Happy New Year!

 

A very Happy New Year to all the readers of Countrify! As I type this, fireworks are exploding outside my hotel window, illuminating the night sky with bursts of brilliant colours. Ah, the beauty of celebration! May the new year bring us even more great music in the country industry!

2010 Top Albums of the Year

It's the time of the year again, when we bid a glad farewell to the days gone by. Yes, 2011 is coming, in just a couple more days. But first, let us look back on the country music scene, and my top three albums of the year. It wasn't easy to pick out three albums that in my opinion, shone among the rest in 2010, but I finally did.

3. Get Off On the Pain - Gary Allan

What can I say? This was one of the best surprises in the first half of 2010. Filled with songs about heartbreak, reconciliation and moving on, Gary Allan sings with raw emotion in his gritty vocals, giving each of the songs his own authentic feel about it. From the hard-rocking title track about a masochistic man who had his heart broken one too many times, to the album closer, a heartbreaking ode to his wife who passed away years ago, this is one album you'll listen to and remember for a long time.

2. Nothing Like This - Rascal Flatts

Nothing Like This; a real game-changer for the Flatts who had a mediocre year with their sixth studio album, Unstoppable, the title track of which, ironically, was stopped from reaching number one on the country charts. With their latest effort however, they decided quite rightly to steer away from their new sound (apparent in their last few albums) and instead, going back to the basics. I have to admit, that was a great decision, and as a result of it, comes an album reminiscent of the time when Rascal Flatts was just three guys dreaming of making it big on the music scene. Yes, this album brings back memories of their double-platinum debut and the triple platinum follow-up, Melt, allowing us to travel back in time to the good old days.

1. You Get What You Give - Zac Brown Band

No matter how hard I searched, I could not find a worthy contender to the Zac Brown Band's chart-topping follow-up to their double-platinum debut, You Get What You Give. With a whopping 14 songs (and an additional 4 in the deluxe edition) the band has definitely been generous. And why shouldn't they be? 2010 has been an extremely successful year for them, with this album debuting at number on on the Billboard 200 Charts, the lead single As She's Walking Away becoming their sixth consecutive number one single, and the band themselves being honored by CMT as one of five Artists of the Year.

Listening to this album, a perfect representation of the band's unique sound, I found nothing to complain about. Each track on it was sang to perfection, especially the epic 'Colder Weather' which would undeniably have topped my Song of the Year list, had I bothered to create one. Yes, You Get What You Give definitely deserves the honour of being my choice for Album of the Year.

Thompson Square's Self-Titled Debut Drops February 8

Thompson Square
"Thompson Square"
(Stoney Creek Records)

PREVIEW: http://www.amazon.com/gp/recsradio/radio/B004H7UNPE

Track List:

1. I Got You 
2. Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not 
3. Glass 
4. My Kind Of Crazy 
5. As Bad As It Gets 
6. Who Loves Who More 
7. Getaway Car 
8. Let's Fight 
9. All The Way 
10. I Don't Want To Miss You 
11. If It Takes All Night 
12. One Of Those Days 

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas to all the readers of Countrify! There will be much more in store for all of you next year so make sure you check back constantly for the latest updates on country music! Till then, have fun unwrapping presents under the Christmas tree!

Give In To Me - Garrett Hedlund ft. Leighton Meester

Shake That Thing - Gwyneth Paltrow (Music Video)

Me And Tennessee - Tim McGraw ft. Gwyneth Paltrow (Music Video)

Summer Girl - Leighton Meester (Music Video)

Chances Are - Garrett Hedlund (Music Video)

Rascal Flatts to Duet with Justin Bieber

Rascal Flatts singer Gary LeVox told a Nashville radio station on Dec. 15 that Bieber and his management team had contacted them about doing a song on Bieber's next album and LeVox said that Rascal Flatts was happy to comply. He said they have been in a studio in Nashville already and started to record their parts on the Bieber song and that Bieber himself will be along to do his parts in the next month or two.

LeVox say that one of the reasons he's happy to be working on something with the Canadian popular pop singer is that his own daughters, Brooklyn, 6, and Brittany, who is 10, have Bieber fever and spends lots of time playing Bieber songs. Brittany, he says, is so pleased that she's telling people what Daddy is up to. "Brittany says, 'My dad's doing a duet with Justin Bieber, and I DO have Bieber fever!'"

But that's not the only reason as he says that Bieber is the real deal. “The kid is really talented,” LeVox says. “He plays five or six different instruments really well.”

