NashvilleHype!

Last night 21 artists gathered together to give thanks and give back.  Three weeks ago tornadoes ripped across the area devastating hundreds of homes and thousands of families.  They also killed 34 people.

NashvilleHype!, along with our partners Fresh-Design+film and NixaCountry.com created the Supercell of Giving Benefit Concert for the Red Cross in order to help raise money for this great organization that has worked so hard for these families.

The Red Cross is currently assisting over 1,000 families.  This includes more than 250 families in Macon County, 17 families in Trousdale County, 73 families in Williamson County, 23 families in Sumner County, and 25 families in Hickman County. 

To Date, in the state of Tennessee, the American Red Cross has provided:

40,890 meals and snacks

67 Emergency Response Vehicles

933 volunteers to help clean up, etc.

We thank everyone that came out to support the benefit, that helped us raise a lot of money, and listen to a great night of music.  We appreciate it so much!

For all the Supercell Photos please visit NashvilleHype! on Flickr

I wanted to write and tell you a little about all of the Supercell of Giving Benefit Performers who will be onstage TONIGHT at the Mercy Lounge beginning at 7pm!  I also wanted to say a HUGE Thank You from NashvilleHype! to the artist and the fans for being a part of it.

Aaron Tippin

(I’ve known Aaron for years but it wasn’t until I started NashvilleHype! and attended an event here in town that I happened to see him again.   He was the first artist I asked to be a part of this benefit.)

After Aaron Tippin parted ways with Lyric Street records in 2004, he began recording a brand new CD that he released on his own label called NIPPIT RECORDS (which is TIPPIN spelled backwards). The album is titled “Now & Then”.  Five of his RCA albums became Gold Records and one went Platinum. Between 1990- 1997, Aaron scored six hits records.   Some of Aaron’s hit songs are “Working Man’s PH.D”, “Kiss This”, “You’ve Got To Stand For Something” and “There Ain’t Nothin Wrong With The Radio”.  Aaron generously donates his time to various charities and events each year.  He also travels each year during Thanksgiving to perform for the Troops in Iraq and Afghanistan and devotes his time and efforts into helping children receive a good Christmas by volunteering for Toys 4 Tots.

David Kersh

I can’t tell you how long I’ve been a fan of David Kersh.  I suppose since he first appeared on the scene.  But the truth be told, I didn’t know who he was.  It wasn’t until we began talking about the benefit that I went, “Wait a minute?  Who?  Why do I know that name?”.   The reason I knew the name was because I knew the songs .

David is best known for the two-stepping hits “Goodnight, Sweetheart”, “Another You,” and “Day In, Day Out” as well as the Caribbean-infused “If I Never Stop Loving You”.   These are all bonafied hit songs.

David hasn’t played a show in Nashville for almost 10 years.  The benefit will be his first performance.  He’s really candid about why he’s taken so much time off:

“So, I went to TX for about a week about 3 weeks ago, and something happened. I can’t explain it, I wish I could, but for some reason I felt like singing. You have to understand, I haven’t really felt that way for like 8 or 9 years!!! I’m serious, I lost it back in 99 for real. My soul just got empty and I had nothing left. Yes, I had some throat thing, but it was more than that. I can’t explain it in any other terms other than to say that my soul felt empty and there was just nothing left to give. My voice is a reflection of my soul, so it just wasn’t gonna happen anymore. I lost all confidence in me when that happened and it made me scared to death to open my mouth for fear of what sound might come out…”

We’re thrilled David has chosen the Supercell Benefit to make his return to the stages of Nashville. 

Mary Sue Englund

I’ve wanted to tell everyone about Mary forever and I’m thrilled I finally get to.   Even better, I’m going to get to see her play at the benefit along with Victoria Banks - that’s going to be awesome!  

Mary has made her living making music–first in bars and restaurants doing a solo gig playing piano and guitar when she was barely old enough to drive, and then started a band in Minnesota several years ago.  Together they played everywhere for everyone and sold a ton of albums, and then made the move to Nashville, where she just finished my third album, “Free” with the help of amazing writer and producer Kim McLean.  Her cd is available on CDBABY.  Mary is also currently touring with country star Pam Tillis, playing acoustic guitar, a little fiddle, piano, and singing harmony. She and Pam also wrote a song together for her record and Pam sang on it as well.

