DISClaimer: Summer Turns Up The Sizzle

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hunter hayes new photo

Hunter Hayes


Hot enough for you? This week’s stack of platters contains a few that turn up the temperature even more. The Jennifer Nettles solo single is one of them. Steve Holy’s is another. Newcomers Dave Hangley, Colby Dee and Danielle Bradbery have three more. Snappiest of all is our Disc of the Day by firecracker Hunter Hayes. The free-spirited singing style of pop Grammy nominee Jason Mraz compliments Hunter’s perfectly on their collaboration. The DisCovery Award goes to a female band comprised of Texas sisters Meagan, Madeline and Mallory Michaelis. I haven’t seen the group live yet, but I’m told that Michaelis is just as cool on stage as it is on CD.
MORGAN FRAZIER/Hey Bully
Writers: Morgan Frazier/Tiffany Coss/Sherrie Veronica Austin; Producers: Buddy Cannon, Bill McDermott; Publishers: Curb/Curb Congregation/Magic Mustang/Big Loud Bucks, ASCAP/SESAC/BMI; Sidewalk
-Her plaintive, heart-in-throat, emotive delivery of the timely lyric is so effective that it sounds like she’s lived it. Give this one a shot.
STEVE HOLY/Radio Up
Writers: Bruce Wallace/Ben Glover/Brian White; Producers: Matt McClure, Kyle Jacobs; Publishers: ole Purple Cape/ole 9t One/Ariose/Capitol CMG/Universal/Brentwood Benson/Songs From the White House, BMI/ASCAP/SESAC; MCC/Curb
-She’s going to leave him, so he goes into denial by turning up the music. Holy’s vocal delivery of the melody ranges from hushed and private to full-throated and piercing. The bonus is that the track is crisply and expertly produced. Nice job.
Michaelis

Michaelis


MICHAELIS/Shoot Straight
Writers:Michaelis/Dave Brainard/John Goodwin; Producers: Dave Brainard; Publisher: ASCAMP/Lucky 21 Publishing/SECAMP/Mallory Michaelis Music/Universal Music Corporation/Dave Brainard Songs/Queen’s Knight Music; ASCAP/SESAC/BMI; AMP
-This sister trio debuts with a bluesy, groove-soaked number that worms its way right into your brain. Hooky in the extreme, this is a fabulous listening experience. Play, play, play it. Again, again, again.
LYNN ANDERSON/Sweet Memories
Writers: Betty Swain/Jim Paul; Producers: Craig Brandwynne, Timothy Daher, Robin Ruddy; Publishers: Center Sound/Sure Babe, ASCAP; Center Sound
-The back story is that Betty Swain was an 85-year-old, part-time North Carolina country performer in 2010 with a batch of lyrics she’d written years before. Her relatives got together and hired a group of local musicians to turn them into songs. She died not long after hearing the result. Two years later, a group of Nashville artists was assembled to make a professional CD of the songs for Betty’s cancer-stricken daughter. Legendary Lynn Anderson kicks it off with a lively reading of the late Swain’s live-for-today lyric and Jim Paul’s toe-tapping tune.
ANN MARIE/Cowboy Up
Writers: Danny Myrick/Ann Marie; Producer: Danny Myrick; Publishers: none listed; AM
-Rocking and danceable. She’s looking for a real stud: “I need a man, man enough to handle my love.” Step right up if you think you can fill the bill.
HUNTER HAYES & JASON MRAZ/Everybody’s Got Somebody But Me
Writers: Hunter Hayes/Dave Brainard/Jennifer Zuffineti; Producers: Dann Huff and Hunter Hayes; Publishers: Songs of Universal/Happy Little Man/Dave Brainard/Big Red Tractor/Big Loud Bucks; BMI/ASCAP; Alantic (track)
-Lovely, lilting, youthful and delightfully bopping. Audio enchantment.
DAVE HANGLEY/Runaway Angel
Writers: Jim Allison, Todd O’Neill; Producer: Jim Allison; Publisher: NNS Publishing, BMI; NNS
-Nashville songwriter Jim Allison has relocated to Linwood, NJ (near Atlantic City) and established his Nashville North studio and label. Hangley is his first project, and he’s a worthy one. The uptempo song is superbly melodic, the production is taut, and the confident, hearty tenor vocal is right on the money. Well worth spinning.
DANIELLE BRADBERY/The Heart of Dixie
Writers: Caitlyn Smith/Brett James/Troy Verges; Producer: Brett James; Publishers: Music of Stage Three/Songs of Cornman/WB/Songs of Brett/External Combustion/Songs of Universal/Songs From the Engine Room, BMI/ASCAP; Republic Nashville
-She has a dead-end job and a dead-beat husband. So she hits the road and finds out that she’s a lot tougher than she thought she was. Bradbery’s soprano has just enough fire and spunk to sell this thumping female-empowerment ditty.
JENNIFER NETTLES/That Girl
Writers: Jennifer Nettles/Butch Walker; Producer: Rick Rubin; Publishers: Jennifer Nettles/EMI April/I Eat Pub For Breakfast, ASCAP; Mercury (CDX)
-Moody and kinda nervous sounding, it’s a darkly confessional tale of an attempt at man stealing. Nettles emotes well, and the production is refreshingly distinctive, although I could have done without the jarring, irritating studio applause in the finale.
COLBY DEE/He Don’t Know
Writers: Colby Dee/Karleen Watt/Lisa Torres; Producer: Daniel Dennis; Publisher: none listed; CD
-It’s a ringing, jingle-jangle country rocker with plenty of vim. Her vocal sparkles. The thinly written, barely-there song is quite repetitive, not to mention grammatically incorrect.

DISClaimer: Does Nashville Listen To Its Own Music?

