Inside Music Row

Since becoming a Top Ten finalist on American Idol's seventh season, Kristy Lee Cook has been steadily gaining momentum in her career.  We last caught up with her at the music video shoot for "Airborne Ranger Infantry," but she's got a new duet with Randy Houser out now that has caught on with her fans.  We had a chance to check in with her to hear all about that new music.  

Four-time Grammy nominee Joe Nichols is finally back with some incredible new music.  With a new label home of Red Bow Records and freedom to record his kind of music, Joe is extremely excited about this latest release called "Crickets."  The project contains sixteen tracks, including the lead-off single "Sunny and 75" plus a Merle Haggard cover dedicated to his late father.  Kelly Lynn had a chance to catch up with Joe to hear all about the new music, plus the story behind the unusual album title.  

We kick off another Inside Music Row with the mention of Toby Keith.  Toby is ready to head down under early next year.  He's taking his "Hammer Down Under Tour" to Australia for his first ever concert appearances there. Look for Eli Young Band and Kellie Pickler to join him.  Jake Owen is also in the news as he is teaming up with Saint Thomas Health for the annual "Rock The Cradle" charity event.  This years event will again be held at the Loveless Barn to raise money for newborns and their families in need.  Trace Adkins is up next as he will be joined by NASCAR's Danica Patrick as co-hosts of the fourth annual American Country Awards December tenth in Las Vegas.  Check out the fan-voted awards show live on FOX from Mandalay Bay.  The Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival is also in the news as it has announced grants for twenty non-profit organizations through the Bonnaroo Works Fund.  The organization gave almost 140-thousand dollars to these groups this year, with funds coming from ticket sales plus entry fees from the inaugural 5K run and various auctions held throughout the year.  We talk songwriters next as Key West will again be taken over for the 19th annual Key West Songwriters Festival" in early May.  Finally, we go Inside the Song with Steve Wariner to hear about the release of his latest album "It Ain't All Bad."

The Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum has been without a permanent home the last several years since constrution began on the new Music City Center.  Fortunately, founders Joe and Linda Chambers have persevered, and now the museum can once again be a major attraction for music fans of all genres.  We had a chance to celebrate at the grand re-opening of the exhibits at the new home in Nashville's municipal Auditorium.  

Tyler Farr has gone "Redneck Crazy" with the release of his debut album.  After moving to Music City from Missouri, he got a gig at Tootsie's downtown and worked his way to the stage.  He soon began writing with Rhett Akins, Dallas Davidson and Ben Hayslip, otherwise known as the Peach Pickers, and a publishing deal and record contract with Columbia Nashville soon followed.  We had a chance to catch up with Tyler at a release party for that long-awaited album.

Brett Eldredge's career is flying high these days, and not just because he celebrated his first number one hit by skydiving for the first time.  Having a number one on the charts is an incredible feeling for both artists and songwriters, but that first one is always especially sweet.  We had a chance to catch up with Brett and his co-writers Chris Destefano and Ashley Gorley at a party to celebrate.

We kick off another "Inside Music Row" with the mention of Sara Evans.  Sara is back on the radio again with "Slow Me Down" - this is her first single from her forthcoming seventh studio album set for release early next year.  Garth Brooks is also in the news as he just isn't cut out for retirement...again.  He has now signed on for eight more performances at Wynn's Encore Theater in Las Vegas this month and next.  Jason Sturgeon is also mentioned as he has just released his latest album "Cornfields and Coal."  Jason's first single off that album is a remake of the Jeff Healey classic "Angel Eyes."  Steve Wariner is up next as his "Wariner's Watercolors' exhibit opened last week at the Tennessee State Museum, which feature 21 of his favorite paintings.  We also mention Lifetime's new series "Chasing Nashville."  The docu-series will follow several artists as they pursue recording contracts here in Nashville.  Finally, we go Inside The Song with Joe Diffie to hear about his very first number one hit "Home."

Big Kenny of Big and Rich has always had his own sort of dance groove going on.  Now he is marketing that dance groove with Electgroshine...an entirely new series of "music without prejudice."  Big Kenny marries country with reggae, rock, hip hop, and electronic dance music to get the masses on their feet.  We had a chance to hook up with Big Kenny at his home studio, otherwise known as the "University of Creativity" in Nashville to learn all about the new project.

In our last segment, we had a chance to sit down with the legendary Kenny Rogers to talk all about his new album "You Can't Make Old Friends," which hits stores this week.  In part two of our interview with Kenny, we had a chance to talk about his induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame, plus a few friends of his that he's helped along the way. 

Kenny Rogers has achieved that level of success where he is free to put out the music that means the most to him, rather than playing what radio wants him to sing.  With that freedom comes a wealth of creativity, which made what Kenny feels is his best album to date.  We had a chance to sit down with him to talk all about that new project "You Can't Make Old Friends."