LATEST COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS SHOW

Well, last night was the latest in what seems to be a every other month awards program for country music. This one, the ACM Awards from Las Vegas, included some high and lows for sure. First, lets hit the high points. George Strait once again proves why he sits atop the country music world. Strait took home the highest award as voted by fans, The Entertainer of the Year. For myself, the highlight of the evening was George Straits cover of Merle Haggard' classic "Lonesome Fugitive". Covering a classic, especially on stage in front of the performer himself, can be quite a daunting task. Strait, however, knocked it out of the park. His vocals proved why he is the best. To be fair, Miranda Lambert also did well, with her Merle Haggard cover "The Bottle Let Me Down".
The low point, and honestly there were MANY LOW POINTS....would be the Hunter Hayes performance. Whoever is pushing Hayes in front of all of us needs to stop. He can not stay on pitch to save his life, and his vocals actually hurt, The song itself, "Invisible", might be decent, but why are they pushing Hayes at all times everywhere, when it is painfully honest the guy can not sing.
Oh...and who invited Toby Keith out of obscurity to make a live performance? Has someone not told Keith his minute in the sun has passed with the red solo cup?

JASON EADY SHINES IN NEW RELEASE "DAYLIGHT AND DARK"

Following up his much acclaimed 2012 release “AM Country Heaven”, Jason Eady once again takes aim at the lost art of traditional country music, and fully hits the target dead center. His new release “Daylight & Dark”, hits the more mellow side of country music. This one does have its share of toe tapers, and of course drinking laments, but the soulful qualities of Eady shine here.
Teaming up with Kevin Welch who produces the record, and multi talented Fats Kaplin on steel guitar and fiddle, Eady has a solid foundation to build a great record. Mix in the co-writing and sweet harmonies of his fiance Courtney Patton, and top it off with the bonus track "A Memory Now" featuring co-writers and performers Hayes Carll along with Turnpike Troubadour Evan Felker, you have captured lightning in a bottle.
Eady starts out the record with a thumping toe tapper "OK Whiskey", which recounts a true Texan's sorrow with government mandated 3.2 beer in neighboring Oklahoma. Follow that up with the woeful trip to "The Other Side of Abilene", which tends to linger in your memory banks for days, and you see clearly this record has a flow and purpose. Eady is taking the listener upon a trip through the sorrows and struggles of life.
This struggle reaches its peak of course with the title track "Daylight and Dark", which poetically emphasizes the two sides which may exist within a persons life, and the mental anguish that can create. As Eady sings this one, you can feel the struggle within ones soul searching for a higher purpose and reason.
Eady has a remarkable voice, which can paint a picture within the music, He truly shines within songs where the layers are completely pulled back, allowing his vocals and words to pierce your heart. "Liars and Fools", along with the cover "Whiskey and You", written by Chris Stapleton and Lee Thomas Miller, are two highlights that poignantly strike you most here.
This entire record harkens back to the traditional styles of country music. While listening, I was often reminded of Don Williams or even early Merle Haggard. Eady is a true gem, and hopefully he is able to keep up this tradition and release country music as it should be done.

THE DEADFIELDS - OFTEN WRONG, NEVER IN DOUBT

It is not often that a new artist/band hits me with such force as The Deadfields have done with their new release "Often Wrong, Never In Doubt". From the very first song, "Cuttin' Ties", you could hear the talent and recognize keen writing ability as well. In fact, as the first song ended, I switched my location to become a bit more comfortable, hit replay and started all over again.
I was astounded by the sheer ease in which their talents seem to flow. My first thought was "I hope the second song is not a major disappointment. This sounds promising". As the second song began, which is the title cut, I was hooked. Not only were they talented, they also had a wry sense of humor which I enjoy sometimes in my music. Do not take yourself or your music too seriously, have fun with it, and let it flow. That is exactly what The Deadfields were doing here.
I do not believe in specific genre classifications, many artists are adept at performing any type of music. Fortunately, The Deadfields are able to cross over any genre and make it fun and enjoyable to hear. The tight vocal harmonies throughtout the record, plus toe tapping arrangements and instrumentals keep you fixated. There is literally something for everyone here.
And by the time you think it could get no better...think again. As I listen to any record the first time through, I always try to do so with an open mind...meaning I try not to look at the song list and think this will be a rocker or this will be a ballad. I want the music to control me...not the other way around and me trying to guess what it will do next. So, as I get toward the end of the record, just after listening to a foot stomping raucous song "If It Don't Matter", I hear a lone banjo picking out a song. I am an avid acoustic banjo fan...so this immediately captured my attention. As I began listening to each string and the progression, I thought this sounds rather familiar to me. Then, once the band all came in to start the song, I yelled "no way", and laughed. The Deadfields had just covered Nirvana's "All Apologies" in a way that sends tingling pleasure up your spine. Of course, I had to listen again...and enjoyed it even more.
The Deadfields were new to me with this record. I only hope they continue to create great music. I know I will be keeping an eye out for it.

