­

Tag Archives | Music

Olivia Lane Releases Long Anticipated Single, “You Got Me”, Today

By on August 24, 2018 in In The Press

Dynamic entertainer and one of Country music’s most promising young talents, Olivia Lane, is celebrating the release of new single, ”You Got Me.” The Skip Black produced track was written by Olivia along with Aaron Scherz (Maddie & Tae) & Tim Nichols (Tim McGraw, Alan Jackson). Olivia explains,“the song wrote itself pretty quick. In the writing room, we talked about how we all have gone through or have had someone in our lives go through darker times and sometimes hearing someone say they’re there for you and have your back can be so powerful.”

HollywoodLIfe offered fans a sneak peak at the single and accompanying music video via a world premiere HERE. The leading celebrity and entertainment site has dubbed Olivia a “one to watch” and goes on to explain: “Olivia Lane is just getting started, but she’s already penning the kind of songs that can’t be ignored… and is ready to take her career to the next level!”

The music video was directed by Matt DeLisi and shot in various locations around Nashville. Olivia goes on to explain: “I wanted the video to represent the sentiment of the song which is letting someone know you are there for them. These are two friends who may or may not be more, but regardless of the status of their relationship, it’s clear they have a solid foundation on having each other’s back.”

The long anticipated new material will be a reflection of her growth as not only an artist but a person. Olivia explains, “I wrote this song for anyone who wants to let someone know that they’re there for them. The universal message of this song perfectly describes where I’m at in my songwriting and the kind of artist I want to be. Since my last release of music, I’ve grown up, worked on some self love and ended up discovering this more vulnerable and emotional side of me that I’m ready to share with my fans.”

Since her impactful debut in 2016, the budding talent has been named one of Rolling Stone’s “10 Country Artists You Need To Know” along with profile pieces by the likes of Billboard, Entertainment Weekly, People, Yahoo& more.
 “You Got Me” is available now on Apple Music, Spotify, & anywhere you consume music.

Comments { 0 }

Song Review: Ryan Kinder | “Stay”

By on August 24, 2018 in Album & Song Reviews, Music

Guitar slinger, songwriter and talented artist, Ryan Kinder, just released his newest single, “Stay”, to country radio this week.

“Stay” is a poignant, passionate, midtempo, pop and soul-infused tune carried by Kinder’s powerful, soulful vocals and strong guitar skills.  My favorite song of his yet! This artist just keeps getting better with each offering.

Written by Kinder, Fred Wilhelm and Luke Sheets, produced by Kinder and Sheets, this hard-hitting ballad delivers a compelling emotional message. Kinder captures the intensity of the lyric and melody with a virtuosic vocal and high-impact guitar solo, all of which heralds his place in the spotlight as a newly unfettered and independent artist.

“At the root, this song is a prayer, a mantra, a plea to the one you love to walk alongside you through life’s journey of ups and downs,” explains Kinder.  “Since writing it, I have found strength from this song in my career as well. Music has been my companion and saving grace more times than I can count, and “Stay” reminds me of that.”

Available for streaming now, “Stay” will be included on Kinder’s next album slated for early 2019.

You can listen to it below in the official lyric video:

Born in Knoxville and raised in Birmingham, this immensely-talented artist has enjoyed an unforgettable summer touring with some of his biggest musical heroes John Fogerty and ZZ Top, wrapping up a 22-city run with a stop in London, where he opened the 2018 British Summer Time at Hyde Park Festival featuring iconic legends: Eric Clapton, Santana and Gary Clark, Jr.

“I would have been thrilled just standing side-stage each night,” says Kinder. “But getting to share the same stage with those legendary musicians was a greater experience than I could have ever imagined. And, getting to talk music with Fogerty and Billy [Gibbons] still doesn’t seem real.”

 

For more of the latest news and information, visit RyanKinder.com

RYAN KINDER SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS:

Website // Facebook // Twitter // Instagram // YouTube

 

 

 

Comments { 0 }

Third Annual Adam Sanders’ “90’s Night” Benefiting The T.J. Martell Foundation A Rousing Success

By on July 31, 2018 in Music, Special Events, The Latest

Shenandoah & friends who performed that evening close out the night on stage together.

