ACM NOMINATIONS ANNOUNCED

Nominations were announced TUESDAY for the 45th ANNUAL ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS, broadcast LIVE from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Sunday, April 18 at 8:00 PM live ET/delayed PT on the CBS Television Network.

Reba McEntire and Blake Shelton read the nominations live yesterday morning during CBS’ The Early Show broadcast from New York City. As previously announced, Reba McEntire will return for an unprecedented 12th time to host this year’s show. 

FAN PARTICIPATION  - For the third year, fans will select the winner of the Academy’s most prestigious honor, Entertainer of the Year and for the second year, the three newcomer categories for the annual Academy of Country Music Awards —Top New Solo Vocalist, Top New Vocal Group and Top New Vocal Duo — will also be opened up to fan voting. The winner in each Top New category will then move on to compete for Top New Artist which is also a fan voted category. Online voting for all fan voted categories will be available at www.voteACM.com.  The winners of Entertainer of the Year and Top New Artist will be announced live during the 45TH Annual Academy of Country Music Awards.  

LADY ANTEBELLUM COLLECTS MOST ACM NOMINATIONS

This morning Lady Antebellum led with seven nominations, including Album of the Year for Lady Antebellum and Top Vocal Group.  In addition, Lady Antebellum was nominated for Single Record of the Year, Song of the Year and Video of the Year for “Need You Now.” They were also nominated as a producer for Single Record of the Year and as a composer for Song of the Year.

MIRANDA LAMBERT  is nominated for SIX AWARDS, including Album of the Year for Revolution and Top Female Vocalist.  Lambert won the 2007 Album of the Year for Crazy Ex-Girlfriend. She is nominated for Single Record of the Year and as an artist and composer for Song of the Year for “White Liar,” which is also nominated for Video of the Year.



CARRIE UNDERWOOD ALSO is nominated for six awards, including Entertainer of Year. Underwood is the reigning Entertainer of the Year, and, if she wins that category again, she will be the first female in Academy history to capture two Entertainer of the Year trophies.  Underwood is also nominated as an artist and composer for Song of the Year for “Cowboy Casanova,” as well as Vocal Event of the Year for “I Told You So” with Randy Travis. In addition, Underwood is nominated for Top Female Vocalist and Album of the Year for Play On. If she wins Top Female Vocalist, it will be the fourth consecutive year she has won the category.  Underwood also won the 2006 Album of the Year for Some Hearts.



TAYLOR SWIFT  is nominated for five awards, including her first nod for Entertainer of the Year.  If Swift wins Entertainer of the Year, she will be the eighth female in Academy history to win in this category. Swift is nominated as an artist and composer for Song of the Year for “You Belong With Me,” for which she is also nominated for Video of the Year and she also received a nomination for Top Female Vocalist.  



KENNY CHESNEY is nominated for four awards, including Entertainer of the Year and Top Male Vocalist. If he wins Entertainer of the Year, it will be his fifth win in the category. He is currently one of only 3 acts in Academy history to achieve four wins for Entertainer of the Year. He is also nominated as an artist and producer for Vocal Event of the Year for “I’m Alive” with multi-platinum recording artist Dave Matthews.

  

BRAD PAISLEY is nominated for four awards, including Entertainer of the Year and Top Male Vocalist. Paisley is the reigning Top Male Vocalist, and, if Paisley wins the category, it will be his fourth consecutive Top Male Vocalist title. Paisley is also nominated for Album of the Year for American Saturday Night and for Video of the Year for “Welcome to the Future.” Paisley won the 2005 Album of the Year for Time Well Wasted.


THE ZAC BROWN BAND is nominated for four awards including Entertainer of the Year, their first nomination in the category. If Zac Brown Band wins Entertainer of the Year they will be the third vocal group in Academy history ever to win the award. Zac Brown Band is also nominated for Album of the Year for The Foundation, Single Record of the Year for “Toes,” and Top Vocal Group. They are the reigning Top New Vocal Group.

Zac Brown of Zac Brown Band also received two additional individual nominations as the producer for both Album of the Year for The Foundation and Single Record of the Year for “Toes.”  

Also, in its ninth year, the Academy of Country Music/THE HOME DEPOT HUMANITARIAN AWARD will be given to MONTGOMERY GENTRY for their ongoing community service and charitable giving of their time and talent.   The award recognizes country music artists who serve others, have a generous spirit and help build the dreams of those in need.

 NEW GARTH BROOKS CONCERTS SOLD OUT
 
Tickets for the second series of Garth Brooks concerts at the Encore Theater at Wynn Las Vegas have sold out! Tickets for 20 confirmed concert performances went on sale on Saturday, February 27 at 8 a.m. PT and were completely sold out within hours.
 
The Wynn Hotel website reports unprecedented demand for Garth’s concerts continues to overwhelm as the Wynn Las Vegas Web sites and phones were inundated with traffic for concert tickets this morning. The resort phone lines received more than 75,000 calls and the Web site received more than 2.1 million page views. While every effort was made to thwart the activity of scalpers, they persistently besieged our systems with cyber attacks during this ticket sale and our systems were at times slowed.
 
The concerts will take place on March 26, 27 and 28; April 9, 10 and 11; June 25, 26 and 27; July 16, 17 and 18 and August 6, 7 and 8. Show times are 8 p.m. Fridays, 8 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. on Saturdays and 8 p.m. Sundays. The show on Friday, April 9 will be at 10:30 p.m. Tickets are $125 plus a $5 service charge and a $13 tax to equal a total of $143.
 
