DISClaimer Reviews (7/7/10)

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Company, halt!

Rockie Lynne, Cory Walker and Jadi Norris all want you to stop whatever you’re doing and salute our armed services. Alas, only Rockie’s song is a fitting and listenable soldier tribute.

Lacking any other newcomer competition this week, the Canadian trio Hey Romeo nails down a DisCovery Award. They have Byron Hill to thank for it, because he is at least partly why they sound so good.

Competing for Disc of the Day were Georgette Jones, Joe Nichols and Burns & Poe. All three are well worth your attention. But the Joe Nichols single has the extra finesse it takes to finish first.

BURNS & POE/How Long Is Long Enough
Writer: Keith Burns/Frankie Golden; Producer: Hal Oliverius; Publisher: none listed; Blue Steel (track) (www.burnsandpoe.com)
—In a word, “Wow.” LOVE the track: It pulses like a heartbeat. Michelle aches exquisitely in her lead vocal. The chorus has monstrous hooks. This thing has the wings of a mighty angel.

HEY ROMEO/Searchin’ For You
Writer: Rob Shapiro/Darren Gusnowsky/Stacie Roper/Victoria Banks; Producer: Byron Hill & Hey Romeo; Publisher: Rob Shapiro/Darren Gusnowsky/Stacy Roper/Little Spoon/Victoria Banks/Sony ATV Cross Keys, SOCAN/ASCAP; Royalty (Canada)(track) (www.heyromeo.com)
—Hey Romeo is a pop-country trio from western Canada. The CD is titled That’s the Way I Am. Stacie Roper’s lead vocal on its bopping lead-off single is assured if somewhat whitebread and bland. The production and instrumental support are both absolutely superb.

GEORGETTE JONES/Slightly Used Woman
Writer: Tammy Wynette/Melvin Powers/Tommy Boyce; Producer: Justin Trevino; Publisher: Songs of Universal, no performance rights listed; Heart of Texas (track) (www.heartoftexascountry.com)
—The title tune to Georgette’s new CD is one of her mother’s lesser known songs. True to her heritage, she wrings every drop of emotion out of the steel-soaked ballad. This woman can sure-enough sing. She also covers “I Don’t Wanna Play House” and her father’s “The Race Is On” on the collection. If you love country music, this is essential listening.

ROCKIE LYNNE/Proud To Be A Soldier
Writer: Rockie Lynne/Mark Prentice; Producer: Mark Prentice & Rockie Lynne; Publisher: Carolina Blue Sky/Song for John, BMI; CBSR (track) (www.rockielynne.com)
—Rockie’s current project is called Songs for Soldiers. It kicks off with this thumping rocker that will make you want to stand and salute our fighting men and women. Spirited, to say the least.

VINCE HATFIELD/Through That Glass
Writer: Jeff Jackson; Producer: Eric Paul & Vince Hatfield; Publisher: Judy Harris/Launch Her, ASCAP; Blue Moon (track) (www.vincehatfield.com)
—If they ever give out an award for the indie act who puts out the most singles, this guy is going to win it. This morbid ballad concerns a drinking driver who kills and winds up in prison. Guess what? He reforms himself. Betcha didn’t see that one coming.

GEORGE STRAIT/The Breath You Take
Writer: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; MCA Nashville
—It sounds like he’s rehearsing for a gig fronting the New York Philharmonic.

CORY WALKER/Soldier’s Last Letter
Writer: none listed; Producer: Eric Paul; Publisher: none lited; Walker (track) (www.corywalkermusic.com)
—How on earth a teenager even knows this 1944 Ernest Tubb chestnut is beyond me. I can tell you this much, he doesn’t have the vocal maturity to pull it off.

JADI NORRIS/Hail The American Soldier
Writer: none listed; Producer: Gabriel Farago; Publisher: none listed; NSD (track)
—It begins with the John F. Kennedy sound clip, “Ask not what your country can do for you/Ask what you can do for your country.” Vocally, it’s all down hill after that.

JOE NICHOLS/The Shape I’m In
Writer: Rhett Akins/Dallas Davidson/Ben Hayslip; Producer: Mark Wright; Publisher: EMI Blackwood/Rhettneck/String Stretcher/WB/Melissa’s Money/Get a Load of This, BMI/ASCAP; Show Dog Universal
—Heartbreak never sounded groovier. He’s lost her, but the cool backbeat, electric guitar work, harmonica touches and choppy-rhythm-happy track all help the aching vocal performance go down smoothly. What a class act this guy is.

GORD BAMFORD/Day Job
Writer: Gord Bamford/Byron Hill; Producer: Gord Bamford & Byron Hill; Publisher: God Bamford/Almo/Great Escape, SOCAN/ASCAP; Cache Entertainment (Canada) (track) (www.gordbamford.com)
—Gord is a big star north of the border. His trip to Music City last year resulted in a dandy and very country CD whose twanging, uptempo title tune is bound to liven up dance floors everywhere. Grab hold and hang on.

DISClaimer Single Reviews (6/30/10)

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I don’t really have a Song of the Day category, but maybe I should.

Dave Gibson’s “King Me,” Donna Beasley’s “Under the Rushes” and Flynnville Train’s “Preachin’ to the Choir” are all excellent examples of song craftsmanship. So is “You Take Yourself with You,” which wins Bo Bice his first Disc of the Day award.

There’s a youngster down in Texas named Nick Verzosa who has an EP called The Smoking Gun. It contains a fine little single titled “Back When Love Was Easy” which earns him our DisCovery Award. Call the always delightful Gerrie McDowell for more info.

BRAD HINES/Please Don’t Push Me Down
Writer: Brad Hines; Producer: Walt Wilkins & Greg White; Publisher: Brad Hines, ASCAP; Blue Boot (www.bradhinesmusic.com)
—The track is okay, but his singing is somewhat colorless, and the song is as dull as dirt.

JIMMIE VANZANT/Too Much Town, Not Enough Ground
Writer: Charlie Craig/Mel Besher ; Producer: Charlie Craig; Publisher: Sock and Roll/Songmachine/Callie Cat, BMI; EPS (CDX) (www.jimmievanzant.net)
—Solidly country, with plenty of twang, drawl and more than a little “outlaw.” Very cool sounding. Jimmie is the cousin of Ronnie, Johnny and Donnie, famed for their work in Lynyrd Skynyrd and .38 Special. (As “Van Zant” Johnny and Donnie have also sung country music.)

