Shooter Jennings: Obsessed, But Not in A Creepy Way

Just a quick little note because I would like everyone to check out Shooter Jennings's super performance of "The Real Me" on The Late Show With David Letterman last night:

I think he knocked it out of the park. He and the band sounded great! THIS is why I love music. It makes me feel something, want to sing along...pump my fist. Awesome job, guys!

I also have to share this interview with Shooter from one of the blogs I follow, Farce the Music. It's pretty dang funny (language kids...there's some language.)

Banter is hilarious. I recommend reading it.

But if you're a lazy butt, this is why I happen to be obsessed with Shooter today:

FTM: Speaking of outlaws, just what the heck is XXX music? Are you that big into porn?

Shooter: Only the kind that you can get at ammo stores.  But seriously, the website we set up last year GiveMeMyXXX.com was originally a petition to try and get folks to pay attention to what I felt was a very big and very unfair gap in modern music.  This contingent of artists don't fit into Nashville or Red Dirt circles really, and they're too hard edged for Country radio, and they're too Country for Rock radio.  I always felt I fell in that gap, and artists like Hank 3 did as well.  But that gap has grown considerably, and I wanted to create a resource page for people to hear, read about and find more of these bands.  Then we started releasing compilations which I think really got people into a lot of artists they'd never heard before.  By the end of it all, I felt pretty proud of the work we did last year.  Now we're trying to create some more active resources to help people find music, as well as playing shows and working in the studio with them.  I just think there's a tidal change about to come with Country.  I think we're gonna start seeing more and more of these bands get closer and closer to the mainstream until it cracks.  Most people I know love Scott H. Biram and Hellbound Glory.  It's like the new rock and roll in a way too.  So to answer your question, the XXX moniker isn't something that we're trying to force on anyone, it was just a way of categorizing it…  but at the end of the day I think we got some people's attention.

If you don't know what XXX is, you can click on the link.

I think it's SO great that Jennings is fighting for what is--in my opinion--some of the best, best music out there.

And I dig the shirt he wore on Imus in the Morning.

My Music Education: Bob Wills

"So who is Bob Wills?" Mike asked me when we went to Cain's in Tulsa, Oklahoma a few weeks ago.

I was pretty dang embarrassed that the only thing I know is what Waylon Jennings had to say about him.

I'm a huge country fan. (You have probably figured that out by now!) But I'm realizing I need to educate myself about the legends...the artists who laid the foundation for country music. Not just Cash, Waylon, Willie, Hank, and Merle. I already know about those guys...and Brantley Gilbert name checks them, so I need to go deeper.

Speaking of Brantley Gilbert and his ilk, I am even more motivated to make sure I am knowledgeable in all things country. 

As mainstream "pop country" junk continues to descend into the depths of corny, over-marketed, shallow crapola that makes the listener's IQ drop a few points...I realize I need to get all up in the history of the music I love.

A steel guitar dies every time Luke Bryan asks some country girl to "shake it for the squirrels." Holy God.

Rant over.

This look at Roger Miller from the Moonrunners Country blog is a good example of how I'd like to learn more about some country legends. And you get to go on the journey with me!

Lucky you.

We start with Bob Wills. BobWills.com has a pretty extensive history/timeline of his life.  The dude sure got married quite a few times!

Basically, Wills is known as the King of western Swing. (1) He got an early start. As a third generation fiddler, he first hit the stage in 1915. At only 10 years old, Wills was called on to fill in for his dad, who was too drunk to jam. (2) He founded the Texas Playboys in 1934, rocking the fiddle in the band.  (1)

Gaining popularity in '40, some of his hits with the Playboys include:

"Steel Guitar Rag" You can hear the jazz influence...and the country playing.

"Rose of San Antone" Surely you recognize this. It has words too. (Please enjoy the Patsy Cline) That's a melody that grabs you and makes you feel something...lyrics or not.

"Faded Love"  Wills' father came up with the tune. It didn't have lyrics until 1950. Now "Faded Love" has been recorded by more than 300 artists. (2) Check out Conway Twitty & Loretta Lynn's version of "Faded Love."

