Josh Thompson hit the country music scene with a bang last year with his breakout hit, “Beer on the Table.” The song went on to become a Top 20 hit for the Wisconsin native, and his current single, “Way Out Here” (also the title track of his debut album), is following hot on its heels. Both songs, along with the other eight tracks off WAY OUT HERE, were written or co-written by the singer who began dabbling in songwriting nearly 10 years ago.

“As a songwriter, I’m really at the mercy of a great idea. I could sit and write songs all day about a telephone or a piece of dry wall, but at the end of the day, you really need a great idea, a great hook and a great story,” Josh says of the struggles of songwriting. “I think those things don’t come along every day. Of course you’re always ready for them to come along, but trying to find a different way of saying something that people have said for hundreds of years can be tough.”

While WAY OUT HERE is his first album on a major label (Columbia Nashville), Josh has been involved with singing in studios for five years in demo situations. “Recording demos and recording an album is pretty much the same process, but there’s a little more stress attached to it,” Josh admits. “It’s also better in a lot of ways because with demos you’re really snapping to get through them, whereas if you’re cutting a record, you have the ability to take your time and make sure you love it.”

Since the album’s release in February, Josh has been hitting the road non-stop, beginning with the Jagermeister Tour with Eric Church. Josh is currently in the midst of Brad Paisley’s H2O World Tour where he performs along with Easton Corbin, Steel Magnolia, Justin Moore, Darius Rucker, and, of course, Brad.

“The talent lineup is great,” Josh notes. “I love everybody out there. It’s exciting. It’s going to be a great summer. The difference from the Jager tour and this tour is ridiculous. This one is just so high scale. There are so many working parts, yet everything manages to come together perfectly.”

One of the perks of performing for the large crowds coming out to see the H2O Tour is testing new songs for fan feedback. “I’m starting to get some songs worked into my set that I’m looking to record for the next album,” Josh says. “That’s something I didn’t have for the first record. I played a lot of shows, and I kind of got a response, but not on the level I am now because simply the crowds are bigger and I’m playing more. Whatever the crowd is really responsive to is probably what I am going to pick. I’m not going to play it first without loving it so if they love it, then that will be great!”

While he continues to win over fans night after night with his honest songs which he sings from the heart, Josh stays humbled by the fact that he has a long road ahead in order to follow in the footsteps of his musical heroes like Merle Haggard and Waylon Jennings. “I’m not the kind of person that ever gets comfortable. I’m very grateful for everything that has happened, but I don’t look at something and say, ‘Oh cool, I have nothing left to do now,’” Josh explains. “Some people think that when you play the Opry that you’ve made it or when you get your first No. 1 or when you get on a tour bus … There are a whole host of things to judge that by. I think there are a lot of different steps to making it. I think in some respects I have made it, but I have a long way to go personally and business wise. There’s no need in getting cocky even if you’re good at whatever it is that you do.”

JOSH THOMPSON

Takes a Pop Quiz!

What are your tips to staying in shape?
The main thing I do is really try to watch what I eat … by not eating a box of Twinkies, but maybe having some salmon or a salad, you can ward off a lot of unpleasantness that way. I don’t really like Twinkies that much anyways, so we’re good! [laughs]

What do you collect?
Old records. It’s all country records at this point.

What is your guilty pleasure?
I guess that would be junk food or alcohol … or both depending on the night!

What’s your biggest pet peeve?
Lazy people.

What stresses you out?
TV cameras … I’m trying to get used to them though.

What is your phobia?
Venomous snakes!

Few things are more surreal for a person than a meteoric rise to fame. Imagine in the span of a few months, you go from singing downtown in empty clubs to rubbing elbows with some of the most powerful people on famed Music Row, most specifically Taylor Swift star-maker Scott Borchetta.

It is possible and it happened to Steel Magnolia, Meghan Linsey and Joshua Scott Jones, a duo whose fame is a modern -- if not a bit rock ‘n’ roll -- fairytale.

“We’ve been shocked by our success,” Linsey explains. “In the greatest way we have been really surprised by all the open doors, attention and feedback.”

Meghan grew up outside of New Orleans in a small town close to the rich musical culture of the city with the charm of a small town and close upbringing.

“I was close enough to all the great music and energy but I definitely enjoyed ‘small town life,’” Linsey states.

Her soon to be boyfriend and duo partner grew up in Illinois.

“I love Broadway – it’s so appealing down there!,” Linsey gushes. “You can be seen and heard and it’s so much easier than putting a traveling band together!”

“I was more of a street musician, from L.A. to Nashville,” Jones reveals.

