When I was in my late teens, music for us was a balls-out, rip-roaring, no-holds barred, trip to the wild side. A crazy love affair. It was the late 70’s after all (best rock period ever in my opinion-come at me bro). As a group of young people, it’s what we did. We connected over great rock and roll. We’d sing kick-ass lyrics that nurtured the wrath of our teenage angst. It was the all-vinyl era. Where I’m from, there was a record shop in town called Cheapies and walking in there on a Saturday afternoon was like walking into our high school cafeteria, minus the fries & gravy.
The “Top 40 Countdown” was our King James. The early days of my musical meanderings was where my love of live music took root. I wish I could have seen more bands, but of those I did see, I can recall those experiences like they were yesterday; The Who, Bob Seger, Eric Clapton, George Thorogood (and I have to interject here that I spent the entire Bad-to-the-Bone concert on the shoulders of my 6’2” boyfriend – best seat in the house), The Powder Blues Band, Matchbox Twenty, 54-40, Colin James, Rod Stewart, Blue Rodeo, and others.
Now I’m an empty-nester Mom who is reconnecting with her old passions and finding some new ones. My deep love of music has come home to roost.
And guess who I found? Radio Company.
Radio Company was formed in 2018 in Austin, TX and is the collaborative efforts of Jensen Ackles and Steve Carlson. Scouring sources for information about their musical history both collaboratively and independently, is worthy of its own article. I have so many questions. However, I will say that the research effort has been a pure delight for me. The universe gifts us in the most remarkable of ways.
Jensen Ackles
For those of you who are not aware, Jensen is an accomplished actor. And he’s a damn good one. I’m not going to recite his acting resume, but for the purposes of this article, let’s chat briefly about Supernatural. Why? Because Supernatural has a fan base vast and devoted enough to sustain its own convention circuit, and it was at these conventions that Jensen would break out his singing talents for the benefit of his fans, accompanied by Louden Swain (another wonderful group-check them out).
Jensen has an incredible command of his voice. It’s a resonant baritone, with considerable range. I think the higher notes are more difficult for him, but he delivers them beautifully (check out his cover of Brother and you can clearly hear the higher notes are crisp and clear without any loss of vocal strength). His voice is sometimes husky, sometimes gritty, with rich, warm tones that are endlessly captivating. For a sampling of his convention singing, follow these links for a good listen; Wanted Dead or Alive and Brother.
When I think of those rich, warm tones, I’m reminded of coming in from the cold and making hot chocolate (ABC Hot Chocolate which contains Amaretto, Baileys and Cointreau-try it! It’s warm, rich, sweet, it’s got a cheeky little bite and it’ll knock your socks off). In case you didn’t get where I was going with this, Jensen’s voice is that hot chocolate.
Steve Carlson
Steve has consistently, throughout his musical career, produced solo and collaborative works simultaneously and has the following albums to his credit (in no particular order); Dreamwave, Decade, Different Town, Sharing the Covers, Plugged into London, Days Behind, Stripped Down, An Auld School Christmas, Groovin on the Inside, Rollin On, PleasantVille, Spot in the Corner, Kane and Kane Acoustic Live in London. If you get the chance to take in one of his solo Stage-It concerts – do it. If you can watch him live, even better. He’s awesome. I attended one of his Stage-It concerts earlier this year.
Steve’s voice is remarkable. It’s soft and soothing, a little like that hot chocolate we spoke of, but in Steve’s case his voice has an ever-so-slight raspy edge. Think Jim Croce singing “Time In A Bottle” or Cat Stevens singing “Wild World.” My comparisons are kind of kickin-it old school, but that is what his sound connects me with, and I could listen to his sweet voice for hours.
There is one project that Steve has done that I’m a teeny bit obsessed with called “Different Town.” See my sidebar notes at the bottom of this article for more of an in-depth read on my impressions.
Lets Chat Radio Company
In the interest of being completely transparent, I have to admit that I was a little late to the party. I didn’t find Radio Company until after they produced their 2nd album, and once I found their music, I couldn’t eat it up fast enough.
Jensen and Steve are talented performers on their own. Putting these two together– well you’ve got something really special!
I’ve never interviewed Jensen and Steve, so I don’t know first hand what their musical influences are but what I hear is a full-on rock/folk vibe with some subtle country color mixed in for good measure. If I had to draw some modern-day comparisons, think The New Basement Tapes-Kansas City, meets Sturgill Simpson-Sing Along, meets the Hollow Coves-Coastline. Pulling up the old school comparisons, I might go with Simon & Garfunkel – The Boxer (a personal favorite), James Taylor – Fire & Rain and this one might be a stretch, but I could easily see RC doing Van Morrison’s “Real, Real Gone” (put on some good quality head phones and listen to this one loud. I think you’ll like it.)
And while comparisons are not really necessary, it might offer up some insight about Radio Company’s sound and whether or not you’d like to give them a listen. Let me save you the suspense though. They are definitely worth it. Keep the headphones on, you’re in for a treat! Check out these tracks from Vol 1: Drowning and Sounds of Someday. Check out these tracks from Vol 2: Dead to Rights and City Grown Willow.
A Closer Look at Radio Company Albums
- Vol. 1 is their first studio album done at Arlyn Studios in Austin TX.
- It was released Nov 8/19.
- It was produced by Steve Carlson.
