LANCASTER, Minn. — Ashlee Hewitt still needs work on acting like a celebrity.

 

Instead of a limousine, she arrived at her welcome-home public appearance Wednesday in a wagon pulled by two Percheron draft horses. Instead of having handlers deal with autograph-seekers and protect her bare shoulders from a driving rain, she had only herself and her Mary Poppins-sized umbrella for protection.

And instead of the glim and glamour of network television, her performance came on a portable stage that was decorated with a cowboy-boot planter containing a wildflower that locals call “swamp grass.”

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Herald photo by Dustin Finkelstein

Beautiful Eyes, a Wal-Mart exclusive CD/ DVD combo, debuted this week at #1, with sales of 44,652. Taylor’s self-titled debut CD, released in the Fall of 2006, continues its amazing momentum, moving from the #1 to the #2 slot with sales this week of 34,622. To date, Taylor Swift has spent an incredible 24 weeks at #1 on the Country CD Sales Chart.

 
 
The 2-disc CD/DVD set Beautiful Eyes CD features two songs not previously available for purchase by the public – the title track, “Beautiful Eyes,” plus “I Heart ?”, and includes an alternate version of Taylor’s current hit “Should’ve Said No,” and an acoustic version of the cross-over hit “Teardrops on My Guitar.” 

The exclusive DVD includes music videos for each of Taylor’s five hit singles – including her live show-stopping performance of “Should’ve Said No” from the 2008 Academy of Country Music Awards - plus a brand new video for the song “Beautiful Eyes.”  The DVD also features Taylor’s GAC ACM Showcase interview, The Making of the “Picture to Burn” Video, and the music video for “I’m Only Me When I’m With You,” which features home video footage of Taylor edited by the superstar herself. The package was released to coincide with the launch of the l.e.i. jeans Back-to-School 2008 campaign, “This is l.e.i. Country.”

Taylor is the face of this year’s campaign, and the l.e.i. brand is sold exclusively at Wal-Mart.
Also this week, MTV and Us Weekly named Taylor as the “T” in their Summer 2008 “Us Weekly and MTV Presents Hot List A to Z”, their picks for what’s sizzling this summer. The list is featured in the August 4th issue of Us, on newsstands this weekend, and airs as an MTV special on July 26th. Taylor is the only country artist on the list.
 
To hear Taylor’s current Top 5 single, “Should’ve Said No,” log on to: www.taylorswift.com or www.myspace.com/taylorswift.

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This years Nashville Star has been panned by more commenters, more newspapers, more trade mags - more people - than all the previous years combined (so far as I can tell).  The expectations were very high for the show, and the move to NBC, and the show hasn’t lived up to the expectations many had.  I had never once watched the show more than 30 seconds, so I really had no expectations.

The show itself was wierd to me.  Pop singers, dancers, lighting like Garth Brooks, Billy Ray Cyrus looking like a deer in headlights everytime the camera came on, those stupid ‘dramatic’ pauses that were waste of everyone’s time… so many stupid things that have nothing to do with Nashville, becoming a star, or the business in general.  And the idea that the judges were ‘competing’ was also more than wierd - that’s better left to it’s own show - not trying to find talent.

And what did I think of the ‘talent’ this year?  Not much.

I always want and encourage artist to work hard and great things can happen - I don’t always have to like what they do to realise that they are human, and they are trying.  They have hopes and dreams and goals - and they’re just doing their best.  And when an opportunity opens, they step into it.

But there’s not a one that I would offer to have on NashvilleHype! (sans Ashlee of course)

The simple truth is, Ashlee was the only true artist on the show - she’s the only artist that I sincerely believe Warner Bros, John Rich, Radio, and the industry would’ve liked to see win.  The other ‘contestants’ - yes, in their case that’s what they were - are nice people I’m sure, and I hesitate to write anything too bad about them out of respect to their new-found friendship with Ashlee, because people who are thrown into unique situations like this, usually find themselves having life-long friends.

But despite her friendship with them, and the fact they are all nice, etc. etc. I didn’t find one of them exciting, or talented enough to be placed on NashvilleHype!  I turn down better each and every day it seems (and I turn down much worse).  I also don’t believe that a label would take a serious look at them but for this show.  In other words, there’s not a one I would stake the reputation of NashvilleHype! on and take directly to a label.

