Seasoned Americana artist, and recent finalist in the 2017 Chris Austin Songwriting Contest,  Mary Bragg will release  her most personal album to date on May 5th with  Lucky Strike,  a ten-track collection that recounts life experiences in a way that is both honest and human.

One of the tracks from the project, "Done Ain't Done",  details that oh-so-relatable experience of being in a relationship that by all accounts should be finished, but  at the same time, keeps  you reeled in. Bragg  tells of the inspiration behind the song, "Similar to writing "Wildfire," the timing was mighty lucky, in that my co-writer Stephanie Lambring had some fresh real-life fodder for the idea. It started with this riff I'd had on my guitar, and we talked for hours about how tough it is to walk away from a relationship that probably should be over - but you're not quite sure yet. You're arguing and going around in circles, and you're probably saying things you don't mean - and eventually, you realize that perhaps the relationship is not just worth salvaging, but worth fighting for to be salvaged."

"Hey, how do you figure
When it's time, time to pull the trigger
Can't help but stay, can't help but run
That's how you know what's done ain't done"

The roots-based track - led by acoustic guitar, percussion, and Bragg's emotionally honest delivery - may be based on the real life experience of one person, but it's a situation many have found themselves in. Bragg notes how writing something so personal, can also be universal, "It's tough to say how to tap into it, but what I've learned is that the more honest you are, the more universal it becomes. When I write I always ask myself: 'Is that really how <insert emotion> feels? How would <situation x> play out in real life?' Breaking through any resistance to really be open I think makes the songs feel more universally applicable."

Lucky Strike was recorded in a backyard barn studio, which Bragg says was old, not "expensive-vintage-old, just old", where the vocal booths are unfinished and recorded live means just that. Bragg shares that "working in a rugged, imperfect studio allowed me to really focus on the songs and the performances, instead of being overwhelmed by how cool the experience/studio was (that's happened to me before). Eric's space - Eastwood Studios - is wonderfully representative of the vibe we wanted for these songs - honest and human, with no guise of inauthentic shine. "

Of recording "Done Ain't Done” in that space, Bragg explains, " This one is about as live as it gets - we played it once. Once. I tracked vocals - what I thought would be scratch vocals - as the band was tracking, and I was also tracking my acoustic guitar simultaneously - which isn't something I do a lot, but after that experience, I'd sure like to do more of it. The vocals stuck, the take stuck, and that's what you hear on the record. It sure says a lot about the players who come in and absolutely nail it on the first take - and how much absolute fun that is. We didn't even do full-band pre-production for this record, so literally, this was the first time I'd heard it all come together - and I think you feel that energy on the record. I was beaming from ear to ear. "

It's an energy that's conveyed in "Done Ain't Done" where the listener feels, both in head and heart, the push and pull of  the emotions in a relationship and how although they may be frustrating, they also may be worth fighting for.

TDC is pleased to premiere  "Done Ain't Done"  below.

34th Annual American Eagle Awards Set for Thursday, July 13

Tickets on sale now

​NASHVILLE, Tenn. (April 26, 2017 Press Release)  – The National Music Council has announced that Grammy® winning songstress Crystal Gayle, singer, songwriter and poet Patti Smith, and comic, actor, writer, musician and creators' rights activist Harry Shearer will be honored at the organization’s 34th annual  American Eagle Awards    on  Thursday, July 13 at the Summer NAMM Show in Nashville. The highly prestigious Awards are presented each year in recognition of long-term contribution to American musical culture and heritage, the importance of music education for all children, and the need to protect creators’ rights both locally and internationally.

"Each year, the National Music Council carefully chooses a very small group of music creators, artists, educators and advocates to honor for their truly remarkable contributions to American and global musical culture," said NMC Director David Sanders. "Those whose careers we have celebrated in the past are among the giants of American music, and Ms. Gayle, Ms. Smith and Mr. Shearer are worthy additions to the list of those whose long-standing excellence continues to make the US music community the world's leader in musical arts innovation."

Amanda Anne Platt & The Honeycutters New Album Out June 9, UK Tour Announced
The album is now on pre-sale →  https://clg.lnk.to/Lj4Wo

ASHEVILLE, NC (Press Release) --“We're switching things up a little. After four albums I've decided to step out and start using my own name. It's something that a lot of people have encouraged me to do over the years, and I guess that 2017 just felt right.” That name, Amanda Anne Platt & The Honeycutters, is also the title of the band’s new album, which will be released by Organic Records June 9, 2017. “We're keeping The Honeycutters too because we don't want to confuse people... really, we've always been Amanda Anne Platt & The Honeycutters. I think I've just gotten to a place where I feel comfortable enough to be in the spotlight.”

"Amanda is so good it's ridiculous. I don't even know what words to use. Her singing, songwriting and presence is unmatched in Americana, Country, Pop… Simply breathtaking," said Saul Davis: producer (Percy Sledge), manager (Gene Clark, Carla Olson, Phil Seymour).
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Lyrically driven, the songs on Amanda Anne Platt & The Honeycutters blend the band’s old-school country roots attitude with their shared influences of rock and folk. Amanda says of the album, “I think it's just about life and all that that entails. Including but not limited to death, strangers, birthdays, money, leaving, arriving, seasons, corruption, and love.”

Nashville, TN (Press Release)-Honky tonk troubadours, Saints Eleven, are riding the high waves of acclaim from their new album “Coming Back Around.” Produced by the iconic Walt Wilkins, the album quickly incited media applause with rave reviews across the nation calling it a riveting collection of profound musical bliss.  The band’s brand new music video “Coming Back Around” is the next chronicle in an already impressive video library.  Watch the video HERE.

 “Coming Back Around” is the album’s first single release and the song that sets the definitive tone of the album. The entire collection symbolizes Jeff Grossman’s full circle journey in life, mistakes made, pain digested and resolve to wear those scars like a shiny new tattoo.  The matrix-esq video was shot at Tellers Bar in Austin, Texas, and was produced by Van Scott Folger whose work with Uncle Lucius sold Grossman on the idea.

 "This is one of my favorite songs on the new record. It's about making dumb decisions in life and learning from those mistakes. Yes, I know I screwed up, but give me a minute, I'll come back around.  I had been talking to Van Folger, out of Austin, Texas, for a couple of months. Van had shot the video "Keep The Wolves Away" by Uncle Lucius, which is why I reached out to him.  I thought that video was incredible. Then I received the script that the director Shrader Thomas wrote, and I was in. I thought it was brilliant! From the first ten minutes of being on the set the day of the shoot, I knew it was going to be a cool video."

Saints Eleven’s live show reputation has definitely moved them to the forefront of the music scene attracting music fans from all walks of life, and music business veterans as well.  In fact, it was at a recent festival that music manager Bobby Turner caught the band’s set and struck up a conversation with them about working together.  Turner started out in the entertainment business managing nightclubs and venues in Texas.  In 1997 he became manager and booking agent for Cooder Graw, one of the pioneers of the modern Texas music scene.  He was responsible for booking the band into venues throughout Texas and has been associated with them for 20 years.  While getting back with the band to book their reunion tour, Turner noticed the obvious need for indie artist management, someone to take over the gears when demand becomes overwhelming for the artist.  It’s that situation that inspired the company name, Shifting Gears Entertainment, and Saints Eleven is a proud new addition to the family.  Turner’s instinct to sign the band was immediate and he is pumped about their new partnership. www.saintseleven.com