From heartfelt to funny: songs to get us through the virus
Country music is where songs tell stories. What better music genre to express the hopes and fears of us all as we deal with the fear and uncertainty of the current coronavirus? Here are some of the songs that are worth a listen, along with links to the accompanying videos:
Big & Rich: “Stay Home”
In the official video, John Rich sits by the guitar-shaped pool at his Mt. Richmore home (carefully-placed bottles of Granny Rich Whiskey on the table beside him!) and is joined remotely by Big Kenny with fun lyrics such as:
The shelves are bare and empty / Because some people just don’t care /Got one roll of toilet paper / And I’m down to my last square
Thomas Rhett: “Be A Light” ft. Keith Urban, Chris Tomlin, Reba McEntire, Hillary Scott
A sweet and inspiring song encouraging us all to take the
opportunity to do what’s right for ourselves and each other.
In a world full of hate, be a light / When you do somebody wrong, make it right /Don’t hide in the dark, you were born to shine / In a world full of hate, be a light
Here’s Thomas singing an acoustic solo version of the song while self-isolating.
Two ways to promote your music globally on a budget
You’re a singer/songwriter or a musician. The Covid-19 pandemic has shuttered venues
around the world from small bars to giant arenas, so you can’t perform, you can’t
sell merch and you can’t reach out to new fans.
What can you do?
My friend Christian Lamitschka has some options that might help you. Christian is the president of Country Music News International Magazine and Radio Show. CMNI is based in Germany and has a global reach with a strong presence in both the USA and the UK. It is one of the largest online music magazines with online and on-air FM radio shows. Christian is a true country music fan and flies to the USA for events such CMA Fest and the Country Radio Seminar, often interviewing stars and emerging artists.
Christian Lamitschka interviewing emerging artist Andrew Hopson for CMNI
Christian asked me to let you know he wants to help you maintain
a presence with your existing fans while attracting a new audience to your
music. He has two offers that are definitely
worth checking out and should fit your budget.
More updates from April’s Inside Track on Music Row
My column, Inside Track on Music Row, has been a mainstay of the Nashville Music Guide for more than twenty five years, and is now read by country music fans around the world via the Internet.
Send me stuff, I love to get it! preshiaswriter@hotmail.com or contact me here.
Idol alum Alexandria Corn “Cheated Better” with new single
Becky Buller passes “The Barber’s Fiddle” down through generations
Brandy Clark’s new album, Your Life Is A Record
Young Fables release ‘homemade’ EP
Street named to honor Conway Twitty
Joe Hanson moves on with “Part of Me”
scroll down to read these stories…
Alexandria Corn’s ex could have “Cheated Better”
Rising country artist AND American Idol alumna Alexandria Corn is a scorned woman in her newest single “Cheated Better” in which she laments the lackluster cheating of an ex-boyfriend. She advises that he could have been smarter by anything from bringing a change of clothes to making sure to come up with an alibi. With her detailed lyrics placed over a pop-influenced melody, “Cheated Better” is a force to be reckoned with. Written by Corn with Khiana Meyer and Mandy McMillan and produced by Sam Grow, listen to the single here.
The unique genius of John Prine is being recognized by fans and fellow musicians across the world, following his death on April 7 from complications related to Covid-19.
October 10, 1946 – April 7, 2020
Although his songs often tackled thorny social issues, they were usually driven by wry, witty lyrics that became a hallmark of his inimitable songwriting. Prine never anticipated a career as a recording artist. After a spell in the U.S. Army, he worked full-time as a mailman in Chicago, singing self-penned songs in folk clubs in the evening. Following a glowing review by journalist Roger Ebert, Prine’s music began to draw wider attention, leading to deal with Atlantic Records in 1971. His first major label album resulted in a nomination for Best New Artist at the 1972 Grammys. Read the obituary and comprehensive review of Prine’s life and music career by NPR’s Annie Zaleski here.
A national treasure
The Tree of Forgiveness
Among the many tributes was a tweet from Bruce Springsteen
who described Prine as a “national treasure and a songwriter for the ages”. Springsteen tweeted: “Over here on E Street,
we are crushed by the loss of John Prine. John and I were the ’New Dylans’
together in the early 70s and he was never anything but the loveliest guy in
the world.”
In 2018, Prine released his first new album in 13 years, The Tree of Forgiveness, produced by Dave Cobb for Prine’s own Oh Boy Records. It became his highest-charting album on the Billboard 200.
