NashvilleHype!

It’s taken forever to get any new music out of these three beauties - but finally, here’s your chance to hear something from them.

Carter’s Chord self titled debut full album stream is available to listen at That’s Country for one week only.  The album was released exclusively on I-Tunes today and below is the link to the full online listening party.
 
http://www.thatscountry.com/am2/publish/audio/004431.shtml

If memory serves, the three sisters, Becky, Emily, and Joanna were discovered by Toby Keith and signed to his Show Dog label what seems like years ago (2006?).  Before you knew it, Toby released his own album and he also starred in Broken Bridges, where he soon found his newest protege’ and co-star Lindsey Haun (what ever happened to her?) – and Carter’s Chord seemed to be trapped somewhere in the background along with southern style rockers Flynnville Train. 

But if you like pop-country, the wait was worth it - because what you’ll hear on this new CD is poppy-pop-country with great harmonies.  Several of the songs beg for year long radio play, and I would suspect you’ll be hearing a lot of these girls on radio before long.  That’s IF radio wakes up and realises that GIRLS sing country music too  (You know, besides Taylor and Carrie), and IF now is the time for Toby to really start pushing the girls the way he might should have years ago.  We hope so - and them actually having a release, even if for now it is only on i-Tunes, is a good sign.  So is the fact Universal Music is working them to various internet outlets like NashvilleHype! 

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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.

UPDATE!!

After the show call 1-866-978-2704 !!! TO VOTE FOR ASHLEE!!!

VOTE FOR ASHLEE HEWITT FOR “NASHVILLE STAR” !!!

NashvilleHype! is proud to announce that Ashlee Hewitt is now an official contestant on Season Six of Nashville Star!

If you’re a long time reader of NashvilleHype! you’re already plenty familiar with Ashlee Hewitt.  I’ve had Ashlee (and her sister Katrice!) on NashvilleHype! since November of 2007.

I’ve told you where they were performing, when they were performing, and why I thought Ashlee and Katrice were going to be BIG Stars.  Ashlee and Katrice came out and helped us raise money for the Red Cross back in February - and put on a great show as always.   Ashlee and her whole family has been a good friend to me personally and NashvilleHype!.

And now GREAT NEWS!

NashvilleHype! is proud to announce that Ashlee Hewitt is now an official contestant on Season Six of Nashville Star!  She’s made it all the way to the final 12 - beating out thousands and thousands of contestants throughout America. 

(The official NBC/Nashville Star picture. © NBC)

This is a really big year for Nashville Star as it will be broadcast on NBC Monday nights at 9/8c.  It’s host this year is Billy Ray Cyrus - and judges are Jewel, John Rich (of Big & Rich), and hit country songwriter Jeffrey Steele.

What you’re going to read about Ashlee Hewitt everywhere else is, she was raised in a very large family as one of 13 brothers and sisters.  She grew up on a farm in northern Minnesota.  She loves horses, etc. etc.  They may even mention how her father Jim was called to Iraq fora year in service to our country (NashvilleHype! sends a special hello to Jim and all our Troops overseas and wants to let you know you’re in our thoughts and prayers!)

What you may not read is, Ashlee isn’t a very good bowler.  She can at once be outgoing and shy.  She can pierce you with her eyes and melt you with her smile.  She’s sweet and funny and personable - - all the qualities we hope come across on a TV show like Nashville Star. TV as you well know, is different.  We can only hope.

(© NBC)

You also may not know that Ashlee has worked her butt off to get to this point.  NashvilleHype! doesn’t have anything against random people showing up to be a part of a contest - but we really place a lot of emphasis on working hard, playing shows, meeting fans, keeping them happy, having a unique sound/vocal quality, etc. – you know the drill by now - - and Ashlee Hewitt passes all of these qualifications with flying colors.   After all, together with her sister Katrice, she traveled all over the country performing nearly 100 shows a year for 6 years — before coming to Nashville to “make it”.

And something else?  NashvilleHype! may have been the first to bring her to our readers attention, but we’re not alone in saying she’s going to be a huge star.  I’ve had many conversations with executives, producers, managers, etc - and it’s all but universal - Ashlee Hewitt IS a Nashville Star (and I love it that the winner gets a contract with Warner Bros!).  Oh, I failed to mention, the winner gets a recording contract on Warner Bros. Records. 

Obviously NashvilleHype! is behind Ashlee 100% on Nashville Star.  I will tell you now, we WILL be biased - not that we have anything against the other artists performing on the show - but we’ve long said how deserving Ashlee is and we want her to win!  We want to convince as many people as possible to vote for her each and every week! 

NashvilleHype! Forums is going to have a Ashlee Hewitt / Nashville Star Discussion page - so feel free to discuss all things Ashlee there if you’d like.

Also, there are several Ashlee Hewitt Fan sites:  

http://www.myspace.com/ashleehewittfan

http://www.myspace.com/ashleehewittfanclub

and at least one for Nashville Star itself:

http://www.myspace.com/nashvillestarfans

Wanna hear Ashlee Hewitt?  Learn more about her and see more pictures:

(Ashlee Hewitt and Katrice)

http://www.myspace.com/hewittsisters

 And for ALL the NashvilleHype! Articles on Ashlee, including a Week by Week Nashville Star Update - Please visit the Ashlee Hewitt Category Page

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!

“I should also mention that he sat at the merch table after the set, signing photos, cds and dvds, chatting with the fans, and demonstrating how country music is done, old-school.”

