Keepin' it Country Media & Radio » Merle Haggard

Country stars react to George Jones’ passing

Lydia Picknell — Sat, 27 Apr 2013 13:56:05 +0000

It’s been a tragic few days for country music stars and country fans. The legendary George Jones passed away in a Nashville hospital, and country stars have reacted in shock and sadness over the loss of an icon. See what some of your favorite stars have said about the great George Jones:

Brad Paisley:

“George Jones’ life is an example of so many wonderful things. How someone’s God-given gifts can make this a richer, better place. How one human being can overcome adversity, addiction, and life threatening obstacles time and time again. That it is not the stumble or fall that counts, but the willingness to stand again. How a keen sense of humor and a twinkle in a person’s eye can still prevail even after all of life’s hard knocks. How mistakes, missteps, and bad choices are not the end of the world if a person chooses to turn them into something good. And George’s life is above all the strongest example of how the love of a great woman can get a man through anything. All of this made its way beautifully into every note of the greatest voice country music will ever know. And one of the greatest friends you could ever have.

We miss you already, George.

Brad”

Dolly Parton:

“My heart is absolutely broken. George Jones was my all time favorite singer and one of my favorite people in the world. My heart goes out to Nancy and all his family and friends.”

Gary LeVox of Rascal Flatts:

“He was the greatest country vocalist that ever lived! Through the years we have all tried to emulate the passion in his voice, but no one can fill his shoes.”

Merle Haggard:

“The world has lost the greatest country singer of all time. Amen.”

Easton Corbin:

“I am deeply saddened to hear about the passing of one of my all time heroes, George Jones. Georges’ music was real and he was able to touch thousands through his songs. Not only was he a great singer, but he also had the ability to make you relate to every one of his songs, no matter who you are. He and his music will remain timeless in the world of country music. My thoughts and prayers are with his family through this difficult time.”

Blake Shelton (via Twitter):

Just landed in LA. Listened to “The King Is Gone” and “Who’s Gonna Fill Their Shoes” over and over again just like always. Can’t accept it. Really REALLY bad news. We’ve lost a country music legend. And I’ve lost a hero and a friend. Goodbye George Jones…

Kelly Clarkson (via Twitter):

Sad to hear about George Jones passing. That man touched a lot of lives with his music. Thanks for setting the bar for the rest of us. #RIPGeorgeJones

Hank Williams, Jr. Celebrates a Million “Likes” With Free Download

Nicole Piering — Fri, 25 May 2012 02:42:53 +0000

If you’re a Hank Williams, Jr. fan who hasn’t liked him on Facebook yet, what are you waiting for? The country crooner just passed a million “likes” on the social networking site and is ready to celebrate in true country fashion. As a thank you to his loyal (and social fans), Williams is offering a free download of his new single “That Ain’t Good.” The song is available now through midnight on Memorial Day at www.hankjr.com.

Williams realizes the importance of his loyal fan base. “I have the most loyal fans and that’s what make my job so easy,” Williams said. “I only do 20-25 shows a year and my fans love the music. The best way to celebrate with them is to offer a free download of my new single this holiday weekend.”

“That Ain’t Good” is the first single from “Old School, New Rules,” a twelve-song package that’s available for pre-sale now at www.hankjr.com. The collection of tunes is set for a July 10th release and includes a duet with Brad Paisley on “I’m Gonna Get Drunk And Play Hank Williams” and a new duet with the legendary Merle Haggard on his classic “I Think I’ll Just Sit Here and Drink.”

For more information, please visit www.hankjr.com or like him on Facebook at www.facebook.com/HankJr.

EXCLUSIVE: Interview With Jason Charles Miller

Tia — Tue, 01 May 2012 20:44:08 +0000

Jason Charles Miller is definitely not your ordinary urban cowboy. Rather, he represents the dark, gritty side of country music – the type of country music that should receive more acknowledgement than it does.

Regardless, this Virginia native knows his way around the entertainment industry. Although he might be most known for heading the rock band Godhead, Jason has travelled many paths throughout his life. His impressive resume includes writing, producing, voiceover recording and acting. If that wasn’t enough, Jason is busy overseeing his own recording studio, Central Command Studios.

