Gloriana, a co-ed four-part harmony group that will serve as the opening act on Taylor Swift’s 2009 tour, has found an unlikely champion in country legend Ray Price. Although Price, an octogenarian Opry star and Country Music Hall of Famer, has been a harsh critic of the pop-driven sounds that have come to dominate the country airwaves in recent years, even he cannot resist the charming, harmonious bit of ear candy that is the band’s debut single “Wild at Heart,” currently sitting pretty at #47 on the singles chart.
“This song is fantastic. I think this Gloriana really has the right idea. Sometimes you just want music that makes you feel good. In such trying economic times, that’s a cause we can all get behind!” said Price, sporting a Gloriana t-shirt and dozens of Gloriana friendship bracelets in an assortment of colors. “I never realized what a toll singing all those sad country songs had taken on me until I felt that weight blown from my shoulders by the breezy, infectious sounds of ‘Wild at Heart.’ I feel born anew and want nothing more than to spend the rest of my days tanning in the sunny disposition of future hits by this promising and entirely original new act.”
Price reportedly learned to use the computer for the express purpose of joining Gloriana’s street team and posting insulting messages on fansites devoted to competing acts Little Big Town and Lady Antebellum. His latest such post, “lady A sux,” has received 218 replies in the past week. Although a few other Gloriana fans have chimed in to echo his sentiments, the bulk of the replies contend that Price is “rood” and “shudn’t even be posting hear if u don’t like lady a.” Undaunted, Price plans to post a new message to Little Big Town’s fansite tonight.
Price’s new obsession will also become a new musical direction when he heads into the studio with producer Dann Huff later this month. Gloriana’s Rachel Reinart and Cheyenne Kimball will provide harmony vocals.
Ray Price has his picture made with his new favorite band.
Brilliant!