Tag Archives: rhapsody

Blog

What’s on my playlist right now…

These days my energy levels are so much better when I’m listening to music. I have a basic playlist I listen to regularly, to which I add a few different things from time to time.

Prior to becoming obsessed with all things Lynyrd Skynyrd, my playlists were eclectic and diverse and very large. The benefit of ripping CDs and filling up my MP3 player (and later my phone) was that my playlists could contain 1200 songs so that I could listen to music for days without hearing the same song over and over again.

There are some songs I can here on repeat without tiring of, but not as many as you would think. I stopped listening to the radio with the advent of CDs and when I joined BMG Music Club and Columbia House and could buy more CDs than I knew what to do with. I used that time to acquire more CDs than most people think I need. I love music and I love exploring new and old music, rediscovering classics and finding artists I hadn’t yet heard of. I love music, plain and simple. It’s the one thing I can’t go very long without.

The past couple of weeks have been those kind of weeks, I had gotten away from listening to my playlist or any music regularly, as sometimes happens when I get busy. I started to feel tired all the time and couldn’t figure out why. Other than a long weekend in Biloxi, Mississippi, my schedule hadn’t changed much at all. I tried an experiment this past week and discovered that part of why I felt tired and uninspired was the lack of music in my daily routine. It wasn’t that I forgot to turn it on, or I didn’t want to listen, I just get busy with work and home and dogs and cats and, well, life. Sometimes I don’t realize until it’s time for bed that I hadn’t turned on my music or playlist. Some days I am busy with co-workers and trying to figure out third grade math, that there just isn’t a chance to listen to music at all.

The horror of it all to think that in working in the music business, there are days where there isn’t time to listen to music. But, it happens and such is life. My experiment was to see that if I turned that playlist on again, if my energy levels would be better. Sure enough, while the music was playing (loudly), I had all the energy I needed to get through my day. It was the fuel I needed to supplement the fuel I consume for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The last thing I need to add back into my world is my exercise routine, which is a whole other story.

Back to the music, my playlist of late, in particular. I went back to my regular playlist of Lynyrd Skynyrd, Blackberry Smoke, Blackfoot and Brantley Gilbert. That’s my main list. Depending on how I listen, via Rhapsody or via Amazon Cloud Player, I add Buddy Guy or Leroy Powell. My only problem is that some Blackfoot records aren’t on Rhapsody and while I have most of my music purchased as well, the bills have to come before I can buy every album under the sun. That’s why I love my Rhapsody subscription – you can try before you buy.

Back to my playlist. I started with my Rhapsody playlist which contains, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Blackberry Smoke, Blackfoot, Brantley Gilbert and Buddy Guy. There are about 280 songs on that playlist for a total of almost 20 hours of music. There’s another version with Leroy Powell on it that instead of Buddy Guy. Rhapsody limits the number of songs you can have on a playlist so I have to change it out and mix it up from time to time. My Amazon Cloud playlist has Blackfoot, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Blackberry Smoke, Leroy Powell, The Black Crowes and Brantley Gilbert at the moment. I’ve listened to both lists this week.

These are my go to artists for getting me through the day and putting a smile on my face. I’ve been listening to Leroy Powell and Blackberry Smoke for just over a year and I love both of them. I purchased their entire catalog and will rant and rave about them all day. Coincidentally, both are alumni of the Lynyrd Skynyrd Simple Man Cruise. They are both impossible to pin into just one genre, but both are worthy of all the attention they get.

The Leroy Powell albums I think you should listen to are the latest, Life and Death and The Snowblind Moonshone Deathride. They happen to be my favorite albums from his catalog. As for Blackberry Smoke, you should most definitely pick up their latest, The Whippoorwill. From there, get A Little Piece of Dixie.

If I use my Amazon Cloud Player, my playlist consists of my favorite Blackfoot albums, not available on Rhapsody, No Reservations, After the Reign, and Medicine Man. They were hard to find albums to begin with, but well worth the money and effort. If I’m on Rhapsody, I don’t have access to those albums, so it’s Strikes, Tomcattin’, Marauder, Siogo and Rick Medlocke and Blackfoot.