Big Yellow Dog Music’s hit singer/songwriter, Adam Sanders, who has hosted two previous “90’s Night” sold out shows, brought us another special edition hosted by CMT’s Cody Allen & Katie Cook and again proceeds benefiting the T.J. Martell Foundation.

Held on July 23rd at Marathon Music Works near downtown Nashville, another huge crowd gathered to hear some of today’s country artists perform some of their favorite 90’s country hits and being joined onstage by the original artist/s who sang the hit song.  It was a night celebrating one of the greatest decades of country music.

Adam Sanders, who grew up listening to and was influenced to pursue this career by the songs and artists in the 90’s, originated what has become the hottest ticket in town with his annual “90’s NIGHT” concerts.

This 3rd annual “90s NIGHT” was co-hosted by CMT’s Cody Alan and Katie Cook, featuring Adam Sanders with his friends: Brothers Osborne, Carly Pearce, Easton Corbin, Lucie Silvas, and Travis Denning. They performed some of their favorite hits from the 90’s and the influence this decade in country music has had on them.

Some of my favorite moments were Carly Pearce and Deana Carter singing “Strawberry Wine”, Brothers Osborne and Tracy Lawrence singing “Time Marches On“, Easton Corbin, Travis Denning, and Adam Sanders with “Red Dirt Road” by Brooks & Dunn, and Easton Corbin and Doug Stone singing “Why Didn’t I Think Of That”.  

The best moment was a surprise performance by Shenandoah who performed with almost the entire group of artists to close out the evening with one of their biggest hits.

Such an incredibly-fun night that I hope they do again.  Can’t wait to see it on tv! A great night had by all for a great cause! CMT’s flagship music show Hot 20 Countdown will host its three hour show from this special edition “90’s NIGHT” and the episode will air August 4 and 5 at 9 am ET/8 am CT on CMT.

Comments { 0 }

Apple Music Highlights Emerging Country Artists Around The Globe With New “Country Wide” Playlist

By on July 27, 2018 in In The Press
Today, Apple Music unveiled a brand new hub called “Country Wide” as well as a new playlist of the same name. As the boundaries of country music continue to extend far beyond its historical epicenter in Nashville the genre has become a global commercial juggernaut in recent years with a new generation of country stars popping up from different parts of the world. The new “Country Wide” playlist on Apple Music elevates and celebrates the genre by highlighting some of the most exciting local Country stars from unexpected places like Ireland, South Africa, Canada Australia and more. With a heavy focus on the developing artist community in particular, this playlist is lovingly crafted and programmed by Apple Music editors around all the world with the singular motivation of raising awareness and facilitating the global progression of country music. 
 
Currently being featured on the Country Wide playlist is Ireland’s Catherine McGrath, who fell for Taylor Swift’s “Love Story” at 12 and cites Rascal Flatts as a major influence, as is evident on her debut album <I>Talk Of This Town</I>. Boasting more twang than brogue, the 21-year-old’s polished sound will resonate with fans of contemporary country. Likewise, South Africa’s Roan Ash, Canada’s Tenille Townes, and Australia’s Missy Lancaster all use big, familiar songwriting styles to make the world feel a little smaller, while Nashville four-piece traditionalists The Wild Feathers show that country music’s capital isn’t ready to relinquish its title just yet. 
 
The “Country Wide” playlist will be updated regularly with new artists and music for fans to discover. 
 
VISIT APPLE MUSIC’S NEW COUNTRY WIDE HUB HERE: apple.co/CountryWide
 
PLAYLIST DIRECT LINK: apple.co/CountryWidePL
 

Artist quotes: 
 
“So excited to be sharing my debut album ‘Talk Of This Town’ and for it to be featured on Apple Music’s Country Wide! It’s so exciting to see a spotlight being put on country music and to get to be a part of the country community at a time when it’s growing so much as a genre. Thanks Apple Music! ❤” – Catherine McGrath
 
“We’re super excited to be a part of the new Apple Music Country Wide music series. We¹re proud of the new album “Greetings From The Neon Frontier” and hope we can connect with new fans across the Globe” – The Wild Feathers
“It’s such an honour to have Apple Music include me in their Country Wide initiative, representing Canada!  I believe music is a connector all around the world and when we really listen to each other’s stories we realize we are all more alike than we think.” – Tenille Townes
“Wow! I am so stoked to be included in this Global Country promotion, with such an incredible line up of artists. This is huge & such an awesome way of promoting country music on a global basis. Thank you Apple for all this amazing support for our country community.” – Missy Lancaster 
 
“What an incredible honor it is, to be chosen as an artist for Apple Music’s Country Wide campaign. It’s not every day that a South African artist gets the opportunity to be featured on this amazing platform. I am forever grateful.”  – Roan Ash
Comments { 0 }

Cledus T. Judd Is Baaaaaack!

