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The Harder The Life, The Sweeter The Song
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…
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The Best Of 2010
As I prepare to celebrate another year’s end, I can’t help but reminisce about the whirlwind year that has passed by so quickly. If 2010 brought one thing, it was great music. Some of the best albums of the new millennium’s decade popped up in its last year and I was there salivating over each and every note. This year also granted me access to some new discovery, as I traveled to music festivals across the country, including South By Southwest and The UMS, discovering bright new gems to add to my ever growing playlist. And finally, my year ended with a move east to the “Crazy Town”: Nashville, Tennessee.…
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The Songs of 2010
While 2010 was filled with so many great songs, we’ve narrowed down the top 25 that kept us moving and grooving all year long. I know that there are many opinions and choices and these are just mine, so please feel free to share yours on Twitter or Facebook. Top 25 Songs of 2010:25. Paramore – “The Only Exception”24. Flobots – “Infatuation”23. Sara Bareilles – “King of Anything”22. Ke$ha – “Tik Tok”21. Neon Trees – “1983”20. Lady Gaga – “Telephone (Feat. Beyonce)”19. Taio Cruz – “Dynamite”18. Rihanna – “Rude Boy”17. Matt Morris – “Live Forever”16. Andrea Ball – “Dial Tone”15. Jason Aldean – “My Kinda Party”14. Black Eyed Peas – “I Gotta Feelin'”13. Katy…
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Happy Holidays!
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…
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Shop: Parnassus Books
Am I the only who pictures something dusty and overcrowded with old, worn out books when I think of a local bookstore?! Well, you won’t find that at Parnassus Books, located in Nashville’s Green Hills area. I was shopping for last minute holiday gifts when I stopped by this well-groomed shop with my friend. Well… maybe not stopped by so much as was dragged because let’s be real, reading gets in the way of my trashy, reality tv watching and I just can’t squeeze it in. However, on the occasion that I do find myself hankering to pick up a book and flip through it (usually looking for the pictures), I could…
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Julianne Hough Makes The News
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…
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A Night of Hope for Kelly Clarkson
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…
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Hollywood Is Dead: 30 Million Followers Mourn
We live in a world where we can connect with so many of our favorite young stars thanks to the teams at Facebook and Twitter. And most of you probably follow them on a daily basis, but tomorrow they will all be dead in an effort to save lives. Alicia Keys, Justin Timberlake, Jennifer Hudson, Lady Gaga, Kim Kardashian, Usher, Ryan Seacrest, and so many more will be silenced until $1,000,000 is raised towards the fight against HIV/AIDS. Buy your favorite celeb’s life back by texting their name to ‘90999’ and join the fight. This campaign is seriously something masterful, check out the video below to see more on how…
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Love & Other Drinks
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.
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Jason Aldean: On The Road
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.
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Available Now
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 –…
