The Northern California singer-songwriter never had a chart hit, but interest has mounted in her recordings since her 1986 death.

Million-selling Volume 1 joins Volume 2 in one expanded 24-song CD. The albums reflected Charles’ lifelong love for country, containing “I Can’t Stop Loving You,” “You Don’t Know Me” and “Take These Chains from My Heart.”

Also kicking off this new musical tradition are Nanci Griffith, Bruce *censored*burn, Natalie MacMaster, Richard Thompson, David Lindley, David Bromberg & the Angel Band, Jimmy LaFave, Eliza Gilkyson, Slaid Cleaves, Sarah Lee Guthrie & Johnny Irion, The Woody Guthrie Tribute (Ribbon of Highway, Endless Skyway), The Refugees and Stonehoney

Kicking off this new musical tradition are Nanci Griffith, Bruce *censored*burn, Natalie MacMaster, Richard Thompson, David Lindley, David Bromberg & the Angel Band, Jimmy LaFave, Eliza Gilkyson, Slaid Cleaves, Joel Rafael, Sarah Lee Guthrie & Johnny Irion, The Woody Guthrie Tribute (Ribbon of Highway, Endless Skyway), The Refugees and Stonehoney

Bandmates Scott Kempner (Dictators), Eric Ambel (Joan Jett), Frank Funaro (Cracker) and Manny Caiati re-invigorated rock’n’roll . . .and may have stumbled into inventing Americana

Dickinson from the North Mississippi Allstars, Grammy winner Hart and former Squirrel Nut Zipper Mathus came together as friends and musical confreres, fans of the Mississippi blues and string band tradition.

Interview with Heidi Newfield 2009
By Christian Lamitschka ( Ch.Lamitschka@t-online.de )

Ch.L.: How was the last year for you? What were the highlights?

H.N.: This past year was absolutely wonderful! Lots of hard work getting my first solo album finished and out there in the world....but extremely rewarding! I had a blast writing for this album and the creative process was total joy for me!

Ch.L.: Your current single is being played by radio. What do you thing is specail about this song that makes people what to hear it?

H.N.: I think Johnny and June was such a special record...a song that really connected with the hearts of people. So we wanted to follow it up with something that had some tempo and had a really great sing along message to it. Cry Cry Till the Sun Shines, though a totally different kind of song then its predecessor, seemed like the perfect choice! It just makes you want to crank it up...it makes you feel good!

Ch.L.: What's your favorite song among all the songs you've recorded and what's the story behind it?

I love this whole album! I love every song on it....so it's very hard to choose a favorite. But Johnny and June is a song that I will be honored to sing for many years to come...and it is really responsible for kicking the doors down for me as a solo female artist....so it would probably be at the top. the album title track is my anthem though....
It's pretty special as well...and I know so many people all around the world will be able to relate to it....It's about taking chances...and not letting anyone tell you what you can or can't do or achieve...but I think it does this without being cheesy. It's the story of my life right now!

Ch.L.: If you had the chance to change something about the music industry, what would it be?

H.N.: I would change the bullshit politics that often times take over the soul of our art. It should always be about THE MUSIC and how it makes you feel....It should be about believing in real artists and their creations....not about the freakin bottom line! It is a shame...do you realize that if Elvis Presely or Bruce Springsteen or Fleetwood Mac (among many others who took a bit to find themselves) were starting out today, they might not have been given a real chance to become the legends they are. We don't champion real singer songwriters as much anymore..I hate that so many people are spoon fed "celebrity" instead of TALENT and passion.

May 11 release already predicted to be “One of the Best Albums of 2009” by LA CityBeat

     Frankly, Rhett Akins does give a damn – especially for his music fans. Though some of his songs are sweet ones, a certain kissy-kissy composition of late sure to get a crowd reaction isn’t one of those: it’s called “Kiss My Country Ass.” And if anyone has a problem with that, well…let’s just say they best not voice it.

     “It’s my favorite song to perform,” he fires up. “I just love to get out there in front of people. I love the whole live thing. And in my opinion, there’s no authority in the world who can tell you when you are a singer and when you are not.”

     “Ass,” by the way, can be found on his 2007 release People Like Me, which also includes plenty of sentimentality in “If Heaven (Weren’t So Far Away). Currently, it’s available on his website and at shows only. And speaking of shows - in 2001, he took his enthusiasm for entertainment to the road at an impressive new level, starting the Honky Tonk Tailgate Party tour, where he joined with three other (sometimes rotating) artists.

     Many a fan’s been riding in trucks with the Georgia-bred Rhett since (the career high-gear of) “That Ain’t My Truck” and “I Brake for Brunettes,” but what they may not know is...

wo classic Billy Sherrill-produced albums from the early ‘70s to be housed on a single CD, due out April 7