Rob Nichols

VIDEO: Bob Seger humbles everyone watching "The Voice"

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If you haven’t seen the video of Bob Seger on “The Voice”, check it out here.  Like American Idol, the music competition show invites guests to perform with the contestants.
This video has been circulating for a while, but worth a look to hear a old rock and roller absolutely kill it with a pair of newbies (Swon Brothers) who are not bad if they stay out of Rascal Flatts territory.  We don’t need another falsetto country lite band, right?  And they seemed geeked to be sitting by Seger – as they should be.
“Night Moves” (though a  truncated version) is done proud.  And the backing band will be a nice surprise.  Some killer B3 organ and a damn good cover band version of the song for Seger and the kids to sing.  Just wonder if anyone in the audience had a clue that the Michigan legend was in fine voice and probably the best rocker/musician/guest they will hear all season.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hrY3HzPV5sE
 

Prediction Station: Dierks Bentley's new single "Bourbon in Kentucky" will be huge

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dierksbentleyJust want to take a moment and go on record with this prediction: Dierks Bentley’s song “Bourbon in Kentucky” (out on June 15) will end up as the smash, everybody-knows-the-words country hit of the year.  Sweep the year-end awards.  Make him piles of money as a catalyst for his new Riser album.
Huge.  I’m just sayin’.
I can’t be sure how I came upon the streaming track this week- either banging around the iTunes store or down some crazy web musical rabbit hole.  Doesn’t matter.  Heard it once and knew it. The song “sounds” huge. Arena rock huge. Big like a U2 anthem.  But the vocals are close-miked.  Nuanced.  Lyrics?  They work, because the sound is freaking countryfried long-lasting ear candy.
Heard it here first.  Biggest song in country music.  Unlike anything else on country radio right now.

VIDEO REWIND: The Cars – "Bye Bye Love " (Live)

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Power-pop brilliance.  The Cars excelled with smoldering, dark “Moving in Stereo”- type songs, and with killer chorus, blueprint-for-New Wave pop candy.  I love that this is live,  and really, really good, in a not-so-perfect way.  Harmonies, the late Benjamin Orr on bass reminding that Ric Ocasek wasn’t he only lead singer, and the great eight-bar solos from Elliott Easton on the guitar.  The Cars were best loved on record, and I have never talked to anyone who loved their shows in the 80’s.  But back in the late 1970’s, after the debut album, they were still nicely raw.

James McMurtry and The Bottle Rockets pair up for Rathskeller show on July 11

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bottlerocketsA rare appearance in Indianapolis for a pair of Americana bands/singers/songwriters/rockers.  On July  11 at the Rathskeller, The Bottle Rockets – the pride of Festus, Missouri – bring their American rock and roll to the Rathskeller, followed by Texas’ James McMurtry.
The Bottle Rockets have been through town occasionally, my favorite time when they opened for Todd Snider and the Nervous Wrecks back in 1997 at the Vogue.  Lead singer Brian Henneman is one of the great blue collar, deep-if-you-really-think-about-it writers of the genre, and will forever be remembered as guitar/tech/roadie/traveling companion for seminal alt-country band Uncle Tupelo.
mcmurtryMcMurtry’s first album was recorded just outside of Bloomington, with Mellencamp’s band, back when the lineup still featured Larry Crane, Mike Wanchic, Toby Myers and Kenny Aronoff.  Since then, he’s created some stirring, challenging-your-beliefs albums, and has risen to legendary status within the Americana music community.
This is one of those shows featuring a pair of bands well-known to a certain segment of music listener, and completely ignored by radio and mainstream music.  Indy has a habit of supporting these types of bands (use Will Hoge and Old Crow Medicine Show as a couple examples.  Both artists have a strong following in Indy) and outdoor shows at the Rathskeller are always a good time.
*6:30pm start for the Bottle Rockets, 8:15 for McMurty.