Noah Smith: A Long Cut Above The Rest

“If you ain’t broke, when you’re breaking, you’re doing something wrong my friend.” 

Those are the lyrics that drew me into the music that is Noah Smith.  He has a style and sound that is all his own and a lyrical approach that will impress you from the first word.  From his amazing lyrics to the high energy live shows to the special way he connects with his fanbase, Noah Smith shows why he a great musician that is on the rise.

Noah Smith is a singer and songwriter bringing  his Ohio roots and unique spin to the music scene.  He is a sound all of his own that is rooted country music and rock and roll. Noah describes himself as a “fan of so much music”.

Noah will tell you he is just a “typical midwest kid from Brown County, Ohio” that grew up with music all around his house.  His mother had Paul Simon and Alan Jackson always on in the home.  Noah found himself wanting to be a rockstar and was in a band all through high school and college.  They were playing 30-40 dates a year, but he realized that being a rockstar wasn’t happening in his early 20’s.  Noah, not ready to give up the dream, turn to the folky-storytelling side to him.  It was his love of storytelling that brought him into the world of country music.

Noah went to the Conservatory of Music in Cincinnati for audio engineering.  Noah went on to run a studio for awhile.  As well as writing and performing, Noah began producing a few songs.  He also began booking more shows for his music and working on an EP.  Noah released that EP in 2014, hooked up the trailer, and never looked back.

Noah’s work ethic is one to behold. Even though he has opened for several national acts, it is his fanbase that continues to be amazing.  Noah feels “he blessed with his fanbase”.  He told me that he just has to starve everyone out and not go away.  Noah and his band have toured 12 states and Canada in the past year.  He also released his album “Long Cut”.   Noah has also spent a lot of his time driving to and from Nashville.  He talked about taking the boys to school on Monday morning, then heading to Nashville to work and write through Wednesday.  Noah ends his week by gigging on Thursday, Friday, Saturday.

When it comes to songwriting, Noah feels that if he is the best one in the room, he is in the wrong room.  Noah was very complimentary to his talented bandmates and the co writers he has the opportunity to collaborate with.  He feels honored to be around such talent because he is always looking to improve his own songwriting.  He said that as kid “he fell in love with words” and the music came later.  He has been trying to go back to writing without the music and then adding in the music.  He enjoys “stepping out of his comfort zone and just writing”.  Noah feels that it takes his words to a new place.

Lyrics have always spoken out to Noah, so it hard for Noah to talk about influences.  The love of Paul Simon and Alan Jackson,  but he also can point to artists like Todd Snider and Johnny Cash. I would venture to say that naming your children Cash, Waylon, and Brooks, would also be an insight to some of the musical influences, though Noah has a sound all of his own.

Noah feels that he is continually growing as a musician, songwriter, and artist as he spends more time on the road, in the studio, and writing.  Noah has been putting in the hard work and sweat to create his sound and hone his craft.  Noah jokes that he didn’t name his album “Long Cut” by accident.  It took Noah a long time and perseverance to do the music he wanted to do.  He never wanted to be a cover band, so Noah worked hard to build his sound with his own music and built his fanbase in his home state.  Once that fanbase was engaged, Noah started spreading out across the country.

I talked Noah if he would love to see his music cut by other musicians.  He has had a few cuts with independent artists.  Noah also feels that Gary Allen would do his songs justice.  Noah also sends out surveys to people and creates a song for them.  He calls that  “Gift Songs”.  He looks at songwriting and music as a gift to share with people.

What can we expect for Noah Smith going forward? Definitely more music, more touring, and more growth.  On New Year’s Eve, Noah is scheduled with the Big Ol’ Family New Year’s Eve with Noah Smith at Ludlow Garage in Cincinnati.  You can follow Noah on all social media platforms and by clicking on some of the links below:

Noah Smith Music Website

Noah Smith Music Facebook

Noah Smith Music Instagram

 

 

 

Kevin Allen: Showing It Is Never Too Late To Follow Your Dreams

I would like to start this article by saying that Kevin Allen and I have been lifelong friends.  I have known Kevin during his years as a standout athlete, amazing student, loyal friend, and all around great guy.  Kevin has always been the type of person that did everything well and is one that excels at all his sets his mind to do.  It came to no surprise, that when I started seeing Kevin playing music around town last year, that his musical aspirations would soon exceed everyone’s expectations.  Kevin decided to forge a new path for himself when most people have settled into the life they have been living.

Kevin started his music in the church.  His father, Norris Allen Sr has been the pastor of New Hope Cathedral in South Rome for several years. Kevin began playing the drums and singing when he was 5 years old.  Kevin was always shy about his music.  Kevin thought that music was secondary to his sports.  Kevin was a standout in sports, especially baseball.  He played baseball in high school, college, and even attended Spring Training for both the Kansas City Royals and St. Louis Cardinals.

Kevin took to playing drums in the church regularly and singing with his friend and mentor, Sam Dillard.  Sam was a keyboard player that encouraged Kevin to learn to play the keyboard about 10 years ago.  After Sam passed away, Kevin watched several people come through the church.  Kevin knew that the church needed a regular person to play keyboards in the church.  He decided to build on what Sam had taught him and with the help of some DVDs, Kevin taught himself how to play the basics of gospel music.  He took on the role of being a regular and faithful keyboard player for the church.

From playing in the church, Kevin joined a band.  They played a few birthday parties and other small events.  The band was together for 2 years when the lead guitarist, Ted Thompson, passed away.  That loss caused the band to stop playing.  Kevin turned his focus on working on his craft for the next six years.  Ted had exposed Kevin to rock, blues, and other music.  Kevin would take these 6 years learning how to play other styles of music and really hone his craft.

