George Strait

Before I tell you about the new CD, let me remind you all that we have one to give away. The contest was announced a few days ago, and you can get to that post by clicking here. There you will find all the info you need to get your entry in to win a copy of George’s new CD. Now, here’s my review of the new CD.

Like most of today’s country artists, George writes some of the music he sings. On this album, he wrote or co-wrote four of the 13 songs. The album starts off with "I Got A Car." The song makes a point, without a lot of fanfare. It talks about what a simple introduction might lead. You see a pretty girl, walk over, and introduce yourself starting with the sentence ‘I got a car’. Listen to the song and you’ll find out exactly where that opening line might take you.

The second song is George’s current single, "Give It All We Got Tonight." It’s simply George doing what George does best. It can’t be classified anything but a love song.

"Blue Melodies" could have been sung by Merle Haggard or George Jones, or anyone from our ‘older era of country music.’ But George Strait has his own way of making the song fit right in with the rest of today’s country music.

George originally recorded the fourth song back in 1995, and it was part of his Strait Out of the Box album. "I Just Can’t Go On Dyin’ Like This," is more proof that George Strait can take a song that is nearly 20 years old, and make fans fall in love with it all over again.

" I Thought I Heard My Heart Sing" is a song you can expect to hear in a dance club in the southwest. I don’t think this one will ever be released as a radio single. And, I’m not so sure it would do well on the radio if he did release it. But, I am sure there will be a lot of Texans kicking up their heels to this great dance tune.

I found my ‘sing-a-long’ song with "That’s What Breaking Hearts Do." There’s always one song on every album I review that I want to listen to more than once. And, that I find myself singing along with. ‘That’s what breaking hearts do, They cause you so much pain, Make you go insane, That’s what breaking hearts do’. Easy to remember lyrics added to a catchy melody definitely equals a sing-a-long with me song.

"When Love Comes Around Again" is just what you would expect. It’s a song about looking at an old love in a new way. Getting someone back, giving it another try.

I’ve already said that "I Thought I Heard My Heart Sing" is more of a dance tune than a ‘ready-for-radio’ song’. But, I did find one that I think George would do well to release to radio as his next single. The song is "the Night Is Young," It’s uptempo, with almost a 1960′s rock and roll beat. He’s singing about a Friday night, a place to go, and big plans for what will be a fun-filled weekend. One of my favorites on the album.

"Sittin’ On the Fence" would probably also work as a single. The music is good, the message is simple – when you’re coming out of a bad relationship, you may have trouble getting into a new relationship – even if it has the makings of being a great one. He follows that one with "I Believe." I’m sure all of his fans remember, "I Saw God Today," and in this song – like that one – George doesn’t mind telling us that when he’s at a low point in his life there is someone watching over him.

The title track, "Love Is Everything," would make you think of George Strait, even if someone else were singing it. The song is his style, his music, and the great harmony is an added bonus.

George is currently hoping for his 60th No. 1 single. I think he is the only artist about which I can truly say ‘He’s never done a song I don’t like." However, I wasn’t really thrilled with the 11th song on the album. It’s called "You Don’t Know What You’re Missing." I’m not really sure why it’s not one of my favorites, I just know it never will be. It’s a good song. It sounds a lot like something George would do. But maybe that’s the problem. Maybe it sounds a little too much like everything else George does. While it isn’t one of my favorites, and I don’t think it’s a bad song, I don’t expect him to eve release this one to radio,

That brings us to "When the Credits Roll." It’s a little look back at what George has done over the past 40 years. It’s full of mistakes, choices, and wondering … what will the critics think about all this "When the Credits Roll." I don’t know how it would do as a single. But it is definitely a well-written song that deserves to be heard.

It’s a great CD, so remember that contest – and get your entry in today.

Back with more soon!
Country

The good times will continue across VEVO, the world’s leading all-premium music video and entertainment platform, as FGL joins the outlet’s coveted emerging artist program, LIFT. Beginning May 20, VEVO will feature exclusive content from the hot newcomers. FGL’s selection for LIFT comes on the heels of yesterday’s (5/13) VEVO premiere of their brand new music video for the “Cruise” Remix (featuring Nelly). Watch the video here: http://smarturl.it/cruisermxVEVO.

Garnering buzz among fans, media and several Superstars across genres – including Taylor Swift, Keith Urban and Ed Sheeran – the breakout duo has skyrocketed since releasing the Triple Platinum, multi-week #1 “Cruise” and the remix featuring Nelly, which has sold a combined total of over 3 million downloads. The GRAMMY-winning Hip Hop artist and FGL will perform the collaboration May 19 at 9P ET during the CBS special – ACM PRESENTS: Tim McGraw’s Superstar Summer Night. The duo also has a Billboard Music Award nomination for Top Country Song (“Cruise”) and will present on the televised show, which airs May 19 on ABC at 8P ET/7P CT live from Las Vegas.

The ACM New Artist of the Year and New Vocal Duo or Group of the Year winners are currently touring with Taylor Swift’s “THE RED TOUR” and Luke Bryan’s “DIRT ROAD DIARIES TOUR” in support of their GOLD-certified Republic Nashville debut album, HERE’S TO THE GOOD TIMES. Their energetic live show recently yielded a nomination for the CMT Music Awards Nationwide “On Your Side” Award for the best new live act in Country music and fans can vote via http://www.cmt.com/cmt-music-awards/nationwide/voting.jhtml. This nod is in addition to the previously announced trifecta of 2013 CMT Music Awards nominations they earned; Video of the Year; Duo Video of the Year and Breakthrough Video of the Year. Fan voting on CMT.com runs through June 2 at midnight ET. The awards show will air live from the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville on June 5 at 8P ET/PT on CMT and CMT.com.

