The Road Has No End

Cool Cool Ride - Chattanooga - Bullet Train - Hobos In The Roundhouse - Cicada - Rain Was Turning Into Snow - Foggy River - Heavenly Table - East To Get Lost - If The World Were Filled With You - Doing My Time - Bread & Milk - Last Letter Home - Long Cool Woman In A Black Dress

 

The single really great thing about Bluegrass music is the opportunity and open door policy of band members writing their own original songs.  The second really great thing about acoustic Bluegrass music is that it is nationwide.  Really super good Bluegrass bands are coming from everywhere, even Minnesota.  Monroe Crossing did an absolutely superb job of doing exactly that.  Bluegrass is also an extension of America's original country music, or mountain music, or just plain 'people' music, and there are some extraordinary groups performing this music today.  Monroe Crossing is one of them.  To be credited as a 'top' Bluegrass band today, and get the higher paying festival gigs, a Bluegrass band HAS to be tight.  Monroe Crossing is one of them.  To get a record review in Europe on a German country music Internet magazine means the group has to have international appeal.  Monroe Crossing is one of them.  This extremely 'tight' group is made up of Lisa Fuglie on fiddle, guitar, vocals, and some tremendously appealing original songs, no less than six with some of them co-written with Mark Anderson (bass, especially good on "Foggy River," snare, vocals). Listen to Lisa's roaring train-smashing lead on "Bullet Train."  Derek Johnson (guitar & vocals) contributed two excellent songs, my favorite being "Easy To Get Lost" with the admonition that it's easy to get lost when you don't know where you are going.  Sounds pretty much like what contemporary country music direction is today.  Matt Thompson on a stunningly good Monroe style mandolin (yes both Monroe's), also contributed "Rain Was Turning Into Snow."  The rest of the band is made up of David Robinson on banjo, resophonic guitar, harmonica (whaaaat, in bluegrass, and yes it's good), and vocals. I really liked his frailing style of banjo on "Cicada."  Recorded at Wild Sound in Minneapolis, this excellent recording has been gone over with a fine toothbrush in the final mix.  Nothing anywhere stands out as 'unwanted.'  I especially enjoyed their rendition of "Doing My Time" which I had the extreme pleasure of playing with Jimmy Martin on my television show.  Being an older reviewer I'm beginning to have a little trouble with extreme lows and extreme highs, which in my case would wish the vocals were just a bit higher above  the instrumental mix, but that is very personal.  It's no wonder that the Rural Roots Music Commission brought this CD to my attention for their  2013 "Contemporary Bluegrass CD of The Year" award.  I hope that all works out for Monroe Crossing, they are definitely a Bluegrass band on a road that has no end. 

Bob Everhart, Reviewer, www.ntcma.net

Be Assured

Be Assured - Live Beyond The Grave - Trade The Old Cross For A Crown - Will You Meet Me Over There - Old Rugged Cross - Cryin' In The Rain - Sweet By And By - I Know Who Holds Tomorrow - Rocky Top - Feelin' Fine - Orphan Boy - Three Men On A Mountain

 

1 More Road is made up of a mother, father, and five children.  Steve & Cathy Young are mom and dad. Clint, Haley, Amanda, Faith, and Nathan are the children.  They were known in the past as the 'Young Family Band' but now they are '1 More Road,' and that is very indicative of where they are headed with their music.  Traveling from Oklahoma (where a tragic tornado recently struck), this family goes wherever their 1 more road takes them.  Gospel oriented, they blend the musical sounds of bluegrass and traditional country to produce a most pleasant listening experience.  The entire family has a passion for playing good old-time American style Gospel music, utilizing acoustic instruments undoubtedly interchanged among the players,.  The line-up is impressive.  Dad Steve plays bass; mom Cathy plays guitar and banjo; daughter Amanda plays Dobro and hammered dulcimer; son Clint plays guitar and emcees the shows; daughter Haley plays fiddle; daughter Faith plays mandolin and twin fiddle; and son Nathan plays banjo, bass, and guitar. All of this family sings, and I can just hear them practicing  a new song as they roll down the road in their bus.  Why?  Because their harmony is so perfect.  That's what makes 'family' bands so unique, so creative, so dynamic, and 1 More Road is one of those families.  "Feelin' Fine" is a perfect example of this kind of perfect family harmony singing.  This entire family sings, but not always together on the same song. This CD project, recorded at the Covenant Studios in Amarillo, Texas, is dedicated to grandparents Nana Jo and Papa Lyle, making this fine gospel group, '1 More Road' a truly 'family' experience.  It's pretty easy to see why the Rural Roots Music Commission picked this CD for their 'Traditional Gospel CD of the Year' for the honors.  We have our hopes up that they can be in LeMars to make the connection and accept.  It'll just be another stop on one more road this fine group travel,s in the pursuit of sharing the teachings of Christ and the everlasting hope that all of us Christians have in meeting Him someday, to sing with Him, to share with Him, to become one with Him.

