Lucky Men

A song that truly makes you stop and reevaluate all the blessings you have in life is most certainly Montgomery Gentry’s “Lucky Man”. Eddie and Troy admit to falling victim to self-pity when things get a little tough. Like, hating your job, your small town and even the weather. But, they snap themselves out of it and remind themselves of all the things they do have.  Good friends, family, health and love are things that make them thankful that they are “lucky men.” Check out the lyrics to truly appreciate this song and all the great things you may not remember that make you so lucky this Thanksgiving.

Just one thing Keith is thankful for

He may be singing it to his wife, Nicole Kidman, but Keith Urban came out with a song that anyone can be grateful for. If you’ve ever had someone there for you when “the light that used to guide (you), has faded from (your) heart” or when you “find (yourself) in places (you’d) never thought (you’d) go,” then Keith’s appropriately titled “Thank You” is a great addition to any Thanksgiving mix-list. Remembering to be gracious for the people who make life a little easier is something everyone should do this holiday. Life is rough sometimes, and no matter where you are, you’ll need someone to help you when you’re “surrounded by strangers…so far from home.”

Miss Medina's life is so good

The ultimate Turkey day music mix-up would be incomplete without a little slice of Jo Dee Messina and her track “Life is Good”. Whenever you start comparing your life to the Jones’ (like Jodee did) just remember, life isn’t about “climbing the ladder” because you’re “missing all the things that really matter.” Messina is grateful she’s got her “two feet on the ground. Breathin’ in and breathin’ out.” So make like Ms. Messina and “Grab onto today; live every minute in the way (you) know (you) should.” That truly is the best way to show how grateful you are this year.

So, this Thanksgiving, if you think you’re a Lucky Man, make sure to say Thank You, because hey, at the end of the day Life is Good!

I'll need a few beers to watch this movie

Speaking of country star gone wrong- the highly-anticipated Beer for My Horses was slated to be one of Toby Keith’s biggest accomplishments. For months, country radio stations promoted and promised this movie, based on Keith’s famous song, to be the most entertaining movie . Willie Nelson partnered for the project, and country fans eagerly awaited what was advertised to be a cinematic masterpiece. Chock- full of big names, including Rodney Carrington, Willie Nelson, Tracy Morgan and Ted Nugent, this movie was projected to be a huge hit.  Since Keith’s first foray into film (Broken Bridges ) was less than successful, Beer for My Horses was not released to national audiences.  However, its 2008 limited release was met with disinterested audiences and lack luster reviews. Most dubbed it as a “dumb comedy,” lacking substance or interest. While the musicians in the film lacked any real acting skills, they were given credit for making a “good effort.” Still, it seems as though Keith should stick to writing songs rather than scripts. That way he can still stand by the success of “Beer for My Horses” as a song.

Art imitates life?

Yet another example of a country star who made a small foray into the acting world was Faith Hill. She appeared in 2005’s Stepford Wives, and while the movie did marginally well in theatres, Faith’s performance was limited. She tried her very best to succeed with the few lines she did have, but maybe it was a blessing that her Stepford character was nothing more than a robotic wife who spoke very little.  Regardless, Faith is one of Nashville’s most successful female singers, and she is undeniably talented. Whether that talent translates to the big screen, well, she is definitely zero for one in her attempts.

The role that started it all

Faith Hill’s husband Tim McGraw, however, is one of the rarest miracles when it comes to country gone Hollywood. McGraw hit big success with 2004’s Friday Night Lights, in which he played an alcoholic father to one of the players. His role as Charlie Billingsley was deep and complicated, and Tim scored major reviews as a natural on screen. He then continued to star in a major motion picture titled Flicka, in which he also contributed to the soundtrack. Tim’s most recent foray into flicks was 2008’s comedy, Four Christmases, in which he successfully tested his comedic chops alongside Vince Vaughan. If general audiences doubt Tim’s acting ability, he has another film debuting November 20th. The Blind Side is another football film, also starring Sandra Bullock, that is expected to be a huge success. Hopefully, Tim can be enough of a film star for both he and his wife, and maybe save us from another Stepford-catastrophe.

