Thunder Rolls

When looking at country artist Garth Brooks is one artist you cannot pass up. He has been one of those artists that have helped fans through some good times and bad, he has created music that made you cry and created music that made you feel like you are on top of the world Garth Brooks is one of the country artist that will go down as one of the artists that blew his crowds away.

Garth Brooks is a pivotal figure in the history of country music, no matter how much some country purists would like to deny it. Garth Brooks brought country music to a new audience in the 90’s, namely a mass audience. Garth Brooks is the son of Troyal and Colleen Carroll Brooks. Colleen was a country singer herself; she recorded a handful of records for Capitol in the mid 50’s that never experienced any success in the charts. Garth Brooks received a partial athletic scholarship at Oklahoma State University as a javelin tosser, but he wounded up dropping the sport during his collegiate career. However, while he was at college Garth Brooks began singing in local Oklahoma clubs, often with the lead guitarist Ty England.

In December of 1984 Garth Brooks graduated with an advertising degree; after he tried to decide to try to forge out a career as a country singer. Then in 1985 he traveled to Nashville with hopes of being discovered by a record label. Within 23 hours of arriving in Nashville Garth Brooks returned to Oklahoma, frustrated with the industry, his prospects, and his naïve dreams. Garth Brooks continued to perform in Oklahoma clubs, but in 1986 he married his college girlfriend Sandy Mahl.

Garth Brooks recorded his first album with producer Allen Reynolds at the end of 1988, the self-titled debut appeared early in 1989. This album was an instant success, with its first single “Much Too Young (To Feel This Damn Old)”, which climbed into the country Top Ten. Garth Brooks had three other hit singles; the number one “If Tomorrow Never Comes,” the number two “Not Counting you,” and the number one “The Dance;” but it was his second album, No Fences, that established him as a superstar. No Fences was released in the fall of 1990, preceded by the massive hit single “Friends in Low Places.” This album spent 23 weeks at the top of the country charts and sold 700,000 copies within the first ten days of its release; but by the year 1993 No Fences would sell over ten million copies. In 1990 and 1991 Garth Brooks had a string of number one country hits from this album including “Unanswered Prayers,” “Two of a Kind, Workin’ on a Full House,” and “The Thunder Rolls.”

Garth Brooks is an amazing artist who has so many hits it is unbelievable. Here is a chart of the awards Garth Brooks has won, because there was so many I decided to put them into a chart to make it easier to read.

Love Don't Live Here

Lady Antebellum is comprised of singers Hillary Scott and Charles Kelley and multi-instrumentalist Dave Haywood. Kelley and Haywood were both classmates at the University of Georgia, studying finance, where they started writing songs together. Hillary Scott is the daughter of country singer Linda Davis and musician Lang Scott, she once had a major label interest as a solo artist; however the deal fell through. When all three members started writing and performing together, Nashville took notice. They began opening shows for big country artist; as well as earning high-profile gigs in clubs around town. “Love Don’t Live Here” was a successful first single that Capital Nashville released their debut album in 2008.

In 2008 Lady Antebellum won two awards they were the CMA Horizon Award and the Academy of Country Music: Top New Vocal Duet/Group. Then in 2009 Lady Antebellum won the CMA Single of the Year and Vocal Group of the Year. Any new artist feels like their music means something when the first two years they are releasing albums and songs they are getting awards. Lady Antebellum is one of the artists that don’t let winning these awards go to their heads; they are still thankful to the artists that helped them get their feet off the ground. Lady antebellum only has one album released and that was released on April 15 of 2009, which was entitled Landy Antebellum.

After winning two trophies on Wednesday (November 11^th), Lady Antebellum were still riding the adrenaline rush in the CMA pressroom. They emphasized to reporters that Kenny Chesney, Keith Urban, Martina McBride, and Jason Aldean were to be thanked for helping them reach new fans on their tours. However, the trio’s popularity extends well beyond other award-winning singers, since Lady Antebellum captured the best vocal group and best single just one year after claiming best new artist.

“We’ve has, honestly, the most amazing year,” said Charles Kelley. “First and foremost, we’ve made so many friends in this industry. And everyone seems so supportive. Whether that’s a faASade or not, it feels great and we love them. We really feel the love. Everybody’s rooting us, it feels like. As long as we continue to work hard and hopefully put out good records, our goal is to be doing this for a long, long, long time.” This was stated in the pressroom after the CMAs, as fans can tell Lady Antebellum is very excited to be receiving awards.

