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Most people seem to have heard one of the Studio Version of Whiskey's Got A Job to Do but I've recieved many e-mail requests asking me to re-post the link to the Original "Work Tape" that I recorded with Karla last year so that they can hear it. People seem to LOVE this Acoustic Version of the song with just Karla Singing and me playing Acoustic Guitar so here is the LINK. Hope you enjoy it. David Reuter Whisley's Got A Job To Do "Work Tape" $100,000 Reasons to Love JPF Colgate Country Showdown The day finally arrived and at 6:15 PM Curt Collins and I were sitting next to each other winding our way through the streets of downtown Nashville on a crowded shuttle bus. After a ten minute ride the bus pulled to a stop and opened its doors. As I stepped out into the cold evening air I looked up at the sign on the front of the red brick building and read Ryman Auditorium. There is no way to describe how you feel as you walk through those giant wooden doors of the Grand Ole Opry and once we entered the historic building each step towards our seats seemed to transport us one step further back in time. As we followed an usher to the VIP section I swear that even the sounds of our footsteps across those creaky old wooden floors sounded like fiddles, guitars and banjos to me. It was as if the building itself was saying to us that, “only the sounds of music are permitted in this sacred place.”
The beauty of this famous concert hall is simply stunning and after seeing it close up I can understand why many people have called it “The Cathedral of American Country Music.” Since 1925 every legend in Country Music has walked out on that stage and performed. It was humbling for me to know that in just a few hours the words and the music of a song that I helped to write would echo through those wooden rafters.
Lee Ann Rimes was hosting the live show and since the broadcast was being taped for distribution in other markets the evening started out with the audience being recorded and filmed. We were instructed to clap and laugh and yell and scream so that they could film us and edit in audience responses later. After about an hour of comedy, laughter and sound checks, the house lights were dimmed and Lee Ann took center stage and sang the opening number. One cannot help but being immediately struck by her beauty and by her stage presence. When she sings, it becomes very clear why she is a star as she commands the stage and every eye is compelled to follow her.
By simple luck of the draw, Karla Davis was selected to perform last in the contest and she made the decision to close the show by singing our song Whiskey's Got A Job to Do. Karla told us the day before that she wanted to end her performance that evening with an up-tempo rockin’ number so that the judges would remember her. She said that’s why she picked this song out of the ones we’ve written with her.
The first contestant to take the stage was Casey Lee Smith. He is an 18 year old High School Senior from Arizona who I would describe as a young blend of Keith Urban and Eric Church. Poised well beyond his years he plays a mean Fender Telecaster and from his first chord it was clear that he deserved to be a finalist because he knows how to get a crowd rockin’ and up on its feet. He can also deliver a song in a gentle and sensitive way and his second song showed that dimension of his artistry. After hearing his wonderful performance I knew that it was going to be tough for anyone to win this contest because True Talent can never be denied.
The second performer of the evening was Kendall Philips from South Dakota. She started her performance seated with an acoustic guitar and she sang a ballad that she wrote which simply silenced the house. I thought it was the performance of the evening. When Kendall moved on to her second song she struggled at moments. The house band at the Opry is filled with incredible musicians but Kendall seemed unable to tap into the musical energy that they were trying to feed her. Her movements seemed a bit forced on stage and sadly, originality faded from her performance. I felt sad for her because I could see that this was not going to be her night. She has a beautiful voice and there is clearly a place for her in Country Music but I knew that the final spotlight was going to be shining on someone else this evening.
The third act, Whiskey Row, was clearly the Crowd Favorite. Over 100 of their deeply loyal fans traveled to Nashville from California to support them. Their name Whiskey Row tells it like it is. They are a kick-ass hard rockin’ Country Duet who have been performing together for 15 years. Their harmonies were tight and exciting and after they finished their two powerful originals it was clear to everyone that they had vaulted into the lead and that it was going to indeed take a special performance to beat them.
That special performance came next when Terry Lee Spencer from Pennsylvania took the stage. I was told by several people that Terry sounded uninspired during the days of rehearsals running up to the show. People described him as being Good but not Great and many felt that he was a long shot.
