Breaking the Myth: Waylon Jennings, premiering Saturday February 26, 9:00 p.m./Eastern on GAC, chronicles the making of The Music Inside, the recently released tribute album dedicated to Waylon Jennings. The album and TV special celebrates Waylon’s enduring musical and cultural legacy and chronicles his role in founding country music’s outlaw movement.

Album producer Witt Stewart first saw Jennings working as a DJ at a Lubbock, TX, radio station while on a school field trip. Decades later he’d gain the support of Jennings’ widow and son, Jessi Colter and Shooter Jennings, to create what would be a 3-CD series in tribute to the original outlaw.

Viewers of Breaking the Myth: Waylon Jennings get special studio access to see artists including Kris Kristofferson, Hank Williams, Jr., Dierks Bentley, Alabama, John Hiatt, Jamey Johnson, Randy Houser, Pat Green, Patti Griffin and Sunny Sweeney working on their tracks for the project. These same stars – several of whom knew him well – talk about Waylon the man and the influence he had on them musically while acknowledging the doors he broke down for artists who would come after him. And Waylon the husband and father are lovingly remembered by Jessi and Shooter who share personal memories throughout the special.

Country Girl wants you to be a Tattle Tale! Have you been to a country concert lately? Run into a country artist while out on the town? We want to hear all about your country music news and entertainment. Email me at countrygirl@countrymusictattletale.com

If you ask most Waylon Jennings fans, they’ll probably tell you that no one could ever do his songs justice. I know this because I’m one of those people; however, “The Music Inside, Vol. 1″ (the first of three tribute albums due out this year honoring the outlaw pioneer) is a gem. It includes Waylon songs sung by Trace Adkins, James Otto, and Randy Houser among others.

The album’s leadoff single, Alabama’s take on “Are You Sure Hank Done It This Way,” is a perfect introduction to what this album is all about — honoring the man without whom many current country stars wouldn’t be doing what they’re doing. It feels good to hear these voices back together again. Alabama’s still got it even after all these years. I smell a reunion tour in the works, people. Fingers crossed!

Waylon’s widow, Jessi Colter, teams up with up-and-comer Sunny Sweeney on “Good Hearted Woman,” one of my favorite Waylon songs. Their voices complement each other extremely well and I can’t imagine a more perfect match for this particular song.

Jamey Johnson lends a hand to the tribute with his rendition of “This Time.” Jamey has never been shy about his love for Waylon, so I knew this was going to be good. When you’re recording a song to honor your hero, you’re going to make sure it’s perfect — and it is. He oozes that same rebel spirit that Waylon always had.

Perhaps my favorite song on the record comes from Kris Kristofferson and Patty Griffin’s collaboration on “Rose in Paradise.” Kristofferson, a good friend of Waylon’s and a member of their infamous Highwaymen, absolutely nails it. And, well, everything Patty Griffin touches turns to gold. Need I say more?

Then there’s “Belle of the Ball” recorded by Waylon’s son, Shooter. For those of you not familiar with Shooter, you ought to check him out. You may remember him from the Johnny Cash bio-flick, Walk The Line, in which he played his dad. He is such a talent and a great reminder of the outlaw we all loved so much. Let me tell you something, Shooter — your daddy would be proud.

If you’re a Waylon Jennings fan, this album is a must-have. If you’re not into twang, this probably isn’t the record for you. This is a great introduction to younger country fans who didn’t really get to experience Waylon in his heyday. Maybe it will get people to put down the Miley Cyrus records (what is she doing in the country section of the CDs at Target, anyway?) and instead pick up some music from Cash, Kristofferson, and, of course, Mr. Waylon Jennings.

Don’t forget to check out the CMTT Music Review Community at Lunch.com. 

Kristi O.
CMTT Music Contributor

THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED

Waylon Jennings: The Music Inside, Vol. 1. was released yesterday and is a star-studded tribute compilation honoring one of the greatest Country music icons of our time – Waylon Jennings.

The three volume celebration, The Music Inside: A Collaboration Dedicated to Waylon Jennings, features some of the biggest stars of Country music -from legends Kris Kristofferson and Alabama to hit makers Jamey Johnson and Trace Adkins to critically-acclaimed Patty Griffin and Sunny Sweeney – performing and paying tribute to Jennings’ most-celebrated songs.