STEVEN L. SMITH/I Stole The Bible
Writer: Steven L. Smith; Producer: Steven L. Smith; Publisher: none listed, ASCAP; Vinyl (track) (www.slsmith.info)
—Bellowing and blustery, with a southern-rock vibe.

DAVE GIBSON/King Me
Writer: Dave Gibson/Craig Monday; Producer: Dave Gibson; Publisher: Savannah’s House/Songs of Bud Dog/Music of Windswept Pacific, BMI/ASCAP; Savannah (www.savannahmusicgroup.com)
—I love a good story song, and this one is a dandy. He sits down to play checkers with an old man, and they share yarns, lies and truths. Sung with heart, produced with taste and written with class.

PHILIP DAIN POWELL/Save Me A Place At The Table
Writer: Philip Dain Powell/Keith Lambert/Corky Holbrook/Barton Stevens/Josh Kitchen/Traci Ann Stanley; Producer: none listed; Publisher: Billy Ray Crittendon/Circle of Life/Gregory K. Swint/Sixteen Stars/Chuck Jones/Music of Three, BMI; PDP (www.pdpmusic.biz)
—There’s just a little too much vibrato in this vocal. But it does add emotional impact to the lyric about dying.

BO BICE/You Take Yourself With You
Writer: Bo Bice/D. Scott Miller; Producer: Bo Bice & D. Scott Miller; Publisher: Sugarmoney, BMI; Saguaro Road (track) (www.bobice.com)
—He competed as a rocker on American Idol, but this Nashvillian’s new single will fit any country playlist like a glove. The soaring, highly melodic choruses and advice-from-daddy lyric are both just terrific. Bo rules on this majestic outing.

NICK VERZOSA/Back When Love Was Easy
Writer: N. Verzosa; Producer: Walt Wilkins; Publisher: Tiyaga, BMI; Indie Extreme/Fontana (track) (www.nickverzosa.com)
—Highly listenable and loaded with hooks. The tempo chugs right along, guitars punctuate his phrasing and the production is crystal clear.

FLYNNVILLE TRAIN/Preachin’ To The Choir
Writer: Justin Wilson/Adam Wheeler; Producer: David Barrick & Flynnville Train; Publisher: Music of Stage Three/Noble Vision, BMI/ASCAP; Next Evolution (track) (www.flynnvilletrain.com)
—It is a rousing, working-man’s anthem about how messed up everything is. Well penned and performed. The soul-sister gospel harmonies are a plus.

PATTY LOVELESS/Drive
Writer: Patty Loveless/Emory Gordy Jr.; Producer: Emory Gordy Jr.; Publisher: Clay Root/Jahazah, BMI; Jahazah (CDX) (615-478-0391)
—The song is accompanied by a public service announcement about the lung condition COPD (which Patty’s sister Dottie died of), so the lyric about “breathe deep and drive” is extra special. Emory’s snappy, punchy, rocking production is perfect, and Patty’s fiery vocal is, as usual, a country lover’s delight.

DONNA BEASLEY/Under The Rushes
Writer: Donna Beasley; Producer: Tom Spaulding & Donna Beasley; Publisher: Bless Her Heart, ASCAP; Strange Magic (track) (www.donnabeasley.com)
—Ms. Beasley’s CD has a cast that’s a who’s-who of the Music City alt-country scene, including Chuck Mead, Elizabeth Cook, Kenny Vaughan, Tim Carroll and Bob Britt. On its title tune, her languid vocal spins a tale of small-town romance, pregnancy and betrayal. Highly recommended.

DISClaimer Single Reviews (6/24/10)

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I just love discovering new music, don’t you?

For me, it’s a very, very good week when there are four solid contenders for a DisCovery Award. Michael Sarver, Savannah Jack, Rosehill and No Justice all have debut singles that deserve the honor. But only one of them has the brilliant Radney Foster sitting in the producer’s chair. That would be Rosehill. Salutations, brothers!

All four of those records are also good enough to be contenders for Disc of the Day. So is the inspirational item from Ty Herndon. If you’re into bluegrass, it doesn’t get much better than The Grascals. And Mandy Barnett, as usual, is a delight.

But at the end of the day, Darius Rucker could not be denied. “Come Back Song” is as cool as the breeze.

RAY STEPHENSON/Farmboy
Writer: Ray Stephenson/Bob DiPiero; Producer: Ray Stephenson & Bill McDermott; Publisher: Sony-ATV/Love Monkey, ASCAP/BMI; TWANG Town (www.raystephenson.com)
—His voice won’t blow you away. In fact, he’s barely adequate in the singing department. But there’s an easy-going jauntiness about this hick ditty.

DARIUS RUCKER/Come Back Song
Writer: Darius Rucker/Chris Stapleton/Casey Beathard; Producer: Frank Rogers; Publisher: Cadaja Music/House of Sea Gayle Music/New Son of a Miner Songs /Sony/ATV Acuff Rose Music/ Six Ring Circus Songs; Capitol Nashville
—Insanely catchy and kind of like a Hootie tune. It seems to me that his singing becomes more and more relaxed and less mannered the deeper he wades into the country idiom. Whatever the case, this is his strongest Nashville single to date.

TY HERNDON/Journey On
Writer: Caleb Collins/Ty Herndon; Producer: Ty Herndon & Wayne Haun; Publisher: Sunset Gallery/Journey On, no performance rights listed; Funl (track)
—Ty’s latest is a gospel outing, and this is its title tune and 2010 single. As always, he sings with immense expression and range. Blessed with a soaring melody and a gorgeous arrangement, this is truly inspirational sounding.

ROSEHILL/White Line And Stars
Writer: Jay Clementi/George Ducas/Blake Myers; Producer: Radney Foster & Jay Clementi; Publisher: Myers McBain/WB/Mountain Morning, BMI/ASCAP; Cypress Creek (track) (www.rosehill-live.com)
—Rosehill is a new male duo consisting of Blake Myers and Mitch McBain, but judging from the superb sound of this, the team already has its act together. The sweeping, rolling production lifts their pitch-perfect harmonies aloft and carries the delicious melody skyward. Essential listening.