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Zac Brown Band. Photo: Cole Cassell/Southern Reel

Zac Brown Band. Photo: Cole Cassell/Southern Reel


There are just not a whole lot of truly interesting sounds in country music these days. I recently took a long road trip, listening to radio stations all the way. And I can count on the fingers of one hand the number of times a record excited me enough to make me turn up the volume. I have long suspected that the people in Nashville who make country records don’t even listen to their own creations. Now I’m just about certain of it.
That said, there are some bright highlights in this week’s stack of platters. Jimmy Buffett & Toby Keith, The Band Perry and Randy Travis all have excellent new music. So does the Zac Brown Band, which takes home the Disc of the Day award.
The newcomers today are Cole Swindell, Angie Johnson, Maggie Sajak and our DisCovery Award winners, American Young.
LUKE BRYAN/That’s My Kind of Night
Writers: Ashley Gorley/Dallas Davidson/Chris DeStefano; Producer: Jeff Stevens; Publishers: Songs of Southside Independent/Out of the Taperoom/External Combustion/EMI Blackwood/Two Chord Georgia/EMI April/Sugar Glider, ASCAP/BMI; Capitol Nashville
-Typical contemporary “country,” which is to say banjo slapped on top of a rock-music track with lyrics about partying and a vague hip-hop vibe.
RANDY TRAVIS/Tonight I’m Playin’ Possum
Writers: Keith Gattis; Producer: Kyle Lehning; Publishers: Sony/ATV Tree/Pioneer Town/BMI; Warner Bros.
-Randy is facing a long recovery right now. While we await his comeback, here is an excellent tribute to the late, great George Jones to warm our country hearts. Needless to say, it is country to the core.
JIMMY BUFFETT & TOBY KEITH/Too Drunk To Karaoke
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publishers: International Dog/Big Yellow Dog/Scamporee/Hammer Arm/Coral Reefer/All About the Music, BMI; Mailboat
-He signs up to sing in the bar, but by the time they call his name, he’s blotto. These two sound like they’re having a ball with this hilarious, super bouncy, sing-along ditty. A single with a built-in smile. Essential.
ANGIE JOHNSON/Swagger
Writers: Angie Johnson/Josh Leo/Phoenix Mendoza; Producer: Josh Leo; Publishers: Sony-ATV Tree/I Can’t Stand Your Music/Keeping Music Alive/Cool Vibe, BMI; Sony (track)
-It’s a shouted rocker with quasi-metal electric guitar and programmed electronic effects. Catchy, rhythmic and pleasing, but not exactly drawing on any country musical tradition that I am aware of.
THE BAND PERRY/Don’t Let Me Be Lonely
Writers: Sarah Buxton/Rodney Clawson/Chris Tompkins; Producer: Dann Huff; Publishers: Big Red Toe/Box Tone/Amarillo Sky/Big Loud Songs/Play Animal/Big Loud Bucks, BMI/ASCAP; Republic Nashville
-Marvelously melodic. It begins softly, then adopts a steadily rocking groove and nice vocal interplay among the three siblings. The audio dynamics ebb and crest throughout the production, which keeps you fully involved. One of this group’s finest efforts to date.
American Young

American Young


AMERICAN YOUNG/Love Is War
Writers: Billy Montana/Kyle Sackley/Jonathan Singleton; Producers: Jon Stone, Justin Niebank & Lee Brice; Publishers: Mike Curb/Dandon Ranch/BMG Platinum/Jam Writers/Sheila Be Right/BMG Gold/We Jam Writers/Glassbean, BMI/ASCAP; Curb
-This male-female duo has a distinctive folky style that features unusual vocal harmony work and spare, striking instrumental accompaniment. The song is a dandy, too. Highly inventive and very, very good.
ZAC BROWN BAND/Sweet Annie
Writers: Zac Brown/Wyatt Durrette/Coy Bowles/Sonia Leigh/John Pierce; Producers: Keith Stegall & Zac Brown; Publishers: Weimerhound/Lil’ Dub/Angelika/Southern Ground/Maudlow, BMI/ASCAP; Southern Ground/Atlantic (track)
-It seems like whenever I get so bored with this format that I could scream, these guys come along to refresh my faith. This lilting ode to a wronged sweetheart is drenched with the group’s matchless vocal harmony and laced with delicious dobro notes. Heavenly.
MAGGIE SAJAK/Wild Boy
Writers: Aimee Mayo/Chris Lindsey/Caitlyn Smith/Troy Verges; Producer: Josh Leo; Publishers: Little Blue Typewriter/BPJ Administration/BMG Gold/Little Vampire/Music of Stage Three/Songs of Cornman/BMG Chrysalis/Songs of Universal/Songs From the Engine Room, ASCAP/BMI; MS
-She has a coy, sexy vocal style. The track has a nice thump. The upbeat song describes a heartbreaker boyfriend imaginatively. I like the whole audio package.
KELLIE PICKLER/Little Bit Gypsy
Writers: Kyle Jacobs/Tammy Kidd Hutton/Fred Wilhelm; Producers: Frank Liddell & Luke Wooten; Publishers: Curb/Jacobsong/Mike Curb/Float/Meaux Mercy/Capitol CMG, ASCAP/BMI; Black River
-I am such a major fan of this gal. This time around, she’s bopping along merrily as a wandering free spirit. Frothy and light and buoyant and oh-so listenable.
COLE SWINDELL/Chillin’ It
Writers: Cole Swindell/Shane Minor; Producer: Jody Stevens; Publishers: Sony-ATV Tree/Code Six Charles, BMI; Warner Bros.
-Same old, same old. They’re cruising on a backwoods road, listening to country radio and lolling around romantically.

Keith Urban Lights The Fuse on 2013 Tour

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Keith Urban in Georgia on his 2013 Light The Fuse Tour.

Keith Urban in Georgia on his 2013 ‘Light The Fuse’ tour.


