Sarah Darling 10 Random Questions

Interview: Sarah Darling Fills Us In By Answering 10 Random Questions. Sarah Darling is just a small town girl from Iowa with a big dream and a big voice. Her single “Home To Me” has been attracting attention all over country radio, and you can now find her on tour with Scotty McCreery starting February 14th and through the Spring. She also made a special appearance on ABC‘s “The Bachelor” Monday, February 4th as the musical guest, and had viewers wanting more from this talented artist! I put my 10 questions to the test to see if I could find out more about the darling herself. 1. At what age did you know you wanted to be a singer? I’ve been singing since I could walk and talk! My first solo was in preschool where my music teacher told my mom I was going to be a singer. 2. What was your favorite song of 2012? I love “Merry Go Round” by Kacey Musgraves. 3. Do you have a favorite place you like to perform? Hands down playing the Opry stage. 4. Do you have any pets? I have a shichon puppy! He looks like a teddy bear, maybe the cutest dog in the world. 5. If you could duet with any male artist who would you pick? I would love to duet with Michael Buble. His voice is like butter. 6. What is one thing you can’t live without? Coffee and my Bible. 7. What was the last movie you saw? “You’ve Got Mail,” I’m a chick flick girl all the way. 8. Sweet or spicy? Sweet. 9. What do you like to do in your free time? When I’m not on the road I’m in my kitchen creating something delicious. 10. Is there anything you want the world to know about Sarah Darling? Darling is my real last name. So I really am a darling 🙂 You can follow Sarah on twitter @_sarahdarling, and be sure to check out her brand new EP “Home To Me“ if you haven’t already! She’ll be heading out on tour with Scotty McCreery this month! Darling also participated in a “Twangout” #CMchat on Monday, February 4th, and CMNB’s MissMolly was one of the panel members!! Get more on Sarah Darling here. Brittany is a guest contributor! You can find more from her via .

Tim McGraw Two Lanes of Freedom Out Today

Tim McGraw’s Latest New Album Two Lanes of Freedom Available Now. Tim McGraw‘s highly anticipated new album, Two Lanes of Freedom, finally released today (Tuesday, February 5th). The new record features eleven tracks (the deluxe version offers up four additional songs), and it seems to offer up to slightly different versions of McGraw. On one side, there is the party anthem belting (hate to say it) trying to stay young Tim with songs like “Truck Yeah.” On the other hand, there are more traditional sounding, heart string strumming tunes like “Nashville Without You,” “Annie I Owe You a Dance,” “Tinted Windows,” and “Number 37405.” On yet another hand all together, there is the Tim that is continuing to push the boundaries of “country” with pop infused upbeat tunes, like “Southern Girl” (complete with a little autotune thrown in…), “Mexicoma,” and “It’s Your World,” that could easily crossover to Top 40 stations like The Band Perry, Lady Antebellum, and (of course) Taylor Swift have done in recent years. Speaking of Tswift, there is the collaboration with her and Keith Urban, “Highway Don’t Care,” that is sure to appeal to just about everyone. Its a pretty good song, and their three voices really meld together well. Essentially, with Two Lanes of Freedom, Tim McGraw gives a healthy selection of tracks to music fans across the country, right on over to pop, spectrum. For his first album release on Big Machine, following the Curb Records debacle, I think this is setting the right tone for McGraw. He still has a lot left to offer fans, and he isn’t afraid to keep pushing boundaries. I really feel like he’s trying to say, ‘I’m not done yet,’ and from what I’ve heard on this record, I’m okay with that. Find the deluxe version here, and the regular version here via iTunes. Next up, Tim heads out on his Two Lanes of Freedom Tour with Brantley Gilbert and Love and Theft. Two Lanes of Freedom Complete Track Listing. 1. Two Lanes of Freedom 2. One of Those Nights 3. Friend of a Friend 4. Southern Girl 5. Truck Yeah 6. Nashville Without You 7. Book of John 8. Annie I Owe You A Dance (Deluxe Version) 9. Mexicoma 10. Number 37405 11. It’s Your World 12. Tinted Windows (Deluxe Version) 13. Highway Don’t Care (feat. Taylor Swift & Keith Urban) 14. Truck Yeah (Live) (Deluxe Version) 15. Let Me Love It Out of You (Deluxe Version) Watch: Tim McGraw’s Most Recent Video for One of Those Nights.

