Inside Music Row

Garth Brooks has been gradually returning to the stage since his retirement in 2001 to raise his girls. Last year he started performing intimate shows at the Wynn Las Vegas, but after seeing the flooding issues here in Nashville last May, Garth felt he needed to do something to help all his friends and associates here in Middle Tennessee. Kelly caught up with him to talk about his recent return to the stage at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena. Between the nine concerts, Garth’s impact on Nashville was unprecedented. Over 145-thousand additional people were crowding into the downtown area during an otherwise normally slow season.  Between raising money for flood relief and the fans spending money downtown, Nashville had a lot to be thankful for.  

Nashville and Country Music news that includes Faith Hill, Superbowl, Shania Twain, Kellie Pickler, George Strait, Red Shirt Fridays, Reba McEntire, Lee Ann Womack, Merle Haggard, We Go inside the song with Craig Wiseman as he talks about Faith Hills hit A Baby Changes Everything.

Ty Herndon has seen quite a bit of success in his fifteen-year music career, including three number one hits.  Now with a new record label and album, Ty is back on the music scene stronger than ever.  His latest ‘Journey On’ album is also up for a Grammy Award next month.  

NSAI is a wonderful resource for all songwriters.  This week we sit down with Roxy Dean as she tells us why it’s so important to make a writing schedule.  

The National Association of Music Merchants, or NAMM, as most people in the industry refer to it, is helping keep music education alive in schools.  At a recent press conference, The NAMM Foundation donated 10-thousand dollars to the W.O. Smith School of Music, which provides very low cost music lessons to underprivileged children.  Former governor Mike Huckabee and Aaron Tippin were also on hand to talk about a new project to help benefit music education for children across America. 

Easton Corbin in literally on a roll these days.  After his debut single ‘A Little More Country Than That’ hit the top spot on the charts, he was able to follow that up with his second single ‘Roll With It’ also taking top honors. Easton has also been selected as one of the performers on the New Faces show during the upcoming Country Radio Seminar.  This will give him even more exposure to hundreds of radio executives from across the world.  

Nashville and Country Music News that includes Taylor Swift, Toby Keith, Zac Brown Band, Love & Theft,  USO, We go inside the song with Lady Antebellum as they talk about their hit song  "Need You Now."

CMT is arguably the best known network dedicated to country music.  It only seems fitting that they produce the first ever ‘Artists of the Year’ show, honoring the top performers of 2010.  We got a behind-the-scenes look at the inaugural event honoring Jason Aldean, Lady Antebellum, Taylor Swift, Carrie Underwood, and Zac Brown Band, hosted by Kevin Costner. 

NSAI is an key resource for any songwriter, either an established star or someone just getting started.  This week we sit down with James Dean Hicks as he tells us why it’s so important to be honest when writing.

Since signing with RCA Records in 1991, Martina McBride has become one of the ‘A’ artists in country music, having sold over 16 million albums.  She’s also been honored with the ‘Female Vocalist of the Year’ award from the CMA four times, tying her with Reba McEntire.  She’s once again in company with Reba on her new label home, where we caught up with her at a recent press conference about her latest move.

The Grascals are pretty excited about their first album in Cracker Barrel stores.  Their bluegrass sound is a perfect fit for the restaurant’s Old Country Store.  Kelly Lynn had a chance to catch up with the group to talk about that new album being released this week, plus their involvement in this week’s Country Cares for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Nashville and COuntry Music news that includes the Grammy Awards, Lady Antebellum, Zac Brown Band, Dierks Bentley, Jamey Johnson, Miranda Lambert, Robert Plant, Taylor Swift, Big Machine Records, Rounder Records, Darius Rucker, PGA Tour, Gary Allan. We go inside the song with Due West as they talk about their song The Bible and The Belt.