Carrie Underwood photo by James White, courtesy of Sony Music Nashville.

Carrie Underwood fans, rejoice! Carrie will release her new single, “Good Girl,” to country radio on February 23.  The five-time Grammy winner’s new CD will arrive later this spring.

Carrie wrote the track with Chris DeStefano and Ashley Gorley, who co-wrote two of her No. 1 hits — “Don’t Forget to Remember Me,” and “All-American Girl.” Once again Carrie teamed up with Mark Bright, who produced her two previous albums as well as seven tracks from her debut album Some Hearts.

Since releasing Some Hearts in 2005, Carrie has sold more than 14 million albums with Some Hearts, 2007’s Carnival Ride, and 2009’s Play On.  She’s amassed 14 No. 1 singles, six of which she co-wrote, and became the first country artist in history and the only American Idol winner ever to achieve 10 No. 1 singles from their first two albums.

Carrie is a current Grammy Award nominee and a five-time Grammy Award winner, a two-time Academy of Country Music Entertainer of the Year, a three-time Country Music Association and ACM Female Vocalist winner, and a proud member of the Grand Ole Opry.

Here’s a message from Carrie about “Good Girl”:

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Casey James photo by Joseph Anthony Baker, courtesy of Sony Music Nashville.

Casey James will release his self-titled debut album on March 20. He co-wrote nine of the album’s 11 tracks. “I’m excited to be releasing my debut album,” Casey said. “I’m thankful that I had the freedom to make the record that represents me as a musician and singer-songwriter.”

Besides co-writing most of the tracks, he also played both the electric and acoustic guitar throughout the album. He served as co-producer on the project alongside Chris Lindsey. The third-place finalist on the ninth season of American Idol, Casey’s album has been a long time coming.

“I played 11 years of hard gigs in every bar and restaurant in North Texas and not many people even knew my name,” Casey said. “That being said, I’m very thankful to American Idol for the opportunities the show gave me. I could’ve released a record right when the season was over, but I wanted to make an album deserving of all the fans that put me in this position. I feel like I’ve done that. And it feels good.” 

Casey James Track Listing:

1. The Good Life
2. Crying On A Suitcase
3. Let’s Don’t Call It A Night
4. Drive
5. Love The Way You Miss Me
6. Undone
7. So Sweet
8. She’s Money
9. Tough Love
10. Workin’ On It
11. Miss Your Fire

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Kellie Pickler's 2012 CD, 100 Proof. Photo courtesy of Sony Music Nashville.

A quick glance at the song titles on 100 Proof and it’s apparent that Kellie Pickler is reaching back to her country roots on her first record since 2008’s self-titled release. 100 Proof, due in stores next week, is the 25-year old American Idol alum’s third studio album and first with producers Frank Liddell (Miranda Lambert) and Luke Wooten.

“Where’s Tammy Wynette,” “Unlock That Honky Tonk,” and “Stop Cheatin’ On Me” are an album-opening trifecta effectively serving notice that Kellie is dishing up a collection of songs with a traditional slant. Tell me how you fry a skillet of chicken in high heels and a skirt, she sings smartly with syrupy Southern twang on the shuffling “Where’s Tammy Wynette,” before launching into stories about protecting her man from that hussy over there and sitting alone at the kitchen table with a bottle of wine.

Kellie’s undeniable country voice is an easy match for such traditional ingredients, but her ability to develop melodies shows an ever-growing musical maturity. Kellie co-wrote six of the album’s eleven songs including the Dolly-esque “Rockaway (The Rockin’ Chair Song).” Descriptions such as, The night’s like an ocean off of our back porch/ We’re movin’ like waves swayin’ back and forth, flow easily to match the open country/rock groove. On “Long As I Never See You Again,” an acoustic number pulling on those honky tonk heartstrings, Kellie skillfully descends to aching depths through the line, It’s never easy when love comes to an end with a classic vocal touch that sounds like the soundtrack to a lonely barroom.