About a year and a half ago, Kevin decided he would try to play a few restaurants in Rome.  Johnny’s Pizza was the first venue Kevin would play.  Kevin had no idea the response he would have, nor did he know how things would take off.  Kevin started out with just him and a keyboard.  After 3 months, he brought in other band members.  Kevin brought in his drummer, Paul Knox.  Paul Knox would introduce Kevin to Richard Wright aka “Bruiser” (On a personal note, Bruiser is one of the most gifted guitarists I have had the pleasure of hearing.)

The three-piece band started playing together and the momentum and their follow continued to grow.  They were bringing something different to the music scene in Rome.  They play fun music, people can dance, and always have a good time.

In November of 2017, John Graham was looking for a group to play with and Kevin  brought him in as a second guitarist.  He brings a different sound to the group.  Kevin is always looking to bring different people into the band to keep the sound from becoming stale and stagnant.  You might even see Will Camp on saxophone.  With all the different musicians that perform, at different times, Kevin has added the name KAMP to the name of the band.  The success is moving so fast and Kevin says that even though they are staying around Northwest Georgia, they are looking to move out and playing other places.  Kevin has plans for KAMP to be a true production with different events.

Even though the momentum seems to be a quick success, you can’t lose sight of several facts.  Kevin was shy and didn’t think he could play good enough.  Kevin had doubts that his voice was good enough to take on music.  It took Kevin to gain the confidence and studying his craft to make the leap into performing.  Kevin was 44 years old  to become confident with his talents.

When talking to Kevin about what influences his sound, he says there are so many.  Outside of the gospel influences, Kevin talks about being influenced by artists like Marvin Gaye, Al Green, Michael Jackson, Prince, Garth Brooks, Guns and Roses, and everything in between.  He also talked about newer artists like Bruno Mars and Chris Stapleton.  Kevin loves to listen to a song and the lyrics.  Genres do not matter to Kevin.

I think one of the reasons that Kevin is so successful, he brings all of his influences and brings something for everyone.  Kevin strives to be a great band, doing something different, and having people leaving his shows saying they had a good time.  Kevin is always trying to recreate himself and the band.  He wants to take each song he covers and do something different with that song.  It could be as simple as slowing it down or  speeding it up.

 

What is next for Kevin Allen and KAMP?  Kevin has started writing original material.  He has a goal to have at least one original song by the end of this year.  He wants to see KAMP playing in other cities and states.  Kevin is open to the idea of music become his fulltime job.

If you haven’t seen Kevin Allen and KAMP perform, you are truly missing out.  It is always a great time of music, talent, and dancing.  To find out where you can listen to his amazing music and dance the night away, visit the links below.

KAMP website

Kevin Allen Music Facebook

 

 

Lyrical Lists – Imprint

Sometimes I am lucky to see a band perform live and ask them for an interview, other times I am trolling the internet to see what acts are promoting themselves on the music pages.  The next band I am presenting to you guys is one that I found one late night of trolling.  Imprint is full on, in your face rock and roll.  These guys brought out the inner-metal head in me.  I listened to 3 songs and sent an email to the band.  I had to know more about them and hopefully share them with my readers.  Well lucky for you and me, these guys were happy to talk to me about the band, their music, and the future of Imprint.

Imprint is from Alcoa, TN and have been together since the Spring of 2003.  The band is made up of Lones Lynn with killer lead vocals, Heath Devine shredding the electric guitar, Allen Burnete killing it on bass, Doug Jones smashing it up on drums, and Chris Gaumond adding more spicy flare to electric guitar.  The band is comprised of guys that were playing in other bands and were all looking for that “special sound” they were not getting in other bands.  Once the band members found each other, the sound and their ideas just meshed well.  The band told me that they had a song written within the first hour that they were together.  After that, the band was able to push out a song a week for the first month and half.  They were able to add Chris into the current line-up of the band.  They told me that “Chris filled a hole” and added the flare.  Allen, on bass, is the newest member of the band and at the time of our interview was getting ready to play his first live show with Imprint.

Imprint plays all originals at their shows and the crowds are growing.  “Of course, you always want more”, the band told me.  Imprint really enjoys the crowd and their response while they are on stage playing.  They are seeing 100% crowd participation and they are “Digging It”.  They have shows coming up outside of the Knoxville area to show that they are not just your average Knoxville band.

I asked Imprint if they are seeing a need or a missing hole for the rock sound.  They told me that they “want to be true to themselves”.  “Rock and Roll is about putting your heart and soul into a song.”   Imprint doesn’t want to be the band that is “doing what everyone else is doing”.  The influences of the band are all over the map including Iron Maiden, Dio, Dokken, The Ramones, and several punk rock bands.  That is what Imprint feels makes their sound so unique to the band.  Doug told me that he plays the drums like he hates them but knows that you don’t always have to play a 100 beats a minute to provide a quality sound.  They are providing the listeners an option and it is an option that I am glad to have!

One thing that impressed me about the band the most is that as you get into the heavier metal type of music, you get a distorted sound and the lyrics are very hard to understand.  Imprint has clear and concise lyrics that are easy to hear and understand.  I was able to start singing along to the songs after a few days.  The band told me that was exactly what they like to hear.  They said, “We look forward to the day when they hear the crowds over their vocals”.  It has happened once in a different band and they said it makes you play harder and it is the biggest rush ever.  They attribute that to the punk influences like The Ramones.

I love that they are not a musician’s band.  They define themselves finding a riff and just going off on that.  They don’t need to play 1 million beats a minute to be “in your face Rock and Roll”.  That lead into a conversation about the song writing process.  “Every song has a story and it is my job to that story to life”, Lones told me.  The song writing is truly collaborative.  One member may have a beat or a guitar riff down and lyrics come around that or lyrics come in and the music shapes around the lyrics.  Some songs come together really quickly and “you are not sure where that came from”.

