Jim's Country Music Reviews

"The Gospel Side Of Dailey And Vincent" - a review

2012-01-30T18:46:00.000-07:00

This is one of the most eclectic gospel ,Bluegrass CDs that I have ever heard. There is an incredible amount of talent in each of these songs. The most important feature is the wonderful way Jamie Dailey and Darrin Vincent sing together.

The sparse "Family Bible" (W. Nelson) with just guitars in accompaniment is slow paced and beautiful. Bryan Sutton plays guitar, but just chords, no lead.

On the other hand you have "The 4th Man in the Fire" which is an uptempo piano based gospel song. There is a real low voice in the mix,there are so many guest vocalists including the angelic Sonya Isaacs on this CD.

"Until at last I'm Home" (Vincent and others) is moderate paced with piano and few instruments, but loads of beautiful harmony.

"Come Back To Me" (Jimmy Fortune) This is my favorite featuring Sutton on guitar and also Darrin Vincent. A very sweet melody,Sutton's playing is very subtle with lots of sweet resonance.

This Disc is engineered by Michael Latterell at Trinity Sound and He also mixed it. Excellent job here as this was no easy project to mix. Mastered by Paul Blakemore at CMG Mastering.

This is Dailey and Vincent's second gospel CD. I did not hear the first one, but this would be hard to top. I think that there is a style here for everyone. Also, this is a CrackerBarrel project, I have yet to review a less than stellar CrackerBarrel CD. This Cd will leave you refreshed!!

www.daileyandvincent.com
www.crackerbarrel.com

"Trailblazer" - The Roys

2012-01-18T16:01:00.000-07:00

"Country Side Of Bluegrass" - Janie Fricke - A Review

2012-01-10T18:06:00.002-07:00

Thirty years ago, Janie Fricke would have been a household name in country radio. Now she is singing an excellent bluegrass style produced by Bill Vorndick,popular Nashville bluegrass producer, has produced a lot of Rhonda Vincent CDs. This set is a mix of some of her old hits and some other popular tunes. This mix has a real refreshing sound. Johnny Hiland sounds great playing acoustic guitar, he's a legend of a Nashville picker. His acoustic playing is so fluid, reminds me a bit of Tony Rice. He has some excellent company with David Talbot on banjo, Randy Kohrs on dobro, Andy Leftwich on fiddle, Glen Duncan and Jimmy Mattingly on mandolin and fiddle. Then, we have Chip Davis, Margie Cates and Judy Rodman on background vocals. Mark Fain on bass and Bob Mater on drums keep the bottom line. Interesting, but, back in the day, Hiland was playing on her records.

   The Roys are now touring with Janie. My Favorite song on the disc is "Faithless Love" (J.D. Souther), which is a standard made popular by Linda Ronstadt in the Seventies. The Roys back her up on it on the show. It is a very beautiful version. This is sort of a sad Heartbreak song.

   "He's A Heartache" (J.Silbar/L. Henley) - This was Fricke's third number one hit. It is a real upbeat toe tapper. It has more of Hiland's smooth guitar pickin'. I really like this version.

   "Please Help Me, I'm Falling(In love with you) (Blair/Robertson) - This is an old time country song that Janie did on the opry many times, nice country tune.

    "Down To My Last Broken Heart" (C. Rains) - I like this popular song done in a bluegrass style. Ricky Skaggs sang harmony on the original version.

    "I'll need Someone to Hold me (When I Cry)" (Holyfield/Mcdill) - is a great song with a great message, the writer ,Bob Mcdill was popular in 1980 when this was released. She has always liked to do this song live.

    "Ring Of Fire" -(June Carter Cash) - This is an iconic country song, Fricke really does it justice, In case you are not familiar with it, it was made popular by Johnny Cash and The Carter Family. Really nice guitar riffs by Hiland, just a splendid version.

      This is definitely a CD to buy, if you are a fan of country and bluegrass, Splendid! Buy it at her site.

www.janiefricke.com

"Justified"- Cumberland River

2012-01-10T15:35:00.000-07:00

Song on TV Show, Justified by "Cumberland River", a bit of rockin' bluegrass.

Mark Wayne Glasmire EP - A Review

2012-01-03T17:28:00.000-07:00

I like what this young man has to say in his liner notes. " I still believe that a good song can make a difference in the world ". I believe that, without good music, life would be pretty dreary in this world. How many times have I been influenced and had my outlook changed by a good song, whether it be sad, upbeat or something that touches me deep inside.

Glasmire has a very hi quality EP slotted for release on January tenth of this year. The recording has a very hi quality sound with great musicians and produced by the very talented John Albani. The songs are filled with infectious instrumental hooks and Glasmire has a very good ,warm voice.

I really like the first single "I Like You", which has some traits of a Jimmy Buffet type tune in it. It has been released to the world market on Hotdisc and spent nine weeks as a number 1 song on the Hotdisc chart.

The emotive ballad "Going Home" was the EP's first video and I just found out it has been upgraded to the GAC and CMT rotation. It is the story of a soldier who was coming home after ten years of duty.

Mark knows how to write and project a song.Being a consistent songwriter is not easy and I believe it is a gift to those who do it best. Mark has performed a lot with good artists like Guy Clark and Dierks Bentley, opening for them. He has a flare for a song. Check him out ---

www.markwayneglasmire.com

Vince Gill @ Mountain Stage,about new CD

2011-12-30T14:40:00.001-07:00

Vince plays and talks about his hot new CD "Guitar Slinger", in my opinion, one of this years best.

Joan Osborne Singing The Blues

2011-12-21T15:28:00.000-07:00

Next year, Joan will be sharing some great new blues, watch for it as She brings it on home.

Grascals Featured in GACTV'S 12 Days of Country Cookies

2011-12-12T16:55:00.000-07:00

Nashville, TN (December 12, 2011) -- The Grascals head in to the holiday season full of good cheer and, well, pie. "We're just full of it," laughs the group co-founder Jamie Johnson. "El's wife, Catherine Lundy-Eldredge, makes a mean Upside Down Apple Pie, and we've been doing some serious taste-testing!" The dish is so delightful that GACTV.com is including the recipe in their 12 Days of Country Cookies (& Treats) feature, and fans can grab the recipe for this down-home dessert at www.gactv.com/gac/pac_ctnt/text/0,,GAC_26058_104272,00.html or from http://www.grascals.com/.

Grascalites who want to see more of their favorite band can catch The Grascals' November 7 performance (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v3b1qbrIHGg) on THE LATE LATE SHOW WITH CRAIG FERGUSON. The audience loved the group's version of "Louisiana Saturday Night," and it's the perfect Christmas Eve entertainment for Bluegrass lovers since December 24 falls on a Saturday this year.

Learn more about these engaging entertainers at http://www.grascals.com/

Europe 72 - May 3, Olympia Theatre, Paris France

2011-12-10T14:27:00.000-07:00

The Grateful Dead never sounded better than this night, this is a show that I ordered separately from the Huge box set. It is like listening to the original Europe 72 for the first time, The review below tells the story, great sound quality, what a band, this could be their best concert on CD.

Jerry and Bobby playing their 2 iconic guitars that you will most likely only hear on this show, Weir kept up with the Gibson for awhile, but the natural Strat would be replaced by the Irwin Wolf soon. The Strat tones really shine on this recording.

Highly Recommend.

"Pryme Tyme" - Russell Moore and IIIrd Tyme Out - a Review

2011-12-06T18:10:00.000-07:00

This group plays traditional bluegrass music. They mix in a little swing on couple of tunes. Russell Moore takes care of guitar and lead vocal on most songs. Steve Dilling plays banjo and sings harmony. Wayne Benson plays stellar mandolin through out the album. Justin Haynes plays fiddle and sings harmony. Edgar Loudermilk plays upright bass and sings harmony vocals and lead vocals on track #9.

   This sounds like a live recording, real sweet recording with great tonal characteristics. Greg Luck does a great job of engineering and also mastering.

   Great selection of material. Songs bring images of Montana to mind to love songs and songs about life. I love "Goodbye Old Missoula", "Hooverville", "Moon Magic", and "Whippoorwill." My favorite song is the last, "What's the World Coming To", a slow paced, emotion filled song about life as we know it.

   By the way, it is good to see Rural Rhytmn Records in Tennessee "where they belong". Visit IIIrd Tyme Out @

       www.iiirdtymeout.com

Welcome to the Country, country pedals

2011-12-05T17:02:00.000-07:00

Country music that is. Compressors are big in the country scene.

Part 3 or Discs 3 + 4 of Europe 72 Olympia ,Paris Show - Review by Steve Seachrist

2011-12-03T14:17:00.003-07:00

Disc Three

1. Truckin'

Bob repeats the Number-One-in-Turlock bit and the band plays like they are playing a

hit single. It’s a typical daydream in most ways. It’s nice that the verses and choruses

are remembered, lyric-wise. It helps with the credibility. I’m buying this version. We

arrive at the last verse unscathed but for Jerry’s awesome and unpredictable fills. Bones

are patched and we are on our way home. Jer winds up and bursts into a series of rock

figures before heading out on a more esoteric excursion. Pig backs him up admirably

with good jams on the Hammond. Before 7:30 we are certainly setting up for that repriseof the last verse, and that happens from a whisper to a scream within its short lifetime.The jam after this is short and rocky. It is fully flavored with the taste of the main song rather than any other side trip. This very suddenly drops into something that promises to

become…

2. The Other One

Why on Earth the top of this CD track did not rate the “Jam” title (like 4/16 did) is way

beyond my pay scale. We basically land here on a desolate other world, dust our only

friend. This could make you cry if you did not know that rescue was imminent. Each of

the principals (minus Pigpen) carry on making all manner of rackets for several minutes.I really love these nebulous jams where searching is more important than finding. Jerry bows out near 4:45 and the others carry on beautifully without him. Bob strikes some really odd chords here. Jer comes tweedling back in a minute later, then he pushes out some volume-knob swells. This soon gets more aggressive, sparking Keith to make his own noise for a bit. At around 6:45 Phil makes several runs at the opening, but no one takes him up on any of them. More than a minute later, he pokes at it again and ever-so slowly everyone gets on board, but not all at once. In fact, they back off again, teasing us mercilessly with the entrance to the song proper. Phil rumbles through variations on his opening, now obviously just toying with it as the jam turns unpredictable corners again and again. The way this version blossoms is completely amazing. By 11:30 there is still tension even though a very high near-climax is reached. They back off yet again, setting up a little jam that Bob leads, again sans Jerry. Pig chimes in on organ and everyone except Jer comes to the table with the theme. Still no Garcia, they build it to its true structure and then the lead guitar finally warbles back into existence. Here the song has come around to its freakish form. It wails and wails here, all hands very much on deck. Parisian minds are being cracked open like oeufs. There is a slight cooling before Weir comes in with the verse. Pigpen is very active here and the backing vocals sound amazing. Piano leads the way out. Very quickly, the band leaves, and the only sound to be heard comes from the…

3. Drums

Billy displays his plentiful talents by knocking around on the trap kit for a few minutes.

It sounds like he has the snares turned off as he moves around the various three drums at hand. His right foot doesn’t do much but his left taps quietly on the high-hat pedal. His rolls are impeccable. A couple of minutes in, we can hear where this might go. Bill does a cool thing by pushing down on a drum head with one stick while hitting the drum with the other, then slowly releasing the hold, forming a change in tone kind of like a talking drum. We hear Phil warming up the bass as the track marker clicks over to one called…

4. The Other One

The top of this is a bass and drum solo, so I don’t know why it did not get a separate

title. Phil is front-and-center for almost two minutes before he plays the actual riff and

the band joins all at once. Jerry leads the jam into areas one would expect here but Bob

gets in some really tasty and unusual chording around 3:30. Soon after that both the hot

and cool dynamics of the song are displayed in turn. As space allows, more piano comes forward. The mood swings from bright to cloudy near 6:15 and it seems we will arrive at a verse soon. Before that can happen, a complete breakdown is called and Garcia works reverbed figures over slow, growling chords by Lesh. Next, Jerry clicks on the wah and dials it way back to a muted tone as he mimics demons. Phil and Bob are two ends of the accompanying spectrum – one rumbling deep and the other strumming bright and squealing feedback. Jerry gets a grip on some pinch harmonics and lets them wail loudly. This is a fantastic little space jam. As its fruits dry on the vine, Bobby takes a chance on strumming the entrance to…

5. Me and Bobby McGee

Great song placement! As the cowboy ballads have been appearing in the midst of the

big jams, this one works just as well. It feels like relief. Groove, vocal harmonies, and a

catchy melody all come together as an antidote to the preceding madness. Pigpen warms the underpinning with organ as Jerry plays a perfect solo. The following verse is the one where Bobby McGee gets away and our singer wistfully regrets losing her. Wow, this is wonderful. The song builds to the wordless last verse and all cylinders are firing perfectly. Hear the guitar fills and piano embellishments. The cute last chord changes land kind of unexpectedly back on the still-unfinished…

6. The Other One

Oh, yes. We will hear a second verse soon, I can feel it right at the top as Garcia makes

no bones about playing the theme. The momentum is undeniable and the song moves

forward with that goal in mind. In less than two minutes, we are set up and Bob sings the one about Cowboy Neal. Note that it is Weir who plays those final guitar figures ending it and leaving an opening for Garcia to start…

7. Wharf Rat

I’ve really been enjoying the versions of this song from this tour. On this one, Weir rings some chiming chords in the first verse. Garcia sings it mildly at first, without as much conviction as I expected. He sounds a tad distracted, maybe. I think I detect some out of- tuneness in the guitar department and perhaps this is killing him. The song breaks down into its bridge and it becomes ever so delicate here. Bad things could happen. They don’t – the protagonist proclaims he will get up and fly away, and the song follows this sentiment. It lifts off and sails on. But it is still a bit of a struggle here. Nothing awful occurs, it’s just that the stars are not quite aligned. More barely off-color tones emanate from Weir at times when he could have been brought down somewhat in the mix to minimize this. Garcia decides to make the best of it and he gets busy with some colorful guitar work. The band jams out the ending only for a minute or so and lets the greater jam finally die here.

Disc Four

1.Jack Straw

I am dying to hear this. All previous versions have had Weir singing the verses instead

of alternating with Garcia as he had on the original

Europe ’72 album. So, was the

alternating idea something that came about in the field, or back at the ranch during

overdubbing sessions? Now we will find out (maybe).

Yup, the opening sounds precisely like the official version from all those years ago. But

then again so do these vocals, so I am guessing these are the overdubbed ones. Do I hear a ghost Weir voice during the Garcia parts? Maybe. We’ll know more after we hear the version from the next show. I’m really tempted to go straight there now, but I’ll wait. Even so, I’m pretty sure we just have a re-mix of the parts you’ve already heard a million times. It’s drier and more live sounding, for sure. It wraps up exactly like you knew it would. Great version. Weir says he wants to hear a pin drop and a crowd member yells something in English about California.

2. Sugar Magnolia

The band responds with this. It is a picture-perfect version, sung expertly by an audibly

hoarse Bob Weir. The verses are tight and rocking. Once they are dispensed with, Weir

quietly requests “rock-n-roll” and the band obliges. They set up the song-ending groove

and Garcia lets the changes go around a few times before chiming in with a lead. And

what a lead it is. He quotes familiar riffs and also goes somewhat sideways with these.

Unfortunately the false ending is a premature little wreck. Oh, well. They burst into

the coda with such force that the transgression is instantly forgotten and this is where

Weir earns his keep. The end is a scream fest and Garcia is so turned on that he begins

cranking immediately on…

3. Not Fade Away

Jerry’s gonna tell us how it’s gonna be. He sets a fast pace, Pigpen and the others climb

aboard and the song rocks hard. And by hard I mean very hard. The singing is yelling

and the playing is wailing. Stuff cools nicely after two choruses and Garcia takes the

opportunity to play some nice patterns. I am halfway expecting a familiar melody to

come forward (like “Mountain Jam” or something) but that does not occur. Instead, the

band jams on that one chord for a good while and Jer delights in playing over it. When it mellows sufficiently he begins working the riff for…

4. Goin' Down the Road Feeling Bad

As the singing starts, Donna is onstage and the boys share vocal duties with her. Check

out Pigpen’s swirling Hammond here. Nice addition. The first guitar solo is fantastic in

its studied restraint. Donna lets out a yelp to celebrate and Jerry busts right into the next

verse with audible joy in his voice. Dig this! Another solo, why not? This one pushes

harder and includes some of the fastest little licks I’ve ever heard Garcia pull off. Don’t

miss this. Back to choruses and they of course build and build, with the not-bashful

Donna Godchaux adding interpretive screams. The breakdown lands on the “Bid You

Goodnight” changes which Jerry decides to double up on at the last split-second. Then

those quiet two chords are but a fakeout as we of course explode back into…

5.Not Fade Away

Hear Keith at the top of this, adding bluesy greatness. Then Pig gives us a taste too

before he jumps forward to join Bob on the vocal tradeoffs. This ending segment is one

for the ages. It cements my opinion that this whole show is near the top of the list for the tour.

6. One More Saturday Night

As the two guitars play the intro in harmony, Bob somehow also manages to mention

that this song is the new single and he suggests that the French audience go out and buy

it. Could they find it? Who knows? At least they got to hear it live. The version has a

lot of charm but it is not as together as some. Jerry makes up for some of that by playing fantastic, noisy licks near the end of the first solo. Bob comes back strong with a couple more verses. His voice is ragged and also right. More harmony guitar leads to the fun key changes in the bridge, which of course climb right back to the final choruses. It’s a raucous way to end a show that will remain one of my favorites from any time. The last chord is beaten to a bloody pulp and the crowd goes bonkers.

Part 2 or Disc 2 of Steve Seachrist Grateful Dead Review May 3,1972

2011-12-03T14:07:00.004-07:00

Disc Two

1. Tennessee Jed

Having played this song dozens of times previously, and many times on this tour already, the Dead finally nail it for posterity here. They had lots of versions to choose from for the album and this one certainly deserved its place in history. And, yup, when

you hear those first riffs it’s pretty obvious that this is the same groove and ambience

from

Europe ’72. But right there in the first verse, it becomes clear that this is the

original vocal and not the overdubbed one when Jerry sings, “Listen to the whistle of

the

passing train.” I’ve never heard him sing that before. Otherwise, the lead vocal and

the backing vocals in the chorus are pretty close to the final version. Jerry is a bit more

exuberant here, with some raw emotion cutting through from time to time. He muffs

the line about “a few winks” which may have been the deciding factor in overdubbing

it. When the middle instrumental segment arrives, it is the same series of licks and this

was definitely used on the album. No wonder! It is as hot as this ever got. I love it.

Listen especially to what Weir does just under Garcia’s ripping lead. His interjections

are legendary here. The return to the final chorus and ending are utterly perfect, as you

probably already know. One aside: there is very little organ in this mix and absolutely

none in the original album mix.

2. Good Lovin'

Phil rather tentatively begins this and first Jerry, then the others, join in and build it

to a giant platform for Pigpen to ride atop. He sounds fully engaged and the band

plays loud and just edgily enough to keep it very real. The second chorus deflates and

immediately puffs back into a frantic jam led by Garcia playing fantastic, ripping guitar.

It calms suddenly and Pig comes back in with his improv segment. Lesh somehow gets

crossways and plays in a disharmonious key for a few bars, then returns to the planet

the rest of the guys are on. The rap is similar to others in most ways but it certainly

improvised word by word. I get chills as he hollers, “Come on daddy! See about me!”

By 7:00 the band calms and Pigpen decides to come home from his four-day drunk. A

substantial amount of hell breaks loose after this, with the guys veering off into a spacedout rock jam that temporarily quiets our narrator. They get quieter and quieter and Pig must re-enter almost at a whisper. I’ve never heard him this gentle sounding. He needs a little greasin’ and teasin’ and pleasin’, he says. The jam builds as the sex presumably commences, although Pigpen is never totally explicit. He wants to shift on up into overdrive and keep your transmission alive. Soon, Phil and Bobby are playing odd harmony versions of the theme and Jerry finds an even odder harmony to throw into the mix. They shift slowly to the melody and the song reprises. This one is supremely hot, too. Jer even throws in some of the rapidfire licks he would use on much later versions.

3. Sing Me Back Home

Here we have the first version on the tour of what would end up being a long string of

takes. Maybe they were considering it for the album. Pig is back on organ, lending a

funereal tone to this sad death march. Donna chimes in on the chorus, sweetly. The song is a lengthy dirge and if you are in the mood for that, this version is really beautiful. By the third chorus, Donna embellishes the “come alive” line with nice muscle. Then Jerry lights into his solo and just kills it as Phil goes a few unexpected places. It all works perfectly. This makes the next verse sound that much more poignant. By the time the last chorus arrives, I’d have to say I’ve never heard a better version. Sure, it has its little glitches here and there but overall it kills. The ending is enormous. Love it.

4. Casey Jones

And now for something completely different, as Monty Python used to say. It’s time

once again for that tragic train ballad. Oops, Jerry gets confused coming into the verse.

He doesn’t let this stop him from chugging forward with great steam. In fact, this version is just full of all the right electricity. I wouldn’t be surprised if this song and this take in particular was in consideration for the album. The solo section is off the rails. Weir does some spectacular things just after that. The repeat choruses come up and Billy adds speed. Watch it! The song travels perhaps one bit past it as Jerry wants to end but gets carried by the rest of the guys into one more round. Intermission is called and we hear the Parisians calling out for more music.

5. Greatest Story Ever Told

Presumably the crowd stuck around. Bob introduces Donna and Phil introduces Keith.

The band kicks into this with tons of energy. Jerry and Keith especially grind into their

parts hard. Donna sweetens the first chorus and Bob adds that cool little lick to turn it

back toward a verse. Fantastic. Hear Keith just after the second chorus as he rocks the

keys. Then Jer takes over with a furious run on the wah-pedaled guitar. The changes

in the middle are again suggested rather than explicitly played at first, then they slowly

come into focus until the jam boils over into the return chorus. This is not subtle, it’s

great in every way. The wrap is noisy and sublime all at once.

Ramble On Rose

This thing stumbles a few times before righting itself and coasting into the first verse.

The groove is good by then, though. Jerry sings it in his best 1972 voice and the band

nails all of the accents. Pig heats up the first bridge with whistling organ and the other

guys create a mess of more percussive sounds. The little solo after that has a small hole

in it but once fixed it squeaks like the best of them. This version has enough tiny loose

ends that you can hear why it wasn’t selected for the album, but it’s a nice alternative.

The second bridge is perhaps just a bit more mellow than the first but it ends big. That

leads the energy coming into the last verse and the Paris crowd gets a dose of good

rocking here.

6. Hurts Me Too

Jerry very soulfully leads this in with a metallic slide solo. Pig is slightly flat in his

singing, and this was often the case on this tune. The first verses coast by, full of blues.

“Yes it does,” Pigpen intones quietly just before giving us a taste harmonica. He quits

that after one round and Garcia picks up the slide again and wails. His second time

through is pretty insane yet in tune (compare to later Weir slide solos for contrast) and

Godchaux helps land it with a cluster of chords. Back to Pig for a verse. High marks for

playing, kind of low for singing. The ending is trashy fun.

A review of May 3 Olympia ,Paris Show by Steve Seachrist,

2011-12-02T13:41:00.003-07:00

Part 1

Steve Seachrist is a Deadhead, musician and a very good reviewer of Dead music, He writes in Musicians and Deadheads language, He has reviewed every Live CD that the Dead have released, Which is quite alot. I am priviledged to have Steve share his review of one of the concerts from the new Europe 72 Box Set. This is a show that I have ordered. Enjoy.

Europe ’72: The Complete Recordings – Paris, France 5/3/72

Overview

Thus begins a two-night stay at the venerated Olympia Theatre in Paris. Please do read

the liner notes to this one, again written by the highly enlightened Steve Silberman. And again his insight gives me license to just let him provide all of the context. That makes me very happy. But here’s a bit about the music played this night: first and foremost, no fewer than four songs were selected from this very gig for the original

Europe ’72 album: “China

Cat Sunflower”, “I Know You Rider”, “Tennessee Jed”, and “Jack Straw”. These are

centerpieces of that album and became the definitive versions for the vast majority of

Dead fans for a long time. Am I overstating this? I don’t think so. Taping became a
huge phenomenon later, but for a while, these were the ultimate in live versions. In my
mind, this is still pretty much true. I love other versions, but these are to me the pinnacle of what was possible. There are good reasons these were selected for overdubbing and subsequent release. They’re just incredibly hot, even next to versions played either side of this date. Go ahead, argue with me. I want to debate it.

The sound quality has taken a noticeable turn for the better over the past couple of shows, although it is still perhaps one notch inferior to earlier releases from the tour, like

Rockin’

the Rhein

or Steppin’ Out. Here’s hoping whatever was plaguing the sound has been

improved from this show on out.

Disc One

1. Bertha

The Paris crowd is already rowdy at the top, clapping in rhythm and cheering loudly.