The album’s first single, “Tough,” is the record’s most aggressive song. Featuring locked-in acoustic rhythms and a snapping snare drum, Kellie holds the tension through the first verse before opening up in the chorus. There ain’t nothing wrong with a woman that has a little back bone, she sings self-assuredly while proclaiming the virtues of her rough edges. Though several songs on 100 Proof have an element of that attitude, it’s the loving title-track that leaves the strongest impression.

Beautiful, swirling harmonies are executed with precision to add dynamic layers at every level of the title-cut “100 Proof.” Whether it’s the opening guitar/bass instrumentation or the gorgeous vocal melodies, the exceptional interplay is compelling as the entire song moves together. We’ll dance all night on the edge of can’t get enough, Kellie sings in the chorus before adding, And we’ll wake up in the morning like we always do/ drunk on the beautiful truth, we got love, 100 proof.

100 Proof closes with the album’s bravest and most personal song. “The Letter (To Daddy)” is a tender message of unconditional love to her father, a recovering alcoholic. Supported by only a soft acoustic guitar, Kellie sings, You’ve finally gotten sober and found some peace of mind, after initially admitting her childhood was robbed by the bottle. It’s an intimate recording right down to the almost inaudible creaking of musician’s chairs toward the end of the song. It’s also a parting message that illustrates 100 Proof succeeds on the history of its traditional influences as well as Kellie’s own honesty and personal experience.

Key tracks – “100 Proof,” “Tough,” Rockaway (The Rockin’ Chair Song),” “The Letter (To Daddy)”

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THE CELEBRITY APPRENTICE -- 7UP Finale Part 2: Sweet Victory -- Pictured: (l-r) Donald Trump, John Rich -- Photo by: Heidi Gutman/NBC.

Country stars were well-represented in reality TV in 2011. From The Voice and American Idol  to Celebrity Apprentice and The Biggest Loser, stars were giving up their guitars and putting on their game faces or else signing for their chance to be music’s next big thing.

Perhaps the biggest reality star from the country music realm ended up being Blake Shelton. Blake took on the role as a coach on NBC’s The Voice alongside artists Cee Lo Green, Christina Aguilera and Maroon 5‘s Adam Levine. Blake coached team member Dia Frampton all the way to a second place finish, winning over America in the process. Blake will take Dia on tour with him in 2012 and he’ll return to the coach’s chair when the second season of The Voice premieres on NBC January 5.

American Idol has been known to springboard the careers of several country artists — and season 10 proved no different. It was an all-country Top 2 with Scotty McCreery and Lauren Alaina being voted into the finale by fans across America. Scotty went on to win, but both artists released highly-successful debut albums and singles in 2011 and will hit the road on major tours in early 2012.

“This is pretty wild, I gotta say,” Scotty told Billboard after winning. “It’s a whole lot more than I bargained for coming into this. I never would have expected it. But I’m handling it well — this is what I asked for, and it’s my new life, so this is a really crazy ride so far.”

American Idol Finale Photo Gallery >>

John Rich continued the country tradition of doing well on Donald Trump’s Celebrity Apprentice. John won the competition over Marlee Matlin in what Trump’s daughter Ivanka said was the closest finale in the show’s history. John was awarded $250,000 for his charity, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, bringing his total for the hospital to over one million dollars.

“I got Trump to put on a Stetson hat on national television and now I get to drive down to Memphis with a $250,000 check for St. Jude Children’s Hospital,” John said after his win. “This entire experience has been for the kids and I’m so excited to raise money for this cause and help save lives.”

John Rich’s Top Celebrity Apprentice Moments Photo Gallery >>

Trailer Choir’s Big Vinny Hickerson decided it was time to get healthy and was a part of the latest season of NBC’s The Biggest Loser. Big Vinny was one of the final four contestants and his total weight loss while on the show was 184 pounds. During his hometown visit on the show, Big Vinny proposed to longtime girlfriend Lori Diaz while on a date at the Grand Ole Opry.

“I wanted to take her there because it’s a place where so many dreams have come true, right there on that stage,” he told People. “My biggest dream is to be a great husband and a great father, and fall in love.”

Another country music artist who could be found on reality TV was Whitney Duncan, who competed on Survivor: South Pacific. Whitney was eliminated from the competition during the November 30 episode.

