Music

Country

Personnel includes: George Strait (vocals, guitar); Frank Sinatra, Hank Thompson (vocals); Steve Gibson, Gregg Galbraith, Steve Chapman, Jimmy Capps, Jerry Shook, Fred Newell, Pete Bordonali (guitar); Mike Daily, John Hughey, Weldon Myrick (steel guitar); Cindy Cashdollar (Hawaiian steel guitar); Johnny Gimble (mandolin, fiddle); Mark O'Connor, Gene Elders, Stuart Duncan, Glen Duncan (fiddle); Jim Horn (alto flute, saxophone); Steve Marsh (saxophone); Floyd Domino, Randy McCormick, Ronnie Huckaby, Bill Miller (piano); Mitch Humphries, Hargus "Pig" Robbins (keyboards); Terry Hale, David Hungate, Leland Sklar, Joe Chemay, Emory Gordy, Jr. (bass); Owen Hale, Larrie Londin (drums).Asleep At The Wheel includes: Ray Benson, Ricky Turpin, Michael Francis, Tim Alexander, Dave Sanger.The Nashville... Less

This Wal-Mart exclusive CD/DVD combo is a teaser for teen country star Taylor Swift's second album, featuring three new songs and three alternate versions of songs from her multi-platinum self-titled 2006 debut: acoustic takes of "Should've Said No" and "Teardrops On My Guitar," and the radio edit of the single "Picture To Burn." In addition, the DVD contains all six of Swift's music videos to date, a 22-minute behind-the-scenes featurette, an extended television interview, and a live performance of "Should've Said No" from the 2008 Academy of Country Music Awards.

This is an Enhanced CD, which contains both regular audio tracks and multimedia computer files.Personnel: Marcel (vocals, harmonica); Jessica Andrews (vocals); B. James Lowry, Biff Watson (acoustic guitar); Brent Mason, Kenny Greenberg, Pat Buchanan (electric guitar); Paul Franklin, Ryuss Pahl (steel guitar); Mark Casstevens (banjo); Stuart Duncan, Aubrey Haynie (mandolin, fiddle); Travis Parker (fiddle); Jaonathan Yudkin (cello); Jim Hoke (harmonica); Steve Nathan, Matt Rollings (keyboards); Glen Worf, Mike Brignardello, Michael Rhodes (bass); Lonnie Wilson, Chris McHugh (drums); Bekka Bramlett (tambourine, background vocals); Frank J. Macek (loops); Russell Terrell, James Slater, Byron Gallimore (background vocals).Recorded at Ocean Way, Essential Sound, Emerald Entertainment, Profound... Less

Personnel: Joe Diffie (vocals); Mark Casstevens (acoustic guitar); Brent Mason (electric, gut string & tic-tac guitars); Brent Rowan (electric guitar); Paul Franklin (pedal steel guitar); Sam Bush (mandolin); Larry Franklin (fiddle); John Barlow Jarvis (piano, Wurlitzer piano, Hammond B-3 organ); Steve Nathan (piano, Hammond B-3 organ, keyboards); Tim Lauer (Hammond B-3 organ, keyboards); Glenn Worf, David Hungate (bass); Lonnie Wilson (drums, percussion, background vocals); Tom Roady (percussion); Liana Manis (background vocals). Recording information: Soundshop Studio A & B.Diffie has always been a first class, hard-country balladeer, though his string of funny novelty songs often overshadows his real talent. Diffie's 8th album, A NIGHT TO REMEMBER, re-establishes him as a top singer... Less

Personnel: Bob Amos (guitar, vocals), Mike Lantz (mandolin, vocals), Ron Lynam (banjo, vocals, guitar), Bob Dick (acoustic bass, vocals).Recorded at Colorado Sound Recording, Westminster, Colorado. Includes liner notes by Front Range.Personnel: Bob Amos (vocals, tenor, guitar); Bob Dick (vocals, bass voice, acoustic bass); Ron Lynam (vocals, guitar, banjo); Mike Lantz (tenor, mandolin). Recording information: Colorado Sound Recording, Westminster, CO. Photographers: Eric Weber; Michael Weeks.Arranger: Bob Amos.Listen to Front Range's earlier albums, and it sounds like they're just dying to make an all-gospel record; on One Beautiful Day you can almost hear the joyful relief in their voices as they give in to the temptation. The majority of these songs were written by bandleader Bob Amos,... Less

