"Texas, Del Rio, Revisited - Unplugged and Lonesome" - Radney Foster - A Review

This was a great idea and an even better creation. Radney was still getting alot of requests from this CD.and it was out of print so He thought of doing an unplugged version of it. This is Foster's first solo CD after "Foster and Lloyd" broke up. I fell in love with it and know every song on it from the first electric Texas country version of it.

   This is a simple ,but beautiful production. It was recorded in a studio over a weekend, and he had everyone sitting in a circle in the big room of the studio, Really has a great acoustic sound with a pretty impressive guest list. I'm going to list the main players, there were a lot of background singers. One thing I will say, it brings out the same vibe as the original version, plus it has a new song that he just wrote called "Me and John R." on it. Radney does vocals and acoustic guitar, Marty McGuire (Dixie Chicks) fiddle and background vocals, Jon Randall Stewart,acoustic guitar, mandolin,background vocals, Steve Fishell, Dobro and Weisenborn, Brady Black, fiddle on two songs, Michael Ramos, accordion, Wurlitzer,  Matt Borer, percussion and Glenn Fukunda, upright bass.

   The new song "Me and John R." is about his Dad and Johnny Cash. It is an upbeat song, after I read that in the CD cover, the song made sense,a real musical tune with lots of hooks and real pretty acoustic guitar picking and dobro, too.

     I am going to give you a list of the original 10 songs:

        1. Just Call Me Lonesome
        2. Don't Say GoodBye
        3. Easier Said Than Done
        4. A Fine Line
        5. Me and John R.
        6. Nobody Wins
        7. Old Silver
        8. Louisiana Blue
        9. Closing Time
       10. Hammer and Nails
       11  Went For A Ride

          - This is one of the finest acoustic recordings that I have heard in awhile, presented in HDCD,a must have for Radney Foster Fans, Radney Foster is a special talent, who has put out a real winner.

             www.radneyfoster.com

Foster & Lloyd Release First album of new material since 1990

Foster & Lloyd release first album of new material since 1990




It’s Already Tomorrow debuts on ‘Effin ‘El Records May 17



Digital Release date April 26 at Fosterandlloyd.com and other online music stores



Spring and summer tour planned





For immediate release



March 23, 2011, Nashville, TN - Looking back at the history of music, one can pinpoint those times when change takes place...something new replaces the old. Music that once sounded “like this” suddenly sounds “like that.” In the 1930’s, country music was considered to be the sound of hillbilly string bands. When the music was electrified, a honky-tonk shuffle played with a drummer became the new sound. It was still country.



In the mid-to late 1980s, there was another sea change—a short period of undeniable diversity coming out of Nashville that broke through on country radio. Steve Earle famously referred to it as “the great credibility scare,” a time of creative freedom that’s rarely been seen since. In the thick of that wide-open feeling, the duo of Foster & Lloyd came together and—along with Earle, Dwight Yoakam, Lyle Lovett, Rodney Crowell and others—was a part of the movement that changed the sound of country music and pioneered the Americana movement.



In 1985, Radney Foster and Bill Lloyd were two young singer-songwriters signed to the same song publisher. They came from different backgrounds but had enough in common to create an almost immediate response to the songs they co- wrote and recorded. Their first success came as songwriters, but it was the distinctive sound of their publishing demos that gained them their record deal with RCA Records.



The duo mixed straight up Buckaroo country with jangly-Byrds sounds, looking and sounding a little louder than most of the other country acts of the era. Their first single, the rockabillyish-honky-tonkin’, “Crazy Over You,” shot to the top of the charts, making them the first duo in Country music history to score a No. 1 on their debut single.



Foster & Lloyd also became one of the first acts to be played simultaneously on Country and College radio, sharing common musical ground and press accolades with Rank and File, Lone Justice and the Blasters. The combination of their harmony vocals (recalling everyone from The Everly Brothers to Rockpile) with their self-produced guitar-centric sound and solid, clever song craft won over critics and fans alike.



