New Music Video From Steve Martin and the Steep Canyon Rangers - "California"

Brothers Osborne, Hank Williams, Willie Nelson and Patsy Cline Among Black Friday Record Store Day Releases

After an underwhelming list of country music and Americana vinyl releases on Record Store Day earlier this year, it's good to see that the Black Friday version of the same day coming up in November, while light on quantity, has some big names on it that music collector's will be excited about.  An early list of releases include some of the following roots music names:

Live at the Ryman - Brothers Osborne - EMI Nashville - 2 x LP - RSD Exclusive - 2500 qty
Sweet Dreams: The Complete Decca Masters 1960-1963 - Patsy Cline - Third Man Records - 3 x LP - 1000 qty
New Year's in New Orleans - Roll Up '78 and Light Up '79 - The Marshall Tucker Band - Ramblin Records - 2 x LP- 1000 qty
"Red Bows For A Blue Girl" / "Holly, Carol, Candy and Joy" - JD McPherson - New West Records - 7" Vinyl - 1500 qty
"Sometimes Even I Can Get Too High" b/w "It's All Going To Pot" (w/ Merle Haggard) - Willie Nelson - Legacy - 7" Vinyl - RSD Exclusive - 4000 qty
Early Songs and Rarities - The Record Company - Concord Records - LP - 1000 qty
"Western Stars" b/w "The Wayfarer" - Bruce Springsteen - Legacy - 7" Vinyl - RSD Exclusive - 4750 qty
North Carolina Songbook - Steep Canyon Rangers - Yep Roc Records - LP - 1000 qty
The 1940 Recordings - Hank Williams - BMG Rights Management - 7" Vinyl - RSD Exclusive - 2500 qty

Vinyl has made a massive comeback and is poised to surpass dollar sales in CD's this year or next. Vinyl records earned $224.1 million (on 8.6 million units) in the first half of 2019, closing in on the $247.9 million (on 18.6 million units) generated by CD sales. Vinyl revenue grew by 12.8% in the second half of 2018 and 12.9% in the first six months of 2019, while the revenue from CDs barely budged. If these trends hold, records will soon be generating more money than compact discs.

Record Store Day was held on Saturday, April 13, 2019 earlier this year and has this second large album release date to coincide with the largest shopping day in the country. According to the site: 

"Traditionally, Black Friday was about super-cheap prices on mass-produced goods and primarily took place in mails and big box stores. In some places, that's what this is still about. But we really like the idea of a shopping season, especially when that shopping is, at its heart, a way to show the people you like that you like them. (And a way for them to show you. Gift-getting is awesome, too.)

With that mindset, RSD works with labels, artists, managers and distribution companies who feel the same, and puts together a list of titles for that season that are available at participating record stores. They come out on Black Friday (11/29 this year) but may be available at record stores throughout the rest of the year based on availability. 

Volunteer Jam XX: A Tribute To Charlie Daniels To Feature Sara Evans, Justin Moore, Chris Janson, Travis Tritt, Lee Brice, Alabama, Lynyrd Skynyrd and Many More

Album: Volunteer Jam XX: A Tribute To Charlie Daniels (Live)
Label: Blackbird Productions
Release date: October 12, 2018

Since 1974, Volunteer Jam has brought together some of music’s greatest performers to raise money for a special cause. Now, 43 years later, friends, fans, and an extraordinary lineup of musicians came together for a very special night honoring music legend Charlie Daniels — Volunteer Jam XX held on Wednesday, March 7th, 2018.

Charlie Daniels has collaborated with some of music’s most influential artists – from Elvis Presley to Bob Dylan – and with The Charlie Daniels Band has created such memorable hits as “Long Haired Country Boy,” “The South’s Gonna Do It Again,” “In America,” “The Legend of Wooley Swamp” and of course, the signature “The Devil Went Down to Georgia,” which won a GRAMMY® for Best Country Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group. Daniels is also a tireless supporter of the men and women who serve the United States military.

“Charlie has had an enormous impact on American culture through his dedication to supporting our troops, founding the unique southern sound that we know and love, and creating the unforgettable Volunteer Jam legacy,” says Keith Wortman, CEO of Blackbird Presents. “I am honored to be producing this year’s Jam alongside Charlie’s longtime manager, David Corlew.”

