DISClaimer (4/3/09)

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lawomack-crazyLet’s get the necessary stuff over with first.

The only clear choice for Disc of the Day is Lee Ann Womack and her great performance of  “Solitary Thinkin.’”

The clear choice, at least to me, for a DisCovery Award is Mammouth Jack, whoever that is.

But the real news of the week is being made by another style in Music City. This

Mammouth Jack

Mammouth Jack

bis your last weekend to catch the musical Jersey Boys at TPAC. Its songs are by Nashville resident Bob Gaudio. The cast actually sings them better than The 4 Seasons did.

It takes awhile in the first act to get to stardom. But when you first hear those magical harmonies blast out on “Sherry,” it’s like an explosion detonates. From there on it’s one breathtaking tune after another—“Big Girls Don’t Cry,” “Walk Like a Man,” “Dawn,” “Big Man in Town,” “Let’s Hang On,” “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You,” “Working My Way Back to You,” “Rag Doll,” “Who Loves You” and the rest.

The book has sex, the Mob, an overdose, gambling addiction, heartache and triumph. This show is a blast, people. GO!

DUE WEST/I Get That All The Time
Writer: Matt Lopez/Jason Deere/John Bettis; Producer: Jason Deere; Publisher: Songwriters of Platinum Pen/Big Bad Deere/Big Loud Bucks/FSMGI/Randi Jae/State One Music America/EMI April/Wyatt and Conway, BMI/IMRO/ASCAP; Bigger Than Me/9 North (CDX) (www.duewest.com)
—In this nicely produced power ballad, the protagonist turns down offers of drugs and sex because he gets his highs from his loving wife and kids. Awwwwww.

BRAD PAISLEY/Then
Writer: Brad Paisley/Chris DuBois/Ashley Gorley; Producer: Frank Rogers; Publisher: none listed, ASCAP; Arista (CDX)
—Very sweet. Brad is softly reminiscing about the love of his life. The shadowing harmonies and keening steel in the choruses are particularly pretty. So is his wordless falsetto sighing in the finale.

GRANDSTAFF/The Statler Brothers Song
Writer: Will Reid/Langdon Reid; Producer: Brian David Willis, Doug Grau & Grandstaff; Publisher: Virginia Grandstaff/Wilson Fairchild, ASCAP/BMI; Yell (CDX) (615-385-1601)
—It even has the boom-chicka production of those old Statler records. “Shirley Jean Burrell,” “Elizabeth,” “Atlanta Blue,” “Bed of Roses,” “I’ll Go to My Grave Loving You,” “Carry Me Back,” “Susan When She Tried” and “Flowers on the Wall” are all name-checked. The harmonies are exactly right. All in all, very clever and listenable. Grandstaff is comprised of Statler sons, by the way.

MARK WILLS/Entertaining Angels
Writer: Willie Mack/Keith Brown/Steve Mandile; Producer: Brett James; Publisher: Scott and Soda/Winning Circle/Clashing Plaids/Major Bob/Frequency/Toreador Tunes/Big 13, ASCAP/SESAC; Tenacity (CDX) (615-255-8649)
—Ordinary people in a bar can offer amazing grace. Their stories can really make you take a hard look at your own life. That’s the message here, and it’s a good one.

THE TIME JUMPERS/All Of Me
Writer: Gerald Marks/Seymour B. Simons; Producer: Terry Choate; Publisher: Gerald Marks/Marking Music, ASCAP; Crosswind (CDX) (www.thetimejumpers.com)
—With the divine Dawn Sears singing lead, this Grammy-nominated country swing band makes this golden oldie twirl and spin. A simply delightful listening experience. “All of Me” has been on the charts by Louis Armstrong (1932), Paul Whiteman (1932), Ben Selvin (1932), Count Basie (1943), Frank Sinatra (1948), Johnnie Ray (1952) and Willie Nelson (1978). But it has seldom been swung as well as this.

KIM McLEAN/Ain’t No Glory
Writer: Kim McLean/Kevin Fisher; Producer: Walt Aldridge; Publisher: Sony ATV Cross Keys/Sons of Extreme and Cedar Sides, ASCAP; Hippie  Chick (CDX) (615-400-5140)
—The track has snap, crackle and pop which makes for a nice contrast with her languid vocal phrasing.

LEE ANN WOMACK/Solitary Thinkin’
Writer: Waylon Payne; Producer: Tony Brown; Publisher: Tiltawhirl/Carnival, BMI; MCA Nashville (track)
—Lee Ann’s Call Me Crazy CD is a masterpiece. Its second single is a spare, bluesy little thing with stinging guitar and organ lines. Her reading of the lyric is beautifully conversational and deeply intimate.

LUKE BENWARD/Let Your Love Out
Writer: Aaron Benward/Joy Williams/Shaun Shankel; Producer: Shaun Shankel & Aaron Benward; Publisher: Maineville/Spudnut/Shankel/WB, ASCAP; Shine (track) (www.lukebenward.com)
—This isn’t a country record. It’s synthy teen pop recorded in Music City by this 13-year-old heartthrob. Luke stars on the Disney Channel’s time-machine Minutemen show and has been featured in such films as Because of Winn Dixie and How to Eat Fried Worms. His fans don’t know that he sings, yet. But he’s the son of Aaron Benward of Blue County and the grandson of Jeoffrey Benward, who is a CCM star, so he comes by that talent genetically. The chattering beats, electro effects and bouncy, upbeat feeling of this are all very winning. Sunny and irresistible.

