Word on the Street – March 4

History in the Making

Chicagoland truly has an amazing group of local country musicians but since last Friday that group, for a great reason, just shrunk by one. Katie Quick, a former school teacher turned aspiring country music star, truly has an amazing story and as of late last week, the Evergreen Park native began a new chapter in that book called life. After finishing up some last-minute packing and preparation, Quick departed the Windy City for the next big step in her career, taking on Nashville by storm.

With the help of a portable video camera, Quick is posting snippets of her new life in the Music City. Be sure to catch her “vlogging” on her Facebook Fan Page, as she’s really doing amazing job keeping her Chicago crew up-to-date. Good Luck Katie!

Congratulations to the Team US99

While Team USA brought home the gold from the Winter Olympics, Chicago’s own country radio station grabbed a few trophies of their own from an annual radio industry awards program. The 2010 Country Radio Broadcasters/Country Aircheck Award winners are (Chicago Edition)… WUSN Chicago for the prestigious Station of the Year award for a Major Market Station; Lisa Dent, Ramblin’ Ray and crew for the Lisa Dent and Ramblin’ Ray Show and Marci Braun (weeknight host/MD) for Major Market MD. Congratulations to our hometown winners!

A penny for your country!

Penny Road Pub is not your typical country music digs but last Saturday, with the help of some of Chicagoland’s best country music bands, the northwest suburban bar traded the Hoobastank covers for pure Honky Tonk. The country showcase included Chicagoland’s own Lucky Town, the Roadhouse Prophets and the Ragtop Rodeo. Even with the South Barrington pub not normally on the country music scene’s radar, the troops still managed to pack the venue.

Kudos:

Tim McGraw has partnered up with Outback Steakhouse to help support Operation Homefront, a non-profit organization that assists military families and wounded veterans. Proceeds from the restaurant’s Red, White and Bloomin’ menu sales during the month of March will go towards the restaurant’s $1 million commitment to the non-profit. Proceeds from McGraw’s “Southern Voice” commemorative t-shirt will also benefit the worthy cause.

Only Country Music…

LIVE REVIEW:

Last minute plans led me to Joe’s Bar on Friday to catch a favorite local group GRIMM TAYLOR. Walking into the show, I knew that one of Nashville’s newest faces, the Trailer Choir, was billed as the evening headliner. At the time, I was half as excited to see them.

A few months back, Trailer Choir released a free music video download of their single “Rockin’ The Beer Gut.” Because it was free, the video made its way into my collection. Don’t get me wrong, I like a corny country song as much as the next guy but this single was probably not the best prelude to Friday’s performance.

To my surprise, Trailer Choir’s live performance nearly blew my double-wide expectations out of the park! The trio, comprised of two guys and a girl, is lead buy a guy named Butter.  Joining him is Big Vinny’s, whose signature is a trucker style camo-hat and bib overalls and the girl, Crystal, who you can’t help but think why is this girl is partnered with these average Joes.   All quirkiness aside, their highly energetic act, along with the $1 long-necks, transformed the nearly sedated crowd into a fun-loving, rough and rowdy mix.

Trailer Choir’s set list ranged from classic country to ’80 pop hits. Memorable cuts included the trio’s own “Rollin’ Through The Sunshine” and “In My Next 5 Beers” to a cover of Jerry Reed’s famous “East Bound and Down” and of course their very own “Rockin’ the Beer Gut”.

While Trailer Choir’s lead is a great entertainer, Big Vinny can easily steal the show. The 400-pound Tennessee-bred performer worked the small stage with everything from trading harmonies to his amazing “snake” dance, which he busted-out right on the small stage.

After this experience, I can see why Toby Keith signed the trio to his Show Dog Nashville label as their uniqueness and energy really made for a great show. Now, the question is, will this energy translate into a full-album.

Download “Off The Hillbilly Hook – EP” on iTunes.

Word on the Street – Feb 21

With a chart topping album release, an Oprah Show exclusive and a couple of GRAMMY “wins”, Lady Antebellum’s country music career continues to soar in 2010.

