HCM Daily News – September 15th, 2020

 Posted by at 7:04 pm on September 15, 2020
Sep 152020
 

Chris Young

Recent Country Music Headlines

Recommended Viewing – Recent Country Music Videos

This Date in Country Music History

  • 2015 – Florida Georgia Line received platinum certification for their singles “Sun Daze” and “Anything Goes”
  • 2014 – Eric Church released his single “Talladega”
  • 2003 – Miranda Lambert signed her recording contract with Epic Records
  • 2001 – Toby Keith scored a #1 hit with “I’m Just Talkin’ About Tonight”
  • 1997 – Lila McCann released her single “I Wanna Fall In Love”
  • 1992 – George Strait released the soundtrack album for the movie Pure Country

Today’s Birthdays (See All Country Artist Birthdays)

Today’s New Albums (See All Album Release Dates)

  • None Today

Today’s New Singles (See All Single Release Dates)

  • Do Over – Parker Graye
  • Think About You – Robert Ray
  • Out on the Road – Skip Pullig
  • Ridin – Jake Bowers
  • Stained – Jared Ashley

Today’s Photo Flashback (See All Photos)

Contests

This Week’s Events (See All Upcoming Events)

Date/Time Event
09/15/2020
6:00 pm		 Eli Mosley – Jackson, WY
Million Dollar Cowboy Bar, Jackson WY
09/15/2020
9:00 pm		 Alabama – Livestream
09/16/2020
6:00 pm		 Eli Mosley – Jackson, WY
Million Dollar Cowboy Bar, Jackson WY
09/16/2020
8:00 pm		 ACM Awards on CBS
09/17/2020
6:00 pm		 Eli Mosley – Jackson, WY
Million Dollar Cowboy Bar, Jackson WY
09/18/2020
6:00 pm		 Eli Mosley – Jackson, WY
Million Dollar Cowboy Bar, Jackson WY
09/18/2020
11:00 pm		 Mark Chesnutt – Fort Worth, TX
Billy Bob’s Texas, Fort Worth TX
09/19/2020
6:00 pm		 Eli Mosley – Jackson, WY
Million Dollar Cowboy Bar, Jackson WY
09/19/2020
11:00 pm		 Ned LeDoux – Fort Worth, TX
Billy Bob’s Texas, Fort Worth TX

Interview with Alexander Wren

 Posted by at 6:54 pm on September 15, 2020
Sep 152020
 

Alexander Wren – photo by Landon Edwards

  • Artist Name: Alexander Wren
  • Hometown: Nashville, TN

What project(s) are you currently working on?

Right now I’m in the process of recording my first full-length project. In the past, I’ve done EPs, which are great for numerous reasons. But a record is to an EP as a novel is to a short story; I started down this path to make records — to write novels, if you will. And I’m glad to be over that waiting hump. I was always waiting for perfect and clear-cut time to undergo the first record; now I realize that there’ll never be a first record if I keep waiting for perfection.

What inspired you to pursue a career in music and when did you know?

I can’t really put a particular moment on it… I was never good at sports so that wasn’t a fantasy in my head. And when I was in middle school, I did the whole forming a band thing, as I think is a rite of passage for midwesterners — maybe that was it. We had the big amps and the guitar solos. Fact remains though, you do have to be kind of crazy to pursue something in this business; I guess I might be more crazy than I’d like to admit.

If you weren’t pursuing a career in music, what would you be doing for a living?

If I couldn’t pursue music as a career I would be dead because I can’t do anything else. Ha ha!

What is your favorite downtime activity?

Reading. Currently reading Mitch Albom’s “The Five People You Meet in Heaven,” along with its sequel — what a joy!

Who is your biggest celebrity crush?

Emma Watson. No question about it.

Who is your favorite sports team(s)?

I’m not a sports guy, but baseball is by far the best sport there is. I know that’s an unpopular opinion, but I’m convinced. When I was younger, my dad and I used to drive into Chicago (we lived in Indiana) to watch White Sox games. South side pride! There’s a strategy to baseball — a quietness, a history, and respect for the game — that I don’t think is paralleled anywhere else.

