#gotcountryonline.com

[gcdanielle]

My Picks for the 51st ACMs

The nominations for the 51st Academy of Country Music Awards were announced today. If you missed it, you can see the full list of nominees at GotCountry?. Every time the noms are announced, I like to make my picks. 

The 51st ACMs, hosted by Luke Bryan and Dierks Bentley, will be broadcasted LIVE from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Sunday, April 3, 2016 at 8:00 PM. You can following along with GotCountry by using #GotCountry and #ACMs.

Please note, the nominees for Song of the Year, Songwriter of the Year, Studio Recording Awards and Industry Awards will be announced at a later date. 

ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR

Jason Aldean

Garth Brooks

Luke Bryan

Eric Church

Miranda Lambert

Will this finally be the year Eric Church receives the award he deserves.

MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR

Jason Aldean

Dierks Bentley

Eric Church

Brett Eldredge

Chris Stapleton

FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR

Kelsea Ballerini

Jana Kramer

Miranda Lambert

Kacey Musgraves

Carrie Underwood

VOCAL DUO OF THE YEAR

Brothers Osborne

Dan + Shay

Florida Georgia Line

Joey + Rory

Maddie & Tae

VOCAL GROUP OF THE YEAR

Eli Young Band

Little Big Town

Old Dominion

Rascal Flatts

Zac Brown Band

NEW MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR

Brett Eldredge

Chris Janson (super thrilled about this one)

Thomas Rhett

Chase Rice

Chris Stapleton

NEW FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR

Kelsea Ballerini

Cam

Mickey Guyton

RaeLynn

NEW VOCAL DUO OR GROUP OF THE YEAR

A Thousand Horses

Brothers Osborne

Maddie & Tae

Old Dominion

Parmalee

ALBUM OF THE YEAR [Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company–Label(s)] 

I’m Comin’ Over – Chris Young Producers: Corey Crowder, Chris Young Record Label: RCA Records

Montevallo – Sam Hunt Producers: Zach Crowell, Shane McAnally Record Label: MCA Nashville

Mr. Misunderstood – Eric Church (a secret album deserves the award) Producer: Jay Joyce Record Label: EMI Records Nashville

Tangled Up – Thomas Rhett Producers: Dann Huff, Jesse Frasure, Chris DeStefano, Joe London Record Label: The Valory Music Co.

Traveller – Chris Stapleton Producers: Dave Cobb, Chris Stapleton Record Label: Mercury Records

SINGLE RECORD OF THE YEAR [Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company–Label(s)] 

Burning House – Cam Producers: Jeff Bhasker, Tyler Johnson, Camaron Ochs Record Labels: Arista Nashville, RCA Records, Kravenworks

Buy Me A Boat – Chris Janson Producers: Brent Anderson, Chris DuBois, Chris Janson Record Label: Warner Music Nashville

Die A Happy Man – Thomas Rhett Producers: Dann Huff, Jesse Frasure Record Label: The Valory Music Co.

Girl Crush – Little Big Town Producer: Jay Joyce Record Label: Capitol Records Nashville

I’m Comin’ Over – Chris Young Producers: Corey Crowder, Chris Young Record Label: RCA Nashville

Take Your Time – Sam Hunt Producers: Zach Crowell, Shane McAnally Record Label: MCA Nashville

VIDEO OF THE YEAR [Awarded to Producer(s)/Director(s)/Artist(s)] *(Off Camera Award)

Biscuits – Kacey Musgraves Director: Mark Klasfeld Producer: Nicole Acacio

Burning House – Cam Director: Trey Fanjoy Producer: Trent Hardville

Girl Crush – Little Big Town Directors: Karla Welch, Matthew Welch Producer: Amanda Prunesti

Mr. Misunderstood – Eric Church Directors: Reid Long, John Peets Producer: Megan Smith

Riser – Dierks Bentley Director: Wes Edwards Producer: Jennifer Rothlein

VOCAL EVENT OF THE YEAR [Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company–Label(s)]*(Off Camera Award)

Hangover Tonight – Gary Allan Featuring Chris Stapleton Producers: Gary Allan, Greg Droman Record Label: MCA Nashville

Home Alone Tonight – Luke Bryan Featuring Karen Fairchild Producers: Jeff Stevens, Jody Stevens Record Label: Capitol Nashville

Raise ‘Em Up – Keith Urban Featuring Eric Church Producers: Nathan Chapman, Keith Urban Record Labels: Hit Red Records, Capitol Nashville

