Joe Bonsall, William Lee Golden, Richard Sterban, and Duane Allen, better known as The Oak Ridge Boys make up one of the finest American vocal groups ever. No, you don't hear about them as much as we should, but they are still touring and better yet, still producing country music.
In fact tomorrow night, The Oak Ridge Boys are scheduled to make their QVC debut Wednesday, April 29 at 7:30 PM (ET) during a special QVC Presents The Oak Ridge Boys Qsessions Live show. The group will perform a selection of songs from their from their newest release ‘The Boys Are Back’ from Spring Hill Music Group.
The album is set to go on sale May 19, 2009 everywhere. QVC will be offering a package that includes an additional 5-track bonus and will be available April 29 for order.
How To Enter: Send an email to contest@countrymusicalive.com no later than 12:00pm EST on May 1, 2009. The email subject should be "naked willie" and include your name and city/state. Only one entry per-person. No exceptions and multiple entries will void all entries.
How To Win: A winner will be picked at random after 12:00pm EST May 1,2009 and will be notified by email to provide full mailing address. You will have 2 days to respond before another entry will be selected.
"Naked Willie" is available in stores and online now from RCA Nashville/Legacy Records.
Willie Nelson has released countless albums, almost literally. He is a master of the pen, the vocal delivery of a country song, and music in general. Anything he touches his distinct vocals to turn into history immediately and adored by the country music community. His newest release, “Naked Willie,” is no exception to this thought. This album is something special, indeed. You see, when Nelson began his career in 1964 with RCA, he didn’t have total control over how his music was recorded. He had to rely on the decisions of his upper management. So what was produced was great music, however, not exactly how Nelson would have wanted it… it was called “The Nashville Sound” back then. It was pioneered by the legendary Chet Atkins, among others at RCA that had a slick sound to it… with background vocals and lots of string musicians. Now, its 2009… Nelson is an icon of music in general and let’s face it; he can record what he wants, when he wants, and exactly how he wants.
On “Naked Willie,” Nelson takes a collection of seventeen songs from 1966-1970 and were re-mixed to the way Nelson would have wanted to record them… well, naked. No overpowering strings or backup singers…just Nelson, the lyrics, and the music shining through.
Below this posting, you will find 2 Amazon MP3 players. One is just a few original recordings of the songs that appear on “Naked Willie.” The second player is of this new album. Just listen to the amazing difference… both good, “Naked Willie” just more special, no doubt.
This album is a relaxing, enjoyable listen right from the start. The very first track, “Bring Me Sunshine,” had me snapping along as Nelson’s voice clearly fills the air. Each track reminds you sharply how distinctive Nelson’s vocals are. Take a listen to “I’m A Memory” in your own Nelson collection or a clip on Amazon, I-tunes, etc. and then play this version. The new re-mastered version has a whole new feel to it. This album is really an education on music. It teaches us how even slight changes to a song, keeping the same vocal talent and lyrics can change the feel of the song totally. Toning down the instrumentation and letting a vocal shine just is so enjoyable, especially vocal of Nelson.
Among the great music that is served “naked” on this album, the booklet in itself is worth picking up the CD, as long as you can get over the mild shock of a Willie Nelson in a bathtub. Let’s just thank God for bubble baths. However, the writing in the booklet is a wonderful read about Nelson’s career and how this album came along. It is worth reading, most definitely.
From the die-hard fan of Nelson to the just general music lover, you will enjoy every moment of Willie... “naked.”
Every now and then, I find a contest to enter that actually seems like something worth taking the time to enter. Boy, have I found it this time.
First and foremost, take a listen to te single from Hank Williams Jr. "Red White & Pink-Slip Blues." Amazing song, wow. I'm sure I'll be writing more about this one soon.... just maybe another classic Hank Jr. song in the making right before your eyes (well, ears.)
Once you are blown away by the song, take a minute and enter the contest...
The Bocephus Bailout Package includes:
$1,000 Spending money
Plus an additional $1,500 toward airfare & hotel
Winner plus one guest: - Premium seats to the concert - Meet & greet with Hank Jr backstage
One Limited Edition Collector’s Tin featuring three classic CDs - Family Tradition - Whiskey Bent & Hell Bound - The Pressure Is On
One Limited Edition Monday Night Football Guitar
One autographed copy of the brand new single, “RED WHITE & PINK-SLIP BLUES"
One entry per signup via the Bocephus Bailout website between the sweepstakes dates as indicated above. No purchase necessary to enter. To enter via mail, send in a 3x5 postcard complete with name, address, phone number, and email to:
Curb Records, Inc. ATTN: BOCEPHUS BAILOUT 48 Music Square E. Nashville, TN 37203
As I was looking through my emails and such from the past weeks, as I got toward the end I found a news piece that stopped me. Dan Seals died on March 25, 2009 at the age of 61 years old from lymphoma.
Shortly after high school years, I found his album "In A Quiet Room" that to this day is still one of my favorite albums. I can remember singing all the songs on that CD over and over. The album is an acoustic styled album from Seals. It includes a lot of his hits such as "Bop," "Big Wheels in the Moonlight," "Everything That Glitters (Is Not Gold)" and "I'd Really Love to See You Tonight" (which was a pop hit for him as a member of a pop duo.
I will miss him for sure, but never will forget his music, that is for sure. I'm sure some of you have not heard his name before, but I imagine at some point you have heard his music, especially "Bop" that he won a CMA for in 1986, as well as his other number one hits. If you still don't remember him, I certainly suggest you seek his music out and enjoy what you hear.
Feel free to leave your thoughts on Dan Seals on the blog and take a moment to listen to his great talents in memory of this wonderful artist. Below, you will find an Amazon player to listen to clips.
Wow, its been one month to the day since the last posting. I am very much relaxed and have returned from a honeymoon I'll never forget. Full of enjoyment and relaxation. The past months have been extremely busy for myself. Its almost incomprehensible. From the purchase of a new home, a new position at my work, a wedding, and a honeymoon, I am now ready to get back into a normal schedule.
One of the biggest things I've missed in the past months is writing this blog and my website upkeep. Something had to give in all the physical and mental work that had to be done. I can't wait to get back into it, no doubt.
So, since February, what have I missed? What interesting stories have you read about country music, what new and upcoming artist has caught your ear? How did you enjoy the ACM Awards? Yes, for the first time in my memory, I missed that particular show.
On my drive back from Charleston, SC yesterday, I had XM Highway 16 on, as I usually do. However, this time, it was a little different. No, the station hadn't changed nor really the music had changed, with exception of a few new songs... what had though was I had been away from country music for a week or so, on a cruise ship. It was calming, enjoyable, and really just a great feeling to hear country music again.
Well, that's all for now, I must start to sift through the hundreds of emails that await my attention about this great music we love.
You will be hearing more from me very soon, that is for sure.