“It’s hard to believe that it’s been 43 years since the CDB and some of our friends got together at War Memorial Auditorium for what was supposed to be a live recording session, a one-time happening that took on a life of its own and was to become known worldwide as The Volunteer Jam. I am extremely honored and excited to have this year’s Jam documented by Blackbird Presents. Gonna be a great night at the Volunteer Jam!”
The show raised money for The Journey Home Project, a non-profit Daniels co-founded to support veterans of the U.S. armed forces.

1. Trudy (Live)  by  Blackberry Smoke
2. Brand New Star (Live) by Oak Ridge Boys
3. Sweet Louisiana (Live) by Brent Cobb
4. Evangeline (Live) by Sara Evans
5. Simple Man (Live) by Justin Moore
6. (What This World Needs Is) A Few More Rednecks (Live) by Chris Janson
7. Texas (Live) by The Steep Canyon Rangers
8. My Town (Live) by  Eddie Montgomery
9. The Legend Of Wooley Swamp (Live) by Lee Brice
10. Blue Sky (Live) by Devon Allman & Duane Betts & Chuck Leavell
11. Midnight Rider (Live) by Devon Allman & Duane Betts & Chuck Leavell
12. Sweet Home Alabama (Live) by  Lynyrd Skynyrd
13. Modern Day Bonnie & Clyde (Live) by Travis Tritt
14. It's A Great Day To Be Alive (Live) by Travis Tritt
15. Drinkin My Baby Goodbye (Live) by Chris Young
16. We Had It All One Time (Live) by Ricky Skaggs
17. La Grange (Live) by Billy F Gibbons
18. The South's Gonna Do It Again (Live) by Alabama
19. Mountain Music (Live) by Alabama
20. Tennessee Fiddlin' Man (Live) by Charlie Daniels & The Charlie Daniels Band
21. The Devil Went Down To Georgia (Live) by Charlie Daniels & The Charlie Daniels Band
22. One Way Out (Live) by Steep Canyon Rangers & Devon Allman & Blackberry Smoke & Oak Ridge Boys & Charlie Daniels & The Charlie Daniels Band & Alabama & Duane Betts & Billy F Gibbons 

New Music Video From Steve Martin and the Steep Canyon Rangers - "So Familiar"

New Music Video From Steve Martin and the Steep Canyon Rangers - "The Strangest Christmas Yet"

New Music Video From Steve Martin & Steep Canyon Rangers - "Sante Fe"

That Nashville Sound Wednesday Newsbytes- Music Videos, New John Conlee & Johnny Cash

Lots and lots of music videos out the last couple of days- would be interested to know if you have any favorites. And item number one on today's list will certainly be on my Christmas list.

- Johnny Cash’s much-acclaimed box set of primarily unreleased material, Unearthed, is to be reissued as a nine-album vinyl box set on November 3, 2017. To celebrate the Man in Black’s enduring and influential legacy, American Recordings and UMe have reconfigured this monolithic collection for its first-ever vinyl release, spreading Unearthed’s 79 songs over nine high-quality 180-gram vinyl LPs while expanding the original box's distinctive packaging for the long-playing format. The Unearthed vinyl box features a pair of cloth-bound books housed in an LP-sized black cloth slipcase. One book holds the nine LPs, while the other is a gorgeous 60-page coffee table book that incorporates Sylvie Simmons' extensive liner notes, drawn from five days of interviews at Cash's home in Tennessee, as well as Cash and Rubin's comments on every song on the set, plus a copious selection of photographs from the recording sessions, including some of the last photos ever taken of Cash.  Unearthed was originally released as a CD box set by producer Rick Rubin’s American Recordings in November 2003, two months after the country superstar’s passing.

- After 2000's Classics and 2015's Classics 2, John Conlee is prepping to release Classics 3 on November 17 on his own Rose Colored Glasses label.

- The Bottom Live Archive (a Northeast nightclub that recorded thousands of performances from the early 80's to the mid 90's) is releasing Harry Chapin: The Bottom Line Archive Series from a performance Chapin did in 1981.

- Steve Martin and the Steep Canyon Rangers went by NPR and did a Tiny Desk Concert together. Martin's in rare form like normal.

- Shania Twain released a new music video for "Swingin' With My Eyes Closed."

- Kenny Chesney released a new music video for "Young." 

- Danielle Bradbery released a new music video for "Hello Summer."

- Becca Mancari released a new music video for "Golden."

- Jenna Paulette released a new music video for "Coolest Girl in the World."

- Jarrod Dickenson released a new music video for "Take It From Me."

- The Kenny Shepherd Band released a new music video for "Nothing But The Night."

