Stoney Creek Records duo Thompson Square has had a whirlwind month out on the road with country rocker Jason Aldean wrapping the last leg of the 2010 Wide Open Tour.
RADIO NEWS
If you can wake yourself after eating too much tomorrow, tune in and listen to Premiere Radio Networks’ After MidNite With Blair Garner. The host will play exclusive audio from his special holiday dinner at the home of CMA Entertainer of the Year Brad Paisley. Audio will be available at www.BlairGarner.com.
SPIN ZONE
The Thanksgiving holiday means more frozen playlists than normal, and as a result there’s a slightly slower chart. That doesn’t keep Reba’s “Turn On The Radio” from taking over the No. 1 position after a long climb through the Top 10. Previous No. 1s “Why Wait” by Rascal Flatts and “If I Die Young” by The Band Perry are starting to fall back, as Keith Urban’s “Put You In A Song” moves up two spots to No. 3.
As predicted last week, Brad Paisley’s “This Is Country Music” made a big splash on the chart, debuting at No. 74 with a gain of 293 spins. Joining him for first chart appearances are Uncle Kracker’s “Good To Be Me” and Josh Thompson’s “Won’t Be Lonely Long.”
And though overall movement is slow, a handful of singles are still rising quickly. Kenny Chesney’s “Somewhere With You” is already at No. 13 after six weeks, as it gains 302 spins. Taylor Swift’s “Back To December” moves from No. 37 to 28, with the week’s biggest spin gain of 383. And Darius Rucker’s “This” crosses the Top 40 threshold at No. 38 with a 227 spin gain.
Frozen Playlists: KCJC, KFTX, KICR, KKAJ, KNCQ, KREK, KTTI, KVOM, KWEY, KWOX, KYEZ, KYKX, KYYK, WBKR, WCMS, WJVL, WLJE, WOGT, WQNZ, WTCM
Upcoming Singles
December 6
Chuck Wicks/Old School/RCA
LeAnn Rimes/Crazy Women/Curb
The Harters/If I Run/Bigger Picture
Alan Jackson/Ring of Fire/Arista
Crossin Dixon/Goodbye To Henry/Stoney Creek
Steel Magnolia/Last Night Again/Big Machine
Holiday
Jason Michael Carroll/Christmas On The Farm/Stray Records/Quarterback
Danny Gokey/Tennessee Christmas/19/RCA
Deborah Allen Feat. Cledus T. Judd/Redneck Christmas/GMV/Aristomedia
Kenny Rogers/The Chosen One/Joy To The World (Live)/DCE
Rachel Holder/Christmas Eve
Burns & Poe/Hear The Angels Singing/Blue Steel
Rodney Carrington/Camouflage and Christmas Lights/EMI Records Nashville
Darius Rucker/Candy Cane Christmas/Capitol Nashville
• • • •
New On The Chart—Debuting This Week
Artist/song/label — chart pos.
Brad Paisley/This Is Country Music/Arista — 74
Uncle Kracker/Good To Be Me/Top Dog/Atlantic — 76
Josh Thompson/Won’t Be Lonely Long/Columbia — 80
Greatest Spin Increase
Artist/song/label — spin+
Taylor Swift/Back To December/Big Machine — 383
Kenny Chesney/Somewhere With You/BNA — 302
Brad Paisley/This Is Country Music/Arista — 293
Darius Rucker/This/Capitol — 227
Jason Aldean w/Kelly Clarkson/Don’t You Wanna Stay/Broken Bow — 222
On Deck—Soon To Be Charting
Artist/song/label — spins
Alan Jackson/Ring of Fire/Arista — 250
Brantley Gilbert/My Kind of Crazy/Average Joe’s Entertainment — 215
Matt Gary/I’m Just Sayin’/Quarterback Records — 214
Karli Whetstone/I Didn’t/Ohio Records — 200
Kelly Parkes/Nothing/Lofton Creek — 182
Two Week Most Added*
Artist/song/label — New adds
Brad Paisley/This Is Country Music/Arista — 22
Jason Aldean w/Kelly Clarkson/Don’t You Wanna Stay/Broken Bow — 20
Taylor Swift/Back To December/Big Machine — 14
Alan Jackson/Ring Of Fire/Arista — 13
Sugarland/Little Miss/Mercury — 10
• • • •
Cumulus Radio took home five trophies at the 14th Annual A.I.R. (Achievement in Radio) Awards, held at Baptist Hospital’s G.S.O. Auditorium Monday (11/22). Presented by Curb Music, the A.I.R. Awards is the only awards program of its kind, celebrating excellence in radio, acknowledging talent and achievement on a local level to benefit the March of Dimes. (L to R): Cumulus Nashville’s Josh Connor, Mike McIntyre (aka “Mac”), Lisa Lewis.
