Hal Ketchum's Father Time On My Shopping List

This summer, my family and I had the chance to go to the Grand Ole Opry and see Opry member Hal Ketchum host one of the half-hour segments. Hal Ketchum's talents are literally endless. His voice is still the best there is ... never missing a note. Blazing on the scene in the early '90s, Hal struck radio gold with his first single "Small Town Saturday Night" which shot to number one on the country charts. Hal's success has continued with 15 top ten hits- although missing has been a recent release. That has been rectified. He has finished recording 14 new songs for his just released FATHER TIME. Critics are hailing this as his masterpiece. His voice is truly sounding better than ever.

Says the label "Imagine as a musician walking into a recording session with a critically acclaimed artist without the knowledge of what' s going to be recorded that day. Such was the case when Hal Ketchum recorded the masterful body of work, Father Time. The studio engineer remarked that Hal would essentially play a demo of the song on his guitar or banjo. The musicians would then write out a chart and in fifteen minutes everyone would be in the studio making adjustments and we' d have a song in about an hour! Remarkably, two days later the album was born. The album' s standout tracks include Millionaire' s Wife, the whimsical Continental Farewell (to which Hal refers to the song as taste takes a holiday) and the mesmerizing Ordinary Day and Invisible."

He was the highlight of any of my trips to the Opry and this new release will be the very next CD I purchase. I'd recommend it being yours, too.

CD Review- Jamey Johnson- That Lonesome Sound

With an imposing figure, a fu manchu beard that extends down to his chest, an outlaw attitude and a deep baritone voice, Johnson appears first to be the guy who you'd want your back in a bar brawl, not the type whose cd you'd have playing in your mini-van. And the characterization fits as his cd opens up with the sounds of his alter-ego being released from jail, heels clicking on concrete into the opening song. It would only be with trepidation that any music critic would diss this sophmore effort in fear that he may come kick your ass.

The first time I listened to Jamey Johnson's That Lonesome Song, it reminded me of a Waylon Jennings album- which is only appropriate when you listen to the last track called "Between Jennings and Jones." The co-writer of George Strait's "Give It Away" and Trace Adkins’ " Honky Tonk Badonkadonk" writes:

"Hanging out in the bars with the drunks and the stars

I found a few good ole boys just like me

Started burning our candles both ends and the middle

A bunch of roaring outlaws at high speed

And they said that the end of that road I was on

Somewhere between Jennings and Jones."

Johnson's first single, In Color, is a powerfully written testament to the life of his grandfather through the black and white photos that adorn his wall- another tribute to respecting that which came before us while all the while keeping it relevant for today's country music radio- a more difficult line to walk down more than ever today.

Througout the album, Johnson sings about relationship dissolution with brutally frank introspection and occasional vindictiveness. It includes two covers originally recorded by Jennings- "The Door Is Always Open" and "Dreaming My Dreams With You." Johnson’s songs hit hard and they’re tied together by the most mournful and soothing pedal-steel interludes you’ve ever had the pleasure of listening to. Yes, the steel pedal guitar lives!

So, here’s my official endorsement: Jamey Johnson’s That Lonesome Song sounds like traditional country music but has true relevance in today's pop-infused country landscape. It's definitely worth a listen- "In Color" should be on every country music lover's iPod.

Up And Coming New Nashville- Stony Run

Any Nashville native or country music lover knows that bands pay their dues and cut their teeth in the bars along Music Row- sometimes for many years until their first record deal. Tootsie's Orchid Lounge is one of those spots and this week's featured future star is the band that plays there each Saturday night, Stony Run.

Stony Run is a young group who came to Nashville from the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. The group is made up of three individuals; Marty Short, his wife Angela Short, and his sister Anna Ash. Their powerful harmony blend and unique sound will send chills and captivate any audience. They are not just great singers but they are also great entertainers.

It all started with a song, an Inspiration written to a melody. Then there came more songs. Songs that spoke to the heart uplifted the soul and brought smiles to those who heard them. Those songs shaped the lives of Stony Run. One weekend, Marty’s adopted dad, Eddie Short wrote a song that would lead the trio into the hands of producer James House. The song, “In a Little While” was written in dedication to the miners, who lost their lives in the Sago Mining accident in January, 2006. The song was recorded at The Sound Kitchen and released as a single to country music radio in the summer of 2006. At that point, Stony Run never realized how much that song would change their lives. Having had a taste of success in the music they had always hoped to be a part of. Marty, Angela, and Anna with the blessings of their family made the transition from the family group to the country powerhouse trio of Stony Run. To hear their fantastic song "In A Little While" behind Marty's deep husky voice visit their website www.myspace.com/stonyrun. Or better yet, visit them at Tootsie's on a Saturday night next time you're in Nashville to listen to them on your own!

