Man, I knew when I woke up on Saturday that tickets for the Willie, Merle, and Ray concert were going to be on sale, but I figured I d wait until today to purchase them so that Brady, Jenna, and I would be in the office to decide how many to get. We decided to purchase seven tickets in the Golden Section. Unfortunately for us they were sold out of that section and the next section, too.
It took less than two days for them to sell out of the two best sections! Luckily we still got tickets for the back section. Next time a big concert comes through that I want to attend I ll be sitting on the website refreshing the page until the tickets go on sale.
Unbelievable.
By the way, we ll be having a contest next month to give away two of the tickets that we purchased. Hopefully all three sections will be sold out by then, leaving our tickets in high demand and thus driving large amounts of traffic to The 9513 to enter the contest.
Without further ado, I bring you the best of today s news:
Speaking of Jack Ingram, he s featured on the cover of Texas Monthly.
I call it country. Not old country or new country, but country.
If you ve never heard of Brandon Rhyder, I highly recommend his album, Conviction.
The guy has got some awesome vocals. January 22nd, 2007 by Brady Vercher
I was referred to Jerry Adams MySpace profile by Brody when it came to writing this weeks MySpace Artist of the Week feature.
After a quick glance at his profile, I noticed Jerry Adams considers himself country. Not repackaged pop, not rock, just good ol country. A quick listen to his music confirms that he sure enough is what he claims he is.
There isn t much information to be found about Jerry, other than a Robert K. Oermann review that says:
I know absolutely nothing about Jerry Adams other than the fact that he’s one fantastic singer. When you track him down, tell him he’s a Music Row DisCovery Award winner.
—The lyric name-checks such Hag hits as “The Running Kind,” “Tonight the Bottle Let Me Down,” “Sing Me Back Home,” “Misery and Gin,” “Daddy Frank,” “Carolyn,” “Silver Wings,” “Mama Tried,” “Are the Good Times Really Over” and “Yesterday’s Wine.” Believe it or not, he manages to weave them into a story. And what’s even better is that he’s a wonderfully expressive honky-tonk singer fronting a note-perfect honky-tonk band.
For a shot of real country music, slap this one into your playlist.
Jerry has a few albums under his belt from the mid 90s and not much since then. On January 30, he is set to release the album that Oermann references above.
Go check out Jerry s MySpace profile and let us know if you like his sound.
January 22nd, 2007 by Brody Vercher
I ve been visiting a lot of record label websites lately and it s becoming apparent that the majority (I m sure there are some exceptions) of record labels aren t leveraging the internet to its fullest potential to promote their artists and their label in general. In the past, simply having a web presence was enough.
But times are changing and having just a brochure type website is settling for mediocrity. Labels need to learn to make their websites work for them. Poorly designed sites that are hard to navigate reflect poorly on the label.
Below are just a few of many ways they could do this.
All artists need to have their own website for their subset of fans, or at least a page on the label s site dedicated to their band and music. It should be up to the label make sure that this is done.
It gives the fans a place to seek more information on their favorite artists and get updated on the latest news. Even if the dedicated page just has a short about section and a link to a MySpace page that provides tour dates and music samples, it s better than nothing.
Record labels use their website to release news, but this seems to be more for publications to pick up and re-run in their articles instead of speaking directly to the fans.
Labels are generally limited to the audiences that they can participate in personal conversations with based on their geographical location. Having a blog breaks those geographical boundaries by allowing the label to participate in a conversation with hundreds of people at the same time. Utilizing a blog would allow the companies to lay aside the PR speak and communicate directly with the people who buy the music and support the artists, the fans.
Posting occasional news items on the site is a one way conversation, by having a blog the conversation is opened to allow consumers to talk back to the record label. Consumers visit company blogs because they re interested in the company and the product that they re selling. Labels sell music, so by inviting their artists to make guest posts would further connect them to their audience.
Problems arise all the time in the music industry. Albums get delayed multiple times and the fans get shafted. Labels could use their blog to communicate with their fans in an open and honest manner to let them know why the album got delayed.
People would appreciate the openess and honesty. Participating in the blogosphere by commenting on other blogs would help drive traffic to their own site, while helping stay on top of any confusion people might have about their label and clearing it up before rumors start to fly around.
It s common practice on blogs to use feeds, whether they be RSS or Atom, to syndicate information to the consumers, but feeds can be used for a lot more than just blog content.