NO JUSTICE/Love Song
Writer: none listed; Producer: Dex Green; Publisher: none listed; Carved (track) (www.nojustice.com)
—This band is evidently a big deal down in Texas and Oklahoma. The sound here is big, beefy and rocking, with a soulfully raspy lead vocal. A hillbilly ZZ Top?

SAVANNAH JACK/I Know
Writer: Don Gatlin/Rob Crosby/Billy Montana; Producer: none listed; Publisher: Singing Honey Tree/Ann Wilson/ICG/Mike Curb/House of Moraine, ASCAP/BMI; McMurry (www.savannahjack.com)
—They harmonize splendidly. The electric guitar accompaniment is somewhat loud and overdone. But every time they swung into those trio choruses, I got hooked all over again.

DOUG ADKINS/Why Not
Writer: Doug Adkins; Producer: Brent Mason; Publisher: Lyric Mountain, BMI; Lyric Mountain (track) (www.dougadkins.com)
—Talk about “country,” this is one big, fat slab of honky-tonk music. He drawls like a true “old school” baritone. The steel and twang guitarists have a field day. And any song that starts with, “Why not one more drink?” has got to have grit. A roadhouse roar.

MANDY BARNETT/Walking After Midnight
Writer: Don Hecht/Alan Block; Producer: Larry Klein; Publisher: Sony-ATV Acuff Rose, no performance rights listed; Favored Nations (track) (www.crazy-themovie.com)
—Next Tuesday sees the release of the DVD and CD soundtrack to the indie film Crazy: The Hank Garland Story. Garland was the greatest of all the early Nashville guitar pickers, and he is portrayed brilliantly in the flick by Sammi Smith’s son Waylon Payne. The plot takes quite a few liberties with the historical facts, but the music holds up brilliantly, with country classics revived by Shawn Colvin, former dance-pop hitmaker Stacy Earl, jazz chanteuse Madeleine Peyroux and more. Ms. Barnett is completely captivating on her version of this Patsy Cline standard.

MICHAEL SARVER/Ferris Wheel
Writer: Thibodeau/Kyle Jacobs/Charles Kelley; Producer: Michael Sarver & Rachel Thibodeau; Publisher: none listed; Dream/Fontana (track) (www.michaelsarversite.com)
—Sarver was a contestant on American Idol’s Season 8 in 2009. His feathery tenor is perfect for this dizzy, swirling tune about being giddy in love. The little falsetto notes he tosses in are charming. Promising as all get out.

THE GRASCALS/Last Train To Clarksville
Writer: Tommy Boyce/Bobby Hart; Producer: The Grascals; Publisher: Screen Gems EMI, BMI; Rounder (track) (www.grascals.com)
—It will come as no surprise to most of you that this Monkees oldie works splendidly as a country tune. In fact, Ed Bruce put out as a single back in 1967. Now the song is a bluegrass single, complete with banjo, mandolin and fiddle solos. I hear that the band is working on a video of it this week. Enjoy.

DISClaimer Single Reviews (6/16/10)

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What a dilemma we have today.

Lady Antebellum, Chris Young and Miranda Lambert are all coming off of chart-topping singles. And all three have their follow-ups ready to go this week. All three hit home runs. Because it is the most “different” sounding offering of the week, I am going with Miranda Lambert for Disc of the Day.

Actually, programmers are going to have their hands full. Not only are Miranda, Chris and Lady A playing at the top of their game, but Toby Keith, Julianne Hough and LeAnn Rimes also have must-play new singles. Good luck with all that.

I have no idea who Blake Wise is. But I know talent when I hear it. He is absolutely, unconditionally deserving of a DisCovery Award.

BLAKE WISE/Cornfields
Writer: Rodney Clawson/Billy Montana/Chris Tompkins; Producer: New Voice Entertainment; Publisher: Big Red Toe/Amarillo Sky/Big Loud Bucks/Mike Curb/House of Moraine/Big Loud Songs/Angel River, BMI/ASCAP; Broken Bow (CDX) (www.blakewise.net)
—I am crazy about this little thang. The production slaps you across the face. The vocalist drawls his way right into yer heart. The relentless tempo demands that you get up and twirl around the room. Yee-haw.

LEANN RIMES/Swingin’
Writer: John Anderson/Lionel Delmore; Producer: Vince Gill, Darrell Brown, LeAnn Rimes, John Hobbs & Justin Niebank; Publisher: Irving/Universal-PolyGram/Foggy Jonz, BMI/ASCAP; Curb
—She ups the tempo and turns this classic into a country rocker. And that is doubtless Mr. Gill turning in that lickety-split electric guitar solo. Nicely done all around.

DAVE GLEASON/Turn And Fade
Writer: Dave Gleason; Producer: Dave Gleason; Publisher: 326 Music, BMI; 326 (track) (www.davegleason.com)
—The title tune to this fellow’s CD is taken at a stately pace, with a chiming guitar line running through it. He has an unusual singing voice, a somewhat strangled-sounding tenor with tinges of Neil Young in it. But he makes it work.

TOBY KEITH/Trailerhood
Writer: Toby Keith; Producer: Toby Keith; Publisher: Tokeco, BMI; Show Dog Universal
—A single with a built-in smile. Toby paints little word pictures of his neighbors in a trailer park and wraps the whole thing up with a chorus that begs you to sing along. In a word, delightful.

THE PEAR RATZ/Nice, Ice Cold Bottle Of Beer
Writer: Cowboy Eddie Long/Aaron Boswell; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Pearratz (www.pearratz.com)
—As rowdy sounding as its title suggests. But there’s something kind of muddy in the audio.

JULIANNE HOUGH/Is That So Wrong
Writer: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Mercury Nashville
—This has definite radio potential. The hooky song is super well written. Her delivery has power and passion. And the production underlines and punctuates in all the right places.

JOHN BRANNEN/Raised A Rebel
Writer: John Brannen/Don Von Tress; Producer: David Z & John Brannen; Publisher: Savannah Son/Harry Barker/War Pony, SESAC/BMI; Sly Dog (track) (www.johnbrannen.com)
—John’s new Bravado CD opens with this slab of blue-collar rock, straight from the Springsteen playbook. But with a Southern accent. Very cool indeed.

