Joe Diffie has spent most of his career singing popular country music. Diffie's vocals sound as good or better than I expected, He does have a good set of pipes.
He sings mostly covers written by Nashville's best and even one by Otis Redding. The musicians read like a who's who of Bluegrass music.
The Grascals back him up on a song that he wrote "Rainin on A Rubber Dolly Now". This is a cohesive track and upbeat, one of the best bluegrass sounding songs on the disc.
"Route 5,Box 109" is my favorite, great song about family and Joe does a good job with this (Galen Griffin and Kerry Phillips) song.
Really, there is not a bad song on this disc, and the list of backup singers is nothing short of incredible. Diffie really puts himself into thes songs, though whether they sound more country or bluegrass is left up in the air, A dobro does not make A CD Bluegrass. I realize that entertainment is the whole end of an album and this is well done, not a cheap production done in a cheap project studio.
http://www.oceanwayrecording.com/studios-nashville.php
What kinda bothers me is the instruments are recorded in one studio and the vocals in another, so the recording is sort of Karaoke style. Instruments recorded in Oceanway studios and vocals recorded at Station West studio. Mostly all recorded, mixed and mastered by Luke Wooten, while Joe helps with production. The product is very polished, though it sounds a bit bright on one of my CD players.
A special treat is the playing of banjo by Kristen Scott on the Grascals track. This gal is easily one of the best banjo pickers going today, and still pretty young. "Fit For A King" (Carl Jackson,Jim Rushing) is a very good gospel, story song.
Only song I did not like was Diffie's "Til Death" - too graphic for me. Overall, this a good listen for country and Bluegrass fans.
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Friday, November 19, 2010
The Band Perry - A Debut
Well, only a couple of months ago, this young trio of sister with brothers was unheard of. This CD, mostly recorded before they were signed with a label.
This CD is an excellent production, a mixture of country rock, and acoustic sounds with three vocals and excellent musicians. Mostly original songs, Kim Perry and brothers Neil and Reid. They even play instruments on their first CD.
The sound quality is excellent thru out the disc. Their lyrics are very good. Kim has a very special way of enunciating her vocals, they are easy to understand. This CD has hit the Charts heavy at number 11.
, Neil Perry really shines thru on mandolin on several songs. Helpful studio musicians are guitar- Bryan Sutton, Drums - Shannon Forrest, acoustic guitar - Biff Watson ,pedal steel ,Dan Dugmore and Mike Johnson, mastered by Hank William @ mastermix. Sorry, many artists left unnamed .
Favorite songs = You Lie, Hip To My Heart, If I Die Young, Heart, Quittin You, and Postcard From Paris. "If I Die Young" is an incredible debut song, very good since it is self written. These guys are really good at everything they do!!
This CD is an excellent production, a mixture of country rock, and acoustic sounds with three vocals and excellent musicians. Mostly original songs, Kim Perry and brothers Neil and Reid. They even play instruments on their first CD.
The sound quality is excellent thru out the disc. Their lyrics are very good. Kim has a very special way of enunciating her vocals, they are easy to understand. This CD has hit the Charts heavy at number 11.
, Neil Perry really shines thru on mandolin on several songs. Helpful studio musicians are guitar- Bryan Sutton, Drums - Shannon Forrest, acoustic guitar - Biff Watson ,pedal steel ,Dan Dugmore and Mike Johnson, mastered by Hank William @ mastermix. Sorry, many artists left unnamed .
Favorite songs = You Lie, Hip To My Heart, If I Die Young, Heart, Quittin You, and Postcard From Paris. "If I Die Young" is an incredible debut song, very good since it is self written. These guys are really good at everything they do!!
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
The Oak Ridge Boys 2010 Tour, The Boys Are back for Chrismas
The Oak Ridge Boys 2010 Christmas Tour
The Boys Are Back Home for Christmas
Nashville, TN (November 16, 2010) – Each year, The Oak Ridge Boys’ Christmas tour plays to packed houses across America. This year The Boys Are Back for Christmas Tour will take the group to 18 states and 29 cities, mid-November through December 22. For the first time in ten years The Oak Ridge Boys will be bringing their Christmas show back home to Nashville and are doing so at the newly renovated Gaylord Opryland Resort on December 21.
The two-hour extravaganza features a mixture of traditional and contemporary songs—including religious, romantic, and fun holiday tunes—as well as the group’s classic Country-Pop hits, likeElvira, American Made, andThank God For Kids. The full-production show features beautiful sets, falling snow, and a visit from Santa Claus, and it includes songs from the Oaks’ five bestselling Christmas CDs.
