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DISClaimer Single Reviews (2/16/11)

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Contemporary country music sounds wildly diverse this week.
We have bluegrass flavored The Roys, outlaw sounds from the George Brothers, rollicking pop-country by Kenny Chesney and southern, guitar-slinger rock via Frankie Ballard. How’s that for variety?
The expert instrumental work on the George Brothers single earns the duo a DiscCovery Award.
I have a three-way tie for the Disc of the Day. For songwriting excellence, the winner is Jamey Johnson. For poetry in production, the prize goes to Gretchen Wilson. And for all-out vocal splendor, give one to Chris Young.
GEORGE BROTHERS/Brothers, Friends And Outlaws Forever
Writer: Dandall George/Leslie Wright; Producer: George Brothers & Leslie Wright; Publisher: none listed, BMI/ASCAP; Velma Jean (870-715-2867)
—I like it that the two electric guitars “answer” each other from opposite speakers. The duo’s single is a stomping southern rocker that name-checks Waylon, Willie, Johnny Cash, Jesse James, John Wayne, farmers, the troops, mama, Jack Daniels, Bud Light and the like. They won’t win any prizes as singers, but they get the job done, and the track is smokin.’
TIM McGRAW & GWYNETH PALTROW/Me And Tennessee
Writer: A. Martin; Producer: Byron Gallimore, Tim McGraw & A. Martin; Publisher: none listed, ASCAP; Curb
—Taken from the soundtrack of Country Strong, this echo-soaked ballad of rekindling faded love never actually gets around to singing its title. All atmosphere and little substance.
VINCE HATFIELD/Beth
Writer: Robert Alan Ezrin/Stanley Penridge/Peter Criss; Producer: Vince Hatfield & Eric Paul; Publisher: Rock Steady/Intersong/Cafe Americana/Irving/All By Myself/Peter Criss, ASCAP; Blue Moon (www.vincehatfield.com)
—Vince thinks this 1976 ballad by Kiss would make a good country single. I don’t.
CHRIS YOUNG/Tomorrow
Writer: Chris Young/Frank Myers/Anthony Smith; Producer: James Stroud; Publisher: Runnin’ Behind/EMI April/Sixteen Stars/Frank Myers/Grand Poobah/Dreams To Music, ASCAP/BMI/SESAC; RCA
—He sings with so much heat you can practically warm your hands by the speakers. This ultra-melodic ballad of conflicted romance sounds like a major, major hit. Straight from his beating heart.
THE ROYS/Coal Minin’ Man
Writer: Lee Roy/Matt Rogers; Producer: The Roys & Andy Leftwich; Publisher: none listed; Rural Rhythm (track) (www.theroysonline.com)
—This single from The Roys’ upcoming Rural Rhythm debut (due in March), is a sparkling acoustic gem. The lilting dobro licks, weaving fiddle lines and rippling guitars create an enchanting tapestry of sound around their plaintive voices. In a word, delightful.
FRANKIE BALLARD/A Buncha Girls
Writer: Frankie Ballard/Rhett Akins/Dallas Davidson/Ben Hayslip; Producer: Michael Knox; Publisher: Sony-ATV Tree/EMI Blackwood/Rhettneck/String Stretcher/WB/Melissa’s Money/Get a Load of This, BMI/ASCAP; Warner Bros.
—This exudes potent self confidence and musical muscle. Put some rocking sass in your playlist.
KENNY CHESNEY/Live A Little
Writer: Shane Minor/David Lee Murphy; Producer: Buddy Cannon & Kenny Chesney; Publisher: none listed, BMI/ASCAP; BNA (track)
—It may be February outside, but Kenny is already bopping into the summer season. A single with a built-in smile. Tap your toes and sing along.
GRETCHEN WILSON/I’d Love To Be Your Last
Writer: Rivers Rutherford/Sam & Annie Tate; Producer: Gretchen Wilson & Blake Chancey; Publisher: none listed, ASCAP/SESAC; Redneck (track) (www.gretchenwilson.com)
—I guess there are just some things we weren’t meant to understand in our lifetimes. Like how a track on an independent-label CD that was never even released as a single winds up with two Grammy nominations. Now it is finally a single, and a spectacularly lovely one. Gretchen sings the ballad with breathy, aching emotion, and the super-tasteful, guitars-and-cello arrangement is simply gorgeous. Awesome.
JAMEY JOHNSON/Heartache
Writer: Jamey Johnson/Rivers Rutherford; Producer: the Kent Herdly Playboys; Publisher: EMI Blackwood/Big Gassed Hitties/Universal/Macirhcyco, BMI/ASCAP; Mercury (CDX)
—This darkly ominous composition takes the unusual perspective of treating Heartache as though it were a sentient, threatening predator. Jamey growls his way through a tale that takes you through the historical past and into a smoldering, sexual present. Brilliantly creative and fabulously listenable.
MARK WILLS/Looking For America
Writer: Bernie Nelson/Philip Douglas/Jeremy Bussey; Producer: Phil O’Donnell; Publisher: Lisa Marie/SongsStarters/Buzz Cut, SESAC; Big Red M (CDX) (615-772-8868)
—He misses the good old days, surrounded by a stellar audio production.

