"I am so happy that these singers wanted to do this record," says Loretta. "I love ‘em all, and it was so great to hear all the different ways they did my hits," she said, referring to how each artist recorded with their own choice of producer and musicians. "I hope people like it as much as I do and we sell a bunch of records!!"

Anyone who saw the movie "Coal Miners Daughter knows that Loretta’s first single was “Honky Tonk Girl.” I loved the scenes in the movie where Loretta recorded it, then set out on a cross country radio-tour to promote the single and get it played. She was definitely a pioneer – and today’s artist continue to follow in her footsteps taking debut singles out to radio stations everywhere.

That first single quickly jumped to No. 14 on the country charts, and we all know how many hits she had after that. She did a number of duets with the late Conway Twitty, who I was in love with at the age of 10.

The 75-year-old has been entertaining us for 50 years. She is a four-time Grammy winner, who was honored with a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award earlier this year, and will receive the Recording Academy’s President’s Merit Award in recognition of her contribution to country music.

Loretta will also be re-releasing her best selling autobiography, with a new forward she wrote for the book. There will also be an audio edition, narrated by Sissy Spacek, who portrayed Loretta in the movie about her life. Sissy won an Oscar for that role.

Loretta still keeps busy performing all across the country. I had the pleasure of seeing her at Freedom Hall in Johnson City a few years back. You can find out where else she is going to be by clicking here.

Talk to you all soon. Have a great Friday!
Country

Trace Adkins

I have always liked Trace’s music. I enjoyed him on The Apprentice. Always like him on talk shows. And I definitely enjoy seeing him in concert, I’ve been to at least 1/2 a dozen of his shows.  I’ve met him on several occasions – and while there may be a lot of things people could say about Trace, I think the one thing that stands out is that he is really a smart guy. And he’s definitely someone who will speak what he believes, whenever he is asked.

During his interview with Fox hosts Steve Doocy, Brian Kilmeade and Alisyn Camerota, Alisyn asked Trace what he thought about the mosque that a religious group wants to build just a few blocks from where the World Trade Center towers fell under terrorist attack.

Here’s what Trace had to say: "Look, they’ve already won because this is a no-win position that we’ve been put in," said Trace. "I don’t know who their PR person is, but they’re better than ours because it doesn’t matter how we react now, we already lose. If they get to build the mosque, they can run around the rest of the Islamic world and proclaim victory that they tore down an iconic structure and rebuilt a mosque in its place. And if we don’t let them do it, then they’ll go preach to the Islamic world that we’re intolerant. So it’s a no-win for us."

Here’s the video of Trace’s performance on Fox & Friends on Friday.

Don’t forget that Trace’s album, “Cowboy’s Back In Town,” was released on Aug. 17. If you don’t have a copy yet, you  might want to run out and buy one. It’s a great CD, and will definitely be a great addition to your CD collection.

I’ll talk to you in a little bit. Sorry about getting this up late – but I actually slept in this morning, and then I went out for breakfast. That was a very nice change from getting up and rushing to the office.

Talk to you all soon! Enjoy your Saturday!
Country

Randy Houser’s

I’m a huge Randy Houser fan. I always have been. So sometimes it’s difficult for me to pick a favorite from new songs of his … but out of the first five on this new album, I have two. “Will I Always Be This Way,” I think is my very favorite out of the first five I’ve heard … Next, is “A Man Like Me.”

Between now and the release date on Sept. 21, here’s the schedule for the rest of the tracks to be previewed: Aug. 24, “Out Here in the Country,” Aug. 31, “Here With Me,” Sept. 7, “Somewhere South of Memphis,” and Sept. 14, If I Could Buy Some Time,” and “Lead Me Home.”

I was going to wait until I got to hear all of the songs before getting anything up about the new CD, but I’m really excited about this one, and I hope you guys will be, too. I can’t wait to hear more than just a short clip of “Addicted.” Randy is joined by Lee Ann Womack on this one. But, not on the short clip we got to hear when it was previewed on Aug. 10.

When you go to listen, be sure to read what Randy says about each of the songs. Check out Randy’s tour dates on his web site and MySpace. If you haven’t seen him do a live show, you won’t want to miss it. In addition to the many dates up on the list, Randy is scheduled to do the national anthem at the Titans vs. Colts game at LP Field in Nashville on Dec. 9.