Cumulus Nashville Awards:
Best Commercial Spot Produced by a Radio Station: 95.5 The Wolf (WSM-FM) “Green Light Car Sales,” Producer Josh Connor, Voice Talent Lisa Lewis;
Best Production Talent: Cumulus Nashville, Josh Connor;
Best Advertising Campaign on Radio: 95.5 The Wolf (WSM-FM), “HRC Medical,” Producer Josh Connor, Advertising Representative Jeff Cook, Voice Talents Charlie Chase and Charlie Mac;
Best Production/Creative Services Director: Cumulus Nashville, Josh Connor;
Best Entertainment Interview: “Ted Nugent/Flood Relief,” 97.1 Classic Hits (WRQQ), Program Director Mike “Mac” McIntyre.
On Monday (11/22) SuperTalk 99.7 WTN hosted a radiothon to benefit the Nashville Rescue Mission. The three-hour fundraiser raised over $30,000. The show was hosted by WTN personality Michael DelGiorno and featured visits by Phil Valentine, Ralph Bristol, Dave Ramsey and call-ins from other celebrities. Left Photo: SuperTalk 99.7 WTN vehicle arrives at the Nashville Rescue Mission. Right Photo (L to R): “Financial Peace” Guru Dave Ramsey and SuperTalk 99.7 WTN morning host Ralph Bristol on site at the Nashville Rescue Mission radiothon.
BMG To Acquire Chrysalis
/by Sarah SkatesIn April, Dale Bobo took office as Executive Vice President, Chrysalis Music Nashville. Among Chrysalis’s Nashville songwriters are Jim McCormick, Victoria Banks, Jeff Stevens and Shelley Skidmore.
Among the publisher’s 100,000 copyrights are songs recorded by Michael Jackson, the Beatles, Blondie, David Bowie, Sheryl Crow, and Outkast.
BMG has been steadily buying up publishers for more than a year. More from musicrow.com here.
Urban Boasts Strong Opening Week
/by Sarah SkatesNext Urban heads to Dallas for his Thanksgiving Day halftime performance at the Dallas Cowboys v New Orleans Saints showdown. It will air live on FOX, and will also serve as the kick-off for the Salvation Army’s Red Kettle Campaign. The NFL Network is taping the experience for its documentary Keith Urban: Halftime in Real Time, slated to air Saturday, November 27 at 9:30PM CST.
Weekly Chart Report (11/24/10)
/by FreemanStoney Creek Records duo Thompson Square has had a whirlwind month out on the road with country rocker Jason Aldean wrapping the last leg of the 2010 Wide Open Tour.
RADIO NEWS
If you can wake yourself after eating too much tomorrow, tune in and listen to Premiere Radio Networks’ After MidNite With Blair Garner. The host will play exclusive audio from his special holiday dinner at the home of CMA Entertainer of the Year Brad Paisley. Audio will be available at www.BlairGarner.com.
SPIN ZONE
The Thanksgiving holiday means more frozen playlists than normal, and as a result there’s a slightly slower chart. That doesn’t keep Reba’s “Turn On The Radio” from taking over the No. 1 position after a long climb through the Top 10. Previous No. 1s “Why Wait” by Rascal Flatts and “If I Die Young” by The Band Perry are starting to fall back, as Keith Urban’s “Put You In A Song” moves up two spots to No. 3.
As predicted last week, Brad Paisley’s “This Is Country Music” made a big splash on the chart, debuting at No. 74 with a gain of 293 spins. Joining him for first chart appearances are Uncle Kracker’s “Good To Be Me” and Josh Thompson’s “Won’t Be Lonely Long.”
And though overall movement is slow, a handful of singles are still rising quickly. Kenny Chesney’s “Somewhere With You” is already at No. 13 after six weeks, as it gains 302 spins. Taylor Swift’s “Back To December” moves from No. 37 to 28, with the week’s biggest spin gain of 383. And Darius Rucker’s “This” crosses the Top 40 threshold at No. 38 with a 227 spin gain.
