Reba is so proud of her friend Blake Shelton, and was very emotional when she handed him the Entertainer of the Year award at the CMAs. “I was...I was bawling. I was so proud to give that to him, to be the one to present it to him. He’s like a brother to me and we’ve had such a great time. I just got to do his Christmas special...his TV Christmas special taping...that’s a hoot!” Blake Shelton’s Not So Family Christmas special airs December 7th on NBC.
Veterans Day was Sunday, but country artists remember the military all year long. Dierks Bentley raises money for the Wounded Warrior project: “These guys have all put 10,000 hours into being soldiers – and then they come back here. That’s a hard thing to do, especially when a lot of our soldiers are older and already have kids and families. They’re not coming back 21 or 22 – they’re like 36 or 37. The guys that come back that are wounded – it’s even a more difficult road to go down. We just hope to spread a little money and spread even more awareness to it, and get people involved.” Lee Brice has his priorities straight: “They’re so thankful for a shout out, they are so thankful for a song, for going and playing events for them – whether it’s for the USO or Wounded Warriors. They are so appreciative of it, but we are the ones that need to be thankful for them. Everytime I get a thank you from them, I’m just doubling it back to them – ya know?” And Martina McBride knows it’s not just the soldier, but that soldier’s family, too, that serves: “Knowing that so many people do have family, children and loved ones that are overseas fighting for us, is always something that I think, ‘What a hard thing? But they must be so proud as well.’ So I have a very special place in my heart for the military and what those men and women are doing for us.”
Kellie Pickler is about to add another star tattoo to her collection of 5 – she’ll be making a 6th USO tour overseas. What does she like to do while she’s in the Middle East? “I love hearing about their story and how they joined and why they joined and what are their thoughts on everything that’s going on over here. What are your thoughts about the election? Like, what are you...like...ask the military what do they want?”
Trace Adkins is also packing for a USO tour to take some holiday cheer to troops in the Pacific. He’ll travel there November 25th to December 2nd.
Lady Antebellum won the Breakthrough Award at the 2012 Billboard Touring Awards last week. Dave Haywood says their favorite part of the Own the Night tour was fan response: “I think you know getting out and touring this year has kinda shed a new light for us as songwriters, on where we want to go. I mean, we started last November on Own The Night and we were blown away by the response all throughout this year and this summer, and you really kinda realize what songs translate to a large audience. And that’s kinda helped shape our writing.”
Taylor Swift is looking for shelf space for her three new awards – MTV European Music Awards for Best Live, Best Look and Best Female. She truly is taking over the world, isn’t she?
Scotty McCreery is the star of Bojangles’ new TV commercials. Haven’t seen them? Here they are…
Miranda Lambert’s song, “Over You,” has been certified platinum for sales of over a million units. She and co-writer/hubby Blake Shelton won a CMA Award for that song.
DVR alert – Trace Adkins will be part of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade on NBC. CMA Country Christmas will air December 20th, 22nd and 23rd on ABC. Stars include Jennifer Nettles, The Band Perry, Keith Urban, Dierks Bentley, Lady A and many more.
Showing posts with label Kellie Pickler. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Kellie Pickler. Show all posts
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
Oh, to have been in this Nashville bar – Tim McGraw played a show in Nashville before the CMA Awards last week, warming up his band and working out some of his new songs. How did it feel? According to Tim, “Anytime you get to play new music, it energizes you. And playing new stuff, and knowing I’ve got an album coming and knowing it’s sort of a new day in my career, I was really energized.”
Little Big Town is delighted to have their first CMA wins in their decade-long career, and think that the success of “Pontoon” might lie in the mystery in the lyrics: “Who would’ve thought that ‘Motorboatin’’ would be up for Single of the Year, you know? But that’s how big an impact, I guess, it’s had with the fans and with people. People want to have a good time.” Ok, so if that’s the case, then their follow-up single, “Tornado,” should be a success because – people want to have a bad time? “It’s so much fun to sing, I mean the writers—they’re the ones that—they paint the picture of ‘thought you’d change the weather, start a little storm, make a little rain, I’m gonna do one better, hide the sun until you pray [laugh]—I’m a tornado’. I’m that kinda sets the whole scene of what’s to come.” Yeah, you don’t want to get on the bad side of that storm!
A little news broke on the red carpet last week – Jake Owen and his wife Lacey will name their daughter Pearl, after his Godmother, who passed away in July. Jake already has her name tattooed on his left wrist. Pearl should make her debut sometime this month.
Hunter Hayes is psyched to be Carrie Underwood’s opening act on the second leg of her “Blown Away” tour. He had a great time on the first leg, saying, “The crowds have been really cool. They’re showing up early. You know, and as an opening act it means a lot. And it’s really cool to be like direct support, you know, be right in front of Carrie and to get that slot and for her to say that I’m sort of worthy of that slot...it’s awesome and it’s really cool for her to say, ‘Hey, come back out next year! We’re doing some more.’” Probably didn’t hurt for him to win New Artist of the Year at the CMAs last week, with Carrie hosting!
You can’t see it until this weekend, but Eli Young Band went in a very different direction for the “Say Goodnight” video. “For the video, we could have very easily gone in more of a romantic love story kind of direction, but we chose to go science fiction with it. It’s pretty much the exact opposite of what you think it would be when you’re listening to the song.” Why science fiction? Oh, heck – why not? CMT will air it this weekend.
Kellie Pickler has a bone to pick with the media – Summer, the woman with breast cancer that Kellie shaved her head to support, is more than a friend: “It’s so weird for people to call her my best friend, because she’s not my best friend – she’s my sister. We’ve never referred to each other as friends – ever. She’s always been my sister Summer. So it is weird. She actually brought that up to me and goes, ‘It’s so weird to see headlines and people say were best friends because I feel like that’s an understatement.”
Little Big Town is delighted to have their first CMA wins in their decade-long career, and think that the success of “Pontoon” might lie in the mystery in the lyrics: “Who would’ve thought that ‘Motorboatin’’ would be up for Single of the Year, you know? But that’s how big an impact, I guess, it’s had with the fans and with people. People want to have a good time.” Ok, so if that’s the case, then their follow-up single, “Tornado,” should be a success because – people want to have a bad time? “It’s so much fun to sing, I mean the writers—they’re the ones that—they paint the picture of ‘thought you’d change the weather, start a little storm, make a little rain, I’m gonna do one better, hide the sun until you pray [laugh]—I’m a tornado’. I’m that kinda sets the whole scene of what’s to come.” Yeah, you don’t want to get on the bad side of that storm!
A little news broke on the red carpet last week – Jake Owen and his wife Lacey will name their daughter Pearl, after his Godmother, who passed away in July. Jake already has her name tattooed on his left wrist. Pearl should make her debut sometime this month.
Hunter Hayes is psyched to be Carrie Underwood’s opening act on the second leg of her “Blown Away” tour. He had a great time on the first leg, saying, “The crowds have been really cool. They’re showing up early. You know, and as an opening act it means a lot. And it’s really cool to be like direct support, you know, be right in front of Carrie and to get that slot and for her to say that I’m sort of worthy of that slot...it’s awesome and it’s really cool for her to say, ‘Hey, come back out next year! We’re doing some more.’” Probably didn’t hurt for him to win New Artist of the Year at the CMAs last week, with Carrie hosting!
You can’t see it until this weekend, but Eli Young Band went in a very different direction for the “Say Goodnight” video. “For the video, we could have very easily gone in more of a romantic love story kind of direction, but we chose to go science fiction with it. It’s pretty much the exact opposite of what you think it would be when you’re listening to the song.” Why science fiction? Oh, heck – why not? CMT will air it this weekend.
Kellie Pickler has a bone to pick with the media – Summer, the woman with breast cancer that Kellie shaved her head to support, is more than a friend: “It’s so weird for people to call her my best friend, because she’s not my best friend – she’s my sister. We’ve never referred to each other as friends – ever. She’s always been my sister Summer. So it is weird. She actually brought that up to me and goes, ‘It’s so weird to see headlines and people say were best friends because I feel like that’s an understatement.”
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
Keith Urban has been nominated for CMA Awards 25 times so far in his career. He’s won Male Vocalist of the Year three times, and is nominated for it again tomorrow night. So, is he more excited about maybe winning, or about performing? “I look forward to being able to play on awards shows. That is the absolute moment that matters most to me, is getting to play. 'Cause the other stuff is, I don't know about the other stuff. I know about playing, that's the only thing I know about.” The show airs at 8pm Eastern on ABC tomorrow night.
Kenny Chesney has Thanksgiving Day plans, but not like yours or mine. While we’re either cooking, eating, traveling or cleaning up, he’ll be performing in front of hundreds of millions of people world-wide. He’s been picked to play the halftime show at the Washington Redskins/Dallas Cowboys game. The event is the official kick-off of the Salvation Army’s 122nd Annual Red Kettle Campaign, so get out your bells and ring along. You even have a chance to win a trip to be at the game live. All the fun will air on FOX on Thanksgiving Day.
Last night, the Grand Ole Opry raised awareness about breast cancer, and raised money to help find the cure. As part of the Women Rock for the Cure events, Kellie Pickler, The Farm, Kristen Kelly, Sarah Darling, Little Jimmy Dickens and other Opry notables entertained in front of a pink, not red, barn. Nashville newcomer Kristen Kelly talks about the 6th time she’s performed on the Grand Ole Opry: “This will be my sixth appearance on the Opry since May. If it’s the last thing I do – I’ll die a happy woman. I just love everything the Opry stands for. To get to be invited back, and to get to play on October 30th and it be for the Opry Goes Pink for breast cancer awareness – it’s something I’m really excited to be part of.”
Tomorrow night is the CMA Awards show, and some of the winners will be announced on Good Morning America tomorrow morning! Musical Event and Music Video of the Year will be revealed, live from outside Bridgestone Arena during the show. Reba will also be performing tomorrow morning.
Look for “Nashville” stars Connie Britton and Hayden Panettiera to present awards tomorrow night. Brad Paisley’s wife Kimberly will also be a presenter, along with Reba, Jake Owen, Darius Rucker, Jana Kramer, Lisa Marie Presley, comedian Tim Allen and Olympic gymnast Shawn Johnson.
Blake Shelton has been co-hosting the ACM Awards with Reba for a couple of years, but Reba announced she’s not going to be part of the show anymore. Will Blake fly solo, or is he looking for a tiny, talented, not-afraid-of-a-glass-of-whiskey co-host? Would Martina McBride do it? “Yeah! I think it’d be fun. Definitely. I mean, you know, it’s something a little bit different and I’m...I think it’d be a lot of fun.” Nothing official yet…
Blake Shelton is adding to his TV credits, this time with his own holiday special. Blake Shelton’s Not So Family Christmas is set for December 3rd at 10pm on NBC. Apparently it’s going to be star-studded, and because Blake has a Christmas album out, will probably also include some songs from “Cheers, It’s Christmas.” No details have been revealed yet, but I’ll keep you posted.
