TNS Video History- Sammy Kershaw- "Queen of My Double Wide Trailer"

Alternative Country Artist Lucinda Williams Announces Release Date For Blessed

Lucinda Williams is prepping for the March 1 release of her new album Blessed, on Lost Highway. For the 12-song project she paired with Grammy Award-winning producer Don Was, and co-producers Eric Liljestrand and Tom Overby.

Williams recruited Elvis Costello for guitar work on the track “Seeing Black.” Also making appearances on the album are Rami Jaffe on keyboards, and Matthew Sweet on vocals. The project contains a new version of “Kiss Like Your Kiss,” which originally appeared on the True Blood: Music From The HBO Original Series – Volume 2 soundtrack. That song was recently nominated for a Grammy for Best Song Written For Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media.

Williams, a three-time Grammy winner, is releasing a deluxe edition of Blessed with bonus material titled The Kitchen Tapes.

Sara Evans and Brad Paisley Announce Release Dates For New Albums

Sara Evans and Brad Paisley made separate announcements this week about new albums that each of the artists will be releasing in the new year.

Sara Evans will release a new album, Stronger, on March 8 on RCA Nashville. The project's first single is "A Little Bit Stronger," written by Luke Laird, Hillary Lindsey and Lady Antebellum's Hillary Scott. Evans issued a Greatest Hits album in 2007, but her previous album of all-new material, Real Fine Place, was released in 2005.

Brad Paisley is bringing an early holiday present to fans with the announcement that beginning December 13 and continuing for one week through December 20, fans will be able to visit www.ThisIsCountryMusic.com and download a free digital single of Paisley’s current smash, “This Is Country Music.” The song is the first single from his next album, also titled This Is Country Music, slated for release on April 19.

New Music Video From Easton Corbin- "I Can't Love You Back"

Highway 101 Back Together & Recording New Music In "Six Gold Coins"

With Paulette Carlson as lead vocalist for the country group, Highway 101, the band recorded three albums for Warner Bros. Records Nashville and charted ten consecutive Top Ten hits on the Hot Country Songs charts. The GRAMMY® nominated, 2-time ACM and CMA “Group of the Year” have landed on the Billboard Country Chart more than 15 times, including the #1 hits "Somewhere Tonight," "Cry, Cry, Cry," "(Do You Love Me) Just Say Yes" and "Who’s Lonely Now."

Highway 101 made a triumphant return to the Grand Ole Opry on November 26th, performing several hits as well as their current radio single “Six Gold Coins” which is quickly climbing the Country chart. The new single is the most added song at Country Radio this last week.

The music video for “Six Gold Coins” is included on the band’s new DVD release CHRISTMAS ON HIGHWAY 101 (Uptone Pictures), which includes a special cameo appearance by Country music icon Wynonna. Directed by Michael Davis (Christmas Memories, A Box for Rob), CHRISTMAS ON HIGHWAY 101 is a collection of heart-warming stories and awe-inspiring music from one of country music’s legendary groups, featuring 11 traditional carols and holiday songs all nicely wrapped with the unique Highway 101 sound.

Filmed on location at the Great Wolf Lodge in Concord, North Carolina, the music-filled DVD release is available now through their website.

Live Performance From Chely Wright & The Indigo Girls- "It Really Is (A Wonderful Life)"

New Music Videos From Canadian Country Artists George Canyon & Aaron Pritchett

George Canyon- "Better Be Home Soon"



Aaron Pritchett- "Light It Up"

Emerson Drive Announces New February Greatest Hits Album Decade of Drive

Emerson Drive's Decade Of Drive will drop on February 8, 2011, marking their first greatest hits release. A deluxe version featuring enhanced video content, a specially recorded new song, previously unreleased acoustic songs and interview footage will also be available.

“(It) is a celebration and a thank you to our fans,” says lead vocalist Brad Mates. “We have spent 10 years out on the road sharing our music across North America. We can’t wait to take the party back out on the road. It’s exciting for us to show what we have accomplished so far and give fans a look at the next decade. We have new music that just adds to the fun.”

New Music Video From Kelly Clarkson & Jason Aldean- "Don't You Wanna Stay?"

That Nashville Sound's Top 100 Songs Of 2010

2010 was a fabulous year of country music. Traditional country, bluegrass, modern country and Americana were all represented well and this list proves that out.

Here are the rules by which this list was selected. It had to be released off an album that was released in 2010 or is off a to-be-released album. If the album came out in 2009 or before, it couldn’t be included- even if it wasn't released as a single until 2010.