Network prime time wasn’t the only place country stars could be seen in reality shows. The Opray Winfrey Network (OWN) aired both The Judds and Why Not? With Shania Twain. The Judds chronicled Naomi and Wynonna Judd as they traveled the country on their farewell tour. Why Not? With Shania Twain was OWN’s highest-rated premiere to date and followed Shania Twain as she returned to the spotlight.

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Josh Gracin's 2011 CD, Redemption. Photo courtesy of Essential Broadcast Media.

The art of the country power ballad was not lost on Josh Gracin. On his first album in roughly three and a half years, and his third overall, the 31-year-old Michigan native sings of burning love over dramatic arrangements full of acoustic/electric interplay, big synthesizers and a soaring voice.

A lot has changed since Josh’s most recent album, We Weren’t Crazy, was released in 2008. For starters, Josh found a new label home with up and coming Average Joe’s Entertainment after parting ways with now-defunct Lyric Street Records. His first project with Average Joe’s Entertainment, the 16-song collection Redemption, hits stores next week with a polished sound similar to the pop leaning epics of groups like Rascal Flatts.

Josh handles most of the songwriting himself on Redemption, which is also a shift from his first two records. After writing or co-writing only three songs total on those albums, Josh writes/co-writes 15 out of the 16 songs here. A Top 5-finishing contestant on the second season of FOX’s American Idol (2003) singing competition, Josh’s talent for performance is evident early and often throughout the record as his songwriting displays a knack for building dramatic love songs.

“Over Me,” a rising power ballad realizing that a lover has moved on, features vocal runs reminiscent of Rascal Flatts frontman Gary LeVox as Josh sings, What I didn’t know, that it still hurts this bad since I let you go, over piano, strings and soft acoustic picking. Strong piano tones hold many songs on the album together. “Enough” and “Lie To Me” both feature piano-based foundations before erupting in the chorus. On the latter, Josh shows off the ability to maneuver complicated production elements through a sea of electric guitars, drums, piano and synthesizer, remaining steady and passionate with lines, Baby, just lie to me/ let’s make this easy. On the standout and creatively produced track, “Let You Go,” soft echoes and effected vocals support Josh’s bittersweet message as he admits, I had to ask myself the hardest question/ Am I the best she’s ever gonna know?/ The answer’s the reason I’ve got to let her go.

Josh’s willingness to bring a fresh approach to Redemption even extends to his methods finding duet partners. For the rolling and emotional “Only When It Rains,” he engineered a video submission contest to find his partner. Winner Shelagh Brown joins Josh on the song to share strong leads and provide tight harmonies. Josh also reaches out of the country comfort zone with a cover of the floating “Edge of Desire,” penned by pop star John Mayer. The slow, atmospheric ¾-time waltz features ringing guitars and cello weaving in between lines like, Maybe this mattress will spin on its axis and find me on yours.

“Can’t Say Goodbye,” a somber song Josh co-wrote with Seana Arrechaga, the widower of Army SFC Ofren Arrechaga, serves to honor her fallen husband’s life and those of other US soldiers killed in battle. Josh, an ex-Marine himself, includes the track as part of Sears’ Heroes at Home.

The title Redemption has obvious connotations, especially when there isn’t a song on the project by the same name. But what’s also obvious is that Josh dedicated himself to developing his songwriting for the project. This devotion comes through on the complex ballads as well as on turns in the road like the bluesy “Catastrophe” or amped up album-opener “Different Kind of Crazy.” Josh elevates his craft on Redemption, a result of the freedom he’s acquired through the support of his new label and a fresh approach.

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Lauren Alaina photo by Brian Bowen Smith, courtesy of UMG Nashville.

Lauren Alaina’s debut album, Wildflower, is the best-selling female country debut since 2006 and is also the highest country album debut this week, entering the charts at No. 2 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart and No. 5 on the Billboard Top 200. With first week sales of 69,013, Lauren is the youngest female artist to debut this high on the Billboard charts since LeAnn Rimes’ debut album 15 years ago. Wildflower is also the best-selling digital album by a debut female country artist, selling 19,659 copies.