Congratulations to Lee Brice – “Hard to Love” is his second #1 song in a row, following in the footsteps of “A Woman Like You.”
Kenny Chesney has Thanksgiving Day plans, but not like yours or mine. While we’re either cooking, eating, traveling or cleaning up, he’ll be performing in front of hundreds of millions of people world-wide. He’s been picked to play the halftime show at the Washington Redskins/Dallas Cowboys game. The event is the official kick-off of the Salvation Army’s 122nd Annual Red Kettle Campaign, so get out your bells and ring along. You even have a chance to win a trip to be at the game live. All the fun will air on FOX on Thanksgiving Day.
Last night, the Grand Ole Opry raised awareness about breast cancer, and raised money to help find the cure. As part of the Women Rock for the Cure events, Kellie Pickler, The Farm, Kristen Kelly, Sarah Darling, Little Jimmy Dickens and other Opry notables entertained in front of a pink, not red, barn. Nashville newcomer Kristen Kelly talks about the 6th time she’s performed on the Grand Ole Opry: “This will be my sixth appearance on the Opry since May. If it’s the last thing I do – I’ll die a happy woman. I just love everything the Opry stands for. To get to be invited back, and to get to play on October 30th and it be for the Opry Goes Pink for breast cancer awareness – it’s something I’m really excited to be part of.”
Tomorrow night is the CMA Awards show, and some of the winners will be announced on Good Morning America tomorrow morning! Musical Event and Music Video of the Year will be revealed, live from outside Bridgestone Arena during the show. Reba will also be performing tomorrow morning.
Look for “Nashville” stars Connie Britton and Hayden Panettiera to present awards tomorrow night. Brad Paisley’s wife Kimberly will also be a presenter, along with Reba, Jake Owen, Darius Rucker, Jana Kramer, Lisa Marie Presley, comedian Tim Allen and Olympic gymnast Shawn Johnson.
Blake Shelton has been co-hosting the ACM Awards with Reba for a couple of years, but Reba announced she’s not going to be part of the show anymore. Will Blake fly solo, or is he looking for a tiny, talented, not-afraid-of-a-glass-of-whiskey co-host? Would Martina McBride do it? “Yeah! I think it’d be fun. Definitely. I mean, you know, it’s something a little bit different and I’m...I think it’d be a lot of fun.” Nothing official yet…
Blake Shelton is adding to his TV credits, this time with his own holiday special. Blake Shelton’s Not So Family Christmas is set for December 3rd at 10pm on NBC. Apparently it’s going to be star-studded, and because Blake has a Christmas album out, will probably also include some songs from “Cheers, It’s Christmas.” No details have been revealed yet, but I’ll keep you posted.
Congratulations to Lee Brice – “Hard to Love” is his second #1 song in a row, following in the footsteps of “A Woman Like You.”
Friday, September 21, 2012
Little Big Town is at the top of the Billboard Country Album chart with their new album, “Tornado,” and are #2 on the all-genre Billboard 200. About that success, Jimi and Karen say, “[Jimi] I think they’re gonna have a good time with the record. Music is an escape, and I think that there’s those moments on the record that are that and a good time, but there’s some serious moments and moments that speak to life and the ups and downs of that, and what do we want them to have? [Laughs] [Karen] I hope it’s a record that stays in their collection for years to come. You know, like one of those timeless records? That would be an amazing compliment to know that I was in someone’s playlist.” Next Wednesday they’ll perform the title cut to the album on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon.
Kellie Pickler has the honor of flipping the switch as the Opry goes pink again this year in honor of breast cancer awareness month. The special show will be October 30th, and joining Kellie will be Jana Kramer, The Farm and other performers, both Opry members and non-members. $5 from each ticket sold will be donated to Women Rock For the Cure, an organization that raises money for breast cancer research. No word if Kellie will still be sporting the bald headed look – she shaved her head in support of a childhood friend who’s battling breast cancer. Kellie’s beautiful, hair or not.
There’s been some baby-talk among the members of Lady Antebellum, with Charles Kelley saying that he doesn’t want Hillary Scott to have a baby any time soon, because the band will have to stop touring. Meanwhile, Hillary says she thinks Charles and his wife will be the first to have a Lady A baby. Dave Heywood? Neither of the other two is speculating about him and his new bride! The trio head to Australia to kick off their down-under leg of the Own the Night world tour next Tuesday.
We get all caught up in country music and how great it is, but there’s a whole wide world of people who don’t really get it. You might think that rocker Richie Sambora might be one of them, but the Bon Jovi guitarist says of Big and Rich’s new cd, “Their record sounds great and they’re back and firing on all cylinders and you know it’s a lot of fun! My country cousins.” Who else does he like in country music? “Guys like the Jason Aldean guy is really good. Kenny Chesney is always good. Lady Antebellum is good. And even The Band Perry I saw a video I was watching CMT the other day that I really enjoyed.”
Congrats to Scotty McCreery, who is at #4 on Billboard Magazine’s “Hottest Minors in Music” list. It’s their annual list of 21 artists under 21 years of age.
Friday, September 7, 2012
Eric Church ended up with the most nominations for this year’s CMA Awards – he’s up for five, including male vocalist, album, single, song, and video. His first-ever CMA nomination was last year, when he was up for New Artist of the Year but was bested by The Band Perry. Eric was shocked by the amount of nominations: “Um, I’m um...truly speechless. I think it’s a testament to really fans that believed in the music and loved the music and told people about the music, otherwise we don’t have really the track record to be the most nominated artist at this point in time in our career for the path that we’ve taken and I think that it’s truly because of the fans.” As for how his songs come together when he’s recording, Eric says it’s pretty organic: “I don’t have a real direction as to what it is—I go in and I play—my producer Jay Joyce—I go in and I play it acoustic for him and the musicians, and then we start hashing it out, you know? We start figuring out what it is, and it takes, you know weeks on a song just trying to figure out what it was.”
Colt Ford is proud as a peacock over Jason Aldean’s CMA nomination for “Dirt Road Anthem,” which Colt co-wrote with Brantley Gilbert. How did Jason come to record the song? Colt explains, “You know, it just turned out that I was opening for him in 2009 and he said, ‘Man, how do all those people know all the words to that song?’ And I was like, ‘I don’t know, man, they just seem to really like it.’ So he called me up and said he wanted to try to cut it and of course, I didn’t have a problem with that. Jason’s been a good friend of mine and he grew up the same way I did, so it wasn’t like it was something made up for him. I mean, that was real life for him as well, and it turned out to be the biggest song of his career.”
Kellie Pickler is beautiful, even bald. Don’t believe me? Check out this video of Kellie shaving her head to support her childhood friend Summer Holt Miller. She’s only 36 but is battling breast cancer.
George Strait will announce a 2013 tour later this month, and apparently he’s got another big announcement, too. Stay tuned…
“Cheers, It’s Christmas” is the title of Blake Shelton’s Christmas album, which is available for pre-orders now. It comes out October 2nd and here’s the track list:
1. “Jingle Bell Rock” (featuring Miranda Lambert)
2. “White Christmas”
3. “Oklahoma Christmas” (featuring Reba)
4. “Let It Snow”
5. “There's A New Kid In Town” (featuring Kelly Clarkson)
6. “Santa's Got A Choo Choo Train”
7. “Home” (featuring Michael Buble)
8. “Winter Wonderland”
9. “The Christmas Song”
10. “Blue Christmas” (featuring The Pistol Annies)
11. “I'll Be Home For Christmas”
12. “Silver Bells” (featuring Xenia Martinez)
13. “Time For Me To Come Home” (featuring Dorothy Shackleford)
14. “The Very Best Time Of Year” (featuring Trypta-Phunk)
Carrie Underwood tops the Billboard Country Album chart this week with “Blown Away,” and she says that she’s inspired by her new music: “It opened the door for the Blown Away album, and for me to be able to play a little bit, which has been a lot of fun. From the song to the album, to putting together a tour, I feel like that song has allowed me to be able to do different things. It’s definitely making the tour be more dramatic and more of a juicy story.”
Luke Bryan has been given a plaque recognizing sales of seven million downloads of songs from his platinum album, “Tailgates & Tanlines.”
Want to see how Lee Ann Womack roughs it? Check out the next issue of People Country magazine – they went along on a road trip with Lee Ann and two of her girlfriends in her 1973 Airstream Land Yacht, which Lee Ann says is “girly, but ‘60’s timeless.” Chandelier in the bedroom? Portable record player? Cornhole? Sounds like a party!
Little Big Town will be on Good Morning America Monday morning.
Here’s the complete list of CMA nominees for your wagering pleasure:
Entertainer of the Year
Jason Aldean
Kenny Chesney
Brad Paisley
Blake Shelton
Taylor Swift
Female Vocalist of the Year
Kelly Clarkson
Miranda Lambert
Martina McBride
Taylor Swift
Carrie Underwood
Male Vocalist of the Year
Jason Aldean
Luke Bryan
Eric Church
Blake Shelton
Keith Urban
Vocal Group of the Year
Eli Young Band
Lady Antebellum
Little Big Town
The Band Perry
Zac Brown Band
Vocal Duo of the Year
Big & Rich
Love and Theft
Sugarland
The Civil Wars
Thompson Square
Musical Event of the Year
“Dixie Highway” – Alan Jackson, Zac Brown
“Feel Like a Rock Star” – Kenny Chesney, Tim McGraw
“Roll Me Up and Smoke Me When I Die” – Willie Nelson, Snoop Dogg, Kris Kristofferson, Jamey Johnson
“Safe and Sound” – Taylor Swift, The Civil Wars
“Stuck On You” – Lionel Richie, Darius Rucker
New Artist of the Year
Lee Brice
Brantley Gilbert
Hunter Hayes
Love and Theft
Thompson Square
Single of the Year
“Dirt Road Anthem” – Jason Aldean
“God Gave Me You” – Blake Shelton
“Home” – Dierks Bentley
“Pontoon” – Little Big Town
“Springsteen” – Eric Church
Song of the Year
“Even If It Breaks Your Heart” – Eli Young Band
“God Gave Me You” – Blake Shelton
“Home” – Dierks Bentley
“Over You” – Miranda Lambert
“Springsteen” – Eric Church
Album of the Year
Chief - Eric Church
Four the Record - Miranda Lambert
Home - Dierks Bentley
Own the Night - Lady Antebellum
Tailgates and Tanlines - Luke Bryan
Music Video of the Year
“Come Over” – Kenny Chesney
“Over You” – Miranda Lambert
“Pontoon” – Little Big Town
“Red Solo Cup” – Toby Keith
“Springsteen” – Eric Church
Musician of the Year
Sam Bush (mandolin)
Paul Franklin (steel guitar)
Dann Huff (guitar)
Brent Mason (guitar)
Mac McAnally (guitar)
Colt Ford is proud as a peacock over Jason Aldean’s CMA nomination for “Dirt Road Anthem,” which Colt co-wrote with Brantley Gilbert. How did Jason come to record the song? Colt explains, “You know, it just turned out that I was opening for him in 2009 and he said, ‘Man, how do all those people know all the words to that song?’ And I was like, ‘I don’t know, man, they just seem to really like it.’ So he called me up and said he wanted to try to cut it and of course, I didn’t have a problem with that. Jason’s been a good friend of mine and he grew up the same way I did, so it wasn’t like it was something made up for him. I mean, that was real life for him as well, and it turned out to be the biggest song of his career.”
