Pat Green's major label debut leads new country releases this week. Green has become something of a Texas phenomenon in recent years, touring almost nonstop in clubs, honky tonks and dance halls across the state. His energetic shows have come to be called "sweatathons" and fans routinely cheer "Pat (expletive) Green!" Now, he's appearing on CMT.

Along the way, he's sold an estimated 200,000 of his own independently released CDs -- as well as a lot of beer. Republic/Universal signed him earlier this year, and the result is his new Three Days album. It includes a duet with Willie Nelson on "Threadbare Gypsy Soul" and Green's current single, "Carry On," which is at No. 38 on the Oct. 20 Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart.

John Berry's second album for Ark 21 is titled All the Way to There. Berry wrote several of the album's songs in writing sessions at Ark 21 label head Miles Copeland's castle in France.

A number of country artists perform songs by the children's author and singer Raffi on Country Goes Raffi (Rounder). Artists taking part are Asleep at the Wheel, Eric Heatherly, Billy Gilman, Alison Krauss, Keith Urban, Marty Stuart, the Wilkinsons, Lee Roy Parnell, Rhonda Vincent, Lari White, Raul Malo, Elizabeth Cook and Kathy Mattea. Raffi's royalties from the album will be donated to the non-profit organization the Children's Environmental Health Network.

Yet more country artists are represented on Christmas Cookies (MCA Nashville). Those performing traditional Christmas songs include George Strait, Chely Wright, Mark Chesnutt, Gary Allan, Tracy Byrd, Lee Ann Womack, the Mavericks, George Jones and Trisha Yearwood with Vince Gill.

Twenty vintage Conway Twitty performances are collected on 20 Classics: Conway Twitty (Varese Sarabande). Songs by the late singer include "Danny Boy," "It's Only Make Believe," "Linda on My Mind" and "Hello Darlin'."