Dave Haywood, Charles Kelley and Hillary Scott had a remarkable 2009 but for the trio best known as Lady Antebellum, 2010 is rolling out quite nicely. Just after their album release of “Need You Now”, which spent two weeks atop of The Billboard 200 music chart, the trio took home their first GRAMMY Award for Best Country Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals for “I Run To You”.

The new hardware they picked up at the Grammys was not the only trophy the trio took home from the televised award show. Their performance of “Need You Now” seemed to have caught the attention much larger audience outside of the country genre. The trio seemed to  impress the Queen of day-time T.V. as Lady A made their way to Chicago to performed live on Friday’s airing of the Oprah Show.

Watch the Oprah Show recap and the premiere of the Lady Antebellum “American Honey” music video on oprah.com.

New Music:

Josh Turner continues spinning with his third studio album, “Haywire” which was released on on February 9. His unmistakable baritone pipes are strategically fitted into this 11 plus track album. Check out the full review on the Chicago Country Music Blog.

Video Stars:

Laura Bell Bundy might not be a household name but with her debut music video this Kentucky-bred singer/songwriter is dancing her way to the top. Her old-west infused music video, “Giddy On Up”, mixes country music with the choreography of a Britney Spears video. Choreographed dancing in country music videos is nothing new but if Bundy starting a trend for 2010, it would be interested to see Alan Jackson or George Strait kickin’ it up like Bundy in their next videos. – Preview/Download “Giddy On Up” on iTunes

On the other side of the spectrum, Sarah Buxton has been trying to edge her way into country music stardom over the last several years. Since her debut duet with Cowboy Troy on “If You Don’t Want To Love Me”, Buxton has been brewing up a full-fledged album ever since. Five years in the making, Buxton is hitting the shelves with her self-titled debut on Feb. 23. Word on the Street is Buxton produced her “Outside My Window” music video with the song’s co-writer for about $80. While the production budget was slim, it’s making waves on CMT and GAC. Watch “Outside My Window” on CMT.com

Concert Watch:

Kix Brooks (Brooks & Dunn) has tapped country music artist Cowboy Troy and local group Cross County Junction for a special “House of Blues” performance coming up on March 15. The event is billed as a special US99/Kix Brooks Announcement Party. More details to come…

MEGA TICKET

The 2010 US99 Country Mega Ticket is here. Grab your seats for six of Chicago biggest summer country music concerts. Headliners include Montgomery Gentry (5/22), Tim McGraw (6/26), Brad Paisley (7/16), Brooks & Dunn (8/8), Rascal Flatts (8/28) and Toby Keith (9/18). All concerts are billed for the South Suburban, First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre. Ticket packages range from $150 – $600. Live Nation

Mark Your Calendar:

Country music is returning to Brookfield Zoo this summer. Jimmy Wayne, Cowboy Troy, Cross County Junction and a “TBA” will take the stage on August 29 for Zoo Tunes.  Concert is free with paid admission to the Zoo!

Word on the Street – Jan. 19

Phil Vassar helped Chicago kick the year off right.

Even without a full band, Phil Vassar made the first “live country” concert of the year a hit. Accompanied by a zebra striped piano and two members of his band, Vassar pleased the ecstatic crowed with a semi-acoustic mix of his countless hits.

Vassar never left the piano keys through his entire set, which was randomly crafted with help from the crowd. Of course, he shared a few recording from his newest album “Traveling Circus”, which was released in late December. Missed it? Don’t fret, Vassar will return to the North Side venue, for a two-night say in April. Tickets are available through the venue box office and ticketmaster.com.

Katie Quick

Local artist Katie Quick is packing it up and movin’ to Nashville. In a recent announcement through her website, the Chicago native cited that she’s ready for the next step in her country music career and is trading-in the Windy City for the Music City. “I’ve got the city of Chicago behind me so I know this decision to move is the right one,” Quick said. While reassuring me that she’ll do her best keep us all up-to-date with her progress, we’re a little sad to see her go but happy to see her career progress. Good luck Katie, we can’t wait to “hear” your success! Catch Katie at her last Chicago show this Friday at Goose Island in Wrigleyville, 3535 North Clark Street, Chicago.

- Listen to Katie Quick on CMC Radio

Speaking of Radio Talk, country music news has finally started to pick-up now that January is in full swing.

