An Open Letter to Lee Brice Fans

To All Lee Brice Fans:

Over the last couple of years we have anxiously awaited the released of Lee's debut album, Picture of Me. It has been delayed and pushed back (now indefinitely, according to the Curb Records web site) numerous times. Lee has been touring regularly for an album it seems we will never see.

If Jimmy Wayne fans can band together to create a "Jimmy Wayne Day" to promote his music, then why can't we band together and show our support for Lee Brice? Why don't we have a "Lee Brice Day" or week or month or whatever and start getting his music played? Lee Brice is an undeniable talent.

Supposedly, there is going to be a new single, but when? Supposedly, if a single can break the top 20 then we might get the CD.

We're ready for new Lee Brice music, we're ready for the CD, we're ready to hear Lee Brice on the radio. How about you?

Consider this a call to action. Please leave comments letting us know what you think and if you're willing to join the cause. Let's take it one step at a time, so with enough support we will come back and post ways to help.

And The Winner Is...

We asked you what your favorite new song was and Jimmy Wayne fans showed their support once again. I'll Be That got an astounding 90% of the votes. Hopefully I'll Be That will be another number one for Jimmy.

Eight Second Ride Revisited

Who knew this would be our controversial post?

First point: We only said it was our least favorite SINGLE. Since he's only had 4 other singles, that's not like saying we hate the song. It's saying, of these 5 songs, it's our least favorite. Doesn't mean we don't like it.

Second point: Depending on where you get your information, 8SR being released as a single wasn't a surprise. We have been hearing since Startin' With Me, that Jake wanted to release 8SR and that fans were backing him up (including us), but we were upset that some of his really great songs didn't make the cut for Easy Does It in order to make room for 8SR. Also, re-releasing a song on a second album is not a unique thing. Case in point: Kellie Pickler's "Didn't You Know How Much I Loved You?" was released on both Small Town Girl and Kellie Pickler. It makes it easy to set it up as a single, but it isn't a guarantee.

Third point: How much farther can 8SR go than "Don't Think I Can't Love You?" DTICLY hit #2; 8SR only has to hit #1 to beat it. Whether it will or not remains to be seen.

Point four: If Jake wants to release a "party" song, it's not like he's hurting for choices. Why not re-release "The Bad In Me" if they're going to go that route? From Easy Does It, "Cherry on Top" or "Who Said Whiskey" jump out as possible singles.

We're not hating on 8SR. We get excited as anyone when we hear the first licks at a show. We just feel that Jake has proven himself a talented enough artist and songwriter that he doesn't have to go back 10 years for a single. Who isn't better at something they were already good at after 10 years of practice?

Opry Quest

With Montgomery Gentry the latest to receive an invitation to join the Grand Ole Opry, it's led to a lot of discussion about who else should be invited. We've heard names like Jory & Rory and Ashton Sheperd tossed around, so we decided to throw in a few cents of our own.

One complaint is that MG hasn't been around long enough to deserve an invite to the Big Show. If that is a legitimate gripe, then please explain how Carrie Underwood managed an invite as early as she did. She has not proved her staying power, or really even her talent, as far as we're concerned.

This is how Opry members are chosen, according to the official web site:

The decision to increase the Opry’s ranks is, and always has been, made exclusively by the show’s management. The people who’ve been entrusted with the Opry’s tradition and future direction take into account all the standards of success in country music—radio airplay, album and ticket sales, industry recognition—when considering an act for membership. The Opry considers career accomplishment, as well as the potential for continued success.

To us, this sounds like one thing: Money! Who can make the most money, who has the potential to make the most money, who can sell the most tickets to an Opry show, thereby gaining the Opry - all together now! - MONEY!

Maybe that's cynical, and we're not saying there is anything wrong with wanting to make money. The Grand Ole Opry is a business as much as anything else and in order to stay open, it must have revenue.

It used to be that being invited to the Opry was an honor reserved for the most talented artists in country music, not flashes in the pan. Ashton Sheperd can hardly be called a star. Her album reached number 16 on the Billboard Country Music Charts and her singles have not broken the Top 20. She is a mostly a mediocre singer who decided to cash in on her ability to imitate "Redneck Woman" Gretchen Wilson, not counting on the fact that Wilson's popularity would quickly wane.

