September 12, 2006

Bradley Walker - Highway of Dreams

Alabama native Bradley Walker makes his label debut. Produced by Grammy-award winning musician and songwriter Carl Jackson, "Highway of Dreams" is a collection of hard country and bluegrass, featuring guest support by Vince Gill, Rhonda Vincent, Alecia Nugent, Ron Block and Rob Ickes. Walker , 28,was born with Muscular Dystrophy and has been in a wheelchair his entire life.

 

Randy Rogers Band - Just a Matter of Time

The Randy Rogers Band has enjoyed some success on their own, but now they are trying their hand with Universal South. Front man Rogers sings with a gritty voice.

 

Chris Jones - Too Far Down the Road

Bluegrass artist Chris Jones makes his debut for ex-Dwight Yoakam guitarist Pete Anderson's Little Dog. Jones is going beyond his roots by delving into country, honky-tonk, folk and blues. Anderson produced the disc. Chris Hillman (Flying Burrito Bros., The Byrds), Dobroist Mike Auldridge, Rhonda and Darrin Vincent; and banjo great Ron Block of Union Station help out.

September 19, 2006

Jim Lauderdale - Bluegrass

Emerson Drive - Countrified

Canadian band Emerson Drive returns with a new start-up label for its third release after success on the quintet's debut with "Fall Into Me" and "I Should Be Sleeping."

Jim Lauderdale - Country Super Hits! Vol 1

Kenny Chesney - Live Those Songs Again

Kenny Chesney will go live. In releasing his second album this year, Chesney took 14 songs - many classic, some rarities and several now retired - from various places he had played over the past 5 years. "'Off The Coast of Somewhere Beautiful," for example was part of a small concert on a private island for some fans.

Carolina Rain - Weather the Storm

Guy Clark - Workbench Songs  

The well-respected Texas singer/songwriter makes his label debut after previously being on Elektra and Sugar Hill.

September 26, 2006

The Oak Ridge Boys - Front Row Seats

The veteran country/gospel group offers 14 new songs.

 

Dwight Yoakam - Guitars, Cadillacs, Etc.

The 20th anniversary of Dwight Yoakam's "Guitars, Cadillacs, Etc., Etc." is being greeted with a remastered version of his 1986 debut expanded with demos for the album recorded five years earlier. The double-disc set also features a live recording of Yoakam playing the Roxy in Los Angeles shortly after the album's release and includes several unreleased live cuts. The disc starts with 10 demos the Kentucky-born, Ohio-raised singer and songwriter recorded in 1981 at United Western Recorders in Hollywood .

 

Jerry Lee Lewis - Last Man Standing  

The 21-song album from The Killer, Jerry Lee Lewis, features songs with Willie Nelson, Bruce Springstreen, George Jones, Neil Young and Eric Clapton. The music was five years in the making and went through about three other labels before finding a home.

Alan Jackson - Like Red on a Rose  

Solomon Burke - Nashville

Soul legend Solomon Burke is going the country route many decades into his career. Burke performed at last year's Americana Music Conference, although he played his traditional R&B/soul songs, not country.

Waylon Jennings - Nashville Rebel A four-disc Waylon Jennings' box set, "Nashville Rebel," contains a previously unreleased 1978 duet with Johnny Cash, "The Greatest Cowboy of Them All" and the previously unreleased in the U.S. songs "It's Sure Been Fun" and "People in Dallas Got Hair" will appear on the set. Jennings ' widow Jessi Colter and son Shooter Jennings put the set together. Guitarist Lenny Kaye, best known for his work with Patti Smith, and music historian Rich Kienzle provided liner notes.

David Davis and The Warrior River Boys - Troubled Times

Bluegrasser releases his second album on Rebel. Eight of the 12 songs from the Alabama purveyor of hard core traditional high lonesome bluegrass are originals. His last album was in 2004.