For those followers who want to go to Lady Antebellum’s websites you are in luck. Unlike other artists Lady Antebellum has many official websites: http://ladyantebellum.com/ , http://www.myspace.com/LadyAntebellum , http://www.imeem.com/ladyantebellum , http://www.ilike.com/artist/ladyantebellum , and http://www.facebook.com/pages/ladyantebellum . Along with those websites there is also Capital Records Nashville’s website, which is http://www.capitolnashville.com/ArtistHome.aspx?ArtistID=922839 .

Just like any other artist Lady Antebellum had artist that are related to them. Since Lady Antebellum is still a new group there is not that many related artists Little Big Town, Rascal Flatts, and Sugarland are similar artists. Also there is Taylor Swift and Carrie Underwood.

What Kind of Gone

Chris Cagle was born on November 10, 1968 in the town of DeRidder, La. However, when he was four he and his family moved to the outskirts of Houston. At the age of six Cagle started guitar lessons, but quit after a year because it was too difficult for his tiny hands to handle the large classical guitar. During high school he took piano lessons and began playing the guitar again only after receiving an Ovation acoustic guitar for Christmas his senior year. “Free Bird” was the first song he learned how to play.

Cagle enrolled in to the University of Texas-Arlington; however he soon found himself skipping his finance class to audit music classes. During the night Cagle would perform in Texas clubs. At the age of nineteen Cagle realized that he was wasting his time at school and he then left Texas to purse music full time and moved to Nashville in 1994. Where he spent the next five years performing odd jobs, from waiting tables and tending bars to being a golf caddy; all the while polishing his songwriting skills. After meeting legendary Harlan Howard, who taught Cagle how to write true country songs, Cagle’s writing vastly improved. Howard was the first to publish on of Cagle’s songs.

A few years later Cagle had the pleasure to meet Donna Duarte at a restaurant he was working at, she was really interested in music, so he invited her to come to the studio to hear him record some demos. Duarte loved the music she heard Cagle play and decided to take the demos to her boss; Cagle did not know that Duarte was the assistant to Scott Hendricks. Soon after that Cagle landed a recording deal.

Cagle has been releasing albums since the year 200. His first album was “Play it Loud.” He didn’t release another album until 2003 which was entitled “Chris Cagle.” Two years later, in 2005, “Anywhere But Here.” Cagle had a thing for taking two years to create and release an album because he didn’t release another album until 2007 which was “This is Chris Cagle.” Then there is Cagle’s latest album “My Life’s been a Country Song.”

Cagle has a few songs that are very well known, these songs include “Play it loud,” “Lovin’ You Lovin’ Me,” “It Takes Two,” “Chicks Dig It,” “What kind of Gone,” “Wanted Dead or Alive,” “Wal-Mart Parking Lot,” “Miss Me Baby,” “Hey Ya’ll,” and “No Love Songs.” For this writer “No Love Songs” is one of her favorite songs composed by Chris Cagle because of the meaning behind it. The meaning is worry about everything in life not just the love part, because there is more to life than just being in love, there is having fun and living life by the moments.

Cagle has unfortunately only received one award, this was in 2002. At the CMT Flameworthy Video Music Awards, Cagle won the Breakthrough video of the Year. Cagle has two websites for fans. There is his official Chris Cagle site which is: http://chriscagle.musiccitynetworks.com/. Then there is Cagle’s MySpace page which is: http://www.myspace.com/chriscagle

Cagle has a few related artists for those listeners that like him and want to hear other artists like him. These artists are Brad Paisley, Chris LeDoux, Garth Brooks, Gary Allan, Joe Nichols, Keith Urban, Kenny Chesney, Randy Houser, and Vince Gill.

Chris Cagle "Miss Me Baby" music video


Chris Cagle MySpace Video

Man I Feel Like a Woman

Shania Twain was born Eileen Edwards in Canada on August 28, 1965. She is the second oldest of five siblings. Shania Twain was raised in Timmins, Ontario, and about 500 miles due north of Toronto, where her stepfather and mother were both raised. Her stepfather is an Ojibway Indian named Jerry Twain and her mother is named Sharon. Their family struggles to keep food in the cupboards, but there was always an abundance of music in Shania Twain’s house hold.

