DISClaimer: Newcomers Dylan Scott, Patrick Thomas Seize The Day

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We say hello to a lot of old friends this week, yet it’s the newcomers who seize the day.

Teea Goans, Mac McAnally, Kelly Lang, Terry McBride and Dan Tyminiski are all here with splendid new discs. But listen to the youngsters, too.

Chief among these is Patrick Thomas. This Nashvillian’s breathtaking performance easily earns him a DisCovery Award.

The Disc of the Day belongs to Dylan Scott. His fifth single, “My Girl,” finally got him on everbody’s radar. His sixth, “Hooked,” sounds like an even bigger winner.

PATRICK THOMAS/Katy
Writers: none listed, Producer: Mark Bright/Will Bowen; Publishers: none listed; PT (track)
– This former competitor on The Voice recently made news as the composer and lyricist of the Civil War musical The Battle of Franklin. His debut EP kicks off with this monumental power ballad that begins with his voice and piano, then builds to a crashing, thunderous shout of regret and heartbreak. A mighty, mighty sound. This man gleams with star potential.

TYMINSKI/Bloodline
Writers: Dan Tyminski/Cary Barlowe/Jesse Frasure; Producer: Jesse Frasure; Publisher: none listed, Mercury (track)
– This gifted singer/songwriter has been hiding his light under a bushel for far too long — as a sideman for Alison Krauss, as the heard-but-not-seen lead voice of the Grammy winning “Soggy Bottom Boys” and as a singer on Avicii’s international pop hit “Hey Brother.” His Southern Gothic solo debut CD drops next month. In advance comes this saga of a lifetime of music making backed by an imaginative electronic soundscape of washes, echoes and layered vocal phrasing. Ear opening.

LAURA LEIGH JONES/Love Bird Can’t Find Love No More
Writers: Jones/Ronnie Bowman; Producers: Brent Rader/Laura Leigh Jones; Publishers: Laura Leigh Jones/Ronnie Bowman/RaeLynn/Never Wanted Nothing More, BMI; LLJ (track)
– Snappy and scrappy. The fiddle-dominated acoustic bed is quickly joined by a rumbling, rapid rhythm track. She sings with fiery, feisty personality, and co-writer Bowman shadows her with flawless harmony singing on the choruses. Highly recommended.

KELLY LANG/My New Obsession
Writer: Kelly Lang; Producer: Kelly Lang; Publishers: none listed; Leopard
– Perennial “DISClaimer” fave Kelly Lang returns with a new collection titled Obsession. Its lead track has a retro-vibe, doo-wop flavored feeling with instantly-catchy hooks. Her throaty alto, as usual, is captivating.

MAC McANALLY/Southbound
Writers: Mac McAnally; Producer: Mac McAnally; Publishers: Beginner, ASCAP; Mailboat (track)
– Mac’s revival of the lovely 1995 hit he wrote for Sammy Kershaw has a lush, full-bodied, beautiful, symphonic backing track. That’s because his new CD by the same name is subtitled “The Orchestra Project.” This is an album to savor at leisure with your favorite smoke and libation.

TY THURMAN/East Tennessee Girl
WRiters: Gregory Tyson Thurman/Cory Young; Producer: Dave Demay; Publishers: Leap The Creek/Life Looks Best, ASCAP; Leap the Creek
– It’s a plinky-plunky ditty with a simple melody and even simpler lyrics. Pass.

TEEA GOANS/Go Down Swingin’
Writers: Sandy Ramos/Jerry Vandiver; Producer: Terry Choate; Publishers: Sony-ATV Cross Keys/BMG Gold/Miller’s Daughter/R2M, ASCAP; Crosswind (track)
– Our western-swing heroine returns with a CD titled Swing, Shuffle & Sway. This swingin’ little tune kicks if off with steel bopping smartly, fiddle sawing sprightly and toes tapping all around. Other tracks sample the catalogs of Mel Tillis, Don Gibson, Rory Bourke & Mike Reid, Richard Leigh & Gary Nicholson, Cindy Walker, Hank Cochran and the like, which should give you some idea of how classy this set is. And let me assure you, she absolutely knows how to sing them. I love her all to pieces. Always will.

DYLAN SCOTT/Hooked
Writers: Lindsay Rimes/Seth Ennis/Morgan Evans; Producers: Matt Alderman, Curt Gibbs, Jim Ed Norman; Publishers: none listed, ASCAP/BMI; Curb (CDX)
– He’s a somewhat everyday contemporary country male vocalist. But with a song this tough and a production this exciting, he sounds like so much more. A star-confirming disc. Play it again.

TONY JACKSON/Old Porch
Writers: Tony Jackson/Cole Capshaw; Producer: Donna Dean Stevens/Jim Della Croce; Publishers: none listed, BMI; DDS (CDX)
– His revival of “The Grand Tour” captured 20 million Facebook views. His self-penned follow-up is a gentle, breezy, summery slice of nostalgia. It name checks a teenage repertoire that included Hank, Garth, Stevie Ray and Lynyrd Skynyrd.

TERRY McBRIDE/Hotels & Highways
Writers: Terry McBride/Matt Rogers/Tommy Cecil; Producer: Terry McBride; Publishers: none listed, BMI/ASCAP; MV2 Entertainment
– It has been awhile since we heard from Mr. McBride. This big, heart-in-throat performance makes me realize how much I’ve missed him. A welcome return.

DISClaimer: The Week In Americana

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It’s Americana Music week here in Music City, and this edition of DisClaimer celebrates that fact.

There is a lot to like here. So much that we’re giving Disc of the Day prizes in Male, Female and Group categories. All three of them are going to Nashvillians. The Male disc du jour belongs to Derek Hoke. The always reliable Lee Ann Womack nails the Female division. The Group award goes to The McCrary Sisters.

The DisCovery Award goes to Travis Linville. He’s showcasing tonight.

RUSTY YOUNG/Gonna Let It Rain
Writer: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed; Blue Elan (track)
– This longtime mainstay of Poco has recorded his first solo CD, Waitin’ for the Sun. This track from it is on a Blue Elan compilation disc that was in the Americana convention’s goodie bag. It has an inspirational/gospel vibe with organ/guitar backing, loads of vocal harmonies and a deep, pounding rhythm track. Righteous.

