BIG NAMES THIS MONTH! URBAN, MCBRIDE, RICH & CHURCH!!!

March 31, 2009

Bobby Osborne & the Rocky Top X-Press - Bluegrass & Beyond (Rounder)
Bobby Osborne, mandolinist and vocalist with the seminal bluegrass ensemble The Osborne Brothers, returns with his band The Rocky Top X-Press. These 12 songs feature straight ahead bluegrass, gospel soul and traditional country. Osborne The Eagles' Girl from Yesterday and Eddie Rabbit's Drivin' My Life Away. The music also includes appearances by Marty Stuart and Connie Smith (What Would You Give In Exchange For Your Soul) and Rhonda and Darrin Vincent (After the Fire Is Gone. The band consists of Osborne (mandolin & vocals), Bobby Osborne Jr. (bass), Dana Cupp (banjo), Richard Bennett (guitar), and Glen Duncan (fiddle).

Dailey & Vincent - Brothers From Different Mothers (Rounder)
Dailey & Vincent rushed to huge success on the bluegrass circuit with their debut disc in 2008. This a 12-song set produced by the duo featuring various approaches to harmony singing, incorporating solos by both partners, duets, trios and a quartet. Southern gospel, country music, folk-oriented music and bluegrass are part of the musical mix.

Keith Urban - Defying Gravity (Capitol Nashville)
Superstar Keith Urban is back with a new album, which contains his 18th top 10 single Sweet Thing. The CD contains 11 songs, including Kiss a Girl, My Heart Is Open and Hit The Ground Runnin'.

Rodney Atkins - It's America (Curb)
Rodney Atkins broke big with his second release for the label and hits like If You're Going Through Hell [Before the Devil Even Knows] in 2006 and Watching You in2007. He had four number ones from the CD. The title track of his new CD was released as the first single.

March 24, 2009

Eric Church - Carolina (Capitol Nashville)
Eric Church, who had some success with his debut, offers his sophomore effort. The title track is the first single. The North Carolina native toured heavily behind his debut, "Sinners Like Me."

Lost & Found - Love, Lost and Found (Rebel)
Bluegrass band Lost & Found puts out their first album in seven years, since the release of "It's About Time," in 2001. This is the first album for the group since the passing of Dempsey Young, their mandolin player and co-founder of the band, in 2006. The band consists of Alan Mills on bass and lead vocals, Scottie Sparks on guitar and lead vocals; Ronald Smith on banjo; and Scott Napier on mandolin. Young can be heard on mandolin on seven tracks. Lost & Found has been with Rebel since 1980.

Martina McBride - Shine (SonyBMG)
Martina McBride is back on the charts with the first single from her upcoming CD, Rise. McBride's 10th disc was produced by Dann Huff.

John Rich - Son Of A Preacher Man (Warner)
John Rich, one half of Big & Rich, goes the solo route this time. The release date was moved up because of the success of his economically-themed single Shuttin' Detroit Down. The song received so much play that it caused the single Another You to be withdrawn.

Tommy Webb - TBD (Rural Rhythm)
Tommy Webb is releasing his third disc and first for the label.

March 17, 2009

Zack Walther and the Cronkites - Ambition (Sustain)
Zack Walther and the Cronkites, a New Braunfels, Texas band, makes their studio debut with this 10-song disc of country rock. The first single is Georgia Cane. The quartet released a live disc about 1 1/2 years ago.

Jeff Cook - Ashes Won't Burn (Quest)
Jeff Cook, one of the founding members of super group Alabama, started his Allstar Goodtime Band offers his debut, "Ashes Won't Burn," via digital download. The new album isn't genre specific but rather 'country, soul and rock-n-roll," Cook says. The 12 songs include previously released re-recorded cuts from Cook's days with Alabama, new cuts co-written by Cook and classics including Brickhouse, Knockin' on Heaven's Door and All Right Now.

Bonnie "Prince" Billy - Beware (Drag City)
Bonnie "Prince" Billy, aka Will Oldham and Palace, is out with a 13-song disc.

March 10, 2009

Ronnie Milsap - Then Sings My Soul: 24 Favorite Hymns & Gospel Songs (EMI CMG)
Ronnie Milsap goes the gospel route on his 2-CD, 24-song set. Among the songs are I'll Fly Away, Amazing Grace and Up To Zion, Stand By Me and People Get Ready.

March 3, 2009

Raul Malo - Lucky One (Fantasy)
Following two albums of covers, Raul Malo releases his first album of original material in seven years. The first single is Hello Again.

Justin Townes Earle - Midnight at the Movies (Bloodshot)
Justin Towne Earle's sophomore CD is the follow-up to his favorably received debut "The Good Life." Earle is the son of Steve.

Dallas Wayne - Take the Fifth (Smith Entertainment Group)
Dallas Wayne is best known these days as a satellite radio DJ, but he also has a history as a country performer. He released several albums on the late HighTone label. The Springfield, Mo. native helped write all 13 songs.

Buddy and Julie Miller - Written in Chalk (New West)
Buddy and Julie Miller have been married more than 20 years, but this is only their second disc together. Both have enjoyed solo careers, and Buddy is also known for his session work and tours with Plant and Krauss and Emmylou Harris. Julie Miller wrote 9 of the 12 songs on the new record.