Adoption Saga Ends With Happy Ending & New Album From Tammy Cochran

Tammy Cochran’s new album, 30 Something and Single, has just been released this summer off of her own Itty Bitty Indie (IBI) label. The album is Tammy’s fourth career album, and it is one that she is very eager for fans to get their hands on!. “I am so excited about this album, because it's all me. By that, I mean that I got to chose which songs went on the album and how they were produced. It was great to make the album that is 100% me without any external influences.”

One of the highlighted songs on the album is “Half the World Away (Shawn’s Song),” a touching ballad that holds a very special place in Tammy’s heart. Prior to writing that song, she had begun what would become a grueling and drawn out process as she tried to adopt a child from Guatemala. Not long after setting her heart on adopting a little girl, Tammy found herself being thrown in the middle of a controversial tug-of-war, during which she was repeatedly lied to about her case. She would eventually discover that her case hadn’t even been touched let alone processed. “I was told that my case was in family court, then out of family court – when in fact my dossier hadn't even been translated into Spanish.”

It wasn’t long before the adoption facilitator based out of Florida who was assigned to handle Tammy’s case was found guilty on charges for harboring an illegal alien child and sentenced to a year in prison. The adoptive parents for that baby were being told several stories of why they couldn't have their child. A private investigator was hired to look into the situation and found the child living with the facilitator. Tammy reports, “She was passing the child off as one she adopted. The FBI got involved, and the rest is history.”

Charges were filed during Tammy’s adoption, which prompted her to change facilitators and lawyers. “I was just one of several victims of this facilitator. Unknown to me, she used an attorney that was banned by the US Embassy. I sent my money to who I thought was a lawyer. Instead, it ended up being the housekeeper of the lawyer.” In an effort to contain the situation, Tammy recalls, “Just weeks away from bringing Shawn home, I was threatened that my adoption would stop if I went public with my story.”

Discouraged but determined more than ever after witnessing her first effort turn into a fiasco, Tammy began researching another avenue to pursue a second adoption. Through her own research, she found many of her questions being answered by GuatAdopt, a Guatemalan-based organization that facilitates adoption cases on a volunteer basis. The organization is run by adoptive parents and helps to bring adoptive parents and Guatemalan children together. “GuatAdopt is a God send to me. I found them accidentally online and made contact with them. I had been worried about my adoption process and just needed some answers and encouragement. They are wonderful people who care about the children of Guatemala, as they are adoptive parents themselves. They told me how to inquire at the Embassy. I did so and there was NO record of me in the system! I found this funny, since I had supposedly been in and out of family court.”

Tammy’s second adoption went much more smoothly and was soon approved! Now, two years later, Shawn Alan Cochran (named for the memory of Tammy’s two brothers) is a healthy growing 3-year-old boy who has adjusted well since coming home to Tennessee in 2007.

It was amidst those turbulent years of uncertainty, frustration, and controversy surrounding her pending adoption that a true gem was born! Tammy wrote “Half the World Away” during a time when she wasn’t even sure her adoption would go through. “The adoption took two years to complete when it should have only taken about 10 months.” Through music, Tammy found an ideal outlet to express her emotions during that time of turmoil in her life while also capturing the joy that comes with welcoming a new child into the family!

“Half the World Away” is one of eleven total songs on 30 Something and Single. Those interested in purchasing the album can go HERE.

Free Music Downloads From Marcia Ball, Reckless Kelly & Phil Stacey

Everybody loves free music and Amazon has three singles That Nashville Sound highly recommends. Enjoy!

With every Marcia Ball album, you can expect lots of upbeat party tunes, a few peppy Cajun/Zydeco country-infused zingers, some ballads, and a couple of love songs all delivered with Ball's husky, soulful voice and driven by her nimble boogie-woogie piano. This fun tune, “Watermelon Time” continues that fine tradition.



Reckless Kelly is one of the top alternative/red dirt & texas country bands and this song, “Ragged As The Road,” off of their Bulletproof album is a great one.



