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Concert Review: Madison Hudson
Madison Hudson – Click for more images
Madison Hudson is quickly becoming a local favorite in the country music world, as she’s starting to play larger venues such as Toby Keith’s Bar and Grill in Folsom, Calif.
I was first introduced to Hudson’s singing abilities at, of all places, a Doobie Brothers concert at Thunder Valley Casino Resort. Film star and singer, Branscombe Richmond brought Hudson up on stage to sing “Listen to the Music,” along with the Doobie Brothers.
The 15 year-old Hudson is country pop singer from the small town of Wheatland, located in rural Northern California. She’s been singing the national anthem at sporting events and from time to time has been making appearances with singer songwriter Rachel Steele and the band Road 88.
Rachel Steele – Click for more images
Opening at Toby Keith’s was a big move for the country singer as she was joined by Rachel Steele, and Road 88 band members Scott Prentice (guitar) and Billy Haggard (guitar). She also had a special guest singer Courtney Chapman, but more on that in a minute.
Kicking off their set, Hudson and Steele performed Pistol Annies’ “Hell on Heels” and Sugarland’s “Stuck Like Glue.” Hudson appeared nervous, but quickly overcame any nerves after “Stuck Like Glue.”
Hudson went on to perform solo, singing Kacey Musgraves’ “Merry Go ‘Round” and Hudson’s original song “Tommy.” She hit her stride as she began “Tommy,” and never looked back, as she performed a number of songs, both solo and with Steele, sounding more like a veteran performer than a 15 year-old up and coming star.
Scott Prentice – Click for more images
Courtney Chapman – Click for more images
Halfway through her performance Hudson brought her special guest, and close friend, Courtney Chapman onstage to provide vocals. The duo brought the house down with a wonderful rendition of Taylor Swift’s “Mean.” Chapman did a sterling job on vocals and I was looking forward to hearing more from her, but that was not meant to be, as Chapman exited the stage after performing “Mean.”
Hudson has been hinting on her Facebook page that bigger things were coming this summer as she is scheduling more appearance and bringing Chapman along.
Billy Haggard – Click for more images
“Well I said 2013 would be crazy!” she wrote, “I will be working on stage with several artists working up to this summer. But I would like to introduce you all to Courtney! Courtney will be joining me starting this summer. We will be a new team and I am so lucky!! You will see us out and about together soon getting ready to rock it country style!!”
Looking forward to it!
Madison Hudson is someone to keep an eye on. You can find more information about her and Rachel Steele at the below links.
Visit Madison Hudson on:
Facebook
Official Website
See Hudson perform “Tommy”
Rachel Steele with Road 88 can be found at:
Marshal Tucker Band’s Stuart Swanlund dead at 54
MTB earlier this year, minus Swanlund.
Guitarist Stuart Swanlund died of natural causes in his sleep in Chicago on Saturday (Aug. 4), according to a press release.
Born in Puerto Rico in 1958 he was raised in Spartanburg, South Carolina, where he met his lifelong friend, Doug Gray, a founding member of the Marshall Tucker band.
Swanlund got his chance to play alongside Gray in 1985 when he joined the Marshall Tucker band, this after growing up listening to Grey practice across the street from where he lived.
In a prepared statement Gray said, “Stuart, or ‘Stubie’ as we called him, was the longest standing member of The Marshall Tucker Band from 1985, onward. He recently took a hiatus from the road due to health problems and even with those issues, Stuart’s enthusiasm onstage never waivered. Our thoughts and prayers are with Stuart’s family and those who knew him. We have lost a great friend.”
Gray said that one of the highlight’s of Swanlund’s time with the band just happened last winter when he performed onstage at the Grand Ole Opry’s historic Ryman Auditorium.
Gray says the news is devastating.
“The thing I’ll miss the most is he always had a smile on his face, and others walked away from him with a smile,” he added. ”He played that way. His inspiration came from just being a wonderful guy on the inside. His personality was so big. He was like a flower. He just blossomed at every show.”
He is survived by his lifelong partner, Stacy Schmaren, son, William “Billy” Swanlund, three grandchildren and sister, Suzanne Spencer.