The quote above comes from a friend of mine I’ve known for probably 10 years or more - Todd Everett - speaking about a show he attended a few nights ago starring Little Jimmy Dickens.

Todd is about as knowledgeable on country music, and music in general, as anyone who ever lived.  His resume includes stints working for many major publications.  Todd has

“worked in, and written about, the entertainment industry from Hollywood for more than 30 years. In addition to staff positions at The Los Angeles Herald Examiner, Daily Variety and The Hollywood Reporter, I have worked on staff or freelanced for numerous record labels. I reviewed theater in a regional edition of The Los Angeles Times for approximately ten years.

I have edited two magazines: Ampersand and Record Review, and have written for the internationally syndicated radio programs “Earth News” and “American Top 40.”

I have written liner notes for dozens of albums, and produced reissues by acts including John Stewart, Rick Nelson, and Dan Hicks & the Hot Licks.” 

As you can see, he’s a real professional.

On his blog Todd describes the show he attended and I wrote to him to ask if I could post a little of it here, as it says something I’ve been telling artist on NashvilleHype! for a really long time (actually, since the beginning).

But first, for those who don’t know about Little Jimmy Dickens and are wondering - here’s a little bio information from wikipedia:

James Cecil Dickens (born December 19, 1920) is an American country music singer from Bolt, West Virginia. A regular at the Grand Ole Opry for almost sixty years, Dickens is famous for his humorous novelty songs, his small size, 4′11″, and his rhinestone-studded outfits.

Dickens’ musical career began in the late 1930s, when he began performing on a local radio station while attending West Virginia University. He soon quit school to pursue a full-time music career, and travelled the country performing on various local radio stations under the name “Jimmy the Kid.”

In 1948 Dickens was heard performing on a radio station in Saginaw, Michigan, by Roy Acuff, who introduced him to Art Satherley at Columbia Records and officials from the Grand Ole Opry. Dickens signed with Columbia in September and joined the Grand Ole Opry in August. Around this time he began using the nickname “Little Jimmy Dickens,” a name inspired by his height of 4 feet 11 inches.

Dickens recorded many novelty songs for Columbia around this time, including “Country Boy,” “A-Sleeping at the Foot of the Bed” and “I’m Little But I’m Loud.” His song “Take an Old Cold Tater (And Wait)” inspired Hank Williams to nickname him “Tater.”

In 1950 he formed the Country Boys with musicians Jabbo Arrington, Grady Moore and Bob Moore. In 1957 he left the Grand Ole Opry to tour with the Philip Morris Country Music Show.

In 1962 Dickens released “The Violet and the Rose,” his first top ten single in twelve years. During 1964 he became the first country artist to circle the globe while on tour, and also made numerous TV appearances including The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. Around this time he released his biggest hit, “May the Bird of Paradise Fly Up Your Nose,” reaching number one in the country charts and number fifteen in the pop charts.

In the late 1960s he left Columbia for Decca Records, before moving again to United Artists in 1971. That same year he married his wife, Mona, and in 1975 he returned to the Grand Ole Opry. In 1983 Dickens was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.

Recently Dickens has made appearances in a number of music videos by fellow country musician and West Virginia native Brad Paisley. He has also been featured on several of Paisley’s albums in bonus comedy tracks along with other Opry mainstays such as George Jones and Bill Anderson. They are collectively referred to as the Kung-Pao Buckaroos.

But why care about a man who’s 87 years old and hasn’t a a ‘hit’ on the radio in a hundred years (or 1970, whichever is closer)?  That quote above should give a small indication.

“Dickens comes from the old tradition where it isn’t enough to be a singer, you have to be an entertainer, as well”

“All dolled up in his glittering Nudie suit (“Mighty Mouse in his pajamas,” is how he put it), eighty seven-year-old Dickens took the stages with the enthusiasm of a man half his age or less; spinning his acoustic guitar, and striking an immediate rapport with the audience. As one point early on, he stopped the action and struck a pose so a woman in the audience could take a picture.”

I’ve preached, and I apologize once again, about the importance of being an entertainer - taking time and good care of your fans, never taking yourself too seriously, remembering that there’s plenty of time in life to have a career, enjoying yourself (and making sure your fans are as well - even if you’re not singing! ie. making that connection) … these older artists, they’ve lived it - they know what it’s all about.

Take a look at Todd’s Blog - read the whole review.  It might help you more than you know.

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This week for me is one of the most exciting times of the year, as it is for many! It is what used to be called “Fan Fair Week” but has more recently been dubbed “The CMA Music Festival”. For those of you who might have just recently re-located to our fine area or may be stopping in our town for a visit for something other than this, this would be a short but brief explanation : It is 4 days, of music, music, music! About 30 hours of autograph signings and photo lines by some of the most talented artists you can imagine. Some well known, some just getting started. There are nightly concerts that generally happen once a year by some of todays top performing artists and even some surprise guests! There is live music everywhere you turn, and nearly 400 Country Music artists and celebrities doing things from bull riding to Q and A to Bar-B-Que Cook Off’s. There are thousands of pumped up music lovers from all over the United States that have come in just to get a little closer to thier favorite artists and live the “ULTIMATE COUNTRY MUSIC FAN EXPERIENCE!

Be sure to look for us wandering around the festival and say hi! We would love to meet you! Check back during and after the festival and let us know about your Nashville experience! We love to hear from our readers! Be sure to visit the official CMA Festival page to check out the schedule’s for some of the artists we have featured on our site! We are super excited about them being involved in and around town during this week! Let them know you support them! Thanks guys and we look forward to seeing you!