Slick Rock Entertainment Magazine

COUNTRY SINGER KRIS GORDON TO RELEASE DEBUT ALBUM TODAY
DON’T LET GO TONIGHT & First Single, “The Upside of Down,” Earning Praise & Raves

Country recording artist Kris Gordon, called “jaunty and easy-going” by MusicRow, releases today, November 29, his debut album, DON’T LET GO TONIGHT, which features the “The Upside of Down,” the recording’s first single, with a special album release show.

Square Groove Entertainment presents Gordon and his band playing cuts from the new release at a free show 6-9 p.m. tonight at The Stage on Sixth, 508 E. Sixth St. Information: 512.614.1540

The single release prompted MusicRow’s Robert K. Oermann to write in his November 23 DISClaimer column: “It has a very cool, loping groove and some charming guitar and steel licks. His jaunty, relaxed vocal performance matches the song’s upbeat mood perfectly. Playable in the extreme.”

Roughstock.com echoed, “Take a listen to this song … Currently a hit on many stations in Texas, we feel this one has enough to suggest it could be a sleeper nationwide hit. …”

Gordon brings to life with his rich baritone the post-breakup lament written by Tony Ramey and Michael White, which features a catchy chorus: “… I’m honky-tonking my way around this heartache tonight/If I’m losing your love I’m gonna do it right/Your memory’ll have to chase me all over town/I’ll be OK as long as I stay on the upside of down.”

See the music video at http://youtu.be/JD7yarmm764

Says DJ Anne Hudson of KASE 101 in Austin: “I like an artist with a sense of humor. Kris Gordon clearly has one in his single ‘The Upside of Down.’ I dig the song and its spin on being dumped.”

DON’T LET GO TONIGHT is an upbeat collection of 10 songs that was produced by Dean Miller, son of Roger Miller, who also contributed a co-write with Gordon: rockin’ optimism sandwiched by traditional full-out country vocals by Gordon and great instrumentation.

PHIL VASSAR TO RELEASE NOEL Five Original Cuts Mixed with Five Holiday Standards

Phil Vassar has built an incredible career on his award-winning songwriting, critically-acclaimed albums and high-energy stage shows. And now he is realizing a dream-come-true with the release of his new holiday cd simply titled Noel. The 10-cut collection on RodeoWave Entertainment includes five original songs and five holiday classics and will be available at all digital retailers, at www.PhilVassar.com and at his concerts beginning November 22, 2011.

“I’ve always dreamed of making a Christmas record,” said Phil. “From the time I was a boy-listening to Nat King Cole, Andy Williams, Bing Crosby and all the classic singers- I’ve wanted to do this.”

The Jazzy “Doesn’t Feel Like Christmas Without You,” which Phil wrote with his co-producer of Noel, Dane Bryant, kicks off the wonderful album. Texas Swing master Ray Benson guests on “Big Ole Texas Christmas,” and the slightly irreverent “Santa’s Gone Hollywood” describes Jolly Ol’ St. Nick after he hits the lottery and moves to LA. The rockin’ “I Saved Christmas,” which Phil wrote solo, is heavy on piano and Hammond B3, and the sultry “Let’s Make A Little Christmas Tonight” needs no introduction.

Standards on Noel include his elegant, almost haunting version of “What Child Is This,” “Oh Come All Ye Faithful/Angels We Have Heard On High” and “I’ll Be Home For Christmas.” The Carpenter’s would be proud of his classy version of “Merry Christmas Darling,” and he turns “Away In A Manger” into a powerful duet with guest singer/songwriter Kellys Collins. His rendition of “What Child Is This” is being offered as a free download in the new issue of People Country, which hits newsstands on November 11, 2011.

“I love the way Christmas makes you feel,” he added “How it makes you slow down and re-evaluate your life. It makes you think about years past and look ahead toward things to come. But for me it’s the music that makes it all come alive.”

www.PhilVassar.com

JOEY+RORY TAKE HOME “VOCAL DUO” TROPHY AT ICM FAITH, FAMILY & COUNTRY AWARDS

Award-winning husband/wife duo Joey+Rory added another trophy to their mantle Friday night, when they were announced as the winners of the “Vocal Duo” award at the 2011 ICM Faith, Family & Country Awardspresented by the Inspirational Country Music Association held at Nashville’s Schermerhorn Symphony Center. They had just come off stage after performing their recent hit “That’s Important to Me,” when their names were announced as the winners.

