Tate Stevens

First and foremost, Tate Stevens is a singer! I mean a tremendous "gravy so-good-you-sop-up-every-last-drop-with-a-biscuit" singer! His voice cuts perfectly, genuinely and with an incredible mix of power, energy and brilliant color. I am a professional voice/singing student, and I believe Mr. Stevens has to be one of the (if not the) most technically correct singers (re: gifted) I have heard come out of Nashville. The man can, literally, sing the phone book and make it sound like the best thing you have ever heard. The release of his self-titled debut album introduces this singer to the entire world of country music and it does so with great fire and passion.

From the first track to the last track, you can hear the passion and the infinite joy coming from Mr. Steven's voice. This is a man who knows what he loves to do; knows what he does best and does it with every fiber of his being with heart, soul and a helluva lot of fun. Why not? If it is not fun, why do anything? Mr. Steven's has an honest, genuine and jovial demeanor not only about himself but also his music. He fits into country music like your old pair of faded blue jeans with the tobacco ring on the back pocket. I regret that I never heard him sing around the local clubs here in the Kansas City area. I am not at all surprised of his success and ultimate victory on the X Factor series. He commands his instrument and presents it in a trustworthy, believable and honest manner. My grandma always told me that “the truth hurts.” Well, in the case of Tate Stevens, I am certain it never hurt so good.

His self-titled debut album is a lot of fun to just put in the player and listen over and over again. It is fun, raucous, laid back, sentimental and just plain ornery all at the same time. There is nothing out of place and nothing that feels overdone or forced. The production quality lets his voice shine throughout the record and the blend of instruments to his voice is excellent. I mentioned his strong vocals; in places I hear shades of Craig Morgan and Ronnie Dunn (two of the best damn singers in Nashville as well) but make no mistake Tate Stevens has his own voice and it comes to amazing life on these eleven tracks. My favorites include the positivity of “Ride it Out;” the “redneckified” romance of “Can’t Get Nothin Done;” the sentimental emotion of “Ordinary Angels;” and the story behind the lyrics of “That’s Where we Live.”

Roger Carson, our morning guy, said it best when he tweeted to me that “every cut COLD be a radio hit.” Without a doubt, these eleven tracks are a great introduction to Tate Stevens. This is a record not to be missed. Sure, you can call me biased as he comes from my backyard, however, I can be objective and tell you this is as strong a debut album as I have ever heard. EVER! When Tate Stevens was born, God simply touched his vocal chords and said "you will sing." Boy howdy, does he ever sing! Congratulations, Mr. Stevens and welcome to country music! It is an honor, a great pleasure and a tremendous honor to listen to and play your music.

Brad Paisley - Wheelhouse

Brad Paisley is never one to sit on his laurels. And with his 10th album release, Wheelhouse, he has most certainly pushed himself to even greater heights. I respect and admire an artist expanding outside of their comfort zone and exploring new territory. Exploration and discovery are paramount to a life well led, otherwise, our minds and our souls become stagnant and bored. With Wheelhouse, Mr. Paisley has created the record he was moved to make and in it we hear an artist with tremendous depth, brutal honesty and an overwhelming desire to just get the music out of his head. That need to expunge his head, heart and soul drives Mr. Paisley in his music and it is clearly evident with the release of Wheelhouse.

Mr. Paisley's approach in making this record was to create a different sound. I would say that he succeeded; mightily. He even went so far as to convert an old farmhouse into a recording studio in order to create this sound. On this record you will not hear that overly clean sound of a "germ free" studio. Instead, in its place are the raw, earthier and "duller" (a compliment) sounds that musical instruments are built to make before introducing the processing and "electronification" methods of today. Think of it as a vocalist singing without the use of the auto-tuner on the voice. The best example I hear is the sound of the snare drum. It has a pure and "raspy" sound like only a real, live drum can make. Mr. Paisley has succeeded in stretching the recording process but at the same time simplifying that process to create this album. However he did it, it works. It works very well. I like it…a lot…and would like to see other artists take these chances in there music as well. By recording in this manner, Mr. Paisley has provided more credence to the authenticity and honesty that has permeated country music since its inception. Yes, I am a purist. It is not that I am opposed or afraid of the changes that are occurring in country music; hardly. I simply prefer the original countrified sounds that are historic to the genre. Today's country music is definitely not your granddad’s country music…and that is ok. Just allow us old farts to wax poetic about the good 'ol days will ya? Please? Thanks.

