This year, solo artists Carrie Underwood, Miranda Lambert, Blake Shelton, Brad Paisely, and Luke Bryan, as well as groups including Lady Antebellum, Joey + Rory, and Gloriana all dominated and won awards in various categories. Miranda Lambert, Brad Paisley, and Lady Antebellum all sang new country songs from their respective albums. Many were surprised that Taylor Swift did not win any award for the good showing of her “Fearless” album filled with pop and country music songs, but she did give a rousing performance to vindicate herself from her ill-received Grammy performance.

The biggest winner of the night was Underwood who won the Entertainer of the Year Award twice in a row, overshadowing perceived rival and the heavily favored Swift who dominated both pop and country charts. Underwood bested fellow artists such as Paisley, Kenny Chesney, Toby Keith, George Strait, Keith Urban, and the Zac Brown Band. It is said that Underwood’s win was due mainly to her fans to texted in their votes. Apart from the top award, Underwood was also given the Triple Crown Award for having won all three major categories as a solo female artist: Entertainer of the Year, Top Female Vocalist and Top New Female Vocalist. She is the only other female artist to have this crown apart from Barbara Mandrell.

Another top winner was Miranda Lambert who edged out fellow acts as she won her awards. For the Album of the Year award, she dominated Paisley, Lady Antebellum, Carrie Underwood, and the Zac Brown Band. Meanwhile, she edged out artists such as Reba McEntire, Swift, Underwood, and Lee Ann Womack in the Top Female Vocalist category. Says Lambert, “I think it’s cool because it just kind of started all the sudden,” she adds, “The new generation is starting to really show what we’re about and it’s cool that we’re really fond of each other genuinely. It’s really not about competition with us. We’re all happy for each other.”

Finally, from among the duos or groups, it was Lady Antebellum who emerged the most victorious with five awards out of xx nominations. They won the awards for Top Vocal Group of the Year, Record of the Year (artists and producers), and Song of the Year (artists and composers).

Clearly, these young artists will continue to make their marks and deliver good quality country music songs that will surely be appreciated by fans in the US and throughout the world.

For more tips and information about new country songs, please visit country music songs

Aside from winning the Album of the Year Award for “Revolution,” her third studio effort filled with new country songs representing her distinct sound, she also won the Top Female Vocalist of the Year and Video of the Year Awards. Her historic win made Lambert the first solo female artist to ever win two Album of the Year Awards (she won Album of the Year for Crazy Ex Girlfriend in 2008). Certainly, 2010 is the year that Miranda Lambert can safely say that she has finally arrived.

At first, Lambert could not believe that she has garnered six nominations from the ACM, saying, “It was crazy the way I found out, because I was at the CBS ‘Early Show’ with Blake [Shelton], just being the supportive girlfriend.” She adds, “[I] got up early and I was proud because his record was coming out. Not only did I get to hear the nominations in person, but Reba McEntire and my own boyfriend were the ones calling out my name.” Indeed, garnering three awards out of six nominations for her hit country music songs certainly made the event even more memorable for her.

Speaking in front of the crowd when she won her second Album of the Year Award, Lambert said, “This music is what I do, it’s the only thing I live for. Thanks for loving it. It changed my life.” She also added, “I didn’t get to thank very many people last time, but I really missed the most important person, which is the Lord…Thank you so much to the fans. This is my life and you make it great.”

As for her recent release, the aptly titled “Revolution,” Lambert says, “the only thing I did differently was to take a bit more time to do the songwriting. Things were very rushed with the last album, Crazy Ex-Girlfriend. I was on the road, and was finishing songs in the studio. For this album, I used the same musicians and the same producers, but I used different co-writers, and I took more time. Having some success allowed me to have more control of my schedule.”

Explaining the title of her latest album, she says, “To me, that’s an exciting word, that something new is happening. I sort of reinvented myself musically on this record. It feels like there’s change, that country music is more open-minded. To me, anyways.” This album, containing 11 new country songs, has already made its mark, landing at the top spot of the U.S. Billboard Top Country Albums. With outstanding country music songs such as “”White Liar,” “Dead Flowers,” and “The House That Built Me” featured in her third album, Lambert has established her spot as one of the greatest singer and songwriters of her generation. Her previous albums include “Miranda Lambert” (2001), “Kerosene” (2005), and “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend” (2007).

