"Off The Grid - Doin' It Dylan" - Charlie Daniels Band - A Review

Well, this is different for the Charlie Daniels Band. Some of the
first sessions work on the guitar, that Daniels did when he moved to
Nashville was for Bob Dylan's "Nashville Skyline" album. Charlie was
just supposed to fill in for a day for a guitarist who did not show
up. Dylan wanted Charlie to keep playing, not the guy who didn't show
up. In fact ,Charlie kept playing for him on Dylan's next two albums
done in Nashville. Daniels said that Dylan and him got along and he
was easy to work with. So Charlie thought that He would do a tribute
album for Dylan.

  The sound is refreshing ,acoustic ,bouncy , Daniels vocals sound as
good as ever. For me, I really had always been a fan of Dylan's songs,
but not his versions. Charlie's vocals were mixed loud enough that it
was easy to hear the words and appreciate the meaning of the songs,
Charlie really enunciated the versing well, it showed that He truly
loved the songs, and I really understood the meaning of the songs, for
the first time, plus you can really hear joy in Daniel's singing. The
band is like a folk, bluegrass band, with drums, harmonica, some
mandolin and sweet Dobro. I'm sure that Daniels still misses Taz, the
last member of his original band, who passed away not too long ago.
There is a lot of piano in the mix, in fact , it is one of the
dominant instruments. It is an interesting mix of Dylan songs, Some
upbeat, some serious, a couple sad, really something for everyone to
relate to.

    He starts up with a real upbeat version of "Tangled Up in Blue",
He puts a real interesting fiddle riff in the song to keep it moving.
He does upbeat versions, but serious versions of "Hard Rain Going to
Fall" and "The Times They Are a Changing".

     Daniels said that he learned a lot from playing on Dylan's
recordings that later he learned some things about leading his own
band. Dylan was all about a sense of freedom and letting a musician
play what he wanted to play ,rather than tell him every phrase. Other
songs on the CD are "You are Going to have to serve Somebody", "Just
Like a Woman", and the Manfred Mann Hit,
 "The Mighty Quinn", and I think my favorite is his version of "I
Shall be Released".  Charlie Daniels has become a man who is a hard
worker and a large believer in America and Christianity. And He is not
afraid to say what is on his mind. I honestly was impressed about how
tight his band is on the whole album, and for me, I'll put it on if I
need something to put me in a good mood. See what you think, if this
something you might like.
                        www.charliedaniels.com

Marshall Tucker Band's Doug Gray 'Sells Soul' This Spring

MARSHALL TUCKER BAND'S DOUG GRAY


'SELLS SOUL' THIS SPRING



Gray Unveils Never Before Released 30-year-old R&B Recordings,

Soul Of The South, On April 5



Nashville, Tenn (March 8, 2011) - Dedicated fans and friends of the Marshall Tucker Band have always heard a touch of the soul man in Doug Gray’s voice. From the band’s beginnings into the present day, his singing has tempered the group’s country leanings with a bluesy edge. Largely unknown even to MTB’s hard-core followers, Gray actually cut tracks for a solo album nearly 30 years ago that fully explored his affinity for R&B. These recordings finally see the light of day on April 5, 2011, with the release of Soul Of The South.



“In 1981 I was offered the opportunity to sign a solo record deal by top music executives to sing Pop and Soul songs which were very popular at the time. I loved singing these types of songs as I had been singing them for years going back to when I was a young boy in the early sixties. I was really into singers like Sam Cooke, Smokey Robinson and later, Al Green,” recalls Gray. “When [MTB lead guitarist] Toy Caldwell and I used to go out and listen to music, we’d always look for places that had rhythm and blues. That was the kind of stuff I did before we started The Marshall Tucker Band.”



“The Marshall Tucker Band was then signed to Warner Brothers and Tommy Caldwell had recently died in a car crash. The band was in between records so I had the time and I owned the studio so I recorded these soul songs and all the guys came in to help out as well as some other musician friends. I really felt good about the results but stopped short of completing a full album because it was time to do another MTB record and I felt a loyalty to the group so I put the tapes away, turned down the solo deal and continued with the band and never looked back until now. These songs are important because they are the only songs by the five living members of the band at that time that have never been released. They may not be your typical MTB songs written by Toy Caldwell but I think it shows how good the band was to come in and work on songs that were out of character and get the results we did,” Gray says with a smile.



As co-owner of Creative Arts Studio in his hometown of Spartanburg, South Carolina, Gray was in a good position to work on a solo project in his spare time. He enlisted the help of engineer Billy Sherrill and a host of Nashville publishers in rounding up the right material to record. Out of a stack of 300 demos, he ended up choosing seven tunes by songwriters both famous and lesser known. Rounding out the song list was a spirited cover of the Spiral Staircase’s 1969 hit “More Today Than Yesterday.” Gray notes, “I recorded that song because Billy Sherrill bet me I couldn’t hit the high notes.”



Gray’s band mates were happy to help lay down tracks at Creative Arts. Original Marshall Tucker members Toy Caldwell, George McCorkle, Paul Riddle and Jerry Eubanks all took part in the sessions, along with bassist Franklin Wilkie (who joined the band after the tragic death of Tommy Caldwell in 1980) and pianist Ronnie Godfrey. Also contributing to the Creative Arts sessions were such gifted Spartanburg-area players as keyboardist Michael Blithe and Rusty Milner who later replaced Toy Caldwell in the mid ’80s. After the basic tracks were completed, Gray and Sherrill finished up recording in Nashville, enlisting A-list players like bassist Bob Wray (known for his work with Ray Charles, B.B. King and other legends), keyboardist Mike Lawler (a veteran of sessions with everyone from the Allman Brothers to George Jones) and Terry McMillan on percussion.



