TNS Video History- Vince Gill & Reba McEntire's "The Heart Won't Lie" Live

BMI Celebrates Steve Wariner's 15 Million Plays

BMI honored Steve Wariner at a luncheon yesterday by presenting him with Million-Air Awards for writing and publishing four songs that have reached new million performance levels. The Million-Air Award recognizes songs that have earned more than one million performances on U.S. television and radio. To date 11 songs written by Wariner have achieved Million-Air status, with three titles reaching multiple plateaus, resulting in his receiving a total of 15 Million-Air Awards.

Awards were presented at the luncheon for:
“Nothin’ But the Taillights” – recorded by Clint Black – 3 million
“Where the Blacktop Ends” – recorded by Keith Urban - 2 million
“Holes in the Floor of Heaven” –Wariner’s 1998 CMA Single and Song of the Year, 1999 ACM Song of the Year – 2 million
“I Should Be With You” - #1 hit for Wariner – 1 million

Wariner’s other Million-Air Awards are for the following songs:
“Longneck Bottle” – recorded by Garth Brooks
The rest were recorded by Wariner:
“Been There” – duet with Clint Black
“Two Teardrops” – top 5
“Where Did I Go Wrong” - #1
“I Got Dreams” - #1
“I’m Already Taken” – top 5
“You Can Dream of Me” - #1

“Steve is the quintessential combination of artist, musician, and BMI songwriter,” said Jody Williams, BMI Vice President, Writer/Publisher Relations. “Over the past three decades, he has continued to create a deep catalog of country hits that remains both popular and artistically compelling, evidenced most recently by his 2010 Grammy nomination. We at BMI couldn’t be prouder to represent him.”

Williams placed the million-air milestone in perspective by noting that playing a song back-to-back one million times would take about six years.

“I’m so thankful to BMI for the support they’ve shown in the 35 years we’ve worked together,” said Wariner. “Of course I also have to thank Garth, Clint, Keith and the other artists who have recorded some of my songs, country radio for playing them, and the fans for listening to and requesting them.”

With a total of 15 Million-Air Awards, Wariner reaches a rare plateau achieved by only a fraction of BMI writer/artists including Chuck Berry, Stevie Nicks, Randy Owen, Hank Williams, Jr., Mike Love of the Beach Boys and Steve Winwood.

A World Wide Open Interview With Love and Theft At The 9513

Love and Theft is composed of Brian Bandas, Stephen Barker Liles and Eric Gunderson, all three of whom sing lead vocals and play guitar. Signed to Disney’s Carolwood Records, Love and Theft made its chart debut in early 2009 with the single "Runaway", which has reached Top 10 on Billboard Hot Country Songs. The band's debut album, World Wide Open, was released on August 25, 2009.

I had a chance to sit down and interview the guys before a fundraising concert for a local Sheriff’s Toy Drive. Read a snippet of the interview below or go over and read the entire thing HERE.

"We are influenced heavily by all kinds of classic music. It could be everything and anything by Dylan, Elvis, the Rolling Stones, Johnny Cash–anything in that classic musical style. When we started looking for a name, we started going through old discographies of artists we had idolized for years. We came across that name and loved the phrase. And as songwriters, who better to pay tribute to than Bob Dylan? We think he’s one of the best songwriters of all time.”

New Music Video From Newcomer Matt Kennon- “The Call”

FREE Christmas Music From Ryan Shupe & The Rubberband

We did an interview with the very talented Ryan Shupe and the Rubberband awhile back and now, the singers of the hit single "Dream Big" are offering their fans two beautiful Christmas songs on their website. There's an acoustic version of "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town" and an island-flavored "Away In A Manger." Click HERE to visit the site for your free downloads.

New Music Video For Australian Trio McClymonts- "Wrapped Up Good"

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. This new single is also doubling up as the title of their new January album, Wrapped Up Good. Watch the video below...

More FREE Christmas Music- Becky Schlegal's "Joseph and Mary"

Back in September, we profiled a singer-songwriter named Becky Schlegal in our Up & Coming New Nashville column. She has penned "Joseph and Mary" (a new insight into the story of Christ's birth) as a musical gift to her fans. The free download of this original song is available only at www.beckyschlegel.com now through Christmas Eve. In addition to Becky's moving vocal, the track features musicians Missy Raines on bass, Michael Witcher on dobro and Brian Fesler on guitar.

