Twin sisters Kate and Kacey Coppola have mutually parted ways with Big Machine Records without ever having released a full-length album it was announced this week.
"Kacey and I are no longer with Big Machine," said Kate on their MySpace page. "It happened a little while back, and it's one of the hardest things we've ever gone through. They weren't wanting to put out new music quite as fast as we were hoping, and for that and other reasons, we decided to move on."
"One of the main reasons why we feel OK with this is because of you guys. You are so supportive of us....regardless of what label we're signed to, what tour we're on, if we have a video on CMT or not. We cannot even begin to express to you how AMAZING and INCREDIBLE and LIFE SAVING you are...thank you thank you thank you from the bottom of our hearts for everything you do for us every single day."
The duo also said they "decided to continue and record our music the way we want to. Hope that's ok with y'all. We're going in the studio in the next few weeks, and we'll be putting out our NEW record (cross your fingers!) by late spring/early summer! "
Their debut single and only single released by Big Machine Records was “Dreaming Love”, which peaked at 51.
Before signing with Big Machine, Kate and Kacey were contestants on the CMT show "Can You Duet?" where they made it to the semi-finals.
Okay, it's not country music. It's not even close. But if you've seen the great video of the pop band OK Go singing "Here It Goes Again" on moving treadmills, you have to appreciate good art when you see it. The boys of OK Go are back at it again with a new video for the song "This Too Shall Pass." The time, they set up a Rube Goldberg Machine during the course of the video. It's pretty spectacular.
It's interesting how timing works sometimes. I've been busy the last month and half doing the long process of downloading my collection of over 3000 CD's onto my computer hard drive. Call me old school, but this task has been so daunting, I had been putting it off for years. But in this process, I was lamenting this last weekend that several of my favorite Cash albums- which had never been released on CD- weren't available digitially either. My wish has been granted. Fourteen of Johnny Cash's later albums for Columbia Records will be released digitally in March and April by Legacy Recordings. Titles include: Hello, I'm Johnny Cash (1970), The Johnny Cash Show (1970), Man in Black (1971), A Thing Called Love (1972), Johnny Cash and His Woman (1973), Junkie & the Juicehead Minus Me (1974), Sings Precious Memories (1975), John R. Cash (1975), Look at Them Beans (1975), One Piece at a Time (1976), The Last Gunfighter Ballad (1977), The Baron (1981) and Adventures of Johnny Cash (1982). The series will also include Rainbow (1985), his final album for the label.
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: December 2009 Music Label: Self-released The Skinny: I’m sure when you think of classic old-school rootsy honkytonk music, the first thing you think of is…. Seattle? This debut from Seattle singer-songwriter Zoe Muth is twelve beautifully told stories of heartbreak, lost loves, and longing. Muth's voice is a perfect fit with just a hint of a little drawl. Each song is elegant and simple- making them feel familiar even though each one is fresh and new. If you’re interested in beautiful pedal steel, gorgeous mountain mandolin, and old-school country, this is one of the best offerings of the last year. Sounds Like: Emmylou Harris On Vinyl Standout Tracks: "Not You”, “The Running Kind”, “My Old Friend” The Verdict: Four Stars Out Of Five
Sarah Buxton is signed to Lyric Street Records and has charted four singles on the Billboard country charts: "Innocence" at #31, "That Kind of Day" at #26 and "Space" at #38, as well as "Outside My Window." In addition, she co-wrote Keith Urban's 2007 single "Stupid Boy," and released an EP in 2007 entitled Almost My Record. Her self-titled debut album was released in February 2010.
I had a chance to sit down with the spunky Buxton and talk about the new record and her long journey to its release over at The 9513. You can read a snippet of the interview below and catch the entire thing HERE.
“You can expect to hear my long struggle through my 20s in my songs. It was written over the course of six years. You can hear all of my previous singles on it–“Innocence,” “That Kind Of Day,” “Space,” and “Outside My Window.” They’re all on there, plus six new ones that will give you a direction on where my music is headed. It’s an emotional CD with a lot of highs and lows. The highs are really high and the lows are really low. I tried to take you with me on that journey when you go through it. And hope that when people listen to it, they’ve gone through some of the same things and there’s a song on there for every thing.”
