ARTICLE: Bearing Light: A Journey To Sudan

(L-R Paul Worley;Warner Bros. Records, Gloria White-Hammond; Kenny Alphin and his wife, Christiev)


Thursday January 29th an invitation only special screening of Bearing Light: A Journey To Sudan was hosted by Big Kenny (of Big n Rich) in conjunction with National Geographic Magazine. The event was taped for an upcoming “Geo Sessions” television special in front of a crowd of 200 at the Ford Theatre in the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville. Kenny and his wife, Christiev created an atmosphere to make each individual in the room feel like they were joining the hosts in their living room.

The lights were dimmed and a huge screen was lowered at the front of the theatre, Big Kenny did not need to use the microphone in the intimate setting, and oftentimes did not, as he shared the stories behind the personal photos they took while on the trip to the south-western region of Sudan in Africa. The Alphins were accompanied by Gloria White-Hammond, Dr. David Marks and Rev. Damien Horne. The room became silent as the images of the children, women and men of the poverty stricken village filled the screen one precious picture at a time and Kenny described the moments with a voice filled with compassion. At times you could hear his voice crack as emotions welled up inside him. His passion for helping people, not only those from Sudan, but everyone is larger than life and you could see his chest swell with pride as the photos progressed from one with a large baobab tree encircled with children being schooled under it to the three buildings they helped construct to serve as school buildings for the education of girls in the village of Akon.

After his slide show, Kenny spoke about his mission and his plans to go back to Sudan in an effort to raise awareness and funds for the trip. Kenny and his wife, Christiev, are working with Dr. Gloria White-Hammond of My Sister’s Keeper, a non-profit humanitarian agency and together they are preparing to bring back the necessities to make the buildings into classrooms and giving the medical facility the basic supplies and organizational items needed at the village.

Big Kenny said the most touching moment was immediately after landing in Akon, where groups of women and children had been waiting for over a day for them to land. As soon as the doors on the cargo plane opened, he heard songs of joy and celebration to welcome them, combined with the smiles on the faces of the children he was momentarily unable to continue moving off of the plane and had to just stand there and absorb the overwhelming welcome.

"When I was a child, my great aunt decided that it was drastically important that I always have a subscription to the National Geographic magazine, so I have always kinda followed the cultures around the world," Big Kenny explained.

As the evening continued, Big Kenny brought his band on stage and performed several songs, some old and some new tunes in reflection of his trip, including a touching tune called "Heart of Africa", sang by Damien Horne. The highlight of the night was not the music, but the tenderness and the desire of this one individual, who as many know, was literally down to his last dollar and now is making a difference in the human race and those who have joined him in this mission.

For more information and to see the video clips of his trip, please visit http://www.youtube.com/LoveEverybodyTV, http://www.mskeeper.org/, and http://www.savedafur.org/.

PUBLICATION: GAC This Is My America

GREAT AMERICAN COUNTRY



Billy Dean Parties For "America"

Billy Dean with wife Stephanie, January 12, 2009, at a party celebrating the release of the CD, This Is My America. Photo by Bev Moser, courtesy of AristoMedia.

Jan. 13, 2009 — Billy Dean and a plethora of songwriters, producers and musicians turned out Monday in Nashville for a party celebrating This Is My America, an ambitious three-CD project that attempts to teach and entertain at the same time.
The album, which spans three hours in listening time but more than two centuries in national development, enlisted more than 300 people, including Billy, Dolly Parton, Charley Pride, Kathy Mattea, fiddler Mark O’Connor and former Ambrosia vocalist David Pack.
The volume of contributors impressed former Los Angeles resident Fred Knobloch, best known as one-third of the 1980s band Schuyler, Knobloch & Overstreet.
"There’s film crews that have done major movies that are smaller than that," he said.
The party was held, appropriately, at the Ocean Way Studios on Music Row. The room was the site for at least one My America recording session with the Nashville Symphony, in which 82 musicians were stuffed in the room. The facility represents a unique mix of commercial and educational excellence: It’s hosted recordings by Brooks & Dunn, Lee Ann Womack and Brad Paisley, and it’s also owned by Belmont University, which uses it for its music business program.
Education is one of many goals for This Is My America.
"I learned, I guess, things that I should’ve learned when I was in school," said producer Brian White, author of the Neal McCoy hit "Billy’s Got His Beer Goggles On."
Executive producer Douglas Hutton, a native Canadian, has high hopes for the project. He expects it to become a TV special and to be developed as a theatrical production appropriate for Las Vegas or for Broadway.
Guitarist Harold Bradley, a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame, was on hand for the party at Ocean Way, along with a busload of contributing songwriters who own a passel of hits. They included Beth Nielsen Chapman ("This Kiss"), Jim Weatherly ("Midnight Train To Georgia"), Rory Bourke ("You Look So Good In Love") and Wood Newton ("Bobbie Sue").

Publication: Country Hound CD Reviews for Brittini Black, Johnny Cash Remix and Jason Brown

Brittini Black
Good Happens
Slugfest Records

Put this in your CD player and you will be hooked on Brittini Black as she takes you from heartfelt and tender ballads to songs filled with inspiration along with tunes that have a foot stoppin’ spunk and light a fire in her voice. This is Country Music’s next female artist to watch. Her song “Life Is Good” will be heard in the new Rene Zellweger and Harry Connick Jr. movie called “New In Town” which is out in theatres January 30th.

