Matraca Berg Does The Station Inn Sessions.

WSM held their monthly ‘Station Inn Session‘ this Thursday, a series of low key performances broadcasted Nationally from Nashville’s own Station Inn.  It was an intimate, dimly lit showcasing of famed singer/songwriter Matraca Berg.  Berg, best known for her 1996 hit, “Strawberry Wine” (Deana Carter) and most recently, “You and Tequila” (Kenny Chesney and Grace Potter) has a rustic elegance that is both entertaining and intriguing; she managed to keep the small crowd at a subdued anticipation for the extent of the set.   The night was spotted with highlights such as guest appearances by the likes of Marshal Chapman , husband Jeff Hanna, of The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and most pivotly when she was overcome with tears amidst the Trisha Yearwood cut,”The Dreaming Fields.” The autobiographical ballad that she penned in homage to her late grandparent’s farm, which was, get this, the actual location where the events in ‘Strawberry Wine’ took place.  Yep, it was a true story!

Matraca’s set to play to Nashville shows in the next week!  Anyone in town for the holidays neeeeds to take part!  click HERE for more info.

‘The Dreaming Fields,’ also cut by Trisha Yearwood

 

‘You and Tequila’ co written with Deana Carter, also cut by Kenny Chesney and Grace Potter

and ‘Strawberry Wine’ also cut by Deana Carter

Anddd check this outtt!

The Artist/The Songwriter: Artists Who Write Songs For Other Artists.

We love artists.  Especially the ones who write.  And especiallly the ones who write well.  One of our favorite hobbies is going to thrift stores and reading the creds on CD’s, you find some really interesting stuff.  Whether or not you know it, some of our favorite artists, big and small have been making awesome contributions to some of our other favorite artists.  From albums cuts to number 1 singles and everything in between check this out!

(There were a few of which we couldn’t find videos on, so sorry. )

Did you know that ____ wrote ____’s ” _____?!”

Did you know that Joe Diffie wrote Jo Dee Messina‘s  “My Give A Damn’s Busted?!”

Jerrod Niemann wrote Garth Brooks‘ “Good Ride Cowboy.” “Midnight Sun” and “That Girl is a Cowboy.”

Lee Brice wrote Tim Mcgraw‘s “Still,” Garth Brooks‘ “More Than a Memory,” and Eli Young Bands’ “Crazy Girl”

Josh Thompson wrote Jason Aldean‘s “Church Pew or Bar Stool”  and Jason Michael Carrol‘s “Growing Up Is Getting Old.”

Eric Church wrote Terri Clark‘s “I Think The World Needs a Drink.”

Luke Bryan wrote Billy Currington‘s “Good Directions.”

Deana Carter cowrote Kenny Chesney and Grace Potter‘s “You and Tequila”

Brantley Gilbert wrote Jason Aldean‘s “Dirt Road Anthem” and “My Kinda Party.”

Phil Vassar wrote Jo Dee Messina‘s “Bye Bye” and “I’m Alright.”

Jamey Johnson wrote George Strait‘s “Give It Away,” and co wrote Trace Adkins‘ “Honky Tonk Ba Donk A Donk.” with Randy Houser.

and Randy Houser co wrote Jamey Johnson‘s “In Color” with Jamey.

 

We could go on and onn.. but we thought we’d highlight a few.  Can y’all think of anymore?

2011 CMA NOMINATIONS!

Who’s it gonna be?!  Nom’s were posted this morning!  The 45th Annual CMA awards will be presented  Wednesday, November 9 at 8/7c on ABC, hosted by Brad and Carrie, once more.

Entertainer

• Jason Aldean
• Brad Paisley
• Blake Shelton
• Taylor Swift
• Keith Urban

Female

• Sara Evans
• Miranda Lambert
• Martina McBride
• Taylor Swift
• Carrie Underwood

Male

• Jason Aldean
• Kenny Chesney
• Brad Paisley
• Blake Shelton
• Keith Urban

New Artist

• The Band Perry
• Luke Bryan
• Eric Church
• Thompson Square
• Chris Young

Group

• The Band Perry
• Lady Antebellum
• Little Big Town
• Rascal Flatts
• Zac Brown Band

Vocal Duo of the Year

• The Civil Wars
• Montgomery Gentry
• Steel Magnolia
• Sugarland
• Thompson Square

Single of the Year

• “A Little Bit Stronger” – Sara Evans
• “Colder Weather” – Zac Brown Band
• “Don’t You Wanna Stay” – Jason Aldean with Kelly Clarkson
• “Honey Bee” – Blake Shelton
• “If I Die Young” – The Band Perry

Album of the Year

• All About Tonight – Blake Shelton
• My Kinda Party – Jason Aldean
• Speak Now – Taylor Swift
• This Is Country Music – Brad Paisley
• You Get What You Give – Zac Brown Band

Deana Carter Does “You And Tequila.”

I Know, we just posted about Matraca Berg‘s original version of “You and Tequila,” but thanks to Spotify, we also discovered that co writer, Deana Carter, also cut the song.   We had to share!  This version is so great, especially the recorded one.  Love the roughness in D’s voice.  You can find it on her 2003, “I’m Just A Girl” album.

 

Matraca Berg, Suzy Bogguss, Gretchen Peters Do “You And Tequila.”

