New Marty Stuart Book Preserves Country Music History

Marty Stuart calls it "a photographic love letter to the founders and legends of country music." I call it a new must-have on my Christmas list- a new book called Country Music: The Masters.

When Marty Stuart first entered the Hard Rock Cafe, he was impressed to see the work of rock preservationists, yet realized that the artifacts of country music were being lost or destroyed. He set out to change that, becoming a leading curator of roots music memorabilia and photographer of roots founders.

After years of careful preservation, Stuart brings the early days of country to vibrant life again with Country Music: The Masters. In a unique pairing, completely original for a photography book of this scope, an integrated audio CD is included featuring 60 minutes of the fascinating stories behind selected photos. Stuart, a born storyteller, gives readers a glimpse into the subjects and the photograph at the moment the shutter snapped. The CD includes "Dark Bird," an unreleased song dedicated to Johnny Cash, written by Stuart after Cash's death. This new recording marks the first-ever commercial release of the song.

And thanks go out to Nashville Gab for pointing out a "making of" video for this important treasury of country music.

CMT Host Lance Smith Writes A Children's Book

Lance Smith currently hosts CMT s highest rated show, the Top 20 Countdown, and is a correspondent on Insider. He also has his own syndicated radio show airing on satellite radio every Tuesday. He can now add children's author to his resume.

Lance s debut children's book, The Old Man and the Cat, was released November 1st and 10% of all book sales will go to the Boys and Girls Club of America.

Here's what the book is all about: A kind old man and his best friend decide they're tired of eating the same old thing for lunch. They soon realize the value of cooperation and that change doesn't come easy! In a memorable and vivid style, The Old Man and the Cat takes the reader on an adorable rhyming romp to get a tasty meal and teaches children the value of cooperation.

Michael Martin Murphey To Release New Album In February

I was introduced to Michael Martin Murphey at the age of 17. My wife and I were high school sweethearts and as she knew I was a music crazed boy, she sent me off on a quest to go find a song I hadn't heard of before by an artist I hadn't heard of before, Wildfire. After many trips to local Tower Records and used record stores, I finally found a 45 of this beautiful, yet hauntingly tragic song about a girl getting lost in the snow looking for her beloved horse. You can listen to Murphey play the song live HERE or view the video below.

Murphey will put out a new album on the bluegrass label Rural Rhythm Records called Buckaroo Blue Grass on February 10th. Michael's son, Ryan has produced the album, written all the arrangements, sang harmony vocals and played all rhythm guitar on the album. It includes a mixture of new songs and some Murphey classics and will include backing by bluegrass legends Rhonda Vincent and Ronnie McCoury.

Purchase Jewel's New Album For A Dollar Today

Jewel, country music's newest star, is giving back to her country music roots as part of November's Country Music month Only today, fans can obtain copies of Jewel’s first country album and seventh career album, Perfectly Clear, by making a $1 minimum donation to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. Perfectly Clear, which debuted at #1 on Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart upon its release in June and features the hit “Stronger Woman,” can be purchased on this ‘Black Friday’ for a minimum $1 donation, plus shipping and handling, with proceeds benefiting the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum's All for the Hall campaign. This 24-hour opportunity is available at http://www.jeweljk.com/.

I have come full circle with my music. It was country music that I grew up on, so to be embraced by the country music community this year has been a great feeling,” says Jewel, whose new music video for “Till It Feels Like Cheating,” from Perfectly Clear, world premiered on CMT in heavy rotation on November 14. “I wanted to find a way to say thank you to the fans and I couldn’t think of a better way than by allowing them to purchase my album for a one dollar donation to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s All for the Hall campaign.”

“We are very appreciative of this generous gesture by Jewel,” said Museum Director Kyle Young. “All for the Hall, which was launched in 2005 by Vince Gill, the president of our board of officers and trustees, is an ongoing national fundraising campaign that supports our not-for-profit educational organization’s mission. The proceeds that Jewel and her fans are generously donating will help to fund the storage and preservation of the museum’s unduplicated collection of country music artifacts, and assist our staff’s efforts to make the collection available to the largest possible audience through exhibits, programs, books and recordings.”