Brittini Black gives you honesty and uses her god given talent to let her true emotions come out in her singing. Black has it all going for her, a beautiful young woman with a warmth and inviting charisma, her powerful voice embraces you and invites you to stay and listen; there is no pushing the skip button on this CD.

1. Life Is Good
2. Pawn Shop Angel
3. Good Happens
4. I’m So There
5. Knock Me Down
6. I Want You To Live
7. Be Brave
8. James White
9. Wild Horses
10. Tell You
11. What Else Is There

For more information on Brittini check out www.brittiniblack.com and www.myspace.com/brittiniblack.


Johnny Cash Remixed
Compadre Records

In stores this week, an amazing compilation of some of the biggest hits of the legendary Johnny Cash with a new sound. This is not for you die hard fans who want to remember the music icon as the man in black with his soul-filled voice. What you get, is a much faster sounding mix and brings the steadfast lyrics and tradition to the dance floor combined with the sound of hip hop and rap to excite today’s younger crowd. This is a bold collection of traditional songs with the modern styles heard in genres of music at the opposite end of what you would generally classify Cash’s music in. Johnny Cash was known for pushing the boundaries with his lyrics and his music, and that is what this CD is about.

Executive Producers: Snoop Dogg, John Carter Cash (son of Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash and Exec Producer of Oscar-winning film Walk the Line), and Mathew Knowles for Music World Productions, Inc.

1. I Walk The Line (featuring Snoop Dogg)
2. Big River
3. Get Rhythm
4. Country Boy
5. Leave That Junk Alone
6. Port Of Lonely Hearts
7. Folsom Prison Blues
8. Straight A’s In Love
9. Sugartime
10. Rock Island Line
11. Belshazzar
12. I Heard That Lonesome Whistle Blow

For more information on this project check out www.johnnycashremixed.com or http://www.compadrerecords.com/cash.


Jason Brown
Livin’ Off The Land
Dream It Records

Jason Brown delivers the lyrics with a powerful and sturdy sound, not unlike the rich rural upbringing of his youth. Each song on this sophomore project is rich with lyrics telling a story that any one of us could have been the main character in and are easy to relate to. His style is country with a contemporary edge, enough twang and two step to keep your boots movin’ but a popular upbeat sound to push to the next level.

Jason had a hand in several songs on this CD, including the title track about the fate of our nation’s farmers and “Livin’ Off The Land”. Other names recognizable in the writing credits include the talents of David Lee Murphy, Ira Dean, and Wynn Varble just to name a few.

1. We’re All In The Same Boat
2. First Love
3. I Did It Anyway
4. Hay In My Socks
5. Keys In My Pocket
6. Two Places At Once
7. I Can’t Afford Not Too
8. Can’t Stay Here
9. 80 Acres On Fire
10. Sideways
11. Honky Tonk Glow
12. Livin’ Off The Land


For more information on Jason Brown check out www.jasonbrowncountry.com or www.myspace.com/jasonbrowncountry.



PUBLICATION: Country Hound CD Reviews Jamey Johnson, Connor Christian and Stacy Peavy




Jamey Johnson
That Lonesome Song
Mercury Records


Jamey Johnson is a name that, if it is not already recognized in every home in America with Country roots, it will be. This album does not have a single song on it not worthy of glory on its own. Immediately a hit as soon as it hit the airwaves, “In Color” has changed how listeners envision a song. It paints a picture to the listeners with its extraordinary and fine-penned lyrics. All but two of the songs were written or co-written by Johnson, and the list of those who co-wrote are valued as Music Row’s top-notch writers: Teddy Gentry, James Otto, Jeff Bates, James Slater and Buddy Cannon to name a few!
Each and every one of the songs on this CD could easily be a hit single, every song having legs of it’s own to carry the entire project. Johnson has a voice that is very distinctive and a style that is unique and laid back. His serious tone and deep voice commands you to listen, all-the-while bringing a smile to your face while you take in the full effect of the lyrics and messages. Jamey Johnson did not receive three Grammy nominations for nothing…this is his time

1. Released
2. High Cost Of Living
3. Angel
4. Place Out On The Ocean
5. Mowin’ Down The Roses
6. The Door Is Always Open
7. Mary Go ‘Round
8. In Color
9. The Last Cowboy
10. That Lonesome Sound
11. Dreaming My Dreams
12. Women
13. Stars In Alabama
14. Between Jennings And Jones

For more information on Jamey Johnson check out jameyjohnson.com or www.myspace.com/jameyjohnson

Connor Christian & Southern Gothic
90 Proof Lullabies
Vintage Earth Records


Self described as equal parts modern troubadour, back road poet and outlaw rocker, Connor Christian creates gritty, soulful songs of experience, revealing solace in hardship, hope in destitution and a dustbowl sensibility. His powerful music draws on influences ranging from Ryan Adams, G. Love and Counting Crows to The Band and Tumbleweed Connection-era Elton John and makes a heartfelt statement found at the crossroads of Roots Rock and Americana.
Listen closely to the lyrics in this set of southern rock songs; they are as true to real life as it gets. You get simple production and genuine from the heart and soul sound. Close your eyes and you are standing in front of the stage, raising your glass as you sing along to the music.
This set of 14 songs was produced by Jeff Tomei (Matchbox 20, Jerrry Cantrell), mixed by Shawn Grove (Collective Soul, Sevendust) and features Charlie Starr of Blackberry Smoke, Mark Van Allen of Blueground Undergrass and Bobby Emmett of the Shooter Jennings Band.

