Good luck picking your playlist out of this stack of excellence.
All 10 of these records deserve to be heard. On top of that, four of them are from bona fide format superstars—Keith Urban, Sugarland, Brad Paisley and Tim McGraw—while two more are by consistent airplay favorites—Jason Michael Carroll and the Zac Brown Band. Toss in a couple of legends—Larry Gatlin and Ray Stevens—and endearing up-and-comer Blaine Larsen, and you’ve got a mighty full sonic platter.
Let’s see, that makes nine contenders. The 10th comes from our town’s newest imprint, Republic Nashville. A pat on the back and a DisCovery Award go to Fast Ryde.
And about that Disc of the Day prize? In an extremely competitive field, the inspirational Brad Paisley charges onto the turf and rides away with it.
KEITH URBAN/Only You Can Love Me This Way
Writer: Steve McEwen/John Reid; Producer: Dann Huff & Keith Urban; Publisher: EMI Blackwood/Birds with Ears/Sony-ATV, BMI/PRS; Capitol Nashville (track)
—There’s something very “California” sounding about this dreamy outing. The repeated acoustic guitar figure is enchanting, and the vocal harmonies are absolutely lovely. This is a sound to get lost in.
FAST RYDE/That Thang
Writer: James Harrison/Jody Stevens; Producer: Jeff Stevens, Jody Stevens & James Harrison; Publisher: OMG Songs Nashville/Jody Stevens/Songs of One Music Group/Mailbox Dance, BMI/SESAC; Republic Nashville
—This offspring of “Badonkadonk” bops along solidly. This time the riff is, “da dang dang, dang da doing doing doing” while the percussion thumps and the guitar grinds.
BRAD PAISLEY/Welcome To The Future
Writer: Brad Paisley/Chris DuBois; Producer: Frank Rogers; Publisher: none listed, ASCAP; Arista (track)
—Utterly joyous sounding. The steel playing is celestial. Brad’s guitar gets a fleet-fingered, mid-song workout. His singing of the upbeat tune makes you want to crank it up to “10.” Amid the celebration of the times we’re living in, there’s even a shout-out to racial progress. I’m just loving this total audio delight, because it rocks in every way. Also check out the more quietly personal lyric in the “reprise” version. In fact, check out the whole American Saturday Night CD. It has “Album of the Year” potential in every groove.
RAY STEVENS/If Ten Per Cent IS Good Enough For Jesus
Writer: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Clyde (www.raystevens.com)
—The second part of the title is “it ought to be enough for Uncle Sam.” That’s right, it’s a tax-protest tune. What’s more, it’s catchy.
ZAC BROWN BAND/Toes
Writer: Zac Brown/Wyatt Durrette/John Hopkins/Shawn Mullins; Producer: Keith Stegall & Zac Brown; Publisher: Weimerhound/Lil’ dub/Angelika/Brighter Shade/Bug/Roadie Odie, BMI; Home Grown/Big Picture/Atlantic (track)
—These guys are the most refreshing thing to happen to country music in years. As usual, the tune is soaked with groove. This time, it’s a Buffett-beach vibe. Summer’s vacation soundtrack is right here.
JASON MICHAEL CARROLL/Hurry Home
Writer: Zane Williams; Producer: Don Gehman; Publisher: Year of the Dog/Big Yellow Dog, ASCAP; Arista (track)
—JMC eases into a ballad mode this time around. He couldn’t have chosen a better song to do it with, because this is extremely well written. It is one of those perfectly constructed story songs that no one but a country-music person could write or sing. This is what we do best.
BLAINE LARSEN/It Did
Writer: Marv Green/Jim Collins; Producer: Jimmy Ritchey; Publisher: Warner-Tamerlane/Sycamore Canyon/Hope N Cal/Sexy Tractor, BMI; Treehouse (615-478-9056)
—This trajectory of a romance that just gets better and better goes down easy with Blaine’s confident, mature vocal presence. For lovers everywhere.
TIM McGRAW/It’s A Business Doing Pleasure With You
Writer: Brett James/Joey Moi/Chad Kroeger; Producer: Byron Gallimore, Tim McGraw & Darran Smith; Publisher: Stege Three/Brett James Cornelius/Moi Music Productions/Warner-Tamerlane/Anaesthectic, ASCAP/SOCAN/BMI; Curb
—“You’ve got more purses than Versace/Got more rings than Liberace.” There’s more: “Gucci” rhymes with “sushi.” And so forth. Hilarious? You bet.
