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Saturday, October 21, 2023
Did You Know Some Of The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Band The Go-Go's Co-Wrote a Smash Country Music Song?
It's often fascinating to trace the roots and stories behind our favorite songs. I called them little rabbit holes. They hold secrets and anecdotes, shared in melodies and lyrics, waiting to be discovered. One such surprising revelation comes from the pop world, straight to the heart of country music. As the title might've hinted, we're talking about the collaboration between Keith Urban and members of the famous 80's band, The Go-Go's.
"But for the Grace of God" isn't just another country track. It's the product of the collective creativity of Keith Urban, Charlotte Caffey, and Jane Wiedlin. What's even more special is today we celebrate Charlotte Caffey's 70th birthday, who, alongside her bandmate Jane Wiedlin, ventured beyond the bounds of pop to influence the country charts.
The song, released in November 2000, gave Keith Urban his first taste of being at the top of the US Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart. By February 24, 2001, the song had climbed its way to the number one spot, remaining there for a week. Not only was it a monumental moment for Urban, but it also marked the end of a dry spell for Capitol Records, which hadn’t seen a Number One single on the country charts for over two years.
What's interesting is the melding of genres that this collaboration represents. The Go-Go's, known for their vivacious pop beats, might seem worlds apart from the soulful and profound realms of country music. Yet, this collaboration bore a song that resonated with many.
We can speculate that the universality of the emotions captured in "But for the Grace of God" made it possible for artists from two different musical worlds to create something beautiful together.
“From The Go-Go’s session that I did with the two girls, I just thought it was a disastrous idea, to begin with, theoretically it looks pretty bad. They had these ideas, and they were tossing out these ideas, and they were just so not me.”
“It was so mismatched, and I was uncomfortable and squirming in my chair, and I was like, ‘Oh, wow! Whatever.’ And it was it. We decided this was a complete waste of time, let’s go get something to eat, and then Charlotte said, ‘Well, I’ve got this title called ‘But For the Grace of God,’ and boom, the song came out.”
In conclusion, music knows no boundaries. Whether you're a pop icon or a country star, the essence of a good song lies in its authenticity and the stories it tells. "But for the Grace of God," co-written by members of The Go-Go's and Keith Urban, stands testament to this, and we wish Charlotte Caffey a very happy 70th birthday!
Sunday, September 17, 2023
50 Years Ago Today: Gram Parsons: The Desert, the Legend, and a Lasting Legacy
A Fateful Journey to Joshua Tree
It was September 1973, and Parsons, seeking solace and inspiration, decided to head out to Joshua Tree, a place he had visited and loved multiple times before. The desert, with its vast landscapes and surreal beauty, had a spiritual pull on Parsons, much like it does on countless artists and wanderers.
The trip that was meant to be a peaceful retreat soon transformed into a private party. Parsons was accompanied by a small group of friends, and what followed was a two-day binge of alcohol and drugs. Less than 48 hours after his arrival, on September 19, 1973, Gram Parsons was found dead in Room 8 of the Joshua Tree Inn. The cause of death: a lethal combination of morphine and alcohol. He was only 26 years old.
Gram Parsons: The Maestro Before the Desert
Before that tragic day, Parsons had already made an indelible mark on the music scene. Starting off in folk music, he quickly evolved, weaving together rock and country to create a sound that was both fresh and familiar. His work with The International Submarine Band, The Byrds, and The Flying Burrito Brothers had effectively laid the foundation for what would become known as country rock.
His ability to blend genres was revolutionary. Albums like "Sweetheart of the Rodeo" with The Byrds and "The Gilded Palace of Sin" with The Flying Burrito Brothers showcased his gift for storytelling, rich harmonies, and an authentic embrace of country music traditions. Yet, it wasn't just the fusion of styles that made Parsons special; it was his raw emotion, his vulnerability, and the way he wore his heart on his sleeve.
