(L-R) Sean McConnell, Lori McKenna, Troy Jones, Adam Hood. Photo: Alan Mayor
Night three of Tin Pan South energized us to finish out the week strong.
The early 6 pm reservation-only show at the Bluebird Café featured Lori McKenna, Sean McConnell, Troy Jones, and Adam Hood.
Hood’s soulful voice combined his rhythm and lead guitar skills kept our toes tapping through his, “Tennessee Will,” and “Deep Ellum Blues.”
McConnell, who has kept a low profile the past few months, showcased a magnificent new bluesy song titled “Second Coming” that called for a musical revival. Additionally, his voice sounded flawless as he played his, “Reckless Love.” For his finale, McConnell honored an audience request for, “A Prayer You Can Borrow.”
Jones drove up from Alabama for the performance, which featured a reflective song about a childhood of wanting, “We Got By.” The bar section of the room sang along to his “Pretty Good at Drinkin’ Beer” and “People Are Crazy,” which he prefaced by noting he hadn’t taken a drink in years.
McKenna noted 6pm might be the earliest she has ever played the Bluebird as she sipped her drink. “There’s still light outside, and everyone is sober,” she said. Regardless, she shined on her Keith Urban album cut, “Luxury of Knowing.” Additionally, she played “How Romantic is That,” and the lyrical curveball “Sometimes He Does.”
• • •
Over at Douglas Corner Cafe, Billy Montana gathered friends and family for an intimate round. Joining him were his son (Mercury Nashville artist) Randy Montana, Karen Staley, and Don Poythress.
Billy noted his companions were “not only some of my favorite writers, but some of my favorite people.”
Billy kicked off the proceedings with “You Follow The River,” and Randy followed up with his recent single “1000 Faces.” Staley tore into her Faith Hill cut “Take Me As I Am,” and Poythress’ started strong with his Easton Corbin No. 1 “A Little More Country Than That.”
Randy commented, “That song is so incredibly catchy. I’ve done so many parodies of it. You have no idea.”
Poythress, by the way, has a one week old baby boy. “He isn’t on a songwriter sleep schedule yet,” he joked.
The great songs kept coming: Billy played his Garth Brooks smash “More Than A Memory,” Sara Evans’ “Suds In The Bucket,” and Jo Dee Messina’s “Bring On The Rain.” Staley played “On A Night Like This,” a Trick Pony cut, and her Patty Loveless hit “Wicked Ways.” Poythress offered up his devastating “You Remain,” which Willie Nelson recorded in 2002, and “James White” in a fitting tribute to the artist who recorded it, Earl Scruggs.
Randy didn’t have the deep hits catalog of the other writers, but his original material like “Ain’t Much Left of Lovin’ You,” “Little Rock and the Rain,” and “It’s Gone” held its own throughout the night.
Staley proved herself to be the queen of quips during the round. A few of her best:
Don Poythress
“My friend Sting told me not to name drop.”
“I tell people all I retain at this age is water. Speaking of, can I have some more volume?”
“Billy is always trying to improve. Hence the retainer in his teeth.”
Poythress closed out the evening with a romp through the hilarious “Things That Never Cross a Man’s Mind,” which he wrote with Wynn Varble and Tim Johnson and went on to become a Kellie Pickler hit.
• • •
“Glad To Be Here, Sir” took place during the 9 pm sessions at the Rutledge with hitmakers, Tom Douglas, Tony Lane, Hillary Lindsey, Gordie Sampson, and James Slater, who played pretty much every song on the radio. It was the musical equivalent of a fireworks display, complete with an impressive grand finale.
Douglas played his first No. 1 song “Little Rock,” which he achieved at age 41 with Collin Raye. He continued with a medley of Lady Antebellum cuts, “Run To You,” and “Hello World.” His Miranda Lambert signature, “House That Built Me” made Lindsey pass her next turn because she teared up. Douglas called friend, Jaren Johnston to the stage for a tune about passing music through the generations called “Sing ‘Em Good My Friend” that appears on Kenny Chesney’s upcoming album.
Slater shared the piano with Douglas for the evening for a medley of titles from Kellie Pickler, Jessica Andrews and Martina McBride, “100 Proof”/”More To Me Than You”/”In My Daughter’s Eyes.” And a song he promoted in the hopes Tony Bennett would hear, “Ain’t My Baby Grand.”
