Inside Music Row

Lee Brice was first introduced to the country masses as the hit writer behind "More Than A Memory" for Garth Brooks in 2007.  He's since had a huge hit with the most played song of 2010..."Love Like Crazy," and he's also written other major cuts, including "Crazy Girl" for the Eli Young Band, which also wnet to number one.  In an ironic twist, his latest hit "A Woman Like You," was not one of his own songs, but it has a sound you might have come to expect from Lee.  Kelly Lynn headed out to the Country Music Association to celebrate with Lee and the writers behind that special song.

Tim McGraw achieved superstar status not long after his sophomore album on Curb Records "Bot A Moment Too Soon" hit store shelves.  The project included his hit "Indian Outlaw," which went as high as number eight on the country charts, and etablished him as a fixture in country music.  After a highly public split from his former label, Tim has now found a new label home in Big Machine Records.  We headed out to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum fr the initial announcement.

We kick off another Inside Music Row with the mention of Kenny Chesney.  Kenny is in the middle of his "Brothers Of The Sun" tour with Tim McGraw, but he still finds time to raise money for good causes.  He's now expanding his partnership with Costa for five new lines of limited edition sunglasses, with a portion of the proceeds to benefit Coastal Conservation Association.  The partnership first debuted in 2011 on Kenny's "Goin' Coastal" tour, and has raised over 50-thousand dollars for CCA to date.  Also in the news is Ronnie Dunn as he is teaming up with Cracker Barrel restaurants to put out "Ronnie Dunn - Special Edition" CD.  The CD will benefit the Wounded Warrior Project and will include 12 tracks along with two previously unreleased bonus tracks.  Jo Dee Messina is mentioned next as The Tennessean newspaper has recently included her blog in the newly designed Family section.  Also, the CMA Songwriters Series is on the road again, this time taking the intimate set of shows to Los Angeles and Phoenix.  Next week's shows out west include Bill Anderson, Kristian Bush of Sugarland, Bobby Pinson, and Bob DiPiero.  Finally, we go Inside The Song with Thomas Rhett to hear about his song "Something to do with my hands."

Mark Wayne Glasmire knows firsthand that success doesn't come easily.  After spending several years in Nasvhille working towards signing that ever-elusive major-label deal, he moved to Texas a little disillusioned with the music industry.  Nevertheless...he kept working, and now has a new EP released earlier this year.  His latest single has already hit number one in Europe, and the catchy tune is one you won't soon forget.  Here is Kelly Lynn talking with Mark about his music in Nashville's Hillsboro Village.

One of the most unique celebrity events in the country has to be Kevin Carter's annual "Waiting For Wishes" program, where sports figures and country artists gather to serve patrons to benefit Kevin's foundation and the Make-A-Wish program.  Jay DeMarcus from Rascal Flatts served as co-host of the event, where a long list of celebrities never fail to entertain.  Kelly Lynn headed out to the Palm to catch up with former Titan and a few of his friends helping out for the evening.

Songwriters Chris Stapleton and Al Anderson have each seen success in the music business, but when a major artist like George Strait decides to cut one of your songs, it can be life-changing.  When George cut their song "Love's Gonna Make It Alright," it quickly became his 59th number one hit.  Kelly Lynn caaught up with the writers at a party to celebrate that song's success. 

We kick off another Inside Music Row with the mention of Jason Aldean and Brad Paisley.  The two country stars are among the artists taking part in a new reality television show for the E! Channel called "Opening Act."  The show follow "American Idol" producer Nigel Lythgoe leading a team of scouts in an internet search to find undiscovered talent.  The show premieres July ninth.  Jewel is also in the new as she is set to play the late June Carter Cash in an upcoing Lifetime special called "The June Carter Cash Story.'  Up next in Lynyrd Skynyrd - the southern rock group is set to release a new studio album this summer.  Their catalog already includes over 60 albums, and they have sold over two million ringtones of their ever-popular "Sweet Home Alabama."  We also mention the Gospel Music Hall of Fame as it has announced the latest round of inductees into the hallowed halls.  Some of the honorees include Aretha Franklin, Ricky Skaggs, The Hoppers, and Rex Humbard.  Finally, we go Inside The Song with writers Michael Dulaney and Neil Thrasher as they talk about the song "Fly Over States" which Jason Aldean took all the way to number one.

As a native of Sydney, Australia, Craig Morrison had big dreams of a career in music.  He moved to Music City last year to make a go of it, and the decision is already paying off.  His self-titled U.S. debut was released about a month ago, and the single "Fences" has already hit the Top Five on the Australian Country Music Tracks chart.  Kelly Lynn caught up with Craig to hear all about his new music.

Tracy Lawrence is all about giving back.  He's been fortunate enough to enjoy success in life, and he wants to be able to pass that success on to others, whether it's a turkey fry at the Nashville Rescue Mission or his second annual "Golf For A Cure" to help women battle breast cancer.  The two-day event featured plenty of live music and many of Tracy's friends came out to tee off with him.  Kelly Lynn headed out to the Five Oaks Golf and Country Club in Lebanon, Tennessee to check it all out.

In 1986 an album was released that sold four million copies and became a cornerstone in the "new traditionalist" movement in Nashville.  Many artists have been inspired by this project including Alan Jackson, Brad Paisley, Kenny Chesney, Carrie Underwood, and Tim McGraw.  Now Randy Travis is re-releasing many of those same hits, accompanied by some of today's hottest artists who still look up to him.  We sat down with Randy to talk about some of the tracks on the new '25th Anniversary Celebration.