Country At The 57th Annual Grammy Awards

The 2015 Grammy's hit a sour note within only minutes of it's telecast Sunday evening February 8th leaving a less than desirable taste for fans and industry insiders alike, whether it was from sound technical difficulties or the less than stellar performances within the first hour, it was a snooze fest that is until the first country performance of the evening got it's start. Miranda Lambert brought her new single "Little Red Wagon"  to the Grammy stage with pyro, flashing lights and a techno sound that had the rocker chick bring her A game. A bit overshadowed at times though. Was it the sound of technical difficulties to blame?  Regardless Lambert's country rock physique, charm and vocals dazzled.  Eric Church brought us a country revival performance of "Give Me Back My Hometown". The video footage behind gave a clear indication as a nation we must stand true, put aside the rioting and damage to rebuild the nation. The performance was clearly served proud. The night's most memorable performance. It was the duet of Brandy Clark and Dwight Yoakam  performing "Hold My Hand" that sent shock waves through the country and media alike, Clark and Yoakam's  harmonizing fluidity served us what country is traditionally. A standing ovation pleaser  Clark and Yoakam was relevantly unforgettable.  Though the Grammy's had it's hits and misses of the night on the pop and R&B side country music had a way to shine. Lambert took home a Grammy for Best Country Album, the only country award given out during the telecast. Pre-show winners are:

Best Country Duo/Group Performance  - Gentle On My Mind, The Band Perry

Best Country Solo Performance -  Something In The Water , Carrie Underwood

Best Country Song  - "I'm Not Gonna Miss You" Glenn Campbell and Julian Raymond, songwriters - Track from: Glenn Campbell I'll Be Me

Best Folk Album  - Old Crow Medicine Show



For the full list of winners visit the Grammy's official website here
Grammy.com | The Official Website Of Music's Biggest Night

New Country Singles At Country Radio

Copyright: NASH Icon Records

Reba made her return to country radio last month her with brand new single "Going Out Like That"  it's release on January 12th marked her highest charted single in more than 4 years. The single debuted on the digital chart, iTunes at #2. The single marks Reba's return a new career highlight. To purchase and download "Going Out Like That" visit Amazon and iTunes here






Reba "Going Out Like That" MP3 Download

Reba "Going Out Like That"

Sony Music Entertainment

Miranda Lambert's super stardom hasn't lost it's touch who's recent single release "Little Red Wagon" made it's debut at country radio January 12th. Lambert keeps the fire burning and with "Little Red Wagon" we'll hear even more from her. Get "Little Red Wagon" on iTunes and Amazon here





Miranda Lambert "Little Red Wagon"

Little Red Wagon MP3 Download

Copyright: Zac Brown

Yes, Zac Brown Band  hasn't left their confines of country living and serves up a brand new single. "Homegrown" takes listeners back to good ole days and laid back moments. Ease your mind with the new single out now at Amazon and iTunes.

Homegrown MP3 Download

Zac Brown Band "Homegrown"

B$R Records, LLC

Big and Rich are no strangers when it comes to love ballads, there is no exception to the rule with their brand new single from their 2014 album Gravity. "Run Away With You" is poignant,beautifully mastered it will have listeners choosing it as their wedding song this year. "Run Away With You" has recently been sent to radio. Get the song played in your area and get the downloads from iTunes and Amazon here.





Run Away With You MP3 Download

Big and Rich "Run Away With You"

Big Machine Label Group

Tim McGraw sets the trail for the classic old school country song and with his new single out now "Diamond Rings And Old Barstools" the classic style sits true. Featuring Clare Dunn the pairing fits. The harmony is melodic and reminiscences of his earlier days with hits featuring wife Faith Hill. "Diamond Rings And Old Barstools" hits all the right notes to another hit single on the charts. Download the single out now on iTunes and Amazon.