Without a doubt, Keith Urban is igniting a flurry of excitement across the country during his current tour with opening acts Little Big Town and Dustin Lynch. On Saturday (July 27), Universal Music Group invited a group of Nashville industry players to Alpharetta, Ga.’s Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre at Encore Park to experience the second week of this headlining phenomenon billed as the Light The Fuse tour.
Fresh from his role as a judge on season 12 of American Idol, Urban proved a reliable authority not only for vocal prowess and entertainment charisma but for production quality. Together with set designer Travis Shirley, Urban has created a signature experience including lighting, CGI, video and confetti cannons for a must-see spectacle.
Throughout the evening, the Georgia audience was treated to a sampling of his new music with the tunes “Little Bit Of Everything” and “Even the Stars Fall For You,” alongside a slew of recognizable hits including “Kiss A Girl,” “Sweet Thing” and “Stupid Boy.” Event surprises included UMG opening act Little Big Town joining Urban for “You’re Gonna Fly,” as well as a satellite stage in the lawn, and to the delight of the audience, an invitation from the singer for two sign-waving sisters to join him on stage for a conversation and picture.
Keith Urban with opening label mates Little Big Town on the 'Light The Fuse' Tour singing "You Gonna Fly."

Keith Urban with opening label mates Little Big Town on the ‘Light The Fuse’ Tour singing “You Gonna Fly.”


Although Urban is capable of carrying the show solo, his talented bandmates Danny Rader, Brian Nutter, Chris McHugh and Jerry Flowers add a thrilling dimension to the audio and visual production. Meanwhile, Urban remains a dedicated musical cheerleader for his audience, as the first one on the stage and the last to leave. There is never a time the class act isn’t wearing his heart on his sleeve. Judging from the Georgia show, crowds are having no trouble embracing the entertainer as their own.
Additionally, Little Big Town showcased why they are the reigning CMA and ACM Vocal Group of the Year during their opening set. Saving big guns “Pontoon” and “Boondocks” for the end, the band performed a set that included soulful vocal harmonies and instrumental proficiency with “Little White Church,” “Tornado” and “Your Side Of The Bed.”
Catch upcoming dates for the 2013 tour here. Urban’s forthcoming album Fuse will be available September 10.

DisClaimer: Stars Light Up The Marquee

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frankie ballard

Frankie Ballard


The remedy for flat country sales this week is apparently to release tracks by real stars. I don’t know if it will cure the industry’s ills, but there is certainly no shortage of marquee names in this stack of platters. George Strait, Darius Rucker, Blake Shelton and Jason Aldean are all here. Despite that glittering lineup, upstart Frankie Ballard snatches away the Disc of the Day award with his delightful “Helluva Life.” Fully half of the singles here are specifically summer songs, and his is by far the best.
The runners-up as the week’s best new items would be the superb “Mine Would Be You” by Blake Shelton and “Sunshine” by the Court Yard Hounds. We only have one newcomer in this column, but she’s not strong enough to win a DisCovery Award. So there isn’t one.
RONNIE DUNN/Kiss You There
Writers: Don Schlitz/Josh Kear; Producer: Ronnie Dunn & Jeff Balding; Publishers: Global Dog/House of Sea Gayle, ASCAP; Little Willie (CDX)
-It’s not as naughty as the title might suggest. He wants to kiss her wherever they are, whether it’s in Paris, Dallas, Vegas, New York, Tijuana, Atlanta or Music City. An echoey production frames this star’s intense, electrifying vocal performance of the mid-tempo steamer.
GEORGE STRAIT/I Believe
Writers: George Strait/Bubba Strait/Dean Dillon; Producers: Tony Brown & George Strait; Publishers: Day Money/Hori Pro/Living for the Night/Sixteen Stars/Tenorado, ASCAP/BMI; MCA Nashville
-The gospel ballad is cushioned by ethereal strings, sighing organ and sympathetic piano work. The lyric mentions “twenty-six angels,” apparently referencing the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting victims in Newtown, Connecticut last December. Strait’s tender vocal is, of course, perfection.
DARIUS RUCKER/Radio
Writers: Darius Rucker/Luke Laird/Ashley Gorley; Producer: Frank Rogers; Publishers: Universal/Cadaja/Twangin and Slangin/Creative Nation/External Combustion/Out of the Taperoom/Songs of Southside Independent, ASCAP/BMI; Capitol Nashville
-Thumpy and funky. At age 17, he drove a broken-down junker, had no money and was cruising aimlessly. It didn’t matter, as long as the car’s radio was turned up loud and accompanied a good time. Lively, romping and impossible to resist.
RACHELLE LAMB/Real Men Wear Boots
Writers: Zach Richardson/Jason Plummer; Producer: Jason Plummer; Publisher: 80 Proof Poetry and Truths, BMI; 80 Proof (CDX)
-Bluesy sass. She’s kicking aside the guy with the “preppy attitude” for a fella with a “farmer tan.” Her vocal would be more effective if it didn’t sound so forced. And double-tracking it didn’t help.
FRANKIE BALLARD/Helluva Life
Writers: Rodney Clawson/Chris Tompkins/Josh Kear; Producers: Marshall Altman and Scott Hendricks; Publishers: Big Red Toe/Amarillo Sky/Big Loud Songs/Play Animal/Big Loud Bucks/Global Dog/Lunalight, BMI/ASCAP; Warner Bros.
-Completely enchanting. The ingredients are heavenly romance, a six-pack, a night sky, a tune on the radio and a swaying dance together. It is, indeed, a helluva life. A single to get lost in. This is THE song of the summer of 2013.
UNCLE KRACKER/Blue Skies
Writers: M. Shafer/Scooter Carusoe; Producer: Keith Stegall; Publishers: Warner-Tamerlane/Gaje/Scrambler/Abbotts Creek, BMI/ASCAP; Sugar Hill
-I have always liked this guy’s slightly pinched, squally, boyish and earnest vocal style. He retains his young-pup appeal on this lightweight, summery bopper. Innocent and endearing.
BLAKE SHELTON/Mine Would Be You
Writers: Deric Ruttan/Connie Harrington/Jessi Alexander; Producer: Scott Hendicks; Publishers: WB/Doc and Maggie/Get a Load of This/EMI Blackwood/Watch This Girl/Great Day at This/Vistaville/Happy Tears, ASCAP/BMI; Warner Bros.
-Ultra romantic, saying the things that any young guy would like to say to his honey. In addition to being a very well written song, it’s one of Blake’s finest vocal performances in recent memory.
LONESTAR/Party All Day
Writers: Michael Britt/Richie McDonald/Frank Myers/Jerry Williams; Producer: Lonestar; Publishers: Bull Chip Ditties/NuState/Melawa/Rite Tune, BMI; 4Star
-The reunited Lonestar boys rock out on this celebration of summer play-time fun. Get up and dance.
COURT YARD HOUNDS/Sunshine
Writers: Martin Strayer/Emily Robison/Martie McGuire/Jonatha Brooke/Alex Dezen; Producers: Jim Scott, Emily Robison & Martie McGuire; Publishers: FUFF/Bingowings/MLSIV/Naughty Puppy/Warner Tamerlane/Pasa, BMI/ASCAP; Columbia (track)
-The second Court Yard Hounds album by Dixie Chick sisters Emily and Martie kicks off with this jaunty tune. The guy is such a downer that she calls him “Sunshine” and goes her own way, with her positivity intact. Bottom line: “Don’t rain on my parade.” The album is titled Amelita, and it is a sonic delight throughout. Buy it.
COLT FORD & JASON ALDEAN
Writers: C. Wiseman/R. Clawson/C. Tompkins; Producer: Dan Huff; Publishers: Big Loud Shirt/Big Loud Bucks/Big Red Toe/Amarillo Sky/Big Loud Songs/Angel River, ASCAP/BMI; Average Joes
-Synth bubbles and sound-effect wooshes and burbles plunk the good-timey track along its way. Colt drawls the rap part, and Jason sings the chorus in an electronically compressed vocal. Pleasant, if not exactly country.