The Aftermath of a Tragedy
Parsons' death sent shockwaves through the music community. However, the drama did not end there. Famously, in a move to fulfill what they believed to be Parsons’ wish, his friends Phil Kaufman and Michael Martin stole his body from the Los Angeles International Airport. They drove it back to Joshua Tree and, in a surreal and cinematic scene, set it alight in the desert night. While the authorities were eventually alerted, and the makeshift cremation was incomplete, the event added to the mythology and lore surrounding Parsons’ life and death.
Echoes in the Sands: Parsons’ Posthumous Impact
While Parsons' life was cut short, his musical legacy only grew in stature. Artists from various genres, ranging from country to rock to indie, have cited him as a significant influence. Legends like Emmylou Harris, who was a close collaborator and friend of Parsons, continue to honor his memory and keep his songs alive.
In recent years, many contemporary country and rock artists have stepped forward to acknowledge the profound impact of Gram Parsons on their musical journey. Keith Urban, for one, has frequently cited Parsons as a foundational influence, highlighting the authenticity of his songwriting and his seamless blending of rock and country. Similarly, Wilco's Jeff Tweedy has often spoken of Parsons’ artistry, emphasizing the raw emotional depth of his music. Artists like Ryan Adams, Sturgill Simpson, and Kacey Musgraves have all, at various points, drawn parallels between their own works and the pioneering spirit of Parsons. Even beyond the realm of country, bands like The Black Crowes and My Morning Jacket have lauded his fearless genre-blending and soulful lyricism. It's evident that even decades after his passing, the ripples of Gram Parsons' musical genius continue to influence and inspire, bridging the gap between the old and the new, and proving that genuine artistry is indeed timeless.
In the decades that followed, the Gram Parsons Foundation was established, aiming to support artists battling addiction, further intertwining his legacy with the cause of aiding those facing the same demons he did.
Additionally, Joshua Tree has become a pilgrimage site for many of his fans. The Joshua Tree Inn, where he spent his last moments, has become iconic, with Room 8 often booked by fans wanting to pay homage.
In Conclusion
Fifty years have passed since Gram Parsons drove to Joshua Tree, but his spirit, music, and legacy remain very much alive. His journey from Los Angeles to the desert is not just a tale of tragedy, but also a reminder of the profound impact one artist can have, both in life and in memory. As the sun sets over Joshua Tree, one can almost hear the echoes of Parsons' voice, singing tales of love, loss, and the timeless allure of the open road.
Sunday, February 12, 2023
Wednesday, February 16, 2022
Thursday, November 12, 2020
Eric Church, Luke Combs and Maren Morris Among The 54th Annual CMA Awards Big Winners
The Reba McEntire and Darius Rucker hosted ceremony kicked off with an emotional tribute to country great Charlie Daniels, who unexpectedly died in July of a hemorrhagic stroke. Jason Aldean, Dierks Bentley, Brothers Osborne and Ashley McBryde delivered a show-stopping medley of Daniels’ songs including “Trudy,” “Texas,” “Long Haired Country Boy” and “The Devil Went Down to Georgia.”
This year’s CMA Awards presented a mix of in-person and pre-recorded performances in front of a social-distanced audience filled with the biggest names in country music.
Not only did the night feature performances from country heavyweights like Miranda Lambert, Keith Urban, and Eric Church, pop artists took the stage as well. Charlie Puth joined Gabby Barrett to perform “I Hope” and Justin Bieber joined Dan + Shay to deliver vocals from their collaboration “10,000 Hours.”
Hosts McEntire and Rucker also took the stage to honor the late Mac Davis who died in September 2020 following heart surgery. Together, the duo debuted their take on Davis’ timeless piece “In The Ghetto,” which he famously penned for Elvis Presley. Country singer and songwriter Joe Diffie, who died this year of COVID-19 complications, was also honored with a performance of his song “Pickup Man” sung by Jon Pardi.
Other notable performances included an homage to the 1980’s Western film Urban Cowboy from Old Dominion. The group performed “Looking For Love” from the movie’s soundtrack, which Rucker credited with changing the world by suddenly having “everybody, everywhere wearing cowboy hats and learning to line dance.”
