“This is a full-on country record,” says
Uncle Kracker unapologetically. “Maybe not the ‘A guy walks into a bar and goes, ‘Where does a man go to get a drink in this town?’ kind of country, but it’s my version.
“I’m a suburban kid, but I grew up on a dirt road. I still live on a dirt road, a block from the street I grew up on. I’d kinda say I’m full-on Midwest, but that’s not actually an accurate description either, ‘cause I’ve traveled around so much. I can tell you this, though: those guys who have the jacked up trucks, they laugh at a lot of the same stuff I do – because at the end of the day, a good time is a good time wherever you go.”
Midnight Special his Sugar Hill label debut bottles that notion up. No matter where you are, how hard life might be or what you dream, Uncle Kracker believes the most powerful thing you can do is celebrate the now. Whether it’s the dumped-but-loving-the-future “Nobody’s Sad on a Saturday Night,” the gone for the weekend “In Between Disasters” or the Tom Petty-feeling small town truth behind what people reveal “It Is What It Is,” Uncle Kracker’s conversational baritone cuts through the mix to put life in perspective.
“I laugh all day seems like,” says the man actually named
Matt Shafer. “I think I laugh all the time. From the time I wake up ‘til I go to bed, it seems like there’s always something to laugh about! People are funny: the way they do the things they do. Things are funny. I think living is funny to be honest…”
That easy-going ability to take life as it comes has given Uncle Kracker a place in Country (with the Top 10 hit “Smile”), Pop (“Drift Away,” his Dobie Gray redux that featured Gray on vocals, set a
Billboard record for most weeks at #1 on any chart, topping their Adult Contemporary chart for 28 weeks), Rock (“Follow Me,” from the double platinum Double Wide, was a Top 5 hit) and as a D.J./vocalist in rock/rap icon Kid Rock’s Twisted Brown Trucker Band. Then there was “When the Sun Goes Down,” the #1 Country hit that sat on top of the charts for 6 weeks with friend and sometimes tour mate
Kenny Chesney plus the multi-format smash hit “All Summer Long” which he co-wrote with
Kid Rock.
“There’s stuff to take serious,” he continues. “But it doesn’t make sense to give too much of a damn. Take it as it comes. It’s pretty simple. I’m trying to lift people’s spirits… Make’em feel good ‘cause everybody needs that.”
Working with acclaimed producer
Keith Stegall (Alan Jackson, Zac Brown Band, George Jones), the pair had one rule going into the studio: “If you can’t sing it with an acoustic guitar, we’re not cutting it.”
The result is a collection of songs that move from “Nuthin’ Changes,” a white trash homage to
Joe Walsh’s “Life’s Been Good,” to the soul-shuffle “Happy,” which wishes an old girlfriend well to the plucky countryfied “You Got That Thang,” that’s equal parts taunt and invitation. There’s the crunchy clever “Four Letter Word,” with its stinging guitar and serious backbeat, capturing the manic nature of can’t-live-with-or-without’em relationships.
But what stands out most is how solid Uncle Kracker’s voice is throughout. Always a salty, but welcoming vocal presence, Stegall challenged the singer to really come to the table with his delivery.
“In Detroit, maybe it’s more about looking cool than stretching,” Uncle Kracker allows. “I mean, my first album was gonna be a rap record, so I’ve grown a lot in 12 years.”
“Keith wanted me to try things, to go for it… I’d be asking, ‘Do you shoot it down the middle? Go over the top?’ and Keith was like, ‘Just go in there and hit it.’ So, I was definitely out of my comfort zone.”
Uncle Kracker, who wrote or co-wrote all 11 songs, worked with a group of writers who truly understood his mind set.
With
Midnight Special, the Mount Clemens, Michigander brings it all home. Love, life, heartbreak, friends, fun, songs and laughing your way through it, it’s all here.
www.unclekracker.com
Twitter:
@uncklekraker
Instagram:
unclekracker
Facebook:
facebook.com/unclekrackerofficial
Sony Entertainment Network Launches New Mobile App
/by Michael_SmithThe app allows subscribers to download albums, playlists and individual songs to their iPhone and iPod Touch, providing them with access to music offline. Subscribers can also use the app to stream music in 320kbps AAC high quality audio streaming for an improved listening experience.
Sony’s Music Unlimited App can be downloaded for free in the App Store(TM).
