Billboard Exclusive: Don't Close Your Eyes (Ashamed Remix) with Kxng Crooked and Jonathan Hay by Jonathan Hay published on 2015-06-30T21:18:34Z The demo version of "Don't Close Your Eyes (Ashamed Remix)" that is a Billboard exclusive. Billboard Link: http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/the-juice/6613220/kxng-crooked-truth-ali-keith-whitley-birthday-exclusive Producer Jonathan Hay decided to pay tribute to the late singer with "Don't Close Your Eyes (Ashamed Remix)," a mashup that features Keith Whitley's 1988 single "Don't Close Your Eyes" alongside verses from Kxng Crooked and Truth Ali. "I feel the rap verses really capture the emotional torment of the original," Hay tells Billboard. Single: Don't Close Your Eyes (Ashamed Remix) Artists: Kxng Crooked, Truth Ali, Morgan McRae, Jonathan Hay Produced By: Jonathan Hay Record Label: Urban Hitchcock Executive Produced by: Jonathan Hay and Mike Smith Genre Billboard Comment by D.B. Dickerson @jonathanhaycelebrity: No problem. It's the kind of tune you can really put your ear to the stereo and feel the depth that went into its creation. I take pride that I engineer all of my own material so I can spot a good mix when I hear one. This is top notch. Inspiring. I also relate to the songs content outside of the wonderful production. :-) 2015/09/08 00:09:41 +0000 Comment by Jonathan Hay @dormanbenton: wow! thanks awesome. thanks for the amazing feedback. :) 2015/09/04 02:08:48 +0000 Comment by D.B. Dickerson @jonathanhaycelebrity: Listening again I like how her voice is in the beginning of the demo. I believe it would work on the published version too. I think her voice in the beginning creates a story that she is going through hard times just like the male vocal is. I like her subtlety. My previous comment was over thought, please disregard. I do prefer the final product because of the fidelity. They both work well. I personally liked the boy band feel at the end because you did it in a cool way. 2015/09/03 08:15:15 +0000 Comment by D.B. Dickerson @jonathanhaycelebrity: The official cut has subtleties in the mix that really amp up delivery. The published version does have a louder master where back-up vocals are hidden here. They are subtle but important. The female backup on hook make things sound BIGGER! This just has less of that. The vocals in unison (on hook) work well with a demo but the female emphasis (on the official) add yin to the yang. Loved the bang at the end of the other too. The official is more polished but I like demos too. This has been on straight repeat with me on my phone. Nice to hear from you :-) Rarely does a song hit me like this tune. Thank YOU! :-) 2015/09/02 21:03:05 +0000 Comment by Jonathan Hay @dormanbenton: thanks man. I really appreciate it. This is only the demo too. Listen to the other one and tell me which one you like more. :) 2015/09/02 00:05:48 +0000 Comment by D.B. Dickerson It's music like this that truly inspires me as an artist. Thanks for the wonderful song. Grabbed it on Google Play the day it dropped. The production is SO SMOOTH! 2015/09/01 20:31:48 +0000
