Trailer Choir’s second single “What Would You Say,” co-written by the group’s Butter and Big Vinny with David Fortney, was inspired by the Jan. 2006 Sago, West Virginia mining tragedy. Thirteen men were trapped after the accident and, as the nation watched the drama unfold, all but one of the men perished. In the days following, it was revealed that some of the men had been able to write and leave short notes for their loved ones.
“My father and I talked about the mining accident and both of us were taken aback by the loss and devastation it must have had on the families and friends of the miners and the Sago community,” says Butter. “He asked me what would I say if I were in that situation and I knew my chances of making it out alive were fading? What would I write on that note at that moment in time? He said, ‘I think that would be a question to ask in a song. What would you say?’
“I was inspired to try and write a song that showed how these hard working men who were just trying to support their families died with a heroic impact,” he continues. “They are examples of how we all should live our lives—to have the courage and love to write a note on a piece of paper in such a desperate moment.”
The trio of Butter, Big Vinny and Crystal signed to Show Dog in 2007 and joined Toby Keith’s Big Dog Daddy tour. Their debut single “Off The Hillbilly Hook” was used in Toby’s feature film Beer For My Horses and their self-titled EP is available in all digital outlets.
Keith Urban has been added to the GRAMMY performance schedule as part of a Bo Diddley tribute featuring fellow current nominees Buddy Guy, B.B. King, and John Mayer. At the Feb. 8 Awards show, Urban is up for Best Country Collaboration With Vocals (“Let The Wind Chase You” with Trisha Yearwood).
Joining the presenter list is LeAnn Rimes who is nominated for Best Female Country Vocal Performance (“What I Cannot Change”). Other performers announced today (2/5) are Terence Blanchard, Neil Diamond, M.I.A., Robin Thicke, Allen Toussaint, and Stevie Wonder.
https://musicrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/MusicRow-header-logo-Mar19B.png00Sarah Skateshttps://musicrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/MusicRow-header-logo-Mar19B.pngSarah Skates2009-02-05 15:14:432009-02-05 15:14:43Urban And Rimes Get GRAMMY Face Time
The GMA Foundation inducted artists Michael W. Smith, Dolly Parton, Dr. Bobby Jones and The Dixie Hummingbirds along with music producer Lari Goss into the GMA Gospel Music Hall of Fame on Feb. 2 at a ceremony at Richland Country Club.
Established in 1971, the GMA Gospel Music Hall of Fame has inducted more than 150 members including Elvis Presley, Amy Grant, the Blind Boys of Alabama, Sandi Patty, The Oak Ridge Boys, Bill and Gloria Gaither, Billy Graham and the Jordanaires.
(L-R): Steve Brallier, Exec. Dir of GMA Foundation; Inductee Lari Goss; Inductee Lyndon Baines Jones (Dixie Hummingbirds); Inductee Michael W. Smith; Inductee Dr. Bobby Jones; Inductee Dolly Parton; Ed Harper, chairman of the GMA Foundation Board; John W. Styll, Pres./CEO of GMA; Inductees Dixie Hummingbirds Sundray Tucker (daughter of late Ira Tucker), Carlton Lewis, William Bright and Torrey Nettles. Photo: Aaron Crisler
https://musicrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/MusicRow-header-logo-Mar19B.png00Sarah Skateshttps://musicrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/MusicRow-header-logo-Mar19B.pngSarah Skates2009-02-05 15:09:442009-02-05 15:09:44Gospel Hall Holds 2009 Inductions
Sony Music Nashville Vice President, Marketing Tom Baldrica will take on oversight of the label group’s Creative Services department alongside his current responsibilities spearheading Media and Artist Development.
A 16-year label veteran, Baldrica first arrived at BNA in 1993 as Southeast regional. Working his way through the ranks, he was named to then-new role of Vice President, Marketing in September 2006, handling all of the label group’s imprints including Arista Nashville, BNA Records, Columbia Nashville, and RCA Nashville.