“There are so many amazing Black women that pioneered and continue to pioneer this genre,” she said. “You have made this genre so, so beautiful. I hope you know that we see you. Thank you for making me so inspired as a singer in this genre.”
Luke Combs followed closely behind Morris, taking home two CMA Awards for Album of the Year and Male Vocalist of the Year.
Charley Pride was presented with the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award by Jimmie Allen, who first serenaded the crowd with a snippet of his song “Best Shot” and attributed a lot of his success to the country music hall of famer.
The last award of the night was the highly coveted Entertainer of the Year Award, which Eric Church took home — much to his own surprise.
“I didn’t think I was going to win this,” he said before exiting the stage. “Thank you guys very much.”
He also touched on the current state of the world and shared his belief that music will bring “us out of this.”
“That is the one thing that is gonna save the entire world,” the singer declared.
Saturday, November 7, 2020
Bee Gees' Barry Gibb Collaborates With With Isbell, Carlile, Urban, Dolly, Miranda, Little Big Town & More On Upcoming Country Album
Thursday, September 17, 2020
Luke Combs, Carrie Underwood & Thomas Rhett Among Big Winners In 55th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards
Old Dominion won Group of the Year Award for the third consecutive year and won their first Song of the Year Award for “One Man Band” with Matthew Ramsey, Trevor Rosen and Brad Tursi each receiving an additional win as songwriters. This marks two overall wins as a group, with Ramsey, Rosen and Tursi leading the night with three individual wins, each. Miranda Lambert continues her reign as most-awarded artist in ACM Awards history with 35 wins, after taking home this year’s trophy in Music Event of the Year category for “Fooled Around And Fell In Love.” Dan + Shay won Duo of the Year marking their second win in a row in the category.
The evening continued with more first-time wins including Luke Combs earning his first Male Artist of the Year Award and his first-ever win for Album of the Year for What You See Is What You Get. Maren Morris won her first Female Artist of the Year Award and her first Music Event of the Year for “Fooled Around And Fell In Love” alongside Lambert, Ashley McBryde, Tenille Townes, Caylee Hammack & Elle King. Blake Shelton won Single of the Year Award for “God’s Country” making this his first-ever win in the category.
Previously announced, Riley Green won New Male Artist of the Year and Tenille Townes won New Female Artist of the Year. Townes also won her first Music Event of the Year Award and both performed on the telecast and are featured on the newly released “On The Road Again (ACM Lifting Lives® Edition)” single, Willie Nelson’s timeless hit, featuring the ACM New Artist Nominees Ingrid Andress, Gabby Barrett, Jordan Davis, Russell Dickerson, Lindsay Ell, Caylee Hammack, Cody Johnson, and Morgan Wallen, joined by Nelson. Produced by Ross Copperman and Jimmy Robbins. Proceeds from the single will benefit ACM Lifting Lives COVID-19 Response Fund to be disbursed to individuals in the Country Music community who are currently in need of pandemic relief assistance.
This year’s 55th ACM Awards featured an all-star lineup of collaborations and memorable performances featuring 24 performances, including 41 hit songs. The awards telecast kicked off with Entertainer of the Year nominees performing a medley of each of their greatest hits. Luke Bryan performed “Rain Is A Good Thing,” Eric Church performed “Drink In My Hand,” Luke Combs performed “When It Rains It Pours,” Thomas Rhett performed “It Goes Like This” and Carrie Underwood performed “Before He Cheats.”
Global superstar and two-time ACM Entertainer of the Year, Taylor Swift, returned to the ACM Awards stage for the first time in seven years with a world premiere performance of “betty” off her record-breaking new album Folklore. 55th ACM Awards host Keith Urban performed the world television premiere of his new single, “One Too Many” with international pop icon P!NK, from Urban’s new album out Friday, Speed of Now. Mickey Guyton made her solo ACM Award performance debut with “What Are You Gonna Tell Her?” featuring surprise guest Urban on piano. Blake Shelton featuring Gwen Stefani performed their latest single “Happy Anywhere.” Eric Church opened his performance with “Ragged Old Flag” a poem read by Johnny Cash which led into his single “Stick That In Your Country Song.”