Lane made an impact with his Tim and Faith duet “I Need You,” then flashed his Easton Corbin single, “Roll With It.” After Lane played “Somewhere South” about whiskey being a liar and time being a thief, Lindsey compared hearing a new Tony Lane song to waking up on Christmas morning to presents under the tree. Lane closed with his romantic, “A Woman Can Do That To A Man.”
Sampson contributed songs including his Keith Urban hit “You (Or Somebody Like You)” and paired with Lindsey for a handful of their co-writes.
Lindsey sang Lauren Alaina cut, “Tupelo,” which she co-wrote with Sampson. Lindsey was hopeful for it to become Alaina’s next single. Lindsey’s powerhouse vocals won the crowd over on the new Edens Edge single “Too Good To Be True.” She thanked Wild Turkey bourbon for her Lady Antebellum cut, “American Honey.” For the grand finale, she and Sampson shared “Jesus Take The Wheel.”
Reporting by Jon Freeman and Eric Parker
Swift Wins ACM Entertainer of the Year
/by contributorPhoto: Mark J. Terrill/AP Photo
[Results updated in real time—Check musicrow.com for complete coverage tomorrow morning (4/2)]
Entertainer of the Year
Taylor Swift
Female Vocalist of the Year
Miranda Lambert
Male Vocalist of the Year
Blake Shelton
Vocal Group of the Year
Lady Antebellum
Vocal Duo of the Year
Thompson Square
New Artist of the Year
Scotty McCreery
Album of the Year
Four the Record — Miranda Lambert (RCA) [Producer: Chuck Ainlay, Frank Liddell]
Song of the Year
“Crazy Girl” — Eli Young Band (Composers: Liz Rose, Lee Brice) [Publishers: Cake Taker Music (BMI), Mike Curb Music (BMI), Sony/ATV Tree Publishing (BMI), Sweet Hysteria Music (BMI)]
Single Record of the Year
“Don’t You Wanna Stay” — Jason Aldean with Kelly Clarkson (Broken Bow) [Producer: Michael Knox]
Vocal Event of the Year
“Don’t You Wanna Stay” — Jason Aldean with Kelly Clarkson (Broken Bow) [Producer: Michael Knox]Video of the Year
Video of the Year
“Red Solo Cup” — Toby Keith [Producer: Mark Kalbfeld; Director: Michael Salomon]
Steve Richard — “Toothbrush”
/by ProgrammerPlaylistForce MP Entertainment artist Steve Richard is offering “Toothbrush” as his latest single to Country radio. Here’s a sampling of what the tastemakers are saying:
“Definitely Steve’s best release to date and quite possibly the catchiest song so far this year!”
—Kelly Green 100.9 The Farm/WEIO, Huntingdon, TN
“This may be just what a playlist needs..great song with a cool message and not the same old sound.”
—Ken Dillon, PD, KDKD FM/AM, Clinton MO
“This song will show the world your teeth as you smile and sing along. Steve Richard hits it out of the park…5 out of 5 dentists will agree this song shines!”
—Ted Cramer, WIFE-FM
Steve Richard’s musical journey has never been about labels. A dynamic performer, he has toured with rockers like Lynyrd Skynyrd, ZZ Top, and Dickey Betts, as well as country greats Dierks Bentley, Montgomery Gentry and Craig Morgan.
“The positive response we’re getting is exciting and gratifying,” said Richard. “I realized a long time ago that the most important thing a songwriter or singer can do is reach people. I’m very grateful to be connecting with so many people. I thank Country radio for playing my two highest charting singles to date, ‘Eighty Acre Church,’ and ‘Love’s Gotta Go Somewhere,’ and I thank all of you, in advance, for your support of ‘Toothbrush.'”
http://www.steverichardmusic.com
AristoMedia Report Highlights Country Music Overseas
/by Sarah SkatesClick to view online.
The AristoMedia Group has issued the first Country International Report for 2012.
Highlights in this issue include:
• A Q&A with the Country Music Association CEO Steve Moore, who discusses some of the organization’s current global initiatives.
• An overview of the humanitarian organization World Vision which is supported by country artists.
• An update of how American acts made a major impact at this year’s CMC Rock the Hunter festival in Australia, which drew more U.S. acts than ever before including headliners Faith Hill and Tim McGraw. Dierks Bentley, Wynonna, Eli Young Band, Craig Campbell and others also made the trip Down Under.
• A summary of awards presented to Judy Seale, Felicity Urquhart and Marie Moloney.
