Welcome to Country Music News Blog!

Since everyone else reports on the same handful of country stars, I thought I’d introduce y’all to some newer faces in country music!

Of course the country music industry is all abuzz with the recent 2008 CMA Nominees announcements, and everyone is hemming and hawing over acts like Sugarland, Brad Paisley, Taylor Swift, and George Strait. I mean, It’s big news, with household names and those names grab readers. But I want to take a moment to introduce you to (or remind you of) some names you’ll hear plenty of in the coming year!

First on my roster is young crooner Mindy Smith. Mindy is currently working on a followup album to her debut “One Moment More“. Mindy’s voice is clear and strong and her heart spills out into the songs that she both writes and performs. While Mindy’s not a household name yet, with the help of country music legend Dolly Parton, I’m sure it won’t take long. Not long ago Mindy Smith had the honor of performing Dolly’s classic “Jolene” on the “Just because I’m a Woman” tribute album. Dolly’s reaction: “Even though Mindy is still young and new to the music business, I believe she will leave her mark as one of our greatest writers and singers ever,” says Dolly Parton, “‘Jolene’ has been done many times by many artists,including me, but Mindy’s version is my favorite. I wish her all the best.”

Next in the rockin country rollcall is an unexpected duo from Tennessee. Joey and Rory surprised judges along with the rest of America when they appeared on CMT’s Can You Duet with their solid sound and old-country charm. But what won the world over to Joey and Rory is the only thing more universal than music. Love. Their obvious affection and endearment for each other was something cameras gravitated towards, taking the viewers along for the ride. It almost makes this video for “Cheater, cheater” seem like a playful joke! I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, look out Tim and Faith, cause these guys are authentic!

Something you’ll find with both of these artists is that the next wave of rising country stars seems to have a nostalgic tone. We’re finding more reliance on voice and instruments and less on studio-produced pop sound. My opinion is that it’s about time!

The 2008 ACM Awards are done and we’ve got your winners right here!

Winners of the 2008 Academy of Country Music awards got to party it up Vegas style as they celebrated another year of milestones and fan appreciation. Reba McEntire hosted the festivities and as always, the winners were gracious, and excited.

“A singer is nothing without inspiration. I thank my wonderful wife, Kim, who is not here tonight. I probably ought to thank my son for the first time for inspiration. I am so honored to carry the torch another year, and thank God for all the blessings in my life.”-Brad Paisley

“There are so many people who deserve to be thanked for this, but I am going to thank one. And that’s a person that used to love to go to lunch with her friends and cook dinner for her family and sleep in her bed every night. She gave that all away and left that all behind to go on the road with her 16-year-old daughter. … And then she was sleeping in rental cars and in airplanes and rental cars with her mouth wide open because she was so tired. And so Mom, thank you so much! I love you! This is for you!” - Taylor Swift

“It means so much to me that you guys really relate to this song and that you accept it. Thank you so much to my partner Kristian Bush and to Gail Gelman [manager] for believing in this song before anybody did. Thank you to Luke Lewis and your whole staff at Mercury to have big ones enough, that when we came to you and said, ‘Hey, let’s put a song without drums on the radio,’ you said, ‘Sure!’” Jennifer Nettles of Sugarland

Album of the Year: Crazy Ex-Girlfriend Miranda Lambert
Entertainer of the year: Kenny Chesney
Single of the Year: “Stay,” Sugarland
Song of the Year: “Stay,” Sugarland (Jennifer Nettles, composer)
Top Female Vocalist: Carrie Underwood
Top Male Vocalist: Brad Paisley
Top New Duo or Vocal Group: Lady Antebellum
Top New Male Vocalist: Jack Ingram
Top new New Female Vocalist: Taylor Swift
Top Vocal Duo: Brooks & Dunn
Top Vocal Group: Rascal Flatts
Video of the Year: “Online,” Brad Paisley (Jason Alexander, director)
Vocal Event of the Year: “Find Out Who Your Friends Are,” Tracy Lawrence with Tim McGraw and Kenny Chesney
For a full recap of all the winners presented on and offstage, visit the ACM’s official website.