Keifer and Shawna Thompson take you through their collection of guitars and more. Thompson Square has a little fun telling the story behind each of their guitars in this final installment of “Married to the Music”. Country Music Photo Gallery
Powerful vocalist Melanie Denard makes her CMNB debut! Melanie Denard is about to punch country music right in the gut with her powerful voice, then cure the pain with her pure sweetness. This Georgia native is a newcomer to the mainstream country music industry, and she’s finding more and more welcome mats at every doorstep. Get to know Melanie Denard as she talks about her debut album “Dare to Live”. [youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9rMkNOi3DiI]Country Music Photo Gallery
Country, Country Pop Rock, Country, Classic Country, Oldies, Nostalgia or Country, Top 40, Pop? If you use iTunes to purchase / organize your music, you may be familiar with the Genre column which allows you to assign a song as a particular Genre to assist in categorizing, sorting or creating playlists for your music. iTunes has 39 Genres available to choose from, including None, Custom and Unclassifiable (?), but what struck me as interesting is that there are 4 Genres for Country – the only Genre with more that 1 Genre choice. These Genres include “Country”, “Country Pop Rock”, “Country, Classic Country, Oldies, Nostalgia” or “Country, Top 40, Pop”. Has Country music become so diversified musically that 4 Genres are necessary? Would Taylor Swift or Carrie Underwood be classified as Country Pop Rock or Country, Top 40, Pop? How about Lady Antebellum or Zac Brown Band? How about Jason Aldean? Blake Shelton? How would these artists be classified? Veterans like George Strait and Alan Jackson, who still come out with new releases but have a “classic sound”, are they just Country or “Country, Classic Country, Oldies, Nostalgia”? You would think with all these Genres it would make it easy to search for “Country Pop Rock” music within the iTunes store, but that is not the case. In fact the top result for that search is the band Big Country. Anyone have any thoughts or am I the only one confused by this? Keep it Country, Jim Nash V. Jim Nash V is a contributing writer with a passion for country music. Jim works to promote line dancing and country music in Long Island New York. For more on Jim, visit YeeHawLI.comCountry Music Photo Gallery
Mike McGuire, formerly of the hit band Shenandoah, releases 6-track solo debut. It’s been a while since someone played “Two Dozen Roses” on the radio, but Shenandoah‘s drummer Mike McGuire doesn’t mind. That’s because Mike has been writing songs and singing demos. While his songs have been recorded by big artists like Darryl Worley and Reba, it tTurns out, those demos are really where the good stuff happens. After much convincing from friends and fans, Mike McGuire has finally released his own 6-track solo debut. “Six Pack” celebrates a digital release on Amazon, iTunes, and other online retailers. There is no word on retail distribution at this time. “I never dreamed I’d be putting out my own solo project.”, says McGuire. “I’ve always just been a harmony singer and songwriter, but I had so many songwriter friends and Shenandoah fans encourage me to make my own CD because they had heard me singing my song demos and wanted copies. So I figured it would be fun to do and just did it.” Country Music Photo Gallery
Toby Keith shares the touring experience in Conversations From The Road on GAC. Toby Keith is everywhere on tv over the next few weeks promoting his latest release “Bullets In The Gun“, with the latest stop at GAC. Toby joins GAC host Nan Kelley to share some of his touring tidbits. Find out everything from how he picks touring partners to ways you can see Toby away from the big stage whether it’s on his motorcycle or with his special gigs under “Incognito Bandito”! For a preview of the show, visit GAC.com Fans can also still enter the Built Ford Tough American Ride Sweepstakes for the chance to win a weekend on tour with Toby, have use of their very own tour bus, backstage access, and a brand new 2011 Ford F-Series Truck! To enter visit: http://fordvehicles.emipowered.net/americanride/register/ And to pre-order Toby’s brand new album, Bullets in the Gun visit: http://amzn.to/aNTb4aCountry Music Photo Gallery
Carrie Underwood is back in action as she announces a stunning 47 fall tour dates to close out 2010! Carrie Underwood is heading back out on the road as she extends her 2010 Play On tour to 47 additional dates. Stops will include the legendary Hollywood Bowl and finish off in Calgary, Alberta. Adding a philanthropic element to the tour, Underwood will donate 36 cents of every ticket sold to Save the Children’s United States Programs. This initiative was inspired by the “36 cents” written in the lyrics of her album track “Change,” which addresses how even the smallest bit of spare change that one might have can add up to make a difference and help “change” the world. Special guests on the tour include Billy Currington, who is hot off the release of his new album “Enjoy