Last night, the Highline Ballroom was hoppin' as Frankie Ballard brought his high energy show to NYC. Frankie played a little over an hour set to a full house. His gravelly voice suited for both songs that had the crowd dancing and jumping around, like "Young and Crazy" and "I'm Thinking Country," to slower songs, like his recent #1, "Helluva Life."

Frankie played many songs from his new record Sunshine and Whiskey, including the title track, as well as "Tell Me You Get Lonely." For the latter, he asked for a show of hands in the audience as to who recently experienced heartbreak. Many young ladies raised hands in the air, but only one was pulled onto the stage, sang to (with hand held) while sitting on a stool and then offered a shot....but not before Frankie made sure she was legal. In addition, he also more than adequately performed covers of "Good Hearted Woman" and John Cougar Mellencamp's "Pink Houses." 

Frankie has an exceptionally charming and charismatic stage presence, you can't not like him. He's also an extremely talented guitar player and performer who made to sure work the entire stage, smiling and making eye contact with those in the front row, back and on the sides. He even bantered with the (largely female) audience, including asking one overzealous young lady who touched his thigh to "touch it again." 

Nearing the end of the set, Frankie introduced his talented band, which always wins points with me, and segued right into the closing song, "Drinky Drink." 
There was no encore, but Frankie did stay after to meet, sign, give out hugs and take photos with anyone and everyone who wanted them.

Bobby McGrath and The Brothers opened the show. They played a set of all original material, including the excellent "Turning Planes Around" and "Little Things Like That." Additionally, Bobby performed a well received cover of Randy Houser's "Goodnight Kiss." This was Bobby's first experience supporting a nationally known act and he and The Brothers handled it like seasoned pros. Bobby has a very natural stage presence and interacted well with the crowd. Like Frankie and his band, Bobby and his brothers genuinely seemed to be enjoying themselves on stage. They more than succeeded in getting the crowd warmed up for Frankie. Surveying the crowd throughout his set, fans were singing along, dancing and clamoring for more. These local boys definitely have a bright future ahead of them.

For more information on Frankie Ballard click here
For more information on Bobby McGrath click here
To read our interview with Bobby click here

Ashley Monroe and Striking Matches made it a double on Monday night (April 14th) playing two shows at Joe's Pub in NYC. Shows at Joe's Pub are intimate; it's like having friends, albeit friends on a stage, over in your living room....and what nice friends there were on Monday evening. 

Striking Matches, the duo comprised of Justin Davis and Sarah Zimmermann, opened the show and played a seven song set of all original material. The twosome are not only incredibly talented songwriters, but their skills on the guitar, and mandolin for Sarah, will leave you blown away. Their set list included "Trouble Is As Trouble Does," from their terrific self titled EP, as well as "Hangin' On A Lie", and "When It Rains." Additionally, they played the first song they had featured on the television show Nashville, "When the Right One Comes Along" (they have had six songs featured on the show in total, so far). 

Sarah had some (humorous) issues with her guitar and mandolin being plugged in, but she took it in stride with jokes and smiles. In addition, during the first show, she played her guitar with such fierceness on "Make A Liar Out Of Me" that she broke one of her strings! "Let's see how this works with five strings," Justin said. In case you were wondering, it worked out just fine.
They spoke about how excited they were, not only to play NYC, but also because they recently signed their first record deal with I.R.S. Nashville. Their excitement transferred to their performance as they have an energy, intensity and enthusiasm which are met by few others. Keep an eye out for Sarah's foot stomping (she said she had gum on her show as a joke) and facial expressions which demonstrate how deeply she is immersed in the music while playing.

