Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Today's Country Tidbits

Jason Aldean's 6th annual benefit concert raised $315,000 for breast cancer charities. The show was in Roanoke, VA and Jason says, "This is one of my favorite things we do all year, and taking it on the road to other cities has been huge in helping us bring in more money for Komen. We'll pick a different spot next year and try to beat it, and I have to thank my fans for doing their part."

The Nashville premier of the movie "Footloose" is tomorrow night, and soundtrack contributors Blake Shelton, Big & Rich, Hunter Hayes, Ella Mae Bowen and others are expected to be in the audience, as will be the movie's star, Julianne Hough. ET was behind the scenes when Blake Shelton filmed the music video for the title song, "Footloose."


Miranda Lambert's next cd, "Four the Record," comes out November 1st, and there's a song on it that's very close to her heart - and Blake's. It's "Over You," a song they wrote as Blake was telling Miranda about how he felt when his older brother was killed instantly in a car accident. Richie was 24 and Blake was 14, and as he was telling Miranda about the event, he was picking a melody on the guitar. "Over You" came out of that session, and Blake asked Miranda to record it instead of him, saying, “I don’t think I can get through singing it every night onstage, so what’s the point?”

More performers for the CMA Awards show on November 9th have been announced - Miranda Lambert, Lady Antebellum and The Band Perry are all going to be part of the show.

Dierks Bentley is teaming up with the Wounded Warrior Project to host some pre-show parties during his Country and Cold Cans tour through Veterans Day. On tour stops, attendees can win ticket upgrades, merchandise and handwritten lyrics.

Rascal Flatts is hosting the Behind the Music benefit on November 2nd at a secluded Nashville venue. Only 100 tickets are for sale, and all proceeds benefit the Childrens Hospital at Vanderbilt. There's an auction, passes to the groups rehearsal and a chance to win tickets & airfare to a Rascal Flatts show. If you want to go, get set to pony up - tickets are $500 each.

Hank Williams Jr. posted a note on his Facebook page yesterday, apologizing for his statements Monday morning on Fox Morning News. "The thought of the leaders of both parties jukin' and high fiven' on a golf course, while so many families are struggling to get by simply made me boil over and make a dumb statement," Williams said. "I am very sorry if it offended anyone." No word from the Monday Night Football people if all is forgiven and Bocephus will be back to opening the show next week.

Trace Adkins keeps an ear on what his daughters listen to, and doesn't always approve of the message in some of the music their friends like, and they can't have it in the house if Daddy doesn't approve. However, he's not just a strict dad - he's a pretty cool one. According to Trace, “Now I’ve been backstage at the Jonas Brothers, and the Cheetah Girls, and hell, everybody else. I’ve met all the rest—Jonas Brothers, did I say Jonas Brothers? Yeah. And Miley, of course, and they got to meet Taylor Swift, so I’m a hero in their world.” How about his music? “I don't let them listen to my music, either. But I don't make music for kids.”

Sunday night Brad Paisley and wife Kimberly Williams Paisley will be part of a special on PBS. "Growing Hope Against Hunger" features the Sesame Street Muppets and is a one-hour program shining the light on hunger, or as the show calls it, food insecurity. The program airs at 7pm Eastern.

Scotty McCreery is on the Tonight Show tonight.

The tweet of the day is from David Nail: "Nothing like your own shower, and nothing like washing clothes and putting them right back into a bag! Home for about 22 hours!"