The Top Tens- The All-Time Best Music Acts Deserving To Be In The Country Music Hall-Of-Fame

When the Country Music Hall-Of-Fame opened in 1961, they had a policy of allowing one new candidate into this prestigious alumni every year (except for 1963 when the elected no one) until they finally found their marbles and began electing multiple inductees per year in 1996. The CMHOF began selecting three acts per year except for 2001 when they “caught up” and inducted long overdue legends Webb Pierce, the Louvin Brothers and others. And while we are certainly at a high point of country music popularity across the US and beyond, there are a number of acts from the past that should be considered for election immediately.

And while I have absolutely no say, I would like to list this week’s top ten list- The All-Time Best Music Acts Deserving To Be In The Country Music Hall-Of-Fame. (How’s that for a mouthful?)

10. John Denver- Might as well start with the most controversial first. In 1975, previous Country Music Association Entertainer of the Year Charlie Rich set fire to Denver’s winning envelope rather than announce the win. Some considered it a statement against country pop and the Music Row-controlled Nashville Sound. But looking closer, he was one of the top album sellers in the 70’s, won several country music awards, 2 Grammys, and his hits Take Me Home, Rocky Mountain High and Thank God I’m A Country Boy are sing-along standards.

9. Don Williams- Singer of seven #1’s and great songs like Tulsa Time and I Belive In You that will span generations, he deserves to be in.

8. Jerry Reed- The CMHOF has a history of inviting comedians and actors (Minnie Pearl) and Jerry Reed belongs in. Jerry Reed, was an country music singer, country guitarist, session musician, songwriter and actor who appeared in over a dozen filmsAs a singer, he may be best known for Amos Moses, and When You're Hot, You're Hot, for which he received a Grammy in 1972 and East Bound and Down, the theme song to the film Smokey and the Bandit in which he portrayed the "Snowman", Cledus Snow.

7. Charlie Daniels- The man who made southern country/rock a new genre, he should be in for his fiddling ability alone. The Devil Went Down To Georgia is quite possibly the most recognizable country song ever recorded- he’s been a music hero for close to 40 years.

6. Ronnie Milsap- One of the top recording artists of the 1970’s and 1980’s, Ronnie Milsap is credited with forty number-one songs on the country charts, third only to George Strait and Conway Twitty. 40. Amazing career.

5. Hank Williams Jr.- He is another long overdue selection. He had two careers, each of them probably worthy of induction. His early standards Eleven Roses are just as HOF-worthy as his later standards like Family Tradition. Put him in with a plaque right next to his father.

4. Oak Ridge Boys- While their history dates back much further, they had a run of twelve years from 1977 to 1989 where they were THE band until they gave way to Alabama. Can anyone NOT sing all the words to their biggest hit Elvira?

3. Reba McEntire- Her box set that came out this week proves it beyond a shadow of the date- 50 hit singles that are some of this generation’s top songs.

2. Kenny Rogers- I’ve already made my case here. They’ve waited too long already for The Gambler.

1. Garth Brooks- He’s the youngest of the bunch but has done more single-handedly to raise the popularity of country music more than any other artist since Johnny Cash. And that’s pretty good company. With more albums sold than any other artist EVER, he’s a no-brainer.

TNS Literary Week- Rolling Stone's CASH

October was filled with great book introductions of some of the best country has to offer and we're celebrating all those introductions with a That Nashville Sound Literary Week feature. This is the fourth installment of that feature.

Released just yesterday in paperback, Rolling Stone's all encompassing book simply titled CASH is as beautiful as it is informative. The late legendary Cash is celebrated in one of the best of Rolling Stone magazine's series of special tribute books about popular musicians. And as in the series' other titles, the featured artist is treated to an oversize, lavishly illustrated (150 photos) and lovingly written collection of new and old essays. Cash's long career gives this volume more depth than usual, since the writing ranges from Ralph J. Gleason's 1969 column on "Johnny Cash at San Quentin" to a thoughtful and revealing new interview with Rick Rubin, the rap/metal producer behind Cash's mostly acoustic albums in the 1990s.

The collection is book-ended by its two best pieces: a wonderful overview of Cash's life by Mikal Gilmore and a fantastic critical discography by rock critic Greg Kot. The photographs—which cover everything from his birth in 1932 to his death in 2003—allow for a greater portrait of Cash, including those from his farm youth in Arkansas and candid shots from his turbulent 1960s career. It helps that Jim Marshall, the equally legendary photographer whose work is generously featured, captured Cash in serene and volatile moments, providing a well-rounded look into the emotional complexity of the self-styled "Man in Black." Indeed, Kot's discography and the photographs alone make this volume essential for a true understanding of Cash's impact on popular music.

