Matthew Mayfield track
Download “Come Back Home” off Matthew’s latest release, Now You’re Free.
How: Sign up at http://matthewmayfield.com/
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It was a night of jaw-dropping collaborations, surprises and new music at the 46th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards.
“Alright Mandalay Bay, ready to see a little music history?” Sugarland’s Kristian Bush asked the audience before bandmate Jennifer Nettles and R&B/pop sensation Rihanna took to the Mandalay Bay Hotel & Casino stage.
And music history it was. Rihanna appeared alone in a knock-out white dress, singing the first verse of her new single, ‘California King Bed’ as Jennifer’s vocals could be heard in the background. Soon, Jennifer appeared side stage and the two alternated singing lead and harmonizing throughout the remainder of the track. The vulnerable ballad showcased each artist’s incredibly powerful vocals and was just one of the many unexpected collaborations of the night.
Brad Paisley kicked off the night of collaborations at the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino with his current single, ‘Old Alabama.’ Wearing blue jeans, a black Alabama concert t-shirt and his classic white cowboy hat, Brad wowed the crowd with his guitar skills for his tribute to the iconic country band before they came out and joined him mid-song. Alabama walked onstage with their guitars in hand to screams and helped Brad close the song with a fast-paced guitar jam.
For my complete review and photos of last night’s ACM Awards, visit The Boot.
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ACM Awards Live Tonight!
The 46th Academy of Country Music Awards air tonight at 8PM ET/PT on CBS. I’ll be live tweeting the night’s winners and writing up a review for tomorrow, so stay tuned this week for more.
Be sure to watch the awards for much anticipated performances by Sugarland’s Jennifer Nettles with Rihanna and Zac Brown Band with James Taylor as well as Alabama, Jason Aldean, Dierks Bentley, Ronnie Dunn, Miranda Lambert, Martina McBride, Reba McEntire, Brad Paisley, Blake Shelton, Taylor Swift, Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban and many, many more.
ACM nominee and host, Blake Shelton’s newest single, “Who Are You When I’m Not Looking” is a beautiful ballad that I’ve had stuck in my head all week. Watch it below and be sure to catch him tomorrow night hosting the Academy of Country Music Awards on CBS at 8pm.
With performances by Sugarland’s Jennifer Nettles and Rihanna as well as Taylor Swift, Brad Paisley, Eric Church, The Band Perry, Randy Houser, Little Big Town, Steel Magnolia, Laura Bell Bundy, and many more, the night is sure to be a fun one. Be sure to follow my live coverage on Twitter.
For a behind the scenes promo of the ACM’s watch Blake and Reba talk of hosting the award’s show.
Photo Credit: Matt Simpson
Fans went crazy Tuesday night at New York’s legendary Ed Sullivan Theater when country icon Willie Nelson made a surprise appearance with Snoop Dogg during the rapper’s ‘Live on Letterman’ performance. Willie talked of their time together in Amsterdam before the duo sang ‘Superman,’ a track Willie wrote for Snoop’s last album.
This is the second time the fast friends have collaborated. Willie is also featured on the rapper’s track, ‘My Medicine,’ which is dedicated to Willie’s late buddy Johnny Cash. Stay tuned for my complete review and the video from their ‘Live on Letterman’ performance.
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Song of the Week: "Georgia Clay"
I’ve had Josh Kelley’s upcoming release, Georgia Clay, on repeat all weekend. His debut country album, first single and album title, “Georgia Clay” is a feel good song of nostalgia. Light guitar and Kelley’s smooth vocals combine with powerful percussion to round out the track.
“Ain’t it funny how some things take you back/And the here and now just fades to black,” he sings passionately.
Written with his brother, Lady Antebellum’s Charles Kelley, and Clint Lagerberg, the song is an adequate introduction to Kelley as a country artist.
Watch the music video below. I’ll be spending the day with Josh this Tuesday during his album release in New York and covering the day’s events for The Boot. Be sure to send me your questions in the comments and follow me on Twitter for complete updates!