"It's written from a different perspective than most Christmas songs," Schlegel says of "Joseph and Mary." Becky wrote the song after hearing a particularly moving - and unusual sermon. “The message was simple," she explains. “'Who among us today would be as trusting as Joseph? Wouldn't it have been hard for him to accept Mary's story?’”

"I am just a carpenter in love with who I see
Trying hard to understand and wanting to believe
That truth is what you're giving me, a story that you know
Is something of a mystery and I may never know
But the truth is in your eyes
You never asked questions such as I"

Fun Holiday Interview With Sugarland

It's A Date For Chely Wright- 365 Dates To Be Exact

Chely Wright has shared her excitement with fans about a brand new project that has been given a 5.4.2010 launch date. She has been signed by Vanguard/EMI Records and Rodney Crowell has produced the new album called Lifted Off The Ground. All tracks on the album were written by Wright except for one co-write with Rodney Crowell called "Heavenly Days."

Best known for her smash hit "Single White Female," Wright has released seven studio albums on various labels, and has charted more than fifteen singles on the country charts. She has also written songs for Brad Paisley, Mindy Smith, Richard Marx and a top 10 hit for Clay Walker.

Chely also has a brand new calendar available for sale featuring the beauty's lovely face- 100% of the proceeds go to Wright's charity foundation, Reading, Writing, and Rhythm Foundation. It is a non-profit organization devoted to the importance of musical education in America's schools and helps supply musical instruments and equipment. You can purchase the calendar at Chely's website HERE.

New Music Video From Collin Raye- “She’s With Me”

Brad Paisley Releases Music Video For "American Saturday Night"

Check out Brad Paisley’s brand new creative video for “American Saturday Night.”

Comic Rodney Carrington Gets First Top 50 Hit With "Camouflage and Christmas Lights"- Listen Here

Rodney Carrington is better known for his comedy, so it's a bit of a departure for the comedian/musician to issue a mostly traditional and serious Christmas album.

Much of Make it Christmas is, surprisingly, comprised of holiday standards. But the song that is making noise at radio is the Andrew Dorff and Michael Logen song, "Camouflage and Christmas Lights." This introspective song comes from the perspective of a soldier away during the holidays and is already garnering impressive airplay time, becoming Carrington's first Top 50 country hit. You can listen to the song and see a video they've put together on the song below...

A Little Christmas Present Idea For The Country Lover In Your Life Courtesy Of Sugarland

That Nashville Sound was asked to get the word out on a little fundraiser that Sugarland is doing- so we're doing our part by letting our readers know. (And potentially helping someone get/give a fantastic Christmas present idea in the process.) The Universal Music Store is auctioning several items on eBay. All of the proceeds for these auctions go to The City of Hope. The City of Hope is an innovative biomedical research, treatment and educational institution. They are dedicated to the prevention and cure of cancer and other life-threatening diseases, guided by a compassionate patient-centered philosophy, and supported by a national foundation of humanitarian philanthropy.

The auction closes on December 21st on the Universal Music eBay Store. It features a Sugarland autographed CD and lyric sheet. You can bid on it HERE.

More FREE Christmas Music- This Time From Rascal Flatts

Gary, Jay and Joe Don from Rascal Flatts are giving away their newest recording, 'Away In A Manger' for FREE! Visit HERE for your free downoad.

That Nashville Sound Christmas Soundbites- Jerry Douglas- Jerry Christmas

That Nashville Sound has a mini CD Review feature that we’re going to kick in between now and Christmas called That Nashville Soundbites- just done Christmas style!

Release Date: October 2009
Music Label: Koch Records
The Skinny: The dynamic Dobro playing of Jerry Douglas, is simply beautiful and hauntingly perfect on these takes on a variety of Americana Christmas classics. The entire album is nearly void of any vocals, save for a beautiful guest vocal by Grammy-nominated Maura O’Connel, but doesn’t feel like a thing is missing. Douglas’ beautiful musicianship and gorgeous orchestration is all the lead you’ll need on this, our favorite of all of the new holiday albums we’ve reviewed this season.
Sounds Like: Union Station
Standout Tracks: "Christmas Time Is Here," "The First Noel,” “New Years Eve” & "Oh Holy Night"
The Verdict: Four Stars Out Of Five

New Music Video From Love and Theft- "Dancing In Circles"

New Holiday Music Video From Emily West- "O Holy Night"

Lady Antebellum's "American Honey" To Be Released Today

Lady Antebellum's second single will have big shoes to fill after the first single off of their sophomore album, "Need You Now," spent five consecutive weeks at number one on the Billboard Top Country Songs chart. Lady A will release the second single, "American Honey," to radio today.

