Billy Bob Thornton is an American film actor, writer and director. He had his first break when he co-wrote and starred in the 1992 thriller One False Move, and received international attention after writing, directing, and starring in the independent drama film Sling Blade (1996), for which he won an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay and was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actor. He appeared in several major film roles in the 1990s following Sling Blade, including Oliver Stone's neo-noir U Turn (1997), political drama Primary Colors (1998), science fiction disaster film Armageddon (1998), the highest-grossing film of that year, and the crime drama A Simple Plan (1998), which earned him his third Oscar nomination.
John Marty Stuart is an American country and bluegrass music singer, songwriter, and musician. Active since 1968, Stuart initially toured with Lester Flatt, and then in Johnny Cash's road band before beginning work as a solo artist in the early 1980s. His greatest commercial success came in the first half of the 1990s on MCA Records Nashville. Stuart has recorded over 20 studio albums, and has charted over 30 times on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts. His highest chart entry is "The Whiskey Ain't Workin'", a duet with Travis Tritt. Stuart has also won five Grammy Awards out of 16 nominations. He is known for his combination of rockabilly, country rock, and bluegrass music influences, his frequent collaborations and cover songs, and his distinctive stage dress. Stuart is also a member of the Grand Ole Opry and Country Music Hall of Fame.
Connie Smith is an American country music singer and songwriter. Her contralto vocals have been described by music writers as significant and influential to the women of country music. A similarity has been noted between her vocal style and the stylings of country vocalist Patsy Cline. Other performers have cited Smith as influence on their own singing styles, which has been reflected in quotes and interviews over the years.
Unchained, also known as American II: Unchained is the second album in Johnny Cash's American Recordings series. It was released on November 5, 1996, by American Recordings. Like all of Cash's albums for American Recordings, Unchained was produced by Rick Rubin. The album received a Grammy for Best Country Album and Cash was nominated for Best Male Country Vocal Performance for his version of "Rusty Cage."
Will the Circle be Unbroken is the seventh studio album by American country music group The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, with collaboration from many famous bluegrass and country-and-western players, including Roy Acuff, "Mother" Maybelle Carter, Doc Watson, Earl Scruggs, Randy Scruggs, Merle Travis, Pete "Oswald" Kirby, Norman Blake, Jimmy Martin, and others. It also introduced fiddler Vassar Clements to a wider audience. The album was released in November 1972, through United Artists Records.
"Have I Told You Lately That I Love You?" is a popular song written by Scotty Wiseman for the 1944 musical film, Sing, Neighbor, Sing and performed by Lulu Belle and Scotty. It was their greatest hit and one of the first country music songs to attract major attention in the pop music field. Although the song was featured in the movie, it was not released by Lulu Belle and Scotty until 1947. The first released version of this song was by Gene Autry in 1945.
Red Hot + Country was the follow-up to No Alternative in the Red Hot Benefit series of compilation albums, a series produced to raise awareness and money to fight AIDS/HIV as well as other related health and social issues. This compilation featured music from the classic country and classic rock genres performed by an assortment of seasoned old and new country music artists.
The Legend is a box set by country singer Johnny Cash, released in 2005 on Columbia Records and Legacy Recordings. It is one of the few multi-disc sets that contain songs recorded throughout Cash's entire career, from 1955 to 2003. Over four CDs, most of Cash's biggest hits are covered, in addition to numerous traditional compositions Cash recorded versions of, and several collaborations with other known artists, including Rosanne Cash, U2 and Bob Dylan. In keeping with Cash's persona as the Man in Black, the data surface of the discs is black. In 2006, the set won the Grammy Award for Best Boxed or Special Limited Edition Package. It was certified Gold on January 11, 2006, by the RIAA.
Kindred Spirits: A Tribute to the Songs of Johnny Cash is a tribute album to country singer Johnny Cash, released on Legacy Recordings on September 24, 2002, several days after the previous tribute album to Cash, Dressed in Black. The record features several legendary musicians, including Little Richard and Bob Dylan, as well as Cash's daughter Rosanne. It concentrates primarily on Cash's biggest hits, such as "Folsom Prison Blues", "Hey Porter" and "I Walk the Line", although "Ring of Fire", one of Cash's most well-known songs, was not covered.
