Video: Vince Gill, Amy Grant, Faith Hill and more record songs by Children’s Hospital patients for “Everybody Has a Story”
Many great Nashville-based artists lend their talents to songs written by patients at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt through its Music Therapy Program.
Released today, “Everybody Has a Story” is a compilation album that celebrates the patients’ creativity and shows how music can be a vehicle for healing. Each song was a result of a clinical music therapy session involving the patient and a music therapist.
Vince Gill
Each song was a result of a clinical music therapy session involving the patient and a music therapist. Some lyrics were crafted out of a story idea and some were created by long discussions about the patient’s feelings and situation.
Oklahoma native Vince Gill, Amy Grant, Faith Hill, Alison Krauss, Kix Brooks, Melinda Doolittle, Fisk Jubilee Singers, Maura O’Connell, Johnny Reid, SHEL and Phil Vassar breathe life into songs written by patients Austin Bagby, Ethan Carpenter, Courtney Gaoette, Erica Kilburn, Amy Overton, Gigi Pasley, and Christopher Weber, along with music therapist Jenny Plume.
“Everybody Has a Story” has allowed Children’s Hospital to embrace the Nashville community by inviting not only artists, but musicians, producers, engineers and other professionals to partner in this endeavor.
“Everybody Has a Story” is available through Amazon, Barnes and Noble, FYE, iTunes, and Walmart as well as at Children’s Hospital in The Friends Shop.
Supported by the Julian T. Fouce Fund, the Music Therapy Program at Children’s Hospital was made possible in 2005 by Tom and Maria Fouce in memory of their son, Julian, a great lover of music. Julian passed away that same year.
Find the album’s track listing after the break, and check out this video about the making of the album:
Video: Amy Grant releases new album “How Mercy Looks From Here,” featuring Vince Gill, Sheryl Crow, James Taylor and more
Grammy-winning Christian recording artist Amy Grant released today her first full-length album of new songs in 10 years, “How Mercy Looks From Here.”
The album includes an array of special guests, including her husband, Oklahoma native Vince Gill, plus Sheryl Crow, Will Hoge, Carole King, Eric Paslay and James Taylor.
According to a news release, the foundation behind Grant’s 18th studio album came from some advice given to her by her late mother – “sing something that matters.” The six-time Grammy winner is dedicating “How Mercy Looks From Here” to her mother and drawing from some of her favorite singers and songwriters in what critics are calling her most moving release to date.
To launch her first album in over a decade, Grant dives in to street week with appearances on “CBS This Morning” (Friday and Saturday) and the nationally syndicated lifestyle program, “The Better Show” (Friday). Grant also recently conducted an in depth interview for Lifetime TV’s “The Balancing Act,” (May 28) as well as their “Hollywood Watch” program (May 31). Additionally, Grant is also scheduled to appear on the popular shows “The View” and “The Chew” early this summer.
The album’s lead track, “Don’t Try So Hard,” features legendary songwriter James Taylor and continues its rise up the AC monitored chart, jumping four spots to No. 25 this week, and up six spots on the National Audience chart to No. 27.
In this video, Grant talks about the new album:
Amy Grant Discusses New Album, How Mercy Looks From Here from Jon Walker on Vimeo.
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Jason Boland & The Stragglers release new album “Dark and Dirty Mile”
Red dirt band Jason Boland & The Stragglers released today its seventh studio album, “Dark & Dirty Mile.” Frontman Jason Boland, a Harrah native, and singer-songwriter Shooter Jennings co-produced the album.
Jason Boland & The Stragglers play “real” country music – something that we don’t hear a lot of these days on the radio. For more than a decade, the band has played to packed houses from Texas to Illinois and all parts in between while also selling more than 500,000 albums.
Following in the footsteps of Boland’s last release, 2011′s “Rancho Alto,” the band continues to be torchbearers of the traditional country genre.
Upon the release of “Rancho Alto,” nation press began to take notice including The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Examiner and Blurt.
To celebrate the new release, The Stragglers will play a show Friday night at Cain’s Ballroom in Tulsa. For more information, go to www.cainsballroom.com.
Look for my new interview with Boland and my review of “Dark and Dirty Mile” on Friday.
