Owen, Janson and Others Bring the Thunder

Owen, Janson and Others Bring the Thunder 

by Tracy Nightingale

No shortage of eye candy for the ladies is how one might describe the list of only male headlining performers who played July 18-21 at Country Thunder in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin this concert season. Noted as one of the strongest festival line-ups this year, this 4 day long country music extravaganza had been sold out for months prior to anyone taking the stage. The first one to do that, and a definite highlight, was Chris Janson, who’s single “Better I Don’t” might have been good advice for at least a few of the 40,000 party goers who filled the grounds each day. Although it should be said that the security team who had to deal with those who were disruptive, did so in a swift and professional manner. Justin Moore and Dierks Bentley followed on opening night and both had strong, energetic sets that set the tone for the rest of the weekend.

Other than the women of Little Big Town, who never disappoint, newcomers Morgan Frazier, “Yellow Brick Road” and Sarah Darling, “Little Umbrellas” rounded out the only other female artists on the bill, though both had early sets. Keith Urban and Brad Paisley were tops on nights 2 and 3 respectively and both undoubtedly brought the best of their world tour, arena shows with them. The fourth and final headliner was Jake Owen, who may be less experienced as a headliner than the other three but you would never have known it. All eyes were on him and at one point, his wife and baby girl whom he proudly brought on stage.  Hunter Hayes, Chris Young, Joe Nichols, Phil Vassar, Lee Brice, Dustin Lynch, Parmalee and Brett Eldredge are just more of the reasons that this years line-up was so strong. Heading into their 22nd year, Country Thunder, Twin Lakes, Wisconsin 2014 tickets are currently on sale and going fast.

On The Road With Chris Janson

On The Road With Chris Janson

By

Tracy Nightingale & Chuck Schultz

We had a chance this summer to catch up with one of the hottest singers in Country Music, Chris Janson. Here are some highlights.

Magazine of Country Music: You’re finally getting some airplay on radio with “Better I Don’t.”

Chris Janson: It’s a blessing, the song really is a great thing ‘cuz I wrote it with my life.

MCM: What is the update on your album.

CJ: Just finished recording all the songs, we need to choose what we want on it. I’ll just decide on a random whim probably what’s on it (laughs).

MCM: With all the road travel do you still get to do any co-writes?

CJ: Yeah I’ve actually had a chance to write with some of my buddies and actually did some songs with the Lo-Cash Cowboys and I wrote on “Make it Look Good,””Bumpin’ Tailgates,” and “Bouncing in The Back of My Truck.” They’re great guys, love working with them and it really has been a blessing to be able to share the success of “Truck Yeah” with those guys as well.

MCM: Yeti? On the Guitar, is that a cooler?

CJ: Oh man great question finally someone asks me about it. It’s a great travel cooler, I was too darn broke to buy one and one of the reps was at a show and said put a sticker on your guitar and we’ll work something out. Well of course I did and they are amazing, I use it for hunting and love their gear.

MCM: Justin Moore’s upcoming album Off The Beaten Path is a song you wrote. How does it feel to have your song not only cut but the title track on someone’s album?

CJ: Well the long and the short of it is I’m one of the dudes biggest fans out there, have been for years. Love what he does and it’s always an honor to get anybody to sing your music for one whether it be yours or something you wrote for somebody else. The fact that he recorded one of my songs is huge. I thought ok great, if it doesn’t even make the record, fine at least he’s heard it. Long story short is he’s made it the title track to his new record. It’s awesome, I’m thankful for it and it’s another stepping stone.

MCM: You’re first Opry show was in February, how many times does it make to date?

CJ:  11 times and every time it is the greatest event musically in my life, you just can’t duplicate the feeling, I’ve blessed everytime I take the stage.

MCM: What’s the major inspiration when you write?

CJ: My family. And just stories of the past, funny stories mostly, alot of humor; and then three just fans man. Being on the road and learning things everyday and seein new things, it just comes from everyday life. It all generally starts out with things in my family. “Holding Her,”ya know it’s about my wife and kids. They’re all just original songs.”

