NashvilleHype!

You know last night I was thinking over and over again about something that was said to me about someone else, “in all that time they had never had anything negative said about them” and in my quite frank opinion maybe it should have been. Of course as far as I am concerened it is just that, “an opinion”. I could repeat the same old tacky phrases we have come to know and hear over and over again but I promise to not make our readers go through that agony! My thoughts are thoughts that have been tossed and turned all day long. Being in the medical field people are asked when they come in with pain to rate that pain on a scale of 1 to 10. One being the least of the pain and ten being the greatest most intense pain of thie patients life. Well, to me in all truth of the matter, it would depend on one’s pain tolerance as to where you would rate any type of pain. That pain scale is almost silly to a certain degree. What might be a general headache to me maybe a 2 or 3 might be excrutiating to someone else therefore a pain rating of 8 or 9. This brings me to my point in telling the truth of one’s music and personal opinion’s.

Wikepedia defines an opinion as a person’s ideas and thoughts towards something, an assesment, judgement or evaluation of something. Now, we here at NashvilleHype! are all for loving our artists we write about……nope, we are ecstatic about loving them!  When we choose to write about them, let me stress that “choose”, it is something that we have really thought long and hard about. We do not just write about anyone. Now, I have to say, we can be picky, but I think in this industry you have to be. What Paul or David might like, I may not. What I may absolutely love, Paul may shrug his shoulders and raise a brow. Then there are the times when we have the bell’s and whistle’s going off cause there is a round table agreement! This is a good thing! It all comes down to a difference of opinion. Some might like a little more “twang” or some might like a little more “rock” or even some might like a group sound. Whatever the case may be, Nashville has many different sounds to choose from and many rising artists to fit the perfect “taste”.

All in all, music is a wonderful gift that has been given to many wonderful people here in Nashville and we look forward to promoting so many you that continue to put forth all that hard work and effort - it does pay off. Just never let anyone stop you.  One persons opinions may be a tear rolling down your face, but it very well could mean the ink drying on that contract!

We love you guys and keep up the great work!

It seems at every turn today I was thinking about Jaida and her showcase tonight.  If I said one small prayer for her I probably said a dozen.  That things would go well.  That the sound would be right.  That the place would be packed.

I just got back home from watching one of the most exciting (and packed!) showcases in Nashville in a long, LONG time.  Jaida Dreyer absolutely lit up the place from the minute she took the stage - - and the standing room only crowd ate it up.

Jaida is beautiful, but that’s not where her real strength lies - it’s in her completely unique voice.  As long time readers know, one of my favorite quotes is from Quincy Jones who said, ”Listen to ‘We Are The World’ - you don’t hear the best singers, you hear the best voices”.  Quincy knows about singers and what it takes to cut through the crowd here.  Jaida does as well.

It’s not that Jaida couldn’t be classified as a great singer - she’s certainly always on pitch, has her breathing down to a science, and knows when to push and when not to — it’s more that when you hear her sing, you immediately know who’s singing.  If she were on ‘We Are The World’, just like Michael Jackson, Bob Dylan, Cyndi Lauper, Lionel Richie, and others who had a verse of their own - you would know it was Jaida singing.

Here in Nashville and on myspace there are about 1,000,000 pretty girls who all sound the same.  After a while even I have to admit to getting tired of listening to them — but Jaida stands out, and in a big way.  I love her sound.  A couple of weeks ago I told her, ‘love or hate, people are going to be talking about you and you’re going to be a huge star because of it.”  I’m more convinced than ever.

The Rutledge was packed for this showcase.  I actually haven’t seen a more packed, more enthusiastic showcase in about 10 years.  Generally speaking industry folks are burned out.  I am too.  There’s only so many showcases you can go to.  There’s only so many artists you can listen to.  And there’s only so many times you can hear that “XX is going to be the next big thing”.   Maybe at NashvilleHype! I’ve been guilty of it too — (but if I may, I do have a real track record over the last couple of years of getting it right). WHEN Jaida signs her deal, I’ll be at 8 artists featured on NashvilleHype! to be signed, pretty unprecedented for a weblog/news outlet. 

One thing that really impresses me about Jaida is her work with Carolyn Dawn Johnson.  There’s not a person in the industry that doesn’t either personally like or respect CDJ, and she’s playing and writing with Jaida.  CDJ has been through about everything in the industry - from writing hit songs for others, having hit songs of her own, being on the radio, having a major label, being dropped from it, signing to an indie and leaving it before an album dropped - - she’s seen it all in this town.  And yet, she’s fully behind and fully encouraging to Jaida.  CDJ knows talent when she hears it. 

