I believe these are called the dog days of summer.

Sure enough, you’ll find some “dogs” among these new sounds. But there are some real purebred pups strutting around in this column, too. Listen to Rick Monroe, Shanna Henderson and Rusty Golden, for instance. Our DisCovery Award goes to an excellent vocalist named Mike Ryan. He has an album that’s a gem from start to finish.

Unquestionably today’s Best In Show is the classy duet record by Willie Nelson & Merle Haggard. It is the Disc of the Day.

LESLIE COURS MATHER/Hell Hath No Fury
Writer: Kelly Lang; Producer: Denny Diante
—She handles this horn-punctuated, feminist, retro-styled blues tune with aplomb. It’s a warning to a guy who hurts a woman that he’s doomed, and how. Nice work.

DEREK ANTHONY/If I Don’t
Producer: Steve Mandile; Bluant Music Group
—He sings well, but the song is pretty wordy and seems to take an awfully long time to get to its hook.

WILLIE NELSON & MERLE HAGGARD & JAMEY JOHNSON/It’s All Going to Pot
Writer: Buddy Cannon/Jamey Johnson/Larry Shell; Producer: Buddy Cannon; Publisher: Run Slow/BMG Rights/EMI Blackwood/Big Gassed Hitties/Not Her Money
—The Willie-Hag duet CD is called Django and Jimmie. It contains a handful of classics (Willie’s “Family Bible,” Haggard’s “Swinging Doors” and “Somewhere Between”), but really comes alive when the two legends swap lines on new Music Row tunes. This one is a lively, Mexicali-flavored bopper that romps through humorous lyrics with delightfully light-hearted finesse. Jamey Johnson adds harmonies, and later on you’ll find Bobby Bare guesting on the boom-chicka-boom Haggard tune “Missing Ol’ Johnny Cash.” Buy this record.

ANITA STAPLETON & GENE WATSON/Just Someone I Used to Know
Writer: Jack Clement; Producer: Dirk Johnson; Publisher: Glad/Pappy Daily/Universal; DirkWorks
—This is such a brilliant country song. Its new revival won’t erase the memory of the 1969 Porter & Dolly original (or the fine Jeannie Seely/Jack Greene version), but these voices blend quite well, and the production is perfect. Newcomer Anita handles the melody, while the fabulous Gene shadows her in flawless harmony.

MIKE RYAN/Bad Reputation
Writer: Ryan/Anderson/DuBois; Producer: Brent Anderson & Ben Phillips
—This strong singing Lone Star State boy rocks and wails on this energetic outing, the title tune of his current CD. The accompaniment is tighter and slicker than we are used to hearing on Texas productions. Special kudos to the lead electric guitarist.

Rusty Golden

RUSTY GOLDEN/Sober
Writer: Jeffrey Steele; Producer: Scott Baggett;RGM
—I have always liked this guy’s work, from way back when he was a kid in the Nashville pop/rock groups The Boys Band, GoldenSpeer and The Goldens. The son of new Country Hall of Fame member William Lee Golden of the Oaks has since had a tumultuous life as a gospel and country songwriter, a session musician, a record producer, a survivor of heart bypass surgery and a druggie. His first solo album is a collection of songs about recovery. The title tune by Nashville Songwriters Hall of Famer Jeffrey Steele will touch your heart with its inspirational fervor. Whether you’ve ever been through recovery or not, this album will do you a world of good.

SARAH ROSS/Shotgun
Average Joes
—Female white rap. Pass.

RICK MONROE/Just the Same
Writer: Jason Brunswick/Josh Dunne/Rick Monroe; Producer: Steve Freeman; MRG
—I dig this fellow. His recent EP spawned the excellent “Great Minds Drink Alike” and “Fire’s Out.” Now expanded into a full-length CD titled It’s a Love Thing, it includes this new, atmospheric. romantic crooner. I like the way he goes from a whisper to a baritone swoon. A relentless touring artist, this solid citizen, talented vocalist and fine songwriter deserves some kind of major-label endorsement.

LINDI ORTEGA/Tell It Like It Is
Writer: Lindi Ortega; Producer: Colin Linden; Last Gang
—I remain a fan. Lindi’s new collection is called Faded Gloryville. It features this throbbing, echo-chamber performance that shines a spotlight on her penetrating soprano as well as her songwriting chops. Americana programmers also take note.

