CountryChart #1 for Country Music Charts

Sam Hunt steamrolls his way past Luke Bryan to retake the iTunes Country Albums chart today, March 19, 2015. Hunt's smash October 2014 release "Montevallo" has continued to keep momentum even though Luke Bryan's album was released only ten days ago on March 10, 2015. The Zac Brown Band continues its run of good fortune with its soon to be released (April) "Jeckyll + Hyde" project, and the single "Homegrown" from the band is only second to Sam "The Steamroller" Hunt's Number 1 "Take Your Time." Sam Hunt retakes #1 Country Album and Single. In other daily album chart news, Florida Georgia Line continues at Number 4 - holding steady from yesterday's Number Four finish on the Daily Country Chart followed by Eric Church's "The Outsiders," Jason Aldean with "Old Boots, New Dirt" and Darius Rucker's forthcoming "Southern Style (Deluxe)" which seems to be a lock for a Country Chart N...

Singer-songwriters like Houston-native Darrell Goldman face long odds and daunting obstacles - especially when crafting and perfecting a body of songs that make up a debut album. However, Darrell Goldman manages to pull it all together with just the right elements on his first project " The Bed I've Made ." And this album is a cozy cup of country goodness that would make anyone yearn for an extra hour in their day to spend with this winning album. The music begins with the superbly-performed "Hold On My Heart," which offers heartfelt lyrics and a confident, laid-back style that works. The next track "In This Together" is a refreshingly folksy cut that is aided by thought-provoking lyrics. The constant refrain "we're in this together" is sung with a warmth that is rare among country music performers. Darrell Goldman's debut album is titled "The Bed I've Made" "Lookin' For Love" is a classic countr...

Life isn't fair. That's what competing female country singers must think when they see and hear Shelly Rann perform for the first time. The talented singer-songwriter has a pure country voice that other singers can only dream about, and she puts her talent on full display with the new album "Afterwords." The first cut "Lotta Love" is both sultry and smooth and showcases Rann's amazing voice. However, the title track "Afterwords" is even better, and the ballad is a beautiful representation of contemporary country music that can be enjoyed by hardcore country fans and mainstream audiences as well. The upbeat "I'm All Over That" may be Rann's best chance for country radio chart hit, and the melodic chorus is both memorable and hummable. By far the best song on the album is the pleading "Unloved," which offers an authentic vocal performance by Shelly Rann and is later revisited at the end of the album. The traditi...

It's time again for the Academy Of Country Music Awards, and Country Chart Magazine will be live blogging throughout the night at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada on CountryChart.com. 7:05 pm (Central Standard Time): Luke Bryan and Blake Shelton are doing an able job calling out to fine folks like Kelly Clarkson, the Duck Dynasty cast and Carrie Underwood. 7:09 pm: Kenny Chesney has a wild flag-waving performance of "Pirate Flag." Chesney doesn't have his typical awards "look." He's dressed in a well-worn wife-beater with jeans and a casual cowboy hat. 7:18 pm: Back at the Orleans Arena with the Band Jam. The celebration starts of with ACM Legend Brad Paisley along with Dierks Bentley and Hunter Hayes. Paisley's album "Wheelhouse" drops this week.   7:21 pm: Capable performance by Brad Paisley and Dierks Bentley. Hunter Hayes guitar work is equally impressive. It really is a jammin' performance. 7:24 pm: The Eli Young Ba...

New this week are releases from Steve Owen with "Stand Up Eight" and "Nobody Loves You When You're Down" from Owen Mays & The 80 Proof Boys.  The Charlie Daniels Band is back with "Hits Of The South" and "Where Do You Want It?" from The Beaumonts. Emily Grace Berry has released "Canyon Music" and Royal Wade Kimes has a new offering titled "Proud Land" Rounding out the new music this week are imports from Johnny Cash with "Greatest Songs" and Brenda Lee with "All The Way." Stand Up Eight by Steve Owen (2013) Nobody Loves You When You're Down by Owen Mays & The 80 Proof Boys (2013) Hits of the South by The Charlie Daniels Band (2013) Proud Land by Royal Wade Kimes   Greatest Songs by Johnny Cash - Import

The talented Blake Shelton, otherwise known as Mr. Miranda Lambert, has released the debut single from his seventh studio album (excluding EP and Christmas albums). And, yes, our friend Blake Shelton has hit another grand slam with "Sure Be Cool If You Did," which is about as close as you can get to a sure thing for a Country Chart Number One. Blake Shelton has a golden touch on country radio, and the song "Sure Be Cool If You Did" was cowritten by The Voice Season 2 alumni Nicolle Galyon. She also wrote two songs for new country artist and American Idol alum Lauren Alaina as well as the well-received cut "Boyfriend" from fellow Voice alum Raelynn. Galyon's other collaborators on "Sure Be Cool If You Did" are Jimmy Robbins and Chris Tompkins. The new single has a fresh country vibe that fully showcases Shelton's confident vocal performance, and this is one country pop ballad that might find mainstream radio acceptance following th...

For seven days, Country Chart Magazine and Renewed Records are offering you the chance to win 14 prizes in the Rebecca Linda Smith Christmas sweepstakes giveaway. As an award-winning vocalist, Rebecca Linda Smith's music has touched people around the world. Her unique inspirational country music will warm your heart. CLICK HERE TO ENTER NOW . The lucky winner will receive a prize package of 14 CDs and DVDs worth $250 from Rebecca Linda Smith. Find out more about the artist by visiting her website here . Win 14 prizes from award-winning vocalist Rebecca Linda Smith, including the 15-track new album “Hope,” 12-song CD “American Heroes,” the 14-track CD “Jesus’ Grace,” the 12-song CD “Timeless,” the 15-cut “True Love” and the 10-track CD “All For You.” Also win the CD singles “Forgotten Heroes” and “Lady Warrior.” Plus receive 3 DVDs containing pieces of the life of inspirational and country artist Rebecca Linda Smith and her husband and songwriter Dr. Robert Frank Smith t...