Although CCR was only together for less than five years, lead singer John Fogerty, his brother rhythm guitarist Tom Fogerty, bassist Stu Cook, and drummer Doug Clifford’s time together produced a dozen Top 40 songs, starting from the 1969 release “Proud Mary” to the 1972 “Someday Never Comes, ” making CCR one of the best bands in rock and roll history, and best-selling rock bans with 26 millions sold in the US alone.

The boxed set carries all of CCR’s US singles, totaling 30 in all, including its widely popular hits “Green River,” “Bad Moon Rising,” “Down On The Corner,” “Who’ll Stop The Rain,” “Run Through The Jungle,” “Travelin’ Band,” “Up Around The Bend,” “Lookin’ Out My Back Door,” and “Long As I Can See The Light. Avid CCR fans will also enjoy looking through a poster featuring various international single sleeves, as well as a 16-page booklet containing notes by Ben Fong-Torres, a Rolling Stone editor active during CCR’s stellar run.

The members of Creedence Clearwater Revival, interestingly, are not Southern-born and bred. They came from the little town of El Cerrito in California, but they grew up loving Southern blues and  country music. John Fogerty, the band’s lead vocalist, primary lyricist, and lead guitarist even named of his first songs “Born on the Bayou.”  The quartet’s original name was Tommy Fogerty & the Blue Velvets, later changing it to The Golliwogs. In 1968, the band got its first big break when it covered Dale Hawkins’ “Suzie Q,” reaching #11 on Billboard’s pop singles chart. Up to this day, Suzie Q is more popularly recognized as a CCR song rather than anybody else’s. Fong-Torres writes in the set, “radio needed acts like CCR – reliable producers of solid tunes laden with hooks.”

Constant touring and packed recording schedules eventually took their toll on the band, and in October 1972 CCR officially disbanded, never ever reuniting. In early 2003, the night before CCR was to be inducted into the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame, John Fogerty said, “I used to say in 1968 that I wanted to make records they would still play on the radio in ten years.” Now, more than forty years later, and even with all the covers and versions made by newer artists, CCR’s vitality as a band and Fogerty’s distinctive vocal style continues to be as relevant and fresh as it was in that golden era.

This year, after launching the “CMT 2009 Music City Madness Video Contest Video Contest,” CMT has announced the winner— Chance McKinney, native of Missoula county, MT and a state school teacher from Washington. With his video for the song “Be Real,” McKinney bested hundreds of other hopefuls in a rigid online selection process consisting of six rounds of competition and millions of fan votes. Other finalists included Danny Hamilton of Torrance, California (”Bury the Devil”), Mumblefinger of Red Bluff, California (”Exactly Like You”), and Angela Ragsdale of Los Angeles, California (”I Turn U Turn”).

As part of his prize, McKinney—who is a trigonometry and statistics teacher at Kamiak High School in Mukilteo, Seattle—will fly out to Nashville to complete a series of activities that begins with a recording of his own “CMT Studio 330 Sessions” television show and a private showcase with A&R executives at the Valory Music Co. label which handles popular country singers such as Reba McEntire, Jewel and Jack Ingram. The whirlwind visit will culminate in a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to have a backstage visit with country superstar McEntire.

In a celebratory email he sent out to his fans, McKinney said, “Thanks to the efforts of the Trib and other media outlets, we did it.” He then added, “I’m so lookin’ forward to gettin’ back down to Sandy for the holidays and spendin’ time with the family.” Sandy is, of course, McKinney’s adopted hometown where his wife Lisa Lisa B. Herron-McKinney—whom he recently married—resides.  McKinney also thanked his students who played a major role in his win. “My best friend and next-door teacher at the school, he talked to his students and encouraged them to spread the word,” according to McKinney. “So I had this huge student network working for me and voting on the site, and I didn’t even know it until I got into the final 16.”

Prior to being named the winner of the contest, McKinney said in an interview, “I’ve been at this for a long time now, doing all the non-glorious work that goes into being a successful musician.” When asked if he had what it takes to win the contest, he answered, “I think if I can win this competition, it’ll be a result of all that work, and it could really lead to the next step for me.”

McKinney—who has already opened concerts for established artists such as Montgomery Gentry, George Strait, Kenny Chesney, and Gary Allan—has mentioned that he considers Alan Jackson as a “major influence.”