“When I Get To Heaven”
When I get to heaven, I’m gonna shake God’s hand
Thank him for more blessings than one man can stand
Then I’m gonna get a guitar and start a rock-n-roll band
Check into a swell hotel; ain’t the afterlife grand?
[Chorus]
And then I’m gonna get a cocktail: vodka and ginger ale
Yeah, I’m gonna smoke a cigarette that’s nine miles long
I’m gonna kiss that pretty girl on the tilt-a-whirl
‘Cause this old man is goin’ to town
From the lyrics of “When I Get To Heaven” a track on The Tree of Forgiveness. Listen to and/or buy the album and other John Prine albums here.
Preshias Harris is a music journalist and music career development consultant with the emphasis on new and aspiring artists and songwriters. Her book, ‘The College of Songology 101: The Singer/Songwriter’s Need to Know Reference Handbook’ is available at www.collegeofsongology.com Follow her blog at www.nashvillemusicline.com
Here’s a quick look at some of the stories from the April 2020 edition of my column Inside Track on Music Row, the longest continually-running country music column in the USA. I’ve been writing this column for more than a quarter of a century (Phew!) and you can catch the full column (and archived previous columns) when it is published at Nashville Music Guide.
ACM Awards to clash with Americana Awards
New album from Craig Morgan
Maddie & Tae know The Way it Feels
CDB set Volunteer Jam date
Opry icon Jan Howard passes
Scroll down to read these stories…
ACM news: ACM Awards set for same date as Americana Awards
The ACM announced the new date for the 55th ACM Awards. It has always been held the first week in April following a full week of charity events, golfing tourneys, etc. The new Awards date is going to be Wednesday, Sept. 16 (live 8:00-11:00 PM ET/delayed PT) on the CBS Television Network, and will stream live and on demand on CBS All Access. As previously announced, the 55th ACM Awards® will be hosted by reigning ACM® Entertainer of the Year and 15-time ACM Award® winner Keith Urban for the first time.
Joe Diffie, who passed away March 29, 2020, will be deeply missed by fans and members of Nashville’s music industry. My personal memories of Joe are below, but first just a few of the many tributes from the music community.
Joe Diffie, December 28, 1958 – March 29, 2020. Photo: Crystal K. Martell
“Joe was much more
than a great country singer. He was a great song guy as well. He also knew how
to put on a show. I will miss you, my friend.” – Teddy Gentry on behalf
of ALABAMA.
“Joe was a character. A great singer of songs and always had a story or joke to make you smile. I’ll miss crossing paths with him every year on the road, and my heart goes out to his family.” – John Anderson.
“Joe Diffie was the
‘pickup man’ — always had a smile and a story, to cure and encourage. It was my
fortunate blessing to come along the same time JD did, in music —so many great
memories, and so many times he ‘propped me up.’” – Randy Travis.
“He was a warm-hearted,
good-natured, fun-loving man with an extraordinary voice. I will miss
him.” – Lee Roy Parnell.
“Rest in peace, Joe
Diffie. Country music‘s huge loss of my friend, a great singer and songwriter.
May God Bless his family and friends.” – Jerry Lee Lewis.
Personal memories of Joe
I have many personal memories of Joe. We met in the 90s when Joe cut “Coolest Fool in Town,” a track on his first album (A Thousand Winding Roads) that was written by my future boss Randy Boudreaux (“Alibis” “Brokenheartsville”). All of us would hang out at Barbara’s bar and restaurant with Joe, Tim McGraw, Tracy Lawrence and others. Nobody “ghermed” them there; they were just regular joes, no pun intended.
When I was working with award-winning songwriter Mary Francis in the late 90s I was listening to some of the demos of songs she had written. One of those demos was for a song titled “Tonight the Heartache’s on Me” with a male vocalist singing the demo. I told Mary that the vocalist sounded like Joe Diffie and she replied, “It is Joe, singing the male two-step version that I have been pitching for several years.” I went ahead and sent the demo with Joe’s vocal to Paul Worley who, with Blake Chancey, was producing Wide Open Spaces, the major-label debut album for the Dixie Chicks. The Chicks cut “Heartaches” that was included on the Platinum-selling album and was also a hit single – thanks in part to Joe’s great vocals on the demo.
Joe’s first release was “Home,” followed by “If the Devil Danced (In Empty Pockets),” and many more including “Third Rock From the Sun,” “Bigger Than the Beatles” and “Pickup Man” that became a perennial fan favorite.
He charted 18 Top Ten singles, with the majority reaching the Top Five, including the 1993 radio staples “Prop Me Up Beside the Jukebox (If I Die)” and “John Deere Green.” More about Joe here.