Personnel includes: Collin Raye, Johnny Cash (vocals); Billy Joe Walker (acoustic guitar); Pat Coil (keyboards); Brian Wilson, Carl Wilson, Mike Love, Matt Jardine, Bruce Johnston, John Wesley Ryles (background vocals).Recorded at The Tracking Room, Nashville, Tennessee. Personnel: Collin Raye (vocals); Biff Watson (guitar, acoustic guitar); Dann Huff (acoustic guitar, electric guitar); Billy Joe Walker (acoustic guitar); Mary Hoepfinger (harp); Karen Winkelmann, Gerald Greer, Paul Tobias , Randall Olson, Bruce Sweetman, Christian Teal, Antoine Silverman, Mary Kathryn Van Osdale, Carl Gorodetzky, Pamela Sixfin, David Davidson , Lee Larrison, Alan Umstead, David Angell, Catherine Umstead, Cate Myer (violin); Kathryn Plummer, Clare Yang, Joann Cruthirds, Kristin Wilkinson, Jim Grosjean,... Less

Personnel: Trace Adkins (vocals); Bryan Sutton (acoustic guitar); Pat Buchanan, Tom Bukovac (electric guitar); Paul Franklin (pedal steel guitar); Aubrey Haynie (fiddle); Gordon Mote (Hammond b-3 organ); Mike Brignardello (bass instrument); Greg Morrow (drums, percussion); Mickey Raphael.Along with Toby Keith, Trace Adkins arrived at the forefront of a group of uncompromising, tough-talking singers who celebrated blue-collar values while playing a hard-edged, Southern rock-influenced brand of country music. Although Adkins didn't write any of the tunes on SONGS ABOUT ME, the material seems tailor-made for the tall baritone. The title track, an 1980s-influenced heartland arena rocker, recounts the story of a singer defending his choice of "hillbilly" music to a skeptical airplane... Less

Personnel: Allison Moorer (vocals, guitars, tambourine, background vocals); Doug Lancio, Feedback (guitar); Steve Earle (guitars); Brad Jones (bass guitar); Chris Carmichael (strings); Jim Hoke (horns); Rev. Brady Blade (drums). Recording information: Room And Board, Hermitage, TN.Illustrator: Cole Gerst. Photographer: Gabrielle Revere.On her second album for the Sugar Hill label, singer- songwriter Allison Moorer offers up another strong set of (largely) self-penned tunes. Like her genre-defying older sister, Shelby Lynne, Moorer is intent on straying from her country roots while still keeping them in the fold. This subtle stylistic tweaking is best heard on "Fairweather," co-written with GETTING SOMEWHERE's producer, Steve Earle, who expertly brings out the pop/rock elements in these 10... Less

Personnel: Dolly Parton (vocals); Bryan Sutton, Steve Buckingham (guitar); Jerry Douglas (dobro, background vocals); Jim Mills (banjo); Sam Bush (mandolin, background vocals); Stuart Duncan (fiddle, background vocals); Barry Bales (bass, background vocals); Alison Krauss, Patty Loveless, Dan Tyminski, Alan O'Bryant, Claire Lynch, Rhonda Vincent, Keith Little, Darrin Vincent, Louis Nunley (background vocals).Recorded at The Sound Kitchen and The Dog House, Nashville, Tennessee. Includes liner notes by Jerry Douglas, Steve Buckingham, Bryan Sutton, Sam Bush, Stuart Duncan, Jim Mills and Barry Bales.THE GRASS IS BLUE won the 2001 Grammy Award for Best Bluegrass Album. "Travelin' Prayer" was nominated for the 2001 Grammy Award for Best Female Country Vocal Performance. Personnel: Bryan Sutton... Less

