TNS Video History- Tim McGraw & Faith Hill It's Your Love Music Video

This could be one of the best romantic ballads in modern country music history. Enjoy this music video featuring husband and wife Tim McGraw and Faith Hill.

Listen To Danny Gokey's First Country Single Release

Earlier this year, "American Idol" third-place finisher Danny Gokey made waves when he said he was thinking of releasing a country album. Turns out, he wasn't joking, eventually signing a deal with RCA's Nashville label.

And today, fans finally got to hear his first foray into the genre, when he debuted "It's Only," a soaring ballad about God and homelessness.

Written by Lady Antebellum's Dave Haywood and Charles Kelley and produced by Mark Bright (who's worked with Carrie Underwood), "It's Only" is the first single from Gokey's RCA debut, which will reportedly hit stores in March of next year. You can stream the single below…

That Nashville Soundbites- Brandi Carlile- Give Up The Ghost

That Nashville Sound receives many different CD releases throughout the year from indie and new artists that we’re doing short mini CD reviews on. We call them That Nashville Soundbites- it’s a feature that will allow us to give some props to some albums and artists that deserve a spotlight on their work.

Release Date: October 2009
Music Label: Sony/Columbia
The Skinny: There’s something somewhat classic and timeless in this alt-country release filled with piano, acoustic guitars and a few orchestrated strings. Carlile’s can go from a Joplin-like warble to a falsetto in a snap and does both well. Our favorite is the duet with Sir Elton John on “Caroline”- it’s shifting tempos and western saloon piano base makes it a very fun track. It limps a little towards the finish but still holds some beautiful ballads.
Sounds Like: Sarah McLachlan
Standout Tracks: "Pride and Joy," "Caroline,” & "Before It Breaks"
The Verdict: Three Stars Out Of Five

Joey+Rory Return With Two Christmas Projects

Known for bringing beautiful harmonies, authenticity and romance back to country music, husband/wife duo Joey+Rory are offering their take on holiday traditions this November with their poignant single “It’s Christmas Time” and a unique children’s album from songwriter think-tank The Song Trust entitled Merry Kidsmas.

The couple is partnering with CMT One Country for both projects. A portion of the proceeds from the sales of “It’s Christmas Time” will be donated to the local affiliate of Feeding America, The Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee, and a portion of the proceeds from Merry Kidsmas will benefit the USO through the end of 2009.

While the single and album are two distinctive works, the message is the same. “We’re incredibly grateful for an amazing year and hope to share some of that good fortune this holiday season. CMT helped launch our career, so we’re really excited to team-up with CMT One Country in the spirit of giving,” says Joey.

The Joey+Rory single “It’s Christmas Time” is a tune written during a stay at Joey’s family farmhouse in Indiana. It will be released digitally on November 24 and has been serviced to country radio for adds on November 16.

“Just sitting in the house where Joey grew up made me think about all the Christmases she spent there,” Rory explains. “All the trees they picked out and decorated, all the gifts wrapped while the kids tried to sneak downstairs, all the Christmas dinners cooked and the last-minute guests who showed up at their door. I woke up early in the morning before anyone else, pulled out my guitar and wrote the song with all that in mind.” The single was produced by bluegrass legend Carl Jackson, who also produced the duo’s debut album.

To hear "It's Christmas Time," "Box of Rocks" and "Bring Him Home Santa," visit HERE.

The second holiday project, Merry Kidsmas (Giantslayer Records/S1 Songs/Welk Music Group), is a 12-song collection sung by everyday kids of all ages and created by The Song Trust. Founded in Nashville TN, The Song Trust is a collaborative group committed to creating and delivering music from the perspective where the song, not the singer, is the star. True to concept, Merry Kidsmas lists only writer credits and no singer credits.

The first track on the album, “Bring Him Home Santa,” was originally released to country radio in December 2007 causing an immediate national reaction. Sung by an anonymous 6-year old girl asking Santa to bring her father home for Christmas, the single shot to #29 on the Billboard Hot Country Chart, spawned a viral internet video that received over 600,000 views and solicited thousands of comments from families with loved ones in the military. Following that success, The Song Trust spent the next year finding or creating an album’s worth of songs that would continue to look at the Christmas season from a child’s perspective, to be sung by kids of all ages, resulting in the Merry Kidsmas CD.

The album features 9 original songs co-written by members of The Song Trust, including the future holiday standards “Bring Him Home Santa” and “Box of Rocks,” both of which will be released to radio November 16. The CD also offers new takes on the holiday favorites “(All I Want For Christmas is My) Two Front Teeth,” Wudolph (the Red Nosed Reindeer)” and the “Little Drummer Boy.”