Imprint is in the process of getting their EP together and have 9-10 songs that are ready for CD.  When you are listening to the music on ReverbNation, you will now hear more flavor with Chris’ guitar and are even more full.  Of course I had to ask about my favorite song, “A Prayer For the Hopeless”.  The song means different things to different people but was originally written to show that change starts from within and to change the world you have to look at yourself.  Imprint jokingly told me that it was their “Man in the Mirror”.  I would also like to mention that “Lucy’s Song” and “Monsters Like Us” are on heavy rotation on my playlist but there isn’t a band song that I can find.  Be sure to check the ReverbNation link to hear and appreciate Imprint.

Coming up for the year the band wants to get release a new CD, new merchandise, and more shows.  Imprint is looking to grow as a band and not just be known as your “local band”.  Taking steps to being in front of as many people as possible is the focus for the Imprint and I am hoping that is a reality that happens soon.  They have a great charity show coming up soon.  If you are interested in seeing them in Knoxville, you can attend Hydrocephalus Awareness Rock Concert (HARC 2015),Saturday, May 16 at 8:00pm,Open Chord Brewhouse & Stage in Knoxville, Tennessee.  The band will also be in Ashville, NC in June.  You can get a full schedule on the ReverbNation link I have listed below.  Maybe, just maybe, we can get these guys here in my hometown in Georgia.

Imprint on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/imprintTN?fref=ts

Imprint on ReverbNation: https://www.reverbnation.com/imprint7

Lyrical Lists- Them Dirty Roses

What can I say about this next band? I heard them on the Pepsi On The Rise tour as it made its final stop in Rome, Ga.  Their sound was a complete throwback to my preteen and teenage years, yet it was fresh and new.  The band I am talking about is a 4 member band from Gadsden, AL called Them Dirty Roses.  The guys have been friends for most their lives, went to high school together, and now all live together in Nashville, TN.  Them Dirty Roses are made up of 4 colorful, wonderful, and southern charming guys: Ben Crain, James Ford, Frank Ford, and Andrew Davis.  They have been together only a year and half and have one of the bests sounds that I have heard in a very long time.  They have a sound, showmanship, and electrifying stage show well beyond the time the band has been together.  I can honestly say that this band has whatever “it” is.  Every time I play their EP to someone, they automatically want to know who they are and where can they find more music.

Them Dirty Roses has a strong Southern Rock sound that has been lacking in the music industry since the late 1970’s.  Their influences range from The Eagles, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Marshall Tucker Band, Black Crowes, Grand Funk Railroad, Otis Redding, The Allman Brothers, and many others.  Though they have a sound influenced by many but you really can’t compare them to anyone but Them Dirty Roses.  Their stage show is engaging, in your face, and non-stop energy from start to finish.  I cannot praise this band enough.  They are one of the most talented bands that I have come across.  If you ask Them Dirty Roses how they would classify their music they would say “southern roots rock and roll”.  They are trying paint a picture with their music and take you back to a “time when music was important”.  One of the coolest things they told me about their goals with their sound was to take you back to when music was “a movement”. “Music was Facebook, Twitter, and text messages.”  They just want to make music that tells a story and go back to the roots of music from decades ago.

When going through the song writing process, the range is all over the place.  It comes from someone humming a tune, a chord or musical progressions, anything.  The song writing comes from having something to say and telling story.  The intent when making their first EP was making something that you just want to put in the CD player and let it play.  They are all about the old school way of promotion of hanging the flyers, word of mouth, calling venues, and letting the hype of the band grow organically.   They told me that social media is a great avenue to promote the band, but there is nothing better than to “have someone in your face, telling you what you missed by not being at the show”.  Word of mouth is the best way to grow your band.

We talked at length about bands not playing Southern Rock anymore.  They are seeing some small pockets of radio play but they feel that there is a great need and they are filling that hole.  YouTube has been a great way for bands these days, but playing shows non-stop is still the best way to grow the fan base and that radio will catch up.

They have seen a great increase in the band’s name since being on the Pepsi On The Rise Tour.  They feel that the tour has been a great learning experience.  They are able to do music fulltime.  Them Dirty Roses will be joining many other bands at the Pepsi Gulf Coast Jam and will be opening for Miranda Lambert.  I am in hopes that the readers of Lyrical Lists by Layla will also help get the name, Them Dirty Roses out there as well.  We know that Southern Rock is not dead and these guys are bringing that sound back.  I love that they are unapologetic of being “in your face.

The best way I can describe the live show is a full set of balls to the wall music, with hair slinging, crowd interaction, and unbridled fun.  They truly have a good time and are high energy.  Their goal is to make people to forget everything but the music for the length of their set and “dance like no one is watching”  Them Dirty Roses will continue to play their music and know that eventually radio will catch up.  They will always be true to their sound and the fans will show up.  Them Dirty Roses and I agree that there is a huge need for their music and have plugged into the hole that is missing.  Southern Rock is a staple of music that appeals to the working class that want to rock out after a long week a work.  It is a distinctive sound and Them Dirty Roses are true, new ambassadors to the sound.  Them Dirty Roses are writing, recording, and performing music that are the type of songs that will stand the test of time and not just be a splash in pan.  I told the band that I can hear, in their sound, that this will be the music that we are singing in 2015 and will be singing in 2045.

