Label: RCA Nashville
Current Album: Easy Does It
Current Single & Video: “Don’t Think I Can’t Love You”
Current Producer: Jimmy Ritchey
Hometown: Vero Beach, Florida
Birthdate: August 28
Management: Morris Management Group
Booking: Dale Morris & Associates
Recent Hits: “Don’t Think I Can’t Love You,” “Startin’ with Me,” “Something About a Woman,” “Yee Haw”
Awards: Jake is the recently crowned ACM Top New Male Vocalist and has been an ACM, CMA, and Grammy nominee.
Interesting Facts: Jake co-wrote eight of the songs on Easy Does It, and he’s been a writer on each of his first four hits.
Touring & Special Appearances: Since the release of his debut album, Jake has toured with Brooks & Dunn, Kenny Chesney, Alan Jackson, Brad Paisley, Sugarland, Carrie Underwood, and more. He recently made his second appearance on ABC’s Good Morning America.
Musical Influences: Waylon Jennings and Hank Williams, Jr.
Website(s): www.jakeowen.net; www.myspace.com/jakeowen
Jake Owen’s major label life kicked off back in 2006 with a rowdy “Yee Haw,” the leadoff single from his RCA debut, Startin’ With Me. That song hit the Top 10 and earned the Florida native his first ACM nomination for Top New Male Vocalist. His participation in the multi-artist single, “Life In A Northern Town” helped to kick the singer/songwriter’s career into high gear and led to his first CMA and Grammy nominations in 2008. That momentum continued with “Don’t Think I Don’t Love You,” the hit single and video and leadoff track from his sophomore release, Easy Does It. The album’s title sums up Owen’s reaction to what might have been a sophomore curse.
“My main goal with this album was to make music that’s not overdone or over thought,” Owen said. “I just went in the studio and sang. I’d sing the song from start to finish a couple of times and then leave because there was no doubt in my mind that I’d done the best I could do. Whether it’s perfect or not, it’s who I am.”
Throughout Easy Does It, Owen does indeed sound more relaxed and confident as an artist. “Don’t Think I Can’t Love You” is the perfect example of how the personal experiences inspire his lyrics. Partly inspired by his father’s devotion to his mother over the years, the song is just the first of several songs written specifically about romantic relationships. Though some of the love songs on Easy Does It, such as “Eight Second Ride,” veer toward the rowdy side, Owen has his own set of standards when it comes to addressing the fairer sex.
“It’s really important for me when I’m writing songs that speak to women that I speak to them in a way of respect,” Owen says. “I try to write in a way where a guy listening would say, ‘Man, I’d say that to a girl.’ Conway Twitty did that. He sang songs to women all the time, but it was a very masculine way of saying it. It wasn’t soft. I don’t think any of my love songs on this record are soft.”
As he works to refine his own musical identity in the studio, Owen gives a lot of credit to his producer, Jimmy Ritchey. Their working relationship provides the perfect environment for Owen to experiment with his emerging sound. As a result, Easy Does It offers a freewheeling and creative brand of country music that goes well beyond the standard country radio fare. Whether it’s the haunting bagpipe passage that closes the album on “Nothin’ Grows in Shadows” or the expansive musical build-up that leads in to the opening track, “Tell Me,” every song on Easy Does It contains echoes of Owen’s musical heroes while allowing him to forge his own musical path.
“I’m not doing this for the money,” he says. “It’s about believing in what you do, and doing it because you love it. Making music is what I love to do.”
Carla Williams
/by ProgrammerPlaylist“Every Word You’re Thinking”
Lofton Creek
—Robert K. Oermann, MusicRow
Born and raised in the Heart of Dixie, Carla Williams has long had a passion for singing and performing. The Mobile, Alabama native recently signed with Mike Borchetta’s Lofton Creek Records and the label is releasing her debut single “Every Word You’re Thinking.”
In 2007 Williams decided to pursue her dreams of singing and found songwriter and award-winning filmmaker, Milton Brown via Myspace. After meeting with Brown, the two realized that this dream could very well happen. Brown introduced Williams to legendary songwriter, producer and composer Steve Dorff, who co-produced Williams’ debut album I’m Home with Brown.
Williams’ journey is just beginning, but she is enjoying every second of the road to fulfilling her dream. “It was all about someone in the industry believing in me and taking that leap of faith and encouraging me to believe that my dreams were just as important as the big stars in Nashville,” says Williams.
http://www.carlawilliamsmusic.com/
James Otto
/by ProgrammerPlaylist“Since You Brought It Up”
Warner Bros.