And then there’s simply the sheer love of doing music.  Jaida moved to Nashville (the last in a long line of 7 different states) to write songs - never thinking in a million years she would be singing.  It wasn’t until some of her co-writers began encouraging her to sing that she decided to give it a try.  When I saw her a couple months ago it was one of the first times she had ever even performed with a band - and though I knew it because I could tell, I don’t think anyone else did.

Tonight, you would’ve thought she had been performing with a band from the time she was born.  Completely comfortable onstage - it was like night and day.  But more, that just says to me that Jaida doesn’t choke under pressure (and having a major label showcase that’s packed out IS pressure!).  Like I said, she totally rocked it out.

Jaida Dreyer is a star.  In every way possible Jaida is a star.  For those that missed out this time, be sure to catch her the next.  You won’t be disappointed.  My only disappointment of the night was the fact I left my camera in the truck — and I wanted pictures.  (Jaida was gorgeous in her little purple dress and cowboy boots)  Hopefully I’ll find some before long to post.

I’ll keep everyone up to date on what happened for her professionally tonight.  I’m positive Jaida is going to be signed.

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I love, love, LOVE Jaida Dreyer! Always have. I’ve wanted to have her on site for a long time now, but for various reasons I haven’t. But now the cats kindof outta the bag and so you should immediately visit her myspace, be her friend, and fall in love with her like I have.

Here’s the thing about Jaida - She’s so totally unique in her style that she more than makes up for the same old bland blonde haired singer you see so often all over Nashville and Myspace. And she’s a real beauty! (she’s the kind of girl that every guy wants to marry - mostly me, but ya know…lol)  Sweet as pie and SOOO deserves to have this happen for her. Which I’m sure it will. She’s been quitely working behind the scenes in Nashville - not trying to make the most noise to be seen and heard - just going through the right steps to get the kind of real attention an artists needs — not all the fluff they don’t.

I went to see Jaida perform a little while back and she knocked it out of the ball park — I had to wait almost 30 mintutes to get to talk to her because there were so many people wanting autographs and pictures — IT WAS AWESOME to see!! And I’ll be honest, I’m not sure how many of those people even knew who she was before she performed — not many I would suppose.

So like I said, this totally needs to happen - and if not here, then somewhere!! Again, let the bidding war begin! Jaida Dreyer is going to be a star. A huge star!

Come out and see her showcase — show some support — you won’t regret it because you’ll be seeing a great artist destined for stardom in a small club with just a few people — It’ll be something to tell your friends later — you know like, “I saw her when…”

A National Talent Search for Country Music’s Next Great Artist
Contestants Compete By Submitting Performance Videos Online – Enter Now

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Musicians who love the spotlight and dream of the day when millions of fans will scream their name now have the chance to show their mettle. Television network Great American Country (GAC) is joining the ranks of its sister networks HGTV and Food Network by premiering The Next GAC Star, a nationwide talent search for the next country music star, in a partnership with artist development company Music Nation.

Six finalists will be flown to Nashville to be featured in a final two-part television special on September 3 and 10, with a LIVE elimination in the second show. The winning artist will receive a record deal and a music video, which will air on GAC.

Beginning today and through July 14th, GAC will accept video, mp3s, and photos from hopeful country music enthusiasts looking for their shot at becoming a recording artist at www.gactv.com/star. In addition to submitting videos online, some applicants will be able to tape audition videos in-person by visiting the GAC Summer Tour Bus, which hits the road May 1 and will travel to select markets throughout the summer.

“There are two phenomenon currently at play in the music industry: the rise of consumer-generated music content on the Internet and the success of artists participating in national talent competitions. Thanks to our relationship with Music Nation, we’ve incorporated both aspects into one show with The Next GAC Star,” says Sarah Trahern, senior vice president of programming for the network. “Viewers can upload their favorite performances online with the hopes of seeing themselves on the network and possibly winning it all.”

Voting begins May 23rd and will run in three phases. For the first eight weeks, the public will vote on submissions using Music Nation’s head-to-head player, which randomly pits two artists against each other and asks the user to choose a favorite. During this period, there will be two weekly winners: the highest ranked artist from the head-to-head standings and an “Industry Insiders” Pick, an artist collectively chosen by GAC and Music Nation staffers. Select video submissions will also air in the new series, Next GAC Star, which premieres on June 1 and will broadcast every Sunday. During the second phase, the 16 weekly winners will be narrowed down to a field of six by Next GAC Star’s panel of celebrity judges, to be announced next month. Finally, these six finalists will move on to be featured on the two TV specials, where the Next GAC Star will ultimately be determined.