http://thedeadfields.com/home

LONE SURVIVOR - GO SEE IT

Normally I do not promote movies or provide movie reviews here, but I felt this one deserved special recognition and discussion.
This weekend I went to see the new movie Lone Survivor. I went into it uncertain what to expect, given the trailers I had seen on TV and of course the history behind the true story survivor, Marcus Luttrell.
The movie begins with actual footage of soldiers enduring the brutal seal training. I happened to read one reviewer state he felt this was misplaced, and did not do service to the movie. He could not have been further from the truth. In my opinion, seeing the actual training footage allows the viewer to see what these brave men go through to become the soldiers that serve our country proudly. This strength, and where it is established, are an important part of watching the entire movie.
The movie itself is very well done in my opinion. It does not attempt to glamorize war, or to minimize the sacrifices these men must make in order to serve our country. Of course there is blood, death, and brutality. It is a war, not a vacation. These issues were well portrayed within the movie.
The choices and decisions these soldiers must make were very well laid out. The inability to establish exactly who you are fighting or should trust, the government red tape tying the hands of these soldiers on what they are able to do just to protect themselves from harm. All of these issues are on display here and play an integral part of the movie, as it should.
The ending of the film was also extremely effective and well placed. By showing these real life soldiers who died during this actual event, and mixing in the pictures with their own families and life away from the military, the viewer is able to see these soldiers are real people just like you and I, that have sacrificed so much in order to serve their country, and yet done so proudly and heroically.
I admit I had tears in my eyes watching the end of this film. It was very moving to see what these soldiers are capable of doing, what they do to protect us, and the sacrifices they must make in order to do so.
This is a well done movie that every American should see, if nothing else perhaps to respect even more what true heroes we have around us that go unnoticed each and every day.

ANOTHER DAY, ANOTHER TIME: INSIDE LLEWYN DAVIS MUSIC IS INCREDIBLE

I was fortunate to catch a special running on Showtime this weekend about the Coen Brother's new movie "Inside Llewyn Davis", along with a concert "Another Day, Another Time", promoting the artists and music within the movie.
The movie is "loosely" based upon folk singer Dave Von Ronk, and the music scene in late 1961 in New York just before Bob Dylan hit the stage. Per music director T Bone Burnett, the lead character in the movie is not solely based on Von Ronk, but a compiliation of many similar artists at the time.
The Coen Brothers did a great job finding lead actor Oscar Isacc. I was immediately drawn to him when I heard his rendition of the classic "Hang Me Oh Hang Me". Isaac's soulful voice and finger picking guitar are a perfect combination.
The artists performing here are a vast list of great musicians including Marcus Mumford, The Punch Brothers featuring Chris Thile, and even Justin Timberlake continues to impress with his durability performing well here.
The concert also features Dave Rawlings and Gillian Welch, The Avett Brothers, Jack White, Patti Smith, Rhiannon Giddens, The Milk Carton Kids, and Lake Street Dive. Each did a great job, hopefully introducing many to how beautiful the purity of music can be without techno enhancements.
One quote from the movie I loved...and it is the last words as the concert footage ends..."If it isn't new...if it isn't old...then it must be folk". Count me among the folk music lovers. Check this movie and concert out if possible.

ODD THINGS TO HAVE CAME OUT OF GARTH'S BIG SHOW

OK...sadly I must admit..I was among those left with nothing better to do the other night than to turn on the Garth Brooks live Vegas show. It was much like a car wreck..you know the kind where you try not to look..but you can not help but stare at it? While you can not dispute Garth has talent as an entertainer...I have been hit and miss on his musical career...and never quite got over the fact he flat out stole Todd Snider's cult classic "Beer Run" without even asking or paying a penny.
Anyway, Garth tried to take us on a trip down through his musical roots. I thought this might be interesting...just to see what he had to say about the entire Chris Gaines appearance. Funny....that was not mentioned at all.
The odd thing was another thing he did not mention at all as well. Of course, I could have missed it...or it was cut on the live broadcast...but there was no mention of Chris Ledoux. Not much attention is given to Ledoux, and I thought that was one thing Brooks had done well in the past...and would once again here.
One other thing...I hate it when a musician decides to turn his hits into short compilations...and then allows the audience to sing most of the song without him. Hey, you want to hear the musician play the song...sing the song...not part of it and move on..but all of it...and hopefully by himself and on key!

GRASCALS NEW RELEASE WORTHWHILE

I have been guilty of not being on the Grascals bandwagon in the past. While I enjoy the raw talent they possess, I have often criticized their latest releases as being to clean or over-produced for bluegrass music.
What I enjoy about bluegrass is the energy. It is pure...driven from the instrumentals or vocal harmonies...and include lyrics that I can relate to in every day life. The Grascals have been pushed to the top of the bluegrass charts for a few years now, and get the most recognition. This is perhaps why I have not been fully behind them...there are so many other similarly talented bluegrass groups and musicians out there that never receive half the recognition a Grascals release does.
With their latest release titled "When I Get My Pay", they still have a few songs that shine a bit too brightly...the "American Pickers" song with guest Dierks Bentley perhaps leads this group...but there are a few songs here that deserve to be heard by any bluegrass fan.
The title cut which leads off the record is a good one. Most people can relate to the troubles of being broke come pay day...and the harmonies here are tight. With Kristen Scott Benson driving the beat on banjo throughout the record, there are some toe tappers that will have you playing this one again and again.
What perhaps stands out to me as the best song on the record, is the poignant "Silver Strands", written by Sharon Higgins, Billy Smith, and Terry Smith, who of course plays base and sings harmony for the Grascals. This touching song resonates within me...and I am sure you will enjoy it. Jamie Johnson and Terry Eldridge do a great job with the vocals, and Danny Roberts mandolin along with Jeremy Abshire on fiddle make this one a keeper.