Tracy Lawrence has his brand new music video Up To Him available to watch- see it here...
Saturday, May 16, 2009
John Michael Montgomery Plans Outlaw Covers Album
Billboard.com is reporting that John Michael Montgomery, after starting his own Stringtown Records label, is planning an album of covers of 70's and 80's outlaw songs including Willie Nelson, Hank Williams Jr and Waylon Jennings."I'm looking at going in and cutting an album of my favorite Outlaw hits from back in the day," says Montgomery, who first worked with Time Life on an infommercial for the company's Country Explosion" series. "That's the music I cut my teeth on -- Hank (Williams) Jr., Willie (Nelson), Waylon (Jennings). "I want to bring back what I feel was one of the greatest eras of music. Not only was Southern rock huge, but the country music scene was really rockin', too. So I'm excited about doing that. It gives me a chance to go back in time and sing some of the songs I grew up singing."
Montgomery says he'll probably record the album in the late summer or early fall.
Darryl Worley Goes To Battle On Stage
The Tennessean is reporting this harrowing stage experience for Darryl Worley- a great testament to his toughness and durability…“Country singer Darryl Worley certainly proved himself a resilient entertainer Thursday, when he took a mid-set trip to the emergency room, then returned to finish his show with another 50 minutes of music.
Worley was performing in Billings, Montana, having hustled out there via private jet after his original flight from Nashville was canceled due to weather. During the set, a release from the singer’s publicity folks said, a gust of wind sent a road case lid flying across the stage, into his mic stand and then into Worley’s head.
The singer had a gash on his head bandaged by on-site emergency personnel, and on his way to the hospital, told tour manager Joe Morris that he’d be back to play for whoever stayed while he got stitched up. Seven sutures later, Worley returned to the stage to play for some 800 fans who hung around. (The windy weather finally shut down the show after Worley’s near-hour-long post-ER set.)”
Friday, May 15, 2009
CD Reviews- Jeff Cook & The AGB- Ashes Won't Burn
The BackgroundAfter retiring from the road in 2004, country supergroup Alabama left millions of their fans salivating for more of the down-home country music they had been devouring for three decades. During the group's 30-year run, the boys managed to snag 42 #1 Hits, two Grammy Awards, 23 American Music Awards, three CMA "Entertainer of the Year" Awards, ACM's "Group of the Decade," and the RIAA's "Group of the Century." Now, five years later, Alabama lead guitarist, fiddle player and founding member Jeff Cook has cranked up his Allstar Goodtime Band (AGB) to bring fans that familiar Alabama sound as well as something new. Cook and the AGB have released Ashes Won't Burn. The new album, releasing on Quest Records, isn't genre specific. "This new record will please Rock, Blues and Soul fans alike... we had a lot of fun making it... we call it ‘Funtry' music. Country music fans can expect to hear those familiar guitar and fiddle licks from the past," says Cook. Cook's Allstar Goodtime Band is a nine-piece group (including Cook) complete with a three-piece horn section and percussion. Prior to forming the band, Cook methodically handpicked all eight band members based on stage chemistry... a difficult task when considering the large number of musicians he has collaborated with throughout the years.
The Review
I can’t lie. When I got received this CD of mostly covers from Alabama’s second most famous vocalist, I had some reservations. Boy, was I ever wrong. With a soulful, blues style that truly is reminiscent of the Hall Of Fame band’s former sound- especially on songs like "Ashes Won’t Burn" and "Kissing A Fool"- it’s a fresh new reflection on the past. The production is more energized (directly from Mr. Cook's mouth) than most of today's newer artists and less harmonized as most of Alabama’s albums. The song-selection is geared obviously to their forte- live shows. The album has a number covers including the popular Beatles song “I Feel Fine,” Bob Dylan’s “Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door,” Free’s “All Right Now,” Del McClinton’s “Monkey Around” and The Commodores “Brick House.” But Cook’s famous fiddle and trademark songwriting aren’t completely absent. He has original material like “Mist of Desire,” “A Million Times Today,” and “Wonderful Waste of Time.” They’ll remind those Alabama fans that Cook that it wasn’t all Randy Owen at the wheel. If Cooks’s concept for the band was for this to be a vehicle to tour the fair and casino circuit, this album is very representative of that desire. It won’t win any CMA’s, no music videos will be forthcoming, and you won’t see this album at the top of any Billboard charts. But if what you want is a welcome addition for those fans that miss that popular Alabama sound, this is a fun a CD to add to your collection. (Addition to post- note that there IS a music video for this album- one worth watching to get a full flavor of the album- see it HERE.)
