One of the best parts of CMA Fest, is that almost every Country Music artist out there will come around for one glorious weekend, to meet fans, perform their music and spread joy to both longtime listeners and new. Jenny Tolman didn’t have to travel far for the biggest weekend in Country Music, as she is a native Nashvillian aka a Unicorn! (She told us that is what the natives are called since there are few and far between.) With such a diverse group of people coming together to create and write songs, Tolman’s latest “Something To Complain About” is one that touches the heart.
She told Variety Beat about the inspiration behind the single, stating that a friend of hers was having difficulty getting pregnant and how she heard other moms complaining about how difficult their kids are and how they no longer have time for themselves. She said: “I wish I had something like that to complain about.” Thus giving birth to the idea for the song, which shows how grateful we should be for the things we have.
It’s all too real and I find myself, with millions of things to do, no time to work on things that need to get done (like this article and many more like it) because my daughter says “I want to cuddle with you.” How can you say no? Sometimes it’s frustrating to never accomplish much, but I think about how fast time goes and how soon will the time be here where she probably will want to just stay in her room all day and no longer be asking to play hide-and-seek or tag. When I find myself getting crabby, I think about all the parents who have lost their children to cancer or other things, and how much they would long for just one more day. It really puts things into perspective and that’s another reason why this song is so special. It isn’t limited to one specific thing but applies to so many different scenarios; friendships, family, loss of opportunities or jobs, etc. The message is also just to be grateful for the things we do have and that message is something Tolman finds herself wanting to spread to everybody she meets and who listen to her music.
WATCH THE MUSIC VIDEO FOR “SOMETHING TO COMPLAIN ABOUT”
Being grateful is another thing Tolman likes to touch upon, as she shares on her social media sites every Sunday, something she’s grateful for and encourages others to leave comments saying what brings them Joy. #JennysJoyJar
Talking with Tolman, we discovered she is a big fan of Dolly Parton, Gluten-free baking and she’s hoping Ellen Degeneres never scares her with ______ if she is a guest on her show! Watch our interview to find out what scares her and more!
It’s no secret, we are a huge fan of singer/songwriter/musician Caitlin Evanson. We’ve been following her for the last 8 years since we first spotted her on the Speak Now Tour with Taylor Swift. Evanson provided backing vocals, played violin and guitar. She was a band favorite as she always stayed connected with the fans and always went to say hi to everyone who wanted to meet the band. There’s always been a special connection for hardcore fans and an artist’s band members.
Since her last tour, Evanson has still been performing, whether it be an awards show with Keith Urban, her own solo gigs, or along with her husband who together forms The Red Weddings. Catching up with Evanson at her latest The Red Weddings Gig, where she revealed she was going to be touring with the one and only Shakira! Such exciting news, we had to catch up with her and talk about what’s ahead!
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READ OUR INTERVIEW WITH CAITLIN EVANSON
Variety Beat: Congratulations on going on another headlining tour! Tell us about your new gig!
Evanson: Thank you!! So stoked to be out adventuring again! Every tour has a different band, crew, designers of all kinds, visions, styles, and personalities. This is a completely different….beautiful….latin world. I adore my band mates, the crew, the designers. For 7 years, I showed up to tour rehearsals….10 minutes from my Nashville home. Because the rehearsals took place in my hometown. Because that was my boss’s hometown. Taylor. 😉 I haven’t had long-term rehearsals outside of the US since Ringo Starr and Dave Stewart in 2005. Crazy. I’m getting old.
My new head honcho (Shakira) is just lovely. She’s gone through an entire life of stardom and remains graceful and kind. And very approachable. As far as my band mates and the crew and designers? Sometimes I wonder if subconsciously, I just went on tour again because I needed to laugh until I fall on the ground. Because that’s already what is happening here. Musicians and creative people, in general, are just notoriously funny. The dynamic in every tour is priceless. At this point in my touring life, I love to just grab my popcorn and enjoy the show. I love it. So many personalities.
