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.

Phil Vassar @ the Bing Lounge-8-15-2011

(Note: The word for today is supposed to be red, in all caps. Unable to do that, so please look for the BOLD, italic, word with a strikethrough. That is today's 5,000 point word.)

I'll be the first to admit, I can be very biased when it comes to Phil Vassar. I love his music and have always felt he hasn't gotten as much attention as he deserves; both as a singer and songwriter.

If you've never seen PHIL in concert, you're really missing something special. He doesn't just sing, he puts on a heck of a performance and is all over the stage, the piano and anywhere else he decides to land.

Because of the small stage in the Bing Lounge, Phil wasn't able to move around like he usually does. That doesn't mean the show was any less entertaining however; quite the opposite. Not only did he sing his own hits, like "Carlene", "Six-Pack Summer" and "Just Another Day In Paradise", he sang a medley of hits he's written for others, such as Tim McGraw, Jo Dee Messina and Collin Raye.

In addition to his hits, Phil also played his latest single, "Let's Get Together", for the crowd. I love this song! Have since the first time I heard it.

The packed house at the Bing Lounge loved every minute Phil was on stage.

Besides singing, Phil told about his childhood, how he started playing piano, and various other stories about his life and career. Though the show was free to those in attendance, even if there had been a fee, attendees definitely got their money's worth!

Had it not been for the fact that there were still photos to take, and autographs to sign for anyone wanting one, I think Phil would have played even longer than he did. You could really tell he was enjoying himself. He commented several times how cool the Bing Lounge is.

When it was time to get my autograph, I told Phil it seemed like he had been having trouble staying in one place while playing, because of the size of the stage. He said yeah, he was used to moving around more. I told him even without moving around, he did an awesome job; and it was the truth, he did!

On my way home that night, I thought how cool it was that Phil Vassar had played the Bing Lounge a year to the day after it first opened. I just wish I'd thought of it while I was still there!

Over all, as I said earlier, those in the audience the night of August 15, 2011, were treated to a show they won't soon forget. The Bing Lounge has hosted a year's worth of great entertainment so far. Having Phil Vassar play on the one year anniversary was an awesome way to kick off another year of great music.

Simon in the Morning-4-19-11--Favorite Tim McGraw Songs

Yesterday's “Simon in the Morning” show reminded me just how much I sometimes see things differently than the rest of the world.

Listeners were asked to either call KUPL, or post on the “Simon in the Morning” Facebook page, their favorite Tim McGraw song.  Near the end of the show, the votes were tallied and a list of the top 5 Tim McGraw songs was compiled.

When I heard the #1 listener voted song, “Live Like You Were Dying”, I realized I wouldn’t have chosen that song; it wouldn’t have even crossed my mind.  For as sentimental and caring as I am, for some reason I tend to shy away from songs like this one.  I have no idea why. 

It got me to thinking of other songs that were big hits that I just didn’t understand how it could be.  
The first song I thought of was “Amazed” by Lonestar, which was a huge hit.  To me, it’s okay, though their cover of Marc Cohen’s “Walkin’ in Memphis” is a song I like much better.  Also, Lonestar had a minor hit with the song “Mountains”; another song I like even more than “Amazed”.

Then there’s the late Chris LeDoux.  In my opinion, just about everything Chris recorded is underrated. This point is emphasized by the song, “Life is a Highway”.  Most people know the Rascal Flatts version from the movie “Cars”.  However, Chris had a minor hit with the song well before Rascal  Flatts recorded it.  Though the Flatts’ version is good, I still like Chris’ better.

Of course, before Chris LeDoux, the writer of “Life is a Highway", Tom Cochrane had a minor hit with it in 1991.  No offense to Tom, but I really don’t like his version at all. 

Even when it comes to my all-time favorite country artist, David Lee Murphy, I have to be honest…I’ve never quite understood how “Dust on the Bottle" became a #1 hit; yet “Party Crowd” and “Loco” didn’t.  “Dust on the Bottle” just isn’t one of my favorite DLM songs, while I love both “Party Crowd” and “Loco”.

I could ramble on and on about any number of songs I like; and how most of them are ones others probably wouldn’t choose to be a hit.  I’ll end this for now though, secure in the knowledge that the tuba player I follow is still within my sight.  :)