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Main Featured Artist /
Band |
Extra Reviews &
Stories |
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 Hank
III
Rebel Within
By: George
Peden
One listen
and you will quickly know. Hank III, born Shelton
Hank Williams, is an acquired listen. However, on
saying that, if you like what you hear from this
stubborn modern day outlaw, one offering a punch and
a kick to the established ideals of what many
consider country music, then you’ll understand, and
quickly, that it’s about the music more than the
cha-ching of an in-tune industry cash register.
more
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Nick
Verzosa
The Smoking Gun EP
Review By: George Peden
You have to be a little envious. I mean, how many of us
would love to slam the door on our workplace, grab hold and
tightly grip a dream, and then with all the daring a great
idea brings, start out on something we would love to do? ...
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 Flynnville
Train - Redemption
By Jim Weaver
Flynnville Train's latest CD is
titled Redemption, although I must admit I'm not sure
where the titled comes from. So far I don't see anything these
guy need to be redeemed of. Like their first self-titled CD,
this is full-throttle music with no fillers. Lead Singer Brian
Flynn says; “Much of the album we recorded on first take and
that reinforces the emotion, the translation of our hearts in
each song.” It also solidifies the fact that bands that
kick-ass live should be able to kick-ass in the studio as well,
and FT does.
more |
Check out these
Gretchen Wilson Photos from a recent show!
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 Joe Nichols via the Internet – Courtesy of CMT
Fan Club Party review by Cheryl Harvey Hill,
Sr. Staff Journalist
CMT
broadcasted Joe Nichols' fan club party LIVE from
Nashville this morning. I signed on a little late
due to the time zone difference but, luckily for me,
the party started a little late so I didn't miss
much. I logged on to my computer in time to hear him
sing “It Would Be Her,” one of my all-time favorite
tunes, and I was pleased to hear him say it was also
one of his favorites. I learned from other fans
later that he had kicked off the party with a couple
of his up tempo tunes, “Brokenheartsville” and the
appropriately titled “Joe's Place.”
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Audie
Blaylock
Cryin' Heart Blues
By: Jim Moulton
Audie Blaylock's second CD from Rural Rhythm Records titled
Cryin' Heart Blues, is a very warm sounding affair. Blaylock
sings a lot of bluegrass ballads with three and four part
harmonies. His four member band sounds very sweet and the
banjo's and vocals are so warm...
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 Merle
Haggard - I Am What I Am
By: Jim Moulton
Merle Haggard's newest CD in five years is a
refreshing acoustic affair with a touch of pedal
steel and some electric pickin'. I had to fight to
get a finished copy, but it was well worth the
fight. Haggard is a smart man sticking with what is
tried and true. His band, The Strangers, accompany
him in his studio, the California "Shade Tree Manor
Studio". Reggie Young helps out on guitar, with Rob
Ickes on Dobro... |
Backseat
Molly Texas Not Tennessee
Review By: George Peden
The
five-piece band Backseat Molly sum it up in the title cut to
their debut album. Texas Not Tennessee is more an intended
defiance than an album name. These spirited, youthful rockers
have set their bullseye aim on home state popularity.
And it’s working.
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 Juni
Fisher
Review By: Cheryl Harvey Hill
The
extraordinarily talented, singer, songwriter, Juni
Fisher, just might also be the most beautiful cowboy
poet to ever saddle up and “Let 'er Go, Let 'er
Buck,' Let 'er Fly." Her newest album, like her
previous project, is a historically accurate music
tribute that chronicles the old west; this time, it
is the Pendleton Round-up and the women and men of
early rodeo...
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Mountain
Heart In Concert
By: Jim Moulton
Mountain Heart has been around quite a while as an excellent
bluegrass band, they are in the process of changing into a
country rock, southern rock jam band, The newest member, Josh
Schilling ... |
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 Easton
Corbin -
Debut CD
By: Brianna Nightingale
Raised by his grandparents due to his parents’
divorce, Easton Corbin spent much of his early years
working and playing on the family cattle farm.
