Country Music CD's

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David Schmidt - Top 10 Super Country Hits

Waylon Jennings’ “Never Say Die: The Final Concert Film” is a three disc DVD set of his last concert at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, and features his wife Jessie Colter, John Anderson, Montgomery Gentry and Travis Tritt. In addition to the two-hour concert, the package includes rehearsal footage and interviews with Waylon, Jessie, Bobby Bare, Kris Kristofferson, Willie Nelson and others. The two audio CDs include the full-length concert as well as eight previously unreleased songs.

Vince Gill and Fruit of the Loom have created a unique video, Vince Gill performs onstage with the various Fruit of the Loom characters

Reba McEntire is singing with Red Steagall on his upcoming album “Here We Go Again,” which contains duet versions of his hits. McEntire joins him on the title cut while Toby Keith vocalizes on “Lone Star Beer and Bob Wills Music.” Charley Pride sings on “Party Dolls and Wine” and Neal McCoy performs with Steagall on “Early Mornin’ Kind of Love.”

John McEuen of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band is releasing his album “The Music of the Wild West.” The songs on the album are taken from his score for the ten-hour epic Warner Bros. television mini-series "The Wild West," an Emmy-nominated documentary that chronicles the Old West from 1866 to 1896.

Crystal Gayle will celebrate the 30th anniversary of "Don't It Make My Brown Eyes Blue" with a 25-song Greatest Hits collection, due August 28th. Released by Capitol Nashville and EMI, the album includes material from several record labels and will feature 13 of her No. 1 hits, including "Don't It Make My Brown Eyes Blue," "Talking in Your Sleep," "Why Have You Left the One You Left Me For," "'Til I Gain Control Again" and a duet with Eddie Rabbitt, "You and I."

The Derailers will release “Under the Influence of Buck,”

an album of Buck Owens songs, on July 31 on Palo Duro Records. The Austin-based honky-tonk band was formed in the '90s after the musicians realized they were all big fans of Owens. In turn, Owens invited the band to perform at his 70th birthday party in Bakersfield, Calif., in 1999. Selections on the 13-track project include "Love's Gonna Live Here," "Together Again," "My Heart Skips a Beat" and "I've Got a Tiger by the Tail.”

Charlie Daniels is recording a duets album that includes Brad Paisley, Gretchen Wilson, Brooks & Dunn, Vince Gill and Dolly Parton. The album will be released on October 9^th.

Joe Nichols sang harmony with Gene Watson on the CD “In a Perfect World,” which is in Watson’s newest CD project, set for September release

The Charlie Daniels Band new “Live From Iraq” features a bonus DVD of never-before-seen documentary footage.

Bobbie Nelson’s “Autobiography,” album, due for September release, features 12-songs, including two written by brother Willie, who joins her on guitar and vocals.

Billboard’s Top Twenty Current Country Albums
(for the sales week ending 6/24/07)
1. Brad Paisley, 5th Gear
2. Toby Keith, Big Dog Daddy
3. Taylor Swift, Taylor Swift
4. Big & Rich, Between Raising Hell & Amazing
5. Carrie Underwood, Some Hearts
6. Jason Aldean, Relentless
7. Tim McGraw, Let It Go
8. Rascal Flatts, Me And My Gang
9. Sugarland, Enjoy The Ride
10. Alison Krauss, A Hundred Miles or More: A Collection
11. Bucky Covington, Bucky Covington
12. Keith Urban, Love, Pain & The Whole Crazy Thing
13. Martina McBride, Waking Up Laughing
14. Tracy Lawrence, For The Love
15. Gretchen Wilson, One Of The Boys
16. Miranda Lambert, Crazy Ex-Girlfriend
17. Rodney Atkins, If You're Going Through Hell
18. Brad Paisley, Time Well Wasted
19. Billy Currington, Doin' Somethin' Right
20. Josh Turner, Your Man
(Source: Nielsen SoundScan)

New Artist Spotlight:
Heartland
By Kristen Scherer
© 2007 CMA Close Up News Service /
Country Music Association, Inc.

With the out-of-the-box success of their debut single, "I Loved Her First," Heartland seems to be one of those overnight success stories. But it's not that simple. In reality the band worked for years to develop the song and stagecraft that brought them to the attention of veteran Music Row executive Mike Borchetta, who signed Heartland to his Lofton Creek Records label. And with that leadoff song already established as a bona-fide wedding standard, these guys are off to a great start.

The members of Heartland - guitarists Craig Anderson and Mike Myerson, bassist Keith West, lead singer Jason Albert, fiddler Chuck Crawford and drummer Todd Anderson - are Alabama-based in more ways than one, having been strongly influenced from day one by a certain superstar Country band from their home state. Back in1997 the band got their first shot at stardom performing at the June Jam, Alabama's annual concert event in Fort Payne, Ala. For Heartland, playing the June Jam was a defining moment.

Lately, Heartland has been busy on the road in support of their debut album, I Loved Her First, which was produced by "I Loved Her First" co-writer Walt Aldridge and released in October.

IN THEIR OWN WORDS:
Who is your musical hero?
ALBERT: "Sam Cooke."
WEST: "Elvis."

What CD is on your stereo?
ALBERT: "Los Lonely Boys."
MYERSON: "Conway Twitty."
WEST: "Merle Haggard."

What song do you wish you had written?
ANDERSON: "'What Becomes of the Broken Hearted.'"

Do you prefer planes, trains or automobiles?
WEST: "Fast cars."

Which song would you like to cover?
Band: "'Rock and Roll Ain't Noise Pollution' by AC/DC."

What song do you sing in the shower?
ANDERSON: "'Dirt,' by Motley Crue."
MYERSON: "'Fruit Salad,' by The Wiggles."

On the Web: heartlandcountry.cc

In Stores Tuesday:
Ryan Adams Easy Tiger

Don't miss Ryan & The Cardinals Performing Live on
The Late Show with David Letterman
Wednesday, June 27!

Nashville, Tennessee
Nominations for the Americana Music Association's 2007 Honors and Awards were announced today reflecting a year in which established artists were nominated along side up and comers and women carried just as much artistic weight as their male counterparts.

The event was held in the beautiful atrium of BMI Nashville during a special reception for Association members. Artists and Industry executives of the Americana World gathered to hear Singer/Songwriter Elizabeth Cook and Webb Wilder announce the list of nominees.

The Avett Brothers received three nominations including Album of the Year, New and Emerging Artist and Duo Group of the Year. Lucinda Williams and Patty Griffin also received three nominations for Album of the Year, Artist of the Year and Song of the Year.

"The nominations reflect the diversity and ever growing popularity of Americana Music," says AMA Executive Director Jed Hilly. "Today's nominees are responsible for some of the finest music being made and I am confident the awards show in November will be a musical night to remember."

Chosen by members of the Americana Music Association eligibility is based on work released during a 12 month time period from June 1, 2006 through May 31, 2007. The nominees include:

Album of the Year
* Emotionalism-The Avett Brothers (Ramseur)
* Modern Times- Bob Dylan (Columbia)
* West- Lucinda Williams (Lost Highway)
* Children Running Through- Patty Griffin (ATO)

Artist of the Year
* Joe Ely
* Lucinda Williams
* Patty Griffin
* Todd Snider
Instrumentalist
* Buddy Miller
* Gurf Morlix
* Sam Bush
* Will Kimbrough

New and Emerging Artist
* Amy LaVere
* The Avett Brothers
* Sunny Sweeney
* Uncle Earl

Song of the Year
* Hank Williams' Ghost by Darrell Scott; appears on Invisible Man
(Full Light Records) Publishers: Chuck Wagon Gourmet Music, Famous Music Corp
* Sometimes It Takes Balls to be a Woman by Elizabeth Cook and
Melinda Schneider; appears on Balls (31 Tigers) Publishers: Elizabeth Cook Music, Royal Notes Music, NewMel Music
* Are You Alright? by Lucinda Williams; appears on West written
(Lost Highway) Publishers: Warner Tamerlane Publishing Corp., Lucy Jones Music
* Heavenly Day by Patty Griffin; appears on Children Running
Through (ATO) Publishers: ALMO Music Corp, One Big Love Music

Duo Group of the Year
* The Avett Brothers
* The Duhks
* The Hacienda Brothers
* Old Crow Medicine Show
* Son Volt

The winners will be announced on November 1st at the historic Ryman Auditorium during the 6th Annual Americana Music Association's Honors and Awards Show. In addition to the categories listed above, the association will present multiple Lifetime Achievement Awards to deserving individuals. These honorees and the artists slated to perform and present at the event will be announced at a later date.

