FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
August 18, 2008

Lightning in a Bottle – Ronnie McDowell Strikes Again with “Hey, Mr. Oilman”

Curb Records Services Single to Country, Rock & Talk Radio

NASHVILLE –In 1977, country artist and songwriter Ronnie McDowell captured lightning in a bottle when he co-wrote and recorded “The King Is Gone,” a moving tribute to Elvis that topped the country and pop charts and sold five million copies. Mike Curb, president of Curb Records, thinks that Ronnie may have done it again with his new song “Hey, Mr. Oilman.”

The song, about the high cost of gasoline and what it is doing to the American heartland and its people, has struck an immediate chord with people across the nation and every day excitement about it continues to build. Curb Records, which signed Ronnie back in 1984, has moved quickly and serviced the single to country, rock and talk radio across the nation. The single will appear on Ronnie’s upcoming Curb release CD, entitled Hey, Mr. Oilman.

Ronnie wrote the first few lines about six weeks ago, then he put his paper away. But his imagination wouldn’t leave him alone and a few days later came the inspiration. “At exactly 2:22 A.M. on the 30th of June. I woke up with the song on my brain and began to put it on paper. By 5:30 I had it done.” Now what would the American heartland and its people think about the song? Ronnie intended to find out. “First thing that morning I went straight to Skid Row Studio in Portland (Tennessee). I played it for the owner, Lee Bogan and he suggested a few changes. We cut a real basic, grass roots track. The next day I went over to WHIN in Gallatin and at 6:15 A.M. they played the song and there must have been some folks up and around ‘cause all the phone lines lit up.”

The next morning at eight sharp, Ronnie showed up in the WSM studio at the Opryland Hotel with deejay Bill Cody and as soon as the song started playing the folks began calling. “The first call we took was a trucker. ‘I’m out here on I-40 settin’ up in my truck,’ he says. ‘I just heard “Hey, Mr. Oilman,” and I want to nominate Ronnie McDowell for president. He’s just written the trucker’s national anthem.”’”

Ronnie took his basic recording to Mike Curb, one of the few folks left on Nashville’s music row able to make quick decisions. He got Ronnie together with producer Doug Johnson to make a more radio-sounding record and Wednesday, August 7, Curb Records sent “Hey Mr. Oilman” out into the world. Syndicated radio talk show hosts Glen Beck, Phil Valentine and Steve Gill jumped right on it, and the Curb people are hard at work getting the word – and the music – out to stations and outlets around the country. Already the song is spreading through the internet like a Midwestern tornado.

“We’ve got to get the message out that people are hurting and that something real has to be done,” says Ronnie. “More than 90 percent of America’s households are being hurt by the price of gasoline. In the heartland, people are spread out. They have to travel a lot further to get to work, or school, or shop, than folks in the big cities or in Europe. I’ve got friends and neighbors who can’t get to work anymore, gas is so high. We’re a great country, and if we pull together, we can get through this. But our leaders have to make the right decisions!”

When Elvis died, dozens of tribute records were released, only to vanish unheard. But Ronnie McDowell and a friend were inspired to write a song called “The King Is Gone,” about a young man who always wanted to be like Elvis. When Ronnie recorded the song, he gave a pretty fair imitation of Elvis, and the total result was so powerful that when local stations started playing the record, the independent Scorpion Records picked it up and made Ronnie McDowell an instant star. Two years later he signed with Epic Records and began releasing a string of chart-topping country hits that included “Older Women,” “You’re Gonna Ruin My Bad Reputation,” “Personally,” “In A New York Minute,” and many others. This string of hit records insured a long performing career for McDowell.

Ronnie McDowell is a creative soul. In the course of his recording and performing career, he developed a lucrative sideline with a distinctive style of painting that reflected his interests in history, rural life, and, of course, Elvis. But as much as he enjoyed the appreciation people showed for his artwork, music was his first love, and one day in early July of this year, he has struck again.

For additional information, please visit www.ronniemcdowell.com.

