Dedicating this month's playlist to the artists who will be taking part in this years BBR....The Braun Brothers Reunion Festival, which may just be the best music festival that you don't know about. Held in beautiful Challis, Idaho on August 6th, 7th and 8th, the festival has some of the best names from the Texas and Americana scenes. Hosted by the Braun family, the festival draws thousand from all over, yet never loses its small town, family feel. For more information visit their official website and give a listen to some of the artists who will be performing.
1. Reckless Kelly "Idaho" An homage to their home state. 2. Micky and The Motorcars "Rock Springs to Cheyenne" Fan favorite from 1/2 of the brothers Braun. 3. Turnpike Troubadours "Down Here" New tune from the Oklahoma boys who will finally release a new album in September. 4. Courteny Patton "So This Is Life" The incredibly moving and real title track from one of my favorite albums of the year. 5. Wade Bowen "Honky Tonk Road" A fun favorite about road life from his 2014 release. 6. Band of Heathens "Carry Your Love" Rock n roll in the vein of Tom Petty. 7. American Aquarium "Losing Side of Twenty-Five" Visits both sides of the coin of growing older and reflecting on the path you have chosen. 8. Jason Eady "Ok Whiskey" Leadoff track from his wonderful 2014 release Daylight and Dark. 9. Corb Lund "German Motorcycle" Hear this one covered all the time by RK, hoping to hear it played by the man himself. 10. Cody Canada and The Departed "All Nighter" Read the story here
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1.Elijah Ocean "I Left My One Spot (Back At The Five Spot)" On repeat. Why isn't this on the radio?
2. Logan Brill "I Wish You Loved Me" Sadly beautiful ending to her recent album Shuteye. 3. Melissa Ratley "The Outside" Hits a nerve. Incredibly thoughtful and moving. 4. Abbey Cone "American Dream" One of the many gems from her debut album out July 10th. 5. The Grahams "Griggstown" From this year's wonderful, Glory Bound. 6. Cody Canada and The Departed "Easy" Preparing for the BBR with music from January's Hippie Love Punk 7. Bart Crow "Life Comes At You Fast" A joyful reminder to cherish the moments and enjoy the ride. From his upcoming October 2nd release, The Parade. 8. William Clark Green "Creek Don't Rise" A Cajun flavored feel good tune from Ringling Road. 9. Rhett Miller "Most In The Summertime" Never a bad song. This one from The Traveler. 10. Kyle Park "What Goes Around Comes Around" Lighthearted look at karma in relationships. Seems it is that time of year again...list time, so I thought I would throw my hat into the ring and give you TDC's Top 20 Albums of 2015.....So Far. While some of the albums might be familiar to you, others might not be. I encourage you to give them a listen as they are definite personal favorites that have found a permanent home in my cd rotation.
1 & 2. Courtney Patton So This Is Life & Jamie Lin Wilson's Holidays & Wedding Rings These tie for first because they are both incredibly honest and real. Two of the strongest female voices convey story songs that connect and resonate with the listener from start to finish. 3. The Honeycutters Me Oh My Fronted by Amanda Anne Platt, the album showcases stories told by a young woman wise beyond her years. 4. William Clark Green Ringling Road Stellar. Everything an album should be and then some. 5. American Aquarium Wolves Honest roots rock on their best album yet. 6. Wade Bowen and Randy Rogers Hold My Beer Vol. 1 An homage to friendship and classic country. Looking forward to volume two. 7. Sam Outlaw Angeleno Love, humor, wit and warmth. 8. Sam Lewis Waiting On You Soulful. 9. Uncle Lucius The Light Beautifully and thoughtfully constructed songs. Great grooves with lyrics that make you think. 10. Levi Lowrey My Crazy Head Themes of family and a new-found optimism on his latest release. 11. The Grahams' Glory Bound Travel the rails on the duo's sophomore release. 12. Dwight Yoakam Secondhand Heart 13. JD McPherson Let The Good Times Roll 14. Ray Wylie Hubbard The Ruffian's Misfortune 15. Dalton Domino 1806 A debut record that shows a bright future. 16. Will Hoge Small Town Dreams Rock n Roll and Country soul, never disappoints. 17. Chris Stapleton Traveller A go to songwriter finally releases his debut record-a contender for album of the year. 18. Blackberry Smoke Holding All The Roses Southern rock at it's best. 19. Harvey Cameron Heavy Romancer An undiscovered gem. 20. Trent Dabbs' Believer Thoughtful, sparse and beautiful. Kasey's Picks:
