THE PARTY LIST - August 28 - September 3, 2014

Note: Please remember to check with the venue as to whether or not there is a cover charge or ticket required for the shows you plan to attend. I have provided links to the venues when possible, making it easy for you to check it out. Some dates are subject to change!

Not all events take place in Texas. With that in mind I will begin listing them not only by day but by TEXAS and ON THE ROAD. With that in mind…

Let’s Get This Party STARTED!


TEXAS

Thursday – 28
W.C. Jameson – The Badu- Llano
/w Mike Blakely
Bret Mullins – 151 Saloon – San Antonio – 9:30 p.m.
Casey Donahew Band – Denim & Diamonds – Wichita Falls –
Steve Helms – Whiskey Girl Saloon –Ft. Worth – 9 p.m.
Jon Wolfe – Cowgirls Saloon – Kingsville – 8 p.m.


Friday – 29
Whiskey Myers – Floore’s – Helotes – 9 p.m.
Bret Mullins – The Longhorn Saloon – Bandera – 9 p.m.
Casey Donahew Band – Graham’s – Odessa
Zach Coffey – Love and War – Grapevine – 9 p.m.
George Ensle – Inoz’s Brew and Chew – Wimberley – 7 p.m.
Steve Helms – Cleburne Golf Course – Cleburne – 6 p.m.
Matt Harlan – Ham Jam House Concert- Austin – 8 p.m.


Saturday – 30
W. C. Jameson- The Badu – Llano
/w Greg Whitfield
Breelan Angel – Jack Ryan Event – Austin – 5 p.m.
Earl Thomas Conley – Music City Texas Theater – Linden –
Steve Helms – Fuzzy’s Taco Shop – Mineral Wells – 9 p.m.
Matt Harlan – Cactus Music – Houston – 1 p.m.
Matt Harlan – JP Hops House – Houston – 8 p.m.
Jon Wolfe – Banita Creek Hall – Nacogdoches – 8 p.m.
Scott Taylor Band - Flip Flop Fest - Port Lavaca - 7 p.m.

Sunday – 31
Jon Wolfe – Billy Bob’s – Ft. Worth – 8 p.m.
Casey Donahew Band – Expo Center – Belton
Matt Harlan – Red Brick Tavern – Conroe – 10 a.m.


Monday – September 1
George Ensle – Poodie’s Hilltop – Spicewood
Steve Helms – Billy Bob’s – Ft. Worth – 5 p.m.
Pickin for Preemies


Tuesday – 2
Breelan Angel – Rockin’ Rodeo  - Denton – 7 p.m.
Texas Red Hot Radio Show


Wednesday – 3
No Shows Found


ON THE ROAD

Thursday – 28
Merle Haggard – Buffalo Run Casino – Miami OK
Aaron Tippin – Stark Co. Fair – Canton OH – 8 p.m.
Walt Wilkins – Knuckleheads Saloon  - Kansas City MO – 8 p.m.
Granger Smith – The Original Bar & Nightclub – Minot ND


Friday – 29
Bo Porter – Alaska State Fair – Palmer AK – 4 p.m.
Granger Smith – The District – Sioux Falls SD


Saturday – 30
Aaron Watson – South Dakota State Fair – Huron – 6:30 p.m.
Stoney LaRue – South Dakota State Fair – Huron – 7: 45 p.m.
Josh Abbott Band – South Dakota State Fair – Huron – 9 p.m.
Marc Broussard – Seagrass Concert Series – Dauphin AL
Bo Porter – Denali Fairview Inn – Talkeetna AK – 9 p.m.
Aaron Tippin – The Liberty Ranch – Kings Mountain KY – 8 p.m.
Alan Jackson – Hershey Park Stadium – Hershey PA
/w Jimmy Buffet
Casey Donahew Band – Gilley’s @ Choctaw Casino – Durant OK
Granger Smith – Wooley’s – Des Moines IA


Sunday – 31
Aaron Watson – Bulls on the Beach @ Water Valley – Windsor CO – 8 p.m.
Aaron Tippin – Isle Casino  - Cape Girardeau MO – 6 p.m.


Monday – September 1
NO Shows Found


Tuesday – 2
Bo Porter – Uncle Joe’s Pizza/ Old Seward  - Anchorage AK – 6:30 p.m.


Wednesday – 3
Granger Smith – Granada Theater – Lawrence KS

THE PARTY LIST - August 21 - 27, 2014

Note: Please remember to check with the venue as to whether or not there is a cover charge or ticket required for the shows you plan to attend. I have provided links to the venues when possible, making it easy for you to check it out.  Some dates are subject to change!

Not all events take place in Texas. With that in mind I will begin listing them not only by day but by TEXAS and ON THE ROAD. With that in mind…

Let’s Get This Party STARTED!