So we can expect Them Dirty Roses to be here a while and leave their mark.  They are wanting to bring the soul back to music and make good music.  If Rock and Roll is trying to roll over, Them Dirty Roses is here to bring the fun vibe, roll your window down, and jam out rock back.  Them Dirty Roses refuse to let Rock and Roll lay down and fade away.  The guys are going to be constantly touring, recording new music, and continue bringing Southern Rock to a town near you.  I have linked a couple of my favorite songs, ways to find out more information on the band, and their social media.  Like I said, these guys are one of my favorites that I have ever interviewed and one that is a daily play in my song list.  You can purchase Them Dirty Roses’ EP on I Tunes now.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/themdirtyroses?fref=ts

Website: http://themdirtyroses.com/

You Tube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3kA31jdEgsq7bN3ukqvg5w

“Shake It”: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3kA31jdEgsq7bN3ukqvg5w

“Cocaine and Whiskey” Live: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w3fO4IfgfmI

Lyrical Lists – Kirstie Lovelady

What do you get when you combine Johnny Cash and Steven Tyler? Did I mention it is packaged in a 5’2 dynamite ready to explode on stage? You get Kirstie Lovelady.  This 24-year-old, ass kicking, in your face, rocking country singer from Nashville, Tennessee is blazing a trail all HER own.  I capitalized the word HER because this is only my second blog about a female singer and wow did I find a good one.  I recently met Kirstie at the Pepsi On The Rise Tour as it made its final stop in Rome, GA this past weekend.  I didn’t know of Kirstie until that night, but I will admit that she left an impression on me that was more than a breath of fresh air.  In a genre of music that has been coming under attack for not being “country” enough (whatever that means) and dominated by men, I find this wonderful young woman, doing her thing and hanging with the boys just fine. Kirstie Lovelady and I share something in common, people can’t seem to pronounce our names correctly.  I will help her by sharing that it is K-IR-stie, She will answer to variations but remember that you are pronouncing the “I” before the “R”.  Also, Lovelady is her real last name.  After the time I spent with her Saturday, a few text exchanges, and talking with her yesterday, I don’t think she knows how to be anything but 100% real!

Kirstie was born into a family that lived originally in Louisiana, but moved to Nashville when she was in 1st grade.  Her father is in the music industry and Kirstie told me she decided that she wanted to be a singer since she was a kid.   Kirstie’s dad, Rendy Lovelady, is in the music industry and she jokes about going to “bring your kids to work day” and knew that was what she wanted to do for the rest of her life.  Kirstie’s parents were supportive of her decision to make music her career.  When she told them, they only gave her a couple pieces of advice. Kirstie’s parents told her, “That’s great! You can be a performer when you graduate college.”  Rendy also told Kirstie that she needed to write her own songs.  Kirstie finished Belmont College in Nashville with a business degree in 3 1/2 years and started her career immediately.  I asked her did she play a lot of gigs when she was in college, and she told me that she played shows, interned at a publishing house, got familiar with the business side of the business, and wrote songs.  She started assembling her band and has not looked back.

Kirstie is a dominating force on the stage.  She is captivates the audience and makes you not want to turn your head away from the performance.  She is rocking the crowd and letting them know that is one girl who is ready to play and even out perform the boys.  I asked Kirstie what it is like being a female in the country music scene that has been dominated recently by males.  Kirstie does find that it is hard to break into the industry as a female.  She said that she “isn’t Carrie Underwood or Miranda Lambert. They have a place in music.”  Kirstie feels that if she follows her heart”, plays her “rocking country”, and prays, her music will be accepted and be loved.  Kirstie says she can only be true to who she is and she thinks the fan base will continue to grow.  Kirstie wants to leave her mark on the music world by writing good songs, with real lyrics, and entertaining the audience.  She has a voice that draws you in from the first word.  Kirstie Lovelady will be built upon live performances and writing good songs.  If radio comes along, that is great.  Kirstie told me “I am not going to write a song because radio says it has to be played this way.  She loves to take the stereotypes that come along with being a female, especially in the country world, and prove everyone wrong.  She feels that her country rock sound is something that no one is doing right now.  It makes her set apart.

I love to know who influences a person, so I asked Kirstie about her influences.  Kirstie will quickly tell you that her biggest influences are Johnny Cash and Steven Tyler.  She grew up listening to Shania Twain, Trisha Yearwood, and Garth Brooks.  More recent artists that she is inspired by include Eric Church.  You can see all of these influences in her music but there is also something very organic about what she is doing.

I talked to Kirstie about her song writing style.  She said writing a song is so personal.  She also added “it could be about a boy, being pissed off, song writing is my place to vent.”  Her songs come about while she trying to figure something out be it a boy, life, family, etc.  Sometimes she can be driving down the road and start recording it into the phone.  “I think that is what is so beautiful about song writing, there is no right or wrong way to do it.”

I asked Kirstie that since she has been on the Pepsi tour, has she noticed more people knowing her or has she seen an increase in her followings on social media and crowds coming to see just her.  She told me a couple of really cute stories about the tour.  She said she was talking to a couple at the show in Rome and they told her that they drove 6 hours to see her because this was as close as Kirstie gets to them.  She also talked about being in the restroom at a show in West Virginia.  She heard two girls at the mirror, putting their makeup on, and talking.  Kirstie heard one of them say, “I hear this tour is good.” The other said “have you heard of this girl before?  I heard this girl on the tour is really awesome.”  Kirstie said that she wanted to go up to them and say, “That’s ME!”

Kirstie is making plans for the rest of the year.  She is going to be in the studio and start working on some new music.  Then she is doing a summer tour with Beau James.  Then she has Gulf Coast Jam where she will be opening for Keith Urban in Panama City Beach, FL.  Gulf Coast Jam is September 4-6, 2015 and will feature many artists over the 3 days of the festival.   Then she will get started with the fall tour schedule with Them Dirty Roses.  She will also be working on recording and shooting a video for “Bad for You”, which is a duet featuring James Ford from Them Dirty Roses. and recording it in the studio.  She isn’t going to take a lot of time off.  She wants to stay out and playing show. because she just wants to be on the stage.