1. Sunday Suit
2. Midnight Moon
3. It’s Alright
4. Waiting For Princess
5. Chipping Away
6. Evangeline
7. Let Ya Slide
8. Winter
9. Time By You
10. One Toke Over The Line
11. Good Morning Sunshine
12. 3 Times
13. Ground Hog
14. Meet My Angel

For more information on Christian Connor vistit www.connorchristian.com or www.myspace.com/waitingforprincess.


Stacy Peavy
This Is My Life


A Texas gal who has a true traditional Country sound when it comes to her music, Stacy Peavy sings songs of faith, family and country values. She has a voice that is strong with a sound that makes you believe in the words she is singing.
Peavy is not new to the music scene, having had several songs reach the charts as singles in other markets. The songwriters on the album are also well known on music row – including Tom Shapiro, Al Anderson, Rebecca Lynn Howard, Kent Blazy and Leslie Satcher to name a few -- all famous songwriters that have written for artists such as George Strait, Garth Brooks, Faith Hill, Lee Ann Womack and Kenny Chesney among others.





1. Before It Winds Up Too Late
2. Tears
3. A Better Woman
4. Ain’t Gonna Miss You When I’m Gone
5. When I’m Sory Ain’t Workin’ Anymore
6. More Bruised Than Broken
7. Back To Bein’ Me
8. I Can Find It In You
9. (I Melt) When You Call Me Baby
10. This Is My Life





For more information on Stacy Peavy vist www.stacypeavy.com or www.myspace.com/stacypeavy .

ARTICLE: Colgate Country Showdown at the Ryman Auditorium



For most artists, the opportunity to sing and perform on the stage at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville is considered to be one of the biggest moments of their lives. Johnny Bulford can now say he combined two of his life’s biggest moments at once, as he is the $100,000 Grand Prize winner of the 27th Annual Colgate Country Showdown held on January 16th in Nashville.

Hosted again by the beautiful and talented, LeAnn Rimes, a full house was entertained by performances of five National Finalist competing for the Grand Prize award. The other competitors were Korey Blake, Lance Lipinsky, LiveWire and Matt Reeves. All five put on amazing performances and the decision was not a simple one by the judges. This year the panel of judges consisted of industry professionals - Rod Essig (Creative Artist Agency), Fletcher Foster (Universal Records South), producer Garth Fundis, Beverly Keel (Tennessean) and Lisa Ramsey-Perkins (Sony). The five contestants were judged on the following criteria: Vocal/Instrumental Ability, Originality of Performance, Stage Presence/Charisma and Talent. Optional bonus points could also be awarded to acts for with original music in a Songwriting category.

Johnny Bulford (Southeast winner) is a singer/songwriter whose music has depth well beyond his years. At just 23 years old, he has opened for Collin Raye, the Warren Brothers, Josh Turner, Emerson Drive, Chris Cagle, Diamond Rio and Tanya Tucker. His style has been compared to Vince Gill, Garth Brooks and James Taylor. He was a State finalist in the 2003 Colgate Country Showdown and won the state title in the 2004. Johnny wrote or co-wrote all of the songs on his CD What Happens Here Stays Here. He performs in his hometown of Orlando with a five-piece band at various festivals. Performing, two original pieces – What Happens Here Stays Here and How Could I Not – in the competition, they displayed their songwriting talents. For photos, show dates and more, visit http://www.johnnybulford.com/.


The 27th Annual Colgate Country Showdown National Final, one-hour special- will air nationwide, over syndicated television in March and April. For local broadcast information visit the Colgate Country Showdown website at http://www.countryshowdown.com/.

Johnny Bulford accepts his win and says a few words during the award ceremony

For more photos of the event, visit http://www.flickr.com/photos/27611163@N08/sets/72157613168650071/

