THINGS TO KNOW
New Music Friday — Mar. 27, 2020
March 27, 2020
CANTON JONES | Kingdom Business 5
Christian, Hip hop, rap; Cajo Records – STREAM / BUY album
Canton Jones, a GRAMMY and Stellar Award–nominated artist, is as well-rounded of a talent and personality in the world of gospel music as the likes of mainstream media moguls Tyler Perry and Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds to name a few. He is a singer, rapper, songwriter, producer, vocal arranger, youth pastor and entrepreneur, as well as a dedicated husband and father of four. Jones has recently been featured on projects with Kierra Sheard, James Fortune, Uncle Reece, J Moss, Tye Tribbett, Andy Mineo, Vashawn Mitchell, and many others.
JAMIE GRACE | “Wonderful”
Christian, singer-songwriter; Good Eye Management — STREAM / BUY single
Jamie Grace is a Dove Award-winning, K-LOVE Fan Awards-winning, and 2x GRAMMY/Billboard-nominated singer, songwriter and actress based in Los Angeles, California. At just 19, she earned her first GRAMMY and Billboard Award nominations, while taking home New Artist of the Year at the annual Dove Awards in Nashville. To date she has four #1 radio singles in addition to her latest album titled ’91 reaching a Billboard #1.
BECKY BULLER | “The Barber’s Fiddle”
Bluegrass; Dark Shadow Recording — STREAM / BUY single
Becky Buller is a 2-time GRAMMY Award-winning songwriter, 8-time IBMA Award Winner, and 2020 SPBGMA Fiddle Player of the Year Award-nominee. She made bluegrass music history in 2016 by becoming the first artist ever to win in both instrumental and vocal categories, as well as the first female to win Fiddle Player of the Year by the IBMA.
THOMM JUTZ | To Live in Two Worlds, Vol. 1
Bluegrass; Mountain Home Music Company — STREAM / BUY album
Thomm Jutz uses his perceptive and intelligent songwriting to tell vivid, historical tales from the American Southland on a large body of collected songs titled To Live In Two Worlds, Vol. 1. The first of two volumes from Jutz and Mountain Home Music Company is now available everywhere.
Jutz, born abroad, has always found his soul belonging to the American South. Here he spins stories of rambling vagabond musicians, the hard life of mill workers, tragic Civil War characters both real and imagined, semi-forgotten regional legends and new stories of more recent real-life dramas and tragedies that will be tomorrow’s parables.
To Live In Two Worlds, Vol. 1 is unique in that it showcases Jutz’s diverse talents. “I wanted to make another bluegrass record but I also wanted to make a ‘true’ solo record, with just me singing and playing. So I did both,” Jutz said. “The players on these records are my dream team, and I love how the band and solo tracks correspond on these two volumes. From a songwriter’s perspective I feel that this is my best work yet. I’ve found my place with ‘one foot in a different world and one foot here today.’”
Other selections give meaningful tellings of tragic and inspiring adventures in southern Appalachia, like the historic conflict of “Shelton Laurel Valley” that left a community scarred from the injuries of the Civil War, and “Where the Bluebirds Call,” which envisions the journey of song collector Cecil Sharp.
The legendary Tom T. Hall has said about Jutz, “For years I have hoped that some young man would get off the bus in Nashville with a guitar wrapped in a cellophane dry cleaning bag and bring something new and exciting to the music scene. I know that songwriters and singers don’t ride buses anymore unless they own them. As an old songwriter myself, I am pleased that one of my wishes has come true. Thomm Jutz is in town and the town is all the better for it.”
MESSIAH’S CALL | Next
Southern Gospel; Chapel Valley — STREAM / BUY album
A staple at the National Quartet Convention since their inception in 2014, Chapel Valley recording artists Messiah’s Call is now solidified as an all-male trio and is enjoying an extensive touring schedule. The group has also recently been featured at Dollywood and have landed three singles to the Singing News Top-80 national chart to date.
FLASHBACK | Blues Around My Cabin
Bluegrass; Pinecastle Records — STREAM / BUY album
The wait is finally over, as Flashback releases their brand new album, Blues Around My Cabin. Released on Pinecastle Records, the project consists of 11 recordings. Flashback alum Richard Bennett, Curt Chapman, Don Rigsby and Stuart Wyrick each stand out in their own ways throughout the collection.
The lead single from the album is the clever “John Henry Holliday.” The track was written by Flashback member and multi-GRAMMY nominee Richard Bennett. The track centers around well known gambler / gunfighter Doc Holliday, who was born in the mid-1800s. Another recent example of the project’s variety came in the form of the Billy Droze and Don Rigsby written song “When The Blues Come Around My Cabin Door.” It was released earlier this week, following an exclusive world premiere by The Bluegrass Situation. It includes a combination of different instruments, making it one of the standout recordings on Blues Around My Cabin, so much so that it was the inspiration behind the album’s title. Another highlight is the cut “Take Me To The River,” which was written by, and features JP Pennington of the chart-topping Country band Exile.
Flashback is kicking their promotional efforts into high gear. Nashville fans experienced this first-hand in early March prior to the COVID-19 outbreak. The all-star band performed to a jam-packed audience at the legendary Station Inn, where they played several songs from the record for the first time. They’re also set to appear later this year at the Bean Blossom Uncle Penn Festival, taking place in Indiana in September.
Blues Around My Cabin Track Listing:
1. John Henry Holliday (written by Richard Bennett)
2. Will You Fold My Flag For Me (written by Don Rigsby)
3. Dixon Farm (written by Richard Bennett)
4. Take Me To The River (written by JP Pennington)
5. Tater Valley Chimes (written by Stuart Wyrick)
6. God Sees Me (written by Randall Massengill)
7. This Old Town (written by Brad Apple)
8. Just Dreamin’ (written by Carter Stanley)
9. Virginia In The Springtime (written by Richard Bennett, Shawn Lane)
10. Queen Of The Bar (written by Sloas Brothers)
11. When The Blues Come Around My Cabin Door (written by Billy Droze, Don Rigsby)
ILLECT RECORDINGS | “Affectionately Lofi”
Electronic, hip hop, beats; Illect Recordings — STREAM / BUY single
Illect Recordings is a hip hop label founded in 2003. Born out of the talents of the Illect studios, this track—produced with intentions for sync licensing—has already seen experience in major AD campaigns to date.
JON SHABAGLIAN | “Hidden Friend”
Christian; Aromaphone Recording Company — STREAM / BUY single
RELEASED MONDAY, MAR. 23, 2020:
DARYL MOSLEY | “A Few Years Ago”
Bluegrass; Pinecastle Records — STREAM / BUY single
After six #1 charting singles & 2x Songwriter of the Year Awards, it’s no surprising music legend Ronnie Milsap has called himself “a real fan” of both Mosley’s songs and performances. Bill Gaither once said “Daryl is a poet—and we don’t have many poets left.” Legendary songwriters from Tom T. Hall to Tony Arata to Dave Loggins are among those who have sung his praises. Bobby Osborne, The Booth Brothers, and Carolina Blue are among the many who have recently recorded Daryl Mosley’s songs.
KEVIN SPARKMAN
VP of Communications and Marketing at Syntax Creative.
