Thoughts on "Is Country Music Recession Proof" CMT Article

Sunday, December 14, 2008

I read a great article over on CMT that was titled "Is Country Music Recession Proof?" by Chet Flippo (If you haven't ever read Nashville Skyline on CMT.com, I highly suggest it.) It really got me thinking about the issue....


In the past few weeks, there has been a lot of talk about the state of the economy, recession, loss of jobs, and the closing of large and small companies. It is a really scary time right now for so very many Americans. No matter what line of work you are in, you just never know what tomorrow will bring. It seems every sector of the economy is effected in someway.

I have not heard much discussion, however, how the music industry is being affected, more specifically country music. The sales are down, yes, howver, I am thinking that the lower sales in country music may not just because of economic issues. Yes, thats a part of it. However, I think there is a much deeper reason. Issues such as supply of albums, a departing from country tradition in the artists, and lack of new releases, at times.

Is it too early to tell what the impact is on the industry? Not really. The financial gods have spoken that this recession has been in force since last December (I know, really, breaking news for sure.) Now, it may be too early to see what impact there is from the most recent issues such as the automobile industry and all the layoffs in the past few weeks. However, overall, looking at the numbers, we should be able to see this impact already.

So, with that said, lets look at the numbers. Um, well, wait a minute, do I have access to the numbers to support one way or another? Well, sorta. The best information I can find is from October: In the end of the third quarter, country album sales were down 16.7 percent. Overall album sales were down 12 percent. So. It would take hours of reading financial reports and such to figure it out, and even then, I doubt I could grab just country music sales for each label and such easily. The effects of the recession are already being felt. Country is still thriving and alive. We may see some in the future an even slower pace of releasing albums, a few artists cuts, or something like that. Possibly even job cuts. Sure, just like any other industry in the United States right now.



Country music may be impacted, but in no way would country music go away. Country music is at the deepest roots of America. It is profitable, even with sales down. In times of hardship, I am willing to bet listening to country music may go up. They may not be buying as much, but listening to their already purchased collections. Remember, country music is about life. All aspects in life. From the happiest times to the saddest. Country music takes it all in. It makes you laugh, it makes you cry, and every emotion in between, I guarantee you, there is a song for it.



The roots are so strong in country music. Its rich history of past shows that the music survives, and I certainly believe it will always be around. Sure the business end of the business may feel a little rocky, but they pull on through.



One side note, if a friend or family member has lost their job, house, or whatever during these times, don't ever forget the power of music, specifically, country music. You just may make their day or light a fire in the soul to pick up their lives and start to move on...

The Unreleased Recordings of Hank Williams Sr.

Saturday, December 13, 2008

A recently released boxset from Time Life came across my desk recently, and when I looked at it, I was pretty amazed what I had in my hands. Its history. Country music's first real superstar's unreleased recordings. I popped the first of the 3 CDs into the computer, and I couldn't believe what I was hearing. Amazing stuff. You see, this boxset is recordings of Hank Williams Sr. Not just actual singing, but his voice too, at times. You get the chance to actually hear a bit of introduction to some of the songs.

Also, I keep having to remind myself, this collection, until now, have never been heard by the public. In fact, these tracks are in country history already for its lengthy legal battle to be released. These recordings were purged from WSM-AM's storage and were being thrown away since legally that would not be able to use them. A very smart photographer from WSM saved them from the dumpster and held on to them. He also knew he couldn't do anything with them for legal reasons, but kept them in self keeping. They were turned over to Jett Williams (Hank's daughter) and her attorney. A copy did get out, and they were released unauthorized with
removing “skips” and hissing noises present in the originals and by adding additional background music. After many years of legal battles, it came to an end with the Williams' Estate winning the case. Here are 3 links for further reading:

http://www.tsc.state.tn.us/opinions/tca/PDF/061/polygramOPN.pdf
http://www.joneslawfirmplc.com/pdfs/Polygram_Records_v_Legacy_Entertainment.pdf
http://www.newsweek.com/id/165655/output/print

The boxset takes you to the peak of his career in 1951. Hank Williams recorded 143 songs for the Mother's Best Flour Company that were aired in a 15 minute program that aired in the mornings.. Hank sang with his regular studio band. From this amazing legacy, Time Life is proud to release this historic 3 CD, 54 track collection drawn from the very best of the Mother's Best recordings.

Inside the CD holder, there is a 40 page booklet that is beyond belief. It contains many pictures of Hank Williams Sr, A opening letter from Jett Williams, a history of Hank Williams in the time that these recordings were made, and then comments about each and every song on the 3 discs. Then, a listing of the tracks. It is put together so very well. This is a keepsake that is meant to be played over and over.

This collection is a must have for any true country music fan. If you have any other recordings of Hank Williams Sr, you need this collection. If you have heard of Hank Williams Sr. and want to learn more about him, you need this collection. If you love the historical side of country music, you need this collection. Believe me, serious country music fans.

Now don't let the word boxset scare you away from the set. First, its only 3 discs. However, the 3 discs are 18 tracks long and each and every one of the 54 tracks are worth the small price alone. Amazon has the boxset for $28.99, so it is not expensive at all. You will be blown away by the book and the music.

I hope you will look into this great collection, it is an important part of the history of country music.

Sing With The King.. "Elvis Presley Christmas Duets"

Friday, December 12, 2008

Looking for something fun to do for a moment? How about your own Christmas e-card featuring a duet with you and Elvis? Pretty cool huh? Here is how it works. Go to http://www.singwiththeking.com/ and call the phone number provided. Type in your ID # on the screen and sing-a-long with the lyrics on your screen. The call is toll-free and it takes 2 minutes exactly to do it. Then click continue and you are ready to send the e-card out to all your friends singing along with Elvis! Pretty fun.

Add Elvis to your page

Now, if you didn't sound so good, you can listen to people do it a little bit better, oh like say... LeAnn Rimes, Carrie Underwood, Martina McBride, Wynonna Judd, Sara Evans, Amy Grant, Gretchen Wilson, Little Big Town, Ann Murray, and Olivia Newton John. Then, there are 3 new recordings of Elvis Christmas songs as well. "Elvis Presley Christmas Duets" is available now on CD or for download DRM-free from Amazon.com. Check out all the features above including the videos, there 3 there for you to check out.

Technology is amazing isn't it? I mean, the e-card... your own voice recorded with Elvis? Then, being able to hear duets with Elvis that were created long after his death on a CD or download? The above video with Martina McBride walking on stage with Elvis, and she wasn't there? Pretty amazing, I'd say.

Country Music Gifts: The Gifts of Charity

Thursday, December 11, 2008

Yesterday, I wrote about some gift ideas for Christmas. Now, today, I want to focus on the spirit of true giving. The giving to charities this time of year. This is also a great idea for gifts. You can give in the name of someone else.

There several great charities relating to country music directly or that the country music community is directly involved with in some way.

Now, these are only suggestions of country music related charities that I know of, please post a comment with others if you know any others of interest to the readers. Before donating, please, do you own research on these charities. Learn about them more and do you homework in checking out their business practices.