LADY ANTEBELLUM/Our Kind Of Love
Writer: Dave Haywood/Charles Kelley/Hillary Scott/Busbee; Producer: Paul Worley & Lady Antebellum; Publisher: Warner-Tamerlane/DWHaywood/Radiobulletpublishing/EMI Foray/Hillary DawnBMMG?Kobalt, BMI/SESAC/ASCAP; Capitol Nashville (track)
—Single Number Three from the Need You Now album finds Charles and Hillary trading lines in the verses and Lady A’s patented three-part harmonies lifting the sunshiny choruses to heaven. These people can sure-enough sing. Turn this bopper up.

MIRANDA LAMBERT/Only Prettier
Writer: Miranda Lambert/Natalie Hemby; Producer: Frank Liddell & Mike Wrucke; Publisher: Sony-ATV Tree/Pink Dog/Tiltawhirl/Carnival, BMI; Columbia (track)
—Miranda’s 15-track Revolution CD is an embarrassment of sonic riches. This track shows off her wicked sense of humor. Raucous and rambunctious, it will certainly liven up things in radioland.

CHRIS YOUNG/Voices
Writer: Chris Young/Chris Tompkins/Craig Wiseman; Producer: James Stroud; Publisher: Runnin’ Behind/EMI April/Big Loud Songs/Big Loud Shirt/Big Loud Bucks, ASCAP; RCA (track)
—His burnished honk-tonk baritone is ultra expressive on this mid-tempo outing. The voices he hears bear words of wisdom from his mama, daddy and grandparents. And it is advice he knows he needs to heed. A winner.

DISClaimer Single Reviews (6/9/10)

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I kept changing my mind.

At first, I was certain that Eric Church was going to coast off with yet another Disc of the Day award. Then I heard Danny Gokey hit that climactic tenor note at the finale of his stunning ballad and decided that, no, THIS was the performance du jour. Next, the Randy Rogers Band came galloping in with an uptempo tune and snatched the prize away from Danny.

Then, at the very end of the listening session, Steel Magnolia came up to the plate. To say that they knock “Just By Being You” out of the park vocally is a decided understatement. The duo claims the Disc of the Day prize over all the other worthy contenders.

Among the indies, Tommy Steele gets his second straight rave review. That leaves the DisCovery Award open for newcomer-to-the-column Keith Compton. Besides, he made me smile.

BLAINE GRAY/The Corner of Love and Life
Writer: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Aaron Ave.  (www.blainegray.com)
—It says something when the steel guitarist attracts more attention than your voice.

JOHN RICH/Country Done Come to Town
Writer: John Rich/Vicky McGehee; Producer: John Rich; Publisher: J. Money/Do Write/Middle Child 2/Big Loud Bucks, ASCAP/BMI; Reprise
—The lyric might be “country,” but the rocking, bass-heavy track certainly isn’t.

TOMMY STEELE/Forever 17
Writer: Jeff Bates/Jack Williams; Producer: Donnie Smith; Publisher: Melrose/Southern Cow, BMI/ASCAP; TCR (CDX) (www.tommysteeleband.com)
—Very cool sounding. The trembling electric guitar, his heart-in-throat vocal and the lyric of enduring love all work splendidly here. Recommended listening.

VERONICA BALLESTRINI/Don’t Say
Writer: Veronica Ballestrini/Cliff Owens; Producer: Cliff Downs; Publisher: Acinorev/4MyGirls, BMI/ASCAP; Timbob (CDX) (www.veronicaballestrini.net)
—She is slightly pitch-y, but manages to stay on track enough to effectively deliver this crunchy-sounding kiss-off to a cheater.

ERIC CHURCH/Smoke a Little Smoke
Writer: Eric Church/Jeff Hyde/Driver Williams; Producer: Jay Joyce; Publisher: Sony-ATV Tree/Sinnerlina/Mammaw’s Cornbread/Pine Box Poetry, BMI; Capitol Nashville (track)
—Thumping and groove soaked, it’s an ode to kicking back that kicks.

DANNY GOKEY/I Will Not Say Goodbye
Writer: Lari White/Chuck Cannon/Vicky McGehee; Producer: Mark Bright; Publisher: SWG/BPJ/Chuck Cannon/Middle Child 2/Big Loud Bucks, BMI/ASCAP; RCA/19 (track)
—I dig this guy. And his back story about the death of his wife in 2008 is perfectly captured in this soulful, soaring ballad. The man sings the fire out of it.

JULIE INGRAM/I Love You
Writer: Francis Wainwright; Producer: Jay Vernali & Julie Ingram; Publisher: INXS, ASCAP; LongShot (CDX)
—Her precise, perfectly enunciated diction gets in the way of my enjoying this as a “country” single. Make yourself sound more sloppy.

KEITH COMPTON/Inflatable Doll
Writer: Keith Compton; Producer: Walt Wilder; Publisher: Taloga/Leedy, BMI; CMM (CDX) (www.cmm-online.com)
—Ya gotta love this. Whenever he’s in the doghouse at home, he gets out his air pump and creates a companion who doesn’t talk back. Lotsa fun.

RANDY ROGERS BAND/Too Late for Goodbye
Writer: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; MCA Nashville
—As usual, he sings with enormous emotion and grit. The band’s rolling rhythm and hearty harmony vocals are right on the money, too. Give this outfit the big, fat hit it deserves.

STEEL MAGNOLIA/Just By Being You
Writer: Britton Cameron/Patricia Conroy; Producer: Dann Huff; Publisher: Big Music Machine/Golden Gears/Super 98/Patricia Conroy, BMI/SOCAN; Big Machine
—Meghan and Josh are on a roll. They’ve been nominated for ACM and CMT awards, gone on tour with Brad Paisley and scored a top-five hit with “Keep on Lovin’ You.” This follow-up single is a chesty power ballad with them practically shouting in harmony together. A thrilling listening experience. So nice I played it twice.

DISClaimer Reviews (6/02/10)

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There is some solid stuff in this stack of platters.

Richie Fields, Sunny Sweeney and Kim Parent are all back, singing as superbly as ever. Newcomers Dianna Paul and Sherry Lynn prove that they are ready to run with the big dogs. From the folkier side of things are delightful discs by Ellis Paul and TV star Robert David Hall.