Lyrics from “Prop Me Up By the Jukebox”: “Just let my headstone be a neon sign/ Just let it burn in memory of all of my good times,” Joe sang. “… I’ll be the life of the party, even when I’m dead and gone.”
Preshias Harris is a music journalist and music career development consultant with the emphasis on new and aspiring artists and songwriters. Her book, ‘The College of Songology 101: The Singer/Songwriter’s Need to Know Reference Handbook’ is available at www.collegeofsongology.com Follow her blog at www.nashvillemusicline.com
In these uncertain times, it’s not easy to stay focused. Here are some ‘Momma P idea starters’ to help you keep your music career movin’ on up…
1. Keep your hook book going, whether it’s in a notebook or on your phone. Constantly add thoughts, phrases, overheard snatches of conversation, something you read or heard… that could spark a new song or turn around a song you’re kinda stuck on. It will be an invaluable resource later on.
2. Practice, practice, practice. Whether it’s guitar or keyboard, play every day. Don’t let your skills get rusty. Try something different when playing the familiar becomes boring. You’ll want to put your improved playing to work when you are back on stage or in a writer’s room.
3. Watch tutorials on YouTube. There are hundreds of videos available from basic to advanced guitar and keyboard playing. This is another great way to turn ‘down time’ into something positive for your career.
4. Sing like no one can hear you! Right now, there are no gigs so there IS no one to hear you! Sing every day. Keep your voice active. You’ll want it sounding good when you are back out there.
5. Network. Even when you can’t meet face-to-face, you can stay in contact with other songwriters by Skype, FaceTime and by phone. A lot of great songs have been written on FaceTime! Just staying in touch with other songwriters can raise your spirits, and a call from you can help someone else feel better too.
6. Stay positive: This too shall pass. Of course, stay up to date with news that will keep you safe (REAL news from trusted sources medical sources, not online alarms and rumors) but kick back and watch a funny movie or escape into a sci-fi or action movie if that’s your thing. You need to lighten the load if you feel everything you hear and see is too depressing.
7. Maintain your social Mediapresence. Use your downtime to build on your social media accounts to make new fans, engage, post and re-share fellow singer/songwriters. Create a tik-tok account if you don’t already have one. Under normal circumstances, it’s not easy to devote time to keeping social media current, but now it’s the perfect opportunity. Everyone needs the positive vibe that music brings to the table.
Thousands of songwriters, artists and musicians are in the same challenging situation. Let’s support each other musically and emotionally. When all this is over, we’ll be so glad we did!
=> Remember, I’m always here for you. If you want me to hear something you’ve written, if you need some advice or if you just want to talk, I’m here so just email, text or call me. If you can’t reach me right away, leave a message and I’ll get back to you.
The music lives on!
Preshias Harris
is a music journalist and music career
development consultant with the emphasis on new and aspiring artists and
songwriters. Her book, ‘The College of Songology 101: The Singer/Songwriter’s
Need to Know Reference Handbook’ is available at www.collegeofsongology.com Follow her blog at www.nashvillemusicline.com
Tours canceled, venues dark, but the music lives on! ‘ACM Presents: Our Country’ to air April 5
Here are a few more items from the March 2020 edition of my column, Inside Track on Music Row, the longest-running country music column in the USA, and now around the world on the Web. See the entire column in this month’s Nashville Music Guide, along with a lot more Nashville news.
BREAKING NEWS: See below for link to story about ACM TV Special to air on original date of ACM Awards Show.
NOTE: Some news items refer to current or upcoming tours. Because of concerns about Covid-19, many shows have been postponed, canceled or rescheduled. Always check with the artist’s website or the ticket seller before making any plans to attend a show. Hopefully, this problem will soon be over, but let’s remember: the music lives on!
Some of this month’s column items. Scroll down to continue
reading…
‘ACM Presents: Our Country’ to air April 5
Luke Combs gets 3 ACM Award nods, but show postponed
Pam TillisLooking For a Feeling with new album
Jason Isbell’sReunions, recorded at RCA Studio A
Secret Sisters record album at Brandi Carlile’s home studio
Walker Montgomery sings “Like My Daddy Done It”
Scroll down to read these news stories from Inside Track on Music Row
BREAKING NEWS:
A two-hour special. ACM Presents: Our Country, will air in the former 55th ACM Awards timeslot April 5 at 8pm ET on CBS. The special will feature at-home acoustic performances from artists, as well as their thoughts on and clips of favorite ACM Awards moments. Participating artists will be announced in the coming weeks.