As for Lynyrd Skynyrd, they get the lion’s share of the playlist. It’s based around the 1991 Box Set, The Complete Muscle Shoals Album, Vicious Cycle Lyve, Live from Steeltown, Last of A Dyin’ Breed and God and Guns. There are more songs on one service as opposed to another. Again, the limits on the playlists determine how much of everything makes it to the playlist.

You’re probably wondering what good a 20 hour, 50 hour or 100 hour playlist would do. That is a good question. The answer is shuffle. When the playlist is shuffled I get a broad mix of music and can listen to the same playlist day after day without always hearing the same songs. There are always going to be repeats and there are multiple versions of the same song on a single playlist as well. You would, however, be surprised by how different the mix is everyday. Sometimes I hear songs I forgot were on the playlist. That’s why I make my lists so big.

Think of it as a radio station from about 30 years ago. While there was a Top 40 list that received the most plays, there was much more variety on the radio back in the day than there is now. They had vast catalogs of songs they could play. Spare the really popular songs, they would play a wide variety of artists and songs throughout the day. There were also multiple stations where I grew up, so I had all kinds of music to listen to when I changed the station. Back in those days we made our own mix tapes by recording them off the radio. My mixes were just as eclectic back then as they are now.

The only difference with now is that I’ve had 30 years to collect more music. Oh and this thing called the Internet happened. Now I can create the craziest playlists through my subscription with Rhapsody and take my purchased music collection and make even crazier lists. I can listen to what I want, when I want. So while I may be stuck on Skynyrd, Blackberry Smoke and the like right now, at any given point I will put on Christina Aguilera, Aretha Franklin, Marty Stuart, Loretta Lynn, Louis Armstrong or whatever tickles my fancy at a particular moment.

I have another blog post in the works about what is and isn’t country or a particular genre in general, but my playlist always comes down to listening to the music that I want to listen to when I want to listen to it. I don’t listen to what I don’t like and I will rant and rave about what I do like. The plain and simple of it is that there are only two kinds of music – the kind you like and the kind you don’t. Maybe it’s time for genre based music and radio stations to be a thing of the past. Maybe we just need to go back to only a few genres and and not a thousand sub-genres and niches for artists to get lost in.

A lot of people will make the argument that the two kinds of music are good music and bad music. Well, in simple terms that’s true – but that varies from person to person. Not everyone will think alike. There are a few exceptions, or generalizations, that I can and probably will make from time to time, but it’s mostly just my opinion.

So what’s on my playlist right now is my go to, happy, get me through the day music. Tomorrow it could be all classical music or nothing but 80s hard rock. It’s mostly just whatever I’m in the mood for when it’s time to mix it up. I wholeheartedly admit I am addicted to Lynyrd Skynyrd, Blackfoot, Blackberry Smoke and Leroy Powell. Adding in the new Buddy Guy and a couple of Black Crowes CDs I didn’t have, along with my favorite Brantley Gilbert tunes just makes it better. Each artist has its unique qualities, all similar in one way or another and just good stuff.

 

Artist of the Week

CreativelyMusical.com Artist of the Week: Elton John

Sir Elton John - Bridgestone Arena - Nashville, TN - April 5, 2013 Photo © Christine A Ellis
Sir Elton John – Bridgestone Arena – Nashville, TN – April 5, 2013 Photo © Christine A Ellis

This week I want to share with you my favorite Elton John songs. I’ve been listening to Elton John since I was a kid, so he’s been a part of my musical catalog virtually my whole life.

You can learn more about Sir Elton John through his official web site: http://www.eltonjohn.com/

Here are my favorite tunes:

Lucy In the Sky With Diamonds – http://www.rhapsody.com/artist/elton-john/album/captain-fantastic-and-the-brown-dirt-cowboy/track/lucy-in-the-sky-with-diamonds

Sad Songs (Say So Much) – http://www.rhapsody.com/artist/elton-john/album/greatest-hits-1970-2002/track/sad-songs-say-so-much

I’m Still Standing – http://www.rhapsody.com/artist/elton-john/album/greatest-hits-1970-2002/track/im-still-standing

