Because You Can Never Have Enough Johnny & June

Watch them sing "Jackson" HERE...

Watch Garth Brooks Performance On Leno This Week

In case you missed it, Jay Leno had a big guest on his show this week. (Okay, with the President Of The United States, he had two.) Garth Brooks performed on the show that featured Barrack Obama. If you missed, you can catch Garth's peformance HERE...

Kenny Rogers Children's Center Telethon To Be Webcast This Weekend

The 29th Annual Kenny Rogers Children's Center Telethon is this Saturday and Sunday at the Sikeston High School Field House. KFVS12 is scheduled to WebCast the final two hours of the telethon on Sunday from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m EST.

CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE WEBCAST

(WebCast is scheduled to be live from 3:00 to 5:00 on Sunday EST)

Kenny Rogers Children's Center opened its doors in September of 1974 at the Sikeston Regional Center for the Developmentally Disabled at One Plaza Drive in Sikeston. At that time it was called the Scott-Mississippi-New Madrid Counties United Cerebral Palsy Center.

In 1977, country music legend Kenny Rogers was the featured performer at the 25th annual Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo. He was so impressed with the services that were being delivered with very limited funding that he donated an Arabian stallion valued at $25,000 to the Center. The stallion was sold for $75,000. On February 19, 1978 Kenny teamed up with Dottie West for a benefit concert in Sikeston which netted a whopping $74,000. The Rogers-West duo returned in January of 1979 for a second benefit concert, which raised over $72,000. Mel Tillis followed in April of 1979 and the Gatlin Brothers in April of 1980 with very successful concerts which also benefited the Center.

Today, the Center serves nearly 300 children with special needs from birth through 21 years of age at no cost to the families involved. Services provided include physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech and language therapy. The staff is comprised of physical therapists, a physical therapist assistant, occupational therapists, an occupational therapist assistant, speech and language pathologists, secretary/receptionist, an office manager and an executive director.

Musical Featuring “Johnny Cash” Extends Run In Chicago

The Million Dollar Quartet has struck gold in Chicago. Rock and roll and country fans alike love the free-wheeling musical inspired by the famed 1956 recording session that brought together legends Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins and Elvis Presley. The show has been extended several times at the Apollo Theater.

On December 4, 1956, an auspicious twist of fate brought Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins and Elvis Presley together. The place was Sun Records' storefront studio in Memphis. The man who made it happen was Sam Phillips, the "Father of Rock 'n' Roll," who discovered them all. The four legends-to-be united for the only time in their careers for an impromptu recording that has come to be known as one of the greatest rock jam sessions of all time.

Featuring a treasure trove of the greatest rock 'n' roll, gospel, R&B and country hits from these music legends, including "Blue Suede Shoes," "Fever," "Sixteen Tons," "Who Do You Love?," "Great Balls of Fire," "Ghost Riders," and "Whole Lotta' Shakin' Goin' On," Million Dollar Quartet captures the infectious spirit and thrilling sounds of a singular moment when four of the music industry's most extraordinary talents, all in their creative prime, came together for one of the most memorable nights in music history.

"We are thrilled to announce we are extending our run in Chicago," said Gigi Pritzker and John Cossette, co-producers of Million Dollar Quartet. "It was always our hope that Chicago audiences would love this show. From the very first preview performance, the response has been overwhelmingly positive, exceeding our expectations and confirming our hopes."

For more show information, visit http://www.milliondollarquartetlive.com/

Watch New Music Video For Alan Jackson's 'Sissy's Song'

Alan Jackson just launched his brand new music video for his new single at radio, "Sissy's Song." Watch it here...

Happy Birthday To The Snowman

That Nashville Sound wishes Jerry Reed a posthumous happy birthday wish today- he would have been 72 today.

