That Nashville Sound

TNS Video History- Alabama- "When We Make Love"

2012-01-29T00:49:00.000-08:00

TNS Video History- Alabama- "Feels So Right"

2012-01-28T02:47:00.000-08:00

New Live Music Video From Emily West- "Boys In The Morning"

2012-01-27T17:49:00.001-08:00

Crystal Shawanda Covers The Late Etta James- "I'd Rather Go Blind"

2012-01-26T04:11:00.001-08:00

CD Album Review- Kellie Pickler- 100 Proof

2012-01-25T05:17:00.000-08:00

The review-
American Idol, with rare exception, has a habit of sending artists that can't find a place in other genres to country music. Phil Stacey, Danny Gokey, Ayla Brown and Michael Sarver all come to mind. Kellie Pickler has bled southern Dixie country through and through from the beginning, however. Unapologetically so. (I suspect this has been the cause for her to be more embraced by country radio than most of the artists mentioned previously.) And while her first works have veered more towards the pop-country side of things- and with good success with tracks like "Red High Heels" and "Best Days Of Your Life"- 100 Proof proves to be her coming home party. She delivers a genuine and believable throwback in style and theme that proves that she doesn't wear her heart on her sleeve. She keeps it rooted in classic country.

The album gets right to this point with the opener, "Where's Tammy Wynette?" Steel guitar serenades the love-lorn girl who longs to trade aprons and skillets for short skirts and heels. Pickler's big voice is complimented by her southern twang and sassy attitude. The namedrop of one of country's iconic classic country icons sets the stage for what's to come.

She shouts "don't tell me country's gone" on the fun and groovy "Unlock the Honkytonk." "Stop Cheatin' on Me" is classic steel-driven 70's country theme and instrumentation- albeit with a modern production. The track could easily be in Wynette's own song collection.

The girl has pipes and uses them well. On a soft ballad like "As Long As I Never See You Again," she can belt out a chorus as big and bold as a Carrie Underwood, but can dial back on verses to reveal a fragile tenderness in her vocals.

The steel guitar takes a prominence on the album and acts as the backbone. On the romantic and innocent little number, "Turn On The Radio," it does as much of the work on the chorus as do any Pickler vocals. Even when the drums and guitars come up on "Little House on the Highway," the steel guitar ties the track well to all of the others.

The album's standout tracks are the bittersweet dedication to both parents. The first is to mom's with "Mother's Day." Pickler's protagonist has lost her own mother and she explores the rewards of her blessings of time spent and the love/life experiences never known. It is emotionally fraught and Pickler delivers it appropriately in an almost whisper and restrained delivery. Early into 2012, it's one of the best tracks of the year. The last track is a short and sweet dedication to a father whose alcohol abuse kept him from truly connecting with a daughter. Now sober, the song is a promise to make up for lost time. Soft and tender, it is raw and as open-hearted as you can deliver a song.

Ironically, the song that doesn't necessarily fit with the others is the first radio single, "Tough." It does have the spitfire Pickler has on the other tracks, but the production is more rock-and-roll than the others. It leaves it out of place.

Since her last album, Pickler married fellow singer/songwriter Kyle Jacobs. Perhaps, now more content and secure in her own personal life, Pickler has found the strength to stick to her guns and choose tracks and production she felt more represented her as an artist. Settling down doesn't mean settling as an artist. By staying true to her country roots, she's delivered a personal and authentic album that will hopefully be a career-cementer for Pickler. The genre needs more mainstream artists like LeeAnn Womack preaching the classic country gospel. In 100 Proof, Kellie Pickler delivers one hell of a sermon.

The verdict-
Four stars out of five

Hear It Here- Phil Vassar- "Don't Miss Your Life"

2012-01-24T00:28:00.000-08:00

Phil Vassar has topped the country charts on numerous occasions both as a writer and artist and seems to be on the verge of doing it again with this brand new single. "Don't Miss Your Life," is causing a bit of a buzz at country radio even before it has been officially released.

"I wrote this song on a plane recently, when I was really missing my family and especially my two daughters," said Phil. "The response we're receiving from country radio and from fans has been absolutely incredible. I am always amazed when a song touches people like this."