Sony Signs Bush Hawg

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Sony Music Nashville has officially welcomed the band Bush Hawg as the newest act on its RCA Nashville roster. Bush Hawg’s debut album will release later this year.

Pictured (back, l-r): Bush Hawg producer/manager Michael Knox; Sony Music Nashville Creative Services VP Scott McDaniel; Marketing Sr. VP Paul Barnabee; Promotion Sr. VP Skip Bishop; Chairman & CEO Gary Overton; and Sales VP Kerri Fox-Metoyer; RCA Nashville Promotion VP Keith Gale; Sony Music Nashville A&R VP Jim Catino; and Buddy Lee Attractions President Kevin Neal. (front, l-r): RCA Nashville Natl. Director of Promotion Norbert Nix; and Bush Hawg band members Jim Phipps, Russ Caldwell, Craig Hand, Shaun Ames, Alex Wilshire, and Ben Helton. Photo credit: Alan Poizner

Darling Video Debuts

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Sarah Darling has debuted a video for the first single from her latest CD, Angels & Devils. The video/single, “Something To Do With Your Hands,” features two time TNA World Heavyweight Wrestling Champion, AJ Styles. The video was directed by Stephen Shepherd and produced by John Burke.
Darling wrote nine of the tracks on her Black River Entertainment 11-song collection due out on Feb. 20. The album was produced by Jimmy Nichols with assistance on two cuts by Adam Shoenfeld.
“My first album was very much about a lost love,” Darling explains. “Since then, my writing has become a lot more broad and venturous. I write about things that are relevant to everybody.”

New Singles From Country Songstresses

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Joanna Smith


Some of country’s rising females have new music climbing the charts. See the latest from Joanna Smith, Jana Kramer, Ashton Shepherd, and Katie Armiger.
>>The latest single from Columbia Nashville newcomer Joanna Smith hit the airwaves Feb. 7. “Georgia Mud” is streaming at www.joannasmithofficial.com. The single has already received rave reviews from music critics such as MusicRow’s own Robert K. Oermann. Smith was also named one of the new artists to watch by Billboard, Roughstock.com and Variety. CRS attendees can catch Smith first-hand at the MusicRow Meet & Greet on March 1 at Cadillac Ranch, where she and Colt Ford will perform.
>>Jana Kramer has released a single via Warner Music Nashville’s Elektra Nashville. “I Won’t Give Up” reached No. 2 on the iTunes Top Country Songs. The actress is a regular on The CW’s One Tree Hill, which will feature the song an upcoming episode. Kramer has had several other television roles, including appearances on Friday Night Lights, 90210, and Entourage.

