It’s hard to remember how groundbreaking the Johnny Cash TV Show was back in 1969. But it was the first show ever produced out of Nashville and was shot before a live audience at the Ryman Auditorium, former home to the Grand Ole Opry no less. The show was a summer replacement and lasted until 1971. 58 episodes were produced and his musical guests spanned the country, rock and folk genres which was rare for that time.  Some of those who appeared with the man in black on the small screen were Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, Ray Charles, Roy Orbison, Derek and the Dominoes (Clapton) and Cash’s former roomate, Waylon Jennings. Oh yeah, Cash’s wife June Carter and Carl Perkins were also regulars on the show.

The shows have been released on both DVD and CD remixed and remastered from the tapes from Johnny’s vault. The CD contains nine songs not included on the DVD.

This morning when the producers of “Live with Regis and Kelly” told the former Beatle that he would have to reduce his scheduled performance time to under 2 1/2 minutes, Mr. Starkey decided to walk than to compromise. Ringo was out promoting his new album, “Liverpool 8″ (and it really rather enjoyable if do say so myself).

“Certainly, country is one of the last bastions of good songwriting — and of singing in tune. As long as we’re on the charts. Any chart will do. Country music is now akin to what my generation was listening to in the ’60s and ’70s.”

Don Henley in Rolling Stone on the Eagles shift in sound to country

Related breaking music news: The Eagles turn down an offer to play at next year’s Super Bowl (maybe they can get the Dixie Chicks to fill their slot).

A previously unreleased R.E.M. song, “Until the Day Is Done,” will premiere tomorrow (Oct. 10) on CNN’s “Anderson Cooper 360.” The song is synced to clips from the CNN special “Planet in Peril,” which airs Oct. 23-24.

“Until the Day Is Done” will also be included in the “AC360″ podcast, which goes live Thursday, and in a video trailer for “Planet in Peril” on CNN.com. It is not yet known if it will appear on R.E.M.’s next album, due in the spring via Warner Bros.

The music-lover’s favorite TV show, Austin City Limits has announced a stellar lineup for this year’s season on PBS. Scheduled to appear are: Norah Jones, Lucinda Williams, Wilco, The Decemberists (one of my faves), Aracde Fire, John Mayer, Crowded House, Bloc Party, Explosions in the Sky (bringing their ambient guitars from the Texas plains) and Old Crow Medicine Show.