Dwight Yoakam, Elvis, Delbert McClinton, U2, Dolly Parton, Alannys Morissette, Liz Phair, Dixie Chicks, Keith Urban, Janis Joplin, John Prine, Mike Stinson, My all-time FAVORITE- the late Keith Green, Bonnie Raitt, Lenny Kravitz, Emmylou Harris, The Eagles, The Rolling Stones, JET, Cat Stevens, The Band, Joni Mitchell, Rod Stewart, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Willie Nelson, Lucinda Williams, The Beatles. The world is full of such GREAT MUSIC!!
Sounds Like
Maverick Magazine review, UK
October 2009
****
Spellbinding, pistol of an album that fires upbeat, stunning bullets to rapturous applause like the hired guns of the Old West.
Having received airplay on US radio and gathered quite a fan base through her constant gigs and dedication to making it in the dog-eat-dog world of country music, this Arkansas-born artist who goes by the name of Van Preston that moved to Nashville in 2004 to pursue her dreams has surely laid the foundations with her debut album here.
With an upbeat country rock start in the style of Dixie Chicks or a vibrant Elizabeth Cook, Bought Myself A Toy also seems to imitate the style of Taylor Swift but in a far more superior way. It makes you wonder what this toy actually is, as she describes how she enjoys this "toy" by herself and I do not believe it is a pinball machine. Despite this curious lack of information as to what this item it may be, it sure is one hell of a country song which can still be enjoyed after even the fifth consecutive listen. Perfect for dancing to, What Goes Around Comes Around can also be ideally described as a track destined to be played at the end of a honky tonk session. The fiddling and pedal steel by all means adds a buoyant and stonking country sound to the mix which never fails to raise the spirit and keep the beer pouring as I assume many of those who follow Van have certainly enjoyed a pitcher or two whilst hearing this track in action. The beat of Heartbroke For The Last Time is reminiscent of a Tennessee Two track, with Van acting as Cash and the pedal steel in place of Luther’s picking. If the drumming was removed this would sound ideal for Johnny, Luther and Marshall but alas the band is no more. Although we can still dream of such a band releasing their own version, what we are left with is an extremely fine, and by all means, sublime track that seems just the thing to be played when behind the wheel.
Despite this being her debut album, the quality included in its ten tracks is astonishing. Not many artists and bands make it big in Music Row, but as this release has already achieved success than maybe we should be speaking of Van Preston as the next big act who can try and topple Taylor Swift as the Queen of Nashville? I certainly hope so. - RH------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Performing Songwriter Review:
Reviewed by Mare Wakefield
Every so often you'll hear a singer with so much unbridled joy in her voice, you can't help but smile. Van Preston will hit you this way with well-crafted lyrics to match her sassy soprano. Preston's self-titled release has a decidedly classic country flavor along the lines of Dwight Yoakum or Loretta Lynn. Sweet fiddle and pedal steel add just enough sparkle without detracting from the lyrics.
Highlights include "What Goes Around Comes Around" and the fast-paced "HeartBroke for The Last Time". But the cherry on top of this musical sundae is "Bought Myself A Toy." "When I'm missing you, I just snap that baby right out of the case and it gets rid of my blues," Preston sings over electric guitar and raucous drumming.
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New York Times Nashville Correspondent Phil Sweetland:
"VAN PRESTON: Making It on Her Own"
NASHVILLE – The lovely lady from Arkansas proudly describes herself as “unsigned and unrepresented.” But Van Preston left out several adjectives in that description of her music, words that apply perfectly, such as “powerful,” “catchy,” “personal,” “commercial,” and “important.” Just how important is her work? Just ask the John Lennon Songwriting Competition, which in 2007 recognized Van’s original songs not once but twice. “Toy” and “Someone Who Ain’t Me” were both cited by the prestigious Lennon panel.
Radio has also jumped on Preston’s music. Van has found other media to get her music heard. MySpace, for instance, has become one of the fastest-growing sources of music in the wired world, and Preston has become a MySpace favorite. (Last year, she was) rated the Top Unsigned Americana Music on MySpace. European fans, so often ahead of their American brethren on groundbreaking music, have fallen in love with Van: She’s the No. 4 indy artist over there and has racked up four Top country hits in Europe in the last 18 months.