Jerry Reed Hubbard (March 20, 1937 – September 1, 2008) was a legendary country music singer, country guitarist, session musician, songwriter, and actor who appeared in over a dozen films. As a singer, he may be best known for "Amos Moses", and "When You're Hot, You're Hot", for which he received the Grammy Award for Best Male Country Vocal Performance in 1972 and "East Bound and Down", the theme song to the film Smokey and the Bandit in which he portrayed the "Snowman", Cletus Snow.

Celebrate his birthday with a watch of him singing "She Got The Goldmine, I Got The Shaft" in this video...

Neal McCoy, Linda Davis & Michael Martin Murphey Join Texas Music Hall Of Fame

Neal McCoy will join fellow Texan natives Linda Davis and western music singer-songwriter Michael Martin Murphey as 2009 inductees into the hall of fame venue in Carthage on Aug. 15, according to Carolyn Moore, venue spokeswoman.

McCoy has 10 studio albums to his credit, including 1994's No Doubt About It and 1995's You Gotta Love That, which both reached platinum status. His 1997 greatest hits album was also platinum.

Davis, born in the Dotson community in 1962, recorded five major-label studio albums in her solo career. A 1993 duet with Reba McEntire, "Does He Love You," won both singers a Grammy Award for best country vocal collaboration.

Murphey, born in 1945 in Oak Cliff, is already a Western Music Association Hall of Fame member. He has more than two dozen studio albums to his credit, with two of his singles reaching the top of Billboard country music charts.

Listen To Eric Church. Del McCoury and Carlene Carter Perform Mini-Concerts On NPR

Like American Idol this week, there's a distinctly country & bluegrass flavor to National Public Radio's Mountain Stage program this week- with three great performances by artists in these genres- Eric Church, Carlene Carter & Del McCoury.

North Carolina-born singer-songwriter Eric Church has quickly become one of the most popular young stars in modern country music. Church recently treated a Mountain Stage audience in Bristol, Tenn./Va., to a stripped-down acoustic performance of what is normally a loud, electric stage show

Listen to Eric’s show HERE.

Carlene Carter, daughter of June Carter, recently released her first new album in 12 years. In a special appearance in the border city of Bristol, Tenn./Va., where past generations of her family recorded country music, Carter performs selections from her new album for Mountain Stage.

Listen to Carlene’s show HERE

This fall, bluegrass veteran Del McCoury celebrates 50 years in the music business. With his trademark high tenor sounding as distinct and sharp as ever, McCoury shows no signs of slowing down. His band recently performed in Bristol, Tenn./Va., for Mountain Stage.

Listen to Del's show HERE

Free Eli Young Band Single "When It Rains" On iTunes This Week

Eli Young Band's, “When it Rains” is being offered as a free download on iTunes this week. The track is a great one off a a very good album- go download it and watch their new CMT exclusive video for “Always the Love Songs” below.

“When it Rains” free discovery download on iTunes

Eli Young Band More CMT Music More CMT Music Videos

Watch New Lady Antebellum Music Video- 'Run To You'

A brand new Lady Antebellum music video hit yesterday- watch "Run To You" here...

George Jones Interviewed By Dr. Maya Angelou On Oprah Radio

Country Legend George Jones took the opportunity to interview with renowned poet and best-selling author, Dr. Maya Angelou. The broadcast will air nationwide on Sirius/XM Satellite's Oprah Radio channel (XM 156, Sirius 195).

Airdates/times: It premeiered yesterday (Wednesday March 18th at 5am, 1pm and 7pm EST), but will be repeating Saturday March 21st at 6pm EST and Sunday March 22nd at 7am EST.

Dr. Angelou has the unique ability to captivate listeners through the vigor and sheer beauty of her lyrics and words. An educator and historian, critically acclaimed actress, playwright, producer and director and leading civil rights activist, Dr. Angelou shares her legendary wisdom to help listeners find their true voices.

If you, or anyone you would like to listen to the show and do not have XM Satellite Radio, please visit Oprah.com where you may sign up for a free three-day trial and listen to Oprah Radio XM 156 and Sirius 195 via the internet so they won't miss a minute!