DisClaimer: What The Indies Are Offering

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Cerrito

Cerrito


All hail the fine folks at CDX. Not only do these bi-monthly compilation discs keep us up to date on what the major labels are putting out (or aren’t, which seems to be the case lately), each one is also a smorgasbord of what the indies are offering. For me, that means the anticipation of hearing new voices. This week’s column is a sampling from that smorgasbord. Here to remind us that not everything needs to be serious is the durable Cerrito. His novelty tune is just silly enough to win the Disc of the Day prize. I have no idea who North 40 is/are. But among the many unknowns I listened to today, they were my favorites. Give ‘em a DisCovery Award.
DOUG NEWMAN & SOS RENEWAL/Gonna Give You Praise
Writers: Doug Newman; Producer: Robert Metzger; Publisher: Buddy & Billy/Sony-ATV Songs, BMI; Platinum Plus
-The track is slightly sloppy, old-time rock ‘n’ roll. The singer is righteously into it. Retro all the way.
JOE/Final Curtain Call
Writers: Gene Cash; Producer: Allen Cash; Publisher: Divison, BMI; Music Row (CDX)
-The cow is moaning in the barn. Somebody put it out to pasture.
BLACKJACK BILLY/The Booze Cruise
Writers: Noll Billings/Jeff Coplan/Chuck Jones; Producers: Jeff Coplan and Blackjack Billy; Publishers: 3rd Nineteen/Vandermont/City Angel/Ole Red Cape/Roots Three/Ole/No E No D/Big Spaces/Amplified Admin/Poppy Loppy, ASCAP/SOCAN/BMI; TTA (CDX)
-Energetic and merry, if rather melodically challenged.
KARI & BILLY/Play Me a Fiddle Song
Writers: Billy Arnold; Producers: Billy Arnold and Kari Arnold; Publisher: none listed; BMI; Applause (CDX)
-Earnest and well meaning, but thin sounding. Kari, by the way, can barely be heard. Despite the billing, this is essentially a Billy performance.
BURLY CLYDE/Living In America
Writers: Charlie Midnight/Dan Hartman; Producers; Mark Needham and Charlie Midnight; Publishers: Bay Parkway/Round Hill Works, BMI; MAN (CDX)
-That’s right: It’s the 1986 James Brown hit refashioned as a wailing country-rocker. Kinda different. Kinda cool.
CERRITO/Hot Pepper Doll
Writers: Cy Coben; Producers: Felipe De LaRosa, Bartley Pursely and Cerrito; Publisher: Delmore, ASCAP; Checo (CDX)
-This Latin bopper comes complete with staccato horn bursts as it praises the spicy culinary skills of his betrothed. They’ll be wed if his stomach can take the heat. Very cute.
north 40 hey girl heyNORTH 40/Hey Girl Hey
Writers: Paige Logan/Amber Rose; Producers: Leigh Reynolds and Mills Logan; Publisher: Molly Jack, BMI; Rhymetown (CDX)
-The lead singer has an attractively smokey, dramatic delivery, and she struts her way through this with moxie to spare. This is her night to rock.
JAY JOLLEY/God Save Us All From Religion
Writers: Doug Johnson, Charlie Daniels and Kim Williams; Producer: Chuck Alkazian; Publishers: Sony ATV Cross Keys/Triple Cross/Mike Curb/Sweet Radical/Wooley Swamp, BMI/ASCAP; Double J (CDX)
-“We’ve got Jews and Muslims and ten thousand flavors of Christians,” ponders the man at the bar while he watches a hypocrite preacher on TV. “We kill in God’s name.” Which leads to the title phrase.
JARED BLAKE/Countrified
Writers: Jared Blake, Skidd Mills, Carl Bell; Producer: Skidd Mills; Publishers: Hey Y’all Watch This/Skiddoo/Lucky Diamond, BMI; Skiddco (CDX)
-She’s a city sophisticate, but he’s going to change her by exposing her to honky-tonkin,’ drinking and brawling. Guess what? It works. The screaming guitar and his drawling, baritone, Southern-rock delivery must have done the trick.
LOGAN TUDEEN/Circles
Writers: Logan Tudeen/Kent Wells; Producer: Kent Wells; Publishers: Logan Tudeen/Creek Valley; BMI/ASCAP; Go Time (CDX)
-The track has a moody, bluesy tone. She has a penetrating voice, yet it sounds like she is trying a little too hard. Forceful, but not something I’d listen to again.

