New Music Video From Deana Carter and Phil Vassar - "Brand New Year"

That Nashville Sound Tuesday Newsbytes: Kris Kristofferson, Willie Nelson, Kacey Musgraves, Morgan Wallen & More

There's some news, some new music videos and a couple of new music albums forthcoming that are all yours in one big post this Tuesday morning. Happy reading...

- A new music video came out from the Forever Words project, an album that came out last Friday featuring today's biggest country stars singing never-heard lyrics written as poetry by Johnny Cash. "Forever/To June This Morning" features Kris Kristofferson, Willie Nelson, Kacey Musgraves and Ruston Kelly.

- Zac Brown's side band Sir Rosevelt came out with a new music video for their latest single "Something 'Bout You."

- Deana Carter has announced that she's back in the studio recording new music for an upcoming project.

- Luke Combs is releasing a deluxe version of his debut album This One's For You on 6/1 with five additional songs.

- The duo of LOCASH released a new music video for their hit single, "Don't Get Better Than This."

-  Morgan Wallen is parlaying his success of "Up Down" to the release of his new 4/27 album release, If I Know Me. “I moved to town three years ago and have gotten to write with some of the best songwriters and artists in Nashville,” says Wallen. “I’m ready for people to hear this album and get to know what I’m all about. There are songs that have made the journey with me and I’m just really proud to be putting If I Know Me out there.”

Deana Carter Covers Vince Gill - "Look At Us"

In celebration of “The 50th Annual CMA Awards,” Country Music’s biggest names and rising stars are paying tribute to some of the most nominated and awarded songs from the past five decades in the official “Forever Country Covers” series.  Here, Deana Carter performs Vince Gill's 1992 Song of the Year, "Look At Us."
 

New Music Video From Deana Carter- "That's Just Me"

New Music Video From Deana Carter- "Do or Die"

That Nashville Sound’s (First Half of the Year) Best Songs of 2014

If you were on the golf course, a number of 71 would be a great on a scorecard. Think of this list in the same way. This list of 71 songs are each a beautiful artistic shot, just hit by a talented story-telling singer-songwriter instead of a professional golfer. Traditional country, bluegrass, modern country and Americana are blended seamlessly across the list and are all represented well.  While later in the year, we’ll formally count them down from our favorite down to the last one we feel merits some love, this list is broken up into three different categories: Best of the Best, Better than the Rest, and Best of the Rest.

There are going to be many different songs selected from artists that will be new to you for sure and most of the tracks were never released as radio singles. They’re each hand-selected off of albums released this year or were formally released as singles to digital media (like i-Tunes) this year.

Leave us a comment. What do you agree with? Disagree with?  What do you feel like we missed?  Let me present to you That Nashville Sound’s (First Half of the Year) Best Songs of 2014…

Best of the Best:

Emily West- “Made for the Radio”
After being rung through the ringer by Capitol Records Nashville earlier this decade, it would make sense that Miss West would feel like giving the big music labels the finger for not allowing her to follow her muse and sing the music she felt compelled to release. So she set to music one of the most profound statement songs of the year, describing the “vacant black hole hearts” of the label heads that are “f***ing the next star.” The magic of the song isn’t that it’s just a call-out of those she felt did her wrong. It’s a statement that she’s found a new career compass and following it down her own yellow brick road (which just happens to be the name of her own label she’s releasing music on.)  If there’s one song on this Iist that I can implore you to go to i-Tunes and purchase right now, it’s this one right here. It’s passionately compelling and personal songwriting at its very best.

Jason Eady- “Daylight and Dark”
Born in the Mississippi Delta, Eady has never been able to shake that soulful sound that flows through his veins like the river so famous down there. Even a short stint in Nashville where the powers that be wanted to commercialize his sound couldn’t have an effect. Now the Texas transplant has found his natural home and this deep and dark story born out of lost love just rips your heart out in the very best of ways. The title track of his outstanding album utilizes incredibly mellow production that only takes a backseat to a lyrical beatdown on the heart.