So what's the Cain's connection? Wills played there for the first time on New Year's Eve 1935. He and the Playboys made Cain's their home until 1942. (3) 

From the Cain's Ballroom History page:

"the ballroom was especially significant for popularizing a new sound of western music called western swing, a form of country and western that combined jazz, hillbilly, boogie, blues, big band swing, rhumba, mariachi and jitterbug music. Weekly dances, a midnight radio show and a daily noon-hour program were played by Bob Wills during what are remembered as his 'glory years.'"

Bob Wills influenced artists like Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard and Asleep at the Wheel. (3)

Wills is in both the County music Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. (1) He died in 1975...in the middle of recording an album with Merle Haggard, who was a fan. (1)

Sources:
(1) Wikipedia  
(2) Famous Texans
(3) Cain's Ballroom History

Hey! Country music hipsters, dipsters, and experts: did I miss anything? My shady internet sources gave me wrong info? Please let me know! (Nicely..I'm trying to do some good here!)

Tulsa Time: Concert Review

If you get a chance to see a show at Cain's Ballroom in Tulsa, Oklahoma, do it! 

Mike and I made the 3 hour drive (worth it!) to see 2 of my favorite acts: Shooter Jennings and Cody Canada and the Departed this past weekend. (Friday, 3/23/2012)

 BUT Cain's hosts a huge variety of shows...everything from traditional country to pop to rock to...Gwar. (That link is only for those with a strong constitution, by the way.) 

Cain's is probably the best venue I've been in--it's got a long history that the people of Oklahoma obviously hold in pretty high regard. The sound and acoustics there are amazing, and I really dig the atmosphere:

"The highlight of the ballroom is a historic maple, spring loaded dance floor designed in a “log cabin” or concentric square pattern. Lighting the dance floor is a four-foot neon star and a silver disco ball. The walls are decorated with oversized photographs of various musicians who played Cain’s, including Bob Wills, Johnnie Lee Wills, Ernest Tubb, Ted Williams, Tex Ritter, Kay Starr and Tennessee Ernie Ford. Between the portraits are black fiddle-shaped fixtures illuminated by a single red bulb."

 My trip to Cain's definitely motivated me to do some research on Texas and Oklahoma music.

On to the Show:

Uncle Lucius was up first. They are from Austin, Texas. Uncle Lucius describes their music as, "R & B, Blues, and Country." I'd throw funk and jam in there too.

This was my first time seeing them. I definitely recommend checking them out if you are into any of the aforementioned genres. Their music is unique, catchy, intelligent, and groovy. They put on a great stage show.

I now follow these guys (who apparently refer to their loyal fans as "nieces and nephews." Adorable) on twitter. They just signed a record deal and I'm pumped to be able to follow their career. 

Each member is hella talented, but the lead singer, Kevin Galloway, can SING. Excuse me. SANG! This became evident when, near the end of the concert, the band covered "War Pigs" by Black Sabbath. Really. It changed my life.

Uncle Lucius sounds like what I imagine the best of the Austin music scene would be. 

Shooter Jennings, son of Waylon and super bad ass played second.

I have to digress a bit. It's not easy to see, but his steel guitar player (far left) seriously looks like Andy Dick.

I have been a Shooter fan for about 7 years. I think that what he does best is grungy southern rock, or melodic rock-country. THANK GOD his new album, Family Man is going in that direction.

Shooter opened with a song from that collection, "The Real Me." Great fist pumping opener. He continued with my absolute favorite song from Family Man, "The Long Road Ahead." 

Jennings played a good mix of new stuff, including 2 songs that will be on an album released later this year--both sound good, and older stuff from what is still my favorite album from him, Electric Rodeo. 

As a super fan, I could have listened to Shooter play for much longer than he did. He is not the greatest vocalist, and he has had some hits and misses as he tries to find his voice, but he makes you FEEL...when he shoots for the heart, he hits it. I am so glad that he seems to be putting his own spin on rockin' country music these days. 

The first goose bump-inducing moment of the evening: Shooter leading us in an acoustic version of what is probably is biggest hit, "Fourth of July."