Ashton Shepherd


>>The new single from MCA’s Ashton Shepherd is seeing lots of adds at country radio and the video for “Look It Up” is equally popular. The Michael Salomon-directed video was shot in Los Angeles and shows Ashton as a wronged lover who is selling her cheating ex’s belongings in a yard sale. Fans can see behind-the-scenes footage here.
>>Katie Armiger’s latest single “Best Song Ever” grabbed the fan-voted No. 1 spot on the GAC Top 20 Countdown recently. It is also climbing the Music Row chart. Armiger penned the single with Bruce Wallace and Amanda Flynn to show what goes on after a breakup. The video was shot during three days in Nashville and directed by Stephen Shepherd (Gary Allan, Emily West, and Josh Gracin).

30k Fans Watch Dierks In Studio

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Bentley in the studio.


More than 30,000 fans logged on to watch Dierks Bentley track 15 songs for his sixth studio album during five days in the recording studio. The entire recording process was streamed via a 24 hour video feed from the Echo Mountain studio in Asheville, NC. The project wrapped last Friday (2/4).
“This entire recording process was one of the coolest experiences I’ve ever had as a singer or a musician…it was definitely intense and at times a roller coaster emotionally as we worked through the arrangements of these songs,” said Bentley. “I guess I’m still a little old school in the way I like to record..and as a fan, the way I like to listen to music. I still enjoy the process of making an album and not just a collection of singles. Letting the fans be part of that process was a total bonding experience…it was 24 hours a day, and they probably know more about me than they ever wanted to now!”

Chris Young Celebrates 3 Consecutive No. 1s

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Chris Young


Three times the charm for Chris Young celebrating his third consecutive No. 1 single. “Voices” from his sophomore CD, The Man I Want To Be has reached the summit a.k.a. chart heaven. Three-in-a-row is pretty sweet, but in this case it was the second go round for “Voices” which was originally released in 2008 and peaked at No. 37. Written by Young, Chris Tompkins and Craig Wiseman, “Voices” marks the second time that an artist has hit the top target after re-releasing a song. In fact, it was Randy Travis’ “On The Other Hand” that went to the top in 1986 after originally peaking at No. 67.
Young’s previous two No. 1 singles were “Getin’ You Home,” and “The Man I Want To Be.”
Chris Young was recently nominated for his first Grammy Award for Best Male Country Vocal and is currently on the road as part of the Rascal Flatts tour. He also has a new album scheduled for this summer. Young’s new single “Tomorrow” delivers digitally to radio this week.

DISClaimer Single Reviews (2/2/11)

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Country music’s major labels seem to be slumbering in winter doldrums, but Nashville’s pop/rock community is livelier than ever.