WATCH CAITLIN EVANSON AND THE BAND IN REHEARSALS WITH SHAKIRA
Evanson: In my eyes, a tour always reminds me of a traveling circus….on crack. ire, Water, light, dark and everything in between, that a concert connoisseur could dream up. (Me becoming a touring musician, has quite a long series of stories behind it all. But we’ll keep with this one for now). I just love being a part of it all. Being a part of the high energy fantasy and vision of an artist. Being a part of building something new and exciting.
Variety Beat: You last toured with Taylor Swift on the Red Tour, it’s been several years since a major tour, What made you decide to jump back in?
Evanson: Although the life of a touring musician has always been exhilarating to me, moments have caught up with me. For example…I would wake up day, in a bunk of a bus or a hotel. My mom would call me whenever I felt lost (because she’s clairvoyant like that) and say, “hi honey. Where are you? What time is it there?” and I gave her the same answer every time. “uh…I don’t know”. So much time flew by. So fast. And I couldn’t quite keep up with every magical moment that brought me to where I was. Anyway, fast forward…..my story of how I ended up in San Diego, is ALSO a long one. But ultimately, I moved to a beautiful beach, met the most beautiful human I could ever meet. I gathered some beautiful friends and family (my family, who have stuck by me through thick and thin and me being a major pain in the butt) and began returning to my roots. And then life just happened…”fast” again. When you love it, it goes fast. 4 years of not really wanting anything but love, life, the beach, and simplicity was all there was to it. I just forgot about my “alter ego”, I guess. 😉 I just missed it. I’ll always be the girl who loves to play dress up and sing into her hairbrush in the bedroom mirror. So, WARDROBE is a blast, singing is a blast. Traveling with great people is a blast. It’s exhausting sometimes but there’s just nothing like it. And as a musician, ya gotta keep your chops up. Stay in shape as a player. Nothing like a world tour to ignite that. I love to teach music. I would someday love to become a certified music therapist. There’s plenty of ways to work in music. Touring isn’t the only way. But it sure is FUN. So I went.
Variety Beat: What have you missed most about being on tour?
Evanson: There are things I miss and things I don’t. I never like missing my nieces and nephews grow up, or just being with my family in general. I miss the comforts of home. I miss making my own schedule and being able to call in sick if I need to. But I do miss the crowds. The stage. The rush of performance and travel and getting to know new people. It enriches your life in such a special way.
Variety Beat: How has it been different this time since being married?
Evanson: I have someone to miss! It’s beautiful, yet tough at the same time. He recently spent 2 weeks with me here in Barcelona and it was a magical time for us. I posted a bit of us having the time of our lives, biking the city. We’ve always wanted to travel together, and this was such a special way to be able to do that. But really, that’s all it has changed for me. I have a teammate now. A partner. Someone I know will be there for me no matter what, and likewise. We do have to make time every day to connect. But to me, it never seems like a chore when you’re in love.
Variety Beat: You are rehearsing in Barcelona, Spain. That has to be pretty amazing. Have you done a lot of sightseeing?
Evanson: At the beginning of a tour, SO much has to be worked out. From Choreo to visual, audio, production, musical arrangement, lighting, it’s endless. So there hasn’t been much time to see things. But on our days off, we would go to incredible places like the Sagrada Familia. Check it out. It brought me to tears when I walked through the doors. The story behind how that incredible church was designed is so so so moving. And the story of the crucifixion carved into statues in the stone.
Variety Beat: Right now, the tour has dates from Nov-Feb and starts off internationally. Are there places on the tour you haven’t been before?
Evanson: There are! Quite a few! Barcelona is one of them. With Taylor, I was so spoiled because she lived in Nashville. I would just drive 10 minutes to rehearsals. We rehearse in the hometown of the artist. My artist lives here. It only just occurred to me when I saw the schedule for the first time. And it made me laugh. Of course. Makes total sense. And this is the first time I’ve even able to be in a place like this for a whole month, and more! I feel like a local! Ok, maybe not but my Catalonian Spanish is getting better. Poco a poco.
Variety Beat: How do you think this tour will differ from previous tours?
Evanson: A million years ago, with Ringo Star and Dave Stewart, I traveled with people who were massive worldwide, but they’re total royalty in their home countries. I’ve never played for the Queen of Columbia and I can’t wait to see that insane crowd of hers.
