Sugarland Scores No. 1 With Hit Single “Stay”
- Sugarland’s “Stay” hit No. 1 on
Billboardthe Mediabase/Country Aircheck chart. - Owen Temple started out playing the Texas music scene with Cory Morrow and Pat Green, but temporarily shelved that part of his career when he moved to Wisconsin to study psychology at graduate school. Now he’s back in Texas and on the verge of releasing his next album, Two Thousand Miles. Galleywinter has an insightful 20 Questions with Temple that’ll catch you up on everything you don’t know about this singer-songwriter.
What are the main differences in live music crowds you’ve encountered outside of Texas when compared to those in your home region?
In Texas, we have a culture of seeking out and supporting independent artists. That old Independence thing again – remember the Alamo? (laughs) Support of independent artists happens everywhere, but it seems to happen more passionately and by more people in Texas.
- Whit Watson, play-by-play sports announcer for Sun Sports and FSN Florida, recalls the time he met Shania Twain in a bar, yet didn’t know it was her until years later.
Emboldened by the adult beverages, I walked over to the bar and introduced myself. I commented on how much I enjoyed her rendition of “O Canada.” She was very appreciative, looked me straight in the eye, but was clearly not interested — or, at least, her “entourage” was keeping me at arm’s length.
- Kenny Chesney announced fourteen stadium dates for his 2008 Poets & Pirates tour. He’ll be joined by Gary Allan and LeAnn Rimes for all of the shows with Brooks & Dunn, Sammy Hagar, Big & Rich, and Luke Bryan joining in throughout.
- Listen: “Stronger Woman” from Jewel’s upcoming album Perfectly Clear.
- If you’re a Shel Silverstein completist Peter Swanson recommends Playboy’s Silverstein Around the World, otherwise he says it feels too dashed-off and dated.
- Robert Hilburn says Time Life’s Opry Video Classics “is a marvelous look at one of America’s richest musical genres.” Highlights include a cleanshaven Willie Nelson, vintage Porter and Dolly, George Jones with Tammy Wynette and Melba Montgomery, and the soulful performances by Don Gibson despite the nervousness present in his eyes.
- It’s not exactly country music related, but Steve Martin’s autobiography/memoir, Born Standing Up: A Comic’s Life, is an excellent read. To keep it relevant, he talks about playing the banjo; his high school buddy John McCuen of Nitty Gritty Dirt Band fame; John’s older brother, Bill, who became Martin’s manager and basically envisioned the whole Will the Circle Be Unbroken project; another buddy that wanted to name his band Eagles instead of The Eagles, which Martin thought was silly; and the intimidation he felt on the few dates he had with Linda Ronstadt. He has more run-ins with country music, but those are the most memorable.
- Chris Cagle’s My Life Is a Country Song is due out February 19.
- Jim McGuire is taking his Nashville Portraits to The Art Museum of West Virginia for an exhibit that will be on display from January 18 to March 23.
- UPDATE: Natalie left a comment on the previous post pointing us toward the recorded 911 call between Steve Holy and the operator after a gun was held to the back of his head. It’s an unfortunate situation, but he’s obviously drunk which makes for some hilarious comments.
If you enjoyed this article, be sure to subscribe to our feed or receive updates via email.
Popular Stuff
Sponsor
Forgotten Artists: Goldie Hill Had Carl Smith and Goldie Hill been born 30 or 40 years later, they might have been like Faith Hill and Tim McGraw–the dominant married couple in country music.
Forgotten Artist: Wynn Stewart Both Buck Owens and Merle Haggard have cited Wynn Stewart as a major influence on their careers, yet somehow, he was never able to translate his enormous talent into extended and consistent success for himself.
Miranda Lambert - “More Like Her” This kind of material, as opposed to her tough-chick-done-wrong romps like “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend” and “Gunpowder and Lead,” is where her real promise lies
Joey Rory - “Cheater, Cheater” It’s actually downright frivolous, but that just makes it all the more fun. And really, are you allowed to say “ho” on country radio?
Josh Gracin - “Unbelievable (Ann Marie)” Despite initial marketing that touted the album as deep and personal, “Unbelievable (Ann Marie)” is anything but deep or personal.