When announcing Baldrica’s new duties Exec. VP Butch Waugh remarked, “Tom has been working closely with our Creative department over the past year to ensure a consistent image and marketing message. Tom’s keen eye coupled with his knowledge of the marketplace makes this a natural move to place our artists in their best position to enjoy success.”
https://musicrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/MusicRow-header-logo-Mar19B.png00Sarah Skateshttps://musicrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/MusicRow-header-logo-Mar19B.pngSarah Skates2009-02-05 15:09:022009-02-05 15:09:02Baldrica Adds Duties To VP Post
Almost escaping notice, January 2009 has trailed off into obscurity, but the short story regarding country sales continues to be, “more of the same.” Top 75 Current Country sales fell short of the 300k mark again this week reaching about 295,000 units. Year-to-date country sales are now down 20.5%. One bright spot is country digital album sales which are up 36.1%, but not enough to make up for the lost revenue from physical sales. Pat Green launched a new CD this week which scanned 18,195 units, enough to take the No. 2 spot behind Taylor Swift’s 55,102 units. Green also kicked off his headline Jaegermeister Country tour in Atlanta last week, which will visit 25 major markets in the next three months.
It may be too early to express certainty, but it appears that country digital album downloads are increasing as a percentage of total country album sales. Last year country digital albums averaged about 7.4% of total country album sales, for ’09 the number has jumped to 12.7%.
On the pop side, Bruce Springsteen leveraged his Super Bowl performance to debut at No. 1 with 223,741 scans, edging Swift out of the top spot which she owned for eight consecutive weeks. Overall album sales are down 12% YTD.
On the horizon we have debuts coming this week from Dierks Bentley and Aaron Tippin.
https://musicrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/MusicRow-header-logo-Mar19B.png00bossrosshttps://musicrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/MusicRow-header-logo-Mar19B.pngbossross2009-02-05 15:07:512009-02-05 15:07:51January 09 Sales Story
The Performance Rights Act, which would create a sound recording performance right for terrestrial radio, was reintroduced to Congress today (2/4). The bill would require radio stations, which already pay royalties to songwriters for broadcasting their music, to also pay the artists and musicians performing the songs, as well owners of the master recordings.
Under the proposed legislation, the parties involved would negotiate rates amongst themselves, or those rates could be set by the Copyright Royalty Board and paid to SoundExchange. The bill also makes accommodations for small broadcasters, public and religious radio stations.
AM and FM radio is the only music platform that does not pay a fair performance right to artists and musicians for the use of their work. Satellite, cable and internet radio compensate artists when they play their music. The Performance Rights Act would bring the United States in line with almost every other nation in the world.
Among those supporting the legislation were Tennesseans Bob Corker (R-TN) in the Senate, and Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) in the House of Representatives.
https://musicrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/MusicRow-header-logo-Mar19B.png00Sarah Skateshttps://musicrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/MusicRow-header-logo-Mar19B.pngSarah Skates2009-02-04 15:59:072009-02-04 15:59:07Performance Rights Act Back in Congress
The ACM’s three newcomer awards—Top New Female Vocalist, Top New Male Vocalist and Top New Vocal Duo or Group—will be opened up to fan voting for the first time this year. Exclusively at GACTV.com, voting for the categories will run Fri., Feb. 13 through Thurs., March 5. After those winners are announced on March 9, they will move on to compete in the new Awards category, Top New Artist. Fan voting for that category will then run March 16-April 5, with the winner being announced live during the 44th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards on April 5.
Through a new partnership with the ACM, GAC will air several television specials surrounding the fan-voted awards, including a show featuring nominees and a special on the winner. The first GAC program featuring the nine nominees premieres Feb. 20 and will be hosted by reigning Top New Male Vocalist Jack Ingram. On March 19, GAC will debut a show hosted by Sara Evans, wherein the winner in each category will perform and receive the awards for Top New Female Vocalist, Top New Male Vocalist, and Top New Vocal Duo or Group.
