Upcoming Country Artist Johnny Reed Foley, Covers Rhett Akins’ “That Ain’t My Truck”

For years in the music industry, you have always seen artists cover other music besides their own. The idea of musicians performing other artist’s songs still stands true today even among singer’s such like upcoming country artist Johnny Reed Foley who is keeping the tradition alive by recently covering a favorite 90’s country hit, That Ain’t My Truck by Rhett AkinsContinue reading

The CMBeat Celebrates One Year!!

I am so excited to share with you all that The CMBeat is celebrating being up and running for one complete YEAR!

This past year has been crazy, in a good way, since launching the website. I am so incredibly grateful and thankful to all of you who have supported and followed The CMBeat through this past year! I want to especially thank everyone that has worked with The CMBeat this year.  I have to say one of the best things about having this website, is how many wonderful people I’ve gotten to meet, know, and work with over the course of this last year. I am looking forward to seeing what the future holds for this coming year! Continue reading

Sam Palladio – Wake Me Up In Nashville

If you’re a fan of the CMT television show Nashville (aka: a “Nashie”), then you might have heard that some of the cast members also pursue careers as musicians when not working on the show. Sam Palladio, the actor who plays the role of Gunnar Scott, is one such cast member who has enjoyed success as a songwriter and singer in addition to the notoriety he has received as a result of the series, which is now in its 5th season.

About two years ago, I stumbled across a video on YouTube in which Palladio was performing and singing a song he wrote based on a story his grandfather told him. When his grandfather was a young man, he fell in love with a girl who lived in Nashville. But after he went off to war, he was unable to get back to the city and never saw her again. Wake Me Up In Nashville is a beautiful, tender love song, full of longing and cherished memories, and I immediately fell in love with it.  Continue reading

Exclusive Interview with Lacey Canfield

Last fall, I was introduced to a wonderful and talented artist by the name of, Lacey Canfield. Over the following months, I’ve had the pleasure of attending many of her live shows in and around the Nashville area, becoming more familiar with her music, and getting to know her personally. I recently asked Lacey if she would be willing to let me interview her for The CMBeat, and I was beyond thrilled when she said yes.

Lacey spoke with me about her childhood in Minnesota, her favorite music and musical influences while she was growing up, her passion for horses, and what fans can expect to see from her in the near future. Continue reading

Recap of the 59th Annual Grammy® Awards: Country Edition

If you spent any amount of time this past week watching TV or scrolling through your social media feeds, you know that everyone was buzzing about the 59th Annual Grammy® Awards, which premiered on CBS, February 12th.

British pop music sensation, Adele, opened the show with a beautiful performance of her hit song, Hello. She also closed the show by winning the highest honor and last award of the night… the coveted Album of the Year award. Other standout mainstream music moments included a performance by Ed Sheeran, a tribute to Prince that featured Bruno Mars, and another tribute to the Bee Gees, featuring a memorable arrangement of their iconic hit, Stayin’ Alive, performed by Demi Lovato.

Although pop music and pop artists seemed to monopolize most of the night, country music had plenty of great moments as well. Continue reading

Emily’s Pick: Top 3 Favorite Country Christmas Songs & Albums

It’s that time of year when everyone just wants to enjoy the holiday season by gathering around a fire, drinking some hot chocolate, and listening to their favorite holiday songs or albums.

The holidays mean something different to everyone, and I know every person has their own favorite holiday music (or lack of it), but, I’m definitely in the group of people I described in the first paragraph. So, I thought this is the perfect opportunity to make a list of MY top favorite Christmas songs and albums.  Continue reading

Thoughts On The 50th CMA Awards

It was one of country music’s biggest and most historic nights, when the lights came down inside the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee and stars were everywhere for the 50th Annual Country Music Association Awards.

The show started off with a wonderful look back over the the CMA’s 50 year history, with a tribute to Merle Haggard from Vince Gill & Merle’s son, Ben Haggard. Brad Paisley joined in with Roy Clark to perform Buck Owens’ I’ve Got A Tiger By The Tail!. Carrie Underwood honored the immortal Tammy Wynette with a performance of Stand By Your Man, and Charley Pride sang his classic song, Kiss An Angel Good Morning.

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Keith Urban’s Most Recent Single – Timeless and Classic

Country singer, Keith Urban is primarily known for his upbeat, hard-driving contemporary style. His latest single, Blue Ain’t Your Color, from his current album, RipCord, released this past September,  is a clear departure from that sound and style his fans know and love.

Urban is no stranger to the occasional romantic or heartbreak song, but Blue Ain’t Your Color is beautifully written in a classic, waltz-style, which is a welcomed relief in a country market that’s becoming saturated with similar sounding music, production, and lyrics.

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Chris Young Announces Details For Upcoming Christmas Album

Many Chris Young fans were thrilled back on July 1st, when the country singer/songwriter announced on Facebook Live, that for the first time, he would be releasing a Christmas Album this fall. You can check out The CMBeat’s article on the announcement, published back in July, by clicking HERE.

Yesterday Young released the cover artwork for the album, which will be titled It Must Be Christmas, and will be released on October 14th, 2016.

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