SARAH DARLING CALLS OPENING FOR COUNTRY MUSIC SUPERSTAR ALAN JACKSON "BEYOND AMAZING"

Darling to Perform "Little Umbrellas" on FOX & Friends August 24

Sarah Darling (left) with Alan Jackson prior to opening Saturday night's show in Salt Lake City, Utah.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Monday, August 12, 2013) -- As a waitress at Nashville's Stoney River Steakhouse® prior to landing her first record deal, Sarah Darling waited on country superstar Alan Jackson, dreaming what it might be like if she could one day share the stage with him. This past weekend, she celebrated that milestone, opening back-to-back shows for Jackson in Boise, Idaho, Salt Lake City, Utah and Arlington, Wash. (August 9, 10, and 11). Calling the experience "beyond amazing" on Twitter, Darling adds, "I was blessed to have been on tour with one of the most humble and gracious men in the music business this weekend. What an unforgettable experience. Thank you Alan!"

This Saturday, Darling will make her forty-first appearance at the Grand Ole Opry prior to performing as part of Southern Living's "Biscuits & Jam" concert series presented by AT&T U-verse at The Woods at Fontanel on Sunday. Then she'll head to New York City for the national television debut of her latest summertime hit "Little Umbrellas" on FOX & Friends Saturday, August 24.

Upcoming Tour Dates:

August 17 | Grand Ole Opry | Nashville, Tenn.
August 18 | Southern Living's "Biscuits & Jam" (Fontanel) | Nashville, Tenn.
August 23 | The Newton Theatre | Newton, N.J.
August 25 | Dublin Deck | Long Island, N.Y.

Darling entertains on stage to over 12,000 attendees in Salt Lake City, Utah at the USANA Amphitheater.

Darling is featured in the "New To You" section of the August issue of Maverick magazine where her music is called, "Honest, emotional and just the way music should be," by Editor Alan Cackett who adds, "This girl can definitely sing!"

Last Friday, fans were treated to a LIVE Google Hangout with Darling, hosted by SheKnows.com, where she answered fan questions submitted via Twitter. One fan asked, "If you could do a duet with anyone who would it be?" Sarah responded saying her dream duet partners are Stevie Nicks, Michael Bublé, Blake Shelton and Jake Owen, and adds if she weren't a singer, she would be a pastry chef. Watch the full interview here:  http://bit.ly/15Uh25m.

Darling experienced success earlier this year with the release of her latest E.P., Home To Me (in stores now). The disc features the title track, Darling's first Top 35 Country Billboard sales single that spawned appearances on TBS' CONAN, ABC's The Bachelor and more. Her latest single release, "Little Umbrellas" (now available on iTunes) is Top 20 on Sirius XM's "The Highway" and earning increased spins each week on country radio stations nationwide.

For more information on Sarah Darling, visit www.sarahdarling.com.
Follow her on Twitter ( @_SarahDarling) and Facebook (www.Facebook.com/OfficialSarahDarling).

DJ MILLER SLATED TO PERFORM AT ICM AWARDS ON OCTOBER 18

“BETWEEN SUNDAYS” NOMINATED FOR MAINSTREAM INSPIRATIONAL COUNTRY SONG WITH BIG & RICH, MARTINA MCBRIDE, VINCE GILL AND JOSH TURNER 

Nashville, TN (October 5, 2012) - Rising star DJ Miller has been in the studio finishing up debut album, slated for release early next year, but he’s taking a break in October to make his award show debut at the Inspirational Country Music Awards.  The awards, being held at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center on October 18, will also feature performances by Andy Griggs, The Roys, and Mac Powell (lead singer of Third Day). 

Miller will also be in the audience as a nominee.  His Billboard-charted single “Between Sundays” is nominated for Mainstream Inspirational Country Song of the Year along with fellow nominees Vince Gill, Martina McBride, Josh Turner and Big & Rich.

“I’m honored to have the opportunity to perform at the ICM awards,” says DJ Miller.  “I had my first #1 on the Powersource Chart and I couldn’t be more thankful that the inspirational country fans and ICMA have been so supportive.” 

The award show will air on Golden Eagle Broadcasting (Directv Ch. 363), Total Living Network, TCT Television Network (Directv Ch. 377) and NRB Network (Directv Ch. 378).

EVENT (ONLINE CD RELEASE): FRIDAY, JUNE 29 - BENTON BLOUNT

THIS FRIDAY, JUNE 29!!!!

Go to www.bentonblount.com/music and buy your copy of Benton Blount's long awaited new album! We have an advance copy of the cd and it is FANTASTIC!

