WAY BACK WEDNESDAY: "TENNESSEE WHISKEY" - GEORGE JONES

Perhaps not exactly a “Welcome to Summer” song but a great song nonetheless. I had the opportunity to see David Allan Coe a while back and this song hasn’t left my mind since. “Tennessee Whiskey” was originally done by David Allan Coe as the title track on his album released in 1981. The love song was crafted beautifully by the famed and brilliant Dean Dillon and Linda Hargrove. It’s been sung by everyone from the Possum himself, George Jones to more recently, Chris Stapleton and Meghan Lindsey of NBC's "The Voice". “Tennessee Whiskey” is a song about a barfly that found love outside of the whiskey bottle but as that’s the only love he’s ever known, that’s all he can compare it to. The chorus (and the entire song really) says it achingly and beautifully with

“You're as smooth as Tennesee whiskey

You're as sweet as strawberry wine

You're as warm as a glass of Brandy

And I stay stoned on your love all the time”

Dean Dillon has always written such eloquent lyrics and spun such worlds in mere minutes it leaves me incredulous, shaking my head the entire time. More currently, he’s written for greats such as Randy Travis, Garth Brooks, George Strait, Toby Keith, Blake Shelton, Kellie Pickler, Sammy Kershaw, Randy Rogers Band and just about everyone you can think of and those are just a few in this decade. Linda Hargrove passed away in 2010, but in her illustrious life had penned hits for Olivia Newton John, Lynn Anderson, Loretta Lynn, Tammy Wynette and the list goes on and on. Dean Dillon and Linda Hargrove create a rarity of a writing duo, such unique minds that have written with such soul (and Dillon continues to) that it is the essence of poetry in songwriting, more exquisite than most anything you will ever hear.

George Jones Version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ggkyQ8RqOvc 

David Allan Coe Version With Lyrics: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O0gWX6_GG98

Chris Stapleton Version: (off of his album “Traveller” go get it!) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4zAThXFOy2c

Meghan Linsey's Version from NBC's "The Voice" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iP5P2HJQ05k 

Contributor: Alyse Smith
Follow Alyse on Twitter at @ASmith1300

MEGHAN LINSEY TO PREMIERE NEW SINGLE, "TRY HARDER THAN THAT", ON SIRIUX XM THE HIGHWAY TODAY, JUNE 16

Vocal country powerhouse and former Steel Magnolia chanteuse, Meghan Linsey, will be premiering her debut single as a solo artist, “Try Harder Than That,” today on Sirius XM’s The Highway as a "Highway Find". This is the lead single from her new EP which is due out later in the year. Meghan has been selected to host The Highway's “On The Horizon” show this coming Saturday, July 19. She will also host a live performance at the Sirius XM studios to perform the new single  on "Mornings with Storme Warren".

"With a gritty passion and fierce intelligence, "Try Harder Than That," is Linsey's most ambitious work to date. Combining Linsey's dynamic mix of musical styles and influences (Patty Griffin, Whitney Houston and Tanya Tucker), her gift for incisive personal narratives and an emotionally keyed-up delivery, it's clear that she's experiencing a creative career surge. "

- Digital Rodeo

The song, co-written with another vocal powerhouse, James Otto, and Corey Crowder, is garnering great reviews within the industry and across various digital outlets. The single was included by Beats Music in their “Girls of Summer” song list along with Miranda Lambert and Sheryl Crow. “Try Harder Than That” is available for purchase on iTunes, Rhapsody, Rdio and Spotify.

Later this month, Meghan will release the video to accompany the single. To find out more about Meghan, please check out her website www.meghanlinsey.com or connect with her on Twitter and Facebook.

MEGHAN LINSEY LAUNCHES PLEDGEMUSIC CAMPAIGN

MEGHAN LINSEY AMPILIFIES SOLO CAREER WITH LAUNCH OF PLEDGEMUSIC CAMPAIGN 

E! NEWS SEGMENT TO FEATURE LINSEY TONIGHT

PRESS RELEASE

Nashville, TN (May 15, 2014) - Meghan Linsey, previously of award-winning country duo Steel Magnolia, has officially launched her solo career with a PledgeMusic Campaign. Through the campaign, she is inviting fans to join her on this new journey with cool incentives and exclusive items including an autographed limited edition Hatch Show Print, a mani or pedi with Linsey, a personalized song written by Linsey and a private house show, among many other items.

Linsey shows her lighthearted personality in her campaign video encouraging fans to contribute so she can keep her “day job” and not have to resort to less appealing options such as selling Girl Scout cookies, setting up a road-side lemonade stand, selling her car or begging for money from everyone from her father to Bill Gates. View it here.

“I am so excited about this new direction in my career and going solo,” said Linsey. “And the support I’ve been getting from Steel Magnolia fans has been really great. I’m excited that they are coming with me on this journey. Their support of my PledgeMusic campaign, their encouraging posts and comments, their excitement about my new music has been just fantastic. I have amazing fans.”

Tonight, E! News will broadcast a segment Linsey recorded while on tour in Los Angeles recently. During the segment, Linsey talks about the transition in her career path and her PledgeMusic campaign.

When E! News wanted to sit down and talk with me about my new solo career I jumped at the opportunity because it’s a great way to get the word out about my PledgeMusic Campaign. E! has always been a great supporter of Steel Magnolia and the fact that they are continuing to support me and this transition is really cool. I just love E!.”

Contribute to Linsey’s PledgeMusic Campaign at www.meghanlinsey.com/pledge.

For more about Meghan Linsey, visit www.meghanlinsey.com.

CODY BELEW (THE VOICE, SEASON 3) RELEASES "BABY, GET OUT" DUET/VIDEO WITH MEGHAN LINSEY

Nashville, TN (March 18, 2013) - Singer/songwriter and “The Voice” Season 3 finalist Cody Belew has been in high gear since the show ended late last year.  He has been writing and recording in the studio and is excited to announce the release of “Baby, Get Out,” featuring Meghan Linsey, of the successful duo Steel Magnolia.

“Baby, Get Out,” written by Belew, Linsey and producer Tyler Cain, is a roller coaster of emotions between long time lovers.  The portrayal of the relationship complexities in the song leaves the listener engaged in the heart felt decision for the lovers to give everything or get out. 

“I’m so excited about this song and video,” says Belew.  “It came together organically with Meghan, Tyler and I.  I couldn’t be more proud of what we’ve created and I can’t wait for the fans to hear it.” 

“It was so much fun to collaborate with Cody and be featured on this song,” adds Linsey. 

It is also available for purchase now on iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/baby-get-out-single/id602344811
 For more information about Cody, visit www.codybelew.com , www.facebook.com/codybelew , and @codybelew on Twitter.
For more information on Meghan, visit www.meghanlinsey.com, www.facebook.com/meghanlinseymusic, and @meghanlinsey on Twitter.