New Music!

This week, not only are several new songs being released to radio, there are also several new music videos premiering on CMT.

Let's start with the videos premiering in the coming weeks. Carrie Underwood's video for Cowboy Casanova is the one that most are talking about. Based on her previous videos there is a good chance it will be directed by Roman White and lack any creativity and originality.

Other videos premiering are Reba's Consider Me Gone, Sugarland's Keep You, Keith Urban's Hit The Ground Running, Kenny Chesney's I'm Alive, Miranda Lambert's White Liar, Billy Currington's That's How Country Boys Roll and Tim McGraw's Southern Voice. Keep in mind we have not seen the videos and these are our opinions, but since Kenny Chesney announced that he is taking a break from touring we wouldn't be surprised if it's another live video. As long as he sticks with Shaun Silva the video should be excellent regardless.

Make sure to tune into CMT and check out all of these videos. And don't forget to go to CMT.com for the newest video from Lady Antebellum. Need You Now is one of Lady A's best.

Now on to singles being released to radio this week. If you need a reason to change the station listen for Bomshel's 19 and Crazy, Heartland's Mustache and Mica Robert's Days You Live For. However, if your ears aren't, let's say, as sensitive to bad music as ours, then you can just easily drown out the previously mentioned songs.

If you're looking for another emotional song from Rascal Flatts then listen out for their latest Why. While it's not the worst song ever, in fact it's one of the better ones on their latest CD Unstoppable, it's just the type of song that has become Rascal Flatts' staple. They used to have upbeat songs that had more to it than "Summer nights everybody are you with me" but those are now few and far between.


But don't lose hope just yet. There are a few great new cuts being released. Among those are Jason Aldean's The Truth and Jimmy Wayne's remake of the 1976 Hall & Oates' hit Sara Smile. Jimmy's cover also features Hall & Oates on background vocals. We will be very surprised if this isn't a hit forhim. Also, Sara Smile is the first single off of Wayne's upcoming album, which is set to be released on November 24th.

Don't Be A Tape Player Hater

Recently, there have been a lot of post dealing with Jake Owen, Lee Brice and Jimmy Wayne, but it's time to talk about some other artists.

First up, the Eli Young Band. While EYB is not new to those from Texas, they are just beginning to hit it big nationally. We were lucky enough to catch a show recently and don't know why it's taken this long for them to be noticed. Their music alone is great, but seeing them live is even better.

Next, Jerrod Niemann. Although we haven't been able to see him perform live (yet), his vocals are amazing. It's almost like a cross between Lee Brice and Joe Nichols. Jerrod did have a release a few years ago titled "I Love Women My Momma Can't Stand" and was catchy but did not fair well on the charts. However, One More Drinkin' Song, which is currently playing on our local radio station should be a hit.

Then we have Jonathan Singleton & The Grove. Back in April we told here you they are an act worth seeing but thought we should remind you.

Also, check out Halfway To Hazard. That name may sound familiar because in 2007 they released their first single Daisy which just barely broke the Top 40. After two years on the road with Tim McGraw Halfway to Hazard is back with a new single and a new album to be released later this year. The new single, I Know Where Heaven Is is playing at radio stations across the country now so make sure to go request it.

Again, while not new to most people, we felt it worth mentioning Cross Canadian Ragweed. Brought to the attention of most outside of Texas by the line in Dierks Bentley's song "Free & Easy" which says "Ragweeds rockin' on my radio".

In the coming weeks, we hope to give you a little more about each artist mentioned, as well as introduce you ( or remind you) of great acts.

Brand New!

Here it is! Jake Owen's brand new video for Eight Second Ride.

Jake Owen

More CMT Music

More CMT Music Videos

Love Like Crazy

I wanted to pass along that Lee Brice's new single "Love Like Crazy" is scheduled to be released to radio on August 24th. Please make sure you call or email your local radio stations and request it! Curb says they want Lee Brice to have a hit before they release the CD so let's make this song a hit.

