"Hillbilly" Jack Black Sings Bluegrass

Long a lead singer of the always tongue-in-cheek rock band Tenacious D, the comedic actor Jack Black has lended his vocal prowess to 'Old Joe Clark,' a song on his father-in-law Charlie Haden's Grammy-nominated bluegrass CD, Rambling Boy.

Said Jack to the AP, "I wasn't sure what to expect, because I haven't recorded or really sung any old songs like that before, bluegrass style. But it came very naturally, and I cranked it out in two takes," Black tells the Associated Press. "There was something in the music that I think struck a chord in my DNA. I think I've got some hillbilly in my roots. I'm already practicing my square dancing if we play the Grand Ole Opry."

He's suprisingly good and Charlie Haden is, as expected, a tremendous bluegrass performer. You can listen to the album (including Jack's song cut number #16) by clicking HERE.

New Ronnie Milsap Album Coming Out March 10th

Ronnie Milsap provided country music with one of its most important voices as the genre was moving beyond its rural roots into the mainstream of modern entertainment- he continues that musical legacy with a new 2-CD album that will be released March 10, 2009.

His track record speaks loud and clear: 40 # 1 hits, Over 25 million records sold, seven Grammy Awards, four Academy of Country Music Awards, and eight Country Music Association Awards. Together, they underscore Milsap’s position as one of the best-loved and most enduring artists in country music history. The eternally optimistic Milsap forges ahead, positive about what the future may hold. That spirit not only comes through in his music but uniquely in his new recording - Then Sings My Soul - 24 Favorite Hymns & Gospel Songs. The first time Milsap has ventured into the gospel roots he grew up with at the Missionary Primitive Baptist Church in the North Carolina Hills. An ambitious project produced by Grammy-nominated long-time Milsap producer, Rob Galbraith - these 24 brand new recordings – of classic songs that have stood the test of time.

The track listing has a few links in it where you can sample some of the new music coming out below.

Track Listing

01. I'll Fly Away
02. How Great Thou Art
03. Soon And Very Soon
04. Farther Along
05. Amazing Grace
06. Stand By Me
07. Up To Zion
08. World Of Wonder
09. In The Garden
10. Just A Closer Walk With Thee
11. Peace In The Valley
12. Have Thine Own Way Lord

01. Swing Down Chariot
02. Precious Memories
03. Rock Of Ages
04. People Get Ready
05. Softly And Tenderly
06. What A Friend We Have In Jesus
07. What A Difference You've Made In My Life
08. When Jesus Was All I Had
09. It Is No Secret
10. The Old Rugged Cross
11. Holy Holy Holy
12. The Lord's Prayer

New Steve Holy Single Hits Radio Jan 20- Listen To It Here

Curb Records artist Steve Holy has his newest single ready to go and early radio play has it already one of the top 60 singles across the country- nearly 3 weeks before it's formal release. It's a meaningful and beautiful ballad called "What Might Have Been" and you can listen to it HERE.

Steve Holy's first single for Curb, "Don't Make Me Beg", peaked at #29 on the Billboard country charts in 2000. The fourth single off his freshman album, "Good Morning Beautiful", became his biggest hit, spending five weeks at Number One on the country charts, and reaching #29 on the Billboard Hot 100. You might best recognize Holy for his huge single, "Brand New Girlfriend"- an up-tempo co-written by Jeffrey Steele, Shane Minor and Bart Allmand. This song became Holy's second Number One on the country charts, reaching the top of the charts in its thirty-sixth week, and setting a record for the slowest climb to Number One on that chart since the inception of Nielsen SoundScan in 1990.

The Curious Case Of The $575,000 Guitar

It was ruled earlier this week that The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum will get to keep historic instruments from Bill Monroe, Johnny Cash and Mother Maybelle Carter pledged by a man who committed suicide after being accused of defrauding millions from investors.

The settlement between the Country Music Foundation, which operates the museum, and the trustee handling the bankruptcy for Bob McLean was filed Tuesday in bankruptcy court in Nashville. It requires the museum to pay $750,000 to McLean's bankruptcy estate to help pay back his creditors. This barely covers a portion of the nearly $67 million dollars he allegedly swindled in the Ponzi scheme.

