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NOT-SO CORNY: SONGWRITER GARY NICHOLSON, ALTER-EGO WHITEY JOHNSON SHARE JUNE 7 RELEASE FOR BLUE CORN MUSIC ALBUMS THE GREAT DIVIDE AND MORE DAYS LIKE THIS

4/30/2019

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(Courtesy: Conqueroo)
Texas-born Nashvillian Nicholson probes nation’s fault lines, urges healing;
Johnson delivers the medicine in doses of R&B-flavored ‘feel better blues’ 


Gary Nicholson’s mile-long list of achievements as a songwriter, producer and performer includes writing credits on hundreds of country, blues, Americana and pop songs recorded by some of the world’s best no-last-name-needed legends, from B.B., Bonnie, Buddy and Delbert to Ringo, Waylon and Willie. But unless they’ve seen him in action, most people couldn’t pick the two-time Grammy winner out of a lineup. Performing under two different names — his own, and that of “obscure bluesman” Whitey Johnson— while releasing hardly any albums credited to either, has only fanned the air of mystery that seems to surround his career. But the simultaneous June 7, 2019 arrival of two new albums — Nicholson’s The Great Divide and Johnson’s More Days Like This— should go a long way toward connecting the dots for fans of the aforementioned legends and legions of other artists who regularly tap the Nashville resident’s talents. Both titles are being released by Texas label Blue Corn Music — a bit of icing on the cake for the 2011 Texas Heritage Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee.
 
“Having both records come out at once gives me a chance to present different directions my music has been taking lately,” Nicholson explains. “Since 2016, I haven’t been able to stop writing songs in reaction to this hurtful political climate. At the same time, I’ve been having a lot of fun playing my funkier, bluesy R&B songs with various musicians around the country as Whitey Johnson.”

In The Great Divide’s folk-rooted, mostly self-penned songs, Nicholson contemplates our nation’s troubled state, while appealing for us to bridge our schisms and find common ground. 
 
“It's overwhelming for all of us,” Nicholson says. “We need music to soothe our souls, as it did in the days of ‘For What It’s Worth’ and ‘What's Going On’ and ‘Give Peace a Chance.’ Back then, music helped us get through the madness a little easier. With today’s troubles, I wasn’t hearing anybody singing about what’s on everybody’s mind every day, so I decided I had to put these songs out there.’”

More Days Like This leavens the gravity of that subject matter with mood-elevating doses of “feel-better blues,” the perfect prescription for getting any party started — or just giving listeners a little respite from worldly woes.

Whitey Johnson
In addition to three never-recorded solo compositions, More Days Like This features versions of seven Nicholson co-writes popularized by artists he’s been working with for years. “The Blues Is Alive and Well” and “Skin Deep” became the title tracks of two Buddy Guy albums — both of which won Best Contemporary Blues Album Grammys. Nicholson wrote “Starting a Rumor” with Guy Clark and Delbert McClinton, who recorded it on Acquired Taste. (Nicholson earned his Grammys for producing McClinton’s Best Contemporary Blues Album winners Nothing Personal and Cost of Living.) Robert Plant is one of several artists who covered the gorgeous, bluesy soul ballad “If It’s Really Gotta Be This Way,” written by Nicholson, Donnie Fritts and Muscle Shoals legend Arthur Alexander. Except for that melancholy breakup song and the anti-racism message of “Skin Deep,” More Days Like This mostly maintains a good-time R&B-revue vibe, while nodding to the bluesmen Nicholson has revered since childhood — the ones who inspired Whitey Johnson’s creation 10 years ago. That blues influence also appears on The Great Divide; the tune “Trickle Down” could easily be covered by Taj Mahal and his pal Keb’ Mo’. (Nicholson, Taj and Keb’ Mo’, coincidentally, co-wrote “Don’t Leave Me Here,” the first single on the duo’s Grammy-winning TajMo album). In “The Blues in Black and White,” Nicholson recounts the racism he saw while touring with black musicians as a teen. Those experiences left strong impressions, compelling him to speak out against the hatred rising.
 
He laments these ills in “God Help America,” which debuted with a majestic, moving video before the November midterm elections. A soulful duet with Texas gospel-blues great Ruthie Foster, Nicholson’s recasting of the standard becomes a prayer for strength to repair the foundational cracks in our “sweet, troubled home.” There’s a more hopeful attitude on the ragtime sing-along, “Hallelujah Anyhow,” on which he’s joined by the McCrary Sisters. Nicholson and master multi-instrumentalist John Jorgensen built the album’s tracks at Nicholson’s studio, Fearless Recording, with additional guests including Dan Dugmore, Colin Linden and Joe Robinson. More Days Like This, recorded over two days at Nashville’s Blackbird Studio, also features Linden and the McCrarys, along with McClinton and several other guests. Together, these albums present two more chapters in a remarkable, wide-ranging career. Nicholson is thankful he’s had opportunities to collaborate with so many of his heroes, as well as contemporary artists from Joe Bonamassa to Brad Paisley. 
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“It’s great to be able to do all this,” he says, adding, “I’m just having fun making music.”
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NFL Draft Weekend: Dierks Bentley to Perform Free St. Jude Marathon Post-Race Concert

