TNS Video History- Oak Ridge Boys Sing Jamey Johnson Penned “Mama’s Table”

I reviewed the brand new Oak Ridge Boys album The Boys Are Back a few weeks back and mentioned that the highlight of the new album was a song written for the legendary band by Jamey Johnson called “Mama’s Table.” It reflects how a table handed down through the generations acts as the center of a family. Its lyrics make a perfect match to who and what the Oak Ridge Boys are.

Early 80's Pop Star Tiffany Next To Go Country?

From The Huntsville Times

Tiffany, the pop star of the 1980s, going country?

It could happen.

"I've had success after 20 years, and my fans have really been supportive of my new music, but my heart is in country music," said Tiffany, who is performing Saturday night at Partners. "I started off in country music, mostly country rock.

"I enjoy playing with a full band and love Emmylou Harris, Rosanne Cash and Stevie Nicks. So it's a new pursuit for me, and I have some songs under my belt.

"Dance music has opened up a lot of doors for me, and that may be my fan base, but I think they're ready to see me in a new musical adventure."
Tiffany actually debuted in 1981 with country singer Jack Reeves and eventually sang on the same tours as George Jones and Jerry Lee Lewis. She is currently working with songwriters in Nashville and hopes to take some of her country songs on the road soon. In Huntsville, she will perform her "old-school '80s and high-energy dance stuff."

"Hopefully, I'll be able to get a (country) project together by the end of the year, either by funding it myself or looking at labels," Tiffany said.

Craig Morgan Releases New Music Video For "Bonfire"

In Craig Morgan’s new music video for “Bonfire,” he drops in to various everyday work places and serenades folks who have no idea what's going on. Imagine being at work around 3 p.m. in the middle of a meeting when in through the door bursts a camera crew and a bunch of guys singing and dancing around.

Dolly Parton, Wynonna, Neal McCoy, Bo Bice, Lee Greenwood, and The Grascals to Perform on the Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon

Country music joins comedy legend Jerry Lewis for his 44th annual Muscular Dystrophy Association Telethon this next Labor Day weekend, Sept. 6-7.

“I’m determined to keep fighting for a cure for muscular dystrophy because my kids deserve to live long and healthy lives,” said Lewis, MDA’s national chairman and Telethon star.

The annual extravaganza raises millions of dollars for MDA’s research, services and education programs. In 2008, the show brought in a record-breaking $65 million in pledges and donations.

“The Telethon gives us the chance to help put an end to these debilitating diseases, while entertaining and educating the American public,” Lewis said.

The Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon will present great entertainment again this year, including Dolly Parton, Wynonna, Reba McEntire, Tony Orlando, Charo, Train, Bo Bice, Terry Fator, The Grascals, Neal McCoy, comedian George Wallace. Lee Greenwood, Joshua Bell accompanied by Frankie Moreno, Three Dog Night and many more.

A Labor Day icon that set the standard for telethons, the Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon typically draws as many viewers as the Emmy’s, Oscars or Golden Globe Awards. Almost 40 million TV viewers across America will tune in, while countless more around the world will watch on the Internet, thanks to streaming video provided by RealNetworks.

Opry Goes Pink

The Grand Ole Opry is joining the fight against breast cancer by "going pink" during two Opry performances Friday, October 2. Carrie Underwood will take the stage to "flip the switch," turning the Opry's signature barn pink in support of the groups Women Rock for the Cure and Susan G. Komen for the Cure. The shows will also include performances from Underwood, Terri Clark, and other artists to be announced, as well as special activities recognizing breast cancer survivors and the continuing fight against the disease.

New Johnny Cash Comic Book Being Released In November

ComicBookResources.com has announced that Johnny Cash: I See a Darkness will be available from Abrams ComicArts in November 2009. The comic book/graphic novel tells the story of Johnny Cash’s dramatic career in stunning black and white illustrations, and words by graphic novelist Reinhard Kleist.