Kelly Ray Davis

Before losing most of the old NashvilleHype! I wrote about Kelly Ray Davis several times.  The first time, he was making trips down to Nashville to see what he could make happen.  The next time, to tell everyone that he was successful in signing to Mike Kinnamon Music/Music Central.  Kelly is the real deal.  He’s a songwriter’s songwriter, not only writing great songs for himself, but for other artists as well - like the Grammy winning Randy Kohrs.  You know when people like Randy, who has their pick of songs, starts choosing your songs to cut and release, then you’re doing something right.  Kelly Ray Davis has been doing something right for a long time - it’s only now that people are finally paying attention.   Kelly rocks and as I said back then, I fully expect him to be signed to a record deal.  It would be stupid not to sign him.

Josh Newcom of Indian Rodeo

Once again, before losing nearly 80% of NashvilleHype! in the transition, I wrote about Josh Newcom.  This guy, he’s just cool.  He was told by one of the record executive guys downtown that “country should be more rock”.  HA!  Josh wouldn’t have any of it, so he released his own music his own way.  Now, he’s sticking it in the eye of that executive by having his video for the song “Radio” in rotation at CMT.  That’s awesome.  And VERY Rock-n-Roll.  Just what that exec wanted.

William Ferrarini

William was another artist I had on site.  Cathryn actually did a wonderful job talking about his music and how touched she was by his songs.  William states, “I consider myself first and foremost a Christian”, and his music reflects the passion he has.  He’s worked with producer Cliff Downs to craft a new version of his song, “Send Me a Miracle”, which is a song Cathryn just fell in love with.   William has traveled from Massachusetts to California, performing for enthusiastic crowds.  He’s actually flying in from Chicago to be a part of this benefit and we can’t thank him enough for his kindness and caring for the people who have lost so much.

Stormy Montana

I always encourage singers to not take too much cue from the artist they like.  They’ve got to find their own voice.  Stormy has her own voice.  And that’s really what I like about her.  She doesn’t sound like other artists.  She also has a good ear for songs - kindof rare at 15 years old - and that’s what leads me to believe she’s going to have a pretty good career if she wants it.  I think she does.  She lives in west Tennessee and after the storms she wrote to ask if there was something she could do to help.  I said sure, come out and let people hear you!  So we’re really happy that she’s going to come out and perform.  People need to hear Stormy.  And seriously, what a perfect name for an event like this (yes, that’s her real name… her last name is even real - not taken from Hannah!)

Other Artists Already on NashvilleHype!

Kelci Paige

Veronica Ballestrini

Buffy Lawson

Sarah Kaine

Cloudchase

Rachel Farley

Kelsey Skaggs

Lee Hilliard

Dustin Bogue

Kristen Kukta

The Hewitt Sisters

Kerry Harvick

Also, Mason County will be performing!

One last thing.  This event could not and would not be possible without the help of so many.  I know you probably hear that all the time, but it really is true.  I may recieve a lot of public credit, but it’s those behind the scenes who have worked their butts off and they deserve most of the credit. 

People like my assistant here at NashvilleHype! Cathryn Miller-Gipson, who has worked tirelessly to make sure we have what we need to make this event everything it can be.  Trust me, 15-18 hour days for 3 weeks straight is no easy task for anyone, let alone a wife and mother, and for that I also want to thank her husband Andrew for having patience and understanding during this work-a-day time. 

Glenn Sweitzer of Fresh Design+film who is not only my partner in this event, but is also a great friend.  There’s not much more can be said.  True friends are hard to find, and Glenn has been a true friend not only to me, but countless others who need his help and his time.  Glenn simply has no time, yet he soldiers on helping everyone that comes across his path.  For Supercell, Glenn was able to wrangle a whole gaggle of artist - ready, willing, and able to perform.   Without his help on scheduling the performers, I might still be trying to figure it all out (I spent no less than 13 hours and one very frustrating day simply building a schedule, lol) - can’t put into words what a helping hand he’s been in that regard and others.  So Thank you Glenn.

Kevin Nixa and Val Jean from Nixa Country stepped up to the plate at just the right time to partner with us on the benefit.  Thanks to them, we are going to have a live broadcast stream on the internet, which means we are able to tell the whole world what we’re doing and why we’re doing it!   In addition to that, we’ll also be able to collect more money for these families than just what we recieve at the benefit itself - we have a paypal account set up so that people from everywhere can donate.

Jill Gorin and the team at the Red Cross.  I’m thankful that this time, I didn’t need your assistance - - but I’m also thankful to know that you will be here if I ever do.  40,000 meals since the tornadoes — that’s how many they’ve served.  Unbelievable.  I so appreciate your help in this event.  From the people you are bringing, to the press you told, we couldn’t have done it without you.

John at the Mercy Lounge - who gave us the venue to use without hesitation and who has been a great help on getting everything set up for the artists - - also for making sure the ads were in order and we were a part of them.

I want to thank all the volunteers that are coming out to help wrangle the backstage area, take care of our performers, watch the door, handle the money, provide security, and on and on… without you all, we’d be lost - and a lot more worn out at the end of the night.  So Thank you.