Preston is a quiet person at first, but still waters run deep. She happily is making a lot of noise on the road and at Radio with a sound that is both hauntingly familiar and utterly new.
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Nashville Music Scene;
Editor Pete Kotz:
"Van is like a Countrified Pat Benatar.."
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"BluesBunny.com" Live Review and CD review; Glasgow Scotland:
LIVE REVIEW:
"Tonight the CMEAS tour has hit town. Featuring Van Preston from the USA, Australia's Krishna Jones and Sweden's Erik Morell, it's a bit of an oddity in today's music business. Artists from around the world pile themselves into a bus fuelled by waste oil from chip shops and sing their way around the UK.
First up is Van Preston accompanied by Erik Morell on guitar. She's petite, she's got a big voice and she's mainstream country. Not the Americana that we usually hear these days but proper pickup truck friendly Nashville. Definitely more Barbara Mandrell than Alison Krause, she belts out her songs - and she writes much of her own material too - with confidence and no small amount of charm with "Bought Myself a Toy" going down particularly well with the audience. Given what the "toy" in question is, there's a strong possibility that she might get excommunicated from the Grand Ole Opry though. Personally speaking, the ballad "Forever Ago" did it for me."
CD REVIEW: "There's that thing about mainstream country music. When it is done well, it is the music of blue collar America. It's not really for the young, it's not really for the musical purist but it is the music for the majority of people who have travelled along the rocky road of life.
Having said that, like much of country music these days, you don't need a pick up truck and a dog called Bo to enjoy it. Armed with a sizeable chunk of session musician's, she shows no signs of nervousness in this, her debut album. She does a fine job in with other people's songs like the ultra commercial - and very Faith Hill Like - "Schizophrenic Heart" but the real heart and soul are to be found in her own compositions with the elegant ballad "Forever Ago" and the exuberant (think that's the best word…) "Bought Myself a Toy" standing out. Like I said, this is an album of music for real people.
Unusually for a country artist these days, Ms Preston writes a fair chunk of her own material. Maybe that's why she convinces. The Nashville music machine has churned out many like her but you know when you have heard the real thing and Ms Preston is indeed the real thing."
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"Music Row"; Nashville Music Industry Publication
By Robert Oerrman
On Van's Debut Single, "Absolutely Broken",
"She has a lot of verve in her voice, and the song is quite catchy..."
On Track One of Van Preston Debut CD, "Tougher Than That",
—Van’s a feisty gal on the kick-off rocker of her album. The bright, male harmonies on the choruses are quite effective, as are the electric guitar work and organ notes.
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Radio/Program Director Letter,
Dan O'Brian
I came across (Van's) site and your music quite by accident and all I have to say is WOW! What a GREAT TALENT! Which leads me to ask you, "Why aren't you a star?" You have a fantastic pure soulful sound and the alluring sexy looks to go along with your voice. I must tell you that for over 25 years I was a radio Program Director/Music Director and Air Talent (now retired) and I think your talent far exceeds much of the "Young Crap" on the air today. I just wanted to let you know that your talents are appreciated! Thanks for the great music!
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RADIO REVIEWS:
"Van Preston's 'Absolutely Broken' is catching on each week with our listeners. I think we'll be hearing a lot more from her."
Dennis Voy
KMAQ-FM/AM, Maquoketa, IA
"You're obviously very talented and i wouldn't be surprised if I flipped on CMT one day to see you in a video or something. Your style of country music is exactly what myself and my listeners prefer. " Mark Bownds, KGAS Radio
"Thanks for the new promo of Van Preston's CD. You sure caught my attention! "What Goes Around" is excellent! Van has a voice that makes it hard to push the eject button; you've just got to finish the song..."
KEOS Radio, College Station, Texas
John Roths
"Van Preston has developed a style that is both distinctive and radio friendly. Her debut video is dynamic and exciting, and if there's any justice she'll end the year as one of Nashville's premier new talents."
American Music Channel
Musictogo Songwriter's Network;
Bert Gagnon
"Van Preston is among our listeners favorite artist and for good reason. Country/Americana that really lets loose. A combination of great songs, strong muscianship and lyrically direct. This highly charged cd has a collection of songs that everyone can relate to. Vocally powerful in a Rocker sense, Van holds true to her chosen genre and has created excitement and entertainment in each track on this fabulous self-titled cd. This is definitely another win for Country/Americana and for our broadcasts"-
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Nashville Music Guide,
Reviewed by Music Editor, Brad Fischer
SEVEN OUT OF SEVEN STARS!
