Personnel: Peter Rowan (vocals, guitar, mandolin); Tim O'Brien (vocals, guitar); Stuart Duncan (mandolin, fiddle). Photographer: Toni Wells.Arranger: M. Christian. Released on CMH Records (the company that puts out the Pickin' On series), Oh Brother, Can You Spare a Dime collects Depression-era songs done by recent and contemporary bluegrass artists, although the most effective tracks here aren't really bluegrass at all, like Peter Rowan's folky take on "No Depression in Heaven" or Tim O'Brien's version of the title tune. Merle Travis' impressive "Cocaine Blues" is hardly bluegrass, either, and the Osborne Brothers' soaring dual-fiddle rendition of "I'll Fly Away" is bluegrass of a different stripe, retaining some old string band qualities. In the end, the emotional kick of these... Less

True to its title, The Twilight Zone represents a turning point of sorts for Jason Allen. This record is a good reflection of who I am as an artist/songwriter , he says. Twilight Zone marks Allen's first time as co-producer; he and partner Tommy Detamore cut the album in three weeks at Detamore's Cherry Ridge Studio outside Flooresville. When I write a song, I always like to imagine what it would sound like with a full production behind it. This time I got to try a few different things to see which way I like it best - it's like having a kid and being able to dress it too. Some songs on Twilight Zone, like: I Can't Let You Go and Elvis Tonight, draw as much from '50s and '60s rock and R&B as much as country. Other songs are deeply personal - Allen wrote: He's Still Dancing With Her;... Less

Includes liner notes by Eddie Dean.Liner Note Author: Eddie Dean. Photographers: Emmylou Harris; Les Leverett; John Arthur Lee.Unknown Contributor Roles: Del McCoury; Nickel Creek; Ricky Skaggs.Time Life Music put together this collection of amiable contemporary bluegrass songs, highlighting some of the biggest names working in Bluegrass Today. The disc balances performances between bluegrass legends like Ralph Stanley, Earl Scruggs, Del McCoury, J.D. Crowe, and Alison Krauss (yes, she's now officially a bluegrass legend) and relatively recent additions to the American roots music family like Lynn Morris, Rhonda Vincent, and Larry Cordle. While Patty Loveless' "The Boys Are Back in Town" and Steve Earle's "The Mountain" can certainly be seen as long-lasting additions to the bluegrass song... Less

True to its title, The Twilight Zone represents a turning point of sorts for Jason Allen. This record is a good reflection of who I am as an artist/songwriter , he says. Twilight Zone marks Allen's first time as co-producer; he and partner Tommy Detamore cut the album in three weeks at Detamore's Cherry Ridge Studio outside Flooresville. When I write a song, I always like to imagine what it would sound like with a full production behind it. This time I got to try a few different things to see which way I like it best - it's like having a kid and being able to dress it too. Some songs on Twilight Zone, like: I Can't Let You Go and Elvis Tonight, draw as much from '50s and '60s rock and R&B as much as country. Other songs are deeply personal - Allen wrote: He's Still Dancing With Her;... Less

Top Country Hits delivers just what the title suggests, collecting popular country songs from equally popular country artists like Ray Stevens, Boy Howdy and Delbert McClinton. Wynonna's "I Saw The Light," Sawyer Brown's "Some Girls Do," Tim McGraw's "Welcome To The Club" and Lyle Lovett's "Stand By Your Man" are some of the highlights of this compilation of high-charting country music. ~ Heather Phares

Serious artists don't usually get discovered via TV talent shows, but this 21-year-old former Nashville Star finalist has become an important songwriter and vocalist with her debut album, Kerosene, which immediately sprang to the top of the country charts. Overall, it's a set of amiable country pop, but the title track and "What About Georgia?," which open the disc, are rock songs at heart--driven by a hard-smacked snare drum and layers of guitar. But what's really at the core of these excellent performances is Lambert's romantic lyrics and versatile singing. When she's playing the angry lover in "Kerosene," she's loaded with punky attitude. When she's brokenhearted and moving on in "New Strings," her soft, delicate tones and gentle phrasing perfectly capture a rich blend of sadness and... Less