TEXAS

Thursday – 21
W. C. Jameson – The Badu – Llano – 7 p.m.
/w Mike Blakely & Guest: Mike Ballew
Dave Thomas – Dani Rae’s Gulf Coast Kitchen – Denton – 6 p.m.
Aaron Watson – Brewster Street Ice House – Corpus Christi – 10 p.m.
Tracy Lawrence – Freedom Crossing @ Fort Bliss – Fort Bliss
Steve Helms – Floore’s – Helotes – 7 p.m.
Terri Hendrix – Anderson Fair – Houston – 9 p.m.
/w Lloyd Maines


Friday – 22
Dave Thomas – Hard Eight BBQ – Roanoke – 7 p.m.
Jon Wolfe – Floore’s – Helotes – 9 p.m.
Steve Helms – North Texas State Fair & Rodeo – Denton –6 p.m.
Aaron Watson – North Texas State Fair & Rodeo – Denton – 9:30 p.m.
Bret Mullins – Inn of the Hills – Kerrville – 9 p.m.
Bo Porter – Hondo’s On Main – Fredricksburg – 8 p.m.
Tracy Lawrence – Cowboys Dance Hall – San Antonio –
Matt Harlan – Uncle Calvin’s Coffeehouse – Dallas – 8 p.m.
Terri Hendrix – Anderson Fair – Houston – 9 p.m.
/w Lloyd Maines
Scott Taylor Band - The Barn - Mission Valley - 9 p.m.


Saturday – 23
Hunter Hutchinson – Wild West – Lubbock – 8:45 p.m.
Curtis Grimes – Wild West -  Lubbock – 9:45 p.m.
Aaron Watson – Wild West – Lubbock – 10:30 p.m.
Mark Chapman – West Siloam Springs Casino – West Siloam Springs OK
Jon Wolfe – Cypress Saloon – Cypress – 8 p.m.
Bret Mullins – Headwaters Saloon – Harper – 8 p.m.
Tracy Lawrence – North Texas State Fair – Denton –
Zach Coffey – Armadillo Palace – Houston – 8 p.m.
George Ensle – 4.0 Cellars – Fredricksburg – 1 p.m.
Steve Helms – Skeet Shoot/ Benefit – Crowley – 1 p.m.
Matt Harlan – Whip In Parlour Café & Market – Austin – 6 p.m.


Sunday – 24
Chuck Hawthorne – The Bugle Boy – LaGrange – 3 p.m.
George Ensle – Tejas Rodeo Co. – Bulverde – 10:30 a.m.
Matt Harlan – Dean’s – Houston – 8 p.m.
Terri Hendrix – Fight Against Breast Cancer Concert Series – Pearland – 6 p.m.
/w Lloyd Maines


Monday – 25
W.C. Jameson – Poodies’ Hilltop – Spicewood –
/w Wake Eastman


Tuesday – 26
Bret Mullins – Neals Lodges/ Frio River – Concan – 8 p.m.
George Ensle – Cowboy Church – Llano – 7 p.m.


Wednesday – 27
Bo Porter – Hondo’s On Main – Fredricksburg – 7:30 p.m.
Songwriter’s Showcase



ON THE ROAD

Thursday – 21
Walt Wilkins – Boomerang’s Bar & Grill – Urbana IL – 8 p.m.
Zach Coffey – Hinton Fair – Hinton OK – 8 p.m.


Friday – 22
Lorrie Morgan – Eastern Montana Fairgrounds – Miles City MT
Mark Chapman – Cartoons – Springfield MO
Casey Donahew Band – Bourbon Theater – Lincoln NE
Walt Wilkins – Midtown Pub/ Retlaw Hotel – Fon du Lac WI
Zach Coffey – Hog Pin Bowling Alley – Lawton OK – 9 p.m.
Granger Smith – Harold Krier Airport – Ashland KS
Kasey Musgrave – Target Center – Minneapolis MN


Saturday – 23
Alan Jackson – Celebrate Virginia Live – Fredricksburg VA
Casey Donahew Band – Harold Krier Airport – Ashland KS
Collin Raye – Brooklyn Fair – Brooklyn CT
Granger Smith – Southwest Country Fest – Ashland KS
Kasey Musgrave – Fargodome – Fargo ND


Sunday – 24
Mark Chapman – Repurposed Faire Festival – Monett MO
Alan Jackson – Circus Maximus Theater @ Ceasars – Atlantic City NJ


Monday – 25
Granger Smith – Minnesota State Fair – Saint Paul MN


Tuesday – 26
Lorrie Morgan – Grand Ole Opry – Nashville TN –
Granger Smith – Minnesota State Fair – Saint Paul MN


Wednesday – 27
Walt Wilkins – Mojo’s – Columbia MO – 9 p.m.
/w Jimmy 'Daddy' Davis & Bill Small
Granger Smith – The Venue @ the Hub – Fargo ND

WEDNESDAY REVIEW - Life As We Know It - Lonestar

LIVE AS WE KNOW IT

By LONESTAR 

LIVE AS WE KNOW IT falls somewhere between the LONESTAR we remember and the rail country music rides today. While the story element is there, some of the tracks are more contemporary. To get airplay today, you have to find that balance between a song today’s country listeners expect to hear while not losing who you are as an artist. The guys of LONESTAR are consistent in that respect. Balance seems to have been their totem throughout their career.

