Country Music News

The ballad competition was a giant leap toward that goal, as only the very best meet the exacting criteria set by American Idol. "Stronger" is the first single from Shaw's EP HOLD MY PURSE.
The record showcases her years of writing in Nashville and honing her own voice in both classic and progressive country music.

Shaw has collaborated with some of the top artists in country music, including members of Carolina Rain and Yankee Grey, Shane Minor and Jim Reilley. She's also worked with established writers Bruce Gaitsch (Madonna, Peter Cetera, Elton John), Janey Clewer (Sarah Brightman, Olivia Newton-John), and Rachel Thibodeau (Martina McBride). Shaw's record is largely produced by Bobby Pinson, who has written hits for Toby Keith, Sugarland and Josh Gracin.

TAYLOR SWIFT: HER SONG Taylor Swift releases her long awaited second album Fearless, which takes on several subjects and topics. “This album is the last two years of my life,” Taylor tells Country Weekly. “These are all the stories that have happened to me during that time.” Taylor adds that she remains fascinated with relationships and breakups. “That’s what I like to write my songs about, and that much hasn’t changed,” she says. The teen star also talks about her CMT Crossroads show with English rockers Def Leppard and her upcoming 19th birthday. “It feels exciting to be turning 19,” Taylor says. “I have no idea what I’ll be doing for a party. Probably something small with my friends.”

STARS AT THANKSGIVING Rodney Atkins, Jason Michael Carroll, Mark Wills and more stars talk about their favorite Thanksgiving traditions and their plans for this year’s holiday. Rodney reveals that his family always serves chicken and dumplings along with the turkey and dressing. “That started with my grandmother,” says Rodney. And Darius Rucker notes that the family celebration includes plenty of food––and football.

PLUS! A special Holiday Gift Guide for the country fan on your list . . . Sara Evans, Martina McBride and more stars sing with the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll on the Elvis Presley Christmas Duets CD . . . and get the story behind the new Brad Paisley No. 1 hit, “Waitin’ on a Woman.”

Deck the halls. Soundcheck celebrates the holidays with country superstar Faith Hill. Watch Faith perform exclusive tracks from her new record, including ‘The Little Drummer Boy’ and her brand new single, ‘A Baby Changes Everything’. Plus, we chat with the Nashville star about Christmas in the Hill-McGraw household, and her first holiday album, ‘Joy to the World’.
Check it all out now at Soundcheck.

Eagle Eye Media, the wholly-owned subsidiary of Eagle Rock Entertainment, is proud to release Live From Jazz At Lincoln Center New York City on DVD by legendary trumpeter and educator Wynton Marsalis and country music superstar/renegade Willie Nelson.

On this night, on this stage, over two nights in January ’07, blues, jazz and country meld together to create an awesome whole. From New Orleans to Georgia, from the pens of such titans as Hoagy Carmichael, Jimmy Reed, Hank Williams, Duke Ellington, Willie himself and others, these two men give the concert of a lifetime.

This is the superb set of music that makes up the current Willie & Wynton Two Men With The Blues CD, for it is deep within the folds of the blues where these two seemingly diametrically-opposed giants find common ground. One now gets to see the rare chemistry, the knowing onstage looks, and the inherent joy of making this blissful music. Blues music, from its inception, has always been a music meant to uplift.

Tracks are intercut with interviews of both men where they expound articulately about the material and the presentation.

On her comment that a taken Tony Romo still calls her: “It was just something that was said in passing, and I would never mean to say anything to hurt anybody or to stir up anything, because I’m just not about drama. At all. I might be mad too if somebody said my boyfriend was calling some other girl. So I can definitely see where she [Jessica Simpson] would be coming from. But I haven’t talked to him since, like, May.”

On whether or not she’s dating someone: “If I say I am or I’m not, as soon as this magazine comes out, it might be the opposite of what I tell you now. In three months, it’ll be ‘Carrie said she’s not dating anybody,’ yet last night, I was out on the town with some guy. He’s going to get mad at me. Everybody’s going to think I’m a liar. It’s just best not to go there.”

On life on the road: “I don’t know how people do it. It’s tiring. It’s hard. Right now I do a lot because I have no reason not to. I don’t have a husband or kids. If I go home, I’m home by myself. I have no reason not to be on the road, no reason not to just get out there and do everything right now, while I’m young enough to, while I can enjoy it. But I think when I get a little older, I definitely want to slow down, just because it’s very stressful. It’s hard on your body, hard on your mind, hard on your emotions.”

On dealing with celebrity: “I knew what I was signing up for, and I’m not complaining at all. I’ve learned how to deal with it, and my life is great, I’m a happy person. What are you going to do? Give it all up? No!”

A few years back the itch became stronger for Costner to start performing on a more regular basis. Costner recalls a performance back in August 2005 and remarks, “I remember looking out into the crowd, thinking ‘this just feels right’.” And with that, his passion continued to grow with the end product of that passion being the debut album, Untold Truths.

Radio programmer, Scott Lindy was one of the first people to hear the new album and had this to say, “I know what you’re thinking about when you hear Kevin’s gonna put out an album of country music. I thought it too. But then I heard it, and I got it. He’s not chasing fame here (do you really think he needs to?), he’s following a passion. I couldn’t keep this music off of the air.”