What is the last movie that you watched?

“Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.” Oh my god — watch it. And the one before that was Tim Burton’s “A Nightmare Before Christmas”… what great things weirdos accomplish.

What is the last album you listened to?

Justin Townes Earle’s Harlem River Blues — a 10/10 record. I bought that LP years ago when I was in high school. I was so saddened to hear about his recent passing.

If you could only listen to one album for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Eric Clapton’s Unplugged. Strange, right? I don’t like Eric Clapton’s other stuff. All I like of his is that one record. But that one record really encompasses everything that I love about music.

What is the greatest country song of all time?

All of the above. Ha ha! One that comes top of mind is T. Graham Brown’s “Wine Into Water.” Lyrically, it might just be the best piece I’ve heard in my life.

What has been your favorite city/town that you’ve visited out on the road?

New York City, by far. The plan is to make a move there soon. I just have this inner Seinfeld in me that needs to be realized.  

What is your favorite meal?

Indian food! Palak paneer is my go-to. Ha ha!

Who is your dream duet partner?

Dead would be Ray Charles. He is my favorite artist of all-time.  Living would be, maybe, Randy Newman? He’d probably be an awful duet partner, though. Or maybe even someone like Norah Jones — what a voice.

Who would you like to go on tour with?

Oh man… I would love to do some shows with other songwriter artists. Like someone in the John Moreland or Tobias Jesso Jr. realm.

What is your ultimate career goal(s)?

Before COVID, my goal was to be as successful as possible by cultural standards — have the money and notoriety, etc. But I’ve learned that life is too short for that stuff. Now I’m only concerned with writing the best songs I can, releasing the best records I can, and living the best life I can — even if that means living in an apartment and touring small clubs the rest of my life. As long as I am doing my work, and hopefully inspiring others and pointing people towards hope, well… I’m a happy man.

Interview with Parker Graye

 Posted by at 6:19 pm on September 15, 2020
Sep 152020
 

  • Artist Name:  Parker Graye
  • Hometown:   Orillia, Ontario Canada – Based in Vancouver, BC

What project(s) are you currently working on?

The focus the last year has really been on songwriting in general.  I try to write at least 4 times a week and those songs can either be developed further for pitching to other artists or I take on for future releases.

What inspired you to pursue a career in music and when did you know?

My parents weren’t musically inclined in the slightest, but my aunt was.  All of her kids could play piano, guitar etc and I happened to somehow get the vocals. Growing up I was always “on”, acting, singing, dancing – performing in any way possible.  At a young age I knew I wanted to pursue music in some form but I had no idea what that looked like, nor did my parents really get it.  I knew I loved singing, but it wasn’t until later in life that I really discovered songwriting and my love for that.

 If you weren’t pursuing a career in music, what would you be doing for a living?

Oh, I do NOT like thinking about that at all. haha – I really can’t see myself doing anything else but I’d likely still work in the music industry in some facet..  Management, Partnership, PR, A&R – I have a pretty strong background in business/marketing so that would be an easy fit.

What is your favorite downtime activity?

Hands down, fitness.  People generally role their eyes at me when I give this answer but truly it provides me with many benefits.  I train CrossFit/Functional fitness and I find that focusing on keeping myself healthy (mentally and physically) makes me a better person.  Plus, it’s incredibly fun to train with your friends, slap some high fives, lift heavy things and then eat your bodyweight in snacks after!

 Who is your biggest celebrity crush?

 Ooohh, let’s not get that wheel spinning. We’ll be here for 5 months.

 Who is your favorite sports team(s)?

Never been a dedicated sports fan. I’ll gladly jump on the bandwagon, but never been a dedicated fan.

What is the last movie that you watched?

A Simple Favor.  A friend of mine said Blake Lively’s character was the spitting image of me and I needed to watch it.  Not the biggest movie buff, more of a documentary kinda gal!

