Kristy Lee Cook Hooks Up With Arista Nashville; Single Due In August
- American Idol’s Kristy Lee Cook scored a record deal with 19 Recordings/Arista Nashville. Her first single, “15 Minutes of Shame,” will hit radio on August 11 and her full album is due out sometime this fall. Last month, in his article proclaiming country music as American Idol’s uncomfortable bedfellow, Matt predicted that she’d be signed to a major label deal. It’s yet to be seen whether American Idol will ask her back for a performance, thus making him a successful two-fer on predictions.
- Edward Morris has an excellent recap of the Country Music Hall of Fame induction ceremony, for The Statler Brothers and Tom. T. Hall, to go along with the Hall’s official press release.
- The title of greatest woman in country music, according to Country Universe, goes to the discernible Dolly Parton.
- Keith Urban released a greatest hits album last fall titled Keith Urban Greatest Hits: 18 Kids, where kids are a metaphor for songs. On August 19th, the album will be altered to read 19 Kids when”You Look Good In My Shirt” is added to the track listing. (read Ben’s review of the added song)
- Mike Severson on last night’s Nashville Star:
I do admit a couple of the contestants were fairly good and have potential, but there was only one future star on stage and that was Natalie Hemby.
No she’s not a finalist, but rather was the backup singer for Blake Shelton on his performance of “Home” last night.
- The Tennessean readers offer their own varied opinions about Nashville Star, with one reader calling it “a cringing embarrassment to Music City” and another declaring that “the good far outweighs the few negatives, and Nashville Star shines.”
- Sugarland will go on a 25-city tour to promote their newest album and they’ve invited Ashton Shepherd and Kellie Pickler to join them. Totally twangy.
- Craig Bickhardt takes a Robert Frost essay on poetry and applies the same principles to songwriting, even including examples.
- Over the past couple of months we’ve received several emails about Adam Gregory, so here’s his video for “Crazy Days.” Let us know what you think.
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Ashton Shepherd // Blake Shelton // Country Music Hall of Fame // Dolly Parton // Keith Urban // Kellie Pickler // Kristy Lee Cook // Nashville Star // Natalie Hemby // Sugarland // The Statler Brothers // Tom T. Hall
Current Discussion
- K: Carrie Underwood, Martina McBride, Rascal Flatts, Keith Urban, Miranda Lambert, Darius Rucker, and Little Big Town. I'd love to hear Carrie ...
- Rick: Ashley Monroe, Sunny Sweeney, Elizabeth Cook, Megan Mullins, The Wrights, Amber Dotson, Lane Turner, Amy Dalley, Susan Haynes, The Jenkins, ...
- Jo Jo: Brooks & Dunn, Carrie Underwood, Reba McEntire
- highwayman3: George Strait, Reba, and Lee Ann Womack, oh wait, that's already happening, too bad they aren't coming anywhere near driving ...
- Mayor JoBob: Or Alan Jackson, Rodney Crowell and Marty Stuart with guest appearance by Jimmy Buffett!
- JCH: Jamey Johnson, Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert. No idea where the heck that came from.
- Mayor JoBob: Brad Paisley, David Ball and Highway 101!!!!!!
- Noeller: Jamey Johnson, Randy Houser, Eric Church and Zac Brown Band. It's the Bearded Saviours of Country Tour - would ...
- Sparkles: OMG - have you seen this? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UYENOUcaAsM I LOVE DOLLY!!!!
- Ben Milam: On three alternating stages: the pogues mahone, steve earle, eric b. & rakim, the band, emmylou harris, the drive by ...
40 Comments
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July 1, 2008 at 10:30 am Permalink
Mainstream country hates me and is trying to drive me insane, right? That’s the only reason I can come up with as to why Katie Lee Cook got a contract.
July 1, 2008 at 10:40 am Permalink
Stormy, are you saying that too many “Cooks” spoil the stew?
July 1, 2008 at 10:44 am Permalink
No she got a contract because she’s easy on the eyes and can be “fixed” in the studio. You don’t have to be able to sing or entertain anymore. By 2011, all country singers will be former runway models and Jessica Simpson will be regarded as a traditionalist.
July 1, 2008 at 11:11 am Permalink
Jamie: I watch this show with its MSN group. My exact words she appeared in the tryouts were “that’s this years spaz singer. And I will lay you money that she will get passed off as country.”
Of course, my response to Kady Malloy covering Heart was “I like her, but I am going to stop liking her if they try to pass her off as country.”