Every artist on the project possesses either a personal or professional connection to the Texas-born Jennings, and no one more so than Country star and Jennings’ widow Jessi Colter, who performs a heartfelt duet of “Good Hearted Woman” with Sunny Sweeney. Their son Shooter Jennings also pays tribute with “Belle of the Ball,” appearing on Vol. I. In addition, every performance on the compilation earned Jessi and Shooter’s blessing.

Additional Volumes II and III to be released later in 2011.

CMTT has your chance to win a Waylon Jennings Prize Pack!!   The prize pack includes:

• Waylon Jennings: The Music Inside, Vol. 1 CD
• T-Shirt
• Sticker and
• Poster (all featuring the album cover art (above)).  

To enter to win please leave us a comment (with email address) and tell us your favorite Waylon Jennings song.  We will pick a winner at random on Monday, February 7th. 

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR WINNER:

• Lisa

Country Girl wants you to be a Tattle Tale! Have you been to a country concert lately? Run into a country artist while out on the town? We want to hear all about your country music news and entertainment. Email me at countrygirl@countrymusictattletale.com

Scatter Records and theBig Machine Label Group are pleased to announce the February 8th release of a star-studded tribute compilation honoring one of the greatest Country music icons of our time – Waylon Jennings.

The three volume celebration, The Music Inside:  A Collaboration Dedicated to Waylon Jennings, features some of the biggest stars of Country music -from legends Kris Kristofferson and Alabama to hit makers Jamey Johnson and Trace Adkins to critically-acclaimed Patty Griffin and Sunny Sweeney – performing and paying tribute to Jennings’ most-celebrated songs. (The official Vol. I track listing is below.)

Every artist on the project possesses either a personal or professional connection to the Texas-born Jennings, and no one more so than Country star and Jennings’ widow Jessi Colter, who performs a heartfelt duet of “Good Hearted Woman” with Sunny Sweeney. Their son Shooter Jennings also pays tribute with “Belle of the Ball,” appearing on Vol. I. In addition, every performance on the compilation earned Jessi and Shooter’s blessing.

“There have been several tribute albums made in my father’s honor, all of which were great tributes to his legacy. But this one has been a true passion project for a lot of artists and friends who truly wanted to remember and give back to the wonderful man he was,” says Shooter. “In the years since my dad passed away, I’ve grown as an artist and I feel this is the first time I’ve been able to give back truly to the man who inspired, influenced and nurtured me and my musical passion.”

Official Track Listing:

1. This Time – Jamey Johnson
2. Are You Sure Hank Done It This Way – Alabama
3. I’m A Ramblin’ Man – Randy Houser
4. Belle of the Ball – Shooter Jennings
5. Good Hearted Woman – Sunny Sweeney and Jessi Colter
6. Don’t You Think This Outlaw Bit’s Done Got Out Of Hand – James Otto
7. Just To Satisfy You – John Hiatt w Waylon Jennings
8. Rose In Paradise – Kris Kristofferson and Patty Griffin
9. You Ask Me To – Trace Adkins
10. Go Down Rockin’ – Waylon Jennings

(Bonus Track)
The Wurlitzer Prize (I Don’t Want To Get Over You) – Chanel Campbell

THE MUSIC INSIDE: A COLLABORATION DEDICATED TO WAYLON JENNINGS, VOL I will be released on February 8th, with additional Volumes II and III to be released later in 2011.

Country Girl wants you to be a Tattle Tale! Have you been to a country concert lately? Run into a country artist while out on the town? We want to hear all about your country music news and entertainment. Email me at countrygirl@countrymusictattletale.com

Head on over to TheBoot.com and hear Gwyneth Paltrow’s new country song.  “Country Strong” is a single featured in Gwyneth’s movie of the same title which also stars Tim McGraw. The song, featuring background vocals by Vince Gill and Patty Griffin, was released to country radio by RCA Records on Monday, July 26th. The movie hits theaters on December 22nd, but you can get your hands on the soundtrack on October 26th.

Click here to listen to “Country Strong.”