The band warms up only for a second, then lights into this contender for tightest “Bertha” of the tour. This song had recently (in 1971) been released as a live version so there was little chance it would appear on the live album being recorded on this tour. Maybe that allowed them to loosen up a bit and just pummel it. Pigpen adds nice organ colors, Keith is a god of piano fills, and Jerry hits this out of the park in terms of singing and playing. Oh, sure, the other guys are all over it too. When the guitar solo hits, it is fantastic. I thought the one on

Skull and Roses was the monster (and it is) but this one is every bit as

hot and I never thought I’d say that.

2. Me and My Uncle

Another refugee from

Skull and Roses comes up here. Before it does, a woman speaks

some French to the audience. Weir chimes in in German. Prankster! The song comes to

life full of the same flavors that “Bertha” enjoyed only moments before. It is a very hot

version from the top to the tail. The solo is completely without peer. I do not know how

a band can get lit up to this extent, I really don’t. But here they are supernaturally great.

Every single note and nuance is as good (probably better) than you have ever heard it.

3. Mr. Charlie

This grooves so deeply I am having a hard time understanding how any version could

beat it. Jerry’s solo is certainly better than the official version. It is scary and thrilling in

ways that cannot be explained. The return to the verses is full of electricity and I rate this absolutely essential in the annals of “Mr. Charlie”. Wow!!

4. Sugaree

This easily could have been a contender for the original album. It is so solid and confidently played that it must have been on the short list. It is interesting that this tune

and the next one appeared on the live album from two years later, the universally-reviled

Steal Your Face

I don’t hate that album as much as most folks, and I do see it as another

noble attempt to present previously-unreleased live songs, a lot like

Europe ’72. But

back to this: the song is so completely full of the vibrancy you want that it is utterly

undeniable in its ascendancy to the top of the Europe heap. It’s the best so far.

5. Black Throated Wind There are so many great versions of this on the tour already, I didn’t know if this one could possibly beat them. Sound quality alone could give this an edge. It is played magically, too. Typically, Jerry’s lines make the biggest impact, but Bob’s singing and Phil’s contributions are killer and Keith and Billy nail their respective parts. Just when you thought you’d heard the best one, here comes this! Dig it. It is superlative, and I don’t use that term loosely.

6. Chinatown Shuffle

This version is perfect in its context here. The sound rocks, the playing is hot, and

Pigpen has never been in better form. If I had to nit-pick with a gun to my head, I’d say

Jerry may have nailed the guitar parts a little better on other versions but I am certainly

not going to complain. This is worthy of all the love you could invest in it. It is also a

necessary Pigpen interlude to the next tunes, which happen to be the ones selected for the

Europe ’72

album.

7. China Cat Sunflower

I’m really excited to hear this, since every nuance of the official version is burned deeply into my brain. Jerry gets the riff straight quietly then snaps to for real. That groove is undeniable – it is the one. To my ears, the vocal we are hearing here is the original one and the more familiar one was overdubbed. They are so close, I could be wrong. When “diamond eye jack” is sung, I know I am right. The instruments do precisely what you remember but they sound huge here. The instrumental bridge is like a Technicolor version of what you know. The last verse is again just different enough that you know there was a later revision. As the jam develops, it is that totally familiar sequence of sublime playing. And, yes, there are very good reasons why this concise little version was the one selected. It gives me chills to hear it like this. Jerry comes to the fore more so than other versions before the quick set-up to…

8. I Know You Rider

This sounds exactly like the vocals we know. Either they got it perfect live, or we are

now hearing overdubs. I’m going to guess the latter – it is too good. After the “wild

geese” verse, Jerry plays that exact solo we have imprinted in our brains. The next

chorus is that sweetened stuff you’ve heard so many times. Ditto the Jerry “train” verse

and the following chorus. Then the solo blows the roof off. Is it overdubbed? We don’t

know for sure but it sure is inspired. This is what Grateful Dead dreams are made of.

Whether live or contrived, it is pure magic. The crowd goes for it.

9. Beat It On Down The Line

“How many?” someone, probably Jerry, asks. Answer: nine. The version is as hot as

anything preceding it at this show. Every nuance is in place and the full-on Grateful

Dead X-Factor is on display. I don’t want to disparage the earlier shows but we have

serious lift-off here. There is no contest, even though earlier versions were great. This

one is better. We have finally reached our happy, happy home.

Weir mumbles some faux Francais at the end.

10. He's Gone

You’ll notice right away that the opening riff is that static one from earlier versions but it switches halfway through to the one we all know and love. That aside, there are tuning issues and the song is oddly grooveless. I can’t explain this any better than anyone else could. The air has somehow escaped the balloon. The efforts here all sound less than half-hearted. How did this band suddenly become nonchalant after so much magic? That is the eternal Grateful Dead quandary, and the reason we keep digging for the gems. This is certainly not one of them. As of the previous show the arrangement includes an instrumental bridge, a guitar solo that is only the verse part, and then the vocal bridge. That’s what we have here. The final verses are still undercooked and the ending just self fades unceremoniously. This version is easily my least favorite on the tour so far, even given the unfinished arrangements of some earlier ones. A lot of crowd cacophony and tuning precede the next number, but no one in the band says anything.

11. Next Time You See Me

Pig to the rescue again. There is no way to play this song without some level of commitment. The band comes back to life and pushes the blues buttons. After the first

quick verses the harp solo takes over for two rounds and Jerry is then given the stage.

He plays a couple of verses of moderately hot blues licks and hands it back off to Mr.

McKernan for more harmonica blowing. It’s fine and all, but not the definitive version

you may have been hoping for. It does include two verses at the end instead one, which I think is one too many.

12. Playing in the Band

No introduction of Donna precedes this but she is there on the first chorus, mixed

pleasantly low. The verses are powerful and relatively in-tune. When the time comes,

a reasonable bellow emits from Ms. Godchaux. One more chorus gets us to the jammy

zone and it goes to the watery depths immediately. After a minute, the heat is up there

with the best of these short versions and redemption is nigh. It is hard to deny the powers of any of these versions of this song. The X-Factor is on tap at all times. Before 7:00, strains of the return theme can already be heard, but do not let that get you down. Jerry works on the tease a bit more and then does get to it more explicitly. As concise as it is, this version satisfies. The drop to the actual theme is less dramatic than some on the tour, but once it arrives, the fanfare into the chorus is pretty big. Donna screams us in well and the final rounds are full of hot energy. Overall, not my favorite, but most of the many versions on the tour are very solid, including this one.

"Skaggs Family Christmas" - Vol 2 - a review

2011-11-28T18:34:00.000-07:00

This concert on CD and DVD is a real bluegrass ,Christmas treat, recorded live at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville. A very relaxed concert featuring The Whites and Ricky Skaggs with Kentucky Thunder.

   What a treat to watch and hear the very talented Cody Kilby playing guitar, I mean (lead bluegrass guitar), missing alot in bluegrass today.

   There is something for everyone if you are a country or bluegrass fan. The traditional Christmas songs are just plain beautiful with the accompaniment of the Nashville Strings.

A very special combination of original songs and traditional Christmas material is performed.

   "What Songs Were Sung" is a song that one of the Skaggs girls sang. It is just a very sweet, melodic tune. Following that, Luke Skaggs, (son of Ricky) plays lead guitar on a very upbeat song called "Flight To Egypt" which is very progressive. Luke Skaggs is a refreshing young, talented man who looks like he will carry on his Dad's tradition.

    There is a CD which has a lot of the songs which were on the DVD in the set.

www.Skaggsfamilyrecords.com

"The Dead In 1976" - Road Trips 4.5 - A Review

2011-11-21T17:55:00.000-07:00

The Grateful Dead of 1976 was one of my favorite configurations. Back from a time off in 1975, the members went their own ways for awhile. They sounded refreshed and ready to play.

I am listening to the Dead's last Road Trip's Series which is my first one, it is the releases which followed Dick's Picks(Latvala), and now will make way for Dave's Picks (Lemieux). This is their Third show back of the small theater tour they did. They would play usually multiple nights at a smaller than huge venue. In Boston and Philly , they did 4 night stands. Tickets were available by mail order to Deadheads first. I got the best seats ever for a Dead show, two third row seats. The Tower Theatre in Philly seats about 2,000. The vibe of these shows is mellow and intimate. Donna's singing is coming into her own, and sort of has to, as Phil is not singing at this point. Mixed in with recent Dead material,they were playing some Jerry Garcia Band songs and Kingfish songs(a group that Weir played in during 75, a country rock type group, they put out one album, a good one, in my opinion, I saw them ,the previous year.

    They played the two songs "Lazy Lightning" and "Supplication" by Kingfish on the Road Trips disc and from the JGB, "They Love Each Other" and "Mission In the Rain" from "Reflections" by the JGB.

   A beautiful version of "Crazy Fingers" is on the Road Trips disc. Garcia is playing a white Travis Bean guitar, which he played for about a year. It tonally gave him some great tone, though it took a while for him to get it dialed in, after playing the heavily tricked out Irvin "Wolf" guitar which he was used to. The sound quality of this record is like a good Dick's Picks and it contains a caveat on it about how it is a snapshot of history, not a modern professional recording. The quality is good enough, not to need a caveat, but I think there had been some complaints about the quality of a former recording, I guess that they wanted to give themselves a way out. For the most part, I really like the sound quality. Garcia's vocals are low in a lot of the mix, depending on song. They are getting away from the Wall Of Sound which they had used on their last tour to a down sized system that they rented for a trial of shows.

   It is fun to hear them start out the second set with "St Stephen", a song which I do not think had been played in a while. Sounds like some of the beginning is lost or it was part of a segway from another song. Very good version of "Eyes Of The World " next, both on the mellow side. Next, they play a part of the Weather Report trilogy "Let It Grow", which is different, but good. A lot of songs on this Road Trips, I heard a few weeks later in Philly which was a more upbeat show, with a lot more reverb. I had heard an interview with Jeffrey Norman about mixing the Dead, He mastered this CD set. He said that Garcia always liked too much reverb on his guitar, so he would take it out in the mastering process. I don't know about this, you are trying to present the music the way that the group liked it, but you change it to your own tastes? A little more reverb would have been nice to warm up the mix. Jerry plays one of his best solos on " Ship Of Fools", He was not really jamming alot this night or playing lots of extended leads.

     Weir was playing a custom Ibanez instead of his Gibson 335 which he had been using and it changed his tone, The Gibson was a hollow body. Nice booklet by Blair Jackson describing the show with some nice pics. To fill out the space on Disc 3, they added some songs from June 12 to the CD. The Original Show ends with a raucous "Round and Round" which at first I thoght was a gliche, but it wasn't, towards the end of the song, they actually gallup into double speed, quite a feat, Jerry playing almost mandolin style. All in all, a good show, they were still working themselves back into shape after being off for awhile. The songs from June 12 were really nice. A Sugar Magnolia with a US Blues in the middle of it. I think that I had heard them do that once before.

www.dead.net

"In Overdrive" - Aaron Tippin - a review

2011-10-17T17:37:00.000-07:00

This CD by Aaron Tippin is a tribute The great Jerry Reed, guitarist,singer and actor. This great selection of well known trucking songs, performed by Tippin and his band of Nashville studio musicians is the right CD to put in your Car for a long ride. I like the retro Reed sound and great guitar picking by Brent Mason and Pat Buchanon.

   The CD starts out with Reed's "Eastbound and Down" from Smoky and the Bandit. This is really flat out nailed,as Tippin does some great Jerry Reed style singing. This band keeps it country, in the Reed Time period. If this doesn't get your toes tappin, I don't know what will. Great selection of songs on well produced CD.

   Some other songs I recommend are "Drill Here, Drill Now" which has a CDB type sound and a message to it. "Drivin' Fool" is a country rocker ballad with good lyrics and even better pedal steel by Mike Johnson. Finally, for a laugh, well, maybe not, if you are this truck driver, "Chicken Truck".

   www.aarontippin.com

DeadViDs- All Dead

2011-09-27T16:37:00.000-07:00

"Europe 72" - Volume Two - Review

2011-09-26T16:56:00.000-07:00

I have had this set for about a week and I go back and forth on it. I loved "Europe 72" ,it turned me on to the Dead, back in the day. I have the '03 Rhino remastering of it, as I have gone from 2 sets of LPs in the Seventies, to a Cassette version, then to 2 versions on Compact Disc, the original in '91 and also the remaster by Rhino (which is done in HDCD),which I love , both CD versions are very good, but Rhinos' really opens it up and you can just hear everything in the recording,also,it is tonally exquisite.

This Volume Two was a great idea, but I find the sound quality a bit disappointing at times, especially for Rhino, but most people who are used to mp3s will not notice anything, Digital recording has set new standards for what and how folk listen to stuff. There is some distortion in places, I find listening to it on a regular CD Deck as opposed to a HDCD deck makes it sound better. There are some very good performances on here, a great version of "Greatest Story Ever Told", an inspiring "Sing Me Back Home" (Haggard) with some pretty harmonies on it, even Donna Jean sounds good on this song. I find that Disc Two has a deeper tonal quality to it. Also it ends with a very good rendering of "Not Fade Away- Going Down the Road Feeling Bad". This is a good companion for the original Europe 72, no songs repeated. It is culled from the 73 disc remix/remaster of the whole Spring Grateful Dead Tour, which covers 22 shows, in 73 Discs. I have not heard any of those, so hopefully there are no sound problems with that box set which you can still get from dead.net for $450.

www.dead.net

Time Life Building Strong Marketing Campaign For Hank Williams: The Legend Begins That Releases Sept. 13, 2011

2011-09-13T15:06:00.000-07:00

Coverage Will Include National TV Shows WGN Midday News And Daytime Along With Coverage From Blurt Magazine, Hits Magazine, Billboard.com, Blogcritics.org, Country Weekly And Chicago Tribune

Fairfax, VA (September 12, 2011) -- The highly anticipated Hank Williams: The Legend Begins releases tomorrow, September 13th, through Time Life and the Estate of Hank Williams. Already there is critical acclaim for the project with coverage from such major media outlets as national television programs, WGN Midday News (September 20) and Daytime (September 27); magazines such as Blurt, Vintage Guitar, Goldmine, Hits and Country Weekly; high-profile newspapers like Chicago Tribune, Philadelphia Inquirer, Tennessean and Arkansas Democrat Gazette; and online webzines, Billboard.com and Blogcritics.org. Williams’ daughter, Jett, is also doing a three day satellite radio tour that includes over forty radio stations and syndicated outlets that service 100+ stations. In conjunction with the radio interviews, close to eight-hundred radio stations are doing promotional giveaways during street week and over the weekend. In addition, there will be national and focused online marketing initiatives (e.g. contests, social networking, and email blasts to extensive related data bases etc.)
The 3-CD box set offers Williams’ first recordings at fifteen and seventeen years old, which have never been heard before, along with his first radio series, Health & Happiness. The recordings have been restored with the highly acclaimed technology that was used for the Grammy nominated project last year, The Complete Mother’s Best Recordings….Plus!. Hank Williams: The Legend Begins will be available online at Amazon.com, along with other digital and retail outlets.
"I am very proud that these recordings have been made available to everyone,” says Hank Williams, Jr. “It was great to hear of their discovery, and then to share the treasure of daddy's music is wonderful! It really takes you back to a time when family meant something, where we would all circle around that radio and listen to those legendary shows. It is a rare find indeed and I'm so glad people will now have the chance to hear that part of history."
"This might be the most rewarding component of this entire multi-year project," adds Jett Williams." I am just so pleased that I was able to obtain and preserve these early recordings of my dad. To think of him at 14 or 15 sitting at a kitchen table, in a garage or wherever, singing songs that would end up being a part of his legacy is truly remarkable."

The music will take you back to 1938 when Williams was a 15-year-old teenager performing his first recordings of Fan It and Alexander’s Ragtime Band. Then fast forward to 1940, and the rare home recordings show how much Williams’ voice had matured in two years when he rocks out to four classics of American music; Freight Train Blues, New San Antonio Rose, St. Louis Blues, and Greenback Dollar. In 1949, Williams recorded his first syndicated radio series, The Health And Happiness Show. Forty-nine songs from the show have been restored on Hank Williams: The Legend Begins which gives superior quality to these historic CDs.

Interview With Dennis McNally, About New Europe 72 Box Set

2011-09-07T17:31:00.000-07:00

This is a short interview I did through an e-mail conversation with Dennis McNally, longtime publicist and historian for the Grateful Dead, some info from his view about the highly anticipated release of the Europe 72 Box Set, which is easily the Group's biggest undertaking, containing 22 full shows performed on the Europe 72 Tour, in a format of 73 HDCD CDs, with the first 7,200 versions in a fancy trunk with extras and personalization's and the rest after that are music only, the 73 CDs in Digipak packaging. Also, there is being released a Europe 72 -Part 2, which contains songs not on the original Album.

1. Dennis,your book about the Grateful Dead is the one I go to when I want to find something out, it's like the
textbook of The Grateful Dead, you were there, as publicist alot and also as Historian, moreover, you were there, from the beginning. How excited are you about this release of the Whole Europe 72 Tour, Twenty Two Shows, Seventy Three CDs?

It's unquestionably, overall, the best tour in the band's history. And of course it was recorded in 16 track, so now what you're going to hear is the best possible version... so yes, I'm excited/impressed/very pleased that Rhino pulled the trigger on this.

2. This original 3 record set of "Europe 72" turned myself and many others on to the Grateful Dead. Back Then, Did the Organization think that this recording which they had put so much into would turn out to be as big and influential as it was?

By the time of Europe '72, the band had already put out six albums. Though Workingman's Dead and American Beauty had done well, their overall experience with the record business had been mostly a little disappointing, even though they recognized that Warner Bros. had actually treated them pretty well. So, no, I doubt very much that they had any wild expectations of the results of Europe '72.

3. Just to keep this short, any special memory of the tour, that you would like to share?

I'm lazy - I'm going to give you the story as I wrote it in the book....

"It was during their second and last night in Paris that the most hilarious adventure of the tour began. A young Frenchman approached the band at the theater and began arguing about their lack of political consciousness. To Kreutzmann, it seemed "obvious he wanted free tickets." They put him off, and he moved his harangue to Cutler and Rex Jackson, getting no satisfaction. When everyone returned to the hotel, he took up a position in front, bracing every member of the tour party as they came in or out. He was wearing a velvet jacket, which caught their eye, and when they eventually concluded he'd become a bore, Rex dumped ice cream on the jacket he was so proud of, and the Dead all had a good laugh and went to bed. While they slept, Monsieur la Politiquehad his revenge, introducing a foreign substance into the equipment truck's gas tank.
The next day they were scheduled to play Lille, a very political college town. The buses and one truck arrived, their equipment truck did not. No amps,no show. The promoter was not able to offer instant refunds -- according to some memories, he was unable to offer refunds at all. Sensing trouble,the streetwise Garcia decided that honor did not require going to the hall, and along with Kreutzmann, elected to stay at the hotel. "You guys are nuts" was his analysis. Phil and Bobby went out on the stage and talked to the audience, but "Pasde musique" was about the best they could muster, even after Weir's five years of high school French. "It quickly became my job to explain to a crowd of irate Frenchmen just exactly this -- no show tonight, sorry about that. I got three or four sentences off before the crowd became very surly."
Ushered offstage into the dressing room, Lesh, Weir, Rosie, and a few others suddenly realized they were in deep shit. The audience was furious, convinced of American perfidy, and though no one was thinking in terms of death, Weir thought "they woulda thumped us good and proper." The door to the dressing room had a window, and they covered it with newspapers and considered their options. Other than being thumped, there was only one: climb down the drainpipe to the top of the truck, jump down on the hood,then to the ground, and run run run for the bus, which was waiting with the engine idling. The furious Frenchmen began to pound on the door, and as the hinges started to creak, Dead family members began going out the window. A gentleman to the end, Weir's main worry, as he thought about it later, was getting the interpreter, Rosie McGee, and photographer,Mary Ann Mayer, down the drainpipe. That accomplished, he turned to the promoter, promised they'd make up the show, dropped a rose on the sill, and scooted down the pipe like the part monkey he was. He was on the roof of the truck when he heard the door give way, and he hit the ground running for "what physicists called the absolute elsewhere, in a big hurry." A couple of hours later, after wrapping themselves around some good Bordeaux, it was all pretty funny, but it had been a near thing."

From Dennis McNally's Book "A Long Strange Trip: The Inside History of The Grateful Dead"
(available on Amazon and where fine books are sold"

www.Dead.net

"V" -Kenny Vaughn - A Review

2011-08-30T17:25:00.000-07:00

I heard this CD for the first time last night, this is a heads up, great CD, one of those that really caught me saying, like , this is great, Kenny has done so much under the radar, known as guitarist for Marty Stuart's Fabulous Superlatives, He is a rare guitarist who is truly as good on acoustic as he is on electric, like Brent Mason and Bryan Sutton in one. TONE,TONe,TOne,Tone,tone. From "Country Music got a hold on me" to "Don't Leave Home Without Jesus", Kenny sparkles with the Superlatives as his backup band and Marty Stuart as his other guitarist.

Kenny has done lots of stuff in his musical career, even a dip in punk music. I first heard Him in a Mindy Smith CD from 04 called "One Moment More". He has done lots of studio work. He spent some time in Lucinda Williams band. He took lessons from Bill Frisell, and went on from there. This record has a lot of flavor of swing in it and even a touch of surf style sound. His guitar playing is sensational in his own way. You really get to hear what he can do, when he is let free. "Wagon Ride" is a mid tempo instrumental that shows Kenny playing at his best, yet doing things in his own style, lots of reverb, real country rock. The lyrics to "The Things I Do" are down to earth and the song sort of shows his style of music. Him and Marty Stuart play very well together. Not many guests on this CD, just the Superlatives and Chris Scruggs, Oak Ridge Boys, Charles Treadway and Jeffrey Clemens.

The last song on the disc, "Don't Leave Home Without Jesus" is a sincere tune about Christ. The overall sound quality is top notch, produced by Gary Paczosa, an icon of Nashville producers. The guy knows how to make an artist sound good. I mean, if you want to hear one of today's best in his own element, This is a CD to get.

http://www.sugarhillrecords.com/

My Review of IRT Deadliest Roads Season 1 DVD SET

2011-08-29T15:41:00.001-07:00

Originally submitted at AETN

IRT: DEADLIEST ROADS sends today''s toughest drivers to navigate the world''s most dangerous roads as they haul their way through India''s Himalayan highways, some of the most historic and lethal on the planet. From the crowded streets of Delhi, to treacherously steep, narro...

Real Dangerous Roads

By guit30 from Abington,Pa on 8/29/2011

Pros: Engaging Characters, Informative, Entertaining, Great Cinematography

Best Uses: Worth more than one view

Describe Yourself: Casual Viewer

Excellent camera work, not one camera worker seen, in newer shows, they are getting sloppy with their camera folk. Beautiful vistas.

(legalese)

"Little Bird" - Kasey Chambers - a review

2011-08-22T17:41:00.000-07:00

Kasey Chambers sounds a bit more mainstream on the production of her new CD, well, it has been out for awhile in Australia. Now, Sugar Hill Records is releasing it here in the states. The title track "Little Bird" is a real catchy song, bouncy melody with real melodic feel. She still has that bit of nasally sound to her vocals, but her voice sounds stronger than ever.

"Somewhere" is a very beautiful love ballad. It is done very well, Sort of a sparse delivery, but very delightful. Some nice guitar fades,too. The lyrics are thought provoking.

Bottom Line, This is a good CD, that has proven itself, it seems to try to please both alt/country and mainstream country fans by it's variety of material. I love the textures the sound quality produces, American version mastered by a top notch engineer who usually doesn't master a lot of country, but this works well.

Enjoy

http://www.kaseychambers.com/

"To Terrapin" - Grateful Dead- HDCD

2011-08-17T17:38:00.000-07:00

On May 28,1977, the Grateful Deadtook the stage and put out possibly the best sounding and tightest show that the band has ever done.This was not a multi-track recording. 1977 and 1972 were my 2 favorite years of Dead Music. "To Terrapin" was released in '09 as was their June 77,box set from Winterland which covered 3 full shows, June 7,8 and 9. I also have 2 great Dick's Picks from 77, DP 10 "Winterland,Dec 29" and DP 15 "Live From Englishtown ,NJ, an outdoors festival with the MTB. (I was at that one).

"To Terrapin", was done way after last Dick's Pick, #36(I was at that one too, Philly, 72) the untimely death of Dick, led to other outlets from the vault ,like Road Trips and special shows ,like "To Terrapin". This concert was a bargain ,selling for around 15 bucks for 3 Discs in a Cardboard sleeve. The artwork, along with the music is beautiful. This is a Betty Cantor recording, like Dick would used for a Dick's Pick, but technology had picked up and also Rhino Records were in charge of Dead releases, so the sound quality was shining, it was mastered by Jeffrey Norman.