Reba McEntire Performs "Pink Guitar" On Jimmy Fallon Show

Reba's "Pink Guitar" was one of my favorites off her most recent album and she was on Jimmy Fallon's show this week performing it. Watch it below...

Joe Diffie's Live at Billy Bob's Texas Album Just Around Corner

Grammy-winning country star and Grand Ole Opry member Joe Diffie will release his first-ever live album, Live at Billy Bob’s Texas on November 17th on the Smith Music label. Diffie joins such greats as Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, Asleep at the Wheel and a host of others who have recorded projects for the series.

Live at Billy Bob’s Texas gives fans an opportunity to experience the energy of Diffie’s live show as he delivers flawless versions of many of his biggest hits, along with a handful of fan-favorite album cuts including his version of “My Give A Damn’s Busted,” a song written by Diffie that became a #1 hit for Jo Dee Messina. Also featured are a cover of the Charlie Rich classic “Behind Closed Doors,” which showcases Diffie’s amazing vocal range, a cover of the Little Feat classic “Willin’” performed as a duet with Diffie’s son Parker, and a bonus track of Johnny Cash’s “Folsom Prison Blues” performed by Diffie’s father, Joe Diffie, Sr.

“My dad had no idea that I was going to call him up to the stage to sing with us. I’m really proud that he and my son are featured on this album. It’s a memory that I’ll treasure for the rest of my life,” says Diffie. “I’ve always wanted to record a live album, and doing a Live at Billy Bob’s Texas album was the perfect way to make it happen. I hope that the fun and passion we have when we do a live show translates on the CD.”

Tracks included on Live at Billy Bob’s are:

1 Third Rock From the Sun
2 Next Thing Smokin’
3 C-O-U-N-T-R-Y
4 If the Devil Danced (In Empty Pockets)
5 So Help Me Girl
6 Pickup Man
7 A Night To Remember
8 It's Always Something
9 Behind Closed Doors
10 The More You Drink, The Better I Look
11 Is It Cold In Here
12 My Give A Damn's Busted
13 Ships That Don't Come In
14 Good Brown Gravy
15 Willin' (featuring Parker Diffie)
16 Prop Me Up Beside The Jukebox (If I Die)
17 John Deere Green
18 Honky Tonk Attitude
*Bonus Cut-Folsom Prison (featuring Joe Diffie Sr.)

New McClymonts Music Video Hits CMT This Week

It’s always fun when one of the acts that I feature in our weekly Up & Coming New Nashville get a big break and that’s the case for a young trio from Australia that we featured back in April of this year called the McClymonts.

The McClymonts are three sisters from Australia. Brooke, Sam and Mollie have been singing together since they were children and play acoustic instruments. "My Life Again" is from their debut album Chaos and Bright Lights, which they recorded in Nashville. They have a brand new video that just premiered this week on CMT. Watch the video below.

Steel Magnolia Has i-Tunes Free Single Of The Week

Crowned the Season 2 winners of CMT's hit show "Can You Duet," Steel Magnolia is one of the new up and coming artists in country music. They've signed a record deal with Big Machine Records, home to Taylor Swift, Jack Ingram, Reba, etc. Their first single release, "Keep On Lovin' You" is already climbing the charts and they are continuing to work on their debut record with renowned producer, Dann Huff. The Record is slated to be released on February 9th of 2010. You can download the new single for FREE this week by clicking HERE.

CNN "Uncovers" Truth About Jessica Simpson And Dolly Parton

It's not often that I provide links to other stories, but CNN- yes CNN- had a "revealing" story about Jessica Simpson and Dolly Parton on their site today. You can read the whole story HERE.

And then tell me, how is this news? Let alone news important enough for CNN to report on?

CD Reviews- Tammy Cochran- 30 Something and Single

The Background:
In 2001, Tammy enjoyed her first Top 10 single, "Angels in Waiting." The inspirational ballad was written as a tribute to her two older brothers, both of who succumbed to Cystic Fibrosis early in their lives. Though not initially intended to be a single release to radio, the song touched many hearts and continues to resonate with fans to this day. Other hit singles ("I Cry" and "Like Happened") followed from her self-titled debut album and Life Happened, respectively. The few years that followed found Tammy gradually transitioning from being an artist who held a major label record deal to becoming an independent artist. In 2007, she released Where I Am. Having now released two albums independently, Tammy candidly shares her perspective on the matter. "I believe there are good and bad things to being an indie artist. The positives are that you get to be yourself and create music that you believe in and feel passionate about."