Sounds Like
Alabama crossed with Ronnie Milsap & John Fogerty
Track Highlights (suggested iPod adds):
Knockin On Heaven’s Door
Ashes Won’t Burn
I Feel Fine
Kissing A Fool
Ashes Won’t Burn
I Feel Fine
Kissing A Fool
The Verdict:
Three Stars Out Of Five
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Up & Coming New Nashville- Jonathan Singleton & The Grove (With Exclusive Interview)
Since signing his breakthrough publishing and production deal two years ago with Crosstown Songs Nashville, multi-talented singer/songwriter Jonathan Singleton has been caught up in a creative whirlwind that’s left him little time to be chilling at the airport “Watching Airplanes”—the name of the track he co-wrote (with Jim Beavers) for superstar Gary Allan that became one of the biggest country hits of the past year. The first single from Allan’s 2007 release Living Hard, “Watching Airplanes” spent more than thirty weeks on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, peaking at 2. For the week ending February 19, 2008, the song was 1 on the Country Aircheck/Mediabase airplay chart. He is also the pen behind Billy Currington’s current smash hit, “Don’t” as well. His first single “Livin’ In Paradise” just entered the country chart’s top 50 and is climbing fast.While the widespread success of “Watching Airplanes” is establishing the Jackson, Tennessee native as a prolific, first call Nashville songwriter for other artists, he is also currently in the studio, about ten tracks deep into a new project with his own eponymous band Jonathan Singleton and the Grove. The album is being produced by major Nashville hitmaker Dann Huff and is the first of five recordings Singleton will make under his agreement with Universal South Records.
Huff has long had the Midas touch for creating mainstream pop/country hits, but he is moving a bit left of center in creating a dynamic new vibe with Singleton, creating a more roots-rocking, bluegrass sound for the singer and his longtime band’s latest recording. “Being part of Dann’s publishing and production companies is the perfect place for someone who writes the way I do,” says Singleton, whose lyrics focus on the here-and-now simplicity of everyday life. “Dann’s very in tune with where I’m coming from as a writer and singer, and he’s never felt inclined to do the straight down the middle pop thing with me that he does so well with other artists. The new songs have more of an edgy old school country rock flavor that’s got both of us very excited. My main criterion for a good song is one that makes me want to pick up the guitar and play again and again. It’s never about what’s commercial or how it will reap a certain audience, but all about having that gut instinct that it just feels good.”
Singleton was born into a family with an audience - his father was a preacher in the Church of Christ and his mother was a talented singer/songwriter who declined a small recording deal to look after her children. At age 16, the naturally gifted guitarist formed his first band with his brother Josh. The Smoking Jackets was a blues-rock band that at one time was the official touring band of the NASCAR circuit, showcasing for several record labels (including MCA and Island Def Jam) before evolving into The Grove. Singleton later attended Northeast Community College in Booneville, Miss. where he and the other members of his band were a part of the school’s Campus Country program, a scholarship program designed to prepare young musicians for life in Nashville.
Listen to an acoustic version of the new single "Livin’ In Paradise" here and then catch the interview we had with this new artist…
And the interview with this exciting new singer/songwriter…
That Nashville Sound- What brought you to music in the first place?
Jonathan Singleton- I had the privilege of growing up in a musical family. My mom had a band all through my childhood. There were always drums, guitars, and a p.a. around the house. I remember a few songs from their set list that my band, later would cover. They played everything so, we got to hear everything. Dobie Gray, Doobie Brothers, Willie Nelson, old country standards to new rock hits filled out their repertoire.
TNS- Describe your music- what's the mission behind the music?
JS- We have attempted every kind of music. Nothing is off limits for the Grove. We always thought you could learn something from every kind of music. As we got more "mature" musically, we started playing more lyrically driven country and southern rock sounding tunes, it just has to be something real. Musically I hope we are bringing something new, mixing genres of music, bluegrass melodies with rock guitar riffs, quirky lyrics over contemporary music. These are all things we think about. It all comes down to if the band really wants to play the song again.
TNS- Describe the difference between others recording your songs and performing your own?