Dammit, I hate it when I’m right.
July 1, 2008 at 11:21 am Permalink
I really like the Adam Gregory video and song.
July 1, 2008 at 11:33 am Permalink
I don’t know Stormy, it doesn’t get much countrier than this…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QP7QZnsF23A
Mike is spot on. She is easy on the eyes. {sigh} :-)
July 1, 2008 at 11:39 am Permalink
Adam’s newest video is amazing! I’ve been a fan of his since his first album came out and am truly thrilled with the success he has made for himself. I can’t wait for the new album!
July 1, 2008 at 11:52 am Permalink
By 2011, all country singers will be former runway models and Jessica Simpson will be regarded as a traditionalist.
don’t bring bad tidings on us by writing such things.
July 1, 2008 at 12:42 pm Permalink
Ugh. I despised Kristy Lee’s singing on American Idol. Singing with a twang does not a country singer make.
July 1, 2008 at 12:47 pm Permalink
Thanks for posting Adam Gregory’s video!! He’s an awesome new artist!
July 1, 2008 at 1:09 pm Permalink
Just an FYI: The Travis Tackett link to the Bluegrass Journal website is a reprint of the Hall of Fame’s official press release put out following Sunday’s induction ceremony event. He didn’t write a word of it, but he may not know he shouldn’t put his byline on a release like that. In this case, the release went out to everyone on the Hall of Fame’s press list.
———–
Editor’s note: Thanks M.C., I updated the wording to clear up the confusion.
July 1, 2008 at 1:31 pm Permalink
I usually avoid the “mainstream country sucks” mantra because it is redundant and over-generalizing, but mainstream country really does suck when due to a high profile reality show where she was pigeon-holed as country because she was from a rural area and exhibited loads of country stereotypes and now has a major label greasing the palms of programmers, THIS Cook will no doubt get plenty of airplay on country radio while Elizabeth Cook, a true and legitimate country artist, isn’t embraced.
Yuck. Much like the Nashville Star crowd, you could walk down Lower Broad at any given time of day and find ten better vocalists and performers. Just yuck.
July 1, 2008 at 1:39 pm Permalink
Much like the Nashville Star crowd, you could walk down Lower Broad at any given time of day and find ten better vocalists and performers.
And if you get a few blocks further away, you can find hundreds who outshine the ones on Lower Broad. Try Douglas Corner, 3rd & Lindsley, Station Inn, etc. And The Listening Room in Franklin.
July 1, 2008 at 1:45 pm Permalink
yes, you could walk down lower broadway and find ten better vocalists than the ‘talent’ on last night’s program. you could also walk outside, throw a rock in any direction, and hit better talent. :)
it was basically the nbc amateur hour, starring billy ray doofus and his band of patriotic oversingers. that last performance (’lauren and sophie’) was beyond horrible. it might have gotten them good comments at a county fair. MAYBE. but it was embarrassingly bad.
God help us. this is the best nashville can give us, apparently. all while truly talented people walk the streets in nashville begging the powers-that-be to give them a shot. and we’re stuck with lauren and sophie and coffey.
*head hits desk in complete and utter desperation*
July 1, 2008 at 1:52 pm Permalink
I love Adam Gregory’s new song! I’ve been a huge fan for years!
July 1, 2008 at 1:59 pm Permalink
If you’ve heard any of Kristy Lee’s ‘indie’ release (look on youtube), you’d know she’s not being forced into Country because of Idol ;)
July 1, 2008 at 3:03 pm Permalink
I have always been a devoted classic rock fan, but I must admit that Adam Gregory has made me reconsider my opinion of country music! I absolutely love Crazy Days!! I truly never thought I would be switching my radio over to country stations!!!!
Thanks for posting the video! I LOVE IT! Adam is obviously incredibly talented. After hearing the song and viewing the video, I searched the internet and ran across a few live radio interviews featuring Adam Gregory. Along with answering questions Adam always plays a song or two accoustically. That’s so impressive because as Mike Parker stated above (in reference to Kristy Lee Cook), you don’t have to be able to really sing these days because it can all be “fixed” in the studio! Adam has been blessed with an incredible amount of talent. Looking at his bio, he has obviously proven himself in Canada and now it’s his time to shine in the U.S. He has definitely worked hard for it and he deserves our support here in the States!
July 1, 2008 at 3:03 pm Permalink
Okay, I’ll cede you the point that she wasn’t forced into country. Do I still have to go and hear her youtube video? Because Idol didn’t force off pitch singing on her, either.
