Ford, Love And Theft lead charts
Thursday, August 16, 2012 – Love And Theft notched its first number one on the Billboard Country Songs chart with Angel Eyes. The duo took over the top from former number one Come Over by Kenny Chesney, which slipped to third on the chart for the week ending Aug. 25. Colt Ford also scored his first number one on the Country Albums chart with "Declaration of Independence."
Ford took over for Zac Brown Band's "Uncaged," which was second. Luke Bryan was third with "tailgates & tanlines," Carrie Underwood fourth with "Blown Away" and Chesney fifth with "Welcome to the Fishbowl."
Lee Brice was 12th with "Hard 2 Love," up 3. Rascal Flatts also moved up 3, to 16, with "Changed." The Band Perry's self-titled debut was up 4 to 21. "The Greatest: The Number Ones" from Johnny Cash debuted at 28. Janna Kramer's self-titled debut was up 4 to 30. "Clear As Day" from Scotty McCreery jumped 6 to 34. Thompson Square's self-titled debut was up 3 to 35. Another Cash-related disc, "We Walk the Line: A Celebration of the Music of Johnny Cash," a concert featuring various artists, debuted at 38.
On the song chart, Gloriana was second, up one, with (Kissed You) Good Night. Blake Shelton was fourth with Over, while Little Big Town stayed fifth with Pontoon. Hunter Hayes held down the 10th spot with Wanted, up 1.
Underwood was at 17, up 3, with Blown Away. The rest of the top 30 had little movement.
On the Bluegrass Albums chart, Old Crow Medicine Show stayed first with "Carry Me Back." Trampled By Turtles again was second with "Stars And Satellites" and Jerry Douglas third with "Traveler." "The Gospel Side of Dailey & Vincent" was fourth with Alison Krauss & Union Station's "Paper Airplane" fifth.
On the overall top 200, Ford was 5th, Zac Brown Band 6th, Bryan 15th, Underwood 16th and Chesney 18th.
More news for Love and Theft
CD reviews for Love and Theft
Love And Theft
A lot has happened to Love and Theft since they debuted in 2009. They're down to a trio - Eric Gunderson and Stephen Barker Liles - since Brian Bandas left two years ago. They've switched labels as well, and instead of being forgotten after one hit single (Runaway), they're emerging again thanks to the single and lead-off track Angel Eyes.
There's more than that going on though. Gunderson and Liles both sing well, trading leads and harmonizing often with each other (If You »»»
|
World Wide Open
What if you held auditions for lead singer within your band and everyone got the job? It happens. All three members of Love and Theft - Brian Bandas, Eric Gunderson, and Stephen Barker Liles - share the vocal duties, acting as each other's backups and plugging in harmonies (think early Eagles) wherever possible. In the wake of a tour opening for Taylor Swift, the pin-up gents from everywhere (Austin by way of Charlotte and Clearwater, Fla.) now venture forth with their debut to the eager »»»
|
Editorial: Walking the talk –
When names like Hank Williams, Johnny Cash, Waylon and the Hag are invoked, you're talking hard core country. These are the touchstones of country , the guys who made country music what it was and still is (or maybe can be). When these folks would sing about being down-and-out and the rough-and-tumble, they knew of what they were singing about. Fast forward a few years to the country singers of today. »»»
Concert Review: McGraw has plenty of fight left –
Despite the fact that Tim McGraw is five years sober, fit as a triathlete and touring behind a number one album, he is still in an unenviable position. As he approaches 50, McGraw has to stay a step ahead of the current crop of young country hunks with TV shows, cross format radio airplay and wider appeal. But as he proved at First Niagara's... »»»
Concert Review: Steve Earle doesn't rest (on laurels) –
If you didn't realize Steve Earle had a new disc out, "The Low Highway," it would have been no problem realizing that quite and quickly.
That was because Earle started the two-hour show with three straight tracks from "The Low Highway," and he would not be done for the night. The title track of was a midtempo effort... »»»
|
 |
Country News Digest
CST
CST
Elsewhere in the news
Currently at the CST blogs

Some folks listening to Kelly Willis and Bruce Robison's new duet album, "Cheaters Game," may well exclaim, 'Well, it's about time!' after finally hearing these two talented country singer/songwriters recording music as a pair for the first time. Willis has built quite a following for her independently-minded feminine perspective, while Robison has written hits for the Dixie Chicks ( Travelin' Soldier) and Tim McGraw and Faith Hill ( Angry All the Time), as well as penning the ultimate Willie Nelson tribute, What Would Willie Do? and recording it as a solo act.
... »»»

Last fall, singer/songwriter Steve Forbert dropped the 14th studio album of his 35-year career, the impeccable "Over With You." Critics recognized the album as a return to the form Forbert displayed on his earliest works - 1978's stripped back and personal "Alive on Arrival" and 1979's more lushly produced and commercially accessible "Jackrabbit Slim" - but the fact is that Forbert has never strayed far from their basic folk/rock tenets.... »»»

Over the course of the past 20 years or so, Jim Lauderdale and Buddy Miller have both experienced a certain rise in their respective rootsy country profiles. Miller has become one of Nashville's hottest speed dial numbers, as an artist, a guitarist-for-hire (a role he has performed for Lucinda Williams, Emmylou Harris and Robert Plant, among others) and an intuitive producer (he's currently working with Executive Music Producer T Bone Burnett to provide the soundtrack for ABC's "Nashville" television series).... »»»

Wilderness
"Wilderness" is another twisted menagerie of The Handsome Family songs. Once again, husband Brett Sparks sings their songs, sometimes in a bellowing gravedigger voice, after adding music to wife Rennie's lyrics. This time out, each and every tune is named after an animal, insect or other such nature creature. However, Rennie studies animals the way Flannery O'Connor wrote about humans, which is with the weirdness and character flaws in primary focus. »»»
|
Love Is Everything
George Strait may have reached his seventh decade, but he shows zero signs of slowing down. In fact, Strait seems to be getting even more consistent as he gets older. Strait doesn't stray all that far from the formula that has resulted in superstar status. First and foremost, that means his sonorous voice is mixed far above the music, a very good thing. »»»
|
Dark Dirty Mile
Jason Boland and the Stragglers have released a new country album that sounds old. This isn't to imply that the sound is aged in a negative way; they have a classic country maturity that isn't heard too much these days with the exception of Jamey Johnson. For those not familiar with the music of Boland, the first track is a great way to decide whether this is your kind of country music. The title track is a mid tempo country song reminiscent of the late Waylon Jennings. »»»
|
|