JS- It is a totally different thing all together for me. I have always been a band guy, that is how I work. Songwriting pulled me away from that for a while. I love being a songwriter, there is no better feeling than hearing your song on the radio except, for hearing yourself sing your song on the radio. There is also a stress that comes along with that too. I should have sang this different or done that different. The thing we do with the Grove sometimes might not come across in an acoustic songwriter setting. It is plugged up, turned up, and rocking. We leave it all on the stage. Those are the kinds of songs we are looking to cut for our project.
TNS- What kind of music are you listening to? What's in your iPod?
JS- I'm just looking at my iPod here.....Aimee Mann, Alison Krauss, Blind Melon, Bruce Springsteen, Chris Knight, Counting Crows, Eric Church, G. Love and Special Sauce, James Morrison, Joshua Singleton, Keb Mo, Louden Wainwright, Me First and the Gimme Gimmes, Merle Haggard, NO/FX, Patty Griffin, Ray Lamontagne, Steve Earle, the Roots,Tom Petty, Vampire Weekend, Van Morrison, Willie Nelson, Zac Brown. Those are the highlights.
TNS- What's next for Jonathan Singleton & The Grove? Where do you hope to be career-wise a couple years from now?
JS- We keep our expectations pretty low. We are happy getting out in front of people playing music. Hopefully, now it's just a matter of getting out there. We love the small venues and clubs, we feel comfortable there. We plan to make a tour of our own like that.
TNS- Opry or Opera?
JS- Opry
TNS- Record stores or downloads?
JS- I download more, but I have a huge record collection. I love digging through old records.
TNS- Fine dining or southern cooking?
JS- Southern cooking
TNS- Baseball or fishing?
JS- I don't get to do either often enough. I love both. Probably fishing more though.
TNS- West Coast or East Coast?
JS- I'm not a rapper, but my favorite place in the world is St. Augustine Florida. It is on the East Coast.
TNS- Nickname for your guitar?
JS- I have two favorite guitars. Both are old Strats. One is commonly refered to as the "beat up strat" the other is "the lady strat." One is beat to death, but I love it. The other is a 1973, somewhere down the line somebody put a pin up girl decal on the body.
Dolly Parton Releases New Children's Book Today

Add author to the amazing Dolly Parton's resume. She has just released the new children's book, I Am A Rainbow. Featuring illustrations by Heather Sheffield and written by Dolly for children between four and eight years old, the book relates emotions to children through color and how they can learn to express their feelings. The book is due out today, May 14th, from Putnam Juvenile and can be preordered now on sale from Amazon.
Punk/Rock Group Black Lips Go Country (For 30 Seconds)
Garage punk rock band Black Lips has reinterpreted one of country music’s most enduring anthems, “Mamas, Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys,” for a new Nike commercial. It was made famous by Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson, whose version was first released on their 1978 album Waylon & Willie. You can watch it here…| Add Insider to your page |
Phil Stacey Signs To New Label, Readies New Faith-Based Album
After making it to the Top Five of American Idol, Phil Stacey signed with a Disney, made a country record with a couple of mid-level hits on it, and is now reintroducing himself to the Christian music world via Reunion Records. A new faith-based album is planned for later this summer.In an interview with Christian Music Today, Phil says, “"I've got a message I want to share with people." I was able to put John Waller songs on my record, and I was able to share my faith with people, and I think it got to a point where most of the people around me were like, "Phil, you're a Christian artist, this is your heart." I missed singing in church. That's where I grew up singing. I was touring churches when I was 13. So I realized that's where I need to be. My label and I parted ways early fall last year. I was ready to travel to churches, just share my heart with people.
When asked about combining genres of country music and Christian music, Stacey says in the interview, “I have always loved country music. I was born in Eastern Kentucky. I grew up listening to the greats—Bill Monroe, Roy Acuff, these guys did more hymns than anything else. The Grand Ole Opry used to end every single episode with a hymn. And that's the music I was allowed to listen to as a kid. It's funny talking to artists about genres. Within Christian music you're got a vast array of different genres.”
You can read the rest of the article here...
Dolly Parton Unveils Her Second Big Musical This Year
Dolly Parton showcased her songwriting in her second musical production in as many weeks at the Dollywood premiere of Sha-Kon-O-Hey!—Land of Blue Smoke on Saturday, May 9.Billed as “a show as big as the Great Smoky Mountains,” the $1 million production is the largest and most elaborate in the theme park’s 24-year history.
“Having grown up and lived in the heart of these beautiful mountains, my love for this area is deep, genuine and heartfelt,” Parton said. “Sha-Kon-O-Hey! celebrates the wonderful people, music and proud heritage of this spectacular place.” Sha-Kon-O-Hey is derived from the Cherokee name for the Smoky Mountains meaning “land of blue smoke.”