McLean donated two Johnny Cash guitars to the museum, each valued last year at $125,000, and pledged money that allowed the museum to enter confidential purchase agreements for the other instruments: Monroe's 1923 Gibson mandolin, once priced at $1.1 million, and Carter's 1928 Gibson guitar, once priced at $575,000.

The trustees of creditors called the settlement a "fair compromise" that will benefit the bankruptcy estate and its creditors while also preserving the museum's collection.

"Everyone involved in this lawsuit was sensitive to the historical significance of the instruments involved," he said. "However, the interest of the creditors in this bankruptcy proceeding, many of who lost their life savings, could not be ignored either."

Having seen each of the instruments that are in question, I for one am glad that they're in the protective collection of the Country Music Hall of Fame. The care and dedication in preserving the legacy of the music we love is mind-boggling. Those five-strings are in good hands...

Watch Lee Ann Womack Live On Soundcheck

Thanks to Shannon over at Nashville Gab, she's passed along a great opportunity to watch Lee Ann Womack sing 7 songs live in WalMart's Soundcheck studio- most off her Call Me Crazy album (ranked top album of the year by this very website). She sounds amazing. We've got a couple different links for you. The first is a short video about the concert here:

Click HERE to go straight to the concert and hear what country music perfection sounds like...

Country Music Hall Of Fame Member Tex Ritter Passed 35 Years Ago Today

Music lost a legend 35 years ago today. Father of actor John Ritter and one of the most famous Western Country Music singers of all-time, Tex Ritter would be highly recognized for his contributions to country and western music- and for his artistic versatility. He became one of the founding members of the Country Music Association in Nashville, Tennessee. In 1964, he became the fifth person and first singing cowboy to be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. He moved to Nashville in 1965 and began working for WSM 650 Radio and became a member the Grand Ole Opry.

Little known fact: Tex Ritter was also heard as the voice of Big Al. Big Al- the fattest bear at the Country Bear Jamboree attraction located in the Magic Kingdom at the Walt Disney World Resort. His character sings "Blood on the Saddle" and continues through the finale as the rest of the cast attempts to drown him out.

Check out this great little clip of the career of this legend. Long live, Tex Ritter.

New Johnny Cash Folsom Prison Photos Surface

My hometown has made the national country music scene...

Anyone who has seen the movie Walk The Line knows that Johnny Cash's famous concert at Folsom State Prison marked a turning point in the entertainer's career. The resulting album, "At Folsom Prison," and its signature song, "Folsom Prison Blues," have led many people to believe that Cash experienced life behind those gray stone walls, said Jim Brown, a retired correctional officer and operations manager of the Retired Correctional Peace Officers Museum at Folsom Prison. Until recently, Brown said, all he could offer were the photos included with a CD of the concert.

But due to 28-year old photographer named Gene Beley's lucky encounter with the famous singer, the public now has access to several new photographs of Cash at the prison including an 18-by-24-inch print of the singer standing in front of the prison's east gate.

According to Cathy Locke in the Sacramento Bee today:

"Beley said Columbia Records had hired a photographer for the concert, and when Beley and Poush arrived at the prison, record company officials forbade them to take pictures. But Cash overheard the conversation and intervened, saying "These are my friends," and telling them they could photograph whatever they wished.

The concert and record album changed the course of Cash's career. The live version of "Folsom Prison Blues" became a Top 40 hit.

Cash also married June Carter, who had performed with him at Folsom Prison and helped him overcome his drug abuse.

"It was like God grabbing him by the lapel and pulling him back up on top," said Beley, who continued to cover Cash's concerts for several years.

In later years, Beley tried, as a freelance writer, to interest publications in stories about Gressett and Kelley's role in arranging the Folsom Prison concert. He found no takers. But the night Cash died in 2003, Beley said, newspapers and magazines began calling him.