Personnel: Trace Adkins (vocals); Bryan Sutton (acoustic guitar); Pat Buchanan, Tom Bukovac (electric guitar); Paul Franklin (pedal steel guitar); Aubrey Haynie (fiddle); Gordon Mote (Hammond b-3 organ); Mike Brignardello (bass instrument); Greg Morrow (drums, percussion); Mickey Raphael.Along with Toby Keith, Trace Adkins arrived at the forefront of a group of uncompromising, tough-talking singers who celebrated blue-collar values while playing a hard-edged, Southern rock-influenced brand of country music. Although Adkins didn't write any of the tunes on SONGS ABOUT ME, the material seems tailor-made for the tall baritone. The title track, an 1980s-influenced heartland arena rocker, recounts the story of a singer defending his choice of "hillbilly" music to a skeptical airplane... Less

Personnel: Bob Amos (guitar, vocals), Mike Lantz (mandolin, vocals), Ron Lynam (banjo, vocals, guitar), Bob Dick (acoustic bass, vocals).Recorded at Colorado Sound Recording, Westminster, Colorado. Includes liner notes by Front Range.Personnel: Bob Amos (vocals, tenor, guitar); Bob Dick (vocals, bass voice, acoustic bass); Ron Lynam (vocals, guitar, banjo); Mike Lantz (tenor, mandolin). Recording information: Colorado Sound Recording, Westminster, CO. Photographers: Eric Weber; Michael Weeks.Arranger: Bob Amos.Listen to Front Range's earlier albums, and it sounds like they're just dying to make an all-gospel record; on One Beautiful Day you can almost hear the joyful relief in their voices as they give in to the temptation. The majority of these songs were written by bandleader Bob Amos,... Less

Chatham County Line: Greg Readling (pedal steel guitar, bass guitar); Dave Wilson, John Teer, Chandler Holt.Personnel: Dave Wilson (vocals, guitar, harmonica); Chandler Holt (vocals, banjo); John Teer (vocals, mandolin, fiddle); Greg Readling (vocals).Audio Mixer: Tim "Harp" Harper.Recording information: Fidelitorium Recordings, Kennersville, NC; Modern Recording, Chapel Hill, NC.Photographer: Michael Traister.Chatham County Line's second trip to the well proves to be just as refreshing as their first. Route 23 travels the same dusty back roads in the same open-top convertible, singing harmony-filled acoustic bluegrass songs that would do Bill Monroe proud. Recorded primarily around one microphone by producer Chris Stamey, the group croons and stomps with an authenticity that belies their... Less

Includes liner notes by Paul Kingsbury.It's pretty hard to think of innovators in country music without contemplating the career of Roy Acuff. His nasal singing style and hillbilly sound influenced George Jones, Ray Price, and the legendary Hank Williams. Acuff was also one of the first country stars to feature the dobro in his band; today, this guitar-like instrument is used by many bluegrass and traditional Americana ensembles. And, of course, Acuff was the king of the Grand Ole Opry; his name is practically synonymous with this famous music hall.SONGS OF THE SMOKY MOUNTAINS presents many of Acuff's greatest hits. All of the tunes heard here were originally recorded for Columbia Records between the years 1936 and '52. However, this '55 Capitol release sees Acuff re-recording his... Less

Personnel: Phillip Stein, Melissa Fuller, Ann Inman, Waylon Weatherholt, Frank Randazzo, Bradley Clark, Sarah Ross, Brad Clark (vocals); Pat Buchanan (guitar, electric guitar, baritone guitar, mandolin); B. James Lowry (acoustic guitar, resonator guitar); Bryan Sutton (acoustic guitar, banjo, mandolin); Ilya Toshinsky (acoustic guitar, mandolin); Brent Mason (electric guitar, baritone guitar); J.T. Corenflos, Brad Paisley (electric guitar); Dan Dugmore (steel guitar, dobro); Mike Johnson (steel guitar); Ron Block (banjo); Aubrey Haynie (mandolin, fiddle); Kristin Wilkinson, Monisa Angell (violin); Anthony LaMarchina (viola, cello); Mary Kathryn Van Osdale, Pamela Sixfin, David Davidson , David Angell (strings); Gordon Mote (piano, Hammond b-3 organ); Jim "Moose" Brown (piano, Wurlitzer... Less

