TNS Video History- Charlie Daniels Sings "The Devil Went Down To Georgia" At The Opry

Kenny Rogers Taping Television Special Tonight

It is without question that Kenny Rogers is a living legend and this evening, he is taping an upcoming television special worthy of his musical legacy – Kenny Rogers: The First 50 Years taped at the MGM Grand at Foxwood.

However, this upcoming event is far more than just a music special, Kenny Rogers: The First 50 Years, will be as star studded as any award show. It will be a rollicking celebration, filled with music and comedy from some of the biggest stars in the entertainment world performing, appearing and sharing stories about Kenny Rogers and his music.

Dolly Parton, Lionel Richie, Alison Krauss, Wynonna and The Oak Ridge Boys are just some of the early names already slated to appear on the show. The array of artists will be part of the performance, and a few will host different segments of the show travelling through Kenny's six decades of hits.

Trisha Yearwood's New Cookbook Hits Shelves Today

Trisha Yearwood has a brand new book hitting the shelves today and has taken to the web to promote it.

"Guess who's got a new cookbook coming out? Me! It's called Home Cooking with Trisha Yearwood: stories and recipes to share with family and friends. Once again, I wrote it with my mom, Gwen and my sister, Beth."
"Here's the cover of the new cookbook! Me and a glass of sweet tea standing outside at my house in Nashville. This book is more of the same basic home cooking that was in the first book. I hope you guys enjoy it!"

Trisha even has a guest chef who contributed a few recipes....her husband, Garth Brooks. She tells People.com...

"He's a really good cook," Yearwood, whose new book, Home Cooking with Trisha Yearwood, hits stands next April 10. "He has a couple recipes in there that he actually made up, like Garth's Breakfast Bowl. It's just eggs, cheese, bacon, sausage, tortellini and hash browns. Sometimes he even makes French fries and throws them in there!"

New Music Video From Clay Walker- "She Won't Be Lonely Long"

American Idol Alum Bo Bice To Release Third Album On May 18

American Idol alum Bo Bice will release his third album, aptly titled 3, on May 18th on Saguaro Road Records- in association with Bo’s own Sugar Money Records. According to the label, it will be "soulful southern blues and rock, gospel-like choruses, Americana and a touch of country."

“I feel the new CD, 3, is my strongest to date,” says Bo, “filled with a plethora of sounds that show people who the real Bo Bice is.” “There's something for everyone; country, soul, rock & roll...it's like your favorite pair of jeans; it just feels right.” “Bo Bice is an enormously talented singer, songwriter and musician that has forged incredible relationships with the fans,” adds Mike Jason, Senior VP of Audio and Video Retail at Saguaro Road Records, home to Patty Loveless, the Blind Boys of Alabama, Tanya Tucker and Lonestar. “We are absolutely thrilled to be partnering with him for the release of 3."

On 3, Bo wrote half of the songs himself and collaborated with other writers on the remainder, playing both acoustic and electric guitar during the recording sessions in his adopted hometown of Nashville. He was joined by Black Crowes drummer Steve Gorman and keyboardist AJ Croce, whose father Jim has long been one of Bo’s greatest songwriting influences. Bo also produced five of the album’s songs, with an additional six co-produced with D. Scott Miller.

Bice’s first single, “Inside Your Heaven,” reached #1 on the pop chart when it was released in 2005 and was certified gold after it became the second-highest debuting song of the year. His album (The Real Thing) debuted at #4 shortly afterward and was also certified gold, his 2007 follow-up (See The Light) was ranked #1 by VH-1, and he later sung lead on Santana’s single “Brown Skinned Girl” (certified gold).

Listen To The New Single "Broken" From Chely Wright

An Interview With Matt Kennon Over At The 9513

Matt Kennon is blessed with one of those voices that, for better or for worse, sets him apart from the rest of the radio dial; from the minute he opens his mouth on his new song “The Call,” it’s clear that the gravelly and deep voiced Kennon is working with a different instrument than most. It took nearly half a lifetime, however, to find out the genetics of where it came from.

