DISClaimer: Frankie Ballard, Mo Pitney Tie In A Dead Heat

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It’s Star Time in today’s country edition of DISClaimer.

Luke Bryan, Billy Currington, Reba McEntire and Jason Aldean are all here with new tunes. The rockers ruled the listening session, with Frankie Ballad and Mo Pitney finishing in a dead heat for the Disc of the Day prize.

The DisCovery Award goes to youthful-sounding Bailey Bryan.

Bailey Bryan

BAILEY BRYAN/Own It
Writers: Bailey Bryan/Dennis Matkowsky/Casey Brown; Producer: Dennis Matowsky; Publishers: Kompass Kopyrights/Bailey Bryan/Karles/Kobalt/So Essential/Not Just Another Song, BMI/ASCAP/SESAC; 300/VAR (CDX)
– Punchy and perky. The up-to-date lyric drops lots of contemporary, youthful references and the bouncy beats just don’t quit. Plus, it’s cool that it stops dead in its tracks.

BILLY CURRINGTON/Do I Make You Wanna
Writers: Ashley Gorley/Zach Crowell/Matt Jenkins/Jerry Flowers; Producer: Dann Huff; Publishers: External Combustion/Songs of Southside Ind./WB/Atlas/Who Wants to Buy My Pub, ASCAP; MERCURY (CDX)
– An attractive come-on with a breezy tempo, a softly pleading vocal and a wafting audio atmosphere. Let’s face it, this guy just has an unerring knack for finding hit songs.

LUKE BRYAN/Fast
Writers: Luke Bryan/Rodney Clawson/Luke Laird; Producers: Jeff Stevens/Jody Stevens; Publishers: Sony-ATV Tree/Peanut Mill/Round Hill Works/Big Loud Proud Crowd/Farm Town/Songs of Universal/Creative Nation, BMI; Capitol (CDX)
-I like the way his voice is so high up in the mix that it sounds like he’s sitting next to you. It gives the record a relaxed, intimate quality that’s quite lovely. It also helps that the song is so well written.

MO PITNEY/Everywhere
Writers: Mo Pitney/Dean Dillon/Paul Overstreet; Producers: Dean Dillon/Paul Overstreet; Publishers: Mike Curb/Sixteen Stars/Tenorado/Music From Philbily, BMI; Curb (CDX)
– Mo shows that he knows his way around a tempo tune. This is a roll-the-window-down driver with a relentless rush of energy. His strong singing in the verses is joined by celestial harmony vocal work on the choruses. Loved it.

LAUREN ALAINA/Road Less Traveled
Writers: Lauren Alaina/Jesse Frasure/Meghan Trainor; Producer: busbee; Publishers: Warner-Tamerlane/Lylas/Rio Bravo/Year of the Dog/MTrain/Words & Music, BMI/ASCAP; Mercury/19
– The message of this bopper is to be yourself and don’t follow the crowd. The “rebel heart” in the lyric is carried through in her bright, upbeat, soprano delivery. But it went on a little too long, and by the time it finally ended, I was kinda worn out.

JASON ALDEAN/Any Ol’ Barstool
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed; Broken Bow (ERG)
-You want to know how he feels since she left? Ask any ol’ barstool in this town. The lyric is nifty, and the track is very cool sounding.

MARK McKINNEY/Bridge
Writers: Mark McKinney/Cassie McKinney; Producers: Eric McKinney/Mark McKinney; Publishers: none listed; Texas Evolution
-Somewhat spare sounding. The sparsely instrumented production is matched by his stark vocal performance. Compared to what else is in today’s reviewing stack, it seems a little weak.

BRANTLEY GILBERT/The Weekend
Writers: Brantley Gilbert/Andrew DeRoberts; Producers: Dann Huff; Publishers: Warner-Tamerlane/Indiana Angel/BMG Gold/Lanercost, BMI/ASCAP; Valory Music
– It’s one of those spoke-sung things in the verses that then bursts into semi-melodic,shouted choruses. This is getting old.

FRANKIE BALLARD/You Accomp’ny Me
Writer: Bob Seger; Producer: Marshall Altman; Publisher: Gear, ASCAP; Warner Bros.
-Back in the day, Frankie used to open shows for fellow Michigan music maker Bob Seger. So an homage to his mentor seems entirely appropriate. His churning guitar work and earnest vocal give this golden goodie new luster. It’s totally cool how it builds in intensity as it goes along.

REBA McENTIRE/Back To God
Writers: Dallas Davidson/Randy Houser; Producer: Reba McEntire/Doug Sizemore; Publishers: ole Big Business/Songs of Windswept Pacific/Burn 1 Baby/BMG, BMI; Rockin/Nash
– Reba’s new double-disc gospel set Sing It Now consists of classic tunes on Disc One. Disc Two contains newly penned religious numbers. This one instructs us to return to praying and working on salvation.

DISClaimer: Natalie Hemby’s Dazzling ‘Puxico’

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Today’s survey of current Americana sounds has both old friends and fresh faces.

First things first. Drop whatever you are doing today. Go find the new album by Natalie Hemby. Give it a spin and prepare to be dazzled. It is absolutely brilliant. It is also the Disc of the Day.

We had plenty of first timers to choose from. Next to Natalie, my favorite was the new Nashville male-female duo Terra Bella. Give those kids a DisCovery Award.

HUGH PRESTWOOD/I Used To Be The Real Me
Writer: Hugh Prestwood; Producer: Hugh Prestwood; Publishers: Hugh Prestwood/Judy Collins, no performance rights listed; Wildflower/Cleopatra (track)
– The latest album by this Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame member is on Judy Collins’s label. That’s sort of a “full circle” thing, since she was the first person to have a hit with one of his songs (1979’s “Hard Times for Lovers”). Judy sings with Hugh on two of the new CD’s tracks. Its compelling title tune is a rhythmic story song about a broken man who ruefully remembers better days. Also included is his own version of his celebrated “The Song Remembers When.”
 

 

ME AND MOLLY/Old Friend
Writers: Molly Stevens/Declan McGarry; Producers: Jeff Crawford/Molly Stevens/Declan McGarry; Publishers: Me and Molly, no performance rights listed; Tiny Human (track)
– This Nashville songwriting duo has a strummy, folkie sound. Both are strong singers. Amid this title track’s gently rhythmic track are their note-perfect harmony vocals. He carries the lead. She soars above.