PUBLICATION: ABOUT.COM This is My America



Award-Winning Songwriters, Performers Gather for Special Celebration of

This Is My America Project
(Nashville, TN - Jan, 13, 2009) An assortment of hit songwriters, performers and music industry executives packed Ocean Way Studios in Nashville Monday night to celebrate the official release of This Is My America.A crowd of more than 300 attended the special reception, including many of the 56 songwriters and performers that contributed to the historic three-disc set. Members of the Nashville Symphony and the Fisk Jubilee Singers, who are also featured on the album, were on hand as well.Executive Producer Douglas Hutton and several of the album's songwriters spoke about the momentous project."From the beginning, I told everyone involved with This Is My America that it isn't about the writers or singers involved, or the studios or musicians," said an exuberant Hutton. "It's simply about a place called America."Songwriters Thomas Cain, J Fred Knobloch and Brian White, as well as country singer Billy Dean, also addressed the packed studio."This project is more than just another record," said White. "I feel like I'm a part of history in the making. It has brought me back to the men and women who went before us and paid a price for us here in the Land of the Free so that we can all say today, This is My America." The evening concluded with an emotional listening of the album's signature closing track, "Wave On, Old Glory, Wave On," sung by Billy Dean and written by Wood Newton and Jim Weatherly.This Is My America is now available for purchase at http://e2ma.net/go/1639930667/1486959/54652126/goto:http://www.ThisIsMyAmerica.com. The set includes three CDs (64 tracks), 24-page booklet, collector's box and a replica of the Declaration of Independence.For interview requests, logos or press materials, please contact Christy Watkins at 615.269.7071 or mailto:christy@aristomedia.com?subject=christy@aristomedia.com.About 'This Is My America':This Is My America is a musical journey through America's history. It is much more than another contemporary collection of patriotic hits; it is an epic three-disc concept album that provides unique insight into the Story of America, as told through the original interpretations of the songwriters, narrators and performers. For more information, visit: http://e2ma.net/go/1639930667/1486959/54652125/goto:http://www.ThisIsMyAmerica.com.

(L to R): Performer Billy Dean, This Is My America Executive Producer Douglas Hutton and songwriter Rory Bourke.
(Bottom Row, L to R): Ron Wallace, Billy Dean, Thomas Cain, J Fred Knobloch, Karyn Williams, Wood Newton, Gene Miller, Jon Vezner, Tim Buppert, Matt King, Beth Nielsen Chapman(Top Row, L to R): Billy Burnette, Perry Danos, Brice Long, David Ford, Tim Ryan (Photo credit: Bev Moser)

REVIEW: Hotel For Dogs Movie Premiere Where DOGS RULE!

Hotel For Dogs – WHERE DOGS RULE

Last weekend Mars / Pedigree hosted a sneak peek at the movie and celebrated with a post-showing party at the Thoroughbred Theatre in Franklin, TN. I was one of the lucky dogs to be there! From the yellow carpet walk and arrivals of the limos to over-sized chew toys, food shaped like dog bones and a play area for the kids while they had doggie prints painted on their faces; I was there and captured through the lens of my camera.

It all starts with the arrival of the four legged special guests, and their handlers. Pedigree has adopted the motto: See The Movie. Help A Dog and with each ticket purchased to see the movie is graciously is donating up to $250,000 to shelter homeless pets.

As you see at any red carpet event (at this special event it is pedigree yellow) there are always photo ops in front of the backdrop and these VIP guests are ready to pose with the best of them.


Of course you always have interviews and paparazzi at these events of the elebrities and those who create the project, like this photo of one of the movie producers.After the movie, the younger two legged guests were served doggie treats shaped like bones and with unique canine names after the "stars" of the movie. Enjoyed decorating their own cupcakes and took photos with complimentary DOGS RULE camera's.


The young pups were allowed to frollick in the HOTEL FOR KIDS area where they played in oversized doggie beds with larger than life toys.
Many of the guests had paw prints painted on their faces and as you can see, even the young at heart had fun. A very special memento for all the guests was the opportunity to re-inact a scene from the movie and have their photo taken with props from the movie;complete with a fan to simulate the wind on your face.
“Hotel for Dogs,” is in theaters on January 16, 2009, starring Emma Roberts, Jake T. Austin, Lisa Kudrow, Kevin Dillon and Don Cheadle. A movie for kids of all ages with fun, comedy and adventure that shows how far love and imagination can take you.

For more information, visit the official Hotel for Dogs Web site, Hotel for Dogs, or dogsrule.com.

INTERVIEW: Lance Lipinsky






Lance Lipinsky is not the epitome of what many think of when describing an act competing in a Country music contest. There is no country twang or fiddle playing; instead you will have your eyes riveted on the lead singer and his band, who are full of energy and surprises as they brings a 1950’s style to Nashville to compete in the National finals of the 27th Annual Colgate Country Showdown on January 15th. I sat down with Lance and his band as they prepared for the finals.

Bev: Welcome to Nashville and what a pleasure to sit down with all of you. Please tell me a little of the history about the band.

Lance: I play the piano and Nat Thompson plays drums. He and I have played together since I was 13. Aaron Covington is on stand up bass and Adam Reynolds is the lead guitar player. They have another group of their own, but also have joined Nat and me about a year ago when I moved from Las Vegas.

Bev: Is there anything in particular that made you want to enter this contest?

Lance: A friend suggested it and I initially was not interested at all. I feel that society has been over exposed to all the reality contests. I found out shortly after the intial push that we could play our own instruments, sing original songs, wear our stage apparel and my attention was directed towards winning a little more. When I was 13 I entered a talent show and won, and there was another contest following it called the Jimmy Dean Talent Search or something like that – which is actually the same contest as now, with a different name and sponsor. I believe I ended up in second place back then.

Bev: If you were asked to classify your style and genre of music, how would you name it?

