Author Archives: HaleighT

About HaleighT

HaleighT grew up in rural Sallisaw, Oklahoma, completely immersed in the country music lifestyle. She works with CMNB as our field assignment journalist, gathering concert reviews and exclusive interviews from every artist she can. When she's not out on the road, she's in our web studio filming "Takin' a Break With HaleighT" a short weekly opinion and news segment that launched in 2011.

Josh Abbott Band Small Town Family Dream Album Review

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The Small Town Family Dream According To The Josh Abbott Band! The Josh Abbott Band recently released their album, Small Town Family Dream. Not only is it the title to track number 12, it is also a very fitting title for the compilation of the songs on this album. “I’ll Sing About Mine” not so subtly calls out songs like “She Thinks My Tractors Sexy” for singing about everyday tasks that seem to be glamorized by those who aren’t actually performing them. “She Will Be Free” is a sweet, not-so-slow song about a very strong woman who obviously has a very special place in a man’s heart. “Touch” is the follow up to JAB’s very popular, very racy “Taste.” It is also the band’s current single. “Idalou,” “My Texas,” “Dallas Love,” “Matagorda Bay” are all songs about Texas, which is a common theme in JAB music. “Hell’s Gates On Fire” is about the devastating fires that ripped through Texas last year. “Rain Finally Coming Down” has a classic lovers theme with plenty of fiddle that JAB is known for. The title track, “Small Town Family Dream” is almost the exact opposite of fellow Texas-country band the Casey Donahew Band’s “Double Wide Dream.” Both a great songs, but STFD is more of a white picket fence version, so sweet. I love it! As I believe this album will be a huge hit with Texans, I also believe it is a solid album that anyone can appreciate! Heck…I do and I’m from Oklahoma! Below is the track listing for the album and below that is the official music video for “Touch!” Small Town Family Dream Track Listing 1. Idalou 2. I’ll Sing About Mine 3. Touch 4. She Will Be Free 5. Hotty Toddy 6. FFA 7. Flatland Farmer 8. My Texas (feat. Pat Green) 9. Dallas Love 10. Hell’s Gates On Fire 11. Rain Finally Coming Down 12. Small Town Family Dream 13. Matagorda Bay

Turnpike Troubadour Goodbye Normal Street Album Review

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Turnpike Troubadour’s Goodbye Normal Street Keeps You Wanting More. Goodbye Normal Street is the Turnpike Troubadours third studio album. The band has been getting a lot of attention the past few years, winning awards and being exposed to fans simply by word of mouth. They have a sound like no other and it is definitely working for them. All eleven songs on this album were written by one or more members of the band. This record has a very honest, edgy, sound that is provided by some very talented musicians. I normally save this line for the end (only when I truly agree with it), but if you haven’t already I suggest you go and buy this album! I have to say that every song in this grouping makes me either want to dance or sit up late drinking. Take that as you may… “Gin, Smoke, Lies” is the band’s current single and has a bit of a dark, you-can’t-get-things-past-me feeling to it. It’s no B.S. and I dig it! I would say “Wrecked” is currently my favorite song on the album, with “Quit While I’m Ahead” coming in at a close second! “Call A Spade A Spade” has one of the best lines in a song that I have heard in a long time “everything’s so easy, up until its complicated.” This song, in my opinion has a classic, honky-tonk vibe to it. Songs like “Blue Star” and “Good Lord Lorrie” leave me wanting to know the back-story to them, I feel like they are good ones. I think this album can easily relate to many generations and here’s why…One day my grandma was in the car with me when “Empty As A Drum” came on my playlist. The first line was said and she gave me a look and said “what is this?” with a not-so-happy look on her face. By the end of the song she was slightly swaying and said “it has a good beat.” Now if you knew her you would know that is a huge compliment. So as I said before, go get this album! It gets an A+ from me and my lovely grandma! Goodbye Normal Street Track Listing 1. Gin Smoke & Lies – Even Felker 2. Before The Devil Knows We’re Dead – Felker, RC Edwards 3. Southeastern Son – Felker 4. Blue Star – Felker 5. Call A Spade A Spade – Felker, Jamie Wilson 6. Morgan Street – Edwards 7. Gone, Gone, Gone – Felker 8. Good Lord Lorrie – Felker 9. Empty As A Drum – Felker 10. Wrecked – Felker, Edwards 11. Quite While I’m Ahead – Felker

Colt Ford Congratulates Jason Aldean

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Colt Ford Congratulates His Friend Jason Aldean On Winning Award! Average Joe’s Entertainment’s Colt Ford was proud as could be as news broke of his buddy Jason Aldean and his smash hit “Dirty Road Anthem” being named “Top Country Song” at the 2012 Billboard Music Awards. Ford co-wrote the multi-platinum single for Jason Aldean in 2011. “I am still amazed by how big this song really is. I don’t think anyone could be more proud of Jason than I am. He deserves every award they have to offer. I wrote this song with my buddy Brantley and now I have seen my friend Jason take it to one of the biggest songs in the world. It doesn’t get much better than that.” -Colt Ford Fans of Dirt Road Anthem can bid to win their chance to sing the award-winning song with Colt Ford on stage at the Country Weekly Kick-Off Party, Tuesday, June 5 at the Hard Rock Cafe in Nashville. Bidding is currently online at www.charitybuzz.com with proceeds to benefit Musicians On Call.