After a five minute break, Ashley Monroe graced the stage with her friends Striking Matches as her supporting band. On stage, Ashley is charming and genuine. She easily won the audience over with her grace, humor and soft spoken demeanor, not to mention her traditional vocals and original music. She commented more than once how happy she was to play two shows in NYC on their short four city tour. She opened with "You Got Me" then "Two Weeks Late." She performed the title track of her most recent album, "Like A Rose," for which she told the story of how she wrote it with Guy Clark. In addition, she played a new song she wrote with Vince Gill called "Has Anybody Ever Told You" that will be on her next album, which she is currently working on. She relayed the story behind the song "From Time to Time" saying it was inspired by a "pity party" she gave herself prior to her wedding [she was married last October] when she realized her father would not be walking her down the aisle. She needed a sign from her father and when she woke, she had the melody of the song in her head.

Before singing "Heart Like Mine," Ashley told the funny story of how the song was written one evening on the front porch of a cabin in Pigeon Forge, TN where Ashley took Miranda [Lambert] to ride roller coasters at Dollywood. The other song she had in the "hit portion" of the show was the song Jason Aldean recorded, "The Truth." She said she wrote that song about a boy back home in Knoxville when she was 19 years old. Additionally, she played a song that Justin had started and the three of them completed, called "Dixie," as well as the Pistol Annies' songs (with her Pistol Andy--Justin) "Bad Example" and "Unhappily Married." The first show ended with "Weed Instead of Roses" while the second show closed with "Satisfied."

Very rarely is an audience so attentive and respectful as they were when Ashley (and Striking Matches) sang. This even caused Ashley to comment in between songs that she "loves it when people listen" like the audience was doing tonight. Also evident, was a true camaraderie between Justin, Sarah and Ashley. You could fell that they are friends, like family even; from the way they interacted with one another and the support they gave one another on stage.

Everyone did leave Joe's "satisfied," full of authentic country music performed by genuine artists.

You can read our interview with Striking Matches here.
For more information on Ashley Monroe and Striking Matches, you can visit their official websites.

NASH FM 94.7's Jesse Addy hosted a special performance on Tuesday, April 8th, by GRAMMY® award winning artist Martina McBride at the Hard Rock Café in Times Square. Martina celebrated the release of her new album, Everlasting, by performing songs from the record to a crowd of lucky fans who learned about the show by listening to NASH FM 94.7 – "America's Country Station," and waited in line Wednesday afternoon to catch the performance.

After starting off the evening with "Suspicious Minds" and "Wild Night," Martina thanked everyone for coming out. She said that this show at the Hard Rock was a "last minute idea" she had about a week and a half hour ago. She wanted to do something cool for the fans to celebrate the release of her record and to give people a glimpse of her tour, which begins on May 8th. She said that the music she picked for the album, and what she would be playing on the tour, would be music that would have everyone "dancing and singing to their hearts content." And that was what many in the crowd of about two hundred people did that night, thoroughly enjoying every minute of Martina's performance.

Martina was backed by her regular band, plus a horn section, which she said she always wanted, and three back up singers, who not only sounded fantastic but were energetic and enthusiastic. She performed fifteen songs over an hour and a half including her favorite Aretha Franklin tune, "Do Right Woman, Do Right Man," as well as "If You Don't Know Me By Now," and "Come See About Me." She "stripped it down a bit," but "not literally," she laughingly added, for "Little Bit of Rain" and a beautiful cover of "By Your Side" by Sade. One of the highlights of the night was when she covered Pink's "Perfect." She told the fans that this song was specifically for them; that at times life gets people down and discouraged and we do not think the best of ourselves. She wanted to remind everyone that the lyrics from that song are the "truth and don't you forget it."

Additionally, she performed two songs that are duets on the album, "In The Basement" (with Kelly Clarkson) and "Bring It On Home" (with Gavin DeGraw). She closed with "What Becomes of the Broken Hearted."

After chants of "Martina" from the crowd, she and the band emerged for an encore of songs including "This One's For The Girls," that had the crowd on their feet, cheering and singing along.

With Everlasting, Martina demonstrates her versatility while making these classic soul songs her own. Be sure to pick up Everlasting, which is available everywhere.

