The Seven Song Itch - CMA Music Festival

I love Country Music—all types from Twangy to Contemporary, hardworking and rasin’ hell, it is truly the music of America.  And yes, I’ve heard the joke about what happens when you play a country music song backwards…you get your girl back, your dog back, and your beer back, but that’s not the case in all of the songs.  CMA Music Festival (This year’s festival is June 7-10^th) is one of the most unique festivals that I’ve had the pleasure of attending.  It brings together country music fans from around the world and gathers them in Nashville, TN for a week of concerts and events.  The actual CMA part, is Thursday-Sunday, but there are lot’s of pre/post-events that bring out the fans for the whole week.  There are early and late shows up and down Broadway, as well as in East Nashville (Five Corners) and venues adjacent to Music Row.  This festival brings together new country as well as classic country artists that have come before.  There is an exposition aspect to this event where fans get to meet the artists up close and personal.  There are fans that come back year after year and have ‘family reunions’ at this event and people buy tickets for the next year even before any of the artists are announced.  Artists like Glen Campbell, Kenny Rogers, Ronnie Milsap, Oak Ridge Boys appear on the same stages as Carrie Underwood, The Band Perry, Lady Antebellum, Rascal Flatts, and Martina McBride.  There are more headliners than you can shake a stick at, so I’ve decided to pick some of my favorites.

Playlist for CMA MusicFestival

1. Glen Campbell – “Country Boy (You’ve Got Your Feet In LA)”(1975)

There are dozens of Campbell classics, but this song rings true to me, regardless of musical genre.  Currently on his farewell tour, this classic tune addresses the pressures a small town country boy when he finally hits it big, and he finds that all of the fame and fortune isn’t what it’s cracked up to be.

2. Ronnie Milsap "Smokey Mountain Rain"(1980)

Not many people know this, but Ronnie played keyboards on Elvis’s “Kentucky Rain” song back in the day. At the beginning of this video, it’s great to hear about his influences.

3. Martina McBride – “This One's For The Girls”(2003)

Yes, I know she has a new album out, “Eleven”(2011), but this song showcases the spunky nature of her music at its full force.  This song carry’s the theme of not letting the circumstances around you dictate how you should react.

CD Review of "Eleven" by Martina McBride

4. Dierks Bently – “Am I The Only One”(2011)

When you live on a 24-hour schedule, it’s hard to coordinate meeting up with someone—Lord I know this.  It’s even harder when all of your friends have decided to get right in their lives and are not up for a little hell rasin’.  Am I getting too old?

5. Zac Brown Band – “No Hurry”(2012)

This contemporary band has classic country roots.  This band epitomizes the country creed of sayin’ what cha’ mean and not apologizin’ for what you do.  Sure, makin’ amends is a good thing, but only when you have gone though the hard livin’ and discover that there’s no rush in this world.  Just take it nice and easy.

6. Carrie Underwood – “Good Girl”(2012)

Now this song rocks.  Is it just me or are most contemporary country artists out there have a rock and roll sound?  In any case, this song has Carrie firing on all cylinders and shows her edgy side while still staying true to her good girl ways.

7. Rascal Flatts – “Banjo”(2012)

I think that the Banjo is making a come back.  Just a few years ago Comedian Steve Martin took a band out on the road and played this instrument for sold out audiences around the nation.  This band, however, doesn’t need another hit, but I’m glad that they keep on making great records.

List of artists:

Jason Aldean, Glen Campbell, Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert, Brad Paisley, Zac Brown Band, Nashville School Of Arts Chamber Choir, The Band Perry, Brantley Gilbert, Ronnie Milsap, Jake Owen, Blake Shelton, Carrie Underwood, OAK RIDGE BOYS, Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Hunter Hayes, Faith Hill, Little Big Town, Kenny Rogers, Julie Roberts, Dierks Bentley, Alan Jackson, The Mavericks, Martina McBride, Scotty McCreery, Rascal Flatts, Lee Brice, Colt Ford, Tracy Lawrence, Dustin Lynch, Neal McCoy, Montgomery Gentry, Craig Morgan, Jerrod Niemann, Randy Rogers Band, Josh Thompson, Uncle Kracker, Jeff Bates, Greg Bates, Julie Roberts, Tyler Farr, Classic Country Show (Moe Bandy, T. Graham Brown, Janie Fricke, Gene Watson), Trent Tomlinson, Miss Willie Brown, Cledus T. Judd, Eric Paslay, Rose Falcon, Katie Armiger, Exile, The McClymonts, Frankie Ballard, Big Smo, Drake White, Blackberry Smoke, Josh Gracin, Trailer Choir, Sonia Leigh, Randy Montana, The Cleverlys, Canaan Smith, Jaida Dreyer, Bucky Covington, Mark Wills, Jon Pardi, Jason Michael Carroll, Mandy Barnett, Joanna Smith, Charlie Worsham, Kentucky Headhunters, Robin Meade, Andy Gibson, Mockingbird Sun, HER & Kings County, Lindsay Lawler, Tim Dugger, Blackjack Billy, Jason Cassidy, Bush Hawg, Sunny Sweeney, Kristy Lee Cook, Matt Gary, Lighter Ray, Rachel Holder, Aaron Parker, Michael Ray, Morgan Frazier, Parmalee, Rachel Farley, Drew Smith, Lacey Brown, Russell Dickerson, Lyndsey Highlander, Maggie Rose, Levi Lowrey, Donny Fallgatter, The Henningsens, Chris Janson, Dean Alexander, Connor Christian & Southern Gothic.

The Seven Song Itch - Soul Sister Revival

Soul is in the ear of the beholder, or rather—in the voice of the singer.  As a child of the 70’s, I grew up hearing my fair share of soul stirring songs, so I take delight in these vocalists.  Now, I’m not a stickler for the past, on the contrary, my taste has a rather international flavor and with each new song I consider myself lucky to sample such a diverse selection.  In all honesty, I could rattle off Soul Icons all day, but I wanted to get a different point of view.  And yes, I've missed a myriad of singers, but this is just a sampler. Theses seven songs represent a partial British Invasion, with a couple of country gals thrown in the mix, of a Soul Sister Revival.

1. Joss Stone-“Drive All Night” (2011)

This lady is too young to be singing like this. Miss Stone is compared to many soul masters, but cuts her own piece of the chess pie with this song. Sometimes we all feel like a fool for love, but you complete me Joss—I would drive all night for you.  Footnote: In one of her live videos for this song, she shares a story of a lad that flew all the way from L.A. to pick her up from her flat and drive her to an appointment outside of London that she had the next morning.

2. Adele-“Someone Like You”(2011)

The mourning of a relationship can reduce you ruble. The exquisite sentiment conveyed in this ballad shows that some wounds will never heal. It isn’t easy seeing someone you love with someone new, but in order to heal you have to realize when it’s time to move on.

3. Duffy-“Warwick Avenue”(2008)

This cathartic tearjerker puts you in right smack dab the middle of a final breakup. I find that by the time she finishes the song, a good cry is on the way, as it was for Duffy in the video. Final words need to be said, and the sadness comes in the realization that a relationship is never going to work.

4. Amy Winehouse with Tony Bennett-“Body and Soul”(2011)

Though Amy’s musical roots are firmly planted in the girl groups of the 60’s, she eases in to the balladeer frontier with this soulful duet with masterful crooner Tony Bennett. It is her swan song as she passes into eternity. Amy is standing in front of us—begging to be loved.

5. Sheryl Crow-“Sign Your Name”(2010)

This cover version of Terence Trent D'Arby’s song from his first album (1987) works very well with Crows breathy vocal candor. It has a vintage Memphis-styled, soul-inspired feel, which finds Sheryl slipping her way into your heart, which makes you wannna stand up and shout, “Have Mercy!”

6. Martina McBride-“Whatcha Gonna Do”(2011)

Even cowgirls get the blues, and Martina is working it out for herself with this song. She’s giving him one last chance to do right, but knows deep within her heart that it’s over. She’s walking out the door, in an awful amount of hurt and frustration.

7. Dionne Bromfield – “Good For The Soul”

Dionne is part of the new British invasion and I look forward to hearing more from this soulful singer.  She signed to Amy Winehouse's Lioness Records label in 2009, and has two releases under her belt.  Dionne’s sound is reminiscent of Atlantic/Philly Soul singers, though she was born way beyond its heyday.  It’s great to see a great genre of music come into the new millennium with new breath.

Hey there,

I have two new reviews for you to see.  The links are hardwired on the right hand side and listed below.

Skinny Puppy

Martina McBride

Keep tuned for CD reviews from Thompson Square, Lacuna Coil, and Sherrié Austin.