Beley said he and Poush, now a commercial photographer in Lake Oswego, Ore., combined their copyrighted photo collections and decided it was time to offer selections to the public. Currently, he said, the photos taken at Folsom Prison are available only at the prison museum and a shop in Billings, Mont."

New Collin Raye Album "Never Going Back" Hits Shelves April 7th

That Nashville Sound reported earlier this week that Collin Raye had just completed the recording of a brand new album of music. His new label is with Saquaro Road Records, A Time Life Company. His first single will go to country radio in February and the street date for the new CD "Never Going Back" is April 7th, 2009.

Randy Owen CD Giveaway From TNS

To recognize the continued success of Randy Owen's new album, One by One That Nashville Sound is giving away the album. All subscribers to the website between now and January 18th will be entered to win this special prize. The subscription form is found at the top right of the website just under the masthead. Good luck!

Contest Rules

Enter to WIN a Randy Owen CD

No PURCHASE IS NECESSARY TO ENTER THIS CONTEST

TERMS: This contest ends at 11:59 PM ET on January 18, 2008.

PRIZE: 1 winner will receive one (1) Randy Owen Prize Pack, given away by That Nashville Sound

ODDS OF WINNING: Odds of winning will be determined by the number of entries received.

HOW TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS CONTEST: You are automatically entered into the Contest when you complete and transmit the on-screen entry form before 11:59 PM ET January 18, 2009. That Nashville Sound is not responsible for transmission and/or computer error. One random selection will be held on or about the following date: January 19, 2008. Limit one entry per individual. That Nashville Sound reserves the right to modify scheduling of the contest without prior notice.

NOTIFICATION: The Prize winner will be notified via e-mail after drawing date. Prize winners do not need to be online at time of notification.

REDEMPTION: The prize will be sent to the winner's home address after confirming eligibility.

ELIGIBILITY: All legal US residents who are 18 years or older may participate in this contest. Employees and their immediate family members (mother, father, sister, brother, son, daughter and spouse) of That Nashville Sound are NOT ELIGIBLE. This contest is void wherever prohibited or restricted by law and is subject to all federal, state and local laws and regulations. Limited to one prize per person.That Nashville Sound and participating promotional companies are not in any way liable for damage, loss or injury resulting from computer malfunctions, misdirected or incomplete entries or acceptance and use of the prize. Winners assume liability for injuries caused or claimed to be caused by participation in this Contest, or the use or misuse of any prizes. That Nashville Sound reserves the right in its sole discretion, to cancel or suspend this contest should virus, bugs or other causes beyond the control of sponsor, corrupt the administration, security or proper play of the contest. Winners may be required to execute an affidavit of eligibility and release which must be completed and returned within 21 days of notification or an alternate winner will be selected. Taxes, and additional shipping, handling and delivery fees in excess of the prize amount, if any, are the sole responsibility of the prize winner. By registering to win the prize, the winner grants That Nashville Sound permission for the use of his/her name and likeness for advertising and future promotion purposes without additional compensation (except where prohibited). Un-accepted prizes may not be awarded. By entering the sweepstakes, you agree to join and review our email list. All email promotions include instructions for removing your name. This contest is subject to these complete and official rules.

Hank Williams Past Away 56 Years Ago Today

One of the great legends of country music past away 56 years ago today at the young age of only 29. Hank Williams put a face on a new type of rural music that still holds today. As we raise a glass to toast the new year, throw in a little thank you blessing for Hank Sr. And while you're at it, watch him sing one of his most memorable songs, "Hey, Good Lookin" HERE.

In Case You Missed Taylor Swift's New Year's Performance Last Night...

For all you sleepyheads that were asleep before midnight last night... here you are... watch it here.

Some New Year's Day Humor From Rodney Carrington

Start off the new year with a smile, southern comic Rodney Carrington sings the country tongue-in-cheek song, More Of A Man here...

