TOT goes to SXSW...
Observations, from Trent with love
Every year gets more interesting on this tour. I get nostalgic just realizing how far we have come since we started T.O.T. It felt right to kick off the tour in Baton Rouge because the crowd always has a rowdy energy that is needed on the first night.
I knew it wouldn't take long before the bus ride was quickly filled with laughter and stories (requested and most un-requested). Anyways, the crowd was full of life and the Holiday songs began. Everyone loved the new Christmas songs and our new addition to this particular tour (Andrew Belle). He was on the last T.O.T. album and we asked him to join us. So then we fall into place. Here are some quick personality observations:
Tyler- still king of the "one liner"
Erin- Still sits with shades on day and night with a smile
Katie- is still somewhere finding something organic
Will- rubbing his beard getting thirsty to drink an after show beer
Butterfly- still rocking at all times
KS-Still wound up and ready every minute
Me- mumble something dry
MPJ- still has his hands through his hair looking pensive
Andrew- is finding the closest football game
Lister- still in a hurry
Andy Davis -still working out at random times
Since K.S and I usually trade nights in the lime light the bus drive from Nashville was mine. Don't worry because the following nights have been consumed with K.S. moments.( I won't bring up the table of 12 women he sang for after our mexican meal last night.) Anyways, We have only played two shows thus far and with only two rehearsals I am amazed. Every song and transition has been intentional on this Christmas tour. We have changed the set list numerous times and discussed what changes should be made to better the experience.
I get inspired around these artists. I guess it makes me realize how much work goes into a song. Then how much more work goes into translating that song properly to an audience. All of this sounds elementary and obvious but it is consistently profound to me.
ok.
much love.
Hope you join us on this journey.
Trent
I knew it wouldn't take long before the bus ride was quickly filled with laughter and stories (requested and most un-requested). Anyways, the crowd was full of life and the Holiday songs began. Everyone loved the new Christmas songs and our new addition to this particular tour (Andrew Belle). He was on the last T.O.T. album and we asked him to join us. So then we fall into place. Here are some quick personality observations:
Tyler- still king of the "one liner"
Erin- Still sits with shades on day and night with a smile
Katie- is still somewhere finding something organic
Will- rubbing his beard getting thirsty to drink an after show beer
Butterfly- still rocking at all times
KS-Still wound up and ready every minute
Me- mumble something dry
MPJ- still has his hands through his hair looking pensive
Andrew- is finding the closest football game
Lister- still in a hurry
Andy Davis -still working out at random times
Since K.S and I usually trade nights in the lime light the bus drive from Nashville was mine. Don't worry because the following nights have been consumed with K.S. moments.( I won't bring up the table of 12 women he sang for after our mexican meal last night.) Anyways, We have only played two shows thus far and with only two rehearsals I am amazed. Every song and transition has been intentional on this Christmas tour. We have changed the set list numerous times and discussed what changes should be made to better the experience.
I get inspired around these artists. I guess it makes me realize how much work goes into a song. Then how much more work goes into translating that song properly to an audience. All of this sounds elementary and obvious but it is consistently profound to me.
ok.
much love.
Hope you join us on this journey.
Trent
Our good friends at Contrast Films in Baton Rouge put together this awesome video from the first show.
Tyler James - Christmas Tour Update
Another Ten Out of Tenn tour is on its way. We've all been off on our own for a while and it was a welcomed site to see old friends waiting next to the bus in the Wal-Mart parking lot.After months of cramped vans and playing boss, it's nice to kick off the shoes and not run the ship for a while. Our first stop was Baton Rouge and we couldn't have asked for a better kick off. It's a college town set in the middle of overgrown swamp and trees straight out of a Tolkien novel. First step off the bus I was met by some preteen gals wanting a to see inside ... they had fedora's on so I guess they weren't there to see me. Inside the venue was a rowdy bunch of folks who somehow managed to get more attentive with each new pitcher of beer. Everyone was packed in tight and even though we barely had a chance to learn all the songs, the crowd seemed on our side from the get go.We're still working out a few kinks - last night in Dallas I fell off my piano stool mid song while trying to hand someone my trumpet and Erin's song was mostly over by the time Andy remembered he was suppose to be playing keys. We've got a day off in El Paso today and we could throw a paper airplane into Mexico from our hotel window. We're three days in, laughing our heads off at K.S. doing impressions, trying to figure out if we're too old to see the new Twilight movie this afternoon. - Tyler
P.s - turns out you had to be a 13 year old girl in order to enjoy 'new moon'. sorry if I led anybody astray.
P.s - turns out you had to be a 13 year old girl in order to enjoy 'new moon'. sorry if I led anybody astray.
Nomad Madi
NOMADI
it's pretty flat out here. flat and long and the clouds go back prolly a whole lot further than i can see them although that seems to go back and on forever and ever. i think we're headed to columbus ohio yep we are. chuck the bus driver has been keeping us at a steady 78 for the last few hours and i've been asleep in my bed till about 20 minutes ago. i'm starting to realize that the key to sleeping soundly throughout chucks bouts with construction and rumble strips is literally cocooning myself so tight in my comforter that i can't really move my arms and burying my face between my pillow and the mattress. and the funny thing about this point in any tour when you get into the 3rd week you feel like a nomad and it starts to not matter at all whether you ever go back. but all i want to do right now is go somewhere where all the leaves are in mid turn and tuck myself in to some little house on the side of a hill in the woods and write until the winter comes and goes and the sun comes back out again.
the Mascot - Trent Dabbs
The mascot
Sitting in Richmond. The day is overcast and the cobblestone streets are paving the city. Me and K.S. and Ashley are the first to wake up and walk around looking for the perfect cafe'. We walked into a cafe called Gutenburg and everything about the place was movie-ish. The slow moving ceiling fan,round tables,tasty coffee and the trimmings. Anyways, we enjoyed a nice brunch to prepare us for the day. After making our way through seven shows I am learning more and more about these artists. Sometimes more than I care to know. Pet Peeves,who showers,who sleeps,who doesn't,who wrecks the bus or bottoms out,who is the most entertaining,who shops too much,who cares about Mafia,who learns Spanish,who is passive,who is direct,who rips breezes of sickness while sleeping,who is career minded,who like Back to the Future Trilogy,who is helpful etc... Regardless, this forced learning process continues to shape the formula of T.O.T.
These shows are gaining momentum and the sound is getting tighter.
When you are playing shows so far from your hometown to you learn what it is you actually love about the art.
Inspiration can be found in the smallest places.
Sometimes those places are in community.
Sometimes those places are a song mid set in a city you love.
ok. well. This is feeling like an 8th grade poem.
Spread the word about these shows.
much love.
T
These shows are gaining momentum and the sound is getting tighter.
When you are playing shows so far from your hometown to you learn what it is you actually love about the art.
Inspiration can be found in the smallest places.
Sometimes those places are in community.
Sometimes those places are a song mid set in a city you love.
ok. well. This is feeling like an 8th grade poem.