Kellie Pickler is beautiful, even bald. Don’t believe me? Check out this video of Kellie shaving her head to support her childhood friend Summer Holt Miller. She’s only 36 but is battling breast cancer.
George Strait will announce a 2013 tour later this month, and apparently he’s got another big announcement, too. Stay tuned…
“Cheers, It’s Christmas” is the title of Blake Shelton’s Christmas album, which is available for pre-orders now. It comes out October 2nd and here’s the track list:
1. “Jingle Bell Rock” (featuring Miranda Lambert)
2. “White Christmas”
3. “Oklahoma Christmas” (featuring Reba)
4. “Let It Snow”
5. “There's A New Kid In Town” (featuring Kelly Clarkson)
6. “Santa's Got A Choo Choo Train”
7. “Home” (featuring Michael Buble)
8. “Winter Wonderland”
9. “The Christmas Song”
10. “Blue Christmas” (featuring The Pistol Annies)
11. “I'll Be Home For Christmas”
12. “Silver Bells” (featuring Xenia Martinez)
13. “Time For Me To Come Home” (featuring Dorothy Shackleford)
14. “The Very Best Time Of Year” (featuring Trypta-Phunk)
Carrie Underwood tops the Billboard Country Album chart this week with “Blown Away,” and she says that she’s inspired by her new music: “It opened the door for the Blown Away album, and for me to be able to play a little bit, which has been a lot of fun. From the song to the album, to putting together a tour, I feel like that song has allowed me to be able to do different things. It’s definitely making the tour be more dramatic and more of a juicy story.”
Luke Bryan has been given a plaque recognizing sales of seven million downloads of songs from his platinum album, “Tailgates & Tanlines.”
Want to see how Lee Ann Womack roughs it? Check out the next issue of People Country magazine – they went along on a road trip with Lee Ann and two of her girlfriends in her 1973 Airstream Land Yacht, which Lee Ann says is “girly, but ‘60’s timeless.” Chandelier in the bedroom? Portable record player? Cornhole? Sounds like a party!
Little Big Town will be on Good Morning America Monday morning.
Here’s the complete list of CMA nominees for your wagering pleasure:
Entertainer of the Year
Jason Aldean
Kenny Chesney
Brad Paisley
Blake Shelton
Taylor Swift
Female Vocalist of the Year
Kelly Clarkson
Miranda Lambert
Martina McBride
Taylor Swift
Carrie Underwood
Male Vocalist of the Year
Jason Aldean
Luke Bryan
Eric Church
Blake Shelton
Keith Urban
Vocal Group of the Year
Eli Young Band
Lady Antebellum
Little Big Town
The Band Perry
Zac Brown Band
Vocal Duo of the Year
Big & Rich
Love and Theft
Sugarland
The Civil Wars
Thompson Square
Musical Event of the Year
“Dixie Highway” – Alan Jackson, Zac Brown
“Feel Like a Rock Star” – Kenny Chesney, Tim McGraw
“Roll Me Up and Smoke Me When I Die” – Willie Nelson, Snoop Dogg, Kris Kristofferson, Jamey Johnson
“Safe and Sound” – Taylor Swift, The Civil Wars
“Stuck On You” – Lionel Richie, Darius Rucker
New Artist of the Year
Lee Brice
Brantley Gilbert
Hunter Hayes
Love and Theft
Thompson Square
Single of the Year
“Dirt Road Anthem” – Jason Aldean
“God Gave Me You” – Blake Shelton
“Home” – Dierks Bentley
“Pontoon” – Little Big Town
“Springsteen” – Eric Church
Song of the Year
“Even If It Breaks Your Heart” – Eli Young Band
“God Gave Me You” – Blake Shelton
“Home” – Dierks Bentley
“Over You” – Miranda Lambert
“Springsteen” – Eric Church
Album of the Year
Chief - Eric Church
Four the Record - Miranda Lambert
Home - Dierks Bentley
Own the Night - Lady Antebellum
Tailgates and Tanlines - Luke Bryan
Music Video of the Year
“Come Over” – Kenny Chesney
“Over You” – Miranda Lambert
“Pontoon” – Little Big Town
“Red Solo Cup” – Toby Keith
“Springsteen” – Eric Church
Musician of the Year
Sam Bush (mandolin)
Paul Franklin (steel guitar)
Dann Huff (guitar)
Brent Mason (guitar)
Mac McAnally (guitar)
Thursday, August 16, 2012
Kix Brooks has done a lot of concerts and a lot of charity events, but the one this past weekend was extra-special. It was a party and concert at his winery, Arrington Vineyards, and was a benefit for Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital. According to Kix, “We did it just to make awareness. I had eight of my buds with their balloons and they all took off – the wind was blowing so they went right over the crowd. It was just awesome. Probably the best part was taking the stage for the very first time, at my own venue. We’ve been open five years and it’s the first time I played there.” Thousands showed up for the fun, and to hear music that’ll be on Kix’s album, “New to This Town,” due out on September 11th.
The Band Perry is on tour with Brad Paisley, learning even more about working a crowd and playing live in front of really huge audiences. When they were a baby act, they sought advice from more established groups, and now baby acts are coming to them for advice. Kimberly and Reid share what they’ve learned: “[Reid] This guy told us way back when we started, he said, ‘Play anywhere and everywhere you can,’ cause he said, ‘you’ll learn how to deal with different situations on the stage.’ [Kimberly] I would just say sing and play loud, if there’s one pair of ears in the room or a thousand—and also—sing in front of everybody else the way you do in the shower.”
Taylor Swift released her new single, “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together,” Monday night, and within 24 hours it was at #22 on the country charts, based on airplay. It’s #16 on the adult contemporary chart and #27 on the top 40 chart. Not bad for a day’s work!
Angaleena Presley of Pistol Annies is finally dishing the details of her May wedding to Miranda Lambert’s tour manager, Jordan Powell. They’ve both been married before, so didn’t want a big, splashy affair. They were married in the library of the Four Seasons resort in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Jordan showed up in a custom-made Manuel suit, saying that he was marrying a part of country music history, so he needed to dress the part. No, she’s not related to Elvis. You can watch Angaleena search for the perfect wedding dress on TLC’s Say Yes to the Dress on August 24th.
After his abortive try at a tour this year, George Jones says he’ll hit 60 cities in 2013 on his last tour ever, The Grand Tour. He admits that it’s tough to stop doing what he loves, but it’s time to slow down and spend time with his wife, children and grandchildren. The Possum has spent more than 50 years on the road.
Kellie Pickler is on The Chew on ABC today.
The Band Perry is on tour with Brad Paisley, learning even more about working a crowd and playing live in front of really huge audiences. When they were a baby act, they sought advice from more established groups, and now baby acts are coming to them for advice. Kimberly and Reid share what they’ve learned: “[Reid] This guy told us way back when we started, he said, ‘Play anywhere and everywhere you can,’ cause he said, ‘you’ll learn how to deal with different situations on the stage.’ [Kimberly] I would just say sing and play loud, if there’s one pair of ears in the room or a thousand—and also—sing in front of everybody else the way you do in the shower.”
Taylor Swift released her new single, “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together,” Monday night, and within 24 hours it was at #22 on the country charts, based on airplay. It’s #16 on the adult contemporary chart and #27 on the top 40 chart. Not bad for a day’s work!
Angaleena Presley of Pistol Annies is finally dishing the details of her May wedding to Miranda Lambert’s tour manager, Jordan Powell. They’ve both been married before, so didn’t want a big, splashy affair. They were married in the library of the Four Seasons resort in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Jordan showed up in a custom-made Manuel suit, saying that he was marrying a part of country music history, so he needed to dress the part. No, she’s not related to Elvis. You can watch Angaleena search for the perfect wedding dress on TLC’s Say Yes to the Dress on August 24th.
After his abortive try at a tour this year, George Jones says he’ll hit 60 cities in 2013 on his last tour ever, The Grand Tour. He admits that it’s tough to stop doing what he loves, but it’s time to slow down and spend time with his wife, children and grandchildren. The Possum has spent more than 50 years on the road.
Kellie Pickler is on The Chew on ABC today.
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
Today's Country Tidbits
Tim McGraw is totally psyched about the new album, which will be his first with his new record label, Big Machine. The first single is “Truck Yeah” and Tim says it’s a taste of what’s to come on the album: “The music has a lot of energy in it. It’s infused with all this enthusiasm and freshness. And I just think that it’s—I haven’t felt this way about music in a long time.” He’s headed to Austin Texas next month to tape his first episode of Austin City Limits, the longest-running music show in America. No air date yet, but I’ll keep you posted. On a different note, Tim says he’s still open to the idea of holding political office, but not until his daughters are grown up, and only if he’s in “a position where I can give back and feel like I’m smart enough to help.” Wish all our politicians felt that way!
Carrie Underwood’s new single, “Blown Away,” shines a good light on her rural roots of Oklahoma, and she’s happy to be among great company: “So many artists come from Oklahoma—Garth and Reba and Toby and Blake—it’s nice to see that there are people that you know do come from those small towns and they can make it big and still remember where they’re from as they move forward.”
Today is finally the day – Zac Brown Band’s new album, “Uncaged,” is out. In Zac’s opinion, it’s not talent that’s gotten them to the top of the charts: “We spent hours and hours writing the songs, and hours and hours arranging them and recording them and everything. We work harder than a lot of other bands I think. So, I think that’s what sets us apart.” Zac calls this album their best work yet.
Kellie Pickler knows the ins and outs of being part of the American Idol family, and she has some advice for the people auditioning for Season 12 – how can it have been 12 years already?? – of American Idol: “It’s so wild because it’s like immediately after the finale it’s in with the new, out with the old and on to the next season. That’s why too, when you come off the show you have to strike while the iron’s hot. As soon as you get off the show, you need to get your butt in the studio, you need to be writing – you need to be recording your record.” The auditions kick off this week in Chicago.
