Interview: Jessta James Talks New Album and Fresh Sound

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Interview: Jessta James Shares About His Brand New Album and The Fresh Hybrid Sound It Features. Jessta James hails from Montana originally, and his brand of country features clear influences that reach far beyond the bounds of Nashville, TN. The music you’ll hear on his debut album, Time To Get Right, skillfully blends country with rock and hip hop. Now, there really are a lot of folks out there putting these seemingly unrelated genres together, but James stands apart in that there is a naturalness to his songs that I haven’t heard from others representing this sound. He currently records and produces his music out of a studio in Atlanta, and this new album will be featured on his own label. It is currently available, having released Tuesday, May 21st, and I highly suggest you give it a listen! Before you do though, hear from Jessta himself on why his music is the way it is, and where it comes from. So, you’re working on this new album, what is your creative process like? My creative process is really anything and everything. Usually, typically speaking, I will sit down with my producer and my guitar player and I’ll have an idea, a concept, different musical elements I want to incorporate. And we’ll sit there and mess around with a riff, and I’ll come up with a chorus and once we have a solid start we’ll go from there. I’ve learned that its best that I finish an idea once I start. I read that you didn’t start writing till your early 20’s, what inspired you to get into it? I was raised on country and rock music all my life. I had never written any songs or sang but my friends and I would freestyle when we were just hanging out. Another artist heard me, and told me I really needed to write it down. When you’re writing, where do you pull the most inspiration from? The title track is about my brother Matt. I wrote that song to him, all the things I never got to say to him. That was a very deep, personal song. The song “Better Man” is to my whole family, about my Dad, the relationship with my son, my wife…It strikes a chord with people everywhere, when we perform it live. “Rock N Roll Angel” is for my wife. There’s no way I could be doing this without the support of my wife. You have actual experience in the hip-hop genre, what lead you to that scene? I got into hip hop because it was new to me. I would just find myself listening to whatever was different, whatever caught my ear. There weren’t really any artists that I could relate to because I couldn’t relate to the content in the material. But I like the sounds, it was appealing to my ear and I wanted to take it and hone it into something that fit me. When I started to make music, I Continue reading Interview: Jessta James Talks New Album and Fresh Sound→

Thunder On The Mountain Presents Easton Corbin

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Thunder On The Mountain and CMNB Bring You an Exclusive Interview with Easton Corbin! In this week’s installment of our on going Google + Hangout interview series with Thunder On The Mountain, we are talking to the talented and on the rise Easton Corbin! We will be getting his insight into the upcoming and brand new country music festival, as well as checking in with him and what’s new for him! So, don’t miss it at 2pm CST on Tuesday, May 21st! Thunder On The Mountain Presents…Easton Corbin!

Brian Davis Invited To Open The Jägermeister Tour

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Brian Davis Has Been Invited To Open Up For Aaron Lewis On The 2013 Jägermeister Country Tour. Brian Davis has been invited to be the opening act for the 2013 Jägermeister Country Tour this summer. Davis will be opening for Aaron Lewis now through June 23 where he will play his last show in Evansville, IN. “This is going to be the kickoff to a rocking summer being asked out on the 2013 Jägermeister Tour with my buddy Aaron Lewis,” Davis said. “I can’t think of a better way to continue my touring year having just gotten off the road with Brantley Gilbert and now heading out with Aaron Lewis! This is right up my alley and my fans are going to love it and I hope to get to meet and make some new ones.” You can check out this VIDEO to learn more about Davis’ life on the road and his current album, Under the Influence. Check out all the tour dates for this tour by clicking below and pick up Davis’ current album, Under the Influence, now.