We caught up with Jason today to talk about the release of his new single “Up To Me,” his recent signing with Render Records, how he feels about the music industry and what he has to offer.

We can promise you that this man has a mind and heart evident in both his thoughts and music that any country music fan could appreciate and love. Take a look for yourself:

Your single “Up To Me” was released to country radio today. Tell us about that song and what it means to you.
I wrote it with my friend Joe Doyle who is a pretty awesome songwriter. He’s had a 25+ year career as a professional songwriter. He’s had songs for Kenny Rogers, Jason Aldean, Tim McGraw and everybody in between – even Alabama. One of the keys to his success as a country songwriter is that he doesn’t listen to the radio or pay attention to trends. He just loves to write. I really admire that about him because as a country artist and as a country writer, I’m always listening to the radio. Sometimes I get really frustrated, but it also may influence my approach to songs. Sometimes that can be a dangerous way to approach the way you’re going to write a new song (based on a song that’s on the radio right now).

We were talking about the subject of what we wanted to write about. This is actually the first song we ever wrote together. We realized there are hundreds, if not thousands, of songs about a bar. But we couldn’t recall any song that was actually taken from the perspective of the bar and the bar that you lean on and order your drinks from. What if we brought life to that bar and personified this thing? Anybody that has ever been to a bar has leaned on, has ordered a drink from, has spilled a drink on or has met someone at a bar. A lot of these things that happen in our lives happen while leaning on a bar – at least most adults. We decided to take that perspective and just go with it. I hope that people get it, enjoy it and like it because the challenge as a songwriter, especially in a genre like country music, is that there are certain subjects that are almost expected of you as a country writer. But it’s about finding how to stay within the parameters of what a true country song is and still give it a unique perspective and a unique way of presenting maybe a story we’ve heard before, but telling it in a new way. I hope that we did that.

How has living in Hollywood affected you as a singer, especially a country music singer?
It’s really interesting. I have to go to Nashville to find anybody that likes the kind of music that I do (laughs). Although, if you scratch the surface, you’ll find people that really like country music. As far as fans go, the largest country radio station in America is actually in Los Angeles. But as far as country artists and writers go, they’re harder to find. In a way, its kind of nice because that makes it a much smaller community and a much more manageable community. We all kind of know each other. But at the same time, most of the writers out here are obsessed with pop music and that’s the big business in music in Los Angeles. So it’s a challenge finding people that are really familiar with country music to write with and to collaborate with. People that aren’t familiar with the genre don’t realize how detailed it really is. Unless you have either really grown up in it or really studied it for a long time, you wouldn’t know that there are so many subtle nuances to all of the sub-genres of country music. It’s really refreshing when you do run across somebody that knows what you’re talking about and knows what they’re talking about because it’s just a lot harder to find here.

You’ve opened for artists like Toby Keith, Gary Allan and Eric Church. Who would you like to tour with in the future?
Jamey Johnson is my musical hero, so I would absolutely love to tour with him. On a larger scale, somebody like George Strait would be amazing. Have you heard of Blackberry Smoke out of Atlanta? They’re on Zac Brown‘s label. The thing I love about them is they have a really infused southern rock element within their country sound. I would love to tour with them. Those are just the ones off the top of my head. There are so many. The great thing about country music is that I love how so many artists that are pretty widely varied but still fit under that umbrella of country all sort of tour together. I would love to open for Merle Haggard. He’s still touring and he’s one of my all-time favourites.

You signed with Render Records last month. How excited are you about that?
I’m really excited. With living in Hollywood, I’ve probably made at least fourteen trips to Nashville in the last two years. I was a shock to a lot of the major labels in Nashville. Almost universally, I got the same message back that was “he’s too extreme for Nashville.” I don’t believe that because I think that there is a huge disconnect between “the powers that be” and the fans. The reason that I feel like I’ve proven that that’s true is I’ve opened for Toby Keith, Eric Church, Justin Moore and Gary Allan. I co-write with Toby Keith’s bass player and music director. I co-write with Eric Church’s guitar player. What I’ve discovered is that when I opened for these artists, their fans embraced me from note one. They were in to it right away. I think that the same fan that listens to Toby Keith also listens to The Allman Brothers or Lynyrd Skynyrd or even Disturbed or Linkin Park. I think that especially now in the age where you can listen to anything in a second if you want to, everyone’s musical tastes are widening.

