Inside Music Row

We kick off another Inside Music Row with the mention of Carrie Underwood.  Carrie is "Blown Away" by the response to her latest album and is also set to launch her North American tour this fall with Hunter Hayes.  Darryl Worley is also mentioned as he has returned safely from his trip overseas entertaining the troops in Afghanistan and Kuwait.  Craig Morgan fans will be excited to see more of him on television when he returns for a third season with "Craig Morgan All Access Outdoors" on the Outdoor Channel.  Also in the news is the Time Jumpers - they will be moving their legendary Monday night shows from Nashville's Station Inn to the newly renovated nightspot 3rd & Lindsley.  Finally, we go Inside The Song with Angaleena Presley to hear about her song "Lemon Drop."

Roger Creager is not known for sitting still.  It seems he's always off on one adventure or another...wherever his music and his passions take him.  He never strays far from his South Texas roots, which has earned him countless fans in the Lone Star state, and he's gaining fans around the world wherever he plays.  We had a chance tocatch up with him at a soundcheck before a show at Nashville's Exit In to learn all about his style of music.

The Pistol Annies include Miranda Lambert, Ashley Monroe, and Angaleena Presley...a coal-miner's daughter from Kentucky.  We had a chance to catch up with Angeleena at a special NSAI benefit to talk about her work as a songwriter and her time on the road with the girls.  Here's Kelly with more. 

Keith Urban is no stranger to the top of the music charts, having held that position fourteen times in his career.  It seems the newest member of the Grand Ole Opry has done it again with "You Gonna Fly."  Kelly Lynn was at Chappy's in downtown Nashville to celebrate with Keith and the writer behind that hit song.

We kick off another Inside Music Row with the mention of Carrie Underwood - Carrie is riding the success of her new "Blown Away" album and plans to head across the pond to perform at Lond's Royal Albert Hall on June 21st shortly after her performance at CMA Music Fest.  Speaking of Music Fest, which kicks off with the CMT Music Awards June 6th, Carrie leads the nominations with five and Miranda Lambert follows closely behind her with four.  Th Zac Brown Band is also in the news as percussionist Daniel de los Reyes just had a baby - he plans to make his official debut on "Uncaged," the new studio album which hits stores July 10th.  We also mention Bonnie Raitt as she will be honored this fall at the 11th annual Americana Honors and Awards ceremony.  She will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Americana Music Association at the Ryman Auditorium September 12th.

When new artists come to Music City to chase their dreams of a career in country music, they have stars in their eyes and many times they leave with their hearts broken and pockets picked.  Bernard Porter has seen what the business can do to young artists, so he's created a program that goes against the typical grain of the industry, but is designed with the artist in mind more so than the bottom line.  We caught up with Bernard to talk about how his artists develop both musically and personally as they learn what it takes to succeed.  Here's Kelly with more.

In the music business, artists tend to spend lots of time out on the road, playing night after night while on tour.  When you spend more time away than you do at home, life can quickly pass you by.  Phil Vassar was on a flight and missing his two daughters when he whipped out his iPad and wrote his latest single called "Don't Miss Your Life."  We had a chance to catch up with Phil at his home in Nashville to talk about his new music.

Kevin Costner is known more for his Hollywood persona than for his musical skills, but that's not stopping him from following his dream to play music.  He and his group Modern West came to Nashville's Exit Inn for a show, where Kelly caught up with him at soundcheck to talk about his life's passions.

We kick off another Inside Music Row with the mention of Toby Keith as his "I Love This Bar and Grill" restaurant has launched a new weekly event that honors his latest hit "Red Solo Sup."  The new "Red Solo Cup Ladies Night" will feature Red Solo Cup drink specials at the bar inside Harrah's Casino on the Las Vegas Strip.  We also mention Katie Armiger as she has been voted Country Weekly's Hottest Bachelorette for a second year in a row.  Miranda Lambert is mention next as she is set to host her fifth annual "Cause For The Paws" benefit June 22nd in Beaumont, Texas - proceeds will benefit here "Mutt-nation Foundation."  Also, we mention BamaJam as the lineup is just about set for this four-day experience.  Look for Kid Rock, Tim McGraw, Alan Jackson, Sheryl Crow, Jamey Johnson, and many more.  Finally, we go Inside the Song with Sheree Austin as she talks about the song "If I Was A Woman" she co-wrote with Trace Adkins and Blake Shelton.

Neal McCoy had his fair share of hits in the 1990's, and apparently left his mark on an energetic but struggling artist at the time.  The two became good friends, and now he and Blake Shelton have teamed up to produce Neal's latest album.  Kelly Lynn caught up with Neal to hear some special stories about Blake and Miranda from their time in the studio.