Monday, December 23, 2013

Billy Yates and Rich Fagan at Frank Brown International Songwriter's Festival


Billy Yates and Rich Fagan at Frank Brown International Songwriter's Festival 


Alabama Music Office. com goes to Alabama's Gulf Coast to attend the Frank Brown International Songwriter's Festival 2013. Billy Yates and Rich Fagan entertained at Pirates Cove on Josephine Point near Elberta, Alabama.

Billy Yates may be best known as a hit songwriter, having written songs for some of Country Music's finest including: George Strait, Kenny Chesney, Sara Evans, Joe Nichols, John Michael Montgomery, Gary Allan, Tracy Lawrence, Jeff Bates, Chris Young, Adam Gregory, Sammy Kershaw, Doug Stone, Michael Peterson, Ricochet, The Oak Ridge Boys, Ricky Van Shelton, Gene Watson, Rhonda Vincent and David Allan Coe, not to mention the George Jones' classic, "I Don't Need Your Rockin' Chair" and his Grammy-winning smash, "Choices".

Billy Yates is also one fine honky tonk singer! After a string of efforts at a number of labels that began with a developmental deal at RCA in the mid 80's, plus full recording contracts at Curb Records and Almo Sounds (which produced his top twenty hit, "Flowers"), and his most recent major label outing on Columbia Records, Yates now has nine CD's to his credit, including his latest critically acclaimed disc, "Just Be You".

Those years of working with so many great companies has earned Yates the education that has now equipped him with the tools needed to operate his own, M.O.D. (My Own Damn) Record Label. He tours Europe extensively where the recently named European CMA Male Vocalist of the Year also dominates the airplay charts there with his smooth style of traditional country music.

Learn more about Billy Yates at www.billyyates.com.

Richard Fagan (born April 24, 1947) is an American songwriter and musician.[1] He has had six top ten singles and 18 charted singles on the Billboard Country charts. Fagan's songs have been recorded by Neil Diamond, George Strait, John Michael Montgomery, Clay Walker, Ricochet, Hank Williams, Jr., George Jones, Shania Twain, Patty Loveless, Collin Raye, Shenandoah, The Crickets, Jason & the Scorchers, The Blues Brothers Band and many others.
In 1979 his song "The Good Lord Loves You" was recorded by Neil Diamond and released on the September Morn album. The song charted in the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number 67 in April 1980.[2] Fagan accomplished nine Billboard Country chart singles in the 1990s including two of John Michael Montgomery's number one singles: Be My Baby Tonight and Sold (The Grundy County Auction Incident). Fagan had three additional songs on the Billboard Country charts in the 2000s, including the song "Why Can't We All Just Get a Long Neck?" that appears on the Hank Williams, Jr. album, I'm One of You. Source: Wikipedia

Saturday, December 21, 2013

Larry T Wilson at Frank Brown International Songwriter's Festival


Larry T Wilson at Frank Brown International Songwriter's Festival


Alabama Music Office.com goes to Alabama's Gulf Coast to attend the Frank Brown International Songwriter's Festival 2013. The festival would not be the same without Larry T Wilson. We are all so very thankful that Larry T is back!

Larry's cuts: Country singer Sammy Kershaw recorded "Too Far Gone to Leave," co-written by Wilson and Rock Killough in 1994. His "The House at the End of the Road" was a hit for vocal group 4-Runner and was also done in bluegrass style by Nashville's Larry Cordell for a Lynyrd Skynyrd tribute album. Other successful cuts include Cherie Austin's "No More Chasing Rainbows," Marty Rabon's "Take Jesus As Your Lawyer" and David Frizell's "Charlie Loves Hazel."
Larry Travis Wilson sings and plays sitting down these days, and not by choice.

One of the Gulf Coast's most popular and powerful performers for the last couple of decades, "Larry T.," as everyone calls him, has had a setback, one that many folks might consider a major one. As a result of a bone infection, he had to have the lower part of his right leg amputated in early February. For now, he is relying on a walker and a little help from a friend to get him to and from his favorite place — the stage.

But even while recuperating at the Fairhope Health and Rehab nursing home, he did not stay idle. He managed to catch rides from his hospital bed to perform at favorite haunts like the North Shore Grill in Orange Beach and the Silver Moon Lounge in Perdido Key. As long as he was back when the doors closed at midnight, the facility's administrators had no problem with his unique brand of out-patient therapy.