"We anticipate another great conference and awards show," says Hilly.
"Our association is still growing and now has more than 1200 members.
Considering we're still a young organization (less than a decade old) I think that speaks loud and clear to the popularity and staying power of the incredible artists we represent. Our goal is to continue to educate the community and the next generation of music lovers to the breadth and scope of the genre known as Americana"

The Americana Music Festival and Conference, in its eighth year runs Wednesday October 31st 2007-Saturday November 3rd. It kicks off on the evening of October 31st with a night of incredible music showcases at venues throughout Nashville. From Thursday November 1st-Saturday November 3rd the AMA Conference will feature daytime seminars, panels and activities at the Nashville Convention Center. At night the festival features music showcases and parties in area clubs.

Tickets to the showcases will be available to the general public and
will go on sale closer to the event. People can get more information
on becoming a member and attending the conference at www.americanamusic.org < http://www.americanamusic.org/ >

Presenters Webb Wilder and Elizabeth Cook and Americana Music Association Executive Director Jed Hilly
For interviews, high res photos, and press information contact: Jayne Rogovin
The Jayne Gang PR Associates, jrogovin@bellsouth.net or 615-403-2393

New Tunes to Check Out...
JUNE 12
Sarah Borges and the Broken Singles / Diamond in the Dark / Sugar Hill
Little Texas / Missing Years / Montage
Toby Keith / Big Dog Daddy / Show Dog
JUNE 19
Bon Jovi / Lost Highway / Mercury
Hackensaw Boys / Look Out / Nettwerk
Marshall Tucker Band / The Next Adventure / Shout! Factory
Brad Paisley / 5th Gear / Arista Nashville
UPCOMING RELEASES:
Josh Turner / Live at the Ryman / July 3
Cole Deggs & The Lonesome / Cole Deggs & The Lonesome / July 10
Luke Bryan / I'll Stay Me / August 14
Lori McKenna / Unglamorous / August 14
Reba McEntire / Reba Duets / September 18
Rascal Flatts / TBD / September 25

Pre-Order
Today
Pre-order Easy Tiger via iTunes and receive the following exclusives...
1. Download Ryan's new song "Two" instantly.

2. On June 26th, as an iTunes pre-order bonus, you get the audio version of "What Sin Replaces Love" live from The The Henry Rollins Show & an exclusive live video of Ryan & The Cardinals performing "Two".

3. After July 9th, get access to purchase advance tickets (before the general public) to see Ryan & The Cardinals in concert. Click here to visit Click here to visit Ticketmaster for details

CLICK HERE TO PRE-ORDER

Out June 26

Reba McEntire
“Reba Duets,” will be released September 18th and includes duets with Kenny Chesney, Kelly Clarkson, Ronnie Dunn (of Brooks & Dunn), Vince Gill, Don Henley, Faith Hill, Carole King, Rascal Flatts, LeAnn Rimes, Justin Timberlake and Trisha Yearwood.

Cledus T. Judd’s new album, “Boogity, Boogity -- A Tribute to the Comedic Genius of Ray Stevens,” will be released this summer on Curb Records. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Minnie Pearl Foundation for childhood cancer. Guests on the album include Trace Adkins, Charlie Daniels, Joe Diffie, Vince Gill, Rascal Flatts, Keith Urban, Phil Vassar, Darryl Worley, Wynonna and many more. The project also includes a collaboration with Stevens himself on "The Streak."

Click here for International News

You're just a Country Boy

Jacobs Dream

Away Down the River

Sawing on the Strings

Down the River to Pray

Baby Mine

Molly Ban (Bawn)

How's the world Treating You

The Scarlet Tide

Whiskey lullaby

You will be my ain True Love

I give you to his Heart

Get me Through December

Missing You

Lay down beside me

"50,000,000 Elvis Fans Can't Be Wrong" continues Follow That Dream Records' series of reissues of classic Elvis albums that are no longer part of the RCA Records mainstream Elvis catalog. These reissues feature original album cover art and great additional recordings not included on the original release. The reissue of 50,000 Elvis Fans Can't Be Wrong (Elvis' Gold Records, Volume 2) is expanded into a 2-disc set. Follow That Dream Records chose to include the entire June 10, 1958 sessions, plus three Elvis interview recordings.

Catch Ryan Adams & The Cardinals performing
"What Sin Replaces Love"
&
"Goodnight Rose"
(from the upcoming album, Easy Tiger)
on IFC's The Henry Rollins Show on 4/20 @ 11pm (EST)
Easy Tiger will be in stores on June 26th

Click here for more information on The Henry Rollins Show

The two DVD set, “Foxworthy's Big Night Out,” includes appearances from Hank Williams Jr., Trace Adkins, Billy Currington, Sara Evans, Pat Green, Jack Ingram, Montgomery Gentry, Joe Nichols, Kenny Rogers, Blake Shelton, and the Warren Brothers.

John Prine and Mac Wiseman will release an album of duets on April 24 on Oh Boy Records.

Click here Lucinda Williams Tour

Dates plus NPR

Reba McEntire’s duet album partners include Kenny Chesney, Ronnie Dunn, Justin Timberlake, Kelly Clarkson, Vince Gill, Faith Hill, Carole King, Don Henley, Trisha Yearwood, Lee Ann Rimes and Rascal Flatts. The first single will be released next month and the album is scheduled to be out this fall.

ABC MUSIC TO RELEASE THE WILKINSONS NEW

ALBUM, "HOME"

“Last of the Breed,” the new CD from Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard and Ray Price, made its entrance at No. 7 on the country albums chart.

THE LAST OF THE BREED

Independent Retail Retail iTunes Amazon

«««« (OUT OF ««««)
-People Magazine
“If country music were baseball, listening to the album Last of the Breed would be the equivalent of watching Willie Mays, Mickey Mantle and Duke Snider play in the same outfield.”
-New York Post
"As they revisit the songs of the Lefty Frizzells, the Leon Paynes and the Gene Autrys who inspired them, they gently remind younger generations to appreciate the great ones before they're gone"
-USA Today

ON TOUR WITH ASLEEP AT THE WHEEL
3/22 NEW YORK, NY RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL INFO
3/23 DETROIT, MI FOX THEATER INFO
3/24 MILWAUKEE, WI RIVERSIDE THEATER
3/25 ROSEMONT, IL ROSEMONT THEATRE INFO
3/28 BRANSON, MO THE RDF-TV THEATRE INFO
3/29 EUREKA SPRINGS, AR EUREKA SPRINGS CITY AUDITORIUM INFO
3/30 NORMAN, OK RIVERWIND CASINO INFO
3/31 SNOOK, TX STARLIGHT BALLROOM INFO

650 AM WSM is proud to offer an exclusive preview of the new 2-CD release "Last of the Breed" featuring Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, and Ray Price. The album hits stores on Tuesday, March 20th, but you can hear two-minute clips from each song now at WSMOnline.com. Be sure to tune in on Monday, March 19th at 5 PM CST to hear Willie, Merle & Ray in studio with Keith Bilbrey.