Media contacts for Ronnie McDowell:
Jim Havey, Jim Havey PR
615-251-8802 or jhavey@jimhaveypr.com

Ebie McFarland, Essential Broadcast Media
615-495-5491 or ebie.mcfarland@essentialbroadcastmedia.com

Media contact for Curb Records:
Liz Cavanaugh, VP Publicity/Media Relations
615.321-5080 ext.316 or lcavanaugh@curb.com

Holiday Memories with Miss Edie and Friends

Pilot Premise

(2008 Holiday Airings Behind the Scenes on Music Row and others TBA)

Inside music row is seen in 80 million households

A Ride Down Memory Lane inspired by Edie Hand’s book “The Last Christmas Ride”

Hosted by Edie Hand and Ronnie McDowell

Produced by Brian Covert and Jeff Moseley of Inside Music Row

Karen Waldron executive producer from Hollywood

Filmed at Chuck & Niki Hollis Farm in Alabama

Featuring Angela Hacker (2007 Nashville Star), Zach Hacker, Georgette Jones (Daughter of Queen and King of country music), George Jones, Linc Hand( LA based Actor), Charlie Daniels, Aaron Tippin , Taylor Swift, Andy Griggs, Bo Bice, Judy Spencer-Nelon(Gospel music Publisher) and others.

Holiday Memories with Miss Edie and Friends is a unique thirty minute/sixty minute television special which will showcase Southern tradition in a fun, entertaining and relaxed “down-home” setting. “This isn’t a music show,” insists Edie Hand. “It’s a gathering of friends and family, many happen to be the superstars of country and gospel music.” Singing, Southern cooking, and impromptu jam session will round out the hour. “Plus, you’ll never know just who will stop by!” You better be good it might be Santa Claus!

Some great Southern cooking from Edie’s cookbooks as well as inspirational stories from children with trials to triumps connected with Children’s Hospitals Miracle Network. It will fill the evening with what promises to be a memorable half hour to hour(two shows). The party will show viewers how to find the right attitude for their rides down memory lane through friends, family, fun, food, and faith. Part of the proceeds from the book The Last Christmas Ride will benefit Children’s Hospital of Alabama associated with the Children’s Miracle Network.

Host: Edie Hand is a best selling author/television personality, a successful businesswoman, and an accomplished actress. She is also known for her spirit of giving back thru various charities. Many fans know her as a cousin to the King of Rock n’ Roll, Elvis Presley. For more information log on to www.ediehandfoundation.org or www.ediehand.com air dates will be posted on her sites first of November.

Co-Host: Ronnie McDowell has an amazing string of hit songs that he has amazed fans with over the years. Following the death of Elvis Presley in 1977, Ronnie McDowell self-penned a tribute song “The King Is Gone”. Ronnie continues to entertain audiences with his own blend of romantic intimacy and honky-tonk excitement with hits on his Curb Label and national tours.

Other famous guests appearing on the special with Holiday Memories on the show will be added to Edie’s website and in press releases first of November plus the behind the scenes special will be seen on Inside Music Row and the Christmas special will air as their holiday special in addition to airings on cable, web, and various independent network stations. Stay tuned !!!

back row: Linc Hand, Ronnie McDowell, Zach Hacker (runner-up 2007 Nashville Star), Don Early
front row: Edie Hand Elvis's 2nd cousin, Angela Hacker (2007 winner of Nashville Star)

Ronnie McDowell’s “Hey Mr. Oilman” Now Available at Online Stores

NASHVILLE (09/09/08) – Beginning today, Ronnie McDowell’s single “Hey Mr. Oilman” is available for digital download at most online digital stores, including iTunes, Wal-Mart, Rhapsody, and Napster.

The song, produced by Doug Johnson, is about the high cost of gasoline and what
it is doing to the American heartland and its people. “Hey Mr. Oilman” will be the
title track on Ronnie’s forthcoming Curb Records album release. For additional information, visit www.ronniemcdowell.com.

Artwork from Curb for Ronnie's single available beginning today on digital downloads.