James Morrison Looking Pensive In "One Life"

James Morrison has unveiled a brand new music video for his new single "One Life," the third to be taken from his current platinum selling album "The Awakening," which has been a very personal journey for him, he recently said: "'The Awakening' is such an intensely personal album to me, I'm just pleased people are sharing that and enjoying it so much, and the fans are giving me such incredible feedback and support."
Follows the mid-tempo Top 5 single, "I Won't Let You Go "and his collaboration with Jessie J, "Up." The "One Life," a powerfully reflective ballad and a charming and heartfelt meditation on 27-year-old Morrison's life, was written just prior to his father's tragic death, its underlying message is positivity. The chorus, "I got one life, one life, one life and I'm gonna live it I got one life, one life, one life and I'm gonna live it right" is a clear and uplifting message.
Before it's release, the BRIT Award-winning English singer/songwriter stated that "I've sung too many love ballads. I want to do a bit deeper than [before] and find more substance". So with that in mind, 'One Life' focuses on how life should be lived and every moment should be cherished. His maturity as an artist shows, and Morrison has been able to show off his songwriting progress, as he says, "it's richer than just a silly old love ballad."
The video looks simple, nice and is equally inspiring. It sees Morrison singing while strumming his guitar with cuts to footage of him performing on stage and exploding fireworks, with classic images flashed across the screen: he throwing stones into the horizon, crooning with guitar out in the open air, and of course plenty of extreme close ups of our man looking pensive. Morrison is currently on a world tour - presently finishing a run of sold our UK dates before moving onto a sold out European tour in March. He will then play shows in South East Asia, Japan and Australia in Spring, moving onto the USA in early Summer.

James Morrison and Jessie J Don't Give "Up"

British blue-eyed soul singer James Morrison has teamed up his fellow countrywoman, the always colorful Jessie J to release their brand-new collaborative video for their soft, dreamy and romantic ballad new single "Up," the second single from Morrison's recent chart-topping album "The Awakening," which he told the news site is different enough from his older work to let people know what the new album will sound like, but not so different it will alienate fans.
The soft-focus pop soul duet with Jessie, is simply a repeat run of his collaboration with Nelly Furtado, right down to the lack of chemistry between the two singers. Morrison said he was honored the pop heavyweight had teamed up with him for the ending of the guitar-driven number. Morrison recently told Digital Spy of working with the 'Who You Are' star: "[It was] pretty intense. I was s**ting myself to be honest! She's sassy and an amazing pop star. She doesn't normally record tracks that she hasn't written herself, so I felt pretty privileged that she agreed to do it."
The video for the collaboration features the pair playing an estranged couple, as described in the pop ballad's lyrics. The clip follows Morrison wandering his way 'Up' through an abandoned-looking building while Jessie is seated in her top-floor apartment, singing and looking serious. At one point, they are back to back in the same room, singing. The video sets up these varying moments of tension and preps for them to eventually head up to the rooftop where they sing their heartfelt lines to one another, and try working out whatever issues which drew them apart.
The singers emote quite a bit and call for each other to stop doing "parade of excuses." As the sun begins to set, so both are drenched in sunlight for a few seconds, and household objects in their room begin to spontaneously explode, and the two singers end things by staring off into the sky at the edge of the roof. This video certainly shows us a more muted side of the normally rainbow-ish Jessie. She's subdued and muted, but still conveys plenty with her beautiful voice. She and Morrison have voices that mesh well together and the video's sad nature will get you thinking. It's not a super dramatic climax, but it still works.

Kimberly Caldwell 'Desperate Girls & Stupid Boys'