Rascal Flatts, who just put out their seventh album, Nothing Like This, will be going back into the studio to work on the Bieber song. LeVox said that it's "...a really good song."

Eddie Montgomery Successfully Undergoes Surgery

Eddie Montgomery is happy to report that he is resting at home after a successful surgery to treat prostate cancer earlier this week.  The doctors report that no further treatment should be needed, and he plans to enjoy some down time at home with his family.

After a break to enjoy the holidays, Eddie and duo partner Troy Gentry will be heading out on a USO Tour in early 2011.

Eddie added, "I'm ready to get on the road and raise some hell next year!!"

Crystal Bowersox on Leno!

Crystal Bowersox on Ellen!

Last Night Again - Steel Magnolia (Music Video)

Steel Magnolia   More CMT Music   More CMT Music Videos

Farmer's Daughter - Crystal Bowersox (Music Video)

Jamey Johnson's The Guitar Song Achieves Gold

From the press release: 

Jamey Johnson’s critically acclaimed 25-song double album, The Guitar Song, which received two Grammy nominations including the prestigious Country Album of the Year, has been certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America. 

“My dream already came true,” he says. “All I ever wanted was just to get to ride around and sing country music. It’s cool when things like that happen along the way. Because those are the things I never thought I could achieve. Whether or not it’s gold or platinum or hell, diamond for that matter, it wouldn’t surprise me anymore. I’ll just keep doing what I do. I wake up every day and go play some more country music and have another drink.” 

The project also received a Grammy nomination in the category of Best Male Country Vocal Performance for the song “Macon.” He received a third Grammy nomination in Best Country Collaboration with Vocals for “Bad Angels” with Dierks Bentley and Miranda Lambert. 

“As an album, The Guitar Song is the collection of this journey,” Johnson says. “It’s one that goes all the way around. It starts off in a deep, dismal, dark place and ends up in a far better place. That’s what has happened to me over the past several years. Something that started in a dark corner has ended up getting to be all over the country. I’ve seen some of the most beautiful places I’ve ever seen in my life the past several years and I wouldn’t trade that for anything.” 

December has been a month of tremendous honors for Johnson. In addition to his Grammy nominations, his album has been prominently featured on numerous 2010 best-of lists and he was invited to pay musical tribute to one of his idols, Merle Haggard, at the Kennedy Center Honors in Washington, D.C. 

The Guitar Song was ranked No. 5 on Rolling Stone’s Best Albums of 2010 and “Macon” was ranked No. 23 on Rolling Stone’s Best Singles of 2010. 

“What does Jamey Johnson keep under all of that hair? Songs,” says Rolling Stone. “Nashville’s gruffest and grittiest star turns out to be its most reliable traditionalist, a Music Row pro who can write a song for every emotional season. Johnson pulled out a whole slew of them – 25, clocking in north of 105 minutes – for his double-disc fourth album: acoustic confessions and rugged boogie blues, big weepers and grim reapers, cover tunes and novelty ditties, not to mention ‘California Riots’ and ‘Playing the Part,’ a pair of fiercely funny, unrepentantly redneck swipes at the frou-frou blue states.” 

SPIN also named The Guitar Song as No. 5 on its list of The 40 Best Albums of 2010. “Johnson’s double-album opus isn’t one of the past decade’s best country records because he’s a boundary-pushing subversive,” SPIN says. “It’s because his haunting baritone artfully inhabits every cranny of Nashville’s sylvan McMansion of the Mind.” 

GQ’s “The Year in Music” issue features Johnson as the “Dark Horse of the Year,” calling him a “Nashville Badass.” GQ says, “Everything about rising Nashville star Jamey Johnson signifies Mythic Outlaw Guy: the backwoods birthplace (Enterprise, Alabama), the military service (Marine Corps Reserve), the laconic Jack Daniel’s-for-brunch baritone and, most strikingly, the shoulder-length mane and trucker-Zeus beard. On The Guitar Song, easily the year’s best country album, Johnson backs up his image with two CDs of bar-band honky-tonk in the hard-boiled tradition of Merle Haggard and Waylon Jennings, but with a Great Recession update.” 

Johnson joined Kris Kristofferson, Willie Nelson, Kid Rock, Vince Gill, Sheryl Crow, Brad Paisley and Miranda Lambert in a musical tribute to Merle Haggard during the Kennedy Center Honors on Dec. 5 in Washington D.C., and also attended receptions at the White House and the State Department. The show will air on CBS on Dec. 28 at 9 p.m. eastern/8 p.m. central. 

