NashvilleHype!

Summer.  Seems like nothings going on but the heat. 

I’ve received several press releases this week that I could’ve written about, but they didn’t interest me.  I’ve talked to a half dozen artist and had the privilege of getting chewed out 3 times by artists who THINK they’re good enough, but aren’t anywhere close… and ya know, I always try to encourage people to just work hard and good things will come - even still. 

I’ve made plans to feature a new artist here on site — she’s AMAZING and I predict will be yet another NashvilleHype! success story.  So I hope that works out that we can work it out. 

I learned from Cathrryn that one of our Supercell artists has a hit song on the radio right now - and Cathryn is working that story up now. 

I talked to Kelly Ray Davis who had the Road Hammers open for him, and also had a label coming to check out the show — but I haven’t heard how it all went. 

I talked with Kelsey Skaggs mom and there’s an A&R rep from a major coming up to check her out. 

So that’s a lot like summer.  Everything and nothing.  Like being in the studio - hurry up and wait.

Keni Thomas has a new video out, shot by Glenn Sweitzer (who has more and more started to work with NashvilleHype! artist - which is really cool!  I trust Glenn like no one else in the industry) and it’s going to be on GAC - not just a small show, like the real deal video side - which means you can vote it up in the charts!  That’s pretty cool, and Keni is well deserving.  I just love this song too.  I think it’s one of the best songs I’ve heard Keni do.

Keni Thomas - Shreveport 2 LA

 

I went down to John Rich’s “Get Rich” competition tonight in downtown Nashville to see my awesome friend Jaida Dreyer perform:

Jaida just signed a publishing deal with mega-producer/publisher Byron Gallimore (Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, everyone else) - which is awesome.  Despite being relatively unknown thoughout the country, it seems her talent has helped her become well known here in Nashville - and the hits I receive of people visiting from a Google search on her is really impressive.  She is SO close to being a household name, and though I couldn’t stay tonight to watch her perform, in the coming days I’m going to have some live photos from tonights performance.

So I had just walked in, said hello to a half dozen people and took a picture or two with Jaida when I decide to go into the main room.  I look upstairs and see Ashlee Hewitt!!  I ask the lady at the ‘rope’ if I can go say hi, but also inform her I don’t want to hurt Ashlee or the integrity of the show - and so, I can’t.  Bummer.

But soon after, Ashlee and the rest of the girl cast of Nashville Star come walking down.  The rope lady tells me ”she’s in ‘public’ now, you can go talk to her” - and so, I go over, kneel down beside Ashlee and say “hello ladies!”.

Let me first say how great all the girls look.  They are all as beautiful and sweet in person as they come across on TV.

After hugs and hello’s and OMgoodnesses, I asked Ashlee how she was doing (really good!), if since she’s been ‘locked away’ she was able to talk to anyone like friends and family (she said she wasn’t), and if things were going well for her (they are).  I DON’T talk about the show, or the songs, or the voters, or anything else - in fact, we never said one word about the show.  Believe me, there’s a lot I wanted to tell her - but as always in life, there’s a time and a place.  I told her that I talk to her mom as much as I can and everyone else as well and we are all SO proud of her.  I told the other girls that they are all doing great and say goodbye…

But then I think, “wonder if a picture would be ok” … so, I went back over and asked Ashlee, “can we all take a picture together or is that against some rules” … here’s the answer:

Bottom line, Ashlee is doing great! - still the same sweetheart she’s always been.

As I walked away the second time, I told all the girls goodluck and wished them all the best.  Alyson, Shawn, and Melissa are all real sweethearts as well - it was my pleasure to meet them all and seriously, I wish them all the best - long and successful careers.

As for Ashlee, I just want the world for her.

I Guarantee NO OTHER WEBSITE has this Video at the moment - NashvilleHype! is the only weblog/news source where you can see this!

As I reported several weeks ago, our good friend Glenn Sweitzer recently shot a video with another friend of ours Rissi Palmer performing her new (and soon to be a Hit!) single, “No Air” .   Rissi has always been one of our favorite artist.  If you’ve never heard of Rissi - you should get to know her and her music - and definitely pick up her cd!

Friday, June 13, 2008

Rissi Palmer leak video

I was lucky enough to work with Rissi Palmer on a video for her new single “No Air”. The label wanted a simple behind the scenes look music video, which also included a cameo of her producer, Nathan Chapman (Taylor Swift’s producer). This is not the main video, but a video to “leak” it out to work with the song at radio early on. I think it is so smart to do it this way.
I had a very short time to shoot this, since Nathan had to be on a plane and Rissi had to leave. Had a lot of fun doing this. Rissi is a very charming person… so was her little pooch.
The crazy thing with this song, is that this is the 4th version of it. There is now a version in POP, Rock, Christian and now country. I think Rissi nailed this, and will be around for quite a while!
shot and directed by glenn sweitzer

We’re thrilled to be able to present this video to you -

Rissi Palmer - NO AIR - Shot and Directed by Glenn Sweitzer

As an aside, I’ve recently been talking with my friend Jesse Lee, who as we reported, signed with Atlantic Records and is also working with producer Nathan Chapman.  Jesse tells me that her album is coming along well and she only has three more songs to sing and then add background vocals to.  There’s no release date for a new single yet, but expect one in the not-so-distant future.  Her album will follow soon thereafter.  As always, NashvilleHype! will keep you informed.

