[
New Country Music Releases – September 2012
It’s a busy month for new country music releases in September 2012, with no less than 10 albums from major country music stars hitting the shelves. While few are using the day after Labor Day to release new music, Sept. 11 is literally packed with new music. Little Big Town, Kix Brooks and Aaron Lewis are just three of the artists with new albums out that day.
[
Miranda Lambert Lets Fans Direct New Interactive Video for ‘Fastest Girl in Town’
Additional camera angles and bonus interviews with Miranda Lambert and Danica Patrick are two perks of watching the new interactive music video for ‘Fastest Girl in Town,’ Lambert’s new single from the ‘Four the Record’ album. Create your own unique vid by clicking play on the video below right here at Taste of Country.
[
Fans React to Taylor Swift’s New Single, ‘We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together’
Fan reaction to Taylor Swift‘s new single has not been tempered in the 17 hours since she played ‘We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together‘ for viewers during a live web chat. While some are complaining that it’s not country enough, the core audience that has made Swift the most popular pop-country artist on the planet are united in a chorus of ‘OMGs’ and exclamation points.
[
Eli Young Band, ‘Say Goodnight’ – Song Review
Eli Young Band have notched back-to-back No. 1 hits, although it’s not clear how they’re doing it. Nothing about the band is conventional country music. Their new single ‘Say Goodnight’ is similarly moody and understated — almost emo-country, if such a genre exists. That could be the secret to their magic.
[
Brantley Gilbert Fans Named Most Passionate in Country Music
After seven days of voting, Brantley Gilbert‘s fans proved what the singer already knew: His supporters are the most passionate in all of country music. The BG Nation took over 35 percent of reader votes in a week-long readers poll, easily topping second and third place finishers Taylor Swift‘s Swifties and Scotty McCreery‘s McCreerians.
[
Colt Ford, ‘Declaration of Independence’ – Album Review
On previous albums, Colt Ford backed himself into a tight corner, insisting he’s not rap while spitting rap-like messages of country life, love and fun. The singer admits that by aiming to please everyone, he left most feeling a few bites short of a full meal. This isn’t a problem on ‘Declaration of Independence.’
[
Marshall Tucker Band Guitarist Stuart Swanlund Dead at 54
The longest standing member of the Marshall Tucker Band died on Saturday. Stuart Swanlund, guitarist for the group since 1985, passed away in his sleep. He had been taking a hiatus from the band to deal with health issues.
[
Big Machine Sucked Into Lawsuit With Tim McGraw and Old Label, Curb Records
Lawyers for Tim McGraw‘s first Nashville record label are seeking documents from Big Machine Records, the label the ‘Truck Yeah’ singer signed with in May. The Tennessean reports that Curb Records is looking into when conversations between Big Machine and McGraw began.
[
Love and Theft, ‘Love and Theft’ – Album Review
For Love and Theft, it’s addition by subtraction. The loss of a record label and a band member resulted in a project that is tighter and more accessible than anything on the group’s 2009 debut album. The best songs on ‘Love and Theft‘ are those that tell simple stories and those that rely on simple melodies. That’s most of the album.
[
Colorado Shooting: Country Songs That Heal
The shooting in a Colorado movie theater casts a heavy cloud over a weekend many fans of the new Batman movie ‘Dark Knight Rises’ had been looking forward to for months. The sadness extends well beyond the Denver, Colo. suburb, as men and women across America — including country stars — are voicing thoughts and prayers for the families affected. When you experience tragedy in your personal life, which song or songs help you heal?
[
Bucky Covington, ‘Drinking Side of Country’ (Feat. Shooter Jennings) – Song Review
Country outlaw Shooter Jennings and one-time ‘American Idol’ contestant Bucky Covington make an odd marriage, but on ‘Drinking Side of Country,’ their voices and styles compliment each other like bar stool buddies telling the same story. They may be too similar, in fact, as it’s difficult to tell who’s who during parts of the rowdy rolling cut from Covington’s upcoming album.
[
RaeLynn Dishes on Record Deal, New Music and Advice From Blake Shelton
How did country newcomer RaeLynn celebrate after signing with Republic Nashville? “I’m gonna go eat some wings for sure, that’s my plan tonight,” the ‘The Voice’ singer told us — with her usual playful sass — following the news. “I like honey-barbecue wings … yeah, duh. My local B2W. [laughs].”