Although none of his family members played musical
instruments, Corbin always knew that he wanted it to
have a great influence on his life. “My grandparents
liked to watch the Opry,” he remembers. “We’d start
Saturday night off with ‘Hee Haw’ and then ‘Opry
Backstage’ and then ‘Opry Live’.” |
The Cowboy
Heroes
There’s More To Country Music
By: George
Peden
The cowboy
way. It starts with the imagery, rich and big, of the
campfires, the ready steeds, and the life that unfolds from
the saddle point of sauntering the lonely trails. And, of
course, there’s the music...
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 Josh
Turner - Haywire
By: Brianna
Nightingale
Josh
Turner began choosing songs for Haywire, his
fourth studio album, months before he began recording.
While Turner had “Why Don’t We Just Dance” on hold with
the publisher, someone else showed interest; therefore,
he had to record it or he knew he may eventually have to
give it up and move on...
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Easton
Corbin
Live at Billy Bob’s Texas
Connie Breeden, CSO Journalist
After a very long
drive to Fort Worth, Texas, and winding our way
through lots of traffic, we finally arrived at Billy
Bob’s, the world's largest honky tonk. Luckily for
us, Easton Corbin, one of country music’s newest
artists...
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 Gold
Heart - My Sisters and Me
By: Jim Moulton
This young group
of sisters playing guitar, fiddle and mandolin along with their
sweet three part Appalachian harmonies has put out their third
full CD titled My Sisters and Me. This CD has a very full and
professional sound and is an excellent job of recording and
mastering... |
Mike Dekle
- Tributes
By: George Peden
Mike Dekle has to be
one of the most radio-overlooked acts in country music. Not
that he has cause for sleepless nights and worry. His bank
balance grows nicely thank you from a steady stream of
royalty checks...
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 Carrie
Underwood - Play On
By: Brianna
Nightingale
In a local Nashville radio
interview, Underwood revealed that she feels more
open now that this album has been recorded. “People
will learn more about who I am when they hear this,”
she said...
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The
Grascals
The Famous Lefty Flynn's
By: Jim Moulton
This is the fourth album of this much celebrated bluegrass
group, as they grow into their ever evolving sound. The
Grascals are not traditional in sound, but traditional in
spirit, with a modern feel to the sweet recording in the
twelve great songs featured here on The Famous Lefty
Flynn's...
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Mike
Runnels - The Tender Years
Review By: George Peden
“I spent my first 18 years in Beaumont, Texas. That gives me
the right to play country music, and it’s where I first
learned what makes for the best country music.” Mike Runnels
bio...
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Susan
Hickman - Self titled
Review By: George Peden
You can’t
help but compare Texas new country act Susan Hickman to
Miranda Lambert and Carrie Underwood. Lambert and Underwood
both have made remarkable and speedy inroads courtesy of
fans and radio... |
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Kara
Suzanne - Parlor Walls
By: Jim Moulton
The sophomore
album of Kara Suzanne titled, Parlor Walls, is a very
creative, relaxed, sometimes upbeat with a taste of country
selection which really caught my attention... |
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 Mark
Wayne Glasmire
Life Goes On
Review By: George Peden
There is no denying country
music has more than its fair share of lovin’, hurtin’ and
leavin’ songs. You know the type. The rain drizzles at the
lonely and shadowed end of town, as the single Bud sign
flickers noisily against the falling specks... |
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 Megan Linville, Danny Wells, Thom Shepherd and Trent
Willmon at The Bluebird
By: Brianna Nightingale
Notorious for booking incredible
songwriters that showcase their talent, Nashville's
famed Bluebird continues to perfect their track
record... |
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 Steve
Trent & Small Town
Review By: George Peden
I’m confused. Depending which photo you look at, this
popular and emerging band from Indiana is either a
five-piece or an eight-piece outfit. No matter and no worry.
Size may matter for some... |
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Best of 2009
By: Jim Moulton
Greetings folks, well looking back over the last year I
will try to share my top ten favorites. Personally last year
was a bit disappointing to me as compared to years before.
Because it was a difficult year in many ways, financially,
for our country, many people out of work, usually hard times
brings out great music... |
