Music Shelf Space Continues To Shrink

Awhile back, I wrote about the dream music store- commenting on how the discovery of music still in the CD form, is still one of my favorite pastimes. I'll have one fewer chain of stores to do it in, however, as Borders has announced that many of its stores will reduce their selection to only the top 25 music titles... from the Billboard.biz article...

"For music, the chain plans to continue carrying a full assortment - about 9,500 titles - in 14 stores, while another 135 stores will decrease its inventory to about 7,000 titles per store. The remainder of the chain will see their inventory reduced significantly: about 150 stores will only carry the top 25 music titles; while another 100 stores, will carry about 500 titles; and another 115 stores will be reduced to about 3,000 titles."

Rascal Flatts Release CD Cover For New 4/7 Release, Unstoppable

After a month-long contest allowing their fans to design their next CD cover, Rascal Flatts have chosen the winning design. The fan was Chris Kubik from Arlington Heights, IL. They revealed the cover for Unstoppable (due April 7) before their concert at Madison Square Garden in New York.

Happy Valentine's Day From TNS- Celebrate With A Little "Mood" Music

That Nashville Sound would like to wish all of our readers and subscribers a warm and fuzzy Valentine's Day. And although it has nothing to do with country music, we did want to point out that for today only, you can run over to Amazon.com and download a free MP3 of that special song sure to light a spark tonight after dinner- Marvin Gaye's "Let's Get It On..."

Jake Owen Previews New 2/24 Album Easy Does It

Signed to RCA Records Nashville in 2005, Owen released his debut album Startin' with Me that same year. This album produced three singles ("Yee Haw", "Startin' with Me" and "Something About a Woman"), all of which reached Top 20 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts. A fourth single, "Don't Think I Can't Love You", was released in 2008 as the first from his upcoming album Easy Does It- it is released on February 24th. Owen has also toured as an opening act for several country acts, including Brad Paisley, Little Big Town and Sugarland.

You can listen to the entire Jake Owen album currently by clicking HERE and going to his website.

Stream A Free Kathy Mattea Concert Via NPR

Singer Kathy Mattea has never stuck to conventions within any genre: A country-music hitmaker in the late '80s and early '90s, Mattea has also made forays into Scottish folk, gospel and roots music. In 2008, she made perhaps the most personal record of her career, Coal.

Mattea, a West Virginia native and the granddaughter of coalminers, drew material for her collection of coal-themed songs from the likes of Darrell Scott ("You'll Never Leave Harlan Alive"), Utah Phillips and Alice Gerrard ("Green Rolling Hills") and two of her fellow West Virginians, Billy Edd Wheeler ("Red-Winged Blackbird") and Hazel Dickens (the a cappella "Black Lung").

Mattea first visited the National Public Radio Mountain Stage in 1986, and has logged 17 appearances. On this appearance (stream the whole concert by clicking HERE), she's joined by longtime guitarist Bill Cooley, Eamon O'Rourke on fiddle and mandolin and David Spicher on bass. Fellow West Virginian Tim O'Brien (heard Friday on NPR Music) sings harmony in "Green Rolling Hills."

Happy Birthday To HOFer Tennessee Ernie Ford

Happy Birthday to Country Music Hall-Of-Famer Tennesee Ernie Ford (1919-1991), who would have been 90 years old today. Throughout his legendary career spanning over 50 years, Ernie Ford's early successes as a radio personality led to his signing with Capitol Records in 1949. Through 1976, he released a total of eighty-three albums on the label and literally scores of single records, including his classic version of Merle Travis' timeless anthem to the working man, Sixteen Tons. At the time of it's release, the fastest selling single in Capitol's history.

A sparsely arranged coal-miner's lament that Travis wrote in 1946, "Sixteen Tons" is based on his own family's experience in the mines of Muhlenberg County, Kentucky. Its fatalistic tone contrasted vividly with the sugary pop ballads and the rock and roll just starting to dominate the charts at the time:

"You load sixteen tons, what do you get?
Another day older and deeper in debt.
Saint Peter, don't you call me, 'cause I can't go;
I owe my soul to the company store..."

