TAKE MY ADVICE ... INSIGHT FROM ARTISTS, RADIO AND MUSIC INDUSTRY NAMES ON HOW TO MOVE AHEAD IN THE BUSINESS

I observe a lot when it comes to new artists, behavior and notice things that are done all in the name of getting their name out there, some good, some great and some that makes me cringe. If you want to get heard, you have to not only use your business sense but you have to use your common sense. There's more to being heard than good music and having a voice. If you want people to pay attention, there are some things that you, as not only an artist, but as a person, need to pay attention to as well. I thought I'd get some input from some friends on the business, some well known names, some new artists, songwriters, someone from radio and someone from the business side of the industry. Check out what they had to say when it comes to making a name for yourself in the music business. Lots of good insight here about what to do and what not do and some advice that just might help someone along the way. That's the point of this article and it's also why Lovin' Lyrics is here, to help new artists however we can.

Thanks to everyone who took their time to contribute their thoughts and shared their personal advice. If something one of these people help you, please be sure to let them know on social media that it was helpful. I've included their social media pages for your information. They all handle their own accounts and do not rely on social media managers so they do respond personally.

~ Jenn

Follow me on Twitter at @Lovinlyrics and here on Facebook.

Duane Allen

The Oak Ridge Boys, Grand Ole Opry Member, Country Music Hall of Fame Member, ACM, CMA , Dove and Grammy Award winner.

 Hits include "Elvira", "Bobbie Sue" and "Y'all Come Back Saloon"

Twitter - @DuaneAllen

Facebook - Duane Allen Fan Page 

"The main thing I tell young artists is to never give up on their dream. Sing every time you get the chance. You learn something about how to communicate every time you sing. If you are just singing to entertain people, sing something familiar. If you are hoping to get a recording deal, record new songs, don't record favors for anyone, including yourself. Record the best new songs you can find. Always be on time. Arrive at your show with plenty of time to thank people who brought you there. Always thank the helpers and security."

Joe Bonsall 
The Oak Ridge Boys, Grand Ole Opry Member, Country Music Hall of Fame Member, ACM, CMA , Dove and Grammy Award winner, Published Author

 Hits include "Elvira", "Bobbie Sue"and"Y'all Come Back Saloon"

Twitter - @JoeBonsall

"If Duane responded, then you already have the best advice…. I will add one thing… don’t sign anything EVER without a good music lawyer!!!"

T. Graham Brown 

Singer/Songwriter - has performed on the Grand Ole Opry 200+ times. 

Hits include "Darlene", "Come as You Were" and "I Tell It Like It Used To Be"

Twitter - @TGrahamBrown1

Facebook - TGrahamBrown1

If I was sitting in a living room with you or across a table from you and you asked my advice, this is what I would say..... if you want to be professional singer, songwriter or musician, make sure you love it so much, you just can't do anything else! Realize that if you are making a living doing what you love, you have the BEST job in the world. Why? Because your job is making a living  making people happy.  It is the BEST job in the world. Treat people with respect, everyone you meet.  From radio folks to promoters to other artists to audiences, especially audiences! Be thankful every time you walk out on a stage that they're there, waiting for you! It's another chance to make people happy!  Without them, you wouldn't have a job!  Really the only way you can make people happy is for you to be happy.  That will come if you pay attention and notice what's going on in your life and around you.  The days, months and years go by so quickly, like the blink of an eye!  Care about the folks that you're working with, appreciate their talent and hard work.  I guess I'm trying to say, live in the moment as much as possible and you'll create great memories that will last a lifetime.  Give everyone your best, every interview, every show, every time.  If you sing, play or write, try to do it almost every day. The more you practice your talent, the better you'll be. And the better you are, the more you'll get to do what you love.  It may sound simple or silly, but I know that it's true. One last thing.....if this is what you want, with all your heart......keep at it........NEVER EVER GIVE UP!!!

Good luck!! Keep the faith and spread it gently.

Steve Holy 

Singer / Songwriter

Hits include "Good Morning Beautiful", "Brand New Girlfriend" and "Love Don't Run"

Twitter - @SteveHoly

Facebook - SteveHoly

"Listen to your label. When you reach that moment where you figure it all out, use your own ideas and make the label think it was all their idea. Do a lot of listening. My father, Hank Holy, always told me ' Life's a pay attention game.'"

"When on a radio tour, remember names and just when you've had enough, you're tired and want to give up, remember how fortunate you are to be in that position in the first place."

"Cowboy Troy"

Singer - Member of Big and Rich's Muzik Mafia

Songs Include "I Play Chicken with the Train", "If You Don't Wanna Love Me (With Sarah Buxton) and "Cash in the Cookie Jar"

Twitter - @CowboyTroy

Facebook - CowboyTroy

"My advice to new artists on growing your audience would be when using social media, your interactions with your fans should be more than just “listen to my single” or “buy my EP”.  Spend some time engaging your fans with different types of posts. Post things other than sales ads. Only posting sales ads will eventually get you cleaned out from someone’s friends list or unfollowed. You want to grow your audience? Try keeping things light-hearted when possible and compassionate when circumstances are appropriate."