I feel that there is definitely a place for me in country music. So it’s a big justification to me to sign with a Nashville label that gets me, understands me, and will let me be who I want to be and won’t try to water me down or try to change me to fit into this small little mold. I think that the fans are sick of that. I think that they’re hearing way too many things that sound the same and I want to break that mold and expand people’s horizons that already are expanded – just the “powers that be” don’t know it yet.

You co-wrote or wrote every track on Uncountry, your first full-length solo debut. How important is it for you to have a stake in writing your songs?
I think it’s pretty important for me. Coming from my rock career and coming from a band, I think it’s important because it puts your personal stamp and your personal signature on it. When I do cover songs, I try to put my own spin on them. My new album is going to be called Natural Born Killer. That is coming out in July. I do one cover on there, but all the rest are either solo-writes or co-writes. I just think that if you’ve been a writer for as long as I have – cause I guess I’ve been a professional writer for almost twenty years – you want to have that personal signature on there. So for me, it’s important. But then again, if I hear a song that just blows me away, I’ll want to record it as well and put my own stamp on it.

You own your own recording studio. Do you have any stories about recording sessions in the studio that you could share?
Most of them I try to put out of my head – all of the embarrassing ones (laughs). One of the cool things about owning the recording studio is coming up with interesting sounds. If my friends and I find something that we think is percussive and can make a cool sound, like a piece of steel or a box, we’ll take it into the live room and record it just to have our own samples of our own types of percussive instruments. That’s a lot of fun – finding new sounds and sampling that and adding it to recordings. With the stuff I’m doing now, I try to make it as organic as possible. I don’t want to have any kind of programming in there. It’s the opposite approach of what I’ve done in my spare time, which is create sounds from any kind of object. But any object has it’s own pitch so it’s fun to experiment with that.

What kind of experience do you hope to give your fans when they come out to see you play?
I want to give the kind of experience that they don’t forget. I want to play material that’s going to move them in some way. That’s really the key. I often get told that I don’t have enough party songs. But that’s not really my personality. I mean, of course I like to have a good time. It’s not that I take myself too seriously, because I really don’t. I’m a jokester just like everybody else. But I feel like the music that I’m trying to portray – I want it to have a bit of weight to it. I’m not going to sing about real party-party stuff. I want to make people think with my music. I want them to enjoy that part of it as well. I think with the live show, besides having a kick-ass band and everything else, I want to play songs that people remember and songs that will affect them in a positive way. Even if it’s not about going to the party, at least it’s something that will make people feel good.

I think that my problem with the party songs in general and me performing the party songs (which I don’t really do) is that I feel like you shouldn’t have to sing about having a good time – the music should just make you have a good time. The music could be about anything. I feel like there are too many songs about songs or too many songs about music. You don’t need to sing about music – you just need to play the music and play what has inspired you to write it. It doesn’t need to be about itself. I’ve seen that trend a lot and I’d like to break that trend. There are too many songs that are about themselves.

What has been your most memorable or rewarding experience during your career in the music industry?
There are a couple of things. The first time that my picture was in Rolling Stone Magazine with my band – that was a really awesome moment. That was something that I could show my dad. If your picture is in Rolling Stone, that kind of validates it to your parents. Another one was when I got my first gold record for being on the Queen of the Damned movie soundtrack with my name on it and able to get two more for my parents. Whether you know anything about music or not, everyone knows the term “gold record.” To be able to actually have two – I was also on The Punisher soundtrack – and be able to get both of those for my parents was pretty rewarding for me.

Is there anything in particular you would like our readers to know about you?
I’m pretty opinionated, but I don’t want to offend anyone. I’m not trying to say that there’s not a place for the party song. I’m just trying to say that there’s not really a place for me within that. But I think that any fan of music is going to appreciate different styles and different subjects within the music that they listen to. I don’t know anybody that just wants to listen to party songs all day. I think that music is something that drives us all and puts us in different moods. I want to be able to set the mood for different things. But at the same time, if I have a song that reminds somebody of a bad time but then helps them heal or get through that, to me that is more important and can have a more lasting impression on somebody and can be a more rewarding experience for me when that happens.

