Hoss’s June 2009 Hossey Award Picks
These are all the songs I’ve chosen for this month’s contest. I know thousands of independent musicians who are deserving of having their songs in this dang deal. So narrowing my picks down to just a few is always the hardest part of my month. Oh well. Such is life.
Distillery Dave and Jessica Elroy – Please Come To Boston (Buy, Dang It)
Booted from the contest after week 2
No Distillery Dave is not Dave Loggin’s the guy who wrote this song and made it a hit in 1974. He’s Dave Leapard of Sylvania, Ohio. And Jessica Elroy is a full time cast member at Dollywood who seems to have a heck of a lot of potential for a solo singing career. (Not sure exactly what she does at Dollywood, but I’ve never been tempted to make it out there until now. Jessica is great!) This is, maybe, the coolest version I’ve ever heard of this song (and I’ve heard a lot of versions). It’s yet another of the amazing gems that just come about almost out of nowhere on HossTheBoss.com. Dave points out that he can find no record of this song having ever been recorded as a duet, but it’s made to be done that way. Amazing that no one else has ever done it through all these years. These two have stumbled onto something pretty special, and they’ve done a hell of a job with it. Thanks to Dave for sending the song to me, so we can share it with the world.
Isaac and Hilltop – Angry Young Men (Buy, Dang It)
Booted from the contest after week 2
I don’t know anything about these guys except that they responded to a call for submissions that I put out on MySpace a few days ago. As a guy who likes to take risks and experiment with stuff myself, I appreciate musicians who send me risk taking, experimental recordings. This is an important song! If it makes you uncomfortable, you’re probably getting the message. That’s life.
Jim Jones – Hey Mama (Buy, Dang It)
Booted from the contest after Week 3
I’m glad that there’s a lot of guys in New Mexico who are keeping the honest-to-God “cowoby” music alive for the ages. Jim is one of those guys. He’s fresh off some big accolades from the New Mexico Music Awards, so I figured it’s about time I featured him in the contest.
Mike Parrish – Blue Jean Baby (Buy, Dang It)
Big Time Champion for June!
Mike Parrish is livin’ the life! After a stellar career puttin’ it all on the line in law enforcement — including serving as a police chief in two towns and then an elected constable — he’s finally retired and givin’ his all to music. I’ve been following this guy’s stuff for a couple of years now, and I’ve yet to hear anything that didn’t just absolutely rock. He’s got a new CD out now that’s pure Texas. In fact, it’s called… “Texas in the Man.” Hellaciously appropriate title, if you ask me.
Rene Sims – Don’t Give Up Your Heart Too Soon (Buy, Dang It)
(Booted from the contest after Week 1)
First things first… Rene wants you to know that her roots are Irish, not French. So her name rhymes with Irene. Get used to it, dang it! Next thing, Rene came to Ft. Worth by way of Jacksonville, Tennessee, and has been playing music since she was 16. She sent me several of her songs, and I had a difficult time picking just one for this contest. So, you won’t go wrong with just about any of the 75 songs she’s written over the years.And she has the Hoss kind of attitude about her music. Here’s what she said in some of her publicity materials: “When you listen to my music listen with your heart and mind. I will take you to many places in life and you will understand the simplicity as well as the complexities.I write about life, love,the places I’ve been and children!As well as stories in my head that come out in song.I hope that what comes through me will make you feel, see, and think as music is meant to do!” Amen, Rene!
Robert Alexander – Pickin’ Party (Buy, Dang It)
(Booted from the contest after Week 1)
Robert Alexander is my buddy in Corpus Christi who does something besides music for a living, but he’s got more song writing talent than I think he realizes. Before he moved to Corpus Christi a few years back, he was a regular at Nancy Apple’s Thursday Night Pickin’ Party in Memphis, TN, the subject of this song. (And a lot of his friends from those days — including Nancy herself — have been in this very contest. ) When his day job forced him to come Corpus Christi, Robert’s Memphis friends basically ordered him to finally record one of the songs he’d written — so they’d have something to remember him by. He came up with this little diddy on the fly. (God, I hope I’m tellin’ this story right, Robert. Sorry if I got it a little off. Maybe we shouldn’t drink so much whenever we get together!) One of these dang days, I’m going to make it up to Memphis for one of Nancy’s parties. Until then, this song will have to get me by. But if you’re in Corpus, never fear! Since moving here, Robert has started his own little pickin’ party every Sunday afternoon at the Blue Marlin on North Beach. If you jerks don’t vote enough for Robert’s song this month, you can expect to see the North Beach Shuffle in the contest in July. I ain’t gonna take no for an answer when it comes to one of the coolest dudes you’re ever gonna want to know. The music world needs more people like this guy!
Sumner Brothers – Girl in the Window (Buy, Dang It)
Booted from the contest after week 2
I really like these people, but I can’t take credit for finding them. Nor can I tell you much about them, except what you can read for yourself by checking out their websites. My niece Brittinee found these guys on MySpace, and I’m glad she did. Brittinee is gearing up to be one of our guest DJs later this summer, and this pick is proof that she’s going to be a formidable contender.
The Toluenes – Mexico (Buy, Dang It)
Finished in 5th place for June!
I figured that, since Luna has all her Kentucky picks this month, I needed to toss in my own Kentucky find. Funny, just like with Luna, I’d have never guess these people aren’t from Texas. You Kentucky folks are all right with me.
The Volunteers – Rock-n-Roll Will Kill You (Buy, Dang It)
(Booted from the contest after Week 1)
Okay, okay. This is another pick that niece Brittinee sent my way. They’re from New York. And, even though I’m 41 and probably much older than their typical fan, I think they’re awesome. That’s enough info for me. You?
Tubie Pushee – The HR Dept. Blues (Buy, Dang It)
(Booted from the contest after Week 1)
Tubie Pushee has been playing around Texas for many years, and he’s as solid as anyone you’ll hear at your local blues bar. He’s apparently got a new CD out that has some fun tracks (I particularly like Gimmee my Car), but, being a non-tie wearer, I’m partial to this song on his next-to-last CD. Ya’ll check this guy out!
See My Previous Picks
I should have mentioned The Sumner Brothers Girl in the Window in my last comment!
Pearle
I love these guys! I also found them on myspace. Brian and Van are the best. Your neice has a good ear for music.
Pearle