Category: Country music

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Why Soulful Chris Stapleton Is Country Music’s Chief Storyteller

Chris Stapleton Photo

Music School

You learn a great deal about musicians through their music. Every singer has at least one song that gives you goosebumps. Which Chris Stapleton song is it? Lately, Stapleton songs have made my playlist. Hearing him sing sounds like thunder. I believe Kane Brown can learn from this music artist. I bet he’s willing to share some of his secrets. 

The last time I wrote about the music artist was at the 2023 Grammys. Who in their wildest imagination would dream of a Stevie Wonder and Chris Stapleton collaboration on live television? If you didn’t watch the Higher Ground performance, you missed out. Talk about a man stringing the guitar like a fiddle on a horse.

He should trend for the next week or so on social media and the Internet. Now, I’m unable to rewrite the future but I can write the present. Living in the moment is life’s greatest joy. Like Stapleton, born and raised in the United States, I’m proud to be an American. I’m just jealous I can’t sing the National Anthem like him.

Who Is Chris Stapleton?

Chris Stapleton is a country music singer you can listen to for hours because of his dynamic sound. What is country music without Chris Stapleton? In the past, I asked a similar question about other singers. In the past, I wrote about Garth Brooks, Tim McGraw, Miranda Lambert, Maren Morris and others. Overall, I feel country music as a genre deserves more recognition.

So why is the soulful singer Country Music’s chief storyteller? Because he is a spectacular songwriter and record producer. Like most great songs in the genre, his songs tell a story. Let the record speak for itself. As a singer/ songwriter/ producer Stapleton’s built a durable brand and long career. That’s why today when the tickets went on sale, fans reacted with enthusiasm. Staying relevant since 2001, required hard work and dedication. Just think, he dropped out of engineering school to become a full-time musician is a story all by itself. 

In Conclusion

Neil Gaiman teaches a Masterclass called The Art of Storytelling. He is a brilliant fantasy novelist. But you don’t have to write a novel to master the art of telling a story. Like Stapleton, you can compose your lyrics and/or sing it. There are many ways to publish music just like novels now. I like the celebrity Chris Stapleton because he seems genuine. You’re not going to shave his beard. No mam, you won’t. Plus, he’ll wear his cowboy hat all night long. 

This celebrity from Lexington, Kentucky knows where he came from and where he’s going. I believe he’s not only one of the best country music singers, but overall, he’s one of the best singers in the industry. The Tennessee Whiskey song released seven years ago might be old but it’s still potent. By last count, it had 673 million views on YouTube. Stapleton knows what the fans want and gives it to them. And let’s face the music, sometimes the fans have no clue what they want.

I admire that he appears to be a family man. He married his wife Morgane Stapleton in 2007. Also, it seems every time he accepts an award, he’s gracious and mentions his family. When everything is said and done, the music stops playing but family is a constant. Country music singers/ songwriters are some of the best storytellers around in the galaxy. NASA has yet to confirm aliens. But one thing is for sure, Chris Stapleton is 100 percent down to earth. 

On this Pale Blue Dot in space, this star is a cool person. I like cool people.

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2023 Grammys Watch: Lively Pre-Parties, Amazing Performances, and Expectations

2023 Grammys Beyonce Photo
Beyonce Photo

By: Guru Jay

2023 Grammys Watch

2023 Grammys

Let’s start the 2023 Grammys countdown! Are you watching? What can a music lover expect from this year’s Grammys? There is so much on the table to discuss. But first, we must celebrate 2022. What a year it was in music. Then, we must do a watch like no other.  This 2023 watch is an exclusive. 

By now, you know that Bad Bunny is the main act. We’ll talk about performances even more in depth later. So, you also know that the Recording Academy has made it known the rapper will perform at the 65th Grammys. My last blog post highlighted this celebrity. His sound is hard to copy in rap music. Expect him to bring many of his girlfriends onstage and sing Titi Me Pregunto. Also, you watch as the show itself exceeds expectations. 