“I came to Washington D.C. and fell in love with my country all over again. This is cool. Just look at all the amazing people in here,” says Johnson, who met President Clinton, Smokey Robinson, Diana Ross, Forest Whitaker, Gayle King and Angela Lansbury. 

He and Kennedy Center honoree Oprah Winfrey, a former Nashvillian, discussed Music City. Winfrey told him, “I used to walk over the Jefferson Street bridge every day. I love Nashville!” Johnson asked if Winfrey’s father, Vernon, still lives in Nashville. Winfrey quickly replied, “Yes, and he owns a barber shop,” while pausing to look over Johnson before adding, “and you know you can still get an eight-dollar haircut there too!” They both laughed and Johnson said, ‘Yeah, and I think I need one.” 

When Johnson was introduced to Kennedy Center honoree Paul McCartney, the former Beatle said, ‘Hey, dude,” so Johnson started singing, “Hey dude,” to the tune of “Hey Jude.” McCartney joined in and the two had a good laugh. 

In early 2011, Johnson will join Kid Rock on his national “Born Free” tour, which begins in front of a crowd of 60,000 on Jan. 15 at Detroit’s Ford Field. 

While Johnson remains appreciative of his honors and accolades, they remain secondary to the fact that he’s able to live his dream of writing and performing country music. 

“The underlying current is that when I sit down to play music, I play music from my heart,” says Johnson. “As long as I can keep a grasp on that in some way through my career, hopefully I’ll be all right.”

To hear “the story behind the songs” for select tracks on The Guitar Song, click on the link below:
http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid72518809001?bctid=441653652001

Jason Aldean Named Billboard's Top Male Country Artist

Multi-platinum country rocker Jason Aldean was named the Number One Male Country Artist and the Top Independent Artist of the Year by Billboard. His current album MY KINDA PARTY was released Nov. 2 and moved an impressive 193,000 units its first week, earning the biggest first week debut by a male country vocalist in over three years. It has continued to move an average of 61,000 units per week, following the debut. 

Aldean continues to build on the momentum of his previous PLATINUM selling album which also spawned three consecutive No. one hits and two sold out legs of an arena tour. He wraps 2010 with two singles on the radio charts, the title track “My Kinda Party” and his powerful duet with Kelly Clarkson “Don’t You Wanna Stay,” also both currently in the Top 10 on iTunes.

“It feels like time is just flyin’ by...we’ve been working and on the road so much that I haven’t had a real opportunity to stop and think about what a big year it’s been,” says Aldean. “I’m sure I’ll have a lot of quiet moments in the tree stand the next few weeks, so I’ll be able to reflect on the last year and all the cool stuff we’ve been a part of then. I’m looking forward to being at home for a few weeks and getting some good family time in before we hit the road again in January.”

Up next for Aldean is his 2011 MY KINDA PARTY TOUR, which kicks off on Jan. 21 in Little Rock, AR. With thousands of club, festival and arena stages under his boots since playing his first gig at 14 years old, Aldean will hit 30 cities through May with special guests Eric Church and theJaneDear Girls.

For more information and tour dates, visit www.jasonaldean.com.

Free Country Christmas Tunes!

People Magazine and iTunes are giving away eight free Christmas songs, by your favorite artists pictured above. They include:
• Brad Paisley – Away in a Manger 
• Rascal Flatts – God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen 
• Joe Nichols – O Holy Night 
• Point of Grace – Little Drummer Boy 
• Rodney Carrington – Camouflage and Christmas Lights 
• Steve Wariner – Deck the Halls 
• Indigo Girls – Your Holiday Song 
• Dailey & Vincent – Beautiful Star of Bethlehem
Click here to download.

Keep In Mind - LoCash Cowboys (Music Video)

Joe Nichols' Greatest Hits Cover Unveiled

Kate & Kacey - Crossroad

DEC 14

Kate & Kacey
"Crossroad"
(Sorella Coppola)

Track List:

1. Gypsy Soul (You Again)
2. Whole Lotta Gone
3. Once
4. Front Porch Pickin'
5. Honkytonk Party Song
6. Weak
7. Light As A Feather
8. Tomorrow
9. That Kinda Beautiful
10. Crossroad
11. One Of My Favorite Days

The Grascals And Friends - Country Classics With A Bluegrass Spin

Jan 10
The Grascals And Friends
"Country Classics With A Bluegrass Spin"
(BluGrascal Records/CBE)