Former American Idol and country music alum Phil Stacey has come out with another catchy song that speaks to the soul. His lyrics speak to the heart and this new sounds should be a hit with the contemporary Christian audience he’s now targeting without fully abandoning his country fans.

New Mac McAnally CD "Down By the River" Set For August 4th

Nashville longtime musician, songwriter, producer and recording artist Mac McAnally will release his latest album Down By The River on August 4th. The 11-song collection of new original material is also his 11th release as a solo artist and his debut for Show Dog Nashville. The self-produced album showcases McAnally, one of music's most respected creators, on acoustic and electric guitars, acoustic and electric piano, harmonica, ukulele and percussion.

McAnally is one of the most respected guitar players in the world. He's played behind or sang harmony for artists including Roy Orbison, Hank Williams, Jr., Amy Grant, Jimmy Buffett, Travis Tritt, Linda Ronstadt, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Dolly Parton and many more. As a producer, he's helmed successful projects by Sawyer Brown, Chris LeDoux and Little Feat, among others. In addition to the hits he has penned for artists, McAnally received his first No. 1 single as an artist and sixth as a writer on his collaboration with Kenny Chesney, "Down The Road." The song penned by McAnally and recorded by Chesney, who invited the acclaimed music maker to sing on the track with him, also led to an ACM Vocal Event of the Year nod for the collaboration.

Track Listing:

1. Blame it on New Orleans
2. Down by the River
3. If You Hang Around Long Enough
4. On Account of You
5. (Nothing Like A) Sunny Day
6. Over and Out
7. You First
8. Unresolved
9. Bound to Get Down
10. Big Disappointment
11. Until Then

Mark Chesnutt To Perform At Special Benefit Concert For 5-Year-Old Kendrick Little & Family

One of country music’s most recognizable voices, Mark Chesnutt, has generously come forward to donate his time and talent to perform at the Kendrick Little Benefit Concert. This charitable effort has been organized for the benefit of Kendrick Little, a 5-year-old boy who is fighting a life battle with High-Grade Glioma (HGG), a rare and fatal form of brainstem cancer that affects nearly 300 children per year. The concert will be held on Sunday, July 26, 2009 at the Asbury Park Complex at 6PM in Comanche, OK; proceeds from the benefit will be dedicated to assist the family with young Kendrick’s expenses.

With the loving support and strength from family and friends, Kendrick Little (a former resident of Comanche, OK) has been bravely fighting an Intrinsic Brainstem High-Grade Glioma tumor (graded at a 3-4 scale on a scale 1-4) since Thanksgiving 2008. The deadly tumor originated in the brainstem and flowered to the left hemisphere of the young boy’s brain. Kendrick underwent an intense 15-hour surgery after the initial diagnosis; 65-70 percent of the tumor was successfully removed. After completing a 30-day course of radiation therapy, the tumor was further reduced surprising doctors--as this optimum result has not been achieved in prior cases with this type of cancer.

There is no cure for HGG. Kendrick’s physician, who has consulted with top cancer specialists from The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center (Houston, TX) and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (Memphis, TN), has surmised Kendrick’s life span to be 12-18 months. The medical bills the family has incurred while fighting this battle are insurmountable and Mark Chesnutt graciously stepped forward to show his support.

“This event is special for me and I am honored to help this family,” said Chesnutt. “With three young and healthy kids, it is hard to think about what little Kendrick and his family are going through. My thoughts and prayers are with them all as they live day-to-day fighting this silent killer.”

The Asbury Complex is located at 410 South 2nd Street, Comanche, OK. Tickets are $50 per person; for more ticket information or how you can make your contribution to assist Kendrick Little and his family, contact geanannbadgwell(at)clearwire.net.

For more information about Kendrick Little and the plight of the Little Family please visit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OHSplrORPOE

Lynyrd Skynyrd Gods & Guns To Be Released September 29

With their first set of new studio material since 2003’s Vicious Cycle, legendary rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd returns with God & Guns, due out September 29 on Loud & Proud / Roadrunner Records. Recorded in Nashville in 2008-2009 with noted rock producer Bob Marlette, input from guitarist John 5, and a wealth of material written by the band and a cadre of elite Skynyrd-minded songwriters, a remarkable album emerged.