And without further ado, here is That Nashville Sound’s Top 100 Songs of 2010.

1. Joe Diffie - Route 5 Box 109- It’s a reflection on days gone past filled with nostalgia such as Martha White’s Flour, childhood fishing for brim and Schwinn bicycles. Like the Judds “Flies On The Butter” and Miranda Lambert’s “The House That Built Me,” he forgoes all the radio-common cliché’s of down home living and why the country is so much better than the city and concentrates on his own powerful personal reflections of the sentimental minutia that made his own upbringing so special and memorable. It’s a stunningly beautiful track. If it had a color, it would be black and white or sepia.

2. Johnny Cash- Ain't No Grave- This song is a rally cry that there isn’t a resting place strong enough to hold him down. It’s appropriate in both the sense of his legacy and his belief he would meet his maker. The song is backed by symbolic instrument choices of clanging chains and the ring of a bell. The bell reminds us of the passing of time with each ring. And the chains remind us that no one rattled the chains of the music establishment more than Cash (the famed photo of Cash flipping the bird to Music Row executives comes to mind). Combine that symbolism with an image of no earthly chains weighing him down and there is a powerful metaphor in the production choices alone.

3. Zac Brown Band - Colder Weather - It begins with an amazing piano melody, tells a story from a hauntingly sorrowful perspective, and captures their trademark harmonies beautifully. The lyrics are deep as hell. What the listener is left with is a heartbreaking tale that is part love story, part heartbreak and all great storytelling.
 
4. Rhonda Vincent (w/ Dolly Parton)- In The Garden By The Fountain - My pal Juli Thanki says it best over at The 9513: "(it) starts off sounding like an airy love song, but wait! It’s actually a murder ballad where the onetime object of a lady’s affection ends up taking a dirt nap beneath a bed of roses in the same garden where the two once courted. Could things get any better? Yep: Dolly Parton shows up to contribute harmony vocals."
 
5. Jamey Johnson- That's Why I Write Songs - The art of writing in song is the crux and heart of his new album. No track better exemplifies this fact than the stark “That’s Why I Write Songs.” Johnson talks and sings his way through a perfectly believable acoustic and sparsely produced song of why he sings like he does. “I knew what I was born to do,” he croons as he pays sweet dedication to the songwriters “that gave us chills” both in lyrics and in sound.

6. Elizabeth Cook - El Camino - it's a 1970’s tale of falling in love with a guy that won’t give up his bell-bottomed mojo. It’s inspired with several lyrics that bring a smile including, “And if I wake up married I’ll have to annul it, right now my hands are in his mullet.” It’s trashy and loose- and genius. She crosses between country and rock and roll seamlessly and benefits from Don Was’ slow rock(ish) production.
 
7. Jamey Johnson- By The Seat of Your Pants - He relates a conversation that is simple, yet emotionally charged and filled with a spiritual depth. Music production does the same and the result is a great example of why Johnson’s music is so different from what we’re normally hearing on modern country radio. It makes you feel.

8. Ray Wylie Hubbard- Tornado Ripe- This track tells the story (from the perspective of a child), of a violent storm ripping through a family’s home. “We come out of that hole in the ground, in all directions of the compass was death and kindlin’,” Hubbard sings. The track is sparse and primal, boasting a growling guitar riff that plays the part of the bridge but makes an incredible representation of God’s fury.

9. James Otto & Ronnie Milsap- Good Things Gone Bad - Otto enlists his hero Milsap on the 70’s flashback in sound in groove on a great little track on “Good Things Gone Bad” where they both effectively use his groovy love mojo.
 
10. Sammy Kershaw- The Snow White Rows Of Arlington - Written by Hugh Prestwood, “Arlington…” reminds us through philosophical and poetic lyrics of the real cost of protecting America from those whose ‘holy mission is to destroy all we hold dear.’ It’s a shame this song hasn’t received more publicity than it has.