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Video: “The Voice” elimination episode airs tonight, Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame hosting “Swatch Party” for Swon Brothers tonight
As previously reported, Muskogee’s The Swon Brothers delivered a poignant and tuneful tribute to the late, great George Jones Monday night during “The Voice” live playoffs.
“The Voice” performance recap will air from 7 to 8 tonight on NBC, following by the live elimination episode from 8 to 9 tonight.
The Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame, 401 S 3 in Muskogee, is hosting a “Swatch Party” tonight in honor of the hometown contenders. The doors will open at 6:30 tonight. The event is free and open to the public.
The Swon Brothers are competing in the Top 12 on Season 4 of the hit reality TV show. The first duo to make it to the show’s live founds, they are among the three remaining contestants on fellow Oklahoman Blake Shelton’s team.
Zach and Colton Swon took to the piano and guitar to perform an acoustic rendition of The Possum’s classic “Who’s Gonna Fill Their Shoes.” It showcased both their voices and musicianship as well as their diehard love for country music.
George Jones died April 26 at the age of 81.
In addition, the Swon Brothers and the other Team Blake and Team Shakira joined forces for a group rendition of The Script/will.i.am hit “Hall of Fame”:
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Video: Pistol Annies perform on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno”
Pistol Annies, the country music trio comprised of Tishomingo resident Miranda Lambert and singer-songwriter pals Angaleena Presley and Ashley Monroe, performed “I Feel a Sin Comin’ On” Monday night on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.”
The song is off the trio’s sophomore album, “Annie Up,” which came out last week. (If you have trouble finding the performance on the full episode video, remember the musical guest is the last segment on the show.)
Lambert also sat down on Leno’s couch and chatted with the host about her recent Academy of Country Music Awards victories, her starstruck reaction to partying with Reba McEntire, Faith Hill and Shania Twain, her first concert – Garth Brooks at Texas Stadium “when he fly and like lit the stage on fire” – and of course, the tabloid rumors about her and her superstar husband Blake Shelton.
As previously reported, the Annies will perform the television debut of “Unhappily Married,” another song off “Annie Up,” tonight on “The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson.” Ferguson’s show airs at 11:35 p.m. weekdays on the CBS Television Network, according to a news release.
In addition, Pistol Annies will play June 13 at First Council Casino in Newkirk and June 14 at Lucky Star Casino in Concho. For tickets and information, go to www.ticketstorm.com.
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Pistol Annies to debut new song “Unhappily Married” tonight on “The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson”
Pistol Annies (AP file)
Pistol Annies, the country music trio comprised of Tishomingo resident Miranda Lambert and singer-songwriter pals Angaleena Presley and Ashley Monroe, will perform the television debut of “Unhappily Married,” off their new album, “Annie Up,” tonight on “The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson.”
Ferguson’s show airs at 11:35 p.m. weekdays on the CBS Television Network, according to a news release.
Pistol Annies debuted as a band in 2011 at the Academy of Country Music’s “Girls Night Out” special on CBS. The band has earned American Country Awards and CMT Awards nominations for their first album, “Hell on Heels.” Known by their band nicknames, “Lone Star Annie” (Texas-born Lambert), “Hippie Annie” (Tennessee-born Monroe) and “Holler Annie” (Kentucky-born Presley), the Pistol Annies released their second album, “Annie Up,” last week.
Actor Ray Liotta and comedian DeAnne Smith also will visit “The Late Late Show” tonight.
In addition, Pistol Annies will play June 13 at First Council Casino in Newkirk and June 14 at Lucky Star Casino in Concho. For tickets and information, go to www.ticketstorm.com.
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Video: The Swon Brothers pay tribute to George Jones with “Who’s Gonna Fill Their Shoes” on “The Voice”
Muskogee’s Swon Brother delivered a poignant and tuneful tribute to the late, great George Jones tonight during “The Voice” live playoffs.
Zach and Colton Swon took to the piano and guitar to perform an acoustic rendition of The Possum’s classic “Who’s Gonna Fill Their Shoes.” It showcased both their voices and musicianship as well as their diehard love for country music.
George Jones died April 26 at the age of 81.