Gray had reason to feel proud of the results. From aching ballads like “Still Thinking Of You” (co-written by star-to-be Michael Bolton) and “Don’t Blame It On The Rain” to funky upbeat tunes like “Never Enough” and “Who,” the tracks allow Gray to wail and testify with abandon. The after-hours elegance of “Sandman” contrasts nicely with the moody atmosphere of “Guilty” and the percolating groove of “Let Me Be The Fool.” Any number of these tunes might have scored high on the charts if they had been released as singles.



The release of Soul Of The South restores a missing chapter to the Marshall Tucker story. The band, by the time of these recordings, had several gold and platinum albums, hit singles and were one of the top concert draws of the seventies and early eighties. Playing and recording a wide variety of Rock, Country, Blues, Jazz and Pop songs in its own unique style, there was no one else like them. Beyond its historical value, this album is a prime slice of vintage Southern Soul, delivered straight from the heart.



In addition to Soul Of The South, in celebration of its 40th anniversary, the Marshall Tucker Band will release The Marshall Tucker Band: Greatest Hits on April 5, 2011. The 14-track album includes MTB fan favorites including “Can’t You See,” “Heard It In A Love Song,” “Take The Highway” and “24 Hours At A Time.”



For additional information on Doug Gray and the Marshall Tucker Band, visit http://www.marshalltuckerband.com/






# # #



Soul Of The South Track Listing:



1. Let Me Be The Fool

2. Who

3. Sandman

4. Guilty

5. Don't Blame It On The Rain

6. Never Enough

7. Still Thinking Of You

8. More Today Than Yesterday



The Marshall Tucker Band: Greatest Hits Track Listing:



1. Take The Highway

2. Blue Ridge Mountain Sky

3. In My Own Way

4. Fire On The Mountain

5. Heard It In A Love Song

6. Ramblin'

7. Searchin' For A Rainbow

8. I Should Have Never Started Lovin' You

9. 24 Hours At A Time

10. Long Hard Ride

11. Can't You See

12. Too Stubborn

13. This Ol' Cowboy

14. Desert Skies

70s Rock Influence on Today's Country Music

70s Rock Influence on Todays Country Music


By Jim Moulton, CSO Staff Journalist



Something missing today are the great jam bands of the seventies. I want to talk about a couple; The Marshall Tucker Band and The Grateful Dead. Both of these bands rocked yet had very country influences.



From Spartanburg, South Carolina came the very talented and together Marshall Tucker Band, started by Doug Gray and two brothers, Toy and Tommy Caldwell. Toy is probably the most underrated guitar player around, He could flat out pick (with his thumb, no pick). He also played pedal steel on some of their songs. His brother Tommy played a very improvisational bass, similar to Phil Lesh of the Grateful Dead. The band had a very unique sound with a horn player (Jerry Eubanks) who played Flute and sax. Long Lost was a tape of a 1976 European Tour that was to be released in the seventies by Capricorn, but never was. Their current label Shout Factory recently released Stompin' Room Only with some other live songs to fill out the Disc. The sound quality is similar to a Dicks Pick by the Grateful Dead, but the music is historical, the MTB at their very best. "Long Hard Ride" starts out the CD, and plain jams out, it is a country instrumental with a very good melody, Toy is just off the meter with his guitar pickin'.



Toy Caldwell wrote most of their material. "This Ol' Cowboy", the second track has Toy singing also and really playing at his best, a song that has a swing quality to it, one of my favorite MTB tunes. "Fire On The Mountain" (George McCorkle) has Toy on steel, is an outlaw country type song. The classic "Can't You See" was never done better. The last song on the disc "Hillbilly Band" is what the term Chickin' Pickin' is all about, once again, Toy Caldwell Shines. This disc is a must have to find out what this great band is all about.



Meanwhile, on the other side of the country, in California, The Grateful Dead were on the road constantly and they recorded every show. Their leader Jerry Garcia, started out as a bluegrass picker, banjo player and also a great pedal steel player. The Dead in my opinion were also at their peak in 1976-7, and I am going to talk a bit about one of their live Dick's Picks releases from 1976, Vol. 20, a four disc affair, with almost two full concerts on it. The sound quality is quite good for a Dicks Picks, since Rhino took over their releases and remastered it. The Dead had a much bigger following than did the MTB, though I saw the MTB open for them once. Garcia was an audiophile sound freak and loved to experiment with sound. He was playing a custom Travis Bean guitar at this time in his career. It was built on an aluminum frame, plus had a neat switch where he could knock out all of his effects loop. There was a new Mu-tron effect he was using at this time that was an envelope filter (auto-wah). For a lot more of this info, there is a great new book out called The Gear Of the Grateful Dead, excellent and thorough read.



The Dead were coming back from a tour in 1976 with probably the largest Sound System ever; the infamous "Wall Of Sound" , I saw it once in Philly at The Civic Center Hung from the center of the ceiling. One year of lugging this around and they had to give it up, sounded great though. They rented equipment and a sound guy for 1976, who used a system with lots of custom stuff that was like a mini "Wall Of Sound". Their sound board had parametric EQ before it was being used in studios.



Now to the music, I mean what can you say, two full shows, Songs that really stand out to me are "Ramble On Rose", Brown-Eyed Women" and "Peggy-O" from Disc one. "Mississippi Half-Step Uptown Toodleloo" and "Scarlet Begonias" on Disc two. "Cold Rain and Snow" and "Big River" on Disc three. "Playing In The Band" and "Comes a Time" on Disc four. You can't help but hear the country influences in these shows.

