Songwriter Danny Morrison Passes At 67

Danny Morrison was another one of those country music stalwarts who you didn't really know, but knew his work all the same. He was heavily involved with the launch of Joe Diffie's career and would write several of his hits to kick it off. He'd also write hits for Lee Greenwood, Alabama, Kenny Rogers and Johnny Paycheck. He passed away this week at the age of 67 from a heart attack.

But that's just the brief epilogue. That's just the obit. I'd encourage you to read a story about the man just written by a new friend of mine, one Holly Gleason. It's extraordinary and reveals more about the man in a page of words than any song he put down on paper. Check out Holly's story HERE and celebrate a life and lifestyle that's worth remembering. 

TNS Video History- Jimmy Wayne- "Stay Gone"

Marty Stuart To Release Nashville, Volume 1: Tear The Woodpile Down – April 24th

American music icon Marty Stuart will release his second album for Sugar Hill Records entitled Nashville, Volume 1: Tear The Woodpile Down on April 24th.  The ten song collection, almost entirely written by Marty, features his touring band of musical missionaries The Fabulous Superlatives.  Nashville staples Buck Trent, Kenny Lovelace, and Robbie Turner are joined by country music royalty Hank Williams III and Lorrie Carter Bennett (The Carter Family) on harmony vocals to fill out the cast.  

Marty Stuart arrived in Nashville on Labor Day weekend, 1972.  “I came to Nashville from the land of Jimmie Rodgers, looking for a place, a place to belong inside the world of country music.  It was a country boy Hollywood, the air castle of the South, a dream factory.”  40 years, a decade worth of hits and a full round of hillbilly stardom later, Stuart has hillbilly rocked himself back to the bosom of traditional country music.  

“When I reconnected with traditional country music I found myself, my calling,” says Stuart. “The kind that is timeless, beautiful, beyond trend, the empowering force, the reflection of a people and a culture.  The kind of country music that the working man and scholars alike call home.  The job seemed to be to champion it, love it, protect it, care for its people, attempt to write a new chapter for it and to make sure that everybody understands that it’s alive and well in the 21st century.”  Stuart has done that with his acclaimed collection of country music memorabilia and treasures which currently tours across the country, and with his Marty Stuart Show on RFD TV which provides a platform for some of Nashville’s classic artists to perform on a nationally syndicated program.

“When I first came to Nashville . . . the most outlaw thing you could possibly do around here was to take country music and blow it up into rock & roll.  Mission accomplished!  Today, the most outlaw thing you can possibly do in Nashville, Tennessee is play country music.”  With Tear The Woodpile Down, the latest chapter in the Marty Stuart story, he’s doing just that.  To read Marty’s musical journey in his own words click here (PDF).

Click here to stream selected tracks from

Marty Stuart - Nashville, Volume 1: Tear The Woodpile Down

Click here to watch a video of Marty and the Superlatives
playing "Tear The Woodpile Down" backstage at the Grand Ole Opry

Mary Chapin Carpenter Announces Ashes and Roses For June Release

Day 3 of the Ashes & Roses recording process

Mary Chapin Carpenter has announced via her management on her official Facebook page, that her new album, Ashes and Roses will be released on June 12, 2012. The album, according to her management, will have more than a dozen songs.

This album follows Carpenter's latest studio album, The Age of Miracles. released on April 27, 2010. It debuted at #28 on the Billboard charts, her highest peak since 1996.

TNS Contest- We're Giving Away Meet Glen Campbell

Glen Campbell’s critically acclaimed 2008 album, Meet Glen Campbell, has been expanded with exclusive bonus tracks for a special CD and digital edition that was released February 7 by Capitol/EMI.  Campbell was also just recently honored with The Recording Academy’s Lifetime Achievement Award on February 11. To celebrate, simply comment on this thread with your email address in this format- you (at) tnsmail.com- or leave a comment at our Facebook thread- and we'll pick one lucky winner for a complimentary copy of this CD on February 24th. 

Upon its original release in August 2008, Meet Glen Campbell was met with worldwide critical praise, and Campbell promoted the album with interviews and performances for a broad spectrum of media, including an “AOL Sessions” concert.  Meet Glen Campbell’s expanded edition adds three performances from that concert (Campbell’s classic hits “Wichita Lineman” and “Rhinestone Cowboy,” and U2’s “All I Want Is You”), as well as 2008 remixes of “Gentle On My Mind” and “Galveston.”