Future Garth Brooks concert dates will be announced again in the next few months, but fans still stand a chance to obtain tickets for sold out concerts. Returned or unclaimed tickets will be released to a stand-by line that will form at the Wynn box office on show days. Sign up for access to exclusive information and offers in the entertainment section on www.wynnlasvegas.com <http://www.wynnlasvegas.com/> .  

TAYLOR SWIFT PERFORMED  AT COUNTRY RADIO SEMINAR FOR THE PEOPLE WHO RAISED HER

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BRAD PAISLEY ANNOUNCES ACTS FOR 2010 H2O TOUR...JUSTIN MOORE INVITED AGAIN

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CARRIE UNDERWOOD ON "HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER" TONIGHT

Carrie Underwood will be making her sitcom debut on the CBS show How I Met Your Mother this Monday March 1st. Carrie will guest star as a new character, “Tiffany”-an enigmatic pharmaceutical sales rep and love interest for one of the shows stars,”Ted,” played by Josh Radnor. Look for Carrie’s guest spot this Monday when How I Met Your Mother airs on CBS Television at 8:00 PM ET/PT.

  Carrie Underwood talks about her sitcom debut and her acting experience.

“Going into How I Met Your Mother, they knew my limited acting experience so I don’t think anybody was holding out these high expectations for me. If anything I think they were pleasantly surprised, so they probably had pretty low expectations of me when I walked in. (laugh) But everybody was so great! The vibe on that show is awesome, everybody’s nice. They’re really great, everybody was friends and laughing the whole time and it was just a lot of fun.”



DANNY GOKEY SINGLE BOWS TOMORROW

After knocking it out of the park at the CRS label show with that powerful, soulful version of “My Best Days Are Ahead of Me," Danny Gokey is getting ready for one of the best days of his life TOMORROW when his debut album, My Best Days, arrives in stores and online. The former American Idol contestant believes that while his fans were introduced to him while he was on the show, with this CD, they’ll get to know him better. Danny even proclaims the first single and title track off the album, “My Best Days Are Ahead of Me,” is his new anthem and that he’s “gonna be singing this song for the rest of my life.”

JIMMY WAYNE LOVES HIS COFFEE

“I've gotta have my coffee in the morning; sometimes even in the evening!” exclaims Jimmy Wayne, who is in Oklahoma on his Meet Me Halfway walk to raise awareness for homelessness.  “I love the taste of GoodBean coffee.  I order it from the GoodBean coffee shop in Jacksonville, OR.  I was doing a charity event and stopped into this shop, which is from the 1800's, ordered a cup of joe and sat outside and stared at the old town.  I fell in love with this place and especially the coffee.  I ponder a lot when I'm just sittin' and sippin'.  I carry on a conversation sometimes even when it’s just me.  It’s like priming the well; clearing my mind.” 


 
JEWEL LIFE TIME RANCHER

Jewel has teamed with AOL’s The Boot for a series of blogs about life and love, and her blog published last week has been one of the most trafficked articles on the AOL network.  The superstar provided never-before-seen pictures from her childhood on an Alaskan ranch and her current private ranch in Texas with husband Ty Murray.  What is evident is that Jewel knows how to survive on natural resources.  “Living off the land was part of our life, and I felt so proud that at least I knew what it meant to eat the foods other people enjoy without knowing the sacrifices made,” notes Jewel, whose single “Stay Here Forever” is in the Top 40 this week.  “We made all of our own food - butter, milk, bread and jam. We had frozen, smoked and canned salmon, dried herbs and nettles and frozen and canned vegetables as well. To keep us warm we had a coal stove and free coal that ran in black veins along the bluffs.  We were poor, but that land let us eat like kings.” 

Life on her ranch in Texas is still reminiscent of her childhood in Alaska, but she admits it is not as instense.  “Life on our Texas ranch is much simpler - especially for me,” she continues.  “For one thing, we have indoor plumbing, which is nice!!!  We also don't slaughter our own cattle. Ty is a great cowboy - part vet, part horse whisperer and part mechanic.  If we aren't mending fences, we are doctoring calves, or we are working calves for sprig branding, and if we aren't doing that, he is in his shop working on some part or fixing something or another.  But as with any ranch, the cycle of life unfolds before us.”  Click here to read Jewel’s full blog on life on a ranch.

 

REBA RETUNRS TO CELEBRITY FIGHT NIGHT

Reba will return as host of Celebrity Fight Night XVI taking place March 20 at the JW Marriott Desert Resort & Spa in Phoenix, Ariz.  Reba, who has hosted the event four times in the past, donates her time to benefit Muhammad Ali’s Parkinson Center in Phoenix among other charities.

 
 

 RASCAL FLATTS CSI: GUEST APPEARANCE  MARCH 4
“UNSTOPPABLE” VIDEO CULLED FROM APPEARANCE AVAILABLE ONLINE NOW

RASCAL FLATTS’ guest appearance on the television drama CSI: Crime Scene Investigation will air Thursday, March 4, 9pm ET / PT on CBS Television. The episode was filmed in January.
 
The band also partnered with CBS to produce a music video for their rapidly rising “Unstoppable” single, currently #17 on Billboard, from footage culled from the show. The video is now available for viewing online at www.rascalflatts.com.
 
This is not the band’s first foray into television and film. In 2006 Rascal Flatts appeared in an episode of CBS-TV’s Yes, Dear and also made a cameo appearance in 2009’s Hannah Montana: The Movie. Feature music videos have also been developed for Disney’s Cars (“Life Is A Highway”) and The Emperor’s New Groove (“Walk The Llama Llama”).

