American Bandstand Host Had Country Music Connections April 18, 2012; Written by CMT.com Staff

Dick Clark, the television personality with numerous ties to the country music industry, died Wednesday (April 18) from an apparent heart attack. Known as "America's Oldest Teenager," Clark was 82.

One of Clark's earliest career achievements was hosting a 1951 country music TV program in Utica, N.Y., titled Cactus Dick and the Santa Fe Riders, according to the Museum of Broadcast Communication's website.

One year later, Clark moved to a Philadelphia radio station and later became host of that city's afternoon television series, Bandstand. ABC picked up the show in 1957 and changed the name to American Bandstand. The show ran through 1987.

Starting in 1972, Clark hosted the famous New Year's Rockin' Eve specials from Times Square in New York City. He suffered a stroke in 2004, yet returned to the air the following year.

In addition, Dick Clark Productions' credits include the Academy of Country Music Awards. Clark's son, RAC Clark, has produced the ACM Awards for CBS since 1999. A new 10-year agreement was announced by the ACM, CBS and Dick Clark Productions in January.

Dick Clark Productions also produce the American Music Awards, the Golden Globe Awards and the Fox talent competition, So You Think You Can Dance.

Davy Jones -- lead singer of The Monkees -- died after suffering a heart attack this morning ... TMZ has learned.

An official from the medical examiner's office for Martin County, Florida confirmed with TMZ they received a call from Martin Memorial Hospital informing them that Jones had passed away.

We're told Davy suffered the heart attack at a ranch near his Florida home, where he was visiting his horses. Davy began experiencing distress while he was sitting in his car, and that's where a ranch hand found him.

The ranch hand told Sheriff's detectives ... the singer began to complain that he was not feeling well and was having trouble breathing. Paramedics were called and Jones was taken to a nearby hospital where he was pronounced dead. Authorities say there are no suspicious circumstances surrounding his death.

Jones is survived by his wife Jessica and 4 daughters from previous marriages. He was 66-years-old. Jones was married to Jessica Pacheco -- his 3rd wife.

Jones joined The Monkees in 1965 ... along with Micky Dolenz, Michael Nesmith and Peter Tork ... and together they churned out a bunch of hugely popular songs including 3 number 1 hits -- "Daydream Believer," "Last Train to Clarksville" and "I'm a Believer."

The group was initially cast by TV producers who wanted to create a scripted series about an actual rock n' roll band. But the group exploded, and Jones in particular became a Beatles-caliber heartthrob.

The Monkees songs were covered by huge bands like Coldpay, and Smash Mouth's version of "I'm a Believer" was famously featured in "Shrek."

Davy's last performance was on February 19th in Oklahoma -- the night before, he performed "Daydream Believer" and "It's Nice to Be with You" at the BB King Blues Club in NYC ... and he looked totally fine

The BamaJam Festival in Enterprise, Ala. has become one of the most anticipated country music events of the year, and with the announcement of Tim McGraw, the Zac Brown Band, and Kid Rock as headliners of the 2012 edition, it's safe to assume that interest in the festival will be at an all-time high.

Fans of all music genres will experience non-stop entertainment by today's most popular acts from dual headline stages set at BamaJam Farms, a 1600-acre farm which includes such amenities as ATV trails, camping/RV sites and even a water park. Country star and BamaJam 2012 spokesman Darryl Worley will perform and host the opening night of what promises to be one of the grandest outdoor entertainment extravaganzas. Tickets will go on sale Friday, March 2, 2012, and will feature a special three-day $99.00 price, available for a very limited time only.

McGraw will close out the lineup on June 14. The singer recently topped the Country Album charts with "Emotional Traffic," his final release for Curb Records, and is currently climbing the singles charts with 'Better Than I Used To Be." The Zac Brown Band will end the performance day on June 15. Currently climbing the charts with "No Hurry," the band has been at the forefront of the industry since their 2008 release The Foundation, and their debut single "Chicken Fried."

Kid Rock, the adopted "Son of the South," is set to close out the final day of performances at BamaJam 2012. Racking up sales of almost 25 million units from eight studio albums since 1998, Rock is one of the biggest concert draws in the touring industry. Released in 2007, "Rock 'N Roll Jesus" was the biggest-selling rock album of 2008 and not only debuted at No. 1 but stayed on the charts for 100 weeks. In November 2010, Atlantic Records released the platinum-selling "Born Free," which was inspired by events taking place in Rock's hometown of Detroit, Mich.


