Nashville and Country Music News that Includes the 5th Annual Sound and Speed event, The George Strait & Reba McEntire & Lee Ann Womack Tour, Julianne Hough, Country Music Marathon, Team Rio, Trace Adkins BC Headache, We go Inside the Song with Brice Long as he talks about Gary Allan's Song Today

Inside Music Row.  We’re taking a

look back at a few of our very special stories, and this next piece is no

exception.  When people look out

for others, and help raise money for terrible illnesses, it always gives you an

extraordinary feeling.  When the

incredible songwriters at Adroit Records got involved in helping battle Lou

Gehrig’s disease…wonderful things seemed to happen.

Wariner has been called a lot of things throughout the years, but one of the

best names he’s been called was C-G-P. 

Chet Atkins gave him that nickname as a Certified Guitar Picker.  Steve has always looked up to Chet, and

the time seemed right for a new album in his honor.

Welcome back to our Year in

Review.  I hope your new year is a

getting off to a good start. 

Darius Rucker has made an almost seamless transition from pop star as

front man for Hootie and the Blowfish to a solo country artist, even winning

New Artist of the Year at the 43rd annual CMA Awards. We helped him

celebrate another number one at a party for ‘Alright.’ You can find all those

great number one hits on ‘Learn To Live’…the debut disc from Darius as a solo

country artist. 

We have a very special show

today in honor of the new year. 

Today we’re going to take a look back at some of our most popular

stories in 2009.  Let’s get things

started with a visit to a local Cracker Barrel restaurant, where Alan Jackson

launched his new line of merchandise. That new merchandise is pretty cool,

especially that signature rocking chair. 

If you can’t make it to a store in person, you can always order online

at Cracker Barrel dot com

favorite segments from 2009.  This

next attraction is situated in an ideal spot downtown.  Surrounded by the Country Music Hall of

Fame, the Nashville Arena, the Schermerhorn Symphony Center and the Hilton

Suites…you’re never too far away to check out The Nashville Music Garden when

you’re in town.  We made it out to

see Barbara Mandrell and others dedicate the new park.

Continuing on with our most popular stories of 2009…Jason

Aldean has had a huge year, and his hit ‘Big Green Tractor’ spent four weeks at

the top spot on the charts.  We

headed over to BMI to celebrate with Jason and…a few green tractors.

Music Row.  The Crohn’s and Colitis

Foundation of America has over 40 chapters across the United States, with each

hosting its own events and fundraisers to battle the diseases.  The Tennessee chapter held their annual

Buds and Suds event this Fall, which was headlined by Randy Houser and James Otto.

As 2009 is

coming quickly to a close, we thought we’d take a look back at some of our top

stories from the year.  We’ll begin

with a celebration honoring Vince Gill at the Loveless Barn here in Nashville,

where the Grammy Awards held their ‘Salute to Country Music. The Grammy

organization really does it up right. 

Don’t forget to tune into the 52nd annual Grammy Awards

Sunday, January 31 live from the Staples Center on CBS.

The Radio City Christmas

Spectacular featuring the Rockettes is taking the show on the road, visiting 37

cities in North America, in addition to their normal New York City shows.  We had a chance to preview the show

here in Nashville at the Opry House. If you want to tickets to the main New

York show, or any of the traveling shows, check out Radio City Christmas dot

com for a listing of all the cities where the Rockettes will perform this

holiday season.