Saturday, March 20, 2010

James Hand "Shadow On the Ground"


If you're tired of over-produced country music that sounds like it should be on the pop charts instead of the country charts, then you'll love Waco, Texas native James Hand's stellar new album "Shadow On The Ground." James Hand is an authentic country musician in the tradition of Hank Williams, and his album will remind you why you became a fan of country music in the first place.

James "Slim" Hand is a Texan through and through, and his heartachingly real depiction of country life will surprise and delight you. Hand's debut national release in 2006 at age 53 ("The Truth Will Set You Free" on Rounder Records) was a landmark in Texas music, and it gave hope to every Lone Star musician waiting for their moment to arrive. Before taking the national stage, James Hand began singing in honky tonks at age 12, but he had to find work as a truck driver, rodeo rider and horse trainer to earn additional money.

All the hard work paid off with "Shadow On The Ground." James Hand has never sounded better, and the album starts off strong with the traditional country track "Don't Want Me Too." This cut will make you want to break out in a great big country smile, and it's followed by the album's biggest surprise, the classic "Mona Lisa."

Co-produced by Asleep At The Wheel's Ray Benson and Texas music legend Lloyd Maines, the production on "Shadow On The Ground" is flawless. The best song on the album is "Midnight Run," which showcases James Hand's pure, authentic country voice. It's followed by the terrific "Leaving For Good" which should be a country chart hit.

James Hand doesn't just sing - he creates Americana musical art with passion and intensity. After listening just once to "Shadow On The Ground," you'll instantly know that this album will never leave your truck's CD player, and you won't be able to resist telling all your friends about it. In these days of iPhones, social media and fast food on every corner, James Hand's music will make you want to take the day off and enjoy a night with your wife under the stars. You can't offer any higher praise for an album than that. (Reprint from CountryChart.com) You can download the complete cd or individual tracks at www.buckatune.net

Heather Myles "In the Wind"


Heather Myles indulges in the real meat and marrow of what country is all about. “In The Wind” is the latest signpost on the trail of her exceptional career, nodding towards the modern currents of country while maintaining a good grip on the reins of the past.

“In The Wind” is a fun, beautiful, sometimes haunting collection of songs that Heather has been inspired to write, and a few covers close to her heart. It is a warm, revealing look at her life so far and where she is headed next, demonstrating a maturity honed by years on the road, in the studio, and in the company of greatness. - Her duet with Willie, “Don’t Call Me”, is richly spiced by Skip Edwards’ south-of-the-bor der accordion, while gems like “Broke And Broken Hearted” plant her boots firmly in the dusty, smoke-filled honky-tonk tradition.

You can crack open a tall one and scoot boots along with “Smokin’” and the red-hot boogie of “My Baby’s Good To Me”. “Right Or Wrong” and the classic “Vaya Con Dios” conjure up the spirits of Patsy and Loretta, while “Pretty Poison” and the bittersweet, mandolin-driven “In the Wind” offer up a more contemporary take on country.

The title song, and the whole album, take a creative look at what is really the heart and soul of country music: the hope and perseverance that come along with hardship and heartache. This is True Country. The complete cd or individual tracks available for download at www.buckatune.net

When Did You Stop Loving Me
Broke And Broken Hearted
Shoulder To Cry On
Don't Call Me
Pretty Poison
Mama's A Star
Smokin', Drinkin', Dancin' Again
Vaya Con Dios
In The Wind
Walk On By
Right Or Wrong
My Baby's Good To Me
(Reprint: www.heathermyles.com)

New cd from Carolyn Martin: "Cookin' With Carolyn"


Carolyn Martin from the wonderful Time Jumpers now follows up her hit CD, entitled Swing, with another gem. Again, she surrounds herself with many talented musicians who are heard throughout this CD on various cuts.

The steel guitarists heard are Hall of Fame member Doug Jernigan as well as Chris Scruggs and former Time Jumper Johnny Cox. Current Time Jumper band-mate Jeff Taylor plays accordion and piano. Also playing piano are Beegie Adair and John England Western Swinger member, Neil Stretcher. John himself is heard on lead guitar on Carolyn and her husband, Dave Martin's great swinging tune That's What I Call Cookin'. Dave is heard on bass and vocal on Jeff Taylor's Cookin' With Carolyn Theme. On the drums is heard Tommy Wells and Jerry Krahn plays guitar and plectrum banjo. Billy Contreras and Paul Kramer play fiddle, Kat Bowser does harmony vocal and Rory Hoffman plays both electric guitar and accordion. Western Music's legendary vocal group, Riders in the Sky, join Carolyn on Johnny Mercer's Dream. Nora Jane Struthers also joins her on another Johnny Mercer standard, the Elton Britt and Rosalie Allen hit duet The Yodel Blues.

Piano player Beegie Adair shows her writing talent on Someday Soon Sweetheart while Pianist Neil Stretcher wrote Nothing Better to Do. Carolyn also brings back Spring Cleaning from the 1930's song writing team that gave us Take Me Back to My Boots and Saddle. Other pop favorites reprised are If I Knew You Were Comin' I'd've Baked a Cake, Straighten Up and Fly Right and the Hoagy Carmichael/Ned Washington masterpiece Nearness of You. Fiddle Player Paul Kramer wrote It's All About You while Carolyn and Nora Jane penned Skillet Blues. Two more real gems are Rodgers and Hammerstein's People Will Say We're in Love from Broadway and Hollywood and the Western Swing Classic, Columbus Stockade Blues. The album closes with a 43 second reprise of Cookin' With Carolyn. This cd can or individual tracks can be downloaded at www.buckatune.net (reprint from http://www.swinginwest.com/reviews.htm)

Friday, January 22, 2010

Ron Williams releases great new cd!