Supporting her career launch into the country music mainstream, Jewel has had quite a busy year in 2008. With numerous visits to country radio stations across the US, Jewel's Top 15 country breakthrough single "Stronger Woman" posted more than 50,000 spins and earned the singer-songwriter a BDS Spin Award. The three-time Grammy nominee also packed in a summer and fall tour with Brad Paisley, a judging seat on NBC’s Nashville Star and a live DVD release, and she married rodeo superstar Ty Murray in a private beach-side ceremony. The multi-platinum singer-songwriter will be hitting the road in January 2009 for a solo acoustic headlining tour.

Nickel Creek's Sara Watkins To Release Solo Album in April 09'

Hailing from the bluegrass band Nickel Creek, songwriter/fiddler Sara Watkins has signed a record deal with Nonesuch Records and will release a new self-titled solo album on April 7, 2009. The album is a who's who of industry veterans with producer John Paul Jones (Led Zeppelin), drummer Pete Thomas (Elvis Costello), keyboardist Benmont Tench (Tom Petty) and her Nickel Creek bandmates Chris Tile and Sean Watkins.

Watkins has written 8 of the 14 tracks on the album and is including covers of Tom Waits (Pony), Jon Brion (Same Mistakes), and Jimmie Rodgers (Any Old Time).

For those non-bluegrass afficianados, Nickel Creek produced some of the best music released in the late 90's and early 2000's decade. One of the best tracks they ever released was The Lighthouse's Tale- it's as beautiful as it is haunting. See Sara Watkins and her bandmates here or watch it below...

Wynonna Announces CD Release Date & CD Cover Art

Wynonna's 7th solo studio album "Sing Chapter 1" has been confirmed for February 3, 2009 and Wynonna is sharing an advance look at her upcoming album cover. The album will be a stunning collection of multi-genre standards from musical legends that have impacted Wynonna's 25 year music career. The song list is as follows:
1. That's How Rhythm Was Born
2. I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry
3. Women Be Wise
4. I Hear You Knockin’
5. Till I Get It Right
6. Are The Good Times Really Over
7. The House Is Rockin'
8. Ain't No Sunshine
9. I'm A Woman
10. Anyone Who Had A Heart
11. When I Fall In Love
12. Sing

Steven Curtis Chapman Writes A Song Of Thanks To The President

As we celebrate Thanksgiving today, I wanted to pass along an amazing song of giving thanks by multi-Grammy award-winning Nashville resident and singer/songwriter Stephen Curtis Chapman. No matter what side of the political line you find yourself on, it's a touching "letter" to the President thanking him for his dedication and service to his country. The song is entitled Goodbye, Mr. President.

Chapman writes, "Whether you voted for him & love him, or you’ve disagreed with all his policies and dislike him... Could we all agree on this? We owe President Bush a sincere thank you."

Click HERE to listen to this beautiful & timely song.

That Nashville Sound wishes you and your family a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday. We genuinely appreciate you taking the time to read our posts each day and we're thankful for those that include this website in their lives.

Willie & Toby Tunes Off Of Colbert Christmas Show Now For Download

Thanks to NashvilleGab.com, we found out where you can add some new tunes to your iPod:

"Toby Keith and Willie Nelson were on Stephen Colbert's A Colbert Christmas: The Greatest Gift of All last Sunday and now the tunes they sang are available for download. Part of the proceeds go to Feeding America, the nonprofit organization previously known as America's Second Harvest.

Willie Nelson, Little Dealer Boy --->

Willie, Toby, and the gang, (So What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love, and Understanding --->

Toby Keith, Have I Got A Present For You --->

Mrs Vince Gill Celebrates A Birthday- Releases New Christmas Collection

Nashville-resident Amy Grant celebrates her 48th birthday today- a day TNS is sure she'll be spending with husband Vince Gill.

