Sunny Sweeney provides the sass and soul with latest release

Seven years ago, I sat perched up on a seat at Bluebird Cafe in Nashville while on stage in the row sat Sunny Sweeney, Danielle Peck, Lisa Torres, and Karleen Watt.  It was the first time that Sunny announced that she had been going through a divorce and showcasing the songs that reflected on the heartache and overcoming the hardships.  I sat there with tears flowing out of my eyes realizing my own marriage at the time was failing.  A few months down the road, I got out of that marriage through a divorce.  Oddly enough, my divorce party was watching Sunny Sweeney on the Grand Ole Opry and meeting Little Jimmy Dickens (who has always been a musical hero for me).

Top albums of 2016 for country music fans

If there is a sign of the times, it appears in 2016 that country music with lyrical meaning took hold of the reigns of some of the top album releases.  There were fewer party songs and more songs that reflected on what is happening in modern times.  Here are our top picks of the best country music albums of 2016:

Sturgill Simpson - "A Sailor's Guide to Earth"

By the end of 2016, any music fan would soon hear about the beauty in the sound and production of Sturgill Simpson’s album.  The album itself was written and produced for Simpson’s toddler son.  One of the top picked songs is “Brace For Impact,” which makes a profound statement that one should live their life the fullest.  The sonic sounds from the sea filled the airwaves throughout the album.  Nevertheless, the Grammy’s took notice and nominated it for overall album of the year for their 2017 awards.  Read about his homecoming performance at the Lexington Opera House.

Blackberry Smoke - "Like An Arrow"

Blackberry Smoke seems to appear on my list every year, frankly because anything they release is that good.  It easily translates into their energetic live performance that many Kentuckians have come to enjoy over the years.  “Like An Arrow” has made an impact on the charts both in the US and overseas markets.  They define their own southern soulful rock sound with their latest release.  Top songs include “Waiting for the Thunder” and “The Good Life.”

The Steel Woods – Self Titled

Be sure to take note of the name, The Steel Woods.  They are also on our list of Ones to Watch in 2017.  The talented songwriting and singing from the duo has really taken notice.  Others are soon noticing the talent as they have been recently booked to open up for Blackberry Smoke.  They also performed at Kid Rock’s Fish Fry in Nashville this fall.  Top song picks on the album include “Let the Rain Come Down” and “Axe.” Read our full review & interview here.

Justin Wells - "Dawn in the Distance"

One of the most hardworking souls out on the road has to be Justin Wells.  With his first solo release, “Dawn in the Distance,” Justin received outstanding support from friends and music fans through his Kickstarter campaign.  “The Dogs” showcasing what really happens while struggling on the road.  Other top picks include “Going Down Grinnin’” and the haunting “So Far Away.”

Aubrie Sellers - "New City Blues"

Country music needs Aubrie Sellers and quite frankly, she provided quite a song selection with her debut album, “New City Blues.”  She stood out on her own among all of the new female artists in 2016.  It was hard to pick just a couple of top picks, as all of them are well produced.  However, two of our top picks on the album include “Light of Day” and the fiery “Liar, Liar.”

Margo Price - "Midwest Farmer's Daughter"

Jack White has a hankering for being able to pinpoint pure raw talent for his Third Man Records.  That is definitely the case with the beautiful vocals from Margo Price.  Perhaps one of the highlights of 2016 was when Margo Price performed on “Saturday Night Live,” as well as on Farm Aid.  Top songs include “Tennessee Song” and “Four Years of Chances.”

Wynonna & The Big Noise - Self Titled

Wynonna has gone through a lot of things in her life, but with her self-titled album with her band, The Big Noise, it seems as though she is at peace with her life.  Her soulful vocal prowess is in full force with each song.  Top picks on the album include “Things That I Lean On” with Jason Isbell and “Keeps Me Alive.”