Garcia is playing his Travis Bean guitar on this show, which had a different timbre than the Wolfe,his custom guitar, built by Irwin Guitars. I really loved the tones he got out of this instrument which had an aluminum frame. There is a very well done "Estimated Prophet" on Disc 3, which is off of their newest CD , "Terrapin Station". A very good "Playing in The Band", with some unusual jamming for this version. Keith Godchaux plays great on this disc. On the first CD, there are very good versions of "Jack Straw" and "Row Jimmy", overall, a very good setlist. This summer, I have been taking a bit of a break from bluegrass, and there haven't been any stellar releases that I have heard, except Ricky Skaggs latest, recently. I have been delving into the vault of Grateful Dead music, something only a Deadhead would understand. See you next time.

http://www.dead.net/ -Coming soon, Europe 72 Box Set

"Wrapped Up Good" - The McClymonts - A Review

2011-08-15T14:22:00.000-07:00

This Three Lady Country group from Australia has put out a very good and hot country CD reminiscent of the Dixie Chicks back in the "Wide Open Spaces" era. They released the CD in Australia in last year with very good results. They released the first four songs on the CD as singles and each was a single #1 on the Aussie Country Charts. I really love their sound. They write most all of the songs and Nathan Chapman and Adam Anders produce different songs on the CD. This is their second CD.

They start out rockin with "Kick It Up", a country, dance number. Lots of nice hooks and they sing well together. It looks like they play some of their own instruments when performing. I found a YouTube for this song, and each gal was playing an instrument, bass, guitar and mandolin. "Wrapped Up Good" is another well done upbeat country song, with some great guitar work. These gals can really sing well together, the 3 part harmonies are something to behold.

"He Used To Love Me" is a masterpiece of a ballad , It has a great emotional melody. This CD is very well produced, by Adam Anders and Nathan Chapman. Both of these guys are great. "Boy Who Cried Love" is another upbeat country song. These gals are great songwriters too. Overall, these girls are a step above what you hear on country radio, not everything, but their music is every bit as good or better than what is on country radio. They have a debut at the Grand Ole Opry. This should give them well deserved exposure. Last fall, they opened for country "bad boy" Jason Aldean, that must have been a great show.

"Take It Back" is a mid tempo song sang by Samantha, Brooke sings most of The leads. Samantha has a different timbre to her voice, a bit more melodic, where Brooke tends to rock out more. "Rock The Boat" -Talk about rocking out, Brook rocks out on this song, which has a great guitar solo. You know, there is just not a bad song on this CD. This is real talent. I would be surprised if they don't get picked up by a major label, or at least get a major distribution deal.

http://www.themcclymonts.net/

JUDDS RECEIVE HIGH HONORS AS #15 OF BILLBOARD MAGAZINE'S TOP 25 COUNTRY ARTISTS, 1985-2011

2011-08-12T13:08:00.000-07:00

THE JUDDS RECEIVE HIGH HONORS AS #15 OF

BILLBOARD MAGAZINE’S TOP 25 COUNTRY ARTISTS, 1985-2011

Nashville, TN (August 12, 2011) – The Judds, one of the most successful Country music duos of all time, have been named #15 of Billboard Magazine’s Top 25 Country Artists from 1985-2011. Earlier this summer, Billboard ranked the top 25 country artists of the last twenty-five years, combing their Country Songs and Country Album charts since 1985.

Kentucky natives, The Judds became country music’s sole successful mother-daughter duo and practically owned the country charts during the ‘80s. Naomi and Wynonna shot to stardom with a cover of Elvis Presley’s “Had a Dream (For the Heart)” in 1983, followed by heartfelt ballads such as “Mama He’s Crazy” and “Grandpa (Tell Me ‘Bout the Good Old Days).” After launching their career with Curb/RCA Records, The Judds sold 20 million albums in just six short years. All but two of The Judds’ 16 radio singles between 1984-1989 topped Billboard’s Country Songs chart. By 1989, The Judds were one of the top-grossing and most popular touring acts in America, earning more than 60 industry awards, including multiple CMA, ACM and GRAMMY awards.

Sadly, at the height of their career, Naomi Judd announced her impending retirement at the end of 1991 due to health complications. Their subsequent tour sold more concert tickets than any artist that year except for The Grateful Dead and The Rolling Stones. The pair reunited on Dec. 31, 1999, for a New Year’s Eve show, prompting a successful reunion tour, multi-media partnership and CBS Special in 2000 sponsored by Kmart. Then, ten years later, after a performance at the 2009 CMA Music Festival, and with encouragement from their fans, the duo decided to tour another time for their 2010 tour, The Judds: The Last Encore. During this significant time, they invited the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN) to document their journey.. In April 2011, their six-episode docu-series, “The Judds,” debuted with the highest rated premiere outside of OWN’s launch week. Viewers tuned in every Sunday night to watch the moving exploration of Wynonna and Naomi’s mother-daughter bond weaved throughout the backdrop of this momentous concert tour.

How This Chart Was Created

The Top Country Artists 1985-2011 ranking is based on actual performance on the weekly Country Songs and Country Albums charts dated Jan. 5, 1985 – June 4, 2011. Artists are ranked based on an inverse point system, with weeks at No. 1 earning the greatest value and weeks at the lower end of the chart earning the least.

Prior to the Country Songs chart’s implementation in January 1990 of monitored radio airplay by Nielsen BDS and the Country Albums list’s incorporation of point-of-purchase sales date from Nielsen SoundScan in May 1991, titles on those lists had shorter reigns at No. 1 and shorter chart lives. To ensure equitable representation from all 25-plus years, earlier time frames were each weighted to account for the difference between turnover rates from those years and the turnover rates that have occurred since the advent of Nielsen music data. (Used by permission)

Media Contact:

Kirt Webster

615-777-6995 x230

kirt@websterpr.com

Europe 72 -Part 2 - Grateful Dead

2011-08-08T17:40:00.001-07:00

I'm sure that you have heard of the huge project Jeffrey Norman and David Glasser of Airshow Mastering have been working on. They are remixing and remastering every song from the Europe 72 Grateful Dead Tour which consisted of 23 concerts. They will release this in 72 HDCD Discs in a special fancy boxed set for the first 7,200 orders and after that you can get the discs only in digipak for the same $450.00

I am happy that they also decided to release a Europe 72 -part 2 , which will contain songs from the tour that did not make it on the original Europe 72.

http://www.dead.net/

Grateful Dead Road Trips Vol4 , #4

2011-08-03T15:51:00.001-07:00

This Grateful Dead 82 Concert at The Spectrum in Philly sounds awesome. The Recording is excellent and contains 3 Discs of great songs. Garcia's vocals are great, the recording is just splendid,unlike most Road trips CDs, this is a full concert ,like a Dick's Picks,but the Sound Quality is almost unbelievable, especially Garcia, both vocals and guitar!!!

Get it @

http://www.dead.net/

"Wine,Women and Song" -Gretchen Peters,Matraca Berg and Suzy Bogguss

2011-07-28T17:50:00.000-07:00

Gretchen Peters, Matraca Berg and Suzy Bogguss play a show at a place called "Green's Grocery" in Leiper's Fork , Tennessee on Feb 24, 2011. There were tornado warnings out, but this great show goes on, and I am so glad that it is on DVD.

These ladies sound so good together. Wow, they are singing C,S,N's "Helpless", great harmony. Berg plays some great harmonica. You know what is cool, these gals play the same guitar for the whole show. They don't have a guitar tech handing them a new guitar every song. Gretchen has this beautiful Jumbo ,Maple Gibson. Suzy plays a gorgeous handmade guitar, the wood is exquisite. Matraca has vintage looking Gibson which is like a dreadnought size.

Peter's "You Don't Even Know Who I Am", really blew me away, always loved this song, Patty Loveless did a great version of it on a 94 Album. When the songwriter sings it, it always seems a bit more personal.

Gretchen plays some mandolin, these gals sound so good together, they really seem to love singing together. Bogguss plays some percussion on some songs.

This is a great performance, not real formal ,but it is a simple delight. There are 12 songs on the DVD. They play a couple of songs after the crowd leaves. A beautiful rendition of "Further Along". I love a tune that Peters sings ,called "Gaudelaupe", with Berg on Harmonica and Bogguss singing backup. Peter's jumbo Gibson is a sweet sounding guitar.

Another special treat is from Berg's new CD "The Dreaming Fields", is called "South Of Heaven". If you like country done unplugged by the best, you will love this.

http://www.gretchenpeters.com/

"The Life We Live" - Cumberland River - A Review

2011-07-21T17:45:00.000-07:00

Cumberland River is a real authentic sounding bluegrass band. They write their own songs and their music has good melodies and harmonies also, but with a flair of the old time bluegrass sound prevalent in their music. The Dobro is a big part of their sound. Steve Gulley does a good job of producing the CD. I like the sound Gulley creates, not too polished, he lets the instruments come thru like they should. Banjo and mandolin sound great too, with some nice lead guitar.

James Dean plays banjo and sings, Joseph Jones plays upright bass, Dustin Middleton plays guitar and mandolin, and sings, Andy Buckner sings and plays guitar, Justin Moses plays fiddle and Dobro, and Jamie Stewart plays Dobro. Steve Gulley sings harmony on several tracks, plus Dale Ann Bradley also sings harmony vocals.

Their music appears on the TV show "Justified", Six of their original songs appeared on two different shows. I really like "Train Of Sorrow", a song that tells a sad story. "Remember Me" is a sad song that is very touching.

This is a very good bluegrass set of songs, that has an original sound in old genre.

http://www.cumberland-river.com/

"The BLU-DISC" - Nu- Blu - A review

2011-07-13T17:31:00.000-07:00

This group has a smooth ,yet fundamental bluegrass sound as they play their way thru this disc. The group is Carolyn Routh on bass, Daniel Routh on guitar with Kendall Gales on mandolin and Levin Austin on banjo. Their sound is definitely their own as they play these in the bluegrass vein, yet what comes out is smooth as a mountain stream, almost with a pop sound, yet not a bad thing, their sound is great.

After a quick look at titles , I recognized several songwriters like Mark Brinkman, but I did not notice much in the way of new stuff, but what they play sounds delightful. Carolyn has a great voice for the female lead vocals, I mean, real good. I really like the instrument interaction, they are really together. It is really well produced, the tones are smooth and sweet. The lyrics of these songs are very thought provoking. The opening track "Look To You" is delightful, yet the words are challenging.

Nu-Blu is a new dimension in the bluegrass world, it is a CD to check out, I liked it immediately, it is different, but what is wrong with that. There are some more traditional driving songs mixed in.

http://www.nu-blu.com/

THE ROYS PLEDGE SUPPORT TO COMPASSION INTERNATIONAL

2011-07-12T14:52:00.000-07:00

Nashville, TN (July 11, 2011) -- The reigning two-time Inspirational Country Music's Duo of the Year, The Roys, "RESPOND with Compassion" as they support COMPASSION INTERNATIONAL's newest campaign. The RESPOND with Compassion effort encourages people everywhere to sponsor a child - now.

"The development of the whole child is the foundation of Compassion International. Sponsorship enables us to work one-on-one with the child, fostering a personal relationship and transforming families and communities," says Zane King, Manager of Artist Relations for Compassion. "We are simply asking everyone to ask themselves one question: Can you offer aid to a child in need?"

One key component of the new RESPOND campaign is to offer donors three different "needs" categories, which allows for targeted contributions: Health & Medical, Disaster Relief & Stability, and Education. To learn more about how you can Respond, visit www.theroysonline.com, click on the Compassion logo, and sponsor a child today.

"It's a very unique concept," says Elaine Roy of the new campaign. "A lot of folks who donate to charity wonder where their money goes," adds her brother, Lee Roy. "This way they'll know for certain how their money is spent, and they'll rest easy knowing that Compassion is one of the top 1% of all charities in terms of stewardship."

The duo has been involved with the organization since early 2010, and last Summer, Lee and Elaine traveled to Bogota, Columbia, South America to experience first-hand how the programs are implemented. Compassion's King is happy to have The Roys on board for this new campaign. "We are just thrilled to be in partnership with them as they ask their fans to 'RESPOND with Compassion' to help those in need."

As part of their ongoing relationship with Compassion, The Roys' tour bus has been "wrapped" with RESPOND graphics, and Compassion is furnishing the duo with t-shirts and other giveaway items to help them spread the word to their fans. "We believe strongly in their mission to eradicate poverty in the lives of children," says Lee. "We want to spread the message that sponsoring a child not only changes the life of that child, but it changes the sponsor's life as well," adds Elaine.

Upcoming shows for The Roys include:

Craven Country Jamboree (Saskatchewan, Canada, 7/14 -17)

The Oak Tree Opry (Anita, IA, 7/19)

Country Thunder (Twin Lakes, WI, 7/21-24)

Blue Moon Mountain Bluegrass Festival (Prestonsburg, KY, 7/30)

Workplay Theater (Birmingham, AL, 8/4)

Chocotaw Casino with Janie Fricke (Idabel, OK, 8/6)

Dogwood Park Concert Series (Greeneville, TN, 8/21)

ABOUT THE ROYS:

These Massachusetts natives were "raised right" on country and bluegrass in New Brunswick, Canada. Their current CD, LONESOME WHISTLE (Rural Rhythm Records), debuted at #7 on BILLBOARD's Bluegrass Albums Chart. Their current single (and video) "Coal Minin' Man," is generating a storm of media attention on a national level, and rapidly expanding their ever-growing fan base. The Roys come from a unique, musical family and are known for their superb sibling harmonies, Rootsy/Bluegrass sound and compelling original songs. http://www.theroysonline.com/

ABOUT COMPASSION INTERNATIONAL:

Compassion International (www.compassion.com) is the world's largest Christian child development organization that permanently releases children from poverty. Founded in 1952, CI successfully tackles global poverty one child at a time, serving more than 1.2 million children in 26 of the world's poorest countries. Recognizing that poverty is more than a lack of money, CI works through local churches to holistically address the individual physical, economic, educational and spiritual needs of children - enabling them to thrive, not just survive. CI has been awarded 10 consecutive, four-star ratings by Charity Navigator, America's largest charity evaluator.

Media Contacts

For The Roys

Martha E. Moore / 615.746.3994

so much MOORE media

martha@somuchmoore.com

For Compassion International

Chris Tatum / 615.777.6995

Webster PR

chris@websterpr.com

THE MARSHALL TUCKER BAND SETS SAIL WITH ROCK LEGENDS CRUISE THIS DECEMBER

2011-07-07T16:44:00.000-07:00

MTB Headlines Cruise With ZZ Top, George Thorogood & the Destroyers, John Kay & Steppenwolf, Dickey Betts & Great Southern, Foghat, Artimus Pyle, Molly Hatchet, Johnny Winter, The Edgar Winter Band, Among Others

Royal Caribbean's Liberty Of The Seas Cruise Ship Departs on Four-Day Excursion to the Bahamas December 1

Nashville, Tenn. (July 7, 2011) – This December, legendary southern rockers The Marshall Tucker Band will ‘batten down the hatches’ and take to the seas, as they co-headline the inaugural ROCK LEGENDS CRUISE, benefiting the Native American Heritage Association (NAHA).

“This is going to be one hell of a party on the Atlantic,” notes Marshall Tucker Band lead singer and founding member Doug Gray. “Hittin’ the waters with some of our best rocker pals never sounded so good. You can bet we’ll have some of these guys jammin’ with us MTB-style on more than a few of our sets!”

Departing from Ft. Lauderdale on Dec. 1, The Marshall Tucker Band joins more than 18 rock bands including ZZ Top, George Thorogood & The Destroyers, John Kay & Steppenwolf, Dickey Best & Great Southern, Foghat, Molly Hatchet, Johnny Winter, The Edgar Winter Band, and The Outlaws, among others, on a four-day Bahamian cruise.

As many as 3,200 music fans, served by a crew of 1,300, will be aboard The Royal Caribbean Line’s Liberty of the Seas. The ship, one of the largest (160,000 tons / length equal to almost four football fields / 18 decks) and most luxurious passenger vessels in service today, is scheduled for stops in Bahamian cities Coco Cay and Nassau. The main attraction of the cruise is the multiple performances by the rock bands brought aboard in four different on-board venues. Liberty of the Seas also features on-board surfing thanks to its FlowRider wave generator, a boxing ring, a full-sized volleyball / basketball court, cantilevered whirlpools and a range of gourmet restaurants.

The unprecedented cruise will benefit Native American Heritage Association’s mission to provide emergency assistance and self-help programs to the Sioux Native Americans living on reservations in South Dakota. Since 1993, NAHA has worked with Lakota (Sioux) Reservations, strengthening the Native American communities and families one member at a time. The challenges are difficult as unemployment rates on the Reservations are at 80%, 70% have no transportation, the average life expectancy is 58 years of age, infant mortality is 10 times the national average and 31% of Native American children under the age of 4 are obese because of lack of proper nutrition. NAHA, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, in partnership with Feeding America and Gifts In Kind International, has provided food, clothing, heating assistance, personal care items and home care items to the many Native Americans in need. NAHA has a 17-year history of executing its mission in a fiscally responsible way, outperforming most other charities. Thanks to its financially sound business practices, NAHA has earned 6 consecutive 4-star rating with www.charitynavigator.org. 92.4% of all NAHA revenue goes toward its program services. For additional information, visit http://www.naha-inc.org/

This year, The Marshall Tucker Band celebrates its 40th year since forming in 1971. Last May, the band, in recognition of four decades, released The Marshall Tucker Band: Greatest Hits and lead singer Doug Gray’s lost solo recordings, Soul Of The South. The legendary southern rock band continues to tour regularly and recently returned from a five-concert tour of Iraq and Kuwait, where they entertained thousands of United States military personnel.

For ROCK LEGENDS CRUISE ticketing information, visit www.rocklegendscruise.com.

For additional information on The Marshall Tucker Band, visit http://www.marshalltucker.com/

"Grateful Dead Movie Soundtrack and other News"

2011-06-29T17:43:00.001-07:00

First, this set of five discs and four shows has just about the best Sound Quality of any Dead recording ever, period. This is the last time the famed "Wall Of Sound" is used. It has been all over the world in '74. So, this four night stand is it's farewell and they now have it tweaked to perfection. I saw the "Wall Of Sound" in Philly in August hanging from the ceiling of the Civic Center in it's single configuration, a huge cylinder of speakers , amps, beyond huge.

There is a distinct clarity to this mix, each musician has control of the volume and tone of their vocals and instrument. Phil's bass is not laying bombs, but it is perfect in the mix. Garcia's vocals sound great. The fifth CD see's Mickey Hart return to the group.

Jerry's "Wolf" sounds big, fat and clear, Weir plays a hollow body Gibson for his parts. I always liked Bobby playing the Gibson, so warm sounding. This is probably a 24 track recording as it is for the Grateful Dead Movie. You cannot compare it to a 2 track Dick's Picks, though some of them sounded very good. There are a lot of great jams on this five disc set. Great jam out of "Black Peter" on (Disc 4 , 10/19).

The material is from "Europe 72", "Wake Of The Flood", and the newly released "Mars Hotel". This was the culmination of The "Wall Of Sound" era, they had to truck 2 of these total sound systems on tour. While they were playing in one town, the crew was in another town setting up for the next show. It just showed the Dead's commitment to their fans, always the best!!

On to the news, which is probably old by now, Rhino Records, The Deads' current label is almost done remixing and mastering every show from the Europe 72 Tour, The 72 discs will sell for $450. The first 7,200 customers get a special wood box for the CDs and a hardcover book, plus other keepsakes. You still order the music only version from the http://www.dead.net/ for the same price. This will be a special box set for sure.

Happy Fourth Of July!!!

My Guilty Pleasure Of Choice, Ice Pilots NWT

2011-06-27T15:54:00.000-07:00

I love this show, very personable, down to earth charactors

"Country Hits: Bluegrass style" - Ricky Skaggs - A Review

2011-06-23T17:26:00.008-07:00

Ricky Skaggs is an iconic bluegrass, acoustic musician. He is best playing his mandolin, a real hot player. He has made many a recording that I have enjoyed and has a great bluegrass band in Kentucky Thunder with Cody Kilby on Lead guitar. Kilby is a great player. He reminds me a bit of Tony Rice.

Skaggs has a label too with which he helps out other artists like the recently retired Cherryholmes Band after an excellent six CD career. I am sure that we will hear from members of this great group again.

This album has the feel of retro country music with a combo of bluegrass, country sound. Some of the songs are kind of hokey. I read No Depression's website, their idea of bluegrass is stuff like "Trampled By Turtles" (a group), and The Mumford Brothers. These are basically folk music with an acoustic jam band feel to the sound.

This is the first CD I see of re released stuff by Skaggs. He usually is in to original music. A lot of releases are available today. Skaggs new recording sounds very good and there is some dynamite guitar and mandolin picking, along with some pedal steel. I am familiar with some of the songs, not all of them.

The Internet and the ease of digital recording ruined the music market. With vinyl there would not be an overflow of too much music. It's like The what The NFL would be with 50 teams. Vinyl pared down the recording process to only the best musicians and singers. You needed a good recording studio and a large budget. Lots of Major labels struggle because they can't sell CDs , because folk download them for free from the Internet. I read that last year, 95% of downloads were illegal. Fortunately, the good groups can make a good living by touring.

Lots of folk today, including younger folk like music from the 60s and 70s. I know myself, I buy a lot of music from that era today. The only new genre I really like is bluegrass and some country.

Ricky Skaggs is a class act and this is a good listen with plenty of great singing and guitar. It's just not new music, not a problem.

http://www.rickyskaggs.com/

Nashville Memorial Service For Steve Popovich Announced

2011-06-21T15:07:00.000-07:00

Nashville Memorial Service For Steve Popovich Announced

Nashville, Tennessee (June 21, 2011) -- A memorial service for Steve Popovich will be held from 6 - 7 p.m. on Thursday, June 30 at United Methodist Fellowship Church (2511 Highway 99, Murfreesboro); a reception follows at the Church from 7 - 9 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Stephen C. Popovich Memorial Fund, U.S. Bank, 2504 Old Fort Parkway, Murfreesboro, TN 37128. All funds donated will benefit the various charities that Steve has contributed to throughout his life.

The engaging and unconventional industry legend championed such disparate talents as Michael Jackson, Boston, Johnny Cash, David Allan Coe and polka king Frank Yankovic during a multi-decade career that began in 1962. From unloading trucks at a Columbia Records' warehouse, young Popovich's "foot-in-the-door" mentality would, at 26, see him rise to the position of Vice President of Promotion for the label; a feat that is well-remembered by his "Sony cronies." In 1976, after helping break Bruce Springsteen worldwide, he left Columbia and formed Cleveland International Records. He discovered Meat Loaf and released the BAT OUT OF HELL album, which has gone on to become one of the Top 5 selling albums in the history of the music business. Steve worked his way into Music City hearts while at the helm of PolyGram Records Nashville in the late 1980s, working with Kris Kristofferson, The Statler Brothers, Tom T. Hall, Kathy Mattea, Lynn Anderson, Tom Jones, Johnny Paycheck and others. Steve Popovich (born July 6, 1942 in Nemacolin, PA) leaves behind a son, Steve Popovich Jr., a daughter, Pamela Popovich, a sister, Barb Lemmo, and two grandchildren, Tanner and Stephen Popovich.

Funeral services were held June 13 at St. John of the Cross in Euclid, Ohio; interment followed at Western Reserve Memorial Gardens in Chesterland. Popovich died at his home in Murfreesboro, TN on June 8 at age 68.

Condolences may be sent to the family via email: spopovich34@earthlink.net .

For Hi Res Image, contact martha@somuchmoore.com

"The Dreaming Fields" - Matraca Berg - A Review

2011-06-18T13:24:00.000-07:00

Matraca Berg has been writing hit country songs for quite some time. This collection of her performing a set of her material is an ethereal experience. It is such a subtle production, but seething with emotions.

Berg sings songs that are so poetic, yet so real in human experience. The musical textures are subtle yet they so augment her vocals. The art work for the cardboard CD case is beautiful. Dualtone Records released this recording for her. The Musicians are the best that Nashville has to offer. There is a haunting feel to the music with the steel guitar fades and sparse feel. Dan Dugmore gets some sounds out of his steel on "You & Tequila" that are like other worldly.

"Racing The angels" has Suzy Boguss and Gretchen Peters on background vocals and also as co-songwriters.

If you never have heard of Berg, her sound on this CD is a cross between Kathleen Edwards and early Mindy Smith. There is a dark feel to the mood, but there is something deeply personal there you can relate to.

"Clouds" - I love this song, "only like clouds when it's rainin', doin' no good just hangin' round".