Johnny Cash: I See a Darkness takes readers through the landmark events in Cash’s life, from his early sessions working with Elvis Presley, to his 1968 concert at Folsom Prison, to his 1990s comeback in which he won over a new generation of fans. Kleist depicts Cash’s tumultuous trail in captivating black and white imagery, and a compelling story.

Already a best-seller and award-winner in Europe, Johnny Cash: I See a Darkness vividly portrays the unpredictable life of a loner, patriot, outlaw, and music rebel, making this unique biography an interesting read for multiple generations of graphic novel and music fans.

American Idol's Danny Gokey Confirms Country Record Deal

In a video interview with Entertainment Weekly this week, 2009 American Idol third place finisher Danny Gokey has revealed that he has a Nashville record deal in place, (a formal announcement will be made in early to mid September), and that it will be a country album.

Gokey says, "I'm not interested in making the million dollars. I'll climb the ladder slowly and build myself up, learn the industry, learn what's good and not good."

"Country is more about the message than it is about the twang," he said. "In the past I've always picked songs that have a strong message, and that's what country carries [to me]."

Mallary Hope Single "Love Lives On" Is i-Tunes Free Song Of The Week

That Nashville Sound featured a young artist in her 20’s by the name of Mallary Hope last September in our Up & Coming New Nashville series. We premiered her new music video last week that's being seen on GAC and now i-Tunes has made it their FREE single of the week. From the i-Tunes website:

"Loss is an oft-revisited theme in country music, but in the confident clutches of new arrival Mallary Hope it can move from woeful to inspiring. Love Lives On, a song inspired by a conversation between the 22-year-old Georgian and her sister, is turning heads in Nashville for its powerful emotional quotient wrapped around a pretty melody. Throw in acoustic guitar, a string section, and rock drums, and Love Lives On knocks it out of the park. Play this for a soldier's spouse, a long-distance lover, or anyone missing the closeness of a friend." -- iTunes Store

Download for Free!

The Top Tens- Best Dixie Chicks Songs

It has been 11 years since The Dixie Chicks first burst onto country music radio and onto the album charts with their debut album, “Wide Open Spaces”. Comprised of Martie Maguire, Emily Robison and lead singer Natalie Maines, the group already sold over 30 million albums in the United States alone, making them the best-selling female group in the country.

How big were the Dixie Chicks a decade ago? In 1998, the Dixie Chicks sold more CDs than all other country music groups combined. Here is a look one critics view of their top ten songs and how each song shaped a career in process.

10. “There’s Your Trouble” – The song became the band's first No. 1 single on the Billboard magazine Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart in August 1998. In doing so, it became the first chart-topping song on SONY's newly resurrected Monument Records label. In 1999, the Dixie Chicks were awarded a Grammy for Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group for their performance of “There’s Your Trouble”.

9. “Ready to Run” – While not in the movie, this tune is the theme song for Julia Roberts in the movie Runaway Bride. This song stresses the importance of knowing when you aren’t ready for marriage and when fun means freedom.

8. “Goodbye Earl” – This song sparked controversy back when it was released because many people felt that it encouraged violence with its lyrics, “Earl had to die / Goodbye Earl”. The song, arguing the negative effects of domestic violence, attempted to be lighthearted and got shot down in the dark- most people against it missed the irony and humor.

7. “Without You” – This was a great ballad of longing. Another number one hit from 1999, this music video was beautiful and controversial in its own right. Directed by Thom Oliphant and Maines' husband Adrian Pasdar, almost every shot was of a nude person against a completely white background, be it the three Chicks (from the shoulders up), a muscular African-American male, a very pregnant woman, another woman, or a baby.

6. “Cowboy Take Me Away” – What young woman wouldn’t want to be swept off her feet by a hot, dreamy cowboy? “Oh it sounds good to me/ Yeah it sounds so good to me/ Cowboy, take me away.” Starting with a quiet opening, the record ramps up to a mid-tempo country-pop groove and features violin breaks from Seidel as well as an exuberant outro. Maines was praised for a "sincere" vocal that escaped the clichés of some of Nashville’s music-factory tearjerkers.