JIM ROONEY & ROONEY’S IRREGULARS/No Expectations
Writer: Mick Jagger/Keith Richards; Producer: Jim Rooney; Publisher: ABKCO, BMI; JRP (track)
—When Allen Reynolds announced he was closing Jack’s Tracks, Irishman Jim Rooney knew just what was called for, a wake. Pat Alger, Shawn Camp, Jellyroll Johnson, Pat McLaughlin, Sam Bush, Nanci Griffith, Tim O’Brien and Jack Clement all gathered to make music in the legendary studio one last time. On the resulting Farewell to the Tracks CD, Allen’s “Wrong Road Again,” “We Must Believe in Magic,” “Dreaming My Dreams” and “Ready for the Times to Get Better” are dutifully covered by the rootsy, jolly acoustic band, as are such faves as “Busted,” “Ramblin’ Man” and “Goin’ Gone.” The set closes with a rousing, uptempo version of this Stones standard with everybody involved getting a turn at the mic. It’s kind of a private thing, but find a copy if you can. I understand that Garth Brooks has since bought and is refurbishing the studio.

MAMMOUTH JACK/Who Wouldn’t Love A Girl Like That
Writer: Bryan Simpson/Kris Bergsness/Matt Rossi; Producer: Bobby Terry; Publisher: Encore Ent./Song Garden/Bed Roll/Diamond Eye, ASCAP/BMI; 1820 (CDX) (615-260-7630)
—His accent is pure country. The song is a gem. The production is terrific. What’s not to love?

Review: Aldean Anchors Adventurous Collection

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ja_wideopen2California-based Broken Bow Records arguably hasn’t yet done much for the Nashville community, but Wide Open, from its flagship artist Jason Aldean, scored impressive first week sales (109k) and is clearly boosting confidence in country’s fan connection. Radio is on board, too. Music Row named the Macon, Georgia native its Artist of the Year (Mid-Size Label ) for 2007 and 2008, based upon spins from the publication’s 110 Country Breakout chart reporters.

Aldean’s new set is loaded with smart lyrics swimming in a sea of  rocking, rhythmic articulations. Title track “Wide Open” sets the stage with crunchy guitars, cutting like a special forces team equipped with platinum-tipped jack hammers breaking into a granite encased vault full of gold. The story follows a young waitress—slinging eggs and bacon with a college education—who chooses to believe in herself, and drive full bore into a world she barely understands. It’s a one act opera of hope from writers Neil Thrasher, Wendell Mobley and Jim Collins.

Thankfully Aldean’s stretchy baritone anchors and welds the “country” into this adventurous collection. His roots-based delivery remains centered whether singing about a man’s shortcoming, farm life, an ode to Nashville, a woman’s needs or life issues we all face. The fiddle walks around the tracks with heightened sensibilities (uncredited) and listeners will enjoy well placed keyboard, pedal steel and banjo cameos. But make no mistake, this stew is a six-string tour de force. Unlike some of today’s artists, carefully controlling their sound, playing by the rules—Aldean eschews safe to deliver a sonic sandwich that doesn’t disappoint. Producer Michael Knox has ripped it up on this third-times-a-charm outing, boldly presenting a more mature artist. Aldean’s ongoing challenge, which he has yet to master, will be to translate his evolving artistry to live performances as he endeavors to move his career from opening act to headliner status.

This life’s full of choices… says the singer on “Keep The Girl” as the listener jumps inside the mind of a lovelorn man who knows that, like a sword with a double edged blade whatever he chooses will cut either way (Aldean, Thrasher, Mobley).

Luckily, the decision for fans (Aldean’s Army) is way easy—get this disc and crank the volume Wide Open.

DISClaimer (3/27/09)

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ewest-happy150Pretty is as pretty does.

Pert Emily West is a living doll. And now she has the single that has the potential to make her the star she deserves to be. Give the little lady a Disc of the Day prize.

There’s a band in Texas called Spur 503. I have reviewed them once before, but this time I’m hearing something really special. To them, I give a belated DisCovery Award.

spur503-raisinbar150But some of our most newsworthy releases this week come from veteran stars. Dolly Parton is still firing on all cylinders as a writer and singer, more than 40 years since she first made the country charts. She is an absolute wonder. Up in Canada, 68-year-old Ray Griff is still writing good new tunes, too.

Willie Nelson’s RCA sides of the late 1960s and early 1970s were drowned in Nashville Sound productions of the era. Now they have been “un-produced,” and the result is nothing less than sensational listening.

SPUR 503/I’ll Be Gone
Writer: Chance Cody/Greg White; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed, BMI; Overdrive (www.spur503.com)
—Splendidly rocking. The electric guitar is down and dirty. The rhythm section is a thundering machine. The fiddle swivels and sways. And the lead vocalist has grit to spare. Crank it up! Make these boys stars.

EMILY WEST/That Kind Of Happy
Writer: Sherrie Austin/Mallary Hope/Will Rambeaux; Producer: Mark Bright; Publisher: Melrose Nashville/Lil’ Aussie Batter/Sony ATV Cross Keys/my Good Girl/Oven, BMI/ASCAP; Capitol Nashville
—This kid is charisma on the hoof. This fizzy rocker will get you out of your chair and bopping around the room like a giddy teenager. What a beam of joy this is. Play it again. And again.

LANCE MILLER/George Jones And Jesus
Writer: Lance Miller/Austin Cunningham; Producer: none listed; Publisher: Famous/Song Matters/EMI April, ASCAP; Lofton Creek/Big 7 (www.lancemiller.com)
—Hard-core country, as you might guess from the title. Lance is a superb honky-tonk stylist, and this gives him plenty of room to twang. Toss yer cowboy hat in the air and give a rebel yell.

