DISClaimer Single Reviews (10/20/10)

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I always like a listening session with plenty of newcomers.

After all, the thrill of discovery is what every critic lives for. This week sees column debuts by Chet O’Keefe, Corinne Chapman, The Jeremy Miller Band, James Lann and Daniel Warren.

In the cases of Mr. O’Keefe and Ms. Chapman, I believe we’re in the presence of important new songwriting voices. Both of them are really classy tunesmiths.

If you want an example of a songwriting masterpiece, look no further than “I Wouldn’t Be a Man.” This 1987 Don Williams classic was previously revived by Billy Dean in 1996. Now it is the sublime new single by Josh Turner. It is also the Disc of the Day.

Of those newcomers cited above, I’m singling out James Lann for a DisCovery Award, simply because his record is the best produced of the lot. His website says that his new CD Honky Tonk Kung Fu is this authentic Texas cowboy’s second. But he’s new this week to DisClaimer.

THE JEREMY MILLER BAND/Reckless
Writer: Jeremy Miller/The Jeremy Miller Band; Producer: Keith Davis; Publisher: none listed, BMI; JMB (www.jeremymillerband.com)
—Somewhat amateur sounding, but not without its charms. The band has an enthusiastic, garage-country approach. The lead vocal is ever-so-slightly pitch-y, but remains endearing with its drawling little tenor rasp.

KENNY CHESNEY/Somewhere With You
Writer: J.T. Harding/Shane McAnally; Producer: Buddy Cannon & Kenny Chesney; Publisher: Adopted Songs/Crazy Water/Little Blue Egg/Kobalt, BMI/ASCAP; BNA
—The second single from Hemingway’s Whiskey has a lot to live up to, since “The Boys of Fall” was such a masterpiece. This time out, its an atmospheric mid-tempo outing with plenty of yearning in the vocal over a lost love. Swirling and dreamy.

CORINNE CHAPMAN/Weeds
Writer: Corinne Chapman/Gene Reynolds; Producer: Ken Coomer; Publisher: Lilchap, SESAC; CC (track) (www.corinnechapman.com)
—She’s produced by Ken Coomer, who’s noted for his work with Wilco and Uncle Tupelo. But before you slap this with an “Americana” label, give this track a listen. The guitars twang, and the tune is super catchy. “Let love spread like weeds,” she warbles. The song has been picked up by Crocs for its program to provide shoes for people in third-world countries and is also the theme song for a soccer club started by the homeless in Ft. Worth. It comes from Corinne’s six-song EP titled Dirty Pretty Things.

JOSH TURNER/I Wouldn’t Be A Man
Writer: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; MCA Nashville
—How perfect is this timing? Don Williams will be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame on Sunday evening. And Josh’s new single this week is his glowingly warm and deeply lustrous remake of Don’s 1987 hit. You will absolutely swoon over this utterly gorgeous performance. MCA’s label copy is non existent, but just for the record, this song’s authors are both Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame members—Rory Bourke and Mike Reid.

STEPHANIE URBINA JONES/Gracias
Writer: Stephanie Urbina Jones/Mark Marchetti/Jack Williams; Producer: Stephanie Urbina Jones; Publisher: none listed, SESAC/BMI/ASCAP; Casa Del Rio (210-378-5897)
—I have always liked this Texas gal. On this upbeat twang-fest, she thanks God “for what I have and haven’t got.” Bopping and engaging. Get up and twirl around the dance floor.

AARON TIPPIN/I Wanna Play
Writer: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; NAMM (track)
—This is the title tune to a CD that aims to raise funds “to put musical instruments into the hands of every child in America.” Ambitious? Sure, but worth the effort. Especially when the song is as uplifting, anthemic and catchy as this one. You’ll want to clap along in time.

JAMES LANN/Every Kiss Goodnight
Writer: James Lann/Gary Leach; Producer: Greg Hunt, Gary Leach & James Lann; Publisher: none listed; Ari-Tex (www.jameslann.com)
—Infectious. It has a rocking, nervous, full-bodied energy that propels it relentlessly forward. It takes awhile to get to the title, but the rush getting there is so cool that you don’t care. Beautifully produced. Listen and believe.

DANIEL WARREN/Only For A Moment
Writer: D. Warren; Producer: Al Hurschman & Daniel Warren; Publisher: Chaprielle, BMI; Chaprielle (www.danielwarrenband.com)
—The mostly acoustic production and his gentle vocal lilt give this a somewhat folkie quality. It’s such a peaceful, easy feeling that his rather word-y songwriting style glides by almost unnoticed.

