I got the hint- let's get this blog going!
We launched this blog site oh....about 4 months ago. How many entries are there? That would be a fat Zero. Why? I have no idea. But starting here-starting now- that all changes. Welcome to the beginning of "Country Music Across America" Blog-o-rama!! Thanks to those who have been faithfully checking in to see something...anything...only to be greeted by NOTHING. I'll make it up to you. I think some of my reservation in doing blog entries is the fact that they live in cyber-space forever. That's a long time. Then I got to thinking. So what? As long as people look at the date of the entry and understand that my opinion may change on certain things given time to evaluate whatever I spout off about, then no problem, right? I said, right? (sound of crickets) Come on people, work with me. That's not to say that I plan on stirring things up here. But you never know what can come out in the heat of blogging. So, to make it fair. I'm going to put everyone on an even playing field here. Meaning when I make a comment, share an opinion, invite or create a heated dialogue, and you just read and don't share your thoughts as well....well, that's just rude. Dive in! The water's warm. This isn't MY blog. It's a blog for all who stumble across it. I just want to kick-off the conversation. Oh, one little disclaimer... I write fast. That means I often don't spell-check or grammar-check things. Any comments regarding typos, misssspelled words or too many run-on sentences will be deleted upon receipt. Ok, probably not. Just give me a break.
With that....happy blogging!
Welcome to the family. (keep reading. click on the link below!)
So...let's get started.
First topic. Blog numero uno. The premiere.
What should we talk about?.......
Ok, got it.
As Host and co-producer of our little show on GAC, "Country Music Across America" I'm constantly faced with finding a balance between showcasing stories on the superstars and introducing viewers to new artists.
Sponsors want the stars. Stars have more fans. Sponsors want more people. People buy sponsor's stuff.
And yes, it's fun to catch up with our successful friends. Many we've watched since their very first showcase in Nashville. And to watch them become superstars is much like a parent watching a kid play in the Superbowl - and with 5 and 2 year-old boys I hope to experience that scenario sometime in my life... but I digress.
We've grown up with these stars, literally.
But! it's also a blast to meet a rising star for the first time. There's a different look in their eyes. There's a sense of hunger that seems to drift away as some artists achieve stardom. The hunger often gets replaced by ....I don't know exactly what it is, but it's not hunger.
A few maintain it. And they stick around because of it.
What is this hunger?
Is hunger the synonym for competitive spirit? Maybe.
Is hunger a chip on the shoulder only the artists themselves can knock off? Maybe.
Or, is the hunger simply the feeling one gets when there's something more to accomplish? Who knows?
I just know that when that look of hunger in an artist's eyes goes away, it doesn't take long for their career to drift away as well.
So, my questions are these:
What happens to hunger when what you're hungry for becomes unreachable?
Hunger creates desire. Desire creates will. Will creates action. Action creates reaction.
If there's no reaction from the Radio gods. No reaction from the record label. No reaction from music listeners. What happens? Where do artists go to feed the hunger?
Some go back to the drawing board and regroup. They continue their music dream going back to the same bars and clubs they started playing in hopes they might get a second, or third, or fourth shot.
A few lucky ones get those shots. A few others become songwriters and find a way to feed the hunger by supplying songs to other hungry artists.
The rest?
They give up the music chapter in their lives and find other ways to pay to the bills.
But how many artists have disappeared too early?
We have a saying in our office. And it's not one we're proud of:
"Our careers are filled with 'never-have-beens".
I know the set up has been long, but bare with me. It all leads to one final question-
Who, in your opinion, has disappeared too early?
I'm not talking about the artists who achieved "stardom" and then faded. That's a topic for another entry.
I'm talking about the artists who left -or were forced to leave - Country radio before the spotlight ever found them.
For the sake of kicking off this discussion I'll offer up a few my personal picks from recent years.
- Anthony Smith (huge writer. nothing from radio as an artist)
- Hanna-McEuen (best duo to hit Country in years)
- HillJack (best band to Country in years)
- Mark Luna (unbelievable voice and writer)
- Shannon Brown (she's getting her second shot now. Unbelievable everything)
- Shannon Lawson (another Shannon on the verge of a second shot. My favorite male singer)
- Ty England (Garth created him. But Ty hasn't been allowed to move on without him.)
