Monthly Archives: July 2013
The first thing I need to say about LoCash Cowboys self-titled, debut album is ‘it’s about time’. The duo, made up of Preston Brust and Chris Lucas, have been around for a while, putting two singles, “Here Comes Summer” and “Keep in Mind,” in the Top 40 back in 2010. They released more singles in 2011, 2012 and 2013, but none of them got as much air time as I think they should have. As a result, not many people heard the songs or requested the songs to be played on the radio, and none of these songs did very well on national music charts.
This singer/songwriter team has had a Number 1 single, but it wasn’t something they recorded. Keith Urban took “You Gonna Fly,” written by Preston and Chris, to the top of the charts, in 2012. Tim McGraw had a Top 10 hit, “Truck Yeah,” also written by this duo.
Several songs LoCash Cowboys previously released as singles are also part of this new album, including my favorite, “Keep in Mind.” I will never understand why this song peaked at No. 34 on Billboard’s country chart. Well written, and certainly well performed, the song should have been a Number 1 hit for the duo. It seems not enough radio stations picked the song up at the time of its release.
Other songs on the new album are “Chase a Little Love,” “You Make it Look Good,” “I Hope,” “Hey, Hey, Hey,” “Best Seat,” “Little Miss Crazy Hot,” “Bounce,” Love Drunk,” “Fine,” “Independent Trucker,” and “C.O.U.N.T.R.Y.” Nine of the 12 songs were written or co-written by Chris and Preston. George Jones is a featured guest vocalist on the song “Independent Trucker.”
This debut album comes just six months after the signing with their new label, Average Joes Entertainment. Fans will find a little of everything in the music on this new CD. A lot of the songs are about family and fun, some are flirty songs, and of course there are some of the high-energy songs you will hear at their stage shows.
Not surprising they included “C.O.U.N.T.R.Y.” and “Hey, Hey, Hey” on this new project. These are two of the songs the duo has been performing for a long time. Fans probably can’t think ‘LoCash’ without thinking ‘C.O.U.N.T.R.Y.’
I wasn’t a fan when I first heard LoCash Cowboys. Their music was loud, and seemed to be more for the young country/rock fan than it was for the older, more traditional country music listener. However, they won me over with “Keep in Mind,” and they are certainly keeping my attention with songs like “Chase a Little Love,” and “I Hope.” Whatever you may be in the mood to listen to, they seem to have a song that will work for you. I’ve seen them in concert several times, and if they are ever back in this area I will definitely see them again. It didn’t take long for me. I went from ‘I don’t like them,” to “They’re ok,” to “I’m one of their biggest fans” in no time at all!
When I listen to a CD for the first time, I pick a favorite. I didn’t think I would have to do that this time, because “Keep in Mind” is one of the songs on this new album, and because that will always be my favorite LoCash Cowboys song. But I did pick a ‘second favorite.’ That honor is going to “I Hope.”
Preston tells his fans that what country music really boils down to is the power of the song. His hope is that the group will be able to reach out to both the older and younger crowd. One of the hopes for the duo was that this album contain songs that best define LoCash. I think they accomplished that.
You can get all your LoCash Cowboy news by visiting their website at www.locashcowboys.com, and follow them on Twitter @locashcowboys. Keep up with everything country music by visiting our website at www.countryschatter.com, and follow us on Twitter @countryschatter.
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Upcoming Performances Include Grand Ole Opry on July 17 in Nashville, CMA Songwriter Series at Joe’s Pub on July 23-24 in NYC, and Texas Dates in August
Ole Opry this Wednesday, July 17. He will travel to New York City next week to perform with Bob DiPiero, Brett Eldredge and Tia Sillers at Joe’s Pub on Tuesday and Wednesday, July 23-24 as part of the CMA Songwriter Series.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Country Music Hall of Fame member and MCA Nashville recording artist George Strait has released “I Believe” as the new single from his current album Love Is Everything and the follow-up to his 60th No. 1 “Give It All We Got Tonight” which named Strait the first musician in music history to achieve the milestone. The May 2013 release is his 40th studio album, produced by Strait and Tony Brown. Music’s Biggest Night® Recognized For Outstanding Lighting Design and Outstanding Sound Mixing
SANTA MONICA, Calif. (July 18, 2013) — The 55th Annual GRAMMY Awards® telecast has received two Emmy® Award nominations in recognition of outstanding production excellence. Nominations were announced today by the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences at the Leonard H. Goldenson Theatre in North Hollywood, Calif. Including today’s nominations, the GRAMMY Awards have been nominated 33 times for production excellence, and a total of 35 times overall. The 65th Primetime Emmy Awards will take place at the Nokia Theatre L.A. LIVE in Los Angeles on Sunday, Sept. 22, and will be broadcast on the CBS Television Network.
The two GRAMMY® telecast nominations are for:
- Outstanding Lighting Design/Lighting Direction For A Variety Special
- Outstanding Sound Mixing For A Variety Series Or Special.
