KEITH URBAN AND i LIKE LAUNCH “ESCAPE TOGETHER WORLD TOUR” POINT & CLICK TICKET GIVEAWAY countryforever.comBeginning TODAY, Keith Urban and iLike will offer iLike users the opportunity to win tickets to Urban’s “Escape Together World Tour” and passes to a Backstage Barbeque Experience - a pre-show VIP event – hosted by KC Masterpiece and Kingsford. Two pairs of tickets and 2 backstage passes will be given away for each show. As simple as “pointing and clicking,” iLike users can win by going toKeith’s iLike profile page at iLike.com/keithurban or his music profile page on Facebook at facebook.com/keithurban. While there click the “I Want To Go” button to win a pair of concert tickets or click the “I’m Going” button to win the backstage passes.
Last week, Urban and his band, entered a rehearsal space in Nashville tobegin rehearsals for his “Escape Together World Tour,” which kicks off atthe Mohegan Sun in Connecticut on Thursday, May 7th. His “Escape TogetherWorld Tour” Together with KC Masterpiece ® and Kingsford ®, sponsored byVerizon will play 58 North American cities. One supporting act, eitherSugarland, Taylor Swift, Jason Aldean, Lady Antebellum, Dierks Bentley, GlenCampbell, Little Big Town or The Zac Brown Band will appear at each show. For play dates and further ticket information, fans should go towww.keithurban.net <http://www.keithurban.net> and/or stay tuned to theirlocal Country radio station.
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CARRIE UNDERWOOD TELLS BIG D AND BUBBA SHE’S NOT AFRAID OF THE SWINE FLU countryforever.com
The Big D and Bubba Show welcomed County music star Carrie Underwood this morning. It addition to discussing her tour, Big D and Bubba asked Underwood what she thought about the Swine Flu. While Big D claimed he won’t be shaking hands with anyone, Underwood said she has no plans to shy away from meet and greets. To hear the segment, click the link below or visit http://www.bigdandbubba.com <http://www.bigdandbubba.com/> .
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TOBY KEITH ENDS GULF TOUR WRITES AND PERFORMS "THE BALLAD OF BALAD"
Monday Toby Keith wrapped up his 7th road trip to the Persian Gulf battlefields in Iraq and Afghanistan and for this tour he wrote a new tune, "The Ballad of Balad."Toby remarked, "The boys and girls were rockin' and laughin' like never before. This being my 7th year and 130+ shows, I've never seen them as energetic. That being said... The danger factor was at an all time high.Not since my early trips to Iraq, have we been escorted in by gunships as often as we were on this visit. Thank you Cobra's and Apache's. Thanks to all our bird teams for the rides.I also wrote a new military song for this visit. It's called "The Ballad of Balad." Funny song about an Army recruiter. It made hard core crusted jaded FOB SGt. Majors laugh out loud... I love it.
I have tons of info to report back back home to the press. And as always, it's all good here. The U.S. military and their commanders are in complete control like always. 'Nuff said!
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INGRAM'S ALL AMERICAN SUMMER CORN FESTIVALS, WHITE WATER TUBBING, DOWNHOME TRACTOR PULLJack Ingram might come off to some as more of an "Urbane cowboy" than a real dust eatin', team ropin' ranch hand...but that don't mean he's not a made from the same rich fabric of life he experienced growing up in Texas. And, when he chose writing and singing he began to earn his grass roots I.D. playing a solid slate of settin'-em-up'n'burnin'-down gigs in his Lone Star state of mind, set him up to make sure his tour schedule reflects all that he is and all this country has to offer. LIke Corn festivals, white water tubing and old fashioned tractor pulls are the stuff of summer - and Ingram's schedule has its share. Beyond Denver, Colorado's legendary outdoor amphitheater Red Rocks and a workingman's gig in Detroit next week, look for Ingram to light up Holland, Texas June 20th for their annual Corn Festival, get the locals a little “Barefoot & Crazy' i n New Braunfels for the party of the season Whitewater on the Horseshoe on the 4th of July and then up to the Landford Tractorpull Grounds in North Collins, NY on August 1. “This is the stuff that nobody ever talks about at their cocktail parties,” Ingram says. “But these are the things nobody ever misses. And they come back from wherever they've moved to be part of them. These are days - and nights - where everyone lets down their guard and just is. “Everybody's happy to see you. People laugh. Cook out… and unless you've got a tractor in the pull or an ear of corn competing, nothing to prove. Just hangin' with your buddies, kickin' back… listening to some music, hearing what your neighbors have been up to. There's nothing easier - or more fun. Times like these, it's the fuel that makes you believe in Big Dreams & High Hopes.”