He tells a little bit of that story in “The Call,” the second chorus of which deals with a young mother grappling with the heart wrenching decision of whether or not to keep her new baby. It was from Kennon’s own personal experience of being that baby that the song’s lyrics took root.

I had an opportunity to talk to Matt while he was travelling through Alabama on a bus about his roots and his upcoming new album. You can read the entire feature interview HERE after looking at a snippet below.

Well, there’s a handful of songs–probably a six pack–that I call “life.” They’re things that I’ve been through, things that I’ve seen and that are important to me. I’ve had the opportunity to write eight of the 12 songs that are on the record. But I don’t think you’ll hear a whole lot of difference between the songs I wrote and the songs I didn’t. I found songs on stuff that I had been through written by others too. You’ll hear some impact songs, some ballads on there and balls-to-the-wall country rocking stuff. We call it country rock and roll.

I cut my teeth playing drums, so there’s a little bit of stage rock influence on there–especially live. We had Mark Slaughter come play guitar and sing on the record. I had one of my dear friends Jimi Jamison, the lead singer of Survivor, come sing on there too. He was one of [the] biggest influences on me–he was the first concert I ever saw. You’ll hear his voice on there on half a dozen songs.

New Jewel Album Sweet and Wild Set To Hit June 8

Multi-platinum recording artist and songwriter Jewel will embark on a cross-country tour this summer, presented by COUNTRY Financial. The Star Light Café Tour will find the three-time GRAMMY nominee performing acoustically in support of her sophomore country album, set to hit retailers June 8th.

“I am so excited to hit the road as part of the COUNTRY Financial Road Trips and Guitar Picks concert series,” said Jewel. “It gives me a great opportunity to spend some time with the fans. I’ve spent the better part of my year writing and recording this new album. There is nothing more rewarding for me than getting the chance to perform some of my new songs along with the hits I’ve had over the course of my career. These shows really become a sneak peek into my songwriting and my life.”

Jewel’s first country album, Perfectly Clear, was released in June 2008 and debuted at #1 on the Billboard country charts. Having been married to Ty Murray since her last country album and always being inspired by her life experiences, the new album, titled Sweet and Wild, maintains her country roots as Jewel sings about the love and happiness in her life.

New Clay Walker Album She Won't Be Lonely Long Due June 8

Clay Walker's upcoming Curb Records album, She Won't Be Lonely Long, has been green-lit with a June 8 release date. Produced by Keith Stegall, it's Walker's first album of new material since Fall was released in 2007. The title cut of the new album has been selected as the project's first single and is currently in the Top 20. As a bonus track, Walker sings with Randy Owen on "Feels So Right," which Owen wrote and recorded as the lead singer of Alabama.

CD Reviews- The Band Perry EP

The Background:
The Band Perry classify their music as a cross pollination of country and rock and roll, which is exactly the way they were raised, and how they came to love to play music. The sibling-trio from Mobile, Alabama features Kimberly, Neil, and Reid Perry, and their story resembles the feel-good saga of a group of talented musicians who dream big, play hard, and, with a little bit of luck, get their shot at the big time.

After signing to Republic Nashville in 2009, TBP has just released their self-titled debut E.P. It’s been a long journey for the Alabama trio, and with their fresh, upbeat twist on the collaboration of country and rock and roll, The Band Perry just might be around for awhile.

The Review:
Debut releases from new artists are always a challenge to critique. It’s difficult to discern what has been influenced by the label and which elements are independent of the artist’s thinking. With a shortened release, such The Band Perry’s E.P., it is a challenge for the artist(s) themselves to display their talents and strengths, as well as their musical diversity, all in a matter of five or six tracks.

The disc first and foremost includes the title track, an upbeat number that will be bobbing and weaving its way through radios everywhere. Kimberly Perry’s smooth yet sassy vocals soar slightly above the accompanying twang-rock influenced melody of brothers Neil and Reid. Similar to the lead single is the final track on the disc, “Quittin’ You,” another attitude-driven tune telling a “learned-my-lesson” tale of a troublesome past relationship.

