Since moving to Nashville late last year, I have learned one thing: Nashville is full of true talent.  It’s not just the songbirds who spit out twangy vocals, this town has musicians (some of the best in the world), engineers, publishers, and songwriters.  As a new feature to Tragic Kingdom in 2011, the Songwriter Spotlight will give songwriters a chance to get much needed, and well deserved, attention.  First up, is by far one of the most sincere storytellers in town, John Edwards. Born in the hills of Lenior, North Carolina, songwriter John Edwards was destined for success. At the age of three, his mother moved John and his brothers…

Well, it’s that time of year again.  Time to pack up a bag full of goodies and make the trek, along with the millions of others, to see the family.  This year I am headed to Montana for some holiday cheer and home cooked meals.  And if I know my Montana family, my holiday will consist of plenty of quality time with my three favorite wise men: Jim, Jack, and Jose.  While away, I will be preparing my list of top albums and singles from 2010 – get ready because this year was a doozy. I wish you all a very Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas! To put you in…

Although the biggest story here is probably that, besides being linked to Ryan Seacrest, Dancing With The Stars alum and country singer, Julianne Hough is making headlines across the music industry for her flatlining music career.  Early this week, Julianne released the video for her new single “Is That So Wrong” online.  In the summer the video appeared on CMT, but was later taken down after sources say the conservative folks at the music television network found it too “wrong” for their audiences.  The video showcases Hough strutting around her house doing what she does best: stripping, er uh, dancing… while removing articles of clothes, gyrating her hips, and spreading eagle…

Last night, Nashville showcased its charitable heart at the A Night For Hope event, which featured Kelly Clarkson, as well as Jill & Kate, Shane McNally, and more.  The event was organized to raise awareness for the Houses of Hope orphanages in Zimbabwe and South Africa.  It was at the event that Clarkson, debuted a new song, during her five song set.  “You Still Won’t Know”, the new track, was accompanied by her hits: “Behind These Hazel Eyes”, “My Life Would Suck Without You”, and “Walkaway”. Clarkson is beginning to prep the release of a new album, slated for Spring 2011, and will begin a promotional tour around the same…

Rumors have swirled that Taylor Swift has been spending time, and likely gathering material for her next record, with Jake Gyllenhaal.  The two have refused to comment about their relationship, but thanks to modern technology, a photo of the pair has surfaced of the duo picking up some delicious coffee drinks at the local Nashville coffee shop, Fido.  Sounds like coffee wasn’t the only thing warming Taylor up this Thanksgiving.

On the heels of a hit new album, My Kinda Party, Jason Aldean made a stop on Jimmy Kimmel Live to perform his number one single, the title track from the album, and his soon to be single, “Dirt Road Anthem”.  The appearance is one of many that Aldean will make on his promotional tour before he hits the road for a dynamic 32-city MY KINDA PARTY TOUR, which kicks off January 21 in Little Rock, Arkansas.

With the holiday season approaching, music labels are preparing their biggest releases to fill fan stockings and today brings a bunch of the most anticipated albums of the year.  And if you’ve relied solely on digital download for your only source of music, The Beatles catalog is available to you today on iTunes.  For the rest of us, he’s a quick glance at what else you might want to grab this holiday season. Albums Out Today: Rihanna – LoudLee DeWyze – Live It UpNorah Jones – …Featuring Norah JonesKid Rock – Born FreeNelly – 5.0P!nk – Greatest Hits…So Far!Rascal Flatts – Nothing Like ThisKeith Urban – Get CloserBruce Springsteen –…

It’s that time of year; the air is crisp, the leaves are crunchy, and the stores are filling up with holiday cheer. And, as it seems to every year, the holiday season is quickly approaching.  Today, my friends and neighbors from Denver (my home just 4 months ago) post about the cold, wintery weather that the Mile High City is facing, but for me this year might not be quite like the white Christmases I remember.  Nashville, while feeling cool and crisp, has yet to see any of those white flakes drop from the sky. But, just as I’ve almost completely forgotten about the winter days, sledding in my backyard…

On Wednesday night, we watched Jason Aldean stun audiences with his powerful vocal performance and on stage chemistry with global pop sensation Kelly Clarkson, when the duo took the stage at the 44th Annual CMA’s.  The Tragic Kingdom favorites performed the new single from Aldean’s latest album, My Kinda Party, entitled “Don’t You Wanna Stay”. Yesterday, Aldean’s label, Broken Bow Records, rushed the songs release and made the song available due to a flood of requests from radio stations across the country. “If there’s one thing I’ve learned in my years in the record business, it is always give radio what they want,” said SVP Promotion Carson James. “Our entire…

Last night, Nashville’s finest gathered for the Country Music Association Awards, or more widely known as the CMA’s.  The evening was jam packed with great performances, big wins, and huge stars.  The night, though, belonged to Miranda Lambert, who won four awards, including Top Female Vocalist.  And in a fitting surprise, Lambert’s fiancee, Blake Shelton took home Top Male honors, which Shelton said was “34 years in the making”.  The biggest award of the night went to Brad Paisley, who got emotional while accepting his Entertainer of the Year trophy. This year’s performances were incredible, but the my pick for the best of the night belonged to our featured artist,…