For some reason when I think of a road-trip I always picture a convertible travelling down Route 66 so that is went I went with here. To me road-trip tracks always need to have a solid beat, be catchy and make you want to sing along and I hope you'll agree the tracks below tick all of those boxes! Born To Fly - I didn't even have to think about putting this track on the list, a track with a great melody that means you really can't fail to be tapping your foot (at the very least!) seconds into the track. Sara Evans gives a great, gutsy vocal and, particularly in the chorus, the whole combination of production, melody and vocals makes you want to turn it up loud and sing along. Even some of the lyrics work with the theme of a road-trip! When They're Gone (Lyle County) - A great collaboration from David Nail and Little Big Town. The track builds really cleverly from the beginning, taking you, as a listener along with it. It doesn't ever get incredibly upbeat or rocky but that is why it really works, the almost 'laid back' feel to the overall production combines really well the strong, steady drum beat (with occasional hand claps keeping that solid beat going) Save It For A Rainy Day - Whilst probably not what most people would think of when asked to pick road-trip tracks, this Kenny Chesney track would be a great addition. Save It For A Rainy Day manages to merge a great story with a strong production that makes a track you will want to sing along to and hear lots. Singing Me Home - Lady A certainly released an impressive, reggae influenced track in the shape of Singing Me Home. The melody, particularly the guitar hook, is undoubtedly catchy and the track as a whole blends country, pop and reggae influences really successfully. Ride - This is quite possibly my favourite Martina McBride song ever, love the story behind it and it also seems perfect for a road-trip. Great song to really belt out when you're singing along! Tara's Picks: I have taken many a road trip in my time and part of the joy of said trip is making the proverbial mixtape. It’s one of the reasons I love long drives: being able to have the windows open and the sun shining down all whilst my favorite tunes play. It is incredibly difficult to narrow this list to five, but here goes! Ragged As The Road Reckless Kelly It’s the perfect road trip song that celebrates the journey and the possibilities. “This road lies ahead like life on a brush/It's a virgin canvas free from human touch/And it's ours for the taking or the leaving behind/It's a ghost of the past with a future to find.” Free and Easy (Down the Road I Go) Dierks Bentley Again, the lyrics are key for me to this one. Radio blaring some Ragweed, memories being made and embracing the journey. “If you only get to go around one time/I'm gonna sit back and try to enjoy the ride.” Pink and Yellow Packets The Washers Every time this song from the Texas based band comes on, I turn it up, sing along at the top of my lungs and tap my hand on the wheel. The tune, about finding the one to spend forever with, is under three minutes long and I always find myself pressing repeat. Hurt Again Micky and the Motorcars These guys make some of the best music you might not have heard. “Hurt Again” starts off like an engine revving and makes me want to put the pedal to the gas and go. It’s not a happy tune, it’s about getting hurt in relationships, but it’s my favorite song from my favorite album of 2014, Hearts From Above. Big City Merle Haggard I chose this one because I lived and worked in the big city (NYC) and every time I leave it I feel like I am being turned loose and set free. Okay, I am throwing in a #6 because I cannot pick five! On My Way Downtown Lucero It’s not “country” but it’s a great horn filled, catchy as all get out track perfect for a road trip from a great band that you should give a listen. 1. Courtney Patton "So This Is Life" The title track from her new album which is insightful and just so real.
2. William Clark Green "Still Think About You" The closing track from Ringling Road. I still have yet to get through it without shedding a tear. 3. The Honeycutters "Me Oh My" The title cut from their recent album, which comments on the state of the modern woman, in a relationship or "without that ball and chain." 4. Rainey Qualley "Me and Johnny Cash" Radio and sing along ready song from her debut EP Turn Down The Lights 5. The David Motel "Nothing Lasts Forever" A beautiful track which compares the end of a relationship to the end of life. 6. Daniel Lynn "Three Weeks" Haven't gone a single day in two weeks without listening to this track from Heaven From Texas. 7. Uncle Lucius "Ouroboros" from their amazing album, The Light. 8. Sam Outlaw "Ghost Town" from Angeleno. A mid-tempo song about the dissolution of a family. 9. Jamie Lin Wilson "Yours & Mine." A song that captures the happiness of creating a home. 10. Dalton Domino "Jesus and Handbags" from his May release 1806. You'll love it at first listen. And since they will be in NYC on June 14th, the Reckless Kelly bonus this month, "Set Me Free." A bit ago, Kasey Stone and I wrote about our favorite and songs, this month we decided to turn 180 degrees and write about the songs that always make us happy. Read ours below and let us know the songs that make you happy in the comments section below.
