NashvilleHype!

This is Me, Me, Me week on Nashville Star — well, for ALL the OTHER artist, who apparently are so new to writing songs they CAN’T write about anything but themselves. 

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.”

This is a rare release of a practice session for Ashlee Hewitt’s original song, “Mike’s Hard Lemonade“, on tomorrow nights Nashville 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:

This is an exclusive interview of Ashlee Hewitt on “Home Grown Country“, a local music show based in the mid-west.  This is a pretty good interview and it touches on several different topics, and gives you a pretty good idea of what Ashlee is really like.  If you listen to the end, you’ll really hear where Ashlee’s heart is and what she’s going to be doing next week — it’s really cool.

Ashlee Hewitt Radio Interview

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

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

 

Before the show starts tonight I wanted to write a little bit of my thoughts on Ashlee Hewitt from last weeks show.

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’.   

As you know I just returned from a short vacation in Florida where I got to see my two friends Rachel Farley and Aaron Tippin in concert.

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!)

When your pedigree comes from iconic last names in the industry like Follesse, Overstreet, and Keaggy - and you’re currently recording a new cd for famed former Chairman/C.E.O. of Sony Music Group Don Ienner, you MUST be making some great music right?  Right.

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.