“The 55th Annual GRAMMY Awards was a magnificent celebration filled with numerous special GRAMMY moments that recognized many extraordinary and gifted artists,” said Neil Portnow, President/CEO of The Recording Academy®. “Each year it is a pleasure to work with our spectacular partners at AEG Ehrlich Ventures, the CBS Television Network and STAPLES Center. It is their support, expertise and talent that makes each GRAMMY Awards telecast an unforgettable celebration of Music’s Biggest Night®. We would like to congratulate the members of our outstanding production team who garnered nominations today, and thank the Academy of Television Art & Sciences for this great honor.” The 55th Annual GRAMMY Awards was produced by AEG Ehrlich Ventures for The Recording Academy. Ken Ehrlich was executive producer, and Louis J. Horvitz was the director. David Wild and Ken Ehrlich were the writers. The individuals nominated in each category are eligible for the awards. A detailed list of nominees follows:
Outstanding Lighting Design/Lighting Direction For A Variety Special Robert A. Dickinson, Lighting Designer; Jon Kusner, Lighting Director; Travis Hagenbuch, Lighting Director; Harrison Lippman, Lighting Director
Outstanding Sound Mixing For A Variety Series Or Special Thomas Holmes, Production Mixer; Mikael Stewart, House Production Mixer; John Harris, Music Mixer; Eric Schilling, Music Mixer; Ron Reaves, House Music Mixer; Eric Johnston, Playback Mixer; Pablo Munguia, Playback Mixer; Tom Pesa, Stage Mixer; Michael Parker, Stage Mixer; Bob LaMasney, Audience Supplemental Mixer
Established in 1957, The Recording Academy is an organization of musicians, songwriters, producers, engineers and recording professionals that is dedicated to improving the cultural condition and quality of life for music and its makers. Internationally known for the GRAMMY Awards — the preeminent peer-recognized award for musical excellence and the most credible brand in music — The Recording Academy is responsible for groundbreaking professional development, cultural enrichment, advocacy, education and human services programs. The Academy continues to focus on its mission of recognizing musical excellence, advocating for the well-being of music makers and ensuring music remains an indelible part of our culture. For more information about The Academy, please visit www.grammy.com. For breaking news and exclusive content, follow @TheGRAMMYs on Twitter, like “The GRAMMYs” on Facebook, and join The GRAMMYs’ social communities on Foursquare, GetGlue, Google +, Instagram, Pinterest, Tumblr, and YouTube.
Peter Appleyard, (OC) (26 August 1928 – 18 July 2013) was a British–born Canadian jazz vibraphonist, percussionist, and composer. He spent most of his life living and performing in the city of Toronto where for many years he was a popular performer in the city’s nightclubs and hotels. He also played and recorded with many of the city’s orchestras and been featured on Canadian television and radio programs. In the early 1970s he drew wide acclaim for his performances with Benny Goodman’s jazz sextet with which he toured internationally. In 1992, he was made an Officer of the Order of Canada in recognition of his being an “internationally renowned vibraphonist [who] has represented the Canadian jazz community across North America, Europe, the Middle East and Australia”.
Born in Lincolnshire, Appleyard became apprenticed to a nautical instrument maker after being forced to leave school owing to economical reasons related to the Second World War. At that time the popularity of the American Big Bands was growing in England, particularly through a major influx in big band recordings from America by jazz musicians like Benny Goodman, Duke Ellington, and Count Basie. These recordings had a strong influence on Appleyard and he decided to pursue a career as a jazz musician. He began his career in the early 1940s playing in the Boys Brigade, a youth organization. He performed as a drummer in several other British dance bands during the 1940s and, while a member of the Royal Air Force during in the mid-1940s, played in RAF bands.
Read more at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Appleyard
This is an Exclusive Interview with Sheila Raye Charles and can only be heard here at MusicChartsMagazine.com
Raw, uncut and lasting over 40 minutes long. Sheila Raye Charles’s story will leave you with hope, love and peace knowing that there are reasons for everything. Sheila Raye Charles’s voice like her father Ray Charles has been and continues to be instrumental to so many lives.
Sheila Raye Charles has a story like most of us do and she wants to share hers with you in this exclusive interview that is now available for you to hear right
HERE:
Sheila Raye Charles has visited and continues to visit villages, towns and cities across the United States and the world spreading her message of how Jesus Christ saved her life.
(As seen on the 700 Club – Christian Broadcasting Network www.CBN.com)
Interviewee: Sheila Raye Charles
Interviewer: Big Al Weekley
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Country music mega-star Alan Jackson has been threatening to cut a bluegrass album for the past few years, dropping hints in interviews and tantalizing the substantial crossover between country and bluegrass fans.
