Tuesday, February 27, 2018

TURNTABLE TUESDAY - The Legacy Collection

A legacy for me is being a piece of the soundtrack of someone's life. ~ Brett Eldredge


Tim Henderson
1940-2011

I can’t remember a time where I’ve enjoyed a CD enough to want to download every track from. Being old school, I prefer an actual CD to a download but this compilation of some of Tim Henderson’s work needs to be carried with you everywhere, traveling from place to place experiencing the nuances embodied in his lyrics.



As I sat listening to the various tracks from the 6-CD The Legacy by Tim Henderson I heard a myriad of influences such as Woody Guthrie and Pete Seeger as well as his ethnic heritage. That fun, folksy frolicking tune as well as a solid storytelling ballad with at times an undercurrent of blues that helped make up the lyrical fabric of our country.

This CD collection is appropriately named ‘The Legacy Collection’ for that is what this is… Tim’s legacy for others to enjoy, to learn from and to emulate. While I’m not sure if the latter is the case, I hear his influences in other artists’ music such as Mike Blakely, Thomas Michael Riley. Gary P. Nunn and Ed Harris. A perfect example is included as a part of this boxed set with the incomparable addition of the late Allen Damson covering some of Tim's tunes on Volume 3 - woven seamlessly into this colorful quilt of Americana. The coolest thing is that I don't believe Tim set out to leave a legacy so much as he was just doing what was in that big heart - sharing what he loved with others, in hopes they would have the same passion for life. 

Whether you love a strong Irish tune, a folksy ballad or a bit of the blues, The Legacy Collection - 87 tracks  in all - offers all of this and more that while spanning times past, will live on in infamy.

Of all the quotes I’ve received this week, or read elsewhere, the following is one that fits best with this album:

“Tim had the IQ of a genius and the heart of a poet. He could discuss 500 year old European music or describe a blade of grass he saw in a West Virginia holler as a boy. These things alone would make him a pretty rare character, but he was also one of the few people you meet in life that can really make you laugh. I once heard a young lady that had just met him say in awe, 'What a beautiful man.' Indeed.” ~ Chuck Hawthorne

For the genius in the storytelling, and the warmth of his heart, I’m tipping my hat…

    

 To add this collection to your music library, click on one of the links below.

CD Baby   Amazon   

To learn more about Tim Henderson, visit his WEBSITE.



Monday, February 26, 2018

OUT OF THE CHUTE - Tim Henderson




TIM HENDERSON
2/19/1940 – 11/01/2011


Very seldom do I use the Out of the Chute to talk about someone who is no longer with us. As I listened to the music of Tim Henderson (CD collection review coming tomorrow) I realized that he is with us. Tim Henderson was a songwriter who like Towns Van Zandt, his influence lives on in many songwriters today.

In a phone call to Tim one night, Towns is quoted as saying “I just felt like talking to the best songwriter I know.” Richard Dobson referred to an endorsement from Towns Van Zandt as a ‘gold standard’.

Tim had a way of pushing boundaries with his lyrics without insulting folks. He made them think - told things like they were. “I keep trying to think of a more purely representative American Songwriter than Tim Henderson… “ ~Tom Paxton

Born in West Virginia, his lyrics reflect a lot of his Appalachian heritage, yet he could belt songs such as La Dona Maria, the Spanish dialect rolling from his tongue while he was Texas/ Americana through and through. You will also hear a Scottish influence in his vocals and lyrics, something he probably picked up as a young boy, listening to his grandmother play Scottish and Wales folk music on her mountain dulcimer. But his biggest influences, like all songwriters, came from his life. The places and people he experienced from his early years, to his military service and various jobs into adulthood all became fodder for the songs he would write. Quoting Townes, “His songs are soulful and solid, sprung from the soil of Texas. Sometimes witty, always wise. Never showy or shallow.” That’s LIFE!

Tim was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award of the Academy of Texas Music in 2011 for his “timeless contributions to Texas music”. TMA founder, Lucky Boyd is quoted, “Any songwriter’s clinic should include a study of Henderson’s songs. As a mainstay of Texas music, Henderson will be touted as a historically significant component throughout the annals of lone star lore.”

