A Place Called Home

When someone asks, "Where are you from?" you often reply with a sense of pride and enthusiasm of your home.  Even when I lived in Lexington and Versailles, I always said, "London is my hometown."

I would also add, "London, as in Kentucky, not England.  We are known for the World Chicken Festival, some of the kindest folks, beautiful outdoors, and some great traditions from Friday night lights of high school football to sitting on the front porch to waving whenever you see someone coming towards you in their vehicle."

Many know about Louisville, Lexington, Bowling Green, and others, but few know about Slaughter, Beauty, Knob Lick, Sandy Hook, or Butcher Holler.  These are the places that Chris Knight, Angaleena Presley, the Kentucky Headhunters, Keith Whitley, Loretta Lynn & Crystal Gayle all call home.

Where you are from defines who you are.  Your attitude, personality, and views of life come from that place in your hear that you call home.  You build up your roots of the road that you will go on a journey in life.  Thus, my new logo contains a tree rooted in southeast part of the state and branching out.  The swirls could easily represent a vinyl record, the spool of tape from a cassette, or a cd....or perhaps that you take a piece of music and curl up next to it as it affects you in some form or another.

So no matter where your road leads, there is always a place to call home.  Now grab a road atlas and see if you can locate those towns I just mentioned of some fine Kentucky country music singers.

Knowledge of Music

Jamey Johnson's note to me on my photography work.

"She has no knowledge of music...."

From time to time, if someone doesn't like what I write, I get told that I don't know what I'm talking about or have no clue about music.  I've been told that I didn't understand music of particular genres.  I thought I would take a little bit of time to tell you a little of my background.  Hopefully this will show the naysayers that I'm the real deal, a true appreciator of music.

Throughout my education, I had over 7 years of coursework in the field of music.  I sang in the choir in middle school.  Throughout college, I did extensive research, presentations, as well as papers on the marketing and management of music, as well as historical aspects of country, bluegrass, and rock music.  

During my studies at Berea College, I helped co-produce several of the Celebration of Traditional Music Festivals.  I also produced two cds featured in Appalachian Heritage magazine.  I did the research, song selection, and historical background research on these projects.  One was of CTM historic performances and the other being African Appalachian musicians.

I have been a published concert photographer and journalist in local, regional, and national publications.  Several artists and venues have featured my articles on their websites, including Kid Rock, Jamey Johnson, Oak Ridge Boys, Renfro Valley Entertainment Center, and many more.

For over 4 years, I have provided the country music news through the Nashville News Roundup segment on WFKY - Froggy out of Frankfort, Kentucky.  

I have interviewed: Aaron Lewis, Ashley Ray, Austin Lucas, Blackberry Smoke, Charlie Daniels, Chris Janson, Chris Stapleton, Craig Wayne Boyd, Dustin Lynch, Erin Enderlin, Fifth on the Floor, Freightshakers, Georgette Jones, Grascals, Heidi Newfield, Jamey Johnson, Jim Burns, Joe Bonsall, Jonathan Singleton, Josh Thompson, Kevin Skinner 1st winner of America's Got Talent, Marty Stuart, Michael Poulsen of Volbeat, Nick 13 of Tiger Army, Oak Ridge Boys, Puddin Howell, Randy Houser, Richard Sterban, Rhonda Vincent, Sunny Sweeney, The Roys, Ty Stone, just to name a few.

I've got an extensive collection of country music memorabilia from over the years.  My vinyl record collection is growing each day. I've been fortunate to be able to travel 40-50 concerts a year, as well as visited the Country Music Hall of Fame, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Kentucky Music Hall of Fame, International Bluegrass Music Museum, Georgia Music Hall of Fame, Hank Williams Museum, Johnny Cash Museum, and many other places that honor the tradition and heritage of music.

Over the years, I have learned that you have to open your eyes and ears beyond one particular style of music.  While I love Waylon Jennings, George Jones, Tammy Wynette, and more, I have listened to quite a wide variety of music over the years. I'm the biggest cheerleader when I hear a new song or artist that I enjoy.  I've learned that you should promote the good ones and not discuss those you don't like.  In the end, your friends find out about someone new that hopefully their music helps them.

While I may not write music or play an instrument, I can write about that experience.  I guess by someone saying I have no knowledge of music, it challenges me to write more and share about the music that affects our lives.  Maybe one day I will write a book on those adventures over the years.  :)

Latest Interviews Roundup

I have been very fortunate to have been able to interview some of my favorite musicians over the years.  Here are my latest interviews that have been published.  Be on the lookout for a few more coming soon.

