Jennifer Hanson set to release holiday album 'Under The Tree'

So fantastic that singer-songwriter Jennifer Hanson is set to return with new music, marking the first time the artist has released a new album since "Thankful" was released in 2008.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

                    New Music From Artist and Hit Songwriter Jennifer Hanson

                           Christmas EP Under The Tree Pre-Sale Date Oct 12

Nashville, TN  October 12, 2017 --  Jennifer Hanson will release her first new music in nine years with the Christmas EP, Under the Tree, up for pre-sale beginning October 12, and with an official  release date of November 3, 2017. Hanson penned two of the EP’s songs, the uptempo “Only Thing I Really Need” and the title track. The four song set also features Hanson’s arrangement of “What Child Is This” and  Jennifer at the age of three and a half  belting out “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” thanks to the recording skills of her dad Larry.

"Christmas has always been a special time of year at our house and there was never a minute that there wasn’t music,” Hanson said.  “It wasn’t unusual for Dad to pop in a cassette and record everything going on, and I’m so thankful he did, because finding this cassette of me as a little kid singing this song with such gusto and spirit inspired me to do this EP. It’s great to get back in the studio and record music.  I predict there will be more to come.”

Hanson burst onto the music scene in 2003 with the release of her self-titled debut album on Capitol Records. The lead single, “Beautiful Goodbye,” became the highest charting debut single by a new female artist for that year.  And while Hanson made a solid impact as a recording artist, it has always been her songwriting that assured her success in an ever-changing industry. 

Hanson’s artistry and songs have garnered ACM, CMT and GRAMMY nominations, as well as numerous BMI, SESAC and NSAI awards. Collectively, her songs have sold millions of albums worldwide. She wrote the #1 song “Leave the Pieces,” the debut single for Michelle Branch and Jessica Harp of The Wreckers, as well as the debut single for American Idol finalist Bucky Covington, “A Different World,” which went on to become a top 5 hit on the Billboard charts.

Hanson celebrated her second #1 single with her self-penned song “Let Me Down Easy,” recorded by Billy Currington. She also wrote the title track to the movie “Country Strong,” performed by Gwyneth Paltrow. She has had songs recorded by artists such as pop sensation Kelly Clarkson, country music superstars Rascal Flatts, The CW’s One Tree Hill actress and singer Jana Kramer, rising country music star Mickey Guyton and country legends Pam Tillis, Vince Gill and Don Williams, to name a few.

Under the Tree can be pre-ordered here:
Google Play:
https://play.google.com/store/music/album/Jennifer_Hanson_Under_the_Tree?id=Bbbqqroo5uk2oo4bs6j4q4okx6m&hl=en

iTunes:
http://itunes.apple.com/album/id1289896474?ls=1&app=itunes

Apple Music:
http://itunes.apple.com/album/id1289896474

For more information on Hanson, please visit jenniferhansonmusic.com.

Rascal Flatts bring Riot Tour to Irvine Meadows

Rascal Flatts brought their Riot Tour to Irvine Meadows on Saturday night (Oct. 3, 2015), a concert that deftly mixed the trio's best-known hits with a short medley of convincing covers in a crowd-pleasing 90 minute concert.

Singer Gary LeVox, bassist-keyboardist-singer Jay DeMarcus and Joe Don Rooney have been honing their style of country-pop for 15 years, and this tour is particularly a strong showcase for their songs thanks to the addition of an exceptional female vocal trio to their backing ensemble. The addition of the voices added depth wherever they were used, notably on the set opening "Stand" and gospel-tinged track "Riot" early in the night and the group's new R&B-flavored single "I Like The Sound of That" later on.

Rascal Flatts rocking out early in their set.
Photo: Robert Kinsler

After performing their second song (an upbeat "Me and My Gang"), Rascal Flatts succeeded in delivering one of the strongest moments of the concert, a poignant medley where they performed part of the Bee Gees' "To Love Somebody" before weaving that classic into a more extensive section of Hozier's contemporary hit "Take Me To Church."

But everywhere Rascal Flatts thrilled the enthusiastic near-capacity crowd with rousing versions of its biggest hits. The melodic "What Hurts the Most" was bolstered by full harmonies from the band members and female vocalists, and included some top-tier electric guitar work from Rooney. "My Wish" was launched as a pretty piano-anchored ballad that included a crowd sing-along; the song artfully grew in power to include the female singers' voices and Rooney adding a soaring lead guitar solo. "Banjo" was a particularly effective choice, with the country rocker fused with a good dose of bluegrass.  

Rascal Flatts ended the night with a powerful version of the 2005 hit "Bless the Broken Road" and a freewheeling take of their 2006 Tom Cochrane-penned hit "Life Is a Highway."

Opening for Rascal Flatts was American Idol Season 10 winner Scotty McCreery, who performed a 35-minute set of country that straddled traditional outlaw influences with contemporary country pop. He used his rich baritone to perform energetic country selections such as "Now" (off his second album "See You Tonight" album) and his 2011 hit "The Trouble With Girls," but the 21-year-old North Carolina native impressed most with a heartfelt tribute to Merle Haggard, Johnny Cash and Alabama with a sure-fire medley of "Mama Tried," "Folsom Prison Blues" and "Mountain Music."

Opening the night was RaeLynn, whose brief 18-minute set reached its zenith with her acoustic-flavored "For a Boy" and the even more infectious "God Made Girls."

Robert Kinsler