Josh Turner - "Everything Is Fine" Turner is the rare example of an artist who records material that’s both quality and trademark.
Darryl Worley - "Tequila On Ice" A groovy mid-tempo that sways, a refreshing reprieve from the exhausting pace of a format that clamors for loud music and swelling choruses.
Blake Shelton - "She Wouldn't Be Gone" It’s all about nailing the melody rather than providing a legitimate interpretation that accentuates the lyrical content, although Shelton does do a pretty good job of injecting what limited emotion he can.
Don’t look now, but Darius Rucker, lead singer of 90s rock group Hootie & The Blowfish, has a country hit on his hands. What you probably haven’t heard is that Rucker is the first black artist to chart a single in the country top 20 since Charley Pride last did it in 1988.
News that former Sugarland member and co-founder Kristen Hall is suing her ex-mates, to the tune of $1.5 million, goes a long way towards providing a bit of context regarding the Atlanta singer/songwriter’s sudden departure from the group.
In Memory of Don Helms (1927 - 2008) Helms dated back to a time when an excellent four or five piece band and a good singer were all that were needed to make great country music. No drums, no light shows, no production tricks in the recording studio–just good music.
In this exclusive interview with The 9513, the Show Dog Records trio talks about growing up around Waylon and Jessi Colter, and about how those experiences have helped shaped their music as they set off on their own country music journey.
One of an emerging wave of artists empowered by decreasing production costs and a rapidly changing distribution landscape, Kelleigh Bannen has taken a do-it-yourself approach to her debut album, Radio Skies.Tagged In This Article
Chris Cagle // Cory Morrow // Gary Allan // George Jones // Jewel // Jim McGuire // Kenny Chesney // LeAnn Rimes // Linda Ronstadt // Luke Bryan // Pat Green // Shania Twain // Shel Silverstein // Sugarland // Willie Nelson
Current Discussion
- Paula: well, y'all are just gonna LOVE this little tidbit from cmt.com Rascal Flatts...
- JACK L DAVIS: DAVID ROGERS I could listen to forever and i wish he were still with us and mak...
- Paula: Rick - MySpace and/or my internet arent playing nice tonight so I cant get Shann...
- adhara: kenney chesney was excellent with the wailers. reggae & coutry... grea...
- Jaime: @ John Maglite: You have to have a certain panache to pull off bathroom humor, a...
- Rick: Leeann and Paula, we can start a "Music Cheapskates Club!". (lol) Have you ga...
- Troy: Thank you...
- Matt B.: Re: Billboard Charts: Hot Country Songs charts all the major country markets ...
- Dylan Gramm: Woo-hoo! New Lauderdale!...
- Troy: Like Taylor Swift song Change it is number 10 on the hot 100 but is 50 something...
7 Comments
RSS for comments on this post | Trackback URI for this post
January 15, 2008 at 10:56 am Permalink
I totally agree on the Steve Martin memoir! An all-around great read.
January 15, 2008 at 7:38 pm Permalink
I fairly quick one, too. I read the majority of it in one evening.
January 15, 2008 at 8:00 pm Permalink
What’s weird about that Steve Holy deal is that I’ve read comments that slam Holy’s call and integrity because he’s drunk. What, like anyone who legally consumes a few adult beverages deserves a gun put to his head? To a certain extent, I get it. There are a lot of alcoholics running around with integrity issues. But until there is more evidence against Holy, I’m not going to assume he’s an alcoholic or that he lies. Why would he?
But without that call, I wouldn’t know he’s “a recording artist.” Any press is good press.
January 16, 2008 at 10:41 pm Permalink
What’s their source? R&R’s new charts (a copy of Billboard’s) just went online, and Our Song’s still at the top for a sixth week.
January 17, 2008 at 1:03 am Permalink
Stephen H- I assume Mediabase.
January 17, 2008 at 10:20 am Permalink
Yea, I think it was Mediabase. Billboard is still showing it as No. 2 though. Thanks for pointing that out, Stephen.
March 18, 2008 at 6:30 pm Permalink
i love your song i know the whole song i wish i cam meet u ooneee dayyy honey email me back >
Leave a Comment