New Steven Curtis Chapman Greatest Hits CD This Week

With more than ten million records sold in a career that began in 1987, Steven Curtis Chapman has recorded fifteen projects with Sparrow Records. He’s received five GRAMMY awards, an American Music Award, 50 Dove Awards (more than any other artist to date), has recorded 44 No. 1 radio hits as well as numerous other honors. His platinum and gold albums include: Speechless, Heaven In The Real World, Declaration, Greatest Hits, Music Of Christmas, Signs Of Life, The Great Adventure, More To This Life and For The Sake Of The Call.

For all his accomplishments in music and goodwill around the world, SCC has been awarded a star on the Nashville Walk Of Fame in April of this year.

Under the radar this week was EMI/Sparrow's October 28th reissue of his Greatest Hits- one of the best albums in my collection. While Chapman's influence has been felt most in the Christian gospel side of music, even any casual listener realizes that his style could land on any country radio station that plays Carrie Underwood, Kellie Pickler or Rascal Flatts. Chapman's I Will Be Here was the first dance with my wife when we got married some 15 years ago and his latest single Cinderella will be the song I will sing my new baby girl to sleep when she arrives next month. This is a must-own.

Click here or watch below for his video of Cinderella:

TNS Literary Week- Behind the Grand Ole Opry Curtain

Each day this week, we're featuring a new book release that is being released this month- all tied to country music. This is the third installment in the That Nashville Sound Literary Week feature.

Released October 7th, the hardcover Behind the Grand Ole Opry Curtain: Tales of Romance and Tragedy by Robert K. Oermann pulls back the veil on the Opry and tells some remarkable stories that grace its incredible history. The Grand Ole Opry has been home to the greatest legends of country music for over eighty years, and in that time it has seen some of conutry music's most dramatic stories unfold. You'll hear of the great love stories ranging from Johnny Cash and June Carter in the 1960s to Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood, who married in 2005. You'll get the truth of the tragedies that led to the loss of three stars all in the same month, starting the rumor of the "Opry Curse." You'll learn how after being stabbed, shot, and maimed, Trace Adkins calls his early honky-tonk years "combat country," and you'll find inspiration from DeFord Bailey, an African American harmonica player in 1927 crippled by childhood polio who rose to fame as one of the first Opry stars. Your hearts will break for Willie Nelson, who lost his only son on Christmas Day, and soar for Amy Grant and Vince Gill, who found true love. Based on over 150 firsthand interviews with the stars of The Grand Ole Opry, these are stories that tell the heart of country--the lives that are lived and inspire the songs we love.

Brad Paisley's PLAY Pops November 4th

The fact that Brad Paisley will release a mostly instrumental album called Play on November 4th is not the biggest of news as his huge duet with fellow guitar-stud Keith Urban, Start A Band, is climbing the charts quickly. But the new video featuring one of those songs is!

On the 15-song project, only four songs will have vocals. B.B. King joins Brad on "Let the Good Times Roll," while Steve Wariner joins Brad on the song they co-wrote called "More Than Just This Song"- a tribute to the guitar heroes that gave them their start. The track with Buck Owens was one he had written and was previously unfinished, called "Come On In." And, like all previous albums, there's a cut featuring Little Jimmy Dickens, who is featured on "Pre-Cluster Cluster Pluck Prequel (Prelude)" which sets the stage for the all-star jam on "Cluster Pluck," featuring guests James Burton, Vince Gill, John Jorgensen, Albert Lee, Brent Mason, Redd Volkaert, and Steve Wariner.

The album also includes a salute to Les Paul on Les is More, and song tributes to his wife on Kim and son on Huckleberry Jam plus an acoustic performance of the gospel favorite What a Friend We Have in Jesus.

Click here or click on the video below to watch a video of the second cut off the album, Turf's Up:

New Single "Sweet Thing" From Keith Urban Hits Radio Next Week

Keith Urban will release Sweet Thing, the first single from his as of yet untitled fifth studio album, to country radio on Nov. 3. The single was co-written with Monty Powell and co-produced with longtime Urban producer Dann Huff. The song was recorded at The Castle Recording Studios in Franklin, Tenn.

In a unique marketing twist, Urban gives fans the exclusive opportunity to phone into the "Keith Urban's Mobile Club" to preview the new single. That number is 888.617.0623.

TNS Literary Week- Faith Hill's "A Baby Changes Everything" Turned Into Book

This is the second installment of our little That Nashville Sound Literary Week feature- timing with the release of lots of new cool books hitting the shelves featuring some of the best country music acts.