Our Disc of the Day comes from the good people at Broken Bow. It is “Real” by James Wesley. And hand a DisCovery Award to Dianna Paul. Both of these singles, by the way, are fine pieces of country songwriting. And that always goes a long way with this listener.

RICHIE FIELDS/Wichita
Writer: Dave Robbins/Tim Gates/Trey Robbins; Producer: J. Gary Smith; Publisher: Songwriters of Platinum Pen/Tim Bert/Songs of Platinum Pen/Slickhead/Jo Trey, BMI/ASCAP; Joint Journey (CDX) (410-442-4629)
—Dramatic sounding. The descending chords, chiming guitars and stately tempo set up a resonant, throaty baritone who can really deliver the goods. Everything I have heard by this man has been top notch. Surely one of you big labels could use a talent like this.

SUNNY SWEENEY/From a Table Away
Writer: Sunny Sweeney/Bob DiPiero/Karyn Rochelle; Producer: Brett Beavers; Publisher: Big Machine/Super 98/International Dog/Big Yellow Dog/Words & Music/Clarity Tree/Sony-ATV/Love Monkey, BMI; Republic Nashville (CDX) ()
—I remain a fan. She is confidently country, and the steel-guitar soaked midtempo song is loaded with hooks and harmonies.

JAMES WESLEY/Real
Writer: Neal Coty/Jimmy Melton; Producer: Dan Frizsell & Rodney Clawson; Publisher: Bug/Songs of Universal/Write Em Rite, BMI; BBR (CDX) (615-244-8800)
—Any song that begins with, “500 channels and there ain’t much on tonight” is fine with me. The gist of it is the comparison between his own experience and what he sees on “reality” TV. The struggle to survive, losing a job, foreclosure, death and flooding are what is “Real.” Superbly written and strongly sung.

KACEY JONES/It’s Gonna Take One Helluva Man
Writer: Kacey Jones/Benita Hill/Becky Hobbs; Producer: Kacey Jones; Publisher: Mamalama/Gooby/Becca’s Mecca, ASCAP/BMI; IGO (CDX) (www.kaceyjones.com)
—Cute and clever, as usual. “It’s gonna take one helluva man to be better than no man at all.”

ELLIS PAUL & KRISTIAN BUSH/Annalee
Writer: Ellis Paul; Producer: Thad Beaty & Jason Collum; Publisher: none listed, SESAC; Black Wolf (CDX) ()
—This folkie, formerly on Rounder, has a bunch of Boston Music Awards on his shelf. Accompanied by Sugarland’s Kristian Bush, he embarks on a more soaring, pop-country sound with this tuneful outing. The track builds in excitement throughout as Paul’s voice soars with power and intensity on succeeding high choruses.

DARRYL WORLEY/Keep the Change
Writer: Darryl Worley/Phil O’Donnell/Jim “Moose” Brown; Producer: Jim “Moose” Brown & Kevin “Swine” Grantt; Publisher: House of Sea Gayle/Antlered One/Pickwick Landing/Big Loud Bucks/Imokalee/Daphil, ASCAP/BMI; Stroudavarious ()
—“I work half the year for me the other half for Uncle Sam.” No you don’t. The federal tax rate is lower than it has been since 1950. “America’s in trouble/If they don’t wise up and stop busting out the blocks that were laid as a foundation.” What, exactly, does that even mean? “Our nation could wind up in a pile of rubble” he asserts, without offering anything to back that statement up. In other words, stupidity set to music.

SHERRY LYNN/What a Day to Shake a Heartache
Writer: Sandy Ramos/Ronnie Kimball/Kalii Palmer; Producer: Ted Hewitt; Publisher: Lawyer’s Wife/Kimbro, BMI/ASCAP; Stealheart (www.sherrylynnmusic.com)
—The track has a nice, rolling, rumbling quality to it. Her sprightly vocal rides atop the churning rhythm with aplomb. Listenable.

ROBERT DAVID HALL/Things They Don’t Teach You in School
Writer: Robert David Hall; Producer: Chris Wall; Publisher: Chenango, BMI; RDH (track) (www.robertdavidhallmusic.com)
—The title tune to this fellow’s new CD is an acoustic-based gem with plenty of rippling guitar work, harmonica, brushed drums and upright bass. His plain-spoken vocal is just right for the lyric that praises the virtue of street smarts over book learnin.’ Hall portrayed coroner “Dr. Robbins” on the original CSI TV series. He has also had recurring roles on L.A. Law, The Practice and other shows and is active on radio and in voice-over work. In addition to this tune, check out his versions of producer Chris Wall’s “I Feel Like Hank Williams Tonight” and of the country goldies “Sittin’ on Top of the World” and “Just Because.”

DIANNA PAUL/Maker’s Mark
Writer: Dianna Paul/John Paule/Daniel Steigerwald; Producer: none listed; Publisher: Willow Pond, BMI; Seacoast (www.diannapaul.com)
—It is a ballad. It starts out really slowly. But things perk up when she gets to the chorus hook. Drinking won’t ease your pain. “When it all goes dark/Look to your Maker’s mark.” Nicely written and sung with trembling emotion.

KIM PARENT/Don’t Tell a Soul
Writer: Getzov/Erlich; Producer: Harry Stinson; Publisher: none listed; KP (track) (www.kimparent.com)
—Drenched in sultry, sensuous, bluesy atmosphere. This is the title tune to Kim’s second collection, and it is a sound to get completely lost in. For a funkier groove, check out her equally sexy and swampy performance of “Puttin’ on the Dog.” Right now, she’s out backing Brooks & Dunn on their farewell tour. But you might also know Kim Parent as one of the vocalists on CMT’s The Singing Bee television series. She sings jingles for Wendy’s and has appeared on records by Faith Hill, Jo Dee Messina, Phil Vassar, Reba, Aaron Tippin, Tim McGraw, Josh Turner and many others. The lady has the goods.

DISClaimer Reviews (5/26/10)

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There is plenty of activity on the Row this week.

Legal Aid reached out to the music community with a get-to-know-us breakfast at Sunset Grill yesterday. It was a real who’s-who gathering.

Later that day and across the street at Cabana, we celebrated the launch of the big Country Throwdown tour featuring Montgomery Gentry, Jamey Johnson, Jack Ingram, Little Big Town, The Eli Young Band, Eric Church, The Lost Trailers, Ryan Bingham, Emily West, Jonathan Singleton, Heidi Newfield and more than 10 other attractions.