Smokin’ And Drinkin’ – Miranda Lambert Featuring Little Big Town Producers: Frank Liddell, Chuck Ainlay, Glenn Worf Record Label: RCA Nashville

Wild Child – Kenny Chesney With Grace Potter Producers: Buddy Cannon, Kenny Chesney Record Labels: Blue Chair Records, Columbia Nashville

[gcdanielle]

Single Review: Andy Velo “Wake Up Boat Drink Repeat”

Recently my year was made when I saw Andy Velo in concert, a moment that was three years in the making. If you’ve missed my three reviews of him, Andy is a singer-songwriter out of Suwanee, Georgia who is probably well recognized from his Jim Beam guitar and future Entertainer of the Year stage presence. With my parents only living an hour from his hometown, I had many opportunities to see him perform in the area, however I never seemed to plan my trips correctly. He always seemed to be in Georgia the weekend before or after me. After many missed opportunities I decided to start a campaign to bring him to Charleston. Finally on March 28th Andy opened for Corey Smith at the Music Farm. After one of the best show experiences I’ve ever had, and the second time I’ve seen an opener blow Corey Smith out of the water, I got to meet and chat with Andy Velo.

A few days before my big moment Andy posted a video to Instagram with the caption “Coming May 2015! #WakeUpBoatDrinkRepeat.” The clip featured friends in a recording booth chanting the opening lines of what is soon to be the big hit of the summer. When I caught up with Andy at the Music Farm he let me listen to the latest mix on his phone. It was hard to perfectly critique the song with all the background noise at the bar but I could tell it was going to be a fun song to blast out on the water. A few weeks later, sworn to secrecy, he emailed me the final mix. My excitement overwhelmed my phone as I repeatedly jabbed the screen trying to make the file download faster.

When a song starts off with the cracking of a beer and ice cubes clinking in a glass, you know it’s going to be fun. The beginning lyrics are familiar, from the studio video Andy posted.

Wake Up, Boat, Drink, Repeat (x2)

Ocean, Lake, River or Creek

Just Wake Up, Boat, Drink Repeat

Don’t let the mellow opening fool you, this song is about to kick it up a notch and you better be turning the dial all the way up out on the water. You can hear Cloyd River’s famous line of “sun’s out, guns out” along with a shout out to SXM The Highway. I’ll keep my fingers crossed that this will get The Highway to finally place his music (I’ve only been requesting it for three years). The song is filled with notions of our favorite things: spending the summer out on the water, or as close as we can get, with our favorite friends and coolers full of ice cold beer. It’s about time we got a break from trucks & girls with the perfect boating song just in time for summer. Side note: Andy also has the perfect song for floating down the river when and if you can’t get to a boat called Blue Collar Cruise, the title track from his second EP.

To me this song perfectly describes a summer day in Charleston, South Carolina. We sure do love our boating and our drinking. There was actually a blogger a few months back who wrote an angry post about the city including a complaint about all we ever did was spend our lives boating. Andy’s wish is that someone plays this on a boat, someone else hears and asks about it, and the song spreads like wildfire. Let’s make that happen!

You can purchase Wake Up Boat Drink Repeat on iTunes today. Make sure to follow Andy Velo on social media to keep up with his tour schedule and future projects! And don’t forget to tune in tonight at 8pm/7c as GotCountryOnline.com hosts a twitter party for Andy’s big release! You can use our hashtag #GotCountry to join the party!

Socials…

Website: www.andyvelo.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/andyvelomusic

Twitter: www.twitter.com/andyvelo

Instagram: www.instagram.com/andyvelo

YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/andyveloofficial

[gcdanielle]

Got The Spotlight: Andy Velo

There’s been an influx of country musicians coming out of Georgia over the past few years and the talent just keeps getting better and better. If you’ve followed me and my music obsession over the past three years there are a few artists you are mostly likely well aware of. Andy Velo should definitely ring a bell. My twitter bestie who I found through music suggested I take a listen to Southern Thing back in June of 2012. The opening guitar strum had me hooked and I couldn’t stop talking about this good ol’ Georgia boy named Andy. I did my best to beat it into the head of my friends, family, and followers that they needed to check this guy out.