"I think everyone, man or woman, it doesn't matter, you get to a place in your life when you really miss the simplicity of growing up. I'm only 23 years old, but as things in our lives get crazier, there's moments in time where I'm like, gosh, it would be great to just go back to when I was playing hide and go seek with my neighbors or laying on the screened-in porch in my aunt's house - going back to the smells and the sights and all those things," said Hillary Scott. "That's what I loved about this song...the nostalgic thing. It just has this sweetness to it, and it warms your heart."

Steve Wariner Releases New Christmas Song & Has Ruben Studdard Record Another

Just in time for the holidays, Steve Wariner has released a new single called “Feels Like Christmas Time.” Written by Wariner and Rick Carnes, the song is currently available through amazon.com and will be available at iTunes this week.

Along with the new song, Wariner prepared a short video clip demonstrating how he added the guitar parts to the recording. The video can be viewed on stevewariner.com, as well as his Facebook and MySpace pages, YouTube and Vimeo.

Another one of Wariner’s Christmas songs will also hit airwaves this season when soul/R&B singer Ruben Studdard releases “Christmas in Your Arms,” written by Wariner and Bill Anderson and recorded previously by Alabama.

New Music Video From Dierks Bentley & Patty Griffin- "A Beautiful World"

Dierks Bentley has offered a free download of “A Beautiful World” to fans to raise awareness about his nationwide “Miles & Music For Kids” fundraiser, which is sponsored by CMT One Country and benefits hospitals in the Children’s Miracle Network. You can watch this beautiful duet with Patty Griffin below...

The 9513's Top 100 Albums Of The Decade

After three months worth of discussion, nine fantastic voters plus myself narrowed down 300 nominated albums from thousands of choices for The 9513's Top 100 Country Albums of the Decade. It's a fantastic journey over ten years with really interesting and insightful blurbs on every single album- right down to Jamey Johnson's That Lonesome Song, the number one choice. How'd we do?

•Top Country Albums of the Decade (#100-91)
•Top Country Albums of the Decade (#90-81)

•Top Country Albums of the Decade (#80-71)
•Top Country Albums of the Decade (#70-61)
•Top Country Albums of the Decade (#60-51)
•Top Country Albums of the Decade (#50-41)
•Top Country Albums of the Decade (#40-31)
•Top Country Albums of the Decade (#30-21)
•Top Country Albums of the Decade (#20-11)
*Top Country Albums of the Decade ($10-1)

Up & Coming New Nashville- Jody Booth (With Exclusive Interview)

Texas has produced some of country music's biggest legends, and Jody Booth is doing everything he can to be the next member to join that near-cosmic lineup. With a gritty edge that defies convention and a lyrical vulnerability startling in its honesty, this intense guitar-playing singer/songwriter from the tiny town of Livingston, Texas is hovering on the borderline between regional acclaim and national fame – hoping to reach the "big time." Booth's upcoming HEAVEN AND HELL is a 12-track tour-de-force akin to Jamey Johnson's much-heralded debut disc of 2008. It's good ole honkytonk music. Produced by veteran hit-maker Doug Deforest (Todd Fritsch, Doug Spartz, Jonathan Edwards), it's country, offering the soul-baring truths that hopefully remind the listener of Kristofferson, Haggard or Jones.



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

Jody Booth- My mother's side of the family. Quite often the 5 brothers and 5 sisters would gather around a table of food and play music. Every single one of them either played something or sang.

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

JB- The mission behind my music is to not sound like anyone else ,but rather sound like everyone I was influenced by-from Haggard to Jones, Stevie Ray Vaughn, and Bill Monroe.

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

JB- That I was a father at 16 and I'm a 12 handicap.