I encourage you to check out these historic recordings!!

"The Foundation" (Cracker Barrel Version) - Zac Brown Band - a Review

For a long time, I had been fighting this guys material, Like, who is he? Covering all this stuff and sounding like Charlie Daniels. Doing Southern Rock in his shows.

Zac Brown quit his job cooking in the Family restaurant in Atlanta to start a musical career. He started out just by himself singing and playing guitar. One by one ,He added members to his group. This is his third CD i think, the First one on a major Label. What I am listening to is what won me over for good. There is a short fiddle intro and then the song starts, I used to see this video on GAC all of the time, The song is Free, The video shows the ZBB on a visit to Iraq and follows them around and they do a show for the troups. For me , this is tops, it is a real sacrifice to make a trip to Iraq, but they looked comfortable and the song is beautiful.

Alan Jackson's cohort for many years, Keith Stegall helps him produce this CD. Brown insists that their music is Southern, not country, now there are places in the CD that I can pick that up, but face it folks, "chicken pickin' is chickin' pickin'". Talking about, "Chicken Fried" is a classic song that just begs a listen, full of great hooks and melodies. I really love a song that they do called "Mary". It is about someone who is letting him down. Between him and his lead guitar player, the song has some really great guitar pickin', his classical type guitar gives out a different vibe, but he makes it work. It is a custom Taylor, made for him. He really can play well as does his whole band.

"Different Kind Of Find" goes into some southern rock on the lead guitar, this recording has a real live vibe. His band really has their own signature on their sound and they are southern folk that make you feel at home. When I first watched him, I just did not trust him. He seemed a bit aloof, I think that is, just him. After watching much footage of him, he seems to be a real downhome type of guy.

Bonus coverage - What makes this Foundation different is the addition of three cover songs that they do live. They do a Band like version of "The Night They Drove Ole Dixie Down", The vocals are just great, lots of emotion and energy put into it. Then they do a Lucinda Williams song, "I lost It" For the last song is a very moving version of Dylan's "I Shall Be Released." Another awesome rendition with an incredible slide break, ala Duane Allman , I mean the phrasing, everything sounds just like He is in the House. Man, can this guy play some guitar. Zac sings this really well with help from his band.

Well, this was a very enjoyable review. This CD is plain good, plus , the bonus stuff. Now if I play my cards right, the good thing about reviewing for Cracker Barrel is that if they like your review, you might get a gift certificate for yourself and a friend for a meal, not a chintzy meal, but like whatever you want to eat. Zac ,also has some things in the store , like a cookbook and a couple of sauces "Southern Ground Grub".

--
God Is Good
www.countrystarsonline.com
www.countryreviews.blogspot.com

"Mississippi Rain" - Badhorse" - A Review

Reviewing a single is fun because I really get to concentrate on just one song. I just got this today, and am listening to the CD single for the first time. Man, I love that lead guitar , classic country, rock stuff. I had never heard of Badhorse, but they have quite a resume'.
It's raining tonight in Philly and I mean "Cats and Dogs".

This is a country ROCK ballad, that has a great set of hooks, The singer to this song has got a warm emotive voice. You know, had it not been for a wonderful person who sent me this, I would have never heard like this, This is a very good recording, with that Big Studio sound and some strings tastefully placed in the mix. The drums are real good, just love the guitar licks, really fit in with the vocals and do not overpower them, even the guy takes off, He has his own sound. This is definitely radio Friendly, a very hot performance with great vocals and the song itself, is a great vehicle for the mix. This is a very good band that has opened for the big guys , like the Sensational new Zac Brown. If they put out much more like this, These groups will be opening for Badhorse.
Well, I have to give it a thumbs up, very good song. With the right promotion and some luck, it's a winner. I say that with some Sarcasm, because I think We all know that the best song is not always picked, but my best wishes for BadHorse and "Mississippi Rain".

Brian Wamplers "Talent Booster" Pedal

Brian Wampler is one of the best guitar pedal makers around, I am a proud owner of his ego compressor compressor which is a ross like Nashville compression pedal. These names were from a sort of joke web site someone made up of pedals, The ego compressor, Now it is the talent booster, it may not boost your talent, but you will get some great tones from this pedal, i love the sound of this boost.

The Allman Brothers Band - Still jamming!!!

I was checking out music on "ON DEMAND" on TV and saw the Allman Brothers, which was a show of their yearly tuneup in NYC. It is the lineup with Derek Trucks on guitar and Warren Haynes on guitar. Butch Trucks looked healthy wand was really into it. Bassist Oteil Burbridge sounded very well. They played for about 30 minutes,and it was a good representation of where they are at. Both guitarists played slide , on one song, which was an instrumental , the leads had a jazzy feel to them. I have put a youtube of the more original band for you to enjoy, you can always buy a disc of their latest music on their website store.

CMT Awards Show, 2010

Search Amazon.com for country music cdsThis year the CMT awards show was a fun affair ad if you go over to CMT.com, you can catch the best of it. Kid Rock opened the affair with a song and was the emcee. The Zac Brown Band performed a very good acoustic song. Best Female video was Miranda Lambert singing "White Liar". Carrie Underwood took 2 video awards home, best performance and video of the Year, "Temporary Home". Best male video was Tim Mcgraw and "Southern Voice". Keith Urban did a song with John Mayer playing with him that was really good.