American Idol album Kimberly Caldwell has released a new video for her latest single, "Desperate Girls & Stupid Boys," which is the lead single taken from her forthcoming debut studio album, "Without Regret," which has continues to be pushed back until April 19, but the release of this single should indicate that her label is ready to push Caldwell's new set of tunes. The 2nd season of American Idol contestant struck a chord with millions of the show's viewers thanks to her gutsy vocals, passionate performances, and earthy charisma.
"Misery loves company, so let's dance until we die," rasps out Caldwell on her new party jam, the catchy song is an empowerment anthem for people everywhere. Penned by Tommy Henriksen, BC Jean (Beyonce's "If I Were a Boy") and Zac Maloy, the song struck a chord with Caldwell immediately after she heard it. She explained, "I automatically connected with this song because life is so much brighter and easier when you stop trying so hard to fit in. It's important to surround yourself with the special people in your life who appreciate you for who you really are and always have your back."
With lyrics like, "Drive, meet me at the corner of hope and hopeless, try to follow me I know a way out," this up tempo song could truly be inspirational to many who feel as though they don't fit in. With the recent rash of reported bullying across America, "Desperate Girls & Stupid Boys" is sure to give hope to people who may feel like outsiders. This Pink-ish bit of pop candy is a dangerous cocktail as a concept, but as a song, it's a really good fit for Caldwell and will hopefully get some radio play. The 28-year-old's confectionary vocal style is summery and airy-light! The redemptive power of music.
"Putting out my debut album is the ultimate dream come true," says Texas native about her upcoming debut CD. "I've been a performer my entire life and everything I've done has led up to this moment. I'm looking forward to people finally getting to know the real me, because I'm laying it all out there for them on this album." On "Without Regret," she wields her full-throttle belt to maximum effect on a series of emotionally resonant, pop-inflected rock songs. The most important thing, Caldwell says, "is that I jumped over to the fearless side. This album is my first step in allowing people to know 'I've been where you are, I hurt like you do, but I've turned it around and made something positive moving forward and so can you.'" Check out the Lex Halaby directed music video for the single below.

Jewel Chooses To Stop And Count To "Ten"

Three-time GRAMMY-winning singer Jewel performing in her music video for "Ten," is today's addition at Top Country Music Videos. The single, a fan favorite, is the 3rd single off Jewel's ninth studio album, "Sweet and Wild," a country-leaning album she released this past June. The music video premiered on CMT a few days ago. With a twangy, guitar-plucking melody, Jewel admits love's journey is no easy task despite occasional conflicts, she says sometimes the best resolution is to step back and reflect, her new single "Ten" inspires hope that she may find that voice once again.
The 36-year-old country crossover singer bounced between pop, light rock and even dance—the genre where she has found her most chart success. And then there was country. Yet, she's never really tapped in to the same well of insight that she drew from when she was younger. Not until now, not until this one track from this otherwise unremarkable collection. "Ten," co-written with Dave Berg, is glossy and fully aligned with country music's mainstream. But it's also one of the best songs she's ever written—certainly the best song she's written in a decade. "Ten" is not just a tight song, it's a perfect song. The track boasts a plucky banjo and the faint wail of a steel guitar, but album producer Nathan Chapman smartly keeps most of the musical augmentation in a supporting role to Jewel's incredible voice.
The real story here, however, is just how essential these lyrics are. "Ten" tells the story of a woman who, in the midst of fights with her lover, stops and counts to ten. As she counts through the chorus, we get to hear what goes on in her mind. "One, I still wanna hate you/Two, three I still wanna leave," she sings. This isn't your cookie-cutter "we've all got problems" bickering, as typically portrayed on country radio. This is real. This is a drag it out, scream and shout kind of fight. This is the kind of fight that's so frustrating, so infuriating, so demoralizing, that it just seems like the best thing you can do is pack up your bag and go.
Because anything has to be better than this. A fight like that spirals out of control, and like a snowball rolling down a mountain, it builds upon itself. The words get meaner and the pain grows deeper. Although Jewel isn't pulling any punches when she puts on the boxing gloves in her new video for "Ten." Jewel reminds us that, in that moment, we have to hold on. And, that if we can just get to ten we might not even remember what we were fighting about in the first place. "Ten" is smart, sensitive and powerful. Here's hoping that Jewel, after all of these years has finally voice that voice she's been searching for.

