30A Songwriters Festival Announces January Lineup

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30asongwritersfestival

Set for Jan. 15-17, 2016, the 7th annual 30A Songwriters Festival has announced its initial lineup for the event, to be held in venues along scenic Highway 30A in Florida’s South Walton County.

Headline performances will be made from Jackson Browne, Grace Potter, Shovels & Rope, and Wine Women & Song (feat. Matraca Berg, Suzy Bogguss, Gretchen Peters). Browne will perform Saturday afternoon, Jan. 16. Potter comes plays Sunday afternoon, Jan. 17.

Also confirmed are Kristian Bush (Sugarland), Shawn Mullins, Jeffrey Steele, Bobby Bare, Jr., Jim Lauderdale, Bonnie Bishop, Will Kimbrough, Hailey Whitters, Jessi Alexander, Corey Crowder, Kyle Jacobs, Chris DeStefano, Chuck Wicks, Deana Carter, Brian White, JT Harding, Brett James, Matt Jenkins, Jon Nite, and Josh Osborne.

Additional performers include Ani DiFranco, Emerson Hart (Tonic), Jay Farrar (Son Volt), Peter Holsapple (the dB’s), Drew Holcomb, Parker Millsap, Dan Bern, Steve Poltz, Hayes Carll, Charlie Mars, Grant-Lee Phillips, Bob Schneider, David Ryan Harris (John Mayer band), David Hodges (Evanescence), Chris Stills, Callaghan, Kris Delmhorst, Kristy Lee, BettySoo, Randall Bramblett, Griffin House, Jennifer Knapp, Toby Lightman, Liz Longley, Heather Maloney, Joe Crookston, Guthrie Brown, Peter Karp, Caroline Aiken, Jeff Black, Brigitte DeMeyer, Willis Alan Ramsey, Tommy Talton, Webb Wilder, Brett Young, Hayley Reardon, Jamie Lin Wilson, Elise Davis, Alan Rhody, Joel Rafael, Kelsey Waldon, Farewell Angelina,  Sonya Kitchell, Jeff Cohen, Austin Plaine, Jeffrey Foucault, Eliot Bronson, Dylan Pratt, The Cactus Blossoms, Ken Johnson, Jonathan Tyler, Andrew Combs, Count This Penny, Davin McCoy, Carson McHone, Leah Edwards, Annalise Emerick, Liz Vice, Ashleigh Flynn, Friends of Lola, Dean Johanesen, Grayson Capps & Corky Hughes, Kevin Gordon, Hannah Thomas, Old Salt Union, Blue Mother Tupelo,  Caroline Spence, Kyshona Armstrong, Donnie Sundal, Boukou Groove, Karyn Williams, Jonathan Mitchell, Jerry Salley, Pete Sallis, Eric Erdman, Rick Brantley, Crys Matthews, Geoff McBride, The Mulligan Brothers, David Olney, CJ Solar, The Owsley Brothers, Wildlife Specials and more.

“Hopes and dreams become reality at the 30A Songwriters Festival,” says Russell Carter, co-producer/Festival Chair. “Jackson will perform solo on guitar and piano. It is a singer songwriter performance in its most basic form and it is quite simply profound.”

“We will all look back on 2016 as the year that the 30A Songwriters Festival fully comes of age,” says Jennifer Steele, co-producer/ Executive Director of the CAA. “All of the South Walton community embraces and supports the event financially, as volunteers, as participating musicians, or as attendees. And as the thousands of fans who travel here in January attest, music lovers across the country are fully on board.”

This year, the 30A Songwriters Festival is teaming up with Folk Alley, a multi-media music service produced by NPR affiliate WKSU. As part of Southern Living‘s 50th Anniversary Celebration partnership, the magazine is sending a production team to additionally conduct interviews with musicians.

Weekend passes are available for $230 online, and locally in South Walton at Central Square Records in Seaside, and the Cultural Arts Alliance (CAA) office, for which the festival benefits. VIP treatment includes premium seating, complementary lunch, beer, wine and cocktails. Four-course dinners and wine pairings are available Saturday and Sunday, created by award-winning chefs from the Southeast with special musical performers to be announced.

Net proceeds from the 30A Songwriters Festival will benefit the CAA. Members receive a 10 percent discount and admission to an exclusive performance on Wednesday, Jan. 13, at Fish Out of Water.

