Category Archives: Featured

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Jason Michael Carroll – New Album

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Jason Michael Carroll is all set to release a second album in late April. Jason Michael Carroll will see if he can match his chart-topping debut album and back-to-back top five singles of Alyssa Lies and Livin’ Our Love Song with his second disc, “Growing Up Is Getting Old,” set for release on April 28. The first single is Where I’m From is number 24 on the Billboard/R&R and Country Aircheck airplay charts. More news for Jason Michael Carroll Good luck on the album Jason and we’ll see you at Sticks Country Music Festival! Country Music Photo Gallery

Brad Paisley Releases First Song Off American Saturday Nights

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Brad Paisley releases “Then”, the first single off his new album “American Saturday Nights” which is due out this summer! Brad Paisley received much critical acclaim when he unveiled the first single from his new album during last night’s Country Radio Seminar. Quotes like , “If he needed another career song, this would be it!” and “It’s quite possibly the best song he’s ever done, and that’s saying a lot,” from renowned country radio stations are already pouring in. Paisley is set to release his new album, American Saturday Night, on June 30. The disc marks Paisley’s eighth studio album, including a holiday collection and his most recent release, last year’s mostly-instrumental excursion: the chart-topping Play. The first single from American Saturday Night – “Then,” co-written by Paisley, Chris DuBois, and Ashley Gorley – was unveiled last night during an invitation-only performance for an enthusiastic audience of industry movers & shakers gathered in Nashville for the annual Country Radio Seminar. “Then” will ship to country radio stations this Monday, March 9, with an official airplay impact date of March 23. Fans anxious to latch onto a copy won’t have to wait long, since the digital single for “Then” will be available at online music providers everywhere beginning March 17. BRAD PAISLEY – Paisley Party 2008 Tour Coming to Your City!!Country Music Photo Gallery

Country Music News Sources

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Country Music sites seem to be popping up everywhere in the last year or so, leaving fans wondering which ones are worth subscribing to. Country music has always been a passion for me, so it’s no surprise that I now run several sites that cover many aspects of the country music industry. But where do I go to when I need to get the dirt? Well let me tell you that all depends on what I’m in the mood for! Here are my favorite country music news sources (in no particular order)! The 9513 – These folks are honest, upfront, and make no apologies to the bubblegum pop country stars and fans. They have unique opinions and they’re not afraid to voice them. When I want to know who the next big thing is, or whether the buzz surrounding a new artist is worth all the hype, I trust The 9513 staff to lay it out straight. http://www.the9513.com/ Country Music Is Love – I have never once gone on this site and seen all the negative nancies and powerful criticism that other sites carry. For a quick look at the positive impact country music is making on people’s lives, look no further than CMIL. http://countrymusicislove.com/ Country Music Tattletale – These gals post everything from celeb sightings to breaking news items. They seem to be in the thick of it all too because their content is updated daily which is no easy task when you’re running an independent, self-funded site, but they seem to make it work! The CMTT girls are sassy and resourceful, calling on fans to help bring the gossip to them. http://www.countrymusictattletale.com/ Galleywinter – Talk about knowing how to promote your local music scene! These guys have been the voice of Texas music for as long as I’ve been writing on the web! I have never run across a more thorough and supportive team of impassioned independent music fans, and I hope someday to meet the creators of this site in person and shake their hands for all their hard work! http://www.galleywinter.com/ Country Standard Time – Simple layout, simple navigation, plentiful headlines. These guys don’t fuss around with a lot of words. Instead they get to the point and let you get on with your day. They’re great for when I’m looking for small tidbits about artists I’d like to feature. http://www.countrystandardtime.com Country Stars Online – Now these guys may not update daily, but somehow when I’m diggin deep for facts about a particular star, I always end up on their doorstep, and that’s gotta say something good about them. http://www.countrystarsonline.com/ Nashville Gab -Now the country music news over here is pretty much the same news other folks are sharing, but what’s different about the gab is the focus on fans. They’ve got special places to show off fan art, and even fan tattoos! I’m always supportive of sites that point out that the fans make the stars. http://www.nashvillegab.com/ Now I know I left out GACTV and CMT, Continue reading Country Music News Sources→

Baseball Season Is Coming and Spring Training is Here!