Philadelphia Freedom – http://www.rhapsody.com/artist/elton-john/album/greatest-hits-1970-2002/track/philadelphia-freedom

Don’t Go Breaking My Heart – http://www.rhapsody.com/artist/elton-john/album/greatest-hits-1970-2002/track/dont-go-breaking-my-heart-with-kiki-dee

I Guess That’s Why They Call It The Blues – http://www.rhapsody.com/artist/elton-john/album/greatest-hits-1970-2002/track/i-guess-thats-why-they-call-it-the-blues

Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me – http://www.rhapsody.com/artist/elton-john/album/greatest-hits-1970-2002/track/dont-let-the-sun-go-down-on-me

Crocodile Rock – http://www.rhapsody.com/artist/elton-john/album/greatest-hits-1970-2002/track/crocodile-rock

Your Song – http://www.rhapsody.com/artist/elton-john/album/greatest-hits-1970-2002/track/your-song

For the whole list, check out this Elton John playlist on Rhapsody.

Be sure to explore Sir Elton’s full catalog on your favorite music service. His songs have been on the radio, in movies and on television. So many hits and so much great music.

I have had the pleasure to see him live this year on my birthday. One of the best concerts I have been to in my lifetime.

 

Artist of the Week

CreativelyMusical.com Artist of the Week June 2, 2013: Blackberry Smoke

I could probably write for days about Blackberry Smoke.  They’ve been a band for a dozen or so years, but I only heard of them last year. I was instantly hooked. It’s one of those things that just happens. The only way I have found to explain why I instantly fell for Blackberry Smoke is that there music is familiar. It feels like I’ve been listening to it for years, like it’s always been there.

There is nothing forced about Blackberry Smoke, they are who they are and that really comes through in the music they write and play. They know the music they like and that’s what they make…it’s as simple as that really. They don’t try to be what will sell a million records, they are themselves and they play music from their heart and soul – the way music is supposed to be played.

As musicians they are in fact products of those that influenced them, something they talk about in their Live at Georgia Theatre DVD. Also available digitally through iTunes, the DVD is a live show with interview scenes spread out throughout. You are introduced to the band members, get a little history and hear there thoughts and opinions on their influences, their fans and their music philosophies.

There is one quote in the DVD that I often post and repost when I watch the DVD. It speaks volumes of why some many people have fallen in love with Blackberry Smoke’s music.

 “We’re not fucking around when it comes to music… That’s what we eat, sleep and breathe for… And it’s not about a cute haircut or a catchy tune. It’s about music, you know, making music that makes you get goosebumps. You ever listen to just a part of a song that gives you goosebumps? Like a pedal steel solo or a sax solo or, you know… Wonder if a drum lick has ever given a goosebump? I’m sure it has Brit. Somebody being real, being honest with the music. It’s, you know, not about how many billion copies of this we can sell because somebody’s cute. It’s about making something that sticks to your ribs musically. That’s what Blackberry Smoke does.” – Charlie Starr

That quote alone is reason enough to love Blackberry Smoke. They’re real people, music lovers, who’ve dedicated a substantial part of their life to their music. It comes across in every song, every live performance, every interview. They have a passion for music. Their fanbase has grown substantially over the years because of it. Those fans are dedicated to “spreading the smoke” to all corners of the earth. I joined those ranks last year and this is one of the ways I am sharing my love of Blackberry Smoke with the world.

Their music is real, you can relate to it. It touches your heart and soul, makes you wanna dance, reminds you that life isn’t perfect, and takes away your cares for a while.

It’s time to recommend a few songs that I think you, the reader, should listen to from the Blackberry Smoke catalog. This is really hard to do. There are so many I think you should listen to…like, all of them, really. That’s most what I tell people who ask me about them when they ask what album to pick up – all of them. But I do have to pick a few for this feature, so as with my recommendations, if you have to start with one album, it should be their most recent The Whippoorwill.

