New Music Video From Billy Ray Cyrus - "Tip Your Hat"

New Music Video From Dolly Parton - "Christmas Where We Are" (Featuring Billy Ray Cyrus)

New Music Video From Billy Ray Cyrus and FIREROSE - "Time"

That Nashville Sound Sunday Newsbytes - Record Store Day & Steve Azar's New Radio Show

Everybody stay safe, hunker down at home if you can, say a little prayer for our front line of first responders and medical personnel and use this music we love as a diversion.

~ Roots & American Music Society (RAMS), a not-for-profit record label based in Memphis, Tennessee, has teamed with the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) to orchestrate and create a meaningful recording project titled Love Lives On. The combined creative endeavor aligned TAPS military families, who have endured the loss of a loved one, with some of the music industry’s most gifted and renowned songwriters to pen the family members’ intimate and personal stories in music and song. Featuring special guest vocal performances by award-winning recording artists Vince Gill, Billy Ray Cyrus, John Rich, Paul Overstreet, Andy Griggs, Pam Tillis, Lee Roy Parnell, Lonestar, Gatlin Brothers and more, complemented by A-list studio and touring musicians. The album will be out on May 22, 2020. You can listen to the title track by Lonestar, Vince Gill & friends HERE. 

~ Steve Azar's The I Don’t Have To Be Me (‘Til Monday) Radio Show is coming to country radio coast to coast this July. During this 4-hour weekend show, Azar will be sharing the stories and talents of his peers in country music, their greatest hits, past and current, as well as hosting some candid conversations with them and other pals from TV, film and sports. Azar says, "As you know my song, "I Don’t Have To Be Me (‘Til Monday)" has always been about escapism. Just getting away from the hustle and bustle of routines. I introduced and shared it with you through the power of radio 20 years ago and to this day it’s still rocking. I’m thankful for that!"  You watch/hear a preview of what to expect HERE.

~ We announced last week that Record Store Day was pushed back from April to June 20th this year. What we didn't announce was the list of country(ish) vinyl that will be available as special releases only for this unique day.  You can see the entire list HERE.

   An Evening With The Allman Brothers Band: First Set - The Allman Brothers Band
   A Rooster Says - Brandi Carlile
   Classic Cash: Hall Of Fame Series - Early Mixes (1987) - Johnny Cash
   Pearl Cadillac (Feat. Andra Day) - Gary Clark Jr
   "The Unraveling" b/w "Sarah's Flame" - Drive-By Truckers
   "Times Like These / It's About Blood" - Steve Earle
   Live at the Austin Outhouse - Blaze Foley
   The Man With No Shadow - John Wesley Harding
   Live at Nick’s Fat City, 1995. - Hootie And The Blowfish
   Shooter Live at Bonnaroo - Shooter Jennings
   Angel With A Lariat - K.D. Lang & The Reclines
   Drag - K.D. Lang
   Cover Your Tracks EP - Corb Lund
   Live From The Palomino - Midland
   The Atlantic Albums - John Prine
   The Kentucky Sessions - John Prine/Kelsey Waldon
   Live At The Orange Peel - Son Volt
   Hillbillies in Hell: Volume X - Various Artists
   March of Dimes - Hank Williams

~ And if you didn't see them, a couple of country artists did their favorite Kenny Rogers songs as tributes to the legend who passed away yesterday.

   Jake Owen - "She Believes In Me"
   Jason Eady - "Ruby (Don't Take Your Love To Town)"

New Music Video From Billy Ray Cyrus - "I Am... I Said"

53rd Annual CMA Awards Celebrates The Women In Country Music - Kacey Musgraves, Maren Morris, Ashley McBryde Among Big Winners

The 53rd Annual CMA Awards proved to be an historic night for women in Country Music. Anchored by host Carrie Underwood and special guest hosts Reba McEntire and Dolly Parton, the evening began with a once in a lifetime collaboration led by Underwood, featuring McEntire and Parton as well Terri Clark, Sara Evans, Crystal Gayle, The Highwomen’s Brandi Carlile, Natalie Hemby, Morris and Amanda Shires, Little Big Town’s Karen Fairchild and Kimberly Schlapman along with Martina McBride, Jennifer Nettles, Tanya Tucker and Gretchen Wilson. The sold-out crowd roared their appreciation as the women performed a decades-spanning medley of iconic songs that have become part of the very fabric of Country Music.

