Jennette McCurdy’s Debut EP

iCarly’s Sam Puckett steps out on her own: Jennette McCurdy debuts in country music with her first EP, Not That Far Away. Jennette McCurdy may not be a name you’re familiar with, but ask your daughters who Sam Puckett is and just watch their eyes light up! That’s because Sam Puckett is the character Jennette plays on the hit Nickelodeon show iCarly. Make no mistake though, Jennette is not suffering a bad-wig-induced identity crisis nor a coming-of-age breakthrough. She’s simply a talented, well-rounded girl with a knack for comedy, and a stellar voice. Not just stellar… phenomenal! Unlike other current pop stars, her live performances add to the rich, developed, controlled, and all-around quality her voice carries. Take a listen to the clip below and tell me Taylor could pull that off! Then, when you hear that I’m right, hop over to http://www.jennettemccurdy.com and buy her debut EP. Heck, buy 2 copies! One for you and one to replace your daughter’s copy of Fearless! [youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UHqV1NdOLa0]Country Music Photo Gallery

Taylor Swift World Premiere – Mine

Follow along LIVE as Taylor Swift premieres her brand new video for the song Mine. Taylor Swift joins CMT hostess Katie Cook to offer a world premiere of her new video for the single “Mine”. The track is from her upcoming album “Speak Now” and has had Taylor Swift fans on the edge of their seats for a few weeks now, ever since her live announcement of the album’s title. You can already download “Mine” on iTunes, and the rest of the album should be made available October 25th. Taylor Swift Teaser: “Mine” Taylor Swift | CMT iPhone App | New Country Songs And here’s the full video! Taylor Swift – Mine – Full Video Taylor Swift   More CMT Music   More CMT Music Videos Country Music Photo Gallery

Little Big Town Releases The Reason Why

New music from Little Big Town hits store shelves tomorrow! Little Big Town‘s latest studio album, “The Reason Why” will be available for purchase tomorrow at all online and retail outlets. The album features the already-chart-topping “Little White Church” (video below) as well as some of what the band refers to as their most stellar work. In the three years since their last album, LBT has gone through a lot of changes, from changing record labels to some members becoming parents, and touring long and hard. They’re hoping that fans recognize the growth and experience they’ve had as a group and find it shining through in this album’s sound. For a great rundown of what to expect on this new album, check out The Tennessean’s feature article on Little Big Town. [youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B077Dw_zDe0] Country Music Photo Gallery

Kenny Chesney – Hemmingway’s Whiskey – Deluxe Edition

More details emerge for Kenny Chesney’s upcoming album, Hemmingway’s Whiskey. Kenny Chesney offers fans a little more than just new music on his upcoming album, “Hemmingway’s Whiskey” which releases September 28th, 2010. The album is now known to include two bonus tracks, “Ain’t Ever Going Back Again” and “I Didn’t Get Here Alone“. Fans will also have the option of purchasing a companion DVD where Kenny takes the time to discuss each track off the new album. Adding a few songs is kind of the same approach we take to our shows. Every record is different, every night is different.” says Kenny. “You start feeling good and you want to do 10 extra minutes, 20 extra minutes, extra 3 hours — whatever it is. This is exactly the same. We put two extra songs and conversation on the record because there are fans that have been a part of my life for a long time and really love our music and have really invested a lot emotionally. You can call it ‘going the extra mile’ or whatever. I wanted to give them something special. Based on the warm reception the album’s first single, “Boys of Fall“, has received, I have no doubt that “Hemmingway’s Whiskey” will be Kenny’s best-selling release yet. Can’t wait for the DVD? Here’s a track-by-track rundown of the album, taken from this interview Kenny Chesney did with Billboard Magazine: 1. “Boys Of Fall” (Casey Beathard/Dave Turnbull) Kenny Chesney: “Boys Of Fall” is a perfect description of how I grew up and where I grew up. That song meant so much to me and I thought, ‘Wow, there’s a lot of kids out there and a lot of people that have that feeling in their lives.’ There’s a line in the song that says, “In little towns like mine, that’s all we got.” And that’s the way it was in East Tennessee, and still is. I’ve got a lot of guys from East Tennessee out on the road [with me] that grew up the same way, and I played them that song when [writer] Casey Beathard gave me the CD of just him on a guitar playing it. I made everybody come on the bus and said “listen to this.” I knew we had something that was very common. A lot of people that listen to my music and that are passionate about what we do out on the road… I’ve been pretty perceptive over the years, and I think that we kind of grew up the same way. I see myself a lot in my fans, and I think vice versa. I hope so anyway.” 2. “Live A Little (Love A Lot)” (Shane Minor/David Lee Murphy) Chesney: “That song is what I try to live by. When I heard ‘Live A Little (Love A Lot),’ that’s pretty much the definitive sound we create out on the road. If there’s a predictable song on the record, for me, this might be it. And I don’t think that’s Continue reading Kenny Chesney – Hemmingway’s Whiskey – Deluxe Edition

