A Resolution You Can Keep

2011 is shaping up to be HUGE in Country Music! We are going to see new releases from some of our biggest artists, newcomers and even some artists we haven't heard much from lately. Just in the first quarter of the year, we are getting a lot of promising albums.

First up this year is Lee Ann Womack. She releases Icon on January 4. This is basically a greatest hits collection from her.

Next up is newcomers Steel Magnolia. Their Freshman CD is self titled and will drop on January 11. This group has made it to my "watch list". This means that they are a group to keep your eyes on. So far their career looks promising and I'm excited to hear what their first project sounds like. Little Big Town is releasing The Reason Why on vinyl as well. Who uses vinyl anymore? If you do, you may want to get it just for the nostalgia purposes.

On January 25, look for James Wesley's album Real. James jumped on the scene in 2010 with the title track of his new album and it blazed the charts and continues to be one of our favorites. Also on January 25, we get a greatest hits album from Joe Nichols.

Looking ahead to February and March we get new music from a couple of artists we haven't heard from in quite a while and a new album from Alison Krauss on February 8. A couple of ladies we haven't heard from in a while are back with new music. Terri Clark releases Live At Cedar Creekon February 8th and Sara Evans returns with her new album Stronger on March 8.

If you are looking for the next big stars, we have a few newcomers with new music in February and March as well. The JaneDear Girls release their first album on February 8 along with Thompson Square - another group on my "watch list". Craig Campbell ends his run as a regular in a country bar in Nashville and bring the world his first album on March 1.

No matter what you are looking for in music, you are going to have something to please your ears in 2011. So go ahead, make that resolution to hear more great Country! Listening to 98 Country will certainly help that!