Blog

Amber Rhodes & Adonis Tsilimparis perform as “This Guy & Girl”

2011-02-08T18:01:42Z

February 17th @ 8:30pm
At Rockwood Music Hall (Stage 2)
196 Allen Street New York, NY 10002
Come out and catch the Show!!

“Forbidden” on T.Y.A.R

2010-09-14T17:17:21Z

Amber’s tune plays on the Young and Restless, cowriten by Hugh Colocott & Adonis Tsilimparis

It’s a TIE!!

2010-08-02T14:23:57Z

Keep voting for next months free download to make sure YOURS breaks the tie.

Amber’s song on the only soap she watched growing up

2010-07-31T20:43:19Z

Check out “It’s Enough” (on music page) written by Amber Rhodes and Adonis Tsilimparis.

“Home” lands on New Season of 90210 DVD

2010-07-22T15:19:07Z

Check out the song “Home” (on music page) written by Amber Rhodes & Hugh Colocott.

This month’s FREE download & the story behind the song

2010-06-30T13:54:57Z

Although most of my songs are inspired by actual feelings and events that are going on in my life, “Surrender” was completely random. I still have no idea where it came from, but it ended up being one of my favorite songs on the record. Written with Noel Cohen, who has written songs for such artists as Vitamin C- Danielle Bollinger- Phyllis Hyman & The Weather Girls. If you know Noel, he can be a little tough when it comes to suggesting a bad song idea (in a good way of course). Needless to say, I was relieved when I brought “Surrender” in and he wanted to run with it. Originally, when I heard it in my head the verse melody was actually the chorus melody. When I listen to it now, that would have been SUCH a mistake!! That’s the beauty of co writing I guess. =) Good Job on this one Noel, and thanks to all who voted!

REVIEW: New Amber Rhodes CD…“Everything” you could want.

2010-03-04T18:48:50Z

After a fun run in the “Country Pop” world Amber, has written & produced a new CD of 10 tracks that range from Blues to Rock to Indie. Appropriately titled “Everything”, she has found a freedom in her writing that not only reflects her versatility as a writer but gives you a glimpse of someone whose depth goes far beyond the typical content matter of country songs. The 3 featured tunes on her site this month are selections from “Everything”. She purposely chose the 3 more “pop” influenced tunes to prepare her fans and loyal followers for the transition ahead. However, I doubt anyone will be disappointed. Though a departure from her usual, the catchy melodies and lyrical content that has always made her music addicting is still very prominent. Looks like I’m still hooked and if you weren’t already before, you’ll probably be too.

This month’s FREE download & the story behind the song

2009-12-01T18:00:39Z

It’s No Secret is presently the first and only song I’ve written with Nashville Songwriter Will Rambo. I remember we were scheduled to write a little after lunch time and while I was having one of my favorite salads at Dan McGuiness, a tune popped into my head that coincidentally ended up becoming the chorus to our little collaboration. I then started fiishing around on line for something to say and while reading an email from a friend one of the lines she had written said …“It’s no secret I”, etc etc etc. Although, I believe she was saying it’s no secret she didn’t care for someone, I thought the positive flip of that might be a cute idea. Fortunately for me, when I presented this idea to Will, he didn’t look at me like I had three heads. =) From there, the rest came pretty easily. He was a pleasure to work with and hopefully some day we’ll be able to offer you another song that will be one of your monthly favorites! Thanks for voting and enjoy!

Amber’s Song is Disney Christmas Movie

2009-11-19T00:34:30Z

“Sunday Morning” was a tune originally written for a coffee commercial so imagine my surprise when I got the call saying it had made it into a Disney movie?!? The movie is “Santa Buddies” and it is available for DVD purchase NOW! With Christmas approaching it would make a great gift for any youngster in your family. Shoot, I’m grown and I’m gonna buy one, so watch and listen and chances are you’ll hear my tune. (It’s in there twice. =)) Happy Holidays!

This month’s FREE download & the story behind the song

2009-11-03T17:25:44Z

Over the years, I have been fortunate enough to travel to Los Angeles with the soul purpose of writing & making good music. While I was there I have had the opportunity to write with some major players such as Jeff Silbar, (wrote Bette Midlers “Wind Beneath My Wings) Randy Sharp (“Then What” by Clay walker) & Mia Sharp (“Home” by The Dixie Chicks) etc. Amongst these talented people was Andrew Rollins. “I“ll Get Better At This“ is currently the first and only song I’ve written with Andrew and if I get the opportunity to do it again, (hopefully I will) I can only hope it goes as smoothly as the first time. =)
Before we got together, Andrew called me with a song idea. This is always MUCH appreciated by me because it offers up a starting point on which to build a song instead of just winging it once you get there. He says “ Amber, how about the idea I’ll get better at this?” I said “OK, but what does “this” mean? Is “this” a relationship or the ability to chew with your mouth closed…what?” After he chuckled at my sarcasm (which I also much appreciate) he said, “I was thinking the “this” would mean getting over you.”
Well, once he said that it was pretty much a cake walk from there. We got together and knocked this song out in about one hour. He’d complete my thought. I’d complete his melody. Everything just made sense and clearly you guys think so too because it was your most voted song this month!! Thank you always for voting and enjoy!