Got some country music gossip and don’t wanna be a tattle tale? Email me, Tawny Tucker, Tawny@countrymusictattletale.com

Country Throwdown Tour – Montgomery Gentry, Eric Church + Many More

May 15 Cruzan AmphitheatreWest Palm Beach, FL
May 22 First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre, Tinley Park, IL
May 28 Time Warner Cable Music Pavilion at Walnut CreekRaleigh, NC
Jun 10 Superpages.com Center, Dallas, TX
Jun 17 Cricket Wireless Amphitheatre, Chula Vista, CA
Jun 18 Cricket Wireless Pavilion, Phoenix, AZ
Jun 19 Irvine Meadows / Verizon Wireless Amphitheater, Irvine, CA
Jun 20 Shoreline Amphitheatre, Mountain View, CA

CITI Cardmember
Start: Wed, 03/17/10 10:00 AM
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Patty Griffin
Ryman Auditorium, Nashville, TN
Tue, Jun 15, 2010 07:30 PM

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Country Girl wants you to be a Tattle Tale! Have you been to a country concert lately? Run into a country artist while out on the town? We want to hear all about your country music news and entertainment. Email me at countrygirl@countrymusictattletale.com

The ACM Awards air on April 18th…here are the full list of nominations….

Entertainer of the Year:

• Kenny Chesney
• Toby Keith
• Zac Brown Band
• Carrie Underwood
• Brad Paisley
• Keith Urban
• Taylor Swift
• George Strait

Top Male Vocalist of the Year

• Kenny Chesney
• Brad Paisley
• Keith Urban
• George Strait
• Darius Rucker

Top Female Vocalist of the Year

• Miranda Lambert
• Taylor Swift
• Carrie Underwood
• Reba McEntire
• Lee Ann Womack

Top Vocal Duo of the Year

• Brooks & Dunn
• Joey & Rory
• Montgomery Gentry
• Steel Magnolia
• Sugarland

Top Vocal Group of the Year

• Lady Antebellum
• Rascal Flatts
• Zac Brown Band
• Little Big Town
• Randy Rogers Band

Top New Solo Vocalist of the Year

• Luke Bryan
• Jamey Johnson
• Chris Young

Top New Vocal Duo of the Year

• Bomshel
• Joey & Rory
• Steel Magnolia

Top New Vocal Group of the Year

• Eli  Young Band
• The Lost Trailers
• Gloriana

Album of the Year

• American Saturday Night-Brad Paisley
• Lady Antebellum-Lady Antebellum
• Play On-Carrie Underwood
• The Foundation-Zac Brown Band
• Revolution-Miranda Lambert

Single Record of the Year

• Need You Now-Lady Antebellum
• Red Light-David Nail
• People Are Crazy-Billy Currington
• Toes-Zac Brown Band
• White Liar-Miranda Lambert

Song of the Year

• “You Belong with Me”-Taylor Swift
• “White Liar”- Miranda Lambert
• “People Are Crazy”-Billy Currington
• “Cowboy Casanova”-Carrie Underwood
• “Need You Now”-Lady Antebellum

Video of the Year

• “Need You Now”-Lady Antebellum
• “Boots On”-Randy Houser
• “Welcome to the Future”-Brad Paisley
• “You Belong with Me”-Taylor Swift
• “White Liar”-Miranda Lambert

Vocal Event of the Year

• “Hillbilly Bone”-Blake Shelton & Trace Adkins
• “Seeing Stars”-Jack Ingram & Patty Griffin
• “I Told You So”-Carrie Underwood & Randy Travis
• “I’m Alive”-Kenny Chesney & Dave Matthews
• “Honkey Tonk Stomp” -Brooks & Dunn and Billy Gibbons

So….any surprises?  How about ZBB being nominated for EOTY??  or…Lady Antebellum’s freshman album being nominated for AOTY?? Where is Keith Urban’s Defying Gravity?  I know Country Girl was hoping for a Rascall Flatts nomination in EOTY….hmmm…we shall see….Surprise abscences….Martina McBride and Dierks Bentley.

Got some country music gossip and don’t wanna be a tattle tale? Email me, Tawny Tucker, Tawny@countrymusictattletale.com