TNS Video History- Roy Orbison- "Only The Lonely"

Listen To Some Great Johnny Cash Outtakes

A music website called The Frontloader has put together a fantastic collection of Johnny Cash outtakes and not or little-heard songs that you can stream and download. Below you will find a link to those outtakes from the first of the series, Rick Rubin‘s living room in California. Cash’s voice is still nice and strong here… most of the takes are just Cash and a guitar, but there’s one with Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top and someone’s singing harmony vocals with Cash on “Banks of the Ohio.” Listen HERE. The list of songs is below:

What On Earth
The Drifter
I Witnessed a Crime (with Billy Gibbons)
Banks of the Ohio
The Next Time I’m in Town
Breaking Bread
To Beat the Devil
Friends in California
The Caretaker
The Wonder of You
East Virginia Blues
Bury Me Not
Old Chunk of Coal
Go On Blues
If I Give You My Soul

Jamey Johnson Releases Cover and Details On The Guitar Song

Details are still coming out about Jamey Johnson's upcoming album, The Guitar Song. It's a 25-song, double album with thematically linked sets of songs dubbed the "Black Album" and the "White Album." It will be released on 9/14/10.

"The original idea was always to do a double album," says Jamey. "The album is a tale. The first part of it is a very dark and sordid story. Everything after that is progressively more positive, reassuring and redemptive."

The "Black" songs include the menacing, "Poor Man Blues," the defiant "Can't Cash My Checks," the sighing and bluesy "Even the Skies Are Blue" and the chilling "Heartache." The lighter, "White" songs are highlighted by the strongly autobiographical "That's Why I Write Songs," the languid "Front Porch Swing Afternoon," the rocking "Good Times Ain't What They Used to Be" and the easy-going groove tune "Macon."

The ambitious project's textures are many and varied. "Baby Don't Cry" is a lullaby. "I Remember You" is a gospel song. "That's How I Don't Love You" is a deeply sad power ballad. "By the Seat of Your Pants" tells of life's lessons. The title tune, "The Guitar Song," is told from the point of view of two forgotten guitars hanging on a pawn shop wall. "Playing the Part" and "California Riots" come from feeling out of place as a country boy in Hollywood.

As a lover of classic country sounds, he regularly performs oldies in his stage shows. The Guitar Song contains "For the Good Times,", "Set `Em Up Joe" and "Mental Revenge". "Lonely at the Top" is an undiscovered Keith Whitley song.

New Music Video From Sheryl Crow- "Summer Day"

New Music Video From Billy Currington- "Pretty Good At Drinking Beer"

New Music Video From Justin Moore- "How I Got To Be This Way"

That Nashville Soundbites- Ty Herndon- Journey On

That Nashville Sound receives many different CD releases throughout the year from indie, bluegrass and artists just off the mainstream radar- or smaller projects like EPs- 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: June 2010
Music Label: FUNL Records
The Skinny: Ty Herndon is best known for his string of hits in the late 90's in wich he charted a total of 17 singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts including three number ones — "What Mattered Most," "Living in a Moment" and "It Must Be Love." Now, three years after his last album and eight years after his last charted hit, Herndon returns with a collection of modern country inspirational songs. There's a mix of positive message songs and Christian songs of praise and it's the prior that are the most engaging and revealing. The first three tracks, "The Rest Of My Life," "Don't Pass Me By," and "Journey On" are autobiographical stories of fresh starts and taking control of one's destiny. In Herndon's case, this is his music career. Beyond these first few introspective and reflective songs about redemption lie songs- albeit a bit blander- praising his higher power.

Sounds Like: Marty Roe of Diamond Rio
Standout Tracks: The Rest Of My Life, Don't Pass Me By, Journey On, Today
The Verdict: Three stars out of five

Listen To Marc Cohn Live National Public Radio Concert Performance

A lot of people came to know singer-songwriter Marc Cohn when his self-titled debut record spawned the hit song "Walkin’ In Memphis," later covered by Cher. Cohn has since battled back from writer’s block after a random carjacking in 2005 left him recovering in a hospital at the same time New Orleans was being ravaged by Hurricane Katrina. Out of those experiences, Cohn overcame his dry spell in a big way, with the critically acclaimed Join the Parade in 2007.

