This album is AMAZING!  I have my review copy and can’t stop listening to it!  Check out the behind the scenes footage from the recording of Tuskegee!  The new album Tuskegee will be in stores March 27th!

Lionel Richie’s Tuskegee Track-Listing:
1. “You Are” with Blake Shelton
2. “Say You, Say Me” with Jason Aldean
3. “Stuck On You” with Darius Rucker
4. “Deep River Woman” with Little Big Town
5. “My Love” with Kenny Chesney
6. “Dancing On The Ceiling” with Rascal Flatts
7. “Hello” with Jennifer Nettles
8. “Sail On” with Tim McGraw
9. “Endless Love” with Shania Twain
10. “Just For You” with Billy Currington
11. “Lady” with Kenny Rogers
12. “Easy” with Willie Nelson
13. “All Night Long” with Jimmy Buffett

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

Even after 15 years, the ever-popular NOW records are still going strong, despite a decline in record sales after the emergence of iTunes. The famed NOW franchise is back with a new release, NOW That’s What I Call Country Ballads, featuring 18 monster ballads from hit-makers such as Chris Young and Kenny Chesney to Shania Twain and George Strait.

This is definitely a modern-day collection of country ballads, so if you’re expecting to find “He Stopped Loving Her Today” or “The Dance” on this record, you might be disappointed. Instead, you’ll find Sara Evans’ rendition of Edwin McCain’s “I Could Not Ask For More,” Martina McBride’s latest tear-jerker, “I’m Gonna Love You Through It,” Dierks Bentley’s risque “Come a Little Closer,” and Carrie Underwood’s take on the famous Randy Travis classic, “I Told You So.”

This album is definitely aimed towards a younger audience with songs from crossover artists like Taylor Swift, The Band Perry, and Lady Antebellum, all of whom have had just as much success on pop radio as they have in the country genre. The record also features former Hootie & the Blowfish frontman Darius Rucker’s debut single as a country artist, “Don’t Think I Don’t Think About It,” which I still say is his strongest single to date.

If you’re not high-tech with all the latest MP3s and gadgets, this would be a great record to buy if you want some of the greatest country ballads released in the last 10 years or so. Or, you could just turn on your radio – I hear these songs multiple times a day, so it’s nothing new or out of the ordinary. But, like I said, it’s a good record to have on hand in the car if you want some good country slow songs. The NOW records are available wherever records are sold, including online via iTunes and Amazon.

Don’t forget to enter for your chance to win a copy of NOW That’s What I Call Country Ballads from CMTT.  CLICK HERE to enter.  Hurry!  Contest ends Thursday , February 2nd.

Kristi Olson
CMTT Music Contributor

CLICK READ MORE to see the full track listing of NOW That’s What I Call Country Ballads.

1.  Taylor Swift                                    Forever And Always (Piano Version)
2.  Keith Urban                                    Tonight I Wanna Cry
3.  Rascal Flatts                                  What Hurts The Most
4.  The Band Perry                             If I Die Young
5.  Martina McBride                            I’m Gonna Love You Through It
6.  Luke Bryan                                                Do I
7.  Jake Owen                                                Don’t Think I Can’t Love You
8.  Lady Antebellum                            American Honey
9.  Jason Aldean/Kelly Clarkson         Don’t You Wanna Stay
10.  Shania Twain                               Forever & For Always
11.  Carrie Underwood                       I Told You So
12.  Sara Evans                                  I Could Not Ask For More
13.  Kenny Chesney                           Better As A Memory
14.  Dierks Bentley                             Come A Little Closer
15.  Chris Young                                 The Man I Want To Be
16.  Darius Rucker                              Don’t Think I Don’t Think About It
17.  George Strait                               I Saw God Today
18.  Alan Jackson                               Remember When

Music icon Lionel Richie will release Tuskegee, a collection of 13 of his international hits recorded with some of the biggest names in country music, on March 27th.

