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DISClaimer Single Reviews (6/29/11)

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This listening session was dominated by hit makers of yore.
Ricky Skaggs, Tracy Lawrence, Sawyer Brown, Michael Martin Murphey and Roy Head with Jeff Chance are all on board with new sounds. Ricky and Tracy, in particular, are audio delights.
For those of you of a more contemporary mindset, I present this season’s top two finalists from the 2011 edition of American Idol. Ironically, it’s the number-two finisher who finishes first in this column. Give Lauren Alaina a Disc of the Day.
My DisCovery Award winner has been knocking them dead at folk festivals, bluegrass conventions, cowboy poetry gatherings and Lone Star State gigs for several years now. Not to mention having guested on the Grand Ole Opry, appeared on Marty Stuart’s TV show and at The Kennedy Center, The Birchmere, The Ernest Tubb Record Shop’s Midnight Jamboree and fiddle contests galore. It is The Quebe Sisters Band. This group swings, western style. It is acoustic and cool. Listen and believe.
SCOTTY McCREERY/I Love You This Big
Writer: L. Ronnie/E. Dean/B. James; Producer: Mark Bright; Publisher: none listed; 19/Interscope/Mercury (CDX)
—This debut single by the American Idol champ is well sung, beautifully produced and unmistakably country. But the ballad is simplistic, predictable and ultimately dreary.
GEORGE STRAIT/Here For A Good Time
Writer: George Strait/Bubba Strait/Dean Dillon; Producer: Tony Brown & George Strait; Publisher: Day Money/HoriPro/Living for the Night/Sixteen Stars/Tenorado, ASCAP/BMI; MCA Nashville (CDX)
—George Strait goes uptempo! And with words to live by: “I ain’t here for a long time/I’m here for a good time.”
THE QUEBE SISTERS BAND/Along The Navajo Trail
Writer: Dick Charles/Larry Markes/Eddie DeLange; Producer: Joey McKenzie; Publisher: Scarsdale/Universal MCA, ASCAP; Fiddletone (track) (www.quebesistersband.com)
—The Quebe Sisters Band is anchored by three sisters—Grace, Sophia and Hulda Quebe–who hail from the Fort Worth suburb of Burleson, Texas. They have two CDs to date, an all-instrumental effort from 2003 called Texas Fiddlers, and a newer one titled Timeless. The latter includes this track that demonstrates their dazzling instrumental prowess, their lovely trio harmony vocals and their total swing-ability. The band (which also includes guitarist/producer Joey McKenzie and upright bass man Drew Phelps) is occasionally featured on Marty Stuart’s RFD-TV show. It draws loads of fan mail whenever it does.
SAWYER BROWN/Smokin’ Hot Wife
Writer: Mark Miller; Producer: Mark Miller; Publisher: Travelin’ Zoo, no performance rights listed; Beach Street
—Country music’s upteen-millionth rip off of Jimmy Buffett’s groove.
TRACY LAWRENCE/The Singer
Writer: Rick Huckaby/Kenneth Wright; Producer: Tracy Lawrence & Flip Anderson; Publisher: 13thAve/I-40/Songs of Nicholson/Kenneth Wright, BMI; LMG (CDX) (615-347-9563)
—His voice is more resonant and rich than ever. The well-constructed song reflects on a life that isn’t perfect—all the narrator wishes to be remembered for is the fact that he is/was simply a fine singer. And this man certainly is.
ROY HEAD & JEFF CHANCE/Can’t Turn ‘Em Down At All
Writer: Sam Lee/Luther Goff; Producer: Sam Lee & Roy Head; Publisher: Stages@Players, ASCAP; Music Master (CDX) (979-849-5131)
—Head was a steady presence on the country charts in 1974-85. Although never a major hit maker, he generally turned in genial, upbeat, lightly rocking fare. This comeback single, recorded with fellow Texan Jeff Chance, is very much in his classic style.
MICHAEL MARTIN MURPHEY/The James Gang Trilogy
Writer: Michael Martin Murphey, plus Hal Ketchum/Gary Burr; Producer: Ryan Murphey & Pat Flynn; Publisher: Rocking 3M, BMI, plus Universal, BMI; Rural Rhythm (track) (www.michaelmartinmurphey.com)
—For the past several years, Murphey has been combining his love of western songs with bluegrass instrumentation. His third CD in this vein is titled Tall Grass & Cool Water. In addition to a clutch of standards (”Cool Water,” “Way Out There,” “Blue Prairie”), it includes a number of the singer’s reworkings of public-domain cowboy numbers. Two of the songs in this trilogy—“The Ballad of Cole Younger” and “The Ballad of Jesse James”—are Murphey’s versions of folk songs that tell the story of the Missouri/Kansas outlaws of the James Gang. The third, a lilting ballad called “Frank James Farewell,” comes from highly respected Nashville singer-songwriters Hal Ketchum and Gary Burr. Frank James was the gang member who survived, and in this lyric he wistfully recalls his colorful past.
RICKY SKAGGS/Don’t Get Above Your Raising
Writer: Lester Flatt/Earl Scruggs; Producer: Ricky Skaggs; Publisher: APRS/Peer, BMI; Skaggs Family (track) (www.skaggsfamilyrecords.com)
—Speaking of bluegrass, Ricky’s latest CD is titled Country Hits Bluegrass Style. It recasts his own singles of the 1980s as bluegrass tunes. But, hello, songs like this (plus “Uncle Pen,” “Crying My Heart Out Over You” and “I Wouldn’t Change You If I Could”) were originally bluegrass tunes that he turned into mainstream country, so he’s just taking them back to where they were in the first place. That said, the whole album is brilliantly performed. Something like eight out of his last 10 projects have been oldie remakes of one sort or another. Can we please have a set of new bluegrass songs from this top-tier artist?
TEEA GOANS/Letter From God
Writer: Angela Kaset/Rob Crosby; Producer: Terry Choate; Publisher: Ten Ten/Friday Records/Evergreen/Palmetto Moon, ASCAP/BMI; Crosswind (CDX) (615-467-3860)
—I am an enormous fan of this sublimely country vocalist. As usual, she nails every note of the performance. She dreams she gets a letter from the Almighty that tells her to live right. I have that dream all the time. Only it’s an email.
LAUREN ALAINA/Like My Mother Does
Writer: Nathan Chapman/Liz Rose/Nicole Williams; Producer: C. “Tricky” Stewart; Publisher: none listed; 19/Interscope/Mercury (CDX)
—The second-place finisher on this year’s edition of American Idol stages her disc debut with a power ballad. It tugs at the heart strings as it celebrates the strength, love and guidance of a beloved mom. Hang on for the soaring, goose-bumpy key change at the finale. You’d have to be made of stone to resist this. Coincidentally, this song appeared as a track on the debut CD by Kristy Lee Cook, an Idol alumna of 2008. (It was also a single for Atlantic newcomer Jesse Lee last year.)