"Fourth of July" music video

Cody Canada and the Departed closed out the show. Cody would be the "Canadian" in Cross Canadian Ragweed. CCR (which means something entirely different to my parents) is probably tied with Hellbound Glory for my favorite band.

When Cross Canadian Ragweed broke up, I was a sad bear. But Cody got this new crew together pretty quickly. Their first album, This is Indian Land is a collection of covers/tributes of music from Oklahoma musicians...done in a new way.

Their set was so killer.

They sang, mostly, songs from This is Indian Land, including my fave, "Skyline Radio." (Not the best version of this song linked, but you get it.) 

They might have been kicked out of Cain's if the didn't do a Cross Canadian song or 2, and they did: "Dimebag" and "Alabama." I was happy with those choices.

The band is going into the studio in May to start working on an original album. They sang 3 songs I didn't recognize, one I know is new...they are different. Straight up, no question, ROCK. I loved it and can't wait to see where this project goes.

I could go on...and on about the amazing time I had sharing my Friday night with such talented musicians in a great venue. The whole show had such a great vibe. Beginning to end, it was magical. (Possibly why the little caravan is called the Magical Misdemeanor Tour!) 

One of those nights I wish I could just bottle up and relive when I need a pick me up.

I am thankful beyond words for people who make amazing music.

I am also thankful beyond words that the good Lord gave me someone to enjoy it with:

Why Aren't You Listening to These Guys?!

Hellbound Glory "You Better Hope You Die Young"

Mike and I got to see them twice last weekend in Kansas.

I wasn't expecting to be one of, like, only 5 people in the bars who knew their songs. And I wasn't expecting to hear tons of covers.

I figured they had some type of following--and they probably do in some places. 

But they should have a following in every place in the damn world.

This is real  country music. Amazing story telling, great melodies, excellent playing...truly living out the songs. (Really, they do!) Anyone who says they like country music should be a huge fan of Hellbound Glory.

They pay tribute to classic country: The Hanks, Waylon Jennings, Johnny Cash...while sounding fresh and original at the same time.

The shows were great--and the second night they recognized us and asked us to hang out.

SO COOL!

We talked about bad tattoos, gangster rap, and movies. I felt kinda awkward...I didn't really know what to say to them. Oh, and I totally dorked out a bit. ("Omigosh you are such a great songwriter...I appreciate what you do so much...blah, blah blah.") Mike says I didn't make too much of a fool of myself!

This isn't a concert review. It's me wanting to help. To be a part of music I believe in.

One of my favorite bloggers has already said what I want to say better:

"The fact that Hellbound Glory, as big as they may be in certain circles, is still a relative unknown, is the clearest evidence I can procure that country music has no idea what it’s doing, and has no working system in place to mine and develop talent. At the least BMI and ASCAP should be shuttling suits out to Reno to poach Leroy (Virgil--lead singer)’s brain for this high Sierra gold that would instantly raise the bar of songwriting in the mainstream country world."

 --The Triggerman

Seriously...Leroy Virgil has that songwriting gift from God. I could go on forever about it. These masterpieces are not written in a Nashville office. The reference: real life. Not marketing demographic spreadsheets.

Hellbound Glory is planning to release a new album this year. Produced by Shooter Jennings. Called 'Merica.

That's your cue, Team America fans!

The new songs they performed made me SO pumped for what's in store!

I want to do what I can to be a loyal fan of this band. To spread the word. To bring them to Springfield and get them in front of people who appreciate good music.

Thanks for sticking with me through my rambling adoration. I could go on, I could get all over dramatic...but I won't. I'll just say that if you don't like Hellbound Glory...

You don't like country music. In fact, you don't have a soul.

Okay, maybe I'll be a little bit over dramatic.

Hellbound Glory "Hank Williams Records"

I Had it Made in Manhattan

 

 

Last weekend, my handsome husband and I went on a little road trip to Manhattan...Kansas, that is.

 

It was about a 5 hour drive...worth it for 2 nights away from home, and 2 nights of Hellbound Glory.

 

I have already written about this band...but that was before I saw them live. And met them. Yeah, that's right.

So, they get another post from me!

First... a bit about our trip...

