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Trace Adkins is Keepin’ it Country:
Category Archives: new artist
Exclusive Interview: Introducing Tiffany Houghton
I recently had the opportunity to sit down with country up and comer, Tiffany Houghton, while she was visiting New York. Upon meeting the Texan talent, she apologized profusely for her “messy” hotel room and excitedly told me about her adventures in the big apple.
Although she may be only nineteen, and technically, a Nashville newbie, Tiffany Houghton has always been driven by her love for music. When I asked Tiffany how she got into performing, without skipping a beat, she responded “Oh, I was born. I’ve always loved music. They say that I could sing before I could talk. I’ve always loved to perform,” She tells us. “I’d get on our kitchen counter and sing to the family. But I really got professionally into music when I was 10 and moved to NY, and did some Broadway and musicals and some acting.”
Interview: Doreen Taylor
When we first discovered Doreen Taylor and started to learn about her, we asked ourselves “Is there anything this girl can’t do?!” Then, after a bit more research and some one-on-one chats with Doreen, we received our answer: “NO!” While we would love to tell you that Doreen is a jack of all trades, we won’t go there (you will see why below!). Instead, we will introduce Doreen as a singer, songwriter, and actress with a magical musical past, an impressive academic background, and an incredibly bright future.
Without further ado, we present to you the amazing and talented Doreen Taylor!
EXCLUSIVE: Interview with Cherie Oakley
Did you watch the first season of “The Voice”? Have you ever heard the Reba McEntire #1 hit song “Turn On the Radio”? Were you tuned in when Kelly Clarkson and Vince Gill debuted their new song, “Don’t Rush,” on the 46th Annual CMA Awards? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, our latest interviewee should be no stranger to you!
She’s a little bit of Pop, a little bit of Country, and a whole lot of talent…Her name is Cherie Oakley and we were lucky enough to sit down with her and talk about songwriting, song recording, song performing, and some of the incredible artist encounters she has experienced in her musical career so far!
New Artist Spotlight: JJ Lawhorn
What would you have done to see the early days of Eric Church, Justin Moore, or even Gary Allan‘s careers? Country music fans who played their cards right were able to see one of the new underrated talents on the Blake Shelton Cruise last week with JJ Lawhorn. The 19-year old signed to Average Joe’s Entertainment in 2011 and he’s your good ol’ Southern boy – who isn’t afraid to make sure everyone knows it, too. The singer, who was raised on a family farm, stole the spotlight in one of the many atrium shows on the NCL Pearl last week.
JJ might not be a name that country fans are familiar with yet, but they soon will be. He’s hitting the road with Colt Ford on the “Answer To No One Tour,” and with his gritty songwriting style and rocking vocals he’ll soon be taking over radio. Fans who are looking for someone along the lines of Brantley Gilbert, Justin Moore, or even Eric Church should keep their eyes peeled to this newcomer.
We had the chance to get to know JJ during the Blake Shelton Cruise, and as the week went on, word about his performance had spread to the passengers. His final show was a packed one- with two levels of the atrium watching the young singer with the rock-styled vocals. His influences on his writing are obvious: he calls Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard, and Waylon Jennings his influences in his official bio. JJ is a rebel, one of the new branches of Nashville that’s finally getting the spotlight thanks to the success of Brantley, Eric, and Gary.
Kelleigh Bannen Visits The Academy of Country Music
EMI Records Nashville recording artist Kelleigh Bannon took Los Angeles by storm this week, paying a special visit to The Academy of Country Music. During her visit, she performed her single “Sorry On The Rocks.” Additionally, she signed up for her professional ACM membership, which is complimentary from the Academy in support of emerging artists.
(Photo L-R: Bob Romeo, ACM CEO; Kelleigh Bannen; Tiffany Moon, ACM Executive Vice President/Managing Director)
Suzi Oravec’s “Let Our Love Burn” Airs on The Real World: St. Thomas
Pop/Country singer Suzi Oravec has a reason to be excited tonight. Her song, “Let Our Love Burn,” is airing tonight on MTV’s “The Real World: St. Thomas at 10pm eastern. Suzi and MTV have joined together to give fans a free download of the song between August 1st-7th. Last year, Oravec released her debut album entitled “Love and Lies” and penned all ten tracks herself. Don’t forget to download “Let Our Love Burn” at MTV.com.