The Alabama Music Hall of Fame Board has announced the selection of several people to be inducted during the 13th Induction Banquet and Awards Show to be held in the Convention Center in Montgomery, Ala., Thursday, March 25, 2010. The inductees will include The Blind Boys of Alabama, Jamey Johnson, Mac McAnally, Mac Davis and several other musicians, songwriters & producers.
David Johnson, executive director of the Alabama Music Hall of Fame, said, “We are proud to be returning to Montgomery for this celebrated event honoring our state’s great music achievers and unmatched musical heritage. During this event, the audience will be entertained by some of the most successful and talented Alabamians in the music industry as well as witness seven achievers being awarded with our most prestigious honor – induction into the Alabama Music Hall of Fame.”
Jamey Johnson, who was born in Enterprise and grew up in Montgomery, has been on a hot streak in recent years. He co-wrote the Country Music Association and Academy of Country Music 2007 Song of the Year “Give It Away,” recorded by George Strait. The Grammy-nominated artist won the ACM’s and CMA's Song of the Year for his single “In Color.”
The Background: Born and raised in rural Gilchrist County, Fla., Easton spent much of his time on his grandparents' cattle farm after his parents divorced when he was young. A member of FFA and 4-H, Easton showed cattle at the local livestock fair. While no one in his family played a musical instrument, music was a big part of his upbringing. "My grandparents liked to watch the Opry," Easton remembers. "We'd start Saturday night off with `Hee Haw' and then `Opry Backstage' and then `Opry Live'." When Easton was 15 years old he began taking guitar lessons; every day when he got home from school, Easton would practice guitar for hours, sometimes until his fingers were raw, then help his grandfather around the farm. Like his heroes Strait and Whitley, Easton is unapologetically country. His songs, while rooted in the present, call to mind simpler times when the back porch was where folks gathered to network. His first single, "A Little More Country Than That," paints a picture of rural life that speaks to Easton's small town sensibilities. "This song identifies who I am," he says. "It shows character and that's important where I'm from. You learn to say `yes, ma'am' and `no, sir,' and to open the door for the ladies."
The Review: For those that lament the fact that there are no acts like George Strait coming up the ranks of country radio, you can find some solace in newcomer Easton Corbin. In fact, the sounds of their voices are uncannily (and almost eerily) similar. Really similar. In this era of modern pop-flavored country, a neo-traditional freshman effort like this one sticks out like a sore thumb- or at least a green one. That’s only because this album is really good for the music environment. There’s nothing overly complicated or sexy about Easton Corbin. There’s no wicked guitar riffs, no soaring vocal gymnastics and nothing that even comes close to representing pop music. What it is, however is an outstandingly consistent eleven songs that lean on traditional country themes of love, country living and love lost. “The Way Love Looks” is cute for the way his girl pleads to go fishing yet makes you bait the hook and “Someday When I’m Old” fast-forwards 40 years from now to look back on the olden days of today. “Let Alone You” takes off from a beautiful melody and builds up to a big chorus- making it radio-friendly without ever being anything but traditional. If George Strait is known as King George, lets coronate Corbin as Prince Easton- heir to the throne.
Sounds Like: George Strait
Track Highlights (suggested iPod adds): A Little More Country Than That The Way Loves Looks Someday When I’m Old A Lot To Learn About Livin’ Let Alone You
On Labor Day Weekend 2010, the Zac Brown Band is inviting fans to experience the first ever Sailing Southern Ground Cruise. The band is bringing together 2,000 music fans who all value family, food, and authentic music above all else. The goal is to fill the Carnival Inspiration September 2-6 with unique musical performances, spur-of-the-moment collaborations, a ZBB twist on cuisine, amazing new friendships, and incredible stories. The Zac Brown Band will as your hosts, but will host some other acts along the way. It sounds like a great time for all.
