Swift Goes Gold

Country music stars seem to come from all types of backgrounds. From rock to jazz and everything in between, it is difficult to find a country music start that wasn’t first impressed upon by another musical genre. Yet, every country music sensation eventually finds the path that leads right into the very heart of America through soulful chords and twangy voices. Taylor Swift is no exception to this rule, and this all American girl’s roots may come as a surprise to you.

Swift did not grow up listening to Elvis. Instead she was raised on Mozart and Haydn. Swift always had a flare for the dramatic as she listen to her maternal grandmother belt out tunes from Madame Butterfly, but there was just something about country music that made Swift pick up a guitar at the age of eleven and begin to find her true voice within the country music world. True to her upbringing, Swift’s voice has certain undertones of opera that can only come from a trained ear and an operative upbringing.

Perhaps it is this clever combination of sounds that has Canada wanting more. Swift’s debut album Taylor Swift has gone gold in Canada for selling over 50,000 copies. Canadians just love her smooth voice and her deep tones, which sound nothing like her contemporary rivals. If you have never heard Taylor Swift, you might be surprised to note the overall richness of her voice and the interesting contrast that it presents when placed next to the usual country music sound. Taylor Swift’s self titled album is available in stores now and it is sure to be a fan favorite for a long time coming.

Yearwood Releases Greatest Hits

Those that remember a younger Trisha Yearwood can recall her wholesome hits such as “She’s In Love With the Boy” from 1991 all the way up to today’s “Heaven, Heartache and the Power of Love.” There is just something about Yearwood’s tunes that make feet mouths form around her well thought out words.

Yearwood is loved for her aggressive style and the southern charm, which had fans loving her music since she first debuted on stage with Garth Brooks. Like most southern belles, the young Yearwood loved Elvis and sang in church throughout her childhood. But, after enrolling at the University of Georgia, she immediately decided that her chosen college path was not the right fit, and she switched to Belmont College in order to study “music business.” After an internship at MTM records, those in the know knew that Yearwood had a certain irreplaceable charm. Her first single “She’s In Love With The Boy” flew into the hearts of many young women across the nation and skyrocketed to the very top of the charts.

Today, Yearwood is still going strong and she has just recently announced that she will be releasing a “Greatest Hits” album, which will include all of her past favorites as well as two unreleased songs. The entire compilation will consist of 15 top hits in total and is sure to please even the biggest Yearwood fan. If you want to grab your own copy of this mix, look for her Greatest Hits album in stores all across the nation. Once you get a bit of Yearwood in your head, you won’t be able to say no to this instant star.

Urban East Coast Tour

Many young boys from throughout small town America want to grow up to be musicians, but there aren’t quite as many small town Australian boys that want to grow up to sing in Nashville. Keith Urban knew from a young age that he wanted to be an American.

Urban’s parents were fond of anything that came out of the U.S.A., and Keith grew up in an American state of mind. From the ripe age of six, Urban picked up a guitar and knew that his future home lay in the heartland of America. Urban began his rode to American country music fame at the age of eight when he began winning various country music shows throughout Australia, but it was Dire Straits that really did him in.

Urban bought the first Dire Straits album and made it his mission to learn each and every chord by heart. Drawing inspiration from the legendary band, Urban began to use some of Straits tactics throughout his own solo act. This combination of rock and country music really gave Urban the edge that he was looking for, and those that followed his progression watched him go all the way to Capitol records in Nashville. The rest of Urban’s career is country music history. Today, both Australia and the United States love this fresh take on classic country.

Those that live in the chilly Easter states will no longer have to wait around to hear Urban’s famed voice. Keith has announced that he will tour the eastern half of the United States as well as parts of Canada throughout September. If you happen to be one of Keith Urban’s many fans, you can check his concert listings on www.keithurban.net. East Coast get ready for some country music Australian style as Keith Urban is guaranteed to warm even the coldest of stages across the East Coast.

Brooks Makes History

Garth Brooks pulled ahead of his main competition, Kenney Chesney, recently as his single “More Than a Memory” reached number one on the country music charts. This latest news has Brooks making country music history as “More Than a Memory” became the first country music single ever to hit the top of the R&R Country Music Chart.

