Keepin' it Country Media & Radio » Justin Bieber

EXCLUSIVE: Interview With Ray Gibson

Tia — Mon, 14 May 2012 17:10:46 +0000

You read it here first: Canadian singer/songwriter Ray Gibson is an artist that the country music world undoubtedly needs to watch out for.

Hailing from Maple Ridge, Vancouver, this eighteen year old is turning heads with both her originals and covers. She even caught the attention of country superstar Carrie Underwood. The artist posted Ray’s cover of “Good Girl” on her Facebook for all of her fans to see on Ray’s eighteenth birthday – what a great present! If that weren’t enough, the newcomer is working alongside Canadian country artist Aaron Pritchett. The two have been writing together and have recorded videos of them singing some of Aaron’s songs. Ray also won the Carly Rae Jepsen cover contest for her rendition of “Call Me Maybe”.

Her covers range from songs by artists like Adele, Lil Wayne and Katy Perry to Taylor Swift, Carrie Underwood and Miranda Lambert. Ray’s original songs, such as “Couple More Kisses” and “Barefoot On The Beach” showcase her incredible vocal range and writing talents. Something interesting to note is that this young artist has taught herself to play both the guitar and piano and plays the instruments solely by ear!

Now, this YouTube sensation is starting to write original material and is looking ahead to creating her own record and performing for fans. She will be writing songs in Los Angeles this summer and Nashville in the fall.

We caught up with Ray to talk about her influences, what she loves about the country genre and plans for her future in country music.

Trust us when we say that you won’t be disappointed by this girl’s gift: her voice.

How did you get involved with music?
I got involved with music because my family and my grandparents would always be listening to country music, so naturally I started loving it too. My parents and grandparents always put me on their lap at the piano and I’d follow along. By age four I was making up my own songs and playing what I heard on the radio. I taught myself guitar at age fifteen also. As for singing, I always sang just for the fun of it, whether I was cleaning or driving!

You have a song on your YouTube page called “Couple More Kisses.” What does the song mean to you?
This song is about being laid back and not needing much, other than someones love and not the materialistic things. I wrote it in Los Angeles with a man named Paul Duncan who is a fantastic writer! There are a lot of people who are into the fancy cars and diamond rings, but that’s just not my thing. There’s a line in the song that is probably my favourite – it’s about thrift store clothes. I think 99% of my closet is thrift store items!!

Who are your musical influences?
There are so many! My number one musical influence is Taylor Swift because of who she is as a person, what she has been through and the fact that her lyrics are amazing. She talks about everyday situations, from people being mean, to boys breaking your heart – she says it all and I can really relate to her.

Hunter Hayes is also a great influence! I got the chance to meet him last week at his show. It is so inspiring to hear his story. He was saying how he blocked out all negativity and just worked and worked on his music, as well as how he chose to stay in on Friday nights rather than go out and party. I think that’s so important. And that’s what really spoke to me! Miranda Lambert, Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban - all of my other favorite artists are very influential as well, but those are my top two idols!

On your YouTube page, you have some great covers of songs by Hunter Hayes, Justin Bieber and Carrie Underwood, among others. What draws you to doing these covers?
First of all, I love all of these artists, so that’s the main reason! Hunter’s songs are really relatable and the melody and lyrics are so great! Justin Bieber and Carly Rae Jepsen have very fun songs and they are both Canadian, so I just had to cover their songs! Carrie Underwood has always been one of my favourites. I would always vote for her when she was on American Idol! I covered her “Good Girl” video because of the beat, the lyrics and the melody – it was all amazing. And to my surprise, on my birthday I found out that she actually posted my cover of “Good Girl” to her Facebook page! So that was an amazing surprise!

Who would you love to tour with?
My dream would be to tour with Hunter Hayes because I just think he’s one of the most talented people out there! He plays so many instruments, has an amazing voice, is incredibly kind and is very inspiring. I look up to him so much! There are so many artists I’d dream of touring with. Taylor Swift, Miranda Lambert and Carrie Underwood would be amazing to tour with because I look up to them all. I don’t think I could choose between Hunter and Taylor though!

You recently started covering some of Aaron Pritchett’s songs with the man himself. Can you tell us what it’s like to collaborate with him?
Aaron is awesome! It’s a lot of fun. We never practiced before we covered them, so it was just kind of in the moment! He’s very supportive and is nice enough to let me sing with him. We winged both of the covers we did just in one take, because of course we were just having fun! Being a fan of someone and then having the privilege to sing with them is so awesome!

Where do you draw your inspiration from when writing?
I get a lot of inspiration to sit down and write when someone or something affects me. High school comes with many doubters when you do anything that is different, so they can really get to you. But they are also perfect examples of inspiration. When somebody personally upsets me or if someone makes me really happy, minutes after I’m out of that situation, I will start writing.