Pretty Little Liar Turned Country Artist
Lucy Hale, best known for her role as Aria Montgomery, eclectic teenage stalkee who dates her older and nerdier high school teacher on ABC Family’s “Pretty Little Liars,” is ready to venture out from in front of the lens and spend some time in the recording studio.
Hale, a Memphis native and “American Juniors” winner (yes, we just took you back to 2003, when Deborah Gibson made her “comeback” and the Thompson sisters from Season One of “The Voice” were cute little teeny-bopping kiddos) recently signed a recording deal with Hollywood Records and hopes to revisit her country music roots. Hale cites her influences as Shania Twain, Faith Hill, and Britney Spears. One of these things is not like the other, huh? Well, Hale explains that she grew up listening to Twain and Hill, but Spears lit a fire in Hale to pursue a musical career.
Hale is scheduled to hit the recording studio later this year with a single and album due out in 2013. Best of luck to Lucy Hale as she enters into the country music community! Something tells us she will be widely accepted by musicians and fans alike.
Saddle up, Lucy! –A
Angel Mary & the Tennessee Werewolves Deliver Howling Debut at the 2012 CMA Music Festival
They may not be a household name yet, but country rebels Angel Mary & the Tennessee Werewolves made their big debut at CMA Fest this year. They spent most of their time signing autographs and meetings fans at the Kentucky HeadHunters booth.
The band is certainly a family, made up of Angel Mary, and Christian and Antoine Wolf, who have only been officially a band on a mission since 2011. They have worked with Grammy-Award winning producer, Doug Phelps, who serves as both their mentor and a duet partner on their debut EP.
For Angel Mary, whose first single “Cowboy” is sure to create some buzz, appearing at CMA Fest was a dream come true. “We were so grateful to be a part of CMA Fest, said Angel. “Meeting fans is the best part of what we do and we owe everything to them!”
For more information on Angel Mary & the Tennessee Werewolves, visit www.AngelMary.net.
Erica Nicole to Perform at CMA Fest
Fresh off her Best New Country Artist win at the New Music Awards, Erica Nicole will be performing at the CMA Fest as the Martin Guitar Stage, located between 3rd and 4th in Downtown Broadway, on Saturday, June 9th at 4 PM.
Her current single, “What You Think About Us,” has received an impressive response at radio stations and is on the rise on the New Music Weekly and Music Row charts The song is available on Spins Tracking System www.spinstrackingsystem.com and AirplayAccess at www.airplayaccess.com to radio programmers worldwide.
Fans can keep up with Erica and chat with her via her Twitter: @ENMusic.
Tiffany Houghton Self-Titled Debut EP Available Today
She may have just graduated high school, but country newcomer Tiffany Houghton didn’t throw your typical graduation party. Instead, she packed a show at the House of Blues Dallas and released her self-titled debut EP. With a small group of friends and family in tow, Tiffany toasted to her album release in Nashville at the Crowd Surf Offices. The group toasted with homemade “Crownies” (chocolate chip cookies with a brownie inside) and Tiffany Blue punch.
Tiffany’s EP features her current single, “Only One,” which is an upbeat break-up anthem. Know for her captivating and sweet voice, Tiffany uses the tracks of her EP to tell true stories of country music. Additionally, she wrote and produced all of the tracks on her new release.
Tiffany will be soaking in the CMA Fest excitement and has teamed with Roughstock.com for a contest where a fan can win dinner with Tiffany and 3 of their friends. Additionally, she will also be appearing at the BBQ Beach Meet & Greet on 6/9 and 6/10 from 3:00-4:00 PM and stopping by the Martin Guitars tent located on Broadway on 6/9 at 12:00 noon.
For additional information on Tiffany Houghton, please visit www.tiffanyhoughton.com.
