Posts Tagged ‘Country’

By: Rob Brayl
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

Happy 4th!

Currently in DC melting my face off, I felt inspired to write a post with some kick-ass 4th of July songs for your viewing/listening pleasure.

001/ Martina McBride, Independence Day

Still my favorite 4th of July song ever. Saturated in a deep blue coat of meaning revolving around domestic abuse, Martina pours her heart out on this classic track. Check out the video below.

002/ George Michael, Freedom

A throwback to his golden days, Michael’s Freedom is iconic in the way it speaks of breaking free of the chains that hold us down. Perhaps a big lesson in independence is accepting that sometimes the clothes don’t make the man.

003/ Kelis, 4th of July

A new music video for Kelis debuted recently featuring the singer wearing a Native American headdress and singing about Independence Day. It’s a disco electronic love feast that satisfies. Check it!

004/ Drake ft. Alicia Keys, Fireworks

I’ve written about this track and have supported rapper Drake in several articles over the past few months. Take a listen to the sizzling number below featuring the always elegant Alicia Keys.

By: Rob Brayl
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

Currently hundreds and hundreds of miles away from New York City, visiting my family for my birthday, leaving 8 million for 4 thousand, I’ve landed in the country. And no, not this pseudo-country idea either. I’m talking mountains, cows, Wal*Mart, and dirt roads. Which leads me to Kellie Pickler…

Besides being Southern, and having bad driving habits, another thing I share in common with Pickler is her birthday. I’ve posted several articles on the blonde twangy twizzler and today, I post once more to celebrate her awesomeness. Joining me in turning a year older, Pickler, who recently announced her engagement to Kyle Jacobs, celebrated her 24th yesterday (June 28th).

Check out one of my favorite Pickler moments via 2006’s MTV Movie Awards.

An oldie but goodie!

[Sidenote: Thank you to everyone who sent birthday wishes, messages, and love. I genuinely appreciate the thoughts and gestures! Also, thank you to everyone who supports BTB currently. The site would be nothing without an audience, so thank you to all readers who continue to come back Monday-Friday every week to read what's on our minds musically.]

By: Rob Brayl
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

Way to set the bar. Damn!

Being from the South, there’s no denying the place in my heart reserved for Southern girls, specifically those that are blonde, sweet tea sweet with a sense of humor, and pack a punch on the guitar. Needless to say, I effing love Taylor Swift! But then again, who doesn’t?

America’s sweetheart recently decided to go above and beyond for her fans, promising to hold a 13-hour meet and greet for everyone who would show up (via the CMA Music Festival). Instead, Swift spent close to 15 hours hugging and signing autographs for over 2,000 of the 10,000 fans who showed up! She also performed a mini-concert for all fans. Both the concert and meet and greet were free and open to the public! How awesome is that? I mean, can you imagine any other stars willing to put in that sort of time and commitment to fans? Highly doubt it! It’d be nice to see other acts pay tribute to fans in this manner, considering the fact that it IS the sole reason for their success. What a way to make those selfish turds look like lazy asses!

Said Swift: “My favorite thing about CMA Music Fest has always been getting to spend time with the fans, so this year I wanted to figure out a way to meet as many of them as possible. Thirteen is my lucky number, and the 13th is during Music Fest, so I think spending 13 hours that day with my fans is going to be amazing!”

Besides making us exhausted with her ever-giving heart and crazy schedule, Swift has been renovating a condo in Tennessee and apparently one of her biggest obsessions (besides her fans, of course) is stingrays (and giant-sized birdcages)?

Check out a clip of Taylor discussing her affection for stingrays below, followed by footage from her 15-hour free meet & greet in Nashville.

MTV Shows

Hello guy at the 1:23 mark! His hand’s a little low on her hip, no? Copping a feel are we?!

By: Rob Brayl
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

Cutie pie!

Miranda Lambert is, without a doubt, a spitfire. She’s proved this point on kick-ass diddys like Kerosene and Gunpowder and Lead. But don’t let her attitude-driven songs soak up all your attention, taking your ears away from the vulnerability throughout the rest of her music, for the girl’s got a heart the size of Reba McEntire’s hair via the 80s!

The country star recently held her third annual “Cause for Paws” concert and charity auction. The sold-out event raised $91,000 for animals affected by the recent floods in the Nashville, Tennessee area (as well as the East Texas Humane Society).

Besides Lambert, the event featured additional Whiskey Myers, Kacey Musgraves and Nightwork.

Said Lambert: “Since we started working with the Humane Society of East Texas over three years ago, we have donated over $325,000 and they have become a ‘no kill’ shelter. Every year it amazes me that people spend their hard-earned money to partner with us in this fight. I am very grateful!”

You can currently check out the ACM Female Vocalist of the Year at the CMA Music Fest, in Nashville, starting today until June 13th!

Check out Lambert pouring her heart out, performing The House That Built Me live, below.

By: Rob Brayl
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

I mighta been born just plain white trash but Fancy was my name!

Sorry, had to throw that out there.

