Category Archives: Featured

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Casey Donahew Band Stand Off-New Album

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The Casey Donahew Band Released Their New Album, Stand Off. The Casey Donahew Band has released their new album, Stand Off. The album has 11 tracks, including their current single “Whiskey Baby.” The guys have a pretty busy week of shows, but Saturday they will be in my part of the woods where they will play at George’s Majestic Lounge in Fayetteville. Be sure and check tour dates to catch them play some of your CDB favorites, plus songs from the new album! Also keep your eyes open for the official music video for “Whiskey Baby” coming soon! Stand Off Track Listing: 1. Lovin Out of Control 2. Whiskey Baby 3. Pretending She’s You 4. Not Ready to Say Goodnight 5. Small Town Love 6. Sorry 7. Homecoming Queen 8. Missing You 9. Loser 10. Put the Bottle Down 11. Go to Hell

George Strait Gives It All He’s Got

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George Strait Wows HaleighT With His Final Tour. In January, I got to witness the opening weekend of George Strait’s Cowboy Rides Away Tour. It was an over-the-top weekend that will forever be burned into my memory. For starters, It was my birthday weekend. Who wouldn’t love to see King George for their birthday? I don’t know of a single soul who would pass that opportunity up! I went with some of my best friends and we loved every second of it. The fact that we were in the nose bleed section didn’t bother us at all. They’ve got a great sound system at the Chesapeake Energy Arena. Martina McBride was the opening act and boy did she entertain. Yes, we were anything but close to the stage, but thankfully our ears work just fine. That woman is talented! She gave me goosebumps. I know that isn’t a shock, she’s amazingly talented. But hearing “Broken Wing” live…that damn near changed my life! George took the stage and you would have thought there were 1 million people in the arena. Everyone went nuts, obviously. It was basically like when Dusty took the stage in Pure Country, only 10 times more intense. Now I’ve been to a George Strait concert before, so I recognized the differences in his normal show and his Cowboy Rides Away show. This time George did a whole lot more talking. He told stories, almost before every song he would tell the audience who wrote it and why. He performed his hits in chronological order, almost as if going back in time. It was amazing. Even though the show was almost three months ago, it seems like it was yesterday. What blows my mind even more is the fact that this Friday, April 12, I will be seeing George again! Yes, you read that right. In a few days I will be sitting in the Verizon Arena in Little Rock (better seats this time) watching history…for the second time. What makes it that more special is that I’ll be sitting next to my Mama! The woman who helped mold my obsession, will be singing along with me as George gives it all he’s got.

Wade Bowen At The Longhorn Saloon-Show Review

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Wade Bowen Makes His Way To Fort Smith, Ark. Last Thursday (April 4) Wade Bowen made a stop at the Longhorn Saloon in Fort Smith, Ark. Being so close, I obviously made a little trip down I 540 to catch his show. The night began with Hellcat Susie and their high-energy set. I had never seen these boys before, but I was impressed. The mixture of songs was money, with classics and some of their originals thrown in. They announced that their new album would be available soon and I can’t wait to get my hands on a copy. When it was time for Bowen to take the stage, everyone was pumped and ready to listen. He played music from his album The Given that was released last spring (“A Battle Won,” “Say Anything,” “Before These Walls,” “Saturday Night” and more) and some of his earlier hits. Although I enjoyed the show as a whole, my favorite moments were when Bowen played “Mood Ring” and his version of “Please Come To Boston.” Looking ahead, Bowen will be playing Red Rocks Amphitheater May 26 with Randy Rogers Band, Stoney LaRue and Casey Donahew Band. More dates for the annual “Hold My Beer & Watch This” tour with Randy Rogers are in the process of being confirmed. The annual “Bowen Classic” will be June 2 and 3 in Waco, Texas, with all proceeds going to “The Bowen Family Foundation.” On top of his busy schedule, Bowen is getting ready to start on a new album! So y’all catch a show near you and keep your ears open for talk about new music!