Bridgette Tatum

 Singer / Hit Songwriter

Cuts include "She's Country" by Jason Aldean, "Loud" by Big n Rich,

and "Back" by Randy Houser

Solo songs include "I Like My Cowboys Dirty", "Some Things Need to Be Said" 

and "That's Love Y'all"

Twitter - @BridgetteTatum

Facebook - BridgetteTatumFans

"Learn to accept no. No is OK. Those aren't your "people. Always do something everyday for your career. Make a video! Start a chat! Answer questions! However, do NOT over saturate your fans with music. They know you play music. They wanna know YOU. Get creative! Use social media as much as possible. It's a valuable tool in the arts these days. Absolutely play venues where you can connect with writers/publishers/artists/labels. It doesn't always matter if only five people to play to as long as they are the RIGHT five people."

Leah Turner

 Singer/Songwriter 

Songs include "Take the Keys"and "Pull Me Back" 

Twitter - @LeahTurnerMusic
Facebook - LeahTurnerMusic

Advice someone once gave you that stuck with you - Never Give Up. Don't sit around and wait for it to happen, go and make it happen 

What to do - On radio tours, be ready to work and be in lots of cars, planes and hotels.

Performing - Always connect with the crowd, read your audience, and be real and honest.

Attracting fans - Always reply, always stop and say hi, always stop for the picture, the signature, the handshake or the hug. 

Kyle Jennings

Singer / Songwriter

Songs Include "Jesus, Jack Daniels and Me", "Freedom Strong" 

and "You Can Hear the Opry Cry"

Twitter - @KyleJennings13

Facebook - KyleJenningsMusic

"How to keep from giving up is simple. Don't give up. Let your heart lead your footsteps and succeed or fail you'll never be wrong. Live for what you do and understand there is more purpose in the journey than the destination. Take on every challenge with a full heart and an open mind and aspire to grow from every opportunity you can. Be a student if your craft indefinitely. Appreciate where you are right now, and value it, and give your best effort to each moment but don't disconnect from the hope and drive and ambition to continue down the road. It's a hard concept to completely encapsulate. It really comes down to your value system. Some people simply value commercial "chart success" and/or money as their measure of overall success, regardless of the cost. Some have deeper convictions and aspirations and value things like artistic integrity and over commercial success. Those types have a more comprehensive measure of "success" and I think in the long run find more joy in their work. They also understand it's a much longer and tougher road filled with twists and turns that continually challenge you and test your resiliency and shape your character. Regardless, nothing worth anything is easy. It's a long tenuous road and being passionate about all areas of music isn't just a plus, it's a pre-requisite. At the end of the day, whether you have aspirations as a player, vocalist, or songwriter, focus more on how you can be better tomorrow, than worrying about being good today. If you can acquire that mentality, success is just a matter of time."

Justin and Ryan Harris - McKenzies Mill

Singers/Songwriters

Songs include "Houston", "Just Kickin' It", "God Bless the Southern Man" 

and "Middle of Nowhere"

Twitter - @McKenziesMill

Facebook - McKenziesMillFan

"I guess if there's one thing we have learned over 12 years in this town its the power of people. This industry, like any industry has an infrastructure in place…and that's not a “bad” thing. The quicker you embrace that, and not fight it, the better off you’ll be. Learning how to be true to yourself, true to your art, but not stubborn about the fact that you will need the help of many others along the way, the quicker you’ll have a fighting chance at forming a team in Nashville that can help you get to wherever it is that you want to go. Compromise and “selling out” are not synonymous. Bend but don’t break. You have to be able to look yourself in the mirror and feel good about the work you’re doing, but don’t let pride get the best of you either. It’s a slippery slope. Good Luck!"

Gary Quinn
 Singer / Songwriter (UK)

Songs include "He Don't Show Her Anymore", "Live Each Day" and "Shame"

Twitter - @GaryQuinnMusic
Facebook - GaryQuinnMusic

Advice someone once gave you that stuck with you - "Two of the biggest pieces of advice came from a family member call Mickey Tracey (my mother's cousin who's in the industry) and a country artist from Ireland that I looked up to, Eamon McCann. Eamon said "never compromise" and by that he meant never leave your beliefs of what you want to sound like and want to do. That might have meant I've turned down some 'big' opportunities but I would have ended up doing something I didn't really want to do. Mickey told me once "if there's no platform for you to showcase your talents...then go make one" and so I've been involved to helping set up a few events here and there in the UK and one of the main reasons I co-founded 'BUCKLE & BOOTS COUNTRY MUSIC FESTIVAL' in Manchester along with my friend Karl Hancock last year."