“As long as I can possibly remember I have been obsessed with music,” Otto says. “Listening to it on the radio, getting into my mom’s record collection—my tastes have changed, but music has been there my whole life.” Otto was raised all over the country, from Washington State, to his grandparents’ farm in North Dakota, and in rural Alabama. Otto didn’t just listen to music, he made it. “I got a record player with a mic on it when I was three or four, and I’ve been singing ever since,” he recalls.
Otto’s No. 1 hit “Just Got Started Lovin’ You” put the gentle giant on the map and earned him a spot on the Country Radio Broadcaster’s New Faces show. The song was also nominated for CMT’s Breakthrough Video of the Year. Another recent triumph was winning his first ACM award—Song of the Year, with co-writers Jamey Johnson and Thomas Lee Miller for the song, “In Color.”
James Otto’s new single, “Since You Brought It Up,” from his upcoming CD, shipped to radio on April 24 and will go for adds May 18th.
http://www.twitter.com/jamesotto
http://www.jamesotto.net
Aldean Sets 4th Annual “Concert for the Cure”
/by LB Cantrell“I know a lot of fans heard my friend Melissa’s story in the album special that GAC did,” says Aldean. “That two-minute clip barely touched on how passionate I feel about this. I promise to make it the most rocking late night gig in downtown Nashville that night, and I hope people will come out to support this cause and help me remember Melissa.”
Tickets range from $25 to $100 and are available to fan club members this week and to the public beginning May 2 through www.jasonaldean.com and TicketMaster. A limited number of VIP Packages including tickets in the exclusive VIP lounge and meet & greet passes will also be available. More information can be found here.
Reba Gets Hip to Twitter
/by LB Cantrell“I think that my song selections are a little more hip,” the singer told USA Today. “I know they’re more uptempo. They’re funky, they’re sassy, they’ve got attitude. Tony did the country swing, the more bluegrass song, and the funkabilly “I Want a Cowboy.” Mark did the more contemporary songs that I think are stupendous.” The album also includes “Keep On Loving You,” a song co-written by Brooks & Dunn’s Ronnie Dunn.
If her songs are getting hipper, so are her social networking skills. That’s right folks, Reba is now officially on Twitter. (@reba) While her Twitter following hasn’t yet approached that of Ashton Kutcher, Reba is indeed sending out the occasional Tweet and it shouldn’t be long before she’s being re-tweeted all over the place. For more information visit www.reba.com.
Due West
/by ProgrammerPlaylist“I Get That All The Time”
Bigger Than Me/Nine North
Matt Lopez and Brad Hull knew one another from living in Arizona and, after moving to Nashville, encountered Tim Gates at a house party. They were taken with his guitar playing, singing, and repertoire: old Shenandoah, Mark Chesnutt, McBride & The Ride, and Keith Whitley. As Lopez and Hull jumped in on harmonies, the trio made an instant connection that night.
While friendship may be the glue that holds Due West together, their music that moves them forward. All three are accomplished songwriters who have cuts by Lady Antebellum, Bucky Covington, and the Gaither Brothers. With a wealth of songs in their own catalogs, let alone the gems from outside writers, Due West’s debut album (produced by Jason Deere) is full of songs written from the heart.
Real issues jump to life in “I Get That All The Time,” a celebration of the highs to be had from everyday family life. “Whether we’re a parent, a child, or an adult looking back on our lives growing up, there’s just something to be said about walking in the front door of your home and feeling the weight of the day whisked away by the chaotic familiarity and peacefulness of family,” says Lopez.
http://duewest.com/
Oklahoma Gets Britain’s Academy of Contemporary Music
/by LB Cantrell“This is a music school that gets it,” Booker said. “The music industry is a multi-million dollar business and there’s no reason why there shouldn’t be training for it. We need to open that door.”
Connecting students directly to today’s music industry, ACM@UCO’s staff of teachers will include acclaimed performing artists and award-winning music professionals. Confirmed to offer master classes during the Academy’s first year are Lilly Allen, producer and member of The Bird and the Bee, Greg Kurstin, and Warner Bros. Records General Manager and EVP of Warner Bros. Promotions Tom Biery, as well as The Flaming Lips, with additional classes and teachers to be announced later.
ACM@UCO is currently accepting applications for the fall semester with a final application deadline of June 1, 2009. For more information, click here.
Tracy Lawrence Unveils His Live Show…To Go
/by LB CantrellFans can purchase the raw, uncut audio recordings of Lawrence’s concerts for $14.99. The download package includes a high quality recording of the entire show with each song individually tracked in 256K, DRM-free MP3 format, exclusive photographs from the show and a copy of the set-list. Live audio performances from recent show dates have already been produced and are available directly from Lawrence’s web site (www.tracylawrence.com). Concerts from upcoming concert dates are being added weekly.