It's Official

We don't have an exact release date for Lee Brice's new single "Love Like Crazy" but if our poll was any indication it's going to be a hit. And it's about time Lee had one!

Don't forget to follow Lee on Twitter.

Too Big For Their Britches

A couple of months ago we stated that we are against fan clubs, and we meant it. It was announced today that Jake Owen is launching a fan club along with a new website. Now, Jake is an artist who we love and are big fans of, but he has stated in numerous interviews that, basically, he didn't think fans should have to pay to prove that they are fans.

However, this fan club may not and probably is not most of Jake's doing; it's a typical part of being an artist. It's another revenue stream. And it may have to do with Ticketmaster's control and reshaping of Echo Music or Jake may be working with a new company.

Either way we still think that fan clubs exclude fans and considering the state of the economy, it's not the best time to ask fans to spend their hard-earned money on something frivolous and unnecessary. And please don't get us wrong: We have been members of fan clubs before but it has transformed in to something absurd. We just hope that it doesn't change the artist-fan interaction that we are currently able to have with artists such as Jake Owen.

Let us know what you think!

Lee Brice Update

For all the Lee Brice fans out there new music is finally up on leebrice.com and his MySpace page. Love Like Crazy is the upcoming single from Lee, so go listen to it and be prepared to request the heck out of it when it's released to radio.

Also, don't forget to follow him on Twitter @leebricemusic.

Gotta Love Dierks Bentley

Last night in Detroit while Dierks Bentley was singing his hit Feel That Fire he took a dive into the crowd. And it wasn't on purpose! We love Dierks and have had the pleasure of meeting him a few times but this video was just too funny not to share. And to our amazement, he kept singing. We are glad he wasn't hurt!

Check out the video

The Next Step

Now that we know we aren't the only ones ready for Lee Brice, here are some steps we can take next.

1. We can call/email radio stations and request Lee's music. We don't care if it's She Ain't Right, Happy Endings, or Upper Middle Class White Trash. If we knew when his new single was coming out we'd say request it, but we are starting to think that Curb is going to push back the single like they've done with the CD. I mean it was posted in March that new music was coming soon. Soon is here!!

2. Radio play is only one of the factors in deciding if a CD gets released or shelved. However, there are several CDs that get released and the singles don't make the Top 20, so another step is writing to Curb. We aren't sure how much that would help, but it lets them know there are fans anxiously awaiting the release of Picture Of Me. And hey, even one or two letters is better than no letters. And since it couldn't hurt, let's write the management company too! See below.

3. Word of mouth is also a huge part in the success of an artist. So tell all of your friends and family about Lee Brice. And the strange part is if you tell people that he sings "The Pee Song" there is a chance they know who Lee Brice is.

Also, use Eventful.com and "Demand" Lee Brice in your city. If you have a Facebook or Myspace account you can use the iLike application, and use it to let them know you want to see Lee Brice.

We aren't big fans of digital downloads but again, if it helps, we will purchase his EP.

But don't lose hope!! Lee's website recently got a makeover, a few tour dates were added, and he performed at CMA Fest. And if there is one thing that Lee Brice fans know, it's that Lee Brice is great songwriter. With that being said, it's rumored that Kenny Chesney may record one of Lee's songs titled 7 days, 1000 times.

Here's some contact information:

Curb Records –

Doug Johnson – A&R - djohnson@curb.com

John Ozier – A& R - jozier@curb.com

Curb Records
48 Music Sq. E
Nashville, Tennessee 37203
phone: 615-321-5080
fax: 615-327-1964

377 management – info@377mgmt.com

Let us know if you need radio station info. We don't want to post it unnecessarily because it's so long, but we have it available!

Clearly You Agreed

We asked you what your favorite Jake Owen single is and it isn't Eight Second Ride, even after all of the discussion on it. The readers responded that Don't Think I Can't Love You was their favorite and maybe that's why it made it to number two on Billboard.

