TNS First Blush- Danny Gokey's First Single

Earlier this year, "American Idol" third-place finisher Danny Gokey signed with RCA's Nashville label- below is his first radio single release. That Nashville Sound wants to know what you think of the new song "Best Days Are Ahead Of Me"…

TNS Video History- Mary Chapin Carpenter’s “Shut Up & Kiss Me”

Enjoy this look back at this great number from one of the best singer-songwriters in country music, Mary Chapin Carpenter. “Shut Up & Kiss Me” hit number one back in 1994.

Bucky Covington Releases New EP This Week

Lyric Street's Bucky Covington has released a brand new EP this week called Live From Rockingham, a 5-song digital mini album recorded at his recent hometown concert in Rockingham, NC. Hitting the virtual realm on November 17, the release features live versions of Bucky's Top 10 hits "A Different World," "It's Good To Be Us" and "I'll Walk" plus his brand new single "Gotta Be Somebody" as well as a special preview of "Mexicoma" from his much anticipated sophomore album. Also packaged with these tracks is Bucky's latest music video for "Gotta Be Somebody," spotlighting the crowd of over 6,000 fans, friends and Rockingham locals who attended Bucky's homecoming festivities. The video made its premiere splash on CMT.com where it quickly rose to top streaming status and debuted at No. 1 on the elite, all fan voted CMT Pure 12-Pack Countdown.

Recently, Bucky Covington released to radio his brand new single "Gotta Be Somebody," his country style version of Nickelback's No. 1 hit, written by band members Chad Kroeger and Ryan Peake, along with co-producer Joey Moi. Currently climbing the country charts, this song is from his upcoming sophomore album, I'm Alright, to hit streets in spring 2010.

Kenny Chesney's New Movie Trailer Hits The Screens

Kenny Chesney, a four-time CMA Entertainer Of The Year, is planning on becoming a big-screen presence, as they say, at a theater near you. In April, the country beach bum will release his first full-length concert film, 'Kenny Chesney: Summer in 3D'.

The new movie trailer is in theaters starting this week. But you can watch it here and save the ten bucks.

An Interview With Timothy B. Schmit Of The Eagles Over On The 9513

In 1977, Timothy B. Schmit joined the Eagles after playing in the band Poco for nearly a decade, replacing Randy Meisner. To this day, Schmit continues to be part of the Eagles lineup along with Glenn Frey, Don Henley and Joe Walsh- and he's also a member of the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame as a member of the band. This month, he has released a solo album of all original music called Expando (which we reviewed yesterday). I had a chance to sit down and talk about the new album and life on the road with the Eagles over at The 9513. A snippet of the interview is below but you can check out the balance of the interview HERE.

"I mentioned that I lived in a trailer house for most of my younger years–most of grade school and all of high school, really. Over the years, they kept upgrading our trailer house and when we started staying pretty solidly in Sacramento they got a big one and it was called an Expando. You could park it where you wanted to park it and it would literally expand out from 8 feet to 15 feet wide. That’s where the word came from. My first encounter with that word was this mobile home called The Expando. Later on, when I was making this record, I thought of that. My engineer friend and I started to look for it and do research on it. We found this old website and we found a brochure of this very same trailer house that I used to live in called The Expando. And I printed it out and I have it big on my wall here in my studio. When it came time to start to think about titles, I didn’t want to title the album any of the song titles. None of them seemed to quite get it. This word popped into my head and it seemed to sum it up pretty good. It’s such an autobiographical record anyways in many of the songs. I like the word and it’s different and it implies growing and expanding and I think that’s what I’ve done with this record."

CD Reviews- Timothy B. Schmit- Expando

The Background:
Timothy B Schmit launched his solo career late - in 1984, after the Eagles disbanded and right in the thick of the era of shiny, synthesized production. Schmit released three solo albums, all big and glossy, between 1984 and 1991, then reunited with the Eagles in '94, so he never quite had a chance to record an album as relaxed and natural as 2009's Expando. Ditching all the sheen, but not professional panache, that lingered all the way to 2001's Feed The Fire, Schmit returns to his country and folk-rock roots here, creating a record that has a clear through line from his early days with Poco, bears echoes of early Crosby Stills & Nash - a resemblance underscored by Graham Nash's occasional guest harmonies and the howling harmonica on "A Good Day"