For a free 3-day trial:
Click here

New Lynyrd Skynyrd Album Due Soon

After heading out on the road with Kid Rock for a second summer of the "Rock and Rebels" tour, Southern rockers Lynyrd Skynyrd will release a new album being recorded in Nashville right now. It will be the band's newest album of new material since their 2003 album 'Vicious Cycle."

The Loud & Proud/Roadrunner Records release will also mark the band's first recordings since the death in January of founding member Billy Powell, whose fluid piano runs spiced such classic Skynyrd songs as "Freebird," "Call Me the Breeze" and "Sweet Home Alabama."

Founding guitarist Gary Rossington is the only surviving original Skynard band member stilll playing with the group.

Skynyrd is heading back out on the road this summer with Kid Rock for a second round of their "Rock and Rebels" tour, reprising last summer's highly lucrative jaunt. The 22-date tour kicks off in West Palm beach, Fla., on June 26.

CD Review- ‘Words & Music Nashville’ Songwriter Compilation

The Background
"WORDS & MUSIC NASHVILLE is nothing less than a dream come true," said Adroit label exec and record producer, James Tract. "To be able to go into the studio with the cream-of-the-crop of songwriters, whom I respect and admire, was a gift. The CD is not just music, it's a work of art. It's a labor of love for all involved, and a convergence of synergy and energy. There's no filler, just one truly amazing song after another!" Produced by Tract, the CD contains ten songs written and performed by the songwriter and features award-winning and prodigy song crafters Lucas Hoge ("Dirt"), Craig Monday ("Heaven Is A Small Town"), Vince Melamed ("Walk Away Joe"), Joshua Rush ("I Found Myself Dancing"), Brendan McKinney ("Yeah She Does"), Ray Sisk ("Memphis [Ain't No Place to Lose the Blues]"), Cheley Tackett ("Play The One I Like"), Karleen Watt ("I'm Not Ready"), Lisa Carver ("Bullets") and Mason Douglas ("Home Free").

The Review
It’s interesting that you would think that the track that would be the obvious stand out from the album would be Vince Melamed’s performance of his smash hit “Walkaway Joe,” that Trisha Yearwood took to #2 on the charts. However, upon deeper review, there are several songs that we would rate as bigger favorites on the album. Take for example, Lucas Hoge’s “Dirt,” in which he sings a darker and beautifully arranged song about being buried in the dirt of his own land when his time comes. Craig Monday has had songs recorded by Kenny Chesney, Vince Gill, Mark Wills, and his "Heaven Is A Small Town" (co-written with Chris Wallin) showcases a beautiful tenor voice that draws comparisons to Vince Gill. Monday song is about what life is like after we cross over- comparing it all to small town USA. Our favorite track was Brendan McKinney’s dobro and and slide guitar drenched “Yeah, She Does.” It’s simple, straight-forward and goes down smooth- all while making you want to move your feet

Sounds Like:
A great night at the Bluebird Cafe

Track Highlights (suggested iPod adds):
Yeah She Does (Brendan McKinney)
Heaven Is A Small Town (Craig Monday)
Dirt (Lucas Hoge)

The Verdict:
Three And A Half Stars Out Of Five

That Nashville Sound Wishes Happy Birthday To HOF Member Charley Pride

Happy birthday to Country Music Hall-Of-Fame member, Charley Pride- he turns 71 today.

During his career, he has had thirty-six number-one hits on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts. He is one of the few African-American country musicians to have had considerable success in the largely Caucasian country music industry and the only current one to be inducted into the Grand Ole Opry.

Celebrate his big day with a quick watch of Charlie Pride stopping by at The Marty Stuart Show earlier this year. In this clip the Country Music Hall of Fame Member sings his classic, Kiss An Angel Good Morning...