"I'm looking forward to coming to 'Sweet Home' and playing with my friends, Zac Brown Band and Tim McGraw," said Rock in a news release. "Turn it up! We're gonna' set this place on fire!"

This week marks the tenth anniversary of the passing of Waylon Jennings (Feb. 13 2002). An undeniable force in the history of country music, Jennings earned a legend for making his music his way. While some called him an "Outlaw," most in the industry that knew the man claimed he was actually more of a teddy bear than the rebel that many thought.

Some contestants who made it through were then sent packing in a new, cruel turn of events.

"American Idol" opened with 70 contestants Thursday (February 16) and ended with 42, as the Las Vegas cuts — referred to alternately as "brutal," "painful" and "deep" — lived up to their billing.

Some who made it through on the strength of their performances were later told they, in fact, didn't make it through, a new twist. The twist wasn't given a name, but it should have been called the "Gotcha!" — as in, "Oh, you thought you were going to go on to achieve your dream of being a singer? Gotcha!"

In Vegas, contestants were asked to form groups and sing songs from the '50s and '60s onstage at the Aria hotel, home to the "Viva Elvis" show.

The episode began, as all future "Idol" episodes should, with Heejun Han talking directly into the camera while wearing a red hooded sweatshirt. Han's feud with this year's resident cowboy contestant, Richie Law, has already proven he's a dry-witted jokester at heart. But Han is also able to turn on the charm, such as when he tamed the "Vocal Coach from Hell," Peggi Blu, and turned her into a pile of mush in his own hands. Regardless of Han's chances this season, he should be considered for the position of next "Idol" host, should Ryan Seacrest ever abandon his post. Or hey, isn't "The X Factor" looking for a new emcee?

Han — God bless Steven Tyler, who sang "Heejun" to the tune of "Hey Jude" when calling his name — made it through to the next round, along with groupmates Phillip Phillips (he apparently is going by "Phil" Phillips now, but we still prefer Phillip Phillips) and Neco Starr. Jairon Jackson initially made it through but then caught an ax to his jugular after the "Gotcha!" twist reared its ugly head. Sorry, man, no one said Las Vegas was going to be all fun and games.

Richie Law, who tormented Han when they were groupmates in Hollywood, found a new victim to torture in Las Vegas in Jermaine Jones. The two baritones made for an unlikely duo, joining forces on "Breaking Up Is Hard to Do," but they pulled it off — but only after Law once again showed his stubbornness, telling cameras, "I didn't come here to recycle music; I came here to make it." His determination paid off, but he needs to find a less aggressive way to celebrate; Jones accused him of both bruising his rotator cup and almost taking his neck off while manhandling him following their victory.

The foursome to watch Thursday was the group composed of Reed Grimm, Elise Testone, Haley Johnson and Eben Franckewitz, who earned a standing ovation from the judges and were dubbed "unreal" by Steven Tyler for their version of "The Night Has a Thousand Eyes." The performance came together in note-perfect fashion, as both Grimm — compared by some to an emerging Casey Abrams, though he reminds us more of actor Ethan Embry for some reason — and heartthrob-in-training Franckewitz made their presences felt.

Other victims of the "Gotcha" twist included Gabi Carrubba, Candice Glover, Jairon Jackson, Gaga-alike Angie Ziederman and Schyler Dixon, whose brother, Colton, made it through to the next round. Singers who just plain got cut the first time around included Molly Hunt, Curtis Gray, Curtis Finch Jr., Mathenee Treco and Nick Boddington.

While most contestants took their dismissals in stride, Jessica Phillips wins the Sour Grapes Award for most bitter rant of the night, telling cameras, "I'm an actual artist. It just doesn't seem like they're looking for real artists," after the judges told her to pack her bags. She continued: "I didn't come here to win a television show; I came here for a record deal. And, um, a lot of people are making it through that are not real artists, and they're not going to sell any records, and I don't have to worry about that because that's not me."

Britnee Kellogg, the 27-year-old single mom from Vancouver, Washington, sang alongside Phillips and initially made it through, but was later cut thanks to the "Gotcha!" Only 24-year-old Courtney Williams of Philadelphia made it through from their original trio.

Next week, the Idols will continue to fight for their lives as the field is narrowed from 42 to 24.