This song is gorgeous.  Probably, no definitely, the best thing out on country radio right now.  “You and Tequila” was written by coveted singer/songwriter Matraca Berg and miss Strawberry Wine herself, Deana Carter.
You’ve more than likely heard Kenny and Grace’s version but what you may not have known is that Matraca cut the song as well on her 2011 “Dreaming Fields” album.  Had to share it!  So here ya go.  This one also features the lovely, Suzy Bogguss and Gretchen Peters.

Hits And Giggles – Rhett Akins, Bob Dipiero, And Luke Laird.

So, you know how they say the best things in life are free? Well that ain’t no lie.  Last night we headed over to Douglas’ Corner Cafe to catch a totally free writers round with, drum roll please…. Rhett Akins, Bob Dipiero, And Luke Laird!!  How crazy is that!?  These guys are responsible for like, half of the songs out on country radio.   Between them, they’ve got a couple dozen chart toppers,  countless cuts, and about 5 billion awards showcasing their awesome musical ability.  And you can’t argue with that.  Rhett, who’s about as country as country gets is responsible for a few little songs you mayyy know, such as Blake Shelton‘s “Honey Bee‘, Josh Turner‘s “All Over Me,” and Rodney Atkins‘ “The Farmers Daughter,” among others!  Bob brings it home with “Girl In it” by B&D, “Daddy’s Money” by Ricochet, and some song called “Southern Voice” by some guy we can’t remember..:p   Luke Laird, the youngin’ of the group, has had a hand in a ton of Carrie Underwood‘s cuts, such as “Last Name“,  Sara Evans‘ “Stronger” and Kenny Chesney‘s “Who You’d Be Today,” to name a few.   So to put it lightly, these guys are rock stars.   Anddd, man do they know how to put on a show.   They’re as fun and friendly as they are talented, and we’re so so so glad we got in the door! The night was nothing short of amazing, and this is why we love this city.   Big thanks to Amanda Flynn and Bruce Wallace for putting it together, they always host the best rounds!

Ps. We know, these vids are terrible quality, Douglas’ seems to have a slight lighting issue.

Picture Perfect: Kenny Chesney.

Smokin,’ KC.  We loveee you.

Kenny Chesney: Then And Now.

Kenny Chesney just released his newest single, “You and Tequila,” off of his current album “Hemmingway’s Whiskey. ” This one’s a duet between him and the lovely Grace Potter, and in our opinion it’s the best single that Kenny’s put out in quite a while.  We’re betting it goes number one, and if nothing else, the song only further solidifies our acceptance to his ramblin’, laid back image. That of which he’s rite fully earned.  In the spirit of things, we wanted to do some throwbacks to the Kenny Chesney that has long since been forgotten.
Way back when, the beach bum we’ve all come to know and adore wasn’t quite so beachy.  Thanks to the industry; label and management, no doubt.  A couple years back, Ches started off as a Garth Brooks look alike with some Dwight Yoakum swagga.   Becauseee long before “Senoritas and Margaritas“, and “When the Sun Goes Down“, Kenny was just another country singer, trying to fit the mold of what a country singer should be.
KC’s debut album was released in 1994,  It wasn’t until  almost a decade after that he ditched the cowboy image for swimming trunks and flip flops.   His 2002 album,”No Shoes, No Shirts, No Problems” changed it all.  Crazy, right?  That being said, let’s take a little drip down memory lane, Kenny Chesney style.

Here’s a clip of one of his first singles, ‘Whatever It Takes“.  Gotta Love that ’90’s country.  So darn sophisticated.

This one’s called “Fall In Love“,  from way back in ’95, yo.

We’re all familiar with this one, right?

“Anything But Mine“.  Prob his best song eva.

And here’s his latest, “You And Tequila“.  Click here to watch the debut vid.

Billboard Awards Recap. Taylor Swift and Ke$ha.

We wanna give a shout out to two of our favorite Nashvillians, Taylor and Ke$ha.  They were both heavily nominated artists at the Billboard Music Awards held last night in viva Las Vegas. Taylor took home 3 trophies, Best Country Album, Top 200 Artist and Top Country Artist.  And Ke$ha, though not a winner, blew everyone away with a totally rock star performance of her current and past singles “”Blow” and “Animal.” Way to go ladies!

Other congrats go to Jason Aldean, Kenny Chesney, Lady A and The ZBB for their nominations!

Copy Cat Singles: When Certain Songs Can’t Be Released.

A good song is priceless to an artist.  Especially a good single.  My first intern manager called it “The Wheels” of an album because they set the LP in motion.   If the public doesn’t like the songs, they’re not going to buy the album.  There’s a lot of reason why certain singles are released and others are not. The factors are in-numerous;  Timing, relevance, previous singles, other artist with similar singles, production, likability, royalties, whether or not the radio will want to pick it up, etc.  Every album only releases a certain number of singles and with those factors in mind, the team behind that artist, its label, manager, publishers, etc. have to be very selective.  But what does one do when they write or stumble upon a song that is so perfect for an artist but simply cannot be released?  They write or stumble upon orrr seek out another jusssstt like it, and put in on a later album.

Example 1: Brad Paisley “It did” Vs. “Then“

Example 2: Kenny Chesney “Got a little crazy last night” Vs. “We went out last night”