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.
(Today's word will be in ALL CAPS, BOLD, ITALIC, and STRIKETHROUGH.)
April 13, 2011 was the first time I'd ever written a blog post. Now, almost seven months later, I'm writing my one hundredth post.
What should this post be about though? A hundred is a bit of a milestone, so it should be something special.
Previous posts have run the gamut of subjects, from the review of The Dirt Drifters,
to silly posts, like washing spiders down drains.
I thought, and thought, but couldn't think of anything special enough to be post one hundred. Then it happened! Something really special I could blog about!
For those who read this blog more than occasionally, you probably know that I entered a post in the MusiCares® Music Blogger contest. My entry was titled "The Magic of Music".
The contest ran from September 9, 2011, to October 31, 2011, and was open to any blogger in the U.S., 21 years or older. Six finalists were chosen from all entries, and I'm one of the six!
From now, until November 30, 2011, finalists have to get as many votes as they can, with the one having the most declared the winner.
The prize is being the only credentialed person for MusiCares® on the red carpet, attending the "Grammy Honors Paul McCartney" event in February 2012, and blogging about the whole thing. To say the least, I'm a teensy bit excited about all of this!
Okay, I'm more than just a little excited; I'm so excited that all I can say, without lifting off the ground is, EEK!
With that said, I would like to kindly ask anyone reading this post to please go to the following link and vote for my post. I'm listed #3 of the six finalists. You will have to "like" the page before you can vote. Also, please pass this link along to your friends and ask them to vote!
In another blog I mentioned how I don’t like “cookie cutter” voices.Those artists who are so generic you can’t tell one from the other.They could be interchangeable on any song played on the radio, and I doubt anyone would know the difference.
I also said how I like voices that stand out. The minute you hear a song, even if you’ve never heard it before, you instantly know who’s singing.To me, that makes the music on the radio much more interesting.It adds flavor to what would otherwise be bland and boring.
Then there are the newer artists who’ve come on the scene lately.It seems there are quite a few that sound like other, established artists.The person most people think of first is Easton Corbin.
Easton has always been compared to George Strait; which he doesn’t like.In some ways, I understand why he resents the comparison.He’s a new artist who wants to make his career based on his own merits.Yet, he keeps being compared to George Strait; those are big shoes to fill, especially as a new artist.
On the other hand, in this case, I see it as a compliment to Easton also.To me, George Strait seems to have a wide range of styles he plays off of.So, if people are comparing Easton Corbin to George Strait, which style?If it’s all of them, I see that as a good thing. It’s worked for George, why wouldn’t it work for Easton?I’m not sure there will ever be another George Strait, but there are worse artists Easton Corbin could be compared to.
Awhile back KUPL was playing a song, “If I Run”, by the Harters.Until I looked the song up, I would have sworn it was Steel Magnolia.Even though both acts are new to country music, Steel Magnolia is known a bit more than the Harters.The nice exception to thinking the Harters and Steel Magnolia sound alike is, neither have that cookie cutter sound.
Then there’s Joey+Rory.I’d heard music by them before, most notably, “Cheater, Cheater”.They’re another duo without a generic sound.However, the first few times I heard the song, “That’s Important to Me”, I thought the Judds had put out new music.The song has the Judds “feel” to it, and Joey’s voice, (on this song at least), sounds like the Judds. I like that this song has that “familiar” sound to it; yet Joey+Rory still have their own style and sound.
On the subject of of acts sounding like others, but only on some songs, there’s the Dirt Drifters.Every time I would hear “Something Better” on the radio, I thought it was Toby Keith.I wondered why Toby had two songs out at the same time. When I found out it was the Dirt Drifters, and that they were going to be in Portland, I HAD to see them.I wanted to know firsthand whether all their songs sounded like Toby Keith, or just that one.I was pleasantly surprised to find that the Dirt Drifters are a very talented band, with their own distinct sound.They did say that others had thought their first single sounded like Toby Keith, and they were okay with that.They took it as a compliment that people wanted to find out more about them, because of the comparison.
On a slightly different path of voice comparisons, there’s Glen Templeton.This new country artist definitely has his own style and sound, and is great at what he does.At one point in time though, Glen was the star in the traveling play about Conway Twitty’s life.He had been personally chosen by Twitty’s family for the role, because he sounded so much like Conway.
Right now, KUPL is playing a song by Bradley Gaskin called, “Mr. Bartender”.The first time I heard it, I instantly thought of Travis Tritt in his early days.Yet, while the song reminds me of Tritt, Gaskin actually does hold his own, with his own sound, on the song.
And then there’s this year’s American Idol winner, Scotty McCreery.McCreery definitely has his own style and voice, as evidenced by his single, “I Love You This Big”.While on Idol though, his “signature” song was Josh Turner’s “Your Man”.Scotty was a dead ringer for Josh Turner; which was especially noticeable when Turner showed up to sing the song with Scotty at McCreery’s homecoming concert for American Idol.
I think there will always be comparisons of groups and artists in all genres of music.Whether it’s someone like Easton Corbin, who has that “voice” all the time; or it’s a band, like the Dirt Drifters, who just happen on one song to sound like another artist, the comparisons will always be there.
Likewise, whether, like Corbin, artists resent the comparison, or like the Dirt Drifters, embrace it; there will always be both as long as there’s music in the world.
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
THE DIRT DRIFTERS
Since opening in August, 2010, the Bing Lounge has had several country acts pass through its doors.The latest concert, hosted by KUPL on April 5, 2011, featured The Dirt Drifters.
The band consists of lead singer/guitarist Matt Fleener; vocalist/guitarist Ryan Fleener; vocalist/guitarist Jeff Middleton; bassist Jeremy Little and drummer Nick Diamond.
Though The Dirt Drifters have built a solid fan base over the years, it’s just recently that they’ve had their music played on the radio.Their current single is, “Something Better”, a tune that tells of people always waiting for something better to come along.It’s a catchy tune reminiscent of something Toby Keith would sing.
Despite, (or maybe because of), their diverse musical backgrounds, these five guys have meshed well, creating some amazing music.During their performance at the Bing Lounge, it was obvious how passionate The Dirt Drifters are about what they do.Whether a moving song about a blue collar dad working hard; a rowdy tune about men and motel rooms; or anything in between; the band delivered each song with depth and clarity, as well as beautiful rhythm and harmony.
If that weren’t enough, they told the stories behind the songs; about life on the road, traveling by van and RV; how their first RV burned; and gave everyone a glimpse of who these guys are aside from the music.It was very personable and at times funny.
After their performance, the band stayed to sign autographs and have photos taken with anyone wanting one.Just as they were onstage, all of the Dirt Drifters were very friendly with everyone, taking the time to talk with each person, and treating them as if they were the only one there.
The whole experience, beginning to end was, in one word, AWESOME!
In summary, if you ever have a chance to see The Dirt Drifters perform live, GO!You won’t regret it!
If you're interested in learning more about the Dirt Drifters, their official website is: http://www.thedirtdrifters.com/. You can also find them on Facebook.