Twenty years ago, when they began their climb up the charts, four guys from Texas made their niche in the music industry with a classic combination of soulful tunes (I’m Already There) and fun songs (Mr. Mom). They had a balance. And though the weights still have similarities to those in the beginning, Life As We Know It delivers that same mix to today’s listeners.

On one end of the beam we have songs like Maybe Someday, With My Eyes Open, Life As We Know It, If It Wasn’t For You, Just the Rain – songs that make you feel something deep.

The Countdown, How Can She Be Everywhere, Pretty Good Day, I Miss When, I Did It For the Girl even out the lighter side of the CD.

To keep everything on an even keel, we are treated to true party songs like Oh Yeah and Party All Day. While these two tracks are not my favorite, I do understand their purpose in this album.

All twelve tracks allow the guys of LONESTAR to keep one foot firmly in their roots while walking forward into what radio stations are playing now. Finding balance in this business can be painful at best but I think Texas comes out on top once again.

I’m giving this album 4 hats

To Purchase your copy of LIFE AS WE KNOW IT:

https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/lonestar/id173414

To hear my favorite track from this album, please visit the YouTube Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sgDVLzKJUIs&list=PLb7fucxQ3-BqFnuRl2ViFTap8oDydZ7Sg

Visit their website to Catch up with the guys. You can also sign up for their newsletter and fan club:

www.lonestarnow.com

TURNTABLE TUESDAY FLIP FLOP - Bear with me.. you'll get it!

LONESTAR

Normally, I would preface a Turntable Tuesday post with an Out of the Chute on Monday. But I haven't interviewed these guys - yet. I hope to. So with no Monday post, I did my own thing and then planned the Turntable Tuesday review of their new album - LIFE AS WE KNOW IT.

But then I got to thinking... these guys deserve a proper introduction. So I'm going to do a brief intro post today. Then come back tomorrow for my review of the album.

So here we go... Monday's Post on Tuesday

JUST FOUR GOOD OLD BOYS FROM TEXAS!

LONESTAR returns with a stellar new album!

I’m finding more often then not that the music I listened to years ago; the music I loved the most has Texas roots. Aside from the classic artistry of Ray Price, Mickey Gilley and Willie Nelson, I also enjoyed more ‘contemporary’ country. Some of my favorites over the years have been The Oakridge Boys (Duane Allen Taylortown), James & Michael Younger (Edinburg TX), George Strait, Holly Dunn (San Antonio) and the boys of LONESTAR. Richie McDonald (lead vocals/ piano), Michael Britt (lead guitar/ vocals), Keech Rainwater (drums), Dean Sams (keyboard/ acoustic guitar and vocals).

What songs come to mind when you hear ‘Lonestar’? For me, I think of ‘Amazed’ or ‘I’m Already There’. But tracks like ‘No News’, ‘My Front Porch Lookin In’ or ‘Mr. Mom’ creates the balance to make Lonestar one of the most well-rounded groups you will hear in country music.

From their debut self-titled album in 1995 to their new ‘Life As We Know It’ and everything in between, nothing has changed for these guys. Their music still carries the same soulful sound and powerful, well-written lyrics. Twenty years later they have not missed a lick. And as Richie likes to say, “we’re just four good old boys from Texas.”

Works for me!

You can keep up with the guys on various social media tracks:

Website

FB

Twitter

Instagram

OUT OF THE CHUTE - A Country Angel Update

After an upset a couple of weeks ago on twitter, I've found myself avoiding doing promotion other than The Party List. I don't like making mistakes... especially if I'm not positive the mistake was mine to begin with. Unfortunately, I was unable to check to see if I was in fact the one at fault. I can put the disclaimer on The Party List that all gigs listed are subject to change. I can not do that on Twitter. Not within my 140 character limit, at least.

So after some soul searching, I've determined I can not control whether or not tour dates are correct when I load them into HootSuite by the time they get to you. I can only go by what I know AT THE TIME I load them... which could be as much as two weeks in advance.

So while I will continue to promote some folks that I work more closely with, I will no longer be tweeting the general populace of entertainers I have on The Party List.

Unless....

They are a CLIENT

While making my rounds in Texas some comments made to me got my brain whirling. On one hand, I do a lot of the 'street teaming' to keep my name out there so artists know who I am and that I am someone they can trust to get the facts right (unless something changes mid-stream - which I have no control over).

On the other hand, why am I doing publicist work for free? Hmmm

So, if all goes well, I will have my own publicity company up and running after the first of the year. I still have packages of service and price points to work out but the business will fall under Kelly's Country - right here on this blog so watch for an icon and press releaseses in early 2015.

I had planned for this fall but the unexpected release of Somewhere Down the Line put some of the music work on the back burner for the time being.

I will only be working with a maximum of five clients to begin with. I feel that is enough while still trying to keep my foot in the fast-launching publishing world of fiction. I'm already working on a trilogy sent in 1884 West Texas. Does that surprise you?

