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TAYLOR SWIFT KICKS OFF EUROPEAN LEG OF SPEAK NOW WORLD TOUR 2011
 cf.com
Taylor is touring the world this year in support of her Speak Now album, which shattered sales records and sold over a million copies in its first week of release.
An updated listing of SPEAK NOW tour dates is available at: www.taylorswift.com <http://www.taylorswift.com> . CHESNEY CAN LIVE WITH "LIVE A LITTLE" ON HIS UPCOMING TOUR
 Kenny Chesney's “Live a Little,” will fit right in with the other songs on his concert set list. As soon as he’d finished writing it, Kenny felt that ”Live a Little” had all the makings of the kind of song that defines a summertime concert with Kenny. He’ll be hitting the road in full force for the first time in more than a year, and he’s more than ready to get out in front of the crowds. The six-month ‘Goin’ Coastal’ trek kicks off in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Thursday, March 17th.
“I knew when we were done with this song, I knew where it was gonna fit in my show. I knew that I would…this…’cause this defines our show. This is classic, the two hours summertime time of the year when we strap on our guitars and go out there and let ‘em have it. And this song is gonna fit very well.”
CARRIE UNDERWOOD GETS PRECIOUS METAL FOR BIRTHDAY
Carrie Underwood received a bit of an early birthday present this past Thursday night, when the March 10th birthday girl was presented with a double-Platinum plaque in honor of two million sales for her smash album, Play On. The album launched four blockbuster hits, including “Cowboy Casanova,” “Undo It,” “Temporary Home,” and “Mama’s Song.” Carrie received the award following a standing O performance for an invitation-only crowd of radio and industry VIPs during Nashville’s Country Radio Seminar.
McGRAW-PALTROW DUET CLOSED THE SHOW
Tim McGraw and Gwyneth Paltrow not only shared the screen in the movie Country Strong, but they also share a song on the soundtrack. “Me and Tennessee” can be heard running over the film’s closing credits, which made a lot of sense to Tim, who portrayed the husband and non-singing manager to Gwyneth’s country star character, Kelly Canter.
Tim says, "Well, at the very end of the movie was where we thought that, when I first heard the song and they asked if I would sing a song in the movie, I told them I would for the end credit song, because I thought that that’s where the song belonged, and I thought that that would be the only time that would be appropriate to hear my voice would be the end credits. But the song is such an emotional song. It’s such a moving song. And of course, after hearing Gwyneth sing, I knew how well she would handle it. And my only problem then was trying to keep up with her and trying to sing good enough to match her.”
GLORIANA TO RELEASE NEW SINGLE TODAY
Gloriana will release their much-anticipated first single, “Wanna Take You Home,” from their forthcoming second studio album to all digital retailers today.
“Wanna Take You Home,” was co-written by Tom Gossin, the band’s Grammy Award winning producer Matt Serletic (Aerosmith, Willie Nelson, Rob Thomas) and hit Nashville songwriter Wendell Mobley (Kenny Chesney, Rascal Flatts, Kenny Rogers). The single will also officially go to radio this month.
“I wrote this song on the very first day of writing for our second album and right away Matt and I knew that this song was something special,” said Tom. “We are so excited to release the song because we really feel that it displays the growth of our band throughout the past few years.”
Fans can get exclusive behind-the-scenes videos, photos, blogs, and much more from Gloriana by signing up to become a Studio Insider at www.Gloriana.com <http://www.gloriana.com/>
KIX BROOKS GOES HOLLYWOOD
Music Row reports that Kix Brook has been doing more than just planning the new phase of his recording career as a solo recording artist, as he spreads his wings as an actor in the upcoming film "Thriftstore Cowboy."
Kix has also accepted a leading role in another upcoming film, "The Last Ride" set to be filmed in Arizona in May,
SARA EVANS NEW ALBUM OUT
Sara Evans is celebrating the March 8 release of her sixth full-length studio album, Stronger, with a chart-climbing single and a busy schedule that will bring Evans to New York this week for TV appearances on Good Morning America and Hannity.
Evans is currently hot on the airwaves with the smash first single from Stronger – the Luke Laird/Hillary Lindsey/Hillary Scott-penned “A Little Bit Stronger” – now Top-15-and-climbing on the country airplay charts, while the digital single has already sold in excess of 446,000 downloads, according to Nielsen SoundScan.
Evans will perform on Good Morning America’s Winter Concert Series on March 9, followed by an appearance on the Fox News Channel’s Hannity on March 10.
Also as part of her New York visit, Evans will be signing copies of Stronger, as well as her new novel, Softly and Tenderly, on March 10 at the Barnes & Noble location at 97 Warren Street, beginning at 7 PM.
