Ridiculously Talented: Dawes

There is one rule regarding concerts that I have stood by, but also broken:  Don’t miss the opening act.  Yes, we all want to get to the act that we spent our money on to see and hear perform, but sometimes the headliner has an unexpected surprise for us.

Such was the case at the Mumford & Sons show at the Ryman Auditorium recently.  Fortunately for my wife and I we decided to find our seats and check out Dawes.  We had never seen them before and we were blown away.  Fantastic songs, band, vocals, harmonies……and Ridiculously Talented.  So looking forward to seeing them again.

And if we do we’ll be sure to catch the opening act.

2012 ACM Award Winners

Here’s a run down of the nominees and winners (in bold) during the 2012 Academy of Country Music Awards held in Las Vegas.  via @mikeseverson

Entertainer of the Year
Jason Aldean
Kenny Chesney
Brad Paisley
Blake Shelton
Taylor Swift

Male Vocalist of the Year
Jason Aldean
Kenny Chesney
Brad Paisley
Blake Shelton
Chris Young

Female Vocalist of the Year
Sara Evans
Miranda Lambert
Martina McBride
Taylor Swift
Carrie Underwood

Vocal Duo of the Year
Love and Theft
Montgomery Gentry
Steel Magnolia
Sugarland
Thompson Square

Vocal Group of the Year
The Band Perry
Eli Young Band
Lady Antebellum
Rascal Flatts
Zac Brown Band

Album of the Year
Eric Church  ‘Chief’
Miranda Lambert ‘For The Record’
Kenny Chesney  ‘Hemmingway’s Whiskey’
Jason Aldean  ‘My Kinda Party’
Lady Antebellum  ‘Own the Night’

Best New Artist
Scotty McCreery
Hunter Hayes
Brantley Gilbert

Vocal Event of the Year
Aaron Lewis feat. George Jones and Charlie Daniels  ‘Country Boy’
Jason Aldean w/ Kelly Clarkson ‘Don’t You Wanna Stay’
Brad Paisley feat. Alabama  ‘Old Alabama’
Brad Paisley feat. Carrie Underwood  ‘Remind Me’
Kenny Chesney feat. Grace Potter  ‘You and Tequila’

Video of the Year
Jason Aldean  ‘Tattoos on This Town’
Eric Church  ‘Homeboy’
Toby Keith ‘Red Solo Cup’
Lady Antebellum  ‘Just a Kiss’
Taylor Swift ‘Mean’

Single Record of the Year
Eli Young Band  ‘Crazy Girl’
Jason Aldean w/ Kelly Clarkson ‘Don’t You Wanna Stay’
Toby Keith  ‘Red Solo Cup’
Chris Young  ‘Tomorrow’
Kenny Chesney feat. Grace Potter  ‘You and Tequila’

Song of the Year
Eli Young ‘Crazy Girl’
Dierks Bentley  ‘Home’
Lady Antebellum  ‘Just a Kiss’
Vince Gill  ‘Threaten Me With Heaven’
Kenny Chesney feat. Grace Potter  ‘You and Tequila’

Special Honors:

Cliffie Stone Pioneer Award
Honors Pioneers in the Country Music Genre
Emmylou Harris
Billy Sherrill
Ricky Skaggs
Dwight Yoakam

Crystal Milestone Award
Honors Individuals Who Have Achieved Impressive Successes
Kenny Chesney

Career Achievement Award
Honors an individual artist, duo, group or multiple artist collaboration who advanced the popularity and acceptance of country music.
Vince Gill

Jim Reeves International Award
Honors an individual for outstanding contributions to the acceptance of country music throughout the world.
Alan Jackson

Mae Boren Axton Award
Recognizes years of dedication and service by an outstanding individual to the ACM.
Gayle Holcomb

Poet’s Award
Honors songwriters for outstanding musical and/or lyrical contributions throughout their career.
Bobby Braddock
Roger Miller

Industry Awards:

Songwriter of the Year
Dallas Davidson

Casino of the Year
Mandalay Bay Hotel & Casino – Las Vegas, NV

Don Romeo Talent Buyer of the Year
Jimmy Jay – Jayson Promotions, Inc.