Listen to the new track HERE.

John Berry Releases New Inspirational Album RealMan.RealLife.RealGod.

2012-01-23T04:35:00.000-08:00

Mention his name to just about any country music lover and the response will likely be, "What an awesome vocalist!" Between 1979 and 1990 John Berry recorded and marketed six albums on his own Clear Sky Records label. Those early discs and John Berry's strong regional popularity attracted him attention on Music Row. Capitol Records signed him in 1992 and it was there that he had a string of hits, including "Your Love Amazes Me", "Standing on the Edge of Goodbye", "I Think About It All The Time", "Change My Mind", "If I Had Any Pride Left At All", "Kiss Me In The Car", "What's In It For Me", and "You and Only You".

But it was his stunning performance of the title track of the 1995 CD O Holy Night that led to his most enduring legacy. John Berry began doing a Christmas tour in 1996 and this last year marked his 15th consecutive Christmas concert series. As John has grown in his walk with Christ, his calling has been to share God's love with his audience. Moving into a new phase in his career, John's tenor voice remains an instrument that is able to touch all our hearts.

"I am so excited to be starting on my 25th album/cd and 1st Christian project RealMan.RealLife.RealGod. God has blessed me with some great songs and I can't wait to share them with you," says Berry.

The new album began shipping on Berry's website this past Friday and will be released to digital outlets in the coming weeks.

Previously Unreleased John Denver Song Sees The Light Of Day

2012-01-22T20:35:00.000-08:00

John Denver, best known for his 1970's folk-country smashes "Sunshine on My Shoulders," "Take Me Home, Country Roads," "Leaving on a Jet Plane" and "Rocky Mountain High," has a new song that is seeing the light of the day 15 years after his death.

"The Wandering Soul (Love Is the Answer)," written in the early 1990's by Denver, was performed once live but never tracked in a studio. It is understood to be the final song written by the musician. John Denver fan and Oregon author-filmmaker-musician James Twyman has recently recorded the song and has made it into a new music video you can watch below.

"I was immediately moved," Twyman wrote in an e-mail to fans, "not just because it was significant that he never had the chance to share the song [through a studio recording], but because it was one of the best, most spiritual songs he ever wrote."

TNS Video History- Jack Ingram- "One Thing"

2012-01-22T04:44:00.000-08:00

TNS Video History- Jack Ingram Covers George Strait's "All My Ex's Live In Texas"

2012-01-21T07:40:00.001-08:00

Music Legend Etta James Passes at 73

2012-01-20T23:06:00.000-08:00

Etta James, whose assertive, earthy voice lit up such hits as "The Wallflower," "Something's Got a Hold on Me" and the wedding favorite "At Last," has died from complications of leukemia at the age of 73.

She is regarded as having bridged the gap between rhythm and blues and rock and roll, and is the winner of six Grammys and 17 Blues Music Awards. She was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1993, the Blues Hall of Fame in 2001, and the Grammy Hall of Fame in both 1999 and 2008. Rolling Stone ranked James number 22 on their list of the 100 Greatest Singers of All Time and number 62 on the list of the 100 Greatest Artists.

A lot of folks don’t know that James set out to record a country album back in the 90s. It is terrific. It’s called Love’s Been Rough On Me.

That said, in this Rolling Stone interview from 1997, James didn’t seem to have the same high regard for her foray into Nashville.

Well … I’d been dying to make a country record. I love the women in country ‑ Patsy Cline, Loretta Lynn, Kitty Wells ‑ and I wanted to be the first black woman to do the Grand Ole Opry, if just to say it’s the same fucking thing as rhythm & blues! So I did Love’s Been Rough on Me with Barry Beckett [James' longtime producer], and when it was done, the label heard it and said, “You gotta pizazz this up or it won’t get played. [Growls) Needs some of that ass‑kicking shit." Uh, OK. So they put all these horns on it and remixed it. Even the cover photo ‑ they wouldn't use the one I wanted. That record has nothing to do with me ‑ looking like some old woman with a leopard scarf around my neck, getting ready to go make some spaghetti!