The new show coincides with the 75th anniversary of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, for which Parton is the official international ambassador. Parton wrote the eight songs featured in the show. She recently released a CD entitled Sha-Kon-O-Hey! which includes all eight songs. Proceeds from first-year sales of the CD benefit Friends of the Smokies, a non-profit organization devoted to preserving and protecting Great Smoky Mountains National Park by raising funds and public awareness. The CD is available for purchase at Dollywood or dollywood.com.
Guided by Parton’s heartfelt songs, Sha-Kon-O-Hey! takes audiences back to a time of great change in the Smoky Mountains during the 1930s. The captivating story is a musical journey to the hidden land of Sha-Kon-O-Hey where a wizened storyteller guides a reluctant family as it bids farewell to the area that eventually becomes Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The 45-minute production features a cast of eight singer/dancers and 10 acrobats plus a six-piece live band with fully orchestrated accompaniment. The musical introduces audiences to the settlers, the rail and lumbermen, the Cherokee warriors and the shiners while capturing the spirit of the mountains and the rich heritage of the people who call them home.
Upon entering the theater, guests are greeted by a cascading waterfall which is the gateway to the land of Sha-Kon-O-Hey. In addition to the stunning waterfall and lush set, Sha-Kon-O-Hey! incorporates scenic elements and stage effects never before seen at Dollywood. The musical reaches a dramatic culmination as the action unfolds amid the audience with the aid of state-of-the-art special effects.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
CD Reviews- Keith Urban- Defying Gravity
The Background:Keith Urban's 2006 album, Love, Pain And The Whole Crazy Thing, was an extremely personal album chronicling a period of personal upheaval both good (his marriage to actress Nicole Kidman) and bad (just prior to the album's release, the singer entered rehab for unspecified addictions), and although it was a success by most commercial measures, it was the Australian country singer's first album not to produce a Number One single on the country charts. The follow-up, Defying Gravity- from the adoption of a more buoyant mindset in the title song, to the soaring giddiness of the singles "Sweet Thing" and "Kiss A Girl"- is a far less somber affair. Produced by Urban's usual musical partner Dann Huff and consisting mostly of songs written or co-written by Urban (a cover of Radney Foster's sly "I'm In" being the best of the exceptions), Defying Gravity is a summery, good-time album. Defying Gravity has already produced Urban's 10th #1 song, "Sweet Thing", his third #1 in a row ("You Look Good In My Shirt" and "Start A Band" with Brad Paisley). The CD's second single "Kiss A Girl," which Urban performed on the Academy of Country Music Awards earlier this Spring, has already cracked the Top 10 on both the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart and Mediabase/Country Aircheck. "It's an incredible feeling to have a #1 record," said Urban. "But equally moving is knowing that this particular record, that comes from such a joyous, loving and hopeful place, is connecting with so many people."
The Review:
Defying Gravity is a great representation of Keith's married life, new life as a father and his evident life happiness. It’s a love-filled album with romantic titles like “Kiss A Girl,” “Sweet Thing,” “Only You Can Love Me This Way” and “Thank You.” Tracks like "Thank You” have an openness in the lyrics reflected in his contentment in his heart. Urban has always had a personal emotion tinge to his heart- some of his best work has come from the trials in his personal life- take “Stupid Girl” for instance. This album just so obviously comes from a happier and different place. That’s one small challenge I have with the album. Keith Urban plays it so upbeat Defying Gravity, it makes you long for some diversity in theme on the album. It’s the Martina McBride syndrome- each song of hers seems to be the same message as the one before. And while Urban isn’t nearly as narrow in topic as McBride, a little heartbreak would do this album good. The album is nearly perfect from an orchestration standpoint and Urban ranks right up there with Brad Paisley as one of the finest guitarist of the new millennium in country music. The riffs that are the basis of many of the songs- take “Sweet Thing” for instance- are catchy, cool and will do well on the FM dial. As he crosses the country doing his big tour this summer, the album is filled with many rocking guitar riffs that are perfect for the arenas. The album is good- there’s some really good tracks. But compared to the darker Love, Pain & the Whole Crazy Thing three years ago, it’s critically not a match- albeit probably much more radio-friendly.
