"V" -Kenny Vaughn - A Review

I heard this CD for the first time last night, this is a heads up, great CD, one of those that really caught me saying, like , this is great, Kenny has done so much under the radar, known as guitarist for Marty Stuart's Fabulous Superlatives, He is a rare guitarist who is truly as good on acoustic as he is on electric, like Brent Mason and Bryan Sutton in one. TONE,TONe,TOne,Tone,tone. From "Country Music got a hold on me" to "Don't Leave Home Without Jesus", Kenny sparkles with the Superlatives as his backup band and Marty Stuart as his other guitarist.



Kenny has done lots of stuff in his musical career, even a dip in punk music. I first heard Him in a Mindy Smith CD from 04 called "One Moment More". He has done lots of studio work. He spent some time in Lucinda Williams band. He took lessons from Bill Frisell, and went on from there. This record has a lot of flavor of swing in it and even a touch of surf style sound. His guitar playing is sensational in his own way. You really get to hear what he can do, when he is let free. "Wagon Ride" is a mid tempo instrumental that shows Kenny playing at his best, yet doing things in his own style, lots of reverb, real country rock. The lyrics to "The Things I Do" are down to earth and the song sort of shows his style of music. Him and Marty Stuart play very well together. Not many guests on this CD, just the Superlatives and Chris Scruggs, Oak Ridge Boys, Charles Treadway and Jeffrey Clemens.



The last song on the disc, "Don't Leave Home Without Jesus" is a sincere tune about Christ. The overall sound quality is top notch, produced by Gary Paczosa, an icon of Nashville producers. The guy knows how to make an artist sound good. I mean, if you want to hear one of today's best in his own element, This is a CD to get.
 
       http://www.sugarhillrecords.com/

My Review of IRT Deadliest Roads Season 1 DVD SET

Originally submitted at AETN

IRT: DEADLIEST ROADS sends today''s toughest drivers to navigate the world''s most dangerous roads as they haul their way through India''s Himalayan highways, some of the most historic and lethal on the planet. From the crowded streets of Delhi, to treacherously steep, narro...

IRT Deadliest Roads Season 1 DVD SET

Real Dangerous Roads

By guit30 from Abington,Pa on 8/29/2011

 

5out of 5

Pros: Engaging Characters, Informative, Entertaining, Great Cinematography

Best Uses: Worth more than one view

Describe Yourself: Casual Viewer

Excellent camera work, not one camera worker seen, in newer shows, they are getting sloppy with their camera folk. Beautiful vistas.

(legalese)

"Little Bird" - Kasey Chambers - a review

                                                  
Kasey Chambers sounds a bit more mainstream on the production of her new CD, well, it has been out for awhile in Australia. Now, Sugar Hill Records is releasing it here in the states. The title track "Little Bird" is a real catchy song, bouncy melody with real melodic feel. She still has that bit of nasally sound to her vocals, but her voice sounds stronger than ever.




"Somewhere" is a very beautiful love ballad. It is done very well, Sort of a sparse delivery, but very delightful. Some nice guitar fades,too. The lyrics are thought provoking.



Bottom Line, This is a good CD, that has proven itself, it seems to try to please both alt/country and mainstream country fans by it's variety of material. I love the textures the sound quality produces, American version mastered by a top notch engineer who usually doesn't master a lot of country, but this works well.

Enjoy



http://www.kaseychambers.com/

"To Terrapin" - Grateful Dead- HDCD

On May 28,1977, the Grateful Deadtook the stage and put out possibly the best sounding and tightest show that the band has ever done.This was not a multi-track recording. 1977 and 1972 were my 2 favorite years of Dead Music. "To Terrapin" was released in '09 as was their June 77,box set from Winterland which covered 3 full shows, June 7,8 and 9. I also have 2 great Dick's Picks from 77, DP 10 "Winterland,Dec 29" and DP 15 "Live From Englishtown ,NJ, an outdoors festival with the MTB. (I was at that one).