THE NITTY GRITTY DIRT BAND & JACKSON BROWNE/These Days
Writers: Jackson Browne; Producers: Michael Davis/Jeff Hanna; Publisher: Open Window/no performance rights listed; NGDB (track)
– The soundtrack to this band’s 50th-anniversary PBS TV celebration has now been released. Guests include John Prine, Vince Gill, Alison Krauss, Jerry Jeff Walker and Rodney Crowell. The inclusion of Jackson Browne is apt, since he was briefly a NGDB member in the band’s early days. The band evocatively backs him with echoey licks on performance of his signature 1973 song. On the track, he reveals that he actually wrote it way back when he was in the group. Recommended, as is the whole package.

TERRA BELLA/Road To Forever
Writers: Joseph Costa/Dave Gibson; Producer: Johnny Garcia; Publishers: none listed; TB (track)
– This couple made the move from California to Music City and got married. They are staging their disc debut with a six-song EP. Its title tune is a tough little country rocker with many hooky pleasures. Producer Johnny Garcia has been Trisha Yearwood’s guitar accompanist for years, and it sounds like he has a future behind studio boards.
 

 

JENNY GILL/Lonely Lost Me
Writers: none listed; Producer: Vince Gill; Publishers: none listed; JG (track)
– Vinnie’s daughter sings with a confident pop lilt. Her dad’s accompanying track has an irresistible groove embellished with guitar and organ accent notes. Very listenable. Very sweet.

SAINTS ELEVEN/Coming Back Around
Writer: Jeff Grossman; Producer: Walt Wilkins/Ron Flynt; Publisher: none listed; ASCAP; JG (track)
– These three are evidently a big deal on the live scene in Texas. Their third CD’s title tune moans the blues with plenty of twang and heart. There’s a raw, authentic edge to frontman Jeff Grossman’s honky-tonk drawl.

JIM LAUDERDALE/This Changes Everything
Writers: Jim Lauderdale/Bruce Robison; Producer: Tommy Detamore; Publishers: Laudersongs/Mighty Nice/Tiltawhirl/Bluewater, BMI; Sky Church (track)
– This prolific Americana record maker enters the new year with a solid 11-song collection that kicks off with this smoothly shuffling title tune. The band cruises like a finely tuned car, while Lauderdale’s vocal hangs back ever so slightly. This behind-the-beat phrasing keeps you hanging on with anticipation, note for note. As always, Lauderdale is reliably country throughout the album.

NATALIE HEMBY/This Town Still Talks About You
Writers: Natalie Hemby/Kelly Archer/Jnan Schott; Producer: Mike Wrucke; Publishers: none listed; GetWrucke (track)
– She’s been cowriting hits for Miranda Lambert, Little Big Town, Toby Keith, Lady Antebellum, Keith Urban and other top stars for years. Now a CD titled Puxico introduces her as a record maker. Her expressive, languid vocal on this track is matched with a dreamy, atmospheric production by her hubby, Mike Wrucke. It goes without saying that it is brilliantly written. Definitely don’t stop with this tune; hang around for the whole collection and get bathed in beauty.

 

 
RENEE WAHL/See You On The Way Down
Writers: Renee Wahl/Bill Maler; Producer: Patterson Barrett; Publisher: Renee Wahl/Ten Gallon Fat, BMI/ASCAP; Double R (track)
– Like many of our community’s Americana record makers, this gal is an East Nashvillian. Her six-song EP kicks off with this plaintively sung roots bopper. She’s not the strongest vocalist in the world, but the chugging production and hearty harmony vocals give her the oomph she needs.

BILL COOLEY/In Search of Home
Writer: Bill Cooley; Producer: Paul Martin/Bill Cooley; Publishers: Nancy Lee, ASCAP; NLM (track)
– Cooley has been Kathy Mattea’s accompanist for decades. He periodically issues instrumental guitar collections, and this is the title tune of his latest. It’s an acoustic tone poem with lovely filligreed picking that’s so inventive and involving that you forget you’re listening to just one instrument. Mattea drops by to offer a vocal on the Jesse Winchester song “That’s What Makes You Strong.” Enchanting listening.

DISClaimer: Dwight Yoakam Returns To ‘Grass Roots on New CD

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Dwight Yoakam

To refresh your head and restore your spirit, I recommend a stroll through the field of bluegrass.

The sounds of The Infamous Stringdusters, of Jerry Salley, of Kristin Scott Benson with Claire Lynch, of Jeff White and of Adam Steffey will greet you on your journey like kindly companions. Lend all of them your ears.

Our Disc of the Day belongs to Dwight Yoakam. His debut bluegrass collection is a perfect fit for his singing and songwriting. The DisCovery Award goes to Volume Five. The band’s album is called Drifter, and it’s a winner.

 

BRYAN SUTTON/The More I Learn
Writer: Bryan Sutton; Producer: Byran Sutton; Publisher: Deepwood BMI, Sugar Hill (track)
-Sutton has entered the top-30 on the bluegrass chart with this title tune of his current CD. His gentle, rippling guitar work is matched by his tender, soft vocal delivery of this philosophical ditty. This goes down smooth and easy.

DWIGHT YOAKAM/These Arms
Writer: Dwight Yoakam; Publisher: ƒigs D/Bicycle, BMI; Producers: Gary Paczosa, Jon Randall Stewart & Dwight Yoakam; Sugar Hill (track)
-Flatt Lonesome’s rendition of Dwight’s oldie “You’re the One” led its being named Song of the Year at the IBMA awards. So his releasing a bluegrass collection couldn’t be more timely. It’s called Swimmin’ Pools, Movie Stars and contains this sprightly, tuneful reworking of his 1998 country single. Davey Faragher’s tenor harmony voice and Stuart Duncan’s greased-lightning fiddle work compliment the star’s performance brilliantly. The collection also contains Dwight’s fabulous bluegrass version of Prince’s “Purple Rain,” by the way.

JEFF WHITE/Run Little Rabbit Run
Writer: David Akeman; Publisher: Fort Knox, BMI; Producer: Jeff White; JW (track)
-This is an old Stringbean tune, given a sizzling, mountain-wildfire arrangement by White and his sellar cohorts Charlie Cushman, Michael Cleveland, Vince Gill and Barry Bales, with a harmony-vocal assist from Shawn Camp. It’s at No. 11 and rising fast on the current bluegrass hit parade. Hot stuff.

