Thursday, June 10: The Judds will give the kick off performance, followed (alphabetically) by Keith Anderson, Diamond Rio, Colt Ford, Joey + Rory, Love and Theft, Neal McCoy, Jake Owen, Josh Thompson, and Clay Walker.
Friday, June 11: Rodney Atkins, The Band Perry, Bucky Covington, Eli Young Band, Jack Ingram, Patty Loveless, Craig Morgan, Sawyer Brown, Gretchen Wilson, and Chris Young.
Saturday, June 12: Big Kenny, Lee Brice, Mark Chesnutt, Emerson Drive, Gloriana, Josh Gracin, Lorrie Morgan, David Lee Murphy, Joe Nichols, and Mel Tillis.
Sunday, June 13: The Bellamy Brothers, Sammy Kershaw, Lonestar, Jo Dee Messina, James Otto, Restless Heart, Steel Magnolia, Pam Tillis, Uncle Kracker, and Darryl Worley.
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Sunday, April 25, 2010
SUNDAY NEW ARTIST SPOTLIGHT!!
This weeks spotlight artist is ASHLEY RAY. You may or may not have heard her name yet. Chances are though, if you live in TX, you are well aware of her talent. Ashley Ray is from Kansas, and last year she embarked on the "Young and Wild" tour with Eric Church and Jonathan Singleton and the Grove. Now Ashley is continuing to build up her fan base, and has been playing throughout Texas relentlessly. Her current single "Dirt Cheap" is continuing to climb up the TX regional charts. Ashley will have a five song EP out May 3, and will be touring on the Country Throwdown Tour! For more info, visit her site at www.ashleyray.com. Hear "Dirt Cheap" and some of her other songs here: http://tinyurl.com/2fe7u7l. Enjoy!
Monday, April 19, 2010
ACM Awards Recap!
LAS VEGAS—Carrie Underwood took home “Entertainer of the Year” award, Lady Antebellum and Miranda Lambert lead with five and three awards, respectfully, Sunday at the 45th annual Academy of Country Music Awards live from Las Vegas.
Carrie Underwood made history, becoming the first female to win the coveted “Entertainer of the Year” award two times. This was Carrie Underwood’s second consecutive “Entertainer of the Year” award. Underwood was also awarded a “Triple Crown” Award for her last year's triple victory: “Top New Female Vocalist”, Top “Female Vocalist” and “Entertainer of the Year”.
Top-selling trio, Lady Antebellum had a huge night Sunday, taking home five trophies, including: “Top Vocal Group”, “Single Record of the Year” and “Song of the Year”, both for their crossover hit “Need You Now”. “We’ve waited our whole lives for this… Thank you fans! We love you” Said Charles Kelly of Lady Antebellum, after receiving the award for “Single Record of the Year”.
Lambert’s hard work this past year did not go unnoticed. Lambert took home trophies for “Album of the Year” for her critically appraised album “Revolution” as well as “Top Female Vocalist”, beating out Carrie Underwood, Lee Ann Womack, Reba McEntire and Taylor Swift, and “Music Video of the Year” for her hit single, “White Liar”. ““You’ve got to be kidding me!...Thank you to my peers and the fans. I mean, this is my life and you make it great! Thank you so much!” Lambert exclaimed after winning her “Top Female Vocalist” award.
Brad Paisley took home another “Top Male Vocalist” trophy, marking his fourth consecutive win in this category. Other big winners on the night were Luke Bryan who took home the “Top New Solo Vocalist” and “Top New Artist” awards and Blake Shelton and Trace Adkins who walked away with an off-camera “Vocal Event of the Year” award for their collaboration on the hit “Hillbilly Bone”. “Thank You fans! Thank you… This means the world to me!” Bryan shouted after excepting his first ever ACM award for “Top New Artist”.
Brooks and Dunn took home the “Vocal Duo of the Year” award, and performed their classic hit, “My Maria” in an emotional farewell, as their last ACM performance together as a duo.
Other acts performing included Darius Rucker, Brad Paisley, Carrie Underwood, Taylor Swift, Keith Urban, Blake Shelton with Trace Adkins, Toby Keith, Billy Currington, Kenny Chesney, Miranda Lambert and Lady Antebellum.