By on July 23, 2018 in In The Press

Six years after hanging up his overalls, Cledus T. Judd is “strate outta retarment” and funnier than ever with “My Weight’s Goin’ Up Down,” a parody of Morgan Wallen’s #1 Country single “Up Down” featuring Florida Georgia Line. A 15-second sneak peak of the video garnered over 15,000 views in a matter of minutes, and the full clip will premiere on CMT Music and CMT.com on Friday, July 27, 2018.

 

The clip pulls no punches in the weight-loss world, and nutrition is reserved strictly for the kids. Cledus scarfs down fried chicken, hot dogs, burgers, ice cream, sweet tea and more, while the kids are forced to eat mystery health food. He saved on casting enlisting the same kids – including his daughter – to star in several scenes.

 

The video will begin airing on numerous outlets beginning Saturday, July 28, and the “My Weight’s Goin’ Up Down” is currently available at iTunes, Spotify, Amazonand all download and streaming services.

 

Country Music’s master of parodies walked away from writing, touring and releasing music in 2012. His successful career included nine studio albums, two EPs and no less than 25 music videos. No one was immune to his wit, sarcasm and often self-deprecating humor on songs like “I Love NASCAR,” “My Cellmate Thinks I’m Sexy,” “Did I Shave My Back For This?” and celebs such as Toby Keith, Shania Twain, Trace Adkins, Joe Diffie, Dena Carter and Montgomery Gentry starred in his videos. He toured with the likes of Brooks & Dunn, Brad Paisley, Trace Adkins, Toby Keith and others.

 

 

The life of stardom had a downside for Cledus, as constant partying led to drug addiction. He credits the birth of his daughter, now 14, for leading him to a clean life and a dedication to spending more time with his family. His self-imposed exile began a process of healing. He kept a hand in the business as a co-host of the WTCR morning radio show out of Huntington, West Virginia.

 

“I left Nashville behind,” said Cledus.“I focused mostly on my daughter and my morning radio show,but after I would get off in the mornings my daughter would be at school I became bored. I’m a creative soul and there was nothing to feed it. I tried to find any kind of work I could after my show,”he recounts. “I’d buy and remodel dilapidated houses. Then, when I came home, covered in dirt and soot, coughing up coal, I’d think, ‘Man if Kix and Ronnie could see me now!”

 

A year or so ago Ray Stevens asked him to open for him one night in Renfro Valley, Kentucky. “Ray is my idol, so I did it,” Cledus says. After his set, the whole room -over 1500 people – gave him a standing ovation. When he got off the stage, Ray asked him why he retired. He said, “Well, Ray, I just didn’t feel like I had much relevance anymore.” Then Ray said, “Well, 1500 fans just stood up for you out there. I think you’re relevant.”

 

Encouragement from his daughter helped make the decision to jump back into music. “Dad, if you’re gonna go stand on the back of a hay truck and sing funny songs to make money, I would rather you stay home and be with me. But if you’re going to change people’s lives, I’ll be waiting for you when you get home.

 

“Besides,” she added, “we’re sick of watching your old YouTube videos. Go out and make some new ones, and besides I’ll need a Ferrari in a few years.”

 

Cledus headed back to Nashville to write songs, both serious and humorous. Brantley Gilbert picked up one of them, “Three Feet Of Water,” for his 2017 album The Devil Don’t Sleep.

 

Friends cheered him on. Fans flooded his Facebook with their approval. Old and new have welcomed him back. An email to Cledus from CMT’s Leslie Fram speaking for them all: “YOU ARE BACK! I love it. You are a genius!”

 

Yes, Cledus T. Judd — playful satirist, unforgettable entertainer, skillful writer — is back. But he’s changed too.