While most times a miss,  a hit can sometimes emerge when country singers toss their hats into the acting ring. And when this miracle does occur, we country fans can be truly proud that our cowboys and girls are proving their talent in one more kind of rodeo.

Johnny Cash

It goes without saying that love is the motivation behind an immense number of famous songs. Despite its title, “Ring of Fire” is no exception. June Carter originally wrote the song when she was finally falling for Johnny but was having difficulty committing due to the aftermaths their recent relationships, and Johnny’s battle with addiction. But, as the lyrics progress, it becomes clear the June couldn’t help herself, as she fell deeper and deeper into the ring of fire that is love. The further you fall, the harder it will be to drop out of the relationship and climb out of the flames.

June Carter

You might even say she was addicted to love.  Johnny’s performance of the song solidified his image as the “man in black” that he’s known as today. After all, what’s more menacing, a balladeer crooning about love in the traditional sense or describing it as a ring of fire? The song’s original recording by Anita Carter was met with limited success, so Johnny told Anita he would record it the way he felt it if her rendition didn’t make in impact in the next six months. And he did just that.

Johnny’s mariachi-oriented rendition is much more upbeat than Anita’s and, at first listen, it might even come across as mocking. But, as time has proven, his original style added an energetic flair to the song that’s kept it alive and well ever since. Yet despite the song’s longevity, some people still make it halfway through their lives without ever hearing “Ring of Fire,” as was the case with this week’s featured artist, Pat Kelly.

I’ve been told that my rendition of ROF is completely unique and if it weren’t for the words, most wouldn’t recognize it as the Carter/ Kilgore classic. The reason it sounds this way is because I had never heard the original when I first played it. Jeff Burke (bassoonist) and I perform as a duo at times for impromptu gigs and Jeff usually brings sheets containing lyrics and basic chord structures of covers and literally throws whatever he may have in front of me, and then I start playing the song. Usually, I have a common knowledge but sometimes I don’t and I just play what I feel. You should hear our rendition of Fleetwood Mac’s “Dreams” or our Soka/Reggae version of “Time To Say Goodbye.”

I knew the song had become a crowd favorite, and when news of my friend; Kenny MacLean (Platinum Blonde) had died and there was to be a memorial. I contacted Alan Frew (Glass Tiger) and Jeff to say we should open the night with ROF. Kenny was very charitable and would visit a camp for kids with cancer (Camp Oasis) over the last few years before his untimely death. Kenny would always play Ring of Fire, (the Johnny Cash version) to the kids and they loved it. As you can hear, my version is a little more intimate and Alan, Jeff and I felt it fitting to send our friend’s night off with this tribute.

Pat Kelly

As any listener familiar with the song will immediately notice, Kelly’s interpretation of the song is about as distant from the Cash version as one could wander. Not overly energetic, this version is more lukewarm, and with the left field addition of Bassoon, gives the piece an entirely new orchestral vibe. To top it all off, Kelly’s voice is noticeably raspier than Cash’s, in turn lending a burnt-out perspective to the song as a whole. I picture this ring of fire to be less about romantic love and more about familial/friendship bonds. Perhaps the perfect combination of sorts for a song dedicated towards remembrance, as in the scenario mentioned above.

Hank Williams

Where Cash’s song spells out the magnetic pains of love, Williams’ “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry” outlines just the opposite. Some have described it as the “saddest song in the world,” but seldom offering a minor chord or chord progression change, it really doesn’t sound that tragic—until Williams’ personal story comes into the picture. By the time this song was released in 1949, Williams was struggling to hold his marriage with manager/ wife Audrey Sheppard together, and with the arrival of a new baby (Hank Williams Jr.), the scene wasn’t getting any prettier. Alcohol and drugs took hold of his sanity, and it was all downhill from there. On New Years Day in 1953, he was found dead in the back of his chauffeur’s car while on the way to a show in Canton, OH. Though the circumstances around William’s death are nothing more than theories, it is widely assumed that he died from a fatal concoction of morphine, B12 and alcohol. Whether it was self-injected still remains a mystery. He was 29 years old.

