New Music Video From John Leventhal and Rosanne Cash - "That's All I Know About Arkansas"

When Pop and Rock Influenced Country: Notable Country Hits Written by Pop or Rock Artists

In an astonishing blend of raw talent and exceptional songwriting, country music phenom Luke Combs rocketed to the pinnacle of the charts with his rendition of Tracy Chapman's classic, "Fast Car." It's a monumental moment, as the heart of country intertwines with the soul of pop-folk, breathing fresh life into a timeless hit. Chapman's profound lyrical prowess and Combs' captivating country charm united, creating an electrifying sensation that, once again, proved the transformative power of music across genre boundaries. This captivating version underscores the adaptability of profound lyrics to new melodies and styles, as it eloquently captivates a whole new generation of listeners.

But Combs isn't the only one to have a crossover hit written by someone from the pop/rock genre of music. 

Country music has long been recognized as a distinct genre known for its storytelling, strong vocals, and genuine emotion. But despite its strong roots and character, this music genre hasn't been immune to influences from others, including rock and pop. Some of the most recognizable and iconic country hits between 1970 and 2010 were penned by artists more widely known for their pop or rock contributions. This cross-genre creativity has yielded unforgettable tracks that resonated deeply with country music lovers and wider audiences alike. Let's explore some of these unique and memorable collaborations.

"Seven Year Ache" by Rosanne Cash (1981)

First on our list is "Seven Year Ache," a song that topped the Billboard country chart in 1981. Rosanne Cash, a country music artist and the daughter of the legendary Johnny Cash, performed this number. Interestingly, it was written by her then-husband, Rodney Crowell, who dabbled in both country and rock music genres. Crowell's songwriting and Cash's interpretation led to a song that combined the storytelling of country music with the rhythmic elements of rock.

"Always on My Mind" by Willie Nelson (1982)

Initially recorded by pop artist Brenda Lee and later by the "King" himself, Elvis Presley, "Always on My Mind" was written by pop songwriters Johnny Christopher, Mark James, and Wayne Carson. The song eventually found its most successful rendition in the hands of the country icon, Willie Nelson. Nelson's version brought a hauntingly beautiful melancholy to the song, which resonated with country music lovers, winning the Grammy Award for Best Country Song in 1982.

"Islands in the Stream" by Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton (1983)

Arguably one of the most famous country duets of all time, "Islands in the Stream" was not written by a country artist at all, but by the pop powerhouse trio, the Bee Gees. Originally intended as an R&B song for Marvin Gaye, the Bee Gees offered it to Kenny Rogers, who decided it was perfect for a duet with Dolly Parton. The song showcases a blend of catchy pop hooks and country harmonies, which created a universally loved hit that topped both country and pop charts.

"When I Call Your Name" by Vince Gill (1990)

The heartfelt "When I Call Your Name" was co-written by Tim DuBois, who worked predominantly in the pop genre before crossing over into country. Vince Gill, known for his soulful voice and touching lyrics, gave the song its country flavor. The song won the 1991 CMA Single of the Year, establishing DuBois as a successful crossover songwriter and further cementing Gill's place in country music history.

"Wide Open Spaces" by Dixie Chicks (1998)

"Dixie Chicks" brought "Wide Open Spaces" to the forefront of country music in 1998, but the song was actually written by Susan Gibson of the pop/rock band, The Groobees. This song beautifully captures the theme of independence and exploration, winning the Grammy for Best Country Album and paving the way for more cross-genre songwriting.

"Need You Now" by Lady A (2009)

One of the biggest country hits of the 2000s, "Need You Now" was co-written by Josh Kear, who has written for pop artists like Carrie Underwood and Shakira. Performed by the country group Lady A, the song became an instant hit, reaching number one on the country charts and crossing over to number two on the Billboard Hot 100. This powerful ballad of longing and love showcases how pop elements can enhance a country song, leading to its universal appeal.

From these examples, it's evident that the lines between genres are not as rigid as they seem. Great music often arises from these intersections, creating unforgettable tunes that resonate with listeners from all walks of life. As we continue to see more collaboration and influence between genres, we can only anticipate the richness and diversity that future country music holds in store.

New Live Music Video - Rosanne Cash & Kris Kristofferson - “Loving You Was Easier” (Live at the Hollywood Bowl)

That Nashville Sound Sunday Newsbytes - Rory Feek, Tracy Lawrence, Natalie Hemby, Lilly Winwood & More

After a fairly slow and underwhelming start to 2021 in new music, there's some light and anticipated music on the horizon.

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Tracy Lawrence has announced that he will have not one, but three different projects released in 2021. The first is coming on April 23. He is celebrating his 30th anniversary in country music this year, and to mark the career milestone, he’s releasing a special project, Hindsight 2020. The three-volume album has 30 tracks and will be released throughout 2021.

The career-encompassing project is a combination of brand new material, collaborations, and some of Lawrence’s favorite hits. The first in the series, Volume 1: Stairway to Heaven Highway to Hell, will be that first one released in April. This 10-song collection features all new material from Lawrence, who penned nine of the 10 tracks, mixing his signature blend of contemporary and traditional country that has made him a mainstay since his debut album, Sticks & Stones, in 1991.

“It has truly been the honor of a lifetime to be so welcomed by country music fans,” says Lawrence. “As I look back over the past 30 years, I am incredibly humbled to have been able to live my dream and to have so many folks support me along the way. I wanted to celebrate this amazing milestone with fond reflection and embrace the next chapter with the people who made it all happen, my fans.”

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Rodney Crowell and all of his friends have collaborated on a new compilation album, Songs From Quarantine Vol. 1, which has an all-star cast of singer-songwriter, country and Americana VIPs sending in tracks from their own splendid isolation.