 

“It’s the same old Cledus on the outside,” he guarantees. “But the same old Cledus don’t exist no more on the inside. I’ve been loaded with money and I’ve been broke. I’ve been suicidal and I’ve been happy. I’ve been all of those things, and I’m not ashamed of any of it because I know I ain’t the only one. So things are different this time around. The fans changed my life the first go around so I made a promise to God that this go around I would try and change theirs. Give them hope and ease their troubles for awhile. Make ‘em laugh make ‘em cry, make ‘em feel good about their own life for a few hours. Come on out to one of my shows, and I might pull up a chair with you. We’ll talk, we’ll hang out, we’ll share stories but most importantly we will laugh!I want to touch peoples’ lives for the better. That’s the sole reason for my return. I have a beautiful family and home like I never dreamed of, but nothing compares to the joy I get from sharing my journey!”

 

 

Keep up with Cledus at:

https://www.facebook.com/CledusT/

https://twitter.com/cledustjudd

https://www.instagram.com/cledustjudd/

Comments { 0 }

LET FREEDOM SING! 2018 Nashville’s 4th Of July Celebration: Our Wrap-Up

By on July 7, 2018 in Music, Special Events, The Latest

 

Photo credit: Nathaniel Clayton | @claytoncorners

Let Freedom Sing! Music City July 4th presented by Dr Pepper featured a stage located on Broadway in the heart of downtown Nashville amongst the historic honky tonks with GRAMMY-winning trio Lady Antebellum headlining, one of the largest fireworks shows in the country, and the Wyler’s Light® Family Fun Zone that started at noon located in the beautiful Music City Walk of Fame Park just a short walking distance from the main stage. 

Wyler’s Light booth at the Family Fun Zone during the day.

Nashville’s July 4th event is free and family-friendly, showcasing the music of the GRAMMY-winning Nashville Symphony synchronized to the pyrotechnics show at the conclusion of the day like the cherry on top of a perfect day celebrating our country and freedom.

Also on the lineup for the nighttime concert were newly inducted Grand Ole Opry member Chris Janson, whose hits include “Buy Me a Boat” and “Fix a Drink;” pop artist Lucie Silvas; and R&B producer, musician and artist Shannon Sanders.  New this year, live music started at noon on the the main stage located on Broadway & 5th Avenue in front of the Bridgestone Arena featuring performances by Andrew Combs, Jason Eskridge, Katie Schecter and Kid Politics.

Mayor Briley welcomed the crowd along with the mascots from the Titans and Predators making a special announcement that the Predators new title sponsor is Dr. Pepper.  I believe that would also mean the arena will be known as Dr. Pepper Arena now.

Shannon Sanders, a GRAMMY, Emmy and Dove award-winning producer who’s worked with artists like John Legend, India Arie, Jonny Lang, Robert Randolph and P!nk sang an incredible rendition of the National Anthem followed by a stellar performance of his original music.

As long as I have lived in Nashville, I can’t believe I have never attended our city’s 4th of July celebration in downtown Nashville.  To be honest, I always try to avoid heat and huge crowds whenever I can, opting to watch the fireworks from the comfort of my air-conditioned home on my comfy couch each year.  This year, I thought I would give it a try; after all, my favorite, Lady Antebellum, was headlining the day long concert.

Earlier in the day, we had an opportunity to talk with British pop artist Lucie Silvas, who is now a resident of Music City and married to Brothers Osborne’s John Osborne.

Lucie is an absolute doll with a powerhouse voice, and a great addition to our city.  Thoroughly-enjoyed having a chance to meet and speak with her prior to her performance.  Probably could have talked all day.  She was so excited and honored to be invited to perform this year on the main stage.  Although, she currently only holds a green card, she loves Nashville and our country hoping to become a citizen at some point and have dual citizenship from her home country, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

Look for her new album due out August 24th entitled,  “E.G.O.”.  “It has been a while in the making” according to Silvas due to it’s been 3 years since her last album.  It was a real challenge this time around because of being an independent artist without a record label to finance the album she wanted to make, but due to her being asked last year to go on tour with Chris Stapleton, she was able to finish her new album.

