| Eileen Carey: Fans Respond on Blair Garner’s `After MidNite;’ SCMA Nominates Eileen for Award By Phil Sweetland Country music and Radio contributor, The New York Times Blair Garner’s “After MidNite” is likely the most popular syndicated overnight program at Country Radio, with stations and listeners nationwide. Spins on Garner’s show are treasured by all the major Music Row labels, so when indy artist Eileen Carey’s energetic new cover of Patsy Cline’s “Walkin’ After Midnight” was played in a contest on Blair’s show last week, it was big news. And when listeners gave Eileen’s song 55 clicks out of a possible 100, it was even more exciting. “Any time you get over 50 percent, that’s great,” said Radio promotion veteran Gene Kennedy of Nashville’s Gene Kennedy Enterprises and Doorknob Records, Carey’s Radio promoter. Carey said: “Wow, what a Tuesday morning! First, it was amazing to be played on `After MidNite,’ which airs on stations in major and medium markets all across the United States. But then to be the only independent artist on the same list with major-label artists, and having your song picked by the fans – what more could you ask for!” Carey’s soulful, bluesy performance of the song is a very different interpretation than Patsy’s original. “I think that the people who are reacting the most to Eileen’s record are not familiar with Patsy’s version,” Kennedy said. “Blair Garner has a younger listening audience, and a lot of his stations are getting calls from their listeners for Eileen’s record.” That wasn’t the only cool news Eileen and her music received in late January. Last Tuesday, the title song of her current “Hearts Of Time” album received a nomination for Best Country Song at the Southern California Music Awards. The Awards will be presented Feb. 11 at LA’s Warner Grand Theater. “What exciting news!” Eileen said. “It was terrific to have my song picked out of all of this amazing pool of talent, and have my songwriting recognized. It’s a great honor.” With the way things are going for Eileen Carey both at Radio and with fans nationwide, it’s likely to be just the first of many awards and nominations the lovely Californian will soon receive. |