What to do - "It's important to budget radio promo and touring into an album / single release. No point having a great record if no one's going to hear it. As a songwriter performer, it's also important to test your new songs out on a small live crowd. Sometimes the song you've written in the bedroom can sound great to you (because you've invested so much in it) but does it fly when performed live? Do 'live streams' of you performing online to attract new fans, apply to play at all genre festivals, new some interesting covers (maybe mash them up with your own). Also, interact with fans online. Think to yourself how awesome you'd feel if one of your favorite acts replied to a tweet? It's no different regardless of what rung of the ladder you're on."

Attitude - "Simply treat others as you'd wish to be treated and have a really good work ethic. Also have a thick skin as rejection is part and parcel of the industry but have faith in yourself. If you don't have faith in yourself then how can you expect a label to? "

What not to do - "Don't continually email over and over again asking for someone to listen to your stuff. Don't give up on trying to succeed either, its a fine balance."

How to get your name out there - "Play everywhere and anywhere, even if it's in your front room 'live streaming'. Remember, if you don't have a platform then go a create one!"

Josh Pruno
Singer / Songwriter

Songs Include "That's My Cross", "23rd Psalm"and "Long Before I Did"

Twitter - @JoshPruno
Facebook - JoshPrunoMusic

"Here are a few thoughts from this Missouri Boy...and I preface with the fact I obviously don't have 'answers'. Not even close. Hell, I'm still trying to figure most of this out 😉 I will say that growing up with a Dad who was a college baseball coach helped prepare for a lot of the business side of music. It sounds funny I know...but a lot of what he used to preach to his kids (teams) was:

1- YOU NEVER KNOW WHO IS WATCHING. Whether there are 10 people in the crowd or 1000, it doesn't matter. Always know that you are on. Everything you do. Hidden in that is the fact that the majority of the time it's the little things they're watching. If they came out, chances are they know what you can do. What they don't know is how do you treat the people running sound? How do you respond when your monitor isn't working? How do you react to a crowd who isn't really listening? Etc...

2-ALWAYS SURROUND YOURSELF WITH PEOPLE WHO ARE MORE TALENTED THAN YOU. More or less, if you are the best musician in your band, player on your team, etc...you have nobody to push you to be better. I have been so fortunate to have guys in my band who are twice the musicians I am. I love the fact that they push me to be better. I have been so blessed to sit and write with some of the best writers in this town, all of who are so much better than me. I take every opportunity to be a 'sponge' that I can. As far as everything else goes, I only know to be yourself. Who are you? If you can't answer that, nothing else matters. Know who you are and what you are about. Be that. Don't preach it...be it. Then if you're lucky someone comes into your life/career and toots your horn for you. Like anything/everything else in life, if you (personally) have to say it (put yourself over)...then you ain't it."

Rita Ballou
On Air Personality KOKE-FM Austin, TX and Music Blogger

Twitter - @RawhideVelvet

On Radio Tours:

Show up for an interview on time -- if you are even 15 minutes late it can screw up the entire day for someone else. 

Show up sober -- look, we get it. You are a rock star and it was a long night of jagerbombs and fireball, but be a grown up. This is our JOB and a place of business...this isn't the Waffle House after last call. Have some respect. If we have to be sober AT WORK, so should you.

Show up with your instrument -- be ready to play. Trust me, no one wants to listen to you talk unless you are cool like Radney Foster or Ray Wylie Hubbard...and guess what? They play AND sing. If they can, you damn well better.

Don't stink -- the studio is small...just like that van. We get it, things get ripe but a little Febreeze never hurt anyone.

Rita also saw this advice on a feature asking radio personnel the same thing so she included the following:

Rachel Yount Martin (Lone Star 102.5 - KHLB FM Radio): "For up and coming artists I'd say the big #1 is in-studio performances. It obviously helps to be talented, but if the listening audience gets to know you, they'll feel more of a connection with your music. And if you're playing a show in the area- even better! Maybe, hopefully for the radio station, that venue will consider advertising if they hear the interview and it helps turnout. Unfortunately for small market stations, some advertisers need convincing. #2 is your job is fun- I know we may be the 3rd radio station you've been to today, but don't forget to have fun with us! The listeners can't see how tired and bored you are on your radio tour, but they can hear it. Be mindful of your speaking voice as well as your singing voice. #3 is liners- they're super easy and worth reaching out to do. Not every station will want one, but I believe for the Texas artists especially, it's another tool that allows listeners to get to know you. "Hey, this is So-and-so from Frisco, Texas and you're about to hear my new single Blah on BBBB fm!" Obviously can't be done for everyone, but it's worth reaching out. Those are my big 3! Good music is obviously a given, but I hope that helps

Matt Ganssle (KYKX 105.7 - East Texas Best Country): "Encourage the artists to learn about radio and how our medium connects with fans deeper than spins. Be accessible for liners, appearances, radio shows, etc. Interact with station social media like a normal person. Never spam for requests - simply interact like a normal person, share relevant content and have fun with our mutual fans!"