Star presenters included Matthew McConanughey, actress Kristen Bell, singer and actor Jamie Foxx, rap star LL Cool J and “Dancing With the Stars” champion ballroom dancer Julianne Hough.
Perhaps he biggest surprise of the night came as Taylor Swift walked away empty handed after winning almost all of the major awards in country music throughout the last year. Swift was nominated for five awards, including “Music video of the Year” for “You Belong with Me”, “Top Female Vocalist” and “Entertainer of the
Carrie Underwood made history, becoming the first female to win the coveted “Entertainer of the Year” award two times. This was Carrie Underwood’s second consecutive “Entertainer of the Year” award. Underwood was also awarded a “Triple Crown” Award for her last year's triple victory: “Top New Female Vocalist”, Top “Female Vocalist” and “Entertainer of the Year”.
Top-selling trio, Lady Antebellum had a huge night Sunday, taking home five trophies, including: “Top Vocal Group”, “Single Record of the Year” and “Song of the Year”, both for their crossover hit “Need You Now”. “We’ve waited our whole lives for this… Thank you fans! We love you” Said Charles Kelly of Lady Antebellum, after receiving the award for “Single Record of the Year”.
Lambert’s hard work this past year did not go unnoticed. Lambert took home trophies for “Album of the Year” for her critically appraised album “Revolution” as well as “Top Female Vocalist”, beating out Carrie Underwood, Lee Ann Womack, Reba McEntire and Taylor Swift, and “Music Video of the Year” for her hit single, “White Liar”. ““You’ve got to be kidding me!...Thank you to my peers and the fans. I mean, this is my life and you make it great! Thank you so much!” Lambert exclaimed after winning her “Top Female Vocalist” award.
Brad Paisley took home another “Top Male Vocalist” trophy, marking his fourth consecutive win in this category. Other big winners on the night were Luke Bryan who took home the “Top New Solo Vocalist” and “Top New Artist” awards and Blake Shelton and Trace Adkins who walked away with an off-camera “Vocal Event of the Year” award for their collaboration on the hit “Hillbilly Bone”. “Thank You fans! Thank you… This means the world to me!” Bryan shouted after excepting his first ever ACM award for “Top New Artist”.
Brooks and Dunn took home the “Vocal Duo of the Year” award, and performed their classic hit, “My Maria” in an emotional farewell, as their last ACM performance together as a duo.
Other acts performing included Darius Rucker, Brad Paisley, Carrie Underwood, Taylor Swift, Keith Urban, Blake Shelton with Trace Adkins, Toby Keith, Billy Currington, Kenny Chesney, Miranda Lambert and Lady Antebellum.
Star presenters included Matthew McConanughey, actress Kristen Bell, singer and actor Jamie Foxx, rap star LL Cool J and “Dancing With the Stars” champion ballroom dancer Julianne Hough.
Perhaps he biggest surprise of the night came as Taylor Swift walked away empty handed after winning almost all of the major awards in country music throughout the last year. Swift was nominated for five awards, including “Music video of the Year” for “You Belong with Me”, “Top Female Vocalist” and “Entertainer of the
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Walking Down the "Right Road Now" with Whitney Duncan
For the past two years, Warner Brother’s recording artist and songwriter Whitney Duncan and her fans have been eagerly awaiting the release of her album “Right Road Now”. Sure, we got a sneak peak with the “Selections From Right Road Now” EP, but it’s just not the same. Now, however, her dream is finally becoming a reality.
Whitney’s Duncan’s album “Right Road Now” will be released on April 20. The CD will be released as a digital copy on iTunes and as a physical copy through her official website (www.whitneyduncan.com). According to her website, the label decided to release Duncan’s album exclusively on her web site and iTunes to give her fans the music they have been asking for.
I sat down with Whitney Duncan and asked her a few questions about her new, long awaited album and her career in general. The following is a selection of an edited Q and A session Whitney Duncan recently granted Nashville Noise.
Q: Your long awaited album will finally be released April 20. What can we expect to hear?
WD: I mean, there’s definitely variety, but if you’ve ever been in a crappy relationship with somebody where the guy’s done you wrong, there’s plenty of those songs on there! (Laughs) It really is everything though. I made a very conscious decision on this record. I wanted happy, positive love songs, I want this kind of song, and I want up-tempo, enough of everything so everybody can find something on there. I mean, I obviously have my favorites though, you know, I mean, I co-wrote every song on this album!