Listen To The New Willie Nelson Album Out Today

The new Willie Nelson album, Naked Willie, is out today- March 17th. It’s a collection of 17 songs recorded between 1966-1970 stripped of their original production treatments of strings and group choruses. For a limited time, you can listen to Naked Willie on CMT.com.

Up & Coming New Nashville- Williams Riley (With Exclusive Interview)

Every once in a while, talent and personality do what they should: Attract immediate and enthusiastic support from fans and fellow artists.

Case in point: Steve Williams, the lead singer for Williams Riley, one of country music’s most exciting newcomers. Williams expresses amazement at how many top names within the music industry have rallied behind him and lent their talents and their enthusiastic support in helping his music find a larger audience.
Among those top names, rock’s most famous guitarist, Slash, joins country star Bryan White and famed singer-songwriter Edwin McCain on the debut, self-titled Williams Riley album—an incredible rarity for a new, independent artist.

That’s only part of the lineup of all-stars on the recording. Co-producer Noel Golden is an award-winning studio veteran who has worked with platinum selling artists matchbox twenty, Metallica, Edwin McCain, Sister Hazel, Sammy Hagar, Willie Nelson and Lee Ann Womack, to just name a few. Derek George, best-known as Bryan White’s primary collaborator, also co-produced. Besides Slash, other acclaimed instrumentalists on the album include A-team players Dan Dugmore, Kenny Greenberg and John Hobbs.

Fans have reacted with similar over-the-top fervor, crowding merchandise tables to buy Williams Riley CD’s after each show. The band once sold all 400 CD’s brought to a show in Chicago, even though they played a short 30-minute opening set before two better-known acts.
“I can’t believe how passionate everyone has been about what we’re doing,” says Williams, the singer, songwriter and guiding light of Williams Riley. “Not long ago, I was just a guy writing songs in Louisiana. Now a bunch of my heroes are playing with me and my band on my songs because they love what I’m doing, that tells me that we must be doing something right.”

You can listen and stream some of the Williams Riley band's music here. We had a chance to sit down with Steve Williams, lead singer of the band for a few questions about their life as a country band...

That Nashville Sound- What brought you to country music & Nashville?

Steve Williams- Well, while I grew up listening to R&B, Pock and Rock, My all time favorite was Glenn Campbell and as I grew up I began listening more to southern rock bands like 38-Special, Lynard Skynard and Molly Hatchet. Then came Restless Heart, Vince Gill and Bryan White who were actually played on Country stations and I LOVED them. Even later in life, I began listening to Edwin McCain and Hootie and the Blowfish. The funny thing is that with exception to Edwin, they are all considered country in today's world. So I guess the answer is I didn't really come to country music, I think it came to me.

TNS- Describe your music- what's the mission behind the music?

SW- My music is definitely country pop and while we do have some traditional country sounds as well as southern rock styles, I've just always been a pop guy. If there was a mission, I think it would be to simply create something that people will appreciate and enjoy. I think music has a way of altering people's emotions in both good ways and bad ways and I think people need that. It keeps us from being robotic I guess. In the end, I just want to make good, honest music that people will enjoy and make them want to see us live.

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

SW- Two things... One, I think people would be surprised at how diverse my musical background is. From Luther Vandros to Hall and Oats. The Baby's to Ozzy Osbourne and Glenn Campbell to Vince Gill. Two that I started a music career at 40 years old.

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

SW- Allman Brothers - Dave Barnes (LOVE) - Matt Werzt - Jimmy Wayne - Keith Urban - Kenny Loggins - Marc Broussard - Michael English

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

SW- I'd like to see myself accepting a grammy for a song that I wrote even if I didn't see it..

Free Music Alert- Gloriana's "Wild At Heart" is iTunes Free Single Of The Week

Country music newcomers Gloriana will be featured on iTunes starting today, with a free “Single of the Week” download of, “Wild At Heart,” from their forthcoming debut album on Emblem Music Group. “Wild At Heart” is climbing the country charts and currently sits at #34 on R&R, # 33 on Country Aircheck, and #36 on Music Row. The video debuts at #16 on the fan voted CMT Top 20.