The Top Tens- All-Time Best Muzik Mafia Tunes

MuzikMafia is a group of friends whose passion in life is to make great muzik. Founded by Warner Brothers recording artists John Rich, Kenny Alphin (Big Kenny), Jon Nicholson and muzik publisher and industry exec, Cory Gierman (affectionately referred to as The Godfathers), the Mafia started with the simple, yet powerful idea of bringing a group of artists together, regardless of race, religion, background or muzikal genre’, to make muzik. “It’s about putting a blue grass guy up there with a Rock n’ Roll guy and seeing what happens” says Big Kenny. Today their make-up includes some mainstream artists including Big & Rich, John Anderson, Gretchen Wilson, Shannon Lawson, Cowboy Troy, James Otto and honorary member John Anderson. It's an eclectic group of artists across a wide vast landscape of music. So... a list was in order... from number 10 to the top #1- here's The Nashville Sound's Top Ten Best Muzik Mafia Tunes:

10. Corn Fed- Shannon Brown- 2006

9. Chase The Sun- Shannon Lawson-2002

8. Rollin (The Ballad of Big & Rich)- Big & Rich- 2004

7. Goodbye on a Bad Day- Shannon Lawson- 2002

6. Holy Water- Big & Rich- 2004

5. All Jacked Up- Gretchen Wilson- 2005

4. Straight Tequila Night- John Anderson- 1991

3. Just Got Started Loving You- James Otto- 2008

2. Save A Horse Ride A Cowboy- Big & Rich- 2004

1. (tie) Seminole Wind- John Anderson 2001

8th of November- Big & Rich- 2006

Jerry Reed In The Back Seat Of A Baby Blue Lincoln Continental

Jerry Reed passed away this past week and although he has been off the celebrity radar for some time, his name being back in the news brought back a flood of memories for me. Being a young man in my late 30's (although I'm sure I'll still be a young man in my head at whatever age I am), my first recollections of country music are Reed's "East Bound and Down" and "She Got The Goldmine, I Got The Shaft." Smokey and the Bandit with Jerry as the "Snowman" was in theaters and he was as popular as any country artist of his time.

And while I wouldn't admit it at the time, because country wasn't cool for school, there was something semi- appealing listening to that music in my first listening studio- the sticky vinyl back seat of my mom's late 70's baby blue Lincoln Continental. It was here that fate introduced me to Kenny Rogers, Hank Williams, Jr., The Judds, CW McCall and more. Back then, I was "forced" to listen to it, now when it pops up on the radio during a classic music hour on the radio, the tunes bring a smile to my face- partly because of the charming music, partly because my backside isn't sweating against that vinyl seat.

Long live Jerry Reed, one of the reasons I'm East Bound and Down Low with country music. RIP.

Golf and Guitars Celebrity Pro-Am and Charity Concert A Giant Success

For an award-winning PGA Professional who has worn as many hats as Ken Morton Sr. has over the years, it's only appropriate that they used a 5-gallon cowboy hat to help celebrate his 50th year at Haggin Oaks Golf Complex in Sacramento, Calif., on May 20. After striking a chord with his community for five decades, a celebration of golf and music struck another chord with a celebrity pro-am and concert featuring 14 major-label country music acts, including Tracy Lawrence, Josh Gracin and Jake Owen.

While the story really begins 50 years ago with then-Haggin Oaks PGA Head Professional Tom LoPresti hiring an 18-year-old former caddie and club repairman to work in his golf shop. Over the next half-century, Morton would win an unprecedented five national PGA of America awards and have hundreds of PGA members and apprentices work under his wing. The story specific to this event fast-forwards to early in 2007, however. When Morton was asked by his team if there was anything he would like to do to mark the completion of his fifth decade at the facility, he said that he'd like to have a special day combining his two loves: golf and music. When he threw in that he'd like it to all benefit children's charities – The First Tee of Greater Sacramento and Make-A-Wish of Northern California – the mission had been set.