The Opry Trust Fund
Started in 1965, the Opry Trust Fund’s mission is to help those in the country music industry when they need it the most, by offering financial assistance during their time of need. Since its inception, the Opry Trust Fund has distributed more than $2 million. Examples of distribution include medical bills, living expenses, rent or mortgage, utilities, and food. Any individual who has been employed full time in some facet of the country music industry (i.e. performer, songwriter, publisher, radio, session musician, etc.) may be eligible to benefit from the Opry Trust Fund.

To make a contribution you can send a check or money order to:

Opry Trust Fund
2804 Opryland Drive
Nashville, Tennessee 37214

For additional information:
Phone: (615) 316-6174
Fax: (615) 458-0440

OpryTrustFund@opry.com


St. Jude Children's Hospital

St. Jude is unlike any other pediatric treatment and research facility. Discoveries made here have completely changed how the world treats children with cancer and other catastrophic diseases. With research and patient care under one roof, St. Jude is where some of today's most gifted researchers are able to do science more quickly.

All patients accepted for treatment at St. Jude are treated without regard to the family's ability to pay. St. Jude covers all costs of treatment at St. Jude beyond those reimbursed by third-party insurers, and total costs at St. Jude when no insurance is available. St. Jude also provides assistance with transportation costs and local living expenses during treatments

The country music community highly supports this cause, in fact it just may be the most supported charity in country music through Country Cares For St. Jude's Kids founded by Randy Owen that sponsors radio-thons on hundreds of country radio stations. Country artists support the charity in many different fundraisers and public outreach projects, including visits to the hospital itself in Memphis, TN.

There many ways to donate to this cause. Visit http://www.stjude.org for more information, including online donations. Click on "donate now" in the upper right. At very least, explore the website to learn more about this great cause.

City of Hope

City of Hope is recognized worldwide for its compassionate patient care, innovative science and translational research, which rapidly turns laboratory breakthroughs into promising new therapies. We are one of only 40 National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers nationwide and a founding member of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network. An independent biomedical research, treatment and education institution, we are a leader in the fight to conquer cancer, diabetes, HIV/AIDS and other life-threatening diseases.

On our park-like campus just northeast of Los Angeles, researchers advance ideas into discoveries, physicians bring emerging therapies to patients, and students learn to transform the landscape of modern medicine – all supported by the generosity of philanthropists from across the country. Every day we pursue new and better ways to improve the lives of men, women and children here and around the world – and have for almost 100 years.

The annual celebrity softball game during The CMA Music Festival supports this charity, among other fundraisers that country artists participate in.

Visit http://www.cityofhope.org for much more information and can also make donations online.


Reading, Writing, and Rhythm

Reading, Writing, and Rhythm is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving music education in America's public schools. Country music artist, Chely Wright , founded this charity to donate musical instruments to schools in need all over the nation and to raise public awareness of the importance of music education for our nation's youth.

You can donate online or by money order/check to:

Reading, Writing, and Rhythm
P. O. Box 1605
Belton, MO 64012

Visit http://www.rwandr.org/ for more information and to donate.

American Red Cross

The American Red Cross services domestic disaster relief, but also The American Red Cross offers compassionate services in five other areas: community services that help the needy; support and comfort for military members and their families; the collection, processing and distribution of lifesaving blood and blood products; educational programs that promote health and safety; and international relief and development programs.

The American Red Cross is where people mobilize to help their neighbors—across the street, across the country, and across the world—in emergencies. Each year, in communities large and small, victims of some 70,000 disasters turn to neighbors familiar and new—the more than half a million volunteers and 35,000 employees of the Red Cross. Through over 700 locally supported chapters, more than 15 million people gain the skills they need to prepare for and respond to emergencies in their homes, communities and world.

Some four million people give blood—the gift of life—through the Red Cross, making it the largest supplier of blood and blood products in the United States. And the Red Cross helps thousands of U.S. service members separated from their families by military duty stay connected. As part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, a global network of 186 national societies, the Red Cross helps restore hope and dignity to the world's most vulnerable people.
An average of 91 cents of every dollar the Red Cross spends is invested in humanitarian services and programs. The Red Cross is not a government agency; it relies on donations of time, money, and blood to do its work.

The country music community supports this charity often, especially after natural disasters and other routine charitable fundraising events.

For more information, visit http://www.redcross.org including online donation and other ways of donating assistance.

Country Music Christmas Gift List

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Christmas is getting so very close. Do you have your Christmas gifts for your country music fan yet? It's a bit hard huh? You probably know that single CDs aren't the best gift, because you never know what they have already or will buy between now and Christmas. Gift cards are decent ideas, but still sometimes you want to give more than a gift card... so, I am here to help you out for sure. There several books and country music related gifts out there...

Now, if you do want to go with the gift certificate, I have a few suggestions. Amazon.com gift certificates can be great because they offer anything they can imagine. They offer MP3 downloads that are DRM-free, meaning they do have the copyright limitations that songs from I-Tunes has. So, they will play anywhere and don't have to worry about having multiple copies or not being able to burn them. I-Tunes gift cards are also nice, especially if they own an I-Pod. Another cool idea is a Ticketmaster gift card! That would help the country music fan a lot on buying concert tickets anytime during the year. On the right, you will find links to all the above websites to order those.

If you are wanting a great DVD collection, the HeeHaw DVD set from Time Life is an amazing gift. Time Life offers so many great collections that would bring a smile on the face of a country music fan. Links to Tim Life are also on the right.

Here are a few selections that would be great for the country music fan!

Country Music Trivia Board Game
This is really fun. This is a board game that has tons of trivia questions that even if you don't play the actual game, a country music fan would love to look through the questions and answers. ($19.95 from the link above to Amazon.com)

The Encyclopedia of Country Music: The Ultimate Guide to the Music
This is a must own resource for any country music fan. Its huge and includes so much information, they will be in awe. I own the hardback version of the book, and you can imagine, I use it routinely. ($26.37 from the link above to Amazon.com)

Country Music Trivia: Country Music Hall of Fame
Here is a fun little book of trivia that still keeps me entertained. The trivia is written almost in test form. You can guess the answers, then look them up in the back. A great little book. ($0.07 from the link above to Amazon.com)

Born Country: How Faith, Family, and Music Brought Me Home by Randy Owen
This book I reviewed back in November and would be a great gift for the fan of Alabama. A enjoyable read that gives a great insight into the lead singer Randy Owen's life. ($17.13 from the link above to Amazon.com)

Pioneer GEX-INNO2BK Inno 2 Portable XM Satellite Radio with MP3 Capability
I own this unit. XM Radio is the ultimate way of enjoying country music. This specific receiver is unique because it has a MP3 player built in as well. It also can record songs from XM. It is one of the best units I've ever owned for XM. Before buying, keep in mind, there is a subscription fee for service of $12.95/month. So, may want to check with them before buying. ($114.99 from the link above from Amazon.com. $12.95/month XM subscription required)

Hank Williams Sr. "The Unreleased Recordings" Box Set
I know, I said stay away from CDs, well, this particular box set just came out in late October. It is a 3 CD box set of recordings from Hank Williams Sr. It is fully authorized by his estate and the sex comes in a really nice 39 page book. If they have any interest in country music, especially classic country, this is a must own. It may be for the older fan, rather than a teenager. ($28.99 from the link above to Amazon.com)

Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum: 2009 Wall Calendar
I am adding this to my wish list. Its a wall calendar that is full of country music dates and such, along with artist photos at the top. Really cool idea for a gift that will be used all year. Heck, you will have an idea for next year too! ($12.59 from the link above to Amazon.com)

Amazon.com offers free shipping of orders of $25 or more. You must order by Wednesday December 17th for Christmas delivery. Standard shipping cut-off is December 18th. Monday December 22 at 3pm PST is cut-off for 2 day shipping. One day shipping cut-off is December 23 at 3pm PST.