Six of the 13 artists represented — Ry Cooder, Elvis Costello, Joe Henry, Ronnie Dunn, John Hiatt and Crowell himself — contribute original songs that have never been released before in any context. The remaining seven offer demos or otherwise stripped-down or alternate versions of numbers they’ve put out in full form before, with Emmylou Harris, Lucinda Williams, Keith Urban, Jeff Tweedy, Rosanne Cash, Steve Earle and Taj Mahal rounding out the guest list. (Download the album here.)

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Rory Feek has a solo album called Gentle Man coming out this June and he's released a music video from one of the early songs released off the album that features Vince Gill on harmony vocals. The new song is called "Me and the Blues." 

Says Feek on the new song, "Five years ago, Joey gave me a gift. A Valentine's card. It was to be the last note, the last written words, and the last card I would ever receive from her. That card was her Valentine's gift to me that year. This is my Valentine's gift to her this year…"

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That Nashville Sound praised Natalie Hemby's 2017 solo album, Puxico. In 2019, she teamed with Brandi Carlile, Maren Morris and Amanda Shires to form The Highwomen. Now she's just signed with Fantasy Records and will be releasing a new album later in 2021. 

The upcoming solo album has been produced and mixed by her husband Mike Wrucke. She joins a roster at Fantasy Records that includes Tanya Tucker, James Taylor, Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats, Paul Simon, Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real, and more.

“Both Mick Management and Fantasy Records have an exceptional and eclectic roster of artists they work with,” said Hemby. “Their teams are some of the most respected in the music business. I’m so proud to be a part of their musical families…it is truly a dream come true for me.”

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The much-too-early winner for new music discovery of the year here at That Nashville Sound has to go to Lilly Winwood and her new album, Time Well Spent. The quick bio always refers to her as legendary rock artist Steve Winwood's daughter, but her musical stylings lean more towards Emmylou Harris, Bonnie Raitt or Holly Williams than anything her dad ever put out. The bluesy, moody album allows Winwood’s wise-beyond-her-years tone and resilient lyrics to shine through nearly every track. 

A little more about this new-to-us artist from her website bio: "After feeling that the countryside of her native Gloucestershire, England felt too familiar, and London was, in her own words, “so big, so expensive, and reeked of havoc and loss and all that good stuff,” she decided to spend a few weeks in Nashville, where she spent her childhood summers, but ended up staying instead. Winwood’s debut EP, Silver Stage, chronicled the journey through earnest coming-of-age narratives and a sound that—much like her father’s work—offers an English take on traditional American roots music. Backed by Nashville-via-Australia producer Joshua Barber (Gotye, Archie Roach), the songs on Silver Stage blend Bonnie Raitt’s world-weary vocals, My Morning Jacket’s ethereal twang, and Brittany Howard’s no-bullshit bravado to create an EP that pays homage to Lilly’s singer-songwriter idols (like John Prine) and establishes the twenty-one-year-old as a writer that’s wise beyond her years. Following the release of Silver Stage, Winwood has continued on to collaborate with fellow East-Nashville-based Americana artists such as Boo Ray, with the release of their A-side/ B-side vinyl collaboration. Lilly also collaborated with Nashville based Americana artist Don Gallardo on his 7-track EP In the Name of Good Intentions where Lilly’s vocals are featured on more than half of the songs. Rolling Stone deemed Winwood and Gallardo’s “Shine a Light on Me” one of the Top 10 Best Country, Americana songs to hear now in 2019, amongst Trisha Yearwood and Tanya Tucker. Lilly has set her debut album release Time Well Spent for early 2021. This record was produced by Alex Munoz and Allen Thompson in Nashville, TN at High Cotton Recording Studio."

Hear It Here: Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Jason Isbell, Steve Earle, Rosanne Cash & The War and Treaty Collaborate On "The Times They Are A-Changin'"

The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Jason Isbell, Steve Earle, Rosanne Cash and The War and Treaty collaborate on the old 1964 Bob Dylan classic, "The Times They Are A-Changin'." 

All proceeds from the song will support Feeding America. Their mission is to feed America’s hungry through a nationwide network of member food banks and engage our country in the fight to end hunger. Just $1 can help provide at least 10 meals to kids, families and individuals facing hunger.

Nitty Gritty Dirt Band lead singer Hanna begins and ends the song on lead vocals, but each guest adds their own vocal approach to their respective verse. Isbell’s brings a country-folk drawl while Cash takes an elegant ballad approach, all before Michael and Tanya Blount Trotter of the War and Treaty bring home the song’s fourth verse.

“I’ve been a fan of Bob Dylan’s since I was a teenager, living in California,” said Hanna. “I was fortunate enough to see him sing ‘The Times They Are A-Changin’ in concert the year the song was released.”

“It moved me deeply then and that hasn’t changed,” Hanna said of the song upon its release. “The lyrics are as relevant today as they were when Dylan wrote it. Maybe even more so.”

New Music Video From Rosanne Cash - "Crawl Into The Promised Land"

That Nashville Sound Saturday Newsbytes- New Videos, New Drake White & Mark Chestnut & Livestream Calendar

There's some positive trends out there with the spread of the virus slowing down- hopefully as a result of all of you sheltering down in place. At the end of this event, we owe our nurses, doctors, first responders, delivery people and our grocers a beer at a bar. Make it happen folks. Here's all the news that's fit to print on this Saturday.

~ Mark Chestnutt announced that his next project will be out on August 14th and will be an EP called Numbers on the Jukebox. 

~ Drake White also announced an upcoming EP project. He will release Stars on April 24th and it features his first single "Eat, Drink & Dream" off of the project. "'Eat, Drink & Dream' is a declaration of relentless optimism,” the singer told Billboard. “In the face of adversity, when no one is looking, that is when an individual's true character is revealed. That’s what this song is -- a power dose of optimism that you can!” 

