has been consistently playing shows around the country after relocating to Portland, OR including an opening on a national tour for Albert Hammond Jr. They are now being represented by the management duo of Bryna Gootkind (Melissa Ferrick, Port O'Brien) and Ryan Gentles (The Strokes, Albert Hammond Jr.). The band began in Boston in 2006. They were longtime friends and had played around Boston in various configurations for years, but when they gathered in Dec '08 to record some new songs of Michael's, there were no grand plans to see through or deadlines to meet. They had an engineer friend and a couple hundred bucks and some notions about maybe making some back-to-basics rock 'n roll. As Michael puts it, "these day, the only way forward i...  (less)

his new album of guitar duets "in a car on the way back from a trip," he says. "I was thinking about all these guys that had influenced me and that some of them weren't going to be around forever. I was thinking about records like Mark O'Connor's record of fiddle heroes and Jerry Douglas's record with all the Dobro players. And I got this idea of recording with these guys that were my heroes and also good buddies and advice-givers--people that have helped me in my career as a player. I felt like it was something I could do, and I felt honored to be in a position to be able to call everybody up and ask if they wanted to record." Sutton is one of the most high-profile acoustic guitarists in bluegrass and country music these days, a first-call Nashville sess...  (less)

city. A long--but never boring–-set, it features both veterans and newcomers mixing obscurities with traditional standards, including cool covers of two Gene Autry chart toppers and Ron Stewart's George Jones-ish take on "Silver Bells." It's the newcomers who make the most memorable contributions, including the sweet Emmylou Harris-meets-the-Andrews Sisters vocals of the Shankman Twins and the primal hillbilly fire of Open Road, who deliver a "Blue Christmas" that's about as faithful to Elvis's version as the King's "Blue Moon of Kentucky" was to Bill Monroe. Though recorded in 2002, this'll make you feel like you're spending Christmas at the Ryman Auditorium in the '50s or even by a fire in the Appalachian Mountains today. O Christmas Tree ...  (less)

MA (J. even plays on the record a bit). Plus, the new record features an amazing and sweetly torching version of Sade's "By Your Side." Really.  (less)

Enter Field Mob and their third album, Light Poles and Pine Trees. The pioneers of the country boy movement waste no time delivering lyrics destined to switch up the game. Respect ‘em because you can’t check ‘em. Painting vivid pictures powered by their colorful, down-home perspective, Field Mob’s rhymes stand out. That’s what Ludacris thought when he signed them to his Disturbing Tha Peace/Geffen Records imprint. Being an artist first, and arguably one of the greatest rappers of all time, Ludacris saw untapped potential. DTP is a whole ‘nother chapter in Field Mob’s career. After bad deals and botched promotion, Smoke (Darion Crawford) and Shawn Jay (Shawn Johnson) are finally getting the look they deserve. After all, the Albany, Georg...  (less)

his talents and affection for country-tinged rock blues (think acoustic Led Zeppelin, Paul Mc Cartney, and Willie Nelson hashing it out in a Brooklyn tenement), creating a broad canvas for his tales of love lost and found. Recorded in Jeremy's apartment with help from his friends, 'High Uinta High' features a revolving cast of guests that include his fellow band mates in Jets To Brazil, J Majesty, Nick Macri (Euphone), Theo Kogan (Lunachicks), John Herguth (The Love Scene), and Chris Traynor (Helmet, Orange 9mm). Jade Tree Records.  (less)

Enter Field Mob and their third album, Light Poles and Pine Trees. The pioneers of the country boy movement waste no time delivering lyrics destined to switch up the game. Respect ‘em because you can’t check ‘em. Painting vivid pictures powered by their colorful, down-home perspective, Field Mob’s rhymes stand out. That’s what Ludacris thought when he signed them to his Disturbing Tha Peace/Geffen Records imprint. Being an artist first, and arguably one of the greatest rappers of all time, Ludacris saw untapped potential. DTP is a whole ‘nother chapter in Field Mob’s career. After bad deals and botched promotion, Smoke (Darion Crawford) and Shawn Jay (Shawn Johnson) are finally getting the look they deserve. After all, the Albany, Georg...  (less)

Home For Christmas and the new, Thankful. Featuring duets with Country’s Faith Hill and R&B’s Brian McKnight, and inspirational music’s master choir, the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and produced by the illustrious David Foster the album’s wide appeal promises that a timeless Christmas music classic will be beneath the tree this year. Josh Groban Photo Josh Groban Merchandise More from Josh Groban Awake Closer Closer-Limited Edition Josh Groban in Concert Josh Groban Josh Groban Live at The Greek  (less)

become a No. 1 pop and country hit in 1960. Robbins was arguably the most surefooted and accomplished singer in all country music, and that was never more obvious than on these Western ballads performed to often breathtaking perfection with a very small group and a vocal trio. Other titles include "Big Iron" (also a Top 30 hit), "Running Gun," and Western classics like "Cool Water," "Billy the Kid," and "The Strawberry Roan." Three extra tracks flesh out the 1999 release, including "Saddle Tramp" (the B-side of "Big Iron") and "The Hanging Tree" (title song from the 1959 Gary Cooper Western). --Colin Escott  (less)

a holiday dinner. Seattle-based Johnny Bregar delivers an acoustic rendition of the time-honored "Santa Claus is Coming to Town," recorded especially for this album. Sleigh bells jingle in singer-songwriter Martin Sexton's stripped down version of "Holly Jolly Christmas." Incorporating quirky vocals with a jazzy flare, California-based Big Bad Voodoo Daddy adds its signature retro-swing style to the Louis Armstrong hit "Is Zat You Santa Claus?," bringing to mind images of Santa stealthily delivering presents to an eager household. And Leon Redbone's heartwarming interpretation of the holiday standard "Let It Snow" will keep you cozy on the coldest of Christmas nights. A Family Christmas also features classic songs by country music star Dean...  (less)

featured here they scored six Top 40 hits from 76- 79, four of them Top 10. Their beautifully produced repertoire blended elegantly crafted pop, rock-oriented singersongwriter sensibilities and country-rock inflections. Their career as a duo started in 1970 at A&M, but it was their mid- 70s signing to Big Tree/Atlantic that defined their legacy. This essential single-disc collection features all the hits and favorites from that era, including Nights Are Forever Without You, Gone Too Far, We'll Never Have To Say Goodbye Again, and a stirring cover of Todd Rundgren s Love Is The Answer.  (less)

and emotionally powerful songwriting. However, many of the best creations here--the driver's-licenseless drunk in "Passenger Side," the bar-band celebration of riverboat gambling on "Casino Queen"--sport an unprecedented sense of humor and are unexpectedly catchy, too. Best of all might be "It's Just That Simple," in which Tweedy turns the mic over to the high and mournful singing of bassist John Stirratt. --David Cantwell  (less)