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

JB- 80's country, Seth James' new record, and Hank Jr's new record.

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

JB- Making a comfortable living playing music.

TNS- Nickname for your guitar or other instruments?

JB- I have so many guitars, I don't give any of them nicknames so I don't hurt the others’ feelings.

Reba Gets "Un-Dressed" at Country Music Hall Of Fame

Reba McEntire’s dress from her performance of “Does He Love You” at the 1993 CMA Awards is exhibited at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville.

“Reba McEntire: Put On Your Red Dress, Baby,” a spotlight exhibit featuring the attention-grabbing red gown worn by superstar Reba McEntire on the 1993 Country Music Association Awards telecast, is open now at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville, Tenn.

The exhibit will be on view through June 13.

Designed by McEntire’s longtime stylist, Sandi Spika, the silk and jersey gown, with its plunging neckline and strategically placed sequins, shocked some viewers when the Oklahoma native wore it for her performance of “Does He Love You” with Linda Davis.

Reba later said, “I got more press off that dress than if I’d won Entertainer of the Year.”

In the three decades since her 1976 debut single was released, McEntire has become one of the most popular and acclaimed artists in American music. The Chockie native has sold more than 40 million records and won dozens of awards, including Grammy Awards in 1986 and 1993 for Best Country Vocal Performance, Female, and Best Country Vocal Collaboration, respectively; and four consecutive Country Music Association Female Vocalist of the Year awards (1984-87). In 1986, she was honored as CMA’s Entertainer of the Year.

For more information about the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, go to www.countrymusichalloffame.org.

Pop Star Lily Allen Has Country Music Aspirations

Brit pop singer Lily Allen has revealed that she would love to make a country album, if only she can get clearance to work in the US.

Allen, 24, who was denied entry into the U.S. in 2007 after she was arrested on allegations of assault following a scuffle with a photographer in the U.K., is desperate to work with producer Joseph 'T-Bone' Burnett.

She was inspired by Grammy-winning record Raising Sand by Robert Plant and Alison Krauss, which Burnett had helped create.

"I love the whole folky and bluegrass sound. I'd love to do an album like that. I could see myself doing an album with T-Bone Burnett," quoted her as telling British magazine Q.

"A mix of Brit-pop and country would be great. Thing is, my visa application to the U.S. has not been renewed, so I wouldn't be able to go to Nashville and do it," she added.

Grand Ole Opry To Add Wednesday Night Shows In 2010

Noted Grand Ole Opry historian Byron Fay has given us a sneak peek that the Opry is planning a second weekday show this next year on Wednesdays on his website.

The Grand Ole Opry, in addition to their current full schedule of shows, is going to offer a Wednesday night show during the summer months this coming year. The Wednesday night Opry shows will take place from June 23-July 28. The Tuesday Night Opry will resume on March 2 and run until December 14, similiar to this past year. Opry Country Classics on Thursday night will also return in 2010, however this coming year, the shows will take place at the Ryman Auditorium. The first group of Opry Country Classics will run from March 26-June 17, and then returning on September 9 until October 28. This will be pretty much the same schedule that the shows were in 2009.

The Friday Night Opry will continue with 1 show each week, with the exception of January 8, were currently 2 shows are scheduled. The Grand Ole Opry on Saturday nights will offer 1 show each night at 7, and on various Saturday nights throughout the year, will offer a 2nd show at 9:30. The Saturday nights with 2 shows are March 6-April 24; July 10-July 24; September 4; October 2-October 11.

All of the Opry shows starting in November will again be at the Ryman Auditorium.

New Music Video For Phil Vassar- "Everywhere I Go"

Free Christmas Music From iTunes

If you're looking for fantastic holiday music, iTunes has you covered with this collection of 20 holiday tracks, from bluegrass versions of traditional favorites to R&B takes on Yuletide hymns. Featuring artists like Amy Grant, Lady Antebellum, Rascal Flatts, Wynonna, Toby Keith, Stephen Colbert, Charlotte Church, David Archuleta and Aretha Franklin, this collection is a great way to soundtrack your holiday. It's also a great way to explore the glory of iTunes LP — you can browse photos, check out lyrics, and read more about the artists. All of this, and it's absolutely free for just one week.

Click HERE to download your free holiday sampler.