The Boys are thrilled to be ending their holiday tour in Nashville. “It’s such an honor to play the last day of our tour this year in our hometown. It will provide a great opportunity for all of our local friends, fans and family to celebrate Christmas with The Oak Ridge Boys,” The Oaks’ Joe Bonsall explains, “we have been doing a full out Christmas tour since 1988, and since we last brought the tour to Nashville, our children have grown and we all have grandkids. The Boys are back home for Christmas in Nashville at Opryland…I’m not sure how it gets any better!”
VIP and Basic show ticket packages are available now by calling 1-888-677-9872. Packages include overnight accommodations at Gaylord Opryland Resort with a private viewing of the Gaylord Opryland’s Hall of Trees, as well as dinner prior to the Christmas concert. General show tickets are also available.
To find out more information about The Boys Are Back For Christmas show in Nashville visit http://www.gaylordhotels.com/gaylord-opryland/specials-packages/specials/oak-ridge-boys-christmas/index.html.
You can also follow the tour on Facebook at http://on.fb.me/9XKCcZ and Twitter at http://twitter.com/ORB_Christmas
Media Contact:
Webster & Associates, LLC
Jenelle Scott / 615-777-6995 x222
jenelle@websterpr.com
The Boys Are Back Home for Christmas
Nashville, TN (November 16, 2010) – Each year, The Oak Ridge Boys’ Christmas tour plays to packed houses across America. This year The Boys Are Back for Christmas Tour will take the group to 18 states and 29 cities, mid-November through December 22. For the first time in ten years The Oak Ridge Boys will be bringing their Christmas show back home to Nashville and are doing so at the newly renovated Gaylord Opryland Resort on December 21.
The two-hour extravaganza features a mixture of traditional and contemporary songs—including religious, romantic, and fun holiday tunes—as well as the group’s classic Country-Pop hits, likeElvira, American Made, andThank God For Kids. The full-production show features beautiful sets, falling snow, and a visit from Santa Claus, and it includes songs from the Oaks’ five bestselling Christmas CDs.
The Boys are thrilled to be ending their holiday tour in Nashville. “It’s such an honor to play the last day of our tour this year in our hometown. It will provide a great opportunity for all of our local friends, fans and family to celebrate Christmas with The Oak Ridge Boys,” The Oaks’ Joe Bonsall explains, “we have been doing a full out Christmas tour since 1988, and since we last brought the tour to Nashville, our children have grown and we all have grandkids. The Boys are back home for Christmas in Nashville at Opryland…I’m not sure how it gets any better!”
VIP and Basic show ticket packages are available now by calling 1-888-677-9872. Packages include overnight accommodations at Gaylord Opryland Resort with a private viewing of the Gaylord Opryland’s Hall of Trees, as well as dinner prior to the Christmas concert. General show tickets are also available.
To find out more information about The Boys Are Back For Christmas show in Nashville visit http://www.gaylordhotels.com/gaylord-opryland/specials-packages/specials/oak-ridge-boys-christmas/index.html.
You can also follow the tour on Facebook at http://on.fb.me/9XKCcZ and Twitter at http://twitter.com/ORB_Christmas
Media Contact:
Webster & Associates, LLC
Jenelle Scott / 615-777-6995 x222
jenelle@websterpr.com
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Charlie Daniels and Friends Celebrate Christmas 4 Kids at Sold Out Concert
Search Amazon.com for charlie daniels band
CHARLIE DANIELS & FRIENDS CELEBRATE
CHRISTMAS 4 KIDS AT SOLD OUT CONCERT
Nashville, TN -- Charlie Daniels will offer his time and talents to host and headline Charlie Daniels & Friends concert on Monday, November 22nd at the Ryman Auditorium, beginning at 7:00 PM. Charlie Daniels and friends Montgomery Gentry, Jake Owen, and Sawyer Brown will perform at the charity event that raises money for the Christmas 4 Kids organization (a division of Christmas For Kids, Inc). “We are completely out of seats,” Debbie Lamberson proclaimed earlier today. “This is a very exciting time for our organization and for Nashville.”