Deanna Cox

Thankfully, OurStage artist Deanna Cox has made it to age 29 and beyond. I can’t speak to whether or not she’s faced any life altering adversities, but she sure sings like she has. Above all else, her cover of “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry” displays stunning vocal layers beaming with life experience and a forlorn wavering harmonica that yanks at your heartstrings throughout the song. Supporting these two features is a bed of strings and a twangy fiddle to complete the quintessential country sound. Noticeably absent from Deanna’s lyrics is the “Just like me” line before the “he’s lost the will to live” section in Hank’s original. Deanna’s voice comes across like that of a woman who’s persevered throughout life, making the absence of this lyric all the more fitting.

Faced with clear-cut lyrics with minimal instruments, the listener is unrestricted in responding to these covers which also demonstrates how some of the most powerful and moving songs are really the most simple.

Miss Moreaux

Fellas, move aside. We’ve got a powerhouse here on OurStage courtesy of Megan Moreaux! With a track list of both upbeat diddies and heartfelt power ballads, Megan truly possesses the talent to go the distance. Her strong voice and fun, versatile  songs carried her straight to the top on OurStage’s Country,  Southern Rock and former Rockabilly Channels.  On the catchy “Finding My Own Voice,” this future country star and role model tells the story of her personal growth from a girl “who would die to just fit in” to someone who has “made (her) choice; finding (her) own voice”. In both the figurative and literal sense, Megan’s voice is a gift that is sure to take her places!

Check out her fanclub and become a fan of this amazing asset to OurStage!

He's definitely my favorite new artist

It’s exciting to imagine what a few more years of experience can do for raw talent. And in the case of the CMA Awards, winning Best New Artist is as good as a one-way ticket to superstardom. Previously known as the Horizon Award, winners in the past include Taylor Swift, Rascal Flatts and Carrie Underwood. And, like most years, the 2009 nominees pack some stiff competition. Randy Houser, Jamey Johnson, Jake Owen, Darius Rucker and The Zac Brown Band comprise this year’s nominees, and to be honest, any one of these nominees could take home the prize. However, with his first 3 country singles reaching Number 1, it seems that Darius Rucker walking away with Best New Artist is a no brainer. Not only has Darius taken a huge risk in crossing over from pop-rock band Hootie and the Blowfish to a solo country career, but he also took a gamble in entering a genre that has not had an African American success story since Charley Pride in the 80s. Darius isn’t just a shoe-in for Best New Artist against rookies in the business, he has also been nominated for Male Vocalist of the Year against heavy hitter veterans like Kenny Chesney and George Strait.

Album of the Year is always a sticky category to predict. You must take record sales, critical reviews,and even overall content and message into consideration. Each nominee for 2009’s Album of the Year has something to offer.

Album of the Year

Jamey Johnson’s That Lonesome Song and Sugarland’s Love on the Inside are both winners in lyrical content and variety of songs; Defying Gravity from Keith Urban had successful sales, and numerous Top 10 hits. However, it is a close call between Brad Paisley’s American Saturday Night and Taylor Swift’s Fearless. Both have received rave reviews from critics, and done amazingly well in a dying market of buying full albums. Paisley has taken a big departure from his usual superficial, often comical approach to songwriting in this album, and Swift has been acclaimed as one of the best songwriters Nashville has seen in decades. The difference, however, is the unexpected and unprecedented success of Swift over the last year. Her Fearless album was the biggest selling CD in any genre for the entire year, and, coupled with its record breaking digital downloads, it seems as though Album of the Year is in the bag for 19-year-old Swift. Swift has exposed country music to an entire new audience through this album in a way no other artist has been able to achieve before.

