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.

The Power of Love and Prayer with Joey and Rory

Photo by Angela Talley

If there ever was a story of love, country living, and family, it could be written about Joey and Rory.  The country music duo's love story is one of faith, family, and friends.  If you haven't done so, you need to bookmark Rory's blog, This Life I Live.

In the recent blog, Rory depicts the story of his wife, Joey, going for a doctor visit after the visit of their beautiful baby, Indiana Boon Feek, and finding out that she has cervical cancer.  She had surgery and thankfully the doctors revealed that she will not have to have chemotherapy or radiation for the cervical cancer. 

“Yes, it has been quite a year for us so far,” wrote Rory. “In the past six months, God has taken us places we never dreamed we would go. It’s been terrifying and thrilling all at the same time. We never know what tomorrow will bring . . . none of us do. But what an incredible journey life is. We are just going to continue to trust Him and hold to each other and . . . pedal, pedal!”

Something that is amazing in this journey that Joey + Rory have shared with readers, they have not once asked for help financially.  They have asked simply for prayer.  I always believe in "pay it forward" and I know that medical costs can get high, especially when you are a musician.  I encourage you to check out Joey + Rory website and their merchandise store.  Purchase their music, perhaps buy their dvd of their wonderful tv show, read delicious recipes out of Joey's cookbook, and more.  Feel free to take a trip down to Marcy Jo's, their restaurant in Pottsville, TN, for some home cooking.

Be sure to subscribe to Rory's blog, This Life I Live, and receive updates. The photos & stories they share are just beautiful and showcase the simple things in life we sometimes take for granted.

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Josh Osborne added to US 23 Country Music Highway

Black River Publishing’s GRAMMY-winning songwriter Josh Osborne was honored in his hometown this week in celebration of the joint resolution passed by the House of Representatives and the Senate adding the Kentucky native’s name to the US 23 Country Music Highway in Pike County. The home state honor was hosted on Wednesday by the Highway District 12 of the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet and occurred as Josh has four singles are almost entirely in the Top 20 on the country music chart.

“This was truly an honor for us,” shared State Rep. Leslie Combs. “To be able to do this in honor of Josh, and what he has accomplished, is a tremendous honor for us and one of the greatest ones we’ve had.”

During the official ceremony at Shelby Valley High School, Pike County Judge/Executive Wayne T. Rutherford honored the alumnus with an additional presentation. 

“Where we go and what we do around this country, we are ambassadors of where we come from,” stated Pike County Judge Rutherford. “Before I left the office today, I signed an executive order declaring this [June 11] as “Josh Osborne Day, Pike County Kentucky.”

“Growing up on Country Music Highway, knowing how much all those artists have influenced and inspired me, and now to think that I am even a small part of that heritage means the world to me,” shared Josh. “I honestly don't think any honor could mean more to me.”

Upon accepting these great honors, an emotional Osborne stated, “When something like this happens, and you reach a milestone, you kind of think. ‘How did I get here?’ I look around the room, and I know how I got here, so I thank all of you.”

Among the hometown crowd was Black River Entertainment’s CEO, Gordon S. Kerr; VP of Black River Publishing, Celia Froehlig; and other staff members. Also in attendance at the official ceremony was GRAMMY award winner and 2014 ACM Songwriter of the Year, Shane McAnally (Downtown, Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye) and ACM, CMA and GRAMMY nominated songwriter Brandy Clark (Better Dig Two, Mama's Broken Heart). Both close friends and co-writers of Osborne, the two of them joined Josh at the Hilton Garden Inn that evening to perform a songwriter’s round sponsored by Johnson Industries, benefiting The Pike County Schools’ K.I.D.S. initiative.

The home state honor comes on the heels of Josh’s astonishing eight weeks of having five singles in the top 30 on the country music chart. Currently, Josh’s singles include Blake Shelton’s "My Eyes," closely followed by "We Are Tonight," Billy Currington; "Chainsaw," The Band Perry; and Eli Young Band's, "Dust."

