Writer’s Guild and Grammys Reach Interim Agreement
- The Writer’s Guild of America came to an agreement with the producers of the Grammy telecast to allow writer’s to work on the show.
- Martie McGuire of the Dixie Chicks is expecting her third daughter with husband Gareth. (Thanks Peter)
- Production on a straight-to-DVD comedy starring Bill Engvall begins today. Engvall owns a small town bait shop at the risk of foreclosure and his nemesis is played by Billy Ray Cyrus. Can’t wait for this one…
- Garth Brooks had a couple of guests join him for his performances over the weekend. Trisha Yearwood joined him for “In Another’s Eyes” and Garth sang Don Henley’s part on “Walkaway Joe”, while Huey Lewis collaborated with him on “Workin’ For A Livin’”.
- Darrell Scott is looking at an April/May release for his next album, Modern Hymns. He says, “Modern Hymns is a collection of songs and artists/songwriters whose music shook me as a kid (with ears nearly as big as my heart) - they guided the way to my own path as an artist/songwriter…”
- Blake Shelton will re-release his current album, Pure BS, to include his cover of Michael Bublé’s song “Home”.
- The Austin Chronicle’s 2007-2008 Music Poll is open. You have until January 31st to vote for your favorite Austin music.
- Sara Evans will perform a televised duet with Willie Nelson on his classic “Mamas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys” before the Super Bowl. If you ask me, it sounds more like a sly swipe at Dallas Cowboy fans.
- Carlene Carter’s first album since 1995 finally received a release date of March 4.
- Although a few months late, Jack Sparks delivers his “Running Diarrhea of the 41st Annual CMA Awards.” Lots of vulgarity, insults and humor. He’s probably most right when he ends with:
This column isn’t even creative. You’ve lowered yourself, and in the process, lowered me. I’m more ashamed of myself than you at this point. Someday, God will smile and Country music will come out of Nashville once again. Delete.
- Alan Jackson says he went to Nashville to make traditional-sounding country music and that’s what his March 4th release of Good Times will bounce back to. I enjoyed his previous two albums immensely, but this next one sounds promising as well. All 17 songs on the album were penned solely by Jackson.
- After taking time off to deal with inner “demons,” Billy Currington is ready to return to the music scene.
- Despite her success thus far, Martina McBride has a hard time filling the seats at all of her shows–something she has in common with Sugarland and Carrie Underwood. However, she takes it in stride and interprets it as meaning she needs to work twice as hard.
- Jim Lauderdale’s upcoming album, Honey Songs (Feb. 19), will feature Emmylou Harris and Patty Loveless.
- “The Big Rock Candy Mountain Sin and Salvation Show Vol. 1″ contains 22 songs and a link to the mp3s.
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Forgotten Artists: Goldie Hill Had Carl Smith and Goldie Hill been born 30 or 40 years later, they might have been like Faith Hill and Tim McGraw–the dominant married couple in country music.
Forgotten Artist: Wynn Stewart Both Buck Owens and Merle Haggard have cited Wynn Stewart as a major influence on their careers, yet somehow, he was never able to translate his enormous talent into extended and consistent success for himself.
Miranda Lambert - “More Like Her” This kind of material, as opposed to her tough-chick-done-wrong romps like “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend” and “Gunpowder and Lead,” is where her real promise lies
Joey Rory - “Cheater, Cheater” It’s actually downright frivolous, but that just makes it all the more fun. And really, are you allowed to say “ho” on country radio?
Josh Gracin - “Unbelievable (Ann Marie)” Despite initial marketing that touted the album as deep and personal, “Unbelievable (Ann Marie)” is anything but deep or personal.
Josh Turner - "Everything Is Fine" Turner is the rare example of an artist who records material that’s both quality and trademark.
Darryl Worley - "Tequila On Ice" A groovy mid-tempo that sways, a refreshing reprieve from the exhausting pace of a format that clamors for loud music and swelling choruses.
Blake Shelton - "She Wouldn't Be Gone" It’s all about nailing the melody rather than providing a legitimate interpretation that accentuates the lyrical content, although Shelton does do a pretty good job of injecting what limited emotion he can.
Don’t look now, but Darius Rucker, lead singer of 90s rock group Hootie & The Blowfish, has a country hit on his hands. What you probably haven’t heard is that Rucker is the first black artist to chart a single in the country top 20 since Charley Pride last did it in 1988.
News that former Sugarland member and co-founder Kristen Hall is suing her ex-mates, to the tune of $1.5 million, goes a long way towards providing a bit of context regarding the Atlanta singer/songwriter’s sudden departure from the group.
In Memory of Don Helms (1927 - 2008) Helms dated back to a time when an excellent four or five piece band and a good singer were all that were needed to make great country music. No drums, no light shows, no production tricks in the recording studio–just good music.Tagged In This Article
Alan Jackson // Billy Currington // Billy Ray Cyrus // Blake Shelton // Carlene Carter // Carrie Underwood // CMA Awards // Darrell Scott // Dixie Chicks // Emmylou Harris // Garth Brooks // Jim Lauderdale // Martina McBride // Patty Loveless // Sara Evans // Sugarland // Willie Nelson
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6 Comments
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January 29, 2008 at 10:59 am Permalink
I hate the re-release strategy. It always screws the loyal fan the label encourages to be the first guy or gal in line on street date.
January 29, 2008 at 11:02 am Permalink
In addition to “Small Town Southern Man”, I heard “Good Times” in concert, and it was a great song.
Jackson is quietly approaching Strait-like status.
January 29, 2008 at 11:13 am Permalink
Peter, I hate the re-release strategy as well. We had Tim McGraw (which is understandable) and Taylor swift last year, and now Blake Shelton. Why did Shelton record “Home” in the first place? Was it just so they could re-release the album?
I think Alan Jackson’s album is titled Good Time without the “s” on the end. I see it with the “s” everywhere, though.
January 29, 2008 at 1:24 pm Permalink
I hate re-release as well. Maybe that will be the demise of the album! I know I won’t be re-buying this one.
January 29, 2008 at 2:37 pm Permalink
I think if they are going to pull this re-release nonsense, they should also issue a CD single so the loyalists can obtain the song without shelling out to much money
The article on Martina is interesting. I like some of Martina’s material but not all of it. And though I like her, I think her vocal prowess is hugely overrated. The TIMELESS album, my favorite of all her albums, really demonstrated her vocal shortcomings
February 12, 2008 at 10:36 am Permalink
New J. K. Coltrain release is real country music sung by a real country music singer so he won’t get a lotta attention on the radio but if you like true country music check it out.
http://www.jkcoltrain.com
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