~ New music videos 

LANCO - "What I See"

Drake White - "Eat, Drink & Dream"

Lennon Stella - "Fear of Being Alone"

Jordan Davis - "Detours"

~ Upcoming Livestream Concert Schedule:

April 11

Human To Human Festival ft. Devin Dawson, Hunter Hayes, Lauren Daigle + more
Time: 11 a.m. – 11 p.m. CT
What: A Facebook Live donation event
Where: Facebook

Randall King
Time: 12 p.m. CT
Where: YouTube

Tyler Rich
Time: 3 p.m. CT
What: “Leave Her Wild” Saturday Brunch
Where: Instagram

Christina Taylor
Time: 3 p.m. CT
Where: Instagram

Alyssa Bonagura
Time: 4 p.m. CT
What: #NewSongSaturday
Where: Facebook and Instagram

Tegan Marie
Time: 4 p.m. CT
Where: Facebook

Maddie & Tae
Time: 6:30 p.m. CT
What: Circle Sessions, a pre-show to The Grand Ole Opry
Where: Facebook YouTube

The Grand Ole Opry ft. Trace Adkins, Jason Crabb, T. Graham Brown & Bobby Bones
Time: 7 p.m. CT
What: Free Easter livestream. Keep the music playing while we keep each other safe!
Where: Facebook YouTube

Jameson Rodgers
Time: 7 p.m. CT
What: Saturday Nights Live
Where: Facebook

People Supporting Artists Telethon ft. Roseanne Cash, John Oates, Lee Brice + more
Time: 7 p.m. CT
What: Telethon to benefit the MusiCares COVID-19 Relief Fund
Where: Website

Justin Moore, Tracy Lawrence, Joe Nichols, Adam Hambrick, Heath Sanders
Time: 7 p.m. CT
What: And The Beat Goes On Arkansas; benefiting Food Banks of Arkansas. Text FEED to 501501 to donate $10
Where: YouTube

Chris Bandi
Time: 7 p.m. CT
Where: Instagram

Whitey Morgan
Time: 8 p.m. CT
Where: Facebook

April 12

Elena Moon Park
Time: 11 a.m. CT
What: #LincolnCenterAtHome
Where: Website

The War and Treaty
Time: 12:30 p.m. CT
What: Launch of “The Roundup,” new live streaming series from Rounder Records
Where: YouTube

T. Graham Brown
Time: 3 p.m. CT
What: Couch Concert Series benefitting MusiCares.
Where: Instagram

Willy Braun (Reckless Kelly)
Time: 3 p.m. CT
What: Music From The Mountains
Where: Facebook

Darin & Brooke Aldridge
Time: 7 p.m. CT
Where: Facebook

Nikki Lane
Time: 7 p.m. CT
What: A Month of Sundays
Where: Facebook

April 13

Ashley McBryde
Time: 2:30 p.m. CT
What: Playing some favorites for the kids! #AllCoopedUp with Kids.
Where: Facebook

Tenille Townes
Time: 3 p.m. CT
What: Martin Guitar’s “Jam In Place” series
Where: Facebook

Laine Hardy
Time: 5 p.m. CT
What: “Ground I Grew Up On” Virtual Tour
Where: Facebook

Chris Bandi
Time: 5 p.m. CT
What: Performance
Where: Instagram

Colter Wall
Time: 6 p.m. CT
What: Create The West; A Boot Barn series showing live creative escapes, from behind the scenes of their craft how-tos.
Where: Instagram

Candi Carpenter, Carter Faith, Tyra Madison, and Mignon
Time: 6 p.m. CT
What: Song Suffragettes concert
Where: YouTube

Jimmie Allen
Time: 6 p.m. CT
Where: Instagram

Randy & Mary Travis
Time: 6 p.m. CT
Where: Instagram

Sara Evans
Time: 7:30 p.m. CT
What: Closet Chaos
Where: Instagram

Jillian Jacqueline
Time: 8 p.m. CT
Where: Facebook Instagram

Mark Wills
Time: 8 p.m. CT
What: Live From The Bunker
Where: Facebook

April 14

Logan Ledger
Time: 10 a.m. CT
What: Talking about his new album, his influences, and interacting with fans.
Where: Website

Alyssa Bonagura
Time: 6 p.m. CT
What: Martin Guitar’s “Jam in Place”
Where: Facebook

George Shingleton
Time: 7:30 p.m. CT
What: Tuesday night tunes. Live music with original songs and Q&A.
Where: Facebook

April 15

Alyssa Trahan
Time: 12 p.m. CT
Where: Facebook

Steve Wariner
Time: 7:00 p.m. CT
What: Wariner Wednesday
Where: Facebook

Kalie Shorr
Time: 8 p.m. CT
Where: Facebook

Alyssa Bonagura
Time: 8 p.m. CT
What: Virtual Tour: Quarantined & Ready To Rock

Where: YouTube

April 18

Global Citizen’s One World: Together at Home ft. Kacey Musgraves, Keith Urban, Alanis Morissette, Eddie Vedder + more
Time: 7 p.m. CT
What: A global broadcast & digital special to support frontline healthcare workers and the WHO.
Where: Website

New Music Video From Rosanne Cash - "Everyone But Me"

That Nashville Sound's Best Songs of 2018 - A Year-End Best of List

2018 has been another fabulous year of country music. Traditional country, bluegrass, modern country and Americana are all represented well and this list proves that out- we’ve cast a wide net over that definition of roots-oriented music.  Earlier this month, we unveiled our top albums of 2018, but here we tackle our favorite songs. Few are radio singles. But you probably knew that already if you read this site.

Here are the rules by which this list was selected. It had to be released off an album that was released in 2018, is an independent release not on any other project, or is an already-released single off a to-be-released album. If the album came out in 2017 or before, it couldn’t be included- even if it wasn't released as a single until 2018.