Christmas 4 Kids is a not-for-profit organization that has been in existence for over 25 years providing many children, each year, with their very own shopping spree. The funds generated by the concert, and the Tour Bus Show/Artist Meet and Greet event are used to give children from 30 different schools, a total of more than 400 children, a day-long shopping excursion. The special day consists of a chauffeured trip from their school aboard an entertainer's luxury tour bus, lunch, and a party hosted by Santa and Mrs. Claus at College Heights Baptist Church, and finally a trip to the Hendersonville, Tennessee, Walmart where they receive $150.00 to spend on anything they want and also receive a brand new winter coat.
The Annual Tour Bus Show/Artist Meet and Greet event will take place on Monday, December 13th in Hendersonville, TN. The shopping excursion takes place on Tuesday, December 14th. For more information on how you can volunteer to help chaperone one of these special children, visit www.Christmas4kids.org.
CHARLIE DANIELS & FRIENDS CELEBRATE
CHRISTMAS 4 KIDS AT SOLD OUT CONCERT
Nashville, TN -- Charlie Daniels will offer his time and talents to host and headline Charlie Daniels & Friends concert on Monday, November 22nd at the Ryman Auditorium, beginning at 7:00 PM. Charlie Daniels and friends Montgomery Gentry, Jake Owen, and Sawyer Brown will perform at the charity event that raises money for the Christmas 4 Kids organization (a division of Christmas For Kids, Inc). “We are completely out of seats,” Debbie Lamberson proclaimed earlier today. “This is a very exciting time for our organization and for Nashville.”
Christmas 4 Kids is a not-for-profit organization that has been in existence for over 25 years providing many children, each year, with their very own shopping spree. The funds generated by the concert, and the Tour Bus Show/Artist Meet and Greet event are used to give children from 30 different schools, a total of more than 400 children, a day-long shopping excursion. The special day consists of a chauffeured trip from their school aboard an entertainer's luxury tour bus, lunch, and a party hosted by Santa and Mrs. Claus at College Heights Baptist Church, and finally a trip to the Hendersonville, Tennessee, Walmart where they receive $150.00 to spend on anything they want and also receive a brand new winter coat.
The Annual Tour Bus Show/Artist Meet and Greet event will take place on Monday, December 13th in Hendersonville, TN. The shopping excursion takes place on Tuesday, December 14th. For more information on how you can volunteer to help chaperone one of these special children, visit www.Christmas4kids.org.
Thursday, November 11, 2010
" Hellos Goodbyes & Butterflies" - Donna Hughes - A Review
Donna Hughes second album that I have reviewed , "Hellos Goodbyes & Butterflies" is another very consistent piece of work. Her type of songwriting stays pretty much the same, and her sweet emotive vocals are still excellent, the big difference in her new CD is that JD Crowe produced it , while Tony Rice produced her other CD that I have heard. She has two other CDs before these That I can not comment on. Tony liked her piano playing, so on "Gaining Wisdom" , she played some piano, it is more of a sparse, but very well produced CD in the quality of the recording, very clean.
JD Crowes production is more bluegrass in the traditional sense, with lots of good dobro, Randy Kohrs and Rob Ickes. Also, a very good, clean recording ,featuring the stringed instruments and Hughes' excellent vocals and melodies. There are fifteen songs here, all written by Hughes, who is a very prolific writer , probably written about 300 songs by now. As Tony Rice fitted the production to Donna's songs and voice, I see that in JD Crowes work too. She is not your real traditional old timey bluegrass singer, with lots of banjo and fiddle going all the time. The music is mostly guitars ,dobro , some mandolin, but it hones in more as a southern sounding set that is definitely bluegrass flavored, but original in that Hughes' songs are original. She has has had her songs recorded by Alison Krauss and also the group Seldom Scene. Donna actually sounds alot like Alison Krauss and Union Station at places on this CD. It is quite amazing how, she can be so prolific with her music and bring out some really good songs that catch your attention. "Dr. Jekyll, Mr Hyde" is a very good song with a good set of hooks and a very realistic setting for the song. It is emotional , like something she lived. My personal favorite is "God Don't Make Mistakes" , that song really moves me each time that I hear it. and "Mid-Life Crisis" , songs based on life and stories, but isn't that what bluegrass and country music are all about. Also, Donna has some real good harmony's on the tracks.