In the end, they recorded three groundbreaking albums for RCA (containing hits “Sure Thing,” “What Do You Want From Me This Time,” “Texas in 1880” and “Fair Shake,” as well as “Crazy Over You”), toured internationally, garnered a Grammy nomination and were a constant presence at the CMA awards.



The duo split in 1990, with both members going on to successful solo careers. Though they remained friends and wrote together sporadically over the years, it took a request from the Americana Music Association to reunite for a fundraiser to get the duo together again onstage. News that Foster & Lloyd were performing for the first time in 20 years spread like wildfire, and the show sold out in 15 minutes. The band that night included Cheap Trick bassist Tom Petersson and drummer Keith Brogdon, with a guest appearance by bluegrass virtuoso and longtime friend, Sam Bush, on mandolin.



“It was so much fun getting back together onstage, and we realized that the new songs we had written together still had that magic,” says Foster. “We decided to start getting together once a month to write. Soon the songs were pouring out, and we knew we needed to get back in the studio.” Again, like it was in the beginning, they went in to the recording process to please themselves first–let the chips fall where they may.



The result is the new album: It’s Already Tomorrow. Fans of their older records will no doubt hear the familiar blend that only happens when Radney and Bill work together. One might think that after a twenty-year break, the vocal harmonies might creak a little but the duo sounds surprisingly strong from the opening notes. Foster’s voice is strong, deep and resonant throughout the album and you can hear the years of experience in his tone and timbre. Lloyd is still hitting all the high harmonies with style. Their blend is cohesive and is arguably tighter than it used to be.



As before, it’s the guitars that hold center spotlight when it comes to the instrumental aspect of the Foster & Lloyd sound. Lloyd delivers his usual guitar hooks sounding reckless enough to be exciting but melodic enough to be memorable. There are plenty of crunchy guitars to go with the twangy and succinct solos’ that you can hum later. Foster also adds both electric and rhythm acoustic parts to the mix.



From the ringing opening notes of “It’s Already Tomorrow,” the rockin’ twin telecasters of “That’s What She Said,” to the plaintive harmonies of the final acoustic track “When I Finally Let You Go,” the collection is vintage Foster & Lloyd. The duo co-wrote all twelve songs and co-produced the set, which was recorded and mixed by Justin Tocket (known for his work with Marc Broussard, the Randy Rogers band and others) with the same core band of Foster, Lloyd, Petersson and Brodgon. Petersson even joined the duo in co-writing “Lucky Number.”



The duo also put their own spin on an old song, “Picasso’s Mandolin,” which they had written years before with Guy Clark, who recorded it on his Boats To Build album.



Other guests on It’s Already Tomorrow include legendary pedal steel guitarist Lloyd Green, who is featured on “You Can’t Make Love Make Sense” and the Beatle-esque ballad “If It Hadn’t Been For You.” Noted producer and former Emmylou Harris steel guitarist Steve Fishell also played blistering lap steel on “Don’t Throw It Away,” and singer/songwriter Beth Nielsen Chapman came by to lend her beautiful voice to “Lucky Number.” After the core combo tracked the album, Radney and Bill recorded one last song, the acoustic-based "When I Finally Let You Go," in Radney's home studio. Bruce Springsteen's E. St. Band bassist, Garry Tallent, was in town visiting and added a nylon string bass part to the recording.



Through all the inventive lyrical twists and turns and crackerjack guitar licks, what comes through loudest is a sense of fun, adventure...and freedom. “Back then, we were concerned with trying to keep ourselves within a radio format,” says Lloyd. “We would try and be different enough to stand out but we didn’t want to color too far outsides the lines. We didn’t have any constraints this time. The sound of this new album is unfettered by formats...either real or imagined.”



Country. Rock n’ Roll. Power-pop. Folk. Americana. Whatever you want to call it, Radney and Bill combined make Foster & Lloyd music.