Looking back, there's some amazing songs that moved us more than all the others:

2017 – Sunny Sweeney – “Bottle By My Bed”
2016 - Jack Ingram - "The Sailor and the Sea"
2015-  Chris Stapleton - "Tennessee Whiskey"
2014 - Emily West - "Made for the Radio"
2013 - Kacey Musgraves - "Follow Your Arrow"
2012 - Waylon Jennings - "I Do Believe"
2011 - Ronnie Dunn - "Cost of Livin'"
2010 - Joe Diffie - "Route 5 Box 109"
2009 - Dean Brody - "Cattleman's Gun"
2008 - Jamey Johnson - "In Color"
2007 - Miranda Lambert - "Gunpowder and Lead"
2006 – Johnny Cash – “God’s Gonna Cut You Down”

Without giving much away, below, I believe it important to note that the top five songs are all by women. Despite what general country radio thinks, some of the most powerful songs and projects are coming from the fairer sex and clearly deserve a better shake at being heard to a wider audience. (Steps down from soapbox.)

Let us hear what you think. Anything we missed? Without further ado, here is That Nashville Sound’s Top Songs of 2018.

The Very Best:

1. Ashley McBryde – “Girl Goin’ Nowhere” – Nevermind that Garth Brooks, the king of country music himself, did one cover of a song this year and it was this one. It didn’t hold a candle to this raw and honest open letter to the world about finding commercial music success after grinding on the proverbial Nashville hamster wheel for nearly a decade.  The fact that it more or less was discovered by the world as she made her first Grand Ole Opry performance standing in what might be the most historic country spot in the world made it all the more powerful.

2. Rosanne Cash, Sheryl Crow, Lori McKenna, Anais Mitchell, Josh Ritter & Mark Erelli – “By Degrees” - No matter where you sit on the gun control debate, what can't be debated is that as a population we seem to becoming more and more numb and (somehow almost) used to the horrific headlines that seem to pop up almost weekly in our individual news feeds. This thoughtful and introspective song doesn't argue the 2nd amendment to the constitution, only the character flaw that we as humans have that we "can learn to live with anything if it happens in degrees." The additional voices on the project give the message added credence as if they're coming from different parts of a nation.

3. Courtney Patton – “Fourteen Years” - This heartwrenching title refers to the amount of time that has passed since Patton lost her sister in a tragic accident. "I was finally at a place where I could look back and really just appreciate the time that I had with her, but also just longing of— you know, wondering what it would have been like to still have her around with my kids." Time flies and stands still at the same time in her loss and the haunting steel guitar envelopes the track like angel wings. It's equal parts what ifs and a letter to the heavens. It's also poetic genius.

4. Lori McKenna – “The Fixer” - The track is a heart-wrenching glimpse at domesticity from the perspective of a man, as the titular "fixer" distracts himself with household tasks while slowly losing his wife to an unknown sickness. It perfectly draws an analogy with his inability to fix his wife despite a skill of being a handyman everywhere. You can't fix everything. Sometimes life delivers the unfixable. And that's an important lesson in itself.

5. Emma White – “Ten Year Town” - This track is one for the ages. Chasing one's musical dreams is a passion that is done for the love of music and for every one artist or songwriter that succeeds, there are dozens others that are equally as talented (or more so) that never make it over the hump. This track "Ten Year Town" is one of those songs that details the trials and tribulations of chasing the dream inside Music City. It's one of our favorite songs of the year and I implore you to take a minute and listen to it. It's powerful stuff.

6. Chris Janson – “Drunk Girl” - Here lands our first major radio hit on our That Nashville Sound chart. In this day in age where every other song on the radio deals with parties or drinking in some way, dealing with real-world issues of sexual misconduct is important music. Morality matters. It's not that we can't let loose and have fun. But a reminder about the responsibility we have as citizens is important as well- and Janson delivers an extremely well-written song that doesn't come off high-handed at all.

7. Abby Anderson – “Make Him Wait” -  Anderson delivers a song well-beyond her years about the trials of our sex-pressured society and the pressures that young ladies face in our midsts. The girl has pipes and the song represents where she is generationally perfectly. The storytelling is strong and here's hoping we continue to hear more from this exciting new talent.

8. James Scott Bullard – “Wicked Ways” - Outlaw music didn't die with Waylon Jennings. It's alive and well- you just need to know where to look. Bullard's ninth album is a modern day Smokey and the Bandit soundtrack and nowhere does it get better than on "Wicked Ways."  With full tilt honkytonk guitars blazing alongside a great drum riff and an organ rolling in the back, it just might be the most fun time on this entire countdown.

9. Josh Kelley – “Loves You Like Me” - Kelley channels his inner Billy Joel on this piano-driven dedication to his actress wife, Katherine Heigl. Soaring vocals and introspective lyrics give it immense heart- a storyline of their love story makes it a wedding dance song for the ages.

10. Jason Eady – “Calaveras County” - Call me a homer if you wish, but the fact that Eady uses my Northern California backyard as the centerpiece (and title) for this terrific track off of his phenomenal I Travel On album makes me long for my grandma's long-sold house up in Calveritas, California (population 3). With Grammy Award-nominated duo Rob Ickes and Trey Hensley in the studio, it's easy to hear their bluegrass background through the country track with simply sublime musicianship.

11. Jamie Lin Wilson & Jack Ingram – “Instant Coffee Blues” - Our top duet and first cover on the countdown is one originally done by the legendary Guy Clark. I've gotten to know Jamie and Jack through my Golf & Guitars Music Festival and know that almost no artist holds higher esteem for each them than the legendary Texan that passed away in May of 2016. The good friends use a bed of steel guitar as the foundation to hold together a perfect dedication to their mentor.

