What's In An Album Title?

Can an album title indicate the quality of music on a CD? Let's hope not. If so, we are in for some boring, retreaded music for the fall. Just check out some of these album titles: "A Woman Needs", "World Wide Open", "Like A Woman", "Big Dreams & High Hopes", "Everything Comes And Goes","A Guy Like Me", "If I Had My Way", "Keep On Loving You", and "The Long Way Home." There's not a shred of originality in any one of these titles. (Note to female country singers: Album titles including the word "Woman" will not be bought by most men. Don't ask me why, but it just doesn't happen.)

On the other hand, titles like "Dark Horse", "I'm About To Come Alive", "Notes From The Coroner", and "Fight Like A Girl" at least show that an artist is trying to grab your attention with three or four words that haven't been beaten to death. Incidentally, I would pick up these albums whether or not I had heard any of the songs from them.

Does an album title make any difference to you if you've never heard a song from the album? What about if you don't know the artist?

Jaime Fox Returns to Frederick, MD, For Fundraiser

Nashville recording artist and former Miss Maryland, Jaime Fox, is returning to Frederick, MD, to take part in the Patty Pollatos fundraiser "FUNomenon" on Saturday, August 29, 2009. I saw Jaime put on a great show during CMA Fest this year at Fuel Nightclub, and I am looking forward to seeing her again in August. Jaime will be opening for Lee Greenwood. For more information, check out this link: http://www.ppfinc.org/Family_Fundraiser_FUNomenon.htm

WPOC New Country Show Case: Jessica Harp

WPOC, Baltimore's Country Station, will be hosting a free Jessica Harp show at Hightopps Backstage Grill in Timonium, MD, on July 31, 2009. Jessica Harp had a couple of hits as one half of the Wreckers, and she is soon to release her first solo album. Hopefully, WPOC will continue to put on these new country showcases for all of the great new country artists!

Bomshel to Open For Phil Vassar in Hanover, PA

On October 9, 2009, the talented duo, Bomshel, will be warming up the crowd for Phil Vassar in Hanover, PA, at the Eichelberger Performing Arts Center. I've seen Bomshel three times, and even though they are still under the radar, they always put on an outstanding show. The tickets went on sale today, and I got seats on the second row! For more information, check out this link: http://www.wgty.com/contests/vassar.shtml. By the way, the picture above is from Bomshel's Sommet Center Stage performance at this year's CMA Festival.

Crashing the New Artist Show at CMA Fest 2009

This year, I made my first trip to CMA Fest, and I had a blast! I staid at the Renaissance Downtown, which happened to be the secret location of Bob Kingsley's New Artist Show. As I was returning from the Exhibit Hall to drop some stuff off in my hotel room, the elevator opened on the second floor, and I saw some people leaving a banquet hall. I asked what was going on, and they told me the artists had finished performing and were signing autographs. I just walked in and had a chance to meet the LoCash Cowboys, Jessica Harp, and Pearl Heart, as well as, Bob Kingsley. Anyway, it was great, and I thought I'd share this picture.

Cancun Cantina West Bringing Green to Hagerstown

Pat Green is making a stop a stop at Cancun Cantina West in Hagerstown, MD, on August 16th. Doors open at 5pm.

Cancun Cantina Presents Chris Young

The Cancun Cantina in Hanover, MD, will be hosting a performance by Chris Young on Friday, August 7th. Chris was recently voted Country Weekly's Hottest Bachelor, so obviously there will be a lot of women at this show. Chris will also be at the Cancun Cantina West in Hagerstown, MD, on August 8th.

Free Gary Allan at the Maryland State Fair

Gary Allan is coming back to the Maryland State Fair Wednesday, September 2nd @ 7:30pm! He will be performing at the Racetrack Infield, and the show is free with paid admission to the fair. The concert is lawn seating, first-come, first-served. You are allowed to bring blankets and chairs, but you can't bring video cameras.

Rockin' Country Classics: "Still One Outlaw Left"

If you like your country to rock hard, then this Confederate Railroad track is hard to top. Recorded for the 2001 album "Unleashed", it was never released as a single, and the album itself didn't fair very well, peaking at #63 on the U.S. Country Chart. Anyway, there's a good chance this track may have slipped throught the cracks of your iPod collection.

As an extra bonus, David Allan Coe lends his vocals to the song, which may or may not have been written about him. When I first heard the song, Coe is exactly who came to mind. Now, when I listen to the song, I can't help but think of Jamey Johnson, especially with these lines:

"Them boys like me are a dyin' breed
But until my last breath
There'll be still one outlaw left."

If your taste in country music tends to lean a little more toward Jason Aldean-style rockers than Rascal Flatts-style pop, I think you will thoroughly enjoy this song.

4th Year In A Row: Richie Fields at Howard Co. Fair

Richie Fields has become a staple at the Howard County Fairgrounds in West Friendship, MD. This year he will be performing on August 9. Time is TBD. I had a chance to meet Richie at CMA Fest this year, and I am now looking forward to seeing him perform. It's nice to see another local musician making some in-roads in Nashville as Richie was recently named an artist to watch by a major music publication. This is a free show!

Trailer Choir Rocking The Beer Gut at Anne Arundel Co. Fair

Trailer Choir will be performing at the Anne Arundel County Fair in Crownsville, MD, just outside of Annapolis on September 18, 2009, at 8:00pm. Admission is free with a ticket to the fair. For more information on the fair events, check out this link: http://www.aacountyfair.org/images/stories/pdf/p9schedule2.pdf

Eli Young Band to Play Carroll County Fair

The Eli Young Band will be performing at this year's Carroll County Fair in Westminster, Maryland. Tickets are $7 for those over 7 years old and free for the rest of you (who are probably too young to be reading this blog, anyway!) The date is July 31, 2009, and showtime is 8:00pm. Show information is available here: http://www.carrollcountyfair.com/.

WGTY Announces Free Country Concerts at York Fair

WGTY radio in York, PA, recently posted the free country concerts for this year's York Fair. Well, essentially free since you only have to pay the $6 admission price to get in the fair. The lineup includes:

9/11 Justin Moore
9/12 Trent Tomlinson
9/13 Bucky Covington
9/14 Eric Church
9/15 Richie McDonald
9/16 Dean Brody
9/17 Love & Theft
9/18 Jessica Harp, Kate & Kacey
9/19 Trailer Choir
9/20 Chuck Wicks

The info is available here: http://www.wgty.com/contests/york.shtml.