TNS Video History- Loretta Lynn's Opry Performance Of "Coal Miner's Daughter"

Hal Ketchum & Amy Grant Sing 'The Christmas Song'- A Simple Prayer On This Most Blessed Of Days

That Nashville Sound and our family members wish you and your family many blessings on this Christmas Day- hopefully filled with family, friends, food and love. To celebrate, we found a YouTube recording of a beautiful song sung by Hal Ketchum (one of our favorites) and Amy Grant called "The Christmas Song." Enjoy the song.

TNS Video History- Steve Martin, Paul Simon and Billy Joel- “Silver Bells”

The origin of this hilariously blue semi-legendary bootleg is a bit of a mystery. Some claim that it’s an outtake from an episode of Saturday Night Live, but Martin and Simon were never on the same show at the same time. Further complicating things, Billy Joel—in a magazine interview from 2001—claims that it’s him playing the piano, and that it wasn’t for television at all, but merely the three of them, lubricated on wine, goofing around in a recording studio. Whatever the case, it’s hands-down the funniest version ever made of this classic carol.

A Rick Rubin Produced Johnny Cash Album Coming In February

Christmas came a day early to this household. Amazon has a listing for an import version of Johnny Cash’s American VI: Aint No Grave, another Rick Rubin-produced LP in his “American” series, with a release date of February 23, 2010. The release is still unconfirmed by label reps, but if this is true, it easily makes the top of our list as most anticipated release of 2010. Here’s the current list of tracks to make the cut:

Ain’t No Grave
Redemption Day
For The Good Times
First Corinthians
Where I’m Bound
Satisfied Mind
It Don’t Hurt Anymore
Cool Clear Water
Last Night I Had The Strangest Dream
Aloha

TNS Video History- Carrie Underwood Sings "Do You Hear What I Hear" At The Opry

Grand Ole Opry member and star Carrie Underwood belts out a beautiful version of “Do You Hear What I Hear” at the Ryman Auditorium. Watch the video below…

Shenandoah's Marty Raybon Launches New Music Video For "Daddy Phone"

Most people know Marty Raybon as the lead singer for Shenandoah (who had five number ones including "Church On Cumberland Road" and "Two Dozen Roses" back in the early 90's). Marty's latest solo effort is pure soccer mom music in a song called "Daddy Phone." Watch the video for it below...

TNS Video History- Wynonna Judd Sings "Blue Christmas"

Wynonna sings a touching rendition of the Elvis Presley classic "Blue Christmas" on the TV special "David Foster's Christmas Album" (NBC, December 10, 1993).

A Great Music Video Of Roy Orbison Singing "Pretty Paper"

Next year I'll have to do a Twelve Days Of Christmas video series. There's just too much good stuff I have readers sending into me. Meanwhile, here's a beautiful rendition of "Pretty Paper" by Roy Orbison.

Dolly Is Wishing You A Merry Christmas

New Music Video For Zac Brown Band's "Highway 20 Ride"

"Highway 20 Ride" was our favorite track on Zac Brown Band's album, The Foundation this last year. Just released as a single, Zac and the boys deliver a heartfelt and deeply emotional video for the new track. Ladies, break out the kleenex.

More FREE Christmas Music- This Time From Joe Nichols- "Old Toy Trains"

Joe Nichols is giving fans an early Christmas present- He's just shy of 20,000 followers on Twitter and the plan was to give this download away when he reached the magic number, but he's decided to give away the download early. He's offering his free holiday download now. Either go through the player below or go HERE to download your great classic country holiday tune, "Old Toy Trains."

Up & Coming New Nashville- Dixie Trahan (With Exclusive Interview)

What do you get when you mix "Modern & Traditional country" with a hint of "New Grass"? You get an artist that weaves powerful lyrics and heart wrenching vocals into the fabric of our time. You get Texan Dixie Trahan.

