Collin Raye

There's two awesome Country Ballad singers from the 90's. One is Vince Gill, and the other? Collin Raye. You get either of these guys on the radio, and your heart will melt (as for guys, you'll start to try to imitate their voices but find out you suck soooo badly at it. I know, I've tried so many time.) From De Queen, Arkansas, Collin Raye grew up with a musical family. Ever heard of Lois Wrays? She did opening acts for artists such as, Jerry Lee Lewis, Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, and Carl Perkins. All famous and legendary music artist. Lois is also Collin's mother. Different last name noticing? It's not because of any kind of divorce, it's because Collin actual name is Floyd Elliot Wray. He was born August 22, 1960, and been active in the music industry since 1983. Well, how come we've never truly heard of him until the early 1990s? In 1983, Collin was part of his brother band, The Wrays, from 1983 - 1987. He was at the time known as, Bubba Wray. They've produced a few singles, but failed to ever chart any of them. So, hello 1987, goodbye The Wray.

Raye went solo in 1991, with Epic Records, and released his debut album, All I Can Be. In this album, came his 1st #1 hit (lucky shot he made) with, "Love, Me". After that, Raye stayed in the Top 10 with all of his singles for decades on into 2000. However, Can't Back Down (released in 2001), was the first to miss the Top 40. In 2005, Raye released his first recording after being absence during the time, Twenty Years and Change, with an independent label. Between 1991, to 1997, Raye charted 30 singles, among them, were 4 #1 hits, "Love, Me", "In This Life", "My Kind of Girl", and "I Can Still Feel You". His most recent album right now is, Never Going Back. Released on April 28, 2009 from Saguaro Road Records. Now let's dig a little deeper shall we?

Collin Raye got his name by fiddling around with "Wray", if you haven't noticed by now, they rhyme. That just my guess on why he went with "Raye". Studies shows he just mainly messed around with the name until he got his current stage name. He signed with Epic in 1990, released, All I Can Be, and provided his first debut single, "All I Can Be (Is a Sweet Memory)" in 1991. The album was released later the same year. Did I mention he had a lucky shot earlier? Just how lucky was the shot? His debut single peaked up to #29. Not every artist gets that lucky on their debut single. You know Conway Twitty? He was the first to record the song on his 1985 album. It does make you wonder. If Twitty (knowing how good this Holy-Crap-this-guy-can-sing-pure-geniously can sing) had released the song as a single, where would it had gotten him. Raye first #1 hit, "Love, Me" stayed #1 for three weeks starting January 4, 1992, after Brook N' Dunn 1991 #1 hit, "My Next Broken Heart". Raye other single, "Every Second" peaked #2.

"In This Life" can be found on his 1992 album, In This Life, and was also the debut single for the album. As read earlier, the song also became #1 as well. it stayed for 2 weeks starting October 2, 1992. The album also produced 3 other Top 10 hits, "I Want You Bad (And That Ain't Good)", "Somebody Else's Moon", and "That Was a River". Raye next album, Extremes, was released in 1993, and also had a few hits such as, "Man of My Word", "My Kind of Girl", and "If I were you". As noted, "My kind of Girl" is Raye 3rd #1 hit. It stayed for 1 week, The week of February 18, 1995. Two other hits from the same album that were considered very popular were, "That's My Story" which peaked #6, and the followed by (my favorite), "Little Rock". By the way, if you're like me, you could have sworn this song went #1. It actually only peaked at #2.

Six single were produced on the next album. Including the title track, "I Think About You". The album was released in 1995. The other 5 singles were, "One Boy, One Girl", "Not That Different" (both reaching Top 5), "Love Remain", "What If Jesus Comes Back Like That", and "On the Verge". Now here's the kicker. While "Not That Different" was the current single released, "What If Jesus Comes Back Like That" was receiving a huge amount of unsolicited airplay. Because of it, Raye ended up making it an official single release. Which was done after the release of, "Love Remains". Only "On the Verge" and, "One Boy, One Girl" got the closest to #1 by peaking #2.

