Jeff Giles
Scotty McCreery Tells the Stories Behind the Songs on ‘Clear as Day’
19 Entertainment
Scotty McCreery has just two weeks to go until he releases his debut album, ‘Clear as Day,’ so you can hardly blame the reigning ‘American Idol’ champ if he’s excited to talk about it.
Taste of Country caught up with McCreery to do just that recently, and he shared the inside scoop on the stories behind the album’s 12 tracks, which he promises will give listeners an honest pictur
Jason Aldean Has Roughly ’20, 25 Songs’ in the Works for Next Album
Jason Aldean‘s latest album, the double-platinum ‘My Kinda Party,’ isn’t even a year old yet, but he isn’t wasting any time getting started on his next release. In fact, he’s planning on heading into the studio next month to start laying down tracks.
When Aldean’s crew convenes for the sessions for his fifth album, they’ll have no shortage of songs to choose from. In fact, it sounds like it’ll be
Toby Keith Weighs In on Taxes: ‘I Expect the Wealthy to Write a Check’
The fight over taxes and the public debt is never far from the headlines lately, and Toby Keith has never been shy about speaking his mind on political matters, so it’s only natural that he offered his thoughts about taxes when speaking with the Boston Herald.
What might be surprising — at least for folks who consider Keith just another red state-residing good ol’ boy — is the way he responded to
Trailer Choir’s ‘Big Vinny’ Hickerson Felt Like He’d ‘Won the Lottery’ When He Got Cast on ‘The Biggest Loser’
As a member of the country duo Trailer Choir, “Big Vinny” Hickerson has done things most people only dream of, including scoring a top 20 album and a top 40 single. And as evidenced by his nickname, as well as his vocals on Trailer Choir’s hit ‘Rockin’ the Beer Gut,’ he’s learned to use his ample girth as an asset.
A recent health scare made Hickerson see things differently, however — and now that
Suzy Bogguss Explores the ‘American Folk Songbook’ on Her New Album
It’s been awhile since Suzy Bogguss scored her last big hit, but she’s continued recording regularly throughout the ’90s and beyond, and, unlike a lot of artists who face diminishing returns on the sales front, she isn’t chasing trends.
In fact, with her latest album, ‘American Folk Songbook,’ Bogguss chose material that’s been around even longer than the charts.
Taylor Swift’s ‘Speak Now’ Has Now Sold 5 Million Copies
Even for one of the biggest stars in the music business, Taylor Swift is having a heck of a year, including a sold-out tour with a series of celebrity guests and a pair of new Guinness World Records.
But as Taylor discovered last weekend, in a surprise ceremony hosted by her label, she isn’t finished collecting accolades in 2011.
How Did Lady Antebellum Get Through Their ‘Really Hard’ Early Years?
Lady Antebellum struck platinum with their first album and they haven’t looked back, sending each of their first nine singles to the top 20 and selling more than five million albums in the U.S. since 2008. It’s a success story that plenty of bands would love to duplicate, to say the least.
But no matter how quickly they found their audience, or how tightly the trio might harmonize at the mic, thin
Lauren Alaina Asks Hunter Hayes to the Prom
Lauren Alaina and Scotty McCreery dashed the hopes of countless ‘McLaina’ fans recently when they debunked the persistent rumors that they were a couple. But even if they aren’t dating each other, that doesn’t mean the ‘American Idol’ alums can’t find love with other young songbirds.
In fact, Alaina has made no secret of the fact that she has eyes for rising country star Hunter Hayes — and as it t
Miranda Lambert Urges Young Songwriters to ‘Know Who You Are’ [VIDEO]
If you want to make a living as a songwriter, Nashville is unquestionably the best place to be — even after a decade of dwindling record sales, it’s still home to a thriving publishing industry, as well as some of the most seasoned tunesmiths in the business.
But that doesn’t mean a good song is necessarily easy to find. In fact, Miranda Lambert found the experience so frustrating that she ended u
Scotty McCreery Puts His Songs Through the ‘Mama Crying Test’
Your long wait is almost over, Scotty McCreery fans. The ‘American Idol’ winner’s first album, ‘Clear as Day,’ is just a couple of weeks away from release, and you’ll finally be able to hear the rest of what the ‘I Love You This Big’ singer has in store for you.
And if you don’t like it? Well, you can blame Scotty’s mom.
Tim McGraw and Faith Hill’s Australian Tour Won’t Lead to US Shows
The last time they toured together, Faith Hill and Tim McGraw shattered records, so when they announced they’d be teaming up again for a string of Australian dates next year, American promoters — and plenty of American fans — were hoping it’d be the prelude for a stateside sequel.
Better start saving up for those plane tickets now, though, because McGraw and Hill say their Australian shows will be
How Was Lady Antebellum’s Hillary Scott Inspired by ‘Sister Act 2?’
With millions of albums sold and a growing list of hits to their name, Lady Antebellum are one of the fastest-rising young acts in the music business. As they gear up to promote their just-released third album, ‘Own the Night,’ they’re on the verge of delivering one of the biggest sales successes of 2011.
And according to singer Hillary Scott, none of it might have happened if it wasn’t for Whoopi