Saturday, April 2, 2011
Friday, April 1, 2011
Craig Morgan Signs New Record Deal With Black River Entertainment
Since first breaking into the charts in 2000, Morgan’s hits include “Almost Home,” “Every Friday Afternoon,” “Red Neck Yacht Club” and “International Harvester.” In 2005, he scored a No. 1 with “That’s What I Love About Sunday.”
Morgan’s other musical highlights include “A Little Bit Of Life,” “Love Remembers” and, most recently, “Bonfire.” His album, My Kind Of Livin’, and single, “Redneck Yacht Club,” have both been certified Gold by the RIAA.
As a songwriter, Morgan has won BMI airplay awards for “Almost Home,” “Bonfire,” “I Got You” and “Love Remembers.”
“You could take a poll of country fans,” says Gordon S. Kerr, Black River’s Chief Operating Officer, “and be pretty sure at least one or two of Craig’s hits would be among their all-time favorites. We’re immensely proud to have Craig join the Black River family.”
Mel McDaniel, Grand Ole Opry Star & Singer Behind Hits "Louisiana Saturday Night" & "Baby's Got Her Blue Jeans On" Passes Away
A native of Checotah, Okla., Mel moved to Nashville and landed jobs as a demo singer and songwriter before signing to Capitol Records in 1976.
The singer fell into an unmarked orchestra pit during a 1996 performance in Louisiana, and the fall was devastating. Mr. McDaniel nearly died, and the ensuing years brought several surgeries and ceaseless pain. After that, Mr. McDaniel severely curtailed his live performances, though he remained a crowd-pleaser at the Opry into the new century.
Despite his frail condition, he was able to participate in the Opry's 85th anniversary celebration last fall.
There are unconfirmed reports that he finished a album that will be released posthumously called The Last Ride.
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Randy Travis Celebrates 25 Years With Upcoming Duets Project- Anniversary Celebration
Track Listing
1. "Everything and All," featuring Brad Paisley
2. "A Few Ole Country Boys," featuring Jamey Johnson
3. "Forever and Ever, Amen," featuring Zac Brown Band
4. "He Walked On Water," featuring Kenny Chesney
5. "T.I.M.E.," featuring Josh Turner
6. "Love Looks Good On You featuring Kristin Chenoweth
7. "Better Class of Losers"/"She's Got The Rhythm (And I Got The Blues)," medley featuring Alan Jackson 8. "More Life," featuring Don Henley
9. "Can't Hurt A Man," featuring Tim McGraw
10. "Promises," featuring Shelby Lynne
11. "Is it Still Over?," featuring Carrie Underwood
12. "Road To Surrender," featuring Kris Kristofferson & Willie Nelson
13. "Diggin' Up Bones," featuring John Anderson
14. "Someone You Never Knew," featuring Eamonn McCrystal
15. "Too Much," featuring James Otto
16. "Didn't We Shine," featuring George Jones, Lorrie Morgan, Ray Price, Connie Smith, Joe Stampley and Gene Watson
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Hit Songwriter Harley Allen Passes
Born in Dayton, Ohio, he was the son of bluegrass singer Red Allen, and followed in his father’s musical footsteps at an early age.
Allen appeared on several 1970s albums with his brothers as The Allen Brothers. He also recorded three solo albums, "Across the Blueridge Mountains" (Folkways Records 1983), "Another River" (1996) and "Live at the Bluebird" (2001). Allen also provided background vocals on I Am a Man of Constant Sorrow from the "O Brother, Where Art Thou?" soundtrack. He has won two Grammy Awards for that recording in 2002, in the Best Country Collaboration with Vocals and Album of the Year categories.
Former publisher Jewel Coburn describes him as an “unbelievably prolific writer” with a heart as big as his song catalog. Jewel and Barry Coburn signed him to their Ten Ten Music more than 20 years ago, giving him his first publishing deal in Nashville.
Allen had been battling lung cancer for a short time and was released from the hospital yesterday. He passed peacefully at home with his family by his side.
He is survived by wife Debbie Nims, son Aaron, and daughters Katie and Maggie.
Video Replay- Blake Shelton On Chelsea Lately
Blake Shelton made his fourth appearance on Chelsea Lately last night- promoting his upcoming ACM Awards Show hosting gig and a new show called The Voice.
Gatlin Brothers, Reba, Garth & Taylor Swift Among Early ACM Winners
McEntire received the career achievement award for advancing the popularity and acceptance of country music. McEntire will also host this year's event along with Blake Shelton. Swift won the Jim Reeves International Award, which is given for outstanding contributions to the acceptance of country music throughout the world.
Motion picture Country Strong — which traces the comeback attempt of a troubled country star and features Tim McGraw and Gwyneth Paltrow — took the Tex Ritter Award for featuring country music, and Brooks and Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brothers received the Cliffie Stone Pioneer Award, which honors artists who are deemed pioneers in country music.
