Album Spotlight: Bri Bagwell - In My Defense

First of all, full transparency. Bri Bagwell granted me a Q&A. I've met her a couple of times. We've had exchanges on the tweeter machine. I like her. You can accuse me of bias, and that would be fair. But I also thought when I started doing Q&A's I would not write about an artists music after because of perceived bias. I've changed my stance.

In My Defense, Bagwell's latest album, is too good not to write about. She's got hooks. And more hooks.y

It's a country album from start to finish with tinges of Southern Rock sprinkled in, but it's mostly country from instrumentation to style.

It's an album that is personal and cohesive from start to finish. I know, you've heard it all before "this is my most personal album ever." In this case, it seems legitimate. Bri told me in an email that she wrote a party song, which she said she performs live, but it didn't fit the album.

That's what I mean by cohesive. How many times have you listened to an album and wondered why the hell this song was included? There's none of that here.

I usually focus on sound here, leaving the listener to interpret the lyrics in their own, however I will expound on one song this time. "Cheat On Me" is a song most people can relate to at some point in their lives. Bagwell does an excellent job of telling it from a female perspective, but it's very relatable for the dudes in the audience. I've been there.

Go buy the album. Stream it. See her live. You won't be disappointed.

A live version of my favorite song. Even with technical difficulties and bad camera work, it's good.

Kevin McGuire - Country Music Fan

I get it. College Gameday has had more than a fair share of Nashville pop stars. And Kenny Chesney, while a real fan, is overdone. I'm on Kevin McGuire's side in that aspect.

But, you know, why take it there, Kevin? Unless that's what you really believe. If you, Kevin McGuire genuinely think all country music sucks, then I pity you. But, hey, in the meantime, find me some shoe gazers and emo punk and EDM artists that know anything about college football. I'd be more than happy to hear from them on Gameday.

[Googles Eric Church]

Oh. A country music singer. How original, GameDay.

— Kevin McGuire (@KevinOnCFB) October 1, 2016

Is Eric Church the country singer I got a PR email about in the last week or so begging me to interview him about college football, or nah?

— Kevin McGuire (@KevinOnCFB) October 1, 2016

All country music sucks. https://t.co/g8bKCFroCW

— Kevin McGuire (@KevinOnCFB) October 1, 2016

Michael Sweet Condemns Rockers For Trying To Go Country

Michael Sweet, lead vocalist and guitarist for 80s Christian hair metal band Stryper has taken rockers to task for attempting to "go country".

About his new single "Radio", Sweet told Loudwire "I wrote the song ‘Radio’ based on my history in country music and on what seems to be a surge of rock stars trying to become country stars. I’m a metal head at heart and always will be."

Sweet continues, "Just as metal is a life style, country is as well and you have to live it, not just wake up one morning and decide you’re gonna be a country star and have the respect of the country world.”

In conclusion, Sweet says "Country music, just like rock, is a lifestyle rich with history and authenticity and each genre should be treated with great respect. You can’t fake it. You can try, but the fans will see right through it."

Here is the video for "Radio".

More Substance Than Bro Country, More Country Than Sam Hunt

On Sirius the other day I heard the d.j. say that she had heard The Eagles would be considered “country” today. Which is funny ’cause I have recently been thinking about that. I loved The Eagles. They’ve dabbled in country for years. The truth: they would NOT get played today because they are “too traditional.”

 That quote came from the comments section on an article on the website Saving Country Music from a user identified only as Justin.

It got me to thinking that a lot of 80's hair metal power ballads are more country than what you hear on mainstream country radio today. So of course I went down that rabbit hole. And then I got stuck on Cinderella. At their core, Cinderella was really more of a blues rock/Southern rock band than a hair metal band. But they had the look and played the part. But the music told a different story.

I could mine ten songs from the Cinderella catalog that would make a more country album than you could get from taking ten songs from eight hours worth of mainstream country radio.

But I digress from the main point. Taking individual songs (and yes I know, that's cherry picking) from artists such as Cinderella, Motley Crue, Poison, Warrant, Faster Pussycat, Guns n' Roses, and L.A. Guns, just to name a few, you can find songs more country than anything Sam Hunt has done.