"To Terrapin", was done way after last Dick's Pick, #36(I was at that one too, Philly, 72) the untimely death of Dick, led to other outlets from the vault ,like Road Trips and special shows ,like "To Terrapin". This concert was a bargain ,selling for around 15 bucks for 3 Discs in a Cardboard sleeve. The artwork, along with the music is beautiful. This is a Betty Cantor recording, like Dick would used for a Dick's Pick, but technology had picked up and also Rhino Records were in charge of Dead releases, so the sound quality was shining, it was mastered by Jeffrey Norman.



Garcia is playing his Travis Bean guitar on this show, which had a different timbre than the Wolfe,his custom guitar, built by Irwin Guitars. I really loved the tones he got out of this instrument which had an aluminum frame. There is a very well done "Estimated Prophet" on Disc 3, which is off of their newest CD , "Terrapin Station". A very good "Playing in The Band", with some unusual jamming for this version. Keith Godchaux plays great on this disc. On the first CD, there are very good versions of "Jack Straw" and "Row Jimmy", overall, a very good setlist. This summer, I have been taking a bit of a break from bluegrass, and there haven't been any stellar releases that I have heard, except Ricky Skaggs latest, recently. I have been delving into the vault of Grateful Dead music, something only a Deadhead would understand. See you next time.



http://www.dead.net/  -Coming soon, Europe 72 Box Set

"Wrapped Up Good" - The McClymonts - A Review

This Three Lady Country group from Australia has put out a very good and hot country CD reminiscent of the Dixie Chicks back in the "Wide Open Spaces" era. They released the CD in Australia in last year with very good results. They released the first four songs on the CD as singles and each was a single #1 on the Aussie Country Charts. I really love their sound. They write most all of the songs and Nathan Chapman and Adam Anders produce different songs on the CD. This is their second CD.




They start out rockin with "Kick It Up", a country, dance number. Lots of nice hooks and they sing well together. It looks like they play some of their own instruments when performing. I found a YouTube for this song, and each gal was playing an instrument, bass, guitar and mandolin. "Wrapped Up Good" is another well done upbeat country song, with some great guitar work. These gals can really sing well together, the 3 part harmonies are something to behold.



"He Used To Love Me" is a masterpiece of a ballad , It has a great emotional melody. This CD is very well produced, by Adam Anders and Nathan Chapman. Both of these guys are great. "Boy Who Cried Love" is another upbeat country song. These gals are great songwriters too. Overall, these girls are a step above what you hear on country radio, not everything, but their music is every bit as good or better than what is on country radio. They have a debut at the Grand Ole Opry. This should give them well deserved exposure. Last fall, they opened for country "bad boy" Jason Aldean, that must have been a great show.



"Take It Back" is a mid tempo song sang by Samantha, Brooke sings most of The leads. Samantha has a different timbre to her voice, a bit more melodic, where Brooke tends to rock out more. "Rock The Boat" -Talk about rocking out, Brook rocks out on this song, which has a great guitar solo. You know, there is just not a bad song on this CD. This is real talent. I would be surprised if they don't get picked up by a major label, or at least get a major distribution deal.



http://www.themcclymonts.net/

JUDDS RECEIVE HIGH HONORS AS #15 OF BILLBOARD MAGAZINE'S TOP 25 COUNTRY ARTISTS, 1985-2011

                                      
THE JUDDS RECEIVE HIGH HONORS AS #15 OF


BILLBOARD MAGAZINE’S TOP 25 COUNTRY ARTISTS, 1985-2011



Nashville, TN (August 12, 2011) – The Judds, one of the most successful Country music duos of all time, have been named #15 of Billboard Magazine’s Top 25 Country Artists from 1985-2011. Earlier this summer, Billboard ranked the top 25 country artists of the last twenty-five years, combing their Country Songs and Country Album charts since 1985.



Kentucky natives, The Judds became country music’s sole successful mother-daughter duo and practically owned the country charts during the ‘80s. Naomi and Wynonna shot to stardom with a cover of Elvis Presley’s “Had a Dream (For the Heart)” in 1983, followed by heartfelt ballads such as “Mama He’s Crazy” and “Grandpa (Tell Me ‘Bout the Good Old Days).” After launching their career with Curb/RCA Records, The Judds sold 20 million albums in just six short years. All but two of The Judds’ 16 radio singles between 1984-1989 topped Billboard’s Country Songs chart. By 1989, The Judds were one of the top-grossing and most popular touring acts in America, earning more than 60 industry awards, including multiple CMA, ACM and GRAMMY awards.



