Album Review: Grayson Jenkins Is ‘Turning Tides’ With A Brand New Album And Tour In 2021
With several Kentuckians currently occupying spots on most any music chart you look at, one would have to agree that Kentucky holds an embarrassment of riches within her musical arms. The love and support of her music family finds a new way to impress me on a daily basis.
So I want to re-introduce you to a young man that is about to make his own push and hopefully climbs his way up a few of those charts himself. Grayson Jenkins may or may not be a new name to you, either way you’re gonna find something you’ll like on ‘Turning Tides.’ That’s the brand new album from Mr. Jenkins, which drops everywhere on August 27th. (more…)
Carter City’s Shelby Lore Delivers The Goods And Takes Us Deep Into The ‘Great Unkown’
The Kentucky music community is flourishing once again and, we are just beginning to see the fruits of the labors put in during the pandemic. Folks like Sean Whiting and Cole Chaney are riding high on the waves of their releases. While we’re patiently awaiting new albums from folks like The Local Honeys and Grayson Jenkins. That’s a fairly diverse list, but I’m going toss someone else into the ring for y’all.
Shelby Lore is a young fella from Carter City. His style is difficult to pinpoint, but that’s by design. And while a lot of folks would suggest an artist “pick a lane” and stay in it, I’d argue the opposite. I really enjoy when an artist spreads their wings a bit. I think it’s a deeper look into who they are as an artist and something that I wish more folks embraced.
Why Is Sundy Best’s Reunion So Important? Let’s Allow A Monday At Austin City Saloon Show You Why.
When a band or artist makes a meteoric rise, it can make or break a band. Which is oftentimes compared to a marriage. If things go sour, say on a tour, you can’t just stomp off and clear your head. You’re in it for the long haul. The show must indeed go on.
In that regard, Sundy Best is doing something that’s kinda unprecedented. After becoming one of the hottest acts in all of country music, Nicholas Jamerson and Kris Bentley decided they needed a break. So an indefinite hiatus was announced and that was the perceived end of Sundy Best. Thankfully though, after roughly four years, the stars have realigned for us all and the fellas are back delivering the goods like only they can.
After an unfortunate accident that nearly claimed the life of Kris Bentley’s Dad, the two lifelong friends became close once again and decided that they’re both in a better place and their friendship rekindled their love of creating music together. In a nutshell, that’s how we got here. (more…)
Attack Of The Mothra…Day Two Of The Laurel Cove Music Festival in Pineville!
Friday night was fantastic, but Saturday was just as stacked with incredible artists, and judging by the size of the early crowd, everyone knew what they were in for. I can’t tell you how incredibly happy that sentence made me as I typed it. I’ve been fearful that the pandemic would push folks to find something else to do and the music might suffer a drop off in the numbers. ALL of these reservations have been washed away over the past few weeks, and the parade of familiar faces that just kept coming at me on Saturday, was exactly what my heart needed to lift the black clouds of the pandemic. Or as Jeff Cox would say, the BANDemic. I feel ya, Jeff. I feel ya.
I also want to preface this article, as I did in the recap of Friday, that I had thrown my back out a bit the previous weekend, and I thought I was fine after a chiropractor visit, but I tweaked it again on our way to the main stage, so I didn’t get to cover many folks on the Campfire Stage. So this is my apology to them.
We spent Friday night in Corbin, so after a small delay and our short trip to Pineville, Walter DeBarr was the first act we were able to enjoy on Saturday. Walter is a very intriguing artist. He can drop a song written in any style, about any subject, on any stage, but as soon as he opens his mouth, you immediately know who he is. That’s not something you can teach. That’s a God-given talent and often times a distinct voice is what sets weekend warriors apart from a true artist. (more…)
Rain Ain’t No Thang…Day One Of The Laurel Cove Music Festival in Pineville!
If you’ve never heard of Laurel Cove, I beg of you to make a trip to this hidden gem nestled in the hills of Pineville, Kentucky. It’s truly a Kentucky treasure. Also, if you see a festival in Bell County or a show at the Bell Theater, I don’t care who it is, just buy the ticket and take the ride. Your conductor is Mr. Jon Grace and he will not let you down. I make you that promise, whole-heartedly.
I work the night shift at the real job, so our day started a bit later than I wanted, but hopefully the acts I did catch, I’m able to shine a light on their talent and efforts. And if ya missed em, hopefully I can kindly nudge ya into catching a future show. That’s what we’re all about here.
