Ashton Shepherd offers up CMT Exclusive interview

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Ashton Shepherd is a newcomer to the country music circuit, but definitely has a strong foundation to build on. Her debut album “Sounds So Good” recently hit store shelves to high praise from critics and fans alike. Ashton Shepherd will be featured in a new episode of CMT’s Unplugged at Studio 330 showcasing her upfront and whole-hearted voice. In an interview with CMT, Ashton describes what she thinks about being called a “tough-minded southern woman”, what she loves about her mamma, and her first Nashville experience. Here at CMNB, we’re keepin an eye on miss Ashton Shepherd as the next Gretchen Wilson in the making! But for now let’s watch her debut video “Take Off This Pain”. [youtube:http://youtube.com/watch?v=LXNgMWnz4Fc]   Country Music Photo Gallery

George Strait Releases Troubadour

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Leave it to George Strait to dominate album sales weeks before it’s even released! “Troubadour” is set to start shipping on April 1st but it’s already the top selling album on Amazon as well as many other sites who allow pre-order sales! The truth just cannot be denied; Country music fans LOVE George Strait! In addition to the hit radio single “I Saw God Today“, George Strait‘s latest album “Troubadour” will feature 11 other new tracks: 1. Troubadour 2. It Was Me 3. Brothers Of The Highway 4. River Of Love 5. House Of Cash (Duet with Patty Loveless) 6. I Saw God Today 7. Give Me More Time 8. When You’re In Love 9. Make Her Fall In Love With Me Song 10. West Texas Town (Duet with Dean Dillon) 11. House With No Doors 12. If Heartaches Were Horses You can get a little piece of George by checking out the George Strait concert calender!Country Music Photo Gallery

Martina McBride releases live CD and DVD set in April

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Martina McBride is set to release a CD/DVD combo set of live in-concert performances this coming April. Fans are excited as this will be her first live media. Previews of Martina’s DVD have already been in circulation on PBS as part of fundraising pledge drives. The setlist for this DVD is tentatively listed as: 1. Anyway 2. When God-Fearin’ Women Get The Blues 3. Wild Angels 4. My Baby Loves Me 5. Tryin’ To Find A Reason 6. How I Feel 7. Happy Girl 8. (I Never Promised You A) Rose Garden 9. You Ain’t Woman Enough 10. Help Me Make It Through The Night 11. Where Would You Be 12. Concrete Angel 13. For These Times 14. Love’s The Only House/Blessed 15. This One’s For The Girls 16. A Broken Wing 17. Independence Day 18. Don’t Stop Believin’ 19. Hit Me With Your Best Shot 20. Over The Rainbow While the CD will have the following tracks: 1. Happy Girl 2. Anyway 3. Concrete Angel 4. From The Ashes 5. Whatever You Say 6. This One’s For The Girls 7. Independence Day 8. Hit Me With Your Best Shot We expect to see “Martina McBride Live in Concert” on store shelves April 29th You can catch Martina McBride yourself by checking out the Martina McBride concert tour schedule.Country Music Photo Gallery

Charley Pride – Classic Country Artist

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In celebration of Charley Pride‘s birthday today, I decided we should showcase a little bit of his talent. Charley is a country music staple, making appearances on many variety shows like HeeHaw in the 60’s and 70’s He blasted through country music charts scoring a total of 36 number one hits including “All I Have To Offer You Is Me” and “Kiss an Angel Good Morning“. His smooth velvety baritone voice melted hearts the world over as he toured Europe, Australia, Japan, and Canada among many other places. Charley Pride still tours to this day and rumor has it that a movie telling the story of his life is in the works. [youtube:http://youtube.com/watch?v=H0sesU1l2hU] Country Music Photo Gallery

