JOHNNY BULFORD NAMED THE “BEST NEW ACT IN COUNTRY MUSIC”
AT THE 27TH ANNUAL COLGATE COUNTRY SHOWDOWN!
Talk about life imitating a great country song! Rising country sensation Johnny Bulford’s (www.johnnybulford.com) wild and incredible 2009 is truly living up to “Livin It Up,” his infectious new song that’s also the title track to his upcoming third indie album.
Representing radio station WWKA Orlando, the charismatic Central Florida based singer/songwriter was named “Best New Act In Country Music” at the 27th Annual Colgate Country Showdown (www.countryshowdown.com), which was hosted by superstar LeAnn Rimes at Nashville’s historic Ryman Auditorium and was syndicated across the country.
The multi-talented performer, who plans to invest the $100,000 Grand Prize check he received into furthering his blossoming career, beat out four other finalists with renditions of his original songs “How Could I Not” and “What Happens Here Stays Here,” the title track from his popular 2007 indie album.
“It’s the best thing that’s happened in my career so far, and it seemed like everybody in Nashville was watching the show, so people wanted to know why I wasn’t jumping up and down and acting more excited,” says Bulford. “I guess I deal with this kind of thing differently, and I was in shock a little bit. When they announced my name, my legs started shaking and all I could think about was not falling down and not saying something silly. I thought back to when I first started listening to country music, when my grandmother popped in a cassette of Garth Brooks when I was 11 and thought, wow, it’s been quite a journey. Yet really, it’s only beginning.”
Bulford, who recently scored a highly coveted endorsement deal with manufacturing powerhouse Taylor Guitars, came close to the mountaintop experience with the Colgate competition before as a Florida finalist in 2003 and Florida State winner in 2004. He’s following in the giant footsteps of some of today’s top country artists who also competed in past local, state, regional and National competitions, including Brad Paisley, Garth Brooks, Tim McGraw, Martina McBride, Billy Ray Cyrus, Sara Evans and Miranda Lambert.
Not that he minds the superstar company—the way things are going, he’ll probably be opening for those artists sooner than later. At the tender age of 24, the seasoned performer—whose competition accolades also include placing second in the Recording Academy sponsored Florida Grammys in 2007—has already opened major shows for Collin Raye, The Warren Brothers, Josh Turner, Emerson Drive, Chris Cagle, Diamond Rio, Tracy Lawrence, Tanya Tucker, Darryl Worley, Jason Michael Carrol, Justin Moore, Gretchin Wilson, John Anderson, Montgomery Gentry, Colt Ford, Jamie Johnson, Blake Shelton and even Chuck Negron of Three Dog Night fame.
Bulford is active on the charity circuit and recently performed an acoustic benefit concert for cancer research and medical grants at the University of Central Florida, where he’s taken time off from his pursuit of a master’s in business and marketing.
This whirlwind of activity is leading up to the highly anticipated release of Livin It Up, which features tracks written or co-written and produced by the singer and collaborations with renowned Nashville songwriting heavyweights, the Grammy nominated Charlie Craig (Alan Jackson, Reba McEntire, Dolly Parton) and Robert Arthur (Brad Paisley, Mark Chesnutt). Many of the songs are currently available on his MySpace site (www.myspace.com/johnbulford), and a pre-release of the album is for sale online and at his live performances.
“Even though there are a lot of strong ballads on the new album, it’s definitely a happier, more upbeat set than What Happens Here Stays Here and my (2005) debut Southern Thing,” Bulford says. “As a songwriter, I would say that I write based on experiences in my own life as well as being observational—I even write love songs based on observing the relationships of people around me. The title track ‘Livin It Up’ started with my idea of a hook that said, ‘I’ve been livin it up, now I’m trying to live it down. But it’s not a reckless party song, more about mischievous small town things like stealing the mascot and pouring soapsuds in the fountain by city hall.”
“Then,” he adds, “there’s ‘Real World’ which was inspired by my experiences and those of my friends during our college years. I wonder what we all have to show for our time then. We spent a lot of time partying, but did we really learn anything? On a more reflective, inspirational note, I really like the ballad ‘Remember The Brave,’ which is a song dedicated to our troops.”
Being a prolific songwriter helps set Bulford apart from the many wonderful singers in country music who rely on the magic of Music City songwriters for their material. Speaking of his preference to record his own material, he says, “I know many artists in Nashville love to draw incredible songs from the well of amazing writers in Music City, but I love writing and singing my own songs and to be honest, would feel weird singing someone else’s songs all the time—not that I wouldn’t ever do it! With outside material, I think the key would be identifying with what the song says—or if I wish I would have written it. I love collaborating with Charlie and Robert, and feel I have learned something valuable from everyone I have ever worked with. For me, the key to writing great songs is knowing first of all what isn’t going to work.”
While Bulford’s childhood growing up in Central Florida was heavy on the gospel and Christian music—which he heard at home and sang in church—the singer recalls laying in bed at night listening to a local pop station and recalls falling in love with classic rock (Fleetwood Mac, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Led Zeppelin) after his father introduced him to it. Though he has long felt that his smooth voice is more suited for country than rock, the singer cites a wide range of classic and modern influences in a multitude of genres. While he still enjoys Garth Brooks, Randy Travis and Brad Paisley (both as a singer and guitarist), Bulford is equally passionate about Irish rock singer Damien Rice and contemporary singer/songwriters like Amos Lee.
