Bill Anderson Dealing With Haunted Tour Bus

Whisperin' Bill Anderson, who is currently on a 12-day tour of Canada, has been dealing with a mysterious passenger on his bus who has been haunting their entire trip.

During their first few nights the Country Music Hall of Famer noted that he only heard voices and moans in the back state-room. However, on Wednesday night the bus driver actually had to come to a screeching halt after hearing a loud scream!

Anderson said laughingly, "I'm trying to figure out if its Hank Williams wanting to co-write a song or Faron Young just messing with my head."

For a few "haunting" situations Bill & His Po' Folks managed to capture on video, watch the two videos below...

TNS Video History- John Berry- "If I Had Any Pride Left At All"

Mary Chapin Carpenter To Receive ‘Spirit Of Americana’ Award

“Freedom Sings,” an evening celebrating the power of free speech in music and honoring the career of Mary Chapin Carpenter, will be presented April 27 at the Newseum in downtown Washington.

Carpenter will receive the “Spirit of Americana” Free Speech in Music Award from the Newseum’s First Amendment Center and the Americana Music Association. The award recognizes artists who have used their work to raise awareness and promote free speech through their music and other efforts. Past recipients include Johnny Cash, Kris Kristofferson, Joan Baez, Mavis Staples, Judy Collins, Charlie Daniels and Steve Earle.

“Freedom Sings” will be presented at 7:30 p.m. ET in the 450-seat Walter and Leonore Annenberg Theater at the Newseum, 555 Pennsylvania Avenue N.W., Washington, D.C.

“Freedom Sings” will include a conversation with Carpenter about her music and career, and will feature guest musical performances by Grammy Award-winning artists Judy Collins and Rodney Crowell.

Proceeds support First Amendment education and the work of the Americana Music Association. “Mary Chapin Carpenter is clearly comfortable in the marketplace of ideas,” said Ken Paulson, president and chief operating officer of the Newseum and the First Amendment Center. “Her career has been one of absolute integrity. She has consistently written and performed songs that take a stand and reflect the human condition, while her activism outside of her art has also effected real change for real people.” Paulson noted that “from early recordings like "He Thinks He’ll Keep Her” to the self-reflection of ‘A Place In The World' to the powerful perspective of "Houston" and “On With the Song,” she has used the power of free expression to craft statements of substance and emotion.”

“Ms. Carpenter is an artist in the truest sense of the word,” said Americana Music Association Executive Director Jed Hilly. “With her live performance and studio albums, her music has touched and inspired so many. We are honored to bestow this prestigious award on her.”

In addition to her work in music, Carpenter is a dedicated supporter of organizations including Campaign for a Landmine-Free World, Artists Against Hunger and Poverty, Voters for Choice, the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the Vietnam Veterans of America Foundation and other groups.

New Music Video From Terri Clark- "A Million Ways To Run"

Fresh Music Friday

Free Charlie Daniels Ringtone Now Available at GEICO Website

Fans of legendary fiddler Charlie Daniels can now download a free ringtone of the music heard in Daniels’ popular GEICO commercial at www.geico.com or www.charliedaniels.com. The ringtone features the electrifying fiddle solo Daniels plays in the restaurant during the commercial. The ad is one of four spots currently airing as part of GEICO’s “Rhetorical Questions” campaign.

The Band Perry Readies April EP Release

On April 6 Republic Nashville will release a five-song EP from The Band Perry. The eponymous collection from The Band Perry - siblings Kimberly, Neil and Reid Perry - contains the band’s first single, “Hip To My Heart,” currently #20 on the Mediabase country singles charts. Available exclusively through iTunes for the first four weeks, the five-song EP is also part of iTune’s “Complete My Album” service: fans will receive credit for each track purchased, so that they can upgrade from the band’s EP to the full debut album when it is available this summer.

Jimmy Harnen, President of Republic Nashville, said that releasing a five-song EP on the new band was an easy decision: “As we took The Band Perry across the country, meeting fans and folks from the industry, the band would perform four or five songs that were planned for the new album . . . As soon as they were done performing, people were quick to ask, ‘Where can I buy “If I Die Young?” ’ or ‘I love “Postcard From Paris”- when can we get that song,’ etc. So the answer was simple: Give the people what they want.”