2008 Review- What A Year For Jamey Johnson

As the year comes to a close, it's a fascinating to look back at who easily wins the Country Music Rookie Of The Year Award (if like baseball, they gave out such an award). It's nothing short of remarkable the year Jamey Johnson has had with his album, The Lonesome Song:

ITUNES

#1 country album of 2008 #7 album in ALL genres

#1 country song“In Color”#8 song in ALL genres

ROLLING STONE

Top 100 singles of 2008 #38 Jamey Johnson "High Cost of Living"

Top 50 albums of 2008 #32 Jamey Johnson "The Lonesome Song" (1 of only 2 country albums in Top 50)

SPIN MAGAZINE

Best Songs of 2008#10 Jamey Johnson "High Cost of Living"

2009 GRAMMY NOMINATIONS

Best Country Song- "In Color"

Best Country Album-"That Lonesome Song"

Best Male Country Vocal Performance"In Color"

"Quite simply one of the best country albums to be made this decade...Simply brilliant."- Country Universe- 4.5 stars

"That Lonesome Song is an absolute tour de force."-Blurt Magazine

"In an era of pop culture, media madness, and popularity contests, this album will go down as one of the biggest underdog projects of the decade."- Country Music Central

"There's a new Man in Black in Nashville."-Rolling Stone- (4 star review)

"[Johnson's] songs are full of keen insights, clever turns of phrase, and real emotion."-All Music Guide- (4 star review; AMG Album pick)

"A Country Classic"- USA TODAY-(4 stars)

"One of the best, purest country albums to come out of Nashville in ages."Slant Magazine- (4 stars)

"Johnson gives us an album full of simple poetry, unchecked honesty and genuine sonic and lyrical subversion."-MetroMix- (4 stars)

“This will be the best country record released in 2008. Hands down. This is wild, untamed music sung in a wild, untamed voice, and it’s brilliant.”-Paste Magazine

“...the gutsiest, grittiest collection released by a Nashville major label in recent memory.”-Associated Press

“Mr. Johnson created a country masterpiece for all eras.”-The Dallas Morning News

Amazon.com (editors) - Top 10 2008

Additional 4 Star reviews in Spin Magazine, The Houston Chronicle and The Tennessean.

That Nashville Sound gives a great heartfelt congratulations to great work to a great guy...

Saguaro Road Records To Release New Tanya Tucker & Collin Raye In 09'

Named after the picturesque and particularly stalwart southwestern cactus, Saguaro Road Records focuses on artists that have a uniquely American, roots oriented sound- current label artists include Patty Loveless and Rebecca Lynn Howard. Now word is out that longtime country music icons Tanya Tucker and Collin Raye will be releasing albums on the label in spring of 2009. Tuckers will be titled "Lonesome Town." Raye's is untitled as of yet.

A Year-End Farewell To Country Stars Crossed Over

K.F. Raizor, (a freelance journalist since 1989 and whose work has appeared in "Hard Country Beat" and also an editor at TV.com and TVRage.com), is one of the best music industry historians. His resources on his website are endless. He's compiled a huge list of music industry folks that met their maker this year. We've shortened his list to country music only. We hope they're all having fun playing & singing in the big Opry in the sky...

Eddy Arnold (pictured)- (May 8, complications from a fall, age 89). Billboard's #1 country singles artist according to Joel Whitburn's books, his voice delighted country and pop audiences for seven decades. Arnold remains, to date, the only artist to be named the Country Music Association's "Entertainer of the Year" after being inducted into the Hall of Fame. We will never see the likes of him again, sadly.

Sally Arnold (March 11, Alzheimer's disease, age 87). Eddy Arnold's loving wife passed away two months before her husband.

Bill Bolick (March 14, natural causes, age 90). The elder of the great brother duet the Blue Sky Boys.

Danny Davis (June 12, cardiac arrest, age 83). A man with many hats, Davis brought his trumpet and background in pop production to Nashville, formed the Nashville Brass with Grammy-winning success, and produced a number of country acts (including Waylon Jennings).

Paul Davis (April 22, heart attack, age 60). Pop songwriter and singer, best known for his 1977 hit "I Go Crazy." He also had two #1 country hits, "You're Still New to Me" with Marie Osmond and "I Won't Take Less Than Your Love" with Paul Overstreet and Tanya Tucker.

