Friday, May 13, 2011

Today's Country Tidbits

Kenny Chesney is scheduled to play a concert in Tuscaloosa, Alabama on May 25th. That area was devastated by the outbreak of tornadoes a couple of weeks ago, with hundreds of lives lost and millions in property losses. Kenny decided to turn that show into a benefit concert, pledging all proceeds to GiveTuscaloosa.com which will funnel the funds to local charities and social services. Kenny's management and booking agents are all donating their fees, too.

It'll be a while before we know how much money last night's tornado relief telethon raised, but it was an action-packed night of country music. Kicked off by Hank Williams Jr and the Blind Boys of Alabama, the show included performances from Lady Antebellum, Sara Evans, Alabama, Ronnie Dunn, Keith Urban, Gretchen Wilson, Trace Adkins, Tim McGraw and Little Big Town. Spotted on the phone bank taking donations were Kellie Pickler, Clint Black, Ashton Shepherd, Darryl Worley, Phil Vassar and Hank Williams Jr. If you want to help, text REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation, or visit redcross.org to donate online or call 1-800-733-2767 to donate on the phone.

Tomorrow is the big day for Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert. While she was having her mani-pedi, heading to Wal-Mart one last time as a single woman and packing the venison cutlets to be used as part of the reception meal, Blake Shelton tweeted, "I'm not going to be here for a few days so stir [stuff] up for me while I'm gone. I'm going to get buried." The event will happen somewhere in Texas, Neal McCoy will be the musical feature and that's about all that is known about the event. Watch this space on Monday - I'll dig up details for you and post them here.

People.com has a photo gallery of Blake and Miranda, for your cooing, er, viewing pleasure.

Jason Aldean celebrated his #1 song, "Don't You Wanna Stay" this week, surrounded by songwriters Jason Sellers, Andy Gibson and Paul Jenkins. The song spent multiple weeks at #1 on the country charts and is now climbing the Pop and Hot AC charts, so they might have to have another party for it!

This year's Farm Aid will be the inaugural concert at Kansas City's Livestrong Sporting Park. The show happens August 13th, and Willie Nelson, Neil Young and Dave Matthews are all lined up to perform, with other artists to be named later.

Brad Paisley is blown away when he hears his latest song, "Old Alabama," on the radio. Why? He's amazed to hear his voice along with his musical heroes, Alabama. “It’s really an amazing experience to see them back together singin’ like they are and that sound that the three of their voices have. They’re just responsible for so many of us in music now, you know, that were influenced by them. And getting to hear them on the radio right next to me is the thrill of a lifetime.”

Keith Urban and The Band Perry spent yesterday writing songs. Can't wait to hear what those brilliant musicians all teamed up to create!

Darryl Worley will donate $1 per download of the song "Unsung Heroes." The money will go to U.S. Army Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation Command and also to the 9/11 Families for a Secure America Foundation. The song is free to service members.

On Sunday's Celebrity Apprentice, all of the former winners show up to grill the final four and make their recommendations to Donald Trump as to who should be cut from the show. They go from four contestants to two this Sunday, and John Rich says the questioning was pretty tough. “They just drill us with questions as to why we want to be the next Celebrity Apprentice. They bring up every mistake we’ve made throughout the season and I mean, make it really tough. And then, they go back to Donald Trump with their suggestions as to who should be in the final two.”

Larry Gatlin and the Gatlin Brothers are on Fox & Friends today. Sunday, catch John Rich on Celebrity Apprentice, Shania Twain on her own show on OWN, Miss Willie Brown sings the National Anthem before the FedEx 400 NASCAR Sprint Cup race and country artists and the Grand Ole Opry are featured on Today Show Weekend.

Happy birthday today to Darius Rucker, who turns 45, and to Lari White, who is also 45.

The tweet of the day is from Brad Paisley: "Got to work with England's own Robbie Williams for Cars2.He's Awesome.If my fans are asking"who's that?"Well,his are asking the same about me"