THE INFAMOUS STRINGDUSTERS/Gravity
Writers: The Infamous Stringdusters; Publisher: The Infamous Stringdusters, BMI; Producer: The Infamous Stringdusters & Billy Hume; Compass (track)
-This ridiculously gifted group is sort of a fusion of bluegrass and jam-band styles. Billed as “The Future of Bluegrass,” the band drops its new Laws of Gravity collection tomorrow (Jan. 13). This enchanting track captures how deeply involving this act’s music can be. It’s a swooning dream that mixes fluid vocals with a stirring, complex instrumental smoke cloud. Essential listening.

MAC WISEMAN/I Sang the Song
Writer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Producer: none listed; Mountain Fever
-At age 91, this Bluegrass Hall of Fame member continues to amaze. The title tune of his latest collection is nothing short of his life story in one elegant lyric. He’s called “The Voice with a Heart” with good reason.

TRINITY RIVER BAND/Come Back Train
Writer: Jerry Salley/Cassidy Lynn Alexander; Publisher: none listed; Producer: Joshua Harris & Sarah Harris; Orange Blossom
-This family band is celebrating its 10th album, Things We Do For Dreams. This single from it has just entered the Bluegrass Unlimited chart. The song is as cool as the breeze. Alas, there’s not a vocalist in the group who’s electrifying enough to truly bring it life.

ADAM STEFFEY/Dear John
Writers: Aubrey A. Gass/Tex Ritter; Publisher: Tex Ritter, ASCAP; Producer: Adam Steffey; Mountain Home
-This East Tennessee native is one of the bluegrass genre’s hottest mandolin pickers. His warm mountain baritone croons this 1951 Hank Williams oldie with ease, and his dazzling fingers do the rest of the work. The track is new this month on the bluegrass chart. It comes from his CD Here to Stay.

KRISTIN SCOTT BENSON AND CLAIRE LYNCH/When Fall Comes to New England
Writer: Cheryl Wheeler; Publisher: Penrod And Higgins/Amachrist, ASCAP; Producer: Kristin Scott Benson; Mountain Home
-Benson is the banjo player in The Grascals. On her solo CD, Stringworks, you’ll find this lilting little slice of paradise. The divine Claire Lynch sings lead while the banjo wizard conjures her instrumental magic. Lynch, by the way, has her own new CD, North By South. More on that in another column.

 

VOLUME FIVE/I Am A Drifter
Writers: Donna Ulisse/Marc Rossi; Publisher: Uncle Hadley/Marc My Words, ASCAP; Producer: Volume Five & Aaron Ramsey; Mountain Fever
-These relative newcomers have entered the bluegrass top-10 with this wandering-boy song. They sound like they have it all going on — a yearning, melancholy, soulful lead singer backed with the silvery fiddle of a crack, five-piece acoustic ensemble. Stardom awaits these guys.

JERRY SALLEY/All Dressed Up
Writers: Jerry Salley/Dianne Wilkinson; Publisher: Den What/Christian Taylor, SESAC/BMI; Producer: Jerry Salley; Very Jerry (track)
-Singer-songwriter Jerry Salley has issued his first bluegrass-gospel CD, Gospel From My Grassroots. It contains his heart-in-throat performance of this cowritten tale of a simple man who is headed for Heaven. Joe Mullins & The Radio Ramblers won an IBMA Award last fall for their version of the song. For extra treats on Jerry’s collection, check out the triple harmonizing on Jerry’s rousing “Mountain View Missionary Baptist Church,” Steven Curtis Chapman’s guest turn on their cowritten classic “His Strength Is Perfect,” bluegrass queen Dale Ann Bradley’s gossamer voice on “Send the Angels Down” and the thrilling, gospel-quartet tune “The Cross on the Right.”

DISClaimer: Three Promising Newcomers Earn DISCovery Honor

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Pictured (clockwise from top left): Ben McPeak, Dylan Jakobsen, Midland

Pictured (clockwise from top left): Ben McPeak, Dylan Jakobsen, Midland

Happy New Year.

We’re starting 2017 the right way in DISClaimer, by showcasing artists who are new and promising. In a first for this column, we have a three-way tie for the DisCovery Award. Let me direct your attention to one of the most solid singers I’ve heard in a while, Ben McPeak. Next pay heed to a trio of hunks called Midland. Then lend the edgy Dylan Jakobsen your ears. All three are fine, fine listening experiences.

One theme of the day seemed to be weird band names — Australia’s Tornadoes, The Runaway Hamsters, The Easy Leaves — and that’s the most interesting thing about all three.

The Disc of the Day goes to veteran Billy Hardwick Jr. His “The Day Merle Haggard Died” is as country as it gets.

THE EASY LEAVES/Fresno
Writers: Sage Fifield; Producer: Brad Dollar; Publisher: none listed; Omega (track)
-The tempo slogs through sludge. The echo chamber is ten miles deep. The vocals are hillbilly nasal and way pitchy. It says here that it was recorded live.

BILLY HARDWICK JR./The Day Merle Haggard Died
Writers: Billy Hardwick Jr.; Publisher: Rusty Washboard, BMI; Producer: none listed
-Country to the core. It name-checks the Hag’s song titles as it tells the tale of a performer who yearns to be just like his idol. This veteran has always been considered “too country.” Which is fine with me.

THE RUNAWAY HAMSTERS/A Little Country
Writers: The Runaway Hamsters/Kent Wells; Producer: Kent Wells; Publisher: Way West/Creek Valley, BMI/ASCAP
– This acts consists of three sisters and a brother, all of whom are pre-teen. They sound exactly like little kids playing dress-up. Bouncy and bubblegummy.

MIDLAND/Drinkin’ Problem
Writers: Jess Carson/Cameron Duddy/Mark Wystrach/Shane McAnally/Josh Osborne; Producer: Shane McAnally, Dann Huff & Josh Osborne; Publisher: WB/Jess Carson/Warner-Tamerlane/Vaqueros Galacticos/Tropical Cowboy/Smack Hits/Kobalt/Songs of Black River/One Little Indian Creek, ASCAP/BMI/GMR; Big Machine 
-Airy and vaguely “western” sounding, with plenty of breezy steel and lightly twanging guitar work. Nicely understated vocal work on the gentle melody. Extremely promising.

 

GARY WEST/Right
Writer: Wynn Varble; Producer: Gary West; Publisher: none listed
-West’s new CD is a salute to The Man in Black, titled For the Love of Cash Volume 2. He offers his own take on standards like “Ring of Fire,” “Understand Your Man” and “Sunday Morning Coming Down,” mixed in with new tunes. This witty, tongue-in-cheek ditty is a catchy toe tapper with stuttering guitar and rumbled, Cash-like vocals. Also check out the equally catchy “I Ain’t Playin’ No Jason Aldean.”

