Luke Bryan to Host 2009 CMA Music Festival

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Luke Bryan will return to the CMA Music Festival as host again this year. Luke Bryan will be co-hosting this year’s ABC coverage of the CMA Music Festival again after already having been a co-host in 2007. “Hosting the CMA Music Festival coverage for ABC.com with Ashley is something I truly enjoy doing,” says Bryan. “I think I have grown so much since the first year we hosted together just by watching and learning from her. It’s such a great experience for me to be a part of this and be able to let the fans see all the things that go on during CMA Music Festival week. Country artists truly appreciate every single person who supports what we do and this is a way that I can help give back to both those who attend and those who were not able to be here.” Luke has also been giving his all in the studio, where finishing touches are in progress n his upcoming album “Doin’ My Thing” which is due out October 6th. Log on to www.ABC.com beginning today to catch the five-part series which leads up to ABC’s CMA Music Festival: Country’s Night to Rock Special, airing August 31 (8:00-11:00 PM/ET).Country Music Photo Gallery

Les Paul Dead at 94

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Guitarist and inventor Les Paul has died at age 94 A legend in music, and an inspiration to many, Les Paul is credited for the invention of multi-track recording practices which revolutionized the music recording industry. He was also tremendously influential to guitar enthusiasts worldwide, and his impact on our world is immeasurable. From AP News: Les Paul, the guitarist and inventor who changed the course of music with the electric guitar and multitrack recording and had a string of hits, many with wife Mary Ford, died on Thursday. He was 94. According to Gibson Guitar, Paul died of complications from pneumonia at White Plains Hospital. His family and friends were by his side. As an inventor, Paul helped bring about the rise of rock ‘n’ roll and multitrack recording, which enables artists to record different instruments at different times, sing harmony with themselves, and then carefully balance the “tracks” in the finished recording. Rest in peace Les Paul, your contributions will be celebrated for lifetimes to come.

Jack Ingram shows his smarts

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Jack Ingram to appear on Are You Smarter Than A Fifth Grader. Jack Ingram will be shooting an episode of “Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader” this week. Let’s hope Jack makes the grade as he plays for charity to support TOMS shoes. Toms Shoes is a company that provides shoes to those in need by matching every consumer purchased pair with a donated pair.Country Music Photo Gallery

Zac Brown Band – Southern Ground Tour

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Zac Brown Band is Breaking Southern Ground this fall on a headlining tour! The Zac Brown Band is preparing for their first headlining gig, “The Breaking Southern Ground Tour.” So far the following tour stops have been announced: 9/24 – Cary, NC 9/25 – Simpsonville, SC 9/26 – Charlotte, NC 10/02 – Grand Prairie, TX 10/09 – Knoxville, TN 10/10 – Charleston, SC Stay tuned for further dates, stops, and Zac Brown Band news!Country Music Photo Gallery

Sugarland Live on the Inside Review

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Sugarland “Live on the Inside” – Captivating, Energizing and just simply glowing! The team here at CMNB recently reviewed Sugarland‘s newly released “Live on the Inside” CD/DVD set and here’s what they had to say! “I love it, I love it, I LOVE IT! The DVD gives you the feeling that you are right there in the audience and the CD is just full of little treats I never expected! My favorite so far is the cover of Pearl Jam’s ‘Better Man’. Who would’ve thought?” “I like that you get to hear more of Kristian Bush singing, especially on the REM song. I was really surprised.” “On the video you can see how hard they both work to make a fun and talented show. When they sing “Genevieve”  it reminded me of my days in choir, singing in the round. That’s something that most pop-ish musicians don’t translate to their listeners… a personal experience” Sugarland currently tops both the country and Top 200 sales charts this week with the August 4th release of Live On The Inside, a CD/DVD set bonus for the fans. Live’s 76k debut was sold exclusively at Walmart and www.walmart.com. Their August 3rd ABC television network special delivered as well, drawing in more than 4 million viewers. Since the airing of the ABC special and release of the set, catalog sales and activity on www.sugarlandmusic.com have increased exponentially. Unique visitors to the official homepage have quadrupled and sales of previous albums continue to rise as reflected below. During the week of August 2nd, online hits rose from an average of 30k visitors per week to nearly 110k. And page views totaled over 445k. Specifically for the dates of August 2nd and 3rd, site traffic surged to over 60k unique visitors.Country Music Photo Gallery

Josh Turner – Why Don’t We Just Dance

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Josh Turner is back with a new single: Why Don’t We Just Dance Josh Turner’s deep and sultryvoice is back with a new single,just released to country radio today! “Why Don’t We Just Dance” is an up-tempo song about forgetting troubles, getting in touch with each other, and enjoying your timewith each other, which is something we should all try to do more of. Support Josh and call your local radio station to request “Why Don’t We Just Dance” NOW!Country Music Photo Gallery