Yourself” and Sons of Sylvia, who I personally believe will give Rascal Flatts a run for their money over the next few years. Fall 2010 Carrie Underwood “Play On Tour” dates: September 25 Portland, OR Rose Garden September 27 San Jose, CA HP Pavilion at San Jose September 28 Stockton, CA Stockton Arena September 29 Bakersfield, CA Rabobank Arena October 1 San Diego, CA San Diego Sports Arena October 2 Los Angeles, CA Hollywood Bowl October 3 Glendale, AZ jobing.com Arena October 6 Houston, TX Toyota Center October 7 San Antonio, TX AT&T Center October 9 Dallas, TX American Airlines Center October 10 Tulsa, OK BOK Center October 12 N. Little Rock, AR Verizon Arena October 13 Nashville, TN Bridgestone Arena October 15 Moline, IL i Wireless Center October 16 Kansas City, MO Sprint Center October 17 Omaha, NE Qwest Center October 19 Wichita, KS INTRUST Bank Arena October 20 Oklahoma City, OK Ford Center October 22 Memphis, TN FedExForum October 23 Mobile, AL Mobile Civic Center October 25 Tampa, FL St. Pete Times Forum October 26 Jacksonville, FL Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena October 27 Duluth, GA Arena at Gwinnett Center October 29 Greensboro, NC Greensboro Coliseum October 30 Charlotte, NC Time Warner Cable Arena November 1 Cleveland, OH Wolstein Center November 3 Toronto, ON Air Canada Centre November 5 Long Island, NY Nassau Coliseum November 6 Manchester, NH Verizon Wireless Arena November 12 Roanoke, VA Roanoke Civic Center November 13 University Park, PA Bryce Jordan Center November 15 Newark, NJ Prudential Center November 16 Baltimore, MD 1st Mariner Arena November 29 Auburn Hills, MI The Palace of Auburn Hills December 1 St. Louis, MO Chaifetz Arena December 2 Evansville, IN Roberts Stadium December 4 Des Moines, IA Wells Fargo Arena December 5 Sioux Falls, SD Sioux Falls Arena December 7 Rapid City, SD Rushmore Plaza Civic Center Ice Arena December 8 Casper, WY Casper Events Center December 10* Bismarck, ND Bismarck Civic Center December 12 Bozeman, MT Brick Breedan Fieldhouse December 14 Yakima, WA Yakima Valley SunDome December 15* Penticton, BC South Okanagan Events Centre December 16 Vancouver, BC Rogers Arena December 18 Edmonton, AB Rexall Place December 19 Calgary, AB Continue reading Carrie Underwood 2010 Fall Tour Dates
The Grand Ole Opry is giving away a trip for 4 to come celebrate their 85th birthday bash! Fans who sign up today for the COUNTRY COMES HOME SWEEPSTAKES could win a trip to the Grand Ole Opry‘s 85th Birthday Bash featuring performances by Trace Adkins, Dolly Parton, and more. Don’t wait — the contest ends THIS FRIDAY, September 24th! One Grand Prize Package includes: • Airfare for four to Nashville on Southwest Airlines • Two-night accommodations at the Radisson Hotel at Opryland • Tickets to the Opry Birthday Bash featuring Trace Adkins, Dolly Parton, and many more • Tickets to the Birthday concert, a salute to country comedy • A backstage tour of the newly re-opened Grand Ole Opry House • A commemorative poster The link below has all the information on the Opry’s 85th Birthday and re-opening of Opry House. Simply complete the entry form daily for a chance to win: http://www.opry.com/sweeps/CountryComesHome.html Country Music Photo Gallery
The Secret Sisters aren’t so secret anymore! With a classic sound and some serious celebrity encouragement, The Secret Sisters bring authenticity, chillingly great harmonies, and timeless appeal to their debut album. Legendary T Bone Burnett and Jack White (of The White Stripes/Raconteurs) are backing these ladies %110 as they break the cycle of digital mastering and magical autotune and instead just sing from the heart. Take a look! [youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iv83BELkZxg] You can sign up for a free download from the gals at TheSecretSistersBand.com. The Secret Sisters will be touring w/ T Bone Burnett, Neko Case, Elton John and more in The Speaking Clock Revue.Country Music Photo Gallery
Rascal Flatts breaks a timeless rule in their new video Why Wait. Rascal Flatts may get their “man cards” revoked, but apparently “what happens in Vegas…” is a rule that they really didn’t feel like living by in this new video for “Why Wait?” and we don’t mind at all! [youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_lgXQrqpOps]Country Music Photo Gallery
Dropkick Murphys extend their voice to assist underpaid and undervalued healthcare workers. It may not be country music, but somehow the Dropkick Murphys have displayed country values in their latest endeavor. Lending their wildly influential voices to a growing concern, the Boston punk rock icons have created a new music video/public service announcement to shed light on the fact that the majority of blue-collar health care workers can hardly afford healthcare for their own families. They struggle to earn enough to cover even the basic costs of living, and are currently in a fight to gain union rights most other industries take for granted. To learn more and find out how you can help, visit DropkickMurphys.com [youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Czep-cbwHec]