Luke Combs and Kacey Musgraves were the nights big winners, each receiving two wins. Last year’s CMA New Artist of the Year winner Combs took home the CMA Male Vocalist of the Year as well as CMA Song of the Year for “Beautiful Crazy,” alongside songwriters Wyatt B. Durrette III and Robert Williford. Musgraves won two trophies—CMA Female Vocalist of the Year as well as CMA Music Video of the Year for “Rainbow,” alongside director Hannah Lux Davis.

Garth Brooks took home the coveted CMA Entertainer of the Year, extending his reign as the most-awarded CMA Entertainer of the Year with seven career wins. CMA New Artist of the Year was awarded to Ashley McBryde, winning for her first ever CMA Awards nomination.

Maren Morris took home her first CMA Album of the Year win for GIRL, alongside producers Greg Kurstin and longtime collaborator busbee, who passed away in September. In her speech, she shared that she’d be remiss “if I didn’t mention a huge facet of why this album sounds the way it does and we miss him so dearly. He texted me the morning we got the nomination for Album of the Year this year and we were so excited and that’s our friend busbee.”

CMA Single of the Year was awarded to Blake Shelton’s “God’s Country,” alongside producer Scott Hendricks and mix engineer Justin Niebank.

Lil Nas X and Billy Ray Cyrus won CMA Musical Event of the Year for their record-breaking hit “Old Town Road (Remix),” along with producers YoungKio, Michael Trent Reznor and Atticus Matthew Ross, all first-time CMA Awards nominees alongside Lil Nas X.

Old Dominion extended their reign as CMA Vocal Group of the Year, while Dan + Shay were awarded their first ever CMA Awards win for CMA Vocal Duo of the Year.

Fiddle player Jenee Fleenor made CMA Awards history, marking the first time a woman received a nomination as well as a win in the CMA Musician of the Year category.

In a year that saw unprecedented exposure to Country Music through Ken Burns’ PBS documentary, “Country Music,” the release of groundbreaking new music and the relentless efforts of Country artists touring the world, this year’s CMA Awards celebrated both the genre’s legends and fresh new faces. Willie Nelson teamed with fellow Texan Musgraves to perform “The Rainbow Connection,” a song Musgraves performed as a child. She even shared a video of an early performance days before the ceremony.

Among the evening’s many highlights was a special tribute to the legendary Kris Kristofferson, the recipient of the 2019 CMA Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award. Dierks Bentley, Sheryl Crow, Chris Janson, Brothers Osborne’s John Osborne and Joe Walsh teamed for a stellar performance of Kristofferson’s classic “Me and Bobby McGee.” Bentley and crew brought the classic lyrics to life yet again through their distinctive vocals and Janson wailed on harmonica.

The CMA Awards have long been known for unique pairings of pop, rock or rap artists with Country Music stalwarts, always resulting in visually explosive moments on stage. This year was no exception. Halsey and Lady Antebellum demonstrated that great songs know no boundaries as they delivered a mashup of Halsey’s “Graveyard” with Lady Antebellum’s “What If I Never Get Over You,” with Hillary Scott and Halsey trading lines at the end in a potent crescendo. P!NK and Chris Stapleton teamed for an electrifying performance of “Love Me Anyway,” which held the audience spellbound as their burlap and silk vocals intertwined resulting in one of the evening’s most affecting performances.

The CMA Awards’ three leading ladies thrilled the crowd with some of the evening’s most memorable moments. Parton joined forces with award-winning Christian music duo for KING & COUNTRY to render an evocative performance of their hit “God Only Knows” and then sang “There Was Jesus” with Christian hitmaker Zach Williams. Her segment ended on a blockbuster note as Nashville’s Christ Church Choir joined the Country legend for a rousing rendition of “Faith.” McEntire belted out fan favorite “Fancy” with all the explosive sass and style long associated with her iconic hit. Underwood took a break from hosting duties to wow the crowd with a sultry performance of her latest single “Drinking Alone,” from her hit album Cry Pretty.

