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.

Getting To Know Brent Cobb

For Those Of You Who Haven’t Had The Pleasure…This Is Brent Cobb! Mushroom Country…now I’m not describing an area behind the house where you can find some Morels to fry up…I’m talking about a term used to describe Brent Cobb’s style of music! Curious as to what that might be? Well, last week I spoke a little with the Ellaville, Georgia boy to figure it out for myself. First of all, the boy can write! The first time I heard one of his songs I loved the instrumental side, but as soon as I started to listen to the words I was grinning from ear to ear. The lyrics that he comes up with are very honest and have a fantastic flow. I have had “I’ve Been Known,” one of his more recent singles, stuck in my head for about 5 days straight and I strongly suggest you take a listen! Cobb recorded his first album, No Place Left To Leave, with Shooter Jennings and his band The 357’s. It was released in 2006 and had some great things come from it. “Bar, Guitar and a Honky Tonk Crowd” was a part of this album and later was recorded by Whiskey Myers. The title track, “No Place To Leave,” has that steel sound (which I love!) and reminds me a lot of something Dwight Yoakam would do (again, I love!). “Butterfly” has more of an edge to it, but easily manages to keep a country feel. Cobb really has a gift and a passion in the writing department, he said he could write songs all day and all night long, it just comes natural. Not only does he write killer songs for himself, but he loves doing it for other people! Luke Bryan’s “Tailgate Blues,” Kellie Pickler’s “Rockaway” and Eli Young Band’s “Go Outside & Dance” are just a few of Cobb’s creations. There is no doubt that his family was some of the biggest influences when it comes to his music. Being only 5 or 6 years old, he remembers watching his Daddy and Uncle writing a song, “Country Bound,” one Christmas in Cleveland, OH. His dad being from the south and his mom from the north, and the mixture of those two lifestyles has created a fine example of “Rural Music” and put simply, a talented artist. If you hear that he is going to be in your neck of the woods, do yourself a favor and catch a Brent Cobb show! Trust me, they are a blast! Be looking for some more information on his spring/summer plans (touring wise) in the near future! And don’t forget, you can find No Place Left To Leave on iTunes now!

Carrie Underwood New Album

Carrie Underwood Set To Release Her New Album In May! Carrie Underwood is set to release her brand new album Tuesday, May 1. Produced by Mark Bright, the forthcoming album was featured in Entertainment Weekly’s recent “10 albums we can’t wait for.” This will be the fourth studio album on 19 Recordings/Arista Nashville for the five-time Grammy winner. The debut single co-written by Underwood, “Good Girl,” will be to country radio on February 23. Underwood is pretty busy this month with CMT’s Crossroads with Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler, an appearance at the 54th Annual Grammy Awards, Country Radio Seminar in Nashville, a performance at the Nordstrom Nashville Symphony Fashion Show and the digital release of “Good Girl.” We hope she enjoys all of her upcoming events and gets plenty of rest!

Rascal Flatts The American Band Tour

Rascal Flatts Announce Their New Tour, The American Band Tour. Rascal Flatts announced that they will launch a brand new tour beginning this summer, June 15. The American Band Tour will feature an all band set-up with Little Big Town, Eli Young Band and Edens Edge opening. “We are always looking for new ways to re-energize our live shows. We thought bringing these bands, whom are among some of our favorite vocal groups, would make a great night of entertainment!” -Jay DeMarcus of Rascal Flatts The American Band Tour Dates: 6-15 Hartford, CT Comcast Theatre 6-16 Boston, MA Comcast Center 6-23 Washington DC Jiffy Lube Live 6-24 Virginia Beach, VA Farm Bureau Live 6-29 Cleveland, OH Blossom Music Center 6-30 Darien Center, NY Darien Lakes Performing Arts Center 7-6 Bangor, ME Bangor Waterfront Pavilion 7-13 Dallas, TX Superpages.com Center** 7-14 Houston, TX Woodlands Pavilion** 7-20 Detroit, MI DTE Energy Music Theater 7-22 Cincinnati, OH Riverbend Music Center 7-27 St. Louis, MO Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre 7-28 Chicago, IL First Midwest Bank Amp. 8-9 Charlotte, NC Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre 8-10 Raleigh, NC Time Warner Cable Music Center 8-11 Philadelphia, PA Susquehanna Bank Center 8-31 Indianapolis, IN Klipsch Music Center 9-1 Pittsburgh, PA First Niagara Pavilion tba Mountain View, CA Shoreline Amphitheatre tba San Diego, CA Cricket Wireless Amphitheatre tba Atlanta, GA Lakewood Amphitheatre tba Tampa, FL 1-800-ASK-GARY Amphitheatre tba W Palm Beach, FL Cruzan Amphitheatre **Thompson Square will replace Eli Young Band.