A Bit New Look

As you can see, the blog has a bit of a new look to it!  I thought it was time for a change, I think I've used the same template since this blog began.  I hope you like the look, but don't worry, this is only the first of a few changes here.  I'll be working on colors and things pretty soon.  For now though, I am pretty happy with it!

This new look will give me more room to grow and such in the upcoming year.  I'm expecting to do some new things in January... so stay tuned.

Thanks for your support and remember to keep visitng very often!

2008 Country Music Related Grammy Nominations

Thursday, December 04, 2008

The nominations for The Grammy's have been announced! There is no higher award in music than winning a Grammy. The nomination itself is thought of one of the highest honors. You are instantly apart of history... There 110 categories in 31 different fields. You can view the entire list of nominations at http://www/,grammy.com

The 51st Annual Grammy Awards will be aired live from The Staples Center in Los Angeles, CA on CBS from 8-11:30pm EST.

Here are the nominations from the General Field and Country Field with other categories included that are reveleant to country music artists:

Category 1

Record Of The Year

(Award to the Artist and to the Producer(s), Recording Engineer(s) and/or
Mixer(s), if other than the artist.)

• Chasing Pavements
  Adele
  Eg White, producer; Tom Elmhirst & Steve Price, engineers/mixers
  Track from: 19
  [XL Recordings/Columbia]




• Viva La Vida
  Coldplay
  Markus Dravs, Brian Eno & Rik Simpson, producers; Michael Brauer & Rik
  Simpson, engineers/mixers
  Track from: Viva La Vida Or Death And All His Friends
  [Capitol Records]




• Bleeding Love
  Leona Lewis
  Simon Cowell, Clive Davis & Ryan "Alias" Tedder, producers; Craig Durrance,
  Phil Tan & Ryan "Alias" Tedder, engineers/mixers
  [J Records/SYCO Music]




• Paper Planes
  M.I.A
  Diplo, producer; Switch, engineer/mixer
  Track from: Kala
  [Interscope]




• Please Read The Letter
  Robert Plant & Alison Krauss
  T Bone Burnett, producer; Mike Piersante, engineer/mixer
  Track from: Raising Sand
  [Rounder]
  

Category 4
Best New Artist
(For a new artist who releases, during the Eligibility Year, the first recording
which establishes the public identity of that artist.)

• Adele

• Duffy

• Jonas Brothers

• Lady Antebellum

• Jazmine Sullivan

Category 8
Best Pop Collaboration With Vocals
(For a collaborative performance, with vocals, by artists who do not normally
perform together. Singles or Tracks only.)

• Lesson Learned
  Alicia Keys & John Mayer
  Track from: As I Am
  [J Records]

• 4 Minutes
  Madonna, Justin Timberlake & Timbaland
  Track from: Hard Candy
  [Warner Bros.]

• Rich Woman
  Robert Plant & Alison Krauss
  Track from: Raising Sand
  [Rounder]

• If I Never See Your Face Again
  Rihanna & Maroon 5
  Track from: Good Girl Gone Bad: Reloaded
  [Def Jam]

• No Air
  Jordin Sparks & Chris Brown
  Track from: Jordin Sparks
  [Jive]

Field 8 — Country

Category 36
Best Female Country Vocal Performance
(For a solo vocal performance. Singles or Tracks only.)

• For These Times
  Martina McBride
  Track from: Waking Up Laughing
  [RCA Nashville]




• What I Cannot Change
  LeAnn Rimes
  Track from: Family
  [Curb Records]




• Last Name
  Carrie Underwood
  Track from: Carnival Ride
  [19/Arista/Arista Nashville]




• Last Call
  Lee Ann Womack
  [MCA Nashville]

• This Is Me You're Talking To
  Trisha Yearwood
  Track from: Heaven, Heartache And The Power Of Love
  [Big Machine]

Category 37
Best Male Country Vocal Performance
(For a solo vocal performance. Singles or Tracks only.)

• You're Gonna Miss This
  Trace Adkins
  Track from: American Man, Greatest Hits Volume II
  [Capitol Records Nashville]

• In Color
  Jamey Johnson
  [MCA Nashville]

• Just Got Started Lovin' You
  James Otto
  Track from: Sunset Man
  [Raybaw]

• Letter To Me
  Brad Paisley
  Track from: 5th Gear
  [Arista Nashville]

• Troubadour
  George Strait
  Track from: Troubadour
  [MCA Nashville]

Category 38
Best Country Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals
(For established duos or groups with vocals. Singles or Tracks only.)

• God Must Be Busy
  Brooks & Dunn
  Track from: Cowboy Town
  [Arista Nashville]

• Love Don't Live Here
  Lady Antebellum
  Track from: Lady Antebellum
  [Capitol Records Nashville]

• Every Day
  Rascal Flatts
  Track from: Still Feels Good
  [Lyric Street Records]

• Blue Side Of The Mountain
  The SteelDrivers
  Track from: The SteelDrivers
  [Rounder]

• Stay
  Sugarland
  Track from: Enjoy The Ride
  [Mercury Records]

Category 39
Best Country Collaboration With Vocals
(For a collaborative performance, with vocals, by artists who do not normally
perform together. Singles or Tracks only.)

• Shiftwork
  Kenny Chesney & George Strait
  Track from: Just Who I Am: Poets And Pirates
  [BNA Records]

• Killing The Blues
  Robert Plant & Alison Krauss
  Track from: Raising Sand
  [Rounder]

• House Of Cash
  George Strait & Patty Loveless
  Track from: Troubadour
  [MCA Nashville]

• Life In A Northern Town
  Sugarland, Jake Owen & Little Big Town
  Track from: Love On The Inside [Deluxe Fan Edition]
  [Mercury Records]

• Let The Wind Chase You
  Trisha Yearwood & Keith Urban
  Track from: Heaven, Heartache And The Power Of Love
  [Big Machine]

Category 40
Best Country Instrumental Performance
(For solo, duo, group or collaborative performances, without vocals. Singles or
Tracks only.)

• Sumatra
  Cherryholmes
  Track from: Cherryholmes III: Don't Believe
  [Skaggs Family Records]

• Two Small Cars In Rome
  Jerry Douglas & Lloyd Green
  Track from: Glide
  [Koch]

• Sleigh Ride
  Béla Fleck & The Flecktones
  Track from: Jingle All The Way
  [Rounder]

• Is This America? (Katrina 2005)
  Charlie Haden, Pat Metheny, Jerry Douglas & Bruce Hornsby
  Track from: Family & Friends — Rambling Boy
  [Decca Records]

• Cluster Pluck
  Brad Paisley, James Burton, Vince Gill, John Jorgenson, Albert Lee, Brent
  Mason, Redd Volkaert & Steve Wariner
  [Arista Nashville]
  
  

Category 41

Best Country Song

(A Songwriter(s) Award. For Song Eligibility Guidelines see Category #3. (Artist
names appear in parentheses.) Singles or Tracks only.)