CHRIS HILLMAN/Here She Comes Again
Writers: Chris Hillman/Roger McGuinn; Producer: Tom Petty; Publisher: none listed; Rounder (track)
– He’s a Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame member with a musical journey that includes The Hillmen, The Byrds, The Flying Burrito Brothers, The Desert Rose Band and more. This “lost” Byrds tune features chiming guitar, hearty vocal harmonies and a solid, country-rock groove. You’ll find it on Bidin’ My Time, which drops next Friday. Chris Hillman, Herb Pedersen and John Jorgenson will hit Music City to promote it via an Opry appearance on the 30th and a City Winery performance the next night. Be there.

JEFFREY HALFORD & THE HEALERS/Door #3
Writers: Jeffrey Halford; Producer: Adam Rossi/Jeffrey Halford; Publishers: none listed; Shoeless (track)
– This Californian has stripped down his sound to just evocative twang guitar, thumpy drum and bass on his appropriately titled lo-fi dreams CD. This moody, lonely track finds him moaning for love in a dry, dusty, drawling voice. The lyrics are super cool throughout the set. Join this songwriter fan club at once.

LOWLAND HUM/Folded Flowers
Writers: Daniel Goans/Lauren Goans; producers: Daniel/Lauren Goans; Publisher: Daniel Levi Goans/ASCAP; LH (track)
– This folky duo has a current album called Thin that features this laconic, drowsy, lulling ditty. Do not operate heavy machinery while listening.

MICHAEL JOHNATHON/The Dream
Writers: Johnathon; Producer: Johnathon; Publishers: Rachelaubreymusicinc, BMI; Poet Man (track)
– Johnathon is perhaps best-known as the NPR/PBS host of Woodsongs Old Time Radio Hour. The title tune of this folk singer’s latest outing features a full orchestra and multi-lingual children’s choirs. With over-the-top sincerity, it yearns for world peace. Thus, the record is being released on the International Day of Peace, which is next Thursday. Not my cup of tea, but whatever floats your boat.

LEE ANN WOMACK/Hollywood
Writers: Lee Ann Womack/Adam Wright/Waylon Payne; Producer: Frank Liddell; Publishers: none listed; ATO (download)
– Sad and ethereal. She sings of a fading relationship while a steel guitar sighs forlornly and a soprano wafts above. Echoey and haunting. Lee Ann’s Americana Week events include her YeeHaw Tent whoop-di-do tonight (Thursday, the 14th) and a Q&A appearance at the Country Music Hall of Fame’s Ford Theater at 2 p.m. on Saturday (the 16th). The party for her CD The Lonely, The Lonesome & The Gone was Wednesday at The Crying Wolf. The collection drops on the 27th.

DEREK HOKE/Bring The Flood
Writers: Derek Hoke/Dexter Green; Producer: Dex Green; Publishers: Slow Hoke/Made With Blank Ink, BMI/ASCAP; Little Hollywood
– This East Nashvillian has a downbeat collection of overcast, shadowy, gloomy and utterly compelling tunes. This is its title track, an unsettling slab of doom with a demonic figure threatening spiritual destruction and soul annihilation. The crunch guitars and shuddering rhythms underscore his swampy vocal. Fascinating and essential.

THE MCCRARY SISTERS/Let It Go
Writers: Deborah Person/Kevin McKendree; Producer: Tommy Sims; Publishers: Person Mac/East Fork, BMI; MCC (track)
– The McCrary Sisters Live CD and DVD is a showcase for how thrillingly accomplished Alfreda, Regina, Deborah and Ann have become as songwriters. There is one cover, of The Staple Singers’ “I’ll Take You There,” but otherwise the set’s tunes are all originals. Deborah’s shoulder-shaking rhythm rocker is about shedding yourself of trials and tribulations. It will make you want to clap your hands, shout and maybe even pick up a tambourine like Regina does during the percussion-solo breakdown. You need the music of these soul-gospel women in your life.

Travis Linville

TRAVIS LINVILLE/Wishes
WRiters: Travis Linville; Producer: Travis Linville; Publishers: none listed; TL (track)
– This Oklahoman is best known as a sideman for Hayes Carll. But with his CD, Up Ahead, he has stepped into his own spotlight this year. Its current single has a buoyant, hopeful lyric delivered in a youthful tenor. Percussion rumbles in the background while his own guitar twangs along. Highly listenable. Catch him this evening, the 14th, at The Country as an Americana showcaser.

SARA PETITE/It Was Just A Kiss
Writer: Sara Petite; Producer: none listed; Publishers: Sweet P, BMI; Sweet P (track)
– This San Diego troubadour recorded her last two CDs in Nashville but for her current Road Less Traveled collection, she relied on her road band back home in California. This country-rock track illustrates how catchy a song crafter she can be, but also reveals her vocal tendency to slide into flat notes.

DISClaimer: Chase Rice, Zac Brown Band, Brandon Lay Top This Week’s Offerings

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Country music returns to form in this post Labor Day season, and that means all boys, all the time.

There are two Disc of the Day awards, and both are production triumphs. They belong to Chase Rice and to the Zac Brown Band. These are singles that will tickle your ears.

The DisCovery Award goes to singer-songwriter Brandon Lay. He’s a sports-loving preacher’s kid from Jackson, TN, as you might guess from the lyrics of his debut single.

Did you miss me when I took last week off? Our San Diego vacation was delightful. In the city’s Balboa Park they have the world’s largest outdoor pipe organ, and we caught a concert there. At Eddie V’s bar in Seaport Village, we grooved to the AJ. DeGrasse jazz trio. And just so you know, the two best places to buy vintage vinyl there are Record City in Hillcrest and Folk Arts Rare Records in North Park.

ZAC BROWN BAND/Roots
Writers: Zac Brown, Niko Moon, Ben Simonetti, and Coy Bowles; Producers: Dave Cobb and In The Arena Productions; Publishers: Day for the Dead Publishing, administered by Reach Music Tunes, SESAC / Siva Moon Publishing, all rights administered by W.B.M. Music Corp., SESAC / Simonetti Music Publishing, administered by Kobalt Group Publishing, SESAC; Warner Music
– The saga of a traveling minstrel, performed with loads of rhythmic punch, filled with delightfully complex layered tracks and soaked in glorious vocal harmonies. These guys rule.

OLD DOMINION/Written In The Sand
Writers: Matthew Ramsey/Trevor Rosen/Brad Tursi/Shane McAnally; Producers: Shane McAnally; Publishers: none listed, ASCAP/GMR; RCA (track)
– Will the relationship last? It should, if she goes for lines this clever. “Are we written in the stars, or are we written in the sand?” “Are we names in a tattoo or just a number on a hand?” “Are we just a backseat, trying to get it while we can?” “Are we last-call kissin,’ or are will we be reminiscin’ for the next 40 years?”

