Alecia Nugent’s next CD, Hillbilly Goddess, isn’t due for release until May 12, but it has already generated something of a buzz in the music world. Early reviews and response from radio have been solidly positive, and both Rounder Records and producer Carl Jackson have high expectations for this project.

I’ve listened to the CD a number of times, enjoying it tremendously, and agree that Hillbilly Goddess – both the song and the album – could be a breakout for Alecia after two previous popular releases on Rounder.

With the street date looming, a video preview has been created, featuring snippets from interviews with both Nugent and Jackson, a live radio show with Dave Higgs, and plenty of samples of music from the CD.

The music video for Bradley Walker’s A Little Change has been running on CMT and GAC for the past two weeks, and came in at #1 in the CMT Pure 12 Pack Countdown for the week of November 21.

We had a chance to discuss the song and its video rendering with Bradley, and it turns out that it is one that touched him deeply – and is especially relevant during this week when those of us in the US take time out to reflect and give thanks for our good fortune.

“It touches on something that has probably happened to most folks these days, and how we could all stand to live our lives a little bit better. We’re all guilty of only seeing what’s on the outside sometimes, and not always taking the time to see someone’s real heart. What they’re really made of. The video just brings that all to life even more. When Mr. Jack pulls out that Bible, looks up and gives that big smile, it’s over!  We should all realize how blessed we really are, and where those blessings come from.”

If you’ve not had a chance to watch the video, here it is.

Bradley explained a bit about how the song came to be included on his most recent CD, Highway Of Dreams.

“A Little Change was written by Carl Jackson, Mike Ward, and Jared Ashley. I had good timing on my side, because Carl and I were picking songs for Highway of Dreams not long after it was written. When I heard the song, the first time with Carl just playing acoustic guitar and singing it for me, its message struck a deep chord with me, and I knew it would do the same for anyone else who heard it. When we were tracking this tune in the studio, it sort of took on its own little feel ‚Äì different than I think we’d even imagined it would be, and we knew right away we had something extra special.” (more…)

Rounder Records has announced January 13, 2009 as the release date for the next CD project from songstress Alecia Nugent. Like her two previous albums, Hillbilly Goddess is a showcase for Nugent’s vocal chops, and features some of the most dynamic studio musicians available in the bluegrass world.

The new CD was produced by Carl Jackson, who also contributes several of his songs, and features Tim Stafford and Andy Falco on guitar,Adam Steffey on mandolin, Andy Leftwich on fiddle, Rob Ickes on resonator guitar, JD Crowe and Thomas Wywrot on banjo, Kevin Grant on bass, and Tony Creasman on drums.

In addition to Jackson, new songs come from Tim Stafford and Craig Market, Tim O’Brien, Jerry Salley, Larry Cordle and Nugent herself. Backing vocalists include Jackson, Sonya Isaacs, Bradley Walker, Jennifer Strickland and Valerie Storey.

We had a chance to discuss the new CD with Alecia earlier this week, and couldn’t resist asking about the title track.

“The term ‘Hillbilly Goddess’ was a label given to me by reviewer Robert K. Oermann when he reviewed my A Little Girl‚ĶA Big Four-Lane CD. I  always thought it was cute, but certainly never thought of myself as a ‘goddess’‚Ķ maybe hillbilly, but not that!

My management had encouraged me to write something for the new CD and thought this was a natural song title. My producer, Carl Jackson, Sonya Kelly and I got together and came up with this song. It refers to every man looking at his special someone as his own ‘hillbilly goddess.’

The song has a very traditional feel, and JD Crowe was kind enough to come in and play banjo on it.  He did an awesome job!”

The CD also includes an autobiographical song, Nugent Family Band. (more…)

The annual IBMA elections concluded recently with the addition of four new board members.

Only professional members vote in board elections. Elected representatives serve for a period of three years beginning with their installment on September 29, 2008.

Here are the four new board members, the constituency they represent, and a little background info about them.

Carl Jackson, an award-winning artist, songwriter and producer from Gallatin, Tennessee, was elected to represent artists and composers.

Ronnie McCoury, an award-winning artist, producer and member of the Del McCoury Band from Hendersonville, Tennessee was elected as an "at-large" representative for all members.

Cindy Baucom, from Elkin, North Carolina, is an award-winning broadcast personality who hosts the nationally syndicated program "Knee Deep in Bluegrass," was elected to represent the broadcast media.

Craig Havighurst, an award-winning independent journalist, author and producer whose company (String Theory Media) is located in Nashville, Tennessee, was elected by IBMA’s print media and education members.

These new board members join the existing board members (replacing four who previously held these posts) to compose the 17 member policy-making, governing body of the organization.