I'm a rockin' Country girl from Indiana who loves NASCAR, Food, Football, and all things music! Check here first for the inside scoop on hot new artists on the rise, and spend your nights with me, 7-Midnight, on 93.1 The Wolf!
You may not know his name, but you've definitely seen his face - on the big screen in movies like Just Married and Secondhand Lions, on the small screen in TV shows like Angel and Leverage, and even in other singers' music videos like "So Small" by Carrie Underwood. But now Christian Kane is fighting his way to stardom in the Country music world, and as his debut single "House Rules" proves, he's holding nothing back.
Now, many people are skeptical when actors turn to singing, especially in the Country Music world, but this guy is the real deal. Christian was born in Texas, raised in Oklahoma, and his parents met in the rodeo...doesn't get much more Country than that! He turned to acting in college, but has always included singing in his repertoire...in his first professional acting gig, on the TV series Fame: LA, he played a Country singer. Christian currently stars in the TNT series Leverage, where he plays hard-hitting Eliot Spencer, and recently showcased his singing talents in Episode 306, performing "Thinking of You".
My best friend has a soft spot for Christian (ok, she has the hots for him!) so when he performed at Johnny & June's back in February, we had to go. I must say, when Christian hits that stage, it's no acting job...he puts every bit of energy into his live show and totally rocked the house. (Which was even more impressive when we found out he had the flu! Maybe that's where the acting chops came in...we would have never guessed) His current CD The House Rules was released in December of 2010, and features the title track (see the video below) as well as his current single, "Let Me Go" . If you like your Country mixed with a little butt-kickin' rock n' roll, Christian Kane is your man! Get more info and hear more tunes on his website . Enjoy!
xoxo
-Charley
When you see the Chris Lane Band live, you'll soon realize the emphasis is not on "Chris Lane", it's on "Band". 6 individuals make up the CLB, and each plays an important part in crafting the band's sound. Of course, there's Chris Lane, lead vocalist & rhythm guitar, who along with twin brother, Cory, on drums, started seriously pursuing a music career after college and founded the CLB (you may have noticed them in the audition segments of Season 7 of American Idol & Season 1 of Can You Duet!) Then there's Chelsea Sorrell on co-lead vocals, a girl with a Southern twang and a powerhouse voice that can take any Country song and make it her own. (and she also made the top 60 on Season 10 of American Idol!). Add in the talents of Dean Kreseski & Joseph Pope on guitar, and Tom Sale on bass, and you've got a full-scale party every time the band plays! The CLB's focus is on Country/Rock, but you never know when they'll mash that up with a little Pop, Classic Rock, Rap, and even old-school R&B! But their original songs are Pure Country, as is evident below on the first single, "Too Tennessee". Check the Wolf's concert page and local listings for the next time you can catch the CLB live, because trust me, it won't be long before they're packing huge venue's all over the USA!!
xoxo
-Charley
CLB official website
They've been mentored by Nashville Hall of Fame songwriter, Kye Fleming, scored a record deal from one of the most powerful label heads in Nashville, Scott Borchetta, and landed an opening slot on one of this summer's biggest tours, with Country Superstar, Brad Paisley. They're the hottest new band you've never heard of, Edens Edge. But trust me, you will!
Edens Edge stopped by the 93.1 The Wolf Studios in early June, and the staff was immediately impressed with their soaring harmonies and true-to-their-Arkansas roots sound. The group consists of Lead Singer Hannah Blaylock, Mandolin-Banjo-Guitar Player Cherrill Green, and Guitar-Dobro Player Dean Berner. Hannah's lead vocals are amazing, and the one thing that really stood out to me about her is that you really feel like she believes what she's singing in every song. That to me shows the difference between a good singer and a great performer.
The band just released a 5 song EP that includes the first single, "Amen" and a moving song titled "Christ Alone". Be sure to check out their live performances right here in the Wolf Studios under the video section on my Facebook Page!  If you're going to see Brad Paisley this summer, get there early and catch their set!! Find out more about Edens Edge at www.edensedge.com
xoxo
-Charley
He's played with the likes of Johnny & June, Charlie Daniels, and Hank Williams Jr. He's written songs for Rascal Flatts and Montgomery Gentry. He's even played for the President. And he's only 19 years old!!
