Charlie Sizemore
It’s high time we checked in with country music’s kissin’ cousins in bluegrass.
A look at the current
Bluegrass Unlimited chart shows that there are lots and lots of new faces popping up with popular tunes. Alongside the field’s superstars such as Rhonda Vincent, Alison Krauss and Peter Rowan are a number of up-and-comers. In fact, there are several on the
BU chart who are there with debut CDs, including
The Boxcars, who win this column’s DisCovery Award.
Lonesome River Band is still doing excellent work. Balsam Range is demonstrating promised fulfilled with its second outing. The amazing and legendary Bobby Osborne can still lift the top of your skull off.
But for sheer vocal class, superb instrumental backing and superior song selection, you simply cannot beat Middle Tennessean
Charlie Sizemore. He has the peerless Disc of the Day. If you buy just one bluegrass platter, this is absolutely the One.
JUNIOR SISK & RAMBLERS CHOICE/Train Without a Track
Writer: Tom T. Hall/Dixie Hall; Producer: Wes Easter & Ramblers Choice; Publisher: Good Home Grown Music, BMI; Rebel (track) (www.juniorsiskandramblerschoice.com)
—This tune is perched at No. 1 on the
Bluegrass Unlimited chart. Junior is a big ol’ boy with a big ol’ tenor voice, and he uses it well on this uptempo, busted-heart tune. His
Heartaches and Dreams CD actually has two songs on the chart, the other being the scampering “Working Hard Ain’t Hardly Working Anymore.”
LONESOME RIVER BAND/Record Time Machine
Writer: Marvin E. Clark; Producer: Lonesome River Band; Publisher: Whoville, BMI; Rural Rhythm (track) (www.lonesomeriverband.com)
—I’m a big fan of this band. Its flawless harmony singing and deft instrumental work simply flow over this nostalgic song about the sounds from an old phonograph record player. The evocative performance is lodged at No. 2 on
BU’s chart. The
Still Learning CD also includes covers of Merle Haggard’s “Red Bandana” and Mel Tillis’s “Goodbye Wheeling” done bluegrass style.
BALSAM RANGE/Trains I Missed
Writer: Walt Wilkins/Gilles Godard/Nicole Witt; Producer: Balsam Range; Publisher: Garage Door/Mike Curb/Curb Congregation, BMI/SESAC; Mountain Home (track) (www.balsamrange.com)
—In the No. 3 slot is the title tune of the second album by Balsam Range. It’s a perfectly lovely, mellow, lilting performance. Lead singer Buddy Melton has a heart-tugging, folkie quality that I find immensely appealing. The band’s instrumental chops are also outstanding.
STEVE GULLEY & TIM STAFFORD/How Did That Turn Into My Problem
Writer: Tim Stafford/Steve Gulley; Producer: Steve Gulley & Tim Stafford; Publisher: Daniel House/Gulley’s Curve, BMI; Rural Rhythm (track) (www.ruralrhythm.com)
—This team cowrote all the songs on their
Dogwood Winter CD. This wry, bitter, bluesy ditty is a top-10 success in the bluegrass world.
BRAND NEW STRINGS/Merry Go Round
Writer: Alan Johnston; Producer: Steve Gulley; Publisher: Weaver of Words, BMI; Rural Rhythm (track) ()
—This new band is on the
BU chart with this snarky, zippy performance. Vocally, Brand New Strings has that classic, pinched, nasal, high-lonesome sound. Hard core hillbilly.
THE BOXCARS/December 13th
Writer: William Keith Garrett; Producer: The Boxcars; Publisher: Setacoo, BMI; Mountain Home (track) (www.theboxcars.com)
—The Boxcars are also new on the scene, although several of its members have had high profiles in other bands. Lead singer Garrett has a real flair for story telling, based on this debut bluegrass hit by the group. Murder with a banjo beat.
FRANK SOLIVAN & DIRTY KITCHEN/Driftin’ Apart
Writer: Frank Solivan; Producer: Frank Solivan & Brent Truitt; Publisher: Fiddlemon, BMI; Fiddlemon (track) (www.dirtykitchenband.com)
—Lead singer and mandolinist Solivan wrote all but three of the songs on his band’s third album for his indie Fiddlemon imprint. This lickety-split outing features his strong tenor singing plus dazzling banjo runs by Mike Munford.
