Chris Stapleton – Sometimes I Cry (Bing Lounge)

He co-wrote “Drink A Beer.” I know because my inbox is filling up with testimonials to Chris Stapleton. He’s got a vocal fanbase exceeding that of any artist who hasn’t broken through yet. To the point where I had to check him out.

And if the above video doesn’t close you, you don’t.

Cry, that is.

So there is hope. Although it seems to be centered in Nashville.

Yes, I know my audience hates Top Forty and wants to believe real music can still triumph. Chris Stapleton is testimony to this.

But he’s not completely unknown.

He cowrote Kenny Chesney’s number one single, “Never Wanted Nothing More,” which ironically was the track that got me into Kenny. There’s that one change…

Actually, Stapleton has had four number ones. Including George Strait’s “Love’s Gonna Make It All Right” and Darius Rucker’s “Come Back Song.” Hell, he’s had over 150 covers.

And most people still don’t know his name.

I didn’t.

So put that in your I’m ready to be famous pipe. Those with no audience and no traction who are looking for their one big break.

You’d believe Stapleton would have caught his by now. He’s had multiple bands, including the SteelDrivers and the Jompson Brothers. And now he’s a solo act on Universal. And I’d like to tell you that song they’re pushing, “What Are You Listening To,” is a stone cold smash.

But it’s not.

It’s good. But it’s just a bit too polished, a bit too slick.

Oh, it’s close. If you’re a fan you’ll love it.

But if you’re not, you probably won’t be closed.

But this live video of “Sometimes I Cry”… Wow!

They talk about autotune, everybody’s trying to be perfect, but the key is to get it right.

And when it comes to music, it’s about humanity.

He’s picking his guitar and you feel like you’re right there, even though it’s on your screen.

Then he starts to sing.

Everybody thinks they’re a singer. And then someone like Chris Stapleton opens his mouth and you hear the raw emotion, the rich honey, but then comes the bark with the bite.

When Stapleton sings…”sometimes I CRY”…it’s like one of those moments on “Britain’s Got Talent,” where an unknown becomes an instant star. Imagine if Susan Boyle was a hit songwriter!

That’s how powerful this presentation is.

And when you’re this good, you instantly become beautiful, and desirable, because your insides shine.

You think you need to look like Rihanna and your vocal can be fixed in the studio.

And that’s one path.

But the one we really want to take is the one evidenced by Stapleton.

If he wrote this song…he must have lived it! How does a bearded, bear-like man decide to reveal his inner pain, how does he become so vulnerable?

That’s what we’re all looking for, vulnerability.

You can go to dinner and discuss what you did, but that’s only a set-up, leave it at that and it’s boring. You’ve got to get to the heart of the matter, how do you FEEL!

‘Cause every day that I walk around like I’m all right
I pretend to wear a smile on my face

Hiding your emotions, keeping them inside, it’s the American way.

Everybody keeps telling me to move on

That’s the second worst thing about a breakup. That your friends don’t want to hear about it. Oh, they’ll listen for a while, but then they want you to move on long before you’re ready to.

But I can’t seem to go anywhere without you

It’s like they’re sitting on your shoulder, stuffed in your back pocket, not only where you used to go, but places you know they’d like to be.

But sometimes
Sometimes
Sometimes I CRY

Alone in bed. Driving home. The waterworks are unexpected, and can’t be turned off, you ache, you don’t think you’re ever gonna feel good.

This is the essence. This is what we’re looking for.

And when Chris Stapleton distills this raw essence into a studio recording everybody will know his name.

“What Are You Listening To”

I worked at XM Radio from 2000-2008. Pat DiNizio and I received hundreds of packages a week from bands and musicians that wanted to make it in the industry.

Problem was out if 100 packages, 1 was great, 4 showed promise and 6 had potential with a lot work and dedication.