DisClaimer: Established Artists Keep The Music Coming

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bush hawg1Established hit makers are the big news this week. Michael Martin Murphey, Joe Diffie, Kix Brooks and the new duo of Pam Tillis and Lorrie Morgan all have new music in this stack of platters. So do such well-known up-and-comers as Thompson Square, Georgette Jones and Amber Digby. Grits and Glamour is the moniker that Pam and Lorrie are using. These delightfully talented gals easily pull in the Disc of the Day prize. A six-man band called Bush Hawg is the winner of this week’s DisCovery Award. You’re coming in loud and clear, fellas. Send more.
GEORGETTE JONES/Til I Can Make It On My Own
Writers: J.D. Hicks/Bill McCorvey; Producer: Justin Trevino; Publishers: On the Mantel/Universal Songs of PolyGram, BMI; Heart of Texas
-Georgette’s new CD is a tribute to the music of her Hall of Fame mother, Tammy Wynette. This is its title tune, Tammy’s immortal 1976 smash. Let’s face it, no one can replicate the legend’s electrifying vocal delivery, but daughter does a more than respectable job on the ballad. The puzzle here is the songwriter credit. This was famously a Wynette/Billy Sherrill/George Richey collaboration. So where are their names? Elsewhere in the album, Georgette’s parents’ duets are revived with Justin Trevino and Billy Yates standing in for papa George. This is a most worthy project.
JOE DIFFIE/Girl Ridin’ Shotgun
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed; Bigger Picture
-It says, “featuring D-Thrash of The Jawga Boyz.” I presume that is the dull, witless rapper who is getting in the way of Diffie’s singing.
THOMPSON SQUARE/Everything I Shouldn’t Be Thinking About
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed; Stoney Creek
-Who feels like doing chores when your lover is near? The choppy, handclappy rhythm is a delight. Definitely a superior summer single.
KIX BROOKS/There’s The Sun
Writers: Trent Summar/Brandon Kinney; Producer: Kix Brooks; Publisher: Songs of Universal/Songs of NTN/Hits of Tom Lies/Two Cylinder, BMI, Arista (track)
-It’s a bluesy drawler praising the arrival of warm weather. The groove’s the thing.
ROBIN MEADE/Get Up
Writers: Robin Meade/Lee Brice/Victoria Shaw; Producer: Victoria Shaw; Publisher: Meade in America/Curb/Victoria Shaw/Do Write, ASCAP/BMI/SESAC; Meade In America
-This HLN anchor has previously proven herself to be a capable country vocalist. Her new single is a rousing rocker about spirit-lifting survival. Highly listenable and heartily recommended.
MICHAEL MARTIN MURPHEY/Peaceful Country
Writers: Michael Martin Murphey/Ryan Murphey/Pat Flynn; Producers: Ryan Murphey and Pat Flynn; Publisher: Rocking 3 M/Wrong Man/Mia Culpa, BMI/ASCAP; Red River (track)
-Red River Drifter was released this week as Murphey’s newest western-music collection. It kicks off with this lively ditty that pairs the star’s tenor voice with scampering, sparkling banjo, mandolin and fiddle work. Cowboy bluegrass, anyone?
Grits-and-Glamour1GRITS AND GLAMOUR/I Know What You Did Last Night
Writers: Karyn Rochelle/Al Anderson; Producer: Pam Tillis and Lorrie Morgan; Publisher: Big Yellow Dog, BMI; Red River (track)
-Saucy, sassy, rocking and a big boatload of fun. Pam Tillis and Lorrie Morgan are the perfect party girls for this rollicking toe tapper. And their personality-packed voices sound terrific together.
JASON STURGEON/Angel Eyes
Writers: Fred Koller/John Hiatt; Producer: Greg Archilla; Publisher: BMG/Bug/Lucrative/Lillybilly, BMI; Tool Pusher
-The Jeff Healey Band’s 1989 pop smash has been reincarnated as a country ballad. The pace is a little plodding, but the song is so strong that it more than survives the rearrangement.
BUSH HAWG/Crushin’
Writers: Shawn Ames/Jaron Boyer/Vicky McGehee; Producer: Michael Knox; peermusic III/Buy the Farm/Pacific Wind/4T4/February 4, BMI; RCA
-Obsessive love, to the accompaniment of throbbing electric guitars. Promising sounding.
AMBER DIGBY/One More Thing I WIsh I’d Said
Writers: Amber Digby/Vince Gill; Producer: Amber Digby, Randy Lindley and Justin Trevino; Publisher: none listed, BMI; Heart of Texas
-Digby has been a musical treasure in Texas for years. For her current CD, The World You’re Living In, she enlisted Nashvillians like Lloyd Green Pig Robbins and Pete Wade and co-wrote with Music City’s Bill Anderson, Dale Dodson and Vince Gill. The last named is her collaborator on this ballad weeper that is soaked in steel and fiddle. Hillbilly heaven.

DisClaimer: Trio Riding High

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Blue Sky Riders is made up of (L-R) Kenny Loggins, Georgia Middleman and Gary Burr

Blue Sky Riders is made up of (L-R) Kenny Loggins, Georgia Middleman and Gary Burr