“In the past, we’ve launched a number of successful talent searches for the rock, pop, and urban genres, and this new partnership with GAC allows us to extend our brand into the devoted country music fan base,” says Daniel Klaus, Music Nation CEO. “This competition allows undiscovered artists a real shot at the career they dream of, in addition to having their music played on GAC.”

Interested artists and viewers can get more information on Next GAC Star by visiting http://www.gactv.com/star.

About Great American Country
Great American Country is the leader in country music entertainment. GAC delivers to viewers the widest variety of country music, its artists and the lifestyles they influence. GAC broadcasts original country music programming, country music performance specials, live concerts, music videos, and is the exclusive television home of the Grand Ole Opry. GAC is available in more than 53 million households and online at http://www.gactv.com/star.

GAC is owned by Scripps Networks, the leading developer of lifestyle-oriented content for television and the Internet, including HGTV , Food Network , DIY Network and Fine Living Network . Scripps Networks is based in Knoxville, Tenn., with offices in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Detroit, Atlanta and Nashville, and is owned by The E.W. Scripps Company (NYSE:SSP), a diverse media concern with interests in newspaper publishing, broadcast television, national television networks and interactive media. Scripps operates daily and community newspapers in 16 markets, 10 broadcast TV stations, Scripps Howard News Service, United Media and Shopzilla.com.

About Music Nation
Engineered to navigate the changing landscape of the music business, Music Nation is a next generation music company designed to discover, develop, and build artist brands. The company employs both its expanding online music community, which acts as a digital A&R source, and traditional methods to sign artists to its label Original Signal Recordings. Through custom deals that are equitable, artist-friendly partnerships, the company is able to focus on developing new revenue streams around artists to create career sustainability.

Launched in 2006, the company is the brainchild of Daniel Klaus (CEO), Lucas Mann (Co-founder), Kevin P. Ryan (Chairman), and Peter Read (Managing Director, UK and Europe); their combined expertise crosses the e-commerce, digital media, and music industry divides.

An Update:

For the fourth time in my life, I’m living and working in beautiful Southern California for a little while. I flew in to Ontario on Wednesday and I’ll be going from Victorville to Riverside, to Murrietta and Temecula to San Diego and Oceanside - and even another trip up to Beverly. Nice. It should be a pretty good trip. The only downside is, I used to live out here and life was all but perfect then - had everything - now, it’s just what it is - work - and I will eventually leave. Not that Nashville is a bad thing, I love it there - I just want California weather. As time permits, and for those who read NashvilleHype! and care, I’ll be placing up updates.

I’ve probably had no better friend to me in this industry than Aaron Tippin. He’s just a great guy, an awesome artist, and a terrific songwriter. That’s why I was happy for Aaron when I received this press release.

CRACKER BARREL OLD COUNTRY STORE® ADDS AARON TIPPIN TO EXCLUSIVE MUSIC COLLECTION

Exclusive CD release honors fatherhood and the impact Aaron’s father had in his life

LEBANON, TENN. (April 24, 2008) – Building on its reputation as a welcome home for country music artists, Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc. will be the exclusive home of Aaron Tippin’s newest CD entitled He Believed. On sale at all Cracker Barrel locations beginning May 6, He Believed features six classic tracks and six recently recorded songs, including the title song which is Aaron’s incredibly moving tribute to his father.

“Although this CD is dedicated to my Dad, I hope it speaks to everyone who has had a mentor like he was to me,” says Tippin. “I am grateful to Cracker Barrel for believing in me and this music. I am honored to partner up with Cracker Barrel on this project that is so dear to my heart.”

Similar to his previous #1 hit records, Aaron and his wife, Thea, wrote several of the recently recorded songs on this record, including He Believed. The song is a touching story inspired by the unexpected death of Aaron’s father in 2005. The lyrics powerfully describe the emotional connection between Aaron and his father who was also his best friend and mentor. He Believed also features six of Aaron’s top recordings including: Working Man’s PHD, Whole Lotta Love On The Line and I Got It Honest.

“Cracker Barrel is pleased to work with an artist who shares our opinion that integrity and being of service to others is important,” says Peter Keiser, Cracker Barrel’s Vice President of Marketing. “This approach is summed up in the title of his hit song, ‘You’ve Got To Stand For Something,’ and working with Aaron on this very special CD project has been an honor and a pleasure.”

Available May 6 at all Cracker Barrel locations and online at crackerbarrel.com, He Believed is a powerful addition to Cracker Barrel’s growing collection of authentic country music. In the last year, Cracker Barrel has released exclusive recordings by Alabama, Lonestar, Josh Turner and Merle Haggard.

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Like I said, Aaron is a great guy and a true friend —  and we congratulate him on this new album.  It’s a fantastic turn of events!  Get over to the Cracker Barrel and get you a copy of this cd!   Aaron never disappoints.

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