I spent 15 hours a week on the phone with bands explaining what was wrong and most wouldn’t listen, of the ones that did listen, 50% had no motivation to take my advice and another 30% just took the simple road, trying to do it quickly,

But there were those artist that we featured on Unsigned like Jennifer Nettles, Stellastarr, The Kin, Shonie, Will Daily, Josh Ritter, and countless others that went on to get signed, many within a year of featuring them on The Radar Report, a weekly show of the best 13 for the week.. Jennifer Nettles was an artist of the week…. so was Will, Stellastarr and Joshua..

There was something different about them, and I tried with all my heart to put it into words to artists that needed some solid input and positive advice. Most just didn’t hear it, they glazed over the work and the 10,000 hours Malcolm speaks of, and opted for a quick comeback with a subpar release…

When it comes to music the listener, now more than ever, doesn’t have to settle.,, they can find the gems, those songs that transport them, those artists that actually give you chills when you listen..

that’s what we crave….
that thing we can’t explain, but sure as hell a few times a year I listen, lift up my arm and stare at hairs on end… I want that every day…

don’t we all…?

billy zero
Dj Boy Radio
VP, Programming

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Why do people think despising the successful will lead to success?

Joshua Hall

He alienated his core audience.

Which was sensitive females.

An hunk who could both croon and wail, it was John Mayer’s crooning that delivered star status. Back when VH1 still played music and Top Forty radio wasn’t the haven of producer-driven, made by committee pop.

Under the best of circumstances Mayer would have a hard time triumphing today. But having screwed everything that moves, and seemingly having no regrets about it, females don’t need him anymore.

And neither do males… We like our guitar slingers unattractive with little to say. Break the mold and you’ve got to be legendary, and Mayer is good, but not that good.

So he fires his manager.

Someone’s got to take the fall. And it’s certainly not going to be the artist.

Now I’m not saying a new person doesn’t bring new stuff to the table, a fresh perspective if nothing else. But will that person live and die for you? Take your midnight phone call? Bring you drugs and arrange abortions?

Probably not. You need a lifer for that. Someone who’s not about the deal, but the relationship. Especially on your way down.

And that’s where Mayer’s headed, if he hasn’t fallen all the way already.

Let’s be clear, he had a good run. A decade. But the generations have changed. His audience is getting married and having babies. No one has hits forever.

So who does he want to be?

He’s reinvented himself as a seventies, back to the land, no flash musician. The only problem is the two albums he released in this role had no hits. Nothing that stuck in your brain that you couldn’t get out. It all comes down to the music. You want hits, you’ve got to write hits.

And that’s okay. If you want to do it your way to ever fewer people.

But if you want to get on radio and sell out arenas, you’ve got to play beyond your core, reach those who are not paying attention, with your music and shenanigans.

Kind of like his girlfriend Katy Perry.

But she’s a completely different animal. A studio construct. Without her helpers she’s nothing. Whereas Mayer started off with just himself and a guitar.

It’s always the girlfriend. Or the boyfriend. Whispering in the ear. Artists, who are inherently insecure, trust the person they sleep with most. And here’s Katy having hits, with different people, and Mayer wants some of that.

But it would be laughable for a guy who made it on his chops to sing about man-power to a beat. Then again, maybe he and Max Martin could come up with a catchy ditty. But one thing Mayer had was…his audience believed it was him. He wasn’t a front for other people, he was not just a face, but a soul.

It’s got little to do with the “Playboy” interview. Hell, what did he say that was so wrong?

But the perception is he took advantage of Jennifer Aniston and Jessica Simpson and Taylor Swift. Going from America’s sweetheart to an airhead to someone just out of adolescence. What was his type? Other than attractive and desirable?

And you could say his personal life is irrelevant, but that’s only for movie stars. Who are part of ensemble casts, playing roles. Music, when done right, is about the person himself. And once upon a time, Mayer did it right.

With Michael McDonald’s help.

So now he fires the one person he can count on.

Didn’t work so good when Lady Gaga fired Troy Carter.

What’s up with these artists?

And, once again, what does John Mayer want?

Fame?

Then get on TV. Be a “Voice” substitute host, replacing Cee-Lo or Adam Levine. But they’re not going anywhere, because that’s all they’ve got, it’s the essence of their stardom. Furthermore, those singing shows are past their peak.