Speaking of Unsolicited airplay, back in 1981, Journey (yes we're getting off the country chart for a moment) recorded "Open Arms". Fast forward to the 90s, Collin Raye re-recorded the song. Was never meant to be a single however, It also received unsolicited airplay. This happened after Collin Raye released, The Best of Collin Raye: Direct Hits. On the same album, Two other newer songs, "What the Heart Wants" and "Little Red Rodeo" had both join the Top 5 list. Keep "Little Red Rodeo" in mind as we journey onward.

Raye met his last # 1 hit in 1998 with, "I Can Still Feel You". Which is found on his album, The Walls Came Down. The song, starting from July 18, 1998, stayed #1 for 2 weeks. In the meantime, other Top Hits were, "Someone You Used to Know" and "Anyone Else". These were Top 5, but, "Start Over Georgia" was in the Top 40. Every now and then, you'll find that an artist to have a song that never gets released as a single. Instead, they're released as a music video. That's what Collin Raye did with, "The Eleventh Commandment". At the end of this video, There's a Child Abuse Hotline #. While in, "Little Rock", there's a Al-Anom (Alcohol Anonymous) # at the end of the video. I never could find the video with the number for the child abuse, nor alcohol abuse, either way, If you need help, remember, there's always help. Just look the number up online, in a phone book, next door neighbor, etc. Don't ever go through this alone.

Counting Sheep had only one Top 5 hit with, "Couldn't Last a Moment" however, none of the other singles on the album ever saw the Top 40. This was the starting point of bad days for Collin Raye. Even with his next album, Can't Back Down, no singles ever saw the Top 40 either. Because of this, Raye exited Epic Records in 2001. Raye still performed around, and done vocal backing for other artist in the meantime, but didn't have a label until 2005. He is still in the search for his Top Hits again, but only time will tell.

Earlier, "Little Red Rodeo" was mentioned. As I was watching the YouTube video, I decided to read some of the comments. That's when I saw just how unreal people can get. One comment that caught my attention, was a user explaining how they disagree with the other user. Stating how Phil version is better because you "can't mess with the original". There's a problem with this. First, we're talking about the recording, not who wrote it when it comes to "the original". The song was indeed written by Phil Vassar. It was also co-written with Charlie Black and Rory Michael Bourke. However, Collin Raye recorded it first in 1997. Making him the official original recording artist. Phil re-recorded it later in 2006 on he CD, Greatest Hits, Vol.1, but was never released as a single. "Vassar's first greatest hits compilation, Greatest Hits, Vol. 1, was issued in 2006. This album comprised the biggest hits from his studio albums to that point, as well as his renditions of "Bye Bye", "I'm Alright", "My Next Thirty Years", and "Little Red Rodeo"." So again, in order to be the "original", you would want to be the first to record it. Again, Phil is the original writer yes, but the way the user put it, to me, is stating Phil first recorded it. If you get the chance, check out the actual YouTube page of the song, and check out some of the comments. They're actually funny. In the meantime, I leave you with my favorite, "Little Rock". Until then, Farewell.

Resource

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Collin_Raye
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1992_in_country_music
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_number-one_country_singles_of_1991_(U.S.)
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/All_I_Can_Be
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_number-one_country_singles_of_1995_(U.S.)
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Little_Rock_(Collin_Raye_song)
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open_Arms_(Journey_song)
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I_Can_Still_Feel_You
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_number-one_country_singles_of_1998_(U.S.)
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Little_Red_Rodeo
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phil_Vassar
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phil_Vassar_discography

Collin Raye - My Kind of Girl

Sometime, it takes three to come up with a hit that'll take over the Hot Country Billboard chart. Even tho the song only lasted one week, it still counts as a success for Debi Cochran, John Jarrard, and Monty Powell. All three together, co-wrote "My Kind of Girl" which was recorded by Collin Raye on his Extremes album. The song was released as a single on November 29, 1994, and met the #1 for the week of February 18, 1995. Becoming Raye third #1 single. The producers were John Hobbs, Ed Seay, and Paul Worley.

Raye album, Extremes, was also his third album as well and was released on January 25, 1994 (funny how his third single went to #1 a little over a year since the release of his third album). The record was produced from Epic Records and peaked at #12 on the album chart. "My Kind of Girl" is Raye only #1 single out of the 5 singles released from the album. However, the other 4 singles still made a smash hit for Raye, which they were, "That's My Story", "Man of My Word", "If I Were You", and (my favorite) "Little Rock". if you have the album, you may have noticed the song, "Dreaming My Dreams with You" sounds familiar. It is because the song is a cover of Waylon Jennings.

