Showing posts with label Country Music. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Country Music. Show all posts

Sunday, March 1, 2015

Casey James: Fall Apart Video

It's hard to believe that it has been 5 years since North Texas native Casey James showed up on the hit show American Idol.  It was no surprise that after finishing top 3 on the show that Casey would go on to producing outstanding music (as he had already done for 10 years prior).  To land a deal from a major record label like Sony Nashville is an outstanding accomplishment.  The label is also the home of huge name artists like Kenny Chesney, Miranda Lambert, Brad Paisley, Carrie Underwood just to name a few.  I'd say Casey is in good company there.  It definitely shows how much faith Sony has in him and his remarkable talent, not only a vocalist, songwriter, but a killer musician. 

Just this week Casey released the video for his new single Fall Apart from his upcoming album (release TBA).  The fans have been patiently waiting for new material and from what I've heard this new project should take Casey to a new level.  We're all very excited what this year holds for him and will be cheering him on.






A couple of years ago I was asked to join Casey and the band on the road for a few live shows. These photos were to potentially be used as marketing and merchandise.  I was very honored to be asked and was pleased with how everything turned out.  I was even more excited to see my photos being used on T-shirts and various other media.  Pretty much the highlight of my professional career.  This was a bit different than a mutual friend asking me to shoot his local gig, but a business arrangement that involved management, booking flights, etc.  I was privileged for the opportunity and to see the behind the scenes workings of this guy! 

Here are a few of my favorite shots that haven't been seen.  




This was the first show I photographed when joining the guys.  It was at a pretty small but well known venue called The Bluebird in Bloomington, IN.  Initially I was not thrilled about the dark and plain background/surroundings.  After I began later reviewing the images I realized how much I loved the dramatic tone of The Bluebird.  

Monday, December 29, 2014

Music Monday: Shane McAnally

We're pretty proud of our local Grammy award winning songwriter, Shane McAnally. 
Shane's a multiple Grammy Award winning country music singer, songwriter and producer. He has written and produced songs for Kacey Musgraves, Kelly Clarkson, Sam Hunt, Kenny Chesney, Reba McEntire, Jake Owen, Luke Bryan, The Band Perry, Lady Antebellum, and Miranda Lambert, just to name a few.  The Academy of Country Music named him Songwriter of the Year in 2014.
McAnally co-produced Kacey Musgraves' 2012 Award Winning debut Same Trailer Different Park with her and fellow songwriter, Luke Laird. He co-wrote nine of the album's twelve tracks including all four singles, "Merry Go 'Round", "Blowin' Smoke", "Follow Your Arrow" and "Keep It to Yourself". He has worked with co-producer Zach Crowell on Sam Hunt’s major label debut, Montevallo, and co-wrote the lead single "Leave the Night On”. 

This is a pretty impressive list of accomplishments at such a young age. I found a great interview Shane did a few months back I thought you'd enjoy.

Shane McAnally has had a whirlwind of a few years. After a more-or-less failed record deal in the early 00’s, he didn’t score his first cut until 2008 on Lee Ann Womack’s ‘Last Call’, but since then things have expanded at any alarming rate, scoring cuts for Luke Bryan, Kenny Chesney, Reba McEntire, Jake Owen and Chris Young.........CLICK HERE for the full interview. 


Personal note:  In grade school, Shane attended Millsap ISD where we went to school together. We weren't friends but in our small school, you are pretty aware of everyone. Of course the younger kids always know who the older kids are.  He later moved  to Mineral Wells and I remember him working for the local radio station as a DJ.  Even at a very young age, Shane was following his passion for music by dipping his toes in any area of the industry that he could. 

 I can remember when I was in about the 3rd grade & going to my best friends house to stay the night.  Shane was also there staying the night with my friend's older brother. Us two younger kids sure thought it was cool to hang out with those older boys. Like young kids do, we stayed up late and watched MTV until the early morning hours. I always had a fond memory of that night. Even though we had a couple of cable channels at our house, I had never seen this new Rock & Roll video station everyone at school was talking about. That was the night I was introduced to MTV. 

I'm proud of the success this small town Texas boy has had.  Glad to see he followed his arrow to make a big name for himself a in the country music industry. CMS's,  ACM's, Grammy's..... I'm not sure how you can top these accolades, but I'm excited to see what's next for Shane. Congratulations on all the success, brother!  

Monday, June 24, 2013

See Casey James Live in the Gardens

 The Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra welcomes Casey James to the stage at Fort Worth's Botanic Gardens this Friday evening 6/28 at 8:15 p.m.  Bring the whole family to enjoy an evening in the gardens for an up beat set of James' best songs. CLICK HERE for tickets.  

Senior Class of 2019