The Review:
With a little gospel, folk, country and rock and roll, Expando proves to be pure Americana. While it’s a little more mellow sound than traditional Eagles music, Timothy B. Schmit’s new album could be called relationships. He’s utilized great guest appearances that utilize and play to the guest’s strengths in nearly every case. On “One More Mile,” Keb Mo plays a beautiful slide dobro on this catchy little number about travelling down the road. “Parachute” is the most Eagles-ish song and features terrific harmony vocals with Graham Nash and lead guitar from Kenny Wayne Shepherd. On “Compassion” and “Ella Jean”, Schmit does his best John Fogerty And The Rangers impression and plays all the instruments including providing his own falsetto choruses. The best track on the album is his most autobiographical in “White Boy From Sacramento.” The song celebrates his non-funkiness including his youthful affection for Pat Boone, Pepsi Cola, the suburbs, flat tops and the Kingston Trio. It’s a fun upbeat track backed by an almost ragtime piano bounce and is a great reminder of how one of the biggest rock and roll legends in the world can celebrate his inner nerd with the rest of us. Dwight Yoakam and Kid Rock sing back-up on the R&B/Soul tinged tune “Downtime” about shutting down on the front porch and turning off the mind. And then there’s the great gospel themed song with Schmit and the Blind Boys Of Alabama called “Secular Praise” with it’s rising and soaring chorus of “Hallelujah.” While I’d wish for a couple more up-tempo songs to go along with “White Boy From Sacramento” to help fill out the album, it’s a great and fun listen- particularly for the Eagles fan uncertain to when they’ll hear new music from the band.

Sounds Like:
A softer more stripped down version of The Eagles

Track Highlights (suggested iPod adds):
One More Mile
Parachute
White Boy From Sacramento
Secular Praise

The Verdict:
Three And A Half Stars Out Of Five

Taylor Swift's A Card...

Taylor Swift has partnered with American Greetings for a line of greeting cards, gift packaging and stationary. The line will be arriving in stores in the spring.

The country pop superstar will work with American Greetings’ editorial and creative teams to develop and design the cards and products. Their collaboration will attempt to showcase her writing, personality and style.

“Her abilities as a storyteller and songwriter make her a natural at writing cards for consumers of all ages,” said Zev Weiss, chief executive officer for American Greetings, in a statement. “She has the unique ability to connect with her fans through life experiences and greeting cards do the same—cards help people express, connect and celebrate these events with the important people in their lives.”

In addition to the cards and stationary, Swift will also have branded online photo personalization products and online greetings. The products will be sold through American Greetings’ retail partners throughout the world.

Carrie Underwood’s Tonight Show Performance Of “Temporary Home”

If you missed Carrie Underwood’s performance of "Temporary Home" on Conan O’Brien’s The Tonight Show yesterday, don’t worry. We’ve got you covered below…

CD Reviews- Big Kenny- The Quiet Times of a Rock and Roll Farm Boy

The Background-
With Nashville duo Big & Rich, "Big Kenny" Alphin created a startling, everything-but-the-kitchen sink brand of pop-country music that took the charts by storm and became one of the aughts` most unexpected success stories. Their first big hit, “Save A Horse Ride A Cowboy” turned Nashville up on its ear and marked the beginning of a streak of Big & Rich hits over the last near-decade. Though Alphin had recorded one solo album prior to joining up with John Rich, his label shelved the disc until after he and his partner hit it big.

The Review-
There have been so many recordings and so many different styles throughout country music- think the outlaw movement to today’s contemporary country- it would be darned near impossible to create a style and a sound that’s distinctly yours. In this digital age of sound, when anyone can create music in their own living room, it would be a tough proposition to develop an image and musicality that separated you from all of the other artists out there. But with a personality, alter-ego and a unique set of principles to build them on, Big Kenny has used a bevy of songwriting and performing skills to make lessons and traits like love, forgiveness, and freedom all feel like he invented them himself. There’s a social relevancy in each of his songs. Not relevant in aspect of religious or political overtones, but relevant in this fantastic international lovefest that he brings to each and every song. The ties that bind this album together are themes that involve caring for our brothers, our social footprint, how we impact others and our impact on the world. None of it is done by a heavy hand. It’s done with humor and an upbeat attitude that is oh so infectious. From the John Mellencamp-like "Long After I`m Gone" to the rocker, "Happy People," much of the material is positive. Whatever Big Kenny is on, I want some. Love is more a state of mind than a reaction. For this leaning-towards-the-middle political conservative, embracing my inner hippie never felt so good.

Sounds Like-
1960’s ideals in modern 2000’s country

Track Highlights (suggested iPod adds):
Less Than Whole
Long After I’m Gone
Wake Up
Free Like Me

The Verdict:
Four Stars Out Of Five

Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum Plans Numerous Christmas Themed Programs

The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum has decked the hall and scheduled a several programs and events for the month of December.