We reported earlier that Tim McGraw released a new children's book called My Little Girl. Now he's not the only author in the family. The first Christmas single from his wife's new Joy To The World album has been put into print. Songwriters Tim Nichols, KK Wiseman and Craig Wiseman took their lyrics to A Baby Changes Everything and have written a short story with the same title. Faith Hill writes the forward and is featured prominently on the cover as a participant in the project.

From Amazon, here's the skinny on the new release: "Experience anew the miracle of Christmas-and one special baby- A young girl, a decidedly unplanned pregnancy, and one miraculous little baby-it's an amazing story, one that sometimes gets buried under the tinsel of Christmas. That is, until something causes us to pause and reconsider the true magic of the holiday season. A Baby Changes Everything celebrates that baby in the manger in a fresh new way. Lyrics to Faith Hill's song "A Baby Changes Everything" are joined by reflective stanzas on the wonder of God's love and the Christmas season, how a baby can change our lives in an instant, and how one Baby changed the world forever. Along with the accompanying audio CD, A Baby Changes Everything makes for a beautiful expression of all that is wonderful about Christmas."

TNS LIterary Week- New Johnny Cash Book To Come Out Soon

There's lots of cool books coming out this week so we thought we'd do a little That Nashville Sound Literary Week for eggheads like me that like to read about their music. We'll have several entries of brand new books that are hitting the shelves soon.

Those that read this column recognize the reverence that I regularly pay the Man In Black. He defines music for me, interweaving the lines between the sound, style and soul.

It was with great interest when I found an upcoming book release, Leigh Edward's Johnny Cash and the Paradox of American Identity. Throughout his career, Johnny Cash has been depicted—and has depicted himself—as a walking contradiction: social protestor and establishment patriot, drugged wildman and devout Christian crusader, rebel outlaw hillbilly thug and elder statesman. Leigh H. Edwards explores the allure of this paradoxical image and its cultural significance. She argues that Cash embodies irresolvable contradictions of American identity that reflect foundational issues in the American experience, such as the tensions between freedom and patriotism, individual rights and nationalism, the sacred and the profane. She illustrates how this model of ambivalence is a vital paradigm for American popular music, and for American identity in general. Making use of sources such as Cash's autobiographies, lyrics, music, liner notes, and interviews, Edwards pays equal attention to depictions of Cash by others, such as Vivian Cash's publication of his letters to her, documentaries and music journalism about him, Walk the Line, and fan club materials found in the archives at the Country Music Foundation in Nashville, to create a complete, albeit fragmented, portrait of Cash and his significance as a cultural icon.

The paperback book will retail for $19.99 and is available for purchase here. It is released in spring 09.

X Marks The Spot- Trace Adkins New CD To Hit 11/25

Trace Adkins will release his tenth album for Capitol Records Nashville titled simply X. It will hit the market on Nov. 25. This project marks his second effort with Frank Rogers who also produced his last studio album Dangerous Man. That album yielded the multi-week No. 1 “Ladies Love Country Boys.” Adkins’ numerous national television appearances surrounding the release include a performance on the 2008 CMA Awards, a GAC special Trace Adkins: X (TEN) Days chronicling his recent USO Trip to Iraq and Afghanistan, and the 82nd Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.

“Muddy Water,” the lead single from X, is already at radio and has a music video featuring Adkins’ Celebrity Apprentice co-star, actor Stephen Baldwin. Elsewhere, the new album includes the tracks "Sweet," "I Can't Out Run You," "Hillbilly Rich," "Sometimes a Man Takes a Drink," "Till The Last Shot's Fired," "Better Than I Thought It'd Be" and "All I Ask For Anymore."

Listen To Tracy Lawrence's Brand New Single Here

You Can’t Hide Redneck is the new up-tempo single for Tracy Lawrence, which he co-wrote with Casey Beathard (also the co-writer of Lawrence’s No. 1 smash “Find Out Who Your Friends Are”).

Lawrence’s career has spanned more than 15 years, during which time he has proved to be a formidable stylist with an instantly recognizable voice. He’s garnered 16 No. 1 hits, many gold and platinum albums, and numerous career achievement awards. His long list of hits, including "Alibis," "If The World Had A Front Porch," "Time Marches On," "Sticks And Stones" and "Paint Me A Birmingham," has made him a staple with country listeners.

Click here to listen to his brand new single that hit radio stations yesterday!

Up And Coming New Nashville- Austin Law

Michael Austin can tell some stories about the road he’s traveled to where he stands today. He’s pretty much seen it all as a member of the San Bernardino Sheriff’s Department, working everything from street patrol to high security gang detail. He’s proudly served our country as a member of the United States Air Force during times of conflict. Now the burly lawman is trying his hand in a different line of public service: as leader of the renegade country outfit Austin Law!