It’s Already Tomorrow

Hear it today!

George Strait Announces 2011 Tour With Reba and Lee Ann Womack

GEORGE STRAIT ANNOUNCES 2011 TOUR


WITH REBA AND LEE ANN WOMACK



Nashville, Tenn. (November 5, 2010) -- George Strait fans who missed this year’s superstar pairing of King George, Phenom Reba McEntire and award-winning traditionalist Lee Ann Womack are getting a second chance in 2011.



“The George, Reba and Lee Ann tour is certainly one of the best on the road this year, offering an entertainment package perfect for cowboys, cowgirls … and city folk alike,” exclaims The Boot’s Vernell Hackett.



“All three of the performers – George Strait, Reba McEntire and Lee Ann Womack – delivered flawlessly in a concert perhaps best noted for its emphasis on performance over props or pyrotechnics,” says Amanda St. Amand of the St. Louis Post Dispatch.



“Call Strait the Bruce Springsteen of country music … ,” praises Jack Hill of the Arkansas Democrat Gazette .



“The icon appears to have no plans to slow down – good news, no doubt, to his fans,” says Larry Rodgers of Arizona Republic.





“No matter what the genre, singing doesn't get much better than this,” exclaims Geoffrey Himes of Baltimore’s City Paper.





At next week’s 44th Annual CMA Awards, King George is up for Male Vocalist of the Year award for the 24th time and is also nominated for Album of the Year for Twang, an award he won in 2008 for his critically claimed album Troubadour.





With a career spanning more than 30 years, George Strait has the most number one singles of any artist in history including Elvis (57 to date inclusive of all charts). He has sold nearly 69 million records and with 33 different platinum or multi-platinum albums has the most RIAA platinum certifications in country music and the third in all genres, behind The Beatles and Elvis Presley.



Strait’s CD Twang debuted at #1 on The Billboard 200 chart and the Top Country Albums chart. This is the fourth time in Strait's career that a new release has debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 chart and the 13th time debuting at #1 on the Top Country Albums chart. His current single is “The Breath You Take.”



Named the Academy of Country Music’s Artist of the Decade last year, George Strait was nominated for this year's ACM Entertainer of the Year for the 12th time and Top Male Vocalist for the 20th time, bringing his all-time record to 81 ACM nominations.



One of the most successful female recording artists in history, Reba has sold over 55 million albums worldwide, earned 33 #1 singles and was recently recognized as the biggest female hit-maker in country music history by “Billboard,” “Mediabase” and “Country Aircheck.” She is the winner of 15 American Music Awards, 12 Academy of Country Music Awards, 9 People’s Choice Awards, 7 Country Music Awards and 2 GRAMMY Awards.



Reba is a 2010 CMA Nominee for “Female Vocalist of the Year.” The superstar recently surpassed the one million fan mark on Facebook, propelling her into an elite group of only 10 Country artists to achieve the popularity milestone. Reba’s unprecedented run of sales successes extended the superstar’s lead as the female artist with the most RIAA sales certification in Country music history. Also an acclaimed film, TV and Broadway actress, Reba signed with The Valory Music Co. in November 2008. The move reunited the multimedia entertainer with industry leader Scott Borchetta, now President and CEO of the Big Machine Label Group, which includes Big Machine Records, The Valory Music Co. and Republic Nashville.



Lee Ann Womack has sold over 6 million albums, won two Grammys and numerous other milestone awards. Womack’s current album Call Me Crazy has garnered critical acclaim from Rolling Stone, USA Today, Entertainment Weekly, Billboard and The New York Times, to name a few. She was nominated for Top Female Vocalist at the ACM Awards in 2009 and the debut single “Last Call” was nominated for a Grammy in the Best Female Country Vocal Performance category. Womack nominated for “Musical Event of the Year” with George Strait for “Everything But Quits” at the 2009 CMA Awards.





