Tag: Country

MIXTAPE: Eleven Hundred Springs’ Songs by Talented Friends

Posted on by Editor

I have always maintained that whatever you do as a career, the great takeaway is the relationships you make along the way. That’s certainly been my experience in music. I have had the opportunity to get to know and share stages with so many talented people that play many different styles of music. This Mixtape is just a taste of the long list of friends who blow me away regularly with their songs, live shows, and friendship. — Matt Hillyer, Eleven Hundred Springs

Brennen Leigh & Noel McKay – “Breaking Up Is Easy”

I have been a fan of each of these folks independently of each other before they started making music together. Both of them sing and write so well. I chose this song because I really dig the groove and the way they sing together on it. There’s a moment when Brennen is singing underneath Noel while he’s singing the lead that is just so great. Truly though, I’m a fan of everything they’ve done. Separate or together.

Courtney Patton – “So This Is Life”

Courtney is like my sister. We have a lot of fun together. This song is just about as perfect an example as I’ve ever heard of an honest accounting of witnessing love coming together and falling apart. Being that honest is so difficult and she nailed it.

Max Stalling – “Blue Eyes”

Max is one of my best friends in “the biz.” We both kinda got our start at the same time and place, and he’s super great guy. He’s also able to paint a picture with words like no one else. This song I love because it’s a testament to his abilities as a poet, but also with melody. It’s a straight ahead danceable country love song.

The Wagoneers – “Sit A Little Closer”

When I started playing in bands I was 13 and into rockabilly. Through some twist of fate I crossed paths with this band and they took me under their wing. They were my introduction to so much great country music. They have such a great live show. Their frontman, Monte Warden, taught me so much about how to write songs.

The Derailers – “100% Pure Fool”

When Eleven Hundred Springs was beginning, The Derailers were a real example to us. The band was so tight. Their love of all things traditional country, particularly the Bakersfield sound meant a lot to us. They had roots in the rockabilly world. They were our kind of band. They were also very kind to us every time we got the chance to share the stage. This song was always a barn burner at their shows.

Mike & The Moonpies – “Steak Night at the Prairie Rose”

In the same way that I think the Derailers felt good about a young band coming up behind them that cared about traditional country music when they looked at Eleven Hundred Springs, that’s how we feel about the Moonpies. They’re great and they give a damn. They work their asses off and write great songs. I feel like they’re just getting better and better. The Steak Night record felt like a real turning point for them though.

Jason Eady – “Wishful Drinking”

Jason’s A.M. Country Heaven record is one of my favorites of all time. It’s a solid collection of great country songs. It’s hard for me to narrow down any one favorite, but this may be it.

The Tejas Brothers – “Don’t Be So Mean”

The music of the Texas Tornados and Doug Sahm have always been so influential to Eleven Hundred Springs. The first time we played with The Tejas Brothers, it was a natural match. Their connection to that sound was something we loved. We became friends instantly and found as many ways to collaborate as we could and we remain close to this day.

Joshua Ray Walker – “Canyon”

When we discover new artists on the scene that are doing really great things, it’s so exciting. Joshua Ray Walker is someone who’s topping that list right now. He’s such a great writer, singer, and guitar picker. Our friendship is just beginning, but I look forward to a lot of fun collaborations with him.

Reverend Horton Heat – “We Belong Forever”

Jim Heath has been one of my biggest mentors since I was 12. He’s always been like a big brother. Not only is his talent and voice one of a kind, but his work ethic has been a huge example. He and his band are truly self-made. This song isn’t the typical loud rocking tune the band is known for, but it showcases their ability to take it down to something quiet and also play something beautiful. I love the way the guitar melody on the high strings go along with the walking bass on the low strings. Not everybody can do that.

Tommy Alverson – “My Hometown”

Over the years Tommy and I’s relationship has evolved from him being a mentor to friendship. I have learned a lot playing shows with him, and I always feel like family when I’m with him and his son Justin, who is also a dear friend.

Walt Wilkins – “When It Was Country”

When spending time with Walt, I always hope some of his cool will rub off. This song makes the hair on the back of my neck stand up every time.

The String – Beth Nielsen Chapman

Posted on by Chris Jacobs

Often when songwriters talk process, we hear the same few nuggets about craft on repeat. Not Nashville Songwriters Hall of Famer Beth Nielsen Chapman, though. She has a deeply considered take on the art form and the personal work and qualities of mindfulness that truly unlock creative potential.