His duet partners on Tuskegee include Sugarland’s Jennifer Nettles, Jason Aldean, Tim McGraw, Blake Shelton, Darius Rucker, Rascal Flatts, Kenny Chesney, Billy Currington and Little Big Town. On this worldwide, multi-genre album, Richie is also joined by the likes of such superstars as Shania Twain, Kenny Rogers, Willie Nelson and Jimmy Buffett.

In addition, the Academy of Country Music and dick clark productions will tape an all-star concert special, Lionel Richie and Friends “In concert” at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on April 2nd. The show will air at a later date on the CBS Television Network. Some of his greatest hits will be performed by Jason Aldean, The Band Perry, Kenny Chesney, Lady Antebellum, Martina McBride, Rascal Flatts, Kenny Rogers and many more.

“Tuskegee is where it all began, the place where I felt that everything was available and possible,” he says. “It’s where I learned about life and love and the power of music, and the place I built a musical foundation that knows no genres or boundaries.

“Doing this album was coming back to the beginning, back to basics, back to home,” he says. “The part of it I love the most is that the journey has been one of discovering myself. By the time I got back to Nashville, I clearly knew that the roots of my songwriting, my storytelling, were from the South.”

It’s also been a process of rediscovering the hits that have served as the soundtrack of the lives of generations around the world.

“Every Lionel Richie song that I can think of I had a personal experience with – high school homecomings, proms, you name it,” says Gary LeVox of Rascal Flatts, who duets on “Dancin’ On the Ceiling.” “Lionel was always playing in my house. His music always said what we felt and couldn’t express.”

Once again, Richie is following his songs as they take him back to country, where they have been welcomed for more than two decades. Conway Twitty recorded “Three Times a Lady,” Kenny Rogers famously sang “Lady” and Alabama recorded “Deep River Woman.” Artists such as Tim McGraw, Darius Rucker and Rascal Flatts perform his songs in their shows. He has performed on the Country Music Association Awards three times, and his 2011 performance receive two standing ovations and was recognized as the highlight of the evening.

“When I did the CMAs and the room was singing along with me, it was really more like a family reunion than it was a concert or show,” he says. “It was just great validation to know that the music was accepted like it was.”

These innovative musical interpretations have given new meaning to his songs while serving as a powerful reminder of the timelessness of his impressive body of work. He asked the other singers to select the songs and ignore his original version and instead perform the song as if it were their own. “I wanted it the way they would do it in their show, which means I captured their essence. You make the song a Willie Nelson song. You make the song a Rascal Flatts song.

“It’s special to the point where it sounds new again, so I’m excited just as the writer, as the original parent of this child. I’m excited to see another generation embrace the music.”

Richie says recording Tuskegee was perhaps the most fun he’s ever had in the studio.

“Tuskegee is going to be one of the most special albums I’ve ever done in my life. This is something that’s going to be so special forever because it’s a moment in time when these artists all got together and celebrated some music,” he says. “What started out as a collaboration of a group of very talented, very successful artists ended up growing into brand new, very good friends.”

Lionel Richie’s Tuskegee Track-Listing:
1. “You Are” with Blake Shelton
2. “Say You, Say Me” with Jason Aldean
3. “Stuck On You” with Darius Rucker
4. “Deep River Woman” with Little Big Town
5. “My Love” with Kenny Chesney
6. “Dancing On The Ceiling” with Rascal Flatts
7. “Hello” with Jennifer Nettles
8. “Sail On” with Tim McGraw
9. “Endless Love” with Shania Twain
10. “Just For You” with Billy Currington
11. “Lady” with Kenny Rogers
12. “Easy” with Willie Nelson
13. “All Night Long” with Jimmy Buffett

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

A collection of country hits will be out by the end of the month. “Now That’s What I Call Country Ballads” will have 18 country hits. It includes the piano version of Taylor Swift’s “Forever and Always,” “I Could Not Ask For More” by Sara Evans, Lady Antebellum’s “American Honey” and Keith Urban’s “Tonight I Wanna Cry.” The Band Perry, Martina McBride, Shania Twain, Carrie Underwood, Kenny Chesney and Alan Jackson are also on the collection. “Now That’s What I Call Country Ballads” comes out January 24.