Tim McGraw "Diamond Rings And Old Barstools"

Diamond Rings And Old Barstools MP3 Download

Copyright: UMG Nashville

Kip Moore's highly anticipated sophomore album is readying it's release with a brand new single available now through iTunes and Amazon. "I'm To Blame" has all the signs of a hit with music row, music city and Moore's fans. Reviews are pointing at critical acclaim. Why wait any longer download "I'm To Blame" here at iTunes

Kip Moore "I'm To Blame" 

Own the single on Amazon here
I'm To Blame MP3 Download

Must Have Country Albums

RCA Records Nashville

The highly anticipated Miranda Lambert Platinum has everyone talking.  It is a must have album of 2014. The albums traditional and contemporary sound will have fans rocking out long before it's big release Tuesday June 3rd. The first single "Automatic" remains in the top 10 on the single's charts as the only female among all of bro-country. The newly released single featuring Carrie Underwood "Something Bad" crosses the rock lines and hits a cord fan bases are loving. Don't wait to order Platinum. Pre-order Platinum before it's big release 6/3 on Amazon here

Miranda Lambert Platinum

Hollywood Records

New comer Lucy Hale is most noted for the ABC Family hit Pretty Little Liars yet the colorful spunk of Hale has fans and industry insiders all a buzz for Hale's  debut album Road Between due out in stores Tuesday 6/3. Hale is in good company with the female artists of today in country music. The combination of contemporary pop and country have collided beautifully.

Pre-order Road Between on Amazon here
Lucy Hale Road Between

BMG Rights Management

Danny Gokey may have placed 3rd on American Idol in season 8 yet touched and moved fans and believers of all ages who went on to debut his first album  Best Days that gave us the singles "My Best Days Are Ahead Of Me" and "I Won't Say Goodbye" in 2010. Since then Gokey remains heavily involved with his foundation Sophia's Heart, in 2011 released the single "Second Hand Heart". In 2013  Gokey wrote and released his first book Hope In Front Of Me in which inspired the title and new single track from his highly anticipated sophomore album to be release June 24th. Hope In Front Of Me is the testament of Hope, love and faith that comes with living day to day. Hope In Front of Me is already in the top 20 on Billboards Hot Christian Songs Chart.

Pre-oroder Hope In Front Of Me on Amazon here
Danny Gokey Hope In Front Of Me

New Music February

Country music rolls on in February with new music from Big and Rich, Kellie Pickler & more with country radio adds to come available. Get your country on with these new singles and request them at your favorite country radio station across the country.

RCA Records

Miranda Lambert "Automatic"

Amazon
Automatic MP3 Download

iTunes
Automatic Miranda Lambert

Big and Rich  "Look At You"

Amazon
Look At You MP3 Download 

iTunes
Look At You Big and Rich

Lee Brice "I Don't Dance"
Downloads to come available impacting radio 2/18

Black River Entertainment

Kellie Pickler "Closer To Nowhere"

Amazon
Closer To Nowhere MP3 Download

iTunes
Closer To Nowhere Kellie Pickler

Gloriana "Best Night Ever" 

Amazon
Best Night Ever MP3 Download

iTunes
Best Night Ever Gloriana

BMG Rights 

Danny Gokey "Hope In Front of Me" 

iTunes
Hope In Front of Me

Country Music Reigns The Grammy's

Of all award shows the Grammy's bring out the best of the best or the worst of the worst in all music genre's, so who sparkled and fizzled at the 56th annual Grammy Awards Sunday January 26th? Country music pulled the reigns,  the nights best performances came from country music itself, Keith Urban performing his newest single "Cop Car", Taylor Swift's performance of "All Too Well" received a standing ovation that left me applauding the young star, Swift's on stage presence and conviction was inviting to watch.  Icon country stars Willie Nelson, Kris Kristofferson, Merle Haggard and Blake Shelton giving audiences a traditional collaboration of "Mama's Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys" and "Okie From Muskokie". Miranda Lambert and Billy Joel Armstrong paid tribute to the late Phil Everly who passed earlier this past year performing "When Will I Be Loved". The big highlight came from Kacey Musgraves who gave a performance so proud country music is singing on.
Hunter Hayes may have just entered new territory performing a brand new song anyone of any age can relate to. The hits and misses of the Grammy's might have been a blur if you didn't catch them in the 3 hour live telecast.
The nights winners surprised me in more ways than any other predictable awards show. I can honestly say have never heard of Macklemore and Ryan Lewis who were the night's top winners, among "Royals" singer Lorde. Country music saved the Grammy's this year. Thank you Country music!
For the entire list of winners in the country music, Americana,  & bluegrass categories get them here, for all winners visit Grammy.com
Grammy.com | The Official Site

