Shelby Merchant Music News

New Videos/Photos and Shows To See

2010-04-27T20:44:00.001-04:00

I know, I know! Some of you don't live in NC. That's ok! I still want to share photos, hear from you and get heckled from afar. Heck, I know I sure miss you and hopefully we'll see each other soon...BUT...

The last show in Raleigh NC at Six String Cafe was awesome. Why? Well, lots of folks showed up and plenty of you hollered, sang and laughed your way into videos and photos. Can you hear yourself in the crowd? Check them out...I have included a link to videos and photos of the performance HERE .

So maybe you missed the show or want to bring more friends this time? I hope to see you at the next show, next week, on April 29th 7pm at Six String Cafe. I'll be performing with a good friend and a excellent singer/songwriter Bill West .

Hey! Print this cool little poster out at work, hang it up in the break room or in your local grocery store so you can share the fun with more people...Click Here.

Best Wishes,

Shelby

iTunes and a Trivia Question

2010-01-23T12:39:00.007-05:00

Trivia Question: Win my New Album "Love Notes" by becoming the first person to correctly answer this question by RESPONDING via Twitter Twitter.com/shelbymerchant...

Question = Although there is a bottle of Glenlivet Scotch on the cover of my new album "Love Notes", what drink was actually in the glass on the table?

My NEW CD "Love Notes" is now available for purchase in the ShelbyMerchant.com general store and it's also now on iTunes. So far it has received great reviews and I can't wait for you to grab a copy/download and hear it!

New Album and New Colorado Photos 9.26-12.5, 2009

2009-12-23T11:14:00.008-05:00

I hope you enjoy the new photos posted in the photos page as well as the the progression of my crazy hair growth in those photos. Drop me a message in the "guestbook" at ShelbyMerchant.com and let me know what you think.

Purchase the New Album "Love Notes" Today! - Click Here

Free Download of the song "Out of my Mind" Here

Over the past four months visiting Colorado and putting the finishing touches on my new album "Love Notes", I had the pleasure of trying out new material in front of new audiences. While traveling, sight-seeing and soaking up the beautiful culture of Colorado, I found some great venues. I purposely chose these cozy places to book performances for a reason. I was able to connect with the audience and see first hand their reactions to the new songs.

I would like to thank the owners and patrons at Acoustic Music Revival, Crystola Roadhouse and Pookie's on the Platte for hosting me in your unique and inviting venues. I truly enjoyed the opportunity to perform. If you were at the show and have additional photos that you took and would like to submit please contact me.

Colorado July Fourth Weekend 2009

2009-07-06T19:27:00.007-04:00

For info booking your own writers' night performance with Shelby Merchant and friends at your venue, event or backyard...it's easy! Or if you just want to say hello...
Click Here to Contact Shelby

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This was definitely a Fourth of July weekend to be remembered. Duane "Cowboy" Deemer, Mason Douglas, Cory Batten and myself ventured out to the wild-west for four days of rockin' the Rockies! We had great time, were well taken care of and must send a BIG thank you to Carla and Sam for their hospitality, planning, and hard work to make all this happen.

On 7.2.2009 we flew out of Nashville, TN and into Denver, CO where we were greeted with a big-shiny-awesome tour bus provided by Daryl of the Crystola Road House. We headed immediately for Evergreen, CO to perform at Little Bear. After scarfing down delicious ham sandwiches, water, whiskey and beer we arrived at the venue that Willie Nelson made famous and where women apparently uncontrollably lose their clothing. Although no one de-robed while we played you should have seen all the underwear hanging from the walls.

Mason's family traveled from all points of the earth to converge on the Little Bear that night and we had a great time performing for a lively crowd. After the show, we headed to Woodland Park which gave Duane the right amount of time to enjoy just enough of the elevation and a bottle of Maker's Mark to put him out of commission for the next day:-)

On 7.3.2009 we woke up in Carla and Sam's beautiful mountain home to some slamming good Carla Deemer biscuits and gravy which provided good fuel for the hike behind the house to view Pike's Peak. We saw a lot of wildlife along the way and the sight was breath taking to feel, smell and see the same view that inspired Katherine Lee Bates to write "America the Beautiful" on July 4th weekend.