SHANNA HENDERSON/Hell Or Highwater
Writer: Ben Stennis/Katie Kessler; Producer: Ben Stennis & Blake Bollinger
—Banjo notes decorate this moody, sultry performance. Her forceful, laser-arrow vocal hits a bullseye with every phrase. Promising.

Our Americana friends take us in many directions this week.

Enduringly great Robert Earl Keen is on a bluegrass trip. Songwriters Richard Fagan and Jack Tempchin are on the comeback trail. Up-and-comers Della Mae and Statesboro Revue continue their marches to roots-music stardom. And we’ll follow the always dependable Darrell Scott and Kasey Chambers wherever they lead.

The sales success of Jason Isbell is making headlines. But it’s his music that earns him the Disc of the Day.

The DisCovery Award goes to Amy Helm. She has a stellar pedigree and the talent to fulfill it.

JACK TEMPCHIN/Room to Run
Writer: Jack Tempchin/Carey Ott; Producer: Joel Piper; Publisher: Night River/Long Story Short, ASCAP; Blue Elan (track) (www.jacktempchin.com)
—Tempchin initially made his mark by penning “Already Gone” and “Peaceful Easy Feeling” for The Eagles. He also struck paydirt with Johnny Rivers’ hit version of “Swayin’ to the Music (Slow Dancin’)” in 1977. But he has sporadically made solo albums, too, including a fondly remembered 1978 effort for Arista. This is the title tune of an EP that’s a foretaste of his full-length CD comeback next month. His honest, open, earnest tenor voice breathes life into this nostalgic ode to his father’s guidance. Gentle, echoey instrumental support adds extra heart and warmth.

AMY HELM/Rescue Me
Writer: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; eOne (track) (www.amyhelm.com)
—She is the daughter of the late Levon Helm, a prominent participant in his Midnight Rambles and a member of the roots band Ollabelle. Now Amy Helm steps out with her first solo CD, Didn’t It Rain. This groovy, rhythm-happy, blue-eyed soul track has become an NPR favorite. Rolling, rollicking piano by Little Feat’s Bill Payne sure doesn’t hurt it. Also check out her version of Sam Cooke’s “Good News.” This gal has what it takes.

JASON ISBELL/Something More Than Free
Writer: Jason Isbell; Producer: Dave Cobb; Publisher: Songs of Emchant, BMI; Southeastern/Thirty Tigers (track) (www.jasonisbell.com)
—His brilliant last album, Southeastern, triumphed at the Americana Music Awards. Isbell returns this year with an equally arresting song cycle. Its title tune is the world-weary lament of a persevering working man. His plaintive, near-rasp delivery demands that you hang on every line of this and every other song he sings. The man is a Nashville treasure.

RICHARD FAGAN/Redemption
Writer: R. Fagan; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; RF (track) 
—Best known as the writer of the John Michael Montgomery’s “Be My Baby Tonight,” “Sold” and “I Miss You a Little,” Fagan has a new collection of 11 originals. The title tune is a gospel-flavored shout that references his hair-raising, hard-living past, including killing his best friend. Elsewhere on the set, his gifts for innovative production touches, startling lyrics and instantly catchy melodies shine brightly.

KASEY CHAMBERS & BERNARD FANNING/Bittersweet
Writer: Kasey Chambers/Bernard Fanning; Producer: Nick DiDia; Publisher: Essence/Mushroom, no performance rights listed; Sugar Hill (track) (www.kaseychambers.com)
—The title tune of this Aussie singer-songwriter’s new CD is a wistful duet ballad that burns with romantic regret. She can still break your heart with every vocal note.

ROBERT EARL KEEN/1952 Vincent Black Lightning
Writer: Richard Thompson; Producer: Lloyd Maines; Publisher: Beeswing, no performance rights listed; Dualtone (track) (www.robertearlkeen.com)
—The widely beloved troubadour has built a career on his gripping songwriting. Keen has long been a bluegrass fan, and he sets aside his own catalog on his Happy Prisoner: The Bluegrass Sessions CD to sing the songs of Flatt & Scruggs, Bill Monroe, The Stanley Brothers, A.P. Carter, Jimmie Rodgers and more. His take on this Richard Thompson tune has a dark urgency. As always, his voice is packed with personality. Only this time, it is backed by hot pickers, including Sara Watkins of Nickel Creek on fiddle. Vocal guests include Lyle Lovett, Natalie Maines and Peter Rowan. I remain an enormous fan.