The five songs on THE BAND PERRY EP are “Hip To My Heart,”(Kimberly Perry/Neil Perry/Reid Perry/Brett Beavers) “If I Die Young,”(Kimberly Perry) “Postcard From Paris,” (Kimberly Perry/Neil Perry/Reid Perry/Kara DioGuardi/Jeff Cohen) “All Your Life” (Brian Henningsen/Clara Henningsen) and “Quittin’ You” (Kimberly Perry/Neil Perry/Reid Perry.) Paul Worley produced “If I Die Young,” and the four remaining tracks were produced by Nathan Chapman.

The Band Perry - siblings Kimberly, Neil and Reid Perry - originally hail from Mobile, Alabama; Kimberly Perry claims that “Daddy rocked us to sleep with the Rolling Stones; Mama woke us up with Loretta Lynn.” After spending years honing their performing and songwriting skills, the trio began writing and collecting songs for their first country music recording. Their music caught the ears of Big Machine’s Scott Borchetta and Republic Nashville’s Jimmy Harnen; The Band Perry signed to Republic Nashville in the summer of 2009.

A Grand Ole Opry Carrie Underwood Interview

The Grand Ole Opry posted a fun interview over at Opry.com with Carrie Underwood- all about her Opry experience… and new shoes. Click HERE for source.

Does it feel like it has been two years since Randy Travis invited you to become a Grand Ole Opry member and since Garth Brooks made it official?

It's really hard to believe that it's been a whole two years since I was invited to be a member of the Grand Ole Opry! I guess time flies when you're having fun!

What is your most vivid memory of the night you were invited to become an Opry member?

I was so shocked that everyone managed to pull one over on me! Seeing Randy walk out on that stage was such an exciting moment! I had no clue all of this was going down...everything after that was kind of a crazy happy blur!

Of the night you were inducted?

My parents came to Nashville for the induction. I don't get to see them that often and especially don't get to see them in Nashville. When I spend time with them it's usually in Checotah, so that was a special treat having them there. Garth Brooks was so nice to come and induct me! He was the sprinkles on the cupcake for me! And he was so great to my family! What an honor!

Two Okies were a part of your induction night: Garth Brooks officially inducted you and Vince Gill sang with you on "Jesus, Take the Wheel." Do you do anything or have any habits that make it a dead giveaway that you're from Oklahoma?

I think you can definitely look at me and tell that I'm from somewhere around Oklahoma! I do have "isms," but I think they have more to do with being from the south and not necessarily from being from Oklahoma. We do all have great pride in our state, though!

You made your Opry debut five years ago this June. What in your life has changed the most in that time?

A lot has changed. I've since recorded 3 albums, I've gotten engaged, and I've played at the Opry numerous times since then...those are just a few things that have gone on! I've been one busy lady!

What's a song you'd love to try out on an Opry crowd someday?

I love being a part of theme nights at the Opry. I'm pretty much up for anything, but the standards are what really get the crowd going!

You contributed the title track to the Opry gospel compilation HOW GREAT THOU ART. What are a couple of your other favorite hymns?

I really love the traditional hymns. A few of my favorites are "The Old Rugged Cross," "Just As I Am," "Because He Lives," and of course, "How Great Thou Art." Find any old hymn book and I'm sure to love every song in there!

What do you most enjoy about the time you get to spend in Nashville?

I love living in Nashville! It's so beautiful and the people are awesome! I feel at home there and hope to live there for the rest of my life!

What's your favorite way to get away from it all?

I just love being at home! I feel so "normal" at home when I get my chores done. There's always something to do!

With all the incredible experiences you've had the past few years, what continues to be your favorite simple pleasures?

I love to grocery shop! I know that sounds crazy, but it's one of my favorite things to do! I find happiness in the most mundane tasks!

You've been a star player on the Opry team at the City of Hope Softball Tournament the past three years. What is one of your secrets to a great game?

Just have fun!

Which is your favorite-writing songs or recording them?

I really love both! I could definitely see myself just being a writer when I retire from the crazy entertainer life! The best, though, is when there's the combination of the two. Singing a song that I wrote feels so good! Especially when that song impacts people!

Anything you'd like to make sure you've accomplished by the time you celebrate your 10th Opry anniversary?

That's a hard one to answer...I really don't set too many goals for myself. I just go with the flow and enjoy opportunities to do new things as they come around. I can't tell you exactly what I'm doing next week let alone what I will have done over a 10-year span. I just hope I continue to be happy and healthy! I just follow the road that God has paved for me!

Which would you prefer: new clothes or new shoes?

New shoes! New shoes make old clothes look better!