This guy is the real deal, a true soul and amazing talent. Check out more at chrisjanson.com

Photo Credit; Kelly E Schultz, Tracy Nightingale

Darius Rucker With Blankets And A Bottle Of Wine Is "Alright"

*contributed by Chicago Journalist- Tracy Nightingale*

When trying to describe Darius Rucker on stage, the only thing that comes to mind is a quote from a recent romantic comedy. “The perfect combination of sexy and cute” sums him up best as he’s got a few moves and a mega watt smile that can be felt in the back of the house. Touted as the oldest outdoor music venue in the U.S., Ravinia Festival located a bit north of Chicago, was recent host to the singer along with a sold out crowd of nearly 20,000 fans; more than 15,000 of them on a lawn with no line of sight to the stage. It’s a lawn of mature trees and sculptures where folks bring in food, wine, candles and friends for a late afternoon of fancy picnicking and an evening of some of the best music in town. The small-ish pavilion held the remainder of fans where, while Rucker was performing, looked and felt a bit more like a rock concert.

Jana Kramer launched the evening with her unique blend of pop princess looks and hints of classic country sound. She made apologies for the summer shower that began just before singing her latest single “I Hope it Rains”, but no one seemed to mind; most of them sang and danced right along.  As the venue filled in, it was apparent how many people made sure they were there to hear all the familiar tunes Rodney Atkins was about to feature. His band proved to be of equal talent and the mix of the two had a great energy throughout his set.

Countless artists undoubtedly love what they do when they’re performing but no one, in my experience, is more believable than Rucker. His happiness is infectious and there’s a likability there where somehow you inherently know that if you bumped into him on the street, he’s the same guy that sings the songs you blast in the shower. And, of course, sing along with. The whole band visually emulates his joyful feeling so it has to say something about working with a guy like that. Song after song, he never lost an ounce of attention even with a fan base spanning at least of couple of decades. Those in their 40’s reveled in the songs from his Hootie & the Blowfish days while the twenty somethings often asked “Who’s Hootie?”. Well, he’s a talented entertainer with a ton of hits who’s still going strong in a genre that seemingly welcomed him with open arms. Oh, and, he’s the perfect combination of sexy and cute.

My Taylor Swift Take

Having been able to view the meteoric rise of Taylor Swift from an interesting vantage point, I feel the need to finally put into words something I've been wanting to say for a couple of years now. When you are on an insane ascent and you gain incredible popularity, society, music critics, music 'fans' and others  immediately look to see what is wrong. "Oh she's not country," "she writes music I can't relate to,""she can't sing." Now I'm not here to take away anyone's right to be an idiot or their opinion but let's get one thing clear, if you're mighty 'indie band' or Bob Dylan, The Beatles or say Radiohead or whatever the flavor of the day is, wouldn't you get a little sideways if someone continually ran you into the wall?

I could write about this for a few pages but I'll just leave it with this...

"Taylor Swift looks built to last, and I hope that we'll be hearing from her for a long, long time. But talent is a fickle suitor, times change, and most of all, you never know. If you're denying yourself the pleasure of listening to the world's greatest pop star because you think she's for little kids, or because you don't like who you think she's dating, or, most of all, you think you'll catch up with her when she matures, I urge you to stop sitting on your hands and get with the program. It's 2013; it's her day. This is the golden age of something good and right and real. It won't last forever." Tris McCall, Newark Star-Ledger.

Taylor Made-Independent Artist of The Year

Taylor Made comprises of siblings Wendy Williams, Greg Duckworth and Brian Duckworth, hail from Taylor County, West Virginia and earned MusicRow Magazine’s Independent Artist Of The Year Award. The trio has been performing together since childhood, blending three part harmonies and old school front porch pickin.’ 

“We’ve been writing and to get to come to CRS this early we can’t wait to get started giggin’ 2013 so it’s great to win this award this soon we are so excited for the future.”

Taylor Made had the opportunity to play the big tailgate party at West Virginia University. In the coal moving gear called a “mantrip.” “It was such a fun time, I don’t remember,” laughs Wendy.

When it comes to writing the inspiration comes from anywhere, “It is very seldom that a good song is planned, In my heart the best songs are never planned,” Greg said with a sense that told me, there really is no other way is there?

Taylor Made’s new single “That’s What Life Is.” Is gaining traction on radio and the new album will be coming out this Summer. This is a band you truly need to keep an ear and eye out for, call your local station and ask for them to play Taylor Made.  You can keep track of them at; www.taylormademusic.com.

Welcome

We have been telling you for the past couple weeks of something new. Well here we are. A blog called "The Ville." Will highlight music, photography, food and even some literary insight. Of course you'll see a large representation of Country Music, but also read about other roots based genres (bluegrass, blues, folk).
Hope you like what we have to offer. To start this off we'll be highlighting some of the interviews conducted during Country Radio Seminar in February in Nashville, TN.

Photo of Little Big Town singing the National Anthem to start CRS 2013. Photo by Kelly E Schultz