Former Mavericks frontman Raul Malo is getting ready to release his new album, Sinners & Saints. Self-produced in the singer’s home studio, Sinners & Saints is being touted as “the most intimate, honest and complex album Malo has made in an already distinguished career.” The album is set for a September 28 release on Fantasy Records/Concord Music Group. Sinners & Saints follows 2009’s critically acclaimed album Lucky One, Malo’s Fantasy debut.

Rooted in Malo’s lifelong connection to Latin music but infused with his wide-ranging love of country, blues, jazz and vintage rock ’n’ roll, Sinners & Saints combines sonic ingenuity with emotional sincerity.

In a departure from past projects, Malo took tracks from his home studio in Nashville to Austin, where he joined longtime friend Ray Benson at his Bismeaux Studios and finished the album with the help of Sir Douglas Quintet and Texas Tornado keyboard veteran Augie Meyers and guitarist Shawn Sahm, son of legendary Texas singer/songwriter Doug Sahm. The Trishas (Savannah Welch, Kelley Mickwee, Liz Foster and Jamie Wilson) provided background vocals.

Coming of age in Miami, Malo spent many nights in neighborhood music rooms listening to local artists perform their Flamenco zarzuelas. Malo wrote “Sinners & Saints” by conjuring up those nights in his head, and playing his electric guitar with a cross between Flamenco melodicism and retro surf-twang. “It has no chorus, no repeatable line,” Malo says, “And it’s long. Purposefully long.”

Along with original songs like “Living for Today,” “Superstar” and “San Antonio Baby,” Malo turns in distinctive cover versions of Rodney Crowell’s “Til I Gain Control Again,” Los Lobos’ “Saint Behind The Glass,” as well as songs from acclaimed songwriters Todd Snider and James McMurtry.

“This is the hardest I’ve ever worked on an album,” Malo says. “This really is about me and my point of view. I realized that after I’d done it. It reflects really how I feel about a lot of things. That’s why this is as much of me as I’ve ever put on a record.”

Hot on the heels of her four-week, No. 1 single “The House That Built Me,” Miranda Lambert is ready to release follow-up single “Only Prettier,” from her ACM Album of the Year, Revolution. The single, which shipped to radio Monday was written by Lambert and Natalie Hemby.

“To me, ‘Only Prettier,’ is an anthem, it’s my own anthem, and I want girls to have their fists in the air singing ‘Only Prettier,’” Lambert says. “It’s antagonistic in a fun way, and I loved the attitude behind it. It kind of fools you, because it’s got this really country, laid-back intro, but then it’s balls-to-the-wall the rest of the way. It’s so much fun!”

For the song’s video, Lambert asked a few of her girlfriends, including Kellie Pickler, Hillary Scott of Lady Antebellum and Laura Bell Bundy, to join her. While the particulars of the video are being kept under wraps, Lambert and friends portray two rival cliques attending a high school sock hop.

Lambert, a three-time Grammy nominee, platinum-selling recording artist and hit singer/songwriter, recently added her first CMT Award to an already impressive list of accolades. The fan-voted CMT Award for Female Video of the Year joins Miranda’s recent ACM wins for Album of the Year, Female Vocalist of the Year and Video of the Year (“White Liar”). Her current single, “The House That Built Me,” has held the No. 1 position for four straight weeks. It follows “White Liar,” Miranda’s first career No. 1.

 Lambert recently wrapped up her Roadside Bars and Pink Guitars headlining tour and will be joining the Lilith Fair tour this summer. For more information, visit www.MirandaLambert.com

Multifaceted guitarist David Andersen, known as the Ambassador of Music City from his daily appearances at the Country Music Hall of Fame, recently donated a portion of his CD sales to the American Red Cross Flood Relief to support those affected by the Nashville flood. Andersen is thankful to fans who sent letters, emails, phone calls, cash and prayers for Nashville.

“When the rains came and the waters started to rise, many musicians were in trouble or their instruments were in high water,” said Andersen. “Many beloved musical instruments were damaged or destroyed. This is touching proof of people’s love of Music City.”

Andersen recently made appearances at the William Lee Golden art exhibition at the Tennessee State Museum as well as Tennessee Repertory Theater’s 25th Anniversary Party at the home of Martha Ingram.

His mission is to give Nashville’s visitors the authentic experience they seek. A music prodigy raised in Long Beach, California, Andersen was playing music before he could talk. An accomplished songwriter proficient on multiple instruments, he gives every new friend he meets at the Country Music Hall of Fame his signature guitar pick and challenges them to “remember why they came to Nashville and to take time to enjoy the music they came here to find.”

For more information and to view his upcoming performances, visit www.davidandersenmusic.com

Photo credit: Kellie Pickler

Kellie Pickler is engaged. The singer has announced her betrothal to Nashville songwriter Kyle Jacobs. People magazine reports that Jacobs proposed on June 15 during a Florida beach vacation. The couple met about two and a-half years ago, and the proposal fell on the same day as Pickler’s late grandmother’s birthday.

“It turned out to be the most amazing day of my life,” Pickler told People. “My whole world changed. We both feel like we got my grandmother’s blessing.”

Jacobs’ songs have been cut by a number country music’s top artists, including Garth Brooks (“More Than a Memory”), Tim McGraw (“Still,”) Trace Adkins, Jo Dee Messina, Craig Morgan and Clay Walker.