Country Music

Max T Barnes Interview: The Tour of Ireland and More

/ mrbaxteria2008 / Leave a comment
Photo of Max T. Barnes Taken June 16, 2011 at Ray Stevens music in Nashville.

Photo of Max T. Barnes Taken June 16, 2011 at Ray Stevens music in Nashville.

I have featured interviews about Irish artists touring the United States. This time it is the other way around. This interview focuses on Max T Barnes who is a million-selling  American artist and his tour of Ireland which is happening very soon.  

It is great to get fresh perspective from a mind that has seen it all. But Max T Barnes does not carry the attitude of “ been there done that.” In fact he continues to thrive in the music world with a sense of humility underneath the wisdom. He shares them all unconditionally. And he is one fascinating artist that many can learn from.

 

1. After many hits in America, and having more than 20 million records sold worldwide, do you ever feel nervous or excited about this upcoming tour of Ireland?

    MTB: That is a great question. We are coming to have fun with the folks and make friends. Of course I am a little jittery about this tour – “Will they like me” etc. But I am coming over with a great partner in Craig Curtis who is a great singer and showman and that gives me some peace. We all are striving I guess for what we have yet to achieve. That is the human condition I reckon.     

2. You wrote songs for major labels like Warner Brothers, Sony, Curb, Polygram and MCA. What have you discovered so far? How competitive is the music environment?

    MTB: I would say it is dog eat dog but that would be an insult to dogs 🙂 just kidding.  No at the level which you are consistently having hits, it is very fun and rewarding but in your mind it can be very tense. Imagine you have to write a song a day. now imagine it has to be a great song a couple times a week. Now imagine your songs have to beat the biggest names in country music to get a #1 -consistently – it is heady stuff. I have learned humility.  Having said all that, I really don’t understand it fully  — I think God must have given me this gift and I hold on to my faith in God.   

3. You will be joined on stage by Craig Curtis, with Paul Hollowell. How do you feel performing with these talented artists? 

MTB:Paul is my best buddy and we talk every morning but he will be on tour with Dolly so he can’t come this time

I know they are playing Dublin and Belfast on their world tour “Blue Smoke” which I think is sold out. 

Craig Curtis has a Randy Travis like voice and I have a Vince Gill/Colin Raye Type voice so it’s a good blend. Craig is a very funny guy and we have a big big time on stage. Where appropriate, we have a beer on stage and ask the audience to join in our drinking game 🙂  We have a good time and I tell stories about these hits we sing – behind the scenes stories no one has heard. He and I write all his stuff together so it is very comfortable – Vey fun! 

4. What’s the reason behind your decision to launch a music tour in Ireland?

        MTB It is complicated- another story,  but I love traditional country music and from what I understand the Irish do to. 

That’s why.  

5. What will your Irish fans expect to hear from you?

         MTB My  big hits and my dad’s 24 hits. These are very well known songs    “Love me” by Collin Raye – “Who’s gonna fill their shoe”s by George Jones “Look at Us” by Vince Gill and so many more   so fans will recognize them but the cool thing are the stories about the back scene in the biz.   With the exception of Craig’s new stuff, We sing nothing but hits.  

6. What are the places you wish to visit when you are there?

         MTB I took my wife Robin some years ago for a 10 day vacation there so I have seen the tourist stuff. (it was amazing!!)

But this time, I could think of nothing better than to see the inside of someone’s home because we got an invite because we made a new friend.    

7. What’s the pivotal point in your upbringing that made you decide you want to be in music?

          MTB  True story— I was 17 at a movie by myself because a girlfriend broke up– and I remember thinking what do I want to be?

and the answer was —be in music (play guitar) and I realized that I needed to practice!!! so I got up and left in the middle of the movie, went home and practiced!!!    Still practicing 🙂 

8. Can you tell us a bit about your record collection these days? What tunes are you listening to?

          MTB I don’t really have a collection. I have maybe 7 or 8 hundred cd’s from artist’s my dad or I have cuts on —  or friends cuts — or my artist friends.

I am typical of songwriters though- in that I rarely listen to music on purpose . I was cleaning out the barn the other day and my wife asked me why did I not have the radio on? I told her because I like the records in my head better – I really do hear music in my head and I sing along – But my mental jukebox is eclectic!   Coldplay, Bad Co. Hank Jr. Randy Travis (a lot of Randy lately)  And I love to sing in John Anderson’s voice!!

John Anderson was over to my house just yesterday recording!! Oh my gosh I love his voice!!! 

9. Thanks for you time Max .     MTB  Thanks buddy

Official website: http://www.maxtbarnes.com/

 

Celtic/Country Wonder Twins: Interview with Carli and Julie Kennedy

/ mrbaxteria2008 / 1 Comment
Alec Watson Photography

Alec Watson Photography

Having a twin means you always have a best friend! You have someone that understands you and supports you in everything you do.  

When I heard Carli and Julie Kennedy, the initial  impression  was the amazing vocal harmonies they create. They have beautiful voices and are so talented with  instruments and songwriting. On top of that they are also young and pretty-the kind that reminds of Rossetti’s Pre-Raphaelite angels. Their EP SMALL TOWN STORIES is out since late last year and are gaining converts from all over with their brand of Celtic and Country fusion. It was fun doing this Interview because the sisters took turns answering. It’s twin power all over!