Drew Bennett (KOKE-FM): "Have your artist voice liners and jock shouts for everyone on the air there. EVERYONE needs more of those. Send it along with the record. Otherwise, the occasional food surprise can be nice, but we all have to be careful. I know someone who used to live here in ATX who took some plugola and got black balled along with a station fine."

Dave Rose
Owner Deep South Entertainment, Management for Bruce Hornsby, Little Feat, Stryper, Parmalee, Jason Michael Carroll, Allison Moorer, LANco, Kasey Tyndall, Lee Roy Parnell, and The Warren Brothers, and Published Author. 

Twitter - @DaveRose9811
Facebook - DeepSouthEnt

Advice someone once gave you that stuck with you - "From various people, and in various forms, the advice that has stuck with me most consistently throughout my career is this: It’s about the music. It’s ALL about the music. Make great music, truly brilliant music – music that touches people’s soul – and the rest will take care of itself. Marketing, Branding, Touring, Merchandising, etc. – those are all important, but none of those things matter if the music doesn’t come first."

What to do - "Be nice – to everyone. Always. It’ll pay off many times over. And it just generally makes for a more enjoyable life"

What not to do - "The opposite would apply here. Don’t be an a**hole. And back to my original advice as well, put the music first. Be nice and make brilliant music and you’ll be amazed at the doors that’ll open. Seems simple, but I’ve seen first hand how it can work."

How to get your name out there - "Once you’ve got brilliant music, network, network, and network. Go to shows. Go to music conferences. Go to more shows. Meet local musicians. Go to industry networking events. No matter where you live, get involved in the local music community. Get to know as many people as you can. You’ve heard before that this business is all about relationships – it’s kind of true. Solid relationships can certainly help to kick start things."

EVENT (NASHVILLE, TN): SATURDAY, MARCH 8 - JOIN US FOR A NIGHT OF GREAT MUSIC AT THE HARD ROCK CAFE

If you're in the Nashville, TN area, you're invited to the first ever "Lovin' Lyrics Night" at the Hard Rock Cafe downtown! Last time we had the infamous "GuitarBQ", this year is gonna top that!

 This "party" was set up by Josh Pruno and several of our songwriter/artist friends and is going to be great time with great music and great people. It's also my early birthday celebration and there's nothing better than being surrounded by wonderful people on your birthday and celebrating the love of music and those who create it! Tickets are only $5.00, you can't beat that small price for a night of really good, stripped down acoustic music and friendship. There are some great artists that will be performing as well as special surprise guests that even I don't know about! I hope you can make it, would love to meet you and thank you personally for supporting us and the artists we promote. Come on out, let's make some memories!

When: Saturday, March 8, 2014

Where: Hard Rock Cafe Downtown - Nashville, TN 

Doors open at 6:30p / Music starts at 7:00p 

Hosted by 103.3's Renée Reres and Nixa Country's Eric Steele, host of #CountryCulture (both formerly of KRTY in San Jose, CA) 

Tickets: $5.00 All Ages (proceeds go to www.lovin-lyrics.com to help keep it running so we can continue to bring artists and fans together and get new music heard.

Full Details: http://www.reverbnation.com/show/12686288 

Josh Pruno http://www.reverbnation.com/joshpruno 

Josh Charles http://www.reverbnation.com/joshcharles

Sam Mullins http://www.reverbnation.com/sammullins

Bobby Boyd (Grammy winning songwriter - "Bless the Broken Road" by Rascal Flatts, "In Pictures" by Alabama, "Workin' Man's PH.D" by Aaron Tippin) 

Eli Phipps (Songwriter and Guitarist for Friends and Foes)

Special guests ... well, you'll just have to be here to find out :-)

HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM LOVIN' LYRICS

It's another year gone by and another chance to start fresh, wipe your slates clean. It's a year for redemption and progress. It's another year to let bygones be bygones, to forgive and let go and to move forward. It's also time to appreciate each other, including every person you've encountered through your life thus far. They've all taught you something - to live, to love, to be the kind of person you want to be or to show you the kind of person you don't want to be. Good or bad, they're all life lessons. This year, be kinder, be more caring, be gentler, be stronger, be more patient, more tolerant and more grateful. Be less judgemental, less thoughtless and more thoughtful, less focused on the things that really don't matter in the big picture and more focused on what you can do to improve things instead of taking away from them. 
2014 is going to be a big year for new artists and we promise to continue to support new music. We hope that you will appreciate the music we bring to you and help us support those artists as well. We hope that you will bring new artists to our attention that we may not have heard of and that we can all come together and share the power of music and get more of it heard than what's being heard now.
Happy New Year to all of you, new friends and old. We appreciate every one of you and thank you for being our "lessons" in 2013.