As previously reported, most nominees for the Academy of Country Music Awards will be announced Wed., Feb. 11 in Nashville.
https://musicrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/MusicRow-header-logo-Mar19B.png00Sarah Skateshttps://musicrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/MusicRow-header-logo-Mar19B.pngSarah Skates2009-02-04 15:59:022009-02-04 15:59:02ACM Adds More Fan-Voted Awards
Country Music Hall of Fame member Vince Gill opened his run as the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum’s 2009 Artist-in-Residence last night (2/3). Treating the intimate Ford Theater audience to an acoustic set, Gill accepted requests and ran through numerous hits such as “Go Rest High On That Mountain,” “Liza Jane,” and “When I Call Your Name,” as well as newer songs like his Leslie Satcher co-write “Bread And Water,” and “Buttermilk John,” penned for the late session musician John Hughey.
Gill was joined onstage by bandmates Mike Bub, Billy Thomas and Pete Wasner, as well as guests Danny Flowers performing “Tulsa Time,” and The Statler Brothers’ Jimmy Fortune singing “Elizabeth.” The sold out residency continues on February 17 and 24.
Pictured L-R: Bub, Thomas, Wasner, VP of Museum Programs Jay Orr, Gill and Museum Director Kyle Young. Photo: Donn Jones
https://musicrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/MusicRow-header-logo-Mar19B.png00Sarah Skateshttps://musicrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/MusicRow-header-logo-Mar19B.pngSarah Skates2009-02-04 15:58:562009-02-04 15:58:56Vince Gill Kicks off Hall of Fame Residency
All of a sudden, there is a banquet of Nashville-oriented jazz releases on hand.
This is a growing, strong and highly gifted segment of our music community, so this week we’re throwing the spotlight on it.
There is something to recommend in every disc here. But the clear winner of the Disc of the Day award is the always amazing Take 6. Good luck at the Grammy Awards on Sunday, guys. I’m rooting for ya.
Our DisCovery Award goes to a young lady named Heather Rigdon.
ROD MAGAHA/A Gentle Man Writer: Jeff Steinberg; Producer: Rod Magaha; Publisher: none listed; RM (track) (www.rodmagaha.net)
—The title tune to trumpeter Magaha’s new CD is a dreamy, piano-flecked ballad. The purity of his tone is outstanding, and the phrasing couldn’t be more precise. Elsewhere on the set, he works his magic on standards like “The Look of Love,” “When I Fall in Love” and “How Long Has This Been Going On.” Rod also has a new, six-tune EP called Stand Up for Love. Both discs are enthusiastically recommended.
HEATHER RIGDON/Young & Naive Writer: none listed; Producer: Cliff Goldmacher; Publisher: none listed; HR (track) (615-320-7233)
—The debut album by chanteuse Rigdon is called Young & Naive. From the opening notes of this title track she stakes her claim as a distinctive, off-the-beat phraser, a languid stylist and a charming, minor-key melody manipulator. Promising in the extreme.
TAKE 6/Sweet Georgia Brown Writer: Maceo Pinkard/Kenneth Casey Sr./Ben Bernie; Producer: Mark Kibble; Publisher: Warner Bros./WB, ASCAP; Heads Up (track)
—The Nashville press corps has been practically mum about the fact that the current Take 6 CD The Standard is up for three Grammys. Just so you know, four of the six are Middle Tennesseans, the disc was recorded here and best-arranger nominee Cedric Dent teaches at MTSU. The excitement over the CD is understandable, since it is what the jazz community has been begging for from these guys for years, an album of standards. This opening track is Take 6 at its best, jiving a cappella harmonized vocals and whistling by Mark Kibble. Elsewhere, guests include guitarist George Benson (”Straighten Up and Fly Right”), Aaron Neville (”Do You Know What it Means to Miss New Orleans”) and member Claude McKnight’s star brother Brian (”What’s Going On”). I LOVE this record.
KAREN JOHNS & COMPANY/Southland Summer Writer: Karen L. Johns/Kevin Sanders; Producer: James Johns & Karen Johns; Publisher: Vital Force, ASCAP; PtarmiganMusic/Jazz (track) (www.karenjohns.com) —Star and Season, the new CD by Nashville club fave Johns and her band, is a mixture of standards (”Stars Fell on Alabama,” “Desafinado,” “If,” “Autumn Leaves,” “Night and Day”) and splendid original tunes like this one. I love the way she alternates spitting short notes with drawled passages, growling effects and high soprano leaps. This is a vocalist of uncommon ability, and the band cooks with gas.
