Sad news reached my mail box over the weekend. The legendary Les Paul had passed away. In doing some digging in my personal research sources, I was surprised to find Les Paul was not mentioned in either of my Country Music Encyclopedias.
I know when many think of Les Paul, they think the outstanding Les Paul guitars artists longed to have. If a man wanted to play guitar, you can bet he hungered to own an honest to goodness Les Paul. Not cheap by any means. And I think to some, if they could afford one they thought they were on their way to great things.
Les Paul wasn't just about guitars. He was a magician and a pioneer in using multi-tracks in the recording studio. What he couldn't do with a guitar, he did in the studio. His talents spread across genres and generations.
I have to wonder who will ever contribute so much to music and leave such a lasting impression on the industry the way he did.
But then it's impossible to replace a legend.
Play on Les Paul!
Country Blessings!
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Monday, June 1, 2009
NEVER GOING BACK
That's the title of the new Collin Raye CD.
This man never ceases to amaze me. I have to cover my you-know-what by admitting I'll be the first to say Collin Raye isn't country - at least not the basic country I want to promote here. So you might ask why I'm showcasing him this week. I have enjoyed his music since the early days of his career and am honored to have the opportunity to review his new CD. It has been almost four years since Collin released an album and in my estimation, too long. Welcome back, Collin!
NEVER GOING BACK has Collin's mark on every note. Even the remakes of WITHOUT YOU and STUCK IN THE MIDDLE WITH YOU are reminiscent of the sounds of his earlier CDs. SHE'S ALL THAT (from his TRACKS CD) would be just as much at home on this album as it's original release.
I have to admit when I first heard him perform his first single from the CD - MIDLIFE CHRYSLER -(performed on Huckabee's show), I was petrified of doing this review. I've always loved Collin's music and frankly, his live performance didn't make me anxious to purchase the CD. I've seen him in concert many times but this performance wasn't the style I remember. I was trying to figure out how I was going to say something positive about a CD from a man who's career I've never been able to give anything but praise. It was like he was screaming or trying too hard. But being the Collin Raye fan I've always been, I had to buy the CD and give it an honest listen. I was AMAZED at the difference between the TV performance and the recorded version.
I can't give this album a Cowboy Hat rating because it isn't country. But if you like a good ballad or were ever a Collin Raye fan, you want this album! If you buy it at Walmart, you get two bonus tracks - HELPING HANDS and FAITHFULLY.
If you want to find out where to catch Collin on tour or read about HALEY'S HELPERS - an organization founded for children with an undiagnosed disease like his 8-year-old granddaughter - check out his website... www.collinraye.com
This man never ceases to amaze me. I have to cover my you-know-what by admitting I'll be the first to say Collin Raye isn't country - at least not the basic country I want to promote here. So you might ask why I'm showcasing him this week. I have enjoyed his music since the early days of his career and am honored to have the opportunity to review his new CD. It has been almost four years since Collin released an album and in my estimation, too long. Welcome back, Collin!
NEVER GOING BACK has Collin's mark on every note. Even the remakes of WITHOUT YOU and STUCK IN THE MIDDLE WITH YOU are reminiscent of the sounds of his earlier CDs. SHE'S ALL THAT (from his TRACKS CD) would be just as much at home on this album as it's original release.
I have to admit when I first heard him perform his first single from the CD - MIDLIFE CHRYSLER -(performed on Huckabee's show), I was petrified of doing this review. I've always loved Collin's music and frankly, his live performance didn't make me anxious to purchase the CD. I've seen him in concert many times but this performance wasn't the style I remember. I was trying to figure out how I was going to say something positive about a CD from a man who's career I've never been able to give anything but praise. It was like he was screaming or trying too hard. But being the Collin Raye fan I've always been, I had to buy the CD and give it an honest listen. I was AMAZED at the difference between the TV performance and the recorded version.
I can't give this album a Cowboy Hat rating because it isn't country. But if you like a good ballad or were ever a Collin Raye fan, you want this album! If you buy it at Walmart, you get two bonus tracks - HELPING HANDS and FAITHFULLY.
If you want to find out where to catch Collin on tour or read about HALEY'S HELPERS - an organization founded for children with an undiagnosed disease like his 8-year-old granddaughter - check out his website... www.collinraye.com
Gearing up!
Just a note of thanks to all of you for your patience during my brief stint of MIA. My daughter and granddaughter moved in with us back in March and a new routine in the household has been an adjustment. I'm use to having the house to myself 3 weeks at a shot, with only the animals for company. But I'm back and ready to further the journey with all of you.
Country Blessings!
Country Blessings!
Monday, April 27, 2009
TMA Congrats!
The TMA's brought many happy faces last night.
CONGRATULATIONS to Wade Bowen for Male Vocalist of the Year.
Record of the Year went to Jerry Audley for Lucky Me, Lonely You.
Michael Martin Murphy accepted Entertainer of the Year.