For more information on the tour and ticket on sale dates, visit www.GeorgeStrait.com.

Country SuperGroup Lonestar Debuts new Studio Album, Party Heard Around The World

COUNTRY SUPERGROUP
LONESTAR DEBUTS NEW STUDIO ALBUM,
PARTY HEARD AROUND THE WORLD,
IN STORES APRIL 27TH

SAGUARO ROAD RECORDS BRINGS GROUNDBREAKING NEW MUSIC FROM MULTI-PLATINUM LEGENDS

Nashville, Tennessee – The New Year of 2010 launches with the promise of the much-anticipated return to the charts of a true country music super-group—LONESTAR –whose career path to date has been marked by countless multi-platinum milestones.

The band is releasing their first studio album in four years—cause enough for celebration to the universe of country/pop cross-over fans who have long embraced them. And the news gets better. Party Heard Around The World, their 10th album, is a total ‘hands on’ creative effort, produced by the band with eight of the ten tracks written by the foursome. Noted lead guitarist and original member Michael Britt said in a recent interview: “We feel that this album is a complete reflection of the group, circa 2010. It’s personal and powerful music that reflects the core values of Lonestar through lyrics, performance and production.”

Lonestar’s commitment to open the new decade with a new chapter of music will have the full label support of Saguaro Road Records and be the subject of a major multi-phase national retail/radio/media/marketing campaign set to roll-out in advance of the April 27th street date.

Known both for their strong country roots as well as their multi-genre crossover appeal that’s led to a history of success on the pop/rock charts, Lonestar has only their own career records to break. To date, the band has RIAA certified sales in excess of 10 million album units since their national launch in 1995. The Texas bred band has had an impressive list of hit singles on the country charts, including ten #1’s as well as nine Top 40 songs on the pop charts. Signature songs in the mid-90’s included early #1 hits such as “No News,” and “Come Cryin’ To Me.” Their 1999 album release, Lonely Grill, produced Lonestar’s biggest crossover smash to date, the ballad “Amazed,” which spent eight weeks at the #1 spot on the country charts as well as reaching #1 on the Billboard Hot 100. The dual win made them the first country act since Kenny Rogers & Dolly Parton’s “Islands In the Stream” in 1983 to accomplish this career milestone. Three more singles from the band (“Smile,” “What About Now,” and “Tell Her”) followed to #1 as the Lonely Grill album was certified multi-platinum. Lonestar dealt listeners a follow-up platinum hand with the release of their I’m Already There album (2001) with the title track lead-off single spending six weeks at #1 as the album was on the way to platinum certification.

In addition to garnering music accolades, Lonestar has been oft- lauded for their continuous outreach in the arena of humanitarian goodwill. The band was recognized by The Academy of Country Music with the coveted Home Depot Humanitarian Award in 2003 for their continued commitment to help build the dreams of those in need—this in recognition to the group’s single handed dedication to the building of a playground for children in tornado ravaged Jackson, Tennessee. America’s military forces have been a major focus for concert and fund raising efforts by the band as has St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, to mention only a few of their ongoing humanitarian interests.

Lonestar consists of original members Dean Sams, Keech Rainwater, and Michael Britt, as well as lead vocalist Cody Collins who joined the group in 2007.

Party Heard Around The World is set to make a legion of new fans, as well as re-connect Lonestar to a universe of dedicated fans for whom their latest studio project has been eagerly awaited. Tour dates in support of the new album release are expected to be announced within the next few weeks.

About Saguaro Road Records and Direct Holdings:
Saguaro Road is an imprint launched by Direct Holdings Americas Inc, the company that markets and sells audio and video entertainment products under the Time Life brand, using it under license from Time Warner Inc. The label focuses on artists that have a uniquely American roots oriented sound and has recently released albums from Patty Loveless, the Blind Boys of Alabama, Tanya Tucker, Joan Osborne and Edwin McCain.

