spent more weeks at #1 than any other Country album this year: 24 weeks! Taylor is the only Country female artist to have five Top 10 singles from a debut album and the only Country female vocalist this decade to reach the Top 5 on Billboard's Hot 100 Chart. Needless to say, she's a sensation that has only just begun to show what she is capable of. 13 tracks including the single 'Love Story' and 'Change', first heard during the 2008 Summer Olympics. --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.  (less)

thus far: the album Everything You Want sold over 1.5 million copies with the title song hitting #1 on Billboard's Hot 100 and Adult Top 40 charts. The song was the most played song of 2000. Their other successes at radio include 'You're A God' (#4 on Billboard's Adult Chart) and 'Best I Ever Had (Grey Sky Morning)', which in 2005, became a Top 20 country hit for Gary Allen.  (less)

one/two punch/kiss combo that sets the band's wide parameters: The fiercely rocking road tale "51 Pieces" followed by a sweet taste of the Texas Hill Country springtime on "Bluebonnets," whose sparse and lovely arrangement features harmonium by Joe Hardy (the star recording engineer who mixed the album) and dobro by noted musician and producer Lloyd Maines (also the father of Dixie Chick Natalie Maines). And then it only gets better. Marking the band's 15th year together, Happiness and All The Other Things follows on the heels of Mission California, which hit #6 on Billboard's Top Country Albums chart and #30 on the Top 100 week of release. The band has sold over one million albums and plays over 250 shows annually, rocking an estimated half a m...  (less)

before he was born, he ran away from home when he was 14, and finally made it to Music City in 1956 at age 24, just as the Nashville Sound was taking hold with its strings and choruses. Which, of course, was 100% opposite from the kind of hardcore, honky tonk country that Stonewall played, but he stuck to his guns, and had a bunch of hits nonetheless, which is a real testament to how good this guy was. You’ll find the top two dozen here, together with a revealing essay by Colin Escott containing quotes from the man himself. A proud Collectors’ Choice Music exclusive!  (less)

1.5 million plays on their myspace player and both their 'themata' album and 'persona' ep remaining in the top 20 independent charts for close to 4 years, karnivool is one of australia's biggest bands and 'sound awake' is by far the most anticipated australian rock album of 2009! Over the past 4 years perth's karnivool have single-handedly set a new benchmark for heavy rock in this country and others for years to come. Simply put, 'sound awake' is a kaleidoscopic, multi-dimensional masterpiece. It's a record that's going to blow people away.  (less)

as not only as a country music star but as a successful songwriter and actor. In Billy's two decades long career he has achieved: • 3 #1 singles and 6 Top 10 singles in addition to the platinum and gold albums • 2 AMA awards, 1 CMA award • 6 TNN/Music City News awards • 2 MovieGuide Awards (for "Doc") • He STILL holds the record for 17 weeks at #1 on Billboard’s Hot 100 Chart for "Some Gave All" (the longest time this was held by a debut artist). • Has been recognized by the Kennedy Center Honors • Received the Bob Hope Congressional Medal of Honor Society Entertainer’s Award • Country Radio Broadcaster’s Artist Humanitarian Award • Been inducted into the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Hall of Fame As an a...  (less)

career--accord him a respect that few other major labels show to past country greats who once enhanced their profits. That's why the 87-year-old Arnold's return to the studio for album #100 is nothing less than courageous. His producer, legendary Nashville eccentric Cowboy Jack Clement, combines low-key acoustic accompaniment with vintage material, including a remake of Arnold's 1956 hit "You Don't Know Me" and Roger Miller's "King of the Road." While Arnold imparts class, dignity, and youthful spirit to every tune, even this vocal master isn't exempt from aging's inevitable toll on every human voice. Hearing him valiantly struggle to achieve what once seemed effortless is profoundly moving and occasionally painful. Nonetheless, his magni...  (less)

about. Attempting to support his family via burglary and armed robbery resulted in a term at the notorious San Quentin jail from 1957 to 1960. A performance by Johnny Cash at the jail renewed Haggard s determination to make it in country music. He went on to have 24 No.1 hits with Capitol Records, and that continued into the 90s after stays with Epic, Mercury and Curb. He has enjoyed over 100 entries on Billboard s Top Country Singles. Merle Haggard is captured live on the famous US TV series Church Street Station. Live! features 7 of Haggard's Billboard country chart No.1s and was recorded during a return to popularity of Western Swing. On Live!, Merle performs terrific versions of Bob Wills classics like Take Me Back To Tulsa, San Antonio Rose and ...  (less)

100 singles chart. Their style of close, two-part harmonies made them early rock superstars and strongly influenced other rock groups of the era. The Everly Brothers are one of the few acts to be inducted into both the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Country Music Hall of Fame.  (less)