Tomorrow.. I reintroduce you to the guys of LONESTAR then on Wednesday, I review their album. Some please come back.
Country Blessings!
Kelly

THE PARTY LIST - August 14 - 20, 2014

Note: Please remember to check with the venue as to whether or not there is a cover charge or ticket required for the shows you plan to attend. I have provided links to the venues when possible, making it easy for you to check it out. Some dates are subject to change.

Not all events take place in Texas. With that in mind I will begin listing them not only by day but by TEXAS and ON THE ROAD. With that in mind…

Let’s Get This Party STARTED!


TEXAS

Thursday – 14 
W.C. Jameson – The Badu – Llano – 7 p.m.
/w Mike Blakely & Guest: Fletcher Clark
Bret Mullins – Neals Lodges/ Frio River – Concan – 8 p.m.
Casey Donahew Band – Brewster St. – Corpus Christi –
George Ensle – Hondo’s On Main – Fredricksburg – 7 p.m.
Granger Smith – Graham Central Station - Longview
Scott Taylor Band - Paradise Key - Rockport - 6:30 p.m.


Friday – 15
Dave Thomas – Culpeppers Steak House – Rockwall – 7:30 p.m.
Bret Mullins – 151 Saloon – San Antonio – 9:30 p.m.
Bellamy Brothers – Masones Saloon – Houston – 10:30 p.m.
Casey Donahew Band – Lone Star Saloon – Uvalde
http://www.zachcoffey.com/Zach Coffey – Wild Rooster – Ft. Worth – 10 p.m.
Granger Smith – Midnight Rodeo – San Angelo
Matt Harlan – Warehouse Live – Houston – 8 p.m.


Saturday – 16
Dave Thomas – Culpeppers Steak House – Rockwall – 7:30 p.m.
Curtis McMurtry – Strange Brew – Austin –
CD Release party!
W.C. Jameson – The Badu – Llano –
/w Guest: Jon Napier
Breelan Angel – Thirsty Armadillo – Ft. Worth – 1:30  p.m.
Bo Porter – The Grapevine – Wine Bar – New Braunfels – 6 p.m.
Bellamy Brothers – Pioneer Days Festival – New Boston – 8:30 p.m.
Casey Donahew Band – Midnight Rodeo – Austin –
Granger Smith – Cowboys – San Antonio –
Steve Helms – The Mule Barn – Justin – 9 p.m.
Doug Moreland – Floore’s – Helotes – 9 p.m.
Matt Harlan – Starlight Theater – Terlingua – 8 p.m.


Sunday – 17
Pitching for Preemies Event – Virginia Weaver SBC – Cedar Hill – 11 a.m.
Jon Wolfe, Steve Helms & More!
George Ensle – Strange Brew – Austin – 2 p.m.
Jon Wolfe– Texas Red Dirt Road Radio Show – Mansfield – 3 p.m.


Monday – 18
George Ensle – Poodie’s Hilltop – Spicewood – 6:30 p.m.


Tuesday – 19
No Shows Found


Wednesday – 20
Matt Harlan – Gibson Guitar Showroom – Austin – 7 p.m.



ON THE ROAD

Thursday – 14 
Aaron Watson – Buck Owens’ Crystal Palace – San Jose CA – 9 p.m.
Whiskey Myers – Neumeiers Rib Room – Fort Smith AR -
Eli Young Band – State Fair – DesMoines IA
/w Jake Owen, The Cadillac Three
Terri Hendrix – Santa Fe Bandstand – Santa Fe NM – 6 p.m. FREE
/w Lloyd Maines & Mike Hearne
Kacey Musgrave – Quicken Loans Arena – Cleveland OH


Friday – 15
Aaron Watson  SLO Brewing Co – San Luis Obispo CA – 10 p.m.
Lorrie Morgan – Morehead Center for Performing Arts – Morehead City NC
Mark Chapman – Ernte Fest – Friestatt MO
Aaron Tippin – Brat Fest – Bucyrus OH – 8 p.m.
T. Graham Brown – Classic Center Theater – Athens GA
Walt Wilkins – Burritoville House Concerts – Sullivan NH – 8 p.m.


Saturday – 16
Terri Hendrix – Larry Joe Taylor’s Cool Mountain Nights – Red River NM – 11 a.m.
18th Annual Festival and Cook off
/w Lloyd Maines
Aaron Watson – The Stoney Inn – Rockin’ Rodeo – Sacramento CA – 10 p.m.
Marc Broussard – Indianapolis State Fair – Indianapolis IN – FREE
Mark Chapman – Howdy Neighbor Days – Pierce City – MO
Aaron Tippin – Steuben Co. Fair – Bath NY – 7:30 p.m.
Collin Raye – Clayton Opera House – Clayton NY
Tracy Lawrence – Delcambre Shrimp Festival – Delcambre LA
Walt  Wilkins– The Bitter End – New York NY
/w Jimmy 'Daddy'  Davis & Bill Small
Kasey Musgrave – KFC YUM! Center – Louisville KY


Sunday – 17
Kacey Musgrave – Scottrade Center – St. Louis MO


Monday – 18
Walt Wilkins – The Mansion on O Street – Washington DC – 7 p.m.


