It seems that good ol’ boys and girls are everywhere country fans look these days. And while that rough-hewn sound and image has clearly established its place in the genre, it’s refreshing to encounter an artist who stands apart from the crowd—in look and style, but especially in his music.

Enter David Nail. With Sinatra-like levels of poise and class, the rare gifts of natural melody and soul, and a voice as enveloping as a Cumberland River fog, the Missouri native is a modern-day country gentleman. He’s Jim Reeves crossed with Elton John. Garth Brooks meets Stevie Wonder. Glen Campbell blended with Michael Bublé. …continue reading →

Deana Carter managed to defy conventional expectations and unexpectedly shot to the top of the country charts upon the release of her 1996 debut, Did I Shave My Legs for This?. Carter’s success was equally unexpected considering that she didn’t quite fit into the mold of a standard female contemporary country singer. Melding the popular appeal of country music with folksy singer/songwriters like Mary Chapin Carpenter and a more retro-rock edge like Sheryl Crow, Carter racked up both positive reviews and healthy sales with Did I Shave My Legs for This?, becoming a huge success. …continue reading →

“Shhh!”

The note on the Bluebird Café’s Facebook page says it all: customers who visit the Nashville songwriters club – instrumental in the development of Garth Brooks, Faith Hill and Kathy Mattea – are expected to keep quiet and listen to the words from some of Music City’s most influential composers. Listening has an added benefit – it gives the listener a chance to learn.

That’s how singer-songwriter Dustin Lynch used the Bluebird. And he used it intensely. He rented an apartment behind the venue’s back parking lot and literally walked to the Bluebird several times a week to listen and learn about the mysterious art of creating songs from some of Nashville’s most important writers. Don Schlitz (“The Gambler”), Tony Arata (“The Dance”), Paul Overstreet (“Forever And Ever, Amen”) – all are mainstays of the Bluebird legend, and it was at their proverbial feet that he picked up key insights about the writing process. …continue reading →

“Easton Corbin has one of those rare, glorious voices that was made—just made—for singing country music.” –American Songwriter

With two No. 1 singles, multiple awards and nominations, plus performances on some of the biggest stages in the world, Easton Corbin made an auspicious entree with his self-titled debut album. The release of his sophomore effort, All Over the Road, builds on that success and delivers music that confirms that Easton Corbin is here to stay.

When Easton broke on the scene in 2009 with not one, but two, No. 1 singles, “A Little More Country Than That” and “Roll With It,” and a Top 15 hit, “I Can’t Love You Back,” the country music world was put on notice. He became the first country male artist in 17 years to have his first two consecutive singles reach No. 1. Billboard named Easton the Top New Country Artist of 2010 and named “Roll With It” the No. 6 Hot Country Song of the Year. He was ranked No. 9 on Billboard’s list of Top Country Artists-Male, listed between Blake Shelton and Tim McGraw. …continue reading →

When it comes to making great music, kindred spirits somehow seem to find each other and such is the case with Edens Edge. Three talented young musicians from Arkansas — Hannah Blaylock, Dean Berner, and Cherrill Green –make their debut on Big Machine Records with a vibrant sound that honors country music’s roots while creatively pushing the envelope with their seasoned musicianship, dazzling harmonies and insightful songwriting. With one listen to Edens Edge, it’s obvious the trio has forged a unique sound shaped by their individual influences and anchored in their own distinctive gifts. Each grew up in rural Arkansas where farming, faith and family provided a firm foundation and offered a springboard for their musical aspirations. …continue reading →