Alabama

will again debut a gospel album on QVC, with an appearance on the shopping network on March 15^th, to debut songs from their newest album, "Songs of Inspiration Vol. 2." The CD will be released to retail stores in late March or early April.

Jerry Lee Lewis’s new DVD "Last Man Standing Live" is a companion video to the duets CD, "Last Man Standing." The DVD features Lewis teaming up with Eric Clapton and The Eagles' Don Henley, Willie Nelson, Toby Keith, Merle Haggard, Kris Kristofferson, and Kid Rock. It was taped in New York City and Los Angeles at a series of private shows for family members and friends.

Info on IWebRadio.com

Dolly Parton has recorded 24 songs, most of which she wrote, for a new album to be released later this year. The album does not have a title as yet.

Vince Gill picked up his 18th Grammy for best male country vocal performance for the song "The Reason Why,” and had now won more Grammys than any other male country artist in history. The song was the first single from Gill's four CD album,"These Days."

Joanne Cash upcoming album

Cash wrote “Meet Me in Heaven,” “When He Comes” and “Welcome Back Jesus,” for his sister Joanne’s upcoming album “Gospel.” He also did the spoken word introduction on “When He Comes,” relaying how he wrote the song while he was in Jerusalem. He also sings on several of the songs.

“Lucky You” movie

The “Lucky You” soundtrack contains includes Jones’ “I Always Get Lucky with You” and “Choices.” The soundtrack album is due to be released to stores on March 6^th. The film will be in theatres March 16^th. The movie stars Barrymore, Eric Bana, Debra Messing, Robert Duvall and Robert Downey Jr.

A new Johnny Cash gospel album is titled “Here Was A Man: The Ultimate Gospel Collection,” and will include “I See Men As Trees Waling,” “My Ship Will Sail” and “Daddy Sang Bass.”

Ronan Keating's
Country Soul

By Peter Cronin
Photographer: Simon Emmett
© 2007 CMA Close Up News Service / Country
Music Association, Inc.
Looking at Ronan Keating's career trajectory - from boy band heartthrob to multi-Platinum selling solo artist - "Country" may not be the first word that comes to mind. But a look (and a listen) below the surface of this Irish-born singer's prodigious output reveals a serious and multi-faceted artist who, through his songwriting and song choices and his massive popular appeal, has emerged as a major international voice for Country Music.

"There's a great relationship between Irish music and Country Music, and I grew up listening to Country," Keating said. "All the TV shows showed American Country artists, and my parents loved the music, so I was engrossed in it as a child and it just stuck with me. There is a part of my soul that is Country Music, and that's why it comes out in what I do."

Keating was 14 years old and working in a Dublin shoe store when he beat out 300 auditioning hopefuls to become a member of Boyzone. The band, cast in the mold of the Backstreet Boys and 'N Sync, experienced phenomenal success in the '90s. Each of their four albums shot to the top of the UK charts, and they landed all of their 16 singles in the Top 3. While Boyzone occasionally hinted at Country, covering songs such as Anne Murray's "You Needed Me," for example, Keating's stylistic leanings became clear from his first solo single in 1999, a cover of the Keith Whitley and Alison Krauss classic, "When You Say Nothing at All." His self-titled debut sold more than 4 million copies, establishing Keating as a star. In 2002, he released his sophomore album, Destination, leading with "If Tomorrow Never Comes," a chart-topping cover of the Garth Brooks smash from 1989.

"My version is not as Country as Garth's," Keating said. "Even 'When You Say Nothing at All,' I turn it into more of a contemporary pop song. But those roots are there, and you feel them. You don't have to be a Country fan to appreciate those songs."

Through his carefully considered, artfully rendered covers, audiences from London to Lisbon to Paris have come to appreciate the lyrical and melodic virtues of contemporary Country Music, and his songwriting has even taught America's Country artists a thing or two about what constitutes a hit. Back in 2001, Keating pitched one of his compositions, "The Long Goodbye," to Brooks & Dunn, who subsequently took the song to No. 1.

"That was a brilliant feeling," Keating said. "It was great for me as a songwriter to be recognized in that part of the world."

If his stardom hasn't yet caught on in the U.S., Keating seems to have the rest of the globe pretty well covered. "All Over Again," the first single from his latest album was a duet with acclaimed British folksinger Kate Rusby, and Keating recently recorded new versions of the song in Italian, French, German, Portuguese and Chinese. Keating partnered with American Country star LeAnn Rimes for another hit duet and video, 2004's "Last Thing on My Mind."

"Ronan is one of my favorite people in the world," Rimes said. "He is such a genuine, kind hearted man. I absolutely loved working with him. He has a very smooth, passionate voice that makes you believe everything he sings."

With the video of their duet in heavy international rotation, Rimes was invited to Switzerland to headline Country Night Gstaad Festival in 2004. Keating joined her to perform their hit song and was invited back to headline this year's event in September.
On the Web: www.ronankeating.com
Photographer: Simon Emmett

Raul Malo Opens A New Musical Chapter With 'You're Only Lonely'
By Wendy Newcomer
© 2007 CMA Close Up News Service / Country Music Association, Inc.
Photographer: Kristin Barlowe
Photography courtesy of Sanctuary Records

For more than 15 years, Raul Malo fronted The Mavericks, a Country band that garnered multiple awards - including CMA Awards for Vocal Group of the Year in 1995 and 1996 - and enjoyed mainstream success in both the U.S. and Europe. Their recipe, equal parts Roy Orbison and Hank Williams, tested the boundaries of Country Music. Malo, the son of Cuban émigré parents, further widened those boundaries with his 2001 Latin solo album, Today, and his work with super group Los Super Seven in 2005. He also produced other artists, including K.T. Oslin and Rick Trevino. One project that has long languished on Malo's to-do list is what he described as a "singer's record," an album that showcased its vocalist with songs of integrity, range and emotion.

"This is a record that I've always wanted to make, because I'm just a singer on it," explained Malo of his new CD, You're Only Lonely, on Sanctuary Records. "For me, as a vocalist, it's just paying tribute to some of my favorite songwriters and artists. It was the first time in my life that I had ever done that."

For inspiration, he didn't have to look any further than the Linda Ronstadt albums in his collection.

"To me, those records are so special," he recalled. "They are an important part of our music history. Linda covered a lot of people's material, because she wasn't a writer, per se. But there was an enormous wealth of talent around her, and all these songs were just tailor-made for her. Those records were fantastic, not only hers, but James Taylor's and of course the J.D. Souther stuff."

Enter legendary producer Peter Asher - the man at the helm of many of the Ronstadt, Souther and Taylor albums that Malo held dear. Malo and Asher met backstage last year in London at a Mavericks show, and the seeds of You're Only Lonely were sown.

"I knew of The Mavericks records because in England they had a couple of huge hits," Asher said. "So I knew who they were, and liked them. I loved the show, went backstage and met Raul. We ended up having a long conversation, and we talked about the possibility of working together at some point."

As with Ronstadt, Asher saw in Malo an opportunity to record with a singer's singer.

"Raul has an extraordinary voice," Asher praised. "It's one of those huge voices that can do anything. So what we tried to do was pick his favorite songs - songs that he enjoyed singing, in such a way that it would frame his voice. It's a vocal-based album. We tried for the singer and the song to be the center of attention, and the center of the arrangement, because his voice is unlike anybody else's. It's so beautiful."

Asher points out similarities between Ronstadt and Malo. "They both have quite amazing voices, but they also both have a very strong sense of what songs will suit them," he said. "Each track was structured, arranged and produced in such a way as best I could, to reflect the brilliance of her singing - and in this case, his singing."