“Coffee, Country, Christmas and Cody” – Fri., Dec. 4 @ 7:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
650 AM WSM’s Bill Cody broadcasts live from the Museum’s Curb Conservatory. “Coffee, Country, Cody and Christmas” will include a buffet-style breakfast; performances by Richie McDonald, Ricky Skaggs, the Whites and the Skaggs family; prizes and more. Tickets are $6.50 and go on sale November 13 at 10 a.m. at the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum Web site. McDonald, Skaggs and the Whites will sign autographs in the Museum Store following the broadcast.

Family Program: Make Letterpress Art with Hatch Show Print – Sat., Dec. 5 @ 1:00 p.m.
Learn about letterpress printing from Jim Sherraden, manager of Hatch Show Print, one of the oldest working letterpress print shops in the United States. Use block images to make your own holiday card or T-shirt. Paper provided. Participants should bring their own T-shirts. Ages 6 to 18. No reservations required. This workshop takes place in the SunTrust Community Room at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. Admission is FREE. Families are encouraged to tour the Museum at a discounted rate following the program. Visit the information desk or ticket window for more information.

Concert: A John Cowan Christmas Sat., Dec. 5 @ 2:00 p.m.
John Cowan will perform seasonal songs both sacred and secular from his new Christmas project, Comfort & Joy (E1 Music). Cowan is best known as the powerhouse lead singer for pivotal acoustic band New Grass Revival. Today he leads the John Cowan Band, including Jeff Autry, Shad Cobb, John Frazier and Byron Larrance. A signing follows in the Museum Store.

Interview: Brenda Lee’s “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” Thu., Dec. 10 @ Noon
Brenda Lee’s 1958 recording of “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” has sold an estimated 8 million copies worldwide. Truly a Christmas classic, the song is also an important piece of Nashville recording history. In this interview, Country Music Hall of Fame member Lee reminisces about the recording of this holiday masterpiece and discusses it in the context of her career. The program will be followed by a signing in the Museum Store.

Film Loop: Johnny Cash Christmas Show (1977) Fri., Dec. 11 @ 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. and Sun., Dec. 13 @ 9:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.; 3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
From 1969 to 1971, Johnny Cash hosted a nationally broadcast television show, which featured a variety of guest stars. After the series went off the air, Cash continued to make television appearances through his annual Christmas specials. This edition of The Johnny Cash Christmas Show originally aired in November 1977. Taped at the Grand Ole Opry House in front of a live audience, the program includes guest appearances by June Carter Cash, Roy Clark, Jerry Lee Lewis, Roy Orbison, Carl Perkins, and the Statler Brothers. This 60-minute film will loop continuously in the Ford Theater. FREE.

Film Screening: Barbara Mandrell’s Christmas: A Family Reunion (1986) Sun., Dec. 13 @ 2:00 p.m.
Country Music Hall of Fame member Barbara Mandrell hosted a primetime Christmas special in 1986. Barbara Mandrell’s Christmas: A Family Reunion is similar to her early 1980s television series, Barbara Mandrell & the Mandrell Sisters. The program features performances and skits by Mandrell alongside her musical sisters, Louise and Irlene. In this footage, the talented trio covers holiday favorites like “I’ll Be Home for Christmas,” “Sleigh Ride,” “Winter Wonderland,” and many more. Shown as originally aired, including commercials. Footage from the Museum’s Frist Library and Archive. 60 minutes. FREE.

Film Loop: Johnny Cash Christmas Show (1980) Fri., Dec. 18 @ 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. and Sun., Dec. 20 @ 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
From 1969 to 1971, Johnny Cash hosted a nationally broadcast television show, which featured a variety of guest stars. After the series went off the air, Cash continued to make television appearances through his annual Christmas specials. This edition of The Johnny Cash Christmas Show originally aired in November 1980. Taped at the Grand Ole Opry House in front of a live audience, the program includes guest appearances by June Carter Cash, Mac Davis, and Jeannie C. Riley. This 60-minute film will loop continuously in the Ford Theater. FREE.

Please visit the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum online for more information.

The TNS Alan Jackson Cracker Barrel Great Giveaway

Here's your chance to own your own copy of the new Alan Jackson album available exclusively at Cracker Barrel called Songs of Love and Heartache along with a gift basket filled with new Alan Jackson signature lifestyle products from Cracker Barrel. The album features 10 classic Alan Jackson songs and two new album exclusive tracks called "That's What I'd Be Like Without You" and "Nothing Sure Looked Good On You."

To enter this contest, just simply be an email subscriber. Subscribing can be done by signing up on the top right column of the home page- it’s completely free. Our winner will be selected on Black Friday- the day after Thanksgiving. Good luck!