Chris Young's "Neon" Shining Soon

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Chris Young’s third studio album Neon is due for release Tuesday, July 12 and he’s giving fans some incentive to pre-order the album’s deluxe version on iTunes.
The deluxe and regular versions of Neon are available for pre-order on iTunes starting today (6/28). The deluxe version features two bonus tracks not found on the regular album– “I’m Gonna Change That” and “Don’t Leave Her (If You Can’t Let Her Go)”–as well as a photo gallery containing new images of Young. As an added bonus, fans who pre-order the deluxe version will receive an immediate download of Neon’s title track.
Neon’s lead single, “Tomorrow,” co-written by Young with Anthony Smith and Frank Myers, is the fastest-rising song of his career. Seven tracks on the James Stroud-produced album were co-written by Young. The singer will spent most of the summer on the road building his audience as part of Jason Aldean’s sold out My Kinda Party Tour.

Songwriter News: Combustion Signing

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Combustion Music Adds Writer
Combustion Music has signed Russell Dickerson to an exclusive songwriting agreement. The recent Belmont University graduate has been playing the Nashville scene for the last two years. He is a native of Franklin, Tenn.

Sitting: Russell Dickerson; Standing (L-R): Combustion Music’s Chris Van Belkom, Chris Farren, and Kenley Flynn; BMI’s Bradley Collins; CAA’s Jim Butler; Dennis Entertainment’s John Dennis, and Aaron Kinssies.