Terry was there to prove otherwise because competition always has a way of bringing out the very best in some people. From the moment Terry started singing and playing I knew that I was watching a future Star in Country Music. He performed two original songs and his ability to feed off of the energy of the band made his performance Exciting and Dynamic and his guitar playing was Powerful. His voice is one that I am sure we will be hearing much more of in years to come. Terry pushed all those 100 year old Opry Ghosts off the stage and made room for his brand of Country Music and his performance clearly moved him ahead of the other contestants. Terry left the stage owning it.
After a very long TV Commercial it was Karla’s turn and as I watched her walk out onto the stage it was like watching the last Olympic Figure Skater of the evening take Center Ice knowing that they must have the performance of a lifetime to win. The contest was Karla’s to win or lose. Before Karla’s performance, Lee Ann Rimes introduced the judges who were all important A&R people, record producers and label executives. At that moment, you could feel the pressure and tension really start to build. Karla’s first song was an acoustic original that she wrote and her performance was very powerful. The song was Fresh and Original and her sensitive arrangement with only guitar and fiddle provided an outstanding showcase for her voice. Her singing was direct and very moving to everyone at the Ryman and her Beauty and Poise were powerful assets. I knew that she had opened the door and created an opportunity for herself to win.
Next, a stage hand brought Karla out a second guitar and as she switched instruments I could hear her say "Thank You" to the stage hand and I saw him smile as if no artist had ever said Thank You to him before for his work and he said what I was thinking “Good Luck Karla Davis.”
Karla turned to the band and counted off the song and her soulful voice filled the hall in a way that no other voice had the entire evening. All I could think was how happy I would be for her if she won and how sad I would be if she lost because I was wondering if there was anything that I could have done differently to make that a better song for her. So many people had told us that Whiskey's Got A Job To Do wasn’t the right song for a Female Artist to perform and yet here was a young unknown woman who was risking everything on the energy and the message of our song. I thought it was an outstanding performance and the standing ovation affirmed my feeling but the crowd often Loves one performance or an Artist and yet the judges can see things entirely differently.
After Karla's performance the contestants all joined each other for a Garth Brook's medley while the judges tallied their scores. Lee Ann Rimes took the stage again and sang a final song as one of those Giant TV Checks written out for $100,000 was brought out and placed on stage. Lee Ann was handed the envelope and announced "Karla Davis Best New Country Act of 2010 out of 50,000 contestants in the Colgate Country Showdown."
Well, from there emotion took over for everyone and the rest of the evening was spent at a Victory Party. I think we got back to our rooms around 2:00 AM. Does it get ANY better than this?
Curt and I would just like to say Thank You to everyone here on JPF who help to make Whiskey’s Got A Job To Do a better song for Karla.
Karla's WIN was YOUR WIN !!!
David
Last edited by ddreuter; 07/28/10 05:38 PM.
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Joined: May 2006
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Congratulations to all of you! An impressive story.
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Thanks, David... for that well written "short story" about a wonderful event at the Ryman. I'm pleased to hear that Karla was able to carry the evening with your co-written song under such tough conditions. You are exactly right.... being last to perform is almost as tough as being the first.
Congratulations to both of you... and let's hope this will be just another "notch in your songwriting gun."
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Joined: Apr 2001
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JPF Mentor
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Congratulations, David. Wonderful news, and a great story!! Keep up the good work!
You've got to know your limitations. I don't know what your limitations are. I found out what mine were when I was twelve. I found out that there weren't too many limitations, if I did it my way. -Johnny Cash It's only music. -niteshift Mike Dunbar Music
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Great Article! We loved being a part of this and we just found a new favorite website. Congrats to all who participated and Karla your the real deal.
whiskyrow
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Karla is such a wonderful singer.. She can melt anything! And you got her a really great song with "Whiskey's got a job to do". Kudos to you!
There are many lyric gem's to be found among the many excellent lyricists who are posting on the boards of JPF, so I certainly think your point is valid, and now there's a story from real life to prove it.
I loved reading your story, David. It really makes this often virtual and 'domestic' business of songwriting come alive!
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David, et al,
Awesome! Inspiring! Major Congrats!!!... Success is always sweeter when others come along for the ride.
Midnite
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That's Just Super !!!
Congratulations ! -- Karla and all -- you deserve it !! jm
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WELL DONE, David & company. What a thrill that must have been. Donna
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Congradulations all of you.