A little while back, That Nashville Sound reviewed the brand new album by Harper Simon. Simon recorded his new album in Nashville, New York and Los Angeles with the help of an altogether impressive and decidedly eclectic and multi-generational group of musical collaborators, including famed producer Bob Johnston, an all-star group of veteran first-call Nashville session players, an impressive group of contemporary young singer-songwriters and friends, and yes, even Harper’s own father, the legendary Paul Simon.
I had a to chance to interview the singer/songwriter over at The 9513 and talk about the new album along with what influences his music these days. You can read the entire interview HERE after catching a snippet below.
"Country music is one of our great American art forms. The country song is perfect structure. It’s the story of America. It’s been used in so many different ways, now. It’s incredibly adaptable. It can be used in very traditional ways or it can be used in completely radical counter-cultural ways like somebody like Bob Dylan. And it still works. When Bob Johnston brought Bob Dylan down to Nashville to make Blonde On Blonde, it changed country music forever. It brought the rock and roll world to country music. I think the rock and roll world fell in love with Nashville country music after that. The greatest songwriters of the century and certainly of our culture come from country music. Hank Williams. Johnny Cash. Merle Haggard. George Jones. They’re all great American artists."
The first full-scale biography of the enduring first lady of country music has been written and hits shelves this March. The new book is called Tammy Wynette- Tragic Country Queen and is written by Jimmy McDonough.
From the publisher:
The twentieth century had three great female singers who plumbed the darkest corners of their hearts and transformed private grief into public dramas. In opera, there was the unsurpassed Maria Callas. In jazz, the tormented Billie Holiday. And in country music, there was Tammy Wynette.
"Stand by Your Man," "D-I-V-O-R-C-E," "Take Me to Your World" are but a few highlights of Tammy's staggering musical legacy, all sung with a voice that became the touchtone for women's vulnerability, disillusionment, strength, and endurance.
In Tammy Wynette, bestselling biographer Jimmy McDonough tells the story of the small-town girl who grew up to be the woman behind the microphone, whose meteoric rise led to a decades-long career full of tragedy and triumph. Through a high-profile marriage and divorce, her dreadful battle with addiction and illness, and the struggle to compete in a rapidly evolving Nashville, Tammy turned a brave smile toward the world and churned out masterful hit songs though her life resembled the most heartbreaking among them.
Tammy Wynette is an intimate portrait of a music icon, the Queen of Heartbreak, whose powerful voice simultaneously evoked universal pain and longing even as it belied her own.
Country/rock singer-songwriter Chelsea Lena can be described as an upbeat performer with a powerful voice that can hold its own. Her songwriting ability is credited to her writing as she sees it.
“I prefer standing outside the box as opposed to trying to fit inside it,” explains Chelsea of her songwriting style. She musically blossomed early in her life, singing country songs by some of her influences such as Diane Warren, Craig Wiseman, Jeffrey Steele, and Rivers Rutherford to name a few.
Chelsea’s fervor for the art led her to a Orange County High School for the Performing Arts, where she discovered that her love of music was more than just a hobby- it was a lifestyle and her passion. She then took the initiative to begin singing and songwriting in Los Angeles and soon pursued her dream to Nashville. Quickly embraced by Music City, become a favorite of the Nashville Songwriters Association (NSAI) and was featured as one of 2009’s best up and coming songwriters at the ASCAP’s Presents showcase. In addition, Lena has been actively touring around the US and London to promote her latest EP, entitled Lost In The Middle. Chelsea’s collection of seven songs was mixed and mastered by Grammy award winner Steve Bishir and produced by Paul Buono and are now available on iTunes.
For the past six months, Chelsea has been solely focused on developing, writing, and recording her new album, collaborating again with Paul Buono to produce. Songwriting collaborations featuring established Nashvillians such as Jennifer Adan, Jeffrey Joseph East, Shawn Christian, Tim Taylor, Greg Bieck, Kris Bergsnes, and Buono as well. You can keep up with Chelsea’s progress at Myspace.com/chelsealena, as they post their most recent cuts.