LARRY GATLIN & THE GATLIN BROTHERS/Johnny Cash Is Dead
Writer: Larry Gatlin/Johnny Cash; Producer: Terry Choate; Publisher: Mike Curb/Mutual Attraction/Magnet/Barton Creek/Song of Cash/Bug, BMI/ASCAP; Curb (CDX)
—It has Johnny’s boom-chicka-boom rhythm and a lyric saluting country greats who have passed on—Chet, Waylon, Patsy and Marty—and mourning the lack of fiddles and steel guitars in today’s sound. All in all, extremely listenable.
SUGARLAND/Joey
Writer: Jennifer Nettles/Kristian Bush/Bill Anderson; Producer: Byron Gallimore, Kristian Bush & Jennifer Nettles; Publisher: Jennifer Nettles/EMI Blackwood/Dirkpit/Sony-ATV, ASCAP/BMI; Mercury (CDX)
—Joey is gone, and she pleads powerfully for forgiveness. The driving tempo and echoey production conjure up an atmosphere of crying in the wilderness. Get a load of that writing credit. Bill Anderson penned his first hit more than 50 years ago, and he’s still at it, stronger than ever. The man is a musical miracle.
DISClaimer (7/10/09)
/by Robert K OermannAll 10 of these records deserve to be heard. On top of that, four of them are from bona fide format superstars—Keith Urban, Sugarland, Brad Paisley and Tim McGraw—while two more are by consistent airplay favorites—Jason Michael Carroll and the Zac Brown Band. Toss in a couple of legends—Larry Gatlin and Ray Stevens—and endearing up-and-comer Blaine Larsen, and you’ve got a mighty full sonic platter.
And about that Disc of the Day prize? In an extremely competitive field, the inspirational Brad Paisley charges onto the turf and rides away with it.
KEITH URBAN/Only You Can Love Me This Way
Writer: Steve McEwen/John Reid; Producer: Dann Huff & Keith Urban; Publisher: EMI Blackwood/Birds with Ears/Sony-ATV, BMI/PRS; Capitol Nashville (track)
—There’s something very “California” sounding about this dreamy outing. The repeated acoustic guitar figure is enchanting, and the vocal harmonies are absolutely lovely. This is a sound to get lost in.
FAST RYDE/That Thang
Writer: James Harrison/Jody Stevens; Producer: Jeff Stevens, Jody Stevens & James Harrison; Publisher: OMG Songs Nashville/Jody Stevens/Songs of One Music Group/Mailbox Dance, BMI/SESAC; Republic Nashville
—This offspring of “Badonkadonk” bops along solidly. This time the riff is, “da dang dang, dang da doing doing doing” while the percussion thumps and the guitar grinds.
BRAD PAISLEY/Welcome To The Future
Writer: Brad Paisley/Chris DuBois; Producer: Frank Rogers; Publisher: none listed, ASCAP; Arista (track)
—Utterly joyous sounding. The steel playing is celestial. Brad’s guitar gets a fleet-fingered, mid-song workout. His singing of the upbeat tune makes you want to crank it up to “10.” Amid the celebration of the times we’re living in, there’s even a shout-out to racial progress. I’m just loving this total audio delight, because it rocks in every way. Also check out the more quietly personal lyric in the “reprise” version. In fact, check out the whole American Saturday Night CD. It has “Album of the Year” potential in every groove.
RAY STEVENS/If Ten Per Cent IS Good Enough For Jesus
Writer: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Clyde (www.raystevens.com)
—The second part of the title is “it ought to be enough for Uncle Sam.” That’s right, it’s a tax-protest tune. What’s more, it’s catchy.
ZAC BROWN BAND/Toes
Writer: Zac Brown/Wyatt Durrette/John Hopkins/Shawn Mullins; Producer: Keith Stegall & Zac Brown; Publisher: Weimerhound/Lil’ dub/Angelika/Brighter Shade/Bug/Roadie Odie, BMI; Home Grown/Big Picture/Atlantic (track)
—These guys are the most refreshing thing to happen to country music in years. As usual, the tune is soaked with groove. This time, it’s a Buffett-beach vibe. Summer’s vacation soundtrack is right here.
JASON MICHAEL CARROLL/Hurry Home
Writer: Zane Williams; Producer: Don Gehman; Publisher: Year of the Dog/Big Yellow Dog, ASCAP; Arista (track)
—JMC eases into a ballad mode this time around. He couldn’t have chosen a better song to do it with, because this is extremely well written. It is one of those perfectly constructed story songs that no one but a country-music person could write or sing. This is what we do best.
BLAINE LARSEN/It Did
Writer: Marv Green/Jim Collins; Producer: Jimmy Ritchey; Publisher: Warner-Tamerlane/Sycamore Canyon/Hope N Cal/Sexy Tractor, BMI; Treehouse (615-478-9056)
—This trajectory of a romance that just gets better and better goes down easy with Blaine’s confident, mature vocal presence. For lovers everywhere.
