remembered for the modern country novelty classic, Tequila Makes Her Clothes Come Off of 2005. Nichols comes from Rogers, Ark., and maintains a baritone voice paired with classic country instrumentation along the lines of Randy Travis or Alan Jackson.
His latest release, Real Things, produced by Brent Rowan with expert aid from Universal South president and acclaimed producer Mark Wright, leans somewhat away from this format. For a few songs the record moves to capture more of the middle-of-theroad crowd like on the rocker, It Ain’t No Crime, and a mushy, Another Side of You. But overall with songs like, The Whiskey Years, Let’s Get Drunk and Fight, and a version of the Blaze Foley classic, If I Could Only Fly, Nichols is staying put in the tried and true territory of trad country where he first forged his trail into the marketplace.
Keith Anderson
When your break in the country music business comes from a song called Beer Run (“B double-e double are you in?”) cut by Garth Brooks and George Jones, it just doesn’t get much better than that. Keith Anderson was one of four co-writers on the novelty tune that opened the doors for the Oklahoma resident and paved the way for a career of songwriting hits that culminated in a performance career.
The former body builder scored a number one hit for Big & Rich (Lost in the Moment) then launched into his own world with his debut album Three Chord Country and American Rock and Roll containing the singles Pickin’ Wildflowers and XXL. Anderson continues to chart regularly with songs like I Still Miss You, Sunday Morning in America and his latest release, She Could’ve Been Mine, off the 2008 record C’mon.
Julianne Hough
There seem to be endless ways to make it into the music biz, but the route of Julianne Hough is quite unusual. The triple threat performer as a singer, dancer and actor came to national attention through her appearances on “Dancing with the Stars,” the hit show on ABC. Hough, who grew up in Utah and spent years studying dance in London, really always had her heart set on singing country music.
The success of her star dancing gig propelled her into a limelight where she could live out her dream of country music stardom.
Her debut contained the hits, The Song in My Head, Help Me, Help You, and Hide the Matches. Working her way through catchy pop, message songs and sensual ballads, Hough managed to get herself heard with an evocative young voice and seen with a dancer’s appearance, which all makes for a decent package for an aspiring starlet.
The Lost Trailers
The Lost Trailers are a rare breed in country music. The five-piece combo actually played together as a performing group for years, building a cohesive live show and fan base as only a traveling band can do. Recognizable to modern country fans as the group that opened many shows for Kenny Chesney and Sugarland, the band actually got its first break in show business when Willie Nelson heard their demo and invited them to perform at his annual Fourth of July Picnic in Austin in 2004. After that the Lost Trailers were on the road again and again, performing around 300 dates a year honing that sound and building an audience.
After getting a good major label deal with Sony/BMG, they released the instantly recognizable song, Holler Back, and the wrenching ballad, How ’Bout You Don’t, putting them on the charts and into the hearts of country fans across the nation. As a real live band, they’ll be fun ones to check out at Y’allapalooza at the PCCC.
Chris Young
Some people are just born to be a star and Chris Young seems to be one of the lucky few. During his youth in Murfreesboro, Tenn., just south of Nashville, Young spent his days finding ways to make it in the country music business. He managed to play prominent Nashville clubs while still in high school and studied music business in college.
After an appearance on “Nashville Star,” the Music City USA version of “American Idol,” Young got a record deal with RCA and went for the gold, literally. The 21-year-old with a voice of a much older singer knocked out the crowds with the single Drinkin’ Me Lonely, from his debut record produced by Kenny Chesney ace, Buddy Cannon.
Now Young just needs to follow through with his talents to fulfill his lifelong ambition of being on the radio alongside legends of country music like George Strait and Brooks and Dunn.
One Flew South
For listeners nostalgic for genuine three-part harmony and performers actually performing together, One Flew South is the act to catch at Y’allapalooza. Royal Reed, Chris Roberts and Eddie Bush really play and more importantly sing together as an organic trio of voices and music. After years of searching to find a music combination that fit their concept of harmony, the three musicians landed an audition at a record label in New York City. There the powers that be blessed this idea of three guys singing as a group without the aid of electronic help, following in the very large and lonely footsteps of well-known groups from the past such as Poco, the Eagles, the Byrds and Crosby, Stills, and Nash. J. D. Souther, who wrote a couple hits with the Eagles and knows about harmony groups, helped out with some songs for One Flew South’s first record and gave them a nice quote for the promo pack. The debut album, Last of the Good Guys, is a virtual wonder of good songs sung well, played without hype or hysteria. Cuts out on the radio looking for chart time include Sara and Makin’ it Rain. One Flew South makes a special stop at Y’allapalooza, bringing singing to the forefront of the music offering.
Contact Tom Irwin at [email protected].