In celebration of the 95th anniversary of the Grand Ole Opry, newly crowned three-time ACM Entertainer of the Year winner, Carrie Underwood, honored trailblazing female Opry members by performing a medley of songs including Patsy Cline’s “Crazy,” Loretta Lynn’s “You Ain’t Woman Enough (To Take My Man),” Barbara Mandrell’s “I Was Country When Country Wasn’t Cool,” Martina McBride’s “A Broken Wing,” Reba McEntire’s “The Night the Lights Went Out In Georgia,” and Dolly Parton’s “Why’d You Come In Here Lookin’ Like That.”
Additional performances included first-time ACM Awards performer Jimmie Allen (“Make Me Want To”), Kelsea Ballerini (“hole in the bottle”), Gabby Barrett (“I Hope”), Kane Brown (“Worldwide Beautiful”), Luke Bryan (“One Margarita”), Luke Combs (“Better Together”), Dan + Shay (“I Should Probably Go To Bed”), Florida Georgia Line (“I Love My Country”), Riley Green (“I Wish Grandpas Never Died”), Miranda Lambert (“Bluebird”) featuring Songwriters Natalie Hemby & Luke Dick, Tim McGraw (“I Called Mama”), Maren Morris (“To Hell & Back”), Old Dominion (Medley of “One Man Band,” “Written in the Sand,” “No Such Thing as a Broken Heart,” “Break Up With Him,” “Snapback,” “Song For Another Time,” “Hotel Key” & “Make It Sweet”), Thomas Rhett featuring Jon Pardi (“Beer Can’t Fix”), Tenille Townes (“Somebody’s Daughter”), and Morgan Wallen (“Whiskey Glasses”). Presenters included Lauren Alaina, Lily Aldridge, Clint Black and Lisa Hartman Black, ACM National Radio Personality of the Year Winner Bobby Bones, Cam, Darius Rucker, Runaway June and CeCe Winans. Rucker also gave a sneak peek of the National Museum of African American Music, scheduled to open this Fall in Downtown Nashville.
For the first time in the show’s history, the 55th ACM Awards took place in Nashville, broadcasting from three iconic Country Music venues: Grand Ole Opry House, Nashville’s historic Ryman Auditorium and The Bluebird Cafe. Artists who performed from the Ryman include Kelsea Ballerini, Gabby Barrett, Riley Green, Maren Morris, Old Dominion, Thomas Rhett featuring Jon Pardi, and Tenille Townes. Performances from the Grand Ole Opry House included Kane Brown, Luke Bryan, Dan + Shay, Eric Church, Florida Georgia Line, Mickey Guyton, Taylor Swift, Carrie Underwood and Morgan Wallen. Artists at The Bluebird Cafe included Jimmie Allen, Luke Combs, Miranda Lambert featuring songwriters Natalie Hemby and Luke Dick, and Tim McGraw. Fans also enjoyed a virtual collaboration by Keith Urban and P!NK as well as a virtual Bluebird Cafe performance with Blake Shelton featuring Gwen Stefani. Multi-ACM Award winning artist Trisha Yearwood delivered a special performance from the Opry House of “I’ll Carry You Home” from her critically acclaimed album Every Girl for the In Memoriam, paying tribute to those we have lost in the Country Music industry.