Spread the word about these shows.
much love.
T
The Flood - k.s. Rhoads
k.s. decided to go for a run and meet us at the hotel (8 miles away), a few miles down the road we spotted him and his interesting exercising techniques as we entered the interstate.... gotta love him, right?
THE MINNOW WOULD BE LOST
The Floods had come upon Georgia with a biblical rage, and they stood between us and our destination, like still drain-water in an Econo-Lodge bathtub.
The highway was at a dead stop. A procession of semi-truck sandwiches, measuring travel in inches. Truckers stood outside and conversed with each-other, like some Doric brotherhood, where, by default, you are long time friends and perfect strangers, bonded by Pringle and Whopper sculpted love handles, and other handles, like racehorses have, by which they've come to be known, such as Honkeytonk or Biscuits and Gravy.
"Biscuits and Gravy, this is Cherokee Sun-Chaser , we gots ourselves one pickle of a puddle, yonder on I-85, roundabout exit 61 and Chapel Hill Road. How you reckon we fly this heavy bird 'round this duck-blind?" We wondered the same thing. By we I mean the bus driver and I. There were 11 or 12 more of us in this one donkey caravan, but they were deep in a sweet sleep gumbo of Maker's Mark, the rumble of the road beneath, and coffins-like bunks, in stacks of 3. Sleeping like young Dracula's, unaware that the end of the world was presumptively and prematurely trying to invite herself to our immediate world, to our immediate family and travelling minstrel show.
The greater outside was foreboding and unfinished, construction and flood-water, like a Tim Burton and Roland Emmerich collaboration. The sky was grey as Ireland, the exits vacant like those Stephen King novels that go straight to Television. Printer paper signs on the glass doors of the off-ramp restaurants that waited conveniently by the exit read, "Due to weather duress we will be closed indefinitely." Starbucks was closed! McDonalds was closed! What would God think? Can He make a Big Mac He can not eat? These were indeed the direst of times. Grapes of Wrath crawling on 16 wet wheels up a river highway from New Orleans to Asheville.
I made my way through the pitch black mortuary middle of the bus that houses the vampire singers in their coffin beds, dodging the booby trap shoes and one unclaimed pair of black tightey whitey's, over which, for ownership, Will Sayles and Mikky Ekko played Roshambo, and, for which, Mikky won. Beyond the long black veil is the back lounge, lit up white and welcoming by windows on both sides, like stained glass without the stain. A church in the back lounge, a near death experience to get there, and in the light at the end of the tunnel I sit with the window open, breathing in the ocean air of the Atlanta coastline, swimming in the irony that, the very night before, we stood with dry shoes on the Katrina-beaten ground of the French quarter, yet now we were wading in the water of the Delta, a bus baptized, washing the sins of Bourbon street from our wheel-wells.
Our Captain, if he were a pirate, would be the kindest, sweetest pirate a ship had ever seen. "Why, schucks, golly, argh, we must find an alternate route, say ye? ho ho ho?"
Like a freshly shaven Santa, with a Steve Buscemi laugh, we pulled anchor, dropped into low gear, and headed down a county road, through a county town, past a county prison. Is every prison buoyed by a railroad, a river, and a highway? "The hard part is the sniper and the barb wire, but get over that, and you got your pick of escape routes. Brand new airport, and running, freshly gassed planes, scheduled for December."
Escaped prisoner in tow, we jibbed well and finally caught a Western wind, quelling the lingering worry that we might not make Asheville in time for the show, and that the legions of devoted fans would have to putter home, with low hanging heads, as the Charlie Brown theme song played from a distant dying star. No, we were certainly not going to give up now. We'd come this far. A bakers dozen Paul Revere's, we were getting to North Carolina, dog-gonnit. Our Steve Buscemi Santa had summoned his inner Moses, and we were back on our pilgrimage, trading the highway for the low-way. No longer a drifting, windless Santa Maria, but a howling, smoking little engine that could and can and will, traversing the Trail of Tears in reverse. Our belongings in the bays below, and we, who belonged to our music, stood upright like English Terriers, peering through the big spider crack in the windshield (for which we have some Cajon drunken fool to thank), and looked toward the mountains of which James Taylor sang, and John Denver did not. And as the hills grew more hilly, and the grey grew more green, and the blue blew past us, we held our breath, that our next deep inhale might be seasoned with cloud and pine, and we held our bellies, that our next meal might be seasoned with Charcoal and Cheerwine, and we held our tongues, that our next words might be the songs for which we had come to sing. Our silent sanctuary pulled into town like a prayer before a high school football game. Our hat tipped back at Georgia and Louisiana, and here we now were, in Asheville.
-KS
The highway was at a dead stop. A procession of semi-truck sandwiches, measuring travel in inches. Truckers stood outside and conversed with each-other, like some Doric brotherhood, where, by default, you are long time friends and perfect strangers, bonded by Pringle and Whopper sculpted love handles, and other handles, like racehorses have, by which they've come to be known, such as Honkeytonk or Biscuits and Gravy.
"Biscuits and Gravy, this is Cherokee Sun-Chaser , we gots ourselves one pickle of a puddle, yonder on I-85, roundabout exit 61 and Chapel Hill Road. How you reckon we fly this heavy bird 'round this duck-blind?" We wondered the same thing. By we I mean the bus driver and I. There were 11 or 12 more of us in this one donkey caravan, but they were deep in a sweet sleep gumbo of Maker's Mark, the rumble of the road beneath, and coffins-like bunks, in stacks of 3. Sleeping like young Dracula's, unaware that the end of the world was presumptively and prematurely trying to invite herself to our immediate world, to our immediate family and travelling minstrel show.
The greater outside was foreboding and unfinished, construction and flood-water, like a Tim Burton and Roland Emmerich collaboration. The sky was grey as Ireland, the exits vacant like those Stephen King novels that go straight to Television. Printer paper signs on the glass doors of the off-ramp restaurants that waited conveniently by the exit read, "Due to weather duress we will be closed indefinitely." Starbucks was closed! McDonalds was closed! What would God think? Can He make a Big Mac He can not eat? These were indeed the direst of times. Grapes of Wrath crawling on 16 wet wheels up a river highway from New Orleans to Asheville.
I made my way through the pitch black mortuary middle of the bus that houses the vampire singers in their coffin beds, dodging the booby trap shoes and one unclaimed pair of black tightey whitey's, over which, for ownership, Will Sayles and Mikky Ekko played Roshambo, and, for which, Mikky won. Beyond the long black veil is the back lounge, lit up white and welcoming by windows on both sides, like stained glass without the stain. A church in the back lounge, a near death experience to get there, and in the light at the end of the tunnel I sit with the window open, breathing in the ocean air of the Atlanta coastline, swimming in the irony that, the very night before, we stood with dry shoes on the Katrina-beaten ground of the French quarter, yet now we were wading in the water of the Delta, a bus baptized, washing the sins of Bourbon street from our wheel-wells.