The pair met while Meghan was hosting in one of Nashville’s famed karaoke bars and they discovered love – followed by finding their complementing musical talents during their first duet.

The first duet led to many and the pair signed on to be a part of CMT’s reality contest “Can You Duet?” in 2009. And to think, the two were reluctant to try at first!

Since winning the pair have had very little time to slow down and process the events. Earlier this year they released their first EP and plans are underway for a full-length. Natural performers whose romantic chemistry drips from their stage show, their soulful duets are getting attention nationwide from fans, tastemakers, and other performers.

“There are more and more ‘pinch me’ moments everyday,” Jones exclaims. “They never get old! From big industry events where we can reach out and touch our idols to playing the Opry, we can’t get big heads! But we appreciate all the recognition!”

Nominated for the Academy of Country Music’s 2010 Top New Vocal Duo was the first sign the pair had “made it.” (The prize went to retirees Brooks & Dunn.) Meghan and Josh have also recently learned they are up for a CMT Award for “Duo Video of the Year and USA WEEKEND’s “Breakthrough Video of the Year.”

Promoting their single and themselves, Steel Magnolia’s tour and appearance schedule is jam packed with dates. Meghan and Josh are very likely making a stop in a town near you over the summer!

For more information on Steel Magnolia check them out on
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/steelmagnoliamusic
Twitter: http://twitter.com/Steelmagnolia11
Official Website: http://www.bigmachinerecords.com/steelmagnolia

Kellie Pickler is once again crisscrossing the country with her favorite gal-pal Taylor Swift on the Fearless 2010 Tour. Her current self-titled album has already spawned three hits – “Don’t You Know You’re Beautiful,” “Best Days of Your Life” and “Didn’t You Know How Much I Loved You.” The next single off the album, “Makin’ Me Fall In Love Again,” is at radio now with a video to follow in the coming weeks. MCN recently caught up with the beautiful and spontaneous blonde as she shopped around SAKS Fifth Avenue for some must-have items!

You are back out on the road this year with Taylor and Gloriana on the Fearless Tour … how has that been so far?

We’ve only been out for about two weeks. Taylor mostly works from morning until night. We have soundcheck and interviews with radio and different things. We don’t really see each other a lot. I haven’t seen her but once on the road.

Do you guys get into all the pranks with each other?

Yeah, but usually the pranks come about in the last show when the tour is winding up. The things I really want to do, I usually don’t do [laughter] for the sake of damaging other people. I have good ideas, but sometimes you don’t know if you’ll still be friends afterwards! [more laughter]

What are your thoughts on artists like yourself and Taylor being such a positive role model for young girls growing up?

She is way better of a role model that I am. I don’t live my life to be a role model or to be preachy to other people. I just live my life. I’m not a product. I think I mess up every now and then, but I think for the most part, I try to do what’s right, but sometimes you kind of want to do what’s wrong! [laughs]

Are you a fan of reading articles and reviews about yourself?

I very rarely read reviews, and I never read the gossipy stuff. I sometimes like to read reviews just to see what the critics liked the best in the shows.

What are your tips for staying in shape?

Oh my gosh … well I’ve totally let myself go lately. I’ve just been writing and eating all the time! [laughs] For the most part, I eat pretty good. My weight is really like a yo-yo. It really just up and down. I’m only like 5’2” so I can gain five pounds and it looks like I gained 10. I really just struggle with my weight a lot. I’m not a huge workout-oholic, but I wish I was. I’m working on that part. I’m a vegetarian so I don’t eat meat or anything like that. I will say that’s been a struggle for me is maintaining a healthy, good weight.

What makes you nervous?

I get really nervous being in front of people. I don’t feel confident. It really shows in my face.

What makes you feel the sexiest?

I guess any time I’m with [my boyfriend], Kyle. I feel so beautiful when I’m with him. He makes me feel so, so great about myself. As long as I’m healthy, then he is fine with whatever I wear. He always tells me he likes me better with no makeup on and sweatpants. He says I just look comfortable, and it makes me look confident that I’ll go to the grocery store with sweatpants and no makeup. He makes me feel the most beautiful when I’m with him.

What do you always have in your purse?

I always have my credit cards just in case I need something! [laughs] I always have my credit cards with me, and I always have my passport … in case I have to flee out of the country! [more laughter] My passport and my credit cards I have with me all the time.

You’ve had quite a bad luck streak of dropping your iPhone in toilets … have you been having any more issues with that lately?

I have not! [laughs] I have the worst luck with that!