SARAH BUXTON CELEBRATED LAUNCH OF NEW CD LAST NIGHT

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Yesterday Sarah Buxton chose to release her self-titled debut album during the first day of CRS activities...and she celebrated the release last night at the Rutledge night club in downtown Nashville. Sarah's backup band included singer and pickin' sensation Jed Hughes as they rocked through the new songs from her album.

The album has been a long time coming (she signed with Lyric Street 5 years ago) she points out, but, from what folks heard last night it's been worth the wait. Also, folks that have seen Sarah opening for Trace Adkins lately and saw her last night, are reminded of what an engaging, unabashedly charming personality she is. At one point she confessed, "Oh, I think I chipped my  tooth...I did I chipped my tooth with the microphone!" 

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The packed house gave her new single, "Outside My Window" a big response. The song set the record recently laying claim to the biggest opening digital single sales from a debut album for any female country artist in the history of Nielsen Soundscan.

TRACE'S COMIC  BOOK SERIES OUT THIS WEEK

The final issue of the Luke McBain comic series, inspired by Trace Adkins, will be in stores tomorrow.  The fourth and final installment of the series finds the lead character, McBain, risking everything to face-off against his brother and also reveals the big secret that sent McBain to prison 14 years ago.  All four issues will be available online through TraceAdkins.com or 12GuageComics.com.

The final issue of the Luke McBain comic series, inspired by Trace Adkins, will be in stores tomorrow.  The fourth and final installment of the series finds the lead character, McBain, risking everything to face-off against his brother and also reveals the big secret that sent McBain to prison 14 years ago.  All four issues will be available online through TraceAdkins.com or 12GuageComics.com.

MORE PAISLEY PRANKS ON TOUR

Becca Walls snippets froM The Country Vibe re ports more pranks on the Paisley tour. She reported yesterday about the prank Brad Paisley pulled on Justin Moore last week by sending a large man in a diaper on stage to visit with Justin.  But it turns out that wasn’t the only prank up Brad’s sleeve this weekend.  While they were in Las Vegas Saturday night Justin, who’s 5’7”, was singing his song, “I Could Kick Your Ass,” Brad sent out some of his biggest guys, who were 6’ tall and taller, to tower over Justin.  The second prank was on Miranda Lambert while she sang her song “White Liar.”  According to Brad, “During part of the song, our video guys ran a slide show with photos of Miranda’s boyfriend, Blake Shelton, with other girls.  They were all from his meet and greets, but it was very fitting with the song.”

THE DARRYL WORLEY CANCER TREATMENT CENTER BREAKS GROUND IN SAVANNAH, TN  ON WEDNESDAY, MARCH 3

 Platinum-selling country artist Darryl Worley's vision and dream of one day opening a cancer treatment center in his hometown is finally coming true. On Wednesday, March 3 at 10:00 a.m. CT, the groundbreaking ceremony of The Darryl Worley Cancer Treatment Center is set to take place in Savannah, TN.

In 2005, Worley and representatives of Hardin Medical Center and Hardin County Community and Healthcare Foundation joined forces to put a plan into action to open The Darryl Worley Cancer Treatment Center, which will now afford both radiation and chemotherapy treatment for cancer patients. The building will be located on the campus of Hardin Medical Center and is envisioned to allow cancer patients to receive therapy without the long drives currently required of many who need these treatments.
 
"It's been our dream to build this cancer treatment center here in Hardin County for several years now, and the people of Hardin County and the West Tennessee area have done a lot to help make this dream a reality," states Worley. "We have a really high cancer rate in our general area and all of our lives have been affected by the dreaded disease, so there is a lot of passion in this for everyone."
  
Worley, who lost both of his grandfathers and one of his aunts to cancer, knows all too well the emotional and physical tolls it takes when a loved one has the disease.  "I know what it cost when they had to go out of town for treatment. I don't want anyone else having to make those trips, adding to what they are already going through," Worley says.

PAISLEY TOUR ROCKS L.A.

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Friday night the second leg of Brad Paisley's American Saturday Night Tour filled up and sold out L.A.'s monster Staple's Center, Paisley received the Super Star treatment he's long since earned.

As he's been doing on this tour, Brad skips the big sound and light show, bang up, whip-em-into-a-frenzy opening that brings most big stars on stage. Instead, he appears in the darkened house, runs down the ramp to the center of the arena, picks up an acoustic guitar and starts the show alone. The crowd couldn't have been any more wildly enthusiastic if he'd kicked off the show any other way. That's because these true Paisley fans knew the singing, picking and solid, record-setting string of consecutive #1 hits this special, totally original performer was about to gift them. They were not disappointed.

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One of the reasons Brad can jump into the action that way is because he's always been smart about who he invites to opening his shows, from Jack Ingram, Taylor Swift, Jimmy Wayne, Dierks Bently and Friday night's opener, fast rising star, Justin Moore, who passed on the growing  energy to country's kick-butt diva-in-waiting Miranda Lambert.

Justin  came on stage like he belonged there, and his well-received contemporary cowboy repertoire proved that he did. He's doing himself a lot of good on this sold out Paisley tour.

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Miranda, with her rockin', attitude-charged, Dolly-style independence and  irresistible country charm was...irresistible!.. as she was welcomed as the big star that she is...made so by her completely unique, self-penned repertoire, and high-energy, cool chick songs that appeal to chicks and Chucks alike.  

If Brad Paisley's American Saturday Night tour is coming your way and it's not already sold-out, run, don't walk, to your computer or ticket window and make sure you see it.

