Grammy Nominations Bring A Nod

I’m usually one to shake my head and roll my eyes when awards nominations are announced. As the Grammy nominees were released today, I was actually raising my eyebrows, with a bit of a smile.

Tanya Tucker, Willie Nelson, Reba McEntire, Dolly Parton, Rosanne Cash, Vince Gill… all on the list for Grammy nods. Did we turn the clock back 30 years? Nope. It’s a testament to the resilience and relevance of country artists of previous decades who focus more on good music and less on what’s going to be ‘a hit.’

Tanya was nominated for overall Song of the Year, Best Country Solo Performance and Best Country Song with “Bring My Flowers Now” as well as Best Country Album for “While I’m Livin’.”

Tanya will be going head-to-head with Willie for Best Country Solo Performance, which includes Willie’s “Ride Me Back Home.”

Reba McEntire got a nod for Best Country Album with “Stronger Than The Truth.”

There’s no sign of slowing down for Dolly Parton, who has a nomination for Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song for her collaboration with for King & Country on “God Only Knows.” She also has a second nomination, which is for Best Song Written For Visual Media, “Girl In The Movies” that Dolly wrote with Linda Perry for the movie, “Dumplin’.”

Rosanne and Vince will be going head-to-head for Best American Roots Song. Rosanne’s “Crossing To Jerusalem” co-written with her husband, John Leventhal, goes against Vince’s “I Don’t Wanna Ride The Rails No More.”

Looking at the list of nominations also reminded me of how the last two years have been huge for Brandi Carlile, not just as a singer, but also as a songwriter, producer, collaborator and an overall do-er. Brandi was a producer for Tanya Tucker’s album, “While I’m Living’” as well as co-songwriter for Song of the Year & Best Country Song nominee, Tanya’s “Bring My Flowers Now.” Brandi was also nominated for Best Country Duo/Group Performance with Maren Morris on Maren’s “Common.”

I also need to give a nod to recognition for Ashley McBryde, who was nominated for Best Country Solo Performance and Best Country Song for “Girl Goin’ Nowhere.”

A few other ladies to be recognized for Grammy nominations include the Pistol Annies with Best Country Album for “Interstate Gospel” and Natalie Hemby and Lori McKenna for some songwriting credits.

Entries now being accepted for 10th Annual Mountain Soul Vocal Competition in Sevierville

Sevierville, Tenn. - [February 11, 2014] - The anticipation has begun as the Sevierville Chamber of Commerce announced today that the entry period for the 10^th Annual Mountain Soul Vocal Competition, celebrating the legendary songwriting of Sevierville’s favorite daughter, Dolly Parton, is now open. The national competition, part of Sevierville’s annual Bloomin’ BBQ & Bluegrass event on May 16-17, 2014, invites vocalists to record themselves singing one of Dolly’s original songs (there are more than 3,000) in their own style for the chance to take home cash, prizes, and even a professional recording session in Nashville, Tennessee.

“We’re proud of the fact that the Mountain Soul Vocal Competition is the only vocal competition in the world that specifically honors the songwriting of Dolly Parton,” says Amanda Maples Marr, Marketing Director, Sevierville Chamber of Commerce. “Not only is it an appropriate tribute to our hometown icon, but it also shines a positive spotlight on Sevierville.”

The Mountain Soul Vocal Competition includes two age divisions:  13-and-up and 12-and-under. Interested vocalists may obtain an application online at www.BloominBBQ.com or by calling the Sevierville Chamber of Commerce at 1-888-889-7415. A completed application and entry fee must be returned along with an audition tape, CD, VHS or DVD to the Sevierville Chamber of Commerce by Friday April 11, 2014, to be considered. 

All entries will be judged by a panel of entertainment professionals who will identify 30 finalists (20 in the 13+ category and 10 in the 12 and under category). Those finalists will then perform during the Mountain Soul Vocal Competition finals at Bloomin’ Barbeque & Bluegrass on Saturday, May 17, 2014, at the Sevier County Courthouse near the bronze statue of Dolly Parton.