-- ALANNA CONAWAY

Blake Shelton’s first sold-out, headlining-spot at the Ryman Auditorium was pure BS—a no frills, funny, raucously redneck evening.

Opening with “Kiss My Country Ass” off the recently released Hillbilly Bone album, Shelton’s performance was full of the tongue-in-cheek attitude that has garnered him a devoted following both onstage and off, thanks to his musings on Twitter.

However, Shelton was quick to point out that his nerves over playing the Ryman would overshadow the urge to offend or crack too many jokes.

As the show rolled on with the speed and energy of a runaway train, Shelton’s nerves subsided as he crooned Conway Twitty’s, “Goodbye Time” and gave a rousing, rocking rendition of his own hit, “The More I Drink.”
Even though his up-tempo songs are undeniably fun, Shelton also shines with nothing more than an acoustic guitar on No. 1 ballads like “Home” and “Austin.”

During the two-song encore, Trace Adkins joined Shelton onstage for their current No. 1 single “Hillbilly Bone.” Adkins entered without fanfare, but the pair had everyone singing along to the song devoted to embracing your inner-redneck.

Closing out the set with fan favorite “Ol’ Red,” Shelton left the crowd on their feet and left a lasting impression on the historic Ryman stage.

Pictured (l-r) are Warner Music/Nashville’s Chris Stacey, Starstruck’s Brandon Blackstock, William Morris Endeavor’s Rob Beckham, WMN’s John Esposito, Adkins, the Ryman’s Sally Williams, Shelton and Starstruck’s Narvel Blackstock.

By: Jessica Baird

As an audience member, a sold-out evening at the historic Ryman Auditorium in Nashville is always a special thing to be a part of. Thursday night’s second of two packed houses for country trio Lady Antebellum surpassed ‘special evening’ and soared into magical, unforgettable territory.

With their families, friends, and devoted fans filling the Ryman’s famous wooden church pews, the significance of the night was not lost on Lady A.

Multi-instrumentalist Dave Haywood talked about taking the Ryman backstage tour with his father several years ago and said that his father was in the audience along with other relatives and friends from his hometown of Augusta, Georgia.

The evening was also a family affair for Charles Kelley; his brother Josh was one of two opening acts. After releasing several albums in a more pop, singer-songwriter style in the vein of John Mayer, Josh plans on releasing a country album this year. Given his songwriting skills and bare bones delivery, it is apparent that he will fit in just fine with today’s country style.

After giving her mother, country singer Linda Davis, and other supporters a shout-out, Hillary Scott introduced Randy Montana, the evening’s other opening act. Scott and Montana have been friends since high school and their happiness for one another’s success was evident. Montana’s first single “Ain’t Much Left of Lovin’ You” will hit country airwaves this month.

Kicking off Lady A’s performance was a taped voice-over introduction from Grand Ole Opry legend Bill Anderson. In it, Anderson said it was less than three years ago that the trio first appeared on the Opry stage.

In this relatively short time, the group has opened up for the likes of Keith Urban and Tim McGraw, logged plenty of frequent flyer miles for appearances on Oprah, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, and The Late Show with David Letterman, and recently received the most Academy of Country Music award nominations with seven.

Opening their set with “Stars Tonight,” a song complete with an irresistible sing-a-long-chorus, Lady A got the audience on their feet and the energy never waivered both onstage and in the stands.

The crowd’s screams reached a fever pitch when Haywood took to the piano for the opening of their chart-topper “Need You Now.” The ballad was just as powerful live thanks to Scott and Kelley’s vocals.

Other ballads such as “Do I,” (the recent No. 1 for Luke Bryan, co-written by Bryan, Haywood, and Kelley) and “All We’d Ever Need” off Lady A’s debut, were equally moving.

The trio’s upbeat hits like “Lookin’ for a Good Time,” “Slow Down Sister” and “Love Don’t Live Here” also showcased the group’s undeniable chemistry as they traded places on stage and played to the crowd from every angle—all the while sounding pitch perfect.

A moment that could only happen at the Ryman found Lady A taking center stage, crowding around an old-timey microphone, and crooning Hank Williams’s classic “Lost Highway.”

Both opening acts returned for a rollicking rendition of Tom Petty’s hit “Mary Jane’s Last Dance” that found the packed-house singing along as well.

Ending the evening with “Hello World,” a near-epic ballad off their recently released second album Need You Now, Haywood, Kelley, and Scott were all smiles as they thanked the crowd.

When the house lights were raised, the crowd was all smiles as we walked out of the legendary Ryman doors into a night that had been touched by magic.

(Photo courtesy of Lady Antebellum’s Official Facebook Page)