October 3, 2006

Chris Young - Chris Young  

Chris Young will see if he can duplicate the Nashville Star success of Carrie Underwood when the winner of the fourth year of the show releases his major label debut. The set features 11 songs recorded by Young under the production of Buddy Cannon, including "Drinkin' Me Lonely." Young was the clear favorite on Nashville Star.

 

George Strait - It Just Comes Natural

The soon-to-be inducted Country Music Hall of Fame member, superstar George Strait offers 15 new songs. The disc is the 34th for Strait, who has enjoyed 54 number 1 songs.

October 10, 2006

Wynonna - A Classic Christmas

Wynonna releases her first-ever Christmas album. The disc includes renditions of “White Christmas” and “Winter Wonderland” plus “Ave-Maria,” sung entirely in Italianized Latin. Judd's children also will help their mom, contributing vocals on “Santa Claus is Coming to Town.” The 11-song collection will include one original track, the "It's Messiah," written by co-producer Don Potter.

Shooter Jennings - Live at Irving Plaza Shooter Jennings releases his second album this year. The disc was recorded at the New York City venue in April. Jennings had his second album, "Electric Rodeo," out earlier this year.

Wayne Hancock - Tulsa

Silent on the new release front for several years, Hancock returns to the silver platter and a heavy touring schedule. Well-known producer Lloyd Maines produced the 14-song disc.

October 17, 2006

Rhonda Vincent - Beautiful Star: A Christmas Collection

Rhonda Vincent releases her first Christmas disc, "Beautiful Star: A Christmas Collection" and her second this year because "All-American Bluegrass Girl" was out in May. Songs include Vincent original “Christmas Time at Home.” She also sang “Silent Night,” “Away in a Manager” and “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree.” Musicians on the disc include her backing band, the Rage (Hunter Berry, Mickey Harris, Kenny Ingram, and Josh Williams), and Stuart Duncan, Bryan Sutton, Adam Steffey, Darrin Vincent, Randy Kohrs, Ron Stewart, Aubrey Haney, David Grier, Sharon White Skaggs, and Cheryl White.

Dierks Bentley - Long Trip Alone Fresh off the success of "Modern Day Drifter" and a successful debut, Bentley releases his third album. The first single "Every Mile a Memory," penned by brett Beavers and Steve Bogard has bounded up the charts quickly. All three releases off “Modern Day Drifter” produced number one hits. (“ Lot of Leavin’ Left to Do”, “Come A Little Closer”, “Settle for a Slowdown”).

Vince Gill - These Days

Vince Gill uncorks a 4-CD, 43-song set. Each CD spotlights a different style of music, ranging from country to bluegrass to jazz-inflected pop to rock. Gill launched this artistic tour de force with the single “The Reason Why,” which features the vocals of Alison Krauss. Other guest artists include Sheryl Crow, Bonnie Raitt, Diana Krall, Rodney Crowell, Phil Everly, the Del McCoury Band, Emmylou Harris, John Anderson, Lee Ann Womack, Vince's daughter Jenny Gill, Amy Grant, LeAnn Rimes, Gretchen Wilson, Guy Clark, Trisha Yearwood, Bekka Bramlett, Michael McDonald, and steel-guitar master Buddy Emmons.

October 24, 2006

Various Artists - She Was Country When Country Wasn’t Cool: A Tribute to Barbara Mandrell

Montgomery Gentry - Some People Change  

Taylor Swift - Taylor Swift Teenage singer Taylor Swift makes her recording debut. Swift was helped by the single "Tim McGraw." She wrote or co-wrote the songs for the disc.

Katrina Elam - TBD

October 31, 2006

Tracy Byrd - Different Things

The trend of singers starting their own labels continues with Tracy Byrd. After releasing albums on MCA and RCA, the Texan started his own label for his new release, which contains 11 songs.

 

Darryl Worley - Here and Now

Heartland - I Loved Her First  

Willie Nelson - Songbird  

Willie Nelson, 73, teams with Ryan Adams, 31, on his latest. Adams produced the disc, which features his backing band The Cardinals. Mickey Raphael of Nelson's band contributed as well. The set includes Gram Parson's "$1000 Wedding" and the Jerry Garcia/Robert Hunter song "Stella Blue."