• A recap of the Canadian CMA board meetings recently held in Nashville
The newsletter also notes the dates for the upcoming Global Showcases that occur annually in downtown Nashville, preceding the CMA Music Festival on June 4 and 5.
The company has been issuing this quarterly review of global activities since 2008.
Tin Pan South: Thursday, March 29
/by contributor(L-R) Sean McConnell, Lori McKenna, Troy Jones, Adam Hood. Photo: Alan Mayor
Night three of Tin Pan South energized us to finish out the week strong.
The early 6 pm reservation-only show at the Bluebird Café featured Lori McKenna, Sean McConnell, Troy Jones, and Adam Hood.
Hood’s soulful voice combined his rhythm and lead guitar skills kept our toes tapping through his, “Tennessee Will,” and “Deep Ellum Blues.”
McConnell, who has kept a low profile the past few months, showcased a magnificent new bluesy song titled “Second Coming” that called for a musical revival. Additionally, his voice sounded flawless as he played his, “Reckless Love.” For his finale, McConnell honored an audience request for, “A Prayer You Can Borrow.”
Jones drove up from Alabama for the performance, which featured a reflective song about a childhood of wanting, “We Got By.” The bar section of the room sang along to his “Pretty Good at Drinkin’ Beer” and “People Are Crazy,” which he prefaced by noting he hadn’t taken a drink in years.
McKenna noted 6pm might be the earliest she has ever played the Bluebird as she sipped her drink. “There’s still light outside, and everyone is sober,” she said. Regardless, she shined on her Keith Urban album cut, “Luxury of Knowing.” Additionally, she played “How Romantic is That,” and the lyrical curveball “Sometimes He Does.”
• • •
Over at Douglas Corner Cafe, Billy Montana gathered friends and family for an intimate round. Joining him were his son (Mercury Nashville artist) Randy Montana, Karen Staley, and Don Poythress.
Billy noted his companions were “not only some of my favorite writers, but some of my favorite people.”
Billy kicked off the proceedings with “You Follow The River,” and Randy followed up with his recent single “1000 Faces.” Staley tore into her Faith Hill cut “Take Me As I Am,” and Poythress’ started strong with his Easton Corbin No. 1 “A Little More Country Than That.”
Randy commented, “That song is so incredibly catchy. I’ve done so many parodies of it. You have no idea.”
Poythress, by the way, has a one week old baby boy. “He isn’t on a songwriter sleep schedule yet,” he joked.
The great songs kept coming: Billy played his Garth Brooks smash “More Than A Memory,” Sara Evans’ “Suds In The Bucket,” and Jo Dee Messina’s “Bring On The Rain.” Staley played “On A Night Like This,” a Trick Pony cut, and her Patty Loveless hit “Wicked Ways.” Poythress offered up his devastating “You Remain,” which Willie Nelson recorded in 2002, and “James White” in a fitting tribute to the artist who recorded it, Earl Scruggs.
Randy didn’t have the deep hits catalog of the other writers, but his original material like “Ain’t Much Left of Lovin’ You,” “Little Rock and the Rain,” and “It’s Gone” held its own throughout the night.
Staley proved herself to be the queen of quips during the round. A few of her best:
Don Poythress
“My friend Sting told me not to name drop.”
“I tell people all I retain at this age is water. Speaking of, can I have some more volume?”
“Billy is always trying to improve. Hence the retainer in his teeth.”
Poythress closed out the evening with a romp through the hilarious “Things That Never Cross a Man’s Mind,” which he wrote with Wynn Varble and Tim Johnson and went on to become a Kellie Pickler hit.
• • •
“Glad To Be Here, Sir” took place during the 9 pm sessions at the Rutledge with hitmakers, Tom Douglas, Tony Lane, Hillary Lindsey, Gordie Sampson, and James Slater, who played pretty much every song on the radio. It was the musical equivalent of a fireworks display, complete with an impressive grand finale.
Douglas played his first No. 1 song “Little Rock,” which he achieved at age 41 with Collin Raye. He continued with a medley of Lady Antebellum cuts, “Run To You,” and “Hello World.” His Miranda Lambert signature, “House That Built Me” made Lindsey pass her next turn because she teared up. Douglas called friend, Jaren Johnston to the stage for a tune about passing music through the generations called “Sing ‘Em Good My Friend” that appears on Kenny Chesney’s upcoming album.