VICTOR WOOTEN/2 Timers Writer: Victor L. Wooten; Producer: none listed; Publisher: VixLix/Bug, ASCAP; Heads Up (track) (www,victorwooten.com)
—This bass-playing virtuoso is nominated for two Grammy Awards as a member of The Flecktones. His current, almost entirely self composed Palmystery solo disc is a brain buzzing, sonically dazzling pastiche of shifting time signatures, burbling bass passages, evolving melodies and alternating emotional moods that completely captures your attention from this opening track onward. The various collaborators are a who’s-who of the Music City jazz scene. Heads Up International, the label of both this and the Take 6 CD, is a Cleveland, Ohio label that obviously has great taste.
DIANE MARINO & FELIX CAVALIERE/Groovin’ Writer: Felix Cavaliere/Edward Brigati Jr.; Producer: Frank Marino, Gary Dales & Diane Marino; Publisher: EMI April/Jemaxal, ASCAP; M&M (track)
—Alto vocalist Marino’s CD is titled Just Groovin.’ On its title tune, she duets with one of Nashville’s nicest Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Famers. Her liquid voice fits nicely with Felix Cavaliere’s brighter, spunkier tone. The lady is evidently well connected. Also contributing to her CD are Kirk Whalum, Mark Douthit, Rod Magaha and other high-profile instrumentalists. I don’t think the strings were needed, however.
WILLIE NELSON & WYNTON MARSALIS/Night Life Writer: Nelson/Breeland/Buskirk; Producer: none listed; Publisher: Glad/Pappy Daily/Sony ATV Tree, BMI; Blue Note (track) —Two Men with the Blues was recorded live at Lincoln Center last year. Wynton sings in spots as well as playing his distinctive trumpet. Willie is just Willie. I have always thought that his “Night Life” was essentially a jazz song, and now it is. I guess jazz agrees with The Red-Headed Stranger. His next project is with western swingers Asleep at the Wheel.
https://musicrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/MusicRow-header-logo-Mar19B.png00Robert K Oermannhttps://musicrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/MusicRow-header-logo-Mar19B.pngRobert K Oermann2009-02-04 15:36:512009-02-04 15:36:51DISClaimer
Randy Houser’s “Boots On” is the followup single to his hit debut single “Anything Goes.” Taken from his first Universal Records South album Anything Goes, the song was penned by Houser with Brandon Kinney and inspired by Houser’s dad.
“Melodically, the song was based on that slide-blues-guitar riff you hear,” says Houser. “As we were sitting down to write, I started playing that lick. And I remembered something that my Daddy always told me: ‘If you’re going to go out, make sure you go out with your boots on.’ Toward the end of his life, we had this talk and I had to make some difficult decisions at the time. I was just 21 years old when he passed, and it was tough. But I will say this: he did go out with his boots on. He didn’t die; he lived. He really did.”
Houser is currently on the Jagermeister Country Tour with Pat Green. His songs have been recorded by Trace Adkins (”Honky Tonk Badonkadonk”), John Michael Montgomery (”If You Ever Went Away”) and many others.
Trailer Choir
/by ProgrammerPlaylist“What Would You Say”
Show Dog Nashville
“My father and I talked about the mining accident and both of us were taken aback by the loss and devastation it must have had on the families and friends of the miners and the Sago community,” says Butter. “He asked me what would I say if I were in that situation and I knew my chances of making it out alive were fading? What would I write on that note at that moment in time? He said, ‘I think that would be a question to ask in a song. What would you say?’
“I was inspired to try and write a song that showed how these hard working men who were just trying to support their families died with a heroic impact,” he continues. “They are examples of how we all should live our lives—to have the courage and love to write a note on a piece of paper in such a desperate moment.”