Because of his natural ability to write great songs, there was a time when Bulford contemplated simply being a Music City songwriter and letting others perform his material. But his fans in Florida and throughout the region, and the millions who saw him win the Colgate Showdown, won’t hear of it. They want him onstage where they can enjoy his great showmanship and the powerful energy he has when he sings from the heart.
“I used to listen to country music as therapy that got me through tough times,” he says. “That’s what’s great about this genre, that the writers and artists write and sing about life, and it can help listeners who are going through things. Knowing that I have written songs that can lift people’s spirits like this is the coolest thing in the world to me. If my words or my performance helps change someone’s life, I can’t ask for any greater gift.”
Those are his spiritual goals, but what about his immediate career aspirations? “To perform on Conan O’Brien and record a duet with Carrie Underwood!”
Now that would truly be Livin It Up!
Hi you all, I really enjoy your music very much, I thank you for the chance to hear the new songs and old songs on your site and the last thing I want to say is thank you for being my friend this really means a lot. Thanks.
Were going to be coming through your town on tour this week. Nov 13-22nd We would love to see you out at these shows. let us know if you need more info on the dates. <3 Bennett IVT
The turkey shot out of the oven and rocketed into the air, it knocked every plate off the table and partly demolished a chair.
It ricocheted into a corner and burst with a deafening boom, then splattered all over the kitchen, completely obscuring the room.
It stuck to the walls and the windows, it totally coated the floor, there was turkey attached to the ceiling, where there'd never been turkey before.
It blanketed every appliance, it smeared every saucer and bowl, there wasn't a way I could stop it, that turkey was out of control.
I scraped and I scrubbed with displeasure, and thought with chagrin as I mopped, that I'd never again stuff a turkey with popcorn that hadn't been popped
In every change that you experience in life, there will be times when you'll wonder if you can endure. But you'll learn that facing each difficulty one by one isn't so hard. It's when you don't deal with a situation that it sometimes comes back to confront you again. Changes are sometimes very painful, but they teach us that we can endure and that we can become stronger. Everything that comes into your life has a purpose, but the outcome is in your hands by the action you take. Be wise with your life, be willing to endure, and always be willing to face life's challenges.
november 8th is my birthday congrats so happy for you. If i had way from tampa i would come see y'all. I miss my son...he was best marine and once again your song touched me heart. it's tough going through this alone...he always
called on my b'day send card this 8th of nov will be so hard...i miss him. my hero. mom of PFC Robert Bruce Buskey Jr.
Thank you for your great music and wonderful voice and for being my friend, I enjoy your music very much and can't wait too hearing what you might have next too show me. I wish you great success in your career and again thanks for your friendship.
JOHNNY BULFORD is the future of country music as a professional songwriter trust me he's the REAL DEAL so you just wait and see. Pic below of a best friend we share you can ask Johnny who it is if your to young to know,lol, Tommy
Charlie Craig on guitar Jimmie Van Zant Band members back row.
Always aim higher than you believe you can reach. So often, you'll discover that when your talents are set free by your imagination, you can achieve any goal.
If people offer their help or wisdom as you go through life, accept it gratefully. You can learn much from those who have gone before you. But never be afraid or hesitant to step off the accepted path and head off in your own direction if your heart tells you that it's the right way for you.
Always believe that you will ultimately succeed at whatever you do, and never forget the value of persistence, discipline, and determination.
You are meant to be whatever you dream of becoming.
A friend is the one who tells you the truth regardless of the cost, A friend will help you find the thing's you'd given up as lost A friend will never put you down or make you feel alone, He'll smile and try to comfort you 'cause together you have grown A friend is the one who picks you up when you've fallen on the ground, A friend is the one whose voice at night is a welcome, warming sound So when you think you're on your own and wish you had a helping hand, Remember, a friend is the one who, when you cry, will always understand Because the world is full of people who will laughingly pretend, But, when it's said and done you're lucky if you've got a friend ...
There is currently a search for two types of bands for record label consideration.
*** Note: PLEASE IDENTIFY IF YOU ARE IN GROUP 1 OR 2 IN THE SUBJECT LINE OF YOUR RESPONSE. Emails are being reviewed by different representatives.
1. A Pop/Rock/Commercial band with female lead. Band must consist of 2 guitars (Prefer both guitar players to be of lead caliber. However, one lead and one rhythm is acceptable), keyboard/piano, bass, and drums. Lead vocal, followed by backing vocals, in that order, is a plus as it relates to other members of the group. Average age of the band cannot exceed 28 years of age.
* Group must have an outstanding lead vocalist. ** Musicianship throughout the entire band must be very strong. *** Group cannot currently be under any contract of any type that is related to the music industry.
2. A Modern Rock band with male lead. Must be a complete band but there are no prerequisites as it relates to the make up of the band. Average age of the band cannot exceed 23 years of age.
* Group must have an outstanding lead vocalist. ** Musicianship throughout the entire band must be very strong. *** Group cannot currently be under any contract of any type that is related to the music industry.
XXX - If you meet the minimum qualifications as described above. Email a link for your MySpace Page and if applicable, a link for your website to: recordingartistsearch@gmail.com
Only send one email with your links. Due to the volume of responses normally received for these types of opportunities. After review of your material, you will only be contacted if there is an interest in attending one of your shows by a label representative. As such please to not send any follow up emails regarding selections. If you were not contacted back, there was not an interest.
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