LISTEN: APPLE PODCASTS

Chapman’s workshops and lectures are in high demand and coming in 2020 she launches The Song School, a podcast that will include her wisdom and critiques of real songs in real time. Here, she invites host Craig Havighurst into her home studio to talk about her success as an artist and writer for others (Willie Nelson, Tanya Tucker, Faith Hill, Trisha Yearwood, and many more) and how she keeps the flame lit.

WATCH: Grammy Nominee Tyler Childers on ‘Late Night with Seth Meyers’

Posted on by Justin Hiltner

After a whirlwind year in 2019, Tyler Childers’ star is burning bright as ever at the start of this new decade with a Grammy nomination for “All Your’n,” a single off of his third full-length album, Country Squire. Released in August of last year, Country Squire fulfilled the promises of his previous breakout record Purgatory.

Childers takes bold steps as a mature writer and a gifted vocalist; the project is shaped like a concept album in which each song flows one right into the next, connecting the music and painting the record with a consistent palette allowing the songs to feel like a complete collection. The Grammy nod for Best Country Solo Performance is testament enough to the marked vocal prowess of the redhead from Kentucky. 

Childers and his band, the Food Stamps, are preparing for a very busy touring schedule in 2020 with highlights that include four sold-out concerts at the Ryman in Nashville, joining country outlaw Sturgill Simpson for his A Good Look’n Tour, and shows all over Europe. Watch as he performs the title track from his latest record on Late Night with Seth Meyers.

Photo courtesy of the artist

WATCH: John Anderson, “Years”

Posted on by Editor

Artist: John Anderson
Song: “Years”
Album: Years
Release Date: April 10, 2020
Label: Easy Eye Sound

In Their Words: “My life has been a true blessing. I could have never dreamed to have lived as happily and as well as I’ve lived all these years. And if I passed away tomorrow, all the folks that knew me well could say, ‘Well, boy, he sure lived like he wanted to live.'” — John Anderson

Photo credit: Alysse Gafkjen

WATCH: Brandy Clark, “Who You Thought I Was”

Posted on by Editor

Artist: Brandy Clark
Song: “Who You Thought I Was”
Album: Your Life Is a Record
Release Date: March 6, 2020
Label: Warner Records

In Their Words: “The seed of the song came from something that John Prine said a couple of years ago at the Americana Awards. He walked out onstage at the Ryman and everyone stood up and clapped for what felt like five minutes. When everyone sat down, he said with a little laugh, ‘Well, I’m John Prine, but I’d like to go back to being who you thought I was.’ Man… that hit me. The songwriter in me instantly knew it was a song and the heart in me knew it was how I had felt in my own life many times. I mean who of us hasn’t let somebody down or wanted to be the version of ourselves that someone who loved us thought we were?” — Brandy Clark

Photo credit: Chris Phelps

LISTEN: James Steinle, “Back Out on the Road”

Posted on by Editor

Artist: James Steinle
Hometown: Pleasanton, Texas
Song: “Back Out on the Road”
Album: What I Came Here For
Release Date: February 7, 2020
Label: Shotgun House Records

In Their Words: “‘Back Out on the Road’ is about putting a face on in a relationship — and how one day the final straw breaks the camel’s back and you’re off to the races. One of the topics I visit a bunch on this record is the idea of being unhappy in a relationship and having the hunch it won’t work out in the long run, competing with a personality type that makes it hard to see people hurt. And so the vicious, drawn-out cycle begins. It always makes matters worse.” — James Steinle

Photo credit: Juliet McConkey

MIXTAPE: Sideline’s Motivation Music

Posted on by Editor

When we sat down to put together this mixtape we realized that the best playlist to pull from had already been created by Steve Dilling, our banjo player. These are songs that we actively listen to on a weekly basis. The theme also became obvious, because it truly is why we listen to these songs — motivation.

Sideline has been an actively touring group for about six years. We had started out with only four to six shows a year. Now we’re up to 130 shows, meaning roughly 200 days away from home. Road life isn’t easy, especially when it’s that heavy. Being pulled away from home and family for that long. Traveling hundreds of miles day and night. It can be easy to get weary and drawn. When we want to get a glimpse at the reason why we do this, and why we really love it so much to go through it all, we pull out this playlist.