Girl power was evident throughout the night with the ladies of Country Music delivering some of the most talked about performances of the evening. Seated in the midst of the sold-out audience, Kelsea Ballerini delivered a poignant performance of her rising hit “homecoming queen?” and then segued into Little Big Town’s CMA Award-winning hit “Girl Crush” as the mainstage became filled with a who’s who of Country Music’s most exciting young female artists, including Lindsey Ell, Maddie & Tae, McBryde, Carly Pearce and Runaway June. Little Big Town’s Fairchild, Schlapman, Phillip Sweet and Jimi Westbrook took the stage to finish up their groundbreaking hit. After the performance, she introduced every young artist on stage by name and then said, “Ladies and gentlemen, you’re looking at the future of Country Music.”

Although it was a night that celebrated the talented women in Country Music, the genre’s top male vocalists took their turn center stage for some of the evening’s most magical moments. Thomas Rhett delivered a soulful performance of “Remember You Young” from his latest album Center Point Road. As the set glowed with a backdrop of flames, Blake Shelton roared through an incendiary performance of his chart-topping celebration of rural life “God’s Country.” Armed with just a guitar, Keith Urban turned in a riveting performance of “We Were” and in another understated but effective moment, Eric Church shared “Some of It.”

High octane honky tonk fun was also on the evening’s musical agenda. Newly minted Country Music Hall of Famers Brooks & Dunn were joined by Brothers Osborne for a rousing performance of the Brooks & Dunn classic “Hard Workin’ Man.” Combs served up a charismatic rendition of his upbeat hit “Beer Never Broke My Heart.” As the telecast hit the home stretch, Brooks and Shelton had the crowd singing along to their infectious duet “Dive Bar.”

That Nashville Sound Saturday Newsbytes: Drew Kennedy, Josh Grider, Kate Bowen, Tracy Lawrence, New EPs, New Music Videos & More

Welcome to That Nashville Sound this fine Saturday morning. I'd like to take a quick moment and just thank all of our readers for their continued support through coming to this site for the last 12 years. We're thankful and the opportunity to share in music that moves us is genuinely appreciated. There's lots to share this morning, so without further ado...

- Songwriter Kate Bowen (former Ella Mae Bowen) has traded her former Big Machine Records gig for a brand new music route and has a brand new EP that just came out this week. An accomplished songwriter, her song "I'll Go On" was included on Reba McEntire's chart-topping LP Love Somebody. Now, Bowen has found a new start as a writer and artist, penning a deal with Jay Joyce's Neon Cross Music and Warner Chappell Music. The project is called Waking Up From the American Dream and you can find all the details HERE.

New music videos:

- Aaron Watson - "Old Friend"
- Aaron Watson - "Riding with Red"
- Billy Ray Cyrus - "I've Been Around"
- Billy Ray Cyrus - "Guns, Gold & Guitars"
- Todd Snider - "Like a Force of Nature"
- Jimmie Allen - "Make Me Want To"
- Clare Bowen - "Let it Rain"

- Texan singer-songwriters and best friends Josh Grider and Drew Kennedy have unveiled both the album cover and the release date of their 6/14 album release together, Live at Main Street Crossing. Main Street Crossing, a great little non-profit venue that doubles up as a music hall and a Sunday-morning church, announced that they will be producing their first ever live record. This project will be a follow-up to the critically-acclaimed 2017 release At Home In The Big Lonesome by Kennedy and the terrific release last year by Josh Grider, Good People.

- CMA and ACM-award winner Luke Combs will release his highly anticipated new EP, The Prequel, June 7 via River House Artists/Columbia Nashville. Produced by Scott Moffatt, the EP features five new songs co-written by Combs including lead single, “Beer Never Broke My Heart, which recently premiered worldwide at country radio. The song is currently #2 on Billboard’s Country Streaming Songs chart with 11 million streams—setting the record for the best first week of streaming ever for a country song—and #1 on the Billboard Country Digital Song Sales chart.

- Maren Morris is also releasing a new EP, this one landing on May 31 called Maren Morris: Reimagined. It features reworked acoustic renditions of three of her biggest hits with influential Nashville producer Dave Cobb. Morris says on the project, "I think the mark of a good song is you can rearrange it up and it still is a very defining song. Dave you know, his production is so--rootsy and very soulful and Americana and he just understands that sound so intensely. I love the way it turned out."

