Reba Leads the Week’s New Releases

It's a big week for country music fans itching for some new music. And leading the way is one red-hot redhead!

Fans got a glimpse of what Reba McEntire had in store with her first solo studio album in six years during the ACM Awards in April. She chose the occasion to debut 'Strange,' which then became the highest-debuting single of her career. Other key tracks on 'Keep on Loving You' -- which marks her departure from longtime label MCA and a move to Valory Music -- include the title song, which Reba admits she "stole" from Brooks & Dunn. There's also 'I Want a Cowboy,' which was written by Katrina Elam and can now be heard in dance clubs across the country.

Reba revealed earlier this year that she felt the songs on the new album were "a little more hip," and credits her 2008 tour with Kelly Clarkson with opening her up to new, more contemporary sounds. Expect to catch Reba all over the place in print and on TV [and on The Boot] over the next few weeks. But you'll have to wait to catch her live. Reba says she probably won't tour to support this new record until 2010.

Also new this week is David Nail's 'I'm About to Come Alive.' The title is certainly appropriate since the album was originally slated to be released last year. Co-produced by Frank Liddell (Lee Ann Womack's husband) and Michael Wrucke, 'Alive' features guest vocalist Miranda Lambert ('Strangers on a Train'), and writing contributions from Rascal Flatts' Gary LeVox and Kenny Chesney. The soulful singer also spotlights a song originally written for Ray Charles to record, and the current single, 'Red Light.'

Regarded as one of country music's most eclectic and exciting live acts, Old Crow Medicine Show releases their first concert DVD, 'Live at the Orange Peel and Tennessee Theater.' Recorded over a two-night stint in December 2008, the disc features 20 songs from the five-piece string band. The group just wrapped up their Big Surprise tour and was recently profiled in the Wall Street Journal.

Remember Brady Seals from the popular '90s group Little Texas? After leaving them in 1995, he embarked on a solo career, then later formed another group, Hot Apple Pie. His latest solo effort, 'Play Time,' is an edgy, humor-filled affair ('Ho Down' tells the story of the "town floozie" getting knocked to the floor in a honky-tonk). The disc also features 'Trucker Song,' co-written by former Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers drummer Stan Lynch, and 'You'll Come Running,' penned with pop singer-songwriter Richard Marx.

Delbert McClinton once gave a young John Lennon tips on how to improve his harmonica playing. For that simple fact, he might have worked his way into musical history. But after five decades of writing, recording and touring, he's still going strong, releasing his first new studio album in over four years. 'Acquired Taste' stirs country, blues and rock into the mix and features several guests including the late Stephen Bruton. A deluxe CD/DVD version will feature never before seen performances from one of Delbert's appearances on 'Austin City Limits.'