But I wasn't gonna fight it, 'cause I wasn't gonna win. Nowadays, when you get past 35, it seems like you can't get a record going. I never hear my stuff played on the air, unless it's an oldies station and somebody goes [mock DJ voice], “Now we’re gonna go waaaay back.” But I’ll make that country record yet. I’ll be on the cover standing by an old wagon wheel, with my foot propped up on a cactus or something, with a cowboy hat on and one of those shingle leather jackets. Etta Goes Country

RIP, Miss James.

Drifting Cowboy "Pee Wee" Moultrie Passes Away

2012-01-20T05:29:00.000-08:00

Cois E. “Pee Wee” Moultrie, a former member of country singer Hank Williams’ Drifting Cowboys band, died this week of a heart attack.

Moultrie sang with Williams from 1938 to 1940. He is featured in two songs on a recently released CD box set — “Fan It,” in which Moultrie sings and Williams plays, and “Alexander’s Ragtime Band,” with Williams singing and Moultrie playing the accordion.

Moultrie toured, lived and played with Williams until he joined the Army Air Corps. He said even then he knew his pal who gave him the nickname “Pee Wee” would be a star.

“Back then, we were playing Ernest Tubb and Roy Acuff, but he was meant for the big time,” Moultrie said. “We weren’t even trying to write songs, but he’d see something in a paper that would make a good song so he’d tear it off and put it in his pants. He could write a whole song in one car ride. He was terrific.”

“He played in a band his entire life. Even when he was in the Air Force he played in a band,” Moultrie's daughter said. “He always played the accordion, but he could play other instruments. “What always amazed me was that he couldn’t read music. He played by hearing,” she said. “He instilled the love for music in us, too, and probably in his grandchild even more.”

Dolly Parton and Opry Owners To Build Theme Park in Nashville

2012-01-20T05:12:00.000-08:00

Gaylord Entertainment and Dolly Parton’s Dollywood Company have entered into a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for a 50/50 joint venture to develop a 114-acre family entertainment zone adjacent to the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center. The Dollywood Company will serve as the operating partner. Phase one of the project is a yet unnamed approximately $50 million water and snow park, the first of its kind in the United States. A late 2012, early 2013 groundbreaking date is expected with the park opening slated for summer of 2014.

Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam and Nashville Mayor Karl Dean joined Dolly Parton and Colin V. Reed, chairman and chief executive officer, for Gaylord Entertainment at today’s announcement at the Grand Ole Opry House at Gaylord Opryland.

“Tourism is the second largest industry in Tennessee, generating more than a billion dollars in tax revenue annually and employing more than 170,000 Tennesseans,” Haslam said. “This project will be a welcome addition to the wide variety of attractions and destinations across our great state, and I applaud the collaboration and spirit that has led to this announcement.”

The water and snow park will anchor the project which offers 35-acres set aside for future expansion. The park will provide a mix of high energy water activities for the summer season and designated snow activities for winter play. Once open, first year attendance is projected at 500,000, a large portion of which will come from out of state, bringing in substantial tourism revenue to Tennessee and Nashville. Dollywood expects to employ 450 full- and part- time employees.

This proposed attraction furthers Gaylord’s focus on growing the leisure side of its business and continuing to drive revenue through its top-notch entertainment attractions throughout the year.

“We are thrilled by the prospect of bringing to Nashville a family focused entertainment center with one of the preeminent theme park owners and operators in the country,” said Colin V. Reed, chairman and chief executive officer, for Gaylord Entertainment. “I am confident this proposed attraction, which will be a destination not only for our hotel guests but also for the entire Nashville community, will meaningfully enhance our transient and leisure strategy by providing a fun, family environment at the doorstep of the Opryland Hotel. With Dolly Parton’s country music legacy and strong ties to Nashville, we can think of no better partner for this venture than Dolly’s Dollywood Company.”

Country Music News Round-Up- Merle Haggard, Steel Magnolia & More

2012-01-19T05:47:00.000-08:00

Steel Magnolia

74 year old Merle Haggard has been hospitalized in Georgia with pneumonia, causing him to have to cancel several concert dates through the end of January.
Josh Kelley’s wife and actress Katherine Heigl has directed Kelley’s new music video named after their daughter, “Naleigh Moon.”
It looks like the duo of Steel Magnolia has come to an end. Reports are confirmed that they’ve split from their music label and there are also reports that the engaged couple has split up as well. The duo enjoyed a Top 5 hit in 2010 with "Keep on Lovin' You."
Jana Kramer, an actress on the CW Series One Tree Hill and singer on the Warner Nashville label, has set a record with her new country radio single, “Why Ya Wanna.” It has become the fastest added debut single for a female artist in the history of the Country Aircheck/ Mediabase chart.