That’s not to say they don’t have various talents or abilities.  It doesn’t mean they can’t grow to become what they want.  And it doesn’t mean they can’t work hard and have a great career entertaining people.  As I say often, there’s a whole world out there waiting, wanting to be entertained - artist can make a great living playing for these people.

But only a select few are destined in some form to become a ’star’.  Ashlee Hewitt is one of those artist.  Always has been.

(as an aside, and I’m being completely serious, in the end, the contestants that impressed me the most were Laura and Sophie - actually, when they weren’t performing, they were the most real of the other contestants.  They were themselves, and despite the horrible treatment by the producers - showing the worst parts, the fights, the outbreaks, etc. and poisoning them early to the audience, they remained human - and I appreciated that more than anything.  And truthfully, I thought their last performance was great, I mean, if I was going to leave a show, and I knew it - I’d want to stick it to everyone as well.  They just kicked butt at the wrong time.  oh, and way to go on the eye-roll, even though you didn’t even know you did it…  At the time, I was doing it myself.  No, truthfully I was yelling at the TV -”WHO?!?!?’ are you talking to??!?!? and WHY???!!?!!?  SHUT UP ALREADY!!!”  — yeah, everyone had an axe to grind - but Laura and Sophie handled it better than I would have.)

Do I think the show helped or hurt Ashlee?

Career wise I don’t think it had much impact.  I say that because a great number of people in the industry already knew Ashlee and already had proclaimed her to be a star.  Several personally told me they wanted to work with her should the opportunity arise.  And various labels around town were already seriously looking in her direction.  Do more know her?  Sure.  And that’s a good thing - but it isn’t earth shattering.

On a personal level I think this experience was a great one for Ashlee.  She’s going to have life-long friends as a result of the show - and you can never have too many friends.  Especially one’s that have shared the same experiences in life that you have.

So where does Ashlee go from here?

Most likely on a Nashville Star tour, if I understand correctly.  Afterwards, the sky’s the limit.  She’s going to land on a label and of course be a big star.  You’ll hear her all over the radio and see her all over TV.

If there’s one thing I personally would like to see it would be a ‘Hewitt Sisters Reunion’.  Now that the show is over, and once she gets passed the contractual obligations she has to fulfill, it would be nice for the sisters to once again be a team — all for one and one for all.  That’s more natural to me I suppose.  Together let them sign a deal.  Together tour the world.  Together have hits.  Together.  That would be nice.

But untimately that’s a family decision - and like in the case of Nashville Star, all the options will have to be weighed and what’s best for everyone will have to be taken into consideration.  Ashlee is blessed to have a very close (and large) family.

It’s been a great experience to have Ashlee on Nashville Star — and on NashvilleHype!  I hope you’ve taken the time to get to know some of the other future stars we’ve featured.

Last, thanks again to everyone that’s come over to read about Ashlee, and also took the time to support her by voting for her.  I know she appreciates it very much - as we all do.

Of course, Ashlee IS a songwriter - and she knows how to write songs about, well EVERYTHING. 

So, listen as the night goes on - and you’ll see, I’m not lying.

UPDATE:  Coffee, um, “this is a song about ME”… and me, me, me.  And John is RIGHT, it’s a fun song, but radio isn’t touching it!

UPDATE: Melissa, I like her, she seems really sweet, but um, “this is a song about ME”… and me, me, me.

UPDATE:  Gee, even the JUDGES got into the Me, Me, Me act tonight!  Amazing…. that they did that… not how good they performed.  Ugh! lol, I think they would’ve been voted off.

UPDATE: Surprizingly, tonight is the night Gabe does his worst.  Go Figure.  Oh, and it’s all about Him.

UPDATE: It’s all because of HIM and Mike’s Hard Lemonade!  haha.  Gee, I suppose it’s not really about Ashlee Hewitt, hum…

UPDATE:  And of course, I’ve been saying what John just said for MONTHS!!!  Of Course the labels here need to sign Ashlee and put her on a label!  A direct quote from me would be, “Let the bidding war begin!” … but wanna know a secret?  People in Nashville know it too.

