Wanda Jackson and Jim Messina. Photo: Rick Diamond, Getty Images
The 41st Annual iteration of the International Entertainment Buyer’s Association (IEBA) conference concluded last night (10/4), following three days of record-breaking attendance, musical showcases, networking and educational sessions for the live entertainment industry.
On Sunday (10/2) evening following a welcome reception, talent agency APA showcased some of its talented artists including Lyndsey Highlander, Aaron Parker, Jim Messina and Ray Scott. But septuagenarian Queen of Rockabilly Wanda Jackson stole the show from all of them. Clad in a glittery pink jacket, Jackson sang spunky versions of her classics “Riot In Cell Block #9,” “I Gotta Know,” and “Let’s Have A Party” as well as “Shakin’ All Over” from her Jack White-produced 2011 album The Party Ain’t Over. Youngsters take note: the lady’s still got it.
Later, attendees flocked over to War Memorial Auditorium for dinner and another round of showcases from Paradigm Agency. Comedian Reno Collier entertained between set changes, and performers included Canadian songbird Marlee Scott; newcomers Dean Alexander and JT Hodges; Texas hitmaker Jack Ingram; and the scary-talented costumed troupe Here Come The Mummies.
Sarah Darling. Photo: Rick Diamond, Getty Images
Educational panel options were numerous on Monday, including an interview of legendary Kiss manager Doc McGhee by Billboard’s Ray Waddell. The two covered McGhee’s experience managing one of the biggest touring acts in history, as well as the future of the live entertainment business. Creative Artists Agency showcased in the early afternoon with its new faces Kip Moore, Edens Edge, Brett Eldredge, Craig Campbell, Sonia Leigh, and Love and Theft.
That evening, Buddy Lee Attractions showcased Bush Hawg, Sarah Darling, Josh Gracin, Mark Chesnutt, Corey Smith, and LoCash Cowboys. Darling showed promise and poise onstage, delivering recent single “Something To Do With Your Hands” and a cover of U2’s “With Or Without You” in fine voice. Corey Smith also displayed his knack for relatable story songs, followed by the big tent rock ‘n’ roll antics of LoCash.
Over at War Memorial, William Morris Entertainment created a stellar lineup that got underway with a fiery full-band set from Wynonna. Neal McCoy engaged the crowd between performers, also debuting his new Miranda Lambert and Blake Shelton produced single “A-Ok.” EMI Nashville’s Eric Paslay performed acoustically, followed by a tandem acoustic set full of hits from buddies Lee Brice and Jerrod Niemann. Brice and Niemann brought out new face Tyler Farr, who showcased his remarkable vocal talents. The Band Perry closed out the evening with a full band extravaganza of fancy lighting and tricked-out LED screens, though some sound mixing issues in the beginning put a damper on the spectacle. TBP will be playing its first headlining show in Nashville at the Ryman February 20, but getting tickets to that sold-out affair will probably take some pretty slick bargaining.
Pictured at the WME showcase are (L-R): Reid Perry, co-head of WME Nashville Rob Beckham, Kimberly Perry, Wynonna, co-head of WME Nashville Greg Oswald, Kerry Hansen with Big Enterprises and Neil Perry. Photo: Rick Diamond, Getty Images
Laura Bell Bundy. Photo: Rick Diamond, Getty Images
Yesterday (10/4), showcases included Cold River Records’ Katie Armiger, DJ Miller and the roster of Paradise Artists that included Glen Templeton, Blackhawk, Paul Revere and the Raiders and more. Ticketmaster CEO Nathan Hubbard delivered a much-anticipated speech on the importance of keeping music fans invested in live shows.
The conference closed out in style with the annual Hall of Fame Induction and Dinner, which was hosted by Laura Bell Bundy and featured performances by Roy Clark and Don Schlitz with live art created by Michael Israel. HoF inductees included Bobby Baker, Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, Jimmy Jay, Paul Moore, Tandy Rice, Lou Robin, Mike Smardak and Leroy Van Dyke.
“The evening exceeded all expectations. It was a once in a lifetime experience with the great Roy Clark and the many legends of our industry all in the room together. Laura Bell Bundy entertained and charmed everyone. It could not have been more perfect,” said IEBA Executive Director Tiffany Davis.
Pictured at the IEBA Hall of Fame induction: Back Row (L-R): Leroy Van Dyke, Leroy Shafer, Paul Moore, Mike Smardak, Lou Robin, Jimmy Jay; Front Row (L-R): Roy Clark, Bobby Baker and Tandy Rice. Photo: Rick Diamond, Getty Images
The following individuals were also honored by IEBA this year.
