Jamey Johnson reflects on his relationship with God, family, and fans

Jamey Johnson performing one of his many hit songs. Photo by Jessica Bray of Kentucky Country Music.

When it comes to curating a sound of traditional country music, Jamey Johnson has made a name for himself in the music community.  It has been over 17 years that he landed in Nashville after living his life running the music circuit throughout Alabama and Georgia.  The journey has taken him on major stages, but also smaller intimate settings that are perfect for the listener to take in all that is being sung through the soul of Jamey Johnson.

This past weekend, Jamey Johnson performed for a double night stay at Renfro Valley Entertainment Center.  Having performed at the venue for many years now, it and the fans have formed a special bond thanks to the power of music.

Prior to his show, I had the opportunity to sit down and speak with Jamey Johnson over his journey, as well as personal encounters, stories behind songs, and more.  Below is that conversation and I hope that you enjoy reading it.  Be sure to check out Jamey Johnson’s website for future concert dates and music at www.jameyjohnson.com.

When a loved one dies

Papaw Jerry & Jessica back in time

During the month of April, I took a break from some things and focused on family.  In between my full time job and doing my music stuff, I sat in the hospital room and then nursing home room as my grandpa was sick.  The sound of the machines beeping, nurses and doctors shuffling in and out to check this and that became a new routine.  Relatives would come to visit and spend time sharing stories of our youth growing up in southeast Kentucky, with some moving on to Ohio and Tennessee.  Then on the morning of April 26th, time stood still as my grandpa passed away.

In the coming days, we sat together as a family at the funeral home making arrangements, going to the flower shop to pick out the perfect arrangement, shop for the outfit to wear, and preparing for the visitors.  My grandma asked me to speak at his funeral and for several days, I wrote, rewrote, and wrote some more trying to figure out the perfect words to say.  Needless to say it was the hardest and easiest thing I have ever written in my life.  It was an honor to be asked to tell others about my grandpa.

During all of the hustle and bustle, east Kentucky native, Angaleena Presley's new album "Wrangled" was released.  I have been meaning to write a full on review of the masterpiece of an album.  It has been hard to find the time to dedicate my full attention to it.  However, there was one song that has stuck in my head throughout April and now May.  "Cheer Up Little Darling" was written by Angaleena Presley and Guy Clark.  It would be his last song he wrote before passing away.  Musician Shawn Camp plays Guy Clark's No. 10 guitar, which was used to write the song, and Clark's mandola.  I personally want to thank them for this song that kept me rolling these last few weeks.  If you would like to listen to it, be sure to download it from I-tunes here.

"Cheer Up Little Darling" by Angaleena Presley & Guy Clark

Yeah, it's gonna be real pretty, man

Cheer up little darlin', don't be so sad

There's a time and place for the blues that you've had

Just hold what you've got, babe, and never give in

Seems like a tight spot, but it's just a loose end

Cheer up little darlin', don't be so sad

There's a time and place for the blues you have had

Hold what you've got, babe, never give in

It feels like a tight spot, but it's just a loose end

You can't fix the world, girl, it's so badly bent

But you can help it along if you save your own skin

The first thing you do, honey, is make you a list

Of the things that you've done and the things that you've missed

Do the best that you can, doll, there's no one to blame

It's just the turn that it took in this crazy old game

Hold what you've got, babe, never give in

It feels like a tight spot, but it's just a loose end

I will miss walking up to Mammy and Papaw's house and seeing him sitting in the rocking chair on the front porch. I will miss him saying "how are you doing?" as he sat there smoking a cigarette, drinking his coffee. I will miss his creamed style corn made in the cast iron skillet, complete with chocolate gravy and biscuits. Don't tell Mammy, but Papaw is the only one that could make the best gravy!  And most of all, I will miss hearing those words, "Now don't you run off – what’s your hurry?” and "I love you" as I had to leave to head home.