Later that night, "Cowboy"-less we headed for Cripple Creek, CO to perform at the Wildwood Casino (where I found out taking pics in a Casino is illegal) and find out what 10,000 feet above sea level would do to us. Although Mason didn't seemed to be phased, as he performed a flawless version of Chris Isaak's "Wicked Game", Cory thinks he blacked out a few times mid-song and I'm pretty sure I felt a lung collapse at some point:-) Despite all this we had a blast performing to another great audience including Cory's Dad and Step-mom. We must have done something right to get tips from the wait-staff!

On 7.4.2009 with a little bit of good care from Logan and Megan (Duane's Son and Daughter in-law) Cowboy came out of his "elevation coma" and we ALL headed to downtown Woodland Park to perform a few songs at their Fourth of July festival. We did some impromptu playing as well as a scheduled performance for some dedicated patriot-patrons who braved the first hail storm I've ever seen on the Fourth.

Later that night, we traveled a short distance over to Daryl's Crystola Roadhouse where we had way too much fun performing for 5-6 hours to a full house of listeners. That's right I said listeners! The crowd seemed to hang on every lyric and melody. I'll have to say that performing the song "America the Beautiful" in that setting was the highlight of the weekend for me. With that said, watching the sky open up and dump a wild rain storm when Cowboy and Mason performed their song "Mother's Tears" was amazing too.

Throughout the night, I showcased my hoola-hooping skills as we auctioned off unique items like dancing monkeys, lyrics to our songs and signed memorabilia to bring the Pow-Wow back to Woodland Park. To top it all off I had a great plate of surprisingly good catfish and a good beer called Laughing Dog.

On 7.5.2009 we packed up and made our trip back to Denver stopping at a few stores and sights along the way. We laughed about Cowboy's near death experiences, Cory's unforgettable "Star-Spangled Banner" performance, my constant need to recount every experience and Mason...well that's funny in-of-itself. Goodtimes!

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Thanks again to Carla Deemer of Blue Rose Entertainment and Sam, Chris Orton our sound engineer, Daryl & Megan at the Crystola Road House, and everyone we met, that listened, and/or showed genuine interest in what we do. We hope to see you again very soon.

Deep Down South 6.12 - 6.13, 2009

2009-07-06T19:22:00.004-04:00

What a great time! I ventured down south recently to Mississippi and performed for some fantastic audiences. If you haven't heard my first album "Sweet Tea" many of the songs were written about the places that influenced me from that area, like Morton, Mississippi (Listen to the song "Round Here"). I saw some of my wonderful family and made great new friends that were too kind.

Big thanks to Ginger, Deidre and the whole staff at The Haute Pig in Madison, MS for making it a great night of BBQ and music at their beautiful venue. Also to Melanie and the crew at Cups Coffee in Jackson, MS for hosting me in their quaint art room with supportive patrons.

It was good to see familiar faces. A BIG shout-out to Jamie "Dirt Merchant" Evans for bringing out good friends. I look forward to coming back to the sweltering heat, sweet smells of magnolias and down-home cooking soon. I hope ya'll enjoy the photos, videos and smiles as much as I do.

Click Here to Watch Videos from the night's performances

For info booking your own writers' night performance with Shelby Merchant and friends at your venue, event or backyard...it's easy! Or if you just want to say hello...
Click Here to Contact Shelby

The Night the Bluebird Became a Honky Tonk...

2009-05-03T13:58:00.009-04:00

Here's some pictures and videos from another great SOLD OUT night at the world famous Bluebird Cafe in Nashville TN. I'll have to say this was one of the the most interesting and enjoyable nights I've experienced at the "Bird". Mason Douglas, Doug Bryson, Vince Melamed and myself enjoyed a wonderfully engaged and excited audience.