TBP attempts to prove their diversity on their debut as well, slowing it down with a couple numbers in the middle of the disc. Most notable is “Postcard From Paris,” which features a slowed, somber-reminiscing verse that evolves into a resoundingly flamboyant chorus. This is also the case with the disc’s fourth track, “All Your Life.” While these tunes are both fairly strong, they’re almost too similar to one another, thus diminishing the novelty of both songs.

Overall, this is a solid debut from The Band Perry…at least for an abbreviated album. I can’t help but wonder how the rest of the disc would be if it were to run another five or six tracks, which will be the case for a full length release. Still, the E.P. does a satisfactory job at delivering a catchy radio single, while also offering a limited selection of both upbeat and lulled selections. TBP’s debut has undoubtedly put the Alabama trio on the country music map; the only question is how far it will take them.

Sounds Like:
Heidi Newfield Sass Along “Old-School” Lady Antebellum

Track Highlights:
“Hip To My Heart”
“Postcard From Paris”
“Quittin’ You”

The Verdict:
Three Stars Out Of Five

Review by Chad Carlson. Chad is the Editor of SteelTownRock.com, Pittsburgh’s New Music Authority. To contact Chad, reach out to him at chad.carlson(at)steeltownrock.com

New Dierks Bentley Album To Hit This June- First Single Is Released Next Week

Dierks Bentley will release his new bluegrass-inspired album Up on the Ridge on June 8th. His fifth studio project has lots of guest stars and an acoustic feel that draws on the inspiration that caused Bentley to become a country musician in the first place. The lead single and title track, inspired by time spent on a plot of land in rural Tennessee, will be released to country radio on April 12.

“I fell in love with this kind of music the first time I walked into the Station Inn with a fake I.D. at 19 years old … these guys, who were my age, were playing their instruments so hard it knocked your head back. After that, I never missed a Tuesday night there in almost eight years,” explains Bentley. “Without the whole bluegrass community taking me in, I would have had no place to start from. It is my foundation.”

UP ON THE RIDGE TRACK LIST:
1. Up On The Ridge
(Written by Angelo Petraglia, Dierks Bentley, Background Vocals by Alison Krauss)
2. Fallin’ For You
(Written by Shawn Camp, Paul Kennerly, Background Vocals by Chris Stapleton)
3. Senor (Tales of Yankee Power) (with The Punch Brothers featuring Chris Thile)
(Written by Bob Dylan)
4. Rovin’ Gambler (with The Punch Brothers)
(Written by Jon Randall Stewart, Dierks Bentley)
5. Draw Me A Map
(Written by Jon Randall Stewart, Dierks Bentley, Background Vocals by Alison Krauss)
6. Bad Angel (Featuring Miranda Lambert, Jamey Johnson)
(Written by Verlon Thompson, Suzi Ragsdale)
7. Fiddlin’ Around
(Written by John Scott Sherrill, Shawn Camp, Jeff Austin, Background Vocals by Vince Gill)
8. You’re Dead to Me
(Written by Tim O’Brien, Jon Randall Stewart, Dierks Bentley, Background vocals by Tim O’Brien)
9. Pride (In The Name Of Love) (with The Punch Brothers featuring Del McCoury)
(Written by Adam Clayton, Larry Mullen, Dave Evans, Paul David Hewson)
10. Love Grows Wild
(Written by Julie Miller, Buddy Miller)
11. Bottle to The Bottom (featuring Kris Kristofferson)
(Written by Kris Kristofferson)
12. Down In The Mine
(Written by Jon Randall Stewart, Dierks Bentley, Background vocals by Sonya Isaacs)

New Music Video From Miranda Lambert- "The House That Built Me"

Chely Wright and The Band Perry Added To Golf & Guitars

We're happy to announce that Chely Wright and The Band Perry are the fourteenth and fifteenth acts added to this year's incredible line-up for the Golf & Guitars event in Sacramento on May 18th- hosted by KNCI 105.1.

