Posted: July 18th, 2008 at 3:14 pm| By: Chet Flippo
Only one new video was available for this week’s screening by CMT’s video evaluation team. So, Rissi Palmer’s new video for her song “No Air” received the panel’s full attention. So, let’s get to it.
Palmer’s “No Air” video features only her, performing the song as a sort of soliloquy on a stunningly beautiful, deserted Caribbean beach. For a young artist to attempt appearing in a video as the only human creature in it … well … that’s not the easiest of tasks. But Palmer pulls it off and does it very credibly. The song, incidentally, was originally performed in a pop version by Jordin Sparks.
Every artist was inspired by someone. Many claim their lives were forever changed the first time they heard Waylon, Willie or Merle. But rarely does self-proclaimed troubadour Steve Earle get any love from country’s mainstream.
That will change on Tuesday (July 22), when the world hears track number 11 on Sugarland’s new album, Love on the Inside. Read more…
Posted: July 18th, 2008 at 11:53 am| By: Chris Parton
Rain storms are like therapy for me. I don’t need to lie on a fancy couch and pay someone $300 an hour to work out my issues. I just pull a chair out to the porch and watch the puddles fill. I don’t know why but for some reason it gives me perspective on the things that get me down. It seems like the Eli Young Band feels the same way, and I was glad to hear “When It Rains” because they use the rain like a symbol of hope instead of despair.
Like a lot of folks, I am skeptical of pop stars trying to break through as country artists. But I suddenly find myself in favor of Darius Rucker, lead singer of Hootie & the Blowfish, who has a successful solo single on the country charts right now. The band played at the Wildhorse Saloon in Nashville earlier this week, and out of curiosity and nostalgia, I decided to go. You know, their most popular tunes didn’t sound that far removed from today’s country music - plus, Darius is just fun to watch when he gets to dancing. (I confess, I was dancing a little bit too, but I’m fun to watch for a different reason.)
There will be 84 tunes on the Rock Band 2 video game coming out soon, and not a single song is even remotely country. So rock on, but we’re going to wait for a Rock Band Goes Country.
Bluegrass artist Dan Tyminski and his wife saved the day for an ATV driver who overturned his four-wheeler near Nashville, proving that heroes are definitely among us.
Last night I saw Whitney Duncan play a private showcase at Rocketown in downtown Nashville. The day earlier, she came to CMT to sing a few songs. And before that? Well, it’s been a long time, but she had a video in 2004 with Kenny Rogers, but the single never took off. (If you have Rogers’ 42 Ultimate Hits, it’s the second-to-last track.) Now, she’s greasing the promotional wheels for an upcoming album on Warner Bros., smiling and shaking hands at every turn. Here’s the first video, “When I Said I Would.”
I’m sorry. But what on earth is Keith Urban supposed to do with a $630 cashmere baby blanket? Or a $445 sterling spoon and fork set? These are just some of the absurd baby gifts Hermés makes and may or may not have been in the pile of stuff that Nicole Kidman’s ex sent to the Urbans when their daughter Sunday was born. (People magazine reported that Tom Cruise’s gift included “items from the Hermés baby line.”) But even if it was something more useful, like the $225 lambskin booties, does anyone ever actually use this stuff?
When Ricky Skaggs decided to focus on bluegrass music about a decade ago, he largely dropped all of his country hits from his set list. That was a pretty big deal, considering he’s had 11 No. 1’s, like “Crying My Heart Out Over You” and “Highway 40 Blues.” (I imagine he’s still performed “Uncle Pen” every night, however.) But for those fans who were “Heartbroke” at his concerts, here’s some good news - he’s adding a few of those classic songs at his concerts to celebrate a new album, The High Notes.
Posted: July 17th, 2008 at 9:23 am| By: Whitney Self
OK, so let me get this straight. Carrie Underwood gets drunk in Sin City, ends up getting hitched and now she can’t remember her last name? Love the idea. However, I do have one bone to pick with this song. Well, actually, just the video. How does she stay so perfect-looking throughout the entire night?
Only one new video was available for this week’s screening by CMT’s video evaluation team. So, Rissi Palmer’s new video for her song “No Air” received the panel’s full attention. So, let’s get to it.
Every artist was inspired by someone. Many claim their lives were forever changed the first time they heard 
Like a lot of folks, I am skeptical of pop stars trying to break through as country artists. But I suddenly find myself in favor of 
I’m sorry. But what on earth is 
When 
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