Personnel includes: Rob Ickes (dobro); Paul Hanson (bassoon, saxophone);John R. Burr (piano, organ); Derek Jones (bass); Kendrick Freeman (drums).Recorded at OTR Studios, Belmony, California. Includes liner notes by Matt Glaser.As in 1999's Slide City, Rob Ickes again combines jazz and swing stylings with the more countrified leanings of the dobro. The results are mixed and, at times, meld into a too-smooth combo resembling light jazz. What It Is works best when Ickes loosens up a bit around the instrument's natural inclinations: the way he works the melody on "Killeen," which was inspired by the Texan town, seems to point toward a more string-based effort; a cover of Marc Johnson's "Union Pacific" further iterates Ickes' simpler but no less enjoyable leanings; and "Blues for Sammy,"... Less

Personnel: John Hartford (banjo); Mark Howard (guitars, mandolin); Buddy Emmons (dobro); Jon Yudkin, Ted Madsen, Buddy Spicher (fiddle); John Catchings (cello); Charles Cochran (keyboards); Kenny Malone (percussion). Recording information: Cowboy Arms Hotel And Recording Spa. Photographer: Jim McGuire .As a musician, John Hartford vascilates between writing modern folk singer/songwriter and being an academic revivalist, researching and recording traditional country and folk songs in their original arrangements. Cadillac Rag is one of his academic albums -- a selection of 10 traditional tunes, played simply and directly by Hartford (banjo), fiddler Ted Masden, Buddy Spicher and John Yudkin. Occasionally the sleek professional production and studied performances make these traditional... Less

Diamond Rio: Marty Roe (vocals); Jimmy Olander (acoustic guitar, electric guitar, banjo); Gene Johnson (mandolin, background vocals); Dan Truman (keyboards); Dara Williams (bass instrument, background vocals); Brian Prout (drums).The missing link between the first wave of rootsy Nashville revivalists and younger acts like Nickel Creek and Alison Krauss & Union Station, Diamond Rio were the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band of the 1990s, mixing traditional bluegrass and honky tonk styles with new-country gloss. Their second best-of compilation, comprised of 13 tracks, features hits like "That's What I Get For Loving You" and "Unbelievable," plus four brand-new recordings.

Audio Mixers: Jason Wormer; Mike Piersante. Recording information: Electro Magnetic Studios, Los Angeles, CA; Stepbridge Studios, Santa Fe, NM; The Village Recorder, Los Angeles, CA.Editor: Jason Wormer. Photographer: Lorey Sebastian.The soundtrack for Crazy Heart was produced by T Bone Burnett and contains 16 songs from the film starring Jeff Bridges. The movie is dedicated to Stephen Bruton, the legendary Texas musician, and a lifelong friend of Burnett's, wrote or co-wrote most of the original music performed by Bridges and Ryan Bingham. Bruton died from cancer shortly after finishing the project. While officially based on a book by Thomas Cobb, the film took just as much of its inspiration from the life of Bruton, who lived the life that Bridges' Bad Blake did for over three decades... Less

Personnel: Phillip Stein, Melissa Fuller, Ann Inman, Waylon Weatherholt, Frank Randazzo, Bradley Clark, Sarah Ross, Brad Clark (vocals); Pat Buchanan (guitar, electric guitar, baritone guitar, mandolin); B. James Lowry (acoustic guitar, resonator guitar); Bryan Sutton (acoustic guitar, banjo, mandolin); Ilya Toshinsky (acoustic guitar, mandolin); Brent Mason (electric guitar, baritone guitar); J.T. Corenflos, Brad Paisley (electric guitar); Dan Dugmore (steel guitar, dobro); Mike Johnson (steel guitar); Ron Block (banjo); Aubrey Haynie (mandolin, fiddle); Kristin Wilkinson, Monisa Angell (violin); Anthony LaMarchina (viola, cello); Mary Kathryn Van Osdale, Pamela Sixfin, David Davidson , David Angell (strings); Gordon Mote (piano, Hammond b-3 organ); Jim "Moose" Brown (piano, Wurlitzer... Less

