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).

I was there when...

Remember in the movie “O, Brother Where Art Thou?” when the guys saw the women at the river?  One of them exclaimed “I seen them first!”  These days, there are so many music acts that we each have had that moment of seeing them before their career took off.  Here are a few of my personal favorite memories over the years.

Miranda Lambert coming to Kentucky for Certified Platinum Tour

This morning, country music star, Miranda Lambert, announced plans for her new tour to hit 2015.  Miranda Lambert will launch her Certified Platinum Tour in January 2015. The nearly 30-city tour includes dates in Tennessee, Ohio, Washington, Oklahoma, Alabama, Kentucky, and Mississippi, among other stops. ACM New Artist of the Year winner Justin Moore will join Lambert for the tour, while RaeLynn, Sunny Sweeney, Ashley Monroe, and Danielle Bradbery will also open shows along the way.

With her latest tour, The Boston Globe said of her performance, “Lambert busted out of the gate like a woman possessed and didn’t take her foot off the pedal for 85 minutes, much to the delight of a packed amphitheater happy to hold on for the ride.” The Philadelphia Inquirer proclaimed “Miranda Lambert works the same thematic turf about growing up and growing older in rural America as her (almost entirely male) competitors atop the country charts. She just does it way better than they do.”

Justin Moore will join the tour who has 5 #1 singles including “Point At You,” “Lettin’ The Night Roll,” “Small Town USA,” “If Heaven Weren't So Far Away,” and “Til My Last Day,” and several Top 10’s from his Gold certified albums.

Lexington, Kentucky has been announced as the second tour stop on the tour.  Official dates and show times are forthcoming.  Be sure to check out www.mirandalambert.com for details.

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.

Sunny Sweeney - Honky Tonks and Heartaches

Sunny Sweeney - by Todd V. Wolfson

East Texas native Sunny Sweeney was chosen earlier this year as one of our Female Country Music Artists to watch in 2010. I recently had the opportunity to speak with Sunny about her future plans, new single, and where she gets her funny sense of humor. She first came onto the scene a few years ago with the rapid-fire song, "If I Could," from the album "Heartbreakers Hall of Fame."  These days, she has been busy songwriting with the likes of Pam Tillis, preparing for a new album, playing the Grand Ole Opry, and recording a cut on the upcoming Waylon Jennings tribute album.

Sunny Sweeney is known for her sassy and comical personality along with musical talents. When asked where she got that spunk, she credits her mom and oldest sister. "The stuff that happens to us just does not happen to everyone I'm convinced. There's been times at Thanksgiving where I was sure our family was being Punk'd," Sweeney recalls. "It all just lends itself to having a good sense of humor. We would have never made it through otherwise. I don't have unfunny people around me because I love laughing more than I love anything."

She has also confessed her love for the Chelsea Handler Show and hopes to be on it one day. I asked her why that particular show and Sweeney said that Handler is, "the funniest human being on the planet. I love laughing and making fun of myself like she does and I just think we would get along great. I love women that aren't scared to say it how it is in a funny way."  Hopefully she will be booked on the Chelsea Handler Show soon and make a good comedic performance.

Sweeney also has a serious side through her songwriting and performing talents. When she sings about heartache, you feel it in the tone of her voice that is reminiscent of Tammy Wynette and Loretta Lynn. Her songs are based on life situations that can be experienced by anyone who has felt love or fell out of it. She also adds her honky tonk fever in songs such as "Worn out Heart," which is perfect to listen to while driving down the road of freedom.  You can tell that she is serious about her songwriting and releasing those thoughts through lyrics, a melody, and performance.  Samples of her latest demos can be heard on her Myspace page.

Having an influence of Loretta Lynn, Merle Haggard, Kitty Wells, Dolly Parton, and many other traditional artists, it is evident that she is helping preserve traditional country music. Recently, she was asked to sing "Good Hearted Woman" with Jessi Colter on a Waylon Jennings Tribute. She is also singing with Randy Houser on "Ramblin Man" on the tribute album. Houser is one that she would love to co-write a song with one day and has been brought up several times through other connections.  The tribute album will be released later in 2010.