Shawn Pander – Tomorrows Country Music Star

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Shawn Pander may not be a household name yet, but you can bet it will be. Shawn Pander is a singer, songwriter, and guitarist from Texas but is currently residing in Los Angeles. I first heard about Shawn when a close friend of mine was touring across the US. He calls me up and says “You HAVE to look up this kid we’re playin with tonight… he’s amazing!”. Shawn was on a tour of his own and brought a room full of surly cowboys, punk rockers, and general patrons to their knees with his smooth voice and simple truth. My friend brought Shawn Pander’s CD “Memories for Sale” home to me and I’ve been hooked ever since. My favorite track on there is “Angel” but the whole CD is just beautiful. I can’t wait for his next one. He’s seen some minor success appearing on Dr. Phil, and Behind the Lyrics but for the most part, Shawn is still looking for his big break. You can find out more about Shawn Pander by visiting his official site or his MySpace Page. Shawn is currently on a bar and small venue tour with stops all across the US, and has his next album in the works. Take a look at these videos and tell us what you think! [youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PcK2b-HeQww] [youtube:http://youtube.com/watch?v=4iRGZg8M95w&feature=related] [youtube:http://youtube.com/watch?v=jDwwVN692T0&feature=related]   Country Music Photo Gallery

Tour Time for Country Music Stars!

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I’m sure the prices at the gas pumps are skyrocketing travel costs for everyone, but it’s unlikely to stop country artists and fans from hitting the road to search for the ultimate concert experience this summer. It seems most country artists are focusing their tours on the warmer months this year. Keith Urban, Carrie Underwood, Rascal Flatts, Taylor Swift, Sugarland and Toby Keith are just some of the acts already on the road, but tours are also in the works for Tim McGraw and Alan Jackson. Brad Paisley recently completed a tour and will start another one in June. And the king of the summer tours — Kenny Chesney — is back on the road for a series of shows at amphitheaters and major stadiums. Here’s a brief rundown of the tour plans of 10 of country music’s most popular acts: Kenny Chesney He’s been performing some informal shows at clubs near college campuses, but Chesney’s Poets & Pirates tour with LeAnn Rimes kicks off April 18-19 at the Mohegan Sun hotel and casino in Uncasville, Conn. Fourteen stadium dates are scheduled featuring five different talent lineups. Among those featured at selected stadiums are Keith Urban, Brooks & Dunn, Gary Allan, Luke Bryan, Big & Rich, Sammy Hagar and Rimes. All in all, Chesney is now set to do 37 shows from coast to coast before closing his tour on Sept. 13 at Lucas Oil Field in Indianapolis with Urban, Rimes and Allan. More on Kenny Chesney’s 2008 concert tour… Alan Jackson Jackson returns to the road on April 11 to headline a stadium show in Tuscaloosa, Ala., as part of the Gridiron Bash at the University of Alabama. The bulk of his tour dates begin in Canada with an April 16 show in Calgary, Alberta. Three other Canadian dates follow before he begins the U.S. leg on May 1 in Laredo, Texas. His concert schedule now extends through July 25 in Kelseyville, Calif. More on Alan Jackson’s 2008 concert tour… Toby Keith Keith is busy this week in Texas with a Thursday night (March 13) appearance at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. He has another 20 concerts scheduled between now and a Sept. 19 show in Albuquerque, N.M. More on Toby Keith’s 2008 concert tour… Tim McGraw McGraw warms up for his summer roadwork with an April 27 performance at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival and a May 4 appearance at the Stagecoach Festival in Indio, Calif., before officially launching his tour on May 9 in Tampa, Fla. He has dates scheduled through July 6 in Pittsburgh. More on Tim McGraw’s 2008 concert tour… Brad Paisley Paisley announced at the recent Country Radio Seminar in Nashville that his 2008 tour will feature Jewel, Chuck Wicks and Julianne Hough. With 42 shows currently booked, the tour begins June 11 in Albuquerque, N.M. Paisley’s schedule extends through an Oct. 18 appearance in San Antonio. More on Brad Paisley’s 2008 concert tour… Rascal Flatts With Taylor Swift opening the Continue reading Tour Time for Country Music Stars!→