Weekly Chart Report (11/6/15)

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Click here or above to access MusicRow‘s weekly CountryBreakout Report.

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Converse To Launch Free ‘Pop Up’ Recording Experience For Aspiring Nashville Musicians

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Grand Victor Sound Nashville

Grand Victor Sound Nashville

Thanks to Converse, Inc., aspiring Nashville musicians will have the opportunity to record their original music alongside a team of experienced engineers in one of Nashville’s top studios, at no cost.

Converse, Inc. has will debut its first-ever Converse Rubber Tracks pop-up studio in Nashville, beginning Monday, Nov. 30, at Grand Victor Sound Nashville.

Nashville musicians of all ages and genres are invited to apply for studio time. If selected they will be given the opportunity to to record their music at Grand Victor Sound studio, at no cost to them. Each artist will retain all rights to their own music.

“As the birthplace of some of the greatest acts in music history, Nashville has a deep-rooted connection to music and we’re thrilled to bring the Converse Rubber Tracks experience to the city for the first time,” said Jed Lewis, Converse Global Music Marketing Director. “Converse is dedicated to thriving music communities world-wide, and we hope to inspire Nashville’s next generation of emerging artists by providing them valuable resources through this platform.”

Grand Victor Sound Nashville was built at the request of Chet Atkins, and first opened in 1965, when it was known as RCA Victor Nashville Sound Studios. Among the artists who have recorded at Grand Victor Sound Nashville are Dolly Parton, George Strait, George Jones, Hunter Hayes, Kacey Musgraves, Willie Nelson, and more.

Born out of the desire to give back to the global music community and encourage creativity, Converse Rubber Tracks began four years ago, and has brought the recording experience to musicians in San Francisco, Boston, Los Angeles, Austin, Toronto, Montreal, Amsterdam, Hamburg, Mexico City, Barcelona, and many more, giving over 1,600 emerging musicians valuable recording time at state-of-the-art studios with a team of experienced engineers, at no cost to the artists.

Following this pop-up, the series will return to Nashville with two additional, week-long pop-up studios in 2016, providing ongoing opportunities for emerging artists within the city to create music and unleash their creative spirit.

The pop-up studio will run through Friday, Dec. 4. To register to apply for studio time, visit converse.com/rubbertracks.

Leadership Music Aims for $10,000 during November Food Drive

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SecondHarvest_LgThe 2nd annual Leadership Music virtual food drive begins Monday, Nov. 9 with a set goal of raising $10,000 for Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee.

Leadership Music alums are once again asked to donate through your class until the drive ends, Nov. 23.

In 2014, more than 100,000 meals were donated because of the drive for a grand total of $25,600 raised. The monetary goal had only been $5,000.

Log in to donate, share with friends, family and social media.

In Pictures: CMA Awards After-Parties

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Sony Music Nashville, Universal Music Group Nashville, Warner Music Nashville, and Big Machine Label Group kept the celebrations going long after the CMA Awards were over last night (Nov. 4).

 

Sony Music Nashville

Sony Music Nashville celebrated with an after-party at The Bell Tower. The CMA telecast included performances by Sony Music Nashville artists and eight-time show hosts Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood, as well as Kenny Chesney and Miranda Lambert, who extended her record-setting run with a sixth consecutive win as Female Vocalist. “Burning House” singer/songwriter Cam also appeared on the CMA Awards to help present the award for New Artist of the Year.

Newly crowned six-time CMA Female Vocalist of the Year Miranda Lambert and Sony Music Nashville Chairman & CEO Randy Goodman. Photo: Alan Poizner

Newly-crowned six-time CMA Female Vocalist of the Year Miranda Lambert and Sony Music Nashville Chairman & CEO Randy Goodman. Photo: Alan Poizner

Universal Music Group Nashville

Universal Music Group Nashville celebrated their after-party presented by Marriott Rewards at the Musicians Hall of Fame. UMGN winners include: Entertainer – Luke Bryan; Album – Chris Stapleton‘s Traveller; Male Vocalist – Chris Stapleton; New Artist – Chris Stapleton; Vocal Group – Little Big Town; Single of the Year – Little Big Town’s “Girl Crush”; Musical Event – “Raise ‘Em Up” (Keith Urban featuring Eric Church).

