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Nashville's premier entertainment blog including album, song and show reviews and exclusive artist interviews.
CRS is not just about music, but about bringing awareness and support for charitable organizations, too. Get to know this very worthy organization called Compassion that we spoke with at CRS in Nashville this year. Check out our interview with them below for more information about their organization that helps sponsor children living in poverty around the world.
Want to help sponsor a child in need? Go here!
Another one of our favorites, Gwen Sebastian, stops by our booth at CRS to discuss touring with Blake Shelton, her new album, and her engagement. Check out the interview below!
New country artist Rose Falcon just released her 5-song EP entitled ’19th Avenue The EP Volume 2′ with Show Dog Universal Music. Overall, it’s a decent effort. Rose’s voice is slightly airy with a stronger than usual nasally tone combined with a bit of grittiness–the best I can describe it. Very similar to artists like Lucinda Williams, so to me her voice is a little more folk/Americana rather than country. She doesn’t necessarily sound like every artist out there, which is a good thing when you are trying to stand out. I’m kind of on the fence about this one. I don’t absolutely love it, but I don’t hate it, either. Just middle of the road for me.
Lyrically, I feel the songs are well-written and there is strong composition/structure musically. However, none of the songs really wowed me, but I enjoyed “Carry Me Home”–a mid-tempo song with more of a traditional country feel to it with lots of fiddle added in. I, also, enjoyed “If Love Had A Heart”, which is mid-tempo, heartfelt ballad. I really liked this one, which I felt was the most radio-friendly of all the songs, and thought it was a good fit for her voice.
Independent country artist Amy Rose has a hit on her hands with her newest single “I Just Want You To Know”. The song is a mid-tempo power ballad propelled by the powerful vocals of Amy Rose that are reminiscent of such artists as Martina McBride and Carrie Underwood. This song is radio-friendly with well-written lyrics and displays her powerful voice all the way through. Most impressive is the 11 second note that she was able to sustain near the end of the song demonstrating her remarkable vocal prowess.
Rated 5 out of 5 stars.
Luke Bryan is now taking a break from sold-out crowds on his Dirt Road Diaries Tour to take time out to get ready for his co-hosting duties for this year’s ACM Awards. When he was first asked to host the show with buddy Blake Shelton, he was feeling a bit overwhelmed by the responsibility.
“Somebody [asked] me…‘What do you think about hosting the show?’ Immediately, I was just kind of overwhelmed by it, and I said, ‘I just don’t know if I’m ready for something like that.’ I just felt like it was so, it was a little early in my career,” says Luke. “I think I had said, ‘I kinda just want to enjoy being at the show for a few years,’ because it’s still new to me being at the show and performing, and so I just wasn’t ready to leapfrog. About a month later they got back with me, and they said, ‘You may have misunderstood us, but it’s gonna be you and Blake together.’ And I was like, ‘Oh my God, I’m in.’ That’s a no-brainer.”
We caught up with the fine folks of rising country group Scarletta during the week of CRS in Nashville. Get acquainted with this new group and check out our interview with them below!
The 21st Annual Tin Pan South Songwriters Festival has added two very special shows at the popular 3rd & Lindsley venue, aptly titled “From Texas to Tennessee” and “Celebrating the Music of ABC’s ‘Nashville’,” on Tuesday, April 2, 2013. The addition of the new shows brings the total number of venues to 10 promising the best songwriters the world has to offer.
“From Texas To Tennessee”will kick off at 6:00 pm, and will feature Wade Bowen, Radney Foster, Jon Randall and Bruce Robison for a celebration of the bond between the Lone Star and Volunteer states. Separately, these Texas-bred singer/songwriters are impressive; together they’re almost unbelievable. Here to prove that is, Foster (of Foster & Lloyd and such solo hits as “I’m In,” “Raining On Sunday,” “Just Call Me Lonesome,” “Nobody Wins”), who is joined by fellow Texans Bowen (“Don’t Break My Heart Again,” “God Bless This Town,” “Try Not To Listen,” “When It All Goes Down”), Randall (“Am I The Only One,” “Drink On It,” “Whiskey Lullaby,” “She’s So California”) and Robison (“Travelin’ Soldier,” “Angry All the Time,” “Wrapped”).
Hot country newcomer and dynamic multi-instrumentalist Chris Janson will world premiere his brand new music video for “Better I Don’t” today (3/28) on CMT Pure, CMT Mobile and CMT.com. The exclusive debut was directed by Wes Edwards and shot in the popular Nashville music venue 12th & Porter. The video vividly captures Janson’s exhilarating live performance and innate sense of humor when he shows off what would happen if he did rather than if he don’t. “Better I Don’t” will be featured on his debut full-length album produced by Keith Stegall (Alan Jackson, Zac Brown Band), which is expected for release later this year via Bigger Picture Group.
Watch the video for “Better I Don’t” now via http://www.cmt.com/videos/
When asked about making the video, Janson shared, “It was an unbelievable day and I was thrilled that my family, friends and fans all came out to join in the fun and help me get into a little trouble!”
Also Sets Plans To Host Cornhole Challenge For The TJ Martell Foundation
After selling more than a half-million tracks from his debut effort, Bigger Picture artist Craig Campbell today revealed on his Facebook page the street date and cover artwork for his highly anticipated sophomore album, NEVER REGRET. The twelve-song project, which features the evocative lead single “Outta My Head,” will join the ranks of country music hit-makers Lady Antebellum and Pistol Annies to release on May 7, 2013. On this second record, Campbell continues to work with Grammy Award winning producer Keith Stegall (Alan Jackson, Zac Brown Band) and CCMA Album of The Year producer, Matt Rovey.
Shortly after the release of his sophomore record and in honor of his late father, Craig will host the inaugural Celebrity Cornhole Challenge to benefit the TJ Martell Foundation’s colon cancer research efforts. The announcement of June’s event comes at a timely moment as National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month is coming to a close. “This tournament will benefit colon cancer awareness and research, which I am very passionate about,” states Campbell. With a smile in his eyes, he continues, “my father passed away at the age of 36 from the disease, and what better event to benefit colon cancer care than a ‘Cornhole’ tournament.” Just last week, Craig joined Alan Jackson to perform at the Stars Go Blue concert in Nashville to benefit the Colon Cancer Alliance.
Brantley Gilbert and band pose with military members on a base in Kuwait.
Photo Credit: Jeff Gossett
Earlier today ACM New Male Vocalist winner Brantley Gilbert leaked a demo of a new song for his loyal and rowdy fans. The BG Nation is among the first to hear “One Hell Of An Amen,” a new track on Gilbert’s forthcoming third studio album on The Valory Music Co.
The ACM New Artist of the Year nominee posted the song on his Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/BrantleyGilbertMusic) and shared stories that inspired the personal song in a verse by verse rundown.
“This song is very dear to my heart,” said Gilbert. “With the inspiration from our recent USO tour, and for all the support y’all have given me, and being a part of this amazing movement we’re in together, I wanted y’all to hear this first.”
