Robert Oermann, MusicRow Journalist Profile

Articles

Country Star Johnny Rodriguez Passes

4 days ago | musicrow.com | Robert Oermann

Johnny Rodriguez, one of country music’s biggest stars of the 1970s, died in Texas on Friday (May 9) at age 73. Famed for such hits as “Pass Me By” and “Just Get Up and Close the Door,” Rodriguez was a ground-breaking Latino artist in the country field. Songs such as “Eres Tu” and “Love Put a Song in My Heart“ were performed in both Spanish and English. Between 1972 and 1989, Johnny Rodriguez placed 45 songs on the country charts.
DISClaimer Single Reviews: Trisha Yearwood Delivers A 'Deliciously Bluesy Rocker'

1 week ago | musicrow.com | Robert Oermann

It might be rainy in Music City these days, but the country stars are bringing summer sunshine in this edition of DISClaimer. Bailey Zimmerman & Luke Combs, Dale Ann Bradley, Maddie & Tae, Parker McCollum and Cole Swindell lead an upbeat parade of shiny new sounds for the season. Setting the pace is superstar Trisha Yearwood, who nails down a Disc of the Day prize. This week’s DISCovery Award winner is Zandi Holup.
Notable Music Journalist Gerry Wood Passes

1 week ago | musicrow.com | Robert Oermann

Veteran music journalist and colorful Nashville media figure Gerry Wood died in Florida last Saturday (May 3) at age 87. Wood was the manager of the Billboard office in Music City. He was also a popular local television personality in the 1980s. Born Gerald E. Wood in Lewiston, Maine, he began his entertainment career in radio. He was a news and sports reporter at WSON in Henderson, Kentucky, then polished those skills while also becoming a DJ at WVJS in Owensboro, Kentucky.
DISClaimer Single Reviews: Kelsea Ballerini Lets Go Of Emotional Baggage

2 weeks ago | musicrow.com | Robert Oermann

As the spring season warms up, country artists are upping the tempo. Offering excellent upbeat efforts this week are Josh Ross, Jake Worthington & Marty Stuart, Colbie Caillat & Russell Dickerson, HuneyFire and our Disc of the Day awardee, Kelsea Ballerini. The DISCovery Award du jour is Christian Hayes. CHRISTIAN HAYES / “Through It All”Writers: Christian Hayes/Jonah Kagen; Producer: Jonah Kagen; Label: Capitol Records– Strikingly different and way cool.
DISClaimer Single Reviews: Cody Johnson Is 'Philsophical, Moody & Super Compelling'

3 weeks ago | musicrow.com | Robert Oermann

I’m not hearing a lot of playlist essentials among this week’s DISClaimer candidates. The highlights of the listening session included Runaway June, Bryce Leatherwood, Hardy, Dierks Bentley and our excellent Disc of the Day award winner, Cody Johnson. The DISCovery Award winner is the aptly named Pynk Beard.
Music Row Musician & Mogul David Briggs Passes

3 weeks ago | musicrow.com | Robert Oermann

Keyboardist David Briggs, who performed with a who’s-who of rock and country greats, has died at age 82. A 60-year veteran of Music Row, Briggs was also a song publisher, studio owner, songwriter and arranger. He was a member of the Musicians Hall of Fame as well as the Alabama Music Hall of Fame. His career began in Florence, Alabama in the 1950s as a teenager who performed on local television and won boogie-woogie talent contests.
Stellar Guitarist & Songwriter Mac Gayden Passes

3 weeks ago | musicrow.com | Robert Oermann

Nashville pop/rock pioneer Mac Gayden died on Tuesday (April 17) at age 83. Gayden left his mark on Music City as a songwriter, a guitarist and a performer. He co-wrote such soul classics as “Everlasting Love” and “She Shot a Hole in My Soul,” co-founded the Southern rock bands Barefoot Jerry and Area Code 615, recorded a number of solo LPs and played lead guitar on albums by Kris Kristofferson, Bob Dylan, Elvis Presley, Linda Ronstadt and many others.
DISClaimer Single Reviews: Carter Faith Rules Disc Of The Day

4 weeks ago | musicrow.com | Robert Oermann

It is a week of surprises in DISClaimer. Who knew that Brett Young could deliver a tempo tune so handily? What a pleasure to hear Post Malone and Morgan Wallen singing so gently and melodically. Pop diva Lana Del Ray checks in with a swoon-y, Nashville-tinged ballad. The biggest surprise is this.
DISClaimer Single Reviews: Brothers Osborne 'RAWK' Disc Of The Day

1 month ago | musicrow.com | Robert Oermann

DISClaimer is rocking this week. Putting on their dancing shoes are Ashland Craft, Don Louis, Ernest with Snoop Dogg, The Bellamy Brothers with The Isaacs and DISCovery Award winner Preston Cooper. Best of all is the rocker by Brothers Osborne, which rolls along with the Disc of the Day award.
Hit Country Songwriter Larry Bastian Passes

1 month ago | musicrow.com | Robert Oermann

Longtime Major Bob Publishing songwriter Larry Bastian died on Sunday (April 6) at age 90. Bastian co-wrote such Garth Brooks hits as “Unanswered Prayers,” “Rodeo” and “The Old Man’s Back in Town” in 1991-92. The superstar recorded many other Bastian songs, as did a who’s-who of country music. Larry Bastian was born and raised in California’s agricultural San Joaquin Valley, and he lived throughout his life in the Springville/Porterville area. He was from a farming family.