JOSEPH WELZ/Save The Night
Writers: Joey Welz; Producer: Joey Welz; Publisher: Ursula, BMI
-His whispered vocal wobbles from note to note, seldom landing accurately. The cheesy, piano-and-saxophone production is a riot.

THE HAMMOND BROTHERS/Let It Rain On Me
Writers: Dale & Gale Hammond; Producers: Dale & Gale Hammond; Publishers: Vonger, no performance rights listed; Vonger (CDX)
– Pleasant and inoffensive, featuring good sibling harmony vocals. But I don’t know that I’d play it more than just this once.

AUSTRALIA’S TORNADOES/Cowboy For A Night
Writer: Darrell T. Ewing; Producers: Hillbilly Rick, Dave Goodger, Mark Borg; Publishers: none listed; BMI; HR (CDX)
– Basic neo rockabilly, with a rollicking piano, a honking sax and a jitterbug beat. There’s nothing special about the singing, but it gets the job done.

 

DYLAN JAKOBSEN/Silverado
Writer: Dylan Jakobsen; Producer: Dylan Jakobsen; Publishers: none listed, BMI; CB (CDX)
– I like the rasp in his voice and the powerful rhythm track. The lonesome lyric is sweet, too. This is very, very cool sounding. Who are you? Send more.

BEN McPEAK/Fix You Up
Writers: Hayslip/Wiseman/Akins; Producer: Billy Decker; Publisher: none listed; BMM (CDX)
– He’s gonna cure her heartache with a night on the town, followed by some smooching in the car. He sings with plenty of chesty oomph, and the track rocks nicely. Well done.

DISClaimer: Brothers Osborne Close Out 2016 With A Righteous Stomper

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brothers-osborne

Some of country’s top stars are closing out the year in style.

Kenny Chesney, Little Big Town and Brothers Osborne are offering choice new singles to see us into 2017. Our endearing new choice as CMA Duo of the Year leads the way. Give a Disc of the Day honor to Brothers Osborne. But don’t overlook LBT and its Taylor Swift-penned song jewel.

Call it a tie for the DisCovery Award between a gal and a guy, namely Tenille Arts and AJ Hobbs.

THOMAS MICHAEL RILEY/Between The Tick n’ the Tock
Writer: Thomas Michael Riley; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; TMR
– The melody is pretty basic, with a ding-dong, nursery-rhyme quality. The production is fairly minimal, and his voice is just average. But there’s a certain sincerity here that I found appealing.

BROTHERS OSBORNE/It Ain’t My Fault
Writers: John Osborne/TJ Osborne/Lee Thomas Miller; Producer: Jay Joyce; Publishers: WB/Trampy McCauley/All the Kings Pens/Songstein/Warner-Tamerlane/The Country and Western Music, ASCAP/BMI; EMI (track)
– This righteous stomper features snarling electric guitar and a striking “outlaw” vocal on a very cool, torrent-of-words lyric. The stark, “ah” interjections are as ear catching as the chanted background singing. Play this all the dang time.

SAM BROOKER/Stay
Writers: Brent Anderson/Sam Brooker; Producers: Jamie Tate; Publishers: Sea Gayle/Artist Revolution, no performance rights listed; SB
– Softly plaintive and aching. His soft tenor swims in a pool of chiming guitars, gentle percussion, hushed harmonies and ringing sonic touches. Enchanting. We first encountered Sam several years ago in the pop duo Sam & Ruby. Since then, he has tasted success as the publisher of “Cruise” and other top tunes. As this illustrates, his skills as a writer-artist remain potent.

SHANE OWENS/All The Beer In Alabama
Writers: Shane Owens/Dan Murph/Phillip Douglas; Producer: James Stroud; Publishers: Oxi Rock/231 South/Sixteen Stars/Curb, SESAC/BMI/ASCAP; AmeriMontie (track)
-This guy continues to impress. This honky-tonk ballad gives him plenty of room to showcase his bent-note phrasing and expressive lyric skills. This is real country music, the way it’s meant to be sung.

AJ HOBBS/Too Much Is Never Enough
Writer: AJ Hobbs; Producers: Ted Russell Kamp/AJ Hobbs; Publishers: Tee Hobbs, ASCAP; Booker (track)
– The title tune of this fellow’s CD is a rockabilly rave-up that puts pedal to the metal and never lets up for one second. Need tempo on your playlist? Look no further than this barrelhouse romp.

KENNY CHESNEY/Bar at the End of the World
Writers: J.T. Harding/Aimee Mayo/David Lee Murphy; Producers: Buddy Cannon/Kenny Chesney; Publishers: Songs Music/Mighty Seven/Heavy Metal Disco/Songs of SMP/Warner-Tamerlane/The Queen of Dot Dot Dot/Old Desperados/N2D/Carol Vincent, ASCAP/BMI; Columbia/Blue
– Kenny’s inviting you to take a toe-tapping tropical journey. I’d go if I were you.

MIGHTY ORQ/The Possum Song
Writer: J. Davidson; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed, BMI; ORQ
– It turns out that it really is about a nocturnal marsupial. With a bluesy backing track, no less.

LITTLE BIG TOWN/Better Man
Writers: Taylor Swift; Producer: Jay Joyce; Publishers: none listed; Capitol (CDX)
– I am a hopeless fan of this foursome. Karen’s lead vocal on this dreamy track is extraordinarily intimate. When the other three join her on the choruses, it’s audio heaven. Close your eyes and let this fabulous production wash over you.

TENILLE ARTS/Wildfire and Whiskey
Writers: Tenille Arts/Jason Massey; Producers: Matt Rovey/Adam Wheeler; Publishers: Oven/Ole Red Cape/Apartment Studio, BMI/ASCAP; 19th & Grand
– She is a Canadian writer-artist with a winsome, piercing delivery. The song is a lightly rocking, ridiculously catchy, brightly shining gem about falling head over heels. Promising in the extreme.

REX ALLEN JR.
Writer: Greenback Dollar; Producer: Rex Allen Jr.; Publishers: none listed; BPR (track)
-Rex is usually a cowboy singer, but Garage Songs: The Folk Years salutes his background as a ‘60s folkie. His warm baritone takes on “Tom Dooley,” “Blowin’ in the Wind,” “Where Have All the Flowers Gone,” “Don’t Think Twice” and other fare such as that. The collection leads with a steady, solid rendition of this rounder’s anthem.

