Brett Eldredge @ The Bing Lounge-3-21-13

Brett Eldredge.

You may not know the name now; however, in time that's bound to change.

As far as music careers go, singer/songwriter Eldredge's time in the spotlight has been short, compared to most; garnering him attention in just three years.

On March 21, 2013, Eldredge was the most recent visitor to the Bing Lounge, courtesy of 98.7 The Bull.

In addition to telling the audience about his experiences in the business, Eldredge also told the stories behind the songs he sang that day; two which he's recorded himself.

"Raymond" was Eldredge's first song out to radio, in 2010.  It's the story of a woman with Alzheimer's who thinks one of the caretakers is her son, Raymond.  It's a haunting, touching tale, told in Eldredge's deep, unique voice and tone.  He explained the song was close to his heart, and was written for his grandma, who suffers from Alzheimer's.  There *is* a video of Eldredge's performance in the Bing Lounge, however I couldn't get it to work here, so I've put the official video in it's place.  Go to 987TheBull on YouTube for the live performance.

Eldredge currently has a song on radio titled "Don't Ya".  He joked that doing the video for the song was "difficult" and he "had" to keep doing the kissing scene over and over, to get it right.

Though the set was short, Brett Eldredge showed those in the Bing Lounge why his star has been steadily rising.  Here's hoping to a long climb.

Chris Janson @ the Bing Lounge--12-11-12

(Today's word will be in red and bold.)

Chris Janson is a name most people probably aren't familiar with.  Like many artists that come through the Bing Lounge, Janson is an up and coming singer/songwriter, trying to make it big.  His time in the Bing Lounge was the evening of December 11, 2012.

It was easy to tell from the moment Janson took the stage that he's the real deal.  He does things the only way he knows how, his way; he doesn't try to be who he's not, and he's not apologetic for who he is.  It was refreshing to hear someone admit that, and be proud of it.

Janson's enthusiasm for what he does is contagious as well.  You couldn't help but tap your toes and dance in your seat to each song he performed.  In fact, the ONLY *slight* drawback to Chris Janson's performance that evening was  that it was impossible to get a photo of him while he sang.  The man is in constant motion during every song.  Not that this is a bad thing, it's very cool, unless you're trying to get a photo of course.  For this post I settled on using photos of when Janson was talking with the audience; less blurry that way.  It's a fair compromise, considering how entertaining Janson was.

As with most country acts in the Bing Lounge, Phil and Lyssa Davidson, of Davidson Specialty Printing, made t-shirts for a few lucky audience members, that said, "I Met Chris Janson..."; as well as a shirt for Janson himself that said, "I M Chris Janson..."  Janson thought the shirts were so cool, that he put his on right then and there.

Up to this point I've told a lot about Chris Janson, without actually telling of his performance that evening.  Let's just say, once you've seen Janson perform, you won't soon forget him.  He's definitely not one of the "cookie cutter" singers that seem to pop up everywhere.  Janson has a unique voice and style that sets him apart from others, yet suits his personality perfectly.  

At the same time, he can remind one of other country artists that have come before him.  For instance, Janson started off his set with his soon to be released single, "Better I Don't".  The song had a lot of the same key elements of Blake Shelton's "The More I Drink", but rowdier; and still different enough to not be a direct copy.                                                                                     

At other times during the set, Janson also reminded many in the audience of Hank Williams Jr.  Again though, while there was a similarity, Janson's showmanship proved he's his own person.  He can borrow bits and pieces of the best of other artists, take them and make them into something new and all his own.

As a songwriter, Janson co-wrote Tim McGraw's "Truck Yeah".  He ended his set with his version of the song, as well as incorporating songs by other artists, like Johnny Cash and Garth Brooks.  If anyone disbelieves that old school country and new country can't blend together in perfect harmony, take a good, long listen to Chris Janson; this is one redneck country boy who proves by example, it can be done!

Here's hoping Janson gets that big break and show the world what he's capable of.

The Henningsens @ the Bing Lounge--12-6-12

(Today's word will be in red and bold.)

All genres of music have had their fair share of "family acts" over the years.   In country music, The Louvin Brothers, The Gatlin Brothers, Harold and Don Reid, (half the members of  The Statler Brothers), The Judds; are just a few, going back through the decades.  More recently, the Band Perry have stepped up to this spot.  Then there's the Henningsens.

Never heard of this country act?  Not surprising, as they're fairly new to the country music scene; though you've probably heard some of their music recorded by others.

On Thursday, December 6, 2012, the Henningsens, (made up of dad, Brian, son, Aaron and daughter, Clara), performed for an intimate crowd at the Bing Lounge.

Originally from Illinois, where they have a 60 acre farm, the trio explained how they came to write and perform country music.