DAN+SHAY/Road Trippin’
Writers: Dan Smyers, Shay Mooney, Martin Johnson; Producers: Martin Johnson, Dan Smyers; Publishers: ã2016 WB Music Corp. / Beats and Banjos (ASCAP) / Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp. / Shay Mooney Music (BMI) / EMI April Music Inc. / Twintipskier Music (ASCAP); Warner Music
– I remain a fan. Hold onto summer a little bit longer with this sunny, breezy, thumpy ditty about vacation joys.

MIDLAND/Make A Little
Writers: Jess Carson/Cameron Duddy/Mark Wystrach/Shane McAnally/Josh Osborne; Producers: Dann Huff, Shane McAnally & Josh Osborne; Publishers: WB/TipTop/Tropical Cowboy/Warner-Tamerlane/Kitt Cass/Smack Hits/Smack Songs/Kobalt/Anderson Fork in the Road/Smackville, ASCAP/BMI/GMR; Big Machine
– Somewhat bland, under-produced country-rock that goes in one ear and out the other.

MATT & THE HERDSMEN/Miss My Chance
Writers: Matt Castillo/Eddie Seanz; Producer: David Perecefull; Publisher: none listed; BMI/SESAC; MH (track)
– This band is five Hispanic guys from Texas stirring an old-school country-rock stew. It sounds like live, raw, sawdust-floor, honky-tonk, beer-drinking music. However, neither the lead singer nor the production values are worth much.

BIG & RICH/Smoke In Her Eyes
Writers: John Rich/Rodney Clawson/Vicky McGehee; Producers: Big Kenny & John Rich; Publishers: J Money/Rich Entertainment Group/Kobalt/Round Hill Works/Big Loud Proud Crowd/Shirts at Work/Magic Mustang/Vick Town/BMG, ASCAP/BMI; Big & Rich/Thirty Tigers
-Don’t go near her: She’s not in the bar for a good time. She’s drinking off a bad goodbye. It’s well written, but a little “busy” sounding.

STEVE AZAR & THE KINGS MEN/Down At The Liquor Store
Writers: Steve Azar; Producers: Azar, AAron Bethune; Publishers: Just Al/Jigger & Jug, BMI; Ride (track)
– This is the title tune of a CD that pairs Azar with some of Mississippi’s top-flight sidemen, musicians who have played with Elvis, B.B. King and Little Milton. It is also the soundtrack of a documentary film titled Something In the Water. The Deep South vibe here is laid back, nostalgic, conversational and atmospheric.

BRANDON LAY/Speakers, Bleachers and Preachers
Writers: Brandon Lay/Luke Laird/Shane McAnally; Producers: Paul DiGiovanni/Brandon Lay; Publishers:2017 Mid South Mood Maker Music/WB Music Corp. (ASCAP); Universal Music Works/We Are Creative Nation/Jake & Mack Music, admin. by Universal Music Works; Smack Hits/Smack Songs LLC, admin. by Kobalt Music Group Ltd. (GMR); EMI (CDX)
– Lotsa words and not much melody. But very evocative and listenable and radio ready.

DARIUS RUCKER/For The First Time
Writers: Darius Rucker/Derek George/Scooter Carusoe; Producer: Ross Copperman; Publishers: 2017 Sony/ATV Accent/GrowingMusic Publishing; WB Music Corp./Funky Friars Music, admin. by WB Music Corp.; Scrambler Music/Abbotts Creek Music Two, a div. of Carnival Music Group (ASCAP); Capitol (CDX)
– Let yourself go and do something spontaneous while the steady, stomping tempo marches along relentlessly and hands clap in time. “When was the last time you did something for the first time?” asks Darius as the electric guitars grind.

CHASE RICE/Three Chords & The Truth
Writers: Chase Rice, Ross Copperman, Jon Nite; Producer: Ross Copperman; Publishers: © 2017 Sony/ATV Countryside (BMI) admin by Sony/ATV Music Publishing, LLC, Dack Janiels Publishing (BMI) admin by Sony/ATV Music Publishing, LLC, EMI, Blackwood Music, Inc. (BMI) admin by Sony/ATV Music Publishing, LLC, Rezolant Music (BMI) admin by Sony/ATV Music Publishing, LLC, EMI April Music, Inc. (ASCAP) admin by Sony/ATV Music Publishing, LLC. All rights reserved. Used by permission; Broken Bow (ERG)
– “All I need is you, three chords and the truth.” With an echoey, swirling, shuddering undertow of a track as a backdrop, he sings of betting on your music dreams and getting lost in song. “Ring of Fire,” “Sweet Home Alabama,” “Copperhead Road,” “Amazing Grace,” “Mama Tried” and “Sweet Bye and Bye” all get shout outs. Audio magic.

DISClaimer: Americana Saviors

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Come and save us, please, Americana music.

Country has created a radio format that’s almost unlistenable, with faceless men singing songs about nothing. Hip-hop all sounds the same. The pop teen-queens are just for kiddies. It seems that the only real, authentic artists are plying their trade in Americana.

We have two groups that are so strong that they are sharing the Disc of the Day prize today. They are Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit and The Jerry Douglas Band. Buy them both.

The DisCovery Award contest is among Paul Childers, The Hymn River Suite and our winner, the gripping Rod Melancon.

ROD MELANCON/With The Devil
Writers: Rod Melancon; Producer: Brian Whelan; Publishers: Rod Melancon, SESAC; Blue Elan (track)
– The album is aptly titled Southern Gothic, because the songs of this Louisiana native are dark and sometimes scary. Stark drum beats and spare electric guitar licks accent this spooky, dryly-sung saga of a serial killer. Elsewhere on the collection are rage, restlessness, psychedelia, yearning and righteously rocking grunge rock. Highly recommended.

 

JASON ISBELL & THE 400 UNIT/Hope The High Road
Writers: Jason Isbell; Producer: Dave Cobb; Publishers: Southeastern, BMI; Southeastern
– Americana king Isbell returns with a collection titled The Nashville Sound. This melodic, jangling country rocker urges romantic reconciliation while conceding none of his fierce integrity and individuality. Urgent and essential. All of the musical conversations on this album will remain with you long after the speakers go silent.