Nashville News Roundup for week ending 5/23/2015

You can catch me dishing the dirt from Nashville during my Nashville News Roundup radio segment on WFKY out of Frankfort, KY.  Tune in on Fridays at 9:15 am via the radio, online at www.froggykycountry.com, or the Tune-In App (search for WFKY).  Without further ado...here are this week's headlines:

I See Luke
Starting today, you can check out the new exhibit at the Country Music Hall of Fame featuring Luke Bryan. The exhibit includes his childhood piano, baseball uniform, poster from the club he first perform, and clothing.  It runs through November 8th.  If you wait until July, you can check out his, as well as the Trisha Yearwood exhibit and Nashville Cats exhibit.

Local Album Release
John McHugh, who has been known locally for playing guitar with Puddin Howell, George Molton, and more, has released a solo album. The album is called Anger to Ambition.  On Thursday, May 28th he will be hosting an album release party at Austin City Saloon.  It is available for download on I-tunes.

Loretta and Jack Go Walking
On June 4th, you can catch Loretta Lynn and Jack White at the Music City Walk of Fame in Nashville.  It is across from the Country Music Hall of Fame and free to attend the ceremony.

Awesome Possum Fact of the Week: On this date in 1986, George Jones and Merle Haggard post $50,000 bond money to get Johnny Paycheck out of jail in Hillsboro, Ohio, where he was being held for the December shooting of Larry Wise in a barroom argument.

Handpick Download of the Week: Zac Brown Band - Heavy is the Head

Angaleena Presley on Late Show with David Letterman

Kentucky native Angaleena Presley made an appearance on the Late Show with David Letterman this past Friday.  Take a gander at the video below for "American Middle Class."  I cannot wait for you to listen to her new album.  This is what country music is made of.  Pure American Kentucky music.

Kentucky Meets Texas: Angaleena Presley and Sunny Sweeney

This week two exciting piece of album release news was released.  Even more so, both are of two female country music singers that are my favorite modern day singers to listen to.  They are east Kentucky native, Angaleena Presley, and east Texas native Sunny Sweeney.  

Sunny Sweeney is scheduled to release her third release, "Provoked," on August 5th.  Several of the songs I have heard over the years performed live.  However, one track that was originally set to be on the album but was cut is "Dirty Laundry."  Hopefully one day that song and "Unholy Trinity" will be released.  The second song is one that brought me down to tears one night while she sang it alongside Erin Enderlin and Tony Lane down at Puckett's in Franklin, TN many moons ago.  I won't say what songs, but there have been several that made me go "yep, I need to get out of my marriage and file for divorce...." and yes I got out and have been happily divorced for several years now.  

Sunny Sweeney Track Listing for Provoked includes

1. You Don't Know Your Husband (Sunny Sweeney/Angaleena Presley/Mark D. Sanders)

2. Bad Girl Phase (Brandy Clark/Jessie Jo Dillon/Shannon Wright)

3. Second Guessing (Sunny Sweeney/Natalie Hemby)

4. Carolina on the Line (Sunny Sweeney/Brett Warren/Brad Warren/Lance Miller)

5. Find Me (Sunny Sweeney/Buddy Owens/Jay Clementi)

6. Can't Let Go (Randy Weeks)

7. Front Row Seats (Sunny Sweeney/Lance Miller/Brett Warren/Brad Warren)

8. My Bed (Sunny Sweeney/Angaleena Presley/Ashley Monroe)

9. Uninvited (Sunny Sweeney/Natalie Hemby)

10. Sunday Dress (Sunny Sweeney/Monty Holmes/Buddy Owens)

11. Used Cars (Sunny Sweeney/Natalie Hemby)

12. Backhanded Compliment (Sunny Sweeney/Natalie Hemby)

13. Everybody Else Can Kiss My Ass (Sunny Sweeney/Brett Beavers/Connie Harrington)  

You will noticed that Angaleena Presley is a cowriter on a few tunes on Sunny Sweeney's album.  Well I'm happy to say that she is releasing her own album on October 14th.  It is called "American Middle Class."  Be on the lookout for fellow Kentucky natives Chris Stapleton and Patty Loveless to appear on the album.

