Inside Music Row

We kick off another Inside Music Row with the mention of Resteless Heart - the group is celebrating three decades with the release of "Playlist:  The Very Best of Restless Heart."  The album hits stores this week and includes twelve of the goup's biggest hits, plus two new songs.  Up next we mention the 21st Graves Mountain Festival of Music which is set to kick off May 30th in Syria, Virginia.  Look for Carolina Chocolate Drops, Steep Canyon Rangers, Russell Moore and IIIrd Tyme Out, The Cleverly's and many more to perform.  Also in the news is the Texas Thunder Festival which took place last week in Gardendale, TX with 100 percent of the net proceeds donated to local schools and first responders in the area.  The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum is up next as it has just opened several new exhibits, just in time for the summer.  "Radio Romance:  Mainstram Country in the 1980's" and "Lee Greenwood:  American Patriot" are just of couple of the new exhibits.  Finally, we go Inside The Song with Preston Brust to hear about a song called "Best Seat In The House."

Baytown, Texas native Breelan Angel has always had a passion for music.  She describes herself as part rocker and part homegrown southern girl.  Now after years of preparation, she's put in countless hours teamed up with hit songwriters here in Nashville for her debut album.  That project "It's My Turn" is set to hit stores next month, but we had a chance to sit down with Breelan ahead of time.

"Changed" is the title track and third single from the latest album from Rascal Flatts.  When they went to put together a music video, they called on good friend Charles "Chip" Esten, who currently stars as Deacon Claybourne on the ABC hit series "Nashville."  The video captures the emotion and depth of the lyrics, and it's a story the guys are eager to tell.  Here they are on the set of "Changed."  

Although former professional footabll player Kevin Carter hasn't been with the Tennessee Titans the last few years, his heart is still here in Nasvhille.  He's helped to organize the "Waiting For Wishes" program with co-host Jay DeMarcus from Rascal Flatts.  Now in its 12th year, the "Waiting For Wishes" celebrity waiters' dinner has raised over 1.2 million dollars benefitting the Kevin Carter Foundation and Make A Wish Middle Tennessee.  We had a chance to check in with a few of the special guests before the big dinner to find out why they are involved.

We kick off another Inside Music Row with the mention of Kenny Chesney.  Kenny is releasing a new line of rum called - look for Blue Chair Bay's premium white, coconut, and coconut spiced versions available in late May.  Also in the news is Keith Urban as he is set to tour with Little Big Town and Dustin Lynch  - look for the "Light the Fuse Tour 2013" after Keith's American Idol gig wraps up.  In other tour news - the Rascal Flatts are set to kick off their new "Live and Loud" tour May 31st - look for The Band Perry and 2012 "The Voice" winner Cassadee Pope to join them.  Blake Shelton and Miranda Luambert are also in the news as they have just purchased a building on Main Street in their hometown and are expected to turn it into a bed and breakfast.  The new venture will open right across the street from Miranda's retail clothing store, The Pink Pistol.  Up next is Lollapalooza - the three-day event in Chicago's Grant Park will kick off August second with country music's Eric Church scheduled as one of 130 bands.  Finally, we go Inside The Song with Ben Hayslip to hear about a song he co-wrote for Blake Shelton called "All About Tonight."

Bluegrass Hall of Famer Doyle Lawson remains passionate about his music, even after playing professionally for more than 35 years.  Having recorded about forty albums, ou might think things would get a little stale, but as Doyle inspires many other musicians you can see through "Roads Well Traveled" how the current lineup of Quicksilver inspires him.  Here's Kelly at the release party for his latest album.  

Gary Allan was pretty happy to see his latest hit "Every Storm (Runs Out Of Rain)" reach number one on both the Billboard Country and Country Aircheck charts.  Then his album "Set You Free" took the top spot in sales in the all-genre Billboard 200 and the Top Country Albums charts when it was released in Januarty.  of course...it was time to celebrate.  Kelly Lynn caught up with Gary and his co-writers behind that new hit single at a party at Nashville's Sambuca to commemorate the occasion.

The pinnacle of success in our preferred genre would have to be induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame.  For aspiring artists, this is about the highest honor you can receive.  We headed out to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum to check out this year's class of inductees.

We kick off another Inside Music Row with the mention of Willie Nelson as he is set to receive an honorary doctorate this weekend from the Berklee College of Music during the school's commencement ceremony May 11th.  Also in the news is Craig Campbell - Craig will be host his inaugural Cornhole Challenge to benefit the TJ Martell Foundation and colon cancer awareness and research.  The Craig Campbell Cornhole Challege is set for Jne fourth downtown as the unofficial kickoff to the CMA Music Festival.  Amy Grant is up next as she is set to release her first full-length album in ten years.  "How Mercy Looks From Here" will hit stores next week and is dedicated to her late mother.  Oak Ridge Boy William Lee Golden is also mentioned as he will have a few of his paintings on display at the Pensacola Museum of Art beginning July second.  Finally, we go Inside the Song with Jim McCormick and Dylan Altman to hear about a song the co-wrote called "Take A Little Ride" which Jason Aldean took all the way to number one.

Hick-hop artist Clay "Uncle Snap" Sharpe and lead vocalist and guitarist Brain "Rooser" King have teamed up to form a new duo on Average Joe's Entertainment.  With a blue collar background, The Lacs are working to keep their dream alive.  They've recently released "190-Proof," and are touring constantly, performing many dates with labelmate Colt Ford.  We had a chance to catch up with them at a showcase here in town.