Country legend Reba McEntire put a country ring on it when she recently covered Beyonce’s classic hit, If I Were a Boy for a recent episode of CMT’s Unplugged. And the outcome is amazing! Reba takes the song and sings it effortlessly, proving that if a message is universal (ya know, the whole boys being douchebags thing) then it can be sung in any format, in any language, in any part of the world and will still have a powerful effect on the audience, if the artist connects with the song emotionally. And Reba certainly does.

This is not the first time a song of Beyonce’s was covered by another well-know country artist. In 2007, Sugarland famously performed Irreplaceable on the American Music Awards where Knowles even took to the stage to join in singing along.

Check out Reba’s spin on If I Were A Boy, below.

By: Rob Brayl
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

A few days ago, before his face appeared on Idol Gives Back, President Obama arrived in Los Angeles to help raise money for the re-election of Senator Barbara Boxer. An exclusive dinner was arranged, and the guests in attendance had to pay $17,600 dollars per dinner plate. Let me state the obvious: most in attendance were wealthy corporate types or celebrities of various branches. When given a second thought, it’s clear that sometimes in order to feel you have a voice in America you need wealth (or at least the luxury of spending $17,600 for dinner). The ironic twist is the event took place in LA, a city on the verge of bankruptcy, with 80,000 residents homeless and 12 percent of the city’s population without jobs.

I mention the Obama angle, because I think it’s a common factor in deciding whether or not to give. Trust me, I’ve been there, to that place inside that selfishly overlooks the truth, by feeling as if I have nothing to give in comparisons to those with celebrity style bank accounts (which, let’s face it, should be giving in the first place, with or without the positive attention of the camera). The truth is, you do not need $17,600 to truly leave your footprint in the dirt of the world. Even as little as $10 bucks a month can literally feed children on the brink of starvation and catastrophic diseases.

Idol winner Carrie Underwood performed the beautiful track Change during the two hour event. Underwood talked to reporters after the show about the importance of supporting charitable causes: “This is the stuff that really makes a difference,” she said. “We’re coming up on 10 seasons of American Idol. Twenty years later, people might not remember who won what, but this is the kind of stuff that can make lives better and people will remember that.”

The track from Underwood’s Play On album was written by Katrina Elam, Josh Kear and Chris Tompkins. “[The song] talks about how the smallest thing can make a huge difference, and it really fits with tonight’s concept,” Underwood told reporters. During her fall tour, 36 cents of every ticket sold will benefit Save the Children’s programs in the U.S. The amount parallels a reference to “36 cents” in the lyrics of the song.

You can listen to the track, below. You can also check out Keep A Child Alive (a program I personally advocate), by clicking here.

By: Maria Ciezak
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

Now that you all know I put my life in the hands of rock n’ roll bands, I was recently thrown an unexpected curveball of melody this past week; folk. When not initially liking a genre of music, one should make a point of listening to it more closely. I have yearned for the day I would stumble upon a female talent who could transcend sounds of the past with the present, and she has arrived; Lissie (Maurus). A 27-year old country-folk rock singer/guitarist is the pink elephant in a room full of bears. A clear-as-glass singing voice, effortless melodies, and a Stevie Nicks like tone make her a direct line to your emotional core.

Everywhere I Go off of her debut EP Where You Runnin’, stopped me dead in my tracks at a local record store (yes, some still exist), showcasing her achingly raw and evocative voice. How often has this happened to you lately? Think about it; sound that hits you so hard you can feel it? Now that’s music, what feelings sound like.

The bright intensity of Lissie’s voice will cut through any disdain your jaded heart may have built up against present day “singers” and “songwriters”. In my opinion, she belongs in the 1970’s with the brilliance of female musicians whose material will be set in stone for countless generations. Her sound seems as if it should belong to someone twice her age, both coarse and beautiful; a combination which, when it works, is something to behold. Her pipes are her instrument, and she commands them. Upon downloading more of her tracks, I found the songs range from hand-clapping and foot-stomping, to breathtaking ballads that all make up her ingredient; a spine shivering, rustic soul.

Lissie is an artist to watch, listen, and embrace. So raise the volume; she’s about to mend all the broken hearts of boring, pointless music trends!

By: Rob Brayl
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

Yep, you read that right!

Last night, exhausted from the gym, I came home and did what most dudes would do while relaxing in front of the computer: I youtubed puppies. Ok, so maybe that’s not what MOST guys would do, but I’m really debating with this idea of getting a pet. Long story short–my puppy searching somehow led me to discover this video and it totally made me smile.

A group of University of Rochester students have re-created Taylor Swift’s massive anthem You Belong With Me to feature a same-sex crush.

Made by the university’s singing group the Yellowjackets, the video Stars Matt Francis (jock) and Michael Pittman (gleek).

Watch the cuteness, below.

By: Rob Brayl
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

Photo Credit: Alexei Hay

“I like to categorize the various levels of heartbreak. I’ve only had that happen once. A letdown is worth a few songs. A heartbreak is worth a few albums.”

-t. swift, in the upcoming issue of elle

By: Rob Brayl
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

Totally diggin’ the positive vibes in this song!