What else can a music lover expect from a 2023 Grammy? Beyoncé, Taylor Swift, and Adele are going to attend according to the latest sources. With the biggest stars on the biggest stage the night will certainly be big. Who can deny the star power of those three women? So, get prepared for a speech or two from the trio after they win. We will discuss nominations a little more later.

Lively Pre-Parties

In 2022, we saw the release of some amazing albums. Sunday the Recording Academy will tell us who had the best one. It’s not all about the cover art. Remember to never judge a book by its cover. If we only judged an album by its cover art or music video we would miss out on greatness. Some of the greatest songs of all time do not have official music videos.

Still, in the end, music is art. Music artists work hard honing their crafts. Fame doesn’t happen in a blink of an eye or a camera flash for that matter. Dedication is required and serious grit. Also, remember a picture is worth a thousand words. Did you know all this week there were pre-Grammy parties? Yes, it was all that you imagined and more. Who wouldn’t want to attend at least a couple of them?

Check out the photos from Rolling Stone and US Weekly. Going through the photos, you’ll find highlights which will serve as memories. Believe me, some celebrities will swear up and down something did or did not happen. But the camera doesn’t lie. After you browse through the pictures, come back for more of the Grammys watch. This story is far from finished.

Amazing Performances

Get ready for an extravaganza. If you thought the Recording Academy couldn’t outdo what it did last year, think again. Show business is no longer the same. Did you know you’re able to stream the Grammys on Paramount Plus? This is big business. What will they think up next? So, Sunday will only be the beginning for real music lovers. You can rewind, fast forward and pause all you want now that streaming is in the equation.

Where do the Grammys rank in the award season for you? Do you like the Golden Globe Awards? I wrote a blog post last month about it. I watched the red carpet and the live show and gave a 2023 recap. I felt it was a great show. I’m happy anytime the stars are shining.

Can’t you see the stars shining right now as bright as ever? Musicians are making footprints before they even walk on stage. Singers and producers will come away with stories about the nights leading up to THE NIGHT. As you can see, these are lively pre-parties. Later, you’ll see amazing performances.

Last summer, Beyoncé released her new album entitled Renaissance. Recently, she announced a world tour for said album. Everywhere fans are trying to buy up the tickets. What more can I say? Her creativity is still off the charts. The Grammys tweeted that Jay-Z is slated to perform. Might he bring Beyoncé up on stage? You never know. That’s why I’m excited and can’t wait.

The singer is nominated for nine Grammys. How many do you think she’ll win? Could Bad Bunny beat her for record of the year? There’s a lot of competition around the world. The music industry, especially, is full of competitiveness. Does it always have to be cutthroat and cold blooded? For what it’s worth, I think some things are changing. Entertainment is becoming a more collaborative space. You see more and more musicians collaborating. Some things that you would never see in the past are getting done now.

Finally, the Grammys are back and there’s no excuse for bad ratings. Everybody listened to some awesome music last year. Now it’s time to celebrate. Let’s close our eyes and dream before the stars come out and shine for the evening. Dream you were there. If you’re a rising star, now is your chance to visualize you are in the building.

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Country Music Singer Kane Brown Has Made a Difference

Kane Brown Photo
Country Music Singer Kane Brown wearing a white ball cap smiles for the camera.

What’s a story without a protagonist? Do we always need a villain? Country music is said to tell a story. Well, every hero goes on a journey and Kane Brown’s Go Around is epic.

Master storytellers could call themselves gurus or do without the titles. One thing is for certain: every hero’s journey is different. Record label or not, wherever Kane Brown is signed his signature means something. At 29 years old, he’s built a music catalog that can make his family proud. What is more, he is just scratching the surface of his greatness. We all have a unique fingerprint and footprint. Perhaps, you’ve been to a Kane Brown concert. What do the vibrations feel like? Some things in life are indescribable. But, I will do my best to describe who Country Music artist Kane Brown really is and why you need to listen to his music.

First, you have to watch Kane Brown, Katelyn Brown, Thank God official music video in order to see how far Kane has come. It’s incredible his wife recorded a song with him on the Different Man album. This year they will celebrate five years of marriage. The country music singer has made a difference.