Reviewer: Bob Everhart www.ntcma.net

From Newfoundland To Australia

From Newfoundland To Australia - Island of Newfoundland - When The Plane Touches Down In Deer Lake - I've Been Here And There - Sally's Harbour - I Wouldn't Take A Million Dollars For A Single Maple Leaf - Hillbilly Newfie - No Price Tag On The Doors In Newfoundland - Island By The Sea - Newfoundland Waltz - Newfoundland That's What You Mean To Me - Daddy's Girl - We're Still Daddy's Girls - The Newfie Sheik - The Mighty Vikings Came To Newfoundland - Lady Of The Forest - Memories Of The Newfie Bullet - Did She Mention My Name - The Recycling Song - The Singing Newfoundlander - Sinking Of The Titanic - Back In '56 - Big Old Newfie Dog - Sweet Nellie - Ballad Of Walter Pigeon

 

This CD project is actually two CD's from the prolific Michael T. Wall, perhaps the best promoter Newfoundland has ever had.  This project is so massive I don't have time to listen to both CD's, the first one being about Newfoundland, the second one about Australia.  Michael writes about all of his experiences, this one to Australia is without a doubt his most sincere, and certainly his most rewarding.  So, expect to hear a lot about his Australia travels in his self-penned songs.  BUT, expect some remarkably good Gordon Lightfoot and Pops Stoneman too.  This project is indeed massive. The insert 'limited edition' is in itself massive.  It's so large you can hardly get it out of the CD cover.  It's really a rather nice 'history' of Michael T. Wall, a priceless collection of photos, letters, and highlights of this remarkable man's musical career.  Through it all he never wavered from his 'country music' sound.  He has drifted occasionally into 'folk' music, but all for the better.  He has 'never' wavered into what we now call contemporary country which has lost is way totally.  Not so for Michael T. Wall, he continues on his road of 'real' country music, from Newfoundland to Australia and back.  In all those photos and letters he included in this project you will even find myself and Michael in a photo taken in front of the Pioneer Music Museum in Anita, Iowa, where Michael is the first Newfoundlander inducted into America's Old Time Country Music Hall of Fame.  And, that's what this CD is all about, old-time country music at its best.  Gary Gale and Angus Kavanaugh both play button accordion giving the entire project a very nice and easy to listen to Newfoundland flavor.  There's also a lot of steel, Dobro, Lapp guitar, fiddle, harmonica (sometimes called mouth organ) and even harps.  Yes 'real' harps.  So, you can see this is a gargantuan undertaking.  All of the songs Michael wrote and sings are true reflections of his life, his life-style, and certainly his life-time.  His voice is a good as ever, maybe more poignant and sincere.  Erinwood Studios get credit for undertaking the undertaking of recording, mastering and re-mastering, and final mix.  Lovely job done all the way through.  It will take me a couple of days to listen to each and every song on both of these incredible CD's.  If you like unique, if you like creative, if you like 'real' country music, both of these CD's are for you. I already have some favorites, but more than anything I would like my own road to somehow make the trip to Newfoundland and join Michael T. Wall in a round of music playing and tasting and sharing the friendship of this wonderful spot on planet earth, where 'real' people and friends still exist.  I'm not sure what the Rural Roots Music Commission here in Iowa are planning, after listening to this incredibly huge project by Michael T. Wall, but it sounds like this collection of music might very well get their "International Ambassador of Music CD of the Year" award, which would be a 'first-time' experience.