CMA & i-Tunes Offer Up Five Free Downloads On New Artists

The Country Music Association and iTunes have teamed up to offer you an incredible FREE digital music sampler to say thanks for being a fan!

Feed your iTunes library right now with a special collection of five free downloads from five emerging artists that will be participaing in this summer's CMA Music Festival.

Click HERE to go straight to the download.

Download Code: NJJ66EE3H6W4

Track Listing
Trailer Choir – Rolling Through the Sunshine
Burns & Poe – Don't Get No Better Than That
Ash Bowers – Stuck
Derek Sholl – When They Come Back
Veronica Ballestrini – Don't Say

Rosanne Cash Writing Memoir About Father Johnny- Due Out In August

Johnny Cash's daughter Rosanne is reportedly writing a memoir about her childhood and relationship with her famous father.

The iconic singer split from Rosanne's mother, his first wife Vivian Liberto, during the early 1960s, before divorcing in 1966 when she was 11 years old.

However, Rosanne later left school and toured with her father's road show, working as a wardrobe assistant and graduating to a background vocalist, prior to embarking on her own music career in the 1970s.

The book, titled Composed, is to focus on her early life as well as her own rise to fame, Contactmusic reports.

A statement from the publishers said that Rosanne "writes candidly about her upbringing, her development as an artist and her current life".

Composed is scheduled to arrive in stores on August 10.

TNS Video History- John Rich & John Anderson Sing "Easy Money" At The Opry

An Interview With Bucky Covington Over At The 9513

Bucky Covington is a native of Rockingham, N.C., who grew up listening to country music and taught himself to play guitar after graduating from high school. He worked in his family's auto body shop during the week and started playing in clubs in the Carolinas on the weekends. He and his twin brother, Rocky, auditioned for American Idol, and Bucky was chosen as a finalist in the 2006 season. He placed eighth in the competition, and the exposure helped him connect with Sawyer Brown's management company. The band's lead singer, Mark Miller, produced Covington's studio sessions. His self-titled debut became the best-selling debut artist from the country music class of 2007, opening at #1 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart and producing three hit singles (“A Different World.” “I’ll Walk” and “It’s Good To Be Us”). Bucky was kind enough to speak with me about what fans can expect on his upcoming sophomore album, I’m Alright, his new single, “A Father’s Love,” his recent USO tour and his thoughts on American Idol. Read a snippet below or head over HERE to read the entire interview.

"I’m very, very proud of my first album. I think it did great and wonderful. But we were pushed for a little time on that one. When you come off of a show like that, you want to hit the ground running. When you come off of a TV show, you’ll be remembered only as long as until the next season comes out. Then it’s a whole new thing. We had to get to work quick, and we were able to get that one out. But one thing I absolutely love about country music is that while in pop music, you couldn’t take an 80s sounding song and do anything with it, you can take an 80s sounding country song and today and go number one with it. I love how country music kind of grows that way. It has some pop that’s grown into it, there’s a rock edge in it, but it can still do the straight country and western songs. I love that. And this album has a variety of country music like that on it. There’s some soulful songs on there. We have a song on there called “Hold A Woman” that my 60s side, if you will. We have upbeat songs. There’s one on there called “Evil Knievil.” We’ve got the title track which is “I’m Alright.” It’s one of my favorites and it’s a very traditional country song. I really love it. And we had a lot more time on this album."

The Court Yard Hounds Release Free Music & Video

The Court Yard Hounds (sisters Emily Robison and Martie Maguire from The Dixie Chicks) have released "It Didn't Make A Sound" to Amazon as a free giveaway.

Click HERE to get your free mp3 and video. both will work with iTunes and Windows based audio/video players.

TNS Cookbook Week: Home Cooking with Trisha Yearwood: Stories and Recipes to Share with Family and Friends

In her debut cookbook, Georgia Cooking in an Oklahoma Kitchen, Trisha Yearwood proved that there’s much more to her than an award-winning country music career, as she welcomed us into her kitchen and served up a feast of flavorful meals and heartwarming personal anecdotes. Now, in Home Cooking with Trisha Yearwood: Stories and Recipes to Share with Family and Friends (being released on April 6th), Trisha opens her life and her kitchen once more with a trove of recipes from a lifetime of potlucks and colorful gatherings.

Trisha has that southern hospitality gene and she’s a big believer that cooking for someone else is an act of love. From breakfasts in bed to hearty casseroles and festive holiday meals, Trisha’s delicious recipes are dedicated to her loved ones, including her husband Garth Brooks (who’s her number one cooking fan and the contributor of a few knockout recipes of his own).