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Connect with Jason:

Official Website
Facebook
Twitter
YouTube

Check out Jason’s music video for his brand new single “Up To Me,” released to radio TODAY:

2012 Artist To Watch: Mary Sarah

Ted Efron — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 19:00:39 +0000

Mary Sarah is slowly carving out a place for herself in country’s future. What sets her apart is that she’s doing it by honoring country’s past.

The Richmond, Texas resident is only 16 years old, but she’s already accomplished more than many artists twice her age. When she was 12 she landed a spot as a feature singer with KidzBop, which had her touring the nation performing before thousands of fans each night.

Then when she was only 14, she recorded her first album, “Crazy Good,” which came out last year. The album not only showcases her singing, but also her skill as a songwriter. She co-wrote six of the album’s nine tracks.

On most weekends you can find her performing at one the many Oprys or Squares in the Houston area. It’s there that she not only sings songs that are inline with today’s pop-country, but also tips her hat to traditional country by singing the songs of Patsy Cline, Loretta Lynn and the like.

She loves the small stages, but Mary Sarah is no stranger to the area’s big arenas. She’s performed the National Anthem for both the Houston Astros and the Houston Texans. But her most noticeable stage performance (at least for now) came in 2011 when the Oak Ridge Boys invited her onstage to sing. The then 15-year-old brought the crowd to its feet with her a cappella version of Connie Francis’ “Where The Boys Are.” (See a video of that performance below.)

It’s clear that the Oak Ridge Boys see a bright future for her. They’re not alone. The fast lane may be calling, but for now Mary Sarah is taking it slow and enjoying her high school years. Yes, she’s dreaming of serving up hits, but she’s also dreaming about perfecting her serve as a member of the varsity tennis team. Plus, like every other high school student, she’s waiting to finally get her driver’s license and first car. (She’s hoping for a VW Beetle!)

No matter what comes of her career, she knows she wants to help others. As she puts it, “I want to be a voice for those who need one.” She’s heavily involved with the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. It’s a very personal project for her as her brother has been living with the disease for ten years and even needed a liver transplant.

Mary Sarah took time out her busy schedule for an interview via email. Just what every high school student wants: a writing assignment! But in this case, I don’t think she minded the extra work. As you will read, it’s evident she has a passion for music, an extraordinary love of family and a deep respect and appreciation for those who have come before her.

When did you first know that you wanted to be a singer and has country music always been your passion?

I was around 8 years old playing piano and my teacher brought it to my parents’ attention that I was constantly singing with the song and that I had really good pitch. I started lessons around 10 and then landed the KidzBop Tour…on stage was when I had “that moment” that I knew I wanted to do this for the rest of my life. I started out thinking POP music…but I fell in love with story telling in a country song.

As you just mentioned, you spent time on tour with the KidzBop concert series. That was when you were 12. What did you take from that experience that you still use today?

SO MUCH FUN and hard work. Life on the road was not easy but I loved every minute of it…the afternoon practices before the show and meeting all the kids after the show. I learned that I could do more than I thought and that all I needed to do was try…when you try and do your best you can never fail!

Right now you’re still in high school. How hard is it juggling school, extra-curricular activities and your singing?

My life is busy but I don’t think any busier than a lot of motivated high school students. I probably travel more than most but everyone around me helps me keep my schedule straight! When I feel overwhelmed I just take a deep breath, pray and tell myself I can handle it.

Family seems to be a large part of not just you as a performer, but you as a person. How important is your family in everything that you do?

Mega. They are my top priority. I think sharing my gift with the ones I love is the best. My family is blessed….we love to hang out together and we can make each other laugh and we help each other stay focused.

You’ve mentioned that Carrie Underwood is one of your idols. Have you considered trying to literally follow in her footsteps and audition for American Idol or The Voice?

Yes, I have been approached to audition, but when it comes down to it I want to finish high school and have all the experiences that you only get once in your life. I have my whole life to use my gift and I have been given the opportunities to not be in a hurry! I am learning a lot! If I remember correctly Carrie was 18 when she tried out…so if doors that I currently am walking through begin to close I may talk about it again with my parents.