And here's the real kicker. While the demise of the glam/sleaze rock scene was mired in misogyny and shallowness, there is more substance to be found there than in the bro country scene. Want proof? Glad you asked. I made a Spotify playlist of songs with more substance than bro country and more country than Sam Hunt.

Granted, none of these songs are really country in the true sense of country music. It's more of an exercise than anything else. And yes, I have an affinity for 80's hard rock, what I grew up with.  And yeah, I took some liberties including KISS and a Lita Ford cover of an Alice Cooper song. It's my playlist.

If you Spotify, enjoy:

Album Spotlight: Rylie Bourne: Rylie Bourne

Turn off your mainstream radio station. Get plugged into some music blogs that feature music you like. Then go support the artists you find that you like.

Rylie Bourne was a name I never heard until yesterday. Then I saw a review of her debut album at Country Music Minds. Read it, if you want a good review. Better than I could do.

Bourne does justice to traditional country without sounding dated. Think Kacey Musgraves and Sunny Sweeney with a bit of Dolly Parton sprinkled in.

And she's got swamp, that sultry, bluesy, organic thing that can only be described as swampy.

Here is "Mary Ann" from an NPR Tiny Desk session.

Kac

Album Spotlight: Chris Stapleton: Traveller

The new Chris Stapleton album has arrived. And it was worth the wait.

Traveller has elements of more traditional country along with Southern rock sensibilities. Stapleton's smoky voice soars throughout.

Of the fourteen songs on the record, there are none that I would skip. I love it when you can put on a record and just let it play all the way through and enjoy everything. That doesn't happen often.

Traveller immediately vaults into my top two albums of 2015. Right now I don't know if it is one or two.

Here's the title track. The record just keeps getting better from there.

Brooke Ansley: Nothin' Fancy Demo

Courtesy of reverbnation

I really don't know much about Brooke Ansley other than this one time she was Miss Maryland, so there's that. (Her words not mine). Actually, you can check her out on her website.

What I do know is that the one-time Miss Maryland has written and recorded a demo of a fantastic country song. It has a story. It has a melody. It has a hook. And I like it.

And here it is:



Original Soundcloud version:




Follow TheCheapSeats on Twitter.

Artist Spotlight: Maggie Rose

I must have been hiding under a rock not to find this gem until now, but Maggie Rose's Cut to Impress is a fantastic album. Released in early 2013, it's now almost a year and a half old, but better late to the party than to let it pass you by altogether.

Billed as country, I think it is now a fool's game to try to pigeonhole anything but the most obvious. While there is plenty of country throughout the record, there are also hints of funk, rock, R&B and obviously pop. Cut to Impress keeps you interested for the entirety of the album with a lot of unpredictability. After the first three cuts, I was waiting to see what style would come next.

Maggie Rose does not possess the greatest vocal chops, but her delivery is very believable no matter if singing about murder or love or heartbreak or lust.

One thing that stands out is the storytelling on a number of tracks. The storytelling aspect has almost become a lost art. This is especially prevalent on the first track, "Preacher's Daughter" and the latest single "Looking Back Now".

I've listened to entire record several times, but "Preacher's Daughter" keeps drawing me back. It's swampy and dark in the vein of Warrant's "Uncle Tom's Cabin" or Tanya Tucker's "Blackwater Bayou" or "The Night that the Lights Went Out in Georgia". Here is a live recording of that song.

Maggie Rose: Cut To Impress on Amazon

Follow The Cheap Seats on Twitter

Album Spotlight: Nikki Lane: All or Nothin'

I'm really not good with labels. So, I really don't know where to place Nikki Lane's latest release All or Nothin'.

Because of her voice and the steel guitar and traditional country instrumentation, many have wanted to label her as a country throwback in the vein of Loretta Lynn and Tammy Wynette. Vocally, I get it. But musically, not so much.

There is definitely a country thread running through the entire record. But there's also rockabilly, 70's laid back SoCal rock, pop(ish) and a tinge of the blues to be heard. I liken it more to the early releases of Sheryl Crow, Tuesday Night Music Club and The Globe Sessions.

The only thing that really needs to be said about Nikki Lane is that she puts out some fantastic music and does a fine job of being Nikki Lane. All or Nothin' is worth a listen. Here is "Right Time" from the album. Enjoy.

Are You Ready for A Country Motley Crue Tribute?

