February 27, 2015

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Music Spotlight: Granger Smith

Granger Smith, sometimes known by his alter ego, Earl Dibbles Jr., is a country artist from Dallas, Texas. In an interview with Rolling Stone, Granger had some kind words for his home state: "Texas is home to me. It's a big part of what I do and where I come from. It's been a big platform for me, especially the Texas Music platform, to have the charting system, and to have the touring system to get us out to where we are now." Granger carries that state of mind into his craft, making his music easy to fall in love with. His vocals linger in this slow motion and wonderful way, layered melodically over the other instruments that comprise his band. Granger's bio describes his music in the following way: 

"By consistently providing blended hits that are well outside the realm of “typical,” Granger’s music provides a refreshing and unique variation on the growing independent country music scene."

My favorite songs include Bury Me In Blue Jeans, Miles and Mud Tires, Oxygen, Silverado Bench Seat, & Don't Listen to the Radio. 

You can follow Granger Smith on Twitter @GrangerSmith. His music is available here

Hogjim is a small business specializing in innovative guitar gear. To check out some of their products, click here. 

February 19, 2015

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Music Spotlight: William Clark Green

William Clark Green is a country artist based out of Lubbock, Texas. His single Sympathy currently resides as the #1 song on the 'Texas Music for the Country' chart. Green's voice has a smoky, polished, and unique blend that when paired with his lyrical talent, creates some very powerful music. Green himself is very open about his songwriting: 

"Songwriting is exactly what is in your heart, in my opinion, it is not about writing a hit. It is about revealing your heart and your feelings on the paper."

My favorite songs include Sympathy, Hanging Around, She Likes the Beatles, & It's About Time. 

You can follow William Clark Green on Twitter @WilliamCGreen. His music is available here

Hogjim is a small business specializing in innovative guitar gear. To check out some of their products, click here.

February 10, 2015

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Music Spotlight: The Paper Kites

An indie/folk band originating out of Melbourne, Australia, The Paper Kites shed a light on crisp harmonies and stellar guitar play- creating an original sound that leaves you craving for more of the same. The band has released two EP's (Woodland, Young North), one full length album (States), and is set to release their next album sometime in 2015.

The State Press defines the band gracefully: "a five-artist conglomeration of acoustic guitar, banjo, harmonica, mandolin, bass, synthesizers and some seriously calm, cool vocals." 

"Kites knows how to pick you up after a long and rough day, how to help you get through that difficult and wordy textbook, but also simultaneously inspires you to head off on a nature-seeking cross-country road trip and take an afternoon cat nap, all at the same time." - The State Press on The Paper Kites

My favorite songs include Featherstone, Bloom, Tenenbaum, & Paint. 

You can follow The Paper Kites on Twitter @thepaperkites. Their music is available here

Hogjim is a small business specializing in innovative guitar gear. To check out some of their products, click here.

February 03, 2015

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Music Spotlight: The Barr Brothers

The Barr Brothers are a musical group that create wonderful, folky/americana music from Montréal, QC. The band reminds me of Beta Radio, mostly in the blending of melodic vocals which float over the flowing, folky presence of the band's other instruments. What elevates this band to unique status is that one the band members, Sarah Pagé, is a trained harpist. As Exclaim.Ca explains, this is one of the driving forces behind The Barr Brothers' creativity: 

"For it is the presence of this unlikely instrument that drives the sound of the Barr Brothers away from the ordinary, forcing the band to innovate, to develop creative arrangements that will amplify Pagé's elegant tones."

The Barr Brothers sound is a magnificent blend of subtle overlays of various instruments and vocals, creating something absolutely beautiful. Their recently released album, Sleeping Operator, even has a touch of blues to it. My favorite songs include Love Ain't Enough, Beggar in the Morning, and Even the Darkness Has Arms. 

You can follow The Barr Brothers on Twitter @thebarrbrothers. Their music is available here.

Hogjim is a small business specializing in innovative guitar gear. To check out some of their products, click here.

January 27, 2015

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Music Spotlight: Josh Abbott Band

Josh Abbott Band is a country band that originated in Lubbock, Texas. A jam band with a heart for country, the band has been all over the Texas country charts in the past half decade and has recently become a household name across the country (no pun intended). The band, which will be headlining the Dallas Observer St. Patrick's Day Concert, recently signed a record deal with Atlantic records after releasing their past three albums on their own. The Lubbock Avalanche-Journal lauded the deal with Atlantic, stating:

"[the deal] helps Josh Abbott Band spread its sound nationwide, while maintaining all its own creative control."

