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. Continue Reading

ShareThis

Rodney Atkins photo courtesy of Curb Records.

Last year, Halloween fell on a Sunday, which gave Rodney Atkins’ son Elijah the chance to cash in on several trick-or-treating events held over the Halloween weekend. As part of their weekend-long celebration, the Atkins family decided to go on a haunted tour of downtown Franklin, Tennessee — and one costume caught Rodney’s eye.

“I showed up at the courthouse downtown and these people were kinda dressed up — and this one girl was just over the top,” Rodney said. “I didn’t know what she was, she was all white with an umbrella and I’m thinking, ‘Who in the world is this freak?’ I start walking and I get tapped on the shoulder and she says, ‘Hey Rodney, Rodney it’s me, Jennifer Nettles…’ I think she was a jellyfish.”

Clint Black and wife Lisa Hartman Black still enjoy Halloween. Their daughter, Lily, is 10 years old and still trick-or-treating, though Clint knows her days of wanting mom and dad to go with her are numbered. While Clint isn’t looking forward to his little girl growing up, he does have hopes of returning to a former Halloween favorite – scaring people.

GAC’s Top 10 Most Haunting Country Videos >>

“I’ve always enjoyed even as an adult, getting to dress up and mostly scaring people that come around our house,” Clint says. “I had to knock it off for a little while when Lily was a certain age ’cause it scared her too. I’ll hopefully be able to get back to the scaring real soon.” Continue Reading

ShareThis

Nan Kelley & Carrie Underwood on the field during the 2010 City of Hope Celebrity Softball Challenge. Photo by Jason Mease.

The 21^st annual City of Hope Celebrity Softball Challenge will take place on Saturday, June 11, at Greer Stadium in Nashville as an official part of the 2011 CMA Music Festival. Longtime rivals Grand Ole Opry and After MidNite with Blair Garner will once again go head to head, pitting their celebrity teams against one another in a softball game where you never know what might happen. Last year, an impromptu bridal shower was thrown for Carrie Underwood and hubby Mike Fisher at homeplate! Proceeds from the game support City of Hope, a leading research, treatment and education center for cancer, diabetes and other life-threatening diseases.

GAC’s Top 20 Country Countdown will once again be on location at the game, so don’t forget to stop by and say hi to host Nan Kelley and our special guests!

The CMA Music Festival pass does not include the game. Game tickets are available now for $15, $20 and $50 per person at Ticketmaster.com or by calling Ticketmaster at 800-745-3000B. The $50 Super Fan package includes a limited edition Hatch Show Print and an opportunity to be a part of the game. There is also an online auction of autographed memorabilia which will be posted after the game at www.auctionsforhope.org. Brett Eldredge, Chuck Wicks, David Nail, Dierks Bentley, Jake Owen, James Wesley, Josh Gracin, Point of Grace and Vince Gill are some of the artists confirmed to be playing in this year’s game. Continue Reading

ShareThis

Montgomery Gentry with Average Joe's Entertainment staff. L-R: Dennis Entertainment's Alicia Lanier Jones, AVJ's CEO Shannon Houchins, Troy Gentry, Eddie Montgomery, AVJ's President Tom Badrica, and Dennis Entertainment's John Dennis. Photo courtesy of Essential Broadcast Media. Photo Credit: Randi Radcliff

Montgomery Gentry has a new musical home. They’ve signed with Average Joe Entertainment after parting ways with Sony Music last year. The multiplatinum duo is excited about the move and plan to release their first single on the label in the spring.

“We couldn’t be happier to be signing with Shannon [Houchins] and Tom [Baldrica] and the guys at Average Joe’s,” Eddie Montgomery said.  “Those guys are cut from the same cloth we are and man, they are so creative.  We can’t wait to get this new project out there to our fans!”

“Eddie and I are really excited about this new partnership with Average Joe’s,” Troy Gentry said. “We love the team they have in place and the passion and excitement that they bring.  We look forward to going in and making a project we’re all proud of.” Continue Reading

ShareThis

Carrie Underwood photo courtesy of Sony Music Nashville.

Thanksgiving is officially a holiday, but that won’t stop many of country music’s top stars from working while the rest of us eat.