Now that the article is coming to an end, I want you go to I Tunes, search Kirstie Lovelady, and buy her EP.  This is one rocking country chick that is going to be a force in the music industry for a long time.  I don’t think Kirstie will just have her foot in the door because I see her kicking the door off the hinges.  I love this girl and I know you will too.  I have a few links below to Kirstie’s social media, website, and links to a few songs.

http://www.gulfcoastjam.com/

http://www.kirstielovelady.com/

https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/cry-wolf-ep/id907036676

https://www.facebook.com/KirstieLoveladyMusic

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w3mnK8Odzgw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X61WcRwEGJQ

Lyrical Lists-Brewhouse Music and Grill

If you are looking for a place to grab a great meal, catch the latest sporting event, and see a great concert, I have the place for you to visit! Brewhouse Music and Grill is located at 325 Broad Street in Historic Downtown Rome, GA and offers a full menu of delicious food for lunch and dinner.  After dinner hours you have the options of seeing a fantastic band or dancing the night away.

Owner Jay Shell is a good friend of mine and has been a tremendous asset to Downtown Rome as well as the entire community.  Jay started his business adventures in Rome by opening a restaurant a few years back called 333 on Broad.  The idea of opening was 333 on Broad was to have a business so that he could continue performing with his band KneckDown.  Shortly after opening 333 on Broad, Jay and his wife Melissa found out that they were expanding their family from one beautiful daughter, Madalyn, to another awesome son, Jackson.  Jay had to evaluate his love of family and providing stability to their growing family. Jay was able to grow 333 on Broad as a must visit restaurant in Rome with a small venue upstairs for the night scene.

333 on Broad quickly outgrew their space and with a building, that has been almost every form of short-lived night venue, just a few doors down, was transformed into one of the hottest places in Northwest Georgia.  Once The Brewhouse Music Grill made it mark on the area, 333 on Broad was merged in with The Brewhouse Music and Grill.  Jay’s goal was to provide great, affordable food with a place to catch the sporting events of the day, and provide hot music acts.  He has achieved that goal and then some.

I asked Jay about his ability to bring acts that were on the verge of breaking big and his answer was shocking, “I wish I could I say that I was that smart, but it is mostly luck.”  If you have heard of acts like Florida/Georgia Line, Old Dominion, Sam Hunt,Thomas Rhett, Tyler Farr, The Chris Lane Band, Brett Eldridge, Jana Kramer to name just a very few, then you have heard of acts that have graced the stage of The Brewhouse Music and Grill.  The 500 person capacity venue has sold out numerous shows with what were then up and coming artists, but are now some of the hottest acts in the country.  The Brewhouse doesn’t stop at just having upcoming artists or local musicians, they have also had some great acts that have been household names for years.  I have seen Emerson Hart (lead singer of Tonic), Confederate Railroad, Joe Diffie, Doug Stone,Ed Kowalczyk (former lead singer of Live), Drivin’ N Cryin’, Sister Hazel, Shawn Mullins, Jason Isbell, and the list could go on for pages.  Jay Shell has brought Rome, GA to forefront of the music scene.  Old Dominion was interviewed recently by Rolling Stone Magazine about where their favorite place to play and their answer was “Rome, GA”.

I asked Jay what type amenities does he offer the bands when they play The Brewhouse.  He told me he has a green room with washer and dryer so the band can do laundry, full cable television, and a place that the band can get off their tour bus and just chill out.  I also asked Jay if he thought The Brewhouse was providing an economic boost for Historic Downtown Rome outside of just his business and he answered, “Absolutely! We hear from the other restaurants downtown and nearby hotels that when we have big shows, they see an increase in their business and hotels are seeing more guests.”  To me, that is exactly part of the revitalization of Downtown Rome.

If you haven’t eaten at The Brewhouse Music and Grill, let me recommend any of the items on the menu.  I think they have the best hamburgers but you can also get a perfectly cooked steak, several salad options, sandwiches, pasta, and my personal favorite shrimp and grits, just to name a few of the items on the menu.  The Brewhouse is also available for private parties or large group gatherings.  I can’t brag enough at the phenomenal job that Jay Shell and his staff do for their customers.

I would be remiss if I didn’t add just a little paragraph about one of the hottest yearly events that Jay Shell has brought to Rome for several years ago, Rome River Jam.  Rome River Jam is a combination of local music acts with big name headliners in an all day musical festival format.  Some of the big names that have played on the Rome River Jam stage are Luke Bryan, Darius Rucker, Sammy Kershaw, Cole Swindell, Jon Pardi, Craig Morgan, Ashley Monroe, and many more.  Rome River Jam is usually held in May but this year it will be moved to September due to the other music festivals in the area, but I promise you that this is one all day festival that you should not miss.  I tried to get a hint of who we can expect this year but Jay is still tight-lipped.