George Strait New Album Love Is Everything Due May 14th

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King George Releases New Album Love Is Everything on Heels of 2013 The Cowboy Rides Away Tour! George Strait has officially announced that his new album, Love Is Everything, will release on May 14th! Exciting! Can we just take a moment to appreciate the fact that King George has been at this whole making music for a living thing for decades, and he is still, essentially, the biggest deal ever (he recently set an all-time attendance record of 80,020 fans at the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo, y’all). That’s not easy, and I really hope someone is taking notes. We’ve already had a taste of what’s to come from the new album with current single “Give It All We Got” which is included with the other 12 tracks that will be featured on the new project. In addition to his The Cowboy Rides Away Tour (featuring Martina McBride), Strait and his team are working hard to make the current single his 60th #1 Hit. The song is sitting a 15 on the charts right now, but no doubt, it will hit #1 soon enough. To find out about the “60 For 60” initiative, go here. Stay tuned for more news on the upcoming album, and be sure to check out the remaining dates on his tour below!

Introducing New Country Artist Joel Crouse

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Interview: Joel Crouse Is Just Getting His Start with a Debut Album on the Way and 16 Dates On Taylor Swift’s Red Tour! There seem to be so many new faces emerging on the country scene these days, and we’re happy to see that one of those faces is the talented and hard working Joel Crouse! Currently signed with Show Dog – Unviversal, Crouse has a lot of new developments coming down the pipeline including finishing up his debut album (no title yet, but he says they’re basically torn between 2-3 options!) and hitting the road for 16 dates on Taylor Swift‘s 2013 Red Tour! Not too shabby, am I right? Despite having plenty to keep him busy at the moment, Crouse took a few minutes to chat with me about these exciting events, how he got into country and more. Needless to say, Joel is pretty pumped about the upcoming tour dates, and he shared, “Its getting more real now as we’re starting to prepare for it and get the band together and I’m just getting so excited.” Touring with big name acts isn’t exactly new for him though having opened for folks like Darius Rucker and Toby Keith. He even once did a gig with the 90’s alt band Goo Goo Dolls! Besides having significant cred in the live show department though, Crouse is also genuinely passionate about his music and songwriting. For the upcoming album, he co-wrote each of the songs and stated that he really tries to write from a real stand point. He elaborated with the following, “Living…that’s where I get my inspiration, especially when we travel so much and see so much and are exposed to so much. I think it comes really from when I travel.” This up and comer grew up in Massachusetts, and so I was curious if he’d always been exposed to country music or if, like some artists, he discovered the genre in some other way. The answer was definitely that Joel is country born and bred, “For the longest time, it was like the only kind of music we were allowed to listen to. My grandpa was from Alabama, and he moved in with us when I was young and the outlaws were more his thing. But my parents listen to contemporary country. Then my brother and sister, all they did was watch CMT and go to concerts!” These days, he says that there are a lot of amazing and talented artists to listen to and find inspiration, but he named Keith Urban, Eric Church and Zac Brown Band off the top of his head as the folks he really enjoys. I have to say, I can’t argue with those options (you know I love some ZBB!). My general impression from Joel is that he is a very real, very genuine person, and if this rubs off in anyway on his album, I’m sure we’re in for some really good music! Indicating just that was his response when Continue reading Introducing New Country Artist Joel Crouse→

Chris Janson Better I Don’t Video

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Chris Janson’s Debut Music Video for “Better I Don’t” Offers a Fun First Impression! Chris Janson recently kind of came of left field for me with his funny and relatable single “Better I Don’t,” and I’m sure glad he did. Janson might be new to me, but the songwriter definitely isn’t new to country having gotten his start at the iconic Tootsies Orchid Lounge at 18, penning tunes for major stars like Tim McGraw’s “Truck Yeah,” and now working on a debut album. The catchy and fun song makes a strong case for sobriety, but at the same time keeps things lighthearted. The video for “Better I Don’t” manages to maintain the same balance, and offers Janson to give fans a peak at his charming side. Needless to say, the video is a lot of fun, and a great way for Chris to break into the country scene as a performing artist. Watch it below, and be sure to find Janson on Twitter! Watch Chris Janson’s Official Music Video for “Better I Don’t.”

