TNS Video History- Deana Carter- "There's No Limit"

That Nashville Soundbites- Jonathan Singleton and the Grove EP

That Nashville Sound receives many different CD releases throughout the year from indie, bluegrass and artists just off the mainstream radar 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: May 2010
Music Label: Show Dog/Universal
The Skinny: For those unfamiliar with Jonathan Singleton, he’s co-wrote the singles "Watching Airplanes" for Gary Allan and "Don't" for Billy Currington, both of which peaked at #2, as well as co-wrote David Nail's "Red Light" and Josh Turner's "Why Don't We Just Dance." On this EP, culls his Memphis and Nashville influences and reveals a guitar driven and blues-influenced album that resembles Allan’s “Airplanes.” His voice is engaging and the production is interesting, but with the exception of “Look Who’s Back In Love,” the material isn’t all that revealing. Perhaps Singleton is using the sound/instrumentation for that reveal, but for this reviewer, I’d like to hear more about Singleton in his music. Most disappointing on the album, however, is the absence of what I thought was a terrific single- and one way too unappreciated by country radio- “Living In Paradise.” The single dipped into the Top 50 of the charts, but mysteriously, it’s missing here on his first release. The album easily could have included that single as well as a cover of a couple of his co-writes to strengthen it a bit.

Sounds Like: Springsteen’s voice & Gary Allan’s material
Standout Tracks: “Look Who’s Back In Love”; “When Will My Love Come Around”
The Verdict: Three Stars Out Of Five

Fresh Music Friday

New Music Video From Matt Stillwell- "Dirt Road Dancing"

Steve Miller Band Readies New June Release Called Bingo!

As The Steve Miller Band prepare to release Bingo!, the band's first new album in 17 years, on June 16th, Steve Miller is giving us some insight into the recording of the album.

Featuring a look inside the studio with producer Andy Johns, and some ear candy in the form of "Hey Yeah" and "You Got Me Dizzy," the video below shows Steve Miller going through the making of and inspiration behind Bingo!

For the overall feel-good vibe of the forthcoming album, Miller explains, "It's a record to get out and dance and have a good time."

Bingo! will be the first of two albums that were recorded together as a complete body of work, with the first out June 15th, and the second of which will be offered next year. Watch the video below and stay tuned for more from The Steve Miller Band and Bingo! coming soon.

New Music Video From John Rich- "Country Done Come To Town"

New Music Video From 40 Nashville Artists- "City of Dreams"

40 Nashville artists and musicians joined together with a production/engineering team and film crew to record the flood relief song City of Dreams. All participants and facilities donated their services and all proceeds from the song will benefit the Red Cross.

The video features Victoria Banks, Emma Mae Jacobs, Rachel Proctor, Marcus Hummon, Danielle Peck, Kate and Kacey, Mallory Hope, Buddy Jewel, Jesse Lee, Pam Tillis, Sarah Darling and many more.

New Music Video From Sons Of Sylvia- "Love Left To Lose"

You might recognize these guys- they were formerly the Clark Family Experience that sang "Meanwhile Back At The Ranch" earlier this decade and then won The Next Great American Band on Fox as the Clark Brothers.

Randy Houser Plans New Album Launch In September- They Call Me Cadillac

Mississippi-born, country singer and songwriter Randy Houser will release his 12-track sophomore studio album, THEY CALL ME CADILLAC, on Tuesday, September 14, 2010 on Show Dog-Universal Music. The release follows his critically-acclaimed 2008 debut ANYTHING GOES, an album that positioned him as one of the top new artists to emerge in the format, with its Top 5 smash “Boots On” earning him Country Aircheck’s No. 1 most played New Artist of 2009 honor.

"I put my heart into this record," says Houser. "We went into the studio with a direction in mind, conceptually, for the album, and the result is something I’m really proud of. I think people are ready to hear real country music again, and I’m one of them.”

With the backbone of CADILLAC focusing on his roots, Houser delivers tunes that are a continuation of rich lyrical hits like “Anything Goes,” his debut single which catapulted into the Top 20 after an appearance on Late Show with David Letterman. His current single “I’m All About It” from the forthcoming release is a simple, fun, self-penned cut that spotlights the way a woman can make a man feel. It’s a song that Houser wrote a few years ago and specifically recorded to be the lead single from the album. It joins supremely country songs like “Man Like Me” and rocking, toe-tapping “Whistlin’ Dixie,” a tune that has already generated over 100,000 in digital single sales.