Perhaps a label feels they don t need a blog for monetary reasons or whatever, but by using feeds to let readers consume their one way news conversations they would be making it easier on the people who actually want to know about them. Even without a blog, music could still be sent out through RSS. The possibilities are endless.
People like free things and they like to tell other people about free things. Giving away one or two songs would create buzz and drive traffic to the label s blog. Inviting other bloggers to take the music and post it on their own blogs would open up the record label, and their artists, to new audiences.
For example, a common practice among marketers is to provide valuable information for free on their blogs. It establishes them as experts and builds their personal brand. When the time comes that they want to write a book and sell it, or provide an eBook for a fee, they already have a built in audience who are willing to purchase their product.
The built in audience is the same people who they ve been communicating with on their blogs, the readers, commenters, and other writers in the blogosphere who consume and link back to their free content. It s essentially the same thing that would happen with record labels if they wrote blogs.
Having people use their contact information to enter an occasional contest would allow labels to gain leads for future promotions (only if the users opt in, of course).
The contest could also double as a marketing tool by creating buzz among their niche of the blogosphere.
Labels spend a lot of time and money on their offline promotions, but I think shifting some of that time and money to online promotions would go a long ways to strengthening their brand and customer loyalty.
The reason that this article came to be is because I was commenting to Brady how cool it would be to own our own record label, to sign the artists that we enjoy and try and spread the word about them.
It led me to start thinking about all the things that our record label would do different than the labels that currently exist. One of which would be communicating more effectively with the people purchasing our artist s music, and since Brady and I currently make our living off of web and blog design, it was only fitting that I thought a blog would be one way to do that. I have quite a number of other ideas on how to be successful by starting a record label, maybe I ll write about them in future posts.
Now if only I could realize these ideas in my own record label.
So the question arises, what would you like to see record labels doing differently? January 19th, 2007 by Brody Vercher
We have received some new albums for the and are still waiting on some others before we announce them.
We ll keep you updated as we add more. You can find the recently added artists below.
Johnny Cooper is the next big thing in the Texas Country/Red Dirt scene.
He s already performed with some of the biggest names and the only way for him to go is up. Keep your eyes out for an interview with Johnny in the near future, and in the mean time listen to some of his music.
The Josh Davis Band has a rootsy/mellow sound to them that is very relaxing.
Despite their laid back sound, Josh seems to be a high energy guy with a lot of passion from talking to him on MySpace. Go check out some of their tunes and let us know what you think. January 19th, 2007 by Jenna Vercher
It was recorded in Nashville and Fred Foster produced the album, which includes 20 newly recorded classics and two new songs. If you live in the Austin area, don t forget to get your for the March 16th concert, they go on sale tomorrow.
Me and Anderson have got Little Po and we re going to run you out of business, Bill says. John thought it was the funniest thing he ever heard.
I found out he was a fan of my music and he came to my show, she said.
I met him in the meet and greet line, and we became friends. He came onstage with me at the show, and I asked him in front of the crowd, Do you want to be in my video? and he said, Yeah!
January 18th, 2007 by Jenna Vercher
This agreement continues the previous eight-year relationship between the artist and this management company.
John Michael and I have always enjoyed a wonderful friendship and successful business relationship, says Dorris. Our partnership spanned from his dynamic launch to his inevitable super stardom.
Re-establishing these ties confirms Hallmark Direction s belief in his future in country music.
I m extremely excited to be back with my good friend John and the Hallmark family, John Michael says. I ve been very fortunate to have a lot of peaks and valleys in my career.
I ve seen a lot of changes since 1992. The main thing I ve learned is to just be myself, to treat people kindly, and if you give radio a good song, they ll play it. I know how lucky it is to be successful in this business, and I ve always tried to let the fans, the deejays and the people I work with know how much I appreciate them.
Well, this is the best news I ve heard all week. I know it s too early, but I can t wait to find out more information on the set date for the album. I ll be countin the days down.
On a different note, I decided to make a of my favorite songs he has recorded, which isn t easy because all of his songs have me Sold. Hehe, get it? January 18th, 2007 by Brody Vercher
If you d rather not open IE you can . Dierks Bentley is sportin his new haircut, the video even shows him getting his locks sheared.
No sane singer tries to avoid a hit. But when a particularly powerful record comes too early in a career, the song can overshadow the artist. Even Carrol admits that the term one-hit wonder crossed his mind.
I don t think he has anything to worry about if he can keep cranking out quality songs, but then again maybe this was just a fluke for him. He just better hope it doesn t take a year and half to write all of his hits.
