Shooter Jennings Backs Waylon On Posthumous Project
- Andy Tenille dishes on a posthumous Waylon Jennings project that hits the streets this summer. Titled Waylon Forever, the outlaw is backed by son Shooter Jennings and his band, the .357s, on nine tracks of originals and unlikely covers.
“This album really got its start back in 1995,” the country-rocker recalls, “when Dad asked me to do an album with him. At the time, I was 16 years old and way into Nine Inch Nails and Guns N’ Roses, but [Dad] was really excited to do something together. So I came up with all these ideas for new arrangements of his songs and a few covers. I got the idea for slowing down ‘Don’t You Think This Outlaw Shit’s Done Got Out Of Hand’ from Johnny Cash doing ‘Hurt.’ The idea for ‘White Room’ came one day when I was driving around Nashville. I didn’t know shit about Cream or Disraeli Gears at the time, but I heard it on the radio and knew we could do it.”
- If you’ve ever wondered what was on Kristian Bush and Jennifer Nettles‘ iPods, wonder no longer.
- It’s officially splitsville time for Big Kenny Alphin and John Rich of Big & Rich fame, at least for the remainder of 2008. Earlier this year the duo announced that Kenny was undergoing physical therapy for a neck injury he suffered in an automobile accident a couple of years ago, which would have put a damper on the touring schedule.
- Alan Jackson surpassed the 50-million mark for album sales.
- Are pretty-boy Chuck Wicks and Dancing With the Stars starJulianne Hough country music’s newest couple? Nobody knows, but speculation abounds.
- Remember September 9th, the day Jessica Simpson’s debut country album, Do You Know, will be released. Aside from “Come On Over,” Jonathan Cohen says there are several other potential winners on the album:
“…particularly the slow-burning “Might As Well Be Making Love,” which has shades of Faith Hill’s powerful belting, and the autobiographical “Pray Out Loud,” which nods to the rootsy charm of the Dixie Chicks.”
- A TV spot that was planned to team Toby Keith and the Dixie Chicks addressing concerns over global warming had to be canceled due to scheduling conflicts.
- Research has shown that there is a correlation between the volume of music and the amount of alcohol consumed. (via CMT blog)
- Mario Tarradell relays the story of a 22-year old Sammy Sadler who had just signed a recording contract with independent imprint Evergreen Records in 1989.
He had a handful of singles that charted and was working on his debut album. But he had a spat with his wife on March 9, 1989, and wanted out of the house. So he called up his friend Kevin Hughes, chart director for music-industry magazine Cashbox, who usually worked late on Thursday nights.
Mr. Sadler drove to the Cashbox offices and met Mr. Hughes. They went to grab dinner and then to the Evergreen Records building on the famed Music Row.
That’s when they started to hear noises.
- A recent press release mentioned that Atlanta-based rockers Rehab enlisted the help of Hank Williams Jr. to remix their hit song “Sittin’ At A Bar (Bartender Song).” It now includes the steel guitar, Hank Jr.’s twangy vocals and more radio friendly lyrics. (Compare to the original on MySpace)
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July 23, 2008 at 11:31 am Permalink
Sugarland’s iPod content sure won’t inspire many country fans.
July 23, 2008 at 11:39 am Permalink
When you only have 2 more Dwight Yoakam songs than Paolo Nutini (3 to 1), you may have things a bit out of whack….yes, I am talking to you Kristian Bush…
July 23, 2008 at 11:40 am Permalink
Boy, talk about a slow news day. Hey, let’s compare the most added songs on Airhead Country radio vs the Americana scene!: (From AllAboutCountry)
“Here are MediaBase’s 5 Most-Added Songs This Week”
1. Carrie Underwood/Just A Dream (43 Station Adds)
2. Kid Rock/All Summer Long (32)
3. Toby Keith/She Never Cried In Front Of Me (20)
4. Rascal Flatts/Bob That Head (14)
5. Tim McGraw/Let It Go (13)”
vs Americana:
“Here are This Week’s 5 Most-Added Americana Albums:
1. The Dedringers/Sweetheart Of The Neighborhood (10 Station Adds)
2. The Grascals/Keep On Walkin’ (9)
3. Drew Emmitt/Long Road (9)
4. Hal Ketchum/Father Time (8)
5. Blue Moon Rising/One Lonely Shadow (8)”
Airhead country radio pushes Kid Rock while Hal Ketchum and The Grascals play in the Americana sandbox. Something seems backwards here……
And some people want Willie Nelson to run for President!:
“If you’re thinking the race for the White House is getting a bit boring, this may heat things up a bit. There’s a write-in movement promoting Willie Nelson For President.!
Told of the “Draft Willie Nelson For President” campaign, Willie says, “If nominated I wouldn’t run; if elected I wouldn’t serve; however if served I would drink.”