Conway Twitty Musical Now Casting – Its Only Make Believe

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The children of the late and great Conway Twitty have begun pre-production on the musical “It’s Only Make Believe” a tribute to their father’s amazing journey through country music. Auditions will be held in Las Vegas, Nashville, and Los Angeles to find the perfect performer to portray members of Conway Twitty’s family, friends, musical counterparts,  and Conway himself.  It is expected to be a major production with an excellent turnout. For detailed audition dates, requirements, and roles to be casted, please visit the official Conway Twitty website. Auditions begin March 28th, and have strict pre-registration requirements so be sure to read the fine print. Good luck!Country Music Photo Gallery

Bucky Covington – Country Artist of the Week

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For this week’s CAW, I chose newcomer Bucky Covington. I’m not a big American Idol fan myself, but I remember seeing his audition tape as he sang “Simple Man” from Lynyrd Skynyrd and thinking “God I hope this tv show doesn’t eat that boy up and spit him out!”. He’s not pretty, he’s not full of forced politeness, and he’s not today’s typical prissy and preened radio star. Bucky gritted his teeth and toughed it out in America’s biggest dog and pony show, making it all the way to #8 before being voted out in favor of Taylor Hicks (who is now all but disappeared off the map entirely). Meanwhile Bucky Covington has got a record deal with Lyric Street, and a 2008 concert tour with Dierks Bentley. It’s no wonder why he’s singin’ “It’s Good to Be Us“! Stay tuned throughout the week for more hot facts about Bucky Covington! Bucky Covington 2008 Concert Tour                                Dierks Bentley 2008 Concert Tour  It’s Good To Be Us – Bucky Covington [youtube:http://youtube.com/watch?v=tIjM6SNt8Hg] Country Music Photo Gallery

Hank Williams Jr – Country Artist of the Week

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All his rowdy friends have settled down, but Hank Jr is still tearin’ it up! The legendary Bocephus said it best… “All my rowdy friends have settled down, and they seem to be more in to laid back songs”. While the rest of country music’s stars are playing it safe, Hank Williams Jr is still raising eyebrows, whiskey bottles and raucous ruckus! Hank Jr’s rise to epic idol stature started with him continuing his father’s legacy, but it wasn’t until the mid-70’s when he broke away from the familial mold to create a sound that was all his own that country music fans really took notice. He let his southern rock influence seep out when he released his 1975 album “Hank Williams Jr and Friends“. After that point Bocephus would become the poster picture of rebel country, singing about drinking, drugs, women, and hard times. You will find no lofty attitudes or false Nashville act here. Only pure country and rock & roll. Hank Jr’s live show has been described as nothing short of “One hell of a party” and his fans have come to expect nothing less. On his current 2008 Rowdy Frynds concert tour, he takes turns closing out the night with classic rock giants Lynyrd Skynyrd in the most anticipated concert of 2008 [youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LqCtbEGcBBA] For Hank Williams Jr 2008 concert tour dates, artist biographies and event details, please visit our partner site Country Music On TourCountry Music Photo Gallery

Alan Jackson Gets Sirius About His New Album – Good Time

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Alan Jackson: Good Time Alan Jackson’s new album “Good Time” is set to hit store shelves March 4th. Good Time is the first Alan Jackson album to feature songs written entirely by him! To celebrate the release, Alan is hosting Sirius Satellite Radio’s Prime Country Channel for 5 days starting today and running through March 4th. During his time hosting the channel, Alan will introduce the world to the 17 tracks on the new release as well as play some of his all-time favorite country stars. We also expect to hear Alan Jackson share some songs and stories from throughout his amazing career. In this video catch a sneak clip of the song “Right Where I Want You” off the new album, Good Time. [youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-DkSRtk8q7g]  For Alan Jackson 2008 concert tour dates, artist biographies and event details, please visit our partner site Country Music On Tour Country Music Photo Gallery