FOCUS on the 615
Nashville's premier entertainment blog including album, song and show reviews and exclusive artist interviews.
Hope you are enjoying getting to know the talented, up and coming country duo, Coldwater Jane! AKA sisters, Brandon and Leah.
Here is the 2nd video interview in the series. Please check it out below and if you like what you hear, be sure to support them by buying their music on iTunes!
Nashville, TN…(January 9, 2012)…Country music star and TV host CRAIG MORGAN is preparing to release his sixth studio album, This Ole Boy, on February 28. The release marks Morgan’s first new music in nearly three years, and his first with Black River Entertainment after signing with the label in April 2011.
Hollywood actress Angie Harmon (Rizzoli & Isles/TNT) stars alongside Morgan in the sweet and surprising music video clip for the title track lead single. The video, directed by Kristin Barlowe, was filmed in Arrington, Tennessee late last year. Entertainment Tonight will exclusively premiere the music video TODAY at ETOnline.com. The video can be seen on various TV and online platforms in the coming days, and will be available for digital download later this month.
ABOUT CRAIG MORGAN: One of country music’s best-loved artists, Craig Morgan has made a name for himself with massive radio airplay of his signature hits: “Bonfire,” “Almost Home,” “Redneck Yacht Club,” “That’s What I Love About Sunday” and “International Harvester”. His newest single “This Ole Boy,” currently climbing the country radio charts, is the title track to his upcoming sixth studio CD, releasing February 28, 2012. Craig received one of country music’s highest honors when he was inducted as a member of the Grand Ole Opry in 2008. Prior to becoming a country music and TV sensation, Craig Morgan spent over 10 years of active duty in the Army and an additional nine years in the Army Reserves. He is an avid supporter of America’s military personnel and a recipient of the 2006 USO Merit Award. For more information on Craig Morgan, please visit www.craigmorgan.com or follow him on Twitter @cmorganmusic.
Admittedly, I’ve really never been a huge fan of traditional country music. However, because of my love for contemporary country music, I’ve learned to appreciate the older, traditional country music. I think if my dad was still alive, he’d probably be shocked to hear me say that since I begged him on many family roadtrips as a kid to “turn that twangy stuff off”! That’s why I surprise even myself that I have become a fan of Mandy Barnett.
Mandy Barnett is definitely an artist who is steeped in tradition and a country music purist. She likes to perform the country classics and is best known for her performances in the starring role of musical legend, Patsy Cline, in ‘Always…Patsy Cline‘.
On Saturday, January 7th, I was able to attend her show at 3rd and Lindsley (one of my favorite local places around town to hear live music). Luckily, I got there almost 2 hours before showtime because the place was already halfway full and parking scarce. An hour prior to the performance and it was packed to capacity! Wow, she draws a crowd, but I had a feeling that might be the case and why I arrived just after the doors first opened.
Mandy was due to start performing at 730pm. I figured since this was Nashville, that probably meant she would take the stage around 8pm. It’s just not uncommon for shows to start late. I don’t know if it’s to build anticipation or what, but to be honest, it’s kind of annoying when artists make you wait for their performance. Just par for the course, though, it seems and you just get used to it. However, I was pleasantly surprised when Mandy took the stage at exactly 730pm! No pretenses, no delay…it was NICE and very much appreciated!
From the moment that Mandy Barnett takes the stage, she commands it and captures the crowd’s attention. There are no antics, no pretenses, no background singers (she doesn’t need them)…only what seems to be a pure and honest love for performing. Her set is filled with classics from Patsy Cline to Roy Orbison. Her vocals are flawless. She has both control and power. A true world-class vocalist that is a rare and exceptional talent. Her delivery of each song leaves you lingering on each note, feeling the emotional depth, and wanting to hear more.
My favorite song of the night was “Crazy”–the Patsy Cline classic that Mandy performs flawlessly. Truly, no one else out there is going to be able to come close to Mandy’s version of this song. She’s honed her craft and delivery of this song for years on the stage of the Ryman Auditorium while standing in the very same circle that Patsy Cline herself sung so many years ago.
Mandy Barnett is a class act and a rare talent. More people should know of her and experience her live.