Luke Bryan, Universal Music Nashville Toast Double Platinum Certification
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured (L-R): Luke Bryan and Universal Music Nashville’s Chairman and CEO Mike Dungan. Photo: Alan Poizner
Luke Bryan and Universal Music Nashville hosted a private party in Nashville yesterday (July 10) to toast Music City for its continued support of Bryan, and to celebrate the double platinum-selling status of his tailgates & tanlines album. Bryan also received a plaque from Universal Music Nashville’s Mike Dungan to commemorate over 4 million records sold.
“These are amazing days!” Bryan said as he greeted the crowd. “You guys are such a blessing to me. To have music in your hearts and then go take that music and turn singers into stars.”
Pictured (L-R): Kerri Edwards, Red Light Management; Jeff Stevens, Producer; Luke Bryan and UMG Nashville Chairman & CEO, Mike Dungan.
DisClaimer: Established Artists Keep The Music Coming
/by Robert K OermannGEORGETTE JONES/Til I Can Make It On My Own
Writers: J.D. Hicks/Bill McCorvey; Producer: Justin Trevino; Publishers: On the Mantel/Universal Songs of PolyGram, BMI; Heart of Texas
-Georgette’s new CD is a tribute to the music of her Hall of Fame mother, Tammy Wynette. This is its title tune, Tammy’s immortal 1976 smash. Let’s face it, no one can replicate the legend’s electrifying vocal delivery, but daughter does a more than respectable job on the ballad. The puzzle here is the songwriter credit. This was famously a Wynette/Billy Sherrill/George Richey collaboration. So where are their names? Elsewhere in the album, Georgette’s parents’ duets are revived with Justin Trevino and Billy Yates standing in for papa George. This is a most worthy project.
JOE DIFFIE/Girl Ridin’ Shotgun
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed; Bigger Picture
-It says, “featuring D-Thrash of The Jawga Boyz.” I presume that is the dull, witless rapper who is getting in the way of Diffie’s singing.
THOMPSON SQUARE/Everything I Shouldn’t Be Thinking About
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed; Stoney Creek
-Who feels like doing chores when your lover is near? The choppy, handclappy rhythm is a delight. Definitely a superior summer single.
KIX BROOKS/There’s The Sun
Writers: Trent Summar/Brandon Kinney; Producer: Kix Brooks; Publisher: Songs of Universal/Songs of NTN/Hits of Tom Lies/Two Cylinder, BMI, Arista (track)
-It’s a bluesy drawler praising the arrival of warm weather. The groove’s the thing.
ROBIN MEADE/Get Up
Writers: Robin Meade/Lee Brice/Victoria Shaw; Producer: Victoria Shaw; Publisher: Meade in America/Curb/Victoria Shaw/Do Write, ASCAP/BMI/SESAC; Meade In America
-This HLN anchor has previously proven herself to be a capable country vocalist. Her new single is a rousing rocker about spirit-lifting survival. Highly listenable and heartily recommended.
MICHAEL MARTIN MURPHEY/Peaceful Country
Writers: Michael Martin Murphey/Ryan Murphey/Pat Flynn; Producers: Ryan Murphey and Pat Flynn; Publisher: Rocking 3 M/Wrong Man/Mia Culpa, BMI/ASCAP; Red River (track)
-Red River Drifter was released this week as Murphey’s newest western-music collection. It kicks off with this lively ditty that pairs the star’s tenor voice with scampering, sparkling banjo, mandolin and fiddle work. Cowboy bluegrass, anyone?
Writers: Karyn Rochelle/Al Anderson; Producer: Pam Tillis and Lorrie Morgan; Publisher: Big Yellow Dog, BMI; Red River (track)
-Saucy, sassy, rocking and a big boatload of fun. Pam Tillis and Lorrie Morgan are the perfect party girls for this rollicking toe tapper. And their personality-packed voices sound terrific together.
JASON STURGEON/Angel Eyes
Writers: Fred Koller/John Hiatt; Producer: Greg Archilla; Publisher: BMG/Bug/Lucrative/Lillybilly, BMI; Tool Pusher
-The Jeff Healey Band’s 1989 pop smash has been reincarnated as a country ballad. The pace is a little plodding, but the song is so strong that it more than survives the rearrangement.
BUSH HAWG/Crushin’
Writers: Shawn Ames/Jaron Boyer/Vicky McGehee; Producer: Michael Knox; peermusic III/Buy the Farm/Pacific Wind/4T4/February 4, BMI; RCA
-Obsessive love, to the accompaniment of throbbing electric guitars. Promising sounding.