Jerrod Niemann Shinin’ On Me Video

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The Official Music Video For Jerrod Niemann’s “Shinin’ On Me.” “Shinin’ On Me” is Jerrod Niemann’s latest single and it’s a good one! Every time I hear it I want to turn it up real loud and roll my windows down and let my hands fly in the wind while I’m driving down the road! The song is great and the video just again shows me how much I would love to party with this man! He seems like he knows how to have a good time and one of those people who will help you out with your ab workout because he will keep you laughing! Watch the video now!

Miranda Lambert On The Cover Of Self Magazine

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Miranda Lambert Graces The Cover Of Self Magazine! Miranda Lambert is on the cover of the June edition of Self Magazine! The country singer tells about her fitness and health routine and admits that she is no size 0. She tells the magazine that she is happiest with herself when she is a “toned, not flabby size 8!” Lambert who has been known to call herself a “beer drinkin’, hell raisin’, deer killin’, chicken fried steak eatin’ chick” tells the magazine that she won’t give up the things she loves to be stick-thin. Be sure and get your copy of the magazine and read all about our East Texas superstar!

Kenny Chesney On The Cover Of Men’s Health Magazine

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Kenny Chesney Graces The Cover Of The June Men’s Health Magazine. Kenny Chesney will be on the cover of June’s edition of Men’s Health magazine. Inside he shares his year-round training plan for getting through the 2-hour concerts on tour this summer for his new album, Welcome To The Fishbowl. “You think you are sprinting on this treadmill. When I’m up there it’s like I’m at a constant sprint on level 15. But the thing you have onstage that you don’t have in the gym is adrenaline.” -Chesney Check Out The Cover of Men’s Health! Chesney was also named the fittest man in country last summer by Men’s Health. “It’s a big misconception that all I do is sing and write songs and sit on the beach. It’s really not true.”-Chesney You can read the full story on Chesney online! You can also learn how he keeps in shape by reading about hisworkout routine! *Photo Credit (for interior shot featured above): Ture Lillegraven*

Salute The Troops Red Carpet Parade

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Country Music Fans Invited To Help Welcome Home Soldiers At Red Carpet Event! Most red carpet arrivals feature tuxes, sequined gowns and world-famous celebrities. The red carpet leading to the Grand Ole Opry House next Tuesday is set to feature soldiers’ uniforms and American heroes. Country music fans from Nashville and across the country are invited to say “thank you” to the men and women of the U.S. military during a red carpet arrival of members of the Tennessee National Guard at the Tuesday Night Opry May 22. The public is invited to be a part of the arrival and celebration at 6:00 pm. The evening’s Opry performances – a salute to the military featuring John Conlee, Ronnie Milsap, Montgomery Gentry, Kellie Pickler, Rascal Flatts, Mark Wills and more – beings at 7:00 pm. “We are excited about welcoming country superstars to our stage and our country’s heroes to our House Tuesday night. We’re just as pleased to give country fans an opportunity to show their appreciation to our men and women in uniform as they arrive at the Opry House.” – Pete Fisher, Opry House Vice President and General Manager Clips from the red carpet arrival and performances from the night will air as the premiere 90-minute episode of “Noteworthy at the Opry” on GAC Saturday, May 26 at 9:00 pm ET.

Rodney Atkins He’s Mine Video

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The Official Music Video For Rodney Atkins’ “He’s Mine.” Rodney Atkins’ latest single, “He’s Mine” has been a hit with the fathers and sons of the country music world. The song can be found on his fourth studio album, Take A Back Road and is the follow up to “Take A Back Road.” First I want to say that I am a fan of the song. It’s one of those that you find yourself singing along to in the car and then have it stuck in your head for a few hours. But…I have to say one thing about it that i find odd. Although I’m glad that this is a song about having pride in your son, I find it weird that there isn’t a line somewhere that says “Yeah he’s mine and I’m gonna’ take him to the back and whip him.” It’s not that I condone child abuse or anything like that, but come on…the kid was caught “shootin’ beer bottles” AND “smokin’.” Plus the kid was disrespectful by not even speaking to the old man…I’m just saying. Either way I do like the song and the video is great too! Watch it here now! He’s Mine – Rodney Atkins – Rodney Atkins Videos

Happy Birthday George Strait

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Wishing King George A Very Special Birthday! Today, May 18, is the one and only George Strait’s birthday! It is hard to beleive that this country music superstar is 60 years old today! He has achieved a lot of things in his life, career and personal, and we hope that he keeps doing what he’s been doing for many years to come! Here is a look back at Strait’s younger days with his classic hit “Amarillo By Morning.” I’d say he’s still looking good! HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Thank you for wearing your Wranglers the way you do and standing behind the mic, playing your guitar and bobbing your head along while you sing!