I can’t begin to thank Jay Shell enough for seeing a need for a great restaurant that provides a wonderful musical venue for our local musicians as well as well-known artists to come to Rome, GA and putting Rome, GA on the map for a must stop for musicians.  Please find the link to The Brewhouse Music and Grill’s website to keep up to date on who is coming to play and check out the awesome menu.  The Brewhouse Music and Grill is a must stop place in Rome. I have also included some YouTube videos of some acts playing the stage at The Brewhouse Music and Grill.

http://romebrewhouse.com/

Old Dominion: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U_Apky3IXJg

Sam Hunt: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U_Apky3IXJg

Shawn Mullins: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aqiy9z1O7RA

Florida/Georgia Line: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-uPMruwsH5s

Confederate Railroad: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RpGalZJHY6I

Jason Isbell:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pvLGMGw5aek

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5xanDX8M-40

Lyrical Lists-Chasing December’s New CD

I am doing my first CD review on Chasing December’s new Self-Titled CD.  I always give every band that I review a 3 song rule.  If you cannot draw me in by 3 songs, we probably are a good fit.  I have to say that there are more than 3 songs on this CD that drew me in.  I also like a CD of any genre to be one that I can play from start to finish, as well as finding myself singing the lyrics.  This one met that criteria as well.  I am actually crazy about 4-5 songs on the 8 song CD.  If you are looking to fill the void of good alternative rock, this is a CD you should check out.  I can hear influences of Candlebox, Live, maybe a sprinkling of Goo Goo Dolls and Smashing Pumpkins throughout the CD.

On the track “New Orleans” you can hear possible influences of Dave Matthews and Blues Travelers.  “New Orleans” is a great song, cleverly written to give you the feeling of being in New Orleans.  The lyrics, “When I woke up I was kind of in a daze, from all the people dancing around on this hot summer day.” sums up any visit to New Orleans.

Track 3, “Lead The Way” is another great song on this CD.  “I share the union of last confusion” is a lyric that stood out to me this track.  It again is another well written song with great music that you find yourself wanted to hit repeat on.

Now I am going to highlight my 2 favorite songs on the entire CD.  I was listening to the CD and singing along, but when these 2 songs came on, they caught my attention the most.  I am not taking away from the rest of the CD, but Tracks 6 and 8 are the ones I find myself singing around the house the most.  I will admit that I have played these 2 a little more than I have the rest of the CDs but these are 2 great songs that should have air play today.  In a world that is searching for “where is the good alternative rock songs”, I have found some for you.

Track 6 is titled “Left Your Heart at the Door”.  This is your slower song on the CD.  It grabs you in with the first line.  “You left your heart at the door, as it was you gave me no more.” It then continues with “”Now I’ve found that hole in your chest, and this love was laid to rest.”  My ears perked up and I immediately sent the band a text to tell them how much I loved that song.  It is so well written and the music fits so well.  I have to say that it filled a gap in the music I have been missing.

The last track of the song, “Little Things”, is the most personal song on this CD in my opinion.  It has such great lyrics that I feel anyone could relate to at any time.  “I’ve got a story to tell, about my personal hell” sets the tone of the song.  By the time you hit the chorus, you will be nodding your head in understanding.  I personally love the lines ” Cause it’s the little things, that keep me coming around” and “I don’t say what I think, I’d rather sing it out loud”.

Now this is just my humble opinion and interpretation of the songs I have listened heard from Chasing December.  I guess I should have a clever rating system, so I will give this CD 4 out of 5 bars of music.  I think that if you are a fan of alternative rock and you are looking for a missing sound that you aren’t finding on mainstream radio, you will enjoy this CD.  I look forward to more music from Chasing December. Well done guys!

Lyrical Lists-Preston Summerville

This 24-year-old man who grew up on his grandfather’s farm in Polk County, GA is poised to take country music by storm by having his first independent 5 Song EP debuting at #72 on the iTunes country chart and being featured in the Pepsi’s Up and Rising Stars multi-state tour.  All of the success coming his way is because he is doing his thing, writing songs he feels, and just being Preston Summerville. Preston is spending time in Nashville writing part-time but is looking for an apartment to rent while he is working in Nashville.  Preston has just released a 5 song EP on I tunes as an independent artist and if being an independent, unsigned artist helps write and record songs like are on the EP, I say stay independent.

Preston Summerville was born in Carrollton, GA but lived to Rockmart until he was 10 and his family built chicken houses on his great grandfather’s property in Cedartown.  He grew up on the farm in Cedartown.  He attended Cedar Lake Christian Center Christian School  until his senior  year when the school closed down.  He went back to Rockmart High School to graduate and considers himself just a good ol’ Polk County boy.

Music seems to have been around Preston his whole life.  Preston’s dad knew 3 or 4 chords that he use to pick around on the guitar and make up songs about the boys Preston had over to spend the night.  His dad would make up silly songs.  At church, Preston wanted to play drums.  While is father was working at a hurricane clean-up his dad bought him his first set of drums at age 12 .  Preston would play “Old Time Rock and Roll” over and over until taught himself the drum parts perfect on that song.  He got his first guitar at 6 but at 11-12 he played more for his friends.  He would sometimes find himself sitting at school wishing it would hurry up so he could go play is guitar and drums.

Preston and his buddies started a christian rock band at the age of 15.  He said “we would go to these little venues with 8 other bands.  We had a 30 minute slot, set up, and bang out 3 songs as fast as we could.”  This is where the love of performing comes from for Preston.  He said, “I just loved to be on the stage”.   Growing up on a farm inspired Preston to start writing about his life at 14-15.  Listening back to the songs he thought were “cool songs then” shows him just how far he has come,but as Preston added “You’ve got to start somewhere.”

Preston and I talked about influences and favorite singers.  “The Highwaymen and The Outlaws are definitely my favorite.”, Preston told me.  Then the list of singers that we talked about next made me love Preston just a little more than I already did before the interview.  Waylon Jennings, Merle Haggard, Johnny Cash, Hank Jr are who Preston was drawn to but also growing up and finding favorite songs, he loved Alan Jackson, Garth Brooks, Brooks and Dunn.  He feels the influence from all of these powerhouse country singers but if you ask him who he admires the most in today’s music, Preston will tell you Eric Church.  Preston said he is a fan of an artist that writes their own songs.  He told me, “being a song writer, I know how good it feels to write a really good song, play it in a different state, and have fans tell you that the song meant something to them. I find it just as pleasing to the heart.”

