Composite Acoustics Artist Action: November 2007

Monday, November 19, 2007

Winter Jam 2008

The Winter Jam Tour Spectacular, Christian music’s largest annual musical tour, announced its 35 city itinerary for 2008, featuring one of its most prestigious artist line-ups ever. As of this month, all four of NewSong’s guests are currently in the top 40 national sales as reported by Neilson’s SoundScan. The 2008 line-up showcases musical styles ranging from worship to rock to pop featuring multi Platinum selling MercyMe, sibling rock trio BarlowGirl, seasoned rockers Skillet, American Idol’s Mandisa. The 10-week tour launches January 10, 2008 in Johnson City, TN, and will conclude at the Sommet Center in Nashville, TN on March 16th hitting 19 states along the way. Grammy-nominated and Dove Award-winning, NewSong will host the high-energy event for the 13th consecutive year, which will feature special guest speaker Tony Nolan and the Xtreme sports Real Encounter BMX/Skate Team.

Stay tuned for details on how you can win the very guitar Becca Barlow is holding in her hands above.

Vince Wilcox, president of Celerity Entertainment, affirmed that Holt International, the world’s leader in child adoption and relocation services, will once again be a sponsor of Winter Jam 2008, along with the Wayne E. Bailey Produce Company. HearItFirst.com is back as a sponsor and will be giving out free download cards to the first 500 in line each night. Dave Ramsey's "Generation Change" student finance curriculum is also a new sponsor this year. Wilcox also announced a landmark partnership for 2008: “The Word Label Group Pre-Jam Party featuring pureNRG and Group 1 Crew.” Co-sponsored by media giants Fox Faith and Word Label Group, this event begins forty minutes before the official start of the show and will feature acclaimed pop trio Group 1 Crew and “tween” sensations pureNRG.

For more information, please visit www.jamtour.com. Winter Jam 2008 follows the highly successful 2007 tour, which landed in Pollstar’s Top 10 Winter Tours surpassing artists like Nickelback, Red Hot Chili Peppers and John Mayer. WJ '07 averaged over 8,000 people each night with select shows having more than 10,000 in attendance. The 2007 Tour had total turnout of more than 275,000.

Saturday, November 17, 2007

Cole Deggs and The Lonesome

SONY BMG recently welcomed Cole Deggs & The Lonesome as the newest addition to its Columbia Nashville label. The five-piece band, fronted by Cole Deggs, is comprised of Coles brother Shade on bass, brothers Jimmy and David Wallace on keyboards and lead guitar, respectively, and Florida native Brian Hayes on drums. The Deggs brothers grew up in Lake Jackson, TX, while the Wallaces hail from Shreveport, LA. Also, please visit Shade and Cole's personal blog at www.shadeandcole.blogspot.com for updates and pictures of how these two are always getting hurt. CD&L tour blog at www.coledeggsandthelonesome.blogspot.com

To catch Cole playing his Legacy Composite Acoustic live, check out their tour dates below.

Friday, November 16, 2007

Artist Testimony

I am starting a new series called "Artist Testimony." It's rather easy, I simply ask our Artist's to provide us with a video of their testimony on our guitars. We leave it totally up to them to come up with their own words and what they love about our guitars.

Check back frequently as I will have more videos by various Artists/Bands but be patient, these guys are doing this for us while there on the road touring. Enjoy!

Tuesday, November 13, 2007

Heartland

All it takes for a popular regional act to be catapulted into the national spotlight is one special song. Suddenly hometown heroes find themselves climbing the charts and enjoying that first brush of stardom. That is exactly what's happening to Heartland, a talented band of Alabama musicians who have rapidly become one of the most talked about new acts in country music today.

The catalyst for the group's current success is the poignant ballad "I Loved Her First," which became one of the fastest rising singles of 2006, reaching the #1 spot at Billboard and R&R in only 16 weeks, a rare feat for a debut release. Heartland’s debut album, released in October of 2006, debuted at #3 on the Billboard Country chart behind only Jimmy Buffet and George Strait and reached # 11 on the Billboard Top 200 all genres chart. The video became a Top 10 hit and helped to further bring them in the country music mainstream. Though one hit song can serve as a launch pad, it takes talent, hard work and an arsenal of solid material to build a career. Heartland has those things in abundance.

Collectively, Heartland encompasses a variety of musical influences including Johnny Cash, Alabama, Van Halen, Elvis Presley, AC/DC, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and Sam Cooke just to name a few. Each member of the band grew up absorbing a rather diverse musical diet and those varied influences have helped shape the full-bodied, robust sound that defines Heartland's musical persona.

