Country and Americana

Country singer Ayla Brown is the whole package – singer, songwriter, and owner of her own music production company, Ambient Entertainment. And that’s not counting her previous careers as a college basketball star at Boston College and a correspondent for 'The Early Show' on CBS. She was also an 'American Idol' finalist.

Kris Kristofferson's 'The Cedar Creek Sessions' not only reminds us of the depth of his abilities but serves notice that he's not done yet.

'Bright Star,' as the cast recording makes clear, is Carmen Cusack’s show and she makes the most of it.

‘Escape From Jurisdiction B’ is a collection of songs that remain uplifting despite the heaviness of the topics broached.

The new Alan Jackson concert DVD, 'Keepin’ It Country – Live at Red Rocks', gives you that “being there” experience. He's an entertainer you just do not want to miss.

This is Americana at its finest and a great tribute to the state, especially its Creole and Cajun music and its influence on popular music.

'Breathing In' can be seen as an exploration of both America and the person exploring it.

The Americana troubadour evolves into a plumber of the soul on his fine new album. I imagine him sitting back in a cracked leather easy chair, letting out a long slow breath, and surveying the haste and waste of the world around him before starting work on these songs.

Carpenter has always been a master of setting imagistic, earthy, poetic lyrics to deceptively simple melodies that carry emotional meaning of their own.

Bernard McMahon and Allison McGourtey's loving tribute to American musical history doubles as an entertaining concert film.