Songs written or co-written by Josh Osborne
Around For a Reason - Jason Greeley
Bad Habit - Sarah Darling
Born That Way - Jason Greeley
Break What's Broken - Charlie Worsham
Chainsaw - The Band Perry
Come Over - Kenny Chesney
Drunk Last Night - Eli Young Band
Dust - Eli Young Band
Feel Good Summer Song - Scotty McCreery
Fill In the Blank - Greg Bates
Fuzzy - Randy Rogers Band
Get a Life - Jason Greeley
Hold You To It - Chris Young
It's Your World - Tim McGraw
Keep It To Yourself - Kacey Musgraves
Leave the Night On - Sam Hunt
Live Our Lives - Jason Greeley
Merry Go Round - Kacey Musgraves
My Eyes - Blake Shelton
Neon - Chris Young
Runnin' Out of Air - Love & Theft
Text Me Texas - Chris Young
The Boy Never Stays - Sarah Darling
Tie It Up - Kelly Clarkson
Usually - Jason Greeley
Wake Up Lovin' You - Craig Morgan
We Are Tonight - Billy Currington
You Never Know - Sara Evans

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Way Out Here with Josh Thompson

Josh Thompson at WFKY Froggy Field Party in 2010. Photo by Jessica Blankenship

The month of May I seem to want to shut off from the world ever since 2010.  It would be the month my nephews & niece would be forced to celebrate Mother's Day without their mom.  It would be the month she should be blowing out the candles of her birthday cake.  It would be the month I should be celebrating my wedding anniversary.  However, instead of being a month of celebrations, it would be a month of memories.  Some good, some bad.  In 2010, my sister in law passed away the first of June.  I would also get a divorce.  Last May, we lost my grandma.

Not only do we have the memories, we also have the songs that keep us going.  You know of songs in your personal life that take you back or help you get through the hard times.  Two songs come to mind.  First would be The Band Perry's "If I Die Young."  I remember my sister in law being the one to tell me about the song just a week before her passing.  I remember her saying that it was a powerful song that she knows will go to #1.  In May of 2011 a year later the Band Perry would be certified Platinum for that song.

The other song would be Josh Thompson's "Way Out Here."  It was the one song that while traveling with my nephews they would sing.  It described our family.

We won't take a dime if we ain't earned it

When it comes to weight brother we pull our own

If it's our backwoods way of livin' you're concerned with

You can leave us alone

We're about John Wayne, Johnny Cash and John Deere

Way out here

In July 2010, Josh Thompson would play at the WFKY Froggy Field Party.  I was honored to be able to sit down and have a conversation with Josh.  I had interviewed him before, but this time was different.  I rarely share my personal stories of a song with a songwriter.  But this time was different and I was able to thank him for that song.  It is one of those conversations and his kind words that made me a life long fan of his music.

Friday night, Josh Thompson will be playing at 4th Street Live in Louisville and I'll definitely be there.  Next week marks 4 years since we lost my sister in law. Thankfully we have good memories, as well as good music to help us get through the hard times.

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Nashville News Roundup - Week Ending 4/11/2014

Loretta Lynn - Fist City

This past week has been a whirlwind and now we are winding down.  Here are a few headlines making their noise down on Music Row in Nashville.  Remember, you can hear little ole me on WFKY and WKFC on Friday mornings in the 9am hour with the Nashville News Roundup.

I've added to my vinyl collection with quite a few selections lately.  I think I want to recreate this cover with Loretta Lynn for Fist City album. 

Oh Dolly

Dolly Parton is set to appear on QVC for a one hour performance on Sunday, April 27th at 7PM.  She will be promoting her album, Blue Smoke, which will be out in stores in May.  The album features a collection of bluegrass and country music songs and is her first release since 2011.

He Doesn't Dance

As you recall earlier on a Nashville News Roundup, we recommended Lee Brice's "I Don't Dance."  Brice recently revealed that the song was written as a wedding gift to his wife Sara for their first dance.  The Knot website just picked the song for the wedding song of Rebekah Gregory and Pete Dimartino.  Rebekah and Pete are survivors of the Boston bombing of last year.