Like all young bands Heartland practiced, performed and dreamed of stardom. However in 1997, they got their first taste of that dream becoming a reality when they performed at the final June Jam, the annual concert held in Ft. Payne each year by country music legends Alabama. When they took the stage in front of more than 20,000 screaming fans, they were surprised and elated to see people holding up Heartland signs and shouting their name.
It was an especially poignant moment for Todd Anderson. "Alabama had been such a huge influence," he says. "Alabama was the first concert I went to when I was six-years-old and they are the greatest band in country music history. When we were fortunate enough to play the June Jam, that really summed it up for us. There were no other career options after that."
Jason agrees. "We always knew we wanted to do it," he says of pursuing a music career. "We dreamed about it, but that was one of the defining moments. We've played some big shows. We've played with a lot of big people. When you actually get up there and get a taste of it, it tastes GOOD!" "There are six guys in the band and we like to give everybody six different things to look at," says Jason. "Everybody has their own little thing and everybody is very good at what they do. And as opposed to having one focal point, we have six. There are a lot of different things going on. When we get up there, we like to really give people something for their money. It's not like they are just listening to the CD, they are getting the whole package."
Seeing that whole package has earned the band an enthusiastic legion of fans. In addition to headlining their own shows, the guys have been touring almost nonstop, playing dates coast to coast with Brad Paisley, Montgomery Gentry, Blake Shelton, and others, while continuing to build their ever-growing fan base. Working with Producer/Songwriter Walt Aldridge in Muscle Shoals' Fame Studios, the band put together a potent collection of songs defined by the inimitable Heartland sound and immediately took their high-octane show on the road. The guys take pride in the fact that there's no one else that sounds quite like they do when they get together. It's a unique sound forged from years under hot spotlights in sweaty clubs with audiences on their feet screaming for more.

It also comes from years of friendship, camaraderie and a shared musical vision. When one spends any amount of time around these guys, their respect for each other and their friendship is obvious. After all, they've been through a lot together. "There's a lot of stuff that we have on each other and you kind of get that when you've known someone since the 5th grade." says Craig.

Currently Heartland is in the studio recording with famed Producer Mark Bright (Rascal Flatts, Carrie Underwood) on the follow up to “ I Loved Her First” with the new single release date tentatively scheduled for early June 2007 on the Country Thunder Records label. The guys have had the pleasure of performing on such national television shows as The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson and Fox & Friends, co-hosted the pretelevised portion of the 2006 CMA Awards Show along with Julie Roberts, and have recently been bestowed perhaps their greatest honor; garnering nominations for both Best New Group or Duo and Single Record of the Year by The Academy of Country Music. To quote guitarist Mike Myerson, “Just when ya think it can’t get any better for six rednecks from Alabama, something like this seems to come along and totally floors us!”

Talent, drive and a great sense of humor-country music fans are connecting to those qualities and so much more with Heartland. Like the image their name evokes, this group of young men personifies the best of America's country lifestyle, and they connect with audiences because their music reflects the hopes, challenges and dreams of everyone out there in the heartland and beyond. "The reason we want to do this is the genuine love and respect we have for each other," says Todd. "If the good Lord blesses us enough to allow us to make a living out of it, that's wonderful. If we start playing arenas with 20,000 people each night, that's great, but no matter where we are or what we're doing, this is a true brotherhood."

Monday, November 12, 2007

Bryan Austin with Clint Black

I met with Bryan nearlier this week. I have known Bryan for many years, probably more than I realize. Bryan is one hell of a guitar player and singer. To see Bryan performing with his Composite Acoustics live on stage with Clint Black, check out their tour dates below.

11/12/2007 - Ft. Worth, TXvenue: Bass Performance Hall

11/15/2007 - Hanford, CAvenue: Hanford Fox Theater

11/16/2007 - Turlock, CAvenue: Turlock Community Theater

11/17/2007 - Escondido, CAvenue: California Center for the Arts

11/18/2007 - Lancaster, CAvenue: Lancaster Performing Arts Center

11/20/2007 - Monterey, CAvenue: Golden State Theater

Congratulations to Sugarland-CMA Duo of the Year

Congratulations Sugarland on your CMA Award for Duo of the Year!

Your CMA Duo of the Year- Sugarland!

Congratulations to Jennifer and Kristian.

Sugarland took home the trophy for this year's CMA Duo of the Year, breaking a six year winning streak by Brooks & Dunn. “All of our success,” Jennifer said, “it’s because we are standing on the shoulders of giants. We are happy to be receiving this Award.”Just after winning the award, they took the stage for an emotional performance of their hit single "Stay."

Barlow Girl - Custom guitar give-a-way

Photos courtesy of Sarah Barlow

I wanted to share with everyone some new photos of Becca Barlow with her custom Barlow Girl GX. I wrote about this guitar a couple months ago when I hand delivered this guitar to Becca at a gig in Knoxville Tennessee.

Stay tuned to this blog for details on how and when you can register to win this very guitar from Becca. The give away will take place during this winters tour with MercyMe and Newsong.