Angaleena Presley Track Listing for American Middle Class

1. Ain't No Man (Angaleena Presley)

2. All I Ever Wanted (Angaleena Presley)

3. Grocery Store (Angaleena Presley & Lori McKenna)

4. American Middle Class (Angaleena Presley)

5. Dry County Blues (Angaleena Presley & Mark D. Sanders)

6. Pain Pills (Angaleena Presley)

7. Life of the Party (Angaleena Presley & Matraca Berg)

8. Knocked Up(Angaleena Presley & Mark D. Sanders)

9. Better Off Red (Angaleena Presley)

10. Drunk (Angaleena Presley & Sarah Siskind)

11. Blessing and a Curse (Angaleena Presley & Bob DiPiero)

12. Surrender (Angaleena Presley, Luke Laird, & Barry Dean)

I always said that Sunny Sweeney and Angaleena Presley need to go on tour sometime.  Perhaps this would be the perfect time.  It would definitely showcase what real country music is all about from a female perspective that is retrofitted back to the days of Tammy Wynette, Loretta Lynn, etc.

Sunny Sweeney sings of heartache and hope with new release

Sunny Sweeney - by Jessica Blankenship

It takes going through tough times to realize you can overcome just about anything. For Sunny Sweeney, the reflection of a period of going through a divorce and moving on is told through the music on "Concrete." Having played recently at 4th Street Live in Louisville, Kentucky, fans got an early taste of the tunes prior to the new album release. Sunny was also featured as one of our Country Music Artists to Watch in 2010.

Sunny Sweeney has given a new hope for those that have been down that same road. The recipe to good country music equals one part twang, one part true life story, and one part singer to sing it. Combine those parts and you get Sunny Sweeney's "Concrete."

Right off the bat, Sweeney gets the party started with "Drinkin Myself Single" as a kiss-off to the past love. It is a perfect rowdy honky tonk tune that Sunny has not been to afraid to play anywhere. She stands her ground to let it be known she can be a woman in a man's world.

As soon as the tune finishes, the cds slides into the sounds of the steel guitar with the beginning notes of "From a Table Away." The story is one of being the "other woman." Sweeney climbed to the top 30 single charts that provided a bold statement of what country music should sound like. Her vocals portray the painful thoughts of seeing everything go down.

In a relationship, sometimes when the love is gone and after the fire is out, you realize that sometimes staying is worst than leaving. Sunny Sweeney's current top 40 single, "Stayin's Worse than Leaving" has gained attention amongst those going through that same situation. Having heard Sweeney sing the song, you have hope that life will be better once you are out of that relationship.

"The Ole Me" tells the tale of the old ways of living, but things have changed for the better. The song gives warning of the feistier side of life.

Going back to the theme of being the other woman, "Amy" tells the apology of why things happened. In the end, the man is better off with Amy unless she doesn't truly love him. The other woman is in love with him and has a hard time of letting go. The twang in Sweeney's vocals provides a great emphasis in the song.

Kicking things into high gear, we come to "Worn Out Heart." The driving number has the great line, "You can't wear down a worn out heart like you can't bend a busted chain." There's no point in trying, but the man needs to move on with his life because she has clearly made the move to not give him another chance.

"Mean As You" goes on to say that the singer is the better person being out of the relationship. In the end, the other person is downright mean trying to ruin the reputation.

They say some die from broken hearts. Others will write about it. With "It Wrecks Me," Sunny Sweeney sings with pain and sorrow, but with confidence knowing that things will get better. The wail of the steel guitar and baritone guitar plays emphasis throughout the song to compliment the lyrics.

"Helluva Heart" shows the backside of leaving a relationship where the ex tries to rip apart someone with words. The only thing done wrong was that the person portrayed in the story was to love that person. The ex runs his mouth, but Sweeney lays it on the line with lyrics such as, "Your talk is cheap in this town and I'm all done being weighed down."

