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COVER STORY: MIRANDA LAMBERT
In this Country Weekly exclusive, the always-candid Miranda Lambert shares her thoughts on success, boyfriend Blake Shelton and much more. “I wouldn’t trade my career for the world,” Miranda tells Country Weekly. “Every year, it gets better and we’re more well-known.” Miranda also admits that she thinks about marriage to Blake and the prospect of having children. “I think we’ll just see how it goes,” she says. “I feel like, honestly, God’s got a plan and I think it’ll happen the way it’s supposed to happen.” Miranda adds, “So it’s one of those however-we-feel situations.” Plus, Miranda talks about life at home on her Oklahoma farm.

STARS FAVORITE FOODS
We asked stars like Alan Jackson, Dolly Parton and others what they love to eat. And just like us, the stars have varying tastes. Alan can’t do without his pimiento cheese sandwiches with Blue Plate mayonnaise, while Dolly loves to dig in to Cracker Barrel favorites like the restaurant’s cornbread muffins. Also contributing to this tasty subject are Sara Evans, Josh Turner and more.

PLUS!
Check out celebrity Twitters and tweets from Martina McBride, Taylor Swift, the members of Rascal Flatts and more . . . CMT Music Awards preview . . . George Strait talks marriage and more . . . Hank Williams Jr. takes you behind the scenes of his new video . . . Billy Ray Cyrus star stats . . . and the story behind the Jason Aldean No. 1 hit, “She’s Country

Artist Watch!!

Julia Burton!

Julia Burton, a striking six foot beauty, is slumped over in a hotel room following a performance to a crowd of nearly 10,000 in Charleston, West Virginia. Feet throbbing and still wet with sweat, she is unable to hold back a smile as she reflects on the show. Burton’s feet are feeling the repercussions of her perpetual onstage antics, but she knows it is all in the price you pay to do what you love: entertain country music fans.

Nashville born and West Virginia raised, Burton is a rising star in the country music scene. She’s armed with an arsenal of energy, and pumps it into every lyric and every step she takes on stage. Burton was described by The Branson Daily News as “a voice that is part Faith Hill, part Gretchen Wilson and a little something extra.”

Her drive to entertain is an innate attribute. Burton remembers her childhood, “I would sit at my toy piano and say ‘daddy come listen to me sing my song’ -it was Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.” Burton continues, “and then Momma would catch me on top of the coffee table with a candlestick in my hand belting out Hank Williams, Jr,’s, "All My Rowdy Friends". It’s all I've ever thought about and dreamed.”

Her musical influences center around country and rock greats. “As a kid, I remember riding in the car on the way to school singing along with The Judds, Conway Twitty and Loretta Lynn.” It wasn’t long before she was drawn into the powerful tunes of Alabama, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Tom Petty, and Bonnie Raitt. “There’s one musical influence that will never change… I’m a huge Elvis fan,” comments Burton.

Beginning at the age of eight, Burton entered various competitions, winning her first one with a performance of Lee Greenwood’s “God Bless the USA”. From that point forward, Burton never stopped singing. She joined her high school choir and would sing every chance she got at church, local fairs and festivals, and even the glass stage at the Miss America competition. In addition to performing throughout high school and college, Burton held positions at Wal-Mart and as a general laborer for the West Virginia Department of Highways. Burton’s tireless dedication and passion for children opened the door for her to be a National Spokesperson for the Boys & Girls Clubs of America.

In 2004, Burton’s state and national volunteerism, cover girl looks, and vocal talents gained her the title of Miss West Virginia; during this time, she attended West Virginia University where she obtained a degree in Public Relations.

Burton’s move to Nashville allowed her to grow as an artist and develop her honky-tonk wings in the backroom of The World Famous Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge on Nashville’s Lower Broadway. For eight months she performed three nights a week for four hours to a rowdy country crowd. “Performing at Tootsie’s gave me the opportunity to meet a lot of people who love country music. Wow, what an amazing place, what great fans. It’s an experience that I will remember for a lifetime,” reflects Burton. Little did Burton know, Tootsie’s would become the catalyst for a chain of career-changing events. Burton’s team of well-seasoned music business professionals began to take shape during one of her nightly performances; she was introduced to an instant fan who was also a radio promotion professional.

Burton has since shared the stage with Kool and the Gang, Wynonna, The Commodores, and Jo Dee Messina. Burton’s growing fan base has played a vital role in her career, “The fans have been my inspiration through the whole whirlwind experience. They have embraced me and been very supportive. I’m ready for them to take this next musical journey with me.”

Feet still aching but full of spunk, Burton is ready to begin the next leg of her remarkable journey as she heads back to Nashville to work on her debut album scheduled for a June 2009 release on Emerald River Records. The first single, “What a Woman Wants” is a fiery, upbeat anthem that is slated to impact radio in January 2009.

For all things 'Julia', visit her official website:

www.juliaburton.com

Rich Eckhardt

CD Review

"Cottage City Firehouse"

Rich Eckhardt is no stranger to diversity. Playing styles from rock and roll to country and playing with legends such as Ted Nugent and Toby Keith his guitar work and the complexity of his playing is intriguing. Rich’s latest solo effort is called “Cottage City Firehouse” and includes several different styles and samplings that can only be described as a guitarist’s CD for the guitarist. With numerous colossal riffs and melodies, this CD could be the instructional ‘book’ by which all aspiring guitarists should study. In this exclusive interview with Rich, we break down each song and learn more about the inspirations and the technology that put each masterpiece together. When questioning Rich about what song best captures his ‘style’ of playing, his response was “Two songs actually. ‘Long Way Home’ represents every style of guitar playing that I love and ‘Shelby and Puppy’ would be the other because when I play the acoustic guitar; it’s just me”. Check out samples of all these songs at Rich’s Website http://www.richeckhardt.com and pick up the album. Detroit Music Notes rates this album as a must have!

Read the whole interview / Review HERE!!

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RICH ECKHARDT

Click the pic to purchase CD!

Greg Jennings

Restless Heart

Celebrating 25 years, Restless Heart shows no sign of slowing down. With plans of a new studio album and steady touring, Restless Heart has put to rest any differences the band may have had for good. Sounding better than ever, Detroit Music Notes was able to catch up with Mr. Greg Jennings just before a tour stop in Sturgis, MI. Here's what he had to say.

Read the whole interview by clicking here!!

Photo of the Month

Photo Credit: J. Chatel 2009 Detroit Music Notes

Dave Navarro of Janes Addiction. Published @ Pollstar.com!

Detroit Music Notes presents "Tradin' Licks"

Another EXCLUSIVE Feature! Guitar tips from the source

Your guide to over 1000 Guitar Resources & Music Sites!

Concert Corner

Yanni - Voices

Click the picture for photo gallery!

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