In the Bible, we learned that the Lord created the universe and all its beauty in 7 days. I always said that on the 8th day, God made a farmer. On the 9th day, he made a truck driver to haul the farm goods. While he may have parked his truck here on earth, I know that the engine is a roaring as Papaw Jerry drives the streets of Heaven. 

Watch Chris Stapleton perform on The Tonight Show

Chris Stapleton was the musical guest on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon for Monday, May 8, 2017.  Take a look at him performing, "I Was Wrong."  The song is from his now released album, "From A Room: Volume 1."

Stapleton also joined up with Kevin Bacon and Jimmy Fallon for a comical look at the ZZ Top classic, "Legs."

Loretta Lynn to release new album in 2017

Kentucky country music fans will be excited to hear that Loretta Lynn will be releasing a new album.  "Wouldn't It Be Great," the new album from Loretta Lynn, highlights The Queen of Country Music's original songwriting, as sharp as ever since her early days as a musical trailblazer in the 1960s. This third volume of recordings produced by Patsy Lynn Russell and John Carter Cash and recorded at the Cash Cabin Studio in Hendersonville, Tennessee features 13 tracks all written or co-written by Loretta.

The follow-up to the Grammy-nominated Full Circle, mixes new compositions ("Ruby's Stool," "Ain't No Time To Go," "I'm Dying For Someone To Live For") with newly imagined renditions of timeless classics like the unforgettable "Coal Miner's Daughter" and "Don't Come Home A' Drinkin' (With Lovin' On Your Mind)," Loretta's first of 16 career country No. 1 singles.

"Wouldn't It Be Great" by Loretta Lynn is set to be released on August 18, 2017.  Fans can pre-order the album by clicking here to order through Amazon.com.  It will be available on vinyl, mp3, and cd formats.

Loretta Lynn Wouldn't It Be Great Track Listing
Wouldn't It Be Great
Ruby's Stool
I'm Dying for Someone to Live For
Another Bridge to Burn
Ain't No Time to Go
God Makes No Mistakes
These Ole Blues
My Angel Mother
Don't Come Home a Drinkin'
The Big Man
Lulie Vars
Darkest Day

Coal Miner's Daughter

Chris Stapleton to release two albums in 2017

Chris Stapleton has announced that he will be releasing not one, but TWO albums this year.  The first one, "From A Room: Volume 1" is set for release on May 5, 2017, on Mercury Records.  Volume 2 is set for release this fall.

Fans can pre-order the album via Itunes (click here), or through his website with various bundles that include shirts and vinyl albums.

The nine song album features the following songs:

Broken Halos (Chris Stapleton and Mike Henderson)

Last Thing I Needed, First Thing This Morning (Gary P. Nunn and Donna Sioux Farar)

Second One to Know (Chris Stapleton and Mike Henderson)

Up to No Good Livin' (Chris Stapleton and Casey Beathard)

Either Way (Chris Stapleton, Tim James, and Kendall Marvel)

I Was Wrong (Chris Stapleton and Craig Wiseman)

Without Your Love (Chris Stapleton and Mike Henderson)

Them Stems (Chris Stapleton, Jimmy Stewart, and Shawn Camp)

Death Row (Chris Stapleton and Mike Henderson)

Chris Stapleton has had a pretty extensive 2017 tour.  It follows a series of extraordinary years for Stapleton since the release of his breakthrough double Platinum solo debut album, "Traveller." Released May 2015 on Mercury Records Nashville, "Traveller" initially debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard Country Albums chart with more than 27,000 albums sold, making it one of the best-selling first weeks by a debut country artist in 2015. 

Following a historic turn on the 49th Annual CMA Awards in 2016, where Stapleton became the first artist to win Album of the Year, Male Vocalist of the Year and New Artist of the Year at the same awards – Traveller became the first album to re-enter the Billboard 200 all-genre album chart at No. 1, where is stayed for two straight weeks. The critically acclaimed album went on to win multiple Grammy and ACM Awards and was the #1 selling Country album of 2016 and the fourth-highest selling album of 2016 across all genres.