TIM McGRAW/It’s A Business Doing Pleasure With You
Writer: Brett James/Joey Moi/Chad Kroeger; Producer: Byron Gallimore, Tim McGraw & Darran Smith; Publisher: Stege Three/Brett James Cornelius/Moi Music Productions/Warner-Tamerlane/Anaesthectic, ASCAP/SOCAN/BMI; Curb
—“You’ve got more purses than Versace/Got more rings than Liberace.” There’s more: “Gucci” rhymes with “sushi.” And so forth. Hilarious? You bet.
LARRY GATLIN & THE GATLIN BROTHERS/Johnny Cash Is Dead
Writer: Larry Gatlin/Johnny Cash; Producer: Terry Choate; Publisher: Mike Curb/Mutual Attraction/Magnet/Barton Creek/Song of Cash/Bug, BMI/ASCAP; Curb (CDX)
—It has Johnny’s boom-chicka-boom rhythm and a lyric saluting country greats who have passed on—Chet, Waylon, Patsy and Marty—and mourning the lack of fiddles and steel guitars in today’s sound. All in all, extremely listenable.
SUGARLAND/Joey
Writer: Jennifer Nettles/Kristian Bush/Bill Anderson; Producer: Byron Gallimore, Kristian Bush & Jennifer Nettles; Publisher: Jennifer Nettles/EMI Blackwood/Dirkpit/Sony-ATV, ASCAP/BMI; Mercury (CDX)
—Joey is gone, and she pleads powerfully for forgiveness. The driving tempo and echoey production conjure up an atmosphere of crying in the wilderness. Get a load of that writing credit. Bill Anderson penned his first hit more than 50 years ago, and he’s still at it, stronger than ever. The man is a musical miracle.
Jennifer Nettles Still on Vocal Rest
/by Sarah SkatesNettles is on vocal rest, but Sugarland's first network TV special, Love On The Inside, will air Aug. 3 on ABC. The CD/DVD of the same name will be available exclusively at Wal-Mart the next day.
Sugarland’s Jennifer Nettles has received doctor’s orders to rest her voice for the next week due to complications of vocal strain and overuse. The problem is related to the viral tonsil condition the singer has been battling since January.
This will affect Sugarland’s tour dates from now through July 25th, including stops in Utah, Nevada and Arizona. The Love On The Inside tour will resume July 30 in Bend, OR. Nettles and Kristian Bush have posted a video message for fans addressing the situation at www.sugarlandmusic.com.
The July 24th date in Primm, NV has been postponed until 8/6/2010, while it has not yet been determined whether the Sandy, Utah and Phoenix, AZ shows will be rescheduled.
Pickler, GAC in DC, and Puckett’s Rising Star
/by Sarah Skates—————————-
GAC had exclusive access to the White House’s Country Music event this week. Performers included Alison Krauss + Union Station, Brad Paisley, and Charley Pride. The special, Country Music at the White House, will air Aug. 15 at 8:00 pm/CT with host Storme Warren.
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“The Climb” Wins MTV Music Award
/by Sarah SkatesPictured L-R: Kos Weaver (VP Disney Music Publishing); Doug Howard (Sr. VP Lyric Street/Carolwood and Disney Music); Missy Roberts (Creative Director Stage Three Music Publishing); Jon Mabe (Stage Three songwriter); Jessi Alexander (Disney songwriter), and Tim Hunze (GM Stage Three Music)
Disney Music Publishing along with Stage Three Music and songwriters Jessi Alexander and Jon Mabe toasted their recent win at the 2009 MTV Music Awards for Best Song From A Movie for the hit single “The Climb” performed by Miley Cyrus. After soaring to the No. 1 spot on both the Billboard and Mediabase AC charts, this smash continues to top the charts for the third consecutive week. It is currently climbing the country airplay charts and is one of the best-selling songs with more than 2 million downloads to date.
“Wow! I never dreamed I would have a golden popcorn to put on the piano,” said Jessi when hearing of the win. “Seriously, I’m incredibly honored to know this song has reached so many people and continues to be a fan favorite.”
Produced by John Shanks, “The Climb,” is from Hannah Montana: The Movie and the accompanying Platinum selling soundtrack.
Halfway To Hazard Hosts MusicRow Picnic
/by Sarah Skates(Back L-R) MR Chart Mgr. Jon Freeman, Boss Ross, RowFax Mgr. Michelle Ross, News Editor Sarah Skates, Art Dir. Christie King; Front: Chad Warrix and David Tolliver
Halfway to Hazard stopped by MusicRow yesterday for a performance and indoor picnic. Chad Warrix and David Tolliver kept the staff in stitches for most of the visit but managed to squeeze in two songs, including new single “I Know Where Heaven Is.”