KIX BROOKS VISITS FORT CAMPBELL IN ADVANCE OF MEMORIAL DAY SPECIALAs he prepares for his second annual American Country Countdown Memorial Day Special, Kix Brooks spent time last week with troops at Fort Campbell in Kentucky – home of the Army’s 101st Airborne Division. Kix was welcomed by members of the 2nd Brigade Special Troops Battalion, who gave the Country music star and host of ACC the opportunity to join them at a demo range where explosive specialists are trained. Kix even had the opportunity to assist in one of the detonations. While at the base, Kix played several songs for the troops, signed autographs and posed for pictures with the soldiers. He also recorded some outstanding interviews with our military men and women that will be used in the special broadcast Memorial Day Weekend. More than 100 stations have already signed on for this year’s special.
TRACY LAWRENCE TO INTRODUCE FIRST-EVER COUNTRY MUSIC CONCERT DOWNLOADS—FRONT PORCH LIVE CONCERT SERIESTracy Lawrence and Rocky Comfort Records are breaking new ground in the country music industry to offer an exclusive digital music download package to live music enthusiasts.In partnership with Basecamp Productions, a digital distribution company, Lawrence and Rocky Comfort Records are geared to introduce the Front Porch Live Concert Series, an innovative download service offering fans the opportunity to purchase a digital download package of select Tracy Lawrence concerts.Setting a trend to bring live “music to your ears,” fans can purchase the raw, uncut audio recordings of Lawrence’s concerts for just $14.99. The download package will include a high quality recording of the entire show with each song individually tracked in 256K, DRM-free MP3 format, exclusive photographs from the show and a copy of the set-list. Live audio performances from recent show dates have already been produced and will be made available directly from Lawrence’s web site (www.tracylawrence.com) beginning May 1, 2009. (See show list below.) Concerts from his upcoming 2009 concert dates are being added to his site weekly.Front Porch Live Concert SeriesAvailable May 1, 2009Chevy’s Nightclub-Hammond, LA 01.09.09The Bottling Company-Hattiesburg, MS 01.10.09Cowboys-San Antonio, TX 01.16.09Billy Bobs Texas-Ft. Worth, TX 01.17.09Humble Civic Arena-Humble, TX 02.06.09Circle R Ranch-Flower Mound, TX 02.26.09Dixie Dancehall-Beaumont, TX 02.27.09Sombrero Festival-Brownsville, TX 02.28.09Cactus Pete’s Casino-Jackpot, NV 03.20.09 & 03.21.09Prairie Knights Casino-Ft. Yates, ND 03.28.09Otter Creek Event Center-Carlton, MN 03.29.09 Southern Arkansas University-Magnolia, AR 04.01.09 Canyon Moon Ranch-Florence, AZ 04.03.09 Whiskey Dicks-El Paso, TX 04.04.09
KENNY CHESNEY PLAYS “AUSTIN CITY LIMITS” MAY 12TH
Kenny Chesney will have a special one-hour show, May 12th on Austin City Limits THE place for roots, rock and country music now in its 35th season.The acclaimed show which has - among the many legendary artists -- hosted Van Morrison, Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson, Ray Price, Neil Young, Ray Charles, Elvis Costello, Emmylou Harris, Tom Waits, Arcade Fire, My Morning Jacket, Tammy Wynette, the Allman Brothers, Allison Krauss and John Mayer.countryforever.comKenny remarks, “There is so much history when you look back at the artists who've played ‘Austin City Limits’ over the years. If you wanna know about American music, about Texas music, about music that comes out of the South - whether it's the Allman Brothers and Widespread Panic - or songwriters like Jackson Browne and John Prine, Western swing like Asleep at the Wheel or classic country like Merle Haggard, George Jones, Loretta Lynn, Tammy Wynette… that's the place you go. “And with everything I've been able to do in my career, it's still an incredible honor to be asked to do 'Austin City Limits.' That's a whole other kind of music show…”
ANOTHER KENNY NOTE….CHESNEY HAD FUN WRITING “OUT LAST NIGHT” WITH BRETT JAMESKenny says the lone single to come from his Greatest Hits II album, “Out Last Night” was the result of how he likes to write songs. “I like to get out of town and away from the business where I can concentrate, and I’ll sometimes bring along some of my songwriting buddies. And, we didn’t know we were writing a song. I said this on the liner notes, that somewhere between a lot of friends and bartenders and boaties, tropical depression, grilled shark bites and salad and a bunch of Coronas there was a song!”Kenny’s Greatest Hits II album releases May 19th.
