Hello, Country Music fans! How's everyone been? Me, I've been crazed as usual, but I wanted to stop in and share a few thoughts about some Country Music shows out there....

Let's get the bad out of the way first: Nashville Star. Now, I know that pop and rock has become a huge part of the Country sound and I don't exactly mind that. I think it's great when people mix genres and try new things like that. Still, for a show that is supposed to be finding a "country star", I don't understand what they're doing anymore. Several contestants now have performed in this competiton for 3 weeks and have not once done a song by a country artist. To me, that is really messing up the heart of what this show was supposed to be about- talented country acts. For them to have a theme night like this and invite Danity Kane of all people to perform just proves the network is slowly destroying this show. Don't even get me started on the back-up dancers...

With that said, I do see some very talented singers in here I want to stick around to watch. So, let's go through the contestants, shall we?

Pearl Heart: They've had me from the first episode, when they did a great version of the Dixie Chicks "Wide Open Spaces". Their bluegrass version of "Love Shack" has only cemented my support for them and I hope they stick around for quite a while yet.

Laura and Sophie: Jewel was right about the novelty aspect of their act, but I still like them. Underneath it all are two talented girls who I hope will stick together through all this craziness and learn a lot from it. Are they ready for a deal? Not sure, but I think they have great potential. I just want to ask their Mentor what he was thinking by having two young girls sing a song like "PYT". Billy Ray's Micheal Jackson joke at the end just added to the creepiness factor.

Ashlee: I  thought she did a nice version of the song, but I don't get why John Rich was trying to make her vamp it up like that. Much luck to her. By the way... am I the only one who thinks she looks and sounds like Jewel

Gabe: Odd song choice, but he made it work for him. I just don't think it was the best of the night.

Justin: The less said, the better. He was deserving of his ticket home this week.

Coffey: Beat boxing and yelling out random things every phrase is NOT the way to get the older crowd interested. And while we're at it: you are NOT country (not even "new country") not matter how many cowboy hats you put on. Try American Idol next year or maybe America's Got Talent.

Alyson: Great voice, bad arrangement. She really needs to start being more of a risk taker if she's going to stay alive in this competition.

Shawn: She's not a bad singer at all and she takes chances... I like that. Let's see how far these risks can take her...

Tommy: Adore him. He's got a good voice and he's just fun to watch perform. He has this great energy about him on stage and I like his song arrangements.

Finally, Melissa: Melissa, girl? Love your voice when you relax and stop trying so hard. Still... watch it now... you've had two weeks in a row with Pop songs. Time to get a bit more country.

On a final NS note... Thank you for bringing in a co-host to do most of the talking NBC... it's about the one good move you've made yet.

On a happier note.... I got a chance to catch The Road Hammers on GAC and enjoyed every minute of it. That lead singer is one smart (and tough) cookie. I liked his attention to detail when discussing the band's contract and how he seemed to be looking out for the others. It's also the first opportunity I have had to see them perform their music live and they were great during that showcase. Looking forward to the next episode. Check out the GAC website for more about the show and airtimes.

Well, that's about it for now. Keep checking back, though, because I will be sharing a review of the latest CD by Jeremy McComb as well as some info for anyone who maybe isn't familar with him yet. Til then, take care and "play something country!"

Hey all! Don't forget that today is the day the Road Hammers CD Blood, Sweat and Steel is released in stores. You'll definitely want to check this one out. Speaking of the band.... check out their GAC show this week to get a look at what life is like for a band attempting to win over audiences in a new country. Should be cool.  Here are airtimes, courtesy of GAC:

06/26/2008 8:30 PM
07/03/2008 8:30 PM 
07/10/2008 8:30 PM

Check out their page on the GAC website to get more airtimes and episode descriptions. GAC isn't going to stop there, though. They're also going to give you a look at Jewel and her path to becoming a country star when they make her the focus of Origins on the 28th at 9 PM. All times are eastern, btw.

Hey, everyone!! It's been a long time, I know, but I'm back and ready to share some stuff I got through the grapevine.

First off- Andy Griggs' new CD is getting a physical release in just 6 days. Check back tomorrow, when I'll give you a preview of it. He released a digital version a little while back. I'll also be offering you a sneak peak at the Road Hammers' new CD. That one comes out on June 26th.

In the meantime, why not check out the Road Hammers on TV? Their new single "Girl on the Billboard" is playing on GAC and CMT Pure now. The single officially gets released on the 9th of June. Their TV series I mentioned earlier airs on the 12th at 8:30 PM. I'll be there to give you the rundown on the show. Finally, if you want to see them live, they'll be performing at the CMA Music Fest on on June 6th in Nashville.

Do you want to see your picture on a billboard? Well, you can... sort of. In honor of their new single, The Road Hammers are also offering fans the chance to e-mail their picture to girl_on_the_billboard@yahoo.com. The pictures will end up on a special billboard-themed widget on their MySpace page. Gotta hand it to Country artists... they get pretty creative with their promo.

In other Country Music news... how about those CMAs? My personal hightlights where Miranda Lambert's performance of "Gunpowder and Lead", LeAnn's "Family" performance and Miranda's "album of the year" win. I seriously never saw that one coming. Good for her! I just hope it brings her greater air play and attention in the Industry. As for Sugarland's and Kellie Pickler's new songs? I'm on the fence right now. I wasn't too thrilled, but I can see them growing on me in time. We'll see.

Shania fans are stil probably shaking their heads over the Lange-Twain seperation. I have to admit, I never saw that one coming either.  What makes it even worse are reports that he was supposedly messing around with a secretary. I hope that's not the case. Either way, Mutt's being unusually candid, talking to People several times recently about the split and rumors surrounding it. Guilty conscience, perhaps?

Well, I guess that's about all for now. Take care and see y'all soon!

I reviewed them a little while back. Well, now GAC is going to be airing a series all about them. It's gonna be a limited series documenting their attempts to break into the American industry after having been successful in Canada. Should be interesting. I don't really like how some people feel the need to let it all hang out in a series all the time, but I do like these short ones that are focused on the business and what goes on behind the scenes of recording a disc or planning a tour. I think it does the job some want the other shows to do (humanizing the person and making them relateable) while not going too far. It also makes me respect an artist much more after I've seen all the work they've put in first hand.

Are you going to check this out? What do you think of the idea of this series? Let me know! I'd love to hear your thoughts. Til next time... take care and "play something country!"

Canada's done it again! The Country that brought us Shania Twain and Emerson Drive has a new export coming to the states: The Road Hammers. Formed by Jason McCoy, a solo artist who wanted to do something new, the band debuted on a CMT Canada series. Ever since then, they've been topping the charts there and winning awards.

Their first US single, "I Don't Know When to Quit", is currently climbing up the charts and winning over new listeners. The song is an up-tempo number influenced by the Southern Rock acts of the past. It had a curious effect on me, making me wanna get up and move while giving off a laid-back vibe that is good for just hanging out and relaxing.

Lyrically, it's not the most unique song. Like many hits, it discusses being deep in love with someone and not wanting to let go. Still there are a few interesting lines. One in particular that caught my attention was the opening. McCoy sings, "If I drink one, I drink a hundred; try to have a little fun. Might not come in until the sun comes up, I've got a tendency to get carried away. Girl, I'm just made that way".

Each lyric is delivered convincingly by McCoy. His vocals are interesting- country without being overly twangy. I think the laid back vibe I mentioned is partly to do with McCoy's deep and rich vocals, along with the vocal arrangement.

This is overall a great track that is sure to be a radio favorite. Check out their MySpace page to listen to the song and keep up with that they're up to next.