She's also just released a brand new CD- Christmas Collection. Amy is also pulling out all of the stops with a brand new collection of the best Christmas songs from all three of her holiday albums plus four new songs. Christmas music is synonymous with Amy Grant. Her classic arrangements, stirring original Christmas songs, TV specials, and widely attended Christmas tours over the years have all contributed to over five million Christmas albums sold.

Toby Keith Hits Comic Home Run On Stephen Colbert's Christmas Special

Last night, we had all had the opportunity to watch the Stephen Colbert Christmas Special on Comedy Central. Both Willie Nelson and Toby Keith had the opportunity to sing songs in the tongue-in-cheek musical- Keith's was great. Check it out here or watch it below:

The Colbert Report Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c

A Colbert Christmas: Toby Keith Sings

Mark Chesnutt's Lead Guitar Player Injured In Accident

Delaney Jackson was injured on Thursday afternoon, November 20, while cleaning his pistol at his residence; he accidentally shot himself in the hand. Jackson has played lead guitar for Mark Chesnutt and his band for just over twelve years. He was scheduled for surgery this morning and That Nashville Sound sends him our well wishes and blessings for a speedy recovery.

Up and Coming New Nashville- Lauren Briant (With Exclusive Interview)

Each week, That Nashville Sound runs a column called Up and Coming New Nashville where we try and identify some of the exciting artists that deserve more love. This week's feature artist is the beautiful & talented Lauren Briant.

Lauren Briant's talent was apparent at a very young age. Lauren always knew she was headed for a life on stage. At age five, she was singing solos in Church and appearing in plays at her school. By age seven, while she friends were playing soccer and baseball, she was at rehearsal for stage productions. At ten, Lauren played the lead in Annie and at thirteen was ‘Maria' in West Side Story. Lauren won “Best Vocal Performance” at the MAAI Competition in New York City when she was fifteen. The following year at the same competition, she again placed first and was asked to return the next year as the Guest Soloist and Celebrity Presenter for the entire conference. Lauren also has been awarded 'Best in Show' in countless talent competitions in the Dallas are At sixteen, Lauren was the 'Narrator' in “Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat” and ‘Anna' in The King and I.

Now all grown up, Lauren has brought her voice to stages in Hartford, Nashville, Hollywood, Glendale, Philadelphia, Atlanta, New York, Indianapolis and Dallas. Lauren has appeared on the BET in New York, Good Morning Dallas and Channel 4 News Television shows in Dallas. She has been a featured soloist at The Hard Rock Café, The Granada Theatre, The Eiseman Center Theatre, Southern Methodist University, The Bass Hall Theater, The American Airlines Center, Ameriquest Field in Arlington, The Waldorf Astoria Hotel and Omni Hotels to name just a few.

She has recently been touring with Colt Ford all over the southeast US and has a brand new indie self-titled album. You can hear her music on her mySpace page or listen to her music on iTunes.

That Nashville Sound had a chance to sit to an exclusive interview with Ms. Briant and talk about her growth and emergence as a country artist.

TNS- What brought you to Nashville?

LB- I was invited to record some great songs by a good friend of mine, Colt Ford. I had never been to Nashville and was excited about the invitation. I loved it! Everything about Nashville felt like home to me. I loved the Broadway honky tonks, music row and the wide open spaces. I have been back many times since and each time feel more and more at home there.

TNS- What are the highlights of your career thus far?

LB- I really must say that my most recent opportunities in music have been my career highlights. I had the privilage of filming an episode of the 'Outdoor Channel's "HUNTIN THE WORLD" this fall. I had never been hunting and loved the experience. The episode we filmed will air in the spring of 2009. I have also had the privilage of opening for Colt Ford on his most recent tour. We have been to North and South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Florida, Tennessee and Atlanta. The venues have all been packed to capacity and the fans have just been the best ever. Totally good times for sure!

TNS- What might people be surprised to learn about you?

LB- Well, I guess it might be a little surprising that I love to cook and I am pretty darn good at it! Thanksgiving dinner at my house is prepared completely by me....with five different kinds of pumpkin desserts! I make my brothers do the dishes.

TNS- What kind of music are you listening to? What's in your iPod?

