Johnnie Wright Passes Away; Stream Upcoming Merle Haggard Album; New Releases

Jesus, that Presley cat sure is prolific for a dead bloke.

Wow, an album releases list that actually contains a few new albums I’d be interested in owning! That early Buck album really intrigues me and the new Norah Jane Struthers fronted Bearfoot album as well (that received a rave review from Stormy over at Roughstock). I might have to give in and actually buy something! Crikey, mate!

Johnny Wright sure lived a long and interesting life. I received the email about his passing from Tracy Pitcox at the Heart of Texas label this morning and it was quite touching. Is “Ashes of Love” being sung again as a duet today somewhere? God only knows…

Modern country music (and mostly Sugarland) is prominently featured in the new CW TV show that premiered last night titled “The Hart of Dixie”. The plot line combines elements of the films “Doc Hollywood” and “Sweet Home Alabama” with Rachel Bilson as the lead character. The series has an overall sweet, romantic comedy feel to it as the ambitious, single New York surgeon Dr. Hart (Rachel B.) heads to a small Alabama town to work as a GP to learn how to interact with real people on an emotional level. Its the whole “fish out of water” scenario that takes advantage of all the culture shock angles. Its worth an online viewing, and especially for fans of Rachel from her days on “The O.C.”. I wonder if any of her old O.C. cast mates will make cameo appearances? Hmm…

Opry Alert! Tonight’s Opry will feature Brett Eldridge, Terri Clark, The Charlie Daniels Band, and sadly Rascal Flatts for the entire final half hour segment! Oh well. Grade B-.
Opry Schedule: http://www.opry.com/shows/ThisWeek.html

I wondered if that LeAnn Rimes album would ever really come out after the awful first single, “Swingin’” tanked.

I’ve gotta hear “16 Tons” just to experience LeAnn channelling Tennesse Ernie Ford. She seems to be going back to a bygone era of folk singers like the Carter Family and Woody Guthrie where men can sing lyrics portraying themselves as young girls and women can play the roles of men.

I got to see the Cactus Brothers live a few times in college, and they were a great live band. Their two albums were sadly underrated as well. RIP to Paul Kirby.

Another fan of the new Rimes album. Also, Will Hoge’s Number Seven might be the best release of the week.

Interesting how LeAnn Rimes and Curb can’t seem to come up with something that puts her back in the game. The classic covers album has been done over and over in recent years–often by artists who have passed their chart years and aren’t being given top material anymore. On just the female side it has been done very recently by Lorrie Morgan, Tanya Tucker and Roseanne Cash–and by Reba McEntire in a high profile album.

There doesn’t seem to be any demand for this Rimes project. They’ve been sending out singles for a at least a year already and radio ignored them and–as the link makes clear–the album has now gone straight to the remainder bin.

*”Footloose”