Venue Executive of the Year
John Bolton – BOK Center, Tulsa, Oklahoma
Talent Agent of the Year
Stan Barnett – Creative Artists Agency
Club Buyer of the Year
Ed Warm – Joe’s Bar Chicago
College Buyer of the Year – Tie
Rick Stowe – East Coast Entertainment, Inc.
Adam Tobey – Concert Ideas
Corporate Entertainment Buyer of the Year
Paul Creighton – T Skorman Productions, Inc.
Casino Buyer of the Year
Robyn Smith – Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
Fair Buyer of the Year
Renee Pearson – Minnesota State Fair
Festival Buyer of the Year
Bonnaroo – Ashley Capps – AC Entertainment
International Buyer of the Year
Rob Waloschuk – Dauphin’s Countryfest, Manitoba, Canada
New Big Machine Label Group Signing
/by Freeman“We couldn’t be more excited to have Ella Mae Bowen join our Big Machine family,” says label President and CEO Scott Borchetta. “She blew me away the first time I heard her sing.”
According to BMLG, original music from Bowen will most likely surface sometime in 2012 but the young performer has a remake of Bonnie Tyler’s “Holding Out For A Hero” on the upcoming Footloose soundtrack. Bowen will be assigned to one of the label group’s three imprints in the future.
The South Carolina native has been singing since childhood, and performing onstage since she was seven. She is currently working on debut music for BMLG, and will attend the Nashville premiere of Footloose tomorrow (10/6). She is being managed by Tracy Gershon (Red Light) and Kip Krones.
CMT Reveals “Artists Of The Year”
/by Caitlin RantalaTaped in Nashville, the show will bring the honorees together with country music peers and celebrities across the entertainment spectrum. The evening will feature performances from the country world and beyond, in celebration of the successes of the past year.
CMT Artist of the Year acts were chosen by ranking the top five artists based on sales (physical albums, digital albums, and single downloads), country radio airplay based on spins, concert grosses as a headliner or co-headliner and activity on CMT.com (video streams, searches, and artist page views). The rankings were then compiled to identify the leading performers across the four categories cumulatively.
Over the past 12 months, Aldean, Chesney, Lady A, Paisley and Swift have collectively received over 2.7 million spins of their current songs, sold over 9 million copies of their current albums, sold over 20 million individual downloads of their current singles and have garnered over 10.2 million video streams. In addition, they’ve also topped both the touring and CMT.com charts.
This year, honorees and their guests will be treated to cuisine prepared by celebrity chef Stephanie Izard, Top Chef winner and chef/partner of Girl & The Goat restaurant in Chicago.
Sherrié Austin Wraps Album, Premieres TV Show
/by Caitlin RantalaAustin also finished up shooting a docu-series entitled Girls Who Like Boys Who Like Boys for the Sundance Channel. Now in its second season, the show celebrates and explores the relationships between straight women and their gay best friend. The show features Austin and songwriting collaborator Shane Stevens. The show premieres Nov. 18 on the Sundance Channel.
In the past, Austin has written songs for many country artists including George Strait, Tim McGraw, and most recently a duet for Blake Shelton and Trace Adkins called “If I Was A Woman.”
Hot Times at the Country Music Hall Of Fame
/by Caitlin RantalaHosted by Bill Lloyd, the program will include an in-depth, one-on-one interview illustrated with vintage recordings, photos and film clips from the Museum’s Frist Library and Archive. Immediately following the program, Fontana will sign autographs in the Museum Store.
Fontana has spent more than five decades on the road and in recording studios. Though he is best known as Elvis Presley’s drummer, Fontana has played on recordings by Steve Earle, Lefty Frizzell, Chris Isaak, Waylon Jennings, Paul McCartney, Dolly Parton, Carl Perkins, Charley Pride, Jim Reeves, Keith Richards, Porter Wagoner and more.
The program will be held in the Museum’s Ford Theater at 1:30 p.m. Ticket price is included with Museum admission and free to Museum members. The program will be streamed live on www.countrymusichalloffame.org.
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(L-R) Ricky Skaggs, Del McCoury program host Bill Cody
Last Wednesday (9/29), the Del McCoury Band orchestrated an evening of musical tributes by bluegrass artists in celebration of Bill Monroe’s centennial.