SPEAKING OF KENNY…his “Down The Road” partner donates royalties: MAC McANALLY DONATES SINGLE ROYALTIES Mac McAnally has pledged to donate all his artist royalties from his debut single "You First" released on April 27 to the Wounded Warriors Project, whose mission is to honor and empower wounded warriors. The commitment to helping wounded soldiers fits well with thesong's theme of brotherly love. The single, which is available through alldigital music retailers, is prelude to a full album expected to be completedin June as McAnally works recording into his touring schedule. A longtimemember of Jimmy Buffett's Coral Reefer band, Mac has been on the road muchof this year. Of course, it was Mac who wrote the recent No. 1 hit "Down The Road" forKenny Chesney. And Chesney is so enamored of Mac's hugely successful body of work he brought him into the studio to add his vocals to the song. "Mac McAnally is the best kind of songwriter," Chesney said recently. "Witha couple chords and few lines, he opens up whole worlds... worlds that areexactly where you came from, places you know by heart and people who madeyou who you are today. It is so simple, yet nobody else can take you tothose places -- or make you feel so at home in the space of three minutes.But that's why Mac is the songwriter everybody wishes they could be."
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REBA MCENTIRE RETURNS TO THE GRAND OLE OPRY
Superstar entertainer Reba McEntire is set to return to the Grand Ole Opry stage on Saturday, May 9th. The performance will mark Reba’s first Opry appearance since starring on Broadway in Annie Get Your Gun -- which garnered her both an Outer Critics Circle and Drama Desk Award -- as well as starring for six seasons in her top-rated CW sitcom, Reba -- for which she earned a Prism Award, Family Television Award and People’s Choice Award for her acting chops. On May 9th, fans will be treated to a four-song set from the country music icon during a bonus 9:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. segment of the Opry’s 7:00 p.m. show. Tickets to the show are available at opry.com and 615-871-OPRY.
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RANDY TRAVIS WINS COUNTRY ALBUM OF THE YEAR AT DOVE AWARDS
Randy Travis won the Dove Award for Country Album of the Year at a ceremony held in Nashville, TN on April 23rd, 2009 for his critically acclaimed album Around The Bend. Travis recently released his greatest hits album I Told You So: The Ultimate Hits of Randy Travis on Warner Bros. Records. The 32-track album features two previously unreleased tracks featuring the many hits of Travis’ extensive career in country music, including “Forever and Ever Amen,” “Three Wooden Crosses,” and the album’s first single “Turn It Around.” Travis will continue to tour in support of both albums in 2009.
