Willie Nelson Signs With Roudner Records

Country icon Willie Nelson has signed with Rounder Records to release his upcoming T-Bone Burnett-produced album Country Music. The Album, which features many of the players from the Plant & Krauss Raising Sand album, features Willie singing numerous classic country songs. Rounder Records will also be releasing new records from Allison Krauss & Union Station, Mary Chapin Carpenter and Khaki King in 2010. 

 The Tracklisting for Country Music is:
 
"Man With The Blues"
"Seaman's Blues"
"Dark As A Dungeon"
"Gotta Walk Alone"
"Satan Your Kingdom Must Come Down"
"My Baby's Gone"
"Freight Train Boogie"
"Satisfied Mind"
"You Done Me Wrong"
"Pistol Packin' Mama"
"Ocean Of Diamonds"
"Drinking Champagne"
"I Am A Pilgrim"
"House of Gold"
"Nobody's Fault But Mine"

Lady Antebellum Sells Out Ryman Auditorium, Adds Second Date

The Country Music Association’s 2009 “Vocal Group of the Year” Lady Antebellum announced an additional headlining concert at the historic Ryman Auditorium on Wednesday, March 10.   Fans can purchase tickets now at the Ryman box office, on ryman.com and through all Ticketmaster locations. Tickets to their previously announced headlining Ryman debut on March 11 sold out moments after they went on sale this morning.

Toby Keith and Mark Wright Discuss why The Two Labels Merged:

Toby Keith discussed at the press conference on Tuesday why he partnered his 'vanity label' Show Dog Records with Universal Records South and it was as simple as saying that while he doesn't 'need' the awards and industary 'awareness,' Mark Wright helps him get such accolades with the industry as, after all, Wright is a music executive who knows many of the movers and shakers in the town.  Toby said he 'owed his artists' on Show Dog Records that much, particuarly since the industry isn't likely to 'respond to (him).  Click here to read more about this topic.

Randy Rogers Discusses His Trust In Country Music

After graduating from Southwest Texas State University in 2002, Randy Rogers scored a gig working at a Mailboxes, ETC., and while thankful for the job, Rogers wanted to more, specifically to sing country music. This is what he said to some friends:

“So, I got a box of wine and had everybody at my place,” Rogers said. “I told them, ‘Quit your job and join my band. We’ll split everything even-steven down the middle. We’ll call it the Randy Rogers Band, and we’ll make a family out of it. Just trust me.’ ”

The friends did and now the band makes a comfortable living doing just that, playing country music.  click here to read more of this interview.

Music Labels Sued In Anti-trust Court over "price fixing" of Music Downloads

Country labels (as part of their parent companies) from EMI, Sony Music Entertainment, Universal and Warner Music Group are all part of  an antitrust lawsuit designed to say that the labels worked together ('conspired') to set a 'floor' of 70 cents per song at digital retailers, thus forcing most of the popular songs to rise in prices from 99 cents to $1.29.  If the industry loses, they could lose millions in repayments to anyone who bought a song for $1.29 a song.  Get more info about this lawsuit here. 

Lonestar Signs to Saguaro Road, Set To Release New album in March

Alan Jackson won't be the only 'veteran' act releasing new music on March 30, 2010 as Lonestar is set to deliver their first record with new lead vocalist Cody Collins on the date as well. Party Heard Around The World will feature 10 new tracks from the award-winning, multi-platinum selling band.  The lead single will be released shortly.  Click here for more info.