So much so that there are three Disc of the Day winners in this edition of DisClaimer.
The Black Keys are nominated for three Grammy Awards. Welcome to Music City, boys.
Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Famer Wanda Jackson has returned with hurricane strength on her comeback The Party Ain’t Over CD produced by the always hyper-active Jack White.
And then there’s the overnight stardom of The Civil Wars. The duo staged its national television debut on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno on Jan. 13. It’s “Poison & Wine” video has 500,000 views on YouTube, and “Barton Hollow” is getting raves in The New York Post, USA Today, L.A. Weekly and Paste. It is also rapidly picking up radio airplay. The Civil Wars are playing The Belcourt tonight and The Basement tomorrow. I’d urge you to go, except both gigs are sold out, as are five others on its just-announced tour.
Best of all, out of the blue, we have a DisCovery Award to report. Like The Black Keys and The Civil Wars, it’s a duo. Travis & Julie are homegrown Nashville charmers. Lend them your ears.
THE CIVIL WARS/Barton Hollow
Writer: none listed; Producer: Charlie Peacock; Publisher: none listed; Sensibility (track)
—This duo is comprised of John Paul White and East Nashvillian Joy Williams. “Poison & Wine,” which appears on its Barton Hollow CD, has been featured on TV’s Grey’s Anatomy. The title tune is currently iTune’s Single of the Week and propelled the album to No. 1 on the iTunes chart when it came out this week. With its dark undertow of a beat, wailed ghostly harmonized vocals and majestic, minor-key melody, “Barton Hollow” is pretty darn addictive and hypnotic. Taylor Swift calls the sound “exquisite.” I couldn’t agree more. A must listen.
MICHAEL FORD, JR. & THE APACHE RELAY/Magnolia Street Heartbreaker
Writer: Michael Ford, Jr.; Producer: Doug Williams, Michael Ford, Jr., The Apache Relay and Noah Denney; Publisher: 1988, ASCAP; MF (track)
—This foursome hails from the halls of Belmont University. On this track from their album titled 1988, they wistfully drawl a winsome, lovelorn, acoustic folk ballad. The wobbling fiddle lines and feathery falsetto vocals weave a delicate pop tapestry.
THE BLACK KEYS/Tighten Up
Writer: The Black Keys; Producer: Danger Mouse; Publisher: McMoore McLeest/Wixen, BMI; Nonesuch (track) (www.theblackkeys.com)
—These new Nashvillians (Patrick Carney and Dan Auerbach comprise the group) have two tracks from their Brothers CD up for Grammy Awards. “Black Mud” is nominated as Rock Instrumental. And the shuddering, spare, thumpy, soulful, strangled “Tighten Up” is competing for Best Rock Group Performance. The whole album is nominated as Alternative Album of the Year, and it is an alt delight.
TRAVIS & JULIE/Osmosis
Writer: Travis/Julie; Producer: none listed; Publisher: Rockstar/Nickel Man; TJ (track) (www.travisjulie.com)
—This Nashville duo has a CD called Moon Girl that is a pop-music amusement-park ride. On this track they lay down a deliciously danceable rhythm and positively twirl in melody. Where have these folks been all my life?
RED/Faceless
Writer: Anthony Armstrong/Rob Graves/Jasen Rauch/Mark Holman; Producer: Rob Graves; Publisher: none listed; Provident/Integrity/Sony (track) (www.redmusiconline.com)
—Goths for Jesus? I guess so. This Christian band makes a thrashing, metal-machine, in-your-face sound that’s as loud and proud as Korn, Staind, Linkin Park or any other mainstream hard rockers you can name. The new CD, which dropped yesterday, is called Until We Have Faces. The previous two were nominated for Grammys. This one might make your ears bleed, in an aggressive-yet-melodic way.
RACHEL LOY/Stay
Writer: Rachel Loy; Producer: Carl Thel; Publisher: none listed; RL (track) (www.rachelloymusic.com)
—This Nashvillian has a self-titled, five-song EP that is quite a singer-songwriter showcase. Here, she is a pleading romantic. Elsewhere, she gets the pop-rhythm treatment. Rachel makes her living playing bass in studios and on the road with stars such as Julianne Hough. But this collection of relationship-centric compositions sounds like she’s ready to move into the center-stage spotlight.
WANDA JACKSON/Shakin’ All Over
Writer: Johnny Kidd; Producer: Jack White III; Publisher: EMI Mills/Filmtrax, no performance rights listed; Nonesuch/Third Man (track)
—Unlike Loretta Lynn, whom Jack White previously produced, Wanda Jackson didn’t bring her own songs to the table. So Jack’s musical personality sometimes tends to overwhelm her. He did bring her some splendid songs, including this dandy 1960 Brit hit by Johnny Kidd & The Pirates. Other gems include her cover of Amy Winehouse’s “You Know I’m No Good,” Bob Dylan’s “Thunder on the Mountain” and Little Richard’s “Rip It Up.”
REVIVE/Blink
Writer: Dave Hanbury/Rich Thompson/Mike Tenkate/Jason Ingram; Producer: Jason Ingram & Rusty Varenkamp; Publisher: Up and Over/Revive/EMI CMG/Sony-ATV Timber/West Main/Windsor Hill, SESAC; Provident-Integrity/Essential/Sony (track) (www.reviveband.com)
—The title tune to this Christian foursome’s current CD has a slowly building majesty about it. It says, “The only thing that matters is how we have loved,” in this too-brief life. Inspiring, in the best kind of way.
BOBBY BARE JR. /A Storm, A Tree, My Mother’s Head
Writer: Bobby Bare Jr.; Producer: Bobby Bare Jr. & David Vandervelde; Publisher: Bella Beckham, BMI; Naked Albino/Thirty Tigers (track) (www.bobbybarejr.com)
—The title tune to this fellow’s current CD tells a true tale in a languid, dreamy way. His echoey voice is sparsely accompanied by brushed drumming, keening steel and electric-guitar sighing. And, yes, Mama Jeannie Bare is screaming in the background. Elsewhere on this sideways collection, you’ll find  “Liz Taylor’s Lipstick Gun,” “Rock and Roll Halloween,” “Your Goat Is on Fire” and “Jesus Sandals.” In other words, you absolutely need to own this.
UNCLE SKELETON/Renfro
Writer: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: Upright T-Rex, BMI; Upright T-Rex (track)
—Outside of his pop band Kindercastle, Ross Wariner (Steve’s son) has a different sound with Uncle Skeleton. This ensemble has two CDs, Pancho Chumley and the more recent Warm Under the Covers. You’ll find this track on the former. Its synth-y, rapidly rhythmic tone typifies the spaceship, E.L.O. electronic vibe of Uncle Skeleton, which recently featured high on The Nashville Scene’s “Best of 2010” list.