Sadly, at the height of their career, Naomi Judd announced her impending retirement at the end of 1991 due to health complications. Their subsequent tour sold more concert tickets than any artist that year except for The Grateful Dead and The Rolling Stones. The pair reunited on Dec. 31, 1999, for a New Year’s Eve show, prompting a successful reunion tour, multi-media partnership and CBS Special in 2000 sponsored by Kmart. Then, ten years later, after a performance at the 2009 CMA Music Festival, and with encouragement from their fans, the duo decided to tour another time for their 2010 tour, The Judds: The Last Encore. During this significant time, they invited the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN) to document their journey.. In April 2011, their six-episode docu-series, “The Judds,” debuted with the highest rated premiere outside of OWN’s launch week. Viewers tuned in every Sunday night to watch the moving exploration of Wynonna and Naomi’s mother-daughter bond weaved throughout the backdrop of this momentous concert tour.



How This Chart Was Created

The Top Country Artists 1985-2011 ranking is based on actual performance on the weekly Country Songs and Country Albums charts dated Jan. 5, 1985 – June 4, 2011. Artists are ranked based on an inverse point system, with weeks at No. 1 earning the greatest value and weeks at the lower end of the chart earning the least.



Prior to the Country Songs chart’s implementation in January 1990 of monitored radio airplay by Nielsen BDS and the Country Albums list’s incorporation of point-of-purchase sales date from Nielsen SoundScan in May 1991, titles on those lists had shorter reigns at No. 1 and shorter chart lives. To ensure equitable representation from all 25-plus years, earlier time frames were each weighted to account for the difference between turnover rates from those years and the turnover rates that have occurred since the advent of Nielsen music data. (Used by permission)







Media Contact:

Kirt Webster

615-777-6995 x230

kirt@websterpr.com

Europe 72 -Part 2 - Grateful Dead

              

I'm sure that you have heard of the huge project Jeffrey Norman and David Glasser of Airshow Mastering have been working on. They are remixing and remastering every song from the Europe 72 Grateful Dead Tour which consisted of 23 concerts. They will release this in 72 HDCD Discs in a special fancy boxed set for the first 7,200 orders and after that you can get the discs only in digipak for the same $450.00




I am happy that they also decided to release a Europe 72 -part 2 , which will contain songs from the tour that did not make it on the original Europe 72.





http://www.dead.net/

Grateful Dead Road Trips Vol4 , #4

This Grateful Dead 82 Concert at The Spectrum in Philly sounds awesome. The Recording is excellent and contains 3 Discs of great songs. Garcia's vocals are great, the recording is just splendid,unlike most Road trips CDs, this is a full concert ,like a Dick's Picks,but the Sound Quality is almost unbelievable, especially Garcia, both vocals and guitar!!!

Get it @

http://www.dead.net/

"Wine,Women and Song" -Gretchen Peters,Matraca Berg and Suzy Bogguss

  

    Gretchen Peters, Matraca Berg and Suzy Bogguss play a show at a place called "Green's Grocery" in Leiper's Fork , Tennessee on Feb 24, 2011. There were tornado warnings out, but this great show goes on, and I am so glad that it is on DVD.


These ladies sound so good together. Wow, they are singing C,S,N's "Helpless", great harmony. Berg plays some great harmonica. You know what is cool, these gals play the same guitar for the whole show. They don't have a guitar tech handing them a new guitar every song. Gretchen has this beautiful Jumbo ,Maple Gibson. Suzy plays a gorgeous handmade guitar, the wood is exquisite. Matraca has vintage looking Gibson which is like a dreadnought size.



Peter's "You Don't Even Know Who I Am", really blew me away, always loved this song, Patty Loveless did a great version of it on a 94 Album. When the songwriter sings it, it always seems a bit more personal.


Gretchen plays some mandolin, these gals sound so good together, they really seem to love singing together. Bogguss plays some percussion on some songs.