Jamey Johnson – The Guitar Song

Jamey Johnson’s new double-disc album, The Guitar Song, takes a spin at the CMNB. Jamey Johnson knew he had big shoes to fill when his last album “That Lonesome Song” achieved such phenomenal success, and with his new double-disc album “The Guitar Song” he fills them and then some! Jamey Johnson’s big commercial success came at a time when country music fans were primed and ready for something authentic and true. His outlaw attitude, traditional country style, and tribute to the harsher side of a musician’s life was the perfect remedy for the sugary-sweet pop-country that was giving us all a cavity. When word came around that Jamey was going back into the studio, fans were all down on their knees just praying that he would continue on the musical path that he set himself on and he did just that. My first thought when I slipped “The Guitar Song” into my player was that I knew these songs already. With the exception of his excellent cover of Vern Gosdin‘s “Walkin’ the floor“, that couldn’t be further from the truth. The entire collection is refreshing, heartfelt, and gritty all at once. It’s definitely material that will transcend era’s and leave Jamey to be cited in the future as one of the greats because he fits into the category so well. “The Guitar Song” is the perfect example of storytelling through song, starting with the very first track. It sucks you in, brings you down, and lifts you right back out again, all with Jamey’s signature sound. Take a moment to watch Jamey talk about how this album came about: Jamey Johnson – The Guitar SongCountry Music Photo Gallery

Cracker Barrel Presents Rodney Atkins

Rodney Atkins is next in line with a Cracker Barrel Exclusive album September 6th. Cracker Barrel Old Country Store has released the news that fledgling country music star Rodney Atkins will release his next album with the popular restaurant chain. Cracker Barrel Presents Rodney Atkins will be available on September 6th, and will feature four #1 hits, including “These Are My People,” “Watching You,” and the current Billboard Top 20 and rising single “Farmer’s Daughter” which is approaching 300,000 digital downloads in just a few short months. The CD will also feature the previously unreleased song “More Like Your Memory (Always Takes Me Back),” and will be available only at Cracker Barrel. Like millions of Americans, Rodney enjoys stopping at Cracker Barrel when he’s on the road, sitting for awhile on the front porch, and having a great meal. “I love seeing a ” Cracker Barrel Up Ahead” sign on the road cause we all know that whenever you stop by, you are guaranteed to get a great meal – just like home. I’m excited to team up with the Cracker Barrel family and to make this new CD available exclusively to the folks stopping by.” said Rodney. Menu favorites for Rodney include the open roast beef sandwich, biscuits n’gravy, hash brown casserole, chicken n’ dumplins and of course a “big ol’ glass of sweet tea with lemon”. “Rodney is a great performer and his shows appeal to fans of all ages, and that’s the same appeal that Cracker Barrel offers to multi-generational families,” said Peter Keiser, Cracker Barrel’s Vice President of Marketing. “We expect that this special CD will provide some good times for a lot of people.” The previously unreleased song on Cracker Barrel Presents Rodney Atkins, “More Like Your Memory (Always Takes Me Back),” is one of the first songs that Rodney wrote that opened the door to get to produce his own records with long-time co-producer, Ted Hewitt. Country Music Photo Gallery