UPDATE: Shawn - She’s a real sweetheart, but um, this is a HORRIBLE song.  Gee.  I’m thinking the judges might be a little kinder, but if I was sitting across the table from her and she played this song, she’d get about 25 seconds in and I would pass.

Oh, and it’s all about HER.

UPDATE: And Ashlee goes home!  And on to a great career!

As I said last week, she’s going to be just fine!  And I guarentee, it won’t be too long before you hear of her signing a deal.

And of course, I am so proud of her!!  And I just love her to death. 

Here’s what I said last week about her staying on the show:

“Should there come a day when Ashlee is voted off, I’m not worried about her in the least.  She’s going to be just fine - and will probably be one of the first to sign a record deal. 

That’s not to say I don’t think she’s going to go all the way - I believe she’s going to win this thing out-right.  But even if she doesn’t - she’s the real winner - because she’s going to be fine.  And a huge star.”

Several things strike me about this clip.

First, the way John sits emotionless in the background.  I understand what he’s doing - which is most likely EXACTLY what you’ll see if you ever get a chance to play a song for someone in the industry.  He’s analyzing - and I can almost see the wheels turn in his head thinking about being in the studio with Ashlee and that song and how he would go about producing it.  Which instruments he’d use, how he’d coach the vocals, and all that.   He’s making a game plan should Ashlee win - and of course, we believe she’s going to.

Second, this song is familiar in melody to another recent hit.  You’ll probably think the same thing as it does have similarities to “Good Directions” by Billy Currington.  It was pointed out to me that she actually wrote this song many years ago, pre-dating that one - But something else was pointed out to me - someone thought it couldn’t be a ‘hit’ because of the similar melody.  I couldn’t disagree more!

The truth is, radio doesn’t take chances.  And sometimes labels don’t either.  In the case of “Good Directions“, Luke Lewis, president of Universal Records didn’t want to release the song as a single believing it wouldn’t do much with radio.  Billy had to fight to get it released and had a strong feeling it would do well based on the reaction he was getting from fans at live shows.  Ultimately Luke bowed and allowed the single to be shipped.  The calls to the radio from fans began to pour in and radio was forced to play it.  It went to #1 and stayed.

How does this help Ashlee’s song?  Simple.  Radio doesn’t take chances.  And this song, this melody, is proven.  It’s already been a hit on radio - and familiarity to already hit songs plays well.  So, should “Mike’s Hard Lemonade” become a single, look for it to impact really big at radio — they can’t go wrong and they know it!  And that goes for Warner Bros. as well - they can’t go wrong.

Third, what a great song!  Lyrically it’s strong and well written.  The story is one that people can enjoy - and yes, it actually has a story.

Last, the other contestants are in trouble!  No, I haven’t heard their songs, and they may very well be good, but I still maintain that no matter how good they are, they won’t compare.  I expect strong competition from Gabe again, but even still, he’s more right for Texas than Nashville.  There’s no question. 

UPDATE: There’s a place in this song, near the end, where Ashlee says, “she’s still blam-e-ning it on…” … you know, that’s what seperates good writing from great. I know several people in town, mostly other songwriters, who would argue with her choice to use that word instead of simply saying, “blames” … but how boring would that be if she used that word? This is a great use of an unusual word - and a real lesson to songwriters out there that are striving to get better. And it’s one of the reasons I’m such a fan of Ashlee and I believe in her so much. Hearing this is like listening to “Girl in a Car” the first time and getting near the end where she hit ‘that note’ - the one that still floors me everytime I hear it. That note sold me on the Hewitt sisters in much the same way this line sells me on her songwriting. I hope she can hold it in there.

So enjoy this ‘behind the scenes’ video of Ashlee - and as always, don’t forget to vote for her:

Ashlee Hewitt Radio Interview

Remember to vote for Ashlee to be the next Nashville Star!  Every vote counts!

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

 

As you know, Ashlee ended up being in the ‘bottom 2′ - meaning it was between her getting voted off, or another group.  As it turned out of course, Ashlee stayed on the show.  But I’ve thought about her attitude while being in the bottom 2 - and she showed tremendous poise and self-control. 

Not once can I remember from last weeks show did a cut over to Ashlee show her looking nervous, or like, “oh no! they didn’t pick me to sing!”.  She was solid the whole night - never once showing disappointment or sadness about being the bottom 2.  In fact, she showed what it means to be a star - take the good with the bad.

