Sugarland

Sugarland is a popular duo consisting of Jennifer Nettles and Kristian Bush. Their fourth album, "The Incredible Machine" was released in October of this year. Sugarland has sold over 8 million albums so far and are expecting even greater numbers with the release of their new album. Both Nettles and Bush say that this album is a sort of "musical awakening" and "creative rebirth" for them. This album is like a step up from their other albums; they are more open and take bigger risks on "The Incredible Machine" then ever before. Bush describes it has a "collection of anthems" and he thinks that they have finally achieved the grander side of country music that Sugarland has been trying to reach since their very first album. Sugarland's songs are truly inspiring and for the most part really happy, relaxed, and carefree.

Blake Shelton

Blake Shelton is the winner of the 2010 Country Music Association award for Male Vocalist of the Year. This year Shelton has put out three new albums, "Hillbilly Bone", "All About Tonight", and "Loaded: The Best of Blake Shelton". The album "Hillbilly Bone" debuted at #3 on the Billboard's all-genre Top 200 chart and #2 on the Top Country Albums Chart. His songs bring together the softer side of country music and the rough, rowdy side. While most of his songs are about having a good time and full of upbeat energy, he can have some very powerful and moving songs such as, "Draggin the River", which is a duo with his fiance Miranda Lambert. Shelton really knows how to liven up his audience and is one truly great entertainer that's just there to show his audience a good time.

CMA's!

Last night was the Country Music Awards show hosted by Carrie Underwood and Brad Paisley  for the third year in a row with many performances from artists such as Jason Aldean, Zac Brown Band, and even Gywneth Paltrow. Two of the biggest award winners last night were Miranda Lambert and Brad Paisley. Lambert took home three awards including best album of the year, female vocalist of the year, and her song "The House that Built Me" won video of the year all while celebrating her 27th birthday. Brad Paisley took home the biggest award of the night: Entertainer of the Year. Other winners included Blake Shelton for Male Vocalist of the year, Sugarland took home Vocal Duo of the year, and Zac Brown band won New Artist of the Year award. Many other awards were given out and many other amazing performances were made last night during the 2010 Country Music Awards.

Dierks Bentley

Dierks Bentley has become a country singer famous for his mix of country music and bluegrass. His fifth album, "Up on the Ridge" came out in June of this year and focuses mainly the more bluegrass side of his music. Even though when he first heard bluegrass music he thought of it as "old folk's music", he eventually came to love and all his albums continue to have ties back to that style of music. Bentley has won countless awards and has a huge fan base because of  his mixture of bluegrass and modern day country music. He brings to the country scene a different type of music all his own that sets him apart of other country singers today. His songs portray a life touring on the road as a "modern day drifter" and the simple life of living out in the country.

Taylor Swift

Taylor Swift is definitely one of the most popular singers today. Whether people listen to country music or not, everybody's heard of Taylor Swift. She has become immensely popular all over the world and her recognizable songs have become huge successes. Her newest album, "Speak Now" was released last week and has already hit the top of the charts across several genres, such as pop and, of course, country. This new album has also set billboard chart records by having 11 of its songs reach the Billboard Hot 100 chart at the same time. All of Swift's songs were written by her and all showcase the literal experiences she has had in her life which make them extremely relatable. In all of her songs she is very honest and not afraid to "name names" of people that have fallen in and out of her life. Her songs show her exactly as she is, nothing is faked, and it’s all real from her own life.

Eric Church

Eric Church's first album, "Sinners like Me" was released in 2006 and three years later his second, most current album, "Carolina" in 2009. His songs are straightforward and speak straight from the heart. While he has only been on the country scene for a couple of years, he has become a huge success with fans all around the nation. They enjoy Church's honest persona and realness that shines throughout his songs, without him being worried about what people might think of him. He is an outstanding performer with his ability to capture his audience and keep them entertained throughout the duration of his show. Through his hard work and dedication to music he should continue to make songs true to himself and become even more of a country superstar.