For a complete list of Dolly’s songs, competitors can visit www.dollymania.net. More information about the Mountain Soul Vocal Competition and Bloomin’ Barbeque & Bluegrass can be found by visiting www.BloominBBQ.com.


[Note:  It is not necessary, nor is it permitted, for competitors to impersonate Dolly Parton, either physically or vocally.]

New album for Hank Jr

Old School, New Rules is the title of the new Hank Williams, Jr. album, which is set for release on July 10th.

Among the songs in the new collection is a duet with Brad Paisley ("I’m Gonna Get Drunk And Play Hank Williams") as well as a new duet with Merle Haggard ("I Think I’ll Just Sit Here and Drink.") The first single from the album (Hank's first release in several years) "That Ain’t Good," has just been sent to radio stations.

You can buy the album now on pre-sale at www.hankjr.com.

Track Listing for "Old School, New Rules":
1. Takin’ Back The Country
2. I’m Gonna Get Drunk And Play Hank Williams (w/ Brad Paisley)
3. Three Day Trip
4. Old School
5. We Don’t Apologize for America
6. You Win Again
7. Cow Turd Blues
8. Who’s Takin’ Care of Number One
9. That Ain’t Good
10.Keep The Change
11.Stock Market Blues
12.I Think I’ll Just Stay Here And Drink (w/ Merle Haggard)

Gloriana to release new album

Gloriana, the Country music trio made up of brothers Tom and Mike Gossin, as well as Rachel Reinert, will release its second studio album, A Thousand Miles Left Behind on July 31st.

The trio had a hand in writing all 11 tracks on the album. The first single released is "(Kissed You) Good Night"

For more information about Gloriana, visit www.gloriana.com.

Marlee Scott to release "Beautiful Maybe"

Country artist Marlee Scott will be releasing her debut album, Beautiful Maybe, on June 19th. Her current single, Train Wreck, is quickly rising up the Country charts. The song features guest vocals from Vince Gill.

Beautiful Maybe album track list:

"Beautiful Maybe"
"Jane Doe"
"I Love Hating You"
"I Won't Love You Anymore"
"I'm Not Your Baby Anymore"
"Let It Rain"
"Planet Of Your Own"
"Rhinestone In The Rough"
"Crazy For You"
"Kiss Of Coming Home"
"Train Wreck"
"Life Is Not A Movie"

Brandi Carlile's new album

Brandi Carlie has a new album set for release on Tuesday, June 5th. Bear Creek, Brandi's fourth studio album was recorded at Bear Creek Studios outside of Seattle. The first single from the album, "That Wasn't Me," is available online now.

Brandi has also performed a few other songs from the album at various shows recently. You can find them on YouTube.

the track listing for Bear Creek:
1 - Hard Way Home
2 - Raise Hell
3 - Save Part Of Yourself
4 - That Wasn't Me
5 - Keep Your Heart Young
6 - 100
7 - A Promise To Keep
8 - I'll Still Be There
9 - What Did I Ever Come Here For
10 - Heart's Content
11 - Rise Again
12 - In The Morrow
13 - Just Kids

Waylon Jennings' final recordings

An album featuring some of the final recordings from country legend Waylon Jennings is scheduled to be released September 11th. Goin’ Down Rockin’: The Last Recordings of Waylon Jennings will be filled with recordings that Waylon made during his last few years before his death in 2002, helped by his longtime accompanist, Robby Turner. Waylon wrote all but one of the 12 songs on the new album.


Tracklisting for "Goin’ Down Rockin’: The Last Recordings of Waylon Jennings":
1. Goin’ Down Rockin'
2. Belle of The Ball
3. If My Harley Was Runnin'
4. I Do Believe
5. Friends In California
6. The Ways of the World
7. Shakin' The Blues
8. Never Say Die
9. Wasting Time
10.Sad Songs & Waltzes
11.She Was no Good for Me
12.Wrong Road To Nashville

Alan Jackson - Thirty Miles West

Alan Jackson has a new album, Thirty Miles West, that will be released on June 5th. AJ's long-time producer Keith Stegall is back at the helm of this new collection of songs. The first single, "So You Don’t Have To Love Me Anymore," is currently making its way towards the top of the charts.

