In the need for a fresh new country sound? The Alex Michael Band is an up-and-coming country rock band that you will definitely want to keep your eyes (and ears) on! This group of young musicians all met at Belmont University and have combined their talents to write and record some country tunes that will be sure to have you singing and stompin’ along. Their first single, Sold My Soul to Country, was recently aired on WMOX radio based out of Meridian, MS along with an interview with the band’s lead singer Alex Michael. The band’s songwriting duo, Alex Michael (lead vocals) and Thomas Hassell (drummer), have together written more than an album’s worth of songs and the band plans to start recording their first EP in late January, early February. They are all still in school so finding time to record and practice in between studying and doing their homework can sometimes be tricky, but they are all dedicated musicians and their dedication and talent really show through on all of their songs. Want to hear them for yourself and see what all the hype is about? You can check them out on Facebook at: www.Facebook.com/alexmichaelband and also follow them on twitter: @AlexMichaelBand (www.twitter.com/alexmichaelband). The band also consistently Vlogs pretty much everything that they do so that fans can get a behind the scenes look at what goes on in the studio and what it’s like to be a part of the band. You can find all the Vlogs on their YouTube page: http://www.youtube.com/alexmichaelband. Be sure to give them your feedback on their Facebook page, twitter or the comments section of their YouTube page! They would love to hear from you and who knows, you could be influencing tomorrow's country music stars!

 
 
First of all I hope everyone's 2012 is a great year filled with the things you love.  For me that means a lot of bones, bushes, food left unattended and maybe a bitch or two.  My resolution is to lay around more, if that's possible?
 
So what do you think we can look for in 2012 in country music?  Here's my predictions:

• Digital downloads will continue to grow, whether legal or not, while sales of cd's declines.
• Taylor Swift will be a media darling.
• Brad Paisley will play tricks on whoever his tour mates are.
• Carrie Underwood will be a class act.
• Miranda Lambert and Blake Shelton will still be country music's reigning couple as long as they continue to act more "country" than Tim McGraw and Faith Hill.
• Luke Bryan will talk very southern.
• Jason Aldean will be cool.
• The CMA Music Festival will rock, in a country kind of way.
• Country music radio will play the same 20-30 songs everyday based on what the listener research shows.
• Music Row won't figure out the whole digital age thing.
• Mindy McCreary will make news that has nothing to do with country music.
• Lady Gaga will make a country music record, maybe a duet with Toby Keith.

That's just a short list and yes you get the point, not a lot will change with country music because the industry isn't likely to change much unless their revenue significantly changes for the worse.  No gamblers here.
 
 

What’s your take on the CMA Award Nominations?  Here's mine: 

• Jason Aldean’s become a great entertainer, or hired a better publicist.
• Brad Paisley’s staying power is pretty strong. He could be the next Little Jimmie.
• I like Blake Shelton a lot and think he deserves all his nominations, but that “Honey Bee’ song sounds so cornball to me. You?
• Taylor Swift has a mean streak going herself on these nominations and awards.
• Why do you not put “The” in front of Zac Brown Band?
• Why do they call it “Musical Event of the Year”? It’s really like best guest duo or something like that.
• You gotta kind of pull for that Band Perry don’t you? They’re so cute.
• My tail’s waggin that Sara Evans has a nomination for Single of the Year
• Zac Brown’s You Get What You Give is up for Album of the Year. It doesn’t look to me like they gave much for that album cover though?
• Anything Loretta Lynn’s nominated for, I’m pulling for that one. 
• And let’s repeat the nominees for Musician of the Year because I love them musicians and you’ll never find a more concentrated group of excellent musicians than in Nashville, Tennessee. Nominees are: Sam Bush for Mandolin, Jerry Douglas for Dobro, Paul Franklin for Steel Guitar, Dann Huff for Guitar, and Mac McAnally for Guitar!

Since I turned 5-years-old today I've become a much more inquisitive hound.  There's certain things I just can't sniff out with my nose that I wonder about:

• Why do they hold the CMA Music Festival so early in the summer?  There's this huge frenzy of activity in Nashville and then it dies down to nothing.  All that's left are the dog days now I guess.
• Aren't you glad Shania Twain's making a comeback?  I hope that Asian looking guy will still play fiddle for her.  He was good.  And as for that Mutt former husband of hers, he's a dirty dog in my book.
• On the topic of Shania, can you believe some people thought when she fell and busted her you-know-what on the CMT Music Awards that it was a publicity stunt to get her on the web more and bring attention to her Vegas gig.  Really?  I'm just a dog and I find that hard to believe.  Maybe it was a stunt double?
• Hasn't Trace Adkins taken his home burning in stride?  Heck, he went on his fishing trip to Alaska.  They did have another home nearby.  Thankfully none of his family was hurt.  How'd you like to be the person to tell Mr. Adkins the faulty power strip that caused it was built by you? 
• What is the deal with Scotty McCreery?  Didn't he used to be on the cover of Mad Magazine?  Personally I like Lauren Alaina.  Anybody with two names is southern.  Aand the waay shee taalks is soo southerrn tooo!
• While things have died down in Nashville for a while, outside of Tracey Morgan dropping in to drop a few gay jokes, there's plenty going on around the country in country.  George Strait and Alan Jackson have new singles, Trace Adkins has one; Brad Paisley and Kenny Chesney have started new tours with Rascal Flatts cranking up soon.  Heck, they're all touring this summer I guess, that's when you do it.  Maybe I should go on tour. 
• So what are you country music fans up to this summer?

   

• Sugarland – country or pop?
• Kid Rock – hmmm, the name implies another genre of music but he sure is at home in Music City.
• Lady Antebellum – Do they need country radio now?
• Uncle Kracker – The guy who got his start spinning for Kid Rock is recording in Nashville now?
• Taylor Swift – What format is she speaking now?
• Carrie Underwood – Was country music just a “temporary home” for her? She didn’t even marry an American?
• Keith Urban – I love those guitar licks, but does he look good in that country format?
• Reba – Covering Beyonce? 

• Loretta Lynn & Conway Twitty
• Tammy Wynette & George Jones
• Lorrie Morgan & Keith Whitley
• Dolly Parton and Porter Waggoner
• June Carter & Johnny Cash
• Faith Hill & Tim McGraw
• Trisha Yearwood & Garth Brooks