5. “Landslide” – The Dixie Chicks covered the Fleedwood Mac tune "Landslide" on their 2002 Home album. This rendition, featuring the group's trademark two- and three-part harmonies and country phrasings, was very popular, reaching the Top 10 of both the pop (#7) and country charts (#2) as well as several other charts. It became the Dixie Chicks' only #1 single (to date) on the adult contemporary chart. Lead singer Natalie Maines said she was attracted, in part, to the song because she was then the same age that Nicks was when she performed it. A deluxe edition of Home contained a remixed version of "Landslide" produced by singer-songwriter Sheryl Crow. The Dixie Chicks created another arrangement of the song using inverted harmonies for performance on their 2006 tour Accidents & Accusations.

4. “Travelin’ Soldier” – The song has the distinction of being the one that the Dixie Chicks were promoting when lead singer Natalie Maines said that the band is ashamed that the (then) United States President George W. Bush is from Texas. "Travelin' Soldier" was at #1 on the Country singles chart the week that Maines' comments hit the press. This caused the song to drop significantly in airplay over the next week, falling to #3 on the March 29 chart before disappearing entirely. Forty-two stations owned by Cumulus Media also pulled the song at the same time.

3. “The Long Way Around” – in their earlier albums, the Dixie Chicks had a target demographic of young women in love and heartache. “The Long Way Around”, from the latest album of the same name, caters to an older demographic of young women who don’t believe in adhering to the social pressures of settling down until they are darn good and ready! “Well I never seem to do it like anybody else /Maybe someday, someday I’m gonna settle down / Takin’ the long way around”.

2. “Wide Open Spaces” – This song was the title track on the Dixie Chicks’ 1998 debut album, paints a picture all too familiar to many parents. In 2001, the RIAA placed "Wide Open Spaces" at number 259 on its 365 Songs of the Century list. In 2003, CMT named it number 22 in its 100 Greatest Songs in Country Music list. The song gained the girls Nashville respect, as it was named the Country Music Association Awards Single of the Year in 1999 and also won Gibson the American Songwriter Professional Country Songwriter of the Year award in early 2000.

1.“Not Ready to Make Nice” - The Dixie Chicks’ latest release, Through the aftermath of the much-publicized George W Bush comments, this release gave their side of the story through song. It’s best said through the artists own words what this song meant to them:

Emily: "The stakes were definitely higher on that song. We knew it was special because it was so autobiographical, and we had to get it right. We've all gone through so many emotions about the incident. We talked for days with Dan before putting pen to paper, and he really helped get inside our heads and put these feelings out. And once we had this song done, it freed us up to do the rest of the album without that burden."

Martie: "We had reached a point where we were laughing a lot about it, and people didn't really know how far it had gone. I realized I had suppressed a lot about the death threat. It all came flooding back in the process of writing this song, I think we all realized just how painful it had been for us.."

Natalie: "We tried to write about the incident a few times, but you get nervous that you're being too preachy or too victimized or too nonchalant. Dan came in with an idea that was some kind of concession, more 'can't we all just get along?' and I said, nope, I can't say that, can't do it. And we talked about it, and he said, what about "I'm not ready to make nice?" From the outside, normal people really weren't aware of how bizarre and absurd it got. Dan was really good at cluing in to that, saying something that didn't back down, but still had a vulnerability to it. This album was therapy. To write these songs allowed me to find peace with everything and move on."

CD Reviews- Jack Ingram- Big Dreams & High Hopes

The Background:
When accepting his 2008 Academy of Country Music Award for "Top New Male Vocalist," singer/songwriter Jack Ingram dedicated the honor to "anyone 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 third Big Machine studio project Big Dreams & High Hopes today on August. 25th. "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." 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.

