Thanks for the support and "plug", Theresa and Tony.

It's such a cool time to be out with her - #1 single, and the album debuted at #1 too (#7 against all genres). We were flying back from Tampa when she got the call on the single, and it was so neat to see how excited she was. I guess I am still a "newbie", but I'm just loving it all.

The new album "Delicious Surprise" probably wouldn't top the chart of the Steel Guitar Forum, but I love it. There are some great mixtures of dobro and steel - most of which were recorded by Paul (no surprise there!).

Theresa, Jo Dee is one of those performers that "brings it" every night. You certainly won't find an "Autotune" in her audio rack. It's kind of like she puts up with the other "success" stuff, in order to just get out and sing.

Tony - let's just say that I started jogging again after I saw some of the TV spots...
:-)

Thanks again,

David Spires

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Zum U-12 w/True Tone pickup thru a Nashville 112

Strats thru a tweed Bassman

Band Pics
http://community.webshots.com/album/176544894AuXSmi

In general, I'm really surprised by the negative comments some people make about different styles and different artists, on this forum. I have music that I like and music that I don't, but I don't spend time talking about what I don't like. I'm not even going to debate whether JDM is country or not. I like her music, and have since tunes like "Stands Beside Me" and "Downtime" that featured fabulous work by Brent Mason and Paul Franklin.

Fortunately for me, Jo Dee Messina is an entertainer who employs a steel guitarist. There are a lot of "country" acts that don't. I - for one - am glad that country music has pushed it's boundaries, and evolved. I'm a steel player - so yeah, I love traditional stuff, and I also like stuff a lot further from home plate than Jo Dee does too. Isn't country music about more than the instrumentation or the production? My opinion is that the lyrics and the message are the biggest thing that fits a song into a genre.

I'm just sharing my opinion, because I feel like there are many people who put down the music made in "mainstream" Nashville. Being a very small part of that music, I suppose it is too easy for me to take offense to it. I am sure that my comments will not be taken well by the majority of forumites, but I guess that is my right - as much as it is your right to disagree with me.

My Opinion,

Kevin, I respectfully see it totally different than you. I don't happen to think Gretchen is the next big thing.I think she's ok, we even bought her CD. The CD's ok, not great, in our opinion here at home.

Jo Dee is several CD's past her "Initiation" if you will...You're speaking in the future for Gretchen, I think she has a career in front of her but she's not the only one. And I seriously doubt she is setting the standard or reference for any female singers..

Jo Dee..is a great singer..you can call her anything you want..but she is a great vocalist..

If you think "I'm here for the party" is a straight ahead Country song then we are really from different planets.. These types of songs have a limited window of appeal time. They are fun, but they are not lasting..a great ballad with an exceptional vocal performance lasts a lifetime...

I don't understand where your "The sooner she is gone " comment comes from...thats pretty off color for me....

Jo Dee isn't #1 right now because I say she is....

You can't have it both ways..Big and Rich/Gretchen non Country get to stay ..Jo Dee non Country must go..

sorry

t

[This message was edited by Tony Prior on 05 May 2005 at 04:00 PM.]

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Sho-Bud ProII, Pro III custom,Steelking,Hilton pedal,Tut Taylor"Virginian"

"Theres been an awful murder, down on music row"

"One more thing. As you know Theresa Gretchen Wilson is the new female standard in country music and she is going to sweep the field of these over the hill rock chickies. "

Congrats again on the great playing you did with Jo Dee on "The View" the other day. Having been there when you arrived on the scene a few years ago and having the opportunity to play with you and your Dad I knew then you would be successful regardless of who you worked with. I am absolutly proud that you are working with a singer of Jo Dee's caliber. She is fantastic and at the present time #1 in the Atlanta area. We all have our favorites and she is definatly one of the.

David,
I agree with everything you said!
I'm happy you're with Jo Dee. You happen to be working for a vocalist that can sing country or any other style of music she wants to. She's made it in country sales and she's here to stay. Her Greatest Hits CD says it all!

Was That My Life
I'm Alright
Heads Carolina, Tails California
Bye-Bye
Stand Beside Me
Bring On The Rain
Lesson In Leavin'
That's The Way
Burn
Downtime
Because You Love Me
You're Not In Kansas Anymore
Wishing Well
You Belong In The Sun
I Wish
Bring On The Rain +
My Give A Damn's Busted

Larry

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Emmons S/D-10, 3/4, Sessions 400 Ltd. Home Grown E/F Rack
"ROCKIN COUNTRY"

[This message was edited by Larry Strawn on 05 May 2005 at 06:39 PM.]

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Sierra S8, Gibson GA30RVT, Peavey Delta Blues, Regal Dobro heavily modified, Teese RMC2 Wah, Proco Rat, pyrex and bakelite bars

For me, the issue is production values, which are controlled at a higher level. I'd like to see things get down to earth more. Less slickness, more soul, a little more grease, more freedom to go outside, and perhaps even a little less demand for technical perfection. But the musicianship right now is A-#1 first rate, and the music is much more listenable than any other 'popular music' around, much of which (but not all) sounds like hyenas with chain saws. Look at what's going on around us. I just don't want to see things go down that road.

Country is now a 'mainstream popular music'. Think of the hardcore old-school styles: country, bluegrass, cool jazz, rockabilly, blues. I think people forget the relatively small numbers most artists in these fields did back in their heyday. This stuff isn't that easy to bottle and sell in large numbers, never was.

