Category Archives: Greg Bates

Greg Bates and Aaron Lewis Join 2013 Country Thunder Arizona

Posted on by

Greg Bates and Aaron Lewis Join Already Packed 2013 Country Thunder Arizona Line-Up! If there’s one thing you can expect from a long running annual country music festival, it’s that the line-up will be really great! For the 2013 Country Thunder Arizona roster, that is definitely the case. We just received the news that country music up comer (and CMNB favorite) Greg Bates and the popular Aaron Lewis have been added to this year’s list of artists! The two are joining an already impressive group including my personal fave, Jerrod Niemann along with Lady Antebellum, Toby Keith, Eric Church, Brantley Gilbert, Lee Brice, Kip Moore and many more! The festival is hitting up Florence, Ariz., April 11-14, 2013. The weekend passes will only be available through December 31st, so be sure to get the ticket info below and check out the complete line-up. Country Thunder Arizona Line-Up: Thursday, April 11th: 4:00-5:00pm Chris Janson 5:30-6:30pm Sweetwater Rain 7:00-8:30pm Kip Moore 9:00-10:30pm Brantley Gilbert Friday, April 12th: 1:00-2:00pm TBA 2:30-3:30pm Greg Bates 4:00-5:00pm Jana Kramer 5:30-6:30pm Love & Theft 7:00-8:30pm Tracy Lawrence 9:00-10:30pm Eric Church Saturday, April 13th: 1:00-2:00pm TBA 2:30-3:30pm Morgan Frazier 4:00-5:00pm Parmalee 5:30-6:30pm Diamond Rio 7:00-8:30pm Lee Brice 9:00-10:30pm Toby Keith Sunday, April 14th: 1:00-2:00pm TBA 2:30-3:30pm Edens Edge 4:00-5:00pm Aaron Lewis 5:30-6:30pm Jerrod Niemann 7:00-8:30pm Justin Moore 9:00-10:30pm Lady Antebellum Get the lowdown on Country Thunder Wisconsin!

10 Random Questions with Greg Bates

Posted on by

Interview with Country Music Newbie Greg Bates in 10 Random Questions! 24-year-old Tennessee native Greg Bates has a lot to be proud of right now! With his first single “Did It For The Girl” moving up on the country charts, fans seem pleased with how genuine his music is, and this pearl snap wearing country boy is definitely just as sweet and genuine as his music! I would describe Greg using the three “P’s”: polite, patient & passionate, but deep down inside, I’m sure there is a wild side he wants to let out, right? Well, let’s ask him some questions and get down to business! How does it make you feel to hear people talking about how “genuine” your music is? It’s the biggest compliment anyone could give to me and my music. When I was writing these songs and making this record, I really wanted people to listen to it and feel like they were getting to know me. My music is a representation of who I am and if “genuine” is the word that people choose to use then that’s alright by me. Describe yourself in three words! Happy, Sarcastic & Stubborn If you were stranded on an island and could only have one country album with you, what album would you pick? Randy Travis “Storms of Life”. You seem like such a nice well behaved kinda guy, do you ever let your wild side out? I have been known to let the wilder side of me show, but even then I’m pretty tame. I’m just an easy going guy that tries his best to stay out of trouble. What is the one food you can’t live without? Bacon. Where do you do most of your shopping? Do you keep up with clothing trends? I would hardly consider myself “trendy” when it comes to clothes. I’m pretty much a t-shirt, blue jeans, baseball hat, and cowboy boots kinda guy so I do most of my shopping at Target ha! If you had to pick only one, would you go hunting or fishing? Fishing! It’s way more relaxing and half the work! If you could do a duet with a female artist (past or present) who would you pick & why? Either Patty Loveless or Tammy Wynette. Both to me are the perfect example of classy ladies with the purest voices I’ve ever heard. Is there anything you want the world to know about Greg Bates? Anything you want your fans to know? I play country music because that’s what I love and that’s what I’m a fan of. Every note I play or sing is because somebody in the history of country music has influenced me and all I ever want to do is make country fans proud of my music. There ya have it! It seems Greg is just a good ol’ country boy looking to stay out of trouble. Feel free to follow Greg on Twitter and on Facebook! We can’t wait to hear what Continue reading 10 Random Questions with Greg Bates→