The guys and the gals are canceling each other out this week. Jason Cassidy and Toby Keith have the two finest new male singles, and they are equally potent. Likewise, womanly Debbie Cochran and girlish Sarah Darling both have super strong singles, although in completely different ways. That leaves room for the group Blue Sky Riders to ride to the rescue with the Disc of the Day. I know you’re probably sick of reading me rave about this trio (Kenny Loggins, Gary Burr and Georgia Middleman), but I’m not going to stop until every one of you goes out and buys the album and hears what I’m talking about. So there. Nobody wins a DisCovery Award in this edition of DisClaimer.
TRACY LAWRENCE/Footprints on the Moon
Writers: Ben Hayslip/Dallas Davidson/Rhett Akins; Producers: Flip Anderson & Tracy Lawrence; Publishers: WB/Get a Load of This/EMI Blackwood, ASCAP/BMI; LMC (CDX)
-Tempo for your summer playlist, plus an ultra-romantic lyric. Soaring sonics.
OLD CROW MEDICINE SHOW/Carry Me Back To Virginia
Writers: Secor/Haynes/Watson; Producer: Ted Hutt; Publishers: Blood Donor/Broken Banjo/Spirit One, BMI; ATO (CDX)
-This acoustic band is currently riding high as the co-writer of Darius Rucker’s “Wagon Wheel.” This just-released, fiddle-tune pep-fest is for the frisky clogger in all of us. Folk flavored and earthy, it’s a tongue-tripping performance with a built-in smile.
TOBY KEITH/Drinks After Work
Writers: Natalie Hemby/Luke Laird/Barry Dean; Producer: Toby Keith; Publishers: EMI Blackwood/Wruckestrike/Songs of Universal/Creative Nation/Country Paper/Pulse Nation/Twangin and Slangin, BMI; Show Dog
-He is propositioning in the nicest way in this scampering ditty. Hey, where’s the harm in a little conversation during Happy Hour? As usual, Toby sings with enormous charm and personality.
JASON CASSIDY/Blame It On Waylon
Writers: Rhett Akins/Josh Thompson; Producers: Greg Hunt and Jason Cassidy; Publisher: none listed; JC (track)
-The production rocks righteously, and his country baritone has just the right touch of “outlaw” swagger. Already a hit in Texas, I see no reason why this stomper couldn’t have much, much wider appeal.
SARAH DARLING/Little Umbrellas
Writers: Sarah Darling/Doug Johnson/Rob Crosby; Producer: Ilya Toshinsky; Publishers: Golden Vault/Wadmalaw/Black River/Sweet Conspiracy/Offer You Can’t Refuse/Little Darling/Want a Fresh One, BMI/ASCAP; 764
-Perky, pop-y, choppy, bopping. Her lilting delivery is sweetly girlish, but the lyric is about empowerment and getting over a guy. Extremely catchy.
DEBBIE COCHRAN/When You’re Loving Me
Writer: Debbie Cochran; Producer: Kent Wells; Publisher: DMC Anniston; BMI; Go Time (track)
-Her languid, lustrous, throaty, confident, slightly bluesy delivery is enchanting. The band locks into a steady groove behind her on this seductive, mid-tempo outing. Dreamy listening.
BLUE SKY RIDERS/Feelin’ Brave
Writers: Blue Sky Riders; Producers: Peter Asher and Blue Sky Riders; Publishers: Gnossos/Connboy/Middle Girl, ASCAP/SESAC; 3 Dream (track)
-All 15 tracks on this group’s debut CD Finally Home are so uniformly superb that choosing what to issue as a single must be insanely difficult. This throbbing, tempo-shifting, harmony-drenched choice provides moments for all three vocalists to shine. Beyond fabulous.
T.J. BROSCOFF/This Is The Moment
Writer: T.J. Broscoff; Producers: Bill Green and T.J. Broscoff; Publisher: Bill Green, BMI; BGM
-His delivery of this heartbreak toe-tapper has hillbilly soul. Punchy and potent, despite the somewhat slim production values.
ASHTON SHEPHERD/This Is America
Writer: Ashton Shepherd; Producers: Ronnie Rogers and Larry Beard; Publisher: none listed; Pickin’ Shed
-Just in time for the Fourth of July comes this patriotic number about surviving hard times. It is somewhat wordy, but she sings the fire out of it nonetheless.
AARON WOODS BAND/Hangin’ By The River
Writers: Aaron Woods/Colt Larimore; Producer: Tony Pierce; Publisher: none listed, BMI; EJP
-You can’t sing, and your song about a country party is so hackneyed it gives me a headache.

DISClaimer: Sizzling Music For A Hot Summer

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the henningsens11

The Henningsens


Hot enough for you? Summer weather has arrived in Middle Tennessee a little later this year, but no less muggy and oppressive than usual. Appropriately, our disc makers are turning up the heat as well. In this column, you’ll find outstanding work, tailored to the season, from Craig Morgan, Tim McGraw, Philip Claypool and Mark McKinney. The duet of Sherry Lynn and Crystal Gayle is also cooking with gas. Our Disc of the Day award goes to a non-summer themed outing, “I Miss You” by The Henningsens. These three folks sound starward bound with this dynamic single. Sidewalk Records is a Curb imprint that is introducing our DisCovery Award winner, a promising singer-songwriter named Dylan Scott. So bon voyage to him.
GRETCHEN WILSON/Crazy
Writers: Vicky McGehee/Rachel Farley/Brian Davis; Producer: Gretchen Wilson; Peermusic III/February 4/Rockin Rose/Mike Curb, BMI; Redneck (track)
-She sings so well. Why bury her performance with grinding, wailing electric guitars?
SHERRY KENNEDY/Mama, He Treats Your Daughter Mean
Writers: Lance/Singleton/Wallace; Producer: Mark Moseley; Publisher: Sony, no performance rights listed; Sheaken (CDX)
-Ruth Brown, who sang the original 1955 r&b version of this, was known as “Miss Rhythm.” This must be “Miss Anti-Rhythm.”
CRAIG MORGAN/Wake Up Lovin’ You
Writers: Josh Osborne/Matt Ramsey/Trevor Rosen; Producer: none listed; Publishers: Want a Fresh One/Black River/Music of RPM/Sonic Geo/Unfair Entertainment/Songs of Bims/Calhoun Enterprises, ASCAP; Black River
-This steady stomper begins with the sound of an alarm clock, and the production work is stellar throughout. Yet nothing detracts from his completely gripping, electrifying vocal performance. This guy gets to me every time. Play him.
TIM SWEENEY/Baby I Try For You
Writer: Tim Sweeney; Producer: Kim Copeland; Publisher: Tim Sweeney, BMI; Old House (track)
-He sings in an earnest, airy tenor. The ballad is bland.
TIM MCGRAW/Southern Girl
Writers: Jaren Johnston/Lee Thomas Miller/Rodney Clawson; Producers: Byron Gallimore and Tim McGraw; Publishers: Sony-ATV Harmony/Texa Rae/Writers of Sea Gayle/Itchy Baby/Big Red Toe/Amarillo Sky, ASCAP/BMI; Big Machine (track)
-The bouncy song name-checks New Orleans, Tupelo, Memphis, Savannah, Daytona and other Dixie spots while praising the virtues of Southern ladies. But Tim’s personable vocal and the catchy, effects-dotted production are the real stars here.
Dylan Scott