Brian explained that Aaron and Clara are just two of ten children he and his wife have.  A lot of joking was done about how many kids there are, and speculation as to whether it took that many to get enough for the group.  It was all tongue-in-cheek of course.

Whether it was that natural family harmony, a lot of hard work, or most likely a combination of both, the Henningsens definitely put on a great performance that day.

Among the handful of songs they did, was their soon to be released first single, "American Beautiful".  (Unfortunately, there were problems with uploading the video for this.  As soon as it's fixed, the video will be posted.)

While listening to the music, I kept thinking how much this group reminds me of the Band Perry; so it wasn't too surprising to learn that they've written two hits for Kimberly Neil and Reed, including, "All Your Life", which they performed in the Bing Lounge.  (Unfortunately, there were problems with uploading the video for this.  As soon as it's fixed, the video will be posted.)

What's refreshing about the Henningsens is, though they sound familiar to other country acts, they're unique enough in their sound and style not to blend in and be lost in the crowd.

Here's hoping that "American Beautiful" will be a hit for this family band, so they'll be as recognized for their singing as for their writing.

Charlie Worsham @ the Bing Lounge--12-2-12

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CHARLIE WORSHAM.

Read that name over, and over, until you have it memorized; you're going to want to remember it.

Charlie Worsham made an appearance at the Bing Lounge Sunday, December 2, 2012; and though the crowd may have been small, they were blown away by this talented young man.

Worsham began his set playing a bit of bluegrass; which was a medley of his YouTube "Cover Challenges", before being interviewed by KUPL's Earthquake Jake.

During the interview, it was mentioned that Worsham has a YouTube channel where he posts his "Cover Challenges".  As he explains it, fans tell him what song they want him to cover; he then has one week to learn it, play and record it, to be posted on YouTube.  In addition to these challenges, Worsham has also posted videos of songs he's written. 

 Worsham was totally entertaining; not only with his talent for singing, but his personality as well.  As he said at one point, "usually we just play for radio people, but every so often we get to play for radio listeners as well; that's a highlight for us".  If every show Worsham does is as good as the one in the Bing Lounge, then it's a highlight for the audience as well.

Another bit of information Worsham let the crowd in on is that he'll be releasing his first single to radio in the near future.  He then performed the song, "Could It Be".  I'm thinking this song is going to be a hit for Worsham.

Towards the end of his set, Worsham explained about an instrument one of his band members was playing.  He said there are only a handful of them, and that he's the first person to have one used on one of his recordings.  He further explained that what used to be an old, (and in this case, pretty beat up looking), guitar, had been transformed into a percussion instrument known as the "shuitar".

 To be honest, as much as I've tried, I don't think I've done justice to Charlie Worsham's talent in this post.  He's definitely someone to watch for, and go see if you get the chance.

In the meantime, check him out on YouTube, and again, remember his name, CHARLIE WORSHAM; you'll be hearing it a lot in the near future!

The Twangshifters @ the Bing Lounge--11-16-12

Rockabilly music is proof that the rock and country genres can coexist in this world.  While usually a bit more rock than country, there's still enough of a twang to the tunes to set toes tapping.

Currently, in the Portland, Oregon/Vancouver, Washington area the rockabilly flag is being flown proudly by The Twangshifters.

The band performed in the Bing Lounge November 16, 2012, bringing their orginal style and songs to the small group that was gathered.   They were also quick to point out that what they do isn't a "gimmick"; that they really do live and breathe what they do for a living.  This was brought up because of how their guitar player was dressed, wearing what's considered a rockabilly style of clothing.  It was also mentioned that he drives a Buick from the 50's.

The Twangshifters played several songs from their current CD, telling the stories behind the songs, etc.  As mentioned earlier, they do have their own style; yet they stay true to the rockabilly music of days gone by.

If you're a fan of rockabilly, and live in the the Portland/Vancouver area, try to catch one of The Twangshifters' shows, I think you'll have a great time.

Austin Webb @ the Bing Lounge--10-12-12

It's likely that most people reading this post have never heard of Austin Webb.  If that's the case, you'll want to keep reading and learn more about this talented young man.

Originally from South Carolina, Webb began writing poetry at nine years old; and picked up the guitar when he was sixteen years old.

We've all heard stories of  the "over night success" that some have had; usually said tongue in cheek because of it's actual rarity.  In Webb's case
however, this is very close to the truth.  March of 2011, Webb won a music contest, quit his job the same day, and moved to Nashville.  Seven months ago, to help pay the bills, Webb started working at Starbucks; thanks to his guitar player, Jake Mitchell, who also worked there.