If you go to Benton's Facebook event page and say you ARE GOING to the event after you order the cd, you will be entered to win $200 worth of Benton Blount Merch! Exclusive acoustic CD, Shirt, Hat, plus more!

The more people who that order the CD means the more people that can win the prize! So invite your friends!

Florida Georgia Line to Release Debut EP on May 15.

Two of our favorite guys ever, Florida Georgia Line, are releasing their debut digital EP "It’z Just What We Do" on Tuesday, May 15.

The EP is produced by Joey Moi who has worked with Jake Owen, Nickelback and other big names. The release features five-songs including the lead single,“Cruise,” which will be introduced to country radio in late May. Florida Georgia Line is Tyler Hubbard and Brian Kelley, who co-wrote all five songs on the EP. The guys recently visited MusicRow, and are now previewing the new music for fans on their website before the EP is even released. Genius!

Track Listing:

1. Cruise

2. Get Your Shine On

3. Tip It Back

4. Tell Me How You Like It

5. It’z Just What We Do

Florida Georgia Line is part of the 2012 Country Throwdown Tour lineup hitting the road this summer, starting May 18 in Gulfport, MS and headliners are Gary Allan, Rodney Atkins, Justin Moore, and others.

We will be reviewing this one once we get it and we KNOW you're gonna love it! We've loved these guys since the first note we ever heard them play. Big things are comin' for Tyler and Brian. Let your radio station know you love them and want to hear "Cruise".

AARON LEWIS TO RELEASE FULL-LENGTH SOLO ALBUM ‘THE ROAD’ JUNE 26

NEW SINGLE “ENDLESS SUMMER” SPINNING AT COUNTRY RADIO NOW

Coming off his 2011 debut solo EP Town Line--which entered the Billboard Country Albums chart at #1 and produced the ACM-nominated, gold-selling single “Country Boy”--AARON LEWIS will release a much-anticipated full length album titled THE ROAD, June 26 on R&J Records.

Once again produced by James Stroud (Toby Keith, Tim McGraw, Chris Young) and LEWIS, THE ROAD features 10 brand new songs including the uptempo feel-good first single “Endless Summer,” check out the live video for the song here.

LEWIS--who also fronts the multi-million-selling hard rock group STAIND--had originally planned to record five new songs to be paired with the songs from Town Line, but decided to record a full album as more song ideas blossomed while recording in Nashville. LEWIS wrote all of the songs on the album except"Grandaddy's Gun," penned by hit Nashville songwriters Dallas Davidson, Rhett Akins and Bobby Pinson, marking the first time LEWIS has ever recorded another artist’s music for an album. LEWIS heard the song when on a hunting trip with Stroud and Akins and identified with the lyrics so much that he askedAkins for permission to cut it.

Meanwhile, LEWIS wants his fans to have an early taste of the upcoming album and is offering a free download of "Red, White & Blue.” Click here to check it out.

LEWIS has earned two nominations in the “Vocal Event Of The Year” category at the upcoming ACM Awards for his work as artist and as co-producer on his debut solo single “Country Boy,” which was certified gold in September for sales in excess of 500,000 units. The singer, songwriter and guitarist was nominated in the category along with his guest artists, George Jones and Charlie Daniels. The video for the song has been viewed over 15 million times online (http://youtu.be/vsQzw_Ax8Cw) alone. Last year, the single and video also earned LEWIS his first two CMT Music Award nominations: “Collaborative Video of the Year” and “USAWeekend Breakthrough Video of the Year.”

Town Line--which also entered at #7 on the Top 200 Albums Chart--drew critical praise from a wide variety of writers, including PEOPLE’s Chuck Arnold,who said "He proves to be a natural on nostalgic ballads like 'The Story Never Ends,’ (3/14/11)," while the ASSOCIATED PRESS’ Michael McCall wrote, “He injects a flavor of his own into a polished, commercial country sound in a way that could win over country fans who've never heard of Staind (2/28/11).”

Here’s the track listing for THE ROAD:

“75”
“The Road”
“Endless Summer”
“Red, White & Blue”
“Lessons Learned”
“Forever”
“Grandaddy’s Gun”
“State Lines”
“Anywhere But Here”
“Party In Hell”

http://aaronlewismusic.com/

http://www.facebook.com/AaronLewisMusic

JT Hodges To Do Twice Monthly Online Chats and Performances

 

Just in case you didn't already know ...