When he brought Alison Krauss in to produce his 2006 project, Like Red On A Rose, there was speculation that the CD might take a grassy turn. But despite including a fine version of Wait A Minute, famously tagged by Seldom Scene, both that track and the whole album were firmly in the contemporary country camp.
This year, however, it finally came to pass. Jackson assembled an all-star cast of bluegrass pickers and singers in April, and tracked a new all-acoustic record at The Castle outside of Nashville. In the studio were Sammy Shelor on banjo, Adam Steffey on mandolin, Tim Crouch on fiddle, Tim Dishman on bass, Rob Ickes on reso-guitar, and Scott Coney on guitar. Ronnie Bowman and Don Rigsby were on hand to provide harmony vocals, with Keith Stegall and Adam Wright producing.
Titled simply, The Bluegrass Album, it will be released September 24 on Jackson’s ACR label, distributed by EMI Records Nashville. Eight of the tracks are Jackson originals, along with covers of The Dillards’ There Is A Time, John Anderson’s Wild And Blue, and a slow, 3/4 time version of Blue Moon Of Kentucky.
We caught up yesterday with Sammy Shelor, who said that they tracked all the rhythms and most of the vocals in five sessions over two days. The band sat in a circle with half dividers between them so that everyone could see each other, with Alan and the backup singers tracking live with the band.
“The most we did on any song was three takes; we got most of them the first time. We worked from charts, but Alan knew what he wanted on every song before we started.”
Bluegrass fans may not recognize the name of session guitarist Scott Coney, who also plays guitar, fiddle and banjo in Jackson’s country band. Sammy says that he is also a super bluegrass guitarist, both lead and rhythm.
Studio band, producers and engineers with Alan Jackson in the studio for The Bluegrass Album sessions“Coney is the biggest Rice nut in the world.
He has hours of live Rice recordings, a lot of them with me playing on the show. That’s how he found out about me.
Alan told Scott to put a band together for this record, but that he didn’t want it to ‘sound like all the other bluegrass albums country artists cut in this town.’
“There’s a good variety of styles and tempos among the songs. Shelor said that there are some slower ballads, but also a number of “punchy, drivey, mid-tempo pieces,” and a couple of fast ones.
Sammy expects this record to be warmly embraced by bluegrass fans.
“Alan’s voice lends itself perfectly to bluegrass, in my opinion. If you like Ronnie Bowman or Marty Raybon singing bluegrass, you’ll love Alan Jackson doing it.
I’m extremely blessed and happy to be a part of this project. It’s a great bluegrass record, and its Alan Jackson singing. What more could you ask?”
Current plans suggest that Jackson will do some television and selected live shows to promote The Bluegrass Album around the release date, with a likelihood of further touring to follow. They hope to hit a number of major bluegrass festivals next year as well, using the same musicians who appear on the album.
We’ll report back as further details are announced.
John Lawless | July 12, 2013
MusicChartsMagazine.com now is proudly flying the WSM Radio logo!
ABOUT WSM:
650 AM WSM is the most famed country music station in the world. Each day, the station shares country, bluegrass, and Americana as well as the excitement of Music City with friends in Middle Tennessee and listeners around the world.
WSM debuted on Oct. 5, 1925, and less than two months later, the show would birth its most famous show (and the show that would make country music famous), the Grand Ole Opry. The Opry was the first of WSM’s shows to develop such an excited audience that fans would visit live studio broadcasts. That tradition continues today not only with the Opry, but with other signature programming including “An Intimate Evening with Eddie Stubbs”, “Station Inn Sessions”, and more. In 1928, WSM was given the frequency of 650 kilohertz and admission to an elite group of maximum power, Class 1-A clear-channel broadcasters. In 1932, the station’s new 50,000-watt transmitter made it a nation-spanning giant. At the heart of this expansion was a diamond-shaped vertical antenna located just South of Nashville, the tallest tower in the nation at the time. The station today still spans the nation with its AM signal, of course, while also circling the globe online.
WSM has gone on to become a broadcasting giant and a friend to hundreds of thousands of fans. The station has won hundreds of broadcasting awards and was named Country Radio Station of the Century by “Radio & Records” in 2000. WSM’s personalities are nationally recognized figures in country music, and its listeners range from U.S. Presidents to Country Music Hall of Famers, to artists climbing the charts toward their first number one hit. You never know when a famous listener might drop in for a visit or to take the studio’s reigns for a while.
Coming Monday July 15th, 2013
– An insider exclusive, Raw and Uncut! –
“The complete life story of Sheila Raye Charles”
( the daughter of music legend Ray Charles )
– brought to you by MusicChartsMagazine.com
MusicChartsMagazine.com – brings to you all-access passes to music around the world. It is, has been, and will continue to be, a mission of Music Charts Magazine to shed light on those whom have had lifelong careers in the music industry and deserve recognition for their great accomplishments.
Lead Single from Iconic Male Country Vocalist’s Forthcoming 2013 Album