 

Cross Canadian Ragweed - TBD

 

November 7, 2006

 

Sugarland - Enjoy the Ride  

After going double platinum on their debut, "Twice the Speed of Life," Sugarland, now down to a duo, tries avoiding the sophomore slump. Jennifer Nettles and Kristian Bush wrote or co-wrote all 11 tracks. The disc was produced by Byron Gallimore, Bush and Nettles. "Want To" is the first single. The group had much success the first time out with "Baby Girl" and "Something More."

 

Lucie Diamond swept the boards at the ECMA awards in July this year. She walked away with “Female vocalist of the year” with “European country artist of the year “ and “ECMA future star“ a tremendous feat. She returns to tour the USA in October. Lucie will release her new album “Sweet Medicine “ prior the start. Arly’s new album “ Sweet Honky Tonk” will also feature. Their “Always on my mind“ single is also still breaking records. Check out www.luciediamond.com and www.arly.net

News just in from Ronnie Mason tells us his latest alum is a tribute to Marty Robbins and called “Memories of Marty “ it’s a collaborative effort with the multi-talented Levi Mullen who guitar pickin brings to life the sounds of Grady Martin, Marty’s guitar player. Check it out www.ronniemason.com

Manchester based band BUCHANAN released their album “The Picture“ in July it’s a great U.K. stone country sound, lets get it on BBC radio 2 and show that a British product can stand up to the American product and some times beat it. Check www.buchananband.co.uk

Arly Karlsen set thousands of people on fire when he and his band played at the major festival at Visagano in Lithuania in July. It was the biggest Lithuanian music festival held, a huge event, that’s brings thousands of country lovers together. Check out on www.arly.net

Country Store have 100’s of CD’S and DVD’S with other products now on offer so check out via this site or www.counrymusic.no and browse the many lists or ask us here to mail you the current offers for you to search.

 

Lucie Diamond sets a British country record by having her second European number one hit in the CMA charts in a row, the only British artist to achieve this. Check her out on the 22nd April in London when she opens for Paul Young. She and Arly are to tour here in the UK. The tour commences on the 25th September 2006 and runs for 3 weeks till the 16th October 2006. Lucie will release her new album “Sweet Medicine “ prior the start. Arly’s new album “ Sweet Honky Tonk” will also feature. All people whishing to book the show please contact Kudos Music UK. info@kudosmusicuk.com for details or e-mail Bellarosa@riddler.co.uk on this web site.

People with new releases this month are Rick Munroe from Sarasota, Fla with “Against the Grain” and Randy Archer who hails from Swainsboro, Georgia with “Shots in the dark” and his new single “Just as crazy” both great albums. Don’t forget to check out our latest stocks of music, direct from the US and Europe in our Country Store (www.countrymusic.no) full of offers and bargains that you will not buy in the UK.

Wanted, Irish music duo’s and solo’s to tour the summer in Norway. The Irish music theme pubs have been taken to the heart here in Norway. Bellarosa are looking for acts to play various 4-week tours, playing Irish music at these venues. Interested? Then contact Ray Franklin at Bellarosa Ltd for details. bellarosa@riddler.co.uk

Audun Njerve this week sent me his CD called “Blue Boy” Wow, now if you want to pour yourself a drink, sit back and close your eyes, this is a beautiful way to relax and listen to a relaxed style of country. Check it out and see it’s well worth listening too.

Watch out for Shooter Jennings latest CD, which is keeping the “Old man” happy. It’s called “ Put the ‘O’ back in country” his debut album. I’m sure Waylon and Richie Albright would be proud of their teaching on that tour bus when on the road. Shooter also starts his “Electric Rodeo tour soon which will take him on the road for two months solid.

Country Store have 100’s of CD’s now on offer check out via this site or www.counrymusic.no and browse the many lists or ask us here to mail you the currant offers for you to check out.