Winners

Best Country Album  Same Trailer Different Park  Kacey Musgraves

Best Country Solo Performance  Wagon Wheel Darius Rucker

Best Country Duo/Group Performance  From This Valley The Civil Wars

Best Country Song  Merry Go Round   Shane McAnally, Kacey Musgraves and Josh Osborne, songwriters (Kacey Musgraves)

Best American Roots Song  Love Has Come For You  Edie Brickell and Steve Martin, songwriters (Steve Martin and Edie Brickell)

Best Americana Album  Old Yellow Moon Emmylou Harris and Rodney Crowell

Best Bluegrass Album The Streets of Baltimore  Del McCoury Band 

Best Folk Album  My Favorite Picture of You  Guy Clark

Country Music Shines At 55th Annual Grammy Awards

Country music may not have crossed over completely into the mainstream of pop music in fact country music is still much country music regardless how you see and define the who and what of the genre. The traditional, blues, folk, soul, honky tonk and Americana sounds still have a place in radio. Country music took to the stage at the 55th annual Grammy Awards Sunday February 10,2013 with performances from Miranda Lambert, Dierks Bentley, Zac Brown of the the Zac Brown Band, Mumford and Sons, Carrie Underwood, Taylor Swift and Hunter Hayes, all who brought their own form of artistry to their fellow industry peers. 
Taylor Swift who opened the show brought a new spin to audiences on her mega multi platinum hit "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together" with an eye popping, eye candy Alice In Wonderland theme. Swift the ringleader triumphed conquering the evil queen of hearts. 

In the collaborating duet Miranda Lambert and Dierks Bentley complimented each other well  on a vocal level so harmonizing in the arrangement of Lambert's "Over You" and Bentley's "Home". The duet worked, the pair received praise from the audience including Lambert's husband fellow country artist Blake Shelton cheering them both on.

Mumford and Sons arousing traditional blues folk country sound of their performance "I Will Wait" gave the crowd something to clap and stomp their feet to, the sing along tune was in fact one of many high lights of the night. The incorporating of the banjo and horns gave the song a more traditional country sound.
Zac Brown of the Zac Brown Band was well on hand to take to the stage in a tribute performance of "Put The Lord On Me" with Elton John, Mumford and Sons, Mavis Staples and lead vocalist of the Alabama Shakes for those we will forever remember who passed away this past year to remembering Sandy Hook Elementary. The High lighted performance was the night's most touching momentous performance.  


Country music truly shined giving everyone something to talk about from Carrie Underwood's screen projector dress to Taylor Swift's call out during her on stage performance to many other highs and lows of the biggest night of the year.

Country Music City Promotions sends well wishes to all the winners.
CONGRATULATIONS!! 



WINNERS

• Best Country Solo Performance  - Carrie Underwood  "Blown Away"
• Best Country Song  - "Blown Away" SONGWRITERS  Josh Kear and Chris Tompkins,  Artist Carrie Underwood

• Best Country Duo/Group Performance  - "Pontoon"  Little Big Town 
• Best Country Album  - Uncaged  Zac Brown Band
• Album of The Year Babel  Mumford and Sons

The next best to come from country roots, Americana, blues and folk, the winners in these categories are;

• Best Americana Album - Slipstream  Bonnie Raitt
• Best Blues Album  -  Locked Down  Dr.John
• Best Folk Album  -  The Goat Rodeo Sessions   Yo-Yo Ma, Stuart Duncan, Edgar Meyer and Chris Thile  

For more high lights, the complete list of winners, photos and videos of the 55th Annual Grammy Awards visit the official site and stay tune to Country Music City Promotions for the latest updates in country music.

