“This project is really not a departure from the music I’ve always recorded,” said Lawrence in a prepared statement. “The music is still in the same vein but the messages are little more moving. It’s a powerful combination that I think will touch a piece of everyone’s heart.”

While “The Rock” might not contest with today’s typical chart movers, its spiritual undertone is what some would consider part of country music’s foundation.

The time was right artistically, emotionally and spiritually, Lawrence explained, his life and career experiences helped shape this album.

It’s not every day an artist produces and releases an album like “The Rock.” You might find a hidden track in an album or two but with Lawrence’s album, listeners have the opportunity to truly connect, in multiple ways, with the artist and hopefully be inspired. In the challenging times we face, most would agree we all could use a little faith and inspiration.

“The Rock” was co-produced by Lawrence and Julian King and features Lawrence’s road band. To find out where to purchase “The Rock”, visit tracylawrence.com.

Download “The Rock” bonus track verson on iTunes:

Catch Lawrence live at Country Thunder on July 15. View the CMC Concert, Fair and Festival Guide for more.

May 19, 2009

Kenny Chesney – Greatest Hits Two (BNA)

Just in time for his summer concert stop in Chicago, country music mega star Kenny Chesney will release his second greatest hits album that covers his big ones since his last greatest hits album in 2000. Album includes Chesney’s current hit, “We Went Out Last Night”. Catch Chesney along with Sugarland, Montgomery Gentry, Miranda Lambert and Lady Antebellum in Chicago on June 13 at Soldier’s Field.

| Concert Tickets

June 9, 2009

Tracy Lawrence – The Rock (Rocky Comfort)

Tracey Lawrence has polished and produced his 10th studio album. Lawrence explains, “The Rock” is not a departure from the music he has always recorded, but his past learning experiences and life lessons have elevated him to a new level that fans will recognize in his latest installment.  Catch Lawrence at County Thunder on July 15. 

 | Concert Tickets

Darryl Worley – Sounds Like Life (Stroudavarious)

 | See Darryl on August 23 at Brookfield Zoo 
 

June 16, 2009

Daryle Singletary – Rockin’ In The Country (E1)

June 30, 2009

Brad Paisley – American Saturday Night (SonyBMG)

Brad Paisley’s eighth studio album which includes his current single “Then” and his national tour shares the same title. Paisley, along with Dierks Bentley and Jimmy Wayne, will play the First Midwest Bank Amphitheater in Tinley Park on August 7.

| Concert Tickets

Rascal Flatts – Unstoppable (Lyric Street)

Rascal Flatts will take over the country music charts with their sixth album properly named “Unstoppable”. Since their inception in 1999, Gary LeVox, Jay DeMarcus and Joe Don Rooney have placed 10 number one singles, 20 Top Tens and have seen every one of their studio albums, thus far, have gone multi-platinum. Unstoppable’s debut single, “Here Comes Goodby” has been pre-released on iTunes and is quickly on its way to number one spot on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart.

Click here to purchase on iTunes:

Jason Aldean – Wide Open (Broken Bow) – CMC Editor’s Pick

Jason Aldean has really made his mark in country music. His back-to-basics approach with a hint on modernism make’s his music a perfect balance in today’s very diverse country music scene. Wide Open marks the third studio album release for Aldean. We have seen significant growth in Aldean as a singer since his debut and we highly expect this album to really encompass all of his determination and growth.

Click here to purchase on iTunes:

Also on sale Tuesday:

Emerson Drive – Believe (Valory Music)
Click here to purchase on iTunes:

Billy Ray Cyrus – Back To Tennessee (Lyric Street/Walt Disney)
Click here to purchase on iTunes:

February:

Jake Owen – Easy Does It (RCA Nashville) | February 24
Pre-order it on iTunes:

March:

Eric Church – Carolina (Capitol Nashville) | March 24
Pre-order it on iTunes:

Martina McBride – Shine (SonyBMG) | March 24
Pre-order it on iTunes:

John Rich – Son of a Preacher Man (WBR) | March 24
The Deluxe, digital version version will be available March 17:

Keith Urban – Defying Gravity (Capitol Nashville) | March 31
Pre-order it on iTunes:

April:

Rascal Flatts - Unstoppable (Lyric Street) | April 7
Pre-order it on iTunes:

Emerson Drive – Believe (Valory Music) | April 7
Pre-order it on iTunes:

CMC

Subject to change without notice.