We could’ve had a weekend of tough crowds, or maybe tough income. We’ve had several breakdowns that have left us sitting there feeling as low as one can get. So we pull out this playlist. It’s the perfect combination of songs to not only pull you out of the ditch, but get you excited and ready to take whatever is in front of you. It motivates us and gives us something to strive for musically. We hope you get the same motivation from it as we do! — Skip Cherryholmes, Sideline

Ronnie Milsap – “Don’t You Ever Get Tired (Of Hurting Me)”

Ronnie Milsap knows how to make you feel every single word. The way he comes back in on the last chorus, and his ending tag line are especially significant. Unbridled emotion. Unbridled talent.

Lee Ann Womack – “Never Again, Again”

This song just hits you in the face right out of the gate. The lead and harmony vocals are so tight and emotional all at once. It’s so sad, and it has so much power behind it.

Ronnie Milsap – “Stranger Things Have Happened”

Another vocal gem. This song was recorded at a time when tuning and pitch fixing didn’t exist. The performance is passionate and flawless. Whether you pull from the lows or the highs of this song, it will not leave you wanting anything but just more of it.

The Doobie Brothers – “Long Train Running”

This song has so much drive and groove, accompanied by energetic harmonies. As a band that focuses heavily on rhythm, this song always gets the creative juices flowing.

Stevie Wonder – “Superstition”

This song is all groove. There is so much space between beats. At first glance you might feel like it’s nice and even, but then you realize that it pushes the whole way through. It can physically excite you with every turnaround.

The Bluegrass Album Band – “Blue Ridge Cabin Home”

There really isn’t a bad Bluegrass Album Band song, but this is one for the history books. J.D. Crowe and Tony Rice’s performance has set the standard for so many musicians. It is 100% bluegrass in its most natural form, and it is always just as exciting.

Kansas – “Carry on Wayward Son”

Vocals. Rhythm. Energy. Arrangement. Lead guitar work. This song has every bit of these elements to the max. It changes time signatures three times and changes grooves twice, all seamlessly. It hits the excitement nerve nonstop.

Journey – “Separate Ways (Worlds Apart)”

Steve Perry’s vocal is immaculate. The song has such a drive behind it. The intro is iconic, and catches your attention from the very first notes.

Nickel Creek – “Smoothie Song”

Chris Thile is one of the most brilliant players of our time. This song creates a blend of intricate performance and aggressive energy. The beat drives hard, as does Chris’ right hand on the bouzouki.

Sideline – “Crash Course in the Blues”

This song was fun to put together. We were looking for a song that we could jam to and have fun with. Steve came across this Steve Wariner tune one day and it was a perfect fit. It really gives everyone a chance to shine! We tracked it as live as possible to capture that fun energy.

Sideline – “Return to Windy Mountain”

There is nothing like a good story song and the life of Melvin Goins is a great story. This song has nods and elements to his classic sound, along with our own take on things. Finding the blend between the music and the lyrics is one of the best parts about recording and it made this song a blast to put together.

Sideline – “Thunder Dan”

When we put this song together we had no idea what it would do when it came out, let alone that it would win IBMA’s Song of the Year. It’s a catchy tune with a cool story. It was all about playing it to a mean groove and giving the lyrics the best background. People really took to it, singing along and requesting it everywhere.

Photo credit: Stephanie Cherryholmes

LISTEN: Bradley N Adair, “Oh Darlin'”

Posted on by Editor

Artist: Bradley N Adair (Dale Ann Bradley and Tina Adair)
Song: “Oh Darlin'” (O’Kanes cover)
Album: Not yet titled, expected in early 2020
Label: Pinecastle Records

In Their Words: “I love the O’Kanes. I thought of this while on the way to the studio to begin work on the album. It had been on a wish list to record. I sent it to Tina and she loved it also. It’s set up so well for bluegrass/Americana, or as I still say ‘folk’ duo.” — Dale Ann Bradley

Best of: Friends & Neighbors 2019

Posted on by Justin Hiltner

At BGS HQ one of our favorite, most-used phrases is “the BGS family.” Roots music is all about community, the people who coalesce around these genres and the spaces they inhabit being just as integral as the actual music-making itself. We always enjoy turning the spotlight on these communities, and one of the ways we do this best is by celebrating and lifting up the folks who’ve always been part of our BGS family, while constantly being on the prowl for new faces and stories to bring into the fold.