Capitol Adds Bannen; James Joins Sugarland Tour

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Kelleigh Bannen is the newest artist on Capitol Nashville. Produced by Paul Worley and Jerry Smith, Bannen recently (1/18) performed a set of her music in front of music publishers and fellow BMI songwriters.

(L-R) Capitol Records’ Mike Dungan, producer Jerry Smith, Capitol Records’ Melissa Spillman, Bannen, and BMI’s Jody Williams and Beth Laird.


Casey James


>> American Idol 2010 finalist Casey James has been signed to BNA Records and will join Sugarland on the March leg of its The Incredible Machine tour. “It’s an awesome opportunity to play in front of people that love great music,” says James. “I can’t wait to get back out there and share new music with the fans.” James is currently in the studio creating his debut album set for release later this year.
Tour Dates
¾—North Little Rock, AR
3/5—Tulsa, OK
3/10—Greenville, SC
3/11—North Charleston, SC
3/12—Jacksonville, FL
3/17—Grand Rapids, MI
3/18—Bloomington, IL
3/19—Sioux City, IA

The Boot Campaign

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The Roys, George Jones and Josh Turner

One-by-one country music stars are taking off their cowboy boots and replacing them with army boots. The Boot Campaign, started by five Texas women—the “Boot Girls” (Ginger, Leigh Ann, Sherri, Heather and Mariae)—was inspired by retired US Navy SEAL Marcus Luttrell, author of the book Lone Survivor: The Eyewitness Account of Operation Redwing and the Lost Heroes of SEAL Team 10 and founder of the Lone Survivor Foundation. The campaign encourages Americans to purchase a pair of army combat boots to wear in support of our nation’s troops. Proceeds are donated to partner charities, including the Lone Survivor Foundation. For more information about the Boot Campaign, go to www.bootcampaign.com.

Country music stars involved include legends George Jones, Oak Ridge Boys, Mel Tillis, Lee Greenwood and Charlie Daniels; hit-makers Josh Turner, Phil Vassar, Joe Nichols, Randy Houser, Gretchen Wilson, Justin Moore, Chuck Wicks, Colt Ford, Joey + Rory and Jack Ingram; bluegrass artists The Grascals and The Roys; Texas sensations Robert Earl Keen; and many more.


(L-R): Captain Ivan Castro, Petty Officer 1st Class Marcus Luttrell (retired), Trey Fanjoy, Joe Nichols and Captain Chad Fleming (retired).


Joe Nichols Gets His “Boots On”

The video for Show Dog-Universal artist Joe Nichols’ “The Shape I’m In” pays tribute to those in the military who were injured in battle, but are making the most of their lives. The video was made in partnership with The Boot Campaign and the Lone Survivor Foundation. Directed by award winner Trey Fanjoy, the video features special appearances by Lone Survivor  Foundation founder and former Navy Seal Marcus Luttrell as well as Captain Chad Fleming (retired) and Captain Ivan Castro.
Fleming lost his left leg in battle, but has finished 5K runs, Triathlons, a long-distance bike rides. Castro, blinded by enemy fire, became the first blind graduate of the Maneuver Captain’s Career Course at Fort Benning, GA. Castro has also completed marathons and triathlons.
An extended version of the music video (below) includes an additional message from Luttrell. For more information on the Lone Survivor Foundation please visit www.LoneSurvivorFoundation.org.