My favorite was "Another American Saturday Night" by Brad Paisley, He has a wild looking new telecaster and he really was loaded for bear, Sounded awesome. The last place in the show was left for "Lady Antebellum" , This group can flat out sing, I really enjoyed them on the Nashville flood relief show, a really talented unit. Sure, I know, we wish that alt/country and bluegrass would do as well, well face it, Our groups don't do stadium tours, that's where the big money is. We should be happy for these folk who are living their dream, it's something the worked for!!

Susan Hickman's Debut Country CD Set For US release, July 20

Susan Hickman's Debut Country CD Set For U.S. Release July 20

Includes Songs By Brett James, Mila Mason, Bobby Pinson, Gregg Allman

Nashville, TN (June 3, 2010) -- Susan Hickman's debut Country CD, SUSAN HICKMAN (4L Clover) is set for U.S. release on July 20. The disc, released overseas in December 2009, has already garnered quite a bit of attention for this Texas newcomer. She's enjoyed five international charting singles ("Sunday Paper," "Wrapped Up In Me," "Friday At The Latest," "You Just Missed This Train," "Whipping Post") and her current U.S. single release, "Hell Still Ain't Frozen Over" (Bobby Pinson/Melissa Pierce) is showing movement on both the European and stateside charts. "We wanted to develop a buzz about the music before we released the CD over here," says Susan from her Houston-area home. "Now that we have that, things are moving forward very quickly," she adds.

The groundswell includes a tour of Germany, Holland and Switzerland in March; inclusion on the CMA Close Up Who New To Watch In 2010 list; a 2500 mile-long U.S. country radio promotion tour, and her first CMA Music Fest appearance next week. In July, Hickman returns to Europe to perform at the prestigious 23rd Annual Country Rendez-Vous Festival in Craponne-sur-Arzon, France.
That's quite a bit of activity for an "indie" artist, but Susan is used to being the "exception" rather than the "rule." One listen to her new self-titled CD proves that Hickman is truly one of a kind. Her gritty yet glorious voice shows influences ranging from Miranda Lambert to Janis Joplin, and she shines on this Doug Deforest production (Todd Fritsch, Doug Spartz, Jonathan Edwards). Top-notch Nashville tunesmiths (Brett James, Mila Mason, Bobby Pinson and others) brought their best songs to the table, and Hickman's able interpretations hit the mark every time. Highlights include: "Red," a dark tale of jealousy and rage; the two-steppin' fun-loving, "Wrapped Up In Me" and the poignant ballads, "Hell Still Ain't Frozen Over" and "One Of Those Who Make It Up There." Closing the disc is Hickman's soulful take on Gregg Allman's classic southern rocker, "Whipping Post."
Recent media coverage includes: COUNTRY WEEKLY, DREAMWEST, MAVERICK, COUNTRY MUSIC PEOPLE, HOUSTON HOT COUNTRY, UP COUNTRY and ROUGHSTOCK.
SUSAN HICKMAN can be purchased at iTunes, CDBaby and all major e-tailers.
Fans can catch up with Susan at www.MySpace.com/susanhickman and www.susanhickman.com. For interviews, press materials and more, email somuchmoore@charter.net or call Martha at 615-746-3994.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Martha E. Moore
so much MOORE media - Established in 1988!
(O) 615.746.3994 / (M) 615.202.1313

somuchmoore@charter.net
http://www.somuchmoore.com
MySpace, Linked In & Facebook
Twitter: @skates23

Lynyrd Skynyrd To Release Live From Freedom Hall CD/DVD set

LYNYRD SKYNYRD TO RELEASE LIVE FROM FREEDOM HALL CD/DVD SET ON JUNE 22nd; LAST CONCERT RECORDED WITH LONGTIME MEMBERS BILLY POWELL AND EAN EVANS

SUMMER TOUR DATES ANNOUNCED

New York, NY: Lynyrd Skynyrd will release Live From Freedom Hall on June 22 as both a CD/DVD set and as a stand-alone DVD. Live From Freedom Hall not only captures the band in its most natural state – on stage- but is also one of the last concerts to be recorded with longtime members Billy Powell and Ean Evans, both of whom passed away last year. The release is a tribute to and a celebration of Skynyrd.

The track listing for Live From Freedom Hall is as follows:
“Travelin’ Man”
“Workin'”
“What's Your Name?”
“That Smell”
“Simple Man”
“Down South Jukin’”
“The Needle and the Spoon”
“Ballad Of Curtis Loew”
“Gimme Back My Bullets”
“Tuesday’s Gone”
“Red White and Blue”
“Gimme Three Steps”
“Call Me The Breeze”
“Sweet Home Alabama”
“Free Bird”
Lynyrd Skynyrd’s latest, Gods & Guns, was released via Roadrunner/Loud & Proud, debuting on the Billboard Top 20 at #18, representing their highest debut since 1977. Throughout the past year, the band has been enjoying continued success and increased visibility, appearing on The Tonight Show, The Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson, FOX News Channel’s Huckabee, Hannity, Fox & Friends, PBS Soundstage and more.
The band was recently inducted into The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Their classic and beloved American rock anthem “Sweet Home Alabama” has surpassed the two million mark in downloaded ringtones. With a catalog of over 60 albums and sales beyond 30 million, Lynyrd Skynyrd remains a major cultural icon that appeals to all generations.
Lynyrd Skynyrd will return to the road for the next several months, touring with Bret Michaels and 38 Special in June before embarking on the Hannity Freedom Concert Series in August.
Tour dates are as follows:
Gods & Guns Tour 2010
May 28 - Starlight Theatre - Kansas City, MO
May 29 - Harrah's Metropolis - Metropolis, IL
May 30 - Horseshoe Casino - Elizabeth, IN
Lynyrd Skynyrd w/Bret Michaels and 38 Special
June 10 - Cruzan Amphitheatre - West Palm Beach, FL
June 13 - Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion - Spring, TX
June 17 - Verizon Wireless Music Center Birmingham - Pelham, AL
June 18 - Time Warner Pavillion @Walnut Creek - Raleigh, NC
June 19 - Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre - Charlotte, NC
June 20 - Verizon Wireless Music Center - Virginia Beach, VA
June 24 - DTE Energy Music Center - Clarkston, MI
June 25 - First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre - Tinley Park, IL
June 26 - Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre - Maryland Heights, MO
June 27 - Verizon Wireless Music Center - Noblesville, IN
July 1 - PNC Bank Arts Center - Holmdel, NJ
July 2 - Comcast Theater - Hartford, CT
July 3 - Jiffy Lube Live - Bristow, VA
July 8 - Blossom Music Center - Cuyahoga Falls, OH
July 9 - DTE Energy Music Center - Clarkston, MI
July 10 - First Niagara Pavilion - Burgettstown, PA
July 11 - First Niagara Pavilion - Burgettstown, PA