Time Life and the Time Life logo are registered trademarks of Time Warner Inc. and affiliated companies, used under license by Direct Holdings Americas Inc., which is not affiliated with Time Warner Inc. or Time Inc. Headquartered in Fairfax VA, Direct Holdings Americas Inc.'s history began in 1961 as a direct marketing division of Time Incorporated specializing in music and books. The business has been operated as a separate company since the mid-1970s when it relocated to Virginia, and has since grown to become one of the world’s largest direct marketers of audio and video products throughout North America, Europe and Australia. The Company has set the standard in the direct response industry by pioneering direct marketing techniques and building one of the most trusted and recognized brands in commerce. The Company now also sells its products through major traditional and non-traditional retailers around the world as well as via the Internet. The Company was sold in 2003 to private investors. Saguaro Road Records is a trademark of Direct Holdings Americas Inc.

Susan Hickman Spreading Holiday Cheer

Susan Hickman Spreading Holiday Cheer
Radio Promo Tour Continues Dec. 1 - 3

Nashville, TN (November 30, 2009) -- Houston-based Susan Hickman is spreading holiday cheer as she continues to promote her latest country single, "Whipping Post" with an in-depth radio promotion tour. By December 3, Susan will have covered 57 stations in Texas, Oklahoma and New Mexico and traveled 4,000 miles.

"It has been a fantastic experience," Susan says excitedly. "Everyone has been so kind!" Hickman's been blogging from the road, and is building a "monster" scrapbook full of memories.

Fans can listen to "Whipping Post," read Susan's blog and see her complete schedule at www.MySpace.com/susanhickman. For interviews, hi resolution photos, email somuchmoore@charter.net or call Martha at 615-746-3994.

Susan and legendary broadcaster Dr. Bruce of KFTX (Corpus Christi) share holiday stories.
(Photo Credit: Sharon Kay)




Martha E. Moore / so much MOORE media - Established in 1988!
(O) 615.746.3994 / (M) 615-202-1313

George Strait Adds fellow Texan Lee Ann Womack to Tour

COUNTRY MUSIC SUPERSTAR GEORGE STRAIT ADDS
FELLOW TEXAN AND TRADITIONALIST
LEE ANN WOMACK


Nashville, Tenn. (November 18, 2009) - The King of Country Music George Strait has added award-wining and platinum recording artist Lee Ann Womack to his previously announced arena tour with Entertainment Superstar Reba McEntire. The tour kicks off in early 2010 and continues through late Spring.

“'Does Ft Worth Ever Cross Your Mind'? 'Whoever's In New England'? 'The Fireman'? 'Little Rock'? 'Wrapped'? 'The Last To Know'? We're talking classic country from the source,” praises Womack. “I can't imagine a better tour to be on than George Strait and Reba McEntire --- and now I'm not imagining!”

Womack added jokingly, “I'm trying to figure out what to wear...cause you can't out-starch George and you sure can't out-spangle Reba!”

Lee Ann Womack has sold over 6 million albums, won two Grammy’s, numerous other milestone awards, and received notoriety for her last album There’s More Where That Came From. Released February of ’05 on CD and classic vinyl, There’s More swept CMA Award trophies fall of the same year for “Album of the Year” and “Single of the Year” (“I May Hate Myself In The Morning”). She is also recognized for #1 singles “The Fool,” “A Little Past Little Rock,” “I’ll Think Of A Reason Later” and the mega smash “I Hope You Dance”.

Womack’s current album Call Me Crazy has garnered critical acclaim from Rolling Stone, USA Today, Entertainment Weekly, Billboard and The New York Times, to name a few. She was nominated for “Top Female Vocalist” at this year’s ACM Awards and the debut single “Last Call” was nominated for a Grammy earlier this year in the “Best Female Country Vocal Performance” category. Womack was recently nominated for “Musical Event of the Year” with George Strait for “Everything But Quits” at this year’s CMA Awards. Current single “There Is A God” is currently #43 on the charts.