Here are three songs from The Whippoorwill I think you should check:

  1. “Sleeping Dogs” – Rhapsody Link: http://www.rhapsody.com/artist/blackberry-smoke/album/the-whippoorwill/track/sleeping-dogs
  2. “The Whippoorwill” – Rhapsody Link: http://www.rhapsody.com/artist/blackberry-smoke/album/the-whippoorwill/track/the-whippoorwill
  3. “One Horse Town” – Rhapsody Link: http://www.rhapsody.com/artist/blackberry-smoke/album/the-whippoorwill/track/one-horse-town

Here the video for “Pretty Little Lie” from The Whippoorwill:

Here are three tracks from A Little Piece of Dixie, released in 2011:

  1. “Who Invented the Wheel” – Rhapsody Link: http://www.rhapsody.com/artist/blackberry-smoke/album/a-little-piece-of-dixie/track/who-invented-the-wheel
  2. “Bottom of This” – Rhapsody Link: http://www.rhapsody.com/artist/blackberry-smoke/album/a-little-piece-of-dixie/track/bottom-of-this
  3. “Prayer for the Little Man” – Rhapsody Link: http://www.rhapsody.com/artist/blackberry-smoke/album/a-little-piece-of-dixie/track/prayer-for-the-little-man

Here’s the video for “Good One Comin’ On” from A Little Piece of Dixie:

Check out their entire catalog on Rhapsody or the music service of your choice. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed – especially if you’re a Southern Rock fan. Their music is reminiscent of the 70’s music scene, yet has some hard rock and country elements to it that make it unique.

For more information about Blackberry Smoke, visit their official site at www.blackberrysmoke.com.

Finally, here are couple of acoustic songs from YouTube.com – this is amazing stuff, really captures what Blackberry Smoke is all about.

Get to know Blackberry Smoke:

 

Artist of the Week

CreativelyMusical.com Artist of the Week May 6, 2013: George Jones

With the recent passing of George Jones, musicians and music fans from all walks of life have expressed the importance of his music to everyone.

As the singer of some of country music’s most enduring classics and the one who made “He Stopped Loving Her Today” the greatest country song ever recorded, Jones blurred boundaries by being accepted by all kinds of music fans. His contributions to country music are undeniable, but his contributions to all of music have come to light after his death.

I am one of those people who likes what I like and don’t pay attention to genre. It’s not about looks or how big your show is, it’s about the music. Above all else, the music has to speak to me, no matter if it is serious, happy, silly or sad. George Jones has done that for me. Fun songs, happy songs or sad songs, his music spoke to me.

When he released “Who’s Gonna Fill Their Shoes?”, he wondered what country music would be like after the legends have passed. He lived long enough to see country music change dramatically from even when that song was released in the mid-80’s. As time progressed, more than just Jones wondered who the next legend would be and if they would carry on the traditions of the past.

As the legends we’re pushed off country radio by the new class of artists coming in, Jones reminded everyone that he “Don’t Need Your Rockin’ Chair” – a feisty tune reminding the younger generations that there is still a lot of life left in him and his contemporaries. Those new kids from the late 80s and 90s now find themselves in that very position of being pushed out of radio playlists for the simple fact of being too old.

Music is cyclic and everything old becomes new again. Some artists are timeless and carry on forever even after their passing. Traditional country may in fact make a comeback some day, but timeless legends like George Jones don’t come around very often. His legacy, his music, his style will all live on forever.

It should be the goal of every country fan, every music fan, out there to remind younger generations to appreciate what came before them, learn from them and carry on their life’s work knowing that tomorrow isn’t promised to anyone. A George Jones only comes along once in a lifetime. His legend will live forever, and no, no one can fill his shoes.

Here’s a link to a Rhapsody playlist of George Jones songs: http://www.rhapsody.com/playlist/pp.107478487

Here are some YouTube links as well:



Artist of the Week, Native American Culture and Music

CreativelyMusical.com Artist of the Week March 17, 2013: Freddie Kaydahzinne

Artist of the Week, March 17, 2103: Freddie Kaydahzinne

Mescalero Apache (Descendant of Cochise)

I was first introduced to Freddie Kaydahzinne through the Homeland Nation documentary. He was interviewed and played traditional songs. The songs in particular stuck with me and I went out a got a few CDs of his as well.

Check out Freddie’s music you can get it on iTunes, Rhapsody and can buy his records through Reality Records as well.