By now, most everyone has heard that Motley Crue has announced their final tour. It will run through the end of 2015 and then that's it. No more Crue.

They even added the twist of signing some sort of legal document that prevents them from ever touring again. Whatever that means.

Can they reunite for festivals? How about a residency in Vegas? Who knows?

Also coming out of that news conference was the disturbing news that the head honcho at Big Machine Records, Scott Borchetta, plans on releasing a Motley Crue country tribute album with the artists of his label. Some of Big Machine's artists include Taylor Swift, Florida Georgia Line, Rascal Flatts, Tim McGraw and Cassadee Pope.

Sure, some Motley songs lend themselves easily to being "countrified". "Home Sweet Home" and any other power ballad would slide quite nicely onto current country radio. Other songs such as "Girl Don't Go Away Mad" and "Same Ol' Situation" fall along the same lines.

But how about "Dr. Feelgood", "Kickstart My Heart", "Looks That Kill", "Live Wire" and "Wildside"?

It's been suggested that I keep an open mind about this. And I will. But I just can't see those songs being anything but a train wreck. I could be wrong. Taylor Swift could do a killer version of "Dr. Feelgood". Maybe Rascal Flatts surprises with a new and unique twist on "Live Wire".

Or not.

Somebody's going to make some money on this ill-advised venture. And that's what it's all about in the end, right?

Saving Country Music

No, no, no, no, NO!

I'm not trying to save country music. I don't think country music needs my help.It may could use my input, but that's another story.

Saving Country Music is a website that I've been diving into the past few days. Very interesting stuff there.

I'm not a country traditionalist. I really am not much of a traditionalist anything. I don't necessarily agree with everything on this site. But what I really love about it is that it showcases artists who are not being played on radio.

It's more of a music (mostly country, but there is no box) lovers site. Sharing stuff that doesn't get recognized. I love that. Some of the music I like, some I don't. But in just a few days I've learned quite a bit and found some very cool artists that I don't know how I would have found otherwise.

If you are satisfied with what is currently being played on mainstream country radio and think that what is being played is great, you will not enjoy this site at all.

If you like some of the stuff currently being played but long for something more, think a lot of it is polished pop country crap, you will have a ball on this site.

If you think everything about current popular country music is horrible, well, you need help, but will find enough on this site to satisfy you temporarily.

If your favorite artists are Jason Aldean, Florida Georgia Line, Luke Bryan, et al, stay away from this site at all costs for your own well-being. Because it will throw you into a rage.

I think my two or three readers of this blog will like it. Check it out.

Here's a sample of some of the stuff you might find:

The CMA Awards and Today's Country Music

We watched the CMA Awards. We were entertained.

George Strait and Alan Jackson doing George Jones.

Rascal Flatts, Darius Rucker and Jennifer Nettles singing with Kenny Rogers.

Dave Grohl playing drums with the Zac Brown Band.

Mick Jagger, Ellen DeGeneres, Julia Roberts, etc. congratulating Taylor Swift.

Taylor Swift with Vince Gill and Allison Krauss.

Brad Paisley, Carrie Underwood, Blake Shelton, Miranda Lambert, Kieth Urban, Kacey Musgraves, the Band Perry, etc. performing.

It was all good.

But according to our Twitter and Facebook feeds, it was an unmitigated disaster. Why? Not because it wasn't entertaining. Not because the performances were bad. Because it wasn't country enough.

Guess what? It was exactly what is being played on country music radio. And you know what else? We agree. It really ain't country. But we don't care, it was entertaining. And we like to be entertained by entertainers.

If you want to play semantics, fine. It wasn't traditional country.

It all reeks of musical elitism to us. We like a variety of music. The last time we put our master playlist on shuffle it gave us the following: the Band Perry, Cinderella, Marc Cohn, Billy Joel, Tesla, Martina McBride, Casey Donahew Band, the Bangles, Alice Cooper, Grace Potter, Poison, Iron Maiden, Jewel, Bon Jovi, Kim Mitchell, Halestorm and Roger Creager. Go figure.

You can find the music you like if you want. Sometimes it takes work when your music of preference is not popular at the time. But it's out there. The machine on which you are reading this can take you to your genre of choice. And you may discover new and exciting music. Give it a try.