In a legendary music career that spans more than five decades, Glen Campbell has achieved chart-topping, platinum-selling pop and country success singing everyday tales of life, love, work, and heartache.  Campbell has been honored with five GRAMMY Awards and trophies for Male Vocalist Of The Year from both the Country Music Association (CMA) and the Academy Of Country Music (ACM).  In addition to being inducted into the CMA’s Hall Of Fame, he has been awarded its top Entertainer Of The Year honors, and the ACM has honored him with its prestigious Pioneer Award.

The influential singer, guitarist and stylist, who has long made others’ songs his own, did it again for Meet Glen Campbell, recording high-spirited, emotionally charged versions of tracks that have personally moved and inspired him.  A true musician’s musician, Campbell’s distinct guitar playing, along with the clarity and emotion of his powerful vocal performance, come together to give new life to the songs he selected for Meet Glen Campbell.

Hear It Here- Bonnie Raitt's New "Right Down the Line"

On April 10th, Bonnie Raitt will release a brand new album called Slipstream on i-Tunes and in stores everywhere. She has just released her first song off of the album called "Right Down The Line," a cover of the old Gerry Rafferty song. With the release of her nineteenth album, Bonnie Raitt is starting anew. The album marks her return to studio recording after seven years; it's coming out as the launch of her own label, Redwing Records; and it delivers some of the most surprising and rewarding music of her remarkable career, thanks in part to some experimental sessions with celebrated producer Joe Henry.

And lastly, Raitt is headed out on tour this spring with Marc Cohn, a pairing that is sure to be a fantastic night of music. Check out either artists' websites for more details.

New Music Video From Thompson Square- "Glass"

Glass - Thompson Square - Thompson Square Videos

New Music Video From Taylor Swift (featuring The Civil Wars)- "Safe and Sound"

Taylor Swift - Safe & Sound - Music - More Music Videos

New Music Video From Love & Theft- "Angel Eyes"

Angel Eyes - Love and Theft - Love and Theft Videos

Taylor Swift and The Civil Wars Bring Home Grammy Hardware

While Adele was the big winner at last night's Grammy Awards, country and roots music was well-represented as well with Taylor Swift and The Civil Wars taking home two statues apiece. Adele was the big winner- she won all six of the Grammy Awards for which she had been nominated, including Song of the Year, Record of the Year and Album of the Year.

But along with Adele's triumph, Grammys 2012 was also a place to honor, and to mourn, another pop icon: musical legend Whitney Houston, who died on Saturday of still unknown causes.

"We’ve had a death in our family,” host LL Cool J said. He offered “a prayer for a woman we loved, for a fallen sister.”

Country Solo Performance: “Mean,” Taylor Swift
Country Album: “Own the Night,” Lady Antebellum
Country Performance by a Duo or Group: “Barton Hollow,” The Civil Wars
Country Song: “Mean,” Taylor Swift
Folk Album: “Barton Hollow,” The Civil Wars
Bluegrass Album: “Paper Airplane,” Alison Krauss & Union Station
Americana Album: “Ramble at the Ryman,” Levon Helm

Jason Eady To Release AM Country Heaven On April 10

Upcoming Release: AM Country Heaven
Landing Date: April 10, 2012
Previous Releases: When The Money’s All Gone (2009), Wild Eyed Serenade (2007), From Underneath the Old (2005)
Hometown: Jackson, Mississippi to Forth Worth, Texas
Website: jasoneady.com 

Mississippi native Jason Eady has been a Texas resident for a decade now and it's clear that those old country blues have now seeped into his soul. His previously released- and critically acclaimed- albums have delivered southern gospel stomps, New Orleans soul, and the heartbreaking tide of sin and redemption through his rich baritone voice and a raucous band. Jason’s music has clearly been shaped and influenced by the environment of Southern culture so deeply engrained in him. Be on the lookout for Eady’s soon to be released studio album AM Country Heaven, a collection of 12 brand new country songs featuring some of the greatest Texas country players around today. Album number four has Eady turning back the radio dial and giving a modern twist on some classic country feeling songs. Think a more Texas flavored Jamey Johnson. You can listen to some sample tracks for yourself HERE. 

TNS Video History- Minnie Pearl and Dolly Parton on the CMA Awards