Tributee: Johnny Paycheck.Johnny Paycheck is best remembered as the likably ornery Nashville outlaw who scored a major crossover hit with David Allan Coe's "Take This Job and Shove it" and made the title a household phrase. Unfortunately, as is often the case, Paycheck's biggest hit also created a one-dimensional image that he was never able to escape, and did no justice to the full scope of his talent. Paycheck was a fine singer, a gifted songwriter, a respected journeyman musician who anchored road bands for George Jones and Porter Wagoner, and an artist whose work could be bitingly funny, heart-wrenching, intensely personal, or a little disturbing depending on which tune from which point of his career you chose to cue up. In short, the late Johnny Paycheck is a guy whose public profile... Less

Sometimes it is hard to be a woman. That, of course, is the central line in Tammy Wynette's signature song, and the message that she conveyed repeatedly over the course of her three-decades-long recording career. Wynette was uniquely suited to convey pathos with pluck. She, along with Loretta Lynn, pretty much defined country music from the female perspective from the late '60s through the '70s. But while Lynn presented a mostly amiable façade, Wynette was the more gripping and imposing artist. For starters, she possessed pipes that could tear your heart out of your chest. Tears of Fire (and what and excellent--and appropriate-- title) gathers all her hits and a few oddities (1964's pre-flight "You Can Steal Me," her weird but captivating 1991 collaboration with the urban dance unit the... Less

Producers: Owen Bradley; Billy Sherrill (tracks 2, 4); Ricky Skaggs; John Boylan; Willie Nelson; Bob Montgomery; Merle Haggard and Lewis Talley; Buddy Killen; Rick Hall and Robert Byrne.This is part of Sony Nashville's SUPER HITS series. Photographers: Frank Ockenfels; Alan Messer; Frank Okenfels; Señor McGuire; Paul Drinkwater; Slick Lawson; David Kennedy .Country Super Hits delivers what the title promises, collecting songs by Columbia artists like Shenandoah, Exile, and David Allen Coe. Conway Twitty's "Hello Darlin'," George Jones' "He Stopped Loving Her Today," Vern Gosdin's "Chiseled in Stone," and Charlie Daniels' "Devil Went Down to Georgia" are some of the highlights of this entertaining country sampler, which also includes Willie Nelson's "On the Road Again," and Merle Haggard's... Less

Audio Mixer: Greg Droman.Recording information: Charlie's Place, Nashville, TN; Fonogenic Studios; Little Big Studio; Starstruck Studios; The House Of Nadia; The Tracking Room, Nashville, TN.Photographer: Joseph Anthony Baker.On his eight studio album, Get Off on the Pain, California honky tonk hero Gary Allan digs deep in the soil of human emotion and comes up with a handful of diamonds. Allan, one of the few authentic artists to come out of Nashville since country music turned into a giant money machine, is as real as they come. Never a trend follower, Allan -- who for the most part has steered clear of cheese-filled songwriting fodder -- keeps getting better with age. Get Off on the Pain is a well-crafted, ten-song collection that, to steal a well-worn phrase, is all killer and no... Less

Billy Joe Royal: Reggie Young (guitar); Bill Hullett (acoustic guitar); Sam Levine (horns); Clayton Ivey (piano); Bob Wray (6-string bass); Greg Morrow (drums).A singer comfortable with rock & roll, pop, and country, Billy Joe Royal frequently merged the three styles, resulting in 1960s hits such as the infectiously catchy title track and the horn-laden "Cherry Hill Park." This concise 10-track compilation presents those songs, along with the Georgia native's more straightforward country tunes (a woozy reading of Hank Williams's "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry" and a forlorn version of the oft-covered "Making Believe"), which are tempered by detours into rock (the classic car-wreck tale "Last Kiss") and even gospel (a soulful take on "Amen"). For a brief overview on this pleasing and... Less

Things Look Different When the Sun Goes Down is the third full-length release by Portland, Oregon based artist Kate Mann. With rootsy, folk-soaked melodies and a penchant for crafting strongly melodic Americana, Mann delivers an album that lives up to its title, creating a personal, but universal record of the soothing, slumbering, haunting, and unsettling. Each song features Mann's dusky, emotive voice and acoustic guitar as its centerpiece, with sparse instrumentation that works with the lyrics to paint pictures of the nighttime world with snapshots of love lost and dangerous encounters. The album was recorded at 8-Ball Studio in Portland and co-produced by Mann and studio owner Rob Stroup.