What was played at the CMA awards is what is considered country music today. You don't have to like it. But that's the reality.

If you are not entertained, change the channel. Don't listen to it.

Rather than bemoan what is wasn't, we prefer to be entertained. And we were.

The Band Perry (and Kyle Park): Concert Review

Got Cheap Seats (general admission, really) for The Band Perry at the Whitewater Amphitheater outside of New Braunfels.  Cheap in price only, we were about seven people back from the stage.

Texas Country artist Kyle Park opened the show.  He and his band were very, very good.

Being relatively new to the Texas/Red Dirt Country scene, we were not familiar with all of thier catalog, but that really didn't matter.  His performance was great, his band was impressive.  A special recognition of the bass player who was playing with a cast on his right hand and never missed a note (as far as we could tell).

We were there to see The Band Perry, really.  What this post is all about, but Kyle Park and his band were so good, we couldn't not mention their great performance.

We have seen TBP before, opening for Brad Paisley.  That's where we really fell in love.  Their live show is one of the best we've seen.  And we've seen a lot.

They killed it.  From the first note.

TBP hit the stage like a battering ram with "DONE."  And didn't let up until closing with "Better Dig Two".

In between, they played all the hits from their debut album, all the fan favorites, "If I Die Young", "You Lie", and "Postcards From Paris".  As well as lesser known songs from that album.

Also included was a hefty helping of songs off the new album "Pioneer".  Sprinkle in some classic rock like "Free Fallin'", "A Little Help from My Friends" and a full version of "Fat Bottomed Girls" along with a little "Hey, Ho" and "Amazing Grace", and you have the makings of a show.

But you have to pull it off.  And they did.

Kimberly's voice is more powerful live than what is represented on record and spot on.  Though not represented well in recordings, you get to see how much the brothers (Reid and Neil) contribute.  And the rest of the band was phenomenal.

TBP is not your traditional country artist.  And that's not a bad thing.  Their live show is more reminiscient of Bon Jovi than George Strait.  Not that either is wrong.  But for us misplaced Classic/Southern rockers, this is good stuff.

Not a product of winning a contest, The Band Perry paid their dues the old fashioned way, by gigging relentlessly.  And it shows.  For being so young, they are masters of the stage.

We cannot think of one bad thing to say about the show.  That is rare.

We would be remiss not to mentiont the Whitewater Amphitheater. Our first time there. Great venue to see a show.  Not a bad seat in the house.  And the concession prices are more than reasonable.

Are We Moving Towards One Macro-Genre of Music?

Update: We have recently become aware of a website that we really enjoy reading. As a bonus this article was a little over 2 years ahead of us coming to this conclusion, though through different means.

Here in the Cheap Seats, we are fans of good music.  Or at least our definition of good music.  You know the premise, we can't explain it, but know it when we hear it.

With the exception of rap, we are generally not opposed to any type of music, so long as it appeals to us.

Country? Check.
Pop? Check.
Rock? Check.
And on and on.

Which brings us to this.  Why are we still putting music into a specific genre?  That only limits the audience.  If you take a look at the music you like, surely there is some common vein that runs through all of it.  Even if your tastes are eclectic.

Let us explain.

We are going to post two songs below.  One belongs to a current country music darling, one to a an up-and-coming hard rock/heavy metal act.  With a few tweaks in production and instrumentation without changing the integrity of either song, just changing the artists name would move the song from one genre to the other.

To get the full effect of what we are talking about, we'll give you a step-by-step on how we arrived at our conclusion.  First listen to the Carrie Underwood song "Good Girl".  Preferably with you eyes closed.  Just concentrate on the music. Ignore the video.

Now that you have that song on your brain, which is in fact a rock song, listen to the following Halestorm song "I Miss the Misery", again just listening, the images tend to convolute the mind.

While listening, imagine Carrie Underwood singing.  The guitars pulled back in the mix. Some keyboard layers.  A thinner drum mix.  And we can hear places where a banjo would be apropos.

Now go back and listen to the Carrie Underwood song while thinking about more up front guitars, a heavier drum sound and more bottom end.

We think slight adjustments in the instrumentation and production could make the songs practically interchangeable.  Put "I Miss the Misery" on a Carrie Underwood album and suddenly it's a country song.  Let Halestorm record "Good Girl" and it's a hard rock song.