After you leave a horrible relationship that might even end in divorce, there is hope. There is a promise of a better life, and when you least expect it, love might be right in front of you. With all the darkness and heartache, there is sunlight. Sunny Sweeney singing "Fall For Me" provides that hope things will get better and you can find true love. However, this time around, you will be wiser and more cautious with your heart. However, when you know it is right, you will give it 100% of your heart.

With albums such as Sunny Sweeney's "Concrete," there is a new elite bunch to help fill the shoes of heartache of legends such as Loretta Lynn, Tammy Wynette, and others. All of those prove there is a place in country music for heartache and hope from a woman's point of view.

Sunny Sweeney: Meet the Queen of Heartache

There is no fury like a woman scorned. Add fuel to the fire with vocal power singing the lyrics, and you have yourself a hit song. Sunny Sweeney has hit the spot with her recent EP Release. The five song album leaves you wanting to know more of the story of heartache and moving on.

Starting off in rowdy fashion is "Drink Myself Single." The honky tonking song begs the question how does it feel from a female perspective to do some of the things a man would do while on a night on the town. You will be singing this tune before the end of it. The sound itself reminds the listener of a classic song by Kentucky native, Loretta Lynn.

Sorrow fills the air as Sweeney sings the tune "Amy." The lyrics speak of two women in a man's life, one not being in love with the man yet she stays around. It sets the pace for what is to come on the album.

"Staying Worse Than Leaving," was co-written with Rodney Crowell with the fluid presentation. The song itself talks about that sometimes in a relationship, no matter what others may have said, staying in that relationship is worse than leaving. You can't help but feel the impact from lyrics such as "Both our hearts let go a long time ago. Words leave scars and Lord knows they heal slow. Our love died but somehow we are both still breathing. I just open someday We'll look back on this grieving and say staying's worst than leaving."

While listening to "Helluva Heart," you learn fast you don't want to mess with Sweeney with a broken heart. With anger and passion, she sings about "what kind of man don't give a damn that he breaks what won't even bend." She begs how does the man live with the pain he caused her.

Sunny Sweeney's current hit song, "From a Table Away," has taken fans back to the traditional country music sound that radio airwaves need to hear. The classic tale of being the other woman is one that some could relate to. You feel the heartache is Sweeney's vocals, just like a classic Tammy Wynette aching tune.

Heartache and honky tonk best describes Sunny Sweeney's latest 5 song EP release. It begs the listener for more from Sweeney and hopefully the record company will release more hit songs such as these 5. Country music needs real stories from real women and Sunny Sweeney will fit the piece in that puzzle. Fans can purchase the album via Itunes and Amazon.com.

Jamey Johnson shaking country to its core with new release

Jamey Johnson - The Guitar Song

Country music fans and traditionalists raved with Jamey Johnson released "That Lonesome Song" in 2008. Some exclaimed that Johnson was the savior of country music and bringing it back to its roots. With the success of that album, fans wondered how the most anticipated album, "The Guitar Song," would live up to its expectations. Let's just say that country music is going to be kicked straight to the core. With a mix of self-penned hits, as well as a few classic tunes, Jamey Johnson has excelled in releasing a double album that will please the listener's ears.

Rather than trying to pick the best song of the set, all of the songs are excellent in their own form. Each is wrapped in its own musical package of a story experienced and needs to be told. With that, we present you, a track by track analysis of Jamey Johnson's latest album, "Guitar Song."

Kentucky native, Keith Whitley, wrote a tune before he passed away called, "Lonely at the Top." Thankfully, Johnson discovered the tune and recorded it himself. No matter what success one has in any career, it might be lonely at the top, but it is a pain at the bottom. The classic honky tonk tune could have been placed in the days of Whitley or the modern days of Johnson having a conversation in a bar.

"Cover Your Eyes" is a dark sorrowful song as Johnson sings about that the on-again, off-again relationship that has been messing with his mind. As he is leaving, he is telling the love to cover her eyes and not see him leaving. He is leaving out of her life for good and soon he won't cross her mind again. The song excels in Johnson's emotional vocals filled by the sounds of the steel guitar wailing and drums crashing like thunder in the background.