Following is the list of winners in the 13 categories voted on by Academy members:
Entertainer of the Year:
Thomas Rhett
Carrie Underwood
Maren Morris
Luke Combs
Duo of the year
Dan + Shay
Group of the Year
Old Dominion
New Female Artist of the Year
Tenille Townes
New Male Artist of the Year
Riley Green
Album of the Year [Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company–Label(s)]
What You See Is What You Get – Luke Combs
Record Label: River House Artists/Columbia Nashville
God’s Country – Blake Shelton
Producer: Scott Hendricks
Record Label: Warner Bros. (Nashville)
Song of the Year [Awarded to Songwriter(s)/Publisher(s)/Artist(s)]
One Man Band – Old Dominion
Songwriter(s): Josh Osborne, Matthew Ramsey, Trevor Rosen, Brad Tursi
Video of the Year [Awarded to Producer(s)/Director(s)/Artist(s)] *(Off Camera Award)
Remember You Young – Thomas Rhett
Director: TK McKamy
Producer: Dan Atchison
Songwriter of the Year *(Off Camera Award)
Hillary Lindsey
Music Event of the Year [Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company–Label(s)] *(Off Camera Award)
Fooled Around And Fell In Love – Miranda Lambert Featuring Maren Morris, Ashley McBryde, Tenille Townes, Caylee Hammack & Elle King
Producer: Jay Joyce
Record Label: Vanner Records/RCA Records Nashville
Saturday, August 29, 2020
Thursday, August 20, 2020
Tenille Townes and Riley Green Win 2020 ACM New Artist of the Year Awards
The Academy of Country Music (ACM) revealed this morning that Columbia Nashville’s Tenille Townes has won its New Female Artist of the Year award, and BMLG Records’ Riley Green has won New Male Artist of the Year. Both will be performing on the “55th Academy of Country Music Awards” show, set for Wednesday, September 16th in Nashville.
Green and Townes, who were chosen through ACM member voting, were surprised with the news of their wins by show host Keith Urban, who crashed video meetings with each of them. Watch their reactions below.
“I’ll always remember this feeling, standing here as a new artist,” said Townes, who won in a category that also included nominees Ingrid Andress, Gabby Barrett, Lindsay Ell and Caylee Hammack. “I feel so honored and incredibly grateful just to be a part of this country music community that inspires me. Receiving this ACM Award feels like belief from that community, and that means so much to me.”
“When we had to come off the road back in march, I wasn’t sure what the rest of 2020 would look like,” said Green, whose category included fellow nominees Jordan Davis, Russell Dickerson, Cody Johnson and Morgan Wallen. “So much has happened in the world since then, and I’m really excited to have a moment to play music again. My grandfathers’ love for country music is what led me to this moment, and i have to dedicate this award to them. Thank you to everyone who believes in my music enough to let this boy from Alabama get to share his songs like this.”
“This year’s new artists have experienced astounding success already, and the academy feels honored to be able to present them with their first ACM Award win,” said ACM CEO Damon Whiteside. “We hope this is a memory that they will carry with them as their careers continue to thrive. A huge congratulations to all of this year’s well-deserving nominees, and a special thank you to the artists’ teams who helped the academy pull off the surprise, especially our host Keith Urban for making this moment monumental. We can’t wait to see Riley and Tenille on the ‘55th ACM Awards’ stage on September 16th!”
The “55th Academy of Country Music Awards” will air live from 8-11p (ET) on the CBS Television Network, and will be available to stream on demand on CBS all access. It will broadcast from three iconic country music venues: the Grand Ole Opry House, Ryman Auditorium and the Bluebird Cafe.
Saturday, April 11, 2020
That Nashville Sound Saturday Newsbytes- New Videos, New Drake White & Mark Chestnut & Livestream Calendar
Human To Human Festival ft. Devin Dawson, Hunter Hayes, Lauren Daigle + more
Time: 11 a.m. – 11 p.m. CT
What: A Facebook Live donation event
Where: Facebook
Randall King
Time: 12 p.m. CT
Where: YouTube
Tyler Rich
Time: 3 p.m. CT
What: “Leave Her Wild” Saturday Brunch
Where: Instagram
Christina Taylor
Time: 3 p.m. CT
Where: Instagram
Alyssa Bonagura
Time: 4 p.m. CT
What: #NewSongSaturday
Where: Facebook and Instagram
Tegan Marie
Time: 4 p.m. CT
Where: Facebook
Maddie & Tae
Time: 6:30 p.m. CT
What: Circle Sessions, a pre-show to The Grand Ole Opry
Where: Facebook YouTube
The Grand Ole Opry ft. Trace Adkins, Jason Crabb, T. Graham Brown & Bobby Bones
Time: 7 p.m. CT
What: Free Easter livestream. Keep the music playing while we keep each other safe!