In case you've never been to this venue, the Bluebird promotes a culture where patrons are known to be very quiet and respectful to the delicacies of a songwriters song. Often if you even begin to mumble, other patrons will quickly "shhhh" you. This particular night would prove to be "the night the Bluebird became a honky-tonk".

Early on we had spilled drinks, head-bobs, hands in the air, yeehaws and off beat clapping. About 7 songs in it was apparent that this would be the first time I would see someone kicked out for rowdiness.

We had some great laughs and enjoyed the monster hit songs that Vince played for us ("Walk Away Joe, What Matters Most, I'll Take That As a Yes"). Mason brought tears with "Home Free" and Doug had the audience grooving with "Long Way" and I...well you should have been there :-)

Click Here to Watch Videos/Photos from the night

For info booking your own writers' night performance with Shelby Merchant and friends...
Click Here to Contact Shelby

Fore!

2009-04-20T13:14:00.003-04:00

The great staff at the Hermitage Golf Course asked me to put together an intimate evening of musical bliss out in Old Hickory, TN. Well what do you know, I booked it and ya'll came. One hundred and forty of you beautiful people came to listen to Mason Douglas, Cory Batten and myself swap songs, stories and laughs.

If you missed it...shame on you but I understand so I put together this cool site for you to enjoy excerpts of the show with photos.

Visit www.shelbymerchant.com/hermitage_golf_course to see "fore" yourself.

Watch this...

2009-02-10T20:09:00.001-05:00

On a frigid Wednesday January night in Nashville TN, a lively crowd formed a line at the door of the Bluebird Cafe for a sold-out show. They were all waiting to watch a performance that I was thrilled to be a part of and couldn't wait to experience myself. As my good friends Bryan Edwards, Mason Douglas, Mark Lonsway and I took our places in the chairs facing each other, I glanced at the well worn microphones in front of us then I looked at the dingy carpeted floor beneath our feet. While in that moment, thinking about how cool it is to sing in a venue which has berthed and nurtured some of the world's most well know songwriters and artists, I took a ragged breath and Bryan said, "Shelby, how about you start the show?...."

It was a night of good laughs and what I consider great music, in a setting that Nashville calls "Writers in the Round". I have included a link below, and in my "Photos" page at ShelbyMerchant.com, some photos/videos of a few of the songs performed on 1.28.2009. Please feel free to share this email with friends and family. Yes, it's well documented, on video, one of the night's highlights of MY poor solo guitar lick on the song "Finally Growing Up" performed by Mason Douglas. I hope you get a good chuckle.

Click here to watch video and see photos - HTTP://WWW.SHELBYMERCHANT.COM/BLUEBIRDCAFE

I hope you enjoy the videos and photos. For those of you that could not attend the show and tried to view via webstream, I'm sorry but the venue has not been providing webstream to any shows as they had previously indicated on their website. I hope to see you at the next show April 18th at the Hermitage Golf Course with Mason Douglas and Cory Batten.

Best wishes and send me a message sometime to SHELBY@SHELBYMERCHANT.COM,

-Shelby
WWW.SHELBYMERCHANT.COM
HTTP://WWW.REVERBNATION.COM/SHELBYMERCHANT

Shelby in Country Weekly Magazine

2008-12-30T22:37:00.003-05:00

"Goodbye Woman" a song I co-wrote with my good friends Mason Douglas and Cory Batten has been featured in Country Weekly Magazine this week.

You can visit CountryWeekly.com/freemusic to check out the write up.

Visit:
Mason Douglas - www.masondouglasmusic.com

Cory Batten - www.myspace.com/corybattenmusic

Updates and Interesting Goodies...

2008-09-29T14:16:00.004-04:00

Things are rocking here in Nashville. This year has shaped up to be a good one not only for me but many of my surrounding musical friends. From album cuts, radio/TV appearances and advancements of careers in many other ways my friends and I have been hard at work pursuing dreams and making realities. So make sure to keep the support coming to those I perform with and support, it helps us all.