I think about Ashlee a lot because I know this business, just about as well as anyone in the business - and it’s a tough business.  Sometimes, I’m thrilled for her - because she is so talented, and so deserving.  Sometimes, I’m sad for her, because not all of this business is recording and performing - doing the things you love.

A lot of this business is people talking badly about you.  It’s about the photo’s that intrude on your privacy.  It’s about what you wore, and how you look, and what you said, and how you act and all the other little petty things that don’t make a hill of beans.

I’m just really thankful that no matter what, Ashlee knows who she is as a person - and though sometimes when people say negative things it can sting, it isn’t going to change who she is.  She’s going to be fine.

And that goes for the industry as well.  Should there come a day when Ashlee is voted off, I’m not worried about her in the least.  She’s going to be just fine - and will probably be one of the first to sign a record deal. 

That’s not to say I don’t think she’s going to go all the way - I believe she’s going to win this thing out-right.  But even if she doesn’t - she’s the real winner - because she’s going to be fine.  And a huge star.

Now on to the show…

I’m kindof curious if tonight is the night that ‘they’ (the producers) show clips that make Ashlee look bad?  Maybe.  When you’re talking reality TV, and especially the kind of ‘reality’ that NBC has cooked up here, what they choose to air makes a huge difference in the way you’re perceived.  So far the coverage of Ashlee has been pretty positive - which is a great thing.  But again, this is ‘reality’… in the real reality, an artist has at least some control over what others see and how they see it — with a show like this, you don’t know what the world will see until you see it along with the world.  I’m hoping that the ‘powers that be’ continue to show favorable coverage for Ashlee.

It’s still my firm belief that Warner Bros, John Rich, and most everyone else involved would much, MUCH rather see Ashlee as the winner (becuase she is really the only true star on the show) because they know - it will be much harder to break all the other artist.

I’ve not seen or read what the actual ‘recording contract’ says, but I would bet it depends on who the winner is.  If it’s someone the label doens’t feel like they can have a long and sustainable career with, it’ll probably be a one-off single just to fufill the obligation.  If it’s Ashlee, it’s probably going to be a full-tilt contract with a full album, radio support, video support, tour support, etc.  In other words, the works.  They just can’t do that with any other artist left on the show - it wouldn’t be ‘good business’ - and there’s always Nashville Star 7 - only a year away. 

I doubt very seriously it’ll be back on NBC - they seemed to have ruined it this year (not that I would know, I’ve never watched the show in prior years).  And that is too bad for Ashlee, because even though 5 million more people know her now (they should’ve all been reading NashvilleHype!), this years show is considered a complete failure to nearly everyone on the outside.

That has nothing to do with Ashlee, or her talent, it’s only unfortunate because it makes it seem she comes from a ‘bad crop’ of artist - and she’s going to have to work 10 times harder to make a real dent.  This show should’ve made it be an easy breeze into the top.  But that’s the business.  It’s a hard business.  But if anyone knows about working hard, it’s Ashlee.  Like I said, she’s going to be fine.

The shows about to start.

UPDATE!!!

Ashlee Goes First AGAIN!!

Dang.  She is SO good.  I mean, really.

And here’s Jewel… she’s a fan.  Of course.  But then, she’s gotta make it about herself.

Jeffrey liked her, of course.

John loves her… of course!

VOTE FOR ASHLEE!!! 1-866-978-2704

UPDATE!!

They let the artist just speak for themselves.  Ashlee told WHY she chose “Cowboy Take Me Away” and the whole segment was about HER - not John Rich, not Jewel, not anyone else… just Ashlee - the ARTIST. 

About Time!

OH JOHN JUST SAID WHAT WE ALLLLL THOUGHT!!!  NBC CHOSE THE ARTIST!!  They were smart with a FEW artist… thank God for Ashlee (and I can agree with Gabe, though not for Nashville) … but man were they way off on a lot of those artist.

John just ABSOLVED himself and all the judges of responsibility on the talent chosen…

Which it’s been CLEAR - there’s only a COUPLE of real artist… and they’ve already sang tonight.  The rest were ‘casted’.  Gee.  Way to blow it NBC - and the ratings.