Amy Grant Released "Better Than a Hallelujah"

Six time Grammy® winner Amy Grant's newest music video for her hit single "Better Than A Hallelujah" premiered exclusively online at Ladies' Home Journal's website. The song "Better Than A Hallelujah" comes from Grant's acclaimed March release "Somewhere Down the Road." Christian and pop star's first new radio single, non-holiday music in seven years garnered praise from People magazine saying "this is a soothing set of inspirational pop, as the pure-voiced Grant exudes a simple warmth on tracks."
When Grant's manager, Jennifer Cooke, emailed her the song, she knew she had to record it. "The honesty of it, the vulnerability of the lyrics, the beautiful melody, and that the song found me right where I was in my own journey was incredibly powerful," says Grant, admitting the song resonated strongly with her as she dealt with the death of her longtime friend musician Ruth McGinnis. "The song is just so poignant and redemptive. In the lyric there is no religious code or lingo going on and the message is true, it's good news. I love every scenario it's painting." She could easily rest of her considerable laurels, but the dawning of a new decade finds her as passionate as ever. "It's all about the idea," she says. "I love the song 'Better Than A Hallelujah.' I love the opportunity to get to do a song with my daughter."
The new video tells a story and gives a message, as good as the song and folks, it's a tearjerker, so be sure to have your tissues handy. "Better Than a Hallelujah" falls into the Soft Rock genre, but its message is far from soft. As in any music video, this one started out with the band getting ready to play in a typical, everything-is-white room in dramatic black and white. It even starts when someone pushes play on a recorder for the drum sound. It really starts when it switches over to watching an old man rediscover an unopened letter given to him by his wife when he was about to leave for war. Then, the words of the song truly come to life. Grant starts to sing about how God loves our suffering and cries. It sounds ridiculous for the Lord, the God of infinite love and understanding, to enjoy our suffering. Still, the song is soft, and the words start to take on greater meaning than the imagined cackle.
Conventional wisdom has it that Grant put Contemporary Christian music on the map. She surely did that, achieving such breakthroughs. Affectionately referred to as "The Queen of Christian Pop," it's impossible to mention Christian music and its impact on culture without making reference to Amy Grant. With six Grammys, numerous Dove Awards, a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and numerous other accolades to her credit, Grant is an American music icon who has erased lines between genres and earned the respect of fans and peers with her honesty, vulnerability and ceaseless creativity. Grant's artistry has continually resonated with audiences since she first hit the national spotlight as a fresh-faced teen with a guitar three decades ago. Grant has always aimed for authenticity in singing about God, faith and everyday life.

Matthew West Released "Save a Place for Me"

Grammy Award nominated Contemporary Christian musician Matthew West debut the new music video for his current chart topping radio single, "Save A Place For Me" from his latest "Something To Say" project on RANSOM.tv, a ministry of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, provides a place for youth and young adults to land and grow in their spiritual walk. RANSOM.tv is excited about working with West. His heart and passion to minister to the lost and hurting will appeal to RANSOM.tv users.
"Save a Place for Me" is a track that touches the hearts of those who have lost someone close to them. The video for song was filmed in Nashville, portrays both the burden of loss as well as joy found in the hope of Heaven. West explains, "I wanted the video to tell the story beyond my own personal experience of losing a loved one. One setting in particular captures the sentiment of the song so well. There is a Memorial Wall, and all these different people are walking up to the wall, placing pictures on the wall, leaving flowers, saying a prayer, and remembering someone they've lost. I get chills just writing about it. I hope the video and the story it tells will enhance the emotion of the song when people see it, both the sadness and the hope of Heaven."
The song has additionally prompted a "Save a Place for Me" Memorial Wall web site where fans can share memories of lost loved ones. "We have been so moved by all the emails that we have received about "Save a Place for Me" that we have built an online memorial wall to serve as a place for people to remember loved ones lost." So visit the page, upload a picture and share a memory. Let's all celebrate the lives of loved ones lost and be reminded of the promise of Heaven. We'll see them soon!

Kimberley Locke's Hot Dance Hit "Change"