12. Terri Clark – “Weddings, Funerals and Empty Hotel Bars” - If anyone doubts why legacy artists should continue writing and recording music past the time their singles are played on country radio, this is why. The question on whether you really can go home is the genesis for this song with more depth than an entire Billboard country chart. The fact that it was co-written by Erin Enderlin makes you say, "Of course it was..."  It has her fingerprints all over it, but Clark's point in her career makes it resonate even deeper.

13. Brothers Osborne – “While You Still Can” - This duo proves that critical and radio quality don't have to be independent of one-another. They are quality racking up charted hits and industry awards year after year. This track is the best off of their strong Port Saint Joe.  "Nothing ever lasts forever" is the message of this track. Do whatever moves you now "while you still can."  It's a positive message in a world that needs a little more of that and exemplifies the brothers excellent work.

14. Erin Enderlin – “These Boots” - Enderlin didn't release an album this year, but she did release a couple of outstanding songs independently including this track about the life of her footwear and the amazing life they live including standing on the Opry stage and digging heels when she wants to be stubborn.  She's written for the likes of Lee Ann Womack, Alan Jackson & Randy Travis, and this tender dedication falls right in line with the type of fare that you could hear from any of those artists.

15. Dierks Bentley – “How I’m Going Out” - Legacy. What's yours going to be?  That's the question on this track that asks what you're going to be remembered for when "you jump off this carousel."  He touts effort and friends he's made along the way among the things he wants to be memorialized for when he becomes a "ghost on Music Row."

16. Caitlyn Smith – “This Town Is Killing Me” - Smith simply slays this country protest track about pouring your life into your art in an effort to receive the attention you deserve and not receiving it. “This Town Is Killing Me” is a modern-day “Murder On Music Row.”

17. Cole Swindell – “Dad’s Old Number” - This was another unexpected hit with Swindell using a phone number of a father who's passed away as a key to a memory and a desire for one more call for advice and to hear that paternal voice that is so important. For anyone who has experienced loss, it's an easy spot to trade places with and a near-universal message. Swindell delivers it with a masterful set of lyrics.

18. Will Hoge – “Nikki’s a Republican Now” - Hoge delivered an entire political protest album earlier this year and the highlight of this project was a country-rocker about a punk-Pixies-loving high school girl who surprisingly takes a turn to the far right.

19. Jeff Hyde – “Norman Rockwell World” - Over the past dozen years, Hyde has written many country hits for other artists, including Eric Church’s chart-topping singles “Springsteen” and “Record Year.” He's penned songs for the likes of Alan Jackson, George Strait, Bobby Bare, Luke Bryan, Charlie Worsham and Nikki Lane. That, my friends, is Nashville credibility. "Norman Rockwell World" roots itself in Hyde’s songwriting profound ability. The music itself is a self-professed nod all the memories of a "bygone age" and how the tilt-a-whirl life we spin around on would be better served sometimes slowing down on a front porch.

20. Wade Bowen – “Death, Dyin’ and Deviled Eggs” - A friends service is the setting for this thoughtful and terrifically-detailed of what it means to say goodbye. A food spread is described and then Bowen says, "It's a helluva a way to say goodbye, I guess."  He proclaims that before you go to heaven, you better have Jesus in your soul, but "you better get plenty before you go."  It's brilliant.

The Cream of the Crop (21 -40):
Jeff Hyde – “Henry Ford”
Wade Bowen – “7:30”
Mitchell Tenpenny – “Drunk Me”
Scotty McCreery – “Five More Minutes”
Brothers Osborne – “Shoot Me Straight”
Ashley McBryde – “Southern Babylon”
Ashley McBryde – “A Little Dive Bar in Dahlonega”
Ashley Monroe – “Hands on You”
Brett Young – “Mercy”
Josh Grider – “Good People”
Cole Swindell – “Break Up In The End”
David Nail and the Well Ravens – “Heavy”
Lindi Ortega – “Lovers In Love”
Lori McKenna – “You Won’t Even Know I’m Gone”
Maggie Rose – “It’s You”
Kimberly Kelly – “Prayer and a Six Pack”
Steve Moakler – Thirty”
Eric Church – “Hippie Radio”
Eric Church – “Some of It”
Pistol Annies – “When I Was His Wife”
Carrie Underwood – “Spinning Bottles”

The Upper Crust (41-60):
Charlie Daniels Band – “Mudcat”
Gord Bamford – “That’s What Grandpa’s Do”
Ashley McBryde – “The Jacket”
Erin Enderlin – “World Without Willie”
Avalon Kali – “Country Song”
Carrie Underwood – “Love Wins”
Ashley McBryde – “Orphan”
Lee Ann Womack – “Honky Cat”
Garth Brooks – “All Day Long”
Kenny Chesney – “Get Along”
Love and Theft – “You Didn’t Want Me”
Lori McKenna – “People Get Old”
Maggie Rose – “Smooth”
Jimmie Allen – “Best Shot”
Runaway June – “Wild West”
Cody Johnson – “On My Way To You”
Jimmy Rankin – “These Roads”
Eric Church – “Monsters”
Will Hoge – “Thoughts and Prayers”
Will Hoge – “The Illegal Line”

The Best of the Rest:
Avalon Kali – “Kitchen Dance Floor”
Josh Grider – “My First Band”
Willie Nelson – “Last Man Standing”
Lindi Ortega – “You Ain’t Foolin’ Me”
Shooter Jennings – “Bound Ta Git Down”
Kenny Chesney (feat Mindy Smith) – “Better Boat”
David Nail and the Well Ravens – “Cheating On Me”
Jimmy Rankin – “Highlander”
Steve Moakler – “One More Troubadour”
Carrie Underwood “Ghosts on the Stereo”
Blackberry Smoke – “You Got Lucky”

New Music Video From Rosanne Cash - "She Remembers Everything"

That Nashville Sound Monday Newsbytes: New Music Videos & Albums On The Way From Cody Johnson, Adam Wakefield & More

There's lots of news that popped up over the weekend and we've got several new music videos and new forthcoming projects to give you the low-down on...