King of Entertainment

Entertainer of the Year has been a hot topic in Nashville recently. In the years past, Kenny Chesney was the man to beat. But, after the Academy of Country Music dethroned him this year in favor of Carrie Underwood, his hold on the title seemed questionable. However, I stand by Kenny’s star power, and am giving my Entertainer of the Year pick to Mr. Chesney. Other nominees include Brad Paisley, George Strait, Keith Urban and Taylor Swift. While all are undeniably the best musicians on country radio, I can’t help but firmly believe in Kenny’s entertainment value. His summer concert series sell out entire football stadiums, the tickets sell out within minutes. Year after year, Kenny delivers the concert of the year, and he did not let fans down in 2009. Yes, the other nominees produce platinum selling albums, sing Number 1 singles and lead gaggles of loyal fans, but Kenny adds something they can’t: his best-selling, stadium rocking, impossible to forget concerts. And because of this undeniable fact, it seems improbable that anyone else will be stealing his crown as King of Country Entertainment.

November 11 will be a day celebrate country royalty, and I for sure will be a loyal subject tuning in. It is certain to be a night full of great music, great people and great work being rewarded.

Do you agree with BethanyS and her picks for the CMA Awards? Let us know!

Branan Logan

You don’t have to be certifiable in order to appreciate Branan’s catchiest diddy “Borderline Crazy”. With a Phil Vassar sound and Kenny Chesney island-themed lyrics, its only a matter of time before everyone blasts this tune through their speakers. Logan tells his 60-hour weeks “Adios!” but the only thing I see country fans saying him is “Hola!” and  “Muchas Gracias!” for making such great new music.

Play the New England Americana Festival with Boston Americana favorites Three Day Threshold

This week, we’re spotlighting a great new opportunity in the OurStage Marketplace. The organizers of the New England Americana Festival need talent to fill out the festival’s roster and are looking right here on OurStage. The New England Americana Festival celebrates the long tradition of deep-rooted American folk music. This February, the festival will be take place over three nights at Church in Boston. The festival is looking for 4 to 7 more acts to join The Bean Pickers Union, The Rationales, Bryan Pero and the Tired Horses, The Bees Knees, Golden West Motor Lodge, Odessa Rose, Dave Sammarco Band, The Kingsley Flood, Three Day Threshold and OurStage artists The Autumn Hollow Band. Artists don’t have to be located in New England to apply, but those who can draw in Boston will be given preference. If you play Folk, Americana, Traditional Country, Alt Country, Blues, Rock, Southern Rock or any other roots-influenced music, head on over to the OurStage Marketplace and submit your EPK for this gig!

Submit your EPK to the New England Americana Festival gig, click HERE.

For more info about the OurStage Marketplace, check out the Marketplace FAQ section.

Look for this in the CD aisle!

For our first course of November music bliss (arriving November 3^rd), we have the delicious Carrie Underwood serving up her third album, Play On. Having mastered the art of balancing  ballads of heartbreak with upbeat toe tappers, Underwood’s new release will not let fans down. Her recent single, “Cowboy Casanova” is a small glimpse of what this power-packing diva has to offer country radio with her new album. Underwood began making waves after winning American Idol in 2005, but her ten Number 1 singles and Academy of Country Music’s Entertainer of the Year award, proves she is the real deal. With Play On, we can only hope that she continues her streak as the reigning queen of country music.

Up next is a dish best compared to your aunt’s new casserole recipe that she is “testing out” on

Can she hack it in country?

your Thanksgiving table. On November 10^th Michelle Branch, who has dabbled in pop as well as country, is coming out with her first solo country record, Everything Comes and Goes. During her stint in The Wreckers with friend Jessica Harp, Branch achieved a Number One country single with “Leave the Pieces” so her future seems promising. Since the duo’s demise, both members of the pop-rock/country duo have plunged head first into solo careers in country. The first single off the record, “Sooner or Later” certainly has the potential to garner Michelle new fans, while hopefully proving she can stand on her own in the country music community. Maybe her CD will become a staple for long car drives, study sessions,or party mixes, just as your aunt’s recipe could become a new family favorite.

Country gold, Josh Turner

Now for dessert. How about a helping of soul food? Just take a taste of Josh Turner’s soulful baritone with his new album, Haywire, also due out November 10^th.  With two of his three albums already achieving certified Platinum status, Josh is no stranger to quality work. On this new record, songs like “Why Don’t We Just Dance” indicate that Turner is getting back on the Platinum pony. Turner has proudly stated that this album is the first one that he feels truly explores his vocal range. But, from what I can tell, the entire album will be one continuous, successful high note.