Tool Box is the fifth studio album from American country music artist Aaron Tippin. It features the singles "That's as Close as I'll Get to Loving You", "Without Your Love", "Everything I Own" and "How's the Radio Know". "That's as Close as I'll Get to Loving You" reached Number One on the Billboard country charts in 1995, giving Tippin the second Number One of his career. "Without Your Love" reached #22, and the other two singles both missed Top 40 in the U.S. The album was certified gold by the RIAA.
Brad Davis is an American country/bluegrass/rock guitar virtuoso and singer-songwriter. Guitar World Magazine named Brad as one of the greatest Texas guitarist of all time in 2022. Initially, a member of country singer Marty Stuart's road band, Davis has also performed with David Lee Roth, Bela Fleck, Roger Miller, David Lee Roth, Earl Scruggs, Sam Bush, Billy Bob Thornton, ZZ TOP and many others, in addition to writing songs for artists like Tim McGraw, Jo-El Sonnier, Tony Trischka, Tommy Shaw, and Thornton.
Will the Circle Be Unbroken: Volume Two is the nineteenth studio album by American country folk group Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, released on May 1, 1989. The album follows the same concept as the band's 1972 album, Will the Circle Be Unbroken, which featured guest performances from many notable country music stars.
Damn Right, Rebel Proud is the fourth studio album released by American country music artist Hank Williams III. It was released on October 21, 2008. The album was released in two separate versions, one being a censored release for major retailers, the other is uncensored. The album was released through Curb's revived Sidewalk Records label. This is Hank III’s most successful album to date.
Hillbilly Rock is the fourth studio album by American country music artist Marty Stuart. It was released in October 1989 by MCA Nashville. It peaked at #19 on the Top Country Albums chart but failed to chart on the Canadian charts. It was certified Gold in both countries. The songs "Cry! Cry! Cry!", "Don't Leave Her Lonely Too Long", "Hillbilly Rock", and "Western Girls" were released as singles.
Tempted is the fifth studio album by American country music artist, Marty Stuart. It was released in January 1991 by MCA Nashville. It peaked at #20 on the Top Country Albums chart. It was certified Gold in the United States and Canada. The songs, "Little Things", "'Til I Found You", "Tempted" and "Burn Me Down" were released as singles and all of them reached the top 20 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts. "Tempted" at #5 is the highest charting solo single of his career in the United States, although he would reach #2 in 1992 as a duet partner on Travis Tritt's "The Whiskey Ain't Workin'."
The Pilgrim is the 10th studio album of country music artist Marty Stuart, released in 1999. It is a concept album, telling the story of a man from Marty Stuart's hometown of Philadelphia, Mississippi. Stuart plays the role of the Pilgrim, as well as other roles. It was a significant move in Stuart's career, as before The Pilgrim, he had been focusing more on trying to score a hit song instead of making the music that really mattered to him. With this album, he demonstrates his songwriting skills and his diverse instrumental skills. The album features many country/bluegrass legends as guest stars, including Emmylou Harris, Pam Tillis, George Jones, Ralph Stanley, Earl Scruggs and Johnny Cash.
Love and Luck is the eighth studio album by American country music singer Marty Stuart, released in 1994. Nearly all the songs were written or co-written by Stuart himself. The album includes the singles "Love and Luck" and "Kiss Me, I'm Gone". "Wheels" is a cover of The Flying Burrito Brothers, and "If I Give My Soul" of Billy Joe Shaver.
Country Music is the 11th studio album of American country singer Marty Stuart, released in 2003. With his previous album The Pilgrim, Stuart established himself as a serious recording artist and an accomplished musician. For this album he formed a new backing band called the Fabulous Superlatives. To date, Marty and his Superlatives are still touring, recording, and performing on The Marty Stuart Show on RFD-TV.
Deuces is an album by the Charlie Daniels Band. Released on October 9, 2007, it consists of duets with prominent rock, country and bluegrass artists, including covers of songs by Ray Charles and Bob Dylan. Guests on the album include Dolly Parton, Darius Rucker, Brenda Lee, Vince Gill, the Del McCoury Band, Brad Paisley, Brooks & Dunn and Gretchen Wilson. An expanded edition, entitled Duets was released on July 16, 2021, which includes 6 additional tracks, including a duet with Garth Brooks.
The Unbroken Circle: The Musical Heritage of the Carter Family is a 2004 compilation album featuring various artists performing the work of country music pioneers The Carter Family.