Chris Stapleton- “Go ‘N Down”

Unless you’re a fan of the first two Steeldrivers albums or accidently came across a little indie album from an act called the Jompson Brothers, Stapleton’s impact on your consciousness will be only from his radio release of “What Are You Listening To?” this last year that dented the charts.On “Go ‘N Down”, his magical throaty vocals deliver a fantastic western-themed story song that was on Kix Brooks’ soundtrack for Ambush at Dark Canyon, a straight to DVD/Blu-Ray movie released in January of this year. The delivery is fantastic, the lyrics are magic, describing” looking for redemption down the barrel of a gun. Go’n down where no mercy can be found and you pay for what you done with your soul.” Penned by Kix Brooks himself.

Eric Paslay- “Less Than Whole”

Outside of the Peach Pickers, the songwriter most in demand just might be this tall lanky redhead, Eric Paslay. This track was the standout on a strong debut album and deals with the challenges of self-esteem and the pressure of living with a feeling “of being less than whole.” It’s a great message song and Paslay showcases his great vocals on the track.

Eric Church- “Cold One”

On a roller-coaster album with its fair share of hits and misses, Church delivers a rousing one for the ages on “Cold One.” It’s a simple message: An analogy of his girlfriend stealing his cold beer and walking away with his heart. But it’s the production on this one that steals the show. The guitar work at the chorus is a main focus and the whole thing descends into jam chaos at the end. And yet somehow it works perfect.

Ronnie Dunn- “I Wished I Still Smoked Cigarettes”

If you haven’t heard this one, be rest-assured it is anything but a commercial for Marlboro. Dunn plaintively performs a great Lori McKenna co-penned track that longs for the days in which he could do things before consequences, before he knew better. This was released to radio as a single, further proving that “the FM machine” is overlooking quality contemplative songwriting for stuff that generically appeals to the masses. This is a great one that only adds to Dunn’s long legacy in country music.

Radney Foster- “Not In My House”

Foster used a profound conversation about a fellow student using a slur in his daughter’s 5^th grade class as fodder on this powerful song that would eventually include references to racist and homophobic slurs as well. “I’m going to sing for th souls who get kicked around/ Words aren’t a weapon just to put you down.” For a southern man who witnessed what hate could produce first-hand, it’s a delivery and message that is all the more believable when Foster has earned some of that grey hair that has adorned his head for so long.

Don Williams- “I’ll Be Here in the Morning”

Country music’s “Gentle Giant” and one of the newest Country Music Hall of Fame members proves he’s still as powerful of a deliveryman with this cover of a 1968 Townes Van Zandt song. It’s a throwback in a modern way… which I guess is saying that it is as classic as anything he’s released over the years.

Better Than the Rest:

Cody Johnson- “Never Go Home Again”
The Whistles & the Bells- “Transistor Resistor”
Ray Benson & Willie Nelson- “It Ain’t You”
Jason Eady- “Whiskey & You”
Deana Carter- “I Know Better”
Dierks Bentley- “Damn These Dreams”
Matt Andersen- “So Easy”
David Nail- “The Secret”
David Nail (featuring Little Big Town)- “When They’re Gone (Lyle County)”
Reagan Boggs & Dave Coleman- “You Deserve Better”
Sara Evans (featuring Vince Gill)- “Better Off”
Jimmy Rankin- “Build This House”
Johnny Cash- “Out Among the Stars”
Becky Schlegel- “Opry Lullaby”
Rodney Crowell- “Famous Last Words of a Fool in Love”
Sunny Sweeney- “Bad Girl Phase”
Clare Bowen- “Come Find Me”
Dolly Parton- “Try”
Bryan White- “What I Already Know”
Jessica Andrews- “The Clown”
Lee Ann Womack- “Send It on Down”
 