Shania Twain often retreated to the solitude of her bedroom with a guitar, singing and writing until her fingers hurt. She recalls “I grew up listening to Waylon, Willie, Dolly, Tammy, all of them, but we also listened to the Mamas and the Papas, The Carpenters, The Supremes, and Stevie Wonder. The many different styles of music I was exposed to as a child not only influenced my vocal style, but even more so, my writing style.”

Shania Twain’s mother noticed Twain’s talent and soon shuttled Shania Twain to radio and TV studios, community centers, senior citizen’s homes, “everywhere they could get me booked.” An 8 – year – old Shania Twain was often pulled out of bed to sing with the house band at a local club but only after alcohol sales ended at midnight. Later, Shania Twain spent summers working with her stepfather as the foreman of a dozen – man reforestation crew in the Canadian bush, where she learned to wield an axe and handle a chain saw as well as any other man could do. In the winter seasons Shania Twain would sing in clubs and do televisions and radio performances as often as her school would allow her to.

In 1987, at the age of 21, Shania Twain had the misfortune to lose her parents in an automobile accident. This is when Shania Twain took the responsibility of raising her three younger siblings. It took three years for her brothers to be old enough to take care of themselves; Shania Twain was on her own. Shedding her real name, Eileen, Shania Twain adapted the Ojiway name of Shania, meaning “I’m on my way.”

Shania Twain’s first album was entitled “Shania Twain” and was released in 1993, two years later she released “The Women in Me.” “Come on Over” was released in 1997 which was remade and released in 1999. Also in 199 she released “On the Way,” “Maximum Shania,” “Star Profile,” her “Interview CD,” and “Beginnings 1989-1990.” In the 2000 Shania Twain started the year off strong releasing 3 albums entitles “Hit Collection,” “Wild and Wicked,” and “Woman in Me.” “Up!” was released in 2002 and was made into four different versions. Within the past four years she has released only a few albums “Send It with Love,” “Beginnings,” “Final Beginnings,” and “The First Time… For the Last Time.”

Related artist that you may like if you like Shania Twain then you should try listening to : Terri Clark, Dixie chicks, Faith Hill, Martina McBride, Reba MaEntire, Garth Brooks, Celine Dion, Wynonna, LeAnn Rimes, Collin Raye, Lee Ann Womack, and Trisha Yearwood.

Babies, Concerts, and Partying must be Country News

In country news on October 13^th “We’re All for the Hall” benefit concert was held in Nashville Tennessee. This concert raised more than $500,000 for the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville. Nashville’s Sommet Center was where the concert was held and was headlined by Keith urban and featured an all star lineup including Bard Paisley, Taylor Swift, Dierks Bentley, Faith Hill, Lady antebellum, Jason Aldean, Little Big town, and Vince Gill. Vice Gill, who conceived the original idea for the annual benefit show stated “I can’t really believe it happened, this is big, big payday, and times are tough. It makes so much sense to me for the artist, musicians, and fans of country music to help out the place that documents and preserves our music and keeps all its great stories for our benefit and for discovery by future generations.” Along with this concert additional fund will be raised through corporate donations and online auction where Taylor Swift donated a guitar after one of her performances. Vince Gill was right when he said that times are tough and it is nice to see that people are willing to help out the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville, because places like that need the money so that our history is not lost.

On October 21^st Kenny Chesney goes out to celebrate the success of his latest number one hit “Out Last Night” at an industry party at the ASCAP building in Nashville. Kenny Chesney was honored for the hit along with his co-writer Bret James. While sporting a Boston Red Sox’s baseball cap, Kenny told his overflowing crowd that “It’s real easy to be a songwriter when you write with Brett. He has meant a lot to me in my career, and my career would not be the same without him.” For those of you who did not know, Brett James also wrote Kenny‘s hit “When the Sun Goes Down.” It is nice to see that the fame has not gotten to Kenny Chesney head. Most artists when getting an awards they seem to thank the producers and other helps, but never really say that my career would not be the same without them. Kenny Chesney has no problem giving credit to the people who deserve it and that is refreshing to see in a hit artist.