Reviewer - Bob Everhart - www.ntcma.net

REIGNING CMA VOCAL GROUP OF THE YEAR LITTLE BIG TOWN TO HOST SUMMER’S HOTTEST CONCERT EVENT, “CMA MUSIC FESTIVAL: COUNTRY’S NIGHT TO ROCK,” AIRING MONDAY AUG. 12 ON THE ABC TELEVISION NETWORK 

NASHVILLE – Reigning CMA Vocal Group of the Year Little Big Town will host the summer’s hottest television music event when the ABC Television Network airs “CMA Music Festival: Country's Night to Rock" on Monday, Aug. 12 (8:00-11:00 PM/ET). "It's an incredible honor to be hosting this year's CMA Fest,” said Karen Fairchild of Little Big Town. “We could not be more excited about the party that's going to break out at LP Field every night!" Little Big Town members Fairchild, Phillip Sweet, Kimberly Schlapman, and Jimi Westbrook first entered the music scene more than 13 years ago with hits such as “Boondocks,” “Bring It On Home,” “Good As Gone,” and the Grammy-nominated single “Little White Church.” The quartet’s fifth studio album Tornado was released on Sept. 11, 2012 and debuted at the top of the Billboard Country Chart where it stayed in the No. 1 position for five consecutive weeks. The album, which is certified Gold, was produced by Jay Joyce and includes the double-Platinum-selling, No. 1 hit single “Pontoon” and the follow up single and title track “Tornado,” which also reached No. 1. Their current single, the emotionally-charged "Your Side of the Bed," is at radio now and quickly climbing the charts. Collectively, the group has earned more than 25 award nominations and has taken home the trophies for CMA Single of the Year (“Pontoon”) and CMA Vocal Group of the Year, and a Grammy Award for Best Country Group/Duo Performance (“Pontoon”). The foursome has played in front of more than four million people to-date and recently wrapped “The Tornado Tour,” their sold-out headlining tour across the U.S. and Canada. They will join Keith Urban on tour later this summer. Filmed during CMA Music Festival Thursday through Sunday, June 6-9, the special features many of today's most exciting Country Music stars as they hit the stage during the four-day party and celebration of America’s music. The annual event is unlike any other, with autograph signings in the new Fan Fair X, live music on 11 stages, more than 450 artists and celebrities, and a guest list of 71,000 avid singing-and-dancing-till-dawn fans. The special first aired in 2004 and is marking its 10th anniversary in 2013. This is the ninth time ABC will broadcast the special – which invites the whole country to America's largest Country Music celebration. Artists appearing in the television special have not yet been announced. The special will air on ABC through 2021. Artists performing as part of the sold-out Nightly Concerts at LP Field during 2013 CMA Music Festival include Gary Allan, Dierks Bentley, Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Kelly Clarkson, Florida Georgia Line, Hunter Hayes, Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert, Little Big Town, Kip Moore, Jake Owen, Brad Paisley, Blake Shelton, Taylor Swift, The Band Perry, Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban, and Zac Brown Band. Several legacy acts are performing, too, including Lee Greenwood, Tracy Lawrence, The Oak Ridge Boys, and Randy Travis. Brett Eldredge; Gloriana; Lorrie Morgan and Pam Tillis; and The Oak Ridge Boys are scheduled to perform the national anthem. Fans can stay in the loop by visiting CMAfest.com, the official website of CMA Music Festival, where they can sign up for the CMA Exclusive e-news. Fans can also connect with CMA at Facebook.com/CMA, Twitter.com/CountryMusic, Pinterest.com/CMAworld, and Instagram.com/CMA_Country_Music_Association. CMA Music Festival is organized and produced by the Country Music Association. Fan Fair® is a registered trademark of CMA. Chevrolet™ is the Official Ride of Country Music. Bud Light is the Official Beer of the CMA Music Festival. Pepsi is the Official Soft Drink of the CMA Music Festival. Transitions® Adaptive Lenses: the Official Eyewear of the CMA Music Festival. American Airlines is the Official Airline of CMA Music Festival. Bad Boy Buggies are the Official UTV of the CMA Music Festival.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (May 23, 2013) – Hit singer/songwriter Aaron Lewis will make his debut on the historic Grand Ole Opry Tuesday May 28, 2013 along with a star-studded lineup that includes Bill Anderson, Ricky Skaggs, Josh Turner, Dustin Lynch, Craig Campbell and Sam Palladio (from the ABC hit show “Nashville”) among others.  The show starts at 7:00 pm. Tickets range from $35 to $57 and can be purchased at www.opry.com or by phone at 1-800-SEE-OPRY.