DisClaimer: John Oates & The Time Jumpers Are Swingin’ The Season

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john-oates-time-jumpers

Last week, we explored the raft of new Nashville holiday albums, so this week we’re listening to some of the shorter gifts.

So thank you, again, to Chris Young, Amy Grant, Jennifer Nettles and Kacey Musgraves for the finest Christmas collections of 2016. Only two of today’s discs are full albums, the ones by Neil Diamond and Jenny & Tyler. The second one was a completely unexpected delight and wins this week’s DisCovery Award.

As for the singles, I am giving the Disc of the Day prize to John Oates & The Time Jumpers. They are swingin’ the season.

NEWSONG/The Christmas Shoes
Writer: Leonard Ahlstrom/Eddie Carswell; Producer: Leondard Ahlstrom; Publisher: WB/Jerry’s Haven/Sony-ATV, BMI; HHM (CDX) (newsongonline.com)
—This CCM group will melt your heart with this outing. A little boy is trying to buy his dying mom a pair of shoes so she can meet Jesus in them when she passes away on Christmas eve. Written in teardrops and sung with soul.

ROBBIE ROBINSON/Carolina Christmas
Writer: Robbie Robertson; Producer: Mark Prentice, Doug Wayne Holmquist & Robbie Robinson; Publisher: Greater Influence, BMI; GIM (CDX)
—The song is okay, but this guy sounds as vocally weak as a newborn reindeer.

OLIVIA LANE/Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree
Writer: Johnny Marks; Producer: Ilya Toshinsky; Publisher: St. Nicholas, no performance rights listed; Big Spark (CDX) (olivialane.com)
—This doesn’t rock with as much verve and personality as Brenda Lee’s original, but Lane is a strong vocalist with plenty of confidence, and Toshinsky’s production is flawless. Recommended.

NEIL DIAMOND/Christmas Prayers
Writer: Neil Diamond; Producer: Don Was & Jacknife Lee; Publisher: Diamondsongs/Universal Tunes, SESAC; Capitol (track)
—Diamond’s yuletide offering is titled Acoustic Christmas. Among the musicians are such longtime Nashville favorites as Richard Bennett and Matt Rollings. Seven of the tunes are public-domain standards given new arrangements by the star. Four are lesser-known holiday tunes written by others (including Leadbelly and The Weavers). And then there are his own two newly-penned numbers, “#1 Record for Christmas” and this ballad for loved ones who have passed away, but left cherished memories behind. Tender and sentimental.

The DisCovery Award goes to Jenny & Tyler.

The DisCovery Award goes to Jenny & Tyler.

JENNY & TYLER/Christmastime
Writer: Tyler Somers/Trent Monk/Jenny Somers; Producer: Ben Shive; Publisher: Residence/One Eyed Cat/Trent Monk Wholelotaracket, BMI/ASCAP; Residence (track) (jennyandtyler.com)
—This Nashville Americana duo’s CD is titled Christmas Stories. It leads off with this gently swaying ditty that’s infused with nostalgic holiday images. His slightly raspy voice has fireside warmth, and her wafting soprano is as soft as a snowflake. This collection is definitely the discovery of the season. Whether taking on standards like “Winter Wonderland” and “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” or offering originals like this and the piano instrumental “Gloria Immanuel” they are a sonic delight. And you have probably never heard more inventive arrangements of “O Holy Night” and “Handel’s Messiah” in your life.

JOHN OATES & THE TIME JUMPERS/Santa Be Good to Me
Writer: John Oates/Josh Charles/Steven Davis/Alissa Moreno; Producer: John Oates & David Kalmusky; Publisher: Oates Shul/Painted Desert/Nolanyc/Streams of Gold/First Second, BMI/ASCAP; Elektra
—This gets major bonus points for coming to us via a green-vinyl 45 r.p.m. single. With The Time Jumpers on board, you know it has to have the most delightful swing groove. The jazziest yule tune of the year.

RAY STEVENS/Mary and Joseph and the Baby and Me
Writer: Jeff Bates/John Ritter; Producer: Ray Stevens; Publisher: Melrose Nashville/Landa/Lutz, BMI; CabaRay (CDX) (raystevens.com)
—With a light Bo Diddley beat, groovy retro backup singers and synth strings backing him, Ray offers a very cute new Christmas tune, sung from the point of view of the donkey. Stay tuned for the mid-song braying and bop right along. Super enjoyable.

THE RICK CAVENDER BAND/Christmas Time Again
Writer: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; RCB
—Melodic and eminently listenable, with a confident, pop lead vocal, solid acoustic guitar work and a piano solo.

CYNDI LAUPER & ALISON KRAUSS/Hard Candy Christmas
Writer: Carol Hall; Producer: Tony Brown & Cyndi Lauper; Publisher: Daniel/Otay/Universal, ASCAP; Sire (track)
—I love the sad holiday songs, and this one’s one of the saddest. It has that smiling- through-tears quality that is so heart tugging. Krauss takes the second verse with a breathy whisper and shadows Lauper in perfect soprano harmony elsewhere. A lovely job on a lovely tune.

ROBBY JOHNSON/Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer
Writer: Johnny Marks; Producer: James Stroud; Publisher: none listed; Contrast Music (track) (robby-johnson.com)
—This is a lively, rocked-up version of this standard. Johnson has a solidly country delivery and the chorus folks shouting along sound like they’re really excited.

DISClaimer: Have Yourself A Merry, Music-Filled Christmas

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It’s beginning to look a lot like you-know-what.

And so, on this day, I am crowning Nashville’s king and queen of Christmas 2016. They are Chris Young and Jennifer Nettles, who have this year’s finest new Music Row holiday albums. They sing their faces off on It Must Be Christmas and To Celebrate Christmas, respectively. Buy them both, and your tree trimming party will be a smash.

Those two share the Disc of the Day award. Because we have no newcomers here, there is no DisCovery Award this week.

TRISHA YEARWOOD/Santa Baby
Writers: Joan Javits/Tony Springer/Phil Springer; Producer: Mark Miller; Publishers: Tamir (ASCAP); Pearl (track)
– Christmas Together is the first duet album by Garth and Trisha. It is a Target exclusive. While he has his moments on it (”Ugly Christmas Sweater”), her solo performances steal the show. She brings just the right kittenish, mercenary purr to this perennially entertaining delight. “Hard Candy Christmas” and “What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve” are also Trisha standouts. He has a duet with James Taylor on a Thanksgiving tune.