 
CMA Songwriter Series In Boston, New York
The CMA Songwriters Series will make its Boston debut with a performance by Kenny Chesney on Thursday, Aug. 25 at the Royale Nightclub. Chesney’s songwriting credits include his hits “Beer In Mexico,” “You Had Me From Hello,” “Out Last Night,” “I Go Back,” and “I’m Alive” (a duet with Dave Matthews). Joining Chesney will be hit tunesmiths Matraca Berg, Brett James, Wendell Mobley, Craig Wiseman and host Bob DiPiero.
When the CMA Songwriter Series played at Joe’s Pub in New York City on June 21, Easton Corbin was the featured artist/writer. DiPiero hosted the event with fellow hitmakers Carson Chamberlain, and Mark D. Sanders.

Pictured in New York (L-R): Bob DiPiero, Mark D. Sanders, Easton Corbin, Carson Chamberlain. Photo: Chris Tate


 
Sandestin Songwriters Festival
The weekend of August 12-13, Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort will host the 2nd Annual Sandestin Music Festival on multiple stages throughout the Village of Baytowne Wharf.
Co-sponsored by BMI, the free, open-to-the-public event will feature BMI contemporary country trendsetters Jeffrey Steele and James Slater; powerhouse country vocalist and Broadway star Lari White; and promising up-and-comers Kree Harrison, Thomas Rhett, Joanna Cotten, Tyler Farr, and the Pernikoff Brothers.

Urban Tour Going Strong

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Keith Urban pictured June 23, 2011 on stage in Columbia, SC.


Keith Urban’s Get Closer 2011 World Tour opened in Biloxi, MS earlier this month, embarking on a 50-plus city run. He has dates scheduled through mid-October, including a stop Aug. 6 at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena.
His new production features a main stage as well as four smaller platforms that bring Urban out into the audience. The design is inspired by an amusement park, including a roller coaster style backdrop.
He is touring in support of his sixth album, Get Closer, which includes current single “Long Hot Summer.”
Jake Owen will appear on all U.S. dates, while the Canadian leg in July will feature The Band Perry.
AT&T/Samsung are the presenting sponsors of the Get Closer 2011 World Tour, which plays in St. Louis, MO (6/29) and Moline, IL (6/30) this week.

Urban shows his new stage set, which is inspired by an amusement park.

CMA Awards Voting Schedule

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The official ballot for the Nominating Round of voting for the 2011 CMA Awards will be e-mailed to eligible CMA members in good standing today, Monday, June 27. All voting will be conducted online.
The eligibility period for the 2011 CMA Awards is July 1, 2010 to June 30, 2011.
Nominating Round: June 27—July 13, 5:00 PM/CT
Second Ballot: Aug. 9—Aug. 23, 5:00 PM/CT
The final nominees in each of the 12 categories will be announced in early September.
Final ballot: Oct. 14— Nov. 1, 5:00 PM/CT
The 45th Annual CMA Awards will air Wednesday, Nov. 9 on ABC, live from the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn.

Jack Clement's Cowboy Arms Studio Suffers Fire

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Sadly, The Cowboy Arms Recording Studio and Spa, owned by country legend Jack Clement, suffered a fire Saturday afternoon (6/25) around 2 p.m. These pictures were taken by photographer Alan Mayor, who was on the scene and writes, “It is with a heavy heart that I send these photos.”
According to reports, the fire department brought 18 trucks to the scene and about 40 firefighters who were able to bring the blaze under control after about an hour. There were no injuries. To read the complete Tennessean article click here.

Cowboy Jack Clement Through The Years

Clement in the studio with Alison Krauss and Union Station circa 1986. Photo: Alan Mayor


(L-R): Johnny Cash, Roy Acuff, and Clement in 1988. Photo: Alan Mayor


(L-R): Clement, Johnny Cash, Hank Williams Jr., and Merle Kilgore in 1988. Photo: Alan Mayor

Friday Row Wrap

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(L-R) Bob DiPiero, Mark D. Sanders, Clay Walker, Carson Chamberlain. Photo: Kyle Quigley/CMA.