If the critics have their way, You're Only Lonely will be joining Ronstadt's classic records at the top of the charts. Released on July 25, the album has generated reams of critical praise. People magazine selected the album as their "Critics Choice," describing the music as "intensely romantic." The Los Angeles Times credited Malo with "resurrecting the kind of romantic pop music that Frank Sinatra long personified." And the singer was recently invited to appear on NPR's "All Things Considered."

The list of songs on You're Only Lonely runs the gamut of musical styles and decades. Malo soars with classic standards including "Remember," "So Sad" and "Games That Lovers Play;" knowingly interprets Willie Nelson's "Angel Flying Too Close to the Ground;" puts a male perspective on the oft-covered Etta James ode to romance, "At Last;" and makes the title cut - written by Souther - his own. Nestled seamlessly among these and other classics is the Malo-penned original, "For You," a joyous Latin-flavored composition.

"We listened to the original tracks as if they were demos being sent to us, not as the hit records that they were," he revealed. "It was like we were in the studio, and somebody sent us a demo and we'd just heard it. So we'd go, 'Okay, let's do this. Let's break it down and forget what orchestrations there are on the record.' And that's how we went at it."

Martina McBride joins Malo on the Randy Newman ballad "Feels Like Home." Malo jokes that he was able to get McBride's participation with "a lot of begging. Martina's a friend. George Massenburg (who mixed and mastered You're Only Lonely) had just finished working with her on something. We were looking for a duet partner for that song, and it just seemed right. I certainly knew she could sing it. It's difficult to get somebody on a record, because everybody's so busy - and she's no exception. So it just aligned. It was good timing, thankfully."

Malo toured last summer, introducing the songs on You're Only Lonely to U.S. and Canadian audiences. "The reaction was great," he said. "People know these songs, and are thrilled to hear them again in this context. I don't think they've heard them in awhile, and they're such great songs. I'm thrilled to be singing them."

But a Malo show isn't the only place you're likely to see him. Last year he was the Musical Director for several CMT productions, including the "Crossroads" episode that featured Lionel Richie and Kenny Rogers and "100 Greatest Duets." "Honestly, I don't know how they came about - but I'm glad they did," he said of the musical director jobs. "I think they felt comfortable that there was an artist in the band to work with the singers.

"And I get to be a musician, which is fun for me, because I don't even read charts," he added. "It's great. I get to stand there and pretend. I mean, I've got them all there on my music stand, with a light. People go, 'Wow, look at him - man, he's bad, he can read charts.' And I can't. But I pretend like I do, and it's a lot of fun."

There's no pretending when it comes to Malo's voice. When asked how he feels to have Peter Asher describing him one of the best singers in the world, he's silent for a moment. "I mean, come on, what am I supposed to think about that?" he said humbly. "That's amazing, with the singers that he's worked with."

Asher has the final word on Malo. "There are two hallmarks of a great singer - a great voice and an ability to use it to create further greatness in the song," he said. "Raul is a huge fan of all the balladeers - Sinatra, Dean Martin. And the Country Music influence is in there, but people expect that already from a Mavericks person. So in a way, you're seeing all the other influences in Raul's musical upbringing. He may live in Nashville, but his soul is all over the place."
On the Web: www.raulmalo.com

"Intensely romantic."
***** Critic's Choice - People
Ralph Novak

"[An album] dedicated to resurrecting the kind of romantic pop music that Frank Sinatra long personified. This is all about setting the mood for candlelight, champagne and a cozy evening with the one you love - or wish to."
***1/2 - The Los Angeles Times
Randy Lewis

"Anyone in search of sophisticated make-out music should snag Malo's album, posthaste: You're Only Lonely is a perfect disc to break out (along with a bottle of red wine) once the kids are tucked into bed and fast asleep."
- The Washington Post
Shannon Zimmerman

Photographer: Kristin Barlowe
Photography courtesy of Sanctuary Records.

Lucinda Williams Album Updates

Johnny Cash came in at No. 14 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the Top 50 albums of 2006 with “American V: A Hundred Highways”. Willie Nelson's You Don't Know Me: The Songs of Cindy Walker” is at No. 46.

Billy Joe Shaver

An 18-track Billy Joe Shaver album will be released January 23rd on Compadre Records and will include "Georgia on a Fast Train," "Live Forever" and "Freedom's Child," as well as two previously unreleased songs, "Light a Candle for Me" and "Melody." Shaver's song "Old Chunk of Coal" is featured in the new Ashley Judd movie, “Come Early Morning.”

Country Music's Biggest Day On iWebRadio.com with Tracy Byrd
iWebRadio.com the new home of Country Music each Saturday has a place in the heart of country music fans. To honor the listeners of iWebRadio.com they will do a special show for country music fans on December 30th, 2006.

International country music journalist Christian Lamitschka, who did interviews with the big stars from Nashville like Hank Williams Jr., Gretchen Wilson, Dierks Bently and co-moderater with DJ Lutz Adam (L.A.), the show "Country Time“, each Saturday from 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time (North America) will present a special show for all iWebRadio.com listeners and country music fans.

The show will be on December 30th , 2006 and start at 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time (North America). They will present Tracy Byrd and more stars in an interview together with Christian Lamitschka.

This special show, December 30th, 2006 on www.iWebRadio.com will be from 8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time US.

Amaze your friends, Annoy your family,Tell'em you listen to iWebRadio! Tune us in on our homepage located at http://www.iwebradio.com Radio the way it shoulda been before Big FM Put a dress on it!

Reba McEntire, Josh Gracin, Trisha Yearwood and Little Big Town are all on the soundtrack to the Disney DVD “The Fox And The Hound 2.”

Alabama's All-American Soundtrack
By Deborah Evans Price
© 2006 CMA Close Up News Service / Country Music Association, Inc.

Few artists have created a more consistent soundtrack for the lives of America's Country Music fans than Alabama . From working class anthems including "Forty Hour Week (For A Livin')" to smoldering love songs such as "Feels So Right" to the celebration of Southern life in "Dixieland Delight," Alabama's catalog of hits has reflected Country life and values.

Alabama's musical legacy is celebrated on Livin' Lovin' Rockin' Rollin,' a three-CD box set that includes 51 songs, including eight previously unreleased tracks. Among those tracks are live performances, alternate versions of classic hits and an acoustic demo that lead singer Randy Owen recorded in 1973. The set also features a 52-page booklet, which includes a chronological timeline, rare photos, and liner notes written by Nashville journalist/historian Robert K. Oermann .

One of Owen's favorite tracks on the album is a medley that features "That Silver Haired Daddy of Mine," "Suppertime," "Teach Your Children" and "Don't it Make You Want to Go Home," recorded at a Georgia music park in 1982.

"That was the only time in my memory that we sat down with acoustic guitars and played those songs that way, and it was actually on tape," Owen said. "I didn't want to mess with it. It was just pretty raw and to the point. Rather than making a big production out of it, we did the best we could with it so we didn't lose the authenticity of the moment. It was a unique find."

The box set also includes live performances of "My Home's in Alabama," "If You're Gonna Play in Texas (You Gotta Have a Fiddle in the Band)," "Tennessee River," "Vacation" and "Gonna Have a Party," among others. Owen is particularly pleased with the live tracks and the glimpse into Alabama's history they provide.

"I wanted kids to hear what Alabama sounded like in concert," he said of young fans that weren't around to hear the band in its heyday. "Some of those tracks were taken straight out of the board."

Another rare track is a demo recorded by Owen in 1973. "Ripperly O'Tucke" is based on a man in Owen's hometown.

"They told me they wanted to hear something that nobody had heard before," Owen said of the label's request for rare cuts. "So I went back and found something I recorded a long time ago, just me and my guitar. It was about an old guy I knew. He was a character. The word was - when I was a little kid - that his wife left him. I remember people talking."

