An old frame house, willow trees, a dirt driveway, a small garden – these are images that were ingrained in Alan Jackson as he grew up near a stretch of road known as the Dixie Highway. Those images have provided the origins for some of Jackson’s biggest hits – songs such as “Livin’ on Love,” “Home” and “Chattahoochee.” They’re memories so vivid that they remain a source of inspiration on his latest album, Thirty Miles West.

Jackson has traveled far more than thirty miles from those small town beginnings in Newnan, Georgia – his music has taken him to the floorboards of the Grand Ole Opry, CBGB and Carnegie Hall, to stages as distant as Australia and Scandinavia, to performances in front of four Presidents. He’s written and recorded songs that have celebrated and chronicled life since “Here in the Real World” put him on the map, finding himself in the elite company of Paul McCartney, John Lennon and Merle Haggard as the only songwriters who’ve written and recorded more than 20 songs that they’ve also taken to the top of the charts. And his trek continues with the 13 songs that comprise Thirty Miles West.

“ …continue reading →

How do you capsulate a career that to date has resulted in 21 Gold®, Platinum®, and Multi-Platinum® albums, 43 #1 singles, and over 73 million records sold? Add to that over 150 industry awards including eight country music “Entertainer of the Year” honors, two Grammys, two People’s Choice Awards, and their very own star on the “Hollywood Walk of Fame.” For Randy Owen, Teddy Gentry, and Jeff Cook – the members of ALABAMA – it’s been 30 years of unprecedented success that still continues to this day.

In the late ’60s, cousins Randy Owen and Teddy Gentry discovered they shared a common interest in music. Joined by Jeff Cook – another local veteran musician – they started playing clubs and venues on a regular basis. In March of 1973, the band said goodbye to their daytime jobs and part-time weekend gigs. Bravely, “Wildcountry”, as the band was formerly known, left their Lookout Mountain and Fort Payne roots to hone its burgeoning talent on the club scene in coastal South Carolina and the surrounding area. …continue reading →

Country music comes naturally for Aaron Lewis.

In fact, the Staind frontman never strayed very far from country. It’s something that he grew up with. It’s something that he comes back to. It’s something that inspires him. It’s something that’s in his blood. Hints of that are present in the stripped honesty and acoustic melodies of Staind hits such as “Outside,” “It’s Been Awhile,” and “So Far Away.”

However, Lewis fully shows that spirit on his forthcoming five-song Town Line debut solo release for Nashville-based Stroudavarious Records and, most prevalently, via its first single, “Country Boy.” With a little help from legends Charlie Daniels and George Jones as well as genre stalwart Chris Young, Lewis tells his story like never before on the song. …continue reading →

With the release of her “Unmistakable” trilogy, Jo Dee Messina stepped firmly into the front ranks of country singers with staying power. A collection that displays both her songwriting prowess and her abilities as a co producer, Unmistakable is above all a showcase for one of the genre’s most remarkable and distinctive voices.

This last year, she has taken all of her experiences, her enthusiasm and most importantly, her songs, on a unique cross-country “Music Room Series Tour.” Modeled after the music room in her home, where she sings, writes and rehearses, the tour includes a simple stage with piano and a couple of backing musicians. Each show is distinctive in that Jo Dee plays songs new and old, takes requests, answers questions and gives fans a new insight to the stories behind the hits. …continue reading →