Adult contemporary pop/R&B singer and American Idol season 2 third placer, Kimberly Locke was exclusively world premiered a music video for her the No.1 Billboard dance hit and the roll out single "Change" from her sophomore album, "Based on a True Story" on Americanidol.com in 2007. The Tennessee native Locke, with the assistance of Ty Lacy & Dennis Matkosky, wrote the song about the crossroads she reached when deciding whether or not to call off her engagement in 2005.
Wisely, the single focuses on that core, albeit with enough of a contemporary edge to indulge her youthful profile and perhaps drum up like support at adult top 40. "Change" rocks harder than the pop imprint of debut top 40 hit "8th World Wonder" and a bit less than the brusque, more urban "Wrong," mediating middle ground for a song that could make the grade across several formats. At this point, pop radio appears hesitant to embrace most Idols, so this persuasive effort is tailor-made to deliver on Locke's promise as a potential signature at adult formats.
The music video for "Change" was filmed in Nashville and was shot by award winning director Roman White, who has directed videos for such artists as Carrie Underwood, Hootie and the Blowfish, and Lonestar. The video follows Locke walking alone through the city on a cold winter's night. A promotional dance remixed version of the video was also produced and distributed to danceclubs.
A proven hit-maker, who has scored four Top 10 Billboard hits and collaborated with a dream team who've crafted songs for Whitney Houston, Destiny's Child, Jennifer Lopez, Monica and Kelly Clarkson, among others, is giving the recording thing another go. She is currently working on her 4th album with producer Randy Jackson. She states the album will be more in the dance genre and hopes for an early 2010 release. Have I ever mentioned that I love her voice? Locke is truly a vivacious and lovely woman who is captivating with her awesome voice and musical style.

Kelly Sweet's Music Video For Her "We Are One"

21-year-old soft-voiced pop vocalist Kelly Sweet was born into a creative and musical family, and she eventually met Grammy-nominated producer, arranger and songwriter Mark Portmann in the summer of 2004. The two began working together shortly thereafter, resulting in the turning point of her career into a professional musician, and makes her something of a rare new pop star. She brings a wide range of influences together from pop to jazz to classical and back on her debut album entitled "We Are One" via Razor and Tie Records in March 2007. Now her label is trying to score her some club cred by supplying remixes of the absolutely stunning title track to her debut CD. The Dave Aude Club Mix is a chugging house mix that manages to keep her vocals above board and the star of the show. Kelly's voice is very similar to Sarah McLachlan, so dance remixes can be tricky, but these mixers seem to pull it off with ease. It's a great dance debut.
Not your typical pop record in any way, shape or form, "We Are One" has a much more ambitious sensibility than those being heard on Top 40 radio today. With the multilingual skills to match, and melodies that partake of both jazz and classical influences, "We Are One" conveys a sense of depth, intimacy and sophistication not often heard in today's pop landscape. "We Are One." then, is that rarest of musical experiences, a seamless emotional journey that deeply touches listeners of all ages with its beauty, grace, individuality, and courage. "This music is not about me," she says. "It's about the soul in all of us. I'm just happy to have a voice to convey these things to the world." And the world is certainly a better place because of it.
Kelly came to me as a totally unexpected and I was deeply touched by this fresh and unadulterated voice. This is a beautiful album of angelic music, which makes believers of us all, the album so well performed with songs so well crafted and produced so well that it transcends genre. This is the album us rockers can bring to your loved one to prove that we, too, have hearts, in spite of the music we force feed them at other times. Blessed with a beautiful voice made for soft emotional ballads, Kelly takes us on an emotional ride right up there with the best. She has already made a name for herself on the Adult Contemporary scene with classical and jazz styles, and is now aiming to conquer clubland with the mixes to "We Are One." She actually lets the song build momentum and emotion, with a strong satisfying center. Her thoughtful lyrics, amazing soft angelic voice and beauty seem exceptionally pure in this era. Great mix!

Carrie Underwood's "Play On" Album Hits Stores

The four-time Grammy Award winner and country music star Carrie Underwood returns with today's release of her highly anticipated third album, "Play On" via Arista Nashville. It's been fewer than five years since the Oklahoma native won "American Idol," but Underwood's music career has been supernova hot since, has earned little critical praise despite moving over 10 million albums, garnering ACM and CMA awards and becoming the first Country artist in history to achieve ten No.1 singles from her first two albums.
Reality-show prodigy turned down-home diva, Underwood knew she needed to finish a new album this year. Luckily, she viewed the writing and recording process of "Play On" as a labor of love, rather than just one more thing to check off her huge to-do list. The new album is very solid from top to bottom, and it contains quite a wide range of music. The lead single from the album, "Cowboy Casanova" pop-country crossover hits has been established as the fastest-selling song in the past year of country music. While there, she also debuted three other songs included in the album, "Temporary Home," "Undo It" and "Mama's Song." The album's strongest classics track is "Someday When I Stop Loving You," a brooding tune framed beautifully by her delicate performance, while "What Can I Say," a collaboration with sibling trio Sons of Sylvia, is a simple, elegant declaration of longing. And the all-American girl even delivers a tart-tongued reading of the spunky, Shania-esque "Songs Like This."
The remaining 45 minutes, though, are more Hallmark than honky tonk. "Play On" is a tastefully-done pop pleasure, with little of the pretentious production that gutted much of her first two discs. Better still, Underwood's found new creases in her sweetly-Southern voice, an engaging instrument that's grown with each album. Underwood doesn't want you to call her music pop-country. "I'm not trying to move anywhere away from country music," Underwood said. "I love what I do. And let's say 'Cowboy Casanova' crosses over, it's going to cross over as it is - fiddles, steel and all. Growing up I never liked it when people would have a country song and then change it for a different format." "Play On," though saddled with its share of loose songwriting, is a convincing reminder of a blonde, budding talent.

