Indie And New Music: 2014

Sunday, June 29, 2014

The Life We Love The New Album From JL Hickerson

Nashville singer/songwriter JL Hickerson working on the follow up album to "Just Lucky" titled "The Life We Love" has the makings of not only a commercial success but a album us country purist can enjoy in an era of heavy country pop air play.

The album currently be crowd funding at kickstarter.com. Looks to be a break out effort for the man and his band from Music city. From the rockin sure to be in heavy rotation on radio "Down N Dirty In Dixie" to the sweet blue collar ballad of the title track "The Life We Love". If you are tired of the same old same old on the airwaves today, Here is someone you can get behind. with years of paying dues and writing songs the time seems right for him to start to get the recognition his voice deserves. His voice is smooth as Tennessee whiskey with a touch of honey and the musical arrangements are tight on all the tracks I gave a listen too.

My personal favorite being "In The End" telling a story we can all relate to in today's times.

The kickstarter has perks for every budget but we all understand times are rough for everyone so if you can't donate please share with everyone you know. Give a listen at the links below and then tell me this isn't what we need in country today.

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Monday, June 23, 2014

Josh Helms Readies EP With Grammy Winning Producer Pete Stewart

There are times when I'm looking for a artist to write about that you listen to twenty or thirty songs and you hear the same thing in a different pitch, but then you find that one that you say to

yourself "WHY aren't I hearing them on radio" Josh Helms is that voice in a sea of the same old same old that reminds me what country can be and where it's roots are. You can tell his country/gospel roots in every note.

Josh is currently crowd funding his EP "Turnip The Beet" at indiegogo with some great perks attached. Starting at only ten dollars for a digital download of the album all the way up to the Album+Executive Producer at only one thousand dollars(a great deal when you see all you get). But we all realize how rough things are today so my challenge to my readers is this follow the links below and give a listen, then if you can't donate share with everyone you know. Post links on country radio sites and together we can get this album made and played then we can say "Yeah I have been listing to him before he was a superstar".

After years of being one of the 16th Ave boys he's poised to become an overnight success. He has been playing full time in Nashville for three years and has penned hundred of songs narrowing it six for his EP. The way he sounds and plays it's just whats lacking in modern country radio today.

From the ballads like "Leaf in the Table" and "Queen Of Hearts" to

the southern rock sounds of "Country Clue" all the way to the fun Jerry Reed/Brad Paisley like "BFD In BFE" I have yet to hear something I didn't want to hear again.

Teamed with Grammy winner Pete Stewart this is sure to be the next step on a long career in the country music business.

In closing I would like to say this to Music City executives "Enough of daisy dukes in the back of pick ups and more country like Josh Helms is making"

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Help Make A Daughters Dream Come True

Seidina Reed daughter of Renaissance Man Jerry Reed is working on a special project over at indiegogo.

Seidina Reed is paying a heartfelt tribute to her father country music legend Jerry Reed. Recording 13 of his songs for the album

"Today Is Mine" While she is a wonderful singer in her own right

with songs like "Why Don't You Leave Me Alone" and "Today Is Mine" her voice leans much more to blues then the old school twang that Jerry had it sounds great.

Sell Music online at ReverbNation.com

What greater gift could be given to Jerry Reed's legacy but to have a tribute album from his own child. This is something not only music fans of all genres can get behind but look at all the film work by this good old boy from Atlanta. During his time with us he worked with all the greats including Elvis and Burt Reynolds. Some knew him from his acting and some from his music but everyone knows him and here is our chance to say Thank You and give his daughter her dream.

We all know times are hard so if you can't donate you can share with everyone you know to make this happen. Follow the links below for more info and lets make it happen. Not only Seidina but for us the people Jerry brought joy and smiles to for so many years.

More info here:

The Stickers Ready To Release "Country Proud"

Set for release this summer is "The Stickers" second album "Country Proud"

If you haven't heard of the brothers Joe, Jim, and John Wodarek better known as "The Stickers" your missing out on some great new country music. Currently on indiegogo in support of their new CD

release. Out of Pennsylvania their sound will make you think they were born and raised on Music Row. These brothers are the true article from the every guys dream lyrics of "Girl In A Pick-Up Truck" to the fun "She Don't Like A Thing" all the back to the sweet ballad "Calling All Angels". If you are a fan of country these guys should be on your playlist and in your CD collection. The sound and lyrics are a very refreshing mix from what we have in today's top country songs and they are on the verge of catching a comet up the charts and in country airplay. Do yourself a favor and give a listen to the great vocals and tight play of this band and ask yourself "Why isn't this band on my radio station". If their first release was any indication of whats on the second this will be my BBQ and sweet tea music for the summer. Plus anybody that calls their band "Tasty Players" can't be all bad. What you can do next is fast and easy follow the links below and check out a great band. If you can help GREAT if you can't please share on twitter and facebook also call or write your local country station and find out why your not hearing more of The Stickers.