With a backbone of Southern rock and country, passionate Van Zant vocals, and trademark layered guitars, God & Guns manages to maintain the iconic Skynyrd punch while sounding completely contemporary. Sure to attract attention in these politically divided times is the title track, which harbors a sense of menace and unwillingness to back down that hearkens back to Skynyrd’s earliest days. God & Guns, along with the unmistakable Skynyrd bite of the first single “Still Unbroken,” which was shipped to rock radio this July, form thematic songs for an album laden with attitude, heart and purpose.

The band knows the song, and others like “That Ain’t My America,” will have their critics, but Medlocke says listeners should get beyond the titles.

“Skynyrd’s about tradition,” says Medlocke. “In this record is personal tragedy, personal relationships and being on the road, all under that umbrella of real life. That’s what we think, that’s what we believe, and we stand next to that title, God & Guns.”

Beyond the tragedy, the history, the raging guitars and the killer songs, ultimately, Lynyrd Skynyrd is about an indomitable will. About survival of spirit; unbowed, uniquely American, stubbornly resolute.

“A lot of people probably expected us to say enough is enough,” admits Medlocke. But that would not be the way of this Rock & Roll Hall of Fame powerhouse.

“We wanted to show the people that not only are we doing the old material, keeping the music going, but we still have some new tricks up our sleeves, too,” says founding guitarist Gary Rossington.

With a catalog of over 60 albums and sales beyond 30 million, Lynyrd Skynyrd remains a cultural icon that appeals to all generations. The Skynyrd Nation awaits.

National Daughters of the American Revolution Presents Aaron Tippin With DAR Founder’s Medal for Patriotism

Award-winning, country music recording artist, songwriter and producer, Aaron Tippin (who is most recognized for his patriotic smash hit single “Where the Stars and Stripes and the Eagle Fly,” among others) was honored at the DAR 118th Continental Congress for his outstanding dedication and service to American troops and their families.

Tippin was presented with the DAR Founders Medal for Patriotism by the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) on National Defense Night (the evening of Friday, July 10, 2009) at DAR Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C.—near the White House. One of the most prestigious of DAR awards, this recognition "honors an adult who has displayed outstanding patriotism in the promotion of our American ideals of God, home and country through faithful and meritorious service to community, state and nation. Founders’ Medal recipients must have displayed extraordinary acts of heroism, service, patriotism and achievement. The medal is presented in recognition of deeds, service or educational pursuits that go far beyond the obligations of an individual's employment or normal duties."

Tracy Lawrence Receives Award From San Antonio

Award winning, multi-platinum country recording artist Tracy Lawrence, who has frequented many a city across the nation as part of his aggressive summer tours over the past 19 years, will be acknowledged as an Honorary Citizen of San Antonio by the City of San Antonio, TX.

Mayor Hardberger and the area Chamber of Commerce will present Tracy with a Chamber/Mayoral Proclamation in recognition and appreciation of his numerous visits to the city over the past 15 years and his long list philanthropic endeavors. The presentation will take place on Friday, August 14, just prior to Lawrence’s scheduled performance that evening at Cowboys Far West located at 3030 Northeast Loop 410 in San Antonio.

With more than 4500 folks expected to welcome Tracy to the community (encompassing city officials, counsel members and public attendees), Tracy will become the first country music artist to receive this honor.

“I am humbled by this gesture and am at a loss for words to express my gratitude,” Lawrence said. “The folks of San Antonio, and all across the state of Texas, have always made me feel right at home; their warmth and genuine kinship is entirely mutual.”

Lady Antebellum Album Only $5

Amazon is currently offering Lady A's album for $5.00 in their new MP3 digital promotion for just a limited time. Download your copy below…

Rachel Proctor Readies Brand New Album

Rachel Proctor, the lovely voice behind the hit 2004 country single “Me and Emily” has a new indie album What Didn't Kill Me coming out in August and you can pre-order it directly from Proctor’s website and have it autographed. You can purchase the album HERE.

