WALKIN

WALKIN’ A COUNTRY MILE

COUNTRY MUSIC COLUMN

by Scott Stem

Happy New Year! I hope you had a great holiday and that 2005 will be your best year yet.

SUZY BOGGUSS Still Worth The Time...

Right before Christmas I had the opportunity to see Suzy Bogguss in concert at the Belcourt Theater in Nashville. It was a fun show, filled with Christmas music as well as some of her big hits like “Drive South” and “Letting Go.”

Bogguss has always been one of my favorite female Country singers, and her performance was a true pleasure. While she’s rarely on the radio these days, she recently released two albums on Compadre Records that are worth your time. The first is her delightful western swing album Swing co-produced by Ran Benson of Asleep At The Wheel fame. The second is her holiday album, Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas.

If you can’t find them in stores, log on: www.Bogguss.com or www.CompadreRecords.com to place your order.

CMA MUSIC FEST Around The Corner...

It’s time to start planning your summer vacations. One of the best destinations for Country Music lovers is the CMA Music Festival, held in Nashville on June 9-12, 2005. The four day event drew over 132,000 folks last year. While the artist line-up has not yet been announced, you never have to worry. Nearly every Country artist from the last 34 years has participated in this event at one time or another. Log on to www.CMAfest.com for tickets and more information.

2004 A Great Year For Country Music...

Last year was a great one for Country Music. Album sales were up. New artists like Dierks Bentley, Big & Rich, Josh Turner and Gretchen Wilson made an impact. And Country tours were among the top tours of the year.

As we enter 2005, I thought I’d list some of my favorite albums from 2004.

Big & Rich / Horse of a Different Color.

Probably one of the most unique albums I’ve heard in a long time, and definitely one of my favorites of the year. Big Kenny & John Rich present their own style of Country Music (“without prejudice,” as they would say) with songs like – “Save A Horse, Ride A Cowboy,” “Love Train” and “Holy Water.” The harmonious mixture of Country, rock and rap works wonderfully.

Mary Chapin Carpenter / Between Here and Gone

It’s always a treat when Carpenter releases an album. One of the most successful female Country singers of the ‘90s returned this year with another fantastic project. It barely received notice among the press or on radio airwaves, which is a shame. Carpenter is always a great songwriter and song interpreter; in times like we live in today, she’s brilliant. This album deserves a second look – seek it out.

Ray Charles / Genius Loves Company

While this is not a Country album, it is one of the best albums of the year. Charles left his mark on Country Music, so it is only fitting that he be included in this wrap-up of the year’s best. This collection of duets features Elton John, Norah Jones, Willie Nelson, Bonnie Raitt and more. The duet with Natalie Cole on “Fever” is absolutely breathtaking, while the live performance of “Crazy Love” with Van Morrison is outstanding. A classic album and a wonderful present to the fans of Charles and his music.

Terri Clark / Greatest Hits

Okay, so a Greatest Hits album isn’t always a great choice for a “Best of…” list. But this album made me realize what a wonderful catalog of songs Clark has delivered in the last several years. “I’ve Got Better Things To Do,” “If I Were You,” “I Just Wanna Be Mad” and the single, “Girls Lie Too” are among the best Country Music songs from the last decade. Clark’s music provides a heartfelt, fascinating and at times humorous female perspective to Country Music. We need to hear more from her, and this album illustrates why.

Jedd Hughes / Transcontinental

This Australian young man has delivered a debut album that is a fun listen. Hughes is a combination of Keith Urban’s guitar-playing skills and Bryan White’s vocal stylings and innocent good looks. The album, featuring the single “High Lonesome,” is a fun listen.

Elton John / Peachtree Road

While not a Country album, Peachtree Road contains songs that would feel natural if Country radio would play them. It’s Elton at near-excellence. From the opening “Weight of the World” to the Americana-ish “Porch Swing in Tupelo” to “Turn The Lights Out When You Leave” and more, the album is brilliant. Elton (who now lives in Atlanta) is a known Country fan – particularly of the music of Earl Scruggs and Tammy Wynnette. There is a Country influence on this album (even some steel guitar in places). It’s an album for adults by an adult who’s seen it all.

Norah Jones / Feels Like Home

While not promoted as a Country album, this project has a decidedly Country feel that would fit at home on any Country radio station. The duet with Dolly Parton on “Creepin’ In” is a high point on an album filled with high points.

Alison Krauss & Union Station / Lonely Runs Both Ways

The talented Krauss and Union Station always do fantastic work, and this project is no exception. Krauss’s voice sounds like an angel. The musicianship on this album is exquisite. There’s a reason why critics adore this band – they’re amazing.

Loretta Lynn / Van Lear Rose

One of the best albums I heard all year. The Coal Miner’s Daughter recaptures her crown as the Queen of Country Music with this album, produced by Jack White of the White Stripes. Stone-cold Country Music with songs like “I Miss Being Mrs. Tonight,” “Family Tree,” “Trouble on the Line,” and the title cut. The duet between Lynn and White on “Portland, Oregon” is powerful and fun. This album finds Lynn in an adventuresome mood that brings out many sides of her talent. If you buy one album this year – THIS is the album to buy. Pure excellence.