The Review:
On Jack Ingram’s Big Dreams & High Hopes, there’s some stuff that’s great, some stuff that’s good and some stuff that… well… just doesn’t measure up to the other stuff on the album. First up, the great: the title track “Big Dreams and High Hopes” is a phenomenal Bryan Adams-ish ballad that is an autobiographical first person self analysis of the motivation behind what drives “this cowboy riding down the road.” It’s a great self-reflection on why music moves Ingram and the acoustic beauty moves us too. Also receiving great kudos is “Seeing Stars.” It’s a gorgeous acoustic song with Ingram playing the hopeless romantic astronomer. With touching and meaningful lyrics like “wishing on stars only when you see em’ is like asking God for help only when you need him,” it’s a winner. The absolute highlight of the album, however, is Patty Griffin singing harmony behind Ingram on the track. She’s heavenly. The good? Current single “Barefoot and Crazy” is unabashed chick magnet summer anthem fluff. But it’s really damn good at being what it wants to be. It’s like cotton candy, pretty sweet fluff. “Free” is another decidedly introspective song, somewhat resembling Ingram’s acceptance speech from his ACM win. It’s an expression of appreciation for the gifts he’s been given and very representative of his experiences. The misses? A duet with Dierks Bentley on the raucous barroom anthem is fun, but it is fairly critically empty. It certainly won’t stand the test of time like some of the other material. And the last track, “In The Corner” seems a bit out of place, a psychedelic uneven ballad. Overall, it’s a very entertaining listen and one I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend for a country collection.

Sounds Like:
A Country Bryan Adams

Track Highlights (suggested iPod adds):

Barefoot and Crazy
Seeing Stars
Big Dreams and High Hopes
King Of Wasted Time

The Verdict:

Three Stars Out Of Five

Watch Jack Ingram Set New Guinness Book Of World Record Here

Jack Ingram is attempting to do what no one else has ever done. He is attempting to shatter the world record for the most radio interviews in one day -- 215 radio interviews in 24 hours to launch his new album, Big Dreams and High Hopes, which hits stores Tuesday. A representative from the Guinness Book of World Records is standing by to make sure their strict rules are followed for Ingram to earn a place in the famed record book.

And you can watch it happen right here through a feed from CMT.

Jason Michael Carroll Does Some Good With New Music Video

Arista Nashville recording artist Jason Michael Carroll is delivering a hopeful message with his new hit song, "Hurry Home," now a music video depicting the storyline of a father anxiously awaiting word from his runaway daughter. In his childhood, Carroll's family endured a more than 15 year absence when his aunt was a runaway, and Carroll portrays a friend helping search for the missing girl in the video.

"I felt that if we were going to make a video for 'Hurry Home,' it was important to try to do something to help, even in a small way," Carroll says, "and that's why we chose to include information at the end of the video about the National Runaway Switchboard."

Citing statistics of between 1.6 and 2.8 million young runaways each year, the mission of the National Runaway Switchboard is to help keep America's runaway and at-risk youth safe and off the streets via educational programs and much more, including a 24-hour crisis line at 1-800-RUNAWAY.

Faith Hill To Perform NFL's Sunday Night Football Theme... Again

NBC Sports will again feature five-time Grammy Award-winner and multi-platinum recording artist Faith Hill performing the opening theme for NBC “Sunday Night Football,” “Waiting All Day for Sunday Night.”

Hill’s “Waiting All Day for Sunday Night” debuts this season on Sunday, Sept. 13, the first “Sunday Night Football” broadcast of 2009 featuring the oldest rivalry in the NFL as the Green Bay Packers host the Chicago Bears in the debut of new Bears quarterback Jay Cutler. The opening theme will continue weekly, kicking off “Sunday Night Football” throughout the NFL season on NBC.

“It really is an honor to be asked back to do the Sunday Night Football open again,” said Faith. “It’s been fun to film and everyone at NBC has made me feel like a part of their family. I’m looking forward to the season.”

“Faith Hill singing ‘Waiting All Day for Sunday Night’ is a signature of Sunday Night Football,” said Fred Gaudelli, “NBC Sunday Night Football” producer. “We are thrilled to have one of America’s most popular recording stars back with NBC for a third season.”