HYMN RIVER SUITE/Enough
Writers: none listed; Producers: Wes Sharon, Justin Mathenia, Amy Snyder; Publishers: none listed; CEN (track)
– This is a Midwestern brother-sister duo comprised of Justin Mathenia and Amy Snyder. Its Hundred Proof CD kicks off with this rouser. They do their best to stir up excitement, but the band sounds sort of thin. More production, please.

THE JERRY DOUGLAS BAND/Hey Joe
Writers: Billy Roberts; Producer: Jerry Douglas; Publisher: Third Palm, BMI; Rounder (track)
– Just because he’s with The Earls of Leicester and Alison Krauss & Union Station, don’t expect Jerry’s new band to come out with any kind of traditional sounding CD. The dobro master leads the group through a lickety-split acoustic take on this Jimi Hendrix/Leaves/Cher classic from the ‘60s, embellished with jazzy horns, no less. Elsewhere on the album, you’ll find a soul/blues version of a Tom Waits tune, a bebop jazz outing, complex time signatures and an almost symphonic feeling. Ear tickling in the extreme.

 

AMANDA ANNE PLATT & THE HONEYCUTTERS/Birthday Song
Writers: Amanda Anne Platt; Producers: Amanda Anne Platt & Tim Surrett; Publishers: Birdie May/Asheville Forest, SESAC; Organic (track)
– I have always liked this band. Formerly known as The Honeycutters, the new billing and album title accurately reflects the fact that Platt has always been the centerpiece as its singer, songwriter and producer. This kickoff track has a laid-back, meditative, philosophical, conversational vibe that is extremely endearing. This sidles right up to you and becomes your instant buddy. I remain a fan.

PAULA COLE/God Bless The Child
Writers: Billie Holida/Arthur Herzog Jr.; Producer: Paula Cole; Publishers: none listed; 675 (track)
– The “Where Have All the Cowboys Gone” and “I Don’t Want to Wait” hit maker of the ‘90s is back with a self-produced collection called Ballads. It covers standards (”Blue Moon:”), torch tunes (”I Cover the Waterfront”), folk (”The Lonesome Death of Hattie Carroll”), country classics (”Ode to Billy Joe”), jazz chanteuse chestnuts (”What a Little Moonlight Can Do”) and more. This version of Billie Holiday’s 1939 gem demonstrates the clarity of tone and sure footed phrasing she brings to all 20 tunes. It’s the American songbook of the Gershwins, Jerome Kern, Johnny Mercer, Frank Loesser, Rodgers & Hart, Hoagy Carmichael and Johnny Green, plus a whole lot more.

PAUL CHILDERS/Music Pulls You Through
Writers: Paul Childers; Producer: Paul Childers/Ace Lutz; Publishers: none listed; LP (track)
– This Nashville singer-songwriter is only 22, but there is striking maturity to be found on his disc debut, Naked Poetry. This jazzbo, horn-bedecked, soul goover is pop paradise. And, yes, those are his own Strat lead-guitar lines that you hear on this CD. A strikingly accomplished first-time effort.

SLAID CLEAVES/Take Home Pay
Writers: Slaid Cleaves/Rod Picott; Producer: Scrappy Jud Newcomb; Publisher: Magic Rat/Welding Rod, BMI; Candy House
– This soft-voiced Americana veteran has been in the trenches for years. He’s one of the genre’s finest songwriters, as this portrait of an aging manual laborer makes plain. You’ll find it on Slaid’s latest collection, Ghost on the Car Radio.

 

ALAN RHODY/I’ll Be True To You
Writers: Alan Rhody; Producer: Alan Rhody; Publishers: Sony/ATV, BMI; Ashwood (track)
– Music City troubadour Alan Rhody has a new CD titled Farther On. It features his songwriting collaborations with Guy Clark, Murray McLauchlan and Don Henry, as well as a feast of solo works. Not the least of the latter is this No. 1 hit sung by The Oak Ridge Boys in 1978. Rhody’s guitar-vocal version is stunning, revealing just how powerful the original, long version of the song really was/is. This fellow is one of those rare individuals who can hold you completely spellbound with just his axe and his voice.

MICHAEL HURLEY & JON NEWFELD/Pastures Of Plenty
Writers: Woody Guthrie; Producer: Jon Newfeld, Joe Seamons, Bill Murlin; Publishers: Woody Guthrie/Ludlow, BMI; Smithsonian
– On the double CD Roll Columbia, you’ll find members of R.E.M., The Decemberists and Black Prairie plus a host of Americana solo acts reinterpreting 26 Woody Guthrie songs. Among his so-called Northwest songs are some of his best known — “Hard Travelin,” “Roll On Columbia” (the state song of Washington), “Grand Coolee Dam,” “Talking Columbia,” “It Takes a Worried Man” and the like. Here, Greenwich Village folk vet Michael Hurley sings another of Guthrie’s timeless tunes. Guess what? Things aren’t much different for migrant agricultural workers today.

DISClaimer: April Kry, Dave McElroy Top Independent Releases

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Pictured: April Kry, Dave McElroy

It’s independents’ day.

The major country music record labels all seem to be missing in action this week. That means today’s column gives independent labels a time to shine.

Stepping into the spotlight and center stage is April Kry. This Connecticut-bred Nashvillian has vocal pipes to spare, a solid song and a stupendous production. Oh, and also a Disc of the Day award.

Also, April shares the DisCovery Award with Dave McElroy. He’s evidently been around for a couple of years, but this is his first appearance in DisClaimer.

JEFF LEWIS & NORM CADY/Land of Dreams
Writers: Norm Cady; Producers: Anthony Brown; Publishers: none listed, BMI; Constituting America (CDX)
– Patriotic slogans strung together like beads on a string. It’s like somebody jotted down every sign they saw held up at a Fourth of July parade.

DUSTIN COLLINS/Pieces
Writer: Lincoln Parish; Producers: Dustin Collins/Bill McDermott; Publishers: none listed, BMI/ASCAP; Big Risk (CDX)
– A crunchy country rocker with a definite blue-collar slant. It’s got some cool lines that make it worth a few spins.

APRIL KRY/While We’re Young
Writers: April Kry/Jennifer Pappas/Micah Wilshire/Stephanie Bentley; Producer: Micah Wilshire; Publishers: none listed, BMI; M (CDX)
– I dig this. She sings with powerhouse conviction. The song is as hooky as all get out. The production slaps, bounces and pushes emotional buttons in all the right places. This is as good or better than anything you’ll hear on any major label in the business. Listen and believe. Who are you? Send more.