Hosted by Bill Cody, the program mapped Monroe’s history from his birth in Rosine, KY to his work with his brother Charlie as the Monroe Brothers, his arrival at the Grand Ole Opry, the birth of bluegrass with the 1946 band, the evolution of his sound, and his final days. Guest performers included Dale Ann Bradley, Matt Combs, Mike Compton, Claire Lynch, the Nashville Bluegrass Band, Peter Rowan, Ricky Skaggs and Roland White.
The concert was co-presented by Vanderbilt University’s Blair School of Music and the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, with additional funding provided by the Foundation for Bluegrass Music.
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The Country Music Hall of Fame celebrated the musical influence of Chet Atkins last Saturday (10/1). Guitarists Joe Robinson, who won the 2008 season of Australia’s Got Talent, and Pat Bergeson, who recorded and toured with Atkins, teamed up for the concert. The concert was offered as part of the Museum’s special exhibition Chet Atkins: Certified Guitar Player.
(L-R) Joe Robinson, Pat Bergeson, Fred Gretsch and Dinah Gretsch
IEBA Conference Educates and Entertains
/by FreemanWanda Jackson and Jim Messina. Photo: Rick Diamond, Getty Images
The 41st Annual iteration of the International Entertainment Buyer’s Association (IEBA) conference concluded last night (10/4), following three days of record-breaking attendance, musical showcases, networking and educational sessions for the live entertainment industry.
On Sunday (10/2) evening following a welcome reception, talent agency APA showcased some of its talented artists including Lyndsey Highlander, Aaron Parker, Jim Messina and Ray Scott. But septuagenarian Queen of Rockabilly Wanda Jackson stole the show from all of them. Clad in a glittery pink jacket, Jackson sang spunky versions of her classics “Riot In Cell Block #9,” “I Gotta Know,” and “Let’s Have A Party” as well as “Shakin’ All Over” from her Jack White-produced 2011 album The Party Ain’t Over. Youngsters take note: the lady’s still got it.
Later, attendees flocked over to War Memorial Auditorium for dinner and another round of showcases from Paradigm Agency. Comedian Reno Collier entertained between set changes, and performers included Canadian songbird Marlee Scott; newcomers Dean Alexander and JT Hodges; Texas hitmaker Jack Ingram; and the scary-talented costumed troupe Here Come The Mummies.
Sarah Darling. Photo: Rick Diamond, Getty Images
Educational panel options were numerous on Monday, including an interview of legendary Kiss manager Doc McGhee by Billboard’s Ray Waddell. The two covered McGhee’s experience managing one of the biggest touring acts in history, as well as the future of the live entertainment business. Creative Artists Agency showcased in the early afternoon with its new faces Kip Moore, Edens Edge, Brett Eldredge, Craig Campbell, Sonia Leigh, and Love and Theft.
That evening, Buddy Lee Attractions showcased Bush Hawg, Sarah Darling, Josh Gracin, Mark Chesnutt, Corey Smith, and LoCash Cowboys. Darling showed promise and poise onstage, delivering recent single “Something To Do With Your Hands” and a cover of U2’s “With Or Without You” in fine voice. Corey Smith also displayed his knack for relatable story songs, followed by the big tent rock ‘n’ roll antics of LoCash.
Over at War Memorial, William Morris Entertainment created a stellar lineup that got underway with a fiery full-band set from Wynonna. Neal McCoy engaged the crowd between performers, also debuting his new Miranda Lambert and Blake Shelton produced single “A-Ok.” EMI Nashville’s Eric Paslay performed acoustically, followed by a tandem acoustic set full of hits from buddies Lee Brice and Jerrod Niemann. Brice and Niemann brought out new face Tyler Farr, who showcased his remarkable vocal talents. The Band Perry closed out the evening with a full band extravaganza of fancy lighting and tricked-out LED screens, though some sound mixing issues in the beginning put a damper on the spectacle. TBP will be playing its first headlining show in Nashville at the Ryman February 20, but getting tickets to that sold-out affair will probably take some pretty slick bargaining.
Pictured at the WME showcase are (L-R): Reid Perry, co-head of WME Nashville Rob Beckham, Kimberly Perry, Wynonna, co-head of WME Nashville Greg Oswald, Kerry Hansen with Big Enterprises and Neil Perry. Photo: Rick Diamond, Getty Images
Laura Bell Bundy. Photo: Rick Diamond, Getty Images
Yesterday (10/4), showcases included Cold River Records’ Katie Armiger, DJ Miller and the roster of Paradise Artists that included Glen Templeton, Blackhawk, Paul Revere and the Raiders and more. Ticketmaster CEO Nathan Hubbard delivered a much-anticipated speech on the importance of keeping music fans invested in live shows.