For those not familiar with Proctor, before signing to a record deal, she co-wrote Martina McBride's 2002 single "Where Would You Be". By 2003, Proctor had signed to BNA Records, releasing her debut single "Days Like This" that year. This song, which peaked at #24 on the country charts, was the first of four singles from her 2004 debut album Where I Belong. Proctor's only album for the label, it also produced her highest-charting single in the #18 "Me and Emily". Although she has not charted a single since 2004, she has written charted singles for Jessica Simpson (“Come On Over”) and Jesse Lee (“It’s A Girl Thing”).

Below is the tracklisting to the new album.

1. What Didn't Kill Me
(Rachel Proctor/Bruce Wallace)

2. Everybody Does
(Rachel Proctor/Mike Mobley/Dan Demay)

3. What Goodbye Looks Like
(Rachel Proctor/Bruce Wallace)

4. Wrong
(Rachel Proctor/Bruce Wallace/Liz Rose)

5. That's A Lie
(Rachel Proctor/Bruce Wallace)

6. Why Wait
(Rachel Proctor/Victoria Banks/Jesse Lee)

7. Your Hands On Me
(Rachel Proctor/Brett James)

8. Only Lonely Girl
(Rachel Proctor/John Lancaster)

9. Don't Let It Hit Ya
(Rachel Proctor/Bruce Wallace/Heather Little)

10. Don't It Make You Feel Good
(Rachel Proctor/Bruce Wallace/Natalie Hemby)

11. I'm Listening
(Rachel Proctor/John Lancaster)

Zac Brown Band Premieres New Music Video For Toes

The Zac Brown Band looks like they're having more fun than nearly every other band out there in today's country music landscape. It shows in their new music video for their latest single, "Toes." Watch the video below (email subscribers can click on the headline to watch)...

Interviewing The Interviewer- CMT's Katie Cook- An Interview on 9513

I've shared with all my readers that I'm privileged to write for another great country music website called The 9513- the leading country music review site in the country. I had an opportunity to interview CMT's Katie Cook for that website and you can read the entire interview here…

“I just really would have loved the chance to meet Johnny Cash. Growing up in Nashville, I knew so many people that knew him really well. Some of my father’s best friends hung out with Johnny all the time. Dad even hung out with him. But I never got the chance to meet him. It’s kind of an odd way of thinking about it, but I’ve always wondered what it was like for him to go from on top to being considered passé to all of a sudden being worshiped again by this whole new crop of young people. What an interesting life musically. He’s someone who’s seen the highs and the lows and there’s so many things I’d like to talk to him about. I would have liked so very much to have interviewed him"

Jeff Bridges, Colin Farrell, Maggie Gyllenhaal & Robert Duvall To Star In Country Music Movie Crazy Hearts In Spring

Jeff Bridges, the star we loved to hate with his evil shaved head in Iron Man, has finished filming a brand new country music movie also starring Maggie Gyllenhaal, Robert Duvall and Colin Farrell. In the movie, Bridges and Gyllenhaal are romantic interests.

This romantic pairing actually happens in Crazy Heart, an indie drama just picked up for distribution by Fox Searchlight. Bridges plays an aging country singer who gets a new lease on life through a relationship with reporter (Gyllenhaal). He's also got a mentor to deal with, played by Robert Duvall, and is a mentor himself to an up-and-comer played by Colin Farrell. Yes, that Colin Farrell is apparently playing a country singer.

Searchlight has a very good track record about picking up indie movies and this one has just a little bit of buzz going about it already in review circles. Their plan to release the film next spring makes it sound like a nice crowd-pleaser.

You can see Bridges performing for the movie (filmed at a Toby Keith concert) below…

Jack Ingram Plans August Release For Big Dreams & High Hopes

When accepting his 2008 Academy of Country Music Award for "Top New Male Vocalist," singer/songwriter Jack Ingram dedicated the honor to "anyone who who has ever dared to dream big dreams and have high hopes." After years grinding his way onto an elite list of country music's most hardworking and respected touring acts, Ingram will release his second Big Machine studio project BIG DREAMS & HIGH HOPES on Tues., Aug. 25 . Eleven tracks that further his "keep on, keepin' on" message that hard work and determination pave the only path he knows.

