Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/508104
For Members 16 SAG-AFTRA | Spring 2015 | SAGAFTRA.org WYNONNA HEADLINES SAG-AFTRA SXSW SHOWCASE "D on't ever book me this late," Wynonna Judd quipped to her manager after she took the stage just past midnight for a magical 90-minute performance presented by SAG-AFTRA at this year's South by Southwest (SXSW) in Austin, Texas. The intimate March 20 showcase before 200 of Judd's fans at St. David's Bethel Hall was a milestone for both the iconic five-time Grammy-winning artist and her union. Over the years, SAG-AFTRA and its Sound Recordings Department has participated in various SXSW events, from panel discussions, expo booths and mixers to last year's showcase at Buffalo Billiards. But this year marked the first time the union has worked with a high-profile recording artist member to headline a show. For Judd, her performance alongside her band, The Big Noise, fulfilled a longtime wish to perform at the legendary music conference. "Tonight's a big, fat, hairy deal for me," Judd told the overflowing crowd. "I think it's fitting I'm in a church — not a bar, a church." Prior to the performance, Judd spoke of her membership in SAG-AFTRA and what an honor it was to team up with her union for the showcase. "I've been a SAG-AFTRA member since 1983, and the union continues to play an important role in my career," she said. "After 30 years of being an artist, having this opportunity to perform at SXSW with my band is such amazing timing! I'm celebrating an important part of my musical journey and I'm honored that SAG-AFTRA is presenting our Stories and Song Tour to the attendees in Austin, where I first began singing with Mom on Austin City Limits back in the '80s. Life indeed has come full circle!" Judd sang several of the songs she performed with her mother as The Judds, including Grandpa (Tell Me 'Bout the Good Old Days); Give a Little Love; her solo hit She is His Only Need; and three new songs from her upcoming eighth studio album, Cool Ya; Jesus and a Jukebox; and her take on Buddy & Julie Miller's You Make My Heart Beat Too Fast. She also told stories of her days in Austin when she was 14 and had the opportunity to see Stevie Ray Vaughan and his brother Jimmy rehearse. The SAG-AFTRA showcase also featured several recording acts throughout the evening, including Ian Moore, Jay Nash & Josh Day (appearing as the Contenders), The Bros. Landreth and Hamish Anderson. Earlier in the day, Judd and her husband/producer/drummer Cactus Moser sat down for an interview with fellow SAG-AFTRA member Ann Powers of National Public Radio. The interview was presented by SXSW in conjunction with SAG-AFTRA. Judd has sold more than 30 million albums worldwide over the course of her career. Charting countless singles, including 20 No. 1 hits and more than 60 industry awards, such as the coveted Top Female Vocalist of the Year trophy at the ACM Awards in 1994, she was dubbed by Rolling Stone as "the greatest female country singer since Patsy Cline." Wynonna Judd performs with her band, The Big Noise, in St. David's Bethel Hall during the SAG-AFTRA showcase at South by Southwest on March 20. A SPACE FOR YOUTUBE TO CALL YOUR OWN T he snow and cold on March 5 didn't keep members away from a special cocktail reception and tour of the new YouTube Space New York. The evening was part of an industry relations initiative to uncover new opportunities for members of all disciplines, which kicked off at a similar reception at YouTube Space Los Angeles and will encompass future events around the country. Attending the event were a large delegation of SAG-AFTRA officers and staff, including Secretary-Treasurer Amy Aquino; New York Local President and National Vice President, New York Mike Hodge; National and New York Local Board members Roberta Reardon, Rebecca Damon, Anne Gartlan, Liz Zazzi, Ezra Knight, Kevin Scullin and Samantha Mathis; New York Local Board member Marc Baron; MOVE New York Committee member Jack Mulcahy; National Executive Director David White; and others. New York President Mike Hodge, second from right, and MOVE New York Committee Chair Rebecca Damon, second from left, with, from left, MOVE N.Y. Committee members Marc Baron and Kevin Scullin, and N.Y. Host Committee member Molly Ballard.