 What is the last album you listened to?

HARDY’s latest – come on, this man is something else.  I nerd out pretty hard over everything that man does.

If you could only listen to one album for the rest of your life, what would it be?

 Hmmm… That’s so very tough.  Maybe Emmylou Harris – Roses in the Snow

What is the greatest country song of all time?

 Jolene – Dolly Parton or Live Like You Were Dying – Tim McGraw

What has been your favorite city/town that you’ve visited out on the road?

Nashville. hands down.

What is your favorite meal?

 Big fan of a bbq steak and potatoes – standard.

Who is your dream duet partner?

Ahhh, dang – I’d say Josh Kerr or Hardy at the moment.

Who would you like to go on tour with?

 My girl, Robyn Ottolini – but if we’re talking big timers,  Dan and Shay, Riley Green, Logan Mize, Josh Kerr  (should I keep going? lol)

What is your ultimate career goal(s)?

Currently, I’m an independent artist and songwriter.  I’d ultimately love to find a team of people who really believe in my music and what I’m wanting to achieve and who want to help grow the music.  Publishing / label deal are all on the goals list for 2021!

Interview with Victoria Bailey

 Posted by at 6:04 pm on September 15, 2020
Sep 152020
 

Victoria Bailey – photo by Stefanie Vinsel Johnson

  • Artist Name: Victoria Bailey
  • Hometown: Huntington Beach, CA

What project(s) are you currently working on? 

I’m currently releasing my first full-length country album called Jesus, Red Wine & Patsy Cline on September 18th. We have some Christmas tunes in the works, too, that I’m super excited about!

What inspired you to pursue a career in music and when did you know?  

I grew up with a musician dad and music-loving mom so I was kind of destined to have a great appreciation for it. I started playing guitar and writing songs when I was 12, and fell in love with performing after high school when I started my first band with my dad! I don’t think there was really a moment I set out to pursue a career in music… it just kind of evolved on its own and I couldn’t imagine not doing now.

If you weren’t pursuing a career in music, what would you be doing for a living?  

I have a kids music program called Little Folk Club and love teaching and performing for the kiddos. I would definitely love to be a kindergarten teacher if I weren’t playing music full time!   

What is your favorite downtime activity? 

Reading and cooking!! I’ve been doing a lot of both of those things in the past few months of quarantine. When I’m performing a lot and on the road, I don’t get a lot of down time to just curl up and read for hours on end, so it’s been so nice to able to read a lot this summer! (Confession… I also recently joined an online book club! Ha ha.)

Who is your biggest celebrity crush? 

I’m currently watching “Yellowstone” and have a new celeb crush: Luke Grimes!!

Who is your favorite sports team(s)? 

Horseback riding? Ha ha. Not a die-hard sports fan, but I love going to baseball games!! Also, love playing golf and was on a team when I was little!   

What is the last movie that you watched? 

“Steel Magnolias.” This movie is so sad and ridiculously ’80s and funny and will make you cry.  Literally the best cast of women you could imagine, if you haven’t seen it… Sally Field, Julia Roberts, and Dolly Parton. A small southern town and giant perms is all you need to know.

What is the last album you listened to? 

Comes a Time by Neil Young. I just got into this album recently and love it so much, especially the title track. Also have been listening to the new Colter Wall singles non-stop and can’t wait for his new record!  

If you could only listen to one album for the rest of your life, what would it be? 

Nebraska by Bruce Springsteen. This album makes me feel SO much. If I had to pick one album, of course it would be a crying, emotional one, ha ha, because those are my favorites. I love this one by Bruce because it stands so different from the rest of his work, and is so pure and imperfect and just is the most beautiful representation of his voice and songwriting, in my opinion.

What is the greatest country song of all time? 

Ahh, this one is so tough, but I’d have to say “Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain” by Willie Nelson. If I had to make a list, it would be mostly Willie songs, because he truly IS the greatest.  