Livin' Lovin' Rockin' Rollin' spotlights the music that has made Alabama more than the name of a Southern state. Owen, Jeff Cook, Teddy Gentry and Mark Herndon have come a long way, traveling many roads from their Fort Payne, Ala., home to their days as a Myrtle Beach, S.C., bar band to their arena-filling years touring the country for more than two decades. Life on the road came to an end for the band when they performed the last show of their "American Farewell Tour" in Bismarck, N.D., on Oct. 16, 2004.

"We wanted to go out and do good shows, and we did that," Owen said. When asked was it hard to walk off the stage that final time? "No, I was so ready to," he admitted. "I didn't sleep until the next morning because I was so excited to not have that load on my shoulders. I told myself, when I get through this, I'm taking a year off. I don't care what kind of money is offered, I'm not going to do anything."

Owen spent the year relaxing, enjoying his family and pursuing things he never had time for during all those years on the road. Now, however, he's ready to re-enter the music business at his own pace. "We never said we were retired," he said.

In fact, he's been pretty busy writing and recording demos of new songs. He recently recorded a tune with RCA newcomer Jake Owen and contributed a song to the recently released She Was Country When Country Wasn't Cool: A Tribute to Barbara Mandrell on BNA Records. Owen was pleased to record Mandrell's hit "Years," because the song has always reminded him of his mother.

"My father passed away in 1980, and she never remarried," Owen said. "She said she never saw anyone as good looking as he was. She had the best and she didn't want to settle for the rest of her life with second best. It was such an emotional song for me to do. I know it isn't really about that, but that's the way it hung on my heart."

Owen begins gently singing the lyric. "'Years of hanging onto dreams already one, years of wishing you were here. After all this time you think I wouldn't cry, but I still love you after all these years.'

"It's such a simple song, but those are the best kind. I played the rough for my wife Kelly and she said, 'Wow, let's get out and dance here on the dirt road.' We were riding around on one of these old dirt roads and she said, 'You know if there was ever a man who made love to a microphone, you do.' That's a compliment coming from her because she's heard every demo, every song, everything I've done for a long time."

Next on Owen's agenda is Songs of Inspiration , a gospel album with his Alabama pals that was released on Oct. 24. Relating compelling stories through music is something Alabama has always done, and it's a talent that provided a vehicle for Cook, Gentry, Herndon and Owen to enter the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2005. Owen recalls manager Dale Morris calling him to give him the news. He said he immediately teared up. Once home in Alabama, he got the rest of the guys together for breakfast and surprised them by saying he'd always wanted to have breakfast with the newest members of the Country Music Hall of Fame.

"Nobody said anything at first and then there were some words I can't print," he recalled with a laugh. "Everyone was genuinely surprised. I'll always be so grateful. It's a big deal for me that we get to share that while we are alive and not walking around on canes."

The music on Livin' Lovin' Rockin' Rollin' showcases the musical ride that landed Alabama in the Hall of Fame. Owen is hoping the fans will enjoy the collection.

"Hopefully it will mean a lot to the people who are like family to us, people who have been fans for all these years," he said. "I feel they are a part of the history of this wonderful success story."
On The Web: www.thealabamaband.com

Some of the “Johnny Cash Show” highlights will become available on DVD next year 2007.

"Country Storm" - Performed by: Aly Cook from New Zealand

Aly Cook's Video HERE

Willie Nelson’s “Whatever Happened to Peace on Earth?” will be released at online digital stores November 21^st with proceeds going to benefit the National Veterans Foundation.

Click here Willie Nelson's Songbird

In Stores Tuesday!

Produced by Ryan Adams and featuring The Cardinals

and Mickey Raphael

VIDEO FOR
"GOD'S GONNA CUT YOU DOWN"
EXCLUSIVE PREMIER TOMORROW,
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 9TH
ON

FEATURING
IGGY POP, BRIAN WILSON, KEITH RICHARDS, THE DIXIE CHICKS, BONO, JAY Z, KANYE WEST,
JOHNNY DEPP, JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE, KID ROCK, PATTI SMITH, CHRIS ROCK, RICK RUBIN
AND MANY OTHERS...

Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder will release their first-ever instrumental album on August 1^st on Skaggs Family Records.

Four-disc box set covering Waylon Jennings’ career

“Nashville Rebel,” is a four-disc box set covering Waylon Jennings’ career, set for September 26^th release. The set includes “The Greatest Cowboy of Them All,” a duet with Johnny Cash that has never been released, as well as two other new songs, “It’s Sure Been Fun” and “People In Dallas Got Hair.”

Vince Gill's next album will be a four-CD boxed set

Vince Gill's next album will be a four-CD boxed set featuring 43 new songs that include bluegrass, traditional country, rock and jazz. “These Days,” also includes his wife, Amy Grant, and daughter, Jenny Gill, plus performances by Rodney Crowell, Trisha Yearwood, Emmylou Harris, Lee Ann Womack, Gretchen Wilson, John Anderson, LeAnn Rimes, the Del McCoury Band, Sheryl Crow, Bonnie Raitt and Diana Krall. The set is due for October 17th release.
Vince’s first charted song was “Victim of Life Circumstances,” which peaked at # 40 in `1984.

George Jones guests on the new Grascals

George Jones guests on the new Grascals “ Long List of Heartaches,” album, to be released on August on 29 on Rounder Records. Other guests include Dierks Bentley, the Jordanaires, Steve Wariner and two legendary session musicians -- steel guitarist Lloyd Green and pianist Hargus "Pig" Robbins.

The Final Recordings of Johnny Cash

Produced by Rick Rubin
In Stores Now
Currently the #1 best seller at both iTunes and Amazon.com
Album Reviews

No Depression

Rolling Stone

Amazon

Billboard

The Observer

Track Listing

Help Me
God’s Gonna Cut You Down Real or Windows Media

Like the 309
If You Could Read My Mind
Further On Up the Road
On The Evening Train
I Came to Believe
Love's Been Good To Me
A Legend In My Time
Rose Of My Heart
Four Strong Winds
I'm Free From The Chain Gang Now

Links
Stream Album Snippets

Listen on Myspace

iTunes

Indie Retail Locator

Retail Locator

www.johnnycash.com

Hank Williams Jr.s’ seventy-third album “That’s How They Do It In Dixie; The Essential Collection” will be released on June 27th.

Kris Kristofferson just celebrated his 70^th birthday. The CD "The Pilgrim: A Celebration of Kris Kristofferson" features Gretchen Wilson, Rosanne Cash, Willie Nelson, Jessi Colter, Shooter Jennings, Emmylou Harris, and Rodney Crowell.

Bear Family Records is releasing a nine-CD set of Gene Autry classics, including “Hobo Bill’s Last Ride,” “I’ll Be Thinking of You Little Gal,” “Pistol Packin’ Papa,” “That Silver Haired Daddy of Mine,” “There’s An Empty Cot in the Bunkhouse Tonight.” The 225-song collection came from recordings made between 1929-1933.

Dobro super picker Jerry Douglas will open for pop artist Paul Simon’s summer tour, including the Montreal Jazz Festival, Doubleday Field in Cooperstown, NY and PNC Bank Arts Center.

New Release from FRED EAGLESMITH

'MILLY'S CAFE'

Fred Eaglesmith Click here for more info

email: mail@recklessrecords.com
USA phone: 415.847.9847 USA fax: 415.868.0278
web: http://recklessrecords.com

New songs from Johnny Cash
New songs from Johnny Cash's forthcoming album AMERICAN V: A HUNDRED HIGHWAYS (In Stores on the 4th of July) are now available on Myspace! http://click.myreg.net/r/n_594319566/t_evJ1/u_www.myspace.com/johnnycash Check 'em out, tell your friends, and add Mr. Cash to your myspace friend list. Also, click the following link to hear the NPR show, ALL THINGS CONSIDERED which features a story on AMERICAN V (it's about 8 minutes in from the beginning). The whole show is great with new music clips from Johnny, Thom Yorke, and M. Ward. http://click.myreg.net/r/n_594319566/t_evJ2/u_www.npr.org/
programs/asc/archives/summer06/

According to Ray Price, he plans to record a new album with Willie Nelson and he and Merle Haggard are recording an album together. Ray also says the three plan to tour together this fall.