Apart from her aspirations of becoming a well-respected artist and performer, she prefers to live her life based on one central idea: staying true to country music, the art of writing, the fans, and most importantly to herself.
What brought you to music in the first place? Growing up my mom and dad would pack us all in the car for vacation and have this big red bag full of tapes. Granted they were John Denver and Chicago but hey- that’s all good! I became amazed by the lyrics and everything about music. I got into musical theater when I was 5. Soon enough I was singing Shania Twain by day and RENT by night. Music has always been there. And I was raised to think if I want it, and I work hard it’s possible.
Describe your music- what's the mission behind the music? Keep it organic as possible! Create a new genre all while staying respectful to the country roots. Modern-Urban-Pop-Country. Hey, it'll work!
How would you describe your brand new EP? My new baby! It says a lot for me as an artist. It’s been a few years in the making. My wonderful producer (Paul Buono) and I started brainstorming a while back. Then came demoing & writing and 6 months later I was holding the final copy in my hand. Every song on this album is about what I went through last year. It’s all THE TRUTH.
What kind of music are you listening to? What's in your iPod? I’m so into Lady A's new album right now. I ran into Dave the other day actually and told him how proud I am that they are crossing over. Such a great thing for country music. I think it’s great. Tyrone Wells, Train (obsessed), Sarah Buxton, One Republic, The Script, Mat Kearney, Jason Reeves, Trevor Hall...all insanely talented songwriters!
Iconic rocker Bret Michaels, lead vocalist of Poison, reality TV star, actor, and solo musician, has just released the single "Nothing To Lose." On the track Michaels taps into his melodic prowess and knack for composing epic ballads and delivers a song that will easily find a home amongst rock, pop and country music fans. Knowing that "Nothing To Lose" had potential to cross genres Michaels recorded it a number of ways; solo, acoustic, and as a duet with Disney star Miley Cyrus.
The concept of pairing the two household names may seem out of left field but the two come together beautifully on the track. "Bret and I had a great time in the studio together just hanging out and making music," Miley was quoted saying. "He's so passionate about music and it shows. I think it's such a rad collaboration because it shows that two artists that seem so different on the outside can come together and organically create something that we are both proud of."
With the Internet buzz around the track, Michaels sat down with US Magazine to set the record straight, for anyone who was questioning the lyrical content of the song and Miley's participation on it, "I never sat down and said, 'Look at the content. Look at the lyrical content... There is nothing I have to be defensive about," he said, "I just thought it was a beautiful song."
All five versions of the country-rock ballad "Nothing To Lose" are now available on CD at the singer's website and the single featuring Miley Cyrus will be hitting iTunes Tuesday March 2nd. To get the latest info on Bret Michaels, including his upcoming appearance on Celebrity Apprentice visit his official website www.BretMichaels.com! Listen to the song below...
Brad Paisley falling off the stage while singing his hit song "Alcohol" wasn't something the audience at the North Charleston Coliseum in Charleston, South Carolina was expecting to see. Paisley fell during his closing song and he quickly got back up and finished the show. Once it was all over he was taken to a hospital in Charleston and released on Sunday morning with only some minor cuts and bruises.
Brad sent out this tweet to fans to let them know he was ok. Just very very bruised. Nothing broken, had a ct scan all is okay!
Later he sent this tweet about how it would end up on Youtube and he wanted to see it. Allright, whoever posts the YouTube footage of it gets a meet and greet. I have got to see it. I hit hard. And I mean freaking hard.
Paisely also released a photo of himself in the hospital which you can see here.
If something like that had to happen at least it was good timing, not only was it the end of the show but the Saturday night concert was the last stop on Paisely’s American Saturday Night Tour with Miranda Lambert and Justin Moore. You can watch the video of Paisley's fall below.
Preview the first track off of Alan Jackson's new upcoming album as well as read a great interview with the legend over at Billboard.com. Click on the artwork to hear the new track.
Twin sisters Kate and Kacey Coppola have mutually parted ways with Big Machine Records without ever having released a full-length album it was announced this week.