"It was the best medication I could have been on," he said. "When they told me I could check myself out and go play some gigs, I was like, 'Are you kidding me?' Some people were, like, 'I can't believe you're doing that,' but I was thinking, 'I can't imagine me not doing this!'"

More at: http://blog.al.com/entertainment-press-register/2011/04/coastal_songwriter_larry_t_wil.html

Thursday, December 19, 2013

Kim Carson at Frank Brown International Songwriter's Festival


Kim Carson at Frank Brown International Songwriter's Festival 


Alabama Music Office.com goes to Alabama's Gulf Coast to attend Frank Brown International Songwriter's Festival 2013. After their gigs many meet to catch up on what's happening in the world of songwriting. Kim Carson was on hand to sing some new material for us.
Kim Carson's motto is "Don't Fear The Twang!"

Kim has just finished her 10th CD to be released in Europe at the end of June and in the United States in October. Her forthcoming album "Enough Heart Left to Break" is good ol' honky-tonk music with a dance hall sound that is chock full of fiddles and steel guitars.

Growing up in rural Texas and Oklahoma and now based out of New Orleans, LA, Kim's sound is a gumbo of original high energy roots rock and renegade honky tonk music.

Kim Carson has been named "Best Country Artist" by readers of OffBeat magazine eight times. Carson has made a name for herself as the undisputed "Queen of Louisiana Honky Tonk Music" and distinguished herself as a formidable Country songwriter. After Hurricane Katrina, Carson moved to Texas to form "Buffalo Speedway", a Renegade Honky Tonk band in 2005. Kim moved back to rebuild her house in New Orleans in 2008.
Kim and her band tour extensively in Europe and have performed at the Country Music Festival in Silkeborg, Denmark / Routes du Rock Festival in Lavardac, France / Country Music Festival Vinstra, Norway /Western Experience -- Scheveningen, Netherlands / Country Rendez-Vous in Craponne, France / Mirande among other festivals. Her band "The Enablers" currently includes New Orleans players Jeb Rault on guitar, Marshall Baker on violin, Bruce Tyner on pedal steel and Wayne Lohr on piano....and sometimes Ian Smith an Mike Kobrin on trumpets.

"Kim Carson is as fine a roots/country singer as someone like Rosie Flores. Her brand of high Octane Twang is traditional without being retro." -Alex Rawls (Offbeat Magazine)

"Carson's combination of Honky Tonk and Rockabilly, Tonkabilly if you will, is as unique as her always enthusiastic stage show." -Fran Thomspson (Mullet Wrapper)

"Kim -- On a recent trip from Alaska to Nashville, I was lucky enough to catch your set at Billy Block's....blew me away. I produce and host a weekly show here in Alaska called the Arctic Cactus Hour and would like to add your new disc to my playlist" - Jim Stratton, Arctic Cactus Hour, KNBA Anchorage, AK

Carson's music is the real deal country with influences from Buck Owens, Merle Haggard, and Loretta Lynn. "She's less Diva and more Honky Tonk girl."

Tuesday, December 17, 2013

What the preachers said about Johnny Wyker


What the preachers said about Johnny Wyker

Alabama Music Office.com goes to the First Bible Church in Decatur, Alabama to attend "Celebration of Life," John D Wyker's Memorial Service.

Sunday, December 15, 2013

Mike Nash at Frank Brown International Songwriter's Festival


Mike Nash at Frank Brown International Songwriter's Festival


Alabama Music Office.com goes to Alabama's Gulf Coast to attend the Frank Brown International Songwriter's Festival 2013. After the gigs many songwriter's meet and learn from each other and renew old friendships. In that setting we find Mike Nash.