Preston talked about being a fan of Brantley Gilbert as well as Eric Church.  We talked about the split in country music right now.  Preston says that he tends to take the more rock side of country.  Preston says he will write any style of song because he likes to challenge himself but also “a good song writer should be able to write anything.”  He takes such pride in song writing that he is always pushing himself and stepping out of the box. Preston truly feels that a lasting song is not writing about what everyone else is writing but is writing more about what he feels.  He does get some ideas from people but he never sets out to write a “radio song”.  He doesn’t want to sound like everyone else but writing about he feels because he has to feel, believe, and lived what he is writing.  The real songs are the songs that he feels will be “standing last” and not always writing the catchy radio trends.   I asked the all important question if he was interested in selling any of his songs or would he prefer to keep them all for himself? Preston responded,”I am definitely interested in having someone cut one of my songs.”  I asked Preston would it be a dream for Eric Church to cut one of his songs and he said “that would be top-notch”.

Preston has gotten to play some really awesome places and with the new Pepsi On The Rise Tour he is seeing other people singing his songs back to him.  He finds it so rewarding that people are relating to his songs.  He feels that you spend so much time working to have the crowds hear your songs and finally they are relating to them validates the hard work.  He told me that having people sing the songs, love the songs, and relate to the songs gives him “assurance that what I am out here doing really makes sense and has a purpose.”  He wants his listeners to feel his music. (This is my favorite thing about this entire interview.)  Preston told me, “the day I have 10,000 people singing my songs back to me, I am probably going to hit my knees and cry like a baby.”  He said it is that “awesome feeling you get deep that makes you feel appreciated”.

We talked a little about one of the songs on the EP he has out now.  We talked about his song “Bow My Head” (which is a phenomenal song).  He said that he didn’t write it as a christian song but wrote it about his faith, life, and experiences.  He feels that the song tells the listener exactly who he is and what he is about.   We also talked about the song writing process for Preston.  He talked about he doesn’t have a formula that he uses every time.  He sometimes writes down titles of songs and develops around that title.  Sometimes he sits down with a piece of paper and writes out some that are goofy, serious, complicated and sometimes he has a verse pop in his head that fits in with one of the titles he wrote earlier.  The process always varies.  He talked about some of the songwriters that have been taught the structure and feel like there are rules to writing a song.  He adds of course there is a song structure but he writes it as it comes to him.

Preston talked about his wife and being a newlywed.  He told me that his wife 100% supports what he does and sees how hard he works.  He told me she “loves me for who I am and I am as real with her as I can be.”  He has written several songs inspired by her.

Preston would like to stay independent for a while.  When he makes the decision to sign with a label he wants to be real picky.  He wants to make the right decision and not just jump on the first deal that he is offered.  If being independent allows Preston to open for some of the folks he has opened and record the music he is recording, I say stay be picky.  He has opened for Glen Templeton, he opened for GA/FLA Line and Sam Hunt when they played in Rome.  You can add to list acts like Thomas Rhett, Joe Diffie, Frankie Ballard, Parmalee, Chris Lane Band.  He is coming back on the Pepsi On The Rise Tour to Rome at the Brewhouse on March 14th, 2015.  Also listen out to 94.9 The Bull Backyard Country Saturday night for the song “Home Town Pride” as well as a station in Augusta, GA and a couple of stations in Kentucky.  I say this a lot about the articles I write, but I want everyone that reads this to remember the name Preston Summerville.  He is going to be blowing up your radio for years to come.  I have posted links below to Preston’s website, YouTube, and Facebook.

http://www.prestonsummerville.com

https://www.facebook.com/prestonsummervillemusic

https://www.youtube.com/user/psummerville4

Video for “Bow My Head”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=64saexU7_Oc

YouTube for “Home Town Pride”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JebAnLeuwkQ

Lyrical Lists-Joe Yeoman

Joe Yeoman is a country artist that is making a new sound to fill in the empty market for the fans of the 1990’s country music.  It isn’t a retro sound but a sound strongly influenced by the 90’s country era.  Joe told me that a lot of the country music out today is more the “tailgate and tan-lines” music geared for the 18-25 year old market but there has not been a lot of music recorded for those in the 30 years and older market.  He sees this need and is filling it with great music.  His debut album “Those Were The Days” will be released soon but some tracks can be heard on stations like 94.9 The Bull and 92.5 The Bear now.

Joe told me he was influenced by Garth Brooks and Travis Tritt.  He wants his music to sound new but a feel of the 90’s throw back.  Joe said he wants to record “lasting music that is not a fad like some of these newer artists that are recording “Bro-Country”.  Joe also added that “no one is putting out music to folks our age on terrestrial radio and to find the music we grew up on, we have to go to XM and/or pick and choose our music.”  He did say that “there is a place for every style and no one should be left out in the cold.”

This 34 year singer/songwriter from Griffin, GA is still working a 50 hour week, but is a weekend warrior for his music.  He has scaled back some of his shows to work on and finish the upcoming album.  He is the sole writer of his music at this time.  He is working hard to be a full-time performer by the end of the year.  Joe told me that he is most interested in putting out “good product that the listener can relate to the lyrics”.  Joe wants to be the type of artist that you want to see the stage show but understands that while his original music is still being released that he will have to do covers to draw the audience in.