Country Music News Round-Up- Blake Shelton, Kenny Chesney & More

2012-01-18T06:00:00.001-08:00

Marty Stuart

Blake Shelton’s father, Dick Shelton, passed away after several months of declining health. Blake had dedicated his recent ACA Award to his father.
Kenny Chesney is said to be “shopping” himself to several other labels, unhappy on how he’s handled on his current Sony-based BNA Records.
Although he’s still a couple months away from releasing his first full-on country album, Lionel Richie lands in our news round-up for another reason. Check out THIS great Hollywood mash-up of his song, “Hello.”
Marty Stuart is working on a country music museum in Mississippi to house the nearly 20,000 pieces he has in his collection.

New Music Video From Keith Urban- "You Gonna Fly"

2012-01-17T20:56:00.001-08:00

New Music Video From Neal McCoy- "A-OK"

2012-01-17T05:48:00.001-08:00

Country Music News Round-Up- Alan Jackson, Ashley Monroe and More

2012-01-16T07:25:00.000-08:00

Alan Jackson premiered his brand new music video under his new music label, “So You Don’t Have To Love Me Any More.”

Ashley Monroe is headed into the studio today with a big assist from Vince Gill on a brand new solo project.

Taylor Swift is the cover girl of this month’s Vogue Magazine.

Former One Flew South singer/songwriter Eddie Bush has a brand new solo single that has been released off an upcoming solo album called “Broken Wheel.” Listen to it here.

Before her show in Rockford last week, Miranda Lambert went and visited a tragic young vehicle accident victim in the hospital and then dedicated a song in that night’s performance to her.

Ronnie Dunn premiered the brand new music video for “Let The Cowboy Rock” this morning on his website.

TNS Video History- Jack Ingram and Miranda Lambert- "Are You Sure Hank Done It This Way?"

2012-01-15T06:00:00.000-08:00

Roy Acuff's Band Member Charlie Collins Passes Away

2012-01-14T10:08:00.000-08:00

A county music instrumentalist icon has passed away. Legendary fiddler, guitarist and mandolinist Charlie Collins passed away on Thursday night.

According to family and friends, 78-year-old Collins suffered a stroke on Sunday and passed away late Thursday night. While many may not instantly recognize his name, Collins was a Nashville fixture for decades. He played guitar in Roy Acuff's band, The Smoky Mountain Boys, for more than 25 years. After leaving the Boys he joined with band-mate Bashful Brother Oswald and played around Nashville. The two became some of the most popular performers at The Grand Ole Opry.

After Brother Oswald's death in October 2002, Collins continued to perform as part of the Grand Ole Opry Square Dance Band. In fact Charlie Collins graced the Opry stage every weekend including the last Saturday before his death.

TNS Video History- Jack Ingram and Miranda Lambert- "Desperation"

2012-01-14T06:01:00.000-08:00

New Music Video From Eli Young Band- "Even If It Breaks Your Heart"

2012-01-13T05:49:00.001-08:00

New Music Video From Pam Tillis & Kris Thomas- "Two Kings"

2012-01-12T05:31:00.000-08:00

Country music superstar Pam Tillis and rising R&B sensation Kris Thomas have come together to record a tribute to “Two Kings,” civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and the King of Rock n Roll Elvis Presley. The tribute song seamlessly blends the sounds of soul, country, pop and gospel. Appropriately releasing between the 77^th birthday of the late Elvis Presley (this past Sunday, January 8) and Martin Luther King Day (Monday, January 16), you can watch “Two Kings” below.

New Music Video From Craig Morgan- "This Ole Boy"

2012-01-11T05:48:00.001-08:00

New Music Video From Marc Broussard- "Only Everything"

2012-01-11T05:46:00.001-08:00