The title track is basically just her and piano . With the watered down glut of Discs littering the internet, this is a masterpiece. After I finished doing this review, I saw Kenny Chesney's version of "You And Tequila" on a CMT video, from his last CD, "Hemingway's Whiskey". It is good, I like Berg's version better.

http://www.matracaberg.com/

Roys Celebrate New Album At The CMA Music Festival

2011-06-17T13:05:00.000-07:00

"The Roys didn't disappoint, piercing through the heat with their crisp traditional sound and elegant harmonies." ~ Mark Shimabukuro, The Tennessean

Rural Rhythm recording artist, THE ROYS, celebrated their hit album, LONESOME WHISTLE with 12 performances during last week’s CMA Music Festival. Excited fans were treated to performances at the WSM/Durango Boots Acoustic Corner Stage; Cadillac Ranch (for Operation Troop Aid); The Power Source Showcase at B.B. King’s; The Gibson Acoustic Stage at the Hard Rock; the Bud Light Stage in the Sports Zone and other stages where they featured songs from their new album.

Since its April debut at #7 on Billboard’s Top 10 Bluegrass Album Chart, LONESOME WHISTLE has also proved to be a radio hit as well. The album made its debut this month on the Bluegrass Unlimited Magazine Top Album chart along with the single, “Coal Minin’ Man” climbing 10 spots to reach #16 this month on the publication’s Top 30 Song chart. The single also appears at #4 on Bluegrass Music Profiles Magazine’s Top 30 Hot Singles and #4 on Power Source Magazine’s Top 10 Bluegrass chart this month as well.

Fans might also want to check out the recent Q&A with Lee and Elaine at Music News Nashville and at http://www.examiner.com/

THE ROYS are currently on tour with upcoming performances at: The Turkey Track Bluegrass Festival in Waldron, AR; Eastern Music Festival in Greensboro, NC; Pigeon Forge Patriots Festival in Pigeon Forge, TN; plus many more. Please visit www.theroysonline.com, via Twitter and on Facebook. Fans can receive the latest updates on The Roys and all their favorite Bluegrass artists now on their mobile devices simply by texting "bluegrass" to 90210.

Rural Rhythm Records

Radio: Sammy Passamano III, email

Airplay Direct

Media: Penni McDaniel, email

FOR THE ROYS

Martha Moore, email

so much MOORE media

615-746-3994

Tel: 1-800-776-8742

Facebook

Photo Credit:

Martha E. Moore

A Special Message From Rural Rhythm Records

2011-06-11T13:52:00.000-07:00

My father was a major part of the Distribution team with Decca and MCA Records for over 30 years starting in the early 50's. Bill Monroe was a major part of the label's tremendous Country & Bluegrass roster through the years, so I literally grew up enjoying Bill's music and respecting the importance an impact he had on the music world.

Rural Rhythm Records will be showing our respect to the Father Of Bluegrass this year with several tribute album projects starting with the BLUE MOON OF KENTUCKY: INSTRUMENTAL TRIBUTE TO BILL MONROE releasing January 25, 2011.

We are proud to also announce Audie Blaylock's next album will be a tribute album with some very special guest artists who performed with Bill through the years. Audie is currently celebrating a #1 single ("Cryin' Heart Blues") on the January 2011 Bluegrass Unlimited Magazine's Top 30 Song chart. The single is the title track from Audie Blaylock & Redline's 2010 chart album.

In June 2011, Rural Rhythm will be recording a live album during the Bill Monroe Memorial Bean Blossom Bluegrass Festival held in Bean Blossom, IN. TRIBUTE TO BILL MONROE - LIVE AT BEAN BLOSSOM will feature many Rural Rhythm artists performing some of Bill's special Bluegrass, Gospel and Instrumental gems.

In honor of Bill Monroe and the 100th year celebration for his musical legacy, we have developed a Celebration logo that will be used in the packaging of all our tribute album projects throughout the year. Bill the man and his music was one of a kind and this 100th year celebration is wonderful way for everyone to take time out of their busy days and acknowledge the impact this pioneer had on the music world for much of the past 100 years.

Sincerely,

Sam Passamano, Jr.

President, Rural Rhythm Records

http://www.ruralrhythm.com/

"I'm Going Back To Old Kentucky" - Audie Blaylock & Redline - Review

2011-06-08T17:12:00.000-07:00

This is Audie Blaylock's latest CD. It is a celebration of the music of Bill Monroe. The CD is a delight to listen to. It has the sound of real traditional bluegrass and is a great recording, nothing pop sounding, this has a real authentic sound to it. Blaylock's vocals with backups make you think that you are down in the Mountains of Old Virginia with the High Lonesome sound. He has some distinguished guests in Lou Reid, Ronnie and Del McCoury, Bobby Osbourne, Glenn Duncan, Carl Jackson and Jason Carter.

Recorded at "The Digital Underground" ,it has a real warm sound to the great recording. The first single is "Mighty Dark to Travel", which is an upbeat bluegrass delight with great harmony. Some other great tracks are "Lord, Lead Me On", "Tall Timber", "My Little Georgia", and "I'm In Despair". Listening to this music is one of the most authentic bluegrass recordings that I have heard in awhile. Now, I'm a fan of all kinds of Bluegrass including the more modern groups like The Grascals and Mountain Heart. But for people who think real bluegrass is dead,they need to check this out. This is the real stuff. A great Release by Rural Rhythm Records. Some more good news, looks like last years great recording of "The All-Star Jam - Live at Graves Mountain" will be coming out on DVD this fall, I can't wait. That is a great recording. Word also has it that Carrie Hassler is back in the studio working on a new CD.

http://www.audieblaylock.com/

Teddy Gentry's Best New Nashville - Review

2011-06-03T17:33:00.000-07:00

Teddy Gentry, bass player for for iconic country rock group Alabama has put together a collection of 12 new artists to gain exposure for them. This is a project for the Cracker Barrel Collection, so it has a great chance of good exposure. I enjoy listening to new material like this. Teddy does a little of everything on this disc, He puts together a collection of Nashville's best studio musicians. He helps out with production.

There is an informative booklet that gives each artist a page of background and a picture. This New Nashville for the most part sounds different than what you hear on the country radio today. It has more of a rock sound for most tracks. Some of these artists have been around for awhile as songwriters, actors, performers,

Here is a page where you can check out their info

http://bestnewnashville.com/home

Some of my favorites are, Jimmy Stewart - "Every Mile I'm Missing You", Brad Long - "Long Last Smile", Amber Shelene - "Are You Ever Going To Love Me", Chip Davis - "In His Hands" and Dillion Dixon - "Chip Away".

It is good to have a veteran like Gentry be willing to give some promotion to up and coming artists like this. Check it out.

http://www.crackerbarrel.com/

Kickin' Up Dust - Grasstowne - Review

2011-05-28T13:38:00.000-07:00

I have put this off way too long. It was a pleasure to open the jewel case of the colorful CD with the vintage Red Chevy. It was fun just to put it in the CD deck and sit back and enjoy.

Grasstowne has a very nice traditional sound. Steve Gulley (founder of Mountain Heart) runs this well oiled ship. These guys have a great, natural acoustic sound. These guys can do a driving bluegrass song or pull up the reins and do a nice ballad.

Every instrument is first rate, the mandolin player can rip off some sweet leads, Gulley plays rhythm guitar. An acapello song called "Our Father" is a masterpiece. It has such sweet harmony. Alan Bibey plays mandolin. Adam Haynes plays a sweet sounding fiddle.

"Grass Stain" is a sweet instrumental written by Adam Haynes, very nice melody and some great pickin' by all.

"Anchor In The Storm" is a comforting blue grass song. A well written song, and Steve has such a mellow lead vocal, with bluegrass harmonies and some more good fiddlin'.

"Vicksburg" is a haunting song about the civil war and the taking of Vicksburg. The fiddle does some very creative sounds. This song is worth price of admission by itself.

"Waves Of Sorrow" is a song about heartbreak, originally done long ago by 111rd Tyme Out.

Justin Jenkins is their very capable banjo picker and Kameron Keller plays bass, This was a joy to listen to, no filler. Bluegrass that is traditional, but creative too. Enjoy!!

http://www.grasstowne.com/

"Randy Travis" - Cracker Barrel Collection

2011-05-16T17:03:00.000-07:00

This is a classic collection of material from the great country artist Randy Travis, covers songs during late 80's and early 90's, Travis had a very unmistakable voice and was very country sounding, probably a bit too twangy for today, his voice was his strength, plus his music had a signature sound of twangy guitar and lots of old time pedal steel. This collection of twelve tracks has a few unreleased gems to share.

Every iconic artist like Travis has a few songs that are just always associated with him. The songs that I think of with Travis are "Forever and Ever, Amen" , "Better Class Of Losers" and the great Christian Country Song, "Three Wooden Crosses".

The story of "Three Wooden Crosses" is in my opinion one of the best Christian country songs written. Basic story of an accident involving an eighteen wheeler accident where three good upstanding people died and a hooker lives. Song ends with Preacher saying He's telling the story because the hooker was his mom and the blood stained Bible given her, had influenced her and she had read it to him. You have to hear it, just great story with great hooks and melody. A Travis Classic. This collection is good for a Randy Travis Fan, or someone who wants to hear him at his best.

www.crackerbarrel.com/

"Follow Me Down" - Sarah Jarosz - A Review

2011-05-10T17:17:00.000-07:00

If you expect more of the rootsy, country-bluegrass , folk sound of "Song Up In Her Head", you won't find that here. Jarosz has pulled a quick Chris Thile type move into the experimental, very eclectic style of expanded string music. She wrote all of the songs except a couple, one by Bob Dylan and the other by "RadioHead". Also, she has so many guest musicians ,it is quite an extraordinary affair. Her vocals a bit like Norah Jones at times. Gary Paczosa (one of the best acoustic music producers in Nashville) works with her on this CD as he did on her first one.

She plays everything from toy piano to electric guitar, but sounds best on octave mandolin. She is studying contemporary improvisation at Boston's New England Conservatory.

A lot of songs sound like a jam band. Then there are songs that are like chamber music. Sometimes her music is frenetic with all sorts of percussion going on.

Some of her guests include The Punch Brothers, Vince Gill, John Leventhal, Vicktor Krauss, a total of about 24 well known musicians.

Jarosz definitely is a super talented young lady and I can see this CD being hugely popular.

One song that really touches me is her version of Bob Dylan's "Ring Them Bells" with Vince Gill singing backup vocals. Paczosa mixed this CD, that must have really been a task, with all that is going on. He does an excellent job however. I really like track seven, also, with her creative and in command jamming on octave mandolin.

If you like Mumford and Sons, Trampled By Turtles, you should love this. Very well done CD.

http://www.sarahjarosz.com/

Larry Gatlin And Brothers Roll Out Latest Single, "Americans, That's Who"

2011-05-10T16:55:00.000-07:00

LARRY GATLIN & THE GATLIN BROTHERS ROLL OUT LATEST SINGLE, "AMERICANS, THAT'S WHO"

Osama bin Laden Death Prompts Legendary Gatlin Brothers to Release Patriotic "Americans, That's Who"

Nashville, Tenn (May 9, 2011) – Larry Gatlin and the Gatlin Brothers have been waiting-- waiting for the moment. The moment that the legendary Grammy Award-winning trio knew would eventually come. At last, on Sunday, May 1, loud and proud, that moment arrived.

Upon hearing the news of Osama bin Laden’s death, the Gatlin Brothers knew it was time to release their patriotic “Americans, That’s Who” (CURB Records) to radio.

“Plain and simple, we’ve been sitting on this thing for awhile,” notes front man Larry Gatlin. “We’ve known for some time that it would take a groundbreaking, monumental event for us to release this single to radio. The death of Osama bin Laden meets those qualifications. We would like to send a very special 'thank you' to the members of SEAL TEAM SIX and all of the brave American men and women in uniform who risk their lives to keep us free. Who are these good people? AMERICANS, THAT’S WHO!”

Click HERE for private audio link to "Americans, That's Who." Check Website.

For addition information on Larry Gatlin & the Gatlin Brothers, visit http://www.gatlinbrothers.com/

"Where were you When The World stopped Turning?' - Alan Jackson

2011-05-04T17:44:00.000-07:00

"Take The Highway" -Blind Boys Of Alabama - a Review

2011-05-02T17:37:00.000-07:00

The Iconic Gospel Group, "The Blind Boys Of Alabama" with the help of some Nashville Cats, put out a CD that is a Real good Spirit filled listen, co-produced by Jamey Johnson, it has the famous recognizable sound of the Blind Boys with the addition of the Nashville Sound. Adding a little Nashville to a project is usually a good thing and it sure works here with the help of Jamey, Vince Gill, Lee Ann Womack , and some great Nashville Musicians. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nVbglUZGUqo&feature=player_embedded This Footage shows some joyful moments in Nashvilles' RCA Studio A.

"Take The High Road" is a great song with The help of The Oak Ridge Boys, The Blind Boys bringing some fun and good ole joy to the Studio. A great relaxed sounding production with a live vibe, Jamey Johnson shows brilliance in his help with production. He had just met the BBoys at a gig and they hit it off right away, I think that you will be glad they did. Jamey hows another side of himself that is confident and full of musical intelligence. His song with the Boys "Have Thine Own Way" is a very good version of an old familiar song. Willie Nelson does "Family Bible" with the group sounding like himself. Hank Williams Jr. does a song his Dad wrote a long way back, "I Saw The Light", great version. Lee Ann Womack's "I was a Burden" is stellar, Womack is a country super star that is unusual in the fact that she has stuck to the stuff like George Straight. Vince Gill sounds great on his song with them "Give Me A Drink".

The CD is called "Take The High Road" and is coming out on Saguaro Records this month. Check out the great youtube coverage and I think that you will agree this is another winner for both Jamey Johnson and The Blind Boys. I must admit, I was wrong on my first take of Jamey, He is the real deal.

www.blindboys.com/

"Dance Til Your Stockings Are Hot And Ravelin' " - The Grascals - Tribute to Andy Griffith Show 50th Anniversary

2011-04-27T15:11:00.000-07:00

The Grascals are doing this special Tribute CD to the Andy Griffith Show, because it's the 50th Anniversary for this iconic show. The Grascals are all fans of the show as I am myself, They like to quote show dialogue back and forth on the bus. They even have trivia contests with their audiences on the road.

After their first CD this year which was bluegrass and country numbers done with other artists. It was "Grascals and Friends", a compilation of country and bluegrass songs on a Cracker Barrel Special.

This is a 7 song EP which is back to straight Bluegrass, and it is kickin' good. It is songs associated with the Andy Griffith Show, plus one they did themselves. I find it very entertaining and something they really worked on to get that old time sound. Most of the songs should be familiar to you. "Dooley","Boil Them Cabbage Down", "Stay All Night(Stay a Longer)", "Ol' Joe Clark" -(Thumbs up for this one), "Leaning On The Everlasting Arms"(Excellent version), "Mayberry's Finest Theme". Bonus- "Boy, Giraffe's Are Selfish" -(this has to do with a line from a show.)

These guys never stop amazing me, I find it hard to keep a freshness to Bluegrass, because it is a very stiff genre' or can be, but the Grascals continue to to be a fan friendly musically talented bunch that I love, and I think any lover of bluegrass would have to give then Kudos!! Look for this in a few weeks.

http://www.grascals.com/

Guy Penrod Talks about new CD

2011-04-25T15:46:00.000-07:00

The Roys Unveil New Website Design, Offer Fans Chance to Win Ipod Nano

2011-04-22T12:59:00.000-07:00

The Roys Unveil New Website Design, Offer Fans Chance To Win An iPod Nano®

Prize Comes Pre-Loaded With Duo's New CD, LONESOME WHISTLE

George Jones: "Lee and Elaine's rootsy, pure sound is just what music fans need to hear. Their harmonies are as pure as anyone I have ever heard."

Ricky Skaggs: "I've known The Roys for a long time and have heard them just keep getting better and better. This new project is their best yet. I was real proud to be on it."

Nashville, TN (April 22, 2011) -- The Roys celebrate the unveiling of their exciting new website design by giving fans a chance to win an iPod Nano® loaded with songs from their debut Rural Rhythm Records' CD, LONESOME WHISTLE. Fans can enter the contest at www.theroysonline.com/ipod.

"We're thrilled with the new site, and our fans seem to love the fact that we're constantly updating videos, photos and stories," says Elaine Roy, the sister side of this musical brother/sister team. "And we each have Nanos," she adds. "Couldn't live without them, you know it's all part of that techno thing," adds Lee. "I carry my FlipCam everywhere and Tweet all day long ... I'm addicted to Facebook."

The contest launches today and runs through Sunday, June 5; the winner will be announced on Monday, June 6. Entering the contest is easy - and this one-time entry qualifies that individual for a chance in all future promotional events sponsored by The Roys. "We're all about easy," laughs Lee. "And it doesn't get much easier than entering your name, phone number and email address - one time."

LONESOME WHISTLE launched late last month amidst a nine-day media blitz of major television, personal appearances and radio visits. The Roys swept through six states, appearing on several Fox Television Network shows, Better TV, ABC-TV's What's The Buzz, Daytime, GAC-TV, and Daily Buzz in support of the disc. "It's been a whirlwind," confirmed Elaine. "But a good one."

That whirlwind is creating a media "storm," with reviewers praising The Roys' vocals, song selection and production values. Roughstock.com says, "With eleven fantastic tracks of acoustic country and bluegrass goodness, The Roys' album gets better with each and every listen ... a supremely satisfying album." AOL/The Boot adds "LONESOME WHISTLE is more than a bluegrass album. The 11-track recording is something of a painting of American life and an appreciation of those who keep the faith in bleak times." TheBluegrassSpecial.com calls their harmonies "captivating," and adds, " the voices are evocative (his reedy and a bit bluesy, hers bright with an appealing backwoods plaintiveness), the songs impressive and arresting, the playing impeccable."

The video of the duo's current single, "Coal Minin' Man," remains on GAC-TV's Top 20 Country Countdown ballot, and fans can vote for Lee and Elaine at http://bit.ly/VOTE4THEROYS.com

Read all the reviews, listen to select tracks from LONESOME WHISTLE and learn more about The Roys at http://www.theroysonline.com/

# # #

MEDIA CONTACT

Martha Moore

so much MOORE media

615.746.3994

somuchmoore@charter.net

The Judds - I Will Stand By You - Essential Judds

2011-04-21T14:00:00.000-07:00

Curb Records has released a new compilation of greatest hits for the Judds, which includes two new songs. The bulk of songs is from the Eighties when The Judds ruled country music, with a huge following, with their signature acoustic country sound, produced by Don Potter and Brent Maher really was unique. "I Will Stand By You" is a good example of classic Judds with a sparkle.

This new compilation is very similar to the first greatest hits CD which I have, plus some newer songs from later in their career, like "Love will Build A Bridge". The sound quality is excellent sounding alot like the first Greatest hits CD which was very good, this is a bit tonally better, a very good listen. The newer two songs fit right in.

Here are some of the great songs from the eighties on here. "Mama He's Crazy", "Why Not Me" , "Love Is Alive", "Have Mercy", "I Know Where I'm Going", "Grandpa,Tell Me About the Good Old Days".

"Back Home" is the other remarkable new song with Alison Krauss, very nice lyrics, and a new sounding melody. It is a very good acoustic arrangement. I really enjoyed listening to the remastered older songs and the new songs too, It would be a great addition to your music collection.

http://www.thejuddstour2011.com/

"Teddy Gentry's Best New Nashville" To Take The Stage At Cracker Barrel Old Country Store

2011-04-18T14:29:00.000-07:00

Search Amazon.com for cracker barrel“TEDDY GENTRY’S BEST NEW NASHVILLE” TO TAKE THE STAGE

AT CRACKER BARREL OLD COUNTRY STORE®

Exclusive CD Pairs 12 New Artists and 12 New Songs

LEBANON, Tenn. (April 18, 2011) Teddy Gentry has long been celebrated as a member of the country supergroup Alabama, and he is also the force and inspiration behind multiple other music successes in Nashville. Now, Gentry, and Porter-Gentry Productions, are lending a guiding hand to a very special CD that provides country music fans with an inspired assortment of new music, among which many a new favorite might be found. The CD, Teddy Gentry’s Best New Nashville, produced by Gentry, includes 12 new songs performed by 12 new artists and will be available exclusively at Cracker Barrel Old Country Store®, starting May 16.

Each pairing of song and artist on this CD was carefully considered and planned by Gentry, who collects songs the way some people collect stamps. Gentry regularly works with up-and-coming artists on stage and in the studio, and his advice in choosing a new song is to always make sure that there is an emotional connection. “I tell them that they really have to love a song because, if it’s a hit, they’ll be performing it for a very long time,” said Gentry, who knows a lot about hits, having written and performed quite a number of them as a member of the renowned group Alabama.

Gentry also knows about talent, and he regularly works with what he considers to be the best of the new artists to help them learn the ins and outs of the Nashville scene. He says this is his way of giving back because he knows from his own early experiences how hard it is to make it in this very tough business. And Gentry believes that making his new CD, Teddy Gentry’s Best New Nashville, available through Cracker Barrel, provides some fresh new sounds and some quality tunes for Cracker Barrel’s guests. He worked with some of Nashville’s top engineers, studios, and songwriters to ensure the quality of the CD.

“Cracker Barrel is pleased to work with Teddy Gentry on this special project to provide a showcase for some very talented artists from whom we might well be hearing more in the future,” said Chris Ciavarra, Senior Vice President of Marketing for Cracker Barrel. “These are artists who have worked hard and have honed their skills, and with this CD they are stepping up onto a larger stage,” he added.

Photos, bios, and other detailed information about the 12 new artists and this CD are available at bestnewnashville.com.

Teddy Gentry’s Best New Nashville will be the latest in Cracker Barrel’s exclusive music program. In March of this year, Cracker Barrel released Kenny Rogers’ The Love of God which debuted at #8 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart and #2 on the Top Christian Albums chart. In January 2011, Cracker Barrel released The Grascals & Friends - Country Classics With A Bluegrass Spin which debuted at #1 on Billboard magazine’s Bluegrass Albums chart and at #26 on Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart. In November of 2010, Cracker Barrel released Smokey Robinson’s Now & Then which debuted at #19 on Billboard magazine’s R&B chart and was nominated for an NAACP IMAGE AWARD. September saw the release of the self-titled Rodney Atkins, which includes four #1 hits, and also the release of Mandy Barnett’s Winter Wonderland, which offers up all the authentic sounds of holiday traditions. In July, the company released Craig Morgan’s That’s Why-Collector’s Edition, and in May the release of Wynonna’s Love Heals debuted at #7 on the Billboard Magazine Top Country Albums chart. February’s release of Dailey & Vincent Sing the Statler Brothers debuted at #1 on Billboard’s Top Bluegrass Albums chart, where it spent nine weeks in the top position and 18 weeks overall in one of the three top positions. One of its songs was nominated for a Grammy award®. Over the last few years, Cracker Barrel has released exclusive CDs with Alan Jackson, the Zac Brown Band, George Jones, Montgomery Gentry, Dolly Parton, Bill Gaither, Ricky Skaggs, Aaron Tippin, Alison Krauss & Union Station, Josh Turner, Amy Grant, Kenny Rogers, Sara Evans, and Charlie Daniels.

Tracks on Teddy Gentry’s Best New Nashville:

1. Every Mile I’m Missing You – Jimmy Stewart

2. I’m Gonna Cry – Chanel Campbell

3. That’s The Kind Of Love I Need – Garrett Steele

4. A Good Place To Turn Around – 3 Lanes Crossing

5. A Better Woman – Laura Fedor

6. In His Hands – Chip Davis

7. I’ll Find You – Samantha Landrum

8. Chip Away – Dillon Dixon

9. My So Called Life – Southwind

10. Long Lost Smile – Brad Long

11. Run Baby Run – Adrianna Freeman

12. Are You Ever Gonna Love Me – Amber Shalene

******************

About Cracker Barrel

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store provides a friendly home-away-from-home in its old country stores and restaurants. Guests are cared for like family while relaxing and enjoying real home-style food and shopping that’s surprisingly unique, genuinely fun and reminiscent of America’s country heritage…all at a fair price. The restaurant serves up delicious, home-style country food such as meatloaf and homemade chicken n’ dumplins as well as its made from scratch biscuits using an old family recipe. The authentic old country retail store is fun to shop and offers unique gifts and self-indulgences.

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc. (Nasdaq: CBRL) was established in 1969 in Lebanon, Tenn. and operates 601 company-owned locations in 42 states. Every Cracker Barrel unit is open seven days a week with hours Sunday through Thursday, 6 a.m. – 10 p.m., and Friday and Saturday, 6 a.m. - 11 p.m. For more information, visit crackerbarrel.com.

About Best New Nashville

An industry executive, Bernard Porter, and an industry legend, Teddy Gentry, had a vision that started with mentoring up and coming talent from all ages and genres. The two joined forces and created Best New Nashville, a division of Porter-Gentry Productions, LLC. (PG Productions, LLC).

Grasstowne - Kickin' Up Dust

2011-04-18T13:39:00.000-07:00

"Rare Bird Alert" - Steve Martin" - A Review

2011-04-11T17:28:00.000-07:00

Steve Martin is an actor,comedian,musician and has been a very well known entertainer in the American scene for at least thirty five years. He has been on his own TV shows, and starred in several movies.