Trisha knows how good it feels to bring something to the table. It brings everyone closer together if they’ve had a hand in preparing a meal. These recipes all come with memories attached—of potlucks with good friends, church suppers, family fish fries, and beach picnics, Mother’s Day, and Christmas gatherings. Many are handed down from her mother, her aunts and cousins, or longtime friends, while others are her own contemporary improvisations on classic southern fare. Each one—whether a main dish, a tasty side, or a decadent dessert—comes with a heartwarming story from Trisha’s life that may remind you of some of your own favorite family foods, or inspire you to create new traditions.

You don’t have to be a southerner to enjoy Yearwood family specialties such as:

• Hot Corn Dip
• Cornbread Salad with French Dressing
• Baked Bean Casserole
• Jambalaya
• Pumpkin Roll
• Old Fashioned Strawberry Shortcake

Plus, Trisha (and her sister and mother) offer up loads of practical advice, on everything from easily icing a cake to cutting a slice of pie, time-saving tips; and ingredient substitutions. With full-color photographs taken at Trisha’s home, this soulful and sincere testament to a southern life well-lived will delight both country music fans and home cooks everywhere.

Infamous Stringdusters Plan New Album For April 20th- Things That Fly

The creative and talented bluegrass band, The Infamous Stringdusters, have announced plans for their next album release. We got this from the label: On Things That Fly, their third album, The Infamous Stringdusters venture into virtually uncharted territory for an acoustic group: a sonically and thematically expansive album that lends itself to absorbed listening from start to finish. Holed up in the Charlottesville, Virginia studio Haunted Hollow, with significant preproduction under their belts and Gary Paczosa (Nickel Creek, Dixie Chicks, Tim O’Brien) on board as engineer and co-producer, the ‘Dusters did things they’d never done before: guitarist Andy Falco put his hidden keyboard talents to use on smoldering organ parts; voices and instruments alike were splashed with reverb; and, though the band has no shortage of quality lead singers in fiddler Jeremy Garrett, dobro player Andy Hall and upright bassist Travis Book, a few fine-singing friends—country standout Dierks Bentley, Americana songwriter-chanteuse Sarah Siskind and Crooked Still frontwoman Aoife O’Donovan added novel tones. All this—and more, much more—makes for a lush, new ‘Dusters experience.

TNS Cookbook Week- Cooking With Grace: A Cookbook From Point Of Grace

Point Of Grace (Shelley Breen, Leigh Cappillino, Denise Jones) are letting their fans know there is “No Changin’ Us” with their eighth studio album release of the same name. No Changin’ Us was released on Tuesday, March 9 to all digital and physical retailers and is the group’s first studio album release in more than three years. Produced by GRAMMY Award-Winning Producer Nathan Chapman (Taylor Swift), the album also features their new single, “Come To Jesus.” In addition, Point Of Grace released their first cookbook, Cooking With Grace: A Cookbook From Point Of Grace, which features a collection of southern-inspired recipes, cooking advice, family photos and stories from the trio on the same day, which a portion of the proceeds will go to The Raining Season, a non-profit organization that provides housing, nourishment and education to orphaned children and impoverished families in Africa.

True to their contemporary Christian roots, the new album is also tinged with a country sound as the trio’s fan base expands into the mainstream country market. With eleven Christian and country-inspired tracks, the new album will share their message of love and positivity with more people than ever.

“The collection of songs is a nice balance of who we are,” says Cappillino,. “We are three women that have our faith, love our country and are very family-oriented.”

“It’s our prayer that there are going to be songs that will speak to somebody and they’ll hear it whether it’s on country or Christian radio and it will bring about a life change for them.” says Jones. “It was definitely our intention to expand our audience and sound with this new album. We want to reach every mother, father, sister, brother, daughter and son with our music and hopefully make an impact with our music,” says Breen.

Since forming at Ouachita Baptist University 19 years ago, the two-time GRAMMY® nominees have sold more than 8.5 million albums and earned 24 consecutive No. 1 singles (27 total including radio staples “Steady On”, “The Great Divide” and “Circle of Friends”), a feat unmatched by any artist in any genre. They’ve won 10 prestigious Dove Awards, including Country Recorded Song of the Year in 2008 for “How You Live” and Country Recorded Song of the Year in 2009 for “I Wish.”