NBC ANNOUNCES BLAKE SHELTON AS FOURTH AND FINAL MUSICIAN COACH OF NEW MUSICAL COMPETITION SERIES ‘THE VOICE’
 CF.COM
The announcement was made by Paul Telegdy, Executive Vice President, Alternative Programming, NBC and Universal Media Studios.
"We couldn't have a panel that represented the hottest American music without a strong country presence, and Blake is at the top of his game right now," said Telegdy. "Not only is he incredibly charismatic, but his passion for collaborating with and bringing the best out of other talented artists makes him the perfect choice to round out this ‘Dream Team’ of musician coaches." BILLY CURRINGTON IN REHEARSALS FOR TOUR
Billy Currington began rehearsals this past week at Soundcheck Nashville Studios for his upcoming tour supporting Kenny Chesney during his 2011 ‘Goin’ Coastal’ Tour. Billy will open for Chesney on over 45 concert dates in arenas, amphitheatres, and stadiums across the country.
Billy Currington and his band are rehearsing songs from Enjoy Yourself, his fourth studio CD, including his current #3 single “Let Me Down Easy.” He’s expected to play all of his hits, including his #1s “Pretty Good At Drinkin’ Beer,” “Don’t,” “People Are Crazy,” “That’s How Country Boys Roll,” “Must Be Doin’ Somethin’ Right,” and “Good Directions.”
Billy Currington has sold more than 11 million units, earned multiple RIAA Gold and Platinum certifications, had six #1 singles, 10 Top 10 singles, and has been nominated for two Grammy Awards and multiple CMA and ACM Awards.
For more tour information and official Billy Currington news please go to www.billycurrington.com <../../Local%20Settings/Library/Caches/TemporaryItems/Denise/Christian%20Kane/www.billycurrington.com>
Kenny Chesney 2011 'Goin' Coastal' Tour dates:
Mar 17 West Palm Beach, FL Cruzan Amphitheatre
Mar 19 Tampa, FL Raymond James Stadium
Mar 24 Des Moines, IA Wells Fargo Arena
Mar 25 St Paul, MN Xcel Energy Center
Mar 26 Omaha, NE Qwest Center
Apr 1 Little Rock, AR Verizon Arena
Apr 2 Tulsa, OK BOK Center
Apr 8 Uncasville, CT Mohegan Sun
Apr 9 Uncasville, CT Mohegan Sun
Apr 13 Wichita, KS INTRUST Bank Arena
Apr 16 Dallas, TX Cowboys Stadium
Apr 29 Mountain View, CA Shoreline Amphitheatre
May 1 Phoenix, AZ Cricket Wireless Pavilion Amphitheatre
May 5 Moline, IL iWireless Center
May 6 Fort Wayne, IN Allen County War Memorial
May 7 Grand Rapids, MI Van Andel Arena
May 12 Jacksonville, FL Veterans Memorial
May 13 Greenville, SC Bi Lo Center
May 14 Lexington, KY Rupp Arena
May 19 Columbia, SC Colonial Life Arena
May 20 Atlanta, GA HiFi Buys Amphitheatre
May 26 Southhaven, MS Snowden Grove
May 29 Baton Rouge, LA BCS
Jun 2 Charlotte, NC Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre
Jun 4 Washington, DC FedExField
Jun 11 Green Bay, WI Lambeau Field
Jun 18 Philadelphia, PA Lincoln Financial Field
Jun 23 Cuyahoga Falls, OH Blossom Music Center
Jun 24 Indianapolis, IN Verizon Wireless Music Center
Jun 25 Columbus, OH Crew Stadium
Jun 30 Cincinnati, OH Riverbend Music Center
Jul 2 Pittsburgh. PA Heinz Field
Jul 6 Denver, CO Red Rocks
Jul 9 Salt Lake City, UT USANA Amphitheatre
Jul 13 Winnipeg, MT MTS Centre
Jul 16 Edmonton, AB Rexall Place
Jul 20 Vancouver, BC Rogers Arena
Jul 22 Seattle, WA Tacoma Dome
Jul 23 Portland, OR Sleep Country Amphitheater
Jul 28 St Louis, MO Verizon Wireless Amphitheater
Jul 30 Kansas City, MO Arrowhead Stadium
Aug 4 Virginia Beach, VA Verizon Wireless Amphitheater
Aug 5 Raleigh, NC Time Warner Pavilion
Aug 13 E Rutherford, NJ New Meadowlands Stadium
Aug 18 Toronto, ON Molson Amphitheatre
Aug 20 Detroit, MI Ford Field
Aug 27 Foxboro, MA Gillette Stadium
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