George Jones and Merle Haggard are recording a new album together called “Kickin' Out the Footlights Again.” Merle will do five George songs and visa versa. The two also will record some duets, including "Footlights." The project will be released in October.

Jake Owens’ album, “Startin’ With Me,” features Alabama’s Randy Owens (the two are not related) singing with him on the track, “You Can Thank Dixie.” The album is set for July 25^th release.

Lost Highway Records and American Recordings is proud to announce the release of

American V:
A Hundred Highways
4th of July, 2006

In the months leading up to his passing on September 12, 2003, JOHNNY CASH had been recording new material with producer Rick Rubin. On July 4, 2006, American V: A Hundred Highways, the all-new Johnny Cash album taken from those sessions, will be released on the American Recordings label through Lost Highway. It will include the last song Cash ever wrote, "Like the 309".
Help Me
God’s Gonna Cut You Down
Like the 309 (the last song written by Johnny Cash)
If You Could Read My Mind
Further On Up the Road
The Evening Train
I Came to Believe
Love's Been Good To Me
A Legend In My Time
Rose of My Heart
Four Strong Winds
I’m Free From the Chain Gang Now
"These songs are Johnny's final statement. They are the truest reflection of the music that was central to his life at the time. This is the music that Johnny wanted us to hear."
- Rick Rubin

Please check out the Cash auction below
Proceeds will benefit SOS Children’s Village, which was Johnny Cash's favorite charity.
Click here to view the auction and bid

Chris Young, Nashville Star 2006, at CountryHome

Chris Young from a little town just outside Nashville, TN.. He’ve lived in Tennessee all his life, which is kind of rare for being a country artist. Most people move to Nashville, and he just kind of drive to it; it’s about thirty minutes away from home. He got into country music because of his grandfather. He got him listening to Marty Robbins, Lefty Frizzell, Hank Williams and people like that. It spurred him on to start listening to country music and create his own little niche for myself.
Check out interview Chris Young gave me:
English version of Interview with Chris Young:
http://www.iwde.de/interviews/interview_with_chris_young.htm
German version of interview with Chris Young:
http://www.iwde.de/interviews/interview_mit_chris_young.htm

Editor & Journalist for Country Music
Christian Lamitschka
An der Pfingstweide 28
61118 Bad Vilbel
Germany
Phone: ++49 6101 544613
Mobil: ++49 171 6903352
Fax: ++49 6101 544622

Van Morrison: One Night In Nashville
Airing exclusively on CMT
FRIDAY, MAY 5TH at 10:00pm ET/PT
www.vanmorrison.co.uk VAN MORRISON: ONE NIGHT IN NASHVILLE marks Morrison's first television performance in over 20 years and his first live performance in Nashville. Filmed in black and white by acclaimed photographer, videographer, cinematographer, and Lost Highway favorite, Danny Clinch, Morrison sings songs off of his current release, Pay the Devil, and delves into country music's rich repertoire. The legendary star also sits down for an exclusive interview with CMT's Chet Flippo.
For more information, please click here

The video for "Playhouse" featuring footage from his Ryman performance is currently in rotation on CMT
For more information, please click here

Win an AUTOGRAPHED Van Morrison Hatch Show Print
Declaring March 7th Van Morrison Day for Nashville, TN
signed by Van Morrison and Nashville Mayor, Bill Purcell
The first three people to answer the following question correctly will win!
20 runners up will receive Van Morrison playing cards or shotglasses.

Q: What was the historic Ryman Auditorium BEFORE it became a music venue?
Send responses to losthighwayrecords@hotmail.com
***INLCUDE YOUR MAILING ADDRESS***
***YOU WILL NOT BE ELIGIBLE TO WIN IF YOU DON'T***

Cash's "American V: A Hundred Highways,"

to be released July 4th

LOS ANGELES, CA -- MONDAY, May 1, 2006 -- In the months leading up to his passing on September 12, 2003, JOHNNY CASH had been recording new material with producer Rick Rubin. On July 4, 2006, "American V: A Hundred Highways," the all-new Johnny Cash album taken from those sessions, will be released on the American Recordings label through Lost Highway. It will include the last song Cash ever wrote.

The songs that comprise "American V: A Hundred Highways" are as eclectic an assortment as any on the previous albums in the American series: "Help Me," a poignant plea to God, the hauntingly beautiful ballad "If You Could Read My Mind," "God's Gonna Cut You Down," a traditional spiritual, the touching "Love's Been Good To Me," the heartrending "On The Evening Train," and "Further On (Up the Road)" are among the tracks on the new album. Songwriters for the tracks run the gamut from Hank Williams to Rod McKuen to Bruce Springsteen.

In addition, two original Cash compositions are featured, "Like the 309" and "I Came to Believe." "Like the 309" is the last song Cash wrote and, like his first recorded single, 1955's "Hey Porter," is a song that incorporates one of his favorite settings, trains: "Everybody take a look/See I'm doin' fine/Then load my box/On the 309." "I Came to Believe" is a song he wrote and originally recorded earlier in his career, and addresses the pain of addiction and connecting to a higher power.

"I think that 'American V' may be my favorite of all of the albums in the American series," said Rubin. "It's different from the others, it has a much different character. I think that this is as strong an album as Johnny ever made."

The months following the May, 2004 passing of his wife June Carter Cash, were among the most physically and emotionally painful times in Cash's life, but keeping focused on the recording of "American V: A Hundred Highways" proved to be his salvation. Rubin remembers, "Johnny said that recording was his main reason for being alive, and I think it was the only thing that kept him going, the only thing he had to look forward to."

Cash and Rubin began recording the songs that would find their way onto "American V: A Hundred Highways" in 2002, specifically on the day after they finished "American IV: The Man Comes Around" which was released that November. Johnny feared that "American IV" might be his last release, so Rubin suggested that he immediately begin writing and recording new material. Over the next eight months, songs were cut at Rubin's Los Angeles studio and in Nashville at Johnny's main home and at his fabled cabin located across the road. Due to Cash's frail health, Rubin arranged for an engineer and guitar players to always be on call for the days that Cash felt strong enough to work.

"He always wanted to work," said Rubin. "Every morning when he'd wake up, he would call the engineer and tell him if he was physically up to working that day. Our main concern was to get a great vocal performance. Johnny would record a song, send it to me and I would build a new track up under it. In the past, at the end of this process, he'd come to L.A. And we'd go through everything together, he would re-record any vocal bits that needed re-recording. But this time, we didn't have that opportunity."

Last year, Rubin began going through these final recordings. He admitted, "I kind of dreaded doing it, after Johnny passed, going back and listening to it...it was difficult.

"With all of the albums Johnny and I made together, our goal was for each one to be the best it could possibly be, and that remained the case with 'American V,'" Rick explained. Eventually, Cash's long-time engineer David "Fergie" Ferguson, Heartbreakers Mike Campbell (guitars) and Benmont Tench (keyboards), and Smokey Hormel (guitars), all of whom had worked on previous albums in the American series, along with Matt Sweeney (guitars) and Johnny Polonsky (guitars) went into the studio.