Kip Moore had a number one song with “Somethin’ Bout a Truck,” and his follow up single is a song he feels can do just as well: “I love the song. It was just one of those things that just felt right for the time right now. It felt like it was the right call to do. I just kind of went on my gut.” “Beer Money” is from Kip’s “Up All Night” album and is just starting it’s climb on the charts.
Carrie Underwood’s new single, “Blown Away,” shines a good light on her rural roots of Oklahoma, and she’s happy to be among great company: “So many artists come from Oklahoma—Garth and Reba and Toby and Blake—it’s nice to see that there are people that you know do come from those small towns and they can make it big and still remember where they’re from as they move forward.”
Today is finally the day – Zac Brown Band’s new album, “Uncaged,” is out. In Zac’s opinion, it’s not talent that’s gotten them to the top of the charts: “We spent hours and hours writing the songs, and hours and hours arranging them and recording them and everything. We work harder than a lot of other bands I think. So, I think that’s what sets us apart.” Zac calls this album their best work yet.
Kellie Pickler knows the ins and outs of being part of the American Idol family, and she has some advice for the people auditioning for Season 12 – how can it have been 12 years already?? – of American Idol: “It’s so wild because it’s like immediately after the finale it’s in with the new, out with the old and on to the next season. That’s why too, when you come off the show you have to strike while the iron’s hot. As soon as you get off the show, you need to get your butt in the studio, you need to be writing – you need to be recording your record.” The auditions kick off this week in Chicago.
Kip Moore had a number one song with “Somethin’ Bout a Truck,” and his follow up single is a song he feels can do just as well: “I love the song. It was just one of those things that just felt right for the time right now. It felt like it was the right call to do. I just kind of went on my gut.” “Beer Money” is from Kip’s “Up All Night” album and is just starting it’s climb on the charts.
Monday, July 9, 2012
Today's Country Tidbits
It’s as American as baseball – country music stars lining up to be part of the All-Star Break fun. Tonight, Zac Brown Band will play a show at the Home Run Derby, and tomorrow night, Luke Bryan will sing the National Anthem and Kellie Pickler will sing “God Bless America” as part of the All-Star Game festivities. It all airs on FOX.
Heat waves are bad for bus engines, and Chris Young knows that first-hand. He and his band narrowly averted the bus-fire issues that Jerrod Niemann and Lee Brice have had in the past year. According to Chris, “We were in Charlotte, North Carolina, and my tour manager ran on the bus, was like, ‘Off the bus now. Grab what you need, and get off.’ It was like, engine glowing red, smoke comin’ out of the back of it, and we hit it with a fire extinguisher and turned the bus off, and that’s probably…my bus driver was like, ‘Man, that’s the only thing that kept it from being in flames.’” Fortunately there were no injuries, and they’ll be back on the road this coming weekend.
Carrie Underwood is back state-side after a successful foray into the Great Britain and Australian concert venues. Her album, “Blown Away,” was released in the two nations to coincide with her visits and debuted at #1 in both places.
Miranda Lambert had to sit out her shows this past weekend. Gretchen Wilson and Sawyer Brown filled in for her on Friday’s show, and Saturday’s show was postponed. She hopes to be back on stage this coming weekend.
Dierks Bentley has his own Martin Guitar – a signature, custom six string. It’s taking a little bit of getting used to, though: “The guitar I have that I play all the time has a big hole in it from playing it so much, so it’s kinda weird...everything I have is kinda beat up a little bit. So, it’s weird to have this nice shiny guitar. It’s kinda freaking me out a little bit, but I’m gonna do my best to get it all beat up here pretty soon [Laughs]!” The Dierks Bentley Custom Signature Artist Edition Martin guitar retails for around $5,000 and if you want one, you’d better snap one up quickly – it truly is a limited edition.
Kix Brooks is ready to release his first solo album, “New to This Town.” It’ll be out September 11th, and he’s happy to dish some details about it: “I’m not sure how many songs I started with, but I recorded 49 songs in three weeks. I just got my favorite pickers over at Sony Tree Studio – where we recorded our first Brooks & Dunn album there. It’s our publishing company, and there’s a studio in there that’s kind of like home to me.” Kix and Jay DeMarcus of Rascal Flatts co-produced the project.
Taylor Swift and the man she was named for, James Taylor, hit the stage together last week. Here’s video of their duet of “Fire and Rain.”
Congrats to Kenny Chesney, whose “Welcome to the Fishbowl” is the top country album again this week. About the album, Kenny says, “A lot of artists, when they’re done with a record, they’ll say, ‘This is my favorite record that I’ve ever done,’ no matter if it is or not. I’m not sure it is, but I can tell you this record took me on an emotional journey that none of them have.”
Happy birthday to David Ball, who turns 53 today.
Heat waves are bad for bus engines, and Chris Young knows that first-hand. He and his band narrowly averted the bus-fire issues that Jerrod Niemann and Lee Brice have had in the past year. According to Chris, “We were in Charlotte, North Carolina, and my tour manager ran on the bus, was like, ‘Off the bus now. Grab what you need, and get off.’ It was like, engine glowing red, smoke comin’ out of the back of it, and we hit it with a fire extinguisher and turned the bus off, and that’s probably…my bus driver was like, ‘Man, that’s the only thing that kept it from being in flames.’” Fortunately there were no injuries, and they’ll be back on the road this coming weekend.
Carrie Underwood is back state-side after a successful foray into the Great Britain and Australian concert venues. Her album, “Blown Away,” was released in the two nations to coincide with her visits and debuted at #1 in both places.
Miranda Lambert had to sit out her shows this past weekend. Gretchen Wilson and Sawyer Brown filled in for her on Friday’s show, and Saturday’s show was postponed. She hopes to be back on stage this coming weekend.
Dierks Bentley has his own Martin Guitar – a signature, custom six string. It’s taking a little bit of getting used to, though: “The guitar I have that I play all the time has a big hole in it from playing it so much, so it’s kinda weird...everything I have is kinda beat up a little bit. So, it’s weird to have this nice shiny guitar. It’s kinda freaking me out a little bit, but I’m gonna do my best to get it all beat up here pretty soon [Laughs]!” The Dierks Bentley Custom Signature Artist Edition Martin guitar retails for around $5,000 and if you want one, you’d better snap one up quickly – it truly is a limited edition.
Kix Brooks is ready to release his first solo album, “New to This Town.” It’ll be out September 11th, and he’s happy to dish some details about it: “I’m not sure how many songs I started with, but I recorded 49 songs in three weeks. I just got my favorite pickers over at Sony Tree Studio – where we recorded our first Brooks & Dunn album there. It’s our publishing company, and there’s a studio in there that’s kind of like home to me.” Kix and Jay DeMarcus of Rascal Flatts co-produced the project.
Taylor Swift and the man she was named for, James Taylor, hit the stage together last week. Here’s video of their duet of “Fire and Rain.”
Congrats to Kenny Chesney, whose “Welcome to the Fishbowl” is the top country album again this week. About the album, Kenny says, “A lot of artists, when they’re done with a record, they’ll say, ‘This is my favorite record that I’ve ever done,’ no matter if it is or not. I’m not sure it is, but I can tell you this record took me on an emotional journey that none of them have.”
Happy birthday to David Ball, who turns 53 today.
Friday, June 29, 2012
Today's Country Tidbits
Jake Owen may be learning a lot about performing by being part of the Brothers of the Sun tour, but he’s learning something else, too: diet tricks of the big stars! According to Jake, “Kenny pretty much sticks to chicken, salmon and broccoli. And I have been trying to do the same – I’ll mix in an occasional brew here and there. But he’s really good with his diet, and Tim looks amazing. His body looks like he’s 22 years old. I’m just trying to keep up with those guys.”
It’s not the 4th of July yet, but don’t tell Alan Jackson, Easton Corbin and Gloriana. They’re starting early at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, celebrating with military families there. The show’s open to the public and will include a major fireworks display.
It’s lucky 13 for Toby Keith – his I Love This Bar and Grill added a Dallas, Texas location this week. They’re not just a bar and restaurant, they also provide a concert venue as part of the package, and according to Toby, they’re a hit! “They’re really doing well! They’re going like gangbusters.” Well, yeah…have you had the French fries?
Carrie Underwood and Brad Paisley have become great friends, and Carrie describes Brad as being like her big brother: “Kim and his kids are just absolutely amazing, and they’ve always been super sweet to me. And it’s just nice to have people that you work with that you really enjoy, and you enjoy being around. And he and Mike [Fisher] have hung out together, and it’s just nice to have that in your life.” Right now, Carrie and Mike are in Australia, where she’s taken her Blown Away tour.
Zac Brown Band has been added to the Road to Ram Jam sweepstakes, where Ram Trucks get a year-long lease to a 2012 Ram 1500 Laramie Longhorn truck. At the end of the lease, the trucks will be auctioned off, with proceeds going to the military charity of the artist’s choice. Other artists include Kellie Pickler, Brantley Gilbert and Easton Corbin.
Kellie Pickler has teamed up with ConAgra foods and Feeding America this summer to provide meals for hungry kids, and she’s very passionate about the project: “This is just a really great way to spread the word and awareness and get people involved in something so important. These are kids, they can’t fend for themselves – they need us. It’s our responsibility, whether they’re our kids or not, it is still our responsibility as human beings to help these children.” Did she have cake for her birthday yesterday? Not home-made – she had to hit the road early yesterday, headed for tonight’s show in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Tim McGraw is busy and in-demand – he’s reading scripts for his next movie role, though he hasn’t found it yet, and just turned down an offer to appear on Broadway. Tim says he “can read fifty scripts and not find anything.” He’s had better luck with songs – he’s chomping at the bit to get his new album out to fans.
Congrats to Kenny Chesney – “Welcome to the Fishbowl” debuted atop the country album sales chart, selling nearly 200,000 copies. It was #2 on the all-genre chart. He says he put his heart and soul into the songs: “Bein’ in that driver’s seat to, you know, try to reach inside somebody’s heart live is a great seat to be in. And to figure out which songs of these that you think is gonna do it the most is a balancing act when you’re recording your record and when you’re done with it.”
It’s not the 4th of July yet, but don’t tell Alan Jackson, Easton Corbin and Gloriana. They’re starting early at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, celebrating with military families there. The show’s open to the public and will include a major fireworks display.
It’s lucky 13 for Toby Keith – his I Love This Bar and Grill added a Dallas, Texas location this week. They’re not just a bar and restaurant, they also provide a concert venue as part of the package, and according to Toby, they’re a hit! “They’re really doing well! They’re going like gangbusters.” Well, yeah…have you had the French fries?