“Getting to play the Grand Ole Opry is such an incredible honor,” says Lewis.  “It’s a dream come true to think that I’ll get to stand in that same iconic circle where music royalty has stood.”

Aaron’s new single “Granddaddy’s Gun,” from of his critically-acclaimed album The Road, ships to country radio next week.  The powerful song focuses on the nostalgic experience of passing down a family heirloom. The song, written by Rhett Akins, Dallas Davidson and Bobby Pinson is a perfect reflection of Lewis’ own childhood and deep country roots.

“‘Granddaddy’s Gun' is the only song on the album that I didn’t write,” Lewis notes. “In fact, it’s the only song I’ve ever recorded that I didn’t write.  But the minute Rhett played it for me, it took me right back to my childhood.  It’s my story.  It’s a song I could have written.”

About Aaron Lewis:
Aaron Lewis’s 2011 debut solo release, Town Line, shot to #1 on Billboard’s Country Album Chart. His first solo single, “Country Boy” was certified Gold, earning him multiple CMA, ACM and CMT Music Award nominations; the video has been streamed over 15 million times to date. Lewis is currently the headlining act on the Jagermeister Country Tour– performing songs from his current album, The Road, a project released by Blaster Records via Warner Music Nashville. As the front man for the multi-Platinum selling band Staind, Lewis is the songwriter and voice behind the most-played rock song of the past decade, “It’s Been Awhile,” in addition to three #1 hits and eight Top Ten singles.

For up-to-date information on Aaron Lewis, visit www.aaronlewismusic.com.

This is Vic Lawson and something came to my attention a couple of days ago. A person was very adamant that music should be free. This person felt that no one should get paid for a mere 3 or 4 minutes of work. He said that if we love playing music so much, we should just do it and not worry about getting paid. The problem I have with this goes a lot deeper than his shallow opinion. Sure the end product may only be 3 or 4 minutes long, but it certainly takes a lot more than 3 or 4 minutes to create that product. First off, somebody has to write that song. Joe Melson comes by from time to time and he said that it took him and co-writer Roy Orbison about a year to write, polish and hone “Blue Bayou” into the hit song that it became. The person assuming that it only takes a few minutes to come up with the words and music for a hit song has no grasp of the reality of the situation. It also takes way more than 3 or 4 minutes to record a hit song. It takes a well-equipped studio and experienced and talented people to setup and operate the equipment to get the best possible sound on tape, or hard drive as it is today. You’re talking producers, engineers and musicians who earn their stripes through many years of striving to be the best they can be. It is sad that the average listener has little ability to distinguish any difference between hackers and seasoned players. They don’t realize how many hours of practicing every day and how many years it takes to become proficient enough to make it look as easy as we make it look. That results in opinions like the guy mentioned in the beginning has. They think anyone can learn a half dozen chords on a guitar and go out and be phenomenal. If it’s so much fun and so easy, you shouldn’t get paid for it. Or should you? Let me make a comparison. Anyone with a reasonable amount of intelligence, diligence and motivation, can learn to be a lawyer or doctor, but when it comes to being a musician, it takes more than intelligence, diligence and motivation. It takes talent. This secret, missing ingredient makes a world of difference because not everyone can learn to play with soul and passion which in my opinion is what separates the great players from the not so great. Everybody needs to eat and everybody should be compensated for the work they do, even if it is fun. I think the guy above is motivated more by a desire to justify downloading music without paying for it than he is by any philosophical belief. I wonder how he’d justify going into a grocery store and wheeling a cart full of groceries out without paying for it? For the guy who wants music for free, maybe he should listen to music made by musicians playing for free and see what he thinks of that. Go out on the back porch and listen to Uncle Hershel play his banjo. I’d like to see how much of that he could take. The point is, if you want great music, it’s going to cost because good equipment, lessons and whatever else you need to get to a professional level don’t come cheap. If you want free music, then be happy with what you get. How would you guys handle this? What would you say to someone who thinks he should get paid for the work he does but considers the work you do worth nothing?

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