The Review:
Tammy Cochran reminds us on 30 Something And Single why we are missing the shrinking subgenre of country music that is the more mature female voice. Not that being 30-something is old by any means, but it isn’t Carrie Underwood or Taylor Swift either. Like Hollywood, maturity- at any age- seems to be something not necessarily celebrated. Not Tammy Cochran. She takes life experience and sings songs that alternate between celebrating her age and longing for youth and times gone by. Each song is fantastically emotive and she proves that she’s got the pipes to belt out any range she wishes. The first track is “The One That Got Away,” a semblance of Brad Paisley’s “The Fishing Song”, that talks about it from the other sex’s perspective. It’s cute, sassy, fun and upbeat and uses every angling analogy and reference under the sun. “30 Something And Single” hits the 30’s straight on the chin with eloquent and melancholy lyrics about entering this part of her life where marriage is expected. The falsetto singing is beautiful. Cochran shows her witty side on “He’s Found Jesus” and “He Really Thinks He’s Got It”- making fun of the middle aged single guys out there. Her take on Tammy Wynette’s “Stand By Your Man” is damn-near perfect. She didn’t mess around with the production, just letting the great vocals shine through- traits that only someone who has been around the world a little will understand. Says Cochran, “"In a way, I believe as a child listening to all these strong women of country music taught me not only how to sing, but how to sing with emotion." She’s right. She also cuts a reissue of her big hit, “Angels In Waiting”, a dedication honoring her two brothers. Cochran plays the seductress on “Closer,” a pop-infused sultry little number that pleads “if it’s over, baby, don’t come any closer.” But she holds the most emotional song for last with the piano ballad dedicated to her new adopted son who is named for those same brothers who have passed. Called “Half The World Away (Shawn’s Song),” it was written during a time when she wasn’t sure her adoption would go through. Tammy shares, "This song is so personal to me. I wrote this song while I waiting for my son to come home to me from Guatemala. The adoption took two years to complete when it should have only taken about 10 months. I guess I've always poured my heart and feelings into my music as a form of therapy, and this song is the product of what I was feeling at the time." Life experience. When drawn on, it can make a powerful pen in songwriting.

Sounds Like:
Jamie O’Neal

Track Highlights (suggested iPod adds):
The One That Got Away
Closer
Angels In Waiting
Stand By Your Man
30 Something and Single

The Verdict:
Three & A Half Stars Out Of Five

Catching Up With Ryan Shupe And The Rubberband

Over at The 9513, I had a chance to sit down and find out what Ryan Shupe and the Rubberband were doing these days. Shupe and his bandmates had a big hit earlier this decade with their song "Dream Big" which was used to promote Amy Grant's NBC Show "Three Wishes." Read the entire feature article HERE.

“For people that only know us through the radio, they may only know us for “Dream Big.” I see that at shows that we regularly perform in, even today. People know “Dream Big.” That song fits in with what we do, being acoustic and positive, but it isn’t exactly what we do. It takes people three or four songs before they get it. We come out on stage jumping around and rocking with a banjo and fiddle and it takes people by surprise. They become fans for life because they get what we’re doing and it’s really unique. If they know us from “Dream Big,” they should check out our videos on YouTube or check out a live show and they’ll see something they’ve never seen before.”

Disney's Carolwood Records Closes- Jessica Andrews Loses Label

Disney's Lyric Street Records President Randy Goodman announced today the shuttering of the year-old Carolwood Records.

Current charted Carolwood artists Love and Theft, and Trent Tomlinson, will be folded into the Lyric Street stable and thus worked by the newly reorganized team but will continue to carry the Carolwood label for their current product. The first artist signed to Carolwood, singer/songwriter Jessica Andrews, looks as if she has not made the move over from Carolwood to Lyric Street

Goodman concluded, “I am very optimistic that this newly organized, aggregated Team will bring new focus and energy to our entire staff and roster and thus have great expectations that they will be the catalyst for resetting us towards better serving our Artists and Radio partners while achieving our cost goals.”

The newly consolidated Lyric Street roster includes multi-platinum superstar group Rascal Flatts; Platinum selling sisters SHeDAISY; American Idol alum Bucky Covington; new group break-thru Love and Theft, Trent Tomlinson, Sarah Buxton and new and developing artists, Ruby Summer, Tyler Dickerson, Kevin Fowler and The Parks.

Montgomery Gentry, Jamey Johnson, Little Big Town, Jack Ingram, Eric Church, Eli Young Band And Many More Plan Late Spring Tour

Welcome to the first-ever COUNTRY THROW-DOWN TOUR.