I may have touched on this with you before in a previous interview, but if not, I wanted to say, every nationality is completely different. The crowd in Tokyo was screeching mania but somehow polite at the same time? And when they would run up to us, they were very cute and sweet and contained and their voices would be like little kittens, and always with their hands over their mouths like, “oooh hehehehe”. They’re just the sweetest. Australia’s fans were different from China’s and they were different than London’s and so on. But the one that stood out the most as far as crazy passionate was Brazil. And not just because I married one. 😉
They would run up and throw their arms around us and kiss us. Like, on the face. Hahaha. I loved them. Anyway, I have a feeling its gonna go something like that.
Variety Beat: Will you mostly be playing Violin on the tour?
Evanson: Remains to be seen! But keep your ears and eyes open for some crazy instrumentation and perhaps vocal fun and games…..in Spanish…AAAAAA!!! Study study study!
Variety Beat: How do you think this tour will differ from previous tours?
Evanson: Although I’m no stranger to tour life, this will be a completely different world for me! Rehearsing in the hometown of the artist means 6 weeks in Barcelona! It used to be, drive 10 minutes to rehearse at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville. I’m learning so much. Although we are pretty insulated here in our rehearsal space, as far as a lot of Americans in this team, Catalonian Spanish is a welcomed challenge. I’ve been wanting to learn basic Spanish for years. I actually took a couple months of lessons before I came here. However, I had to take a cab all over town today and nothing but Google Translate kept me alive. The food, the city, the people on this team, all completely different but all wonderful. I realize I’ve never been able to spend this much time in one international city. It’s just incredible. I also have to be quite a different animal on stage. The musical style is completely different. I need to be a different kind of player. Almost like another language. Like playing an American pop song, as opposed to a classic Spanish love song.
Variety Beat: What are you most excited about??
Evanson: I’m most excited to feel that rush again. The one I wondered if I’d ever feel again. There’s nothing like the stage. Nothing.
Country Artist, Mary Sarah was a top 5 finalist on ABC’s hit TV show The Voice. Her story starts long before her time on #TeamBlake. Mary Sarah was taken under the wing of The Oak Ridge Boys back in 2011 when she was invited to perform before their show and sang “Where the Boys Are.” They even appeared on her sophomore album along with Dolly Parton, Merle Haggard, Willie Nelson and more!
WATCH MARY SARAH PERFORM “WHERE THE BOYS ARE”
Mary Sarah is back with her first single singe The Voice titled “Without You” in which she takes back the narrative of a sad lonely break-up and turns it into a way to find herself. Her voice is unique and feels like the type of Country Music we are missing on the radio right now. With pop/rock infused tracks blasting on the airwaves, it’s refreshing to hear an “old school Country” sound.
You left a mark on my heart that I never thought would go away / I cried so hard in the dark, I stained my pillow case / Mascara black, wishing you’d come back / But that was yesterday / Boy what a waste / Yeah I never thought I would / But Baby I’m all good without you
Check out the new single and our interview with her below!
Photo Credit: Katie Kauss
Variety Beat: You’ve had quite a start in country music, dating back to 2011 when you first met The Oak Ridge Boys, How did that help you further pursue country music?
Mary Sarah: Immensely. The Oak Ridge Boys have since taken me under their wing and have opened many of doors for my career! I am beyond thankful for them. When I first worked with them, the video I got of me singing with them opened a lot of doors for my record Bridges. They’ve definitely had a huge effect in my life and career!
Variety Beat: You were on Blake Shelton’s team during the voice. What was that whole process like and what drove you to try out for the show?
Mary Sarah: Man, the experience was incredible. I’ve found that a lot of the experiences in my life cause me to grow so much. The Voice helped me to find more of my voice! It was tough but beyond worth it. I had wanted to go on the show for about 3 years prior to being on it. For some odd reason, when I watched the show, I could just see myself doing it. But, everything has timing and when I turned 20, I had finished a lot of what I had been working on in music so it just seemed like the perfect time!
Variety Beat: What’s been one of your top favorite moments in your career so far?