Carrie Underwood Two Black Cadillacs Video Review

Carrie Underwood’s Two Black Cadillacs Video Takes Fans Down A Strange and Winding Road. I’m pretty disappointed in Carrie Underwood‘s new video for single, “Two Black Cadillacs.” Yep, I said it. The song was released as the third single from her most recent album Blown Away back in November, with the video reportedly being filmed then too, but even just two weeks ago Carrie was claiming on Twitter that they were still editing, trying to make it perfect. So as a result, there were pretty high expectations for this video! …And then I watched it. Too Long. At 5 minutes 47 seconds, this is a long music video, but it had been announced that it’d be shot as a short film. S,o I was prepared for the standard couple-of-minute-long intro without music, plus maybe a section around the bridge where the music cut out for another short scene. This is a formula that has been tried and tested and it works. However, what proceeded was not as it should have been. It begins dramatically and suspensefully with expected scenes of winter and a lonely Cadillac come into view. There’s some creepy piano music that I don’t think was necessary but it works okay within the context. However, instead of allowing the suspense to linger and to draw it out properly to instigate a mood, the song kicks in just 20 seconds into the video, and you’re left wondering what they’re going to do with the time. Too Confusing. Much of the first half of the song is filled with multiple-angled shots (including many close-ups) of Carrie driving the Cadillac, the wintery desolate environment, and the funeral. As it progresses, we get a few brief shots of the Cadillac in a different setting, at night, driving down an alley in a city with the headlights beaming on a couple meeting for an embrace, presumably the cheating husband and mistress. Carrie plays the mistress, with another similar-looking actress playing the wife. There’s some lovely scenery, good graphics, great outfits (Carrie is a vampy mistress), nice close-up shots and some well-timed interplay between the two opposing scenes. However, for me, it’s far too slow, there’s too much of the same thing, and I feel like there should be a lot more content. Slowly but surely, we get some plot narrative, with the briefest of shots depicting the wife chasing her husband in one of the Cadillacs during the night scene. It is implied that due to the blasé attitude of the mistress when the Cadillac turns up that Carrie is a decoy for the wife to corner the cheater. Too Strange Suddenly, however, after the end of the third chorus, the music dies down and the sinister piano music from the beginning returns. Although we don’t see the cheating husband being run over, it is implied and there’s even a token ‘crash’ sound against a black screen. I’m already feeling that they’ve ruined the momentum of the song at this point. The piano Continue reading Carrie Underwood Two Black Cadillacs Video Review

Gary Allan Sells Out Ryman In Minutes

Gary Allan’s Ryman Show Sells Out Minutes After Tickets Go On Sale. Gary Allan is on fire here lately with his hit single “Every Storm (Runs Out of Rain)” and his brand new, #1 Billboard Album, Set You Free. But the good news just keeps rolling in! Tickets to Allan’s Ryman show on April 17 SOLD OUT in 10 minutes! Because of the high demand a second show was added for April 19. Tickets went on sale minutes ago, so hurry up! I’m sure this show will sell out as well!

Tate Stevens To Be On The Grammy Awards

X Factor Winner Tate Stevens Will Be Featured At The 55th Annual Grammy Awards. Tate Stevens will give fans a first look at his debut music video for “Holler If You’re With Me.” This will take place at the 55th Annual Grammy Awards February 10 on CBS. The video will debut during the Grammy broadcast compliments of Pepsi as part of his grand prize winnings. The single, “Holler It You’re With Me,” will be available for download beginning February 5.

Justin Moore Announces First Headlining Tour

Justin Moore Kicks Off His Outlaws Like Me Tour March 14. Justin Moore announced today that he will be hitting the road for his very first headlining tour, Outlaws Like Me. The first date will be March 14 in Pikeville, KY with Dustin Lynch and Jon Pardi. “Man, I’m excited to be headlining our first tour. Over the last few years I have been out with some of the best artists in our genre and I have learned so much from each of them. I’m ready to take everything they have taught me to build our show. It’s going to be a blast I can’t wait!” -Moore Fans can get ready to hear their favorites including Moore’s three #1 hits “Small Town USA,” “If Heaven Wasn’t So Far Away,” and “Til My Last Day.” Moore will also be giving a preview of new music from his upcoming album, due out later this year.

EDM Meets Country Music: DJ DU

DJ DU Shakes Things Up Infusing EDM (Electronic Dance Music) and Country For One Wild Ride! I never thought I’d be writing about someone who mixes country music with electronic dance music, but that’s exactly what I’m doing thanks to DJ DU. I recently got wind of DU and his country/EDM infusions via #CMchat, and I’m not gonna lie, at first I didn’t know quite what to do with it. Now, I know some of you are probably thinking, that’s crazy! Leave my country alone! I understand where you’re coming from, but just hold on and give DJ DU and his unique style a chance! DJ DU originally hails from the East coast, but now resides in the dusty and warm desserts of Arizona. A self-professed country music fan and bonafied musician (plays bass, drums, guitar and more…), this DJ has a love and respect for the genre, and his musical concoctions are simply a natural progression of his musical tastes! He let me know that first and foremost, he has to love the song to work with it! “First of all, I gotta love the song. I gotta feel the song and know the crowd is gonna love it. I gotta love the artist. I try to look for songs that are up and coming on the charts, and there are other songs that are staples, like the Johnny Cash one, you hear Johnny Cash and you gotta love it.” -DJ DU No doubt traditionalists will balk at the idea of mixing country tunes this way. Even DJ DU said himself that there are some songs that he wouldn’t even touch. Still, he is getting a great response from artists, and was even featured live on the 2012 American Country Awards on FOX spinning a special mix just for Kip Moore. Right now, he’s playing festivals like Country Thunder and big venues like Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, and folks at the clubs are loving these reinvented country songs! Major upshot for country artists, their music is being heard and appreciated by folks that would never have listened to them before. DJ DU hopes that he’ll get the chance to work with artists in the studio on original work, and maybe even sing a recording deal sometime soon. I’m definitely intrigued, and can’t wait to see where this goes! Check him out for yourself below! DJ DU gives country an EDM twist! Find more here! DJ DU will be posting a new “Duesday” remix every Tuesday, so keep checking back in!