CADILLAC’s dynamic track list includes contributions from writers such as Brice Long, who also penned Houser’s debut single and title track, “Anything Goes,” along with Mark D. Sanders contributing to the current single, “I’m All About It” (writer for “I Hope You Dance” by Lee Ann Womack). Womack subsequently sings the background vocals on “Addicted.” The album was produced by Cliff Audretch and Mark Wright.

Chris Young Releases New EP Called Voices Today

Chris Young is releasing a three-song digital release this morning called Voices EP that will pay homage to three of his own musical heroes.

The project, set to be released through iTunes, finds him doing acoustic versions of three 1980s classics: John Anderson’s 1983 hit “Swingin’,” Vern Gosdin’s 1989 standard “Chiseled In Stone” and Keith Whitley’s “I’m Over You,” a hit in 1990 that Whitley recorded in the weeks prior to his death in May 1989.

“There’s a song on my current album called ‘Voices’ — it’s my next single — and we decided to name this EP Voices, too,” Chris says. “One of the reasons we did that is because these are really the voices that inspired me musically. If you go through a list of some of my favorite artists, these guys are at the top.”

Stream The Grand Ole Opry Live Tonight

The Grand Ole Opry has announced that the Tuesday Night Opry on May 25 will be shown live on opry.com tonight. The show will feature Grand Ole Opry members Vince Gill, Brad Paisley, Ricky Skaggs and Steve Wariner.

The night is set to both raise funds for Middle Tennessee flood relief and kick off the Opry's months-long 85th Birthday Celebration. Each Opry member will take the stage individually followed by a guitar jam finale featuring the group's take on some of the most popular songs in the Opry's 85-year history.

Hank Williams III Releases Rebel Within Today

The Hank Williams family legacy gains another chapter today as Hank III releases a brand new album titled Rebel Within today.

A progenitor of the Hellbilly movement, Hank III has released six albums since his 1999 debut, including 2008’s country/rock/metal Damn Right, Rebel Proud (of which Randy Lewis of the Los Angeles Times said, “…he careens from the stone country remorse of ‘I Wish I Knew’ to the psychobilly ode to the truck driving man of ‘H8 Line to the 10-minute, three-movement nose-thumbing epic “P.F.F.” offered in tribute to G.G. Allin”) and 2009’s punk/metal-infused Assjack. His refusal to confine himself to one musical genre is evident in his live performances, where he often does three-hour shows: he starts off with a country set, followed by a louder hillbilly set, which culminates with a set with his band Assjack. “I give everybody some of what they came for,” says Hank. “You can’t say I don’t work hard and give all I got."

New Music Video From Michael Sarver- "Ferris Wheel"

2009 American Idol 10th place finisher Michael Sarver has released his first music video off of his upcoming July album release called "Ferris Wheel."

Ryan Shupe & the Rubberband To Unveil Brand New Shoes This Week

Ryan Shupe & the Rubberband will be unveiling a brand new album later this week- with an official launch date of May 27.

According to their website: "Brand New Shoes is the latest rocking, cross-genre, acousti-jam CD from Ryan Shupe & the RubberBand. Whether it's the acoustic reggae pop song "Meant to Be", the country music parody "Baldy", the bluegrass political satire "One Of Those Guys", the world beat "My Dandelion", or the jamming "He Knows Karate", this album features top notch musicianship, witty creative songwriting and great musical depth.

The title track is a fun jam dance tune about a kid’s pair of ‘Brand New Shoes’ that not only helps him run faster and jump higher, but lands him on the news stations and gets everyone talking. It’s PostHeeHawFunkadelicHipHopNewGrass in its finest form!"

Up & Coming New Nashville- Tiffany Johnson

With the release of Tiffany Johnson’s debut CD Scuffed and Simple, the artist with deep southern roots has come a long way since her musical debut at the tender age of six. Recalling her first time singing in public, Johnson fondly describes sitting on an upright piano with her braided pigtails, wearing her ‘Dorothy Shoes’—Buster Brown Mary Janes her mother had rolled in glue and red glitter. She sang “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” and that became the moment she fell in love with music and performing.

She brought childhood memories like those into the creative process for the song selection on Scuffed and Simple, even co-writing with producer Lionel Cartwright on ‘My Dorothy Shoes’—an inspirational and poignant ballad about her small-town start and the impact it had on her life’s direction. Johnson chose a line from the second verse of the song as her album title. “That title reminds me a lot of myself,” said Johnson. “I’m pretty simple and I’ve had some bumps and bruises but, just like the shoes, there’s a lot of potential there.”