Four months ago, Webb got a call from Byron Gallimore, (known for working with country artists such as Sugarland, Tim McGraw, Faith Hill and Jo Dee Messina), wanting to sign Webb to a publishing deal.  A few days later, Gallimore offered Webb a recording deal as well; and Webb then quit his Starbucks job.  (As a side note, Mitchell quit his job two months ago, to play guitar with Webb.)

Since that time, Webb has literally been on a whirlwind of radio stops across the country.  Two months ago, this young man had never been on a plane.  By the time he got to the Bing Lounge in Portland, he figured he'd been on at least twenty flights in those past two months, with several more lined up.

So, after the flurry of activity over the last year and a half, you're probably wondering, is this guy worthy of all the attention?  In one word, yes.

While Webb may, or may not, be considered "traditional" country, his music is definitely worth being played on country radio.  His voice is unique enough, (tinged with just the right amount of emotion and soul), to stand out from the many cookie-cutter artists played nowadays.  Watching, and listening to him perform, you can see and hear the passion he has for his art.

Like others at the Bing Lounge, Webb played a handful of tunes he'd written; telling the stories behind each one.  One of those songs, "It's All Good", is scheduled as Webb's first single, due out to radio in December.

If you like this video, be sure to go to KUPL's YouTube page, (987kuplvideo), and watch the rest of Webb's performance in the Bing Lounge.

In a nutshell, Austin Webb is a country artist to be looking out for in the near future.

BMI Songwriter's Showcase @ the Bing Lounge-9-26-12

Taking a good look at the above photo, can you name all three men shown?  If not, don't feel bad; even the most diehard country fans don't always recognize songwriters.  Most likely, you recognized singer/songwriter Luke Bryan, but probably not the other two, right?

As can be expected, Bryan is recognizable mainly because he's a singer as well; having had several hits on the country charts. The others though are the "behind the scenes" people.  The ones that make it possible for singers to do the job they do.  Unless a singer is also a songwriter, they're dependent on others for the material they perform.

Wednesday, September 26, 2012, the Bing Lounge had a "BMI Songwriter's Showcase" featuring Bryan, as well as songwriters, Dallas Davidson and Jeff Stevens.

Like everyone else, I knew who Bryan was, and I knew of Davidson, though I'd never heard of Stevens. Throughout the evening of stories and singing though, it became obvious that though I didn't know his name, I did know the hits Stevens has written for others. The same was true of Davidson.

The three have been friends for years, with Bryan and Davidson going back as far as their school days.  In addtion to songwriting, Stevens is a producer for Bryan.

Each took turns singing songs they'd written or co-written, telling how each came to be. In between songs and stories there was a lot of joking around and interaction with the audience.

For this post I'll list each person individually, starting with Luke Bryan.

As stated earlier, Luke Bryan is the most recognizable of the three songwriters showcased that evening.  He was the foundation of the show, playing some of his hits as well as joining in with Davidson and Stevens at times.  You could tell that Bryan was having a great time playing, telling stories and interacting with the audience.  Not only is he a great singer, he's a really funny, nice guy also.

Dallas Davidson is best known as one of the "Georgia Peach Pickers".  The Peach Pickers are songwriters Davidson, Rhett Akins and Ben Hayslip, who write together on a regular basis, and have had several hits together as well as separately.

Davidson is also the first winner of the  "ACM Songwriter of the Year" award; winning the title in 2011.

Fans of Lady Antebellum, Montgomery Gentry, or Trace Adkins have heard  at least some of Davidson's tunes:  "Just A Kiss",  "Where I Come From", and Honky-Tonk Badonkadonk", respectively, to name a few.

Davidson performed each of those songs, as well as this hit he wrote for Jake Owen.

Jeff Stevens is a name I hadn't heard until the Bing Lounge Showcase.

Though his name wasn't familiar to me, it was obvious immediately that Stevens' songwriting talent was.  The first song Stevens performed that evening was one he wrote for Tim McGraw;  "Back When".
Like with Bryan and Davidson, it was fun not only to hear the songwriter sing what he'd written, but tell how the song came to life in the first place.

Tim McGraw isn't the only country artist Stevens has had hits with though.  He's had at least two with the king of country, George Strait; "Carried Away", and one of my favorite Strait hits, "Carrying Your Love With Me."

   
One song Luke Bryan and Dallas Davidson performed together hasn't ever been recorded.  The song is called "Buddies", and judging from the audience reaction, I'm pretty sure it could be a hit if it was recorded.

Once the showcase was done, all three men stayed to sign autographs and have photos taken with anyone wanting to do so.  Just like on stage, the three joked around, shook hands, and spoke to each person, in addition to signing and posing for photos.

This is the second songwriter showcase KUPL has hosted in the Bing Lounge; and as fun as they both have been, I hope they have more in the future.