AMBER DIGBY/One More Thing I WIsh I’d Said
Writers: Amber Digby/Vince Gill; Producer: Amber Digby, Randy Lindley and Justin Trevino; Publisher: none listed, BMI; Heart of Texas
-Digby has been a musical treasure in Texas for years. For her current CD, The World You’re Living In, she enlisted Nashvillians like Lloyd Green Pig Robbins and Pete Wade and co-wrote with Music City’s Bill Anderson, Dale Dodson and Vince Gill. The last named is her collaborator on this ballad weeper that is soaked in steel and fiddle. Hillbilly heaven.
Loretta Lynn To Host Gospel Music Festival at Hurricane Mills
/by Caitlin Rantala“Its kind of like an old-time “all-day singing and dinner on the ground,” says Lynn. “I got to thinking. I have a big ranch where I live so I decided to throw a good ole Gospel weekend here! I want family and friends to bring a blanket, set up a picnic and then enjoy some of my favorite Gospel music singers! I may even come down and sing a song myself! I hope it will be something we can keep going every year. I already have a big campground and cabins where people can stay. We also have a big stage – we have concerts all summer and have done so since 1974.”
Scheduled to appear during the two-day event are Mark Lowry, The Hoppers, The Isaacs, Karen Peck & New River, Gold City, Rambo-McGuire, The Singing Cookes, The Freemans, Brian Free & Assurance, Michael Combs, Archie Watkins & Smoky Mountain Reunion, and The Sneed Family.
For those arriving early on Friday night, Sept. 27, 2013, there will be a special bon-fire and sing-a-long beginning at 8:00 p.m.
“I should have started this years ago,” comments Lynn. “But, it’s never too late – I am inviting everyone to my ranch to have a great ole Gospel time! It’ll be a fun time for the whole family. Speaking of family, I want to thank Jeff Sneed and The Sneed Family for helping me plan and promote this Gospel Music Festival. We sure are looking forward to this special time!”
Loretta Lynn’s Ranch in Hurricane Mills, Tenn. is the perfect destination for this amazing weekend of Gospel music. The full service RV park features primitive camping, pools, canoeing, paddle boats and more. Guests can also tour Loretta’s plantation home, the Butcher Holler Home Place, and her brand-new 18,000 square foot “Coal Miner’s Daughter” museum.
Tickets are on sale now and more information can be found online at LorettaLynn.com or by calling the ranch at 931-296-7700.
Nashville Songwriters, World Vision Head To Dominican Republic
/by Caitlin RantalaPictured (L-R): World Vision’s Michael Bianchi, CAA’s Megan Sykes, Molly Hunt, Luke Laird, Natalie Hemby, Nicole Johnson (Elenowen), Josh Johnson (Elenowen), Russell Dickerson, World Vision’s Claudia Martinez, Matt Wertz, Melissa Fuller, Ella Mae Bowen, and World Vision’s Mike Severson.
Global humanitarian organization World Vision continues to follow its mission of giving back to children, families and their communities worldwide. This past month, World Vision sent a group of artists and songwriters to the Dominican Republic to give back and meet with families in need.
Participating artists and songwriters included Ella Mae Bowen, Russell Dickerson, Elenowen (The Voice), Melissa Fuller, Natalie Hemby (“White Liar,” “Only Prettier,” “Pontoon”), Molly Hunt, Luke Laird (“Downtown,” “Beat This Summer,” “Pontoon”) and Matt Wertz. Artists who have previously worked with World Vision include Sarah McLachlan, LoCash Cowboys, Scotty McCreery (American Idol), Gwen Sebastian (The Voice), Kris Allen (American Idol) and Patty Griffin.
The songwriters also had the chance to meet with the families in which their efforts would be helping. While in the Dominican Republic, the group traveled to a school in Santo Domingo where both the songwriters and the children performed music for each other. Each songwriter got to experience firsthand the work of World Vision and their impact on foreign communities.
“This special group of songwriters are not only incredibly talented artists, but people of strong character who want to do something beyond themselves,” said World Vision’s Mike Severson. “We were honored to have them journey with World Vision and look forward to collaborating with each of them in some way.”
The World Vision experience not only helps communities in need, but it also leaves songwriters with a sense of fulfillment from their journey.
“By taking this journey, World Vision has opened my eyes not only to the adversity, but also to the advocates,” said Country music songwriter Natalie Hemby. “World Vision is reaching through the cracks of humanity and planting hope throughout the World… One child, one family, one community, one country at a time.”