Tim was a joy to be around. He was always happy, always up, always joyous, always carrying around his wonderful songs which he would sing with that special passion of his anywhere, anytime. I miss him a lot.” ~W.C. Jameson

When Tim performed at the Woody Guthrie Memorial Festival in Tulsa with Pete Seeger, Pete would later remark about the ‘spiritual evocation of Texas’ Tim brought to his ballads.

Tomorrow I’ll talk about a 6-CD compilation released in 2016. Artists all across Texas came together for a tribute to a man who taught them so much through his songwriting.

In the mean time, here's a glimpse into this man's amazing talent - courtesy of TexasOutlawVideos:



Country Blessings!

Thursday, February 22, 2018

THE PARTY LIST - February 22 - 28

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. Also, some venues have an age restriction. 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 – 22
Dave Thomas – Hard Eight BBQ – Coppell
Bellamy Brothers – World Championship BBQ Cook-off! – Houston
Johnny Lee – The Palace Theater – Corsicana
Scott Taylor Band – World Championship BBQ Cook-off! - Houston



Friday – 23
Dave Thomas – Hard Eight BBQ  - Roanoke
Aaron Einhouse – Houston Livestock & Rodeo BBQ Cook- off - Dayton
Jason Boland & the Stragglers – Floore’s – Helotes
            /w Kody West
Aaron Watson – Abraham Chavez Theater – El Paso
            Asleep at the Wheel Opens!
Bellamy Brothers – Helicopters for Heroes – Ennis
Johnny Lee – Liberty Hall Theater – Tyler
Kyle Park – Coals Smokehouse – Splendora
Randy Brown Band – Houston BBQ Cookoff – Houston
Scott Taylor Band – World Championship BBQ Cook-off! - Houston



Saturday – 24
Charlie Robison – Dance Across Texas – Austin
Shiny Ribs – Floore’s – Helotes
            /w Aaron Stephens
Aaron Einhouse – Whiskey Girl Saloon – Ft.Worth
Bellamy Brothers – Granbury Live Theatre – Granbury
Josh Ward – Banita Creek Hall – Nacogdoches
Libby Koch – Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo Parade
Moe Bandy – The Stagecoach Ballroom – Ft. Worth
Randy Brown Band – Houston BBQ Cookoff – Houston
Scott Taylor Band – World Championship BBQ Cook-off! - Houston


Sunday – 25
NO SHOWS FOUND


Monday – 26
W. C. Jameson – Poodie’s – Spicewood
            Guest: Jim Wyly
            Steak Night!


Tuesday – 27
Chuck Hawthorne – Liberty Tree Tavern – Elgin
             Bianca De Leon
john Arthur martinez – Trailblazer Grille – Burnett
Mike Blakely – Western Edge Cellars – Fredricksburg
Randy Brown Band – Railhead – Willow Park
            /w Phil Hamilton


Wednesday – 28
john Arthur martinez – On the Rocks – Cottonwood Shores
Scott Taylor Band – Moonshine Drinkery – Victoria


ON THE ROAD
Thursday – 22
Trace Adkins – Van Andel Arena – Grand Rapids MI
Tanya Tucker – Cherokee Casino – West Siloam Springs OK
Asleep at the Wheel – The Liberty Social Club – Roswell NM
Casey Donahew – George’s Majestic – Fayetteville AR
Chris Young – Resch Center – Green Bay WI
Granger Smith – Fillmore – Detroit MI
            WYCD’s Ten Man Jam
John Conlee – Wadsworth Auditorium – Newman GA
Oak Ridge Boys – Mobile Civic Center Theater – Mobile AL


Friday – 23
Trace Adkins – TaxSlayer Center – Moline IL
Marc Broussard - @Kelly Green at Alys Beach – Alys Beach FL
            Bourbon, Beer & Butts
Josh Ward – Gilley’s @Choctaw Casino – Pocola OK
Aaron Tippin – Chinook Winds Casino – Lincoln City OR
Chris Young – Target Center – Minneapolis MN
David Ball – Hank Williams Museum – Montgomery AL
Gary Allan – 92.3 WCOL 24th Birthday Bash – Columbus OH
Granger Smith – Grizzly Rose – Denver CO
John Conlee – Tallahassee High School - Tallahassee AL