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Spring training has started and Major League Baseball season is almost here! I know baseball isn’t country music news, but it’s just as  big around here! I happen to live in the middle of some of the biggest MLB spring training fields in Arizona so baseball season starts real early around these parts. With that in mind, I thought I’d share some handy links for major league baseball fans…

Telluride, Grammy Updates, and Taylor Swift pairs with Miley Cyrus

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Today in our Country Music Recap, Telluride becomes more than a song and a place,  The Grammys add a few more performers, and Taylor and Miley team up for “Fifteen”. Telluride is stirring a buzz in country music circles with their debut release of “Four Square Miles“. An up and comer in the industry, some sites are already pitting them against acts like Little Big Town and Lady Antebellum as the next big group! Find out more at your source for Underground Country Music! Taylor Swift and Sugarland have both confirmed that they will be performing at the 2009 Grammy Awards Sunday Feb 8th on CBS. Other superstars on the performing schedule include Kenny Chesney, Kid Rock, Carrie Underwood, Miley Cyrus, and Robert Plant with Alison Krauss. Sounds like a star-studded event to me! And speaking of Taylor and Miley, the two are rumored to be pairing up for a duet on Taylor Swifts new song “Fifteen”  during the Grammy Awards show! Stay tuned for more Country Music News from your pals at CMNB!Country Music Photo Gallery

Wynonna Judd Gives Sneak Preview of New Album Sing: Chapter1

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Wynonna Judd returns to a more classic country sound with her new album”Sing: Chapter 1″ Due to hit store shelves February 3rd. It’s been a while since we’ve heard much from Wynonna Judd, but it’s been well worth the wait for long-time fans. Wynonna has released a preview of her new album “Sing: Chapter 1”for fans to listen to and enjoy. The album of standards that pay homage to her past is set to release nationwide on February 3rd, and I can’t wait! You can always depend on Wynonna to give a heartfelt performance of raw vocals, and soulful emotion in every song. My personal favorites on the new album are “Till I get it Right” and the original title track “Sing”. Really, the entire album completely embodies the all-consuming compulsion that a true singer has to just lay it all out on the table for the world to listen to just because it feels damned good to do so. During the last year I have started gravitating toward the past,” says Wynonna about the making of this record. “I have such an incredible history of these songs being played in the background while I’m living my life. So the whole album is a real cross-section of all the different genres I grew up with. It’s all me, its all part of the tapestry of who I am. When Wynonna isn’t working on promoting her new album, she’s speaking out for achieving a healthy lifestyle with her partners at Alli, whose representatives had this to say: She represents what so many Americans face on a daily basis: a woman who is challenged to find the balance of living life in the healthiest way possible. alli is dedicated to teaching people how to make positive, long-lasting life changes. For that reason, we’re pleased that Wynonna has selected us to help her accomplish her goals for living a healthier lifestyle. Country Music Photo Gallery

2008 Country Music In Review

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It’s the end of 2008 and while I am spinning my wheels to get ready for the coming year, other country music bloggers are revisiting this year’s finer moments. Here’s a rundown of what you may have missed: The 9513 blog has published their list of the Top 10 Country Music Albums of 2008, taking a personal survey of each of their writer’s top picks of the year. I love 9513 simply for the fact that they rate their favorites based on talent, not just top sales from kids with expendable cash. CMT has offered up an assortment of 2008 recaps such as 2008: The Year in Review and Hot Dish: The best and worst of 2008. As expected, these are both filled with Taylor, Kenny, Keith, Carrie and Kelli, but are we really surprised?Country Music Photo Gallery

Have Yourself a Country Christmas

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With the holidays right around the corner I thought I’d share a little Country Christmas Music News with you. Faith Hill tops this year’s new Country Christmas classics. Although new Country Christmas albums aren’t running rampant this year, new holiday titles from Faith Hill, Elvis Presley and Julianne Hough have managed to find room in the Top 10 of the current Billboard country albums chart. Country Radio has been giving “A Baby Changes Everything” massive amounts of radio airplay, while the Elvis Duets album has gotten nationwide news coverage. Just in time for the holidays, Joey+Rory created a “Sleighbell Mix” of their song “Cheater Cheater” and posted it on MySpace. Two of country’s top acts — Rascal Flatts and Carrie Underwood — have each released new holiday music this year, but you have to buy expanded versions of their current albums to get it. Wynonna is on the West Coast this month, in the midst of her Classic Christmas tour. In this interview with the Santa Rosa (Calif.) Press Democrat, the singer talks about overspending during the holidays, what to expect from her upcoming album and the year she gave her mother a hammer for Christmas. (”I’m not even sure why. She just liked to do things so I figured, well, she needs a hammer.”) However, if you don’t live on the West Coast, you better not pout and I’m telling you why: You can still hear her yuletide album, A Classic Christmas, on Rhapsody.Country Music Photo Gallery

Trace Adkins X, Zac Brown Band, Adam Gregory and More!