Headliners Montgomery Gentry, Jamey Johnson, Little Big Town and Jack Ingram are among the 10 initial acts to be announced for this nationwide country music tour running from May 13 through June 20 in 2010. Other artists confirmed for the first annual multi-stage country tour include Eric Church, the Eli Young Band, Jonathan Singleton & The Grove, Lost Trailers, Ryan Bingham and Emily West, with more artists to be announced.

In addition to the 12 main artists performing on three stages (one main stage and two side stages), the Bluebird Café Tent will feature nine extraordinary singer-songwriters. Fans will get to see these artists perform intimate “In the Round”-type sets in the Bluebird Café Tent throughout the day, as well as see them play nightly on a specially designed stage during the main stage set changes.

Stay tuned for the pre-sale date announcement and for more information visit: WWW.COUNTRYTHROWDOWN.COM.

Dolly Parton Releases New Music Video To Celebrate Box Set

We’ve mentioned it before, but we have a fun video to help celebrate the Dolly! Box Set that just came out this last week. Dolly Parton has few peers, and no one in music will deny her powers as a singer, a storyteller and a pop star. From her first national hit in 1967, the ironically titled 'Dumb Blonde' (nobody with a lick of sense ever accused dolly of that!) And the legendary '70s duets with Porter Wagoner, from her first number one single ('Joshua') in 1970 to her 26th number one in 1991 ('Rockin' Years,' a duet with Ricky Shelton) and all train stops in between, Dolly has it all. 'To Know Him Is To Love Him' from the fertile three-way collaboration with Linda Ronstadt and Emmylou Harris, the amazing crossover pop smashes, including the heartfelt duet with Kenny Rogers 'Islands In The Stream,' as well as revered juke box staples '9 to 5' and 'Here You Come Again,' this 99 track/4 cd treasure trove covers all the bases. You may never have to leave home again, but if you do, be sure to take dolly along for the ride. First-ever multi-label, career-spanning box set for Dolly! 4 cds, over 100 songs includes her biggest hits, rarities, and duets from Monument, Rca Victor, And Columbia + seven previously unreleased songs introduction written by singer-songwriter Laura Cantrell, and new liner notes written by noted Dolly Parton historian Holly George-Warren features never-before-seen photos and rare memorabilia! Watch the live performance from London of "Here I Come Again" below:

Taylor Swift's New Platinum Edition Album CD/DVD Has Arrived

Taylor Swift released her Fearless Platinum Edition Album this past week. The CD/DVD combo features 11 original Fearless tracks plus 6 new songs. The DVD footage includes music videos for "Love Story," "Change," "White Horse," "You Belong With Me," and "The Best Day," as well as behind the scenes videos of "Love Story," "White Horse," and "You Belong With Me," in addition to 67 exclusive photos from the Fearless Tour and an exclusive webisode.

Track Listing:
1. Jump Then Fall
2. Untouchable
3. Forever & Always (Piano Version)
4. Come In With The Rain
5. SuperStar
6. The Other Side Of The Door
7. Fearless
8. Fifteen
9. Love Story
10. Hey Stephen
11. White Horse
12. You Belong With Me
13. Breathe
14. Tell Me Why
15. You're Not Sorry
16. The Way I Loved You
17. Forever & Always
18. The Best Day
19. Change

DVD Listing:
1. Change Music Video
2. The Best Day Music Video
3. Love Story Music Video
4. White Horse Music Video
5. You Belong With Me Music Video
6. Love Story On The Set Behind the Scenes
7. White Horse On The Set Behind the Scenes
8. You Belong With Me On The Set Behind the Scenes
9. Fearless Tour 2009 Photo Gallery
10. Fearless 2009 Tour Behind the Scenes at the First Show!
11. CMT Awards "Thug Story"

Toby Keith Celebrates Friend’s Life With Music Video

When former NBA player and jazz musician Wayman Tisdale passed away at an early age this past year, Toby Keith sat down and wrote a touching tribute to his friend that now makes his next single and music video. Watch it here…

Up & Coming New Nashville- The New Relics (With Exclusive Interview)

Somewhere the between the coal mines and steel mills, mountain streams and majestic rivers, where blue-collar meets corporate America, The New Relics have taken life around them and create what has been called “the perfect driving music”. The band blends the sounds of country, rock and Americana and created the sound of modern American music.

Their latest album Monongalia is more than a collection of songs, it is the essence, the soul, and the sound of The New Relics. Having spent years on the road, the band has found who they are and where they belong musically and personally. Big Cities and Fastlanes just don’t seem to sit with The New Relics, they are more about small towns and local watering holes. “Monongalia” tells a story about the people that surround the band, the towns they live in and the choices that they make everyday.