Carrie Underwood and Brad Paisley have become great friends, and Carrie describes Brad as being like her big brother: “Kim and his kids are just absolutely amazing, and they’ve always been super sweet to me. And it’s just nice to have people that you work with that you really enjoy, and you enjoy being around. And he and Mike [Fisher] have hung out together, and it’s just nice to have that in your life.” Right now, Carrie and Mike are in Australia, where she’s taken her Blown Away tour.
Zac Brown Band has been added to the Road to Ram Jam sweepstakes, where Ram Trucks get a year-long lease to a 2012 Ram 1500 Laramie Longhorn truck. At the end of the lease, the trucks will be auctioned off, with proceeds going to the military charity of the artist’s choice. Other artists include Kellie Pickler, Brantley Gilbert and Easton Corbin.
Kellie Pickler has teamed up with ConAgra foods and Feeding America this summer to provide meals for hungry kids, and she’s very passionate about the project: “This is just a really great way to spread the word and awareness and get people involved in something so important. These are kids, they can’t fend for themselves – they need us. It’s our responsibility, whether they’re our kids or not, it is still our responsibility as human beings to help these children.” Did she have cake for her birthday yesterday? Not home-made – she had to hit the road early yesterday, headed for tonight’s show in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Tim McGraw is busy and in-demand – he’s reading scripts for his next movie role, though he hasn’t found it yet, and just turned down an offer to appear on Broadway. Tim says he “can read fifty scripts and not find anything.” He’s had better luck with songs – he’s chomping at the bit to get his new album out to fans.
Congrats to Kenny Chesney – “Welcome to the Fishbowl” debuted atop the country album sales chart, selling nearly 200,000 copies. It was #2 on the all-genre chart. He says he put his heart and soul into the songs: “Bein’ in that driver’s seat to, you know, try to reach inside somebody’s heart live is a great seat to be in. And to figure out which songs of these that you think is gonna do it the most is a balancing act when you’re recording your record and when you’re done with it.”
Thursday, June 28, 2012
Today's Country Tidbits
Luke Bryan is celebrating a multi-week #1 with “Drunk On You.” It’s from his platinum album, “Tailgates and Tanlines” and he knew the song was going to be huge from the first time he played it in concert: “We could really see a lot of people participating and doing the ‘boom booms’ and singing along. And so to have it as being a number-one and my fifth number-one song, is so fun gratifying and fun for me.” “Drunk On You” has been at #1 for four straight weeks on the digital download charts and is #1 this week on the airplay and sales charts.
Keith Urban is in the studio working on a new album, but he’s smitten with having been on “The Voice” in Australia and would like to do it again: “I loved that the show is the first one I’d ever seen that basically go on the sound of the voice first, then we run with other things after that. That really struck me as a cool thing.” Just guessing here, but bet he’ll be invited back!
Miranda Lambert was moved to tears at her show in New Orleans. She started singing “The House That Built Me” and stopped after one verse, telling the audience, “I went out to a Walgreens today, and I saw some houses that still had boards on the windows, and...I live in tornado alley in Oklahoma and I know how disaster can affect a community. I’ve prayed for you guys...and I appreciate you rebuilding your community and coming back stronger than ever.” She was referring to the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, and was sobbing as she finished the song.
Hmmmm…wonder if there’s a little romance going on? Kenny Chesney just donated a baby grand piano to the high school his tour mate, Grace Potter, attended. The donation was in honor of Grace’s music teacher, who is retiring after 40 years. Nice gesture!
Love and Theft are closing in on their first top 10 single with “Angel Eyes.” The song has gotten the attention of country fans, according to Eric Gunderson: “We’re getting new fans and the song’s impacting and reaching a lot of new people, so it’s been really exciting so far.” The song is from their upcoming self-titled album, due out July 24th.
Tim McGraw’s been performing his next single, “Truck Yeah,” on the Brothers of the Sun tour, and the crowd goes wild…
Happy birthday to Kellie Pickler, who turns 26 today.
Keith Urban is in the studio working on a new album, but he’s smitten with having been on “The Voice” in Australia and would like to do it again: “I loved that the show is the first one I’d ever seen that basically go on the sound of the voice first, then we run with other things after that. That really struck me as a cool thing.” Just guessing here, but bet he’ll be invited back!
Miranda Lambert was moved to tears at her show in New Orleans. She started singing “The House That Built Me” and stopped after one verse, telling the audience, “I went out to a Walgreens today, and I saw some houses that still had boards on the windows, and...I live in tornado alley in Oklahoma and I know how disaster can affect a community. I’ve prayed for you guys...and I appreciate you rebuilding your community and coming back stronger than ever.” She was referring to the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, and was sobbing as she finished the song.
Hmmmm…wonder if there’s a little romance going on? Kenny Chesney just donated a baby grand piano to the high school his tour mate, Grace Potter, attended. The donation was in honor of Grace’s music teacher, who is retiring after 40 years. Nice gesture!
Love and Theft are closing in on their first top 10 single with “Angel Eyes.” The song has gotten the attention of country fans, according to Eric Gunderson: “We’re getting new fans and the song’s impacting and reaching a lot of new people, so it’s been really exciting so far.” The song is from their upcoming self-titled album, due out July 24th.
Tim McGraw’s been performing his next single, “Truck Yeah,” on the Brothers of the Sun tour, and the crowd goes wild…
Happy birthday to Kellie Pickler, who turns 26 today.
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Today's Country Tidbits
When the Brothers of the Sun tour hit Nashville this past weekend, it was one of the sisters in the show who stole the spotlight. Grace Potter’s 29th birthday was Wednesday of last week, but Kenny held off the celebration until Saturday night. Enlisting the help of the Brentwood High School marching band and 50,000 concert-goers, there was a rousing rendition of the Happy Birthday song, he brought her out a huge margarita and presented her with a cake in the shape of a Flying-V guitar. The video is very amateur, but bear with it – it does get right-side up and in focus for the good stuff!
As that same concert, Tim McGraw said that it’s tough to play in Nashville, because the audience is filled with family members, friends and people who work for him. According to Tim, “They know me. So, it’s hard to impress them.”
Sometimes it’s not good to look like a star. Also at the Nashville Tim and Kenny tour stop, a fan who looks a lot like Kenny Chesney was escorted out of the arena and invited to go home. Apparently audience members thought he looked so much like Kenny Chesney that a mini-ruckus kicked up while Tim McGraw was performing. Nathan Blankenship has been contacted by Kenny’s people, who knew nothing of the expulsion, and they’re going to make it up to him somehow. Kenny had this to say: “You don’t have to be famous to be a star, like it says in that song. You know, there’s a line in ‘Welcome to the Fishbowl,’ ‘You don’t have now, to be a star. Just get caught on video and there you are.”
Dierks Bentley and Thompson Square have made their love for Little Bit Town’s new song, “Pontoon,” public. As a matter of fact, Keifer Thompson is chomping at the bit to own his own! “[Keifer] The reason we haven’t bought one—I haven’t figured out which one I’m wanna get. I wanna ‘neck it out, like that man, I mean cheesy lights, slide—[Shawna] –‘neck it out? [Keifer] ‘Neck it out, man. [Shawna] –meaning? [Keifer] Redneck it out!”
Big & Rich capped the ACM Lifting Lives music camp week, performing with developmentally disabled but musically gifted teens. Check out the performance on the Grand Ole Opry stage…
The Republican National Convention will be rockin’ this year, as Trace Adkins, Kid Rock and Lynyrd Skynyrd will be the featured performers. Oh, yeah – and the Republican presidential nominee and his running mate will also be announced at the late-August event in Tampa, Florida.
Will you ever see Brantley Gilbert without his ball cap on? Probably not! “I actually leave it on sometimes in the shower on accident. We’ve got like 30 of them and sometimes I’ll go to sleep and wake up in the morning, and it’s still on. It’s like a piece of my body almost, it’s weird.”
Billy Ray Cyrus hits Broadway this winter, playing lawyer Billy Flynn in “Chicago.” The seven-week engagement will be at the Ambassador Theatre November 5th through December 23rd.
Congratulations to Luke Bryan, who tops the country charts this week with “Drunk On You.”
Kellie Pickler is on the Ellen DeGeneres Show today.
Happy birthday to Lorrie Morgan, who turns 53 today.
As that same concert, Tim McGraw said that it’s tough to play in Nashville, because the audience is filled with family members, friends and people who work for him. According to Tim, “They know me. So, it’s hard to impress them.”
Sometimes it’s not good to look like a star. Also at the Nashville Tim and Kenny tour stop, a fan who looks a lot like Kenny Chesney was escorted out of the arena and invited to go home. Apparently audience members thought he looked so much like Kenny Chesney that a mini-ruckus kicked up while Tim McGraw was performing. Nathan Blankenship has been contacted by Kenny’s people, who knew nothing of the expulsion, and they’re going to make it up to him somehow. Kenny had this to say: “You don’t have to be famous to be a star, like it says in that song. You know, there’s a line in ‘Welcome to the Fishbowl,’ ‘You don’t have now, to be a star. Just get caught on video and there you are.”
Dierks Bentley and Thompson Square have made their love for Little Bit Town’s new song, “Pontoon,” public. As a matter of fact, Keifer Thompson is chomping at the bit to own his own! “[Keifer] The reason we haven’t bought one—I haven’t figured out which one I’m wanna get. I wanna ‘neck it out, like that man, I mean cheesy lights, slide—[Shawna] –‘neck it out? [Keifer] ‘Neck it out, man. [Shawna] –meaning? [Keifer] Redneck it out!”
Big & Rich capped the ACM Lifting Lives music camp week, performing with developmentally disabled but musically gifted teens. Check out the performance on the Grand Ole Opry stage…
The Republican National Convention will be rockin’ this year, as Trace Adkins, Kid Rock and Lynyrd Skynyrd will be the featured performers. Oh, yeah – and the Republican presidential nominee and his running mate will also be announced at the late-August event in Tampa, Florida.
Will you ever see Brantley Gilbert without his ball cap on? Probably not! “I actually leave it on sometimes in the shower on accident. We’ve got like 30 of them and sometimes I’ll go to sleep and wake up in the morning, and it’s still on. It’s like a piece of my body almost, it’s weird.”
Billy Ray Cyrus hits Broadway this winter, playing lawyer Billy Flynn in “Chicago.” The seven-week engagement will be at the Ambassador Theatre November 5th through December 23rd.
Congratulations to Luke Bryan, who tops the country charts this week with “Drunk On You.”
Kellie Pickler is on the Ellen DeGeneres Show today.