She is a dynamic performer and equally-talented songwriter who has enjoyed great success for several years in Europe and now bringing her music to the U.S. immersing herself into our wonderful creative community here in Nashville.  “I move very quickly, and I try to be as present as possible” stated Silvas.  She moved at a time in her career that “it took her years later to really realize how big the move was” because she had worked for years in the U.K. doing all sorts of things within the music world and had 2 record deals, but when she moved here, it’s like she had to start all over again establishing herself to the American audience after achieving a certain level of success in the U.K. and Europe.

Lucie Silvas is certainly a welcome addition to the already large talent pool of creatives here and carving out her own niche within it each passing day.  Wishing her the best!

Country artist Chris Janson entertained the appreciative crowd with his high energy performance.  He definitely earns the nickname “the human hummingbird” as co-host Storme Warren from SiriusXM’s The Highway likes to call him.  I especially loved his performance of his newest single at country radio, “Drunk Girl”, a poignant song that he wrote with his sons in mind instructing them how to be a man and not a boy in how you treat a woman.  You don’t take advantage of a drunk girl if you are a man.  You “take a drunk girl home, let her sleep all alone”.  Thank you for writing this one, Chris.  It is an important message, especially in light of the #MeToo movement.  Chris has always impressed me, not only because of his music, but because he is one of the most humble men I have ever met.  He really appreciates every accolade he receives and is very deserving.  This newest song, in my opinion will be his biggest hit to date and really define him as an artist for many years to come.  He truly loves what he does and it shows in his live performance.  He literally lights up the stage with his light that shines from within.

Lady Antebellum closed out the show with an hour long performance.  I have to admit, they are one of my favorite groups and have been since they first start.  Together they create magic.  This was their first performance after several months off the road due to Hillary Scott having twins.  Now they are prepared to head back on the road and couldn’t be happier.  They sound just as great as ever and never cease to entertain with they incredible harmonies as they sing hit after hit from their large catalog of hits to chose from.  Aside from their incredible music, these 3 are also some of the most humble and kindest people around.  They are very special and I hope they will be around performing for many years to come.

 

According to Butch Spyridon, president and CEO, Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp: Event organizers and our security team estimate attendance at Let Freedom Sing! at 250,000 within a half-mile radius of the fireworks site. This would make the 2018 event the second-largest in the event’s history, behind the 284,000 in 2014.

 

WSMV’s Kelly Sutton co-hosted the day long event from Ascend Amphitheatre with our award-winning Nashville Symphony and spectacular fireworks show at the conclusion of the day.

Nashville’s 4th of July celebration gets bigger & better with each passing year.  The Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp. truly outdo themselves year after year making Nashville one of the, if not THE, top places in the country to celebrate our great nation on Independence Day.  All for free, and the whole event is spectacular.

Prepare to be hot and for a huge crowd.  Nashville is hot & humid in the summer (it was sunny & a sweltering 98 degrees that day).  As the day progressed the crowd size grew to over 250,000 people all within a 1/2 mile radius of the fireworks display over the Cumberland River, John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Street Bridge, and Ascend Amphitheatre.  But, it is well worth enduring the high temperature, huge crowd, and traffic to enjoy a wonderful day filled with music, family-friendly fun, and an amazing fireworks show.  I hope to do it all again next year!

###

For more information about our great city, find out about upcoming special events, giveaways & more, go to: www.visitmusiccity.com.

Nashville:  One of the Best Places to Visit in 2018 
– Condé Nast Traveler, National Geographic Traveller, Booking.com, Travelocity, HuffPost UK, The Telegraph, and TripAdvisor

Comments { 0 }

Corey Smith Releases “Halfway Home” – Narrating The Ups And Downs Of Balancing Family And Life On The Road

By on June 29, 2018 in Music

Georgia-based singer/songwriter Corey Smith shows off his sentimental side with the release of his new song “Halfway Home” from his unfolding project, the Great Wide Underground.  On the heels of his middle-finger-waving single, “Empty Rooms,” “Halfway Home” makes a 180 degree turn and dives into the struggle of being a full time touring artist, husband, and father of two.  With touching lyrics and a production that sounds like a Sunday drive, “Halfway Home” is now available at http://smarturl.it/CSHalfwayHome.

https://youtu.be/dxetPnMuzTQ 

This might seem like my choice to you

But leaving’s something that your dad has gotta do

And it’s nothing we can’t make it through

“In my experience, I’ve found that the most meaningful songs are usually the easiest ones to write,” says Smith. “They reveal themselves quickly, as if the words are there waiting to be given voice.  Creating them feels more like remembering than inventing and their completion comes with a powerful sense of euphoria, as if a weight has been lifted.  That’s how “Halfway Home” was. It was the easiest song I’ve written in a long time and, not coincidentally, it’s a song that will mean a great deal to me and my family for years to come. Now that it’s out in the world, I sincerely hope others find meaning in it as well.”