Track Listing



1. Tiger By The Tail (with Brad Paisley)

2. Folsom Prison Blues (with Dierks Bentley)

3. Pain of Lovin' You (with Dolly Parton)

4. I Am Strong (with Dolly Parton)

5. Louisiana Saturday Night

6. The Year That Clayton Delaney Died (with Tom T. Hall)

7. White Lightning (with Darryl Worley)

8. The Devil Went Down To Georgia (with Charlie Daniels)

9. Leavin' Louisiana In Broad Daylight (with The Oak Ridge Boys)

10. Mr. Bojangles (with Joe Nichols)

11. Hank Williams Jr. Medley-Born To Boogie / All My Rowdy Friends Are Comin' Over Tonight

12. Cracker Barrel Swing (Instrumental)

13. I Am Strong (Bonus Track) Featuring guest appearances by Dolly Parton, The Oak Ridge Boys, Darryl Worley, Charlie Daniels, Terri Clark, Randy Owen, Steven Seagal, Tom T. Hall, Joe Nichols and Ansley McLaurin

The Music Inside: A Collaboration Dedicated To Waylon Jennings (Volume 1)

FEB 08

Various Artists
"The Music Inside: A Collaboration Dedicated To Waylon Jennings (Volume 1)"
(Big Machine/Scatter)

1. This Time – Jamey Johnson
2. Are You Sure Hank Done It This Way – Alabama
3. I’m A Ramblin’ Man – Randy Houser
4. Belle of the Ball – Shooter Jennings
5. Good Hearted Woman – Sunny Sweeney and Jessi Colter
6. Don't You Think This Outlaw Bit's Done Got Out Of Hand – James Otto 
7. Just To Satisfy You – John Hiatt w Waylon Jennings
8. Rose In Paradise – Kris Kristofferson and Patty Griffin
9. You Ask Me To – Trace Adkins
10. Go Down Rockin' – Waylon Jennings
11. The Wurlitzer Prize (I Don’t Want To Get Over You) – Chanel Campbell

Source: Waylon Jennings Website & The Associated Press

Sara Evans Releases Cover Art for Upcoming Album, Stronger

Best Song Ever - Katie Armiger (Music Video)

Katie Armiger   More CMT Music   More CMT Music Videos

I Can't Love You Back - Easton Corbin (Music Video)

Don't You Wanna Stay - Jason Aldean ft. Kelly Clarkson (Music Video)

Jason Aldean   More CMT Music   More CMT Music Videos

Journey On - Ty Herndon (Music Video)

Ty Herndon   More CMT Music   More CMT Music Videos

Rascal Flatts Honored with Decade Award at American Country Awards

From the press release:

The best selling country group of the new Millennium, Rascal Flatts, was honored with the “Decade Award” by the American Country Awards this evening during a live broadcast on Fox from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. This award recognizes the band for their contribution to country music in the past ten years.

In other great news, Rascal Flatts’ debut single on Big Machine Records, “Why Wait,” tops the Billboard Country Singles & USA Today/Country Aircheck charts today and becomes their twelfth career #1 single.

Since their musical debut in 2000, Rascal Flatts-Gary LeVox, Jay DeMarcus and Joe Don Rooney- has sold 20 million albums and 25 million digital downloads. The band has delivered 12 #1 singles to the top of the chart and has more titles in Billboard’s Top 100 Songs of the Decade than any other group in the format. With the #1 debut of their new CD, Nothing Like This, Rascal Flatts has the distinction of being one of only 4 acts to have 6 consecutive studio albums debut in the top spot on the Country Albums chart this decade. Nothing Like This also debuted at #6 on the Top 200 chart. 

Rascal Flatts is the most awarded country group of the decade with nearly 40 trophies from the American Country Awards, Academy of Country Music, American Music Awards, Country Music Association, People’s Choice Awards and more. 

In concert, Rascal Flatts continues to be one of the hottest touring acts of the decade with more venue attendance records than any other country act. They have played over 400 dates as a headline act, over 700 since 2000, with a ticket tally of nearly 6 million. Among these shows includes 3 consecutive sold-out performances at Madison Square Garden and the band also became the first and only country music act to sell out Wrigley Field. 

Gary, Jay and Joe Don have also raised over $3 million dollars in the past few years for the Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt in Nashville, Tenn. and recently the hospital named its pediatric Surgery Center after the group- the “Rascal Flatts Surgery Center.”

For additional information on Rascal Flatts go to www.rascalflatts.com .