Happy birthday to Lorrie Morgan, who turns 53 today.
Monday, June 4, 2012
Dierks Bentley lost his dad on Friday, and on Saturday he tweeted, “My Dad died yesterday. It was an honor to comfort him as he left us. Thank you fans for the time and understanding.” Dierks was scheduled to play a concert in Washington DC Saturday, and Big & Rich stepped in to cover for him. It was the first show in 10 years that Dierks missed, and he vowed to play a show in DC soon. Meanwhile, his Last Call Ball, scheduled for this Wednesday in Nashville, has been postponed, too. He’ll resume his touring schedule on June 9th in Detroit. Leon Bentley was 88. The photo is one Dierks shared via Twitter of their two hands near the end.
Throughout their career, Rascal Flatts has sold more than six million concert tickets. You might think they’ve been on stage so much that they wouldn’t have to rehearse, but you’d be wrong. They’ve been rehearsing their “Changed” tour, working out on the stage, practicing the songs from the new album and basically just trying to get back into “live” mode. “You know, when we put together the kind of show that we put together it’s kind of the same format every night. So, once you rehearse it and you know it well, you just go out and try to execute it the best you can. It’s kind of like a football player having a game plan. You just go out and try to make the plays. But, I get pumped up and high on adrenaline, really.” The tour kicks off in 12 days in Hartford Connecticut.
Lady Antebellum is excited to cap their Own the Night 2012 world tour in Australia. The last stops on the tour will be in Melbourne, Brisbane and Sydney, with the final show in Sydney on October first.
Eric Church’s fall leg of The Blood, Sweat & Beers tour adds Justin Moore and Kip Moore (no relation). It kicks off September 13th in Amherst, MA.
Kellie Pickler is honored to be on her 5th USO tour of the Middle East, saying, “I come from a military family so I’ve always had a respect for our military men and women, but having been there...it changes everything about you. You leave one person and you come back a different person.”
Keith Urban showed a little skin – and undies! – on Australian TV. It was an accident – he was changing position, stood up and this is what the camera captured.
Tonight is Darius Rucker’s 3rd Annual Darius and Friends event in Nashville, raising money for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. The Wildhorse Saloon is the location and in addition to Darius, Rodney Atkins, Clint Black, Sunny Sweeney, Chuck Wicks and “surprise special guests” will all perform.
As CMA Music Festival week nears, plans are being made for the annual ABC special, “CMA Music Festival: Country’s Night to Rock.” Luke Bryan and Kimberly Perry of The Band Perry will co-host the show, which will air September 17th.
Also in September, a really great reason for a road trip. Zac Brown Band’s Southern Ground Music & Food Festival hits Nashville September 21st and 22nd. ZBB will headline both nights and food will be available from “Cookie,” the band’s mobile kitchen. Local restaurants will also set up booths for the hordes of music and food lovers. Tickets go on sale this Thursday.
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Today's Country Tidbits
Keith Urban’s song, “For You,” is soaring up the charts. It’s from the movie “Act of Valor,
and Keith says that meeting the service men and women who were part of the movie blew him away: “Lieutenant Roarke who was the lead guy in the film, when he was interviewed, he was talking about all the funerals that he’d been to and he says there isn’t really any of us there that isn’t just a little bit jealous of the guy who has died. I mean, I heard that and just went OK, that’s a particular way of being that I cannot relate to. I mean, that is unbelievable depth of commitment and conviction.” Meanwhile, Keith’s donated a guitar to the Fourth Annual Guitars of the Stars Benefit Auction happening next Thursday in Nashville. The money raised by auctioning off a lot of stars’ guitars will benefit the Opry Trust Fund. Also donating guitars are Dierks Bentley, Charlie Daniels, Hunter Hayes, Merle Haggard, Casey James, Loretta Lynn, The Band Perry, Kellie Pickler, and Rascal Flatts. Well, no – Rascal Flatts donated a banjo in honor of their latest hit song.
Speaking of the song “Banjo,” Gary LeVox remembers the first time he heard the song: “Neil [Thrasher] and Wendell [Mobley] were actually at my ranch writing – the three of us were writing ‘Changed.’ Wendell just happened to get the rough copy of ‘Banjo,’ and was playing it for Neil to go, ‘Oh here’s the song they demoed for us.’ I heard it and I was like, ‘What is that?’ He was like, ‘Just some song,’ and Neil’s like, ‘Yeah I like it, it sounds good.’ I was like, ‘You gotta play it again!’” Hot on the heels of that song’s success, Rascal Flatts has released “Come Wake Me Up.” Prediction – number 1 on the country charts by the 4th of July!
What was Kenny Chesney up to while gearing up for the Brothers of the Sun tour this weekend? He was in the Bahamas – working! Not a tough job, though – he played a benefit concert at the Michael Douglas & Friends Celebrity Golf Tournament. Proceeds are earmarked for Plan!t Now, an organization that provides scholarships to students affected by severe weather.
Alan Jackson’s 14th studio album is due out Tuesday, and the first single from it is drawing huge praise. “So You Don’t Have to Love Me Anymore” is being compared to “He Stopped Loving Her Today,” though Alan Jackson is a bit uncomfortable with the comparison, saying, “I wouldn’t want to put myself in that category with George Jones, but it is a great song.” Alan can say that, as he didn’t write it. He did write a song about wife Denise’s battle with cancer. “When I Saw You Leaving” is a song that “just came out,” according to Alan. Zac Brown shows up on the song, “Dixie Highway.” June 5th is the day we all get to hear the whole thing.
Darius Rucker gets to spend his summer as part of the 2012 Jim Beam Live Music Series. He’ll headline a Dallas House of Blues show on June 24th. As you might guess because Jim Beam is the sponsor, concert-goers must be 21 or older.
Kellie Pickler is on her 5th USO tour in the Middle East this week.
and Keith says that meeting the service men and women who were part of the movie blew him away: “Lieutenant Roarke who was the lead guy in the film, when he was interviewed, he was talking about all the funerals that he’d been to and he says there isn’t really any of us there that isn’t just a little bit jealous of the guy who has died. I mean, I heard that and just went OK, that’s a particular way of being that I cannot relate to. I mean, that is unbelievable depth of commitment and conviction.” Meanwhile, Keith’s donated a guitar to the Fourth Annual Guitars of the Stars Benefit Auction happening next Thursday in Nashville. The money raised by auctioning off a lot of stars’ guitars will benefit the Opry Trust Fund. Also donating guitars are Dierks Bentley, Charlie Daniels, Hunter Hayes, Merle Haggard, Casey James, Loretta Lynn, The Band Perry, Kellie Pickler, and Rascal Flatts. Well, no – Rascal Flatts donated a banjo in honor of their latest hit song.
Speaking of the song “Banjo,” Gary LeVox remembers the first time he heard the song: “Neil [Thrasher] and Wendell [Mobley] were actually at my ranch writing – the three of us were writing ‘Changed.’ Wendell just happened to get the rough copy of ‘Banjo,’ and was playing it for Neil to go, ‘Oh here’s the song they demoed for us.’ I heard it and I was like, ‘What is that?’ He was like, ‘Just some song,’ and Neil’s like, ‘Yeah I like it, it sounds good.’ I was like, ‘You gotta play it again!’” Hot on the heels of that song’s success, Rascal Flatts has released “Come Wake Me Up.” Prediction – number 1 on the country charts by the 4th of July!
What was Kenny Chesney up to while gearing up for the Brothers of the Sun tour this weekend? He was in the Bahamas – working! Not a tough job, though – he played a benefit concert at the Michael Douglas & Friends Celebrity Golf Tournament. Proceeds are earmarked for Plan!t Now, an organization that provides scholarships to students affected by severe weather.
Alan Jackson’s 14th studio album is due out Tuesday, and the first single from it is drawing huge praise. “So You Don’t Have to Love Me Anymore” is being compared to “He Stopped Loving Her Today,” though Alan Jackson is a bit uncomfortable with the comparison, saying, “I wouldn’t want to put myself in that category with George Jones, but it is a great song.” Alan can say that, as he didn’t write it. He did write a song about wife Denise’s battle with cancer. “When I Saw You Leaving” is a song that “just came out,” according to Alan. Zac Brown shows up on the song, “Dixie Highway.” June 5th is the day we all get to hear the whole thing.
Darius Rucker gets to spend his summer as part of the 2012 Jim Beam Live Music Series. He’ll headline a Dallas House of Blues show on June 24th. As you might guess because Jim Beam is the sponsor, concert-goers must be 21 or older.
Kellie Pickler is on her 5th USO tour in the Middle East this week.
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Today's Country Tidbits
Last night, Montgomery Gentry led a salute to America’s heroes with a special performance at the Grand Ole Opry. About the special military appreciation night they said, “We just don’t thank them enough. When you see our American heroes, man, they are just totally awesome!” You’re totally right, guys!
Garth Brooks and Troy Aikman have teamed up to raise money for special facilities at children’s hospitals, and they dedicated one last week. The two superstars showed up at Cook Children’s Medical Center in Ft. Worth Texas to dedicate the Child Life Zone. It offers young patients an arcade and a professional recording suite, where kids can record their own music videos and songs. Garth and Troy spent hours at the facility, making kids’ smiles broader than cowboy hat brims.
Rascal Flatts and Farmers Insurance have teamed up to make a lot of Rascal Flatts fans very happy, and two fans will be over the moon! The “Star For A Day” contest is up and running, and 10 fans per Rascal Flatts tour stop will win tickets, a private meet & greet with the band, dinner at the crew catering tables, a private backstage dressing room and a package of tour merchandise. Everyone who enters is also in the hat for the grand prize tickets to the CMA and another Rascal Flatts meet and greet. Go get entered quick – the tour kicks off in June!
Big & Rich have new music out, and Saturday they hit the road for a summer tour. The video for “That’s Why I Pray” was released yesterday and you can hear the song and see the video here…
Taylor Swift is the top country nominee for the Teen Choice 2012 Awards. She nominated in four categories, including the all-genre Female Artist category. Blake Shelton is nominated in three categories, including the all-genre Male Artist category. The awards will be handed out on July 22nd.
Three country cuties landed on the Maxim 2012 Hot 100 list. Taylor Swift is the 26th hottest, Julianne Hough is at #47 and Kellie Pickler landed at #72. Topping the list is supermodel Bar Fefaeli.
Hot on the heels of yesterday’s announcement of Tim McGraw’s new label comes another country music label change. Joe Nichols and Show Dog Universal have parted ways. Joe tweeted, “I’m very thankful for Show Dog and what they have done for me.” Stay tuned for where he will land – I’ll let you know.