Then there was Sunday’s music-heaven Hall of Fame induction ceremony for Billy Sherrill and Ferlin Husky. What an amazing gig that was.

Somehow in the midst of all of this, I carved out a listening session. All right, I got up at the crack of dawn today to get this column done.

Give a Disc of the Day to the always impressive Gloriana. I remain an enormous fan.

For a DisCovery Award, you can’t do much better than Winfield’s Locket. I don’t know whether their project is actually available or not. But if or when it is, get it.

JENA WALKER & RODNEY WHATLEY/Stay With Me
Writer: Jena Walker/Rodney Whatley; Producer: none listed; Publisher: Jena Walker, BMI; JW (www.jenawalker.com)
—They are well matched, vocally. Both have a slightly tentative quality, as though they are new to singing. The track is very sweet, with a lilting, acoustic basis and a steady, true pacing. The song wanders around a bit, and sometimes doesn’t care to find a rhyme. But all in all, this is softly enjoyable.

BILLY CURRINGTON/Pretty Good At Drinkin’ Beer
Writer: none listed; Producer: Blake Mevis & Lane Caudell**; Publisher: none listed; Mercury Nashville
—He’s not much good for any kind of work. His best skill is stated in the title. Simple and relaxed sounding.

JAMIE TATE/I’ll Give My All
Writer: Renee Griffith/Jamie Tate/Lane Caudell/Blake Mevis/Bob Crumley; Producer: none listed; Publisher: Bodell/Carolina Sweet T/Blake Mevis, BMI/ASCAP; Bodell (www.jamietatemusic.com)
—She is backed by the 16-voice “82nd Airborne All-American Chorus” at the finale. They are not mixed terribly well, but there’s enough flag-waving, sis-boom-bah here for Lee Greenwood to be looking over his shoulder.

RECKLESS KELLY/The Ballad Of Elano De Leone
Writer: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Yep Roc (www.yeproc.com)
—Brightly country rocking in a Byrds-y kinda way, despite the downbeat lyric. It seems that young Elano rode his bike to work in the fields, but never came home and is feared dead.

WINFIELD’S LOCKET/Worth The Drive
Writer: none listed; Producer: Ilya Toshinskiy, Winfield’s Locket & Jason Henke; Publisher: none listed; Winfield’s Locket (track) (615-497-6791)
—The track is echoey and enchanting. Their vocals are fierce and fine. The Middle-Tennessee local traffic directions are ultra cool: “I’m a little bit hard to find…but I’m worth the drive.”

BILL ANDERSON/Thanks To You
Writer: Brad Crisler/Bill Anderson; Producer: Rex Paul Schnelle & Bill Anderson; Publisher: FSMGI/Have a Brad Day/State One Songs America/Sony ATV Tree/Mr. Bubba, IMRO/ASCAP/BMI; TWI (Track) (www.billanderson.com)
—The man is a walking legend. Fifty-two years after penning his first hit, he’s still in there slugging. Songwriter, his new CD, contains 12 brand-new compositions. And they are all jaw-droppingly good. Collaborators include such young pups as Tim Nichols, Jon Randall, Rivers Rutherford, Jamie Johnson, Brad Paisley, John Wiggins and Billy Montana. This lovely, string-soaked ballad will be his new video/single. The gist of it is he won’t ever know how it feels to score a touchdown, hit a homerun, fly a jet or climb so many other mountains. But he does know how it feels to be loved. Amen, brother.

MJ2 & CELEBRITY FRIENDS/You Can’t Say Love Enough
Writer: Don Goodman/Bill Nash/Sam Mizell; Producer: Dennis Money; Publisher: Big Hitmakers/Circle South/My Partners/Universal/MGB, BMI/ASCAP; Sweetsong Nashville
—How many gimmicks can you fit on one single? The act consists of two sets of twins—a mom, her twin daughters and her twin sister. Each set has one twin named Mollie and one named Jackie. Wait, there’s more. Guests on the disc include Dolly Parton, Andy Griggs, Wayne Newton, Buddy Jewell, Burns & Poe, Bill Anderson, Cowboy Troy (who announces his own name, just in case you don’t recognize him), Heartland, Larry & Rudy Gatlin, Heidi Newfield, T.G. Sheppard, Mark Collie, Moe Bandy, Rio Grand, Steve Wariner and Lee Greenwood. Plus, the single benefits the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. It’s a “We Are the World” style anthem.

GLORIANA/The World Is Ours Tonight
Writer: Matt Serletic, Lindy Robbins, Jess Cates; Producer: Matt Serletic; Publisher: Melusic, administered by Primary Wave/Emblem (ASCAP), Hey Kiddo Music, administered by Kobalt Music Pubilshing (ASCAP) and Right Bank Music obo itself and Lily Makes Music (ASCAP); Emblem/Bigger Picture/Atlantic (ERG)
—I love this band. As before, they revel in vocal harmony, ultra-rich melody and a rhythm-happy track. A celestial sound for the young and the young at heart.

JAKE McVEY/Red Line And Wasted
Writer: Bryan Fogle; Producer: J. Gary Smith; Publisher: Bryan Fogle, ASCAP; Purple Cow (CDX) (www.jakemcvey.com)
—This has an “outlaw” vibe. He’s out there on the road, trapped in his own wanderlust. With a sound somewhere between Southern rock and gospel, this is pretty hard to resist.

CASEY JOHNSON/Simple Girl
Writer: Casey Johnson; Producer: Larry Beaird; Publisher: none listed, BMI; Plumb Music (CDX) (918-689-0380)
—He has a solid, rube delivery. Like its title suggests, the song is direct and plain spoken. The track is a little busy, but his insistent vocal wins in the end.

Bentley Wows Reverent Ryman Crowd

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Dierks Bentley’s Up On The Ridge tour closed at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville on May 22 after visiting 24 cities in 30 days to build demand for the album’s release on June 8. The final show featured Bentley’s backing band the Travelin’ McCourys and the Punch Brothers with Chris Thile (Nickel Creek) on mandolin and was filmed for a TV special that Bentley told the crowd was for GAC and PBS. Texan Hayes Carll opened the show.

