This is apparently Country Ballads Week. Almost all of the class acts in this stack of platters are making their marks with slower tempi fare. James Otto, Lorrie Morgan, John Mellencamp, Charlie Louvin, the LoCash Cowboys, Jerrod Niemann and Teea Goans ain’t about rockin’ the house. They have generally thoughtful things to say.
Clarence Reynolds Jr., known as “the banker to the stars,” died Tuesday, September 7, at age 82. Reynolds was a graduate of the Louisiana State University School of Banking of the South, where he was class president. Reynolds began working at Commerce Union Bank in 1946 and remained there for the next 41 years. The […]
The competition is at a really high level this week. I can’t remember when there were so many really fine songs going head to head during one listening session. “I Make a Difference,” “Bad Angel,” “Raymond” and “Who Are You When I’m Not Around” all tugged at my emotions in different ways. It’s also a really good sign when there are so many worthy newcomers making noise.
You say you want some tempo tunes? Well, step right up. This week’s stack of platters contains a bevy of boppers. Marty Stuart, The McClymonts, Blaine Larsen, Mason Douglas and Eric Heatherly are all tapping their toes. Margaret Durante and Jewel are both breezy, too.
SOURCE is movin’ on up, in every way. The organization’s eighth annual awards presentation honoring women in the Nashville music business featured a new venue, more attendees than ever, the announcement of its exhibit at the Nashville Airport, splendid food and an excellent roster of honorees. Beginning with the last, saluted this year were Celia […]
The stars are blindingly bright this week. Here for your listening enjoyment are top-tier new sounds from Carrie Underwood, Dierks Bentley, Rascal Flatts, Sugarland and Jamey Johnson. That’s what I call an embarrassment of riches. Up-and-comers like Jaron & The Long Road to Love and Crossin’ Dixon have fresh offerings, too.
These may be the Dog Days of summer, but some of the puppies in this stack of new tunes are as cute as the dickens. Ashley Gearing, Taylor Swift, The Roys and Amber Hayes are all bopping brightly. Joey + Rory have teamed with The Zac Brown Band to record an excellent ode to country’s core fans. Jesse Lee wins the DisCovery Award. She not only has a richly evocative country vocal style, but also the listening session’s best written song.
Nashville producer, songwriter, publisher, manager and record executive George Richey died more than three weeks ago, but the news was kept private for unknown reasons. WSMV news and The Tennessean have confirmed that Richey died on July 31. The station stated that, at his request, he was buried without a public memorial or publicity. Posts […]
It’s Independents’ Day. As regular readers know, I occasionally like to stray off the major-label path and devote a column entirely to indies. Just to survey the scene and see what’s going on.
Can I get a witness for Lloyd Maines? The steel-guitar wonder is behind two of the finest country performances in this stack of platters. And in the case of James Hand, I mean Country with a capital “C.”