11. Dean Brody- Trail In Life
12. Ray Charles and Johnny Cash- Why Me, Lord?
13. The Grascals - The Famous Lefty Flynn's
14. John Mellencamp- Easter Eve
15. Zac Brown Band- Quiet Your Mind
      Taylor Swift- Back to December (tie)
16. Toby Keith- Bullets In The Gun
17. Randy Houser- Somewhere South of Memphis
18. Mary Chapin Carpenter- The Age of Miracles
19. Marty Stuart - Hangman
20. Blake Shelton w/ Miranda Lambert - Dragging the River
21. Joey+Rory- My Ole Man
22. Phil Vassar- Where Have All The Pianos Gone?
23. Steeldrivers- Where Rainbows Never Die
24. Jamey Johnson- My Way To You
25. Jason Eady- Battlefields
26. Darius Rucker- Might Get Lucky
27. Gary Allan- Get Off On The Pain
28. Elizabeth Cook - Heroin Addict Sister
29. Dierks Bentley- Senior (Tales of Yankee Power)
30. Reba McEntire- When You Have a Child
31. Harper Simon- Tennessee
32. Johnny Cash- Aloha Oe
33. Chuck Wicks- Hold That Thought
34. The Grascals- Satan and Grandma
35. Mary Chapin Carpenter- 4 June 1989
36. Randy Houser- Will I Always Be This Way
37. Joey+Rory- God Help My Man
38. Zac Brown Band- Martin
39. Sammy Kershaw- Better Than I Used To Be
40. Johnny Cash- Can't Help Wonder Where I'm Bound
41. Butch Walker & The Black Widows- She Likes Hair Bands
42. Emily West- Blue Sky
43. Reba McEntire- Somebody's Chelsea
44. Gary Allan- Kiss Me When I'm Down
45. Sarah Darling- With Or Without You
46. Clay Walker- People In Planes
47. James Otto- Soldiers and Jesus
48. Steeldrivers- Can You Run
49. Clay Walker- Seven Sundays
50. Becky Schlegal- When It Rains
51. Becky Schlegal- So Embarrassing
52. Zac Brown Band w/ Alan Jackson - As She's Walking Away
53. Alan Jackson w/ Lee Ann Womack - Till the End
54. Randy Houser - Addicted
55. Joe Diffie- 'Til Death
56. Randy Houser- They Call Me Cadillac
57. Dean Brody- Wildflower
58. Jerrod Niemann- Lover, Lover
59. Sunny Sweeney - From a Table Away
60. Steeldrivers- Reckless Side Of Me
61. Brantley Gilbert- Saving Amy
62. Easton Corbin- Someday When I'm Old
63. Josh Turner- Lovin' You On My Mind
64. Zac Brown Band- Cold Hearted
65. Gary Allan- That Ain't Gonna Fly
66. Ray Wylie Hubbard- Down Home Country Blues
67. The Grascals- My Old Friend the Blues
68. Sara Evans- A Little Bit Stronger
69. Jamey Johnson - Lonely at the Top
70. The Band Perry - If I Die Young
71. James Otto- Sun Comes Round Again
72. Joey+Rory- Baby I'll Come Back To You
73. Dierks Bentley- Down In The Mine
74. Jamey Johnson- Macon
75. Becky Schlegal- Reunion
76. Josh Abbot Band- She's Like Texas
77. Lathan Moore- Cornfield Cadillac
78. Rachel Proctor & Matt Dame- The Blossoming
79. Flynnville Train- 33 Steps
80. Blake Shelton- Who Are You When I'm Not Lookin'
81. Carolyn Dawn Johnson- The Whole Thing
82. Dierks Bentley- Bad Angel
83. Dierks Bentley- Pride (In The Name of Love)
84. Jamey Johnson- I Remember You
85. John Mellencamp- Love at First Sight
86. Sammy Kershaw- Like I Wasn't Even There
87. The Steeldrivers - Ghosts of Mississippi
88. Jerry Lee Lewis- Mean Old Man
89. Butch Walker & The Black Widows- Shouldn't Someone Take You Home
90. Sammy Kershaw- Saltwater Cowboy
91. Trace Adkins- This Ain't No Love Song
92. Zac Brown Band- I Play The Road
93. Becky Schlegel - I Never Loved You Cowboy
94. Josh Abbot Band (With Kacey Musgraves)- Oh Tonight
95. Josh Turner- I Wouldn't Be A Man
96. Phil Vassar- She's On Her Way
97. Josh Turner- I'll Be There
98. Mary Chapin Carpenter- I Put My Ring Back On
99. Ray Wylie Hubbard- Pots and Pans
100. Josh Thompson- Sinner

New Christmas Music Video From Canadian Gord Bamford- "Baseball Glove"

An Alberta-raised country boy with a love for baseball and music, singer/songwriter Gord Bamford has released a traditional Western Swing, pedal steel-laced track that brings a touch of summer back to the Christmas season.

"I have always been a huge baseball fan, and I played a bit myself," says Bramford. "It was fun to write a song about one of our great sports, and one of the game's greatest players."

