Olivia says she was scapegoat (CMA Awards-ACE formation)
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -Olivia Newton-John says she feels she has been a scapegoat used by those who don’t regard her as a true country music singer.
“You don’t have to live in Nashville to do country music,” she told a news conference Wednesday while recording in Nashville for the first time.
In 1974, the Australian-born beauty was named Female Vocalist of the Year by the Country Music Association. Because she had never recorded here, didn’t live here and was not singing in a traditional county vein, her selection was criticized by some Nashville entertainers.
A new organization, the Association for Country Entertainers, was formed to promote traditional country music.