EVENT (FRANKFORT, KY): NOVEMBER 2 - FROGGY 101.7 ST JUDE JAM FEATURING GREG BATES, JOSH PRUNO AND ALY'AN

EVENT (BLOOMFIELD, MO): SEPT 7 AT 4PM - BANDED FOUNDATION PARTY FEATURING JOSH PRUNO AND BRICE LONG

Banded Foundation Party  

Boat House Wine Co.

17253 County Road 252, Bloomfield, Missouri 63825

September 7, 2013 starting at 4:00 PM 

$10 at the door for 3 bands... Starting at 4pm, local favorite "The Buzz"... ... Then Josh Pruno takes the stage... Brice Long will be wrapping up a night of great entertainment.

Tickets: Contact boathousewineco@gmail.com or call 573-722-3760

JOSH PRUNO DOES THE "23RD PSALM" REMIX STYLE FOR MY BIRTHDAY

Look y'all ... I got my very own birthday remix from Josh Pruno. His song, "23rd Psalm", is doing great on country radio and now who can resist a remix version? I love this guy, been a great 6 years supporting him. Check him out at www.joshpruno.com and keep requesting "23rd Psalm" on your local stations. The boy is cray cray and I love him! Thank you Josh, best birthday present ever!

"WIN IT BEFORE YOU CAN BUY IT" CONTEST: WIN AN AUTOGRAPHED COPY OF JOSH PRUNO'S UPCOMING CD, "NOTHIN SERIOUS"

Josh Pruno has a brand new cd coming out soon on Tracy Lawrence's label, Lawrence Music Group. the title is "Nothin Serious", which features his latest single, "23rd Psalm" which is currently at #47 on the Music Row charts and rising each week. The single is picking up momentum and being added to stations nationwide thanks to your requests. I have an autographed copy of the new cd and want to share this great music with one of you before it's available to the public. The cd is signed on the back in blue Sharpie - "God Bless - JP".

To win:

"Like" Lovin' Lyrics and Josh Pruno's fan page on Facebook - leave a comment to let us know you want to win the cd.

If you're on Twitter, follow us at @LovinLyrics and follow Josh at @JoshPruno and tweet the following: "I Wanna Win the new cd by @JoshPruno from @LovinLyrics".

If you're not on Facebook or Twitter, send us an email at lovinlyrics@gmail.com with "Josh Pruno" in the subject line along with your name and mailing address in case you win.

The winner will be chosen before 11:59pm on Sunday, 2/24/2013. The winner will be announced here, on Twitter and on Facebook. If we do not hear from the winner within 48 hrs of being announced, we will choose a second winner. You are not eligible to win if you've won one of our contests in the past 30 days.

UNDERRATED AND OVERLOOKED AND MAKING 2013 THEIR YEAR

2012 was the year of the usuals - Carrie, Taylor, Luke, Jason, Kenny, and I could go on and on. You know, the same songs over and over again every time you turn on the radio. Don't get me wrong, they're all outstanding but it's time for some variety and to give others a chance to shine. I have a feeling that 2013 is gonna be a breakout year for those artists who are just as good (some even better if we're being honest) that are gonna make their mark and finally get the attention they've earned. The best thing about country music fans is that they don't wear blinders, they know there are a lot of great artists out there that are underrated and overlooked and they aren't afraid to speak up for them and get their music out there. Let's request these songs on radio, tell people about them, buy their music, do what we can to support them and be that voice they need to get that attention. Here are some of our favorites that we are sure we'll be hearing great new music from in 2013.

MALE ARTISTS

JAMES WESLEY 
Label: Broken Bow Records Singles: "Real", "Jackson Hole", "Didn't I", "Walking Contradiction" Coming Soon: "Waking Up the Rooster" Official Website: www.jameswesleymusic.com Twitter: @jameswesley1 Facebook: www.facebook.com/jameswesleymusic

JOSH PRUNO
Label: Lawrence Music Group 
Single: "That's My Cross"
Current Single: "23rd Psalm"
Official Website: www.joshpruno.com
Twitter: @joshpruno
Facebook: www.facebook.com/joshprunomusic

BRETT ELDREDGE Lable: Warner Music Nashville Singles: "Raymond" Current Single: "Don't Ya" Official Website: www.bretteldredge.com Twitter: @bretteldredge Facebook: www.facebook.com/bretteldredge

DEAN ALEXANDER LABEL: WARNER MUSIC NASHVILLE SINGLES: "DANGEROUS" (FEATURED ON  ABC'S"GCB" SOUNDTRACK) COMING SOON: "MOMENTS"  Official Website: www.deanalexandermusic.com Twitter: @deanalexander00 Facebook: www.facebook.com/DeanAlexanderFanPage