For more information on Martina McBride visit her official website.
For more information on "America's Country Station" NASH FM visit here

Perhaps one of the best places in NYC to see live music in an intimate setting, Joe's Pub hosted Clay vs Levi: Round 2 this past Monday evening. Clay Cook is a multi-instrumentalist and one of the members of the Zac Brown Band who recently released his new album North Star. Levi Lowrey is a BMI Country Award winner for "Colder Weather" and an artist on the Southern Ground label who released his latest, self titled album this past February.

The night started out with the two men deciding who would play first....by playing "rock, paper, scissors!" Levi "won" which meant he would go first, but that Clay would get the "last word" of the night. This fun approach set the tone for the evening as both men took turns playing their songs and interacting with one another and the audience. There were jokes about trains, the many and varied uses for cds (according to Levi, they make excellent ice scrapers), "mice elf," and Christmas (that somehow carried through the evening). 

But joking aside, the music was the true focal point of the evening. Levi began with "Barely Getting By" and played nine songs including "December Thirty-One," "The Problem with Freedom" and "Yesterday's Fool." Clay began with "Mountain Time," which was met with such applause that he commented that he had not had heard such heartfelt "hoorays" in a long time. He continued with "Terrible Timing," "This Kind of War," and a bit of "Amazing Grace" before launching into "Tell Him What You Want." He also played a verse of "The Muppet Theme," which he said was his favorite show as a child, before "Restless Man." 

One poignant moment in the evening came when Levi sang a song for his children at home. He addressed the camera to speak to them prior to beginning "Trying Not To Die" and after; telling them it was time to go to bed. 

Whether the songs were solemn or more up-tempo, the audience was attentive and respectful (sans one or two people who liked to yell out in between songs). In addition to the stellar storytelling/songwriting, these two gentlemen are some of the most amazingly talented musicians you will see. Levi played acoustic guitar when he performed his songs and captivated on the fiddle while supporting Clay. Throughout the hour and a half long show, Clay showcased his musicianship on acoustic and electric guitar, pedal steel and mandolin.

The evening ended with Levi performing a song he co-wrote that was a #1 for the Zac Brown Band, "Colder Weather" and Clay performing the song he co-wrote that was a smash for John Mayer "No Such Thing." Both men were more than gracious to meet, sign and take photos with fans in the lobby after the performance. 

This show was definitely one of the highlights of 2014 so far. Bring on Round 3!

For more information on Levy Lowrey visit here.
For more information on Clay Cook visit here.

Wednesday night on Long Island at the Patchogue Theater, radio station 96.1 hosted their 'Match Up.' The event paired one male artist with one female artist who took the stage together and alternated telling stories and playing songs for five rounds. All of the artists were not only talented, but extremely personable and funny; enjoying banter with one another as well as joking with the audience.

First up were Chuck Wicks and Lindsay Ell. Chuck had many adoring female fans in the crowd, but he is truly more than a pretty face. He is a talented performer who was more than comfortable on the stage. His voice is very warm and emotive, especially on ballads. He performed his newest single "Us Again" as well as music that will be on the album he is currently working on. He closed with his biggest single, "Stealing Cinderella." 

Mark my words: Lindsay Ell will be known as one of the most talented female guitar players of all time. The entire crowd was mesmerized every time she picked up her guitar and played. I have no idea how she made that guitar sing the way it did, but I know from the thunderous applause and cheers from the crowd, she made an impression. She covered Michael Jackson's "The Way You Make Me Feel" and had the crowd singing the chorus. She also played new tunes, including "Not Another Me" a song she wrote for a friend with Muscular Dystrophy whose boyfriend found it difficult to deal with her condition and left. She ended with her debut single "Trippin' On Us." Lindsay's prowess on the guitar definitely impressed (intimidated?) Chuck. Prior to her final song, he asked if she was going to play the electric guitar. When she replied "yes" he followed with a humorous "then I'm going to have to walk off the stage." (he didn't)