And last but not least, one more Nathan Chapman / six degrees of seperation story  –

If you happened to watch Nashville Star with our good friend Ashlee Hewitt performing (remember to vote for Ashlee this week!) then you know Taylor Swift was the featured performer for the week.  My old roommate Grant has been her guitar player for over a year now and I’ve also talked to him about the possibility of him coming on site to talk about his life now - being on the road, playing on the Tonight Show (as well as every other show) and being in the limelight.  I hope to get something worked out with his schedule in the near future.

It was all Cathryn’s fault!  See, I didn’t intend to go to “CMA Fest” - ever.  It’s not that I didn’t sometimes want to go - but I was raised here, and mostly in the industry - I’m not really a ‘fan’ if that makes sense.

We were actually just going to go hang out with friends Lady Antebellum who were going to do a mini-set before heading over to perform on the Opry.

So we go over and say hi and take a picture together - we all go downstairs so they can play, they play a couple of songs and we were going to say goodbye… but then Trent Tomlinson must’ve walked by - or Cathryn saw him going upstairs and she wanted a picture — so…

Trent’s still really cool - and he told me he’s working on his new album now - which is good because I told him, I was getting a little worried since I hadn’t heard anything from him - and hadn’t talked to him in a long time.  A quote: “I’m not losing my record deal!”.  Good to know - he’s a stand out artist right now.  Very definable by his voice and his songs.

Then Cathrn told me that Glenn Sweitzer was there doing some video work in the convention center …

And of course I wanted to go over and say hi - but, I didn’t want to spend the $22.00 just to say hi.  So Cathryn pulled out the trump card.  Jessica Urick  - ugh! Cathryn!!!

And of course, I LOVE Jessica!  I’ve known her for years and years - she’s a real sweetheart, a down to earth person, great performer (very funny on stage) and I’ve had her on site before (the old NashvilleHype! before the loss).  So, I broke down and paid the $22.00 for the ticket.  First time in YEARS I’ve been to fan fair … and the first time I ever paid.

But then something happened.  I started running into people I’ve known for years - and hadn’t seen in longer.  Like Robert Reynolds (pictured on the far right - John from DigitalRodeo in the center), who used to be in the Mavericks, produced my friend Jenna Von Oy, and who I lost contact with nearly 15 years ago or so.

And Miko Marks, who I’ve always loved!  Shes fantastic and a real sweetheart.  Her music as I’ve told you before is more traditional - and does she ever carry the torch.  Just love her.

In the booth right next to Miko was another friend of mine - Austin Cody.  Austin is about the second nicest guy in Nashville - and he really is the nicest artist in Nashville.  Talk about a live show?!  Austin is a rocking performer - definately high energy.

It was like a NashvilleHype! fest instead (next year, NashvilleHype! should have a full booth with the works!).  Bunch of friends.  But no Jessica!  Dang.  So, we end up leaving.

Walk around Nashville a little while, look around, and make our way over to the Cadillac Ranch to see Rachel Farley perform

and she COMPLETELY took everyone in the audience by surprize -

cause people, just listen to me please! - Rachel is a STAR!  She absolutely ROCKS!  You wonder why she wins so many awards?  Why she’s working with Grammy winning mega-producers?  Why major record label Presidents show up to a Benefit Concert?  It’s not cause it’s a good cause!  Wonder why I had her on NashvilleHype! before anyone knew a Rachel Farley existed?  Because she KILLS from the stage!  Especially with a band.  I’ve not seen her perform with a band before and oh my… just unbelievable.  She has really grown in stage presence since I first saw her perform.  And her future is only going to get brighter.

After Rachel performed, I got a chance to dispel some good old fashion wisdom in her direction

and she’s a sponge.  Look at those eyes.  I wish every artists would listen to me as intently as Rachel does - things might be better for them.  ahh, cest la vie.

So after my in depth talk with Rachel a girl I’ve known for well over a year shows up to perform - holy smokes!  It’s Brynn Marie from Pennsylvania!  She’s HOT!

And I finally crack a smile… Yeah, so maybe Fan Fair isn’t a bad thing after all. Thanks Cathryn!

For more pics, visit Cathryn’s Myspace.

Apryle Cox, who is a friend of NashvilleHype! and was at the Supercell Benefit, was kind enough to take a lot of photos of the event for us.  I’m happy to report that Apryle has now posted those pictures on her myspace page.  Below is a few of the pictures from the event.

Apryle, Victoria Banks, Aaron Tippin, Mary Sue Englund

Kelci Paige and Rachel Farley

Rodney Crisp and Kelly Ray Davis

Katrice and Ashlee Hewitt (The Hewitt Sisters)

Josh Newcom of Indian Rodeo

Kelsey Skaggs

Kerry Harvick and David Kersh

The crowd

More crowd…

And one more

Me and Cathryn (who worked her butt off on this event!)

There are a whole bunch more on Apryle’s site!

P.S. If you still want to help support the Red Cross and what they do - please don’t hesitate!