Sunny Sweeney provides the sass and soul with latest release

Seven years ago, I sat perched up on a seat at Bluebird Cafe in Nashville while on stage in the row sat Sunny Sweeney, Danielle Peck, Lisa Torres, and Karleen Watt.  It was the first time that Sunny announced that she had been going through a divorce and showcasing the songs that reflected on the heartache and overcoming the hardships.  I sat there with tears flowing out of my eyes realizing my own marriage at the time was failing.  A few months down the road, I got out of that marriage through a divorce.  Oddly enough, my divorce party was watching Sunny Sweeney on the Grand Ole Opry and meeting Little Jimmy Dickens (who has always been a musical hero for me).

Watch Sturgill Simpson perform emotional song on Late Night with Seth Meyers

Watch Kentucky native, Sturgill Simpson perform "Welcome to Earth (Pollywog)" on Late Night with Seth Meyers on 10/12/2016.  Below is video from that performance.  The emotional driven performance is the first song off of his album, a Sailor's Guide to Earth.  For more info on Sturgill Simpson, be sure to visit his website at www.sturgillsimpson.com.

Steve Wariner set to release 20th studio album

Steve Wariner - Photo by David McClister

For his 20th studio album, four-time Grammy Award winner Steve Wariner knew he had to do something really special. When All Over The Map began coming together, it became clear just what that would be.

The 12-track album evolved into a remarkable tribute to the Grand Ole Opry member’s influences, both living and deceased, in addition to a celebration of his lineage. While packed with acclaimed guest musicians, the set — to be released Oct. 28 on SelecTone Records — artfully showcases Wariner’s own musical talents. In addition to producing the album, he plays guitar, upright bass, drums and both pedal and lap steel, as well as singing on seven of the songs. (The other five are classic instrumentals.) Wariner also penned 10 of the tracks.

A touching tribute to late mentor Chet Atkins, titled “CGP,” takes its name from the coveted title Atkins bestowed on Wariner: Certified Guitar Player. On the track, Wariner enlisted the talents of the only two other living musicians to have earned the same title from Atkins, Tommy Emmanuel and John Knowles. The album also includes “When I Still Mattered To You,” a song Wariner wrote with Merle Haggard on a cruise ship in 1996 but had never previously recorded.

Close friend Ricky Skaggs, who Wariner won his first GRAMMY with in 1992, is featured playing mandolin on “Down Sawmill Road.” Other celebrated musicians featured on the album include: Musicians’ Hall of Fame and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Duane Eddy (“Nashville Spy-Line”), GRAMMY Award winner Eric Johnson (“Meanwhile Back In Austin”), Greg Martin of The Kentucky Headhunters (“Way It Goes”) and Jack Pearson (“Drop Top”).

But it’s Wariner’s own family that provides the bulk of the inspiration for the album, which was 20 months in the making. Throughout the creation of the album, Steve relied heavily on his son Ross, who lives in New York, for advice and consultation on the technical production aspects of the album. He wrote the Western swing tune “Mr. Roy” as a tribute to his musician father, and “Down Sawmill Road” is named for the Kentucky road where his mother grew up. His GRAMMY-nominated son Ryan Wariner wrote and plays on the track “The Last Word.” Wariner reached back deep into his rich family history for the album’s closing instrumental track, “Augustine’s Dream,” inspired by his maternal four-times great grandfather who served in the Revolutionary War.

“Getting to play and record with these wonderfully creative people means the world to me. I am grateful to all! Some I've collaborated with before, others..well, it's pure bucket list for me! This project is the perfect example of what keeps me going...what keeps me excited,” notes Wariner. “Traveling into territory I've never been to before. And there's lots of that here on this album. It's hard to describe the joy I feel making music with my sons...and family for that matter. Now I know how my father used to feel. I am so very proud of my musical roots and heritage. ”