Nightclub of the Year
Billy Bob’s Texas – Ft. Worth, TX

Promoter of the Year
Brian O’Connell – Live Nation

Venue of the Year
Bridgestone Arena – Nashville, TN

Musician, Band, Instrumental Awards:

Audio Engineer of the Year
Justin Niebank

Bass Player of the Year
Michael Rhodes

Percussionist/Drummer of the Year
Shannon Forrest

Guitarist of the Year
Kenny Greenberg

Fiddle Player of the Year
Stuart Duncan

Piano/Keyboard Player of the Year
John Hobbs

Specialty Instrument of the Year
Aubrey Haynie

Steel Guitar Player of the Year
Paul Franklin

World Vision Continues to Spread Message, Expand Presence in Country Music Market

Carter’s Chord trip, Rick & Bubba radiothon, CRS sponsorship among organization’s latest initiatives

(Nashville, Tenn. – March 21, 2012)  With recent initiatives involving Carter’s Chord, The Rick & Bubba Show and its presence at Country Radio Seminar 2012, global humanitarian organization World Vision continues its push into the Country music market.

Female Country trio Carter’s Chord embarked on a goodwill trip earlier this year to the Dominican Republic, where the group personally sponsored two children of their own.  During the visit, the sisters experienced firsthand the work of World Vision out in the field and filmed a video for their song, “Love A Little Bigger.”

Popular syndicated radio show hosts Rick & Bubba recently partnered with World Vision for the third year in a row for their two-day Rick & Bubba Show radiothon.  The event resulted in the sponsorship of more than 800 children through the World Vision program.

“The global impact we’ve been able to make on over 825 children’s lives this year, and over 2,600 children since 2009, is beyond words,” said Rick Burgess and Bill “Bubba” Bussey.  “The overwhelming response from our listeners and the ability to be part of something so meaningful just blows us away.  Doing what we do for a living and being able to make such an impact through World Vision really does make it all worth while.”

In an effort to raise awareness in the Country music community, World Vision was also an active supporter and sponsor at Country Radio Seminar 2012, held February 22-24 in downtown Nashville.  The nonprofit organization sponsored the CRS media room, meeting and recording PSA messages with more than 60 artists during the three-day event.

Country acts Adam Gregory and Amber Hayes were among the artists introduced to World Vision at CRS 2012.  They join a growing list of supporters in the Country format, including Carter’s Chord, Terri Clark, Sarah Darling, Patty Griffin, LoCash Cowboys, Ricky Skaggs, Chuck Wicks and Wynonna, among others.

“Country artists and their fans are among the most generous people in the world,” says World Vision Channel/Product Director Michael Bianchi.  “It is World Vision’s desire to empower artists to spread the news about how their fans can help make lasting change around the world, and we were thrilled with the interest we received at CRS 2012 from the Country music industry.”

World Vision raises more than $2 billion annually through its work in nearly 100 different countries, employing more than 40,000 individuals around the world.  The organization is currently sponsoring 4.1 million children in its fight against poverty and its mission to provide things like medical care, access to education, economic development, spiritual nurture and disaster relief for those in need.  One of the founding members of the ONE campaign, World Vision is consistently ranked among the top charities in the world.

More than 400 artists and celebrities have committed to the World Vision cause to date, including musical acts: Terri Clark, Patty Griffin, The Isaacs, Sarah McLachlan, PawnShop kings, Kenny Rogers, Melissa Fuller, Attwater, Ricky Skaggs and Wynonna.  For more information, visit www.WorldVision.org.

About World Vision:
World Vision is a Christian relief, development and advocacy organization dedicated to working with children, families and their communities worldwide to reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice.  For more information, visit www.WorldVision.org.

Pictured above: Carter’s Chord met one of their sponsored children, Franyely (center), and her family during the group’s goodwill trip to the Dominican Republic earlier this year.

World Vision Contacts:
Mike Severson – World Vision  (615)496-6023 – mike@seversonfarm.com

Charles Dorris – World Vision – (615) 236-1684 – charlesdorris@gmail.com

Ridiculously Talented – downhere

I admit to being very late on this one, after all, downhere’s first album came out in 2001 and they have released a total of 11 albums and EP’s.  I’ve had my opportunities over the past few years to listen after hearing recommendations and some buzz about them.  Unbeknownst to me I’d also heard some of their songs from the album “Ending Is Beginning”, but didn’t put it together.  I even had met and visited with one of the band members.  Such is Nashville.