DELLA MAE/Boston Town
Writer: Celia Woodsmith; Producer: Jacquire King; Publisher: Squawkbox, ASCAP; Rounder (track) (www.dellamae.com)
—This all-female Nashville ensemble scored a Grammy nomination with its prior Rounder CD. The follow-up is less bluegrassy, leaning toward an earthier, thumpy folkie vibe. It leads off with this rolling, earnest, ramblin’-gal ode. Other highlights include a cover of the Stones’ “No Expectations.” Della Mae’s accomplished picking and singing grab your ears throughout. If you aren’t already, get hip to this band.

LOWELL LEVINGER/Get Together
Writer: Dino Valenti; Producer: Ethan Turner & Lowell Levinger; Publisher: none listed; Grandpa Raccoon (track) (www.lowelllevinger.com)
—Levinger is better known as “Banana,” one of the original members of The Youngbloods. His solo CD revives that band’s favorites—”Sugar Babe,” “Darkness Darkness,” “Grizzly Bear” and the like. The title tune is The Youngbloods’ all-time hippie love-one-another classic, slowed to a shambling, affectionate shuffle. His bandmate Jesse Colin Young joins him on vocal harmony. Off in the audio distance are Maria Muldaur, David Grisman, Peter Rowan and other “Grand Chorus” friends. Smile on your brother, indeed.

STATESBORO REVUE/Undone
Writer: S. Mann/G. Quist; Producer: Scott Davis, Gordy Qust & The Statesboro Revue; Publisher: Hot Foot/Victrolacaster, ASCAP/SESAC; Vision/Thirty Tigers (track) (www.statesbororevue.com)
—This Texas ensemble took the roots-music world by storm with its debut collection two years ago. The follow-up is the appropriately titled Jukebox Revival. This lead single is a funky, rocking, soulful, swampy ode to working-class America. The album drops on Aug. 7. Get on board now.

DARRELL SCOTT/Lone Pine
Writer: Ben Bullington; Producer: Darrell Scott; Publisher: Wind Whipped, ASCAP; Full Light (track) (www.darrellscott.com)
—A formidable songwriter himself, Scott devotes his new CD to the works of the late tunesmith Bud Bullington. It is a spare recording, just an extraordinary singer accompanying himself with nimble fingers on guitar, piano, banjo, steel or bass, depending on the song. Here, he moans the bluesy, haunting lyric while his banjo notes drop around him. There is no one in this city I’d rather have sitting next to me with an instrument, singing lyrics this marvelous in my ear. A stunning recording.

Sammy Kershaw

Returning veterans and promising newcomers are this week’s musical recipe here at DisClaimer.

Among the former is Sammy Kershaw, who lands the Disc of the Day prize.

Among the latter are Smith & Wesley, Allie Louise and our DisCovery Award winner, Abbey Cone. Her debut CD is titled Abbey. For some odd reason, it does not contain her single. You have to go to her website to find that. Go figure.

Neither newcomers nor veterans are The Cains, Levi Riggs and Brian Collins, all of whom are making their sophomore appearances in this column. Another thing they have in common is that all three of their new singles more than affirm the promises made by their debuts.

McKENNA FAITH/Somethin’ Somethin’
Writer: McKenna Faith/Caleb Sherman/Monique Staffile/Yvette Garcia; Producer: Caleb Sherman & McKenna Faith; Publisher: none listed, ASCAP; Treble (CDX) (www.mckenna-faith.com)
—You mean not one of those four writers could come up with a melody?

ALLIE LOUISE/Perfect Storm
Writer: Allie Louise/Doug Kahan/Kaci Bolls; Producer: Eddie Gore; Publisher: Sixth Beat/Dug That, ASCAP/BMI; Sixth Beat (CDX) (www.allielouiseofficial.com)
—I like the little “break” in her voice, and her songwriting is pretty decent. The production rocks and rumbles. Promising.