When I was pointed in Andy’s direction he had a four song EP on iTunes along with a promo video on ReverbNation. My favorite was obviously Southern Thing. I constantly listened to that song and watched the video on repeat. I would even pull up YouTube on my BluRay player so I could watch it on the big screen. One afternoon I even created a line dance to Southern Thing but I’m not sure if I can remember it now. My second favorite would have to be I Can’t Wait to Tap That, a raunchy love story about a beer keg. I bet you weren’t expecting that.

As much as I loved playing Andy’s self-titled EP on repeat, after awhile those four songs just couldn’t hold me over. I was in need of new music. Early on in 2014 Andy posted a photo on Instagram of a track listing for a Summer 2014 EP. Yes yes yes! I had to get my hands on that new music ASAP! I was ready to hit the pre-order button on iTunes but unfortunately I had to wait a few more months. On August 12 I woke up to the Blue Collar Cruise EP on my iPhone. You can read my review here . I had every lyric memorized by the time I reached work that morning. I bet my neighbors know all the words too since I would leave the radio turned up when I got home and would remote start my Jeep in the morning with the EP blaring.

When Andy announced that he’d be tweeting a big tour announcement in late November I set an alarm. As long as I’ve been following him you’d think I’d already seen him live. Nope. I always seemed to miss him. I’d go to Georgia one weekend to visit my family, and he’d be playing about an hour away from them the next. I even went to Nashville one weekend, but he was in Georgia. We probably passed each other on the interstate as he went back up to Nashville while I was coming back into Georgia. Just days before this big announcement I tweeted about starting a campaign to bring Andy to Charleston and he hinted to being in Charleston in 2015. Thank goodness that was right! It wasn’t included on his original announcement but in mid March I noticed he announced a show with Corey Smith at the original Music Farm in downtown Charleston. I. Had. To. Go. I already had plans but those were immediately changed. There was no way I was missing Andy again, especially when he was coming to my hometown. Then Andy did the coolest thing ever. He reached out to me through DM on Twitter, because I was such a huge fan from the early stages he was going to put me on the guest list as thanks for all my support. That’s never happened to me before so you bet I was totally fangirling. You can read my concert review here! I got to chat with Andy for a long time after his show. We discussed his upcoming release of Wake Up Boat Drink Repeat which I got to hear a clip of at the merch table, the hope that this single would spread like wildfire across the boats during the summer, and the plans he has for the rest of 2015, along with the new Jim Beam guitar he was anxiously awaiting the arrival of.

Since Andy has been super busy on the Corey Smith tour along with working in the studio, prepping for the release of Wake Up Boat Drink Repeat, and hanging out in Key West I took our Got Country Twitter Party as a chance do to a small follow up Q&A. 

Danielle: “What got you started in music?” Andy: “Literally a phone call. I left my job the next day.” It would be interesting to know more about this story. Imagine such an amazing, life changing phone call. What a risk, but a risk that paid off!

Danielle: “How do you want to be known in the country music world?” Andy: “Relatable, approachable, and nothing that I’m not. You get one shot to get it right. Why be anything else?” That’s some great advice. And I think Andy is already well known for what he desires to be known as. I find Andy to be one of the nicest guys in the music industry. He’s definitely approachable, he loves his fans. And he’s definitely relatable, the fame doesn’t get to him. He shows that he’s still one of us.

If they gave out an Entertainer of the Year award for a newcomer, Andy Velo would definitely take home the trophy. If you ever get the chance to see him live you better go! I’m already ready to see him again. I also can’t wait for his upcoming single release “Wake Up Boat Drink Repeat” on 5/19 (which I hope to hear blasting on every boat this summer) and future music that he’s been working on in the studio. Make sure you follow Andy to keep up with all of his announcements, music, projects, and super fun tweets. And don’t forget to join our GotCountryOnline.com twitter party with him on 5/19 at 8/7c. You can use our hashtag #GotCountry to join the fun!

Socials…

Website: www.andyvelo.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/andyvelomusic

Twitter: www.twitter.com/andyvelo

Instagram: www.instagram.com/andyvelo

YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/andyveloofficial

[gcdanielle]

Concert Review: Andy Velo

Y’all know the feeling. One of your favorite artists announces a new tour. You stab at your phone screen or frantically click your computer mouse to pull up the tour link. You scroll up and down and up and down looking for your city. There! There it is. Your city! Perhaps the city that is usually missed on a tour. You sign up for notifications or track the show on bandsintown. You sign up with the local radio stations or the artist’s fan club to make sure you can get a chance at a presale code. It’s 10am on a Tuesday or Wednesday. You’re sitting in a lobby waiting for your turn to search and buy tickets. Your stomach is doing flips. You might get kicked out. The site may crash. Anything could happen. But wait! You got the tickets. You freaking got the tickets! You’re jumping up and down, dancing at your desk. And then… you realize how long the wait is between buying the tickets and the show (I once had to wait seven months). You’re back on your phone, downloading a countdown app to stare at every day. Wait… everyone does do this right?