           
Saturday – 24
Trace Adkins – Scott Trade Center – St. Louis MO
Aaron Watson – Desert Diamond Casino Arena – Sahuarita AZ
Little Texas – Cherokee Casino – Roland OK
Aaron Tippin – Chinook Winds Casino – Lincoln City OR
Chris Young – U. S. Cellular Center – Cedar Rapids IA
Collin Raye – Chinook Winds Casino – Lincoln City OR
John Conlee – Theatre Dublin – Dublin GA
David Ball – Historic Ashland Theatre – Ashland AL
Exile – Orange Blossom Opry – Weirsdale FL
Granger Smith – Grizzly Rose – Denver CO
Johnny Lee – Coushatta Casino Resort – Kinder LA
Jaryd Lane – The Flora-Bama – Pensacola/ Orange Beach AL
            Songwriters music series /w Hal Bruni & Evan Walker
Ragged Union – Cervantes’ Other Side – Denver CO


Sunday – 25
Marc Broussard – Vinyl Music Hall – Pensacola FL
John Conlee – Mars Theatre – Springfield GA


Monday – 26
NO SHOWS FOUND


Tuesday – 27
Marc Broussard – Heymann Performing Arts Center – Lafayette LA
            Supporting Tedeschi Trucks


Wednesday – 28
Marc Broussard – Thalia Mara Hall – Jackson MS
            Supporting Tedeschi Trucks

Aaron Watson – The Sinclair – Cambridge MA

Friday, February 16, 2018

IN MEMORY - Daryle Singletary

IN MEMORIUM

1971-2018

While it would be many years later before Daryle Singletary's true journey began, his course was set the day he recorded 'Your Cheatin' Heart' in Barbara Mandrell's Record-Your-Own-Voice at Opryland. Daryle recalls being twelve or thirteen at the time. (SUN interview) Daryle Singletary was pure country from day one and never strayed from that path.


When I moved to Nashville in 1990, I left Georgia telling my Daddy, ‘I want to make my living in country music,’” Daryle recalls. “I didn’t tell him I wanted to be played on the radio every day or be on a video channel every day. I said, ‘I want to make a living playing for the people who enjoy my kind of music.’ Fortunately and thankfully, I have been able to do that since 1995." 

Daryle was born in Cairo, GA March 10, 1971. Raised in a working class family, he grew up knowing the value of a dollar and the importance of family. At his passing on February 12, Daryle left behind his wife and four children... his hearts. 

I've had Daryle on The Party List many times. In 2015, on the release of his 'There's Still A Little Country Left' album', Daryle partnered with the Campbell's Soup Company on a sponsored tour from mid September to late October of that year. (See CountryMusicMatters for article)

From Steve Hawkins Media - YouTube:
Steve Hawkins Media radio commercial productions for "Campbell’s Soup Free Country Concert Tour" featuring Daryle Singletary. The concerts are sponsored by Campbell's, promoting their products as well as Daryle's new album "There's Still A Little Country Left". Shows will be performed at Walmart Neighborhood Markets throughout Sep and Oct 2015. Stevie Hawkins produced, engineered, co-wrote the ad copy, and is the voice talent for three radio spots. Video graphics by Stevie Hawkins. The creative team of "The Mars Agency" is responsible for the core writing of the ad copy for Campbell's.  

Daryl stuck to his beliefs, recording true country music, releasing seven albums from 1995-2015 plus the American Grandstand album duet with Rhonda Vincent.




If there's one way for any artist to honor his memory, Daryle gives the best advice:
There are still great country songs out there. You just have to either write them or ask the songwriting community for them... and say, ‘Look, when I say country, I mean country.’ 



Too Much Fun topped the charts at #4 in 1995

Daryle Singletary was an amazing talent with an old country soul. Whether he was singing a ballad or something a bit more up-tempo, he played for those of us who understood the heart and soul of true country music. 


Sending Country Blessings of comfort to his family, and all of us. 










