Lost Highway Records

                I’m constantly on the search for new musicians to fill my playlists and have never really considered looking to record labels to find them.  After checking out Lost Highway Records website because I had noticed that two of my favorite artists were signed with them, I discovered that they have signed many others who I frequently listen to.  Lost Highway Records has signed some of the most influential artists to the Americana scene, some of which include: Hank Williams, Willie Nelson, Robert Earl Keen, Ryan Bingham, Hayes Carll, & Johnny Cash.  They currently have 24 artists signed to them, about half of which I had never even heard of.  I think it will be interesting to check out some of these guys I’ve never heard of and see if they have the same appeal.

Here is their website:

http://www.losthighwayrecords.com/

Ryan Bingham

                Ryan Bingham has stayed true to his Americana roots, despite having national attention for his song “The Weary Kind” which was the featured song of the movie, Crazy Heart.  “The Weary Kind” put Ryan Bingham on the map, earning him an Academy Award, The Golden Globe Award, and Critics Choice Award for the best song in 2010.  In a 2010 interview Bingham talks about how many critics and artists suggested that he capitalize on his success from “The Weary Kind” and sign with a major record label, however, Ryan replied that he would never be able to perform a song that he didn’t believe in.  He instead signed with a smaller label, Lost Highway records, who allowed him the complete authority to decide what went on his record.  It’s easy to believe when Ryan Bingham talks struggle about in his songs (which he frequently does).  “He comes from a place where everything is a bit dusty,” says Joe Ely.  He dropped out of high school to ride bulls full time, began playing at bars after the rodeos, and eventually had more gigs than rodeo.

  

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jHnSj9Ls6pU&ob=av2e

Americana Artist: Hayes Carll

There are not a whole lot of people making the music that Hayes Carll is making.  On a first impression, you may be overtaken with Carll’s raw and untamed voice, however with little patients, you’ll realize this guy is the next Town’s Van Zant when it comes to songwriting.  Having personally seen Hayes Carll three times around the Austin area, I can say, he never fails to put on a show.  His comedic relief between songs makes fans even more willing to pay good money to see him time and time again.  His latest CD, KMAG YOYO (& other American Stories) was just released in February 2011 and peaked on the US country charts at number 12.  He is definitely a hot commodity these days, even getting himself a slot on the tonight show with Jay Leno.  If you have any appreciate for the Outlaw/Americana music scene, he is definitely a must see.

Hayes Carll on Jay Leno with the albums title track, KMAG YOYO

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5JXrFW3YGZw

Country Strong

Although I was not particularly fond of the movie, Country Strong outlines one of the major points present in today’s controversy between mainstream country and Americana/roots country.  Garrett Hedlund plays the part of Beau, a devoted Americana country artist who cares nothing for fame, but rather just staying true to his music and himself.  He is offered an opening position for a superstar Nashville country artist named Kelly Canter (played by Gwyneth Paltrow) and despite being opposed to the “country barbie” type of music being played by the other opener, Chiles Stanton (played by Leighton Meester), and Canter, he reluctantly  agrees to do the gigs.  One of the underlying themes of the movie, is that the character Beau, is very opposed to the type of music played by Canter and Stanton and that and this is portrayed when Beau has a very difficult time allowing himself to be the opener for music that he is so critical of.  I think this same message transfers to how many Americana/Texas Country artists and fans feel overall about mainstream country.  Despite the fact that the mainstream country genre has a much larger fan base throughout the US and therefore more potential for growth,  the Americana/Texas Country artist would have to ‘sell out’ in order to be a part of that music scene.

On a side note, Hayes Carll (who won the award for emerging Americana artist of the year in 2010), had three songs featured in the film’s soundtrack, one of which was performed by Hedlund (Beau).

The Top of Tennessee

One of the  primary differences between the Americana and Nashville music scenes is who writes the songs that an artist records.  While most artists on the Americana scene write and record their own music, many of the mainstream ‘Nashville’ country artists have others do it for them.  Just for kicks, I went to CMT.com and looked at their top 10 for the week of July 15^th and, with a little research; I was able to find who the actual writers of these songs were.   As you can see in the listing below, only ONE (Taylor Swift) of the top ten songs was solely written by the person who performs it.

CMT (Nashville) top 10:

1: Jason Aldean – Dirt Road Anthem  (written by Brantley Gilbert)

2: Taylor Swift – Mean (written by Taylor Swift)

3: Blake Shelton – Honeybee (written by Rhett Akins & Ben Hayslip)

4: Chris Young – Tomorrow (“co-written” with Chris Young)

5: Lady Antebellum – Just a Kiss (written in “collaboration” with Dallas Davidson)

6: Kenny Chesney – You and Tequila (“co-written” with Matraca Berg & Deana Carter)

7: Jake Owen - Barefoot Blue Jean Night (written by Eric Palsay)

8: Luke Bryan – Country Girl (Shake it for me) (“co-written” with Dallas Davidson)

9: Trace Adkins – Just Fishin (written by Casey Beathard, Monty Criswell and Ed Hill)

10: Eric Church - Homeboy (“co-written” by Casey Beathard)

Americana Walking

What is Americana music?  Has anybody ever even heard of this term to describe a genre of music?  If you live in Nashville, chances are you haven't.  To most listeners, a first impression of an Americana artist would typically leave the listener classifying their music as “country.”  However, this type of music is not the new-age pop sensation "country" BS that seems to be the big thing streaming around the nation these days.  It is not the country superstar artists who are triple platinum from singles somebody else wrote for them.  Americana music is the roots of original country, but has acquired the nickname of “alternative country.”  This music is composed of a mix of blues, country, folk, rock, and rhythm, all of which is written by original artists with original lyrics, most of whom are not your household names.  These are your average Joes, self- starter types, who pay their dues by playing honkytonks all over for many years until they develop a reputation for themselves.  They are not the type who are signed by a major record label and become an overnight sensation.  They play the music they write and write the music they want without any dictation from a record label.  In my opinion they could be considered the “indie” of the standard country music; the “real” versions of Nashville.