• Dig Two Graves
  Ashley Gorley & Bob Regan, songwriters (Randy Travis)
  Track from: Around The Bend
  [Warner Bros.; Publishers: Songs of Combustion Music, Music of
  Windswept/Famous Music, Mt. Tallac Music]




• I Saw God Today
  Rodney Clawson, Monty Criswell & Wade Kirby, songwriters (George Strait)
  Track from: Troubadour
  [MCA Nashville; Publishers: Big Red Toe/Extremely Loud Music, Steel Wheels
  Music, Steel Wheels Music/Blind Mule Music]




• In Color
  Jamey Johnson, Lee Thomas Miller & James Otto, songwriters (Jamey Johnson)
  Track from: That Lonesome Song
  [Mercury Records; Publishers: EMI Blackwood Music/Big Gassed Hitties, EMI
  Blackwood Music/New Songs of Sea Gayle/Noah's Little Boat Music, Eldorotto
  Music Publishing/Lucky Thumb Music]




• Stay
  Jennifer Nettles, songwriter (Sugarland)
  Track from: Enjoy The Ride
  [Mercury Records; Publisher: Jennifer Nettles Publishing]




• You're Gonna Miss This
  Ashley Gorley & Lee Thomas Miller, songwriters (Trace Adkins)
  Track from: American Man, Greatest Hits Volume II
  [Capitol Records Nashville; Publishers: EMI Blackwood/New Songs of Sea
  Gayle/Noah's Little Boat Music/Songs of Combustion Music]

Category 42
Best Country Album
(Vocal or Instrumental.)

• That Lonesome Song
  Jamey Johnson
  [Mercury Records]




• Sleepless Nights
  Patty Loveless
  [Saguaro Road]




• Troubadour
  George Strait
  [MCA Nashville]




• Around The Bend
  Randy Travis
  [Warner Bros.]




• Heaven, Heartache And The Power Of Love
  Trisha Yearwood
  [Big Machine]

Category 43

Best Bluegrass Album
(Vocal or Instrumental.)

• Cherryholmes III: Don't Believe
  Cherryholmes
  [Skaggs Family Records]




• Del McCoury Band — Live At The 2008 New
  Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival
  Del McCoury Band
  [MunckMix]




• The Ultimate Collection / Live At The
  Ryman
  Earl Scruggs With Family & Friends
  [Rounder Records]




• Honoring The Fathers Of Bluegrass:
  Tribute To 1946 And 1947
  Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder
  [Skaggs Family Records]




• Wheels
  Dan Tyminski
  [Rounder]

Category 55
Best Southern, Country, Or Bluegrass Gospel Album
(For albums containing 51% or more playing time of VOCAL tracks.)

• Room For More
  Booth Brothers
  [Daywind Records]




• Lovin' Life
  Gaither Vocal Band
  [Gaither Music Group]




• Steps To Heaven
  Charlie Louvin
  [Tompkins Square]




• Hymned Again
  Bart Millard
  [INO Records]




• Ephesians One
  Karen Peck & New River
  [Daywind Records]

Field 14 — Folk

Category 68
Best Traditional Folk Album
(Vocal or Instrumental.)

• Coal
  Kathy Mattea
  [Captain Potato Records]




• Comedians & Angels
  Tom Paxton
  [Appleseed Recordings]




• Bring Me Home
  Peggy Seeger
  [Appleseed Recordings]




• At 89
  Pete Seeger
  [Appleseed Recordings]




• Strangers In Another Country
  Rosalie Sorrels
  [Red House Records]

Category 69
Best Contemporary Folk/Americana Album
(Vocal or Instrumental.)

• Day After Tomorrow
  Joan Baez
  [Bobolink/Razor & Tie]




• I, Flathead
  Ry Cooder
  [Nonesuch Records]




• Sex & Gasoline
  Rodney Crowell
  [Work Song/Yep Roc Records]




• All I Intended To Be
  Emmylou Harris
  [Nonesuch Records]




• Raising Sand
  Robert Plant & Alison Krauss
  [Rounder Records]
  
  

Category 84
Best Song Written For Motion Picture, Television Or Other Visual Media
(A Songwriter(s) award. For a song (melody & lyrics) written specifically for a
motion picture, television or other visual media, and released for the first
time during the Eligibility Year. (Artist names appear in parentheses.) Singles
or Tracks only.)

• Down To Earth (From Wall-E)
  Peter Gabriel & Thomas Newman, songwriters (Peter Gabriel)
  Track from: Wall-E
  [Walt Disney Records/Pixar; Publishers: Walt Disney Music, Wonderland
  Music/Pixar Talking Pictures/Pixar Music]




• Ever Ever After (From Enchanted)
  Alan Menken & Stephen Schwartz, songwriters (Carrie Underwood)
  Track from: Enchanted
  [Walt Disney Records; Publishers: Wonderland Music & Walt Disney Music]




• Say (From The Bucket List)
  John Mayer, songwriter (John Mayer)
  Track from: Continuum
  [Aware/Columbia; Publishers: Sony/ATV Tunes, Specific Harm Music]




• That's How You Know (From Enchanted)
  Alan Menken & Stephen Schwartz, songwriters (Amy Adams)
  Track from: Enchanted
  [Walt Disney Records; Publishers: Wonderland Music & Walt Disney Music]




• Walk Hard (From Walk Hard — The Dewey Cox Story)
  Judd Apatow, Marshall Crenshaw, Jake Kasdan & John C. Reilly, songwriters
  (John C. Reilly)
  Track from: Walk Hard The Dewey Cox Story
  [Columbia; Publishers: Murder by Television/Apatow Music/Popular
  Misconception/New Columbia Pictures Music/Colpix Music]

Keith Urban Announces a Tour, but No Dates

Tuesday, December 02, 2008

Keith Urban has announced that he will tour next year. That's not that big surprise, nor is the news of the new album coming next year either. What is news though is the long list of opening acts. These aren't just any opening acts Urban has selected for the tour.

The 2009 tour will include the following artists:

• Sugarland
• Taylor Swift
• Dierks Bentley
• Glen Campbell
• Lady Antebellum
• The Zac Brown Band

Now, the reports don't say exactly which of the above artists will perform at any particular show, in fact the venues and dates haven't been released. I will be carefully following that tour list for you, no doubt. This could be a very exciting tour.

Just look at the potential lineups. Mix n match as you like, and you have a historical show. Most of probably were extremely excited about the potential show that would include Keith Urban with Taylor Swift or Keith Urban with Sugarland.

However, my biggest excitement came further down the list... Glen Campbell. Wow. Now, I have a few of you may not even know who he is. No, he isn't new for those who don't know him. He is a living legend of country music, and I mean real country music. I am hoping he will be on most of the tour to let the fans get the chance to hear such a legend and make new fans, of a more younger generation. Wow, I'm really excited about the chance for such an act to be apart of this tour.

Following Glen Campbell, The Zac Brown Band makes the list of excitement as well. They fit perfectly on stage before a Keith Urban show... wow.

Whatever mix of artists make up the show at a particular venue, it will be worth going to see, no doubt. Stay tuned, when the tour dates are announced, I will be sharing them. I expect it will be very early January for the announcement.