SPEAKING OF JUSTIN

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RASCAL FLATTS TO MARK 10TH ANNIVERSARY WITH PARTY CELEBRATING COUNTRY RADIO

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TAYLOR SWIFT LEAVES IMPRESSION ON JAPAN WITH MEDIA WHIRLWIND AND GOLD ALBUM CERT:

Following her sold-out tour of Australia, Taylor Swift traveled to Japan this week to perform another sold-out concert in Tokyo [click here to watch snippet] and to make several high-profile media appearances.  Upon arrival at Narita International Airport last Sunday, Taylor was met by hundreds of fans welcoming her to Japan [click here for Japanese news coverage of her arrival].  During her stay, Taylor appeared on Japan TV’s Zoom In program [click here], interviewed and performed on popular morning TV show Sukkuri [click here and here], appeared on Mezamashi TV [click here], and made a cameo appearance on Waratte Iitomo [click here].  Additionally, Taylor taped an appearance on NHK Music Japan which will air on February 28th.  To top off the trip she called “amazing” on Twitter, before departing Japan, the superstar learned that her FEARLESS album had been certified GOLD in the country.  Taylor returns to Nashville this week after three weeks overseas to
perform at Country Radio Seminar’s ACM Music City Jam on Wednesday night.
 

SPEAKING OF TAYLOR...

THE VALENTINE’S DAY MOVIE HAS BLOCKBUSTER OPENING; SOUNDTRACK SCANS MORE THAN 28K UNITS IN FIRST WEEK
 
In what is the largest opening for a romantic comedy ever, VALENTINE’S DAY brought in over 63 million in its President’s Day opening weekend box office, becoming the week’s #1 movie!  The all-star cast includes Taylor Swift, in her first feature film role. 

Complementing the box office success is the retail success for the VALENTINE’S DAY Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (WaterTower/Big Machine), which scanned over 28,000 units in its first week.  The eclectic soundtrack, which debuted at #2 on Billboard Top Soundtracks chart and #20 on the Billboard Top 200, features new music from Taylor Swift (“Today Was A Fairytale”) and Jewel (“Stay Here Forever”), plus Steel Magnolia’s current single “Keep On Lovin’ You”.  For more information visit www.valentinesdaymovie.com.

 
STEEL MAGNOLIA SINGLE GOES TOP 15; EP AVAILABLE THIS TUESDAY

Steel Magnolia jumped into the Top 15 on the Billboard Top Country Songs chart this week with their hit, “Keep On Lovin’ You” – the highest charting single from a debut Country duo in over three years.  The single is featured on the original motion picture soundtrack of the hit film, Valentine’s Day, which shattered box office records this past weekend.  The Academy of Country Music Awards nominees (for Top New Vocal Duo) will release a 5-song EP next Tuesday, February 23rd, simply entitled STEEL MAGNOLIA EP.  The EP features the hit single, “Keep On Lovin’ You,” as well as fan favorites “Ooh La La” (as heard on CMT’s Can You Duet) and the very first song the on and off-screen couple ever wrote together, the no-nonsense heartbreaker, “Edge of Goodbye.”  The EP also includes two live performances of new songs “I Need You” and “Fast As You.” from the rising stars.  “It’s been such an amazing, whirlwind year for us and we’re so excited to share some of our new music with our fans,” said Meghan Linsey of Steel Magnolia.  “We’re so appreciative to Country radio and all the support they’ve given us,” adds Joshua Scott Jones.  “These past few months have been a dream come true for us – we can’t wait to see what the next few have in store.” 
The Academy of Country Music Awards will be broadcast live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Sunday, April 18th on CBS at 8 pm ET/ 7 pm CT.  Fans can begin voting for the ACM Top New Vocal Duo Award at www.VOTEACM.com beginning Friday, February 26th.  

 

JACK INGRAM GLADLY BUYS INTO THE ‘CLICHÉ’ THAT HIS SINGLE PROJECTS

Jack Ingram’s new single “Free” is getting great response at radio, which begs the question, does he always believes that the best things in life are free.  “Yes, we all know at some level that the best things in life truly are free—that’s why it becomes cliché, because that fact reigns true to us all,” notes Jack from his Acoustic Motel Tour.  “The wind in your hair, holding the hand of the one you love—heck, writing a song.  Or the feeling you get going out on a date, or the feeling after just working out.  When you talk with your mom or see a friend you haven’t seen in awhile.  All of those things are free, and they are the best things in life.”  Jack continues: “Sure there are things in this world that you can buy that are pretty fantastic, but those things apart from the natural high you get from the things that don’t cost you a dime, it doesn’t matter.”

 
JARON AND THE LONG ROAD TO LOVE’S WRITING EMBRACES THE FULL SPECTRUM OF EMOTIONS

“I try to stay as true to my heart as possible and that includes the ugliness too,” says Jaron of Jaron And The Long Road To Love, matter-of-factly.  “Sometimes everything that comes out of us isn’t so pretty.  And if I do it right, it’s either an inspirational song or a nostalgia song, and people can either look forward to falling in love like this, or remember falling in love like that, or hopefully avoid the pitfalls and remember how bad it was.  But in any of those situations when it comes to relationships, I don’t try to avoid clichés because I don’t really know what they are,” Jaron continues, with his current single “Pray For You” in mind.  “When I write, I simply sit down and tell the story, like a journalist would.  I try to use the same language one might in a dialogue, much the way that I would speak to somebody.  I try to use those words.  I don’t try to be clever or cutesy or fun, go through and pick [the right words].  I just say, ‘Okay, that didn’t rhyme, but that’s exactly what I felt and that’s going there.'"
 