The musicians, band and instrumental awards also were revealed. The winners are: producer of the year, Paul Worley; audio engineer of the year, Chuck Ainlay; bass player of the year, Glenn Worf; percussionist/drummer of the year, Eddie Bayers; guitarist of the year, Tom Bukovac; fiddle player of the year, Aubrey Haynie; piano/keyboard player of the year, Gordon Mote; specialty instrument player of the year, Bryan Sutton; and steel guitar player of the year, Dan Dugmore.
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Up & Coming New Nashville- Two Cent Revival
On The Devil's in This Whiskey, Two Cent Revival's upcoming release due in early 2011, Jones and his band add a harder edge to the sound he began developing on his previous release, Butter and Rum (2008). Produced by Alex Houton (Charlotte Sometimes, Bailey Grey), the new five song EP features a 1971 Fender Telecaster, a late 1930's Gibson Kalamazoo acoustic guitar, and a Kentucky mandolin to create a distinct vintage workhouse tone with a modern Americana bite.
Written and arranged over three months between NYC and Red Bank, NJ, Jones’ goal was to create a sound that was both musically appealing and lyrically interesting. “I wanted to be able to talk about (stuff) on my mind, which wasn’t necessarily happy, but have it still be catchy,” he said.
With driving electric guitar and vintage acoustic guitar sounds, The Devil’s in This Whiskey was heavily influenced by Jones’ longing for his southern and southwestern roots. “I used to live on the bayou in Texas, where we’d drink cheap beer barefoot and hang out from late afternoon until well past sunset. I distinctly remember the smell of freshly cut grass and the whine of the mosquitoes in the summer,” he said.
“Living in New York makes me realize how much I’m partial to the vibe of Texas and Tucson,” he said. “I wanted to get out of it, but now I yearn to be back there.”
Jones’ predilection to the sights, sounds and details of home, evident only after his move to New York, has transformed him into an exceptional songwriter. Jimmy Norman, co-writer of "Time Is On My Side" said “Matt Jones [has] a lot going for him: his stage presence, his interesting, original songs, and especially his phrasing. He is a great storyteller."
Jezebelmusic.com says "[Jones] and his tight knit band perform with an energy that is seldom witnessed with an acoustic guitar as the lead instrument. The primary catalyst is Jones himself, whose rich, deep voice projects every note, ensuring all within earshot receive a proper introduction to his lovingly crafted songs.”
It’s no surprise then, that Jones’ influences include Bob Dylan and Townes Van Zandt (“who once said, and I paraphrase, that he puts all of his sadness in his songs so he can live his life”) to Creedence Clearwater Revival, Tom Petty, Tom Waits, and the more contemporary Ray LaMontagne.
Look for the release of Two Cent Revival’s The Devil’s in This Whiskey in early 2011.
Monday, March 28, 2011
Jason Michael Carroll To Get Cracker Barrel Exclusive Album Treatment This Summer
“’Numbers’is a song that got my attention the first time I heard it,” said Carroll. “It was written by Patrick Davis and Rodney Clausen and it’s about the way certain numbers, like dates and times, can represent some of life’s most significant moments. Moments like your first date, meeting the love of your life and the day your child is born. Those dates and times have real meaning in our lives. I think everyone can identify with that concept.”
“The date that Jason Michael Carroll started working for Cracker Barrel is one of those significant numbers,” said Chris Ciavarra, Senior Vice President of Marketing for Cracker Barrel. “We had no idea when he became one of our new-hire Rising Stars that his music career was about to make him a star in the music industry, too. Adding his album to our music program is like welcoming family back home.”
The single “Numbers” will be available on iTunes April 5. The CD Numbers will be available exclusively at all Cracker Barrel locations July 25, with 12 songs on it, including “Numbers”and “Alyssa Lies” from Jason Michael Carroll’s 2007 album Waitin’ in the Country. “Alyssa Lies” topped at #5 on the Billboard Country Chart and was Carroll’s debut single and the runaway hit that put him on the map.
Chely Wright Has Dance Remix Done Of "Damn Liar"- Hear It Here
A DJ named youngjared has come up with a dance remix of Chely Wright's song "Damn Liar." You can listen to the song below.
Chely Wright "Damn Liar" (youngjared remix) by The Karpel Group
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Terri Clark Prepares New Single In April- New Album In July
In an interview with the Chico Enterprise-Record, Clark says:
"The reviewers said ['The Long Way Home'] was the best album ever and the fans loved it ... but now I'm ready to have some fun again. "[My next album] is more bombastic than my first self-produced album ... bigger sound, bigger band. And it's got some more light-hearted, rockin' type stuff on it. There's a lot more, 'Let's have a good time, because we're only here for a while' songs."Terri utilized her Twitter account to unveil a little bit of the album's sound:
"Been working hard in the studio this week. I'm so excited about this album. It's rockin -barn burning country, uber bar room traditional , contemporary and roots all rolled into one."
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