His name is Hunter Hayes, and he scored the opening slot on one of the biggest concert tours of the summer of 2011, the Speak Now Tour with Taylor Swift, so I'm sure you'll be hearing his name alot in the coming months. Hunter started playing a toy accordian at age 2, and hasn't stopped since. He learned by ear how to play keyboards, guitar, drums and more, and plays them ALL on his debut single, "Storm Warning"! Some may be quick to discount Hunter because of his cute looks and young age, but his songwriting and vocals show a wisdom well beyond his 19 years. Plus, if you have a teenage daughter that you're trying to sway to Country music, just show her this video...she will be in love!
Find out more about Hunter at www.hunterhayes.com, and listen for his fresh Wolf track, Storm Warning, right here on The Wolf!
xoxo
-Charley
(Note: We are lucky here at the Wolf to get the jump on hearing new artists, and having them come visit the radio station before they hit the "mainstream". When I hear someone I think is "on their way", I'll let you guys know! I love to discover new artists, and if you do too, then you'll enjoy this feature! And if you know of a new artist that you think deserves attention, please let me know!)
I first heard of Jason Sturgeon thru friends from "back home" in Indiana on Facebook. When I heard there was a talented Country singer from the "next town over", I had to check him out! Jason grew up in Petersburg, IN, population 35oo, and just 13 miles down the road from where I grew up. There's not much in that part of Indiana except cornfields and cows, and weekends are spent with good friends, family, and good music. That's how Jason started singing...entertaining his family for quarters!
When Jason decided to immerse himself in a music career, he hooked up with Dane Clark (a member of the band of another famous Indiana boy, John Mellencamp). Jason learned from Dane & his fellow musicians' insight and experience, and the resulting album is called, That's Me. You can definitely hear the Mellencamp influence on my favorite track, "Simple Life"!
Jason played last month at Johnny & June's, and stopped by the Wolf for an interview with me. Check it out here http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=1939032321532 and listen for an acoustic performance of his latest single, "The Cover" at the end! Get more info on Jason at www.jasonsturgeonmusic.com and keep an eye on the concert calendar for the next time he rolls thru town.
xoxo
-Charley
Back in the spring, Blake Shelton (or his record company, but I'll give Blake all the credit) came up with the great idea to release his new music in "Six Packs" - six-song EP's* instead of the usual 10-14 song LP's* - so he could get his music finished and released faster. No more waiting years between new music packages! I, and many others, loved the idea, as shown by the success of his first Six Pack - Hillbilly Bone. Blake is releasing a 2nd Six Pack on August 10th that includes his current single and title track, "All About Tonight". To get you all excited about the release, he has posted weekly features every Tuesday on his Facebook page, counting down his "Top Six" in different categories. I love this guy's sense of humor...
You can pre-order All About Tonight and get an exclusive bundle with poster, key chain, and T-shirt (if you so desire) by clicking here.
Enjoy!
xoxo
-Charley
*for those of you too young to remember music on vinyl - back in the day, music was released as either a Single: one song on each side of the record, an EP (extended play): 2 - 4 songs on each side (hence the "six pack") or an LP (long playing): 5 or more songs on each side. Ask your parents.
In radio, we are privileged to see many new artists before they are set free on the rest of the world. Record labels will bring their artists by for a visit, and the artist will play a few songs acoustically for anyone in the station that can take a few minutes to give them an audience. In the past few months, I have seen more talent in these little artist previews than you'd find in Giants Stadium at an American Idol audition!! A few you should check out: Chris Janson, Ash Bowers, Blaine Larson, and this guy, Jerrod Niemann. Not only does he look darn good on camera, but he is part of the "Traler Park" songwriting group that includes Jamey Johnson & Randy Houser (look for them in cameos at the end of the official video here ), and he sang ALL 9 parts (high, low, everything!) on this song!! Yep, he's definitely a new favorite of mine :)
xoxo
-Charley
One of the best things about living in NC is that the "country" is just down the road. We don't have to travel hours outside the city to appreciate the beauty of God's hand. This video looks like it could have been shot just around the corner. Absolutely gorgeous!
I lovelovelove Miranda Lambert - her spunk, talent, "real girl" attitude, and the fact that she's dating Blake Shelton ;) She seems like someone I would definitely hang around with (and would definitely not want to make mad at me! ha). Check out her new album, Revolution, and the first single/video, "White Liar".
**Jamey Johnson fans: pay attention to the preacher in the video!
xoxo
-Charley
I love, love, LOVE the new song by Jessica Harp, "Boy Like Me"! Fun, bouncy, gotta-dance-in-the-car-to-it...definitely looking forward to seeing her (and of course, Hottie Jake Owen!) at Wolf Low Dough Show #4 on Friday, August 21st! Just look under "Full Moon Concerts" to get the info & buy your tickets!!
xoxo
-Charley