July 1, 2008 at 3:17 pm Permalink
Doing a cheap, pop cover of Blue doesn’t exactly make on country either.
July 1, 2008 at 3:38 pm Permalink
I disagree with Mike Severson about Natalie Hemby being the only potential star on the stage of Nashville Star! Megan Mullins is a real talent and now has Randy Owens in her corner at Broken Bow.
Its nice to see Ashton Shepherd invited along on the Sugarland tour so she’ll get exposure in cities where the country radio stations don’t play her music (like Los Angeles).
Country radio can only absorb so many blonde Barbie Doll types at a time. With Julianne Hough and Jessica Simpson recently joining the club there might not be room left for Kristy Lee on the playlist. It won’t be until these types of artists start crashing and burning at radio that the Nashville labels will lose interest…
Adam Gregory reminds me of a mix of Keith Urban, Jack Ingram, and James Otto among others, which make him perfectly suited to today’s Top 40 mainstream country scene if they let him into the playground.
July 1, 2008 at 4:10 pm Permalink
Hmmm…. played the Adam Gregory video, and I have to agree with Rick. He sounds exactly like three artist we already have in heavy rotation (or two in heavy rotation, and one who should be). I didn’t watch the video, but just listened, and I really wasn’t blown away. The vocal was good, the song was typical, and the overall feeling it left me with was… so what?
It’s every other song on the radio, re-mixed, re-recorded, and re-released. Can we get something original…? or at least something that bucks the trend? Can somebody tell me a story that draws a conclusion other than “I miss the good ole days?” No offense to the guy, he’s a talented vocalist, but there’s no meat left on this thematic bone.
July 1, 2008 at 4:13 pm Permalink
Mike, I’m with y’all on that. We’ve been inundated with emails about Adam Gregory and “Crazy Days” over the past couple of months and I’d like to give him a chance, but “Crazy Days” just hasn’t done it for me, so I’ve been holding out for more material.
July 1, 2008 at 5:07 pm Permalink
First: Adam Gregory. He is handsome. But as usual the pretty boy is not country. I think the lyrics are trite. Also the video is as shopworn as well. As a Catholic I have no problem with faith-but why does every new artist have to tell me in someway that he/she is a Christian. It is used so much it feels like a gimmick. “You will like me more if I show you I like Christ.” Is this guy just a failed gospel singer? I also think that is voice is the same old same old. Don’t Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan, Jake Owen, and Keith Anderson sound the same way? Does it matter to country radio?
As for Kristy Lee Cook- well hopefully her 15 minutes will end soon. I think she is a poor singer. No amount of CMT attention or Opry appearances will change that!
July 1, 2008 at 5:12 pm Permalink
Adam Gregory needs to do more to seperate himself from every other young, male artist coming out of Nashville these days.
The Keith Urban things is BS. Record companies continue to prove they only have themselves to blame for bad sales and continue to show how much they hate “true” fans.
July 1, 2008 at 5:59 pm Permalink
Honestly, y’all Gregory isn’t too bad. his First record was recorded when he was 14 (and released to much success in Canada). That being said, I can see the point of how some would think there’s homogenization going on because that’s what radio wants anyway. Familiarity, even if it means facelessness of some artists.
July 1, 2008 at 6:21 pm Permalink
Rick: Funny you mentioned Jack Ingram, I was about to ask if Adam Gregory hired himself the “Shiney Spankin’ New Ford Band.”
July 1, 2008 at 8:07 pm Permalink
Are all these new signings going to get me labeled as a neotraditionalist if I sing “Ice, Ice, Baby” on Broadway? I think so.
July 1, 2008 at 9:25 pm Permalink
I have been hearing the new Adam Gregory song “Crazy Days” a lot lately. I really love the song – it has a very unique vibe, contrary to what some have said – this new young artist has his own sound. It stands out from the rest, I always “hear” this song when it comes on the radio or when I am somewhere and it comes over the sound system (shopping, etc). He strikes me as “the real thing” and I predict that he just may be the next BIG thing in country music.
July 1, 2008 at 11:21 pm Permalink
Del, I’m totally with you on that one! I also believe Adam will be the next big thing. You should check out some more of his material, its all over YouTube and his myspace page and it rocks!
July 2, 2008 at 10:37 am Permalink
I’ve been a fan of Adam here in Canada for years. He puts on a fantastic live show and he’s a sweetheart when you get to meet him. I’m excited for his success in Nashville and I wish him all the best. I have his first three records and I can’t wait for his newest one.