Tuesday – 19
Lorrie Morgan – Grand Ole Opry – Nashville TN
Kasey Musgrave – Sprint Center – Kansas City MO


Wednesday – 20
Kasey Musgrave – Pinnacle Bank Arena – Lincoln NE
Marc Broussard – Birch Acquarium @ Scripps – San Diego CA
/w KPRI. FM

TURNTABLE TUESDAY - IN OVERDRIVE - Aaron Tippin

When I heard Aaron Tippin had released a truck driving CD, I knew two things. One, I had to have it. I come from a trucking family and I grew up knowing the hard work and sacrifice these folks endure to provide a living for their family. And two, Aaron Tippin was the perfect artist to breathe new life into some classics as well as adding a couple of his own.

If you don’t know, Aaron Tippin loves things that GO! Aaron identifies with every red-blooded, blue-collar American in some way. That’s why with so many truck driving songs available to choose from he turned to his fans; people just like him who knew what they liked to listen to as they rolled down the highway.

Opening with the Jerry Reed classic East Bound and Down was genius, setting the tone for the other thirteen tracks to follow. One by one, Aaron walks seamlessly through the gears of each track.  From Truck Drivin’ Man all the way down the list to the final strains of Roll On (Dave Loggins tune), we are taken back to a time. A time when songs playing over the airwaves helped keep the driver awake as they rolled down the endless ribbon of highway through the night. This CD even has my favorite, Girl On the Billboard.

The final two tracks are Aaron Tippin’s contribution to the list, delivered in true Tippin style… and sure to join the list of classic All –American songs. Drivin Fool is a story of life on the road with a strong visual of a trucker kneeling by his rig, asking for the Lord’s protection on his journey. Drill Here, Drill Now is pure patriotism full of All-American pride.

If you’ve ever been a truck driver, part of a trucker’s family in any way or just love a good driving tune, then IN OVERDRIVE is a must-have for your collection. We’ll see you down the highway.

I'm rating this CD:

 .5

You can order your copy of this and other Aaron Tippin CDs by clicking on any of the following links:

WEBSITE

iTUNES

AMAZON

OUT OF THE CHUTE - Aaron Tippin

Since 'There Ain't Nothin' Wrong With the Radio' rattled the speakers in my car in 1992 I have been a fan of Aaron Tippin. I had followed his career since 'You've Got To Stand For Something' the year before, but that snappy little tune about his car 'Daisy' just clicked. Aaron Tippin has a sense of humor and it shows in his songs. 

So when I had the chance to sit down with Aaron on July 4th, I was thrilled. I'd met him several years earlier for a charity opportunity but this time we got to talk. Here's some of what he had to say.

Note: some answers have been abbreviated as some of the content will be used in a 'first rights' article in the future. This is the short 8- second ride.

1. In your bio on your website – when talking about ‘In Overdrive’, you mention ‘real country music’. What is your definition of ‘real country’?

The songs rule. What turned me on to country music was the great stories from artists like Hank Williams, Sr. It’s not necessarily the instruments that play it, it’s the song

2. How did you get hooked on country?

I got turned on to country music by Hank Williams, Sr. It was my buddy’s dad. 8 track tape at Christmas time. Was Hank Williams, Sr. Greatest Hits. I fell in love. I was 13 and fell in love with Country Music. That was it. I was hooked. And that led me to what was going on in modern country music. Merle Haggard happened to be doing a tribute to Jimmy Rogers. And I heard that and went ‘Jimmy Rogers?’ who’s that. The Godfather of country music. So that led me way back to the roots of country music. I just loved that. When I heard Jimmy Rogers..

3. You’ve been a guest on Country Family Reunion. Was it important for you to be a part of the program? And if so, why?

Just cause I get to hang out with my heros. (laughs) that’s as simple as I can put it. I get to sit there with Bill Anderson and Jim Ed Brown and all the guys that are still left. They knocked down the big dream. I’m just thrilled. Same way about going to the opry. I don’t care if I play or not. As long as I can stand back there and watch. 

4. In a recent interview with Lance Yelington with CyberCountry.com, you were asked about your opinion in the way you feel things (music) are going. You said you try to focus on what you do and not what everyone else is doing. What brought you to the point of going from a label to an Indie artist?

You know, I think whether it’s good or bad, not being able to steer your own ship. I just wanted to do that. I’m thankful for all the hard work the guys at RCA did, promoting my music, but I was just ready to do what I wanted to do and not go to the studio and be worried, you know, having a record exec pacing the floor making sure – ‘don’t do this’, ‘ you gotta do that’, … radio play’. It’s a bunch of cant’s and don’ts instead of just walking in there and say ‘hey.. here it is boys. Let’s go out there and play it. Just make it… 

That’s like Overdrive. There’s nothing new about those songs. But it was the opportunity for friends, and myself, to get together and play in the studio with nobody breathing down our neck. And nobody saying ‘we gotta do it like this’, ‘not too much of this’… we just went out there and played and had a great time. You know, you listen to that record, there is so much life in those tracks. It’s cool, it’s fun. We just had a ball doing it. 