Pictured (L to R): Mike Dungan, Chairman and CEO, UMGN; Chris Stapleton; Cindy Mabe, President, UMGN; Morgane Stapleton

Pictured (L-R): Mike Dungan, Chairman and CEO, UMGN; Chris Stapleton; Cindy Mabe, President, UMGN; Morgane Stapleton

Pictured (L to R): Red Light Management's Ed Green; Mike Dungan, Chairman and CEO, UMGN; Red Light Management's Coran Capshaw; KP Entertainment's Kerri Edwards; Luke Bryan; Cindy Mabe, President, UMGN

Pictured (L-R): Ed Green, Red Light Management; Mike Dungan, Chairman and CEO, UMGN; Coran Capshaw, Red Light Management; Kerri Edwards, KP Entertainment; Luke Bryan; Cindy Mabe, President, UMGN

Pictured (L to R): Mike Dungan, Chairman and CEO, UMGN; LBT's Jimi Westbrook; LBT's Kimberly Schlapman; Cindy Mabe, President, UMGN, Sam Hunt; LBT's Karen Fairchild; LBT's Phillip Sweet

Pictured (L-R): Mike Dungan, Chairman and CEO, UMGN; LBT’s Jimi Westbrook; LBT’s Kimberly Schlapman; Cindy Mabe, President, UMGN; Sam Hunt; LBT’s Karen Fairchild; LBT’s Phillip Sweet

Warner Music Nashville

Following Blake Shelton’s performance of his Top 10 single, “Gonna,” Warner Music Nashville artists and staff gathered to cap the evening at their yearly celebration on Music Row.

Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images for Warner Music Nashville

Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images for Warner Music Nashville

Big Machine Label Group

Artists and industry A-listers loaded into Rosewall for the annual late night Big Machine Label Group CMA Awards after-party. Amped with a surging Beats photo wall, festive Crown Royal cocktails and a Cessna partnership, the celebration was in full swing even as sunrise loomed and guests noshed on an assortment of fusion bites. Mingling were Reba, Steven Tyler, Florida Georgia Line, Ronnie Dunn, Jennifer Nettles, The Band Perry, Thomas Rhett, Brantley Gilbert, Maddie & Tae, RaeLynn, Cassadee Pope, Danielle Bradbery, Drake White, The Mavericks, A Thousand Horses, Levi Hummon, Seth Alley, Ashley Campbell, Tara Thompson and Savannah Keyes. Guests also raised a glass to honor the record label’s 10-year anniversary with President/CEO Scott Borchetta and staff.

Pictured (L-R, Back Row):- A Thousand Horses' Graham Deloach, Levi Hummon, Seth Alley, A Thousand Horses' Bill Satcher, Drake White, Ronnie Dunn And A Thousand Horses' Zach Brown. Middle Row: Tara Thompson, Reba, Ashley Campbell, Jennifer Nettles, Cassadee Pope, Steven Tyler, RaeLynn, Danielle Bradbery, Brantley Gilbert, Thomas Rhett, A Thousand Horses' Michael Hobby, Savannah Keyes, The Band Perry's Kimberly Perry, Aubrey Peeples, TBP's Reid Perry and Neil Perry. Front Row: Maddie & Tae, BMLG SVP, Creative Sandi Spika Borchetta, BMLG President/CEO Scott Borchetta, Florida Georgia Line's Tyler Hubbard And Brian Kelley. Photo: Getty Images for BMLG.

Pictured (L-R, Back Row):- A Thousand Horses’ Graham Deloach, Levi Hummon, Seth Alley, A Thousand Horses’ Bill Satcher, Drake White, Ronnie Dunn, and A Thousand Horses’ Zach Brown. Middle Row: Tara Thompson, Reba, Ashley Campbell, Jennifer Nettles, Cassadee Pope, Steven Tyler, RaeLynn, Danielle Bradbery, Brantley Gilbert, Thomas Rhett, A Thousand Horses’ Michael Hobby, Savannah Keyes, The Band Perry’s Kimberly Perry, Aubrey Peeples, TBP’s Reid Perry and Neil Perry. Front Row: Maddie & Tae, BMLG SVP, Creative, Sandi Spika Borchetta, BMLG President/CEO Scott Borchetta, FGL’s Tyler Hubbard and Brian Kelley. Photo: Getty Images for BMLG.

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Ronnie Dunn and Jennifer Nettles. Photo: Getty Images for BMLG.