Most of my happy songs aren’t necessarily happy lyrically, but happy because of the memories associated with them. For this edition of our “Ten Favorite,” I chose the ones that always make me smile when they come on my player. “Celebrity” - I love anything with humor and this song is witty and funny. Listening to it and thinking about the video always bring a smile to my face. There are a plethora of Dierks Bentley songs that make me happy for many reasons, but two of my favorites are “Lot of Leavin’ Left To Do” and “Fiddlin’ Around.” The former always makes me happy because it brings back memories of Dierks doing what he does best: being great to his fans. The latter, which is my all-time favorite Dierks’ song, makes me wish he would do another bluegrass album. “My Heart’s Got A Memory” - Again, difficult to choose a specific Eric Church song that makes me happy, but this one is it. If you are not aware of the Caldwell County EP, check it out! “Every Girl” - Listen to this and tell me how you cannot get up and move and be happy. Anxiously waiting for new music from the Turnpike Troubadours, who are currently working on a new album. “Crazy Eddie’s Last Hurrah” - I know, I know how can a song about killing your ex be a “happy” song? Well, it’s not lyrically, but melodically it is and when you see Reckless play it live you can’t help but smile. The reaction from the crowd is immediate and intense and you can see the guys love it and for that, it makes the list. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ After crying loads with our last "Ten Favourite" I was quite excited to be looking at happy tracks! Some of these jumped to mind immediately and others required a bit more thought but every one of them leaves me feeling happy after listening. "Flip-flops" - Brilliantly funny track from Kristian Bush's debut solo album. The reggae feel to the production works really well and the lyrics can't fail to make you chuckle. "Pavement Ends" - It is, I'm sure by now, quite well known that I'm a huge Little Big Town fan. Pavement Ends makes this list because of it being the first Little Big Town track I've ever heard live, holding memories of just being thrilled to finally get to see them perform (and it's a great track!) "Dream Away" - One of Caitlyn Smith's best tracks, she's a great singer and song-writer and the whole track is really sweet with a touching sense of hope behind it. "That Song In My Head" - I definitely miss music from Julianne Hough, one of the best tracks from her first (and only) album. Such a catchy track, the melody leaves you immediately wanting to tap your foot along. The lyrics are so true! "That's The Way" - One of my favorite ever Jo Dee Messina tracks, it makes me smile just to hear the opening few chords. A great song it just turn up loud and sing along (and I have done multiple times!) Eleven days into May and no playlist. So let's rectify that quickly! Here goes!
1.William Clark Green "Going Home" from April's ah-may-zing Ringling Road. Don't know what he's going to "get" in that kitchen, but I don't think it's fried chicken. 2. Randy Rogers & Wade Bowen "Lady Bug" From their duet album Hold My Beer Vol. 1. Great Lyrics & Tempo. 3. Jamie Lin Wilson "Just Like Heartache" From her debut solo album Holidays and Wedding Rings. 4. Logan Brill "Shuteye" From her upcoming album of the same name which should break her through. 5. Jesse Terry "End of the World" which is available for free on Noisetrade. 6. Jonathan Tyler "River Bottom" His highly anticipated new album, Holy Smokes, drops in August. 7. Levi Lowrey "The Old Family Tree" Beautiful. From his recent album, My Crazy Head. 8. Nikki Lane "Man Up" Not new, but rediscovering the terrific album, All Or Nothin'. 9. The Honeycutters "A Life For You" Beautiful ballad about the end of a relationship. 10. Ray Wylie Hubbard "Stone Blind Horses" The stellar closing track from April's The Ruffian's Misfortune. And your Reckless bonus: "I Saw It Coming" My friend (and great writer) Kasey Stone from Hitting All the Right Notes and I thought it would be a neat idea to put together some of our favorite types of songs. For our first installment, we chose something totally upbeat...nah, just kidding. We actually decided to write the top five songs that make us cry. Not like shed one tear type of cry, but those that have us bawling like a baby. Here are the songs that do that to us every.single.time. Take a listen to them and let us know if you have the same reaction and what your favorite sad songs are!