JT Hodges Is ‘Just Talkin’” in a New Online Feature Series of Twice Monthly Chats/Performances

Nashville, TN March 15, 2012 -- On March 19th at 7:00 pm CT, JT Hodges will premiere a web series called “Just Talkin’” ( http://www.ustream.tv/channel/j-t-hodges or www.facebook.com/jthodgesmusic). The twice monthly online chat with Hodges will give fans a chance to get to know the new artist a bit better, and also hear him perform some of his own music as well as fan-voted cover songs. Fans are able to vote for their favorite songs via a Facebook poll and can cast votes now at: http://on.fb.me/xqrzdz.

Hodges’ new single, “Goodbyes Made You Mine,” is rapidly closing in on the Top 40 of the Music Charts since its Valentine’s Day release. In his Music Row review of the single, respected music critic Robert K. Oermann said, “this has a certain ‘presence.’ JT’s not only a solid writer, but his vocal performance is up-close and personal, packed with personality and exuding confidence. The deep-twang guitar and driving production are also pluses. A star is born.”

Hodges burst onto the country music scene in 2011 with the release of his debut single, “Hunt You Down,” and a slot on Toby Keith’s Locked & Loaded Tour Presented By Ford F-Series. “Goodbyes Made You Mine” is the second single from the artist’s soon to be released CD.

For more information on Hodges, please check out these links: http://jthodges.com/, https://twitter.com/#!/HelloJTHodges and https://www.facebook.com/jthodgesmusic. Hodges has created a special fan exclusive video for his new single, which can be seen here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=ai7Fkfsa6Gs.

Craig Campbell Donates Thousands to Shirts For A Cure

Bigger Picture artist Craig Campbell teamed with Shirts For a Cure by using his merchandise sales to support and raise awareness for breast cancer research. Campbell donated thousands of dollars to Shirts For a Cure so far by selling the "Bobber Tanks" on tour last summer to go along with his 2nd hit single "Fish." With the pink bobbers clever placement along the chest, and the tag-line "Save the Bobbers", the shirts are a hit as well.

 

ABOUT SHIRTS FOR A CURE
Shirts For a Cure is a project launched by the Syrentha J. Savio Endowment, a registered non-profit that provides financial assistance to underprivileged women who cannot afford expensive breast cancer medicine and therapy. The Shirts For A Cure Project (SFAC) was launched by SSE to give voice to the social concerns of punk bands and their many fans as well as to raise awareness about breast cancer prevention. http://sfac.merchnow.com/

Take a Shot on the Scott DeCarlo Six

Photo credit: Amanda Stevens Photography

Help spread the word about Scott DeCarlo! When The Scott Decarlo Six Facebook page reaches 1000 "likes" there will be contests and giveaways! Beginning with the SIX SDSIX Shot Glass giveaway, to SIX lucky people and the chance to do a "Dirty Devil Six Shot" with Scott after an upcoming Show! Be sure to ask Scott what is in the "Dirty Devil Six Shot" if you dare ...

CD Review: "Bringin' Back the Sunshine" - Anthony Smith

CD: "Bringin' Back the Sunshine"

Artist: Anthony Smith

If you were to ask any Nashville local to name one country music's best, underrated songwriters, I would bet an antique Martin guitar that you'd hearthe name Anthony Smith come up on more than one occasion. Anthony's extensive list of writing credits is longer than my left and right arm combined, including hits such as George Strait's "Run" and "Cowboys Like Us", Trace Adkins' "Chrome" and "I'm Tryin", Rascal Flatts' "My Worst Fear", Tim McGraw's "Kill Myself" and "Kristofferson" and Montgomery Gentry's hit, "Whataya Think About That". The hit list rolls on from there and includes songs cut by Gretchen Wilson, Faith Hill, Van Zant and a plethora of the top names in country. What you might not realize is that Anthony is also an artist, having released a few cds of his own including his latest, "Bring Back the Sunshine". Now personally, I think his older releases were made of more substance than "Bringing Back the Sunshine", however that being said, this one ain't nothing to cast aside, nor is it country chump change. I personally think Anthony could perform the Chinese phone book and rock the pure hell out of it. His music is pure country, there's no disputing that and if you try, you're obviously not listening with both ears. His sound isn't like anything on radio today and I'm thankful for that since I really don't listen to radio. If he was on the radio, I might have missed out.

