FLAGSHIPNEWS.COM | JAN 31, 2013 | THE FLAGSHIP | C7
We don’t charge for tickets. The price has already been paid by veterans’ sacrifices.”
music
- Frank Cimorelli, Valentines for Veterans founder
albumreview
RANDY HOUSER’S LATEST ALBUM TELLS ‘HOW COUNTRY FEELS’ By Daryl Addison Great American Country | GACTV.com
After scoring a breakout radio hit with his 2009 single, “Boots On,” it seemed as if bigvoiced Mississippi native Randy Houser might fall victim to some ill-timed record label consolidation. Though immensely talented and critically acclaimed, Houser had trouble connecting with follow-up singles like the hard stomping, “Whistlin’ Dixie,” or the gentle ballad, “In God’s Time.” However, in 2011, he found a new home with Stoney Creek Records, tightened up his sound and released what appears to be a career defining single in preparation of a new project. The current Top-10 hit and album title-track, “How Country Feels,” is a three-minute blast of soulful crossover country. Working with producer Derek George, the sound here is much more polished than his earlier efforts. However, with a clean backdrop, his voice is firmly in the spotlight – and wow can this guy sing. With a bluesy drawl that sounds something like a soul man’s Ronnie Dunn, Houser takes over “How Country Feels” with a powerful voice that demands attention. From the loose opening notes of “Runnin’ Outta Midnight,” through the dynamic melodic shifts of the acoustic based “Top of the World,” and high up into the bends of the power ballad, “Wherever Love Goes” (a duet with label mate Kristy Lee Cook), Houser shows off a voice that can do it all. “I’m not here for forever / I’m here for the here and now,” he sings with a delicate vibrato on the bluesy “Along for the Ride,” making the most of every opportunity. On “Goodnight Kiss,” his easy rhythm over an
odd 8/8-time signature further demonstrates the technical chops he possesses. And the fact he’s able to nestle such subtly complex shifts into a pop-laced love song drives home the notion that this is one of the genre’s best voices. “How Country Feels” does have a more radiofriendly, pop-influenced sound than his earlier works. However, the heart and soul of the collection lies in a series of songs that may not be destined for radio fandom. On “The Singer” and “Power of a Song,” two traditional tracks sitting side-by-side, Houser poignantly describes different takes on a man and the music he creates. “She loved the singer, she just couldn’t live the song,” he sings on the former, giving an insightful and embattled voice to a wife’s heartache. On the rising, “Power of a Song,” however, he shows that the music can often be bigger than the man that makes it. The album’s closing song might be its best. The rolling autobiographical, “Route 3 Box 250 D,” is pained with tales of a hard upbringing. “When he took to drinkin,’ he’d take it out on us,” Houser sings with a heavy voice as the honesty cuts like a knife. He does include a couple of hard country tunes reminiscent of the aforementioned, “Whistlin’ Dixie,” but “Sunshine on the Line” and the bootlegger tale, “Shine,” fit nicely into the collection to offer a different sound. Houser uses the project to take listeners on a journey where honesty rings true. Songs about love, hardship and life come with a powerful voice that is comfortable moving through parts of the genre that span Western to pop. On an outstanding collection where changing scenery makes for a wonderful trip, he lets it be known exactly “How Country Feels” on his best album yet.
Aaron Tippin to headline ‘Valentines for Veterans’ concerts NASHVILLE, TENN.
Courtesy of Stoney Creek Records
■ houser’s history “How Country Feels” is the third studio album from Randy Houser (above), coming on the heels of “The Call Me Cadillac,” released in 2010, and “Anything Goes,” released in 2008. Houser’s highest charting single, “Boots On,” reached No. 2 on the U.S. country chart in 2009.
Country legend Aaron Tippin has been performing the Valentines for Veterans concerts for the past three years. This year, he will kick off the series on Feb. 10 in Ann Arbor, Mich., travel to Muskogee, Okla. to play on Feb. 14, and then continue to Poplar Bluff, Mo. to perform on Feb. 15. The popular national concert series is made possible through the generosity of non-profit organizations and through donations of funds, time and materials from local communities. No admission will be charged to attend this concert “because the price has already been paid” by the sacrifices of America’s veterans. Tippin also visits with hospitalized veterans who can’t attend the concert before the event. He tunes his guitar and sings at the VA Hospital medical patient’s bedside. Organization founder, Frank Cimorelli and a group of Prescott community leaders created Valentine’s for Veterans concert events after learning that the divorce rate rises dramatically for veterans coming back from active duty, and also after finding out that holidays often trigger breakups. There are 16 concerts by major acts in cities nationwide, Frank Cimorelli V4V founder said. “We don’t charge for tickets,” said Cimorelli. “The price has already been paid by veterans’ sacrifices.” For more information about Valentines for Veterans concerts, visit http://hhv. org/?page_id=124.
Farm Bureau Live ‘Country Megaticket’ goes on sale Feb. 2 VIRGINIA BEACH
Farm Bureau Live at Virginia Beach has announced the 2013 FarmBureauFans.com Country Megaticket, an eight-show “package” featuring the summer’s hottest country shows at Farm Bureau Live at Virginia Beach. Available online through Megaticket.com, or charge by phone (800) 745-3000, the 2013 FarmBureauFans.com Country Megaticket gives you the chance to buy tickets first, weeks before the individual show tickets are available. Shows included on the ticket include: ■ Luke Bryan with Thompson Square and
Florida Georgia Line on May 17. ■ Kenny Chesney with Eli Young Band and Kacey Musgraves on June 6. ■ Brad Paisley with Chris Young and Lee Brice on June 28. ■ Blake Shelton with Easton Corbin and Jana Kramer on July 19. ■ Tim McGraw with Brantley Gilbert and Love and Theft on July 27. ■ JasonAldean with Jake Owen and Thomas Rhett on Aug. 9. ■ Miranda Lambert and Dierks Bentley with a special guest on Aug. 22.
■ Rascal Flatts with The Band Perry and a special guest on Sept. 26. Orders for this eight-show package will be accepted online and over the phone beginning on Feb. 2 at 10 a.m., several weeks before the individual show tickets are available. The 2013 FarmBureauFans.com Country Megaticket includes a ticket to all eight shows, plus additional perks with the Platinum level. The Festival Lawn offers the opportunity to buy all eight shows for just under $22.50 per ticket. For any price level purchased, you will be invited to participate in the 2014 Country Megaticket presale.
Ticket options include: Platinum – $799 Orchestra or first 4 rows of 101-102-103, Hertz Preferred Parking and VIP Club Pass. Note: Most shows will feature a general admission dance floor. ■ Gold – $649 Seating in the 100 Level of the pavilion. ■ Silver – $399 Seating in the 200 Level of the pavilion. ■ Festival Lawn – $179. Megatickets will be available online through www.megaticket.com or charge by phone (800) 745-3000. All packages subject to service charges. While supplies last. ■
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