Verizon Wireless Bamajam Music and Arts Festival Welcomes New Sponsors

Verizon Wireless BamaJam Music & Arts Festival Welcomes New 2010 Sponsors


Dodge Ram Trucks, Kraft onboard with June 3-5 Event

Entertprise, AL - As the excitement continues to build for the 2010 Verizon Wireless BamaJam Music & Arts Festival, so does the list of today hottest performers and the sponsors who will help to make the June 3-5 event the most thrill-filled festival to date.

Fans from around the globe, who flock to Alabama for the 3-day music extravaganza, will enjoy food, games, activities, prizes, giveaways and oodles of fun, thanks to the generosity of sponsors like Dodge Ram Trucks, and Kraft.

Dodge will display a variety of the all-new, biggest and baddest Ram Trucks, named the 2010 Motor Trend Truck of the Year.

Kraft will feature two tents with artist meet-and-greets and tasty macaroni and cheese for the music-loving masses.

The Verizon Wireless BamaJam Music & Arts Festival has become synonymous with the biggest names in music entertainment. The festival boasts dozens of Grammy award-winning, platinum selling artists; all in one place, all at one jam-packed 3-day event.

Single day and 3 day discounted tickets on sale now. Tickets available at all Ticketmaster outlets, to charge by phone call 1-800-745-3000 or visit www.bamajammusicfestival.com
THURSDAY, JUNE
3rd ArtistsFRIDAY, JUNE
4th ArtistsSATURDAY, JUNE
5th Artists
Tyler Bryant
Dierks Bentley
Miss Willie Brown
Citizen Cope
The Cleverly’s
The Defibulators
The Dirty Dozen Brass Band
Danny Gokey
The Grascals
Chad Hall
Jim Beam Band 1
Jim Beam Band 2
Robert Earl Keen
Miranda Lambert
Led Zeppelin 2
LoCash Cowboys
Wes Lopez
Marty Stuart & His Fabulous Superlatives
Rio Grand
Stuckey & Murray
Chris Young
The Wells
Zac Brown Band



Blackberry Smoke
Alexa Carter
The Cleverly’s
The Defibulators
The Disco Biscuits
Colt Ford
Bill Gentry
Brantley Gilbert
Randy Houser
Chris Hurt
Jim Beam Band 3
Jim Beam Band 4
Jamey Johnson
Lucero
Rick Monroe
Sean Patrick McGraw
Spoonful James
Stuckey & Murray
Train
Travis Tritt
Jonathan Tyler & Northern Lights
Universal Songwriters
Wayne Mills Band
Hank Williams Jr.


Gregg Allman & Friends
Rodney Atkins
Chris Carpenter
Kenny Chesney
Louis Copeland
The Defibulators
Larry Frick
Buddy Guy
Beth Hart
Houston County
Jim Beam Band 5
Jim Beam Band 6
Matt Kennon
Stoney LaRue
Rick Monroe
Sean Patrick McGraw
Jake Owen
Shane Owens
Duece Poppi
Joanna Smith
Stealing Angels
Stuckey & Murray
Gretchen Wilson
Edgar Winter

Time Running Out For Discounted Tickets to Verizon Bama Jam Festival

Time is Running Out for Discounted Tickets to Verizon Wireless BamaJam Music & Arts Festival

Newly Expanded Festival Set for June 3-5, 2010

ENTERPRISE, AL– Only a few days remain to purchase 3-day tickets at the discounted rate of $130 for the 3rd annual Verizon Wireless BamaJam Music & Arts Festival, slated for Thursday, June 3 through Saturday, June 5, 2010 in Enterprise. On May 1st the price for 3-day tickets increases to $160.
For the first time, promoters are offering an enclosed seating area called “The Peanut Gallery” with reserved seats up close to Stage A; drink service included. After the festival, fans may take the logo chair home.
Through a relationship with Relix Magazine, fans may enjoy an upgrade to the air conditioned Relix tent near Stage B providing interactive displays and subscriptions to the magazine. Anyone with a 3-day ticket may purchase an upgrade to enter the tent.
The Verizon Wireless BamaJam Music & Arts Festival is the south’s premier outdoor entertainment extravaganza, offering 3 jam-packed days of music and entertainment with performances by today’s’ most popular and compelling acts from Country and Rock to Americana and Alternative. The event will include more than 40 Grammy, CMA, ACM, American Music Award winners and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame members.