- Tim Rushlow ( yeah he was big with Little Texas, but his band Rushlow never left ground. I think there's more left in him)
- Jeffrey Steele (huge writer. but as an artist? nothing from radio)
- Mark Nessler (again, huge writer. and again, nothing from radio as an artist. do we see a pattern here?)
That's a good start. There are plenty of others I haven't mentioned. Care to add to it?
Here's your chance.
The rules are simple. The artists you pick must have had a record deal at some point in their career and must have released at least one single to radio.
Otherwise the list will go on forever. Another entry will allow the chance to list artists who've never even been signed, but deserve a shot.
Let the Blogging begin!!!!
New entry/question to follow in the next few days.
Thanks for checking in.
-Storme
Comments
Hi Storme:
Here's one radio has not been fair to:Chalee Tennison.She's come close to having hits,but alot,if not all,radio hasn't given her a chance,saying her songs are"Too Country".(I sure hope this new duet she has with Leland Martin "Same Old Dance" changes that.A great song,and enjoy seeing the video on GAC.)
A couple of others:Matt King.He had two great releases on Atlantic.I have one of his cassettes, "Hard country".A great one.
Another one is Jerry Kilgore.I have his "Love Trip"CD.Great real country music.
But again,both Matt & Jerry's products was "Too Country" for alot,if not all,of radio.
I'll try to think of more later,but these 3 stars is proof we need more real country music.Alot of great songs have yet to be heard.
GREG
Posted by: Greg | March 4, 2006 02:01 PM
Nice. Good list. Matt just flat-out disappeared!
What about River Road? Remember them? There were on Capitol records for about ten minutes. Fun group.
Chalee's still fighting. I don't think we've heard the last of her.
Posted by: Storme | March 5, 2006 04:26 PM
Hey Love the show! Just wanted to know if you were coming Oklahoma way soon or Texas! We are in the Middle. We have a new super star in the Making here in Texas with thousands of fans he is sure to be on Country Music Across America. Casey Pilgreen is his name. I was at a concert a few months ago and he was asked to open for I will not say which famous star but the fans packed the place for him and when the radio star came on they were well lets say not as happy to see him as they were they young many from Texas!. Sure hope to see him on your show soon keep up the good work we love you here in Oklahoma. Billie
Posted by: Billie Porter | March 6, 2006 10:55 AM
Hi Storme, What about Michelle Poe, very talented writer and great singer, she left Dierks Bentley's band to pursue her own career and then lost her record deal! I know she is still in Nashville trying her hardest but she is one that I feel got left out to soon to show everyone how well she shines!!
Posted by: Danette | March 9, 2006 05:03 PM
Hi Storme,
I have three artists - Daniel Lee Martin, Royal Wade Kimes and Michael Peterson. I'm not sure if they've disappeared or not...I certainly don't hear them on my terrestrial radio and haven't read anything recent about any of them. The only place where I might have a chance of catching them is on XM satellite radio where there's at least a variety of singers and songs played (hi Joyce).
I enjoy your show...wish it was on weekly instead of every two weeks.
Paula
Posted by: Paula | March 10, 2006 05:51 PM
I'm looking forward for a story on the hot new band "Rio Grand" signed to Curb/Asylum and are currently on their Radio Tour promoting their first fresh single "Kill Me Now" written/produced by John Rich from Big & Rich! YeHaa! Great show Storme! Love IT!!
Posted by: Eric Rivera | March 11, 2006 04:05 PM
Great to see you at the recent Ray Charles exhibit at the CMHOF. Great evening, can't wait to see your report on this event. Thanks for the report on my fave Darryl Worley's house and the pie in your face wasn't bad either!!
Wanda Anderson
Posted by: WAnda Anderson | March 12, 2006 05:40 PM
Hi Storme,will the George Strait Roping Special be shown here in Australia on our CMC channel?
Posted by: Janette Orcher | March 15, 2006 08:23 PM
Janette,
Probably not. The roping event is airing on the GAC network here in the states.