I have included a clip of the recent airplay of my song "Beer Tooth" on a local Nashville show. It's a fun little piece that talks about pairing beer with foods as you would wines. This clip also showcases a fellow Mississippi native that owns a nationally recognized brewery here in Nashville. Take a listen, hear my song and get educated on beer. Not bad for a couple minutes of your time. (Make sure to check out www.saucysisters.com to hear more from Barbara and Beverly's show)

Click Here to Listen: www.shelbymerchant.com/news/Shelby_Radio_WLAC1510AM_Sauced-8-31-08_MP3.mp3

Also, I have posted a few new photos from recent shows on ShelbyMerchant.com, MySpace.com/shelbymerchant and on my Facebook.com page. Check them out and comment on their ridiculousness. Note: I even performed in a football jersey I played in dating back to when I was 10...you should get a good chuckle.

On top of all this amazing updates, I have new songs you can listen to and even download, for free, on Reverbnation.com/shelbymerchant. So, check out all the links I just gave you and share it with friends that might be interested. Many thanks and I'm working hard to to bring you much more music.

Shelby Merchant receives Radio Airplay

2008-08-28T21:26:00.006-04:00

Beer Tooth has been selected for airplay on one of Nashville Tennessee's premier food and beverage talk shows, The Saucy Sisters. Make sure to tune in Sunday, August 31 at approximately 12:21 Central Time on Nashville's WLAC 1510AM to hear the broadcast.

The song Beer Tooth, co-written with Kevin Farrell, can be found on iTunes and the CD Beneath this Coat and Tie in the Merchant General Store at ShelbyMerchant.com.Thanks for your support, feel free to share this with your friends.

Visit reverbnation.com/shelbymerchant

New Song and the Carolinas...

2008-07-17T23:17:00.002-04:00

My little sister turned Sweet 16 a few weeks ago and all she wanted was a song. I have posted the new song that I wrote for her. Its called "Kristin's Song", which you can hear on my Reverbnation player, MySpace and soon ShelbyMerchant.com.

As for a little background info, Kristin is my next oldest sibling and is 10 years younger. Although I had to give up my "only-child crown" late in life, I thank God that I have an opportunity to experience having a little sister...yes Logan, and a little brother too.

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Mason Douglas and I took to the Carolinas for a qucik tour as we have done many times in the past. In this blog I've included a new song, photos(in the photos page), thank yous and stories.

It all started on Fri July 11th with a quick stop at the Cracker Barrel then on to Clemson SC to play The Esso Club . When we arrived at the club we met a couple of great girls, Joyce and Melika, who detoured their road trip to Florida and stopped in to see us play. Thanks to Megan Meier and her bestest friend for coming out too. The Clemson crowd was great as usual and we rocked it for 4 hours. We managed to grab a great meal the next morning in Greenville SC and headed on up to Chapel HIll NC...Go Wolfpack (It's an ACC rivalry thing).

Now it's on to Bailey's in Chapel Hill where we had mucho people come out to the show and where we got rowdy enough that some of the audience had to be escorted out:-) So thanks to Kat for putting that one together. It was also a great night to share with the Matthews family, as came they out to celebrate Lynn's birthday. Big thanks to Kelli McIllnay and Franklin too for bringing folks out to let them partake in the Mason Douglas/Shelby Merchant Experience.

The trip back was one to be remembered as well. As we headed back to Nashville on Sun., at the I-40/I-75 split we found out I-40 was shut down due to a truck chemical spill. The only detour DOT suggested was to go thru Chattanooga to get to Nashville. Well we thought otherwise and tried our best to elude the 80miles of I-40 that was closed by taking our own detour. Although it was faster than going to Chattanooga, it was a backroad adventure that even Bo and Luke Duke would have been proud of.

Why do I play music...

2008-06-18T22:30:00.002-04:00

...because I love sharing a mutual emotion with people that connects on a level deep enough within minutes, what often takes years to accomplish through conversation. Last night, as a last minute impromptu invite, I played a great BBQ joint in Franklin TN called Mickey Roo's. The food, the staff and the patrons are all amazing and I am always treated like a King.