Best of the Rest:
Jason Eady- “Lonesome Down and Out”
Los Lonely Boys- “Blame it on Love”
Jimbo Mathus & the Tri-State Coalition- “Tallahatchie”
Curtis Grimes- “Better Off”
Rhonda Vincent- “Bright Lights and Country Music”
Rhonda Vincent- “When the Grass Grows Over Me”
Cody Johnson- “Cowboy Like Me”
Cody Johnson- “Holes”
Eli Young Band- “What Does”
Randy Houser- “High in the Saddle (Can’t Kill a Memory)”
Rosanne Cash- “World of Strange Design”
David Crosby- “The Clearing”
Dierks Bentley- “Riser”
Reagan Boggs- “Appalachia”
Reagan Boggs- “Seldom Do”
Matt Andersen- “What Will You Leave”
Don Williams- “The Answer”
Don Williams- “Stronger Back”
Ronnie Milsap and Mandy Barnett- “You Make Me Feel Brand New”
Tattletale Saints- “Molly”
Tebey- “Music Man”
Tebey- “Wake Me Up”
Dirty Guvnahs- “Ever Start To Wonder”
Dirty Guvnahs- “Canyons”
Jimmy Rankin (featuring Alison Krauss)- “Flames”
Johnny Cash (featuring Minnie Pearl)- “If I Told You Who It Was”
NickelCreek- “Hayloft”
Ronnie Dunn- “You Should See You Now”
Charles Esten and Lennon and Maisy- “Believing”
Clare Bowen- “Black Roses”
Kelsey Waldon- “High In Heels”
Hunter Hayes- “Invisible”
Kira Isabella- “Quarterback”
Dolly Parton- “Lay Your Hands On Me”
Miranda Lambert- “Babies Makin’ Babies”
Miranda Lambert- “Priscilla”
Miranda Lambert- “Another Sunday in the South”
Lee Ann Womack- “Sleeping with the Devil”
Radney Foster- “California”
Brad Paisley- “River Bank”
Corb Lund- “Counterfeit Blues”
Kenny Chesney- “American Kids”

New Music Video From Deana Carter- "Do or Die"

Deana Carter To Release Southern Way of Life In Late November

Deana Carter has formed her own record label, Little Nugget Records, and plans to release her first new studio album since 2007 this fall. Southern Way of Life is expected to be released the week of Thanksgiving.

Today, as she readies her latest bundle of uniquely crafted tunes for upcoming release on Southern Way of Life , Carter explores many subjects commonly shared over a quaint dinner, afternoon coffee or a sunny day hike with a good friend.

The songs weave through the sometimes rocky terrain of adulthood, including loss of love, relationships on many different levels, trials, tribulations and simply put – life. Instinctively autobiographical, the subject matter mimics the interesting ride of Carter’s own life – so far.

Carter now divides her time between Los Angeles and Nashville, writing and producing for both the pop/rock and country markets when not on the road touring. Her superstar success continues to be evident as last year’s chart topper  “You & Tequila,"  co-written with Matraca Berg and recorded by Kenny Chesney, was nominated as CMA’s “Song of the Year”, received two Grammy nods and also received a nomination as ACM’s “Song of the Year”.  Carter also recently co-wrote and produced a new album for recording artist Audra Mae.
You can hear four of the new songs from the album and vote for which one you'd like to be released as the new single here: www.facebook.com/#!/OfficialDeanaCarter/app_303561899745219

Deana Carter, Matraca Berg and Songwriter Johnny Bulford Lead Music Row Award Winners

Phil Barton and Johnny Bulford

Short and sweet, the Music Row Awards don't have the budget of the CMT Music Video Awards or the legacy of the ACM Awards. They do, however, have a list of award-winners that's traditionally more quality than marketing blitz and the 24th Annual Awards held this past week were no exception. First, the winners:

24th annual MusicRow Award winners

Breakthrough Songwriters: Johnny Bulford and Phil Barton

Producer of the Year: Frank Liddell
Breakthrough Artist: Eli Young Band

Song of the Year: “You and Tequila,” by Matraca Berg and Deana Carter, published by UMPG and Warner/Chappell

Top 10 Album All Star Musician Awards
Vocals: Perry Coleman
Keys: (tie) Charles Judge and Gordon Mote
Guitar: Ilya Toshinsky
Steel: Paul Franklin
Bass: Jimmie Lee Sloas
Fiddle: (tie) Larry Franklin and Aubrey Haynie
Drums: Shannon Forrest
Engineer: Justin Niebank

Jon Jones of the Eli Young Band said, “This is one room that understands how many people it takes to get something on the radio.” Added his band mate Mike Eli, “There are a lot of people all over this country who are dreaming of being in this room….Thank you, MusicRow magazine. Thank you, everybody.”

Breakthrough Songwriter winner Phil Barton exclaimed, “I’m just super happy right now. Thank you, Nashville!” He and fellow winner Johnny Bulford were saluted for “A Woman Like You,” the Lee Brice smash they co-wrote with Jon Stone.