The sold out crowd included industry notables such as ASCAP’s Tim DuBois, Bentley manager Ken Levitan and songwriter Matraca Berg. Mike Dungan, head of Bentley’s label was perched attentively in the balcony.

Early in the show the artist dedicated a song to his Mom, apparently not realizing that only moments before the show began she had left the Ryman with her husband, Dierk’s father, who was carried out on a stretcher by emergency medics. He appeared alert and was talking with the medics as he was leaving. MusicRow wishes him a speedy  recovery.

Bentley described his show and upcoming album as an “experiment” mixing bluegrass and country music. However, he warned the crowd, “If you don’t like the banjo you might be in the wrong place.” True to his word, the evening’s musical recipe, was heavy on the bluegrass, a joyful tribute to stringed instruments.

Ryman acoustics were superb and the instrumental setting was effective in adding a unique perspective to the singer’s previous hits such as “Feel That Fire,” “Free And Easy (Down The Road I Go),” “Sideways,” “Come A Little Closer” and others.

The video for Bentley’s first single from the new package, “Up On The Ridge” is already in heavy rotation on CMT and No. 22 rising on the MusicRow Breakout chart.

Special guest Jon Randall joined Bentley to perform their co-write “Draw Me A Map,” from the upcoming album. Another of the evening’s high points was when McCoury band leader Del McCoury treated the crowd to his piercing tenor harmonies getting a standing ovation.

Bentley told the crowd, “Bluegrass is all about the three ‘Ts’—tuning, timing and tone.” Judging by the evenings exalted musicianship, this writer will attest to the finely honed tuning and tone that has already seduced national critics from the Washington Post and USA Today. As to the timing, it remains to be seen how strongly Bentley’s fans will embrace this left of center musical experiment. Based upon the Ryman reaction however, the new album will serve as a vehicle to introduce Bluegrass to thousands of fans who have not been exposed to it and give fans added respect for the breadth of Bentley’s daring artistry.

DISClaimer 5/19/10 (reveiws)

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It sounds to me like this town is ready to shake off those rainy-day blues and do some dancing in the sunshine.

This week’s stack of platters includes peppy rockers by The Roys, Melanie Denard, Charlie Allen and Todd O’Neill. Even the midtempo effort by The Band Perry has a sunshiny lilt.

So it comes as no surprise that both of our award winners are rockers. Curb’s new duo Martin Ramey debuts with a splendid twang bopper called “Twisted.” It earns them an easy victory for the DisCovery Award. The Disc of the Day also happens to be this listening session’s most lathered-up tempo tune. It is “How I Got to Be This Way” by a fellow who is most definitely on a roll, Justin Moore.

TODD O’NEILL/Somethin’ with Some Attitude
Writer: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Aria
—As you might expect from the title, it is an in-your-face party rocker. He doesn’t want to hear a slow song. Instead he’ll take Led Zeppelin or Charlie Daniels. Whatever.

THE GRINGO KINGS/On My Way Home
Writer: Scott Burgess; Producer: Scott Burgess, Tim Burge & Tim Phelan; Publisher: Winding Road, BMI; Winding Road (www.thegringokings.com)
—These Texas boys take it all echoey, stately and slow here. The highlights are a dramatic, resonant, expressive lead vocal and some very tasty electric-guitar lines. For those shy about its 4:50 length, the single also contains an edited, 3:59, version.

MARTIN RAMEY/Twisted
Writer: Brad Martin/John Ramey; Producer: Doug Johnson, Richard Bennett & Bobby Terry; Publisher: Mike Curb/Sweet Hysteria/Sixteen Stars/Hori-Pro, BMI; Curb
—This new Curb duo is, truly, a duo. We have become so used to country “duos” having only one real voice, that this comes as a truly refreshing sound. Their harmonies are heavenly-Everly derived, and the neo-rockabilly track kicks tail. Very promising. Send more.

KEVIN PICKETT & SOUTHERN RAIN/Long Strange Ride
Writer: Kevin Pickett; Producer: Mark A. Parker; Publisher: none listed, BMI; KP (track) (www.kevinpickettmusic.com)
—That’s not your phone ringing. That’s the record’s opening sound. It’s also the most coherent thing on it.

JUSTIN MOORE/How I Got to Be This Way
Writer: Justin Moore/Rivers Rutherford/Jeremy Stover; Producer: Jeremy Stover; Publisher: Super Slick98/Universal/Macirhyco/EMI April/Songs of Countrywood, BMI/ASCAP; Valory Music (track)
—Plenty of rhythmic punch anchors this Nitro-fueled speedster. Summertime’s first top-down rocker has arrived, screaming around the track shooting flickering flames. Easily this boy’s finest performance to date.

SEAN HOGAN/Suck It Up
Writer: Sean Hogan; Producer: Sean Hogan; Publisher: Lakeland Heart, SOCAN/BMI; Lakeland Heart (CDX) (615-584-0628)
—It’s yet another one of those Buffett rip-off beach-bum things. Enough already.

THE ROYS/Beautiful
Writer: Lee Roy/Matthew  J. Rogers/Jay Brunswick/Keesy Timmer; Producer: The Roys & Steve Dean; Publisher: Roy Family/Better Angels/Croton U/Cowboy Timmer/Canalco/Mjosephrogers, BMI/ASCAP; Pedestal (CDX) (www.theroyscountry.com)
—This duo is bopping this time around. They’ve goosed up their sound with a bigger production and a thumping backbeat. The happy-sunny lyric works, too.

MELANIE DENARD/All I Ever Did Was Love You
Writer: Kylie Sackley/Gary Burr/Victoria Shaw; Producer: Dan Frizsell; Publisher: Steel Wheels/Figjam/Connboy/Multisong/Avaru, no performance rights listed; Star Path (CDX) (678-488-1927)
—This sassy belter has been noted for her dynamic delivery in this column several times. The upbeat romp of a song gives her plenty of ammo to work with. The electric guitarist, tambourine shaker and piano pounder turn up the heat, too.

CHARLIE ALLEN/Grandpa’s Recipe
Writer: Charlie Allen/Tony Stampley; Producer: Henry Paul & Charlie Allen; Publisher: U Tell Me, BMI; River Run (CDX) (203-605-3803)
—Charlie remains a solid honky-tonk vocalist, but he’s surrounded by a muscular rock track here. The lyric has some real meat on its bones. The overall result is somewhere in the Montgomery-Gentry vicinity.