MATT GARY/I’m Just Sayin’
Writer: Frank Myers/Gary B. Baker/Billy Montana; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Quarterback (www.mattgarymusic.com)
—If she were his, he’d treat her right. So he advises her to walk away from “that ball and chain” because, “love’s not supposed to make you hurt.” His tenor floats above a frothing, churning sonic stew that gives the whole thing an empowering vibe.

CHET O’KEEFE/Ring The Bell
Writer: Chet O’Keefe; Producer: Thomm Jutz & Pat McInerney; Publisher: O’Keefe Street, ASCAP; CO (track) (www.chetokeefe.com)
—He’s been in town only a couple of months, and his very first cut as a writer wins him a Song of the Year prize at the International Bluegrass Music Association’s award show. His own version of it kicks off his Game Bird CD. His voice has a comfy, lived-in quality, and the accompanying sighing steel and rolling rhythm give the track an easy-going lilt. His other tunes are equally refreshing, by the way. Try “Nashville Star,” for one. Or “Petting Zoo,” for another.

McGraw, Paisley Bring Hits In Time For Holidays

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Greatest hit collections from genre superstars Brad Paisley and Tim McGraw have been previously reported on, but new details, including the track-listings have been revealed. Expect big sales from both of these fourth quarter releases, which are likely to end up under a lot of Christmas trees.

On November 30th, Curb Records will release, Number One Hits, a two-disc set featuring 22 of McGraw’s chart-topping singles. The collection will also feature two bonus tracks – a dance mix of his breakthrough 1994 hit, “Indian Outlaw,” and “Felt Good on My Lips,” McGraw’s latest single.

Number One Hits traces McGraw’s remarkable career – from his very first chart-topper, 1994’s “Don’t Take The Girl,” to this year’s “Southern Voice,” which was used in the Academy Award-nominated film The Blind Side, which co-starred Sandra Bullock and McGraw.

McGraw co-stars alongside Gwyneth Paltrow, Garrett Hedlund and Leighton Meester in Country Strong, hitting theaters nationwide on January 7th, 2011, and earlier in Nashville. McGraw duets with Paltrow on “Me And Tennessee,” a song written by Paltrow’s husband, Coldplay’s Chris Martin, and included on the Country Strong soundtrack, due out October 26th. McGraw also appears with William H. Macy, Mary Steenburgen and Dwight Yoakam in the new independent comedy Dirty Girl.

The track listing for Number One Hits is as follows:
Disc 1:
1. Live Like You Were Dying
2. Don’t Take The Girl
3. It’s Your Love (with Faith Hill)
4. Just to See You Smile
5. Something Like That
6. My Next Thirty Years
7. The Cowboy in Me
8. She Never Lets It Go to Her Heart
9. I Like It, I Love It
10. Watch the Wind Blow By
11. Please Remember Me
12. Real Good Man

Disc 2:
1. Southern Voice
2. My Best Friend
3. Everywhere
4. Grown Men Don’t Cry
5. Back When
6. Angry All the Time
7. Last Dollar (Fly Away)
8. Unbroken
9. Where the Green Grass Grows
10. Not a Moment Too Soon
11. Indian Outlaw (Dance Mix) (Bonus Track)
12. Felt Good on My Lips (Bonus Track)

••••

Brad Paisley has delivered one of the year’s hottest country tours with his H2O World Tour, and Paisley’s live chops will be on display as performances from the tour come together with hit studio favorites for the November 2 release of the double-disc Hits Alive. In live or studio versions, the collection includes 15 of Paisley’s 17 No. 1 songs and four that hit the Top 5, plus the instrumental “Time Warp” and Brad’s current single, “Anything Like Me.”

Featuring 21 songs, the two discs sport 24 total tracks, some presented both in live and studio versions. Disc one features 13 studio hits plus a new take on Paisley’s “Online” – blending studio and live renditions – while disc two includes previously unreleased live versions of ten favorites, plus the closing “Online (Reprise).”