Watch it below...

Craig Morgan Announces Charity Ride Event

Craig Morgan announced today that he will host the Craig Morgan Charity Ride again this year. The event will be held on Tuesday, March 31st in his hometown of Dickson, Tenn. (40 miles west of Nashville) to benefit several local charities. The event includes a special acoustic concert, silent auction and a motocross and 4-wheeler ride and launches The Craig Morgan Fund, a broader manifestation of Craig’s former Xtreme Team Makeover initiative. Craig established The Craig Morgan Fund earlier this year to support youth-based local and national charities.

“I grew up around Dickson, and live there now – it’s a great place to raise a family,” says Craig. “But not all children are as fortunate as we’d like them to be, so this event is a fun way to get people together to raise money and awareness to help kids who really need it.”

The most recent Craig Morgan Charity Ride was held in late 2007, and both the ride and concert sold out. The proceeds from that event helped to fund structural improvements at Dickson’s Van Leer Elementary School, including building a portico over the school’s entrance for student drop-offs and pick-ups in inclement weather. The 2008 charity event, initially planned for the fall, had to be postponed due to Craig’s concert and promotional commitments in support of his new BNA Records CD That’s Why.

This year’s event will kick off at 10 a.m. in Van Leer, Tennessee (near Dickson), with participants joining professional motocross riders Kevin Windham, Destrey Abbott, Fred Andrews, Barry Hawk and others, plus Craig Morgan and Bucky Covington (with more artists to be announced) for a day full of off-trail motocross and ATV riding. The ride is BYOB (bring your own bike or ATV). Guests will also have lunch with the celebrity participants. The Craig Morgan and Friends special acoustic concert will be held that night at the Renaissance Center in Dickson, Tenn. The 7:30 p.m. show is open to the public and will be a very intimate event, with less than 400 tickets available. The evening will also feature a silent auction.

VIP ticket packages are available for $200 and include two tickets to the ride and concert, plus a meet and greet with Craig. Tickets for the ride are $35 and include an on-site barbeque lunch, with $10 spectator tickets also available. Concert tickets are $35. All tickets can be purchased through The Renaissance Center box office by calling 1-888-700-2300. If you have further questions, please email CharityEvent@CraigMorgan.com

Academy Of Country Music Award Nominees Come Out

Nominees for the ACM's album of the year will be announced in March, but here's a complete list of the nominations announced Wednesday:

Entertainer of the Year
Kenny Chesney
Brad Paisley
George Strait
Keith Urban
Carrie Underwood

Top Male Vocalist
Kenny Chesney
Toby Keith
Brad Paisley
George Strait
Keith Urban

Top Female Vocalist
Miranda Lambert
Heidi Newfield
Taylor Swift
Carrie Underwood
Lee Ann Womack

Top Vocal Group
Lady Antebellum
Little Big Town
Rascal Flatts
Randy Rogers Band
the Lost Trailers

Top Vocal Duo
Big & Rich
Brooks & Dunn
Joey & Rory
Montgomery Gentry
Sugarland

Top New Male Vocalist
Jamey Johnson
James Otto
Jake Owen

Top New Female Vocalist
Sarah Buxton
Julianne Hough
Ashton Shepherd

Top New Vocal Duo or Group
Eli Young Band
The Lost Trailers
Zac Brown Band

Single Record of the Year
"Gunpowder & Lead"Miranda Lambert-Producers: Frank Liddell and Mike Wrucke
"In Color"Jamey Johnson-Producers: The Ken Hardley Playboys
"Johnny and June"Heidi Newfield- Producer: Tony Brown
"Waitin' on a Woman"Brad Paisley- Producer: Frank Rogers
"You're Gonna Miss This"Trace Adkins-Producer: Frank Rogers

