Who is Glen Templeton?

I was recently asked to listen to a song called "Anyone Else" and that simple request had me very eager to discover all I could about the singer, Glen Templeton.

Glen Templeton is a singer\songer writer from Tuscaloosa, AL. In the bio on his website, he says "I don't think I chose country music. I think it chose me." We all know the feeling when something just fits right. Well Glen Templeton and country music are definitely a "just right" fit. Templeton has a beautiful voice described best as gravely, but smooth. I was listening to his music on my phone when "That's My Job" started playing. I thought my playlist had ended because I recognized the song (and voice). However, I discovered I was listening to perhaps one of the most beautiful covers of Conway Twitty I've ever heard. In fact back in 2008, Templeton was actually hand picked by Twitty's daughters to play their father in a touring musical tribute to the country legend.

Templeton's impressive vocals are showcased beautifully on both his EPs. His self titled EP has five songs including a very moving "Choosing To Believe." The others are "I Could Be The One," "When Gone Comes Back," "Devil In The Mirror," and "A Sinner's Prayer." On his EP Let Her Go there are also five songs including "Anyone Else." The others are "Ball Cap" a cute telling of how a girl and her ball cap, the up tempo "I'm In Love With Your Girl," the title track "Let Her Go," and "Sing That Song Again." Something I noticed about all the above songs is depth. The stories told are done amens justice by this talented singer/songwriter. Check out the pure vocal strength, amazing sound, and sweet guitar skills in the video below.

You can follow Glen Templeton on Twitter (@glentempleton), Facebook, and Instagram. You can also keep watch on upcoming tour dates here http://www.glen-templeton.com/tour

Concert 411 ~ K95.5 Unplugged

K95.5 fm will be putting on their second annual Unplugged concert at the historic Cain's Ballroom on April 20th. The show will be just like last year, free entry with a ticket.

There are exactly two ways to get a ticket. You can either win them by listening live to the K95.5 radio station or at certain ticket locations. The way ticket locations work is the first 49 people are giving tickets and the 50th pair is giving away in a drawing for the remaining people.

The Remaining Ticket Location

• 4/2 Turfland Equipment (1702 N. JM Davis Blvd Claremore) 2-4pm
• 4/9 U.S. Cellular Premier Locations (51st & Sheridan, Tulsa) 2-4pm
• 4\16 U.S. Cellular Premier Locations (2334 SE Washington Blvd, Bartlesville) 2-4 pm
• 4/20 Jim Glover Chevrolet on the River (I-44 & the Arkansas River, Tulsa) 11am-1pm

This acoustic show is going to feature the following new faces of country music William Michael Morgan ("I Met A Girl"), Jordan Rager (''Southern Boy"), Clare Dunn ("Tuxedo"), and Drew Baldridge ("Dance with Ya"). Each of these artists have some great music out right now and this show should be fun to attend. 

Who is William Michael Morgan?

While the debate of what is country and what is not rages on, there is no doubt William Michael Morgan is exactly were he belongs.

Morgan could never be considered a late bloomer. This Mississippi native has actually been performing since he was about seven years old and even got his first guitar at age eight. He moved to Nashville at age 18 and ended up with his publishing deal. Then the following year at age 19 William Michael Morgan got his record deal with Warner Bro. Nashville. Morgan's current chart climber is "I Met A Girl." The sweet lyrics tell a story of when a boy first meets that girl that makes him feel "like the world turned upside down" and it beautifully showcases Morgan's voice. You can watch the official video below:

I initially listened to "I Met A Girl" after a fellow music lover recommended it and William Michael Morgan. It was a perfect preview of the vocal strength and talent of this young artist. On March 18th, Morgan released his self titled debut EP and I quickly discovered the wait for new music was well worth it. Every song tells a story, has substance, and just feels real. The six tracks on the incredible EP are "Vinyl," "Beer Drinker," "I Met A Girl," "Lonesomeville," "Cheap Cologne," and "Backseat Driver." You can download the EP on iTunes, Amazon, and Google play as well as stream it on Spotify. Morgan is breathing a sense of traditional back into country music and I highly recommend giving that debut EP a listen.

Track One ~ Vinyl 

My first William Michael Morgan show is April 20th and I can't wait to tell you all about it. You can find future tour dates on his website and while you're there don't forget to sign up for his mailing list. To put this in the words of William Michael Morgan, a career off to such a great start "is an instant classic" for sure.