Jo Dee Messina To Release Three Separate EP's This Year- First One Lands April 27

Multi-platinum and Grammy-nominated Country singer-songwriter Jo Dee Messina will release her first new material in six years on April 27 with the first in a trilogy of EPs to be issued throughout the year. The initial installment, “Unmistakable: Love”--a nine-track release comprising seven new songs and two live acoustic cuts--will be followed later this year by “Unmistakable: Drive” and “Unmistakable: Inspiration.” The three EPs (Curb Records) include new music that Jo Dee co-wrote and co-produced. Fans can pre-order the 9-song “Love” EP now at http://www.jodeemessina.com/.

“I think this is a great way to let the fans hear all the recordings made in the last six years,” says Jo Dee. “They not only get to experience the finished product, but the complete collection of songs recorded along the way.”

On the live front, Jo Dee plans to be on the road throughout 2010, with dates scheduled through October. Of her opening night performance at Feinstein’s on Park Avenue, Jon Caramanica of the New York Times praised the “…breezy, affable and sometimes sharp show, a scaled-down version of her Music Room Series tour: part concept, part request line, part talk show,” citing such highlights as “…an airy ‘Heads Carolina, Tails California,’ a counterintuitive ‘Because You Love Me’ and the excellent room-hushing ballad ‘Bring On The Rain’.”

The track listing for “Love” is below:
“Hard Life”
“Always Have, Always Will”
“Unmistakable”
“Welcome To The Rest Of My Life”
“Treat Me Like A Woman Today”
“Think About Us”
“I’m Home”

Bonus tracks:
“Because You Love Me” (live acoustic)
“Stand Beside Me” (live acoustic)

New Music Video From Jonathan Singleton and the Grove- "Look Who's Back In Love"

TNS Cookbook Week: Zac Brown Band's Southern Ground: Recipes, Images, Lifestyle, and Lore

A former restaurateur and chef, Zac Brown recently released his first-ever cookbook with the help of his band mates, family and friends. In addition to 27 of Zac's favorite comfort-food recipes (which are printed on removable index cards to preserve the book while cooking), Zac personally selected an array of photos, poems and passages that capture the spirit of each dish. The book is currently available online, at ZBB shows and at Cracker Barrel stores nationwide.

Removable index cards contain 27 of the most coveted recipes by Zac Brown and his friends - from Southern Fried Chicken and Hearty Brunswick Stew to Farmer's Fried Green Tomatoes and Revival Peach Cobbler. As well are dozens of poems, songs, and stories - both fact and lore - accompanied by images of art, nature, travel and life that illustrate how to make it all happen.

"Obviously we're always working on our music, but with this tour we're building an experience that involves all senses to ensure that it blow fans away every time," says Zac Brown. "When people come to our show, we want them to smell the food cooking, taste our favorite recipes, watch our home videos of the road, listen to some great new artists and feel our excitement - a full five-sense experience."

New Music Video From The McClymonts- "My Life Again"

Brad Paisley Adds Movie Director To His Resume

AOL's The BOOT is reporting that country music artist Brad Paisley will be making his movie directorial debut, with the short film 'When Mom's Away," which will have its premiere at the Nashville Film Festival on April 22nd.

According to the story, “Brad’s film is a wacky, fictitious and hilarious imagining of what happens when wife and mother Kimberly Williams Paisley is away from home and he is left in charge of the household and their sons, Huck and Jasper, with a little animation thrown in for good measure.

Kris Kristofferson's “Provinces of Night,” which stars Val Kilmer and Dwight Yoakam will also make its premiere at the festival, which will be held in Nashville from APRIL 15th-22nd.

Carrie Underwood Crew Member Killed Driving Stage Equipment

One of the tractor trailers carrying equipment for Carrie Under-wood’s concert in Connecticut was involved in an accident on I-95 killing the driver.

State police say the crash happened around 8 a.m. on Saturday. It shut down I-95 northbound for hours as the state Department of Transportation and local fire departments assessed the damage to the overpass. As of 2 p.m. one northbound lane was open. Police estimated that the highway won’t be clear until after 7 p.m. Traffic signs have been placed to reroute motorists.

State police said the driver of the truck was burned so badly that dental records would need to be used to confirm the driver’s identity. No other people or vehicles were involved in the crash.

A couple of Carrie Underwood forums are posting that she dedicated her performance of "Temporary Home" at Saturday night's performance to the driver.

TNS Video History- Vince Gill- "When I Call Your Name"