 

 

 

Marty Stuart on the preservation of country music

This was a real treat as we spoke about RS Guitarworks (Winchester, KY company), as well as his HUGE country music memorabilia collection, hair style tips, and his love for performing.  Check out that interview by clicking here.

 

Rhonda Vincent on her personal sense of style in clothing and music

Bluegrass musician Rhonda Vincent was a treat to interview.  I always admire her musical style, as well as her clothing style.  She is a real good representative for bluegrass music and it shows with her band's numerous awards and honors.  Check out that interview by clicking here.

 

Justin Wells of Fifth on the Floor

I became friends with Justin a few years ago thanks to WFKY - Froggy 104.9.  I heard one of their songs while hanging out in the studio.  Fifth on the Floor is one of my favorite Kentucky based bands to see live in concert, as well as hear a cd played.  We discussed the changes in the band, recording with Shooter Jennings, the impact of genres/trends, and an upcoming tour with George Thorogood.  Check out that interview by clicking here.

Nashville News Roundup - Week ending 2/7/2014

Cold Beer With Your Name On It

It isn't an April Fool's joke - Josh Thompson will be releasing his latest album, Turn it Up, on April 1st.  He just recently shot the video for his song "Cold Beer With Your Name On It."

 

The Voice Update

Several of our pals tried out for the Voice in Nashville.  Eddie Barber was the only one we have found out that got a callback, but unfortunately didn't make it to the next round to go onto the tv show.

 

Handpicked Download of the Week: Cadillac Three - I'm Southern

 

Awesome Possum Fact of the Week: On this date in 1962, Garth Brooks is born in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Following his 1989 debut, he sells more than 100 million albums, winning multiple Entertainer of the Year awards from the CMA and ACM, leading the biggest boom in country's history during the early-'90s.

 

Tune in to the Nashville News Roundup on Friday mornings at 9:20 AM EST on WFKY - Froggy 104.9/101.7 out of Frankfort, Kentucky.  You can listen on the radio, via Tune-In App, and online at www.myfroggyville.com.

 

 

 

Living That Song

One thing I hear constantly from folks is "I hate mainstream music" or "I hate hearing the same type song over and over."  Over the years I've opened my ears and eyes to bands that you hear via word of mouth.  They may have opened up for a band that I enjoy, or a friend suggested them.  My musical tastes vary, but one thing that stays constant is that it is music that is real.  In other words, the person that is up there singing the song has lived that song.

 

Let me say that again - the person singing the song has lived that song. You believe in the song, the personality of the person, and you respect them.  Hank 3 plays songs of trucks, going mudding, hunting, playing music, and other subjects.  I'd rather listen to his version because he lives those songs as compared to someone like Luke Bryan who relies on another person to write his material in an office room, then throw in a club hip hop beat and expect people to shake their rears.

 

I'm never one to come up with resolutions for new years.  Well except the many years I wanted to meet Little Jimmy Dickens at the Grand Ole Opry and that happened about 3 years ago.  (I'll have to tell ya'll that story one day).

 

For 2014, I plan on introducing a new artist/band that you may not have heard of.  Hopefully do it on a weekly basis.  It's funny how folks that I picked years ago and earlier this year on Examiner.com as "ones to watch" are just now getting picked up by some of the major blogs/news websites as their picks for 2014.

I also hope to get down to the Muddy Roots Festival, either the spring one or late summer/fall one.  That's on my bucket list needless to say!

 

Be on the lookout for some personal picks of mine throughout 2014.  You can also listen for those "far left field" picks each week as my Handpicked Download of the Week on WFKY during my Nashville News Roundup.

 

Speaking of Hank 3, here he is live singing "Brothers of the 4x4" live at the Gas Monkey Garage Bar & Grill.  You can check out my full review of his album here.

 

 

Rock Turned Country Series



Nick 13 - Photo by Adam Guy

A lot of people know that I have a keen sense of country music history.  I'm always spitting out random facts and songs of things of the past.  What I really enjoy is when you talk to someone that understands what true country music is about.  These days, people focus on if someone is "too country, too pop, too whatever."

I'm currently working on a series of articles of those in other genres of music that have a country music influence.  The fun part is that I'm a fan of their music as well.  (I'm not just a country music fan, I appreciate quite a few other genres).  I interviewed Aaron Lewis of Staind back in the early spring of 2013.  Recently I interviewed Nick 13 from the punk rock band Tiger Army, as well as Michael Poulsen from the rock band Volbeat.  All three are best known for their rock performances, but you would be extremely surprised of how much they appreciate country music.  They were also very knowledgeable on the subject, knowing songs beyond the normal hit songs of Cash, Waylon, and Merle.