“Wow, we were not by any means expecting to win this award and are so appreciative,” said Joey, as they accepted the award. “I want to thank this man standing beside me, my husband, for going on this crazy journey with me. As a successful songwriter, he always remained in the background and this has been his biggest fear and worst nightmare to be on tv or in front of a bunch of people…” Rory chimes in jokingly, “I kinda like it now.” “God’s been mighty good to us and we have Him to thank for all the blessings everyday that we get to experience.”

The duo, who won the Academy of Country Music’s 2010 “Top New Vocal Duo” award, will hit the road next month in support of their wonderful new album A Farmhouse Christmas. Their A Farmhouse Christmas Tour will kickoff November 25 in Joey’s hometown area of Anderson, Indiana. Not just another Christmas show, A Farmhouse Christmas Tour is an invitation to join Joey+Rory in their living room for a special evening of love, country music and Christmas at the farm. The stage will be set up like the living room in their own 1870s farm house in Tennessee, and the evening of music, stories and memories will warm your heart more than a cup of hot cider on a cold day.

Dates, venues and other information can be viewed by visiting www.JoeyandRory.com.

38 SPECIAL RELEASES TWO SINGLES FROM LIVE FROM TEXAS CD

“Hold On Loosely” & “Help Somebody” Shipped to Rock & Country Radio

Venerable Southern Rockers 38 SPECIAL recently released their hit-packed LIVE FROM TEXAS cd, and they have now shipped two cuts from the album to radio. “Hold On Loosely,” the band’s breakthrough hit over 30 years ago, has been shipped to Rock stations. “Help Somebody,” which was originally a Top 10 country hit for duo Van Zant and features guest vocalist Johnny Van Zant, has been shipped to Country radio stations.

“‘Hold On Loosely’ will target Classic Rock and Mainstream Rock stations as well as Classic Hits stations which are able to substitute a live cut for a catalog studio oldie occasionally,” said legendary promoter Lenny “Heavy Lenny” Bronstein, who is promoting the single and who also worked at A&M Records when the song was originally released. “Because it is a live release, there will be more features, album cuts and some complete airings of the whole cd as a ‘concert.’ There are over 35 years of radio hits in one of the best live performances recorded in the last 20 plus years for radio to celebrate and share with their fans,” he added.

“Hold on Loosely” was originally released on the band’s fourth studio album Wild Eyed Southern Boys in 1981, and it continues to be a mainstay on Classic Rock radio.The single peaked at #3 and opened the flood gates for a string of hits that are engrained in the fabric of American music.

In 2005, 38′s Donnie Van Zant teamed up with younger brother Johnny – who has been the lead singer of Lynyrd Skynyrd since 1987 – for two country cds on Columbia Records. “Help Somebody” was the first single from the duo’s Get Right With The Man album, and Johnny Van Zant sang on 38 Special’s Live From Texas version. “Help Somebody” is being promoted to Music Row and small market country stations by Regina Raleigh.

In addition to the numerous hits and rock anthems – “Rockin’ Into The Night,” “Caught Up In You,” “Back Where You Belong,” “Fantasy Girl,” and “Chain Lightnin,” – Live From Texas is much more. The album also includes a seven-song medley of other popular cuts, and the band later gets even wilder on a bombastic encore to reveal some past influences, with rousing renditions of “Back In The U.S.A.” and “Travelin’ Band.”

Original lead singers Don Barnes and Donnie Van Zant continue to front the band, and the high-energy compilation is highlighted by the vocals and guitar work of Danny Chauncey, with Bobby Capps on keys and vocals, bassist Larry “LJ” Junstrom holding the bottom together, and drummer Gary Moffatt providing the driving beat.

www.38Special.com

Glen Campbell will be honored with a musical tribute from Vince Gill, Brad Paisley and Keith Urban on the CMA Awards on Nov. 9. Campbell was named both CMA entertainer and male vocalist of the year in 1968. He joined the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2005. His classic hits include “Wichita Lineman,” “Gentle on My Mind,” “Galveston,” “By the Time I Get to Phoenix,” “Southern Nights” and “Rhinestone Cowboy.” Campbell announced his diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease in June. He is currently on a farewell tour following the release of his final album, Ghost on the Canvas.