The trio of Butter, Big Vinny and Crystal signed to Show Dog in 2007 and joined Toby Keith’s Big Dog Daddy tour. Their debut single “Off The Hillbilly Hook” was used in Toby’s feature film Beer For My Horses and their self-titled EP is available in all digital outlets.
www.trailerchoir.com
Urban And Rimes Get GRAMMY Face Time
/by Sarah SkatesKeith Urban has been added to the GRAMMY performance schedule as part of a Bo Diddley tribute featuring fellow current nominees Buddy Guy, B.B. King, and John Mayer. At the Feb. 8 Awards show, Urban is up for Best Country Collaboration With Vocals (“Let The Wind Chase You” with Trisha Yearwood).
Joining the presenter list is LeAnn Rimes who is nominated for Best Female Country Vocal Performance (“What I Cannot Change”). Other performers announced today (2/5) are Terence Blanchard, Neil Diamond, M.I.A., Robin Thicke, Allen Toussaint, and Stevie Wonder.
Gospel Hall Holds 2009 Inductions
/by Sarah SkatesThe GMA Foundation inducted artists Michael W. Smith, Dolly Parton, Dr. Bobby Jones and The Dixie Hummingbirds along with music producer Lari Goss into the GMA Gospel Music Hall of Fame on Feb. 2 at a ceremony at Richland Country Club.
Established in 1971, the GMA Gospel Music Hall of Fame has inducted more than 150 members including Elvis Presley, Amy Grant, the Blind Boys of Alabama, Sandi Patty, The Oak Ridge Boys, Bill and Gloria Gaither, Billy Graham and the Jordanaires.
(L-R): Steve Brallier, Exec. Dir of GMA Foundation; Inductee Lari Goss; Inductee Lyndon Baines Jones (Dixie Hummingbirds); Inductee Michael W. Smith; Inductee Dr. Bobby Jones; Inductee Dolly Parton; Ed Harper, chairman of the GMA Foundation Board; John W. Styll, Pres./CEO of GMA; Inductees Dixie Hummingbirds Sundray Tucker (daughter of late Ira Tucker), Carlton Lewis, William Bright and Torrey Nettles. Photo: Aaron Crisler
Baldrica Adds Duties To VP Post
/by Sarah SkatesA 16-year label veteran, Baldrica first arrived at BNA in 1993 as Southeast regional. Working his way through the ranks, he was named to then-new role of Vice President, Marketing in September 2006, handling all of the label group’s imprints including Arista Nashville, BNA Records, Columbia Nashville, and RCA Nashville.
When announcing Baldrica’s new duties Exec. VP Butch Waugh remarked, “Tom has been working closely with our Creative department over the past year to ensure a consistent image and marketing message. Tom’s keen eye coupled with his knowledge of the marketplace makes this a natural move to place our artists in their best position to enjoy success.”
January 09 Sales Story
/by bossrossAlmost escaping notice, January 2009 has trailed off into obscurity, but the short story regarding country sales continues to be, “more of the same.” Top 75 Current Country sales fell short of the 300k mark again this week reaching about 295,000 units. Year-to-date country sales are now down 20.5%. One bright spot is country digital album sales which are up 36.1%, but not enough to make up for the lost revenue from physical sales. Pat Green launched a new CD this week which scanned 18,195 units, enough to take the No. 2 spot behind Taylor Swift’s 55,102 units. Green also kicked off his headline Jaegermeister Country tour in Atlanta last week, which will visit 25 major markets in the next three months.
It may be too early to express certainty, but it appears that country digital album downloads are increasing as a percentage of total country album sales. Last year country digital albums averaged about 7.4% of total country album sales, for ’09 the number has jumped to 12.7%.
On the pop side, Bruce Springsteen leveraged his Super Bowl performance to debut at No. 1 with 223,741 scans, edging Swift out of the top spot which she owned for eight consecutive weeks. Overall album sales are down 12% YTD.
On the horizon we have debuts coming this week from Dierks Bentley and Aaron Tippin.