Personaly, Hughes is a real talent , between being a songwriter and Bluegrass performer. She just seem to keep getting better.
www.donnahughes.com
, --
JD Crowes production is more bluegrass in the traditional sense, with lots of good dobro, Randy Kohrs and Rob Ickes. Also, a very good, clean recording ,featuring the stringed instruments and Hughes' excellent vocals and melodies. There are fifteen songs here, all written by Hughes, who is a very prolific writer , probably written about 300 songs by now. As Tony Rice fitted the production to Donna's songs and voice, I see that in JD Crowes work too. She is not your real traditional old timey bluegrass singer, with lots of banjo and fiddle going all the time. The music is mostly guitars ,dobro , some mandolin, but it hones in more as a southern sounding set that is definitely bluegrass flavored, but original in that Hughes' songs are original. She has has had her songs recorded by Alison Krauss and also the group Seldom Scene. Donna actually sounds alot like Alison Krauss and Union Station at places on this CD. It is quite amazing how, she can be so prolific with her music and bring out some really good songs that catch your attention. "Dr. Jekyll, Mr Hyde" is a very good song with a good set of hooks and a very realistic setting for the song. It is emotional , like something she lived. My personal favorite is "God Don't Make Mistakes" , that song really moves me each time that I hear it. and "Mid-Life Crisis" , songs based on life and stories, but isn't that what bluegrass and country music are all about. Also, Donna has some real good harmony's on the tracks.
Personaly, Hughes is a real talent , between being a songwriter and Bluegrass performer. She just seem to keep getting better.
www.donnahughes.com
, --
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
George Strait Announces 2011 Tour With Reba and Lee Ann Womack
GEORGE STRAIT ANNOUNCES 2011 TOUR
WITH REBA AND LEE ANN WOMACK
Nashville, Tenn. (November 5, 2010) -- George Strait fans who missed this year’s superstar pairing of King George, Phenom Reba McEntire and award-winning traditionalist Lee Ann Womack are getting a second chance in 2011.
“The George, Reba and Lee Ann tour is certainly one of the best on the road this year, offering an entertainment package perfect for cowboys, cowgirls … and city folk alike,” exclaims The Boot’s Vernell Hackett.
“All three of the performers – George Strait, Reba McEntire and Lee Ann Womack – delivered flawlessly in a concert perhaps best noted for its emphasis on performance over props or pyrotechnics,” says Amanda St. Amand of the St. Louis Post Dispatch.
“Call Strait the Bruce Springsteen of country music … ,” praises Jack Hill of the Arkansas Democrat Gazette .
“The icon appears to have no plans to slow down – good news, no doubt, to his fans,” says Larry Rodgers of Arizona Republic.
“No matter what the genre, singing doesn't get much better than this,” exclaims Geoffrey Himes of Baltimore’s City Paper.
At next week’s 44th Annual CMA Awards, King George is up for Male Vocalist of the Year award for the 24th time and is also nominated for Album of the Year for Twang, an award he won in 2008 for his critically claimed album Troubadour.
With a career spanning more than 30 years, George Strait has the most number one singles of any artist in history including Elvis (57 to date inclusive of all charts). He has sold nearly 69 million records and with 33 different platinum or multi-platinum albums has the most RIAA platinum certifications in country music and the third in all genres, behind The Beatles and Elvis Presley.
Strait’s CD Twang debuted at #1 on The Billboard 200 chart and the Top Country Albums chart. This is the fourth time in Strait's career that a new release has debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 chart and the 13th time debuting at #1 on the Top Country Albums chart. His current single is “The Breath You Take.”
Named the Academy of Country Music’s Artist of the Decade last year, George Strait was nominated for this year's ACM Entertainer of the Year for the 12th time and Top Male Vocalist for the 20th time, bringing his all-time record to 81 ACM nominations.
One of the most successful female recording artists in history, Reba has sold over 55 million albums worldwide, earned 33 #1 singles and was recently recognized as the biggest female hit-maker in country music history by “Billboard,” “Mediabase” and “Country Aircheck.” She is the winner of 15 American Music Awards, 12 Academy of Country Music Awards, 9 People’s Choice Awards, 7 Country Music Awards and 2 GRAMMY Awards.
Reba is a 2010 CMA Nominee for “Female Vocalist of the Year.” The superstar recently surpassed the one million fan mark on Facebook, propelling her into an elite group of only 10 Country artists to achieve the popularity milestone. Reba’s unprecedented run of sales successes extended the superstar’s lead as the female artist with the most RIAA sales certification in Country music history. Also an acclaimed film, TV and Broadway actress, Reba signed with The Valory Music Co. in November 2008. The move reunited the multimedia entertainer with industry leader Scott Borchetta, now President and CEO of the Big Machine Label Group, which includes Big Machine Records, The Valory Music Co. and Republic Nashville.