On Wednesday, country music star Trace Adkins made an unanticipated record label switch. Adkins will join Toby Keith’s Show-Dog Nashville Label which recently retooled with Universal South. Adkins, a 15 year resident at Capitol Nashville, cited the move as an irresistible offer.

Alan Jackson hit the airways with his latest single “It’s Just That Way” … The word is that A.J. will have a new album for us in late March.

On Tuesday, Lady Antebellum released their third single, “Ready To Love Again,” in the Countdown to I Run To You series on iTunes. The trio will release one final single, “Our Kind of Love” on Tuesday before the full-album release on Jan. 26.

Trent Tomlinson (“Drunker Than Me”/“Just Might Have Her Radio On”) is startin’ the year off with a new EP available on iTunes. “A Guy Like Me – EP” features his future hits “That’s How It Still Ought To Be” and “Angles Like Her” (with acoustic version and video).

Clay Walker: As a follow-up to his album “Fall”, Clay Walker released “She Won’t Be Lonely Long”, his first single release off his forthcoming album set to hit sometime this spring.

Concert Beat:

The Chicagoland Country Calendar is filling in quite nicely in the new year. Carrie Underwood’s Play On tour is booked for downstate Peoria (4/7) and Rockford (4/10). Craig Morgan and Sons of Silvia will accompany Underwood.

Merle Haggard and Kris Kristofferson just announced a special performance at the Rosemont Theatre on Feb. 21. A typically rare appearance, the artists will share the stage for this Sunday night performance. Willie Nelson just announced he’ll be bringing the family to the Genesee (Waukegan) on March 21 and the Rialto (Joliet) on March 24.

Tickets for the Haggard/Kristofferson and Nelson shows are available through ticketmaster.com.

Joe’s Bar recently announced the addition of Eric Church, Jack Ingram (acoustic show) and Luke Bryan to their Winter/Spring concert lineup. Tickets are available through the venue’s box office and ticketmaster.com.

Top 10 Albums of 2009

It’s that time a year again when it seems like all of the major publications start posting their “Year in Reviews” and “Top 10 Best”.  Some are even posting “decade in review” this year.

In the spirit of the season, I started scouring through the last 12 months of new albums to compile my picks for this year’s top 10 country music album releases.

Best Country Music Albums of 2009

1. Brad Paisley “American Saturday Night”

Brad Paisley has had some success in the past, but “American Saturday Night” has really become a power player. From the album’s title track to “Welcome to the Future” and “Water”, Paisley not only created an album, he produced a set of future top 10 singles.  This album still resides in my car’s cd player.

2. Luke Bryan “Doin’ My Thing”

Luke, if this album is just you doing your thing. THEN KEEP DOING IT!

3. Miranda Lambert “Revolution”

With her your true-to-country-music tunes, Lambert has really taken the reigns of female country music over the last year or so.  We’re looking forward to the day when Lambert will really be recognized for this.

4. Rodney Atkins “It’s America”

“It’s America” was a clear-cut hit over the summer and will most likely make its way into “summer classic” status. We hope to see Atkins pick up some nominations for this one.

5. Phil Vassar “Traveling Circus”

Phil Vassar squeaked out this soon-to-be hit just in the nick of time for this list.  Released on Tuesday, “Traveling Circus” will most likely be the last new country music album release of 2009. As they say, “save the best for last”.

6. Dierks Bentley “Feel That Fire”

We’ve seen Mr. Bentley persona progress over the years but the themes of his songs seem to be pretty consistent. A consistency, we seem to like.

7. Jason Aldean “Wide Open”

Jason Aldean’s debut album was great, “Relentless” was awesome and now “Wide Open” is super-awesome! Sorry, no pressure on your next album Jason!

8. George Strait “TWANG”

What can I say, long live the King. While I’m not sure if the whole reason I liked this album was for George Strait or because I feel it supports what some consider true country music. And sometimes “I need a little TWANG!”

9. John Rich “Son of a Preacher Man”

John Rich, stickin’ up for the little man! Rich’s biggest hit from his solo album is “Shuttin’ Detroit Down”. Believe it or not, there are several other good songs on this album too.  Give it a listen.