Q: You list many artists as influences, both rock and country. Will we hear any heavily rock influenced tracks on this album?
WD: Yeah, it’s definitely edgy. It’s pretty rocking country for sure! But, you know, there’s steel guitar all over it, there’s some fiddle in there, so, you know, its definitely country. You can definitely tell I have a lot of different influences from traditional country to rock ‘n roll, so it’s all in there and you can definitely tell I’ve been influenced by a lot of different types of artist just by listening to it.
Q: What is your favorite song on the new album?
WD: My favorite song on there is “Burn it Down”. I mean, that song is pretty much as mad as you can be, but I just have so much fun singing it and I love it. That song and “So Sorry Momma” is another one of my favorites too.
Q: The name of the album is “Right Road Now” Could you explain to us why you chose this title, and what it means to you?
WD: Well, I just thought that was pretty appropriate. The song (Right Road Now) in itself is about getting out of a bad relationship, and, you know, saying getting out of this is putting me on the right road now…Just in life in general, I feel that this album really came together with the right label, the right producers, the right songs, you know? Just the right team and the right musical path, so I felt like that would be the obvious choice for the title of the record because it just feels right…It was pretty magical the way it all happened. I mean, it was two years ago that we made it, but it really was. I remember it like it was yesterday. It was kind of like Christmas everyday! It was a very happy time and when I finished and turned that record in, I mean, that album is like a piece of me, it really is. So, I hope people like it. It’s been a long time coming for sure (Laughs). I’m just so happy that it’s finally coming out!
Q: Have you picked a follow-up single to your last single “Skinny Dippin”?
WD: We have not. We have not picked a single just yet so it will be interesting to get people’s feedback once the record gets out there!
Q: On April 20th, “Right Road Now” will be released for digital download which seems to be the most popular way to purchase music these days anyway and physical copy through your website but, are there any plans to eventually release it as a physical album in stores?
WD: I’ve heard yes, I don’t have the dates on that yet, but on the website if you order it you get a physical copy and it is also a signed copy. So, I thought that was pretty cool, you know, plus it drives people to the website and gets people interested in me as an artist as well as the music. It will be eventually, one day, I just haven’t been told a date just yet.
Q: You recently got back from a trip overseas in the Middle East on a USO tour. Give us a little bit of a background on how that worked out and some of your experiences over there.
WD: It was a two-week tour of Kuwait and Iraq. We did five shows total. I imagined me sleeping in a tent, things like that you know? And it wasn’t what I was expecting at all, but we actually got to sleep in one of Saddam’s palaces... It was on a big lake, he had built all these man made lakes because water means power (in Iraq) I guess. And so on the back balcony we could fish, we could fish off the back balcony into the lake. We didn’t catch anything, but that doesn’t matter (laughs) Just to be able to say we fished in one of Saddam’s lake, you know...So when we did have a second to breathe, we went out in the back overlooking the lake and got to relax for a little bit. It was just the coolest experience though; I wasn’t ready to come home at all! My mom was like “Aren’t you ready to come home?” I was like “No! I don’t know what to tell you mom I’m sorry but…” (Laughs). I would have stayed another week at least!
Q: Recording, performing live concerts and writing songs are all part of your job, but if you had to choose one, what would you say is your favorite part?
WD: Performing. Absolutely! That is a really hard call to make, because writing songs is like therapy. It is therapy! So, the whole point of it all is to get out to the fans, see their reactions and see how it affects them and to have fun playing the music live. I got my start performing songs and being on stage and being in front of people so that’s what it would all come back to for sure. Even though I love it all…there was a time when I was just focusing on songwriting and not doing the artist thing and it was amazing. I love the artist thing too, I definitely do. It’s a lot more exciting and your day changes everyday. No day’s the same, that’s for sure…but songwriting is amazing, it really is. It definitely gets tough at times and there are days when it feels like you’re doing a crossword puzzle all day long (Laughs). I hate crossword puzzles! But, there’s something gratifying about writing a song and turning it in, like “I just accomplished something!”.
Q: Thank you, Whitney for taking the time to sit down and talk for a little!
WD: Thank you so much!