The pranks have begun on Brad Paisley’s AMERICAN SATURDAY NIGHT Tour as Justin Moore was the first to be messed with this week.  Apparently, reports from those on-site in Fresno this week, one of Brad’s crew guys came on stage during Justin’s set wearing nothing but a big diaper, in recognition of Justin’s new baby girl, Ella Kole, who was born last week.  In response, Justin decided to take that same diaper and wear it on stage during the encore song “Alcohol”.  Justin kept his clothes on under the diaper though.  Clearly the major punches have yet to be thrown out on the road.  We’re certain there’s more craziness from the tour to come!
 

REBA WILL PERFORM AGAIN THIS YEAR AT CMA MUSIC FEST:

Reba will take the stage again this year at CMA Music Fest, it was announced this week.  “CMA Music Fest is a great place to see the fans from all over the world.  They’re the most avid country music fans which makes them an extremely exciting audience,” noted Reba.  For more info, visit www.cmamusicfest.com.
 

JEWEL AND HUSBAND TY MURRAY TO HOST WWE RAW:

You won’t want to miss Jewel and Ty Murray TOKNIGHT as they host WWE RAW, broadcast live at 9PM ET on USA Network.  After a year of schedule conflicts, Ty Murray and Jewel will be in Indianapolis two days after the Iron Cowboy Invitational to host Raw at Conseco Fieldhouse. This particular Raw performance will feature wrestling superstars Sheamus, The Miz, and Big Show, along with Shawn Michaels, Triple H and others.  For Ty, his involvement is about awareness.  “I feel like it’s another way to get the sport of bull riding out to a giant audience,” Ty said.  “It’s already sold out, and they do huge numbers on television worldwide.”  And, of course, “it’s a fun deal.”  Ty later joked, “Nacho Libre has nothing on me.”  As hosts of the show, Ty said that he and Jewel were told they will essentially serve as puppeteers of the program. “For me, it’s exciting because we’re living in a world where they’re starting to include me and the sport of bull riding and cowboys into more mainstream popular culture,” said Ty. “I see it as we ought to be there to try and make more people aware of the sport.
 

JIMMY WAYNE CROSSES INTO OKLAHOMA ON WALK FOR THE HOMELESS:

Jimmy Wayne began his walk halfway across America on January 1, 2010, and this week the singer-songwriter crossed the state line from Arkansas into Oklahoma.  Jimmy has logged 530 miles of the approximately 1700-mile walk for the initiative he named Meet Me Halfway. Wayne’s Meet Me Halfway campaign is designed to raise awareness of homeless teens and young adults who age out of the foster care system. 

The endeavor has taken some interesting twists and turns along the way, including the unusually high number of snow and ice storms the artist has encountered, as well as temperatures that have been the coldest in decades.  But according to Wayne, the people he has met along the way have more than made up for the unpleasant weather conditions.  “Walking through the small towns and farmlands in Tennessee and Arkansas has been one of the greatest experiences of my life,” Wayne said.  “I have met some incredible and generous people who have offered me meals, a warm and dry place to sleep and companionship.  When I started this walk, I really had no expectations. I thought I would be alone, sleeping in a tent at night.  But as the saying goes, man makes plans and God laughs.  There have been many times I’ve slept outside, but even more times that because of a kind and generous soul, I have had a roof over my head.” 
 

LADY ANTEBELLUM DEBUTS “AMERICAN HONEY”
MUSIC VIDEO ON OPRAH.COM
 
GRAMMY Award winning trio Lady Antebellum unveiled the music video for their chart-climbing hit “American Honey” this morning on Oprah.com. “American Honey” is the first music video the iconic television host has ever debuted. The premiere is timed with the group’s first appearance on The Oprah Winfrey Show, where they performed a medley of their award winning, record setting, No. one’s “Need You Now” and “I Run To You.”
 
To stream the new video, click here: www.oprah.com/ladyantebellum <http://e2ma.net/go/8017113095/2586320/91645841/7018/goto:http:/www.oprah.com/ladyantebellum> .
 
The Country Music Association’s 2009 “Vocal Group Of The Year” recently celebrated the longest chart-topper of 2009 with the lead and title track “Need You Now” off their Jan. 26 release, which held the No. one position on the Billboard Top 200 chart for two consecutive weeks and an impressive first three weeks’ sales now soaring to 900,000 units. For more information, visit www.ladyantebellum.com <http://e2ma.net/go/8017113095/2586320/91645843/7018/goto:http:/www.ladyantebellum.com> .

JOE NICHOLS' NEW ONE A HOT  DIGITAL DOWNLOAD

“Gimmie That Girl” has become Joe Nichols' fastest selling digital single since “Tequila Makes Her Clothes Fall Off,” exceeding 100,000 sold while just in the mid 20’s on the radio chart.  The single sold 11,000 downloads this past week alone.  Of the 12 songs in front of  Nichols on the radio chart this week, “Gimmie That Girl” is selling better than 75% of those songs.  The single is also closing in on the Top 20 of the Country Music Radio Charts.
  
The single also marks another first for Nichols—his first ever-live performance music video.  Shot before a packed house at Cowboys in San Antonio, Texas, the music video was directed by Peter Zavadil.
 
For additional information on Nichols and his upcoming tour dates, please visit www.joenichols.com <http://www.joenichols.com/> .

SARAH BUXTON READIES FOR A JAM-PACKED ALBUM RELEASE WEEK
With just days to go before the release of her highly anticipated eponymous debut CD, Sarah Buxton is making history with her can’t-help-but-sing-along lead single, “Outside My Window.” Selling more than 12,000 paid downloads this week, Buxton lays claim to the biggest opening digital single sales from a debut album for any female country artist in the history of Nielsen Soundscan.
 