- Kelsea Ballerini released a new music video for her song "Miss Me More."

- Jared Ashley released a powerful new music video on a song called "Cherrybend."  Cherrybend” is inspired by Operation Cherrybend, an annual event held in Wilmington, Ohio that strives to thank our nation’s wounded veterans and to spread awareness about veterans’ issues.

- Grammy winning artists Keb Mo and Rosanne Cash have teamed up on a new music video titled "Put A Woman In Charge."

- The Voice runner-up Sundance Head has a new music video for his song "Leave Her Wild."

- Ty Herndon has a new music video for a Marc Cohn "dance" cover of "Walking In Memphis."

- A very intriguing guest list has me excited about a forthcoming new album, North Country.  It's coming from Irish Americana artist Danny Burns, who just signed to Bonfire Recording Co. North Country drops Jan 18. Seriously, check out this amazing guest list: Tift Merritt, Holly Williams, Mindy Smith, Cara Dillon, Sam Bush, Jerry Douglas, Tim O'Brien, Dan Tyminski, Critter Fuqua of Old Crow Medicine Show.

- Average Joes Entertainment recording artist and Season 10 runner-up on the The Voice, Adam Wakefield will release his debut, 12-track, full-length album Gods & Ghosts on November 30, 2018. “I picked twelve of my best songs, called up three of my favorite musicians, and recorded the album I have been waiting my whole life for,” said Wakefield. “This is the first time I’ve had complete freedom to record the songs I wanted, in whatever way I wanted. The process was scary, but so rewarding. There’s a long list of people that have supported this record and put their faith in me to produce something extraordinary, and I truly believe we did the songs justice. This record represents the truest version of me.”

- Alligator Records has set a January 11, 2019 release date for Live At The Ramblin' Man Fair, the new album from Grammy-winning band The Kentucky Headhunters. The band -- guitarist/vocalist Richard Young, his brother drummer Fred Young, guitarist Greg Martin and bassist/vocalist Doug Phelps --- had never before been to Europe in their 30-plus year career.

- Cody Johnson released the cover art and track listing for his upcoming 1/18/19 release of "Ain't Nothin' To It." This will be Johnson's first collaboration with Warner Nashville although he's been granted full creative control.

Track listing:

Ain’t Nothin To It

Noise

Fenceposts

Understand Why

Long Haired Country Boy (feat. The Rockin’ CJB)

Nothin’ on You

Honky Tonk Mood

Monday Morning Merle

Ya’ll People

Where Cowboys Are King

On My Way to You

Doubt Me Now

Dear Rodeo

Husbands and Wives (Bonus Live Track)

His Name Is Jesus ( Bonus Live Track)

Hear It Here: Rosanne Cash, Sheryl Crow, Lori McKenna, Anais Mitchell, Josh Ritter and Mark Erelli Combine Forces on "By Degrees"

Rosanne Cash, Sheryl Crow, Lori McKenna, Anais Mitchell, Josh Ritter and Mark Erelli have joined forces to record a powerful new song that benefits Gabby Giffords Courage To Fight Gun Violence Foundation.

Cash calls the song “the most compassionate, vivid and non-preaching anti-gun violence song I’ve ever heard,” Erelli wrote the track which provides and introspective and sobering light on a topic that remains among the most heavily debated in the country.

With a chorus that reads “you can learn to live with anything when it happens by degrees,” Erelli suggests that little by little, we are becoming numb to the violence surrounding our nation. Perhaps most troubling is the tragic line painting the image of “little hands on little shoulders, children in a line… led away from school as the shots rang out inside.”
 

Rosanne Cash To Release She Remembers Everything In October

Artist: Rosanne Cash
Album: She Remembers Everything
Label: Blue Note
Release date: October 26, 2018

The incredible legacy of the Cash family adds another note in the story as Rosanne Cash announced she will be releasing her 16th album, She Remembers Everything, on October 26. The project is her highly anticipated follow up to her 2014 triple Grammy winning masterpiece The River and The Thread. Those awards include Best Americana Album, Best American Roots Song and Best American Roots Performance for "A Feather's Not A Bird."

The project is sure to include some influence from her husband and singer/songwriter/producer John Leventhal.  On their last project, Leventhal’s virtuoso acoustic guitar provided the perfect complement to his wife’s voice, which seems to have become even more soulful over the years.

Cash recently signed with ICM Partners which hopefully alludes to an upcoming tour to support the new project.

Among Cash’s other accolades:  She was awarded the SAG/AFTRA Lifetime Achievement award for Sound Recordings in 2012, received the Smithsonian Ingenuity Award in the Performing Arts in 2014, was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters’ Hall of Fame in 2015 and to the Austin City Limits Hall of Fame in 2017. Cash, who has authored four books, is also set to receive an honorary doctorate from Boston’s Berklee School of Music. 

New Music Video From Rosanne Cash - "The Walking Wounded"

Nashville's Brightest & Best Contribute To Upcoming Elton John/Bernie Taupin Tribute Album (Hear Chris Stapleton's Contribution Here)

Artist: Various
Album: Restoration: Reimagining the Songs of Elton John & Bernie Taupin
Label: MCA Nashville
Release date: April 6, 2018

A bevy of country and Americana artists are paying homage to the 50-year collaboration between Elton John and lyricist Bernie Taupin with a collection of new interpretations of a dozen of the team’s biggest hits and many less-familiar selections.

Restoration — curated by John and Taupin, respectively — will be released April 6.

The country-Americana-themed disc that Taupin has supervised features Willie Nelson, Miranda Lambert, Don Henley and Vince Gill, Kacey Musgraves, , Miley Cyrus, Chris Stapleton, Rosanne Cash and Emmylou Harris, Little Big Town and several others.