Excluding the first time I saw Luke Bryan and both times I have seen Eric Church, I have never been so excited about a show as I was for Andy Velo. I’d been following Andy for about three years but I always missed seeing him live. I never could seem to get my Georgia trips to be aligned when he was playing near my family or sometimes I would be in Georgia when he was up the road from me in Myrtle Beach. I remember the day Andy tweeted that he would be announcing tour dates soon. I set an alarm so I wouldn’t miss the announcement but Charleston wasn’t on the first round of stops. At some point Bandsintown missed notifying me that indeed Andy would be coming to Charleston on Corey Smith’s tour. Luckily I stumbled upon a tweet announcing his show at the Music Farm. Finally! A Charleston show! And if that wasn’t enough, Andy personally messaged me to let me know he would put me on the guest list as thanks for being a long-time fan. That is pretty much one of the coolest things that has ever happened to me.

The day had finally come. I was ready to be downtown at the Music Farm. We got to the venue a little before 8 and waited for the doors to open. Word began to spread that the show was sold out. That was the icing on the cake. I told Andy he would love Charleston and I was glad his first trip here turned out to be a sold out show. We got in and I quickly ran over to the merch table. I wanted to pick up koozies for myself and my music bestie Megan, whom was still waiting for Andy to visit Minnesota. Sadly he ran out of almost everything the night before. Although I was bummed, that means he’s picking up speed! We got our drinks and made our way down to the floor to pick out a spot. At this point I was more excited to see Andy than I was Luke Bryan for the first time. Yes, I just said that. And y’all know my love for LB. He just got passed by AV. I think I ran down my phone battery checking for the time every 5 seconds.

I guess right about 9pm, I heard “baby it’s a southern thing” leading into intro music and I screamed my head off. My friends looked at me like I had lost my mind and I started pointing to the stage and yelling “that means Andy’s coming out!” AV stormed the stage to Meet Me in the Barn, a great choice for the show opener and a song that I once tweeted him about being the female lead if he ever did a music video for it. Next he played Crazy, Reckless, Young & Wild which perfectly describes the usual crowd of the Music Farm. Next he dedicated How You Wanna Roll to all the country girls. I’ve never heard anyone cover Somethin’ Like That which I’ve always referred to as the BBQ stain song and I belted out every single lyric. After the first “Hell Yeah” Jim Beam toast he introduced Blue Collar Cruise. As I said in my review of the Blue Collar Cruise, the river float is big in Charleston. Every summer the Edisto River is packed with drunk floaters. I don’t go as often as I used to but I still have a box of truck tire inner tubes in my garage. 

His cover of Dixieland Delight had the crowd going wild which led perfectly into a brand new song Once You Go Country. I regret not recording it. Obviously you can guess that once you go country you never go back. Ain’t that the truth. The presentation of the song reminded me of Chase Rice’s U Turn which I adore. I hope Andy releases this song on iTunes soon so I can play it on repeat. I believe Andy said Roll of a Dirt Road was his next radio single which was a huge hit with the crowd, but next was the moment I had been waiting for. I tweeted earlier this week that my excitement to hear Southern Thing live was the same as my excitement to hear The Outsiders live last December. When I first heard Southern Thing almost three years ago my first thought was “how awesome would this song be live?!” Andy went above and beyond. I was already happy to be rocking out to the gritty fast paced tune that perfectly describes the southern life when he spun the song into Country Girl (Shake It For Me) and Rodeo. Wow… did the set really have to be over?