This is a great performance, not real formal ,but it is a simple delight. There are 12 songs on the DVD. They play a couple of songs after the crowd leaves. A beautiful rendition of "Further Along". I love a tune that Peters sings ,called "Gaudelaupe", with Berg on Harmonica and Bogguss singing backup. Peter's jumbo Gibson is a sweet sounding guitar.



Another special treat is from Berg's new CD "The Dreaming Fields", is called "South Of Heaven". If you like country done unplugged by the best, you will love this.





http://www.gretchenpeters.com/

"The Life We Live" - Cumberland River - A Review

Cumberland River is a real authentic sounding bluegrass band. They write their own songs and their music has good melodies and harmonies also, but with a flair of the old time bluegrass sound prevalent in their music. The Dobro is a big part of their sound. Steve Gulley does a good job of producing the CD. I like the sound Gulley creates, not too polished, he lets the instruments come thru like they should. Banjo and mandolin sound great too, with some nice lead guitar.






James Dean plays banjo and sings, Joseph Jones plays upright bass, Dustin Middleton plays guitar and mandolin, and sings, Andy Buckner sings and plays guitar, Justin Moses plays fiddle and Dobro, and Jamie Stewart plays Dobro. Steve Gulley sings harmony on several tracks, plus Dale Ann Bradley also sings harmony vocals.



Their music appears on the TV show "Justified", Six of their original songs appeared on two different shows. I really like "Train Of Sorrow", a song that tells a sad story. "Remember Me" is a sad song that is very touching.



This is a very good bluegrass set of songs, that has an original sound in old genre.



http://www.cumberland-river.com/

"The BLU-DISC" - Nu- Blu - A review

          
This group has a smooth ,yet fundamental bluegrass sound as they play their way thru this disc. The group is Carolyn Routh on bass, Daniel Routh on guitar with Kendall Gales on mandolin and Levin Austin on banjo. Their sound is definitely their own as they play these in the bluegrass vein, yet what comes out is smooth as a mountain stream, almost with a pop sound, yet not a bad thing, their sound is great.



After a quick look at titles , I recognized several songwriters like Mark Brinkman, but I did not notice much in the way of new stuff, but what they play sounds delightful. Carolyn has a great voice for the female lead vocals, I mean, real good. I really like the instrument interaction, they are really together. It is really well produced, the tones are smooth and sweet. The lyrics of these songs are very thought provoking. The opening track "Look To You" is delightful, yet the words are challenging.


Nu-Blu is a new dimension in the bluegrass world, it is a CD to check out, I liked it immediately, it is different, but what is wrong with that. There are some more traditional driving songs mixed in.



http://www.nu-blu.com/

THE ROYS PLEDGE SUPPORT TO COMPASSION INTERNATIONAL

Nashville, TN (July 11, 2011) -- The reigning two-time Inspirational Country Music's Duo of the Year, The Roys, "RESPOND with Compassion" as they support COMPASSION INTERNATIONAL's newest campaign. The RESPOND with Compassion effort encourages people everywhere to sponsor a child - now.


"The development of the whole child is the foundation of Compassion International. Sponsorship enables us to work one-on-one with the child, fostering a personal relationship and transforming families and communities," says Zane King, Manager of Artist Relations for Compassion. "We are simply asking everyone to ask themselves one question: Can you offer aid to a child in need?"

One key component of the new RESPOND campaign is to offer donors three different "needs" categories, which allows for targeted contributions: Health & Medical, Disaster Relief & Stability, and Education. To learn more about how you can Respond, visit www.theroysonline.com, click on the Compassion logo, and sponsor a child today.

"It's a very unique concept," says Elaine Roy of the new campaign. "A lot of folks who donate to charity wonder where their money goes," adds her brother, Lee Roy. "This way they'll know for certain how their money is spent, and they'll rest easy knowing that Compassion is one of the top 1% of all charities in terms of stewardship."

The duo has been involved with the organization since early 2010, and last Summer, Lee and Elaine traveled to Bogota, Columbia, South America to experience first-hand how the programs are implemented. Compassion's King is happy to have The Roys on board for this new campaign. "We are just thrilled to be in partnership with them as they ask their fans to 'RESPOND with Compassion' to help those in need."