 

DOMINGO & ESTEBAN HIRACHETA/Free to Believe
Writers: Domingo Hiracheta/Esteban Hiracheta; Producers: Janine Turner/Brandon Vanderford; Publishers: none listed, ASCAP; Constituting America (CDX)
-The freedom-of-religion sentiments are admirable. A competent lead singer would have been nice. There’s a good reason this switches into rapping in the middle.

LORI SMITH/Tumblin’ Paradise
Writers: Keith Follese/Tom McHugh; Producers: Larry Butler/Jack G. Kirby; Publishers: none listed, ASCAP; 615 (CDX)
– She warbles all around the melody, clinging to pitch for dear life.

GEORGE ALLEN TRUAX/My Hometown
Writers: George Allen Truax; Producers: Zac Maroof/Gene Higgins; Publishers: none listed, BMI; SMG (CDX)
– There already is a Montgomery Gentry. And they sing better than this.

DAVE McELROY/Without You
Writers: Dave McElroy/Michael Flanders/Scott Buchanan/Derik Holtquist; Producer: Michael Flanders; Publishers: none listed, ASCAP/SESAC; DM (CDX)
– His husky, whispery vocal style doesn’t have much range. But there’s something extremely appealing about his almost-spoken delivery. His conversational intimacy makes you want to know him.

 

JUSTIN DUKES/Warning Sign
Writers: Justin Dukes/Daniel Johnson; Producer: Chris Goff; Publishers: none listed, SESAC/BMI; Duke’s Entertainment (CDX)
– “Love at your own risk.” His youthful tenor sounds properly bruised.

RUSTY RIERSON/Upon This Rock
Writers: Stephen Amos/Rusty Rierson; Producers: Carster Green/Rusty Rierson; Publishers: none listed, ASCAP/BMI; RR (CDX)
– When he gets confused in a romance, he goes to a mountaintop where he can think straighter. Then she heads up there, too. Guess what? They wind up married and happy. Nicely done.

ALAN TURNER/Windows and Mirrors
Writers: Cole Swindell/Lynn Hutton/Jon Henderson; Producer: Alan Turner; Publishers: none listed, BMI/SESAC; SMG (CDX)
– Anguish and heartache with glass metaphors. He sings it with fierce force.

DISClaimer: Ryan Hurd, Brett Eldredge Enchant With New Music

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Variety is the spice of life.

This week’s country offerings range from over-produced, slick Nashville items to the rootsy charms of EmiSunshine and Margo Price. Kevin Costner is back, sounding as good as ever. And the well-established Rascal Flatts demonstrates that it still has plenty of gas in its tank.

The best newcomer is Ryan Hurd, who earns a DisCovery Award.

The Disc of the Day belongs to Brett Eldredge. Some production, publishing and songwriter credits on both of these winning tunes would have been nice, record companies.

 

RYAN HURD/Love In A Bar
Writers: Ryan Hurd/Joey Hyde; Producer: Aaron Eshuis; Publishers: Universal Music Corp./Lake Allegan Pub Club (ASCAP). All rights for Lake Allegan Pub Club controlled and adm by Universal Music Corp. ©2016 Sony/ATV Tree Publishing (BMI); RCA (ERG)
– Utterly enchanting. The melody swirls beautifully. The production builds and boils with intensity. His vocal delivery is loaded with dynamics as it goes from a whisper to a scream. A mighty debut.

AARON LEWIS/Folded Flag
Writers: Marty Morgan/Luc Nyhus/Yasmine Van Wilt; Producers: Ben Kitterman/Aaron Lewis; Label: Big Machine (ERG); Publishers: Morgan House Music Publishing (SESAC)./ Timberslust Music (BMI)./ Yasmine Van Wilt (BMI). 
-Sung from the point of view of a dead soldier. It’s very well written and performed, but I don’t imagine radio folks will clamor to program such a downer.

RASCAL FLATTS/Back To Us
Writers: Cary Barlowe/David Hodges/Josh Thompson; Producers: Jay DeMarcus/Rascal Flatts; Publishers: Castle Bound/We Be Partying/3 Weddings/Songs of Kobalt/Big Music Machine/Two Laine Collections, SESAC/BMI; Big Machine (track)
– I dig the crunchy production and the gripping lyric. Gary’s lead vocal is more chesty and intimate than usual, and he’s not constantly at the top of his range. This is the group’s strongest single in years.

EMISUNSHINE/Ninety Miles
Writer: EmiSunshine; Producers: EmiSunshine/Randall Hamilton/Troy Dixon; Publishers: none listed; Little Blackbird
– Considering the fact that she’s just 13, this is an extraordinary song. It is not only loaded with melodic hooks, it deals with the topic of autism in a strikingly mature way. Available now, it is the advance track of a hard-country CD titled Ragged Dreams that’s due on Aug. 25.

RAELYNN/Lonely Call
Writers: RaeLynn/Nicolle Galyon/Rob Hawkins; Producers: Jimmy Robbins/Nicolle Galyon; Label: Warner Music; Publishers: ©2016 Super Big Music / I Take The Bull By The Horns (ASCAP) admin. by Big Machine Music, LLC / Prescription Songs LLC (ASCAP), admin. by Kobalt Songs Music Publishing / Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp. (BMI) / A Girl Named Charlie (BMI). All rights admin. by Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp. (BMI) / Songs Music Publishing, LLC o/b/o Pneumatic Man (ASCAP), Songs of SMP (ASCAP)
– I don’t like the way her voice is buried in the mix. You have to strain to understand the lyric, and that ain’t the country way.

BRIAN MILSON/I’d Have To Kiss Ya
Label: First Short Road
-Nicely done. He runs into an old flame and resists the urge to rekindle it. Catchy, well crafted and extremely promising.

KEVIN COSTNER & MODERN WEST/Love Shine
Writers: Teddy Morgan/Henry Jack Williams; Publishers: Teddy Morgan/songs of LGME! BMI/ASCAP; Producer: Teddy Morgan; Kevin’s Music
– I have liked this guy’s music from the start. The new single is a doomy, dramatic, minor-key outing that he delivers in a gritty whisper. Despite the dark atmosphere, the overall message is oddly positive. I dig this.

BRETT ELDREDGE/The Long Way
Writers: Brett Eldredge/Matt Rogers; Producers: Ross Copperman/Brett Eldredge; Publishers: Sony/ATV Countryside/Paris Not France Music; BMI;
Ole Canalco Publishing (ASCAP); Atlantic
– Simply put, he is one helluva singer. This addictive, rolling, rhythmic production surrounds a personality-packed performance that ranges from nearly-spoken intimacies to falsetto quasi-yodels. A brilliant performance.

