NEW ARTIST SPOTLIGHT: DANIELLE PECK
By Edward Morris

© 2006 CMA Close Up News Service / Country Music Association, Inc.

When Danielle Peck likes a song, she sticks with it. Her parents say the first song she learned was Johnny Cash's "Folsom Prison Blues," which remains part of her live show today. Born in Jacksonville, N.C., Peck is the daughter of a U.S. Marine and spent her formative years in Coshocton, Ohio. Her mother's side of the family traveled and sang in churches. Her father's family played Country Music at local dances.

With music all around her, it's no surprise that Peck sat on the kitchen counter and pounded out the Cash song at 3 years old. Peck, who made labels for her own imaginary albums as a child, performed in church and joined a band at 16.

"We played weekends and hit the local summer fairs," she said. "While my friends were into sports, I was consumed with music."

Music Education In Nashville's Public Schools To Benefit From 2006 CMA Music Festival

The 2006 CMA Music Festival will "Keep the Music Playing" in Metro Nashville's public schools with a new charity initiative that will support music education through a partnership with the Nashville Alliance for Public Education, the Country Music Association announced at a press conference today.

The Nashville Alliance for Public Education will be the sole recipient of funds donated on behalf of the artists and celebrities who participate in CMA Music Festival in 2006. All of the funds - anticipated to be $300,000 this year - will be used to support music education for Nashville's 73,000 public school students.

Martina McBride Records an album of "Timeless" Classics
By Bobby Reed

© 2006 CMA Close Up News Service / Country Music Association, Inc.

Martina McBride has been surrounded by traditional Country Music her entire life.

At age 7, the Kansas native joined her father's band, which played cover versions of chestnuts including "Heartaches By The Number," "Satin Sheets" and "I'll Be There."

Then she grew up to become a Country Music superstar.

In 1995, McBride joined the cast of the Grand Ole Opry, where she has frequently shared the stage with trailblazing artists such as Country Music Hall of Fame member Loretta Lynn, Jeanne Pruett and Connie Smith.

New Artist Spotlight: Joey Martin
By Gary Voorhies

© 2006 CMA Close Up News Service / Country Music Association, Inc.

Joey Martin grew up in Alexandria, Ind., a small farming and factory town. One of five children, Martin gained a love of music from her parents.

Her first performance was in first grade at a talent show, where she sang Dolly Parton's "Coat Of Many Colors" as her dad played guitar. She continued to perform as she grew up.

Martin developed a love of horses and worked as an assistant to a veterinarian after she graduated from high school. Meanwhile, she played shows around her hometown. Soon, she moved to a small farm south of Nashville to continue her work with horses. Over time, she began to split time between duties on the farm and songwriter nights in Nashville.

Country Boys Can Survive! Rhett Akins & Jamey Johnson Hit The Road And Bars

NASHVILLE, TN – Add one part redneck and one part more redneck and you have the ingredients for a renegade, honky-tonk night of fun. BNA Records artists’ and friends Rhett Akins and Jamey Johnson hit the road this week for a two plus month tour.

Rhett Akins is back with a new album this summer, People Like Me, but the country star has never really left. Akins has been touring the country non-stop since 1995 and most recently on the Honky Tonk Tailgate Party Tour. People Like Me features the upcoming single “Old Bird Dog” and the controversial “Kiss My Country Ass,” which has been received with an overwhelmingly positive response from country music fans.

New Artist Spotlight: Jamey Johnson
By Gary Voorhies

© 2006 CMA Close Up News Service / Country Music Association, Inc

Jamey Johnson moved to Nashville on Jan. 1, 2000.

"That was the day that everything was supposed to stop and I decided if the world is going to come crashing down, then I'm going to Nashville to write and sing about it," Johnson said.

Born and raised just outside of Montgomery, Ala., Johnson grew up loving and playing Country Music. At 10, he started playing guitar and after high school, a little college and an eight-year stint in the Marine Corps Reserve, Johnson felt he was ready to pursue his Country Music dreams. The dawn of a new millennium was reason enough to make a change.