As part of their ongoing relationship with Compassion, The Roys' tour bus has been "wrapped" with RESPOND graphics, and Compassion is furnishing the duo with t-shirts and other giveaway items to help them spread the word to their fans. "We believe strongly in their mission to eradicate poverty in the lives of children," says Lee. "We want to spread the message that sponsoring a child not only changes the life of that child, but it changes the sponsor's life as well," adds Elaine.

Upcoming shows for The Roys include:

Craven Country Jamboree (Saskatchewan, Canada, 7/14 -17)

The Oak Tree Opry (Anita, IA, 7/19)

Country Thunder (Twin Lakes, WI, 7/21-24)

Blue Moon Mountain Bluegrass Festival (Prestonsburg, KY, 7/30)

Workplay Theater (Birmingham, AL, 8/4)

Chocotaw Casino with Janie Fricke (Idabel, OK, 8/6)

Dogwood Park Concert Series (Greeneville, TN, 8/21)

ABOUT THE ROYS:

These Massachusetts natives were "raised right" on country and bluegrass in New Brunswick, Canada. Their current CD, LONESOME WHISTLE (Rural Rhythm Records), debuted at #7 on BILLBOARD's Bluegrass Albums Chart. Their current single (and video) "Coal Minin' Man," is generating a storm of media attention on a national level, and rapidly expanding their ever-growing fan base. The Roys come from a unique, musical family and are known for their superb sibling harmonies, Rootsy/Bluegrass sound and compelling original songs. http://www.theroysonline.com/



ABOUT COMPASSION INTERNATIONAL:

Compassion International (www.compassion.com) is the world's largest Christian child development organization that permanently releases children from poverty. Founded in 1952, CI successfully tackles global poverty one child at a time, serving more than 1.2 million children in 26 of the world's poorest countries. Recognizing that poverty is more than a lack of money, CI works through local churches to holistically address the individual physical, economic, educational and spiritual needs of children - enabling them to thrive, not just survive. CI has been awarded 10 consecutive, four-star ratings by Charity Navigator, America's largest charity evaluator.







Media Contacts

For The Roys

Martha E. Moore / 615.746.3994

so much MOORE media

martha@somuchmoore.com

For Compassion International

Chris Tatum / 615.777.6995

Webster PR

chris@websterpr.com

THE MARSHALL TUCKER BAND SETS SAIL WITH ROCK LEGENDS CRUISE THIS DECEMBER

MTB Headlines Cruise With ZZ Top, George Thorogood & the Destroyers, John Kay & Steppenwolf, Dickey Betts & Great Southern, Foghat, Artimus Pyle, Molly Hatchet, Johnny Winter, The Edgar Winter Band, Among Others


Royal Caribbean's Liberty Of The Seas Cruise Ship Departs on Four-Day Excursion to the Bahamas December 1



Nashville, Tenn. (July 7, 2011) – This December, legendary southern rockers The Marshall Tucker Band will ‘batten down the hatches’ and take to the seas, as they co-headline the inaugural ROCK LEGENDS CRUISE, benefiting the Native American Heritage Association (NAHA).



“This is going to be one hell of a party on the Atlantic,” notes Marshall Tucker Band lead singer and founding member Doug Gray. “Hittin’ the waters with some of our best rocker pals never sounded so good. You can bet we’ll have some of these guys jammin’ with us MTB-style on more than a few of our sets!”



Departing from Ft. Lauderdale on Dec. 1, The Marshall Tucker Band joins more than 18 rock bands including ZZ Top, George Thorogood & The Destroyers, John Kay & Steppenwolf, Dickey Best & Great Southern, Foghat, Molly Hatchet, Johnny Winter, The Edgar Winter Band, and The Outlaws, among others, on a four-day Bahamian cruise.


As many as 3,200 music fans, served by a crew of 1,300, will be aboard The Royal Caribbean Line’s Liberty of the Seas. The ship, one of the largest (160,000 tons / length equal to almost four football fields / 18 decks) and most luxurious passenger vessels in service today, is scheduled for stops in Bahamian cities Coco Cay and Nassau. The main attraction of the cruise is the multiple performances by the rock bands brought aboard in four different on-board venues. Liberty of the Seas also features on-board surfing thanks to its FlowRider wave generator, a boxing ring, a full-sized volleyball / basketball court, cantilevered whirlpools and a range of gourmet restaurants.