DOLLY PARTON/Backwoods Barbie
Writer: Dolly Parton; Producer: Kent Wells & Dolly Parton; Publisher: Velvet Apple, BMI; Dolly (track) (www.dollypartonmusic.net)
—The title tune of Dolly’s latest CD bops along, dropping fiddle and steel notes every which way. The lyric asks that you judge her by what’s inside, rather than her glam exterior. I always have. And I think she’s as cool as the breeze, inside and out.

LEO J. EIFFERT JR./Hannity
Writer: Al Bruno/Troy Hale/Dean Lane/C.J. Einwechter/Leo J. Eiffert Jr.; Producer: none listed; Publisher: Young Country/Three Labs, BMI; Young Country
—Here it is, our first contestant for the worst single of 2009. Everything is so-o-o wrong here—incompetent playing, pathetic production, an off-key vocal, lame lyrics.

WILLIE NELSON/The Ghost
Writer: Willie Nelson; Producer: Mickey Raphael; Publisher: none listed; RCA (track)
—Actually, the production credit reads, “Un-produced by Mickey Raphael.” The Naked Willie CD consists of old 1960s and 1970s RCA sides that originally had Nashville Sound strings and background voices on them. Mickey stripped things down to the rhythm tracks and a few key lead players on guitar or piano. The results are extraordinary, for Willie was at the peak of his vocal powers, and now you can hear some of his finest songs in beautifully unadorned arrangements. “The Ghost,” “I Just Dropped By,” “The Party’s Over,” “Following Me Around” and the like are now officially masterpieces. This is the finest Willie Nelson album in years.

BILLY McKNIGHT & MINDY McCREADY/Sweeter
Writer: Billy McKnight/Mincy McCready/Johnny Garcia; Producer: none listed; Publisher: Billy McKnight/Mindy/Busy at Play, no performance rights listed; Kismet/Lofton Creek (www.loftoncreekrecords.com)
—They sing well. The song wanders around aimlessly in its sleep.

RICHIE McDONALD/Hey God
Writer: Richie McDonald/Tommy Lee James; Producer: Richie McDonald & Tommy Lee James; Publisher: Ballad Boy/Still Working for the Man/Loremoma/ICG, BMI; Stroudavarious (CDX) (615-321-8909)
—Processed cheese.

DONNA ULISSE/The Trouble With You
Writer: Donna Ulisse; Producer: Keith Sewell; Publisher: Uncle Hadley, ASCAP; Hadley Music Group (CDX) (www.donnaulisse.com)
—An saucy acoustic gem with vocalist Donna trading licks with a resonator guitarist while a mandolin chops rhythm.

RAY GRIFF/Bring It On
Writer: Ray Griff; Producer: Ray Griff; Publisher: Calnash, SOCAN; Focus (Canada) (track) (www.raygriff.com)
—Ray Griff was inducted into the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame in 1998 and was given SOCAN’s Lifetime Achievement Award last year. But this veteran is still writing and singing new tunes. The title song to his latest self-penned collection is a dandy shuffle that proves he’s as solid as ever at age 68.

DISClaimer (3/20/09)

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Share and share alike. We’re giving out two Disc of the Day awards today. One is for traditional country excellence. And that, hands down, belongs to a masterful honky-tonk stylist, Mark Chesnutt. Long may he sing.
 The second goes to a modern, rocking-country disc maker. That would be Jack Ingram, who has the first summertime sound this year. Keith Urban is similarly sunny, but we have come to expect that from him.

I was all set to honor Daniel Smith with a DisCovery Award, until I found out that he has appeared in this column before. I liked him then and I like him now. And extra

Jack Ingram

Jack Ingram

kudos for cutting such a well-written song.

Today, by the way, is officially the first day of spring. Celebrate.

MARK CHESNUTT/She Never Got Me Over You
Writer: Keith Whitley/Dean Dillon/Hank Cochran; Producer: Jimmy Ritchey; Publisher: none listed; Lofton Creek/Big 7 (track) (www.loftoncreekrecords.com)
—This is said to be the last thing that Keith Whitley ever recorded. In my opinion there is only one country singer alive who can stand toe to toe with Keith, and it’s this man. The song is a stone-country masterpiece. The production is fiddle-and-steel flawless. Mark’s performance is three minutes of hillbilly heaven. The next time somebody asks you what country music is, play them this.

STEPHEN COCHRAN/Wal-Mart Flowers
Writer: Thom Shepherd/Vincent Hickerson/Mark Fortney; Producer: Jim Allison; Publisher: Next Big Twang/Keeping Music Alive, SESAC/BMI; Aria
—Sucking up to Wal-Mart gets you nowhere in this column, pal.

KEITH URBAN/Kiss A Girl
Writer: Monty Powell/Keith Urban; Producer: Dann Huff & Keith Urban; Publisher: Universal Tunes/Songs of Universal/Eden Valley/Mary Rose/Third Tier, SESAC/BMI; Capitol Nashville
—The sound of sunshine. I’ll bet there are plenty of lady listeners out there who’d be more than willing to take this guy up on his invitation.

KEN HATTON/Small Town Girl
Writer: Bill Spencer; Producer: Brien Fisher; Publisher: Coal Miner’s/PoNoMo, BMI; Spangle (CDX) (615-822-8690)
—It’s one of those redneck stompers about the joys of rural romance. Ho hum.

TRACY LAWRENCE/Up To Him
Writer: David Kent/Tim Johnson; Producer: none listed; Publisher: Finch Valley/State One Copyrights America/The Bigger They Are/Cherry Lane, BMI/SESAC; Rocky Comfort/9 North  (www.tracylawrence.com)
—The multiple rhymes are just about brilliant. Tracy, as usual, delivers the goods as a vocalist on this common-man’s anthem.