"We felt Johnny's presence during the whole process through to the end," said Rubin. "It felt like he was directing the proceedings, and I know that the musicians all felt that as well. Almost all of the songs were cut solely to Johnny's original vocal tracks, the musicians all keyed off his voice and were playing to him, supporting the emotion of his performance. More than once, Fergie and I would look at each other and say 'Johnny would love this,' because it was so good and so different from anything we'd done before, we knew he would be excited by what was happening."

It was decided to wait to release "American V: A Hundred Highways" until the recent Cash hubbub had run its course. What separates this album from the re-packages, compilations, movie soundtracks and everything else that has surfaced since Johnny's passing is, according to Rubin, "These songs are Johnny's final statement. They are the truest reflection of the music that was central to his life at the time. This is the music that Johnny wanted us to hear."

Desert Heat

Montreal, Canada
CD's can be bought at www.cdbaby.com/cd/desertheat
or at our official website www.desertheatmusic.com
Desert Heat Small Song Sample

Click here Artist Report Page

Johnny Cash Movie Sound track

“Celebration of Life,” a Skaggs Family Records bluegrass concert album, will benefit the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee. The two-disc project will include performances from the annual Musicians Against Childhood Cancer festival near Columbus, Ohio and features Blue Highway, Cherryholmes, J.D. Crowe & the New South, the Grascals, the James King Band, Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, Alecia Nugent, Tony Rice, the Seldom Scene, Dan Tyminski and Rhonda Vincent & the Rage.

“Voice Of The Spirit: The Gospel Of The South,” produced by John Carter Cash, will be in stores April 4^th and includes music by Vince Gill, the Mighty Clouds of Joy, Marty Stuart and Mavis Staples, Rodney Crowell, Earl and Randy Scruggs, and Johnny Cash. A portion of the proceeds from each record sold will go to the American Red Cross in memory of the hurricane victims.

Willie Nelson’s newest album is “You Don't Know Me: The Songs of Cindy Walker.”

“The Gambler,” Kenny Rogers television mini-series, will be available on DVD May 2^nd.

Van Preston

Van Preston's song, "What Goes Around, Comes Around",
written when she was just eighteen, is in the top 15
songs in the 2006 CMT/NSAI Songwriting Competition,
out of over 6,000 entries. Van's song and bio will be
featured on cmt.com until April 23. The song is
included on her 2005 debut album.
Van's first single, "Absolutely Broken" was just
released in February to over 2,000 secondary radio
stations, and has been receiving great feedback to
date. The video for her song,"Toy", is currently
airing on Music video shows as well as airing on
Sprint video phones in New York, LA, Miami, and Virgin
phones in London and Dublin.

Click here Artist Report

Lee Roy Parnell

Lee Roy Parnell’s new album, Back to the Well. Lee Roy is considered a master of the slide guitar and has established a respectable fan base through hits like “On the Road,” “I’m Holding My Own,” “What Kind of Fool Do You Think I Am” and his acclaimed 2001 release, Tell the Truth.
Back to the Well (release date: March 7) is the album Lee Roy “has always wanted to make.” He has crafted a record that is not only true to his roots, but also filled with strong lyrics and vocals, great hooks and most of all – amazing guitar playing. You can hear the album in its entirety here: http://www.viawerkmedia.com/lpreview
You can listen to the entire album here: http://www.viawerkmedia.com/lpreview

Performing Songwriter Rolling Stone

Knoxville News Sentinel Chicago Sun-Times

Van Morrison

Pay The Devil

is comprised of 15 tracks; three are originals and 12 are covers of some of
Van Morrison's favorite classic country songs, including:
There Stands The Glass
Half As Much
Things Have Gone To Pieces
Big Blue Diamonds
Playhouse
Your Cheatin' Heart
Don't You Make Me High
My Bucket's Got A Hole In It
Back Street Affair
Pay The Devil
What Am I Living For?
This Has Got To Stop
Once A Day
More And More
Till I Gain Control Again
www.vanmorrison.co.uk

The November “Grand Ole Opry at Carnegie Hall” concert which featured Opry members Martina McBride, Trace Adkins, Brad Paisley, Alan Jackson, Alison Krauss, Trisha Yearwood, Vince Gill, and others, will be released April 11th on DVD.

Tift Merritt Fans, Tift thought ya'll might enjoy the new Tres Chicas' album, Bloom, Red, & The Ordinary Girl. It hits stores on March 7th, but you can pre-order below.


Tres Chicas' Bloom, Red & The Ordinary Girl Now Available for Pre-Order from Yep Roc Records Click here to buy it now and your copy will be signed by Caitlin, Tonya and Lynn! A message from Tres Chicas: Dear friends old and new,
We are thrilled to announce the March 7 release of our second album,
Bloom, Red & The Ordinary Girl on Yep Roc Records.
Please follow this link to read lots more about the project and to hear the first track from the record.
Check in often as we'll be adding new streaming audio in the coming weeks and months,
and we'll put up our tour dates--we 're looking forward to singing for you!
All best and 3 Kisses,
Tres Chicas Pre-order your copy from Yep Roc and not only will it arrive on your doorstep
on or before the March 7 streetdate, but your copy will be signed by the band!

Click here to order now!
More about Bloom, Red & The Ordinary Girl
"When Caitlin Cary (ex-Whiskeytown), Tonya Lamm (ex-Hazeldine) and Lynn Blakey
(Glory Fountain) bring their voices together, they convey sweet heartache and the world-weary
acceptance that comes to insightful gals on the tall side of thirty," raves Rolling Stone.
The sophomore effort from Tres Chicas was recorded in London and features the
production work of Neil Brockbank and Robert Trehern and guest appearances by
Nick Lowe and Geraint Watkins. The broadened instrumentation and musical range
found on the new record serves to better highlight the impeccable interplay between
their voices and the passionately romantic, soulfully earthbound stories of love
contained within their lyrics. Says No Depression, "It's tempting to focus on the
beauty resulting from the harmony of these three voices, but the truest strength is the songwriting."
Stay up to date on all the latest news from Yep Roc Records, find out when your
favorite bands are in your town and get free stuff! Sign up for the bi-monthly
Yep Roc Newsletter for information about Yep Roc artists including Tres Chicas,
Nick Lowe, The Go-Betweens, The Reverend Horton Heat, Paul Weller, John Doe,
Marah, Dave Alvin, Bob Mould, Los Straitjackets, Th' Legendary Shack*Shakers,
Southern Culture on the Skids and more! To join,
click here

George Johnson Happy Valley Stables/country Songs http://cdbaby.com/cd/gjohnson3

Willie Nelson's album is exclusive to iTunes and features Willie and his band running through some of his most well-known classics, as well as his amazing new song "Superman". -Download the entire album to get exclusive Willie interviews. Check out the track listing HERE www.willienelson.com

Jessi Colter, the wife of Waylon Jennings and mother of Shooter Jennings, will release her first album in 20 years, "Out of the Ashes," on February 21st.

To commemorate the 50th anniversary of Elvis Presley's first RCA recording session, the U.S. version of the "Elvis #1 Singles" box set will released on January 24th. Additionally, a re-issue of "Heartbreak Hotel," The King's first single for RCA, will hit stores on the same day in limited edition. The box set collection will feature all 21 #1 U.S. hits and their flip sides on 20 individual CD singles. Each single will be individually packaged in a sleeve that replicates the original single artwork, while the discs will be pressed on black plastic with grooves to mimic the vinyl 45 rpm singles. Elvis recorded "Heartbreak Hotel" on January 10th & 11th in 1956 and RCA released it as his first single for the label a few week's later. The single stayed at #1 for eight weeks on Billboard's Best Sellers In Stores chart, the precursor to the Hot 100. On January 10, 2006, a CD version with artwork emulating an April 1956 Presley EP and the single's original generic RCA paper sleeve will be released.