World Vision launched the annual event for Country music artists and songwriters to network with each other while helping a community in need. Plans are already underway for next year to return to the Dominican Republic.
Uncle Kracker – "Blue Skies"
/by ProgrammerPlaylist“I’m a suburban kid, but I grew up on a dirt road. I still live on a dirt road, a block from the street I grew up on. I’d kinda say I’m full-on Midwest, but that’s not actually an accurate description either, ‘cause I’ve traveled around so much. I can tell you this, though: those guys who have the jacked up trucks, they laugh at a lot of the same stuff I do – because at the end of the day, a good time is a good time wherever you go.”
Midnight Special his Sugar Hill label debut bottles that notion up. No matter where you are, how hard life might be or what you dream, Uncle Kracker believes the most powerful thing you can do is celebrate the now. Whether it’s the dumped-but-loving-the-future “Nobody’s Sad on a Saturday Night,” the gone for the weekend “In Between Disasters” or the Tom Petty-feeling small town truth behind what people reveal “It Is What It Is,” Uncle Kracker’s conversational baritone cuts through the mix to put life in perspective.
“I laugh all day seems like,” says the man actually named Matt Shafer. “I think I laugh all the time. From the time I wake up ‘til I go to bed, it seems like there’s always something to laugh about! People are funny: the way they do the things they do. Things are funny. I think living is funny to be honest…”
That easy-going ability to take life as it comes has given Uncle Kracker a place in Country (with the Top 10 hit “Smile”), Pop (“Drift Away,” his Dobie Gray redux that featured Gray on vocals, set a Billboard record for most weeks at #1 on any chart, topping their Adult Contemporary chart for 28 weeks), Rock (“Follow Me,” from the double platinum Double Wide, was a Top 5 hit) and as a D.J./vocalist in rock/rap icon Kid Rock’s Twisted Brown Trucker Band. Then there was “When the Sun Goes Down,” the #1 Country hit that sat on top of the charts for 6 weeks with friend and sometimes tour mate Kenny Chesney plus the multi-format smash hit “All Summer Long” which he co-wrote with Kid Rock.
“There’s stuff to take serious,” he continues. “But it doesn’t make sense to give too much of a damn. Take it as it comes. It’s pretty simple. I’m trying to lift people’s spirits… Make’em feel good ‘cause everybody needs that.”
Working with acclaimed producer Keith Stegall (Alan Jackson, Zac Brown Band, George Jones), the pair had one rule going into the studio: “If you can’t sing it with an acoustic guitar, we’re not cutting it.”
The result is a collection of songs that move from “Nuthin’ Changes,” a white trash homage to Joe Walsh’s “Life’s Been Good,” to the soul-shuffle “Happy,” which wishes an old girlfriend well to the plucky countryfied “You Got That Thang,” that’s equal parts taunt and invitation. There’s the crunchy clever “Four Letter Word,” with its stinging guitar and serious backbeat, capturing the manic nature of can’t-live-with-or-without’em relationships.
But what stands out most is how solid Uncle Kracker’s voice is throughout. Always a salty, but welcoming vocal presence, Stegall challenged the singer to really come to the table with his delivery.
“In Detroit, maybe it’s more about looking cool than stretching,” Uncle Kracker allows. “I mean, my first album was gonna be a rap record, so I’ve grown a lot in 12 years.”
“Keith wanted me to try things, to go for it… I’d be asking, ‘Do you shoot it down the middle? Go over the top?’ and Keith was like, ‘Just go in there and hit it.’ So, I was definitely out of my comfort zone.”
Uncle Kracker, who wrote or co-wrote all 11 songs, worked with a group of writers who truly understood his mind set.
With Midnight Special, the Mount Clemens, Michigander brings it all home. Love, life, heartbreak, friends, fun, songs and laughing your way through it, it’s all here.
www.unclekracker.com
Twitter: @uncklekraker
Instagram: unclekracker
Facebook: facebook.com/unclekrackerofficial
Morgan Riley – Rowdy Shoutin' Cowboys
/by contributor“I’m a firm believer in everything happening for a reason – everything that’s happened throughout my life has led to my relationship with SkyTone Entertainment and the release of this album. I couldn’t be happier.”