LB- I love when I"m asked that question because everytime I answer it, my ipod favorites change. Leona Lewis is a favorite right now. I love Taylor Swifts new song. John Michael Mongomery and Alan Jackson are playing loud and clear right now on my trusty ipod. I will say though, I am a huge fan of the oldies. Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, any of the old school tunes have always been favorites of mine.

TNS- Looking ahead ten years, what do you see for yourself?

LB- I have alwasy wanted to sing....as long as I can remember..... Hopefully in ten years I can still be doing just that.....singing!

CD Review- Toby Keith- That Don’t Make Me A Bad Guy

Toby Keith has always done things his own way. Fiercely independent, he’s fought his music label, the Dixie Chicks, the media, the Academy of Country Music and broken nearly every stereotype and expectation that has been thrown on him. That Don’t Make Me A Bad Guy is his 14th album and the 5th that he’s released on his own Show Dog Records label. Done his own way. Every single track was produced by Keith- and every song was written or co-written by him as well. And despite his multiple endeavors into movies (Beer For My Horses), restaurants (Harrah’s I Love This Bar & Grille), licensing headwear (Dorfman Pacific) and running a music label with multiple other acts, this album is prototypical Keith in fine form. He works both ends of the spectrum on this album, boot-scooting dance numbers and tender heartfelt ballads. Keith's wheelhouse is the Arkansas roughneck fare that oozes from the first track and chugs through every flowing fiddle and steel-guitar twang. It’s (almost) classic country with bark and bite. His own way seems to be working great.

"That Don't Make Me A Bad Guy" is a great guitar-laden country song that will easily appeal to country radio. Like “How Do You Like Me Now,” Keith uses a song title to send a little message out to critics that view his hands-on bulldog approach as a negative. The tune itself is a tongue-in- cheek song that you can still be a good guy even if you like to live life a little over the edge.

Not since “Country Comes To Town” has Keith had such a country rocker with “Creole Woman.” A great tribute to Lousiana love, Keith sings, “I stopped in Thibodeaux, roadhouse in Lousian, I wasn’t stayin’ long.” A great electric guitar drives the song, one you can’t help but tap your toes to.

"God Love Her" is a percussion driven song about a wild child preacher's daughter who meets up with the local bad boy (played by Toby Keith) as they head West. It continues the theme of bad boy redemption and marks the third straight uptempo song to open the album.

The first radio-released single "She Never Cried In Front Of Me" has already shot straight to No. 1 and is one of the more touching ballads that Keith has released in his long career. It’s matched in tenderness with the bluesy “Missing You Missing Me.” Keith doesn’t have the widest range in the world, but he uses his talents amazingly well, providing real passion behind the lyrics.

"Time That It Would Take" is a country rocker with attitude. With lyrics like "in the time it would take me to tell you where I've been, honey I could take you places you ain't never been before." This is a cranks things back up again tune before closing out the CD with a slow sexy rocker called "I Got It For You Girl."

There’s no political statements or industry backhand smacks on this album, it’s simply a continuing maturing artist that recognizes that his career will be remembered for his collection of work instead of the statements he’s made along the way. That Don't Make Me A Bad Guy is a guitar driven, rock solid country CD that every Toby Keith fan- and country fan- will love.

New Alison Krauss DVD Arrives In Stores

Part country, part bluegrass, Alison Krauss is all pure harmonic bliss. And nowhere is it highlighted better than on her brand new DVD, A Hundred Miles or More: Live From The Tracking Room.

It features Krauss, one of the purest and most original voices in American music, performing songs from her critically acclaimed solo album A Hundred Miles or More: A Collection with members of her highly-regarded band Union Station and special guest musicians. One of the stand out features of this DVD is the only live performance of the country smash hit duet "Whiskey Lullaby" with country superstar Brad Paisley. It also features memorable duets legendary singer/songwriter James Taylor, British rocker John Waite, and an infectious take on "Sawing on the Strings" with bluegrass guitar legend Tony Rice and musicians Sam Bush and Stuart Duncan joining Union Station.