John, 70, said in a statement. “We have so many great artists doing our songs, it's quite incredible.”

Added Taupin in the same statement, “Because of our love of all kinds of music, we’re not stuck in one genre. From day one we borrowed from everything that’s good about American music — whether it’s blues, country, gospel, pop, pure rock — everything got thrown in the mix. I think that’s why our music over the years has been so varied.”

“’It’s always a huge compliment when an artist loves your song enough to take the time and effort to rework it,” said John. “As songwriters, Bernie and myself are thrilled when singers we admire and respect as much as those on Restoration choose to add their own unique twist in the process. It means that our music is still relevant and ultimately that our songs continue to reach new audiences. We’re humbled and thank them all for their generosity."

The album, subtitled “Reimagining the Songs of Elton John and Bernie Taupin,” sets the stage for the recently announced “Farewell Yellow Brick Road” tour that John has proclaimed to be his final concert tour, which begins Sept. 8 in Allentown, Pa., and is scheduled to take three years to complete with 300 stops on five continents.

The albums also precede a two-hour, multi-artist network television special filmed in New York recently in conjunction with the 60th Grammy Awards ceremony and slated to air April 10 on CBS.

“Elton John: I’m Still Standing — A Grammy Salute” will include live performances by album participants Cyrus, Cara, Lambert, Coldplay’s Chris Martin, Sheeran, Smith, Little Big Town and Maren Morris as well as John Legend, Kesha, Shawn Mendes and SZA.

John and Taupin met in 1967 through an ad in England’s New Musical Express, which brought the composer and lyricist together and started one of the most successful songwriting partnerships in pop music history.

Restoration Track List
1. "Rocket Man" – Little Big Town
2. "Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters" – Maren Morris
3. "Sacrifice" – Don Henley and Vince Gill
4. "Take Me to the Pilot" – Brothers Osborne
5. "My Father's Gun" – Miranda Lambert
6. "I Want Love" – Chris Stapleton
7. "Honky Cat" – Lee Ann Womack
8. "Roy Rogers" – Kacey Musgraves
9. "Please" – Rhonda Vincent and Dolly Parton
10. "The Bitch Is Back" – Miley Cyrus
11. "Sad Songs (Say So Much)" – Dierks Bentley
12. "This Train Don't Stop" – Rosanne Cash and Emmylou Harris
13. "Border Song" – Willie Nelson
 

A Look Ahead To What's Coming In 2021- New Album Release Dates

The landscape looks bright for numerous new releases that promise to engage listeners lyrically and musically. From legends like Barry Gibb and Loretta Lynn to current stars like Morgan Wallen and Carrie Underwood, there is lots of new music planned in the new year. Here is a just a partial list of projects that have firm release dates and a long list of projects that are rumored to be released in the coming year. What are you most looking forward to?

January:

4th

Steve Earle & the Dukes – J.T. (digital release)

8th

Barry Gibb – Greenfields: The Gibb Brothers Songbook, Vol. 1

Morgan Wallen – Dangerous: The Double Album

Aaron Watson – American Soul (digital release)

Various Artists – The Years: A MusicFest Tribute to Cody Canada and the Music of Cross Canadian Ragweed (digital release)

15th

Corb Lund - Cabin Fever (Deluxe)

Devin Dawson - The Pink Slip (EP)

22nd

Willie Jones - Right Now

Various Artists – The Years: A MusicFest Tribute to Cody Canada and the Music of Cross Canadian Ragweed (physical release)

27th

Jake Hoot - Love Out Of Time (EP)

29th

Lilly Winwood - Time Well Spent

Lucero – When You Found Me

Heath Sanders - Common Ground (EP)

February:

5th

Aaron Watson – American Soul (physical release)

Sierra Hull - Weighted Mind: The Original Sessions (EP)

12th

Callista Clark - Real to Me (EP)

Clare Dunn - REAL THING (EP)

Florida Georgia Line – Life Rolls On

Johnny Lee - Everything’s Gonna’ Be Alright

Kip Moore – Wild World (Deluxe)

Loretta Lynn - Coal Miner’s Daughter (Re-issue celebrating 50th anniversary)

19th

Adam Hambrick - The Flipsides (EP)

Carly Pearce - 29

John Driskell Hopkins - Lonesome High

Koe Wetzel - Sellout (Vinyl)

Lainey Wilson - Sayin' What I'm Thinkin'

Tami Neilson - Chickaboom! Deluxe

26th

Dale Watson - The Memphians

Hailey Whitters - Living the Dream

Ian Munsick - Coyote City

Willie Nelson - That's Life

March:

5th

Brandy Clark - Your Life Is A Record (Deluxe)

12th

Valerie June – The Moon and Stars: Prescriptions for Dreamers

16th

Gabby Barrett - Live From The Goldmine EP

19th

Corb Lund - Agricultural Tragic Deluxe

Loretta Lynn - Still Woman Enough

Morgan Wade - Reckless

Steve Earle & the Dukes – J.T. (physical release)

26th

Carrie Underwood - My Savior

Chevel Shepherd - Everybody's Got A Story (EP)

March:

Pryor & Lee (EP)

April

2nd

Johnny Cash - Johnny Cash: Forever Words Expanded

Sturgill Simpson - Cuttin' Grass Vol. 2 (Cowboy Arms Session) (Vinyl release)

9th

Luke Bryan - Born Here Live Here Die Here (Deluxe)

Rhiannon Giddens with Francesco Turrisi - They’re Calling Me Home

Taylor Swift - Fearless (Taylor's Version)

Willie Nelson - Texas Willie

16th

Brother Brothers - Calla Lily

Eric Church - Heart

20th

Eric Church - &

23rd

Eric Church - Soul

Tracy Lawrence - Hindsight 2020, Vol 1: Stairway to Heaven Highway to Hell

30th

Ashley Monroe - Rosegold

Carrie Underwood - My Savior (Vinyl release)