Big Machine Label Group Celebrates The 49th Annual CMA Awards in Nashville - Arrivals

A Thousand Horses’ Michael Hobby, Zach Brown, BMLG President/CEO Scott Borchetta, Danielle Bradbery, Sandi Spika Borchetta and A Thousand Horses’ Graham Deloach and Bill Satcher. Photo: Getty Images for BMLG.

Pictured (L-R): Jennifer Nettles, Levi Hummon, Cassadee Pope, Steven Tyler and RaeLynn.

Pictured (L-R): Jennifer Nettles, Levi Hummon, Cassadee Pope, Steven Tyler and RaeLynn. Photo: Getty Images for BMLG.

 

CMA Awards Wins Wednesday Evening, Despite Viewership Drop

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Logo for the 49th Annual CMA Awards

The viewership for last night’s (Nov. 4) Country Music Association awards helped earn ABC the No. 1 network ranking in total viewers and adults. Also, the CMA Awards reigned as the most-watched TV show overall (13.6 million viewers), topping Fox’s Empire draw of 11.6 million.

During primetime, ABC (13.8 million viewers and a 3.8/12 rating) defeated Fox (8.3 million and 3.0/9) by 5.3 million viewers and by 27 percent in Adults 18-49.

Despite helping ABC win the evening, the awards show viewership was down from 2014, losing .7 ratings points in adults 18-49, along with more than 2 million viewers.

According to television ratings site zap2it.com, the 2015 CMA awards show brought in nearly 13.6 million viewers, with a 3.8 share in adults 18-49. Last year, the show drew 16.1 million total viewers, along with a 4.5 rating.

It was ABC’s third straight year to rank No. 1 on the opening Wednesday of the November Sweeps. 

Last night’s big CMA winners include triple award winner Chris Stapleton, along with Little Big Town, Luke Bryan, Miranda Lambert and Florida Georgia Line.

For full details of the evening, see MusicRow contributor Robert Oermann’s recap.

Johnny Cash, George Jones Honored Prior to CMA Awards

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John Carter Cash. Photo: Donn Jones/CMA

John Carter Cash. Photo: Donn Jones/CMA

The legacies of Johnny Cash and George Jones were acknowledged with industry-related CMA awards last night (Nov. 4), prior to the CMA Awards telecast in Nashville.

Cash was recognized with the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award. Cash’s son, John Carter Cash, accepted on his behalf.

In press materials, the award is described this way:

This award is for an iconic artist who has attained the highest degree of recognition in Country Music. The award was established to recognize an artist who has achieved both national and international prominence and stature through concert performances, humanitarian efforts, philanthropy, record sales and public representation at the highest level. The artist receiving this award has positively impacted and contributed to the growth of the genre throughout a course of years that have proven to have an unprecedented historical impact on fans and industry alike.

Willie Nelson accepted the award that bears his name in 2012, followed by Kenny Rogers in 2013.

In addition, Jones’ dedication to traditional country music was saluted with the Joe Talbot Award. This is only the fifth time since 2001 that the honor has been bestowed — and the first time since 2007. Jones’ widow, Nancy Jones, accepted the award on his behalf.

Nancy Jones. Photo: Donn Jones/CMA

Nancy Jones. Photo: Donn Jones/CMA

The Joe Talbot Award is described this way:

This award is presented in recognition of outstanding leadership and contributions to the preservation and advancement of Country Music’s values and tradition. The award may be presented to a person (living or deceased) as determined by the CMA Board of Directors to recognize an initiative or long-term contribution.

The awards were presented by Jana Kramer.

Cindy Watts Earns CMA Media Achievement Award

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Pictured (L-R): Cindy Watts and Chris Young. Photo: Hunter Berry/CMA

Pictured (L-R): Cindy Watts and Chris Young. Photo: Hunter Berry/CMA

Cindy Watts of The Tennessean is this year’s recipient of the CMA Media Achievement Award. The Tennessee native was surprised with the distinction shortly before the CMA Awards yesterday (Nov. 4). Chris Young presented her with the trophy.

“I grew up watching the CMAs in Sevierville and remember laying on my stomach on the floor waiting to see who would win,” said Watts. “I never imagined one day I’d win an award from the same organization. It’s completely surreal. For Chris to have worked this into his crazy busy schedule means so much. It truly was the most perfect moment.”