"Natural Disaster" by Anthony Smith

The title track, "Bringin' Back the Sunshine", while a good tune, doesn't really project that signature "Anthony Smith sound", it's actually got a little more pop to it than his other music. It's catchy in a "70's 8-track tape on a long ride in the El Camino" kinda way and easy to find yourself singing along to, but honestly, his voice just doesn't seem to match the song itself. "Natural Disaster", now that's a true traditional country style song complete with twang. You can almost visualize Anthony sitting at a bar, swigging on a glass of straight Jack and singing about his regret of lost love to the bartender, who's name is probably Otis or something. This one's what I'm talking about, good stuff. What I love about this cd is that Anthony's included a rocking instrumental, "Anaconda Cowboys", that almost sounds Allman Brothers-esque with it's southern rocking guitars and zero vocals. Love the addition of that, you don't get that kinda stuff anymore in today's country. I absolutely LOVE "Ride the Range". All I can say is HELL YEAH! Then there's "Hillbilly Romeos", a fantastic twang filled duet with the King of the Opry, the late great Porter Wagoner. What a country music gem that outshines most of the auto tuned, cross over songs out there now. There are several good tracks on this cd that will appeal to those who like real country music. All in all, I love the cd. I love Anthony's style, his voice, his way of telling a story with his music and the fact that he performs his songs the way HE wants. If you like good, honest, true to form country music with a southern edge, here's your choice.

I give it a shot of Jack and raise you a fifth! Here's to country music and here's to Anthony Smith for keeping it real.

You can find Anthony Smith online:

Anthony Smith Official Website

Anthony Smith Official Myspace Page

Anthony Smith Official Twitter Page

Anthony Smith Official Facebook Page

Anthony Smith on "iLike"

You can purchase Anthony's music on iTunes (This particular cd is not available yet on iTunes, however previous releases are.)

CD Review: "Get Loud" - Codie Prevost

CD: "Get Loud"

Artist: Codie Prevost

Release Date: June 22, 2010

Label: Good Spirit Records

There are many similarities between Canada and the United States and fortunately good country music is one of them. Among their many quality exports to the US is the music of Codie Prevost. With his combination of boyish charm and a fire in his voice, Codie Prevost is a stone that's now a gem shining in the glimmer of the country music spotlight.

Codie's latest cd, "Get Loud", is aptly named because that's exactly what the double SCMA "Fan's Choice Entertainer of the Year" is doing. He's getting loud and making people stop and listen. This cd will become a permanent addition to many playlists and there isn't a single song you'll want to "skip" when your iPod's in shuffle mode.

With a cd that's chock full of songs like "Get Loud" and "Standing Still" that automatically shift your cheesy dance moves in overdrive and songs like "How to Forget" that grab your heartstrings, how do you choose a favorite? If I had to pick a favorite song, I'd be at a loss because I like them all but if you really held me to the fire, I'd have to say "From Where I Stand". The song is so well crafted, both lyrically and melodically, and I'm an admitted sap for a good, emotional song that will bring tears to my eyes. I am willing to bet this one winds up playing at many weddings and brings Kleenex a huge profit.

All in all, I think this is a great cd. Codie Prevost has turned my head and more importantly, turned my ears. Definitely a good choice if you're looking for new music.

You can purchase Codie's music on iTunes, Amazon and CD Baby

Jason Sturgeon Launches his "Rollin' On" 2011 Tour

Jason Sturgeon is launching the first leg of his 2011 Rollin' On Tour. He's going to be out on the road a lot this year, charting new territory for the band and needs your help! Please check out the current schedule and please, if Jason is in your area, come out and see the show, bring friends, and let people know what's going on by reposting and spreading the word by smoke signal, big mouth, morse code, telegraph, on Facebook, Twitter, and any other site you can possibly think of.

Touring in new markets is always a bit tough since artists are still creating their fan base so any help that you could give would be greatly appreciated!! Come out and support new music!

Tour Dates

Lexington, KY - Cosmic Charlie's
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Start Time: 10:00 PM

Johnson City, TN - Capones
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Start Time: 9:30 PM

Asheville, NC - Wild Wing Cafe
KISS Presents Country Fried Friday
Friday, January 21, 2011
Start Time: 10:00 PM

Atlanta, GA - Peachtree Tavern
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Start Time: 10:00 PM

Augusta, GA - The Country Club Saloon
Friday, January 28, 2011
Start Time: 10:00 PM

Winston-Salem, NC - Johnny and Junes Ultra Saloon
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Start Time: TBA (Probably around 10:00 PM)

Nashville, TN - 12th and Porter
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Start Time: 7:00 PM

Starkville, MS - Cowbells
Friday, February 4, 2011
Start Time: 11:00 PM

Sanford, FL - The Barn
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Start Time: 10:00 PM

Indianapolis, IN - 8 Seconds Saloon w/ Josh Thompson
Friday, February 11, 2011
Start Time: 10:00 PM

Ft. Wayne, IN - The Rusty Spur
Friday, February 25, 2011
Start Time: 10:00 PM

Evansville, IN - Fast Eddy's
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Start Time: 10:00 PM