NASHVILLE – Country music entertainer Taylor Swift announces new album, single during live web chat. Release date for Swift’s third studio album titled, “Speak Now”, is set for October 25. New single, “Mine”, to debut mid-August.

“It’s been a three year process creating this new album,” said Swift during the webcast. “I’m really excited for October 25.”

The 20-year-old entertainer revealed that she solely wrote the entire album. “Speak Now” is Swift’s follow-up to her sophomore release, “Fearless”, which garnered the country singer a Grammy Award for “Album of the Year” and was certified 6-times platinum by the recording industry.

Swift spent most of the webcast answering fan submitted questions regarding her music, tour, new home in Nashville and questions regarding her recent film shoot in Portland, Maine. While pushing off certain personal questions, Swift cited that while she doesn’t talk about her personal life in interviews, she definitely writes and sings about it.

When asked when the next time Swift will pay in Chicago, the entertainer said her next tour will likely begin after the release of her album.

According to Ustream.com, Swift’s live video feed reached approximately 59,000 streams.

Achin’ and Shakin’
By: Laura Bell Bundy

Release Date: April 13, 2010

Grew up in a little town… moved to Nashville with a big dream… These are the words that seem to adorn almost every new artist’s bio in country music. For Laura Bell Bundy, while she does come from a small town, her road to the Music City plays quite a different tune. Bundy, a Kentucky native, moved to New York City to pursue her career in music but along the way found her first home on New York’s Broadway.

“People can look at it and go, ‘You went from Broadway to doing country,” Bundy said. “I actually went from the country to Broadway. I’m from Kentucky and I always listened to country music. When I started writing songs, it all came out country.

Now, after several major leading roles on Broadway and some television stints, Bundy is about to accomplish what she set out to do. On Tuesday, Mercury Records will release Bundy’s Nashville debut, “Achin’ and Shakin”. The album, over 12 tracks, is split into what Bundy says resemble her two personalities. The first six tracks are labeled, Achin’, because they resemble collection of slow and sultry country songs. The remaining are labeled as, Shakin’, for their natural sassiness and humor.

“I have two different sides of my personality,” she explains. “I have a crazy, wild, humorous, outspoken personality, and then I have a depth that only opens up when I am alone or with one other person, and that is captured with this album. I really couldn’t do one without the other.”

Pre-Order “Achin’ and Shakin” on iTunes:
Purchase Laura Bell Bundy’s music on Amazon

1. Drop On By
2. Curse the Bed
3. Cigarette
4. Please
5. Homecoming Queen
6. When It All Goes South
7. Giddy On Up – HOT
8. I’m No Good (For Ya Baby)
9. Rebound
10. Boyfriend
11. If You Wan’t My Love
12. Everybody

Music Videos:

• Giddy On Up |

Artist Apps:

• Laura Bell Bundy |
  

On the web: laurabellbundy.com

Freight Train
By: Alan Jackson

Release Date: March 30, 2010

For a man with 13 studio albums under his belt, Alan Jackson’s 14th album “Freight Train” shows nothing less than his respectable talent as a singer/songwriter. The driving force behind it all, his life, makes for those winsome hit singles. In nearly all of his songs, Jackson takes listeners on a lyrical journey through his past and present. His music commonly stars his family, including the recollection of his daughters’ youth in “After 17” and soft, eloquent memories about his wife in “Every Now and Then.” Jackson also keeps things fresh with a combination of honky-tonk sounds and downtempo beats alternating throughout the album.

When Jackson’s not singing about his wife and children, he croons about the moments in life that shape his happiness. “That’s Where I Belong” radiates freedom and weightlessness while the lead track declares a humble man’s indulgence in making a career with a “Hard Hat And A Hammer.”

Jackson rekindles those first-crush butterflies with “Lovin’ Thing” and addresses a love that slipped through the spaces between your fingers in “Tail Lights Blue”, a song that is guaranteed to help relate to that achin’ heart.

Download Alan Jackson’s music on iTunes:
Purchase “Freight Train” on Amazon: Freight Train

Catch Alan Jackson at the Allstate Arena on May 1 - ticketmaster

Track Listing:

1. Hard Hat And A Hammer
2. Every Now And Then
3. After 17
4. It’s Just That Way  – HOT
5. Freight Train
6. Taillights Blue
7. I Could Get Used To This Lovin’ Thing
8. Till The End (with Lee Ann Womack)
9. That’s Where I Belong
10. Big Green Eyes
11. True Love Is A Golden Ring
12. The Best Keeps Getting Better

You Make Like:

• Lee Ann Womack  |
• George Strait |
• Easton Corbin |

On the Web: alanjackson.com

Release Date: February 23, 2010

Josh Thompson, a Milwaukee native, debuted on country radio with “Beer On The Table”, appropriate considering the his hometown is the beer capitol of the world. In Thompson’s debut album, “Way Out Here”, his working-class roots and honky-tonk approach are definitely prevalent. For Thompson, this is something he relates with.