"This cute young lady has a voice as good as any
female country artist in the business. Not only that,
five of the ten songs on this CD were written by the
artist. And she knows a good song when she hears one
as is verified by the tunes she chose for this
project. The cuts on this album are from some of the
best songsmiths in Music City and finely produced by
Greg Crowe for the independent "UnConVentional
Records" label. I loved them all! Get your copy before
Preston is the big country star she ought to be at
www.vanpreston.com"
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GARAGEBAND review of "Toy";
Egostar of Los Angeles
"Wow. Oh Yeah. Is this country?! I fuckin HATE country, but I like this. Wow.. it rocks like a mofo. AWESOME production. Killer singer. Reminds me of me. HA, seriously, she kicked my ass and then called me her bitch. Thats ok. I can live with it...OMG I just picked out the chorus lyrics. This is a hit. WOW. I'd SO buy it...for my ex. NICE ONE y'all....
I got nothin left. Nothing here could be improved. Wrap it up. Send it to Sam Goody.
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to Van's Videos on YouTube
AlwaysCountry.net is now playing Van Preston *Tune In here*
Musictogousa Songwriter's Network is now playing Van Preston*Tune In here*
Born and raised in Arkansas, Van Preston is a Singer-Songwriter on the rise. Her music can best be described as rootsy, with strong influences of Americana, Classic Rhythm and Blues, Blues Rock, and Country. With spectacular reviews of her debut album in "Maverick", "Performing Songwriter", 'Country Weekly", "Music News Nashville", and many other publications, Van has garnered significant critical acclaim.
Arriving in Nashville in July 2004, she has had five top-20 hits in Europe since mid-2006, and three Top 40 songs on U.S. Country radio (secondary stations) in the same period, including a Top Two for her single "Everything I've Never Seen" and a Top Ten for her song "Forever Ago" (www.newmusicweekly.com); receiving airplay for the songs in major radio markets.
Her debut album was nominated for 2007 Country Album of the Year in Europe by the European CMA. Her song, 'Bought Myself A Toy' has sold tens of thousands of units across Europe on the 'Best of Country 2008" Universal Records-France compilation. Van has opened for James Taylor, Kenny Chesney, LeAnn Rimes, Josh Turner, Alan Jackson, Jason Michael Carroll, Martina McBride, Jack Ingram, and many others. She has played and headlined many venues and festivals, including Euro-Disneyland in Paris, numerous festivals across Europe, has also toured Australia, and has played legendary clubs including the now-defunct CBGB's in New York.
A songwriter as much as an artist, Van has scored several songwriting competition wins, including having two songs among the top nine Country songs in the prestigious John Lennon Songwriting Competition, placing two years running in the Nashville Songwriting Association Annual Song Contest, and placing in the UK Songwriting Contest. She has been featured on the music television station "CMT" in 2009. Her sophomore album is due out in 2010.
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How are you and yours . I doing great here. Just stopping in to see how you are. I have been real busy.Working on 3 things. My new song,my new web site http://www.jeffryrott.com/, And I'm building a Toilet seat guitar. Oh and Have a great Holiday.
We wanted to drop off an early Christmas gift... We are sending you the link to download our debut single "C'mon DJ" for free. Visit www.countryweekly.com/freemusic for the download. You can also view our video on gactv.com. Enjoy!
Hello my friend. I have just finished writing some new songs that I need to get to the studio. Hope you enjoy the ones that are already done. Stop by any time and listen. Please don't forget to leave me a comment. Happy Holidays. I will see you again in this Nashville town soon.
Daniel Paul Of The Daniel Paul Band & Daniel Paul Publishing BMI
Time is a wonderful thing to have stop and be capsherd in your mined as a mimmory that will stay with you for all times. Sweet time is moving so fast we tind to just let the little loving thing go right on biy as we are in our oun place to get the things that need to be dun dun... So just take this time that has ben set a side for the love ones that you have in your life and gev them a kiss and tell them that you love them.
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