The unprecedented cruise will benefit Native American Heritage Association’s mission to provide emergency assistance and self-help programs to the Sioux Native Americans living on reservations in South Dakota. Since 1993, NAHA has worked with Lakota (Sioux) Reservations, strengthening the Native American communities and families one member at a time. The challenges are difficult as unemployment rates on the Reservations are at 80%, 70% have no transportation, the average life expectancy is 58 years of age, infant mortality is 10 times the national average and 31% of Native American children under the age of 4 are obese because of lack of proper nutrition. NAHA, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, in partnership with Feeding America and Gifts In Kind International, has provided food, clothing, heating assistance, personal care items and home care items to the many Native Americans in need. NAHA has a 17-year history of executing its mission in a fiscally responsible way, outperforming most other charities. Thanks to its financially sound business practices, NAHA has earned 6 consecutive 4-star rating with www.charitynavigator.org. 92.4% of all NAHA revenue goes toward its program services. For additional information, visit http://www.naha-inc.org/



This year, The Marshall Tucker Band celebrates its 40th year since forming in 1971. Last May, the band, in recognition of four decades, released The Marshall Tucker Band: Greatest Hits and lead singer Doug Gray’s lost solo recordings, Soul Of The South. The legendary southern rock band continues to tour regularly and recently returned from a five-concert tour of Iraq and Kuwait, where they entertained thousands of United States military personnel.



For ROCK LEGENDS CRUISE ticketing information, visit www.rocklegendscruise.com.



For additional information on The Marshall Tucker Band, visit http://www.marshalltucker.com/

"Grateful Dead Movie Soundtrack and other News"

First, this set of five discs and four shows has just about the best Sound Quality of any Dead recording ever, period. This is the last time the famed "Wall Of Sound" is used. It has been all over the world in '74. So, this four night stand is it's farewell and they now have it tweaked to perfection. I saw the "Wall Of Sound" in Philly in August hanging from the ceiling of the Civic Center in it's single configuration, a huge cylinder of speakers , amps, beyond huge.



There is a distinct clarity to this mix, each musician has control of the volume and tone of their vocals and instrument. Phil's bass is not laying bombs, but it is perfect in the mix. Garcia's vocals sound great. The fifth CD see's Mickey Hart return to the group.


Jerry's "Wolf" sounds big, fat and clear, Weir plays a hollow body Gibson for his parts. I always liked Bobby playing the Gibson, so warm sounding. This is probably a 24 track recording as it is for the Grateful Dead Movie. You cannot compare it to a 2 track Dick's Picks, though some of them sounded very good. There are a lot of great jams on this five disc set. Great jam out of "Black Peter" on (Disc 4 , 10/19).


The material is from "Europe 72", "Wake Of The Flood", and the newly released "Mars Hotel". This was the culmination of The "Wall Of Sound" era, they had to truck 2 of these total sound systems on tour. While they were playing in one town, the crew was in another town setting up for the next show. It just showed the Dead's commitment to their fans, always the best!!


On to the news, which is probably old by now, Rhino Records, The Deads' current label is almost done remixing and mastering every show from the Europe 72 Tour, The 72 discs will sell for $450. The first 7,200 customers get a special wood box for the CDs and a hardcover book, plus other keepsakes. You still order the music only version from the http://www.dead.net/  for the same price. This will be a special box set for sure.





Happy Fourth Of July!!!

My Guilty Pleasure Of Choice, Ice Pilots NWT

I love this show, very personable, down to earth charactors

"Country Hits: Bluegrass style" - Ricky Skaggs - A Review

Ricky Skaggs is an iconic bluegrass, acoustic musician. He is best playing his mandolin, a real hot player. He has made many a recording that I have enjoyed and has a great bluegrass band in Kentucky Thunder with Cody Kilby on Lead guitar. Kilby is a great player. He reminds me a bit of Tony Rice.

Skaggs has a label too with which he helps out other artists like the recently retired Cherryholmes Band after an excellent six CD career. I am sure that we will hear from members of this great group again.