“We are so excited that iTunes likes our single enough to offer it as a free single of the week. The response to “Wild At Heart” has been a dream come true for all of us,” said Rachel Reinert.

“Wild At Heart” showcases the undeniable talent of the four young artists who make up Gloriana (Tom Gossin, Mike Gossin, Rachel Reinert and Cheyenne Kimball) and was written by Matt Serletic, Josh Kear, and Stephanie Bentley. The infectious single caught the attention of Taylor Swift last month who invited the group to go out on her FEARLESS 2009 Tour, kicking off in late April. Gloriana will join American Idol alum Kellie Pickler as opening acts on the tour.

Toby Keith Signs Mac McAnally To Record Label

The big personal year of victories from well-regarded singer/songwriter and producer Mac McAnally has just gotten a little bigger. After having a number one single singing with Kenny Chesney on Down the Road and winning 2008's "Musician of the Year" from the Country Music Association for his stellar guitar work – McAnally has signed with Show Dog Nashville, Toby Keith's label.

Keith explains:
"There's nobody more respected, at least when it comes to musicians andpeople who really know this business, than Mac McAnally," says the Show Dog proprietor. "There aren't a lot of guys you put in that category and I've gotten to work with a few. So getting to be a part of whatever Mac wants to do is an honor for me, and for everyone at the label."

McAnally got his start as a Muscle Shoals session musician as a guitarist. He's played behind or sang harmony for many artists including Roy Orbison, Hank Williams, Jr., Amy Grant, Travis Tritt, Linda Ronstadt, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Dolly Parton and Jimmy Buffett, who Mac continues to tour with as part of his Coral Reefer band and has produced projects for including the number one album, "License to Chill." He also produced Ricky Skaggs, Sawyer Brown, Chris LeDoux and Little Feat.

Remembering Reba's Lost Bandmates

Today we remember the tragedy that took the lives of seven of Reba McEntire’s band and celebrate their lives.

“We were playing a private show in San Diego. And then we had another show the next night in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Part of the band and crew got in one plane and the rest got in another plane. I stayed in San Diego,” says Reba. “One plane took off and was flying straight to Fort Wayne, Ind. And the other plane hit the side of Otay Mountain.”

Seven band members, and Reba’s road manager, were killed in the crash on March 16, 1991.

“They were so talented. Funny. Oh my gosh, they were funny. It's a group of people that you can understand why God took 'em, because they were so special. But oh, by gosh, we missed 'em,” says Reba. “At first I didn't wanna get close to anybody ever again, 'cause I was afraid they'd be taken away. Dang it. And then I realized that can't be the situation. You've gotta embrace the people you're with. You've gotta take every minute as if it's your last. And so I just turned it around.”

These very special band members were helping Reba raise money for the building of the first Reba's Ranch House from 1987 until the terrible plane crash in 1991. There is a dedication walkway that runs between the Ranch House and the Texoma Medical Center. In the middle of this walkway, there is a plaque which reads for "My Broken Heart" and lists the names of all the band members .

That Nashville Sound wishes prayers up above for those lost and missed.

Watch Shooter Jennings & Jamey Johnson New Video

Shooter Jennings and Jamey Johnson recently completed filming a CMT Crossroads together and this video shows their teaming of "Somewhere Between Jennings & Jones." Watch it here...

Country Music Hall Of Fame Celebrates Centennial of “Louie Bluie” Armstrong

National African American country music treasure Howard “Louie Bluie” Armstrong would have turned 100 on March 4, 2009. The Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville and other venues around the country will celebrate his centennial with screenings of his documentary SWEET OLD SONG.

Howard died July 30, 2003, one year after the premier of SWEET OLD SONG. During that year he and Barbara performed at several screenings and Howard was able to return to his home state of Tennessee to receive the Governor’s Award in the Arts.