For more information on Whitney Duncan and her music, visit her website at www.whitneyduncan.com and www.whitneyduncanfans.com. Right Road Now will be released April 20 on iTunes and through Whitney Duncan’s official website.
Whitney’s Duncan’s album “Right Road Now” will be released on April 20. The CD will be released as a digital copy on iTunes and as a physical copy through her official website (www.whitneyduncan.com). According to her website, the label decided to release Duncan’s album exclusively on her web site and iTunes to give her fans the music they have been asking for.
I sat down with Whitney Duncan and asked her a few questions about her new, long awaited album and her career in general. The following is a selection of an edited Q and A session Whitney Duncan recently granted Nashville Noise.
Q: Your long awaited album will finally be released April 20. What can we expect to hear?
WD: I mean, there’s definitely variety, but if you’ve ever been in a crappy relationship with somebody where the guy’s done you wrong, there’s plenty of those songs on there! (Laughs) It really is everything though. I made a very conscious decision on this record. I wanted happy, positive love songs, I want this kind of song, and I want up-tempo, enough of everything so everybody can find something on there. I mean, I obviously have my favorites though, you know, I mean, I co-wrote every song on this album!
Q: You list many artists as influences, both rock and country. Will we hear any heavily rock influenced tracks on this album?
WD: Yeah, it’s definitely edgy. It’s pretty rocking country for sure! But, you know, there’s steel guitar all over it, there’s some fiddle in there, so, you know, its definitely country. You can definitely tell I have a lot of different influences from traditional country to rock ‘n roll, so it’s all in there and you can definitely tell I’ve been influenced by a lot of different types of artist just by listening to it.
Q: What is your favorite song on the new album?
WD: My favorite song on there is “Burn it Down”. I mean, that song is pretty much as mad as you can be, but I just have so much fun singing it and I love it. That song and “So Sorry Momma” is another one of my favorites too.
Q: The name of the album is “Right Road Now” Could you explain to us why you chose this title, and what it means to you?
WD: Well, I just thought that was pretty appropriate. The song (Right Road Now) in itself is about getting out of a bad relationship, and, you know, saying getting out of this is putting me on the right road now…Just in life in general, I feel that this album really came together with the right label, the right producers, the right songs, you know? Just the right team and the right musical path, so I felt like that would be the obvious choice for the title of the record because it just feels right…It was pretty magical the way it all happened. I mean, it was two years ago that we made it, but it really was. I remember it like it was yesterday. It was kind of like Christmas everyday! It was a very happy time and when I finished and turned that record in, I mean, that album is like a piece of me, it really is. So, I hope people like it. It’s been a long time coming for sure (Laughs). I’m just so happy that it’s finally coming out!
Q: Have you picked a follow-up single to your last single “Skinny Dippin”?
WD: We have not. We have not picked a single just yet so it will be interesting to get people’s feedback once the record gets out there!
Q: On April 20th, “Right Road Now” will be released for digital download which seems to be the most popular way to purchase music these days anyway and physical copy through your website but, are there any plans to eventually release it as a physical album in stores?
WD: I’ve heard yes, I don’t have the dates on that yet, but on the website if you order it you get a physical copy and it is also a signed copy. So, I thought that was pretty cool, you know, plus it drives people to the website and gets people interested in me as an artist as well as the music. It will be eventually, one day, I just haven’t been told a date just yet.
Q: You recently got back from a trip overseas in the Middle East on a USO tour. Give us a little bit of a background on how that worked out and some of your experiences over there.
WD: It was a two-week tour of Kuwait and Iraq. We did five shows total. I imagined me sleeping in a tent, things like that you know? And it wasn’t what I was expecting at all, but we actually got to sleep in one of Saddam’s palaces... It was on a big lake, he had built all these man made lakes because water means power (in Iraq) I guess. And so on the back balcony we could fish, we could fish off the back balcony into the lake. We didn’t catch anything, but that doesn’t matter (laughs) Just to be able to say we fished in one of Saddam’s lake, you know...So when we did have a second to breathe, we went out in the back overlooking the lake and got to relax for a little bit. It was just the coolest experience though; I wasn’t ready to come home at all! My mom was like “Aren’t you ready to come home?” I was like “No! I don’t know what to tell you mom I’m sorry but…” (Laughs). I would have stayed another week at least!
Q: Recording, performing live concerts and writing songs are all part of your job, but if you had to choose one, what would you say is your favorite part?