The conference closed out in style with the annual Hall of Fame Induction and Dinner, which was hosted by Laura Bell Bundy and featured performances by Roy Clark and Don Schlitz with live art created by Michael Israel. HoF inductees included Bobby Baker, Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, Jimmy Jay, Paul Moore, Tandy Rice, Lou Robin, Mike Smardak and Leroy Van Dyke.
“The evening exceeded all expectations. It was a once in a lifetime experience with the great Roy Clark and the many legends of our industry all in the room together. Laura Bell Bundy entertained and charmed everyone. It could not have been more perfect,” said IEBA Executive Director Tiffany Davis.
Pictured at the IEBA Hall of Fame induction: Back Row (L-R): Leroy Van Dyke, Leroy Shafer, Paul Moore, Mike Smardak, Lou Robin, Jimmy Jay; Front Row (L-R): Roy Clark, Bobby Baker and Tandy Rice. Photo: Rick Diamond, Getty Images
The following individuals were also honored by IEBA this year.
Venue Executive of the Year
John Bolton – BOK Center, Tulsa, Oklahoma
Talent Agent of the Year
Stan Barnett – Creative Artists Agency
Club Buyer of the Year
Ed Warm – Joe’s Bar Chicago
College Buyer of the Year – Tie
Rick Stowe – East Coast Entertainment, Inc.
Adam Tobey – Concert Ideas
Corporate Entertainment Buyer of the Year
Paul Creighton – T Skorman Productions, Inc.
Casino Buyer of the Year
Robyn Smith – Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
Fair Buyer of the Year
Renee Pearson – Minnesota State Fair
Festival Buyer of the Year
Bonnaroo – Ashley Capps – AC Entertainment
International Buyer of the Year
Rob Waloschuk – Dauphin’s Countryfest, Manitoba, Canada
SESAC Awards Move To New Home
/by Sarah Skates• The 2011 SESAC Nashville Music Awards will celebrate the year’s most successful songwriters and publishers at a new venue, The Pinnacle at Symphony Place. The move to The Pinnacle marks a location change for the awards event which was hosted at SESAC’s Nashville headquarters for almost two decades. The black-tie, invitation-only event will be held on Nov. 7, and will honor the top songwriters and publishers in Country and Americana music.
• Joined by newly signed affiliate Mary Francis, SESAC executives Tim Fink and Amy Beth Hale celebrated the release of So Much In Between by Darin & Brooke Aldridge (Mountain Home) during the International Bluegrass Music Association Conference. The project was produced by acclaimed SESAC songwriter/musician Jerry Salley and features songs by some of Nashville’s most exciting writers including SESAC affiliates, Salley, Francis, singer/songwriter Karyn Williams, and Bernie Nelson. Darin & Brooke Aldridge were nominated for Emerging Artist of the Year at the IBMA Awards.
Pictured (L-R): Jerry Salley, SESAC’s Amy Beth Hale, Karyn Williams, Bernie Nelson, Darin Aldridge, Brooke Aldridge, SESAC’s Tim Fink and Mary Francis. Photo: Ed Rode
Lady A, Lambert And The Band Perry To Perform At CMAs
/by Caitlin RantalaReigning CMA Vocal Group of the Year, Lady A, is nominated again this year for the award. Likewise, Lambert is the reigning CMA Female Vocalist of the Year. She is nominated this year for both Female Vocalist and Musical Event of the Year for her performance of “Coal Miner’s Daughter” with Sheryl Crow and Loretta Lynn.
The Band Perry is nominated for four CMA Awards this year. The group is nominated for New Artist and Vocal Group of the Year, while their single “If I Die Young” is nominated for both Single and Music Video of the year. Additionally, Kimberly Perry picked up a Song of the Year nomination for writing “If I Die Young.” This is her first solo nomination.
The 45th Annual CMA Awards, hosted by Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood, airs live from the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Wednesday, Nov. 9 at 8 p.m. on the ABC. Previously announced performers include Jason Aldean, Blake Shelton, Taylor Swift and Keith Urban. Paisley and Underwood will also perform together in their first live televised-performance of their No. 1 song “Remind Me.”