I also want to preface this article, as well as the recap for Saturday, that I had thrown my back out a bit the previous weekend, and I thought I was fine after a chiropractor visit, but I tweaked it again on our way to the main stage, so I didn’t get to cover many folks on the Campfire Stage. So this is my apology to them. (more…)
SATURDAY: 10 Must-See Artists Performing At The Laurel Cove Music Festival!
Here at Capture Kentucky, we do our best to shine a spotlight on as many Kentucky artists as we can. We do occasionally step outside the borders of our great Commonwealth, and this weekends Laurel Cove Music Festival is a prime example of why that is an exception.
The majority of the artists performing on Friday and Saturday reside here with us in Kentucky, but there are a few folks that we’re gonna make honorary Kentuckians for the weekend.
(more…)FRIDAY: 10 Must-See Artists Performing At The Laurel Cove Music Festival!
Here at Capture Kentucky, we do our best to shine a spotlight on as many Kentucky artists as we can. We do occasionally step outside the borders of our great Commonwealth, and this weekends Laurel Cove Music Festival is a prime example of why that is an exception.
The majority of the artists performing on Friday and Saturday reside here with us in Kentucky, but there are a few folks that we’re gonna make honorary Kentuckians for the weekend.
(more…)Sundy Best Reunites And Returns Home To Prestonsburg For Three Concerts!
It’s been a bit since I’ve written anything about the folks in Sundy Best. I was honored to photograph a show way back in 2014 at the Appalachian Wireless Arena in Pikeville. The guys were ramping up and riding an incredible high at that time, but unfortunately, the band would come to an end back in 2018.
(more…)‘The Wild Frontier’. The Beautiful Result From The Reinvention Of Nicholas Jamerson
I was asked to review the new Nicholas Jamerson album recently. I, of course, said yes. As I found myself listening, I kept thinking about just how different the music that Nicholas is creating now, is from his past successes with Sundy Best. Sure Nicholas has released albums since those days, but in my humble opinion, those albums were the necessary tool that he used to find his true musical identity. That identity is still deeply rooted in the hills of Eastern Kentucky, but from a musical standpoint, Nicholas has evolved into an intricate songwriter. A passionate storyteller. A gifted poet. A true Kentucky treasure.
*Photo courtesy of the lovely and talented Sarah Cahill
Jamerson has grown into an artist that much prefers the listener’s concentration over their affections. Nicholas has always had an incredible knack of melding lyrics and melodies into ear candy, but his voice now has more important things to convey. That’s why grabbing the listeners’ ear is much more crucial on this trip around the sun.
Equipped with the wisdom gained from living life, and the will to make the choice to take a gamble on himself, at least in my humble opinion, has paid off in spades. I was a fan of Nicholas before I was a friend, and his evolution since Capture Kentucky came to be, has been one of my favorite journeys to watch and I feel what Jamerson has found is more genuine and true to himself than any other work so far.
With his new release ‘The Wild Frontier’, out today, April 20th, Jamerson has set his sights on taking his music to the next level. Unfortunately for him and all of us, COVID-19 has become an unwanted hurdle but his determination is still unwavering and his belief in his creation is strong, as it damn well should be. Which is why I’m jumping back into Capture Kentucky for this article. The world needs this album and if my tiny voice can help Nicholas deliver it, I’m all in.
Nicholas Jamerson Announces New Concept Album “The Wild Frontier” Set For Release On April 20
*Photo courtesy of Sarah Cahill
Following in the footsteps of fellow Eastern Kentucky wordsmiths Chris Stapleton and Tyler Childers, Nicholas Jamerson has announced the release of his new album The Wild Frontier on April 20, 2020 via The Bingo Shack.
The album was produced at MIMUS Studios in Winder, Georgia, with Levi Lowrey, an area musician and composer best known for his work with the Zac Brown Band.
Joining Jamerson throughout The Wild Frontier are backing band The Morning Jays comprised of Wes Smith (acoustic/electric guitar, keys, mandolin), Aaron Smith (fiddle, mandolin), Jordan Allen (bass), Thomas Albert (pedal steel, electric guitar) and Lawrence Nemenz (percussion). Also included are spot appearances from brother Joby Jamerson, Lowrey, Benji Shanks, Mark Stephens, Matt Meneffee and Emily Davis.
“I think this is my best (more…)