Read our review of Lauren Alaina’s Wildflower >>

“I am just so thankful that I have been given the opportunity to share my music with the world,” Lauren said. “To see my name on the charts alongside country greats that I have admired and looked up to my whole life is absolutely mind-blowing!”

5 Things You Don’t Know About Lauren Alaina >>

“Everyone here at Universal Music Group is really honored to be working with Lauren and so proud of what she has already accomplished,” Luke Lewis, chairman and CEO of Universal Music Group Nashville, said. “At just 16 years old, Lauren has already proven she is dedicated to her career and willing to put in the hard work and it’s already starting to pay off. I believe this is just the beginning of what you are going to see from this young lady.”

“We are thrilled to be a part of Lauren’s success and congratulate her on an impressive debut,” Steve Berman, Vice Chairman, Interscope, Geffen A&M Records, said. “This achievement marks the beginning of much more to come from this talented young artist.”

This is the first time since 2008 where both the winner of American Idol, Scotty McCreery, and runner up, Lauren, have posted Top 5 charting albums. The last artists to do so were 2008 winner David Cook and runner up David Archuleta when their debuts reached No. 3 and No. 3.

Lauren appeared on Good Morning America and Live with Regis and Kelly during release week and will perform her new single, “Georgia Peaches,” on The Ellen Degeneres Show this Friday, October 21. CNN, E! News and Entertainment Tonight’s The Insider all have upcoming features on Lauren scheduled to air. GAC debuted  Introducing: Lauren Alaina on October 10. Check the schedule for re-airs >>

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Lauren Alaina's 2011 CD, Wildflower. Photo courtesy of UMG Nashville.

With immediacy and energy on the opening track “Georgia Peaches,” Lauren Alaina makes it clear that she has studied her country well. Way beyond the city lines, lies a cowboy’s paradise/ honeysuckle on the vine, growing up on Southern time, she sings proudly of her country upbringing. After a quick fiddle hook, she’s giving shout-outs to fellow peach state heroes Alan Jackson and Jason Aldean.

Lauren, runner up on the tenth season of FOX’s singing competition American Idol, was raised on country music in Georgia and auditioned for the show in the center of it all; Nashville, TN. Now, on her debut album Wildflower, the sixteen-year-old showcases her musical roots on a tight collection that features coming of age stories with a need to make her own path.

Through slow acoustic guitars, fiddle and light pedal steel on “The Locket,” Lauren uses her dynamic voice to tell a love story reminiscent of the film The Notebook. Her voice hints at early Carrie Underwood while she sings to a grandmother, You made a promise to the boy inside your locket. On “I’m Not One Of Them,” chunky, pop-hook guitars support her as she displays vocal textures similar to Shania Twain classics like “That Don’t Impress Me Much.” Here, the music has a modern edge and the lyrical content follows suit with lines like, I’m not some notch on your Facebook wall.

5 Things You Don’t Know About Lauren >>

Lauren continually makes statements about the need to follow one’s heart. This is most clearly expressed over the twang heavy guitar of “Growing Her Wings.” Through a blend of classic country melody and teenage angst delivery, Lauren sings, She’s dreaming about the girl she’s gonna be, stuck in Rice County, growing her wings to describe a sheltered teenage girl yearning to break free. On the grooving “Tupelo,” acoustic guitars, fiddle and rolling drums set the tone as Lauren sings of a young couple falling in love under the July sun. Her voice takes on Southern soul as a B-3 organ plays lightly in the background.

The album’s first single, “Like My Mother Does,” is a mid-tempo power ballad that allows Lauren to show off her strong voice and steady control. I see myself like my mother does, she sings through the chorus, continually gaining strength. During the song’s climax, Lauren lets it fly as her technical ability is impressive. She’s a rock, she is grace/ She’s my angel, she’s my heart and soul/ She does it all, Lauren sings, holding certain syllables for emphasis.