“Country music has just always been a constant for me, whether it’s a love song or a hell-raisin’ song,” Trahan says. “It fits just about any mood. It just lets you express so much emotion.”
Recently making her way into the Texas music scene, Dixie has teamed up with some of Texas’ best musicians to bring you an experience you won’t be able to get enough of…The highlight is her delicate, soulful voice, which has rightfully earned comparisons to Alison Krauss but also boasts shades of Pam Tillis.

About four years ago, Trahan decided to give music another go, on her terms. She recorded her self-titled effort in Nashville, a collection of "positive," hopeful tunes highlighted by the autobiographical Back To Me and You, which she co-wrote with her husband.

"I realize I really am a baby duck at all this," Trahan says. "My experience in the industry, in the Texas market — I'm just starting with all that. But I can't imagine anything better at this point."

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

Dixie Trahan- I was born into it pretty much. Grew up singing in church from the time I was old enough to stand on the step of the platform and hold a mic! I learn harmony and blend singing with my family from about age 8...later we began travelling around the country going from church to church and some community events, festivals etc. My mom, dad brother & me. You know what they say about family harmony...it's true!

That Nashville Sound- Describe your music- what's the mission behind the music?

Dixie Trahan- My own music is a little more country in genre than the music I grew up singing! I have always listened to country and loved it...I was a kid when Barbara Mandrell had her show on t.v. it was one of my favorite things to sit and watch her and her sisters do what I loved so much. Those were the days of Kenny Rogers and later came Alabama and George Strait then Restless Heart...:o) I'm all about the story of in song, lyrics move me...when I write I always try to tell a story I'd want to hear.

That Nashville Sound- What might people be surprised to find out about you?

DT- That most of the time I'm at a complete loss! LOL I don't know why but a lot of people tend to assume that I have it all together, I seem to give off this vibe of collectiveness or something! But the reality is I'm a mess! lol And I'm a sucker for a good love story...movie, song, book...you name it.

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

DT- Who am I listening to? hmmm...a little CCR, Mindy Smith, Little Big Town, Zac Brown, Jon Randall, Lady Antebellum & Alison Krauss. My dream is to one day sing back up for Vince Gill or Allison Krauss, or write with someone like Jon Randall.

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

DT- In five years? Well, I'd hope to still be making music! I'd love to have another cd done or maybe two! And to hear a song or two on the radio that I have had a part in. But ultimately it's about doing something you love because you love it. The minute it becomes something else, to make money or whatever, it tends to change things. So I just hope to be more in love with what I do and yeah, a measure of success at it would be nice too.

TNS- Nickname for your guitar or other instruments?

DT- (Laughter) I don't play anything...well, I tell people I play the microphone, that's my instrument! Much to my husband's chagrin! He's been telling me for years to learn to play; I just don't have the gift. Luckily I have him, plus three kids who all play at least one instrument, so I am never unaccompanied!

TNS Video History- A Johnny Cash Song Starring Legos

A Lego music video of a Johnny Cash classic, detailing the dangers of mixing music with politics- “The One On The Left Is On The Right”

Sugarland On TNT Christmas Special Tonight

Mary J. Blige, Neil Diamond, Sugarland, Rob Thomas and Usher To Ring in the Holidays with TNT's Annual Music Concert CHRISTMAS IN WASHINGTON, Hosted by George Lopez
The concert premieres exclusively on TNT tonight- Sunday, Dec. 20, at 8 p.m. (ET/PT)

"We take pride in presenting CHRISTMAS IN WASHINGTON each year as we bring together musical artists from a variety of genres for a fantastic holiday concert," said Michael Wright, executive vice president/head of programming for TNT, TBS and TCM. "This year, we're especially thrilled to welcome a lineup of top-name performers and an equally amazing host, George Lopez. Together, they will make this a holiday celebration to remember."

Annually attended by the President and First Lady and other Washington VIPs, CHRISTMAS IN WASHINGTON is a holiday musical celebration benefiting the National Children's Medical Center. The show will be taped at the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C. Sunday, Dec. 13. TNT's Dec. 20 premiere telecast will be the network's 11th presentation of CHRISTMAS IN WASHINGTON, which is in its 28th year overall.