In his storied career, Wariner has achieved 14 No. 1 songs and more than 30 Top 10 hits, including such classics as “Holes in the Floor of Heaven,” “Life’s Highway,” “The Weekend,” “I’m Already Taken,” “I Got Dreams,” “Small Town Girl,” “Two Teardrops,” “Some Fools Never Learn,” “Lynda” and more. An award-winning songwriter, Wariner has also composed hit songs for Clint Black (“Nothin’ But the Taillights”), Garth Brooks (“Longneck Bottle”), Bryan White (“One Small Miracle”) and Keith Urban (“Where the Blacktop Ends”), as well as artists such as Country Music Hall of Fame members Alabama, Kenny Rogers, The Statler Brothers, Conway Twitty and Don Williams; pop music icon Peter Tork (of The Monkees); R&B singer Ruben Studdard; bluegrass music’s Del McCoury Band and many more. Wariner is a member of the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame. For more information, visit www.SteveWariner.com.

Loretta Lynn comes home for the holidays

2016 has been a great year for Loretta Lynn. The Queen of Country Music broke a decade-long gap between albums earlier this year with the release of Full Circle, her 40th Top 10 country album and her highest-charting effort on the Billboard 200.

With the Christmas season mere months away (believe it or not), Legacy Recordings is excited to announce her next album, White Christmas Blue, will be available on October 7.

It’s Loretta’s first holiday album in 50 years; her last seasonal release, 1966’s Country Christmas, was recorded toward the beginning of a career that’s seen her break barriers in country music and be inducted into more music halls of fame than any other female musician. As a tribute to her first Christmas record, White Christmas Blue features new recordings of two songs from that album: the spirited “Country Christmas” and the humorous “To Heck with Ole Santa Claus.”

The jewel of the new album is “White Christmas Blue,” a brand-new track Loretta wrote with songwriter Shawn Camp, who’s written country chart-toppers for Garth Brooks, Josh Turner and Brooks & Dunn. “White Christmas Blue” is sure to find a spot on your holiday playlists for years to come. Best of all, the White Christmas Blue album features your favorite Christmas songs as only Loretta can sing them: “Frosty the Snowman,” “Jingle Bells,” “Winter Wonderland,” “Silent Night” and more.

No matter where you may live, White Christmas Blue will bring a piece of Butcher Hollow, Kentucky to your home this holiday season.  You can now pre-order the album just in time for the holidays by clicking here.

The Lost Nashville Sessions of Waylon Jennings to be released

Country Rewind Records has announced the release date of a special Waylon Jennings project.  "The Lost Nashville Sessions" is set to be available on October 21, 2016, with I-tunes presale starting September 23rd.  If you do the pre-sale, you will instantly receive "Kentucky Woman" for download.

An impressionable country music singer, who became a Grammy recipient early in his career (for “MacArthur Park”) and forged his name as an iconic figure in American music history, Waylon Jennings was a member of the “Outlaw Country” music movement and genre. He shared the billing with renowned, award-winning recording artists such as Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard and Kris Kristofferson. "The Lost Nashville Sessions" showcases Jennings’ stout talents as a young and promising recording artist (spotlighting the number one hit “Only Daddy That’ll Walk The Line”) and highlights a piece of music history that may have easily been lost and forgotten.

The musical gem features 14 never-heard-before tracks originally recorded at Scotty Moore’s Music City Recorders (July 1970) as part of a U.S. military recruitment radio program. The 15-minute recorded shows hosted performances by, and banter with, popular country artists (Jennings, George Jones, Dolly Parton, Conway Twitty and Tammy Wynette to name a few). Created to encourage recruitment, the shows were distributed for “promotional-use only” on vinyl to 2,000 participating radio stations. Country Rewind Records President, Thomas Gramuglia, dusted off the masters from each and every recorded program with the idea to bring these performances to life via today’s contemporary and digital musical formats. 

Grammy award-winning musician and producer, Robby Turner (who is also the late country legend's longtime steel guitarist and producer, and now plays with Chris Stapleton), added instrumentals and background vocals to the raw original tracks (including Waylon Jennings’ classics and his renditions of Chuck Berry's "Brown Eyed Handsome Man" and Kris Kristofferson's "Sunday Morning Coming Down").