For more tips and information about new country songs, please visit country music songs

A country wedding is truly one of the most beautiful themes for this kind of occasion. Imagine holding the ceremony in a vast area of a hayfield, walking down the aisle with a fresh cotton gown, and being surrounded with luscious blooms of flowers and beautiful foliage. To help you come up with the perfect country wedding, here are some fabulous tips to keep in mind.

Venue

For the venue, the best options would have to be a wheat field, cabin, barn, or farm. You can also try camps and lodges. Just be sure that your wedding vendors and suppliers can access the place you choose.

Colors

When it comes to colors, think of earthy tones and a sunny sky, as this is what your color palette would compose of mainly. There would be a lot of yellows, golds, tans, and umbers. Do not forget to incorporate sage, russet, green, cinnamon, celadon, salmon pink, burnt orange, and yellow green.

Flowers

A country wedding will not be complete without stunning rustic flowers such as sunflowers, black-eyed susans and daisies. Put these flowers inside buckets, pails, or galvanized sprinklers to complement the theme. Do not forget to use these flowers as headdress for the bride and entourage as well.

Decoration

Spice up the place by adding wedding arches (filled with the flowers mentioned above), rafters, and bundles of corn stalks. You can also use the idea of wrapping pillars and adding twinkle lights, which is great especially for weddings taking place during the midday or the evening. You can add in pumpkins with monogram carved on it. Do not forget to accent the place with raffia ties, jam jars, grapevine wreaths, and mason jars.

Invitations

Invite people to this wondrous event by sending out invitations with embroidered and stitched designs. You can also incorporate rustic flowers, quilt patterns, and other design elements that exude the country style.

Music

Traditional country music would require you to have a square dance, a contra or bluegrass band, which can play lovely and upbeat country music songs that will have your guests dancing all day. Now, if you want to add a touch of modernity, you can have a country music band play new country songs.

Some of your best options include “Love Story” by Taylor Swift, “God Love Her” by Toby Keith, “Feel That Fire” by Dierks Bently, “Sweet Thing” by Keith Urban and “I Run to You” by

Lady Antebellum.

Favors

For the souvenirs, you can give away cowboy boot vases, lucky horseshoe charms, chili pepper place card holders, and miniature cowboy hats.

People make the mistake of thinking that a country wedding is difficult to organize but if you have read these tips, you would know that it is not only stunning and spectacular; it is also quite simple and easy to plan and prepare for.

For more tips and information about new country songs, please visit country music songs.

Owens, a native of Vero Beach, Florida first burst into the country music scene in 2005 when he was signed to the legendary recording outfit RCA Records Nashville. Early the following year, 2006, he released his debut single, “Yee Haw.” Peaking at No. 16 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts, this single made people sit up and take notice of his brand of new country songs in the mold of fellow male artists Brad Paisley and Kenny Chesney. Indeed, in July of the same year, Owens released his 11-track debut album entitled “Startin’ with Me,” which went on to stay on the Billboard country charts for over 35 weeks.

In February of 2009, Owen released his sophomore album entitled “Easy Does It.” Proving that he was no one-hit wonder and dispelling the so-called “sophomore jinx,” Owens’ second album debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard Top Country Albums. Underscoring his mainstream success, this album also debuted at No. 13 on the Billboard 200 charts. Containing brand new country music songs, this album spawned the hit singles and “Eight Second Ride,” establishing his success as an up and coming artist to watch out for in the years to come.

For those who think Owens is just another tough guy, you might want to think again. Owens is a sensitive and warm-hearted individual who pours his heart out in his songs. For example, he says “Don’t Think I Can’t Love You” is “just a song coming from a guy, your everyday hard-working guy, this guy that may not be able to afford all the finer things in life. I learned when I was a kid – that’s the first line in the song, I learned the hard way real early in life that money doesn’t grow on trees…And I just wanted to write that.’” He further adds, “I think that it’s a really strong way of singing a love song and lyrically putting it out there without overdoing it with cliché cheesy lines. It’s just laying it out there on the table, which is the way it is, and it’s how I feel.”

Indeed, we may expect this brand of new country songs from the artist whose rising popularity has allowed him access to some of the best tours of the season. Just recently, he announced that he will be busily spending the early part of this year opening for Jason Aldean, and then opening for Miranda Lambert this April, before heading out for a summer tour with Sugarland this May.

For tour dates and more est news on Owens, you may check out his website at http://www.jakeowen.net/.

For more tips and information about new country songs, please visit country music songs.

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.

