For the average Broadway tourist wearing brand new 2-for-1 boots, the name Wayd Battle probably just sounds more like the latest scent of Axe body spray. And even a true Country music fan may stumble at the name while sounding vaguely familiar. And yet, Wayd Battle has been at the epicenter of Nashville's authentic Country music scene for the last 20 years.
Battle notched an impressive start to his career as a touring guitarist for break-out artist Jamey Johnson, as a songwriter with cuts by Jerrod Niemann and The Kentucky Headhunters and even scoring a production credit on the Award-Winning Jamey Johnson album "That Lonesome Song" featuring hit song "In Color." As fame often does, it took it's hero down. Wayd spiraled into a well-known, to the Broadway circuit, fight with substance abuse. Without getting into the nitty gritty details, he met rock bottom when the former SESAC award winner found himself living in a homeless community in greater Nashville. With the release of "Powerless," Wayd has signaled his prodigal return to music as well as sobriety. The thirteen-song album is chocked-full of skillfully written, brutally honest tracks. Much like fellow Music Row warrior Travis Meadows, this album covers the topics of redemption, confession and living with and learning from choices gone wrong. The projects bleeds Country music. 4 out of 4 Twangs.
#jameyjohnson #nashville #jerrodniemann #kentuckyheadhunters #opry #Ryman #countrymusic #country #classiccountry #wehatepopcountry #realcountry #music #nashvillecountryartist #chrisstapleton #texasmusic #americana #nashville #countrymusicscene #countryboy #countrygirl #tylerchilders #sturgillsimpson #countrymusicpbs
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Today marks the inaugural edition of the game "Where's The Country" where all readers are contestants! All you have to do is point out the 1 attribute that makes a modern song "Country".
Yes, obviously this sounds really challenging considering most modern Country songs have lyrics written about the suburbs and even when there is a “Country” instrument it feels more like the Starbucks cup on Game of Thrones: somewhere between awkward product placement and pure accident. Lets getting this started with song number one! Dan + Shay "Tequila" At first listen most people from all around the world would quickly assume this duo was a just bubble gum, Disney pop group opening for Justin Bieber. You know, because they RELEASED a song with the guy! But you would so wrong! These guys are clearly musical descendants of Lefty Frizzel himself and moved to Nashville to carry on the roots and tradition that built Music City. See below for answer!
It's well-known that the roots of Country music are becoming harder to find as modern artists continue to push the ever-stretching boundaries of Country Music. That's why Johnny Jolin's latest release is a breath of 1995-cowboy-hat-power-ballad glory.
Possibly the most amazing part of the song is that its a love song. No, not a "hey girl you're so hot" neon pick up line song. No, not a "I want to get you in the sack" song, but a real, 100% genuine LOVE song. The kind that built careers for Collin Raye, John Michael Montgomery and Tim McGraw. The kind that women have been asking for ever since. Not one "tailgate," "backroad" or "hey girl," just a man telling a woman how much she means to him. How refreshing! The production is twangier than much of Johnny Jolin's earlier catalog which hopefully signals a resurgence of TWANG. The track enlists longtime Tracy Byrd fiddle-player Johnny Lee Carpenter and Toby Keith's guitarist Dave Smith. I hope there is more of this on the horizon from both Mr. Jolin as well as Country Music as an institution. 4 out of 4 TWANGS For more visit JohnnyJolin.com
#JohnnyJolin #Country #Music #Nashville #Opry #CollinRaye #JohnMichaelMontgomery #TimMcGraw #TraditionalCountry #TracyByrd #TobyKeith #JohnnyLeeCarpenter #DaveSmith #90sCountry
Its getting challenging to find great, well-maintained playlists featuring Country Music with that ever elusive Twang. I'm here to tell you about a few great ones I have come across.
