CD Review- Waylon Jennings- Waylon Forever

Shooter has unequivocally returned the favor. After being knighted music royalty after growing up the son of his father Waylon, Shooter has given all of us a gift- Waylon Forever.

Over six years after his father's passing, Shooter Jennings has brought forth 8 recordings that were done back in 1995 when Waylon asked his son to collaborate on an album. He explains the reasoning for it, "I'd been playing my dad the music I was inspired by at the time. Whether it was Nine Inch Nails, Skinny Puppy, Pink Floyd or Cream, he really enjoyed being a part of my musical journey. It was then he suggested we do an album together." Shooter goes on, "With 20 or so songs we went into the studio to cut vocals and overdubs. He was so excited for us doing a record together, constantly pushing himself and coming up with new ideas. I was so nervous but he was calm as a gunslinger." But being only 16 years old at the time, the recordings were shelved aside until he was able to deal with this father's death and do the rough recordings justice. That time is now. In an interview with Billboard Magazine, he goes on to say, "Thank you to modern technology. It doesn't sound like we dug up some vocals that had always been there and we had to do magic to make it sound new. It's all about bringing my musical side of everything I do around him and creating this completely different but acceptable space that he fits in."

With Waylon's career spanning for four decades including 50 studio albums, 16 number one singles, four Country Music Awards, a Grammy and induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame, it seems only appropriate that time was taken for this incredible last posthumous release. Shooter has done his dad proud.While many of the eight songs on Waylon Forever will be familiar to older Waylon fans, including the concert regulars "Jack of Diamonds," "Lonesome, Orn'ry and Mean" and "Waymore's Blues," there are some new gems- ideas that Shooter has brought to the table. The first is "Outlaw S***," a remake of a 70's recording "Don't You Think This Outlaw Bit's Done Got Out Of Hand." On the new recording, the song has been slowed down and given haunting string arrangements. It's much more moving and rich than the original version- a feat very difficult indeed.

The inclusion of Shooter's band, the .357's, as backing musicians on the recording makes this album unlike any other Waylon release, but much more like seeing him live. There's a couple covers including Neil Young's "Are You Ready For The Country," Cream's "White Room" and Rodney Crowell's "Aint Livin' Long Like This." There's great electric guitar breaks- the one on Waymore's Blues is Southern Rock Country gem- but with nothing that ever breaks from truly honoring what the album is album is about. And that's celebrating a legend. For fans of classic outlaw country, it's like uncovering a long lost letter that you never knew you had.

This album is not about cashing in on a name or a pedigree for one last payout. It's a carefully crafted, deeply personal, emotional well thought out tribute to a father. And that's what probably makes this album most special of all.

This title will be released on October 21, 2008.

Johnny Cash's Elvis Impression

An unreleased recitation by Johnny Cash will be available as part of a new documentary examining Cash’s views on America. In “I Am The Nation,” the deep-voiced singer personifies the country with references to important events and people in American history.

The recording was discovered in Cash’s personal belongings after his death. It will be released as part of “Johnny Cash’s America,” a documentary airing Oct. 23 on the Biography Channel. The companion DVD/CD package on Legacy Recordings will be available Oct. 28.

Here's a piece from the documentary of Johnny Cash spoofing on Elvis Presley. In it, he pretends to throw out his back. It's proof that, while as serious as anyone in music about telling it like it is for the little guy, he still had one of the best sense of humors in the business. Long live Cash.

Aaron Tippin Saves The Day

One of the coolest things of country music is knowing that the person behind the mic singing to you is just a normal down-to-earth guy or gal that happens to love country music just as much as you do. This proves itself out every day when people meet those that fill up the airwaves. But it stuck out when this came out across the Associated Press wire this week:

"Aaron Tippin can add firefighting to his resume now. He and his wife were eating lunch at a restaurant near their home in Liberty, Tennessee, this week, when a call came over the scanner about a fire near their house. Tippin immediately rushed to the scene. He piloted a dozer to dig fire trenches and assisted local fire squads. It took crews several hours to fight the blaze, rescue livestock and secure Tippin's property. When it was all over, Tippin breathed a sigh of relief and joked, "Tell George Strait to move over, there's a new 'Fireman' in town.""

