Rainey Qualley - "Me And Johnny Cash"

[sabre14]

Artist: Rainey Qualley
Single: "Me And Johnny Cash"
Writers: Rainey Qualley, John Ramey
Album: Turn Down The Lights
Label: Cingle Records Nashville/Star Farm Nashville
Producer: Russ Zavister, John Ramey
Add Date: June 29th, 2015
Source



New artist Rainey Qualley will be releasing her official debut terrestrial single "Me And Johnny Cash" to country radio soon according to Music Row. Her debut album Turn Down The Lights will drop on June 2nd. Cingle Records launched in January of 2015 and Rainey is their flagship artist. Her song "Turn Me On Like The Radio" was a Sirius/XM only single earlier this year.

Rainey is the daughter of actress Andie MacDowell.

Personally, I think this song is pretty darn good and sounds like something that would have been released 10 years ago. I don't think this will do much beyond just cracking the top 60, but hey, another "Tomato" to add to our radio salad. :)

[Dustin J.]

This is a gazillion times better than TMOLTR.

I get a Trick Pony kinda vibe from this one. Anyone else?

[sabre14]

May 29, 2015 14:33:01 GMT -5 Dustin J. said:

This is a gazillion times better than TMOLTR.

I get a Trick Pony kinda vibe from this one. Anyone else?

Now that you mention it, I'm getting a little "Trick Pony'ish" vibe from it as well.

I agree about this being so much better than "Turn Me On Like The Radio, which really got under my skin after a while.

[blueguitar]

I like this girl's voice! Sounds great on the chorus, but her lower register on the first verse was amazing!

[LBTrocks]

Love this song! It's so fun and edgy. I enjoyed her vocals too. I haven't heard of Rainey Qualley before, but I am interested in hearing more.

[tvoss20]

Never heard of her but just listened to both songs and am very impressed. She sounds fantastic. She almost sounds a tiny bit like Whitney Duncan.

[kw9461]

Man this is really, really good. Her voice is very sharp and distinct, and the song is really quite catchy. I remember this from an RTM survey i did a while back, so I'm a bit surprised she's not on a bigger label.

[matty005]

I really enjoy this song a lot. I Googled her and found her Insta and I really enjoyed that too. She's a very beautiful girl.

[.indulgecountry]

May 29, 2015 14:33:01 GMT -5 Dustin J. said:

This is a gazillion times better than TMOLTR.

I get a Trick Pony kinda vibe from this one. Anyone else?

As soon as I started listening to this, I instantly thought she sounded quite a bit like Heidi Newfield vocally.

Man, I really like this a lot. Very catchy, great vocals, and the production and lyrics are solid. And I must say that I dig her name a lot. Definitely something that stands out. Not expecting much for this, but I'd love for this to somehow make a sizable dent in the country charts.

[sabre14]

[.indulgecountry]

^ Hope it's better than the video for her last single. I looked it up after enjoying this and while I thought it was interesting and pretty inventive, a lot of people clearly didn't get it and were saying some vicious stuff in the comment section. Granted it was a bit weird, but I lol'd at all the dumb "this ain't country comments!!" because it was about as country as they come and somehow her image negated all of it. Anyhow, can't wait to see it!

[codyj100]

May 30, 2015 0:33:15 GMT -5 .indulgecountry said:

May 29, 2015 14:33:01 GMT -5 Dustin J. said:

This is a gazillion times better than TMOLTR.

I get a Trick Pony kinda vibe from this one. Anyone else?

As soon as I started listening to this, I instantly thought she sounded quite a bit like Heidi Newfield vocally.

Man, I really like this a lot. Very catchy, great vocals, and the production and lyrics are solid. And I must say that I dig her name a lot. Definitely something that stands out. Not expecting much for this, but I'd love for this to somehow make a sizable dent in the country charts.

Totally agree about the Heidi comparison. I love this song. We need more songs like these. Ten years ago, this would've been a big hit. 

[sabre14]

Impact date is June 29th.

Star Farm Nashville will be helping out with radio promotion.

[Deleted]

This song is phenomenal. She has one of the best, most unique voices I've heard in a long time. I'd love for this to chart, but I have my doubts that it will

I've got it on repeat, though

[someguy]

I like this a lot. I just heard it for the first time, and I can see it being something that I listen to a fair bit. I hear the Heidi Newfield comparison...she also sounds a little like Tanya Tucker to me. Good stuff.