With a career spanning more than 25 years, George Strait has the most number one singles of any artist in history including Elvis (57 To Date). He has sold more than 67 million records and with 33 different platinum or multi-platinum albums has the most RIAA platinum certifications in country music and the third in all genres, behind The Beatles and Elvis Presley.

Strait’s recent release TWANG debuted at #1 on The Billboard 200 and the Top Country Albums chart. This is the fourth time in Strait’s career that a new release has debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 chart and the 13th time debuting at #1 on the Top Country Albums chart. The current single and title track sits at #17 on Mediabase charts and #19 on Billboard charts.

His platinum-selling Troubadour was named “Best Country Album” at the 51st Grammy Awards and in April, Strait was the fifth artist ever to receive the Academy of Country Music's Artist of the Decade honor. Strait has won 19 Academy of Country Music Awards including "Entertainer of the Year."

Strait, who holds the record for the most CMA wins and a record 17 CMA Entertainer of the Year nominations, is known for giving fans exactly what they want and expect at countless sold out shows across the country. This year will be no exception.

One of the most successful female recording artists in history, Reba has sold over 55 million albums worldwide, earned 33 #1 singles and was recently recognized as the biggest female hit-maker in country music history by “Billboard,” “Mediabase” and “Country Aircheck.” She is the winner of 15 American Music Awards, 12 Academy of Country Music Awards, 9 People’s Choice Awards, 7 Country Music Awards and 2 GRAMMY Awards. Once again Reba is nominated for the American Music Awards’ “Favorite Country Female” and will appear on the AMAs this Sunday.

Reba’s new album, Keep On Loving You, debuted at #1 on the Billboard Top 200 Albums Chart – her first solo studio album to do so. With 11 #1 albums, Reba holds the record as the female artist with the most #1 albums in the history of the Billboard Top Country Albums chart. The superstar also recently scored her third consecutive Top 10 single of 2009, as her new song “Consider Me Gone” jumped into the Top 10. It currently sits at #4 on the Billboard Country Singles chart and #5 on the Mediabase charts.

In November 2008, McEntire signed with The Valory Music Co. reuniting her with multimedia entertainer and industry leader Scott Borchetta, President & CEO of Big Machine Records and sister label The Valory Music Co.

2010 TOUR DATES

Date City Venue
22-Jan Baltimore, MD 1st Mariner
23-Jan Greensboro, NC Coliseum
29-Jan Knoxville, TN Thompson Boling
30-Jan Charlottesville, VA JPJ Arena
5-Feb Phoenix, AZ US Airways
6-Feb Las Vegas, NV MGM Garden Arena
18-Feb St Louis, MO Scottrade Center
19-Feb Wichita, KS Intrust Bank Arena
20-Feb Tulsa, OK BOK Arena
25-Feb Atlanta, GA Philips Arena
26-Feb Orlando, FL Amway Arena
4-Mar Memphis, TN FedEx Forum
5-Mar New Orleans, LA New Orleans Arena
6-Mar Little Rock, AR Verizon
26-Mar Portland, OR The Rose Garden
27-Mar Tacoma, WA Tacomadome
8-Apr Omaha, NE Qwest Center
9-Apr Kansas City, MO Sprint Center
10-Apr Des Moines, IA Wells Fargo Arena

George Strait's Official Website - GeorgeStrait.com

The "King of Country" is back!

Nashville, Tenn. (November 2, 2009) - The “King of Country” is back! 17x CMA Entertainer of the Year nominee George Strait will kick off his arena tour early next year and this time, he’s bringing along one very special lady – Reba McEntire.




The superstar acts performed together for the first time in many years for a sold-out crowd at the Cowboy’s Stadium inaugural event in Dallas. Selling out in less than an hour, fans and critics proclaimed the show one hot ticket! The concert was hailed by the Dallas Morning News as “an extravaganza” that “showcased Strait at the pinnacle of his musical game” and Ft. Worth Star Telegram wrote “Reba McEntire’s performance was a breathtaking master’s class in effortless brilliance.”