"I'm proud of this album like crazy," says Ingram. "We started to put it out a few times earlier this year, but then I'd hold everything up and go back to the studio and tweak this or mess with that, but now I'm finally ready. There are a few rowdy barroom sing-a-longs on there and also a few songs that are meant to be listened to when you're all alone...lots of long days and fun nights were spent making this one."

Off like a rocket, the lead single "Barefoot and Crazy" is rocking its way towards Billboard's Top 10, jumping four places to No. 13 this week with USA TODAY proclaiming it "...one of country music's hottest summertime singles."

Ingram's robust list of top-notch co-writers, producers and collaborators for the new project includes Americana heroine Patty Griffin on the Ingram-penned "Seeing Stars," and mainstream country music chart-topper Dierks Bentley on the honky tonk party anthem "Barbie Doll" with Little Big Town, Randy Houser, James Otto and The Lost Trailers (also known as The Little Big Lost Beat-Up Ford Funky Times Freedom Choir) contributing gang vocals. Jay Joyce, Jeremy Stover, Doug Lancio and Radney Foster all get production credits, and Ingram's stellar cast of co-writers includes Jeffrey Steele, Darrell Brown, Dallas Davidson, Gary Burr and Tom Shapiro.

BIG DREAMS & HIGH HOPES Track List:

1. Free (Jay Knowles, Trent Summar)
2. Barefoot And Crazy (Ben Hayslip, Rhett Akins, Dallas Davidson)
3. That's A Man (Ed Hill, Steven Dale Jones, Mark D. Sanders)
4. Seeing Stars, Featuring Patty Griffin (Jack Ingram, Chris Tompkins)
5. Not Giving Up On Me (Jack Ingram, Jeffrey Steele, Tom Hambridge)
6. Barbie Doll, Featuring Dierks Bentley (Jack Ingram, Todd Snider)
7. Big Dreams & High Hopes (Gary Burr, Jack Ingram)
8. Heartache (Jack Ingram, Radney Foster, Darrell Brown)
9. Man In Your Life (Jack Ingram, Radney Foster)
10. King Of Wasted Time (Tom Shapiro, Tony Martin, Jim Collins)
11. In The Corner (Jack Ingram)

Country Star Trace Adkins Becomes Comic Book Action Hero

Country music sensation Trace Adkins can now add action hero to his ongoing list of career accomplishments. In November, 12 Gauge Comics unleashes "LUKE MCBAIN," a four-issue comic book series featuring a tough Southern hero that is based on the platinum-selling country star.

Other music artists have been involved with the comic book scene including Gerald Way of My Chemical Romance and Tori Amos, but Adkins is the first country artist to be featured as a fictional character in a comic book project.

Writer David Tischman (Red Herring) created the idea with 12 Gauge publisher Keven Gardner, and they spent a lot of time with Adkins to make sure "MCBAIN" feels authentic.

The title character of Luke McBain is drawn to Adkins' likeness and reflects some of the 6'6" singer's philosophy. The story takes place when McBain returns home to rural Louisiana after serving 14 years in prison, having taken the fall for a crime he didn't commit. He finds himself in a town now controlled by greed and corruption, and he's the only one with the courage to set things right. Although the book contains some violence, it is generally suitable for all ages.

"The McBain character became kind of a reflection of Trace Adkins' entertainment persona," notes Tischman. "It breathes a real life personality into the fictional character which is something we wanted. Trace helped a lot with that, and it's something that I think we've worked hard to write into the character."

The comic book series features artwork by Kody Chamberlain (30 Days of Night: Bloodsucker Tales), and covers by acclaimed Batman artist Brian Stelfreeze.

The first issue hits stores across North America in November to coincide with Adkins' tour. It will be available for $3.99 per issue in more than 4,000 comic book stores and other fine retail outlets.