Barlowgirl | "Beautiful Ending" (Video)

Million-selling and ten-time Dove nominated BarlowGirl is an American Christian rock–CCM band composed of three Barlow sisters from Illinois. The band became the best selling new Christian artist of 2004 with the longest running #1 song "Never Alone". "Beautiful Ending" is expected to be the lead single for their next 4th album, "Love & War," is slated for release on September 8, 2009. The music video for “Beautiful Ending” premieres exclusively at Yahoo! Music Wednesday and fans can download the single at iTunes.
BarlowGirl will host their official CD release party for "Love & War" at Rock The Universe in Orlando, Florida on September 13th. BarlowGirl is also gearing up for their headlining tour this fall in support of "Love & War", which will also feature Superchick and VOTA. For more information about their upcoming tour dates please visit BarlowGirl or Fervent Records.

Brooke White Reveals Her 1st Music Video 'Radio Radio' Free On iTunes.

People enjoy listening to radios as seen in the Brooke's 1st music video for her new single 'Radio Radio', has just come out. In the video, she is captured sitting behind the piano in a recording booth. It also includes several scenes where people turn on their radios and listen to their favorite songs. Opening with "Radio Radio," Brooke begins her piano adventures backed by a simple beat and bassline. Lyrics suggest she's a bit lonely or lost and is looking for a song on the radio that will inspire her and possibly even make her want to dance.

"Radio Radio" is the latest single appearing in "High Hopes & Heart Break", the American Idol season 7 contestant's 2nd album, but the 1st post-Idol album, will be available on July 21. "High Hopes & Heartbreak" is nothing short of that, filled with melodies and piano riffs that touch the heart and brings back simple songwriting that still makes an impact. Again, the new album is now offering exclusively on iTunes for a limited-time price of $7.99, and the video is now available on iTunes for free. Click here to download free music video 'Radio Radio'. Check out Brooke's Full CD Listening Parties.

Clay Aiken | "On My Way Here" (Album Title Track)

Clay Aiken was born in North Carolina on November 30, 1978, who began his rise to fame on the 2nd season of American Idol in 2003. "On My Way Here" is his 4th full length studio album released today.

The song "On My Way Here" is the title track about how the lessons we learn growing up shape us into the adults we become. This struck a chord with Clay and the song became the inspiration for the album's theme. Clay said "I thought if we could find songs along those lines, that deal with my life over the past five years and what I've learned from my experiences, it would be a great concept for an album."

"On My Way Here" is also included on the Super Hero album commemorating the 2008 Beijing Olympics presented by MBA Sports.

Jewel | "You Were Meant For Me" (Video)

Jewel Kilcher was born May 23, 1974 in Utah. She has received 3 Grammy Award nominations and has sold 27 million albums worldwide, and almost 20 million in the US alone. "You Were Meant for Me" is the 2nd single on her debut album, "Pieces of You", and went on to receive a great deal of recognition. It relates the singer's incomprehension of a failed relationship, and her inadequate attempts at moving on with her life. The album was also a huge success and eventually sold over 12 million copies in the U.S. alone.

The music video was directed by Lawrence Carroll for the Radio Edit. Steve Poltz appeared in the video, which would win Best Female Video honors at the 1997 MTV Video Music Awards. My other favorite singles from Jewel are "Hands", "Standing Still", and "This Way".