KACEY JONES/I Wanna Be Up Front Like Dolly
Writer: Kacey Jones/Becky Hobbs/Benita Hill; Producer: Kacey Jones; Publisher: Mamalama/Becca’s Mecca/Gooby/Universal, ASCAP/BMI; IGO (track) (www.kaceyjones.com)
—The melody is strictly from nursery school, but you can’t argue with the cute lyric that salutes our greatest female superstar.

JACK INGRAM/Barefoot And Crazy
Writer: Ben Hayslip/Rhett Akins/Dallas Davidson; Producer: Jeremy Stover; Publisher: WB/Melissa’s Money/Get a Load of This/EMI Blackwood/Rhettneck/String Stretcher, ASCAP/BMI; Big Machine (www.jackingram.net)
—It’s official: Summer is here. And this is its soundtrack. Righteous and rocking, with an insistent guitar groove to twist your mind.

RAZZY BAILEY/Hank Wrote That
Writer: Razzy Bailey/Ben Marble; Producer: Razzy Bailey; Publisher: Toucabaca, BMI; SOA (track) (www.razzybailey.com)
—Next time, hire a real producer.

DANIEL SMITH/Man Like Me
Writer: Charles Moore/Bobby Pinson/Kris Bergsnes; Producer: Larry Sheridan; Publisher: Tunes From the Farm/Music of Stage Three/Warner Chappell, no performance rights listed; Parlor (CDX) (615-385-4943)
—His vocal range is impressive and the complex, involving lyric is even more so. This is his second good review. Who is this guy?

SHOOTER JENNINGS/Living Proof
Writer: Hank Williams Jr.; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Universal South (track)
—Shooter’s Bad Magick: The Best of Shooter Jennings & The .357’s drops on Tuesday. It features 13 fan favorites and two new tracks. One of them is this Hank Jr. classic about trying to live up to a legendary father. Can Shooter relate? You bet your life.

DISClaimer (3/13/09)

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It’s veterans’ day.

No, not the holiday, silly. It’s a day when we have new music from some of country music’s vets. Aaron Tippin, Ricochet and Ronnie Milsap are all dropping by with new sounds. And the magnificent Mr. Milsap wins a Disc of the Day award.

Neil Carswell is a veteran, too. He previously fronted the Southern rock band Copperhead. Now he’s a solo artist with his second consecutive winning single. Keep an ear out for him, as well as Michael Scott. He is also getting his second consecutive rave review in this column.

Our DisCovery Award winner leans more toward the Americana side of the spectrum. But Diana Jones is such a strong writer that some of country’s stars should start checking out her catalog. Actually, this is Diana’s second appearance, too. But her last CD was three long years ago, and this new one is, for now, being marketed from the U.K.

DIANA JONES/Better Times Will Come
Writer: Diana Jones; Producer: Diana Jones; Publisher: Yarjones, ASCAP; Proper (track) (www.dianajonesmusic.com)
—The title tune to this singer-songwriter’s current collection is rippling acoustic tune of hope sung in a throaty, resonant alto. Guests on the CD include the esteemed Nanci Griffith and Mary Gauthier. Another standout track is “Henry Russell’s Last Words,” based on the true story of a doomed miner writing on a paper sack with a piece of coal in 1927. You can also find it on Joan Baez’s excellent, Steve-Earle-produced album The Day After Tomorrow.

JO DEE MESSINA/Shine
Writer: Clay Cumbie/Megan James; Producer: James Stroud; Publisher: Curb Congregation/Big Red Toe/Big Loud Bucks/Warner-Tamerlane/ Songwriters of Platinum Pen, SESAC/BMI; Curb
—The production frames her upbeat vocal nicely. But the faux-inspirational, chin-up, positive-think song does nothing for me.

CHRIS LOID/Back Road Home
Writer: none listed; Producer: Chris Loid; Publisher: none listed; Chris Loid Entertainment (track)
—The title track to this fellow’s CD shows off his vocal range. But even though it’s a song about murder, there is something curiously colorless about his singing.

RICOCHET/Feel Like Fallin’
Writer: Shane Teeters/Luke Bryan; Producer: Robert Wright; Publisher: Murrah Music/Shane Teeters/Universal/Z, BMI; M (www.ricochetonline.com)
—This band’s harmony singing has always been thrilling. They really turn it on in the joyous-sounding choruses here. The bridge is cool, too.

AARON TIPPIN/East Bound And Down
Writer: Jerry Reed/Dick Feller; Producer: Aaron Tippin & Tim Grogan; Publisher: Songs of Universal, BMI; Nippit (track) (www.aarontippin.com)
—Aaron’s new trucker-themed CD In Overdrive kicks off with this spirited remake of the Burt Reynolds 1977 Smokey and the Bandit movie tune. It bops right along, very much in the same vein as the Jerry Reed original, so some might find it a little “dated” sounding.

RICHARD JAYMES/Dollar And A Dream
Writer: Richard Jaymes; Producer: none listed; Publisher: Southern Pop, BMI; Shotgun/CO5 (CDX)
—This was one of the many newcomers making their debuts at last week’s Country Radio Seminar. His singing is rather bland, and is swamped by the amped-up instrumental track at times.

TIMOTHY CRAIG/Got Good Friends
Writer: Timothy Craig/Billy Falcon/Rose Falcon; Producer: Tom Harding & Timothy Craig; Publisher: Timothy Craig/Pretty Blue Songs/JuniorIsaGirl, ASCAP/BMI; Ball & Chain (CDX) (www.timothycraig.com)
—The song is sturdy, but his vocal is so shallow that he practically speaks the lyric.