Joe told me that “country music is about real life” and when he writes songs he writes about all topics.  He writes about anything from love to loss, family, church, and even the struggles of surviving daily life.  Joe has been writing since he was 12 years old, learning on a guitar that his grandfather gave him and wrote his first song at 14 years old.  I don’t think he has stopped since.  He has been playing all over the south and the backup band is a rotation of talented musicians he enjoys working with.

I have listened to Joe Yeoman’s music and I recommend “All I really Need (To Party)”, “Those Were The Days”, and “Where You Can Go”.  Joe Yeoman is writing about real life and getting the crowd up and going.  You can hear the influences in Joe’s music but to me Joe Yeoman sounds like Joe Yeoman.  Please click on the links below to Joe Yeoman’s Facebook Page, Website, and links to music.

http://www.joeyeoman.com

https://www.facebook.com/JoeYeomanBand

https://www.youtube.com/user/joeyeoman

All I Really Need (To Party): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wiIbkJ1UmP0

Lyrical Lists-Bennie Gray and The Trailer Park Cowboys

All of my interviews are fun in their own special way, but interviewing Bennie Gray and The Trailer Park Cowboys last Saturday was a blast!  I came in to The Brewhouse Bar and Grill watch part of their sound check and to interview the band.  I heard the band perform one of my all-time favorite songs, “Suspicious Minds” by Elvis and it was awesome.  I headed back to introduce myself to the colorful cast that makes up The Trailer Park Cowboys, to see that they were in a circle working on harmonies, again Awesome.  We exchanged introductions but I will use the introductions that are on the inside of their new CD “Because of Drinking”.  Bennie Gray is listed as Lead Vocals, Acoustic Guitar, and CEO of all things trailer park.  Joining Bennie is Shannon “Beef” Wilson (Bass Guitar, Harmony Vocals, and Hair Care Products), Dida Knight (Drums and Yelps), Scotty Knight (Guitar and Brilliant Ideas), Dave Harper (Guitar, Lap Steel, Keyboards, Percussion, Shotguns, and Tough Decisions), and last but not least Austin Harper (Guitar, Pedal Steel, Mandolin, Baritone Guitar, and Luxurious Hair).  Of course all of the fun is certainly translated to the stage as it was adorned with the ever so important Pink Flamingo.  (Full disclosure, they told me his name but I can’t find where I wrote that down.)  We had a good time joking and laughing as they told me I was their first real interview. (Oh boy, someone didn’t tell them that I am not a real interviewer.)

All joking aside, as big as their personalities are, the music is just as big.  Bennie Gray and The Trailer Park Cowboys classify their genre as “Americana” and say they have a very loyal fan base.  They are 5 local guys and one rocking lady from Rockmart, Dallas, Cleveland, Cedartown, and Yorkville.  Some band members were thinking of retiring, others were just getting started, but what they have found coming together, is a sound that is all their own.  You will catch the occasional cover at their show, but with a building repertoire of original music, the fans would rather request their favorite Bennie Gray and The Trailer Park Cowboys song.

The origin of the band’s name is pretty easy, Bennie Gray is the lead singer.  The Trailer Park Cowboys is the fun part to explain.  The band told me about a bar they played in the earlier days that was across the street from a trailer park.  The loyal patrons of the bar would walk from the trailer park to the bar, stay until closing, and walk back to the trailer park.  The band started referring to the bar as “The Trailer Park Club” and from that the Trailer Park Cowboys were born.  Bennie told me that “we have all known each other for a long time and always wanted to play together, but the timing was always off.”  The timing is on now!  The band has a CD that is full from start to finish with smartly written lyrics, fun sing-along, deep thoughts, and everything in between. (Full review of the CD coming soon, but I have been playing “Wasted Time”, “Because of Drinking” and “Bitch” a lot.)

The band has opened for Jason Isbell, Drivin’ and Cryin’ among others in the 3 years they have been playing together but they have also transitioned nicely to drawing their own crowd.  At their past Saturday night show, the band was recording a video to one of the songs off of the “Because of Drinking” CD and the recording was done in the big style that Bennie Gray and The Trailer Park Cowboys are known for perfecting.  They band asked the crowd to film with their cellphones and submit the footage to the band.  That footage would be edited to make the video.

Song writing duties fall mostly on Bennie Gray.  He told me that it is hard for him to write the songs down but the rest of the band are making him write things down for use in the studio.   Bennie has been writing for years and sees that his songs are getting better.  Bennie begins writing on the acoustic guitar because if “it doesn’t sound good on the acoustic, it isn’t going to sound good with the full band”.  Songs come from experiences that he may be going through but  he draws from experiences of friends especially in “Because of Drinking”.  Bennie told me that they must “keep writing original music, continue to show growth, and travel to different venues” and the band will continue to grow.  Bennie has written the majority of songs on the new CD with some help from Dave Harper.  Bennie isn’t your traditional put the pen to paper type of writer.  The majority of the songs are stored in his head.  He hears a note or two and the songs just seem to develop on their own.

These guys do not want to just gig around on the weekend, these guys want to make this their career.   The band loves getting request of their originals and love it even more to see the crowd sing back to them.  Bennie said, “it has to be one of the coolest feelings”.  You can catch Bennie Gray and The Trailer Park Cowboys playing all around the place and can pick up their debut CD “Because of Drinking” and t-shirts at the shows.   I can say that if they keep the formula they have now, this band has a bright future.  I would like to end by given Dida Knight a big shout out.  I have mad respect for a woman playing drums, and you sister play the heck out of the drums! Visit the links below to see Bennie Gray and The Trailer Park Cowboys’s Facebook Page and a few links to some songs.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Bennie-Gray-The-Trailer-Park-Cowboys/141316549217881

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QEn4ngsVYlE (Because of Drinking)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JW6pd1Uz_DA (Something I Ain’t)