Hudson Benefit Concert: Blake Shelton and Josh Gracin

Blake Shelton

With the success of his 2008 chart-topper "Home," Blake Shelton took a long career step forward. With the release of Startin' Fires, he leaps to a whole new level. "Home" took Shelton into new musical territory, stretching him vocally and stylistically, helping him expand his audience to include those who might have missed the more traditional approach he'd taken to that point. Startin' Fires, his fifth album, completes that journey, establishing him in the process as one of country music's most talented and versatile song stylists. "This is something I've been wanting to do," he says, "exploring richer...

Josh Gracin

For country music fans, one of the highlights of the Fox network's "American Idol 2" was the success of a young Marine named Josh Gracin, a dyed-in-the-wool country singer whose electrifying performances won him hearts and votes across the country. In the weeks leading up to his fourth-place overall finish, it's probable that there were more than a few people thinking about how nice it would be to welcome him to the country charts. Country fans everywhere have gotten their wish. The young Michigan native with the great pipes and dynamic stage presence has recorded a debut album that will carry his brand of high-energy count...