KAREN & THE SHADOWS/Take Me For A Ride
Writers: Karen Pittelman; Producers: Charles Burst; Publishers: Ocean Born Mary, ASCAP; OBM (track)
– Fiddle and steel in Brooklyn? You betcha. This outfit lays down a country-rock groove that’s as solid as anything you’ll hear in Music City. Plus, Karen shows real promise as a songwriter. Recommended.

MARGO PRICE/Paper Cowboy
Writers: Matt Gardner; Producers: Margo Price, Alex Munoz, Matt Ross-Spang & Jeremy Ivey; Publishers: none listed; Third Man
– Yes, I know I reviewed a single by her last week. The thing is, she has TWO new singles on the market. This one is a toe-tapping, stuttering-steel romp wherein she wails about a no-good guy. The surprising, extended instrumental coda is like a splash of cool water in the face. Refreshingly different.

DISClaimer: Michael Ray, Morgan Evans Top New Releases

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The guys have it.

All of our contenders for this week’s Disc of the Day come from solo male country performers. They are Joe Nichols, Brett Eldredge, Thomas Rhett and our underdog winner, Michael Ray.

And, surprise, another solo male wins the DisCovery Award. That would be Morgan Evans.

SARA EVANS/Marquee Sign
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed; Born To Fly
-It has a cool, minor-key vibe that is quite fetching. Her bluesy vocal is complimented by jangly electric guitar effects and an echoey atmosphere. The lyric laments a heartbreaker who gave her no warning.

MICHAEL RAY/Get To You
Writers: none listed, Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Warner Bros.
– He sings the fire out of this power ballad, from the sensual, husky low notes of the verses to the falsetto leaps in the choruses. Everything works here — the melody, the production, the sexy mood. This is one terrific record. It sounds like this handsome devil is about to become a Big Star.

 

THOMAS RHETT/Unforgettable
Writers: Thomas Rhett, Jesse Frasure, Ashley Gorley, Shane McAnally; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Valory
– It’s a jaunty, thumpy, pop-rocker with hooks a-plenty. Another smash for the boy.

MORGAN EVANS/Kiss Somebody
Writers: Morgan Evans/Chris DeStefano/Josh Osborne; Producer: Chris DeStefano; Publisher: none listed; Warner Bros.
– The crash-and-burn production stirs up lots of excitement. His vocal powers through, on top of all the noise, with occasional outbursts that come close to shouting. Energetic and intense.

WATERLOO REVIVAL/What Guy Wouldn’t
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Show Dog
-Strongly sung, but the song is pretty shallow.

THE CADILLAC THREE/Dang If We Didn’t
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Big Machine
– A party-hearty stomper with a drawled vocal, hand claps and piercing electric guitar. These guys should be much bigger stars than they are. Play ‘em.

LITTLE FEATHER/Hillbilly Love Song
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Curb
– Love the group harmonies and the ‘grassy, uptempo track. Lead singer Liz Sharpe’s voice has a built-in sunny quality, and the picking surrounding her is razor sharp.

 

JOE NICHOLS/Never Gets Old
Writers: Steve Moakler/Connie Harrington; Producer: Brent Rowan; Publishers: Creative Pulse/These Are Pulse/Highway 76/EMI Blackwood/Great Day at This/Watch This Girl, BMI; Red Bow (track)
– This guy endures as one of the greatest singers in contemporary country music. Listening to this romantic outing, you can get completely lost in his warm baritone. A superb performance. Again.

PARMALEE/Sunday Morning
Writers: Matt Thomas/Ross Copperman/Josh Osborne; Producers: Parmalee, David Fanning & Ben Stennis; Publishers: Songs of Universal/Songs By JMT/EMI Blackwood/Sony-ATV/Rezolant/Anderson Fork in the Road/Kobalt/Smack, BMI/ASCAP; Stoney Creek
– Sparkling and bright. Packed with shiny audio touches, plus a resonant production echo. Ultra modern and super listenable. I remain a fan of this gang.

BRETT ELDREDGE/Castaway
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed; Atlantic (track)
– This is a very nicely shaded vocal performance, that ranges from soaring yearning to cracked heartache and burning loss. I’m in. His upcoming collection sounds an awful lot like an Album of the Year contender.

 

DISClaimer: Alex Williams, Shania Twain Offer Autobiographical New Tracks

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Sometimes when you explore the landscape of indie releases, you find gems — and then there are explorations like today.

Finding gems amid this wasteland was easy. They stood out quite clearly.

The DisCovery Award goes to BMLG artist Alex Williams. I dig his “outlaw” vibe. Mitchell Tenpenny would have been right there with Alex, but I reviewed an earlier effort by him back in 2015.

With no competition in sight, Mercury Nashville’s Shania Twain earns a Disc of the Day award.

ANDY HUGHES/Heartland and Heartache
Writers: Andy Hughes/Becky Hughes; Producer: Joe Gantzer; Publisher: none listed; Move Along (track)
– He has a gentle, folk-ish delivery. His next step should be to find a producer. This sounds like a cheap demo.

MITCHELL TENPENNY/Truck I Drove In High School
Writers: Mitchell Tenpenny/Jordan Schmidt/Andy Albert/Devin Dawson; Producers: Jordan Schmidt/Mitchell Tenpenny; Publishers: Sony-ATV Countryside/WB/Freshy/We-Volve/Downtown DLJ/Neon Cross/Warner-Tamerlane, BMI/ASCAP; Riser House (track)
-He’s the grandson of music-biz legend Donna Hilley, and his EP is titled Linden Ave, which is the Nashville street where she lived. The single has a crunchy, “dirty,” bottom-heavy percussion track, some cool electronic effects and a super catchy tune. Turn it up and groove along.

SHANIA TWAIN/Life’s About To Get Good
Writers: Shania Twain; Producer: Matthew Kom/Ron Aniello; Publishers: none listed; Mercury (CDX)
– Bouncy, hooky and more than a little autobiographical. Eminently playable.

 

MARY SARAH/Without You
Writers: Mary Sarah Gross/Bart Butler/David Garcia; Producer: David Garcia; Publisher: none listed, BMI/ASCAP; 144e (CDX)
– I dig the spare, bluesy track. Her pert, conversational soprano has a piercing quality with just the right touch of attitude. Refreshingly different.