NEIL CARSWELL/Bright Lights
Writer: Neil Carswell; Producer: Stu Campbell & Neil Carswell; Publisher: Lake James/GHP, ASCAP; Aspirion (CDX)
—The buzzing guitar sound is cool, and this man sings with plenty of grit and fire. This is the second time we’ve encountered this distinctive stylist, and I’m even more impressed than I was the first time around.

RONNIE MILSAP/Stand By Me
Writer: Ben E. King/Mike Stoller/Jerry Leiber; Producer: Rob Galbraith & Ronnie Milsap; Publisher: Mike & Jerry/Jerry Leiber/Silver Seahorse, BMI/ASCAP; Star Song (CDX) (615-371-6581)
—The funky, soulful track puts some slinky rhythm into what is usually performed as a gospel-soaked ballad. In any setting, it’s a fabulous evergreen song, and Ronnie pours passion all over it. The man remains a titanic talent.

MICHAEL SCOTT/Bring It On
Writer: Arnie Roman/Mark Mormon; Producer: Ricky Cobble & Michael Scott; Publisher: Roman Empire/Fintage/Rev’d Up/Songs of Windswept Pacific, ASCAP/BMI; Rocky Comfort (CDX) (www.michaelscott.com)
—This guy sings with hearty confidence and immense warmth. And judging by the superb dynamics in the track, he truly knows his way around a recording studio. To top it all off, the song is a doozy. This is Scott’s second rave in this column, so I thought I’d check out his website. It turns out that this is the title tune to his debut CD for Tracy Lawrence’s label. Definitely send more.

DISClaimer (3/6/09)

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As you might expect, the stars are twinkling for Country Radio Seminar.

Toby Keith, Sugarland, Telluride and Pat Green all have terrific new tunes for the radio decision makers to savor. Universal South is bringing forth a dandy by this week’s DisCovery Award winners, Jonathan Singleton & The Grove.

Less than a month ago (on February 13, to be exact), Caitlin & Will earned that same honor. Well, today they graduate to their first Disc of the Day prize. I hope it is the first of many to come.

TOBY KEITH/Lost You Anyway
Writer: Toby Keith/Bobby Pinson; Producer: Toby Keith; Publisher: Franklin Road/Music of Stage Three/Bobby’s Song and Salvage, BMI; Show Dog Nashville
—Sumptuous and lustrous as a ballad can be. Guitars chime and percussion pounds all around his passionate, soaring vocal. A big, big sound.

GEORGE CANYON/What I Do
Writer: George Canyon; Producer: Richard Marx; Publisher: Reiny Dawg, SOCAN; Universal (Canada) (track) (www.georgecanyon.com)
—The title tune to the Canadian hunk’s new CD is a tender “daddy” song that tugs at every heart string you’ve got. Another winner in a career that’s had a bunch of ‘em.

JONATHAN SINGLETON & THE GROVE/Livin’ In Paradise
Writer: Jonathan Singleton/Ted Jones; Producer: Dann Huff; Publisher: Crosstown Uptown/Kobalt/Murrah, ASCAP/BMI; Universal South
—The song is ear-catchingly structured, with its chorus at the beginning. Even more impressive is his cool, grainy singing voice. Jonathan has already proved himself as a top Music Row songwriter (”Watching Airplanes,” “Red Light”). This proves he has enormous artist potential as well.

STELLA PARTON/Family Ties
Writer: Stella Parton/Rucker Jones; Producer: Stella Parton; Publisher: My Mama’s/WTRC, BMI; Raptor (track) (www.stellaparton.com)
—During the past few years, Stella has really come into her own as a songwriter and a record maker. Her new Testimony CD leads off with this lilting ditty about kinfolks. Hold on for the clever “gossip” segment at the finale.

CAITLIN & WILL/Address In The Stars
Writer: Caitlin Fisher/Aimee Mayo/Chris Lindsey/Hillary Lindsey; Producer: Chris Lindsey; Publisher: Fleur de Lisa/Little Blue Typewriter/BPJ/Moonscar/Raylene, BMI/ASCAP; Columbia (track)
—At radio’s request, “Even Now” is being pulled as the duo’s single and being replaced by this piercing, penetrating ballad of loss. Both of these kids sing their faces off. Caitlin’s goose-bump raising vocal takes the lead while Will wails soulful harmony on the string-drenched choruses. The electric guitar effects are really neat, too. A super performance. Her aunt’s death from breast cancer inspired Caitlin to pen this stunner.

TELLURIDE/Pencil Marks
Writer: Adam Craig/Dillon Dixon/Michael Howard; Producer: none listed; Publisher: In Tune/Ash Street/Deane Howard, BMI; American Roots/Quarterback (www.tellurideband.com)
—The pencil marks are the ones Dad drew on the door frame as his boy grew up. The kid enters the military, comes home, has a boy of his own and starts making new pencil marks. It’s a neat little slice of life, very nicely sung and produced. I think this band has the goods.

MILEY CYRUS/The Climb
Writer: Jessi Alexander/Jon Mabe; Producer: John Shanks; Publisher: Vistaville/Hopeless Rose/Music of Stage Three/Mabe it Big, ASCAP/BMI; Walt Disney/Lyric Street/Hollywood
—Having succeeded in country music as her dad’s duet partner, pop star Miley sends out this Nashville-penned orchestral ballad as a potential cross-format performance. The gal can for-sure sing, and the chorus of this is pretty undeniable. It’s not exactly my cup of tea, but I can see why country radio might want to give it a try.

PAT GREEN/Country Star
Writer: Pat Green/Brett James; Producer: Dann Huff; Publisher: none listed, BMI/ASCAP; BNA (CDX)
—Pat comes to Music City with stars in his eyes. “I got a drinkin’ problem, so I fit right in.” That’s just one of the hoots in a lyric that name-checks, Tim, Faith, Kenny, Bocephus, Carrie, Big & Rich, Brooks & Dunn, Keith Urban and more. Great tempo tune. Great fun.