Our Captain, if he were a pirate, would be the kindest, sweetest pirate a ship had ever seen. "Why, schucks, golly, argh, we must find an alternate route, say ye? ho ho ho?"
Like a freshly shaven Santa, with a Steve Buscemi laugh, we pulled anchor, dropped into low gear, and headed down a county road, through a county town, past a county prison. Is every prison buoyed by a railroad, a river, and a highway? "The hard part is the sniper and the barb wire, but get over that, and you got your pick of escape routes. Brand new airport, and running, freshly gassed planes, scheduled for December."
Escaped prisoner in tow, we jibbed well and finally caught a Western wind, quelling the lingering worry that we might not make Asheville in time for the show, and that the legions of devoted fans would have to putter home, with low hanging heads, as the Charlie Brown theme song played from a distant dying star. No, we were certainly not going to give up now. We'd come this far. A bakers dozen Paul Revere's, we were getting to North Carolina, dog-gonnit. Our Steve Buscemi Santa had summoned his inner Moses, and we were back on our pilgrimage, trading the highway for the low-way. No longer a drifting, windless Santa Maria, but a howling, smoking little engine that could and can and will, traversing the Trail of Tears in reverse. Our belongings in the bays below, and we, who belonged to our music, stood upright like English Terriers, peering through the big spider crack in the windshield (for which we have some Cajon drunken fool to thank), and looked toward the mountains of which James Taylor sang, and John Denver did not. And as the hills grew more hilly, and the grey grew more green, and the blue blew past us, we held our breath, that our next deep inhale might be seasoned with cloud and pine, and we held our bellies, that our next meal might be seasoned with Charcoal and Cheerwine, and we held our tongues, that our next words might be the songs for which we had come to sing. Our silent sanctuary pulled into town like a prayer before a high school football game. Our hat tipped back at Georgia and Louisiana, and here we now were, in Asheville.
-KS
Baton Rouge - Ashley Monroe
Hello there! It's Ashley Monroe ..
Sittin here in the back lounge with Kevin, Mikky, and Laura. In good ol' Baton Rouge.... The venue we originally were supposed to play at tonight lost their liquor license ... sooo... the place shut down for a while. We found a cool lil place called "The Roux Room" that was kind enough to let TOT play there tonight! Whewww... that was a close one. I hope people show up and like us.. we're pretty nice folks I must say... so SURELY they will. :)
I am really loving everyone on this tour.. so much talent it's crazy.
Last night in Birmingham Me and T went and played at this lil private club thing before the big show to try to promote it. Pretty fancy.. Then this terrible storm came through.. and the power went off.. and going back to the venue was hell! Raining SOO HARD.. So I was afraid no one would get out of the house to come to the show. I wouldn't have gone out in that for Elvis.. well .. yes .. yes I would have.. but not for anything else! But, thank God we had a WONDERFUL crowd. We all had so much fun I didn't want it to end! so THANK YOU everyone for coming ... meant the world to all of us.
Well I'm gonna go put on a tad of makeup and go do it again!
Much Love!!!
Sittin here in the back lounge with Kevin, Mikky, and Laura. In good ol' Baton Rouge.... The venue we originally were supposed to play at tonight lost their liquor license ... sooo... the place shut down for a while. We found a cool lil place called "The Roux Room" that was kind enough to let TOT play there tonight! Whewww... that was a close one. I hope people show up and like us.. we're pretty nice folks I must say... so SURELY they will. :)
I am really loving everyone on this tour.. so much talent it's crazy.
Last night in Birmingham Me and T went and played at this lil private club thing before the big show to try to promote it. Pretty fancy.. Then this terrible storm came through.. and the power went off.. and going back to the venue was hell! Raining SOO HARD.. So I was afraid no one would get out of the house to come to the show. I wouldn't have gone out in that for Elvis.. well .. yes .. yes I would have.. but not for anything else! But, thank God we had a WONDERFUL crowd. We all had so much fun I didn't want it to end! so THANK YOU everyone for coming ... meant the world to all of us.
Well I'm gonna go put on a tad of makeup and go do it again!
Much Love!!!
TOT TOUR - Day #2 (Andrew Belle)
hola from TOT-land! (aka a 50 ft bus w/ 12 beds and 13 people)
wow, we just left yesterday and it already feels like we've been out for a week or so (in a good way). i am loving each and every person on this tour thus far. its literally been nothing but laughter and playing great music w/ each other. what else could you ask for??
after our great first show last night, we all piled back on the bus and engaged in our respective late night activities. classic 90s movies, reading, snacking, etc. i went to bed about 2:30am because trent, joy, k.s, and i had to get up early to do the birmingham fox news show in the morning. i fell asleep in my bunk only to be awoken at 4am by my first 'driving through the night while bumping and bouncing around my bunk' experience. its gonna take some getting used to.
the 4 of us piled into a cab and headed over to the studio to be greeted by our anchor and host, JJ. we set up our gear and then joy performed 'charmed life' before i did an acoustic version of 'static waves' w/ the gang. it was a great time - especially when JJ cut me off, kanye west style, and told me that my song was good but joy's was THE BEST EVER!!! haha, i was a bit thrown off (see for yourself in the video clips linked below) but did my best to pull it together for the rest of the set haha!
we play in birmingham AL, at the workplay theater in a few hrs ---wish us luck!! oh, and check out these sweet iPhone pics from the day!
Andrew
wow, we just left yesterday and it already feels like we've been out for a week or so (in a good way). i am loving each and every person on this tour thus far. its literally been nothing but laughter and playing great music w/ each other. what else could you ask for??
after our great first show last night, we all piled back on the bus and engaged in our respective late night activities. classic 90s movies, reading, snacking, etc. i went to bed about 2:30am because trent, joy, k.s, and i had to get up early to do the birmingham fox news show in the morning. i fell asleep in my bunk only to be awoken at 4am by my first 'driving through the night while bumping and bouncing around my bunk' experience. its gonna take some getting used to.
the 4 of us piled into a cab and headed over to the studio to be greeted by our anchor and host, JJ. we set up our gear and then joy performed 'charmed life' before i did an acoustic version of 'static waves' w/ the gang. it was a great time - especially when JJ cut me off, kanye west style, and told me that my song was good but joy's was THE BEST EVER!!! haha, i was a bit thrown off (see for yourself in the video clips linked below) but did my best to pull it together for the rest of the set haha!
we play in birmingham AL, at the workplay theater in a few hrs ---wish us luck!! oh, and check out these sweet iPhone pics from the day!
Andrew
Madi's Fatty Blog - September
well, holy crap it's almost time to line up with our lil suitcases and jump into our tiny cubby holes on our band camp bus and sweep the north eastern regions of america with song and dance. well, mostly song. a little dance though i'm sure...
anyway the last week of grind stoning in the rehearsal space with TOT volume 3 has been well worth it. we are so super fortunate to have such a phenomenal collection of songs, voices, personalities, and skill sets that spread wide over and across the board. the short of this meaning that you will love what you hear and you sure as heck won't be hearing the same thing twice (unless you buy the bundle....do it...).
