Inside Music Row

We kick off another Inside Music Row with Toby Keith - Toby has helped raise funds for the OK Kids Korral in Oklahoma and has helped open a cost-free home for pediatric cancer patients and their families on the campus of Oklahoma Health Center.  The Center was made possible with the help of Toby Keith's annual golf classic.  We also mention Brad Paisley as he recently renamed his "Beat This Summer" tour to "Beat This Winter" tour as he has extended it into the winter months.  Up next is Jennifer Nettles as she is set to kick off "That Girl" solo-headlining tour.  Look for that album to be in stores January 14th.  Chris Young is also in the news as he had so much fun overseas earlier this year for the CMA Songwriter's Series; that he is making plans to hop across the pond again next year.  Finally, we go Inside The Song with Ty Herndon to hear about the "Lies I Told Myself" hit.

We introduced you to this next group just over a year ago as they shot their very first music video for "Musta Had A Good Time."  Since then, Parmalee has cracked the Top 25 with their single "Carolina," and their debut album hits stores this week.  We had a chance to check in with them again to see if it still "Feels Like Carolina."   

When your father is Toby Keith, many people might believe your way to a country career would be quite easy.  In fact...it's acutally much more difficult.  Krystal Keith has wanted to be an artist for most of her life, but she had to make a deal with Dad before she could pursue that dream.  Now Krystal has fulfilled that promise, and her debut project "Whiskey and Lace" hits the stores this week.  Kelly Lynn caught up with Krystal to hear how her new album came about.  

When a song is written by three powerhouse songwriters and performed with an honest hear, it can lead to great things.  In this case...its a number one hit.  Dallas Davidson, Kelly Lovelace, and Ashley Gorley wrote "Runnin' Outta Moonlight" and Randy Houser made sure to cut it, and the rest...as they say...is history.  We had a chance to catch up with Randy and the writers of that hit song at a party at Nashville's Adventure Science Center to celebrate.  

We kick off another Inside Music Row at the unveiling of a monument of country music legend George Jones.  Nancy Jones and her family have also established a scholarship fund at Middle Tennessee State University, which they hope will become a living memorial to the late singer.  Garth Brooks is also in the news as he has teamed up with Wal-Mart to create a new box set "Blame It All On My Roots."  The project includes eight discs with 33 original songs, 44 covers recorded during his Las Vegas residency at the Wynn, a DVD of the Vegas show, and a collection of music videos and is now on sale just in time for the holidays.  Dolly Parton is up next as she is using new technology to revive an old classic this holdiay season at Dollywood.  As a hologram, Dolly is able to appear in every performance of "A Christmas Carol" as the Ghost of Christmas Past.  Up next we mention the "Old City Music Festival."  The second annual festival rocked into the early morning hours and included artists Angie Johnson, Bush Hawg, Uncle Kracker, John Anderson, and Kasas.  Finally, we go Inside The Song to hear about Angie Johnson's "Swagger."

Cracker Barrel is known around the world for it's incredible comfort food, and visitors in the South here always have to grab a bite while they're here.  Now Cracker Barrel's music program is growing by leaps and bounds, with albums from many of yesterday and today's biggest stars.  Mandy Barnett was fortunate to have Cracker Barrel release her "Winter Wonderland" album three years ago, and now she is teaming up again for "I Can't Stop Loving You," which is a tribute to her good firend Don Gibson.  

Seventeen years after her amazing hit "Stawberry Wine," Deana Carter is continuting her unconventional ways with "Souther Way of Life."  Deana has written or co-written each of the tracks on the new album, which is a collection of life lessons and a tongue and cheek look at the stereotypical southern way of life.  We caught up with her to talk about that new album which hits stores this week.

TOby Keith has reached a certain point in life where he can just focus on the music, not worrying about which charts say what.  With his latest album "Drinks After Work," he was able to include a variety of songs that have a special meaning to him, like "Call A Marine."  We had a chance to check in with Toby to talk about that new music.

We kick off another Inside Music Row with the one and only George Strait - we hear George talk about his final tour and his most recent CMA Entertainer of the Year honor.  Eric Church is also in the news as he has finally set the date for his fourth studio album release.  Look for "The Outsiders" to hit stores February 11th.  Keith Urban is up next as he recently debuted his "Urban Guitar Collection" with two versions of the "Phoenix Edition" guitars on the Home Shopping Network.  CMA Vocal Duo of the Year Florida Georgia Line is mentioned next as they are sharing a bit of their success with MusiCares.  The duo recently donated ten thousand dollars to the orgaization which helps provide medical and financial assistance to members of the music community in need.  Up next is Craig Morgan, as he has joined up with Kix Brooks and Kiddie Fire Safety and the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation to remind families to "Be A Safety Hero" by following simple safety steps.

All the week's events lead up to the huge CMA Awards show.  Of course the big winners were George Strait, Blake Shelton, Miranda Lambert, and Florida Georgia Line, but we were able to get backstage to hear from many of the night's performers and honorees.