You may not know his name, but you’ve definitely seen his face – on the big screen in movies like Just Married and Secondhand Lions, on the small screen in TV shows like Angel and Leverage, and even in other singers’ music videos like “So Small” by Carrie Underwood.  But now Christian Kane is fighting his way to stardom in the Country music world, and as his debut single “House Rules” proves, he’s holding nothing back.

Now, many people are skeptical when actors turn to singing, especially in the Country Music world, but this guy is the real deal.  Christian was born in Texas, raised in Oklahoma, and his parents met in the rodeo…doesn’t get much more Country than that!  He turned to acting in college, but has always included singing in his repertoire…in his first professional acting gig, on the TV series Fame: LA, he played a Country singer.  Christian currently stars in the TNT series Leverage, where he plays hard-hitting Eliot Spencer, and recently showcased his singing talents in Episode 306, performing “Thinking of You”.

My best friend has a soft spot for Christian (ok, she has the hots for him!) so when he performed at Johnny & June’s back in February, we had to go.  I must say, when Christian hits that stage, it’s no acting job…he puts every bit of energy into his live show and totally rocked the house.  (Which was even more impressive when we found out he had the flu!  Maybe that’s where the acting chops came in…we would have never guessed)  His current CD The House Rules was released in December of 2010, and features the title track (see the video below) as well as his current single, “Let Me Go” .  If you like your Country mixed with a little butt-kickin’ rock n’ roll, Christian Kane is your man! Get more info and hear more tunes on his website . Enjoy!
xoxo
-Charley

When you see the Chris Lane Band live, you’ll soon realize the emphasis is not on “Chris Lane”, it’s on “Band”.  6 individuals make up the CLB, and each plays an important part in crafting the band’s sound.  Of course, there’s Chris Lane, lead vocalist & rhythm guitar, who along with twin brother, Cory, on drums, started seriously pursuing a music career after college and founded the CLB (you may have noticed them in the audition segments of Season 7 of American Idol & Season 1 of Can You Duet!) Then there’s Chelsea Sorrell on co-lead vocals, a girl with a Southern twang and a powerhouse voice that can take any Country song and make it her own. (and she also made the top 60 on Season 10 of American Idol!). Add in the talents of Dean Kreseski & Joseph Pope on guitar, and Tom Sale on bass, and you’ve got a full-scale party every time the band plays!  The CLB’s focus is on Country/Rock, but you never know when they’ll mash that up with a little Pop, Classic Rock, Rap, and even old-school R&B!  But their original songs are Pure Country, as is evident below on the first single, “Too Tennessee”.  Check the Wolf’s concert page and local listings for the next time you can catch the CLB live, because trust me, it won’t be long before they’re packing huge venue’s all over the USA!!
xoxo
-Charley
CLB official website

They’ve been mentored by Nashville Hall of Fame songwriter, Kye Fleming, scored a record deal from one of the most powerful label heads in Nashville, Scott Borchetta, and landed an opening slot on one of this summer’s biggest tours, with Country Superstar, Brad Paisley.  They’re the hottest new band you’ve never heard of, Edens Edge.  But trust me, you will!

Edens Edge stopped by the 93.1 The Wolf Studios in early June, and the staff was immediately impressed with their soaring harmonies and true-to-their-Arkansas roots sound.  The group consists of Lead Singer Hannah Blaylock, Mandolin-Banjo-Guitar Player Cherrill Green, and Guitar-Dobro Player Dean Berner.  Hannah’s lead vocals are amazing, and the one thing that really stood out to me about her is that you really feel like she believes what she’s singing in every song.  That to me shows the difference between a good singer and a great performer.

The band just released a 5 song EP that includes the first single, “Amen” and a moving song titled “Christ Alone”. Be sure to check out their live performances right here in the Wolf Studios under the video section on my Facebook Page!   If you’re going to see Brad Paisley this summer, get there early and catch their set!!  Find out more about Edens Edge at www.edensedge.com

xoxo
-Charley

He’s played with the likes of Johnny & June, Charlie Daniels, and Hank Williams Jr.  He’s written songs for Rascal Flatts and Montgomery Gentry.  He’s even played for the President.  And he’s only 19 years old!!

His name is Hunter Hayes, and he scored the opening slot on one of the biggest concert tours of the summer of 2011, the Speak Now Tour with Taylor Swift, so I’m sure you’ll be hearing his name alot in the coming months.  Hunter started playing a toy accordian at age 2, and hasn’t stopped since.  He learned by ear how to play keyboards, guitar, drums and more, and plays them ALL on his debut single, “Storm Warning”!  Some may be quick to discount Hunter because of his cute looks and young age, but his songwriting and vocals show a wisdom well beyond his 19 years.  Plus, if you have a teenage daughter that you’re trying to sway to Country music, just show her this video…she will be in love!