I'm excited to be crammed up on stage with these people. and already, instead of standing on stage shoulder to shoulder it feels like we're linking arms like one happy little family. i feel like half the time when we're all hanging and playing together i can't believe the beauty and talent that comes out of my new friends. and the other half of me can't believe that trent actually asked me to be part of such a rad collection of artists.
i win. yay.
oh man i'm totally going to bring uno.....
lovemadi
anyway the last week of grind stoning in the rehearsal space with TOT volume 3 has been well worth it. we are so super fortunate to have such a phenomenal collection of songs, voices, personalities, and skill sets that spread wide over and across the board. the short of this meaning that you will love what you hear and you sure as heck won't be hearing the same thing twice (unless you buy the bundle....do it...).
I'm excited to be crammed up on stage with these people. and already, instead of standing on stage shoulder to shoulder it feels like we're linking arms like one happy little family. i feel like half the time when we're all hanging and playing together i can't believe the beauty and talent that comes out of my new friends. and the other half of me can't believe that trent actually asked me to be part of such a rad collection of artists.
i win. yay.
oh man i'm totally going to bring uno.....
lovemadi
A few words from Mikky Ekko
Sometimes the needle takes a moment to find the groove... the record starts and you commit...
In the same way, I've been finding my groove in the studio, building and rebuilding the first EP, "Strange Fruit," and the character and tone of the live MIKKY EKKO show. That being said, we're now working on EP #2, sifting through a pile of songs written over the last year. Hopefully the groove will prove steady and we won't want to kill each other when it's all said and done. We will see, I suppose. A special thanks to Tim Lauer (my producer) and Danny Shays (engineer/ c.d.) for the 400+ hours we have put in already... sigh, haha... without them, I'd still be 'record-less', and Trent Dabbs never would've called about doing the ToT Tour this fall. So grateful... for all of them.
... and these other ToT artists are Crazygood, man! You might be inclined to thank me for telling you to check them out, but don't. Just do it. You won't be disappointed.... and as we work our way across the southeast, up the coast and slightly west, I assure you, those who listen and see the show will know. We all have the fever.
Boom. Come hang. We're serious.
Wild little kids with sweaty palms and furious passion dancing around singing angels like a mad tribe with a fever and no cowbell to beat- only the beat of
all
our
little
summer
hearts.
Can't wait to see you.
Shah.
In the same way, I've been finding my groove in the studio, building and rebuilding the first EP, "Strange Fruit," and the character and tone of the live MIKKY EKKO show. That being said, we're now working on EP #2, sifting through a pile of songs written over the last year. Hopefully the groove will prove steady and we won't want to kill each other when it's all said and done. We will see, I suppose. A special thanks to Tim Lauer (my producer) and Danny Shays (engineer/ c.d.) for the 400+ hours we have put in already... sigh, haha... without them, I'd still be 'record-less', and Trent Dabbs never would've called about doing the ToT Tour this fall. So grateful... for all of them.
... and these other ToT artists are Crazygood, man! You might be inclined to thank me for telling you to check them out, but don't. Just do it. You won't be disappointed.... and as we work our way across the southeast, up the coast and slightly west, I assure you, those who listen and see the show will know. We all have the fever.
Boom. Come hang. We're serious.
Wild little kids with sweaty palms and furious passion dancing around singing angels like a mad tribe with a fever and no cowbell to beat- only the beat of
all
our
little
summer
hearts.
Can't wait to see you.
Shah.
she's living in a 'Charmed Life'...
she's living in a 'Charmed Life'...
Hi. Kristen - TOT's matron saint - asked me to write you today! Name's Joy Williams, and I am very stoked to be a new member of the ever growing, every
quirky, ever bohemian TOT family. I am looking forward to this fall run with old and new friends alike. While past incarnations of TOT have showcased kindred spirits that I love and respect, this new hybrid of TOT is already
proving to be a unique but familial crew, as well. There has already been a chemistry building between us- inside jokes, late night house shows, etc...and an excitement continues building to hit the road and play in a town near you.
Patient (and ever hilarious) Trent has been coordinating rehearsal times, and he has also been trying desperately to rally all of us for a much-needed BBQ hang. However, herding 10 artists is a bit like herding a pack of stray cats. Each one of us has been traveling a good bit on the road, or been glued to the studio recording, etc...
I have been traveling and in the studio a good bit myself. I was actually just in the studio yesterday writing with Trent for a TV/film project. We had some luck a few months ago with a song we'd written together called "Charmed Life" that got on the season finale of Grey's Anatomy. (Which, coincidentally, showcased a song from the talented MPJ and ever-awesome Katie Herzig during the very same episode, as well)...
Kristen asked me to share a little bit about my career, so here it goes: Though I signed on into this industry when I was 17, the creative process for me has changed drastically over the years. Once at a big label in the big machine, I managed to get out a few years ago and found my wings independently. Now, I co-write with other artists, write for TV/film regularly, have started a band with singer/songwriter John Paul White called The Civil Wars (here's a FREE full 10 song live album to download if you're interested: thecivilwars.com and on top of all that, I have begun an exciting new chapter doing my own music.
Which is one of many reasons why I am excited about loading up my gear and hitting the road in Willy Nelson's old bus with each of the TOT'ers. I'm stoked to play each person's songs each night...to meet many of you who I don't know, and to enjoy the summer camp on wheels that this tour is going to be. Hope to see you on the road soon...
Cheers,
Joy
quirky, ever bohemian TOT family. I am looking forward to this fall run with old and new friends alike. While past incarnations of TOT have showcased kindred spirits that I love and respect, this new hybrid of TOT is already
proving to be a unique but familial crew, as well. There has already been a chemistry building between us- inside jokes, late night house shows, etc...and an excitement continues building to hit the road and play in a town near you.
Patient (and ever hilarious) Trent has been coordinating rehearsal times, and he has also been trying desperately to rally all of us for a much-needed BBQ hang. However, herding 10 artists is a bit like herding a pack of stray cats. Each one of us has been traveling a good bit on the road, or been glued to the studio recording, etc...
I have been traveling and in the studio a good bit myself. I was actually just in the studio yesterday writing with Trent for a TV/film project. We had some luck a few months ago with a song we'd written together called "Charmed Life" that got on the season finale of Grey's Anatomy. (Which, coincidentally, showcased a song from the talented MPJ and ever-awesome Katie Herzig during the very same episode, as well)...
Kristen asked me to share a little bit about my career, so here it goes: Though I signed on into this industry when I was 17, the creative process for me has changed drastically over the years. Once at a big label in the big machine, I managed to get out a few years ago and found my wings independently. Now, I co-write with other artists, write for TV/film regularly, have started a band with singer/songwriter John Paul White called The Civil Wars (here's a FREE full 10 song live album to download if you're interested: thecivilwars.com and on top of all that, I have begun an exciting new chapter doing my own music.