VALERIE SMITH/Blame it on the Bluegrass
Writer: Elizabeth Shrum/Becky Buller; Producer: Becky Buller; Publisher: Goodnight Sparky, BMI; Bell Buckle (track) (www.valeriesmithonline.com)
—As her label name indicates, Ms. Smith is a native of Bell Buckle, TN, which is southwest of Murfreesboro. She’s one of the up-and-coming female voices in bluegrass because of her yearning delivery. The lonesome sound of the title tune to her current, six-song collection comes largely from her emotional vocal plus the fiddling of producer and co-writer Buller. The CD is the first to be recorded at the International Bluegrass Museum in Owensboro, KY.
CHARLIE SIZEMORE/No Lawyers in Heaven
Writer: Paul Craft/Billy Edd Wheeler; Producer: Charlie Sizemore; Publisher: Paul Craft/Dennis Morgan/Blue Duck, BMI/ASCAP; Rounder (track) (www.charliesizemoreband.com)
—Sizemore IS a lawyer, which makes this all the more delightful. The dobro of Matt DeSpain drawls right along with Charlie’s tongue-in-cheek delivery of this divorce ditty. If this ain’t a hit, I’ve never heard one. It’s a track from his
Heartache Looking for Home album, which I heartily recommend.
BOBBY OSBORNE & PATTY LOVELESS/Memories
Writer: Bobby Osborne; Producer: Glen Duncan, Bobby Osborne & Bobby Osborne Jr.; Publisher: Sure Fire, BMI; Rural Rhythm (track) (www.ruralrhythm.com)
—This is the title tune of a CD that celebrates Bobby’s 60th anniversary as a professional entertainer. At age 79 (80 in December), this Bluegrass Hall of Famer still has a breath-taking, pitch-perfect, arrow-of-truth tenor delivery. Fellow Grand Ole Opry star Patty packs a punch as his harmony foil, too. In a word, awesome.
Events: Leadership Music Salutes CMA; Grammy Block Party
/by Sarah SkatesPerformers for the Leadership Music Dale Franklin Award Dinner
Leadership Music is inviting members of the music industry and the Nashville community to its May 17 gala honoring the CMA. Tickets are still available for the event hosted by Martina McBride at Nashville’s Renaissance Hotel. Also set to perform are Little Big Town, Ronnie Milsap, Brad Paisley and Keith Urban.
During the event the Leadership Music Dale Franklin Award will be presented to the Country Music Association. Owing to the CMA’s relationships with the music industry in general and the Nashville community at large through its numerous philanthropic efforts and outreach programs, seats to the dinner and tribute show are being offered to CMA members and the broader Nashville community, in addition to Leadership Music alumni.
Ticket reservations may be made online via www.dfa.eventbrite.com; the event password is DFA2011.
• • • • •
The 13th Annual GRAMMY® Block Party and Membership Celebration is set for Tues., May 10, 4:30-9 PM at Owen Bradley Park on the roundabout. Performers include Laura Bell Bundy, The Civil Wars, Denny Jiosa, Jerrod Niemann, Old Crow Medicine Show, Royal Tailor and Chancellor Warhol. The event is free for Recording Academy members and $20 for their guests; those signing up for membership at the event will also be admitted for free.
MusicRow Award Noms Coming Monday
/by Sarah SkatesAwards nominations will be revealed in a special morning PDF release on Monday, May 9, followed that afternoon by ballots for reader voting. Ballots must be returned by Friday, May 13.
MusicRow’s editorial team selected the nominees which will be voted on by readers. Outside nominations were accepted only in the Breakthrough Songwriter category.
With a track record that includes winners “The House That Built Me” and “In Color,” MusicRow’s Song of the Year Award is building a reputation as a key predictor for CMA Song of the Year. Numerous MusicRow Breakthrough Artist winners have also received the CMA New Artist/Horizon Award later the same year.
Other MusicRow Awards highlights include the return of the prestigious Marketing Achievement Award, and the Top Ten Album All-Star Musician winners.
Readers are invited to join us at the 2011 MusicRow Awards at ASCAP on Tues., June 21 at 5:30 PM.
Eric Church To Release "Chief"
/by MichelleEric Church. Photo: John Peets Photography
Eric Church will release his third studio album, Chief, July 26 on EMI Records. After having spent a month songwriting in a secluded cabin in North Carolina, Church later recorded the album in Nashville with Jay Joyce, who also produced his previous two releases.
Church’s new music video for “Homeboy,” which was filmed at Nashville’s Tennessee State Prison, will be featured on CMT as a “Hot Shot Debut,” and premiere on GAC beginning Monday, May 9.