As soon as Andy stepped off the stage I raced to the merch table to beat the crowd. I waited for him to get back there and get settled before making an approach. He immediately recognized me and we went in for a big hug. This moment was three years in the making. I still can’t believe it finally happened. It was well worth the wait though. Like our mutual friend Cale Dodds, Andy Velo is just as nice and just as down to earth, so very humble and thankful. On top of being put on the guest list, I was extremely appreciative of the time he spent talking with me. We told stories, listened to a clip of Wake Up Boat Drink Repeat (which is going to be a huge hit out on the water this summer), scheduled a twitter party with GotCountryOnline.com (keep up with @GotCountry for the date), and discussed plans for future projects. I am so excited for 2015 for Andy Velo. I believe this is his year and I’m ready to help push him to the top. I’ve already harassed SXM The Highway for years to play his music and while I continue to do that I’ll also turn to local radio. If you haven’t already, after reading this I hope everyone heads over to social media and checks Andy out. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, iTunes, and ReverbNation. Do. It. All!

Andy, thank you for an amazing night. I’m sorry it took so long to finally meet you and see you live. I had the time of my life. My friends (who can be a little standoffish to the newcomers) finally became fans last night. They enjoyed you much more than Corey Smith and would have liked to hear you as the headliner. I can’t wait for that day to come. I believe you’re on the way to Entertainer of the Year.

[gcdanielle]

My Country Picks for The 57th Annual Grammy Awards

Somehow I missed blogging about my country picks for the Grammy's. I think I got tired of waiting for the entire list to be announced and forgot about it. Better (almost) late than never. For those of you who haven't read one of my award pick blogs before, I love my country music artists way too much to just make one choice in each category. Instead I rank the choices, and very rarely do I throw a choice out.

BEST COUNTRY SOLO PERFORMANCE

1. Automatic - Miranda Lambert - I believe I've picked Automatic in this category for every award show. I really love the concept of this song. It makes me wish I had grown up more like that. It makes you really appreciate the technology of the world these days.

2. Give Me Back My Hometown - Eric Church - I've never been a big fan of this song but I just love Eric Church so much.

3. Cop Car - Keith Urban - While I would much rather listen to the songwriter (Sam Hunt) version, I do like Keith's rendition of Cop Car.

4. Something In The Water - Carrie Underwood - I just can not get into this single, but Carrie Underwood is just so, so talented!

5. Invisible - Hunter Hayes - I'm dropping Hunter off this list. Just like Taylor, he's pop now. He needs to come out and say it.

BEST COUNTRY DUO/GROUP PERFORMANCE

1. Somethin' Bad - Miranda Lambert with Carrie Underwood - This duet is killer! The video. The live performances. Everything! I've been impatiently waiting for it to become available to pick in karaoke books. 2. Raise 'Em Up - Keith Urban featuring Eric Church - A duet between two great guitar players and performers is destined to win. Unless of course you're paired up again two hot blondes!

3. Gentle On My Mind - The Band Perry - TBP did such a fabulous job on their rendition of Glen Campbell's Gentle On My Mind. Yes loyal TBP fans, it's not their song!

4. Meanwhile Back At Mama's - Tim McGraw featuring Faith Hill - This song is the ideal story of country life.

5. Day Drinking - Little Big Town - While Day Drinking is such a fun song that I really love, including all award show performances of this song, some of the others in this category have much more meaning.

BEST COUNTRY SONG

1. Automatic - Nicolle Galyon, Natalie Hemby, & Miranda Lambert (Miranda Lambert) - Major props to these songwriters for such a well written song. 

2. American Kids - Rodney Clawson, Luke Laird & Shane McAnally (Kenny Chesney) - I believe this song helped bring Kenny back to his roots. I think we've all missed the old Kenny!

3. Meanwhile Back At Mama's - Tom Douglas, Jaren Johnston, & Jeffrey Steele (Tim McGraw feat. Faith Hill) - Jaren is one of my favorite songwriters, hard to imagine him on this track though. They did well at capturing the vision and thoughts of country living.

4. Give Me Back My Hometown - Eric Church & Luke Laird (Eric Church) - Once again, not a fan of this song but love the talents of both songwriters.

5. I'm Not Gonna Miss You - Glen Campbell & Julian Raymond (Glen Campbell) - Not going to lie, never heard of this song before. Totally throwing it out.

BEST COUNTRY ALBUM

1. The Outsiders - Eric Church - This album is so kickass, something would have to be incredibly wrong for Eric Church not to win. I constantly have this album cranked up on repeat. Not to mention hearing it live is top notch. I'm addicted to The Outsiders.

2. Riser - Dierks Bentley - This has got to be Dierks best album. I love every song on it. I guess I have to say, I honestly would not be mad if Dierks beat out Eric.

3. Platinum - Miranda Lambert - I just haven't been thrilled with this album. I haven't been drawn to it at all. I still haven't felt the need to sit down and listen to all of it. 

