Category Archives: new music

What I learned from Celebrity Apprentice

I don’t get into many “reality TV” shows. Oh okay, so I am hooked on Top Chef shows. And I’m kinda all about Food Network. But you know what I mean. I watch and enjoy shows like Amazing Race and Undercover Boss. But if I miss it, not a big deal. I might catch up on what I missed on On Demand. I might not.

However, this season of Celebrity Apprentice SUCKED ME IN when, in a fit of “there’s nothing else to watch,” I listened to a repeat of it on MSNBC (I think it was). Just listening as I worked on other things, I found myself more and more curious about it. And I had to catch each week’s episode on On Demand, and I actually made sure I sat my butt down for the finale to see who won.

First and foremost, I am not a John Rich fan… its been my experience that you’ll actually have a bit of a hard time finding many in the Nashville area that are. That being said, within one episode, I was totally on Team John Rich. I was so thoroughly impressed with how he approached every task that by tonight, I was on the edge of my seat rooting for him.

I’ve supported St. Jude for years. Participated in fundraisers for then since I was in elementary school. And while the Muscular Dystrophy Association has my heart these days (see here, here and here), St. Jude also holds a huge place in it as well. Few things can dissolve me into tears like videos about St. Judes, and my heart aches every time I drive by that hospital on I-40 in Memphis.

That all being said, St. Jude is not why I rooted for John Rich. No one charity is more deserving than the other. Every charity is doing WONDERFUL things to make life better for others… and every single one deserved that money.  So when the winner was announced, it wasn’t saying, “Your charity is better.” it was saying, “This celebrity executed the job the best.”

Things I picked up from Celebrity Apprentice:

  • “Yes, sir!” has not gone out of style. It is still just as valid and appreciated today as it was 50 years ago. It’s a sign of respect, and it should always be used. Always.
  • Especially when its joined with a strong, firm handshake. The handshake, too, has not gone out of style.
  • Take into account what someone has to say. It doesn’t mean you have to do their suggestion, but they just might have a kernel of an idea that you can grow into something bigger. What everyone has to say is valid, even if you end up having to dismiss it.
  • Be firm in your orders, and don’t waver. Sometimes you have to be tough with someone, but do so respectfully and you’ll not only get your point across but you’ll avoid making an enemy.
  • Delegate. Delegate. Delegate. The biggest thing I saw in the first part of the finale was when John Rich took Star Jones on his team, and the first thing he had her do was create them a timeline.  Brilliant move, I thought. Acting on her organizational strengths, and delegating it to her to make them a schedule that then HE had to ensure they kept. As I said, brilliant. Delegating at its finest. I need to learn this.
  • It’s good to be passionate about your cause, but its not good to be overly emotional about it, either.
  • When the unexpected happens, think on your feet and “make it up” as you go.

That’s just a few things I picked up while watching this season’s Celebrity Apprentice. I think this was one case when I believe the better of the two won. As one of the celebrities said, Marlee had an amazing fundraising project (setting a new record high on the show!) but John had an amazing season. I have huge respect for him as a businessman, and, hey, he got Donald Trump to put on a cowboy hat on network TV. You can’t deny his power of leadership to pull that off!!

Music to look out for in the future…

Living in Music City, I get to be privy to a lot of amazing music that the rest of the country doesn’t know about (yet). I’ve wanted, for a long time, to start a weekly post about new music coming out, but I’ve never felt confident that I could really keep it up every week. My husband proposed a monthly post, an idea I really like! So we will see what I can do about that.

For now, I have three artists or groups that I really like and would love to hip my readers to…

Manic BloomManic Bloom — I was introduced to this group when they had a different name, and that was long enough ago that I couldn’t even begin to remember what that name was! I also discovered them because three of the members are former students of Texas A&M University.

I pretty much dragged my husband to a show to support fellow Aggies, and we left die-hard fans. We have both their CDs, and everyone my husband has played them for has gone, “Who IS this!?”

They simply have a style all their own. “Epic Melodic Rock” does indeed describe them to a “T.”  They rock hard, and yet there is a melodic quality to all they do that pulls you in and won’t let you go.

Don’t take my word for it, though. Check out a few of their accomplishments:

  • Stereofame.com’s July 2010 Artist of the Month
  • Named Nashville’s “Best New Artist” of 2009 by 102.9 The Buzz
  • Grand Prize Winner of Ourstage.com’s October 2008 Music Finals
  • Heard on MTV, University of Alabama’s TideTV, regular college radio rotation
  • Featured on Dude Perfect, YouTube sensation with over 18 million views

It’s seriously only a matter of time before they go big, and I know I’ll be going, “Remember back when we saw them play live with only about 12 other people in the room?” And I, for one, absolutely can’t wait for that to happen… I am SO excited for them and where they are headed.

Check out their site and their music. I’ll be absolutely floored if you say you don’t like what you hear.

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David Byrnes — David came to Music City a little after I did. A kid from Arkansas with big dreams and talent, he caught my attention the first time I saw him on stage.

He’s a friend of mine, and that might tinge my “he rocks!’ attitude a little. But in the end I really see a talent waiting to be discovered. He’s a solid songwriter and a great singer. My husband compares his voice to Tracy Lawrence. I can see that!

When you see him play, he fills his set with a combination of old country, a little newer country, and his original music. The more he performs, the better he gets.

Currently signed to a new independent label, his first single, “Sweet Distraction” was recently released to country radio. Call your radio station and request it… check him out for yourself. Personally, I really believe in his potential in this crazy music business.

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Adam Fears — Now that I’ve introduced you to a rock band. And then I introduced you to a hard core country artist. Now let me introduce you to a combination of the two.

This last week, I went to see Adam perform after finding out he’s a former student of Texas A&M University. And just like with Manic Bloom, I left a HUGE fan. I’m seriously excited about this guy.

Growing up in Texas, I have this love for the Texas/Red Dirt scene. Its half country and half rock. So even as I understand and appreciate (and like) Nashville’s cleaner sound, I like my country to be a little rough around the edges. I guess, you could almost call it Southern Rock.

This is where Adam stepped up and blew me away. For the first time since moving to Nashville, for a couple of hours I was back in my favorite bar in Texas. I totally forgot I was in Music City. Instead, I was (in my mind) back in college diggin’ on the music.

I’m going to say something bold here. As Cross Canadian Ragweed takes a short break to spend some time at home (I applaud their decision as someone married to a music man, but the fan in me cries in my bottle of beer), they’re opening up the genre for someone to fill that void. I honestly believe Adam is the perfect artist to do just that.

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So there you have it… my three picks for new music that you’ll hear about in the future. Do I understand what music executives are really look for? Nope! I regularly scratch my head over the music industry and their decisions. I only know what I like and what I feel has the potential to be the next big thing. I like sharing good music and maybe dispelling the myth that Nashville is only what you hear on the radio. There’s a lot of good music here… you just have to find it.