Artist Action: Blake Wise, Hunter Hayes, Luke Bryan, Elizabeth Cook
/by Sarah SkatesBlake Wise on the set of his video.
Blake Wise’s single “Can’t Live Without You” debuted on iTunes yesterday (10/4) and is already going for adds at radio. The Broken Bow artist taped the video at Castle Recording Studio with director John Fucile of SmackDab Media. See it here.
• • •
Hunter Hayes is revving up for the release of his self-titled debut on Tues., Oct. 11. He’s set for the national TV premiere of single “Storm Warning” on the Late Show with David Letterman on release day. Hayes recently wrapped touring with Taylor Swift, made his Grand Ole Opry debut, and is on his first headlining tour.
• • •
Elizabeth Cook will appear tonight on The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson. Like last month’s visit to Letterman, Cook will be putting in couch time, not performing. She is nominated for three Americana Music Awards at the Oct. 13 event, and will perform Oct. 7 show on The Lawn at Cheekwood.
• • •
Luke Bryan performed the first three of six shows over the weekend on his third annual Farm Tour, playing in front of 19,000 fans. The tour continues with the final shows in Statesboro, Valdosta and Carrollton, Georgia. Proceeds from the concerts will be used to fund college scholarships for a student from a local farming family. Bryan will resume CMT On Tour: Luke Bryan Tailgates & Tanlines Fri., Oct. 13 in Johnson City, Tenn.
Luke Bryan's Farm Tour opening weekend.
Country Sales: 4th Quarter Futures
/by adminGetting Graphic About Sales
The above graph is a week-by-week tally of how the YTD Country sales units compare with the previous year.
The blue bars show YTD % (year-to-date) change for 2010 compared with 2009; and the green bars show 2011 compared with 2010. Actual quarterly sales numbers (source: Nielsen SoundScan) are below the graph. For example at the end of Q1 2011 country was down about 13%. By Q2 2011 the deficit was only about 1%.
For the week ended 10-2-11 country album sales (physical and digital) are a healthy 9% ahead of last year. (All-genre sales are up 3.4%.) However, based upon the upcoming release schedules (compared with last year) our best guess is that we will start to see the green bar shrink in coming weeks. Will it fall into negative territory? Let’s hope not…
Looked at another way, we need to add about 15 million units over the next 13 weeks or about 1.54 million units every week. (Putting the 1.54 million in perspective, country album sales this past week totaled about 660,000.)
The Current Week’s Tally
The past week’s album sales were led by Lady Antebellum’s new release (No. 1; 75k) now in its third week. Jason Aldean continues to bust out of sales bins earning a No. 2 position after 48 weeks shifting almost 21k units for the week. Brantley Gilbert, who co-wrote Aldean’s “Dirt Road Anthem” holds the No. 3 spot in his third week with sales of about 20k.
New on the chart this week is a debut from Curb’s LeAnn Rimes at No. 7 scanning about 12k units (45% were digital).
Last week’s article about TEA (track equivalent albums) flushed out some good responses. Most of which tried to point out that track sales are not as profitable as album sales. Perhaps that is true when viewed across the traditional record label budget and sales structure. But that structure is evolving rapidly. This year country fans have already purchased 111 million country tracks with a value of about $140 million dollars which is equivalent to about 14 million albums!!!! (Any label that doesn’t care about its tracks income, please send it to me, I’ll be happy to bank it in my account and even pay the proper royalties on the label’s behalf.)
On this week’s Digital Genre Country tracks list Blake Shelton rides the roost with “God Gave Me You” churning over 57k paid downloads. The Band Perry’s “If I Die Young” remains the second best selling track moving almost 43,000 units and Rodney Atkins “Take A Back Road,” also deserves mention holding the No. 3 position with over 39k downloads.
DISClaimer Single Reviews (10/5/11)
/by Robert K OermannI can’t remember a recent listening session with so many well-done platters. Jake Owen has the audio production to beat. Mark Willis has the week’s most striking song. Gloriana is glorious. Kenny Chesney’s bringing the star power. David Bradley has humor and good times on his side.
And then there’s the Disc of the Day. The new trio Pistol Annies is comprised of three deluxe singer-songwriters—Miranda Lambert, Ashley Monroe and Angaleena Presley.
Their record will take your breath away.
Since those ladies are the only ones with a debut CD today, they also win the DisCovery Award.