Which is one of many reasons why I am excited about loading up my gear and hitting the road in Willy Nelson's old bus with each of the TOT'ers. I'm stoked to play each person's songs each night...to meet many of you who I don't know, and to enjoy the summer camp on wheels that this tour is going to be. Hope to see you on the road soon...
Cheers,
Joy
June Blog by Trent Dabbs
June Blog by Trent Dabbs
Sooo here we are on June 29th. In a few months we will launch T.O.T Volume 3 packed with new artists and a tour. Just when everyone had labeled T.O.T as a supergroup we throw you a surprise...More Solo Artists! 8 to be exact. A lot has happened since we last saw you. We are excited about turning you guys on to new artists from this group and some familiar (Me & K.S) sounds back to the stage.
What made the last tour so classic was the energy the fans brought to the shows. It was a movement unlike any I have seen. People would bring friends to the show and predict who they were gonna like from the Ten artists on stage. Usually most folks would leave with all albums and a smile.
This time we need a heads up from you guys to see who you are into and maybe even advice in how to get pre-sale tickets moving fast.
So my proposition to you is simple.
Make plans. Make friends. Make a night of it.
Yes I know it is a pretty good distance away from today but we need you.
We are gonna keep pumping info on this site and making sure you are doing your part as well.
Well..we will be rehearsing soon. Tomorrow night we are even having a cookout to hang and talk about our plans to see you.
As for my own career, I'm finishing up my new album, I've got about 10 songs I'm putting the final touches on. It's sounding great, so get ready. You can preview a couple of the new songs on my myspace page...www.myspace.com/trentdabbs. For updates, follow me on twitter@trentdabbs .
Cool.
Much Love
Trent
What made the last tour so classic was the energy the fans brought to the shows. It was a movement unlike any I have seen. People would bring friends to the show and predict who they were gonna like from the Ten artists on stage. Usually most folks would leave with all albums and a smile.
This time we need a heads up from you guys to see who you are into and maybe even advice in how to get pre-sale tickets moving fast.
So my proposition to you is simple.
Make plans. Make friends. Make a night of it.
Yes I know it is a pretty good distance away from today but we need you.
We are gonna keep pumping info on this site and making sure you are doing your part as well.
Well..we will be rehearsing soon. Tomorrow night we are even having a cookout to hang and talk about our plans to see you.
As for my own career, I'm finishing up my new album, I've got about 10 songs I'm putting the final touches on. It's sounding great, so get ready. You can preview a couple of the new songs on my myspace page...www.myspace.com/trentdabbs. For updates, follow me on twitter
Cool.
Much Love
Trent
Interview with Madi Diaz at Bonnaroo
Interview with Madi Diaz at Bonnaroo
Interview With Madi Diaz And Kyle Ryan At Bonnaroo 2009: "I Will Put The Turd In Your Face", Mista Fish Hoooook, Nashville, Writing - Phone Vs Abacus, And Good Luck. Plus MP3s.
Courtesy of luxurywafers.com
Thursday, June 25
Nothing At All [mp3]
Love You Now [mp3]
Side [mp3]
by Benham Jones
My first interview at Bonnaroo was with Madi Diaz and Kyle Ryan. I was so cracked out from my arrival and kind of jittery at the thought of doing an interview on three hours of sleep, but these two were the best. Such sweet people. They play under Madi's name and have an EP called Ten Gun Salute out now. To Madi and Kyle, especially after moving to Nashville, it all comes back to the energy one gets from writing a song. For some reason, I did the first bit of the interview in a weird, radio host voice and I was so exhausted that I used the word "turd" freely. This is how our visit went:
Ben Jones: Test. Test, test, test. TEST. You wanna check this?
Kyle Ryan: CHECKAROO... bonnaroo....
Madi Diaz: Wanh wanh wanh...
BJ: Excellent. Ready?
Kyle: Sure.
Madi: Yep.
BJ: Here with Madi Diaz and Kyle Ryan at Bonnaroo. Say heyo?
Madi: Ummm... yeah!
Kyle: What's up?
BJ: So how's it going down here in Manchester?
Madi: Oh, fantastic.
BJ: It wasn't tough to travel for you guys, right? Not too far from home?
Madi: Yep, just an hour and a half. In Nashville. No traffic, I couldn't believe it.
BJ: No shit.
Kyle: Yeah, it was pretty alright.
BJ: It was tough for me to get here. Three hour delay from...
[I then proceed to tell the entire story of my disastrous arrival on Thursday night/Friday morning. I drop the F-bomb twice and it is bizarre and sad to listen to on tape. Its like I've forgotten that I am interviewing someone else.]
BJ: ...and it sucked so bad.
Madi: Whoooaaaa.... That is a long walk. It's hot too!
BJ: Yeah I'm pretty tough. BUT ENOUGH ABOUT ME. So what's up with your collaboration? I was told I was interviewing Madi Diaz, the website is MadiDiaz.com, but you're, like, inseparable from the project Kyle Ryan.
Don Van Cleave
Madi: There's the man behind the curtain, so it seems.
Kyle: Something like that.
Madi: Kyle and I met back in Boston. Something about four years ago. We played together for a while, we did my first record that I wrote solo Skin & Bones. Just started writing together after that. We've been running around together ever since.
Kyle: But you're the face.
Madi: Sure, I mean, I feel like at this point we are almost both "the Face." But we still use my name so its kinda...
BJ: [to Kyle] You ever feel funny about that?
Kyle: Nah, she's the face. That's fine.
BJ: What's the songwriting dynamic between you two like?
Kyle: I mean, its different every time, and we both work on all parts of a song. It's not like one person is writing lyrics and the other person is doing this or that. Depending on the song, one of us will come in with a melody or an idea or whatever. And then kind of put it together.
Madi: We both love writing and we have a lot of friends who are also writers. Sometimes we'll be hanging out with different people individually and write songs with them, then those or parts of those can be brought in. I mean, Kyle wrote "Heavy Heart" with Sarah Siskind, and I basically told him that I'd punch him if we couldn't play the song ourselves. There's another song we've got that I wrote, "A Little Bit", with our friend Larissa Maestro and we love that song and want to play that song too. We just want to make sure the songs are good, that's always the goal. As long as the songs are good, everybody is safe.
BJ: But do you guys actually write, like, TOGETHER? Like do you sit in a room and then just go?
Madi: Oh, yeah. Hell yeah.
BJ: That's far out. I feel like a lot of people can't do that in pairs. Seems like a tough way to write.
Kyle: Yeah, especially because we will just start things from scratch...
[Muffled mic sound]
BJ: Ok, I'm just gonna pass this off. I don't like pushing it in your face; I feel like I've got a turd on the end of the mic.
Kyle: Alright, so we'll just pass it off.
BJ: Yeah, I will lean in to the turd.
Kyle: I will put the turd in your face. Quote me on that.
BJ: Sure will.
Kyle: Front of the blog. Big letters.