5. I’ve read you write from your heart and will spend hours searching for that opening line. I believe that makes the difference between a really great song and just something to fill a playlist. All of your songs seem to come from experiences – as a regular joe.  Is there anything that is personal to you that you won’t write about?

No. I do it all the time. If I feel it, it’s in me, it’s going to come out of me. All the stuff I’ve written, have had success with, it’s about me.

6. You’ve worn a lot of hats in your lifetime. I have always been impressed by your determination to be just who you are. You don’t try to follow the flow or be someone labels might have tried to impress up on you. Describe Aaron Tippin in 5 words or less.

I am just me. 

I can’t be anything else other than what I am. Believe me, they tried to whitewash me a thousand times. I’m always start showing through in the same places. 

7. How did you become interested in having your own winery? What types of grapes do you grow and is the winery for private use or are you commercializing?

My wife’s dad turned me on to wine drinking. I was a beer drinker before that. I was meeting her family, and I up and ordered a White Zinfandel. That embarrassed her dad. And her grandmother. And so he reached over to me and said, ‘Aaron, men at this table drink red wine. I’ll order your wine for you. He ordered me a glass of Red Zinfandel and I loved it. I might have had another two beers. That was it. I’ve never been back. I just love it. 

The grapes we have are Muscadine. They’re a native grape. There are no grapes in the south east, no grapes on the east coast to make good reds. So we do fruit.. you know, country wines like peach and I’ve made wine for years. We do sell off the grapes but most folks make jelly

I was for a long time… I’d go out to California and barrel select something I wanted. We're just too busy. Since I've gotten back into the airplanes, we just don’t have much time to do anything else. 

8. How did you get started doing the bikes for ‘Toys for Tots’? 

Went to Cincinnati to help a record label get a record played . We went to the mall doing a thing for Toys for Tots. If you cared, you come by and droped off a toy, Aaron Tippin signs an autographed picture. That’s how it started. I thought that was cool and would love to do something for Toys for Tots. We bounced  around what we could do. I thought about just putting a bucket out that said Toys for Tots and play a song, you know. 

Then I had a brain storm ‘you know what would be cool if I build something or had a toy’ So I came up with the idea of putting a bike together. I think I thought about a doll house, and other stuff.. but it had to be something reasonably simple I could do in 3 minutes and sing while I’m doing it. So we still do it.

Come back tomorrow for my review of In Overdrive. If you like trucking songs, you'll LOVE this album from a guy who knows what it's like to be behind the wheel!

In the mean time, you'll find Aaron at various places on the web:

Website

Facebook

Twitter

iTunes: 

YouTube

  

THE PARTY LIST - August 7 - 13th

Note: Please remember to check with the venue as to whether or not there is a cover charge or ticket required for the shows you plan to attend. I have provided links to the venues when possible, making it easy for you to check it out.

Not all events take place in Texas. With that in mind I will begin listing them not only by day but by TEXAS and ON THE ROAD. With that in mind…

Let’s Get This Party STARTED!

TEXAS

Thursday  - 7
W.C. Jameson – The Badu – Llano
/w Guest: Greg Whitfield
Randy Brown – Love & War – Grapevine- 7-10 p.m.
Dave Thomas – Dani Rae’s Gulf Coast Kitchen – Denton – 6 p.m.
Bret Mullins – Thirsty Horse Saloon – San Antonio – 9 p.m.

Friday – 8
Dave Thomas – Copelands of New Orleans – Southlake – 7 p.m.
Aaron Watson – Midnight Rodeo – Amarillo  - 10 p.m.
Bo Porter – Gristmill River Restaurant & Bar – New Braunfels - 7 p.m.
Casey Donahew Band – Midnight Rodeo – San Angelo -
Zach Coffey – Grease Monkey – Arlington – 9:30 p.m.
john Arthur martinez - Escondido - Horseshoe Bay - 7 p.m.

Saturday – 9
Randy Brown – Longhorn Saloon – Ft. Worth – 9 p.m. – 1 a.m.
Jodi Corbell is 1 year cancer FREE! Come Celebrate!
Dave Thomas – Hard Eight BBQ – Coppell – 7 p.m.
Jimmy LaFave – Strange Brew – Austin – 7 p.m.
Bret Mullins – Cooter Brown’s Saloon – San Antonio – 9 p.m.
Casey Donahew Band – XIT Rodeo – Dalhart -
Chuck Hawthorne – Georgetown Market Days – Georgetown – 1 p.m.
Zach Coffey – Rahr & Sons Brewery Tour – Ft. Worth – 1-3 p.m.
George Ensle – In the Music Room – Wacahachie – 8 p.m.
Granger Smith – Hank’s Texas Grill – McKinney -

Sunday – 10
Randy Brown – Boondocks  live on 95.9 – Ft. Worth – 3-6 p.m.
Texas Red Dirt Live Radio show!
john Arthur martinez - Blue Corn Harvest - Cedar Park - 7 p.m.