Watts has been covering music in Middle Tennessee for 15 years. She started her career at The Daily News Journal in Murfreesboro as a sophomore at MTSU where she was a Recording Industry major. She spent seven years at the DNJ covering music in Middle Tennessee including concerts, music news, and album releases before moving to The Tennessean in 2007.

The CMA Media Achievement Award was established to recognize outstanding achievements in the media as they relate to country music. Print and Internet journalists, columnists, authors, and editors; television writers, producers and bookers; and syndicated radio reporters are eligible to win this award.

MusicRow Podcast Episode 2: Chris Young & Rob Beckham

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Podcast_ChrisYoung

Photo: David McClister

Chris Young has taken his brand of country music around the world, although he’s still true to his country roots in Tennessee. For Episode 02 of the MusicRow Podcast, Young and his booking agent, Rob Beckham, explain how they’ve built a career on the road – and even across the ocean.

MusicRow publisher/owner Sherod Robertson sat down with Young and Beckham, who co-heads the Nashville office of William Morris Endeavor, inside the Keith Whitley Room at RCA Records’ Nashville office. Together, Young and his longtime label have celebrated six No. 1 country hits, including “Gettin’ You Home,” “Voices” and “Tomorrow.” Meanwhile, Beckham has guided Young’s career from playing small clubs to headlining a world tour. They have joined forces yet again for Young’s brand new album, I’m Comin’ Over, which is also the title of his latest hit single.

Robertson has personally known Young and his family since becoming owner and publisher of MusicRow, so their wide-ranging conversation is like catching up with an old friend. It’s also a map to Young’s interests – whether it’s walking around Berlin, Germany, before playing a show, or talking about why traditional country legends like Whitley and Conway Twitty are important to him. Along with discussing the production equipment that follows him around the globe, Young reveals what he does backstage before every show.

Sponsored by SunTrust Bank’s Sports & Entertainment Group, this episode of the MusicRow podcast is the second in a series, following an engaging interview with Merle Haggard that premiered on MusicRow.com last week. Both of the MusicRow podcasts are available on iTunes.

Click here to listen in iTunes.

Click here to listen to episodes online.

About the MusicRow podcast:
From Nashville’s leading music industry trade publication, The MusicRow Podcast features in-depth conversations with artists and the key industry members behind their music. Hosted by MusicRow Magazine Publisher Sherod Robertson, the series offers unique perspectives from iconic legends and rising talent to key decision makers and gatekeepers in the Nashville music industry.

DISClaimer: CMA Awards Week Brings Out Top-Notch Releases

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Florida Georgia Line

Florida Georgia Line

It seems the stars are out in more ways than one during this Country Music Week.

They twinkle at awards shows left and right. They sparkle at free concerts. And they also blaze brightly when they time record releases to happen during this media-saturated week.

The great Eric Church dropped a “surprise” album into the mailboxes of fans and friends on Tuesday, titled Mr. Misunderstood. Tim McGraw (Damn Country Music), Old Dominion (Meat and Candy) and Hunter Hayes (The 21 Project) introduce their new collections on Friday. Chris Young’s I’m Comin’ Over is out next week. Carrie Underwood (Storyteller) made a sales splash with hers last week.

And so it is that we find new discs by Frankie Ballard, Florida Georgia Line and Ashley Monroe in today’s review column. Not to mention well-timed releases by Opry stars Charlie Daniels and John Conlee. Even former pop princess Leigh Nash is getting in on the action.

Florida Georgia Line wins the Disc of the Day. Young Californian Callie Twisselman gets a DisCovery Award.

DEBBIE COCHRAN/Before We Met The World
Writer: Debbie Cochran; Producer: Kent Wells; Publisher: DMC Anniston, BMI; Go Time
-This former DisCovery Award winner has a lustrous country alto and a nicely warm, conversational, plain-spoken delivery. This rolling two-step charmed me at every turn. Get up and slowly shuffle around that Texas dance floor.

FRANKIE BALLARD/It All Started With A Beer
Writers: Jaren Johnston/Neil Mason/Jeremy Stover; Producer: Marshall Altman; Publishers: Sony-ATV Harmony/Texa Rae/Netwerk One B/Revelry/Nevada House/ole Red Cape Songs/Real Big Red Tunes; ASCAP/BMI; Warner Bros.
-I think this guy is a star. His relaxed, intimate delivery of this nostalgic and romantic tune certainly sounds like one. The production sways and soothes. The song is a well-written gem.