The lineup for this year's Golf & Guitars celebrity pro-am golf tournament has been announced, and once again, it is star-studded! Jack Ingram, Justin Moore, Chris Young, Love and Theft, Mark Wills, Josh Gracin, Radney Foster, Emily West, John Berry, Bryan White, Bomshel, One Flew South and Jonathan Singleton & The Grove have all been confirmed to participate, with Jack also serving as the show's host. More artists are expected to be added closer to the event, which is set for May 18 at the legendary Alister MacKenzie Golf Course at Haggin Oaks in Sacramento, Calif.

The annual Golf & Guitars tournament and concert raises money for two key children's charities in Sacramento, Calif. Each golfer participating in the event gets to play with one of the celebrities and scores a seat next to the stage where the artists perform after the tournament.

This year's event will include a celebrity golf tournament, silent auction and concert. The festivities start with the morning tournament where participants enjoy a round of golf with one of the artists or sports celebrity. The evening gets topped off with the performances by all of the artists, which lasts close to four hours.

Tickets to the concert are $25. For more information or to purchase tickets, click here.

Sons Of Sylvia Release EP- Full-Length Album Launch Date Is April 27

In 2007, Sons Of Sylvia's Adam, Ashley and Austin established themselves as The Clark Brothers. Under this name, the trio won the top prize in the Fox Networks talent competition The Next Great American Band, and subsequently signed to Universal South Records. The band renamed itself Sons of Sylvia in October 2009.

Sons of Sylvia is featured in the song "What Can I Say" on Carrie Underwood's third album, Play On and join her on her "Play On Tour" all this year. The band was bumped from their record deal when Universal South and Show Dog Nashville merged to form Show Dog-Universal Music but will be releasing an album on Universal's sister label Interscope Records on 4/27/10.

A digital-only mini three-song EP is available as of this week from Amazon, i-Tunes and other download music services.

Laura Bell Bundy Performs Over At Soundcheck

New Music Preview & Performance By Shelby Lynne- "Alibis"

Here's a clip of Shelby Lynne playing her brand new single "Alibis" off of her upcoming album, Tears, Lies, and Alibis at the SXSW Festival.

CMT Announces Award Nominees

Nearly every single major country music star is included in the pack of 2010 CMT Award nominees. The nominations were announced today (April 5) for the fan-voted awards show, which will air live from Nashville on June 9.

The first round of voting for each category begins today at CMT.com and runs through May 3. On May 11, CMT will announce the four finalists in each of the categories (except Video of the Year, which will include all finalists until the day of the show). Fans can then vote through June 8 to determine the winners.

VIDEO OF THE YEAR

Jason Aldean – 'The Truth'
Kenny Chesney – 'Out Last Night'
Toby Keith – 'American Ride'
Lady Antebellum – 'Need You Now'
Miranda Lambert – 'White Liar'
Brad Paisley – 'Welcome to the Future'
Taylor Swift – 'You Belong With Me'
Carrie Underwood – 'Cowboy Casanova'
Keith Urban – ''Til Summer Comes Around'
Zac Brown Band – 'Toes'

MALE VIDEO OF THE YEAR

Jason Aldean – 'The Truth'
Kenny Chesney – 'Out Last Night'
Billy Currington – 'People Are Crazy'
Toby Keith – 'American Ride'
Tim McGraw – 'Southern Voice'
Brad Paisley – 'Welcome to the Future'
Darius Rucker – 'Alright'
Keith Urban – ''Til Summer Comes Around'

FEMALE VIDEO OF THE YEAR

Laura Bell Bundy – 'Giddy On Up'
Miranda Lambert – 'White Liar'
Martina McBride – 'I Just Call You Mine'
Reba McEntire – 'Consider Me Gone'
Kellie Pickler – 'Didn't You Know How Much I Loved You'
Taylor Swift – 'You Belong With Me'
Carrie Underwood – 'Cowboy Casanova'
Lee Ann Womack – 'Solitary Thinkin''