This is his second recent banjo playing CD, he did another one similar to this a couple of years ago. That CD, won the Grammy for best Bluegrass Album in 09. Last year, Martin established the Steve Martin Prize for Excellence in banjo and bluegrass, an annual award to bring recognition to an individual or group for outstanding accomplishment in the field of banjo or bluegrass music. The first award was presented to Noam Pikelny. Martin must have a ton of energy as he also has time write books. He wrote all of the material on this album.

This album conveys a combination of good traditional bluegrass music with the help of the Steep Canyon Rangers, and also Paul McCartney and The Dixie Chicks. It is refreshing to hear the Chicks together again singing a bluegrass song reminding me of their CD "Home", with the Martin written song "You". I like this song the best on the album. Paul McCartney sings the vocals on "Best Love". Bluegrass with a cello and a pop feel to it as McCartney sounds different here, I did not recognize his voice right way , had to look at Literature. Martin adds some of his humor to a few songs here, like on "Atheists Don't Have No Songs", a song that makes light of southern gospel singing,and he with his back up group even do some gospel type harmonies. I really don't care for this track, but he says that he likes to perform it live, a staple of their shows.

He was fortunate in discovering his back up group(Steep Canyon Rangers) that tours and records with him, his wife had known them and introduced them to him. Their banjo player Graham Sharp compliments Martin's clawhammer style with some Scruggs type pickin'. The album overall is done very well as it is recorded by Gary Paczosa and mastered by Doug Sax, two of the best at what they do in the music industry. It is well balanced and the sound is not overly bright, as some bluegrass can be. I must say that today's bluegrass music is a booming business and the recordings for the most part are top notch.

"Northern Island" is an up tempo bluegrass jam, the banjos are in the front of most of the recordings, especially instrumentals. He does a bluegrass rendering of his comic King Tut.

In closing, you will find Steve Martin here in both his serious love for bluegrass music, and also Steve Martin; The Comic.

http://www.stevemartin.com/

Judds Take Trip To Los Angeles On Talk Show Circuit

2011-04-11T16:21:00.000-07:00

THE JUDDS TAKE TRIP TO LOS ANGELES TO APPEAR ON THE TALK AND THE LATE LATE SHOW WITH CRAIG FERGUSON AMONG OTHERS

The Duo is Featured on the Cover of Country Weekly

Nashville, TN (April 11, 2011) – The Judds continue their recent media blitz as they travel to the west coast in support of their new series on the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN), which debuted last night. After wrapping up their NYC trip last week, the mother-daughter duo are now traveling to Los Angeles in support of their new show, simply titled The Judds, which follows the pair on their journey during their final tour together, The Last Encore.

Tune in to catch The Judds as they discuss their new series which continues next Sunday at 9pm EST on OWN. The duo will be making guest appearances on the KTLA morning show, The Talk, TV Guide Channel and The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson on Tuesday, April 12.

The Judds also spoke with Country Weekly about their new documentary series, their relationship and their latest projects including their new album I Will Stand By You: The Essential Collection. Be sure to check out the April 11 issue.

"Texas Girls" - Thom Shepherd - A Review

2011-04-07T17:15:00.000-07:00

Many people will recognize Shepherd when they hear some of the songs on this CD that were done originally by other artists. Shepherd has been around awhile doing lots of songwriting ,having sixty cuts done by artists like Craig Morgan,David Ball,George Jones and Montgomery Gentry.

This ten song effort has a mix of old and new material. He is making a single on the CD -"App for That" to send to Texas/Red Dirt radio stations. It is a real cute upbeat song making some humor on the "App", you know, the things you download on your smart phone.

The production of this CD is simple seventies country, without the many layers of instruments, just some hot tele pickin', acoustic guitar and pedal steel with backup vocals. Nothing fancy, but done real tastefully, Shepherd has a very good singing voice, adding some new takes on alot of his older songs.

"Riding With Private Malone", originally a big hit by David Ball is a song that sends chills thru me. Just a great story song that Shepherd does a more acoustic take on.

This Album should do well with folk that like like Shepherd's style and very original songs. He has had two bouts with cancer, now five years being cancer free he does lots of benefits to help benefit cancer support organizations.

One song that I identify with is "A Father's Love", reminds me of my own relationship with my Dad. Check this out on.

http://www.thomshepherd.com/

"paper airplane" - AKUS - a single review

2011-03-30T17:28:00.000-07:00

It has been seven years since we have heard anything new from this iconic bluegrass group. You can see the video on AKUS's website. I had heard from another article about the CD that the mood of the project would be depressing. The video is in black and white, shows the members in a rural setting with an old barn and farmhouse. The sound is familiar with Douglas's Dobro and Tyminski on mandolin. Krauss's vocal's have the same angelic, emotive quality as before. The group is sitting in an open tent playing with Alison singing in front of tent and she has a separate tent beside theirs. The production seems to be aimed at getting accurate sounds of their music, rather than something polished and modern like maybe their last album "Lonely Runs Both Ways" was aiming at.

The guys look real serious in their playing as they backup Alison on this song, and there are no back up vocals. A sparser setting than usual.I love this line "but every silver lining seems to have a cloud---". Go check it out.

http://www.alisonkrauss.com/

"Paper Airplane" - AKUS

2011-03-30T15:34:00.000-07:00

"Soul Of The South" - Doug Gray - A Review

2011-03-23T17:06:00.000-07:00

This is an eight song EP, that Doug Gray recorded with the other remaining members of the MTB, except for Tommy Caldwell, who had died in a vehicle accident. This was a project of R & B songs that he was working on for a major label. The songs were picked from a large number of catalog demos. There recorded by country great recording engineer of Nashville, Billy Sherrill in Spartansburg. The band was in between labels and Doug was using this time for the project, intentions were for it to be a full album, but the MTB was signed by Warner Brothers and He felt his responsibility to move on with the band. Pianist Ronnie Godfrey, and local guitarist Rusty Milner were also involved in the project, Milner later took Toy's place as lead guitarist for the MTB.

Gray says that he picked seven songs from three hundred demos. He said He did "More Today Than Yesterday", because Sherrill bet he could not hit the high notes. Gray then takes the tape to Nashville and changes it, adding, almost a totally different band. Riddle is still very evident as the only drummer. There is a song that I like alot called "Sandman", a bouncy sounding ,jazzy piece that sounds like Toy on lead guitar, some very nice lead guitar, I might add. I can't say that I hear Toy anywhere else on the CD.

"Let Me Be The Fool" is another jazzy sounding number. It has some great sax on it , which I am thinking is Jerry Eubanks. Bassist Bob Wray was added in Nashville and sounds good playing with Riddle. "Who" has a lot of Synth in the mix and He has some backup singers called The Cherry Sisters, who add a Motown touch to the mix.

"Guilty" is a funk, disco type song with funky disco groove going on. Doug Gray sounds good on this type of material.

"Don't Blame it on The Rain" has lots of orchestration from the synthes. The funky bass is excellent, good guitar here, definitely not sounding like Toy or George.

"Still Thinking Of You" (Michael Bolton) sounds good, excellent song by the star to be. It is a slower number, fit's Doug's voice well.

"More Today Than Yesterday" is one of the best sounding songs on the EP. Doug's vocals really do justice to the popular cover song. The rhythm guitar could be McCorkle, sounds like his style. This CD along with the New MTB greatest hits CD are both available on Amazon and MTB website. This CD is a good recording in the end, I would have loved to hear the version before it left Spartanburg.

http://www.marshalltuckerband.com/

Foster & Lloyd Release First album of new material since 1990

2011-03-23T17:00:00.000-07:00

Foster & Lloyd release first album of new material since 1990

It’s Already Tomorrow debuts on ‘Effin ‘El Records May 17

Digital Release date April 26 at Fosterandlloyd.com and other online music stores

Spring and summer tour planned

For immediate release

March 23, 2011, Nashville, TN - Looking back at the history of music, one can pinpoint those times when change takes place...something new replaces the old. Music that once sounded “like this” suddenly sounds “like that.” In the 1930’s, country music was considered to be the sound of hillbilly string bands. When the music was electrified, a honky-tonk shuffle played with a drummer became the new sound. It was still country.

In the mid-to late 1980s, there was another sea change—a short period of undeniable diversity coming out of Nashville that broke through on country radio. Steve Earle famously referred to it as “the great credibility scare,” a time of creative freedom that’s rarely been seen since. In the thick of that wide-open feeling, the duo of Foster & Lloyd came together and—along with Earle, Dwight Yoakam, Lyle Lovett, Rodney Crowell and others—was a part of the movement that changed the sound of country music and pioneered the Americana movement.

In 1985, Radney Foster and Bill Lloyd were two young singer-songwriters signed to the same song publisher. They came from different backgrounds but had enough in common to create an almost immediate response to the songs they co- wrote and recorded. Their first success came as songwriters, but it was the distinctive sound of their publishing demos that gained them their record deal with RCA Records.

The duo mixed straight up Buckaroo country with jangly-Byrds sounds, looking and sounding a little louder than most of the other country acts of the era. Their first single, the rockabillyish-honky-tonkin’, “Crazy Over You,” shot to the top of the charts, making them the first duo in Country music history to score a No. 1 on their debut single.

Foster & Lloyd also became one of the first acts to be played simultaneously on Country and College radio, sharing common musical ground and press accolades with Rank and File, Lone Justice and the Blasters. The combination of their harmony vocals (recalling everyone from The Everly Brothers to Rockpile) with their self-produced guitar-centric sound and solid, clever song craft won over critics and fans alike.

In the end, they recorded three groundbreaking albums for RCA (containing hits “Sure Thing,” “What Do You Want From Me This Time,” “Texas in 1880” and “Fair Shake,” as well as “Crazy Over You”), toured internationally, garnered a Grammy nomination and were a constant presence at the CMA awards.

The duo split in 1990, with both members going on to successful solo careers. Though they remained friends and wrote together sporadically over the years, it took a request from the Americana Music Association to reunite for a fundraiser to get the duo together again onstage. News that Foster & Lloyd were performing for the first time in 20 years spread like wildfire, and the show sold out in 15 minutes. The band that night included Cheap Trick bassist Tom Petersson and drummer Keith Brogdon, with a guest appearance by bluegrass virtuoso and longtime friend, Sam Bush, on mandolin.

“It was so much fun getting back together onstage, and we realized that the new songs we had written together still had that magic,” says Foster. “We decided to start getting together once a month to write. Soon the songs were pouring out, and we knew we needed to get back in the studio.” Again, like it was in the beginning, they went in to the recording process to please themselves first–let the chips fall where they may.

The result is the new album: It’s Already Tomorrow. Fans of their older records will no doubt hear the familiar blend that only happens when Radney and Bill work together. One might think that after a twenty-year break, the vocal harmonies might creak a little but the duo sounds surprisingly strong from the opening notes. Foster’s voice is strong, deep and resonant throughout the album and you can hear the years of experience in his tone and timbre. Lloyd is still hitting all the high harmonies with style. Their blend is cohesive and is arguably tighter than it used to be.

As before, it’s the guitars that hold center spotlight when it comes to the instrumental aspect of the Foster & Lloyd sound. Lloyd delivers his usual guitar hooks sounding reckless enough to be exciting but melodic enough to be memorable. There are plenty of crunchy guitars to go with the twangy and succinct solos’ that you can hum later. Foster also adds both electric and rhythm acoustic parts to the mix.

From the ringing opening notes of “It’s Already Tomorrow,” the rockin’ twin telecasters of “That’s What She Said,” to the plaintive harmonies of the final acoustic track “When I Finally Let You Go,” the collection is vintage Foster & Lloyd. The duo co-wrote all twelve songs and co-produced the set, which was recorded and mixed by Justin Tocket (known for his work with Marc Broussard, the Randy Rogers band and others) with the same core band of Foster, Lloyd, Petersson and Brodgon. Petersson even joined the duo in co-writing “Lucky Number.”

The duo also put their own spin on an old song, “Picasso’s Mandolin,” which they had written years before with Guy Clark, who recorded it on his Boats To Build album.

Other guests on It’s Already Tomorrow include legendary pedal steel guitarist Lloyd Green, who is featured on “You Can’t Make Love Make Sense” and the Beatle-esque ballad “If It Hadn’t Been For You.” Noted producer and former Emmylou Harris steel guitarist Steve Fishell also played blistering lap steel on “Don’t Throw It Away,” and singer/songwriter Beth Nielsen Chapman came by to lend her beautiful voice to “Lucky Number.” After the core combo tracked the album, Radney and Bill recorded one last song, the acoustic-based "When I Finally Let You Go," in Radney's home studio. Bruce Springsteen's E. St. Band bassist, Garry Tallent, was in town visiting and added a nylon string bass part to the recording.

Through all the inventive lyrical twists and turns and crackerjack guitar licks, what comes through loudest is a sense of fun, adventure...and freedom. “Back then, we were concerned with trying to keep ourselves within a radio format,” says Lloyd. “We would try and be different enough to stand out but we didn’t want to color too far outsides the lines. We didn’t have any constraints this time. The sound of this new album is unfettered by formats...either real or imagined.”

Country. Rock n’ Roll. Power-pop. Folk. Americana. Whatever you want to call it, Radney and Bill combined make Foster & Lloyd music.

It’s Already Tomorrow

Hear it today!

"Lonesome Whistle" - The Roys - A Review

2011-03-21T17:24:00.002-07:00

The Roys in a one word description are "refreshing". The brother and sister team have uncanny harmonies which only siblings can produce. Something special about family members singing together. They have written almost every song on this album. They just sing on this disc and leave the music to studio musicians Mark Fain, Bass/Dan Electro, Justin Moses, banjo, Randy Kohrs, Dobro, Cody Kilby, acoustic guitars, Steve Brewster, drums and Andy Leftwich, mandolin, fiddle and bouzouki.

Lee and Elaine must be excellent players also as they have some very good sponsors for guitars, mandolin, and strings.

"Coal Minin' Man", The first single from the CD, tells the story of a coal minin' man, a song about one of America's oldest and most dangerous professions. I really like this song as it is up beat and has a really good melody with those great bluegrass harmonies.

My favorite song off of the CD is "I Wonder What God's Thinking?". This song is very inspirational and some nice smooth Dobro. Once again, their harmonies are emotional as they really put themselves into the songs they present.

Their first Rural Rhythm CD features eleven modern sounding, refreshing songs, built on a traditional blend of acoustic, bluegrass instrumentation.

http://www.theroysonline.com/

Cracker Barrel And Kenny Rogers Celebrate #8 Debut On Billboard!!!

2011-03-16T17:26:00.000-07:00

CRACKER BARREL AND KENNY ROGERS CELEBRATE #8 DEBUT ON BILLBOARD TOP COUNTRY CHART WITH EXCLUSIVE CD

“The Love of God” is also at #2 on the Top Christian Albums chart

LEBANON, Tenn. (March 16, 2011) – Cracker Barrel Old Country Store® and American music icon Kenny Rogers are pleased to celebrate the #8 debut of the CD The Love of God on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart (issue date March 26). It is also at #2 on the Top Christian Albums chart and at #31 on the overall Billboard 200. This CD is available exclusively at all Cracker Barrel locations.

“It’s great to see such a positive response to an album that I’m so proud of,” said Rogers of the new CD, which is the culmination of an idea he has been thinking about for years but never had the opportunity to bring to life until now. “Cracker Barrel has almost 600 points of purchase. It’s an ingenious marketing concept they’ve developed. Everybody wins,” he added.

“Working with Kenny Rogers is a pleasure,” said Chris Ciavarra, Senior Vice President of Marketing for Cracker Barrel. “We are very pleased that this second project with him is proving to be so popular with our guests. Such a strong debut speaks well of his ability to speak to his fans and also speaks to the strength of the Cracker Barrel exclusive music program,” Ciavarra added.

“The Love of God” is an inspirational collection of classic songs that Rogers remembers from his childhood along with new recordings of contemporary songs. Two of the classics feature other artists: The Whites and Winfield’s Locket and the group Point of Grace is featured on one of the album’s contemporary recordings. Rogers is the first artist to release a second album through Cracker Barrel’s exclusive music program.

Kenny Rogers’ “The Love of God” is the latest in Cracker Barrel’s exclusive music program, which features numerous projects. In January of this year, Cracker Barrel released “The Grascals & Friends - Country Classics With A Bluegrass Spin” which debuted at #1 on Billboard magazine’s Bluegrass Albums chart and at #26 on Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart. In November of 2010, Cracker Barrel released Smokey Robinson’s “Now & Then” which debuted at #19 on Billboard magazine’s R&B chart and was nominated for an NAACP IMAGE AWARD. September saw the release of the self-titled “Rodney Atkins,” which includes four #1 hits, and also the release of Mandy Barnett’s “Winter Wonderland,” which offers up all the authentic sounds of the holiday traditions so many of us cherish. In July, the company released Craig Morgan’s “That’s Why-Collector’s Edition,”and in May the release of Wynonna’s “Love Heals” debuted at #7 on the Billboard Magazine Top Country Albums chart. February’s release of “Dailey & Vincent Sing the Statler Brothers” debuted at #1 on Billboard’s Top Bluegrass Albums chart, where it spent nine weeks in the top position and 18 weeks overall in one of the three top positions. One of the songs was nominated for a GRAMMY award. Releases in 2009 included November’s “Songs of Love and Heartache” by Alan Jackson, September’s release of an exclusive new version of “The Foundation” by the Zac Brown Band, August’s George Jones’ release of “A Collection Of My Best Recollection,” May’s release of Montgomery Gentry’s “For Our Heroes,” which debuted at #5 on Billboard Magazine’s Top Country Albums chart, and March’s release of Dolly Parton’s “Collector’s Edition of Backwoods Barbie,” which debuted at #9 on that chart. Over the last few years, Cracker Barrel has released exclusive CDs with Bill Gaither, Ricky Skaggs, Aaron Tippin, Alison Krauss & Union Station, Josh Turner, Amy Grant, Kenny Rogers, Sara Evans, and Charlie Daniels.

About Cracker Barrel

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store provides a friendly home-away-from-home in its old country stores and restaurants. Guests are cared for like family while relaxing and enjoying real home-style food and shopping that’s surprisingly unique, genuinely fun and reminiscent of America’s country heritage…all at a fair price. The restaurant serves up delicious, home-style country food such as meatloaf and homemade chicken n’ dumplins as well as its signature biscuits using an old family recipe. The authentic old country retail store is fun to shop and offers unique gifts and self-indulgences.

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc. (Nasdaq: CBRL) was established in 1969 in Lebanon, Tenn. and operates 598 company-owned locations in 42 states. Every Cracker Barrel unit is open seven days a week with hours Sunday through Thursday, 6 a.m. – 10 p.m., and Friday and Saturday, 6 a.m. - 11 p.m. For more information, visit http://www.crackerbarrel.com/

"The Love Of God" - Kenny Rogers - A Review

2011-03-10T15:59:00.000-07:00

It is hard to believe that Kenny Rogers has had a 50 year career, so far. Last night, He was given a salute "The First Fifty Years" on GAC TV.

This selection of Christian songs,hymns and gospel renderings has a real rootsy feel to it. It has an audiophile sound quality to it, a great production, all of the way around. It gives you Nashville's best in musicians and singers, but it does not sound like that is what you got. It is a warm,rootsy personal affair that is refreshing and peaceful to listen to. Doug Sax mastered it, He puts a stamp of true originality to it, plus, a warmth that you did not think a CD player could produce.The artwork on the Digipak is very somber in brownish tones with a couple of pictures of Kenny looking very serious, but serene. His vocals have never sounded better. He is very sincere in his singing and has picked a great set of songs , partially from public domain and partially from hymns and other artists.The CD starts out with "Will The Circle Be Unbroken" and moves thru a very varied set of gospel songs and Christian Ballads. The theme of the "Love Of God " comes out alot.

To hear Kenny sing "What a Friend We Have In Jesus" is so encouraging, he sings with so much meaning and sincerity. "Circle Of Friends", sung with Point Of Grace is more upbeat and like new territory for Kenny, He asked them if they would sing it with him.

This is a Cracker Barrel project, which is always a good thing, I do not think I have ever heard a bad one. They seem to give the artist freedom in every aspect of the project. It is refreshing to see this side of Kenny, God believing, and full of creativity. He is not ashamed to share his belief in God, through song and what he has written on the CD cover. The producers for the CD are Rodgers long time pianist Warren Hartman with Kyle Lehning(Randy Travis and others.)

"Peace" is a warm ballad by Michael Mcdonald that Kenny fell in love with. Great version of "I'll Fly Away" with the help of the Whites. My favorite song is "Rock Of Your Love" by Vince Gill. I love the vocals and country sound to it, some great country lead guitar and pedal steel. This is another great project by the Cracker Barrel gang, pick one up at their restaurant or on line.

http://www.kennyrogers.com/

Marshall Tucker Band's Doug Gray 'Sells Soul' This Spring

2011-03-08T18:09:00.000-07:00

MARSHALL TUCKER BAND'S DOUG GRAY

'SELLS SOUL' THIS SPRING

Gray Unveils Never Before Released 30-year-old R&B Recordings,

Soul Of The South, On April 5

Nashville, Tenn (March 8, 2011) - Dedicated fans and friends of the Marshall Tucker Band have always heard a touch of the soul man in Doug Gray’s voice. From the band’s beginnings into the present day, his singing has tempered the group’s country leanings with a bluesy edge. Largely unknown even to MTB’s hard-core followers, Gray actually cut tracks for a solo album nearly 30 years ago that fully explored his affinity for R&B. These recordings finally see the light of day on April 5, 2011, with the release of Soul Of The South.

“In 1981 I was offered the opportunity to sign a solo record deal by top music executives to sing Pop and Soul songs which were very popular at the time. I loved singing these types of songs as I had been singing them for years going back to when I was a young boy in the early sixties. I was really into singers like Sam Cooke, Smokey Robinson and later, Al Green,” recalls Gray. “When [MTB lead guitarist] Toy Caldwell and I used to go out and listen to music, we’d always look for places that had rhythm and blues. That was the kind of stuff I did before we started The Marshall Tucker Band.”

“The Marshall Tucker Band was then signed to Warner Brothers and Tommy Caldwell had recently died in a car crash. The band was in between records so I had the time and I owned the studio so I recorded these soul songs and all the guys came in to help out as well as some other musician friends. I really felt good about the results but stopped short of completing a full album because it was time to do another MTB record and I felt a loyalty to the group so I put the tapes away, turned down the solo deal and continued with the band and never looked back until now. These songs are important because they are the only songs by the five living members of the band at that time that have never been released. They may not be your typical MTB songs written by Toy Caldwell but I think it shows how good the band was to come in and work on songs that were out of character and get the results we did,” Gray says with a smile.

As co-owner of Creative Arts Studio in his hometown of Spartanburg, South Carolina, Gray was in a good position to work on a solo project in his spare time. He enlisted the help of engineer Billy Sherrill and a host of Nashville publishers in rounding up the right material to record. Out of a stack of 300 demos, he ended up choosing seven tunes by songwriters both famous and lesser known. Rounding out the song list was a spirited cover of the Spiral Staircase’s 1969 hit “More Today Than Yesterday.” Gray notes, “I recorded that song because Billy Sherrill bet me I couldn’t hit the high notes.”

Gray’s band mates were happy to help lay down tracks at Creative Arts. Original Marshall Tucker members Toy Caldwell, George McCorkle, Paul Riddle and Jerry Eubanks all took part in the sessions, along with bassist Franklin Wilkie (who joined the band after the tragic death of Tommy Caldwell in 1980) and pianist Ronnie Godfrey. Also contributing to the Creative Arts sessions were such gifted Spartanburg-area players as keyboardist Michael Blithe and Rusty Milner who later replaced Toy Caldwell in the mid ’80s. After the basic tracks were completed, Gray and Sherrill finished up recording in Nashville, enlisting A-list players like bassist Bob Wray (known for his work with Ray Charles, B.B. King and other legends), keyboardist Mike Lawler (a veteran of sessions with everyone from the Allman Brothers to George Jones) and Terry McMillan on percussion.

Gray had reason to feel proud of the results. From aching ballads like “Still Thinking Of You” (co-written by star-to-be Michael Bolton) and “Don’t Blame It On The Rain” to funky upbeat tunes like “Never Enough” and “Who,” the tracks allow Gray to wail and testify with abandon. The after-hours elegance of “Sandman” contrasts nicely with the moody atmosphere of “Guilty” and the percolating groove of “Let Me Be The Fool.” Any number of these tunes might have scored high on the charts if they had been released as singles.

The release of Soul Of The South restores a missing chapter to the Marshall Tucker story. The band, by the time of these recordings, had several gold and platinum albums, hit singles and were one of the top concert draws of the seventies and early eighties. Playing and recording a wide variety of Rock, Country, Blues, Jazz and Pop songs in its own unique style, there was no one else like them. Beyond its historical value, this album is a prime slice of vintage Southern Soul, delivered straight from the heart.