For more of the McKinney madness, you may check out his website at http://www.chancemckinney.com/.

The new country songs from her debut album “Fearless” were hailed as critical and commercial successes. Indeed, from music to television, from fashion to movies, the crossover superstar has definitely conquered them all this year, and there are no signs that she intends to slow down anytime soon. If there was anybody who did not know her before MTV’s VMAs last September, the stunt Kanye West pulled made sure she was on everybody’s radar by the time the closing credits rolled. As the decade comes to a close, and 2010 rolls in, the question now is: What’s next for Taylor Swift in 2010?

For starters, Swift is slated to perform in the 52nd annual Grammy Awards on January 31st, where she is also nominated for a eight awards, including Album of the Year and Best Country Album for Fearless, Song of the Year, Record of the Year, and Best Female Pop Vocal Performance for You Belong With Me. Of her eight nominations, the Tennessee native has said, “To be recognized by the Grammys is the ultimate honor, and all I know is that when I write about this in my journal tonight, it will be in all capital letters and underlined four times.” She further stated, “And there will be lots of exclamation points in this entry because I never imagined I’d get to write this kind of journal entry.”

On the personal front, Taylor is dating hunky teenager Taylor Lautner, who plays the werewolf Jacob in the highly successful Twilight franchise. The two share screen time with big-name stars including Julia Roberts, Jamie Foxx, Anne Hathaway, Patrick Dempsey, and Ashton Kutcher in the romantic comedy “Valentine’s Day,” which is set for release around Valentine’s Day 2010.

The latest rumor is that the young country cutie is being eyed to play the role of Supergirl in a possible remake of the 1984 movie of the same title. Hollywood experts say that, “She has all the right elements to be a positive role model to young girls” and “With the times being different and a young great female role model starring in it, it will be a hit! Although there have been reports that this information is false, speculations abound whether Taylor will be able to pull off a heroine role. But everything she has accomplished just this year, who’s to say that she can’t don a red cape and be every little girl’s favorite super hero?

For the past years, 4 FINI, Inc. has successfully staged what the music industry calls the “longest running traveling music and extreme sports festival in the world.” Now, they are trying to translate that success in promoting country music artists using the same concept of having multiple stages, pre-show parties, and a wide range of merchandise booths that will be set up throughout each stop. Aside from the headliners set to perform on three stages—a main stage and two side stages—more artists, singers, and songwriters will be featured in the Bluebird Cafe Tent.

Sarah Baer, tour co-producer and marketing head of 4FINI, Inc. said in a statement, “We feel country music will welcome this type of touring festival.” She added, “Fans of any music genre are looking for a place where they can experience a full day of quality music from new faces, along side well known acts, and at a value price. The music we’ve had the pleasure of booking on this tour is going to surprise and excite a lot of people come May. It’s a group of truly talented musicians and singer-songwriters that have never toured in this capacity. I’m expecting great things.” Meanwhile, Kevin Lyman, co-producer and tour founder said, “Very much like other projects we have been involved with, this project is about bringing together a great group of artists and attractions at a fair ticket price for music fans.”

Aside from the confirmed headliners, Montgomery Gentry, Jamey Johnson, Little Big Town and Jack Ingram, other acts that have signed on to join the tour include Jonathan Singleton & The Grove, the Eli Young Band, Emily West, Lost Trailers, Eric Church, and Ryan Bingham. More artists and sponsors are expected to join the tour which shall start from May 13 and will run through to June 20.

Troy Gentry of Montgomery Gentry said, “When Eddie and I were approached about doing the Country Throwdown Tour, we immediately said yes. We loved the idea of it being like a big festival, a big party. I mean, that’s what Montgomery Gentry is all about. We’re keeping the ticket prices low because we know it’s hard out there. Fans are going to get a lot of entertainment for their money. This tour is going to be a great experience for us, the other artists and especially the fans.”

Indeed, this tour has been conceived with country music fans in mind. “The fans are the real winners here with all of the great artists we have the honor to work with on this tour. Breaking new acts is the lifeblood of this business, and I look forward to this new and innovative Tour….you never know what magic can happen with this much talent gathered in any given market….not the Tour you want to miss in 2010!” says Brian O’Connell, Country Music Touring President for Live Nation.