Doesn’t matter.  Cream rises to the top - and I know for a FACT that Ashlee was a very hot topic here in Nashville long before Nashville Star - cause I did my BEST to let everyone know.  And there’s a reason she’s on the show - she’s a real, hard working, talent!

100+ shows a year, for 6 years vs. two young girls cast by NBC that just started singing in March???  yeah.  That’s ‘reality’.   

First of all, if you’ve not gone to your local Cracker Barrel and picked up Aaron’s new cd “He Believed” you definately should.

Second, if you’ve not ever had a chance to see Aaron in concert, or it’s been a while, you should definately make plans when he comes to a city near you. 

Rachel had come to Nashville because she had a writing appointment with Rissi Palmer and was set to also meet her producer Keith Thomas.  It was a monday, which was a perfect night to go see our friend Ashlee Hewitt perform on Nashville Star - so we met at Opry Mills.  While getting caught up on all the goings on, Rachel happened to mention she was going to be in Florida at the same time I was - opening for Aaron.

Aaron puts on a great show - it’s a high energy show that touches on every emotion, and has a few surprises in store as well.

You know I’ve been friends with Aaron for 15 years or more and one of the reasons we get along so well is because he has the biggest heart - he constantly is giving to others - not only his time, but also gifts.  One of the surprises during the show (and I’m not going to give it away here, you’ll have to go see for yourself) is one of the gifts he gives away at each show — over 600 times he’s given a gift to this organization and that alone is worth the price of admission.

But then you add in the fact you know almost EVERY song he sings (Aaron has had SO many hits) and you have yourself a great show and a good time.

I had called Aaron to tell him to take good care of Rachel who was opening his show, but I failed to mention that I was actually coming down to see the show myself (my ‘vacation’ was actually to go see my sister and family, it just happened to turn out that this concert was happening) — so after the fireworks I thought I’d go over and talk with Aaron for a little bit.

Aaron had a line longer than the stage itself!  It wrapped around and zigged and zagged.  He met with EVERYONE of his fans that wanted to meet.  He took pictures, signed autographs, and as time allowed, had conversations.  Seems like his ‘meet and greet’ line took longer than his actual show.  THAT should tell you something about what kind of person he is - and has always been.

As my neices and I waited around back we watched as the line finally dwindled down - and as Aaron was set to leave, we watched him sign another dozen or so autographs (and take as many pictures) - on the way back to the bus!

Aaron Tippin is a star - as a person.  I’m thrilled that his new album is doing so well.  You can’t go wrong with Aaron Tippin.  Seriously.  Buy his music, go to his shows - you’ll have the time of your life.

Pictures below:

Rachel Farley on Stage

Rachel Farley again

The Hardest Working Man in Music - Aaron Tippin

Aaron Tippin

And last, my beautiful neices Loren and Melissa (Loren is going to be a SuperStar! - not in country music, in acting, singing, dancing - Disney style!)

The truth is, with the success of fathers Keith, Paul, and Phil respectively, one might think that the Nashville based HotChelleRae would in fact be a standout country band.  Wrong.

(photo Keaggy Photography)

HotChelleRae ROCK!  And not in your typical, “we’re going to start a band and play” kind-of way.  More in a “Guns-N-Roses were 14 years ago and we’re going to kick it up a couple notches”.  Not to compare HotChelleRae to GNR’s music, they aren’t the same - it’s the attitude.  You only have to listen to the confidence in the vocals to hear how the attitude is ‘rock star’ all the way.  These guys are set to hit HUGE - and on a national level.

The music is good old fashion rock-n-roll with almost a dance style backbeat.  Maybe even disco in ways - but the two songs on their myspace are more anthems than something to be danced to.  Confused you yet?  Yeah, that’s because it’s kind-of hard to classify this type of rock-n-roll.  There’s a TON of influences you can hear in the music, but the bottom line always comes back to one thing - these guys ROCK!

Fortunately, if you want to hear them live they’re going to be playing a show at 12th & Porter July 12th at 9pm  with some other Nashville rock stars Luna Halo - who fuse their own brand of pop and rock together to create some VERY catchy music.

There are supposed to be some other special surprises in store for you at the show as well.  You don’t want to miss this show.