KEITH URBAN LIVE FOR YAHOO! PEPSI SMASH PLUS READIES TOURcountryforever.comIt's a super busy time for Keith Urban with a new album out and getting ready for what shapes up to be grandest tour yet. Part of the crank up is Urban’s exclusive acoustic performance for Yahoo! Pepsi Smash is now live at http://new.music.yahoo.com. The appearance, part of Urban’s promotional trip, earlier this month to Los Angeles, to support his #1 CD Defying Gravity, includes two solo acoustic performances of Keith’s current Top 10 single “Kiss A Girl” and his recent #1 “Sweet Thing.” Exclusive photographs and interview footage can also be seen as part of the programming.Plus, last week, Urban and his band, entered a rehearsal space in Nashville to begin rehearsals for his “Escape Together World Tour,” which kicks off at the Mohegan Sun in Connecticut on Thursday, May 7th. His “Escape Together World Tour” Together with KC Masterpiece ® and Kingsford ®, sponsored by Verizon will play 58 North American cities. One supporting act, either Sugarland, Taylor Swift, Jason Aldean, Lady Antebellum, Dierks Bentley, Glen Campbell, Little Big Town or The Zac Brown Band will appear at each show.For play dates and further ticket information, fans should go to www.keithurban.net <http://www.keithurban.net> and/or stay tuned to their local Country radio station.ALSO....KEITH IS ADDED TO CMT AWARDS LINE UP ALONG WITH SUGARLAND AND DEF LEPPARDThe all-star performance line-up gets even sweeter with the addition of Keith Urban, Sugarland and British rockers Def Leppard to the 2009 CMT MUSIC AWARDS <http://www.cmt.com/cmt-music-awards/> , which will premiere LIVE on Tuesday, June 16 at 8:00 p.m., ET/PT on CMT and CMT.com. Previously announced performers include Toby Keith, Brad Paisley, Rascal Flatts and Taylor Swift. Tickets to the eighth annual fan-voted awards show go on-sale Saturday, May 2.
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CHESNEY'S TEXAS-SIZED TOUR GOES TO....TEXAScountryforever.comAfter scorching California's Stagecoach Festival in Indio Kenny Chesney's Sun City Carnival Tour Kenny Chesney throws it into high gear by heading into the heart of Texas for a three date run.“The thing about Texas country fans,” Chesney says. “They come to hit it hard… and you know, they’re gonna have a big time doing it. There’s never been a time in my career - even when we were touring on the Iron Lung, a bus that leaked fumes back into where we were - that those fans didn’t make us feel like stars… and when we were on that stage, they responded like we were something else. I can’t wait to give them a taste of this years show.”Opening the run at San Antonio’s AT&T Center on May 1, Chesney and his compadres Miranda Lambert and Lady Antebellum will then hit Dallas’ Pizza Hut Park on May 2 and the CWM Pavilion in Houston on May 3. As Dallas is a stadium, the tour will also be joined by Chesney tour alums and good friends Sugarland.
WYNONNA AND KENNY ROGERS HEADLINE 2009 ‘DIVAS NASHVEGAS’ EVENTWynonna and Kenny Rogers (Divas Nashvegas’ first official “He-Va”) will headline this year’s highly-anticipated Divas Nashvegas 2009 fundraiser for Oasis Center, presented by HCA, set for Saturday, May 16, at 7:00 p.m. in the Loveless Barn, located at 8400 Highway 100, next to the famous Loveless Café.Also featured is a rare and very special appearance of legendary country duo The Judds. Naomi Judd will join daughter Wynonna onstage to thrill audiences with some of their classic hits.In addition to the headliners, Nashville’s own hit country comedy duo Doyle and Debbie will emcee the event.As a special once-in-a-lifetime experience, Wynonna and Kenny Rogers have teamed with CMTAuctions.com to help raise additional funds for Oasis Center by offering the UlitimateFAN VIP Experience. The winning bidder will receive:* An exclusive Backstage Meet & Greet and photo opportunity with Wynonna Judd and Kenny Rogers. This meet and greet is available only to the UltimateFAN VIP guests participating in this auction* Front Row Seating for two (2) to this private, once-in-a-lifetime performance* One night’s lodging for two (2) at the luxurious Mobile 5-Star Hermitage Hotel in downtown Nashville* A catered, sit-down dinner for two (2) at the event* Cocktail reception and open bar during the performance* Two (2) souvenir laminates commemorating this historic evening* Roundtrip ground transportation between the concert venue and the Hermitage Hotel on the night of the show.Bid at http://www.cmtauctions.com/cgi-bin/auction.cgi?action=ProductList&Mode=Browse&CategoryID=1000000000334802
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JASON MICHAEL CARROLL’S GROWING UP IS GETTING OLD IN STORES TODAY
Growing Up Is Getting Old, the brand new album from hot country star Jason Michael Carroll, will be in stores tomorrow, April 28. The disc reunites Carroll with noted producer Don Gehman (Hootie & The Blowfish, John Mellencamp), who helmed Carroll’s debut disc, Waitin’ in the Country, that debuted at #1 on the country charts and produced two back-to-back Top 5 hits with “Alyssa Lies” and “Livin’ Our Love Song.” The album’s lead single is “Where I’m From,” his latest Top 20 hit that’s still heating up the charts.