KACEY MUSGRAVES/Mele Kalikimaka
Writer: R. Alex Anderson; Producers: Kacey Musgraves, Misa Arriaga & Kyle Ryan; Publishers: none listed; Mercury (track)
– A Very Kacey Christmas is a blast from start to finish. Where else can you find cha-cha, reggae, western-swing and Hawaiian arrangements on one holiday collection? Her star collaborators include Leon Bridges (”Present Without a Bow”), Willie Nelson (the weed-themed “A Willie Nice Christmas”) and, most notably The Quebe Sisters on this Hawaiian tune as well as on “Let It Snow.” Heartily recommended.

BRETT ELDREDGE & MEGHAN TRAINOR/Baby It’s Cold Outside
Writers: Frank Loesser; Producers: Jay Newland/Rob Mounsey; Publisher: Frank, ASCAP; Warner Bros.
– Brett went to New York to record his Glow holiday collection, which is full of brassy, old-school pop charts. His imitation of Harry Connick Jr. is spot-on in the vocal department. So if that’s what you’re looking for this season, climb aboard. But if you are seeking a country Christmas album by a country singer, this is not it. Also, he and Trainor both lack the wit and wink that should be in this performance.

REBA/Winter Wonderland
Writers: Felix Bernard/Richard Smith; Producers: Reba/Doug Sizemore; Publishers: WB, ASCAP; Nash Icon (track)
– Reba’s My Kind of Christmas is a Cracker Barrel exclusive. This collection throws you a bit of a curve ball. There is no band. It is just a singer and a pianist. And, surprise, it works. When the singer is as ornamented as Reba and the piano player is as creative and inventive as Catherine Marx, you enjoy every note. It starts with this standard and adds 10 more very, very familiar tunes.

CHRIS YOUNG & ALAN JACKSON/There’s a New Kid in Town
Writers: Don Cook/Curly Putman/Keith Whitley; Producers: Corey Crowder/Chris Young; Publishers: none listed, ASCAP/BMI; RCA (track)
– Chris’s It Must Be Christmas is THE essential holiday country collection to own this year. Boyz II Men join him on “Silent Night.” Brad Paisley duets on “The First Noel.” Alan Jackson is his partner on this modern Nashville Christmas classic, which I never tire of hearing. Other stunners include a fantastic new seasonal song called “Under the Weather” and a ferociously rocking treatment of “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home).” This man is a singer’s singer, and you need this music in your life. What a gift.

JENNIFER NETTLES & IDINIA MENZEL/Little Drummer Boy
Writers: Katharine K. Davis/Henry Onorati/Harry Simeone; Producer: Julian Raymond; Publishers: EMI/International Korwin/EMI Mills/Sony-ATV; Big Machine (track)
– Jennifer’s To Celebrate Christmas is a triumph. This lady inhabits the holiday repertoire like few others can. She totally rocks “Go Tell It On the Mountain,” offers a completely unexpected delight with “Celebrate Me Home” and brings fellow vocal goddess Andra Day along with her on “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen.” Whether it’s “Do You Hear What I Hear,” “Circle of Love” or “Count Your Blessings Instead of Sheep,” these are performances that will pin your ears back. She doesn’t really have the pipes for “O Holy Night,” but more than makes up for that misstep via this collaboration with Idina Menzel. It is, simply, the best version of this standard ever.

RASCAL FLATTS/Deck The Halls
Writers: traditional; Producers: Jay DeMarcus/Rascal Flatts; Publisher: public domain; Big Machine (track)
– I’m all for creative arrangements. But here and in several other places on the CD The Greatest Gift of All, the group takes leave of traditional melody and goes off into aural parts unknown. At a slender 10 tracks, this is the briefest of this year’s Nashville holiday offerings.

AMY GRANT/Tennessee Christmas
Writers: none listed; Producers: none listed; Publishers: none listed; Capitol CMG
– Judging by my informal survey of local retailers, Amy’s new Christmas album is the hit of the season. It seems to be sold out everywhere and is hard to find. With reason: Tennessee Christmas is a lovely record. The arrangements twinkle like holiday lights. Her vocals are luminous. The repertoire is a wintery wonderland. One nice touch is the fact that she interjects spoken-word passages about her fondest holiday memories.

SELAH/Rose of Bethlehem
Writers: Lowell Alexander; Producers: Jason Kyle Saetveit, Todd Smith, Allan Hall & Nicol Sponberg; Publishers: Birdwing/EMI, ASCAP; Curb (track)
– File this one under “arty.” Selah is a CCM vocal trio with a penchant for elaborately arranged performances. No one is a hair-raising singer, but when they combine their voices, magic happens. Dolly Parton guests on her own tune “Once Upon a Christmas,” pop singer Plumb drops by for “Mary Sweet Mary” and the Annie Moses Band appears on a medley. This title tune is typical of the CD’s tone. The record gets bonus points for being dominated by newer songs, rather than standards. It is also l-o-n-n-n-ng, at 15 tracks.

LORETTA LYNN/White Christmas Blue
Writers: Lynn/Shawn Camp; Producers: Patsy Lynn Russell/John Carter Cash; Publishers: Sure Fire/Scamporee/International Dog, BMI; Legacy (track)
– Loretta Lynn and Shawn Camp win the award for the best new country Christmas song of 2016, and he harmonizes with the legend on its catchy choruses. It is the title tune and standout track of her new LP, which is available on vinyl. The other groovy tunes are her self-penned “To Heck With Old Santa Claus” and “Country Christmas.” But both of these were on her 1966 Christmas album, as were “Blue Christmas,” “Away in a Manger” and “Frosty the Snowman,” all of which are reprised here. More original material would have helped this project, since my thoughts drifted when she sang overly familiar standards. One other highlight is her reading of Clement Moore’s classic 1822 poem “Twas the Night Before Christmas.”

DISClaimer: Drake White, Miranda Lambert Tie In Battle Of The Sexes

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Drake White Spark

Today, it’s the battle of the sexes.

We have ties in both of our award categories between guys and gals. For the Disc of the Day, it’s a dead heat between Drake White and Miranda Lambert. For the DisCovery Award, it’s Texan Bret Mullins versus Georgia peach Angie Lynn Carter.

Play them all.

ANGIE LYNN CARTER/Love You That Way
Writers: Angie Lynn Carter/Ryder Sanders; Producers: Jeff Tomei & Ryder Sanders; Publishers: none listed; Crucial (track)
– She has an attractive, throaty vocal quality. The title tune of her CD is a stately, languidly paced lament of lost love. The lead guitarist answers her phrasing eloquently. This lady has the goods. Listen and believe.