Dylan Scott


DYLAN SCOTT/Makin’ This Boy Go Crazy
Writers: Dylan Scott/Forest Glen Whitehead; Producer: Jim Ed Norman; Publishers: Curb/Want a Fresh One/Black River, ASCAP; Sidewalk
-He’s a country baritone effortlessly negotiating tongue-tripping verses and then rounding the corners into the choruses with terrific elan and confidence. Absolutely worth your spins.
PHILIP CLAYPOOL/Strong One
Writers: Philip Claypool/Jeff Silbar; Producer: Michael Lloyd; Publishers: Heyday/Silbar, BMI/ASCAP; Heyday
-This former Curb artist of the 1990s is back with a chin-up, positive-think rocker. I love his drawling phrasing on this driving, relentless production. The icing on the cake is that it is extremely well-written.
SHERRY LYNN AND CRYSTAL GAYLE/Beautiful Life
Writers: Danny Wells/Jose Luis Pagan/Sarah Lenore; Producers: Ted Hewitt & Christos Gatzimos; Publishers: Cauley Music Group/BMG Chrysalis/Songs of Universal/Money Mack/Warner-Tamerlane, BMI; Steal Heart
-Sherry and Crystal trade lines with equal fire and finesse on this dandy country-rocker. It’s a really commercial and radio-ready toe-tapper. Co-producer Gatzimos is Crystal’s grown-up son.
THE HENNINGSENS/I Miss You
Writers: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Producer: none listed; Arista (track)
-This family trio latches onto this driving, thumping slab of wistful longing with enormous energy. The vocals are simply stunning, and the backing track has superb intensity and pent-up power. The finale, three-part harmony chord will break your heart.
MARK McKINNEY/Stolen Cash
Writer: none listed; Producer: Eric McKinney and Mark McKinney; Publisher: none listed; MM
-It’s a gently rolling, easy-going, good-time thang. The catchy ditty is about falling giddy in love while summering at the beach. It goes down mighty smoothly.

DisClaimer: Newcomers, Come on down!

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DisCovery Winner Rob Baird

DisCovery Winner Rob Baird


This week, it’s newcomers, “Come on down!”
Making their debuts in the column are Stephanie Quayle, Sturgill Simpson, Rob Baird, Rian Greene and Madison McKenzie. Obviously, one of them is walking off with a DisCovery Award. But which one will it be?
It will be Rob Baird of Austin, Texas. He sings with dusty authenticity and has co-written an escapist road song that puts pedal to the metal.
The Disc of the Day award goes to Robin Meade & Blue Sky Riders. TV news anchor Meade has proved in the past that she has what it takes as a country singer. Her “Here For You” collaboration with the trio of Gary Burr, Kenny Loggins & Georgia Middleman is a match made in heaven.
CNN ON AIR TALENT

Disc of the Day goes to Robin Meade and Blue Sky Riders.


ROBIN MEADE & BLUE SKY RIDERS/Here for You
Writer: Erik Dylan/Robin Meade/Victoria Shaw; Producer: Victoria Shaw; Publisher: Warner-Tamerlane/Songs of the Corn/Meade in America/Victoria Shaw/Do Write, BMI/ASCAP/SESAC; Meade in America (track) 
—Count on Me is the second country CD by popular HLN Morning Express TV host Meade. The collection leads off with this stirring, passionate ode to fidelity and emotional support. Meade’s sturdy alto delivery trembles with emotion and the interwoven vocal harmonies of the Blue Sky Riders send the track into the stratosphere. The collection includes seven songs co-written by the singer, as well as covers of Tom Petty’s “I Won’t Back Down,” The Pretenders’ “I’ll Stand By You” and Garth Brooks’ “The Dance.”
Blue Sky Riders

Blue Sky Riders


ROB BAIRD/Dreams and Gasoline
Writer: Rob Baird/Rick Brantley; Producer: Scott Davis & Kevin Szymanski; Publisher: Tiltawhirl/Carnival/Scrambler, BMI/ASCAP; Carnival (CDX)  
—I like the urgency and passion in his voice. The country-rock track rumbles along splendidly. His composition has the irresistible forward momentum and sky-high optimism of all great road songs. A thrilling performance.
RACHELE LYNAE/Fishin’ for Something
Writer: Rachele Lynae/Hannah Bethel; Producer: Jamie O’Neal; Publisher: Rachele Lynae/Hamywyn, ASCAP/BMI; Momentum 
—Very cleverly written, featuring plenty of water, bait, fish and angling metaphors. The track rocks nicely with a punchy backbeat and cool banjo and dobro licks. The vocal performance has all the moxie you could ask for.
LIVEWIRE/Whiskey Sunday
Writer: Joe Romano/Jason Vanover; Producer: Justin Woods; Publisher: Carolina Basketball/Draw Four, ASCAP/BMI; Way Out West
—Heartache, performed with a lively tempo, vocal harmonies and a catchy tune. Highly listenable.
CLAYTON GARDNER/Something About You
Writer: Clayton Gardner/Mack Damon; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed
—He has a burnished baritone voice with a “lived in” quality that is quite attractive. The song is a romantic country-rocker that invites you dance and sing along. Well done.
STEPHANIE QUAYLE/Stand Back
Writer: Stephanie Quayle/Mindy Ellis Campbell/Mark Carson; Producer: Dale Libby; Publisher: none listed; Rebel Engine (track)
—She sings well. Not that the song is a vocal showcase of any kind. It barely has a melody. Rock energy is no substitute for craftsmanship.
STURGILL SIMPSON/Life Ain’t Fair and the World Is Mean
Writer: Sturgill Simpson; Producer: Dave Cobb; Publisher: Pan Bowl. ASCAP; High Top Mountain (track)
—This singer-songwriter has a cool, retro style that is country, country, country. This opening track of his just-released CD borrows its rolling atmosphere from the outlaw sound of Waylon Jennings. Which is a good thing, indeed. Simpson has been opening shows for Dwight Yoakam and Junior Brown, and I’ll bet he’s darn good at it.
PHILLIP THOMAS/Summer Fun
Writer: none listed; Producer: Phillip Thomas & A.J. Vallejo; Publisher: none listed; Phillip Thomas  
—He certainly no powerhouse as a vocalist on this record. But his delivery of the lightweight, harmless ditty about being a teen at a beach party goes down easily.
RIAN GREENE/The Best I’ve Ever Had
Writer: Rian Greene; Producer: none listed; Publisher: Mountainwood, BMI; Post Oak (track) 
—This Nashville singer-songwriter has a hushed, intimate vocal style. The backing is spare, featuring jingle-jangle guitar and organ notes in a bopping, bubbling, mid-tempo arrangement.
MADISON McKENZIE/This Is My Life
Writer: Madison McKenzie; Producer: Bob Bullock; Publisher: Madi M, ASCAP; Madi M (track) 
—She has a youthful, confessional songwriting style that packs vivid details into every line. Vocally, she leans toward the breathy, pop end of the spectrum. Sonically, the ditty is airy and fluffy. Kid country.