Although the residents of Nashville will disagree, Texas is the true home of country music. The roster of Texan talent is overwhelming: Ernest Tubb, Lefty Frizzell, George Jones, Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, George Strait. And that’s naming just a few. These artists built upon the framework of their influences until they developed their own distinct voice and vision. Another young Texan looks to add his name to the state’s illustrious legacy. He is Carter Falco, and CMH Records is proud to release his debut album, If It Ain’t One Thing. A proud son of Waco, Carter has been playing the music game for several years. He played lead guitar in Stargunn with Shooter Jennings. When that group disbanded, Carter began writing songs and playing low-key shows throughout the Southwest. The work... Less

Following up a debut CD that sold over 135,000 copies and spawned a #1 Billboard Country hit is no easy task for any artist. With the additional hurdle of the demise of his label to overcome, Mark McGuinn triumphantly returns with "One Man Crazy" on his own label Blue Flamingo that he co-founded with long time publisher and songwriter Jim Foster. Although mark describes this release as more eclectic than the last, there are at least three radio friendly songs that will serve to bring out those fans that he established last time around while also introducing him to a whole new audience. From the opening chords on the title cut of "One Man's Crazy" you'll know what you're about to listen to is going to be fresh.... different...and more than electrifying. "I like to think of myself as Mr... Less

Personnel: Neal McCoy (vocals); Mark Casstevens (acoustic guitar); Brent Mason (electric guitar); Paul Franklin , Sonny Garrish (steel guitar); Donny Parenteau (fiddle); Jim Horn (saxophone); John Jarvis, Steve Nathan (keyboards); Glenn Worf, Michael Rhodes (bass guitar); Billy Joe Walker, Jr. (6-string bass); Paul Leim (drums); Tom Roady (percussion); Chris Rodriguez, Thomas Flora, Curtis Young, Gene Miller, Harry Stinson, Dennis Wilson (background vocals).Audio Mixer: Kyle Lehning. Recording information: 17 Grand, Nashville, TN; Emerald sound Studio, Nashville, TN; Sound Stage, Nashville, TN.Photographer: Señor McGuire.Neal McCoy may be a country artist, but he understands the evocative power of an old pop song--a subject that comes up over and over again on his eighth album, LIFE OF... Less

Each Essential Limited Edition 3.0 expanded 3-CD set features the biggest hits and best-loved songs from superstar artists, including material not previously available in an Essential package. Definitive, career-spanning and comprehensive, The Essential 3.0 series features all of the must-have selections from the biggest names in music history--now with a 3rd disc! Now available for the first time in eco-friendly cardboard packaging. The Essential Series has sold more than 18 million units worldwide across 60+ titles!

Stoney Edwards' soulful honky-tonk sound has always had a devoted following and he is rightly revered as one of the great Country artists. After his early chart success in 1971, he continued his recording career right up to 1990. In 1971, Stoney's debut single, the heart-wrenching true life tale, 'Two Dollar Toy', became the first of fifteen chart entries for the singer. Stoney's fourth single a year later, 'She's My Rock', was his biggest ever chart success, breaching the top 20. Both of these tracks are included on this CD, which is chock full of superb country music, including the heartfelt 'Daddy Did His Best', later cut by Porter Wagoner and Dolly Parton. Also featured here are the much recorded breezy shuffle 'I Don't Believe I'll Fall In Love Today', as well as Stoney's own... Less

Full title - History Of Country & Western Music. German digitally remastered box-set featuring 400 legendary songs from 185 famous artists including Roy Acuff, Merle Travis, Bill Monroe, Bob Wills, Chet Atkins, Hank Williams, Jimmie Rodgers, The Carter Fa