“I love the blue collar honky-tonk crowd,” Thompson said in a press statement, “The men and women that, like it says in ‘Beer On the Table,’ pretty much work their butts off all week and like to have a good time Friday night, because that’s who I am–a working guy that got lucky enough to get a recording contract.”

Definitely expect to her more from this Nashville newcomer. Well equipped in the song writing category, Thompson next radio release is the title track to his album. “Way Out Here” continues his spokesman approach for the hard-working, fun-loving citizens that keep America running. Welcome back country music!

Download Josh Thompson’s music on iTunes:
Purchase “Way Out Here” on Amazon.

Track Listing:

1. Beer On The Table – HOT
2. Blame It On Waylon – Editor’s Pick
3. Sinner
4. Won’t be Lonely Long
5. Always Been Me
6. A Name In This Town
7. Way Out Here
8. You Ain’t Seen Country Yet
9. Back Around
10. I Won’t Go Crazy

Reminds Me Of:

• Eric Church |
• Dierks Bentley |
• Craig Morgan |

On the web: joshthompsonofficial.com

Sarah Buxton
By: Sarah Buxton

Release Date: February 23, 2010

Sarah Buxton’s full-album was in the works for several years as she was carefully crafting her career as an artist and songwriter. In the past, Buxton’s music has worked its way on to the song charts, this marks her first time competing in the album category. Though it seems hard to believe it’s her debut, Buxton’s self-titled entrance features some of her best works including my personal favorite, “Innocence”, and her recent music video breakout “Outside My Window”. Listeners will recognize “Stupid Boy”, a song Buxton co-wrote, as Keith Urban recorded it which ultimately helped the two receive a Country Music Association nomination in 2007 for Song of the Year.

Download “Sarah Buxton” on iTunes:
Purchase Sarah Buxton on Amazon.

Track Listing:

1. American Daughters
2. Outside My Window – HOT
3. Radio Love (Featuring Jedd Hughes)
4. For Real
5. Wings (Featuring Jedd Hughes)
6. Love Like Heaven
7. Space
8. Innocence – Editor’s Pick
9. That Kind Of Day
10. Stupid Boy - HOT
11. Big Blue Sky (Featuring Jedd Hughes)

Related Artists:

• Keith Urban |
• Cowboy Troy |

On the web: sarahbuxton.com

Release Date: February 9, 2010

If country music was a toolbox and the tools represented the artists, Josh Turner would be the one really unique, but cool, tool that when buried in the cluster, it really stands out above all the rest. While that one tool is really awesome, it hardly gets the use, or air-time, it deserves. Turner’s distinct, deep voice, when combined with either his pop-country songs or his gospel infused album cuts, really give him that desirable feel that is so unique over the rest. In “Haywire”, released Tuesday, Turner continues with what he knows best. Working with songs that fit his voice and persona.

Even with the title “Haywire”, the album is anything but problematic. From the fun “Why Don’t We Just Dance”, the first pre-released single from this album, to the gospel-like “The Answer” all the way down to the deep love songs, only Turner can do best, the album’s 11 plus new tracks are consistent to his style but always unique to the present-day genre we know as country music.

Returning to the hardware reference. Growing up as the son of a carpenter, I’ve learned from my father that it can be rather challenging to build something with only one particular tool. Contrary to this, it’s amazing how Turner can craft a complete album with such a distinct voice as his. Even with those deep vocals, he’s crafted a unique album that manages to draw the listener from the beginning, to the end. -SW

Download Josh Turner’s music on iTunes:
Purchase “Haywire” on Amazon: Haywire [Deluxe Edition]

Video Content: Turner explains the makings of Haywire:

[podcast format="video"]http://countrymusicchicago.com/music-content/turner-haywire-downcast.mov[/podcast]

(iPhone users, watch this video in the “New Music Section”. )

Track Listing [Deluxe Edition]:

1. Why Don’t We Just Dance – HOT
2. I Wouldn’t Be A Man
3. Haywire
4. Your Smile
5. Lovin’ You On My Mind
6. As Fast As I Could
7. I’ll Be There
8. All Over Me
9. Eye Candy
10. Friday Paycheck
11. The Answer
12. This Kind Of Love
13. Let’s Find A Church
14. Long Black Train
15. Your Man

Music Video:

• “Why Don’t We Just Dance” |

On the Web: joshturner.com

Need You Now
By: Lady Antebellum

Release Date: January 26, 2010

Review: coming soon….