10. Pat Green “What I’m For”

Whether it’s a live concert or in album form, Pat Green always puts on a good show. “What I’m For” produced some of Green’s most recent success like “Let Me” and “Footsteps of our Fathers”.

Best New Country Music Artist Album Release

• David Nail – “I’m About to Come Alive”

I remember being stuck in traffic this summer on Lake Shore Drive and along side of me was a Ford F-150 pickup truck being handled by a young woman. As I turned down my radio, I noticed she was blasting David Nail’s “Red Light” over her CD player. I started to think that it was kind of funny because it’s not too often you find a pickup truck on Lake Shore Drive but what would be the chance it would be playing David Nail’s music as at the time he was relatively unknown. I started to ponder some more, as I had time being stuck in Chicago traffic, that Nail’s music is kind of like that pickup truck. It’s roots are country but I can sense a slight urban feel to it.

Best Local Country Music Artist Album Release of the Year

• Katie Quick – “Be The Change”

Katie has some real potential. (Label execs pay attention!) Her passion and talent will hopefully prove her well in the years to come. Hopefully, I’ll be adding her to the overall category in the future.

Best Special Album Release

• Sugarland – “Live on the Inside”

What more can I ask for, I love Sugarland and I’m a sucker for live albums. Way to go Jennifer and Kristian.

Top 10 Music Videos:

Posted on the Country Music Chicago Music Blog

Word on the Street – Dec. 12

The Grammy nominations are in.

Taylor Swift takes eight overall award nominations for the 52nd Annual GRAMMY Awards. Swift, second only to Beyoncé who leads this year with 10 nominations, received nods for Album of the Year, Record of the Year and Song of the Year in the overall categories.

Newcomer, The Zac Brown Band grabbed three nods, including the overall Best New Artist category. The nominations are determined by the voting members of The Academy.

Catch the 52nd Annual GRAMMY Awards on Jan. 31, 2010 which will broadcast live, on CBS, from STAPLES Center in Los Angeles from 7 – 10:30 p.m. (CDT). For a complete list of nominations, please visit grammy.com. Additional country nominations can be found in Field 8.

Concert Beat:

Country music sweetheart, Kellie Pickler is headed to Joe’s Bar on Dec. 16 for a private performance sponsored by US99. Recently announced, Joe Nichols is headed to Joe’s on March 5 for his first Chicago gig since the release of his newest album, “Old Things New”.

Unwrapped:

Country music’s piano man, A.K.A Phil Vassar, is set to release his sixth album titled “Traveling Circus” on Tuesday. The album’s title must refer to Vassar’s life as the song layout has a remarkably comfortable “Vassar” feel as his unique songwriting and performing talents are quickly noted.

While the album as a whole quickly impressed me, one particular song really stood out. I immediately knew why and as soon as I saw the co-writer. “Everywhere I Go”, a lost-love song, was co-written by Vassar and singer/songwriter Jeffrey Steele. Lost relationship songs seem to be something Steele has a knack for.

Pre-Order “Traveling Circus” on iTunes.

Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

As December 25 quickly comes around the corner, holiday albums and singles are quickly filling up my iPod. Some of the most notable new releases this year include Sugarland’s “Gold & Green” and the iTunes only “Country For Christmas – EP” featuring holiday “traditionals” from Lady Antebellum, Darius Rucker, Luke Bryan, Trace Adkins and Rodney Carrington.

A Special Holiday EP:

Local country band, The Hoyle Brothers has released a very special “Home for the Holidays – EP” to help support music education among Chicago’s underserved children. Almost all the proceeds received will benefit Rock for Kids, a local non-profit. Please help support this worthy cause by clicking here.

Country Thunder 2010

Grab your tickets now and mark your calendars! Country Thunder 2010 is back and better than ever. This year’s festival is set for July 22 – 25 and headlining this year’s lineup includes country music superstars Jason Aldean, Kenny Chesney, Eric Church, Miranda Lambert and Sugarland. Early bird tickets are on sale now and can be purchased on countrythunder.com

Seen on the Street:

US99’s Lisa Dent was spotted with her son at Navy Pier’s Winter WonderFest and the Chicago Bears Brian Urlacher was chillin’ to Carrie Underwood at Joe’s.

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