Looking ahead to next week and the release of her highly anticipated debut album, the captivating and infectious performer and multi-talented songstress has a busy week in store. After opening dates in Buffalo, NY (2/19), Baltimore, MD (2/20) and Columbus, OH (2/21) for Martina McBride and Trace Adkins on the “Shine All Night Tour,” Buxton will return to Nashville to celebrate the release of her debut CD with a full band show at The Rutledge on February 23rd.
 
Before Buxton’s full band show at the Rutledge, she’ll offer up an intimate behind the scenes look at her debut CD with Premiere: Sarah Buxton on GAC. The 30-minute special, which unveils on the network this Saturday, February 20th at 9pm EST, showcases Buxton’s uniquely powerful vocals and charismatic presence through acoustic performances of several selections from her upcoming album, including “Stupid Boy,” “Space” and “Big Blue Sky.”
 
In addition, Country Weekly, PEOPLE Country and Nashville Lifestyles profile Sarah Buxton within its pages while The Tennessean, Kansas City Star and Lawrence Journal World all feature in-depth interviews with the engaging songstress.
 
Buxton will round out the unforgettable week with additional dates on the “Shine All Night Tour,” bringing her high energy show to stages in Ft. Wayne, IN (2/25); Cleveland, OH (2/26); Pittsburgh, PA (2/27) and Cincinnati, OH (2/28).
 

NOMINEES FOR THE 45TH ANNUAL ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS TO BE READ LIVE FROM CBS’ THE EARLY SHOW
TUESDAY, MARCH 2nd, 2010 in NEW YORK CITY
 
 Reba McEntire & Blake Shelton will read the nominees for the 45th ANNUAL ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS, Country Music’s Party of the Year™, LIVE from CBS’ The Early Show.  Blake Shelton will also perform.
 The 45th ANNUAL ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS, a three-hour special hosted by Reba McEntire, will be broadcast LIVE from MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas Sunday, April 18, 2010 at 8:00 PM live ET/delayed PT on the CBS Television Network. 
 
WHEN:                 Tuesday, March 2nd, 2010
                        7:45 a.m. ET - Press Check-In     
                                8:15 a.m. ET - LIVE Reading of Nominations
                                8:30 a.m. ET - Maggie Rodriguez interviews Reba McEntire & Blake Shelton
                                8:45 a.m. ET - Blake Shelton performs
                                9:00 a.m. ET - Post Early Show Press Interviews w/Reba McEntire & Blake Shelton
 


EASTON CORBIN’S  “A LITTLE MORE COUNTRY THAN THAT” AS “SINGLE OF THE WEEK”

iTunes has selected newcomer Easton Corbin’s Top 10 hit “A Little More Country Than That” as this week’s “Single of the Week”. The song is available now thru February 22nd for free download. iTunes is also touting Easton’s self-titled debut album by giving visitors the option to pre-order the record now and for the next two weeks, which marks the first time the online retailer has ever presented such an opportunity. The pre-order also comes with a bonus acoustic audio track of “The Way Love Looks”, a song from the record written by Easton, Carson Chamberlain and Mark D. Sanders.
 
Easton holds the title for the highest-charting male debut single for 2009 and continuing into 2010 and the single is the best-selling debut single from an upcoming 2010 release, with nearly 119k units sold. Easton Corbin hits stores March 2nd.
 
Click here for the iTunes offer: http://awe.sm/51RU9

ARTIST CHRIS JANSON GEARS UP FOR GOOD CAR-MA

BNA Records new artist Chris Janson is well suited for life on the road as a musician and artist. After all, when he moved to Nashville after high school, he lived in his car for three nights until he got a gig at Tootsie’s where he played every night for a year! But the adventures of being a road warrior always present new obstacles.
 
On the way to Knoxville on day one of his radio promo tour, the fuel pump in Janson’s truck busted.  Luckily, his BNA radio rep was following in his car and after getting a wreck service to take care of the truck, Janson was back on his way to Knoxville.
 
While in Florida earlier this week, Janson left his jacket in his unlocked vehicle for a minute as he stopped to get a bite to eat. When he returned, his jacket was gone. Janson said, “I’m the guy who’ll give somebody the shirt or jacket off my back but I can’t because somebody stole it,” he laughed.  Temperatures in Florida have been well below average all week!    
 
You can get details of Chris' adventures at Country Radio Seminar, this week. He has a show in Nashville next Tuesday night at the Rutledge and a standing gig at Puckett’s in Leipers Fork, TN the first Saturday of every month.
 
Listen for Chris Janson’s BNA Records debut single to be released to radio next month.



BUDDY JEWELL PERFORMS AT WORLD'S LONGEST ST.  PATRICK'S PARADE

Buddy Jewell will return to his Arkansas roots where he and his band will provide the post-parade entertainment at the First Ever Seventh Annual World's Longest St. Patrick's Day Parade in Hot Springs on March 17, 2010.
"My wife and I honeymooned in Hot Springs," said the Lepanto, Arkansas-born Jewell, "so I have a great relationship with the city.

 GARTH TO BE HONORED AT GRAMMYS ON THE HILL

CF.COM

When music and politics come together in Washington, D.C. this coming April, Garth Brooks will be one of the recipients of a Grammys on the Hill award for his work in improving the environment for music creators.

Being honored along with Garth will be U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), and U.S. Representative Darrell Issa (R-Calif.) will be honored for their work in improving the environment for music creators.