Mary Sarah: Singing on the Grand Ole Opry stage for the first time!!! There is NOTHING like it!! I still get nervous/chills every time I am presented the opportunity to go back and sing. It’s definitely one of those experiences that you just remember and think, “I did it”.
Variety Beat: You have a new single “Without You” inspired by a relationship that didn’t work out, but it’s not your typical sad break up song. Can you explain the direction you took and how you hope listeners will receive it?
Mary Sarah: Of course. The direction I wanted for this song was more of a positive vibe. Yes, breakups can be very hard but I’ve learned that in life, you should always strive to see the positives. It’s hard but you have to make an effort and when the writers and I got together to write “Without You,” we didn’t want it to be a bitter break up song but a “I’m Better” breakup song. That, finding yourself again can be such a positive experience! I hope that’s what people take from it.
Variety Beat: What’s something you want new listeners to know about you?
Mary Sarah: I am a real person. I am not perfect, and I hope everyone see’s that! I hope that when people listen to my music or read an article about me that they feel they can connect on a friendship level. I also hope to be an example that shows people that it IS okay to be imperfect and still do what you love!! So, I always like to say that I am perfectly imperfect! <3
You can get “Without You” on itunes for .69 cents. Go buy it and support a great artist! Click to buy.
Meet Drew Baldridge! You may have seen him on the road as he has been opening up for a number of artists and was recently a part of SiriusXM The Highway Finds Tour! The Highway is a great way to hear up and coming artists and new music that’s not currently in the top 40. Quite frankly, hearing the same songs every hour gets a little repetitive and it’s refreshing to hear some other great artists on the radio!
We got to speak with Baldridge while he was in town for CMA Fest and we spoke about his last single “Rebound” which has a different perspective than most of us are used to hearing coming from a male. It’s all about how the male doesn’t want to just be a rebound for this woman who just got out of a bad relationship and sticking up for himself. It’s just a very interesting perspective and makes Baldridge a little vulnerable which is what makes it great.
Baldridge is also performing at Route 91 Harvest this year on Friday, September 29 at 4:20 on the ‘Next From Nashville’ stage!
Watch our interview with Drew Baldridge!
We were also able to have some fun and ask some not so typical questions with Baldridge like “Would you delete a tweet if it didn’t get any favorites” and what would he name his boat if he had one! Watch below!
When life doesn’t go the way we plan, it becomes hard to stay positive and see the bigger picture. Mallary Hope has experienced a lot of closed doors and phrases like “You’re too this or that” over and over again. She didn’t know where she belonged, or if music was something she should keep pursing.
Hope released her debut single to Country radio 8 years ago, and today her debut Christian single “Now” is going to radio. In that time she has cried, rejoiced and prayed a lot. She’s let go of everything she can’t control and has gained an incredible support system, amazing husband and two incredible daughters. She’s also gotten a record deal with Curb records and is finally able to get her music heard. She’s already charted in the top 40 thanks to early stations adding her single!
WATCH THE MUSIC VIDEO FOR MALLARY HOPE’S SINGLE “NOW”
Variety Beat had the chance to ask Hope questions about her journey and how much this new single means to her and how much we hope it will mean to you.
Variety Beat: Congratulations on the release of your new single “Now,” can you describe your emotions, getting to release a single for the first time in seven years and what that journey has been like?
Mallary Hope: The journey has been heartbreaking at times, but I wouldn’t have it any another way. God had to break my heart so that I would learn how to depend on him. Sometimes He brings us to our knees because He needs us to look up. Faith can be so hard because it is FULLY trusting in His plan.. He doesn’t expect us to be perfect at it, but He does want us to try to just lean on him. I will say that I haven’t been this “giddy” in a long time. I’m just so proud of this music. We wrote “NOW” when I was pregnant with my first baby. So this song is almost 3 years old. It’s amazing to look back and see how God was working on me, and orchestrating this journey from the start. It just took me a minute to open my eyes and let him do the driving.
Variety Beat: You were previously releasing music on country radio, what helped inspire you to move to Christian radio?