Event promoter, Ronnie Gilley, has pulled out all the stops for an even grander fan experience for the 2010 event. It’s over 600 acres of rip-roaring fun and non-stop music with many upgrades from previous years including a broader range of musical acts, more vendors, additional parking and lighting, comedy, contests and more!
Verizon and Ronnie Gilley Entertainment have announced 4-time and current CMA, and 4-consecutive ACM Entertainer of the Year Kenny Chesney will headline the event. This will be one of the only 2010 concert appearances by Chesney, who’s had 19 #1 songs, including “Out Last Night,” “When The Sun Goes Down,” “Living In Fast Forward,” “Never Wanted Nothing More,” and the ACM Single of the Year, “The Good Stuff.”

The festival boasts dozens of award-winning, platinum-selling artists; all in one place, all at one music-filled 3-day event. In addition to Chesney, performers set to entertain in June include: Hank Williams Jr., whose appearance at the festival marks the artist’s only Alabama performance in 2010; Blackberry Smoke, Marty Stuart and the Fabulous Superlatives, The Grascals, Jake Owen, Wayne Mills Band, Lucero, Stoney Larue, Danny Gokey, Rodney Atkins, Buddy Guy, Gretchen Wilson, Citizen Cope, Travis Tritt, Train, Disco Biscuits, Miranda Lambert, Dierks Bentley, Zac Brown Band, Gregg Allman, Robert Earl Keen, LoCash Cowboys, Alexa Carter, Chris Carpenter, Tyler Bryant, Chris Young, Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Randy Houser, Jamey Johnson, Rio Grand, Colt Ford, Houston County, Led Zeppelin 2, Jonathan Tyler and the Northern Lights, Edgar Winter, Stuckey & Murray, Tyler Bryant, ASCAP songwriters, Miss Willie Brown, Larry Frick, Bill Gentry, Beth Hart, The Difibulators, Duece Poppi, Lewis Copeland, Chris Hurt, Chad Hall and The Cleverly’s. Also appearing will be the 6 finalists in the Jim Beam Battle of the Bands competition.
For more information, visit www.bamajammusicfestival.com

ABOUT RONNIE GILLEY ENTERTAINMENT
Ronnie Gilley Entertainment, a division of Ronnie Gilley Properties, is a full service entertainment company located in Enterprise, Alabama. RGE is active in all facets of the entertainment industry, including recording/engineering, music publishing and artist management/promotion. RGE’s music interests include Stroudavarious Records, BamaJam Records and Country Crossing Records. The company also produces the annual Verizon Wireless BamaJam Music and Arts Festival. For more information, visit www.ronniegilleyproperties.com





Media Contacts:
For media inquiries, please contact:

Webster & Associates , LLC
Kirt Webster / kirt@websterpr.com
(615) 777-6995 x 230

Bo Bice Returns With NEW ALBUM, 3

BO BICE RETURNS WITH NEW ALBUM, 3

Southern Rocker Explores Roots, Country and Gospel On His Third Solo Album

Due May 18th on Saguaro Road Records

Nashville, TN – American Idol alum Bo Bice will release his third album, aptly titled 3, on May 18th (Saguaro Road Records in association with Bo’s own Sugar Money Records). Soulful southern blues and rock, gospel-like choruses, Americana and a touch of country, the new album is much like Bice himself; irresistibly likeable, filled with easygoing charm and undeniable talent.

“I feel the new CD, 3, is my strongest to date,” says Bo, “filled with a plethora of sounds that show people who the real Bo Bice is.” “There's something for everyone; country, soul, rock & roll...it's like your favorite pair of jeans; it just feels right.” “Bo Bice is an enormously talented singer, songwriter and musician that has forged incredible relationships with the fans,” adds Mike Jason, Senior VP of Audio and Video Retail at Saguaro Road Records, home to Patty Loveless, the Blind Boys of Alabama, Tanya Tucker and Lonestar. “We are absolutely thrilled to be partnering with him for the release of 3."

On 3, Bo wrote half of the songs himself and collaborated with other writers on the remainder, playing both acoustic and electric guitar during the recording sessions in his adopted hometown of Nashville. He was joined by Black Crowes drummer Steve Gorman and keyboardist AJ Croce, whose father Jim has long been one of Bo’s greatest songwriting influences. Bo also produced five of the album’s songs, with an additional six co-produced with D. Scott Miller.

Bice’s Southern sensibility, earthy vocals and decidedly non-pop performances won over a nation of fans during the fourth season of American Idol, where he landed as the runner-up to Carrie Underwood. His first single, “Inside Your Heaven,” reached #1 on the pop chart when it was released in 2005 and was certified gold after it became the second-highest debuting song of the year. His album (The Real Thing) debuted at #4 shortly afterward and was also certified gold, his 2007 follow-up (See The Light) was ranked #1 by VH-1, and he later sung lead on Santana’s single “Brown Skinned Girl” (certified gold). 3 is Bice’s third album and first for Saguaro Road Records.

About Saguaro Road Records and Direct Holdings:
Saguaro Road is an imprint launched by Direct Holdings Americas Inc, the company that markets and sells audio and video entertainment products under the Time Life brand, using it under license from Time Warner Inc. The label focuses on artists that have a uniquely American roots oriented sound.

Kings Of Southern Rock Lynyrd Skynyrd join with Bret Michaels, 38 Special for 2010 Concert Tour! ! !

Kings of Southern Rock Lynyrd Skynyrd join with King of Reality TV Bret Michaels for 2010 Concert Tour!!!