You can follow Brian and Tyler on Twitter @FLAGALine.

Written by Walt Wilkins and Davis Raines, “Someone Somewhere Tonight” is a song about the human spirit as well as the power of love and redemption.

“It’s a crazy world out there,” says Black River Entertainment’s VP of A&R, Doug Johnson. “Ups and downs. Light and darkness. The best any of us can ask is for a true soul mate to share it with. Kellie infuses this amazing song with truth, hope and a roller coaster of emotions. I believe her!”

“This may be my favorite song I’ve ever recorded, and I am so proud to share it with my fans,” said Pickler. “I think we can all relate to this message of hope found in ‘Someone Somewhere Tonight,’ which is what makes it so special to me.”

“Someone Somewhere Tonight” made its streaming premiere on PerezHilton.com where Hilton wrote, “Kellie Pickler may be amazing on ‘Dancing with the Stars,’ but let’s not forget what made her a star in the first place – that voice!" To see Hilton’s video interview with Kellie, just click here.

Currently a front-runner on ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars,” Kellie is also collaborating on a forthcoming album with famed producers Frank Liddell (Miranda Lambert, Eli Young Band) and Luke Wooten (Brad Paisley, Dierks Bentley) due this fall.

With only three episodes remaining, “Dancing with the Stars” airs on Mondays at 8 p.m. EDT / 7 CDT and Tuesdays at 9 p.m. EDT / 8 CDT.

Fans may purchase “Someone Somewhere Tonight” on iTunes or Amazon, and view the lyric video at www.cmt.com/artists/kellie-pickler/. In addition to Kellie’s web site, you can follow her on Twitter @kelliepickler and be sure to visit her facebook page, too.

Street Week kicked off Sunday (5/12) with a Love Will… release party and Apprentice viewing event with friends and family at Hard Rock Cafe Nashville. On Wednesday (5/15) he’ll perform on the Today Show followed that night by a SiriusXM “Sounds of Summer” concert at Hard Rock Cafe New York which will be broadcast live on The Highway, channel 59 (8:00pm EST). In addition to many Apprentice-related appearances this week, Trace will also perform on Fox & Friends on Friday (5/17).

As NBC’s All-Star Celebrity Apprentice nears its finale on Sunday (5/19), Trace is a finalist with over $700K (and counting!) raised for the American Red Cross. It’s an accomplishment he’s proud of, as a man who honors the selfless service of others. That quality has also earned him a reputation as a die-hard supporter of the troops and Adkins is humbled to serve as an honorary Grand Marshall at the 2013 National Memorial Day Parade in Washington, DC (5/27).

At the heart of all the excitement is an album from the veteran hit-maker and outspoken roughneck. With vocal variety and a thematic focus, Love Will… tackles the world’s greatest emotion and features collaborations with two-time Grammy Award winning singer/songwriter, Colbie Caillat, the esteemed Harlem Gospel Choir and rock/country veterans, Exile. The impressive list of producers includes Tony Brown, Mark Wright, Frank Rogers, Kenny Beard and Mickey Cones.

“In my book, ‘Hot Mama’ and ‘Badonkadonk’ are love songs,” jokes Adkins. “So don’t start thinking this album is all ‘til the end of time’ ballads…but yeah, we’ve got those too.”

It’s an album of sexy grooves, heart-wrenching ballads and up-tempo anthems worthy of Adkins’ long list of hits. Equally known for his integrity and irreverent sense of humor, he’s made a career making fans laugh (“Honky Tonk Badonkadonk”) and making hearts swell (“Til The Last Shot’s Fired,” “You’re Gonna Miss This”).

As Trace points out, the variety on Love Will…is layered. The album title itself is an open-ended question – love will build a bridge? love will move mountains? love will tear us apart? Any Country fan can tell you…all are true.

Love Will… Full Track Listing:
1. When I Stop Loving You*
2. So What If I Do**
3. Come See Me***
4. Right Now**
5. Every One Of You**
6. The Altar Of Your Love***
7. Kiss You All Over (Featuring Exile)***
8. If The Sun Comes Up***
9. Say No To A Woman
10. Watch The World End (Featuring Colbie Caillat)
11. Love Will (Featuring Harlem Gospel Choir)
Produced by Frank Rogers
*Produced by Tony Brown & Mickey Jack Cones
**Produced by Mark Wright, Kenny Beard & Mickey Jack Cones
***Produced by Kenny Beard & Mickey Jack Cones

George Strait’s new album is being released Tuesday, May 14, 2013. Above is your cover, below is your track list – and we have one to give away!

I Got A Car
Give It All We Got Tonight
Blue Melodies
I Just Can’t Go On Dying Like This
I Thought I Heard My Heart Sing
That’s What Breaking Hearts Do
When Love Comes Around Again
The Night is Young
Sittin’ on the Fence
I Believe
Love Is Everything
You Don’t Know What You’re Missing
When the Credits Roll

The contest will run through May 31, 2013. Get your entry in soon! Good Luck!