Wildflower, produced by Byron Gallimore, is a cohesive collection that captures this moment for Lauren. On one hand, she’s a pop celebrity cut from American Idol (in the bright, piano-based pop/country–“The Middle”). On the other, she’s a country singer from Georgia (the 3/4 time “Eighteen Inches” with a classic country twist). And yet, she’s also a teenage girl trying to reconcile fame (in the acoustic ballad “Dirt Road Prayer” that asks the man upstairs to watch over her family while she’s on the road). Wildflower deals with these complex emotions in a way that fits Lauren and shows that not only has she studied up, but she could also tell you a thing or two as well.

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Lauren Alaina photo by Brian Bowen Smith, courtesy of UMG Nashville.

Lauren Alaina spent 9 years telling everyone who would listen she was going to be on American Idol one day. GAC’s new special, Introducing: Lauren Alaina, tells the story of Lauren’s journey from small town Georgia to the Idol Hollywood stage through photos, videos and interviews with family and friends. The special premieres Monday, October 10 at 9/8 CT, the day before her debut album, Wildflower, hits stores.

A happy baby, Lauren grew up singing. She would sing anytime she was in public with people following her, often making requests. She won her first local beauty contest at 7 and continued winning competitions as she entered  them. “From the time she was a baby she never cried,” JJ, Lauren’s father, said. “She learned how to say ‘Momma’ and ‘Daddy’ and she was singing from that point on.”

At 12, she made her first trip to Nashville with her parents and wandered into one of the honky tonks on lower Broadway. Unsure of the appropriate way to go about getting onstage, Lauren just asked. “We didn’t know what to do so we’d just walk in where we heard music and ask if I could sing with the band,” Lauren said. “And they’d let me because how do you tell a 12-year-old girl, ‘No?’”

5 Things You Don’t Know About Lauren Alaina >>

As a high school student, Lauren spent her time cheerleading and spending time with special needs students. “From the time she was in sixth grade, she would skip lunch and go to the special needs kids and help them,” Kristy, Lauren’s mother, said.  “I always said that if she wasn’t going to be a singer, she was going to be a special needs teacher,” added her father.

In the evenings, Lauren would perform karaoke around her hometown – unless American Idol was on. “She wanted to audition since she was five,” Kristy said. “When I found out they dropped the audition age to 15, everyone called me,” Lauren said. Soon, she was auditioning for the judges in Nashville where Steven Tyler picked her as a very early favorite. Steven’s prediction turned out accurate, as Lauren was one of the last two standing.

“When I made it to Hollywood, I thought I was going to pass out and when I made the final two, it was incredible,” Lauren said. “Not many people get to do what they’ve dreamed of every day of their life and ‘American Idol’ opened that door for me.”

Lauren spent the summer on American Idol’s summer tour in between recording sessions for Wildflower. Her debut single, “Like My Mother Does,” is a Top 40 hit and climbing.

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Scotty McCreery photo by Andrew Southam, courtesy of UMG Nashville.

Scotty McCreery has allowed GAC cameras to follow him since June, capturing the first days of his career following winning American Idol in May. Introducing: Scotty McCreery will premiere on GAC Monday, October 3 at 9/8 CT. The special includes footage of several major moments in Scotty’s young career, interviews with his parents, teachers and coaches, and never-before-seen photographs and video footage from his childhood in Garner, North Carolina.

Scotty’s mother, Judy McCreery, noticed Scotty’s musical talent at a young age. He started singing in his church choir at age three. By nine, he had taken up guitar. “At the end of his one-year check up I told the doctor Scotty could sing,” Judy said. “I looked him in the eye and hummed a verse to him and he hummed it back to the doctor.”

“Scotty had a natural knack,” guitar teacher Gary Epperson said. “He had rhythm in his right hand, something you rarely see in a nine year old.” Scotty was involved in school choir and theater productions but when play rehearsal interfered with baseball practice, his other love, he chose rehearsal. “I remember at the time telling him I hoped he was a better singer than he was a baseball player,” baseball coach Derik Goffena said.  “He was very competitive and very well composed on the mound.”

With his parents’ support, Scotty auditioned for American Idol in Milwaukee in the summer of 2010. “I remember vividly walking around the Bradley Center and Scotty looked at me and said, ‘Dad, I’m so in over my head,’” Mike McCreery, Scotty’s dad, said.  “I looked at him and just said, ‘Do your best and we’ll see what happens,’ and that’s how it all began.”