In addition to Soul Of The South, in celebration of its 40th anniversary, the Marshall Tucker Band will release The Marshall Tucker Band: Greatest Hits on April 5, 2011. The 14-track album includes MTB fan favorites including “Can’t You See,” “Heard It In A Love Song,” “Take The Highway” and “24 Hours At A Time.”

For additional information on Doug Gray and the Marshall Tucker Band, visit http://www.marshalltuckerband.com/

# # #

Soul Of The South Track Listing:

1. Let Me Be The Fool

2. Who

3. Sandman

4. Guilty

5. Don't Blame It On The Rain

6. Never Enough

7. Still Thinking Of You

8. More Today Than Yesterday

The Marshall Tucker Band: Greatest Hits Track Listing:

1. Take The Highway

2. Blue Ridge Mountain Sky

3. In My Own Way

4. Fire On The Mountain

5. Heard It In A Love Song

6. Ramblin'

7. Searchin' For A Rainbow

8. I Should Have Never Started Lovin' You

9. 24 Hours At A Time

10. Long Hard Ride

11. Can't You See

12. Too Stubborn

13. This Ol' Cowboy

14. Desert Skies

Lee Brice - Debut Album - "Love Like Crazy"

2011-03-07T17:18:00.000-07:00

About Lee Brice 

Three-time ACM nominee Lee Brice released his debut album on Curb Records entitled Love Like Crazy in June of 2010. The title track off of the album, "Love Like Crazy," reached the top five on the charts and was named Billboard’s #1 country song of 2010. It currently holds the record for the longest charting song in the history of Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart. Brice is also known for his songwriting, penning hits for many great artists including Garth Brooks and Tim McGraw. His current single, "Beautiful Every Time," was recently released to radio and is quickly making its way up the charts. For more information on Lee Brice, visit http://www.leebrice.com/

Media Contact:

Webster & Associates, LLC

Jenelle Scott

615-777-6995 ext. 222

jenelle@websterpr.com

70s Rock Influence on Today's Country Music

2011-03-01T14:45:00.000-07:00

70s Rock Influence on Todays Country Music

By Jim Moulton, CSO Staff Journalist

Something missing today are the great jam bands of the seventies. I want to talk about a couple; The Marshall Tucker Band and The Grateful Dead. Both of these bands rocked yet had very country influences.

From Spartanburg, South Carolina came the very talented and together Marshall Tucker Band, started by Doug Gray and two brothers, Toy and Tommy Caldwell. Toy is probably the most underrated guitar player around, He could flat out pick (with his thumb, no pick). He also played pedal steel on some of their songs. His brother Tommy played a very improvisational bass, similar to Phil Lesh of the Grateful Dead. The band had a very unique sound with a horn player (Jerry Eubanks) who played Flute and sax. Long Lost was a tape of a 1976 European Tour that was to be released in the seventies by Capricorn, but never was. Their current label Shout Factory recently released Stompin' Room Only with some other live songs to fill out the Disc. The sound quality is similar to a Dicks Pick by the Grateful Dead, but the music is historical, the MTB at their very best. "Long Hard Ride" starts out the CD, and plain jams out, it is a country instrumental with a very good melody, Toy is just off the meter with his guitar pickin'.

Toy Caldwell wrote most of their material. "This Ol' Cowboy", the second track has Toy singing also and really playing at his best, a song that has a swing quality to it, one of my favorite MTB tunes. "Fire On The Mountain" (George McCorkle) has Toy on steel, is an outlaw country type song. The classic "Can't You See" was never done better. The last song on the disc "Hillbilly Band" is what the term Chickin' Pickin' is all about, once again, Toy Caldwell Shines. This disc is a must have to find out what this great band is all about.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the country, in California, The Grateful Dead were on the road constantly and they recorded every show. Their leader Jerry Garcia, started out as a bluegrass picker, banjo player and also a great pedal steel player. The Dead in my opinion were also at their peak in 1976-7, and I am going to talk a bit about one of their live Dick's Picks releases from 1976, Vol. 20, a four disc affair, with almost two full concerts on it. The sound quality is quite good for a Dicks Picks, since Rhino took over their releases and remastered it. The Dead had a much bigger following than did the MTB, though I saw the MTB open for them once. Garcia was an audiophile sound freak and loved to experiment with sound. He was playing a custom Travis Bean guitar at this time in his career. It was built on an aluminum frame, plus had a neat switch where he could knock out all of his effects loop. There was a new Mu-tron effect he was using at this time that was an envelope filter (auto-wah). For a lot more of this info, there is a great new book out called The Gear Of the Grateful Dead, excellent and thorough read.

The Dead were coming back from a tour in 1976 with probably the largest Sound System ever; the infamous "Wall Of Sound" , I saw it once in Philly at The Civic Center Hung from the center of the ceiling. One year of lugging this around and they had to give it up, sounded great though. They rented equipment and a sound guy for 1976, who used a system with lots of custom stuff that was like a mini "Wall Of Sound". Their sound board had parametric EQ before it was being used in studios.

Now to the music, I mean what can you say, two full shows, Songs that really stand out to me are "Ramble On Rose", Brown-Eyed Women" and "Peggy-O" from Disc one. "Mississippi Half-Step Uptown Toodleloo" and "Scarlet Begonias" on Disc two. "Cold Rain and Snow" and "Big River" on Disc three. "Playing In The Band" and "Comes a Time" on Disc four. You can't help but hear the country influences in these shows.

I encourage you to check out these historic recordings!!

Josh Slone and Coaltown

2011-02-22T18:39:00.000-07:00

Josh Slone is good, real good. He knows how to make a song his and get into it, and make it come alive. Slone has been blessed with a great voice plus the tight high lonesome harmonies are great.

Rural Rhythm scores again. This recording is hot, the followup of the great opening song is a heartbreak ballad "Daddies Don't Cry" and then the real upbeat "Destination Heartbreak" which is another strong offering, nice mandolin and fiddle. This recording has a good deal of reverb and compression, but it is used tastefully. When a producer or mastering engineer uses these tools right, it adds excitement and warmth to the music.

I would love to hear his four piece band live, because it is just him on guitar, a bass player, banjo and mandolin. He has a lot of guest musicians and vocalists on this CD. It is hard to pick out which singers and players are in his band, because there are seventeen people listed as singers or musicians on the CD. But the vocals are tight and there is great Dobro, Banjo and Fiddle.

I love the material, some great song writers stuff. Songs are more like country songs done the bluegrass way. Mark Brinkman, Larry Cordle, whose "Big Blue Raindrops" is a classic. Josh really sounds like a pro, not someone who is doing his first CD.

"Bluegrass and Me" by Mike Wells who wrote alot of these songs is a great uptempo song. The arrangements may be sparse at times, but the music is always top flight. There is a great guitar solo on "Hillbilly Girl", which I'm guessing was done by Josh, because he is the only guitar picker listed.

The closer "Long Legged Woman" is a hoot with some great fiddle playing by Gerald Evans who I read that this was his last CD. That is sad news, Sounds like a man that will be missed by many.

Josh is also a very good guitar player. This is a very good CD overall with lots of great original bluegrass, wish Josh The best!!!

http://www.joshsloneandcoaltown.net/

The Judds To Premiere In Primetime On Own: Oprah Winfrey Network,Sunday, April 10

2011-02-17T16:46:00.000-07:00

"THE JUDDS" TO PREMIERE IN PRIMETIME ON

OWN: OPRAH WINFREY NETWORK, SUNDAY, APRIL 10

New Docu-Series Follows Legendary

Mother-Daughter Duo On Their Reunion Concert Tour

Los Angeles, CA --- For the first time on television, Judds fans and OWN viewers enter the private and public lives of country music icons, Naomi and Wynonna Judd, on the new docu-series, “The Judds.” The six-episode series follows the award winning mother/daughter duo as they hit the road for their first and final concert tour in ten years. Cameras capture their emotional journey as they work to heal their relationship, reconnect with their fans and share the spotlight once again. “The Judds” premieres April 10 at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT on OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network.

After decades of struggle and recovery, Naomi and Wynonna are ready to share their celebrated and often complicated lives. The series begins as both mother and daughter prepare for their final reunion tour. Stress is high as both Judds realize that performing together again is a “make or break” deal when it comes to their relationship. They love each other and want more than anything to heal their connection, but the tour, combined with unresolved issues and painful memories from the past, threaten to derail their efforts.

Viewers are fully immersed in Naomi and Wynonna’s hectic and exciting world. They travel city-to-city performing and meeting with their loyal fans (“Juddheads”), head home to their 1000-acre farm, and go behind closed doors for emotional sessions with their longtime life coach, Dr. Ted Klontz. Through it all — the good and challenging times — Naomi and Wynonna share their personal story openly and honestly. Naomi confesses never-before-told painful secrets from her childhood and together they discuss their fears about the tour. In addition, Wynonna speaks candidly about finding new love and the challenges of being a single, working mom.

On the surface, “The Judds” is about a much anticipated reunion tour starring two legendary performers. But just below the surface, the series is a moving exploration of the universal mother-daughter bond. For Naomi and Wynonna, their relationship is firmly grounded in love, but plagued by misunderstanding. In the end, by sharing their experiences, Naomi and Wynonna hope that others will be inspired to strengthen their own personal connections.

“The Judds” is produced for OWN by Gay Rosenthal Productions, Inc. The executive producers are Gay Rosenthal, Bruce Toms, Kerry Hansen, Naomi Judd and Wynonna Judd.

About OWN: OPRAH WINFREY NETWORK

A joint venture between Harpo, Inc. and Discovery Communications, OWN: OPRAH WINFREY NETWORK is a multi-platform media company designed to entertain, inform, and inspire people to live their best lives. OWN debuted on January 1, 2011, in approximately 80 million homes on what was the Discovery Health Channel. The venture also includes the award-winning digital platform, Oprah.com. For more information, please visit www.oprah.com/own and www.press.discovery.com/us/own .

Media Contact:

Domenic Morea

Director, Publicity

Domenic_Morea@own.tv

(323) 602-5516

The Judds:

Charlie Daniels,Wynonna,Montgomery Gentry, and The Grascals set to perform at Lipscomb University's 'Operation Yellow Ribbon' Event March 29,2011

2011-02-16T17:26:00.000-07:00

CHARLIE DANIELS, WYNONNA, MONTGOMERY GENTRY AND THE GRASCALS SET TO PERFORM AT LIPSCOMB UNIVERSITY'S 'OPERATION YELLOW RIBBON' EVENT MARCH 29, 2011

Gen. Tommy Franks announced as keynote speaker

NASHVILLE (Feb. 16, 2011) – Charlie Daniels, Wynonna, Montgomery Gentry and The Grascals are set to perform for 'Operation Yellow Ribbon' at Lipscomb University March 29, 2011. General Tommy Franks (Ret.) has been confirmed as the keynote speaker, and the Center for Deployment Psychology will be featured at the Symposium for university administrators.

Operation Yellow Ribbon features a daylong symposium sponsored by Lipscomb University and featuring experts from the Center for Deployment Psychology (CPD), Challenge America, Not Alone and the Department of Veterans Affairs. The day will be filled with clinical as well as non-clinical approaches to working with veterans and developing a better understanding of this unique population. Another focus of the symposium is to bring together university administrators, certifying officials and others who work with student-veterans to discuss best approaches in creating veteran-friendly campuses as thousands of veterans across the country are enrolling in universities through the Post 9/11 GI Bill.

Capping off the day’s events, Franks will address attendees at Lipscomb’s Allen Arena. Musical appearances by Charlie Daniels, Wynonna, Montgomery Gentry and The Grascals are scheduled for the evening event at 7 p.m. in Lipscomb’s Allen Arena.

“Our goal is to provide an informative day for those who work with veterans at universities across the country to help equip them with knowledge and expertise to make their campuses more accessible and friendly for veterans. By partnering with the Center for Deployment Psychology we want to help educate university counseling teams so they can offer programs that adequately serve our veterans as they reintegrate home and adjust to university life,” said David K. Hughes, Lipscomb University assistant dean of students and director of the Yellow Ribbon Program.

Admission to the symposium is open to any university representative or administrator who works with student-veterans or coordinates Yellow Ribbon programs on their campuses. Registration is $75 per person, which covers all activities, materials, meals and VIP tickets for the concert. For more information or to register visit http://www.yellowribbon.lipscomb.edu/ or call 615.966.5176.

Tickets for the evening event only will go on sale for $10 on Feb. 18 at the Lipscomb University box office. Call 615.966.7075. Members of the military and their families will be invited as guests of the events corporate sponsors. Proceeds from the event benefit Lipscomb University’s Yellow Ribbon Program.

Lipscomb’s Yellow Ribbon Program offers eligible Post 9/11 GI Bill veterans and their family members an undergraduate degree tuition-free or a graduate degree tuition-free or at a greatly reduced tuition rate.

The Center for Deployment Psychology (CPD) is a non-profit, tri-service center funded through a grant awarded by the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences to train military and civilian behavioral health providers.

'Operation Yellow Ribbon' Event produced by David Corlew & Associates in conjunction with Lipscomb University.

Interview with Susan Gibson, singer-songwriter (wrote Wide Open Spaces for Dixie Chicks)

2011-02-15T17:41:00.000-07:00

Search Amazon.com for Susan Gibson

Susan Gibson has a new CD out or will be out in a few days, it is called "Tightrope", I highly recommend it to anyone who likes acoustic music, This is the best sounding CD that I have heard this year, the sound quality is stunning, plus she has a set of ten very well written and performed songs. She is a great guitarist also and her vocals and lyrics have continued to grow since her hit with Chicks "Wide Open Spaces" .

1. Susan, "Tightrope" is a brilliant acoustic album that really has great sound quality, sparse , yet it is real warm and I love the guitar work. Tell me a little about the recording process and whether it is a digital or analog recording, it is so warm it sounds like it could be reel to reel.

(Susan's reponse)
It’s a digital recording using ProTools, and I would attribute the warmth of the album to the producer, Gabe Rhodes. But maybe it was the stained glass windows in the studio!

2. What kind of guitars were you and Gabe playing? The tone is so nice on the CD. Also, what kind of strings were you using?, I find that interesting, the tone is really unique. Do you have a collection of many guitars? Your guitar playing is excellent , and Gabe's bass and lead parts are also very good.

I play a Gibson Blues King Electro on the record and we mic-ed it. I use D’Addario medium gauge strings. Gabe does have a collection of instruments…he uses a 1919 Martin Parlor and a 1958 Gibson LG-1.

3. I am sorry to hear about your accident. i just read that the CD was finished before the accident. I am guessing that you are glad about that, it is such a fine set of songs. "The wood wouldn't burn" is a great song. Is that a true story?

Yes, the guitar in that story belongs to my friend Roger Marin, a singer-songwriter from Ontario, Canada. It was given to him by the wife of a fan who died in the house fire.

4. Really like the CD artwork, so effective and different, just black and white, Love how you open it up and the "Tightrope" turns into a guitar. Is that a town in the soundhole?

Yes, it’s a fictional town…It’s every town! The artwork was done by my friend Jess Rios from Dallas. http://www.jessrios.com/

5. This CD does not have a bad song on it, my favorites are "it's rainin' outside today, hooray!" , (Love Gabe's guitar licks), "Tightrope" , "oil and water", and all of the others. Do you have a favorite? You sort of remind me of a cross between Terri Hendrix and Carole King.

I love all the songs…but I love the chorus in Hope Diamond and I get chills every time I play The Wood Wouldn’t Burn.

6. OK, the obvious question, you wrote "Wide Open Spaces" for the Dixie Chicks which really took them off to super popularity, Both as the name of Album and as the song on the CD. How did this affect your career? When you wrote that song, did you have any idea how popular it was going to be, did you have a good feel about it? Did your friends like it? This was my favorite CD for like four years, I still like it alot.

When I wrote the song, I didn’t have any idea how popular it would be. I didn’t have any idea how the music business worked with people writing songs for other people. It’s my first original song I had written that was requested by someone I didn’t know at one of my gigs in Montana…and I remember that happening. It changed my career in the opportunities I have had since writing that song, whether it’s getting to go to a national award show or writing with other people that maybe wouldn’t have otherwise heard of me, or having an automatic handlebar for people to grab on to and remember about me. I have been Susan “The Girl Who Wrote Wide Open Spaces For the Dixie Chicks” Gibson for over a decade, and I love it!

http://www.susangibson.com/

Bandit Records Releases New George Jones Album

2011-02-14T15:50:00.000-07:00

Search Amazon.com for george jones, hitsBANDIT RECORDS RELEASES NEW GEORGE JONES ALBUM...

GEORGE JONES:HITS

Nashville, TN – BANDIT RECORDS is proud to release the first new GEORGE JONES material in over 5 years. “I Ain’t Ever Slowin Down” written by Al Anderson and Stephen Bruton and “ I Should Have Called” , written by Eddie Raven are both featured in a new compilation called GEORGE JONES: HITS. Both new songs were produced by Jones’ long time producer, Keith Stegal, in 2006 and are included on BANDITS newest release. Also featured on the album are some of GEORGE’S biggest and most iconic hits such as , “The Window Up Above”, “Take Me”, “The Grand Tour” , “White Lightin” , his signature song “He Stopped Lovin’ Her Today” as well as gems like “ Hell Stays Open All Night Long” and “If Drinkin’ Don’t Kill Me (Her Memory Will)”.

Once again, even in his later years, Jones’ vocals continue to amaze and evoke an emotional response as strong as his classic hits have over the last 6 decades. Retailing for $11.99, sold exclusively at Wal*Mart, the 24 song compilation will be released on Feb. 15th.

Jones, a Country Music Hall of Fame member, has had a chart appearance in each of the last seven decades (50’s through ‘10s) and extends his lead for the most chart appearances of all time to 166 titles and his chart span to 55 years, three months and one week. Jones is added to a short prestigious list of acts to chart in seven decades, previously achieved by only Eddy Arnold and Elvis Presley.

Bandit Records Contact:

Evelyn Shriver/ Susan Nadler

615-242-1234

For George Jones Contact:

Kirt Webster

kirt@websterpr.com

615-777-6995 x230

"Coal Minin' Man" - The Roys - New Single

2011-02-03T17:14:00.000-07:00

Coal Minin' Man is the first single from The Roys’ upcoming March CD, LONESOME WHISTLE on Rural Rhythm Records.

It is a classic , traditional sounding up-tempo bluegrass track which tells a true-life story. The instrumentation is really full- with fiddle, guitar, mandolin and Dobro.

Lee and Elaine’s vocals harmonize perfectly as only a brother and sister can.

If the other songs on the CD are anything like this, we are in for a treat.
http://www.theroyscountry.com/

"Blame it On The Bluegrass" - Valerie Smith and Liberty Pike - A Review

2011-02-01T18:35:00.000-07:00

This bluegrass sixpack on Bell Buckle Records is a very good recording. It was the first recording ever at the International Bluegrass Music Museum in Owensburg, Kentucky. Valerie set up a studio in the "Cave", a room which houses the radio station at the museum. Sound quality is excellent , they brought in some very good digital recording equipment and set up in this room that did not look very sound recording friendly, but the producer did an excellent job and you can focus on six very fine bluegrass songs.

They actually recorded twelve songs , but plan to release the other six at the end of this year. Valerie has a fine ,feminine, bluegrass voice and really can sing in a natural way that compares with the best on the market today, plus she is a good guitar picker.

Blake Shelton started the six pack thing in country music very successfully releasing two sixpack CDs pretty close together.

Smith has six great songs here, "Blame It On The Bluegrass" is a very good upbeat number that is very original sounding. It would be a great song for a single.

Smith's voice is so natural and the recording is very warm sounding, not too cluttered , the arrangements are perfect for two or three part harmonies.

She goes from the upbeat to the very inspiring, "Lord, make this day Good", this is a very inspirational song.

Smith was a new name to me, but I love every thing about her, she has a great heart for good sounding bluegrass. Last year, she spent time in Kentucky schools, educating youngsters about bluegrass, that is an awesome thing to do.

http://www.valeriesmithonline.com/

Jamey Johnson Receives TWO ACM Nominations

2011-02-01T17:39:00.000-07:00

JAMEY JOHNSON RECEIVES TWO ACM NOMINATIONS,

INCLUDING ALBUM OF THE YEAR

GRAMMY-NOMINATED ALBUM CONTINUES TO RECEIVE ACCOLADES

Nashville, TN - Jamey Johnson has received two nominations from the Academy of Country Music Awards, including Album of the Year for The Guitar Song, the most-lauded country album of 2010.

"The triumph of a gold-selling double album is shared by my family, my friends/bandmates/producers, my staff, my label, my booking agents, my publishers, my management, my publicists, my handlers, my wranglers, my fans, my dog, Willie's braids and that beautiful brunette in Toledo,” Jamey says. “Thanks all for the hard work and dedication. You all deserve each accolade. And thanks to the Academy voters for the recognition."

Jamey also received an ACM nomination in the category of Vocal Event of the Year for his performance with Colt Ford of “Cold Beer.”

"If working with Colt in the studio was a ball, touring with him on the road with the Grascals and Hank Williams, Jr. was several balls,” Jamey says. “He's a unique artist in a day where uniquity is not usually rewarded. I'm proud to be nominated alongside my friend."

Jamey is a two-time winner in the ACM Song of the Year category, taking home trophies in 2009 for “In Color” and 2007 for “Give It Away,” which was recorded by George Strait.

The Guitar Song was produced by Arlis Albritton, Dave Cobb and The Kent Hardly Playboys, all of whom received nominations as well in the Album of the Year category. In addition, two members of The Kent Hardly Playboys received individual nominations. Jim “Moose” Brown is nominated for Top Piano/Keyboard Player of the Year, and “Cowboy” Eddie Long is nominated for Top Steel Guitar Player of the Year.

Jamey’s The Guitar Song, an ambitious 25-song double album, also recently received two Grammy nominations -- Country Album of the Year and Best Male Country Vocal performance for “Macon.” (He received a third Grammy nomination in Best Country Collaboration with Vocals for “Bad Angels” with Dierks Bentley and Miranda Lambert.)

In addition, The Guitar Song was recently certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America.

Last week, the Nashville Scene’s 11th annual Country Music Critics’ Poll named The Guitar Song the best album of 2011 and named Jamey Artist of the Year, Best Male Vocalist and Best Songwriter.

The Guitar Song was ranked No. 5 on Rolling Stone’s Best Albums of 2010 and “Macon” was ranked No. 23 on Rolling Stone’s Best Singles of 2010.

“What does Jamey Johnson keep under all of that hair? Songs,” says Rolling Stone. “Nashville’s gruffest and grittiest star turns out to be its most reliable traditionalist, a Music Row pro who can write a song for every emotional season. Johnson pulled out a whole slew of them – 25, clocking in north of 105 minutes – four his double-disc fourth album: acoustic confessions and rugged boogie blues, big weepers and grim reapers, cover tunes and novelty ditties, not to mention “California Riots” and “Playing the Part,” a pair of fiercely funny, unrepentantly redneck swipes at the frou-frou blue states.”

The Washington Post, which ranked the album at No. 2 on its list of 2010’s greatest hits, says, “He sings in the baritone of God and carries a guitar covered in Sharpie squiggles – autographed from the likes of Haggard, Nelson and other country music royalty. Now Johnson’s sweeping double album raises the question: How long before he has to sign it himself?”

Spin also named The Guitar Song as No. 5 on its list of The 40 Best Albums of 2010. “Johnson’s double-album opus isn’t one of the past decade’s best country records because he’s a boundary-pushing subversive,” Spin says.

The New York Times included “Even the Skies Are Blue” on its list of Top Songs, while People included The Guitar Song in its Top 10 Music list, noting, “In an era when much of country music is designed for bite-size radio consumption, this old-school outlaw – and Matthew McConaughey BFF – served up a meaty, 25-track double album that sticks to your bones.”

He also made best-album lists of The Boston Globe, Los Angeles Times, Paste, The Philadelphia Inquirer, Detroit Free Press, The Arizona Republic and other publications.

12th Annual San Francisco Bluegrass and Old-Time festival Coming soon

2011-01-28T13:45:00.000-07:00

12th ANNUAL SAN FRANCISCO BLUEGRASS AND OLD-TIME FESTIVAL CELEBRATES PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE OF AMERICANA AND ROOTS MUSIC

The events of the 12th annual San Francisco Bluegrass and Old-Time Festival (SFBOT) will explore and celebrate the past, present and future of bluegrass and old-time music through performances, dances and workshops. The 10-day festival runs from Feb. 11-20 and comprises more than 30 shows at numerous small clubs around the Bay Area featuring some of the most talented musicians on the Americana and roots music scene today.