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CHRIS YOUNG IS HOTTEST BACHELOR AGAIN Country Weekly's list of country's Hottest Bachelors, with Chris ranking #1. More than 160,000 fans voted in this year’s online poll, with Young re-claiming the top spot he first earned in 2006. The poll speaks to Young’s continuing popularity with the fans, and it comes as Chris moves into the country radio Top 40 this week with his latest single, the sexy and playful “Gettin’ You Home (The Black Dress Song).” Young has remained a Hottest Bachelor favorite with Country Weekly readers ever since the release of his self-titled debut album earned him the highest-selling debut by a new male country artist in 2006.
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LOVE AND THEFT SHOOT FIRST MUSIC VIDEO
countryforever.comOne signe you're doing good these days as a new act is, they shoot a video for your debut song. That milestone hust happened for Love and Theft who have spent most of 2009 on the road visiting with country radio and promoting the release of their first single, “Runaway,” Love And Theft’s Brian Bandas, Eric Gunderson and Stephen Barker Liles recently dedicated a rare day in Nashville to shoot their very first music video. As “Runaway,” the band’s debut single continues to climb the country radio charts and moves into the Top 40 this week, the song “Don’t Wake Me” has been selected as Love And Theft’s first video introduction. This exciting, up-tempo piece features footage from their cross-country journey visiting over 70 country radio stations in the first months of 2009. “Don’t Wake Me” is the first video for Love And Theft and can be seen on TV and online starting this week.
DAVID LETTERMAN HOSTS CHESNEY'S KICKOFF OF NEW GREATEST HITSKenny Chesney will kick off his second Greatest Hits collection with a high profile visit to “The Late Show with David Letterman” May 19th where he'll sing the fast climbing single from the collection, "Out Last Night."countryforever.comAbout the single Kenny says, “It's a fun song, and everybody's been there. You're not going out, you're not staying out late… one thing needs to another, and next thing you're crawlin' in, going 'How'd that happen?' But you have a lot of fun in the process. I think the 'Letterman Show' has a lot of that same spirit, so I can't think of a better place to sing it."Speaking of Kenny,KENNY CHESNEY IS FORBES' TOP COUNTRY MONEY MAKERForbes magazine has come out with their list of the top money makers in country music from June 2008 through projected earnings in May of 2009. Kenny Chesney tops the list with estimated earnings of $65 million, followed by Rascal Flatts with $60 million and Toby Keith at $52 million. There’s a large earning gap between third place and fourth place, which is held by Taylor Swift with estimated earnings of $18 million.Tim McGraw and Brooks & Dunn tied for fifth place, with estimated earnings of $16 million, followed by Brad Paisley with $15 million, Sugarland and Carrie Underwood with $14 million, and Alan Jackson rounds out the top ten country music earners with an estimated one year total of $12 million.The list is based on concert grosses, merchandise revenue, album sales and income from endorsements and licensing deals.
MIRANDA'S NEW CURE FOR INJURED KNEE...NEOSPORIN AND A BACARDIcountryforever.comMiranda Lambert is recovering from a knee injury she sustained while hunting a hog. Apparently she was hunting at night and fell into a creek. She sustained a pretty bad gash on her knee and ended up with a limp for the first weekend of the Kenny Chesney Sun City Carnival tour.MIRANDA'S MEDS? Miranda wrote on her MySpace blog, “Well, with the help of Neosporin and Bacardi, I am almost 100%! The first show was painful but we made it through. No more hog hunting before big tours start. At least not at night. And the upside.... I provided some good entertainment for the band and crew. Payback is hell boys!”