Download Lady Antebellum’s Music on iTunes:
Purchase “Need You Now” on Amazon: Need You Now

Track Listing:

1. Need You Now
2. Our Kind Of Love
3. American Honey
4. Hello World
5. Perfect Day
6. Love This Pain
7. When You Got A Good Thing
8. Stars Tonight
9. If I Knew Then
10. Something ‘Bout A Woman
11. Ready To Love Again

On the Web: ladyantebellum.com

Best Music Videos Of the Year

1. Sugarland – “Keep You”

I think it’s amazing how Jennifer can take off all her makeup and slash her hair and still look AMAZING!! Keep you is a keeper.

2. Kellie Pickler – “Didn’t You Know How Much I Loved You”

Didn’t You Know How Much I Loved You’s video is a bit simple, but powerful. The song, combined with the visuals, really shows the true power of Kellie’s vocals. Kellie, do you know how much I love you!

3. Justin Moore – “Small Town USA”

“Small Town USA” was a free music video download on iTunes several months ago. It made it’s way into my iTunes library and quickly became a favorite.

4. Gloriana – “Wild At Heart”

This new group really caught my eye with this song. It’s a great, fun song and combined with a video makes it even better.

5. Kenny Chesney – “I’m Alive”

Great simple song from Kenny and our out of the country music genre favorite, Dave Matthews.

6. Lady Antebellum – “Need You Now”

I really think this title goes both ways, We Need Lady A Now!

7. Zac Brown Band – “Toes”

What a fun song! I had to smile when I heard this playing at a McDonalds while I was eating my Angus Deluxe burger. O yeah, the video isn’t too shabby either.

8. Jake Owen- “Eight Second Ride”

Catchy song to begin with, the video makes for some better visuals.

9. Carrie Underwood – “Cowboy Casanova”

Carrie, why do you do this to me. This video made an ok song HOT!

10. Taylor Swift – “You Belong With Me”

While I really like Taylor and think she is highly talented. I’m not particularly drawn to some of her music. Maybe because I’m not a teen girl. Regardless, this music video made me smile as it brought me back to those old high school days.

Best Collaboration Video of the Year

• Blake Shelton & Trace Adkins – “Hillbilly Bone”

Oh Blake, you’re so funny….

View the Country Music Chicago Top 10 Country Music Albums of 2009.

Traveling Circus
By: Phil Vassar

Release Date: December 15, 2009

Country music’s piano man, A.K.A Phil Vassar, is set to release his sixth album titled “Traveling Circus” on Tuesday. The album’s title must refer to Vassar’s life as the song layout has a remarkably comfortable “Vassar” feel as his unique songwriting and performing talents are quickly noted.

While the album as a whole quickly impressed me, one particular song really stood out. I immediately knew why and as soon as I saw the co-writer. “Everywhere I Go”, a lost-love song, was co-written by Vassar and singer/songwriter Jeffrey Steele. Lost relationship songs seem to be something Steele has a knack for.

Download Phil Vassar’s Music on iTunes:
Pre-Order “Traveling Circus” on Amazon: Traveling Circus

Track Listing:

1. Life
2. Lemonade
3. Everywhere I Go – HOT
4. John Wayne
5. Tequila Town
6. Bobbi With An I
7. She’s On Her Way
8. A Year From Now
9. Save Tonight For Me
10. I Will Remember You
11. Where Have All The Pianos Gone

Watch “Everywhere I Go” on GAC.

On the Web: philvassar.com

Play On
By: Carrie Underwood

Release Date:  November 3, 2009

Download Carrie Underwood’s Music on iTunes:
Purchase “Play On” on Amazon: Play On

Carrie Underwood has come a long way since her 2005 win on American Idol and today – four years, two albums and a entertainer of the year award later – her all American girl attitude is like a magnet to the hearts of country music listeners.

The album’s first release, “Cowboy Casanova” was supposedly a leaked pre-release that fortunately snuck its way up the country music charts.  While I personally haven’t taken this album for a spin, I can guess that Underwood will ring in another number one.  Play on Carrie, play on!   ~SW

Check out Carrie on Walmart’s SoundCheck.

Track Listing:

1. Cowboy Casanova – HOT
2. Quitter
3. Mama’s Song
4. Change
5. Undo It
6. Someday When I Stop Loving You
7. Songs Like This
8. Temporary Home
9. This Time
10. Look At Me
11. Unapologize
12. What Can I Say – Featuring Sons of Sylvia
13. Play On

Music Video:

• Cowboy Casanova:

Related Artists:

• Josh Gracin |
• Kellie Pickler |
• Bucky Covington |

On the Web: carrieunderwoodofficial.com