No matter what you choose to feast on this month, from cooking to country, make sure you truly savor your selection. With such a fine buffet of available treats, there is no reason your ears, or taste buds, should be left unsatisfied.

The duo singing in the video

In what I see as the pinnacle of duet dynamite, we have Brad Paisley and Alison Krauss’s “Whiskey Lullaby”. The combination of Krauss’s soft, melodic voice with Paisley’s sharp but complementary vocals made this duet memorable long after its 2004 release. Whether it was the blend of two finely tuned voices, or the devastating lyrics that could draw a tear from the toughest cowboy, this song rose all the way to Number 3 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart, and won CMA awards for “Musical Event of the Year” and “Best Music Video.”  Krauss, who is often credited as the accompanying pipes on many a’ country duet (like “When You Say Nothing At All”, a duet that emerged after layering her solo version with that of the original singer, Keith Whitley), truly has the voice of an angel, able to capture emotion and beauty with as single note. Alison released a compilation CD of both her most successful solo performances, and the plethora of duets she has contributed to, called A Hundred Miles or More: A Collection. Paisley is no stranger to stellar duets either. Brad  worked with icon Dolly Parton on  “When I Get Where I’m Going”, a song about what they each hope happens when they reach the afterlife. Most recently, Brad earned another CMA nomination for “Musical Event of the Year” for his 2009 duet “Start a Band” with country rocker Keith Urban. It seems whatever song either one of these Nashville hit-makers touchs is sure to turn to Billboard and award show gold.

Performing the duet live

How about picturing this kind of musical gold—a bad-boy rocker breaking down in a song of heartbreak with one of Nashville’s most beautiful voices. That’s what happened when Kid Rock teamed up with Sheryl Crow for their chart-topper “Picture”. Both of these artists are a little bit country and a little bit rock ‘n’ roll, so the song is a butt-kickin’ ballad chock full of gritty voices and raw emotions. The track was the first country single either had released, and it proved to be more successful than any either had achieved before. Peaking at Number 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 and being nominated for a CMA “Vocal Event of the Year” in 2003, the song received accolades for its vocal and instrumental perfection. Clearly this duet was the missing piece to the puzzle of both Kid Rock and Crow’s burgeoning country careers, as both have taken off and continue to produce amazing singles that carry on their legacies as Nashville success stories.

Mr. Chesney

The Nashville hit-making title may belong to Mr. Kenny Chesney. So what happens when you

Mr. Matthews

combine his signature style with that of fan favorite Dave Matthews? You get a laidback duet that screams Number One of course. “I’m Alive” has been hitting the airwaves in full force recently, and not only are the vocal stylings inspiring, but lyrics like “And today you know, that’s good enough for me. Breathing in and out’s a blessing can’t you see. Today’s the first day of the rest of my life. And I’m alive and well” truly make this a song anyone can stand behind. You can always leave it to Kenny to remind us what is important in life, and paired with Dave Matthew’s songwriting chops, this song reaching the top spot is inevitable.

It seems that no matter who these stars pair themselves with, hits are sure to follow. From country legends to novices on the charts, teamwork is proving to be a sure-fire way to success. We all know that two heads are better than one, and these country duo’s are proving that two voices are clearly better as well.

One thing is decided here at OurStage, The Whiskey Saints’ videos deserve a shot. The video for their song, “With the Lights On” is a humorous story that begs the question  “What the hell happened last night?” The video reveals what occurs when the boys play in the basement of an old Victorian home, with no lights on. Not only is the song enough to keep you entertained, the video shows you that you never know what the night vision cameras may reveal. Heck, if Mother Theresa knew a Whiskey Saint could be this good, I’d bet she’d be willing to cozy up to Jack Daniels (and make all that saint work a little more interesting.)

Check out The Whiskey Saints’ video for “With the Lights On,” and make sure you stop by their fanclub. You’ll want to stay until even the lights shut off.