Lee Ann Womack has sold over 6 million albums, won two Grammys and numerous other milestone awards. Womack’s current album Call Me Crazy has garnered critical acclaim from Rolling Stone, USA Today, Entertainment Weekly, Billboard and The New York Times, to name a few. She was nominated for Top Female Vocalist at the ACM Awards in 2009 and the debut single “Last Call” was nominated for a Grammy in the Best Female Country Vocal Performance category. Womack nominated for “Musical Event of the Year” with George Strait for “Everything But Quits” at the 2009 CMA Awards.
For more information on the tour and ticket on sale dates, visit www.GeorgeStrait.com.
WITH REBA AND LEE ANN WOMACK
Nashville, Tenn. (November 5, 2010) -- George Strait fans who missed this year’s superstar pairing of King George, Phenom Reba McEntire and award-winning traditionalist Lee Ann Womack are getting a second chance in 2011.
“The George, Reba and Lee Ann tour is certainly one of the best on the road this year, offering an entertainment package perfect for cowboys, cowgirls … and city folk alike,” exclaims The Boot’s Vernell Hackett.
“All three of the performers – George Strait, Reba McEntire and Lee Ann Womack – delivered flawlessly in a concert perhaps best noted for its emphasis on performance over props or pyrotechnics,” says Amanda St. Amand of the St. Louis Post Dispatch.
“Call Strait the Bruce Springsteen of country music … ,” praises Jack Hill of the Arkansas Democrat Gazette .
“The icon appears to have no plans to slow down – good news, no doubt, to his fans,” says Larry Rodgers of Arizona Republic.
“No matter what the genre, singing doesn't get much better than this,” exclaims Geoffrey Himes of Baltimore’s City Paper.
At next week’s 44th Annual CMA Awards, King George is up for Male Vocalist of the Year award for the 24th time and is also nominated for Album of the Year for Twang, an award he won in 2008 for his critically claimed album Troubadour.
With a career spanning more than 30 years, George Strait has the most number one singles of any artist in history including Elvis (57 to date inclusive of all charts). He has sold nearly 69 million records and with 33 different platinum or multi-platinum albums has the most RIAA platinum certifications in country music and the third in all genres, behind The Beatles and Elvis Presley.
Strait’s CD Twang debuted at #1 on The Billboard 200 chart and the Top Country Albums chart. This is the fourth time in Strait's career that a new release has debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 chart and the 13th time debuting at #1 on the Top Country Albums chart. His current single is “The Breath You Take.”
Named the Academy of Country Music’s Artist of the Decade last year, George Strait was nominated for this year's ACM Entertainer of the Year for the 12th time and Top Male Vocalist for the 20th time, bringing his all-time record to 81 ACM nominations.
One of the most successful female recording artists in history, Reba has sold over 55 million albums worldwide, earned 33 #1 singles and was recently recognized as the biggest female hit-maker in country music history by “Billboard,” “Mediabase” and “Country Aircheck.” She is the winner of 15 American Music Awards, 12 Academy of Country Music Awards, 9 People’s Choice Awards, 7 Country Music Awards and 2 GRAMMY Awards.
Reba is a 2010 CMA Nominee for “Female Vocalist of the Year.” The superstar recently surpassed the one million fan mark on Facebook, propelling her into an elite group of only 10 Country artists to achieve the popularity milestone. Reba’s unprecedented run of sales successes extended the superstar’s lead as the female artist with the most RIAA sales certification in Country music history. Also an acclaimed film, TV and Broadway actress, Reba signed with The Valory Music Co. in November 2008. The move reunited the multimedia entertainer with industry leader Scott Borchetta, now President and CEO of the Big Machine Label Group, which includes Big Machine Records, The Valory Music Co. and Republic Nashville.
Lee Ann Womack has sold over 6 million albums, won two Grammys and numerous other milestone awards. Womack’s current album Call Me Crazy has garnered critical acclaim from Rolling Stone, USA Today, Entertainment Weekly, Billboard and The New York Times, to name a few. She was nominated for Top Female Vocalist at the ACM Awards in 2009 and the debut single “Last Call” was nominated for a Grammy in the Best Female Country Vocal Performance category. Womack nominated for “Musical Event of the Year” with George Strait for “Everything But Quits” at the 2009 CMA Awards.
For more information on the tour and ticket on sale dates, visit www.GeorgeStrait.com.
Wednesday, November 03, 2010
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