Kristy Lee Cook--"Airborne Infantry Ranger"

(Today's word will be in red and bold.)

A few weeks ago, Oregon native, and "American Idol" alumnus, Kristy Lee Cook performed in the Bing Lounge.  As part of that performance, Cook performed her current single, "Airborne Infantry Ranger". 

When I wrote a post about Cook's show, I included video of her singing this song.  Since that time, the video has had more views than any other I've put on YouTube.  I also checked KUPL's video from the same show, and they've had even more views than mine.  

 I know KUPL has been playing this song during it's overnights; however, with so many people viewing, and commenting on the song, maybe "Airborne Infantry Ranger" will start being played in other time slots as well.  It's definitely a song worthy of being a hit.

Little Towns Aren't Always What They Seem

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There have been plenty of songs written about littlel towns; not just in country music, but other genres as well.

The majority of these songs tell of quiet living, fresh air, freedom, close-knit communities and the like.  Even songs that aren't so idealistic about little towns still stress how nice they are to live in over other places.  Recently however, I heard a song on KUPL's overnights that took me by surprise.

Nothing about this song is all sunshine and roses.  Instead, it's about all the secrets a little town can hide from everyone, even those living there.  Yet, the song isn't morbid, or depressing really; it's just more realistic about what may or may not go on in a little town.

The song I'm speaking about is called "Sleepy Little Town", the third single from country newcomer, JT Hodges.  According to reports, JT's fans chose the song as his latest single.

"Sleepy Little Town" is one of those songs that grabbed my attention the first time I heard it, and had me looking up more information about the song.

Unfortunately for me, JT is one of the Bing Lounge shows I was unable to attend.  He did the song at that time, so I've included the video from that evening here.

I really think this song could catch on with country radio listeners.  If you like what you hear, be sure to request  it on KUPL.

Kristy Lee Cook @ the Bing Lounge-9-10-12

(Today's word will be in red and bold.)


On Monday, September 10, 2012, Oregon native, Kristy Lee Cook took to the stage of the Bing Lounge; most probably remember Cook from her stint on "American Idol".

Listening to Cook sing, it's clear why she made it onto the show; she's personable, with an excellent voice capable of singing all types of music.  While some may shudder at covering classic country, Cook tackled Patsy Cline's "Crazy"; doing a fabulous job of keeping true to the song, yet making it her own at the same time.

At the end of her short set, Cook told the story behind her current radio single, "Airborne Ranger Infantry", before launching into the song.  It's a beautiful tune, which hopefully will catch on with listeners and become the hit it deserves to be.

If you have a chance to see Kristy Lee Cook in concert, don't hesitate to do so; it will be well worth your time.

(A side note here; some may have noticed that I've posted about a show from September 10th, yet, have posted nothing about "Stars & Guitars", which was September 9th.  No worries, that post will be coming soon.  I'll have a full recap of the days events; from local opener, Ben Rue, to headliner, Craig Morgan, and everything in between.)

Big & Rich @ the Bing Lounge-8-21-12

(Today's word will be in red and bold.)



I'll be up front and honest about this post; it's probably going to be one of the shortest reviews I've ever written.  Yet, there's so much I could say about the evening of August 21, 2012.

As was expected, there was a capacity crowd on hand to see Big & Rich perform an intimate concert in the Bing Lounge.  Big Kenny and John Rich took to the stage as any true professionals would.  They played like they were playing for 20,000 people, not just maybe 200, at the most.  Because of the small venue, Big & Rich were also able to interact with the audience, which was cool.

As I said, Kenny & John are true professionals at what they do, and they make it look easy; which made for a nice, relaxed atmosphere.

Live shows also provide a different energy than just hearing a song on a radio, or CD.  The audience and artists feed off each other.  Sometimes songs are done differently than how they'd been recorded. Any number of things can happen during a live performance, making for a good or bad experience for the audience.

With Big & Rich, you got what you expected.  While the show was fluid and flexible with the direction it took, there was still a lot of structure in what was taking place on stage.  And while some artists sound different live than on a recording, Big & Rich proved that what you hear recorded is what you get at a live show also.  It may sound funny, but it was kind of refreshing to hear songs done live, yet, be as familiar with it as a recording.  It's a hard thing to pull off, and make it work; Big & Rich definitely succeeded in doing this.

Over all, if I could only use one word to describe Big & Rich's performance in the Bing Lounge, it would have to be AWESOME! 

D. Vincent Williams @ the Bing Lounge--7-17-12

(Today's word will be in red and bold.)


You may not recognize the name, 'D. Vincent Williams'; however if you've been a country music fan for any length of time, you've probably heard his songs.

For example, "I'm Movin' On" by Rascal Flatts:

Or, James Otto's "Just Got Started Lovin' You".