The album title refers to the area where Alan grew up- "about thirty miles west of the official part of the Dixie Highway that runs through Georgia."

Aaron Lewis to release new country album

Aaron Lewis will be releasing a full length country album, The Road, on June 26th.



Lewis wrote every song on the 10 track collection, except for "Grandaddy’s Gun", which was written by Bobby Pinson, Rhett Akins, and Dallas Davidson.

Last year, the Staind frontman released his successful solo EP, Town Line, and Gold single “Country Boy," which featured country legends George Jones & Charlie Daniels.

Track listing:
75
The Road
Endless Summer
Red, White & Blue
Lessons Learned
Forever
Grandaddy’s Gun
State Lines
Anywhere But Here
Party In Hell

Quirky County Music Song Titles Day

It’s a day of music celebration.

Why, you ask?

Because it’s “Quirky Country Music Song Titles Day”. And if you’re a fan of the older country music, you could probably find at least a song or two by every artist from that era. Here’s a list of some that I can think of right now.

A boy named Sue
Absolutely finger lickin’, grits & chicken, country music love song
All my best friends are behind bars
All my ex’s live in Texas
Brown chicken, brown cow
Bubba shot the jukebox
Daydreams about night things
Did I shave my legs for this?
Dip me in beer & throw me to the drunk chicks
Do you love as good as you look
Do you want fries with that?
Don’t come home a drinkin’ with lovin’ on your mind
Don’t forget to remember me
Don’t squeeze my Sharmon
Don’t we all have the right to be wrong
Don’t your memory ever sleep at night
Dreaming with my eyes wide open
Drink myself single
Drop kick me Jesus through the goal posts of life
Drunk on you
Get a little goner
Good pennies keep coming back
Happy birthday, dear heartache
Hard to kiss the lips that chew your ass out all day long
Here’s a quarter, call someone who cares
Hurt me bad in a real good way
I hope you never find someone new
I love women my mama can’t stand
I never promised you a rose garden
I still like bologna
I want you bad & that ain’t good
I watched it all on my radio
I wish that I could hurt that way again
I’ll come back as another woman
I’m gonna hire a wino to decorate our home
I’m your radio
I’ve done enough dying today
If I said you had a beautiful body, would you hold it against me?
If the devil danced in empty pockets
If you’re gonna do me wrong, do it right
It ain’t easy being easy
It’s a business doing pleasure with you
It’s a cheatin’ situation
Let’s get over them together
Life, liberty & the pursuit of happy hour
Mama burned down daddy’s honky tonk
May the bird of paradise fly up your nose
Men buy the drinks, women call the shots
Miss being Mrs
Miss lead me on
My baby loves me when I’m stoned
My baby thinks he’s a train
My give a damn’s busted
Old home fill ‘er up truckin’ café
One of a kind, a pair of fools
Prop me up beside the jukebox
Puttin’ the dark back into the night
Save a horse, ride a cowboy
She got the goldmine, I got the shaft
She left me holding the bottle
She thinks my tractor’s sexy
She’s too god at doing all of the wrong things right
Should I come home or should I go crazy
Since you moved out, I moved her in
Sometimes the bottle hits you back
Take your memory with you when you go
Tell your sister I’m single
Tequila makes her clothes fall off
Thank God & Greyhound she’s gone
The more he drinks, the more he thinks
The more I’m around some people, the more I like my dog
The way we make a broken heart
There’s a tear in my beer
They always look better when they’re leaving
Tonight the bottle let me down
Tonight, the heartache’s on me
Too much blood in my alcohol level
Too much month at the end of the money
Too much town, not enough ground
Upper middle class white trash
Watching my baby not coming back
Way past my beer time
We must’ve been out of our minds
What’s a memory like you doing in a love like this
When it rains, I pour
Whiskey, if you were a woman
Who’s gonna mow your grass
Why can’t we all get a long neck
Women keep driving me crazy, and I go along for the ride
You ain’t much fun since I quit drinkin’
You can’t have your Kate & Edith too
You don’t think I’m funny anymore
You made a wanted man of me
You make an angel want to cheat
You’re gonna ruin my bad reputation
You’re playing hard to forget
You’re the kind of trouble I could get into
You’re the reason our kids are ugly
Your memory walks through walls
Your squaw is on the warpath

