Cash, Thompson, Buxton lead new music

Tuesday, February 23, 2010 – It was a busy day for new releases - the busiest in months with everyone from the late Johnny Cash to newcomer Josh Thompson participating.

Cash's "American VI: Ain't No Grave" comes out six years after the Man in Black died. Like the previous versions of this series, Rick Rubin produced. Many songs focus on death and looking back at life. Cash wrote one song on the disc.

Thompson, a Wisconsin native, is a newcomer with "Way Out Here." He has gained airplay with his single Beer on the Table, a blue collar workingman's theme song.

Sarah Buxton has been kicking around for years, waiting for the chance to release her debut. She has finally done that with a self-titled effort on Lyric Street. Buxton gained some fame as a songwriter, particularly Stupid Boy, a hit for Keith Urban.

Carrie Newcomer is on the folkie side of country. Her latest is "Before And After."

New England band Joy Kills Sorrow, a rootsy, string band, is out on Signature Sounds with the cutely titled "Death Sure Becomes This City." Lead singer Emma Beaton spearheads the effort.