SUGARLAND/It Happens
Writer: Jennifer Nettles/Kristian Bush/Bobby Pinson; Producer: Byron Gallimore, Kristian Bush & Jennifer Nettles; Publisher: Jennifer Nettles/EMI Blackwood/Dirkpit/Music of Stage Three/Bobby’s Song & Salvage, ASCAP/BMI; Mercury (CDX)
—It’s a zippy, bopping, working-girl’s lament. Life doesn’t have any rhyme or reason. It just happens. Naturally, she tosses in a “Shhh” and pauses a moment before singing the title.

STEPHANIE CHAPMAN/This Song Is To You
Writer: Stephanie Chapman; Producer: Ray Kennedy & Nathan Chapman; Publisher: Sony ATV Tree, BMI; Pain in the Art (track) (www.stephaniechapman.com)
—The Chapmans are a young couple to watch in Tune Town. Nathan has shot to fame as Taylor Swift’s producer. Stephanie’s songs have been recorded by Trisha Yearwood, Bonnie Raitt and others. The title song to her debut CD is a sweet, soprano love ballad embellished with silvery steel passages and simple, effective guitar strumming. Highly listenable indeed. She’ll celebrate her album release on Wednesday, March 11, at The Rutledge at 7:30 p.m. Jypsi and Lauren Lucas will be there, too.

Jack White Debuts Nashville HQ and New Band

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Already balancing two successful bands, the White Stripes and the Raconteurs, and various side projects including a recent recording and video shoot with country’s Ricky Skaggs and Ashley Monroe, rock star and Music City resident Jack White has embarked on yet additional adventures. White has established a headquarters for his Third Man Records label and recording/photography studio in downtown Nashville. The new Third Man Records building houses label offices, a vinyl record store, a photo studio and a performance stage.

White’s new band, The Dead Weather features lead singer Alison Mosshart of The Kills, Queens of the Stone Age guitarist Dean Fertita and White’s fellow Raconteur Jack Lawrence on bass. White plays drums and sings in the new band. Last night (3/11), in their first public performance, The Dead Weather played songs from their already-completed debut album, the White-produced Horehound, for about 150 fans. Among those fans was another Nashville-based rocker, Sheryl Crow and country star Martina McBride. In yet another country music connection, The Oak Ridge Boys have recorded a version of the White Stripes hit, “Seven Nation Army.”

Third Man plans a June release for Horehound. “This band is the first project to come out of this new system, which is our new studio in town and this building,” White said.

DISClaimer (2/27/09)

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Matt Gary

Matt Gary

The Raconteurs are the latest pop act to put their toes in our country waters. Come one, come all, say I.

We have several youngsters in our listening stack today. One of them, Matt Gary, walks off with a DisCovery Award.

Mercury’s Billy Currington is on a roll. Thanks to his ultra-smart song selection, he earns this week’s Disc of the Day.

MATT GARY/The Days You Live For
Writer: Frank Myers/Wade Kirby; Producer: Frank Myers; Publisher: 16 Music/Frank Myers/Big Tractor/Curbtone, BMI; 17 Music Entertainment (www.mattgarymusic.com)
—Promising. He sings with gusto, the song is terrific and the production is right up in your face.

ONE FLEW SOUTH/Life
Writer: Chris Roberts/Billy Mann; Producer: Marcus Hummon; Publisher: Sony ATV/Fresh Pond/Turtle Victory, ASCAP/SESAC; Decca (track)
—The lyric is pure poetry. The production is a swirl of wonder. The harmonized vocals are celestial. This little piece of magic is like a country version of CSN&Y.

DARYLE SINGLETARY/Love You With The Lights On
Writer: Chris Dubois/David Cory; Producer: Greg Cole & Chuck Rhodes; Publisher: EMI April/New Sea Gayle/Universal Careers, ASCAP/BMI; Koch (615-594-7684)
—I just love this guy’s voice. The song is one of those classic country-bedroom thangs that have worked so well in this format so often. Also, the guitar solo is cool.

BILLY CURRINGTON/People Are Crazy
Writer: Bobby Braddock/Troy Jones; Producer: Carson Chamberlain & Billy Currington; Publisher: Sony ATV/Tiltawhirl/Carnival/Crozier; Mercury
—This story song knocks me out. I want to hang out with that old man in a bar, too. And when was the last time you heard somebody whistling the tune at the finale of a song?

JOEY & RORY/Play The Song
Writer: Rory Feek; Producer: Carl Jackson; Publisher: State One Songs America/A Sling and a Prayer/FSMGI, ASCAP/IMRO; Sugar Hill (track) (www.joeyandrory.com)
—They’re nominated for an ACM award. Hooray. They deserve it so much. The bopping new single is a shout-out to radio to let the listeners decide whether they like it or not. Amen to that.

THE RACONTEURS with RICKY SKAGGS & ASHLEY MONROE/Old Enough
Writer: Brendan Benson/Jack White III; Producer: Jack White III; Publisher: Chrysalis/Gladsad/Third String, ASCAP/BMI; Warner Bros.
—This is a nifty little hoedown. Ashley kicks things off, then Jack takes over with her and then Ricky providing harmony vocals. Fiddle and mandolin dominate the percussive track, so it’s actually more “country” than most of what you hear on country radio. Highly engaging.