"Poor Man's Blues" shows the contrast of a rich man versus a poor man and how the rich man will never realize the true blues and hardships of a poor man. The southern blues sound brings a tone of a classic Hank Williams, Jr. tune. One thing is for sure, a rich man may have fame and fortune and all the things in life, including the poor man's lady. However, he will soon find out what happens when a poor man gets the blues and seeks revenge.

"California Riots" speaks about the time that Jamey went to California and realized he would rather be back home in Alabama than hanging out in California when it riots. The view and the people may be pretty there, but he definitely would rather head back to his real home. The tongue in cheek tune shows where Johnson's roots really are.

Following the essence of "California Riots," Johnson sings about his time taping the show, "Nashville," which only lasted two episodes on Fox. It was filmed by the same folks that tape MTV's "Real World" and it failed to capture the viewer of what really goes on in the business. In the tune "Playing the Part," Johnson realized quickly that he would rather have LA mean lower Alabama. He wonders what in the world he was thinking getting caught up in the Hollywood scene that isn't worth the ticket he bought to go out there.

"Baby Don't Cry" is a sentimental tune that Jamey wrote for his daughter, Kylie. It is bedtime for the little one after the fairy tales have been told and the monsters under the bed have been check. Being on the road as much, he sings "baby don't cry you're never alone/when you need your daddy/just pick up the phone/and I'll fly as fast as I can/and I'll hold your hand/and I'll make you smile again, but baby don't cry." The slow lullaby showcases the sweeter side of Jamey Johnson that some have never seen that shows what a wonderful father he is.

Two spiritual filled songs, "I Remember You" and "Heaven Bound" show the redemption and light filling Jamey Johnson's life. No matter the hard times he has faced, he always goes back to the Lord. He keeps telling himself that he is heaven bound and he should not forget in what he believes in. Raised up in a traditional southern church, Johnson knows what comes first in his life with both tunes.

Standing up for the American farmer, the songs "Can't Cash My Checks" portrays the life of a farmer who has gotten poor even with his hard labor. His word has more value than his checks written. He is hunger as he goes under in debt in doing the one thing he enjoys the most - farming. He would rather not beg as he tries to be honest in a world we live in today. The tune was co-written by guitarist, Jason "Rowdy" Cope, and the background vocals are complimented by Randy Houser. The emotional tune was first debut at Farm Aid in October 2009. Whether or not the listener is a farmer, in the times we live in today with so many trying to make a living, they can relate to the song. The song itself and performance by the Kent Hardly Playboys brings this as the top pick of the album. The mood resonates amongst fans both on the album and live in concert.

Right off the bat with the bass line by Kevin Grantt, it sets the tone for "That's How I Don't Love You." It will continue to come back throughout the song as an eerie sound to bring the mood to the song, along with the electric guitars. Jamey Johnson sings about how his love has left him and now he pours the poison (alcohol) in as if it is his new best friend at night. Drinking his sorrow away is the only way he knows he doesn't love her anymore. The eerie feeling throughout the song truly reflects the mood as if you are in a smoke filled room with alcohol being poured glass after glass to drink away a memory.

"Heartache" has a different point of view than one might expect as it is one from the actual heartache starting back to the caveman times. Relationships may not last, but the heartache remains throughout. The heartache is hungry for another victim just like a wolf knawling on meat. Jamey's deep southern rustic vocals bring the tune to raw shape.

Another cover tune, "Mental Revenge," was originally by Mel Tillis and Waylon Jennings sung it in the past as well. Rather than take an all electric instrumentation, Johnson and the band opted to go acoustic as in a picking circle filled with guitar, stand up bass, and dobro. The style gives it a throwback style unlike the original. The raw intensity with the vocals and instruments compliments the song and makes you want to hear more acoustic style performances from the band.