A track listing is as follows:

Disc 1:
1. Mud on the Tires
2. Ticks
3. Anything Like Me
4. The World
5. Little Moments
6. When I Get Where I’m Going (Featuring Dolly Parton)
7. Celebrity
8. Then (Piano Mix)
9. I’m Still a Guy
10. He Didn’t Have to Be
11. Alcohol
12. Whiskey Lullaby (Featuring Alison Krauss)
13. We Danced
14. Online

Disc 2:
1. Water
2. American Saturday Night
3. Waitin’ on a Woman
4. I’m Gonna Miss Her
5. Mud on the Tires
6. She’s Everything
7. Time Warp
8. Letter to Me
9. Then
10. Alcohol
11. Online (Reprise)

FUNL Showcase, Louvin Album, Secret Sisters

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L to R: David Kastle (The Orchard), Tamara Alan (FUNL Music), Pam Browne (FUNL Music), Amber Hayes, and Ty Herndon. Photo by www.izzynashville.com

•••Nashville-based independent label FUNL Music hosted a double-feature showcase last night (10/19) at the Mercy Lounge with performances by Ty Herndon and Amber Hayes. Herndon’s Journey On earned the chart-topping singer a Dove Award earlier this year for “When We Fly.” Hayes’ current single, “C’mon,” is approaching Top 40 status on the Music Row Country Breakout chart.

O'Shea

•••DigitalRodeo.com is producing a new series called O’SHEA USA to air on Australia’s Country Music Channel (CMC). The 2-3 minute episodes will be hosted by Australia natives O’Shea, giving a behind-the-scenes look into life as up-and-coming Country artists and reporting from various Country music events around the U.S.

•••Charlie Louvin is releasing a new album via True North Records on Nov. 9. The Battles Rage On was inspired by his experiences in the Korean War. The Country Music Hall of Fame member is set for the Grand Ole Opry at the Ryman Auditorium on release day. Special guests on the album include Del McCoury and Jamie Dailey.

•••The Secret Sisters’ “My Heart Skips A Beat” is the iTunes Free Single Of The Week. The Nashville duo has worked with T. Bone Burnett and Jack White.

•••Web rumors abound that John Rich has been cast for the upcoming season of NBC’s Celebrity Apprentice. Warner Music Nashville reps won’t confirm or deny.

•••Gary Allan will have minor surgery in late November to remove a polyp from a vocal cord. He is expected to make a full recovery.

•••Nashville pop singer Alyssa Bonagura will be the opening act on Raul Malo’s November UK tour. She recently graduated from Paul McCartney’s Liverpool Institute for the Performing Arts and released The English Diaries. Check out her video of “Myself with Someone Else.”

•••Keni Thomas has been to New York to sing the national anthem at Yankee Stadium three times this season.

Keni Thomas on the Jumbotron at Yankee Stadium.

Warner Releases Songwriter Demos

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The original songwriter demos to some of country music’s biggest hits are being released today by Warner Bros. Records. Some of Nashville’s best songwriters are represented in the two-volume series. And the CD/digital booklet for Original Songwriter Demos contains the stories behind each hit as told by the writers.

It is available online at www.originalsongwriterdemos.com as well as at all digital retailers. Several Nashville shops will also carry the project including The Bluebird Cafe, The Country Music Hall of Fame, and the Grand Ole Opry Gift Shop.

Track listing for the Original Songwriter Demos:
Volume 1
1. The Dance – Garth Brooks (Tony Arata)
2. Strawberry Wine – Deana Carter (Matraca Berg, Gary Harrison)
3. Something Like That – Tim McGraw (Rick Ferrell, Keith Follese)
4. Independence Day – Martina McBride (Gretchen Peters)
5. Bless the Broken Road – Rascal Flatts (Jeff Hanna, Marcus Hummon, Bobby Boyd)
6. It’s Five O’ Clock Somewhere – Alan Jackson (Jim Brown, Donald Rollins)
7. She Thinks My Tractor’s Sexy – Kenny Chesney (Jim Collins, Paul Overstreet)
8. I Hope You Dance – Lee Ann Womack (Mark Sanders, Tia Sillers)
9. Amazed – Lonestar (Marv Green, Chris Lindsey, Aimee Mayo)
10. The House That Built Me – Miranda Lambert (Tom Douglas, Allen Shamblin)