BJ: Yes, excellent idea... So it sounds like, apart from just small sessions together, you are writing in a whole community?
Kyle: Yeah, that's Nashville, just surrounded by all different writers and musicians all the time. Quite a bit of co-writing, whether it's the two of us with a third person, or us separate.
Madi: There is such a community, a community that we are just starting to dive into in Nashville. I mean, obviously, Kyle is my number one...yeah, number one... so we like to be a team. But a good song is a good song wherever its coming from.
BJ: Have you done any records solo, Kyle?
Kyle: No I haven't.
BJ: Is it just a desire to be set back from the front? A fear, maybe?
Kyle: Eh, not so much. It's just been so long since I've finished a song by myself that I guess maybe I thought it was something like that, but my good friend and our long-time bassist told me once, "Some people just don't do, don't stand out front."
Madi: I guess its kind of a process to find yourself in the write place, the write element in the music, where you can really be honest with yourself and just go. I have a problem of just editing myself far too much when I write alone. Like over thinking what I should change about that word, or why doesn't a chorus stand out.
BJ: Do you guys demo a lot while writing, or is it just like, you write the song and hit it while its hot? Especially curious on this new record, since its a lot more based in the studio than Skin & Bone, lots more blips and bleeps.
Kyle: Well, Skin & Bone really was a while ago, so we didn't do any recording for about a year and a half. And things were really evolving then, we were writing a lot and we moved. And then the EP came about because we met these two guys Justin Loucks and Ian Fitchuck.
BJ: Mister Fishhook?
Madi: Mista Fish Hooook.
Kyle: I'll call him that when I get home. So then it was just the four of us in a studio, throwing shit at the walls and seeing what sticks. So that kind of developed a different sound.
Madi: Also, I think coming down to Nashville and just writing and writing and writing, it just... you know, you can only tap a resource so many times in a row, and then all of a sudden your fishing through things that inspire you and great records and different parts of your background. And then in a community like Nashville, I guess it was like tapping into a totally new pool. And then we got into the studio and we were excited and then we started to make new noises...
Kyle: [buzzing his tongue]
BJ: Bleep blop bloop.
Madi: Exactly, bleep blop bloops.
BJ: And you think a lot of that was the move to Nashvhille? What was Boston like? Needed change?
Madi: It was time. I mean, I was really happy for a period there, but by the end it just felt kind of draining emotional. Something about New England is a lot, man. I mean, in the Northeast it is cold and people are not super psyched about it.
BJ: You both seem like sunshine people.
Kyle: Thanks!
BJ: And moving towards the sun, and Music City, do you think that gave the sound a new brightness?
Madi: Personally, moving and changing just allowed me to open up and be a little more honest and flexible with what I was hearing. In Nashville, I'm not preoccupied with the cold. Its freedom in all sorts of ways and there's all these...
BJ: Vibes?
Madi: Oh man...
Kyle: Yeah, we hear a lot about vibes. And I have fully fully embraced it. I am all about the vibe.
BJ: I wish New York vibed like Nasvhille vibes.
Kyle: I don't think they listen to the vibes up there.
BJ: No, they listen to Wu-Tang. Different sort of vibe. But this is the ultimate vibe, here at Bonnaroo. Maybe the biggest gig you guys have done?
Kyle: Oh yeah.
BJ: Overwhelming.
Madi: I'd say so, just a hair. We're lucky, we work with a great group of people at Cherry Lane and this is huge for the new record. Everyone's been so sweet and our friends, our families, word of mouth... every little bit contributes to the buzz. So this is another step. And all we can do is just keep writing, touring around, keeping our fingers crossed.
BJ: Are you guys writing on the road? Moving towards more recording?
Kyle: Eh, some people can do that. But since we hit it so hard at home it doesn't feel like there is a need to. We do want to get some more serious studio time when we get to sit down and take a breather for a second.
Madi: The road is kind of a nice break from the focused writing, and we both soak things in like spongies, and I'll get ideas and work on them on my phone...
Kyle: Because she is from the future. If I have an idea, I spell it out on my abacus in an intricate logarithm.
BJ: Is it tough to be keep up with big buzz, like here at Bonnaroo, at a time when its so important for you to tour heavily? Is it tough to need to be so tour-centric in such a shit economy?
Kyle: Yeah, we basically don't make any money. Its like there is just enough to feed our child, this project, and not quite enough to feed ourselves. But each time, more and more people come and they something new that they like, and then it keeps going.
Madi: Yeah, sometimes its hard to stay psyched all the time, but it always comes back to the song. Like you write something that's exciting and that's what turns a page. Or a trip into the studio. Sometimes even just a really great show happens and I feel like we've moved forward. Its just where the energy emerges from, and that's all different places but mostly the song. We're lucky.
BJ: Lucky to have one another.
Madi: It's good to have a buddy.
Listen to Nothing At All
Courtesy of luxurywafers.com
Thursday, June 25
Nothing At All [mp3]
Love You Now [mp3]
Side [mp3]
by Benham Jones
My first interview at Bonnaroo was with Madi Diaz and Kyle Ryan. I was so cracked out from my arrival and kind of jittery at the thought of doing an interview on three hours of sleep, but these two were the best. Such sweet people. They play under Madi's name and have an EP called Ten Gun Salute out now. To Madi and Kyle, especially after moving to Nashville, it all comes back to the energy one gets from writing a song. For some reason, I did the first bit of the interview in a weird, radio host voice and I was so exhausted that I used the word "turd" freely. This is how our visit went:
Ben Jones: Test. Test, test, test. TEST. You wanna check this?
Kyle Ryan: CHECKAROO... bonnaroo....
Madi Diaz: Wanh wanh wanh...
BJ: Excellent. Ready?
Kyle: Sure.
Madi: Yep.
BJ: Here with Madi Diaz and Kyle Ryan at Bonnaroo. Say heyo?
Madi: Ummm... yeah!
Kyle: What's up?
BJ: So how's it going down here in Manchester?
Madi: Oh, fantastic.
BJ: It wasn't tough to travel for you guys, right? Not too far from home?
Madi: Yep, just an hour and a half. In Nashville. No traffic, I couldn't believe it.
BJ: No shit.
Kyle: Yeah, it was pretty alright.
BJ: It was tough for me to get here. Three hour delay from...
[I then proceed to tell the entire story of my disastrous arrival on Thursday night/Friday morning. I drop the F-bomb twice and it is bizarre and sad to listen to on tape. Its like I've forgotten that I am interviewing someone else.]
BJ: ...and it sucked so bad.
Madi: Whoooaaaa.... That is a long walk. It's hot too!
BJ: Yeah I'm pretty tough. BUT ENOUGH ABOUT ME. So what's up with your collaboration? I was told I was interviewing Madi Diaz, the website is MadiDiaz.com, but you're, like, inseparable from the project Kyle Ryan.
Don Van Cleave
Madi: There's the man behind the curtain, so it seems.
Kyle: Something like that.