My favorite songs include She's Like Texas, Hangin' Around (currently #2 on the Texas Music Charts), Small Town Family Dream, & Oh, Tonight.

 You can follow Josh Abbott Band on Twitter @joshabbottband. Their music is available here.

Hogjim is a small business specializing in innovative guitar gear. To check out some of their products, click here.

January 19, 2015

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Music Spotlight: Aaron Watson

Today's music spotlight features Aaron Watson, who's single That Look is currently residing at the top of the Texas Music Chart. As Billboard.com notes, Watson's earliest musical influences were 'the gospel hymns he sang in church with his family and the classic country records by George Jones, Merle Haggard, and Willie Nelson.' The excerpt below from Watson's website bio truly exemplifies what brings his music to life:

"Countless hours on the road and many more still spent toiling away at his guitar, writing songs with Jesus on one shoulder and the ghost of Waylon Jennings on the other, making the country tunes he was born to play."

Waton's music is a blend of guitar and a whiskey-esque voice that creates an incredible sound. My favorite songs include That Look, July In Cheyenne, & Fast Cars Slow Kisses. 

 You can follow Aaron Watson on Twitter @aaron_watson. His music is available here.

Hogjim is a small business specializing in innovative guitar gear. To check out some of their products, click here.

January 11, 2015

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Music Spotlight: Drake White

"Authenticity shines like a beacon. It can’t be manufactured and isn’t a commodity for sale. It carries the potency of truth and the sting of conviction. It’s the real deal and it’s the essence of MCA Nashville newcomer Drake White."

Impressive words from TheNew93Q, describing the essence of Drake White. White's voice has the grit and power of a Travis Tritt, with a unique blend of melodies that match the well crafted lyrics. 

My favorite songs include The Simple Life, The One That Loves You Girl, & Grinnin.

You can follow Drake White on Twitter @DrakeWhite. His music is available here

Hogjim is a small business specializing in innovative guitar gear. To check out some of their products, click here.

January 04, 2015

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Music Spotlight: Chris Young

Born in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, Chris Young has had country music running through his veins from the very beginning. Since winning Nashville Star back in 2006, Chris Young's career has really taken flight. Of his four currently released albums, three of them went to #3 on the charts or higher, and the fourth made its way to #6. The 2009 release of The Man I Want To Be that made its way to #6 on the US chart was actually Chris Young's best selling album, as it became Gold certified.

Young's musicianship reminds me of Blake Shelton in terms of professionalism, Brad Paisley in terms of talent, and George Straight in terms of creativity. His vocals are deep and sometimes dark, and his sound is pure country. On becoming a musician, Chris Young has said:

"Music is why I'm here and it's something I can't live without. It's what I'm built to do."

Some of my favorite songs include Who I Am With You, Lost, & Voices

You can follow Chris Young on Twitter @ChrisYoungMusic. His music is available here.

Hogjim is a small business specializing in innovative guitar gear. To check out some of their products, click here.

December 21, 2014

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Music Spotlight: Jesse Will

Jesse Will is a songwriter and musician from New Zealand, currently living in London. Jesse's musical talents remind me of a mix between NeedtoBreathe, Matt Nathanson, and a creative blend of his own vocal talent. The difference between the aforementioned artists and Jesse Will is the dark, souful, lyrics through which his music is expressed. This is most apparent in his songs Indigo and Mama, Say

 Jesse Will's music also earned high praise from Taylor Swift, when he released his cover of Shake It Off. Taylor had some impressive words to say regarding the cover: 

"My favorite covers are the ones where the artist has made it their own, changing the way the song makes you feel."

You can follow Jesse Will on Twitter @jessewillnz. His music is available here

Hogjim is a small business specializing in innovative guitar gear. To check out some of their products, click here.

December 13, 2014

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Music Spotlight: Mark McKinney

Mark McKinney is a country artist based out of Austin, Texas. McKinney's music combines a mix of melodies and lyrics with a background of guitar that creates an incredible sound. CMT describes Mark as: 

"[a] rowdy blend of country and rock and swaggering style" that "have earned him a loyal following in the Lone Star State and a rising profile on the national country scene."

My favorite songs include Lonely Bones, Stolen Cash, & The River Song

You can follow Mark McKinney on Twitter @mark_mckinney. His music is available here.

Hogjim is a small business specializing in innovative guitar gear. To check out some of their products, click here.