Like Father, Like Son

Last on the list of nominees for Male Vocalist of the Year, but certainly not least, is Ryan Murphey. Aside from being the son of cowboy’s living legend, Michael Martin Murphey, Ryan is a talent in his own right. For years, he has been honing his skills as a producer… a practice that garnered him the nomination and win for Producer of the Year at the TMAs in 2010. He was nominated again in 2011.

In 2011, Ryan released his debut CD, New Old Song. This is a CD you want playing in the background while you enjoy an intimate dinner with your partner. Or maybe you want to shine the buckles as you move across the dance floor of some place like the Tin Roof Tavern. Ryan’s crooning voice will lull you into a total state of pure relaxation.

Like his dad, Ryan brings his own style to a traditional sound. I believe with this CD, Ryan will no longer be known only for his producing skills. He’s joining the ranks of one of the most romantic voices in Texas music.

Welcome to the front of the stage, Ryan.

Country Blessings!

Meet Justin Haigh

It seems every time I click on the ‘Listen Here’ button over at My Texas Music I get a treat. It’s like a bottomless Easter basket. The contents are as inviting as a colored confectionary egg and usually as smooth as that solid milk chocolate bunny I can’t wait to bite the ears off of. Today was no different. In fact, that chocolate bunny was sweet enough to make me crave more. And if you click that link, you'll enjoy the same dreamy sensation.

I’m talking wanting more of Justin Haigh. If you click on his name, it will take you to his website where you are in for a definite treat. To the left of the page there’s a video of his current single, All My Friends Are Behind Bars. If this guy doesn’t open for people like Brad Paisley, someone isn’t paying attention. Not that I want him playing in the Nashville arena, mind you, but when you check out the video you’ll understand where I’m comin’ from with this.

Justin is up for Male Vocalist of the Year as well as Song of the Year for ‘Monahans’ from his debut album.

With a bit of Leroy VanDyke to his voice and the charismatic style of Brad Paisley, you can hear tradition in every note he sings. His debut album, ‘People Like Me’, is exactly who he created it for… people like him who appreciate traditional country music.

Unlike many who think the road to country music success leads to Nashville, Justin followed music roots and headed for Texas in 2006, from his home state of South Dakota. Soon after, he signed with the Apache Ranch label. If this album is any indication of what we will see more of from Justin, I’d say he’s in good hands… and vice versa.

Sending best wishes to Justin and…

Country Blessings!

Next in line.... Sammy Fox

One of the first things I noticed about Sammy Fox is he doesn’t sound a thing like you might expect when you first look at him. If he were on The Voice, I guarantee every one of those judges would hit their button to turn around. Then their face would show total disbelief at how the voice and the body just don’t match! But that’s what The Voice is all about, right? To not have any preconceived notions and take an artist strictly on their talent, not their appearance.

If you check out the video of his new single, Love Drunk, on his website, you’ll see lots of ladies in the audience attracted to both. The other thing you’ll see first-hand in the video is the polished talent garnered from years of plying his trade in different venues and music genres. At only twenty-six, Sammy is a self-taught musician. His list of instruments include bass guitar, piano and drums. He also writes his own material and endorses Custom Drums.

Sammy's music is classified as Alt- Country. To me, only one song on his 5-song CD leads me down that road. Everything else showcases Sammy coming into his own as a Texas country artist.

Aside from being nominated for Male Vocalist of the Year (MVY), he, along with his band ‘The Intervention” is up for Live Band of the Year, and Song of the Year (Love Drunk). When you’re checking out the video on his homepage, you will see a link to download ‘Love Drunk’ FREE on CD from CD Texas. Remember, you can pick up Sammy's CD, 'The Intervention EP' at MyTexasMusic.com/SammyFox

Country Blessings!

Male Vocalist of the Year Nominees continue...

Apologies for not getting these next few updates done sooner. Hubby came home and kidnapped me for a long-overdue vacation. He’s back to work now and so am I, with a long To Do list in front of me.

First off, the TMAs are just 4 weeks away! Man. I have to remember to ask Lucky and Jinelle what they were thinking scheduling it way earlier this year. LOL Before vacation I introduced you to Brant Lee Croucher… one of the nominees for Male Vocalist of the Year. Brant was kind enough to stop in and leave a comment and send me a personal email. That’s the kind of networking I like to see.

Today I’m featuring a guy and his band who are not only nominated in three categories this year but carry the title of Male Vocalist of the Year for 2010 AND 2011!