As for this week's poll we want to know what's your favorite Lee Brice song. Please read the letter to his fans here and don't forget to let us know that we have your support in helping Lee Brice get his music heard. And if you have already let us know we have your support, don't worry we are still trying to gather some information before we make another post relating to the open letter.

An Open Letter to Lee Brice Fans

To All Lee Brice Fans:

Over the last couple of years we have anxiously awaited the released of Lee's debut album, Picture of Me. It has been delayed and pushed back (now indefinitely, according to the Curb Records web site) numerous times. Lee has been touring regularly for an album it seems we will never see.

If Jimmy Wayne fans can band together to create a "Jimmy Wayne Day" to promote his music, then why can't we band together and show our support for Lee Brice? Why don't we have a "Lee Brice Day" or week or month or whatever and start getting his music played? Lee Brice is an undeniable talent.

Supposedly, there is going to be a new single, but when? Supposedly, if a single can break the top 20 then we might get the CD.

We're ready for new Lee Brice music, we're ready for the CD, we're ready to hear Lee Brice on the radio. How about you?

Consider this a call to action. Please leave comments letting us know what you think and if you're willing to join the cause. Let's take it one step at a time, so with enough support we will come back and post ways to help.

And The Winner Is...

We asked you what your favorite new song was and Jimmy Wayne fans showed their support once again. I'll Be That got an astounding 90% of the votes. Hopefully I'll Be That will be another number one for Jimmy.

Eight Second Ride Revisited

Who knew this would be our controversial post?

First point: We only said it was our least favorite SINGLE. Since he's only had 4 other singles, that's not like saying we hate the song. It's saying, of these 5 songs, it's our least favorite. Doesn't mean we don't like it.

Second point: Depending on where you get your information, 8SR being released as a single wasn't a surprise. We have been hearing since Startin' With Me, that Jake wanted to release 8SR and that fans were backing him up (including us), but we were upset that some of his really great songs didn't make the cut for Easy Does It in order to make room for 8SR. Also, re-releasing a song on a second album is not a unique thing. Case in point: Kellie Pickler's "Didn't You Know How Much I Loved You?" was released on both Small Town Girl and Kellie Pickler. It makes it easy to set it up as a single, but it isn't a guarantee.

Third point: How much farther can 8SR go than "Don't Think I Can't Love You?" DTICLY hit #2; 8SR only has to hit #1 to beat it. Whether it will or not remains to be seen.

Point four: If Jake wants to release a "party" song, it's not like he's hurting for choices. Why not re-release "The Bad In Me" if they're going to go that route? From Easy Does It, "Cherry on Top" or "Who Said Whiskey" jump out as possible singles.

We're not hating on 8SR. We get excited as anyone when we hear the first licks at a show. We just feel that Jake has proven himself a talented enough artist and songwriter that he doesn't have to go back 10 years for a single. Who isn't better at something they were already good at after 10 years of practice?

Opry Quest

With Montgomery Gentry the latest to receive an invitation to join the Grand Ole Opry, it's led to a lot of discussion about who else should be invited. We've heard names like Jory & Rory and Ashton Sheperd tossed around, so we decided to throw in a few cents of our own.

One complaint is that MG hasn't been around long enough to deserve an invite to the Big Show. If that is a legitimate gripe, then please explain how Carrie Underwood managed an invite as early as she did. She has not proved her staying power, or really even her talent, as far as we're concerned.

This is how Opry members are chosen, according to the official web site:

The decision to increase the Opry’s ranks is, and always has been, made exclusively by the show’s management. The people who’ve been entrusted with the Opry’s tradition and future direction take into account all the standards of success in country music—radio airplay, album and ticket sales, industry recognition—when considering an act for membership. The Opry considers career accomplishment, as well as the potential for continued success.