What has been your favorite city/town that you’ve visited out on the road? 

Eden, Utah. One of my best friends lived in Utah for a few years in this small town in Northern Utah called Eden. I went to visit a bunch and had a little run of shows I would do along the way. Some of my favorite memories playing music are in that tiny town, and it definitely filled my well of inspiration each time I went to visit.  

What is your favorite meal? 

Ramen. 100%. Theres a little place by my house we go to often that is off the wall called Huntington Ramen. Also I LOVE breakfast at any time of day.

Who is your dream duet partner? 

Brandi Carlile!!! She is such an inspiration and one of the most important songwriters of our time. It would be a DREAM for her to produce a record for me.  

Who would you like to go on tour with? 

Jason Isbell, The Highwomen, Colter Wall, Miranda Lambert. Ah, SO many. I honestly would be so pumped to share the stage and road with another artist. I have not experienced that yet.

What is your ultimate career goal(s)? 

To just keep touring and playing and making records. It’s truly a dream that I get to do that now, and I’m excited for all to come and for the songs I’m working on!

HCM Daily News – September 14th, 2020

 Posted by at 9:45 pm on September 14, 2020
Sep 142020
 
Travis Tritt

Travis Tritt

Recent Country Music Headlines

Recommended Viewing – Recent Country Music Videos

This Date in Country Music History

  • 2018 – Carrie Underwood released her album Cry Pretty
  • 2016 – Luke Bryan‘s single “Kick the Dust Up” was certified platinum
  • 2010 – Hunter Hayes signed his recording deal with Atlantic Records
  • 2002 – Tim McGraw scored a #1 hit with “Unbroken”
  • 1999 – Martina McBride released her album Emotion
  • 1996 – Mindy McCready scored a #1 hit with “Guys Do It All The Time”
  • 1993 – Vince Gill released his first Christmas album, Let There Be Peace On Earth
  • 1993 – Martina McBride released her album The Way That I Am
  • 1990 – Alan Jackson released his single “Chasin’ That Neon Rainbow”
  • 1979 – Kenny Rogers received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame

Today’s Birthdays (See All Country Artist Birthdays)

  • Danielle Peck
  • John Berry

Today’s New Albums (See All Album Release Dates)

  • None Today

Today’s New Singles (See All Single Release Dates)

  • Waste of a Whiskey Drink – Gary Allan
  • Waitin’ on 5 – Chris Janson
  • Think About You – Robert Ray
  • Old Brown Bottle – George Dearborne
  • Long Live – Florida Georgia Line
  • The Mountain – Calamity Jane
  • Stand and Fight – Jamie Talbert
  • If I’m Dreamin’ – Tommy Alverson
  • And Away We Go – Derryl Perry
  • StandUP – John Eason
  • Unbridled – Alethea

Today’s Photo Flashback (See All Photos)

Contests

This Week’s Events (See All Upcoming Events)

Date/Time Event
09/15/2020
6:00 pm		 Eli Mosley – Jackson, WY
Million Dollar Cowboy Bar, Jackson WY
09/15/2020
9:00 pm		 Alabama – Livestream
09/16/2020
6:00 pm		 Eli Mosley – Jackson, WY
Million Dollar Cowboy Bar, Jackson WY
09/16/2020
8:00 pm		 ACM Awards on CBS
09/17/2020
6:00 pm		 Eli Mosley – Jackson, WY
Million Dollar Cowboy Bar, Jackson WY
09/18/2020
6:00 pm		 Eli Mosley – Jackson, WY
Million Dollar Cowboy Bar, Jackson WY
09/18/2020
11:00 pm		 Mark Chesnutt – Fort Worth, TX
Billy Bob’s Texas, Fort Worth TX
09/19/2020
6:00 pm		 Eli Mosley – Jackson, WY
Million Dollar Cowboy Bar, Jackson WY
09/19/2020
11:00 pm		 Ned LeDoux – Fort Worth, TX
Billy Bob’s Texas, Fort Worth TX
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