Joey & Rory haven't had much commercial success either, going by the charts. However, they definitely seem to have longevity. Rory Feek was already a successful songwriter in Nashville, having penned hits for Clay Walker, Blake Shelton and Jimmy Wayne, among others. Clearly, Feek has a bit of a magic touch when it comes to songwriting. Give them a few more years, another album or two under their belts, and Joey & Rory will be prime Opry material. Just not yet.

MG, on the other hand, released their seventh studio album last year and have had more than 10 Top 10 Billboard singles since being signed in 1999. They are consistent in their performances and in drawing crowds. Carrie Underwood, it seems, has peaked. Yet, she is an Opry member already and MG is not.

Eight Second Ride

Being the Jake Owen fans that we are, we had to respond to this laugh-worthy review of his newest single, "Eight Second Ride."

Let's get this out of the way: This is by no means Jake's best song. In fact, of all his singles, it's probably his worst. It was a sleeper hit on his debut album, Startin' with Me, that fans requested as a single, but never got. So, it was re-released on Easy Does It, with plans of being a single.

The problem with the Easy Does It version is its restyling. Aside from minor lyrical changes, the version on Easy Does It seems to lose some of its original musical edge. The guitars and drums fade to the background for this version, whereas they pound through the speakers on Startin' With Me. Whoever decided to remix 8SR managed to take a fun, rocking song and make it a weak, mediocre ego-piece.

As for saying the song is supposed to be "realistic:" Anyone who has listened to Jake's music, has seen a Jake show, etc., knows that this song is blazingly tongue-in-cheek. It was written long before he had his big break, when he was barely in his 20s. With a male buddy, he decided to write a song about girls and big trucks. We think even Jake knows the likelihood of getting a woman to bed down with him on a tailgate is unlikely. (Hey, metal is cold and uncomfortable! Stay in the cab at least.)

It seems that some people don't like Jake because he's attractive. Evidently country music is meant to be "ugly," which, frankly, is something lost on us. All the posturing about his looks masks simple jealousy. For someone as talented as Jake, it's a shame that people are going to misjudge him because he happens to be good-looking and has written a song that is not "high art." Look back at singles like "Startin' With Me" and "Don't Think I Can't Love You" if you need a reminder of exactly what this Florida boy can do.

At Radio Today

There are some great songs releasing to radio today. First, Big Green Tractor by Jason Aldean. At a recent show, Aldean claimed it's "Kind of a love song". He also thinks that “there’s something kinda romantic about a little tractor ride at midnight.” We agree but have a listen here and decide for yourselves.

Another song impacting today is I'll be That, the third single from Jimmy Wayne's sophomore album, "Do You Believe Me Now".

Watch this video to listen to the song and hear what fans are saying. And don't forget that Jimmy Wayne fans have declared the first Friday of every month Jimmy Wayne Day. On Jimmy Wayne Day, fans will request I'll Be That on as many radio stations as possible. The next "Jimmy Wayne Day" is June 5th, the first day of the "American Saturday Night" tour, where Jimmy opens up for Dierks Bentley and Brad Paisley.

Also, at radio today is the second single, 15 Minutes from Rodney Atkins CD "It's America" and Indian Summer from Brooks & Dunn.

Why We Heart Jake Owen

Jake Owen has officially rocketed to the top of the list of our faves! He just spent over an hour chatting LIVE with fans from his bus via his web cam. How many artists do that? How many take the time to work out the kinks and the bugs so that they can connect with US?

That was so awesome, Jake. Can't wait for the next one!

They're Gonna Put Him in the Movies

Adam Gregory is set to star alongside John Schneider in What Would Jesus Do. The film will be based on Charles Sheldon's In His Steps. It follows four individuals -- a singer, a newspaper editor, a wealthy philanthropist, and a minister who lost his faith -- all vowing to walk in the Jesus' steps, with every decision based on the one question, "What would Jesus do?" Adam Gregory's song "What Would Jesus Do", off his Crazy Days album, will also be featured in the movie.

"My faith and my music are very closely related," says Gregory. "I feel truly blessed for an opportunity where I can incorporate both into a project that serves a bigger purpose and will hopefully reach millions of others."

The movie is set to start filming this month.

Vern Gosdin 1934-2009

Country music lost one of the greats this week. Take a moment to remember kindly the man known as The Voice.

We'd like Mr. Gosdin to know that, yes, it is raining at our house.