THE BAND PERRY/If I Die Young
Writer: Kimberly Perry; Producer: Paul Worley; Publisher: Pearlfeather/Rio Bravo, BMI; Republic Nashville (track)
—This one is considerably more “country” than “Hip to My Heart” was. Kimberly’s lead vocal is all airy and sweet, the song is full of heart, and the siblings’ instrumental support is stellar. An audio delight.

DISClaimer (reviews) 5/12/10

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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.

The female Disc of the Day belongs to Jewel. Wait until you hear what producer Nathan Chapman has surrounded her lovely song with.

Our male Disc of the Day comes from the always reliable Darren Kozelsky. If my memory serves me correctly, I have liked just about everything he has put out. And this time, he has found himself a sturdy winner of a song.

The group Disc of the Day is by Court Yard Hounds. Everything you have read and/or heard about this project is true. In addition to “The Coast,” check out “See You in the Spring,” which is a collaboration with Jakob Dylan. While you’re at it, pick up a copy of Jakob’s new Women + Country collection. Produced by T Bone Burnett, it will knock your socks off.

Let’s see, that leaves us with this week’s DisCovery Award. And goes to a dandy outfit, a California-based group called Truth & Salvage Co. The album isn’t due until May 25, but if this single is any indication, it is going to be just great.

THEA WESCOTT/Santa Ana Wind
Writer: Thea Wescott; Producer: Bruce Watkins; Publisher: Timberland Ridge, BMI; Timberland Ridge (track) (www.timberlandridge.com)
—Dobro, mandolin and fiddle dominate the lilting track. Her delivery is fairly straightforward, so the thing doesn’t really take off until the celestial harmonies by Dale Ann Bradley and Steve Gully kick in. Incidentally, those dobro notes come courtesy of Rob Ickes, the fiddler is Stuart Duncan, and the mandolin is Adam Steffey’s. Need more star power? How about Bryan Sutton on guitar and banjos by Ron Block and Scott Vestal?

JEWEL/Satisified
Writer: Jewel/Liz Rose; Producer: Nathan Chapman; Publisher: none listed; Valory
—She’s her usual breathy and sweetly folkie self, vocally. The real magic here is in shimmering production. It caresses every note of this pretty melody with washes of strings, shuddering percussion and chiming keyboards. In a word, gorgeous.

TRUTH & SALVAGE CO./Call Back
Writer: none listed; Producer: Chris Robinson; Publisher: none listed; Megaforce
—Count me in! Produced by Chris Robinson of The Black Crowes, this has a nicely crunchy quality. The six-man band has a twin-guitar attack and rousing group harmonies. The song is quite infectious. Catch them at Bonnaroo (June 11) or on tour with the marvelous Avett Brothers or at 3rd & Lindsley (June 3).

COURT YARD HOUNDS/The Coast
Writer: Emily Robison; Producer: Emily Robison, Martie Maguire & Jim Scott; Publisher: FUFF/Words & Music, BMI; Columbia (track) (www.courtyardhounds.com)
—This is the side project by Dixie Chick sisters Emily and Martie. Little sis Emily really has come into her own as a writer. This hand-clapper celebrates the Texas gulf coast. It is completely sunny and irresistible. Let these ladies take you on a little trip to heaven.

AUSTINS BRIDGE/Mercy Never Leaves
Writer: Barry Weeks/Joel Lindsey; Producer: Jay DeMarcus; Publisher: Back in the Saddle/Danny Orton/Universal, ASCAP; Daywind (track)
—I loved this act’s last CD. Jay DeMarcus of Rascal Flatts produced this one with a bit more pop bite and edge. Formerly a trio, Austins Bridge is now a duo, but its sound remains just as big here and on the rest of the Times Like These CD.

BRUCE ROBISON/Heartache To Houston
Writer: Bruce Robison/Miles Zuniga/Gary Massey; Producer: Miles Zuniga; Publisher: Tiltawhirl/Bruce Robison/Zunitunes, BMI/ASCAP; BR (972-800-0004)
—I have made no secret of my admiration for this Texas tunesmith. His catalog already includes “Angry All the Time,” “Desperately,” “Wrapped” and “Traveling Soldier,” all of which he originated. Add this loping, wistful gem to his hit list. His soft, dry delivery is supported by jaunty-jangling guitar work, sighing organ and a chugging rhythm track.

MERLE HAGGARD/Pretty When It’s New
Writer: Merle Haggard; Producer: Merle Haggard & Lou Bradley; Publisher: Merle Haggard, BMI; Vanguard/Hag
—I raved about Hag’s new I Am What I Am collection a couple of weeks ago. Now Vanguard has issued this gently swinging number as a single. It sways like a hammock in summertime.

DIAMOND RIO/This Is My Life
Writer: Marty Roe/Jimmy Olander/Matthew West; Producer: Mike Clute & Jimmy Olander; Publisher: Roe Hoe/Taxicaster/Word/Songs for Life, BMI/ASCAP; Word (CDX)
—This seriously rocks. Crank it up, and let it rip. Marty remains a terrifically involving singer, and Jimmy’s guitar work is genius. If there’s any justice, this will be massive.

MARY CHAPIN CARPENTER/I Put My Ring Back On
Writer: Mary Chapin Carpenter; Producer: Mary Chapin Carpenter & Matt Rollings; Publisher: Why Walk, ASCAP; Rounder (CDX) (617-218-4413)
—It is very much a return to her classic sound. The lyric of rebuilding a relationship is set to a rolling melody embellished by a steady tempo and some juicy electric guitar lines.

DARREN KOZELSKY/Somebody Find Me A Preacher
Writer: Shane Minor/Wendell Mobley; Producer: J.R. Rodriguez & Phil O’Donnell; Publisher: EMI Blackwood/Shane Minor/Warner Tamerlane, BMI; Spinville (CDX)
—There is something instantly likable about this man’s singing. He always sounds like he really means it, and this time is no exception. He swoons over the sight of her and is ready to say those vows right here and now, with her in cut-off jeans and him in his old t-shirt. Kudos to the writers for such a fine job, to the producers for creating such a cool track and, of course, to Darren, who sells it. Big time.