Tag Archive for 'kenny chesney'

COUNTRY CALL ‘EM: 2009 CMA AWARDS PICKS

Published by bethanys on November 8, 2009 in Country. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , , , , .

OSBlog02_CCE_MASTERThis year, on November 11, the Country Music Association will present the best of the best of 2009  at their annual awards show. At their 43rd show, the nominees are unprecedented in talent, presence and success. With 11 different categories, and nearly 20 performances, its safe to say this year will be unmatched in star power. Narrowing down an entire year’s worth of country to just 5 nominees in each category seems difficult, so picking just 1winner from the cream of the crop is nearly an impossible task. The challenge will be daunting, but I hope I’ll do the Association proud with my picks for Best New Artist, Album of the Year and the coveted Entertainer of the Year awards.

He's definitely my favorite new artist

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

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

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!

COUNTRY CATCH: BRANAN LOGAN

Published by bethanys on November 5, 2009 in Artist Feature and Country. 0 Comments Tags: , , , .

OSBlog02_CountryCatch_MASTERLook out Country Channel! Branan Logan is here and he’s ready to take over the country community. His twangy voice and classic country lyrics team up to make his songs something worth tuning into. The potential for stardom is both  tangible and undeniable for this songwriter. Branan’s tunes have garnered so much attention in Nashville that his tunes have been pitched to superstars like Brad Paisley and Rascal Flatts. His sound is totally his own, and he is sure to be noticed for his unique approach to country music.

Branan Logan

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.

COUNTRY CALL ‘EM: TWO IS BETTER THAN ONE

Published by bethanys on October 25, 2009 in Country. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , .

OSBlog02_CCE_MASTER
Sharing the spotlight is something very few superstars are willing to do. Unless of course, you’re a country singer gearing up for an unforgettable duet. In an industry that celebrates teamwork with awards like “Musical Event of the Year,” “Duo of the Year” and “Group of the Year,” synergy is an art form that always succeeds in the ears of country fans.

The duo singing in the video

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

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

Mr. Chesney

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

Mr. Matthews

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.

COUNTRY CALL ‘EM: COUNTRY CLOTHING LINES

Published by bethanys on October 11, 2009 in Country. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , .

OSBlog02_CCE_MASTERStillettos, Gucci suits, big buckle belts? Despite the oxymoron of country music fashion, it seems that more and more country music artists are branching out of their Stetsons and into our closets. Whether they leave the design to the professionals or merely entice buyers with their big names, country stars are diving head first into a pool of denim, leather and straw hat designing.

This man is a fashion designer?!

This man is a fashion designer?!

Like our boy Kenny. While there are many things to praise about arguably the most successful country artist next to George Strait, fashion sense is not one of them. The man who’s casual look consists of a muscle tee, tight jeans and a cowboy hat has never been considered knowledgable when it comes to clothing. Because hey, lets face it, when he DOES “dress up,” he wears a simple button up, tight pants… and a cowboy hat.  Nonetheless, Kenny Chesney came out with a new clothing line called Blue Chair Bay. Thankfully, he is expanding on his lesser fashion-offensive looks; casual wear. Kenny’s  line includes khakis, shirts, baseball caps, and wait for it… COWBOY HATS. Kenny says that he wants Blue Chair Bay to represent that shirt you’ve worn a thousand times, bleached out in the sun, but want to wear again and again. Personally, the only way I would  buy an old looking shirt for a new-shirt price is if it came directly off Kenny’s chiseled, tan back.

Thank goodness leather pants are no longer socially acceptable.

Thank goodness leather pants are no longer socially acceptable.

Sheryl Crow is another crooner who is throwing her jeaned leg into the fashion race. She has come out with Bootheel Trading Co., a denim wear company sold out of Dillard’s. While some of her red carpet moments are questionable, the Bootheel line is modeled after her performance and every-day style. Basically, like Kenny, she’s going for a casual line that’s reasonably priced for her fans. Bootlegged jeans and rocker tops, Sheryl makes this line look like it could be sold anywhere, to anyone. Whether that makes it a to-die-for collection, or just another Levi-wannabe jeans company is still in question.

I'd love to get into those jeans...the Wranglers I mean.

I'd love to get into those jeans...the Wranglers I mean.

But, thank goodness for Jason Aldean. Jason really knows that in order to reap the benefits of a clothing line, you leave it to the professionals. Of the dozens of country men who rock the Wranglers, Aldean was chosen to be the butt of Wrangler Western Wear, their new retro line of denim. Jason partnered with Wrangler this summer, but his love for the brand has been a staple since he was 14-years-old. Mr. Aldean has always been the simple cowboy in Nashville, and chose to spearhead a campaign for a product all of country music can stand behind (and man, what a view we’ll have!)