Austin was born in the small town of Cole Turkey Acres, Missouri. As a teen traveling back and forth across the country, he developed a taste for artists like the Eagles, Alabama, the Marshall Tucker Band, and of course, Johnny Cash. After lying about his age to join the Air Force at just 17, Austin ended up in California four years later, playing in a number of bands and developing the smooth, warm sounds that characterize his band’s debut album, Neon Halo.

Based out of Southern California, the eight-member group brings a wealth of talent and influences to the table, incorporating modern rock, deep roots country and traditional bluegrass into the Austin Law sound. Veteran Nashville producer Eddie Gore helmed the project.

“I like to call it ‘California Country’ because these are city folks who love country music,” says Gore. “They aren’t singing about mud flaps and chickens and stuff they don’t know about. They’re just a bunch of true country music lovers!”

When pressed, Austin confesses he is wary of labeling his band’s music too narrowly. “I guess you could say there’s a lot of duality in my music, and in my life,” he says matter-of-factly.

After all, this is a man who was trained in both opera and special operations in the Air Force; a man who still writes his mother hand-written letters every month and police reports during the day; and a man that legendary Soundgarden frontman Chris Cornell once mistook for a bouncer until the linebacker-sized singer got up on stage and started his set.

Somewhere along the way, Austin says, he ended up employed by the San Bernardino Sheriff’s Department. If careers in law enforcement and country music seem mutually exclusive at first glance, don’t worry, Austin has found a way to juggle the two, although sometimes not without great personal risk in the process!

“I was actually on the phone one day with my producer, Eddie, discussing plans for Neon Halo when I got dispatched on a call,” says Austin. The pending legal case prevents him from discussing any specific details, but Gore remembers the episode vividly.

"I was on the other end of the line, when all of a sudden I hear Michael say "Put down the gun! - repeatly!" Gore remembers. "I listend to the entire exchange on my end for almost 45 minutes before my phone finally died. To be honest, after that I wasn't sure whether we were gonna make a record or not!" he says, chuckling.

Fortunately, Austin lived to tell the story and record another song.

"Sometimes I sit back and wonder just what I've got myself into!" he says, laughing and shaking his head. For the time being, however, it's just another day on the job for Michael Austin.

Austin Law has released it's first radio single off their album of the same name, Neon Halo. You can hear the new single here.

Joe Diffie Goes “Home” With New 2009 Bluegrass Release

It's great to see that Rounder Records has announced the signing of country music star and Grand Ole Opry member Joe Diffie. The partnership marks a new beginning and a return to bluegrass music, Diffie's first love. Prior to his moving to Nashville and becoming the country star he is today, Diffie spent several years touring and recording with the bluegrass band Special Edition. Rounder will release his much-anticipated album in the spring of 2009.

Since he first topped the charts in 1990 with “Home,” Diffie has delivered hit after hit totaling twelve #1’s, twenty top 10’s and four gold and platinum albums. Some of his most popular hits include “Ships That Don’t Come In,” “Pickup Man,” “John Deere Green,” and “If the Devil Danced (In Empty Pockets).” As a songwriter, Diffie’s success is equally impressive. In addition to the numerous hits he kept for himself, his songs have been recorded by Holly Dunn, Tim McGraw, Tracy Lawrence, Conway Twitty, Doug Stone, and most recently Jo Dee Messina, whose recording of “My Give a Damn’s Busted” became a #1 hit. He has won a Grammy®, CMA Awards, and has been honored as Humanitarian of the Year by the Country Music Broadcasters.
Catch Joe talking about his new initiative here:

Billboard Entry Marks 47 Years Of Hits For Willie Nelson

47 years of stardom is simply an unbelievable feat- so much so that it is hardly believable.

But this week's No. 56 debut of "That Lucky Old Sun (Just Rolls Around Heaven All Day)"- credited to Kenny Chesney with Willie Nelson- marks the first chart appearance by the country legend in almost five years. The debut of "That Lucky Old Sun" expands Nelson's country singles chart span to more than 46 years, dating back to the March 1962 debut of "Willingly."

"That Lucky Old Sun" is Country Music Hall of Famer Nelson's 121st chart entry- anothing amazing feat in itself.

Nelson first recorded "That Lucky Old Sun" in 1976. The song was written in 1949 by Beasley Smith and Haven Gillespie and was No. 1 on the Billboard pop singles chart that year by Frankie Laine. There have been many recordings since, including covers by Frank Sinatra, Louis Armstrong and Ray Charles. Nat Stuckey took the song to No. 66 on the country chart in 1978, the only version of the tune to appear on this list before the Chesney/Nelson duet.