Performance Rights Act Back in Congress
/by Sarah SkatesThe Performance Rights Act, which would create a sound recording performance right for terrestrial radio, was reintroduced to Congress today (2/4). The bill would require radio stations, which already pay royalties to songwriters for broadcasting their music, to also pay the artists and musicians performing the songs, as well owners of the master recordings.
Under the proposed legislation, the parties involved would negotiate rates amongst themselves, or those rates could be set by the Copyright Royalty Board and paid to SoundExchange. The bill also makes accommodations for small broadcasters, public and religious radio stations.
AM and FM radio is the only music platform that does not pay a fair performance right to artists and musicians for the use of their work. Satellite, cable and internet radio compensate artists when they play their music. The Performance Rights Act would bring the United States in line with almost every other nation in the world.
Among those supporting the legislation were Tennesseans Bob Corker (R-TN) in the Senate, and Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) in the House of Representatives.
ACM Adds More Fan-Voted Awards
/by Sarah SkatesThrough a new partnership with the ACM, GAC will air several television specials surrounding the fan-voted awards, including a show featuring nominees and a special on the winner. The first GAC program featuring the nine nominees premieres Feb. 20 and will be hosted by reigning Top New Male Vocalist Jack Ingram. On March 19, GAC will debut a show hosted by Sara Evans, wherein the winner in each category will perform and receive the awards for Top New Female Vocalist, Top New Male Vocalist, and Top New Vocal Duo or Group.
As previously reported, most nominees for the Academy of Country Music Awards will be announced Wed., Feb. 11 in Nashville.
Vince Gill Kicks off Hall of Fame Residency
/by Sarah SkatesCountry Music Hall of Fame member Vince Gill opened his run as the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum’s 2009 Artist-in-Residence last night (2/3). Treating the intimate Ford Theater audience to an acoustic set, Gill accepted requests and ran through numerous hits such as “Go Rest High On That Mountain,” “Liza Jane,” and “When I Call Your Name,” as well as newer songs like his Leslie Satcher co-write “Bread And Water,” and “Buttermilk John,” penned for the late session musician John Hughey.
Gill was joined onstage by bandmates Mike Bub, Billy Thomas and Pete Wasner, as well as guests Danny Flowers performing “Tulsa Time,” and The Statler Brothers’ Jimmy Fortune singing “Elizabeth.” The sold out residency continues on February 17 and 24.
Pictured L-R: Bub, Thomas, Wasner, VP of Museum Programs Jay Orr, Gill and Museum Director Kyle Young. Photo: Donn Jones
DISClaimer
/by Robert K OermannThis is a growing, strong and highly gifted segment of our music community, so this week we’re throwing the spotlight on it.
There is something to recommend in every disc here. But the clear winner of the Disc of the Day award is the always amazing Take 6. Good luck at the Grammy Awards on Sunday, guys. I’m rooting for ya.
Our DisCovery Award goes to a young lady named Heather Rigdon.
Writer: Jeff Steinberg; Producer: Rod Magaha; Publisher: none listed; RM (track) (www.rodmagaha.net)
—The title tune to trumpeter Magaha’s new CD is a dreamy, piano-flecked ballad. The purity of his tone is outstanding, and the phrasing couldn’t be more precise. Elsewhere on the set, he works his magic on standards like “The Look of Love,” “When I Fall in Love” and “How Long Has This Been Going On.” Rod also has a new, six-tune EP called Stand Up for Love. Both discs are enthusiastically recommended.
HEATHER RIGDON/Young & Naive
Writer: none listed; Producer: Cliff Goldmacher; Publisher: none listed; HR (track) (615-320-7233)
—The debut album by chanteuse Rigdon is called Young & Naive. From the opening notes of this title track she stakes her claim as a distinctive, off-the-beat phraser, a languid stylist and a charming, minor-key melody manipulator. Promising in the extreme.