Throughout Scotty’s time on American Idol, his hometown of Garner was behind him. They staged city-wide viewing parties and voted as much as they could. “I always believed in myself and knew that I could sing, but it’s cool to see Americans respond to you,” Scotty said.

When it came down to Scotty and Lauren Alaina in the finale, Scotty remained calm and collected. His mother, however, was anything but. “I was a nervous wreck and knew the finale was going to be 10 times the stress,” she said. “I didn’t know what to expect but knew that if he won, our lives would be changed forever and we’d have to get ready for the new normal.”

The McCreery’s new “normal” includes touring, national media attention and hearing their son on the radio, all squeezed in between Scotty’s last year of high school. But winning Idol was just half the battle. “Winning American Idol comes with a lot of perks,” Scotty said. “You win name recognition that people fight for.  I feel like I still need to pay my dues, still need to work hard and show them that I deserve to be there.”

Introducing: Scotty McCreery will debut on GAC the day before his debut album, Clear As Day, is released on October 4. Read our review of Clear As Day >>

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Scotty McCreery's 2011 CD, Clear As Day. Photo by Andrew Southam, courtesy of UMG Nashville.

In summer 2010, then 16-year-old Scotty McCreery started turning heads when he entered and won the local “Clayton Idol” singing competition at the Clayton, N.C. Harvest Festival. Within a year’s time, Scotty was standing onstage next to Ryan Seacrest, in front of millions of television viewers, when he heard his name announced as the season ten winner of the pop culture phenomenon American Idol. What has changed since taking the stage in Clayton are things like tour schedules, being recognized in public and signing a major label record deal. What hasn’t changed are the thoughts, feelings and voice of a 17-year-old country singer from Garner, N.C.

Like a lot of the artists he covered on American Idol, such as George Strait and Alan Jackson, Scotty’s debut album, Clear As Day, strikes a strong neo-traditionalist stance. Producer Mark Bright’s work lives up to his surname with a sound that is crisp and polished, yet rooted in traditional country. Songs like Scotty’s first single and coronation piece from the American Idol finale, “I Love You This Big,” draw on shiny acoustic guitars, thick electric Telecaster guitar tones and sweeping pedal steel. Scotty’s deep vocal sounds somewhere between Dierks Bentley and Josh Turner as he sings, I’ll spend the rest of my life explaining what words could not describe but I’ll try, after a nod admitting his youth and relative inexperience with love.

Many of the songs on Clear As Day embrace Scotty’s youth. Opening track “Out Of Summertime” features shuffling percussion, mandolin and a quick hook as lyrics flow with reflection on young love. On “Walk In the Country,” sharp acoustic guitars support Scotty’s rolling vocals as he (ironically?) sings, I’m so sick of all them TV shows, I need some dirt road under my feet, with conviction. “Write My Name On Your Hand,” one of the album’s biggest highlights, vividly captures the innocence of teenage love. After tales of rope swings, rivers and sharing Coca-Colas, Scotty sings comfortably with a bit of soul, Did you say you’re only here for a couple of days?/ Well, alright, we ain’t got much time to waste.

Slower songs like the acoustic based “Dirty Dishes” and “Back On The Ground” focus on the importance of family. The latter features thoughtful piano lines as Scotty sings with a veteran ease in the chorus, Ain’t it funny how it all comes back around?/ I remember when I couldn’t wait to get out of her hair and ditch this town. The title track, “Clear As Day,” tackles the heaviest subject matter on the album. After lyrical guitar runs and sexy lines like, You backed my back against those cedar clapboards/ My lips ain’t never been kissed that way, the story takes a somber turn when his girlfriend gets in a car with her drunk brother.

After the glitz and celebrity that comes along with winning America’s number one television singing competition, Scotty makes a statement on Clear As Day that his sound will remain true to his inspiration. Even on tracks like the new single and pop-leaning “The Trouble With Girls,” the production pulls heavily from classic Nashville Sound. Roots are important to Scotty, and though the stage at the “Clayton Idol” singing competition must sometimes feel far away, Scotty’s vision as an artist remains unchanged.

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