Well, I just think this needs to be shared! I loved it and thinking you might, too! I wasn’t quite prepared for this, but it brought a smile to my face and I hope it does yours! Fun and festive, people, fun and festive…and he could actually sing quite well! 🙂
It was a night of an eclectic mix of music and holiday fun at Mercy Lounge on Monday December 5. As the holiday leg of BMI’s “8 off 8th” series, 10 artists took to the “Jingle Ball” stage to showcase awesome talent and spread live and loud holiday cheer.
The crowd size varied throughout the night, but was wildly excited the entire time. Each artist only played for 15 minutes, which meant frequent breaks… not entirely ideal for a showcase; however, the incredible talent easily overshadowed the intermittent waiting periods.
First on the bill was Devious Angels, an acoustic duo composed of “Steevie” Steeves and Jon Decious. Their self-proclaimed “homegrown sentiment meets dive bar attitude” showed through as their country sound and rock edge drew the crowd towards the stage.
Next on stage was Yellowire, a band that came all the way from England. After a great up-tempo start, front man Ol Beach switched from guitar to piano for a couple mid-tempo electro acoustic anthems with a sound fit for festivals.
Following the British rockers were the “Road to Bonnaroo” winners, Uncle Skeleton. The ensemble had no less than 10 people on stage, including three violins front and center, a horn section, a couple keyboards and guitars. The first couple songs had no words, just a mass collection of groovy sound. The band ended with a jamming cover of Wonderful Christmas Time.
No one could quite prepare for what came next: YouTube sensation Human Snow Globe. Yes, the name speaks for itself, it was a man in an inflatable bubble (accompanied by far too many “inflation” jokes) with fake snow and Christmas lights. Nothing more needs to be said, you can check it out here.
Changing pace again, rapper Chancellor Warhol took the stage. With turntables, a drum kit and a couple backup singers, Warhol brought the house down, frequently jumping down in front of the stage and up on the speakers. His smooth flow, clever punch lines and catchy hooks definitely made this kid something to watch.
Nashville natives Colorfeels provided an instrumentally and vocally riveting performance next. Several members of the band were multi-instrumentalists, and one included such diversity as a clarinet, a flute and a xylophone. Their slower numbers were pleasant and whimsically musical while their upbeat songs had the crowd on its feet with an inventive plethora of sound.
One of the most-talked-about acts of the day was The Kicks. Mixing classic, old school rock style with modern rock sensibilities and three-piece harmonies, these guys were superb. Think Rolling Stones meets Boston with an alternative twist. Three songs didn’t seem to do them justice, though keeping the spirit alive, they finished with a Christmas original.
Maybe it was because The Kicks blew everyone away, or maybe it was because the upcoming front man was slightly bizarre and mildly off-color, but Brandon Jazz and His Armed Forces did not resonate as a stand out act of the evening. However, the talent on stage was obvious, and the performance was high energy with smoke, lights, and a slew of people dancing down front. One song was an electronic/rock/rap hybrid, containing a synthesizer sample of Paul Simon’s Bodyguard.
The second to last band of the evening was Focus on the 615 friends TOY. Their dark, electronic rock sound with lead vocals by Alana Grace was nothing short of kick-ass. Instead of writing more about them here, check back for a more in-depth look at TOY featuring an exclusive interview from the evening!
Closing the evening (at whatever hour it may have been) was merging stars The Co. An incredible piano track mixed with powerful vocals to make memorable tunes that will no doubt land this Nashville band on the airwaves. With upbeat tunes such as Keep It Together and more personal numbers such as How to Say Goodbye, The CO was a great way to end the night.
“8 off 8th,” is BMI’s free weekly showcase held every Monday night at Mercy Lounge. Hosted by a rotating lineup of music community impresarios, each night features several local (and sometimes nationally touring) artists and serves as ground zero for Nashville’s bourgeoning indie rock scene.
“I have so many great memories of Christmas! Not only from my childhood, but also of the new memories made with my own two kids. One that will always be dear to me is not only a memory, but now a tradition. As I’m sure many of us do, in my home growing up, my brother, sister and I had a favorite Christmas Movie. That movie was and still is “Emmet Otter’s Jug Band Christmas”. I can remember the anticipation and excitement that grew as we would gather around the television, with the fireplace to our right and the smell of cookies in the kitchen to our left. It wasn’t just that we loved the characters in the movie (anything Jim Henson was a hit in our house), but I think it was the music that we looked forward to the most!