Here couple a few YouTube clips as well:

http://youtu.be/h2_btDXuBM8

http://youtu.be/9jSDSSSaxqs

To learn more about the Homeland Nation series and the episode featuring Freddie, visit homelandnation.com

Artist of the Week

CreativelyMusical.com Artist of the Week March 3, 2013: Mavis Staples

Artist of the Week: Mavis Staples

Born: July 10, 1939

 

What makes Mavis Staples so special for me is the passion that she has for music and performing.  The 2013 Grammy’s just proved that without a doubt. She was so into what she was doing that she continued even after the rest of the band had stopped playing. Her style of performing transports her into the music – she feels it, she lives it.

My first introduction to Mavis Staples was in 1994 with the release of Rhythm, Country and Blues. Marty Stuart and The Staples Singers performed “The Weight” on that album.  That is the song I will always associate with Ms. Staples. It is what she performed at the Grammys and my first time hearing her sing 19 years ago.

Ms. Staples career has spanned decades, with her performing as part of the The Staple Singers and as a solo artist. The Staple Singers released nine albums between 1971 and 1984. As a solo artist she has released thirteen albums, the most recent in 2010. As a member of the Staples Singers she was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

For more information about Ms. Staples and what her schedule is, please check out her web site at MavisStaples.com.

Here are a few of my favorite Mavis Staples/The Staples Singers tracks (Rhapsody links included):

“The Weight” (Marty Stuart & The Staples Singers) from Rhythm, Country and Blues – http://www.rhapsody.com/artist/various-artists/album/rhythm-country-and-blues/track/the-weight

“I’ll Take You There” (The Staples Singers) from The Best of The Staples Singers – http://www.rhapsody.com/artist/the-staple-singers/album/the-best-of-the-staple-singers-stax/track/ill-take-you-there

“Respect Yourself” (The Staples Singers) from Greatest Hits – http://www.rhapsody.com/artist/the-staple-singers/album/greatest-hits/track/respect-yourself

 

“Let’s Do It Again” (The Staples Singers) from Let’s Do It Again – Greatest Hits – http://www.rhapsody.com/artist/the-staple-singers/album/lets-do-it-again—greatest-hits/track/lets-do-it-again

 

“This Little Light” (Mavis Staples) from Live: Hope At The Hideout – http://www.rhapsody.com/artist/mavis-staples/album/live-hope-at-the-hideout/track/this-little-light

Here are some video clips from YouTube:

“I’ll Take You There” – http://youtu.be/l64Bte5ygvM

“Touch A Hand, Make A Friend” (The Staples Singers) – http://youtu.be/MwAZ-xmuc74

“Respect Yourself” (The Staples Singers) – http://youtu.be/oab4ZCfTbOI

Here’s a link to see the 2013 Grammy’s tribute to Levon Helm – http://deadspin.com/5983262/heres-the-balls+out-levon-helm-grammy-awards-memorial-tribute-performance-of-the-weight?utm_campaign=socialflow_deadspin_twitter&utm_source=deadspin_twitter&utm_medium=socialflow

Source: MavisStaples.com, Wikipedia, Rhapsody and YouTube.

Artist of the Week

CreativelyMusical.com Artist of the Week: February 24, 2013 – Billie Holiday

Artist: Billie Holiday

Birth Date: April 7, 1915 Died: July 17, 1959

 

Billie Holiday was born in Philadelphia, PA and raised most of her young life in Baltimore, MD. She had a tulmutuous upbringing, but one surrounded by Jazz music.

Her talent was evident from a young age and she has one of the most unique voices, still to this day recognizable without ever hearing her name.

Lady Day as she became to be known was discovered in New York City by John Hammond at 18 years. Throughout her career she had worked with Count Basie, Artie Shaw, and countless others that helped to shape and create the American Jazz genre.

For more information about Billie Holiday, please visit the official web site at: www.billieholiday.com.