Monday – 11
W.C. Jameson – Poodie’s Hilltop – Spicewood – 6:30 p.m.
/w Chuck Hawthorne

Tuesday – 12
Steve Helms – Railhead BBQ – Willow Park – 7 p.m.
john Arthur martinez - Texas Tea-Licious - Burnett - 9 p.m.

Wednesday – 13
Bo Porter – Hondo’s On Main – Fredricksburg – 7:30 p.m.
Songwriter’s Showcase
john Arthur martinez - AJs Live Acoustic JAM - Marble Falls - 7 p.m.


ON THE ROAD

Thursday  - 7
Aaron Watson – The Dirty Bourbon – Albuquerque NM – 10 p.m.
Tim McGraw – Arkansas Music Pavilion – Rogers AR –
Bellamy Brothers – Giles Co Agri- Park – Pulaski TN – 7:30 p.m.
Aaron Tippin – Mannington District Fair – Mannington WV – 7 p.m.
Alan Jackson – Bank of NH Pavilion @ Meadowbrook – Gilford NH –
Casey Donahew Band – Graham Central Station – Albuquerque NM
Collin Raye – Akwesasne Mohawk Casino Resort – Hoganburg NY
Tracy Lawrence – Country On the River – Prairie du Chien WI

Friday – 8
Rhonda Vincent – Osborne Brothers Hometown Festival – Hyden KY
Jon Wolfe – Interstate Fair & Rodeo – Coffeyville KS – 5 p.m.
Bellamy Brothers – Main Street Music Festival – Albertville AL – 8 p.m.
Alan Jackson – Musikfest 2014 – Bethlehem PA
Tracy Lawrence – Carroll Co. Fair – Milledgeville IL
Walt Wilkins – Abilene Bar & Grill – Rochester NY – 9 p.m.
Granger Smith – Herzogfest – Victoria KS

Saturday – 9
Rhonda Vincent – Bluegrass Mountaineers – Greenwhich OH
Aaron Watson – Delta Co. Fair – Hotchkiss CO – 8:30 p.m.
Ty Herndon – SEVEN – Cherokee Casino – Siloam Springs OK
Marc Broussard – Thunder Mountain Amphitheater – Loveland CO
Jon Wolfe – Denim & Diamonds – Kansas City MO – 9 p.m.
Bellamy Brothers – The Dallas Bull of Tampa – Tampa FL – 8 p.m.
Aaron Tippin – Caroline Co. 4-H Park – Denton MD – 8 p.m.
Alan Jackson – Mohegan Sun – Uncasville CT
Collin Raye – Campbell Community Center – Campbell MO
Tracy Lawrence – JD Legends – Franklin OH
Walt Wilkins – Sportsman’s Tavern – Buffalo – 9 p.m.

Sunday – 10
NO SHOWS FOUND

Monday – 11
NO SHOWS FOUND

Tuesday – 12
Aaron Tippin – Grand Ole Opry – Nashville TN – 7 p.m.
Walt Wilkins – Grandma Millie’s Bakery & Café – Johnstown NY – 7 p.m.

Wednesday – 13
Aaron Watson – The Rodeo Club  – San Jose CA – 9 p.m.

TURNTABLE TUESDAY - Dirty Little Secrets - Breelan Angel

Dirty Little Secrets is a masterful compilation from Breelan Angel. Like a well-cut diamond, each track reflects the shining talent and life experiences of this multi-faceted young woman from Baytown Texas. All ten of the tracks were co-written by Breelan Angel, along with some of the most talented songwriters in Nashville.

Walk of Shame and Double Standards are both kicky little tunes with a bit of sass. Some of her musical influences come through in tracks like Halfway to Wasted, It Ain’t Easy Loving Me and She Made Your Bed. The title track, Dirty Little Secrets has a bluegrass back tone that makes the song homey and comfortable. Can’t Tell A Heart is catchy and finger-poppin – the kind of tune that carries you down the highway. But I think two of the best songs on this album are Love Understands and One More Song. Love Understands is amazingly rich and soulful from one so young. Like the last slow dance of the evening, One More Song brings the album to a close while leaving you with a longing for what we can expect next from this talented young woman.

For a sample of what you can expect from this CD, here's her video, Halfway to Wasted from YouTube:

With the ability to craft a song, the vocal range and the old soul classic tones, Breelan Angel gives us hope for country music. 

I'm giving Dirty Little Secrets... 

You can purchase your copy of Dirty Little Secrets and other items:

iTunes

Amazon

You can catch up with Breelan through multiple social media locations.

