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Trace Adkins Plays Trump Card; To Be Contestant On Celebrity Apprentice
- There was a time in Trisha Yearwood’s life when she needed drama in her relationships just so she could feel something, but she’s thankful that time has passed. These days she channels the emotion into her songs.
- Willis Alan Ramsey recorded an album in 1972 and hasn’t recorded one since. “As Ramsey likes to say, ain’t nothing wrong with the first record, so what point is there in making any more?” Despite his lack of recorded material Ramsey has achieved cult status among fans of Americana and Texas country. His songs have been covered by numerous artist, including: Waylon Jennings, Jimmy Buffet, Lyle Lovett, Jerry Jeff Walker, and Jimmie Dale Gilmore. Ramsey thought he’d have had numerous records out by now, but he says his path as an artist has been a unique one. (The article is seven years old, but nonetheless interesting.)
- The funeral service for Steel Guitar Hall of Famer John Hughey will be held Wednesday (Nov. 21) at the First Baptist Church in Hendersonville, Tenn. Besides playing for Conway Twitty and Vince Gill, he was most recently involved with The Time Jumpers.
- Last month we came across the news that Trace Adkins’ studio album would be delayed for a “pressing career opportunity.” What could that have been? Maybe a contestant spot on Celebrity Apprentice.
- Richard Harrington provides and appetizing synopsis of the eight-DVD Opry Video Classics collection from Time Life.
The Winchester, Va.-bred singer [Patsy Cline] appears on several volumes, including “Queens of Country” with Kitty Wells, Skeeter Davis, a powerful Loretta Lynn and curiously constrained Tammy Wynette, as well as Dolly Parton, introduced by Porter Wagoner as “one of the prettiest, singing-est, songwriting-ist little blondes in country music.”
The DVDs feature Patsy Cline singing with Bobby Lord on her only recorded duet; stars past their prime: Hank Snow, Roy Acuff, Bill Monroe, Flatt & Scruggs, the Carter Family, Sons of the Pioneers, and Ira and Charlie Louvin; along with “a WAY pre-outlaw Willie Nelson.”
- Surprise, surprise. Carrie Underwood hit No. 1 with her latest single, “So Small”. It’s her first chart-topper as a songwriter.
- Despite playing in a punk band for eleven years Alberta native Corb Lund has a strong attachment to western music and rural life. The nostalgia of that rural life and the disappearance of horses and western motifs from modern day country played a factor in Lund’s desire to write and record those type of songs. You can hear the product of that desire and work on his latest album, Horse Soldier! Horse Soldier!.
“It’s funny, whenever I start out writing a love song, it always turns into a song about horses,” he said, with a hint of a grin. “Which is kind of creepy.”
Creepy indeed, but good music it makes.
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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.
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.
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.
Forgotten Artist: David Rogers David Rogers (1936-1993) is proof of the adage that it’s great to be on a major label, but only if the label is truly behind you.
Forgotten Artist: Charley Pride For the ’70s, Billboard has Charley listed as its third ranking singles artist behind only Conway Twitty and Merle Haggard. 
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
Carrie Underwood // Charlie Louvin // Conway Twitty // Corb Lund // Dolly Parton // Jerry Jeff Walker // Jimmie Dale Gilmore // Jimmy Buffet // Loretta Lynn // Lyle Lovett // Patsy Cline // Porter Wagoner // Roy Acuff // The Carter Family // The Time Jumpers // Trace Adkins // Trisha Yearwood // Vince Gill // Waylon Jennings // Willie Nelson
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November 20, 2007 at 11:08 am Permalink
Willis Alan Ramsey hasn’t released a second album, but there certainly have been indications that he’s recorded (or recording) one.
His site says he went into the studio in 2003 (”May, 2003 - Recording sessions for the new record have begun! For real!!”). And last year Austin’s Cactus Cafe had a CD release show on its calendar for a while (it was ultimately canceled).
Still, no telling when or if a second album may come out.
November 20, 2007 at 1:00 pm Permalink
I love that you guys talk about Corb so much. He’s wacky and off beat but so, so cool.
November 20, 2007 at 1:04 pm Permalink
My question is….how much of So Small did Underwood actually write???
November 20, 2007 at 1:19 pm Permalink
Patrick - That whole story is pretty interesting. I imagine it’s going to be hard for a new album to live up to most people’s expectations after more than 30 years.
Heidi - I’ve just started to catch wind from the Corb train, but I’ve got to admit I like what I hear from his latest release.
Lanibug - Her contribution was probably so small…
November 21, 2007 at 11:34 pm Permalink
Sometimes that lyric you’ve been writing is just a grain of sand …
November 22, 2007 at 4:39 pm Permalink
i’m willing to bet carrie underwood came up with the title ’so small’. and–viola!!–instant co-writer. i’d bet hard cash money.
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