April:

Troy Cartwright (EP)

May

28th

Ashley McBryde - Never Will: Live From A Distance (EP)

June

18th

Rory Feek - Gentle Man

August

20th

Maggie Rose - Have A Seat

Spring:

Tim McGraw - Here On Earth (Deluxe)

Summer:

Brian Kelley

Q2:

Restless Road (Album)

TBD:

Aaron Watson (x2)

Ashley McBryde

Blake Shelton

Dan + Shay

Darius Rucker

Gary LeVox (a gospel album and a country album)

James McMurtry

Kacey Musgraves

Kalie Shorr (EP)

Laura Bell Bundy – Women of Tomorrow

Midland

Mike and the Moonpies

Natalie Hemby

Sunny Sweeney

Tanya Tucker

The Steel Woods

The Wreckers

Tracy Lawrence (x2)

Hear It Here- Rosanne Cash's "A Feather's Not a Bird"

On January 14, 2014, Rosanne Cash will release her 13th studio album, The River and The Thread, on Blue Note Records. She has just unveiled "A Feather's Not a Bird," the first track off of the album.

Of the album, Cash says, “My heart got expanded to the South, to the people I had known, to the people I met…It started by going to Arkansas, to my dad’s boyhood home…All these things started happening to feel a deeper layer of the South than I had ever experienced and I went down to the Delta, to all of the places where the great Blues musicians are from. And we went to [author William] Faulkner’s house and Oxford, Miss., and just the richness of the Delta in particular started bringing songs to us. We started finding these stories, these great stories, and melodies, that went with these experiences."

Rosanne Cash To Release The River & The Thread In January

The River & The Thread, Rosanne Cash’s first album in more than four years, will be released on January 14, 2014 by Blue Note Records. Cash wrote the album’s 11 original songs with her longtime collaborator (and husband) John Leventhal, who also served as producer, arranger and guitarist.

The Chicago Tribune hailed Cash’s 2010 bestselling memoir, Composed, as "one of the best accounts of an American life you will likely ever read." With The River & The Thread, Cash turns her attention to other American lives and locations. The album richly evokes the Southern landscape – physical, musical, emotional – and examines the indelible impressions it has made on our own collective culture and on Cash.

The River & The Thread is sweeping in its breadth, capturing a unique, multi-generational cast of characters – from a Civil War soldier off to fight in Virginia to a New Deal-era farmer in Arkansas to a contemporary Mobile, AL couple. While Cash and Leventhal found inspiration in the many musical styles associated with the South – swampy Delta blues, gospel, Appalachian folk, country and rock, to name a few – this is a completely contemporary collection. Cash’s crystalline voice and Leventhal’s compelling guitar work are at the heart of the album, and they bring in additional instrumentation to suit the tone of each particular song – from the delicate orchestral passages of “Night School,” (which nods to Stephen Foster, who also had a deep affection for the South) to the ghostly keyboards of album closer “Money Road.”...

She was joined in the studio by a cast of friends and fellow musicians who also have a deep affection for and/or roots in the South, including Cory Chisel, Rodney Crowell (who also co-wrote one song), Amy Helm, Kris Kristofferson, Allison Moorer, John Prine, Derek Trucks, John Paul White (The Civil Wars), Tony Joe White and Gabe Witcher (The Punch Brothers.)

Track Listing
1. A Feather's Not A Bird
2. The Sunken Lands
3. Etta's Tune
4. Modern Blue
5. Tell Heaven
6. The Long Way Home
7. World Of Strange Design
8. Night School
9. 50,000 Watts
10. When The Master Calls The Roll
11. Money Road

Willie Nelson To Release To All The Girls Album On 9/20

The ever-prolific Willie Nelson will be releasing a large collection of duets with some of country music's brightest ladies called To All The Girls on September 20th of this year. Nelson's iconic and distinctive voice will be paired with the likes of Dolly Parton, Miranda Lambert, Carrie Underwood, Loretta Lynn, Alison Krauss and Emmylou Harris on the album.

Earlier this year, Nelson let the cat out of the bag in an interview with Exclaim. “We cut most of the tracks in Nashville with people like Barbra Streisand, Loretta Lynn, Rosanne Cash, Alison Krauss and Norah Jones. Miranda Lambert and I just did one of the last songs that Waylon [Jennings] wrote. I’m looking forward to singing with all the girls in Nashville if I get a chance.”

Willie Nelson ‘To All The Girls…’ Track Listing:

1. ‘From Here to the Moon and Back’ feat. Dolly Parton
2. ‘She Was No Good for Me’ feat. Miranda Lambert
3. ‘It Won’t Be Very Long’ feat. The Secret Sisters
4. ‘Please Don’t Tell Me How the Story Ends’ feat. Rosanne Cash
5. ‘Far Away Places’ feat. Sheryl Crow
6. ‘Bloody Mary Morning’ feat. Wynonna Judd
7. ‘Always on My Mind’ feat. Carrie Underwood
8. ‘Somewhere Between’ feat. Loretta Lynn
9. ‘No Mas Amor’ feat. Alison Krauss
10. ‘Back to Earth’ feat. Melonie Cannon
11. ‘Grandma’s Hands’ feat. Mavis Staples
12. ‘Walkin” feat. Norah Jones
13. ‘Till the End of the World’ feat. Shelby Lynne
14. ‘Will You Remember Mine’ feat. Lily Meola
15. ‘Dry Lightning’ feat. Emmylou Harris
16. ‘Making Believe’ feat. Brandi Carlile
17. ‘Have You Ever Seen the Rain’ feat. Paula Nelson
18. ‘After the Fire Is Gone’ feat. Tina Rose