- Willie Watson premiered a new music video for "Gallows Pole." 

- Paul Cauthen released a new music video for "Saddle." 

That Nashville Sound Wednesday Newsbytes

This morning, That Nashville Sound's got numerous new album announcements to go along with a couple of new music videos to share.

- The Voice Season 7 winner Craig Wayne Boyd announced that he will be releasing his next indie album called Top Shelf on October 7, 2017 in addition to expecting his third child.

- Steve Martin and the Steep Canyon Rangers unveiled a 360 degree music video for a new bluegrass instrumental song called "Office Supplies." 

- Aaron Lee Tasjan premiered his new music video for "Till The Town Goes Dark."

- One of That Nashville Sound's favorite music discoveries has been Ashley McBryde this year. Be sure to watch her new music video for "A Little Dive Bar In Dahlonega."

- Aaron Lewis unveiled a brand new song with a powerful message entitled "Folded Flag."

-  Darius Rucker has announced his fifth solo country album When Was the Last Time will be released on October 20th. "I know what I want to do in country music right now and this is another step there," Rucker tells Rolling Stone Country. "It's a lively album, lots of upbeat stuff. My fans will be really happy and I hope to make some new fans too, because it's a country record."

- Courtney Marie Andrews has released a video for “Irene” off of her breakout record Honest Life today over on NPR.

- Kelsea Ballerini’s new album is titled Unapologetically and will be officially released on November 3. "I feel like I've been keeping a secret for two years that I finally get to tell," Ballerini admits. "I've never been more proud as I am of this record, the story it tells, and the heart my friends and I put into it. So, November 3, we get to start the next chapter! Unapologetically..."

- Teenager and child music prodigy Emi Sunshine will release her new album Ragged Dreams on August 25, 2017. “I’m pretty sure that most folks expect me to write and sing about rainbows, butterflies and unicorns, but that’s just not me. I like to write about things that are real and life just isn’t pretty sometimes…that’s just the way it is. I also get my song ideas from scary movies (I love scary movies!); I love the ‘shock factor;’ it’s just plain fun to see the 'surprise' on people’s faces!”

- Our ears are anxious to hear Dori Freeman again on her upcoming sophomore album. It'll be produced by Teddy Thompson again and released October 20 and entitled Letters Never Read.  It's "a mix of Dori's originals, though tempered with a slightly more positive outlook, plus some tastefully arranged traditional pieces. Dori's voice is shockingly great, but hearing her sing true Appalachian music for the first time is a revelation."

Steve Martin and The Steep Canyon Rangers Partner On New Album In September

Artist: Steve Martin and The Steep Canyon Rangers
Album: The Long-Awaited Album
Label: Rounder
Release date: September 22, 2017

From the press release: "The Long-Awaited Album, Steve Martin's brand new project with the North Carolina Grammy-winning group the Steep Canyon Rangers, is full of stories that mix humor and melancholy, whimsy and realism, rich characters and evocative details. And lots of banjos. That instrument-so dexterously, even acrobatically picked and strummed-proves just as crucial to relating these tales as the lyrics themselves, each chord and riff revealing depths to Martin's narrators and to his musical talent."

  1. Santa Fe
  2. Caroline
  3. All Night Long
  4. Canadian Girl
  5. Office Supplies
  6. Bad Night
  7. Strangest Christmas Yet
  8. Always Will
  9. So Familiar
  10. Nights in the Lab
  11. Angeline the Barista
  12. On the Water
  13. Girl From River Run
  14. Promontory Point

 

New Music Video From Steep Canyon Rangers- "Radio"

New Music Video From Steep Canyon Rangers- "Blow Me Away"

Steep Canyon Rangers Prep Radio For August 28 Release

The Grammy award-winning Steep Canyon Rangers unveil their highly anticipated ninth studio album, RADIO, a project that according to the press release, "further illustrates the band's dynamic songwriting, instrumental virtuosity and high-energy performance." The album is scheduled for release on August 28, 2015 on Rounder Records.

Members Woody Platt (guitar), Graham Sharp (banjo), Charles R. Humphrey III (bass), Mike Guggino (mandolin), Nicky Sanders (fiddle) and Mike Ashworth (box kit) are also known for collaborations with actor/comedian and respected banjo player Steve Martin and esteemed singer-songwriter Edie Brickell. The Steep Canyon Rangers RADIO was produced by fourteen-time Grammy winner, Jerry Douglas (John Oates, Alison Krauss, Del McCoury Band) and recorded at Asheville, NC's Echo Mountain Recording Studio. The album's twelve all-original bluegrass/Americana tracks were written by Sharp, Humphrey, Platt and Guggino in varying degrees, including a few co-writes with fellow musicians such as Phil Barker of the Carolina bluegrass band Town Mountain.