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Trace Adkins “X”, Zac Brown Band Tis’ the season to try something new! Part of what I love about my job is that I get sent sneak previews of a lot of music before it hits the radios or major networks. Here are some new releases to get you started! Take a taste and tell us what you think. Trace Adkins – X – In stores November 24th! Zac Brown Band – The Foundation – In Stores Now! Adam Gregory – What It Takes – New Video JUST released! Brad Paisley and Keith Urban – Start a Band – New Video JUST released!Country Music Photo Gallery

This Week in Country Music History

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Today’s country music seems to have forgotten its roots, so I thought I’d take a moment to remind the fans. Monday November 17th: 1938 – Gordon Lightfoot born in Orillia, Ontario. The pop singer-songwriter crosses into the country charts with his million-selling 1974 single “Sundown,” and writes Marty Robbins’ “Ribbon Of Darkness” and George Hamilton IV’s “Early Morning Rain” 1989 – “Steel Magnolias,” starring Dolly Parton, Sally Field, Olympia Dukakis and Julia Roberts, opens at theaters nationally 1997 -LeAnn Rimes’ “Blue” album is certified quintuple-platinum, while her single “How Do I Live” is recognized as double-platinum Tuesday November 18th 1949 – MGM releases Hank Williams’ “My Bucket’s Got A Hole In It.” Lurking on the B side: the classic “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry” 1969 – Conway Twitty records “Hello Darlin’” in an afternoon session at Bradley’s Barn in Mt. Juliet, Tennessee 1980 – Johnny Lee earns a gold single for “Lookin’ For Love,” his best-known contribution to “Urban Cowboy” 1980 – “Barbara Mandrell And The Mandrell Sisters” debuts on NBC-TV, with guests Dolly Parton and John Schneider Wednesday November 19th 1994 -Mary Chapin Carpenters earns a #1 country single in Billboard with “Shut Up And Kiss Me” 1996 – American Recordings releases Johnny Cash’s “Unchained” 1997 – George Strait’s four-CD set, “Strait Out Of The Box,” is honored for shipments of 5 million units Thursday November 20th 1946 – Songwriter Roger Murrah born in Athens, Alabama. His credits include “I’m In A Hurry (And Don’t Know Why),” by Alabama; “It Takes A Little Rain (To Make Love Grow),” by The Oak Ridge Boys; and “Don’t Rock The Jukebox,” by Alan Jackson 1961 – At the top of this chart stands a big, big man: “Big Bad John” takes Jimmy Dean to #1 on the Billboard country chart Friday November 21st 1955 – In a deal engineered by Col. Tom Parker, RCA Records buys Elvis Presley’s contract and master tapes from Sam Phillips’ Sun Records for $35,000. The papers are signed at the Sun Studios in Memphis 1981 – Hank Williams Jr.’s “All My Rowdy Friends (Have Settled Down)” settles in at #1 on the Billboard country chart 1986 – Lynn Anderson collects the only platinum album of her career, for “Rose Garden” which was later made famous again by Martina McBride Saturday November 22nd 1946 -Gene Autry rides in the Santa Claus Lane parade in Hollywood, as do Roy Rogers, Jack Benny and Red Skelton. When Autry hears children shouting, “Here comes Santa Claus,” he’s inspired to write “Here Comes Santa Claus (Down Santa Claus Lane)” 1973 – George Jones & Tammy Wynette sing “We’re Gonna Hold On” in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade 1980 – Kenny Rogers’ “Lady” goes to #1 on the Billboard country chart Sunday November 23rd 1950 – Hank Williams writes “Cold, Cold Heart” 1967 – Jack Greene becomes the first country star to appear in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade 1968 – Tammy Wynette sits at #1 in Billboard with “Stand By Your Continue reading This Week in Country Music History→