Black River Entertainment and SiriusXM’s The Highway continue to partner as the lyric video featuring Kelsea Ballerini and her debut single “Love Me Like You Mean It” is released today exclusively on the Facebook page of SiriusXM’s The Highway. Continue Reading →
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SiriusXM’S The Highway Exclusively Premieres “Love Me Like You Mean It” Lyric Video
CLAY WALKER To Help Launch SiriusXM Radio’s Newest On-Air Channel Y2Kountry And Premiere New Music
Multi-platinum selling country artist Clay Walker will help launch SiriusXM’s newest on-air Country music channel Y2Kountry on Channel 57, which will highlight Country songs from the 2000s. Walker will host his own Y2Kountry launch party this Thursday, July 17th at 5am EST by selecting some of his favorite Country songs and telling stories about some of 2000s best-know, most loved artists. During his five-hour appearance, Walker will also debut two new songs entitled “Rock the Radio” and “Long Live the Cowboy,” which he recently recorded for an upcoming album project. To get more information on Walker’s launch party fans can go to http://www.siriusxm.com/y2kountry.
Walker’s Y2Kountry launch party will re-air on July 18th at 4pm EST, July 19th at 10am EST, July 20th at 8pm EST, and July 21st at 12pm EST. Walker has been on the road performing select shows across the country and recently hosted his 7th Annual Clay Walker Celebrity Charity Classic in Pebble Beach to help raise money for his charity Band Against MS (BAMS). Attendees at the event included Michael Bolton and T Bone Burnett who also performed with Walker during the Grand Gala Event and Dinner. The 7th Annual Clay Walker Celebrity Charity Classic raised close to 100K for MS research.
As a true fan favorite with a devoted legion of followers across the country Clay Walker has sold over 11 million albums; had 11 No. 1 hit singles, four RIAA Platinum and two Gold certified albums under his belt. His most recent ninth studio album She Won’t Be Lonely Long received critical praise from fans and media alike. He returned as the host of TROPHY HUNTERS TV on the Outdoor Channel for the 2014 season and can be seen in select theatres in the family-friendly drama movie, Alone Yet Not Alone. Outside of the stage and studio, Clay is the founder of Band Against MS (BAMS) a non-profit charity that funds MS research and education. Walker established BAMS in 2003 with the goal of helping others living with the same disease he has battled since 1996. To date, BAMS has raised more than 2 million dollars.
To get up to date information on Clay Walker fans can go to www.claywalker.com or visit his socials athttps://www.facebook.com/officialclaywalkerand https://twitter.com/Claywalker.
Trent Tomlinson Premieres New Single “Come Back To Bed” On Sirius XM’S The Highway
Country music recording artist, Trent Tomlinson, celebrates his return to the country music spotlight with the world premiere release of his new single, “Come Back To Bed.” ** In an exclusive SiriusXM weekend premiere, the single made The Highway spin list and the corresponding music video made grand first impressions (May 3, 2014/ www.siriusxm.com). The amorous tune is anticipated to play exclusively on the SiriusXM radio channel over the course of the next few weeks before segueing to major terrestrial radio.
An iTunes Country favorite this week, the track (co-written by Tomlinson, Ashe Underwood and Terri Jo Box) is garnering early applause from country music enthusiasts across the board. The singer/songwriter’s duly anticipated return to the airwaves reveals a slight departure from the notorious party anthems, rough and ruckus storylines and “bad boy” image he has been characterized by to subtly introduce a more mature, sensual side. With descriptive, passionate lyrics, the self-produced tender single is his “sexiest to date.”
“To capture the sentiment and appeal from both perspectives, I really wanted insight from a female,” introduced Tomlinson. “It was important to me that we have a female write with us—or it would have been loaded with male testosterone rather than a romantic gesture. Terri Jo helped us ‘bring it home’.”
Making his entry in the country music scene official as a Lyric Street Records recording artist, Tomlinson released his debut album COUNTRY IS MY ROCK in early 2006. This project produced three Top 40 singles on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Songs charts: “Drunker Than Me” at No. 19, “One Wing In The Fire” at No. 11 and “Just Might Have Her Radio On” at No. 21. While he may have temporarily stepped away from the recording studio, his talents as a sought-after songcrafter were proudly and steadily upheld by fellow award winning entertainers including George Strait (“Why Can’t I Leave Her Alone”), Sara Evans (“Missing Missouri”), Emerson Drive (“Say My Name”/”Evidence”/ ”Light Of Day”) and most recently, Parmalee who recorded “Close Your Eyes”—which is currently positioned to be a hit record.
In support of the “Come Back To Bed” single release, the corresponding music video is anticipated to air across all major video outlets and digital and social media platforms. Directed by Marcel Chagnan, the vignette features Tomlinson’s wistful bedside manner and an unexpected (and dreamy) appearance by the former Mrs. Tomlinson.
The single arrives from Tomlinson’s third studio album [from the EP anticipated in late Fall 2014 (Giuseppe Records) under the management direction of the Mike & Joe Show, LLC]. The single is currently available via iTunes and all other major digital outlets.