WD: Performing. Absolutely! That is a really hard call to make, because writing songs is like therapy. It is therapy! So, the whole point of it all is to get out to the fans, see their reactions and see how it affects them and to have fun playing the music live. I got my start performing songs and being on stage and being in front of people so that’s what it would all come back to for sure. Even though I love it all…there was a time when I was just focusing on songwriting and not doing the artist thing and it was amazing. I love the artist thing too, I definitely do. It’s a lot more exciting and your day changes everyday. No day’s the same, that’s for sure…but songwriting is amazing, it really is. It definitely gets tough at times and there are days when it feels like you’re doing a crossword puzzle all day long (Laughs). I hate crossword puzzles! But, there’s something gratifying about writing a song and turning it in, like “I just accomplished something!”.
Q: Thank you, Whitney for taking the time to sit down and talk for a little!
WD: Thank you so much!
For more information on Whitney Duncan and her music, visit her website at www.whitneyduncan.com and www.whitneyduncanfans.com. Right Road Now will be released April 20 on iTunes and through Whitney Duncan’s official website.
Thursday, April 15, 2010
The Bluegrass Brothers Plan "Homecoming" Festival in Salem, Va
For many in Appalachia country, Bluegrass isn’t just a genre of music; it is a way of life. According to John Klainer, a bluegrass enthusiast, of Roanoke, Va.,“Bluegrass music is the true form of American music and the deep tradition and history behind it make it an even greater experience. “
From June 3-5, Roanoke Moose Lodge 248 will host the first annual “Bluegrass Brother’s Homecoming Festival” in Salem, Va.
The three-day event will be held at the Roanoke Moose Lodge at 3233 Catawba Valley Drive, and is set to be loaded with some of the best names in today’s bluegrass music.
Brenda Lawson, a bluegrass radio DJ from Amelia and two-time Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music in America “DJ of the year” award winner in 2009 and 2010 will be the emcee for this event.
“I’ve been involved with bluegrass for my whole life” says Lawson, who hosts a radio show in Blackstone and works many bluegrass festivals throughout the year including the Grottoes Family Bluegrass Festival in Grottoes, Va.
“The Bluegrass Brother’s First Annual Homecoming Festival” will feature bluegrass legends Rhonda Vincent and The Rage as well as The Bluegrass Brothers, Nothin’ Fancy along with 11 other national and regional acts.
“Some local acts will also be appearing including Country Fried Grass of Lynchburg and Virginia Blue of the Shenandoah Valley.” Said Lawson.
But, this event isn’t just for the music. Camping is permitted and the festival will also feature barbeque cookouts, potluck dinners, breakfast buffets, raffle prizes, vendors and designated “open mic” hours. “There’s going to be lots of jamming and the money made goes directly to the Roanoke Moose Lodge, so it’s for a good cause…it’s going to be a great event!” Lawson explained.
“From what I hear, this sounds like it will be a really enjoyable experience for both college-aged kids as well as younger and older folks. It seems very family oriented. I’m looking forward to hearing Rhonda Vincent the most.”, Virginia Tech student Ryan Wheelbarger explained.
Tickets are on sale now and are available as single day passes from $20-25 or three-day festival passes for $45 if purchased before May 15. For more information on “The Bluegrass Brother’s Homecoming Festival” please visit www.thebluegrassbrothers.com. For information on vending opportunities contact Greg Reed at (540) 280-9228.
From June 3-5, Roanoke Moose Lodge 248 will host the first annual “Bluegrass Brother’s Homecoming Festival” in Salem, Va.
The three-day event will be held at the Roanoke Moose Lodge at 3233 Catawba Valley Drive, and is set to be loaded with some of the best names in today’s bluegrass music.
Brenda Lawson, a bluegrass radio DJ from Amelia and two-time Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music in America “DJ of the year” award winner in 2009 and 2010 will be the emcee for this event.
“I’ve been involved with bluegrass for my whole life” says Lawson, who hosts a radio show in Blackstone and works many bluegrass festivals throughout the year including the Grottoes Family Bluegrass Festival in Grottoes, Va.
“The Bluegrass Brother’s First Annual Homecoming Festival” will feature bluegrass legends Rhonda Vincent and The Rage as well as The Bluegrass Brothers, Nothin’ Fancy along with 11 other national and regional acts.