Although the residents of Nashville will disagree, Texas is the true home of country music. The roster of Texan talent is overwhelming: Ernest Tubb, Lefty Frizzell, George Jones, Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, George Strait. And that’s naming just a few. These artists built upon the framework of their influences until they developed their own distinct voice and vision. Another young Texan looks to add his name to the state’s illustrious legacy. He is Carter Falco, and CMH Records is proud to release his debut album, If It Ain’t One Thing. A proud son of Waco, Carter has been playing the music game for several years. He played lead guitar in Stargunn with Shooter Jennings. When that group disbanded, Carter began writing songs and playing low-key shows throughout the Southwest. The work... Less

1. Big Bad John2. Old Rivers3. I.O.U.4. To a Sleeping Beauty5. Ringo6. Farmer and the Lord, The7. Steal Away8. Oklahoma Bill9. Freckles10. Mama Sang a Song11. Drinking from a Saucer12. Trouble in the Amen Corner13. Sunday Morning Coming Down14. Man in the Glass, The15. Old Dogs, Children and Watermelon Wine16. Please Pass the Biscuits17. Frilly Shirts18. Day I Jumped from Uncle Harvey's Plane, The19. Slow John Fairburn20. Touch of the Master's Hand

Following up a debut CD that sold over 135,000 copies and spawned a #1 Billboard Country hit is no easy task for any artist. With the additional hurdle of the demise of his label to overcome, Mark McGuinn triumphantly returns with "One Man Crazy" on his own label Blue Flamingo that he co-founded with long time publisher and songwriter Jim Foster. Although mark describes this release as more eclectic than the last, there are at least three radio friendly songs that will serve to bring out those fans that he established last time around while also introducing him to a whole new audience. From the opening chords on the title cut of "One Man's Crazy" you'll know what you're about to listen to is going to be fresh.... different...and more than electrifying. "I like to think of myself as Mr... Less

Germany's Bear Family is well known for its stellar box set reissues of country, rock, and rhythm & blues recordings, as well as for single titles by deserving if not necessarily remembered American artists. Their mastering, production, and packaging set the industry standard for excellence. The six-volume Dim Lights, Thick Smoke series was released on CD in December of 2008 and covered the years 1945-1950, a strange and wonderful time in country music history born from of the end of the War Department's restrictions on shellac and the end of the recording ban, all near the end of the second world war. These discs all contain either 27 or 28 tracks, and are lavishly annotated with historical essays and track by track annotation by the esteemed Colin Escott, and contain with photographs of... Less

If the title of the Meat Purveyors' second album--a sly nod to the Talking Heads--doesn't make it plain, this ain't your daddy's bluegrass. Heck, this irreverent (and often super-speedy) Austin-based quartet covers Lou Reed and indie-pop weirdo Daniel Johnston here. But don't think for a second that the Meat Purveyors are just out for a chuckle at the expense of tradition: they know their gospel ("Working on a Building"), honky-tonk (George Jones's "Whatcha Gonna Do"), and Bill Monroe ("Can't You Hear Me Callin'") staples too. On top of that, mandolinist Pete Stiles and guitarist Bill Anderson have enough chops to supply a Texas barbecue joint for a week; bassist Cherilyn Dimond's energy alone could fire the pit. Just one qualm: Jo Stanli Walston's vocals are too thin to give lines like... Less

Recorded between 1972 & 1979. Includes liner notes by Colin Escott.All tracks have been digitally remastered.After stints on Folkways and Vanguard Records in the '60s and early '70s, Doc Watson contracted with the independent Poppy label, which earned a distribution deal with United Artists (UA) in the wake of the success of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band's 1972 UA album Will the Circle Be Unbroken, on which Watson appeared. Having released Elementary Doctor Watson! on Poppy in 1972, followed by Then and Now in 1973 and Two Days in November in 1974 (all of these albums actually co-credited to Doc & Merle Watson), he next issued the double-LP Memories directly on UA in 1975, following with 1976's Doc and the Boys and then three more Doc & Merle albums, 1977's Lonesome Road, 1978's Look Away!,... Less