Ron Williams was born in Nashville Tennessee and was exposed to Country Music from a very early age. His parents Leona and Ron Williams Sr. were both in the music business when Ron was born ,and as he puts it “ I was so immersed in music, all around me really, that I knew I would “step in it” somewhere”, he says jokingly. Both parents toured all of Ron’s young life with artists from Ernest Tubb to Loretta Lynn. “ I’ve even seen pictures of me when I was a child, sleeping in a guitar case next to the stage” he states, and some say that is where he began his road to becoming one of the music industries premier traditional country music singers. When you listen to his music, you’ll understand why he is regarded as one of the best new country talents by both music critics and industry professionals. Years of hard work, being employed as a staff songwriter to singing hundreds of demos have started to pay off. Ron has performed on shows featuring other recording artists such as Gene Watson, Marty Stewart, Mel Tillis, Travis Tritt, Vern Gosdin, Mandy Barnett, Sammy Kershaw, Clinton Gregory, Lori Morgan, Mandy Barnett and many others. “It’s been my greatest honor to work with legends of the Grand Ole Opry” states Ron, such as Ferlin Husky, Charlie Louvin, Margo Smith, Jean Shepard, Stonewall Jackson, Barbara Fairchild, Billie Walker, Jan Howard, Jett Williams, Jim Ed Brown, Helen Cornelius, Pretty Miss Norma Jean, Claude Gray, Jeannie Sealy, Wanda Jackson, Freddie Hart, Bill Anderson and more. “They are the heart and soul of country music and we should value them as such” he states.

Listen to clips and download complete songs at www.buckatune.net

The Survivors - Darrell McCall, Curtis Potter, & Tony Booth


Heart of Texas Records is pleased to announce our latest release from three of Country Music’s Most Legendary Traditionalists!

Curtis, Tony and Darrell have been friends for decades, but “The Survivors” is the very first project when all three of these great artists join each other in the recording studio!

This project, recorded at the Heart of Texas Recording Studios in Brady, Texas, was produced by Justin Trevino. Musicians including Dicky Overbey, Reggie Rueffer, Jake Hooker, Randy Lindley, Jim Loessberg join together to create some incredible backing for these twelve songs.

The selection of material includes “Wasted Words” “Your Memory Is Killing Me” “Case Of Sorrow” “You Can’t Take It With You” “My Confession” “Forever Yours” “Down At Ginny’s” “There She Goes” “Whiskey Man” “Love Don’t Care” “It Is No Secret” and the last song written by Big Bill Lister “I’ll See You In My Dreams Tonight.”

“It just felt so good recording with Tony and Curtis,” Darrell McCall said. “We had so much fun and I think it really shows in this album. I hope everyone enjoys it as much as we did creating it.”

Curtis Potter, Tony Booth and Darrell McCall “The Survivors” is now available for download at www.buckatune.net

Friday, January 15, 2010

Traditional Sounds of Norville Dollar


Norville Dollar was born in Hematite, Missouri and raised in and around the Festus area just south of St. Louis. Norville got his first guitar at the young age of 15 and was taught some chords by a friend and he learned the rest on his own. After forming his first band, he got the attention of the brass at KPLR Channell 11 in St. Louis, who signed him for a weely television show in the mid 1960's called The Norville Dollar Show. Norville had several big name Nashville stars on his show. He also gave first starts to two female artist, Barbara Fairchild and Helen Cornelius, also Dave "Lonzo" Hooten who played in a band and went on to become "Lonzo" of the "Lonzo and Oscar" Grand Ole Opry team for several years. Norville would also later get another run on KPLR Channel 11 in the 1970's. By that time,it was cable television therefore; it aired in many states and opened many doors for his music career including several appearances on the Grand Ole Opry.

If you love George Jones, you'll love Norville Dollar! Complete cd and individual mp3 tracks available at www.buckatune.net

Tracks include:
Bar Code
Don't Follow Me
Haggard and Jones
I Hope You Choke
It Took Both Of Us
My Dreams Just Came True
Nobody's Business
Not Far From the Tree
Rosie's On A Roll
She's Got It and Gone
Uncle Sam, Mister Jukebox

Sunday, January 3, 2010

Jody Nix Live At Cain's Ballroom

www.buckatune.net is pleased to announce the addition of Jody Nix's cd "Live At Cain's Ballroom". This is a must for any western swing music fan. Jody Nix & The Texas Cowboys are well known as one of the finest professional music organizations anywhere. They travel across the country playing major rodeos, clubs, and conventions to large audiences. Jody received a special honor in 1989 when he and his band were asked to perform at the Texas State Society Black Tie & Boots Ball for George Bush the President Of the United States This was quite an honor and a cherished memory.

Jody has recorded seven albums to his credit and was a guest artist with Asleep At the Wheel on the "Tribute To Bob Wills" album. This album was a Country Music Association nominee for "Album of the Year" honors at the CMA Awards Show in 1994. In October of 1996, Jody was inducted into the Western Swing Hall of Fame in Sacramento, California.

Download this cd and other tracks from Jody Nix at www.buckatune.net