Mike Nash is a performer and songwriter raised in Nashville, TN. Unlike most musicians who move to Nashville to find their way Mike chose a different path, moving from his hometown to find his professional music beginnings in Cocoa Beach, FL. A published songwriter and front man for the Southern Drawl Band, Mike Nash has been writing for years but has only recently begun making a name by touring the club circuit throughout the US performing his music.  During his relatively short tenure, Mike has worked with Grammy and Dove Award winning producer Travis Wyrick recording "Against the Grain" and "Another Day in Paradise" which won album of the year and spawned a #1 song of the year and a #13 song of the year on the trop rock radio charts as well as beating out artists such as Brad Paisley & Jason Aldean to claim a #50 spot on the country radio top 100 songs of 2012. Mike also had his song "Lil Bit" chosen for GAC's Living Countryfied television program. In addition, his band Southern Drawl Band was voted band of the year 2012 beating out some of the country's top mid-level touring acts. Mike has opened for such artists as Eddie Money, Neil McCoy, Marshall Tucker, Uncle Cracker, Pure Prairie League, Cross Canadian Ragweed and Con Hunley as well as being one of only two artists ever to play Knoxville Tennessee's Neyland Stadium (the other being Kenny Chesney). Mike Nash is a unique writer who prides himself on a wide variety of songs to entertain even the most critical and a live performance charisma that cannot be missed.

Wednesday, December 11, 2013

CW Colt and Sam Cooper late night at Frank Brown International Songwriter's Festival


CW Colt and Sam Cooper late night at Frank Brown International Songwriter's Festival

Alabama Music Office.com goes to a late night session with C.W. Colt and Sam Cooper.

In 1958, at the age of 5, C.W. won his first talent contest with his Elvis impression, singing and dancing. When he was 10 years old Chet Atkins taught him his first guitar chords and he started his own band in San Antonio Texas. C.W. met Webb Pierce, Ernest Tubbs and Ray Price during this time and began performing for basic trainees on Lackland Air Force Base.


At 12 years of age C.W. was entertaining troops in the Philippines, Thailand and Okinawa. Moving to Colorado at 16, C.W. mastered the banjo and fiddle, playing on a mountain. He started the band named Free Lunch that included World Class slide guitarist, Sonny Landreth.

At 25, C.W. recorded "America The Beautiful" at Marty Robbins studio in Nashville and put together 'The America the Beautiful" show. During this time, he performed with Hank Thompson, Buck Trent and Sons of the Pioneers.

Turning 30, C.W. was working with Jimmy Buffet, Alvin Lee, Bo Diddley and Edgar Winters. He worked with Rita Coolidge, Bill Champlin, and Ronnie Hawkins's in Jim Carrey's first movie Copper mountain in Colorado. Later that year he recorded "The Cowboys Lullaby" with Patsy Montana and toured with her for 2 years.

In Santa Rosa California, at age 35, C.W. had the pleasure of performing shows with Chet Atkins, Waylon Jennings, Jon Conley, Roy Clark, Doug Kershaw and worked for Narada Michael Walden.

Since relocating to Key West Florida, where CW has resided for the last 20 years, He has compiled 40 years of his original songs and recording the Legends and Treasures series, his personal collection of music.

In C.W.'s more recent work he has opened for legends such as: Blood, Sweat and Tears, Three Dog Night, Paul Cotton, Mac McAnally and more!

To see CW Colt perform, check out his website to view his monthly calendar or inquire about his private Key West House Concert series.
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Nashville, TN based producer/songwriter/musician/performer Sam Cooper, Jerricat Music (SESAC), Jericat Music (BMI), Red Heart Records, Red Heart Music. All music on the "songs" page is written/co-written and/or produced/co-produced by Sam. To hear and/or download Red Heart Records' release of Ray Dahrouge's holiday album, "IT'S CHRISTMAS EVERYWHERE" (click the "albums" link ). Downloads of these and many other songs are also available at the "songs" page of this site. For hundreds of photos and latest information related to Sam, please visit Facebook, Reverbnation and/or MySpace at .com/samcooperjericatmusic. To contact Sam and/or to be added to his e-mail list, send a message with full name and contact information directly to jericat@yahoo.com.

