DISClaimer: Mining For Songwriter Gold

Josh Dorr

The excitement in discovering new sounds is what I live for in these columns.

And today I was especially rewarded. Josh Dorr, The Jacob Martin Band, Joshua Radin and Adam Searan all lifted my spirits.

The DisCovery Award goes to singer-songwriter Adam Searan for the fine work displayed on his debut, six-song EP. The Disc of the Day prize belongs to new RCA record maker Josh Dorr, who is coincidentally also a singer-songwriter. Come to think of it, all of these DisClaimer first-timers are. So hooray for that.

ADAM SEARAN/Last
Writers: Adam Searan/Jon D’Agostino; Producers: Jason Garner/Jon D’Agostino/Adam Searan; Publishers: Demolition, no performance rights listed; Demolition (track)
-This Nashvillian won the John Lennon International Songwriting Contest’s grand prize in the country division with this ringing, stirring, upbeat anthem about questing for answers in an uncertain world. I can certainly hear why. It is immensely melodic and effortlessly hooky. The bonuses are that he sings it like a bird, and the production is a mini masterpiece. Essential listening.

BOB MORRISON/Kill the Moon
Writers: Bob Morrison/Eric Emerson; Producers: Bob Morrison/Joe Funderburk; Publishers: none listed; BM (track)
-Morrison is a highly successful Music Row tunesmith (”Lookin’ for Love,” “You Decorated My Life,” “Love the World Away,” “Don’t Call Him a Cowboy,” “Tonight the Heartache’s on Me,” etc., etc.). He has a pair of new CDs that compile songs from his catalog that have been overlooked. The Bucket List Sessions Volume 1 contains country tunes. Volume 2 has pop selections. He’s correct in his feelings that these are all potential hits. This two-step, for instance, is as dandy as anything being written today. Session leader Chris Leuzinger backs him with excellent pickers. With CDs like these lying around, there’s absolutely no excuse for producers complaining about not being able to find quality material.

Adam Searan

BERNADETTE/Life After Life
Writers: Bonnie Jewel Baker/Verlon Thompson; Producers: John Mock/Bernadette; Publishers: Stage Three/Songs of Otis Barker, no performance rights listed; Rachael (track)
-During the making of her new CD Not the Same Me, this Irish-born singer was devastated by the death of her fiancee, Brian Fitzgerald. The tragedy and her grief inform several of the selections, including this hopeful-heartache lyric. Songwriting contributors include Leslie Satcher, Vince Gill, Al Anderson, Dolly Parton and Jon Randall. As with her other Nashville projects, country sounds mingle with instrumentation echoing her Emerald Isle homeland.

JOSH DORR/Save Your Breath
Writers: Josh Dorr/Jason Mizelle; Producer: Jim Catino; Publishers: Old Red Cape/Joshua Dorr/Offer You Can’t Refuse/Black River, ASCAP/BMI; RCA (CDX)
-I like this guy. He has a boyish, romantic, sexy vibe on this steady bopper. The thumping bass-drum undertow contrasts effectively with his yearning tenor-vocal delivery. That sidewinder electric guitar is nice, too. Mighty fine.

VINCE HATFIELD/Pray For Me
Writers: Allen Shamblin/Rob Crosby; Producer: Eric Paul: Publishers: Built on Rock/Music of Ever Country, ASCAP/BMI; Blue Moon (CDX)
-Hatfield has been kicking around on the indie scene for years. He’s never been a barn burner of a singer, but this time around he has a super-strong piece of material. In the song, an encounter with a homeless fellow transforms the singer’s attitude toward life.

JACOB MARTIN BAND/Take It To The Moonlight
Writers: Jacob Martin/Mike Guy; Producer: Jody Stevens; Publisher: SB21, ASCAP/SESAC; Hype Train (CDX)
-The verses are okay, but the song truly takes flight on its rumbling, soaring choruses. I’d have put a little echo on his somewhat dry lead vocal.

CONNIE BRITTON & LAURA BENANTI/Gasoline and Matches
Writers: Buddy Miller/Julie Miller; Producer: Buddy Miller; Publisher: none listed; Big Machine (track)
-The first volume of the music from the Nashville TV show’s third season is out. Star Connie Britton duets with newcomer Laura Benanti on this super catchy rocker. If it sounds familiar it’s because it has previous recordings by LeAnn Rimes (2013) and by its composers (2009), both of which are better.

CHIP ESTEN/I Know How To Love You
Writers: Chip Esten/Deana Carter; Producer: Buddy Miller; Publishers: none listed; Big Machine (track)
-Britton may be the star and Hayden Panettiere might be the show’s most compelling vocalist, but of all the Nashville cast members, Chip Esten (”Deacon”) has made the strongest commitment to Music City. He has moved here permanently and is present for every benefit and do-good cause where he’s asked. Plus, he has co-written this lovely ballad with our hometown gal, Deana Carter. He sings it with wonderfully homespun sincerity. A winner.

JOSHUA RADIN & SHERYL CROW/Beautiful Day
Writers: none listed; Producers: none listed; Publishers: none listed; Glass Bead (track)
-Radin’s songs have been heard in more than 150 films, commercials and TV shows, including Grey’s Anatomy, Scrubs and House. He has performed on The Tonight Show and Conan. Ellen DeGeneres invited him to play at her wedding. He has toured with Nashville’s Sheryl Crow, and she’s evidently impressed enough with his talent to duet with him on his lilting, acoustic, folkie new single. The result is utterly charming.

DYLAN SCOTT/Lay It On Me
Writers: Dylan Scott/Josh Kerr; Producers: Matt Alderman/Jim Ed Norman; Publishers: Curb/Songs of Black River; ASCAP; Sidewalk (CDX)
-Oh goody. More bro-country.