Taking a page book of Willie Nelson's songbook, Johnson's tune "Even the Skies Are Blue" is similar in style to Nelson's legendary songs. Times are hard and even if the sun is shining brightly above, even the skies are blue. The slow groove tune showcases a modern take of the world around us and the hardships people are going through.

"By the Seat of Your Pants" is a classic country tune that talks about the tail of a dad talking to his son about life. With the catchy lyrics, the son learns that there is no rehearsal in life and you learn it by the seat of your pants.

"Dog in the Yard" sounds like something George Strait would cut, but Jamey Johnson makes it his own. He sings about how his love doesn't like his friends and she is able to train him to do what she wants. She controls him like an old stray dog in the yard. The honky-tonk sound tune will get a few head nods from fellow men mistreated by women who want to control every aspect of their lives.

"The Guitar Song" features legendary Bill Anderson singing the first verse to show the rustic legendary conversation from the guitar's point of view as being in the corner of a pawn shop. Jamey fills in with the modern times of the guitar playing to a packed crowd singing along. The grooving tune of the conversation between the two features the storyline of the history of the simple object of a guitar.

Setting lonely on stage of the Ryman Auditorium all alone late at night, Jamey Johnson sings with just a guitar and his voice for "That's Why I Write Songs." The hollowness of the hall makes the listener feel as though they are sitting in a pew listening to the heart of Johnson as he sings exactly why he is doing this for a living. It's not just what he does, but it is what he is. Not only does he reflects on his life, but also pays tribute to legendary songwriters and the songs that affected our lives.

Another song previously released, "Macon," connected with fans who wanted to hear more. Unfortunately, most radio stations failed to play the song at the fan's request even after a stellar performance at the CMT Awards. Having Little Big Town fill in the background vocals make the song talking about getting back to Macon to love all night after being out on the road all the time. Read our full recap of the song here.

"Thankful for the Rain" talks about a love that comes and go just like the rain. That love calls and then soon plays him "like an old violin" and leave soon after that. The love comes and goes like the rain off the coast. He thinks he should be thankful for the memories (rain) as he knows she will be gone again. The slow take of the song is reminiscent of a classic Vern Gosdin tune with the simplicity and sorrowful tune.

Having a dip into the traditional country sound meets jazz, Johnson presents "Good Morning Sunrise." The upbeat country-jazz feeling makes you want to snap your fingers as you sing along. The throwback sound has the classic sound from the hit-makers in country music from back in the day. Johnson makes it his own and excels.

"Front Porch Swing Afternoon" has a sway about it to make you feel like you are swinging back and forth on the front porch. The listener feels and hears the elements of the song, from the black berry pie to the breeze blowing throw the laundry hanging on the line. The laid back tune feels like you are comforted by the southern sights and sounds.

One of the stellar good old guitar finger picking songs is "Good Times Ain't What They Use to Be." The driving tune is one that definitely should be played on the radio airwaves. The song reflects on the good times from taking it easy to being out on a fast pace on the road.

Jamey Johnson has always paid tribute to legendary performers on his albums in live shows. Even more so, he has said in concerts that he hopes to teach others what real country music is by showcasing some of the top legendary tunes. Rather than rely on the 'common standards' that other performers sing in concert, Johnson songbook goes even deeper. For this album, he chose "For the Good Times" and "Set Em Up Joe." In fact, the session for "Set Em Up Joe" was recorded the day after Vern Gosdin passed away. For both songs, Johnson stays close to tradition while making them his own.

One of the first songs released from the album originally was "My Way to You." However, some radio stations didn't add it to their playlists because they are probably afraid of honest to goodness country music than what is currently on the airwaves. Having the song at the end of the album is a great ending point of redemption after going through a journey of darkness. Several have discussed what the "you" is, but after listening to the album in full it seems clear that he is finding his way to God after a path of wrong roads and missteps.

By far, "The Guitar Song," will be one of 2010's album of the year. With the formula of Jamey Johnson, alongside the Kent Hardly Playboys band, country music fans will not be disappointed.