With audio quality of the highest twenty-first century standard, the project has been described as “Delightful” (Robert K. Oermann/Music Row Magazine). The production sounds as if Waylon and A-list musicians recorded the project just yesterday. Jennings’ widow, Jessi Colter, and their son (Shooter Jennings) have given their permissions and blessings to release the project.

Track Listing for "The Lost Nashville Sessions" by Waylon Jennings

1. Only Daddy That'll Walk The Line

2. The Choking Kind

3. Stop The World and Let Me Off

4. Anita, You're Dreaming

5. Just To Satisfy You

6. Green River

7. Singer of Sad Songs

8. Love of the Common People

9. MacArthur Park

10. Brown Eyed Handsome Man

11. Mental Revenge

12. Time To Bum Again

13. Sunday Mornin' Comin' Down 

14. Young Widow Brown

Bonus Track:  Kentucky Woman (digital only)

The Kentucky Headhunters take fans on a safari with newest album

The Kentucky Headhunters - On Safari

With nearly 50 years of success spanning multiple genres, The Kentucky Headhunters are gearing up for the November 4, 2016, release of On Safari, available for preorder here. The southern rock, soon-to-be classic project tips the hat to family and the southern way of life. Click here to watch a behind-the-scenes video of the band in the studio recording On Safari.

On Safari, a Plowboy Records/Practice House Records joint venture, comes after several life-changing events for The Kentucky Headhunters. Band members Richard and Fred Young lost their father just three days before heading into the studio to record On Safari, causing the Headhunters to pour even more emotion into the record, which they have dedicated to the memory of their father.

Coming off the heels of their first-ever European tour, The Kentucky Headhunters are reinventing themselves yet again for their 12th studio album, drawing inspiration from their recent travels across the pond. The band credits Richard Young’s son, John Fred, and his bandmates of Black Stone Cherry for pushing them out of their comfort zone to make the trek overseas, where many of the Headhunters’ rock influences call home.

“What makes you weak, makes you stronger,” says rhythm guitar player and vocalist Richard Young of the band’s experiences together in 2016.

That quote seems to be the theme for On Safari, and southern rock fans can be certain of a strong showing by the GRAMMY award-winning group. Touted by Billboard as a “great American rock ‘n’ roll band,” The Kentucky Headhunters continue to bring their rocking, energetic live show across the U.S. and Canada, showcasing the one of a kind sound that has given them the longevity in this industry that many acts only dream of. 

In 2013, the Kentucky Headhunters were inducted into the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame.

The Kentucky Headhunters On Tour

Sept. 15 Oklahoma State Fair -- Oklahoma City, Okla.

Sept. 16 Bordertown Casino -- Wyandotte, Okla.

Sept. 17 Boom Days Heritage Celebration -- Fort Payne, Ala.

Sept. 24 Merchants & Music Festival -- Fort Thomas, Ky.

Sept. 30 Baldknobber's Theatre -- Branson, Mo.

Oct. 01 Martin County Harvest Festival -- Loogootee, Ind.

Oct. 06 Cherokee Casino Roland -- Roland, Okla.

Oct. 07 Red River Revel Arts Festival -- Shreveport, La.

Oct. 08 2016 Cherokee Music Festival -- Cherokee, N.C.

Oct. 15 Bridge Jam -- Fayetteville, W.Va.

Oct. 22 Lee Theatre -- Pennington Gap, Va.

Oct. 28 Penn's Peak -- Jim Thorpe, Penn.

Nov. 04 Big Pig Jig -- Vienna, Ga.

Jan. 19 The Rock Legends Cruise -- Hollywood, Fla.

Feb. 03 Bourbon Jacks Honkytonk Bar -- Hastings, Neb.

Feb. 04 Washington Pavilion -- Sioux Falls, S.D.