Volume 2
1. Check Yes Or No – George Strait (Dana Hunt, Danny Wells)
2. If Tomorrow Never Comes – Garth Brooks (Kent Blazy, Garth Brooks)
3. It’s Your Love – Tim McGraw and Faith Hill (Stephony Smith)
4. If You’re Going Through Hell – Rodney Atkins (Dave Berg, Annie Tate, Sam Tate)
5. I Swear – John Michael Montgomery (Gary Baker, Frank Myers)
6. How Do I Live – LeAnn Rimes (Diane Warren)
7. Ain’t Nothing ‘Bout You – Brooks & Dunn (Rivers Rutherford, Tom Shapiro)
8. Every Day – Rascal Flatts (Alissa Moreno, Jeffrey Steele)
9. How Forever Feels – Kenny Chesney (Wendell Mobley, Tony Mullins)
10. Jesus Take the Wheel – Carrie Underwood (Hillary Lindsey, Gordie Sampson, Brett James)

Virginia Davis To Lead B.A.D. Management

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(L-R): Borchetta, Davis, and Azoff

Front Line Management CEO Irving Azoff, Big Machine Label Group CEO Scott Borchetta and Front Line artist manager Virginia Davis have formed B.A.D. Management, under the Front Line umbrella.

Davis, who joined Front Line in 2007, will oversee operations of the new company. She represents Jewel, and now adds fellow Big Machine group artists Steel Magnolia and Edens Edge to the roster.

Davis’s experience includes time as General Manager of Warner Bros. imprint RAYBAW Records, as well as National Marketing & Sponsorship Director for NSAI.

Eric Arnold, formerly of William Morris Endeavor, also joins B.A.D. as an artist manager. 
The B.A.D. offices will be located at 60 Music Square East, Suite 200, Nashville TN 37203.

Sugarland Unleashes Incredible Machine

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It’s release day for Sugarland, who are on the road celebrating and promoting their adventurous fourth album, The Incredible Machine. The duo, known for pushing country’s music boundaries, drew from a myriad of influences for the new project which weaves together pop/rock anthems, upbeat country, and even throws in a dash of reggae on the lead single “Stuck Like Glue,” already certified Gold. Among Jennifer Nettles and Kristian Bush’s inspiration was the ‘80s culture of their youth, citing John Hughes films, and music by The Pretenders and Blondie.

Past success—totaling 8 million albums sold—encouraged Sugarland to slide further away from what might be considered mainstream country on the new album. Bush credits the fans, record label UMG Nashville, and the industry. “It’s as if the industry and the culture have singled out the biggest risks we’ve taken on a record, a song like ‘Stay’ for example, and celebrated those,” he says. “They’ve embraced us at those times. We’ve tried to learn from that and this is what we’ve made…In the story of who we are, this album is more us than we’ve ever been.”

Sugarland stopped by CMT Radio Live to chat up host Cody Alan. The interview airs tonight (10/19) at 7 PM. (L-R): Kristian Bush, Cody Alan, Jennifer Nettles

“We are in a place of discovery,” adds Nettles. “It is the essence of who we are as people in this band. There is never a moment where we think, ‘This is good enough.’ There’s always a place for growth.”

Last night Sugarland performed at the Best Buy Theater in New York City as part of  “Unstaged: An Original Series from American Express.” Award-winning filmmaker Kenny Ortega (This is It, High School Musical, Dirty Dancing) directed the performance which streamed live on YouTube, and is still available. Surprise guests included Ronnie Dunn, Little Big Town and Jon Bon Jovi.

Tomorrow night (10/20) they return home to Atlanta for an album release party and performance at the Fox Theatre. Then it is off to New York for an appearance on The Today Show, followed by visits to Ellen, Chelsea Lately, Nate, CNN Heroes, CMA Country Christmas and VH1 Divas.

The band has relaunched its website to coincide with the album launch. Built by Ground(ctrl), it will include a fan community, with a new option called the SugarPass, offering more access to the band, advance ticket pre-sales, and limited edition merchandise.

A Deluxe Edition of The Incredible Machine offers a documentary titled Blood Love Hope Lust and Steam that chronicles the creation of the album and tour. The package also includes the music video for the lead-off hit single “Stuck Like Glue,” as well as a never-before-seen live performance music video for the title track.

Sugarland will perform on the CMA Awards and vie to retain their title of Vocal Duo of the Year.

Faith, Martina Set For Local Benefit For Babies

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Faith Hill and Martina McBride will headline the upcoming Rock the Cradle concert to benefit Baptist Hospital’s Beaman Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. The show is set for Tues., Oct. 26 at the Loveless Barn.

The evening includes a cocktail reception and dinner at 6:30 p.m., followed by the performances at 8 p.m. A live auction featuring exclusive travel and entertainment packages will also be a part of the festivities.

