Nashville, TN (Press Release) - Country newcomer Denny Strickland salutes icon Kris Kristofferson with his acoustic video premiere of "Loving Her Was Easier (Than Anything I'll Ever Do Again)." The video, part of The Cellar Sessions (Strickland's latest efforts with Producer/Director Brian Harstine), was filmed at The Sutler in Nashville.  Close-ups and low-level lighting set an intimate scene within the speakeasy lounge.  Strickland's signature black hat and smooth vocals make a striking focal point, while rich fabrics and background details serve to hold the viewer's attention.  Kristofferson released"Loving Her Was Easier" on his album, THE SILVER TONGUED DEVIL AND I, in 1971.  Roger Miller, Tompall & The Glaser Brothers, Waylon Jennings and Mark Chesnutt also recorded the song.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Press Release) – Recording artist and acclaimed songwriter, Kelly Lang, will take the stage at Nashville’s 3rd and Lindsley on Tuesday, March 29, 2016 at 7PM to perform songs from her brand new album Throwback. The show will spotlight songs from the star-studded project, which includes guest appearances by entertainment icon Olivia Newton-John, “God Bless the U.S.A.” singer Lee Greenwood and former band leader on “Late Show with David Letterman,” Paul Shaffer. Tickets for the show are just $15 and are available in advance at www.3rdandlindsley.com and at the door. The Springer Mountain Farms Chicken sponsored show will take fans on a roller coaster ride with a very special surprise.
 
“In recording these, it was strictly out of honor for the artists who recorded it before. I’m trying to pass along my appreciation for these artists to future generations,” says Lang. “I heard a very interesting quote, which pretty much sums it up: ‘singing an old song is like visiting an old friend.’”
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Nashville, TN (March 16, PR) - Maiden Dixie is set to release Wrecked, the band's second studio project with Navigator Records, on Friday, April 22. Wrecked will be available for pre-order on April 5. 
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NASHVILLE, Tenn. (March 16, 2016 PR) – Gene Watson blends traditional, organic country that purists long for in his new album,Real.Country.Music., available now across digital retailers. Watson’s 33rd studio album charted at No. 72 on Billboard Top Country Albums and is No. 1 on Amazon's best-selling classic country albums.

“I’m 72 and here I debuted on the charts at No. 72! I’m real proud of this project and I’m just humbled fans are still buying my albums. That’s why we do this - it’s for the fans,” Watson said.

After five decades in the music business and more than 75 charting singles, Watson delivers an authentic soulful album withReal.Country.Music., which he opens up about in the syndicated series “The Test Drive.”

“It’s exactly what we titled the album. These are songs that still have fiddle, steel guitar and, quite honestly, soul,” Watson said. “I’m not one to bash what those younger artists are doing, but I can tell you a lot of what you hear nowadays isn’t country. This isReal.Country.Music”

“It’s fair to say, in fact, that Real.Country.Music. lives up exactly to what it says on the tin. Throughout, strong lyrics and impressive vocal performances are complemented by intelligent and restrained musical arrangements … an education in classic traditional country music for anyone who listens.”
-Alan Cackett, AlanCackett.com

“I’m so very proud of this album and what it stands for. I hope my fans enjoy it as much as I loved recording this Real.Country.Music.,” Watson said.

Watson also discussed his gospel rendition of “Help Me,” a song penned by Larry Gatlin and recorded by Elvis Presley and “Enough For You,” written by Kris Kristofferson, in exclusive video premieres on TheBoot.com.

Be sure to follow Gene Watson on Facebook or visit GeneWatsonMusic.com to order Real.Country.Music and purchase tickets to upcoming shows.

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WILKESBORO, N.C. (March 15, 2016 PR) – MerleFest, presented by Window World and slated for April 28-May 1, 2016, has a reputation for discovering new talent in American roots music. From Old Crow Medicine Show to Gillian Welch, the Avett Brothers to Tift Merritt, artists have been discovered at MerleFest in its 29 years, helping careers blossom right from the festival’s stages. The 2016 MerleFest lineup continues this trend, bringing together over 100 bands and artists in a curated lineup designed to highlight MerleFest’s legacy as the largest roots and Americana festival in the nation. MerleFest has discovered ten powerful and innovative artists to watch for at MerleFest 2016. Read more here to discover these artists and make plans to attend!

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (March 15 Press Release) – Country chart-topper John Anderson's new single "Magic Mama," penned by Merle Haggard just for Anderson, is now impacting radio. The feel-good anthem is the latest single from Anderson’s critically acclaimed album,Goldmine, which was listed as one of Rolling Stone’s “40 Best Country Albums of 2015.”

When speaking about the song, Haggard said, “It was recorded in an excellent way. Just the way I pictured it.”

"Watkins merges a new batch of catchy hooks with engaging but not particularlyheavy lyrics.  It's a natural next step in his musical journey, with stellar acoustic playing by world-class musicians."
- Associated Press
 
Singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist Sean Watkins has long been known for his work as one-third of the Grammy Award-winning trio Nickel Creek and, more recently, for helming the itinerant and genre-hopping ensemble Watkins Family Hour with his sister Sara.  However, in the last year he has more assertively - and impressively - taken on the role of solo artist.  On March 18th, Sean will releaseWhat To Fear via Thirty Tigers, the follow-up to 2014's acclaimed All I Do Is Lie, which had been his first solo record in nearly a decade.  The entire record can be heard today in advance of its release exclusively on Billboard.

 
LISTEN: Sean Watkins - What To Fear on Billboard:
http://smarturl.it/hddlku
 
"In pulling ourselves away from [Nickel Creek] we really had to figure out who we were as individuals, and that's really important," Watkins told Billboard's Gary Graff.  "It's really easy to lose track of yourself and where you end and someone else begins musically.  It took some time but I've started to feel like myself, musically, with these last couple of records."

​Teddy Thompson and acclaimed singer Kelly Jones will release their harmony duet collaboration Little Windows on April 1st via Cooking Vinyl.  The duo premiered the first video from the album for “Never Knew You Loved Me To” via American Songwriter Magazine.
 
See: “Never Knew You Loved Me Too”
http://americansongwriter.com/2016/03/video-premiere-teddy-thompson-kelly-jones-never-knew-you-loved-me-too/
 
The video was directed by Daniel Ralston and shot in Palm Springs, CA last month.  About the song, American Songwriter said that it “...features harmonies reminiscent of country duets by Dolly Parton and Porter Wagoner and George Jones and Tammy Wynette.”  Teddy told the magazine, “‘Never Knew You Loved Me Too’ is a song about missed opportunities and crossed wires between two longtime friends.  There’s often a (little) window for romance and if you miss it, it’s hard to go back.  It’s not a sad song though, it still might happen.”

Inspired by the Everly Brothers, Buddy Holly, and Sam Cooke, the ten songs that comprise the album explore the joy and sorrows of love and the vagaries of the human heart.  In keeping with a classic sound, the album was recorded live-to-tape by producer Mike Viola (Ryan Adams, Jenny Lewis), and a stellar band featuring Pete Thomas (Elvis Costello and the Attractions), Davey Faragher (Cracker, Elvis Costellow), Daniel Clarke (Ryan Adams) and was executive produced by Teddy’s mother, Linda Thompson.