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Tina V Voice Of "This Wicked Tongue" New Solo Effort Cut The Tent Due July 21st

Tina V proves she still has a wicked voice on her own.

The first solo effort by Tina V the singer of "This Wicked Tongue" has everything that points to success. From her hunting track

"Could Have Saved You" to the rocking "Feel Less". Every track showcases her voices range without being to overpowering. While it's a little softer then what we may be use to her voice proves that she could sing the alphabet and sell records. Her band plays tight cords that only enhance her lyrics. Produced by Dave Draper at Tower Studios proves he's also a person that we need to keep an eye on as it can't be easy to reign in her voice without washing it out. These two could make me look good and I can barely play air guitar.

The first single from the album released in May "And I'm Trying" If you don't get chills down you spine you may need to see a doctor because there is something wrong with you.

You really see a maturity of Tina comparing this album to her past efforts. If you don't add this to your summer playlist your going to be missing out on some of the best new music of the season if not the year. While we hope it doesn't mark the end of "This Wicked Tongue" it does mark the beginning of the Tina V experience.

Buy the album and buy the tickets to live shows and you won't be disappointed. In a world full of [pretenders to the crown Tina V is the real deal.

Thursday, May 1, 2014

Green by The John Garza Band

The John Garza Band - Green
8 Out Of 10

Nice intro, The lead singer has both passion and strength to keep up with the background track. The lead guitarist has powerful cords but not to much as to drowned out the rest of his band mates. The rest of the band knows their job and does it flawlessly. This band definitely has raido appeal I really enjoyed the pace of the song and can't wait to hear more. They put me in mind of great bands think Pearl Jam, Chris Cornell, and STP but put enough of their own personality into it to make it fresh.

Wednesday, April 30, 2014

House by This Wicked Tongue

House by This Wicked Tongue
8 Out Of 10

If this band doesn't submit this song for a soundtrack, then all hope for the music business is gone. Driving drums and tight guitar work accent the empowering vocals. The strength of her vocals adds just the right mix to the hard hitting backup track. In a business that female leads can get pigeon holed and lost in the fray. Her raspy take no prisoner voice will blow the doors off the cage. Not only does her sound make you rock it makes you want to hear more of the bands catalog. In a genre that female singers fall behind in she will quickly rise to the top. Keep an eye and ear out because they're coming and there is nothing you can do to stop it. Move over Gwen,Pink, and Amy power female vocals has a new measuring stick.

Came Upon The Midnight Clear by Annette Mcleod

8 out of 10

Ahhhh Christmas music the way it should be, and the way I remember it. Take my money please. If her wonderful vocals and great accompaniment isn't in everyone playlist by Thanksgiving then it would be like a year without a Santa. It's spring while I review this and I want to put the Christmas lights back up and sit with my family listening to this track. I't everything seasonal music should be beautiful voice strong backing of the piano and just enough strings to let everything seep in. Bravo

Came Upon The Midnight Clear by Annette Mcleod

Wheel By Robert Monroe

Nice voice on this young man, accompanied by a fine backing track. I really think he could get plenty of airplay with the right promotion. He also is a better than average storyteller which will help him on his way. The only thing that out me off was I thought his vocal volume was a little low on the track, not a bad thing but his voice is excellent and it should be the forefront of his music.

The Lord's Prayer by Annette Mcleod

7 out of 10

What a soothing instrumental and velvet voice. The piano accompaniment is not overpowering. Very relaxing to hear and makes you want to close your eyes and drift away with the story. Can't wait to hear more. While listening to her voice it can take you back to a happier time when you could feel the emotions in her lyrics

The Lord's Prayer by Annette Mcleod

SO SEXY by DYNOMITE KID

These guys had me tapping my toes and bobbin my head a few cords in. Neither the beat or vocals are overpowering which is always a good sign that they trust in both. While the content may restrict the airplay, the crucial 17 to 30 year old demographic will definitely buy their CD's. While I am far from being their target audience good music is good music I would turn this ditty up with the windows down during the summer. Good beat, good lyrica, with good instrumentation can't go wrong with that combo.

Rose Petals by Sid Koeppe

While I did enjoy the beat and what vocals were sung. It sounded like a 90 seconds of an intro to a great club song. The hook did hook me but I was waiting for so much more. If the band was trying to plant an earworm in they have succeeded. I may have to take a timeout in a deprivation chamber to get it out. YEAH YEAH YEAH ! But a catchy hook will only go so far. With a good voice and good arrangement they have my attention but what will they do next to keep me moving

Too Legit by Tre Live

3.5 Out Of Ten

Another cookie cutter song. It's been done for the last 20 years. In todays music you need so much more to pull your audience in and keep them with you. While the lyrics were well done the music almost drowned them out there needs to be a balance between bass and vocals and I don't think this has it.