Frozen Playlists: KCJC, KFTX, KICR, KKAJ, KNCQ, KREK, KTTI, KVOM, KWEY, KWOX, KYEZ, KYKX, KYYK, WBKR, WCMS, WJVL, WLJE, WOGT, WQNZ, WTCM
Upcoming Singles
December 6
Chuck Wicks/Old School/RCA
LeAnn Rimes/Crazy Women/Curb
The Harters/If I Run/Bigger Picture
Alan Jackson/Ring of Fire/Arista
Crossin Dixon/Goodbye To Henry/Stoney Creek
Steel Magnolia/Last Night Again/Big Machine
Holiday
Jason Michael Carroll/Christmas On The Farm/Stray Records/Quarterback
Danny Gokey/Tennessee Christmas/19/RCA
Deborah Allen Feat. Cledus T. Judd/Redneck Christmas/GMV/Aristomedia
Kenny Rogers/The Chosen One/Joy To The World (Live)/DCE
Rachel Holder/Christmas Eve
Burns & Poe/Hear The Angels Singing/Blue Steel
Rodney Carrington/Camouflage and Christmas Lights/EMI Records Nashville
Darius Rucker/Candy Cane Christmas/Capitol Nashville
• • • •
New On The Chart—Debuting This Week
Artist/song/label — chart pos.
Brad Paisley/This Is Country Music/Arista — 74
Uncle Kracker/Good To Be Me/Top Dog/Atlantic — 76
Josh Thompson/Won’t Be Lonely Long/Columbia — 80
Greatest Spin Increase
Artist/song/label — spin+
Taylor Swift/Back To December/Big Machine — 383
Kenny Chesney/Somewhere With You/BNA — 302
Brad Paisley/This Is Country Music/Arista — 293
Darius Rucker/This/Capitol — 227
Jason Aldean w/Kelly Clarkson/Don’t You Wanna Stay/Broken Bow — 222
On Deck—Soon To Be Charting
Artist/song/label — spins
Alan Jackson/Ring of Fire/Arista — 250
Brantley Gilbert/My Kind of Crazy/Average Joe’s Entertainment — 215
Matt Gary/I’m Just Sayin’/Quarterback Records — 214
Karli Whetstone/I Didn’t/Ohio Records — 200
Kelly Parkes/Nothing/Lofton Creek — 182
Two Week Most Added*
Artist/song/label — New adds
Brad Paisley/This Is Country Music/Arista — 22
Jason Aldean w/Kelly Clarkson/Don’t You Wanna Stay/Broken Bow — 20
Taylor Swift/Back To December/Big Machine — 14
Alan Jackson/Ring Of Fire/Arista — 13
Sugarland/Little Miss/Mercury — 10
• • • •
Cumulus Radio took home five trophies at the 14th Annual A.I.R. (Achievement in Radio) Awards, held at Baptist Hospital’s G.S.O. Auditorium Monday (11/22). Presented by Curb Music, the A.I.R. Awards is the only awards program of its kind, celebrating excellence in radio, acknowledging talent and achievement on a local level to benefit the March of Dimes. (L to R): Cumulus Nashville’s Josh Connor, Mike McIntyre (aka “Mac”), Lisa Lewis.
Cumulus Nashville Awards:
Best Commercial Spot Produced by a Radio Station: 95.5 The Wolf (WSM-FM) “Green Light Car Sales,” Producer Josh Connor, Voice Talent Lisa Lewis;
Best Production Talent: Cumulus Nashville, Josh Connor;
Best Advertising Campaign on Radio: 95.5 The Wolf (WSM-FM), “HRC Medical,” Producer Josh Connor, Advertising Representative Jeff Cook, Voice Talents Charlie Chase and Charlie Mac;
Best Production/Creative Services Director: Cumulus Nashville, Josh Connor;
Best Entertainment Interview: “Ted Nugent/Flood Relief,” 97.1 Classic Hits (WRQQ), Program Director Mike “Mac” McIntyre.
On Monday (11/22) SuperTalk 99.7 WTN hosted a radiothon to benefit the Nashville Rescue Mission. The three-hour fundraiser raised over $30,000. The show was hosted by WTN personality Michael DelGiorno and featured visits by Phil Valentine, Ralph Bristol, Dave Ramsey and call-ins from other celebrities. Left Photo: SuperTalk 99.7 WTN vehicle arrives at the Nashville Rescue Mission. Right Photo (L to R): “Financial Peace” Guru Dave Ramsey and SuperTalk 99.7 WTN morning host Ralph Bristol on site at the Nashville Rescue Mission radiothon.