More That Nashville Sound Giveaways

We're giving away more stuff here at That Nashville Sound...

But first, a big congratulations goes out to Jeff H for being the big winner in our George Strait TWANG CD giveaway.

But don't fret if you're not Jeff H. We've got another great giveaway courtesy of Valory Records- the new Reba McEntire album- Keep On Loving You. You're entered simply by signing up on our email subscriber list by midnight on 9/1. If you're signed up already, you're already entered. Good luck!

My Interview With Jack Ingram On The 9513

I've occasionally made reference and provided links to another great country music website I write for called The 9513- the leading country music review site in the country. I had an opportunity to interview Jack Ingram this past week. Known best for 2005’s “Wherever You Are,” 2006 releases “Love You” and “Lips Of An Angel,” 2007’s “Measure Of A Man,” and 2009 hits “Barefoot and Crazy” and “That’s A Man,” Ingram won the 2008 Country Music Association Award for Top New Male Vocalist. You can read my full interview with him HERE.

“The award meant a lot. It’s truly fantastic to be recognized by your peers and the music industry and by the fans. The journey itself is simpler than it seems, you know? It’s really about getting a gig, then plugging in and doing a good job, and doing the best you can. Then you work at trying to get another gig and that takes you a little farther down the road. It really is all about the journey. It’s about what you’re doing little by little every single day.”

Up & Coming New Nashville- Nash Street (With Exclusive Interview)

Today’s musicians increasingly find themselves at a crossroad. They find that they must choose between originality and building and maintaining an active fan-base. Typically, success depends on their ability to provide the industry and their listeners with music that is truly unique. To combat this dilemma, the Starkville, Mississippi band Nash Street strives to artfully bridge the gap between country music and traditional bluegrass.

Nash Street utilizes the inspiration of influences, such as Chris Thile, The Eagles, Ricky Skaggs, Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, and Allison Krauss, as a pleasant compliment to the soulful melodies of Mississippi and the leisurely rhythm of southern life. In so doing, the quintet provides a hybrid genre of music which is being hailed as “grassroots country”. Grassroots Country is a self-ascribed title which Nash Street attributes to their love of contemporary country music and bluegrass instrumentation.

The band consists of Daniel Hare on upright bass, sisters Hannah and Caroline Melby on fiddle and mandolin respectively, Jason Graham on rhythm guitar, and Clay Lezon on lead guitar, all ranging from ages 19-24. Over the years, Nash Street’s uniqueness has matured as their ability to combine instrumental arrangements and vocal harmony has become more creative. Nash Street has opened for artists such as Rhonda Vincent, The Grascals, Jeff Bates, Little Big Town, and at Tim McGraw's “Swampstock” – an annual concert Tim puts on to benefit his hometown of Rayville, Louisiana. Nash

Street recorded their second CD this summer at Ricky Skaggs' studio in Nashville.

On January 24, 2008, the band was awarded for their diligence when they won the 2008 Colgate Country Showdown. Nash Street took home $100,000 and the title “Best New Act in Country Music”. It was held in the legendary Ryman Auditorium with host and country music star, Leann Rimes. With such young members, Nash Street’s distinct sound, stage presence, and ability to connect with varying audiences insures that they will become an attractive addition to the country music scene.



That Nashville Sound- What brought you to country music?

Nash Street- Being raised in rural Mississippi has played a large part in the music we grew up listening to. Country,Bluegrass, Southern Rock and Blues all were styles that we grew up with, and have influenced our sound a lot.

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

NS- We call it "Grassroots Country," and are creating a new style that takes the lyrical style of mainstream country, and mixes it with flare that bluegrass instruments are known for: a sound that is both complex in arrangements and simply driven.

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

NS- Wow... It's kind of hard to narrow it down to one surprising fact about us... I guess one really interesting fact is that, even though our ages range from only 19- 25, the band has been together for almost 10 years, and was actually started as part of a high school strings music program.