DAVID BRADLEY/If You Can’t Make Money
Writer: Jon Randall/Brad Paisley/Bill Anderson; Producer: Brady Seals; Publisher: Reynsong/Wha Ya Say/House of Sea Gayle/Sony-ATV Tree/Mr. Bubba, BMI/ASCAP; Gecko (track)
—Get a load of those songwriter credits. Too bad they couldn’t find anybody talented to pen this thing. It’s a chugging bopper with plenty of humor in the lyric and a party crowd shouting in the background. A good time was had by all.
JAKE OWEN/Alone With You
Writer: Catt Gravitt/J.T. Harding/Shane McAnally; Producer: Joey Moi & Rodney Clawson; Publisher: Songs of Maxx/Tunes of R and T Direct/Razor & Tie/Songs Music/A Mighty Seven/Songs for Beans/JTX/Little Blue Egg/Crazy Water/Kobalt, SESAC/BMI/ASCAP; RCA (track)
—Wonderfully atmospheric, with a deep-twang sonic bed, a sexy mood and a swirling melody. This fevered dream of pent-up desire is nothing short of a minor masterpiece. Do you hear that noise? It’s superstardom knocking on Jake’s door.
AMY DALLEY/Coming Out Of The Pain
Writer: Dalley/Sizemore; Producer: New Voice Entertainment; Publisher: Bro N Sis/Madjacksongs, BMI; AmyDalley (track) (www.amydalley.com)
—The title tune to Dalley’s new CD comes on like gangbusters with its gunshot percussion and grinding guitars. It’s a driving, female-empowerment song of survival.
SCOTTY McCREERY/The Trouble With Girls
Writer: Phillip White/Chris Tompkins; Producer: Mark Bright; Publisher: Songs of Universal/Jorjax/Big Loud Songs/Angel River/Big Loud Bucks, BMI/ASCAP; Mercury/19 (track)
—Scotty’s sophomore single is a softly drawled ballad of romantic confusion. His vocal performance sounds like the teen he is, but Bright’s production is a model of sophistication.
MATT GARY/Beautiful Life
Writer: Frank J. Myers/Gary Baker/Nicky Chinn; Producer: Frank Myers; Publisher: Sixteen Stars/Frank Myers/HoriPro/WB/On the Bluff/Ten Ten/Nicky Chinn, BMI/ASCAP; 17/Quarterback (www.mattgarymusic.com)
—There’s hard times all around, but when you have love, nothing else matters. This soaring, propulsive rocker practically begs you to turn it up.
KENNY CHESNEY/Reality
Writer: Kenny Chesney/Brett James; Producer: Buddy Cannon & Kenny Chesney; Publisher: none listed, ASCAP; BNA (track)
—The track behind him is boiling hot, perhaps a little too much so. The song and his vocal performance are both totally classy.
NEAL McCOY/A-OK
Writer: Barry Dean/Luke Laird/Brett Eldredge; Producer: Miranda Lambert, Blake Shelton & Brent Rowan; Publisher: none listed; Blaster (www.nealmccoy.com)
—The whistling and finger-snap opening correctly predict that you’re in for a breezy, good-times tune. Lightweight, but harmless.
GLORIANA/(Kissed You) Good Night
Writer: Tom Gossin/Josh Kear; Producer: Matt Serletic; Publisher: Gossin/Global Dog/Lunalight, ASCAP; Emblem/Warner Bros.
—I remain a fan. Young love has seldom sounded so tuneful, harmonious and downright delicious. Everything about this audio confection pleases me. Play it again.
PISTOL ANNIES/Hell On Heels
Writer: Miranda Lambert/Ashley Monroe/Angaleena Presley; Producer: Frank Liddell & Mike Wrucke; Publisher: Sony-ATV Tree/Pink Dog/Reynsong/Ayden/Ten Ten, BMI/ASCAP; Columbia (track)
—The Pistol Annies CD leads off with this bluesy, moody title tune that grabs you by the ears and doesn’t let go. This thing hisses like a rattlesnake ready to strike. All three of these gals have smokey, sensuous vocal chops with attitude to spare.
MARK WILLS/Crazy Being Home
Writer: Chris Lindsey/Brad Warren/Brett Warren/Robin Lindsey; Producer: Chris Lindsey; Publisher: none listed; Gracie/Starlight (track)
—This is what is so great about country music. No other genre tells stories this powerfully. And what other style would even think to write a song about a soldier’s post traumatic stress disorder? Strong stuff. Wills walks it like he talks it: He has gone to Afghanistan seven times to sing for the troops.