Inside Music Row

We kick off another Inside Music Row with the mention of Sugarland's Jennifer Nettles.  Jennifer will release her very first solo project this fall.  The album is produced by Rick Rubin, who has also worked with the Dixie Chicks, Johnny Cash, and many more.  Up next is the mention of Carrie Underwood as she will take over for Faith Hill on the kick off of Sunday Night Football.  Look for her Sunday night debut September eighth in an NFC East matchup when the Dallas Cowboys host the New York Giants.  Tim McGraw is also in the news as he will headline the inaugural Delta Country Jam Music Festival in Tunica, Mississippi.  The 2 day event begins October fourth, and will also include Brantley Gilbert, Jerrod Niemann, Thompson Square, and many more.  Speaking of touring, Taylor Swift is taking her "Red" Tour to Australia and New Zealand later this year - stadium shows are set in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Perth, but the show will kick off in Auckland November 29th.  The "Hot Nights at the Hall" event is mentioned next as there is still some time to the summer concert series.  Sarah Darling is scheduled to take the stage July 19th and Craig Campbell will hit it on August 9th.  Finally, we go Inside The Song with Jeremy Stover, who talked about his very first meeting with Justin Moore and how that new relationship turned into Justin's first hit "Small Town U.S.A."  

Nicolette Hayford is finding her way in country music.  After recording her debut project here in Nashville, it was only appropriate that she throw a huge CD Release party here, as well.  Kelly Lynn caught up with Nicolette at 3rd and Lindsley's Backroom to celebrate the new release.

Nashville designer Manuel has helped dress just about everyone in country music, plus a few non-country acts, like Elvis, the Beatles, and the Grateful Dead.  Now he's looking to bring his studio into the 21st century and has started a new initiative to raise funds through a more "personal" avenue than through banks or corporate investors.  We had a chance to catch up with Manuel to talk about his "New Vision."

George Strait released his 40th album on MCA Records last month.  After all the albums, tours, and sixty number one hits, it all comes down to his love of making music.  We had a chance to hear from the king of country music about the new album "Love Is Everything."

We kick off another "Inside Music Row" with the mention of Toby Keith as he recently helped raise over a million dollars for the OK Kids Korral during the 10th annual Toby Keith and Friends Golf Classic.  Construction on the Korral should be complete by October, giving children and their families a place to stay while undergoing treatment for cancer.  Up next is husband and wife duo Joey and Rory as they are inviting fans to their farm again for their special Farmhouse Concert Series - the series will continue each month through October at their farm in Pottsvill, Tennessee.  Katie Armigeris also in the news as she has been chosen as the newest brand ambassador for Pastry.  Katie is the first country artist to help promote the Pastry message of "Live Life Sweet."  Collin Raye is mentioned too as he kicked off his new "That's My Story" national tour last month.  You can catch Collin on the road through December, so check out CollinRaye.com for more info.  We also mention The Grand Ole Opry as it is helping to bring fans a little closer to "Nashville," the hit drama on ABC.  Check out the exhibit through the Grand Ole Opry House Backstage Tours through October.  Finally, we go Inside The Song with Matt Warren to hear about a song he co-wrote called "Every Storm (Runs Out of Rain)" which Gary Allan took all the way to number one.  

We kick off another Inside Music Row with the mention of Luke Bryan.  The rigning ACM Entertainer of the Year is putting the finishing touches on his fourth studio album.  Look for the project to be released this August.  Up next is the Zac Brown Band as they have been venturing into the food and beverage industry, and you can now find the goup featured on limited-edition cans of Landshark Lager.  By "blipping" the Landshark can using the blippar app on smart phones, fans will get exclusive content of the Zac Brown Band.  Up next is the Grammy winning vocalist Jason Crabb as he has just released his first children's book "One God, One You."  Check out JaseCrabb.com for more information.  For the first time in its 87 year history, Nashville's 650 AM WSM is releasing a compilation of live, in-station performances.  "Live from the Archives of 650 AM WSM Volume One" will be available on CD, vinyl, and digitally when it's released June 25th.  The project includes clips from Vince Gill, Reba McEntire, Ralph Emery, the late George Jones, and many more.  Up next we mention The Grand Ole Opry as it will be moving into the 21st Century with a new iPad app.  The app offers audio streaming, along with many extras, including "Opry By The Numbers," a Sodoku-themed game full of fun facts and trivia.  Finally, we go Inside The Song with Sony ATV's Tom Luteran to hear about Blake Shelton's number one hit "Honey Bee."

Amy Grant is excited about her latest project "How Mercy Looks From Here."  This new project hit stores last month, and is her first studio album in ten years.  She included many of her friends in the music business on this project, including James Taylor, Carole King, sheryl Crow, and of course...her husband Vince Gill.  We were able to get an inside look into this new albu.  Here's Amy Grant.

Marty Raybon has been in the entertainment business now for over forty years, and is still a fan favorite, evidenced by his four recent Christian Gospel Music fan awards.  He's now celebrating his return to bluegrass with his latest project "The Back Forty," and Kelly Lynn caught up with him to hear all about it.

"Tornado" is the fifth studio album from Little Big Town, and was released last September.  The album stayed atop the Billboard Country Albums chart for its first five weeks, their longest running number one album.  The group finally celebrated their first number one hit with the lead single "Pontoon," and now they've hit the top of the charts again with the album's title track.  Kelly Lynn headed over to BMI to celebrate with the group and the "Tornado" writers Natalie Hemby and Delta Maid.

JJ Grey and Mofro have a very distinctive sound that has attracted fans across many genres of music.  With the release of "This River" this Spring, JJ is continuing to take his music around the world, blending front porch soul and down-home storytelling.  We had a chance to visit with him in one of his favorite places of all time, which may really surprise you.