Tickets go on sale beginning March 26th at LiveNation.com


NASHVILLE, TN – Yes, you read it right…two extraordinary acts… one stage! The Cruzan Amphitheatre in West Palm Beach, Florida will be the first stop on a multi-city tour with legendary artists Lynyrd Skynyrd and Bret Michaels with guests 38 Special. Starting June 2010, the sparks fly and the amps go to 11! Produced by Live Nation, a collaboration of this scale is definitely going to be a powerful live experience for fans.

Speaking about the tour, Johnny said,” The band and I have been friends with Bret for years and are looking forward to finally getting to tour with him. It's going to be a kick-ass show complete with new music plus all the fan favorites. Skynyrd will definitely be pulling for Bret to become the next Celebrity Apprentice!"

“There is no doubt that Lynyrd Skynyrd is one of my all time favorite rock and roll bands. I have been friends with them a long time, so I am honored that Skynyrd has asked me to join them on their tour this summer” says Bret Michaels. “I will have a chance to play all the Poison greatest hits, plus all the new solo hits including "Nothing to Lose" (featuring Miley Cyrus), songs from "Rock of Love," "Celebrity Apprentice" and the new solo CD "Custom Built." The Lynyrd Skynyrd / Bret Michaels tour will be a summer concert celebration of awesome music, amazing fans and most important a kick ass night of rock and roll. To sum it up Lynyrd Skynyrd / Bret Michaels is a nothing but a good time summer party that will rock your world.”

Confirmed tour dates include:

Thu Jun 10 West Palm Beach, FL - Cruzan Amphitheatre
Sun Jun 13 Houston, TX - Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
Thu Jun 17 Birmingham, AL - Verizon Wireless Music Center
Fri Jun 18 Raleigh, NC - Time Warner Cable Music Pavilion
Sat Jun 19 Charlotte, NC - Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre
Sun Jun 20 Virginia Beach, VA - Virginia Beach Amphitheater
Thu Jun 24 Detroit, MI - DTE Energy Music Theatre
Fri Jun 25 Chicago, IL* - First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre
Sat Jun 26 St. Louis, MO - Verizon Wireless Amphitheater
Sun Jun 27 Indianapolis, IN - Verizon Wireless Music Center
Thu Jul 01 Boston, MA - Comcast Center
Fri Jul 02 Holmdel, NJ - P.N.C Bank Arts Centre
Sat Jul 03 Buffalo, NY - Darien Lake Performing Arts Center
Thu Jul 08 Cleveland - Blossom Music Center
Fri Jul 09 Washington, DC - Jiffy Lube Live
Sat Jul 10 Hartford, CT - Comcast Theatre
Sun Jul 11 Pittsburgh, PA - First Niagara Pavilion

About Lynyrd Skynyrd: The band has enjoyed continued success and visibility in the past few years including a Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction. Their American rock anthem “Sweet Home Alabama” has passed the 2 million mark in downloaded ringtones. With the release of their God & Guns cd last fall, the band once again climbed the Rock Charts with the single "Still Unbroken". High profile appearances, including the show closer at VH1 Fashion Rocks helped to expose the band to a younger audience. With a catalog of over 60 albums and sales beyond 30 million, Lynyrd Skynyrd remains a major cultural icon that appeals to all generations.

About Bret Michaels: Bret Michaels, front man of the legendary rock band Poison and hit reality shows , Nashville Star, Rock of Love, and now Celebrity Apprentice is currently promoting his new hit single “Nothing to Lose”, featuring Miley Cyrus. Bret has sold over 25 million records and has scored an amazing 15 chartbusting Top 40 singles including "Talk Dirty to Me," “Nothing But a Good Time” and the timeless #1 smash "Every Rose Has Its Thorn." Rock of Love with Bret Michaels has been an enormous ratings winner for VH1. The series has became the highest rated show on VH1 and has consistently won its time slot when aired, including multiple airings. He also is working on his autobiography with Simon and Shuster called “Roses and Thorns.”

About 38 Special: Formed by neighborhood friends Don Barnes and Donnie Van Zant in 1975 in Jacksonville, Florida. By the early 1980s, 38 Special began amalgamating southern rock and arena rock in their music, thereby kicking off a string of successful albums and singles. Their first high-charting song was "Hold On Loosely" (1981); "Caught Up In You" (1982) and "If I'd Been The One" (1983) both hit #1 on Billboard magazine's Album Rock Tracks chart. "Back Where You Belong" (1984) continued the annual sequence of radio favorites, and "Second Chance" (1989), a #1 hit on Billboard's adult contemporary chart, was sung by former Specialist Max Carl. The current lineup consists of Barnes, Van Zant, guitarist Danny Chauncey, bassist Larry Junstrom, keyboardist Bobby Capps and drummer Gary Moffatt.

Charlie Daniels To Be Featured In Geico Commercial

CHARLIE DANIELS TO BE FEATURED IN GEICO COMMERCIAL
Tune in beginning Monday, Dec 28th


On Monday, 12/28 GEICO will launch four TV spots as part of a new campaign, called “Rhetorical Questions.” The new creative joins their on-air rotation as the fifth current storyline, in addition to the Gecko, Cavemen, “Talking Accidents” and googly-eyed “Kash.”


During the last 15 years, everyone’s heard GEICO’s famous tagline: “15 minutes could save you 15% or more on car insurance.”

With that in mind, GEICO’s savings message has a refreshed twist. The idea: people know this tagline so well, we could phrase it as a rhetorical question.

Each spot begins with an investigative reporter-type host, played by Mike McGlone (from The Brothers McMullen,) asking the question: “Could switching to GEICO really save you 15% or more on car insurance?”