 

Once again, the wonderful Telemark Mountains acted as the backdrop to one of the best Scandinavian country music festivals annually held. The small town of Seljord situated in the middle of a large plateau hosted the 4-day sunshine event. It has a professional way in handling thousands of fans in a way to cause the least amount of trouble and stress. You are greeted, then chaperoned to your campsite area where you have an organized space with an electric point for each pitch. Be it tent or caravan, camper or just a sleeping bag everyone is catered for. The fun starts the moment you arrive and once you have settled in you can stroll among the stalls, these selling all kinds of music and clothes for the occasion. From western clothes to CD’s and of cause food of all kinds, beer and wine with plenty of soft drinks. You do not have to move off site for anything.

 

There are three sound stages on site. The Hill Country Café, Santa Fe Junction and El Centro. So on Thursday at 6pm in the Hill Country Café we had Einar “Howdy”Hanserud, a solo local artist, start the festival off and set the mood to things to come. With the following artists:

7pm - Bygdabilly Band
8pm – Fool’s Paradise
9pm – Silver Saddle (Sweden)
10pm – The new hot damn band (USA)
11pm – Bygdabilly Band
12pm – Fool’s Paradise

The night gave us every style of country music from Rock-a-Billy to Hillbilly, Country rock to an all female girl band, The new hot damn band, with a sweet folk /country sound. Three girls from Austin Texas that used to be called Bra-less until February this year when they changed the name to Hot Damn. They are Renee Woodward, Trish Murphy and Kacy Crowley. All three would perform in their own right later on in the weekend. We were given a full night of real country music. Judging by the all night parties that commenced until dawn the fans enjoyed the first night. You find by this time you have become part of one huge family that have a common love of country music, and as a family member, every one enjoys each other’s hospitality and commitment.

 

At 11am, our local singer/guitarist Einar Hanserud again started the show, which on this stage would finish at 6pm. We again experienced another Telemark find with a multi instrumental local bluegrass band called BØGras, a five-piece string band with a big sound; this was straight from the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

The next band bought to the stage the beautiful and talented Ann Kristin Vestly. Her sound made you sit up and take notice, then to sit back and enjoy. She treated the fans to an hour of new country, covers and self-penned songs. This young woman will be a star.

For the 3pm slot, we waited for the only band from the UK, The Rhythmaires a band from Manchester. Unfortunately, due to a tornado in Birmingham the band was held up in transit. Instead, we got to hear the best scratch band you could put together in a short space of time. They where musicians from different bands including the stage sound engineer they were Morten Vestly, Kegald Finnekaasa, Ivan Thomas and Ann Kristin Vestly, Morten’s wife all on guitar and vocals with Olav T. Koppeland on mandolin and Tore Blestied on the dobro. They gave us just a magical hour.
Silver Saddle from Sweden followed with another good wholesome set with more homegrown talent to follow by the name of Harald Thune. With the outlaw style and voice, he produced a great set. Covering songs live, that most people would leave to studio production only. A most professional artist look out for him.

Bygdabilly Band closed this stage with a fine last set.

 

At 8pm, we found ourselves in the Santa Fe with BØGras opening the night, another first class set of bluegrass. Following them, at 9pm, was the band from UK. The Rhythmaires who had traveled hard and long and with little time went straight on stage. Their name reminded me of Rodney Crowell’s father’s band, the original Rhythmaires, who Rodney once played for before moving on. Made up of the following line up they gave us Manchurian Texas swing / Rock-a-billy in their own style. Stuart Warburton; vocals/ guitar James Fildes; lead guitar Max Thompson; saxophone Martin Taylor; double bass and Steve Taylor; drums. They played all their own material and received a very mixed reception from the audience.

Ann Kristin Vestly took to the stage treating us to another hour of fine country music. At 11pm, Norway’s Kate Guldbrandsen produced a fine medley of songs in her own style. You might remember her singing Norway’s 1987 entry in the European song contest where she came 9th with the song “My Life”. The night ended with the band Bygdabilly.