When did you realize you wanted to make a career out of singing and songwriting?
I always dreamed about how cool it would be to be able to sing and play music as a career ever since I saw Shania Twain perform at the Pacific Colosseum a few years back, but I never believed it could happen. I wanted to be a police officer for the longest time, but then as soon as Aaron Pritchett got ahold of me, I started thinking “Hey, it would be really cool if I could do what he does!” I know that if I did anything else other than music, I wouldn’t be happy. It’s the only thing I can depend on and it’s the only thing that I want to do. So now I am working hard to try and make a career out of it!

What do you love most about country music?
I love all music, but when it comes to country, I believe it’s the most “real”. It tells a story in each song. With country music, once you are a fan, you are always a fan. I love the slow, sad country music and I also love the upbeat songs like Kenny Chesney‘s or Zac Brown Band‘s songs. If it’s a rainy day, country music is perfect. When it’s a sunny day, country is perfect. Country music is probably the reason why I’ve got through so many difficult times in my life. When you are able to relate to a song, it makes you feel like you aren’t alone and gives you some hope.

That’s what I love most about country music, apart from the fact that it reminds me of my grandpa whenever it’s playing. If it weren’t for him, I probably would not have been introduced to such an amazing genre.

Thinking long-term, where do you hope your passion and love for music takes you?
Anywhere that allows me to play my music. Whether it’s at a little coffee shop or bar in the middle of nowhere or a stadium – either is fine with me. I hope one day I can meet my idols and inspire other people like they do to me. But in the end, I just want to play my music because I don’t know what else I’d do without music.

What can our readers expect from you next?
You can expect some originals coming up! I am going to Los Angeles in July for a month and will be writing and recording more originals that I’m very excited to share with you. There are some that are already finished, so they will be coming in a few months. Of course, I will always be making more YouTube covers so you can expect those as well! But yeah! A lot of music trips coming up so you can expect some videos and pictures and lots of originals coming!

Connect with Ray:
Facebook
Twitter
YouTube

Check out Ray’s cover of Carrie Underwood’s “Good Girl”:

VIDEO: Taylor Swift Punked By Justin Bieber

Lydia Picknell — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 15:40:38 +0000

Looks like MTV’s Punk’d show is still running – who knew! Taylor Swift found herself the victim on an upcoming episode of the series which pranks celebrities and films it. Believing she was going to meet up with teenage pop superstar Justin Bieber for a songwriting session. That’s when Justin said he wanted to show her these new firecrackers he brought in from Japan – and accidentally blows up a wedding party on a boat!

Taylor freaks out, even having some of her language bleeped out, scared she will go to jail for what just happened. Watch the video below of the promo:

MTV Shows

Toby and Taylor Nominated For Kids’ Choice Awards

Ted Efron — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 00:06:36 +0000

It’s not surprising to see Taylor Swift nominated for the Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards 2012. She’s been nominated before and even walked away with the “Blimp” for Favorite Female Singer in 2010. But what is surprising is one of this year’s nominees for Favorite Male Singer: Toby Keith.

Maybe the nomination is due to a fresh crop of kids going country. Or maybe (and more likely) it’s a result of the kids going crazy for Toby’s “Red Solo Cup.” No matter what the reason for the his first Kids’ Choice nomination, I’m sure Toby’s happy to take it. He’s up against Usher, Bruno mars and Justin Bieber, who won the award last year.

Taylor is once again nominated for Favorite Female Singer. She’s up against Lady Gaga, Katy Perry and her friend Selena Gomez. Swift’s “Sparks Fly” is nominated for Favorite Song, going up against Lady Gaga’s “Born This Way,” Katy Perry’s “Firework,” and the “Party Rock Anthem” by LMFAO.

The Kids’ Choice Awards 2012 will air live March 31st on Nickelodeon at 8pm ET.

Internet Sensation Julia Sheer Signs Management Deal

Ted Efron — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 21:39:26 +0000

What do millions of hits on YouTube get you? If you’re Julia Sheer, it gets you signed to Upward Management in Nashville. The 19-year-old singer will be managed by Liesl Menning Haynie and Jason Greene.

You can bet your boots that Waylon didn’t do it this way. But Justin Bieber did and it’s worked out pretty well for him.

It’s a new age and today’s artists have the benefit of an Internet audience. In Sheer’s case, that audience is gigantic. A few years ago she began posting videos on her YouTube page of her performing covers of artists like Taylor Swift, Lady Antebellum and The Band Perry. “Big deal,” you might say. ”Lots of aspiring singers post videos!” True. But very few of them rack up the views that Sheer has. So far her videos have more than 42 million hits. That includes more than 3 million views of her original song “You Will Never Be,” which she co-wrote. In addition, she has nearly 200,000 likes on her Facebook page.

Whether all of these hits and “likes” will translate into record sales and concert tickets sold, is still to be seen. Right now Sheer is writing more songs in Nashville and has begun work on her debut album.

Nope, Waylon Jennings didn’t do it this way. But who’s to say Julia Sheer (and others of the Internet Age) can’t? Stay tuned!