NITTY GRITTY GR/3 Up and 1 Down
Writers: Greg “Nitty Gritty” Roberts; Producer: Dulaa; Publisher: none listed; Reality (CDX)
– A complete audio garbage heap.

CRAIG COLLINS/Stand By My Country
Writers: C. Collins/J. Bates/B. Matthews; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; CC (track)
– Chest-thumping rock with a redneck accent and a barely-there melody.

SHANE OWENS/19
Writers: Jeffrey Steele/Gary Nicholson/Tom Hambridge; Producer: Kevin Wayne Waldrop; Publishers: none listed, BMI/ASCAP; Amerimonte
– The album version, reviewed a couple of weeks back, is a guitar-vocal performance. The single has a full-band backing track, which makes it more commercial sounding and gives it a lot more emotional resonance. Play this version.

CODY JINKS/No Words
Writer: Cody Jinks; Producer: Joshua Thompson; Publishers: none listed; Cody Jinks (CDX)
– Sluggish. The tempo drags along listlessly, and his dull vocal doesn’t help matters much.

ALEX WILLIAMS/Old Tattoo
Writer: Alex Williams; Producer: Julian Raymond; Publishers: Big Machine/Freak Flag, BMI; Big Machine (track)
– His lived-in baritone is very, very charismatic. The song meanders a bit, but the dobro-and-harmonica atmosphere keeps you hanging on his compelling delivery. Extremely promising.

NIGHT OWL COUNTRY BAND/Cool Gentle Wind
Writer: Matt Lee; Producer: Gene Higgins; Publisher: none listed, ASCAP; Stanley Music
– They have a sound akin to vintage Alabama. The song is rather generic. Pass.

Review: The SongBird Tour

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By Robert K. Oermann

There’s a new moneymaking option in town for Nashville’s sizable songwriting population.

With songwriters’ royalty income plummeting, live performances have become increasingly attractive to this community. But the number of local venues willing to book songwriting talent is small. And few songwriters have either the name recognition or the inclination to go on the road beyond Middle Tennessee.

Enter SongBird Tours, a novel tourism idea that features Music City tunesmiths entertaining visitors as they ride around town. Each two-hour tour spotlights notable sites in Nashville’s songwriting history, an explanation of how songwriting and publishing works, a Q&A session and a song-swapping session featuring the city’s most talented composers and lyricists.

I decided this was worth investigating. So we boarded a vehicle about the size of a large airport shuttle bus on Hayes Street last week. The rear was outfitted with a small stage, two bolted-down stools and a large video screen.

One stool is occupied by a “name” writer. On the day I took the tour, this was prolific hit craftsman Trey Bruce. The other is occupied by a talented, lesser-known songwriter, in my case, Greg Allen.

Because of the configuration, ticket buyers ride backwards. Nobody seemed to mind.

As we headed up Music Square West, our guide pointed out spots where hits by stars such as Taylor Swift, Roy Orbison, Kris Kristofferson, Tammy Wynette and others were written. Each building or house was shown on the video screen (as well as out your window), followed by a brief video clip of the song in performance.

After we left Music Row, we headed out Franklin Pike, past the homes of Earl Scruggs, Jack White, Martina McBride and others. At this point, the tour became a song showcase. Trey sang hits like “Whisper My Name” (Randy Travis), “You Can’t Lose Me” (Faith Hill), “Amen Kind of Love” (Daryle Singletary), “How Your Love Makes Me Feel” (Diamond Rio), “Someone Else’s Dream” (Faith Hill) and other hits he’s written, accompanied by clever stories.

Songwriters Trey Bruce and Tommy Conners

Interestingly, the tourists on board responded equally strongly to Greg’s unknown tunes, including “Pictures,” “I Just Hold the Pen,” “Moonshine,” “The Good Lord Gives, the Bottle Takes Away” and “This Heartache’s on You.” All of them sounded like hits to both me and them. He was also a strong performer. I am told that other tours have showcased up-and-coming Belmont writers and new publishing-company signees as foils for the established hit writers.

Back on Music Square East, the sites included locations associated with the songs of Garth Brooks, Alan Jackson, Randy Travis, Dolly Parton and others (again complete with video illustrations). Throughout the tour, the historical stories related were factual. So were the explanations of how the business works. Believe me, this is not always the case on Nashville tour buses.

We had a delightful pit stop at the Music Row songwriter watering hole Bobby’s Idle Hour. The tourists used the restrooms, grabbed a quick brew and chatted with each other, our hosts and the bar patrons. “Bobby” is dead, by the way. “Lizard” now runs the legendary Idle Hour spot.

Back on board as we headed toward downtown, the songwriters resumed song swapping and talking about their lives. The guide talked about who had served time on Lower Broadway (Dierks Bentley, Terri Clark, Willie Nelson, etc.) and told us about Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge.
Next came more songs and witty chit-chat. When they started the Q&A, the fans asked surprisingly informed questions about the songwriting process and/or the publishing business.

When we arrived back at Hayes Street, the songwriters posed for selfies and answered more questions. The host sold merch.

SongBird Tours is the brainchild of veteran Music Row personality Patsy Bruce (who was once married to Trey’s father, Ed Bruce). She says she got tired of misinformation about the songwriting and publishing communities and came out of retirement to correct it.

The bus holds 30 people at a time. Tickets are $45 per person. That means the participating songwriters certainly earn more than the 50 bucks they can usually count on for a night’s work in most Nashville venues.

There are three tours a day, seven days a week. It’s a B.Y.O.B. thing, if the fans wish to imbibe.

The tour’s slogan is “The most intimate listening room in Nashville is on wheels.” That means that you’re supposed to stop using your device and/or talking while the songwriters perform. They tell this to the riders at the outset, and everybody respected it on the tour that I attended.
Frankly, I enjoyed my afternoon on the bus. So did the mostly Canadian fans who were on board with me. I think you would, too.

DisClaimer: Dailey & Vincent, Claire Lynch Shine On New Grass Tracks

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Dailey & Vincent

It’s time for a smooch from country’s “kissin’ cousin,” bluegrass music.

This is a genre that’s hard to find on radio, but which thrives at 500+ bluegrass festivals a year. And, as we see today, on records, too.

I have no newcomers in this stack of platters, so there’s no DisCovery Award this week.

However, I do have two winners of the Disc of the Day prize. Much awarded bluegrass superstars Dailey & Vincent claim one of them.