Tour Dates:

12/28/07 Macon Centreplex Macon, GA

12/30/07 CLOSED EVENT Myrtle Beach, SC

01/10/08 Freedom Hall Johnson City, TN

01/11/08 McKenzie Arena Chattanooga, TN

01/12/08 Roanoke Civic Center Roanoke, VA

01/13/08 Bobcat Arena Charlotte, NC

01/18/08 Lubbock Municipal Colliseum - Lubbock Regional Youth Evangelism Conference Lubbock, TX

01/19/08 UCF Arena Orlando, FL

01/20/08 Bank United Center Miami, FL

01/24/08 Redbird Arena Normal, IL

01/25/08 Schottestein Center Columbus, OH

01/26/08 Cincinnati Gardens Cincinnati, OH

01/27/08 Family Arena St. Charles, MO

01/31/08 Roberts Stadium Evansville, IN

02/01/08 Alltel Arena Little Rock, AR

02/02/08 BJCC Arena Birmingham, AL

02/07/08 James Brown Arena Augusta, GA

02/08/08 Memorial Coliseum Jacksonville, FL

02/09/08 The Mitchell Center Mobile, AL

02/10/08 Bancorp South Center Tupelo, MS

02/15/08 The Bi-Lo Center Greenville, SC

02/16/08 Greensboro Coliseum Greensboro, NC

02/17/08 Contant Convocation Center Norfolk, VA

02/22/08 The Colonial Center Columbia, SC

02/23/08 MS Coliseum Jackson, MS

02/24/08 DeSoto Civic Center Southaven, MS

02/28/08 The Ford Center Oklahoma City, OK

02/29/08 Mabee Center Tulsa, OK

03/01/08 Charles Koch Arena Wichita, KS

03/02/08 World Arena Colorado Springs, CO

03/06/08 Rupp Arena Lexington, KY

03/07/08 Allen County Memorial Coliseum Ft. Wayne, IN

03/08/08 Thompson Boling Arena Knoxville, TN

03/09/08 The Breslin Center East Lansing, MI

03/13/08 Big Sandy Superstore Arena Huntington, WV

03/14/08 Crown Coliseum Fayetteville, NC

03/15/08 Phillips Arena Atlanta, GA

03/16/08 The Sommet Center Nashville, TN

04/04/08 Cornerstone Community Church Wildomar, CA

05/09/08 The Center for Performing Arts - Governors State University University Park, IL 05/09/08 The Center for Performing Arts - Governors State University University Park, IL 05/10/08 Redwood Amphitheater at Great America - Spring Celebration Santa Clara, CA 05/10/08 Redwood Amphitheater at Great America - Spring Celebration Santa Clara, CA 05/31/08 Northern Wisconsin State Fairgrounds Chippewa Falls, WI

05/31/08 Northern Wisconsin State Fairgrounds Chippewa Falls, WI

07/11/08 Timberwolf Amphitheater at Kings Island Kings Island, OH

07/12/08 Kingswood Amphitheatre - Kings Fest Doswell, VA

07/18/08 Willmar Civic Center Grounds - Sonshine Festival Willmar, MN

07/19/08 Drumheller Believe Festival Calgary, Alberta

09/05/08 Walt Disney World Resort - Night of Joy 2008 Orlando, FL

09/06/08 Walt Disney World Resort - Night of Joy 2008 Orlando, FL

Tuesday, November 6, 2007

Needtobreathe

I wanted to share some videos of Bear Rinehart, lead singer for Needtobreathe, performing with his GX. Check out the band live at the dates below.

11-08-2007 - Beat KitchenChicago, IL

11-09-2007 - The District VenueLake Orion, MI

11-10-2007 - Youth ExplostionCleveland, OH

11-11-2007 - North Star BarPhiladelphia, PA

11-13-2007 - Paradise LoungeBoston, MA

11-14-2007 - Jammin javaVienna, VA

11-15-2007 - Headliner'sColumbia, SC

11-16-2007 - Triad Community CenterHigh Point, NC

11-30-2007 - Club 3 DegreesMinneapolis, MN

12-01-2007 - College of St. ScholasticaDuluth, MN

12-08-2007 - FBCRincon, GA

12-29-2007 - Private EventIndianapolis, IN

12-31-2007 - New Life Community CenterLouisa, VA

01-04-2008 - White Stone Community CenterWhite Stone, VA

Point of Grace

I wanted to share with all of you a really cool photo of Dana Cappillino, the guitar player for Point of Grace. I'm also attaching a video of Dana using his GX live.

To see Dana performing live, check out Point of Grace out on tour.

Nov 09
New Orleans, LA

Nov 10
Akron, OH

Nov 15
Cozumel, MX

Nov 27
Orland Park, IL

Nov 29
Savannah, GA

Nov 30
Greensboro, NC

Dec 01
Aiken, SC

Dec 02
Lakeland, FL

Dec 05
Mustang, OK

Dec 06
Dallas, TX

Dec 07
Fort Worth, TX

Dec 08
Jonesboro, AR

Dec 09
Waco, TX

Dec 11
Smyrna, TN

Dec 12
McMurray, PA

Dec 13
Mechanicsburg, PA

Dec 14
Elkhart, IN

Dec 15
Kokomo, IN

Dec 16
St. Peters, MO

Jan 26
Barrien Springs, MI

Feb 01
Honolulu, HI

Feb 13
Oklahoma City, OK

Feb 14
Omaha, NE

Feb 16
Springfield, OH

Feb 23
Southlake, TX

Feb 24
Southlake, TX

Apr 04
Minneapolis, MN

Building 429 video "You Carried Me"

I thought I would share Building latest video, "You Carried Me" with him performing with his GX. Be sure to catch them on tour with Shoutfest and Aaron Shust.

Composite Acoustics Artist Action