For the upcoming CMT Music Awards, Church is nominated for the Nationwide® Insurance On Your Side® award for the country’s best new live act.
He is on tour with Jason Aldean through June 5, and will join Toby Keith on the road beginning June 30 and continuing through the fall.
Chief track listing
1. Creepin’ (Eric Church / Marv Green)
2. Drink In My Hand (Eric Church, Michael P. Heeney, Luke Laird)
3. Keep On (Eric Church / Ryan Tyndell)
4. Like Jesus Does (Casey Beathard / Monty Criswell)
5. Hungover & Hard Up (Eric Church / Luke Laird)
6. Homeboy (Eric Church / Casey Beathard)
7. Country Music Jesus (Eric Church / Jeremy Spillman)
8. Jack Daniels (Eric Church / Jeff Hyde / Lynn Hutton)
9. Springsteen (Eric Church / Jeff Hyde / Ryan Tyndell)
10. I’m Gettin’ Stoned (Eric Church / Jeff Hyde / Casey Beathard / Jeremy Cradey)
11. Over When It’s Over (Eric Church / Luke Laird)
Eli Young Band EP Has Strong Debut
/by Sarah SkatesLead single “Crazy Girl” also debuted at No. 1 on the iTunes Country Singles Chart with over 45,000 downloads sold its first week. It has gone on to sell over 200,000 downloads in two months, averaging 25,000 each week.
“Crazy Girl” is getting good response at radio and video, sitting at No. 22 on MusicRow’s Country Breakout chart, as the fastest rising EYB single to date. The video debuted at No. 1 on CMT.com and has been viewed over 1 million times between YouTube and CMT.
Eli Young Band has been working social media to promote the EP, including hosting a USTREAM live video chat, and has seen a 40,000 spike in likes on Facebook in the last two months since the single was released.
Stars Team For CMT Storm Relief Concert
/by Sarah SkatesHank Jr. led the charge for CMT's relief concert.
CMT and its pro-social initiative CMT One Country will air a live concert special featuring Hank Williams Jr. and Alabama, Keith Urban, Lady Antebellum, Ronnie Dunn, Sara Evans, Tim McGraw and many others to raise awareness and funds for those affected by the recent devastating storms, flooding and tornadoes.
The 90-minute show will air live from Nashville on Thursday, May 12 at 9 p.m. ET/8 p.m. CT on CMT and will be simulcast on CMT.com. Additional artists to be announced; all money raised will benefit the American Red Cross Disaster Relief efforts.
Hank Williams Jr. got the ball rolling on the event when he reached out to CMT to express his desire to address the disaster. “I just couldn’t believe what I was seeing on TV,” he says. “Alabama is home—I am really pumped about helping. I want to raise lot of money, and thanks to my good friends, we are going to be able to make a difference.”
“CMT’s audience is reaching out to us, and to our stars, in desperation,” said Brian Philips, president, CMT. “The other seismic news events of the past few days have had the unintended effect of limiting media coverage of this massive, historic American disaster. Simply put, CMT and our artists will not allow this to happen. We will raise money, and we will shine the brightest possible light on the urgent needs of our courageous neighbors. On behalf of CMT, MTV Networks and Viacom, we strongly urge other organizations to join us in this labor of love.”
Those who want to donate can text “REDCROSS” to 90999 to make a $10 donation to support the American Red Cross Disaster Relief efforts.
CMT Disaster Relief Concert is available for simulcast, free of charge, to outside media. Satellite coordinates and restrictions will be available early next week.
Movie Soundtrack Still Going Strong
/by Sarah SkatesSince hitting store shelves six months ago, the Country Strong soundtrack has reaped award nominations and a radio hit, key indicators that this album is worth even more attention than it has been getting from radio and fans.
This week the RCA Nashville release is hanging firmly at No. 7 on the Country albums chart. According to Soundscan, it has sold 246,000 units, boosted by the movie’s recent DVD release.
As a whole, the album offers some of the best music to come out of Nashville in recent memory—a stellar showcase for the genre’s best songwriting, artists and producers.
The project’s most lauded song, “Coming Home,” garnered well-deserved Oscar and Golden Globe nominations. Taken literally or as a metaphor for heaven, it’s a finely crafted work by A-list tunesmiths Bob DiPiero, Tom Douglas, Hillary Lindsey and Troy Verges. Byron Gallimore’s production is a lush landscape for actress Gwyneth Paltrow’s emotional delivery:
Sara Evans’ cut on the album, “A Little Bit Stronger,” reached No. 1 on the singles chart this week, gaining traction as the lead single from her new album. It is just the latest in a string of hits from the golden guitars of Luke Laird, Hillary Lindsey and Hillary Scott.
