“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.

This is who CMC would like to see win this year at the 2008 CMA awards in Nashville. 

See related story: CMA Awards on ABC

(Our picks are in Bold)

Entertainer of the Year

• Kenny Chesney
• Brad Paisley
• George Strait
• Sugarland
• Keith Urban

Sugarland is bound to pick up this award at some point.  All of the nominated artists are great but Sugarland has had an amazing year and we hope this award ceremony will reflect this year.    

Female Vocalist of the Year

• Alison Krauss
• Miranda Lambert
• Martina McBride
• Taylor Swift
• Carrie Underwood

Miranda Lambert might not be the expected winner of this category but she has a wonderful voice and has spent quite a bit a time in Chicago this last year. We only hope she can pick up this win. 

Male Vocalist of the Year

• Kenny Chesney
• Alan Jackson
• Brad Paisley
• George Strait
• Keith Urban

Probably a given.

New Artist of the Year

• Jason Aldean
• Rodney Atkins
• Lady Antebellum
• James Otto
• Kellie Pickler

Very hard decision because they are all really good artists but we have to pick Jason Aldean.  His range of songs and the consistency in his music make him a great performer and we look forward to hearing more from him in the future. 

We really like Lady Antebellum and James Otto too, we would like to see more in the future form these artists too. 

Vocal Group of the Year

• Eagles
• Emerson Drive
• Lady Antebellum
• Little Big Town
• Rascal Flatts

Again, very hard decision.  Of course Rascal Flatts has been our pick for many years but Little Big Town has some great singles and had an amazing performance a few weeks ago with Carrie Underwood at the Sears Centre. Lady Antebellum is great too but would like to hear a few more songs from them first. 

Vocal Duo of the Year

• Big & Rich
• Brooks & Dunn
• Montgomery Gentry
• Sugarland
• The Wreckers

Probably the hardest category to pick this year. Sugarland is obviously our pick but Big & Rich come in a close second and of course Brooks & Dunn and Montgomery Gentry are awesome duos as well.  This year, Sugarland’s latest album, Love on the Inside, has changed the country music industry.  Big & Rich really made us believe in them with their single Lost in this Moment.  Brooks & Dunn are usually the winners of this category and well deserved. 

Single of the Year
(Award goes to Artist and Producer)

• “Don’t Blink”
  Kenny Chesney
  Produced by Buddy Cannon and Kenny Chesney
  BNA Records
• “Gunpowder & Lead”
  Miranda Lambert
  Produced by Frank Liddell and Mike Wrucke
  Columbia Records
• “I Saw God Today”
  George Strait
  Produced by Tony Brown and George Strait
  MCA Nashville
• “Stay”
  Sugarland
  Produced by Byron Gallimore, Kristian Bush and Jennifer Nettles
  Mercury Nashville
• “You’re Gonna Miss This”
  Trace Adkins
  Produced by Frank Rogers
  Capitol Records Nashville

Album of the Year
(Award goes to Artist and Producer)

• Carnival Ride
  Carrie Underwood
  Produced by Mark Bright
  19 Records Limited/Arista Nashville
• Cowboy Town
  Brooks & Dunn
  Produced by Kix Brooks, Tony Brown, Ronnie Dunn and Bob DiPiero
  Arista Nashville
• Good Time
  Alan Jackson
  Produced by Keith Stegall
  Arista Nashville
• Just Who I Am: Poets & Pirates
  Kenny Chesney
  Produced by Buddy Cannon and Kenny Chesney
  BNA Records
• Troubadour
  George Strait
  Produced by Tony Brown and George Strait
  MCA Nashville

Song of the Year
(Award goes to Songwriter and Primary Publisher)

• “Good Time”
  Alan Jackson
  EMI-April Music/Tri-Angels Music
• “I Saw God Today”
  Rodney Clawson/Monty Criswell/Wade Kirby
  Big Red Toe/Extremely Loud Music/Steel Wheels Music/Blind Mule Music
• “Letter To Me”
  Brad Paisley
  EMI-April Music/New Sea Gayle Music
• “Stay”
  Jennifer Nettles
  Jennifer Nettles Publishing
• “You’re Gonna Miss This”
  Ashley Gorley/Lee Thomas Miller
  EMI Blackwood Music/New Songs of Sea Gayle/Noah’s Little Boat Music/Songs of Combustion Music

Musical Event of the Year
(Award to each Artist)

• Josh Turner featuring Trisha Yearwood
  “Another Try”
  MCA Nashville
• Reba McEntire and Kenny Chesney
  “Every Other Weekend”
  MCA Nashville
• Robert Plant and Alison Krauss
  “Gone, Gone, Gone”
  Rounder Records
• Sugarland featuring Little Big Town and Jake Owen
  “Life In A Northern Town”
  Mercury Nashville
• Kenny Chesney (duet with George Strait)
  “Shiftwork”
  BNA Records

Music Video of the Year
(Award goes to Artist and Director)

• “Don’t Blink”
  Kenny Chesney
  Directed by Shaun Silva
• “Good Time”
  Alan Jackson
  Directed by Trey Fanjoy
• “Stay”
  Sugarland
  Directed by Shaun Silva
• “Waitin’ On A Woman”
  Brad Paisley featuring Andy Griffith
  Directed by Jim Shea & Peter Tilden
• “You’re Gonna Miss This”
  Trace Adkins
  Directed by Peter Zavadil

We would of like to see Blake Shelton on this list. 

What do you think?  Please leave your comments below. CMC

Craig Morgan’s Website

Rating: Must Have

Sugarland did it again in their latest album, Love on the Inside. Following the duo’s last release, Enjoy the Ride, Sugarland keeps getting better and stronger with each release. In their third album, Jennifer Nettles, the band’s lead singer and Kristin Bush, the lead guitarist, are starting to bring their own signature and style to country music that is being well received. With hints of country, rock and bluegrass, Love on the Inside will have listeners begging for more. CMC

CMC’s favorite song: Already Gone

Little Big Town started the night of right

October 3, 2008

Carrie Underwood’s sold-out performance rocked the Hoffman Estates’ Sears Centre Friday.  Concert attendees were dazzled by a five-star performance led by Carrie’s home-town charm and pop-sex appeal. The hour and a half show featured four wardrobe changes, a look back at Carrie’s career and performances of many of her chart toping songs including “Before he Cheats” and “All-American Girl”. 

Not included in her performance was her popular song, “While We’re Young and Beautiful” but Carrie performance of “Paradise City” by Guns n’ Roses made up for the missed song.       

 Little Big Town, had the crowd pumped for Carrie’s opening performance. Their performances of “Boondocks” and “Bring it on Home” set the tone for the evening’s main event.  LBT has a lot of potential; we look forward to hearing more of this group.  Their style and harmony really make for an awesome show. 

Carrie’s sold-out performance makes for a promising Country Music future for the Sears Centre.   Located 45 minutes Northwest of Chicago, the Hoffman Estates arena offered an excellent venue for Friday night’s performance.    On October 10, country music legend, Alan Jackson will perform at the Sears Centre with Trace Adkins and James Otto.  CMC