Lee Brice to release new album

Lee Brice will be releasing his long-awaited second Curb Records album "Hard 2 Love" on Tuesday, April 24th. The album's first single is "A Woman Like You", and is already nearing gold certification with a track record of 450,000 digital downloads already sold. Lee co-wrote eight of the 13 tracks on the album.

Tracks include:

1. Hard To Love
2. A Woman Like You
3. That’s When You Know It’s Over
4. Parking Lot Party
5. Don't Believe Everything You Think
6. I Drive Your Truck
7. See About A Girl
8. Friends We Won’t Forget
9. Life Off My Years
10. Seven Days A Thousand Times
11. Beer
12. That Way Again
13. One More Day

A legacy lives on

It was 49 years ago today that tragedy befell the country music world with the death of singers Patsy Cline, Cowboy Copas, and Hawkshaw Hawkins, as well as the pilot, Randy Hughes, in a plane crash near Camden, Tennessee.




Last summer, I had a chance to visit Winchester, Virginia, home of Patsy Cline. I saw her house, the house she lived in with husband, Charlie, as well as her gravesite.



Patsy was a fiery personality with a powerful voice. She had only a few short years to grace us with her wonderful voice, but her legacy still shines bright nearly half a century after her death.

Hank III to release new album on April 17th

Hank III has a new project, "Long Gone Daddy", being released on April 17th. The package is a 10-song collection that has Hank III paying homage to his grandfather, Hank Williams, Sr ("I’m A Long Gone Daddy," "Neath A Cold Gray Tomb of Stone," and the title track, as well as Merle Haggard ("The Bottle Let Me Down"), Johnny Cash ("Wreck of the Old 97") and Waylon & Willie ("Good Hearted Woman").

The singer-songwriter Hank Williams influenced most – on this record, at least – is Hank III, whose remarkable vocal, including yodeling sendoff on the title track, would have been just right on a circa 1950 Grand Ole Opry or Louisiana Hayride stage.

Track Listing:
1) I'm A Long Gone Daddy
2) Sun Comes Up
3) The Bottle Let Me Down
4) Wreck Of The Old '97
5) Neath A Cold Gray Tomb Of Stone
6) The Wind Blew Cold
7) Good Hearted Woman
8) This Ain't Montgomery (with Joey Allcorn)
9) What They Want Me To Be
10) If The Shoe Fits (Shuffle Mix)

Best of Hank Jr to be released

On March 27th, Curb Records will be releasing a retrospective collection of signature hits from Hank Williams, Jr. It will feature 22 of Hank Jr.’s best songs that span decades of his career.

Tracks include:
"Family Tradition"
"Whiskey Bent And Hell Bound"
"Women I've Never Had"
"Outlaw Women"
"Kaw-Liga"
"Old Habits"
"Dinosaur"
"The Blues Man"
"Texas Women"
"Dixie On My Mind"
"All My Rowdy Friends (Have Settled Down)"
"A Country Boy Can Survive"
"If Heaven Ain't A Lot Like Dixie"
"The Conversation"
"All My Rowdy Friends Are Coming Over Tonight"
"Country State Of Mind"
"Born To Boogie"
"If The South Woulda Won"
"There's A Tear In My Beer" (with Hank Williams)
"Red, White, & Pink-Slip Blues"
"Bartender Song (Sittin’ At The Bar)" (with Rehab)
"All My Rowdy Friends Are Coming For Monday Night Football"

Neal McCoy to release new album

It's been five years since his last album, but Neal McCoy has a new album, XII, being released on March 6th. On this new offering, Neal enlists the help of Blake Shelton, Miranda Lambert, and Brent Rowan to produce and record the album.