The campaign theme song is sung by former Pirates Of The Mississippi lead singer Bill McCorvey with the group Leonard Blush on Blushtone Records.”
I guess we know where Willie would syand on the topic of legalizing marijuana…….
July 23, 2008 at 12:13 pm Permalink
Rick: There is nothing backwards on any list. Trust me, none of us want RF played on Americana radio.
July 23, 2008 at 12:22 pm Permalink
I don’t think Sugarland is even pretending to be country any more, other than for marketing purposes.
July 23, 2008 at 12:31 pm Permalink
Couldnt one argue (i think it has been on here a bunch) that the Americana chart exists because the country chart is the way it is??
July 23, 2008 at 12:42 pm Permalink
So, wait–we can judge if a person is “country” or not by the music on their iPod?
If so, I’m seriously in trouble, because I have been grooving out to Skye Sweetnam for the last two years.
July 23, 2008 at 12:52 pm Permalink
I knew Jim was going to get in on the “country or not” debate. I think its fine to have a wide selction of music on the ipod, and still be “country”. But when the music itself doesnt seem very “country”, thats when you look at such things as ipods and recent comments in the press that display a leaning towards pop-rock sensibilities.
July 23, 2008 at 1:02 pm Permalink
Apart from the complete works of Hank Williams, you will find very little country on my iPod. Why? Because I have to listen to it all day long for work, that’s why. I await a visit from the country music version of the NSA to take me to Branson for indefinite detention.
July 23, 2008 at 1:05 pm Permalink
Jim -
we can judge if a person is “country” or not by the music on their iPod?
If so, I’m seriously in trouble, because I have been grooving out to Skye Sweetnam for the last two years.
It’s not about finding disqualifiers though (this person is listening to artists x and is therefore not country), but if the vast majority of music someone listens to isn’t country, and the country music they do listen to isn’t especially standout, than what conclusions do you think we can draw about them?
July 23, 2008 at 1:17 pm Permalink
I thought that would get a response or two. I think judging whether a person is country or not isn’t the same as judging whether or not a band and their music are country, so you’re safe, Jim ;)
Their iPod playlist isn’t even a major factor in that conclusion, it’s more like the straw that broke the camel’s back. It’s all the press mentioning non-country bands and the direction they’re taking their music. REM, Marvin Gaye, and U2 didn’t build country music and they’re not what makes country music great, so why choose to emulate them?
Here’s a quote by Bush from The Tennessean:
The weird way he phrased that may mean I’m interpreting it wrong, but is country music really missing an album of love songs? All the overwhelmingly positive press is causing me to consider tossing out that word that starts with an O.
July 23, 2008 at 1:32 pm Permalink
“REM, Marvin Gaye, and U2 didn’t build country music and they’re not what makes country music great, so why choose to emulate them?”
Because inbreeding causes deformities.
July 23, 2008 at 1:33 pm Permalink
it’s no news that people named bush have syntax problems.
July 23, 2008 at 1:40 pm Permalink
Well, I suppose we’re all allowed to have one artist that we think is overrated. (Right?)
July 23, 2008 at 1:40 pm Permalink
And Thomas wins the thread.
July 23, 2008 at 1:43 pm Permalink
Thomas FTW.
July 23, 2008 at 1:55 pm Permalink
The comment from Thomas is overrated.
July 23, 2008 at 1:56 pm Permalink
…and it isnt country.
July 23, 2008 at 1:57 pm Permalink
None of you are country. Only I may be country!
July 23, 2008 at 2:01 pm Permalink
I’m sorry, only Dale Watson is Country, I knew Dale WAtson, I worked with Dale Watson, and you sir are no Dale Watson.
July 23, 2008 at 2:05 pm Permalink
OK, I’m just speculating here. Could it be that Big Kenny actually hurt his neck in a tragic head bobbing incident with Rascal Flatts?
July 23, 2008 at 2:24 pm Permalink
I am 15% more country than Dale Watson. Ask my doctor.
July 23, 2008 at 2:29 pm Permalink
Clinical tests show that 4 out of 5 people suffer from hemorrhoids. The 5th person is Dale Watson.
July 23, 2008 at 2:35 pm Permalink
My media player has a lot of country in it, but its a Creative Zen and not an I Pod. Have you guys tried switching brands–that may help you get more country.
July 23, 2008 at 2:38 pm Permalink
If Dale Watson were to have hemorrhoids they would be far more country than Jewel’s teeth, Nettle’s Ipod or Chris N’s Doctor.
July 23, 2008 at 2:40 pm Permalink
Dale Watson went to the Virgin Islands. Now they’re known simply as “the Islands”
July 23, 2008 at 2:44 pm Permalink
uh oh. I see where this is going.
