It is hard to believe it is already September and fall is right around the corner! Things have been busy but great here—I think you’ll like some of my new projects!
Episodes of Song Stories With Justin Reed, a really fun web series, are posted each Wednesday at 2:15 p.m. on facebook.com/thejustinreedshow and facebook.com/justinreedradio. Recent episodes include “The Tip of My Finger,” “He Stopped Loving Her Today” and “Easy Lovin’.” In the episode on “The Tip of My Finger,” I discuss the five hit versions of the Bill Anderson-penned song and feature some audio of an interview with Bill Anderson. Plus, Sirius XM disc jockey and country singer Dallas Wayne shares his insights on putting that song on his newest album Songs the Jukebox Taught Me, Vol. 2. The “He Stopped Loving Her Today” episode discusses the history behind what has long been called “the saddest song in all of country music” and how the Possum, George Jones, originally hated the song! “Easy Lovin’” is a personal favorite from season one of Song Stories because it features an interview I did on The Justin Reed Show with Freddie Hart, who tells the story of writing the country classic. As an added bonus, Ben Colder’s parody version makes an appearance! The entire series can be found online at thejustinreedshow.com/songstories.
Justin Reed’s Wheels on the Bus Tour is now available for streaming on Amazon Prime! The first episode features my sit-down with country superstar Sylvia. In this hour-long episode, we discuss her musical influences growing up, buying her first tour bus from Whisperin’ Bill Anderson, and hit songs “Drifter” and “Nobody.” She performs these two crossover hits with guitarist and collaborator John Mock; she also songs a new song “Everybody’s Somebody’s Daughter” and it will blow you away! A link to the show can be found at thejustinreedshow.com/wheels. The newest episode features the “Queen of Bluegrass” Rhonda Vincent on her world-famous bus, the Bluegrass Express. In this episode, we discuss growing up in a musical family, singing on television for the first time, and what life is like now. Plus, we get performances of “Is the Grass Any Bluer?” and “Kentucky Borderline.”
Lastly, I am thrilled to announce another series on Amazon Prime: Justin Reed’s Wheels on the Bus Tour – Rising Stars. The setup for Rising Stars is the same as the show with Sylvia and Rhonda, except it shines the spotlight on the up-and-coming stars in country and bluegrass. The first rising star is Murfreesboro’s own Jaelee Roberts, who was born into a musical heritage. Her father, Danny, is a member of the award-winning bluegrass group the Grascals, and her mother Andrea fronts the Andrea Roberts Agency, which books the Grascals, Flatt Lonesome and more. Jaelee plays Jessi Colter’s “I’m Not Lisa” plus an original song titled “One’s Real Life.” This is a person to watch!
There will be more Song Stories, Wheels on the Bus Tour, and Wheels on the Bus Tour – Rising Stars episodes available soon. Keep posted to thejustinreedshow.com.
Peace, Love and Ernest Tubb,
Justin Reed