New Music Videos From Rascal Flatts, Love And Theft & David Nail

CMT posted new videos from Rascal Flatts, Love And Theft, and David Nail yesterday. Our favorite of the bunch is the new David Nail video. Stay tuned, TNS readers, we have an upcoming interview that we're doing with Mr. Nail in the coming week or so...

Rascal Flatts- Summer Nights



Love And Theft- Runaway



David Nail- Red Light

Up & Coming New Nashville- The Poconos

Brian Leopold, former lead-guitar and founding member of The Low Flying Jets, an alt-rock band out of Jersey City started writing more rootsy, alternative music after the bands break-up in 2007. Brian’s vast musical and artistic ability, along with his admiration for American folk music led him to start writing the songs that laid the foundations for his newly formed band, The Poconos.

In 2008, Brian began writing music and playing shows throughout New York and New Jersey with help from good friend and musician Eli Ward. However, this short relationship was put on hold as Eli left the states to tour with Alicia Keys. Restless, Brian began interviewing new band members over the next few weeks. He immediately connected with Mandolin and banjo player Chris Smith, lead guitar player Marty O’Kane, bass player Jeff Dyer and drummer Lisa Cusack.

Together the newly formed members headed to The Dude Ranch to work with Ian Larkin on recording their first full length album, Love & Whiskey. The Poconos rustic, alternative - folky sound pays tribute to bands that have influenced the members over the years, such as Hank Williams, The Beatles, Sonic Youth, Whiskey Town, Elliot Smith, Bob Dylan, The Byrds and Neil Young.

The Poconos are currently looking to gain exposure for Love & Whiskey and have been booking shows for the Summer. The Poconos take the stage with frenzied, kinetic energy and really play the hell out of country music, noticeable in their song Appomatix Day.

You can listen to them play HERE.

We had a chance to sit down with lead singer Brian Leopold and talk to him about their journey thus far…

That Nashville Sound- You have a very interesting band name, where'd it come from?

Brian Leopold- Well I like the idea of band names. Even when I went solo I wanted to have one. I was having a conversation with my friend Jeff, the drummer in my previous band, The Low Flying Jets about the mountain chain in PA called The Poconos. I thought about what a cool name it was and said if I ever start a country band it would be the perfect name. Jeff always tells me I stole it from him.

TNS- Describe your music, it has lots of different genres- what's the mission behind the music?

BL- In 1996 I first heard Wilco. For me it was the first time I have ever heard anything rootsy. It was written really well and very clean but it had distorted sounds and noise on top of it. My country sound is a bit like this - I try to combine clean acoustics and add different sounds and noises to give the song a specific appeal. It’s the idea of trying to write something that sounds strange to hear but when you hear it, you want to hear more of it. Other bands that I think have done this really well are Pavement, Elliot Smith, and Bob Dylan.

TNS- What's the career highlight for the band thus far?

BL- Finishing the album is the highlight for me. It came out exactly the way I imagined and concept is clear. The album contrasts love and the things that get in the way of it.

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

BL- Actually I have been listening to lots of historical lectures recently. History is amazing and it gives me different things to write about like Appomattox Day, for example. Other things I have been listening to include: Neil young, Rolling Stones, Phoenix, The Horrors and Little Joy

TNS- What's next for you? Where do you hope to be career-wise a couple years from now?

BL- I would love to still be writing and playing music, doing what I love.

TNS- Quick questions (which do you like best?): Opry or Opera?

BL- Opry

TNS- Record stores or downloads?

BL- Record stores – I hope they never become obsolete, like what happen to arcades.

TNS- Fine dining or southern cooking?

BL- I think they’re the same thing.

TNS- Baseball or fishing?

BL- Fishing

TNS- West Coast or East Coast?

BL- East Coast

TNS- Nickname for your guitar(s) or other instruments?

BL- I’m not there yet.

Miranda Lambert Releases New Video For "Dead Flowers"

Miranda Lambert has a beautifully shot new video for her latest single, “Dead Flowers.” It ranks as one of our favorites of the year. Watch it here…