AARON WATSON/Outta Style
Writer: Aaron Watson; Producers: Marshall Altman/Aaron Watson; Publisher: Tunes From HTK, BMI; Big
-I have always liked this d.i.y. troubadour. His long, successful career gets another goose via this upbeat, romantic toe tapper. As always, he sings with assurance and writes like a total pro. Go, man, go.

MARK McHENRY/I’ll Bring The Beer
Writer: Mark McKinney; Producers: Chris Gill/Gaven Shea; Publishers: none listed; 3 Chords
– He shows promise as a budding songwriter. Vocally, he is just barely on pitch. The session musicians should be ashamed of themselves.

MIRANDA LAMBERT/We Should Be Friends
Writer: Miranda Lambert; Producers: Frank Liddell/Glenn Worf/Eric Masse; Publisher: Sony-ATV Tree/Pink Dog, BMI; RCA (track)
– Ordinarily, I am leery of double albums. They are usually padded and could easily be edited down to normal length. But Miranda’s The Weight of These Wings is the exception. To put it plainly, it is a stunning achievement, packed with one cool song after another. This second single from it is a wonderfully written, wry commentary on her quirky character. The grunge-y production is just right.

 

BRET MULLINS/Long Live
Writer: Andrew Dorff; Producers: Michael and Ron Morales; Publishers: none listed; BM (track)
– His smooth, Texas-accented baritone flows easily over this ode to country values. He’s an award winner in his native Lone Star State, and I can sure hear why. Country music, the way it is meant to be performed.

DRAKE WHITE/ Makin’ Me Look Good Again
Writers: Drake White/Monty Criswell/Shane Minor; Producers: Ross Copperman/Jeremy Stover; Publishers: EMI April/Reverend Jack/Sony-ATV Tree/Dixey Bar/Code Six Charles. ASCAP/BMI; Dot (track)
– I remain an enormous fan. This time around, he applies his ultra soulful voice to a love ballad that will melt the heart of every woman who hears it. Face it, this guy is a hoss.

RICK CAVENDER/Renegade Fire
Writers: Rick Cavender; Producer: Bobby Flores; Publisher: Ring Planet, BMI; RC (track)
-Mexicali trumpets flavor this uptempo ditty. He’s not the strongest singer I’ve ever heard, but he gets through it, thanks to the propelling arrangement.

PHIL VASSAR/American Soul
Writers: none listed; Producers: Phil Vassar/Jeffrey Smith; Publishers: none listed; American Soul
– I love this guy. Throbbing energy infuses this celebration of American pop culture. Phil invests everything he performs with intensity and fire. Well worth your spins.

 

 

MARK McKINNEY/Bridge
Writer: Mark McKinney; Producers: Eric McKinney/Mark McKinney; Publisher: none listed; MM
– He points his finger at his ex, pointedly telling her to, “quit throwing matches on that bridge we burned.” You see, she’s so melodramatic, she turns an ordinary rainy day into a hurricane. Exceptionally well written and performed with drawling conviction.

TWYLA FOREMAN/Sunday Kind of Love
Writers: Anita Nye/Barbara Belle/Louis Prima/Stanley Rhodes; Producer: Bobby Flores; Publishers: nonen listed; TF (track)
– She phrases like a classic big-band singer, sticking to the melody but embellishing just enough to give the standard a little jazz spin. The understated production is perfect.

DISClaimer: Songwriters’ Round

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Troy Cartwright

Troy Cartwright

Songwriters and artists take a bow in this week’s DISClaimer reviews, with offerings from Rich Price, Jordan Rager, Hoyt Hughes, Bobby Tomberlin, Justin Peters, and more.

RICH PRICE/There’s A Table
Writers: Richard Price; Producer: Tom Pick, Harrison Tyner; Publishers: HTI, ASCAP; Adonda (track)
– It has a pleasant “retro” quality with a gut-string guitar, an aging-cowboy lead vocal and The Jordanaires harmonizing softly in the background. But the song has a simplistic, nursery-rhyme melody that drags the whole thing down.

JORDAN RAGER/Now That I Know Your Name
Writers: Jeremy Stover/Jason Gantt/Chris Janson; Producer: Jeremy Stover; Publishers: Ole Red Cape/Real Big Red/Sony-ATV Tree/Songs of Red Bandana/Red Vinyl/Words & Music/Big Red Deal, ASCAP/BMI; Broken Bow (track)
– He tries every hillbilly pickup line in the book. But a rube is a rube.

TROY CARTWRIGHT/Busted
Writers: none listed; Producers: Rob Baird/Brian Douglas Phillips; Publishers: none listed; Foolish Kings/Hard Luck (track)
– This former DisCovery Award winner continues to show enormous promise on his new single. His charismatic singing voice is loaded with heart, and you can’t beat the perfectly-mixed production. Having a broken heart has seldom sounded better. Somebody make this kid a star.

WILLIAM MICHAEL MORGAN/Missing
Writers: Rhett Akins/Marv Green; Producer: Jimmy Ritchey/Scott Hendricks; Producers: Jimmy Ritchey/Scott Hendricks; Publishers:EMI Blackwood/Warner-Tamerlane/The Good The Bad The Ugly, BMI; Warner Bros.
– Morgan shot out of the gate with a super hit, “I Met a Girl.” Now he’s out to show that it was no fluke. This lilting toe tapper has a jaunty mood as it extolls the virtues of dropping out of the rat race. Easy going, tuneful, solidly sung and immediately charming.

 

THE STRAY BIRDS/Third Day In A Row
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed; Yep Roc (track)
– Nicely done. The lead singer has just the right touch of drawl. The band is tight. The harmonies are engaging. The rolling rhythm is as relaxing as a hammock.

BOBBY TOMBERLIN/The Grand Ole Opry
Writers: J. P. Williams/Bobby Tomberlin; Producer: Bobby Tomberlin; Publishers: none listed; Curb Publishing
– Singer-songwriter Tomberlin has a dandy version of the Diamond Rio hit he wrote, “One More Day,” on his new Out of Road CD. But what is arguably the most striking song on the collection is this tale whose central character is a legendary radio show, singing in the first person. Vince Gill and Bill Anderson are guest vocalists. Elsewhere on the CD are such other guests as Mo Pitney, Sylvia, Bobby Bare and Linda Davis. Throughout this collection, Tomberlin stakes his claim as a major, major recording artist, as well as a superior songsmith.