Larry Cordle and Jerry Salley at Frank Brown International Songwriter's Festival


Larry Cordle and Jerry Salley at Frank Brown International Songwriter's Festival


Alabama Music Office.com goes to Josephine Point near Elberta, Alabama to attend a performance by Larry Cordle and Jerry Salley for the Frank Brown International Songwriter's Festival 2013.
Larry Cordle (November 16, 1949) was born in eastern Kentucky and is an American country and bluegrass singer-songwriter. Cordle is most famous for his song "Murder on Music Row", which was recorded by George Strait and Alan Jackson and received the CMA Award for Song of the Year in 2000.
Cordle has written songs for Garth Brooks ("Against the Grain", also recorded by The Oak Ridge Boys), Mountain Heart ("Bitter Harvest"), Ricky Skaggs ("Callin' Your Name", "Highway 40 Blues", "Heartbreak Hurricane"), Loretta Lynn ("Country In My Genes"), George Strait ("Hollywood Squares"), Trisha Yearwood ("Lonesome Dove"), Kathy Mattea ("Lonesome Standard Time"), Diamond Rio ("Mama, Don't Forget To Pray For Me") and Bradley Walker ("When I'm Hurtin'") .
Cordle also has a career of his own, with his band Lonesome Standard Time. He founded the band in 1990 with his friend Glen Duncan. He received a Grammy nomination for the group's debut album, self-titled, in 1992. In 2005 Cordle's band played at the Gettysburg Bluegrass Festival. On his album 2007 "Took Up and Put Down", his sings "The First Train Robbery"; a song about the Reno Gang written from brother William Reno's perspective.[1]
Along with friends Carl Jackson and Jerry Salley, the trio (Cordle, Jackson & Salley) recorded the song "You're Running Wild" on the Louvin Brothers Tribute on Universal South Records, which features numerous country music stars singing songs made famous by the legendary duo. Entitled Livin', Lovin', Losin': Songs of the Louvin Brothers, this project won the 2004 Grammy for Country Album Of The Year. The trio tours across the country and performs the hits they wrote for others.
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Jerry Salley is an American country and bluegrass singer-songwriter. Salley won SESAC's 2003 "Country Music Songwriter of the Year" award.
Salley has been writing and singing in Nashville, Tennessee since 1982. To date, he has had 300 songs recorded in his career, including by Reba McEntire ("I'm Gonna Take That Mountain"), Wild Rose ("Breaking New Ground"), John Anderson ("I Fell in the Water"), Wade Hayes ("How Do You Sleep at Night"), and ten (10) top twenty gospel songs.
Salley has had songs recorded by Toby Keith, Patty Loveless, Brad Paisley, Joe Nichols, Darryl Worley, The Whites, Loretta Lynn, and many others.
Salley is a six-time Dove Award nominee, and won a Dove award in 1990 for Inspirational Song of the Year. He won the award for co-writing "His Strength is Perfect", with Steven Curtis Chapman.
Numerous other nationally known country, gospel and bluegrass artists have also recorded Jerry's songs, including: IIIrd Tyme Out, The Seldom Scene, Mountain Heart, Lonesome River Band, Dale Ann Bradley, Jeff & Sheri Easter, The Isaacs, Bradley Walker, Newfound Road, Wildfire, Terri Gibbs, Kyle Petty, Barbara Fairchild, The Kingsmen, The Florida Boys, The Martins, Don Rigsby, Rock Country, David Peterson & 1946, Jake Hess, Lordsong, The Ruppes, Rebecca Lynn Howard, Melba Montgomery, Gary Stewart, Shenandoah, and Vern Jackson.
As an artist, Salley has performed on numerous stage shows, including the Grand Ole Opry. He has also appeared on Late Show with David Letterman, Regis and Kathie Lee, Today Show, and several shows on the former TNN network.
In addition to his Dove recognition from the Gospel Music Association, Jerry has received numerous awards from different associations for his songwriting accomplishments, from the IBMA, NSAI, SESAC, and Gospel Voice Magazine. Along with friends Carl Jackson and Larry Cordle, the trio (Cordle, Jackson & Salley) recorded the song "You're Running Wild" on the Louvin Brothers Tribute on Universal South Records, which features numerous country music stars singing songs made famous by the legendary duo. Entitled Livin', Lovin', Losin': Songs of the Louvin Brothers, this project won the 2004 Grammy for Country Album Of The Year. The trio tours across the country and performs the hits they wrote for others.

Source: Wikipedia

Tuesday, December 10, 2013

Dick Cooper talks about Johnny Wyker during Interview


Dick Cooper talks about Johnny Wyker during Interview 


Alabama Music Office.com goes to Shoal Creek near Florence, Alabama to interview Dick Cooper.
This interview took place Wednesday, October 2, 2013. Within the interview I asked Dick about many that made up the Muscle Shoals music world. Of course, Johnny Wyker's name came up.