1. Fiddletown Featuring everything from John Anderson, Midland and Dolly Parton and also sprinkled with some top-notch new-comers who aren't afraid of fiddle and steel. Their motto is "The only Pop around here is the sound of a beer cracking." 2. Texas Country Hosted by the Texas Music Pickers, this playlist includes modern stars like Cody Johnson and Whiskey Myers and is blended with the latest breakout offerings. This is a great place to discover new acts. 3. Next Big Texas This playlist focuses on current Texas Country and if you're looking for the next big thang in twang this is the place to go for artists like Jamie Lin Wilson, Joe Wetzel and Mike and the Moonpies. 4. Saving Country Music Known as one of the leaders of the search for Twang, SCM offers a great playlist of new music that fits the bill. This playlist is well-maintained and at this moment doesn't have any song adds older than September 2019.
#opry #Ryman #countrymusic #country #classiccountry #realcountry #nashvillecountryartist #chrisstapleton #texascountry #americana #nashville #countrymusicscene #countryboy #countrygirl #tylerchilders #sturgillsimpson #countrymusicpbs #brandyclark #williammichaelmorgan #sunnysweeney #logantucker #erinenderlin #shelbyleelowe
To say 90s Country was a huge moment in music history would be an understatement the size of Texas. It was paved by super powers like Garth Brooks, Clint Black, Alan Jackson and Shania Twain. It had a ripple-effect through every small town fair, VFW and bar throughout the Unites States. It inspired many to pick up the guitar and try their shot at a Billy Ray Cirrus shot-to-fame. One of those dreamers was Pennsylvania-native Johnny Jolin who came home on Army leave to discover the line-dancing craze firing up and he jumped in with both boots. Opening shows for artists like David Lee Murphy, Randy Travis, Shenandoah and Confederate Railroad along with regional airplay of his breakout song "Hurricane Baby" helped the Country crooner etch out his own corner of touring circuit culminating to his 2010 Christian Country hit "Thank God" and a tour as far as China. On March 20th, Johnny walks down memory lane with his new single "Country Band" which is a bonafide throwback. From the moment I hit play I could hear the mid-90s roots and even did some research to make sure it wasn't a cover song. The single was co-written by Andrew Scott Wills and co-produced by Toby Keith guitarist Dave Smith in Mt Juliet, TN. The lyrics "Saw a long line and it blew my mind/everyone dancing on Friday night/to Billy Ray and Joe Diffie" summarize the Country music inferno that was happening. The track features steel guitar and a baritone guitar picking out the signature lick that could of been right off a Tracy Lawrence record circa 1993. But the certainly the most poignant moment of the song is when he states "I keep hearing people say they miss that 90s Country today/and I understand 'cause I saw it first hand." If you experienced Country in the 1990s, "Country Band" will bring back some memories. If you weren't around yet, you'll wish you had been. Either way, you might find yourself two-stepping in the kitchen. Its available March 20th on digital outlets and at JohnnyJolin.com The song can be Pre-Saved here. Two Thumbs Up. A CSA or Community-Supported Agriculture, is an alternative, locally based economic model of agriculture and food distribution. CSA members (subscribers), pay at the onset of the growing season for a share of the anticipated harvest; once harvesting begins, they periodically receive shares of produce. In addition to produce, some CSA services may include additional farm products like honey, eggs, dairy, fruit, flowers and meat. Some CSAs provide for contributions of labor in lieu of a portion of subscription costs.[1] Once a week when I pickup our box I'm always eager to see what's inside. There are so many reasons to love this idea: 1) Personal Relationship: You actually know the people growing your food! Our awesome CSA always tries to make themselves available for a phone call or e-mail. They personally plant, care for and harvest the vegetables! They even host farm days when you can go out and see the crop and even get your hands dirty and help! You don't get this at the super market. 2) The price: I was quickly blown away at the price difference. At the supermarket, I was spending between $60-$120 on vegetables a month (or $15-$30 a week). While you pay for the CSA upfront, my CSA ends up working out to be $12.50/week. 3) Certified Organic: Organic products cost even more at the grocery store while our CSA is 100% certified organic. It provides comfort knowing your food is safe and is grown right down the road. 4) Diet: It forces you to eat healthy! When you have a box full of vegetables, that you've already paid for, you feel like you have to eat right. 