Influenced by the sounds of Pat Green, Jack Ingram, John Mellencamp, and Keith Urban, The New Relics deliver a sound that is more than country music. It’s a journey about great songs. Music that makes you smile, laugh, reflect and believe in something more than yourself. Country music is more than hats and boots. Its taking care of your family, living life, good times and bad, and living to the fullest. Country, Rock, Americana, Bluegrass have all been used to describe the band. All are valid comparisons but not one can describe the band.

The music is radio friendly, with plenty of great melodies and choruses. Music that will make you drive all night, watch the morning sunrise and kiss your lover.
With good years of touring under their belt, meeting more friends and fans, The New Relics are just beginning. Yet for every journey that they take out of Monongalia, they always come home to the people that they love.



That Nashville Sound- What brought you to music in the first place?

Bryan Martin (drummer) - In early childhood, I watched a performance by a high school band and was drawn to the drums. Thought "I wanted to be that guy."

Mike Arbogast (lead vocals & guitars)- I always had country music playing in the house, went to yard sale with mom and bought a 3/4 size guitar and "played along" with the TV. I got a little older and really went out and learned to play.

Jim Bidwell (lead guitar)- I wanted to be part of the junior high jazz band and they needed a bass player. I had the teacher teach me.

Josh Swiger (bass) – My father was an old rock and roller, parental influence was a big part.

TNS- What’s the mission behind the music?

New Relics- The mission behind the music is to bring Morgantown and West Virginia into the spotlight, and to show that great music and musicians can be heard everywhere. We want to play feel good upbeat music that people can enjoy. We believe that the songs and themes have significant relevance in the daily lives of the listeners. Seeking personal truth and fulfillment through creative expression.

TNS- How would you describe your music?

NR- Our music has been described as fusion country, we even asked about that and people said it’s a combination of country, bluegrass, alt, and pop-country. We slide styles in and out of songs and incorporate different instruments into songs that you wouldn't expect to be there.

TNS- What might people be surprised to learn about you?

NR- We hold 7 college degrees between the 4 of us. We have heavy support from family and friends. We are not really big party animals- kinda mild- and would rather hang out and talk with fans and friends. Despite our over education on the bus we still talk about beer and girls.

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

Mike Arbogast - In the iPod - Keith Urban, Brad Paisley, John Meyer, Dave Matthews

Jim Bidwell - Best of Chess Records, Blues Breakers, Jay-Z

Bryan Martin - Paul Simon - Graceland, Levon Helm, Hayseed-Dixie

Josh Swiger - Miranda Lambert, Hanson, Jack Ingram,

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

NR- We want to be successful touring musicians that can reach to a larger audience.

TNS- Nickname for your guitar or other instruments?

NR- Rooster - a really old telecaster, that we bought of a guy named "Rooster" and The Stick - an electric upright bass

John Fogerty's Releases New Music Video

John Fogerty's The Blue Ridge Rangers Rides Again is one of the more critically talked about albums of the year and he’s just released his music video for the duet “When Will I Be Loved.” If you’re wondering who the duet is with, you can get your clue by the form of a "Wanted" poster for a guy the law calls "The Boss."




Email subscribers can watch video by clicking on blue headline.

David Letterman Goes Country This Week

Some of country music's biggest stars get a chance to shine when they perform on the LATE SHOW with DAVID LETTERMAN the week of Monday, Nov. 2-Friday, Nov. 6 (11:35 PM-12:37 AM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network.

Kicking off the week on Monday, Nov. 2 is a performance by country music superstar Carrie Underwood, whose third album, Play On, will be released the next day. On Tuesday, Nov. 3, country music icon Brad Paisley will perform, while alternative country music star Ryan Bingham makes his LATE SHOW debut Wednesday, Nov. 4. One of the biggest names in country music today, Keith Urban, will perform for the first time on the broadcast Thursday, Nov. 5, while bluegrass legend Ralph Stanley rounds out the week on Friday, Nov. 6.

Emily Osment From Hannah Montana Releases New EP With A Country-Pop Song

Those familiar with the Disney powerhouse television show will recognize Emily Osment as Hannah Montana's BFF, Lilly Truscott. This last week she released a brand new EP on the Wind-Up Records Label. One track called "Average Girl" has a Taylor Swift/Carrie Underwood country/pop feel to it. I'll throw this out to my readers- what do you think of the song?

TNS Video History- Johnny Cash & Kris Kristofferson Sing “Sunday Morning Coming Down”

My readers know that there’s no one I admire more than Johnny Cash- here’s a great video of him singing his big hit “Sunday Morning Coming Down” with the song’s writer, Kris Kristofferson. Watch it HERE…