Lance: Our sound is unique and we are very proud of that. I would say we are 40% Country and 60% Rock n Roll. Rockabilly like late 50’s and early 60’s Little Richard, Ray Charles and Fats Domino. The direction we are taking is Dwight Yoakum meets Jerry Lee Lewis. Dwight has a country classic groove and Jerry Lee is powerful on the piano. We have a juke joint swing with a rockin’ edge to it. I would not hesitate to classify it as Country Rock.

Bev: You mentioned your stage costume earlier and now with describing the sound, does this mean you will be dressed the part?

Lance: Oh definitely. We will have full Nudie Tuxedo’s. I always have been a believer of dressing up for the opportunity of being on the stage. To me, anything with a platform and stage lights is the same as the Holy Grail to me and I want to honor this privilege and have always taken it very seriously.

Bev: Have any of you ever played at the Ryman before?

Lance: No, and it is so unbelievable to have this chance. When I was here for some interviews and taping earlier last month was the first time I was ever here and I videotaped the whole experience. This is a huge honor to be on the stage where so much history has taken place. We are super excited to play up on that stage.

Bev: Have you ever met LeAnn Rimes, who is hosting the show?

Lance: No, but I saw a made for TV movie when I was about 12 and remember saying I wanted to meet her. I am excited to finally have that chance.

Bev: What kind of venue or particular stage is your favorite place to entertain?

Lance: I have played a lot of casinos and I can say without a doubt, I do not like casino stages. (laughing) I think I speak for all of us when I say that we prefer any stage that the audience is up close to the stage where we can see them and interact with them. When you have a dance floor between you and them, people tend to stop and watch us and not dance, so I like it when they are right in front of us where it is intimate and you can see them. The Ryman is going to be the pinnacle in my career.

Bev: Do you or any of the group write the songs that you perform or do you do cover songs?

Lance: Yes, we all write. Turbo 350 is the name of the other band Aaron and Adam are in and they write most of the songs they perform. Nat writes, and I write, but as a group we have not really had time to sit down together as we have been so busy preparing for this competition.

Bev: Is there any artists that inspired you and compel you want to do this as a career?

Lance: Elvis Presley on the Rock n Roll side, Dwight Yoakum on the Country side. Both made music exciting and Dwight still does. We all grew up on the same kind of music and liked similar styles.

Bev: When you think of winning this contest, have you come up with a strategy to walk away with the grand prize and title of winning this years competition?

Lance: We have thought about it a lot and talked about it. The main thing we think that is going to make us win is this; we are ONLY using Colgate toothpaste. (big smiles and laughs) In all seriousness, we decided it is half strategy and half luck. We know we need a great original song and we want to give the audience something high energy, full of stage presence and the choreography that is not only planned, but that allows for spontaneity. My hero’s of the past and those I admire had a natural ability to feed off the audience and I think that is a big part of entertaining a crowd of people.

Bev: Do you have a large group of people coming to support you, cheer loud and hold signs?

Lance: We have some people, probably just enough, but I do not consider it an overwhelming and large group that will be a distraction to the other contestants. I want the cheering to be natural and not planned or screaming to just get attention.

Bev: Do you have an acceptance speech ready if you win?

Lance: We have jokingly said what we want to do that would be funny, but no, I am scared to think about it seriously. I do not want to jinx myself. In the original contest, I fainted and that went over really well.

Bev: Any funny stage moments other than fainting?

Lance: At the State contest I had used a different keyboard than I normally do and I forgot the feel was different too, and I pushed a button bringing out an organ sound and did not have a clue what I hit, so with my finger I am punching all the buttons while I am singing trying to get it off and right as I needed to start playing, I found it. That was a little added pressure.

Bev: I am very excited to see you perform at the competition and I wish you best of luck. I am sure we will visit after the show and again in the near future.

Lance: Thanks so much and we all appreciate your time and your support as well. We look forward to seeing you too.

For more information on Lance Lipinsky check out his website at www.myspace.com/lancelipinsky

PRESS RELEASE: This Is My America



(reprinted with permission)
Award-Winning Songwriters, Performers Gather for Special Celebration of

This Is My America Project

(Nashville, TN - Jan, 13, 2009) An assortment of hit songwriters, performers and music industry executives packed Ocean Way Studios in Nashville Monday night to celebrate the official release of This Is My America.

A crowd of more than 300 attended the special reception, including many of the 56 songwriters and performers that contributed to the historic three-disc set. Members of the Nashville Symphony and the Fisk Jubilee Singers, who are also featured on the album, were on hand as well.

Executive Producer Douglas Hutton and several of the album's songwriters spoke about the momentous project.

"From the beginning, I told everyone involved with This Is My America that it isn't about the writers or singers involved, or the studios or musicians," said an exuberant Hutton. "It's simply about a place called America."

Songwriters Thomas Cain, J Fred Knobloch and Brian White, as well as country singer Billy Dean, also addressed the packed studio."This project is more than just another record," said White. "I feel like I'm a part of history in the making. It has brought me back to the men and women who went before us and paid a price for us here in the Land of the Free so that we can all say today, This is My America."

The evening concluded with an emotional listening of the album's signature closing track, "Wave On, Old Glory, Wave On," sung by Billy Dean and written by Wood Newton and Jim Weatherly.