Country Music Artist Showcase: Greg Bates Interview

Posted on by

This Week Greg Bates Steps Into Our Country Music Artist Showcase with an Exclusive Interview with MissMolly! The Country Music News Blog team first met up with Greg Bates at BamaJam 2012! He was was on the verge of releasing his self-titled EP (which dropped in July), and his current single, “Did For The Girl” was in the Top 40 on the charts. Now, just a couple months later, Greg’s awesome single has moved up to the Top 15, and was just featured on the pilot episode of ABC’s brand new drama Nashville! Despite putting the finishing touches on his upcoming album (to release next year!), and jumping on tour with Brantley Gilbert, Greg took the time to chat with me about all these new developments! Check it out below! Right now, you’ve been on tour with Brantley Gilbert…what has that experience been like? Its been a lot of fun. They’re great guys and a lot of fun to be on tour with. They’ve been really good and helped us out in any way they could. It’s been a lesson in how to run a tour and how to treat everyone good and make sure everyone is having fun. I essentially have five roommates in a very small amount of space. It can get a little stressful…so, its good when you have good people to be around. Thoughts on Brantley Gilbert’s Fanbase… At the end of the day they are country music fans, and they are very passionate about the music they buy and buying tickets to certain shows. Brantley is one of those guys that can get the crowd worked up in a frenzy! Have you had any stand out moments so far? The first night at Purdue University was one. We’ve been talking ab this tour for two or three months, and that moment when we walked out on stage and it was actually happening was amazing. I won’t forget that. You’re Nashville born and raised…how do you think that has helped shape you as an artist? I was lucky enough to grow up around songwriters and see behind the curtain earlier than most people. I do think I had an advantage with that, but as far as becoming an artist, I don’t think there’s a single advantage you can have. Its a lot of luck and a lot of hard work. You’re self-titled EP dropped this summer…do you have plans for a full length studio album? The album is done, and should be coming out first of next year. We’ve got everything lined up and we’re doing photo shoots. This is three years in the making. Its gonna be a blast to get all of the music out, and I’m really excited. What would you say is your favorite part about the recording process? I love the whole recording process, but for me its when we’re tracking the songs and have the whole band in the studio. When I’m singing the songs, I get in my head, Continue reading Country Music Artist Showcase: Greg Bates Interview→

ABCs Nashville Episode Eval: The Pilot

Posted on by

MissMolly’s Episode Eval for the Pilot of ABC’s Nashville (Spoilers below!). Wednesday night, ABC premiered the pilot episode of its highly anticipated new drama, Nashville, and I’m gonna say it straight up, they didn’t disappoint!! Lots of times, trailers and teasers for shows and movies are kinda misleading and the viewing experience is a bit of a let down, but my Nashville viewing experience was quite the opposite. The show producers brought everything they promised and more from the drama to the characters to the music to that authentic country music feel! So, let me tell you what I loved the most! The Characters. I am thoroughly impressed by how written Nashville is, and how well developed the characters already are! I honestly thought all of the characters were complex and interesting! Rayna (Connie Britton) is a super strong woman that clearly knows what’s up, and the moment where she essentially tells the new head of her record label that he can stick his suggestions where the sun don’t shine…well, that was an empowering moment! Then there’s Juliette Barnes (Hayden Panettiere) who at first I was super annoyed with since it appeared that her one method of communication involved either sex (when dealing with men) or cattiness (when dealing with women). I was disappointed because that is such a cliche! Yet, by the end of the show, we got to peak behind the curtain a little and see that there’s more to her story, and I think it will be super interesting to see that story line develop (not that it excuses her behavior, but still…)! All the supporting actors are amazing as well from Teddy (Eric Close) to Rayna’s father, Lamar (Powers Boothe) and sister, Tandy (Judith Hoag) to Deacon (Charles Esten). I think the stand out so far though is Scarlett O’Conner (Clare Bowen) and her impromptu performance at the Bluebird Cafe. Her voice is phenomenal, and that was such an emotional scene!! I can’t wait to see what comes of her and her storyline. Nashville Looks Amazing On TV! As someone who has spent a fair amount of time in Nashville, TN, I was very pleased with how well its landmarks and features were showcased throughout the show. From The Bluebird Cafe to the Ryman to the Grand Ole Opry, its abundantly clear that they shot the show IN Nashville and not on some sound stage in California. This lends an authenticity to the show that I think country music fans will appreciate, and will go a long way to making this show a success! Added bonus: there were a lot of amazing skyline and and overhead shots of downtown Nashville cut in throughout, and the city of Nashville is simply gorgeous! The Music! Appropriately, the music on the show is really amazing. Firstly, I love that the actors are actually singin’ their own songs, and again, this lends authenticity to the show as a whole. Secondly, real life country music was featured on the soundtrack including Continue reading ABCs Nashville Episode Eval: The Pilot→

Greg Bates Interview With HaleighT

Posted on by

HaleighT’s Interview With Greg Bates. I was fortunate enough to sit down with Greg Bates in June and talk shop! Below is the video footage of that conversation. In it, we discuss his single and video “Did It For The Girl” and his EP. Both are now available and for more info on that CLICK HERE! But first watch to see what he had to say pre-release!

Greg Bates Releases Debut EP

Posted on by

Newcomer Greg Bates Releases Debut EP. Greg Bates is a new on the scene country singer and songwriter who has a wonderfully traditional country music sound. You’ve hopefully already heard his debut single “Did It For The Girl” that is currently in the Top 35 on music charts, and now you’ll be able to hear even more from Bates with his debut 5 song EP (check out the complete track listing below!). The EP is currently available through iTunes. You can catch Bates on the road in September with Brantley Gilbert for his Hell On Wheels Tour. Go Ahead and Check Out the “Did It For The Girl” Video! [youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6T8YinDHuBk]