I Will Always Love You...Dolly Parton

It's Sunday night, I've just been watching a TV dramatisation of 'Women In Love' so it seems fitting to draw your attention to what is undeniably one of the greatest love songs ever written. And guess what - it's a country song! So what if Ms Houston made it mega famous; Dolly's version is the original, heartwrenching classic. If you've never actually listened to this before...GET READY!!! Here's a live performance from 1974.

Michelle Branch Back On Form? Free Download Feat. Dwight Yoakam!

I was an enormous Michelle Branch fan when she first blazed into the US charts back in around 2001 with her album 'The Spirit Room'. Since then she's released a few studio/live albums, two of which were recorded as the country duo 'The Wreckers' with Jessica Harp. It was a great album but the band has since disbanded and Michelle has returned to, I have to say, fairly lacklustre rock/pop material lacking any real country edge (or any edge at all!). It seems her label felt the same way and her long awaited third solo album with Warner was ditched.

BUT...Michelle's been giving away free downloads of tracks from said ditched album over the last few weeks, and the latest offering is incredibly promising! A duet with country ledge Dwight Yoakam, 'Long Goodbye' is absolutely the direction Ms Branch should continue in. Make sure you give it a listen or ten!

To get your free download of the track, go to michellebranch.com or take a listen first in the player:

Michelle Branch Music by michellebranch

Introducing The Band Perry: The Next Big Country Act

Combining the charm of Lady Antebellum, the songwriting style of Taylor Swift and vocal harmonies only found amongst siblings, The Band Perry are going to be huge. And they're already well on their way!

A host of girl-boy Country bands have sprung up in the wake of Lady A's success and many have been pretty heavy going for me. But The Band Perry actually get me quite excited, so check out the video for 'If I Die Young', which oozes with Southern charm and Country-Pop sensibilities.

Discovering Brad Paisley. Letter To Me (Live At The Opry)

I will never forget this first performance of Brad Paisley's that I ever saw. It's from 2007, live at the Grand Ole Opry, of him singing the truly gorgeous introspective song, 'Letter To Me'.

Hopefully it'll get to you just like it got to me. You're witnessing one of the modern greats...

Keith Urban: Modern Country's Answer To Cash, Campbell and Springsteen!

Amazing songwriter, guitarist, singer and all round cutie - yes, I said it - Keith Urban is exactly what modern Country music needs. Unfortunately better known in the UK as Mr Nicole Kidman, Urban was selling millions of records well before he met his other half.

The best way I can describe Keith Urban's style is country's answer to Springsteen. A truly great voice, some unforgettable songs and seriously impressive guitar skills, you are missing out if you've not yet discovered the Urban!!!

Check out the video for 'Put You In A Song' from Urban's latest album, Get Closer.

Set to tour the world in 2011, here's hoping for some UK appearances! Enjoy.