Thursday, February 15, 2018

THE PARTY LIST - February 15-21

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. Also, some venues have an age restriction. 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 – 15
Charlie Robison – Dos Amigos – Odessa
Brandon Luedtke – Starlight Theatre – Terlingua
Mike Blakely – Western Edge Cellars – Fredricksburg
            /w john Arthur martinez


Friday – 16
Trace Adkins – United Supermarkets Arena – Lubbock
Charlie Robison – Billy Bob’s – Fort Worth
Bellamy Brothers – Dance Across Texas – Austin
Jean Synodinos – New World Deli – Austin
Josh Ward – Midnight Rodeo – San Angelo
Pauline Reese – Western Edge Cellars - Fredricksburg


Saturday – 17
Charlie Robison – Charley B’s – Lubbock
Ray Wylie Hubbard – Floore’s – Helotes
            /w Jeff Plankenhorn
Aaron Watson – ACL Live at The Moody Theater – Austin
Randy Rogers – The Backyard – Waco
            w/ Aaron Einhouse (Acoustic)
Granger Smith – Billy Bob’s – Ft. Worth
Johnny Lee – The Stagecoach – Ft. Worth
Josh Ward – Waylon & Ray’s Place – Brownwood
Jaryd Lane – Redneck Country Club – Houston
Mike Blakely – House Concert – Rockwall
            See Mikes Tour schedule on his site for details
Scott Taylor Band – Kicks Club - Angelton


Sunday – 18
NO SHOWS FOUND

Monday – 19
George Ensle – Poodie’s – Spicewood
            Guest: Bill Lewis
            Steak Night!


Tuesday – 20
john Arthur martinez – Trailblazer Grille – Burnett
Mike Blakely – Western Edge Cellars – Fredricksburg


Wednesday – 21
Dave Thomas – Hard Eight BBQ – The Colony
john Arthur martinez – On the Rocks – Cottonwood Shores
Scott Taylor Band – Moonshine Drinkery - Victoria


ON THE ROAD
Thursday – 15
Dave Thomas – The Black Diamond Bistro – Beaver CO
            The Charter Hotel
Trace Adkins – BOK Center – Tulsa OK
Curtis Grimes – Stonewolf Casino – Pawnee OK
Crystal Gayle – Riverside Resort Hotel & Casino – Laughlin NV
Chris Young – Infinite Energy Arena – Duluth GA
Exile – Grand Theater – Lancaster KY
Granger Smith – Youkey Theatre – Lakeland Fl
            WPCV St. Jude Acoustic!
Kyle Parks – First Avenue Club – Iowa City IA


Friday – 16
Dave Thomas – The Black Diamond Bistro – Beaver CO
            The Charter Hotel
Marc Broussard – Diana Worthham Theatre – Asheville NC
Granger Smith – Metroplex Live – Little Rock AR
Cody Canada & the Departed – Dog Iron Saloon – Claremore OK
            Cherokee Casino
Aaron Watson – Hartman Arena – Park City KS
Kip Moore – JQH Arena – Springfield MO
Wade Bowen – Cain’s Ballroom – Tulsa OK
Whiskey Myers – George’s Majestic – Fayetteville AR
Asleep at the Wheel – Knuckleheads – Kansas City MO
Bill Anderson – Effingham Performing Arts Center – Effingham IL
Crystal Gayle – Riverside Resort Hotel & Casino – Laughlin NV
Chris Young – St. Augustine Amphitheatre – St. Augustine FL
Oak Ridge Boys – Cache Creek Casino Resort – Brooks CA
David Ball – Bell Buckle Banquet Hall – Bell Buckle TN
Exile – Park Theater – McMinnville TN
Gary Allan – Ballpark Village – St. Louis MO
            WIL Presents Hot Country Nights
Granger Smith – The Metroplex – Little Rock AR
            KSSN Presents St. Jude Benefit JAM
Kyle Park – Hartman Arena – Park City KS
Lonestar – Quad-Cities Waterfront Convention Cntr – Bettendorf IA


Saturday – 17
Marc Broussard – McGlohon Theatre at Spirit Square – Charlotte NC
Dave Thomas – The Last Lift Bar – Keystone CO
            The Mountain House
Trace Adkins – Pam American Center – Las Cruces NV
Asleep at the Wheel – The Auditorium – Eurkea Springs AR
Jason Boland & the Stragglers – Gilley’s @ Choctaw Casino – Pocola OK
Bellamy Brothers – Sugar Creek Casino Event Center – Hinton OK
Bill Anderson – Honeywell Center – Wabash IN
Crystal Gayle – Riverside Resort Hotel & Casino – Laughlin NV
Chris Young – German Arena – Estero FL
Gary Allan – Treasure Island Resort & Casino – Welch MN
Kyle Park – The Fox Pavillion – Hays KS
Lonestar – Soundheim Center for the Perf. Arts – Fairfield IA
Ronnie McDowell – Elvis’ birthplace – Tupelo MS