Watch Chris Stapleton perform new tune, Hard Living

Chris Stapleton has made quite a few country music fans excited with the release of a new song, "Hard Living."  He has started playing it live the last few months.  Kentucky music fans can check him out at Riverbend Music Center in Cincinnati on August 27th or Waterfront Park in Louisville on September 9th, 2016.

Kentucky sweetheart Kelsey Waldon is set to release new album

Check out Kelsey Waldon's new album "I've Got a Way"

There is a rumble down in Nashville with an uprising of the true sounds of country music.  Surprisingly, females such as Lindi Ortega and Margo Price have been getting noticed for bringing the reminiscent sounds of traditional country music.  Hailing from Monkey's Eyebrow, Kentucky, Kelsey Waldon has been making a name for herself alongside those trying to garner the attention of music fans.

Come August 12, 2016, Kelsey Waldon will be releasing her album, "I've Got a Way."  From the looks and sounds of the first single, "All By Myself," music fans are in for a treat.  The first single contains a haunting steel guitar filling the air as Waldon sings with purity from the hills of Kentucky.

Kentucky is known for its country music and Kelsey Waldon is one to definitely keep an eye out for.  She will be performing in Lexington at Willy's Locally Known on August 21st.

According to her website, how does Waldon turn those inspirations into the country music that is so much a part of her? “Lay it all out, and sing it from the heart, way down deep,” she says. “If you do it that way, you don’t need gimmicks.”

Stay tune as I feel like there will be even more wonderful adventures and music coming from the heart from Kelsey Waldon!

Check out more on Kelsey Waldon via her website and Facebook pages. Download "All By Myself" off I-tunes by clicking here.

Travel Harlan Road with Kentucky natives NewTown

Newtown

Kentucky bluegrass band, NewTown, are enjoying a busy week as their new CD, Harlan Road, hits stores Friday, July 8, and the IBMA Emerging Artist candidate for nomination headlines the popular Busy Bird Festival on July 9.  The disc's title track premiered on Bluegrass Today last month to rave reviews. NewTown will be having their CD release party on July 30th at Willie's Locally Known in Lexington, Kentucky.

John Lawless of Bluegrass Today calls their sound "hard-edged contemporary Bluegrass, modern yet still representing the traditions of their Kentucky roots."  Rick Moore of Music News Austin notes the disc's " excellent singing and playing drive home the authenticity of the lyrics to some fine story songs."

Produced by multi-Grammy Award winner Barry Bales, the 11-track outing is on the Mountain Home Music Company label.  Filled with tales of the "everyman," Harlan Road is available for pre-order now on iTunes and includes three instant downloads upon purchase. 

The Lexington-based band is fronted by award-winning fiddler Kati Penn and her husband, Jr. Williams, a respected banjo player; both mesmerizing vocalists.  The disc "covers all the hoped-for territory while also expanding all expectations," writes Greg Victor for ParcBench.com.  Syndicated UK radio host Bryan Chalker adds, "This is a masterful exercise in progressive Bluegrass that retains the very essence of the genre."

IBMA members wishing to vote for NewTown in the Emerging Artist category can do so until 5 p.m. CT July 8.  To access the ballot, click here. 

Founded in 2009, NewTown made the national spotlight with the 2013 album, Time Machine, and the #1 Bluegrass Today single, "All I Was to You."  The group has gained a strong following playing festivals throughout the U.S., and sharing bills with Rhonda Vincent & The Rage, Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, John Cowan Band and more.  The group has appeared several times at the legendary Station Inn in Nashville, and twice performed at IBMA World of Bluegrass showcases in Raleigh, North Carolina.  In addition to Penn and Williams, Travis Anderson (bass), Mitchell Cannon (mandolin) and Hayes Griffin (guitar) round out the band.  Between them, they bring Jazz, Bluegrass and Contemporary disciplines to the music, completing the diverse and textured sound that is NewTown. 

Stay social with NewTown:

www.theNewTownband.com

www.facebook.com/theNewTownband

www.twitter.com/theNewTownband

Watch Sturgill Simpson perform new album live

Kentucky native, Sturgill Simpson, recently visited the studios at KCRW to perform his entire album, "A Sailor's Guide to Earth" live in front of a viewing audience.  Thankfully for us, they recorded the session for our viewing pleasure.