“Some local acts will also be appearing including Country Fried Grass of Lynchburg and Virginia Blue of the Shenandoah Valley.” Said Lawson.
But, this event isn’t just for the music. Camping is permitted and the festival will also feature barbeque cookouts, potluck dinners, breakfast buffets, raffle prizes, vendors and designated “open mic” hours. “There’s going to be lots of jamming and the money made goes directly to the Roanoke Moose Lodge, so it’s for a good cause…it’s going to be a great event!” Lawson explained.
“From what I hear, this sounds like it will be a really enjoyable experience for both college-aged kids as well as younger and older folks. It seems very family oriented. I’m looking forward to hearing Rhonda Vincent the most.”, Virginia Tech student Ryan Wheelbarger explained.
Tickets are on sale now and are available as single day passes from $20-25 or three-day festival passes for $45 if purchased before May 15. For more information on “The Bluegrass Brother’s Homecoming Festival” please visit www.thebluegrassbrothers.com. For information on vending opportunities contact Greg Reed at (540) 280-9228.
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Whitney Duncan (Artist of the Month) Talks USO Tour!
Iraq and Kuwait…Whitney Duncan Style
It’s not everyday you see Whitney Duncan wearing blue jeans with a bulletproof vest and army helmet or shooting machine guns in the middle of the desert. But, her presence is one of many things U.S. troops in Iraq and Kuwait got to experience this March.
From March 18-31, Duncan, a Warner Brother’s recording artist and songwriter joined and impressive list of her musical peers as she headed over to the Middle East on her first USO tour to provide some much needed entertainment for the troops.
“I didn’t even know it was a possibility, Duncan explained, “but my agent called me and asked me if I would be interested and I didn’t even think twice I was just like absolutely… he knew I’d be totally up for stuff like that you know? I mean, I love shooting guns (laughs) and I have so much respect for those guys and girls over there.” Duncan said, in talking about what made her decide to embark on her first USO tour.
In case you don’t know, the USO is a congressionally charted, non-profit organization that seeks to provide morale and recreation-type services to service members and their families. According to its website, www.uso.org, the USO and country music have a long-standing, well-lasted relationship that began over 65 years ago.
Other country acts to headline USO tours include Toby Keith, Mark Wills, Craig Morgan, Lee Ann Womack, Darryl Worley, the Zac Brown Band and many more.
Soldiers were invited to take a break from their work and enjoy a couple hours of fun and music. Spc. Travis J. Carroll from B Co. 2/7th Infantry deeply enjoyed his experience with Whitney Duncan and expressed his gratitude. “It was a great experience!” He said. “She was able to make us smile and laugh and feel like we were back at home, even though we were thousands of miles away. She really boosted our spirits. Especially when she covered a couple of bands from my home state of Indiana! (Laughs).”
Making a trip this far from home required some commitment from Duncan.
“It was a two-week tour of Kuwait and Iraq. We did five shows total. I imagined me sleeping in a tent, things like that, you know? And it wasn’t what I was expecting at all, but we actually got to sleep in one of Saddam’s palaces…It was crazy!” Duncan explained, in talking about her experiences in Iraq. “He had a hand in picking all the décor and picking the colors and stuff. I know you don’t really imagine him being like that but he was. Everything looked like Easter! (Laughs) I mean, it was pastel colors everywhere...It literally looked like a room I would have had when I was like six years old (laughs)…the décor was just really, really young! It was interesting, but it was a palace no doubt, you know?”.
While in Iraq, Duncan had a special opportunity to take part in one soldier’s reenlistment. “I would like to thank her for being apart of my reenlistment the day she visited us over here in Iraq, south of Baghdad… It was awesome! She has amazing talent, a beautiful voice and great songs!” Explained Army Spc. James Moses, who is serving on his second tour in Iraq.
The tour wasn’t all work for her though. When Duncan and her crew weren’t playing shows, shooting guns or meeting members of our armed services, they found time to relax by fishing and watching the sunsets. “The palace was on a big lake, he (Saddam Hussein) had built all these man made lakes because water means power (in Iraq) I guess. And so on the back balcony we could fish, we could fish off the back balcony into the lake. We didn’t catch anything, but that doesn’t matter (laughs) just to be able to say we fished in one of Saddam’s lakes, you know...So, when we did have a second to breathe, we went out in the back overlooking the lake and got to relax for a little bit.”.