I sent out a last minute text and email to a few people to let them know I was playing and to my surprise a fellow "Myspacer" all the way from Tuscon, Arizona was in the area. Its amazing how small the internet makes this world and how people at opposite ends of the US can met online, swap stories and then have the unique opportunity to hug each other. It was last night that I was able to meet her face to face for the first time. So, I made dang sure to play an extended set. Yeah for about 2 hours solo, just me and my guitar. She listened attentively through the whole set while others ate, drank, cheered, shuffled chairs and at times danced in front of the stage.

Lee has been a devout listener that made an instant connection to my music a couple years ago and has sent me many kind words letting me know how my music and my co-writers' music has made her laugh, cry and heal in ways I would have never known unless she had taken the time to write.

The moral to this story is if something moves you inside, please let that, performer/poet/songwriter/friend/family member, know because that may be what keeps a smile spreading from person to person all the way around the world

Lee Tinnin, thanks for taking the time to listen, write and most of all thanks for your friendship.
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Here's what she had to say about us meeting for the first time...

What a treat and a surprise...I get an email after getting to Nashville and it said I am playing at Mickey Roos, come if you are bored and can.

BORED? IF I CAN? lol I am going!!!!!! I was almost sure the message on my phone was from Shelby. I went and found it and it was flat out awesome. He sang all the songs I love.
He paid attention!

You see this artist and songwriter, along with my firend Billy Scroggs, has helped me in some really hard nights with thier music. When I first found Shelby on CDBaby and bought his cd after listening for several days. I had to go find him and let him know his music made a difference in my life. It was what I listened to when I felt the earth was breaking away from my feet...what I held onto when I had to remember family virtues.

His performance was exhillerating and this man touched my soul. He said I made his week.....well he made my year! His singing his song Closer to Me to me personally brought tears in my heart and eyes as it touched me so tenderly as the meaning changed in my own personal way.

His performance was stunning....what do you all mean you have to have a sound studio to sound good?! He does it wthout one!!!

For those that haven't heard him and don't know him....take time to. He is the diamond in the sand. You artists and studios looking for a songwriter...you better pick up your head and open those ears.
He is up and coming fast!

and Shelby, you have tuched my world so very deeply....I look forward to you coming to Tucson with Mason and Corey and all of us kicking up our heals...and for me to pay tribute to you and what you have done for me.

THANK YOU,
Lee

Takes 1 min...

2008-04-27T01:20:00.004-04:00

Click here to select your favorite Shelby Merchant song

This survey takes 1 min to complete. Thanks for your time. You can find all of my songs currently available at ShelbyMerchant.com in the the "Listen" page.

View the results instantly here.

With my own eyes...

2008-04-06T21:33:00.000-04:00

...I've seen a spare-time, bedroom, recording studio grow into a busy, full-time, music machine that crafts dreams into reality for vocalist/songwriters/poets/instrumentalist/percussionist of all types, looking to be treated as a professional. Have you ever watched someone's reaction to the seemingly impossible unfold in-front of their eyes? It happens everyday at Prime Cut Studio (PrimeCutStudio.com) as a result of an extraordinary vision of owner/operator Daniel Dennis.

...I've seen a frustrated, hardworking, vocalist of 8+ years go from spinning wheels to a plane taking flight after recently being presented with a record deal. Have you ever watched someone's swagger when they find a new love without boundaries? It's happening right now with with a friend rekindling a passion for the stage, musicianship, and audiences who haven't experienced his talent. (Check out Mason Douglas at MasonDouglasMusic.com)

...I've seen through these eyes a songwriter receive the best gift that could ever be given by another person, they sang it back to them. Have you ever been complimented, or given an award that that makes your chest stick-out with pride. Well thats the way I felt a couple of weeks ago when I heard an artist(Check out Lauren Rainey at www.myspace.com/laurenraineymusic) take a song I co-wrote(with Spencer Tenney) and perform it flawlessly, as if it was her own to a packed venue(The famed BlueBird Cafe to say the least).