If you’ve made it to this point in the post, thank you too! lol.  Seriously, we hope that everyone can come out to the show tonight - - and if you can’t make it, please try to listen on Nixa Country.  And donate a few dollars for these families that have lost so much.  That’s what this night is all about. 

TONIGHT!! 

7:00 pm
Mercy Lounge
Nashville, Tn
Minumum Donation $10

Posted Nov 14, 2007 by Paul
Filed under: News

NashvilleHype! is proud to present a couple of VERY talented and hardworking sisters named Ashlee and Katrice - The Hewitt Sisters.

Mark my words, these girls are going to be signed and are absolutely going to be huge. Absolutely no doubt about it.

With the eventual demise of the Wreckers, country music, and specifically country music radio is going to suffer a void. The Hewitt Sisters can easily fill that void. And thankfully, they already have hit songs recorded. “Girl in a Car” is a smash. I predict that one day that song will be #1 on the charts with a bullet for these girls.

Ashlee and Katrice were raised on a ranch in Lancaster, Minnesota. They grew up in a family with 13 kids. You read that right, 13. Family, God, hard work, determination - this is where they come from. Their desire to do music full time led to them doing over 120 shows a year for 5 years - that’s before ever moving to Nashville to pursue a record deal! After moving to Nashville early this year, all that touring paid off as they signed with premier booking agent Buddy Lee Attractions - all but unheard of without a label deal.

Think about that for a second. These girls traveled practically every weekend, week in and week out for 5 years - getting their vocals tight, writing songs, learning what they could do and what they needed to improve on - learning who they were as artists and finding out who they wanted to be as people. Before they ever really stepped foot in Nashville. That’s a lesson for some ‘artists’ around here.

It was at one of their shows, opening for Lorrie Morgan, that they met their producer Mark Oliverius. It wasn’t long before they recorded a four song demo. In January they’ll be going back in the studio to record more material - they have “TONS of original songs” to record.

Speaking of writing, think they can’t write? Think again. Years on the road and performing have taught them what it takes to have a hit song. Ashlee even has a new cut and video on Cold River Records recording artist Katie Armiger. Her “17 in Abilene” is getting airplay on CMT and radio across the country and was the highest charting debut for a solo independent artist of 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007 on the CountryBreakout Chart. Believe me, these girls can write.

They are talented, beautiful, hard working, and have great songs. If ever there was a ‘perfect’ package for Nashville, without a doubt it would be the Hewitt Sisters.

This one is a no-brainer. Let the bidding war begin.

Posted Oct 2, 2007 by Paul
Filed under: country

Kristen Kukta has finally released some new music on her website. I’ve been wanting to tell you about Kristen for several months now but, because of the recordings not being finished, I had no way for you to hear who I was talking about.

I met Kristen a couple weeks ago at the Rascal Flatts concert and she’s just as sweet and funny (and goodlooking) as her pictures on her page. She certainly has personality. But how’s the music?

On Kristen’s page you’ll find three new songs: “Thirsty Again”, “Breathless”, and “I Love You I Hate You”.

“Thisty Again” is easily Kristen’s pop/AC/country crossover song. It incorporates everything that made Shania a household name. There’s very little ‘country’ about it - no southern drawl, no up-front instrumentation - exactly how Shania would have had it. And if Shania can do it, Kristen can do it better - and does. This is a beautiful song and it has just the right emotion needed in the vocal to make the point. This song has ’strong single for radio’ written all over it and is a good way to introduce Kristen to her audience.

“Breathless” is uptempo country (thanks primarily to the heavy use of steel guitar and fiddles) and has a sortof staccato type vocal delivery - very fast, all leading to the wide open chorus: “His kind of love leaves me breathless”.

“I Love Him I Hate Him” is a song that you might have heard before - it is featured on her site as a live video shot at Lyrics. The studio version of the song is more subdued vocally, more ‘radio friendly’ than the live version, but equally as good. The song has a great hook, the guys a real loser but she still wants him for some reason. The song is written really well and is fun to listen to.

Kristen made the move to Nashville just last year and already is working with several of Nashville’s heavy hitters, including Glenn Sweitzer as media consultant/image/executive producer and Cliff Downs as executive producer/producer. A super-secret country star has agreed to be a vocalist on one duet track.

Together the two are taking the same path they took with Ashley Gearing, whom they were ultimately responsible getting signed to Curb.

Kristen has a cumulative of over 42,000 song plays, despite going for months without having music on her site, some 56,000 page views, and nearly 4,000 fans.

She’s putting the finishing touches on her full length album and it should be released soon.