Song of the Year
"I Saw God Today"George Strait-Writers: Rodney Clawson, Monty Criswell, Wade Kirby
"In Color"Jamey Johnson-Writers: Jamey Johnson, Lee Thomas Miller, James Otto
"Johnny and June"Heidi Newfield-Writers: Deanna Bryant, Heidi Newfield, Stephony Smith
"Waitin' on a Woman"Brad Paisley-Writers: Don Sampson, Wynn Varble
"You're Gonna Miss This"Trace Adkins-Writers: Ashley Gorley, Lee Thomas Miller

Video of the Year
"Johnny and June"Heidi Newfield-Producer: Karen Martin-Director: Eric Welch
"Just a Dream"Carrie Underwood-Producer: Randy Brewer-Director: Roman White
"Love Story"Taylor Swift-Producer: Trent Hardville-Director: Trey Fanjoy
"Troubadour"George Strait-Producer: Dominic Cancilla-Director: Trey Fanjoy
"Waitin' on a Woman"Brad Paisley-Producers: Mark Kalbfeld, Jim Shea-Directors: Jim Shea, Peter Tilden

Vocal Event of the Year
"Another Try"Josh Turner Featuring Trisha Yearwood-Producer: Frank Rogers
"Cowgirls Don't Cry"Brooks & Dunn Featuring Reba McEntire-Producers: Kix Brooks, Tony Brown, Ronnie Dunn
"Down the Road"Kenny Chesney With Mac McAnally-Producers: Buddy Cannon, Kenny Chesney
"Life in a Northern Town"Sugarland Featuring Little Big Town and Jake Owen-Producers: Sugarland, Byron Gallimore
"Start a Band"Brad Paisley Duet With Keith Urban

Watch Lady Antebellum Interview At The Grammys

Lady A didn't win at the Grammy's but they did have a great time- catch an interview prior to the awards show HERE...

Stream Zac Brown Band's New Single "Whatever It Is"- Great For Valentines Day

With Valentines Day just a few short days away, it's making us at That Nashville Sound awfully sentimental for love songs. And lucky for us, there's a great one rising up the charts from Zac Brown Band that their publicity department sent along a link to stream on your computer. Just simply click HERE.

If you need help writing a poem for that special girl/guy in your life, start here:

WHATEVER IT IS...
She's got eyes that cut you like a knife and

Lips that taste like sweet red wine

And pretty legs go to heaven every time

She got a gentle way that puts me at ease

When she walks in the room i can hardly breathe

Got a devastating smile knock a grown man to his knees
She's got whatever it isIt blows me away

She's everything i wanted to say to a woman

But couldn't find the words to say

She's got whatever it isI don't know what to do

Because every time i try and tell her how i feel It comes out "i love you"
You got whatever it is
You know i've never been the type that would ever want to stay

Bring 'em home at night and they're gone the next day

But that all changed when she walked into my life

People ask me what it is

I tell them i don't know

Just something about the woman makes my heart go haywire

She's gonna be my wife
She's got whatever it is

It blows me away

She's everything i wanted to say to a woman

But couldn't find the words to say

She's got whatever it is

I don't know what to do

Because every time i try and tell her how i feel It comes out "i love you"

You got whatever it is
When she loves me

Girl that's how i feel

When she loves me i'm on top of the world

Because when she loves me i can live forever

When she loves me i am untouchable
She's got whatever it isIt blows me away

She's everything i wanted to say to a woman

But couldn't find the words to say

She's got whatever it is

I don't know what to do

Because every time i try and tell her how i feel It comes out "i love you"

You got whatever it is

Trace Adkins To Hit The Tube To Promote X Album

Look for Trace to make a couple of guest appearances on the new Glenn Beck Show that now airs each day on the Fox News Channel. Trace will be part of Glenn’s live show on Monday, Feb. 23, and returns with special musical performances of his hits “Marry For Money” and “Muddy Water” on the following Sunday, March 1.

On Friday, March 13, Trace will perform on the new Late Night with Jimmy Fallon show. Fallon, who was formerly a cast member of “Saturday Night Live,” will take over the reigns from former Late Night host, Conan O’Brien on March 2, when the show makes its broadcast debut at 12:35/11:35c on NBC.