Where is this pot of gold that Michael McDonald couldn’t deliver?

No, the fault is with John Mayer himself.

And even if he delivered a fantastic album, there’s no guarantee radio would play it, that’s not the sound they’re featuring these days.

Then again, Mayer always had a schizophrenic career. Sensitive artist and gunslinger. You can’t do both, he’s found out.

And now he doesn’t know what to do so he shoots the messenger. The only guy speaking the truth. Do you think any of the people bidding to manage him are gonna say any of the above? Of course not. Because they want the billing.

You want a manager who’s about more than the billing.

People hate when their record is not a hit. Or the one they’re working. Or the one made by their favorite artist. And what’s on the radio, what’s successful, sucks.

I get it. You’re frustrated. You wish the world were different.

But it’s not.

Now I’m not saying everything that’s popular is fantastic. But I am saying it’s rare that that with little traction would be loved by everybody if it just got exposure.

In other words, records are hits for a reason.

Primarily because they’re good.

And god forbid you do something good in this world. Oh, that’s right, I’ve gone on record that good is not good enough. God forbid you do something great. Then the whole world is gonna rain down on you. Both positive and negative. You’ll be in the center of an unforeseen maelstrom that almost no one can understand.

Kind of like Taylor Swift. She thought she wanted to be successful. She had no idea what came along with winning. Every move, every action is scrutinized. You think since you’re posting on Facebook or Twitter everybody cares, but they don’t. Hell, just look at the Twitter followings. You’ve got to get into the hundreds of thousands to get true traction, do you think it makes a difference what you say if you’ve only got double or triple digits?

But you keep doing it. Not for yourself, but to get ahead. Everybody’s trying to get ahead. And criticizing those above them.

The guys who run the record labels! They’re idiots!

I’ve known all of them. They’re not. In fact, they’re very smart. Rawly, and they know how to play the game. That’s right, if you can’t get along, you’re never going to make it to the top.

And staying on top? That’s a skill too.

Am I saying those ruling the world are the only ones who can do so?

No.

But I am saying stars are irreplaceable.

There was only one Steve Jobs. Apple hasn’t been the same since. Could end up being something great according to Jony Ive’s vision, but it won’t be the same. The same way Sammy Hagar Van Halen wasn’t the same as David Lee Roth Van Halen, and that’s one of the only bands that replaced its lead singer and continued to have recording success.

It doesn’t matter that you hate the stars. Doesn’t matter that you think you can do better. Because most of the people don’t agree with you. Most of the people are just fine with Rihanna and Katy Perry and the aforementioned Ms. Swift. One can argue Rihanna and Perry are niche compared to the stars of yore, but certainly not Ms. Swift. She can sell out stadiums, alone. No one else in the business can do that. Is it because she’s tall and attractive and has a rich father?

NO!

IT’S BECAUSE OF THE SONGS!

She’s speaking about her inner life. Certainly on the first two albums, before she went off the rails a bit. And people are drawn to that. That’s a hit.

You wonder why your music is not a hit and somebody else’s is?

It’s the je ne sais quoi, that something different that’s hard to define and articulate but resonates nonetheless.

Don’t ask me to explain Alanis Morissette’s “Hand In Pocket.” All I know is when I listen to it I feel like I’m the only one, and I’m empowered, it squeezes all the b.s. out of my mind.

And yes, I know there are Beach Boys harmonies in AC/DC’s “You Shook Me All Night Long,” but that doesn’t account for all the magic, it’s the drums…it’s the way it makes me feel!

Same deal with Gnarls Barkley’s “Crazy.”

That’s music. It’s hard to explain.

Can I tell you that my favorite track of the year is Katy Perry’s “Wide Awake”?

Maybe it came out last year, I don’t know. But the sound, the way it makes me feel. I don’t care that it was written by committee, that Dr. Luke was involved, all I know is I want to hear it again and again and again. That I only had to hear it once.

Stuff is mainstream for a reason. BECAUSE MANY PEOPLE LIKE IT!

Decry that all you want, but now, more than ever, when something breaks through and sustains…

It deserves respect.