Where: Facebook YouTube
Jameson Rodgers
Time: 7 p.m. CT
What: Saturday Nights Live
Where: Facebook
People Supporting Artists Telethon ft. Roseanne Cash, John Oates, Lee Brice + more
Time: 7 p.m. CT
What: Telethon to benefit the MusiCares COVID-19 Relief Fund
Where: Website
Justin Moore, Tracy Lawrence, Joe Nichols, Adam Hambrick, Heath Sanders
Time: 7 p.m. CT
What: And The Beat Goes On Arkansas; benefiting Food Banks of Arkansas. Text FEED to 501501 to donate $10
Where: YouTube
Chris Bandi
Time: 7 p.m. CT
Where: Instagram
Whitey Morgan
Time: 8 p.m. CT
Where: Facebook
April 12
Elena Moon Park
Time: 11 a.m. CT
What: #LincolnCenterAtHome
Where: Website
The War and Treaty
Time: 12:30 p.m. CT
What: Launch of “The Roundup,” new live streaming series from Rounder Records
Where: YouTube
T. Graham Brown
Time: 3 p.m. CT
What: Couch Concert Series benefitting MusiCares.
Where: Instagram
Willy Braun (Reckless Kelly)
Time: 3 p.m. CT
What: Music From The Mountains
Where: Facebook
Darin & Brooke Aldridge
Time: 7 p.m. CT
Where: Facebook
Nikki Lane
Time: 7 p.m. CT
What: A Month of Sundays
Where: Facebook
April 13
Ashley McBryde
Time: 2:30 p.m. CT
What: Playing some favorites for the kids! #AllCoopedUp with Kids.
Where: Facebook
Tenille Townes
Time: 3 p.m. CT
What: Martin Guitar’s “Jam In Place” series
Where: Facebook
Laine Hardy
Time: 5 p.m. CT
What: “Ground I Grew Up On” Virtual Tour
Where: Facebook
Chris Bandi
Time: 5 p.m. CT
What: Performance
Where: Instagram
Colter Wall
Time: 6 p.m. CT
What: Create The West; A Boot Barn series showing live creative escapes, from behind the scenes of their craft how-tos.
Where: Instagram
Candi Carpenter, Carter Faith, Tyra Madison, and Mignon
Time: 6 p.m. CT
What: Song Suffragettes concert
Where: YouTube
Jimmie Allen
Time: 6 p.m. CT
Where: Instagram
Randy & Mary Travis
Time: 6 p.m. CT
Where: Instagram
Sara Evans
Time: 7:30 p.m. CT
What: Closet Chaos
Where: Instagram
Jillian Jacqueline
Time: 8 p.m. CT
Where: Facebook Instagram
Mark Wills
Time: 8 p.m. CT
What: Live From The Bunker
Where: Facebook
April 14
Logan Ledger
Time: 10 a.m. CT
What: Talking about his new album, his influences, and interacting with fans.
Where: Website
Alyssa Bonagura
Time: 6 p.m. CT
What: Martin Guitar’s “Jam in Place”
Where: Facebook
George Shingleton
Time: 7:30 p.m. CT
What: Tuesday night tunes. Live music with original songs and Q&A.
Where: Facebook
April 15
Alyssa Trahan
Time: 12 p.m. CT
Where: Facebook
Steve Wariner
Time: 7:00 p.m. CT
What: Wariner Wednesday
Where: Facebook
Kalie Shorr
Time: 8 p.m. CT
Where: Facebook
Alyssa Bonagura
Time: 8 p.m. CT
What: Virtual Tour: Quarantined & Ready To Rock
April 18
Global Citizen’s One World: Together at Home ft. Kacey Musgraves, Keith Urban, Alanis Morissette, Eddie Vedder + more
Time: 7 p.m. CT
What: A global broadcast & digital special to support frontline healthcare workers and the WHO.
Where: Website