Website 

Facebook

Twitter

Reverbnation 

YouTube

OUT OF THE CHUTE - Breelan Angel

Today's guest is country artist, Breelan Angel. I first met Breelan through twitter last fall. I found her to be bright, entertaining and talented. I've waited until just the right moment to introduce her to the rest of you (though she already has an amazing amount of fans!). With the release of her album, Dirty Little Secrets, last month I decided the time had come.

Welcome Breelan Angel!

Your debut album, Dirty Little Secrets, is a beautiful compilation showcasing not only your ability as a vocalist but as a songwriter.  What were you looking for in the songs you selected?

Thank you so much, I really appreciate that. I made sure that I was choosing songs I would love to sing and perform all the time. After we wrote the songs, I took them to a live show to get a feel of how they worked with the band and came across on stage by gauging the audience’s reaction. It was a testing process but, in my heart, these ten tunes just sat somewhere deep with me. It was really pretty easy to decide what I was going to record after that. 

You have co-written with some of the best songwriters Nashville has to offer. What is one of the most important things you learned from working with them?

Co-writing is so fun no matter whom it’s with, whether an A-lister or someone like myself who is just getting started, there is something to learn from everybody. I’d say the most valuable lesson has been to keep an open mind and allow myself to be very vulnerable. I used to be so concerned with voicing my opinions and ideas because I didn’t know if they were going to be wrong or bad. My co-writers always pointed out that no idea is a bad idea and that one idea could spark something incredible. I learned you just have to let it all out when you’re in the middle of this kind of creative process.

Your songs portray a ‘strong woman’ attitude with a soft feminine curve. Do they portray you and what do you feel is your strongest characteristic that will benefit you the most on this musical journey?

Absolutely! These songs are pretty much exactly who I am. Although, in “Walk of Shame,” I have never gotten in a fight with anyone but am someone who would take up for my man if I felt like the situation called for it! I’m not one who is persuaded easily by others to do things I’m not sure about. You will get a lot of people pulling you in different directions in this industry and, although I will always have my ears open to listen, I will only pursue a path that is true to who I am because that’s most important in any career you are in. It’s the only way you’ll stay happy doing what you love because it’s “you.”

You have played some great venues and performed with some of my favorite Texas boys. Who would you most like to open for on your first major tour?

I would have to say my choice would be with George Strait or Miranda Lambert. Of course, George would have to go back out on tour again but those are at the top of my list for people I’d love to play with! 

You stated in a previous interview you would love to co-write with Miranda Lambert. What do you think about your two styles would mix best?

I think the fact that she has no problem speaking her mind is probably one of her most admirable traits. I’ve never been one to hold back so I feel our co-write would definitely be an entertaining one! Every album is always so fresh and different than anything else out there on the radio and the songs themselves push a button in some way or another. Loretta was one of the first females to start singing about “unspoken” topics, which paved the way for females today, and I see Miranda having that same effect on today’s country music. 

One of the things that irritates me when I listen to a new artist is they seem to gasp for every breath between lines. You have amazing voice control. I know you’ve worked with a vocal coach. What do you feel was the most helpful for you about that experience?

When I first got started, that person gasping was me! Taking vocal lessons for several months, before I even stepped foot onto a stage or into a studio, was monumental in getting my professional career started. It was great that I immediately started with a vocal coach because I wasn’t allowed to start off my career with bad habits. I still struggle with making sure I’m breathing properly and getting the air that I need to perform at my best. To this day I still take voice lessons on a weekly basis. I know no matter how good you can get at something there is always room for improvement and that’s key in this career and any career.

One reviewer stated that When you think of females in Country Music from Texas that are leading the way, who comes to mind? Miranda Lambert or Kacey Musgraves most likely. Do you think the fact y’all are from Texas has anything to do with it? And what is it about Texas music in general that seems to be coming to the forefront of Country Music?

I think this just happens to be more of a coincidence. They are both very strong and independent females and those are two key components in making a name for yourself in this industry. It may have had to do with being raised in Texas but that doesn’t necessarily mean that only strong independent females come from Texas. Look at Carrie, Taylor, Jana, they are all outspoken women who have something to say for themselves and they have the confidence to do it which is very admirable. 

As far as the music coming from Texas, I think people are starting to realize more and more that there is something to appreciate about both mainstream country and Texas country. Each has its own unique style as far as the writing and production goes but, at the end of the day, it’s all for the love of country music. Some will like one more than the other and that’s okay. I grew up on both and, for me personally, it’s definitely been a blessing.  

More and more artists are going independent. What is your strategy for keeping your music (and yourself as an artist) true to who you are and not what others may see you as being? 

The only way I’m going to enjoy what I do is if I’m performing songs that I believe in and love. If I’m not happy with the material because it’s not who I am, then I’m not giving my audience what they deserve and that’s essential when connecting with your fans. They want to know “you” and that’s what I intend to give them regardless of what anybody else wants or says. 

To find out more about Breelan Angel and keep tabs on what's new, you can visit her website and social media venues.

Website
Facebook
Twitter
Reverbnation