Sirius XM Holiday 2008 Lineup: No Country Music

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Well, we have arrived at that time of year. The Holiday Season. Thanksgiving Day is just a matter of hours away and that means its Christmas music season as well. There is so much great Christmas music out there from our country music stars. New music out each year, and I will be focusing some attention on those upcoming. However, in past years, my favorite way to enjoy Christmas music was on my XM Radio. This year, sadly, doesn't seem to be that way.

Here is this year's holiday lineup on satellite radio:

• Holly-- contemporary/pop holiday hits. (XM 35/SR 81 now through 12/31)
• Bing Crosby Christmas-- vintage holiday radio specials (XM 120 SR 113 12/13 - 12/25)
• Holiday Traditions-- traditional holiday 1940-60's (XM 36 11/24 - 12/25)
• Holiday Pops-- classical holiday (XM 37 and 77 /SR 79 11/27 - 12/25)
• Radio Hanukkah-- Hanukkah music (XM 38/ SR 3 12/21 - 12/29)

(All channels begin/end at midnight EST of their designated dates. XM for the XM channel, SR for Sirius Channel.)

First and foremost... do you see what is missing? Look closely. Yes, Music City Christmas. No country music Christmas channel this year. Are they crazy? I just can't believe that channel is not apart of the lineup this year. I just don't get it. There is a problem here with their programming for this year, no doubt. This is a channel I look forward to every year, and I bet a great deal of XM listeners do as well.

A side note, Special Xmas isn't on the list either. Another channel I loved. It was full of parody/comical Christmas musical content. What a loss.

What gets me even more is that there plenty room, more channels they know what to do with. That can't be the issue. If it was, why exactly do we need 2 classical music channels? Why does Sirius listeners miss out on the traditional holiday channel. Clearly they made the decision not to include it this year.

The first sentence in the second paragraph mentions country music, but nowhere in the channel lineup does an artist even close to country music is mentioned. The channels don't reflect that claim either. So, possibly an oversight with a channel listing, but I doubt it. If I find it, I'll let you know.

Country music fans will be looking to their CD collection this year, rather to their XM or Sirius radio. Bad thing is, now that the two companies are one, you don't have much choice. If you want Christmas music, you''' have to depend on download/CDs. Don't worry, Country Music Alive will be featuring some great choices in the upcoming days.

If you do find a country music satellite channel, e-mail so I can let everyone know about it.

Review: Zac Brown Band "The Foundation"

Sunday, November 23, 2008

I have been waiting for this album to hit stores since the first day I heard their national debut top 5 single on the radio. The single had to be one of the most enjoyable songs I’d heard in many years. Yes, you read that right, years. The song is one of those special songs that you never get tired of hearing. It’s catchy as it can be and it gets stuck in your head immediately, but the difference is that you enjoy it being stuck in your head. The song is most definitely country, with a pinch of a southern rockish influence. Most of all, the lyrics make it a perfect sign-a-long bar song. The song I’m referring to begins…. “You know I like my chicken fried…” and now, I’m sure you are finishing the opening lines by now. “Chicken Fried” may be the best track on the Home Grown/Atlantic Records debut album titled “The Foundation” by The Zac Brown Band and produced by Keith Stegall (Alan Jackson and songwriter,) but that certainly doesn’t mean there are even more great songs on the album to really enjoy. This album is for the music lover.

Now, that I have played “Chicken Fried” a few times, I can now start exploring the eleven tracks that make up the album. The first track, simply titled “Toes” fuses a sound of island music, a lyrical vacation of a country song, and just plain fun. Again, like their debut single, it’s catchy and did I say fun? The song starts “I got my toes in the water, ass in the sand/ Not a worry in the world, a cold beer in my hand/ Life is good today. Life is good today.” This is another must-hear song, without a doubt.

“Whatever It Is” again, lends lyrical power and fun to the album on a song about a beauty of a woman. I can’t say it enough. You will understand taking a listen to the
album. “Where The Boat Leave From” continues the rock-strong foundation of style. Zac Brown Band knows what sound works for them and has perfected it beyond imagine. Harmonizing A blend of deep country roots from their home state of Georgia, southern rock of the Southern United States, and sounds of the Caribbean together nicely make for some excellent music.

“Free” begins with a one-minute two-second violin solo leading into a slower song that allows the listener to get an even great appreciation for the group. Vocal delivery is showcased on this track very nicely, however, continues to display lyrical strength and great songs. If you have any doubt at all if this band knows
country music, take a listen to track 7, “Mary.” This high paced tune will further enhance your love of this group from a country music prospective. “Different Kind of Fine” is an all out driving song. Turn it on up. I can hear you already singing this one out loud… don’t worry, that’s what the Zac Brown Band wants you to be doing. “Highway 20 Ride” slows it down just a little bit, to again highlight the vocal delivery with excellence of the written word sung in this break-up song.

The pace picks way up again on “It’s Not Ok” that is another truckin’ song with spoken-word lyric delivery that again you just can’t help to learn the words to quickly, and oh yes, you can’t forget to recognize the instrumentation is dead on high-paced country filling the air. “Jolene” is a nice song, but I think it is not the best track on the album… but, even saying that, it’s a great song.

Finally, “Sic ‘Em On A Chicken.” Yes, you read that right. I’m not really sure what to say about this one. It’s country, that’s for sure. It’s comical… that’s for sure too. Wow, it’s a great song. Give it a listen and you will fall in love with it too.

Some may think this album is not consistent in sound. I can see that argument, however, I believe it is. Why? This band makes it music with a strong thought of what sounds good onstage and what the crowd will easily sing-a-long with I believe. They have many different sounds that can be heard (deep country roots, bluegrass, island music, rock, southern rocks, and funk,) however; their delivery has one common thread… fun. Distinct and different styles, yes, but I guarantee you that if you heard a new song from The Zac Brown Band, you will know exactly who it is, and not just by the voice you hear; that there is a key to consistency.

These guys are music lovers. I am a music lover. That is exactly why this album has caught my attention so very much. It will catch your attention too… instantly. I just may be pounding the keys on the keyboard with these words because I feel these thoughts so deeply.

“The Foundation” is one of the best albums of this year, by far. Vocal delivery that can’t be matched, strong lyrics, music that is enjoyable beyond belief, and instrumentation excellence make this album so great. I’m glad this is just the foundation, because this group has potential to build a very tall building.

Country Music Alive: Clickitticket.com's Top 50 Music Blogs

Saturday, November 22, 2008

I don't like to brag very much about this blog. I have been writing about country music since 1994 in some format... from the beginning e-mail newsletters to the last 10 years in a blog format. The website has been around since about 1995 or so. I love country music so very much, as you all know. Its more than apart of me. I love sharing my love for the music in some small way with all of my readers everyday. I don't get what would be considered a high-traffic blog or website, but a fair amount of traffic. Those of you that do visit this site or my website are some of the most loyal readers out there and it is so appreciated.



With that said, I was notified earlier this week that my blog was picked to be apart of Clickitticket.com's Top 50 Music Blogs. 10 blogs were picked from 5 different styles of music. Of course, this blog made the list in the country music category.