Danny Dill (October 16, unknown causes, age 84). Prolific country songwriter. Bill Anderson said at Dill's passing that if he had only written that one song he'd still be one of the greatest songwriters in country music history. "That one song" in question is Lefty Frizzell's immortal "The Long Black Veil."

Earle Hagen (May 26, illness, age 88). The man who gave us "The Fishin' Hole," the theme song to The Andy Griffith Show. Griffith himself recorded the song for Capitol Records.

Jim Hager (May 1, heart attack, age 66). With identical twin Jon, Jim delighted audiences for years on Hee Haw with their singing and comedy.

Buddy Harmon (August 21, congestive heart failure, age 79). Billed as "the most recorded drummer in Nashville," Harmon was on just about every one's records in the 50s, 60s, and 70s. He was also the Opry Staff Band drummer.

Don Helms (August 11, heart attack, age 81). The last member of Hank Williams' Drifting Cowboys Band. Helms co-wrote and recorded a song, "The Ballad of Hank Williams," about life in the band with Hank Williams Jr. for The Pressure is On.

Leo Jackson (May 4, suicide [gunshot], age 73). Jackson's career began at age 17 as guitarist for Jim Reeves and went into session work for decades for numerous artists including Alabama.

Bobby Lord (February 16, illness, age 74). One-time member of the Grand Ole Opry, best-known for his 1956 top ten hit "Without Your Love," Lord retired from the music business for life as a real estate agent.

Ken Nelson (January 6, natural causes, age 96). A one-time A&R man at Capitol Records, his Hall of Fame resume turned to record production for the Louvin Brothers, Jean Shepard, and countless others on the Capitol label.

Jerry Reed (September 1, emphysema)- We wrote our own dedication to this versatile guitarist, actor and brilliant songwriter HERE.

Jack Reno (November 1, brain cancer, age 72). A country singer who racked up a dozen charted records between 1967 and 1974 including his biggest hit, "Repeat After Me."

Charlie Ryan (February 16, heart disease, age 92). The man who gave us one of the greatest road race songs in history, "Hot Rod Lincoln."

Jo Stafford (July 16, congestive heart failure, age 90). A legendary pop singer, she was the "girl singer" on Red Engals & Natural Seven's hit "Tem-Tay-Shun."

Charlie Walker (September 12, colon cancer, age 81). Country singer with a Texas swing, Walker gave the legendary Harlan Howard his first #1 song as a songwriter with "Pick Me Up on Your Way Down."

Jerry Wallace (May 5, congestive heart failure, age 79). Like many others, Wallace traded a successful pop career ("Primrose Lane," "In the Misty Moonlight") for a country career, scoring 35 charted hits. The biggest was a song he recorded for an episode of Rod Serling's Night Gallery TV series: "If You Leave Me Tonight, I'll Cry."

Stream Beautiful Live NPR Marc Cohn Concert

Grammy award winning Marc Cohn burst onto the scene in 1991 with his self-titled hit and the huge single "Walking In Memphis." While he skirts on the edge of country sound, he's still one of That Nashville Sound's favorite artists.

Marc Cohn had been out of the studio and the spotlight when he embarked on a multi-city tour in 2002 in the hopes of rekindling his creativity. He got much more than he bargained for. He suffered a gunshot wound to the head during a random carjacking, and while recovering, he witnessed the damage wrought by Hurricane Katrina. The inspiration he'd sought, despite the circumstances, resulted in his first studio record in nine years: Join the Parade.

This set, recorded for National Public Radio (the first show of Mountain Stage's 25th season) begins with "Ghost Train," a song from Cohn's 1991 self-titled debut, which earned him a Grammy for Best New Artist that same year. Two others from that record are also included (Willie Dixon's blues number "29 Ways" and Cohn's hit "Walking in Memphis"), along with The Band-inspired "Listening to Levon" and a tune called "The Calling," from Join the Parade.

Click HERE to stream the live concert on your computer.

