Ted Pitney: “October Fire” - Ted seems to have a smooth, John Mayer/Shawn Pander style of story-telling through song. Relaxed, intelligent lyrics, and overall the song is well-assembled and marketable.

Mill’s End: “Remember the Time” - Being a huge Counting Crows fan, I really enjoyed this on, Of course this track has a more rustic, earthy quality than anything the crows ever put out. I can’t really place where this would sell best, but I would definitely buy it.

Manda Mosher: “City of Clowns” - Joni Mitchell meets Sheryl Crow. Pleasant but forgettable. Again, we’re falling outside of the country or even alt-country element, but not quite hard enough to call it rock either.

I guess this is the part where I remind readers that music doesn’t HAVE to fall into any pre-structured genre labels. Having your own blend is highly encouraged in fact. However, when trying to determine just how big your audience can get, finding the right unique sound DOES require a delecate balance between familiarity of a favorite genre and being distinctly original enough to leave a lasting impression.

Review Roundup has our staff listen to 3 singles, submitted to us at ReviewShine, and give their gut reaction.

Brad Blume: “Poor Depressed Me” - This one has a classic cryin’ country song sound. Steel, sadness, and a little bit of quirk. The vocals are a bit nasal, but the song is worth a spin.

Mark Lennon: “Down The Mountain” - The synthesizer is a bit much in the intro, but after that, a good 70’s light rock song blossoms out. Imagine The Allman Brothers if you will. Could be a catchy radio song if they replaced the ballpark organ with perhaps more steel or even a harmonica.

Gumbo: “It’s Raining” - I think I just fell into a tiny bar on the outskirts of New Orleans. You know.. the kind with ratty stools, no booths, and a stage in the corner made of pallets. A sleepy guitar and some good day-drinking. This might be my favorite Roundup track yet.

Review Roundup has our staff listen to 3 singles, submitted to us at ReviewShine, and give their gut reaction.

The Allendales: “Drunkard’s Dream of Immortality” - The tune is well-assembled, catchy, and overall good. I can hear it being played on Willie’s Place easily. sadly, mainstream radio has long since left this easygoing Americana style.

Dixie Whiskey: “Wheels On The Wind” - While being a good slow-down song, I can’t find anything that stands out with these guys except that they could be a dead ringer for Jimmy Buffet’s sound.

Mud, Blood & Beer: “Lucy” - If Jason Aldean’s backup band were to play for the lead singer of Marcy’s Playground you would have Mud, Blood & Beer. More 90’s alt-rock than country, the song swaggers and slides and they may be marketing to the wrong demographic.

Review Roundup has our staff listen to 3 singles, submitted to us at ReviewShine, and give their gut reaction.

Telluride’s debut album “Four Square Miles” somehow ended up on my desk recently, so I thought I’d share my thoughts on it. My first impression way that these guys would fill in for the next generation of Rascal Flatts fans with songs like “Stay with me” and “Riverbank“, which have a general pop-country appeal. After going through the rest of the album I’m finding much of the same modern country sound but there are a few things that stand out. So, knowing that I’m looking at this from an independent artists’ how-to perspective, without further ado, here’s my take. (more…)

It’s my job to dig up and “discover” new country artists and expose them to the world. Each day I get a handful of suggestions that I follow up on with mixed results, and I always feel bad when I turn away from a band so today I thought I’d tell you what makes the difference when deciding which bands to showcase here on DH Country.

• Country Music Forum
• User Profiles
• Chat
• Video, Picture, and Music Uploads
• And much much more!

To celebrate our community the first 500 members to join will be entered into a raffle for special prizes including new cd’s, apparel, and many other exciting gifts! Once you’ve joined, be sure to invite your friends or visit our badges page to help spread the word! And by all means PLEASE use these tools to help bring your favorite artists to light for the rest of us!!!

In the spirit of supporting unsigned and independent country musicians, CMT and Comcast have paired up again to bring you the Music City Madness competition. Undiscovered singers and songwriters will be able to submit their original video performance entry online or via mail to compete against the nation’s best undiscovered talent. All styles of country music are welcome including bluegrass, folk, southern rock and Americana, among others.
(more…)

For Immediate Release:
July 1, 2008 (Los Angeles, CA)– With combined sales totaling over 280,000 albums, an appearance on Austin City Limits, two performances on Late Night With Conan O’Brien, and multiple appearances on A Prairie Home Companion, various NPR programs and the Grand Ole Opry, Old Crow Medicine Show prepares for the September 23rd release of Tennessee Pusher, their third album for Nettwerk Music Group and their most personal album to date. (more…)

Hogjaw gets a head start in the local music scene opening for southern rock bad boys, Jackyl.

With a new album “Devil in the Details” set to release this coming Saturday, members of Hogjaw are excited to talk about what they’ve learned in the local music scene over the last year or so. Take a look, take a listen, and take a trip to catch them live first chance you get. (more…)