Taking place in the U.S. capitol, this year's GRAMMYs on the Hill events include the awards ceremony on Wednesday, April 14 and an advocacy day on Capitol Hill on Thursday, April 15, at which hundreds of music professionals from across the country will visit with legislators to advance pro-music policies that improve the environment for music and its makers.
 
Recording Academy President/CEO Neil Portnow said of Garth, "As one of the most popular and philanthropic artists, Garth Brooks is an inspiration to musicians and fans alike."
 


WEAR BLACK FOR JOHNNY CASH'S BIRTHDAY
 
Help celebrate what would have been Johnny Cash's 78th birthday on Friday, February 26, the day that his final studio album, American VI:  Ain't No Grave (American Recordings/Lost Highway), is officially released, and Wear Black for Johnny.
 
Fans from all over the world are being invited to help celebrate Johnny Cash's life, music, and the enduring voice he gave to the poor and beaten down by posting pictures of themselves wearing black on February 26.  More information as well as links to join the Facebook event (to post photos), follow on Twitter, and to hear the first single, "Ain't No Grave," can be accessed here:  http://awe.sm/50ha7 <http://awe.sm/50ha7>    Participants will be eligible to win a copy of the new American VI: Ain't No Grave, plus his amazing 5-CD box set, Unearthed.  The lucky winner will be chosen at random on March 12, 2010.
 
American VI:  Ain't No Grave, is the sixth and final installment of Johnny Cash's critically-acclaimed American Recordings series, and, as with previous albums in this series, was produced by Rick Rubin.  
 
American VI is deeply elegiac and spiritual, with each song its own piece of the puzzle of life's mysteries and challenges - the pursuit of salvation, the importance of friendships, the dream of peace, the power of faith and the joys and adversities that entail simple survival.  It is an achingly personal and intimate statement, as, from the end of the line, Johnny Cash looks back on a most extraordinary life.
 
So, help celebrate the Man in Black's birthday and Wear Black for Johnny on 2/26.
 
 
"Man In Black"  (by John R. Cash)
Well, you wonder why I always dress in black,
Why you never see bright colors on my back,
And why does my appearance seem to have a somber tone.
Well, there's a reason for the things that I have on.

I wear the black for the poor and the beaten down,
Livin' in the hopeless, hungry side of town,
I wear it for the prisoner who has long paid for his crime,
But is there because he's a victim of the times.

I wear the black for those who never read,
Or listened to the words that Jesus said,
About the road to happiness through love and charity,
Why, you'd think He's talking straight to you and me.
 



BLAKE SHELTON TO RELEASE  SIX PAK ALBUM ENTITLED HILLBILLY BONE, FEATURING SIX BRAND-NEW SONGS, ON MARCH 2
 
FIRST SINGLE AND TITLE TRACK, A DUET WITH TRACE ADKINS,
IS NOW AVAILABLE
 

cf.com

Blake Shelton has announced that he will release a value-priced album featuring six brand-new songs, entitled Hillbilly Bone, on March 2.
 
"I talk to my fans every day and the first question they ask me is, ‘When are you going to release a new record?’” says Shelton, whose last studio album was 2008’s Startin’ Fires. “I want to give my fans new music more often and at a lower price. The fact that people will be able to get the new music for less money is a gift to my fans who have been behind me every step of the way."

The first single is the title track, a comedic, sing-along duet with Shelton’s long-time friend Trace Adkins. The single and video for “Hillbilly Bone” is currently available from all digital service providers.

ALSO,
BLAKE ADMITS TO BEING ADDICTED...TO TWITTER! Blake took some time to chat with his fans via Facebook earlier this week, and one of the things he explained was his sudden absence from Twitter.  Blake, who has been known to send as many as 50 – 100 tweets a day said, "Twitter got to be for me a little bit of an addiction.  About a week ago or two weeks ago, I deleted it off my phone because I wanted a break for two or three weeks.”

 As for other future plans, Blake says he’s open to trying acting but it’s not a priority.  He says, "It's not like anybody is beating down my doors. I have read for some parts, gotten a part or two for movies that never were made. I think I'm doing what I was meant to do. God's plan was for me to be a country singer."  And Blake says he wants to become a member of the Grand Ole Opry.  If he does get inducted he wants Trace Adkins to do the honors.
 


DARIUS RUCKER WORKS TO ELIMINATE CHILDHOOD OBESITY
 

cf.com

Darius Rucker is joining forces with Michelle Obama to help combat childhood obesity.  The First Lady has launched a new campaign called “Let’s Move,” which encourages communities, families and kids to lead healthier, more active lives.  Darius, in conjunction with CMT, has filmed some public service announcements for the campaign to air on CMT to encourage viewers to get active and eat healthy.  You can learn more about the campaign at letsmove.gov.
 

CMA MUSIC  FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES ANOTHER STRONG CAST

The CMA Music Festival for 2010 will sport another strong lineup of top country stars for this year's event. Jason Aldean, Lady Antebellum, Martina McBride, Reba McEntire, Brad Paisley, Rascal Flatts, Darius Rucker, Keith Urban, and Zac Brown Band along with the previously announced Carrie Underwood are the first artists of 2010 to join a legendary group of acts who have performed at CMA Music Festival, which began as Fan Fair in 1972.

More than 2,000 Country acts, including the superstars of the format, have lent their time and talent to the event over the decades. It is a legacy that began 39 years ago with legends including Chet Atkins, Waylon Jennings, Loretta Lynn, Dolly Parton, and Tammy Wynette thanking fans at the Municipal Auditorium in Nashville.



