What a day. Yesterday, my band, The Great Outdoors opened for Neal McCoy at the Red Horse Ranch Arena in Fergus Falls, MN. We were on for 30 minutes, and then went out to watch the show. I must say that Neal puts on a damn good show. He works the crowd with amazing finesse. Afterwards, we went on to The Silver Dollar in Elizabeth, MN to finish the night. We played two sets and had a blast. A good number of people from the Neal McCoy show came out to the club. As I said, what a great night. Sometimes I find it hard to believe that I get paid for this stuff.

I took the opportunity to chat a little with Neal before his performance. I introduced him to Sydney Skyler Music, and we talked briefly about what we could do for each other. Neal has his own label, 903 Music.

Here are some photo’s, and video’s from the day. Enjoy.

The Great Outdoors playing “Devil Went Down To Georgia”

 Neal and The Great Outdoors
 

Neal goes out into the crowd.

Backstage during soundcheck.

Rock and Ramon during the show.

Neal McCoy

I am not really sure if Sony BMG knows what they want. MusicRow reports that Sony sent a letter yesterday to country radio demanding that they cease using unauthorized works. Specifically, Tracy Lawrence’s “Find Out Who Your Friends Are” which is currently at no. 4 in the country charts according to Radio & Records. It turns out that stations have been playing an album cut version of the song which features vocals by Tracy Lawrence, as well as Tim McGraw, and Kenny Chesney. Both Tim McGraw and Kenny Chesney have current singles on the charts. The trio version was never authorized as a single release to radio. Now does radio have the right to spin album cuts? What do you think? I’d love to know. I have always assumed they did.

Now, Sony BMG has sent a letter of apology to country radio saying the terminology in yesterdays letter was too harsh. I think they saw a wall of resistance to new material about to be erected by radio stations all over the place. I don’t think they were remembering who butters their bread. Radio is one of the biggest markets in country music. The more they play a song, the more royalties paid to songwriters. 

Sony BMG is a huge corporation. They may be too big for their britches. Sony refuses to accept any unsolicited material, no exceptions. Breaking past this rule takes a lifetime. Other large labels will accept material when artists are currently seeking songs. Sony won’t even grant permission while artists are looking. This means the bulk of the songs recorded at Sony BMG come from in house. Where does that leave the aspiring songwriter. In the dust.

We here at Sydney Skyler Music would like to see Sony brought down a notch or two. The elitist attitude is unbecoming. It is what gives this business the image that outsiders aren’t welcome. There is talent all across this country. Talent that will never see the inside of Sony BMG. Of all the labels I have dealt with, they are the strictest. They have a great record of success, but it come at the cost of fledgling companies and artists.

That is my rant for the day. Thanks for listening. As always, your comments are welcome.

Easy Come, And Easy Go by David Spence has been added to the Sydney Skyler Music Catalogue. This upbeat, bluesy song is sure to become a hit. Here are the lyrics.

Easy Come, Easy Go
Words and music by David Spence
Copyright 2007 Sydney Skyler Music

This is the story of lonesome Joe and his shiny Cadillac
He lost it down in Tupelo and he ain’t never got it back
That was the blow that finished Joe and threw him off the track
Now he roams the dusty roads with his stolen bottle of Jack

It’s a real life story, it’s sad but it’s true
It’s going down in every town, it could even happen to you

CHORUS

Easy come, and easy go
If you wanna make it easy there’s something you should know
You high rollers looking for that easy dough
Remember son it’s easy come and just as easy go

Joe quit school at seventeen, he was looking to make his mark
Lean and mean with a nose for green and a bite to match his bark
He knew the angles, he knew the score
He knew he’d get his due and so, so much more

A couple of deals gone down and a couple of winning schemes
Landed Joe in the big show and his long black machine

CHORUS

Big Joe let it roll one too many times
One last throw put lonesome Joe at the end of the line
The I.R.S. was first I guess, then the house and the yard
The family and the mortgage were a shiny house of cards

Don’t you know the last to go was that long Cadillac
And off went poor old lonesome Joe looking for his bottle of Jack

CHORUS

Bill Anderson, one of the songwriters for George Straits “Give It Away,” talks about his recent success. He speaks about the way songwriting has changed over the last 49 years. A short read, but still interesting. Check it out on Great American Country.

Capitol Records Nashville’s ”The Road to Nashville,” is an online country music talent search contest. It works in conjunction with Yahoo’s Bix. ”The Road to Nashville” is an online audio and video karaoke contest with prizes of $50,000 and a trip to Nashville to record three demos. Jamie O’Neal and others will comprise a panel of judges that will select the winner from ten finalists.

It is pretty simple to enter, just visit “The Road to Nashville,” and see the Official Rules. You enter the 1st round by selecting a karaoke song from Bix’s repertoire, and record the vocal track using the online tools. Once you make it past the first round, you submit a video entry. That is about all it takes.

So if you want to let Capitol Records hear your voice, send in your entry.