Mark Chesnutt Uses Autographed Guitar To Honor Friend

Mark Chesnutt (Lofton Creek Records) has joined with the Coalition for Pulmonary Fibrosis foundation in an awareness campaign and charity effort to remember famed country songwriter and hitmaker Dennis Linde.

Linde wrote Chesnutt's chart-topping hits "Bubba Shot the Jukebox" and "It Sure Is Monday" along with other notably recognizable country music tunes such as "Burnin' Love," (Elvis) "Goodbye Earl," (Dixie Chicks) "Callin' Baton Rouge" (Garth Brooks) among others. Linde succumbed to the disease in December 2006.

Mark has donated his personally-owned Takamine guitar along with carry case which is now being auctioned on e-Bay. Chesnutt, who plays nearly 100 dates a year, played this particular guitar for more than four years on stage, taking it to performances across the nation (including the Roadhouse Tour) as well as to Europe and the Caribbean.

The winning bidder will also receive a personal telephone call from Mark with his personal thanks for participating in the auction. One hundred percent of the proceeds from the guitar auction will be donated to the Coalition for Pulmonary Fibrosis foundation a nonprofit organization founded to accelerate research efforts leading to a cure for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), while educating, supporting, and advocating for the community of patients, families, and medical professionals fighting this disease. [For more information on the CPF, visit www.coalitionforpf.org or call (888) 222-8541.]

Chesnutt fans and country music enthusiasts can bid on the autographed guitar package by visiting www.eBay.com/Mark-Chesnutt-Autographed-Guitar for details. Bidding ends February 13, 2009.

Listen To New Music From The Wreckers' Michelle Branch

Michelle Branch hit it big both on the pop circuit as well as in country as a member of The Wreckers. She made her debut in 2000, and released the platinum-selling albums The Spirit Room and Hotel Paper in August 2001 and June 2003 respectively. During this period, she collaborated with Santana on the single "The Game of Love", which won a Grammy Award. In 2004, she formed the musical duo The Wreckers with fellow musician Jessica Harp. Michelle Branch will release her fourth solo album with record company Warner Bros. Nashville, Everything Comes and Goes this spring.

Michelle has offered a free listen of one of the first tracks off the new album called "This Way" HERE.

Introducing Gloriana (With Link To Listen To Their First Single)

Click HERE to listen to their brand new single officially hitting radio TODAY.

Amid the soaring four-part harmonies and electric stage presence, it's clear that Gloriana represents an exciting new force in country music. The group--Tom Gossin, Mike Gossin, Rachel Reinert and Cheyenne Kimball--consists of four uniquely talented musicians joining forces to create a fresh, one-of-a-kind sound that reflects the best of today's Nashville. From the outset, Gloriana has been winning supporters at all levels--from Grammywinning producer/label executive Matt Serletic and premiere Nashville songwriter Jeffrey Steele to the fans who've heard them in venues ranging from Buck Owens' Crystal Palace in Bakersfield to the clubs of the Deep South.

Now, with the release of their selftitled debut album, they're ready to take their cutting-edge country nationwide. The project reflects both the sheer talent of Gloriana's members and the level of commitment they have put into making every note count.

In the winter of 2007, Gloriana got its start when brothers Tom and Mike, who had moved to Nashville after sweating it out in clubs in North Carolina, discovered Rachel through her MySpace page. "We had never combined our duo with a female voice before," says Mike, "but singing with her was awesome. It gave us that high harmony and the sound was amazing." It wasn’t long before Cheyenne saw them perform at a top Nashville club and fell in love with the band’s sound. Immediately after the show, Cheyenne asked the trio if she could get together with them and jam. When they did, there was magic. "The three of us definitely felt we had something special," says Rachel, "but when Cheyenne came into the picture, it was really complete. The four-part harmony felt right, and the sound was spectacular." From that point on, commitment was everything. "We spent the next six months getting our songs and our live sound together," says Mike. "We accomplished a lot, working non-stop, playing shows, making sure we were tight and ready to go."

Happy Birthday To Travis Tritt

That Nashville Sound hopes Travis Tritt has a great birthday today. He turns 46.