Here are some Fast Facts from her web site:

Birth name: Eleanora Fagan Gough
Name change: Changed her name to “Billie Holiday” because of her admiration for film star “Billie Dove.” She was also known as “Lady Day.”
Birth date: April 7, 1915
Birth place: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Death date: July 17, 1959
Death place: New York City, New York
Burial location: Saint Raymond’s Cemetery in Bronx County, NY

Famous Tagline: “Lady Sings the Blues”
Occupation: Legendary jazz singer
Height: 5’5″ 
Hair color: Black 
Eye color: Brown 
Spouse: Louis McKay

  • The U2 song Angel of Harlem paid tribute to Holiday.
  • On September 18, 1994, the United States Postal Service honored Holiday by introducing a USPS-sponsored stamp.
  • Her early band was organized by pianist Teddy Wilson.
  • She was discovered by John Hammond
  • A statue of Holiday still stands today at the corner of Lafayette and Pennsylvania Avenues in Baltimore.

 

Her unique tone and singing style is why I love Billie Holiday, the songs are timeless and yet transport you back in time to when American Jazz was just beginning.  Below are a few of the many songs she recorded. (Rhapsody links are below.)

Stormy Weather – http://www.rhapsody.com/artist/billie-holiday/album/billie-holiday-1925-1955/track/stormy-weather

What A Little Moonlight Can Do – http://www.rhapsody.com/artist/billie-holiday/album/the-great-american-songbook/track/what-a-little-moonlight-can-do

Night And Day – http://www.rhapsody.com/artist/billie-holiday/album/the-great-american-songbook/track/night-and-day

Until The Real Thing Comes Along – http://www.rhapsody.com/artist/billie-holiday/album/the-great-american-songbook/track/until-the-real-thing-comes-along

I Got A Right To Sing The Blues – http://www.rhapsody.com/artist/billie-holiday/album/billie-holiday-1925-1955/track/i-got-a-right-to-sing-the-blues

 

YouTube clips:

Strange Fruit – http://youtu.be/h4ZyuULy9zs

Fine And Mellow – http://youtu.be/ZtgUbJN8oPE

The Blues Are Brewin’ – http://youtu.be/bWtUzdI5hlE

 

For photos and more information about Billie Holiday, please visit her official web site at BillieHoliday.com

 

Artist of the Week, Live Music Photos

CreativelyMusical.com Artist of the Week: 2/17/2013 Rickey Medlocke

[Artist of the Week is a new feature on CreativelyMusical.com. It’ll be where I share some of the artists I like and have an interest in. These articles will include a few facts and some personal thoughts about each artist, plus some of my favorite songs as well. I won’t promise you’ll hear the most famous recordings they’ve done, as I have come to love deep album cuts more than radio singles. Sources for each article will be at the bottom where available.]

Photo: Christine A Ellis
Rickey Medlocke, Garry Rossington, Johnny Colt

Artist: Rickey Medlocke
Birth Date: February 17, 1950

Rickey Medlocke has been playing music nearly all of his life. While most famous for fronting Blackfoot and playing guitar in Lynyrd Skynyrd, he has been playing and performing since he was a child.

He got his start playing with his grandfather, Shorty Medlocke, learning such instruments as the banjo, guitar and drums. He also learned to play the mandolin and dobro, as well as the keyboards as he got older.

Rickey played with Blackfoot from its inception until rejoining Lynyrd Skynyrd. He was a member of Lynyrd Skynyrd in the early seventies, playing drums on the Muscle Shoals sessions. He also wrote and sang a few songs on those sessions.

Music is a passion for Rickey; he practices or plays every day and has an energy on stage that performers a third his age can’t match. For me, personally, that energy is what has captivated me and just made me a fan from the first time I watched him live.

I will rarely say I am the biggest fan because a lot of the time I’m late to the party. I had known a Blackfoot song or two and a Lynyrd Skynyrd song or two. But in 2010, the first time I got to see Lynyrd Skynyrd live I was hooked. I had to have everything I could get my hands on. Now I had seen Lynyrd Skynyrd and Montgomery Gentry on CMT Crossroads, I remember taping it. I am a Montgomery Gentry fan. I knew of Blackfoot from Warrant covering “Train, Train.” That was about it until 2010.