Music has always provided a tinge of controversy, for lack of a better term. Mostly that controversy stems from a built up lack or sense of self from those who want to believe the controversy exists. Man, generally, lashes out and argues about what they do not know and what they do not want to know. This is evidenced throughout the history of music; Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Cash, The Beatles, 2 Live Crew and even Wagner (some classical stations still refuse to play his Valkerie for fear of its double entendre meaning of Hitler and Nazi Germany.) Apparently, if mainstream media outlets are to be believed, you can include Brad Paisley in that list of names with the release of this record. Specifically, a track entitled "Accidental Racist." I find this trumped up controversy to be just that; trumped up.

The purpose of an artist's music, or any art form for that matter, is to move someone in an emotional manner or way; to connect their art with the emotions of humanity; to let people feel something. Like a painting, a play, or a dance, the words of a song are meant to touch each of us on an emotional level. This song has done exactly that. The song and lyrics are not controversial whatsoever unless you consider an honest and open dialogue about racial history to be controversial. If you listen (and not just hear) to the lyrics and the emotional feeling behind them, you cannot hear anything other than an open and honest desire to communicate and understand the viewpoint from the two sides. If this song were "racist" in any way, shape, manner or form, I highly doubt these two men would ever come together; not in a million years.

The words are honest, heartfelt and a plea from each of them to come together and understand our differences. Martin Luther King, Jr. had a speech (one of THE best speeches ever given in the history of mankind. I would encourage you to read the entire speech and not just the sound bite portion that is rolled out every year by the mainstream media) that speech held the same ideals and meaning. Is that racist? Is simply asking questions racist? What Mr. Paisley and LL Cool J have done is approach the subject from their perspective viewpoints and allowed the music to create what we should all hope for; an open dialogue that ALL honest human beings SHOULD be able to continue in an environment of safety, trust, mutual respect and collaboration.

If you are offended by this song so eloquently presented by Mr. Paisley and LL Cool J, then I truly feel sorry for you. It is time for you to take a long, hard look in the mirror and ask yourself if you are part of problem or if you want to be part of the solution. I give high regard to both Brad Paisley and LL Cool J for being courageous, honest, forthright and heartfelt in their desire to lead by example and further the discussions about race and its impact on ALL of the people in this country. I would also state that another track on this album is entitled "Those Crazy Christians." Where is the scandal, the shouts of "Blasphemer!" and the outrage in that song? The silence is deafening...and telling.

Unfortunately, I am certain too much will be made of the aforementioned track on this record. That is a shame because this is a record for the ages. Each track tells a story and each track is different in its approach and composition. I have not heard The Beatles “Sgt. Peppers” album (or was it “Yellow Submarine? I forget…I will ask Roger) but I imagine this record was made in that same vane; let’s go into the studio and just record something different and see what happens. How cool! How fun! The subject matter is solid and what you would expect in a country record and Mr. Paisley has enlisted the likes of Dierks Bentley, Charlie Daniels, Roger Miller and even Eric Idle (yes, he of Monty Python fame…ask your mom and dad or Google it) in producing this record. Each track takes you places you do not expect go…there are no formulas here…its overall sound is so different than what you hear today and with a whopping seventeen tracks, it is longer than usual records but it does not lack content, heart, soul and that Brad Paisley humor. There are too many to mention here but trust me, I think you will like this record. Put it in your player, hit start and just let it ride. You’ll hit replay more than once.

The Band Perry - Pioneer

Wow! That was my reaction after opening the new album from The Band Perry and listening to just the first two tracks. Just wow! Those first two tracks, "Better Dig Two" and "Done" also comprise the first two singles released from this, their sophomore effort, Pioneer. The two tracks are up tempo, fun and just in-your-face-raucous. With Pioneer, The Band Perry have given us a solid and enjoyable record with just enough of a pop sound to provide for the Nashville crossover strategy, however, it does so without compromising the true art form that is country music; storytelling.