GROUP VIDEO OF THE YEAR

Gloriana – 'How Far Do You Wanna Go?'
Lady Antebellum – 'American Honey'
Lady Antebellum – 'Need You Now'
Rascal Flatts – 'Here Comes Goodbye'
Rascal Flatts – 'Summer Nights'
Trailer Choir – 'Rockin' the Beer Gut'
Zac Brown Band – 'Highway 20 Ride'
Zac Brown Band – 'Toes'

DUO VIDEO OF THE YEAR

Bomshel – 'Fight Like a Girl'
Brooks & Dunn – 'Indian Summer'
Brooks & Dunn – 'My Maria' from INVITATION ONLY: BROOKS & DUNN
Caitlin & Will – 'Address in the Stars'
Joey + Rory – 'Play the Song'
Steel Magnolia – 'Keep On Lovin' You'
Sugarland – 'Keep You'
Sugarland – 'Nightswimming/Joey'

USA WEEKEND BREAKTHROUGH VIDEO OF THE YEAR
(Best video from an artist's major breakthrough album)

Ryan Bingham – 'The Weary Kind'
Luke Bryan – 'Do I'
Laura Bell Bundy – 'Giddy On Up'
Easton Corbin – 'A Little More Country Than That'
Randy Houser – 'Boots On'
Justin Moore – 'Small Town USA'
Steel Magnolia – 'Keep On Lovin' You'
Chris Young – 'Gettin' You Home'

COLLABORATIVE VIDEO OF THE YEAR
(Best video that featured a special collaborative appearance by artists)

Jason Aldean and Bryan Adams – 'Heaven' from 'CMT Crossroads'
Brooks & Dunn featuring Billy Gibbons – 'Honky Tonk Stomp'
Kenny Chesney with Dave Matthews – 'I'm Alive'
Jamey Johnson and Shooter Jennings – 'Somewhere Between Jennings and Jones' from 'CMT Crossroads'
John Mellencamp featuring Karen Fairchild – 'A Ride Back Home'
Kellie Pickler featuring Taylor Swift – 'Best Days of Your Life'
Blake Shelton featuring Trace Adkins – 'Hillbilly Bone'
Sugarland featuring The B-52s – 'Love Shack' from the 2009 CMT Music Awards

CMT PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR
(Musical performance on a television show, series or variety special on CMT)

Jason Aldean and Bryan Adams – 'Heaven' from 'CMT Crossroads'
Dierks Bentley – 'Sideways' from the 2009 CMT Music Awards
Lady Antebellum – 'Lookin' For A Good Time' from the 2009 CMT Music Awards
Reba McEntire – 'Consider Me Gone' from 'Invitation Only: Reba'
Tim McGraw – 'Southern Voice' from 'Invitation Only: Tim McGraw'
Brad Paisley – 'Then' from the 2009 CMT Music Awards
Sugarland featuring The B-52s – 'Love Shack' from the 2009 CMT Music Awards
Carrie Underwood – 'Temporary Home' from 'Invitation Only: Carrie Underwood'

VIDEO DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR

Deaton Flanigan (award eligible videos include: Jason Aldean's 'The Truth' and Carrie Underwood's 'Temporary Home')
Darren Doane (award eligible videos include: Zac Brown Band's 'Toes' and 'Highway 20 Ride')
Trey Fanjoy (award eligible videos include: Reba McEntire's 'Consider Me Gone' and Lady Antebellum's 'American Honey')
Chris Hicky (award eligible videos include: Miranda Lambert's 'White Liar' and Justin Moore's 'Small Town USA')
Michael Salomon (award eligible videos include: Toby Keith's 'American Ride' and Dierks Bentley's 'Sideways')
Shaun Silva (award eligible videos include: Kenny Chesney's 'Out Last Night' and Rascal Flatts' 'Summer Nights')
Roman White (award eligible videos include: Taylor Swift's 'You Belong With Me' and Kellie Pickler's 'Best Days of Your Life')
Theresa Wingert (award eligible videos include: Carrie Underwood's 'Cowboy Casanova' and Martina McBride's 'I Just Call You Mine')