Chris Young’s traditional stylings and Patty Loveless’ Kentucky-bred twang shine on “Love Don’t Let Me Down.” Like Loveless, the cherished voices of Lee Ann Womack, Faith Hill and Hank Williams Jr. escaped hiatus and made it into the studio for the album.
Ronnie Dunn fans will be excited to hear another preview of his solo work on “She’s Actin’ Single (I’m Drinkin’ Doubles).” Trace Adkins gives a authentic take on “Timing Is Everything” by Natalie Hemby and Troy Jones.
Even the film’s supporting cast members fare well on the album. Garrett Hedlund’s gruff vocals on “Chances Are” are a standout on a sobering song from Nathan Chapman, Lori McKenna, and Liz Rose. Leighton Meester gives a heartfelt performance on “Words I Couldn’t Say.”
Nestled among the melancholy laments are good-time party anthems “Shake That Thing,” and “Thirsty.”
The collection hits all of country music’s high notes, covering with grace the struggles of sorrow and self-doubt, drinking and cheating, lost love, hope, heaven and home.
Complete tracklist
1. Gwyneth Paltrow – “Country Strong”
(Jennifer Hanson/Tony Martin/Mark Nesler) Produced by Byron Gallimore
2. Chris Young & Patty Loveless – “Love Don’t Let Me Down”
(Marv Green/Troy Olsen) Produced by James Stroud
3. Sara Evans – “A Little Bit Stronger”
(Luke Laird/Hillary Lindsey/Hillary Scott) Produced by Tony Brown
4. Garrett Hedlund – “Chances Are”
(Nathan Chapman/Lori McKenna/Liz Rose) Produced by Frank Liddell and Luke Wooten for Carnival Productions
5. Lee Ann Womack – “Liars Lie”
(Sally Barris/Morgane Hayes/Liz Rose) Produced by Frank Liddell and Chuck Ainlay for Carnival Productions
6. Ronnie Dunn – “She’s Actin’ Single (I’m Drinkin’ Double)”
(Wayne Carson Thompson) Produced by Ronnie Dunn
7. Gwyneth Paltrow – “Shake That Thing”
(Mark Irwin/Josh Kear/Chris Tompkins) Produced by Byron Gallimore
8. Hank Williams, Jr. – “Thirsty”
(Dallas Davidson/Rhett Akins/Brett Eldredge) Produced by Michael Knox
9. Faith Hill – “Give in to Me”
(Billy Falcon/Rose Falcon/Elisha Hoffman) Produced by Jay Joyce
10. Trace Adkins – “Timing Is Everything”
(Natalie Hemby/Troy Jones) Produced by Kenny Beard
11. Leighton Meester – “Words I Couldn’t Say”
(Gregory Becker/Tammi Kidd/Steve Robson) Produced by Nathan Chapman
12. Gwyneth Paltrow – “Coming Home”
(Bob DiPiero/Tom Douglas/Hillary Lindsey/Troy Verges) Produced by Byron Gallimore
13. Tim McGraw and Gwyneth Paltrow – “Me and Tennessee”
(Chris Martin) Produced by Byron Gallimore, Tim McGraw, and A. Martin
Cyrus Inks With Paradigm; Kimberly June Joins Tom-Leis
/by Sarah SkatesBilly Ray Cyrus
Paradigm Talent Agency has signed Billy Ray Cyrus who is planning the summer release of his twelfth album I’m American. The project will have patriotic songs, including a new version of his hit “Some Gave All” featuring Jamey Johnson, Craig Morgan, and Darryl Worley. Cyrus will also star in the upcoming TLC series Homecoming, in which he will greet troops returning from overseas deployment.
Cyrus’ has sold more than 25 million albums worldwide, including Some Gave All, which spent 34 weeks at the top of Billboard’s Country Album chart. More recently he has focused on acting on Disney Channel’s hit series Hannah Montana and The PAX series Doc.
In March, Cyrus announced more changes to his team.
Paradigm has 110 agents in Los Angeles, New York City, Monterey, California, and Nashville.
For Cyrus, contact Paradigm’s Greg Janese at gjanese@paradigmagency.com, or Bob Kinkead at bkinkead@paradigmagency.com.