Sturgill Simpson releases new song and album title

This afternoon, Sturgill Simpson did a radio interview with Zane Lowe on his "Beats I" radio show.  He discussed the new song, "Brace for Impact," as well as the new album, "A Sailor's Guide to Earth."

Listen to the song and interview below.

Chris Stapleton releases music video for Fire Away

Chris Stapleton has released a powerful haunting new video for his song, "Fire Away."  The video aims to highlight mental health awareness and the Campaign to Change Direction's efforts to identify the five signs of emotional suffering: change in personality, agitation, withdrawal, decline in personal care and hopelessness. 

From the Campaign to Change Direction website:

The Campaign to Change Direction is a national initiative designed to change the culture of mental health in America. The Campaign encourages us all to learn and share the Five signs of emotional suffering:

• change in personality
• agitation
• withdrawal
• decline in personal care
• hopelessness

We would like to thank Chris and Morgane Stapleton for their compassion, courage and willingness to step up to create this important story – and the entire Stapleton team for their support of our mission. We would also like to thank actors Ben Foster and Margarita Levieva for their inspired and compelling performances. Finally, we would like to thank Tim Mattia whose direction brought Chris’ vision into focus. By lending their talent and their voices, these fine artists are helping us change the culture of mental health in America.

For more information, be sure to visit www.changedirection.org/

John Conlee to perform new single on TBN "Praise the Lord"

Kentucky native, John Conlee, is also known as the man behind “Rose Colored Glasses,” and seven other No. 1 hits, will be performing his newest release, “Bread and Water,” on TBN’s “Praise the Lord” Monday, Jan. 11 at 10/9c. TBN is viewed globally on 70 satellite providers and more than 18,000 television and cable affiliates. Click here to find local listings to watch “Praise the Lord.”

“Bread and Water,” written by Vince Gill and Leslie Satcher, captures a moving message about the power of faith and holds a deep meaning to the veteran Opry legend. The single is available on Conlee’s latest project Classics 2, available for purchase here.

“It hit me right in the heart the first time I heard it. It is a story of redemption and a reminder that with God, all things are possible,” Conlee said.

“Bread and Water” chorus:

Bread and water, man that’s all you need

Bread and water, brother just believe

If you ain’t too proud to get down on your knees

The bread and water’s free

Bread and water’s free

Conlee continues his long-standing relationship between faith and the country music industry. “Out of concerns for today’s America it has affected the way I’m applying my musical energies. I believe in prayer and I feel like now more than ever is the time to be singing about it and hopefully inspiring others to do the same,” Conlee said.

The 2015 release from his own Rose Colored Records includes new material along with Conlee’s hits. Classics 2 features standards that haven’t been available for purchase since Columbia and 16th Avenue Records originally released the records, including “Harmony,” “Mama’s Rockin’ Chair” and “Hit The Ground Runnin.”

To learn more about John Conlee, his new album Classics 2 or tour date specifics, visit www.johnconlee.com.  Check out our exclusive interview with John Conlee just a few months ago about his song, "Walking Behind the Star."