“Although
the highly anticipated 55th ACM Awards show is unable to take place on April 5
due to the health crisis, we still wanted to deliver fans an entertaining ACM
country music special as planned,” says ACM CEO Damon Whiteside. Adds DCP
President Amy Thurlow, “Music has always served as a powerful form of hope
and solidarity during challenging times. It’s our privilege to offer audiences
an uplifting message through music as well as a look back at some of the best
moments in ACM Awards history.” Updates and details of artists appearing will
be posted at https://www.acmcountry.com/
AMID NATIONAL UNCERTAINTY, SHENANDOAH VOWS TO “KEEP THE MUSIC PLAYING” WITH SPECIAL FACEBOOK LIVE CONCERT
Live Broadcast Featuring Special Guests Michael Ray, Aaron Tippin, Austin Merrill,T. Graham Brown and Katie Austin Set for Tonight, Wednesday, March 18, at 7 PM CT
Concert to be Hosted by Inside Edition’s Megan Alexander; Sponsored by Foundry Records
During a time of national uncertainty, GRAMMY® Award-winning country music group Shenandoah is looking to brighten spirits with a special Facebook Live performance event that will bring music to the masses. Today the legendary country band announced “Keep the Music Playing,” a free live-streamed concert set for tonight, Wednesday, March 18, at 7 PM / CT. Amid concert postponements nationwide, the event will provide a unique opportunity for fans to enjoy live performances from the comfort of their living rooms.
Stars join Shenandoah for live web show
Shenandoah has enlisted Michael Ray, Aaron Tippin, Austin Merrill, T. Graham Brown, and Katie Austin to join them during the live web broadcast. The event, sponsored by Foundry Records and hosted by Inside Edition’s Megan Alexander, will take place at Nashville’s SIR Rehearsal Studios with no live audience and minimal staff.
“The main mission here is to hopefully, with music as only music can, bring some sunshine to the gloom,” says Shenandoah frontman Marty Raybon. “We’ll be taking all of the recommended precautions to ensure everyone’s safety.”
Butch Spyridon, president and CEO of the Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp, is thrilled about the event. “We are happy to see artists doing everything they can to ‘Keep the Music Playing’ during these challenging times as we try to keep the virus from spreading,” he says. “Seeing all the ways that live music is still being shared is part of the creative spirit in Music City.”
Though the event is free to view online, the Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp Foundation / Music City, Inc will be accepting donations throughout the live broadcast. All donations will aid Middle Tennesseans who have been affected by COVID-19 and the recent tornadoes that ravaged the area.
“It has taken an army of people to put this event
together in less than 24 hours,” notes Foundry Records/Johnstone
Entertainment’s Cole Johnstone. “I want to give special thanks to SIR
Nashville, Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp, 2911 Media, TNDV and Nic
Dugger, Mama Sue, Absolute Publicity, Shenandoah’s band and crew, all of our
guest artists, and the Foundry Records staff for making this possible.”
QUOTE OF THE MONTH: “Songs write themselves, we just hold the pen” – Garth Brooks on stage at the 2020 Country Radio Seminar in Nashville, TN.
My column, Inside Track on Music Row, is the longest-running country music column in the USA and now worldwide on the Internet! Send me music stuff, I love to get it!
Here, below, are just some of the news items in the March 2020 column that is published by Nashville Music Guide. Scroll down to continue reading…
Lauren & Thomas Rhett welcome baby Lennon Love
Love Lives On tells stories of fallen warriors’ survivors
Cody Purvis on “Drinkin’ Terms” with Billboard Indicator chart
Brandy Clark: “Love Is a Fire” can warm you or burn you
“Copper Coil” new song from duo Band Steele
CJ Solar’s “Watered Down Whiskey” heralds new EP
Outlaw music from Billy Don Burns
Chris Bandi’s first step on hallowed Opry stage
Tin Pan South tix going fast: grab yours now
Scroll down to read these news stories from Inside Track on Music Row
BABY NEWS
Thomas * Lauren Akins
County singer Thomas Rhett and wife Lauren Akins welcomed their third daughter last month. Her name is Lennon Love Akins, and she weighed 9lbs 2oz and a head full of dark hair and blue eyes. His father Rhett Akins and his wife Sonya are expecting a boy in March… More baby news… Shay Mooney (Dan+ Shay) and wife Hannah welcomed their second child, another boy, named Ames Alexander on February 21st in Nashville. He joins big brother, three-year-old Asher James.