Concert Notes

Eric Church is bringing along Kentucky native Dwight Yoakam on a fall tour.  They will be stopping at the KFC Yum Center with Brothers Osborne and then with Halestorm at Rupp Arena.  Stay tune on when tickets will go on sale.

Handpicked Download of the Week: This week, I highly recommend fans of Justin Moore and Blake Shelton to take a listen to east Tennessee native Jesse Watson and his song "Crazy."  It is a heartache love song that has one of my favorite lines I've heard in a while: "The reason she can't stay, she don't know how. She ain't the kind to settle down.  She's not known for hanging around for too long."  With all the travels that I do, I'm always on the road.  I settled down before and it ended in divorce.  It will take someone amazing to make me settle down again.

Awesome Possum Fact of the Week: On this date in 1980, Cousin Emmy dies in Sherman Oaks, California. Born Cynthia May Carver in Lamb, Kentucky, she taught Grandpa Jones to play the banjo, and became a significant singer and bawdy comedian in concert and on radio from the 1920s to the 1950s

Country Music Roadtrip: A visit to Bobby Mackey's Honky Tonk

Bobby Mackey's Sign outside - by Jessica Blankenship

Friday night I gathered up some buddies and we went to the Justin Moore, Randy Houser, and Josh Thompson concert held at the Bank of Kentucky Arena at NKU campus. Afterwards we headed down to Bobby Mackey's Honky Tonk in Wilder, Kentucky.  I have been meaning to get up there for a visit after the great invitation from Mr. Mackey himself, as well as RJ.  As soon as we walked in, I have never felt so much like home.  The two girls working the door welcomed us and then we were greeted by RJ.  RJ would introduce us to Bobby Mackey prior to him taking the stage.  We then sat down at a table and tried to take it all in.  You have a gift shop area room, then there is a large mechanical bull in a corner alongside pool tables, live music from Bobby Mackey and his band, and tables throughout the place.  There is also karaoke and the ghost tours.

Community Provides HOPE for Tornado Victims

Sometimes you never know what life can bring you.  Friday, March 2, 2012, many lives were changed as we had one of the worst tornado outbreaks in Kentucky's history.  One of the tornadoes hit a little over 5 miles from my house.  Probably the best thing I do have to say is that our folks in Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama, North Carolina, etc know one thing - Community.  We joined together to help our neighbors pick up the pieces.

Death Toll Rises with Effects of Kentucky Tornado Outbreak

How to Help Kentucky Tornado Victims

Tornado Outbreak Photos

Video of the West Liberty, Kentucky Tornado

Power to the Country Music Radio Listeners

I love small town radio stations. I was raised in a small town and always felt that radio should be local based, not what a corporate person made as a "hot list" of what "must" be played.  Sometimes the folks that are top dogs on that list are not necessarily the hottest thing in a small town.

Three country music radio stations in Kentucky are always on my radio whenever I'm traveling through their neck of the woods. Frankfort's Froggy 104.9 is first and foremost on my list.  They allow me to gab about country music.  They have an annual Froggy Field Party that features artists in the beginning of their careers before they go off and make it big.  They had Whitney Duncan (who was on Survivor tv show), Justin Moore, Josh Thompson, Ashley Ray, The Roys, Chris Janson, Rhett Akins, and more over the last few years. Hands down I have had more fun at those shows because it is a relaxed family atmosphere.  Froggy features young and older artists - even my favorite, Little Jimmy Dickens. :)

Next up is Coyote 100.7 out of Richmond, KY.  I'm a loyal listener of Karl Shannon as he is a hoot to be around.  The Coyote features young and old music along with their Bluegrass Express on Sunday nights.  I listened to the Coyote all the time when I was a student at Berea College.

Down in the Cumberland River region, be sure to tune into The Big Dawg 99.9 FM.  They have a great variety of country music and the djs are great.  They are also very active in their community.

Speaking of community - that is what local radio stations are about.  Who would you add as your favorite local small town radio station?