This Is My America is now available for purchase at http://www.thisismyamerica.com/. The set includes three CDs (64 tracks), 24-page booklet, collector's box and a replica of the Declaration of Independence.

About 'This Is My America':This Is My America is a musical journey through America's history. It is much more than another contemporary collection of patriotic hits; it is an epic three-disc concept album that provides unique insight into the Story of America, as told through the original interpretations of the songwriters, narrators and performers. For more information, visit: http://www.thisismyamerica.com/.



(L to R): Performer Billy Dean, This Is My America Executive Producer Douglas Hutton and songwriter Rory Bourke.

(Bottom Row, L to R): Ron Wallace, Billy Dean, Thomas Cain, J Fred Knobloch, Karyn Williams, Wood Newton, Gene Miller, Jon Vezner, Tim Buppert, Matt King, Beth Nielsen Chapman(Top Row, L to R): Billy Burnette, Perry Danos, Brice Long, David Ford, Tim Ryan

(Photo credits: Bev Moser)

Publication: Country Hound CD Reviews This Is My America, Telluride & Donna Ulisse


This Is My America
Hutton Music – A Division of Tennessee Entertainment Corporation



Where else can you find fifty-six award winning songwriters and artists in one set? This is a unique collection of stories and songs telling the story of the United States of America. Three Red, White and Blue CD’s in a beautiful box that appears leather bound, accompanied by a booklet listing all the participants in this amazing project and includes a replica parchment copy of The Declaration of Independence.

Teachers, students and anyone with patriotic blood running through their veins will want all of their history lessons put to music after listening to this tribute to our history. The production on this project is as strong as the foundation the USA was built upon, bringing together the diverse talents of so many writers, artists, musicians and a united team of believers. The stories are written for listeners of all ages and narrated by the recognizable voices of David Ford, Kathy Mattea, Beth Nielsen Chapman, Wood Newton, Nan Gurley and Dolly Parton.

Each song on this project showcases the credible talent of the songwriters as over 500 years of American History are told. A few names included on the songwriting credits include; Charlie Black, Rory Bourke, Beth Nielsen Chapman, Roxie Dean, Steve Dean, Matt King, J Fred Knobloch, Wood Newton, Tim Ryan, Bill Shore, Sharon Vaughn, Jon Vezner, Jim Weatherly, Brian White, Lynn Wilbanks and David Wills.

This is by far one of the most extraordinary projects done in Nashville bringing together some of the finest names in the music community; Kathy Mattea, Charley Pride, Tim Ryan, Ashley Monroe, Matt King, Jenny Gill, Billy Burnette, Dolly Parton, Mark O’Connor, Beth Nielsen Chapman and Billy Dean. An added bonus is the union of the gift of the incredible music, lyrics and narration of many genres of our music community blessed with rich sounds of the Fisk Jubilee Singers and the Nashville Symphony. Truly, this project will stand on it’s own as a reflection of what America represents and the strong ties that bind our music community.

For more information, visit: www.ThisIsMyAmerica.com



Telluride
Four Square Miles
American Roots Records


Absolutely a keeper. How is that for my opinion on this CD? Telluride consists of five of the most talented young artists I have heard in a long time. As soon as I put this in the CD player they had me from the first song. The entire project is great and I have a hard time picking out only one or two songs which are favorites, but I will try. “Pencil Marks” made me smile as I listened to the lyrics, which for the record, every track has amazing lyrics. This particular song reminds me of the back side my own mothers closet door where she has to this day the markings where she would line us girls up every year on the first day of school and show how tall we were.

“Riverbank” has you singing along and playing drums on the dashboard, “Temptation” is another you cannot help yourself as you sing along with CD. Coming from the Midwest, I definitely can relate to “Pickstown” and I even know where in South Dakota it is. Of course the song the CD is named after, “Four Square Miles” is strong and takes the listener on a journey and who would not want to go on a journey with these guys? This is a group to watch, mark my words; you will be hearing them a lot! Country Music has a new #1 group hitting the airwaves!

1. Phone Song
2. Kansas City Green
3. Stay
4. Four Square Miles
5. Pencil Marks
6. Good Love
7. Temptation
8. Without Saying
9. Cheatin’ Jesus
10. Riverbank
11. Pickstown
12. Hope Happens Here (Bonus Track)

For more information on Telluride you can find them at www.tellurideband.com and www.myspace.com/telluridefans.






Donna Ulisse
Walk This Mountain Down
Hadley Music Group



Donna Ulisse is a singer, songwriter and a Bluegrass poet who has been singing since she was three years old. A self penned musical compilation by Donna, and co-written by some well known music industry icons. She wrote this as a follow up to her 2007 CD Release titled “When I Look Back”. The new work of art is called, “Walk This Mountain Down”, produced by Keith Sewell and consists of thirteen Bluegrass songs which illustrate both Donna’s talent as a singer combined with vocal’s that are both beautiful and strong and a songwriting flair above the rest.

If you enjoy the sound of Bluegrass, then you love it after listening to this CD. Donna has a warm rich voice that is meant to sing this genre of music, combine that with the remarkable musicianship of Nashville’s finest and you have a collection of songs you will want to listen to again and again.