Taylor Swift, Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban and James Otto are a few of the artists who have Turkey Day activities planned. Some of those appearances — including Taylor’s first-ever network special — were already shot. But others, such as Gloriana’s appearance in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, indeed occur in real time.

Here’s a roundup of country-related Thanksgiving stuff:

Continue Reading

ShareThis

Willie Nelson's 4th of July Picnic. Photo courtesy of willienelson.com.

Grills will be fired up, flags will be waving and fireworks will be booming across the country this weekend in honor of America’s 234^th birthday, but you can also catch some of your favorite country music artists in concert to celebrate the Fourth of July weekend.

** Willie Nelson’s Fourth of July picnic has become a staple of the holiday and this year, it will be held in Bee Cave, Texas, just outside of Austin. Along with Willie, Jamey Johnson, Jack Ingram, David Allan Coe and Kris Kristofferson are scheduled to perform along with many others.

** Carrie Underwood will close down Summerfest – the 11-day, 11-stage music festival held annually in Milwaukee – with a performance on the main stage. She will be joined by special guest Sons of Sylvia. Danny Gokey will also be in concert at Summerfest that night.

** Trace Adkins will headline Nashville’s Let Freedom Sing! concert along with Julianne Hough with a free show on the Riverfront stage. Julianne will also perform on Saturday and Chuck Wicks on Friday. All shows are free and open to the public. Continue Reading

ShareThis

Craig Morgan signs autographs at the GAC booth during the CMA Music Festival on June 11, 2009. Photo by Wendy Newcomer, GACTV.com.

The schedule is set for GAC’s booth at this year’s CMA Music Festival. Fans can come to The Greased Lightning® Fan Fair ® Hall – GAC is booth #200 – to meet and greet their favorite country artists, get an autograph and take pictures.

GAC has more than sixty artists scheduled over the four day event, with new artists each hour and most hours featuring multiple artists. Continue Reading

ShareThis

Rodney Atkins photo courtesy of Curb Nashville.

Chevy: The Official Ride of Country Music will help kick off the 2010 CMA Music Festival on June 9 with “The Sixth Annual CMA Music Festival Kick-Off Parade” at 11:30 a.m. Central through the streets of downtown Nashville.

Brenda Lee will serve as Grand Marshal and other artists participating in the parade include Lynn Anderson, Katie Armiger, Rodney Atkins, The Band Perry, Bo Bice, Ash Bowers, Carter Twins, Jeff Cook, Diana DeGarmo, Fast Ryde, Colt Ford, Brantley Gilbert, Gloriana, Josh Gracin, The Grascals, The Harters, Buddy Jewell, KingBilly, Jesse Lee, LoCash Cowboys, Lonestar, Jerrod Niemann, James Otto, Danielle Peck, Point of Grace, Marty Raybon, Pam Tillis, Trent Tomlinson, and Chuck Wicks. Members of the National Guard will drive artists along the parade route in Chevy vehicles, including the all new 2011 Silverado HD and the Military Specialty Camaro. Continue Reading

ShareThis

Toby Keith photo courtesy of Show Dog Nashville.

If you’re dedicated to keeping tabs on all of country’s biggest stars, you might need some rest today, because there’s enough news in the pipeline to keep you dizzy for a week.

Toby Keith is extending a non-music business franchise, Taylor Swift is getting kudos from People magazine, Alan Jackson is raising money for the families of some West Virginia coal-mine victims and Colt Ford and Willie Nelson both landed in the Top 10 of the country albums chart their first week out.

Take a look at this hodge-podge of headlines:

Continue Reading

ShareThis

Colt Ford photo by Sean Cokes.

One of the longest-running debates in country music pits traditionalists against pop-leaning sounds, and it’s tough to find a better illustration of how wide the genre’s gotten than the calendar. Specifically April 20. On that date, country’s releases will include competing albums by old-school singer David Ball and rap-influenced Colt Ford.

David, who played with the late Walter Hyatt in Uncle Walt’s Band, has had a couple of peak periods as a solo artist. He threw George Jones-like, back-of-the-throat vocals onto 1994’s “Thinkin’ Problem,” an ultra-catchy song that bordered on novelty. He signed with an independent label around the turn of the century and his military ghost tale, “Riding With Private Malone,” became a Top 10 hit in the aftermath of 9/11.

Continue Reading

ShareThis