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BRAD PAISLEY ON TONIGHT SHOW TONIGHT RESCHEDULED
Brad Paisley's April 24th Tonight Show appearance will be scheduled. Tonight Show host, Jay Leno fell ill the morning of April 23rd, and is taking a couple of days off.
RASCAL FLATTS, DARIUS RUCKER, AND WYNONNA (WITH SPECIAL APPEARANCE BY THE JUDDS) TO PERFORM AT 2009 CMA MUSIC FESTIVALIt's all coming together, high anticipation and great performers for the 2009 CMA Music Festival as Rascal Flatts, Darius Rucker, and Wynonna (with a special appearance by The Judds) are added to the performance lineup for the Nightly Concerts on the VAULTTM Concert Stage at LP Field. The four-day festival takes place Thursday through Sunday, June 11-14, in Downtown Nashville.
JAMEYJOHNSON SINGS WAYLON FOR PLAYBOY.COM'S UNCOVERED DEBUTcountryforever.comThose three classic ingredients combine to create Uncovered - Playboy.com's<http://www.playboy.com/articles/uncovered-jamey-johnson/index.html> new video feature showcasing artists performing covers of iconic songs in some of the world's most legendary music bars.Uncovered launches with Grammy-nominated singer and songwriter Jamey Johnson sitting in Loser's, just off Nashville's Music Row, and singing Waylon Jennings' "Dreaming My Dreams With You," accompanied only by his acoustic Epiphone."Dreaming My Dreams with You" is featured on Johnson's latest album, That Lonesome Song, which was just certified gold this week.To introduce the song Johnson, talks about growing up listening to great music by great artists - especially Jennings, who was "one of those guys who always left a little nugget of wisdom in his music." Johnson's commentary, combined with his soulful, heartfelt singing, make this Uncovered premiere video a hauntingly memorable performance.
GLORIANA TCB ON TAYLOR'S TOUR BY NIGHT, TCB WITH HIGH SCHOOLS BY DAYWhile on tour with Taylor Swift newcomers Gloriana will perform before nearly 15,000 people each night, but by day the band is set to visit high schools across the country where they will sing for a few hundred. The band is scheduled to make special stops at multiple high schools on the tour, which kicks off tonight in Evansville, Indiana.Gloriana will meet and perform for students during their lunch periods.“The Fearless 2009 Tour is going to be an amazing experience and we are so excited to take the time and perform for students while on the road,” said Tom Gossin. “We have already done this on a few of our own dates and it’s been a great up close and personal way to get our music out there. It’s been getting a great response and I am really looking forward to returning to my old high school (Orange County High School of the Arts, California) at the end of May,” added Rachel Reinert.Country Forever ProductionsSPEAKING OF GLORIANA...check out this HD "MEET GLORIANA" video clip produced by Country Forever Productions, their amazing harmonies really shine a capella.
Follow this link:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZCmp-HRjLr8&feature=channel_page&fmt=22SARAH DARLING MAKING THE RADIO ROUNDSPHOTO by HaislopNew artist Sarah Darling has been hitting it hard on the radio tour trail these days. Yesterday she made the rounds in Los Angeles, including a chat with Nashville IQ. The Iowa-born singer /songwriter has been paying her dues in Nashville working 5 years as a waitress in nearby Franklin, Tn., where she once served Alan Jackson and his family dinner. He gave her a huge tip, "$178 dollars, he was so wonderful," Sarah remembers.Darling says she's been playing music for as long as she can remember...and, remembers the first show that made her feel like a star. "My first real gig was when I was 13 or 14 and I got my own stage at the Iowa State Fair, my own 45 minute set, and did my own show. And, to me that was the coolest thing. And that's where I started to build a fan base there in Iowa."Sarah's current single and video "Jack of Hearts" is moving up the appropriate charts, her debut album EVERY MONDAY MORNING bows April 28th.
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