Speaking of the The Voice, I have a pair of questions for you from Team Blake’s RaeLynn, another talented Texan teen who actually lives very near you. First: What was it like writing with her cousin, Leeland Mooring of the progressive worship band Leeland?

Oh my gosh…please let her know that we are rooting for her and that she is doing an awesome job! Writing with Leeland was overwhelming. He is amazing and the evening flew by so quickly because you can listen to him sing and preach all night! He is a fantastic person and an unbelievable songwriter and performer. We first fell in love with LeeLand (the band) when we attended a worship gathering years ago.

Second, RaeLynn asks: Would you ever write with her?

First I would love to meet her face to face! I have had dinner with her Aunt’s family and cousins but she was in L.A. at the time. I think two sassy Texans like us could work out some great lyrics!! It would be an honor!

Your song “New Crush,” which you wrote with your sister Emilee, took 2nd place in the Teen Division of the 2010 International Songwriting Competition. How did that add to your confidence as a songwriter?

It was awesome to have that recognition but honestly…I have a long way to go when writing. I have been around so many wonderful writers that I am very intimidated. I think there will always be a part of me that thinks that…I feel like singing and performing comes much more naturally. So needless to say I wanna write with the best in the business!

You released your first album, Crazy Good, last year. For the most part, the songs speak about the life of a 14-year-old girl, which you were at the time you recorded it. Due to your age and the subject matter, the comparisons to Taylor Swift are inevitable. What’s your reaction when people compare you and your music to Taylor?

It’s a great honor. She has told some amazing stories through her songs. They captivate you and you lose yourself in them. That is what I want to do with my music. She has also been a great role model for young women like me getting in to country music. She is simple with a very big heart towards her fans…and she loves putting on a great performance. I imagine myself on the stage whenever I see her in concert! I just want to affect people in a positive way and I believe she has done that.

The songs on Crazy Good are country, pop-country and a bit of rock. But you’re a huge fan of traditional country. How did someone so young fall in love with old school country?

After KidzBop I was in LA for a while and decided it just wasn’t the thing for me. I wrote some songs and had them produced but the lifestyle and everything that goes along with it just didn’t work for our family. I came back to Texas wondering what I was going to do next…my dad mentioned the Opry’s and some of the songs that I would need to sing. I was reminded that the first song I sang on a stage was “The Yellow Rose of Texas,” so I said I would give it a shot. I started with “Crazy” by Patsy Cline and the rest was history.

I learned so much researching the traditional country and I learned a lot about my voice and what I could make it do. I also fell in love with the Opry audience…it’s like I have so many grandma and grandpa’s cheering me on in my career. I hope to bring back the old traditional and add some new that just says “Mary Sarah”! My all time favorite to perform of course is “Where The Boys Are” by Connie Francis. But I love “Jolene” by Dolly and so many others. I think if I could add that dueting with my dad and our friend Moses has been lots of fun too!

What is your reaction when encounter younger people (and some older ones) who have never listened to the likes of Dolly Parton, Loretta Lynn, Patsy Cline or Merle Haggard?

I start to sing a song or two for them and tell them they are missing out on some of the best country music ever written. They think I am a little crazy till they hear me sing them! I hope it has that effect on my generation.

How important is it for the next generation of country performers to carry on the tradition that was established by those who came before them?

Very…honoring those that have gone before me is soooooo important. My parents taught me that and the more I realize they are right the more blessed I am. There is a part of those songs that just touch your soul in a way that other music does not. Very simple lyrics with deep, deep meaning!

Do you have any projects coming up that we should be on the lookout for?

Yes, I do but unfortunately I can not tell you much about the current project. I can tell you it is the greatest thing I have ever done to date and I am overwhelmed at the opportunities I have had this past year. I believe I will always look back at this time in my life and pinch myself because what I am doing will last forever!!! I promise that when I get to tell…you will be one of the first!

Finally, I’d like to give you an open forum to say anything you would like for people to know about you, your music or whatever’s on your mind. The floor is yours:

I would like to tell people it is very important to just be yourself, NEVER compromise who you are and be true to yourself. Everyone may not like you but you will always like yourself!