How about "Hands of a Working Man", by Ty Herndon?

D. Vincent Williams had a hand in writing all of these hits, as well as many others, for various country artists.

The evening of July 17, 2012, Williams performed at least part of the above songs, plus others, for the crowd gathered at the Bing Lounge. Even before the show began though, Williams could be found wandering amongst those in attendance. While the audience dined on catered food, Williams made the rounds, introducing himself to each guest; asking names and answering any questions people had.

One person asked what the "D" in his name stood for.  I didn't catch the whole conversation, though I did hear that "Vincent" was in tribute to some of his family members.  The "D" is for David, which is his first name.

When it was time to start the show, Williams and his band were already onstage and ready to go, instead of waiting in the green room to be introduced.  The show itself seemed to be a continuation of what had been going on earlier; with great music thrown into the mix.

To say the least, Williams, (and his band, for that matter), is very warm and personable.  Almost from the start it felt as though Williams had been a long-time friend.  He talked, joked, and told stories like he'd known everyone there his whole life.  As he told the audience at one point, he and the band like to have fun; they check their attitudes at the door.

If song writing weren't enough, Williams is a singer as well; which is why he was at the Bing Lounge.  After landing a record deal almost immediately after hitting Nashville, he saw the deal fall through, and turned to songwriting instead.  The same thing happened to Williams again a few years later, and he stuck with songwriting after that, until Keith Steagall convinced him to record his own music.  Steagall is known for working with some of Nashville's best artists, most notably Alan Jackson.

During his Bing Lounge performance, Williams showcased the vast variety of music he writes and performs regularly.  As he explained, he wanted his album to show all sides of him.  He wanted each song to be able to stand alone, yet mesh together to make a strong album from start to finish.  From the performance given, it's safe to say Williams has achieved, if not exceeded, his goal.  As one person said, every song Williams did was a winner; there wasn't one song the person would skip on Williams' new CD.

Though Williams is classified as a country musician, he definitely isn't just a country singer.  His songs are tinged with a bit of everything from pop to rhythm and blues; still staying true to the country genre.  After a particularly soulful number, KUPL's Danny Dwyer told Williams it was like listening to a mix of Marvin Gaye and Ray Charles.Yet another audience member was reminded of the Charlie Daniels Band while listening to another Williams tune. I found these diverse comparisons interesting, especially since *I* heard a mix of two other artists; The Zac Brown Band and Phil Vassar.  Especially Phil, when Williams was playing keyboards.  Yet, even with the comparisons, Williams' writing and singing are strong enough to give him his own unique style and sound. 

D. Vincent Williams' single that will be released to radio later this month is called, "Down By the River".  As with the other tunes, Williams explained how the song came to be written.  In addition, he was telling how he wants to have a song that's a classic, like Alabama's "Mountain Music", or "Fishin' in the Dark" by the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band.  He wants to be one of those artists who has a song that's still popular 25 years, or more, from now.  I'm thinking his dream might come true from the sounds of "Down By the River". 

Of all the shows at the Bing Lounge in the last two years, D. Vincent Williams' performance was definitely one of the best ever.  If this man comes anywhere near where you are, go see him, you won't be disappointed!

Kelleigh Bannen @ the Bing Lounge-7-12-12

Other than knowing the obvious, she's a country singer, (which is why KUPL was hosting the performance), I'd never heard of Kelleigh Bannen. In addition, I'd had a crazy week or so going on, and hadn't had time to do any research before Bannen performed in the Bing Lounge Thursday, July 12, 2012.  In reality, this worked to my advantage, because I went in to the concert with no preconceived ideas.

Unlike most country singer/songwriters, Kelleigh Bannen didn't have to move to Nashville to start her career; she's grown up there.  Because of this, she was able to stay close to family while following her dream of becoming a country star. 

The crowd in the Bing Lounge that evening was small; though, like any true artist, Bannen played as though the room was packed.  She told stories of growing up, the current radio tour she's on, and a lot about herself, in between songs; and of course told about the songs and how they came to be.

Brannen was excited to let everyone know that her single, "Sorry on the Rocks", will be hitting radio stations Monday, July 16, 2012.  Bannen also explained that, while singles are released to radio, what matters is if a station "commits" to playing the song.  In Bannen's case, KUPL is the first station in the entire United States to commit to playing "Sorry on the Rocks".

After her performance in the Bing Lounge, Kelleigh met with those in the audience, to sign autographs and have photos taken.

While most artists meet people, ask their name, how they liked the show, etc., Bannen took the experience one step further.  She took the time to ask people questions about things *she* wanted to know.  For instance, Kelleigh asked me what my current favorite songs on the radio were.  I told her that was funny, because I'd just posted a couple blog posts about my current top ten favorites. I told her some of them from that list, and let her know I'd be writing a post about her Bing Lounge show as well.  It was like talking to someone I'd known forever, rather than someone I knew nothing about before that evening.