LEVI RIGGS/Nothin’ I Don’t Love
Writer: Brett James/Steve Diamond; Producer: Matt McClure; Publisher: Spny-ATV Cross Keys/New Diamonds/BMG Gold/Stage Three/BMG Chrysalis, ASCAP; Windridge (CDX) (www.leviriggs.com)
—The man is a strong, strong singer. The song is a dandy. The track rocks splendidly. This one’s a winner, folks.

BRIAN COLLINS/Shine a Little Love
Writer: Brian Collins/Paige Logan; Producer: Mills Logan, Kenny Greenberg & Brian Collins; Publisher: Blue Light/Molly Jack, SESAC/ASCAP; Blue Light (CDX) (www.briancollins.com)
—At the risk of repeating myself, there already is an established country record maker with this name. He reads this column and knows about you purloining his identity. This new single is hearty and well-meaning, carrying an upbeat message, delivered vibrantly.

BLAIR MATTHEWS/Ride
Writer: Blair Matthews; Producer: Blair Matthews; Publisher: none listed, BMI; StoneyHill (CDX) (www.blairmatthews.com)
—It is a need-for-speed ode to motorcycle riding. He’s no powerhouse as a singer, so the tempo and energy try to compensate.

ABBEY CONE/Love Like Him Again
Writer: none listed; Producer: Rocky Gribble & Curtis Jojnes; Publisher: none listed; AC (track) (www.abbeycone.com)
—Kudos for launching your career with a heartbreak ballad. We need more performers with moxie (and talent) like this. She’s only 16, but there’s nothing juvenile about this vocal performance. Achingly lovely.

LYNN ANDERSON/Drift Away Gospel
Writer: Mentor R. Williams; Producer: Bil VornDick & Bruce Dees; Publisher: Almo/Rockin MW, ASCAP; Center Sound (track) (www.lynnandersonshow.com)
—Veteran Anderson returns with a religious rewriting of this much-loved pop standard. Her delivery is throaty and low, with just the right touch of devotion. The gospel album it appears on, Bridges, features guests such as The Oak Ridge Boys and The Martins, plus a supporting cast of A-list Music Row players.

THE CAINS/Journey’s End
Writer: Taylor Cain/Madison Cain/Becki Devries; Producer: Daniel Agee; Publisher: Taylor Cain/Madison Cain/Becki Devies Watsky/Kobalt, ASCAP; DayStreet (track) 
—This attractive sibling trio kicks the tempo up a little to deliver this sparkling, fizzy cocktail of pop optimism. Shiny and bright, with a delightfully layered production.

SAMMY KERSHAW/Grillin’ and Chillin’
Writer: C. Beathard/S. Caruso; Producer: Sammy Kershaw; Publisher: Sony-ATV Acuff-Rose/Carnival, BMI/ASCAP; Cleopatra (CDX) (www.sammykershaw.com)
—He’s still one of our finest honky-tonk vocalists. This laid-back ditty sounds exactly like a relaxing summer afternoon. Beautifully under-produced for pleasing audio simplicity. Bonus points for name-checking Dean Dillon.

SMITH & WESLEY/Need Somebody Bad
Writer: Todd Smith/Randy Boudreaux; Producer: Shayne Hill; Publisher: Dream Walkin,’ ASCAP; Garage Door (track) (www.smithandwesley.com)
—Rocking twin guitars, Allman-style. Brother-duet vocals, perfectly matched. What’s not to like?

The tomatoes win this round.

Both of our award winners today come from female country artists. They had tough competition from the men of A Thousand Horses and Brushville. But there was no denying that the Miranda Lambert record with Little Big Town singing harmony is the Disc of the Day.

Similarly, no one even touched the hem of Rainey Qually’s gown as she swept up to the podium as this week’s DisCovery Award winner. Her “Me and Johnny Cash” rocks in all the right places.

ERICA NICOLE/I’m Making Mine
Writer: Emily Weisband; Producer: Kent Wells; Publisher: WB/Thankful for This, ASCAP; GTR (CDX) (www.ericanicolemusic.com)
I have liked several of this gal’s upbeat, danceable, tuneful performances in the past. It turns out that she’s equally potent when essaying stirring, thoughtful lyrics. 

BRUSHVILLE/Dangerous
Writer: Ben Hayslip/Rhett Akins; Producer: Klye Lehning; Publisher: WB/Get a Load of This/EMI Blackwood, ASCAP/BMI; Brushville (CDX) (www.brushville.com)
—It seems that what is “dangerous” isn’t risky driving, drinking, night swimming or even making love. It’s falling in love. Smartly executed in every way.