The first single from the album, "A-OK" featured harmony vocals from Blake and Miranda.

XII tracklist:
1. A-OK
2. Real Good Feel Good
3. Judge A Man By The Woman
4. Mouth
5. Shotgun Rider
6. That’s You
7. Crazy Women
8. Lucky Enough
9. Every Fire
10. That’s Just How She Gets
11. Borderline Crazy
12. Van Gogh

Matt Kennon - You had to pick on me

In 2010, Matt Kennon's single, The Call, shed light on suicide prevention. This year, he continues that crusade with You Had To Pick On Me, a powerful message of anti-bullying.



Bullying is cruel, and unnecessary, and unconscionable. Don't wait until it's too late to talk about it with those around you. Visit www.bullying.org

Janie Fricke - the other side of country

Janie Fricke has always been one of my favorite singers. On this new release, Country Side of Bluegrass, she gives her biggest hits a little bluegrass flavor. The album is available on iTunes, Amazon.com MP3, Amazon.com CD, and www.janiefricke.com

Track List:

1. You Don’t Know Love
2. Goodbye Broken Heart
3. Do Me With Love
4. Faithless Love
5. He’s A Heartache
6. Please Help Me, I’m Falling (In Love With You)
7. She’s Single Again
8. I’ll Need Someone To Hold Me (When I Cry)
9. Down To My Last Broken Heart
10. Tell Me A Lie
11. It Ain’t Easy Bein’ Easy
12. Don’t Worry ‘Bout Me Baby
13. Ring of Fire (Bonus Track)

ACM Nominees

The 2012 Academy of Country Music awards will be presented on Sunday, April 1st. The list of nominees was released today.

Entertainer of the Year
Jason Aldean
Kenny Chesney
Brad Paisley
Blake Shelton
Taylor Swift

Female Vocalist of the Year
Sara Evans
Miranda Lambert
Martina McBride
Taylor Swift
Carrie Underwood

Male Vocalist of the Year
Jason Aldean
Kenny Chesney
Brad Paisley
Blake Shelton
Chris Young

Vocal Group of the Year
The Band Perry
Eli Young Band
Lady Antebellum
Rascal Flatts
Zac Brown Band

Vocal Duo of the Year
Love and Theft
Montgomery Gentry
Steel Magnolia
Sugarland
Thompson Square

New Artist of the Year (To Be Announced Jan. 30)

Album of the Year
(Award to Artist/Producer/Record Company)
Chief — Eric Church (EMI Nashville) [Producer: Jay Joyce, Arturo Bunahora, Jr.]
Four the Record — Miranda Lambert (RCA) [Producer: Chuck Ainlay, Frank Liddell]
Hemingway’s Whiskey — Kenny Chesney (BNA) [Producer: Buddy Cannon, Kenny Chesney)
My Kinda Party — Jason Aldean (Broken Bow) [Producer: Michael Knox]
Own The Night — Lady Antebellum (Capitol Nashville) [Producer: Lady Antebellum, Paul Worley]