Nickel Creek: Sean Watkins (guitar); Chris Thile (banjo, bouzouki, mandolin); Sara Watkins (fiddle).Second only to Alison Krauss and Union Station in the contemporary bluegrass revival, Nickel Creek have never been strict genre purists. Adding pop, rock, and more mainstream country aspects to their bluegrass-based sound only showcases the tradition at the heart of their music, and shows how intimately connected bluegrass is to other forms of pop. Focusing on the band's original material instead of their entertainingly eclectic covers, REASONS WHY (THE VERY BEST OF NICKEL CREEK) makes a strong case for the young group as some of the finest songwriters in Nashville, featuring gems like "When In Rome" and "Somebody More Like You."Note: Some versions of REASONS WHY (THE VERY BEST OF NICKEL... Less

Personnel: Ronnie Milsap (vocals, keyboards); Jamie Brantley, Bruce Dees (vocals, guitar); Adam Hampton (vocals, keyboards); Warren Gower (vocals, bass); Steve Gibson (guitar); Dan Dugmore, Dickey Overbey (steel guitar); Jay Spell (keyboards); Lonnie Wilson (drums); Lisa Silver, Cindy Richardson, Carol Chase, Rhonda Hampton (background vocals). Personnel: Ronnie Milsap (keyboards, background vocals); Jamie Brantley, Bruce Dees (vocals, guitar); Adam Hampton (vocals, keyboards); Warren Gower (vocals); Steve Gibson (guitar); Dan Dugmore (steel guitar); Jay Spell (keyboards); Lonnie Wilson (drums); Cindy Richardson, Lisa Silver, Rhonda Hampton, Carol Chase (background vocals).Audio Mixer: Csaba Petocz. Photographer: Randee Saint Nicholas.As the title suggests, Ronnie Milsap's Sings His Best... Less

Personnel: George Strait (vocals); Billy Joe Walker, Jr. (acoustic guitar); Paul Franklin (steel guitar); Reggie Young, Larry Byrom (electric guitar); Johnny Gimble (fiddle); John Jarvis (piano); David Hungate (bass); Eddie Byers (drums); Curtis Young (background vocals).Merry Christmas Strait to You features George Strait performing a variety of holiday favorites. Featured songs include "White Christmas," "There's a New Kid in Town," "Winter Wonderland," and "Merry Christmas Straight to You," along with six others. Strait's performances are rather straightforward and consistent with traditional performances of these mostly well-known songs. In addition, Strait humors you with a witty title for this album. ~ Jason Birchmeier

Personnel: Chris LeDoux (vocals).Unlike so many contemporary country singers, for whom horses, cowboy hats, and the like are mere affectation, Chris LeDoux truly lived the life. He was a professional rodeo rider who had made a staggering 22 albums as an independent artist before disciple Garth Brooks helped him get a deal with Capitol that really jumpstarted his recording career. The posthumous collection ANTHOLOGY VOL. 1 reveals that the late singer/songwriter (LeDoux passed away in 2005 from cancer complications) may have fused pop, rock, and hardcore country in a way that proved inspirational to Brooks and others like him, but he was far from the flash and theatrics espoused by such showmen.Granted, amid the George Strait- influenced, Marlboro Man country tunes there's plenty of... Less

Named for his version of the Patty Loveless hit "The Blue Side of Town," McCoury covers Steve Earle's "If You Need a Fool" and Arthur "Big Boy" Crudup's "That's Alright Mama." When it comes to song choice, he may be the most well-rounded man in bluegrass. ~ Brian Mansfield

Yankee Grey: Tim Hunt (vocals, acoustic guitar); Matt Basford (vocals, electric guitar); Joe Caverlee (vocals, fiddle); Jerry Hughes (vocals, keyboards); Dave Buchanan (vocals, bass); Kevin Griffin (vocals, drums). Additional personnel: Biff Watson (acoustic guitar); Josh Leo (electric guitar); Joe Perry (slide guitar); John Catchings (cello); David Hoffner (strings); Tom Roady (percussion); Robert Ellis Orrall (background vocals). Producers: Robert Ellis Orrall, Josh Leo, Ronnie Thomas.Recorded at Emerald Sound Studios, Nashville, Tennesse.All tracks have been digitally mastered using HDCD technology.With its debut, UNTAMED, Yankee Grey, a six-piece outfit named after one member's favorite brand of iced tea, is mining the same vein as the now-defunct Restless Heart: tight harmonies,... Less

Engineers: Douglas J. Farley, David McKinley. Includes liner notes by Chuck Young.Liner Note Author: Chuck Young.