Sunday – 18
Marc Broussard – Terminal West – Atlanta GA
Crystal Gayle – Riverside Resort Hotel & Casino – Laughlin NV
Gary Allan – Treasure Island Resort & Casino – Welch MN


Monday – 19
NO SHOWS FOUND

Tuesday – 20
Trace Adkins – Grand Ole Opry – Nashville TN


Wednesday – 21

Wednesday, February 14, 2018

WEDNESDAY REWIND - James and Michael Younger


Today I want to start a new series called Wednesday Rewind. I will run this segment about once a month as an alternative to Wednesday Review. I hope you'll enjoy this new segment.


I’ve been doing artist promotion since 1982. Thirty-five years of trying to get airplay for a band I believed in. Not necessarily as a fan, but as someone who believed the world needed to know how good these guys were. I’m talking about a 1980’s country group called James and Michael Younger.


I first met James and Michael Younger at Texas Dance Hall in Baton Rouge LA August 6, 1982. Then they were known as The Younger Brothers. I’ll explain when the group name change came about in a moment. I knew when my sister and I met the group they were special. Okay, the fact they were (and still are) cute, I loved their sound. They played a mix of 1960’s rock, classic country and gospel… the music these boys from South Texas grew up on.

Six months after leaving Louisiana I still had these guys on my mind. I cruised radio dials looking for stations playing their songs. Airplay was near non-existent. I couldn’t figure out why. I began buying singles and sending them to radio stations introducing them to air personalities I was getting to know through letters. Once settled in Central IL, I would call or drive to radio stations to talk with production managers and music directors. I’ve always had a knack for getting in doors and I’ve put that gift to use all these years.

Jerry (?), Rusty, James, Donnie, Michael, Tommy
The Younger Brothers aka James & Michael Younger

Even before I began a personal journey in promoting James and Michael Younger, I’d been interested in promotion. In high school I wanted to be an entertainment journalist. A school counselor basically told me to get a real job, that there wasn’t any career in being a writer or a journalist. I wanted to be the next Barbara Walters but apparently, that wasn’t considered a paying gig. So, even though I wasn’t going to make money doing this, I had – and still have – a passion for doing my part in helping entertainers reach more potential fans.

While James and Michael were good about answering my questions and making time for me at shows over the years, their manager nor their label gave me a glance. If what I was trying to do would ever make a difference, we’ll never know. But I had fun trying!

James and Michael's last name is Williams. Their label wanted to name them the Williams Boys but the brothers were concerned there would be confusion with Don Williams’ band. They wanted their own identity. Shortly after, Don Williams’ band came to be ‘The Scratch Band’.  ‘The Younger Brothers’ name was short lived. Unbeknownst to them, a pop band (playing country music) from Pennsylvania had the same moniker. With that new knowledge in 1983, James and Michael Younger was born.

Long before they were any form of The Younger Brothers, they were part of a band called The Playboys of Edinburg. A garage band that began in the mid 1960s. In 1966 they were signed to Columbia. They had a hit written by James called ‘Look At Me Girl’, later to be recorded by teen idol Bobby Vee. POE had a nine-year run where they opened for folks such as Billy Joe Royal, Roberta Flack and Roy Orbison.

The Playboys of Edinburg
Look At Me Girl

The early 1970s brought about changes in their musical styles and personal lives and they disbanded. The brothers moved back to their country roots. James went solo for awhile in the south Texas area before moving up to Houston and encouraged Michael to join him as a duo.

James and Michael Williams
circa 1986

In 1981, they caught the attention of MCA promotion man, Danny O’Brian. They cut Lonely Hearts at the infamous The Woodlands studio. They would go on to release There’s No Substitute For You. In 1983, they released Somewhere Down the Line – my personal favorite.

One thing that did help with recognition was their song ‘Nothing But the Radio On’- a great song in its own standing but promotion is everything. In the world of music and entertainment, it's a constant struggle to reach the top with hundreds of record labels, thousands of artists and millions of listeners with different tastes. How does an artist or group get the attention?  If there's one thing MCA did right, producer Ron Chancey had the idea to drop the call letters for radio stations in the chorus of Nothing But the Radio On, replacing 'the radio' with station call letters. Seriously? What radio station is going to pass up free promo? The song was recorded once then the call letters for over three-hundred individual radio stations were dropped in, a project that took over sixteen additional studio hours. Having a song that promoted the radio station was a great gimmick for getting the air-play and helped this group gain notoriety. You could turn on your local radio station and here ‘nothing but WHBF on’ (Rock Island IL station in 1983) or whatever station you were listening to.