Monty Powell actual name was Richard Belmont Powell, Jr. and is a native of Georgia. He got his start by writing a jingle (short slogan, verse, or tune designed to be easily remembered, especially as used in advertising) for an Allstate commercial. Then in the 1990s, Powell moved to Nashville to be a staff writer. Some of the songs he's written were recorded by artists such as Diamond Rio, Tracy Byrd, Chris Cagle, Billy Ray Cyrus, Tim McGraw, and Restless Heart. Powell had it good with Diamond Rio since he used to be college roomate with their lead singer, Marty Roe. Powell had won the CMA triple play award for having written 3 #1 songs in one calendar year (mainly recorded by Keith Urban). Powell is still active in the music industry and has been since 1980. He was 19 at the time of the start.

When it comes to being in the music industry, especially when it comes to songwriting, it's a very risky "all or nothing" business. takes a lot of encouragements and to try out. Just ask John Jarrard. It took his girlfriend to get him to go to a convention in Nashville in 1974 to get his career started. Jarrard was born on May 7, 1953 and unfortunately is no longer with us. He is also a native of Georgia as well and have written song for Alabama, George Strait, and Don Williams. When Jarrard first started to work (before the songwriting), he was a disc jockey. So it's no wonder he had the idea of what people wanted to hear. Then again, I'm sure there's a lot more than that as well. I mean after all, Alabama (having 35 #1 hits consecutive), George Strait ( having well over 50 #1 hits), the two artist/band that has the biggest impact on country music. You can't go wrong with John Jarrard (Sorry Jimmy Buffet). I'm not saying Jarrard wrote all their songs, but still, impressive. While in Nashville, Jarrard worked at a motel until 1979 when diabetes started causing him complication. He ended up losing his eye sights, and then came the total kidney failure. He underwent transplant, however, his 2nd kidney transplant cost him both of his legs in 1991. and then on February 1, 2001, respiratory failure took him. Jarrard had up to 11 #1 hits with, "Nobody but You" being his first one. Which was recorded by Don William.

So is the third songwriter also from Georgia? In this case, no. Debi Cochran is actually a native of Arkansas. Where she had sent most of her childhood life with her grandma, who had a piano at the time. Cochran also sang at church regularly. On top of the Piano, Cochran also plays bass as well as a mountain dulcimer (see picture below). She spend her time being a mentor to songwriters in-person and online. Just check her webpage out if you're interested in taking lessons from her. After all, she did help write Collin Raye 3rd #1 hit.

So, with great minds working together, this is one proof that the smell of success can always occur. Happy 20th anniversary to Collin Raye's, "My Kind of Girl", and with this, I bid you farewell until next time.

Resource

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/My_Kind_of_Girl
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monty_Powell
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Jarrard
• http://www.montypowell.com/about-monty/
• http://www.discogs.com/artist/659427-Monty-Powell?noanv=1
• http://www.debbiecochran.com/bio.php
• http://www.nashvillesongmentoring.com/bio/
• http://www.usmasters.com/montypowell.htm
• http://www.nashvillesongmentoring.com/bio/
• http://www.accessnorthga.com/detail-pf.php?n=230185

Pam Tillis

Mel Tillis, best known for "Coca-Cola Cowboy", has many success through his music life. Like him, Pam, his daughter, Also found her own success in the music industry as well. On her own term. The last thing written is about the most awesome fact to ever get to know about this amazing and beautifully talented lady. any artist we hear these days, that have come from a famous celebrity parent, cheats their way to stardom. To prove it, Miley Cyrus only shot to fame because of her dad, Billy Ray Cyrus, before she took her own path. Pam Tillis on the other hand, started from the very bottom and experienced it all as her dad, Mel Tillis, did. I'm proud to allow Pam to be the first 90's female country music artist to write a blog on.