You can also follow this Grand Ol' Opry performer on Twitter (@wmmorgan), Instagram, and Facebook.

Bands at the Ballroom

The big picture of music is pure artistry, but the sum parts that make up the whole can be just as breathtaking.

Justin Adams and Mike Ball

My Bands Matter Too stories are a way to meet the bands that share the stage with the incredible artists we all know and love during their live performances. This concert was at Cain's Ballroom and the particular band to meet shared the stage with Justin Adams, an amazing singer/songwriter and terrific guitarist in his own right. This was not my first time seeing them perform. However, I was no less impressed than the first time I saw them. I told you all about Justin Adams' performance in my Pardi in the Ballroom review. Now here is a little about the band's.

Tommy Kratzert and Mike Ball

 Tommy Kratzert plays the guitar, Clark James the drums, and Mike Ball the bass. Sometimes an artist is so talented it takes a special caliber of skills to help bring their songs to life and Adams' seems to have found that with his band. All three band members actually rotate singing back up vocals throughout Adams' set. Different parts of Adams' performance highlights different instrumental riffs from each band member. Whether it be Tommy or Mike's impressive accomplishments on their various guitars or Clark's stellar abilities on the drums, these talented musicians are exceptional to watch perform. 

Clark James

 I discovered something that seems to add to a show from prior concerts. They are more enjoyable to watch when you know the performer is not just talented, but genuinely a nice person. One of my new favorite quotes is, "Talent gets you in the door, but class keeps you there." I mention all this because I've had the pleasure of meeting Justin Adams and his entire band. All four of these men are so nice to any and every fan that walks up to them. I highly recommend catching any Justin Adams show that comes to a city near you. You won't be disappointed in him or this band.

Tommy Kratzert and Justin Adams

Pardi In The Ballroom

March 3rd a Pardi Came to the Historic Cain's Ballroom. 

Jon Pardi at Cain's Ballroom

Tons of excited Pardi Animals showed up to watch singer Jon Pardi perform live and he put on an incredible show! Pardi played tons of hits both new and old including his singles "Up All Night," "Missin' You Crazy," and the newest chart climber "Head Over Boots." For the several in attendance that night, the surprise came when singer Justin Adams took the stage. Many concert goers never really stop to think about the opening act when they head out to see their favorite acts perform live. However, opening acts are not just there to get the crowd warmed up before the headliner comes out. It is an opportunity for attendees to hear a new artist they might not have been familiar with prior to the show. After hearing SEVERAL near by people's responses, it was clearly evident Adams gained tons of new fans that night.

Checkout the New Drum Cover

Justin Adams has been on the Nashville scene for a few years now. He put out his first EP (self-titled) back in 2013 and recently started selling a CD full of new music at his live shows. It was Adams second time playing in the historic Cain's Ballroom. A venue in Oklahoma that has hosted artists from the likes of Bob Wills to Hank Williams. I was already familiar with Adams' music before he took the stage that night, but was no less impressed than the first time I saw him perform. He took to the stage singing a song from his new CD titled "Lips On Mine." A highly energetic tune about how certain things just fit right together. "Lips On Mine" was not the only tune from the new CD Adams played. We also got to hear "Red Lights" and "Cowboys Drivin' Cadillacs." Both of those songs can actually be found on the artists YouTube page if you want to hear them.

Justin Adams at Cain's Ballroom

 From his original EP Adams sang "Can't Forget About You," "Shut Up And Kiss Me," and "Miss Me Whiskey." A real treat of the night had to be hearing "Feels Wrong" and "Wouldn't Be Here." Two relatively new and beautiful songs that can't be heard any where except a live performance. Besides his own songs Adams did a few covers, but there is one that deserves special mentioning. This talented artist performs perhaps one of the best covers I have heard of "Friends In Low Places." For the last chorus of the classic Garth Brooks hit, Adams actually took to the crowd to perform among the fans. If a performance could be a home-run Justin Adams hit his set out of the park. This rising star has a beautiful voice and an incredible stage presence with an outstanding energy level and a remarkable band sharing the stage.

I highly recommend following him on Facebook, Instagram (@justinadamscountry), and Twitter (@justinadamscrty) to stay up to date on all his news. Stay tuned for a write up on his band too.