Ben Wells Teams Up With Fireball Whisky

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Ben Wells Teams Up With Fireball Whisky, Lake Life Freshwater Apparel and JH Audio For His Untuck Ya Shirt Tour. Ben Wells has an exciting couple of months ahead and we couldn’t be more happy for him! For those of you who haven’t heard, he is gearing up for his first independent headlining tour, Untuck Ya Shirt. If that wasn’t exciting enough, he now has teamed up with three brands (Fireball Whisky, JH Audio and Lake Life Freshwater Apparel) to make his tour just that much better. “It’s awesome how these opportunities keep coming to us,” Wells said. “We’re going to take them one step at a time, and hopefully continue to grow with the partnership and with the fans.” If you haven’t heard of Fireball Whisky then you might be living under a rock…because it is ALL I hear people ordering these days. The brand describes itself as a “Chuck Norris roundhouse kick to the face if his legs were on fire and tasted like cinnamon.” If that doesn’t get you interested in trying it, then I don’t know what will! Lake Life Freshwater Apparel is a worldwide clothing/apparel company found & operated in North Carolina. Wells marks the companies first music endorsement relationship. JH Audio is one of the best in the business at making the most detailed, accurate in-ear monitors. “One of the endorsements I’m personally excited about is JH Audio. I rely on my in-ear monitors day in and day out while on stage, the quality of JH16’s are incredible. I definitely can’t wait to grow with this company and it’s awesome to be apart of such an awesome family.” Wells Untuck Ya Shirt tour kicks off June 7 in West Palm Beach, Florida. Find a show near you, because you won’t want to miss this party!

George Strait Love Is Everything Album Details

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George Strait Releases His Latest Album, Love Is Everything. Yesterday, May 14, George Strait released his latest studio album, Love Is Everything. The album includes his current single and latest #1, “Give It All We Got Tonight.” I fell in love with this song the first time I heard it and as George would say, “it’s pretty risqué.” As some of you may know, there has been a huge effort made by fans and radio to get this single to #1 on the charts, making it George’s 60th #1 hit for his 60th birthday. Well 60 for 60 worked! The song is currently sitting at #1 on real-time charts and if it can hold that position until Saturday, it will become official. Love Is Everything has plenty more great songs on it and I’m sure George will surpass that 60 mark with one of them. Take a look at the track listing below and watch this video that features George talking with Storme Warren about his new album! Love Is Everything Track listing: 1. I Got A Car 2. Give It All We Got Tonight 3. Blue Melodies 4. I Just Can’t Go On Dying Like This 5. I Thought I Heard My Heart Sing 6. That’s What Breaking Hearts Do 7. When Love Comes Around Again 8. The Night Is Young 9. Sittin’ On The Fence 10. I Believe 11. Love Is Everything 12. You Don’t Know What You’re Missing 13. When The Credits Roll

The Problem With Award Shows: The Artists Who Should Win And Don’t

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Country Music Awards: Who Isn’t Winning That Should? Every time the nominees list for a country award show is announced, there’s always a little bit of controversy. Each fan gets angry if their favorite hasn’t been included, for example the snubbing of Carrie Underwood at this year’s ACM Awards for Entertainer of the Year, or when an artist gets nominated that people feel haven’t earned their place, for example Kacey Musgraves for Female Vocalist of the Year at the very same awards. Everyone has their own idea about who deserves that coveted award, because it’s a simple matter of aesthetics. However, for me, there are a few that pop up again and again as snubbed, and they are as follows. This is just a small selection of a few artists I would like to see winning or being nominated for major awards, and you are welcome to suggest more in the comment section below! Too Many Men? The problem with mainstream country is that the scene is crowded with male solo artists. In comparison, the female and group categories are not picking from such a huge list of artists, and thus we get a very similar selection for each awards show. The duo categories are usually so lacking that Sugarland, who haven’t released an album since 2010, continue to be nominated in each award show on a near-constant basis. They’ve been on hiatus for a good year or more, yet is there any other major label duo who is a clear choice for that nominee spot? True, the award shows should be about good music period, but the fact is they’re part of the corporate machine, and there is simply no other duo that springs to mind to fill that position. However, the male categories are always crowded, and well-known yet still smaller acts like Lee Brice get somewhat forgotten among the rabble. Then there’s a personal favorite of mine, Eric Church, who is now beginning to be recognized, but still encounters the problem of often being nominated and rarely winning. Acts such as Darius Rucker who are hitting #1 on Country Radio get ignored entirely (to my knowledge Darius didn’t even go to this year’s ACMs). Not the Right “Sound”? As for women, Miranda Lambert seems to be on a roll of late winning awards, and clearing up at last year’s CMA Awards. But the Pistol Annies, the band she’s a member of, remain firmly in her shadow, and as far as I know they haven’t been nominated for a single major country award yet (correct me if I’m wrong!). In fact, I feel if it weren’t for Miranda, they wouldn’t be invited to every show, and they certainly wouldn’t have performed with Blake Shelton at the ACMs in April. Ashley Monroe too, also a member of the Pistol Annies, perhaps explained by her more traditional-orientated output, is hugely critically acclaimed and not awarded. But if we’re looking for less traditional sounds that are more likely to be nominated, Continue reading The Problem With Award Shows: The Artists Who Should Win And Don’t→