Take a look around, good things happen and you'll miss your/others best years in progress and future performances to come if you are not aware of your surroundings.

My Best Years....

2008-03-29T12:25:00.001-04:00

...today's a step to getting back what's left of my best years"
- Spencer Tenney

An autobiographical song by my friend Spencer Tenney, laments over allowing years to pass by and not knowing where they disappeared along with his faith. He reveals that the present day is the best time to get back his best years, realigning priorities, living in the moment and ultimately forging a stronger relationship with God, family and self.

I don't write about this because I feel I've watched time slip out of my hands. Rather, I know that my best years are before me and I'm watching them unfold day by day. What's even more fulfilling is knowing the people I'm surrounded by are experiencing the same impressionable future memories and I pray that they are aware of the journey.

I promise to go into greater depth as to what I'm talking about but for now know that regardless of your past, may it be regrettable or plesantly memorable, know that your best years can always lie ahead of you.

-Shelby

(Spencer Tenney can be found in my top friends on www.myspace.com/shelbymerchant and please make sure to check out his song "My Best Years" along with the rest of his music)

New Downloads Available Now!

2008-03-21T12:15:00.002-04:00

So glad to tell you guys that I have a new way to bring music to you faster than ever. In my listen page on this website you will find BUY NOW buttons next to new songs previously not available. These songs offer a very intimate presentation of my music the way you would typically hear them; live, with just a guitar and my voice. I hope you enjoy this as much as me.

How We Do Part 2 - Performed Live at the Listening Room Cafe in Franklin TN

2008-02-23T14:37:00.005-05:00

Check out his live performance of How We Do with a different second verse. Watch the original version (posted in Nov of 2007) and comment on your favorite version.

Two songs in the Top 5

2007-12-18T11:30:00.000-05:00

Two songs from Beneath this Coat and Tie have reached the Top 5 on Nashville's Independent Music Chart.

Please continue to Vote each day for "Beer Tooth" or "Slow Row" at www.NIMradio.com - Click Here

New Video With Thanks

2007-11-23T00:53:00.000-05:00

Beer Tooth Number 1 for Fourth Straight Week

2007-11-16T12:43:00.000-05:00

The people have spoken and the song Beer Tooth remains strong at Number 1 on the Nashville Independent Music Radio chart for 4 consecutive weeks.

Place your vote at www.nimradio.com

Beer Tooth Reaches Number 1

2007-10-25T10:34:00.000-04:00

Thanks to all the support of you the listener, the song Beer Tooth after only 2 weeks on the Nashville Independent Radio Chart has reached Number 1 !

Please continue to vote in the coming weeks at www.nimradio.com between Thursday nights and Tuesdays. You can listen to the countdown on Thursday nights at 10pm CST.

Shelby Merchant on Nashville Radio

2007-10-20T18:01:00.000-04:00

Hear the song "Beer Tooth" featured on Nashville's Independent Radio, 98.9FM on Thursday night at 10pmCST.

Click here to listen: http://stream.butler.net:8000/listen.pls

As an important note, this song was co-written with Kevin Farrell.

"Beer Tooth" #2 on Nashville Independent Music Chart

2007-10-20T17:48:00.000-04:00

By popular vote and download, the song "Beer Tooth" from Shelby Merchant's album Beneath this Coat and Tie has reached #2 on Nashville Independent Music chart. Make sure to cast your vote or make a purchase at www.nimradio.com.

Shelby Co-Produces Hot New Album for Shannon Cain

2007-10-01T10:30:00.000-04:00

I would like to make you aware of an exciting project that I have been working on. I recently had the pleasure of co-producing an album for a very talented new artist, Shannon Cain. The album releases Oct 11th and has "Already Gone" to radio. The album is making quite a buzz round here, so please take the time to preview his foot stomping music.

Visit: www.ShannonCainMusic.com