Slater shared the piano with Douglas for the evening for a medley of titles from Kellie Pickler, Jessica Andrews and Martina McBride, “100 Proof”/”More To Me Than You”/”In My Daughter’s Eyes.” And a song he promoted in the hopes Tony Bennett would hear, “Ain’t My Baby Grand.”
Lane made an impact with his Tim and Faith duet “I Need You,” then flashed his Easton Corbin single, “Roll With It.” After Lane played “Somewhere South” about whiskey being a liar and time being a thief, Lindsey compared hearing a new Tony Lane song to waking up on Christmas morning to presents under the tree. Lane closed with his romantic, “A Woman Can Do That To A Man.”
Sampson contributed songs including his Keith Urban hit “You (Or Somebody Like You)” and paired with Lindsey for a handful of their co-writes.
Lindsey sang Lauren Alaina cut, “Tupelo,” which she co-wrote with Sampson. Lindsey was hopeful for it to become Alaina’s next single. Lindsey’s powerhouse vocals won the crowd over on the new Edens Edge single “Too Good To Be True.” She thanked Wild Turkey bourbon for her Lady Antebellum cut, “American Honey.” For the grand finale, she and Sampson shared “Jesus Take The Wheel.”
Reporting by Jon Freeman and Eric Parker
Online Country Music Merch Store Launches Today
/by Eric T. ParkerDave Haywood (Lady Antebellum) Showcasing Merch
Country Weekly magazine and MusicCityNetworks, web design and e-commerce developers, have announced the launch of an exclusive webstore on the publication’s website here.
The e-store opens today (3/30) with merchandise from country music notables including Willie Nelson, Tim McGraw, Lady Antebellum, Blake Shelton, Josh Turner, Sara Evans, and Little Big Town.
A variety of products are available for purchase, including T-shirts, hats and music in CD and digital download forms.
General Mills, Big Machine and Feeding America Join Forces to Outnumber Hunger
/by Caitlin RantalaRascal Flatts visits a food bank in New Jersey
General Mills and Big Machine Label Group’s star-studded roster of artists are teaming up with Feeding America to Outnumber Hunger in a national initiative that helps fight hunger in local communities. Outnumber Hunger will help Feeding America secure up to 15.6 million meals for local food banks to assist the one in six Americans who struggle with hunger.
“Hunger is a year-round issue but it can be especially critical in the Spring, so Feeding America food banks need help now,” said Vicki B. Escarra, President and CEO, Feeding America. “The combined reach that General Mills and Big Machine Label Group’s artists bring to the hunger crisis will help provide critical resources at this key time.”
Specially-marked packages of General Mills products will feature an Outnumber Hunger code, as well as BMLG artists like Rascal Flatts. More than 10 General Mills brands, including Betty Crocker, Green Giant, Totino’s and Cheerios, will participate. Entering a code at OutnumberHunger.com helps Feeding America secure five meals on behalf of a local food bank. Participants enter their ZIP codes, and meals will stay in or near the area.
BMLG artists also will offer select special codes on Facebook and Twitter that help Feeding America. Artists participating include Rascal Flatts, Reba, Martina McBride, The Band Perry, Eli Young Band, Justin Moore, Brantley Gilbert, Sunny Sweeney, Edens Edge, Ella Mae Bowen and Thomas Rhett.
“It takes a Big Machine to Outnumber Hunger, and we have an opportunity to make a huge difference in local communities,” said Scott Borchetta, President and CEO, of Big Machine Label Group. “That’s why we’re thrilled to come together with our artists, General Mills and Feeding America to help the hunger issue in a significant way. Together we can Outnumber Hunger.”
Additionally, Outnumber Hunger partners have created a video with Rascal Flatts highlighting the issue of hunger that will air during the Rascal Flatts Changed theater event April 5. Tickets to the theater event can be purchased at www.fathomevents.com.
Kenny Rogers Named HoF’s 2012 Artist-in-Residence
/by Caitlin RantalaEstablished in 2003, the museum’s residency program annually honors a musical master who can be credited with contributing a large and significant body of work to the canon of American popular music. Honorees are given a blank canvas—the museum’s acoustically pristine, 213-seat Ford Theater—and are encouraged to lend their own creative brushstrokes to an up-close-and-personal musical experience. Previous honorees include Cowboy Jack Clement, Earl Scruggs, Tom T. Hall, Guy Clark, Kris Kristofferson, Jerry Douglas, Vince Gill, Buddy Miller and Connie Smith.