Not that radio will pay any attention, but whatever. I have my iPod for a reason :)

[sabre14]

Jun 3, 2015 22:27:08 GMT -5 jhomes87 said:

I'd love for this to chart, but I have my doubts that it will

Jun 3, 2015 23:07:32 GMT -5 someguy said:

Not that radio will pay any attention, but whatever. I have my iPod for a reason :)

While I agree that this will not do much, don't underestimate Star Farm Nashville. They've done a good job with "I Love This Life' by LoCash, and Matt Corbin and Michael Powers worked for Bigger Picture and both men have the desire to be knee deep in radio promotion. They turned around to start Star Farm pretty quick after leaving Bigger Picture and I actually think they can get Rainey's song some airplay.

In the end though, a top 60 appearance will be about all this musters, as Rainey's gender and the fact that this is an actual country song will also hinder it, I'm sure.

[Deleted]

Jun 3, 2015 23:34:32 GMT -5 sabre14 said:

While I agree that this will not do much, don't underestimate Star Farm Nashville. They've done a good job with "I Love This Life' by LoCash, and Matt Corbin and Michael Powers worked for Bigger Picture and both men have the desire to be knee deep in radio promotion. They turned around to start Star Farm pretty quick after leaving Bigger Picture and I actually think they can get Rainey's song some airplay.

In the end though, a top 60 appearance will be about all this musters, as Rainey's gender and the fact that this is an actual country song will also hinder it, I'm sure.

I know who Star Farm is and what they've accomplished. But consider this: they're also promoting Ashley Clark's "Greyhound" and Olivia Lane's "You Part 2". Olivia's song hasn't gone for adds yet, but Ashley's went for adds a couple weeks back and it doesn't seem likely to chart even with the combined resources of Star Farm and I.R.S. Nashville. And we have major label artists (RaeLynn, Randy Houser, Lee Brice, Logan Mize, Chris Stapleton, and Jackie Lee) struggling to chart, with all of them currently on the outside looking in. I do think Houser and Brice and also Stapleton will eventually chart, and Houser and Brice can probably have slow-climbing hits yet, but it's pretty crazy just how difficult it is for major label artists to make the Billboard top 60 right now. And thus I see no way that Rainey Qualley will make it onto the chart unless a bunch of radio stations really surprise me and play this quite a bit. Unfortunately, I just don't see that happening. Heck, Darius Rucker's "Southern Style" went for adds on May 4, and it didn't chart until this week, and that one is following up a Mediabase #1.

The LoCash guys have some name recognition (a couple of chart appearances, and a couple of songwriting credits as well) and their song is selling quite well (it's in the top 80 on the iTunes country chart). Artists like Rainey Qualley, Ashley Clark, and Olivia Lane aren't established yet, so I don't expect them to sell much or to get any significant airplay outside of the secondary and Music Row charts.

[sabre14]

Jun 3, 2015 23:45:06 GMT -5 jhomes87 said:

Jun 3, 2015 23:34:32 GMT -5 sabre14 said:

While I agree that this will not do much, don't underestimate Star Farm Nashville. They've done a good job with "I Love This Life' by LoCash, and Matt Corbin and Michael Powers worked for Bigger Picture and both men have the desire to be knee deep in radio promotion. They turned around to start Star Farm pretty quick after leaving Bigger Picture and I actually think they can get Rainey's song some airplay.

In the end though, a top 60 appearance will be about all this musters, as Rainey's gender and the fact that this is an actual country song will also hinder it, I'm sure.

I know who Star Farm is and what they've accomplished. But consider this: they're also promoting Ashley Clark's "Greyhound" and Olivia Lane's "You Part 2". Olivia's song hasn't gone for adds yet, but Ashley's went for adds a couple weeks back and it doesn't seem likely to chart even with the combined resources of Star Farm and I.R.S. Nashville. And we have major label artists (RaeLynn, Randy Houser, Lee Brice, Logan Mize, Chris Stapleton, and Jackie Lee) struggling to chart, with all of them currently on the outside looking in. I do think Houser and Brice and also Stapleton will eventually chart, and Houser and Brice can probably have slow-climbing hits yet, but it's pretty crazy just how difficult it is for major label artists to make the Billboard top 60 right now. And thus I see no way that Rainey Qualley will make it onto the chart unless a bunch of radio stations really surprise me and play this quite a bit. Unfortunately, I just don't see that happening. Heck, Darius Rucker's "Southern Style" went for adds on May 4, and it didn't chart until this week, and that one is following up a Mediabase #1.

