New Album

Zac Brown Band‘s third studio album, ‘Uncaged,’ just hit stores on July 10, and this week, it tops Billboard’s all-genre Top 200 albums chart.

The summer heatwave comes a with a splash of country music before the days grow shorter and the kids return to school. The new country music releases for August 2012 are no exception. While July had so many country superstars with new country music releases that it was difficult to decide where to spend your money, August has just four that look promising.

Fans who tuned into the Grand Ole Opry last Friday (July 6) not only were able to hear Darius Rucker sing a couple of his hit songs, but also get a sneak peak of what’s to come from him later this year. During Old Crow Medicine’s set, the former Hootie and the Blowfish singer joined the band for a special rendition of ‘Wagon Wheel.’ Fans went crazy over Rucker’s cover of the Bob Dylan hit, leaving the singer quite pleased, and he later revealed why.

Since releasing their self-titled debut album in 2009, country music trio Gloriana has quickly become a break-through artist. And they have an awards shelf at home to prove it, too. The year they dropped their first album, they scored an American Music Award for Breakthrough Artist, and in 2010, won Academy of Country Music Award for Top New Vocal Group. But since then, things have been a little quiet for band members Tom Gossin, Mike Gossin and Rachel Reinhardt — but only for a few more weeks.

Multi-platinum country group Lonestar recently reunited for a 20th anniversary tour, and the band has announced the upcoming release of a new single, ‘The Countdown,’ as well as a new album from their classic lineup to go along with it.

Despite 22 No. 1 hits and dozens of accolades, Kenny Chesney is preparing to embark on what could be his most successful journey yet: the Brothers of the Sun tour with Tim McGraw. Propelling his journey forward will be his 13th studio album, ‘Welcome to the Fishbowl,’ which hits stores on June 19.

This week is shaping up to be a pretty decent one in the lives and careers of Alan Jackson and newcomer Jana Kramer. Both of their brand new albums hit stores last Tuesday, and now the charts are in. Jackson’s ‘Thirty Miles West’ knocked Carrie Underwood‘s ‘Blown Away’ out of the No. 1 slot, while Kramer’s self-titled project comes in at No. 5, according to Nielsen SoundScan.

Compared to June, there are relatively few new country music releases in July 2012, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t any albums worth being excited about. One Nashville trio will make their debut, while a country duo returns after a change in record labels. There’s also a legend and a perennial award nominee releasing new country projects in July.

Blake Shelton seems to be working on new music. According to Nashville keyboard player Gordon Mote, Shelton is working on a Christmas album. “Had a great day working on a new @BlakeShelton Christmas album,” Mote tweeted on Wednesday. “He’s pretty fantastic!”

After 14 years of developing his craft on the road, Wade Bowen makes his major label debut with ‘The Given,’ which hit shelves on May 29 at all digital music retailers and select music stores. When it came to giving the long-awaited project a title, the Texas native says the given name is an accurate representation of the collection.

Hank Williams, Jr. has set a release date for his latest studio album, ‘Old School, New Rules.’ The new tunes — the entertainer’s first studio effort since his 2009 album ’127 Rose Avenue’ — will hit store shelves and digital retailers on July 10.

It’s been almost two years since the Band Perry released their debut album. During that time, country music fans have flocked to Kimberly, Reid, and Neil Perry as they’ve toured the country promoting their songs. If you’ve been anxiously awaiting new tunes from the siblings, there’s good news in store: the popular trio is hard at work on their sophomore album.