- Tracy Lawrence will also be back with new music this summer, releasing Made in America on August 15, 2019. “I am extremely proud of my new album Made in America. It is possibly the most personal album I have ever released,” states Lawrence. “I co-wrote 8 out of the 12 songs, pouring my heart and soul in each of the songs. I feel it will resonate with my fans and country music lovers across this nation,” elaborates Lawrence. According to the press release,  "The album harkens back to authentic country music. Lawrence’s mixture of rock and blues, and by penning 8 of the 12 tracks himself, this album is one of his most personal and relatable to date." It should be noted that track number 8 is a song titled "Givin' Momma Reason's To Pray" written by none other than Chris Stapleton.

- Songwriter Glenn Martin passed away this month. Martin wrote top hits for such Country Music Hall of Fame members as Merle Haggard, Charley Pride, Bill Anderson and George Jones. Among his best-known songs are Pride’s “Is Anybody Goin’ to San Antone” (1970), Haggard’s “It’s Not Love (But It’s Not Bad)” (1972) and Tammy Wynette’s “I Still Believe in Fairy Tales” (1975).

- The last recordings of Troy Gentry will be making it onto a new Montgomery Gentry EP being released on June 14 called Outskirts. The project was recorded in September of 2017 and marks a return to the duo’s signature southern rock sound. Among the tracks on the new album are the title track, which touts the virtues of small town living and common core values, Montgomery’s version of Merle Haggard’s “What Am I Going To Do With The Rest Of My Life,” and Gentry’s take on the Darrell Scott classic “You’ll Never Leave Harlan Alive.” Writers contributing to the new project include Ashley Gorley, Darrell Scott, Dallas Davidson, Rodney Clawson, and more.

- Josh Abbott Band will release a new EP Catching Fire on June 28. The band released the first song from the EP, “Little More Of You.”  Produced by Marshall Altman (Marc Broussard, Frankie Ballard, Aaron Watson), the Catching Fire EP features "four songs of positivity, built on solid country textures and unified by Abbott’s congenial-but-experienced voice. The EP brings a sense of similarity back to JAB’s own foundation. It’s a return to the band’s sonic past, a revival of its bar-bred optimism and fiery individualism. And it’s a reflection of the group’s off-stage cycles as old chapters are closed and a renewed, upbeat storyline comes to life. Catching Fire captures a sense of personal renewal."

“We have a whole new refocused attitude on what we're gonna do now moving forward,” Abbott says. “Catching Fire is a reflection of what's happened over the last year and a half of my life.”

Write You a Song Podcast Episode II - An Interview With Songwriter Jeffrey Steele

This morning we share another new podcast from host Tom Mailey from Bonneville radio station New Country 105.1 KNCI in Sacramento. Tom is a country radio veteran with over 30 years of experience in Seattle and Sacramento and a key partner in our Golf & Guitars Children's Charity Music Festival, a little event in our twelfth year that has raised well north of a million bucks for kids and individuals with disabilities. It highlights the songwriters in our industry and is entitled Write You a Song.

It's his hope that this podcast will shine a little overdue spotlight on the talented men and women who, mostly behind the scenes, write the songs that become part of our lives. You know their words and music, but maybe not their names: Write You a Song will feature some of country music’s biggest songwriters--like Jeffrey Steele, Brett Warren, Tim Nichols and more.

In this week's podcast, Country Songwriting Hall Of Famer Jeffrey Steele talks about his craft and how some of his biggest hits came to be. He also discusses how he really became a songwriter after nearly losing his voice, and shares a few of the things he thinks are important for every aspiring songwriter to know.

Along with recording his own material, Steele has become a prolific Nashville songwriter, having co-written more than sixty hit songs for such artists as Montgomery Gentry, Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, LeAnn Rimes, Rascal Flatts, Billy Ray Cyrus, and others. Among his co-writes are the Number One Hot Country Songs hits "Brand New Girlfriend" by Steve Holy, "The Cowboy in Me" by Tim McGraw, "These Days," "What Hurts the Most," "Here" and "My Wish" by Rascal Flatts. 

New Music Video From Billy Ray Cyrus and The Snakedoctor Circus - "Goddess of Democracy"

"Goddess of Democracy" is the first glimpse of Billy Ray Cyrus’ new legendary all-star band from Muscle Shoals and beyond, The Snakedoctor Circus, with a new album set for release this fall.