Find out more about Hunter at www.hunterhayes.com, and listen for his fresh Wolf track, Storm Warning, right here on The Wolf!

xoxo
-Charley

(Note:  We are lucky here at the Wolf to get the jump on hearing new artists, and having them come visit the radio station before they hit the “mainstream”.  When I hear someone I think is “on their way”, I’ll let you guys know!  I love to discover new artists, and if you do too, then you’ll enjoy this feature!  And if you know of a new artist that you think deserves attention, please let me know!)

I first heard of Jason Sturgeon thru friends from “back home” in Indiana on Facebook.  When I heard there was a talented Country singer from the “next town over”, I had to check him out!  Jason grew up in Petersburg, IN, population 35oo, and just 13 miles down the road from where I grew up.  There’s not much in that part of Indiana except cornfields and cows, and weekends are spent with good friends, family, and good music.  That’s how Jason started singing…entertaining his family for quarters!

When Jason decided to immerse himself in a music career, he hooked up with Dane Clark  (a member of the band of another famous Indiana boy, John Mellencamp).  Jason learned from Dane & his fellow musicians’ insight and experience, and the resulting album is called, That’s Me. You can definitely hear the Mellencamp influence on my favorite track, “Simple Life”!

Jason played last month at Johnny & June’s, and stopped by the Wolf for an interview with me.  Check it out here http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?… and listen for an acoustic performance of his latest single, “The Cover” at the end!  Get more info on Jason at www.jasonsturgeonmusic.com  and keep an eye on the concert calendar for the next time he rolls thru town.

xoxo
-Charley

I love Fall! And here are two of the many reasons why…Football & Tailgating! See you at the game!
xoxo
-Charley

First, Dale Jr, now Jason Aldean!  Those peeps at Wrangler know how to pick their spokesmen

xoxo

-Charley

I love Facebook.  I love the fact that I can keep up with friends’ day-to-day activities when our busy lives keep us from getting in touch.  I love that I’m back in touch with people that I went to high school and college with.  What I don’t love is when someone you’re not real acquainted with sends you a friend request, and although you don’t want to ignore them and risk offending them, you don’t really want them all up in your bidness either.  So what do you do??  You go ahead and accept their friend request, then hide all your status updates from them!  I know, I know…it’s sort of a backhanded friend acceptance, but it’s better than ignoring them completely.   They never have to know, and if you become closer to them, you can always change the settings.  Click here to find out how.

xoxoxo
-Charley

Back in the spring, Blake Shelton (or his record company, but I’ll give Blake all the credit) came up with the great idea to release his new music in “Six Packs” – six-song EP’s* instead of the usual 10-14 song LP’s* – so he could get his music finished and released faster.  No more waiting years between new music packages!  I, and many others, loved the idea, as shown by the success of his first Six Pack – Hillbilly Bone. Blake is releasing a 2nd Six Pack on August 10th that includes his current single and title track, “All About Tonight”.  To get you all excited about the release, he has posted weekly features every Tuesday on his Facebook page, counting down his “Top Six” in different categories.  I love this guy’s sense of humor…

You can pre-order All About Tonight and get an exclusive bundle with poster, key chain, and T-shirt (if you so desire) by clicking here.

Enjoy!
xoxo
-Charley

*for those of you too young to remember music on vinyl – back in the day, music was released as either a Single: one song on each side of the record, an EP (extended play): 2 – 4 songs on each side (hence the “six pack”) or an LP (long playing): 5 or more songs on each side.  Ask your parents.

I know it seems like the kids just started Summer vacation, but it won’t be long before it’s Back-to-School time! (Is that sighs of relief from parents everywhere I hear?? LOL) Sadly, not every family can afford the school supplies their kids need for their optimum education.  That’s why Kellie Pickler is among the celebrities helping Staples raise money for school supplies for needy children.

Here’s the info from Mediapost.com:

In conjunction with DoSomething.org, Staples is bringing the national school drive program online and mobile in a new way for the brand.

The effort kicks off July 6 and runs through Sept. 18. “Give-Back Pack”  www.staplesgivebackpack.com) features country music star Kellie Pickler, TV star/singer Drake Bell and pop music star Jason Derulo as “pack leaders.”

Fans can go online to pick their pack leader and gain exclusive content to their celebrities as well as tips for planning their own Do Something 101 drives. With every member who signs up to join their pack, the celebrities will donate $1 to Do Something 101, up to $5,000 per pack. At the end of the program, select winners will have a chance to meet their favorite star and receive special autographed merchandise.

Also new in 2010, Staples has made it easy for parents to get involved through a new text-to-donate campaign. By texting NOTEBOOK to 20222, they can donate $5 directly to the Do Something 101 campaign. Funds raised will be dispersed to the beneficiary organizations already matched to Staples stores.

Go here to see Kellie’s PSA and join her pack!

xoxo
-Charley