Tracy Lawrence Turkey Fry; Judds Ride Santa Train
/by Sarah SkatesTracy Lawrence and friends gathered at the Nashville Rescue Mission yesterday (11/23) for the singer’s fifth annual Mission Possible Turkey Fry. Generous donations of turkeys, clothing and cash were collected, totaling almost 800 birds. In addition to feeding those individuals in need at the Nashville Rescue Mission over the next few days, Lawrence and his family will deliver 125 cooked turkeys to a tent city near his home in Wilson County. The mission’s overall goal is to collect 1000 gobblers before the Thanksgiving week comes to a close; contributions continue to be welcomed and are appreciated.
The "group fry" from l to r: (back row) Keith Burns, Matt Kennon, Bo Bice, Lathan Moore, Jake Dillon, Michelle Poe, Matt Gary, Lee Roy, Becca Lawrence, Tracy Lawrence, Preston Brust, Glen Templeton, Chris Lucas, Brad Arnold, (middle row) Elaine Roy, Chelsea Field, (front row) Titans Cheerleaders. Not pictured: GAC’s Suzanne Alexander, LoCash Cowboys, Lorrie Morgan, Danielle Peck, and Big D & Bubba.
Wynonna and Naomi Judd returned home to Appalachia on Saturday, Nov. 20, joining Santa Claus and his helpers aboard the 68th annual Santa Train. The Judds helped Santa distribute more than 15 tons of gifts to families in 14 towns along the train’s 110-mile route through Kentucky, Virginia and Tennessee.
Santa Claus and Wynonna and Naomi Judd toss gifts off the back of the Santa Train.
Rascal Flatts Debut At No. 1
/by Sarah SkatesThe lead single from the Dann Huff produced project, “Why Wait,” is at No. 2 on MusicRow’s Country Breakout chart, having already peaked at No. 1.
The band launched the album with numerous television, radio and online appearances including The Late Show With David Letterman, Ellen DeGeneres Show, Today Show, Sean Hannity Show, Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, GAC’s Backstory and CMT’s Invitation Only.
Complete track listing
1. Why Wait (Tom Shapiro, Neil Thrasher, Jimmy Yeary)
2. Easy (Katrina Elam, Mike Mobley)******Duet with Natasha Bedingfield
3. Sunday Afternoon (Joe Don Rooney, busbee)
4. Play (Bonnie Baker, Katrina Elam, Hunter Hayes)
5. Nothing Like This (Michael Dulaney, Tom Shapiro, Neil Thrasher)
6. All Night To Get There (Jay DeMarcus, Paul Jenkins, Jason Sellers)
7. Red Camaro (Joe Collins, Chris Tompkins)
8. They Try (Neil Thrasher, Tom Shapiro, Jimmy Yeary)
9. Summer Young (Gary LeVox, Wendell Mobley, Neil Thrasher)
10. Tonight Tonight (Gary LeVox, Chris Lindsey, Aimee Mayo, Ryan Tedder)
11. I Won’t Let Go (Steve Robson, Jason Sellers)
Radio Visits: Carter’s Chord, Gary Allan, JaneDear girls
/by contributorShow Dog-Universal Music trio Carter’s Chord made a recent stop in Kansas City to visit with recently elected 2011 Radio Hall of Famer, Dale Carter. (L-R) Becky, KFKF PD Dale Carter, Joanna and Emily.
UMG Nashville artist Gary Allan played at the Fox Theatre in Atlanta last week. (L-R): WKHX’s Mark Richards and Mike Macho; UMG’s Royce Risser; Allan; and Citadel’s Jeff Davidson.
The JaneDear girls spent the first day of deer season with WMIL/Greenfield, WI at their Annual Deer Hunter’s Broadcast. The girls played for fans at a local gas station with Karen, Scott, and Radar from 106.1 FM’s morning show. (L-R) front: Scott, fan, Danelle Leverette of the JaneDear girls, Karen, Susie Brown of the JaneDear girls, and Radar.
Country Artists Soundtrack The Holidays
/by FreemanKenny Rogers has announced dates for his traditional Christmas & Hits Tour, as well as his first-ever live Christmas album, Christmas Live. The 20-date tour kicks off Friday (11/26) in Bossier City, LA and wraps 12/22 in Westbury, NY. Christmas Live, which features holiday favorites like “Silent Night,” “Mary, Did You Know,” and “The Chosen One/Joy To The World,” is available for pre-order on Rogers’ website and at Christmas & Hits tour stops.
• • • •
American Idol alum Danny Gokey has apparently taken to his adopted home of Nashville. The RCA Records artist, originally from Wisconsin, has now released his first-ever holiday single—his version of Amy Grant’s “Tennessee Christmas.” Gokey’s version is available for download at online retailers as well as his website.