About Corey Smith: Corey Smith, the fan-made man, has sold over 1 million concert tickets, 1.5 million digital singles and over 220,000 albums.  Smith has amassed an unfailingly devout fan base, not only in his native Southeast region, but all around the nation, simply by telling it the way it is.  He has released 10 albums.  Smith’s concerts, which were documented on his last live record, Live in Chattanooga, regularly sell out, with audiences singing along to such fan favorites as the coming-of-age anthem “Twenty-One,” the nostalgic time warp “If I Could Do It Again” and the group hug “I Love Everyone.” Corey consistently tours, hitting around 120 dates per year and has begun releasing singles from his upcoming project, the Great Wide Underground.

About the Great Wide Underground: Corey Smith wrote, produced, and mixed all music from the Great Wide Underground.  Written on the road and then tracked with his touring band in a Georgia studio, the project celebrates the raw authenticity that has become a trademark of Smith’s music. The first single release under the Great Wide Underground umbrella launched in May 2018 with “Empty Rooms” and will continue on through 2018. For more information about the Great Wide Underground in Corey’s own words, check out this video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QAQqhShva8w

Comments { 0 }

Country Singer Hailey Verhaalen’s EP, “The Real Stuff,” Available For Pre-order

By on June 27, 2018 in In The Press

Country singer Hailey Verhaalen’s new EP, “The Real Stuff” is now available for digital pre-order here. It includes 6 tracks featuring her single, “Rerun,” which you can get instantly by pre-ordering. The EP will be available on all digital outlets July 13.

The EP was produced by the accomplished multi-genre producer, Jason Snell. “The Real Stuff” contains a beautiful and honest collection of songs, straight from the heart. Regarding the title track, Verhaalen says, “We live in a society that pressures us to spend our hard earned money to keep up with all of the latest trends so that we can be looked at as “cool.” I wanted to remind people that they don’t need to follow all of the latest bank breaking trends to be “cool.”

 

“The Real Stuff” was recorded at Nashville’s most legendary recording studio, Sound Emporium Studios, where some of the biggest artists to date have recorded. Verhaalen has a social media following of 20k and has opened for acts such as Love and Theft, James Otto, Craig Wayne Boyd and more. You can catch her on her tour, “The Real Stuff Tour,” this summer and can get tickets here.

“Hailey is a force to be reckoned with; a powerful voice with solid songs,” says award-winning audio engineer, Brian Scheuble. Scheuble worked on Verhaalen’s record and has worked on albums for countless artists such as LeAnn Rimes, Zac Brown Band, Backstreet Boys, The Eagles and more.

While this EP holds a wide variety of themes, Verhaalen captures every emotion all while staying true to who she is. 

“The Real Stuff” Track Listing:

1. Rerun (Hailey Verhaalen, Kyle James, Kelly Seidel)

2. The Real Stuff (Hailey Verhaalen)

3. Shooting Stars (Hailey Verhaalen, Kelly Seidel)

4. Guilty As Charged (Hailey Verhaalen, Erica “Sunshine” Lee)

5. The Damn You Didn’t Give (Hailey Verhaalen, Paige Nichols, Kelly Seidel)

6. Cheap Shots (Hailey Verhaalen, Kelly Seidel)

Comments { 0 }

Newcomer Abi Unveils New Music Video For Breakout Single “A Day Without”

By on June 18, 2018 in In The Press

 

In May, twenty-year-old country music songstress Abi, released her breakout single “A Day Without” to critical acclaim. Upon its debut, “A Day Without” landed on Rolling Stone Country’s “10 Best Country and Americana Songs of the Week” and Taste of Country dubbed the track, “the kind of tightly-worded, universal artist statement a country newcomer needs to take a serious step forward.” The song’s strong connection to the passing of Abi’s father makes this debut especially appropriate.