Madonna with family at Christmas
Don’t get me wrong, the story is great, but the music moved us more than anything! It still does! I believe we loved it so much because there is a little bit of Emmet Otter in the three of us, and our Momma sang just like Alice Otter (Ma Otter). One song in particular “Our World” always gets me a little choked up. As soon as Ma Otter starts to sing “We’re closer now than ever before, there’s love in our world and we’re showing it more”, I know that that’s exactly what the movie is doing, bringing my siblings and I closer together than ever before, right at that very moment. So to this day when Christmas comes around, we still gather around the television, my brother sister and I, to watch “Emmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas”.”
About Madonna Nash
Madonna Nash, winner of the 2010 Female Country Artist of the Year at the Carolina Music Awards, has been singing for as long as she can remember.
“As a child, I used to do shows in my backyard for all the other neighborhood kids,” said the Wilmington, NC native. “And I started writing songs when I was a teenager”.
Nash comes from a very musical family. Her father toured the country playing guitar, and her mother was an honors graduate in music from E.C.U. Nash’s great great uncle was Connie B. Gay, founding president of the Country Music Association.“My songs are definitely country, but when you listen to them, you’ll find hints of rock, pop, and blues, too. It’s just good, fun music,” she said.
She’s performed with numerous popular acts such as Gretchen Wilson, Phil Vassar, Josh Thompson, Sarah Buxton, Jason Michael Carroll, Cravin’ Melon, Gloriana, Lee Brice, Danny Gokey, Edwin McCain, and more.
Madonna Nash’s self-titled debut album was recorded in Nashville, TN using a Grammy-winning team of studio engineers and musicians who have worked with such superstars as Taylor Swift, Tim McGraw, Reba McEntire, Darius Rucker, Dierks Bentley, and Kellie Pickler. Working with producers Dave Demay and Charles Fulp (producer of multiple Top 20 BILLOARD singles), Madonna Nash recorded 13 songs for the CD, all of which she wrote/co-wrote.
The new album is available on iTunes and Amazon.com, and it is already receiving rave reviews (6 out of 7 stars in the Nashville Music Guide). Madonna Nash’s debut single “Dirty Little Secret” is a winner of the prestigious DISCOVERY award in MusicRow magazine, and the video for this single, which can be seen at www.youtube.com/madonnanash, is equally impressive.
“Things are finally starting to fall into place for me. I know this is the right time, and I am right where I need to be,” said a confident and glowing Madonna Nash.
Traditionalist Joe Nichols has got to have one of the most pure country voices out there in the country genre today. I could sit here and listen to him sing all day. He’s definitely one of the best male vocalists out there. Love that deep baritone voice of his!
I’ve always enjoyed Toby Keith‘s music. He’s always been able to make great country music that appeals to the masses and never seems to take himself too seriously–two attributes that I like about both music and people alike! He always likes to incorporate a little humor into his music like one of his biggest hits “Let’s Talk About Me” that made me an instant Toby Keith fan from the moment I saw the video.
You would think by now artists would realize that it’s never a good idea to mix music and politics, especially if you’re saying it on tv or in front of a large audience of concert goers.
Hank Williams Jr sure got himself in some hot water recently comparing Obama to Hitler on “Fox and Friends”. Today on “The View”, he couldn’t have looked more ignorant as he tried to explain his point. Seriously, if you can’t explain your point well and admit on tv that you aren’t that intelligent, you shouldn’t be trying to explain your point at all. Let someone else do the talking for you like a publicist. That’s what they’re paid for.
I had the pleasure of meeting 20-year-old Hunter Hayes and discussing his music back in June of this year. What struck me the most about Hunter is how humble and grounded he is. I foresee and hope for nothing but great things ahead for him. Hunter is a true musical prodigy on the verge of stardom! He was already a skilled musician at the age of only 4 when he made his appearance on stage with Hank Williams Jr. in front of a large audience playing an accordion and singing “Jambalaya“. So, I guess it’s no real surprise that Hunter produced and played every instrument on his debut album. Just extremely impressive! How many people can say all of that? Makes everybody else look like they need to go find a href=’http://www.weldingtraining.org’>day job in welding training.