Next up were Will Hoge and Kelleigh Bannen. Will started out with one of his older songs, "Better Off Now," and told the story of how the song came to be on Lady A's new record. He then played "Even If It Breaks Your Heart," the song he wrote with Eric Paslay, that Eli Young Band made a #1 hit, smiling the entire time as the crowd sang along. He sang how being married with kids changes your life in the utterly relatable "Bad Old Days". He closed out with a story of how one of his favorite writers from the Tennessean, Gail Kerr, had passed that morning. He dedicated the emotional "When I Get My Wings" to her, standing at the front of the stage, no microphone, singing with the theater so quiet you could hear a pin drop. At the conclusion, he received a standing ovation. i have said it many times before: Will is the real deal.

Kelleigh Bannen spoke of how she and Will grew up in Nashville and when she was seventeen years old, her father would get her into the clubs just so she could watch Will perform. She, like all of the artists, thanked the crowd for coming out and said how happy she was to be playing tonight. She played a lovely, traditional country song called "Church Clothes" that she said hoped country radio had room for. She also played "Broken Record Hearted" and her first single "Sorry On The Rocks." She forgot the lyrics to that one, but no one minded because she took it in stride and with humor. She concluded with her current single, "Famous" on which she played mandolin. Honestly, I was not a fan of the radio version of that song, but hearing it acoustic...I'm sold. 

Finally, Dustin Lynch and Danielle Bradbury took the stage.  Dustin opened with "She Cranks My Tractor" then played a new song inspired by his parents and grandparents called "Daddy's Boots." He invited girls up to the stage to dance when he sang "Wild In Your Smile." Additionally, he played his new song which comes out next week, "Where It's At." He closed with "Cowboys and Angels," a song that he wrote for his grandparents 55th wedding anniversary four years ago.

The audience that night was full of young girls who absolutely loved Danielle Bradbury.  Before launching into "Daughter of a Working Man," she told the crowd how she was a daddy's girl. Additionally, she covered Pink's "Try" and closed with "Heart of Dixie."

Afterwards, many of the artists stayed to meet, sign and take photos. It was a terrific night, that hopefully 96.1 will repeat in the future.

Jerrod Niemann's new album High Noon was released this past Tuesday, but on Sunday night, March 23rd, about seventy five fans got the chance to attend the cd release party at Harding's in NYC. The intimate bar/restaurant was decorated with "wanted" posters while the stage was set with a stool, a microphone and a High Noon tarp. There were a few tables and benches with candles and the complimentary drinks were free flowing.

A little after 6pm, Jerrod came out and for the next hour he played songs from the new cd (via the cd/venue's sound sytem) and treated to the crowd to acoustic songs both old and new. He played "Drink To That All Night" and "Donkey." Mind you, that one is not my favorite song, but when Jerrod explained to the crowd how he just wanted a fun, silly song to take people's minds off of the unpleasantness in the world, it made me understand and appreciate it a little better. 

As songs from the new record played, Jerrod, who is extremely personable and funny, greeted fans in the crowd with warm hugs and smiles. Then he returned to the stage to perform.

After questioning the crowd for the best hangover cures, Jerrod gave his reply in the form of a new song, "Buzz Back Girl." He also performed, and told the stories behind, "Space" and "Can't Give In Anymore" as well as fan favorites "The Buckin' Song," and "For Everclear," He closed the night with "Lover, Lover." At the end of the hour, he took photos with everyone in attendance. 

For more information visit here.
High Noon is available everywhere.
Photo Credits: Jolene Vladimir and Doreena Silva

Back in December when it was announced Bart Crow would be coming to play NYC, I might have yelled out a "yes!!" in the aisle of Bed, Bath and Beyond. Bart is one of the few artists whose albums I can listen to in their entirety and love every song. 

The show at Hill Country was Bart's first official time playing in NYC. He and the band came on around 11pm, to a crowd of approximately eighty to ninety people, far less than the usual packed venues he is used to. No matter, they played as if the place was full and upon surveying the crowd, it was obvious that everyone was enjoying the music with many people even singing along. 