Susan Tucker, the show’s creator says, “It’s important to draw attention to the fact that, beyond the world of the major label artists, there is a whole other realm of artists; those that are out there making great music and working hard, all without the money and support of a major record label.” Tucker, of the Nashville-based Copeland Tucker Management has certainly made the right choice of venue where such an important event could be held.

Owned and managed by the Gaylord Entertainment Company, the legendary Wildhorse Saloon is a popular country/western-themed restaurant located right in the heart of Nashville—ground zero for the country music scene. With an extremely large dance floor, open bar, and spacious indoor concert atrium, this is certainly one of the premier venues in Nashville and is perfect  for a huge event such as “Country Indie.”

“Country Indie” is actually a series of monthly shows that shall be kicked off on December 15^th, 2009, with a concert to be headlined by Kim McLean and Sage Keffer. McLean, is of course, an award winning songwriter whose beautiful country love songs have been recorded by the likes of Trisha Yearwood, Tim McGraw, Lee Ann Womack, and The Martins. Her music has also been featured on shows such as West Wing and Hope and Faith. Her “Angels and Eagles” duet with Ms. Dolly Parton, which is included in her CD, “Happy Face” won the Americana Song of the Year from the Just Plain Folk Awards. Meanwhile, Sage Keffer is a regular from the CMA Music Festival. Born in New Mexico and raised on the Colorado-Wyoming border, Keffer nabbed a voice scholarship at Lamont School of Music in Denver and continued to pursue a career in country music. Today, he is one of the most buzz-worthy recording artists from the Nashville scene. These two artists will perform in the inaugural concert, which shall be hosted by Nashville’s indie artist, Rachel Williams.

The monthly events will spotlight three top-level acts during each installment. Says Tucker, “There are so many great country singers & performers that country music fans would love to embrace, but they’re not getting the opportunity to know these artists for a number of reasons.” She further explains, “One of which is a lack of radio support. I’m hoping this series will help these hard working and talented artists further their careers.”

Tickets for the show, which will begin on December 15 at 7:00pm, are at $6.00. You may visit the following for more information and updates: www.wildhorsesaloon.com, myspace.com/countryindie, or facebook.com/countryindie.

Certainly, their musical pedigree will also be a major factor in their efforts to breakthrough the mainstream given that they have the artistic and musical blood running through their veins.  Jennifer Wayne, Caroline Cutbirth, and Tayla Lynn—known collectively as Stealing Angels—are actually the descendants of great artists such as movie legend John Wayne, Daniel Boon, and country superstar Loretta Lynn.

The trio was first introduced to the country music audience when they were featured on an ABC country music television special helmed by Robin Roberts. They were featured in a segment entitled “What’s In A Name,” in which Roberts discusses whether an artist’s genes could translate to success as in the case of Johnny Cash and his equally gifted singer/songwriter daughter Rosanne Cash, Vince Gill and his daughter Jenny Gill and Stealing Angels with their famous lineage. Ultimately, however, you will get hooked to the trio not just because of their famous relatives but also because of their energy and dynamic stage presence that are already generating a buzz among industry insiders.

In an interview, Tayla Lynn said, “It does sound clichéd. But that is something unique about us. We do speak out truth all the time. I’m a recovering alcoholic and a divorcee and I talk about that. Caroline is from the perfect family in Texas, and Jen is John Wayne’s granddaughter and has been living out in California being a tennis pro. Our lives couldn’t be any different, but we all come together.”

Stealing Angels have been working on their act since 2006 when Texas-native Caroline Cutbirth transferred to Nashville to pursue a solo career in music. “I’ve always wanted to be a singer…always! I didn’t know anything about the music industry but I knew I need to go somewhere where I could learn and perform. Something kept pushing me to Nashville. So without a clue, I packed it all up and moved there, just like that. It was scary at first, but it seemed to me that if I wanted to be a part of music, I needed to be in the Music City.”

While in Nashville, she met Jennifer Wayne, who was at that time, also pursuing her own career. After being introduced to the scene by Merv Griffin, Jennifer found herself doing the rounds of performing, writing, and mixing demos. Then in 2007, they met Tayla Lynn, granddaughter of Loretta Lynn through a show called “All in the Genes.” What each member brings into the mix is a different sound–Cutbirth likes pop country, while Lynn and Wayne describe their music as Americana and “bluegrassy, respectively. Says Lynn, “We realized we had something special when our voices came together,” and the rest, as they say, is history.

The band is currently working on their debut CD of new country songs, which is set to be released early next year. To hear their music, check out http://www.myspace.com/stealingangels.