The Swon Brothers are competing in the Top 12 on Season 4 of the hit reality TV show. The first duo to make it to the show’s live founds, they are among the three remaining contestants on fellow Oklahoman Blake Shelton’s team.
All 12 finalists performed on tonight’s live episode, and voting is now open. To vote, go to http://www.nbc.com/the-voice or buy the song on iTunes, since downloads there also count as votes. Unlike the previous rounds, this time out, the coaches have no saves and no say in who stays and who goes: It’s all up to the public voters now.
“The Voice” performance recap will air from 7 to 8 p.m. Tuesday on NBC, following by the live elimination episode from 8 to 9 p.m.
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Video: Swon Brothers compete in the Top 12 as “The Voice” live playoffs continue tonight
Muskogee’s The Swon Brothers continue to vie for the title of “The Voice” as the hit reality TV show’s live playoffs continue at 7 p.m. today and Tuesday on NBC.
As previously reported, Zach and Colton Swon made it through to the Top 12 in last Wednesday’s first Season 4 live elimination episode, becoming the first duo in the show’s history to make it to the live playoffs.
After host Carson Daly revealed which two of Team Blake’s four remaining contenders were safe based on the public’s vote – Danielle Bradbury, 16, of Texas, and Baylor University student Holly Tucker – Oklahoma country music superstar and “The Voice” coach Blake Shelton had to decide whether to save The Swon Brothers or Kentucky country crooner Justin Rivers.
“I love all three of you guys,” Shelton said. “I respect you as men and as great singers and artists. There’s a reason all of y’all made it this far.”
He added, “For the sake of keeping as different and diverse as I can at this point in the competition … I’m going to save The Swon Brothers.”
The brothers show off their Okie charm and hilarious sense of humor in this video interview with “The Voice” social media correspondent Christina Milian:
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George Jones’ planned final concert will go on as a tribute show
Before he died on April 26, George Jones had scheduled a star-studded final concert for November at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena.
The show will go on, according to the Associated Press.
Jones’ widow, Nancy, told the AP that Oklahoma superstar Garth Brooks, Kid Rock and several more performers have agreed to keep the Nov. 22 date and appear in tribute to Jones at the Music City arena. The show was previously sold out.
The Country Music Hall of Famer died in a Nashville hospital at the age of 81. Thousands attended his Nashville memorial service, another star-studded event that was open to the public.
Nancy Jones also told the AP that Charlie Daniels, Jamey Johnson, The Oak Ridge Boys, Montgomery Gentry and Travis Tritt have signed on to play the show.
For updates and more information, go to www.georgejones.com.
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Pistol Annies, Taylor Swift, Luke Bryan and more to perform on CMT Music Awards
This June 2, 2012 file photo shows, from left, Ashley Monroe, Angaleena Presley and Miranda Lambert of Pistol Annies at the 2012 CMT Music Awards in Nashville, Tenn. (AP)
Pistol Annies – the trio of Tishomingo resident Miranda Lambert and fellow singer-songwriters Angaleena Presley and Ashley Monroe – are among the first performers announced for the 2013 CMT Music Awards
Hunter Hayes, Little Big Town, Luke Bryan and Taylor Swift also are on the initial list of artists scheduled to perform on the fan-voted show, according to CMT.com.
Hosted by country superstar Jason Aldean and actress Kristen Bell, country music’s first fan-voted awards show will broadcast from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena at 7 p.m. June 5 on CMT and CMT.com. Presenters and additional performers will be announced in coming weeks.
Fans can vote online now at CMT.com, and on their mobile device at CMT Mobile or the CMT Insider app available on iPhone, iPad and Android through June 2 to determine the winners. The six finalists for video of the year will be announced at the beginning of the live show, and fans can then vote at CMT.com, CMT Mobile, on the CMT Insider app and via text message throughout the live telecast (Eastern and Central time zones only) to determine the night’s big winner. For more information as it becomes available, follow CMT on Twitter (@CMT), hashtag #CMTawards and become a fan of the CMT Music Awards on Facebook.
Nominees with Oklahoma ties include Lambert and the Pistol Annies, Rascal Flatts, Journey, Carrie Underwood, Blake Shelton, Thompson Square, Toby Keith, Vince Gill and Ryan Tedder. To read more about the Oklahoma nominees, click here.
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