Highlights of this year’s festival includes Bay Area favorites such as Laurie Lewis & Tom Rozum, The Crooked Jades, the Stairwell Sisters and the Wronglers. Also featured are beloved from outside the Bay Area, such as Dry Branch Fire Squad and Foghorn Stringband. Giving a nod to past, there will be two different celebrations of the bluegrass icons Flatt and Scruggs — the first a performance @ Freight and Salvage featuring an array of musicians paying tribute and a banjo workshop with Cory Goldman titled “Sex, Drugs and Earl Scruggs.”.

And the festival will spotlight some of the best in up-and-coming performers such as 24-year-old Frank Fairfield, who was recently featured on National Public radio for his unique style and approach on fiddle and banjo old-time tunes, the Southern Appalachian Gospel and fiddle tunes of Alex Caton and Pete Winne and the Chicago-based Henhouse Prowlers, who took the top slot at the 2010 Rockygrass Band Competition. A last minute addition to the festival performing on opening night 2/11/11 @ St. Cyprian's Church are The Nashvillains, an acoustic supergroup featuring virtuosos James Nash of The Waybacks on guitar, Bill Evans on banjo, and Bryan Horne from Hot Buttered Rum on bass!

In addition to shows, the festival aims to provide rich experiences for Bay Area residents through workshops, jam sessions, kids shows, Bluegrass and Old-Time in the Schools and the Saturday night old-time square dance (always a sell-out with over 220 attendees)! Each year the Festival showcases the best in rising acts from the West Coast and beyond, with a special spotlight on the immense amount of local talent located right here in the Bay Area.

Thanks to a generous investment from the Chris and Warren Hellman Foundation, the festival committee continues its commitment to the Bluegrass and Old-Time in the Schools program. The program aims to expose elementary and high school students to the worlds of bluegrass and old-time music and continue the legacy of this important music. Schools interested in bringing performers to their a Bay Area location should contact sfbotf.volunteer.coordinator@gmail.com.

Confirmed 2011 Acts

Laurie Lewis & Tom Rozum, Dry Branch Fire Squad, The Crooked Jades, Stairwell Sisters, The Wronglers, The Earl Brothers, Flatt & Scruggs Celebration, Foghorn Stringband, Nell Robinson with John Reischman & the Jaybirds, The Nashvillains, Frank Fairfield, The Henriettas, Henhouse Prowlers, Heroes for Ghosts, Dark Hollow, The Trespassers, Bill Martin, West Nile Ramblers, Windy Hill, AxeL EepH, Lady A & Her Heel Draggers, Walking in Sunlight, Cahalen Morrison & Eli West, Whiskey Puppy, Good Luck Thrift Store Outfit, Summertown Road, Possum & Lester, The Wiyos, Misisipi Rider, Kemo Sabe, BrownChicken BrownCow StringBand, Hang Jones, Dr. Elmo & Wild Blue, Heidi Clare & AtaGallop, The Bee Eaters, Alex Caton & Pete Winne, Misner & Smith, JimBo Trout & the Fishpeople, Bay Island Ramblers, Erik Clampitt, Old Man Markley, Pine Box Boys, Jackstraw, Bucky Walters, The Whisky Richards, Water Tower Bucket Boys, Brothers Comatose, Gayle Lynn & the Hired Hands, Gayle Schmitt & the Toodala Ramblers, Black Crown Stringband, Creole Belles, Aux Cajunals, Emily Bonn & The Vivants, Savannah Blu, Knuckle Knockers, Family Lines, and many others.

Unlike any other festival in the country, the San Francisco Bluegrass & Old-Time Festival is a grass-roots, non-profit, volunteer-run festival dedicated to keeping the tradition of bluegrass and old-time alive. For more information on the festival, visit http://www.sfbluegrass.org/.

###

Please contact Elizabeth Smith @ j.elizabeth@gmail.com or Tanya Pinkerton @ 510.669.9832 for more information and interview/photography requests.

The Nashvillains Photo Credit:Dave Weiland

The Nashvillains.JPG

2067K View Download

The Social Network - A Review

2011-01-23T14:26:00.000-07:00

Social network, one of the most popular films this year is one that I had to see, realizing that total accuracy might not be there, but it could give me an idea of what the start of facebook is all about ,do not read this if want to see it and have not yet, might ruin it for you. One thing that was a bit irritating was the lack of lighting in a lot of the scenes, it was bad, you just could not see what was going on, i could figure out the purpose of this, from the beginning scene, Zuckerberg is shown as a self centered creep, I can't say that is true, just what the movie projects. He loses his girlfriend in that scene, and gets mad, then goes to his dorm room @ Harvard to blog bad things about her and then got the idea for Facebook, He already had a couple of network type sites, one was Face mash. A couple of Harvard students approached him to make an online internet social network for Harvard, which Zuck agrees to, but uses this idea to make Facebook for the whole internet. His roommate ,friend was given title CEO, which was not too serious to Zuck, but his friend did contribute 2,000 bucks to Facebook.

The whole movie is going on at the same time The Zuck is in a trial where his roommate is suing him for his lack of credit in Facebook, he was kicked out at one point. Zuck meets napster founder Sean Parker, who actually finds out about him, and talks him into moving to California , where everything is happening, and The Zuck is really taken by Parker, and is in Awe of him, doing whatever he says, his CEO is much lesss impressed.

Parker ,once Zuck is in California kinda takes over, bringing more and more people into the startup. Finds a way to rid the company of the CEO and of course ,The Zuck goes along. Eventually, The CEO is kicked out. Parker and Zuck have built the most successful social network and info gathering network around. (Info gathering), like a lot of networks Facebook is a big gatherer of your personal info, from what I have been told, don't quote me on that. In the end, Zuckerberg does lose the trial, and the CEO is given his status of cofounder of Facebook back. The Harvard students are rewarded financially, but The Zuck is the winner with a social network worth eight million bucks. This is a must see for computer geeks. The seedy world of the internet is like a modern day mafia of sorts, where these companies like Google, Apple and Facebook war for top place. (Facts are not guaranteed here, as this was based on a movie presentation.

Cracker Barrel and The Grascals Celebrate #1 Debut On Billboard Bluegrass Chart

2011-01-19T17:14:00.000-07:00

Search Amazon.com for grascalsCRACKER BARREL AND THE GRASCALS CELEBRATE #1 DEBUT

ON BILLBOARD BLUEGRASS CHART

Exclusive CD “The Grascals & Friends - Country Classics with a Bluegrass Spin”

also lands on five other charts including Country,

Heatseekers, and Billboard Top 200

LEBANON, Tenn. (January 19, 2011) Cracker Barrel Old Country Store and The Grascals are pleased to celebrate the #1 debut of The Grascals & Friends - Country Classics with a Bluegrass Spin on the Billboard Top Bluegrass Albums chart (issue date January 29, 2011). The album also entered the Billboard Top Country Albums chart at #26, the Heatseekers chart at #2, the Independent chart at #15, the Billboard 200 at #113, and the Top Current Billboard 200 at #108.

The album has 13 country music songs. The Grascals bring their own bluegrass style to the tunes and bring the different tracks to life with eight of their friends, including Brad Paisley, Dierks Bentley, Charlie Daniels and Dolly Parton. The track, “I Am Strong,” was written by Grascals band member Jamie Johnson and his wife Susanne Mumpower-Johnson along with Jenee Fleenor after The Grascals visited the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital® and were inspired by the stories and power of the children being treated there. “I Am Strong” is powerful in its message and in its artistic vision and brings together vocals from all of the artists who also appear separately with The Grascals on other tracks on this CD. In honor of the children and this song, Cracker Barrel is donating a percentage of the proceeds. The CD is now available exclusively at Cracker Barrel Old Country Store® and online at crackerbarrel.com.

"This is just icing on the cake ... like Cracker Barrel gravy on the biscuit!” said bass player Terry Smith. He added, “The relationship has been so great thus far. Hopefully the sales and great partnership will continue in kind. Also, I wish Friday fish fry was seven days a week!"

"This is something we've looked forward to for so long,” said mandolin player Danny Roberts. He added, “It's doing so well, so quickly. The added bonus of it benefiting St. Jude makes it all the better.”

“This is a great achievement and we congratulate The Grascals,” said Chris Ciavarra, Senior Vice President of Marketing for Cracker Barrel. “We are very pleased to see the strength of this CD’s debut and think that it speaks to quality of the music, the authenticity of the musicians, and it shows what a good fit this is with our guests.”

The Grascals, fresh off of a year packed with over 150 shows, are in the running for 10 of the 37th Annual SPBGMA Awards including Instrumental Group of the Year, Vocal Group of the Year, Bluegrass Band of the Year, and Entertaining Group of the Year. In addition, the Grascals’ new video, “I Am Strong” featuring Dolly Parton, premiered in mid-December on AOL.

The Grascals & Friends - Country Classics With A Bluegrass Spin is the latest in Cracker Barrel’s exclusive music program, which features numerous projects. In November of 2010, Cracker Barrel released Smokey Robinson’s Now & Then which features six of his current songs and live versions of six of his classics that were recorded last year. It debuted at #19 on Billboard magazine’s R&B chart and has been nominated for Outstanding Album in the 2011 NAACP IMAGE AWARDS. September saw the release of the self-titled Rodney Atkins, which includes four #1 hits, and also the release of Mandy Barnett’s Winter Wonderland, which offers up all the authentic sounds of the holiday traditions so many of us cherish. In July, the company released Craig Morgan’s That’s Why-Collector’s Edition, and in May the release of Wynonna’s Love Heals debuted at #7 on the Billboard Magazine Top Country Albums chart. February’s release of Dailey & Vincent Sing the Statler Brothers debuted at #1 on Billboard’s Top Bluegrass Albums chart, where it spent nine weeks in the top position and 18 weeks overall in one of the three top positions since its release on February 1st. Releases in 2009 included November’s Songs of Love and Heartache by Alan Jackson, September’s release of an exclusive new version of The Foundation by the Zac Brown Band, August’s George Jones’ release of A Collection Of My Best Recollection, May’s release of Montgomery Gentry’s For Our Heroes, which debuted at #5 on Billboard Magazine’s Top Country Albums chart, and March’s release of Dolly Parton’s Collector’s Edition of Backwoods Barbie, which debuted at #9 on that chart. Over the last few years, Cracker Barrel has released exclusive CDs with Bill Gaither, Kenny Rogers, Ricky Skaggs, Aaron Tippin, Alison Krauss & Union Station, Josh Turner, Amy Grant, Sara Evans, and Charlie Daniels.

About Cracker Barrel

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store provides a friendly home-away-from-home in its old country stores and restaurants. Guests are cared for like family while relaxing and enjoying real home-style food and shopping that’s surprisingly unique, genuinely fun and reminiscent of America’s country heritage…all at a fair price. The restaurant serves up delicious, home-style country food such as meatloaf and homemade chicken n’ dumplins as well as its signature biscuits using an old family recipe. The authentic old country retail store is fun to shop and offers unique gifts and self-indulgences.

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc. (Nasdaq: CBRL) was established in 1969 in Lebanon, Tenn. and operates 597 company-owned locations in 42 states. Every Cracker Barrel unit is open seven days a week with hours Sunday through Thursday, 6 a.m. – 10 p.m., and Friday and Saturday, 6 a.m. - 11 p.m. For more information, visit crackerbarrel.com.

Media contacts

For Cracker Barrel

Julie Davis / (615) 443-9266

jdavis@crackerbarrel.com

Webster & Associates, LLC

Kirt Webster / (615) 777-6995 x230

kirt@websterpr.com

For The Grascals

so much MOORE media

Martha Moore (615) 746-3994

somuchmoore@charter.net

"I Am Strong" - The Grascals

2011-01-19T17:05:00.000-07:00

George Jones,Randy Houser,Josh Turner,Oak Ridge Boys,Phil Vassar,Gretchen Wilson,Chuck Wicks,Craig Morgan,Charlie Daniels and many more join the Boot Campaign

2011-01-18T16:29:00.000-07:00

GEORGE JONES, RANDY HOUSER, JOSH TURNER, OAK RIDGE BOYS,

PHIL VASSAR, GRETCHEN WILSON, JUSTIN MOORE,

CHUCK WICKS, CRAIG MORGAN, CHARLIE DANIELS

AND MANY MORE JOIN THE BOOT CAMPAIGN

Nashville, TN (January 17, 2011) - One-by-one country music stars are taking off their cowboy boots and replacing them with army boots! The Boot Campaign was inspired by retired US Navy SEAL and author of the book Lone Survivor, Marcus Luttrell. The campaign is a way for Americans to give back and say thank you to our armed forces.

Country music stars involved include: legends like George Jones, Oak Ridge Boys, Jan Howard, Mel Tillis, Lee Greenwood and Charlie Daniels, along with hit-makers Josh Turner, Phil Vassar, Joe Nichols, Randy Houser, Gretchen Wilson, Little Texas, Joe Diffie, Jamie O’Neal, Heidi Newfield, Justin Moore, Chuck Wicks, Colt Ford, Randy Rogers Band, Eli Young Band, Derek Sholl, Joey + Rory and Jack Ingram.

Charlie Daniels, who even chose the Boot Campaign to be a part of his annual charity event at the Nashville Palm said, “I’ve never seen anything quite as unique as the Boot Campaign, and I’ve seen a lot!”

Also on board are bluegrass artists The Grascals and The Roys, along with Texas sensations Cross Canadian Ragweed, Robert Earl Keen, Jason Boland, Aaron Watson, Mick and the Motorcars, Reckless Kelly, Wade Bowen, Kevin Fowler, Stoney LaRue, No Justice, Bleu Edmondson, and Granger Smith.

These celebrities along with the Boot Girls are helping to spread the organizations motto: “When They Come Back, We Give Back!” The campaign encourages Americans to purchase a pair of army combat boots to wear in support of our nation’s troops. Proceeds from the boot sales are donated to partner charities, including Luttrell’s Lone Survivor Foundation.

About The Boot Campaign

Known as “the Boot Girls,” Ginger, Leigh Ann, Sherri, Heather and Mariae banned together one fateful night in Tyler, Texas to launch The Boot Campaign giving gratitude and appreciation for the American military. The initiative is quickly gaining awareness with the repertoire of boot images expanding every day. The Boot Girls ask Americans to put their boots on during the routine of daily life to symbolically walk in the shoes of our military men and women, remembering their service and sacrifice. The Campaign’s signature boots are available for purchase online with proceeds benefiting organizations like The Lone Survivor Foundation.

For more information about The Boot Campaign, please visit: www.bootcampaign.com

Media Contact:

Webster & Associates, LLC

Lindsey Cate / 615-777-6995 x221

lindsey@websterpr.com

The Grascals & Friends - Country Classics with a Bluegrass Spin

2011-01-05T15:42:00.000-07:00

Search Amazon.com for grascals cdCracker Barrel Old Country Store(and restaurant) has been putting out special releases of good music for a few years. This one is a real special treat, with The Grascals as the House Band, they have recorded mostly older classic country covers, which is done very tastefully, with many special guests. Let's take a look at this album.

Jamie Johnson wrote a real special song while visiting St. Jude's Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis with the Grascals last winter. It is presented twice, once with Dolly Parton, and as a bonus track with mostly everyone here participating. A portion of proceeds of The Grascals & Friends goes to St. Jude’s. The song is "I Am Strong." The ending is priceless, as cancer patient Ansley McLaurin sings the last line.

Well, the CD starts out cookin' with Brad Paisley doing his version of "Tiger by The Tail"(Buck Owens). Sounds very good, He also puts in one of his signature guitar breaks, followed by Kristin of the Grascals taking off on banjo.

Well, I have to jump out of order here , Charlie Daniels just came on singing his very popular "Devil Went Down to Georgia." Charlie was so impressed with Grascals’ fiddler Jeremy Abshire playing, that he opted not to play on the track.

"Folsom Prison Blues", Featuring Dierks Bentley, Bentley does a great job covering Cash with The Grascals, some very nice harmonies too! Guitarist Kent Wells nails the guitar part.

"Pain of Lovin' You", Dolly Parton nails the song she wrote with Porter Wagoner, and the Grascals sound great playing with her. She then sings the

first version of "I Am Strong" with Jamie Johnson. The lyrics here are powerful. Dolly's voice is as good as ever. Very powerful song with some very nice harmonies.

"Louisiana Saturday Night" is just the Grascals performing this Bob McDill song. It is real upbeat, reminds me a bit of Brad Paisley’s "American Saturday Night". Just the concept, not necessarily the tune itself, really takes off well.

"The Year That Clayton Delaney Died" (Tom T Hall) sung by Tom T Hall with the Grascals. I really like this , Tom sings this very animated, a song that works very well.

"White Lightning" featuring Darryl Worley, this song rocks , in a bluegrass way, Kristin really rocks the banjo with lead guitarist Kent Wells playing some sweet electric country riffs.

This album is a lot of fun and has a ton of talent on it. You like some country and bluegrass, you will love this. I forgot one more important song, Joe Nichols singing "Mr Bojangles", another very well done piece with some great instrumentation by the Grascals. This is a great way to start out the new year. Check it out!!

-release date 1/10/11
-samples
http://cbmusic.crackerbarrel.com/artists/grascals

http://www.crackerbarrel.com/

http://www.grascals.com/

--

Lonesome River Band in need of Mandolin Player

2010-12-22T15:12:00.000-07:00

Meadows of Dan, VA) This past year, the Lonesome River Band added acoustic bass player Barry Reed to help shape their sound as they are starting a new chapter in LRB history. The band has a very busy schedule of activities, recordings, and tour dates for 2011 all leading up to their 30th year Anniversary in 2012.. In light of these very busy activities next year, Andy Ball as decided to leave the band effective January 8, 2011. Andy attends school in Windsor, Canada and works in Detroit, Michigan, so it has been a difficult task to balance all of this with his LRB demands for 2011 and beyond.

Band leader, Sammy Shelor is accepting demos for a mandolin player and tenor vocalist and someone well versed in LRB's music. Interested musicians are asked to contact Shelor through the band's website.

The Lonesome River Band is celebrating a current chart album, “STILL LEARNING” on Rural Rhythm Records. The album’s first single release, “Record Time Machine” and “Jack Up The Jail” have also climbed a variety of radio charts this year.

“STILL LEARNING” was just chosen in POP MATTERS TOP BLUEGRASS ALBUMS OF 2010; featured on the CMT.com “Top 10 Indie Albums Worth a Listen,” reviewed in Country Weekly Magazine and numerous other publications since its July release.

The Lonesome River Band can also be heard on another 2010 album release, "THE ALL-STAR JAM - LIVE AT GRAVES MOUNTAIN" recorded in June at the Graves Mountain Festival of Music in Syria, Virginia. This historic live album was in celebration of Rural Rhythm Records 55th Anniversary and includes numerous collaborations among some of the top acts in bluegrass music.

Please visit www.lonesomeriverband.com for more information.

CONTACTS:

LONESOME RIVER BAND

http://www.lonesomeriverband.com/

The Judds Help Bid Farewell to Longtime Friend Larry King

2010-12-13T15:17:00.000-07:00

THE JUDDS HELP BID FAREWELL TO LONGTIME FRIEND LARRY KING

Wynonna & Naomi Judd to make appearance this Tuesday

during final week of Larry King Live

Nashville, TN – Wynonna and Naomi Judd will make a pit-stop from The Judds: The Last Encore tour on Tuesday, December 14th, to spend an hour with longtime friend Larry King during his final week as host of CNN’s Larry King Live.

About Larry King Live:

The hit show has been on the air since 1985 and the man with the suspenders, Larry King, has become one of the most recognizable faces in the news world, mostly for his slicked back hair, his big square glasses and his intriguing interviews with the people of the day. Everyone from former President Ronald Reagan to United Nations Goodwill Ambassador Angelina Jolie to former Governor Jesse Ventura have all appeared on the CNN prime time news program “Larry King Live.”

About The Judds:

Kentucky natives, The Judds, are one of the most successful country music duos of all time – amassing fourteen number-one hits and over 60 industry awards including multiple CMA, ACM and GRAMMY awards. After launching their career with Curb/RCA Records in 1984, The Judds sold 20 million albums in just 6 short years. By 1989, The Judds were one of the top-grossing and most popular touring acts in America. But at the height of their career, Naomi Judd announced she would have to retire from the music business due to health complications. To say goodbye to their fans, they launched the 116-city Judds Farewell Tour selling more concert tickets than anyone that year with the exception of The Grateful Dead and The Rolling Stones. Nearly ten years after her health turned around, the pair reunited on Dec. 31, 1999 for a New Year’s gala performance, and a reunion tour in 2000. They came together again at last year’s 2009 CMA Music Festival and captivated the massive audience with their homespun, acoustic harmonies that felt as revelatory as they did when they first shot onto the country music scene 26 years ago. Encouraged by that performance and driven by the fans, the duo decided to tour one last time for 2010’s The Judds: The Last Encore.

The Judds: The Last Encore tour will feature new Judds music while also highlighting 25 years of fan-favorites including some of Wynonna’s most celebrated solo hits. The tour will also feature holiday seasonal favorites, by weaving several classic Christmas songs into The Judds' diverse set list. Judds fans can find all of the latest info, including a complete listing of concert dates, sign up to receive e-mail alerts and the opportunity to connect with other JUDD-heads on the official tour website: www.thejuddstour2010.com

The Judds Media Contact:

Webster & Associates Public Relations / (615) 777-6995 x230

Kirt Webster / kirt@websterpr.com

The Grascals & Friends Coming To Cracker Barrel

2010-12-08T16:04:00.000-07:00

Search Amazon.com for GrascalsTHE GRASCALS & FRIENDS COMING TO CRACKER BARREL

Exclusive CD will feature guest artists joining in for some bluegrass fun

LEBANON, Tenn. (December 6, 2010) Cracker Barrel Old Country Store is pleased to let you know that the next CD in its exclusive music program will feature some of the biggest names in country music joining up with one of the most beloved bands on today's bluegrass scene, The Grascals. The album, The Grascals & Friends - Country Classics With A Bluegrass Spin, has 13 country music songs on it that you have probably heard before, but most likely not like this. The Grascals bring their own bluegrass style to the tunes and bring the different tracks to life with eight of their friends, including Brad Paisley, Dierks Bentley, Charlie Daniels and Dolly Parton. The Grascals & Friends - Country Classics With A Bluegrass Spin will be available on January 10th, 2011, exclusively at all Cracker Barrel locations.

The bonus track, "I Am Strong," was written by Grascals band member Jamie Johnson and his wife Susanne Mumpower-Johnson along with Jenee Fleenor after The Grascals visited the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital® and were inspired by the stories and power of the children being treated there. "I Am Strong" is powerful in its message and artistic vision and brings together vocals from all of the artists who also appear separately with the Grascals on other tracks on this CD. In honor of the children and this song, Cracker Barrel is donating a percentage of the proceeds from this CD to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

"The Grascals are steeped in bluegrass tradition and at the same time are in touch with their contemporary audiences, bringing authenticity as well as freshness to the music," said Chris Ciavarra, Senior Vice President of Marketing for Cracker Barrel. "We are pleased to be able to offer our guests this unique CD as the latest album in our exclusive music program."

The Grascals are frequent guests at Cracker Barrel as it provides a welcome stop along the way when they are out touring, which is most of the year. Ask any of the six band members what they like to eat when they stop in and there is no hesitation in the responses: chicken n' dumplins, the Sunrise Sampler, turnip greens or pinto beans....the answers go on and on.

The Grascals & Friends - Country Classics With A Bluegrass Spin will be the latest in Cracker Barrel's exclusive music program, which features numerous projects. In November of 2010, Cracker Barrel released Smokey Robinson's Now & Then which features six of his current songs and live versions of six of his classics that were recorded last year. It debuted at #19 on Billboard magazine's R&B chart. September saw the release of the self-titled Rodney Atkins, which includes four #1 hits, and also released Mandy Barnett's Winter Wonderland, which offers up all the authentic sounds of the holiday traditions so many of us cherish. In July, the company released Craig Morgan's That's Why-Collector's Edition, and in May the release of Wynonna's Love Heals debuted at #7 on the Billboard Magazine Top Country Albums chart. February's release of Dailey & Vincent Sing the Statler Brothers debuted at #1 on Billboard's Top Bluegrass Albums chart, where it spent nine weeks in the top position and 18 weeks overall in one of the three top positions since its release on February 1st. Releases in 2009 included November's Songs of Love and Heartache by Alan Jackson, September's release of an exclusive new version of The Foundation by the Zac Brown Band, August's George Jones' release of A Collection Of My Best Recollection, May's release of Montgomery Gentry's For Our Heroes, which debuted at #5 on Billboard Magazine's Top Country Albums chart, and March's release of Dolly Parton's Collector's Edition of Backwoods Barbie, which debuted at #9 on that chart. Over the last few years, Cracker Barrel has released exclusive CDs with Bill Gaither, Kenny Rogers, Ricky Skaggs, Aaron Tippin, Alison Krauss & Union Station, Josh Turner, Amy Grant, Sara Evans, and Charlie Daniels.