 

On this stage, Kate Guldbrandsen had opened the show at 7pm followed by Harald Thune at 8pm; both had bought the fans alive to greet the one and only Hellbillies. There is not much more that can be said about this band that has not already been said, only, country music played at it’s finest, brilliant. Hjerterknkt had the unenviable task of following giving way to Trish Murphy to close the night. Trish being here as a solo artist away from the New Hot Damn band. She has her own style and sang her own material from her albums “Captured” “Rubies on the lawn” and the latest “Girls get it free” The set gave a mix of up-tempo and tear jerking music. A fitting end to our second day. It was then back to the all-night parties again.

 

Saturday 30th July 2005. The last full day came around to soon and kicked off in the “Café” At 11am. Our old friend, Einar Hanserud, started the next 7 hour non-stop music spectacular. Following him came Silver Saddle again both giving their all with good sets. At 1pm, a band called Gravel Road took to the stage and took us all to another level. Hard driving country rock exploded off the stage, with twin harmony lead guitars this band was a delight to hear and certainly set the fans on fire. The Rhythmaries catered for the Texas swing and rock-a-billy patrons until the presentation of the Best AM-CAR presentation award.

Mike Bella from Nashville kicked off this section with his (Buck Owens) style musical sound and gave a nice account of him self. No stranger to the European stage Mike has quite a good fan base over here and toured Europe since 2000. Hot on his heels the music was kept on fire with one of Norway’s biggest rockers, Terje Sending, who for the last two decades bought fans to their feet with his style of country rock.

The second young woman from The New Hot Damn Band closed the show on this stage. Renee Woodward. She hails from Fort Worth, but now lives in Austin Texas. Her Father is Rick Woodward who is a singer-songwriter and poet. She sings with an expressive smoky voice with her material, all homegrown, being very engaging. She produced a nice set.

 

“Howdy” Hanserud’s set started the show at 6pm, followed by Rodeo Moon a local band that gave a good account of themselves.8pm gave us another taste of Gravel Road, what more could be said they are just sensational. Manchester’s Rhythmaires followed with Silver Saddle finishing the night on this stage.

 

This show gave Mike Bella a chance to open the night at 7pm, giving us more of his country style of music. He was followed by the third member of the New Hot Damn Band…. Kacy Crowley who‘s life has touched all points of the compass. From her first album in 1997 called “Anchorless” on an independent label that launched her into the music business, to living in France and spending time at Miles Copeland’s music writer’s school. She joined the rest of the girls after taking time out and finally bringing forth an album called “Moodswing” that Austin took to its heart. She joined the rest of the girls in Bra-less that then became the New Hot Damn Band around February this year. Therefore, the gravely voiced female (Bob Dylan with t*t’s) gave us a faultless performance.

Terje Sending followed raising temperatures again with Petter Oien & Sie Gubba a country technique Band on his heels, thus taking the night to a higher level still. This, building to the headliner of the night, Rodney Crowell who then took the stage Drawing on three decades of his music, he did not let the audience settle, he kept them on their toes until the last. He drained every drop of sweat from them on a trip through time, reaching from tracks from his latest CD “The Outsider” the third album in a trilogy. To “Till I gain control again” and “Stars on the water” that took us on a journey through a time filled night which ended all too soon. Then again, 25,000 people bid a fond farewell until next year and retired to bed. Sunday found every one packing and saying their goodbyes before heading off to the four corners of the world still with a song on their lips. Seljord then went back to sleep and sank back into the mountains set on building it’s strength up for it’s next big show.

 

BØGras	The Gravel Band
Ann Kristin Vestry	The Scratch Band
The El Centre	Ann Tayler: Henning H Eriksen (Piraya Music) Tor Gundersen: Ray Franklin (Bellarosa Ltd)
The Rhythmaires	Tor with happy Country friends
The Hill Country Café	Ray (Hamilton Power) Franklin