Rick Diamond (2) / Royce DeGrie, Getty Images New Country Music Releases – June 2012
The first month of summer is the biggest month of music yet. Country superstars like Alan Jackson and Kenny Chesney will be releasing new projects in the list of new country music releases for June 2012, in addition to 10 other hit makers like Josh Turner, Gloriana and Edens Edge. Start saving now so you’re not left out on the new music on the list below.
Ethan Miller / Jason Merritt, Getty Images Daily Roundup: Willie Nelson, Rascal Flatts + More
New music from Willie Nelson hit stores today, and a new song from Rascal Flatts hit radio. Find the Taste of Country reviews on both projects in the Daily Roundup below, as well as which country star wound up on Oprah’s new show with her famous husband.
Big Machine Music Group Rascal Flatts, ‘Come Wake Me Up’ – Song Review
When he’s on, few vocalists commit to an emotion quite like Rascal Flatts‘ Gary LeVox. The singer will recklessly throw himself into love, heartbreak or desperation. ‘Come Wake Me Up,’ the new single from ‘Changed,’ is another fine example of how this trio continues to work at a level few country artists are aware of.
David McClister Willie Nelson, ‘Heroes’ – Album Review
Willie Nelson‘s new album ‘Heroes’ is an eclectic collection of ambient emo-country, Texas swing and jazzy ballads. The singer isn’t confined by the country genre on any of the 14 songs. No one will ever doubt his credentials, so even songs like ‘The Scientist’ feel like one Hank Sr. may have chosen decades ago. OK, perhaps that’s an exaggeration, but few other singers could give the political lyric the proper twang.
Larry Busacca / Rick Diamond, Getty Images Daily Roundup: Blake Shelton, Miranda Lambert, Kenny Chesney + More
Country music’s hottest couple celebrates one year of marriage today! To ring in Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert‘s anniversary, we’ve collected all the highs and the many lows of their last 12 months together into one neat list. Find our tribute to the power couple, as well as the new song from Kenny Chesney, in the Taste of Country Daily Roundup.
Ethan Miller, Getty Images Sara Evans Outraged by Controversial Time Magazine Cover
Very few who’ve seen the controversial cover of this week’s issue of Time Magazine walk away without an opinion, and country star Sara Evans is no different. She is one of two female vocalists outraged by the photo, which shows a three-year-old boy standing on a chair and breastfeeding from his mother.
Luke Bryan vs. Chris Young – The Showdown
Luke Bryan is half way to enshrinement in the Taste of Country Showdown Hall of Fame with his new song ‘Drunk on You.’ The midtempo lover from the ‘Tailgates and Tanlines’ album made quick work of ‘No Hurry’ by the Zac Brown Band last week. He’ll need to keep the momentum going forward to do the same to this week’s challenger.
Jason Merritt, Getty Images Jake Owen Wasn’t Planning to Get Married
Just two weeks before Jake Owen proposed to now-wife Lacey Buchanan, he said marriage was not on his radar. Owen co-hosted the syndicated radio show Country Countdown USA at the end of March and told host Lon Helton that while Buchanan would be the one he would marry if he was going to be married, she shouldn’t expect a ring anytime soon.
Frederick M. Brown, Getty Images Kenny Chesney, ‘Come Over’ – Song Review
The second single from Kenny Chesney‘s upcoming ‘Welcome to the Fishbowl’ album finds the singer returning to his old blue chair in an effort to pour his soul into a six-chord cask. It’s not clear yet if Chesney wrote ‘Come Over,’ but like many of his best ballads, this cut feels very, very personal.
Frazer Harrison, Getty Images Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert’s Anniversary: Reflecting on a Year of Highs and Lows
Happy first anniversary to Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert! The country couple celebrate one year of matrimonial bliss today (May 14). Professionally, they have soared with multiple awards and perhaps the best albums of their careers in the past year. But their strong bond has been tested with periods of personal sadness and controversy, too.
Mark Davis, Getty Images Rodney Atkins, ‘Just Wanna Rock N’ Roll’ – Song Review
Much like he did with ‘Take a Back Road’ in 2011, Rodney Atkins has released a song you’ll struggle to keep from singing along with by summer’s end. ‘Just Wanna Rock N’ Roll’ is carefree fun that showcases the singer as a cool breeze on a dog’s-breath-hot summer day.
Ryan Pierse / Rick Diamond / Kevin Winter / Ethan Miller, Getty Images Country Stars and Their Moms
There are dozens (if not hundreds) of country songs about moms, and many country singers are even mothers themselves. For this reason, the Mother’s Day holiday is sure to be one that is surely not going to be overlooked on any humble artist’s calendar. Take a look at the women who helped shape the ladies and gents of country music — the ones that give us so much wonderful music year after year — in this list of Country Stars and Their Moms.
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New DVD and Blu-ray Releases – June 2012 May 16, 2012