This album has the feel of retro country music with a combo of bluegrass, country sound. Some of the songs are kind of hokey. I read No Depression's website, their idea of bluegrass is stuff like "Trampled By Turtles" (a group), and The Mumford Brothers. These are basically folk music with an acoustic jam band feel to the sound.

  This is the first CD I see of re released stuff by Skaggs. He usually is in to original music. A lot of releases are available today. Skaggs new recording sounds very good and there is some dynamite guitar and mandolin picking, along with some pedal steel. I am familiar with some of the songs, not all of them.



The Internet and the ease of digital recording ruined the music market. With vinyl there would not be an overflow of too much music. It's like The what The NFL would be with 50 teams. Vinyl pared down the recording process to only the best musicians and singers. You needed a good recording studio and a large budget. Lots of Major labels struggle because they can't sell CDs , because folk download them for free from the Internet. I read that last year, 95% of downloads were illegal. Fortunately, the good groups can make a good living by touring.



Lots of folk today, including younger folk like music from the 60s and 70s. I know myself, I buy a lot of music from that era today. The only new genre I really like is bluegrass and some country.


Ricky Skaggs is a class act and this is a good listen with plenty of great singing and guitar. It's just not new music, not a problem.



http://www.rickyskaggs.com/

Nashville Memorial Service For Steve Popovich Announced

Nashville Memorial Service For Steve Popovich Announced


Nashville, Tennessee (June 21, 2011) -- A memorial service for Steve Popovich will be held from 6 - 7 p.m. on Thursday, June 30 at United Methodist Fellowship Church (2511 Highway 99, Murfreesboro); a reception follows at the Church from 7 - 9 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Stephen C. Popovich Memorial Fund, U.S. Bank, 2504 Old Fort Parkway, Murfreesboro, TN 37128. All funds donated will benefit the various charities that Steve has contributed to throughout his life.

The engaging and unconventional industry legend championed such disparate talents as Michael Jackson, Boston, Johnny Cash, David Allan Coe and polka king Frank Yankovic during a multi-decade career that began in 1962. From unloading trucks at a Columbia Records' warehouse, young Popovich's "foot-in-the-door" mentality would, at 26, see him rise to the position of Vice President of Promotion for the label; a feat that is well-remembered by his "Sony cronies." In 1976, after helping break Bruce Springsteen worldwide, he left Columbia and formed Cleveland International Records. He discovered Meat Loaf and released the BAT OUT OF HELL album, which has gone on to become one of the Top 5 selling albums in the history of the music business. Steve worked his way into Music City hearts while at the helm of PolyGram Records Nashville in the late 1980s, working with Kris Kristofferson, The Statler Brothers, Tom T. Hall, Kathy Mattea, Lynn Anderson, Tom Jones, Johnny Paycheck and others. Steve Popovich (born July 6, 1942 in Nemacolin, PA) leaves behind a son, Steve Popovich Jr., a daughter, Pamela Popovich, a sister, Barb Lemmo, and two grandchildren, Tanner and Stephen Popovich.

Funeral services were held June 13 at St. John of the Cross in Euclid, Ohio; interment followed at Western Reserve Memorial Gardens in Chesterland. Popovich died at his home in Murfreesboro, TN on June 8 at age 68.

Condolences may be sent to the family via email: spopovich34@earthlink.net  .

For Hi Res Image, contact martha@somuchmoore.com

"The Dreaming Fields" - Matraca Berg - A Review

Matraca Berg has been writing hit country songs for quite some time. This collection of her performing a set of her material is an ethereal experience. It is such a subtle production, but seething with emotions.

Berg sings songs that are so poetic, yet so real in human experience. The musical textures are subtle yet they so augment her vocals. The art work for the cardboard CD case is beautiful. Dualtone Records released this recording for her. The Musicians are the best that Nashville has to offer. There is a haunting feel to the music with the steel guitar fades and sparse feel. Dan Dugmore gets some sounds out of his steel on "You & Tequila" that are like other worldly.


"Racing The angels" has Suzy Boguss and Gretchen Peters on background vocals and also as co-songwriters.


If you never have heard of Berg, her sound on this CD is a cross between Kathleen Edwards and early Mindy Smith. There is a dark feel to the mood, but there is something deeply personal there you can relate to.