The cool thing is how they seemed to enjoy talking about growing up, listening to their parents records, and using that influence in their own music.  It is evident with their songwriting and musical instrumentation in their songs.  Sometimes you don't get that from the very folks that call their music as country.

Here is a link to the first two articles.  Be on the lookout for my interview with Michael later this week.

Aaron Lewis

Nick 13

Be sure to check me out on the following places:

Examiner.com - National Country Music News

Examiner.com - Kentucky Country Music News

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The Song Remembers When

Music intertwines the heart and soul of people. It paints a picture. It evokes an emotion. Music has been a major part of my life ever since I was a young child in rural Laurel County in southeast Kentucky.

It began with a song. My earliest musical memory would be listening to Conway Twitty sing "Hello Darlin." That distinct voice made an impression on me. He would be played through the radio static as I would join my dad on many of a straw haul. I spent many summers out on the road traveling north to gather a load to bring back to the beautiful horse farms of Kentucky. We both had a love and appreciation of Conway's music. I couldn't help but feel a part of my youth leave when Conway passed away.

Through my love of concerts and photography, I began going to new places and meeting new faces thanks to music. I have met quite a few of my closest friends via those opportunities.

Even though I cannot sing, play a note on a guitar, or write music - I can write ABOUT it. I became a music journalist through college and eventually outside of college. My love of history and getting to know others has given me a desire to know more. (I got to thank my momma for my gift of gab!) In the end, I knew not only more about the song, the singer, but about myself.

I hope through my articles and interviews, I'm able to trace a path in music history. I hope that something I wrote will be looked upon in future generations as a piece in time.

Music was there during one of the worst years in my life. Whoever said turning 30 is fun needs to be slapped. In 2010 when I did turn 30, a close family member, Karin, passed away and I went through a divorce not long after that. Even though I was alone, I didn't feel alone through the lyrics and notes. Music provided better (and cheaper) therapy for me than going to a psychologist. It also provided comfort in knowing everything will be alright.

The most memorable moment in my life happened last fall when Dolly Parton surprised my family on the Nate Berkus Show by dedicating "I Will Always Love You" in memory of my sister in law, Karin. This was a humbling experience and we were honored that she would want to meet us.

Music touches people in different ways. From birth to death, the saying that the song remembers when holds true in my life. I might not be a composer of lyrics, but I'm a composer of words. I might not be able to play an instrument, but I can take my camera as an instrument to capture a moment in time.

Keep the music playing. Musicians, songwriters, and more need our help. MusiCares® helps and supports the people who dedicate their lives to making the music I blog about. Please join the Be A Part of the Heart MusiCares® mosaic at https://beapartoftheheart.com/ and be entered for a chance to win a trip the 2012 GRAMMYS®!”

True Emotion

My mom always joked and said that Oprah has nothing on me when it comes to getting the emotion out of folks while interviewing them.  I have been extremely fortunate to have met some of most kind performers in the field of country music over the last few years.  One of my favorites was Charlie Daniels prior to the Kentucky State Fair last year. (Click here to read).  He was not only passionate about his political views, but he was full of energy with his beliefs.  My favorite part though was when he said that he loved my southern accent. (Boys if you wanna make a girl smile, tell her you like her accent!)  I was born and raised in southeast Kentucky and now live in central part of the state.  One thing that stayed the same perhaps was my southern country ways and my accent.  Perhaps it has helped in my interviews with performers.

During the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame Induction ceremony, I was extremely fortunate to interview John Michael Montgomery, Eddie Montgomery, Steve Wariner, Crystal Gayle, and many others. (Check out my article here.)  I love talking music, but also talking about our beautiful state of Kentucky.  During my interview with Eddie Montgomery, we got to talking about great things about the state, family, etc.  When I asked what was one thing that people may not know about John Michael Montgomery, tears soon came to his eyes.  That one thing was how great a dad he was.  Tears continue to well up as he talked about how family has been a huge part of his life and have helped him through good times and bad times.  Thinking of our conversation, I can't help but tear up. 

While speaking with Steve Wariner, we were talking about family and he was so happy to tell me about his mom being there in the audience.  As he was reflecting on memories, he too teared up and said, "wow you are good at this.  These are the best questions I've heard in a long time."  Hearing that completely humbled me and made me realize that it is amazing how connections amongst family stories one can have.

I enjoy what I do in music journalism.  I love meeting others.  I love to dig into that emotional side and learn more about a person.  Interviews to me are conversations amongst two people, learning about life.  I've learned a lot about those in the industry, but also about myself.  In the words of John Michael Montgomery, "Life's a dance you learn as you go..."