Top Country Artists of 2012

Check Out The Complete List of The Top 20 Country Artists of 2012 via Billboard! The past year has definitely been an exciting one for country music with new music, lots of great tours and festivals, and old and new faces rising in the ranks! Newbies like AI alumn Scotty McCreery and Hunter Hayes had great years, and artists we’ve known and loved for some time like Blake Shelton, Lady Antebellum, Kenny Chesney and so many more also did really well in 2012! We’re especially proud to see CMNB favorites like Zac Brown Band, Eric Church, and Jason Aldean and Miranda Lambert in the Top 20! See the complete list below, and tell us who you’re happy to see and who you think is missing! Top 20 Country Artists for 2012! 1. Taylor Swift 2. Jason Aldean 3. Luke Bryan 4. Lady Antebellum 5. Carried Underwood 6. Eric Church 7. Zac Brown Band 8. Blake Shelton 9. Toby Keith 10. Kenny Chesney 11. The Band Perry 12. Tim McGraw 13. Miranda Lambert 14. Rascal Flatts 15. Lionel Richie 16. Lee Brice 17. Hunter Hayes 18. Scotty McCreery 19. Brantley Gilbert 20. Little Big Town Check out the remaining Top 50 Country Artists on Billboard.

Meet the Moonshine Bandits: Interview

Meet New On The Scene, Duo Moonshine Bandits – Exclusive Interview! Take some Johnny Cash and add little bit of the Beastie Boys, and you have The Moonshine Bandits! Although, you can’t really compare them to anyone because obviously, they are in a lane all to itself. Tex & Bird are two California boys just trying to make a name for themselves in the world of music. What genre you ask? Well, it’s safe to say they’re avoiding labels and have decided to do things their own way. Their music is country with a hip hop flavor, and that’s just how they like it. Their video “My Kind Of Country” made it to the #1 spot on CMT, and the fellas have also reached the No. 65 spot on the Country Billboard charts. I refer to their music as “cali country” or “country hip hop.”, I enjoy it because I feel it’s real. They’re just being who they want to be. They work hard and play even harder, and that’s heard in most of their music. So, I decided to ask the boys a few questions so we can get to know them better, check it out below. How do you know each other? We went to high school together in a small town called Los Banos, California. What genre do you consider yourself? There is no genre for our style of music……Yet. How long have you been performing together? Since 1999 we started performing at house parties and country parties. How many tattoos do you have? Way too many to count. We have a sponsorship deal with Dos Changos Locos Tattoo in Modesto, California. Whenever we find free time, we pop in there and they hook us up. They have very talented artists and they are like family to us. What do you usually do in your free time? We bbq, spend time with our familiy or visit our Shiners Bar we just opened. We don’t have much free time really. What artists influenced you growing up? Beastie Boys, Kid Rock, Johnny Cash, a lot of West Coast Hiphop as well. Is there anything you want the world to know about the Moonshine Bandits? Yes, there is a huge family that is growing world wide and it’s known as Shiner Nation. It’s a group of loyal people that has helped our career crush obstacles and we are forever grateful for them. Come join the Shiner Nation family and see that the hype will become a reality for you as well. The Moonshine Bandits are nothing short of rowdy outlaws that like to party! So, for all you party animals out there be sure to join Shiner Nation at www.moonshinebandits.com. If you haven’t had a chance to check out their music, I would totally recommend it. It’s wild, crazy and has plenty of personality! Watch their video for “My Kind Of Country” below, and hear for yourself. Moonshine Bandits, “My Kind Of Country” Official Video.

JB And The Moonshine Band-Kiss Me That Way Lyric Video

The Lyric Video For JB & The Moonshine Band’s “Kiss Me That Way.” Here is the lyric video for JB & The Moonshine Band’s current single, “Kiss Me That Way.” The song comes from their sophomore album, Beer For Breakfast. The song is a sweet one and can easily get stuck in your head. JBMB is currently running a contest over on their siteto go along with the single. All you have to do is enter some information and upload a picture of you and your significant other. Once you have done that you will be entered to win merchandise, tickets, meet & greets and more! Enjoy the lyric video for now and if you haven’t, pick up your copy of Beer For Breakfast. If you already have it, grab one for a Christmas present!

Matt Stillwell Makes Christmas Eve Appearance

Matt Still Appears On Fox & Friends On Christmas Eve. Matt Stillwell will be appearing live on Fox & Friends to premiere his Christmas single, “Our Christmas,” from the new holiday album Muddy Christmas. The performance will air on the FOX News Channel on Monday, December 24. Stillwell will sing a second song for online viewers of Fox & Friends “After The Show Show” segment, but has not yet revealed which holiday classic he will perform. He is leaving that song choice up to his fans. Stillwell tweeted and asked followers what their favorite Christmas song was. “I have a few of my favorites I’d like to sing, but I thought it would be fun to find out what my fans would like to hear on Christmas Eve. I have to say, my fans do have good taste. I have not decided yet, so guess everyone will have to tune in and see!” Stillwell recently signed with new management, Rusted Truck Ranch, and has lots to look forward to in the New Year with album plans in the works.