SARAH BUXTON THE FIRST COUNTRY ARTIST TO GIVE FANS THE AUGMENTED REALITY EXPERIENCE

Sarah Buxton is teaming up with CMT to become the first country artist to give fans an augmented reality experience. As the first ever augmented reality offering from a country act, Sarah Buxton and CMT are making history, allowing online viewers to engage with Sarah Buxton as active participants in an all new 3D experience.
 
Visit CMT.com to print a unique symbol that, when held up to a computer’s webcam, will bring Sarah Buxton’s “Outside My Window” music video to 3D virtual life. After printing the symbol online, follow the instructions on the website to take part in the full Sarah Buxton augmented reality experience. For those who want to sample augmented reality but don’t have access to a webcam, a video will be posted at CMT.com for users to share in the experience.
All initially released physical and digital copies of Sarah Buxton’s self-titled debut album will also contain another augmented reality marker that will offer users an entirely different experience. Fans can visit www.sarahbuxton.com/ar and hold this symbol up to their webcam starting February 23rd, the day the project releases, for the chance to become Sarah Buxton’s virtual guitar player. Sarah Buxton is available for pre-order now through all online outlets.



JERROD NIEMANN STUMPING AT RADIO

Arista Records artist Jerrod Niemann made the first stop on his radio tour at Citadel Media on Wednesday, Feb. 17. He entertained employees at the company’s Dallas office with several tracks including his new single, Lover, Lover. Listening in during the lobby performance were Niemann’s parents, who live nearby in Fort Worth. They were happy for the opportunity to see their son making the radio rounds.



STEEL MAGNOLIA’S “KEEP ON LOVIN’ YOU” GOES TOP 15

Big Machine Records artists Steel Magnolia jumped into the Top 15 on the Billboard Country Song Chart this week with their hit, “Keep On Lovin’ You” – the highest charting single from a debut Country duo in over three years.

The single is featured on the original motion picture soundtrack of the hit film, Valentine’s Day, which shattered box office records this past weekend.
 
The Academy of Country Music Award Nominees (for Top New Vocal Duo) will release a 5-song EP next Tuesday, February 23rd, simply entitled STEEL MAGNOLIA EP.
 
The EP features the hit single, “Keep On Lovin’ You,” as well as fan favorites “Ooh La La” (as heard on CMT’s Can You Duet?) and the very first song the on and off-screen couple ever wrote together, the no-nonsense heartbreaker, “Edge of Goodbye.”  
 
The EP also includes two live performances of new songs “I Need You” and “Fast As You” from the rising stars.  
 
“It’s been such an amazing, whirlwind year for us and we’re so excited to share some of our new music with our fans,” said Meghan Linsey of Steel Magnolia.


JASON MICHAEL CARROLL'S REDESIGNED WEBSITE
 
This past Tuesday, Jason Michael Carroll will unveil his newly renovated website, www.jasonmichaelcarroll.com. The site has undergone an innovative overhaul that allows fans better access to all things Carroll, while still maintaining the same user-friendly quality of the previous design.
 
Sporting a sleek layout, complete with updated graphics and fresh colors, one of the site's most notable features is the official music store, offering digital and physical music sales of Carroll's albums, as well as individual tracks.
 
Carroll is using the latest in technology to take his website to another level of fun and interaction with a Twitter page dedicated to his increasingly frequent tweets. His message board is now also more user-friendly than ever before, and fans don't even need to register to share in the fun, with the ability to post photos or comments via their Facebook or Twitter accounts.
 
The design also boasts a new video player, loaded with his latest videos.



EMILY WEST’S “WEST SIDE STORIES” DEBUT AT AOL
 
Emily West launched a weekly webisode series with AOL’s The Boot this week called “West Side Stories.”  West has been documenting her career journey for the last several years and each episode will give a personal glimpse into her life. The first episode (http://www.theboot.com/2010/02/18/emily-west-west-side-stories/ <http://www.theboot.com/2010/02/18/emily-west-west-side-stories/> ) features Emily experimenting with recording herself for the first time and introducing the audience to her quirky sense of humor.  Look for new episodes every Tuesday.
 
The series will lead up to the release of West’s self-titled debut album which includes her new single, “Blue Sky.”  Emily co-wrote the single which features Keith Urban on vocals and guitar.  Music Row’s Robert K. Oermann recently touted the single as the Disc of the Day, explaining, “This one is going places, people.”


MINDY MCCREADY PERFORMED “I’M STILL HERE” ON T“CELEBRITY REHAB WITH DR. DREW”

Mindy McCready illustrated the healing power of music during last night’s episode of “Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew.” She performed her new single “I’M STILL HERE,” during the dramatic final moments of episode 7, “Family Weekend.” Her fellow cast members are visibly shaken by her emotionally gripping vocal on this confessional new track.
 
The full track from her forthcoming album of the same name is now available for purchase at iTunes. The full-length album will be available March 23, 2010 (Iconic Records/Linus Entertainment/E1 Entertainment.)
 
After years of success in Nashville, McCready became embroiled in an abusive romantic relationship and drug possession charges that landed her in jail. Her history and battle with drug abuse caught the attention of a television producer; joining the cast of VH1’s "Celebrity Rehab 3" (airing now), she returned to the public eye.
 
As Mindy McCready sings on the track, “…after the storm blew through, It kept me and it saved me. I’m still standing right where you left me,” there is no doubt those words are her truth.  She’s still here.
 
More information about Mindy McCready is available at: http://www.mindymcready.com. A streaming sample of the album is online now visit: http://www.mindymccready.com/music.php.