John Conlee 2016 Tour Dates

Jan. 10 San Antonio, Texas | Tobin Center for the Performing Arts

Feb. 10 Tampa, Fla. | Florida State Fair

Feb. 12 Houston, Texas | Stampede Houston

Feb. 13 Ft. Worth, Texas | Stagecoach Ballroom

Feb. 18 Social Circle, Ga. | Social Circle Theatre

Feb. 19 Murphy, N.C. | Tri-County Community College

Feb. 20 Lawrenceburg, Tenn. | Crockett Theatre

Mar. 5 Erath, La. | Quality Sports Complex

Mar. 11 Crossville, Tenn. | Palace Theatre

Mar. 12 Powderly, Ky. | Merle Travis Music Center

Mar. 19 Huntington, Tenn. | The Dixie Carter Performing Arts Center

Apr. 2 Corsicana, Texas | The Palace Theatre

Apr. 7 Hawkinsville, Ga. | Hawkinsville Opra House

Apr. 8 Calhoun, Ga. | The Gem Theatre

Apr. 9 Lenoir City, Tenn. | Lenoir City High School

Apr. 10 Lebanon, Pa. | Lebanon Expo Center

Apr. 22 The Woodlands, Texas | Dosey Doe

Apr. 23 Shawnee, Okla. | The Grand Events Center

May 21 Winchester, Ohio | Red Barn Convention Center

June 9 Elizabethtown, Ky. | The Historic State Theatre

June 10 Crawfordsville, Ind. | Strawberry Festival

June 11 Covington, Ky. | Madison Theater

July 8-July 9 Shipshewana, IN | Blue Gate Theater

Aug. 5 Schulenburg, Texas | Shulenburg Festival

Sep. 17 Hartford, Wis. | Schauer Arts and Activities Center

Oct. 8 Mount Vernon, Ky. | Renfro Valley Entertainment Center

Kentucky native John Conlee records bluegrass version of classic tune

Kentucky country music fans will enjoy this latest collaboration of John Conlee along with Lorraine Jordan & Carolina Road.  For Lorraine's latest project, "Country Grass," they recorded "Common Man."  They also just released a new music video of the tune.

After topping the Billboard country charts in 1983, "Common Man," originally recorded by Conlee, takes on new life by the bluegrass band. "It was nice to be able to do a bluegrass version of one of my songs, and I really enjoyed working with Lorraine on the project," Conlee said. "I understand it has gotten a lot of positive feedback since it has been out, and that is really encouraging to me."

In addition to taking home both "Female Vocalist of the Year" and the prestigious "Song of the Year" at the Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music of America's (SPBGMA) 2015 awards and convention, Lorraine Jordan & Carolina Road have been riding high off of the momentum created by their latest album Country Grass.

The band teamed up with country music's legends on Country Grass, as they re-recorded some of their biggest hits, but with a bluegrass twist. The star-studded project features collaborations with Crystal Gayle, Lee Greenwood, The Kentucky Headhunters, T.G. Sheppard, Eddy Raven, John Conlee and Marty Raybon in addition to the late Jim Ed Brown and Lynn Anderson.

Justin Wells to release new solo album

Justin Wells - photo by J. Meade Photography

One of the advantages of living in Kentucky is that you are exposed to really good music.  Several years ago, I was introduced to Justin Wells.  At the time, he was fronting the band, Fifth on the Floor.  They were pretty well known regionally here in Kentucky, as well as in Ohio, West Virginia, and other parts of the United States.  Things changed over the years for the band and they decided to part ways earlier this year.

The music never stopped for Justin.  In fact, he continued to write, play, and sing from his soul to many fans while on tour with Matt Woods.  He now has a collection of songs to start his own solo album effort.  According to Justin, "they're sad, they're mad, they're hopeful. They're clear-eyed. They are not quiet, even the quiet ones."

Justin Wells is currently working with Duane Lundy at Shngri-la Productions in Lexington.  Musicians on hand to help with the effort include Robby Cosenza on drums/percussion, Blake Cox on bass guitar, and J. Tom Hnatow on multiple instruments.

Fans can help with the effort with pre-orders on www.pledgemusic.com/justinwells. According to Justin, it is "more than just pre-ordering the record on CD or vinyl, you can also get access to handwritten lyric sheets, a trip to the studio to hear the final mixes before anyone else, or a private performance at the beautiful The Southgate House Revival in northern KY. 10% of all funds past the 100% mark will be donated to Home of the Innocents, a non-profit based in Louisville, Kentucky that is dedicated to providing services to abandoned, abused, neglected, and homeless children."

For more information on Justin Wells and to keep updated on the latest, be sure to visit his Facebook page at www.facebook.com/justinwellsmusic.