With a committee of volunteers from both charities, Haggin Oaks and Sacramento's leading country radio station KNCI 105.1 FM, the planning began. A date was selected two days after the Academy of Country Music Awards in Las Vegas, Nev. With all of the major artists on the West Coast, it was hoped that they might travel the day after the awards ceremony and participate in the event on May 20. When the Sacramento Kings got involved with their coaching staff, a full field of 32 celebrities featuring 14 country music acts was set. Some of the artists who appeared at the event:

Tracy Lawrence: Overall, Lawrence has charted more than 30 singles on the country music charts, including eight No. 1 songs and 14 additional Top 10 hits. He has also released a total of 10 studio albums and four compilations to date. Throughout the 1990s, Lawrence continued to chart several Top Ten hits from all of his albums; in addition, two of his studio albums (1993's Alibis and 1996's Time Marches On) earned Multi-Platinum certification, while 1994's I See It Now was certified platinum. His hit "Find Out Who Your Friends Are" was the No. 1 hit of 2007.

Jack Ingram, Big Machine Records: "Wherever You Are" became Jack's first Top 40, and later his first No. 1 single on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Songs charts. "Love You," the only other studio track on "Live: Wherever You Are," was also released as a single, peaking at No. 12 on the charts. In late 2006, Ingram released a cover of Hinder's song "Lips of an Angel"; Ingram's cover peaked at No. 16. "Lips of an Angel" was the lead-off single to "This Is It," Ingram's second album for Big Machine

One Flew South, Decca Record Label: The Nashville-based trio's vocal sound fit in perfectly with the progressive thinkers at Decca/Universal Records, in whose New York offices they auditioned. The result was instant signing—both to a recording contract and song publishing deal with Sony/ATV Music Publishing.

Jason Michael Carroll: Carroll was recommended to the Arista Nashville label in 2006. That year, his debut single "Alyssa Lies" was released to radio, entering Top 10 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Songs charts. Carroll's debut album, Waitin' in the Country, was also released in late 2006; it has been certified gold in the United States for sales of over 500,000. The album's second single, "Livin' Our Love Song," was released in summer 2006, and has also entered Top 10 on the country charts.

Josh Gracin: A former member of the United States Marine Corps, he first gained public attention as the fourth-place finalist on the second season of the Fox Network's "American Idol." After his elimination from the show, Gracin completed his service in the Marine Corps and after his honorable discharge, he signed a record deal with Lyric Street Records. His self-titled debut album was released in 2004; it produced three Top 5 singles on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks charts, and was certified gold by the RIAA. A second album, "We Weren't Crazy," followed in 2008, also on Lyric Street. Songs include "I Want To Live", "Nothin To Lose" and "Brass Bed".

David Nail: A brand-new artist off the MCA Nashville label. He's got a new single racing up the charts and has been named by People Magazine as one of the best dressed guys in Nashville. Fathers, lock up your daughters...

Heidi Newfield: An American country music artist known primarily for her role as the lead vocalist of the country music group Trick Pony. She served as that group's lead vocalist alongside backing musicians Ira Dean and Keith Burns from 1996 until December 2006, when she left the group in pursuit of a solo career. In 2007, Newfield began recording a solo studio album Entitled What Am I Waiting For, the album is slated for release in June 2008. Its lead-off single, "Johnny and June," has entered Top 40 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts.

Jake Owen: Signed to RCA Records Nashville in 2006, Owen released his debut album "Startin' with Me" that year. Certified gold in the United States, the album has produced three singles: "Yee Haw," "Startin' with Me" and "Something About a Woman," all of which have entered Top 20 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts. In addition, Owen has toured as an opening act for several country acts, including Brad Paisley, Little Big Town and Sugarland.

Jimmy Wayne, Big Machine Records: To date, he has recorded one studio album (2003's "Jimmy Wayne") and charted six singles in the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts; his highest-peaking single, "Stay Gone." reached No. 3 on that chart in 2003.

Whiskey Falls: Whiskey Falls released its self-titled debut album on Sept. 25, 2007 on the Midas Records Nashville label; it produced two Top 40 singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts in "Last Train Running" and "Falling Into You."

Crossin' Dixon: Crossin Dixon was signed to Broken Bow Records. Their first single, entitled "Guitar Slinger," was released to radio in July 2007, followed by "Make You Mine" a few months later. To date, they have charted two singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts.

Emma Mae Jacobs: A brand-new country artist from Colfax, whose new single is "What If We Fly."

Carolina Rain: The first act on Equity Music Group, an independent record label owned by country music artist Clint Black. To date, Carolina Rain has released one studio album (2006's "Weather the Storm") and has charted four singles on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Songs chart including "Isn't She."