I felt bad that not more people were there to hear this talented young woman; those who missed the concert may well have missed an opportunity to see a future country music star.

MuchMore Country @ the Bing Lounge-6-14-12

 (Today's word will be in red, and bold.)



KUPL's main focus on music in the Bing Lounge for June features local bands from the region.

This is  the first time local musicians have been featured exclusively in the lounge, not just doing a couple numbers before a national act takes the stage.

 KUPL's first "Locals Only", live performance featured MuchMore Country on June 14, 2012.

MuchMore Country had been a staple on Portland's country music scene for a few years, until splitting up for a time.  Recently, lead singer, Chris MuchMore, regrouped the band with former members, drummer, Matty Botton and Jered Widman on acoustic guitar.  The group is now rounded out with new members, lead guitarist, James Nikolas, and bassist, Eric Phillips.

Judging from their performance in the Bing Lounge, it's safe to say that MuchMore Country has still got it.  They're as polished and professional as they've always been. You'd never guess that there had been a few years down time for the band.

MuchMore Country does a mix of original music and covers of other artist's tunes.  In the Bing one of their best original songs was written by Chris about 8 years ago for a woman in his life.

When it comes to cover songs, one of the band's favorites is Blake Shelton's "The More I Drink".

It was great hearing MuchMore Country in the intimate setting of the Bing Lounge.  It's even more fun seeing them perform at various venues, like Bushwhackers, and Wranglers.

If you haven't had a chance to see MuchMore Country live, be sure to visit their website at www.muchmorecountry.com, and find a show to see.  These guys are well worth it!

Glen Templeton Revisited

(Today's word will be in red, and bold.)

The first time I ever heard the name, "Glen Templeton", was about a year ago, when he performed at the Bing Lounge.  I remember being totally blown away by this man's talent on stage; then being blown away again by how genuinely nice Glen is.

I wrote about the experience in a blog post a couple days later, mentioning at the time that I thought Glen had added a few more fans to his roster after that show.

Since that time Glen has had a couple of songs out to radio, his first single, "I Could Be The One", and his current single, "Sing That Song Again".

I know that both songs have gotten well deserved, extensive airplay on KUPL's overnights. For the most part however, Glen's name isn't on the tips of everyone's tongue quite yet; at least not in this area.

That's why this morning I was happy to see two of my friends on Facebook post about this talented young man.  Much like the review I wrote a year ago, both these ladies had high praise for Templeton's music and talent.  Aside from this, there was mention also of how kind Glen is.  One of my friends is a line dancer, and after seeing Glen perform that evening, was surprised to see him out on the dance floor, dancing along with the rest of the crowd.

To say the least, Glen Templeton made a huge, favorable impression on both these women, and probably a lot more people as well.  It's their posts on Facebook that had me remembering that same feeling when I met Glen Templeton; and being glad to hear he hasn't changed in the past year.  I was thinking it was time once again to help get this man's name out to the rest of the world.  He has an official website:  http://www.glentempleton.com/ ; as well as a Facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/gtmusic ;  and Twitter account:  https://twitter.com/#!/GLENTEMPLETON.

If you haven't heard Glen Templeton yet, take the time to listen to his music, you won't be disappointed!

Hunter Hayes @ the Bing Lounge--5-2-12

Twenty-one year-old Hunter Hayes is the latest country artist to have graced the Bing Lounge stage, May 2, 2012.

Hayes, who was in town for a concert later that evening, did a short set and interview that day at noon to a packed house of fans.  Usually, the noon shows in the Bing Lounge have a  sparse audience;  due mainly to people having to work. The requests to see Hunter Hayes however were around 800.  Because of this, seating was to be first come, first serve, for the first 175 people.  Most started lining up about two hours before the set was to begin, with one fan actually getting to the Bing Lounge four hours in advance.

The crowd that day was made up primarily of young women, wanting to get a closer look at the blond haired, blue eyed Hayes.  It's obvious Hunter is one of the latest country heartthrobs to come out of Nashville.

There's more to Hayes than just his looks however.  The young man is extremely talented, having started performing at the tender age of two, when his grandma gave him a toy accordion as a gift. He told this during the interview segment, and said that from then on, he got a different instrument for every holiday.  He's learned to play thirty so far; though he'll admit, the fiddle is one instrument he's never mastered.

He's performed with some of the biggest names in the music business throughout the years, and is very knowledgeable about his craft.  It also comes through in his showmanship.  No matter the size of the stage, or crowd, Hayes easily captures, and keeps the audience's attention.  This was obvious during the Bing Lounge performance; even though it's a small stage in an intimate venue, Hayes and his band rocked full tilt on every tune they did.