Taylor Swift takes home Biggest Award of the Night

Lydia Picknell — Thu, 09 Jun 2011 04:22:24 +0000

You didn’t have to be in attendance to win the awards tonight at the 2011 CMT Music Awards. Taylor Swift, away on her “Speak Now” tour, was live via satellite to receive her award for Video Of The Year. Her acceptance speech was cut out by a poor feed, however. Blake Shelton took home the most hardware for the night, winning the first ever Web Video Of The Year off-camera for “Kiss My Country Ass”, as well as getting the Male Video of the Year for “Who Are You When I’m Not Looking”. He accepted the later one by a taped segment while on the set of The Voice last night.

Sugarland took home the duo video of the year honors for “Stuck Like Glue”, and Miranda Lambert took home one CMT buckle for Female Video of the Year for the touching “The House That Built Me”. Director Trey Fanjoy was named the Video Director of the Year for her work on both Lambert’s “The House That Built Me” and Shelton’s “Who Are You When I’m Not Looking”.

See under the “more” tag for a full list of tonight’s winners.

Capital letters denote winners.

Video Of The Year

Jason Aldean – My Kinda Party
Kenny Chesney – The Boys Of Fall
Lady Antebellum – Hello World
Miranda Lambert – The House That Built Me
Rascal Flatts – Why Wait
Sugarland – Stuck Like Glue
TAYLOR SWIFT – MINE
The Band Perry – If I Die Young
Carrie Underwood – Undo It
Zac Brown Band – Colder Weather

Male Video Of The Year

Jason Aldean – My Kinda Party
Kenny Chesney – The Boys Of Fall
Toby Keith – Bullets In The Gun
BLAKE SHELTON – WHO ARE YOU WHEN I’M NOT LOOKING
Keith Urban – Without You

Female Video Of The Year

Sara Evans – A Little Bit Stronger
MIRANDA LAMBERT – THE HOUSE THAT BUILT ME
Reba McEntire – Turn On The Radio
Taylor Swift – Mine
Carrie Underwood – Undo It

Group Video Of The Year

LADY ANTEBELLUM – HELLO WORLD
Little Big Town – Little White Church
Rascal Flatts – Why Wait
The Band Perry – If I Die Young
Zac Brown Band – Colder Weather

Duo Video Of The Year

Steel Magnolia – Last Night Again
SUGARLAND – STUCK LIKE GLUE
The Civil Wars – Barton Hollow
The JaneDear Girls – Wildflower
Thompson Square – Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not

USA Weekend Breakthrough Video of the Year

Lee Brice – Love Like Crazy
Aaron Lewis – Country Boy
Jerrod Niemann – Lover, Lover
THE BAND PERRY – IF I DIE YOUNG
Thompson Square – Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not

Collaborative Video of the Year

Jason Aldean with Kelly Clarkson – Don’t You Wanna Stay
JUSTIN BIEBER FEATURING RASCAL FLATTS – THAT SHOULD BE ME
Kid Rock featuring Sheryl Crow – Collide
Aaron Lewis featuring George Jones and Charlie Daniels – Country Boy
Loretta Lynn, Miranda Lambert and Sheryl Crow – Coal Miner’s Daughter

CMT Performance of the Year

Martina McBride and Train – A Broken Wing from CMT Crossroads: Train and Martina McBride
Reba McEntire – If I Were A Boy from Unplugged: Reba
Darius Rucker and Adele – Need You Now from 2010 CMT Artists of the Year
Keith Urban and John Mayer – Sweet Thing from CMT Crossroads: John Mayer and Keith Urban
ZAC BROWN BAND AND JIMMY BUFFETT – MARGARITAVILLE FROM CMT CROSSROADS: JIMMY BUFFETT AND ZAC BROWN BAND

Web Video of the Year

Jason Aldean – My Kinda Party (Live From The CMT Webcast)
Luke Bryan – It’s a Shore Thing
Lady Antebellum – Stars Tonight
BLAKE SHELTON – KISS MY COUNTRY ASS
Taylor Swift – “Mine” (Live from the Speak Now Album Release Party)

Video Director of the Year

Deaton Flanigen – Collide, Wildflower
TREY FANJOY – THE HOUSE THAT BUILT ME, WHO ARE YOU WHEN I’M NOT LOOKING
Chris Hicky – Undo It, Without You
David McClister – If I Die Young, Swingin’
Roman White – Hello World, Makin’ Me Fall In Love Again

Justin Bieber, Scotty McCreery & Lauren Alaina to present at CMT Music Awards

Lydia Picknell — Tue, 31 May 2011 20:31:08 +0000

Justin Bieber and Shania Twain are among the superstar list of presenters added to the 2011 CMT Music Awards. Other presenters announced an hour ago on the CMT Music Awards Facebook page include American Idol winner Scotty McCreery and runner-up Lauren Alaina, Train, Sheryl Crow, Luke Bryan, Kristen Chenoweth, Laura Bell Bundy, Melissa Peterman, Mary Steenburgen, Hines Ward, and Sara Evans.

Both Sheryl Crow and Luke Bryan will perform as well on the award show. The 2011 CMT awards are a fan-voted award show and will air live on CMT on June 8th from Nashville.