Finally, I took it upon myself late last year to listen to the band’s most recent album “On The Alter Of Love” and then immediately proceeded to their 2009 Christmas offering “How Many Kings”.  I was blown away.  They quickly became my most listened to albums and the latter was by far my favorite Christmas album of the year.  I wish I had discovered it two years ago.

I had also heard about one of the two lead singer’s Marc Martel, who sounds just like Queen’s Freddie Mercury, and ended up winning the vocalist spot on the Queen Extravaganza Tour.  I followed the competition about the same time I purchased the albums.  It was all falling into place for me.

Now here we are well into 2012 and I have not stopped listening to either incredible project.  I’ve also purchased “Ending Is Beginning” (also incredible), which they released in 2008 and about to add more of their music to my collection.

There is a LOT I love about downhere, but what gets me the most is their authenticity, strong lyrics, and distinct artistry.  In a format where many songs are feel good childlike lullabies, downhere pushes preconceived boundaries yet converges on the essence of the Gospel message.

Downhere has won countless awards in Canada, a couple in the U.S., and deserve a whole lot more.  I hope this Ridiculously Talented band will keep making music as I catch up on the depth of their creative work I should have been listening to 10 years ago.

Totally my bad.

40/365: Trailer Parking

40/365: Trailer Parking, originally uploaded by Mike Severson.

40 days into Project 365!

Just Go.

Each time I return from a mission or advocacy trip to a third world or developing country, I always come back changed.  Sometimes it’s subtle, sometimes it’s profound.  I can’t say the intensity of the change always stays since our daily lives of plenty have a way of diminishing the return, but there is a definite shifting that happens inside.  How can it not when you get rocked by what’s happening in the real world?  Each time I return I feel out of rhythm and sorts.  Like Neo in the Matrix knowing that there was something amiss and finally seeing it with my own eyes not wanting to believe it’s true, but coming to the realization that the real world is much different and harsher than this one.  Dealing with the tension and adjustment of how I live and how children and families in poverty live.

But the reaction should not be guilt or shame, it should be one of compassion and action.

After the latest trip to Dominican Republic, I was having a conversation with a friend and we came to the same conclusion – anyone who has not been on a mission or humanitarian trip to a third world or developing country, MUST go.  They must see the impoverished slums of hungry & sick children, their rickety one room homes where the entire family sleeps and that floods every time it rains, and orphans with nowhere to go.  The realities of sex trafficking, AIDS, malaria, malnutrition, and filthy disease infested water. The lack of education, medical care, food, and of hope.

But also finding what we often lack – the reality of authentic Joy.

I wish I had traveled on a mission trip when I was in high school and college.  I wish I had gone sooner.  Which is why I encourage you, if you have never been on such a trip, to GO.  Seriously, GO!  You can change the life of another and it will change your own.  Don’t be afraid of that – changing your life for the better.  I know there are people who don’t want their life to change, they don’t want to shake things up, afraid of where it may take them.  It’s risky.  But there is nothing more soul satisfying than to allow God to work through you for the benefit of the less fortunate.  There is nothing more fulfilling than to empty yourself for the least of these.  It’s written in our hearts that are meant to break for others.

Maybe you send money, sponsor a child, or donate items to missions.  That is wonderful and crucial, and you are responding as we all should, but if you are physically able, you need to GO.

I have resolved to have my daughter go with me on a trip in a couple of years.  She has lived in the reality of abject poverty and need, but I’m not sure how much she can really comprehend just yet.  We will go together at some point and begin what will hopefully be the first of many trips for her.

Go. Use your gifts. Use your voice. Do good. Love bigger. Make a difference.

Ridiculously Talented – Eric Church

A big congratulations goes out to Eric Church who just scored his first #1 single this week with “Drink In My Hand”.  It’s been way overdue since releasing his first single to radio in 2006.  From that time Eric has sold an amazing amount of albums even though just two of his previous nine singles made it into the Top 10, and all the while he has amassed a large and passionate fan base.

Eric Church is a ridiculously talented writer and artist, but what makes him even more so is his ability to connect to his ardent fans with authenticity.  A novel concept lost on a fair share of mainstream country artists.  It took a good portion of country radio a while to understand connection, passion, sellout shows, and huge sales without huge radio hits translates into an artist they should be playing a lot more of.  I’m glad they finally have because an artist like Church is important to the format.

And if they thought “Drink In My Hand” was big, just wait till “Springsteen“.

Here is the first single “Homeboy” from one of my favorite albums released in 2011, “Chief”.