Those that know Brooks’ famous voice tend to hang on to the man behind the songs wherever he goes, even through the ‘90s when Brooks often joked about retiring due to low sales. Brooks did retire in 2000, but the music within his heart just wouldn’t stay quiet for too long. Brooks came back onto the music scene in 2005 when he decided to sell records exclusively at Wal Mart. Even though Wal Mart helped to launch his career again, recently Brooks decided to cut the exclusive deal and head back out into the world in order to sell his records across the nation at every record shop, in every town. His fans responded to his decision to come out of retirement with glee, and they have been eating up his every word since he decided to come back onto the music scene.

For now, this legend has not announced any new tour dates, but rumor has it that Brooks will be starting to tour very soon. However, the singer has not officially announced any venues or dates as of yet. So, Brooks fans, keep your ear close to the radio ad listen for that Brooks concert date announcement – it’s sure to happen sometime very soon.

The Rockabilly World Says Goodbye

Rockabilly seems to have gone the way of James Dean and Hot Tin Roofs, but throughout Europe one name was still synonymous with a rockabilly way of life: Janis Martin. Martin made real progress within the music industry as she became the very first woman to perform rockabilly records, which, at the time, was a musical genre dominated by men. From the moment that Janis Martin stepped on stage, she captured the audience’s attention and held it throughout many years.

Martin was often called “the female Elvis” during her career due to her high energy and creative dance moves. Martin came from a family of musicians, though all of the musicians within her family were men. From an early age Janis was involved in pageants, contests, and musical competitions, which she usually won. From American Bandstand to the Tonight Show Martin was known all across the land as the women to look towards for aspiring female musicians. Eventually, Martin settled down to have a family and stepped out of the spotlight. However, recent years saw her return to the stage in Europe where she had a large following. Martin had many rockabilly events lined up in Europe until her very last days, and ticket holders were left speechless at the news of her early passing.

Recently, Martin passed away at the age of sixty-seven from complications with cancer. Although North America had not seen her face in years, those fans awaiting the concerts that will never come in Europe are saddened this September, 2007, as Martin’s vivacious voice will be heard no more.

Bogguss and Scialfa Offer New Releases

If you think that you hear something entirely different in Suzy Bogguss’ songs, you are probably right. This Illinois girl has had her entire life to collect an interesting array of musical tastes that range from Big Bands to Buddy Holly and everything in between. And Suzy has come a long way from the small town girl who once studied to work in the metal industry (Suzy has a degree in metalsmithery from Illinois State). Although it wasn’t until 1986 that Suzy’s dream of becoming a country music star came true, this rare voice has gained praise from fans all across the nation, and Bogguss is still picking up new admirers wherever she goes.

In contrast, Patti Scialfa was born in New Jersey and really began to gain public notice when she started to sing backup for her husband’s (Bruce Springsteen) band. Always a city girl, Scialfa began her solo career in New York City after graduating from NYU. During the 1980s, Scialfa sang many backup tunes for various musicians (including the Rolling Stones), but it wasn’t until 1999 that Scialfa really began to take off.

Though these two couldn’t be more different, both have recently released new albums that exploded onto the country music scene in early September. Bogguss’ album Sweet Danger is an instant hit and her fans just love the jazzy feel to these happy tunes. Scialfa’s new album Play It As It Lays takes a turn towards soul and the overall blues sound, which is a nice contrast to Bogguss’ own album. For dual delight, pick up both albums and listen to the contrasting sounds. Both Scialfa and Bogguss bring a new shade of tune to the country music scene this September, and fans love every moment of it.

Chesney and Brooks Beat All

It should come as no surprise to country music fans that Kenny Chesney and Garth Brooks are topping the charts once again, but the two country legends are now neck and neck in the race to become the true king of the hill – the question is, which star will push the other one off of the top?

Chesney’s single “Don’t Blink” has had fans all across the nation enthralled since the song’s release, and Brooks’ “More than a Memory” will certainly live up to its name if the song continues to climb. Kenny Chesney has managed to sell more concert tickets this year than any other country act, but Brooks has been a country music favorite for many years, so which one will win this race?

Chesney will appear on radio and television this coming year more than ever as his new album Just Who I Am: Poets and Pirates is sure to be another award winning hit. Chesney also plans on promoting this album to the fullest and fans already love each and every song that has been pre-released. Chesney has done it again with songs that show his true capabilities and showcase his mellow voice. Surely, his fans will be lining up (as they have been doing all year) for tickets to his upcoming shows as this music man just keeps on smiling all the way to the top. But, let’s not forget, Garth Brooks is – well, he’s Garth Brooks, and this race is far from over.