In wonderful news; John Rich and his wife Joan Bush are expecting their first child. This news was first reported by the website theboot.com. John and Joan were married last year in Nashville after dating for several years. John would not tell any reports any other comments on his wife’s pregnancy or of his new fatherhood, but everyone is very excited for him. It is nice to see that there are some celebrities out there that are still taking relationship seriously; to see that even after dating for several years while being famous they are still in love with each other and want to get married. Now let us all pray that this marriage lasts for a while for not only the kid’s sake, but also so that their love does not get lost with the lives that they live.

Barefoot and Crazy

Jack Ingram was born on November 15 in the year of 1970. While studying psychology at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Ingram first played seriously. He toured around the bars and road houses of Texas with his Beat Up ford band and landed a regular. This regular was a Tuesday night gig at the honky-tonk club Adair’s. Ingram’s second album was recorded live at the club. Universal Records’ Rising Tide imprint gave Ingram a recording contract and he started working with Steve Earle on his debut for the label. This album was entitle “Livin’ or Dyin’” and was released in 1997, it also featured co-writing credits from Jim Lauderdale and Todd Snider. After this Ingram relocated to Sony’s Lucky Dog imprint for his 1999 album “Hey You” Ingram has a few videos he has created. There is “Barbie Doll,” “Love You,” “That’s a Man,” “seeing Stars,” “Barefoot and Crazy,” and “Maybe She’ll Get Lonely.” Ingram has also been in other artist’s videos such as “Gunpowder & Lead” by Miranda Lambert. Back in the year 1995 Ingram came out with three different albums they were “Jack Ingram,” “Live at Adair’s,” and “Lonesome Question.” In 1997 he released two albums entitled “Flutter” and “Livin’ or Dyin.’” Two years later he released “Hey You.” It took Ingram three years after that to come up with his album “Electric.” In 2003 “Live at Billy Bob’s Texas” was released and in 2004 he released two albums “Young Man” and “Live at Gruene Hall: Happy Happy.” 2005 brought us the album “Acoustic Motel;” and 2007 brought us the two wonderful albums “Maybe She’ll Get Lonely” and “This Is It.” Ingram did not release anything from then on until this year. This year we have had the privilege to listen to the albums “Barefoot and Crazy” and “Big Dreams & High Hopes.”
Jack Ingram only has one tour date left and that is on November 12th of this year. The concert is be held at the Ryman auditorium in Nashville Tennessee. For reading on Ingram’s fan site this fans think he is amazing in concert. So if anyone is in Nashville or wants to see him, they should go and take in the energy he gives off when he performs live. Jack Ingram has won two different awards. In 2007 he won an award at the CMT Music Awards, this award was the Wide Open Country Video of the Year. Then in 2008 at the Academy of Country Music Jack Ingram won the Top New Male Vocalist. Jack Ingram has two websites. He has his official website which is: http://www.jackingram.net/ and he also has a MySpace, which that website is: http://www.myspace.com/jackingram. Also Ingram’s label has a website that is: http://www.bigmachinerecords.com/. For those of you that like Jack Ingram and want to hear other artist that are like him, do not worry there are some out there. Gary Allan, John Berry, Lisa Brokop, and Kix Brooks are some artists that creat music just like Ingram. A few others are Ronnie Dunn, Skip Ewing, Ty Hernson, Sammy Kershaw, Tracy Lawrence, Danielle Peck, Perfect Stranger, Collin Raye, and South Sixty-Five. And the most popular artist who is like Ingram would be Tim McGraw.

In country music news

In country music news Tobey Keith’s single “American Ride” retreats from number one to number two this week on the Billboard country chats, but his album “American Ride” (yes the same title) debuts at number one on the adjacent list. Nielsen SoundScan measured Keith’s first week CD sales to be a tad over 90,000 copies. Keith has to be feeling pretty good about this. The number two album on the charts was Luke Bryan’s “Doin’ My Thing,” which sold 60,000 copies. Both these guys should be every proud to sell that many copied of their CDs within one week.

In Carrie Underwood news, she is planning a two hour variety special on Fox network that will air on December seventh. The program has not been titled yet, but there already are confirmed guests coming to Underwood performance including Dolly Parton, Brad Paisley, fellow American Idol winner David Cook and a few others who have not been announced yet. Along with her hits and holiday classics, Underwood is suppose to perform music from her new album “Play On,” which is release on November third.