A Maryland native, Riley knew she was destined to be a singer. Impressed by their daughter’s obvious talents, Riley’s parents were her greatest supporters in her pursuit of a music career. At a young age, Riley sang at weddings, anniversary parties, and by 15, she was recording at a local studio. With confident experience gained in live and studio performance, she made the move to the Big Apple at 18. While in New York City, Riley found herself regularly performing pop-R&B and recording at the legendary Hit Factory Studio. Her interest in country led her to move back to Greenville, South Carolina to begin perfecting her country edge.
With her father’s inspiring words not to give up on her dreams, it has paid off. She beat out 4,300 people for the Pride of Carolinas and received single placement on the competition’s compilation album by Koch New York, featuring the best artists in North and South Carolina. After, she worked with producer Chris Clay (TLC) on her album Affinity. Affinity landed in the lap of veteran producer and engineer Frank Green, whose track record includes multiple number one hits, gold, and platinum albums. After performing for Green, he quickly signed Morgan to his label, SkyTone Entertainment.
Soon after, Riley and Green began writing together for Collage – a writing relationship whose chemistry she describes as “off the chart”. Drawing inspiration from her musical influences like – Carrie Underwood, Alanis Morrisette, and Jewel – has given her unparalleled flexibility when it comes to writing.
“I’ve taken bits and pieces from different genres and pulled them into my writing. Collage is very much a product of that…representing my voice. Now that I’ve found my country side, I can’t wait to share it with fans.”
“Rowdy Shoutin’ Cowboys,” a single off the Collage album, was co-written by Riley and Green and an excellent representation of their captivating style. Reaching thousands of views on YouTube, her music video for “Rowdy Shoutin’ Cowboys” shows off her personality and dance skills as a performer, as well as cameos of local Nashville fame. Even after the release of her recent album Collage in June, Riley continues to write and perform on her tour.
For additional information and booking, contact Kore PR at contact@korepr.com and visit our website at korepr.com
To watch Morgan Riley’s official video CLICK HERE
'The Voice' Winner Danielle Bradbery Readies First Single
/by Caitlin RantalaWith each performance on The Voice, Danielle Bradbery charmed her way into the national spotlight, covering some of Country music’s most notable songs from artists like Tim McGraw, Pam Tillis and The Judds. A month after her Season 4 win, the 16-year-old will release “The Heart of Dixie,” her first single on Big Machine Records, to iTunes on July 16 and officially impact Country radio on July 22.
The Texas native will also debut “The Heart of Dixie” on the TODAY Show next Wednesday (July 17), LIVE from Rockefeller Center in the heart of New York City.
Written by Brett James, Troy Verges and Caitlyn Smith, the liberating single was produced by James in Nashville.
“The first time I heard this song I thought about the emotions in it,” said Bradbery. “For me, Dixie’s story is about inspiration … it is so honest. People of all ages and backgrounds supported me on The Voice and I love that this song shows how we can have the same feelings through different experiences, no matter where we are in life.”
Coach Blake Shelton called her, “the most important artist to ever walk across The Voice stage.” Clearly audiences from coast to coast agreed, catapulting Bradbery’s covers of “Maybe It Was Memphis” (Pam Tillis), “Born To Fly” (Sara Evans), “Grandpa (Tell Me ‘Bout the Good Old Days)” (The Judds), and her duet with Shelton of Patty Loveless’ hit “Timber, I’m Falling In Love” into the #1 spot on the iTunes Country Singles Chart. Selling more song downloads than any other contestant in the NBC hit show’s history, Bradbery also marked the youngest to take the title.
CMA To Stream Songwriters Series Concert Featuring Lambert, Moore
/by Jessica NicholsonThe event will begin Thursday (July 11) at 6:30 p.m. CT.
Cassetty Entertainment, McCreery Part Ways
/by Sarah SkatesIndustry veteran Todd Cassetty launched his management company in October 2012 with McCreery as the first client, but the parties never signed an official agreement. The suit claims McCreery was supposed to pay 15 percent of his gross revenue for management services.
A statement by the singer says, “There is no truth to these allegations. I have offered to pay Todd more than once, but he wanted an unreasonable amount for only five months of work. Anyone who knows me knows how I conduct myself, so I am not worried they will believe any of this. This is just an attempt to embarrass me and my family. The facts will come out when we have our day in court.”
Cassetty formed the management enterprise after stepping away from his day-to-day roles with respected digital marketing firm Hi-Fi Fusion and television production company Todd Cassetty Welding Service, where he worked with numerous superstars and major labels.