July 23, 2008 at 2:45 pm Permalink
I am infinitely country. There is a country singularity at the center of me from which no country can escape and which perpetually draws in country from others, meaning eventually I will be the only country person in the universe.
July 23, 2008 at 2:47 pm Permalink
Chris, did you go to the same doctor as John Anderson?
July 23, 2008 at 2:51 pm Permalink
Best thread ever.
July 23, 2008 at 2:53 pm Permalink
You KNOW things are out of hand when Billy’s first comment gets overlooked…
July 23, 2008 at 3:17 pm Permalink
OK - everyone - I needed a laugh today and y’all provided it — see how I use the country words — and I must not be country either since my first 15 over on Kevin’s list the other day had music other than country in it — because I am the first to admit that my entire ipod is not country
July 23, 2008 at 3:32 pm Permalink
Me too, although my shuffle tended to like Jodee Messina, out of my 1300 songs, only like 10 are from her and 3 were on my list. I also got some Kelly Clarkson on the list too.
July 23, 2008 at 3:38 pm Permalink
Dang right Jim!
July 23, 2008 at 3:48 pm Permalink
Chris N. said: “I am infinitely country. There is a country singularity at the center of me from which no country can escape and which perpetually draws in country from others, meaning eventually I will be the only country person in the universe.”
This leaves me really confused as I thought the black hole at the center of mainstream country music scene today was the Top 40 Airhead Country Programmers Association! (lol)
Don’t forget about Robbie Fulks as he has proudly proclaimed he is “Countrier Than Thou!”.
I don’t have an MP3 player, so I’ll have to sit this one out…..
July 23, 2008 at 3:54 pm Permalink
I can’t even explain this to you because you’re not country enough.
July 23, 2008 at 4:13 pm Permalink
Chris is to country, what Chuck Norris is to the round house kick.
July 23, 2008 at 4:45 pm Permalink
Rick,
As I was talking with an artist here in town, I mentioned that you called “Top 40 Country Radio” as “Airhead Radio” and he looked at me and smiled and just nodded in agreement as we discussed the state of country music.
July 23, 2008 at 5:06 pm Permalink
Matt, as Taylor Swift might be heard to say “that is just like so totally awesome and really cool..”. (lol) I just got so tired of saying “Mainstream Top 40 Country Radio’s Shallow and Mediocre Pop-Rock Crapola Playlist Muzak” I just had to come up with something accurate and concise! The Top 40 country radio demographers may not call it the “airhead country listener segment” outright, but they sure have nailed it nonetheless. Carrie Underwood and Taylor Swift may have opened the floodgates, but the new standard bearers are Kid Rock and Jessica Simpson for goodness sakes!
Its time for Chris N. to exert his formidable omnipotent influence over the country music universe and bring peace, harmony, and balance to this once noble genre……
July 23, 2008 at 5:17 pm Permalink
Being completely made of country, I cannot affect country. It’s like how God can’t make a rock so heavy that He can’t lift it.
July 23, 2008 at 5:35 pm Permalink
Chris just needs a makeover or something. Or a shower, even. Then country should go back to normal. It’s a symbiotic thing.
July 23, 2008 at 5:35 pm Permalink
(For the record, I am not implying that the real Chris N. is non-hygienic.)
July 23, 2008 at 6:52 pm Permalink
Quick correction to Mr Jennings - White Room’s off WHEELS OF FIRE not DISRAELI GEARS.
Dale Watson’s smile once brought a puppy back to life.
July 23, 2008 at 7:05 pm Permalink
can i just go back to this billy quote really quick “OK, I’m just speculating here. Could it be that Big Kenny actually hurt his neck in a tragic head bobbing incident with Rascal Flatts?”
Now that…is funny! (and plausable)
July 23, 2008 at 9:22 pm Permalink
So does this leave time for John Rich to appear on even MORE reality TV shows? Lord help us all.
July 23, 2008 at 9:40 pm Permalink
I shower daily … IN COUNTRY. Then I dry off with country and put on my clothes, which are also country because I’m wearing them and I’m so country. Then I eat a big country breakfast and go to work being country all day.
July 23, 2008 at 9:56 pm Permalink
Chris doesn’t lie when he says he dresses in country.
July 23, 2008 at 10:04 pm Permalink
See what I mean? If that ain’t county, I’ll kiss your ass.
July 23, 2008 at 10:05 pm Permalink
Also, country. County too. Both!
July 23, 2008 at 10:07 pm Permalink
I wonder what showering in country entails, anyway?! Ew!:)
July 23, 2008 at 10:29 pm Permalink
Chris, is the song on your myspace page yours? I like it.