I kept up with the guys until my husband and I started a family in late 1987. James and Michael Younger disbanded about the same time. My last opportunity to hang with the band was at the Flywheel Club reunion in Macon Missouri. In an article written by Larry Nothnagels for the Clarence Courier, Mr. Nothnagels notes ‘they love being with fans and talking with them and the fans love them just as much.’

Why this group didn’t get more notoriety than others on the charts is perplexing. I have to wonder if MCA thought enough to sign them then why not give them the promotional push for a group they were vested in? Many of the radio stations personalities I talked to over the years said they didn’t get the airplay of others because they were not seeing promotional material come across their desk.

I often wonder how much more I could have done, what their path would have been had social media been available back then. I know that everything happens for a reason so I look back at my efforts as an education. Now I spend my days on social media as a street promoter for both established groups like the Oakridge Boys and the Bellamy Brothers as well as newer artists like the Scott Taylor Band, Jaryd Lane and Bri Bagwell. I am blessed to network with some of the largest promotional agencies across the country… and some of the smallest… but all who believe in the artists they represent.

James Williams

Michael Williams

Don Faires

Through it all, I still call James Williams a dear friend. Michael, too, though we don’t stay in touch as much. But reuniting with James ten years ago after a twenty-five year hiatus followed by Michael and Don (the band drummer) two years later was the culmination of a connection we had all those years ago.

Since disbanding, they've all gone on to do their own thing. They have done some reunions in South Texas with former members of The Playboys of Edinburg. Here's a short video from the first reunion in 2012. The video includes a photo array of the early days. Also, you'll see the boys still put on a great performance that gets the crowd on their feet.




Before I close today, I want to thank some people. Nancee Thomas - Lewis was (and still is) my best friend. We traveled to shows from Illinois to Missouri. She took all of the still photos I'm sharing today. Next,  'thewinner' on YouTube for posting many of the video clips I've used this week. I have the albums but wouldn't know the first thing about putting them on YouTube. Also to Phil Brown for the reunion video. Thank you both for providing the content. Please go check out his channel, hit likes and subscribe. 

I also must thank Val Curl. Val is a POE member who put me in touch with James, rekindling a friendship that began with a night out in Baton Rouge LA.

I look forward to looking back at other groups as well as individual artists. If there is someone you'd like to see me feature, please leave a comment below and I'll do my best. 
CountryBlessings!


Tuesday, February 13, 2018

TURNTABLE TUESDAY - Summer of Love

I want 2018 to be the turning point of getting back on track with music promotion. While I can never do what I love for money, I can support the artists who bring me joy through their artistry. Here on KellysCountry, I share what I receive with all of you. Please support these artists... and Live Music!


As promised, our first 'official' Turntable Tuesday of 2018 kicks off with Summer of Love by James Williams.


Cover art by Don Faires

While I've known James as a country artist for over thirty years, I also know there is a rock and roller at the heart of this talented songwriter, singer, musician. From his beginning songwriting which included Look At Me Girl, which was later recorded by Bobby Vee in July 1966 and went to #85 to this album, he has always been a rocker. Remember, his music was blossoming in the mid 1960's - the summer of love.


The title track, Summer of Love, takes me back to 1966. I was five years old and my dad would take me to the big city park in Boulder Colorado. I saw the hippie culture up close and idolized the young girls with their pretty dresses and flowers in their hair. I knew at the age of five, I wanted to be a flower child. James' album calls to that five-year-old to come out and play again.