Callie Twisselman

Callie Twisselman

CALLIE TWISSELMAN/Hung Me on the Line
Writers: Ford Thurston/Brynn Marie; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed, BMI; Sugar Cube
-Her bright soprano delivery is a wee bit sharp. The male harmony singers help, but the clippety-clop rhythm track doesn’t. Still, there is personality here, plus some nice electric-guitar work.

FLORIDA GEORGIA LINE/Confession
Writers: Rodney Clawson/Ross Copperman/Matt Jenkins; Producer: Joey Moi: Publishers: Big Red Toe/Farm Town Songs/Big Loud Bucks/EMI Blackwood Music/Songs By Red Room/Sony/ATV Music Publishing/WB Music Corp./Who Wants To Buy My Publishing/External Combustion Music, BMI/ASCAP; Republic (track)
-Troubled and adrift, a guy stares out at highway scenery and searches for solace. His thoughts swirl and become a confession to a cold beer. The track shudders, thuds and crashes around the vocals brilliantly. The drawling lead vocal brings out the terrifically arty lyric. I’m totally into this, and definitely hear pop-crossover potential.

HAILEY WHITTERS/Black Sheep
Writers: Hailey Whitters/Adam Wright; Producer: Derek Wells; Publishers: Scrambler/Tiltawhirl/Casa de Casa, BMI; Carnival (track)
-The title tune to this gal’s CD is a brooding, thumping, moody, minor-key gem. She sings with sizzle. The track swirls around her. The lyric is packed with clever nursery-rhyme references, such as, “Go tell that Little Bo Peep, don’t come in with this black sheep.” “Who wants to be white as snow?” she asks. “There’s always a little black wool/Yes sir, yes sir, three bags full.” This is the second time this writer-artist has pinned my ears back. Listen and believe.

ASHLEY MONROE/Bombshell
Writers: Ashley Monroe/Gordie Sampson/Steve McEwan; Producers: Vince Gill/Justin Niebank; Publishers:Monroe Suede/Songs of Kobalt/BMG Firefly/Dash8/EMI Blackwood/Birds With Ears/Sony ATV, BMI/ASCAP; Warner Bros.
-Ashley’s The Blade is one of the year’s finest country albums. On this haunting ballad she conjures a spell like a singing sorceress. The echoey production underscores every line of this doomed-relationship lyric. This Pistol Annie shoots straight and hits an emotional bulls eye here.

THE CHARLIE DANIELS BAND/Southern Boy
Writers: Charlie Daniels/Travis Tritt; Producer: Bob Wright; Publishers: CDB/Wooley Swamp/Post Oak, BMI; Smith (track)
-The CDB kicks off a new live album with this blazing, mile-a-minute country rocker. You can definitely hear the influence of co-writer Travis Tritt in the song.

LEIGH NASH/Doing It Wrong
Writers: Leigh Nash/Brendan Benson; Producer: Brendan Benson; Publishers: BMG Silver/Woman Hollering/BMG/Chrysalis/Gladsad, SESAC/ASCAP; One Son/Thirty
-Leigh has enjoyed a highly successful pop career in Sixpence None the Richer, noted for “Kiss Me” (1998) and “There She Goes” (1999). She’s originally from Texas, so she endeavored to make a country record with The State I’m In. As pert and clever as this is, she isn’t really a country vocalist.

JOHN CONLEE/Walkin’ Behind The Star
Writers: Ronny Scaife/Phil Thomas; Producer: Bud Logan; Publishers: Universal Songs of PolyGram/Virgin Timber/Feel’s Hunny Hole, BMI; RCR (CDX)
-It’s a pro-police song.

ERIC CHURCH/Mr. Misunderstood
Writers: Eric Church/Casey Beathard; Producer: Jay Joyce; Publishers: Sony/ATV Tree/Longer and Louder Music/Sony/ATV Acuff Rose Music/Six Ring Circus Songs; (BMI); EMI (track)
-Yes, I am one of the lucky few who got one. I am the envy of the office, since we are all tremendous fans. The title track of Eric’s “surprise” album is a spare outing with a terrific lyric about a boy who lives inside his favorite music and makes all kinds of left turns in life. It has a raucous, rocking charm with a speed-up, slow-down arrangement. All of the instrumentation on the collection is provided by his road band. Assorted tracks feature Joanna Cotten, Rhiannon Giddens and/or Susan Tedeschi.