Carrie Underwood

When you release your debut CD, and it sells 4 million copies in just over a year, what do you do for your sophomore release? Carrie's Some Hearts is a definite smash, but can she top it? Carrie will release her follow-up CD in the latter half of 2007.

 

Jason Michael Carroll

When people heard "Alyssa Lies," they all wondered, who is this guy? Jason Michael Carroll has a smash hit on his hands with his debut single, and I, along with many other country fans are excited to hear just what else he has planned. The CD, Waitin' in the Country is due in stores on February 6th.

 

Rascal Flatts

While their current album, Me and My Gang has sold over 3 million copies, and still selling strong, the guys of Rascal Flatts plan to hit the studio after their first leg of their 2007 tour is through, and record for a few months.
After that, they'll head back on the road for another couple months, and plan to release the CD in October or November, then continue touring through the end of 2007. Sounds like a busy year.

 

Tim McGraw

Tim started his own label in 2006, called StyleSonic. He released the soundtrack to Flicka on it, which included the big hit single "My Little Girl." Look for Tim to complete his latest project for a Spring release. It's said that it will include a duet with wife Faith Hill, called "I Need You." If you were lucky enough to have seen Tim & Faith in 2006 at one of their Soul 2 Soul II Tour Dates, you heard them sing this song to each other just before they closed the show.

 

Martina McBride

Martina's last project was the critically acclaimed Timeless, but it didn't produce any major hits. After singing the title cut from her upcoming February 20th release on the CMA Awards, then releasing the song a few weeks later, she has a Top 15 hit in just seven weeks time.

 

Kenny Chesney

Kenny's latest release is his Live: Live Those Songs Again album, of which he hasn't released any singles. That didn't stop the album from debuting at No. 1, though. Kenny has said he will go a little lighter on touring in 2007 to prepare for his next album, which is due out late in 2007.

 

Gretchen Wilson

Like Martina McBride, Gretchen chose to debut the first single, "Come To Bed," (a duet with John Rich) from her third album, The Girl That I Am, due out in the Spring of 2007. The song is currently in the upper 40's on the chart, but taking into consideration the slowness of anything on the charts during the holiday season in December, I'm sure it will start moving up again after the first of the year.

 

Reba McEntire

Reba is such a busy person with the taping of her TV show, voicing characters for motion pictures like Charlotte's Web, and The Fox and the Hound 2, and some minimal touring in 2006, but she has also been in the studio recording an album of duets with people like Kelly Clarkson and Ronnie Dunn. The album will be out sometime in 2007. No set date has been given, but it is sure to be worth the wait.

 

Brad Paisley

Brad and wife Kimberly are expecting their first child in February, so you can be sure he'll be staying close to home nearer to the start of the year. That won't keep him out of the studio altogether, though, as he plans to release a new album in the second half of the year. It's sure to be another fantastic piece of work.

 

Dolly Parton

While not a new release, Legacy Recordings will release a remastered version of one of her biggest albums, Jolene on January 23rd. Legacy does a wonderful job with these remastered albums, and you can be sure for some bonus tracks, and interesting new liner notes to go with the great music on the album.

Blake Shelton

One thing you can say about Blake Shelton... he has a great sense of humor. Case in point, the name of his next album, Pure BS. BTW, the BS stands for Blake Shelton. What were YOU thinking? The project's first single, the awesome ballad, "Don't Make Me" charted, but due to the slowness of the charts around the holidays, I'm sure they cut back working it til after the first of the year, when I'm sure they'll start pushing it again. The song is a bonafide smash, if you ask me. I actually have an advance of Pure BS, and it's gonna be well-received. Due date in stores is March 27th.

 

Miranda Lambert

A third female that debuted her first single from her sophomore release on the CMA Awards. And, like last year's performance, it was definitely one not to be forgotten The song has a lot of attitude, which says a lot about Miranda herself. Her album, Gunpowder and Lead is due out in the first half of the year.

 

Big & Rich

You never know what Big & Rich will come up with for their third album, which is due out in the late spring or early summer. One thing that you know is that it will be unique.

 

Lee Ann Womack

Lee Ann Womack's album was originally scheduled to be released late in 2006, but the lead track, "Finding My Way Back Home" didn't do all that well at radio, so the release date has been moved to February 6th. This may change again as I haven't heard another single, yet, but I'll bet something is released after the first of the year.

 

Ty Herndon

It's been a while since we've heard from Ty Herndon. He's now signed to Titan-Pyramid Records, and his next album, Right About Now is due out on January 9th.

If you're interested to hear what it sounds like, you can listen to clips on Ty's website.

 

Tracy Lawrence

Tracy Lawrence joined the growing trend of artists starting their own labels and will release his debut album, For the Love, on his own label, Rocky Comfort on January 30th.

The first single is "Find Out Who Your Friends Are," and you can request it now on country radio. It's currently charted in the lower 40s and moving up.

 

Sarah Buxton

You may have heard her song "Innocence," which is the lead single for her debut album, but if not, I'm sure you've heard Keith Urban's latest single, written by Sarah, and included on her album as well, "Stupid Boy." If not, go check out her MySpace page where you can hear both. The album is due out in March.

 

Jack Ingram

After having his first No. 1 in 2006, Jack Ingram starts out with a strong lead single in "Lips of an Angel," from his album This Is It, which is due to be released in March.

 

Gary Nichols

Gary Nichols current single, "I Can't Love You Anymore" is a killer. He's got a great, soulful voice, and I am really looking forward to his self-titled debut, due out on March 5th.

 

Carolyn Dawn Johnson

CDJ has been signed to Equity Records, which is Clint Black's label, and home to Little Big Town, Carolina Rain, Mark Wills and Laura Bryna. Her album is due out most likely in the Spring. While she has released the album in Canada, the US version will have some remixed songs, and a different cover.

Note: Keep in mind that these release dates often change. These were the dates that were accurate at the time of writing this article.