You can check out all the winners at http://www.texasmusicawards.org/results/2009/index.html
I wish all of the nominees could have won! The great thing about these award things is there's always next year. Hopefully I'll have a house seat next year and can bring you all the results live via Twitter.
Country Blessings!
CONGRATULATIONS to Wade Bowen for Male Vocalist of the Year.
Record of the Year went to Jerry Audley for Lucky Me, Lonely You.
Michael Martin Murphy accepted Entertainer of the Year.
You can check out all the winners at http://www.texasmusicawards.org/results/2009/index.html
I wish all of the nominees could have won! The great thing about these award things is there's always next year. Hopefully I'll have a house seat next year and can bring you all the results live via Twitter.
Country Blessings!
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Michael Martin Murphy
This week we take a look at our final nominee for Entertainer of the Year at the Texas Music Assoc. Awards (April 26th). He might be last on the list but by no means less important. Some might even say I saved the best for last.
According to Richard W. Slatta (The Cowboy Encyclopedia - W.W. Norton and Company), Michael Martin Murphy is a bona fide western singer. I couldn't agree more! Murphy blazed a trail for western singers, expanding the listening audience for cowboy music without leaving the campfire glow behind. http://www.michaelmartinmurpheymusic.com/cms/6Murphy
Murphy grew up listening to and singing cowboy songs around a campfire. In the 1960s, he headed to UCLA to study Greek/Latin/Roman history. He felt a connection with the traveling minstrels so wanted to learn more about those who had wandered before him. He still loves history, sharing snippets of his knowledge in his shows.
Although he had released his first album in 1972, I first heard Michael Martin Murphy in the early 80s. What's Forever For is just one romantic ballad from his self-titled album released in 1981. A romantic cowboy! What more could a girl ask for?
When the cowboy poetry movement surged in the 1980s, Murphy jumped in. He came an evangelist of sorts for the cowboy movement. One of his most known endeavors is WestFest. A woodstock for cowboys, WestFest takes place in Copper Mountain, Co.
Aside from being a nominee at the TMAs this year, Michael is also MC and will be in concert following the awards presentation.
If you have the opportunity to attend the awards show, please post here and tell us who you met and what your highs/lows of the evening were. Until then...
Country Blessings
According to Richard W. Slatta (The Cowboy Encyclopedia - W.W. Norton and Company), Michael Martin Murphy is a bona fide western singer. I couldn't agree more! Murphy blazed a trail for western singers, expanding the listening audience for cowboy music without leaving the campfire glow behind. http://www.michaelmartinmurpheymusic.com/cms/6Murphy
Murphy grew up listening to and singing cowboy songs around a campfire. In the 1960s, he headed to UCLA to study Greek/Latin/Roman history. He felt a connection with the traveling minstrels so wanted to learn more about those who had wandered before him. He still loves history, sharing snippets of his knowledge in his shows.
Although he had released his first album in 1972, I first heard Michael Martin Murphy in the early 80s. What's Forever For is just one romantic ballad from his self-titled album released in 1981. A romantic cowboy! What more could a girl ask for?
When the cowboy poetry movement surged in the 1980s, Murphy jumped in. He came an evangelist of sorts for the cowboy movement. One of his most known endeavors is WestFest. A woodstock for cowboys, WestFest takes place in Copper Mountain, Co.
Aside from being a nominee at the TMAs this year, Michael is also MC and will be in concert following the awards presentation.
If you have the opportunity to attend the awards show, please post here and tell us who you met and what your highs/lows of the evening were. Until then...
Country Blessings
Friday, April 3, 2009
Word Gets Around
When I began this blog several weeks ago, I then made the jump to twitter. I thought tweeting would be a good way to get the word out about my blogs. Some really awesome people have found me because of it and led me to some really cool places. Places like LoneStar Music. So as well as TheCountryAngel blog, I have a slightly more personal page over at LonesStar Music. You'll get a feel for the type of music I listen to and be able to chat.
You can check it out here...
www.lonestarmusic.com/kellyscountr
Hope to see you 'round
Country Blessings
You can check it out here...
www.lonestarmusic.com/kellyscountr
Hope to see you 'round
Country Blessings
Congrats to Wade Bowen
Big Congratulations to Wade Bowen for his Double-Play.
Wade took home Best Vocal Performance - Album and Best Album
Both awards were for his If We Ever Make It Home
You can check out this awesome album at
http://www.lonestarmusic.com/album.asp?aid=4675
You can see a pic of Wade with is guitar awards at
http://www.lonestarmusic.com/lsmblogpost.asp?bid=197
Could it be his LoneStar night is a premonition to what we can expect at the TMA's this month?
Stay tuned!
Country Blessings
Wade took home Best Vocal Performance - Album and Best Album
Both awards were for his If We Ever Make It Home
You can check out this awesome album at
http://www.lonestarmusic.com/album.asp?aid=4675
You can see a pic of Wade with is guitar awards at
http://www.lonestarmusic.com/lsmblogpost.asp?bid=197
Could it be his LoneStar night is a premonition to what we can expect at the TMA's this month?
Stay tuned!
Country Blessings
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