Sony Sets Schedule For Jackson, Gokey, Thompson

Alan Jackson

Sony is starting 2010 with a full slate of releases scheduled through the spring. Superstar Alan Jackson has a new Arista Nashville album, Freight Train, coming March 30. That month also brings the March 2 release of American Idol finalist Danny Gokey’s debut project. And first on the docket for 2010 is newcomer Josh Thompson Feb. 23 release.

For Jackson’s 18th album he reunited with longtime producer/collaborator Keith Stegall; the combination that has helped boost the singer to over 50 million album sales. Stegall, Kylie Sackley, and Vickie McGehee co-wrote the lead single, “It’s Just That Way,” which is climbing MusicRow’s Country Breakout chart at No. 43 after just three weeks, and earned a flattering review from critic Robert Oermann. “It’s Just That Way” is one of three songs on the album that feature acclaimed bluegrass singer Rhonda Vincent on background vocals. Jackson also enlisted Lee Ann Womack for a remake of the Vern Gosdin/Janie Fricke duet “Till the End.” Jackson wrote or co-wrote eight of  the album’s dozen tracks, including one he penned with Roger Murrah, with whom he wrote the now-classic, “Don’t Rock the Jukebox.” Freight Train is the follow-up to his Good Time collection which produced three No. 1 singles.

Danny Gokey

The 19 Recordings/RCA Nashville camp is preparing for the March 2 release of Gokey’s Mark Bright-produced debut album, My Best Days. The first single, “My Best Days Are Ahead of Me,” is earning airplay and is available as a digital single. Fans who pre-order the album at dannygokey.com will receive the CD, an instant download of “My Best Days Are Ahead of Me,” and an autographed CD booklet (while supplies last). Gokey has been on a radio tour and was in Nashville last weekend to participate in Sprint Sound & Speed Presented by SunTrust, where he made his Grand Ole Opry debut.

Josh Thompson

Sony is also offering incentives to fans who pre-order Josh Thompson’s Feb. 23 release Way Out Here. Fans who pre-order the album on joshthompsonofficial.com will also receive an autographed booklet. At the site they can stream and purchase the four tracks from his self-titled digital EP, and play the “Whack-A-Beer” game, named for his single “Beer on the Table.” Next month he heads out on the 32-date Jagermeister Country Tour with headliner Eric Church.