Well…

“Is Ed “Too Tall” Jones too tall?”

“Does Charlie Daniels play a mean fiddle?”

“Does Elmer Fudd have trouble with the letter R?”

“Did The Waltons take way too long to say goodnight?”

Obviously, GEICO’s answer is a resounding “yes.”


(Charlie's GEICO commercial will be posted on www.charliedaniels.com 12/28)

Susan Hickman

Nashville, TN (November 9, 2009) - Texas country rocker Susan Hickman will take her edgy live show global Saturday, November 28 as she streams the show from Houston-area nightspot Rowdy Buck's Saloon beginning at 9:30 p.m. on www.susanhickman.com.
"The internet has given me some amazing opportunities to connect with my fans," says the tech-savvy Hickman. "This is something I've always wanted to do - and I'm excited to be connecting with a larger audience. It's the first chance for my fans outside of Texas to catch my live performance."

The twenty-four-year old, high-energy performer has already shared the stage with Tracy Byrd, Jo Dee Messina, Kevin Fowler, Steve Holy, The Lost Trailers and Phil Vassar, to name a few. And, for reviewers and radio personalities nationwide, Susan is already "connecting" with her brand new single, "Whipping Post."

"It takes a lot of guts to cover a classic Greg Allman tune like "Whipping Post" and Susan Hickman delivers it with guts, grit, and a woman's blues soul!" - TX Rebel Radio Network

"Her fiery new single "Whipping Post" is burn-the-stage-down hot." - Roots Music Report

"'Whipping Post' shows off her sultry, smoky vocals that are reminiscent of sisters Shelby Lynne or Allison Moorer." - Roughstock

Hickman released "Whipping Post" in the wake of six nods in the First-Round 52nd Annual Grammy Awards Nominating Ballot for: Album of the Year (SUSAN HICKMAN), SONG OF THE YEAR (for "Wrapped Up In Me" - goes to writers Clayton, James, Monroe) and BEST NEW ARTIST. Additional first-round nominations include: Best Country Female Vocal Performance, Best Country Song ("Wrapped Up in Me") and Best Country Album (SUSAN HICKMAN, regionally- released in February of this year. National release planned for Q2 in 2010).



FANS can purchase Susan's music at iTunes, CDBaby and www.susanhickman.com.
ROWDY BUCK'S INFO: 6210 Lindstrom Rd. (Crosby) / 281-462.1731/ www.rowdybucks.com. Cover charge for Hickman's show is $ 5.Crosby, TX 77532
MEDIA: For interviews, email somuchmoore@charter.net or call Martha @ 615-746-3994.

(Photo Credit: David Clements)

Lynyrd Skynyrd on Huckabee this Weekend

LYNYRD SKYNYRD TO APPEAR ON THE LATE LATE SHOW WITH CRAIG FERGUSON AND HUCKABEE THIS WEEKEND!

New York, NY – American rock legends Lynyrd Skynyrd are set to appear on The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson on Friday, October 2nd performing their new single, “Simple Life” from their album God & Guns; released this past Tuesday (9/29) on Loud & Proud/Roadrunner Records. Lynyrd Skynyrd will also be appearing on Fox News Channel’s Huckabee, which airs Saturday, September 26th & Sunday, September 27th. Lynyrd Skynyrd will be performing “Simple Life” and also one of their classic hits with Governor Huckabee on bass. Tune in this weekend to see which signature Skynyrd hit the Governor picks!

God & Guns is the band’s first full length studio album since 2003’s Vicious Cycle, and their first release on Loud & Proud/Roadrunner.

Gibson.com calls attention to, “catchy choruses and the kinds of themes that drive modern country hits — plainly advertised in the titles, ‘Simple Life,’ ‘God & Guns,’ and ‘That Ain’t My America.’” Ted Drozdowski of Gibson.com continues,proclaiming God & Guns as a “Mission accomplished….boasting all the guitar signatures of classic Skynyrd — melody-ripe solos, crunchy chords that swell like shockwaves, and Rossington’s unmistakable slide playing — but with a little extra beef thanks to an exacting writing, recording, and mixing process that took two years…”concluding, “Lynyrd Skynyrd may indeed be heading to the charts for the first time since their reformation in 1987.”

The first rock single, “Still Unbroken,” reflects the true spirit of a band with a unique ability to power through tragedy and end up stronger than ever. The video for “Still Unbroken” has been added to VH-1 Classic, and the track continues to make impressive headway at rock radio. It is top 20 at Mainstream Rock and #1 at Classic Rock, already with spins on KDKB, KSAN, KSHE, KZRQ, WAXQ, WBSX, WDHA, WHJY, WLUP, WRAT, WRTT. The band has also shipped their first ever single to country radio with “Simple Life.” The video made its CMT and GAC premiere this week.

2009 marks a key point in Lynyrd Skynyrd’s storied career. The band has enjoyed continued success and visibility in the past few years including a recent Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction. Their American rock anthem “Sweet Home Alabama” has passed the 2 million mark in downloaded ringtones. Their last single, “Red White & Blue” reached #1 on the Rock Charts. This summer, the band co-headlined one of the most successful tours of the year on their second run with Kid Rock. High profile appearances, including the show closer at last year’s VH1 Fashion Rocks helped to expose the band to a younger audience. With a catalog of over 60 albums and sales beyond 30 million, Lynyrd Skynyrd remains a major cultural icon that appeals to all generations

Lynyrd Skynyrd recently appeared on The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien in support of their new album. Watch Oct. 8th for a SPECIAL announcement on Fox News Channel's HANNITY show.