1. In My Wildest Dreams
2. Poor Mountain Boy
3. Dust To Dust
4. Love’s Crazy Train
5. Walk This Mountain Down
6. The Trouble With You
7. Child Of The Great Depression
8. The Key
9. Lovin’ Every Minute
10. I Lied
11. These Troubles
12. Everything Has Changed
13. Levi Stone

For additional information on Donna Ulisse, check out http://www.donnaulisse.com/ or www.myspace.com/donnastanleyulisse




Great American Country



Billy Dean Parties For "America"

Billy Dean with wife Stephanie, January 12, 2009, at a party celebrating the release of the CD, This Is My America. Photo by Bev Moser, courtesy of AristoMedia.


Jan. 13, 2009 — Billy Dean and a plethora of songwriters, producers and musicians turned out Monday in Nashville for a party celebrating This Is My America, an ambitious three-CD project that attempts to teach and entertain at the same time.
The album, which spans three hours in listening time but more than two centuries in national development, enlisted more than 300 people, including Billy, Dolly Parton, Charley Pride, Kathy Mattea, fiddler Mark O’Connor and former Ambrosia vocalist David Pack.
The volume of contributors impressed former Los Angeles resident Fred Knobloch, best known as one-third of the 1980s band Schuyler, Knobloch & Overstreet.
"There’s film crews that have done major movies that are smaller than that," he said.
The party was held, appropriately, at the Ocean Way Studios on Music Row. The room was the site for at least one My America recording session with the Nashville Symphony, in which 82 musicians were stuffed in the room. The facility represents a unique mix of commercial and educational excellence: It’s hosted recordings by Brooks & Dunn, Lee Ann Womack and Brad Paisley, and it’s also owned by Belmont University, which uses it for its music business program.
Education is one of many goals for This Is My America.
"I learned, I guess, things that I should’ve learned when I was in school," said producer Brian White, author of the Neal McCoy hit "Billy’s Got His Beer Goggles On."
Executive producer Douglas Hutton, a native Canadian, has high hopes for the project. He expects it to become a TV special and to be developed as a theatrical production appropriate for Las Vegas or for Broadway.
Guitarist Harold Bradley, a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame, was on hand for the party at Ocean Way, along with a busload of contributing songwriters who own a passel of hits. They included Beth Nielsen Chapman ("This Kiss"), Jim Weatherly ("Midnight Train To Georgia"), Rory Bourke ("You Look So Good In Love") and Wood Newton ("Bobbie Sue").

GAC NEWS: Billy Dean Parties For "America"

Billy Dean Parties For "America"

feature
Billy Dean with wife Stephanie, January 12, 2009, at a party celebrating the release of the CD, This Is My America. Photo by Bev Moser, courtesy of AristoMedia.

Jan. 13, 2009 — Billy Dean and a plethora of songwriters, producers and musicians turned out Monday in Nashville for a party celebrating This Is My America, an ambitious three-CD project that attempts to teach and entertain at the same time.
The album, which spans three hours in listening time but more than two centuries in national development, enlisted more than 300 people, including Billy, Dolly Parton, Charley Pride, Kathy Mattea, fiddler Mark O’Connor and former Ambrosia vocalist David Pack.
The volume of contributors impressed former Los Angeles resident Fred Knobloch, best known as one-third of the 1980s band Schuyler, Knobloch & Overstreet.
"There’s film crews that have done major movies that are smaller than that," he said.
The party was held, appropriately, at the Ocean Way Studios on Music Row. The room was the site for at least one My America recording session with the Nashville Symphony, in which 82 musicians were stuffed in the room. The facility represents a unique mix of commercial and educational excellence: It’s hosted recordings by Brooks & Dunn, Lee Ann Womack and Brad Paisley, and it’s also owned by Belmont University, which uses it for its music business program.
Education is one of many goals for This Is My America.
"I learned, I guess, things that I should’ve learned when I was in school," said producer Brian White, author of the Neal McCoy hit "Billy’s Got His Beer Goggles On."
Executive producer Douglas Hutton, a native Canadian, has high hopes for the project. He expects it to become a TV special and to be developed as a theatrical production appropriate for Las Vegas or for Broadway.
Guitarist Harold Bradley, a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame, was on hand for the party at Ocean Way, along with a busload of contributing songwriters who own a passel of hits. They included Beth Nielsen Chapman ("This Kiss"), Jim Weatherly ("Midnight Train To Georgia"), Rory Bourke ("You Look So Good In Love") and Wood Newton ("Bobbie Sue").

Sound And Speed Festival 2009




The Sommet Center was the starting line for the 2009 Sound and Speed Festival presented by SunTrust. Kicking off the weekend festivities were Julianne Hough, Rodney Atkins and Montgomery Gentry who put on a concert to a crowd of Fans who were here for both country music and NASCAR.

Two days of non-stop action included items up for auction including a dream race package in Talledega, autographed guitars, TN Titans signed memorabilia, NASCAR items signed by top drivers, and many other sought after items.