“This is an amazing outlet to deliver music to the fans at the touch of a fingertip,” said Lawrence. “It’s another way to connect with my fans around the world. If you weren’t there…you can be!”
Int’l Songwriting Competition Announces Winners
/by LB CantrellMs. Wilson Goes to Washington
/by LB CantrellWilson had the financial resources to pick up where she left off at the age of 15, but the majority are dependent on federally funded public education programs. Because those programs are so underfunded, 80,000 adults were waitlisted for federally funded programs last year. Wilson will testify in a hearing before the Subcommittee on Higher Education about her experiences in earning her G.E.D., urging Tennessee legislators to support adult education on the state and national level. She will testify alongside Dollar General President and adult literacy advocate David Beré, to help rally support and awareness for the cause. “I truly believe that we can be better parents and better Americans if we make adult education more accessible,” Wilson said.
It is Wilson’s hope that by sharing her success story, she will be able to help those parents in similar situations to get the resources to gain the education they need to be their child’s first and most important teacher. To learn more about adult education, click here.
On The Cover—Jake Owen
/by LB CantrellCurrent Album: Easy Does It
Current Single & Video: “Don’t Think I Can’t Love You”
Current Producer: Jimmy Ritchey
Hometown: Vero Beach, Florida
Birthdate: August 28
Management: Morris Management Group
Booking: Dale Morris & Associates
Recent Hits: “Don’t Think I Can’t Love You,” “Startin’ with Me,” “Something About a Woman,” “Yee Haw”
Awards: Jake is the recently crowned ACM Top New Male Vocalist and has been an ACM, CMA, and Grammy nominee.
Interesting Facts: Jake co-wrote eight of the songs on Easy Does It, and he’s been a writer on each of his first four hits.
Touring & Special Appearances: Since the release of his debut album, Jake has toured with Brooks & Dunn, Kenny Chesney, Alan Jackson, Brad Paisley, Sugarland, Carrie Underwood, and more. He recently made his second appearance on ABC’s Good Morning America.
Musical Influences: Waylon Jennings and Hank Williams, Jr.
Website(s): www.jakeowen.net; www.myspace.com/jakeowen
Jake Owen’s major label life kicked off back in 2006 with a rowdy “Yee Haw,” the leadoff single from his RCA debut, Startin’ With Me. That song hit the Top 10 and earned the Florida native his first ACM nomination for Top New Male Vocalist. His participation in the multi-artist single, “Life In A Northern Town” helped to kick the singer/songwriter’s career into high gear and led to his first CMA and Grammy nominations in 2008. That momentum continued with “Don’t Think I Don’t Love You,” the hit single and video and leadoff track from his sophomore release, Easy Does It. The album’s title sums up Owen’s reaction to what might have been a sophomore curse.
“My main goal with this album was to make music that’s not overdone or over thought,” Owen said. “I just went in the studio and sang. I’d sing the song from start to finish a couple of times and then leave because there was no doubt in my mind that I’d done the best I could do. Whether it’s perfect or not, it’s who I am.”
Throughout Easy Does It, Owen does indeed sound more relaxed and confident as an artist. “Don’t Think I Can’t Love You” is the perfect example of how the personal experiences inspire his lyrics. Partly inspired by his father’s devotion to his mother over the years, the song is just the first of several songs written specifically about romantic relationships. Though some of the love songs on Easy Does It, such as “Eight Second Ride,” veer toward the rowdy side, Owen has his own set of standards when it comes to addressing the fairer sex.
“It’s really important for me when I’m writing songs that speak to women that I speak to them in a way of respect,” Owen says. “I try to write in a way where a guy listening would say, ‘Man, I’d say that to a girl.’ Conway Twitty did that. He sang songs to women all the time, but it was a very masculine way of saying it. It wasn’t soft. I don’t think any of my love songs on this record are soft.”
As he works to refine his own musical identity in the studio, Owen gives a lot of credit to his producer, Jimmy Ritchey. Their working relationship provides the perfect environment for Owen to experiment with his emerging sound. As a result, Easy Does It offers a freewheeling and creative brand of country music that goes well beyond the standard country radio fare. Whether it’s the haunting bagpipe passage that closes the album on “Nothin’ Grows in Shadows” or the expansive musical build-up that leads in to the opening track, “Tell Me,” every song on Easy Does It contains echoes of Owen’s musical heroes while allowing him to forge his own musical path.
“I’m not doing this for the money,” he says. “It’s about believing in what you do, and doing it because you love it. Making music is what I love to do.”