A few weeks ago, I caught Pearl and the Beard live when they performed at Brooklyn Bowl for Brunch After Dark. Their set powerfully engaged the crowd with memorizing harmonies and haunting musical accompaniment.
The stripped down “Black Vessel” impresses with light, finger picked guitar and string interludes while soaring harmonies from Jocelyn Mackenzie, Emily Hope Price and Jeremy Styles flush out the song. Additional tracks like “Good Dog” and “Donny and Johnny” feature beautiful harmonies with dark string accompaniment. For more on the band, visit their website and if you’re headed to SXSW be sure to catch them live at these showcases.
Watch Pearl and the Beard perform “Oh, Death” live below.
And watch their entertaining music video of a Will Smith medley below.
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Song of the Week: "Element"
I witnessed Matthew Mayfield live for the first time during last year’s CMJ festival and was blown away by his performance. I was fortunate enough to stumble into his set at Rockwood Music Hall and was truly impressed. Alone onstage with acoustic guitar and his deep vocals, he quickly became one of my Top 5 Artists to Watch.
Since I received a copy of his upcoming release, Now You’re Free, in the mail last week I haven’t been able to stop listening. I’ll have a complete review for you next week, but here’s a sneak peak of one of the tracks, “Element.” My favorite song on the album, the lyrics and vocals are powerful and emotional.
Written when he was 19, he says it’s the one song that’s stuck around so long that he still likes. Watch it below and to download the first track on the album, “Come Back Home,” visit his Web site.
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Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real
With nearly 270 shows lined up this year, Lukas Nelson and Promise of the Real are taking the world by storm with their debut release, ‘Promise of the Real.’ After a jaw-dropping ‘Late Show With David Letterman’ performance last month and stints opening for Willie Nelson [Lukas’ dad], B.B. King and Dave Matthews, as well as sharing the stage with Steven Tyler, Neil Young and Bob Dylan, the band have already made a name for themselves.
Made up of singer/songwriter/guitarist Lukas Nelson, drummer Anthony LoGerfo, percussionist Tato Melgar, and bassist Corey McCormick, the band sat down with me to talk about their live show (including Lukas’ playful homage to Jimi Hendrix), their advocacy and just what it was like growing up with the Redheaded Stranger as your father. You can read some of my interview below, and for the complete Q&A visit The Boot.
I love the band name. So, just what is this ‘real’ you’re promising?
Anthony: Promise of the Real came from just wanting to be real with our music. You look at a lot of music today and they have all these special effects, smoke-and-mirrors. We’re just trying to keep it like the old-school guys did.
Lukas: It means that we promise to stay true to who we are. We aren’t going to be perfect, and we aren’t going to try and make it so that every show is the same. It means that we’re going to do the best we can, but we’re not going to Auto-Tune our voices. We’re not going to make sacrifices to our integrity as a band because we don’t have to. We want to support ourselves so we can be able to support a family and then after that, we want to give it all back.
What’s your songwriting process?
Lukas: It changes every time I write a song. Sometimes it’s a hook or chorus, or then it’s a riff and then it’s like chiseling wood. When I was a young kid, I read something that [Bob] Dylan said. He treats his lyrics as if every line could be the title of a song. I thought that was pretty cool. I looked at all his lyrics and took that to heart. I listen to people like Bob and Neil and my dad and Kris Kristofferson and the Beatles, Ray Charles. Those are my heroes, and they influence me, writing-wise.
Anthony: As a band backing up Lukas, when he brings his songs to the table, we try to keep them as pure as we can. Lukas will either write on the road or at home, and we arrange everything the same way — basically on the road. In the back of the bus, we’re arranging music and then we do it in sound check.
Lukas, you’ve adapted Jimi Hendrix’s technique of playing guitar with his teeth. How did that come about?