Amy Dalley New Album Coming Soon

Amy Dalley Is Set To Release Her New Album In March. Amy Dalley is set to release her new album, Coming Out Of The Pain, March 27. This is the Nashville-based country singer/songwriter’s second full length album and combines classic pop-country with the edge of heartland rock. The album was produced by Dalley and husband/engineering/writing partner Jack Sizemore, who is a member of Jason Aldean’s band, and New Voice Entertainment. “This album is just a natural evolution of my own maturity and growth. I think it sounds very me, yet edgier. I really love the songs. In my musical career, I feel happy now. I feel like I’m doing what I’m supposed to be doing and what I should have been doing all along. That means taking the reins and being in control of my future in music.” -Dalley Dalley has been a performer since childhood in Kingsport, TN and got her pro start performing at the Dollywood amusement park. In 1994 she relocated to Nashville and formed the national touring group, the Hillbilly Gypsies. Later she landed a deal with Hamstein Music, getting her song “Dream Too Small” on an episode of Dawson’s Creek. In 2003 Dalley signed with Curb Records and released some successful singles, her highest-charting being “Men Don’t Change.” Curb never released the full-length album and in 2008 Dalley left the label. Dalley plans to tour actively in 2012 in support of Coming Out Of The Pain.

Hearts Across Texas Album

Hearts Across Texas Album Available In Time For Valentine’s Day! The Hearts Across Texas album is a collection of love songs by various artists and bands including Whiskey Myers, Jack Ingram and Roger Creager. Most of the songs are what you might call Texas Country or Red Dirt, but all are fabulous! The album will be available for purchase starting February 7 (next Tuesday), which is just in time to give to your sweetheart on the candy and card filled holiday! If you are a fan of any of these guys then this album is a perfect addition to your collection! If you are just curious about this style of music in general, then again, this is perfect for you to get a taste of what they have to offer! Hearts Across Texas Track List 1. Leather and Lace – Elizabeth Cook and Aaron Watson 2. She’s Like Texas – Josh Abbott Band 3. Let Me Love You – Casey Donahew Band 4. Miss You – Jack Ingram 5. May Not Be Love – Jason Boland & The Stragglers 6. Every Girl – Turnpike Troubadours 7. Lucky Ones – Bonnie Bishop 8. Love Is Crazy – Roger Creager 9. Saved By Love – Chris Knight 10. Freeze Frame Time – Brandon Rhyder 11. Best Mistake I Ever Made – Kevin Fowler 12. Virginia – Whiskey Myers

Craig Morgan NRA Country Artist Of The Month

Craig Morgan Has Been Named NRA Country’s February Artist of The Month. Craig Morgan, who served 10 years in the U.S. Army before launching his career as a country music singer, has been declared the NRA Country Artist of the Month for February. Many of the country music’s biggest stars including Trace Adkins, Lee Brice, Montgomery Gentry and Justin Moore have joined the “This Is NRA Country” movement celebrating their love of our U.S. military, appreciation for the great outdoors and the love of family. “As someone who has served alongside the brave men and women of our Armed Forces, I have a huge sense of pride in what this country stands for and what our freedom means. As many service men and women make their way home and reunite with family, we are here to give them support and encouragement along with our gratitude. I am Craig Morgan and I am NRA Country.” After his ten years in the army, Morgan also completed another nine years in the reserves. He continues to support our troops through multiple overseas tours of military installations and back at home with more than fifteen Jack Daniel’s Toast To The Troops USO care package packing parties and free concerts for families remaining stateside. February’s artist of the month promotion gives fans the opportunity to view a personal video message from Morgan along with clips from a recent Ranger Challenge competition from Ft. Benning, Georgia. The exclusive video can be found at www.NRACountry.com! In addition to the video clip, fans can register to win an autographed acoustic guitar and a signed copy of Morgan’s soon to be released (February 28) This Ole Boy. Click HERE from now through the end of February to enter to win!