I’m talking about Dave Fenley of Dave Fenley and the Good Deal. His edgy voice carries soul through every note. With every strum of the guitar you can feel the emotions he pours into both the lyrics and the music. On his most recent album, ‘A Minute to Breathe’, you can hear the influences of Travis Tritt in ‘Really Good Man’. The folksy blues tones of Joe Crocker come through in ‘Sooner’, which is nominated for Song of the Year. Dave Fenley and the Good Deal are also up for Vocal Group of the Year, for their contribution to the ‘A Minute to Breathe’ album. If music and talent only get better over time, and with 2 MVAs under his belt, you have to think he could easily add another award to his list of accomplishments!

Country Blessings!

Male Vocalists of the Year Nominees

With the Texas Music Awards only about six weeks away, I thought I'd take the time to introduce you to ALL of the nominees this year. In the past I've focused on special categories and the Entertainer of the Year.

This week we're going to get to know the five nominees for Male Vocalist of the Year. Each bring their own style to Texas music.

The photo to the left is from his website, taken by Amy Whitlock. You can check out her FB page.

Brant Lee Croucher is a talented songwriter as well as vocalist. Whether you sit at a table in the local bar or pop the CD into the player of your rig, his voice creates a yearning for things lost and those yet to be found. Unlike many of the other nominees we'll discuss over the coming weeks, Brant is not up for any other award this year. If his debut album, Old Denton Road, is any indication of what's to come then this is only a prelude of what we can expect on this journey.

Like a lot of entertainers, Brant thought Nashville was the place to take his music. In my estimation he did two things right in that portion of his career. He learned from the experience and came back home to Texas. Personally, I feel that is the best move he could have made. It's okay to explore what's out there, but in this case the nomination for Male Vocalist of the Year proves, 'you can go home again'.

Country Blessings!

A New Year... A New Format

Between internet connections faulting at every turn last year and a couple of personal issues, this blog got away from me. I sincerely apologize. It is not what I want from this little Texas retreat in the south central Ozarks of Missouri.

What I do want is to showcase awesome talent out of Texas, spotlight classic country and keep you informed of what's going on. I've been dubbed the 'trusted on-line voice of Texas music' and feel I've let the hat slide. Picture me more as the Senator from Best Little WhoreHouse in Texas with his hat askew as he performs that song and dance number in the capitol building.

So let's put the cowboy hat on straight and get back to business.

First off...

The Texas Music Awards are a lot earlier this year. It's the 10th Annual Texas Music Awards and it's going to be outstanding! You can check out the nominees list HERE.

I'm glad to see Ryan Murphey up for Male Vocalist of the Year. He has done a lot of background stuff but has a great voice. Comes by it naturally, don't you know.

Pauline Reese is up for Female Vocalist this year. In the history of the awards, she's the only Female to win Entertainer of the Year (2010). She's nominated again this year as well as Album of the Year. I'm happy to see Bob Livingston and Michael Hearne up for Singer/ Songwriter of the Year.

Award of Distinction category this year has a well-known name in the field - Jeff Posey.

Entertainer of the Year is full of Top ranked talent, as always. But I have to ask... What do I have to do to see Mike Blakely take home that well-earned award? Oh yeah... VOTE!

And you can vote, too. Either by Public Ballot or as a Academy Member. The latter distinction has two categories... either entertainer or fan. Just go to this PAGE and click on the appropriate link.

Here's to another great year of some of the best music you'll hear anywhere!

Country Blessings

Kelly

CMA Recap

Or should that be NMA? Just as Texas music has a variety of styles, Nashville can claim the same thing. Should it all be lumped under 'country'. Not in my book. I'll be the first to say that not everything coming out of Texas is 'cowboy' or 'country'. But at least they don't try to tell me it is. They let me pick and choose for myself.

None of the wins surprised me last night. And that includes the Entertainer of the Year. They are going to milk that girl's sales for all they can and with E of Y on her resume they can jack up the costs again. When does the insanity stop?

One group I am looking deeper into is TheBandPerry. I've not given them much of a listen, but if they aren't rockin' the house, their sibling harmony may stand a chance.

Another one is American Idol winner Scotty McCreery. The kid has a voice. And he has talent. Now if he'll just stick to his roots and not let the Nashville scene eat him alive, he might do okay.

One of the most beautiful moments last night was the tribute to Glen Campbell. The man is one of the last living legends of his era. I agree with many of the posts on the above site that he should have been allowed to sing last night. Were they afraid he was going to embarrass them? Please! Handing him a guitar and then cutting him off was about as disrespectful as you can get. They all do a fine job of that themselves. Nashville has lost its heart and thinks with its wallet. Watching him sit in the audience and sing along with the tribute performers was beautiful. Glen is in the throes of Alzheimer but is scheduled to perform 2 final concerts in Branson on December 2nd and 3rd. You can check out the details HERE

Have a great weekend, everyone!

Country Blessings

The Country Angel