4/23/2019

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To reference Dierks himself, (and considering the amount of NFL draft activity converging upon Music City) you might have to "climb like hell through the brush and the bramble" to see his free outside stage show in downtown Nashville this weekend. But hey, if you're true a Dierks Bentley devotee we know you're a riser. This year marks the 20th for the "Rock N' Roll Marathon" (formerly Country Music Marathon, we might add) to raise funds for St. Jude and it's showing no signs of backing down. This year there will even be dogs dashing around! For more information visit  www.RunRocknRoll.com. 

Partial Schedule of Events (Click "Read More")

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Actually, Erin Enderlin DOES Give a Damn

4/23/2019

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Purchase "Tonight..." by clickng album art above.
Acclaimed singer/songwriter Erin Enderlin's newest EP (the first of many, according to a recent hour-long sit-in on legendary radio station 650) may be entitled Tonight I Don't Give a Damn, but -- reality check -- her give a damn's NOT busted. In fact, with all of the excitement double E continues to bring to the table over the past year-ish it would seem she's just getting started. Her songs have been recorded by Lee Ann Womack ("Last Call"), Alan Jackson (the haunting "Monday Morning Church"), Terri Clark and most recently Reba and...oh, yeah - man of many talents Rodney Crowell (Enderlin's a co-writer on said song; the to-the-point-titled "You're Only Happy When You're Miserable" with Crowell) joined by Ringo Starr on Crowell's upcoming project Texas. She'll bring her boots to the Opry table, er...circle to close out tonight's world-famous jam session alongside the one and only Ricky Skaggs and just in case that isn't quite enough, she's signing copies of Tonight after the show in the Opry Shop. Tune into the Opry broadcast live from anywhere at opry.com. Tonight I Don't Give a Damn officially releases on 4/26. --Melissa Coker/TCC
#RodneyCrowell #ErinEnderlin #Opry #Damn

Click "read more" for Texas track listing.
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4/23 Opry schedule screenshot. Purchase Enderlin's 2017 release Whiskeytown Crier ​HERE .


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Educating America Tour: Tennessee Offers Free Memory Screenings at CMHOF

4/22/2019

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In light of recent heartbreakingly unfortunate news about the health of Country music stalwart Hal Ketchum, it seems only fitting that the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum be a place where the Alzheimer's Foundation of America shines on a light on this devastating disease which often strikes from seemingly nowhere. There will also be a discussion about memory and the power music plays in it. If you are in the area try to set aside some time to get tested. Schedule below. Find out more at alzfdn.org.
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Enhance Your Easter (and Beyond) with Country Faith's New Release

4/18/2019

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Legendary country music stars including Randy Travis, Alison Krauss, Brad Paisley, and Charlie Daniels lent their talents to create a project filled with timeless Church hymns dedicated to the celebration and worship of the rise of God. Country Faith Hymns Vol. 2 is available to download through digital outlets iTunes and Amazon, while physical copies are available at all Cracker Barrel locations. This release will mark the ninth album release in the series.
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The popular books written by award-winning author Deborah Evans Price, “Country Faith” (No. 1 on People Magazine’s Special Country Edition) and “Country Faith Christmas” (feat. on Billboard, Country Weekly & iTunes Top 10 Country Albums Chart), originally inspired the Country Faith music series. Evans Price marvels at how far the Country Faith series has come:

“I’m so thrilled that this is our ninth album in the Country Faith music series. It’s been a wonderful journey filled with lots of amazing artists and powerful songs, and Country Faith Hymns Vol. 2 continues that tradition. This collection features a great blend of legendary artists such as Charlie Daniels, Randy Travis and Charley Pride alongside talented newcomers like Drew Baldridge and Mo Pitney as well as perennial favorites Wade Hayes, The Bellamy Brothers and Brad Paisley singing classic hymns that have stood the test of time.” Buy it here: shop.crackerbarrel.com/music-movies-books/music/inspirational/country-faith-hymns-vol-2-cd/700492