A screening of SWEET OLD SONG will be at The Country Music Hall of Fame on March 22nd at 2pm. Made possible in part by “P.O.V.,” in partnership with Nashville Public Television. Howard actually performed here in 2002 when the film was released.

Howard "Louie Bluie" Armstrong (born William Howard Taft Armstrong), was an string band and country blues musician who played fiddle, mandolin, guitar and sang. He was also a notable visual artist and raconteur.

Howard Armstrong was born in Dayton, Tennessee, and grew up in LaFollette. As a young teenager he taught himself to play the fiddle, and joined a band led by Blind Roland Martin and his brother Carl. They toured America performing a wide range of music, from work songs and spirituals through popular Tin Pan Alley tunes and foreign language songs.

In 1929 he recorded with Sleepy John Estes and Yank Rachell. The following year he recorded in Knoxville for Vocalion Records, with his brother Roland Armstrong and Carl Martin, billed as the Tennessee Chocolate Drops. Adding guitarist Ted Bogan, the band toured as part of a medicine show and backed blues artists like Big Bill Broonzy and Memphis Minnie. They also performed at the 1933 World's Fair in Chicago. In 1934 Armstrong and Bogan recorded State Street Rag and Ted's Stomp on the Bluebird label, with Armstrong using the stage name "Louie Bluie" which he had been given by a fan.

Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top Express Release New Album March 31

Bobby Osborne and the Rocky Top Express are preparing for an end-of-the-month release called Bluegrass & Beyond—their third project for Rounder Records. Opry member, IBMA Hall-of-Famer and gold-plated legend Bobby Osborne and his band have covered a wide range of musical genres this time. The album carries on a key Osborne Brothers tradition, serving up a wide variety of songs—from The Eagles, Eddie Rabbitt and Bill Monroe (Osborne tackles “What Would You Give In Exchange For Your Soul” with help from Marty Stuart and Connie Smith) to Conway & Loretta and hotshot California songwriter Chris Stuart—and sending them heavenward with a voice that can still soar. The album comes out March 31, 2009.

Roseanne Cash Finishing Album Based On "Dad's List"

With a musical lineage unlike any other artist in country music history, Roseanne Cash been part of the fabric of Nashville music since birth. It was excitement that we read a letter sent out to "her friends" about an upcoming project that is very much attached to her father, Johnny...

"I have begun a new record, which will hopefully be delivered to my lovely and intelligent label, Manhattan Records, in March, and will hopefully reach your digital download service by Fall. I was going to say it would reach your ‘record store’, but I didn’t want you to think I was time-traveling from another century. (Oh, what WILL happen to the major label paradigm and compact discs? Did you know that vinyl is outselling cds these days?)

The record. When I was 18 years old, my father became alarmed that I appeared to lack a deep and thorough understanding of country music (having been Beatles obsessed for my entire youth) and he made me a list of songs. At the top, he scrawled ‘100 Essential Country Songs’ and he gave a lot of thought to which songs comprised that one hundred. He told me that this list was my education, and said I should learn all the songs. I did. And it WAS an education.
I am making a record based on The List.

It is a profound pleasure and honor to sing these songs. I’m not doing the entire one hundred, but Mr. L and I are carefully culling the ones which seem best suited to my voice and sensibility. I’ve never done anything like this, and it is so liberating and so affirming of everything I’ve written and recorded to this point. You might not think that would be the case, as I am a songwriter, and have defined myself that way for my entire adult life, but this project ties all the threads together—past and future, legacy and youth, tradition, timelessness and the pull of the unknown. If my father had been a martial arts master, he might have passed a martial arts ‘secret’ on to me, his oldest child. If he had been a surgeon, he might have taken me into his operating room and pointed out the arteries and organs. If he were a robber baron, he might have surveyed his empire and said, ‘Honey, some day this will all be yours!’. But he was a musician and a songwriter, and he gave me The List.

Look for The List, possibly at your favorite RECORD STORE, later this year."