And shoes has continued to be a theme for Johnson’s life as a full-time spokesperson for Soles4Souls, the international shoe charity dedicated to providing shoes to people in need. Once Johnson learned about the organization’s mission, she took it on wholeheartedly and has since traveled in and out of the country, singing, speaking, and lacing up shoes as a representative of Soles4Souls.

“There’s something about fitting somebody with a pair of shoes,” she explained. “You get down on the ground and you physically touch someone, and it‘s not so much about the shoes but about spending that moment with them and helping them know that they matter, right then and there.”

The cause is so close to her heart that a portion of the proceeds from each copy sold of Scuffed and Simple will go to the organization she says has taught her what God’s work is all about.

“Through Soles4Souls, I am continually learning that it is so not about me; there’s this big world full of hurting people. We just have no idea what people are going through, internationally, and even next door, until we reach out and address their needs,” she said.

Soles4Souls is proud to have the support of Johnson and her unique music. "Tiffany's inspiration in music and towards the OUTREACH of Soles4Souls further communicates our commitment to change the world one pair at a time," said Elsey. "Our goal is to offer HOPE with the gift of shoes and now with Tiffany's ‘My Dorothy Shoes’ hit, we can impact with music," he added.

Scuffed and Simple can be purchased on her website http://www.tiffanyjohnsonlive.com and digitally through iTunes, LaLa, Rhapsody, Napster, and AmazonMP3.com.

New Music Video From Jake Owen- "Tell Me"

Hank Williams Jr To Produce New BBQ Sauce Line

Original Juan Specialty Foods has been selected by J&D Enterprises, and Team Development Solutions, Inc., to manufacture and distribute the new Hank Williams Jr. Family Tradition sauce line.

An American icon and legendary country music star, Hank Williams Jr. has created a signature line of sauces that will appeal to the masses. Much like his music, Hank's Original Bar-B-Que Sauce recipe is rich in tradition and flavor and has been enjoyed by family and friends for many years.

"This sauce is an old family tradition, and I wanted to share with barbeque lovers everywhere!" Williams Jr. says.

Hank Williams Jr. has long been the voice of the common man and is best known for his beloved "Are you ready for some football?" anthem seen and heard by millions of viewers during Monday night football. His versatile barbeque sauces can be used on a number of food items and are good for tailgating or home use.

"We were honored to partner with the Hank's team on this project," says Greg Dennis, vice president of sales at Original Juan Specialty Foods. "Hank's 'Family Tradition' sauces speak true to his music, and presents the quality and the tradition he always represents."

Along with new flavors Mountain Smoke, Hot N' Spicy, and his Jalapeno Hot Sauce comes a new look. Both the labels and bottles have been redesigned to increase appeal. Hank Jr.'s iconic image is still featured on the new flask bottle along with a prominent "Made in the U.S.A." tag.

These new sauces will also be featured in a line of fully cooked, prepared barbecue sandwiches and meat products being introduced into retail, wholesale clubs, and convenience stores this spring.

New Music Video From The Drive-By Truckers- "Working This Job"

Joe Diffie Readies New Bluegrass Album For August Release

Rounder Records has announced country music star and Grand Ole Opry member Joe Diffie’s return to bluegrass music with Homecoming: The Bluegrass Album. Due August 24, Homecoming was co-produced by Diffie and Luke Wooten and features a who’s who of bluegrass A-listers including The Grascals, Rhonda Vincent, Bradley Walker, and Alecia Nugent. He also enlisted a top-notch band that includes Rob Ickes, Aubrey Haynie, Mike Compton, Bryan Sutton, Mark Fain and Charlie Cushman to back his better-than-ever vocals on this set of songs that are sure to appeal to Diffie’s long-time fans and bluegrass traditionalists alike.

While this is Diffie’s first bluegrass release, it’s not the first bluegrass release on which he’s appeared. Prior to his moving to Nashville and becoming the country star he is today, he spent several years touring and recording with the bluegrass band Special Edition. Homecoming is an homage to bluegrass, his musical legacy and first love. Not only does he reach into his own past for songs such as “Tennessee Tea” and into classic catalog tunes like Flatt & Scruggs’ “Somehow Tonight” – he also covers modern repertoire like “Lonesome And Dry As A Bone,” written by long time friend Shawn Camp, and Larry Cordle’s moving “I Know How It Feels.” Diffie contributed a few originals as well, such as the soon to be bluegrass classic, “It’s Raining On Her Rubber Dolly Now,” co-written with Camp and featuring the remarkable bluegrass group and label mates, The Grascals.

TNS Video History- Trisha Yearwood- "Georgia Rain"