I have almost 50 years of memories of Johnny. The one that comes to mind right now was when I called and told him his song "Baby Ruth" was to be included on Dick's Hat Band's release 'Got The Whole Town Talkin.' He was so very appreciative. His excitement was like a kid with a new bike under the Christmas tree. He carried on for quite some time thanking everyone that worked for Front Row Productions. Too bad his name was misspelled on the album.

Thursday, December 5, 2013

Troy Brannon at FloraBama for Frank Brown International Songwriter's Festival


Troy Brannon at FloraBama for Frank Brown International Songwriter's Festival


Alabama Music Office.com goes to FloraBama on the Gulf Coast to attend a performance by Troy Brannon for Frank Brown International Songwriter's Festival.

Troy Brannon is from the Baldwin County / Gulf Coast, AL area. He has been playing music professionally for 18 years. He began playing the fiddle at the age of 10, and also plays the piano. In high school, he played the fiddle in a local bluegrass band, and then began playing and singing in local bars, and restaurants around the area. His early influences include Garth Brooks, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Billy Joel, Bob Segar, and the Allman Brothers.

He attended the University of South Alabama on two vocal scholarships, while playing music at night. Troy began songwriting in early '90, and got recognition from the National Coalition for the Homeless for his song "God Made The Homeless,too", which they used in a multi-media slide show. He is also getting recognition in Nashville for his writing. Troy has been the front man in numerous bands, The Midnight Riders, Grits N' Pieces, etc.

Troy is a favorite on the Gulf Coast with solid fan bases in Alabama, Florida, Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi, and he is a regular performer at the world famous Flora Bama, on the Florida/Alabama line.

Troy has shared the stage with such greats as Trisha Yearwood, Taylor Hicks, Jeff Cook from the legendary band "Alabama", Percy Sledge, Billy Joe Shaver, and he is a regular at the Frank Brown International Songwriter's Festival, held every year at the Flora Bama in Perdido, FL. There he has shared the stage with writers who have had hits with Jason Aldean, Toby Keith, Willie Nelson, Trace Adkins, George Strait ; the list goes on and on.

Troy's band simply named the "Troy Brannon Band" , is as energetic and entertaining as they come. They play all over the southeast and abroad, playing weddings, entertainment venues, festivals, and as an opening act.

Troy is also CEO of his new baby, a record label called Phoenix Records and Entertainment.

If you want a show and music full of energy, versatility, and just plain fun, Troy Brannon is your man !!!

Monday, December 2, 2013

Randall Bramblett Band at Bama Theatre


Randall Bramblett Band at Bama Theatre


Alabama Music Office.com goes to the historic Bama Theatre in downtown Tuscaloosa, Alabama to attend a performance by the Randall Bramblett Band. They opened and backed up Chuck Leavell on this very special night.

Randall Bramblett has kept very busy over the years, selling out shows and being sought out by the best artists in the business. Last year found him playing with the Allman Brothers at the Beacon Theater in NYC, New Year's Eve with Widespread Panic, (he leads the MegaBlaster Horns,) and at New Orleans JazzFest with Chuck Leavell, in addition to performing on a new CD and touring with Bonnie Raitt and his own band.

Randall's real claim to fame is his exhilarating and heart-felt live show. An honest and true performer, Randall and his band leave it all on the stage every night, and his many devoted fans have taken notice. With headlining slots at many theaters and festivals, and numerous sold out performances, Bramblett's already shining star continues to rise. Each performance converts a new group of listeners into die-hard fans.

A jewel of Southern music, Randall Bramblett thrives on his new release, The Bright Spots, due May 14 on New West Records. Fresh off the inclusion of one of his songs on Bonnie Raitt's Grammy-winning album Slipstream, he has put together a masterful recording soaked with the soulful feel that has defined his music and that of his Southern contemporaries like Gregg Allman and Warren Haynes. From Howlin' Wolf to Ray Charles and "dark Motown" influences, sitar samples, gospel strains and even a snippet of water-splashing pygmies, The Bright Spots mixes diverse elements that dovetail into Randall's finest album yet.

"One of the South's most lyrical and literate songwriters." Rolling Stone
"You can't do better than Randall Bramblett" Bonnie Raitt