New Country Music In 2013

Jana Kramer and Jerrod Niemann have their sights set on videos for their current singles "Whiskey" and "Only God Could Love You More" already in the new year, the official "Whiskey" premiere is here from  +Rolling Stone
Jana Kramer Whiskey PREMIERE  while Jerrod's "Only God Could Love You More" lyrics video will tide you over until it's official premiere seen here 
Jerrod Niemann Only God Could Love You More (LYRICS VIDEO)

In other music news Eric Church releases his new single to radio this month from his critically acclaimed Cheif album "Like Jesus Does" January 22,2013 while Miranda Lambert's new single "Mama's Broken Heart" went to country radio today January 14,2013. Blake Shelton's new single to country radio is the  #1 most added  to country radio 
"Sure Be Cool If You Did", I say Blake is set on speed control into the new year. 

Country's Casey James, Maggie Rose and Sarah Darling continue to soar with their singles "Crying On A Suitcase", "I Ain't Your Mama" and "Home To Me", these gains in country aircheck are astounding! 

Randy Houser's "How Country Feels" has taken leaps and bounds, I must say this is how country feels!! Country music fans will have much more to look forward to when Houser's new album hits store's January 22,2013.

Dustin Lynch gives us his new single "She Cranks My Tractor", here's to some good ole country in this modern world of country music.

To keep these artists on country radio, request today!!

NIXA Country Official Website

CMT Radio Live with Cody Alan

WQMX Your Station Your Country 94.9FM

99.5 WGAR - 99-5 WGAR Cleveland's Country 855-222-0995





  

2012 Year End Review

As we look back in country music of 2012 it was still dominating most radio stations, Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert reigned the charts, Dierks Bentley and Kellie Pickler gave us the most traditional country albums, rising artists Kip Moore and Casey James proved their hard work pays off and Little Big Town experiences the biggest highlight of their careers, paying your dues in this industry is years in the making.

During the first half of the year Kellie Pickler released her most highly anticipated album 100 Proof and what was receieved was the most refreshing sound in country music. The traditional classic honky tonk feel good vibe made leaps and bounds from the ever catchy "Unlock That Honky Tonk" to "Where's Tammy Wynette", the title track "100 Proof" gave us the real Kellie Pickler at her finest. The small town country girl from Albemarle, North Carolina has music row talking and country music noticed, Country Weekly's  senior editor Tammy Ragusa tells us " We haven't heard the last from her, this girl is going places", she tells fans live on +Country Music Chat ~ #CMchat+ Year End Review.  Kellie Pickler knows her directions and will prove longevity in her career. 100 Proof is the must have album of 2012.

Dierks Bentley tapped into what was the most promising of his career after releasing an album that could have well been put on the back burner, needless to say Bentley went ahead and delivered. "Home" went on to shine and win all on it's own, the title track "Home" reminded folks what America is all about. Dierks went on to release 4 hit singles "Am I The Only One", "5-1-5-0", "Tip It On Back" and "Home". Bentley's bluegrass, country soul and twang is truly infectious.  The Grammy nominated Bentley released a 5 song EP Country and Cold Cans and introduced his fan base to new country from Brantley Gilbert to Thomas Rhett. In 2013 Dierks will co headline with Miranda Lambert on a 33 date Locked and Reloaded tour. There is simply no place like home for Dierks Bentley.

New comers Kip Moore and Casey James may have started their country music paths quite differently however their country sound has the ladies jumping for joy.  What many may not know Kip Moore is more than an artist and performer, he in fact is a songwriter among things who has written with other artists of the field from fellow friend of Thompson Square Keifer Thompson to songwriter,producer Brett James, I say Kip Moore keeps the music flowing. Moore debuted his first solo effort as a singer songwriter with "Up All Night" that has spawned the mega hit "Somethin' Bout A Truck" and rising hit "Beer Money". I say give us more of Kip Moore.