Leaving the Past Behind definitely has that 1960s/ Bobby Vee feel to it whereas Show Us the Way has a bit more cosmic, meditative sense. Pretty Woman's Daughter is drawn from Roy Orbison  The guitar on this track is spot on for Roy's style. While this album has a psychedelic overtone, I Can't See Past Losing You pulls in a thread of his country roots and Promised Land brings a country-rock beat that calls you to the dance floor. I can see this one being a favorite at the next Playboys of Edinburg reunion concert. Sons of the 60's is one of two songs on the CD where James teams up with his brother, Michael. This track is most reminiscent of my James and Michael Younger days of the 1980's, paying homage to their mama who was an amazing talent and like many artists, they cut their musical chords singing in church. If any song on this album touches a country note, it's I've Got Friends You Don't Know About. When I Think Of You and Fun Summertime are two of my favorite tunes on this CD. While I was a mere child in the 60s, I grew up a fan of beach movies. This song would be an excellent addition to any soundtrack portraying that beachy vibe. 

Overall, Summer of Love serves up exactly what the title promises. The 1960s were a cool blend of hipster beach and hippy love. James has brought everything together in an album that will connect with anyone who grew up in that era in some way, evoking memories of where you were, what you did and ... maybe who. Pick up this CD and take a trip down memory lane.

To purchase your copy:

$20.00 and includes shipping.
Send a check to:

James Williams
172 West Harbor
Hendersonville 37075

Or:

Pay Pal to:
Willliamspromotions3 (at) Comcast (dot) net

Since I can't share a track from the CD, I'll leave you with this classic Beach Boys tune:











Monday, February 12, 2018

OUT OF THE CHUTE - James Williams

Welcome to the first round of OUT OF THE CHUTE for 2018... and our new post header.
This picture is from www.pixabay.com and uploaded courtesy of CC0 Creative Commons


This week we welcome back a dear friend, James Williams


I've known James Williams for over thirty- seven years. When I got an email from him a couple weeks ago about a new CD he has out, I thought it was time we played catch-up and got some background on 'Summer of Love', which I will be posting a review for tomorrow. So, here we go!

Summer of Love has that very retro, psychedelic tone – different than what you’ve done in the past. Why this album? Why now?
My roots are in rock & roll as well as country.  I was just thinking back to younger days and started writing what I was feeling.  Channeling some of the groups back then and it sort of evolved.

Is your brother, Michael on this album as well?
Michael is on 2 songs that I included because they fit. “When I Think Of You” and “Son’s Of The 60’s”.

Michael (L) James (R) 
during their 1985 tour
Photo courtesy of Nancee Thomas Louis

The artwork on the cover is beautiful (reveal tomorrow during review). Many may not know that the artist, Don Faires was your drummer for a number of years. What was your thought behind bringing Don in on this project? And does he do any of the instrumentals?
Don is on 5 of the songs as the drummer.  He’s painting some great things and I used one of his paintings for the cover because it fit.


Don Faires - drummer
Circa 1985

You wrote all of the tracks on this album. How many of them are new and how many have been on hold in the binder waiting their time?
5 of them are brand new written in 2017 and 3 are in the past 5 years with 1 from the 80’s and 1 from the 70’s.

A couple of these tunes are just made for crankin’ up the volume. Pretty Woman’s Daughter is one of those. Where did this song come from?
I was just trying for a feel of Roy on this one.  Creating a story from nothing

One thing I noticed about this album is that your voice hasn’t changed in all the years I’ve known you. I could have heard any track and known I was hearing the same man who sang Somewhere Down the Line in 1985. I know you’ve not toured, but have done a couple of Playboys of Edinburg reunions. How have you kept your voice in tone all this time?
Thank you.  I really haven’t done anything special.  I sing songs with my kids and when I write one I sing it to get it down.  When the Playboys did shows ,1 in 2012 , 1 in 2014 and 1 in 2016 we practiced a lot to get our chops up for singing 3 sets.  Sometimes I will sing at a writers night here in Nashville.  So I have kept pretty active for an old voice.

You probably know I wasn’t going to let you go without asking this next question. Is there more of a country type album down the line?
I have enough songs already recorded for a country CD, but I’ll have to see. I’m still writing all the time.

As an artist management/ promoter, can you share a bit of your marketing strategy for this 
album?
I really did this for me.  But then I thought about all of our friends from where I grew up you know high school and all.  I thought they would like to remember back then too.  So I put it on face book and friends have shared the info, but nothing extensive yet.


While I don't have any clips of the new CD, I thought I'd share a YouTube upload from 'the winner'. Somewhere Down the Line was the inspiration for my first published novella.



Tomorrow, I'll share my review of Summer of Love then follow up on Wednesday with a look-back