Of course, it wouldn't be a proper performance if Hayes hadn't done his first single, "Storm Warning".  What was interesting, and nice to find out, was, Hayes sounded just as good live as the recording of the song.  That's often not the case with some artists.

Hayes also did his latest single, "Wanted", telling the story behind the song first.  He said he'd written the song for a girlfriend that he didn't want to lose.  He went on to say that obviously the song didn't do what it was supposed to; but it was okay, he has a hit out of the song now.

KUPL's afternoon DJ, TicTak, put out a challenge to Hayes and his band to perform a song by another artist.  Hayes chose Ronnie Milsap's "No Getting Over You", and nailed the song perfectly.

Throughout the event one could tell Hayes has learned over the years to be himself.  His youthful exuberance shines through genuinely, and equally with his professionalism.  Though things were a bit rushed, because of a time crunch, Hayes still took the time to shake each attendee's hand, ask their name, sign an autograph and pose for a photo.

If every performance Hunter Hayes gives is like the one at the Bing Lounge, I'm willing to bet this is a young man who will be around the music business for a long, long time.

None of My Business

Anyone who knows me, knows I'm a worrier.  I worry about everything; sometimes I don't even think about it, it's like breathing, I just do it.

I'm having one of those moments right now, about the Dirt Drifters.  My first blog post, ever, was about the Dirt Drifters performing at the Bing Lounge, a little over a year ago; I've been a fan ever since that day.

So, today, when I saw this news item posted on a couple of websites, as well as the Dirt Drifters official website, I was sad, and worried.

• “We hate to disappoint you guys, especially after all the support you have given us over the past few years. But due to some private, personal issues we will not be going out on the road and will be canceling all upcoming shows and appearances. We cannot thank you enough for your support and for standing by us." 

Though it's none of my business, or anyone else's, just the tone of the post has me worried about what's happening with these guys.  I'm hoping they come through whatever it is, without being hurt too much.

Due West @ the Bing Lounge--4-24-12

Due West-(l-r):  Brad Hull, Tim Gates, Matt Lopez

I usually miss the noontime shows at the Bing Lounge, as I'm working at that time.  Once in awhile though, if there's someone I *really* want to see, I can usually get away long enough to catch the show.  That was the case with Due West.

I've loved this trio since I first heard their songs "Between the Bible and the Belt", and "When the Smoke Clears", on the radio.  I saw them perform live awhile ago at the Ponderosa Lounge as well; so when I heard they were coming to the Bing Lounge I knew I HAD to be there!

 From the moment the three, (Brad Hull, Tim Gates, and Matt Lopez), hit the stage, they kept the audience mesmerized with their beautiful harmony.  I think Earthquake Jake put it best when he told them that of all the acts that have performed on the Bing Lounge stage, Due West are best at what they do.  Anyone who knows Jake, knows he doesn't say anything he doesn't mean; the man cannot, and will not tell a lie.

During the interview segment, the guys said that their biggest influence are bands like Alabama, Diamond Rio, Restless Heart, and other similar groups.  When asked how they got together, they told how they'd met at a party where people were taking turns singing various songs.  By the end of the evening, everyone else had stopped to listen to the three of them singing together.  The guys said people at the party told them how tight their harmonies were and asked how long they'd been performing together, to which they responded, "about three hours now".  From then on, they began working together as a group.

The members of Due West write some of their own music, and also look to others for songs.  They said they don't usually do cover versions of songs, however, they had one that they had been doing for awhile.  Since Lionel Richie has just released his album of duets with country artists,  Due West did their version of "Stuck On You" for the Bing Lounge audience.  In one word:  AMAZING!!!

Another cool song the band performed was their latest single, "Things You Can't Do In A Car".

All too soon the show was over; however the guys did stay to meet members of the audience, sign autographs and have their picture taken with everyone.  Though I'd seen them perform before, I'd never met the band.  Let me just say, Brad, Tim and Matt are three of the nicest people you'll ever meet!

It happened to be an audience member's birthday that day, and when she told the guys that during the meet and greet, they did an impromptu version of "Happy Birthday" for her.  Wish I'd gotten that on video!  I get the feeling these three could sing a phone book in perfect harmony!

Though they haven't made it as big as some artists out of Nashville, keep an eye and ear out for Due West.  I predict big things are going to happen for them!

Gwen Sebastian @ the Bing Lounge-4-23-12

 
To be totally honest, I don't watch any of the shows like "American Idol" or, "The Voice".  Not because I don't like them; simply because I'd get too caught up in them, especially being on more than once a week. I do keep up on music and the like however, so I have heard of Gwen Sebastian and that she'd been on this season of "The Voice".