American Music Online
from Belgium

American Music also online through: http://www.americanmusic.tk Hello, American Music belgium also online through: http://www.americanmusic.tk Time difference minus 7 hours for Nashville TN and 10 hours for Australia's East Coast. American Music Radio Shows Hans Hanegraaf Balen Neetlaan 18A 2400 Mol Belgium http://www.americanmusic.tk

Mary Gauthier

This powerful 5-song EP is complete with live tracks and demo recordings as well as an interview with Mary. This piece is ONLY available with your purchase of Mercy Now at the stores listed at

http://www.marygauthier.com/retailers.html Track Listing 1. Interview Introduction 2. I Ain't Got No Home (with interview dialogue over outro) 3. Thanksgiving At The Prison (demo) 4. Christmas in Paradise (From the Mary Gauthier 2002 release, Filth & Fire) 4. Wheel Inside The Wheel (Live at the Caimbridge Folk Festival, July 2005) www.marygauthier.com

For information on Island Outpost, visit www.islandoutpost.com .

Call your travel agent or 1-800-OUTPOST; 00800-688 76781

in the UK or +1-876-960-8134 in all other countries.

Carrie Underwood

“American Idol” winner Carrie Underwood’s new CD, due in stores November 15^th, features a song titled, “"Take the Wheel,” which was written by Danielle Peck, Barbara Orbison (Roy's widow) and Randy Scruggs.

4th Annual Americana Music Association

Honors and Awards

Nashville September 9 2005

Hosted by singer-songwriter Jim Lauderdale

performances by Steve Earle, Emmylou Harris and Arlo Guthrie. The evening's finale, led by Guthrie, and featuring Allison Brown on banjo, was Steve Goodman's song "City of New Orleans," a tribute to the victims of Hurricane Katrina.

ALBUM OF THE YEAR Universal United House of Prayer - Buddy Miller ARTIST OF THE YEAR John Prine INSTRUMENTALIST OF THE YEAR Sonny Landreth NEW/EMERGING ARTIST OF THE YEAR Mary Gauthier SONG OF THE YEAR Mark Heard - "Worry Too Much" Buddy Miller's recording LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD FOR EXECUTIVE Ken Irwin LIFETIME ACHEIVEMENT AWARD FOR PERFORMER Marty Stuart LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD FOR SONGWRITER Guy Clark FIRST AMENDMENT CENTER/AMA SPIRIT OF AMERICANA FREE SPEECH AWARD Judy Collins President’s Award John Hartford "With two acceptance speeches tonight, I think Buddy Miller has said more tonight onstage, than in the 10 years we've worked together," Emmylou Harris said.

Mary Gauthier. - 2005 New/Emerging Artist of the Year. (Mary Gauthier, who ran away from home as a teenager and spent years battling alcohol abuse, pointed out that her mother was in the audience).
"I need to thank my mama, who made it up from south Louisiana," she said. "And she's crying. I made my mama cry for a long time. I hope that's a different kind of tears now!"

Music legends Fats Domino and Irma Thomas were among the missing in the early days of the New Orleans tragedy. Both have now been found alive and in good shape. Some of Domino's relatives (including his daughter) recognized him from a photo taken while he was being transferred from a boat to the Superdome. Thomas apparently left The Crescent City during the early warning period and was located at the home of her aunt in Baton Rouge.

According to news reports, Mickey Gilley attempted to convince Fats Domino to leave his New Orleans home, but Fats wouldn't go. Gilley spoke with Domino for a few minutes on the phone, but Domino said he didn't want to leave, because of concerns for his wife. Fats was later rescued from his home and helicoptered to a safe place.

Haggard’s next album,“Chicago Wind,” is set for Oct. 25th release on Capitol Nashville. It includes an updated version of Haggard's 1973 song, "White Man Singing the Blues," and new originals plus other songs written by Roger Miller and Willie Nelson.

Lost Highway

Click here

email ryanadams-all@losthighway.myreg.net

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Click HERE for a list of some of our favorite record shops in America that will be offering the DVD of the short film by Danny Clinch, September, free with purchase of the new album, Jacksonville City Nights. September is a 20 minute documentary of the writing & recording of the album which hits stores 9/27. The DVD also contains 2 bonus audio tracks, “A Kiss Before I Go (Demonstration Recording)”, and “What Sin Replaces Love (Demonstration Recording)”. Quantities are limited to 15,000 in the US & when they’re gone, they’re gone. Many of the retailers listed here are offering September as a pre-order premium, so reach out to your local store to reserve your copy today. Also, many of these locations will be carrying the vinyl version of Jacksonville City Nights (lovingly pressed in Nashville, TN on 180 gram vinyl). The LP version features 4 tracks not available on CD: “A Kiss Before I Go (Demonstration Recording)”, “Jeane”, “I Still Miss Someone”, and “Always On My Mind”.

Reba McEntire’s new album, "Number Ones," will arrive in stores November 22^nd. And the new single from the album is "You're Gonna Be (Always Loved By Me)."

Tift Merrit Mary Gauthier

The Follow-up to the Grammy-winning collection Night Train To Nashville includes more classic recordings from Music City’s heyday as a hotbed of rhythm & blues activity. Gathered from more than twenty-five record labels, this collection offers a one-of–a-kind, soultastic listening experience, coming straight to you from Music City USA!

New Highwaymen CD

Capitol Nashville/EMI Music will release a remastered and expanded 10th Anniversary Edition of the 1995 “The Road Goes On Forever” on CD, adding six previously unreleased tracks and new essays by Nelson, Kristofferson and author Chet Flippo. A deluxe, limited edition CD/DVD package will follow on October 25, including the expanded 17-track CD as well as a previously unreleased behind-the-scenes documentary.

4th Annual Americana Music Honors & Awards

A Network First For The AMA; GAC Plans Multiple Airings
Great American Country (GAC) will telecast the Americana Music Association’s 4th Annual Americana Music Honors & Awards on Monday, September 26, 2005, at 8 pm and 11pm ET/PT.
Hosted by two-time Americana Honors & Awards recipient Jim Lauderdale, the evening's performances and presentations will take place at the storied Ryman Auditorium in Nashville on Friday, September 9, 2005 at 7pm. The two-hour event will premiere on GAC in 37 million homes via cable and satellite in September as part of "Americana Music Month." GAC is planning several encore presentations of the event as well.
Tift Merritt and Mary Gauthier are nominated for several awards:
Album Of The Year:
Mary Gauthier – Mercy Now (Lost Highway)
Tift Merritt – Tambourine (Lost Highway)
Artist Of The Year:
Tift Merritt
New/Emerging Artist Of The Year:
Mary Gauthier
Song Of The Year (presented to songwriter):
Mary Gauthier – “Mercy Now” (Lost Highway)
Tift Merritt – “Good Hearted Man” (Lost Highway)
During the evening, the AMA will also present five additional awards during the Honors & Awards on September 9: Lifetime Achievement Awards for Songwriter, Performer and Executive; the President’s Award; and the First Amendment Center Spirit of Americana Free Speech Award.

Dr. Ralph Stanley is recuperating nicely after coronary bypass surgery. The bluegrass legend is now 78 years old and has just released a superlative new CD, "Shine On," through the long-time bluegrass label Rebel Records.
It seems like yesterday, but there have been a lot of two-steps since George Strait showed up on the country music scene. Strait's 33rd album is locked and loaded for release on June 28th. It'll be called "Somewhere Down In Texas."

Looks like Willie Nelson's long awaited reggae album is about to hit the market. Willie recorded the bulk of it nearly a decade ago, but it stayed on the shelf due to record label shuffling. Now polished up, packaged and ready, "Countryman" is set for a July 12th release. Videos have just been completed in Jamaica for covers of Jimmy Cliff's "The Harder They Come" and Johnny and June Carter Cash's "I'm A Worried Man."