DISClaimer: Awards Show Edition

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Let’s pretend this is an awards show, and give out prizes in lots of categories. Our Female Vocalist Disc of the Day honor belongs to  Miranda Lambert, with special kudos for coloring outside the lines with her song choice. The Male Vocalist Disc of the Day prize goes to Chris Stapleton. No one else even comes close. The Vocal Group Disc of the Day award, I am delighted to announce, is presented to the Eli Young Band for its outstanding audio work. I can’t say enough good things about the magnificent Chris Stapleton, who is also taking home this week’s DisCovery Award. Applause, applause.

Stapleton

Chris Stapleton


BRANCH & DEAN/The Dash
Writers: Marlon Dean/Michael Huffman; Producers: Michael Huffman, Marlon Dean Scallan & Jeff Silvey; Publishers: Shootin Straight/Huff Stuff, BMI/ASCAP; SSM Nashville
-The “dash” is the one they place between your birth and death years. The message here is to spend that brief “dash” well, because, “There’s only so much breath you get to take….So love like you mean it, everyday.” Imaginative and emotionally valid.
CLINTON GREGORY/You Smile
Writers: Pebe Sebert/Gerald Smith; Producers: Jamie Creasy & Clinton Gregory; Publishers: Laloluka/Melody Roundup/Bluewater, BMI; Melody Roundup
-Tender and caressing. This thoughtful ode to perseverance finds its perfect voice in this fine, stone-country stylist. Songwriter Sebert, by the way, is the mother of pop star Ke$ha.
LAUREN ALAINA/Barefoot and Buckwild
Writers: Lauren Alaina/Chris DeStefano/Jon Nite; Producer: Chris DeStefano; Publishers: Lyles/EMI April/Sugar Glider/Jon Mark Nite, BMI/ASCAP; Mercury/19 (CDX)
-Just what we need, a female artist jumping onto the dirt-road-party bandwagon.
ELI YOUNG BAND/Drunk Last Night
Writers: Laura Veltz/Josh Osborne; Producers: Frank Liddell & Justin Niebank; Publishers: Warner-Tamerlane/Want a Fresh One/Black River, BMI/ASCAP; Republic Nashville
-Frothing and foamy, this is one delectable slab of country-rock. Everything works here: The morning-after lyric, the frenetic tempo, the stuttering guitars, the group harmonies and the crisp production work.
TAYLOR SWIFT/Red
Writers: Taylor Swift; Producers: Dann Huff, Nathan Chapman and Taylor Swift; Publishers: Sony-ATV Tree/Taylor Swift, BMI; Big Machine (Track)
-It’s Taylor in her twirling, swirling uptempo mode. Dizzy, bright and delirious.
CHRIS STAPLETON/What Are You Listening To
Writers: Chris Stapleton/Lee Thomas Miller; Producer: Tony Brown; Publishers: House of Sea Gayle/Small Fish/Writers of Sea Gayle/Itchy Baby, ASCAP/BMI; Mercury
-Sublimely soulful. If you never caught his performances in The SteelDrivers, welcome to the Next Great Vocalist in country music. Chris has written hits for Josh Turner, George Strait, Kenny Chesney, Steel Magnolia and more, but Nashville insiders have always known that his powerful singing has always deserved its own spotlight. Now it has it.
lambert

Miranda Lambert


JASON ALDEAN/Night Train
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Broken Bow (track)
-This restrained, subtle, gracefully shaded performance is his most accomplished vocal to date. The come-on song casts him a romantic role. An attractive change of pace.
JESSE & NOAH/Driven Back
Writers: Jesse & Noah Bellamy; Producers: Jesse and Noah Bellamy; Publisher: Skunk Ape, ASCAP; Jessandnoah
-David Bellamy’s boys head in a funky, pop direction on the title tune to their latest collection. Left of center, but definitely listenable.
MIRANDA LAMBERT/All Kinds of Kinds
Writers: Phillip Coleman/Don Henry; Producers: Frank Liddell, Chuck Ainlay & Glenn Worf; Publishers: Gravitron/Carnival/Warner-Tamerlane, SESAC/BMI; RCA (track)
-Exquisitely produced, with rolling Dobro notes, strummed acoustic guitar, rippling mandolin and shuffling percussion. Her vocal is a crystalline wonder, and the song is a pure, off-kilter delight. In a word, brilliant.
LENNY COOPER/Rodeo
Writers: L. Cooper/J. Sciullo/J. Spilner; Producers: www.PhiveStarr.com & DjKo; Publishers: Average ZJS/DJKOPhivesarr/Riley Payton, BMI/SESAC; Backroad/Average
-This guy represents the mud-people, off-road, ATV subculture, hence his album title, Mud Dynasty. Its single is packed with electronic effects and thumping beats. As a general rule, I hate country rapping. And this is no exception.