Help us produce our summer guide!

indiesmall

Summer is just around the corner and Country Music Chicago is gearing up to produce our much anticipated 2012 Summer Concert, Fair and Festival Guide. But we need your help!   As fans of this blog, we're asking you to think differently in 2012.  You see, we want to crowd fund this … [Read more...]

Review: Barton Hollow

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Eileen's Blog: The Civil Wars: "Barton Hollow" This is not a rockin, boot scootin', stompin' country music album. It does not have the big band sound that most mainstream country music performers have. This is an ethereal album that has an incredibly unique sound that creates a mood. This is … [Read more...]

Q&A with country breakout Thomas Rhett

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Thomas Rhett is taking the country music world by storm with his debut single "Something To Do With My Hands." He was introduced to music at a young age, but the 21-year-old son of country artist, Rhett Akins, didn't always plan to follow in his famous father's footsteps. Country Music Chicago … [Read more...]

Interview: Edens Edge

Edens Edge

With one listen to Edens Edge, it is obvious this trio has created a sound shaped by their individual influences. Following the success of their single "Amen" the young musicians from Arkansas — Hannah Blaylock, Dean Berner, and Cherrill Green — are making their debut on Big Machine Records with … [Read more...]

Review: Dierks Bentley’s Home

Dierks Bentley Home - album cover

Eileen's Blog: Dierks Bentley introduced himself to us with What Was I Thinkin' which became so much of an anthem that women still wear little white tank tops to his concerts. He then revealed his love of Bluegrass music with Up on the Ridge an album that received critical acclaim across several … [Read more...]

Music City Roundup 1/29 – 2/4

Grand Ole Opry - Nashville (3)

Eye on the Opry- This week on the historic country music show, Keith Urban makes his return to the stage! After having vocal cord surgery about 2 months ago, Urban spent several weeks in complete silence, but is coming back with a bang, sharing the stage with Charley Pride, Edens Edge, Jim Ed … [Read more...]

Review: Kellie Pickler’s 100 Proof

Kellie Pickler's 100 Proof album cover

Eileen's Blog: This third album by Kellie Pickler is a departure from her first two. Kellie told CBS News that each track is a reflection of her in some way or other. Her mother abandoned her when she was two years old. You can feel the lonliness and loss in the song Mother's Day. Her father … [Read more...]

Review: Tim McGraw’s Emotional Traffic

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Eileen's Blog: Tim McGraw's last studio album released by Curb records, the company Tim has been with since his debut in 1993 was released Jan. 24, 2012. Released amid a very public breach of contract fight Tim had with Curb plus a title like Emotional Traffic, this release came with a great deal … [Read more...]

Some Big Stars set for a Little Bar

Little Big Town

Little Big Town is one of those distinctive country bands that have the unique ability of being able to rile up the crowd with hand clapping hits such as Little White Church and Boondocks just as easily as they can tear their heart out in ballads like Kiss Goodbye and Shut Up Train. It just might be … [Read more...]

Gotta catch Joyful Noise

Dolly Parton and Queen Latifah perform in a scene from "Joyful Noise"

Eileen's Blog: The combination of Queen Latifah and Dolly Parton in this musical about a small town church choir trying to win a competition is pure magic. First of all the music in this movie is incredible and to be honest I am not a gospel music fan but you don't have to be a fan of gospel … [Read more...]