- The personnel on this album are listed as follows: Jensen Ackles/Lead Vocals & Backing Vocals. Steve Carlson/Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals, Guitar, Lap Steel & Synth. Bukka Allen/Piano, Organ and Keyboards. Chris Masterson/Guitar. John Michael Schoepf/Electric and Upright Bass. Kyle Schnieder/Drums. Sheree Smith/Backing Vocals. Angela Miller/Backing Vocals. Topaz McGarrigle/Saxophone. Brendan Bond/Trumpet. Chris Richards/Trombone. Warren Hood/Violin. Brian Standefer/Cello.
- The albums songs are: Cannonball, Let Me Be, Bound, Sounds of Someday, Off My Mind, Drowning, When I’m Down, Livin in You, All Our Own and Dume.
- All songs are written by Steve Carlson and Jensen Ackles.
- Published by Countrypolitan Music Pub Co & Hell For Leather Publishing, LLC
- Mastered by Howie Weinberg
- Mixed by Jacob Sciba
- Engineered by Joseph Holguin
- Original Album Artwork by Tom Jean Webb.
- Vol. 2 is their second studio album, also recorded in Austin, TX.
- It was released May 7/21.
- It was produced by Steve Carlson.
- It was produced by Steve Carlson The personnel on this album are listed as follows: Jensen Ackles/Lead Vocals & Backing Vocals, Steve Carlson/Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals, Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Piano, Bass, Lap Steel, Synth, Mandolin. Eric Tessmer/Electric Guitar on “All My Livin Time” & “Jump on Into The Fire.” Sheree Smith/Backing Vocals. Angela Miller/Backing Vocals. Bukka Allen/Piano, Organ & Keyboards. Pat Manske/Drums on “Eyes On Me” & “Truly Forgotten.” Tom Freund/Upright Bass on “Truly Forgotten.” Chris Masterson/Guitar on “Quarter To.” Topaz McGarrigle/Saxophone. Stewart Cole/Trumpet. Matt Hubbard/Trombone. Sarah Hall/Harp. Warren Hood/Violin. Brian Standefer/Cello.
- The albums songs are: All My Livin Time, Quarter To, Watching Over Me, Truly Forgotten, Dead To Rights, Jump on into The Fire, Eyes on Me, Any Way That You Want Me, City Grown Willow.
- All songs are written by Steve Carlson and Jensen Ackles.
- Published by Countrypolitan Music Pub Co & Hell For Leather Publishing, LLC
- Mastered by Howie Weinberg
- Mixed by Pat Manske.
- Original Album Artwork by Tom Jean Webb.
- Additional design by Mishka Westell.
Radio Company’s First Live Concert
I’m pretty good at self-expression, but in this case, words escape me.
I cannot describe the excitement I feel about seeing Radio Company perform live. It was no easy feat, but I have a standing room only ticket to the show and it’s a dream come true for me. The show will be held on December 19, 2022 in the Analog at the Hutton Hotel, Nashville, TN.
The Analog is an intimate music venue. While it is showcasing the industry’s most inspired musicians, it offers it’s guests an up close and personal experience in a comfortable living-room style setting, just steps from Nashville’s famed Music Row. It boasts stellar acoustics, and immerses audiences in Nashville’s unrivaled live music scene. It’s going to be a night to remember!
It was wonderful of them to loop in the STAGE-IT folks so this incredible event can be shared by all. For anyone wishing to join in the fun, go to Radio Company’s instagram page and click on their bio, their linktree will guide you.
Opening for Radio Company will be Louden Swain, so my cup runneth over. I get to see them too!
I can’t wait to see Nashville all dressed up for Christmas!
As Promised-My Sidebar Notes on Different Town
Steve Carlson is a gifted musician and when he set out to do Different Town, I’m so grateful that he has chronicled this endeavour for posterity. We are the beneficiaries of something truly wonderful. If you get a chance to see this, it is worth the watch. The CD is available on Steve’s site. Here is an excerpt I’m sure you will enjoy.
I was struck by, and in awe of, the vulnerability and courage that is oft found in artists as they chase their muse. They put themselves on the line to pull at the tendrils of their craft, their dreams, their wont of expression. It’s a film full of how musicians will gravitate towards one another to collaborate, even given obstacles like language, as those barriers tumble in the face of pure creation. It’s a tale that started out as one man’s journey and drive to produce a unique sound.
There are times in everyone’s life when meeting someone creates a fork in the road, a decision, an unexpected path. The grand expedition towards a new and remarkable horizon. Such is love. That is the theme of Different Town. On the surface, this film documents Steve’s journey to produce an out-of-studio album, but at it’s core it’s about love. It’s the love of music, love of friends, love of collaboration. And romantic love. In his search for collaborators, Steve made new friends, connected with old friends, made life-affirming memories and met the love of his life. It’s a remarkable story. This film will make you want to hit the open road.
No one straddles the paradox of creation and vulnerability more profoundly than an artist. So, while I talk about the courage that all artists have, I would be remiss if I didn’t circle back to Jensen Ackles. For reasons I cannot fathom, actors face a bizarre stigma when they attempt to launch into the music industry. Contrary to that absurd mindset, Jensen has navigated those typically rough waters with the style, talent, and grace with which he does most things. Successfully.
Sometimes we happen upon things that change us, enlighten us and bring us joy. That is Radio Company for me. Can’t wait for Album #3!
Original source article published on TWE Daily.