1. What was the earliest musical memory you both can remember?


The earliest memory I have is of Carli and I playing in a band with our friends at about 5 years old. We made our instruments out of cardboard boxes and tupperware containers and we felt really cool! We have amazingly supportive parents – very soon after, they went to the music store and bought us real guitars and a piano! We wouldn’t be where we are today if it wasn’t for their support and love!
-Julie

2. Cite the biggest influence in your musical career.


The biggest influence by far in my musical career is Julie. She is my twin sister, my best friend, my musical other half, and my partner in crime! Julie always has my back in the rehearsal room and on stage, and I could not do it without her! -Carli

3.Of all the songs in your album, what are your favorite ones and why.


My personal favourite song on our album is the title track, “Small Town Stories.” We wrote this song about all of the great memories we have from growing up in our hometown of Powell River. To me, it is the song that best represents who we are and where we come from! -Julie

“Front Row” will always be a special song to Julie and I because we wrote it for our dad. Dad taught me my first chords on guitar, and he has been such a huge support for Julie and I since we were playing concerts for him in our living room at five years old! -Carli

4. What are you planning to accomplish this year?

Alec Watson Photography
Julie and I have a lot of goals for this year. We are songwriting for our next album, which we plan to release in 2013. We also have plans to tour throughout Canada in the summer and the fall of this year. We look forward to releasing a couple new music videos as well!
-Carli

5.Talking about twins,my friend Jimmy who introduced your music to me is a proud daddy of twins. What are advantages of growing up as twins?

Having a twin means you always have a best friend! You have someone that understands you and supports you in everything you do. Carli and I have an amazing connection when it comes to music as well – in many ways we can read each others minds! For example, if I forget the words to a song, Carli takes over without anyone knowing! (Very handy!) We also interpret songs in similar musical ways, which makes playing and songwriting together really fun! -Julie

6.Already Miss you is a personal favorite. I know I am such a sucker for sad songs. It’s in my Filipino blood. What inspired you to write this tune?


Thanks so much! “Already Miss You” was inspired by long distance relationships. Our mom and dad started new jobs in the last few years that require them to do a lot of traveling. They are apart from each other a lot more than they have ever been before, which is hard for them! My mom says this song is very close to her heart! -Carli

7.Are you both keen about the ordering of songs in the album and also the whole packaging thing.


We love the entire process of creating an album! We definitely put a lot of thought and energy into the order of songs because, to me, it affects the way you experience the music. We also love the design process of creating the cd packaging. We had a vision for the project, and we worked with an incredible designer to create our EP “Small Town Stories” – it was such an fun process! – Julie

8. Your music is described as a fusion of country, folk, jazz, and Celtic music. What is the general reception towards Celtic music these days?


We grew up playing and listening to Celtic music. We love to include Celtic fiddle tunes in our show, and they always seem to be crowd favourites! -Carli

9.Thanks for your time Carli and Julie.What are your messages to your readers?


It is our absolute pleasure! We are so happy that you enjoy our music. To our readers and fans, we just want to say thank you so much for your constant support! We love hearing from you, and we hope we can continue to make music that moves you and makes you smile!

More info:

    http://www.cjkennedy.com

http://www.myspace.com/carliandjuliekennedy

http://www.twitter.com/carliandjulie

http://www.youtube.com/carliandjuliekennedy

Press contact    Media & Industry: i see. Irene Carroll Et Associates Public and Media Relations. Irene Carroll, Strategist 416.366.5473 irene@iseeassociates.ca — Touring & Information: Kit Watson, kit@toolkitmusic.com, 778.995.7311

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Irish Country Music and More Celtic Radio

/ mrbaxteria2008 / 10 Comments

I am in a middle of a very busy week. I seldom have a chance to eat at work because I would be thinking what to do next. When you train more than 23 people by batch there are also things you consider while being in front( at least for me). Is my voice pleasant and is the room acoustics making a good job at it? Did I powder my bad head so hat it doesn’t show a shine from the ceiling lamps? Am I making sure I am animated enough and so on and so forth. I usually write this blogs hours or after my work. But not without a cup of warm tea.

Now for the news:

Ever heard of Irish Country Music? If you love both  American Country and Irish  Music then better go to this site: http://www.irishcountrymusicradio.com/ If you click the New Releases tab, you will be introduce to the latest and brightest this station can offer: Eugene O’Dornan, Jason McGilligan, Pat McKenna, Derek Ryan, Lind Welby and a lot more.

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Celebrate St. David’s Day with a great set of Celtic Music

Those living in Wales are celebrating the St. Davids Day . Dance, hum along or simply lounge. Everthing is this radio station:  http://www.celticmusicradio.net/

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Pipers Unite Against White Supremacist.

Pipe players of Brittany on Sunday united against a group of US-based white supremacists who are campaigning to discredit the French region’s top piper, who happens to be a black man.. I hate this. The fact that Celtic Music is supposed to be Universal; for this to happen is outrageous. Read more here: http://www.independent.ie/world-news/europe/pipers-unite-against-white-supremacists-2559536.html

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Congratulations to Cape Breton Fiddlers for bagging the Independent Music Awards.


If you want to check out the amazing story of two Cape Breton fiddlers : Dwayne Côté and Duane Andrews check this link: http://www.capebretonpost.com/Arts/Entertainment/2011-02-28/article-2288570/Dwayne-and-Duane-up-for-two-Independent-Music-Awards/1

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Events:

Guest Artist Series presents Men of Worth

Start:
March 11, 2011 7:30 pm
End:
March 11, 2011 9:30 pm
Cost:
$24 for adults, $16 for students and senior citizens
Venue:
Illinois Central College Performing Arts Center
Phone:
309-694-5136
Address:
Google Map
1 College Drive, East Peoria, IL, United States, 61635

From Scotland’s outer islands and Ireland’s west, the folk duo Men of Worth brings the real music of their regions with tunes and songs that were authentic to the fabric of everyday life a century ago.