Rascal Flatts Release Why Wait

Country music sensation, Rascal Flatts, truly is Unstoppable as they release their new hit “Why Wait” to iTunes! Rascal Flatts released their lead single, “Why Wait,” from the upcoming Nothing Like This album to iTunes yesterday with great success. This is the vocal group’s first single on Big Machine Records and it catapults 14 slots to land at #18 on the Billboard Top Country Songs Chart this week, after just three chart weeks. Stay tuned for another announcement soon regarding their “Nothing Like This Tour” continuing into 2011! Country Music Photo Gallery

Billy Currington – Enjoy Yourself

Billy Currington shows his wider range on Enjoy Yourself. Billy Currington is finally finished with post-production of his new album “Enjoy Yourself”. While the first single off the album, “Pretty Good At Drinking Beer” has achieved some success on the charts, Billy wants to be sure that fans know this album’s not about being some one-trick pony. It’s a great mix. It reflects who I am,” Currington says about the collection of 10 songs. “I’m definitely not just one thing. I’m the beach guy, I’m the country guy, I love my dirt roads and fishin’, but I love New York City and L.A. and Miami, too. “Enjoy Yourself”, features the Georgia native’s trademark mix of country, R&B and beach music, and is produced by Currington and Carson Chamberlain. The album showcases Nashville’s top songwriters, including Dave Barnes, Shawn Camp, Scotty Emerick, Jones and Mark Nesler. This record was about recording songwriter’s songs,” says Billy. “I could have gone back and recorded a bunch of mine that I’ve written, but there were a lot of writers I wanted to record, like Shawn and Troy. I had to put their songs on this album. The album releases on September 21st.

Hank Williams: The Complete Mother’s Best Recordings

Take an inside listen to the personality of a legend on Hank Williams: The Complete Mother’s Best Recordings….Plus! Long before Hank Williams was a household icon, he was just a simple artist who hosted a sponsored radio show as he made his way through the trials and tribulations of a Nashville artist. During that time, you could find Hank on air peddling his crooning vocals right beside products from the Mother’s Best grain mills. The witty banter, and casual pickin and playing on these recordings humbly reminds us all that one of country music’s greatest legends at one time was still a struggling performer looking for their place in the music industry. I recently got to hear an advanced copy and personally loved the recordings and I believe you will too. Time Life, along with the family of Hank Williams Sr. launches the official website, www.hankwilliamsmothersbest.com to offer fans an exclusive opportunity to pre-order the limited edition, one-of-a-kind box set, Hank Williams: The Complete Mother’s Best Recordings….Plus!. The project can also be pre-ordered by calling, 212-991-5195. The first one hundred pre-orders will be accompanied by a specially designed tee shirt or other memorabilia. In addition to ordering the set, the website will also offer fans the latest news about Hank Williams, exclusive audio and video, notes from Hank Williams Jr. and Jett Williams, box set details and much more. Take a peek: Country Music Photo Gallery

Trace Adkins – Cowboy’s Back In Town

Trace Adkins new album Cowboy’s Back In Town takes a spin on the CMNB Jukebox. Trace Adkins new album “Cowboy’s Back in Town” is set to release tomorrow, but we’ve got your insider’s review of the album right here at Country Music News Blog! Now first let me tell you there’s a few requirements to listening to this album. First, you’ll need to pick up a few cases of beer. Then, you need to call 20 or 30 of your closest friends. Next, y’all drive out to a creekbank on a hot late-summer night. Make sure one of you has a really great sound system in their truck. I think y’all can figure out the rest. Trace’s newest work is exactly what we’ve come to expect from our favorite country giant. Playful, fun, a little sweet, and definitely the soundtrack to a great time. Take a look below as Trace talks about the album with CountryWeekly! Fans can preview the album at CMT or order it from iTunes on my recommendation!