Many American Idol followers will remember Casey James from the hit FOX reality TV program who came in third place in season 9, James went on to release his self titled debut Casey James that gave us the hits "Let's Don't Call It A Night" and "Crying On A Suitcase". James is a triple threat, musician, songwriter, entertainer and humanitarian. Casey and the Casey James band have become the most welcoming group to participate for such great causes who have raised more than $15,000 for +St. Jude Children's Research Hospital this past November for No Shave November. James continues to reach out to special causes including St. Jude, Wounded Warrior Project and others. There is no limit to what Casey James can do. Skies the limit for the mutli-talented .

Kip Moore's "Up All Night" and Casey James self titled albums are must have albums of 2012.  Country radio keeps Moore and James fans well pleased in rotation. 

 Out of the pearly gates of Hollywood and into country music Jana Kramer beat the odds of Hollywood meets country who gave people something to talk about earlier this year, Jana went on to debut her first album, her first single "Why Ya' Wanna" became a fast fan favorite and country radio took notice of it,Why Ya' Wanna went on to become gold certified. The One Tree Hill star balances film and TV with her growing music career. Kramer's second single "Whiskey" truly showcases a down to earth country girl at heart who knows a thing or two when it comes to delivering a performance. You can't take the country out of Hollywood, or is it Hollywood out of the country. Kramer is a delight and loves her fans more than anything, I say Jana fans will want more Kramer in 2013.





2012 has been the year for artists Blake Shelton, Miranda Lambert, Little Big Town and Eric Church to name a few. Miranda's Four The Record album has won Lambert numerous awards for "Over You" written by Miranda and husband Blake Shelton, that song means the world to Miranda and Blake, to win awards for sharing such a personal story with the world has been a little bittersweet for the reigning CMA female vocalist and ACA winner. Blake Shelton himself has had a year full of highs that would include winning the coveted CMA Entertainer of The Year award among releasing his most personal album to date Red River Blue that has landed Blake a Grammy nomination for his single "Over". Miranda herself landed a grammy nomination for best country album for, Four The Record, it's been an unbeatable year for Blake and Miranda. 
Throughout the summer of 2012 Little Big Town took the biggest splash in their career's chart topping the year with their multi platinum hit "Pontoon" from their 5th studio album Tornado, Jimi, Karen, Kimberly and Phillip have blown through country radio and country music fans and industry peers jumped on board to help celebrate with the group on this huge milestone. Little Big Town went on to win 3 coveted CMA awards for Pontoon, ACA Awards and landed them a grammy nomination. Tornado has swept Little Big Town in new territory and it's well deserving for the group. 
Eric Church might beat to a different drummer and well what has come of it, his most critically acclaimed album Chief that has brought us the hit singles "Springsteen", Creepin", "Homeboy" and "Drink In My Hand". Church who toured most of the year is feeling the accolades pile up who won the ACA with writers Jeff Hyde and Ryan Tyndell for Springsteen, the CMA for Album of The Year for Chief and recently grammy nominated for Best Country Solo Performance and Best Country Song for Springsteen. I say Church has a good gripe on things.
Who else has had a big year in country music, Luke Bryan and Jason Aldean, these Georgia men have a lot going for themselves. Bryan dominated country radio as did Aldean for that matter and the awards, those accolades are so sweet for Luke Bryan who took home the most ACA's, I say Luke Bryan keep on beaming with that 100 watt smile. Jason Aldean who toured feverishly throughout the year released a record breaking milestone in his career with the new album Night Train that not only dominated in record sales, also in digital sales. For Luke Bryan and Jason Aldean they'll keep on truckin'. 
Country legend, yes, icon, yes, George Strait the man who's inspired many of today's artists has undoubtedly been in the limelight in 2012, who I have to point out has been named more times in Country Weekly than I can count. Obviously, Strait keeps on the straight and narrow touring the country who continues to bring his southern twang to adoring fans. The biggest story of the year was in fact Mr. Strait announcing he will hang up his cowboy boots in late 2013, the final tour might not send George off into the sunset, he's leaving memories behind for those who have followed his career. 

As I leave you with this in 2012, country music still rings on and not far into the distance. We will hear much more diversity in 2013.