Album Release Date: February 3, 2009

Country music star Dierks Bentley, known for his curly hair and free spirit, is set to release his fifth album, “Feel That Fire”, on February 3, 2009. The album’s title track, and Bentley’s current single, is a catchy, quick tempo song of how sometimes you just want that one girl to know how much you really love her or in Bentley’s terms, feel that fire.

Bentley’s prior album tracks range from sad love songs like “Long Trip Alone” to fun, up-beat songs like “What was I Thinking” and like “Feel that Fire”, almost all of his popular songs, whether he’s leavin’ or lovin’ are almost always ode to a woman.

Bentley spends a lot of time in the road performing but he explains how he manages his time on the road and still has time to prepare for this release.

“This time, we changed the dynamic; went straight from the road to the studio. Didn’t stop. Didn’t pause. Just stripped away everything we knew, took these songs that I’d spent over two years writing… took my road band… and set everything that we knew on fire,” explains Bentley.

Bentley’s music is grounded in country music tradition but sparked with modern, poetic sounds and lyrics make his newest album a recommended buy.

Side Note: Upon release of his new album, look out for the re-launch of his redesigned website. Check it out at www.dierks.com

S. Winterroth, CMC

 Pre-order “Feel That Fire” on iTunes and receive a bonus track:

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His single, Another You, the first release from his upcoming solo album, is just in time for Valentine’s Day. Another You is a country music love song at its best and after the release of Lost in this Moment by Big & Rich we know this is a type of song Rich can do well.

Mark your calendar’s because you’ll have the chance to hear this song live on February 28, when Rich will partake in “Country’s Hottest Party 2009″ at the Pheasant Run Mega Center in St. Charles, Ill. Joined by most of his usual suspects, Gretchen Wilson, Cowboy Troy and Jeffrey Steele, we’re sure we can expect a huge party as well as some great duets between Wilson and Rich.

Want to sing your way to Country’s Hottest Party?

Pheasant Run Resort presents “Country’s Hottest Star” singing contest. Contestants will karaoke their way for a chance to win tickets and meet-and-greet passes for Country’s Hottest Party on February 28. The contest will be held every Friday in February at 10:30 p.m. in Pheasant Run’s Jambalaya Restaurant, 4051 E. Main, St. Charles, Ill. Winners will be announced on February 27, and will sing their song live with the PennyMaeDixon Band. Visit www.pheasantrun.com/dining for more information. Must be 21 years old to enter.

CMC

John Rich’s new single, “Another You” is available on iTunes:

Tickets for the February 28, “Country’s Hottest Party 2009″ concert featuring John Rich, Gretchen Wilson, Cowboy Troy and Jeffrey Steele are available through Ticketmaster or by calling the Pheasant Run Box Office at 630-584-6342 and range from $55. to $89. per ticket. Doors open at 6:00 PM for the 7:00 PM show. Be safe and make it a weekend! Overnight packages are available.

Stay tuned to CountryMusicChicago.com for updates on “Country’s Hottest Party”. Join our insider e-mail list powered by Feedburner.

This just in. The hot new country music trio, Lady Antebellum, just release a iTunes exclusive holiday single Baby, Its Cold Outside.

Here’s the info from their newsletter:

New Holiday Song Released

Exclusively At iTunes

Lady Antebellum just recorded a new holiday song, “Baby, It’s Cold Outside” and has released it for purchase and download starting today exclusively at iTunes. Dave says “We have always loved this song and thought it would fun to surprise Lady A fans with a holiday tune to close out the year. It’s the time of year to be thankful and grateful, and we certainly feel we were blessed this year by the country music community and by our fans. We hope everyone has a Merry Christmas!”

Online:  Lady A website

iTunes: Baby, Its Cold Outside

January 27, 2009

Pat Green – What I’m For (BNA)

Amazon: Pat Green

Pat Green on iTunes:

February 3, 2009

Dierks Bentley – Feel That Fire (Capitol Nashville)

Amazon: Dierks Bentley

Dierks Bentley on iTunes:

Wynonna – Sing (Curb)

Amazon: Wynonna

Wynonna on iTunes:

• Taylor Swift – Fearless (Big Machine) – Highly anticipated album but county music teen star Taylor Swift. 
• Kevin Costner and Modern West – Untold Truths (Universal South)

CMC Pick= Both of them!

Also, Don’t forget to vote!