Since being eliminated, Gwen has been doing the "radio tour", taking her music to radio stations all over the country.  The evening of April 23, 2012, Gwen's stop was the Bing Lounge in Portland, Oregon, for KUPL listeners. 

While listening to Gwen perform, I kept thinking how her voice reminds me of Kellie Pickler, yet is different and distinct enough to also have her own unique style.

At the same time, watching Gwen, I was reminded of Jennifer Nettles, from Sugarland.  Gwen's passion for her music shines through in every movement and gesture she makes.  You can tell music is part of her soul, and flows through her veins. From ballads, to upbeat tunes, Gwen can do it all, and gives it her all when she does.  I especially like her new single, "Met Him In A Motel Room".

If having a beautiful voice, and great personality weren't enough, Gwen is also a genuinely nice person.  She took time to sign autographs, take pictures AND thank each person for coming to the Bing Lounge to see her.

Gwen Sebastian may have been eliminated from "The Voice", however, I truly believe she has a bright future ahead of her in country music.  If you ever get the chance to see Gwen perform live, do it!

What A Year It's Been!

On April 12, 2011, no KUPL listener had started rambling on KUPL's website.  There was nothing from listeners about shows in the Bing Lounge, birthdays, bears, sandwiches, or anything else imaginable.

That all changed the next day, on April 13, 2011.  On that day, one year ago today, "Ramblings from a KUPL Listener" was unleashed to the internet.

Before that fateful day, I'd never posted to a blog.  Being the non-technical person I am, I needed all the help I could get on how to get started, etc.  Fortunately, for me at least, (I don't know how he'd see it), I had someone I could turn to with all my questions and concerns; Earthquake Jake, the brains behind the whole "listener blog".  The man has to have the patience of a saint for all the questions, and insecurities I've bombarded him with in the past year!

 What a year it's been though!  From day one I've been able to post as much, or as little as I want; about anything I want to write about.  I love that, because it gives me a chance to be creative, which is a big part of who I am. 

Over the past year, I've been to several performances in the Bing Lounge, and blogged about each one.  I feel very lucky to have seen such a wide range of musical talent, from newcomers, like Jaida Dreyer and Glen Templeton,to living legends, such as Vince Gill. 

Often times my posts were inspired by what I'd hear on KUPL's "Simon in the Morning" show.  One in particular I remember was when they had the person who does the voice of Winnie the Pooh on the show.

That interview lead to Scott, Jolynn and Jake talking about various voices they could do, which then lead to having listeners call in to do their best cartoon voices.  Somewhere in the mix the Muppets were mentioned.  My brain being the way it is, combined all of this into one bright idea, which I acted on, resulting in a post about the following picture.

 For the record, Scott Simon actually is as tall as Jolynn Winter; for some reason I thought he wasn't, so his caricature is shorter.  I could fix it easily, but it's been way more fun letting Scott kid about it.

Not all my posts have been happy ones.  I remember being angered by the verdict in the Casey Anthony trial.  I wrote a post in honor of Caylee Anthony, to get the anger out.

One post that turned out to possibly be my most important one to date was titled, "The Magic of Music".

I don't know how I learned about a blogging contest sponsored by the organization, MusiCares, though I remember thinking it would be fun to enter, so I did.  That was in October 2011, six months in to having my blog on KUPL's website.

The point of the contest was to bring awareness to MusiCares, which helps musicians, and artists with medical, dental, and other issues, since most don't have insurance.

The winner would be on the red carpet for MusiCares at the "Grammy Honors Paul McCartney", to blog about the event.

To my utter surprise and amazement, I was actually one of the finalists chosen!  Though I didn't win, and don't know where I ended in ranking, I still feel like I was a winner.  I mean, there were only SIX finalists in the entire U.S., and I was one of them!  It's one of those amazing times that become a milestone in one's memory; and something I would never have been able to do, had I not had this blog.

There are so many other posts I could mention here, however, as I usually do, I'm rambling again, so I won't.  Let's just say, in the past 366 days, (it's leap year), I probably could have/should have had more posts out.  Of the ones I did write, were all of them great?  No. To be honest, there were a few times when I wrote something for the sake of writing; because it was for a Tuesday or Thursday post, which are the days KUPL listeners can earn 5000 points for finding the blog word of the day.  Those are days I HAD to have something posted.

And lately, I've been in a dry spell; though just a few days ago, the ideas started happening again.

My goal for the year ahead is to continue posting blogs about anything and everything I can think of; and post more than I have been.  And of course hopefully improve with time!

Thank you to anyone and everyone who's been reading my blog this past year.  Though I may not know you, do know that I definitely appreciate you taking time to do so.  Again, thank you!