I ask you to take a moment and visit the site in support of their recognition of this blog. Take a look at the top 50, and then take a moment or two to visit the rest of the website:


http://www.clickitticket.com/articles/topmusicblogs.htm



There is a lot of exciting planning in the works to make this blog even more special in the upcoming year, so keep visiting and add it to your RSS feed or bookmark it. You can also "follow" this blog if you a member of Blogger. I also have a "subscribe" button on the top of the menu that will allow to get a daily email on days the blog is updated.

Anytime, especially as this year starts to come to an end, please, e-mail me with what you want to see here. Whether its a topic you want me to discuss, a standard feature, or anything at all.. let me know and I will see if I can incorporate it into the blog. An e-mail link is available on the right menu.

I thank you for your support and hope you keep visiting the site everyday. Tell a friend and share this blog every place you can think of in your daily Internet travels as well as in person.

Taylor Swift Sales: Why Doing So Well?

Friday, November 21, 2008

I was reading through a few news articles and came across an article on the sales numbers for Taylor Swift's new album "Fearless." I thought it may had been a mis-print or something.

Here we go, and these aren't mis-types...

Taylor Swift in the first week of the release of "Fearless" sold 592,304 copies. Her debut self-titled album sold 27,800 copies last week. That album was released October 24, 2006 and still remains in the top 5 this week, making it the 108th week for the album being on Billboard's Top Country Album Chart.

According to All About Country, 55.8% of all country music albums bought last week had Taylor Swift's name on the cover.

Rascal Flatts is ranked #2 last week in country sales with 38,812 copies. That makes them 553,492 copies less than Swift.

Looking at all album sales, David Archuleta came in at number 2. He sold 183,000 copies. Doesn't even come close to Taylor Swift.

CMA Week always helps out the sales, this year was no different, sales were up 26.7%... not bad at all. Over 1.1 million albums were sold, again, 592,000 of those were Taylor Swift's new album.

Debut album is over 3x Platinum. Her new release is gold in 1 week!

Now, this is excellent sales, by far, by don't believe it is any major record breaking event. My question is why is Taylor Swift so very popular? I've asked this question before in my writings, but it still comes up in my head every time I heard about her sales and chart positioning. I mean demographics of her target audience is one thing, but, to begin a new album with over 592,000 sold and her first CD out over 2 years ago is still selling like it just came out there is something more going on that has her selling so well.

The answer to it all is... well, I don't know what exactly it is. It must be a combination of so many things. Some of them in the control of her management, record label, publicity, her talent and skill, but, some of it I think has to do with so many things out of her direct control. Timing, demographical interest, and I'm sure many other factors.

Here are some of the reasons I think she is doing so well. 

1) Her vocals and music itself are common and pop-music influenced country music.  She is country, but I wouldn't go as far as saying traditional country.  Its pop-country, just like so very many of our "country" artists of the current days.  The sound of Taylor Swift's songs appeal to the pop-music style of music as well as our country fans, for the most part.  Her talent in itself is enough to make her a very successful artist.

2) Taylor Swift has had a strong Internet presence.  Her MySpace page has been up since August 0f 2005.  That's a year before even her debut album was released. As of this afternoon, Taylor has 978,387 "friends" on MySpace.  That page is kept updated and keeps the younger generation hooked on her music, but also her life and what she is really like.  Everyone these days have Myspace, but Swift came in on the ground floor and uses that page perfectly.  Its not just MySpace of course.  Her official web page is updated nicely as well.  It is designed in a way to keep the younger ones wanting to come back, but as well is informative for those they are there for information.

3) I think this third point is the biggest reason she does so well.  Her age, her looks, and her life style makes her so marketable.  Younger females are always looking for a role-model.  Taylor Swift is a role-model that the parent's of the children wanting to look up to her can approve of. She carries her self very well in public, very down-to-Earth, she dresses appropriate, she is beautiful, yet not a over-the-top concentration on the way she looks.  Always I feel a "be yourself" message from Taylor Swift. 

Why do you think Taylor Swift sales are so high?  Leave a comment and I'll share it here...

Photo Credit: Taylor Swift on the CMA Awards Red Carpet at “The 42nd Annual CMA Awards,” on Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2008, broadcast live from the Sommet Center in Nashville on the ABC Television Network.  Photographer: Jim Hagans / CMA

Reba McEntire Moves to Valory Records

Monday, November 17, 2008

Reba McEntire is moving to Valory Music Group. This label is a small start-up independent label that has been around about a year and has Jewel, Emerson Drive, Jimmy Wayne, and Justin Moore signed. It is a sister label to Big Machine Records, the home of Taylor Swift, Trisha Yearwood, Jack Ingram, Danielle Peck, Adam Gregory, Sunny Sweeney, and Kate & Kacey.


Reba McEntire was with MCA Nashville, one of the largest labels in country music and has been with them since day one of her career. Why in the world would she leave MCA-Nashville...


First, Valory Music has an agreement with Universal Music Group Distribution... the owners of MCA-Nashville. So, not entirely is it a full separation from MCA. Her music will make its way to stores using the same path as they had in the past... basically no change there.


Second, The president and CEO of Valory Music Group is Scott Borchetta. McEntire and Borchetta worked together while he was at MCA-Nashville. In fact, 14 #1 singles and 22 million albums were sold under the readership of Borchetta. So, she is getting to work with someone she has worked for in the past.


Third, I expect McEntire is ready to take her career in a new direction... opening a new door in her musical career. A smaller label allows the artist to be a little more flexible on when to record an album. Also, a freedom comes along with it too. Independent labels also seem to allow a little more room to records what she wants, not necessarily what the label wants and what they think is marketable. Now, that is still a part of the decisions, but not as much as a large label such as Universal Music Group.

I think this deal has been in the works for sometime. The release of her new boxset is a nice closing to her career at MCA. Now looking back on it, it certainly was some foreshadowing going on for sure.

I think this move is very interesting. We will find out if it affects her sales, her musical style and expression of country music. Time will only tell if it was the right move...

The first single from Reba McEntire on Valory Music will be released in the Spring of 2009. The debut album will arrive in stores in late Summer.

Her final MCA-Nashville project, Reba: 50 Greatest Hits 3-disc boxset was released October 28.

CMA Awards: The Commentary

Thursday, November 13, 2008

Wow, what a night! The CMA Awards are now in the history books. Indeed this year was historical. George Strait has now become the most awarded CMA artist. At the end of the night, Strait has 22 of the trophies. Pretty darn cool.

The special guest for the night was Shania Twain that presented Entertainer of the Year to Kenny Chesney. It was a nice surprise, though it was found out who exactly was the mystery presenter earlier that afternoon when she arrived in Nashville.

The show itself to me was one of the best in quiet sometime. It was just plain fun to watch. Our co-hosts for the evening, Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood did a great job I thought. However, I believe Brad Paisley could have done the job by himself. Carrie Underwood did a good job, but I found Paisley's skills a couple notches better.

Now, in the moment, watching the show, I really enjoyed what I was seeing. It's country music's night to shine as bright as it can. Its done through honoring the award winners and showcasing the talent from the past year. Now, after a few hours of the show sinking in to my mind, I begin to think about many different things. Mostly, what was missing.