TAKE 6/Sweet Georgia Brown
Writer: Maceo Pinkard/Kenneth Casey Sr./Ben Bernie; Producer: Mark Kibble; Publisher: Warner Bros./WB, ASCAP; Heads Up (track)
—The Nashville press corps has been practically mum about the fact that the current Take 6 CD The Standard is up for three Grammys. Just so you know, four of the six are Middle Tennesseans, the disc was recorded here and best-arranger nominee Cedric Dent teaches at MTSU. The excitement over the CD is understandable, since it is what the jazz community has been begging for from these guys for years, an album of standards. This opening track is Take 6 at its best, jiving a cappella harmonized vocals and whistling by Mark Kibble. Elsewhere, guests include guitarist George Benson (”Straighten Up and Fly Right”), Aaron Neville (”Do You Know What it Means to Miss New Orleans”) and member Claude McKnight’s star brother Brian (”What’s Going On”). I LOVE this record.
KAREN JOHNS & COMPANY/Southland Summer
Writer: Karen L. Johns/Kevin Sanders; Producer: James Johns & Karen Johns; Publisher: Vital Force, ASCAP; PtarmiganMusic/Jazz (track) (www.karenjohns.com)
—Star and Season, the new CD by Nashville club fave Johns and her band, is a mixture of standards (”Stars Fell on Alabama,” “Desafinado,” “If,” “Autumn Leaves,” “Night and Day”) and splendid original tunes like this one. I love the way she alternates spitting short notes with drawled passages, growling effects and high soprano leaps. This is a vocalist of uncommon ability, and the band cooks with gas.
VICTOR WOOTEN/2 Timers
Writer: Victor L. Wooten; Producer: none listed; Publisher: VixLix/Bug, ASCAP; Heads Up (track) (www,victorwooten.com)
—This bass-playing virtuoso is nominated for two Grammy Awards as a member of The Flecktones. His current, almost entirely self composed Palmystery solo disc is a brain buzzing, sonically dazzling pastiche of shifting time signatures, burbling bass passages, evolving melodies and alternating emotional moods that completely captures your attention from this opening track onward. The various collaborators are a who’s-who of the Music City jazz scene. Heads Up International, the label of both this and the Take 6 CD, is a Cleveland, Ohio label that obviously has great taste.
DIANE MARINO & FELIX CAVALIERE/Groovin’
Writer: Felix Cavaliere/Edward Brigati Jr.; Producer: Frank Marino, Gary Dales & Diane Marino; Publisher: EMI April/Jemaxal, ASCAP; M&M (track)
—Alto vocalist Marino’s CD is titled Just Groovin.’ On its title tune, she duets with one of Nashville’s nicest Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Famers. Her liquid voice fits nicely with Felix Cavaliere’s brighter, spunkier tone. The lady is evidently well connected. Also contributing to her CD are Kirk Whalum, Mark Douthit, Rod Magaha and other high-profile instrumentalists. I don’t think the strings were needed, however.
WILLIE NELSON & WYNTON MARSALIS/Night Life
Writer: Nelson/Breeland/Buskirk; Producer: none listed; Publisher: Glad/Pappy Daily/Sony ATV Tree, BMI; Blue Note (track)
—Two Men with the Blues was recorded live at Lincoln Center last year. Wynton sings in spots as well as playing his distinctive trumpet. Willie is just Willie. I have always thought that his “Night Life” was essentially a jazz song, and now it is. I guess jazz agrees with The Red-Headed Stranger. His next project is with western swingers Asleep at the Wheel.
Randy Houser
/by ProgrammerPlaylist“Boots On”
Universal Records South
“Melodically, the song was based on that slide-blues-guitar riff you hear,” says Houser. “As we were sitting down to write, I started playing that lick. And I remembered something that my Daddy always told me: ‘If you’re going to go out, make sure you go out with your boots on.’ Toward the end of his life, we had this talk and I had to make some difficult decisions at the time. I was just 21 years old when he passed, and it was tough. But I will say this: he did go out with his boots on. He didn’t die; he lived. He really did.”
Houser is currently on the Jagermeister Country Tour with Pat Green. His songs have been recorded by Trace Adkins (”Honky Tonk Badonkadonk”), John Michael Montgomery (”If You Ever Went Away”) and many others.
http://www.randyhouser.com/