Carrie Underwood & Lady Antebellum Lead Winners In Inaugural American Country Awards

Country music superstar Carrie Underwood took home six awards from the first-ever American Country Awards on FOX, including Artist of the Year. Lady Antebellum was next with four wins. That Nashville Sound would like to hear what you thought of the awards show!


The complete winners list is as follows:

Single of the Year: Breakthrough Artist
"Little More Country Than That," Easton Corbin

Single of the Year: Duo or Group
"Need You Now," Lady Antebellum

Single of the Year: Female
"Cowboy Casanova," Carrie Underwood

Single of the Year: Male
"Why Don't We Just Dance," Josh Turner

Breakthrough Artist of the Year
Easton Corbin

Single of the Year
"Need You Now," Lady Antebellum

Album of the Year
"Play On," Carrie Underwood

Music Video: Breakthrough Artist
"A Little More Country Than That," Easton Corbin

Music Video: Duo or Group
"Need You Now," Lady Antebellum

Music Video: Female
"Cowboy Casanova," Carrie Underwood

Music Video: Male
"Hillbilly Bone," Blake Shelton with Trace Adkins

Music Video of the Year
"Hillbilly Bone," Blake Shelton with Trace Adkins

Touring Headline Package of the Year
Carrie Underwood

Artist of the Year: Duo or Group
Lady Antebellum

Artist of the Year: Female
Carrie Underwood

Artist of the Year: Male
Brad Paisley

Artist of the Year
Carrie Underwood

Greatest Hits Award
Alan Jackson

Decade Award
Rascal Flatts

Video Visionary Award
Toby Keith

Cracker Barrel Plans New Grascals Album In January

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store has announced that the next CD in its exclusive music program will feature some of the biggest names in country music joining up with one of the most beloved bands on today's bluegrass scene, The Grascals. The album, The Grascals & Friends - Country Classics With A Bluegrass Spin, has 13 country music songs done as unique covers. The Grascals bring their own bluegrass style to the tunes and bring the different tracks to life with eight of their friends, including Brad Paisley, Dierks Bentley, Charlie Daniels and Dolly Parton. The Grascals & Friends - Country Classics With A Bluegrass Spin will be available on January 10th, 2011, exclusively at all Cracker Barrel locations.


The bonus track, "I Am Strong," was written by Grascals band member Jamie Johnson and his wife Susanne Mumpower-Johnson along with Jenee Fleenor after The Grascals visited the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and were inspired by the stories and power of the children being treated there. "I Am Strong" is powerful in its message and artistic vision and brings together vocals from all of the artists who also appear separately with the Grascals on other tracks on this CD. In honor of the children and this song, Cracker Barrel is donating a percentage of the proceeds from this CD to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

"The Grascals are steeped in bluegrass tradition and at the same time are in touch with their contemporary audiences, bringing authenticity as well as freshness to the music," said Chris Ciavarra, Senior Vice President of Marketing for Cracker Barrel. "We are pleased to be able to offer our guests this unique CD as the latest album in our exclusive music program."

Jim Brickman Reveals Country Side On New Album Home

Best-selling pop and New Age pianist Jim Brickman is showing off is country chops. After previously working with Rebecca Lynn Howard and Collin Raye, Brickman's new album Home reveals his seldom heard country music skills.

Brickman has performed on concert stages the world over, but never on one of the most famous stages of them all, The Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tennessee. In November, Jim made his debut at the country music landmark with Victoria Shaw singing his hit song "The Gift." He also accompanied network news anchor Robin Meade, who sang "Welcome Home" for U.S. troops returning from deployment overseas.

"Welcome Home" is one of 18 originals from Jim's new album, alongside tunes featuring Australian pop singer Delta Goodrem, Canadian vocalist Mark Masri, country star Ty Herndon, and "American Idol" finalist Matt Giraud.

Jim Brickman first studied classical piano at the Cleveland Institute of Music. The release of his debut album, "No Words," came at the height of the New Age music boom in 1994, marking the first time in seven years that legendary New Age music label Windham Hill Records offered a contract to a solo artist.

Listen To Unreleased Music From Marty Stuart

We were sent an unreleased bonus track from 2010's Ghost Train: The Studio B Sessions to share with our readers featuring Marty Stuart and the Fabulous Superlatives. Enjoy.


Marty Stuart - Lonesome Whistle Blues by Sugar Hill Records

TNS Video History- Mandy Barnett- "This Time Of The Year"