What was missing? Well, country music for one. You may be saying, what? Yes, I said it. The show was missing country music. What was performed last night, with few exceptions, was pop music dressed up in a country music though process. Think about it. Kid Rock? Sure, it was a good performance, but he isn't country. The Eagles... not country. The Wailers...not country. That doesn't even scratch the surface of the songs performed by "country artists" that really weren't country music songs either. George Strait, Alan Jackson, and Brad Paisley's 2nd performance should have been examples of what country music is all about. Darius Rucker's performance also can be added in there. But, the real country music artists were missing. We didn't hear from the real country artists or their songs. The show was all about branding country music rather than the tradition of the song, the written true-to-life lyrical journey, and traditional country music performed in a contemporary form like someone like Alan Jackson can do. There many of those artists, even sitting in the audience, that deserved to be spotlighted for their creative work from the past year that didn't get seen or heard in the pursuit of making country music popular.

Something else that was missing was the Hall of Fame Induction portion. If you sat up in your seat or looked out the window at a passing car, you would have missed it. Those artists deserve much more than that. They are apart of the deep roots of country music and has had the deepest impact on the music. Pop Stoneman, Tom T. Hall, The Statler Brothers, and Emmylou Harris deserved so much more than just a few words from Vince Gill. Each should have showcased. That really made me disappointed.

Now don't get me wrong, I enjoyed the show. It did its purpose I guess. The show was full of today's greatest stars and events. The ratings are very high and it was fun. Next year, CMA please, pay attention more to tradition and real country music.

2008 CMA Award Performances And Winners

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

2008 CMA Award Winners:

Single of The Year

" I Saw God Today"

George Strait

Song of The Year

"Stay"

Jennifer Nettles

Vocal Group of the Year

Rascal Flatts

New Country Music Artist of the Year

Lady Antebellum

Vocal Duo of the Year

Sugarland

Album of the Year

Troubador

George Strait

Female Vocalist of the Year

Carrie Underwood

Male Vocalist of the Year

Brad Paisley

Video of the Year

Waitin' On A Woman

Brad Paisley

Vocal Event of The Year

Gone,Gone,Gone

Alison Krauss and Robert Plant

Musician of the Year

Mac McAnally

Entertainer of the Year

Kenny Chesney

2008 CMA Award Performances:

1. Start A Band-- Brad Paisley and Keith Urban


2. Best Days of Your Life--Kellie Pickler


3. Good Time--Alan Jackson


4. More Like Her--Miranda Lambert


5. Love Don't Live Here--Lady Antebellum


6. Ride--Martina McBride


7. Its America--Rodney Atkins


8. Love Story--Taylor Swift


9. All Summer Long--Kid Rock


10. River of Love--George Strait


11. She's Country--Jason Aldean


12. Cowgirls Don't Cry--Brooks & Dunn (joined onstage by Reba McEntire)


13. Don't Think I Don't Think About It--Darius Rucker


14. Waitin On A Woman--Brad Paisley


15. Just A Dream--Carrie Underwood


16. Love--Sugarland


17. Just Got Started Loving You--James Otto


18. Everybody Wants To Go To Heaven--Kenny Chesney and The Wailers


19. You're Gonna Miss This--Trace Adkins


20. Busy Being Fabulous--The Eagles

CMA Awards Tonight!

Follow along on Twitter for tonight's events on http://www.twitter.com/cntryalive

Country Music Alive CMA Predictions

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

I get asked each year to share who exactly I would want to win, predict to win, or who I voted for in the CMA Awards. Well, I won't share my vote nor who I want to win, but I will predict the winners.

Well, first, I will make the prediction that this year's shows ratings will be high. Second, the performances will be enjoyable, yet nothing that will have people talking for days to come. Maybe just the day after. Whomever the secret guest is will be pretty cool, yet again, no one that deserves too much hype. It will be a solid show, as is every year, with a great look at the past year's country music. We are in for a real enjoyable evening. It is worth getting excited about.

As far as the actual performances... I think the highlights will be Kenny Chesney with The Wailers and Brad Paisley with Keith Urban. We already know what songs those two will do, but it will be great to see these performers do their songs together on stage. A nice treat that fans may never see again... The others will be great performances, but just may not be able to top these duets.

You can make your own predictions by using the Download Prediction Form!

Now who will win? Good question, we will know the answer tomorrow night, but here is who I predict will win.....

Entertainer: Kenny Chesney. He has had another strong tour and stays in the forefront of the mind of country music all year long. Brad Paisley is also a good choice here, but just have a feeling Chesney will take it again this year.

Female: Taylor Swift. It's such a close call between Swift and Carrie Underwood. However, something just tells me that its Swift's year to take this one home.

Male: Brad Paisley. Great hit singles, the instrumental album announcement, and just all around great choice here. Even though the album would have not been released at the time of voting, there was enough talk about it to help him here.

New Artist: Lady Antebellum. This is the toughest category to pick. Each and every artist deserves it and are strong. I tell you, this prediction was almost random.

Group: Rascal Flatts. They own the category and will take it home this year as well. They have won it since 2003...

Duo: Sugarland. They have had a great year, so much of a good year to edge out the others.

Single: "Stay." A powerhouse song that most likely will take it over "You're Gonna Miss This" due to a cross over success.

Album: "Troubador." A solid country album, and what can I say... its a George Strait album.

Song: "Stay." Just think this song was so well written it will carry its own weight to winning the award. A tough category, all these songs are so well written.

Event: "Shiftwork" A song that has been on radio for a long time and brings together 2 styles of country music very nicely.

Video: "Waitin' On A Woman." Andy Griffith is in it, need I say more.

Musician: Brent Mason.

Well there you go! Those are my predictions... make your own predictions and we will see how well we do tomorrow night! Download Prediction Form!

42nd Annual CMA Awards Nominations, Performers, and Presenters

The time has finally arrived! Here is a round-up of all the information you may be in need of for tomorrow night....

Country Music Alive will provide several days of coverage through out the rest of the week, also follow me on Twitter for immediate updates live during the show. Also, the special feature website will be updated after the show. My Twitter name is cntryalive.

You can also download a prediction form from here to have a little fun during the broadcast!

The 42nd Annual CMA Awards will air Wednesday November 12 in Nashville, TN. The show will air live from 8pm to 11pm EST on ABC Television Network and the audio will be aired live as well on XM Radio channel 11.

From the Sommet Center Plaza in downtown Nashville, the kickoff to the 42nd Annual CMA Awards Concert can be heard live exclusively on XM's Highway 16, Scheduled To Appear (All Times EASTERN):5-5:30 PM - Heidi Newfield5:45-6:30 PM - Rodney Atkins6:45-7:15 PM - Eli Young Band7:30-8:00 PM - Kevin Costner & Modern West.

Before the show, a listing of nominations, the prediction form and after the show, full winners list, performance lists, and more can be found at http://cmaawards.countrymusicalive.com

The show will be co-hosted by Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood.

