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New Releases

Recent and Upcoming Releases:

Summer 2008
Montgomery Gentry - "Back When I Knew It All" - Single
Hear it exclusively here at WYCD.COM!

June 3, 2008
Richie McDonald - I Turn To You
Richie McDonald, the former lead singer of Lonestar, will release a Contemporary Christian album on June 3. I Turn to You was produced by Frank Myers and will be distributed by Lucid Entertainment. The project includes an acoustic version of "Hey God," which was previously recorded by Lonestar. "I've always wanted to do this kind of album. I just thought it was time," says McDonald. "I just feel like I'm doing music that really makes a difference. I'm doing what I'm supposed to be doing now and it feels right in my heart."

May 20, 2008
Keith Anderson - C'mon! (Columbia Nashville)
After scoring three hits from his debut from 2005, Keith Anderson finally releases his second disc. Anderson co-wrote 10 of the 11 tracks on the Jeffrey Steele-produced release, pairing with songwriters Tim Nichols, Rivers Rutherford, Chuck Cannon and David Lee Murphy. He chose to include a cover of "Crazy Over You," a hit by venerable country duo Foster & Lloyd and invited the two to join him in the studio for the recording of the track. "I Still Miss You" is the first single.

May 6, 2008
Dierks Bentley - TBD (Capitol Nashville)
Dierks Bentley's 10 Top 10 and 2 new tracks will be included in the package. But beyond that, it could be up to Bentley's fans, including the title of the collection. Visitors to www.dierks.com will be able to select their favorite live recordings, choose photos and name the album through the "DB Hits/Fan Project" program.

Def Leppard - Songs From The Sparkle Lounge
The new Def Leppard studio album dates as far back as late 2003 when the band originally had the idea to record two albums simultaneously through 2004. Releasing a covers album quietly in Spring 2004, followed later in the year/the following year by a new studio album. Plans changed but some new songs were written during that time individually. This diary traces the history (so far) of this upcoming studio album, the first for 6 years and a return to new music. Featuring a guest appearance by Tim McGraw.

April 29, 2008
Phil Stacey - Phil Stacey (Lyric Street)
American Idol season 6 finalist Phil Stacey releases his debut. The lead single "If You Didn't Love Me," written by Wendell Mobley, Jason Sellers and Rascal Flatts' Gary LeVox.

Martina McBride - Live In Concert (RCA)
Safe In The Arms Of Live: RCA's Martina McBride will release Live In Concert, her first live album with a bonus concert DVD, The eight-song disc includes her hits "Happy Girl," "Independence Day," "Concrete Angel" and "Anyway." The 20-performance DVD showcases classics "(I Never Promised You A) Rose Garden," "Over The Rainbow," and Pat Benatar's "Hit Me With Your Best Shot."

April 8, 2008
James Otto - Sunset Man (Warner)
James Otto finally returns with a new CD after his first disc was released about five years ago. The first single is "Just Got Started Lovin' You." John Rich of Big & Rich and Jay DeMarcus of Rascal Flatts produced.

Jypsi - TBD (Arista Nashville)
2008 Hoedown Artist, Jypsi, to release debut album, available digitally on April 8th.

April 1, 2008
Kathy Mattea - Coal (Captain Potato)
Kathy Mattea will release her 17th album, a collection of songs paying tribute to her West Virginian family heritage in the region's coal mining culture. Mattea's grandfathers were miners, and her mother worked for the union. The album features traditional and contemporary songs, many by songwriters with Appalachian roots. Songs by Jean Ritchie, Billy Edd Wheeler, Hazel Dickens, Si Kahn, Utah Phillips, Merle Travis and Darrell Scott are on the CD produced by Marty Stuart.

March 25, 2008
Ricky Skaggs - Honoring the Fathers of Bluegrass: Tribute to 1946 and 1947 (Skaggs Family)
Ricky Skaggs goes the tribute route by honoring the likes of Flatt & Scruggs, Chubby Wise and Howard Watts. The four were all part of Bill Monroe's Blue Grass Boys. Earl Scruggs plays on the disc along with Del McCoury.

Various Artists - Best Loved Bluegrass: 20 All-Time Favorites (Rebel)

March 11, 2008
Clint Black - The Long Cool EP (Equity)
Clint Black's first-ever Digital EP features Black's brand new single, "Long Cool Woman (In a Black Dress)." Other songs include "The Strong One" and Black's new duet with his wife Lisa Hartman Black, "You Still Get to Me." All of these songs will also be found on his next full-length studio release, in stores this summer. The iTunes version of the EP will feature an exclusive fourth bonus track: Harry Nilsson's hit "Everybody's Talkin'."

Joe Ely - Live Cactus (Rack 'Em)
Joe Ely goes the live route with his latest. Accordionist Joel Guzman played in the duo setting held at the Cactus Cafe in Austin on December 2006. Among the songs are "Up on the Ridge, "I'll Just Get to You," Where Is My Love," "Slow You Down," "Thousand Miles from Home" and "Letter to Laredo."

March 4, 2008
Alan Jackson - Good Time (Arista Nashville)

After releasing two chart-topping albums in 2006 (the inspirational collection, "Precious Memories," and "Like Red on a Rose"), "Good Time" returns the spotlight to Jackson as a songwriter, as well as a vocalist. For the first time, Jackson wrote every song on the new disc. "Small Town Southern Man" is the first single. Other songs include "Sissy's Song" - inspired by a friend who passed away, the nostalgic "1976," and the joys of being a "Country Boy." "Good Time" reunites Jackson with longtime producer Keith Stegall, who produced or co-produced all but one of Jackson's previous albums.

