Author Archive for Robert K. Oermann

DISClaimer Single Reviews (9/1/10)

[Subscriber-only] You say you want some tempo tunes? Well, step right up. This week’s stack of platters contains a bevy of boppers. Marty Stuart, The McClymonts, Blaine Larsen, Mason Douglas and Eric Heatherly are all tapping their toes. Margaret Durante and Jewel are both breezy, too.

Source Honors Nashville Women

SOURCE is movin’ on up, in every way. The organization’s eighth annual awards presentation honoring women in the Nashville music business featured a new venue, more attendees than ever, the announcement of its exhibit at the Nashville Airport, splendid food and an excellent roster of honorees. 

Beginning with the last, saluted this year were Celia [...]

DISClaimer Single Reviews (8/25/10)

[Subscriber-only] The stars are blindingly bright this week. Here for your listening enjoyment are top-tier new sounds from Carrie Underwood, Dierks Bentley, Rascal Flatts, Sugarland and Jamey Johnson. That’s what I call an embarrassment of riches. Up-and-comers like Jaron & The Long Road to Love and Crossin’ Dixon have fresh offerings, too.

DISClaimer Single Reviews (8/18/10)

[Subscriber-only] These may be the Dog Days of summer, but some of the puppies in this stack of new tunes are as cute as the dickens. Ashley Gearing, Taylor Swift, The Roys and Amber Hayes are all bopping brightly. Joey + Rory have teamed with The Zac Brown Band to record an excellent ode to country’s core fans. Jesse Lee wins the DisCovery Award. She not only has a richly evocative country vocal style, but also the listening session’s best written song.

George Richey’s Mysterious Passing

Nashville producer, songwriter, publisher, manager and record executive George Richey died more than three weeks ago, but the news was kept private for unknown reasons. WSMV news and The Tennessean have confirmed that Richey died on July 31. The station stated that, at his request, he was buried without a public memorial or publicity. Posts [...]

DISClaimer Single Reviews (8/11/10)

It’s Independents’ Day. As regular readers know, I occasionally like to stray off the major-label path and devote a column entirely to indies. Just to survey the scene and see what’s going on.

DISClaimer Single Reviews (8/4/10)

[Subscriber-only] Can I get a witness for Lloyd Maines? The steel-guitar wonder is behind two of the finest country performances in this stack of platters. And in the case of James Hand, I mean Country with a capital “C.”

John Aylesworth Passes

Veteran television producer John Aylesworth died Wednesday in Rancho Mirage, CA at age 81. He was best known to Nashvillians as the co-producer of the enormously successful country-music series Hee Haw. Born in Canada, Aylesworth moved to the U.S. in 1958 to write for the CBS TV series Your Hit Parade. He and his writing [...]

DISClaimer Single Reviews (7/28/10)

[Subscriber-only] Among the new super sounds are efforts by Mark Chesnutt, Train, Kenny Chesney and Matt Kennon. Newcomers Kathe Knight, Manning-Dickson and The Ketucky Linemen are also welcome additions to our audio environment.

Steel Guitarist Ben Keith Passes

Steel guitar great Ben Keith has died in Northern California at age 73. He reportedly suffered a heart attack. Born Bennett Keith Schaeufele, he grew up in Bowling Green, KY. He joined the Nashville Musicians Union at age 19 in 1956. A year later, he joined Faron Young’s band The Country Deputies. He rose to [...]

DISClaimer Single Reviews (7/21/10)

[Subscriber-only] With temperatures on Music Row soaring into the upper 90s this week, I’m taking every opportunity to stay here at my desk. Including penning today’s roundup of new country sounds.

DISClaimer Single Reviews (7/14/10)

[Subscriber-only] It’s Duo Day! All three of our top contenders this week are teams of two. If your taste runs to authentic, nostalgic country music I urge you to seek out Keeping Up Appearances by Texas-based label-mates Amber Digby and Justin Trevino. It does my heart good to hear that somebody is still making music this pure and fine.

DISClaimer Reviews (7/7/10)

[Subscriber-only] Rockie Lynne, Cory Walker and Jadi Norris all want you to stop whatever you’re doing and salute our armed services. Alas, only Rockie’s song is a fitting and listenable soldier tribute.

DISClaimer Single Reviews (6/30/10)

[Subscriber-only] I don’t really have a Song of the Day category, but maybe I should. Dave Gibson’s “King Me,” Donna Beasley’s “Under the Rushes” and Flynnville Train’s “Preachin’ to the Choir” are all excellent examples of song craftsmanship.

DISClaimer Single Reviews (6/24/10)

[Subscriber-only] I just love discovering new music, don’t you? For me, it’s a very, very good week when there are four solid contenders for a DisCovery Award.

DISClaimer Single Reviews (6/16/10)

[Subscriber-only] Lady Antebellum, Chris Young and Miranda Lambert are all coming off of chart-topping singles. And all three have their follow-ups ready to go this week. All three hit home runs.