Tune In to CMchat Vegas Twangout This Week

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CMchat Heads to Vegas to Interview Country Artists Before the 2013 ACM Awards! Jessica Northey and CMchat are at it again, and doing their best to bring your favorite artists straight to your computer screen! This time the Twangout(s) will be taking live from the 2013 ACM Awards central…Las Vegas! We’ll be sure to feature the live video chat for you here, but don’t just watch, get involved! Follow #NashVegasLIVE and CMchat on Twitter to get in on the conversation and submit your questions to your favorite artists! You’ll find all the details below. See you there! HaleighT and MissMolly Jump Into CMchat Live on Friday, April 5th! MissMolly Twangs Out with CMchat Live on Saturday, April 6th! NashVegas Live 2013 Confirmed Artists: Randy Houser Florida Georgia Line The Band Perry Love and Theft Kip Moore Easton Corbin Eric Paslay Jon Parti Kelligh Bannen Craig Morgan Craig Campbell Kellie Pickler Sheryl Crowe Joe Nichols The Pistol Annies Scotty McCreery Gary Allan Eli Young Band Lee Brice Gwen Sebastian Ray Scott Parmalee Kristen Kelly Jerrod Niemann DeeJay Silver Chris Jansen Joel Crouse Dates & Times: Thursday, April 4th 5pm – 6pm CST Friday, April 6th 8:30am – 12:30pm, 1:45pm – 3:30pm CST Saturday, April 7th 8:30am – 12:30pm, 1:45pm – 3:30pm CST

Could Kellie Pickler Be Any More Adorable?

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Kellie Pickler Charms On Dancing with the Stars and Late Night! I honestly don’t really get that into reality shows, but if these show’s producers keep casting Kellie Pickler, I’m all in. Seriously everyone, could she possibly be any more adorable? Excuse me while I gush, but she is such a warm, real, funny person. It also turns out that not only does she have super vocal skills, she’s also a really great dancer! She is simply doing a fantastic job on Dancing with the Stars right now, having perfectly delivered a Cha Cha, a Jazz and a Jive routine, all superbly! This is one gal that really knows how to roll with the punches whether its shaving her head to support a friend, traveling overseas to help entertain the troops or joke around with a late night talk show! I for one am totally in favor of seeing (and hearing) way more of Pickler! Kellie Pickler Super Adorable and Charming On CBS’s Late Late Night with Craig Ferguson. In Case You Missed it DWTS Week 1 Amaaaazing Cha Cha Routine!

Luke Bryan Unveils New Music at 2013 ACM Awards

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Luke Bryan to Give Fans A Taste Of New Music from Upcoming Fourth Studio Album. Is it just me, or is Luke Bryan on fire these days? Fresh on the heels of the fourth installment in his “Spring Break” albums, Spring Break…Here To Party, Bryan has announced that he’s working on his fourth studio album, the follow up to his 2011 Tailgates & Tanlines which has brought him no end of success with hits like “Country Girl (Shake It For Me)” and “Miss Tomorrow Goodbye.” Luke will be unveiling a brand new single, “Crash My Party,” from the forthcoming album during the live broadcast of the 2013 ACM Awards which he is co-hosting with Blake Shelton. Additionally, he is nominated in multiple categories including Album of The Year (Tailgates & Tanlines), Vocal Event of the Year (“The Only Way I Know” with Jason Aldean and Eric Church), and Entertainer of the Year, for which fans can continue submitting their votes for here. The show airs on CBS, Sunday, April 7th at 7pm CST. And as if allllll that wasn’t enough, don’t forget, Bryan is currently on his 2013 Red Dirt Diaries Tour, and he covers the current issues of Billboard Magazine available on newstands now! Current Luke Bryan Tours and Tickets

The Band Perry New Video for Done

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The Band Perry Get A Little Rock and Roll with Video for Done from New Album Pioneer. With their debut, self-titled album, The Band Perry leaned a little folk, and they seemed to be continuing that trend with their most recent single “Better Dig Two.” Before now, I would have said TBP was much more pop country than anything else, but this new single, “Done” from sophmore album Pioneer (releasing Tuesday, April 2nd) is whole other animal indeed. This new track is much more rock and roll oriented than any of their previous work, and it really, really suits them. The new video which premiered only moments ago features the trio in black leather ensembles, giving absolutely everything they’ve got. All three of the siblings, but Kimberly especially, are maturing and growing before our eyes with each new taste of music we get from them. Check out the new song below, and be sure to give the whole album a look as well. Watch: The Band Perry “Done” Official Music Video.