Most recently, Cohn and producer/instrumentalist John Leventhal have collaborated on Listening Booth: 1970, to be released July 20. The new album is named for the year that stirred Cohn's interest in pop music and saw the release of influential albums by Simon & Garfunkel, Cat Stevens, Van Morrison, Neil Young and many more. On Listening Booth: 1970, Cohn interprets songs of that era in his own style.

Performing here in his second appearance on National Public Radio's Mountain Stage, joined by widely-acclaimed guitarist Shane Fontayne, Cohn performs a career-spanning extended set, including two performances not heard on the radio broadcast: "Perfect Love" by Marc Cohn and Cat Stevens' "Wild World."

Click HERE to listen to the concert- track listing is below:

"The Letter"
"Perfect Love"
"The Calling"
"29 Ways"
"Silver Thunderbird"
"Strangers in a Car"
"Walking in Memphis"
"Wild World"
"Long As I Can See the Light"

Blake Shelton Releases Album Artwork & Track Listing For August Album

Blake Shelton has unveiled the album artwork and the track-listing on his new Six Pack mini-album release, All About Tonight. It will be released on August 10th. The album will feature six new tracks from Shelton, including his fastest rising single to date, “All About Tonight.”

For more information on Blake Shelton, you can visit www.blakeshelton.com

Track Listing:

1. All About Tonight
2. Who Are You When I’m Not Looking
3. That Thing We Do
4. Draggin’ The River (featuring Miranda Lambert)
5. Suffocating
6. Got A Little Country

Elton John & Leon Russell Collaborate On New Album Hitting in October

A new album by Elton John and Leon Russell is set for release in the United States and United Kingdom this fall, Decca Records said Tuesday. Elton has sold well over 250 million records worldwide and needs no introduction. Leon Russell is a widely respected musician that has collaborated with everyone from Jerry Lee Lewis to Frank Sinatra, from the Zac Brown Band to Glen Campbell. In 1978, Russell had a number one country music hit with "Heartbreak Hotel"- a duet with Willie Nelson. Produced by T Bone Burnett, The Union is set for U.S. release Oct. 19 on Decca. It is to drop in the United Kingdom Oct. 25 on Mercury Records.

The album marks the first time the iconic artists have worked together since 1970, Decca said in a news release.

The Union was recorded live in the studio and features songs written by John and his longtime lyricist Bernie Taupin, as well as in combination with the talents of Russell and Burnett, the label said.

"In the late '60s and early '70s, the one piano player and vocalist who influenced me more than anybody else was Leon Russell," John, 63, said in a statement. "He was my idol."

The pair toured together for awhile, then fell out of touch. John listened to Russell's music while on safari in Africa last summer and was inspired to reconnect with him, Decca said. "Elton called to ask if I would do a duet album with him," Russell, 67, said. "I'm very happy that he chose me to do this."

New Music Video From the JaneDear Girls- "Wildflower"

Grand Ole Opry Member & CMHOF Member Charlie Louvin Fighting Pancreatic Cancer

The following is what was posted on Country Music Hall of Fame member and Grand Ole Opry member (since 1955) Charlie Louvin's website yesterday.

"He is discovering a new foe. He recently went in to see the doctor with what seemed to be a minor complaint and came back with a diagnosis of stage 2 pancreatic cancer. Suddenly, the success of his soon-to-be-released, new CD is not nearly as important as Charlie's victory over one of the most virulent forms of cancer. He has been through a lot in his 83 years, but this hurdle is one he was not counting on. Charlie's family and friends are encouraged that he will be in good hands, but they definitely covet your prayers."

The surgery is scheduled for July 22 at Vanderbilt Hospital, and he will under go what is called a "whipple procedure." The web site further states that he will be unable to perform for several weeks after his surgery, but he tentatively hopes to be back on stage by Aug. 21.

That Nashville Soundbites- Ryan Shupe & The Rubberband- Brand New Shoes

That Nashville Sound receives many different CD releases throughout the year from indie, bluegrass and artists just off the mainstream radar- or smaller projects like EPs- 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: Tydal Wave Records
The Skinny: The band’s music has been described as “a breathtaking blast of manic musical virtuosity.” It certainly is an eclectic mix of several acoustic musical genres, leaning heaviest on country and bluegrass. Shupe calls it PostHeeHawFunkadelicHipHopNewGrass. The band is probably best known for their hit single “Dream Big” from earlier this decade. This release is a hit and miss collection of songs that represents their excellent instrumentation and sense of humor fairly well. Highlights include the funny ode to getting your ass kicked in “He Knows Karate,” a second take on their “Dream Big” single in “Keep Believing” and the spiritual song of prayer on “How Could I.” Its themes skew a little younger here interestingly enough with school and juvenile themes on a couple tracks. Outside of “Karate,” they’re strongest on the more serious and older messages.