IRLENE MANDRELL/We Will Stand
Writer: Eric Homer; Producer: Pat Holt; Publisher: Blue Chameleon, ASCAP; CDX (www.irlenemandrell.com)
—She was always overshadowed vocally by sisters Barbara and Louise. But in her own modest and tentative way, Irlene holds her own on this patriotic outing.

ROWDY McCARRAN/Eyes Wide Open
Writer: none listed; Producer: Fred Vail; Publisher: none listed; RM (track) (615-297-0700)
—Veteran producer Vail’s latest discovery is a rootsy country romper with a personable drawl and a solid CD title song. Give this guy a deal.

THE KENTUCKY HEADHUNTERS & JOHNNIE JOHNSON/Meet Me in Bluesland
Writer: R.Young/G.Martin/A.Kenney/D.Phelps/F.Young/J.Johnson; Producer: The Kentucky HeadHunters; Publisher: BMG Firefly/Bughouse/Them Young Boys/Song Garden/BMG Bumblebee/Bug/Mr. Erik/I.B. Headed/JFJ, ASCAP/BMI; Alligator (track) (www.kentuckyheadhunters.com)
—The late Johnnie Johnson was Chuck Berrry’s right-hand man as a high-octane piano pounder and sometime songwriting collaborator. He was inducted into the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame in 2001 and died in 2005. His 2003 blues sessions with the HeadHunters are now being released as a CD with this stately outing as the title tune. His piano work still captivates, and his shouted, down-home blues vocal is equally riveting. The country group proves to be surprisingly adept as an r&b backing band.

JB AND THE MOONSHINE BAND/Shotgun, Rifle and a .45
Writer: J.B. Patterson; Producer: JB and The Moonshine Band; Publisher: JBMB, BMI; Thirty Tigers (track) (www.jbandthemoonshineband.com)
—Too busy. It sounds like a cluttered demo tape. Clean up your production.

MIRANDA LAMBERT & LITTLE BIG TOWN/Smokin’ and Drinkin’
Writer: Natalie Hemby/Luke Laird/Shane McAnally; Producer: Frank Liddell, Chuck Ainley & Glenn Worf; Publisher: EMI Blackwood/Wruckestrike/Songs of Universal/Creative Nation/Twangin and Slangin/Smack Ink, BMI/ASCAP; RCA (track)
—Strings sigh, a steel guitar moans and a drum kit shuffles along while electric guitar notes pierce the evening atmosphere. Languid, liquid vocals lounge in nostalgia and misty memory. Enchanting. Seductive. Dreamy.

RAINEY QUALLEY/Me and Johnny Cash
Writer: Rainey Qualley/John Ramey/Jeffrey East; Producer: Russ Zavitson & John Ramey; Publisher: Zavitson/Rainey Qualley/Tazmaraz, ASCAP/BMI; Cingle (track) 
—This puts pedal to the metal and boasts a delicious backbeat, plus stuttering fiddle and banjo, deep-twang guitar and a wailing, wide-open vocal. A highway song for a red-hot summer. This is going places.

A THOUSAND HORSES/Drunk Dial
Writer: Michael Hobby/Corey Crowder/Neil Mason/Cale Dodds; Producer: Dave Cobb; Publisher: Warner-Tamerlane/Carolina June/Greatshakin/Universal/Crowder Taylor/Nettwerk One B/Revelry/Nevada House/Cale Dodds, BMI/ASCAP; Republic Nashville (track) 
—“Smoke” was a dynamite career launcher. The follow-up, due at the end of the month, is just as cool. “(This Ain’t No) Drunk Dial” is sung with rough-edged soul and shrouded in echoey, mysterioso guitars. Ear grabbing in the extreme.

OLIVIA LANE/You Part 2
Writer: Danny Myrick/Ilya Toshinsky/Olivia Lane; Producer: Ilya Toshinsky; Publisher: Round Hill/Warren Piece/Liv Write Play/Lane Train, BMI/ASCAP/SESAC; Big Spark (www.olivialane.com)
—Choppy rhythms, a quasi-spoken vocal with a hip-hop vibe and a minimal melody. It’s too far on the pop side of things for my taste, but I won’t deny that it’s very listenable.