Set List:

"Ghost Train"
"The Calling"
"29 Ways"
"Listening to Levon"
"Walking in Memphis"

John Rich Has New Single Planned In January, Album In May

Thanks to Country Standard Time, we have some new news on John Rich of Big & Rich fame:

"The new year will bring new music from John Rich. One-half of Big & Rich will release a new single in January and a disc is slated to drop in May. The album will be called "Son Of A Preacher Man" (Rich's father is a minister) and will be out via Warner in May. The label is also the home of Big & Rich. Big & Rich will tour through the summer "shortly after that," according to Rich's web site. "But you won't have to wait until May to hear what John's been cooking up in the studio."

The first single, Another You, will be released to radio on Jan. 12, 2009. Rich's web site describes the song as "a heartbreaking ballad that explores the theme of love lost and never regained."

The ever busy Rich also will helm the third installment of CMT's highest rated series, Gone Country. this January. The series features non-country artists trying their hand at country."

New Artist Ansel Brown Partners With The NFL's Alumni Charity

The NFL Alumni, Inc. and Ronald McDonald House Charities have been selected as beneficiaries of a portion of the proceeds from IPAK Records' Ansel Brown's debut album, which includes the single, "One Wish." To kickoff sales, Brown and IPAK Records will sponsor the "AB's 'One Wish' Super Bowl Promo" exclusively with online partner, country music social networking service DigitalRodeo.com. The winner of the promotion will receive two tickets to Super Bowl XLIII to be held on February 1, 2009 in Tampa, Fla.

Individuals are automatically entered into the promotion each time they download Brown's debut album, "You're Just Smoke," between December 18, 2008 and January 21, 2009 via the www.digitalrodeo.com/anselbrownonewishsuperbowlpromo website. There is no limit to the amount of times one can enter. The cost to download the 14-song album is $10, and Brown is donating 30 percent of each album's sales to the NFL Alumni and participating Ronald McDonald Houses.

Brown, who is involved with numerous charitable endeavors, is currently touring and performing his music at children's hospitals around the country as part of his "Bigger Heart Tour." His work with children and families is the foundation of his career.

"Ansel Brown has proven that his true feelings are directed at helping kids have a better life, which exemplifies the NFL Alumni's mission of Caring for Kids," said NFL Alumni President & CEO Frank Krauser. "In addition to being a tremendous entertainer, he is having a positive impact on a lot of good people with his music."

To learn more about Brown, visit www.ipakrecords.com and www.youtube.com/abheart08

About NFL Alumni, Inc.The NFL Alumni Inc. is a 501(c) (3) charity composed of former NFL players and associate members who work on a volunteer basis to advance the organization's primary mission of Caring for Kids. The NFL Alumni's secondary objective is to help its own by offering support to former pros experiencing financial or medical hardship. The organization advances its mission through its national headquarters in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and a network of 30 chapters located across the country. For more information, visit www.nflalumni.org.

Up And Coming New Nashville- Megan Munroe (With Exclusive Interview)

Each week, That Nashville Sound is excited to promote a new artist that is emerging onto the country music scene. This artist is one we're as high on as any we've ever written about.

Singer/songwriter Megan Munroe’s newest CD, ONE MORE BROKEN STRING, launches nationwide on February 10, 2009. Munroe handles the disc's peppery up-tempo tracks with a fiery flair reminiscent of Miranda Lambert and brings passion and road-weary nuances to the project's heart-wrenching ballads ala Alison Krauss. A fan of Jewel, Bonnie Raitt, Tori Amos and Pearl Jam, you'll hear hints of these artists’ influences in Megan’s own music, but her sound is distinctly her own.

While just 25, Megan gives us songs that communicate lifetimes of understanding. Throughout the disc's 12 tracks, she offers up Country with a twist; her blues-infused melodies combine with vocals that range from saucy to sweet. Produced by Doug Deforest, album highlights abound and include: the fiesty "Leavin' Memphis, “the soul-searing "Nothing Is Easy Anymore " and "Lonely Tonight," along with the thought-provoking "Pennies In The Ocean." The musicianship is solid, and features Tim Crouch on Violin/Mandolin/Acoustic Guitar/Banjo/Percussion (Dolly Parton, Vince Gill); Robby Springfield on Electric Guitar /Steel Guitar (Jo-El Sonnier, Andy Williams); R.P. Harrell on Piano and B3 (Sammy Kershaw, Roy Clark), and Mike Kennedy on Drums and Percussion (George Strait’s Ace In The Hole Band) and Doug Deforest on Bass Guitar/Acoustic Bass/Keyboards (David Allan Coe, Todd Fritsch).