New music out this week includes Ronnie Dunn’s special Cracker Barrel release. “Ronnie Dunn – Special Edition” includes a couple of previously unreleased tracks, and a portion of the proceeds benefits the Wounded Warriors Project. Ronnie says the song “Singer in a Cowboy Band” describes him to a “T”: “I mean hey I’ve played all those states – I played all those bars, all those holes in the wall, that’s just part of the process coming up through the deal. At the end of the day I’m just a singer in a cowboy band, or a wannabe singer in a cowboy band. However you want to interpret that.”
Scotty McCreery is on American Idol tonight.
Happy birthday to Jewel, who turns 38 today.
The tweet of the day is from Miranda Lambert: “I just heard the worst song ever. It was pitched to Blake. People actually finish songs that shi**y and then demo them? Why?”
Garth Brooks and Troy Aikman have teamed up to raise money for special facilities at children’s hospitals, and they dedicated one last week. The two superstars showed up at Cook Children’s Medical Center in Ft. Worth Texas to dedicate the Child Life Zone. It offers young patients an arcade and a professional recording suite, where kids can record their own music videos and songs. Garth and Troy spent hours at the facility, making kids’ smiles broader than cowboy hat brims.
Rascal Flatts and Farmers Insurance have teamed up to make a lot of Rascal Flatts fans very happy, and two fans will be over the moon! The “Star For A Day” contest is up and running, and 10 fans per Rascal Flatts tour stop will win tickets, a private meet & greet with the band, dinner at the crew catering tables, a private backstage dressing room and a package of tour merchandise. Everyone who enters is also in the hat for the grand prize tickets to the CMA and another Rascal Flatts meet and greet. Go get entered quick – the tour kicks off in June!
Big & Rich have new music out, and Saturday they hit the road for a summer tour. The video for “That’s Why I Pray” was released yesterday and you can hear the song and see the video here…
Taylor Swift is the top country nominee for the Teen Choice 2012 Awards. She nominated in four categories, including the all-genre Female Artist category. Blake Shelton is nominated in three categories, including the all-genre Male Artist category. The awards will be handed out on July 22nd.
Three country cuties landed on the Maxim 2012 Hot 100 list. Taylor Swift is the 26th hottest, Julianne Hough is at #47 and Kellie Pickler landed at #72. Topping the list is supermodel Bar Fefaeli.
Hot on the heels of yesterday’s announcement of Tim McGraw’s new label comes another country music label change. Joe Nichols and Show Dog Universal have parted ways. Joe tweeted, “I’m very thankful for Show Dog and what they have done for me.” Stay tuned for where he will land – I’ll let you know.
New music out this week includes Ronnie Dunn’s special Cracker Barrel release. “Ronnie Dunn – Special Edition” includes a couple of previously unreleased tracks, and a portion of the proceeds benefits the Wounded Warriors Project. Ronnie says the song “Singer in a Cowboy Band” describes him to a “T”: “I mean hey I’ve played all those states – I played all those bars, all those holes in the wall, that’s just part of the process coming up through the deal. At the end of the day I’m just a singer in a cowboy band, or a wannabe singer in a cowboy band. However you want to interpret that.”
Scotty McCreery is on American Idol tonight.
Happy birthday to Jewel, who turns 38 today.
The tweet of the day is from Miranda Lambert: “I just heard the worst song ever. It was pitched to Blake. People actually finish songs that shi**y and then demo them? Why?”
Thursday, April 5, 2012
Today's Country Tidbits
Would you like to own one of the dresses Reba wore on the ACM Awards Sunday night? The cobalt blue, high neck, cutaway-shouldered gown is being auctioned off on ebay, with proceeds going to the non-profit Feeding America. Reba and her stylist Terry Gordon designed the dress, which was made by Universal Studios Couture. It's a size 6, and the high bid as of 5am Eastern this morning was $3,150, with 6 days to go in the auction.
Next time you go to a Jason Aldean show, wear your best country concert duds and smile pretty - you could be on a DVD one day. According to Jason, “We actually film every show, so just in case, that at some point, we wanted to put together a live DVD and just kind of a cool little thing from the road, we tape every single show.”
Kelly Clarkson played the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles Tuesday night, and her pop fans got a little country kick. Blake Shelton was in town for his show, "The Voice," and joined Kelly on "Don't You Wanna Stay," singing Jason Aldean's part. Later in the show, Reba strolled on stage to sing their hit, "Because of You." And Michelle Branch of The Wreckers also hit the stage to sing a little with Kelly, who just released a country version of her pop hit, "Mr. Know It All."
Alison Krauss and the Eagles are about to become Doctors of Music. The stars are the latest to be given honorary doctorates, recognizing them for their accomplishments and influence in the music world, from the Berklee College of Music. They'll don their caps and gowns on May 12th for commencement.
Congrats to Toby Keith, whose "Red Solo Cup" has gone platinum for sales of over a million. Toby says, “I’ve got 80-million spins as a songwriter and I didn’t write this song...it’s my only song that’s ever gotten pop airplay to speak of. Ryan Seacrest made it the Spring Break song of 2012.”
And Lionel Richie tops the country charts with his country duets album, "Tuskeegee." He's pretty clear the album's title is perfect: “There’s a great line in life that says, ‘Most the time in life you can’t go home.’ In this case I can. This is going to be a full circle. I’m going to revisit these songs again and it could only be called Tuskegee.” April 13th is the debut of the ACM duets special on CBS, featuring Tim McGraw, Martina McBride, Lady Antebellum, The Band Perry and more of country's best.
Kellie Pickler is on American Idol tonight, performing her song "Where's Tammy Wynette" from her "100 Proof" album.
Happy birthday to Pat Green, who turns 40 today, and Troy Gentry of Montgomery Gentry, who is 45.
The tweet of the day is from Kellie Pickler: "I ain't talking to Siri till she learns how to speak with a southern accent. #StepItUpiPhone"
Friday, March 16, 2012
Today's Country Tidbits
What do you do when you're a big country music star with kids who love other artists' music? You take them to concerts. Dierks Bentley took his daughters to see Taylor Swift, but not in Nashville. Dierks is touring in Australia and so is Taylor, so he and girls his showed up at one of her concerts. Dierks tweeted that it was an "incredible show" and that "lives were changed tonight."
Miranda Lambert is singing a song about a sad chapter in Blake's life - "Over You" is about the death of his brother: “Over time, he’s sort of opened up to me a few times and actually told me the story one day of exactly what had happened. And you know, bein’ that close to him now almost feels like it happened to me, and I wasn’t even there.” When Blake was 14, his big brother Richie was killed in a car crash.
Jason Aldean is enjoying the success of "Fly Over States," his latest single. He says, “It’s just one of those songs that remind me of where I’m from and a lot of the stuff I grew up visually seeing, you know, in my part of the country. And I think it kinda just sheds some light on farming and things like that, that I think a lot of people kinda don’t give those guys enough credit for what it is they do.”
Jake Owen has a second gold single from his "Barefoot Blue Jean Night" cd, but he's staying grounded: “I really like it when people come up and say, ‘Jake, I love the way that you’re not forgettin’ where you came from and stayin’ really true and nice and real to people.’ And I’m glad people tell me that because it’s nice to be reminded because in a world where I think everyone can become caught up in themselves and things sometimes, I just want to always be reminded and brought back down to where it all came from.” He hits the road with Kenny Chesney and Tim McGraw this summer.
Kellie Pickler is part of the pre-race entertainment at Bristol Motor Speedway this weekend, and is happy to get back to some childhood favorites: “I grew up in Albemarle, North Carolina, which is about 20, 25 minutes from the Charlotte Motor Speedway. So, where I’m from, racing is kind of a religion. I did grow up around race fans and whatnot, and so I’m really, really excited about goin’ to the race.”
Toby Keith will be on the Tonight Show tonight, and is hoping you'll add a little Mezcal to your St. Patrick's Day celebrations this weekend. His restaurants are serving up a green drink called Swamp Water that Toby says is perfect for St. Pats. Here's the recipe:
Prepare in Mason jar over ice
1.25 ounces - Wild Shot Silver
2.25 ounces - Apple Pucker
.75 ounces - Simple Syrup
Splash of Midori
Fill with Sweet & Sour Mix
Float lime juice
Garnish with 2 limes and a cherry
Add 2 drops of green food coloring to darken the green
Happy birthday tomorrow to Paul Overstreet, who turns 57, and Sunday Charley Pride turns 74.
The tweet of the day is from Rachel Reinert of Gloriana: "I'm up against Faith Hill in this competition and need all the votes I can get cause shes a goddess in leather pants."
Monday, March 5, 2012
Today's Country Tidbits
Lady Antebellum wants to play your prom. Really! They're offering up a 45 minute set at a junior, senior or reunion prom as the prize in a contest they're running on their website. When the three of them were writing "Dancin' Away With My Heart," they shared details of their proms: “Sharing stories of our high school sweethearts or prom or whatever it may be, and it was fun to kind of go back and see that and know where you’ve been and you know, that all kind of led you where you are, and so yeah—it was an interesting journey. You know I think it helps you appreciate what this life is all about, and it is—it’s about all those experiences good and bad that make you who you are.”
Miranda Lambert joins hubby Blake Shelton on The Voice tonight. She'll serve as a mentor to Blake's team before the first "battle round." Is she a fan of the show? Oh, yeah...“I love the show, I’m a big fan. I liked being—semi being a part of it last year, but I also love to watch just as a fan. So, even though my husband is a coach, I don’t let him tell me any of the behind the scenes stuff, ‘cause I wanna watch and be surprised!” She's got a song climbing the charts that she and Blake co-wrote about the death of his big brother. "Over You" moved them both as they wrote it: “We started writin’ this song on the bus. I don’t even know why really. I think maybe we had been talkin’ about Richie and talkin’ about the wedding, you know, sayin’, ‘Wish Richie could be there at the wedding,’ and it just kinda came to us. He was playin’ this melody and kinda said (singing), ‘Weatherman says it’s gonna snow,’ and I was like, ‘That’s kinda cool,’ and then it just started kinda becoming about that subject, and I said, ‘You went away,’ and he said, ‘How dare you,’ for the line, and we both just broke down cryin’. And I’ve never cried writin’ a song before, and I don’t know that I ever will again.”
The Fremont Street Experience concerts in Las Vegas have been announced. The outdoor shows happen just before the ACM Awards, and this year will feature Eric Church, Luke Bryan, Brantley Gilbert, Hunter Hayes, Eli Young Band, Scotty McCreery, Love & Theft Craig Campbell, Laura Bell Bundy and Jana Kramer. The shows take place March 30th and 31st, with the ACM Awards being handed out on April first.