Chris Young Earns 5th #1 Single

Chris Young Has Earned His 5th Consecutive #1 Single! Chris Young has had a great deal of deserving success in the recent months. He has been nominated for Male Vocalist of the year and Single Record of the year for his hit, “Tomorrow,” for the 47th annual Academy of Country Music Awards. Young has joined ACM Awards co-host and “The Voice” star Blake Shelton as one of only two solo artists to top Billboard’s Hot Country Song chart with their five most recent singles as “You” surges to the top this week. “I am ecstatic! I’ve been excited for each #1 and to have five in a row feels amazing.” -Young “You” was written by Young with Luke Laird, is the follow up to his #1 smash “Tomorrow” from his highly acclaimed third album NEON, which opened at #4 on the Billboard Top 200 in July of 2011. The song has racked up over 350,000 downloads. The singer/songwriter’s four previous chart toppers include “Tomorrow,” “Gettin’ You Home,” “Voices” and the title track to his 2009 gold certified sophomore album, The Man I Want To Be. Catch Young on tour with his labelmate, Miranda Lambert, on her On Fire tour!

Craig Campbell On AOL’s In House

Craig Campbell Taped His AOL “In House” Session. On a recent trip to New York, Craig Campbell stopped by the AOL Studios to participate in their popular music series, “In House.” It is an original web series where AOL Music welcomes an artist to the office for an interview, live performance, photo shoot and chill session with the staff. Campbell has the honor of being the first ever country artist to be featured in the program. You can check out his visit HERE!

Montgomery Gentry Where I Come From Music Video

Montgomery Gentry Music Video For “Where I Come From.” I don’t know how we missed this…but here it is! Montgomery Gentry came out with a new album, Rebels On The Run, in the fall of 2011. “Where I Come From” is the first single from the album and is quite a catchy tune. The video mostly features some soldiers in action, with some hometown flashbacks and shots of the band. I think the song is great, but I’d like to know what your thoughts are. So don’t be shy…watch then comment below!

Tim McGraw Emotional Traffic Review

The Amount Of EMOTION In This Album Is Bountiful! Tim McGraw’s latest album, Emotional Traffic was released earlier this week. It has been awhile since we have heard a new full album from this guy, but it was worth the wait. There are few songs that could probably cross over to maybe a soft rock genre, but for the most part it still has a country vibe. The first track on the album “Halo” is one of my favorites! It is so raw, outspoken and real. There is no holding back in this song and it seems like more and more artists are getting to this point. People complain that country music isn’t what it use to be, well with lyrics like this I’d say it is coming back around to the roots sooner than you might think. First comes the message, next is the sound…I have hope! “Right Back Atcha Babe” is a light and fun song, but every time I hear it I imagine myself driving around town, drinking a slush with the windows down…seriously. I really like this song, plus I love to say “right back atcha” as many times a day as I can. “The One” kind of makes me think of “BBQ Stain,” classic Tim! “Better Than I Used To Be” is a current single of McGraw’s and it is a solid, honest song! It’s one of those songs that I can’t get out of my head here lately and I know that it has a lot of country music fans relating to it. “Felt Good On My Lips” was released to radio in 2011 and had such a descriptive story to it. If a song can make you picture the exact scenario, well I’d say you’ve got a hit on your hands (and he did)! As a twist, the pop/R&B singer, Ne-Yo joins McGraw on “Only Human.” It wasn’t my favorite, but I didn’t hate it either, so I’ll let you decide on that one. However, I did take a liking to “Die By My Own Hand.” To me, it is a classic, country, coulda, shoulda, woulda, but didn’t love song. Of course there can never be another “Just To See You Smile,” “Live Like You Were Dying,” or “Don’t Take The Girl,” but there might be some songs just as “impactful” as those in this album. Take a listen for yourself and see what you think, you might find yourself a new favorite that you will be singing for years to come! Emotional Traffic Track Listing 1. Halo 2. Right Back Atcha Babe 3. One Part, Two Part 4. I Will Not Fall Down 5. The One 6. Better Than I Used To Be 7. Touchdown Jesus 8. The One That Got Away 9. Felt Good On My Lips 10. Hey Now 11. Only Human 12. Die By My Own Hand