Sounds Like:
Steve Wariner With Brad Paisley’s Axe
Track Highlights (suggested iPod adds):
Sweet Thing
Hit The Ground Runnin’
Thank You
Kiss A Girl
If Ever I Could Love
Hit The Ground Runnin’
Thank You
Kiss A Girl
If Ever I Could Love
The Verdict:
Three & A Half Stars Out Of Five
TNS Wishes Lari White A Happy Birthday
That Nashville Sound would like to wish one of the 90’s unsung stars and a current producer/songwriter a very happy birthday- Lari White turns 44 today.She first gained national attention in 1992 as a winner on You Can Be a Star, a talent competition which aired on The Nashville Network. A recording contract with RCA Nashville followed a year later, producing three studio albums, a greatest hits package, and several chart singles. A fourth studio album was released in 1998 on Lyric Street Records- followed by two more releases on White's own label, Skinny White Girl. Overall, White has charted twelve times on the Billboard country music charts, with three of her singles having reached Top Ten: "That's My Baby" and "That's How You Know (When You're In Love)" at #10, and "Now I Know" at #5.
White also appeared in the 2000 film Cast Away before placing her musical career on hiatus. She returned in 2004 with the self-released album Green Eyed Soul. She also co-produced Toby Keith's 2005 album White Trash With Money and co-wrote Sarah Buxton’s 2008 single "Space".
Celebrate her big day with a quick watch of her top ten song and music video “Now I Know” here…
Rock Band Video Game Goes Country
Harmonix and MTV Games are obliging country fans with a new Country Track Pack, available on all major console systems. “Rock Band loves country music too, and these tracks are among the most fun to play of any we've released to date,” said Paul DeGooyer, a Senior VP at MTV Networks Music Group. “We’ve received a ton of requests from fans to bring more country to the game, and our artist partners responded. We're very excited to be able to offer this set, featuring some of the greatest songs ever recorded.”The Rock Band Country Track Pack will feature 21 tracks in total, and be sold in disc form for a limited time before being made available for download. The disc version will sport a price tag of $29.99. Here are the first 13 tracks that have been announced:
Alan Jackson Good Time
Brooks & Dunn Hillbilly Deluxe
Dierks Bentley Free & Easy (Down the Road I Go)
Dixie Chicks Sin Wagon
Drive-By Truckers 3 Dimes Down
Jason Aldean She’s Country
Kenny Chesney She Thinks My Tractor’s Sexy
Kenny Rogers The Gambler
Lucinda Williams Can’t Let Go
Martina McBride This One’s For the Girls
Rascal Flatts Me and My Gang
Shania Twain Any Man of Mine
Steve Earle Satellite Radio
Alan Jackson Good Time
Brooks & Dunn Hillbilly Deluxe
Dierks Bentley Free & Easy (Down the Road I Go)
Dixie Chicks Sin Wagon
Drive-By Truckers 3 Dimes Down
Jason Aldean She’s Country
Kenny Chesney She Thinks My Tractor’s Sexy
Kenny Rogers The Gambler
Lucinda Williams Can’t Let Go
Martina McBride This One’s For the Girls
Rascal Flatts Me and My Gang
Shania Twain Any Man of Mine
Steve Earle Satellite Radio
Free David Nail Music
MCA Nashville Records is set to release I'm About To Come Alive, the new album from rising country star David Nail. AOL.com's THE BOOT is offering 10,000 free audio downloads of his latest hit “Red Light” from now and until supplies run out. David is set to make his debut performance on the Grand Ole Opry stage this Saturday (May 16), which can be heard live on Nashville’s WSM, Sirius XM and on wsmonline.com. David will showcase songs from I'm About To Come Alive, which features songs written by Rascal Flatts’ Gary LeVox and Kenny Chesney and vocals by Miranda Lambert on the track “Strangers On A Train”.FREE Download of "Red Light" http://www.amplified.com/redlight/page.aspx
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
CD Reviews- Dean Brody- Dean Brody
The Background:Dean was born in Jaffry, British Columbia, and as a child he worked in a sawmill and learned how to play guitar in his spare time. He moved to Nashville in 2004 in order to pursue his dream as a country music entertainer. Dean landed a songwriting contract, but ended up having to move back to Canada before hitting on success. With the encouragement of one of the world's most famous producers, Keith Stegall, Dean moved back to Nashville and was fortunate enough to land a recording contract with Broken Bow Records in 2008.