Tim McGraw / Live Like You Were Dying

While I liked his previous album (Tim McGraw and the Dancehall Doctors) better, I’m still very impressed with this album as well. McGraw is not the greatest singer in the world, but he has a wonderful talent for picking amazing songs and conveying emotions. The title cut is one of the most life-affirming songs out there, while “Blank Sheet of Paper” will just nail you to the floor once you’ve heard it. McGraw continues his reign as the current King of Country.

Dolly Parton / Live And Well

An album by Dolly Parton is always an event. A 2-CD live album of her last tour is an extravaganza of delight.

The album features many of her greatest hits, including “Coat of Many Colors,” “Tennessee Mountain Home,” “Jolene,” “9 to 5,” and “I Will Always Love You.” It also features a strong selection from her last three mountain music albums with songs like “Shine,” “Dagger Through The Heart,” “I’m Gone” and her bluegrass-tinged version of “Stairway To Heaven.”

A true delight all the way through, this album showcases an entertainer who remains at the top of her game.

Rascal Flatts / Feels Like Today

The CMA Vocal Group of the Year (for two years running), Rascal Flatts has come into their own. The title cut of their third album was a huge hit for them, and their first headlining tour was a smash. If you’re looking for an album to keep you in a good mood, this is it.

REM / Around The Sun

Again, this is not a Country album, but REM is based out of Athens, Georgia so at least I can get away with the Southern connection. Michael Stipe and crew return with one of the best albums in years. This band continues to inspire and impress. Highly recommended.

Mindy Smith / One Moment More

Smith’s debut album contains the single “Come to Jesus” that was heard on Americana, AAA and some progressive Country radio stations across the country. The video was a staple on CMT and GAC. Her voice has a quality that would put her up with Iris DeMent, Emmylou Harris, Alison Krauss, Julie Miller, and even Dolly Parton. An amazing new talent that deserves your notice.

Chris Thile / Deceiver

Regular readers know that I love Nickel Creek and anything they do as a group or on solo projects. Group leader Thile has released his fourth solo album and it is amazing. Thile plays all the instruments and sings all the vocals. He moves effortlessly between Country, bluegrass, jazz and rock, mixing and merging the styles into a harmonious (and sometimes disharmonious) blend. Thile is a genius and this album illustrates why. It’s experimental. It’s a bit different from his normal sound. But it’s absolutely heavenly. You should not be without this album.

Keith Urban / Be Here

The reigning CMA Male Vocalist of the Year released his finest album ever in 2004. Urban is one of the most-skilled guitar players recording today. His vocals are wonderful. And he’s not bad to look at, either. Everything comes together on this album, which contains the single “Days Go By.” Truly a fun listen.

Trent Willmon / Trent Willmon

This is an undiscovered gem that I am urging you to pick up. Willmon’s album is pure Country. From “Beer Man” to “Home Sweet Holiday Inn,” this album takes you from pure fun to heartbreak and back. Willmon is the real deal. He’s lived these songs and he can tell you the stories to prove it. He’s also a really nice guy, and let’s face it – nice guys need to finish first. Seek this album out – I guarantee you won’t be disappointed.

Gretchen Wilson / Here For The Party

Wilson is THE success story of 2004. The CMA Horizon Award winner sold more than three million copies of her debut album. She rocked hard with “Redneck Woman” and “Here For The Party” before spotlighting her heartbreaking torch side with “When I Think About Cheating.” Wilson possess a major talent that will hopefully keep her in the spotlight for years to come.

Darryl Worley / Darryl Worley

This album is another great listen. The first single “Awful Beautiful Life” is a great single, reminding us all of what a wonderful Country voice Worley has. Last year he received so much attention for his song, “Have You Forgotten,” that he became known more as a right-wing propaganda machine than as an artist. This album thankfully returns him to what he does best.

2005 Is Shaping Up Early

Of course, there were many other great albums that were released in 2004. These listed above are the ones that made me sit up and take notice this year.

As for 2005, it looks like it will be a great year for Country Music. Trisha Yearwood will be releasing a new album. No one can sing better than Trisha, so this should be an amazing event. Dierks Bentley will be releasing his second album. Bentley has become a strong newcomer on the Country scene in the last two years. I look forward to this project coming out.

Lee Ann Womack returns with an album later this year. Newcomer Shelly Fairchild will release her debut project. I’ve heard the advance, and it is amazing – a strong contender for my best of 2005 list already. Jessi Alexander is another new female singer that I can’t wait to hear this year.

Wynonna is a recording a live-concert DVD for release later this year. New albums from Kenny Chesney, Faith Hill, Jon Randall and LeAnn Rimes are also coming.

May 2005 be a happy year filled with love, friendship, and peace.

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