 

That Nashville Sound Sunday Newsbytes - New Music Videos & Upcoming Releases

We're playing catch-up this weekend with lots and lots of new music videos and a handful of new album introductions. TNS would love to hear from you- what's your favorite off of the list below?

- Bill Withers, Tim O'Brien, Kathy Mattea, Charlie McCoy, Connie Smith and many others from the bluegrass genre have contributed to a new project celebrating one of the Grand Ole Opry's all time favorites: Rhinestone Hillbilly: A Tribute to Little Jimmy Dickens.

- Rockabilly singer Sonny Burgess, who recorded for Sun Records, passed away at the age of 88.

- Billy Ray Cyrus‘ upcoming album Set The Record Straight, which releases November 10, will be packed with collaborations with Joe Perry, George Jones, Loretta Lynn, Bryan Adams, Glenn Hughes, Jencarlos Canela, and Ronnie Milsap, as well as with Cyrus’ daughter Miley Cyrus.

- That Nashville Sound favorite Aubrie Sellers released a new music video for "Paper Doll."

- Bluegrass Hall of Fame member Pete Kuykendall has died in Virginia at age 79.

- Kip Moore has released a new music video for his song "Bittersweet Company."

- Bluegrass artist Rebekah Long has enlisted the production and writing help of Donna Ulisse on her new album Run Away that will be coming out on September 8.

- The Texas Gentelmen released a new music video for their song "Bondurant Women."

- Radney Foster's upcoming September 15 release, For You To See The Stars, is a project comprised of two parts - a book of short fiction and an album of the songs that inspired them.

- Doug Supernaw has re-recorded his biggest charted songs and will release a new Greatest Hits package on September 22.

- A new project will be forthcoming from the famed Jennings family with Shooter Jennings' Live at Billy Bob's TX- to be released on November 10.

- November 10 will also be the release date for Taylor Swift's next pop album, Reputation. Her first single off of the project is "Look What You Made Me Do."

- Carly Pearce will be releasing an album on Big Machine Records on October 13 under the same name of her big surprise chart hit, Every Little Thing.  

New Music Video From Billy Ray Cyrus - "Hey Daddy"

New Music Video From Billy Ray Cyrus - "Thin Line"

Billy Ray Cyrus To Release Thin Line In September

Artist: Billy Ray Cyrus
Album: Thin Line
Label: Blue Cadillac Music
Release date: Sept 9, 2016

Billy Ray Cyrus describes his new 9/9 album release Thin Line as, "How I live my life; it's a balance between art and reality."

Three songs will be available to download prior to the September album launch. "Hey Elvis," is available now (as is it's music video.) Cyrus's cover of the Don Williams classic "Tulsa Time" and the title track "Thin Line" will be available later this summer.

Cyrus created the label in 2012 with Brandon Friesen. Cyrus released his previous album, Change My Mind, on the label.

New Music Video From Billy Ray Cyrus - "Hey Elvis"

New Projects Forthcoming From Both Martina McBride and Billy Ray Cyrus

Yes. I'm makin a new album right now.
— Billy Ray Cyrus (@billyraycyrus) December 24, 2014

So…yes it's true! I'm signed to Nash Icon and could not BE more excited! Making new music in 2015! More details to come. Thnx 4 all the luv!
— Martina McBride (@martinamcbride) December 23, 2014

New Music Video From Billy Ray Cyrus- "Like a Country Song"

Upcoming Album and New Music Video From Billy Ray Cyrus

Hope Is Just Ahead - Billy Ray Cyrus - Billy Ray Cyrus Videos

CMT has premiered the new video for the original version of Billy Ray Cyrus' “Hope Is Just Ahead.” The new single was originally inspired by Columbine and violence against youth. Proceeds from the single will go to “Do the Write Thing-The National Campaign to Stop Violence” which creates awareness to students on the ground-level in schools to prevent violent behavior before it begins.

Meanwhile, Billy Ray Cyrus will release Icon: The Distance, a collection of hits as well as new versions of lesser-known tracks spanning Cyrus’ 22-year career. Song highlights on Icon: The Distance--due out June 3rd on Mercury/Ume--include: “The Distance,” “Stand (with Miley Cyrus),” “Country Music Has the Blues (with George Jones and Loretta Lynn),” “Some Gave All (acoustic)” and “Achy Breaky Heart.” Full tracklisting is below.