Tracks on The Grascals & Friends - Country Classics With A Bluegrass Spin:

1. Tiger By The Tail (with Brad Paisley)

2. Folsom Prison Blues (with Dierks Bentley)

3. Pain of Lovin' You (with Dolly Parton)

4. I Am Strong (with Dolly Parton)

5. Louisiana Saturday Night

6. The Year That Clayton Delaney Died (with Tom T. Hall)

7. White Lightning (with Darryl Worley)

8. The Devil Went Down To Georgia (with Charlie Daniels)

9. Leavin' Louisiana In Broad Daylight (with The Oak Ridge Boys)

10. Mr. Bojangles (with Joe Nichols)

11. Hank Williams Jr. Medley - Born To Boogie / All My Rowdy Friends Are Comin' Over Tonight

12. Cracker Barrel Swing (Instrumental)

13. I Am Strong (Bonus Track) Featuring guest appearances by Dolly Parton, The Oak Ridge Boys, Darryl Worley, Charlie Daniels, Terri Clark, Randy Owen, Steven Seagal, Tom T. Hall, Joe Nichols and Ansley McLaurin

About Cracker Barrel

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store provides a friendly home-away-from-home in its old country stores and restaurants. Guests are cared for like family while relaxing and enjoying real home-style food and shopping that's surprisingly unique, genuinely fun and reminiscent of America's country heritage...all at a fair price. The restaurant serves up delicious, home-style country food such as meatloaf and homemade chicken n' dumplins as well as its signature biscuits using an old family recipe. The authentic old country retail store is fun to shop and offers unique gifts and self-indulgences.

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc. (Nasdaq: CBRL) was established in 1969 in Lebanon, Tenn. and operates 597 company-owned locations in 42 states. Every Cracker Barrel unit is open seven days a week with hours Sunday through Thursday, 6 a.m. - 10 p.m., and Friday and Saturday, 6 a.m. - 11 p.m. For more information, visit crackerbarrel.com

The Grascals Celebrate Another successful year

2010-12-03T14:32:00.000-07:00

The Grascals Celebrate Another Successful Year

2010 Brought Group Numerous #1s, Popular Videos & More

Nashville, TN (December 3, 2010) -- The Grascals recently celebrated another successful year with numerous #1s, popular videos, five-star shows and extensive press coverage behind them. The group's current CD, THE FAMOUS LEFTY FLYNN'S, ruled the Bluegrass Unlimited Chart for an astounding four-month run at #1, while the single, "Last Train To Clarksville," is that Chart's #1 single this month. The disc also reigned supreme on the Bluegrass Music Profiles Chart (#1 for two months), and the single hit the top of the European Hot Disc Chart.

The Grascals toured extensively, delighting fans at over 150 shows that included high-profile outings with Hank Williams Jr.'s Rowdy Friends Tour; the Jerry Lewis Muscular Dystrophy Association Telethon, the CMA Music Fest, the IBMA Fan Fest Stage, dozens of festivals, multiple Grand Ole Opry appearances and more. Their music video, "Last Train To Clarksville," received a favorable response from critics and fans alike, and a new video, filmed at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, will hit the airwaves soon.

Change was in the wind for The Grascals throughout 2010; the band parted ways with Rounder Records after a successful six-year run and formed their own imprint, BluGrascal Records. The band celebrated a terrific first year with New Frontier Touring, and so much MOORE media joined The Grascals' team in March. At the helm of The Grascals' ship is Entertainment Evolution, the group's artist management firm.

The Grascals' Jamie Johnson sums up the year perfectly, saying, "We worked hard, we reaped a good bit of what we've sown, and we are continually blessed." The group is shown here, receiving #1 award plaques for THE FAMOUS LEFTY FLYNN'S, at NorthStar Studios following the filming of Reno's Old Time Music Festival television show.

"I'm In" - Keith Urban

2010-12-01T16:59:00.000-07:00

Search Amazon.com for keith urban dvd

"Homecoming, The Bluegrass Album" - Joe Diffie - A review

2010-11-23T18:45:00.000-07:00

Joe Diffie has spent most of his career singing popular country music. Diffie's vocals sound as good or better than I expected, He does have a good set of pipes.

He sings mostly covers written by Nashville's best and even one by Otis Redding. The musicians read like a who's who of Bluegrass music.

The Grascals back him up on a song that he wrote "Rainin on A Rubber Dolly Now". This is a cohesive track and upbeat, one of the best bluegrass sounding songs on the disc.

"Route 5,Box 109" is my favorite, great song about family and Joe does a good job with this (Galen Griffin and Kerry Phillips) song.

Really, there is not a bad song on this disc, and the list of backup singers is nothing short of incredible. Diffie really puts himself into thes songs, though whether they sound more country or bluegrass is left up in the air, A dobro does not make A CD Bluegrass. I realize that entertainment is the whole end of an album and this is well done, not a cheap production done in a cheap project studio.

http://www.oceanwayrecording.com/studios-nashville.php

What kinda bothers me is the instruments are recorded in one studio and the vocals in another, so the recording is sort of Karaoke style. Instruments recorded in Oceanway studios and vocals recorded at Station West studio. Mostly all recorded, mixed and mastered by Luke Wooten, while Joe helps with production. The product is very polished, though it sounds a bit bright on one of my CD players.

A special treat is the playing of banjo by Kristen Scott on the Grascals track. This gal is easily one of the best banjo pickers going today, and still pretty young. "Fit For A King" (Carl Jackson,Jim Rushing) is a very good gospel, story song.

Only song I did not like was Diffie's "Til Death" - too graphic for me. Overall, this a good listen for country and Bluegrass fans.

The Band Perry - A Debut

2010-11-19T18:58:00.001-07:00

Well, only a couple of months ago, this young trio of sister with brothers was unheard of. This CD, mostly recorded before they were signed with a label.

This CD is an excellent production, a mixture of country rock, and acoustic sounds with three vocals and excellent musicians. Mostly original songs, Kim Perry and brothers Neil and Reid. They even play instruments on their first CD.

The sound quality is excellent thru out the disc. Their lyrics are very good. Kim has a very special way of enunciating her vocals, they are easy to understand. This CD has hit the Charts heavy at number 11.

, Neil Perry really shines thru on mandolin on several songs. Helpful studio musicians are guitar- Bryan Sutton, Drums - Shannon Forrest, acoustic guitar - Biff Watson ,pedal steel ,Dan Dugmore and Mike Johnson, mastered by Hank William @ mastermix. Sorry, many artists left unnamed .

Favorite songs = You Lie, Hip To My Heart, If I Die Young, Heart, Quittin You, and Postcard From Paris. "If I Die Young" is an incredible debut song, very good since it is self written. These guys are really good at everything they do!!

The Oak Ridge Boys 2010 Tour, The Boys Are back for Chrismas

2010-11-17T04:47:00.000-07:00

The Oak Ridge Boys 2010 Christmas Tour

The Boys Are Back Home for Christmas

Nashville, TN (November 16, 2010) – Each year, The Oak Ridge Boys’ Christmas tour plays to packed houses across America. This year The Boys Are Back for Christmas Tour will take the group to 18 states and 29 cities, mid-November through December 22. For the first time in ten years The Oak Ridge Boys will be bringing their Christmas show back home to Nashville and are doing so at the newly renovated Gaylord Opryland Resort on December 21.

The two-hour extravaganza features a mixture of traditional and contemporary songs—including religious, romantic, and fun holiday tunes—as well as the group’s classic Country-Pop hits, likeElvira, American Made, andThank God For Kids. The full-production show features beautiful sets, falling snow, and a visit from Santa Claus, and it includes songs from the Oaks’ five bestselling Christmas CDs.

The Boys are thrilled to be ending their holiday tour in Nashville. “It’s such an honor to play the last day of our tour this year in our hometown. It will provide a great opportunity for all of our local friends, fans and family to celebrate Christmas with The Oak Ridge Boys,” The Oaks’ Joe Bonsall explains, “we have been doing a full out Christmas tour since 1988, and since we last brought the tour to Nashville, our children have grown and we all have grandkids. The Boys are back home for Christmas in Nashville at Opryland…I’m not sure how it gets any better!”

VIP and Basic show ticket packages are available now by calling 1-888-677-9872. Packages include overnight accommodations at Gaylord Opryland Resort with a private viewing of the Gaylord Opryland’s Hall of Trees, as well as dinner prior to the Christmas concert. General show tickets are also available.

To find out more information about The Boys Are Back For Christmas show in Nashville visit http://www.gaylordhotels.com/gaylord-opryland/specials-packages/specials/oak-ridge-boys-christmas/index.html.

You can also follow the tour on Facebook at http://on.fb.me/9XKCcZ and Twitter at http://twitter.com/ORB_Christmas

Media Contact:

Webster & Associates, LLC

Jenelle Scott / 615-777-6995 x222

jenelle@websterpr.com

Charlie Daniels and Friends Celebrate Christmas 4 Kids at Sold Out Concert

2010-11-16T03:30:00.000-07:00

Search Amazon.com for charlie daniels band

CHARLIE DANIELS & FRIENDS CELEBRATE

CHRISTMAS 4 KIDS AT SOLD OUT CONCERT

Nashville, TN -- Charlie Daniels will offer his time and talents to host and headline Charlie Daniels & Friends concert on Monday, November 22nd at the Ryman Auditorium, beginning at 7:00 PM. Charlie Daniels and friends Montgomery Gentry, Jake Owen, and Sawyer Brown will perform at the charity event that raises money for the Christmas 4 Kids organization (a division of Christmas For Kids, Inc). “We are completely out of seats,” Debbie Lamberson proclaimed earlier today. “This is a very exciting time for our organization and for Nashville.”

Christmas 4 Kids is a not-for-profit organization that has been in existence for over 25 years providing many children, each year, with their very own shopping spree. The funds generated by the concert, and the Tour Bus Show/Artist Meet and Greet event are used to give children from 30 different schools, a total of more than 400 children, a day-long shopping excursion. The special day consists of a chauffeured trip from their school aboard an entertainer's luxury tour bus, lunch, and a party hosted by Santa and Mrs. Claus at College Heights Baptist Church, and finally a trip to the Hendersonville, Tennessee, Walmart where they receive $150.00 to spend on anything they want and also receive a brand new winter coat.

The Annual Tour Bus Show/Artist Meet and Greet event will take place on Monday, December 13th in Hendersonville, TN. The shopping excursion takes place on Tuesday, December 14th. For more information on how you can volunteer to help chaperone one of these special children, visit www.Christmas4kids.org.

" Hellos Goodbyes & Butterflies" - Donna Hughes - A Review

2010-11-11T05:56:00.000-07:00

Donna Hughes second album that I have reviewed , "Hellos Goodbyes & Butterflies" is another very consistent piece of work. Her type of songwriting stays pretty much the same, and her sweet emotive vocals are still excellent, the big difference in her new CD is that JD Crowe produced it , while Tony Rice produced her other CD that I have heard. She has two other CDs before these That I can not comment on. Tony liked her piano playing, so on "Gaining Wisdom" , she played some piano, it is more of a sparse, but very well produced CD in the quality of the recording, very clean.

JD Crowes production is more bluegrass in the traditional sense, with lots of good dobro, Randy Kohrs and Rob Ickes. Also, a very good, clean recording ,featuring the stringed instruments and Hughes' excellent vocals and melodies. There are fifteen songs here, all written by Hughes, who is a very prolific writer , probably written about 300 songs by now. As Tony Rice fitted the production to Donna's songs and voice, I see that in JD Crowes work too. She is not your real traditional old timey bluegrass singer, with lots of banjo and fiddle going all the time. The music is mostly guitars ,dobro , some mandolin, but it hones in more as a southern sounding set that is definitely bluegrass flavored, but original in that Hughes' songs are original. She has has had her songs recorded by Alison Krauss and also the group Seldom Scene. Donna actually sounds alot like Alison Krauss and Union Station at places on this CD. It is quite amazing how, she can be so prolific with her music and bring out some really good songs that catch your attention. "Dr. Jekyll, Mr Hyde" is a very good song with a good set of hooks and a very realistic setting for the song. It is emotional , like something she lived. My personal favorite is "God Don't Make Mistakes" , that song really moves me each time that I hear it. and "Mid-Life Crisis" , songs based on life and stories, but isn't that what bluegrass and country music are all about. Also, Donna has some real good harmony's on the tracks.

Personaly, Hughes is a real talent , between being a songwriter and Bluegrass performer. She just seem to keep getting better.

www.donnahughes.com

, --

George Strait Announces 2011 Tour With Reba and Lee Ann Womack

2010-11-10T04:15:00.000-07:00

GEORGE STRAIT ANNOUNCES 2011 TOUR

WITH REBA AND LEE ANN WOMACK

Nashville, Tenn. (November 5, 2010) -- George Strait fans who missed this year’s superstar pairing of King George, Phenom Reba McEntire and award-winning traditionalist Lee Ann Womack are getting a second chance in 2011.

“The George, Reba and Lee Ann tour is certainly one of the best on the road this year, offering an entertainment package perfect for cowboys, cowgirls … and city folk alike,” exclaims The Boot’s Vernell Hackett.

“All three of the performers – George Strait, Reba McEntire and Lee Ann Womack – delivered flawlessly in a concert perhaps best noted for its emphasis on performance over props or pyrotechnics,” says Amanda St. Amand of the St. Louis Post Dispatch.

“Call Strait the Bruce Springsteen of country music … ,” praises Jack Hill of the Arkansas Democrat Gazette .

“The icon appears to have no plans to slow down – good news, no doubt, to his fans,” says Larry Rodgers of Arizona Republic.

“No matter what the genre, singing doesn't get much better than this,” exclaims Geoffrey Himes of Baltimore’s City Paper.

At next week’s 44th Annual CMA Awards, King George is up for Male Vocalist of the Year award for the 24th time and is also nominated for Album of the Year for Twang, an award he won in 2008 for his critically claimed album Troubadour.

With a career spanning more than 30 years, George Strait has the most number one singles of any artist in history including Elvis (57 to date inclusive of all charts). He has sold nearly 69 million records and with 33 different platinum or multi-platinum albums has the most RIAA platinum certifications in country music and the third in all genres, behind The Beatles and Elvis Presley.

Strait’s CD Twang debuted at #1 on The Billboard 200 chart and the Top Country Albums chart. This is the fourth time in Strait's career that a new release has debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 chart and the 13th time debuting at #1 on the Top Country Albums chart. His current single is “The Breath You Take.”

Named the Academy of Country Music’s Artist of the Decade last year, George Strait was nominated for this year's ACM Entertainer of the Year for the 12th time and Top Male Vocalist for the 20th time, bringing his all-time record to 81 ACM nominations.

One of the most successful female recording artists in history, Reba has sold over 55 million albums worldwide, earned 33 #1 singles and was recently recognized as the biggest female hit-maker in country music history by “Billboard,” “Mediabase” and “Country Aircheck.” She is the winner of 15 American Music Awards, 12 Academy of Country Music Awards, 9 People’s Choice Awards, 7 Country Music Awards and 2 GRAMMY Awards.

Reba is a 2010 CMA Nominee for “Female Vocalist of the Year.” The superstar recently surpassed the one million fan mark on Facebook, propelling her into an elite group of only 10 Country artists to achieve the popularity milestone. Reba’s unprecedented run of sales successes extended the superstar’s lead as the female artist with the most RIAA sales certification in Country music history. Also an acclaimed film, TV and Broadway actress, Reba signed with The Valory Music Co. in November 2008. The move reunited the multimedia entertainer with industry leader Scott Borchetta, now President and CEO of the Big Machine Label Group, which includes Big Machine Records, The Valory Music Co. and Republic Nashville.

Lee Ann Womack has sold over 6 million albums, won two Grammys and numerous other milestone awards. Womack’s current album Call Me Crazy has garnered critical acclaim from Rolling Stone, USA Today, Entertainment Weekly, Billboard and The New York Times, to name a few. She was nominated for Top Female Vocalist at the ACM Awards in 2009 and the debut single “Last Call” was nominated for a Grammy in the Best Female Country Vocal Performance category. Womack nominated for “Musical Event of the Year” with George Strait for “Everything But Quits” at the 2009 CMA Awards.

For more information on the tour and ticket on sale dates, visit www.GeorgeStrait.com.

Graves Mountain Memories, Video Part 2

2010-11-03T23:09:00.000-07:00

Graves Mountain All-Star Jam (Rural Rhythm 55 year Celebration Live Album)

2010-10-31T04:23:00.000-07:00

If you are a fan of good old bluegrass music and live festivals, this is definitely for you. The event took place June 4, 2010 at the Graves Mountain Festival of Music in Syria, Virginia. This is beautiful ,rural Virginia, in the foothills of The Blueridge Mountains. I have spent a lot of time camping near this area and I love it.(Celebrating 55 Years of Bluegrass Music)

Many great Bluegrass bands were involved and they played lots of traditional bluegrass. Musicians involved were Russell Moore and Third Tyme Out, The Crowe Brothers, Lonesome River Band. Mark Newton, Carrie Hassler, Brand New Strings, Carl Jackson, Lou Reid and Carolina, Audie Blaylock and Redline, a very natural live recording with musicians from different bands joining each other on different songs. The Emcee was Kyle Cantrell of Sirius-XM radio.

Songwise, personally I really loved "Grave's Mountain Memories" written by Carl Jackson, who was asked to write the song by Sam Passamano, in commemoration of the event, "55 year Celebration". It just exudes Hi-lonesome bluegrass and He does an excellent job of telling about the festival and the History of The Graves Family too. Performed by the Rural Rhythm All-Stars, Carl Jackson, Mark Newton, Audie Blaylock, Lou Reid, Russell Moore, Sammy Shelor, Mike Hartgrove, Wayne Benson, Mike Anglin plus special kudos to Carrie Hassler for adding female backup vocals to so many songs. The song has a beautiful melody, and the chorus is off the meter with the excellent harmonies. It's a song that stays in your head, unless you like grunge music.

What is evident at the event is the pure joy that the artists have in playing and singing together. These folk are clearly enjoying themselves and that is what music should be about.

Sound engineering was handled by Gene Daniell who has 30 years experience in recording Bluegrass and Acoustic performances. He was helped by Mark Newton in mixing, mastering process done at his own studio in Marietta ,Georgia. Produced by Sam Passamano Jr. and Mark Newton.

President of Rural Rhythm Records, Sam Passamano Jr. has a real heart for bluegrass music and was responsible for putting this together. One of the top pure bluegrass labels , this 55 year celebration shares the vision of Bluegrass music. If you visit RR's website, the music is split into traditional Bluegrass, and contemporary bluegrass. He cares for it all. Also, has a Christian Division.

Over the last couple of years I have reviewed CDs by most of these bands and they put out a real good sounding CD. But, I think they all sound better live. The High Lonesome harmonies are sweet, and there are so many folk singing on some of the tracks. There is a lot more music where this came from, They wanted to get what they thought most special and best out first. These twelve songs represent all of the artists involved, (I'm pretty sure). But I hear there are hours of audio and also video. How neat ,would a DVD be?

But, let us not get ahead of things. These songs however give you a real feel for real bluegrass. A combination of songs which are vocal and instrumental, it is a special recording.

"Ground Speed" by the RR All-Stars with Sammy Shelar and Carl Jackson featured on banjo is really good. "Old Dangerfield" is another great instrumental by Audie Blaylocks band and Wayne Benson on fiddle. There is some remarkable playing going on by these excellent players. A couple of more vocal standouts are "Head Over Heels" by Carrie Hassler with Brand New Strings, with special guest Brandon Rickman. Also, The Crowe Brothers sound really good with the Lonesome River Band on "Roll In My Sweet Baby's Arms".

Well, more words are not really going to do this music justice, please check it out.

http://www.ruralrhythm.com/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V8RJyX4faB8

"That's Important To Me" - Joey and Rory

2010-10-30T03:53:00.000-07:00

Album Number Two

"Graves Mountain Live" - The All-Star Jam

2010-10-28T00:44:00.000-07:00

Graves Mountain All-Star Jam (Rural Rhythm 55 Year Celebration Live Album)

Graves Mountain All-Star Jam (Rural Rhythm 55 Year Celebration Live Album)

"That Just Happened" - Mountain Heart - A Review

2010-10-15T01:29:00.000-07:00

Search Amazon.com for Mountain HeartMountain Heart has created a very creative acoustic rock recording with lots of influences. Josh's vocals are very rich, and can be easily mistaken for Vince Gill on a slow ballad. This recording sounds a lot like a live album, though I know there are several overdubs.

The cookin' "That Just Happened" starts the disc out , with several people helping out, especially on vocals. sounds a bit like Seatrain on Steroids, like it rocks, in it's acoustic way. If you heard it this summer, like I did, I think that you would agree. Love Van Cleve's fiddle tones, and the B3 organ. Eddie Bayers' Drums really add a lot to the whole CD. He is a real pro and has played on so many big records, it would be hard to count. Some neat bass notes rumble in the mix by Jason Moore. For an acoustic recording, this is real loud, but there is no distortion or problems.

There are some Bluegrass purists that really do not like what groups like the "Infamous Stringdusters", "Punch Brothers" and "Mountain Heart" are doing to bluegrass. They are just playing their style of it , that is all. On the other hand, this summer, purists like Del Coury welcomed Mountain Heart with open hands to his festival. Also, one of Bluegrass's best guitarists "Tony Rice" played several shows with them this year. Bryan Sutton plays on several songs, can't forget him, I think that I like his playing on "Whipping Post" best. Well, it took a bit longer than expected to get out, but there are seven excellent songs on the EP. Only available at their website store.

www.mountainheart.com

By The Way, The Artwork on the CD and the Cardboard cover is excellent. There are four original and three cover songs on the EP. The version of the "Ride" is the best that I have ever heard, I really listened to what Josh was singing and the song really hit me with a whole new light. The version of "Whipping Post" is quite awesome too, Making these classic electric songs acoustic was a great idea, plus the group takes the music to different places than before. Josh's "Even If It Breaks My Heart" is my favorite original song, I loved that song from when I first heard them do it in concert.

Jones Appears on Talk Show To Support New Book

2010-10-14T01:03:00.000-07:00

Jones appears on talk show to support new book

My Country: 50 Musicians on God,

America & the Songs They Love

Nashville, TN – Country music has always played a huge role in the story of American culture, but never has country music—in all its forms—been more of-the-moment than right now. Capturing this moment is award-winning photographer, Melanie Dunea. For her new book, Dunea focuses her camera lens on the musical form most intrinsically linked to American identity- country music. In MY COUNTRY: 50 Musicians on God, America & The Songs They Love, Dunea explores the world of country music, from its gritty roots to today’s country-pop.

The book profiles 50 country music icons and includes Dunea’s stunning and highly imaginative portraits of each, shot in locations from the Grand Ole Opry to a decommissioned prison in Tennessee to the shores of the Caribbean. Alongside each portrait are a series of questions which explore the artist’s musical roots and inspirations, their defining moments, and what makes country music the heart and soul of America to them. The answers offer a revealing, highly personal look at these iconic subjects.

George Jones knew he wanted to be a country musician when he first heard Hank Williams on the radio. For Shelby Lynn there’s never been any other option: “No, that’s all I’ve ever done. It’s the most natural thing. It’s like breathing.”

Barbara Mandrell wishes she had written “Battle Hymn of the Republic.” Rosanne Cash, “Hey Porter.”

Had they not been country singers, Little Jimmy Dickens would have been a jockey “not a disc jockey, just a jockey”; Dwight Yoakam would have been an industrial designer “My inclination is to design things, although I lack the formal training. I’ve always been a fan of Raymond Loewy and Coco Chanel.” Gretchen Wilson, a forensics expert and Crystal Gale would have joined the FBI.

When asked if he could thank god in person for one thing, the notorious David Allan Coe replied “I’m not sure that I believe in the God that you’re wanting me to think of.”

Kenny Chesney describes his ultimate musical experience: “A behind-closed-doors jam session in Jamaica with Bob Marley and the original Wailers…”

Also included in the book are playlists of each artists’ five favorite songs of all time—gathered together, for the first time ever.

Among the other musicians featured in MY COUNTRY are: Brad Paisley, Carrie Underwood, Jimmy Wayne, Julianne Hough, Lee Ann Womack, Martina McBride, Reba McEntire, Randy Travis, Vince Gill, Shelby Lynn, Clint Black, Wynonna Judd, Trisha Yearwood, George Jones, plus many more.

About the Author:

Melanie Dunea has photographed the most influential and powerful people in the public eye. Her photographs are regularly published in magazines such as Town and Country, Vanity Fair, People, Gourmet, Newsweek, New York, Redbook and Ladies Home Journal. She is also the author of My Last Supper. Dunea resides in New York City.

Media contacts:

For George Jones

Webster & Associates Public Relations / 615-777-6995 x230

Kirt Webster / kirt@websterpr.com

Mountain Heart EP In The Mail - Order Today!!

2010-10-10T06:06:00.000-07:00

Mountain Heart has a new EP waiting for you to order at their website store!!!

Mountain Heart Site