• • • • •
Songwriter Kimberly June recently signed with Tom-Leis Music. The publishing company’s team celebrated last week at the Key West Songwriters’ Festival.
(L-R): BMI's Leslie Roberts, Love Monkey/Tom-Leis songplugger Penny Lou Everhard, Tom-Leis catalog mgr/songwriter Kimberly June, Tom-Leis partner Leslie T. DiPiero, Tom-Leis songwriter Sarah Buxton, Love Monkey songwriter Bob DiPiero, Tom-Leis/Victoria Shaw Songs writer Amada Flynn, Corn Man Music songwriter Caitlyn Smith
Genovese Launches Music City Sports and Entertainment Group
/by Freeman“I am excited about the opportunity to launch my own company, Music City SEG,” says Genovese. “I have many friends and supporters that have helped make this possible! Our team is the best, and we look forward to successful working relationships with our friends in the music industry, as well as our new clients in the sports world.”
Genovese was most recently President of music channel The Country Network. Prior to that she spent 25 years with the Country Music Association, where she served as COO and CEO for the last five years of her tenure.
With the formation of Music City SEG, Genovese has tapped Dave Pritchett as VP Business Development. Pritchett previously served as Dir. of Business Development for Ignited, LLC, as well as held marketing positions with TBA Global Events, Gaylord Entertainment and The Walt Disney Company.
Music City Sports and Entertainment Group’s offices are located at 1221 6th Ave. N., Nashville, TN 37208. Reach Genovese at tgenovese@musiccityseg.com or 615-238-0287. Email Pritchett at dpritchett@musiccityseg.com.
Cumulus Hosts Operation Tornado Relief Today
/by Sarah Skates95.5FM and
Nashville’s Cumulus Media radio stations are spearheading “Operation Tornado Relief” today (5/4). A semi-truck is being loaded with supplies for Tuscaloosa, AL in the cluster’s parking lot at 10 Music Circle East, Nashville, TN 37203. Drop-offs began at 6 AM during the Rick & Beth morning show, and will last until 7 PM.
Requested supplies include flashlights / lanterns, batteries, plastic storage bins, tarps / plastic sheeting, 5 gallon buckets, cleaning supplies, first aid kits, hand sanitizer, baby wipes / diapers, baby formula, dog food, large boxes, work gloves and packing tape. Details here.
The truck will head to Alabama tomorrow morning.
One of Lyda’s vehicles destroyed by the storm.
•••••
The devastating storms and tornado that roared through Alabama hit Davis Music Group artist Jacob Lyda and his family hard.
While no one was injured, Lyda and his family suffered major property damage to several structures and vehicles in their town of Stevenson, AL.
DISClaimer Single Reviews (5/04/11)
/by Robert K OermannCharlie Sizemore
It’s high time we checked in with country music’s kissin’ cousins in bluegrass.
A look at the current Bluegrass Unlimited chart shows that there are lots and lots of new faces popping up with popular tunes. Alongside the field’s superstars such as Rhonda Vincent, Alison Krauss and Peter Rowan are a number of up-and-comers. In fact, there are several on the BU chart who are there with debut CDs, including The Boxcars, who win this column’s DisCovery Award.
Lonesome River Band is still doing excellent work. Balsam Range is demonstrating promised fulfilled with its second outing. The amazing and legendary Bobby Osborne can still lift the top of your skull off.
But for sheer vocal class, superb instrumental backing and superior song selection, you simply cannot beat Middle Tennessean Charlie Sizemore. He has the peerless Disc of the Day. If you buy just one bluegrass platter, this is absolutely the One.
JUNIOR SISK & RAMBLERS CHOICE/Train Without a Track
Writer: Tom T. Hall/Dixie Hall; Producer: Wes Easter & Ramblers Choice; Publisher: Good Home Grown Music, BMI; Rebel (track) (www.juniorsiskandramblerschoice.com)
—This tune is perched at No. 1 on the Bluegrass Unlimited chart. Junior is a big ol’ boy with a big ol’ tenor voice, and he uses it well on this uptempo, busted-heart tune. His Heartaches and Dreams CD actually has two songs on the chart, the other being the scampering “Working Hard Ain’t Hardly Working Anymore.”