Somehow I can't see Usher piloting a bulldozer behind rural volunteer firefighters. I'm sensing that Fergie's not neccessarily going to run out and get her Manolo's blackened trying to put out fires. This is true neighbor helping neighbor. It's really part of the fabric of the country music culture.

As for Tippin, he's been busy promoting his upcoming album, called In Overdrive. The CD full of trucking songs and it will be released soon according to his website.

CD Review- Zac Brown Band- The Foundation

Cream rises to the top.

That’s the only explanation why a little previously unsigned non-major-label band out of Georgia called the Zac Brown Band has their single “Chicken Fried” racing up the country charts this month. The band line-up consists of Zac Brown (lead vocals, guitars), Jimmy De Martini (fiddle, vocals), John Driskell Hopkins (bass, vocals), Coy Bowles (guitar, organ), and Chris Fryer (drums). The band has toured throughout the United States, including a slot on the 2006 Bonnaroo Music Festival and support slots for bands such as The Allman Brothers Lynard Skynyrd and B.B. King. It was with great anticipation, after hearing the first single “Chicken Fried” (which is my new favorite single on radio) that I had the opportunity to review their forthcoming album, The Foundation.

Brown and his band mates delivery best in the fact that he covers genres and styles fluidly, dynamically pulling musical styles that cover Americana, blues, island-country, gospel and very traditional country. Brown’s lyrics seem to cover an entire culture of American music in one album. Each song is a seamless patchwork of what sounds best across our radio music dials:

The sound of Kenny Chesney in “Toes”
Diamond Rio-like harmonies on “Whatever It Is”
Island influences from Jimmy Buffet on “Where The Boat Leaves From”
Great Charlie Daniels-like fiddle intro on “Free”
Meaningful lyrics and guitar-playing genius like Steve Wariner on “Highway 20 Ride”
The best Jerry Reed impression EVER on “It’s Not OK”
And a Big & Rich styled crazy roller-coaster of a ride on “Sic’ Em On A Chicken”

Those descriptions notwithstanding, none of the album feels “copied.” They take what’s best from each of those influences and put their own twist on it. Each tune has a distinct ZBB stamp to it that make it all their own. Even with its vast influence, the band’s delivery keeps it together and the genre in tact. The lyrics ring true with references to traveling on the road, pennies in pockets and hometowns in Georgia. It keeps it real.

The Foundation is my favorite album discovery of the year. There’s something worthwhile knowing that a band’s new-found fame is actually the result of putting tens of thousands of miles on a collective van across Southern dive bars-selling CD’s they’ve burned themselves to pay the gas and food bills. They’ve earned fame (and their skill) the hard way. And it shows. After years of being the lead-in on bigger names, they have the opportunity to shine themselves as the featured product. Shine they do. The Foundation by the Zac Brown Band is a must-own for any country music aficionado.

Opry To Honor Little Jimmy Dickens' 60 Years on November 1st

Little Jimmy Dickens, age 90, is easily the oldest legendary statesman in country music today. Amazingly, Dickens was born in the same year that The Grand Ole Opry got its start. In August of 1948, Jimmy Dickens' dream came true. He became a member of the Opry.

60 years later, he is still a part of the Opry family and is the longest standing member. On November 1, The Opry will honor Dickens for his 60 years in a special signature show. Brad Paisley, Vince Gill, Trace Adkins, and George Jones have been announced to take part in this special evening.

“Jimmy Dickens is uniquely and forever tied to the Grand Ole Opry,” said Pete Fisher, Opry vice president and general manager. “He is one of the most beloved and respected people in the history of not only the Opry, but all of country music, and we are thrilled to celebrate this landmark anniversary with him.”

This will be a night of the Opry that should not be missed. In person, on WSM-AM, on XM, or however else, this will be a special night.