With 57 number one hits, 33 multi-platinum albums and countless sold-out shows year after year, Strait who holds the record for the most CMA wins and a record 17 CMA Entertainer of the Year nominations, is known for giving fans exactly what they want and expect. This year will be no exception.



“I can’t wait to get back out there and perform some of my new favorites from Twang along with hits the fans already love,” says Strait. “And with my friend Reba, we will make it a really spectacular night.”





Strait’s recent release TWANG debuted at #1 on The Billboard 200 and the Top Country Albums chart. This is the fourth time in Strait’s career that a new release has debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 chart and the 13th time debuting at #1 on the Top Country Albums chart. It has become a critically acclaimed album and received rave reviews in USA Today, Entertainment Weekly, People, Los Angeles Times, The Washington Post, Houston Chronicle, The Dallas Morning News, The Boston Globe, Billboard and many more.



Strait co-wrote three songs on TWANG including the debut single, “Living for the Night.” The current single and title track of the album sits at #22 on Billboard and Mediabase/Country Aircheck chart.



At last year’s CMA Awards, George became the artist with the most CMA Awards in history with Album of the Year for Troubadour and Single of the Year for “I Saw God Today.” He adds 4 nominations this year with nods for “Entertainer of the Year,” “Male Vocalist of the Year,” “Video of the Year” for “Troubadour” and “Vocal Event of the Year” for “Everything But Quits” with LeeAnn Womack.



His platinum-selling Troubadour was named “Best Country Album” at the 51st Grammy Awards and in April, Strait was the fifth artist ever to receive the Academy of Country Music's Artist of the Decade honor. Strait has won 19 Academy of Country Music Awards including "Entertainer of the Year."



With a career spanning more than 25 years, Strait has the most number one singles of any artist in history including Elvis (57 To Date). He has sold more than 67 million records and with 33 different platinum or multi-platinum albums has the most RIAA platinum certifications in country music and the third in all genres, behind The Beatles and Elvis Presley.



One of the most successful female recording artists in history, Reba has sold over 55 million albums worldwide, earned 33 #1 singles and was recently recognized as the biggest female hit-maker in country music history by “Billboard,” “Mediabase” and “Country Aircheck.” She is the winner of 15 American Music Awards, 12 Academy of Country Music Awards, 9 People’s Choice Awards, 7 Country Music Awards and 2 GRAMMY Awards.



Reba’s new album, Keep On Loving You, debuted at #1 on the Billboard Top 200 Albums Chart – her first solo studio album to do so. With 11 #1 albums, Reba holds the record as the female artist with the most #1 albums in the history of the Billboard Top Country Albums chart. The superstar also recently scored her third consecutive Top 10 single of 2009, as her new song “Consider Me Gone” jumped into the Top 10 this week on both the Billboard Country Singles and the USA Today/ Country Aircheck Chart powered by Mediabase) charts.





In November 2008, McEntire signed with The Valory Music Co. reuniting her with multimedia entertainer and industry leader Scott Borchetta, President & CEO of Big Machine Records and sister label The Valory Music Co.

One of My Favorite Songs

Willie and Melonie

http://www.cmt.com/videos/melonie-cannon/343322/back-to-earth-feat-willie-nelson.jhtml?