Madi: Kyle and I met back in Boston. Something about four years ago. We played together for a while, we did my first record that I wrote solo Skin & Bones. Just started writing together after that. We've been running around together ever since.
Kyle: But you're the face.
Madi: Sure, I mean, I feel like at this point we are almost both "the Face." But we still use my name so its kinda...
BJ: [to Kyle] You ever feel funny about that?
Kyle: Nah, she's the face. That's fine.
BJ: What's the songwriting dynamic between you two like?
Kyle: I mean, its different every time, and we both work on all parts of a song. It's not like one person is writing lyrics and the other person is doing this or that. Depending on the song, one of us will come in with a melody or an idea or whatever. And then kind of put it together.
Madi: We both love writing and we have a lot of friends who are also writers. Sometimes we'll be hanging out with different people individually and write songs with them, then those or parts of those can be brought in. I mean, Kyle wrote "Heavy Heart" with Sarah Siskind, and I basically told him that I'd punch him if we couldn't play the song ourselves. There's another song we've got that I wrote, "A Little Bit", with our friend Larissa Maestro and we love that song and want to play that song too. We just want to make sure the songs are good, that's always the goal. As long as the songs are good, everybody is safe.
BJ: But do you guys actually write, like, TOGETHER? Like do you sit in a room and then just go?
Madi: Oh, yeah. Hell yeah.
BJ: That's far out. I feel like a lot of people can't do that in pairs. Seems like a tough way to write.
Kyle: Yeah, especially because we will just start things from scratch...
[Muffled mic sound]
BJ: Ok, I'm just gonna pass this off. I don't like pushing it in your face; I feel like I've got a turd on the end of the mic.
Kyle: Alright, so we'll just pass it off.
BJ: Yeah, I will lean in to the turd.
Kyle: I will put the turd in your face. Quote me on that.
BJ: Sure will.
Kyle: Front of the blog. Big letters.
BJ: Yes, excellent idea... So it sounds like, apart from just small sessions together, you are writing in a whole community?
Kyle: Yeah, that's Nashville, just surrounded by all different writers and musicians all the time. Quite a bit of co-writing, whether it's the two of us with a third person, or us separate.
Madi: There is such a community, a community that we are just starting to dive into in Nashville. I mean, obviously, Kyle is my number one...yeah, number one... so we like to be a team. But a good song is a good song wherever its coming from.
BJ: Have you done any records solo, Kyle?
Kyle: No I haven't.
BJ: Is it just a desire to be set back from the front? A fear, maybe?
Kyle: Eh, not so much. It's just been so long since I've finished a song by myself that I guess maybe I thought it was something like that, but my good friend and our long-time bassist told me once, "Some people just don't do, don't stand out front."
Madi: I guess its kind of a process to find yourself in the write place, the write element in the music, where you can really be honest with yourself and just go. I have a problem of just editing myself far too much when I write alone. Like over thinking what I should change about that word, or why doesn't a chorus stand out.
BJ: Do you guys demo a lot while writing, or is it just like, you write the song and hit it while its hot? Especially curious on this new record, since its a lot more based in the studio than Skin & Bone, lots more blips and bleeps.
Kyle: Well, Skin & Bone really was a while ago, so we didn't do any recording for about a year and a half. And things were really evolving then, we were writing a lot and we moved. And then the EP came about because we met these two guys Justin Loucks and Ian Fitchuck.
BJ: Mister Fishhook?
Madi: Mista Fish Hooook.
Kyle: I'll call him that when I get home. So then it was just the four of us in a studio, throwing shit at the walls and seeing what sticks. So that kind of developed a different sound.
Madi: Also, I think coming down to Nashville and just writing and writing and writing, it just... you know, you can only tap a resource so many times in a row, and then all of a sudden your fishing through things that inspire you and great records and different parts of your background. And then in a community like Nashville, I guess it was like tapping into a totally new pool. And then we got into the studio and we were excited and then we started to make new noises...
Kyle: [buzzing his tongue]
BJ: Bleep blop bloop.
Madi: Exactly, bleep blop bloops.
BJ: And you think a lot of that was the move to Nashvhille? What was Boston like? Needed change?
Madi: It was time. I mean, I was really happy for a period there, but by the end it just felt kind of draining emotional. Something about New England is a lot, man. I mean, in the Northeast it is cold and people are not super psyched about it.
BJ: You both seem like sunshine people.
Kyle: Thanks!
BJ: And moving towards the sun, and Music City, do you think that gave the sound a new brightness?
Madi: Personally, moving and changing just allowed me to open up and be a little more honest and flexible with what I was hearing. In Nashville, I'm not preoccupied with the cold. Its freedom in all sorts of ways and there's all these...
BJ: Vibes?
Madi: Oh man...
Kyle: Yeah, we hear a lot about vibes. And I have fully fully embraced it. I am all about the vibe.
BJ: I wish New York vibed like Nasvhille vibes.
Kyle: I don't think they listen to the vibes up there.
BJ: No, they listen to Wu-Tang. Different sort of vibe. But this is the ultimate vibe, here at Bonnaroo. Maybe the biggest gig you guys have done?
Kyle: Oh yeah.
BJ: Overwhelming.
Madi: I'd say so, just a hair. We're lucky, we work with a great group of people at Cherry Lane and this is huge for the new record. Everyone's been so sweet and our friends, our families, word of mouth... every little bit contributes to the buzz. So this is another step. And all we can do is just keep writing, touring around, keeping our fingers crossed.
BJ: Are you guys writing on the road? Moving towards more recording?
Kyle: Eh, some people can do that. But since we hit it so hard at home it doesn't feel like there is a need to. We do want to get some more serious studio time when we get to sit down and take a breather for a second.
Madi: The road is kind of a nice break from the focused writing, and we both soak things in like spongies, and I'll get ideas and work on them on my phone...
Kyle: Because she is from the future. If I have an idea, I spell it out on my abacus in an intricate logarithm.
BJ: Is it tough to be keep up with big buzz, like here at Bonnaroo, at a time when its so important for you to tour heavily? Is it tough to need to be so tour-centric in such a shit economy?
Kyle: Yeah, we basically don't make any money. Its like there is just enough to feed our child, this project, and not quite enough to feed ourselves. But each time, more and more people come and they something new that they like, and then it keeps going.
Madi: Yeah, sometimes its hard to stay psyched all the time, but it always comes back to the song. Like you write something that's exciting and that's what turns a page. Or a trip into the studio. Sometimes even just a really great show happens and I feel like we've moved forward. Its just where the energy emerges from, and that's all different places but mostly the song. We're lucky.
BJ: Lucky to have one another.
Madi: It's good to have a buddy.
Listen to Nothing At All
Benefit Concert for Ruthie (Will's wife)
Benefit Concert For Ruthie (Will's Wife)
June 4th was a great day of camaraderie and support for Ten Out of Tenn drummer Will Sayles. Will's wife Ruthie, who was hurt in a serious car accident in 1996, is currently waiting for an important surgery. To help Ruthie afford this surgery, Will's friends in the music industry came together and did what they do best: rocked out!