The 11th Annual Michael Douglas & Friends Celebrity Golf Tournament takes place at the Atlantis Resort in the Bahamas, and one of the celebrities will be playing music, not golf. Kenny Chesney will give a concert during the tournament on May 26th, then hit the road with Tim McGraw for their Brothers of the Sun tour.
Kellie Pickler will perform the pre-race concert before the Food City 500 NASCAR race at Bristol Motor Speedway on March 18th. She and hubby Kyle Jacobs just celebrated their 1-year anniversary in St. Lucia, where they went zip lining deep-sea fishing. According to Kellie, they didn't catch anything but a sunburn.
"Dr. Suess' The Lorax" dominated the box office over the weekend, raking in over $70 million. The movie, featuring the voice of Taylor Swift, had the 6th best debut of any animated film ever.
The tweet of the day is from David Nail: "Went ACM suit shopping with the wife, dinner and movie with the wife! Think she's already wishing I were back on the road! NOT!"
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Today's Country Tidbits
On this Valentine's Day, thought we'd take a look at how some of your favorite country artists view the holiday:
Dierks Bentley: “It’s that holiday that comes along where you have to really like stamp out on paper exactly where the relationship really stands. You don't want to undershoot it 'cause then you'll be in trouble, you know, if you don't give the right present or don't say the right things, you're gonna be in the doghouse. But then if you overstate your hand, then you're moving the relationship way faster than you actually want to."
The Band Perry on their song "All Your Life" as a Valentine: “(Kimberly) Kind of the first bonafide love song we’ve had out at country radio and I’m the spitfire in the band but Reid and Neil are the hopeless romantics so, uh they’re excited this has done so well. (Reid) We are and you know the song is actually, uh somewhat of a good luck charm for guys who want to propose while the song is being played live at a TBP show. (Kimberly) Yeah we’ve had three. (Reid) We have had three and three yeses.”
Chris Young on his Valentine role model: “I can never live up to my stepdad, because he asked my mom to marry him on Valentine’s Day, and then called us down from upstairs and asked me and my sister permission. So, pretty much anything I do, he made me look like a punk for the rest of my life on Valentine’s Day.”
Kellie Pickler on the state of her love life: “It’s so wild to sing cheatin’ songs and, you know, the heartbreak songs because I’m so happy. For the first time in my life, I’m actually -when I say I’m happy, I really am happy. I have a man that loves me. My husband is my best friend, and he’s so good to me.”
Lady Antebellum's Dave Haywood on the strain touring puts on relationships: “Making that real effort and time when we’re home to have that one on one time together and then you know you have to do your best on the road to stay in touch but know that, you know, I feel like we’re supposed to be out there touring and doing this and you know, living this life. So we’ll make the most of the time we have and be excited for the time that we do get to spend with them.”
Thompson Square: “(Shawna) I have to like force him to go to the mall to buy me something or - (Keifer) oh it’s not that bad (Shawna) give him reminders that it’s Valentine’s Day (Keifer) you don’t have to remind me it’s Valentine’s Day. I know, I just, I hate hallmark holidays. (Shawna) I was about to say that (Keifer) Hate it! I just hate that whole thing. I’d much rather do like flowers or whatever like other times when you’re not expecting it, you know.”
Kelly Clarkson has re-made her current pop hit, "Mr. Know It All," with a more acoustic vibe and with steel guitars. The country music community already accepts her, owing to her duets with Reba and Jason Aldean, so it'll be interesting to see how a solo country effort flies. Give it a listen...
There's a new compilation album out, featuring music from Trace Adkins, Justin Moore, Rodney Atkins, Hank Williams Jr., Lee Brice, Josh Thompson, John Rich and Charlie Daniels Band. "This is NRA Country Volume One" is available on the NRA Country website.
With two shiny new Grammys in hand, that's not all The Civil Wars have to celebrate. The husband/wife duo of Joy Williams and Nate Yetton have a child due in June. The two won Best Folk Album and Best Country Duo/Group Performance Sunday night at the Grammy Awards.
The tweet of the day is from Miranda Lambert: "Y'all look at my V- day gift. I have been wanting this for a year and a half! I have the best husband in the world!"
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Today's Country Tidbits
The trial is over, and Garth Brooks won. A jury of his peers ruled that Integris Canadian Valley Regional Hospital in Yukon, Oklahoma misled Garth, making him believe that they would build a women's health center and name it for his late mom, Colleen Brooks. Garth donated half a million dollars in 2005, and the hospital has to return that money, plus another half million for breach of contract.
Charles Kelley was first, then Hillary Scott, and soon Dave Haywood will tie the knot with his girlfriend, meaning all of the members of Lady Antebellum will be married. Because they're all three planners, they've been discussing what will happen when couples become triples: “[Charles] It’s nice to kind of, all kind of be going through the same things and, you know, we’re gonna figure out, probably the next step when kids come what that’s gonna be. Maybe we stick ‘em in the bottom bays of the bus, you know, so you can hear when they cry. [Hillary] Make a really wicked nursery under there. [Charles] Yeah. [Hillary] No, we’re just kidding.” Their tour buses roll Friday, when their tour starts up again in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Keith Urban is getting ready to resume his life as a singer after vocal fold surgery in November. His latest song, "You Gonna Fly," is racing up the charts, but has people scratching their heads - what's the deal with the whistle? “I remember on one of the Guns ‘N Roses records, I think it was ‘Welcome To The Jungle,’ maybe before they went into one of the crazy sections you hear this whistle and I always thought that was such a quirky, cool thing to do. And so, I went out and bought a whistle! And put it on this song!”
Alan Jackson has this career thing all figured out: “I’ve always just tried to remember what it’s like to be a fan, and try to figure out songs that they might like more than songs that would be nominated for a Grammy or something, cause I think that’s what will make your career last a little bit longer is making music for the real people.” He's nearly done with his next album of fan favorites, but has caused a stir with his mustache-less look...
Billy Currington released his first solo music in 2003, but really hit country fan consciousness in Shania Twain's song and video, "Party for Two," in 2004. Finally, all these years later, he's about to embark on his first headlining tour, and he takes stage performing very seriously: “Always, before I walk on stage, I talk to the band. Is there anything I can do better? Or is the set list going good for everybody? ‘Cause, you know, that’s a lot of people there. They’re either gonna walk away saying you were great or you sucked.” On the tour with him are David Nail and Kip Moore. Details and tour stops will be announced soon.
Lionel Ritchie's country duets cd, "Tuskeegee," will finally be released on March 27th. It features duets with Willie Nelson, Jason Aldean, Tim McGraw, Blake Shelton, Rascal Flatts, Kenny Chesney and Shania Twain.
Well, The Hag tried to get away from the Macon hospital where he spent much of last week, but on the ride home to California, realized he wasn't up to the trip, turned around and headed back. He's again hospitalized in Macon, where he's getting a more aggressive treatment for his pneumonia, plus they're working on a plan to treat the stomach ulcers, esophageal diverticulitis and colon polyps they've also found. His concert calender has now been cleared through February 28th, when he's scheduled to be in Tuscon, Arizona. Merle Haggard had part of a lung removed several years ago while fighting lung cancer.
Kellie Pickler is on Good Morning America this morning.
The tweet of the day is from Miranda Lambert: "Back to work tomorrow. Well today I guess. Thanks u all for being amazing this past week. Bringin' mama with me to rock this weekend:)"
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Today's Country Tidbits
Rascal Flatts is on the road with their Thaw-Out Tour 2012, they have a new album coming out in April, but they say until you've seen the summer tour, you ain't seen nothin'. “The summer tour...I wish we could tell you about it, but we can’t. But, it is gonna be...I don’t know if it’s ever been done in country music before, but it is gonna be a spectacular summer tour.” Guess we'll just have to stay tuned...
Miranda Lambert has re-scheduled some of her tour stops in order to be at services for her father-in-law, Dick Shelton. Blake's dad passed away Tuesday after a long illness, and in a statement, Miranda said, “Thank you to the fans for all the support and prayers. This is a really difficult time for our family and the most important thing is being together. Tell your loved ones you love them. See you next week.” The On Fire Tour resumes January 25th in Charlotte, North Carolina. Tickets to the cancelled shows will be honored at the new dates.
Rescheduled On Fire Tour Dates
Charlotte, NC – January 25th – 7:30PM
Greensboro, NC – February 19th – 7:30PM
Lexington, KY – February 26th – 7:30PM
Eric Church takes his career up a notch tonight. The Blood, Sweat and Beers tour is his first large-venue tour, hitting arenas all over America. His challenge? Eric explains, “The trick’s gonna be, still keepin’ it about the music and still keepin’ that, you know, what we do this for and the passion and trying to impart that on the crowd, but at the same time trying to make sure the people way back at the back of the arena in some of these places can feel the same energy as people down front. So, we’ve got some plans of how to do that. And I think a lot of it still comes down to how the people relate to the music as opposed to how many things I can blow up and set on fire.” He and Brantley Gilbert start things off in Fort Smith, Arkansas tonight.
Told you yesterday that Merle Haggard was in a Macon hospital, and it looks like he'll be there for a while. All of his January shows have been cancelled and he's still hospitalized, being treated for pneumonia. The 75-year-old icon is said to be resting comfortably, but they're going to keep him there a couple of more days, at least.
Is it the end for Steel Magnolia? In 2009, they won the CMT competition tv show, "Can You Duet," were signed to Big Machine Records, released an album early last year, got engaged, were chosen to tour with Reba, then Joshua went to rehab while Meghan stayed on the road, bringing James Otto along for the ride as her duet partner. They've had three hit records, but now they have no record label and no concerts scheduled. They parted ways with Big Machine this week, and there are rumors circling that they're no longer performing together. Their management company has no comment for the time being.
Lady Antebellum's "Own the Night" cd is spending it's 5th week in a row at #1 on the Billboard Country Album chart. In it's 18 weeks of release, it's been at #1 for 9 of them. According to Lady A's Hillary Scott, the trio took a risk or two with the music: “I feel like this is some of our most traditional. I mean, we took some risks on a couple of them. But, we took some risks, too, with production and just kind of thought outside of the box a little bit, but more than anything I think we just tried to write songs that we have lived. These are all a part of us, you know? These are our babies.”
Happy birthday to Dolly Parton, who is 66. Asked about what items she has on her bucket list, Dolly quipped, “I am the bucket! Every day I’m living my bucket list. I mean, I’m doing everything I want to do. I really enjoy my work. I get to travel around the world. I get to sightsee. It’s like paid vacation! So, I actually get to do every single thing I want to do. And, so if there is anything that I want to do, I’m sure I’ll get right after it!” I'm sure she will!
The tweet of the day is from Kellie Pickler: "Sending my love & prayers to our country music outlaw...get well soon Merle!! Xo"
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