The album is comprised of 12 original tracks all written or co-written by Kevin Costner & Modern West (Modern West is John Coinman, Blair Forward, Teddy Morgan, Larry Cobb and Park Chisolm). A 4-song sampler will be shipped to Country radio October 1 and will include tracks “Long Hot Night”, “Hey Man What About You”, “90 Miles An Hour” and “Superman 14.” The track “Long Hot Night” will be available for download wherever digital music is sold starting 9/30. See below for album’s complete track listing. The band will tour later this year and into early 2009 in support of the release.

Untold Truths is produced by Teddy Morgan and John Coinman

Track listing:

1. Long Hot Night (Coinman/Morgan)
2. 90 Miles An Hour (Chisolm/Costner/Morgan)
3. Hey Man What About You? (Coinman)
4. Superman 14 (Coinman/Morgan)
5. Don’t Lock’em Away (Coinman/Costner/Morgan)
6. Down in Nogales (Coinman)
7. Every Intention (Coinman/Rigby)
8. 5 Minutes From America (Coinman/Costner/Morgan)
9. The Sun Will Rise Again (Chisolm/Coinman/Costner/Morgan)
10. Backyard (Coinman/Costner/Morgan)
11. Leland Iowa (Coinman)
12. Gotta Get Away (Coinman/Costner/Morgan)

Also, Verizon is offering 4 brand new tracks from the album as ringtones and ringbacks. These are available for preview and sale on Verizon for 2 weeks prior to release.

So all you country music fans, what are you waiting for ?
Go to music.yahoo.com and vote!

The International Country Music Day Organization has named their International Country Music Ambassadors of this year. The honor was bestowed on Judy Seale, manager and founder of the Nashville-based Judy Seale International, and Brazilian country singer Rodrigo Haddad.

In the words of Raúl Tejeiro, President of the Country Music Association of Uruguay and Coordinator of this year’s awards, “these awards represent the recognition of an extensive career and the unique prestige earned and consolidated promoting country music internationally”.

Both Ms. Seale and Mr. Haddad have expressed their joy about the award. Judy Seale heard about it all in Europe, where she was touring with different American country music artists: “Wow! Thank you so much. You have no idea what an honor this is for me. It means so much more to me because it comes from associations, media, and true country music fans who understand the importance of promoting this wonderful music around the world.”

Rodrigo Haddad was overjoyed, too: “I'm so happy to receive this award! It's an honor for me and all my fans and friends in Brazil and all over the world will be so proud of it! This year has been a special one for me since I recorded my new album "From Brazil to TN" in Nashville, and I'm almost ready for the party release.  I'm here to say to you that I will work harder this year in the name of this award. Once again, thank you very much for giving me this.”

Over the past few months, ICMDAY.org has received dozens of notes congratulating this year’s International Country Music Ambassadors on their awards.

Some of the best country artists, most of them long-time Judy Seale collaborators, have spoken extensively about the honor that she has received:

“Judy Seale has made it possible for country music to cross all borders of this planet. She really has become an ambassador to the world, and the country music industry (and the music industry as a whole) could have no better spokesperson. We have logged many miles with Judy, performing at her international festivals, and look forward to many more. On behalf of myself and The Charlie Daniels Band, we congratulate Judy on being honored by your organization.”
Charlie Daniels

“There's no one in all of Country Music more deserving of being honored

for their achievements than Judy Seale. She is a tireless crusader for the Artist and the Industry, and we're very happy to see she is being recognized for her dedication.”
Howard and David, The Bellamy Brothers.

“I'm delighted to hear that Judy Seale is being presented with the International Country Ambassador Award. There has been no truer ambassador of country music than Judy. Through her work, she has brought country music into far-flung areas of the world and allowed the beauty of country music to bring joy to many. I congratulate Judy on her continued success as the champion of international tours and on receiving this prestigious award.”
Gene Watson

“Congratulations to Judy for her election as International Country Music Ambassador. She has been bringing country music to Asia and Europe for over twenty years and is totally commited to bringing the best and brightest country music artists to the world. All of us at Asleep at the Wheel congratulate Judy and look forward to working with her in the future”.
Ray Benson, Asleep At The Wheel.

Many country music personalities from around the world expressed their happiness when they heard that Rodrigo Haddad had been honored as this year’s International Country Music Ambassador.

We are delighted to learn that Rodrigo Haddad is being presented with this award.

As one of Latin America's brightest rising country music entertainers, he has performed on stages from Argentina's San Pedro Country Music Festival to the CMA Country Music Festival in Nashville, and he is Brazil's leading advocate for American Country Music”.

Loudilla, Loretta & Kay Johnson.

Presidents

International Fan Club Organization (IFCO)

“Rodrigo Haddad was the first international artist that accepted the challenge that turned the Argentinian San Pedro Country Music Festival into the biggest South American country music festival. And our audience still calls for him every single year! He is a great and wise artist investing in his future and consolidating his career. That’s why he deserves a major success and that’s why this recongnition is so fair.”
Gustavo Laurino
Director of Country2.com and the San Pedro Country Music Festival.

“Like many country music fans worldwide, I have tremendous respect for Rodrigo. He embodies integrity and determination, which I believe form the soul of the country way of life. His tireless efforts in Brazil and abroad have touched hundreds, and he has done more than anyone I know to promote country music.”
Jason Bermingham
Writer, journalist and former Operations Manager for Country Music Television (CMT) International in Brazil.

“Rodrigo has all the ingredients to be an International County Music Star! His beautiful smile, romantic voice and kind nature make him a dream to work with. His passion for country music and for writing songs is easy to see, because he wears his heart on his sleeve. We are proud to have him as a member of the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI).”

Debi Cochrant

www.melaniedekker.com
www.myspace.com/melaniedekkermusic