Doesn't get much better than this
Jim

"Way Up On a Mountain" - Spring Creek

Nashville, TN - Since forming five years ago, Spring Creek has emerged as the hottest young band among the newest generation of pickers in the Rocky Mountain bluegrass scene. In 2007, the Lyons, Colorado-based foursome rocketed onto the national stage when they became the only group to ever capture the band competitions at the Telluride and RockyGrass Festivals in the same year. Since those celebrated wins, the band has toured extensively, solidifying their status as lively and skillful performers. Spring Creek signed with Rebel Records last fall and will be unveiling their label debut, Way Up on a Mountain on May 5th.Way Up on a Mountain projects a sound that derives its inspiration from the soul of the Rocky Mountains but maintains its footing in the Appalachian hills and piedmont of the bluegrass heartland. Drawing from the same creative wellspring that produced traditional bluegrass bands such as Hot Rize and Open Road, the album bursts with a freshness that is guaranteed to earn Spring Creek a spot among Colorado's bluegrass innovators. Equally, Way Up on a Mountain demonstrates the band's keen mastery of traditional bluegrass and their deep respect for its Appalachian origins. The resulting product is a sound that is both traditional and original, daring yet indebted to the forefathers of bluegrass. Way Up on a Mountain is certain to win the hearts of listeners in the bluegrass heartland as well as those of the genre's ever-broadening fan-base worldwide.The album's content flows just like a spring creek should: a perfect blend of fast and slow currents. On "Another Lonesome Night My Dear" bassist Jessica Smith delivers resonant, heartfelt vocals over fast-paced string interplay, while banjo player Chris Elliott contributes a smooth baritone harmony on the chorus. The following track, "Tangled in the Pines," moves at a much slower pace complemented by measured, mournful vocals and blues-tinged Dobro riffs. Throughout the album mandolin player Alex Johnstone, guitarist Taylor Sims and Elliott provide deft, tasteful instrumental leads. The eight original compositions feature candid lyrics that balance customary bluegrass with contemporary themes. Additionally, the album features material by Ricky Nelson and Bill Monroe - the homage to Monroe highlighting Spring Creek's respect for the legends of bluegrass. IBMA award-winning fiddler Michael Cleveland contributes his masterful work on several tracks.Prior to Way Up on a Mountain, Spring Creek released two independent albums, Rural & Cosmic Bluegrass and Lonesome Way to Go. The track "High Up in the Mountains" off of the former won an Independent Music Association's Vox Populi Award.In support of Way Up on a Mountain, Spring Creek will spend 2009 performing at festivals and venues nationwide, including stops at the prestigious MerleFest in Wilkesboro, North Carolina and Old Settlers Festival in Austin, Texas.

"Heartbreaker's Hall Of Fame" - Sunny Sweeney - A Review

Sunny Sweeney is a very attractive young lady who has an exciting old time country record and a real good emotive country voice with a a set list of twelve very good songs by herself and some of country's best, including Jim Lauderdale. Sweeney has a way with a song and this Texas country soundin' band cooks with some great chickin' pickin' and plenty of great pedal steel and country fiddle.
Her songs range from rockabilly to hot Texas swing. I love the sound, her vocals are real country like the guitars and pedal steel. She really reminds me of nobody, but I love her sound. This disc will definitely get you moving. a lot of upbeat country rockers. Produced by Tommy Detamore and Tom Lewis, co-produced by Sunny Sweeney. Recorded, mixed, mastered by Tommy Detamore, who does more than an adequate job on this old timey masterpiece. "Lavender Blue" with Jim Lauderdale is a very good country love song. The CD starts out rockin' with a song called "Refresh My Memory" ,this song moves real well and is the sign of things to come, with an acoustic/ electric sound. She has such great control over her vocals, and the country accent is real, growing up in Eastern Texas. She was fronting her first band in 2004, doing what she says is the hardest she ever worked in her whole life, but loving it. Her Label "The Big Machine" is a good label for an artist like herself. She really sounds like the real thing, "If I Could" is a hot cooking song that is super fast and definitely sounds live with audience sound.
"16th Avenue" - This song ends the disc, she shows how she can sing a slow ballad. What a voice, nice harmonica here. A song about people following their dreams. Some more great country guitar. What else can I say , but Sweeney is a refreshing artist, and this whole album refreshed my memory. Check this out!!!

www.sunnysweeney.com --