Your Cheatin’ Heart – Hank Williams

Following Williams’ untimely death just after midnight on New Year’s Day 1953 – he was only 29 – “Your Cheatin’ Heart” shot to Number One on the country music charts. Although cut down early in life by his struggles with alcohol, Williams’ legend has only grown since then. His influence on country music continues to be so far-reaching that this song received a Grammy 30 years later, and today his story has grown to mythic status among his millions of country fans.

Wichita Lineman – Glen Campbell

Campbell’s recording of another of his many Jimmy Webb-penned monster hits was a definitive moment for this celebrated country singer and television & movie entertainer. In 1968, the song won Academy of Country Music Awards Song of The Year and made Campbell CMA Entertainer of The Year. The song has since lent its beautiful melody and moving lyrics to over 50 recordings by country, pop and R&B artists such as Ray Charles.

Tumblin’ Tumbleweeds – Sons of The Pioneers

The band that is known mostly for backing famous singing cowboy and actor Roy Rogers produced this country-western tune which crossed over and delighted C&W fans and non-fans alike. Songwriter and band member Bob Nolan was born in Canada, but spent his teen years in Arizona, inspiring this classically western tune, written in 1934.

…but makin’ record time according to their new video that gives a sneak preview of the song, I’m Lost (But I’m Makin’ Record Time), from their upcoming album release, Here We Go Again. The video footage is from The Front Porch Country Band’s world tour of China, which interestingly enough, made stops in Beijing, the site of the 2008 Olympic Games. Here’s the video. Enjoy.

Tom Dooley – The Kingston Trio

The haunting ballad from the legendary musical act usually credited with launching America’s folk music revival. This chart-topping 1958 release sold over 3 million records to earn the very first Grammy ever awarded for Country Western, helping to rekindle America’s interest in country music during the late 1950’s and early 1960’s.

This Kiss – Faith Hill

Faith Hill’s first Platinum hit, this Chapman-Lerner-Roboff song broke her out of the pack, establishing her as a cross-over powerhouse adored for her music, personality, and beauty by country and pop fans alike. The striking video (Steven Goldmann) only reinforced her popularity, and earned Video of the Year at the 1998 CMA Awards.

The Gambler – Kenny Rogers

This blockbuster rocketed Rogers to worldwide fame while also igniting one of Nashville’s hottest song writing careers. The song won the 1978 Grammy for Song of The Year and became Rogers’ theme for years to come, even inspiring a string of popular made-for-network-television movies of the same name also starring Rogers. Songwriter Don Schlitz went on to become one of the most successful songwriters of his generation.

It seems as though one of our featured artists The Front Porch Country Band have gotten the attention of some editors of the site NewTeeVee.com. The editors give a funny “simulcast” review of the video which is quite insightful and overall positive. They raise a good question:

Sometimes, it takes a pair of trained online video watchers to figure out what’s happening in a new viral short. And Jill Weinberger and Liz Shannon Miller are occasionally up to the task. In today’s Station Conversation, they tackle the Front Porch Band’s I Believe Campaign, a music video about politics… But whose politics, exactly? – NewTeeVee.com

Let them know what you think, just follow the link below.
http://station.newteevee.com/show/ibelievecampaign/

The Devil Went Down To Georgia – Charlie Daniels

It seemed radios never stopped playing this huge cross-over hit during the summer of 1979. Co-written by Daniels, his electrifying fiddle solos and the song’s intrinsic story line captivated music fans and audiences of every music style. The landmark single went on down the road to Gold as the album went triple Platinum.

The Dance – Garth Brooks

Immortalized in the 1990 CMA Video of the Year, “The Dance” is the signature Garth Brooks ballad showcasing his soft, relaxed singing style. A prolific hit songwriter in his own right, Brooks took this Tony Arata tune to Song of The Year honors at the 1990 Academy of Country Music Awards.