Track listing:
1. Radio 
2. Diamonds In The Dust 
3. Simple Is Me 
4. Blow Me Away 
5. Blue Velvet Rain 
6. Looking Glass 
7. Down That Road Again 
8. Break 
9. Wasted 
10. Long Summer 
11. When The Well Runs Dry 
12. Monumental Fool 

Dolly Parton, Vince Gill, Emmylou Harris, Marty Stuart, Steve Martin, Ashley Monroe and More Contribute To Historic Bristol Sessions CD

Tourism and music industry representatives gathered June 10th for a special press conference to officially announce the August 2 grand opening of The Birthplace of Country Music Museum in Bristol, TN/VA and the creation of Orthophonic Joy: The 1927 Bristol Sessions Revisited.

This Smithsonian Institution-affiliated Birthplace of Country Music Museum is dedicated to preserve the legacy of the 1927 Bristol Sessions and their lasting influence on American popular music. Johnny Cash referred to the famous Sessions as the single most important event in the history of country music. Also known as the Big Bang of Country Music, the legendary recordings by Ralph Peer took country music to a new level, producing pioneers of the genre, such as Jimmie Rodgers and the Carter Family.

Set to be released in October, Orthophonic Joy: The 1927 Bristol Sessions Revisited, features entertainment legend Dolly Parton, and country music stars Vince Gill, Emmylou Harris, Marty Stuart, Steve Martin and the Steep Canyon Rangers and Ashley Monroe. The recording project includes 16 of the original songs from the Bristol Sessions.

The idea to recreate the Bristol Sessions had been discussed within the Birthplace of Country Music organization for years, but the connection between board member John Rainero, songwriter Rusty Morrell and producer Carl Jackson helped bring Orthophonic Joy: The 1927 Bristol Sessions Revisited to life.

"My dear friend Rusty Morrell approached me with the idea to produce a project honoring the original 1927 Bristol Sessions," Jackson said. "He was very aware and fond of a couple of other multi-artist tribute projects I'd produced and felt I was the guy who could bring his vision to life. In my opinion, the importance of those 27 recordings cannot be overstated. I'm truly honored that Rusty asked me to shine a new and loving light on some of those classic works."

In the spirit of Ralph Peer, Jackson and the Birthplace of Country Music organization is launching a nationwide search for a new artist to record the final track on the album. Emerging and independent artists may submit ONE of the following selected Bristol Sessions songs: The Storms Are On the Ocean, Darling Cora, Bury Me Under the Weeping Willow, or I Am Bound For The Promised Land. Deadline to receive submissions is July 10. Four artists will be selected for a panel of judges to review. For contest rules, visit www.BirthplaceofCountryMusic.org.

"The 1927 Bristol Sessions have often been honored for their impact on the world's music," said Leah Ross, executive director, Birthplace of Country Music. "With the opening of the Museum, the release of Orthophonic Joy, and the nationwide search for new talent, BCM and the team of irreplaceable partners  are ensuring the legacy of the 1927 Bristol Sessions lives on for generations."

For more information visit www.birthplaceofcountrymusic.org.

New Live Music Video From Steve Martin, Edie Brickell and The Steep Canyon Rangers- "Love Has Come For You"

Steve Martin and The Steep Canyon Rangers, featuring Edie Brickell, will release their first ever live concert CD/DVD package capturing their extraordinary performance at the historic Fox Performing Arts Center in Riverside California last fall. The live performance was recorded for PBS Great Performances and is being shown this month and next.

New Live Music Video From Steve Martin, Edie Brickell and The Steep Canyon Rangers- "Pretty Little One"

Steve Martin and The Steep Canyon Rangers, featuring Edie Brickell, are releasing their first ever live concert CD/DVD package capturing their performance at the historic Fox Performing Arts Center in Riverside California last fall. The live performance was recorded for PBS Great Performances and features material from Martin and Brickells Grammy-nominated album Love Has Come For You, as well as music from Martin's Grammy-nominated collaboration with The Steep Canyon Rangers, Rare Bird Alert, and his Grammy Award-winning album The Crow: New Songs for the Five-String Banjo.

New Music Video From Steep Canyon Rangers- "Tell The Ones I Love"