In 2010, my boss opened for Lynyrd Skynyrd. The rest as they say is history. I was hooked on everything Lynyrd Skynyrd and Blackfoot. I bought the “Lyve” DVD before I went to New Jersey to see Lynyrd Skynyrd live and I just fell in love with Rickey and the way he played. It is one of those things you can’t explain. He’ll often say that the pre-crash version of Lynyrd Skynyrd had this “magic” about them, well he does, too.

Through interviews, articles and stories I have learned a lot about Rickey, Blackfoot, Lynyrd Skynyrd and the whole scene that they emanated from. I still have much more to learn, but as time goes by I learn a lot about what drives people with longevity in this business. Rickey was once asked how to describe himself in three words. Those three words were “a real musician.” That is the definition of someone who would play no matter what, they live and breathe music and it is a big part of their soul.

I appreciate that, it is what has endeared me to the musicians that I admire. Many of those are guitar players – Marty Stuart, Keith Urban, Vince Gill – and they all have a passion for music that shows in everything they do. Rickey’s passion is evident, always front and center, he enjoys himself and that makes him fun to watch.

Rickey, of Native American heritage, is also working with First American Productions on a series of documentaries about reservations and Native heritage in America. The first episode of “Homeland Nation” was about the Mescalero Apache. Rickey narrated, interviewed guests and wrote and performed songs for the soundtrack. Additional episodes are in the works as well.

The music selections for Rickey’s Artist of the Week feature are selections from throughout his career with Blackfoot, Lynyrd Skynyrd and solo pieces as well. All of the following selections, except for “Guitar Slinger’s Song And Dance” can be found on Rhapsody and links are below (and iTunes).

1. “White Dove” – Lynyrd Skynyrd’s First -The Complete Muscle Shoals Album – Lynyrd Skynyrd
http://www.rhapsody.com/artist/lynyrd-skynyrd/album/skynyrds-first-the-complete-muscle-shoals/track/white-dove

2. “Gimme Gimme Gimme” – Tomcattin’ – Blackfoot
http://www.rhapsody.com/artist/blackfoot/album/tomcattin/track/gimme-gimme-gimme

3. “Every Man Should Know (Queenie)” – Tomcattin’ – Blackfoot
http://www.rhapsody.com/artist/blackfoot/album/tomcattin/track/every-man-should-know-queenie

4. “Rattlesnake Rock ‘n’ Roller” – Marauder – Blackfoot
http://www.rhapsody.com/artist/blackfoot/album/marauder/track/rattlesnake-rock-n-roller

5. “Fly Away” – Marauder­ – Blackfoot
http://www.rhapsody.com/artist/blackfoot/album/marauder/track/fly-away

6. “Skynyrd Nation” – God and Guns – Lynyrd Skynyrd
http://www.rhapsody.com/artist/lynyrd-skynyrd/album/god-and-guns/track/skynyrd-nation

7. “Guitar Slinger’s Song And Dance” – Medicine Man­ – Blackfoot

8. “Train, Train” – Strikes – Blackfoot
http://www.rhapsody.com/artist/blackfoot/album/strikes-rhinoelektra/track/train-train

9. “Bandalero” – Homeland Nation Soundtrack – Rickey Medlocke and Mark Woerpel
http://www.rhapsody.com/artist/various-artists/album/homeland-nation-soundtrack/track/bandalero

10. “Native Colors” – Homeland Nation Soundtrack – Rickey Medlocke and Mark Woerpel
http://www.rhapsody.com/artist/various-artists/album/homeland-nation-soundtrack/track/native-colors

You can also check out the following YouTube videos:

1. Native American Music Awards 2008 (Rickey was inducted into the Hall of Fame) – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yGmgbgB8Axk – This video contains the song “Guitar Slinger’s Song And Dance.”

2. German interview from 2012 – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qBUZfdXYlfw

3. Homeland Nation promo – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wESBgfVupXY

4. Fashion Fights Poverty – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ployHbZ7vyo, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mjCM23vZeZU

5. From Homeland Nation – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9jSDSSSaxqs 

 

SOURCES:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rickey_Medlocke

Various Interviews I’ve read over the last couple of years.

Music and video links, Rhapsody and YouTube

Photos are from my personal collection.