5) Exploration: One of my favorite things about the CSA is discovering new food! There is always something new that I've never tried and I'm eager to check it out. I used to get bored with the same old vegetables but now its an adventure! 6) Community: Its also feels good to know that your money is going right back into the local economy and not off to some giant parent company based hundreds of miles away. It feels right! Long live the American farmer! Jimmy Boyd was a 13-year old boy when he recorded "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus." After a popular appearance on a television show in Los Angles and later winning The Al Jarvis Talent Show, he signed a record deal and began to appear regularly on Hollywood on Television, a show Al Jarvis co-hosted with a young Betty White. The song would reach #1 on the Billboard pop singles chart in December of 1952. Christmas songs are generally written for only a few reasons: celebrating the birth of Jesus, a longing for home (made especially popular during World War II) or to be with a loved one for the holiday or a seasonal jingle used to move product. The Jimmy Boyd smash was the latter. It was written by British songwriter Tommie Connor on commission by Saks Fifth Avenue to promote the store's annual (and quite collectible) Christmas card, which included an original drawing by Perry Barlow. The song sold more than 3 million copies that year but it was not completely received with open arms. When first released, the record was condemned by the Roman Catholic Church of Boston on the grounds that it mixed sex with Christmas. This led to a meeting between Boyd and the Archdiocese to explain the song and show that it truly was an inncocent song. After the meeting, the Archdiocese decided to lift the ban. The Christmas classic has since gone on to be recorded by artists such as Spike Jones, Amy Winehouse, John Mellencamp, Mitch Miller, John Prine, Molly Bee, Bobby Sherman, Andy Williams, Reba McEntire, The Beverley Sisters and The Jackson 5.
While many have bemoaned the Pop Country sound, there is little arguing it’s massive success producing acts such as Florida Georgia Line, Thomas Rhett and Sam Hunt. But signs are suggesting a shift back toward a traditional sound. Here are 5 key indicators signaling the return of twang in Music City:
The Rise of Cody Johnson The former rodeo circuit grinder started a band with his father and began heavily. Ten years later he has built his brand of Texas Twang to 2 number one Country albums all without the support of a major label. Luke Combs Much like Cody Johnson, Luke built his brand organically by touring heavily and betting on himself by selling tickets for his shows rather than negotiating a flat fee with the venue. Not only has Luke Combs notched 6 number one songs in a short time but he just sold out the 23,500 capacity Rupp Arena in Lexington, Kentucky in 12 minutes beating out Paul McCartney’s previous record. Jon Pardi The sure example that traditional country is making a resurgence is the rise of Capitol Records recording artist Jon Pardi. Already with several twangy hits under his belt, his latest offering “Heartbreak Medication” includes fiddles, pedal steel and whiskey drinking. It has that unmistakable 90’s Country vibe while still feeling current. CMA New Artist of the Year Nominations Possibly one of the biggest signals of change is the CMA New Artist of the Year nominees. The lineup includes Cody Johnson, Midland, Carly Pearce, Morgan Wallen and Ashley McBryde all of which are significantly more Country than any lineup in recent memory. If this award is a symbol or anything, it is what’s to come. The Growing Popularity of Indie Country Country Music has long been a Major Label driven genre, but in recent years indie labels and artists are making an impact. Some credit goes to services like Spotify and Apple Music which give equal access to artists. Indie acts such as Cody Johnson, Sturgill Simpson and Tyler Childers are helping pave the road for newer acts such as Triston Marez, Kolby Cooper, Shelby Lee Lowe and Hannah Dasher. I recommend following sites like Saving Country Music and Texas Music Pickers to keep your fingers on the pulse of Country Music's resurgence.
#opry #Ryman #countrymusic #country #classiccountry #realcountry #nashvillecountryartist #chrisstapleton #texascountry #americana #nashville #countrymusicscene #countryboy #countrygirl #tylerchilders #sturgillsimpson #countrymusicpbs #codyjohnson #hannahdasher #shelbyleelowe #tristonmarez #kolbycooper #jonpardi #lukecombs
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James MorganRecovering non-coffee drinker. Archives
August 2020
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Photo used under Creative Commons from John W. Tuggle