Sweeney recently played her seventeenth show at the Grand Ole Opry,  the first time being March 2, 2007. In remembering that experience, Sweeney says, "Literally, I got through about half a verse and cried my way through the rest of the song. I walked off the stage and saw Pete Fisher and said 'Well thank you, I cannot believe I got to sing and cry at the Opry.' I was thinking he would never ever let me play there again after that." Thankfully for her and country music fans, he said, "Next time you'll get another song." Sweeney replied with, "There's gonna be a next time?" Fortunately for Opry listeners, she continues to come back and show them that she is a honky tonk angel when it comes to singing.

Country music fans won't have to wait too much longer for new material from Sunny Sweeney. Her newest single, "Staying's Worse Than Leaving," is shipping on April 4th and going for radio adds at the end of April. Fans can preview the single on Sunny's myspace at www.myspace.com/sunnysweeney. A video for the single is being shot soon and she will be finishing up the recording for the new record.  In describing the tunes, Sweeney said to, "be expecting to hear songs reflecting the journey within the last year or so for me" as those experiences helped pen words to lyrics.

It seems in this day and age an artist must have an active social network in order to have a stronghold in the business.  When asked if artists today have to remain a constant connection with fans via social networking, Sweeney replied that, "I think it is very pertinent that we use these tools. They are free most importantly, which for artists is always good. I think that it's an easy way to let fans into your life and advertise what's going on in your life."  She has kept fans connected these days through her Myspace, Facebook, and Twitter.

Being one that enjoys playing at a good honky tonk, I asked Sunny for her recommendations of one in Texas and Nashville. She was to say that her favorites are Ginny's Little Longhorn in Austin, TX and Roberts Western World or Crossroads in Nashville. "My friend Buddy Owens plays at Crossroads every week and he's got himself a tight little country band. The only problem in Nashville is that no one dances, so going to his shows usually results in me dancing alone!" You can take the girl out of Texas, but you cannot take the Texas out of Sunny!

One thing is for sure, fans won’t be dancing alone when it comes to the musical talents from this honky tonk queen. Be sure to check her out at the following links below for music and updates.

Website  |  Facebook  |  Myspace

Women in Country Music to Look Out For in 2010

Nothing can stop you in your tracks like hearing the wail of a southern soulful voice singing the sorrows of heartache. Even more so, hearing the emotions of love gained, love lost, family, friendships, and more through the voice of a woman can pull at the heartstrings. Several women in country music have started to gain momentum and are my top picks for those to look out for in 2010.

Ashton Shepherd

Ashton Shepherd walked right into the business with the Loretta Lynn sounding tune, "Takin' Off This Pain," singing that she's got a cold beer in her right hand and the left has got her wedding band. Then she turned around with the title track of her debut album, "Sounds So Good." The album was highly appraised by critics and fans, but "country" radio for the most part turned their backs to something that is truly country. She is currently working on a new album, but be sure to pick up her debut release. This Alabama native is as southern as molasses with her vocals that wail through tunes that could have been written back in time, or even current.

Check Out Ashton Shepherd's:

Website | Twitter | Myspace | Facebook

Sunny Sweeney

Having been raised in Texas, Sunny Sweeney has gained popularity over the years both there and in Nashville. She is right at home in a crowded honky-tonk singing songs of the forefathers while bringing alongside her tunes that fit perfectly alongside the classics. She is a modern Loretta Lynn meets Merle Haggard. Her debut record, "Heartbreaker's Hall of Fame," opened the door to showcase her Texas flavored tunes to a new audience. Not only does she have a brassy vocal ability, she's full of sass and humor. Be sure to check out her myspace for new unreleased tunes.

Check out Sunny Sweeney's:

Website | Twitter | Myspace | Facebook

Ashley Ray

Kentucky country music fans got a taste of Ashley Ray's music when she opened up for Eric Church at the UK Singletary Center in 2009. While on the tour, she "couch surfed" by visiting the homes of fans from town to town. Her adventures brought her closer to the fans and provided the best tourist approach to each town. Blending the twang with the sweet soulful vocals, she has made quite a following. Her latest single, Dirt Cheap, is available on Itunes and has been released to radio stations. The Kansas native is now making a scene down in Texas, following the leagues of the honkytonk heroes.

Check out Ashley Ray's:

Website | Twitter | Myspace | Facebook