Carlene Carter - Stronger (Yep Roc)
Carlene Carter returns with her first disc in 13 years. She wrote all dozen songs with one of them being a co-write. Carter, daughter of June Carter Cash, describes the album as being about "love, loss, inspiration, faith."

Ashton Shepherd - Sounds So Good (MCA Nashville)
Ashton Shepherd, an Alabama native, makes her debut with this disc produced by Buddy Cannon. The first single is "Takin' Off This Pain." Shepherd recorded an independent disc when she was 15 to be able to sell at shows. After winning a talent contest almost two years ago in Alabama, Shepherd moved to Nashville a few months later.

Whiskeytown - Stranger's Almanac deluxe edition (Outpost/Geffen/Ume)
Whiskeytown's "Strangers Almanac" is reissued as a double-disc deluxe edition. This will include previously unreleased tracks plus several classic covers from the band fronted by Ryan Adams and also included Caitlin Cary and Phil Wandscher. The first disc includes the original album, produced by Jim Scott, plus five live public radio performances. Acoustic demo versions of "16 Days," "Avenues" and "Excuse Me While I Break My Own Heart" join seven previously unreleased Whiskeytown tracks, including "Kiss & Make-Up" and "10 Seconds." The band also tackles Fleetwood Mac's "Dreams," Gram Parsons' "Luxury Liner," Johnny Cash's "I Still Miss Someone" and the True Believers' "The Rain Won't Help You When It's Over."

February 26, 2008
Various Artists - Blue Collar Comedy: The Next Generation (Warner Jack)
Is the Blue Collar Comedy guys making way for the new kids? This album, hosted by Bill Engvall, features Reno Collier, Jamie Kaler, Juston McKinney and John Caparulo. Collier, a West Virginia native, spent most of 2007 opening for Larry the Cable Guy. Kaler has a a starring in the TBS series "My Boys." McKinney, a southern Maine native, has been on Jay Leno and has a Comedy Central special on March 14. Caparulo has been on Jimmy Kimmel Live and Comedy Central's Premium Blend. The CD/DVD was taped in November 2007 at the Comedy Festival at Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas.

Dolly Parton - Backwoods Barbie (Dolly Music)

Dolly goes her own way by releasing a new disc on her own label. This is Parton's first mainstream country music in 17 years and features the new single and video "Better Get To Livin'." She wrote nine of the songs on the disc.

February 19, 2008
Chris Cagle - My Life's Been a Country Song (Capitol Nashville)
Chris Cagle has enjoyed hits with "I Breathe In, I Breathe Out," "Laredo" and "Laredo." He will see if his first single, "What Kinda Gone" can duplicate that success. Scott Hendricks and Cable produced the 11-song disc, his fourth and first in 2 1/2 years.

February 12, 2008
Blue Highway - Through the Window of a Train (Rounder)
Bluegrass quintet Blue Highway releases their fifth CD.

February 5, 2008
Various Artists - How Great Thou Art: Gospel Favorites Live From The Grand Ole Opry (SonyBMG)
Alan Jackson, Brad Paisley, Vince Gill, Dierks Bentley and Carrie Underwood are among the artists who contribute their vocal skills. The songs were all recorded live at the Opry.

SHeDAISY - The Best of SHeDAISY (Lyric Street)
The Osborn sisters release a greatest its package of 12 songs. No new songs are in the release from the Utah trio. Songs include "Little Good-byes," "This Woman Needs," "I Will...But" and "God Bless the American Housewife."

January 29, 2008
Tim Hensley - Long Monday (Rural Rhythm/Blue Chair)
Tim Hensley releases his first album ever, an acoustic country offering. He currently is Kenny Chesney's acoustic rhythm guitarist. The Cincinnati native also has played with Patty Loveless and Ricky Skaggs. Vince Gill plays on the disc along with Rob Ickes, Adam Steffey and Ronnie Bowman. Buddy Cannon and Chesney co-produced the disc.

Willie Nelson - Moment of Forever (Lost Highway)
The ever prolific Willie Nelson goes yet another different route in his long career. Here he enlists Kenny Chesney and Buddy Cannon to co-produce. Cannon also produces Chesney. The set includes "Worry B Gone" (a duet with Chesney) and songs written by Big Kenny of Big & Rich, Kris Kristofferson, Bob Dylan, Randy Newman and Nelson

The Wrights - The Wrights (Alan Jackson Music)
This is the second disc from husband-and-wife duo Adam and Shannon Wright. Adam is the nephew of Alan Jackson. Like their relation, the Wrights focus on traditional country music. The new release contains eight songs. The EP is their first new music since their 2005 debut.

January 22, 2008
Chuck Wicks - Stealing Cinderella (RCA)
Newcomer Chuck Wicks releases his CD with the title track being his first single. He wrote the song with Rivers Rutherford and George Teren. Wicks, a Delaware native, was one of the cast members of the American reality/soap series "Nashville," which aired on Fox Networks for two episodes before being axed.

Laura Bryna - Trying to Be Me (Equity)
This marks the debut disc from Laura Bryna, who prepared for the release by going on tour as the opening act for label owner Clint Black. Bryna released "Make a Wish" as the single.

concerts

2008 WYCD HOEDOWN!
May 9th through 11th, 2008! Artists line-up, lodging, parking, and more! Stay tuned to Detroit's Best Country, 99.5 WYCD and WYCD.COM, your official WYCD Hoedown site, for all official details!