Sounds Like: One of those crazy Pablo Picasso paintings in country sound
Standout Tracks: Meant To Be, Cry, Lift Me Up, He Knows Karate, Keep Believing, How Could I
The Verdict: Three stars out of five

Dolly Parton & Miley Cyrus Sing Together Celebrating 25 Years Of Dollywood

Up & Coming New Nashville- Stepheni Elli

Stepheni Elli grew up along the San Joaquin River in Antioch, California just outside of San Francisco, where she remembers walking with her dog, Sassy, before school each morning at dawn along the train tracks tracing the water’s edge, her feet balancing on the metal rails, her voice releasing fresh new songs that came to her mind while watching the wide river twinkle with golden California sunrise, as Sassy smiled back at her with her tongue hanging out and loving life. Though Stepheni loved the California sun and the songs she wrote along the San Joaquin River, she knew she had to move to Nashville to delve into the music industry and make the connections she needed to make her music her true-life destiny.

Upon arrival in Nashville, TN, Stepheni started her Bachelor’s degree studies at Belmont University where she studied the complete business of the music industry, songwriting and performing; taking lessons from hit songwriters and top vocal coaches, and interning at prestigious music industry companies such as Carnival Music and Blacktop Music Group. These one-on-one interactions with the most successful Nashville producers, publishers, writers and recording artists provided Stepheni with a real insight into the way people make things happen in the music industry, and gave her the knowledge and confidence to know she could do the same. During her Belmont years Stepheni played shows in Music City, making friends with the songwriting community, and now Stepheni and her friends share in one another’s successes along their musical journeys.

Today, after her recent Belmont graduation, Stepheni continues mixing her music industry experience with both the creative side and the business side, playing live shows, making her CD, writing new songs, and working with the some of the most well known music companies on Music Row.

Along with the talent of music, Stepheni practices compassion to all living things. Stepheni chooses a vegan lifestyle, and is active in all kinds of charities; Stepheni’s most beloved work in the world is protecting the welfare of animals. Being an active volunteer, event coordinator and radio spokesperson for various animal charities in the US, she plans to continue to do so as her music career progresses.

Stepheni has opened shows for major label artists Mark Wills, Buddy Jewell, Chris Young, Trent Willmon, Wade Hayes, Erica Jo, and recently for Brooks and Dunn’s drummer’s music event, raising money for the cure of Huntington’s disease. She has trained and run for the Country Music Half Marathon with country superstars Diamond Rio for their children’s’ charity Big Brothers, Big Sisters, and she has worked with the Country Music Association for the annual big bash, CMA Fest a.k.a. Fan Fair. When in Nashville she works for some of the biggest music industry companies on Music Row, and pitches songs as a song plugger for songwriters.

Charlie Daniels Band Releases Two New Singles Today- New Album Land That I Love Hits In August

Legendary act, The Charlie Daniels Band, is releasing a pair of digital singles, “Iraq Blues” and “(What This World Needs Is) A Few More Rednecks 2010,” today, July 4, through Blue Hat Records/E1 Entertainment.

The two tracks are featured on the CDB’s forthcoming August 10 release, a patriotic compilation titled Land That I Love. “Iraq Blues” was written during CDB tours to Iraq, and “(What This World Needs Is) A Few More Rednecks 2010” is an updated version of a Daniels classic. Both songs are newly recorded studio versions, and the 2010 update of “(What This World Needs Is) A Few More Rednecks 2010” also includes a brand new verse. The singles will be available at all major online retailers.

“I wrote ‘Iraq Blues’ on three separate trips to entertain the troops over there in Iraq. It's about the troops and for the troops,” says Daniels. “’(What This World Needs Is) A Few More Rednecks 2010’ is an updated version of a song I recorded several years ago. The new lyrics reflect life in America in the 21st century.”

The Charlie Daniels Band maintains a busy tour schedule through the end of 2010. For more information and updated tour dates, visit www.CharlieDaniels.com.

TNS Video History- Charlie Daniels- "In America"