Entries by Robert K Oermann

DISClaimer (reviews) 5/12/10

Everybody wins this week. There are no stinkers here. In fact, there are so many cool performances that I’m tossing out the weekly honors left and right…

DISClaimer Reviews (5/5/09)

Such A-listers as Trace Adkins, Montgomery Gentry, Carrie Underwood and Keith Urban all have sparkling new singles. The first two are boasting new sonic splendor, courtesy of Michael Knox, who produced both. David Lee Murphy’s work with Kevin Fowler also deserves a shout-out.

Pop Artist Owsley Passes

The Nashville pop-music artist billed as Owsley died Friday, April 30. Owsley’s 1999 self-titled debut solo album on Giant Records was nominated for a Grammy Award in the engineering field. His second, self-released, CD was titled The Hard Way. Earlier, he was in the Nashville pop-rock band The Semantics. Owsley was also noted as a […]

DISClaimer (reviews) 4/28/10

Did somebody suddenly crank up the quality on Music Row? I can’t remember the last time that so many singles vied for the top slot in one week. And in such a dazzling diversity of styles.

“Hutch” Carlock Passes

Elbert Hutchinson Carlock, known throughout the Nashville music community as “Hutch” Carlock, died Tuesday, April 20, at age 86. In 1953, Carlock founded Music City Record Distributors, Inc., one of the largest wholesalers of records, tapes, CDs and DVDs in the United States. The company also operated the Cat’s Records retail chain for many years. […]

DISClaimer (single reviews) 4/21/10

Let’s hear it for the seniors. Merle Haggard, age 73, and Willie Nelson, who will be 77 next week, both released new albums on Tuesday. And both of them are showing the kiddies how to do country music correctly.

Veteran Nashville Broadcaster Norm Ray Passes

Noted Nashville instrumentalist and veteran radio and television broadcaster Norm Ray died Saturday, April 17, at age 73. He is perhaps best remembered for the wit and humor he displayed for 20 years on the Ralph Emery Morning Show, WSM’s The Waking Crew and for the 10 years he spent in the house band on […]

DISClaimer 4/14/10

In a surprising and refreshing listening session, we were served a heaping helping of honest country sounds. Alan Jackson, Miss Leslie, Easton Corbin and Laura Dodd all turned in excellent efforts with nary a pop note in the bunch.

DISClaimer 4-7

B-o-r-i-n-g. In general, that’s what this week’s listening session was. There is nothing in this stack of platters that will change your life. Indeed, most of these discs will barely rouse you from your spring slumbers. The most exciting thing here comes courtesy of our DisCovery Award winner. Kyle Park is a triple threat as a singer, writer and producer. Lend him your ears.

Services Set for Pirates of the Mississippi Member

A memorial service will be held tomorrow, Saturday, April 3, for Pirates of the Mississippi’s Dean Townson. Townson died at age 50 on March 25. Kenneth Dean Townson was the bass player and harmony singer for the Pirates from 1990 to 1995. He sang on all of the group’s hits, including 1991’s “Feed Jake.” He […]