Over the weekend as I was messing around on YouTube I happened to find out something interesting. Upon listening to different music I came across an artist named Brantley Gilbert. Now what intrigued me at first was to see that he had a song called "My Kinda Party". I thought it was a coincidence to see that because current country superstar Jason Aldean also has a song titled that on his new album.
So I clicked on the song intrigued to see if it was the same song. Low and behold it was the exact same song that is on the radio. Naturally I assumed this was a cover but I decided to investigate Gilbert more in order to see what else he has done.
Then I was stunned to find out that Gilbert is actually the original writer of the song My Kinda Party!
To here the original version by Brantley Gilbert click this link.
To here the version cut by Jason Aldean click this link.
Now Gilbert is a very talented musician in his own right. Many of the songs I listened to on YouTube are very good. The question I have is why is this guy not famous yet? It could be a combination of many things. Not in the right place at the right time, not enough exposure to the right people, there are many factors that a aspiring musician goes through in his or her quest to stardom.
One thing that is tough for some musicians is the situation you see here with Gilbert and Aldean. Gilbert wrote the song and all the songwriting credit goes to him. However his version did not get much exposure because he is not a national superstar. Once Jason Aldean heard the song, he liked it and made a cut/cover of the song and is taking it to the top of the charts.
Its not a matter of which version is better but rather who gets the right exposure for the song. Obviously Jason Aldean is going to have more exposure right now and therefore he is benefiting greatly from a great song. Its not a slap in the face to Gilbert, its more paying him a compliment and he even acknowledges that here.
Aldean also cut the song "Dirt Road Anthem" that Gilbert co-wrote with Colt Ford. (Original version here.) That is just another case of the same situation. It is nothing more than a cut, or cover whichever you wish to call it. The only reason the original writers do not make it as big with a song is because they are not as big as the person who takes their song and cuts it.
This is something that happens all the time in the music business. I just wish more people would know about the actual writers of many of the great songs that superstars take to the top. These people are the forgotten musicians in the music world sometimes. I'm glad I found this out because now I have a new artist that I enjoy in Brantley Gilbert, and I'm sure there are many more out there.
Until next time keep on rocking away music lovers,
JAS
Monday, January 17, 2011
Friday, January 14, 2011
The Thursday Night Jam
So last night I attended the new open jam session at the Copa Cavana in Des Moines. Housed in the old Ingersoll Dinner Theatre, this building is definitely an interesting entertainment venue to say the least.
Now this jam is hosted by Rob Ankum, the long time host of the jam at Blues on Grand, which closed its doors in November of last year due to reasons that many people are not quite sure of. For a blues/rock/funk fan such as myself this was a huge blow to the Des Moines music scene and arguably the music scene in the Midwest.
Blues on Grand was a great place to hear and or play live music. It attracted some of the finest musicians around on a weekly basis and it always had this vibe of a down home, true blues bar. I will always miss Blues on Grand and it can't be replaced in my opinion.
However when Blues on Grand closed down I also lost my jam spot on Thursday nights. I was not sure where I would go to get my jam fix on in Des Moines anymore until I heard that Rob was starting up a jam at the Copa Cavana.
Well to all those who miss the jam at Blues on Grand I must say this. Come on out to the Copa Cavana and enjoy the new jam. Yes it may not have the vibe and the feel of Blues on Grand but in my opinion it has its own vibe and feel that is kind of curious. Its a big place with a big stage and dance floor for people to dance on if they hear some music that they like.
And that should be no problem as Rob and the boys are playing the same great blues/rock/funk tunes that they did at Blues on Grand. It is definitely going to take some getting used to but I think in the end it is good for the music scene in Des Moines. It provides aspiring musicians like myself a chance to get out there and strut their stuff on stage for a few songs once a week. I will most definitely be going back and I hope that it can become a new tradition for music in Des Moines.
Until next time keep on rocking away music lovers,
JAS
Now this jam is hosted by Rob Ankum, the long time host of the jam at Blues on Grand, which closed its doors in November of last year due to reasons that many people are not quite sure of. For a blues/rock/funk fan such as myself this was a huge blow to the Des Moines music scene and arguably the music scene in the Midwest.
Blues on Grand was a great place to hear and or play live music. It attracted some of the finest musicians around on a weekly basis and it always had this vibe of a down home, true blues bar. I will always miss Blues on Grand and it can't be replaced in my opinion.
However when Blues on Grand closed down I also lost my jam spot on Thursday nights. I was not sure where I would go to get my jam fix on in Des Moines anymore until I heard that Rob was starting up a jam at the Copa Cavana.
Well to all those who miss the jam at Blues on Grand I must say this. Come on out to the Copa Cavana and enjoy the new jam. Yes it may not have the vibe and the feel of Blues on Grand but in my opinion it has its own vibe and feel that is kind of curious. Its a big place with a big stage and dance floor for people to dance on if they hear some music that they like.
And that should be no problem as Rob and the boys are playing the same great blues/rock/funk tunes that they did at Blues on Grand. It is definitely going to take some getting used to but I think in the end it is good for the music scene in Des Moines. It provides aspiring musicians like myself a chance to get out there and strut their stuff on stage for a few songs once a week. I will most definitely be going back and I hope that it can become a new tradition for music in Des Moines.
Until next time keep on rocking away music lovers,
JAS
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