Perhaps, his most popular music video and song is called Heaven. Check out the song lyrics and you’ll see why Heaven was a hit in 2017.  If Country music tells a story, then the country music singer is a storyteller. Did you know he auditioned for both American Idol and the X-Factor? Read more about his American Idol experience and you’ll discover they dropped the ball on this talented singer. Throughout Kane Brown’s life, he has dealt with the lovers and haters all the same. 

Despite all of this, I feel the country music community has been supportive of the Nashville based star and his career. The fact of the matter is Brown is not going away any time soon. I believe he was born a star in Chattanooga, Tennessee. I’m going to do my part and see to it that KANE BROWN shines. 

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The Celebrated Country Star Maren Morris Is Underrated

    


    Do you watch award shows like me? The 2020 award show season has been exciting so far. Since March, they have hosted award shows virtually. Music videos, along with concerts and other entertainment venues, have been postponed. Producers must be creative about how they deliver to their audiences. Recently, I watched the ACM awards and was impressed by Maren Morris. She sang The Bones, and I felt vibrations in my bones from the song. She deserves more credit. Now is her moment. I expect the singer to win a Grammy next year for the Bones. 

    Did you know she won a Grammy for her song My Church? I don’t believe I’m far off; Maren Morris will win again. The country songstress hasn’t reached peak potential yet. She could dominate music for at least another five years. Incredibly, she’s only been in showbiz since 2005. She only signed with Columbia Nashville five years ago, which was a bold move. Already, she’s had an impressive career. The Arlington, Texas native is known for her southern charm and grace. She wrote the Kelly Clarkson song, Second Wind, ten years ago.

    The new mother is an old soul. Her style compares to Miranda Lambert. Her vocals and guitar skills are on par with the best. What are your favorite songs by the singer? Did you know she is married to Ryan Hurd?

    Why is Morris so celebrated and yet so underrated? The singer never competed on American Idol or the Voice like Carrie Underwood, Kelly Clarkson, and others; so, her fan base grew more organically. She has a large platform. Maybe, her outreach is not as massive as it could be, but it is compact. She has loyal fans not only in the United States but across the globe. This celebrity put skin in the game, and her hard work paid dividends. Her career is the perfect model for aspiring country music artists.  

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Kelly Clarkson Vs. Carrie Underwood

BY: GURU JAY

Kelly Clarkson Vs. Carrie Underwood 

Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood are making a comeback around the same time. Clarkson started a tradition where she sings Tinder profiles on Jimmy Kimmel Live. Carrie Underwood is still a perfect 10 after her infamous face accident. The former American Idols are the TV show’s most famous singers for a major reason.

Without question, the names Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood will go down in music history. Clarkson and Underwood are a part of the fabric of American popular culture. Plus, who can stop listening to their music?

Carrie and Kelly can sing with the best, but who’s better? Is Carrie a better singer because she dominates her Country genre? Or is Kelly Clarkson a better entertainer because she concentrates on Pop, a more competitive field in a crowded arena?

It’s easy to say one is better than the other, but it’s harder to prove. I feel in my gut that Kelly Clarkson is the one I want to sing when it counts. However, Carrie Underwood cuts sharper records in the studio booth.

Kelly Clarkson, 36, was born and raised in Texas. That can only mean one thing. She has one of the biggest hearts. With heart, comes soul.

Carrie Underwood, 35, was born in Oklahoma. She grew up listening to country legends like Dolly Parton. Nowadays, she’s influenced country music artists in her own right. In my eyes, she’s a brighter star than Miranda Lambert, who helps define modern day country music.

Overall, Carrie has had a more financially successful career than Kelly. However, the major difference is the Texas songstress has yet to reach the peak. Kelly Clarkson is one hit shy away from greatness.

Clarkson conquers the microphone, but Underwood’s voice is too great to ignore. Maybe, Carrie Underwood’s vocal chords are superior to Kelly Clarkson’s chops. But deep down where it matters, the diaphragm, Kelly has the voice. That’s why she is a coach on the Voice.

