1. "Too Happy?" - For the most part, says country pianist and songwriter Phil Vassar, the answer is a resounding no.
2. "Rose Bouquet" - A mournful ballad based on the end of Vassar's marriage.
3. "Legends of Love" - They broke all the rules...and won.
4. "Tickling the Ivories" - Phil Vassar discusses "country piano" and his idol, Billy Joel.

1. "Getting to the Heart of the Matter" - Country music institution Porter Wagoner discourses on the anatomy of great country songs.
2. "It Doesn't Get Any Better Than This" - The ultimate songwriter's fantasy made real.
3. "Has Country Music Passed You By?" - Celebrating a rich career, and the Grand Ole Opry's 75th anniversary.
4. "Great Talkers" - A fading country tradition...the recitation.

1. "Honesty is the Best Policy" - Country singer, songwriter and guitarist Brad Paisley says great songs are their own reward.
2. "Nashville Cat" - Paisley's been playing since he was a baby and it shows.
3. "Poking Fun" - at the church (in "Long Sermon") or the local watering hole ("Me Neither").
4. "Mavericks" - Appreciating Buck Owens as a musical and personal inspiration.
5. "Bonus Track" - Thanks ASCAP!

1. "The CD" - Mandolinist Ricky Skaggs' "Soldier of the Cross" is bona-fide Bluegrass gospel, with no apologies to those who might be uncomfortable with his open expression of faith.
2. "Soldier of the Cross" - A sword and shield from Scotland, and a beautiful old song of Bill Monroe.
3. "Lead me to the Rock" - A song Skaggs learned as a child at "footwashing Baptist" services.
4. "Influences" - Ricky Skaggs' musical father may be Bluegrass great Bill Monroe, but his siblings are children of the 50s and 60s.

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Visit artist's web site: http://skaggsfamilyrecords.com

1. "Kinleys II" - With the record halfway done, Heather and Jennifer made the difficult decision to replace their producers and mentors, Tony Haselden and Russ Zavitson, with left-of-center country songwriter Radney Foster.
2. ""She Ain't The Girl for You" and "That's Gonna Mess You Up"" - These songs are fun and sexy...and that's why they like 'em.
3. "What's It Like Being Twins?" - How two sisters can keep their sanity in close proximity?
4. "The Third Voice" - The Kinleys acknowledge the influence of two other family duos.

Visit artist's web site: http://kinleysonline.com/

1. "I Sing Like I Talk and I Write Like I Think" - A stellar debut that is pure country, and from the heart.
2. "Accidental Songwriter" - When Cook got a publishing deal she buckled down and looked to her family and her own life for relevant subject matter.
3. "Mama You Wanted to Be A Singer Too" - Cook's tribute to her mother's life and musical aspirations.
4. "You're Looking at Country" - Admiration for Loretta Lynn's direct approach to singing and songwriting.

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1. "The CD" - Kathy Mattea takes the leap and sucessfully tries her hand at something she has long wanted to do, songwriting. She includes two of her songs on the CD, the title cut "The Innocent Years" and "Calling My Name."
2. "Innocent Years" - The emotional intensity of Kathy Mattea's "The Innocent Years" is the result of the serious illnesses of both her parents, and her reflections on what she values most. (Mattea's parents are currently doing well.)
3. "Why Can't We" - Why can't we get beyond our desire for material wealth and just enjoy the people we love?

Visit artist's web site: http://www.mattea.com/

1. "Bluegrass... Almost" - In an album of straight ahead bluegrass, bandleader and banjo player Alison Brown's indelible style still asserts itself.
2. "Fair Weather" - Country crooner Vince Gill lends his tenor voice and country guitar to this classic composition.
3. "Earl Scruggs" - The great bluegrass innovator was Brown's inspiration.
4. "Do Give Up Your Day Job" - Every musician's dream.

1. "All Grown Up" - Bandmember and head of household Steve Wilkinson says the whole family has a taste for late 20th century rock.
2. "Hedging Bets" - "Hypothetically"-- doesn't this song sound a lot like The Beatles?
3. "Something about James Taylor" - Wilkinson likes straight talk and a common touch.
4. "This Old House" - When he first got his start, Steve Wilkinson kept his day job in construction. Now he says building a house is a lot like building a song.

1. "Sweet Success" - Kristyn, Kelsi, and Kassidy Osborn may have a platinum hit record, but Kristyn says the sisters have years of hard work behind them.
2. "I Will...But" - Will she or won't she? Only the songwriter knows for sure. Using real life to craft a song.
3. "The Beatles" - Flash! Another generation of songwriters influenced by the fab four.
4. "On Writing Songs" - Kristyn Osborn says it IS possible to keep your integrity and enjoy commerical sucess as well.

1. "Tennessee Suburbia" - What's above-ground swimming pool country?
2. "I'm Country" - Trent Summar's version of "Thank God I'm a Country Boy!"...with attitude...thank God.
3. "Metal, Glass and Wood" - Rejected demo tapes and architectural salvage inspire two great songs.
4. "Influences" - Country stalwarts George Jones and Roger Miller are Summar's inspirations.

1. "Seven Decades" - Country legend Hank Thompson is back. In his mid-70's he's still going strong with his customized blend of western swing and honky tonk.
2. "Travis-Style Picking" - Guitar innovator Merle Travis was a dear friend and musical mentor to Hank Thompson. Merle's son, Tom Bresh, plays like his dad, and his guitar work is key to the overall sound of the album.
3. "The "Singing Brakeman" and the "Singing Cowboy"" - The country blues of Jimmy Rogers and the singing and playing of Gene Autry inspired Hank Thompson's music.
4. "Medicine Man" - This song describes the long gone days of the medicine shows which Hank Thompson used to attend while growing up in El Paso, Texas.