Todays new country listeners probably know Dickens best for his Spaghetti Western skits at the end of all of the Brad Paisley albums or from his joke-telling on his Opry segments. But take a minute this November 1st to celebrate a long-time legend. You'll be glad you did.

Below are interviews of this great legend- very entertaining to hear how long Dickens has been influencing Nashville music.

Part One:

Part Two:

Golf Digest's List of Top Golfers In Music Includes Some Of Nashville's Best

The latest issue of Golf Digest just came out and country music stars are up and down the list with some incredibly low handicaps! All three Gatlin Brothers (Rudy, Steve and Larry) are in the top 10! Others in the top 10 include Diamond Rio's Marty Roe, Vince Gill, Union Station's Dan Tyminski and Steve Azar. All of the above sport a handicap of 4.4 or below!

Just a bit further down the list are Mac Davis at #20, Clay Walker at #25, Asleep at the Wheels' Ray Benson at #28, and new country sensation and Hootie & The Blowfish lead singer Darius Rucker at #28. #34 is a big tie between John Michael Montgomery, Rascal Flatts' Joe Don Rooney, Glen Campbell, The Eagles' Don Felder and Kix Brooks from Brooks and Dunn.

Also in the 100: Pat Green, George Strait, Sawyer Brown's Mark Miller, Anne Murray, Trace Adkins, Joe Diffie, The Eagles' Glenn Frey, Toby Keith, Charley Pride, Willie Nelson, Eric Church, Clint Black, Charlie Daniels and Kid Rock.

It looks like a touch with a guitar also translates to a putter! Click here to view the whole list.

CD Review- John Michael Montgomery- Time Flies

John Michael Montgomery has sold over 10 million albums sold and had 15 # 1 radio hits. He has produced more than thirty singles on the Billboard country charts, including two of Billboard’s Number One country singles of the year: “I Swear" (1994) and “Sold (The Grundy County Auction Incident)” (1995). One of country music's true giants of the late 90’s and the early part of this decade, Montgomery releases his very first independent label album this month called Time Flies.

The five years between Time Flies and his last, Letters From Home, have been very eventful for this singer. After an off-key performance of the National Anthem at a televised NASCAR event in March, 2005, Montgomery confirmed on his website that he had a condition known as acoustic neuroma which is a non-cancerous growth that interferes with a nerve running between the brain and the ear. This condition can affect balance and hearing and can certainly make singing or any kind of public performing quite difficult for the patient. Later that year, he would have hip replacement surgery. In February of 2006, Montgomery had a incident with the police. In May of 2008, Montgomery announced he was in rehab for a disclosed substance abuse problem. Although not released at the time, he sought rehab at a drug treatment facility in Hazard, KY. He canceled all shows and public appearances for the 30 days following the date of entering. He stated he would "be disappearing for a while and will come out stronger after beating the demons that stripped me of my energy of life and good health. I will fight however long it takes and come out stronger". The addiction was cited to severe anxiety attacks and a sleep disorder.

It would seem that several years of scary physical ailments could permanently derail a career. And although, it may have cost John Michael Montgomery a record deal on a major label and a few years on country radio, it hasn’t affected his ability to put out a very quality album. He has an uncanny ability to relate to fans in one of country music's most storied careers. Since the days when 'Life's A Dance' turned him from an unknown quantity into a national star, John Michael's rich baritone has carried that most important of assets - believability. Few artists in any genre sing with more hear- specifically when crooning one of his ballads- than this handsome Kentucky-born artist.

Every album he has put out is consistent and Time Flies is no exception. Each album also has a couple of sure-fire hits, and although he misfired earlier in the year with one of this album’s weaker songs, “Mad Cowboy Disease”, this album does have a few gems that belong in your collection.

The release at radio currently is “Forever,” a great piano driven power ballad that utilizes Montgomery’s talents best- a deep powerful voice that draws the listener in. It riles up into a tornado of orchestrated multi-arrangement bridge, making it one of the most radio-friendly hits. If JMM has an opportunity for another chart hit, it’s with this particular single.