Many soldiers didn’t know anything about Whitney Duncan until they heard that she was coming over to perform. “It’s really funny, you know, a lot of them came to see me after my shows and told me ‘I didn’t know who you were before, but when I found out you were coming, I looked up your music’ and people in the crowd were singing along to ‘Skinny Dippin”. How funny is that?”.
Duncan admitted that the concerts she performed over there were a little bit different than her shows over here in the states, in more than one way. “In some of those I actually had Iraqis so, those I definitely don’t see at my shows over here! (Laughs) but, they were very welcoming and respectful. They (the troops) were really excited for me to be over there playing. I mean, I definitely know that they don’t get that much entertainment over there so, you could definitely feel the excitement, so that was very nice.”.
Duncan’s new album, “Right Road Now” will be released on April 20, so she will be working hard in the following months to promote her new music, but according to her, don’t count her out on going back to the Middle East again. “I would do it in a heartbeat! All I got to do is have my agent throw it my way. I even told him that… I don’t even care if it’s in Afghanistan, which, you know, isn’t exactly the safest place to be. I would love to go back over there!” Although it seems very dangerous, Duncan said she felt extremely safe the whole time. “There was never a moment when I didn’t feel safe….we went to downtown Baghdad and we had to wear bulletproof vests, helmet’s and we were in a SUV motorcade. I felt like the President!”.
This feature was written and conducted by Aaron Lee of Nashville Noise
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It’s not everyday you see Whitney Duncan wearing blue jeans with a bulletproof vest and army helmet or shooting machine guns in the middle of the desert. But, her presence is one of many things U.S. troops in Iraq and Kuwait got to experience this March.
From March 18-31, Duncan, a Warner Brother’s recording artist and songwriter joined and impressive list of her musical peers as she headed over to the Middle East on her first USO tour to provide some much needed entertainment for the troops.
“I didn’t even know it was a possibility, Duncan explained, “but my agent called me and asked me if I would be interested and I didn’t even think twice I was just like absolutely… he knew I’d be totally up for stuff like that you know? I mean, I love shooting guns (laughs) and I have so much respect for those guys and girls over there.” Duncan said, in talking about what made her decide to embark on her first USO tour.
In case you don’t know, the USO is a congressionally charted, non-profit organization that seeks to provide morale and recreation-type services to service members and their families. According to its website, www.uso.org, the USO and country music have a long-standing, well-lasted relationship that began over 65 years ago.
Other country acts to headline USO tours include Toby Keith, Mark Wills, Craig Morgan, Lee Ann Womack, Darryl Worley, the Zac Brown Band and many more.
Soldiers were invited to take a break from their work and enjoy a couple hours of fun and music. Spc. Travis J. Carroll from B Co. 2/7th Infantry deeply enjoyed his experience with Whitney Duncan and expressed his gratitude. “It was a great experience!” He said. “She was able to make us smile and laugh and feel like we were back at home, even though we were thousands of miles away. She really boosted our spirits. Especially when she covered a couple of bands from my home state of Indiana! (Laughs).”
Making a trip this far from home required some commitment from Duncan.
“It was a two-week tour of Kuwait and Iraq. We did five shows total. I imagined me sleeping in a tent, things like that, you know? And it wasn’t what I was expecting at all, but we actually got to sleep in one of Saddam’s palaces…It was crazy!” Duncan explained, in talking about her experiences in Iraq. “He had a hand in picking all the décor and picking the colors and stuff. I know you don’t really imagine him being like that but he was. Everything looked like Easter! (Laughs) I mean, it was pastel colors everywhere...It literally looked like a room I would have had when I was like six years old (laughs)…the décor was just really, really young! It was interesting, but it was a palace no doubt, you know?”.
While in Iraq, Duncan had a special opportunity to take part in one soldier’s reenlistment. “I would like to thank her for being apart of my reenlistment the day she visited us over here in Iraq, south of Baghdad… It was awesome! She has amazing talent, a beautiful voice and great songs!” Explained Army Spc. James Moses, who is serving on his second tour in Iraq.