Song of the Year
(Award to Composer/Publisher/Artist)
“Crazy Girl” — Eli Young Band (Composers: Liz Rose, Lee Brice) [Publishers: Cake Taker Music (BMI), Mike Curb Music (BMI), Sony/ATV Tree Publishing (BMI), Sweet Hysteria Music (BMI)]
“Home” — Dierks Bentley (Composers: Brett Beavers, Dierks Bentley, Dan Wilson) [Publishers: Big White Tracks (ASCAP), Chestnut Barn Music (BMI), Chrysalis Music/BMG Rights (ASCAP), Chrysalis One Songs (BMI)]
“Just A Kiss” — Lady Antebellum (Composers: Dallas Davidson, Dave Haywood, Charles Kelley, Hillary Scott) [Publishers: Dwhaywood Music (BMI), EMI Blackwood Music, Inc. (BMI), EMI Foray Music (SESAC), Hillary Dawn Songs (SESAC), Radiobulletspublishing (BMI), String Stretcher Music (BMI) Warner-Tamberlane Publishing Corp. (BMI)]
“Threaten Me With Heaven” — Vince Gill (Composers: Vince Gill, Amy Grant, Dillon O’Brian, Will Owsley) [Publishers: Grant Girls Music (ASCAP), Vinny Mae Music (BMI), Willie-O Music (ASCAP)]
“You and Tequila” — Kenny Chesney (Composers: Matraca Berg, Deana Carter) [Publishers: Deanaling Music (ASCAP), Hannaberg Music (BMI), Songs of Universal Inc., (BMI), WB Music Corp. (ASCAP)]

Single Record of the Year
(Award to Artist/Producer/Record Company)
“Crazy Girl” — Eli Young Band (Republic Nashville) [Producer: Mike Wrucke]
“Don’t You Wanna Stay” — Jason Aldean with Kelly Clarkson (Broken Bow) [Producer: Michael Knox]
“Red Solo Cup” — Toby Keith (Show Dog-Universal) [Producer: Toby Keith]
“Tomorrow” — Chris Young (RCA) [Producer: James Stroud]
“You and Tequila” — Kenny Chesney feat. Grace Potter (BNA) [Producer: Buddy Cannon, Kenny Chesney]

Vocal Event of the Year
(Award to Artist/Producer/Record Company)
“Country Boy” — Aaron Lewis feat. George Jones and Charlie Daniels (R&J Records) [Producer: Aaron Lewis, James Stroud]
“Don’t You Wanna Stay” — Jason Aldean with Kelly Clarkson (Broken Bow) [Producer: Michael Knox]
“Old Alabama” — Brad Paisley feat. Alabama (Arista) [Producer: Frank Rogers]
“Remind Me” — Brad Paisley with Carrie Underwood (Arista) [Producer: Frank Rogers]
“You and Tequila” — Kenny Chesney feat. Grace Potter (BNA) [Producer: Buddy Cannon, Kenny Chesney]

Video of the Year
(Award to Producer/Director/Artist)
“Tattoos On This Town” — Jason Aldean [Producer: John Burke; Director: Wes Edwards]
“Homeboy” — Eric Church [Producer: Brandon Arolfo; Director: Peter Zavadil]
“Red Solo Cup” — Toby Keith [Producer: Mark Kalbfeld; Director: Michael Salomon]
“Just a Kiss” — Lady Antebellum [Producer: Don Lepore; Director: Shaun Silva]
“Mean” — Taylor Swift [Producer: Oualid Mouaness; Director: Declan Whitebloom]

Songwriter of the Year
Rhett Akins
Dallas Davidson
Ben Hayslip
Luke Laird
David Lee Murphy

Promoter of the Year
Ben Ferrell ‐ Varnell Enterprises, Inc.
Brad Garrett ‐ Police Productions
Brian O’Connell ‐ Live Nation
Glenn Smith ‐ Glenn & Linda Present
Ed Warm ‐ Joe’s Bar

Don Romeo Talent Buyer of the Year
Ethan Hirsch ‐ Wilson Events
Jimmy Jay ‐ Jayson Promotions, Inc.
R.J. Kaltenbach ‐ Klein’s Attractions
Gary Osier ‐ Gary Osier Presents
Huston Powell ‐ C3 Presents

Venue of the Year
BOK Center ‐ Tulsa, OK
Bridgestone Arena ‐ Nashville, TN
First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre ‐ Chicago, IL
Jiffy Lube Live ‐ Bristow, VA
Sprint Center ‐ Kansas City, MO

