WORKINGS Recording Artists Bios


MINING SONGS OF THE CENTURY RECORDING ARTISTS
Johnny Cash Johnny Cash was a friend of the working man and one of the greatest American recording artists ever. He was one of country music's biggest stars of the '50s and '60s, scoring well over 100 hit singles. This CD would not be complete without Johnny Cash singing Nine Pound Hammer and Dark as a Dungeon, two legendary mining songs. Master tracks under license from Sony Music Custom Marketing Group, a division of Sony Music, a group of Sony Music Entertainment Inc.	Jimmy Dean In 1961 Dean recorded Big Bad John, a song that would become his biggest hit ever. It went to number one on the country and pop charts, and gained him the Grammy for Best Country & Western Performance. It was one of many songs he would record in a style that was more spoken than sung. Master tracks under license from Sony Music Custom Marketing Group, a division of Sony Music, a group of Sony Music Entertainment Inc.
FRIENDS OF THE COAL MINERS RECORDING ARTISTS
Rita MacNeil Rita MacNeil's unique blend of music has been entertaining audiences for decades. She has numerous gold and platinum albums from Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom. Her television specials have been seen on CBC, PBS and the BBC. Rita performs on Tracks 5, 11 and 15.	Men of the Deeps The Men of the Deeps are North America's only male choir comprised of working and retired coal miners. Formed in 1967, they have performed throughout the world with tours in the United States, China, Yugoslavia and Canada. Their musical director is John C. O'Donnell.
The Jordanaires The Jordanaires have been heard on more hit records than any other voice in recorded history. They are members of the Country Music Hall of Fame, the Gospel Music Hall of Fame and the Rockabilly Hall of Fame. Their voices are still as great today as they were when they backed Patsy Cline and Elvis Presley. www.jordanaires.net	Mel Shaw Mel is the founding president of the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences and a member of the CARAS Music Hall of Fame as an industry builder. Mel is a spoken word recording artist and has written the narratives on the Working Men & Women of the Mines CD.
Melissa Weaver Melissa Weaver is a young recording artist who has great-grandfathers from both sides of the family who were miners. Her grandfather worked for a mining company and two uncles still work for mining companies. Melissa performs Brave Hearts on Track 13 as a tribute to her mining relatives.	Dee Shepherd Dee Shepherd has been singing and entertaining for years. In 2002 she was selected to narrate a special CD of the career highlights of Guy Lombardo for the Royal Canadian Big Band Music Festival on the 100th anniversary of his birthday. Dee has also recorded two albums as a vocalist member of the Bluebirds of Happiness and as a story teller on two children's albums of bedtime stories and nursery rhymes.
Bill Kinzalow Bill is a 25 year veteran of the Alabama coal mines. His passion for coal mining is just as strong for his songwriting. Bill's spoken word is featured on Track 2 and 25. Mel Shaw's Track 9, My Friend the Coal Miner, is about Bill, the inspiration for this CD.	Gordon Edwards Gordon was born and raised in Newfoundland, Canada and has established himself as a songwriter and singer of songs that touch the heart and remain with you. His signature song is Until We Meet Again and with the backing of The Jordanaires, is dedicated to the men and women of the mines.
JWR ASSOCIATED RECORDING ARTISTS
Kim Byram Singer/Performer and a True Coal Miner's Daughter Kim's father, Dale, has been a coal miner all his life. He's worked underground in Alabama's coal mines since 1975 and is currently the General Manager of Safety for Jim Walter Resources. Kim began her singing career at age three and has never looked back. The 24 year old Hueytown, Alabama native performed as a singer/dance coach for two years at Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. She has appeared on several television shows and has given numerous performances throughout the Southeast. Kim earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Musical Theater from Birmingham-Southern College in Birmingham, Alabama. - click photo for larger image -	Jimmie Hyche Songwriter/Son & Grandson of a Coal Miner Jimmie, 42, has been writing songs for over 20 years. He was born and raised in the coal-rich town of Brookwood, Alabama where he still lives today with his wife, Chris and their children, Matthew, 18 and Lindsey, 14. Since 1985, Jimmie has worked for a subsidiary of Jim Walter Resources (Black Warrior Methane) which extracts methane gas from its coal. His song, Brookwood to Birmingham, was inspired by his grandfather's life as a farmer and coal miner. Jimmie has performed throughout the Southeast and on the nationally broadcast John Walsh Show in New York. - click photo for larger image -