Cyrus will head to Nashville in early June for the CMA Music Festival. On Saturday, June 7, he’ll perform live at the CMA Music Festival on the Riverfront Stage (http://www.cmaworld.com/cma-music-festival/tickets and CMAfest.com). On Thursday, June 5, Cyrus will be on hand for a screening of Like a Country Song, a new independent film he is featured in, which will premiere during CMA Fest at the Regal Cinema. The evening will commence with a cast/celebrity red carpet at 6:00 PM and the film will screen at 7:30PM. The movie explores the “life happens” experiences of a talented and emerging country singer and reveals the personal character flaws, hurdles and unexpected challenges hindering the momentum of a hopeful career. The film will be featured in limited release in select theaters in Music City and around the nation beginning Friday, June 6 (www.likeacountrysong.com).

Following is the tracklisting for Icon: The Distance:
1.         The Distance (Sanford)
2.         Trail Of Tears* (Cyrus)
3.         Call Me Daddy* (Cyrus/Von Tress/Sagraves)
4.         Busy Man** (Regan/Teren)
5.         Wanna Be Your Joe (Cyrus)
6.         Stand (with Miley Cyrus), (Dodd/Watts)
7.         The Freebird Fell (King/Pyle)
8.         Need A Little Help* (Cyrus/Von Tress)
9.         Country Music Has The Blues (w/George Jones and Loretta Lynn), (Trace     Cyrus)
10.       Some Gave All (acoustic), (Cyrus/Cyrus)
11.       Achy Breaky Heart*** (Von Tress)

Hear It Here- Billy Ray Cyrus and Dionne Warwick Duet- "Hope Is Just Ahead"

Dionne Warwick joins Billy Ray Cyrus for a special duet in light of the recent tragedies our nation has endured. Please consider making a donation to the Sandy Hook School Support Fund.

Fab Four November- A Quartet of Things TNS Is Digging

The new Julie Roberts Patsy Cline cover of "Sweet Dreams" is dreamy.

This is the Thanksgiving version of our new 2012 monthly feature that is going to highlight four new, new to me, or recently rediscovered items that have made my own personal country-music-can't-remove-from-my-head over the last month. It follows up on lists from earlier in the year. Some will be singles, some might be albums and some just might be a live performance or two. It’ll be a little look inside the head of this mad-about-country-music-man.

1. Sara Syms – “Dance on My Grave”

Originally from Chicago, this New York transplant Sara Syms has been playing music for as long as she can remember. Exposed to music at a very young age, her studies included piano and violin. This new little gem of a song has a great little groove and great electric guitar harmony to go along with its slightly demented lyrics.



2. Carrie Newcomer – Kindred Spirits: A Collection

I’m a newcomer to Carrie Newcomer. While she’s released twelve albums on the Rounder Records label, (which I will be chasing down), this new greatest hits collection is the perfect segway into the artist. This project includes two previously unreleased songs and two songs from her special hunger benefit project Everything is Everywhere. For music and production stylings, the best comparison I can give is Mary Chapin Carpenter’s most recent half dozen albums. Carpenter herself appears on “Before and After” and Alison Krauss sings harmony on “The Gathering of Spirits.” The two standout pieces are when Indian classical sarod masters Amjad Ali Khan and Ayaan Ali Khan lend their musical talents with the beautiful sounding instrument. The sarod might not sound like the perfect country/Americana compliment, but it is. The album comes out this week on 11/13.

3. Julie Roberts – “Sweet Dreams”

Julie Roberts loves Patsy Cline. No… I mean she REALLY loves Patsy Cline. It shows in this beautiful cover she just released last month on her Covered EP. Click HERE to play.

4. Billy Ray Cyrus – “Hope Is Just Ahead”

With all of the hoopla and chaos of last week’s election, and the ridiculous fall-out of certain high profile people not getting their way, this brand new song seems to fit the bill. Democrat. Republican. Independent. Hopefully we can all remember that we’re Americans first, and political parties second- and cooperate to make this new Cyrus tune a prophecy.

 

New Music Video From Billy Ray Cyrus- "Change My Mind"

Change My Mind - Billy Ray Cyrus - Billy Ray Cyrus Videos