July 23, 2008 at 10:39 pm Permalink
Why, yes it is, thanks very much. I wrote that song with my friend Jason Davis, and that is — for better or worse — my own voice.
July 23, 2008 at 10:41 pm Permalink
for better…
July 23, 2008 at 10:54 pm Permalink
Shucks, ma’am.
July 23, 2008 at 10:57 pm Permalink
I agree with Leeann, it’s real nice. Not 100% count(r)y, though. I’m starting to wonder about your sincerity…I think it’s time for an iPod inspection.
July 23, 2008 at 11:06 pm Permalink
But Dan, his response to my compliment was c-o-u-n-t-r-y!:)
Chris, I like that you were able to fit the word “obselete” into the song.
July 23, 2008 at 11:34 pm Permalink
Shooter sux. This thread rules.
July 24, 2008 at 6:38 am Permalink
Dale Watson is so country that the folks in south texas should’ve used bags of his shaving stubble instead of sandbags to protect their shores.
July 24, 2008 at 9:30 am Permalink
Before anyone criticizes my song, you should know that it was written about a close relative with cancer.
July 24, 2008 at 9:48 am Permalink
I know, Chris. I could tell from the all-too-clear umbrella-related metaphors.
July 24, 2008 at 11:08 am Permalink
Hey, I know someone who had cancer, so it must be a good song, cuz i can “relate” to it!! I dont even have to hear the song!
July 24, 2008 at 11:24 am Permalink
I know Chris, the cancer references are rappant throughout. You meant to say that’s one of the reasons you drink. Right?
July 24, 2008 at 11:31 am Permalink
Yeah, that’s it! The guy she’s dancing with is a metaphor for cancer.
July 24, 2008 at 11:37 am Permalink
…We are bad people.
July 24, 2008 at 12:10 pm Permalink
Dan, I think you’re right.
July 24, 2008 at 12:15 pm Permalink
Dan is right because none of us have written hit songs…i mean, we have too much time on our hands….uh, i mean, people love taylor and jessica simpson, so we cant say anything bad about them…wait, I mean, phil stacey is a nice guy and…..what are we talkin’ about here??
July 24, 2008 at 12:24 pm Permalink
I have written what I am becoming more and more convinced is a 435 page outline for a novel and 126 pages of another novel. That’s gotta qualify me to write about SOMETHING!
July 24, 2008 at 12:28 pm Permalink
I’m afraid we’re not qualified to read your novel because none of us has already written a hit novel.
July 24, 2008 at 12:37 pm Permalink
Did ya know that Shooter Jennings’ name has been mentioned as a replacement singer for Velvet Revolver?
July 24, 2008 at 12:40 pm Permalink
Matt, that would be really strange. I don’t hear it.
July 24, 2008 at 12:48 pm Permalink
I don’t hear it either, but he WAS in that LA based band before so, well stranger things have happened.
July 24, 2008 at 12:53 pm Permalink
I think that would be awesome! the rasp is shooter’s voice isnt all that different from Weiland’s. I can totally hear Shooter belting out “Fall to Pieces”…
July 24, 2008 at 1:02 pm Permalink
I’ll have to ask my husband what he thinks, since he has a Velvet Revolver album. Of course, I’ll have to explain who Shooter Jennings is to him first.
July 24, 2008 at 2:25 pm Permalink
Every time you listen to a Taylor Swift CD, Dale Watson cries rhinestone tears.
July 24, 2008 at 2:27 pm Permalink
And a revolver is a shooter. Spooky!
July 24, 2008 at 3:56 pm Permalink
“I don’t think Sugarland is even pretending to be country anymore, other than for marketing purposes.”
We could compile a pretty long list of artists that fall into this category!
It’s funny how the artists whose country cred is seriously in question cry at every opportunity that they - like Chris - ARE country. However, many of those who do have cred with the audience don’t even bother to pretend to be country.
July 24, 2008 at 4:06 pm Permalink
Chris — Don’t forget that Shooter’s pre-country L.A. band’s name was Stargunn. So it gets spookier.
To be honest, Stargunn sounded more like Velvet Revolver than what Shooter has done since going solo and signing with Universal South.
July 24, 2008 at 4:31 pm Permalink
They can say they’re as country as me, but we all know they’re just dreaming.
July 24, 2008 at 4:40 pm Permalink
I’d always thought Shooter was channelling Cobain, at least in the chorus of Fourth Of July
July 24, 2008 at 5:09 pm Permalink
Shooter is definitely an artist who could have credibility as the new vocalist for Velvet Revolver. Actually, I think it was Duff of VR who mentioned Shooter somewhere. Shooter certainly could do that and maintain his solo stuff as a separate endeavor
July 25, 2008 at 10:22 am Permalink
I think TK forgot that Martie is 9 months pregnant (or a new mom)…
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