Amber & Hugh November 7th

2009-10-13T20:12:31Z

Come check out the LAST show of the year with Amber Rhodes & Hugh Colocott in NYC!! There will be loads of brand new tunes and special guest appearances. The show is Saturday, November 7th @ 7pm at “Bar East” 1733 1st Ave (btwn 89th &90th) $10 door. If you’re in the area…come say “Howdy”.

Voting Continues

2009-10-05T19:48:57Z

We are extending the voting period for September’s tunes due to the fact that there was a TIE!! Not gonna tell you which one’s though =) so keep voting for your favorite and thank you always for stopping by.

This month’s FREE download & the story behind the song

2009-09-01T04:17:26Z

“Table Top Dancing” was inspired by the oh so famous tune “Save A Horse, Ride A Cowboy”. Now you might be wondering how my song relates in ANY way to the Big N Rich tune, but that’s why I write these little informative blogs. =)

Living in NYC we are one of the few American cities that get absolutely ZERO country music radio stations. I say “Big N Rich” and these New York folks think I’m calling them fat and sarcastic. However, somehow that song managed to penetrate the local bar scene here and became wildly popular. Girls would basically knock the bartenders down to dance on top of the bar once this song came over the speakers and I was all to pleased to see a country song gaining some legs in the Big Apple. Only issue…it’s a song sung by dudes, about dudes. Why are all of the bar “anthems” guy centered? Don’t you guys go out to meet GIRLS?!? Where’s the ladies drinkin jam? “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun” is great, but it’s gettin a bit old.

With that kinda tickling my thoughts, I got together with my good buddy Hugh Colocott and said “I want to write a song for FEMALES that they can rock out to at their favorite watering hole; Just forget about the workweek and dance! A song that’s a little bit, Save A Horse, Ride A Cowboy meets Pour Some Sugar on Me.” After he looked at me like I had two heads, he shrugged his shoulders and said, “OK. Lets try it.” (Gotta Love Hugh.) The rest is your top voted song for this month’s free download. So put it in your IPod, grab a beverage and rock out!!

This month’s FREE download & the story behind the song

2009-07-31T04:51:58Z

“Another Round” was written by myself and a talented man by the name of Larry Wayne Clark. This was the first song we ever wrote together and it seemed to happen as easy as breathing.
I was in Nashville at the time, having two a day writing sessions and I remember thinking…“I have no idea what I’m going to write about with Larry. My brain is fried!” However, once he showed up and started tinkering away on his guitar I was suddenly inspired. I started thinking about double meaning phrases. Example: You can have a second round in a fight or a second round of drinks. Right?
Once I threw that idea out there, Larry ran with it. He fine tuned it by implying that “buying another round” meant giving love a second chance. BRILLIANT! I remember after writing this song how excited I was about it. My enthusiasm was taken to a whole new level after it was recorded. Lari White, who is most known for her smash country singles “That’s My Baby” and “That’s How You Know (When You’re In Love)”, hired the best of the best to play on this song and it really has a kind of happy, drunken vibe that really compliments the message. At least I think so. =) Thank you guys for voting. Enjoy the tune!

Live Review Amber Rhodes w/ Hugh Colocott The Underscore, NYC 7/11/09

2009-07-15T17:50:43Z

By Brian Gilmore

Elbow room was at a premium, and the bar three deep, for Saturday’s showcase of a bright singer-songwriter—a radio-ready Kentucky girl (via the West Village) whose ten song set ranged from soaring to bittersweet and back again.

Rhodes, a finalist for American Idol’s songwriting competition in 2008, is an engaging presence, with a quick wit and quicker smile that nearly distracts from her grounding as a careful craftsman. Along with co-writer, guitarist and vocalist Hugh Colocott, himself no onstage slouch, the two have built an impressive collection of country pop songs, each written with an ear for the single. With Colocott taking the lead on one set highlight, “All I Want,” a brooding Mexican rocker that featured guest guitarist Noel Cohen, Rhodes carried sunny opener “We All Can Dream” and “Don’t,” a breakup ballad set in the moment just before the break. Together they’ve found a smart presentation for Rhodes’s blonde ambitions—and it’s a fool who bets against this sparkling talent.