It’s up to the fans to decide. Who is better between Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood? I think I’ve answered the question. Your mind is made up on Carrie, but your gut yelps Kelly.

I am Guru Jay launching into orbit in 5-4-3-2-1!
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Why Sam Hunt Is Phenomenal

BY: GURU JAY
Why Sam Hunt Is Phenomenal

Photo By: Wikimedia Commons

Sam Hunt is scheduled to perform at the CMA Fest on Wednesday. Maybe, after reading this blog post you will tune into the event to see him. It all starts tomorrow at 8 pm on ABC. The biggest names will perform from Blake Shelton to Luke Bryan, and Carrie Underwood. I know people who are watching strictly because of Sam Hunt’s appearance though. The celebrity is having a great year.

Sam Hunt is down to earth and out of this world. His music is undeniably great. Greatness recognizes greatness. I’m interested in seeing what’s next in store for Sam Hunt. The 15 in a 30 Tour is going viral on Instagram and Twitter. Hunt’s music doesn’t appear to be slowing down; he’s going full speed ahead. I look forward to his future albums, singles, and concerts. It would be nice to see him live in concert.

I know Sam Hunt will give a phenomenal performance. The 32 year old singer originates out of Nashville, Tennessee. So, the Country singer will be right at home. He can kick off his boots and make himself comfortable. I expect the Body Like a Back Road singer to throw a few curveballs and sliders here and there. It should be fun time because of a sexy crowd. Country music lovers are some of the best fans in the world. A Country Star is only as good as his fans. What is Sam Hunt without Hunters?

I consider Take Your Time to be a classic. Did you know Take Your Time went Platinum 4 times? Body Like a Back Road went Platinum 3 times already. It’s only a matter of time before Sam Hunt wins a Grammys. There’s a Grammy with his name on it. What do you think is the best Sam Hunt song?

In a nutshell, Sam Hunt will give a phenomenal performance because he is phenomenal.

I am Guru Jay launching into orbit in 5-4-3-2-1!
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Tim McGraw Vs. Garth Brooks

BY: GURU JAY

Tim McGraw Vs. Garth Brooks


You can only have one. Who do you choose between Tim McGraw and Garth Brooks? Who do you believe is better? I think Tim McGraw wins in the long term, but right now Garth Brooks is the best man for the job.

My motto is “may the best man win.” Moreover, May We All McGraw is letting Garth Brooks outshine him these days. You see Garth Brooks is greater in the short term. His Amazon commercials demonstrate his ability to generate massive appeal. Where are the McGraw advertisements, seriously? Maybe, I’m missing the placements.

For what it’s worth, Tim McGraw has won one more Grammy than Garth Brooks (3 to 2). However, Brooks has earned 22 Academy of Country Music Awards compared to McGraw’s 14. What does this say about the two country music singers? Maybe, McGraw is more mainstream and Brooks is true country.

Both celebrities deserve respect because they are legends. Is this the Luke Bryan Vs. Blake Shelton argument all over again? Luke and Blake are legends in the making. But I believe they would rather be in McGraw’s shoes than Brooks’ boots.

Photos By: Wikimedia Commons
It is important to pay tribute to legends while they are still here. These days celebrities are becoming scarce. In 2016, we lost a plethora of legendary entertainers. Let’s appreciate who we have and show some respect. In the words of Garth Brooks, we have to appreciate them as “if tomorrow never comes.”

What’s wrong with comparing celebrities? Entertainment is about having fun and escaping from harsh realities. Besides, competition makes for better music.

Let’s go back to the question at hand. Remember, you can only have one. The answer depends on whether you want your steak rare or well done.

I don’t mind waiting for the flower to bloom, so I choose Tim McGraw. McGraw is a sensible choice for a guru, who loves Country. I’ll take my time meditating, then I’ll listen to Tim sing.

I am Guru Jay launching into orbit in 5-4-3-2-1!