The LoCash guys have some name recognition (a couple of chart appearances, and a couple of songwriting credits as well) and their song is selling quite well (it's in the top 80 on the iTunes country chart). Artists like Rainey Qualley, Ashley Clark, and Olivia Lane aren't established yet, so I don't expect them to sell much or to get any significant airplay outside of the secondary and Music Row charts.

Oh I know this song isn't expected to do much of anything and I agree about having doubts, but Star Farm and Cingle Records have been planning Rainey's debut for a really long time. Olivia Lane never has really gotten a full chance at the mainstream chart and Ashley Clark's song I never saw as having any potential at radio, personally.

LoCash have name recognition (lol at saying that with a straight face), but they have been really aided by The Highway. They have played the snot out of that song (I hear it every time I'm in my car it seems). Rainey had a Sirius/XM only release earlier this year with "Turn Me On Like The Radio" and I'd be shocked if "Me And Johnny Cash" wasn't on The Highway as well, which would certainly help her cause. The problem with Rainey's song is that it is too country to sell as well as LoCash's, which has a rockin' feel that is easier to help sell in terms of digital sales. I also think that they will stick with this single a while and try a slow approach.

That being said, if I had to put what little money I have on a wager, I'd bet this doesn't see the top 60 as well, but I wouldn't count it out.

[LBTrocks]

May 31, 2015 2:00:36 GMT -5 .indulgecountry said:

^ Hope it's better than the video for her last single. I looked it up after enjoying this and while I thought it was interesting and pretty inventive, a lot of people clearly didn't get it and were saying some vicious stuff in the comment section. Granted it was a bit weird, but I lol'd at all the dumb "this ain't country comments!!" because it was about as country as they come and somehow her image negated all of it. Anyhow, can't wait to see it!

I checked "Turn Me On Like The Radio" too and I absolutely love it! As you said, it is so incredibly traditional and I can't believe some of the comments. I get if they didn't like the video, but how they're hearing "pop and not country" is beyond me. I personally thought the video was just fine, but even if people thought it was crap, that doesn't make the song crap by association lol.

Really excited to hear more from her!

[.indulgecountry]

Jun 4, 2015 1:11:57 GMT -5 LBTrocks said:

May 31, 2015 2:00:36 GMT -5 .indulgecountry said:

^ Hope it's better than the video for her last single. I looked it up after enjoying this and while I thought it was interesting and pretty inventive, a lot of people clearly didn't get it and were saying some vicious stuff in the comment section. Granted it was a bit weird, but I lol'd at all the dumb "this ain't country comments!!" because it was about as country as they come and somehow her image negated all of it. Anyhow, can't wait to see it!

I checked "Turn Me On Like The Radio" too and I absolutely love it! As you said, it is so incredibly traditional and I can't believe some of the comments. I get if they didn't like the video, but how they're hearing "pop and not country" is beyond me. I personally thought the video was just fine, but even if people thought it was crap, that doesn't make the song crap by association lol.

Really excited to hear more from her!

Yeah, it really just goes to show how truly dense people are, but then again, they are YouTube comments and those are notoriously awful, so I have to remind myself it's nbd. But who knows, maybe if Luke Bryan's new music video has him riding around like a cowboy (#RandyHouser) the same people will be fooled into thinking his new single is country? lol

[sabre14]

May 31, 2015 2:00:36 GMT -5 .indulgecountry said:

^ Hope it's better than the video for her last single. I looked it up after enjoying this and while I thought it was interesting and pretty inventive, a lot of people clearly didn't get it and were saying some vicious stuff in the comment section. Granted it was a bit weird, but I lol'd at all the dumb "this ain't country comments!!" because it was about as country as they come and somehow her image negated all of it. Anyhow, can't wait to see it!

