Joe Nichols 2011 CD, It's All Good. Photo courtesy of Universal Records South.

In many ways, It’s All Good is like the first page in the next chapter from the book of Joe Nichols. Just this past January, the 34-year-old Arkansas native released a greatest hits project that included chart-toppers like “Brokenheartsville” and “Gimmie That Girl.” Now with an empty canvas, Joe returns with his eighth studio album, a collection of 10 traditional-leaning tunes that display his natural everyman ease through lighthearted fun and moments of tight introspection.

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Joe wastes no time on the front end of It’s All Good, jumping right into the swampy groove of lead single “Take It Off.” Against banjo and lightly distorted guitars, the message is one that whether it’s stress on the job, a bottle cap or clothes over a bikini – they all must go. You got a week-of-worries on your mind/ Go on do whatcha wanna do/ Soak you up a little sunshine, he sings with an easygoing southern drawl. Joe’s laid-back vocal delivery has always been engaging, and things are no different here. “This Ole Boy” (written by the trio of hit songwriters known as the “Peach Pickers,” Dallas Davidson, Rhett Akins and Ben Hayslip) features upbeat drums and an accessible fiddle hook, while Joe shows off some serious agility moving through quick lines like, She sweetens my tea and butters my biscuit/ I am who I am and brother she gets it, before slowing up to smoothly add, I ain’t gotta change a thing. [Incidentally, "This Ole Boy" was also recorded by Craig Morgan and is Craig's latest single.]

The record is more “country” than some of its contemporaries, and Joe shines on the more traditional pieces. The title cut “It’s All Good” features twin fiddles and a deep melody over bright production. I don’t get blue, I don’t get mad/ If I’ve learned one thing from the year I’ve had/ It’s even if it all goes bad/ It’s all good, he sings with tight phrasing. Self-examination and introspection are probably most evident on the standout track “Somebody’s Mama,” which takes on the subject of regret. Continue Reading

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l-r: Jon Randall, Alison Krauss, Bill Anderson and Dan Tyminski. Photo by Joel Micah for the Grand Ole Opry.

The Grand Ole Opry honored Whisperin’ Bill Anderson for his 50th anniversary as an Opry member Saturday night. Bill made his Opry debut just a few weeks before turning 21 and became a member less than three years later. “I’m more nervous tonight than I was 50 years ago!” Bill said during his performance Saturday.

Video taped messages from Brad Paisley and Steve Wariner aired during the celebration and a #50 Ryman Martin guitar was presented to Bill by Opry Vice President and General Manager Pete Fisher. Alison Krauss made a surprise appearance, performing  “Whiskey Lullaby” with Jon Randall and Dan Tyminski. The song was written by Bill and Jon and was recorded by Brad Paisley and Alison. Continue Reading

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Alison Krauss & Union Station's 2011 CD, Paper Airplane. Photo courtesy of Rounder Records.

Alison Krauss & Union Station
Paper Airplane

It’s hard to believe that Paper Airplane is the first Alison Krauss & Union Station studio album since 2004’s Lonely Runs Both Ways. That’s probably because Alison herself has remained in the spotlight and been extremely busy in recent years through projects like her high-profile collaboration with Robert Plant on 2007’s Raising Sand (which yielded platinum album sales and six Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year). Yet, despite the hiatus, Union Station returns with an evocative collection that in one measure honors tradition and in the other illustrates the timeless storytelling of bluegrass music. Continue Reading

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Tim McGraw and wife Faith Hill. Photo courtesy of Curb Nashville and Warner Bros. Nashville.

In response to last week’s devastating Tennessee floods, Tim McGraw and Faith Hill have assembled a jaw-dropping lineup of talent for a June 22 benefit concert at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena, one of the downtown venues that took in water when the Cumberland River overflowed its bank.

“Nashville Rising: A Benefit Concert For Flood Recovery” will also feature Brooks & Dunn, Carrie Underwood, Taylor Swift, Miley Cyrus, Jason Aldean, Miranda Lambert, Luke Bryan, Amy Grant, Michael W. Smith, LeAnn Rimes, Lynyrd Skynyrd and Martina McBride. Even more acts are expected to be announced at a future date.

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Charlie Daniels photo courtesy of Blue Hat Records.

It may not come as a surprise that Christmas time is the favorite time of year for country music’s bearded, jovial star, Charlie Daniels.  He’s gathered friends The Grascals, Kathy Mattea, Aaron Tippin, Dan Tyminski and the Cox Sisters for Charlie Daniels: A Twin Pines Christmas which premieres Thursday, December 3 at 8 p.m. ET on GAC.

“I love doing shows at Christmas time because I’m always in a good mood,” Charlie says.  “There really is something special about Christmas time and the way it affects people.”  Continue Reading

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Dailey & Vincent at the 2009 IBMA Awards. Photo by Dan Loftin, courtesy of Karen Byrd Public Relations.

Dailey & Vincent didn’t take home quite as many trophies as they did in their first year of eligibility, but the duo still played a strong hand at Thursday’s International Bluegrass Music Awards, taking home three honors. Their collection included a repeat as the genre’s Entertainer of the Year. The act also claimed Vocal Group of the Year and went home with Gospel Recorded Performance of the Year for “On The Other Side.” Dailey & Vincent earned seven awards at the 2008 ceremony.

“We’ll do our best to take [bluegrass] to the masses,” Darrin Vincent told the audience this week at the Ryman Auditorium, according to the Associated Press. Continue Reading

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Dan Tyminski photo by Matt Harrington, courtesy of Rounder Records.

The Dan Tyminski Band is the leading nominee in next week’s International Bluegrass Music Association Awards, and it’s indicative of a nice problem for its lead singer, who’s got a couple of major gigs to juggle.

Dan is, of course, a guitarist and vocalist with Alison Krauss + Union Station. The Tyminski Band gave him an opportunity to keep working when Union Station took some time off, but now Alison and crew have reassembled to work on another album. Dan’s hoping to keep both acts active, and that poses a potential nightmare for everyone’s schedule. Continue Reading

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Toby Keith photo courtesy of Show Dog Nashville.

Toby Keith, Joe Nichols and John Fogerty join a long list of artists with big awards moments in their future, and it’s a good bet that all of them will enjoy a smoother time in the spotlight than Taylor Swift did when Kanye West stole her microphone at last weekend’s MTV Video Music Awards.

Toby and John are receiving honors that recognize long-term accomplishments, while Joe is taking part in an awards ceremony featuring one of the world’s spiritual leaders. Continue Reading

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