Scheduled to perform:

* Trace Adkins
* Jason Aldean
* Rodney Atkins
* Brooks & Dunn
* Kenny Chesney with The Wailers
* The Eagles
* Alan Jackson
* Kid Rock
* Lady Antebellum
* Miranda Lambert
* Martina McBride
* James Otto
* Brad Paisley
* Kellie Pickler
* Darius Rucker
* George Strait
* Sugarland
* Taylor Swift
* Carrie Underwood
* Keith Urban

Scheduled to present:

* Vince Gill
* Julianne Hough
* Jake Owen
* John Rich
* Jimmy Wayne
* Billy Ray Cyrus
* Miley Cyrus
* Heidi Newfield
* Taylot Swift
* Josh Turner
* Lee Ann Womack
* Reese Witherspoon

The Nominations:

Entertainer of the Year

* Kenny Chesney
* Brad Paisley
* George Strait
* Sugarland
* Keith Urban

Female Vocalist of the Year

* Alison Krauss
* Miranda Lambert
* Martina McBride
* Taylor Swift
* Carrie Underwood

Male Vocalist of the Year

* Kenny Chesney
* Alan Jackson
* Brad Paisley
* George Strait
* Keith Urban

New Artist of the Year

* Jason Aldean
* Rodney Atkins
* Lady Antebellum
* James Otto
* Kellie Pickler

Vocal Group of the Year

* Eagles
* Emerson Drive
* Lady Antebellum
* Little Big Town
* Rascal Flatts

Vocal Duo of the Year

* Big & Rich
* Brooks & Dunn
* Montgomery Gentry
* Sugarland
* The Wreckers

Single of the Year
(Award goes to Artist and Producer)

* "Don't Blink"
Kenny Chesney
Produced by Buddy Cannon and Kenny Chesney
BNA Records
* "Gunpowder & Lead"
Miranda Lambert
Produced by Frank Liddell and Mike Wrucke
Columbia Records
* "I Saw God Today"
George Strait
Produced by Tony Brown and George Strait
MCA Nashville
* "Stay"
Sugarland
Produced by Byron Gallimore, Kristian Bush and Jennifer Nettles
Mercury Nashville
* "You're Gonna Miss This"
Trace Adkins
Produced by Frank Rogers
Capitol Records Nashville

Album of the Year
(Award goes to Artist and Producer)

* Carnival Ride
Carrie Underwood
Produced by Mark Bright
19 Records Limited/Arista Nashville
* Cowboy Town
Brooks & Dunn
Produced by Kix Brooks, Tony Brown, Ronnie Dunn and Bob DiPiero
Arista Nashville
* Good Time
Alan Jackson
Produced by Keith Stegall
Arista Nashville
* Just Who I Am: Poets & Pirates
Kenny Chesney
Produced by Buddy Cannon and Kenny Chesney
BNA Records
* Troubadour
George Strait
Produced by Tony Brown and George Strait
MCA Nashville

Song of the Year
(Award goes to Songwriter and Primary Publisher)

* "Good Time"
Alan Jackson
EMI-April Music/Tri-Angels Music
* "I Saw God Today"
Rodney Clawson/Monty Criswell/Wade Kirby
Big Red Toe/Extremely Loud Music/Steel Wheels Music/Blind Mule Music
* "Letter To Me"
Brad Paisley
EMI-April Music/Sea Gayle Music
* "Stay"
Jennifer Nettles
Jennifer Nettles Publishing
* "You're Gonna Miss This"
Ashley Gorley/Lee Thomas Miller
EMI Blackwood Music/Songs of Combustion/Sea Gayle Music

Musical Event of the Year
(Award to each Artist)

* Josh Turner featuring Trisha Yearwood
"Another Try"
MCA Nashville
* Reba McEntire and Kenny Chesney
"Every Other Weekend"
MCA Nashville
* Robert Plant and Alison Krauss
"Gone Gone Gone"
Rounder Records
* Sugarland featuring Little Big Town and Jake Owen
"Life In A Northern Town"
Mercury Nashville
* Kenny Chesney (duet with George Strait)
"Shiftwork"
BNA Records

Music Video of the Year
(Award goes to Artist and Director)

* "Don't Blink"
Kenny Chesney
Directed by Shaun Silva
* "Good Time"
Alan Jackson
Directed by Trey Fanjoy
* "Stay"
Sugarland
Directed by Shaun Silva
* "Waitin' On A Woman"
Brad Paisley featuring Andy Griffith
Directed by Jim Shea & Peter Tilden
* "You're Gonna Miss This"
Trace Adkins
Directed by Peter Zavadil

Musician of the Year

* Jerry Douglas - Dobro
* Paul Franklin - Steel Guitar
* Dann Huff - Guitar
* Brent Mason - Guitar
* Mac McAnally - Guitar

Merle Haggard Has Successful Surgery

Wednesday, November 05, 2008

The following statement was released on Merle Haggard's website today:

November 5, 2008 - News Update
Dear Fans, Friends, Family,and Acquaintances:

Merle has undergone the removal of a cancerous growth in his right lung. Merle is recuperating from the surgery and doing better and better each day. I would like to personally thank all of you who took the time to send your love, support, care, concern, and most of all, all of your prayers! Merle and I both believe strongly in our Lord Jesus Christ and His healing powers. After all He is the greatest physician of all. Believing in our prayers to be answered is the key. Faith!

Sincerely with the upmost gratitude,

Theresa Haggard

My most sincere prayers and thoughts go out to Merle Haggard and his family tonight in that he will continue to recover and will be back in good health very soon. I hope you will join me in the same prayer.

For any updates, you can of course check by this website, or his official website:

http://www.merlehaggard.com/

New Book From Randy Owen

Monday, November 03, 2008

We country music fans know of Randy Owen. Yes, the lead singer of Alabama and proud founder of Country Cares For St. Jude's Kids. On November 4, 2008, fans of Randy Owen will be able to get the deepest insight ever into the lead singer of the a group that has sold over 73 million albums by reading his new book "Born Country: How Faith, Family, and Music Brought Me Home."

Through the 275-pages, you are taken through the earliest years of Owen's life and all the up to the most present day with the release of his first solo album, "One on One" from Broken Bow Records on the same day as the book release. The book is written by Randy Owen with Allen Rucker through Harper One Publishers.


Imagine getting the opportunity to sit down with Owen and listening to him tell the story of his family, the beginnings of Alabama, the farewell tour, and what Owen is doing now. That is exactly how it feels when reading the book. In these pages, country music fans get to feel a special bond with Owen.


It is truly something special to get such insight into topics such as how he grew up, his family and specifically his deep love of his father. You detailed look at the beginning of Alabama at The Bowery in Myrtle Beach, the fast paced life of being a successful country music band, the rise and fall of June Jam. A great introduction to his wife and how they met, his children, and a story of coping with the loss of his father and dealing with panic attacks. Also, he also shares insight to fans on how Owen became involved with St. Jude Children's Hospital. Yes, its all discussed in the book that I found extremely enjoyable to read. It really came across to me as Owen talking directly to me in telling the stories of his entire life.


Curious why there hasn't been officially a member of Alabama as a drummer? (page 104) There is an explanation. NASCAR fans will find the discussion about his friendship with Dale Earnhardt very special as well. (page 223)


This is a book that every country music fan should read. It really brings home the point of how country music evolves out of true life stories and experiences. Those songs you hear from Alabama didn't just come out of creative writing... those songs are apart of the lives of Randy Owen and his two cousins Jeff Cook and Teddy Gentry lived.


Take the time, have a seat in a comfortable chair and enjoy reading this excellent book.