I think I’ll close with the one we all think of when we hear the name Randy Houser — Here’s a YouTube of “Anything Goes.”

Talk to you all soon!
Country

I didn’t like it — I loved it. However, there are a lot of people out there who think they are country music fans who are not going to love it. The reason is — it’s country music! It is the kind of country music you heard on the radio in the 50’s and 60’s. It’s the kind of music you hear on XM and Serius Satellite Radio when you turn on the “Classic Country” channel. And it’s just so darn good!

I don’t know what happened to country music over the years. I suppose it’s only natural that it would evolve and change. Everything does. But when country music became “Taylor Swift,” “Carrie Underwood,” and even “Lady Antebellum” – it lost something. When country music went from “Country” to “Country-Rock” or “Country-Pop”, it lost something. It stopped being “Country” music.

Please don’t jump on me – Taylor, Carrie and Lady A fans. No one likes those singers any more than I do! I’m not saying they aren’t good, and I’m not saying they don’t put on absolutely fantastic shows, because they do. And I’ve said that over and over in my articles about them. However, they aren’t country. And, all you have to do is listen to this Joey+Rory CD, which is their second album, and is literally called “Album # 2” – you will know what I’m talking about.

From the opening note of the song “Album Number Two,” you know it’s the real deal. The advanced copy I received to review did not have the inside jacket that tells who wrote the songs. But if Joey + Rory didn’t have a hand in writing this one, whoever did knows this duo very well.

“That’s Important to Me,” the second song on the CD, really reminds me of another song from my past. But I loved it, too! Third song, “All  You Need Is Me,” is the first up-tempo song on the album. It’s just Joey Martin at her very best. You can not listen to this song without tapping your toes, and I don’t care who you are.

“Born to be Your Woman,” is the next one, and slows us back down – with Rory having more of a vocal part than he does in some of the others. Fifth we have “Baby I’ll Come Back to You.” and it’s toe-tapping time again. Oh second thought, this one might actually be get up and dance time. In addition to the melody, this song has some really fun lyrics.

The other songs on the CD are “God Help My Man,” “The Horse Nobody Could Ride,” “Farm to Fame,” “Where Jesus Is,” “You Ain’t Right,” “My Ol’ Man,” and “This Song’s For You, with Zac Brown Band. There is nothing I don’t like about this album. “That’s Ain’t Right” is funny, “My Ol’ Man” reminds me of my Dad, and “This Song’s For You” with ZAB is really great.

I review a lot of albums. I like most of them. I love some of them…. this is definitely one I love. And I hope you guys will, too. Listen to the music on this CD and get back to your country roots!

That’s all I have time for this morning. Talk to you all real soon! Have a good Tuesday!
Country

With the fastest-climbing hit of their career, “Little White Church,” racing up the country singles chart, Little Big Town’s fourth studio album THE REASON WHY will hit shelves on August 24, 2010 on Capitol Records Nashville.  The platinum-selling band, which consists of Karen Fairchild, Phillip Sweet, Kimberly Schlapman, and Jimi Westbrook, co-produced the album alongside Wayne Kirkpatrick and co-wrote eight of the 12 tracks.  In celebration of the highly anticipated release, Little Big Town is scheduled to perform on ABC’s Good Morning America on Wed., August 25 and on Fox News Channel’s Fox & Friends the #1 cable news morning program’s “All American Concert Series” on Fri., August 27 with both performances airing during the 8 a.m. EST hour.

“We wanted to change things up and make sure this record was fresh while still containing the elements that are inherently Little Big Town,” says Kimberly, “and in doing so, we pushed ourselves harder than we ever have.”  Karen adds, "There’s a maturity and a history to the band that can’t help but come through on this record, and we’re really pleased with the direction and journey this album takes the listener on conceptually.”

Little Big Town’s musicality and bond as a band has matured over nearly 12 years together.  With combined accolades totaling over 15 recognized nominations from the Academy of Country Music, Country Music Association, and Grammy’s, there is no surprise at the reason behind their continual success.

THE REASON WHY’s debut single "Little White Church” was penned by Little Big Town and Wayne Kirkpatrick and has already marked the group’s return to the top of the country radio charts. Other highlights on the album include “Why, Oh Why,” which was co-written with Jonathan Singleton and Chris Stapleton, and the title track, which is a pure testament to their infectious harmonies and signature trade-off vocal styling.  “Kiss Goodbye”–written by Gordie Sampson, Hillary Lindsey, and Steve McEwan–allows Little Big Town to venture into uncharted territory as a band, and in “All Over Again” is a passionate tune the band co-wrote with Wayne about their own relationship tribulations and triumphs.  However, it is the final track that truly represents the band’s mantra about hope and perseverance, “Lean Into It,” which they also composed with Wayne.