For an hour and a half, he kept the energy high and the real deal music flowing, seamlessly weaving the end of one song into the beginning of the next. He played all of his five #1s on the Texas charts including "Saying Goodbye," "Dandelion" and "Run With the Devil." Additionally, the set included "Falling For You," the foot tappin' "Quarters," and "Cold Heart." He also debuted a new song "City Limits Signs" about leaving, returning to and leaving again, his native Maypearl, Texas. Bart's undeniably identifiable voice delivers music that is believable and truly heartfelt, which can especially be heard on songs like "I Miss You" and "All I Need." On stage, he is warm, personable and funny and there seems to be a genuine camaraderie between him and the four skilled members of the band.

They closed out the night with "Loving You's A Crime" that segued into fan favorite "Wear My Ring," which had people out of their seats dancing and singing along. It marked a perfect way to cap off the night. Hopefully this trip to NYC will be the first of many!

Bart is a fan favorite in Texas and beyond. If you're new to his music, pick any one of his five albums and I guarantee they will soon be added to heavy rotation on your playlist. Then, definitely catch a show when he's near you.

For more information visit www.bartcrowmusic.com
Follow Bart Crow on Twitter

This past Wednesday, Jennifer Nettles brought her That Girl Tour to the beautiful Beacon Theatre in NYC. The venue was filled with enthusiastic fans of both Jennifer, and Brandy Clark, who is supporting Jennifer on this tour. 

Brandy quietly entered the stage at 8pm and performed for approximately thirty-five minutes. Her set was simple, yet brilliant and her voice was warm and strong. A kind and humorous personality shown through as she told stories about the songs and talked with the crowd. She performed songs from her excellent 12 Stories, as well as songs she has co-written for others, including "Mama's Broken Heart" and "Better Dig Two." After she was finished, she greeted fans in the lobby and signed for them. 

Like, Brandy, Jennifer's performance was pitch perfect and flawless. Jennifer, of course, performed songs from her That Girl album as well as a few of Sugarland's hits, which had the crowd on their feet. In addition to her own material, she covered Ambrosia, Barry Manilow and Imagine Dragons. She brought Brandy back to the stage to sing a fantastic duet of "His Hands." Finally, she closed out the show with Bob Seger's "Like A Rock," which she said she enjoyed putting a female perspective on. 

Jennifer not only has a tremendous voice, but is an extremely comical and entertaining presence who delivers live on many counts. If you have the chance, definitely check out the That Girl Tour.

For more information visit here.

The first ever Nashville To New York was an evening of hit songs and the stories behind them. The show, patterned after the famous “In The Round” writer nights at the Bluebird Café in Nashville, was hosted by Hall of Fame songwriter Gary Burr, and his wife, hit songwriter Georgia Middleman, both members of the critically acclaimed group Blue Sky Riders.  

For this initial outing, Gary and Georgia brought Maia Sharp and Marcus Hummon along with them. As with the typical writers' rounds, each artist took a turn telling a story behind a song and then playing said song. Early on Gary had said that when any audience members talk during a show at the Bluebird, they get shushed. No one was talking during this show! Those in the crowd were quiet and respectful, eager to hear the stories and the songs. In fact, the artists commented on multiple occasions how attentive and polite the crowd was. The writers on stage bantered not only with one another throughout the evening, but with the audience as well.

They joked that they all took the "sorrow train" and the "story train" that night, playing songs that told stories that were melancholy in tone. Gary was up first and told the story behind a song Leann Rimes recorded, "Nothin' But Love Makes Sense." He wrote it, he said jokingly, simply because he wanted to hear the words "jumbo shrimp" in a song. Additionally he played a new song on his record and a song he initially wrote for Garth Brooks, but got recorded by Ty Herndon and went to #1, "The Only Way I Know."

Maia played a beautiful song titled "Me After You" that was on one of her records that sold "tens of tens..." She also played "A Home" recorded by the Dixie Chicks and "Long Way Home" recorded by Art Garfunkel.