I don't know of any plans to carry the special on CMC. I'll pass on the interest though. Thanks for checking in.
Storme
Posted by: storme | March 15, 2006 09:21 PM
Hi Storme:
Here's more I thought of:
MC Potts,the group Dixieanna,Darryl & Don Eills,John & Aurdey Wiggins.Those are some more radio hasn't been fair to,saying they were "too country".
GREG
Posted by: Greg | March 20, 2006 08:13 AM
greg,
nice additions! the ellis brothers especially. it would be fun to find out what their up to.
storme
Posted by: storme | March 20, 2006 08:36 AM
Hi Storme
I have but one to name. Los Lonely Boys. I was so impressed with Henry Garza's guitar playing and presence. They did one song that you hear from time to time "Heaven" and that Willie Nelson liked them, then Blam nothing. Any chance they will resurface again? No one seems to think they are country either. They just don't fit in the mold is all.
Barbara
Posted by: Barbara Van Sant | April 10, 2006 07:42 PM
Mark Nessler did release "Used To The Pain" which got limited radio play in southeast TX when I was growing up there. It probably would have been around 1996 or so.
Posted by: Addison | April 26, 2006 11:43 PM
Hey Storme!
Brad Martin had a top 15 hit with "Before I Knew Better" from his 2002 Wings of a Honky Tonk Angel CD. Then, personnel changes w/in Sony prompted Brad to lose his deal w/ Epic Nashville.
Last year, he started up a weekly show called 6-1-5 LIVE. He's also continued writing songs, many of which he showcases in his 6-1-5 LIVE shows. I don't think we've seen the last of Brad just yet!
THANX for this topic, Storme!! As a country music journalist, I specifically seek to feature artists who are/have been less publicized or who are on the rise to stardom. :)
I was reading in another reply about Mark Nesler. What about his wife, Jennifer Hanson, who burst on the scene w/ "Beautiful Goodbye"? H(er other singles "Half a Heart Tattoo" and "This Far Gone" didn't fare as well.) But, personally, I think she's a great singer/songwriter? I rather enjoyed her debut CD!!
BTW, both Brad and Jennifer (and also Chalee Tennison, who was also covered in a previous post) are on my site. ;D
Have a phenomenal day! Take care and God bless!
Love, Smiles, and Hugs,
Estella
STAR Country!
Editor/Staff Writer/Music Critic/Website Manager
Visit: http://www.STAR-Country.net
Posted by: Estella | April 28, 2006 02:43 PM
Where do they go?...I'm a twenty plus year pro.Toured with regional and national acts.I started singing and writing because I truly loved it and wanted to make a life as a performer.After the years went by I found that I wasn't playing for the thrill anymore,I was just out there doing a job.The passion seemed to be gone.A friend of mine reminded me that I needed to revisit what made me start playing music in the
first place.I packed up my family and moved back to Texas and traded the bright lights for a fourty hour week and a solo acoustic gig.I'm performing my own material in small writers venues with little pay but the passion is back!There is no sound in the universe like applause after you've just splilled your guts to fifty total strangers.I just recorded my second CD and folks are diggin' it!I plan to have a record promoter on this one as well as distribution.The whole point is I had to go back and learn how to love the the music again.I hope you hear of me someday but if you don't I guess I'll end up in the "never have beens" file,but I'm ok with that because I am in love with the music again and now the music is starting to love me back.Life is great!
Posted by: Tim | June 26, 2006 11:31 PM
Oh yeah,great blog!
Posted by: Tim | June 26, 2006 11:33 PM
Storme,
So how about Jerry Kilgore? Great singer (and songwriter). I caught him at a writer's night and heard he had a new record coming out. Have you heard anything about it? It's been a while since Love Trip and he knocked it out of the park with that one.
Posted by: lynn | September 20, 2006 05:32 PM
Mark Luna? beautiful voice, hear he is trying to make a comeback. On his MySpace page is a new song "alive" amazing. Used to see this guy in Nashville, lost his deal 3 days prior to release. Maybe not country enough...
Posted by: Debra | February 15, 2007 02:41 PM