Okay I'll admit, even though I've heard "Turn Me On Like The Radio" on The Highway countless times, I never watched the music video until now...wow, lol. The song's okay (certainly country as country gets these days), but man that video was just not my thing. Kind of glad I waited this long to watch it, lol.

Anyway, "Me And Johnny Cash" was just added to my iPhone along with my Spotify. It gets better with each listen. :)

[Deleted]

I actually loved the video for "Turn Me On Like The Radio" and how it basically makes fun of how guys look at women. But I think "Me And Johnny Cash" is a better song and I can't wait to see the video for it. I'm not sure how anybody could say her previous single was pop and not country though. There's a lot of steel and country instrumentation in it. A strange (but cool, imo) video does not turn a country song (or artist) into a pop song (and pop artist).

[Deleted]

Nice to see an ad for this one in tonight's Billboard update! :)

[rsmatto]

Well, I wonder if the fact that her mother is Andie MacDowell has anything to do with the vicious comments on the YouTube page (or that Rainey was/is a model actress at times). I mean, really, the girl is so talented and VERY committed to music as it's what she wanted to do. She doesn't even play up anything about her family in the PR about her EP, an EP worth seeking out. It's really, really good and a modern blend of country music that actually sounds like country music.

[sabre14]

I thought this was interesting in Country Aircheck this evening. They did their "Off The Record" with Rainey and there was a statement that started "I get a little uncomfortable when..."

when people ask a lot of questions about my mom [actress Andie MacDowell]. I'm very proud of her. I'm not trying to hide the fact that I'm her daughter, but I want to be able to do things on my own merit.

I've seen Rainey interviewed a few times already and this isn't the first time she's tried to avoid the fact that Andie MacDowell is her mother and she really sounds like she wants to carve her own path out as a country singer, without the publicity that she's a daughter of a famous actress.

Anyway, Cingle Records and Star Farm Nashville got another big ad in Aircheck tonight and I'm rooting for this one to at least chart. It seriously gets better with every listen. I feel like I'm going back to 10 years whenever I hear "Me And Johnny Cash."

[sabre14]

Well, I have closer insurance this one won't chart as "Me And Johnny Cash" got 5 total adds on impact day. The silver lining is that 4 of the 5 stations are in the top 50 markets in the country with KMPS in Seattle (CBS Radio) being the biggest add.

Star Farm Nashville is still too young I guess to be a serious player with radio promotion. They have plenty of experienced folks working there (former Bigger Picture staff) but most labels and promotion teams need some time to establish themselves. Even New Revolution had growing pains when they started. LoCash's latest is definitely name recognition and song type working for it (Star Farm is helping "I Love This Life" with radio promotion as well). The actual label home Rainey is on is brand new as well (Cingle Records). I'll still give it some weeks to get some traction but I agree with jhomes87 that this won't crack the top 60.

This song is fantastic but it's sung be a new female artist, on a new label, with a throwback feel from 10 years ago. The most success this one will get is on our own personal charts, lol.

[sabre14]

Sorry for a double post but the music video for "Me And Johnny Cash" will be premiered on CMT and CMT.com tomorrow.

Here's the treatment of the "Me And Johnny Cash" music video:

The clip opens with a cheerful Rainey pulling into a remote gas station. She opens her trunk to make sure her former lover is safely tied up before going in to make her purchases. Two officers assist her, after she innocently but intentionally breaks a bottle of wine in the store. The tongue-in-cheek clip shows men tied up in various areas in and around her home - the pool, at the grill and in bed. The message: You know what they say about a woman scorned.

Source

[.indulgecountry]

Shame about the lack of adds for this and the fate this will suffer at radio, but the music video sounds like it's going to be great, so I can't wait to see that. Love this song. It's too bad so many out there won't get to hear it or even know that it exists.

[sabre14]

Official Music Video: :)

[rsmatto]

It'll be sad if this is only a hit on secondary radio because mainstream programmers feel that supporting new upstart labels and artists will do them in when said labels run out of funding. I say, if you support the artists and they're good enough -- this is beyond good enough for radio -- then just let the songs do the talking. Play the songs (especially since familiar faces are promoting it) and if Cingle Records were to fail because of any reason, chances are an artist like Rainey would end up getting picked up by another, perhaps bigger, record label. As it is, this one has distribution support from Thirty Tigers.