4. Stories - Brandy Clark - I also haven't listened to Stories. I love Brandy's songwriting talent but I couldn't stand her first single Stripes.

5. The Way I'm Livin' - Lee Ann Womack - I didn't even know this album existed so I'm throwing it out. There are so many other albums that could be put in it's place.

Best of luck to Brandy Clark who represents the country scene in the Best New Artist category!

Don't miss The 57th Annual Grammy Awards on Sunday February 8th at 8/7c on CBS. Eric Church and Miranda Lambert are both set to perform. You can also follow along with GotCountryOnline.com on twitter using #GotCountry. 

[gcdanielle]

EP Review: Preston Summerville "One More Time"

Around August 2012, I was surfing the web and discovered a contest by Dodge looking for a band to perform a jingle on their next commercial. Dodge had every genre available and if you liked the single that the band had entered, you could download it to count as your vote. Of course I immediately went to the country genre. I found lots of bands I liked but one stuck out in particular. The Preston Summerville Band. I was born and raised in Summerville, South Carolina so I had to see if this band was from the area too. Nope. Cedartown, Georgia. Which you may recognize as Sam Hunt’s hometown. I took a listen to “How We Party” and was drawn to the grit feel of the song with a rock edge which reminded me of Brantley Gilbert and Eric Church. I feel it was a good introduction for the band: “here we are and this is what we’re about.” After downloading the single of course I had to like the band on Facebook and follow them on Twitter. We had chatted back and forth on twitter a few times when their manager JR Roberson, Founder/CEO of BIGFOOT Music and Outdoors, asked about bars in my area they could play at. I gave the names of Market Street Saloon (our version of Coyote Ugly), a country bar called Bighorn’s, and my favorite bar Montreux. I wasn’t sure Montreux was the right fit for a country band but it was five minutes up the road from my house and I was always in there so I was hoping Montreux could give them a shot. And guess what?! Montreux booked them for a Saturday night in October. When I walked into Montreux that night I introduced myself to JR and got hooked up with PVILLE and Fireball Whisky merch.

Preston and his band rocked the local crowd for two straight nights, packing the place out even though Zac Brown’s Southern Ground Festival was in town the same weekend. The guys have come back twice so far, in April of 2013 and November of 2014. I was most excited for this last visit. I got to listen to a clip of "Home Town Pride" and couldn’t wait to hear more of Preston’s new sound.

(Top: October 2012. Bottom Left: April 2013. Bottom Right: November 2014.)

Today Preston Summerville releases his official debut EP called “One More Time” to all major digital distribution outlets. Fortunately for me, I had the chance to stream it two weeks early. I’d been dying for this moment ever since JR told me at the November show that the album would drop in January.

The One More Time EP kicks off on the right track with Talk About Livin’, an upbeat catchy tune with a rock flair that describes simple backwoods country living from putting in those blue collar hours to celebrating once you punch out that time clock. The title track One More Time (co-written with Erica Sunshine Lee) keeps you hooked in to the EP with an upbeat story of a bad relationship you just can’t seem to escape from. I fell in love Home Town Pride (co-written with Jared Mitchell) when a video clip was posted on Facebook. It was the first recording I got to hear of Preston’s not new, but refined sound. I love everything about the song from the beat to the lyrics to the way it makes me feel. Georgia and South Carolina are very similar in the way they feel about state pride, and that goes all the way down to the towns. Even though my hometown of Summerville isn’t so small anymore, it’s still similar to what I’ve read about Cedartown. Therefore, Home Town Pride hits home for me. Halfway through my first listen of Bow My Head I had to restart the song. It sure did sound a lot like Preston’s journey in music. As described in Jason Aldean’s Crazy Town and Eric Church’s Princess of Darkness, Nashville can chew you up and spit you out, but if you work your ass off and fight for your talents she’s one of the greatest cities to be in. And that’s what Preston did. Like having the angel and the devil on your shoulders, he chose to go with his faith while pouring his heart and soul into his music. Now here he is today, with his official debut EP and soon to have songs on the radio. I feel this song can be relatable to everyone if you just insert your dream into the lyrics and I hope you make the same choice Preston did. Finishing out the EP is Between This Bottle and Me, a strong ballad about a front porch and a bottle of your favorite liquor playing the role of a therapist during a heartbreak. With subtle strumming and chords, I believe this song best shows off Preston’s vocal talents. It leaves you wishing the EP was a full length album.