Meet Coldwater Jane–two sisters (Brandon Jane & Leah Crutchfield) who grew up on 70s rock, and gospel music in their small hometown of Lucedale, Mississippi. As teenagers, the girls toured with their parents as a family gospel band. Their mother booked the band while their father played bass and their brother served as the drummer. The sisters handled lead/harmony vocals, and alternated between guitar and keyboard.

The duo’s name comes from Jane being a common name running in their family and Coldwater being inspired by Coldwater Canyan in Los Angeles. After recording for six months, the duo gained the attention of Mercury Nashville and the rest, as they say, is history.

Check out the music video debut for BRING ON THE LOVE, below.

Coldwater Jane   More CMT Music   More CMT Music Videos

By: Rob Brayl
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

After moving to New York City almost two years ago, I’ve come to terms with the fact that there are some things I will forever miss about the South. Number 1 on that list: Fun girls. Yes, I said it! Prime example, Kellie Pickler. When I see her, I just smile. The same goes for Dolly Parton, Taylor Swift,…you get the point. And since I’ve been missing my twang, I’ve been making up for it by watching videos like the one below on repeat. Perhaps I should give up YouTubing Kellie Pickler for Lent ha?

Nah, in all seriousness, I’ve decided this year to give up pop. NO, NOT POP MUSIC (that would be the death of me)…but pop, ya know, soda, Coke, RC Cola (if ya country). Actually, I had already stopped drinking it about a week ago, but with Lent starting today, I think soda is actually a good thing to rid myself of. It all started once I did some research on aspartame (fake sugar found in diet soda) and officially freaked out. Turns out, stuff can create memory loss, among other things. And I am not including the fact that caffeine turns me into a crazy person.

Speaking of crazy persons/back to blondes, Kellie Pickler was on Ellen recently and it totally made my day.

There’s not a better way to start Lent than to see Pickler speak some twang.

Watch the hilarity, below.

By: Rob Brayl
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

“Seeing Taylor Swift in person is always fun for me,” Drake told Extra on the night of the Grammys. “I bought this Taylor Swift T-shirt the other day that I might wear tonight.”

Although Drake didn’t wear any Swift tee onstage for his performance of “Forever,” alongside Eminem, Lil Wayne and Travis Barker, he swiftly opens up about being a proud Taylor supporter. “I just have this small little thing with her; I just like her whole being. I’m excited about her career,” he said, adding he’d like to get into the studio with her. “That would be nice, I’m down!”

A Drake/Swift collaboration? It sounds a bit strange but with the right song/production team, I think it could be cool.

Swift has meshed her sound with hip hop in the past. Who could forget her little diddy with T-Pain for the VMAs? Just for flashback purposes (and because I love the part when she gets bleeped out), here’s THUG STORY, in all its glory. Hey, that rhymed!

By: Rob Brayl
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

The Dixie Chicks have not split. But…

A while back I got into a Dixie Chicks fix and it made me ponder the girls whereabouts and now I know, thanks to Rolling Stone. Natalie Maines is on a hiatus and is apparently feeling uninspired to record music at the moment so the other two chicks have created a new side project, a duo they call The Court Yard Hounds. The name comes from a reference to the best-selling novel City of Thieves.

Banjo player Emily Robison and her sister, fiddler Martie Maguire — have recorded an album at Maguire’s home studio in Austin, Texas and the sound is said to be intimate pop-folk. The disc will feature Robison’s first-ever lead vocals and songs inspired by her recent divorce from Charlie Robison.

Sounds interesting but Court Yard Hounds? Not sure I’m feeling this name. Does it fit their image? I’m imagining punks in leather and studded belts, not two peeps from Texas with vaginas and banjos. A-ha! Vaginas & Banjos. It’s a perfect name! No?

By: Rob Brayl
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

I’m from the South, and if you know anything about being Southern, you should know that I was raised on country music and apple pie. Although now a New Yorker, there will always be a spot on my plate for a piece of country fried goodness.

For example:

The work of Sugarland originally caught my attention when I first caught glimpse of the music video for the Grammy award-winning track STAY. And now the latest music video also lives up to the duo’s heart-shaking reputation with its gut-wrenching views of a heart broken.

The track is soaked in the beauty of country roots.

Check out Sugarland’s KEEP YOU, above.

By: Rob Brayl
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

If you’re a loyal follower of BTB (thank you btw) you should know that I have a thing for sweet blonde country crooners (see below). And one of my favorites has just returned.

Carrie Underwood’s new track “Cowboy Casanova” was co-written by Underwood with Brett James, who wrote Underwood’s hit “Jesus, Take the Wheel,” and Mike Elizondo, who, get this–is most known for his work with Eminem, Jay-Z and Dr. Dre. WHAT IN THE HELL! I definitely DID NOT see this one coming. Major kudos to Underwood!

Underwood has also written material with R&B singer Ne-Yo & pop hitmakers Max Martin and Kara DioGuardi.

“Play On” will be released on November 3rd. You can listen to the just-released track here.