This year one of the most tangible representations of our BGS family through our content and coverage was our Friends & Neighbors column, simple features of must-see videos by artists, songwriters, and musicians we consider family (and friends and neighbors!) Y’all were on board. So many of our F&N posts were our most-popular, most-engaged with, and most-enjoyed music of the year! Thank you for being another essential part of our BGS family and for seeing what we’re trying to accomplish here and making that happen. Enjoy our best of Friends & Neighbors from 2019.

Boyz II Men and Steep Canyon Rangers, “Be Still Moses”

Boyz to bluegrass?! You read that right. R&B legends and vocal virtuosos Boyz II Men collaborated with North Carolina’s Steep Canyon Rangers for this stunning reproduction of the bluegrass group’s 2007 song,“Be Still Moses.” During a Boyz II Men performance at Nashville’s Schermerhorn Symphony Center, twelve members of the Asheville Symphony joined the Rangers for this video, capturing what may very well be a once-in-a-lifetime performance of the song.

Rhiannon Giddens, Tiny Desk Concert

Former Carolina Chocolate Drops leader and old-time music maven Rhiannon Giddens has the uncanny ability to sing through an audience. In May, she released her third full-length, studio album, there is no Other, with Nonesuch Records. In this new chapter, Giddens collaborated with Italian multi-instrumentalist Francesco Turrisi, who is known for his virtuosity on percussion and jazz piano. Giddens, Turrisi, and bassist Jason Sypher stopped by NPR to perform some music from the latest record; watch as they stun the audience huddled around the Tiny Desk.

The Highwomen, “Redesigning Women”

Four world-class artists, one incredible supergroup — what’s not to love? The Highwomen have been taking the world by storm as they bring together some of country and Americana’s finest singers and songwriters. It’s no wonder their album has made many a year-end “best of” list — including our Top Moments of 2019.

Tanya Tucker, Brandi Carlile, and Tenille Townes, “Delta Dawn”

Three generations of country music come together in one performance: Tenille Townes, a newbie on the country block; Brandi Carlile, a soon-to-be modern legend at the peak of her career; and Tanya Tucker, a legendary performer whose album, While I’m Livin’, was one of our favorites of the year. Together, the trio performs “Delta Dawn,” one of Tucker’s signature songs.

Molly Tuttle, “Take the Journey”

It’s been a huge year for Molly Tuttle. She’s blazed a trail through modern bluegrass, become one of the most prominent pickers around, and now she’s taking on roots music realms further and further from the string band territory in which she grew up. Feel the rhythm and energy in Tuttle’s national television debut performance  of “Take the Journey,” our most popular Friends & Neighbors post of the year!

Photo of Molly Tuttle courtesy of Compass Records
Photo of Tanya Tucker, Brandi Carlile, and Tenille Townes courtesy of Cracker Barrel

Bill Keith, “Auld Lang Syne”

Posted on by Justin Hiltner

Before we turn out the light on 2019 — and the 2010s — let’s celebrate one last Tunesday Tuesday. This column began in 2018 as our instrumental answer to our now-dormant Song of the Week feature, with an understanding that roots music (especially bluegrass, old-time, and country) wouldn’t exist without virtuosic pickers, and that most outlets, by nature being centered on more commercial forms of music, tend to overlook the incredible offerings of instrumentalists.

As we look ahead to more tunes, more breakdowns and waltzes and jigs and polkas, in 2020, it’s a fitting time to visit “Auld Lang Syne” as recorded by Bluegrass Hall of Famer and banjoist extraordinaire Bill Keith in 1976 on Something Auld, Something Newgrass, Something Borrowed, Something Bluegrass. (Please, on behalf of the tenor of this column, ignore the sung verse by Jim Rooney — or simply treat it as a once-hollered refrain line in an old-time tune that doesn’t negate the tuney-ness of it all. Everybody good?)

Joined by Tony Rice, David Grisman, Vassar Clements, and Tom Gray, this version of the truly ubiquitous, ingrained melody begins with a jazzy, ragtime flair, circa the late 1800s and banjo’s golden age. Then, as most bluegrass covers of non-bluegrass tunes go, it kicks into time with the chord progression massaged towards diatonic simplicity and the tempo dialed into ideal banjo range. Keith utilizes his namesake tuners and signature melodic style to capture the song in a way that oozes traditional bluegrass, but is still fresh and innovative — even forty plus years on. It’s a perfect banjo-y, bluegrassy way to bring in a new year and say goodbye to the old, too.

Happy 2020!