In case you are wondering...yes, we pretty much just made the trip to see Hellbound Glory 2 nights in a row. There's not really a ton to do in Manhattan. But, as a lifelong Springfield, Missourian, I found myself pretty jealous of Manhattan's downtown college district, Aggieville. 

Aggieville is a super cute, busy, energetic little place. It's fun, quirky...and not peppered with run-down, empty buildings.

I pretty much ranted for an hour Friday night...wondering why downtown Springfield isn't that alive.

Any city's downtown is its heart. Where you'll find a place like Nonna's...instead of an Olive Garden, Staxx instead of a Forever 21. I feel like Springfield deserves better. It deserves more great places like the ones I just mentioned.

I blame the 2006 "bar ban" for a big part of downtown's decline. Several venues closed because of that decision. Now, no one younger than 21 is allowed in businesses that make a majority profit on alcohol sales.

 

No disrespect to downtown Springfield... or any of the people who are working to make it a fun, exciting place. There may be some "grass is always greener" attitude in what I'm saying. Manhattan is also a smaller town, so maybe it's a more tight-knit place, and everyone goes out together on the weekends.

One more thing: This anti-anxiety med-popping gal hasn't been so relaxed in...uh...years? I don't know why a 2 1/2 day road trip was just what I needed to get a break from being on the brink of a panic attack several times a day...and stomach knots that strike like clockwork at 5:30 every morning, but it was.

It was such a relaxing trip. Pretty much all we did was sleep and eat (cheaply).

Well, that, and kick it up to some of the best music out there. And meet Hellbound Glory. Did I mention that? Yeah...yeah, I did. Okay.

More on THAT--and my brush with what is, in my mind, country music genius-- is coming a bit later.

Peace!

"Why You Gotta Be So Mean?"

I was sleeping during most of the Grammy Awards Sunday night. I woke up just in time to see Jennifer Hudson's stirring tribute to Whitney Houston...whatever Nicki Minaj did...and Adele being all adorable and British.

Monday morning one of our local news stations posted something like this:

"Tell Us! Taylor Swift dissed Branson last night while singing her song "Mean" at the Grammy's. She mentioned being "washed up in Branson." How do you feel about it? Is she getting a little too big for her britches?"

 And so it began...

Everyone picked up on, and "weighed in" on this...

I don't think anyone bothered to actually listen to the song:

It's at about the 2:50 mark...Allegedly she says "washed up in Branson."

To which I say...um, no.

The lyric is "washed up and ranting about the same old bitter thing..."

I clearly hear a "t" all up in there. RanTing. Or, rather, "rantin.'" Either way, T-Swift is not dissing the family-music capitol of the country. Andy Williams can rest easy and the Haygoods can get their fiddle strings out of a bunch.

Besides: "washed up in Branson 'bout the same old bitter thing." That might make sense if Justin Moore was singing it, but most of Taylor's lyrics are actually, you know, semi-intelligent.

I'm not a Taylor Swift fan. I don't hate her. She's not country. But she doesn't offend me.

I'll keep my opinions about sensationalism and research and newsy matters to myself.

So...let's all just calm it on down, and read the more juicy conspiracy theory behind "Mean:" whether or not it was written about one of my favorite bloggers.

 

Movin' On

I've decided to start a new blog.

Obviously.

I started Livin' in Fast Forward as a wedding blog. I had delusions of grandeur that I was going to be a hit in the alt-wedding blog world. Seriously...it's a whole world. But when we got around to marryin' time, I didn't really care if a bunch of owl-loving, DIY-ers thought I was cool.

So this one is going to have a bit more of a focus. Music, entertainment, culture...social media...ideas, writing, and other things that I love.

I hope to do some thinking, provoke discussion, find some people who love the same things I do, and share some great music.

I plan to do some more tweaking soon, and plan to write often.

So come along on this journey with me!

To close this one out, a song from Waylon Jennings.

  "Don't You Think This Outlaw Bit's Done Got Out of Hand"

Waylon died 10 years ago today. He left us plenty of good stuff to keep our ears happy, and our souls restless. In a good way.

Thanks, Waylon.