• • • •
Songwriter Deborah Allen (“Baby I Lied”) has partnered up with comedian Cledus T. Judd for a humorous holiday track called “Redneck Christmas.” The song was penned by Allen in 2009, with Judd adding his comedic flair in 2010, and is being released digitally through GMV Nashville.
• • • •
Jason Michael Carroll has released his first Christmas album, titled Christmas On The Farm. The disc offers a mix of holiday standards as well as the original title title track co-written with Patrick Davis, which has been shipped to radio for holiday airplay. Carroll also has tour dates scheduled through December, and plans to release a full-length album in 2011.
• • • •
Newcomer Rachel Holder has released a holiday single called “Christmas Eve” and partnered with Nashville independent label All Entertainment. The song is available through online retailers, and the Amanda Van Sandt-directed video can be seen here. Holder is currently recording in the studio with industry veteran Chuck Howard.
James Otto Headed To “Jimmy Fallon”
/by Sarah SkatesThe track, which Otto wrote with Jon Nicholson, James LeBlanc and Gary Nicholson, is from his current album, Shake What God Gave Ya, produced by Paul Worley.
Naval officer Glenn Selby and James Otto
The album also offers a salute to the military on the song “Soldiers & Jesus.” Otto, who grew up in a military family, offered free downloads of the track for Veteran’s Day. He also recently stopped in Washington DC for a performance on the Pentagon Channel. It can be viewed online here.
Benefits: Todd Cerney’s Cancer Fund; Bluegrass for the Homeless
/by Sarah SkatesTodd Cerney
•••Singer/songwriter Todd Cerney, the writer of hits including “Good Morning Beautiful,” and “I’ll Still Be Loving You” has been diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer. The Grammy nominee and ASCAP Country Song of the Year winner has had cuts by Lynyrd Skynyrd, Etta James, Cheap Trick, The Four Tops / Aretha Franklin, Levon Helm, Jason And The Scorchers, John Anderson, The Whites and many more. A bank account to help with medical costs has been set up at Regions Bank’s Music Row branch. Donations can be made at any Regions branch or can be mailed to: Friends of Todd Cerney Account , Regions Bank, 1600 Division St., Nashville, TN 37203 or call 615-748-2792. Messages for Todd can be posted at www.caringbridge.org/visit/toddcerney or email Todd at RokDocRiff@aol.com. For more details contact kip@kipkirby.net.
•••The 11th annual Christmas Bluegrass Benefit Concert for the Homeless will be held Sun., Dec. 12 at the Station Inn. Hosting will be Eddie & Martha Adcock, Donna Sonner, and Gene & June Johnson. Artists expected to perform include Darrin Vincent, Pam Gadd, Leroy Troy, Randy Waller, Roland White Band, and surprise guests. Suggested minimum donation at the door is $15. Donation ideas also include soap, shampoo, toothbrushes and paste, deodorant, razors, shave cream, combs, travel-size tissues, new socks and underwear, washcloths, sewing kits, pens, pencils and small notebooks. All proceeds and gifts will be distributed through Room In The Inn.
•••Hit tunesmiths Andrew Dorff, Josh Kear, Barry Dean and Luke Laird will play at 9 PM on Dec. 1 at the Bluebird Cafe to benefit UCLA Brain Cancer Research.
DISClaimer Single Reviews (11/24/10)
/by Robert K OermannBetween them, these minor leaguers have ties to such major leaguers as The Bellamy Brothers, George Jones, Jason & The Scorchers, former Georgia Satellite Dan Baird, Kid Rock, Uncle Kracker and Charlie Daniels. Plus, there’s a surprising amount of class on display.
The Atlanta-based foursome Ponderosa wins a DisCovery Award with its rootsy, rocking “Old Gin Road,” a preview of its CD dropping in January. Recorded in Nashville, this disc appears on New West Records, a label that last made news by releasing the soundtrack to Crazy Heart with its Oscar winning “The Weary Kind” track.
Rehab tours with the afore-mentioned Kid Rock and Uncle Kracker and has also collaborated with Hank Williams Jr. I’m not sure what to call the band’s sound, but whatever it is, it wins Disc of the Day. And, yes, the group’s roots were planted in a rehab facility.
JESSE BREWSTER/I’m Not Broken
Writer: Jesse Brewster; Producer: Jesse Brewster; Publisher: none listed; Crokked Prairie (track) (www.jessebrewster.com)
—His voice is somewhat lightweight for the heavy, rocking chorus instrumentation. He does get points for whistling the bridge.
