Songwriters 2- Hemby & Galyon
For this next songwriters feature I want to talk about the wonderful Natalie Hemby and Nicolle Galyon who I saw at C2C2018 during the CMA Songwriters session. Songwriters is one of my favourite things about the C2C festival, I love the intimate vibe of it, the discussion and the stripping down of the songs.
"If you had something to say you'd write it on a piece of paper, then you put a stamp on it and they'd get it three days later"- Automatic
I first heard the music they've written together when listening to Miranda Lambert's Platinum album which feature 'Automatic' and 'Priscilla', these were two songs that both stuck with me for different reasons. Automatic really reminded me of a time in my childhood before the wave of technology hit; teenage years without a mobile phone and a world without Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. Simpler times and in many ways happier times. Priscilla on the other hand is so much fun but gives you an insight to being the sort of women many dream about being, married to a star and living the "good life" but the reality isn't the same as the dream.
Natalie Hemby
It was great to meet Natalie Hemby at C2C as I love so many of her songs. As mentioned I really enjoy the songs which Miranda Lambert has performed including the co-written ACM award-winning 'White Liar'.
I also like the fact that she breaks out of the country genre and wrote 'Jealous' with Josh Kear for Labrinth. She also co-wrote 'Downtown' for Lady Antebellum with Luke Laird and Shane McAnally and 'Pontoon' with Laird and Barry Dean and 'Tornado' with Delta Maid for Little Big Town. All upbeat and fun songs which I enjoy singing and dancing along too. I can't wait to hear more from her.
Nicolle Galyon
I don't think I would have enough space on this blog to go into the admiration I have for so many of songs written and co-written by Nicolle Galyon. When I first saw her at C2C admittedly (and to my shame) I didn't know who she was but boy did I know her music!
'Heart Break' co-written with Lady Antebellum and Jesse Frasure happens to be one of my all time favourite songs. I first heard Nicolle perform 'Halloween' at C2C which prompted me to buy Walker Hayes album.
'Female' written by Nicolle, Shane McAnally and Ross Copperman had a huge impact on the world of music last year when it was released by Keith Urban. What a powerful song in times like these. The lyrics are so clever and Nicolle's vocals on the track (along with Nicole Kidman) really make it something special.
Finally, I have to talk to you about 'Tequila' written with Dan Smyers and Jordan Reynolds and performed by Dan and Shay. This song as I'm sure it has for many brings me back to an old love, there's always one person in your life who you miss and you're fine about until you have that one drink. I absolutely adore this song and the music video that went with it and for me this really helped highlight Dan and Shay to me in a big way.
Sammi x