Mallary Hope: I think the transition is very natural for me. I’m a child of God first, and I just love making music. My music has always reflected my life. Where I am in some relationship, or where I was in my career.. I honestly thought that (and forgive me for going third person here) but Mallary Hope the singer was all I was.. it was my entire identity. I’ve been making music since I was 9 years old and when I wasn’t being successful at it, I started to question why God made me.. I love country music and I thought that was where God wanted me to be. I used to think that if I wasn’t successful at music, then there would be no reason for me to live. (Let me be clear, I was NEVER suicidal I just remember thinking, God If you’re not gonna make this happen, then why am I here?) ME ME ME.. How crazy immature that sounds now.. I think that is the mindset of someone who believes their entire identity is defined by what they do.. God wants us to see that He made us for so much more and that He has plans for us. Plans to prosper, but we have to give up the control.
I remember crying and praying that God would just take the love of music away from me, because it just kept breaking my heart. I was in this miserable place and then it hit me.. It’s a lot of “Me Me ME” What a selfish place to be in.. It was all about me.. But I needed God to show me that it wasn’t about me at all.. It was ALL about Him.. So he completely took away that desire of music that I’ve had since I was 9 Years old.
Then, when I was pregnant with my first child, while listening to Christian radio, I just had this overwhelming feeling to make/say something important. What’s the most important thing a Christian can do? It is to be Christ like, love others, and tell people about God’s love. This life is temporary but as a believer we have eternal life and it is imperative that we help win others over for the kingdom.. So I figured, if God gave me this love of music in the first place.. It was about time I used my gifts for His glory. For the first time in my life, I didn’t need someone to tell me “I love your voice” for me to feel validated.. I found my validation in Christ… I just want to make music that can help people come to know what an amazing God He is. To experience His unconditional love and peace. For people to know that it is ok to surrender your ideas of what you think you were made for. God will show you exactly what He has in store for you.. You just have to allow Him to do so.
Variety Beat: Tell us about your single “Now,” the inspiration behind it and what you hope listeners can take away from it.
Mallary Hope: My single Now is my journey all wrapped up in about 3 mins. Pretty much the same answer as #2.. Just a song about coming to a place of surrendering your desires for God’s plan for you. Sometimes what we want for ourselves isn’t what He wants for us, but what He has in mind is so much better. It’s just a reminder that He has been with us every step of the way. Even when we might have ignored Him, He was there.
Variety Beat: What’s been some of the biggest differences since working with Christian radio and so you feel it’s been more welcoming to new talent?
Mallary Hope: Well, there’s not really THAT much of a difference. Just people who love music and artists who love to sing. The topic is really the only difference. Instead of me singing about an ex boyfriend, I get to praise and worship God.
Variety Beat: “Now” that you’ve released a new single, what else is on the horizon? Is an album in the works and will you be getting to perform at some events?
Mallary Hope: We have an album coming out in the fall. (that’s the rumor anyway) KLOVE fan awards are next month, and those are always fun. Will be doing some more radio tour.. and then some Touring in the fall. We will be excited to get out and play this album for people.
Variety Beat: What’s been the most encouraging part of this next chapter in your life?
Mallary Hope: I think the most encouraging part is knowing that I’m doing exactly what I was put here to do.. And that there’s no pressure because for the first time in my life, I’m letting God be in control. So, if this music just reaches one heart then that’s enough for me. There’s this amazing peace because I know who I am now, and getting to make music is just icing on this already amazing life.
Variety Beat: Who have you written with lately that you’ve always wanted to work with?
Mallary Hope: I love all my cowriters on this album. This entire album was written with new people and I’m just thankful they allowed me to come in and share my story with them.
Variety Beat: What’s one of your favorite quotes or scripture that helps you through difficult times?
Mallary Hope: There are so many Great ones, but i really love this one from Isaiah 43:2 “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.”
(Again it’s just a reminder that no matter what we go through, as a believer God is right there with us. Fighting our battles for us, and helping us get through times of trouble.)
Variety Beat: What do you want listeners to know about you?
Mallary Hope: I just want people to know that I love God, and feel so blessed to be able to use this platform to tell others about how awesome He is.
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