The Band Perry first hit the scene in 2009. The three siblings hail from Mississippi, Alabama and finally Tennessee so their country roots have grown deep and are well-watered. They hit country radio with their first single "Hip to My Heart." I recall playing it for a minute or two but their second single, "If I Die Young" cemented their stay on the charts as it became their first number one single. They have also won both new artist categories for the CMA and ACM organizations. All told, The Band Perry to date has released seven singles; 3 of those seven have gone on to reach number one on the singles chart. Having 50% (almost…so far) of released music reach the top of the charts is a tremendous feat and it does not appear that The Band Perry is going anywhere but to the top anywhere soon.

Pioneer is a terrific blend of country, rock and pop that flows together easily. There is nothing that feels terribly out of place for this group. The production is top-notch with great care given to the mix of vocals to instrumentation; nothing feels or sounds overpowering; nothing feels "klugy" or out of place to the ear. Kimberly delivers solid, powerful and effortless vocals. Her lyrical voice is such a good fit in style and emotion during the ballads and ramps up to great energy and heights during the up tempo numbers. Brothers Neil and Reid are excellent musicians. The three of them go together so well; it must be the sibling thing. They are on the same page in every aspect of this record. The aforementioned first two tracks are great songs that are radio-friendly and presented with tremendous energy and passion. Other favorites on the album include the sweet and endearing title track, "Pioneer." The strong, independent "I'm a Keeper" and the Mother's Day themed "Mother Like Mine."

Call me a fan of The Band Perry. In the country music world of today…dominated by a pop-ish sound…these three have not strayed far from the art form of country music and its great ability to tell a story and consume the listener on a great emotional and sometimes spiritual level. Pioneer displays great discipline in staying true to themselves and their roots of country music, but it also allows them to leverage the strength of the country music brand and still invite others into the fold. Pioneer is not just a record name but a fine example from The Band Perry in demonstrating great ability to forge a path for the music industry to follow.

Thomspson Square - Just Feels Good

I vividly recall sitting in my sophomore English class when Mr. Hanna….my favorite non-music (I was a "choir jock") teacher…first introduced me to the word sophomore. "Wise fools. You are all wise fools, otherwise known as sophomores." He continued with the Latin meaning of the word sophomore translates to wise fools. Knowing that definition today allows a better understanding of the phrase sophomore slump; the first time was great but can that greatness achieved the first time be continued. In the case of Thompson Square and their new album Just Feels Good, please continue to listen. There is no slump anywhere nearby to be heard here.

Quite the contrary; there seems to be a much deeper, peaceful, easy, effortless feel and sound to their second release. The songwriting is real, relatable and un-forced. Their voices blend together with a perfect blend of smoky edginess from him and angelic brightness from her. The blend of their voices reminds me of some other duos in country music royalty; Tim and Faith; Porter and Dolly; George and Tammy. Their sound is as incredibly comfortable as sliding your feet into an old, worn pair of boots.

The years of hard work, paying dues and "singing for supper" has been typical for The Thompson's…married for ten-plus years based on a true-to-life "love at first sight" meeting at a singing competition in Nashville. They spent time as solo artists, doing their own thing, however, the sparks really flew when they decided to give it a go together; they have not looked back since. One would think that spending that much time together would not be conducive to the rigors of the music industry. T2 has made it look easy because as wife Shawna says, "So many of our dreams have come true and it’s so much sweeter because I’ve gotten to share them with not only my husband but my best friend.” T2 are artists and role models; an unbeatable combination.

The reigning ACM Top Vocal Duo and CMA Vocal Duo of the Year had a hand in penning six of the albums thirteen tracks. (Note: There is a deluxe edition available through an exclusive arrangement with Walmart that contains an extra three tracks.) David Lee Murphy and The Warren Brothers provide material as well. The content is auto-biographical as it documents their journey from the initial spark of romance, to marriage and all its trials and tribulations. Favorite tracks include: "That's So Me and You," "I Can't Outrun You" and the lead-off single, "If I Didn't Have You."

Just Feels Good plays out like a nice little mini-series on the lives of Shawna and Keifer Thompson. Pop a cold one, grab your favorite snack, "turn it up to 11" and listen and learn the story of Thompson Square. If there is such as thing as must hear radio, Just Feels Good by Thompson Square is episode #1!