Pam was born on July 24, 1957 (God I feel bad for writing that since it gives her age, but as you can tell in her picture, she looks younger. Yes that is one of her most current picture. Keep reading and maybe it'll explain how she does it.) as Pamela Yvonne "Pam" Tillis. Her music career started in 1981 however, none of her singles entered the Top 40 until her release of, "Don't Tell Me What to Do" in 1991. Ladies and gentleman, if you haven't noticed, that's ten years. This is one proof she deserves to have the biggest respect than any of these other female celebrity that have had it a little bit more easier. Her only #1 hit is, "Mi Vida Loca (My Crazy Life)", released in 1995. Another thing, you know Dolly Parton 1992 hit single, "Romeo"? Pam also co-wrote the song and sang with her as well.

Like other 90's artist, Mrs. Tillis started at a very young age as well. She made her debut singing, "Tom Dooley" at the Grand Ole Opry when she was 8, learned to play the guitar at age 12. Tragedy struck her when she was 16 however, when she was involved in a car accident. Due to this tragic event, Mrs. Tillis had to go through years and years of surgery, including one being a facial reconstruction (now you know the reason behind her youthful look). That didn't stop her tho. She stayed moving forward in life with as much positive vibe as she could use. She dropped out of college (University of Tennessee) in 1976 to work for her dad publishing company. Later moving to California and founded the jazz/rock band, Freelight. THen came back to Nashville as a demo singer and singed in to Warner Bros. Records early in 1980.

As mention earlier, her first 10 years were not that easy on her. Mrs. Tillis debut single, "Every Home Should Have One", was released in 1981, but never charted. A few more release came from the same album, Above and Beyond the Doll of Cutey, but none of them did her any good. It was so bad, the album itself never charted either. Did she give up? Nope. She did leave the label to focus on what she needs to do, and ended up looking into contemporary country (good choice). During this time, she became a staff songwriter with Tree Publishing in Nashville. Now the weird part, before she left Warner Bros. Records, she had a few additional releases of singles which weren't on the album. Were they on her next album? Not really. In fact, these five singles were never put on any of her albums. However, out of those five, "Goodbye Highway", released in 1984, became her first single to even chart; peaking at #71. This is probably why she never gave up hope, and that's a good thing.

In 1989, she signed in with Arista Nashville and released "Don't Tell Me What to Do" and BAM! Her success started to kick in. The song (I thought it did go to #1, I was wrong) peaked at # 5 in 1991. Found on her album, Put Yourself in My Place, the album also had a few additional hits such as, "Maybe It Was Memphis" and "One of Those Things". Her title track also became a hit as well. In 1992, "Shake the Sugar Tree" (another song I thought went to #1, was wrong again), and "Let That Pony Run" both joined the Top 5 hits. Both can be found on Homeward Looking Angel album. Mrs. Tillis album release of, Sweetheart's Dance, is her highest charting album peaking in at #6. Also, on this same album, since her debut in 1981 (which is 14 years), Mrs. Tillis received her first #1 hit single with, "Mi Vida Loca (My Crazy Life)" in 1995. To me, it's very possible her other single, "I Was Blown Away" might have been able to be her next #1 hit. However, the single was withdrawn from radio play, by her request and fans, due to the 1995 Oklahoma City Bombing incident. So with this, the song only peaked up to #16.

The 90s have been very good to Mrs. Tillis, even tho she never saw any additional #1 hits that she could claim her own. She is still currently performing around, releasing albums, and doing what she loves to do the best, and that is to continue to play real, pure country music. She became a member of the Grand Ole Opry in 2000, and also, you've ever heard of Kenny Chesney 2000 single, "I Lost It"?  You know the female voice throughout the song, especially in the end? That is Pam Tillis singing. In 2007, Mrs. Tillis started her own record label, Stellar Cat Records, and I believe this quote you're about to read is one of the best statement that sum up what Alan Jackson is also seeming to try to do on his 25th anniversary Bringing Country Music Back tour, and that is to bring Real, Pure Country music back to life. Can it be done? Only time will tell. With that, I bid you farewell until next time.

"What I'm doing is country - but not necessarily the kind that you hear on the airwaves these days... Now I admire a lot of this music; I've sung rock, pop, R&B, and jazz, so I'm hardly a purist. But what I'm hearing now sounds often more like pop than country to me. And I just seriously felt called by that old different drummer to something a little bit more like the country I remember from my formative years, the country music of my youth."