 

Abi shares, “’A Day Without’ brings on a lot of different emotions for me. The sheer thought of losing someone is absolutely terrifying, as is the deep love you might have for a person with who you might feel like you cannot go on a day without them…I think that my father’s passing gave me a new perspective on life, and enabled me to channel much deeper emotions into my craft.”

 

For the video’s concept, Abi remained true to the song’s meaning in her own words, while leaving it open to the listener for interpretation. “We chose to focus on two themes of love and separation,” says Abi.  “So we chose a mother sending her child off to college for the first time and a girlfriend sending her boyfriend off into the military. Emotionally, I’m definitely very connected with the idea of separation,” she adds.

Inspired by everything from the marvelous pop expanse of The Beatles and Shania Twain, to the “storytelling” of Johnny Cash and Willie Nelson, Abi crafted her first song in third grade. She has since developed into a powerhouse vocalist and songwriter, with an impressive resume under her belt. In 2014, Abi joined Jesse McCartney’s North American tour and 2015 saw Kelly Clarkson handpick Abi to open her massive summer headline run, while she hit the road alongside Pentatonix a year later. In 2017, her single “Matches” independently caught fire; striking the sweet spot between simmering country soul, twanging guitars and a fierce hook – “Light me up ‘cause baby we’re matches” – CMT fanned the flames an early champion.

Comments { 0 }

Country Singer Rory Feek Reveals His Feelings About Performing Solo, His Daughter Coming Out And More On “CBS Sunday Morning”

By on June 15, 2018 in In The Press

It has been nearly two and a half years since country singer-songwriter Rory Feek lost his wife and singing partner, Joey, to cancer. Now, as he’s started performing solo, Feek talks with Anthony Mason about singing again without her, his relationship with his daughters, and his life as a widower, in an interview for CBS SUNDAY MORNING to be broadcast Sunday, June 17 (9:00 AM, ET) on the CBS Television Network.

 

Feek tells Mason that he feels no different about his wife now than he did when she died in March of 2016.

 

“I feel just as married and just as in love,” Feek tells Mason. “And I feel like she’s just as much a part of our life as she was.”

 

Performing solo, however, has taken some adjustment. Together, Joey and Rory were a popular duo. Today, however, he admits he hasn’t quite figured out who he is on stage without her.

 

“It felt surreal and strange, a little wrong in some ways because I had kinda decided I wouldn’t,” Feek tells Mason. “But, on the other side, it felt strangely similar.”

 

Without Joey, Feek says he’s had to adjust to being a single father again. Feek had two daughters, Hope and Heidi, from a previous marriage before he met Joey. Together they had a daughter, Indiana.

 

For instance, just days after Joey died, Feek got a sense his middle daughter, Hope, had something to say.

 

“I said, ‘just tell me, Hopie,’” Feek recalls. “And she went on to tell me that her friend Wendy was more than her friend, that Wendy and her had been dating for almost a year. And that she was in love.”

 

Hope tells Mason she was afraid her father would judge her.

 

“Even more than that,” Feek says, “she’s asking me, ‘Are you still going to love me?’ And my first reaction, honestly, was I don’t think so.”

 

“You weren’t sure,” Mason asks.

 

“Because my conservative Christian faith that saved me – the first reaction is that challenges that immensely,” Feek says. “Am I supposed to shun my child now and say, ‘No, you can’t be in my life until you come around to thinking like I’m thinking’?”

 

Hope says she saw “panic” in her father, but understood his struggle.

 

“The only thing I try to keep in mind is it’s her life, it’s her choice, it’s her faith and my job is to love her even when it’s hard,” Feek says.

 

“Do you accept?” Mason asks.

 

“Yes,” Feek replies.

 

Feek also talks with Mason about the family farm, life without Joey, how people react to him in the supermarket and more.

 

CBS SUNDAY MORNING is broadcast Sundays (9:00-10:30 AM, ET) on the CBS Television Network. Rand Morrison is the executive producer.

 

Follow CBS SUNDAY MORNING on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and CBSNews.com. Listen to CBS SUNDAY MORNING podcasts at iTunes, Stitcher Radio, Radio.com and TuneIn.

Comments { 0 }
Verified by MonsterInsights