BOBBY MARQUEZ/She’s Not From Texas
Writers: Karen Staley/Anita Cochran; Producers: Gerald Smith/Bobby Marquez; Publisher: none listed; Grande Star
– I have always liked this guy for his devoted commitment to Lonestar State sounds. This western swinger is as refreshing as a springtime prairie breeze.

HOYT HUGHES/Let It Rain
Writers: Hoyt Hughes/Ray Barnette; Producer: Kevin Savigar; Publishers: none listed; Cowboy (track)
– The airy production leaves plenty of space for him to gently phrase his saga of heartbreak and renewed love, but then steps to the forefront in mid song with an extended guitar workout. Ear catching.

 

WENDY JAGER/Run
Writers: Emma Kincaid; Producer: Jack Gale; Publishers: Speegra Music London, no performance rights listed; Playback (CDX)
– Our lone female of the day should have kept her bags packed and traveled on by. Her vocal performance is woefully flat.

JUSTIN PETERS/Then I’ll Be Over You
Writers: Ben Peters; Producer: Justin Peters; Publishers: Shelby Singleton, BMI; Platinum Planet
– A few weeks ago, I mentioned the trend of the children of country songwriters becoming artists (Thomas Rhett, Levi Hummon, Hillary Scott, Tucker Beathard, Ashley Campbell, Ryan Follese, Aubrie Sellers). Add another name to that list. The late Nashville Songwriters Hall of Famer Ben Peters has a son who handles a lushly produced heartache ballad like a seasoned pro. A terrific performance of a classic sounding song.

DISClaimer: Brad Paisley’s Heart-Tugging “Today” Rises Above

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Considering how good last week’s award show was, I was hoping the country genre would stage a stronger artistic showing this week.

Instead, there is quite a bit of well-polished mediocrity on tap. About half of these singles are routine and/or ordinary.

There are some bright spots, however. Our Disc of the Day belongs to the always reliable Brad Paisley, who is heart-tugging and thoughtful this time around with “Today.” He premiered it on the telecast, and it still sounds good to me.

It’s always a good thing when there are lots of newcomers around. So many, in fact, that I am dividing the DisCovery Award into thirds. The female winner is Kris Bradley. The male prize goes to Brian Milson. And today’s finest newcomer group is the daughter-mother duo I Am.

DONOVAN WOODS/They Don’t Make Anything In That Town
Writers: Donovan Woods; Producer: James Buntin; Publisher: none listed, SOCAN; Meant Well (track)
– This downbeat, piano-and-strings ballad echoes rural desolation and hopelessness. Very, very slow and very, very sad.

THOMAS RHETT/Star of the Show
Writers: Thomas Rhett/Rhett Akins/Ben Hayslip; Producers; Joe London, Julian Bunetta, Thomas Rhett; Publishers: EMI Blackwood/Cricket on the Line/Brooks County Boy/Sony=ATV/Thankful For This/WB, ASCAP; Valory Music
– Rolling and relaxing. She’s a babe, but doesn’t know it. Fortunately, he’s completely smitten and is all too aware. It’s not exactly what you’d call unforgettable, but it goes down smoothly.

THE BAND STEELE/Tan Lines
Writers: Bo Chandler Steele/Benjamin Burton Rubino; Producer: Bob Burrell/Stacy Stavola; Publishers: FMRG/Kadence Faith/B Rubino, BMI; Fire River (CDX)
– Summer love, bro-country style.

CAM/Half Broke Heart
Writers: Cameron Oches/Luke Laird/Tyler Johnson; Producers: Jeff Bhasker, Luke Laird, Tyler Johnson; Publishers: Marvelous Oak/Songs of Universal/Creative Nation/One Year Yesterday/Creative Pulse/These Are Pulse, BMI; Arista/RCA (track)
– She remains a immense vocal charmer. The crunchy track, stacked harmonies and catchy tune are all just right. Plus, the lyric is a clever as all get out. Bop along, with a wink and a smile.

 

CRYSTAL DAY/Brave
Writers: Tanya Hancheroff/Catt Gravitt/Jerold O’Brian; Producer: Biff Watson; Publishers: none listed; CD
-She sings well, and the production supports her at every turn. The song seems wordy to me.

HUNTER HAYES/Yesterday’s Song
Writers: Hunter Hayes, Barry Dean, Martin Johnson; Producers: Dann Huff, Hunter Hayes; Publishers: Songs of Universal, Ogden Avenue Publishing, Creative Pulse Muisc, Pulse Nation, Be Barry Quiet; ASCAP/BMI; Warner Music Nashville (ERG)

– Rocking away a broken romance. He spits her out like a sour grape. The chorus voices shout along with, “OOoos and Wooooos and Nah-nah-nahs.”

KRIS BRADLEY/We Don’t Paint The Town
Writers: Kris Bradley/Daniel Schwarz; Producers: Daniel Schwarz, Kris Bradley & Jeff Zacharski; Publishers: none listed; KB (track)
– She has a juicy, pert delivery with a spicy attitude. Waking up the next morning remembering only that she had a heck of a time. The twangy, punchy track matches her saucy vocal. A winner.

BRAD PAISLEY/Today
Writers: Brad Paisley, Ashley Gorley and Chris DuBois; Producers: Brad Paisley, Luke Wooten; Publisher: New Sea Gayle Music/S.A.R.L./Songs of Southside Independent Music Publishing/Music of Windswept; ASCAP; Arista (ERG)
– Lost in love, reflective, poetic and pensive. Living in a moment of perfection. You’ll want to hold onto this feeling.

 

I AM/Strings
Writers: Anna Pearson; Producer: none listed; Publisher: NayeBird, BMI; IAM (track)
– Anna Pearson is a 16-year-old Nashville singer-songwriter who performs around town with her mom, LeNaye Pearson. Their CD features this solo performance about a street performer who makes it big. It is quite well written. I’d keep an eye (and an ear) on this extremely promising kid.

BRIAN MILSON/Gonna Be A Song Someday
Writers: John Ozier/Josh Dorr/Phil O’Donnell/Wade Kirby; Producer: Anthony Smith; Publisher: Ole Purple Cape/Horipro/Round Hill/Ole Red Cape, BMI/ASCAP; First Short Road
– His baritone is warm, robust and super confident. This is a strong, strong entry with a hooky chorus, a pumping production and an undeniable power. Well worth your spins.