Recorded between 1971 and 1986.Personnel: Ralph Stanley (vocals, tenor, banjo); Roy Lee Centers, Charlie Sizemore (vocals); John Duffey (baritone, mandolin); Junior Blankenship, Danny Marshall (guitar); Keith Whitley (12-string guitar); Curley Ray Cline, Ricky Skaggs (fiddle). Recording information: Lemco Studio, Lexington, KY (06/30/1971- 04/02/1986); R.D. Homer Associates, Clinton, MD (06/30/1971- 04/02/1986); Riverside Sound Studios, Ashland, KY (06/30/1971- 04/02/1986); Track Re (06/30/1971- 04/02/1986). Classic Bluegrass contains a cross-section of Ralph Stanley's recordings during the '70s, providing a good introduction to the trailblazing bluegrass artist. ~ Thom Owens

Personnel includes: Paul Franklin (vocals, steel guitar); Gary Burr (vocals); Mike Lawler (acoustic guitar, synthesizer); Don Potter, Billy Joe Walker, Jr. (acoustic guitar); Bruce Bouton (steel guitar, synthesizer); "Cowboy" Eddie Long, Gates Nichols (steel guitar); Russ Pahl (dobro); Brent Rowan (electric guitar, guitar); Mike Severs (electric guitar); Michael Lamb (guitar); Jim Horn, Charles Rose, Jim Hoke, Michael Haynes (horns); Phil Naish (keyboards, synthesizer); Chris McDaniel (keyboards, background vocals); Barry Beckett, Bobby Ogdin (keyboards); Michael Rhodes, Bob Wray, Wayne Secrest (bass); Eddie Bayers, Mark Dufresne (drums); Tom Roady, Terry McMillan (percussion); Dennis Wilson, Curtis "Mr. Harmony" Young, Harry Stinson, Hurshel Wiginton, Suzi Ragsdale, Louis Nunley... Less

& The Warrior River Boys.Personnel includes: David Davis (vocals, mandolin); Marty Hays (vocals); Jeff Griffy (guitar). Producers: Otis Lynn Dillon, David Davis, Josh Smith.Recorded at River Track Studios, Fort Gay, West Virginia. Personnel: David Davis (vocals, tenor, mandolin).Liner Note Author: Ray Davies .Recording information: River Track Studio, Fort Gay, WV.Photographer: Mark Montgomery.From the first notes of Josh Smith's ringing banjo on "The Lonesome Cry of the Whippoorwill," it's clear that the listener is in for a treat: David Davis and the Warrior River Boys know how to play it high and lonesome. If the banjo doesn't put the listener in the mood for old-time bluegrass, Davis' high-breaking vocals will. The rest of the band, guitarist Jeff Griffy, bassist Marty Hays, and... Less

Audio Mixer: Greg Droman.Recording information: Charlie's Place, Nashville, TN; Fonogenic Studios; Little Big Studio; Starstruck Studios; The House Of Nadia; The Tracking Room, Nashville, TN.Photographer: Joseph Anthony Baker.On his eight studio album, Get Off on the Pain, California honky tonk hero Gary Allan digs deep in the soil of human emotion and comes up with a handful of diamonds. Allan, one of the few authentic artists to come out of Nashville since country music turned into a giant money machine, is as real as they come. Never a trend follower, Allan -- who for the most part has steered clear of cheese-filled songwriting fodder -- keeps getting better with age. Get Off on the Pain is a well-crafted, ten-song collection that, to steal a well-worn phrase, is all killer and no... Less