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

Photo: WireImage Devaney

January :  Nicole Kidman Say’s Keith Urban Was an Answer to Her Prayer

 I remember thinking, Oh, my God, if you ever gave me a man like that, I promise I would be completely devoted for the rest of my life. Something that wild. I remembered praying after I met him that I’d meet somebody, if not him, like him.

February :   Faith Hill’s Teleflora Super Bowl Commercial

During last year’s Super Bowl, Faith Hill’s new Teleflora ad debuted. Take a look…soooo funny.

 

March:  Luke Bryan- “Country Girl Shake it for Me”

 Luke Bryan debuted his smash-it single “Country Girl Shake it For Me” off his Tailgates and Tanlines album.  We gave you an early listen.

April:  Amber Alert Issued for Whitney Duncan’s Cousin Holly Bobo

Whitney Duncan’s cousin mysteriously disappeared from her Tennessee home in the early morning hours.  She is still missing, and the search continues.

May:  Josh Turner Surprises Scotty McCreery At His Hometown Celebration

American Idol winner Scotty McCreery visits his hometown and performs when Josh Turner surprises him on stage to duet with him.

June:  Shania Twain’s “Today is Your Day”

Shania Twain makes her comeback with her new single “Today Is Your Day” which she debuted on her show ‘Why Not? with Shania Twain’ on the OWN network.

July:  “She’s Going Places”  A Tribute Song for Caylee Anthony Written by Gary Levox and Cledus T. Judd

 Cledus’ hope is that the attention can now be placed where it belongs… and that’s on the 2 year old that we lost. She’s in a better place right now. “The greatest way to heal is to help, and that’s what we want to do with this song,” said Judd.

August:  Is Brantley Gilbert Jason Aldean’s Favorite Songwriter?

 Jason Aldean’s hits “My Kinda Party” and “Dirt Road Anthem” were written by country newcomer Brantley Gilbert.

“This is a big step for me as a songwriter and I couldn’t have asked for a better artist to perform the song. After all, he is a Georgia boy! I love how passionate you all are about this song and my music, I just want you to know that this is a good thing,” he assured his fans.

September:  “God Gave Me You” by Blake Shelton

Blake Shelton debuts his loving video for “God Gave Me You” which includes a personal snippet from wife Miranda Lambert.  The video ended the year as GAC’s no. 1 video of 2011.

October:  Jason Aldean Reveals first Cities for 2012 My Kinda Party Tour!

Jason Aldean announced his much anticipated My Kinda Party Tour leg for 2012.  Luke Bryan will join Jason on the road again.

November: Memorable Collaborations at 45th Annual CMA Awards

The top performances of the 2011 CMA Music Awards were taken over by memorable collaborations which included Sugarland and Matt Nathanson, Lionel Richie and everyone else, Rascal Flatts & Natasha Beddingfield, and more.

December:  Rodney Atkins Arrested for Domestic Assault Against His Wife

It’s the arrest heard around the world…one of country music’s good ole boys, Rodney Atkins was arrested for allegedly trying to smother his wife with a pillow.  Rodney immediately filed for divorce.

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

2011 was definitely a year of love. Lots of country’s biggest stars were engaged and/or said ‘I Do.’

• Shania Twain & Frederic Thiebaud tied the knot on January 1st in Puerto Rico.
• Kellie Pickler & Kyle Jacobs got hitched in the Carribbean on January 1st
• Blake Shelton & Miranda Lambert got hitched in front of friends, family, and fellow stars on May 14th
• Chely Wright and Lauren Blitzer said ‘I Do’ in their intimate outdoor ceremony on August 20th.
• Randy Houser & Jessa Lee Yantz tied the knot on September 2nd.
• Sunny Sweeney & Jeff Helmer tried their luck on 11-11-11 in Vegas.
• Jessica Andrews & Marcel Chagnon also got lucky on November 11th in their Nashville ceremony.
• Jennifer Nettles & Justin Miller surprised everyone with their Smokey Mountain wedding on November 26th.