It's closely followed by "All In A Day,” a wonderful spoken intro with vibrant lyrics and similar vocals. These two songs remind us of the quality of stars that are voted “past their prime” by mainstream country that still have so much to delivery to the industry. JMM plays on his “over the hill” status in the industry with the humorous "With My Shirt On". This is fun old-style country music - old style whining pedal-steels, fiddles weaving in and out of the melody a steady backbeat. It’s just what we would expect from Montgomery, and he doesn’t disappoint with the delivery.

The album vote: very good, close to great. If you’re a fan, run out and purchase it- it becomes available October 14th.

Up & Coming New Nashville- Billy Blackburn

Sacramento-native Billy Blackburn, already being dubbed “Nor Cal’s Bad Boy,” has released his independent-label debut album, “Defiant." "Billy is the real deal,” announced John Hartman, Former Manager of The Eagles and Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young. Country has fallen in love with rock and that has totally given it an entire new genre. Hartman is right, as Blackburn effortlessly melds influences as varied as Metallica and Johnny Cash. What really sets him apart though, is his way with the pen. Blackburn is a singer/songwriter with old school talent that will remind you of the aforementioned Cash, as well as Bob Seger, Hank Williams Jr. and Creed. It’s a unique and original blend of southern rock and country that bleeds with heart and passion. Billy is an amazing wordsmith with the ability to paint a lyrical picture and then yank you inside of it. The beginning of the first track "69 Chevelle" is sure to command your attention. From the first time you hear the provocative intro, you can’t help but think about a modern Kid Rock sound. He also adds a second part to the tune, track 12, that seamlessly finishes the album, something that one of the old Pink Floyd records would have done. His cover of the timeless classic seventies rock tune “Bad Company” is a fun listen as well. With an assortment of melodic well-crafted songs, picturesque lyrics, and an unusual rolling voice style, his style is very unique.



I've had the pleasure of listening to Billy several times live and his stage presence is outstanding. As he grows older, his style grows harder, more rock than country. But if you like good music, regardless of whether it's classical, traditional, modern or something else entirely, he's worth a listen.

Tracy Lawrence's Paint Me A Birmingham According To A 3-Year-Old

A little 3-year-old cowboy sings the chorus to country music star Tracy Lawrence's smash song, "Paint Me A Birmingham"- it could quite be the cutest country thing ever to hit the web. Look out, Tracy. This little guy is gunning for ya...

Wynonna Readies New Album For Spring 2009

Wynonna Judd and mother Naomi were signed to RCA Records in 1983 andThe Judds and went on to score 14 No. 1 hits. On her own, Wynonna, 44, has sold more than nine million records and charted fourteen top 10 hits, including five No. 1 singles. There's already discussions on whether their relative short-lived duo-ship is Hall-Of-Fame worthy.

On Wynonna's last release entitled “Her Story,” she created a musical biography chronicling her career without regard to catering to the radio bureaucracy.

“I am at a place in my life where I’m not afraid to go out on a limb,” she said recently in People Magazine. “And that comes with wisdom and experience of living on a bus for 24 years ... of waking up in parking lots every day and stepping out into the real world.”

She's been hard at work on her latest album for more than a year and a half and hopes to have it ready for release by next spring. She's even more excited about sharing it with her fans, however.

“The album is a collection of stories from my musical upbringing,” she said. “It took a really long time to make this record because I gave every bit of passion I have ever given on a record in my life. You know, at this age, you get to a point where you’re just grateful to be anywhere. You really do, because you realize ‘You know what? I have the history to prove I can do it.’ It’s not an arrogance, it's a confidence.”

The new album is rumored to be a music tribute of sorts to the sounds of Stevie Ray Vaughn, Delbert McClinton and Bonnie Raitt.

“You know what it is? It’s not respect, but it's an homage to those who came before me,” she said. “I feel like in this day and age, we've gotten to a point where we’re losing our legends. And it’s really important for me at this time to take a snapshot and say ‘This is where I am, this is where I've been and came from.’ It’s really important to honor that.”

I should send a letter to Curb Records to ask them to fast-forward this one... can't wait.