James Otto goes deeper in Portland--RT Mention
http://www.examiner.com/x-2203-Portland-Pop-Culture-Examiner~y2009m9d22-...
James Otto goes deeper in Portland
September 22, 4:13 AM
Michele Coppola
James Otto
is a little nervous. He's standing outside
Duke's Bar and Grill
in Portland, getting ready to play an acoustic set for a rowdy Monday night crowd
as part of
99.5 The Wolf's Full Moon Concert Series.
But that's not what's making him anxious.
After this gig, he'll fold his 6' 5" frame into an airline seat for a 6 a.m. flight
out of PDX to Nashville, where tomorrow night, he'll be performing the country classic
"Deeper Than The Holler" for the man who sang it originally:
Randy Travis.
"I'm going to play it tonight to get warmed up for tomorrow," he says, referring
to the Academy of Country Music (ACM) event honoring Travis. He'll be followed on
the lineup by
Carrie Underwood,
the ACM's reigning Entertainer of the Year.
But Otto is no stranger to awards himself. He's been kicking around Nashville for
twelve years, and finally in 2008, he hit the big time with the sexy, twangy single
"
Just Got Started Loving You
" off his debut CD for
Warner Brothers
, Sunset Man
. That tune not only became the most played country song of the year, but it also
brought Otto one of two Grammy nominations: The second was for co-writing the powerful
Jamey Johnson
hit "
In Color
", a song that also took home the ACM Award for 2008 Song of the Year. A product
of the Pacific Northwest, Otto is tall as a Ponderosa pine, with a strong, sultry
voice that easily mesmerized the school-night crowd at Duke's. But what will Randy
Travis think tonight when Otto takes the stage in Nashville to cover one of his biggest
hits? Take a listen to Otto's "warm up" last night in Portland, and I think you'll
agree that Randy will be smiling.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OFTYQ9J93u4&feature=player_embedded
If I were a betting gal,i'd bet "probably not" since they didn't even see fit to include it with the initial awards.
I've not read anywhere that indicates it will later be shown either but they sure could surprise me if they'd want (lol).
Always and Forever...An RT Fan
Linda and Guide, Greg
I have to admit I am totally out of touch with the new "Country Stars"..
The reason is most of them can not sing, and try to copy those that can...
Sorry, he will never in a million years be Randy...But as they say everyone is entitled to an opinion...
As you said, everyone is entitled to an opinion and as i said up front, it's certainly not our Randy by a long shot.
I'm sure the reason he has been chosen, though, is he is on randy's label. I'm thinking for that reason,it could be a WB thing to promote him as well as honor Randy. As the article said, I am sure Randy will be pleased. Again, i just wish it had been televised.
Always and Forever..An RT Fan
Linda and Guide, Greg
.
I'm with you gals. I too wish it was to be televised.
You're probably right Linda that he( James )was selected because of him being on the WBR label. He's not a bad singer. But he is no Randy thats for sure.
It's good though to see WBR and some of these current artists honoring him . Josh Turner now James Otto. It's long over due.
Maybe GAC will pick it up to air at some point down the road. They seem more inclined to do so then CMT does. We can at least hope anyway. Dee
Tonight is the night of the recognition of thoe having earned the Cliffy Stone Award. It appears James Otto will be honoring randy with one of Randy's songs (see above).
I've included two URLs above the first for the article itself and the second to listen to James sing "Deeper than the Holler." I sure wish this event was on TV.
Another article I crossed reads:
ACM HONORS CONCERT NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) Stars are gathering tonight at Schermerhorn Symphony Center in Nashville. With Lee Ann Womack as host, this is an evening of musical
tributes and special presentations for ACM winners whose categories weren't on TV.
Those being honored include Merle Haggard, Dolly Parton, Kenny Rogers, Hank Williams Jr., Randy Travis and others. They'll perform and so will Bobby Bare, Vince Gill, Randy Houser, Jamey Johnson, Miranda Lambert, Jim Lauderdale, Patty Loveless, Brent Mason, Joe Nichols, James Otto, Kellie Pickler, John Rich, Blake Shelton, Carrie Underwood
and Steve Wariner.
Always and Forever...An RT Fan
Linda and Guide, Greg
Will this event ever be seen on TV???Betty