FEMALE ARTISTS

SUNNY SWEENEY
Label: Republic Nashville
Singles: "From a Table Away", "Staying's Worse Than Leaving", "Drinking Myself Single"
Official Website: www.sunnysweeney.com
Twitter: @gettinsweenered
Facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/Sunny-Sweeney/18777289296

HEIDI NEWFIELD Label: Curb Records Singles: "Johnny and June", "Cry Cry (Until the Sun Shines)", "Why'd You Have to Be So Good" Official Website: www.heidinewfield.com
Twitter: @heidinewfield
Facebook: www.facebook.com/heidinewfield

KRISTEN KELLY Label: Arista Records Singles: "Ex Old Man" Current Single: "He Loves to Make Me Cry" Official Website: www.kristenkellymusic.com
Twitter: @kristenkelly
Facebook: www.facebook.com/kristenkellymusic

KRISTY LEE COOK Label: Broken Bow Records Single: "15 Minutes of Shame" Current Single: "Airborne Ranger Infantry" Official Website: www.kristyleecook.com
Twitter: @kristyleecook
Facebook: www.facebook.com/kristyleecook

DUO / GROUP

DUE WEST
Label: Black River
Singles: "I Get That All The Time", "The Bible and The Belt", "When the Smoke Clears","Things You Can't Do in a Car", "Taste of Your Love", "What Would You Take"
Official Website: www.duewest.com
Twitter: @duewestmusic
Facebook: www.facebook.com/duewestmusic


NO JUSTICE
Label: Smith Entertainment
Official Website: www.nojustice.com
Twitter: @nojusticeband
Facebook: www.facebook.com/band.nojustice


THE FARM
Label: Warner Music Nashville
Single: "Home Sweet Home"
Current Single: "Be Grateful"
Official Website: www.thefarmmusic.com
Twitter: @thefarmmusic
Facebook: www.facebook.com/farmmusic

LOVIN' LYRICS MOST POWERFUL SONGS OF 2012

It's the end of the year and I like to acknowledge songs that made a difference to me this year. Some you may know, some you may not be familiar with. All of these songs are by amazing artists who sing and write from their hearts, who chose to make a difference in what their music says, to try to reach the listener where it counts the most, their conscience and their emotions. These are my picks for 2012. Hope you enjoy them. Let us know what songs made a difference to you this year, made you stop what you were doing and really listen, that had the power to change you or your way of thinking. Leave them in the comments below, tweet us at @lovinlyrics or leave us a Facebook message.

"23rd Psalm" - Josh Pruno

He was all decked out in his Sunday best Clean white shirt, Red Wing boots and overalls The first one in, the last one out The best seat in the good Lord's house, he could see it all I'm sure he smiled as the preacher read  his unsteady handwritten last request
When my work is done, the world's through with me and I've plowed my last tobacco field Don't shed a tear, but be sure to bury me With a flask of whiskey and a tractor key  and a photograph of my Emily and send me home back to my Maker's arms  with "Amazing Grace" and the "23rd Psalm"
He came back from France in '44 with a purple heart and a diamond ring for the girl next door He lead a hard scratched (?) farmer's life with a few good kids and a faithful wife that he adored No, he was never one to ask for much but to rest in peace with a little peace of the things he loved.
When my work is done, the world's through with me and I've plowed my last tobacco field Don't shed a tear, but be sure to bury me With a flask of whiskey and a tractor key  and a photograph of my Emily and send me home back to my Maker's arms  with "Amazing Grace" and the "23rd Psalm"
Lay me down in greener pastures, right beside the quiet waters through the valley of the shadow, restore my soul.
When my work is done, the world's through with me and I've plowed my last tobacco field Don't shed a tear, but be sure to bury me With a flask of whiskey and a tractor key  and a photograph of my Emily and send me home back to my Maker's arms  with "Amazing Grace" and the "23rd Psalm"

"Beer with Jesus" - Thomas Rhett

If I could have a beer with Jesus
Heaven knows I'd sip it nice and slow
I'd try to pick a place that ain't too crowded
Or gladly go wherever he wants to go
You can bet I'd order up a couple tall ones
Tell the waitress put 'em on my tab
I'd be sure to let him do the talkin'
Careful when I got the chance to ask
How'd you turn the other cheek
To save a sorry soul like me
Do you hear the prayers I send
What happens when life ends
And when you think you're comin' back again
I'd tell everyone, but no one would believe it
If I could have a beer with Jesus
If I could have a beer with Jesus
I'd put my whole paycheck in that jukebox
Fill it up with nothing but the good stuff
Sit somewhere we couldn't see a clock
Ask him how'd you turn the other cheek
To save a sorry soul like me
Have you been there from the start
How'd you change a sinner's heart
And is heaven really just beyond the stars
I'd tell everyone, but no one would believe it
If I could have a beer with Jesus
He can probably only stay, for just a couple rounds
But I hope and pray he's stayin' till we shut the whole place down
Ask him how'd you turn the other cheek
To save a sorry soul like me
What's on the other side?
Is mom and daddy alright?
And if it ain't no trouble tell them I said hi
I'd tell everyone but no one would believe it
If I could have a beer with Jesus
I'd tell everyone but no one would believe it
If I could have a beer with Jesus