Lukas: I don’t play all the time with my teeth, but, yeah, it’s a tribute to him and it’s fun to do. It was fun to learn that I could do it. I just tried it one day and I was like, “OK, that’s not too bad. I know where all the strings are and I can pluck them.” I chipped my tooth a couple months ago. People get weird about teeth. They cringe when I do it sometimes. It’s fun to be able to put on a show and not have to rely on special effects. We have enough energy on our own where we don’t need all that stuff.
For more of my interview with Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real, visit The Boot.
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Album Review: Timeseven's "This Road"
William Hayden’s passion for music dates back to the 60’s. As a child, he dreamed of being a performer on “American Bandstand,” and from the first time he held a guitar in his hands, he was hooked. Many years and life lessons later, Hayden is back with his new group, Timeseven. Hayden wrote and composed each song on the 10-track release, This Road, while Mark Williams lent his voice on the compilation. Williams’ refreshing vocals combined with Hayden’s relatable lyrics make for an impressive release.
Complete with tales of love, loss and life’s ups and downs, Hayden’s songs are emotional and realistic. Anyone who has witnessed love or heartache will find something to grasp onto. While the start of the LP provides much optimism during the early stages of a relationship, by the end of This Road, the honeymoon period is long over. Throughout the 10 tracks, the listener witnesses the first blossom of love to the mournful death and heartache of love lost, which is a true testament to Hayden’s ability and intricacies as a songwriter.
“Just Like You” introduces Timeseven with soft vocals, smooth guitar and percussion accompaniment. Williams’ refreshing singing style combined with delicate electric guitar interludes impress and quickly draws the listener in. “I’ve been waiting a long time to tell someone I love you/Now I’m thinking that someone is you/ I’ve been looking a long time for somebody just like you/I’ve been waiting a long time for you/I’ve traveled all around the world/Just to find your shining smile and face/And your hand holding mine,” Williams sings. With a soaring guitar interlude mid-song and solid percussion throughout, the album opener aptly entices listeners to delve into the remaining nine tracks. The next song, “Free” quickens the pace. Hayden’s introspective and uplifting lyrics mesh well with Williams’ singing style making a mark on the listener.
Hayden mentions in his biography the therapeutic process songwriting has on him. “Tapping into my own personal experiences and being as honest as I can, I hope my songs will touch a chord and resonate with the listener on a deep level. Thoughts and memories, whether of joy or heartbreak replaying over and again in my head, are now woven into my songs. Songwriting has helped me to heal from the inevitable wounds of life and to celebrate its victories,” he writes.
Every track on the LP showcases this honesty. A heartbreaking tale of loneliness, “Just the Thought of You” demonstrates Williams’ deeper vocals with light guitar strumming. “I’ve traveled all around the world just to find myself alone/I’ve spent my nights alone/Just talking to myself/Holding onto a dream in my mind/With my heart up on the shelf,” he sings. With a soft almost whisper-like singing style, “Just the Thought of You” and next track, “Invisible Man” bring to mind singer-songwriter Joshua Radin.
While “Just the Thought of You” is a somewhat uplifting tale, “Invisible Man” follows suit with introspection and continuous questioning. A slower ballad that embodies the hope to find content in life, Hayden shows his ability to understand the human psyche and have listeners relate. “I’m the invisible man/See me while you can/I’m here today but tomorrow I’ll be gone” he sings with desperation in his voice and slow paced musical accompaniment.
The light-hearted “Your Love” switches gears and recalls Jack Johnson with intricate guitar finger picking and soft vocals. With delicate percussion, the feel good song further demonstrates Timeseven’s prowess as musicians. Additionally, the stand-out “Ordinary Man” brings to mind John Mayer with bluesy guitar interludes while “I Still Think of You” tells the dark tale of unfulfilled dreams. “Movin’ On” follows suit and slows down the pace until album closer and title track “This Road.”
No doubt an impressive debut release, it is the slower ballads that drag the album to a close instead of ending strongly. This Road would have made more of an impact if the fast paced tracks and ballads were dispersed evenly throughout the album, and as a result would greatly help the flow.