THE REASON WHY Track List:
1.  The Reason Why
2.  Runaway Train
3.  Kiss Goodbye
4.  Shut Up Train
5.  Why, Oh Why
6.  Little White Church
7.  You Can’t Have Everything
8.  All The Way Down
9.  All Over Again
10.  Rain On A Tin Roof
11.  Life Rolls On
12.  Lean Into It

With no shortage of hits in their live shows (“Bring It On Home,” “Boondocks,” “Good As Gone,” “A Little More You,” as well as several songs from THE REASON WHY, including “Little White Church”), Little Big Town are pleased to rejoin Sugarland on the road with the recent commencement of “The Incredible Machine Tour.”

Be sure to visit www.littlebigtown.com to hear their latest single, "Little White Church," from the forthcoming album, THE REASON WHY, and for additional appearances surrounding their release.  In addition, viewers can also visit both http://abcnews.go.com/GMA and www.foxandfriends.com, which will feature post-performance coverage of Little Big Town’s appearances, including exclusive performances not included on the televised portion.

Talk to you all soon! It’s Friday, get out there and enjoy it!
Country

The album is vintage Trace Adkins, with songs ranging from those celebrating love, like the tender "Still Love You," to those showcasing the rowdy side of country living, like the hilarious "Hold My Beer." Adkins is at the top of his game vocally, and the album shows him re-emerging as a top-flight songwriter, as he penned the title track, "Cowboy’s Back In Town," with friends Jeff Bates and Kenny Beard, who co-produced along with Michael Knox (Jason Aldean). He is joined by special guests Trailer Choir, whose cool-as-a-breeze vocals add the perfect touch to "Don’t Mind If I Don’t," a song celebrating love as the perfect excuse to take it easy.

In addition to the traditional CD release, Cowboy’s Back In Town is being released in a deluxe version featuring four additional tracks, offering Adkins’ fans the opportunity to dig even deeper into his music.

The project’s first single splits the difference between love and humor, with Adkins’ classic tongue-in-cheek delivery on a song about what may or may not be a country boy’s romantic declaration.

Adkins’ debut on Show Dog – Universal grew out of his friendship with Toby and their highly successful collaboration on 2009′s "America’s Toughest Tour." Both were enthusiastic about the chance to work together.

"There’s an excitement surrounding this whole new chapter in our lives," says Adkins, "and it’s reflected in the work I’ve done on this record. The musicians I brought together are long-time friends, and it doesn’t get much better than that. I had a great time making it, I’m in a great spot creatively, and I think all that shows in the way it sounds."

Adkins has sold more than 10 million records, scored three #1 hits and 14 Top Tens, earned four Grammy nominations, and given us classics including "You’re Gonna Miss This," "This Ain’t No Thinkin’ Thing," "Honky-Tonk Badonkadonk" and "Ladies Love Country Boys," to name a few.

In addition to headlining his own concerts, Adkins and Toby Keith are pairing up once again for the high-powered American Ride Tour that continues through September. For a complete listing of all Trace Adkins concert dates, visit www.traceadkins.com. 

Cowboy’s Back In Town – Track Listing
1.      Brown Chicken Brown Cow
2.      Hold My Beer                         
3.      Cowboy’s Back In Town          
4.      This Ain’t No Love Song      
5.      Hell, I Can Do That                 
6.      A Little Bit Of Missing You       
7.      Still Love You                          
8.      Don’t Mind If I Don’t                 
9.      Ala-Freakin-Bama                   
10.    Break Her Fall                         
11.    Whoop A Man’s Ass               

Deluxe Edition:

1.      Happy Man   
2.      Between Rainbows and the Rain  
3.      Pictures On Mantles
4.      Hillbilly Bone – performed by Blake Shelton (featuring Trace Adkins)

I don’t know about you , but I do know I can’t get enough of Trace Adkins music! Be sure to get your entry in before next Tuesday, Aug. 17, 2010.

I have to run – talk to you real soon! And, good luck!
Country
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