After my first stream of the One More Time EP I had to pull out Preston’s old stuff, the first EP his manager gave me in 2012 and a few songs he emailed me in 2013. The difference is impeccable. As previously mentioned, Preston doesn’t have a new sound per se, but a more focused and refined sound, without losing that rock and grit feel that made me an original fan. If you get a chance check out some of his older music which is still available on his reverbnation page. Preston tends to walk the fine line of the country music genre yet at the same time he’s still grounded in true country music.

Make sure to grab a copy of One More Time today and go see Preston Summerville on the Pepsi: On The Rise Tour with Kirstie Lovelady and Them Dirty Roses. You can keep up with Preston Summerville on Facebook, Twitter, and prestonsummerville.com. 

I am so grateful for the random introduction to Preston Summerville that has landed a great relationship between him, JR Roberson, BIGFOOT Music and Outdoors, GotCountryOnline.com, and myself. I’ve enjoyed watching and listening to Preston transform over the past two and a half years. It seems like he has a lot in store for him in 2015 and I’m excited to be along for the ride. Congrats on all you have accomplished Preston!

[gcdanielle]

SINGLE REVIEW: Granger Smith "Bury Me In Blue Jeans"

Regardless of which parts of social media you belong to, you should be familiar with the Cloyd Rivers-type character Earl Dibbles, Jr. The famous catch phrase “Yee, Yee” along with country quotes such as this...

… can be seen throughout Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest. Many of you may also know his stage-sharing counterpart Granger Smith. But how many of you knew that Earl & Granger are actually the same person? It’s okay if you didn’t. That has been a recent discussion at GCO, whom he always remembers because the ‘?’ in our logo.

A ballad with soft, humble voice and tantalizing guitar strums, the new single “Bury Me In Blue Jeans” comes from his 9th home-recorded album “Dirt Road Driveway” which debuted at #1 on the iTunes Country Chart and became the #1 selling independent country music album in 2013. Granger takes great pride in his simple, down home lifestyle and you can see it in his music. “Bury Me In Blue Jeans” seems to be a perfect description of his life, something he never wants to stray away from, even in the traditional way of death. Don’t put him in a fancy suit and show him off to the world. Bury him in what he’s known for, old blue jeans and pearl snaps. GCO fans, what would you like to be buried in?

I know, I know that's so far to go

Got the roots of an oak and a tumbleweed soul

When my time's up all this good ol' boy needs

Is to bury me in blue jeans.

  Something faded and worn in the knees

Fits like a glove and frayed at the seams

And throw this old guitar in there, please

When you bury me in blue jeans.

Because the success of his latest album launched him into a national touring act, you should be able to catch Granger & Earl at a show near you! Check www.grangersmith.com for tour dates and follow along on twitter using @GrangerSmith and @EarlDibblesJr. YEE YEE!

[gcdanielle]

You Can't Get "Wild and Reckless" with Cale Dodds Just Once!

A few months ago I was introduced to the music of Columbus GA raised and Nashville based Cale Dodds. He was playing in town that night but it was too short of notice to grab some friends and go. I still wish I hadn't missed it! I constantly kick myself for it. Fortunately he was coming back to town a few weeks later and I made sure to see him. You can read that review here. I also let Cale talk me into doing a review on his recently released EP Wild and Reckless which you can read here. It was my first album review ever and I was so nervous! I was on pins and needles until I heard that Cale loved both pieces. Hallelujah! But not only did Cale love it, his longtime hometown fans and friends did also. Actually, two helped me out with the album review. Marie & Kevin Cooper. It was because of them that I was able to see Cale in Savannah. When Cale told me he'd be in Savannah I was dying to go because #1 I loved the show at Wild Wing Cafe but wanted to see him in a better venue, and #2 I love Saddle Bags. But I had two problems: #1 I didn't have anyone to go with, and #2 I would need a hotel because I doubted I could make it back to Charleston. Marie & Kevin would be at the show and helped me get a hotel room. I couldn't wait to meet them! And of course see Cale again!