45 years ago in Australia, Slim Dusty and EMI celebrated Slim's 33rd birthday with a historic debut 33rpm LP release: Slim Dusty Sings. This was one of the first ever Long Play releases by an Australian artist and there was no way anyone would have anticipated that Slim Dusty would have gone on, not only to release 18 albums just in the decade of the '60s, but also continue on to release a remarkable 100 plus albums over the following four decades of his career. On the eve of what would have been Slims 78th birthday, EMI Australia here releases for the first time on CD six of Slim Dusty's classics albums from the 1960s. These historic CD releases commemorate Slim's hugely successful '60s era (12 Gold LP's) and the 45th anniversary of his debut. Slim is truly the voice of the nation, the... Less

1. Ready To Run (Karaoke Version) (3:56) - Dixie Chicks - Artist Name for Song Reference Only2. There's Your Trouble (Karaoke Version) (3:15) - Dixie Chicks - Artist Name for Song Reference Only3. Wide Open Spaces (Karaoke Version) (3:49) - Dixie Chicks - Artist Name for Song Reference Only4. You Were Mine (Karaoke Version) (3:40) - Dixie Chicks - Artist Name for Song Reference Only5. Tonight the Heartache's On Me (Karaoke Version) (3:43) - Dixie Chicks - Artist Name for Song Reference Only6. Ready To Run (Vocal Version) (3:56) - Dixie Chicks - Artist Name for Song Reference Only7. There's Your Trouble (Vocal Version) (3:11) - Dixie Chicks - Artist Name for Song Reference Only8. Wide Open Spaces (Vocal Version) (3:49) - Dixie Chicks - Artist Name for Song Reference Only9. You Were Mine... Less

Full Title - Best Ever Country Drinking Songs. Import exclusive compilation featuring 42 boozin' barrin' honky tonkin' classics including 'Chug-A-Lug' Roger Miller, 'Don't Come A'Drinkin' (With Lovin' On Your Mind)' Loretta Lynn, 'What Made Milwaukee Famous (Has Made A Loser Out Of Me)' & a special surprise bonus track at the end of CD 2. EMI. 2000.

Performers include: Patsy Cline, George Jones, Skeeter Davis.20 Greatest Country Hits 1960 collects some of the year's most memorable country songs, including Patsy Cline's "Crazy," George Jones' "I'll Share My World With You," Wilma Burgess' "Baby," and Skeeter Davis' "What Does It Take (To Keep a Man Like You)." Songs by Del Reeves, Bobby Edwards, David Houston, and Stonewall Jackson complete this retrospective of 1960's musical memories. ~ Heather Phares

Includes liner notes by Charles McCardell. Arranger: Anita Kerr.Time-Life's Classic Country: Early '60s is a solid 15-track collection that rounds up some of the biggest hits and best songs of the era. Ranging from the soaring female-sung country-pop of Patsy Cline's "I Fall to Pieces" and Skeeter Davis's "The End of the World" to the gritty heartbreak of Faron Young's "Hello Walls" to the smooth sounds of Bobby Bare's "Detroit City" and the Everly Brothers' "Let It Be Me" to the good-time shuffle of Buck Owens' "My Heart Skips a Beat" and Dave Dudley's "Six Days on the Road," the collection covers a lot of ground. Much of it is within the realm of the sophisticated, refined urban country but still with some variety to keep things interesting. Fans of 60's country will find much to enjoy... Less

If you have ever contemplated the journey of life or had a nightmare finding a parking space then you can find solace from the various categories of automobile songs available here. With contributions by influential artists of the country music scene from the 40 s and 50 s. A youthful Faron Young provides vocals on the Webb Pierce penned 'Hot Rod-Shotgun Boogie No 2', also including Tillman Franks who helped further the careers of Slim Whitman and Hank Williams. Along with some major names there are some relatively unknown artists from the country scene that provide some nice and relevant little ditties.