Another week has passed and we are getting closer to the end of summer which I can’t believe is here already. Over here the end of summer is marked by Labour day, and that’s only a few weeks away. Crazy stuff, I know! It seems to be as I get older the weeks and months and years move faster. I cant imagine how fast they must move for Pat, lol!!!

We have got some great interviews coming up in a few weeks for you, so it’s not all bad that the months are moving along quickly. They kick off with Michelle Wright this Friday http://www.voiceofcountry.com/94.html and then Justin Moore, he is a very cool guy and then Marcel is rumoured to be coming by. You got to love that we are in Nashville!

Oh and one of our former guests are on the CCUSA this weekend, Taylor Swift! I don’t want to boast but we interviewed her a while back now and about 3 weeks later she became a global superstar. Coincidence? I’ll let you be the judge! http://www.voiceofcountry.com/102.html

It is all fun and games in Nashville at the moment with the weather being so hot, thank goodness for AC that’s all I can say. Don’t miss your chance to come over to the CMA awards either, its coming up sooner than you think, in November in fact which should be great! For all of you that are coming over, can’t wait to see you. For all of you that are not, there is still time. Or if you miss out, Vegas in December is the date. Be there, or be gutted you missed it!

Ok that’s me for this week, if you have any further information requests or questions then you can let me know directly at barry.oneill@voiceofcountry.com or through the contact us button. Cheers the noo B

Running errands always provides a perfect opportunity to listen to new music. So this week I loaded up the car CD player and headed off for the malls.

First up: the special Fan Edition of the new Sugarland CD, "Love on the Inside" (great title, although it always makes me think of prison!)

It's easy to see why this landed at #1 the first week of release. It's definitely the best Sugarland album yet. The five extra tracks are worth seeking out the special edition for, as they include the killer live recording of "Life in a Northern Town".

Overall, there's a bit more vocal involvement from Kristian Bush, which is good, as it makes them sound more like a real duo, rather than a Jennifer Nettles solo project with guitar from that guy that nods his head a lot.

Lyrics are excellent throughout, although I wasn't much impressed with "It Happens", in which it's clear they're singing something other than "It" (think of what Rodney Atkins' kid utters in the song "Watching You"...)

A definite keeper though...rockin', energetic and thoroughly entertaining.

If you like your Country a little more traditional, you'll really enjoy the new Jamey Johnson album, "That Lonesome Song". It's heavily influenced by Country heavyweights like Johnny Cash and Waylon Jennings (who gets a name check in one song and turns up in the title to another one).

Instrumentation is low key and sparse on most of the tracks, as evidenced by current hit single, "In Color". The black and white. moody album art perfectly reflects the sombre, introspective tone of most of the project.

Jamey had a hit a few years back with "The Dollar" and has had much success as a songwriter since then. Whether his new work is commercial enough to make a big impact remains to be seen, but he's destined to be a favourite of critics and discerning fans, without doubt.

OK, I'm just pulling into the mall, so it's time to go hunt those bargains!

At the moment I am sitting listening to the ‘Not the Poets and Pirates tour’ I’m very impressed, almost as good as the real thing, if not better! Although it is not quite the same as the live experience there are a few good things to be said for being able to listen to it in the comfort of my own home: The fact that I don’t have a panda style tan from sitting in the stadium sun all day and wearing my sun glasses is a positive and I don’t have a really drunk couple behind me, spilling beer on me every time a song they recognise comes on. Hat’s off to Pat for having the Idea.

Next week on VoC is looking very cool! ......http://www.voiceofcountry.com/72.html