Nightclub of the Year
Billy Bob’s Texas ‐ Ft. Worth, TX
Buck Owens’ Crystal Palace ‐ Bakersfield, CA
Grizzly Rose ‐ Denver, CO
Toby Keith’s I Love This Bar & Grill ‐ Minneapolis, MN
Wormy Dog ‐ Oklahoma City, OK

Casino of the Year
Agua Caliente Casino ‐ Rancho Mirage, CA
IP Casino ‐ Biloxi, MS
Island Resort Casino ‐ Harris, MI
Mandalay Bay Hotel & Casino ‐ Las Vegas, NV
WinStar World Casino ‐ Thackerville, OK

Specialty Instrument(s) Player of the Year
Eric Darken
Aubrey Haynie
Ilya Toshinsky
John Willis
Jonathan Yudkin

Piano/Keyboard Player of the Year
Tony Harrell
John Hobbs
John Jarvis
Charlie Judge
Michael Rojas

Fiddle Player of the Year
Glen Duncan
Stuart Duncan
Larry Franklin
Joe Spivey
Jonathan Yudkin

Steel Guitar Player of the Year
Paul Franklin
Mike Johnson
Greg Leisz
Russ Pahl
Scotty Sanders

Guitarist of the Year
J.T. Corenflos
Kenny Greenberg
Jay Joyce
Brent Mason
Adam Shoenfeld

Percussionist/Drummer of the Year
Matt Chamberlain
Chad Cromwell
Shannon Forrest
Chris McHugh
Greg Morrow

Bass Player of the Year
Mike Brignardello
Kevin “Swine” Grantt
Mark Hill
Michael Rhodes
Jimmy Lee Sloas

Audio Engineer of the Year
Jeff Balding
Derek Bason
John Kelton
Mills Logan
Justin Niebank

Producer of the Year
Mark Bright
Buddy Cannon
Nathan Chapman
Jay Joyce
Frank Liddell


For more information about the ACM awards, visit their website: ACMCountry.com

Kellie Pickler - 100 Proof

Kellie Pickler will release 100 Proof on Jan. 24. The album is her third release. It includes 11 songs, including six that Kellie co-wrote.

With 100 Proof, Kellie brings a more traditional sounding country album, with her intent to pay homage to her musical influences, such as Tammy Wynette, Dolly Parton, and Loretta Lynn.

100 Proof track listing:

1. Where’s Tammy Wynette
2. Unlock That Honky Tonk
3. Stop Cheatin’ On Me
4. Long As I Never See You Again
5. Tough
6. Turn On The Radio And Dance
7. Mother’s Day
8. Rockaway (The Rockin’ Chair Song)
9. Little House On The Highway
10. 100 Proof
11. The Letter (To Daddy)


Fans can pre-order 100 Proof now on iTunes at http://bit.ly/tHNwQz.

Kellie is also giving fans the opportunity to unlock and stream one new song a day from 100 Proof by "liking" her Facebook page.

Johnny Cash - At Folsom Prison

It was on this day in 1968 that the Man in Black, Johnny Cash, recorded one of the greatest albums of all-time: "At Folsom Prison".



Johnny performed two shows at Folsom State Prison in California on January 13, 1968. The album that was compiled from those shows consisted of 15 tracks from the first show and two tracks from the second.

Johnny's standard entourage for those days - June Carter, The Carter Family, Carl Perkins and the Statler Brothers - all made appearances on the album as well.

The track listing for the original album release:
Side 1
1. "Folsom Prison Blues"
2. "Dark as a Dungeon"
3. "I Still Miss Someone"
4. "Cocaine Blues"
5. "25 Minutes to Go"
6. "Orange Blossom Special"
7. "The Long Black Veil"

Side 2
1. "Send a Picture of Mother"
2. "The Wall" Harlan Howard
3. "Dirty Old Egg-Suckin' Dog"
4. "Flushed From the Bathroom of Your Heart"
5. "Jackson" (with June Carter)
6. "Give My Love to Rose" (with June Carter)
7. "I Got Stripes"
8. "Green, Green Grass of Home"
9. "Greystone Chapel"

This album (mainly side 1, actually) was the soundtrack to my youth. It's one of a number of vinyl albums that I grew up listening to over & over again.