Up & Coming New Nashville- Jesse Terry (With Exclusive Interview)

Jesse Terry was born and raised in Connecticut, to parents who were musicians, songwriters and singers. It was his parents that infused Jesse’s childhood with music and art, and exposed him to the likes of Jackson Browne, James Taylor, Neil Young, Joni Mitchell, Paul Simon, Bruce Springsteen and the Beatles. At a young age, Jesse showed talent as a visual artist and studied with two well-known painters, both of who encouraged him to enter art school. But when his mother gave Jesse her old guitar when he was 19, he decided to put art aside and concentrate solely on music. Both the guitar and songwriting came naturally to Jesse and he was eventually accepted to Berklee College of Music in Boston, where he wound up earning several substantial scholarships and a bachelor’s degree in songwriting/performance. He also fronted an original rock band in Boston and performed at countless venues throughout the Northeast. While a senior at Berklee, Jesse won both first and second prize in the prestigious CMT/NSAI song contest. The contest was his introduction to the Nashville scene, where he signed his first publishing deal with Masville Music in August of 2004, a brand new company founded by hit songwriter Mark Alan Springer. Jesse went on to write for the company for the next four and a half years and has lived in Nashville for almost five years.

Jesse has recently began to work with W Management out of NYC (Sheryl Crow, Steve Jordan, Schuyler Fisk).. His debut record "The Runner" has been licensed to ten major television shows including MTV's "The Hills" and "The City".



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

Jesse Terry- Music was all around me from the very beginning.. My parents were both full-time musicians as I was growing up. I think I always believed that being an artist was the normal thing to aspire to in life. Honestly though, I really tried to avoid being a musician. I focused on fine art until I was about eighteen. But when I finally started playing guitar and writing songs there was no turning back for me. It healed me and gave my life a true purpose. I was pretty lost before I found that outlet.

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

JT- I have had so many great musical influences that have shaped me.. I love that your music can evolve and change with you. I don't like to put too many barriers on where it can go stylistically. The most important thing to me is that I'm making music that is honest, soulful and emotional. I think that truth is paramount in songwriting. That's probably why I've always been drawn to the great singer/songwriters; classic artists like Jackson Browne, James Taylor, Joni Mitchell, Bruce Springsteen and Neil Young. Their songs are so transparent and personal, it's effortless to connect to them. The greatest compliment to me is when my music touches someone at that gut level.

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

JT- I used to be really shy and have wicked stage fright! I had to work really hard to feel at home on stage. Now, after many years, it feels totally natural. I love living in a great music city, but I feel the happiest and most at ease out in the wilderness. I recorded most of my first record in a big log cabin out in the woods. It was a really cool place to live. My dream scenario would be to tour and travel for a good part of the year and then retreat back to a log cabin in Montana or Colorado on my breaks. It would be just me, my sweetheart, my guitars and my dog. That sounds like a perfect life to me.

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

JT- Well, that's always the hardest question because I listen to so much music. I go through phases where I listen to an artist non-stop. Lately I've been listening to the Stones like crazy. This year I've been really into the Band, Emmylou Harris, Grace Potter, Jonny Lang and Ray LaMontagne. And then of course there are those bands that are always in constant rotation, like the Beatles.

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

JT- Well, I try to keep my mind open to all kinds of different scenarios. The future is pretty uncharted and that is exciting. I definitely think that within five years I'll have several more albums recorded. I think that I will be touring constantly. I'd like to spend a lot of time exploring and touring over in Europe. I hear the audiences are wonderful over there. I want to have all kinds of adventures to write about. I think I'll make my next full band record in California and learn to surf while I'm there. I have plans to make a solo acoustic record in Nashville as well.

Listen To The Brand New Release From Blake Shelton- "All About Tonight"

New Music Video From Point Of Grace- "Love and Laundry"

TNS Video History- Blake Shelton- "Some Beach" At The Opry