"Over You" - Miranda Lambert



Weather man said it’s gonna snow
By now I should be used to the cold
Mid-February shouldn’t be so scary
It was only December
I still remember the presents, the tree, you and me

But you went away
How dare you?
I miss you
They say I’ll be OK
But I’m not going to ever get over you

Living alone here in this place
I think of you, and I’m not afraid
Your favorite records make me feel better
Cause you sing along
With every song
I know you didn’t mean to give them to me

But you went away
How dare you?
I miss you
They say I’ll be OK
But I’m not going to ever get over you

It really sinks in, you know, when I see it in stone

Cause you went away,
How dare you?
I miss you
They say I’ll be OK
But I’m not going to ever get over you

"That's Why I Pray" - Big and Rich

Man on the TV's gone insane, everybody's just laughing

People 'cross the world holding on

The earth caved in, the ocean came down crashing

My neighbor lost his house 'cause he can't find a job

Don't you dare pledge allegiance, don't you dare speak of God

Speak of God

Oh! Oh! Oh! Oh!

Now I'm begging for forgiveness

I wanna make a difference even in the smallest way

I'm only one person, but I can feel it working

I believe in better days

That's why I pray

Some stupid video posted as a joke, somebody's life gets ruined

Out of everything we can create

Where is the cure to keep the sick from losing

Babies having babies 'cause their parents are always gone

Somehow we have forgotten how to make a house a home

How to make a house a home

Oh! Oh! Yeah! Yeah!

I'm begging for forgiveness, I wanna make a difference

Even in the smallest way

I'm only one person, but I can feel it working

I believe in better days

That's why I pray, yeah

That's why I pray, yeah

These demons from my past haunt me every night

And I just can't get through it

If I could forget them on my own, I'll let go and just move on

But heaven knows I am only human

And that's why I pray, yeah yeah

That's why I pray, I pray, I pray, I pray

Yes I'm begging for forgiveness (I'm begging for forgiveness)

I just wanna make a difference (Just wanna make a difference)

I believe (I believe) in better days

That's why I pray

"Day That I Die" - Zac Brown Band

Early morning in a motel room, 

Sunshine trying to creep on through.

Lost sleep but I found a tune, 

Stuck inside my head.

Cigarettes, a tank of gas, 

Headed off to nowhere fast, 

Gotta find a way to make this feeling last.

'Cause I believe that I, 

Was born with a song inside of me.

Never question why, 

I just kept on chasing that melody.

And as time goes by, 

Oh it's funny how time can make you realize, 

We're running out of it.

On the day that I die, 

I wanna say that I, 

Was a man who really lived and never compromised.

And when I've lived out my days, 

Until the very end, 

I hope they find me in my home

A guitar in my hands.

I hope they find me in my home

With my guitar in my hands.

A part of dawn to be ashamed of, 

Good people are supposed to be up.

I found peace with this path I took, 

As I lay down my head.

Crossroads you gotta choose, 

Which way do we win or lose.

And every bone in my soul says I sing on through.

And I believe that I, 

Was born with a song inside of me.

[ From: http://www.elyrics.net ]

Never question why, 

I just keep on singing these melodies.

And as time goes by, 

Oh it's funny how time can make you realize, 

We're running out of it.

On the day that I die, 

I wanna say that I, 

Was a man who really lived and never compromised.

And when I've lived out my days, 

Until the very end, 

I hope they find me in my home

Guitar in my hands.

I hope they find me in my home

With my guitar in my hands.

We all go

We all go

It's all over for you know

I believe that I, 

Was born with a song inside of me.

Never question why, 

I just keep on singing these melodies.

And as time goes by, 

It's funny how time can make you realize, 

We're running out of it.

On the day that I die, 

I wanna say that I, 

Was a man who really loved and never compromised.

And when I live out my days, 

Until the very end, 

You can find me in my home

Guitar in my hands.

You can find me in my home

With my guitar in my hands.