For more information on Trent Tomlinson, visit: trenttomlinson.net. Fans can follow Trent on Facebook and Twitter at @trenttomlinson.
Album Review: Waylon: The Music Inside Vol. II
In December, Focus was able to cover the Waylon Jennings Tribute at the SiriusXM station in Nashville promoting the new tribute Album, “Waylon: The Music Inside Vol. II.” Well, now we got a chance to finally hear it! And it’s everything a true country fan could hope for.
Blending classic Waylon tunes with more contemporary production, the album features 11 songs covered by some great country names. Each artist pays wonderful tribute to the legend, while making the song distinctively his or her own.
One highlight of the album includes Mama by Jessi Colter, a heartfelt song she performed at the tribute that almost had Bocephus choking up. Jewel covers a beautiful version of Dreaming My Dreams with You, and Colt Ford puts his own rap spin on Only Daddy That Will Walk the Line.
Other standouts include Lonesome, Onry, and Mean by Dierks Bentley, I Ain’t Livin’ Long Like This by Justin Moore, and Love of the Common People by Josh Thompson. Each of these sounds as though the artist cut the original. I could certainly hear any of these songs making their way into these artist’s respective set lists.
Albums like this are a great way to introduce contemporary country fans to music they may not listen to. Sure, country has transformed over the years, but what better way to bridge the gap between the newer material and the material that paved the way. Not to mention, we’re keeping Waylon’s memory alive and well.
The album will be available for pre-order January 24, and in-stores February 7.
Waylon: The Music Inside Vol. II track listing:
1. Lonesome, Onry, and Mean – Dierks Bentley
2. Waymore’s Blues – Hank Williams Jr.
3. Good Ol’ Boys (Dukes of Hazzard Theme Song) – Montgomery Gentry
4. I Ain’t Livin’ Long Like This – Justin Moore
5. Bob Willis is Still the King – Jack Ingram
6. Only Daddy That Will Walk the Line – Colt Ford
7. Rainy Day Woman – Pat Green
8. Love of the Common People – Josh Thompson
9. Mama – Jessi Colter
10. Dreaming My Dreams With You – Jewel
Bonus Track
11. A Long Time Ago – Wyatt McCubbin
Outlaw Country: A Waylon Jennings Tribute at the SiriusXM Theater
Photo credit: Laralyn Drew
It has been almost 10 years since Waylon Jennings left us, but his music is still as influential as ever. On Tuesday, December 6, SiriusXM presented a special taping honoring Waylon Jennings and promoting the new album ‘Waylon: The Music Inside Vol. II’. The event at the SiriusXM Theater in the Bridgestone Arena featured several acts including Josh Thompson, Jamey Johnson, Waylon’s widow Jessi Colter, and son Shooter Jennings. Also in the house – and rowdy as ever – was Waylon’s old friend Hank Williams Jr. For the taping, each took turns playing Waylon favorites, sharing cherished memories of the late outlaw, and recapturing the magic of the tribute albums.
“At first, I didn’t want anyone to sing these songs but [Waylon],” said Colter about the tribute albums. “But these people love these songs… I couldn’t be prouder.”
The show had the element of a songwriter’s round, only with intermittent anecdotes about the country legend. For the softer, heart-felt numbers some artists on stage closed their eyes and sang along, embracing the powerful lyrics imparted by Jennings. On the faster, hell-raisin’ tunes, the entire studio audience began to clap and sing along, with Johnson frequently providing impromptu lead guitar licks.
Also present at the event were radio personality Carl P. Mayfield and legendary producer and songwriter Cowboy Jack Clement who both shared funny stories of Jennings. Mayfield recounted when Waylon stole his watch, wrapped it, and gave it back to him as a gift while on the air; and Clement reminisced about the time Waylon utilized dynamite to retaliate against a particularly difficult venue.
Josh Thompson and Jamey Johnson were two of the younger acts that had not known the music icon personally, yet have been strongly influenced by his music. Johnson references the man more than once, including in his song “Between Jennings and Jones”, while Thompson penned his own underground hit “Blame It On Waylon”.
Photo credit: Laralyn Drew
“[This] was very inspiring and nerve-racking,” said Thompson about being included with the others on Vol. II. “They played with the man… I wanted to make some changes [to the song], and I wasn’t sure what they would think, but they really embraced it.”
One such artist who “played with the man” was Bocephus himself. A longtime friend of Jennings, Williams Jr. had nothing but funny and fond memories to share, frequently comparing Jennings to his own father, Hank Williams Sr.
“It was daddy and him,” said Williams when asked about where Jennings ranks among the all-time greats. “That man was the hoss right there.”
Between the country music veterans, the new wave of outlaws, and the simple admirers, it was an event filled with great music and fond memories. Certainly, it was an outpouring of love for the late Jennings, but it was also a tribute to the music that has changed lives and transcended generations. If Vol. II is as powerful as Vol. I, country music fans young and old are in for a superbly put together treat.