SHeDAISY/Bucket Full Of Beautiful
Writer: Kristyn Osborn/Jann Arden Richards/Connie Harrington; Producer: Bruce Leitl, Jann Arden & Kristyn Osborn; Publisher: emErto/Universal/Girl on the Moon/Warner-Tamerlane/All for This/Made for This, ASCAP/SOCAN/BMI; Lyric Street (CDX)
—Very tuneful. It abruptly switches tempo midway through, then returns to its catchy choruses.

COLT FORD & JOHN MICHAEL MONTGOMERY/Ride Through The Country
Writer: Colt Ford/Shannon Houchins/Jared Sciollo/David Jones; Producer: Shannon Houchins; Publisher: Average ZJS/DJKO/Phive Starr Authentic/Chris in the Creek, BMI/SESAC; Average Joe (CDX) (www.coltford.com)
—It begins with a rap. That’s right, a rap. Mercifully, John Michael eventually sings, but all too briefly. Then the insistent rapping reappears. Look, if I wanted to consume hip-hop, I’d be listening to another format.

KATHE KNIGHT/I’m Gonna Be A Country Girl Again
Writer: Buffy Sainte-Marie; Producer: John R. Craig; Publisher: Almo/Gypsy Boy, BMI; TAM (CDX) (828-758-2349)
—Buffy Sainte-Marie’s catalog should be explored by more country acts. Songs like “Take My Hand for Awhile,” “Until it’s Time for You to Go,” “The Piney Wood Hills” and “A Soulful Shade of Blue” are simply masterpieces. This ditty is another one I’ve always liked. Knight’s delivery is sweet, the track is a toe tapper, and I love the bass-singer harmony part on the choruses.

NIKKI BRITT/Do I Look Like Him
Writer: Rita Weyls; Producer: Brien Fisher & Jack Schneider; Publisher: Iron Skillet, ASCAP; Rustic (CDX) (www.rusticrecords.com)
—The little girl grows up without a daddy. After a long, long time he decides he wants to see her. Britt handles the sentimental material confidently, and the piano-dominated production supports her at every turn.

Americana DISClaimer (2/25/09)

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They may call this genre “Americana,” but the Disc of the Day comes from overseas this time.

Kasey Chambers & Shane Nicholson have a current CD called Rattlin’ Bones that is a must-own for anyone in love with soulful, mountain-soaked music.

My other two favorites in this listening session both came from veterans. It sure is good to have Danny O’Keefe back, and Barry & Holly Tashian remain absolutely charming as warm, homey music makers.

JAKOB DYLAN/Something Good This Way Comes
Writer: Jakob Dylan; Producer: Rick Rubin; Publisher: Ragnbone, ASCAP; Columbia (track)
—Folkie in all the best ways. The gentle acoustic strumming, lilting melody and soft singing harken back to simpler times. Jakob’s current CD, Seeing Things, includes this lulling little tune.

DANNY O’KEEFE/The First Time
Writer: Fred Koller/Danny O’Keefe; Producer: Mike Conley; Publisher: Lucrative/Bicameral, BMI; OK (track) (www.dannyokeefe.com)
—Recorded in Nashville, In Time is Danny’s first new album in eight years. Has it really been 37 years since “Good Time Charlie’s Got the Blues” made him a name? Judging by what’s in these grooves, the years have been more than kind to this singer/songwriter. The collection leads off with this cleverly penned and wonderfully melodic song. Danny’s singing is terrific, but if he doesn’t have a hit with this, somebody ought to pitch it to some major-label country star. In addition to Fred Koller, Danny’s songwriting collaborators here include such Music City notables as Tim O’Brien, Victor Krauss, Michael McDonald, Fred Knobloch and Beth Nielsen Chapman.

BARRY & HOLLY TASHIAN/Long Story Short
Writer: Barry Tashian/Holly Tashian/Niall Toner; Producer: Barry & Holly Tashian; Publisher: Barry Boy/Poodle Paw/Bardis, BMI/ASCAP/IMRO/ASCAP; Rock-A-Lot (track) (www.tashianmusic.com)
—The title tune to this couple’s seventh album is a delightfully jaunty country-swing tune featuring cool fiddle licks and some zippy lead guitar lines. The whole project is groove oriented—tracks variously have boogie-woogie, blues, bluegrass and jazz tempos, and all of them work. Very enjoyable indeed.

KASEY CHAMBERS & SHANE NICHOLSON/Rattlin’ Bones
Writer: K. Chambers/S. Nicholson; Producer: Nash Chambers & Shane Nicholson; Publisher: Control/Universal, ASCAP; Sugar Hill (www.kaseychambers.com)
—Aussie Kasey became one of Americana music’s finest solo artists during the past decade. As half of a duo, she is equally riveting. The lead track and title tune to this collection is a haunting, bluesy, mountainy, minor-key wail that will stop you in your tracks. It opens the door into a masterpiece of an album.

THE BOXMASTERS/The Poor House
Writer: B. Thornton; Producer: W.R. “Bud” Thornton & J.D. Andrew; Publisher: Salve  Man, BMI; Vanguard (track) (theboxmasters.com)
—I still say Billy Bob Thornton can’t sing. But I’ll give him this much, the lead-off tune to his band’s self-titled, two-CD set is as country as dirt. The first CD is called “Ours” and consists of originals. The second CD is “Theirs” and contains covers of both pop and country tunes.

Country DISClaimer (2/20/09)

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All I have to say is, “wow.” I can’t remember the last time so many records deserved a Disc of the Day award. How to choose between Alan Jackson’s sweet/sad acoustic ballad, The Zac Brown Band’s groove-a-thon, Wynonna’s celestial performance, Love and Theft’s dizzy pop confection, Dierks Bentley’s party platter and Jefferson Ross’s brilliant songwriting?

In the end, I went with the one that moved me most emotionally, “Prayer of a Common Man” by the heart-tugging Phil Vassar. But let me hasten to add that all seven of these records deserve your attention and support.