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

NS: We are a pretty diverse group, whose tastes in music range from blues, jazz and classical music all the way to hard rock, pop, and even some occasional rap. It's not unusual to be in the car on a trip and hear Toby Keith or Ricky Skaggs followed by The Jackson 5, Spice Girls or even classic rock by Kansas or the Allman Brothers.

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

NS- Where do we see ourselves in 10 years? That’s a really hard question to answer. We all love performing and writing, and would love to be at a point in our career where Nash Street was a common household name that was known for making all around great music... but as long as we're able to keep playing and can still afford to pay the bills with a job that has always been our dream- that would be a fine place too!

Anne Murray Prepares Autobiography For October Release

Born and raised in Springhill, Nova Scotia, Anne Murray has enjoyed an unparalleled career, delighting millions with her signature voice and time-honoured songs. Over a four-decade-long career, she’s sold 54 million records, putting more than 30 pop hits, 50 country tunes and over 40 adult contemporary songs on the Billboard charts.

Her next role in life? Author. In late October, Murray will be releasing an autobiography entitled All Of Me. In this revealing autobiography, Canada’s first lady of song, for the first time, tells the whole story of her astonishing 40-year career in show biz. It is a candid retrospective of the extraordinary success achieved, and the prices that had to be paid.

“After ‘Snowbird’ hit, I was swept up like Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz, and catapulted into a strange new universe … If I thought for a moment that I was really in control of events, I was deluded.” Anne Murray

An unflinching self-portrait of Canada’s first great female recording artist, All Of Me documents the life of Anne Murray, from her humble origins in the tragedy-plagued coal-mining town of Springhill, Nova Scotia, to her arrival on the world stage. Anne recounts her story: the battles with her record companies over singles and albums; the struggle with drug- and alcohol-ridden band members; the terrible guilt and loneliness of being away from her two young children; her divorce from the man who helped launch her career, Bill Langstroth; and the deaths of two of her closest confidantes.

Watch An Emotional White House Performance By Brad Paisley

Brad Paisley made history last month as the headliner in the first country concert held in the East Room of the White House during President Obamas administration, and the night is captured this Saturday in a GAC special, Country At The White House. Afterwards, he shared some of his emotional performance with CNN:

“As I sang that, it was everything I could do not to lose it. I had to close my eyes, or I would completely break down. 'Cause in sound check at three in the afternoon, I started crying. I couldn't sing it. The last words that I sang were, "Glory, glory hallelujah, welcome to the future," and then I left and went offstage. I took my hat and tipped it to him and said, "Thank you, sir." And then I came off and just started bawling, because it was so emotional for me to sing those words. He came to me and said, "If I could sing like you," which was really cool. And then he sort of looked me in the eye and he said, "Wonderful, wonderful words." And I said, "Thank you, sir. I meant them." Being able to deliver that message personally to one of the people who ushered in this new era is really one of the most completely, artistically satisfying moments I've ever had.”

If you watch the video until the end, you can see Brad wipe away tears in his final guitar solo… pretty cool stuff… it’s truly what makes music so inspiring…

CD Reviews- Brad Paisley- American Saturday Night

The Background:
American Saturday Night marks the eighth album from the reigning three-time ACM and two-time CMA Male Vocalist winner. In all, Paisley’s albums have launched 14 #1 singles – and the last 10 in a row – with album sales in excess of 10 million units, including his 2x-Platinum 2005 ACM and CMA Album of the Year, Time Well Wasted. American Saturday Night re-teams Paisley with longtime producer Frank Rogers, with whom he’s worked since the release of his million-selling debut, Who Needs Pictures. In an interview with USA Today, Paisley says he's taking a more direct approach with this album: "I'm not so worried about making the songwriters in town sit and take notice," he says, "as I am wanting people to feel like I really meant what I said on this record."