Marcus started off with a story about Sara Evans. They were having a writing session and she had just gotten off the phone with people from the label. She was crying. Why? They had told her she needed to lose weight after having her baby. That inspired her song "Born To Fly." The he switched from guitar to piano to play his song "The Favorite Son." He talked a bit about being in the business for 27 years and the state of co-writing with the young songwriters in Nashville. He commented that songwriters used to be "politicians, poets, theologians" and how things are differently now. 

Georgia Middleman began with a song sung by Reba and inspired by the diner scene in When Harry Met Sally, "I'll Have What She's Having." She also played a song with a twist at the end, "Table 32," as well as a few more. She added lovely harmonies when the other writers played their songs.

If you enjoy hearing the stories behind the songs, sung by the actual people who wrote them, then make sure to keep these shows on your radar. The night was definitely one to remember. We can't wait for next installment.


About the artists, from the Cutting Room:
GARY BURR Nashville Songwriter Hall of Fame member. ASCAP, Billboard and NSAI Country Songwriter of the Year. Fifteen #1 hits. Songs recorded by Faith Hill, Garth Brooks, Carole King, Ringo Starr, Reba McEntire, LeAnn Rimes, Christina Aguilara and Ricky Martin, Kelly Clarkson and more. Member of the group Blue Sky Riders with Georgia Middleman and Kenny Loggins.

GEORGIA MIDDLEMAN Songs recorded by Keith Urban, Kenny Chesney, Faith Hill, Reba McEntire, Joe Nichols, Martina McBride, Radney Foster, Maia Sharp, Mark Chestnutt, Sarah Buxton, Terri Clark and many others. Recently had her song “When The Right One Comes Along” featured on the ABC hit TV show “Nashville.” Currently one third of the new trio, Blue Sky Riders with Kenny Loggins and Gary Burr. 

MARCUS HUMMON Grammy winning songwriter, recording artist, composer, playwright and author. His best known hits are: ‘Bless The Broken Road’ (Rascal Flatts), ‘Cowboy Take Me Away’, and ‘Ready To Run’ (The Dixie Chicks), ‘Born To Fly’ (Sara Evans), ‘One Of These Days’ (Tim McGraw), and ‘Only Love’ (Wynonna). Marcus has written 5 musicals, 2 operas and his songs have been nominated for Grammys, ACMs and CMAs.

MAIA SHARP Songs recorded by The Dixie Chicks, Bonnie Raitt, Trisha Yearwood, Keb’ Mo’, Cher, Edwin McCain, David Wilcox, Art Garfunkel, Paul Carrack, Lisa Loeb and many more.  As a producer, Maia has worked with Edwin McCain, Art Garfunkel and Crystal Bowersox, among others. She has five solo releases that have all been critically acclaimed and enthusiastically embraced by press and radio.

For more information visit The Cutting Room official website

With all the hype surrounding the Swon Brothers following their appearance on The Voice, I decided to check out their free show (Swoncert) at Toby Keith's Bar & Grill on the eve of the release of their first single "Later On." 

The Swon Brothers (Colton & Zach) put on an acoustic performance that highlighted the brothers vocal harmonies and Zack's amazing guitar skills. They did an hour long set that included all the songs they performed on The Voice as well as a very cool three song Eagles tribute.

In addition, they performed two new songs from their upcoming cd. One was entitled "Pray For You." Colton explained the story behind the song saying, "Have you watched the news lately? With all the bad in the world, we decided to write song with a message of hope." In it, they sing "Tonight I'm not gonna love you/Tonight I'm gonna pray for you."

They closed the show with their current single "Later On," which had all the ladies in the crowd screaming. Throughout the evening the crowd was singing word for word with these newcomers. This long time concert veteran was impressed at the amount of crowd participation for an up incoming artist.

All in all these talented young men performed a spot on set and seemed to genuinely enjoy their fans and performing for them. 

For more information visit their official website

Photo credit to, and guest post written by, David Watts