Another distracting thing is that a lot of people criticize Nashville these days for being influenced by blues. Whassamatta with the blues? Heaven forbid 'real' country singers should start flattin' 5ths, messin' around with microtones on 3rds, and hittin' them pentatonic scales like blues singers do. Ya' know - George Jones, Tracy Nelson, Delbert McClinton, Patsy Cline, Bill Monroe, Hank Williams, Delmore Bros, Jimmy Rogers, etc. - no blues there, that's for sure.

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Derby D-10 3+4 Les Paul Custom ES335.

[This message was edited by Myron Labelle on 06 May 2005 at 04:41 AM.]

I have to agree with Dave M's comments about the current state of country. A lot of people bitch and moan about it, but the best musicians IMO are playing in professional country bands, not rock bands. And I agree that is may be TOO slick. I would love to hear some dirty blues thrown in. And Jo Dee can definitley handle that. BUT, would I like to play with some of the big acts out ther....yeah!

(insert rant here)Remember back in the day when rock bands had to write, sing well, sing 3 part harmonies, and play with intensity and skill? Well, they don't do that anymore. BUT, country artists still do all that. You will not hear more skilled, disciplined musicians than mainstream country acts out on the road now. Jo Dee Messina and band included. A lot of the forum members here think that if a song has more than 3 chords, it is a crappy crossover tune. Music is constantly evolving, country included. It ain;t the '60's anymore guys. The players that adapt and overcome are the players that are out playing venues other than VFWs. Learn it or get left behind! (rant over)

David, you have lots of fans here pal. Enjoy the ride. Once it is over, all we have is memories. Go make some good ones.

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Zum U-12 w/True Tone pickup thru a Nashville 112

Strats thru a tweed Bassman

Band Pics
http://community.webshots.com/album/176544894AuXSmi

Keep in mind that she was a contestant on "You can be a star," even though she did not win.

The song is catchy. As a parent of three little boys, I just wish she had modified the lyrics to: "My Give A Care is busted."

I like how Jo Dee is playing a Music Man Axis in the video, which is guitar designed by guitar hero, Edward Van Halen. It looks like it is purple in color.

David, don't let the whining bother you. The great players like a variety of music and are often accomplished in several of those generes.

David - What I want to know, is how do you get the time off work from Alcoa to do this? (Really I am envious that you could take time off from your day job! )

Best wishes to you! I have always like her singing.

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Frank Estes
1978 Emmons D-10 8+7 #2441D
1968 Emmons D-10 8+4 #1234D

I have to disagree. One of the things I use this forum for is to find music that I will like, but also to avoid buying stuff I won't like. Of course, you can say you don't like something politely, and clearly state that it's a matter of preference.

Interestingly, I am unfamiliar with this new #1 song.

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-johnson

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Emmons S/D-10, 3/4, Sessions 400 Ltd. Home Grown E/F Rack
"ROCKIN COUNTRY"

I was just thinking of Chely Wright, and the concert I saw her, Confederate Railroad, and Johnny Paycheck at in 95. They had Paycheck turned down, Conf RR sucked so bad because the drummer played so lousily that his band had quit and they used Chely's musicians. She and her band put on a GREAT show.

Nope, I"m not offended at all by good looking women that sing and perform well.

Not at all.

rather interseting take..

right now Jo Dee is the choice of the minions..how can that be ?
#1..again ?

I don't personally think that Gretchen is the next big thing but I am not asking that she dissappear...I am not, and nobody else from what I read has requested that she leave town..unlike what we have read right here about Jo Dee...

Time will tell if Gretchen can rise to the staying power where Jo Dee already is...the only way that will happen is if she can be versatile and maintain an audience when the INDUSTRY shifts..will she be able to shift along with those who have proven they can..and did...?

A greatest "HITS" album to me sure seems like it has more to offer than a "Hit"..

Tiny Tim was #1 once too....

The Big and Rich gang and all affiliates , have captured AN audience, not THE audience..

good for them...
last time I looked there was a Billboard top 100, not a Billboard top 1..

Last time I looked at the CMT top 20 , I don't recall seeing Gretchen, maybe I was in the bathroom...

words are cheap on this one..lets see what happens over time.....

I wish them both continued success..

t

[This message was edited by Tony Prior on 07 May 2005 at 03:04 AM.]

What I found that "I" didn't care for about Gretchin, was her choice of material,, To me, JMO, is the first two songs were nothing but Trash,, But her ballads, I really like em,, I think she does an excellent job on them..and like you say,,"apples, and oranges" JMO

The way I see it, everyone wants to be at the top of the ladder in their area. There are two ways to do it. One way is to actually be better than your peers and higher on the ladder. The other way is to continually beat and kick everyone else down that is also climbing the ladder. In case you haven't figured it out, method #2 doesn't work for very long. No matter what field you are in, whether it's music, or karate, or engineering, or medicine, or athletics, or being a beautiful supermodel, there is ALWAYS someone else better.

Quote: "A lot of people bitch and moan about it, but the best musicians IMO are playing in professional country bands, not rock bands."
Finally someone else realizes this. I grew up on 70/80's rock and love that stuff, but I realized this 15 years ago. Not all "country" musicans fall into this category for sure, and I don't enjoy listening to a good rock tune any less, but Brent Mason can probably just about play anything. (But I'll bet he owns a couple of Marshalls, too.)

And someone mentioned Edward Van Halen. Please refrain from mentioning any rock musicians or their contributions or influence on music and instrument designs on this forum. This is a country forum (it must be, it's about steel guitars, right?). We all know that rock music is all noise, just by the fact that it's usually loud because they only play that way to cover up their inadequacies. I'm glad that there are no country bands that tour with a dozen semi-trailers full of stage and sound equipment.