To us, this sounds like one thing: Money! Who can make the most money, who has the potential to make the most money, who can sell the most tickets to an Opry show, thereby gaining the Opry - all together now! - MONEY!

Maybe that's cynical, and we're not saying there is anything wrong with wanting to make money. The Grand Ole Opry is a business as much as anything else and in order to stay open, it must have revenue.

It used to be that being invited to the Opry was an honor reserved for the most talented artists in country music, not flashes in the pan. Ashton Sheperd can hardly be called a star. Her album reached number 16 on the Billboard Country Music Charts and her singles have not broken the Top 20. She is a mostly a mediocre singer who decided to cash in on her ability to imitate "Redneck Woman" Gretchen Wilson, not counting on the fact that Wilson's popularity would quickly wane.

Joey & Rory haven't had much commercial success either, going by the charts. However, they definitely seem to have longevity. Rory Feek was already a successful songwriter in Nashville, having penned hits for Clay Walker, Blake Shelton and Jimmy Wayne, among others. Clearly, Feek has a bit of a magic touch when it comes to songwriting. Give them a few more years, another album or two under their belts, and Joey & Rory will be prime Opry material. Just not yet.

MG, on the other hand, released their seventh studio album last year and have had more than 10 Top 10 Billboard singles since being signed in 1999. They are consistent in their performances and in drawing crowds. Carrie Underwood, it seems, has peaked. Yet, she is an Opry member already and MG is not.

Eight Second Ride

Being the Jake Owen fans that we are, we had to respond to this laugh-worthy review of his newest single, "Eight Second Ride."

Let's get this out of the way: This is by no means Jake's best song. In fact, of all his singles, it's probably his worst. It was a sleeper hit on his debut album, Startin' with Me, that fans requested as a single, but never got. So, it was re-released on Easy Does It, with plans of being a single.

The problem with the Easy Does It version is its restyling. Aside from minor lyrical changes, the version on Easy Does It seems to lose some of its original musical edge. The guitars and drums fade to the background for this version, whereas they pound through the speakers on Startin' With Me. Whoever decided to remix 8SR managed to take a fun, rocking song and make it a weak, mediocre ego-piece.

As for saying the song is supposed to be "realistic:" Anyone who has listened to Jake's music, has seen a Jake show, etc., knows that this song is blazingly tongue-in-cheek. It was written long before he had his big break, when he was barely in his 20s. With a male buddy, he decided to write a song about girls and big trucks. We think even Jake knows the likelihood of getting a woman to bed down with him on a tailgate is unlikely. (Hey, metal is cold and uncomfortable! Stay in the cab at least.)

It seems that some people don't like Jake because he's attractive. Evidently country music is meant to be "ugly," which, frankly, is something lost on us. All the posturing about his looks masks simple jealousy. For someone as talented as Jake, it's a shame that people are going to misjudge him because he happens to be good-looking and has written a song that is not "high art." Look back at singles like "Startin' With Me" and "Don't Think I Can't Love You" if you need a reminder of exactly what this Florida boy can do.

At Radio Today

There are some great songs releasing to radio today. First, Big Green Tractor by Jason Aldean. At a recent show, Aldean claimed it's "Kind of a love song". He also thinks that “there’s something kinda romantic about a little tractor ride at midnight.” We agree but have a listen here and decide for yourselves.

Another song impacting today is I'll be That, the third single from Jimmy Wayne's sophomore album, "Do You Believe Me Now".

Watch this video to listen to the song and hear what fans are saying. And don't forget that Jimmy Wayne fans have declared the first Friday of every month Jimmy Wayne Day. On Jimmy Wayne Day, fans will request I'll Be That on as many radio stations as possible. The next "Jimmy Wayne Day" is June 5th, the first day of the "American Saturday Night" tour, where Jimmy opens up for Dierks Bentley and Brad Paisley.

Also, at radio today is the second single, 15 Minutes from Rodney Atkins CD "It's America" and Indian Summer from Brooks & Dunn.