The concert, held at Rocketown in Nashville, kicked off with local songstress Brooke Waggoner. ToT's own Griffin House followed with a short but upbeat set. Next up was Erin McCarley, who was joined onstage by KS Rhoads on keys. Then special guest Jeremy Lister, who was not listed as being part of the show, treated the audience of over 600 with a few songs. Will's friends in Sixpence None the Richer took to the stage next, followed by Landon Pigg. The sweet sounds of Mindy Smith closed out the night.
Even though they mostly stayed behind the scenes, fellow Ten Out of Tenn artists Katie Herzig, Trent Dabbs, Tyler James, and Andy Davis all came out to show their support for Will and Ruthie.
The enthused crowd also bid on items in a silent auction being held during the show. Art, music, jewelry and more were up for grabs. Everyone assuredly went home happy with his or her winnings, and all together the show and auction raised over $20,000 for Ruthie's cause.
To donate to Ruthie's surgery, click here: Ruthie's Medical Fund
To watch the video on FOX News, go here: Ruthie's Benefit Concert & Auction
The concert, held at Rocketown in Nashville, kicked off with local songstress Brooke Waggoner. ToT's own Griffin House followed with a short but upbeat set. Next up was Erin McCarley, who was joined onstage by KS Rhoads on keys. Then special guest Jeremy Lister, who was not listed as being part of the show, treated the audience of over 600 with a few songs. Will's friends in Sixpence None the Richer took to the stage next, followed by Landon Pigg. The sweet sounds of Mindy Smith closed out the night.
Even though they mostly stayed behind the scenes, fellow Ten Out of Tenn artists Katie Herzig, Trent Dabbs, Tyler James, and Andy Davis all came out to show their support for Will and Ruthie.
The enthused crowd also bid on items in a silent auction being held during the show. Art, music, jewelry and more were up for grabs. Everyone assuredly went home happy with his or her winnings, and all together the show and auction raised over $20,000 for Ruthie's cause.
To donate to Ruthie's surgery, click here: Ruthie's Medical Fund
To watch the video on FOX News, go here: Ruthie's Benefit Concert & Auction
ARTIST UPDATES
Artist Updates
Since we got back from our Spring tour, the TOT artists have been going non stop trying to play catch up on their careers.
Erin McCarley & K.S. Rhoads just got off Tour with Jack's Mannequin, meanwhile, her video for 'Love, Save the Empty' has been in the VH1 Top 20 Countdown. Erin and K.S. are heading out in a few weeks with Mat Kearney, check her page for tour dates
Speaking of Mat Kearney, TOT'sTrent Dabbs and Matthew Perryman Jones co-wrote on the album, check out their song 'Lifeline', Trent also co-wrote 'Never Be Ready' on the new album. And if you haven't seen his video for 'Closer To Love' - check it out and look for Katie Herzig and Tyler James making guest appearances!
A couple ofJeremy Lister's songs ended up on the new Better Than Ezra album, 'Fit' and 'Just One Day' - they sound great, but we prefer Listers' versions!
Matthew P. Jones and Katie H. co-wrote a song together that premiered on the Grey's Finale, check it out here....Where the Road Meets the Sky, and Trent Dabbs co-wrote the opening song on Grey's, 'Charmed Life' with fellow Nashville artist, Joy Williams.
We couldn't be more excited forButterfly Boucher , who just released her single, Gun For a Tongue, on itunes and will be releasing her full album June 2 everywhere! It's amazing, you must get it. She's headed to the West Coast for some dates in June, check here dates here...
Katie Herzig and Andy Davis haven't gotten off the road since we've been back, they've both been all over! Make sure to check their dates to see if they are headed your way. Also, check out their exclusive songs on Brite Revolution, along with MPJ & Griffin House , who have been releasing new songs there as well.
On another note, our favorite TOT member,Will Sayles - the drummer, has been busy taking care of his beautiful wife who has to undergo surgery for her spine next month. They are amazing people, please keep them in your prayers and come check out the 'RAISE UP' BENEFIT show June 4th with Mindy Smith, Landon Pigg, Griffin House, Erin McCarley, Sixpence None the Richer and Brooke Waggoner.
There's been a lot more happening, but that's all we have for now, but we'll keep you posted on the artists tours, new songs, new albums and other exciting news.
FOLLOW US ON TWITTER @tenoutoftenn.com
Speaking of Mat Kearney, TOT's
A couple of
We couldn't be more excited for
On another note, our favorite TOT member,
There's been a lot more happening, but that's all we have for now, but we'll keep you posted on the artists tours, new songs, new albums and other exciting news.
FOLLOW US ON TWITTER @tenoutoftenn.com
We're in the Movies!!
Any Day Now Film
We love our story. It's basically a bunch of friends that make good music, coming together to share resources. It has all happened so organically and we want everything we do to fall into place just as these artists did, just as the tour did...and just as this film did.
After meeting Jeff Wyatt Wilson and telling him about the tour we were leaving on in no less than a month at the time, we both agreed that this story was worthy of a film. We didn't know what it would be or how it would happen, just knew that it needed to. So we sent Jeff out with his camera, gave him a bunk on the bus and a few meals here and there and he was in. He didn't miss a beat, as soon as the first artist was up in the morning, Jeff was there with his camera, filming all day, all night, every joke, every live show, every special moment that these artists had together...it's all documented. It's beautiful footage of an amazing story.
While we were out on the West Coast Spring Tour, Jeff called to let us know that it had been accepted into the Nashville Film Festival! So we got back from tour, played our last show to an awesome crowd at the Cannery Ballroom and followed it up a week later with a premiere of 'Any Day Now.' It was all pretty surreal...the red carpet, a sold out screening in the biggest theater at Green Hills, fans, friends, other film industry folks...they laughed, cheered, gave a standing ovation. It was a perfect evening and only gave us more motivation to keep the wheels turning.
After meeting Jeff Wyatt Wilson and telling him about the tour we were leaving on in no less than a month at the time, we both agreed that this story was worthy of a film. We didn't know what it would be or how it would happen, just knew that it needed to. So we sent Jeff out with his camera, gave him a bunk on the bus and a few meals here and there and he was in. He didn't miss a beat, as soon as the first artist was up in the morning, Jeff was there with his camera, filming all day, all night, every joke, every live show, every special moment that these artists had together...it's all documented. It's beautiful footage of an amazing story.
While we were out on the West Coast Spring Tour, Jeff called to let us know that it had been accepted into the Nashville Film Festival! So we got back from tour, played our last show to an awesome crowd at the Cannery Ballroom and followed it up a week later with a premiere of 'Any Day Now.' It was all pretty surreal...the red carpet, a sold out screening in the biggest theater at Green Hills, fans, friends, other film industry folks...they laughed, cheered, gave a standing ovation. It was a perfect evening and only gave us more motivation to keep the wheels turning.