“Kenny Rogers is the consummate entertainer,” said Museum Director Kyle Young. “As a member of a band or duo or as a solo artist, he has conquered the jazz, folk, pop and country worlds—not to mention his success as an actor and photographer. Kenny has the gift of telling stories and making you believe he lived them. We are thrilled that he will help us celebrate the 10th anniversary of our Artist-in-Residence program by bringing his stories and songs to the Ford Theater for two unique shows.”
A limited number of Rogers residency event tickets can be purchased by museum members at a discounted rate of $40 per show beginning Tuesday, April 3, at 10 am by visiting www.countrymusichalloffame.org. Tickets will go on sale for $50 per show to the general public at 10 am on Thursday, April 5. Sales are limited to four tickets per show, available on a first come, first served basis and are non-refundable. Additionally, the Pinnacle at Symphony Place garage is offering attendees an $8 parking option on each night.
ACM Weekend Updates
/by FreemanBut Awards day arrives, Darius Rucker will host the 2012 ACM Lifting Lives Celebrity Golf Classic on Saturday, March 31 at TPC Las Vegas. The annual scramble tournament benefits the Diane Holcomb Emergency Relief Fund, which supports those in need in the music industry.
Also on Saturday (3/31), NRA Country will present ACM Concert — Salute to the Military at 7:30 pm PST during the ACM Experience. The free, open to the public event will be hosted by HLN’s Robin Meade at the Mandalay Bay’s Country Thunder Stage and feature performers Lee Brice, Larry Gatlin & the Gatlin Brothers, JT Hodges, Kip Moore, Craig Morgan, and Thompson Square.
For the Awards Show on April 1, Legendary comedian and bluegrass musician Steve Martin has been added to the performance lineup, and he will showcase his banjo skills in a unique collaboration with Rascal Flatts during their single “Banjo.” The pairing is the latest in a series of collaborative performances that include Kenny Chesney and Tim McGraw; Blake Shelton and Lionel Richie; and Toby Keith with some as-yet-unnamed surprise guests. Other performers include Jason Aldean, Dierks Bentley, Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Sara Evans, Bradley Gilbert, Hunter Hayes, Miranda Lambert, Martina McBride with Pat Monahan, Scotty McCreery, Brad Paisley, Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban, Chris Young, The Band Perry, Lady Antebellum, and Little Big Town.
Newly added presenters on the show include Zac Brown, Brantley Gilbert, Hunger Games star Liam Hemsworth, LL Cool J, Scotty McCreery, The Band Perry, KISS, Sugarland, and Thompson Square. Previously announced presenters include Beth Behrs, Hunter Hayes, Lionel Richie, Taylor Swift and Nancy O’Dell.
Great American Country will be on hand to give pre-show red carpet coverage of artist arrivals. ACM Red Carpet Live airs on GAC at 7 pm ET with hosts Suzanne Alexander, Nan Kelley, and Storme Warren.
Check back with musicrow.com during the show for a list of winners, updated in real time.
The Producer’s Chair Interview With Greg Archilla
/by contributorDetails at www.theproducerschair.com.
Two-time Grammy nominated producer/engineer/mixer Greg Archilla was born in Manhattan but grew up in Fayetteville, NC. Inspired by his music biz dad, Greg got his feet wet in the industry by booking shows. He then moved into road management and live sound.
By 1985 Greg was 22 and had spent four years on the road with Badfinger and others. He moved to Atlanta, and scored an internship at Southern Tracks Recording Studio, working with studio manager Mike Clark and engineer Doug Johnson (today an executive at Nashville’s Black River Entertainment). Greg gained a lot of experience at Southern Tracks, and had the opportunity to work with artists including The Burch Sisters, Doug Stone, and Billy Joe Royal.
After five years under Johnson’s wing, Greg moved to Memphis and became an independent engineer. A chance meeting with Collective Soul led to Greg mixing the band’s No. 1 hit “Gel.” Producers Ed Roland and Matt Serletic invited Greg to work with them on Collective Soul’s album, and later on Matchbox 20’s record-setting debut, Yourself or Someone Like You.