Country Faith Hymns Vol. 2: Track Listing:
1.  When We All Get To Heaven— Brad Paisley
2.  Jesus Help Me To Stand— Alison Krauss & Union Station
3.  Peace In The Valley— Randy Travis
4.  Swing Down Chariot— Charlie Daniels
5.  Amazing Grace - Billy Ray Cyrus
6.  How Deep The Father’s Love For Us – Mo Pitney
7.  Sonshine – Aaron Watson
8. This Little Light of Mine – Jason Crabb (ft. Ashleigh Crabb)
9. Just a Closer Walk With Thee – T. Graham Brown
10. It Is Well With My Soul – Drew Baldridge (feat. Mike & Doug Baldridge)
11. When King Jesus Calls His Children – The Judds
12. What A Friend We Have In Jesus – B.J. Thomas
13. In Christ Alone – Wade Hayes
14. Suppertime – The Bellamy Brothers
15. The Church In the Wildwood – Charley Pride
16. The Lord’s Prayer – LeAnn Rimes

​#RandyTravis #AlisonKrauss #TheJudds #MoPitney #WadeHayes #Hymns

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Earl Thomas Conley Passes Away

4/10/2019

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Not being one who typically takes kindly to bringing deaths to the public eye I couldn't help chiming in when I learned via Twitter the news that Earl Thomas Conley has passed away. Earl Thomas Conley was a true original. It's hard to believe that today he's gone. His recording career includes 42 singles; an impressive portion of which are No. 1's. Just some of his many successes include his co-written Top 10 radio favorite "Silent Treatment," released in November of 1980, "Fire and Smoke," "Heavenly Bodies," the #1 classic "Holding Her and Loving You," the Emmylou Harris duet "We Believe in Happy Endings," "Shadow of a Doubt," and "Brotherly Love" with Keith Whitley. Conley's work has clearly had a significant impact on contemporary artists over the years: for example; longtime fans of Gary Allan in fact might have even come to know of Conley through Allan's tremendous cover of the beautifully haunting "What I'd Say" (first recorded by Conley) on the album Alright Guy. Clay Walker once charted a live recording of "Holding Her and Loving You."

​Social media is of course flooded with shocked empathy as remembrances and condolences continue to pour in. "Sad sad day for country music. Earl Thomas Conley left on his journey to heaven early this morning. R.I.P. my friend." writes country legend TG Sheppard. Radio and TV host Storme Warren called ETC "one of the all timers!" And Blake Shelton tweeted an especially moving tribute and shared a sweet photo of himself with Conley (see below). The two co-wrote Shelton's hit "All Over Me." It is indeed a sad day for country music.
©-Melissa Coker

My heart is absolutely destroyed today... I’m sad to report that Earl Thomas Conley passed away very early this morning. Earl was my all time favorite singer, hero and my friend. Prayers to his family. We will all miss you deeply my brother. Now go rest... pic.twitter.com/W75ZVV6fbe

— Blake Shelton (@blakeshelton) April 10, 2019
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Where Strait's Going He Doesn't Need Roads

4/8/2019

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Throwing both caution and every other vowel to the wind, George Strait continues to demonstrate in his perfectly delivered trademark style of raucous understatement just one of the ways he's still the king with current single “Every Little Honky Tonk Bar” (written by George, Bubba Strait and Dean Dillon) sitting supreme in the Top 20 on the country charts. -Melissa Coker

George Strait further imprinted his iconic status within the history of country music today with a record-making 27th No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Country Albums Chart with his latest, Honky Tonk Time Machine travelling to the top. With 51,000 equivalent album units, the album also lands at No. 4 on the all-genre Billboard 200 chart and marks the largest week of 2019 for any country album. As reported by Billboard
, “George Strait extends his record for the most No. 1s in the five-decade history of Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart, as the King of Country logs his 27th leader with the chart-topping debut of Honky Tonk Time Machine.”  Purchase the album here.
 
Produced by George Strait and Chuck Ainley, Honky Tonk Time Machine includes 13 tracks, eight of which were written by Strait himself. The album includes “Sing One with Willie” featuring Willie Nelson and Strait's own take on the aching just-right Johnny Paycheck classic “Old Violin.”  

Strait kicked off his album launch with a sold-out show at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Performing hits from across his 30+ year career plus debuting songs from the new album, the Atlanta Journal Constitution notes, “More than 50,000 sang along heartily” with Strait, “a guy who can command a massive audience merely by tapping his right boot heel.”
 
Established hit singer and songwriter Brice Long had a hand in penning the title track and “Some Nights”.

Click "read more" for the complete track and writer list. 


www.cbs.com/shows/academy_of_country_music/video/D54E86E1-2A01-EEA0-06BD-FDF7EBC54D25/george-strait-performs-god-and-country-music-at-the-54th-acm-awards/


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    About

    Hi. I'm a member of the country club. Country Music is what I love.  

    ​Are you somewhere that you don't belong? Without a jukebox and a country song? Maybe you came here seeking a nice, bright, sunny, resort-y kind of place. The kind of place festooned with ferns. Maybe this was even your LAST resort. We hope not. But don't worry, we still have the best of intentions with this blog - you might not find a lot of tennis but we still intend to raise a racket now and then. (In other words --- although you will sometimes find press releases here we net ORIGINAL content too).

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