“This really means a lot,” began Song of the Year winner Matraca Berg. “I wish [co-writer] Deana Carter was here, because we held hands really tightly throughout all the awards shows where we lost. Being voted on by your peers is a real honor.” Their winning song was “You and Tequila,” recorded by Kenny Chesney with Grace Potter.

GRAMMY Nominations Named- Blake Shelton & Taylor Swift Lead Way

Blake Shelton and Taylor Swift lead the country nominees for the 54th Annual Grammy Awards, announced Wednesday night.  Both picked up three nominations, including one each for Best Country Album: Taylor for Speak Now, and Blake for Red River Blue.  Other Best Country Album nominees include Eric Church, Lady Antebellum, Jason Aldean, and George Strait. The Country Grammy nominees include:

Best Country Solo Performance

"Dirt Road Anthem" - Jason Aldean

"I'm Gonna Love You Through It" - Martina McBride
"Honey Bee" - Blake Shelton
"Mean" - Taylor Swift
"Mama's Song" - Carrie Underwood

Best Country Duo/Group Performance

"Don't You Wanna Stay" - Jason Aldean With Kelly Clarkson
"You And Tequila" - Kenny Chesney Featuring Grace Potter
"Barton Hollow" - The Civil Wars
"Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not" - Thompson Square

Best Country Song

"Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not" - Jim Collins & David Lee Murphy, songwriters (Thompson Square)
"God Gave Me You" - Dave Barnes, songwriter (Blake Shelton)
"Just Fishin'" - Casey Beathard, Monty Criswell & Ed Hill, songwriters (Trace Adkins)
"Mean" - Taylor Swift, songwriter (Taylor Swift)
"Threaten Me With Heaven" - Vince Gill, Amy Grant, Will Owsley & Dillon O'Brian, songwriters (Vince Gill)
"You And Tequila" - Matraca Berg & Deana Carter, songwriters (Kenny Chesney Featuring Grace Potter)

Best Country Album
 

"My Kinda Party" - Jason Aldean
"Chief" - Eric Church
"Own The Night" - Lady Antebellum
"Red River Blue" - Blake Shelton
"Here's For A Good Time" - George Strait
"Speak Now" - Taylor Swift

The Band Perry is also nominated for Best New Artist OVERALL!

New Music Forthcoming From Deana Carter- An Exclusive Interview

Deana Carter broke through in 1996 with the release of debut album Did I Shave My Legs for This?, which was certified 5× Multi-Platinum in the United States for sales of over five million albums. It was followed by 1998's Everything's Gonna Be Alright, 2003's I'm Just a Girl, 2005's The Story of My Life, and 2007's The Chain. Overall, Carter's albums have accounted for 14 singles, including three which reached Number One on the Billboard country charts: "Strawberry Wine", "We Danced Anyway", and "How Do I Get There".


I had an opportunity to interview the charming Ms. Carter for Engine 145 where we talked about parenthood, her recent smash single she wrote for Kenny Chesney and an upcoming album she hopes to release in 2012. Check out the snippet below and then click HERE to read the balance of the interview.


I’m running around lately like my hair is on fire because there’s so much going on right now. I just produced a record on a girl named Audra Mae. She is FAN-tastic. She’s from Oklahoma and has a deal out here in L.A. on a punk label. I think she’s like Janis Joplin and Billie Holiday. She’s got this great voice and she’s an amazing performer and songwriter and artist and all that. We just finished her record a few weeks ago and that’ll be coming out in November I believe. So that was fun. I wrote with her a little and then she called me and she said, “I want you to produce my record.” I said, “Are you insane? What?” I’ve done all of my records and I’ve helped here or there on certain other projects. It was amazing. So we just wrapped that. And I’m going in shortly to do a record for myself as well. I’ve been writing a lot. And I’ve been getting a bunch of holds. I’ve had three Rascal Flatts holds and then they’ll drop them. And I’ll be “Dangit.” And now that I’m going into the studio, all my friends are asking what I’ve got in my catalog. I know they’re recording and I love them so much and respect them. It’s all really good all the way around.