Idol Judges Get Thumbs Up

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America’s love affair with talent was renewed again as the tenth season of American Idol stoked its star-maker fires introducing a judges bench with two new faces and of course a bevy of wannabe hopefuls. Not unexpectedly, opinions were mixed moving into the debut as to whether the new personalities could reverse the show’s recent downward ratings trend. However, “judging” by the morning-after articles, facebook opinions and blog comments from around the web, judges Steven Tyler and Jennifer Lopez acquitted themselves quite nicely on opening night. The role of new mentor/judge Interscope Records Chairman Jimmy Iovine is yet to be unveiled but he will sign the winner to a recording contract. Here’s a few quotes from some of the high profile writers and links to read more…

“Season 10 and American Idol finally brought in a couple of pros,” said the L.A. Times Mary McNamara… “And after the bipolar antics of last year’s woefully mismatched panel — including a zombified Ellen DeGeneres and a manically flirtatious Kara DioGuardi — their natural confidence in front of the camera was such a blessed relief that it was hard to miss even the bracing ballistics of Simon Cowell…’Baby, you got so much drama but you’ve got no notes,’ Tyler told one young woman, quickly establishing himself as capable of telling the truth in a colorful but nonhostile way.”

The Wrap.com’s Jennifer Kelly had the morning’s best headline saying, ‘American Idol’: How It Went With the Diva, the Dawg and the Demon of Screamin’

“Yes, it was the debut of the new judging triumvirate, featuring Jennifer Lopez, Steven Tyler and veteran Randy Jackson. Perhaps more importantly, though, it marked the official end to the banal season 9, and that in itself is a bonus… Tyler, on the other hand, is an entertaining walking paradox. While it’s not fair to call him a Paula-Simon hybrid, he is equal parts kooky and no-nonsense. Whether he’s spontaneously breaking into song mid-speech or spouting wacky wisdom (“Water her flower ‘cause it’s gonna grow”), he is definitely the stand-out personality. Unlike Paula, though, you never lose the feeling that he actually knows what he’s talking about…”

Linda Stasi wove colorful phrases into her insights that stretch beyond the new judges and address the direction of the show itself for the New York Post.

“In fact, the instant chemistry among the three judges was so right, they couldn’t have created it in a lab. Everything that made us fall in love with Idol in the first place was back: The heart (Lopez), the soul (Randy Jackson) and the Crazy (Tyler). But it was back in a whole new way. And now that Nigel Lythgoe, the genius behind the show, is back, he brought with him his credo about what had made “Idol” the show it was: The simplicity — and the soap. Idol was never, and will never really be, a show about singing. It’s really a show about singing for your supper or else you won’t eat. The more down and out, miserable and depressing your life has been and the more you struggled for your dream, the better chance you have. Last night they hit depression jackpot, too. There was the kid who beat life in a wheelchair, the throat cancer father who brought his singing daughter, and finally and most touching, the homeless Bronx boy with the voice of a modern day Johnny Mathis. Cry? Are you kidding me? They don’t need car and Coke commercials — they should just have Kleenex ads…”

Nashville’s Brian Mansfield also clocked in for USA Today with his take on the new Idol dynamic.

“Lopez comes off like a more businesslike version of the supportive, nurturing Abdul, who left Idol after the 2009 season — lots of tears and hugs, and she struggles with having to say some obvious no’s, but she has constructive things to say to even the worst contestants. Tyler, on the other hand, brings back the goofy unpredictability that was Abdul’s stock-in-trade during her eight seasons on the show. He gets directly involved with the auditions — drumming on the desk, harmonizing, providing backing vocals, whatever he thinks the contestants need. He’s willing to be ‘brutally honest,’ but he’s also not above lightheartedly mocking auditioners — or flirting with the females: ‘Where’s your pitchfork, you sexy devil?’ he asks one.