If you haven't heard this album, please be sure to check it out. It's a classic.

Gene Watson to bring 'Best of the Best'

Gene Watson will be celebrating his 50 years of making country music with a release of "Best of the Best: 25 Greatest Hits" on February 14.

The album features re-recorded versions of his classics, such as "Love In The Hot Afternoon," "Farewell Party," "Fourteen Carat Mind," "Memories To Burn," and more.

Grimes to release "Visions"

Grimes, a project of Claire Boucher, will release the new album, Visions, to those outside of Canada on February 21st, which coincides with a tour through the US & Canada. The album will be released to the rest of the world on March 12th. The tour is scheduled to reach Europe in May.

Track list for Visions
1. Infinite ♡ Without Fulfillment
2. Genesis
3. Oblivion
4. Eight
5. Circumambient
6. Vowels = Space and Time
7. Visiting Statue
8. Be A Body
9. Colour of Moonlight (Antiochus) (feat. Doldrums)
10. Symphonia IX (My Wait Is U)
11. Nightmusic (feat. Majical Cloudz)
12. Skin
13. Know The Way (Outro)

Check out the first single, Genesis

Sara Evans releases 3rd book

Sara Evans released her third novel, Love Lifted Me, on Tuesday of this week. The novel was co-written by Rachel Hauck, and is the third installment in Sara’s Songbird series, which include The Sweet By and By (released in 2009) and Softly and Tenderly (released last year). All three books follow the life of protagonist Jade Benson.

Love Lifted Me features the challenge that Jade & her husband, Max, go through after they gain custody of his son.

Look for Love Lifted Me at your favorite bookstore or here at Amazon.com

Dierks Bentley - Home

Dierks Bentley's upcoming Capitol Nashville album, Home, is set for release on February 7th. This will be the sixth album for Dierks.

Dierks wrote four of the songs on the album, including the first single, "Am I The Only One," as well as the title track. Dierks brings in guests, including Karen Fairchild of Little Big Town on "When You Gonna Come Around," as well as bluegrass players Sam Bush and Tim O’Brien on "Heart of a Lonely Girl." There's also a hidden special guest on the final track.

Track List for "Home":

1. Am I The Only One
2. Gonna Die Young
3. Tip It On Back
4. Home
5. Diamonds Make Babies
6. In My Head
7. Breathe You In
8. The Woods
9. When You Gonna Come Around (Featuring Karen Fairchild)
10. 5-1-5-0
11. Heart Of A Lonely Girl
12. Thinking Of You

For more album details and for a full list of tour dates, visit www.dierks.com.

Tim McGraw releases "emotional traffic"

Tim McGraw & Curb Records will be getting the new year off & running with the release of Tim's new album, Emotional Traffic, on January 24th. The album was produced by Tim's longtime producer, Byron Gallimore.

Emotional Traffic includes 12 new tracks, with "Felt Good On My Lips" as the first single released, which has already been certified digital gold. His current single from the album, "Better Than I Used To Be", has just recently been released and is now climbing the charts.

Tim collaborates with R&B pop artist Ne-Yo on "Only Human". Other highlights include "I will not fall down", a song co-written by Tim, Martina McBride and The Warren Brothers.

The track listing for Emotional Traffic:

1. Halo
2. Right Back Actha Babe
3. One Part, Two Part
4. I Will Not Fall Down
5. The One
6. Better Than I Used To Be
7. Touchdown Jesus
8. The One That Got Away
9. Felt Good On My Lips
10. Hey Now
11. Only Human
12. Die By My Own Hand