Sara Evans Settles Suit; Jack Ingram Bests Taylor Swift; What’s Country?

Brody Vercher | July 17th, 2009 Email Share

Sara Evans‘ former nanny scored more than $500,000 in the settlement for a defamation suit she filed against the country singer in April 2007.
Kathy Mattea on the divide between traditional and pop influences in country music: (via GAC)

“This tension between a real traditional sound and pop music, it’s nothing new,” said Mattea. “We had Barbara Mandrell, Sylvia, Garth Brooks, Mary Chapin Carpenter… Lionel Richie had a country hit when I was doing my thing.”

Mattea says she admires many young country artists; Jamey Johnson is one. Brad Paisley is another.

“They give me a lot of hope,” she said.
And furthering that discussion, Chet Flippo tackles the topic of what’s country and what’s not in this week’s Nashville Skyline column.
Country Universe: What do you think are perfect examples of good artists gone bad?
CMT has new videos for Miranda Lambert’s song about deceased vegetation, or “Dead Flowers,” and David Nail’s “Red Light.”
In an interview with Steve LaBate, Todd Snider talks about his affinity for Britney Spears, Lindsay Lohan and pop culture in general, the inspiration behind a couple of songs on his latest CD, and a new book he’s working on titled Almost Everything I Say Is True.

And I’m actually gonna tell the stories, and then I’m going to tell what’s real and what’s not. I got this guy named Dennis Cook, and he writes about The Black Crowes all the time, and him and I are going to get together and pick the 10 longest, most-told stories [of mine], and get them typed out, and then I’m going to give him the phone numbers of all the people I mention. And I’m gonna say, “Now, go hear the real story, and then you can come back and hit me like a lawyer, and write about your experience.” I’m going to tell him where the bodies are buried. [laughs] I’m looking forward to that.
Random Tweet (@JackIngramMusic): Well- I did my part! I changed t-shirts 5 or 6 times during my set 2day…now that is some serious wardrobe! Beat that Taylor Swift!!!
My Kind of Country continued its coverage of John Anderson, the Spotlight Artist of the Month, with J.R. Journey’s review of All the People Are Talkin’, an album which found Anderson exploring the rock and roll sound he embraced for the rest of the ’80s.
Feeling a little nostalgic, Craig Shelburne shared several albums–ranging from Bobby Bare, Slaid Cleaves, David Allan Coe, Rodney Crowell and Fats Domino–that fit his mood.
Country Universe: If you were able to create your own super group who could make at least one album, who would be the members? What would you name the group?
Kenny Chesney talks about his core country audience and crossover appeal, pulling a Chris Gaines and producing Willie Nelson in an interview with Gibson. (via CMT Blog)
Listen, download and enjoy Jerry Jeff Walker’s acoustic performance of “Lovin’ Makes Livin’ Worthwhile” from Studio 1A.

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Rick
July 17, 2009 at 11:20 am Permalink

Opry Alert: Tonight’s Opry will include Rhonda Vincent, Daryle Singletary, Hal Ketchum, and Roy Clark along with the usual suspects. The Saturday Night Opry’s will include The Lovell Sisters.
Schedule: http://www.opry.com/TicketsAndInformation/ThisWeek.aspx

I have to go now, I’m busy preparing a resume to send to Sar Evans! (lol)
Mike Parker
July 17, 2009 at 3:00 pm Permalink

Can’t wait for the Snider book… that ought to be great.

Good Artists Gone Bad… there are so many ways to interpret that. I could argue that Steve Earle fits, I’d put Clint Black on the list, Mark Wills(though maybe he went from bad to worse)…
Ron
July 17, 2009 at 9:03 pm Permalink

Mike – I’m with you on Steve Earle. I’d argue that “Train a Comin’” through “Transcendental Blues” are as good a 5 consecutive releases as anyone. It’s been downhill from there. I really didn’t get the Townes thing. I didn’t think he added much. I’d rather listen to Townes do the songs. In addition, he’s probably the one who has advised Alison Moorer on her recent poor releases.
Stormy
July 17, 2009 at 10:09 pm Permalink

I don’t think country has anything that gone as bad as going from:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cEuuXxDp-gA
to
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DnW8k4O7mEU

Or
This:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s1t_OiSYma0
to
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SePx7TJoDJI
Steve Harvey
July 18, 2009 at 12:20 am Permalink

MY SUPERGROUP IDEA:

THE SYNCOPATORS

Gary Allan – Rhythm guitar and vocals
A strong rhythm player and one of the finest lead vocalists in the genre today.

Keith Urban – Lead guitar and vocals
A phenomenal lead guitarist who can play as much or little as is required, as well as being a fantastic singer.

Jim Lauderdale – Acoustic guitar and vocals
Lauderdale has played acoustic guitar backing up such luminaries as Elvis Costello and Lucinda Williams. Lauderdale is also a wonderful vocalist, with a distinctive vocal signature that blends beautifully with anyone he sings with. He would also provide the songs.

Willie Weeks – Bass guitar
One of the most in-demand live and session bass players, with a resume that includes BB King, Vince Gill and David Bowie – versatile, impeccable and always worth listening to.

Jim Keltner – Drums
The King. Has played with everyone from Roy Orbison to Lucinda Williams.

CJ Udeen – Pedal Steel
A soulful live player who has spent the last few years on the road with Gary Allan, before which he was a member of the group Molly & The Heymakers.

Megan Mullins – Fiddle/Harmony Vocals
An energetic, electrifying fiddle player with a great voice for harmonies.

Chuck Leavall – Keyboards
Sure, he’s currently playing with the Stones, but I’m sure he’d give them the shaft to go work with Jim Lauderdale.
Rick
July 18, 2009 at 10:09 pm Permalink

For an Opry debut performance the Lovell Sisters knocked it out of the ballpark! From bluegrass to newgrass, from Irish fiddle tunes to a Dixie Chicks’ attitude (no, NOT the political attitude thank goodness!) these gals deliver the goods. I’d like to hear what “The Oracle Of Jon” thinks about these gals. I just know that I really liked their sets and so did the Opry performers and audience.

Somehow I think the Cherryholmes Family sons would really like to have these gals tour with them! (lol)
Jon
July 18, 2009 at 11:02 pm Permalink

I’ll be interested to hear this new record from the Lovell Sisters.
Rick
July 19, 2009 at 10:27 am Permalink

Jon, I’m looking forward to hearing your take on these gals.

Based upon the inclusion of Megan Mullins in Steve Harvey’s Supergroup line-up, Steve will be glad to know Megan has her own new YouTube Channel where she is posting “Home Videos” of cover performances of some of her favorite songs.
Link: http://www.youtube.com/user/meganmullins10

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Barbara Mandrell // Bobby Bare // Brad Paisley // David Allan Coe // David Nail // Garth Brooks // Jamey Johnson // Jerry Jeff Walker // John Anderson // Kathy Mattea // Kenny Chesney // Mary Chapin Carpenter // Miranda Lambert // Rodney Crowell // Sara Evans // Slaid Cleaves // Taylor Swift // Todd Snider // Willie Nelson

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Sara Evans Settles Suit; Jack Ingram Bests Taylor Swift; What’s Country?

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