Tara's Sad Songs These songs are certainly not Top 40, but they are the songs that when they come on, get me extremely emotional. It might be the lyrics, the melody or a combination of both, but they always touch me. If you are not familiar with them, please give them a listen and let me know if they affect you as well. Whiskey Lullaby This Brad Paisley duet with Alison Krauss is absolutely heartbreaking. Fireflies From his album The Believer A Rhett Miller tune featuring Rachel Yamagata. Sadly beautiful. Somewhere In Time There are so many Reckless Kelly songs that bring me to tears, but their cover of this Pinto Bennett tune gets me very time. There’s a sadness, a longing and hope in Willy Braun’s vocals that just hit my heart. When I Get My Wings Losing the love of your life after 57 years and counting down the days until you see her again. From Will Hoge’s album Seven Still Think About You Literally from the first note, I fill with tears. It’s a sad, almost painful, song from the melody to the lyrics expressing his sentiments. From William Clark Green’s 4/21 release Ringling Road (which I highly suggest you get) Kasey's Sad Songs You may or may not have heard of these tracks but these are five of the songs that really seem to make me feel very emotional. Like Tara says, whether it's the lyrics, melody or both, there is something within each of these songs that you can really connect with and feel the emotion behind. I'd be interested to know if anyone has ever listened to them and felt the same. Glass This was the track that immediately came to mind when first thinking about this topic. From Thompson Square's debut album, it is completely full of emotion with incredible vocals and a really touching story. A real goose bump moment track, Shawna's vocals in particular are just gorgeous. One of those songs where you're truly missing out if you've not heard it. Kiss Goodbye From Little Big Town's 2010 The Reason Why, it is the chorus that really gets to me with this song. Philip Sweet's soft lead vocals in the verses are merged with a inbuilt sense of strength in the chorus that comes together to make a really emotive track. If I Die Young The Band Perry's 'break-through' single, an absolutely gorgeous track that has such a bittersweet lyric. I've heard it live a few times and however big the venue is you can always hear a pin drop. Undoubtedly The Band Perry at their strongest. Go On Without Me The closing track from Brett Eldredge's debut album. Brett has made no secret of the fact this track is very personal to him and you can really feel that. His vocal is amazing and the story is heartbreaking as well as having a sense of hope. Colder Weather By far my favourite Zac Brown Band track from what is, in my opinion, their best album. I was in tears when I first heard this live and I am every single time I hear it. Zac's vocals are just full of emotion and the story is really touching. 1. William Clark Green "Sticks and Stones" Every freaking song on Ringling Road is amazing (so that means songs will be on this list for the next year), but for April I'll choose his next single which is about being sick and tired of the trash talking that people seem to enjoy these days 2. Will Hoge "Til I Do It Again" Fun, rollicking number from his 4/7 release Small Town Dreams 3. Zane Williams "Jayton and Jill" A true story song that just hits ya 4. Wade Bowen and Randy Rogers "Standards" 5. Kip Moore "I'm To Blame" Typically not a fan of t40, but this is a great track 6. Dalton Domino "Dallas" Fine sounding Southern Rock love.this. 7. Troy Cartwright "Next Flight Home" Balancing the road and romance 8. Jake Ward "Ignorant Bliss" Remembering the good old days when life was a little simpler 9. Sunny Sweeney "My Bed" Hefty dose of heartbreaking reality 10. Aaron Einhouse "I Could Fall" There's mandolin a plenty in this ode to falling in love 1. Wade Bowen "Sun Shines on A Dreamer" a song that just makes you feel happy & optimistic 2. Trent Dabbs "Nobody's Stranger Anymore" from Believer 3. Adam Hood "Way Too Long" soulful heartbreak from Welcome To The Big World 4. Blackberry Smoke "Lay It All On Me" from their fantastic February release Holding All The Roses 5. William Clark Green "Sympathy" from his upcoming Ringling Road due in April 6. JD McPherson "Let The Good Times Roll" a rollicking throwback from the album of the same name 7. Girls Guns and Glory "Honky Tonk Blues" do Hank proud on their Tribute to Hank Williams Live! album 8. Shawn Nelson Band "My Old Time Gal" from a release you need to give a listen, The Devil's River 9. American Aquarium "Losing Side of Twenty Five" great hook, great lyrics, great album, Wolves 10. Mandy McMillan "Good Girls Don't Kiss in Bars" Sweet and fun And of course your Reckless Kelly bonus, "Snowfall" |
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October 2016
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