July 2, 2008 at 10:58 am Permalink
You’ve got to be kidding me! Kristy didn’t even know she wanted to do country music until the judges told her that’s where she needed to be! She can’t even sing. Hopefully she won’t stay around long.
July 2, 2008 at 1:18 pm Permalink
Love the video by adam gregory. ”CRAZY DAYS” he is an amazing singer/songwriter and person! The new cd i think is going to be very good and if you havent listened or seen adams music/videos please take a moment to do so because it is so worht it, you wont regret it for sure ~
July 2, 2008 at 2:15 pm Permalink
I absolutely love Adam Gregory’s sound. I find it to be very different and refreshing. I am familiar with his music because of his releases in Canada. I think he will do very well.. Those of you not “getting it” now, I think you will catch on after you hear more. Not to mention, Adam is a great guy.. You can’t help but like him.
July 2, 2008 at 2:16 pm Permalink
I’m definitely surprised to hear people say Adam doesn’t “stand out” in the country music market. I’ve been behind him since I first heard his new single, which I agree, reminds me a lot of Keith Urban especially “Somebody Like You”. I also got to meet Adam at CMA fest, and for someone that’s been in the industry so long, he is the least-jaded sweetest guy. I don’t know many 22 year olds that are as talented as he is, let alone have his head on as straight as he does. I doubt he’d be writing with the kind of writers he is, and getting the kind of attention he is if he was “just like every other young country guy”. Either way, he’s got my vote :)
July 2, 2008 at 2:16 pm Permalink
I love the Adam Gregory Song and video.
The video is pretty fresh and has a really cool feel to it.
I cannot wait until the album comes out.
I wouldn’t hold out too much, he’s gonna be a BIG star!
July 2, 2008 at 2:19 pm Permalink
Pet peeve! Marie we GET Adam.
July 2, 2008 at 2:39 pm Permalink
I’m sure Adam is a good guy- as seems to be a theme developing here- and he does seem talented vocally. But attractive 22 year-old artists who release derivative songs don’t cut it for me. As a fan, I want a lyric that knocks me over- and Crazy Days didn’t even register at that level. I know it’s just a debut, but shouldn’t a debut showcase this guy as an artist, not as a sound-alike?
Compare this debut with the debut singles from established artists…
Diamond Rio – Meet in the Middle was like nothing else on the radio at the time
Montgomery Gentry – Hillbilly Shoes, nonsensical lyric but infectious and immediately identifiable
Clint Black and Mark Chesnutt – Killin’ Time and Too Cold At Home- songs so simple and so elegant that I could recite the lyrics after hearing them two or three times.
Toby Keith – Shoulda Been A Cowboy, completely original, polished country song with a memorable feel.
Aaron Tippin, Alan Jackson, Brad Paisley, hell… Billy Ray Cyrus… I never mistook them for somebody else…
I know that’s just a few examples, but I want the next big thing to come out swinging, not come out and have me wondering… oh is this the new song from (James Otto, Jack Ingram, John Michael Martin Murphy Montgomery Carroll)
I hope the guy proves me wrong- but just judging from “Crazy Days” I see nothing refreshing, different, ground-breaking about him.
July 2, 2008 at 4:59 pm Permalink
I’ve loved Adam’s song since the first time I saw the video! I knew he was the real deal when I saw him perform at CMA Music Fest!! I think he’s going to do really well in the near future!!
July 2, 2008 at 5:57 pm Permalink
Hey Mike, I’ve heard a few other tunes that are upcoming on Adam’s new album and they are amazing.
They’ve already made people cry. Good or bad comments about “Crazy Days” are good for Adam no matter how you feel about the debut single, everyone is talking about this kid. I think the song is energetic and memorable, despite not having a serious message, I don’t think that was the intention anyways. This song has people tapping their toes and singing along and you can’t ask for a lot more than that.
Keep up the good work Adam.
July 3, 2008 at 8:00 am Permalink
Sony BMG already signed Kristy Lee Cook once and dropped her. Guess they think being on American Idol remedied the fact she can’t sing, so they’ll give it another try? It’s a sad day in Nashville when the only way to get a record deal is to be on a reality show. I’m sick to my stomach thinking that one of the Nashville Star crew is going to get a deal. Not one of them would have made it in the door of a label without that show. It’s completely embarrassing to Music City.
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