Kacey Musgraves Blowin’ Smoke-Music Video

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The Official Music Video For Kacey Musgraves Current Single, “Blowin’ Smoke.” Below is the official music video for Kacey Musgraves single, “Blowin’ Smoke.” The song is the second release from her debut album, Same Trailer Different Park. I’m really digging this song. It’s catchy and has some very real lyrics. Those who haven’t heard Musgraves full album, should get on that. The entire album is that, real and honest. This girl has a way with words, but does it in such a casual way. She’s talented. Watch “Blowin’ Smoke” below and tell us what you think.

Pistol Annies Hush Hush-Music Video

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The Official Music Video For The Pistol Annies Current Single “Hush Hush.” Below is the official music video for the Pistol Annies single, “Hush Hush.” The single is the first release from the Annies’ sophomore album, Annie Up. The song is about keeping secrets and keeping up appearances. The video features the ladies and their families at a Sunday afternoon potluck, where things get a little out of hand. Watch “Hush Hush” and tell us what you think. Under the video is the track listing for Annie Up, which hit stores last week! Annie Up Track Listing: 1. I Feel A Sin A Comin’ On 2. Hush Hush 3. Being Pretty Ain’t Pretty 4. Unhappily Married 5. Loved By A Workin’ Man 6. Blues, You’re A Buzz Kill 7. Don’t Talk About Him, Tina 8. Trading One Heartbreak For Another 9. Dear Sobriety 10. Damn Thing 11. Girls Like Us 12. I Hope You’re The End of My Story

Thunder On The Mountain Presents…Live Interview with Clayton Anderson

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CMNB and Thunder On The Mountain Bring You a Live Google + Interview with Clayton Anderson! The highly anticipated Thunder On The Mountain country music festival is quickly approaching (just a couple more weeks!), and this week we’re taking a few minutes to chat with another one of the amazing artists from the 3 day line-up! Coming up, we’ll be doing a Google + Hangout with Clayton Anderson on Thursday, May 16th at 3:00pm central to get his inside opinion on this brand new country fest, what’s coming up for him this year and more! You can watch the interview live below, or come back and catch it later. Also be sure to check in on our Google + page and Facebook for updates and details. Then make sure you’re following us (@CMNBlog) and the great folks at Thunder On The Mountain (@THUNDERontheMTN) on Twitter to make sure you hear all the latest news! Watch our previous hangouts with Colt Ford, J.T. Hodges and Rose Falcon on our YouTube playlist! Thunder On The Mountain Presents…Clayton Anderson: Thunder On The Mountain will take place June 6-8 on Mulberry Mountain in Ozark, AR. For ticket info, artist line-up, lodging and event details visit their official page!

Kellie Pickler Someone Somewhere Tonight: Story Behind the Song

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Kellie Pickler Gives Insight Into Her Emotional Connection to New Song “Someone Somewhere Tonight.” Most often, when I see Kellie Pickler, she is being low key, silly and a whole lot of fun. She is obviously a laid back kind of gal with a really great sense of humor. That being said, it’s interesting to see the flip side of that, and hear her being more serious and insightful. In a recent video posted on her YouTube channel, Pickler is filling in fans on her emotional connection to new song “Someone Somewhere Tonight,” and the story behind the lyrics. It hasn’t been released yet, but this will definitely make you excited to hear more. Check it out below! Kellie Pickler on “Someone Somewhere Tonight.” [youtube:www.youtube.com/watch?v=W6zplOgzCvg]