Nashville needs a good shakeup, hopefully this is just the beginning, although it probably won t change anything.
Today has been kind of slow on the news front. I think all the cold weather is killing everyone s productivity levels, or maybe that s just us?
Funny how that works, we re trapped indoors where it seems like we could sit down and just write, but then nothing comes out. Nevertheless, on to the news:
I did watch American Idol last night and the dude with the cowboy hat butchered a Johnny Cash song. I m tone deaf, have no rhythm, can t hear very well and can still sing better than he did, at least I think I can.
Austin360 . I bought the CD a while back at Best Buy, but haven t gotten a good chance to really listen to it yet.
They say they re upgrading country music.
I tell them they need to find a new title and let us have back our traditional country music. They ve stolen our identity. I don t feel like the real thing will be back for quite a while.
I d like to see new artists recording traditional country music. Not for me. I just hate to see it not heard.
I hate to see the new country artists not doing their thing because they re told what to do nowadays.
After closing the main set with his own boogie woogie number Unwound, Strait returned for an encore that included High Tone Woman and a witty version of Johnny Cash s Folsom Prison Blues that featured the singer doing an uncanny Man in Black impersonation. Strait closed the night appropriately with the sagebrush benediction Cowboy Rides Away.
The only time I ve seen Strait in concert he ended is show with Cowboy Rides Away , so I m guessing this is probably a regular thing for him. However, I didn t get to hear his rendition of Folsom Prison Blues . I like to hear other artists covers of famous songs just to see how they make it their own.
Sometimes they re good, but other times they re pretty terrible.
The labels general manager had this to say:
There s a widespread feeling that a big piece of what made country music great isn t being highlighted these days. If the audience that wants that is being underserved, then we d like to serve it.
I like his approach, and it s not all talk either.
All three artists have a new album scheduled for early this year. Singletary s album, From the Heart is the first one that s due out.
From the Heart, due February 27, revives songs by Merle Haggard, Randy Travis and Keith Whitley, among others.
Its lone original tune, I Still Sing This Way, was written by Singletary with Chris DuBois and David Lee. A wry look at today s country scene, it tells the story of a manager who wants Singletary to update his image. His reply?
You can turn down the fiddle and steel guitar, try to market me like a big pop star, I m afraid it ll all go south when I open my mouth.
She doesn t feel like she effectively got her message across and tries to clarify some things. She thinks it s important enough to keep saying it — not for her husband, who s had a remarkable career, but for the young artists who will never get a chance to be heard. And she has received letters from others who agree.
I don t think they ever achieved a significant amount of success, but keep your eyes open for the lead singer, Matt Martindale. He ll be hitting the road with his own band and releasing an album later this year.
The past couple of days have been slushy rain that basically shut the whole city down because people around here can t drive when it gets a little icy. This morning it started to snow a little, which is extremely unusual for Austin. I can count the number of times it s snowed here during my lifetime on one hand.
The snow didn t last very long, but it was kind of nice while it was here.
If you look close enough you can see the flurries in my picture.
January 15th, 2007 by Brody Vercher
He also talks about his definition of success and feels like he hasn t made it yet. We re at the bottom of the wrung as far as the big touring acts are concerned. It s about starting over again and that s what keeps you fresh and hungry.
The controversy comes when discussions of including Robert Earl Keen arise. Other notable artists who have been left out so far are Charlie and Bruce Robison. Some believe the reason is because locals feel that the Austin sound of these guys isn t true country.
If nothing else, it makes for an interesting read.
Texas Country Thunder will feature music beginning early in the afternoon and running through the evening, with fans encouraged to take advantage of the opportunity to camp overnight.
“We call it a four-day music and camping festival,” Lamoureux said. “We’re family oriented. We have stuff for kids — blow ups, jumpies.
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“But make no mistake, it’s a big outdoor party,” Lamoureux said. “It’s a great event to put on. We really like to show people a good time.
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Check out the they have so far. If I don t make it to this thing I m gonna be so jealous of anyone that does.
P.
S. If there is some company who wants to sponsor us and pay our way (hint hint, wink wink) we might be willing to take you up on the offer just sayin .
I m very realistic about the whole situation. I know that some [artists] think they are really awesome writers and they are not I m the opposite. I just want to go in and try, and if nothing more, I go in with the writers and they get a sense of what I would like to sing about.
I m looking forward to being more involved, but I m very realistic that I might not be any good.
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