Several other folks will get hitched next year after their 2011 engagements.

• Lady Antebellum will have some big celebrations next year when Hillary Scott weds Chris Tyrrell and Dave Haywood marries Kelli Cashiola
• Trailer Choir‘s not-s0-Big Vinny got engaged to Lori Diaz on The Biggest Loser
• Carter’s Chord’s Becky Robertson and producer Jeremiah Scott got engaged
• Bucky Covington & publicist Katherine Cook also got engaged
• Duo Meghan Linsey and Joshua Jones of Steel Magnolia will continue to make beautiful music together as well.

**CMTT’s pick for wedding of the year goes to Blake Shelton & Miranda Lambert…About Dayumn Time!

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

Lionel Richie will release Tuskegee, his much-anticipated country duets album, in March on Mercury Nashville, after debuting songs on the national broadcast of the 45th Annual Country Music Association Awards, airing live Wednesday, Nov. 9 at 8 p.m. ET on the ABC Television Network.

During the broadcast Richie will perform select duets of his runaway hits with Little Big Town, Darius Rucker and Rascal Flatts.

Surpassing his creative and personal boundaries, Richie comes full circle with the innovative and personal Tuskegee, performing 13 of his most revered “anthems of our day” with some of the biggest names in country music, including Sugarland’s Jennifer Nettles, Tim McGraw, Blake Shelton, Darius Rucker, Rascal Flatts, Kenny Chesney, Billy Currington, Little Big Town and Jason Aldean.  On this worldwide, multi-genre album, Richie is also joined by the likes of such superstars as Shania Twain, Kenny Rogers, Willie Nelson and Jimmy Buffett.

Tuskegee is an exciting and transcendent arc in a career that has seen album sales of more than 100 million, 22 Top 10s, five Grammys, an Academy Award for Best Original Song, a Golden Globe, and a host of other awards from virtually every major entertainment organization.

While defying boundaries and breaking barriers throughout his storied career, Richie reveals once again that Tuskegee will join the ranks of his timeless body of work that touches people of all faiths, ages and demographics across the world.

“As my songwriting progressed, I realized that my songs perfectly translated to the country genre,” says the living legend as he taps on the keys of the piano in his state-of-the-art recording studio.

It was when Conway Twitty sang “Three Times a Lady” along with songs such as “Lady” and “Deep River Women” that Richie knew country music was clearly omnipresent in the lyrics he wrote.

“I was born and raised in Tuskegee, Alabama. I am a country boy and proud of it. To do this project just felt natural,” says Richie. “Growing up with country, R&B, gospel, and classical music from my grandmother and pop, Tuskegee was the perfect melting pot for my influences as a writer,” he says, “and the title, Tuskegee, is a validation of my growing up there—the place I call home.”  “Tuskegee is a state of mind as it is a place,” he adds, “…a place of possibility, hope, promise, self-empowerment, and where dreams come true.”

Lionel Richie’s Tuskegee Track-Listing:
1. “You Are” with Blake Shelton
2. “Say You, Say Me” with Jason Aldean
3. “Stuck On You” with Darius Rucker
4. “Deep River Woman” with Little Big Town
5. “My Love” with Kenny Chesney
6. “Dancing On The Ceiling” with Rascal Flatts
7. “Hello” with Jennifer Nettles
8. “Sail On” with Tim McGraw
9. “Endless Love” with Shania Twain
10. “Just For You” with Billy Currington
11. “Lady” with Kenny Rogers
12. “Easy” with Willie Nelson
13. “All Night Long” with Jimmy Buffett

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