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I'm Kinda With Stupid...

Dyann Woody Doesn't Understand Why JD Myers Is Not Signed to a Major Label

Dyann Woody, the Nashville-based songstress who runs a musical ministry with her husband singer-songwriter Michael Woody, has been wondering aloud why Elvis Presley-sound-alike JD Myers does not have a major record deal. In truth, I wonder the same thing, as apparently does another Elvis-inspired singer-songwriter, country superstar Waylon Jennings. Jennings and Michael Woody both contributed tracks to Myers' new album. A long sampler from that LP is provided below, which is worth listening to for numerous reasons, not the least of which is that it is a sampling of its genre performed at very high levels, and in that it is exhilarating. Myers is great in terms of delivery on talent, though his Achilles Heal is no doubt that he sounds too much like an impersonator (not only Elvis, but Waylon, too, on one track) and not enough like the authentic talent that one suspects he really is. "It's all got to sound the same...if you're not rolling with the flow you've got a hard way to go..." he sings on one track. It could be that being a working musician dealing with the narrow realities of the commercial markets have crafted him in ways both good but, ultimately, nullifying as a solo recording artists. This LP is filled with dissatisfactions and lacerating insights into the truth about being a musical whore, which coming from Myers', sounding a lot like Elvis - and don't get me wrong, he is a spectacular Elvis - has some weight of poignancy. The LP is pretty smart, so one suspects this aspect of the work was no accident. Nothing about this excellent work sounds accidental.

All that said, I laugh aloud at the opening of this sampler, which is profane (cotton the ears, kids) and the most authentic bit of vocalizing on the LP. Our guy JD sounds just like a guy who makes his living in the unsettling world of honky tonk, and sometimes it is just all too much. - RAR

RAR REVIEW - JD Myers' Rough Mixes:

Mindy Smith
Considering Deeply with Splendid Emotion

Mindy Smith shot to the attention of the world in 2003 when she covered the Dolly Parton classic "Jolene" with a cameo from the song's writer and iconic warbler. It was a perfect match due to the overtone's in Mindy's voice, which align beautifully with Parton's vibrating intonations, like a phase shifter set to where the blend is smooth. The song came off with a sort of mystical clarity, a kind of torch passing of the musical spirit, and Mindy Smith was awarded Best Emerging Artist by the Americana Music Association. One liked the graciousness perceived to be at work with the older woman, and the respect that we perceived to be shown by Mindy Smith, who nailed her part. But what do you do for a follow up? The torch that was passed was of the spiritual variety and did not include a complimentary package of radio hits for future use. For the adopted daughter of a Pastor and his wife, this probably felt about right for Smith, who carries a sort of world weary aspect about her that is both revealing and fetching. She seems smart and burdened by sensitivity, all of which was on display in the video provided below. Mindy Smith toured the west coast earlier this year, reminding those on the left side of the continent that this Long Islander turned Nashvillian is still around. In a world full of people whose influence on the world around seems properly minimal, one tends to wish that Mindy Smith would catch another rising star just so she stays around. She seems like a real deal that could contribute for a long while to come, like a forbearer of a coming age, where people consider things deeply and sing of their feelings with splendid emotion.- RAR

Steve Conn Releases Video
from Beautiful Dream

The Fellowship of Southern Writers has announced that Minton Sparks (pictured right in a photo by Anthony Scarlati) will receive their first ever Spoken Word Award this April during the 2011 Conference on Southern Literature in Chattanooga, TN.

“The new award is given to an artist for a body of original work recognized for unique and powerful performance aspects as well as for intrinsic literary quality,” says novelist Dorothy Allison, a member of the Fellowship and sponsor of the award. “The award recognizes great storytelling and writing as performed by the writer/poet/storyteller. It was also created to honor spoken word artists and to counter the often dismissive approach to performance art.”

Founded in 1987 by 26 renowned Southern writers, The Fellowship of Southern Writers recognizes and encourages literature in the South with awards and prizes.

More than 50 Southern writers will take part in this year's conference, and Minton will give a special performance. To learn more about the event, click here.

Buddy Miller

What more need be said. Some guys feel the things they sing and Buddy Miller feels deeply.