Posted Feb 23, 2008 by Paul
Filed under: Country

(ed. note: This is part of an ongoing series introducing the artists that will be performing for the Supercell of Giving Benefit Concert to help those affected by the recent tornadoes. We are looking forward Dustin playing for us at this benefit and on his birthday at that!)

By Cathryn Miller-Gipson

Dustin Bogue is a singer/songwriter living in Nashville by way of Sac City, Iowa. Although his journey is one that is now very busy in downtown Nashville performing, getting this far is nothing short of a miracle. At a young age Dustin was both treated and diagnosed with a rare childhood illness that would set the stage for his pure determination. His grandfather gave him a guitar that would position him on this path to music. Working with Dave Fowler and Kelly Schoenfeld, Dustin produced his second full length album, “Proud”. One of the more catchy tunes is “The Way You Drive”. It has sassiness along with attitude.

As of this February, Dustin is in the early stages of working on his latest video to his song, “It Takes A Burn To Learn” with Glenn Sweitzer of Fresh Film and Design. Dustin says,

“It is a song that I wrote when I first moved to Nashville. It is a song that is basically about regret, living with it, dealing with it, and getting over it.”

He will also have fellow musician and NashvilleHype! artist Kristen Kukta in the video. She will play the love interest.

Dustin says as far as his music goes,

“I don’t want to just call it country, though my strongest influences are most definitely true COUNTRY artists. I like to think it has a bit of a kick to it. We like to have a lot of energy in our shows. We tend to leave the pretty ballads and good ol’ tear jerkin’ country to the, “sittin’ around the porch pickin sessions”. It’s all good! I JUST LOVE TO JAM!” Writing with friends, playing shows, recording… It’s what I live for.”

Some of Dustin’s influences include names such as Merle Haggard, Willie Nelson, George Jones, Darryl Singletary, George Strait and Dwight Yokum. He also finds a bit of a rebellious side with other influences such as Steve Earle and Cross Canadian Ragweed.

Posted Feb 25, 2008 by Paul
Filed under: Country

(ed. note: This is part of an ongoing series introducing the artists that will be performing for the Supercell of Giving Benefit Concert to help those affected by the recent tornadoes. We are thrilled to have Lee come and perform!)

There’s a fine line here in Nashville between success and being on the ‘brink of success’. Lee Hilliard knows the difference all too well.

Lee was a member of the country group 4 Runner, who were nominated as the “Best New Group” at the Academy of Country Music Awards (From best I can tell, the trophy went to Emerson Drive). They played on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno. Toured with Tim McGraw. Sold 200,000 cd’s - and even scored a minor hit with their song, “Cain’s Blood”. But before they knew it, the label was closing shop. Welcome to Nashville.

Before Lee became a member of 4 Runner, he had experience singing with with other artists - artist you might recognize by their first names - Reba and Loretta.

Thanks to those experiences Lee is still able to work as an artist and perform for crowds all over the country. His music is genuine, and so is he. He’s currently writing a book about his experiences in Nashville and the entertainment business and he assures us, it’s going to be well worth the read.

Posted Dec 16, 2007 by Paul
Filed under: news

Kelsey Skaggs is awesome! I first met Kelsey a couple of weeks ago when I listened to her hit song, “Facebook Admirer“. That song is such a hit on so many levels it’s really hard to describe. For this day and age, it’s literally the perfect pop song.

This evening Kelsey came to Nashville to perform in the 60th annual Toys for Tots campaign held at Opry Mills Mall - let me tell you a little of what happened.

First Kelsey played an hour set. Then, she was asked to come back and play another set. As people streamed around the mall - estimated crowd of 80,000 - Kelsey stood on stage, guitar in hand, and played song after song. More photos were taken, more cd’s sold (and the proceeds donated), and more autographs were signed by Kelsey than anyone else - that’s not surprising really given that Kelsey is not only a rising pop/christian star, she’s also a super talent.

Her songs - funny, cheeky, sometimes downright silly, have a way of sticking in your head. Try it yourself - listen a couple of times to “Pick Up a Book“, one of the songs she has on her Myspace, and then tell me you don’t go around singing that song. It’s impossible not to! (and you may not entirely even like the song, but still you gotta admit, you’re singing it!)

On the Christian side of her songwriting is where Kelsey gets serious with songs like “The Cross“, a song that really lays it on the line about Christ giving His all for us and us not having the right words to say ‘thank you’ - and “Gardener’s Gloves“, a song about wanting nothing more than to be used for His service.

But it’s “Facebook Admirer” where Kelsey really shines - both as a writer and a singer. That song is simply perfect in every way - even in raw, unproduced form - it’s a hit.