WESTERN UNDERGROUND SURFACES AS OWN ENTITY

Chris LeDoux's band, Western Underground, did not disband after losing their founder to liver cancer. By popular demand they stayed together and have now stepped up to releasing their first single as a new entity to be considered beyond their connection to Chris. Their first single, "Good Ol' Days To Come," is from their new album, Unbridled.
The band is first rate and Dustin Evans shines singing lead on the debut single that he wrote.

CHARLIE DANIELS IN ESQUIRE MAGAZINE
 
Blue Hat recording artist Charlie Daniels is featured in the latest issue of Esquire Magazine.  Charlie appears in the magazine's "What I've Learned" column, where remarkable people are featured offering wisdom and advice. For the January 2009 issue, a month in which America will inaugurate a new president, Esquire highlights 50 "What I've Learned" interviews -- one person representing each state. Published interviews include Clint Eastwood (who is on the cover), Jeb Bush, Quincy Jones, Larry Bird, Paris Hilton as well as a few from ordinary Americans who are fascinating in their own right -- a lobsterman from Maine, a toll collector, and the caretaker of Mount Rushmore. All together, the feature is a monumental collection of wit, wisdom and advice from a diverse group of people.



GEORGIA NATIVE KURT THOMAS WINS CMT.COM’S
NATIONAL TALENT SEARCH, “MUSIC CITY MADNESS”
 
CMT.com has named 33-year-old Kurt Thomas the winner of the third annual MUSIC CITY MADNESS <http://www.madness.cmt.com/> , beating out 16-year-old Maddie Georgi of Allison Park, Penn.  Over 22 million total votes were cast this year, an increase of 439% when compared to total voting for 2007.   Thomas will receive a trip to CMT’s Nashville-based studio to record an episode of UNPLUGGED AT STUDIO 330, a private audition with Warner Bros. Records and a mentor session with country superstar Randy Travis.
A stay-at-home father of two boys, Thomas has been working on his music career for 12 years and performs in the Atlanta area five nights a week.  He wrote the winning song “Follow Your Lead” about his wife, mother and first-born son.  He credits family and the support of his hometown Dahlonega, Ga. for much of his success. 
“I’m completely excited about it,” said Thomas.  “It’s a chance to give guys like me – unsigned artists – a real opportunity that most musicians never get.”