"The players were a joy to work with," says the petite brunette. "ONE MORE BROKEN STRING was one long watershed moment for me. It represents a giant step for me musically, and they made my vision for these songs a reality."

Her music has been forged by a childhood in rural Washington state, a three-year stint in the Los Angeles acting community (she left home at 17, and appeared in WB's Everwood and films Lost on the B Side, Mixing Karma and The Standard V.15), and regular gigs throughout the Northwest at clubs, fairs and festivals. She's shared the bill with Eric Church and other country notables. She now calls Nashville home, and with ONE MORE BROKEN STRING she steps on to the national stage.

Hear audio clips, read Megan's blog and learn more at www.myspace.com/meganmunroe.

That Nashville Sound had an opportunity to do an interview with Megan. Keep her on your radar- she'll be a star soon.

TNS- What brought you to Nashville?

MM- It was a combination of dream chasing and hometown leaving. I am kind of a gypsy when it comes to moving around, and I was getting the itch to pull anchor after I had been back in Seattle for a few years. While I love the city, I wanted a fresh start in an artsy community that wasn't bogged down by ingenuity like L.A. (another one of my stopping off points), or by rainfall like Seattle. I was ready to see the light, so to speak. Nashville has this
insatiable vibe that superseded my desire to stay comfortable.

TNS- Looking over your career thus far, what do you rank as a couple of the highlights?

MM- Touring with Eric Church in the Northwest was definitely a highlight. His crowds are so generous and excited. It was my first taste of honky tonking, and I was hooked. Also while it’s not as glamorous, I went and played some songs for a second grade class - and even though they may not be the most sought after demographic - they are so honest and random. They even made me a little book afterwards with pictures. Their captions said things like, 'You are so bootiful' and 'I like you just as much as Hannah Montana.' Hilarious.

TNS- What might people be surprised to find out about you?

MM- That I can't whistle, and that you will hardly ever, ever find me wearing matching socks. I am the kind of girl that is bad at being a girl. I hate doing my hair, I get claustrophobic in shopping malls, and my first car was a pickup truck, and yes, it was jacked up.

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

MM- Kathleen Edwards; 'Asking for Flowers' is one of my new favorites. I just discovered her. It's simple, melodic and lyrically riveting. I am a huge word snob and she fits that bill. Also, I love running, so Sarah Buxton's 'Almost My Record' is upbeat and holds my attention, as well as Shelly Fairchild's 'You Don't Lie Here Anymore.' Superb, angry running song.

TNS- If you had a crystal ball and looked forward ten years, what do you see for yourself?

MM- I want to have two more records under my belt. A solid following that 'gets' the music, nationally as well as internationally. But most importantly, to have grown exponentially as a writer and to be playing around town with talent that refines and challenges me to be better on a regular basis. There will never be an arrival gate for me, ten years or twenty years from now, it will just be another stop on the old map of living. Although it wouldn't hurt to be paying the bills with the strum of my guitar.

Happy Birthday To Joe Diffie- The Big 50 Today

That Nashville Sound wishes Joe Diffie, one of our favorite artists, a warm birthday wish- he turns 50 today.

Starting with Diffie's debut single "Home", he has charted seventeen Top 10 hits (five of which, counting "Home", reached Number One) on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks charts. He has also recorded nine studio albums (two of which have been certified Platinum by the RIAA), in addition to a Greatest Hits package, a Christmas album, and a live album. Next Spring, he'll be returning to his roots with a bluegrass album on the Rounder label.

Celebrate by watching his video of one of his more recent singles, "A Night To Remember."