MusicRow employees, H2H, and manager Christopher Washko enjoyed noshing on food at the picnic, which had a blue and white motif in honor of H2H’s home state Kentucky and label partner Picnic Hill.
Bigger Picture Entertainment is handling radio promotion and marketing for the band’s yet-to-be named sophomore album due out third quarter 2009 on Tim McGraw and Byron Gallimore’s StyleSonic/Picnic Hill Records.
Music Row Ladies Gear Up For Golf Tourney
/by Sarah SkatesSponsored by ASCAP, Tim McGraw, UMG Nashville and UBS, this tournament has proven to be one of the music business’ most creative and charitable events. With hundreds of music industry professionals and several Country Music stars, over one million dollars has been raised for UCP. The day includes breakfast from Bread & Co., lunch by Jim ‘N’ Nicks, Happy Hour at the 19th Hole courtesy of Kenny Chesney, and a Loveless Café-sponsored dinner, awards ceremony and a silent auction.
Teams include 19 Entertainment; Anchor Down Entertainment; Avenue Bank; Big Loud Shirt Industries; Big Tractor; Cherry Heart Music; Chumley Productions; CMA; Coburn Music; Corlew Music Group; Curb Records; EMI Music Publishing; Flood, Bumstead, McCready & McCarthy; Hampton Music Publishing; Larga Vista Music; Martin, Allbee, & Associates; Melanie Howard Music; Montage Music Publishing; Musicians Hall of Fame & Museum; NARAS; Ole Songs; RS Planes; S1 Songs American; Sony/ATV Music Publishing; Stroudavarious; SunTrust Bank; The Kella Stephenson Company; UMG Nashville; Universal Music Publishing; Universal Records South; Warner Music Group and Zavitson Music Group.
Roy Clark, Billy Currington, More
/by Sarah SkatesPictured—Clark and Vice President of Museum Services Carolyn Tate; Photo: Richard Suter
Country Music Hall of Fame member Roy Clark donated several items to the Country Music Hall on Fame® and Museum on Saturday (7/18). The artifacts, which will be on display beginning August 1 in the Museum’s permanent exhibit, include a magenta three-piece Manuel suit with an embroidered silver lame´Manuel shirt, patent leather Tony Lama boots, and a Heritage H-535 Roy Clark Signature model electric guitar.
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Mercury Nashville recording artist Billy Currington will perform on CBS’ the Late Show with David Letterman Wed., Aug. 19. His single “People Are Crazy” tops the monitored charts this week, marking his fourth No. 1 and fastest-rising single of his career. It is the second No. 1 from Currington’s album Little Bit Of Everything, which is at No. 10 on Billboard’s Current Country Albums Chart.
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The Lost Trailers are featured on cmt.com’s Unplugged At Studio 330. The acoustic performance includes “Holler Back,” and newest single, “Country Folks (Livin’ Loud).” Viewers can also see exclusive interviews.
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The Producer’s Chair presents an interview with Chuck Howard (LeAnn Rimes, Kid Rock, Hank Jr., Johnny Cash and more) Thurs., July 23, 6 PM at Douglas Corner.
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A new radio show bringing together college football and country music is looking for guest artist hosts. College Football Country will hit the airwaves this fall, hosted by a different artist each week, highlighting their favorite college or alma mater’s game. For hosting opportunities, contact Kara Bullock at Atlanta based AIM Marketing Solutions 404-581-7114 or kbullock@aimmarketingsolutions.com
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The legendary Flatlanders— Joe Ely, Butch Hancock and Jimmie Dale Gilmore — appeared on The Late Show With David Letterman last night (7/21) before heading overseas for a three week tour of Europe. Upon their return, the New West Records band will be on NPR’s Mountain Stage on Aug. 16, and debut at the Grand Ole Opry on Sept. 18.
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August 7-9 will be a tax free weekend in Tennessee. Exemptions include clothing $100 or less per article, computers $1500 or less, and school supplies $100 or less.
Radney Foster Turns 50 With “Revival”
/by Sarah SkatesSinger-songwriter, artist and producer Radney Foster celebrated his 50th birthday
Monday night (July 20) with a performance at Nashville’s Exit/In. He was joined onstage by an incredible list of fellow writer-artist friends including Darius Rucker, Dierks Bentley, Jessi Alexander, Jon Randall, Georgia Middleman, Lee Roy Parnell, Vince Gill, Sam Bush and others. Friends from his publisher, Sea Gayle Music, and ASCAP caught up with Radney backstage after the show to wish him happy birthday and congratulate him on the upcoming release of Revival, due Sept. 1 on his own Devil’s River record label.
Pictured (L-R): ASCAP's Earle Simmons, Sea Gayle's Chris DuBois and Mike Owens, Foster, ASCAP's Herky Williams, Lee Roy Parnell and ASCAP's Mike Sistad