This was the fourth year for the event which supports Victory Junction, a year-round environment for children with chronic medical conditions and serious illnesses. Sound and Speed also benefits the County Music Hall of Fame and Museum

Saturday fans had the chance to see race cars on display from the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series; No. 20 Home Depot driven by Joey Logano, No. 29 Shell-Pennzoil Cheverolet driven by Kevin Harvick, and No. 14 Office Depot/Old Spice Cheverolet driven by Tony Stewart. The auditorium at the Nashville Municipal Auditorium was filled with memorabilia, and fans had a chance to be a part of a question and answer session as well as gather autographs from all the country music stars and the NASCAR drivers. This years participants included such names as Dale Earnhardt Jr., Darrell Waltrip, Ernie Irvan, Kyle Petty, Michael Waltrip, Denny Hamlin, Josh Turner, Dierks Bentley, Rick Huckaby, and Richie McDonald as well as many more.



(Above: Supermodel Niki Taylor and her husband, NASCAR’s Burney Lamar)

For more photos of the event visit http://www.flickr.com/photos/27611163@N08/sets/72157613176541315/

PUBLICATION: Country Hound CD Reviews Charlie Allen, Suzy Bogguss and Thompson-Ward







Charlie AllenThat Was Then, This Is Now
River Run Records

Charlie Allen has lived his entire life around music and it shows. As an artist who has lived through several decades of the music business, had success and seen failure, he has put his heart into this project to give his fans music that is truly a piece of the man himself.
The first cut on the CD, “Can’t Take Him Out Of Me," is about our society and the continued push for government to take religion out of our everyday living. Allen has a distinctive voice and a true-to-the-heart Country sound. “I Don’t Have Forever” is a passionate song pleading to God for answers and is a personal favorite of mine. All of the cuts on this CD are Country to the core and reflect the deep roots Allen has in this genre of music.
This is one album you will listen to over and over again and won’t push the skip button. Plus, the production is as solid as the artist.
1. Can't Take Him Out Of Me
2. I Did This To Me
3. Why Ask Why
4. See If I Care
5. Everything But Me
6. Good Time Charlie
7. Proof
8. Can’t Live Without You
9. She’s Still Here
10. That Was Then, This Is Now
11. Dollar General
12. I Don’t Have Forever

To find out more about Charlie Allen, check out www.myspace.com/charlieallenmusic or www.charlieallenmusic.com.

Suzy Bogguss
Sweet Danger
Loyal Duchess Records

Suzy Bogguss is a household name. Sweet Danger, her latest effort, takes you down a path a little less familiar as it is filled with the sound of jazz and it digs a little deeper into the heart and soul of Bogguss’ musical capacity. You still get the lyrics that you are familiar with, but the delivery is not traditional Country. Bogguss pushes herself with ambition on each project she jumps into, and she does not let the listener down with Sweet Danger.
Bogguss carries the ‘70s Chicago hit, “If You Leave Me Now,” seamlessly showing off her versatile range and ability to bring the listener with her no matter the genre of music. Each song on this endeavor brings out a new sound and is produced perfectly blending the musicians and the vocals to allow the listener to enjoy this fun and new sound.
1. The Bus Ride
2. Everything
3. No Good Way To Go
4. If You Leave Me Now
5. In Heaven
6. Baby July
7. Even If That Were True
8. Chain Lover
9. Sweet Danger
10. Right Back Into The Feeling
11. It’s Not Gonna Happen Today
12. One Clear Moment

For more information on Suzy Bogguss visit her online at www.myspace.com/suzyboggussmusic or http://www.bogguss.com/.

Thompson Ward
Porch Funk

Jam Shack Records
Steve Thompson and Bryan Ward come together to bring a new sound that borders on the outskirts of Country Music. It carries an edge of classic southern rock and mixes it with an amazing soulful sound born out of the swamplands of Mississippi. This is a unique style of music they've self dubbed “porch funk” – as a listener you will either love it or not.
Generations of listeners and genres from across the board have heard the original version of “Spiders and Snakes” by Jim Stafford; but no one has heard it like Thompson Ward does it. It is the first song on the CD, and it will have you singing along from the start as well as wondering what else is on this CD. Another cover which showcases the incredible talents of the bluesy, dirt n’ gravel sound of the duo is “Amos Moses” delivered with the grit and personality of this new duo. The 16 songs on this CD were recorded over a period of the last few years and all were written by one or both Thompson and Ward, with the exception of the two covers and one song by Brad Van Winkle.
Each song has a distinct sound which will propel this duo to higher grounds than they could have imagined when this journey began. If you want a different sound and something in your disc changer that begs for the volume to be turned up loud and the windows down, then you want to put this CD on your list.
1. Spiders and Snakes
2. Riverside
3. The Hump
4. Difficult Times
5. Theresa
6. Stank
7. Ain’t Livin’ Long
8. Missa Lynd
9. Surrender
10. This Tempting Eve
11. Deepest Mellow Sunset
12. Amos Moses
13. Mother’s Work Song
14. Happiness
15. Buddy Love’s Testimony
16. Riverside Alt

For more information on Thompson Ward check out http://www.thompsonward.com/ or www.myspace.com/tompsonward.