(Photo Credit: Marie & Kevin Cooper) 

I arrived in the heart of Savannah around 4pm, right in the smack middle of their Bacon Festival. I will admit I did not partake. Instead I took in the sights (it had been 2 years since I was last in the city) and let every single person and visitor's center kiosk know that Cale Dodds would be playing at Saddle Bags starting around 10ish, until the band arrived at the bar. I must say, Saddle Bags should definitely invest in a set of cornhole boards. I was hoping for a rematch against Cale. I had a good time catching up with the guys while they got set up though. I had been to Nashville since the last time I saw them so I told Chase all about my experiences. I tried to talk Cale into riding the mechanical bull (since he never did the ice bucket challenge) and Ryan into taking line dance lessons from the couple that was dominating the dance floor, but neither woudl. While sound-checking, I made friends with that line-dancing couple Sandy & Dan who enjoyed what they heard during the Preach run-through. They decided to stay for some of the show and taught me a few more line dances while we waited around for 10pm. Then Marie & Kevin arrived! It was so exciting to finally meet them. We got to know each other better over dinner and drinks and they shared Cale stories, pictures and videos with me. I was so jealous of all the shows they've been able to go to. Especially that they're going to see Cale at The Bluebird this week!

(Photo Credit: Marie & Kevin Cooper) - Yes I'm a dancing diva

Finally the show was getting ready to start. We grabbed a table next to the stage, had tabs set up at the VIP bar, and took claim to a section of the dance floor. A lady beside us told me Cale looked like a mini Luke Bryan. The band started off with a few of their originals, which obviously I love hearing more than cover songs. We sang and danced to every original and cover during the first set. Cale even dedicated "Must Be Dreamin'" to me and the rest of the GotCountryOnline.com staff. If you read my first concert review you understand why this song means so much to me. I'm not talented enough to write my feelings into lyrics so I was grateful to find a song that matched my emotions. Thank goodness I didn't cry this time though!

(Photo Credit: Marie & Kevin Cooper) 

By the time the second set rolled around, the bar was packed, we made tons of new friends, and Cale was rockin'. He called out a few bachelorettes, birthday girls, and one lone bachelor. Girls were constantly being pulled off stage by security. One lucky blonde even got a kiss. No y'all, put the bail money back, it wasn't me. I don't know why y'all think I'm such a troublemaker! It was definitely a rowdy bunch at Saddle Bags though. One of my highlights of the night was Cale's lyric change in Pour Some Sugar On Me... "I'm hot, sticky sweet from my head to my meat." Yes, I'm calling out your dirty mind Cale! The girls in my group all looked at each other making sure we all heard him right. Speaking of cover songs, now every time I hear one of the popular ones I think of Cale's shows. My favorite cover, however, is Semi-Charmed Life which is performed by Ryan & Gabe. No matter how many times I listen to that song I can't keep up and get the lyrics straight but they kick ass at it. And for all those who beg to hear Wagon Wheel at every single show they go to, Ryan can help you out with that! In the words of Kevin, the show was EPIC. I was so glad that I was able to go and see Cale in a different style of venue. Maybe one day I could see an acoustic set... (*hint hint wink wink*)

(Photo Credit: Marie & Kevin Cooper) 

Besides Jake Owen (who doesn't stop moving until the encore is over), I've never seen anyone as into the performance and into the crowd as Cale. I have no clue how he didn't trip himself up on his guitar cord the way he was spinning all over the stage. Then he'd jump up on the speakers in front of the stage, making all the girls go crazy. He really puts his heart and soul into his music and performances. You can definitely see it at a show and I believe it can be seen in some of the pictures Kevin captured. I'm pretty sure Cale is pretty close to doing a complete backbend while playing that guitar. He is pouring sweat by the time he walks off stage but as long as you don't mind it, he'll hang around and take pictures with everyone. You may lose your sober-up water though. True story. Be sure to meet him though. He'll make you feel like ol' friends. I really adore the way he interacts with his fans. Cale Dodds has every aspect you need to be a true superstar and I cannot wait to see him succeed. 

(Photo Credits: Marie & Kevin Cooper) 

If you have yet to see Cale Dodds live (what is wrong with you) please promise me to look up his schedule. You can track him through Bandsintown and they will alert you when he's playing in your area. Or you join the rest of us and travel anywhere and everywhere to see him. Trust me, the miles, gas and hotel stays are worth every single penny. 

Thank you Cale, Chase, Ryan, and Gabe for an awesome time this past weekend! Thank you Marie & Kevin for all your hospitality. You helped give me a night out that I desperately needed. I'm so glad we found each other through Cale! Making friends through artists is probably one of the coolest things ever. I can't wait to see you all again in Athens!

(Photo Credit: Marie & Kevin Cooper)