The other goes to the enduringly great Claire Lynch. She’s no slouch in the awards department, either, having been the IBMA Female Vocalist of the Year in 1997, 2010 and 2013. Her Grammy nominations have been for her Moonlighter CD of 1995, as well as for her current North By South, which competed for Best Bluegrass Album last February.

 

BALSAM RANGE/Blue Collar Dreams
Writers: Adam Bibelhauser; Producer: Balsam Range; Publisher: none listed, BMI
– Perched at No. 1 on this month’s Bluegrass Unlimited chart is this uptempo working-class lament of being trapped in a daily grind, deep in debt and struggling to survive. The lickety-split picking is super hot and the flawless vocal harmony this group is noted for is firmly in place. You’ll find it on the group’s fifth CD, Mountain Voodoo.

BLUE HIGHWAY/Don’t Weep for Me
Writers: Shawn Lane/Buddy Brock/Gerald Ellenberg; Producer: Blue Highway; Publisher: Cat Town/Wadako/Buddy Brock/Pop Batson, BMI
– Snapping at Balsam Range’s heels on the chart is the red-hot bluegrass supergroup Blue Highway at No. 2. Its hit track is a minor-key murder saga. He finds her in another’s arms, sees red and is now facing a death sentence. The twist is that the man he found in her arms turned out to be her long-lost brother, so his jealous rage was utterly unfounded. Dig those mournful, regret-filled vocals. These veterans have never sounded better than they do on Original Traditional, their 11th studio album.

EDDY RAVEN & CAROLINA ROAD/All Grassed Up
Writers: Eddy Raven/David Stewart; Producer: Josh Goforth, Lorraine Jordan & Eddy Raven; Publisher: Sony-ATV/Dingo Daze/In the Wings, BMI
– The title tune of country veteran Raven’s collaboration with bluegrass stars Carolina Road ripples along as a smoothly rolling “road” tune. Along the way, he disses mainstream Music Row for forgetting country’s traditions.

DARIN & BROOKE ALDRIDGE/Someday Soon
Writers: Ian Tyson; Producer: Darin & Brooke Aldridge; Publisher: Warner Bros., ASCAP
– This evergreen Ian & Sylvia folk classic has been revived by everyone from Judy Collins and The Kingston Trio to Suzy Bogguss, Lynn Anderson, Glen Campbell, Crystal Gayle and Moe Bandy. Brooke’s heart-in-throat version simply sparkles. It rises to No. 7 on this month’s Bluegrass Unlimited chart and can be found on the Aldridges’ Faster & Farther collection.

 

THE GIBSON BROTHERS/Highway
Writers: Eric Gibson; Producer: Eric Gibson, Leigh Gibson & Mike Barber; Publisher: Brown Bird, BMI
– The fastest rising song in the top-10 on this month’s chart is “Highway,” which leaps eight spots to No. 8. I admit that I’m a sucker for brother harmonies, and few acts today are as good at that as these guys. Especially on a jaunty traveling song that is so downright jolly sounding. The album is called In the Ground. It’s a keeper.

LARRY STEPHENSON BAND/Yesterday’s Gone
Writers: Chad Stuart/Wendy Kidd; Producer: Ben Surratt & Larry Stephenson; Publisher: EMI Unart, BMI
– Rounding out the top 10 in the 10th spot is this remake of the Chad & Jeremy “British Invasion” pop hit of 1964. It works surprisingly well as a bluegrass tune, easily as well as Manfred Mann’s “Fox on the Run” did. The hillbilly quartet harmonies here are spectacular. A must listen.

NU-BLU, JIMMY FORTUNE & BEN ISAACS/Still Small Voice
Writers: Tony Lopacinski/Devin Belle/Jimmy Fortune; Producer: Nu-Blu; Publisher: Big Mouth/Little Igloo/Jimmy Fortune, BMI
– This North Carolina group is anchored by the warm soprano lead singing of Carolyn Routh. On this upbeat lyric about finding inner strength, she is joined by former Statler Brother Jimmy Fortune and the Isaacs’ exemplary harmony man Ben. The result is a track that is as good as progressive bluegrass can be. In its third month on the chart, this track from the Vagabonds CD lands at No. 19. The collection also includes imaginative rearrangements of Waylon & Willie’s “Good Hearted Woman,” Dylan’s “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door,” the late Norro Wilson’s Charly McClain oldie “Surround Me with Love” and the Sawyer Brown tune “Gypsies on Parade.”

CLAIRE LYNCH/Black Flowers
Writers: Lynn Miles; Producer: Alison Brown; Publisher: Cold Girl, SOCAN
– The sublime bluegrass diva Claire Lynch went northward on a song quest, fell in love with a community of songwriters and now has an entire CD containing almost all Canadian tunes. Gordon Lightfoot, Bruce Cockburn and Ron Sexsmith are here, but so are a lot of other gifted tunesmiths you might not know. Her current single/video is a haunting, hushed, bluesy lament of death and mourning penned by Ottawa’s Lynn Miles. Instrumental support on her North By South album comes via such stellar names as Bela Fleck, Jerry Douglas, Kenny Malone, Alison Brown, David Grier and Stuart Duncan. You’d be a fool to overlook this perfect audio jewel.

 

DAILEY & VINCENT/Gimme All the Love You Got
Writers: Jaimie S. Dailey/Karen Staley/Darrin Vincent; Producer: Dailey & Vincent; Publisher: Bluegrass Ambassador/Hobo Lizard/Julieann, BMI
– Stand back or face the force of nature that is this astounding ensemble. Their new Patriots & Poets CD kicks off with this fiery jolt of energy. It blasted onto this month’s Bluegrass Unlimited hit parade at No. 20 as the genre’s highest charting new tune, doubtless en route to No. 1. If you’ve never seen these great showmen, head to The Ryman Auditorium tonight (July 13). I promise you will be royally entertained. Take it from me, there’s a reason they’ve earned three Grammy nominations, won four Dove Awards, claimed an astounding 35 IBMA honors (including three as Entertainers of the Year) and landed their own TV show on RFD.

CHRIS JONES & THE NIGHT DRIVERS/I’m a Wanderer
Writers: Thom Jutz/Charley Stefl/Jon Weissberger; Producer: Chris Jones & Tim Surrett; Publisher: Thom Songs/Maddy Dog/Use Your Words, SESAC/BMI
– Mellow. It’s an easy-going ode about marching to the beat of your own drummer. The melody is a lilting, gentle thing, perfect for a lazy summer afternoon. It’s at No. 23 this month and comes from the band’s Made to Move CD.