The tour wasn’t all work for her though. When Duncan and her crew weren’t playing shows, shooting guns or meeting members of our armed services, they found time to relax by fishing and watching the sunsets. “The palace was on a big lake, he (Saddam Hussein) had built all these man made lakes because water means power (in Iraq) I guess. And so on the back balcony we could fish, we could fish off the back balcony into the lake. We didn’t catch anything, but that doesn’t matter (laughs) just to be able to say we fished in one of Saddam’s lakes, you know...So, when we did have a second to breathe, we went out in the back overlooking the lake and got to relax for a little bit.”.
Many soldiers didn’t know anything about Whitney Duncan until they heard that she was coming over to perform. “It’s really funny, you know, a lot of them came to see me after my shows and told me ‘I didn’t know who you were before, but when I found out you were coming, I looked up your music’ and people in the crowd were singing along to ‘Skinny Dippin”. How funny is that?”.
Duncan admitted that the concerts she performed over there were a little bit different than her shows over here in the states, in more than one way. “In some of those I actually had Iraqis so, those I definitely don’t see at my shows over here! (Laughs) but, they were very welcoming and respectful. They (the troops) were really excited for me to be over there playing. I mean, I definitely know that they don’t get that much entertainment over there so, you could definitely feel the excitement, so that was very nice.”.
Duncan’s new album, “Right Road Now” will be released on April 20, so she will be working hard in the following months to promote her new music, but according to her, don’t count her out on going back to the Middle East again. “I would do it in a heartbeat! All I got to do is have my agent throw it my way. I even told him that… I don’t even care if it’s in Afghanistan, which, you know, isn’t exactly the safest place to be. I would love to go back over there!” Although it seems very dangerous, Duncan said she felt extremely safe the whole time. “There was never a moment when I didn’t feel safe….we went to downtown Baghdad and we had to wear bulletproof vests, helmet’s and we were in a SUV motorcade. I felt like the President!”.
This feature was written and conducted by Aaron Lee of Nashville Noise
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Sunday, April 11, 2010
SUNDAY NEW ARTIST SPOTLIGHT!!
Hey guys! The new artist spotlight for this week is The Josh Abbott band. The Josh Abbott Band is a five-piece band that hail from Texas. And, while these guys aren't exactly new to anyone from Texas, they are new to most mainstream country fans. Their latest single "She's Like Texas" recently made it's way to the top of the Texas regional radio charts, and now they are starting to pick up some attention in the mainstream area of country music. To learn more, visit their website at www.joshabbottband.com. Here is a link to see the music video for "She's Like Texas": http://tinyurl.com/yb6396j Enjoy!
Friday, April 9, 2010
"Freight Train" is Rolling Through Radio Airwaves
Alan Jackson's 'Freight Train" Tour is hitting the airwaves! IF you have Sirius or XM radio services, you will be able to catch the "Freight Train" channel for the next week! The channel is offered on Sirius channel 61 and XM 17. The special channel started today, April 9, at 12p.m. ET and will be available through April 15. The commercial-free channel will feature music from Alan Jackson, George Strait, Randy Travis, Lee Ann Womack and many more. I wish I had Sirius or XM...
Sunday, April 4, 2010
SUNDAY NEW ARTIST SPOTLIGHT!!
This weeks new artist spotlight shines on "semi-newcomer" Blaine Larsen. Blaine hails from Washington state and describes his music as "unapologetically country". His single "Chillin'" is at country radio now and is just in time, as it is the perfect song for the Spring and Summer months ahead. To learn more about Blaine Larsen visit his website at www.blainelarsen.com and listen to his new song "Chillin'" here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jIxtUPRR-OY enjoy! If you like what you hear, be sure to call your local station and request!
Saturday, April 3, 2010
Whitney Duncan is our April ARTIST OF THE MONTH!
Well, after asking our readers who they thought should be the artist of the month, the overwhelming majority replied with Whitney Duncan. It just make sense! Whitney's highly anticipated "Right Road Now" comes out on April 20, and she just got back from a USO tour over in the Middle East. With the release of her album, it looks like Whitney is going to be a busy, busy woman in the next few months. Will will be posting a few extra things about Whitney this month to honor her as artist of the month, and, her manager and assistant permitting, we are in the process of planning an interview with her to ask her about the music on her new CD as well as her USO tour. We will keep you posted and up to date!
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