Money raised will go to the NICU and the families of its patients, supporting clinical, financial and emotional needs. This can include providing overnight accommodations for families from out-of-town so they can be closer to their sick baby, or providing medical travel for babies who need to go to a hospital out of state for specialized treatment.

Individual show tickets are available for $150, and include dinner, beverages and first come, first serve general seating for the performance. Visit www.baptisthospital.com/foundation or call (615) 284-2569 to purchase tickets.

Paisley Renames Winter Run: H2O Frozen Over

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Photo credit: Josh Rhinehart / Music Allies

Brad Paisley’s H2O World Tour stopped in Gulf Shores, AL last week, drawing over 35,000 fans for the free show that was part of “Concerts for the Coast” series to restore tourism to the region. Paisley’s outing continues through Nov. 20 with Justin Moore and Darius Rucker as special guests.

Gearing up for the winter leg of the tour, Paisley has renamed the run the H2O Frozen Over Tour. It kicks off in the frozen tundra of Green Bay, WI on January 20. Rucker will continue as special guest and Jerrod Niemann will join the outing. The show stops February 26 at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena.

The H2O Tour began at the end of May and in less than five months has played to over 750,000 fans, including 70,000 at AquaPalooza, and 51,000 at Gillette Stadium.

Paisley at the Gulf Coast benefit. Photo: Josh Rhinehart / Music Allies

Bentley, Aldean Donate Big Bucks

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Luke Bryan (L) and Bentley get the fans going with the crowd-favorite “Fishin’ in the Dark.” Photo: Chris Hollo

Dierks Bentley’s fifth annual “Miles & Music for Kids” raised more than $250,000 for Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt.

On Sun., Oct. 17, a pack of 1200 bikers rode to his concert where 5000 fans packed Riverfront Park for a jam-style concert featuring Bentley, Miranda Lambert, Luke Bryan, Del McCoury, Heidi Newfield, Jerrod Niemann, Mat Kearney and Laura Bell Bundy. The “Miles & Music for Kids” series has raised over $1.5 million for Childrens Miracle Network hospitals in Phoenix, Dallas-Fort Worth, Atlanta and Seattle.

••••••

Multi-platinum country rocker Jason Aldean donated proceeds from his Oct. 15 show in Evansville, Ind. to Susan G. Komen for the Cure® as part of his 5th Annual “Concert For The Cure.” Roberts Stadium was blanketed in pink to support the cause and an impressive $132,000 was raised, the most in the event’s 5-year history.

“We started this in memory of a close friend, and I know she would be proud of how much we were able to donate from the show in Evansville,” says Aldean. “I saw a lot of fans in the crowd wearing pink too, and thanks to them and everyone else that came out, we were able to raise more money than ever before.”

CMA Christmas Concert To Air On ABC; More Awards Performers

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Brad Paisley will perform on the CMA Christmas Special, and perform on and co-host the CMA Awards.

CMA is planning a big-name Christmas concert which will be taped for television the night after the CMA Awards. Joined by some of their family members, Sheryl Crow, Little Big Town, Martina McBride, Brad Paisley, Rascal Flatts, Reba, LeAnn Rimes, Darius Rucker, and Sugarland will perform and share their favorite holiday traditions.

CMA Country Christmas will tape in front of a live audience on Thursday, Nov. 11 at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena. The special will air Monday, Nov. 29 (9:30-11:00 p.m. ET) on the ABC Television Network. Robert Deaton is the executive producer, Paul Miller is the director and David Wild is the writer.

Sugarland is one of the performers slated for the CMA Christmas special, and the CMA Awards.

The CMA Awards will air live from the Bridgestone Arena on Wednesday, Nov. 10 (8:00-11:00 p.m. ET) on ABC, and it has just been announced that Sheryl Crow and Miranda Lambert will salute Loretta Lynn’s 50 years in the music business by performing her signature song, “Coal Miner’s Daughter” on the show. In 1972, Lynn became the first woman to be voted CMA Entertainer of the Year.

Previously announced CMA Awards performers include Dierks Bentley, Kenny Chesney, Lady Antebellum, Lambert, Rascal Flatts, Reba, Blake Shelton, George Strait, Sugarland, Keith Urban, and the pairing of Zac Brown Band with Alan Jackson. Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood will host and perform.

Official CMA Awards merch is available at CMAawards.com, including the CMA Awards Vault book. Written by Deborah Evans Price, it has a foreword by Kenny Chesney, an afterword by Barbara Mandrell and an archive of artist interviews, never-before-seen photographs and memorabilia.