Brooks & Dunn Break Up

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Brooks and Dunn have posted an announcement on their site stating “It’s time to call it a day”. That’s right, Brooks & Dunn have  officially announced the end of a 20 year chart dominating reign on country music. B&D posted on their own website: To Our Fans: After 20 years of making music and riding this trail together, we have agreed as a duo that it’s time call it a day. This ride has been everything and more than we could ever have dreamed…. We owe it all to you, the fans. If you hear rumors, don’t believe them, it’s just time. We will release our #1’s and then some” on September 8th and bid you farewell one last time in 2010, with The Last Rodeo Tour…(dates to be announced). I have to say that I am saddened, much like a child who finds out their parents are divorcing. Brooks & Dunn’s songs were the soundtrack of my life for many, MANY years, and they are a duo which has set the bar that all other male duos will have to reach to call themselves successful. I wish them the very best in their future bush wish even more that they would continue to make the music we love so much! Fans can see the duo perform together one last time as they embark on the Brooks and Dunn Last Rodeo Tour, which currently has dates booked through the summer of 2010.Country Music Photo Gallery

David Nail – I’m About To Come Alive

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David Nail combines southern boy charm with Mississippi mud blues in his debut album “I’m About to Come Alive”. A newcomer to the Nashville chart climbers, David Nail‘s voice is heartfelt and gentle, reminding the listener a combination between Jason Mraz and and maybe early Kenny Chesney. In fact, track 10, “Turning Home” even boasts a Kenny Chesney writing credit! When asked how he feels about this album, David responds: “I think every artist that moves to Nashville has a list of things they hope to achieve, and having a record in stores has always been near the very top for me,” explains Nail. “This has been a two-year process of highs and lows, but now being on the verge of accomplishing that, it feels as sweet as I ever imagined.” Overall “I’m About to Come Alive” is a consistent listen from the first track to the last, giving the overall impression of a singer/songwriter who has used music to wrestle with heartache and breakups. Some exceptional moments on the album include Natalie Hemby’s backing vocals on several tracks which help fill out the sound and really support David’s voice well. Also,  “This Time Around” features some clever lyrics and a glimpse at what David can accomplish with a more up-tempo song, which is quite a bit. At the end of the day, this is a solid debut album, but I think the real gold will be what comes after this so keep your eye on this boy! David’s debut album will release on August 18th just in time for the CMA Music Festival. David can also be found hosting his own series of webisodes titled “Red Light Road Trip”. For more about David Nail, visit www.davidnail.com TRACK LISTING: 1. “Mississippi” 2. “I’m About To Come Alive” 3. “Red Light” 4. “Again” 5. “Clouds” 6. “Summer Job Days” 7. “Strangers On A Train” (featuring Miranda Lambert) 8. “Looking For A Good Time” 9. “This Time Around” 10. “Turning Home” 11. “Missouri”Country Music Photo Gallery

George Strait – Twang

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George Strait is showin’ off his Twang! George Strait is already seeing the fan’s reaction to his upcoming album “Twang” as the hit single “Living for the night” steadily climbs the Billboard Country charts. Now see what he has to say about the making of the album , and about including songs that he helped to pen! Twang is George’s 38th album, and pure proof that he is solid, timeless, and truly a country music legend. “Living For The Night” marks the first time Strait has penned a song he has recorded since “I Can’t See Texas From Here” from his second album Strait From The Heart. Strait co-wrote two additional songs on TWANG – “He’s Got That Something Special” and “Out Of Sight Out Of Mind.” Bubba Strait is the sole writer on “Arkansas Dave.”Track Listing for TWANG: 1. Twang – Jim Lauderdale, Kendell Marvel and Jimmy Ritchey 2. Where Have I Been All My Life – Sherrie Austin, Will Nance and Steve Williams 3. I Gotta Get To You – Jim Lauderdale, Jimmy Ritchey and Blaine Larsen 4. Easy As You Go – Steve Bogard and Rick Giles 5. Living For The Night – George Strait, Bubba Strait and Dean Dillon 6. Same Kind Of Crazy – Delbert McClinton and Gary Nicholson 7. Out Of Sight Out Of Mind – George Strait and Bubba Strait 8. Arkansas Dave – Bubba Strait 9. The Breath You Take – Dean Dillon, Jessie Jo Dillon and Casey Beathard 10. He’s Got That Something Special – George Strait, Bubba Strait and Dean Dillon 11. Hot Grease And Zydeco – Gordon Bradberry and Tony Ramey 12. Beautiful Day For Goodbye – Doug Johnson and Pat Bunch 13. El Rey – Jose Alfredo Jimenez Overall the album packs quite a bit of classic Strait crooning, but then surprises you with songs like El Ray, sung entirely in spanish, and the title track “Twang” which is a true party song. Not to mention “Hot Grease and Zydeco”, which by the way, Zydeco is an evolved/ sidebranch of Louisianna French Creole blues, that makes you want to just get up and swing around the dance floor. In my opinion, this entire album will only add to the country troubadour’s long long record of well… hit records :-)Country Music Photo Gallery