Resource

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pam_Tillis
• http://www.pamtillis.com/about/

Mi Vida Loca (My Crazy Life) - Pam Tillis

Vida Loca! Seems just about everyone has one. If they don't, they'll probably eventually get there. Even us musician (whom most peopel think are slackers) have a crazy life (vida loca, now you know) in the music world. Lot of us hardly ever get any sleep. Ever read/listen to these musicians interviews? Their days goes something like this (for example): 5 a.m. wake up; get to studio; listen to thousands upon thousands of records; pick from the selection; rehearse; make adjustment; rehearse some more; interviews; record. This isn't even a day worth work. This is more of a 5 a.m. to noon kind of work. Still think it's nothing? Their job is never a 9 hour shift. Out of 365 days in the year, 98% of that is spent working, working, and working. Usually from 5 a.m. to midnight. Now I'm not writing that they're the only one with a crazy lifestyle. There's also nurses, soldiers, politicians (yes them too), EMTs, firefighters, police, electricians, etc. So many to name yet, they're all out there. Thanks God there's Pam Tillis and her single, "Mi Vida Loca (My Crazy Life)".

The song is Tillis 3rd single from her album, Sweetheart's Dance, and was release on November 7, 1994. The song was co-written by Tillis as well as Jess Leary. Not only was Tillis a co-writer, but she was also the producer along with Steve Fishell. Interesting fact: Even tho Pam had many other awesome success in the music business, "Mi Vida Loca (My Crazy Life)" is her only #1 hit single from the Billboard Hot Country Songs. To where it stayed for two weeks starting from February 4, 1995.

As mention earlier, the song is found on Tillis 4th album, Sweetheart's Dance (released in April 1994), which also had 4 other singles, "When You Walk in the Room", "Spilled Perfume", "I Was Blown Away", and "In Between Dances". All manage to reach the Top 10 except for one. "I Was Blown Away" didn't last very long after it was withdrawn from radio station after the Oklahoma City Bombing incident in 1995. In this case, the song only peaked at #16. The album itself however, became Tillis highest ranking album at #6. Through listening to the album, you can hear some extremely well known artist as well. For example, ever heard the mandolin solo on, "'Til All the Lonely's Gone"? That's Bill Monroe playing. Also Vince Gill can be heard as a vocal backing (or background singer) on, "They Don't Break 'Em Like They Used To".

Pam co-writer, Jess Leary, isn't all that much of a stranger. Not only did she co-write with Tillis, when Leary was younger, she was the regional winner on the Wrangler Country Star Search (now known as Texaco Country Showdown). Leary started playing the guitar at age 10 and had her own garage band by the time she was 14. When she won the showdown, she was given a trip to the Grand Ole Opry. It was there, when she found her destiny and moved to music city to pursue her music career. Reba McEntire publishing company signed her in and McEntire took her on tour as McEnire's vocal backup in 1992. From there, Leary toured with other artist and is currently touring with Australian musician, Anne McCue. While on the other hand, Leary also perform solo shows. She can be credited for many songs written such as, Tim McGraw's, "Where the Green Grass Grow" and "Ready, Willing and Able", by Lari White (which was first recorded by Daron Norwood). She can also be found doing backup vocals and instruments for a couple of recorded albums such as Garth Brooks, The Chase, where she does acoustic guitar and percussion.

So what else can be known about Pam Tillis, and why is it that she only has one #1 hit instead of a bunch? I mean, after all, she is well known. Maybe it's because her dad is Mel Tillis, also a country artist with many success in the business as well, or maybe because Pam has also written other songs that became #1 such as Dolly Parton's, "Romeo". Whatever the case may be, "Mi Vida Loca (My Crazy Life)" will probably continue to be the signature song for many of our lives. So I thank you for taking time out of that crazy life to read this. 'Til next time, farewell.

Resource

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mi_Vida_Loca_(My_Crazy_Life)
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_number-one_country_singles_of_1995_(U.S.)
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sweetheart%27s_Dance
• http://www.last.fm/music/Jess+Leary
• http://www.discogs.com/Garth-Brooks-The-Chase/release/1916751
• http://www.amazon.com/Songwriter-Jess-Leary/dp/B004TZO5JO
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_5iD_er3Fb4