville, label home to Toby Keith,
is merging with Mercury and MCA Nashville as part of
downsizing within the Universal Music Group, company
officials announced Friday (May 7). UMG Nashville
will now encompass those three labels, in
addition to Lost Highway Records.
DreamWorks Records began in 1996 as part of a
company founded by Steven Spielberg, Jeffrey
Katzenberg and David Geffen. After UMG purchased
DreamWorks SKG's record division for an estimated
$100 million in October 2003, DreamWorks Nashville
remained as a stand-alone label whose roster
includes Keith, Darryl Worley, Emerson Drive and
Jessica Andrews. DreamWorks SKG continues to be
active in film and television projects.
Under the corporate restructuring, UMG Nashville
chairman and CEO Luke Lewis and DreamWorks Nashville
president James Stroud will serve as co-chairmen of
Mercury, MCA and DreamWorks. Lewis will also
continue to run UMG's alt.country imprint, Lost
Highway, which is not affected by the merger.
Already empowered by Shania Twain's success at
Mercury, Lewis gained control of MCA's country
operations in 2002 following the departure of
longtime MCA Nashville chairman Bruce Hinton.
Ironically, Keith's career was in a slump when his
contract with Mercury ended following the 1998
compilation, Greatest Hits, Volume I, and he has
openly criticized the way his music was handled at
the label. After moving to DreamWorks in 1999, he
began ascending to superstardom with the album How
Do You Like Me Now?! Stroud has co-produced all four
of Keith's DreamWorks albums.
The latest merger resulted in the elimination of at
least five jobs. Restructuring is underway
throughout UMG Nashville, including its radio
promotion, publicity and A&R departments.
"While this merger will open up many more
opportunities for our artists and executives,
downsizing is simply the toughest thing to do in a
business for all concerned," Stroud said. "We have
made a difficult but focused decision that will
significantly strengthen our company and allow us to
pursue many new initiatives."
Lewis noted, "Many talented executives were affected
by this merger, and their contributions over the
years have not gone unnoticed. At the same time,
this company is poised for great success with an
abundance of creative and innovative talent, and I
am truly excited by the numerous opportunities this
new structure affords our company and artists."
MCA's roster includes George Strait, Reba McEntire,
Vince Gill, Lee Ann Womack, Trisha Yearwood, Gary
Allan and Josh Turner. The Mercury artist list
includes Shania Twain, Terri Clark, Julie Roberts,
Billy Currington and James Otto.
Courtesy of CMT.com
March News:
New concert dates are being added - make sure you check
out the tour schedule for the dates in your area!
Congratulations to our very own Annissa for having
her picture with Steve selected for the Brush W/Fame selection at
CountryStarsOnline.com for the week of March 1st! She's on the front
page all week - then she moves to the archives!
February News:
Steve has been added to the list of performers sharing
the Greased Lightning(TM) Riverfront Park Stages during the CMA Music Festival
(formerly known as Fan Fair). He is scheduled to appear on Friday, June
11th.
January News:
Look for Steve to make an appearance on VH1's The
Fabulous Life of Country Superstars, premiering January 21st at 11pm est.
Congratulations to Steve - he will be performing at the
Mississippi Governor's Inaugural Gala along with Kenny Rogers and the Gatlin
Brothers, January 12, 2004.
December News:
Heartbreak Town is back!
Those of you who do not own a copy of Steve's first studio album here's your chance to. The album is being distributed again.
There are many songs on that album that deserve to be heard. The album is
in stores now. **As some of you might already know, Steve was never
happy with the way this album was produced. His scratch vocals were used
for the albums final recordings. Steve will finally have a chance to
record these songs as he wanted you to hear them. Look for special
re-recorded versions of Heartbreak Town atone of Steve's upcoming shows.
Steve
performed the National Anthem prior to the start of the National Finals Rodeo at
the Golden Nugget Hotel in Las Vegas Nevada on December 12th. He performed
two shows afterwards at Sam's Town Hotel and Casino.
Steve performed the National Anthem prior to
the Chicago Bears - Green Bay Packers game in Wisconsin on December 7th.
November News:
Congratulations to Steve, Jason Young and RC Bannon on receiving a BMI
award for having one of country's 50 most performed songs for last year for "I
Don't Have To Be Me 'Til Monday." BMI honored the songwriters and
publishers of those songs in Nashville on November 4th. The
eligibility period for songs awarded in 2003 was April of '02 to March of '03.
Courtesy of CMT.com