COLDWATER CANYON BAND/Nobody Knows
Writer: Gary H. Fisher; Producer: Sean “CT” Thomas; Publisher: none listed, BMI; KountreeBoyZ Entertainment (track) (www.dehtyme.com)
—It has a mellow, west-coasty, breezy thing going on. The Eagles-derived harmonies, heartache lyric, whispered organ and meaty melody are all mighty easy on the ears. Absolutely lend these guys your time.
ERIC LEE BEDDINGFIELD & GEORGE JONES/The Gospel According To Jones
Writer: Barber/Beddingfield/Fears; Producer: Kent Wells; Publisher: Rebel Dawg/Bar Frog/Faverett Tracks, BMI; Rebel Dawg (track)
—The packaging is sensational, a multi-fold-out concept I’ve never seen before. The album is titled This Life Ain’t For Everybody. On this stand-out ballad, Eric is an existential honky-tonker addressing his barroom congregation by moaning and quoting the Possum’s song titles. The boy can definitely sing it country. George’s cameo vocal occurs at the finale.
REHAB/Welcome Home
Writer: D. Alexander/M. Hartnett/W. Scheiner; Producer: Ed Rowland; Publisher: Warner Robbins/M. Hartnett/Wayne Scheiner, BMI/ASCAP; Universal Republic (track)
—The singing and beats are so rapid-fire that it is almost like rap. But the lyric is loaded with hillbilly heart, the harmonies are straight from church and the sentiments are as country as all get out. A very creative sonic adventure.
BRUCE BROWN/Off The Edge
Writer: Bruce Brown; Producer: Bruce Brown & Casey Wood; Publisher: Brass Crab, BMI; BB (track) (www.brucebrownmusic.com)
—Bruce has been in the Charlie Daniels Band for more than 20 years. He’s a guitarist with a deft touch who’s also handy with a hooky melody. On this instrumental title tune to his new CD, he makes his axe “talk” almost like a human voice. It’s a really cool listening experience. Elsewhere on the album, he sings in a jazzy, groove-soaked kinda tone. Recommended.
PONDEROSA/Old Gin Road
Writer: Kalen Nash/Jonathan Thomas Hall; Producer: Joe Chiccarelli; Publisher: FSMGI/Chrysalis One/West Bay, IMRO/BMI; New West (track) (www.popnderosamusic.com)
—The debut single from the band’s Moonlight Revival CD is a grinding, soulful, melodic country rocker, very much in the footsteps of Creedence Clearwater Revival. Which is to say it is very, very excellent, indeed.
STACIE COLLINS/Hey Mister
Writer: Collins/Collins/Hodges; Producer: Dan Baird; Publisher: Collinsville/Nashville Flash/Bug, SESAC/BMI; Rev (track) (www.staciecollins.com)
—I hear she burned the house down at her album-release party last week. She’s a harp-blowing rocker with attitude to spare. On this lead track to her Sometimes Ya Gotta CD, she wails with a funky backbeat and snarling electric guitars (thank you Warner Hodges and Dan Baird) behind her. Excitement on plastic.
JESSE AND NOAH /First Call After Last Call
Writer: Jesse Bellamy/Danny E. Simpson; Producer: Jesse Bellamy & Noah Bellamy; Publisher: Skunk Ape/Dancin’ Dawg/Paramount, ASCAP/BMI; Luna Chica (track) (www.jesseandnoah.com)
—With a title like this, you expect a little humor or maybe some honky-tonk guilt. Instead, it’s a romantic swoon about a musician who can’t wait to go home to his sweetie. Jesse’s lead vocal is strikingly reminiscent of their famous father David Bellamy’s croon.
THE LAWS/Try Love
Writer: John Lee/Michelle Lee/A.J. Master; Producer: J.P. Cormier; Publisher: SWITR/Can of Words/Moo Ka Moo, SOCAN/BMI; JML (track) (www.thelaws.com)
—The title tune to this Canadian husband-wife duo’s CD is rather underproduced. John’s lead vocal is expressive and soulful, but all that backs him are an acoustic guitar and mandolin. Folk hootenanny, anyone?
CASEY DILWORTH/Keepn’ It Simple
Writer: Darrell Hincks/Richard Fagan; Producer: none listed; Publisher: Broadminded, BMI; CD (track)
—The title tune to Casey’s CD is a gently strummed romantic ballad. He sings well, but I nodded off.