Starting with the debut single release of "Country Club" in 1989, Travis Tritt has charted more than thirty singles on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Songs charts, including five Number Ones. His first and third albums—1989's Country Club and T-R-O-U-B-L-E—have each achieved platinum certification by the RIAA, while his albums It's All About to Change (1991), Greatest Hits: From the Beginning (1995), and My Honky Tonk History (2004) have each achieved gold status.

He has also received two Grammy Awards in his musical career, both awards for Best Country Vocal Collaboration: in 1992 for "The Whiskey Ain't Workin'", a duet with Marty Stuart, and again in 1998 for "Same Old Train", a collaboration of more than ten country music artists. In addition, he has received three awards from the Country Music Association, and is a member of the Grand Ole Opry.

Celebrate his big day with a quick watch of his video "Modern Day Bonnie & Clyde"...

That Nashville Sound's Johnny Cash Remixed Giveaway

All complimentary subscribers to this website between now and February 15th will be entered to win this special prize of one of two Johnny Cash Remixed CD’s. The subscription form is found at the top right of this website just under the masthead. Good luck!

Contest Rules
Enter to WIN a Johnny Cash Remixed CD

No PURCHASE IS NECESSARY TO ENTER THIS CONTEST

TERMS: This contest ends at 11:59 PM ET on February 15, 2008.PRIZE: 2 winners will receive one (1) Johnny Cash CD, 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 February 15, 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: February 16, 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.

Watch Eli Young Band's New Video For "Always The Love Songs"

Road warriors Eli Young Band have just released their new video for their single at radio, "Always The Love Songs." Watch it here...

2009 Country Grammy Winners Galore

The big winners of the night were Alison Krauss and Robert Plant who hauled in five, count em', five Grammy awards for their sensational album Raising Sand. Other country music winners from the night include:

Country Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals: "Stay," Sugarland, track from "Enjoy the Ride" (Mercury Records)

Country Song: "Stay," Jennifer Nettles, songwriter (Sugarland), track from "Enjoy the Ride" (Mercury Records; Publisher: Jennifer Nettles Publishing)

Pop Instrumental Performance: "I Dreamed There Was No War," Eagles, track from "Long Road Out of Eden" (Eagles Recording Company)

Country Album: "Troubadour," George Strait (MCA Nashville)

Female Country Vocal Performance: "Last Name," Carrie Underwood, track from "Carnival Ride" (19/Arista/Arista Nashville)

Male Country Vocal Performance: "Letter to Me," Brad Paisley, track from "5th Gear" (Arista Nashville)

Country Instrumental Performance: "Cluster Pluck," Brad Paisley, James Burton, Vince Gill, John Jorgenson, Albert Lee, Brent Mason, Redd Volkaert and Steve Wariner (Arista Nashville)

Bluegrass Album: "Honoring the Fathers of Bluegrass: Tribute to 1946 and 1947," Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder (Skaggs Family Records)

Robert Plant & Alison Krauss Haul In Five Grammy's

That Nashville Sound ranked Robert Plant & Alison Krauss's Raising Sand as the best album of 2007- it's as haunting as it is beautiful. Tonight, at the 2009 Grammy Awards, the duo and their album hauled in five Grammy's. Watch their great performance here...

In Case You Missed Wynonna's Good Morning America Performance This Week

Wynonna Judd performed this week on Good Morning America, premiering her first single off of the Sing album- watch it here...

The Eli Young Band Rereleases Three Indie Albums

After releasing two hit singles off their first major label album (When It Rains and Always The Love Songs- both off of their Jet Black & Jealous album), the Eli Young Band has just rereleased their three previous albums so their new fans can listen to the band's music before they were heard by the whole country world. Live At The Jolly Fox, Level, and the self-titled and long out-of-print Eli Young Band all are now available on both i-Tunes as well through Amazon.com.

Robert Plant & Alison Krauss Perform On Grammy's Tonight

Catch the Grammy's tonight where Robert Plant and Alison Krauss will be performing live and are up for an amazing five awards for their critically acclaimed album, Raising Sand.