Giveaway: Eli Young Band Fayetteville Tickets

Giveaway: Enter to Win for Your Chance to See Eli Young Band Live in Fayetteville, AR! Texas based fast on the rise country group, Eli Young Band is headed to our neck of the woods to play a live show in Fayetteville, AR next week on Thursday, February 7th! For some lucky fan in the area, we’re giving away two (2) tickets to the night’s performance! Just follow the super simple instructions below, and you could win! Good luck! Enter to Win Tickets to See Eli Young Band in Fayetteville, AR! Step 1: (If you aren’t already!) Follow us @CMNBlog and George’s Majestic Lounge @georgesmajestic on Twitter! Step 2: Send out the following tweet: “I entered to win tix to see @EliYoungBand in #Fayetteville #AR from @CMNBlog & @GeorgesMajestic! U can too: http://ow.ly/hgvYs #CountryMusic” Step 3: When we receive you’re tweet, you will automatically be entered to win! Important Rules/Guidelines: Winners will be randomly selected and notified individually via Twitter. Prizes were provided by MCA Nashville. Tweets must be received by 10:00am Wednesday, February 6th. Winners will not be eligible for another prize drawing until 90days after this one.

Show Review: Lee Brice In Fort Smith

Lee Brice and Brian Davis Make It Hard Not To Love Em’ After Their Show! Last week Lee Brice made his way to the Natural State! He played at the Convention Center in Fort Smith, Ark. on Friday, January 25. Brian Davis opened the show and started the party with his acoustic set. He played all his rocking songs he is known for, but then tried to tell the crowd that ballads weren’t really his thing. I strongly believe he should rethink that, because I was truly impressed with his performance of “Against the World.” Like I said, this was only an acoustic set. I can’t wait to catch him with his full band! Brice hit the stage after his good friend, Davis and the party continued! He sang “Beer,” “She Ain’t Right,” “Hard to Love,” “Picture of Me,” the hit he wrote “Crazy Girl” that most have heard from the Eli Young Band, a new one that will be on his next record, “Whiskey Use To Burn” and more! Brice wasn’t about to leave the stage without singing his #1 hits and I don’t think the fans would have let him! The crowd sang along word-for-word to “A Woman Like You” and you could hear the thank you in Brice’s voice when he let out the lines “you make the best fried chicken, I love the sound of your name!” As soon as the opening notes to “I Drive Your Truck” filled the room, the mood shifted. Yes, everyone was stilled excited, but it was a different kind of excitement. Everyone had their eyes on the stage, while some pulled their loved one close. The people who stood in the back all night, moved closer. It was a great thing to see. Everyone thought the show was minutes away from ending when Brice started “Love Like Crazy,” even me! But we were wrong! He finished his breakout hit and left the stage. His drummer blew everyone away with what seemed like a 10 minute solo and then the band and Brice was back! He played a few more songs and then Brian Davis came back on stage to finish the night with Hank Jr.’s “Family Tradition!” The night was great and the show even better! Brice fully entertained his fans and I’m sure gained some more while in the process! Brice will be doing his thing on the road for a few more weeks and then he will be joining his friends Miranda Lambert and Dierks Bentley for the Locked and Reloaded Tour! Current Lee Brice Tour Dates and Tickets!

Lauren Alaina Working On New Music for 2013

Lauren Alaina Announces She’s Back In The Studio and Working On a Second Album for 2013! Just when I think Lauren Alaina can’t do anything else to make herself any more endearing…she posts an adorable video like the one below to her Facebook! Alaina took to the social platform this morning with the candid video to let fans know she’s working on new music, has been writing with talented folks in Nashville and is really excited to release the new tracks! She doesn’t specifically say that the album will be out this year, but I’m willing to bet, we’ll be hearing news along those lines sometime soon! Get more from Lauren on Facebook and Twitter! Watch Lauren Alaina’s Special Message Now!