The Review:
From the very beginning, Brad Paisley has not been just a singer and musician, but a songwriter who is a singer and musician. He has an innate ability to write a song that touch on a true emotional level- songs like "We Danced," "He Didn't Have to Be," or "She's Everything" come to mind. But he also has an incredible touch for pointing out the Sienfeldian nuances in life on fun stuff like "Ticks," "I'm Gonna Miss Her," or "Online." His ability to riff on the ironies of life in his funnier songs are a gift. On both sides of that coin, Brad has country music fans loving every word. American Saturday Night is another wonderful combination of this same pen and paper gumbo that country music has come to like about him. Fatherhood may be the reason for a slightly (only slightly) more serious and mature musical theme on this album. During an interview on GAC, Brad admitted that this album is more serious, more thoughtful than previous albums, and that it does show through. From imagining his new son growing up in "Anything Like Me", to the thought of life with a new love in "I Hope That's Me" and the first radio single "Then", he’s on top of his game pulling on heartstrings with excellent lyrics and great melodies. The more lighthearted "American Saturday Night" is commentary on the multiculturalism of America and the current radio single, “Welcome To The Future,” inspired by the election of an African-American President, has meaningful and tangible lyrics. But not to worry, there’s still some comedic relief form of "Catch all the Fish" and "The Pants.” The only disappointment? That there was not a hymn or instrumental song on the album. Found on Brad's previous albums, the hymns were usually a beautiful touch and perhaps something he’ll readdress on future albums. That the regular rocking guitar instrumental is missing isn’t a complete surprise considering an album full of them was released late last year, but they have been solid additions to previous album. Also, a little Kung Pao Buckaroo fun (the old-timers are a blast) would have kept a unique theme going- seeing that it’s the only recording Little Jimmy Dickens is doing these days, it’s a great call-out to some of the greats. This is truly a fantastic album, superior in nearly every way. Lyrically, musically and emotionally, he has hit his stride as an artist.

Sounds Like:
Steve Wariner’s Voice With Jerry Reed’s Humor

Track Highlights (suggested iPod adds):
American Saturday Night
Welcome To The Future
Anything Like Me
Catch All The Fish

The Verdict:
Four And A Half Stars Out Of Five

Holston United Methodist Home for Children Dedicates New Facility To Rodney Atkins

To Holston Home, the newborn in their care was named "Jimmy Holston." To Margaret and Allan Atkins, he became their son Rodney. Today, country music star Rodney Atkins is to the staff, children and Director Charles Hutchinson, "Our poster boy for Hope."

Atkins returned to his first home in Greenville, Tennessee this week to help celebrate their newly renovated campus. He spent part of the day performing a special acoustic concert, signing autographs and getting to know the children one on one. Atkins also participated in the official ribbon cutting ceremony in which the "Rodney Atkins Youth Home" was named and dedicated. He wrapped up the day's events with a tour of the new buildings.

"This is absolutely one of the greatest things of my life," says Atkins. "This isn't a career achievement. This is a life achievement. Just to have the opportunity to try and positively affect those kids' lives is wonderful. I am so thankful for the folks at Holston Home and their hard work. They absolutely are some of the greatest people alive. It's really hard to express how grateful I am to be a part of Holston's mission."

Atkins, who was adopted from Holston Home when he was a baby, has been a strong supporter of the children's home for some time. He became a major spokesperson for the Greeneville-based home that serves children unable to live with their families as well as becoming the celebrity spokesperson for the National Council For Adoption.

At his concerts nationwide, Atkins frequently talks about Holston Home and what it has meant to his life. The music star also takes time when he is able to visit the campus and meet with the children and young people there. He was instrumental in securing a grant from the Academy of Country Music and Lifting Lives that provided guitars and music lessons to the Holston Home kids.

"So many people worked on this project and have showed these kids what unconditional love is," Atkins said. "I'm proud to be a part of something that shows kids that."

TNS Video History- Ray Charles Sings Ring Of Fire

My adoration of all things Johnny Cash is well-documented. But so is my love of Ray Charles. I still feel very priviledged to have seen him play live before his passing. He was pure genius. What could be better than having the two legends together? Catch this great video of Ray Charles interpretation of Johnny Cash's "Ring Of Fire."



Email subscribers can click on the That Nashville Sound link below to watch the video.