When it comes to Nashville fashion, the bottom line is this: You won’t be finding sequins, Swarovski crystals or fancy frills on any line made by a true cowboy or cowgirl. The country stars that decide to brand themselves in this new and competitive market thankfully stick to what little they know about fashion; comfort and reliability. Funny, those are the two reasons why I love these artists. And I always stick with what I love, no matter which Worst Dressed list they may appear on.

HE CAME, WE SAW, HE CONQUERED

Published by bethanys on August 23, 2009 in Artist News, Country and Festivals. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , , .

Last Saturday, August 15th, was one for the record books. It was the hottest day of summer in Massachusetts so far, but over at Gillette Stadium the blacktop wasn’t the only thing on fire. This year, Kenny Chesney—along with Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert, Montgomery Gentry and Sugarland—rocked every single seat in the home of the New England Patriots.

Lady A

Lady A

Lady Antebellum, on their first major tour, performed like seasoned pros as the initial opening act. With their fast paced singles like “Love Don’t Live Here Anymore” and “Love’s Looking Good on You,” they really started the show off right. Usually, only a handful of fans leave the tailgating festivities to watch the first opening act. But, once word came that Lady A was taking the stage, nearly double the usual amount of seats were filled at four o’clock sharp.

Seats continued to fill by the time 2009 Female Vocalist of the Year nominee Miranda Lambert took the stage. Lambert kept her cool while singing her scorching hits like “Kerosene,” “Gunpowder and Lead” and “More Like Her.” She even debuted some new singles from her upcoming album Revolution.

Hot off Lambert’s heels, Montgomery Gentry hit the stage with a bang. Throughout the set, Eddie Montgomery made use of the entire stage, singing his heart out and running from corner to corner, despite the 95-degree heat. Troy Gentry stayed stationary through the songs, but gave his all in the vocals and good looks department. MG is a duo that surprises audiences whenever they perform, shocking everyone by how many radio hits are sung by them. I, as well as my entire section of seats, knew the words to every single song they performed.

Sugarland rocking out!

Sugarland rocking out!

Sugarland, a staple performer on Kenny’s tour, laid it all on the line with their upbeat performances. By this time, the sun was going down, the seats were practically filled and the audience’s anticipation for Kenny continued to grow. I’ve seen Sugarland perform 3 times already, both in and out of the Kenny tours, and I’m usually a little freaked out by Nettle’s psychedelic dance moves. This time, everything from their vocals to movements to special effects fit together. Not a trace of the voice issues plaguing Jennifer Nettles earlier in the tour were heard; nothing was holding this duo back. One concertgoer next to me even remarked, “The last time I saw them in concert I was less than impressed. But from this performance, I’m shocked they are even the same band!”

Finally, after 5 hours of opening acts and set changes, we heard the opening chords of  “She Thinks My Tractor’s Sexy.”  Shocked that he would open with his usual encore selection, everyone frantically searched the stage for our leading man, Kenny Chesney. Out of nowhere, Kenny appeared in the air, riding onto the stage in a chair suspended above the floor seats. This is certainly the most elaborate opening Kenny has ever done, but the crowd went wild as he began to sing “Livin’ Those Songs,” putting us all at ease knowing “She Thinks…” would be saved for the end of the show. This wasn’t the only fast one Kenny pulled on us fans in Foxborough. Starting with that intricate entrance, he went on to sing some of his

Photo: BostonHerald.com

Photo: BostonHerald.com

older classics like “You and Me,” and “There Goes My Life,” which haven’t been played at Gillette since his first show in 2004. Usually, Kenny talks to the crowd between songs,  connecting each to the audience. This year, it seems Kenny got a bit shy but as tradeoff he added about 4 more songs into his set. Only when “She Comes From Boston” started playing did Kenny tell us that he and his band “wait all year to play this one,” which really made us feel like Gillette is a special stop along his tour . Kenny’s performance lasted about 2 hours, and ended with New England Patriots players Tedy Bruschi and Wes Welker joining Chesney on stage.   All 60,000 people in Gillette were on their feet for nearly 120-plus minutes of Chesney’s performance, so it’s a safe to say that Entertainer of the Year award will be back in Kenny’s buff, island-tanned arms at next year’s American Country Music Awards. And if not, we’re sure he won’t mind as long as his record sales and sold out arena shows continue to prove otherwise in the hearts of real country fans.