"I Drive Your Truck" - Lee Brice



Eighty-Nine Cents in the ash tray Half empty bottle of Gatorade rolling in the floorboard That dirty Braves cap on the dash Dog tags hangin’ from the rear view Old Skoal can, and cowboy boots and a Go Army Shirt  folded in the back This thing burns gas like crazy, but that’s alright People got their ways of coping Oh, and I’ve got mine I drive your truck I roll every window down And I burn up  Every back road in this town I find a field, I tear it up Til all the pain’s a cloud of dust Yeah, sometimes I drive your truck I leave that radio playing That same ole country station where ya left it Yeah, man I crank it up And you’d probably punch my arm right now If you saw this tear rollin’ down my on face Hey, man I’m tryin’ to be tough And momma asked me this morning I I’d been by your grave But that flag and stone ain’t where I feel you anyway I drive your truck I roll every window down And I burn up  Every back road in this town I find a field, I tear it up Til all the pain’s a cloud of dust Yeah, sometimes I drive your truck I’ve cussed, I’ve prayed, I’ve said goodbye Shook my fist and asked God why These days when I’m missing you this much I drive your truck I roll every window down And I burn up  Every back road in this town I find a field, I tear it up Til all the pain’s a cloud of dust Yeah, sometimes, brother sometimes I drive your truck I drive your truck I hope you don’t mind, I hope you don’t mind I drive your truck

"Be Grateful" - The Farm

The other day I called myself complaining

Now my boss has got me working over time

Then the stranger who was sitting there beside me

Said ,I spent all day in the unemployment

Are there open shifts, are they hiring on

I'll work any hours even all night long

If you could put a good word in for me

Everytime you think you got it bad

You can find someone who's got it worse

All the things you take for granted now

They started out as blessings first

If you got someone who loves you

And a steady job that puts food on the table

If you're strong and able

Man, be grateful

We complain about how much it's gonna cost us

To fill our 20 something thousand dollar car

And living in the land of milk and honey

It's so easy to forget how lucky we are

We can work hard and buy a patch of dirt

And on Sunday morning we can go to church

And pray for those who don't have it as good as you

Every time you think you got it bad

You can find someone who's got it worse

All the things you take for granted now

They started out as blessings first

If you got someone who loves you

And a steady job that puts food on the table

If you're strong and able

Man, be grateful

"Don't Pick on Me" - Matt Kennon

He hid behind his lunchbox

Everyday at that bus-stop

Where some big ole boys got their kicks

Kickin' him 'round

He was scared as hell of that recess bell

That playground was more like a battlefield

And he knew he'd get himself killed

If he didn't back down

With black in his eye and blood in his mouth

On the way home, all he thought about

Is we could've been team-mates, we could've been friends

You could've made a difference, you could've stepped in

If you didn't like me, you should've just let me be

But no, you had to pick on me

She heard them laughin' 'bout the way she looked

In the hallway at the high-school she hid behind her books

Everyday in that lunch-room, she wouldn't eat a thing

She stared in that mirror, hatin' what she'd see

Tryin' to be pretty became a disease

She was killin' herself, just dyin' to fit in

The diary she kept underneath her bed

Hid all those words, that she never said

We could've been sisters, cheerin' at the games

We could've gone to prom, shared the same limousine

If you didn't like me, you should've just let me be

But no, you had to pick on me

It's time to make a stand, take responsibility

Cause it's gotten out'a hand

There should never have to be

Another child's headstone

That might as well read

You had to pick on me

Yeah, you had to pick on me

EVENT (LIVESTREAM RADIO): TUES, DEC 18 AT 5PM - FREE LIVESTREAM SHOW - TRACY LAWRENCE, JOSH PRUNO AND RICK HUCKABY

Don't miss this FREE livestream performance from the amazing Tracy Lawrence with Josh Pruno and Rick Huckaby on Renegade Radio Nashville on December 18. Show starts at 5:00pm CT and the music continues until 7:00pm CT. This is gonna be a good one, do not miss it, mark your calendars now!

Upcoming Singles: November / December 2012

November 26

Carrie Underwood/Two Black Cadillacs/Sony Nashville

December 3

Lee Brice/I Drive Your Truck/Curb
Jillian Kohr/What You’ve Done
Josh Pruno/23rd Psalm/Lawrence Music Group
Big & Rich/Party Like Cowboyz/Warner Bros.-W.A.R.

Holiday Singles

Lorrie Morgan/Wrapped Up In Love/Octabrook Records
Craig Morrison/Santa Claus Boogie/Lucky 53s-GMV Nashville
Clinton Gregory/Peace On Earth Again/Melody Roundup Records
Kyle Park/Winter Wonderland

NEW MUSIC: JOSH PRUNO - "23RD PSALM" RELEASED TO COUNTRY RADIO TODAY

Newcomer Josh Pruno released his debut single to country radio today, "23rd Psalm". What a great song! This one's got hit potential. Please request this one on your local stations and get it heard. It's wonderfully written, lyrically perfect and should be something we all get the chance to hear. You can check Josh out at www.joshpruno.com or follow him on Twitter at @JoshPruno. Check out Josh's live performance below of the song at the Hard Rock Nashville.