Never chase after popularity or fame just focus on your strengths and not your weaknesses. Also, don’t be in a hurry. You only go around one time! (lol, that’s from my song “One Time Around”)

*******

Mary Sarah’s “Crazy Good” is available on iTunes HERE. You can keep up with her at her website, on Facebook and on Twitter @MarySarahMusic. Plus, check out her music channel on YouTube.

Merle Haggard Hospitalized In Georgia

Lydia Picknell — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 16:37:30 +0000

Some shocking breaking news this morning from WSMV-TV in Nashville. Country music great Merle Haggard has been hospitalized in Georgia for an unknown condition. His manager told the television station that Merle has been sick for about a week. Merle was to perform in Macon, Georgia last night but fell ill several minutes before his show and was rushed to hospital.

Three upcoming shows have been canceled. We hope Merle has a speedy recovery and will be back on his feet soon!

UPDATE: Merle has canceled the rest of his shows for January, and he was hospitalized for pneumonia, his publicist tells Newsday.

Second Look: Sunny Sweeney’s “Concrete”

Ted Efron — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 03:36:19 +0000

Usually folks start the New Year by looking forward. I’m starting 2012 by looking back, a “second look” if you will, at Sunny Sweeney’s “Concrete.”

The album’s been out for more than four months now and has received a mountain of critical acclaim. All of the praise is well-deserved as the release is as solid as its name and was one of the best of 2011.

Once you hear the very first note out of the Texas native’s mouth, there’s no mistaking you’re listening to country. Fact is, from top to bottom, this album is 100% pure country. That’s worth noting because more and more country albums are including songs that play as pop or rock. Not so with “Concrete.” But would you expect anything else from an artist who performs with a guitar that features autographs from Loretta Lynn, Merle Haggard and Little Jimmy Dickens? Plus, there’s the Haggard tribute “Mama Tried” tatoo on her right wrist. That’s literally wearing her allegiance to country on her sleeve.

By now you should be familiar with at least two of the album’s ten tracks. “From A Table Away” served as the lead-off single, of sorts. It originally appeared on a self-titled five-track EP and landed Sweeney her first Top 10 hit. Next came “Staying’s Worse Than Leaving,” which Sweeney says tells the story of her own marriage that had been falling apart for some time and eventually ended in divorce. It’s an honest and unflinching look at a love gone stale, but for reasons unknown, it failed to find the same chart success.

“Drink Myself Single” is Sweeney’s current single. This is the one song on the album that gives us a taste of her incredible sense of humor. Before focusing full-time on her music, Sweeney worked in improv comedy. If you want a good laugh, follow her on Twitter (@gettinsweenered). Blake Shelton may be the undisputed king of country comedy on Twitter, but we soon might crown Sweeney as queen.

The Big Machine Records artist co-wrote eight songs on the album and in doing so, she shared a lot of her personal pain (like with “Staying’s Worse Than Leaving”). The open, honest and sometimes blunt way she paints her songs is a major part of her appeal. Life’s not perfect, but the way Sweeney presents it darn near is.

Sweeney spent part of last year touring with Brad Paisley and his “H2O: Wetter & Wilder” tour. She’s yet to announce tour plans for 2012. Once she does, do yourself a favor and see if she’s playing anywhere near you. In the meantime, give “Concrete” a second, third or fortieth look and listen.

Rating: 9/10

Check out: “The Old Me” and “Helluva Heart”

(Side note: Sorry guys, but Sunny’s no longer single. She and Texas police officer Jeff Helmer got married in Las Vegas on November 11th. That’s right — 11-11-11. She’s since commemorated the union in ink. She got “XI” tattooed on her bicep. That’s one anniversary that’ll be hard to forget!)

“Okie From Muskogee” Writer Passes Away

Lydia Picknell — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 14:52:58 +0000

Country Weekly is reporting that the famed writer of “Okie From Muskogee” passed away April 19th from complications of heart problems. Roy Burris co-wrote the classic Merle Haggard song in 1969 on their tour bus. In 1970, Okie From Muskogee won the Country Music Association’s Single Of the Year award and is seen as Merle’s anthem.

Our thoughts are with the Burris family at this tough time.