As Brooks and Chesney continue to climb the charts, they appear to be knocking out all of the competition along the way. Fans seem to be gravitating to the two stars now more than ever before, and their rapidly selling albums are just proof that most Americans just love that good old country sound.

Where Is Country Music Going?

For a while it wasn’t certain where country music was headed. “Alternative Country” has now become a viable genre, and it has been argued that musicians are spending more time on image than they are on music.

Country’s also traveling outside of its area. Recently the rock band Nickelback sang Joe Nichols’ “Tequila Makes Her Clothes Fall Off”, followed up, comically enough, by their own hit “Rock Star”, which describes a life that many country stars wouldn’t admit to. In San Francisco, a ballet entitled Reinin’ in the Hurricane is set to the old country hits of musicians like Gene Autry and Johnny Cash. Denise Jackson, wife of Alan Jackson, has a bestselling book about their marriage and his musical life. And Faith Hill is singing the Sunday Night Football theme for the ABC network.

It’s far from hopeless, though. The trend with country artists has started to take the music back to its original, aurally pleasing state, with meaningful lyrics and excellent musicianship. Newer performers like Taylor Swift and Brad Paisley are wooing younger audiences and helping to boost record sales for the industry while keeping in touch with their roots. Players of less common country instruments like the banjo and mandolin are making themselves heard at camps, concerts and tours all over the United States.

While the changes the music is undergoing may be off-putting to many, it is a joy to see turnout for country events rising every year, with more and more young fans wanting to support their favorite artists. While country music, at first, was idolized as pure and god-fearing, the artists themselves have come down of their perches to show fans they’re just as human as we are- and they’re receiving acclaim for it. They still love God, their mamas, good beer and good trucks- they’re just doing it with style, these days.

Liz Carlisle: Up And Coming Star

You may not have heard of her yet, but you will. This 23-year-old Montana native is hitting the road this summer with guitar in hand, opening for acts like LeAnn Rimes, Travis Tritt, and Miranda Lambert. And while it doesn’t make her necessarily above them, she has one thing that many of her fellow country music performers can’t claim: she is a graduate, summa cum laude, from Harvard University.

While it certainly makes her special, Carlisle’s parents are pleased that she’s heading down the path she wants to take. Pursuing a lucrative career after her graduation would have surely brought her money, but Carlisle is finding more satisfaction traveling around in her Subaru Outback and letting people hear her.

The album she’s promoting, “Big Dreams,” isn’t the first that she’s made- it’s actually her fourth. But it is the first to be recorded with professional studio musicians, in Nashville, the centre of the country universe.

It isn’t her first time touring, either. Carlisle spent one summer in the United Kingdom, touring the country on foot, playing in different spots with little more than a guitar to survive on. During her time at Harvard, she played at open-mic nights and produced and recorded several CDs.

Carlisle, who has been described by her parents as incredibly frugal, finds no problem with the edge of the limelight. In her interviews she sounds grateful just to have an audience of any sort, and maintains a low-key profile. This may not be possible after this tour is over, however, because her ambition and songwriting- which has a unique, storytelling flair- are sure to help her stand out in the country world.

Diamond Rio Signs With Word Records

Diamond Rio has always been a feel-good band. Not only do their strong harmonies evoke a sense of unity and companionship, but their lyrics, with their positive focus, make people feel as though all is right with the world. The band’s image has stayed blissfully in tact, and they are one of the few groups to still have the original members present. They’ve had sold over ten million albums, had nine number one hit singles, and have received the Minnie Pearl Humanitarian Award for their numerous contributions to charity.

Now they’re signing on with Word Records, one of Christian music’s biggest record companies that’s based in Nashville, Tennessee. Word has produced albums for Christian superstars like Point of Grace, Amy Grant, NEEDTOBREATHE and Stellar Kart, and now they’re releasing Diamond Rio’s Christmas album, “A Diamond Rio Christmas: A Star Still Shines,” on October 9 of this year. The band will also be touring to promote the album.

Diamond Rio has already been nominated for Grammy awards thirteen times. Some of their hits include “Meet in the Middle,” “In a Week or Two”, and “Beautiful Mess”.

The band has expressed their excitement and interest in the project, and the lead singer Marty Roe looks at it as a new chapter in all of their careers. While this is the first time that the band has dealt directly with a Christian record label, it’s certainly not the first time they’ve conveyed their message to fans. The group is looking forward to promoting the CD and delivering a strong Christmas message to the world.