In 1991, Greg engineered and mixed Albert Collins’ Iceman (Point Blank), which received a Grammy nomination for Best Contemporary Blues Album. In 1997 his skills behind the glass received another Grammy nod, this time for Best Rock Album on Neil Young’s Broken Arrow (Reprise). Some of Archilla’s other studio credits include Edwin McCain, Buckcherry, James Brown, Mavis Staples and Jerry Lee Lewis, as well as live productions with Neil Young, Matchbox 20, Collective Soul, Santana, Survivor and a slew of others.
Since Greg and the love of his life Lisa moved to Nashville in 2005, he has discovered bands Safety Suit and The Veer Union, and helped secure record deals for them with Universal/Motown Records. He’s also very excited about other new acts that span the country and rock spectrum including Jason Sturgeon, Rotation, Colour Of London, Hip Kitty, and Corey Golden. Greg says he wants everyone to know that his door is open to listen to all kinds of music.
Producer’s Chair: Is there an evolving rock scene in Nashville?
Greg Archilla: There’s a growing underground rock community. It isn’t a Seattle scene yet, but there’s a significant enough base of scouts, producers, writers and contacts, to be noticed. That said, rock music these days is the least selling of all formats. Over the last year some labels were not interested in even listening to rock bands. Today you can get in the Top 40 at Rock radio by getting around 100-140 spins a week, and there are only a little over 100 Rock stations left. So if you’re No. 1 at Rock, you would only be getting the same number of spins as a Top 20-30 at Hot AC, and a Top 30-40 at Pop. The top AC record gets 4000-5000 spins a week, that’s double what a No. 1 at Active Rock gets, with double the listening audience as well. Coupled with rock records not selling very well right now, it is difficult to get an active rock act signed these days.
Do rock artists search for songs to record?
Yes, but less than in Country or pop music. Most of the rock bands get signed on a single they wrote. Most young rock bands were never nurtured into being great songwriters, but they also have a hard time letting in an outside song. They have less of a hard time if they’re co-writing with a great writer. I do believe a reason why nobody’s buying rock albums is the lack of great songs on the records these days.
If more artists subscribed to “the best song wins” mentality, do you think the public would buy more music?
I don’t have a crystal ball, but yes it is possible. The general public only gets to hear what the industry puts out. I believe most people have to search for great music these days. The mainstream market only allows the public to hear what they want them to hear. So maybe the lack of sales means the general public doesn’t quite agree with what they are being offered.
The band’s team members should try to convince the artist that it is to their advantage to record the best songs they can find. The challenge should always be to find great songs for a record. It shouldn’t matter where the songs come from.
What is the first thing you look for in an artist?
A star with a song. It’s a personality thing—there’s confidence. And you recognize the special ones. My vision is not to always find something that relates to today’s music. My vision leads me to try and find something that may be happening next year. Years ago I was at a meeting with some executives and suggested that a country/rap artist would be cool. I got laughed under the table…two years later, along comes Cowboy Troy.
Do labels tell producers what they’re looking for?
Labels want to know about the band’s story; they want an act that’s working. They want to know how many friends they have on Facebook, and about investors and sponsors. These days my job is to be the middleman A&R guy. I have to find an act, nurture it, do the demos, make a quality record, and present them to labels. We used to be able to send in an acoustic-vocal. Nowadays, we have to literally hand the labels the complete record. We have to tell them how to market it, what videos we’ve made, and what shows we’re doing.
What’s your biggest challenge today?
Making money. Back in the 90s, a point or two on the record was great. That was when selling less than two or three million units was a failure. Nowadays, if an artist can sell a million records he or she is a superstar. Today producers are starting to cut deals involving publishing and with less concentration on points. I like to find acts that I can write a couple of songs with for the record, because at the end of the day, that’s where the money is. So producers have to figure out creative ways of making money, which is why a lot more acts are getting signed to 360 deals, so that the people backing them are more involved in management, publishing, merchandising and touring income.
CountryBreakout No. 1 Song
/by FreemanBut leave it to country music’s lovable bard of bawdy, Blake Shelton, to make a boozy pickup attempt sound positively sexy and sincere. We don’t know where these two characters might be headed after they close out their tabs, but we do know the encounter is a hit with programmers: after 13 weeks, it’s the new CountryBreakout No. 1 song with a total of 3588 spins.
Shelton may have a slightly busy weekend ahead of him, what with co-hosting the ACM Awards on Sunday, April 1 and all. He’s currently nominated for Entertainer of the Year, and voting is still open. Oh, and then there’s the little matters of his judging role on NBC’s The Voice, which airs Monday and Tuesday nights, and a busy Spring/Summer tour schedule.