Category Archives: review

music industry, nashville, new music, review

Music to look out for in the future…

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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.

booksneeze, review

[Booksneeze] — The Right to Lead by John C. Maxwell

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When I finish a book and it has little post it notes sticking out of it, its a visual affirmation of the impact it has made on me. When I finished The Right to Lead by John C. Maxwell, it had inherited multiple post-it notes, and I can guaranteed it won’t be gathering dust on my bookshelf.

…rely on the rock of discipline, not the shifting sand of emotion. p. 8

Proof that a book doesn’t have to be 500 pages long to be powerful, this book packs its punch in its 121 pages. Leadership is broken down into the seven characteristics that help make a good leader: action, vision, sacrifice, risk, determination, service and integrity.Filled with quotes, bible verses and historical stories, each chapter’s message reaches out to the reader in a clear and concise manner.

As you read the book, you not only learn about the seven characteristics of a leader, you learn in detail about great leaders of the past. Some are names we’ve all heard about since we were kids. Others are names that are brand new. All of them undeniable leaders that today’s aspiring leaders should study and learn about.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone in a leadership position, anyone looking to move into leadership or even anyone who needs help understanding and supporting a leader. I could not be happier to have this book now; I know it will be staying on my desk at all times!  It’s a place to turn in a moment of doubt or weakness; guaranteed to give you the boost you need to push forward in any leadership role.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”