The Review:
Country music fans who were reared on neo-traditionalist artists like Randy Travis, Alan Jackson, Tracy Lawrence, George Strait and others will find some solace in Dean Brody's album for Broken Bow Records. With 9 of the 11 tracks written or co-written by his own hand, singer-songwriter Brody has a solid set of songs that can be truly called country. Brody's debut is a throwback to the 80’s and 90s where country music's selling point was its strong melodies and thoughtful lyrics. He has developed an album that calls back to a golden age of country, but is produced and developed to be relevant to today’s country radio. Without a doubt, the crux of "Dean Brody" is Brody's scribal prowess. "Brothers" has already given Brody his first bonafide country hit. A top 10 hit in his native Canada- it starts off with a chilling drum solo and then the fiddle joins in just in time to give you cold chills down your spine. The song explores the complexities of emotions without being too sentimental in this carefully narrated ballad about a brother going off to war from the younger brother’s perspective. Other strong songs are "Gravity" a tender ballad that preaches the alluring powers of love and the fiddle-drenched "This Old Raft." Easily the best track on the album, however, is "Cattleman's Gun." It’s a new old-school Western epic tale of good guys, bad guys, morals and shoot-outs that’s engaging and marks one of our favorite tracks already into 2009. Country music is crowded with twenty-something and thirty-something guys trying to make their mark. Here’s hoping that Dean Brody finds his rungs up that ladder- we’ll all be more blessed to hear more from this terrific new artist.
Sounds Like:
Garth Brooks & Dierks Bentley
Track Highlights (suggested iPod adds):
Cattleman’s Gun
Brothers
Undone
This Ain’t The Same Town (That I Painted Red)
Gravity
The Verdict:
Four Stars Out Of Five
Monday, May 11, 2009
John Mellencamp & Little Big Town's Karen Fairchild Team Up On Duet
John Mellencamp has teamed up with Little Big Town’s Karen Fairchild for a new single and music video just arriving at CMT. Titled “A Ride Back Home,” you can watch it here…
CD Reviews- Martina McBride- Shine
The Background:Martina McBride's illustrious career has produced 22 Top 10 hits, 18 million albums sold, four CMA Female Vocalist of the Year Awards, three ACM Top Female Vocalist Awards, and a Grammy Award. Since her debut album, she has consistently produced timely and thought provoking music and Shine, continues Martina's musical legacy. The 11-song collection is the first producing collaboration between Dann Huff (Rascal Flatts, Keith Urban) and McBride, and has already spawned a Top 20 smash with 'Ride'.
The Review:
The girl has pipes. That much is a given. Few female artists can belt out a note to soaring heights yet possess the glowing passion when she croons with her lower registers like McBride- no matter what genre of music. She has a who’s who of Nashville songwriters on this album including Ty Lacy, Brett and Brad Warren, Jason Sellers, Tia Sillers, and Robert Ellis Orrall. "Wrong Baby Wrong Baby Wrong" is a solid album opener- consistent with the trademark McBride “positive message” of seeing the silver lining in every cloud. McBride albums are kind of the anti-Jamey Johnson. The next track is the second single sent to radio- McBride puts her man on a pedestal on the beautiful ballad "I Just Call You Mine." Not all her "message" songs work: the lead single "Ride” is loud and too American Idol (meaning it just seems a test in grinding out the top register of her voice.) "Sunnyside Up," is another pop-country tune that tries too hard to be a radio darling without much substance. Therein lies one of the challenges that I have with Martina McBride albums- including Shine. The experience of sitting down and listening to an album versus buying a single off of i-Tunes is richer for all of the varied messages and beliefs that the artist conveys with each song. Somehow, with Martina McBride albums, each song is coated in “life-is-great-with-positive-attitude-we-can-do-anything” sauce. Her albums miss the dark corners that help round out the album as a whole. Or maybe I’m just not that positive- I like the grit and grime of life too much. After all these years, McBride still a wonder to listen to- her voice is the best in the country music industry. She's truly gift to music. And while Shine does have some good- some even very good- moments, a couple songs on the dark side of the force would give this an even higher ranking.
Sounds Like:
Carrie Underwood
Track Highlights (suggested iPod adds):
I Just Call You Mine
Wrong Baby Wrong Baby Wrong
Wild Rebel Rose
The Verdict:
Three Stars Out Of Five
Sunday, May 10, 2009
New Music Video From Love And Theft
We’re excited about Disney’s newest trio coming to Sacramento for Golf & Guitars- A Children’s Charity Concert next Friday, May 15th. Love And Theft has just released their newest video, “Don’t Wake Me.” Watch it here…
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