We'd also like to congratulate the winners of our last big giveaway:
Sarah H from Illinois
Cindy F from Pennsylvania
Victoria S from Texas

Catch Kellie Pickler's Performance At The Country Music Hall Of Fame Last Week

The former blonde turned redhead, Kellie Pickler, appeared in the Ford Theater inside the Country Music Hall Of Fame last week and Self Magazine posted the video of the performance with some interview snippets layered over the top of it. Watch the performance HERE.

Up & Coming New Nashville- Bridgette Tatum (With Exclusive Interview)

Bridgette Tatum, the firecracker brunette, was raised on the tent revival brand of soul-shaking gospel, swirling with the Holy Spirit and saturated with raw passion. Music coursed through her veins, seeping deep into her bones, and manifesting as the powerful sultry wailing and soulful crooning that brand Bridgette’s sound uniquely as her own. “Music is what I was put on this earth to do,” she explains, “and it comes from something much bigger than me. I’m just a vessel for the music.”

This clarity of purpose was born, amazingly, of a violent and senseless attack. During Bridgette’s shift at a local motel, a disgruntled customer took a razorblade to her face, forcing her into six months of recuperation and some serious soul searching. She recognized her calling in music, and knew that life was too short not to pursue her dream of being a professional singer and songwriter. Promptly thereafter, Bridgette moved to Nashville.

Following her first outing at a Hall of Fame Lounge writer’s night, Bridgette continued to take in the lay of the land as she worked up to the honky-tonks on Broadway and a regular Friday night gig at the Star Café in White’s Creek. It wasn’t until she found a kindred spirit in manager Carolyn Miller, however, that her career began to really take shape.

It was through the encouragement of Carolyn, that Bridgette collaborated musically with the man whom came to be her future producer, Danny Myrick. Their partnership proved as successful in songwriting: they co-wrote “She’s Country,”a #1 hit for Jason Aldean, as well as many of the songs on Bridgette’s forthcoming album.

They laid down 13 tracks at the Studio at the Palms in Las Vegas over an intense five-day period, lending the arrangements a manic creativity that plays off Bridgette’s unique artistry and passion. The album reflects her many personalities, effortlessly transitioning from defiant, amped-up rockers to tender, intimate ballads to straight-shooting social commentaries.

“My roots in gospel have shaped everything I've done as an artist. I want my music to be that real and to make people really feel it. If I don't do that, then I'm not doing my job. If it's a ballad, it’s going to touch you,” she continues. “If it's a rockin’ tune, you are going to rock and roll till your pants fall off.”


I like my Cowboys dirty

Stephanie MySpace Video

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

Bridgette Tatum- My mother really, she had a passion for gospel music and she and my dad put together a group that i sang harmonies in growing up. I listened to country music with my papa on his eight track player in his truck and got overwhelmed by the sounds of artists Like Buck Owens, Jerry Reed, and George Jones. Later on I discovered things that would become my favorites in music outside of my childhood like Garth, Patty Loveless, Trisha Yearwood, Aerosmith, Ccr, Rolling Stones, and a ton of others.

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

BT- I guess in a world of television gimmicks and manufactured singers it'd be hard to pinpoint artists with true passion and direction. However I’ve been lucky enough to have found God early on and have an understanding that this is a gift which could be removed at any point if I don't responsibly and protectively take care of the music. The purpose is simple, make sure I’m writing and singing songs that emotionally connect to people and relate to individuals in a creative format. In other words, there's no gimmick to this music. It's just music, for everyone!

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

BT- Oh boy, I might as well throw this out there so my manager doesn't get to wreck me later in an interview. Lol... I seem to need cosmetic intervention she says. I love learning about new skincare and probably would try something new just to try it. It's fun!

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

BT- As of right now, i am blasting Pink a lot! I’m a huge fan of hers and just took a jaunt over to England with two of my three best friends to see her in concert. I love her spunk and think she is a true artist. Other than listening to her recently, i run the gamut of music from Enya to Aerosmith!

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

BT- More God, more family and friends, and more music....that pretty much sums it up.

TNS- Nickname for your guitar or other instruments?

BT- Wow. New question on me! Well sometimes my guitar becomes a swear word because the dadgum strings break...but most of the time, I call it my friend. It provides the melody to my lyrics so it's a pretty good friend in that respect.

TNS Video History- Jamey Johnson Covers Bob Seger's "Turn The Page"

We uncovered this great little gem of today's heralded outlaw country music sensation Jamey Johnson covering the great Bob Seger's trademark "Turn The Page."



Email subscribers can watch the video by clicking on the blue headline.