Craig Campbell To Sing At Packers Game

Craig Campbell Will Be Singing The National Anthem At The Green Bay Packers Game This Sunday. Craig Campbell will be singing the National Anthem this Sunday, December 23 at Lambeau Field. This will happen before the Packers take on the Tennessee Titans. CBS will air the game from Lambeau Field at 12:00pm CST. Campbell recently released his Outta My Head EP which includes brand new songs from his upcoming sophomore album plus his newest hit single “Outta My Head.” The Outta My Head EP is available everywhere digital music is sold and an exclusive version of the EP is available for fans to purchase at Walmart stores nationwide. Get more of the latest news on Craig Campbell!

Video: Ashley Monroe Featured On Train Single Bruises

Watch: Ashley Monroe Sings On Train’s Song, “Bruises”. So, I don’t know how I missed this, but I did. I am now going to try to make up for it by sharing it with you, however late I might be! Ashley Monroe is featured on one of the singles on the new album, California 37, from long running pop/alternative group Train, and it is really awesome! The song is titled, “Bruises“, and it has that folksy/rootsy edge we’ve come to associate with Monroe, but is kind of a new thing for Train. I love seeing Ashley, such a talented songwriter and performer branching out in such a cool way! Check out the video below, and I hope you enjoy it as much as I did! Train’s “Bruises” Featuring Ashley Monroe.

Tate Stevens Wins The X-Factor

Tate Stevens Is The X-Factor Winner, Embarks On $5 Million Contract! First of all, congrats are in order for Tate Stevens, the very, very talented X-Factor contestant that just walked away with a $5 million contract after winning the season! When we first heard Tate sing, we knew he was going to go far, and we are so excited for he and his family! It was a long two hour finale, but at the end of Stevens thanked God, his family and country music fans. He then performed a great rendition of Chris Young’s “Tomorrow“! Tate’s life has definitely changed tonight, and he earned it for sure!! Relive The Winning Moment!

Tim McGraw One Of Those Nights Video

Tim McGraw Debuts New Video for Current Single One Of Those Nights. I am really digging Tim McGraw‘s current single “One Of Those Nights“! The country singer just debuted his new video for the song this week, and it’s pretty cool. The concept behind it basically focuses on giving fans a kind of behind the scenes look at, well, the making of a video. I’m personally a big fan of the whole look what goes on behind the curtain thing, so I’m into the new vid. You be the judge though, and watch for yourself below! “One Of Those Nights” is the second single to come off McGraw’s upcoming album, Two Lanes of Freedom, due out Feb. 5, 2013. Watch: Tim McGraw One Of Those Nights Video.

LeAnn Rimes Sings with Carly Sonenclar On X-Factor Finale

LeAnn Rimes Sings Duet with Carly Rose Sonenclar on The X-Factor. Earlier this week, LeAnn Rimes stopped by The X-Factor to perform a duet with one of the remaining three finalists, Carly Sonenclar, and as seems to always be the case these days, drama has been stirred up. Since the performance, various folks have criticized Rimes for trying to out-sing the contestant, and some even got petty enough to suggest the country singer was drunk…or at least tipsy. Personally, I didn’t think it was her best ever performance, but seriously, people, she kind of set the bar pretty high for herself. As far as out-singing Carly, even if that was the case, she held her own, so no harm done. I really think that those folks that are stirring this pot are just mixing up trouble that isn’t really there. For her part, Rimes responded, like she does, via Twitter with the following statement: Wondering what all the fuss is about? Watch the video for yourself below, and don’t forget to tell us what you think. Watch: LeAnn Rimes Performs with X-Factor Contestant Carly Sonenclar.

Top 20 Country Songs of 2012

Top 20 Country Music Songs for 2012 via Billboard. As someone who spends a majority of their day listening to, reading about, discussing and writing about country music, I always get a kick out of reading through the year charts. This year I am both surprised and not surprised by the artists that made it into the Top 20. There are a lot of country music up and comers, like Jana Kramer, Hunter Hayes, Kip Moore and Dustin Lynch, but also, some of our favorite well established country stars like Tim McGraw, Miranda Lambert and Kenny Chesney! I have to say I’m pretty pleased about the number one spot! Not only because Josh Turner is one of my favorites singers, but also “Time Is Love” is such a great song with a great message! All in all there’s no denying, it was a pretty good year for country music. Top 20 Country Songs for 2012! 1. “Time Is Love“ Josh Turner 2. “You Don’t Know Her Like I Do“ Brantley Gilbert 3. “Why Ya Wanna“ Jana Kramer 4.  “Cowboys and Angels“ Dustin Lynch 5.  “(Kissed You) Good Night“ Gloriana 6. “Better Than I Used To Be“ Tim McGraw 7. “Even If It Breaks Your Heart“ Eli Young Band 8. “Lovin’ You Is Fun“ Easton Corbin 9.  “Springsteen“ Eric Church 10.  “Drunk On You“ Luke Bryan 11.  “You“ Chris Young 12.  “Somethin’ ‘Bout A Truck“ Kip Moore 13. “Reality“ Kenny Chesney 14. “Alone With You“ Jake Owen 15.  “Over You“ Miranda Lambert 16. “Home“ Dierks Bentley 17. “I Don’t Want This Night To End“ Luke Bryan 18. “Hard To Love“ Lee Brice 19.  “Dancin’ Away With My Heart“ Lady Antebellum 20. “Wanted“ Hunter Hayes See the rest of the Billboard Top 100 for Country for 2012!