TNS Video History- Deana Carter- "There's No Limit"

CMT Starts Camp Nashville

How cool would it be to hit the lottery and go to CMT Camp Nashville, described as a "one-of-a-kind country music opportunity for the country fan to experience first-hand the life of a country music superstar." The press conference took place at Gibson Showroom in downtown Nashville. The multi-artist country fantasy camp takes place May 21-25 and will include master classes with top-notch vocal and songwriting mentors, the opportunity to write and record original material in a professional studio and interaction with industry executives and artists. Campers will receive direct coaching from Darryl Worley, Rhett Akins, Bo Bice, BlackHawk's Henry Paul, Deana Carter, Andy Griggs, Jessica Harp (of the Wreckers) and others. John Rich and Ronnie Milsap will provide private concerts during the camp. Registrants will be eligible to perform during a concert at the Wildhorse Saloon to be headlined by Lady Antebellum and Phil Vassar. The registration fee is $8,500 for participants and $1,000 for spouses. The camp is sponsored by CMT, Country Weekly magazine, Gibson guitars, Shoney's Catering, the Nashville Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Wildhorse Saloon, the Nashville Palace and Nashville Cowboy.

Happy Birthday To Patty Loveless & Deana Carter

That Nashville Sound would like to give a hearty big birthday wish to two of Nashville’s most celebrated country music queens- Patty Loveless and Deana Carter (pictured)- both born today. Loveless turns 52 and Carter turns 43.

Since her emergence on the country music scene in 1987 with her first, self-titled album, Patty Loveless has been one of the most popular female singers of the Neotraditional country movement, although she has also recorded albums in the Country pop and Bluegrass genres.

To date, Loveless has charted more than forty singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts, including five Number Ones. In addition, she has recorded fourteen studio albums (not counting compilations); in the United States, four of these albums have been certified platinum, while two have been certified gold. She is also the 65th member of the Grand Ole Opry. Loveless is also a distant cousin of Loretta Lynn and Crystal Gayle.

Deana Carter broke through in 1996 with the release of debut album Did I Shave My Legs for This?, which was certified 5× Multi-Platinum in the United States for sales of over five million. It was followed by 1998's Everything's Gonna Be Alright, 2003's I'm Just a Girl, 2005's The Story of My Life, and 2007's The Chain. Overall, Carter's albums have accounted for fourteen singles, including three which reached Number One on the Billboard country charts: "Strawberry Wine", "We Danced Anyway", and "How Do I Get There".

We’ve added two videos by the two icons for your viewing pleasure. The first is Patty’s How Can I Help You Say Goodbye, the second is Deana’s Strawberry Wine. Enjoy.

Country Stars Put Their Own Spin On Best 1970's Rock Tunes

If you’re like me and a product of the 70’s, you probably look back at the music of that decade fondly as do I. The music compilation experts over at Time Life have put together a collection of 15 classic 70’s rock tunes and had some of today’s country stars put their spin on it. Gone Country: 70s Rock features the songs you grew up with performed by some big Nashville names. The CD includes Aerosmith's Dream On performed by Deanna Carter, Neil Young's Heart of Gold performed by Vince Gill, Bad Company's Can't Get Enough performed by Lorrie Morgan, Fleetwood Mac's Say You Love Me by Pam Tillis, and many more. At $10, it seems like a pretty unique buy. Here’s the track list…

1 Rock and Roll- Marty Stuart 3:57
2 Takin' Care of Business- John Berry 4:47
3 Say You Love Me- Pam Tillis 4:27
4 Heart of Gold- Vince Gill 7:16
5 Jet Airliner- Joe Diffie 4:02
6 Long Cool Woman (In a Black Dress)- Raul Malo 3:53
7 Your Song- John Anderson 4:49
8 It's Only Rock 'n' Roll (But I Like It)- Rebecca Lynn Howard 4:00
9 Layla- Collin Raye 5:04
10 Dream On- Deana Carter 4:35
11 Don't Go Breaking My Heart- Tanya Tucker and Ty Herndon 5:18
12 Just Got Paid- Sammy Kershaw 5:40
13 Can't Get Enough- Lorrie Morgan 4:50
14 I Want You to Want Me- John Cowan 5:25
15 Closer to the Heart- Bo Bice 3:42