That is one impressive song!
Geneva
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David and crew, I liked the lyric, liked the male vocal and thought it could be a hit. I just listened to Karla's recording. Touchdown!
congratulations, John
Whoever said the pen is mightier than the sword never had an editor.
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This is a Wonderful story!! Thank you for sharing!! JPF is an awesome group ... the possibilities are ENDLESS! Congratulations! Where can i hear the song?? Continued Success Joanne
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Wow! That's fantastic. But I am not really that surprised. I have heard Karla sing a few times on your demo songs and she is always outstanding. ... and your songs are pretty good, too.
You can't win a contest like that by being a great singer with a lousy song -- or a lousy singer with a great song. You have to have both equally great song(s) and an equally great performance. This says a lot about the quality of the songs also!
Congrats all around.
Kevin
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Forgive my absent-mindedness... I just noticed that Whiskey Row (the Group accompanying Lee Ann at this event) have made their first post here at JPF. Welcome guys! So glad David aimed you in our direction. Our founder, Brian, is in the hospital or I'm sure he would have rolled out the welcome mat. Glad to have you here and hope you'll have time to visit and comment frequently.
Naturally, we all wish you success and immense happiness in your musical career. David, sorry I hijacked your thread just a little but I did not want to let this opportunity slip away.
Dave Rice
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LORDY I love to read 6-Digit Success Stories! CONGRATS David, Curt & Karla for provin' IT CAN BE DONE!!!!
Glad that "Whisky Song" did it, too...Ballsy, & Brilliant!
Best Wishes, Continued Good Luck, and YAYYYYYYY!!!!!!
Big Congratulatory Hugs (& a Fine Excuse to Hoist-One, too!) ;-)> Stan
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Very well written and terrific story. Congratulations!
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Wonderful story! Congrats!!!!
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David, Curt and Karla,
CONGRATULATIONS!!! Wow! This is certainly AWESOME news!! I can only imagine how ecstatic you must be.
Your lyric was so well crafted and unique...and Karla's vocal delivery was the perfect fit. Your win was certaily well deserved.
Thank you for sharing this wonderful experience wirh us. You were so descriptive; I felt as if I were at the Ryman with you!
I simply love hearing success stories...it certainly inspires the rest of us to "keep reaching".
I wish you all...all the best.
Congratulations again, Gail
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Thanks for sharing such an exciting story. You were so thorough in your story telling that I was somehow there. That is really something and I am soooo happy for everyone involved. Love to read the origins of these things as well. Again, enjoy the fruits of your labors of love. Keep writing. Best of success, Lynn
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Very Big Congratulations to you!!!!.....
best, Kaley
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I remember the work tape, and then the demo, posted here, and the song really just SHINED! It's no surprise to me that it was a winner...it had all the makings, but Karla just took it to an undeniable level! So happy for everyone involved! Really exciting story and enjoyed seeing it go from "hopeful" to "winner"! You all have a lot to be proud of!
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Wow! Thanks for sharing your story.
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This is what it's all about..happy you shared this with us and congratulatios to you all, you deserve it..glyn
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This is great news. Congrats to all involved. It's a really cool song and this is probably my favorite version although you'd have to work real hard to screw this one up! All the best.
Ricki
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Wonderful story, and a great happy ending. Thanks for sharing! I hope this is just the start of a long and successful career for all involved. So very nice of you to remember JPF.
redwing
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I'm on board with both the report and that awesome tune. Thank you so much for sharing it, and best wishes for the song itself. With all those industry people in the audience, and as judges, I have to think some will chase this cut...and the rest will remember it, even if they don't need it right now.
And it doesn't hurt to be part of such an award.
Congrats to all of!
If writing ever becomes work I think I'm going to have to stop
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First time poster, been lurking around for awhile. HOLY SMOKES! What a fantastic song!
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Hey David and Karla,
way to go!! Winning a contest like this is sure proof you got it right, which is not as easy as it sounds, lol! Wish you all the best, as I'm sure you'll write another bunch of great songs real soon and go even further in the near future. Congratulations!
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"If one man can do it, any man can do it. It is true. But the real question is, if one man did it, are you willing to do what it takes to do it as well?" –Brian Austin Whitney
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