"Clouds" - I love this song, "only like clouds when it's rainin', doin' no good just hangin' round".


The title track is basically just her and piano . With the watered down glut of Discs littering the internet, this is a masterpiece. After I finished doing this review, I saw Kenny Chesney's version of "You And Tequila" on a CMT video, from his last CD, "Hemingway's Whiskey". It is good, I like Berg's version better.



http://www.matracaberg.com/

Roys Celebrate New Album At The CMA Music Festival

"The Roys didn't disappoint, piercing through the heat with their crisp traditional sound and elegant harmonies." ~ Mark Shimabukuro, The Tennessean



Rural Rhythm recording artist, THE ROYS, celebrated their hit album, LONESOME WHISTLE with 12 performances during last week’s CMA Music Festival. Excited fans were treated to performances at the WSM/Durango Boots Acoustic Corner Stage; Cadillac Ranch (for Operation Troop Aid); The Power Source Showcase at B.B. King’s; The Gibson Acoustic Stage at the Hard Rock; the Bud Light Stage in the Sports Zone and other stages where they featured songs from their new album.



Since its April debut at #7 on Billboard’s Top 10 Bluegrass Album Chart, LONESOME WHISTLE has also proved to be a radio hit as well. The album made its debut this month on the Bluegrass Unlimited Magazine Top Album chart along with the single, “Coal Minin’ Man” climbing 10 spots to reach #16 this month on the publication’s Top 30 Song chart. The single also appears at #4 on Bluegrass Music Profiles Magazine’s Top 30 Hot Singles and #4 on Power Source Magazine’s Top 10 Bluegrass chart this month as well.



Fans might also want to check out the recent Q&A with Lee and Elaine at Music News Nashville and at http://www.examiner.com/ 



THE ROYS are currently on tour with upcoming performances at: The Turkey Track Bluegrass Festival in Waldron, AR; Eastern Music Festival in Greensboro, NC; Pigeon Forge Patriots Festival in Pigeon Forge, TN; plus many more. Please visit www.theroysonline.com, via Twitter and on Facebook. Fans can receive the latest updates on The Roys and all their favorite Bluegrass artists now on their mobile devices simply by texting "bluegrass" to 90210.



Rural Rhythm Records

Radio: Sammy Passamano III, email

Airplay Direct

Media: Penni McDaniel, email



FOR THE ROYS

Martha Moore, email

so much MOORE media

615-746-3994




Tel: 1-800-776-8742

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Photo Credit:

Martha E. Moore

A Special Message From Rural Rhythm Records

My father was a major part of the Distribution team with Decca and MCA Records for over 30 years starting in the early 50's. Bill Monroe was a major part of the label's tremendous Country & Bluegrass roster through the years, so I literally grew up enjoying Bill's music and respecting the importance an impact he had on the music world.



Rural Rhythm Records will be showing our respect to the Father Of Bluegrass this year with several tribute album projects starting with the BLUE MOON OF KENTUCKY: INSTRUMENTAL TRIBUTE TO BILL MONROE releasing January 25, 2011.



We are proud to also announce Audie Blaylock's next album will be a tribute album with some very special guest artists who performed with Bill through the years. Audie is currently celebrating a #1 single ("Cryin' Heart Blues") on the January 2011 Bluegrass Unlimited Magazine's Top 30 Song chart. The single is the title track from Audie Blaylock & Redline's 2010 chart album.



In June 2011, Rural Rhythm will be recording a live album during the Bill Monroe Memorial Bean Blossom Bluegrass Festival held in Bean Blossom, IN. TRIBUTE TO BILL MONROE - LIVE AT BEAN BLOSSOM will feature many Rural Rhythm artists performing some of Bill's special Bluegrass, Gospel and Instrumental gems.



In honor of Bill Monroe and the 100th year celebration for his musical legacy, we have developed a Celebration logo that will be used in the packaging of all our tribute album projects throughout the year. Bill the man and his music was one of a kind and this 100th year celebration is wonderful way for everyone to take time out of their busy days and acknowledge the impact this pioneer had on the music world for much of the past 100 years.



Sincerely,



Sam Passamano, Jr.

President, Rural Rhythm Records

http://www.ruralrhythm.com/