Introducing: Megan Mullins
By Christine Bohorfoush - AngryCountry.com Senior Staff Writer

Nineteen year old Megan Mullins is Broken Bows new hot rising female vocalist; but this is not all she can do, Megan is also an accomplished musician and can play the fiddle, mandolin, guitar, viola, piano, accordian, clarinet, and cello. In fact, Megan had played in the Nashville Star band for the third season of the weekly national television series and she will return to perform in the band for the fourth season of Nashville Star which kicks off in March 2006.

Megan Mullins who hails from Columbia City, Indiana came to the attention of this writer when I first heard her debut single entitled Ain't What It Used To Be... a real country tune about small town life and finding yourself not certain to remain in that small town way of life or walk a different path. What so attracted me to Megan's new single is that she has a true voice for country music and knows just how to perform a country song. Indeed at a time in country music when more and more of its top songs and artists lean towards tunes about bars, drinking, and the MTV view of life, Megan brings us a return to the values of home and the real storytelling that makes for a great real country debut single.

Nominations Announced for 41st Annual Academy of Country Music Awards

Nominations have been announced for the 41st ANNUAL ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS. Winners will receive their awards during a star-studded event to be broadcast LIVE from MGM GRAND in Las Vegas. The ceremony, which honors country music’s top talent as well as the industry’s hottest emerging talent, will be broadcast on Tuesday, May 23rd, 2006 at 8:00 PM ET/PT on CBS Television Network.

This morning Brad Paisley led with six nominations, including Top Male Vocalist of the Year, and Album of the Year for Time Well Wasted. In addition Paisley was recognized for Single Record of the Year for “Alcohol,” and Song of the Year, Video of the Year and Vocal Event of the Year for “When I Get Where I’m Going,” a duet with Dolly Parton. Paisley has previously won three Academy of Country Music Award honors.

Canadian Jason McCoy Wins CMA Global Country Artist Award

NASHVILLE - You can experience the world of Country Music, including artists from around the world, during CMA Music Festival Week in June in Downtown Nashville.

"The Country Music Association is not only committed to spreading Country Music around the globe, but also encouraging the development of Country Music artists from other nations," said CMA Chief Operating Officer Tammy Genovese. "Sherrie Austin, Paul Brandt, Catherine Britt, Kasey Chambers, Terri Clark, Jedd Hughes, Michelle Wright, former CMA Female Vocalist of the Year Olivia Newton-John, and our reigning CMA Entertainer of the Year, Keith Urban, are just some of the many Country Music artists who were born and raised outside the U.S., yet have created their own unique mark on our musical format."

CMA will honor Canadian Country artist Jason McCoy as the recipient of the 2006 Global Country Artist Award. The Award recognizes outstanding achievement by an artist who has both furthered Country Music's popularity and brought attention to the format in their foreign-based territory. McCoy will accept his trophy Sunday, June 11, during 2006 CMA Music Festival when he performs on the Greased Lightning® Daytime Stages at Riverfront Park.

Songwriters: Think you have the next hit song?

Rustie Blue is preparing to record her next cd! While Rustie is a great songwriter, she knows there are some great, unrecorded songs out there! Rustie is looking for upbeat as well as strong ballads, traditional country as well as mainstream. Rustie has quite a range to her voice, so send her something challenging!

Rustie has been getting a lot of attention lately! Her current single, "Cloud Of Dust," debuted on the R&R chart, and was "picked" during Blair Garner's "Pick it or Flick it". She has appeared in Country Weekly, and was New Music Weekly's "Artist of Interest" in August. Her current cd, Chip Chip, includes a duet with Bill Anderson and a song written by Deborah Allen.

To get a feel for what she can do, please visit her website (below). Please mail (no MP3s, please) up to 3 of your best to: Center Stage Productions, 512 West Sixth Ave, Lancaster, OH 43130

www.RustieBlue.com