LONESOME RIVER BAND/Record Time Machine
Writer: Marvin E. Clark; Producer: Lonesome River Band; Publisher: Whoville, BMI; Rural Rhythm (track) (www.lonesomeriverband.com)
—I’m a big fan of this band. Its flawless harmony singing and deft instrumental work simply flow over this nostalgic song about the sounds from an old phonograph record player. The evocative performance is lodged at No. 2 on BU’s chart. The Still Learning CD also includes covers of Merle Haggard’s “Red Bandana” and Mel Tillis’s “Goodbye Wheeling” done bluegrass style.
BALSAM RANGE/Trains I Missed
Writer: Walt Wilkins/Gilles Godard/Nicole Witt; Producer: Balsam Range; Publisher: Garage Door/Mike Curb/Curb Congregation, BMI/SESAC; Mountain Home (track) (www.balsamrange.com)
—In the No. 3 slot is the title tune of the second album by Balsam Range. It’s a perfectly lovely, mellow, lilting performance. Lead singer Buddy Melton has a heart-tugging, folkie quality that I find immensely appealing. The band’s instrumental chops are also outstanding.
STEVE GULLEY & TIM STAFFORD/How Did That Turn Into My Problem
Writer: Tim Stafford/Steve Gulley; Producer: Steve Gulley & Tim Stafford; Publisher: Daniel House/Gulley’s Curve, BMI; Rural Rhythm (track) (www.ruralrhythm.com)
—This team cowrote all the songs on their Dogwood Winter CD. This wry, bitter, bluesy ditty is a top-10 success in the bluegrass world.
BRAND NEW STRINGS/Merry Go Round
Writer: Alan Johnston; Producer: Steve Gulley; Publisher: Weaver of Words, BMI; Rural Rhythm (track) ()
—This new band is on the BU chart with this snarky, zippy performance. Vocally, Brand New Strings has that classic, pinched, nasal, high-lonesome sound. Hard core hillbilly.
Writer: William Keith Garrett; Producer: The Boxcars; Publisher: Setacoo, BMI; Mountain Home (track) (www.theboxcars.com)
—The Boxcars are also new on the scene, although several of its members have had high profiles in other bands. Lead singer Garrett has a real flair for story telling, based on this debut bluegrass hit by the group. Murder with a banjo beat.
FRANK SOLIVAN & DIRTY KITCHEN/Driftin’ Apart
Writer: Frank Solivan; Producer: Frank Solivan & Brent Truitt; Publisher: Fiddlemon, BMI; Fiddlemon (track) (www.dirtykitchenband.com)
—Lead singer and mandolinist Solivan wrote all but three of the songs on his band’s third album for his indie Fiddlemon imprint. This lickety-split outing features his strong tenor singing plus dazzling banjo runs by Mike Munford.
VALERIE SMITH/Blame it on the Bluegrass
Writer: Elizabeth Shrum/Becky Buller; Producer: Becky Buller; Publisher: Goodnight Sparky, BMI; Bell Buckle (track) (www.valeriesmithonline.com)
—As her label name indicates, Ms. Smith is a native of Bell Buckle, TN, which is southwest of Murfreesboro. She’s one of the up-and-coming female voices in bluegrass because of her yearning delivery. The lonesome sound of the title tune to her current, six-song collection comes largely from her emotional vocal plus the fiddling of producer and co-writer Buller. The CD is the first to be recorded at the International Bluegrass Museum in Owensboro, KY.
CHARLIE SIZEMORE/No Lawyers in Heaven
Writer: Paul Craft/Billy Edd Wheeler; Producer: Charlie Sizemore; Publisher: Paul Craft/Dennis Morgan/Blue Duck, BMI/ASCAP; Rounder (track) (www.charliesizemoreband.com)
—Sizemore IS a lawyer, which makes this all the more delightful. The dobro of Matt DeSpain drawls right along with Charlie’s tongue-in-cheek delivery of this divorce ditty. If this ain’t a hit, I’ve never heard one. It’s a track from his Heartache Looking for Home album, which I heartily recommend.
BOBBY OSBORNE & PATTY LOVELESS/Memories
Writer: Bobby Osborne; Producer: Glen Duncan, Bobby Osborne & Bobby Osborne Jr.; Publisher: Sure Fire, BMI; Rural Rhythm (track) (www.ruralrhythm.com)
—This is the title tune of a CD that celebrates Bobby’s 60th anniversary as a professional entertainer. At age 79 (80 in December), this Bluegrass Hall of Famer still has a breath-taking, pitch-perfect, arrow-of-truth tenor delivery. Fellow Grand Ole Opry star Patty packs a punch as his harmony foil, too. In a word, awesome.