For those of listeners who are in love with Taylor Swift, you might want to tune into Saturday Night Live on November seventh but she will be hosting it that night and also performing during the show. Swift told The Associated Press that she has been thinking about comedy ideas based on her life. She said “There are definitely some hilarious things that have happened to me over the past couple of months that I think will be pretty substantial skits.” Swift also said that she had been invited over the summer to host the show but had to keep it a secret until now and that she hoped to make a digital short music video with Andy Samberg for the episode. Many fans are already posting on Swift’s fan site that they cannot wait until November seventh to see her host the show.

Saving the best news for last Garth Brooks will be coming out of retirement with a solo acoustic show that will begin on December eleventh at the Encore Theater at Wynn Las Vegas. Brooks will be performing only one show on Fridays and Sundays, but two shows on Saturdays. Wynn is providing a private jet for Brooks to commute from his Oklahoma home where he lives with his three daughters and wife, singer Trisha Yearwood. The deal is a five year deal and it calls for Brooks to perform only during specific weeks each year, which will be announced on a quarterly basis. Tickets will be sold for $125 and will go on sale on October 24^th for the first five weekends. The Dates are December 11 - 13, January 1-3 and 22 - 24 and February 12 - 14 and 26 - 28. Brooks has only played a handful of concerts since retiring in the year 2001. His engagement at Wynn Las Vegas evolved from a series of conversations he has with Wynn.

CMA Awards

Every country lover knows what is coming up within the next month… it is the CMA Awards. This will be taking place on November 11^th. This is one awards show that cannot be missed. This year’s hosts are Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood. This year is the 43^rd year of the CMA awards

For Entertainer of the year there are five possible choices. They are: Kenny Chesney, Brad Paisley, George Strait, Taylor Swift, and Keith Urban. Females running for the Female vocalist of the year are in for a touch run because they are all excellent singers. The nominees are: Miranda Lambert, Martina McBride, Reba McEntire, Taylor Swift, and Carrie Underwood. The males have the same problem with the nominees being Kenny Chesney, Brad Paisley, Darius Rucker, George Strait and Keith urban.

This year there had been many new artist that have rocked the charts out with hit singles so no matter who wins the award, they deserve it. The nominees are Randy Houser, Jamey Johnson, Jake Owen, Darius Rucker, and the Zac Brown Band.

Vocal duo of the year will be a tight race, since all five of these duos deserve to walk away with the award. The nominees are Big & Rich, Brooks & Dunn, Joey & Rory, Montgomery Gentry, and Sugarland.

To be nominated for single of the year the song must be chart toping for more than just a week. This can be hard to do with all the new music that artists come out with, but these songs are able to do just that: “Chicken Fried” by Zac Brown Band, “I Run to You” by Lady antebellum, “In Color” by Jamey Johnson, “People Are Crazy” by Billy Currington, and “Then” by Brad Paisley.

Just as single of the year is a praising to be nominated music video of the year is just the same. These artists should feel proud of themselves for one coming up with that video and two writing a song that people love to watch the video to. The nominees are “Boots On” by Randy Houser, “Love Story” by Taylor Swift, “People Are Crazy” by Billy Currington, “Start a Band” by Brad Paisley and Keith Urban, and “Troubadour” by George Strait.

Let us take a minute and look back at pervious CMA winners. For male vocalist of the year in 2008 it was Trace Adkins, 2007 Kenny Chesney, 2006 Kenny Chesney, 2005 Kenny Chesney, 2004 Kenny Chesney and in 2003 Toby Keith. As you can see Kenny Chesney has been very popular in the past few years. The female vocalist almost had the same theme of a single artist, but their rains were not as long as Kenny Chesney’s. In 2008 it was Carrie Underwood, 2007 Carrie Underwood, 2006 Carrie Underwood, 2005 Gretchen Wilson, 2004 Martina McBride, and in 2003 Martina McBride.

When looking at the entertainer of the year they were the same as female and male vocalist, it was the same artist for a few years in a row. From 2006 – 2008 Kenny Chesney was the entertainer of the year. 2005 Keith Urban was the winner and in 2004 Kenny Chesney was the winner once again. 2003 and 2002 went to Alan Jackson while 2001 went to Tim McGraw. The year 200 was the year of Dixie Chicks and 1999 was the year of Shania Twain. Garth Brooks was real popular in 1997 and 1998 winner the entertainer of the year in both of those years.

It seems to be that if you are a good artist and the people are fans of yours, if you keep up the good music you can win entertainer of the year for a few years in a row.