 
 
>>>CMA’s Songwriter Series recently repeated its sellout ways when the traveling show returned to Joe’s Pub in New York City on June 21 and 22.
Host Bob DiPiero and songwriters Carson Chamberlain and Mark D. Sanders performed on both shows. Easton Corbin was the featured artist on June 21 and Clay Walker was the featured artist on June 22.
>>>Big Machine Label Group has added Brittney McKenna as Marketing Coordinator. Her responsibilities will include tracking record sales, developing social media strategies and serving as the support for the Sales, Marketing and interactive department. McKenna arrives at BMLG after graduating from Belmont’s Honors Program where she gained experience with five internships. Most recently she served as in-house publicist at MAC Presents for a year and a half under the leadership of Marcie Allen. “We’re excited to have Brittney join the BMLG team,” says Kelly Rich, BMLG VP Sales, Marketing & Interactive. “Her extensive background working in the music and journalism industries give her a unique approach to furthering the goals of our department.”
>>>If it works the first time then create sequel. These words of wisdom have been taken to heart by Producer David Harvey and a stellar cast of musicians to release Moody Bluegrass Two…much love. Following 2004’s critically and commercially acclaimed tribute to the legendary Moody Blues, the GRAMMY nominated Moody Bluegrass, along with the highly successful Moody Bluegrass Live, this set once again features the talents of  Vince Gill, Ricky Skaggs, Sam Bush, Tim O’Brien, Harley Allen, Peter Rowan, Jan Harvey, Ronnie Bowman, Emma Harvey, Larry Cordle, John Cowan, Jon Randall, David Harvey, Tim May, Andy Hall and Andy Todd.
 

Hough Promotes Hero Dog Awards

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Julianne Hough kicked off a voting campaign for the “Hero Dog Awards” at Manhattan’s VA Medical Center where she visited patients with therapy dogs and performed. The contest presented by Cesar Canine Cusine is intended to celebrate heroic dogs that help transform lives by providing comfort and support. Votes can be cast at www.HeroDogAwards.org. For each vote cast Cesar will make a donation to the American Humane Association.
During her VA Medical Center performance Hough told patients the very first song she ever sang in public was “How Much is that Doggie in the Window.” She also talked about being on the road and away from her family while filming, and how being with her dogs Lexi and Harley is truly her safe place.
 

Facebook Unites SoundCloud And Moontoast

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If the social networking revolution is about bringing users together to share experiences and affinities, then a smoothly integrated commerce engine should provide mutual value to all parties. And that seems to be the rationale behind the new collaboration between SoundCloud and Moontoast.
SoundCloud is an audio platform that enables its four million users to create, record, promote, and share original sounds across the web. SoundCloud’s cornerstone product is a unique waveform player that allows anyone to share their tracks and other sound content online, and collect feedback from listeners. (See example above.)
Moontoast has created Impulse, a Facebook application which gives SoundCloud users a quick way to offer their original music, recordings and merchandise directly to their Facebook fans. The direct-to-fan storefront lives on the artist’s Facebook page and can be promoted in the artist’s News Feed. Fans are able to listen to tracks, share the store with their friends, and purchase digital downloads, physical merchandise, and tickets — all without ever leaving Facebook.
Blair Heavey, Moontoast CEO, comments, “We love what SoundCloud is doing to take sound creation and distribution mainstream. Their amazing community is like YouTube for audio — we’re glad we can deliver a great solution that brings social commerce into the mix.”
“We think the addition of direct-to-fan sales on Facebook through the Moontoast Impulse app is going to provide great opportunities for our users,” says Alexander Ljung, SoundCloud’s founder and CEO. “This is another example of how important it is to let third party developers build on our API – they create awesome new ways for our users to get even more out of our platform and that makes everyone happy.”
 

Funky Winkerbean Goes Country

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This Sunday, June 26, the lyrics to the classic country song, “Til I Gain Control Again,” play a prominent role in the long‐running comic strip “Funky Winkerbean.” Written by Rodney Crowell and published by Tessa Publishing Company, song was first recorded by Emmylou Harris in 1975.
Tom Batiuk, the cartoonist, specifically requested the use of the song as a loving tribute to his wife for their 40th wedding anniversary. Nearly all seven cells of the strip feature the lyrics to the song as the basis for an anniversary sequence starring the main characters, Funky and Holly.
Many artists have recorded “‘Til I Gain Control Again” over the years, including Willie Nelson, Crystal Gayle and, most recently, Raul Malo on the 2010 album Sinners & Saints. Crowell included it on his self‐titled album in 1981.
“Funky Winkerbean” is syndicated in 400 newspapers nationwide. Tessa Publishing Co. is administered by Conexion Media Group, Inc., based in Nashville, TN.