Carolwood Records is the new Lyric Street imprint. It is also the home of our DisCovery Award winning group, Love and Theft. Who are these guys?

Our runners up for this honor, by the way, were Mr. Ross and the duo of Nathan Chance. You can’t miss Chance when he’s on Music Row. He stands over 6’6” tall.

DANIELLE REED/Kissing In The Rain
Writer: Marc Kuchner; Producer: John Carter Cash; Publisher: none listed; Barcode (track) (www.daniellereed.com)
—This charmer sings with down-to-earth country simplicity. The song is a mid-tempo, plain-spoken rural romance. For an unknown, she sure has lined up a stellar support team. Produced by John Carter Cash, her debut disc features sidemen like Jamie Hartford, Bob Britt, Dave Roe and Hoot Hester.

DIERKS BENTLEY/Sideways
Writer: Jim Beavers/Dierks Bentley; Producer: Brett Beavers & Dierks Bentley; Publisher: Sony-ATV Tree/Beavertime Tunes/Big White Tracks, BMI/ASCAP; Capitol Nashville (track)
—You worked all week, it’s time to play. And here’s your soundtrack, a party-hearty anthem that’s meant to get you out on that dance floor. Everything works here, from the mash-up of banjo and steel to the shouted “Heys,” the crowd noise and the rollicking rhythm. Somewhere in there hollering is label boss Mike Dungan, making his disc debut.

NATHAN CHANCE/I Think She Loves Me
Writer: Dukas/Anderson; Producer: Kevin Lawson; Publisher: none listed; Nathan Chance (www.chancemckinney.com)
—Nathan Arneson and Chance McKinney were solo acts with solid followings in the Pacific Northwest. In 2006, they decided to combine forces and form a duo. This shouted rocker has loads of energy and power. The stunning “Some Bridges Don’t Burn” proves they can handle a ballad as well. These dudes have audio charisma, and their stage show must be pretty good, too. They’ve opened for Chesney, Strait, Rascal Flatts, Martina and loads of other top headliners. This format needs more duos, especially ones that sound as good as this one. Send a full CD ASAP.

LOVE AND THEFT/Runaway
Writer: Stephen Barker Liles/Canaan Smith/Rob Blackledge; Producer: Jeff Coplan & Robert Ellis Orrall; Publisher: Hate and Purchase/Rockapop/House of StyleSonic/Kid in the Korner, ASCAP; Carolwood
—Utterly delicious. It’s a foaming, frothy pop-country outing that’s drenched in melody, harmonies and happy-feet rhythm. This sparkles with sunshine and begs for a drive on an empty two-lane blacktop. Summer is officially here.

MELISSA CLEVELAND/It’s All About Me
Writer: Victoria Colbert/Brandon L. Shane/Nicole Nichols; Producer: Brandon Lynn Shane; Publisher: Shanethang, BMI; Mirror Image (track) (www.melissacleveland.com)
—It’s a feisty-female “attitude” tune. She’s sick of being a housewife drudge and is aiming to go out on the town to kick up her heels while he stays home for a change. The fiddler and guitarists sizzle around her scratching-kitten-claws vocal.

ALAN JACKSON/Sissy’s Song
Writer: Alan Jackson; Producer: Keith Stegall; Publisher: EMI April/Tri Angels, ASCAP; Arista
—The prettiest, saddest ballad on Alan’s Good Time CD has now become the collection’s fourth single. The lyric about a departed loved one is beautifully backed by poetically plucked acoustic guitar lines. Gorgeous in its perfectly ornamented restraint.

JEFFERSON ROSS/The Prophet Elijah
Writer: Jefferson Ross/Alison Mellon; Producer: Jefferson Ross; Publisher: none listed; Deep Fried Discs (track) (www.jeffersonross.com)
—Jefferson is a Curb writer who has been on the road backing Terri Clark for 10 years. She tipped me off to his talent, and his debut CD arrived in the mail a few days later. What a find. He sings with immense heart and believability. This terrific track is about the injustice and violence faced by a peace-loving old black man. You’ll hang on every word of this tender story song. And the rest of his Azalea collection is just as strong.

ZAC BROWN BAND/Whatever It Is
Writer: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Big Picture (ERG)
—The Zac Brown Band’s second single is just as winning as “Chicken Fried” was. And it is even more irresistibly tuneful. There’s just so much honesty and integrity in the group’s singing and playing. I’m digging this groovy combo more and more.

PHIL VASSAR/Prayer Of A Common Man
Writer: Phil Vassar/Tom Douglas; Producer: Mark Wright & Phil Vassar; Publisher: Phylvester/Words & Music/Sony-ATV/Tomdouglasmusic, ASCAP/BMI; Universal South (track)
—A passionately sung and written little masterpiece for working stiffs everywhere. Phil sings his face off, and every line pierces your soul. It gave me a big ol’ lump in my throat, and that’s a very good thing.

WYNONNA/Sing
Writer: Rodney Crowell; Producer: Brent Maher & Don Potter; Publisher: Sony-ATV Milene/J Only, ASCAP; Curb (track)
—Wy’s Sing Chapter 1 album is a collection of mostly covers of classics such as “Ain’t No Sunshine,” “Til I Get it Right,” “Anyone Who Had a Heart,” “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry” and “When I Fall in Love.” Not everything is a standard, however. The title tune and first single is a thrilling, inspirational melody from a Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame member. She soars into the stratosphere on this fabulous performance. For a sassier side of her prowess, check out the swinging revival of The Boswell Sisters’ 1932 gem “That’s How Rhythm Was Born.” This is Wy’s strongest album in years. Buy it.