Brad Paisley has been called upon again by Pixar to contribute music for the sequel “Cars-2”...and he says this time it’s even more challenging. “It’s really a challenge, because this is a spy movie with spying and international intrigue and comedy and it’s just an amazing “collision of worlds.” And, that’s what we ended up calling the song. And, I played 67 tracks of guitar licks on it .”
SARA EVANS NEEDED A GREAT SONG TO GET BACK ON TOP
cf.com
Sara Evans began her recent comeback by changing managers, and then beginning the search for the right song. She explains, “When I met with my new manager, Clarence Spalding, he said, ‘All we have to worry about is the music. And if the music is great it won’t matter when you come back,’ And, “A Little Bit Stronger” was sent to me not long after that meeting and I just felt it was like a gift from heaven..”
CATCH CHESNEY ON THE TODAY SHOW...TODAY
Kenny Chesney will stop by the TODAY show stage in New York City THIS MORNING, as part of TODAY's Toyota Concert Series, followed by a sold-out show at Philadelphia's Lincoln Financial Field on Saturday, June 18, part of the blockbuster 2011 Corona Presents Kenny Chesney's 'Goin' Coastal' Tour.
At TODAY, Chesney will be joined by his "You and Tequila" partner, singer-songwriter Grace Potter. The duo's ballad, which The New York Times called "one of the finest songs of Kenny's career," is currently climbing up the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart and appears on Chesney's latest album, 2010's 'Hemingway's Whiskey,' along with three #1 hit singles.
Watch the video for "You and Tequila" here: http://bit.ly/iezn65
For a full list of 2011 Corona Presents Kenny Chesney's 'Goin' Coastal' Tour dates, go to: https://tickets.kennychesney.com/
THE BAND PERRY TO HOST AMERICA’S OPRY WEEKEND 4th of JULY WEEKEND SPECIAL
The Band Perry is having one firecracker of a year, and the family act will celebrates its success and America’s Birthday by hosting this year’s America’s Opry Weekend 4th of July Weekend Special. Throughout the special, the group will share country music’s biggest hits so far this summer, live cuts from the Opry stage, and musical salutes to the red, white and blue. Among the songs and artists included in the special are “Dirt Road Anthem,” Jason Aldean; “Firecracker,” Josh Turner; “Honey Bee,” Blake Shelton; “All-American Girl,” Carrie Underwood; “Country Girl (Shake It For Me),” Luke Bryan; and The Band Perry’s “You Lie.”
The show is available to country radio stations across America through Westwood One. Programmers interested in the America’s Opry Weekend 4th of July Weekend Special should contact Todd Alan at Westwood One at (212) 641-2042 or
or Donny Walker at (917) 957-5028 or
America’s Opry Weekend presents top artists’ performances from the Opry stage each week. The show is serviced by Westwood One and airs on country radio stations across the country and on the Armed Forces Radio Network.
MARTINA ON KEEPING IT TOGETHER
Martina McBride and husband John McBride tied the knot May 15, 1988, and they have three daughters – Delaney, 16, Emma, 13, Ava, 5. They’re proud to have blended both their personal lives and professional lives to make a great partnership. So, how do they keep their partnership – and their family -- together? Being considerate of each other, says the powerful vocalist. “Specifically, I think it’s just being a great partner, and seeing what your partner needs and doing it for them,” explains Martina. “And being, for me, just the fact that John will call me up to ask me if there’s anything I need on the way home from work at the grocery store, or he’ll go to the grocery store when it’s the last thing I want to do, you know, something like that, and he’s always cheerful about it and that’s a gift in itself.” Martina’s latest single, “Teenage Daughters,” is currently making its way up the country charts. Listen here.
Taking a short break from touring, Martina is in the studio finishing her latest album, which will be released on October 18. Hitting the road again in July, Martina will be playing 20 cities through mid-October. For a full list of dates click here
ELI YOUNG BAND CMA MUSIC FEST FUN
The Eli Young Band was on hand for the 40th Annual CMA Music Festival commencement, riding down Broadway in the 7th Annual Kick-Off Parade. Afterward they performed at the Chevrolet Block Party on the Riverfront stage with Randy Houser, Josh Thompson and Uncle Kracker.
Mike, James, Jon and Chris also hit the stage at LP Field Sunday night where they played “Always the Love Songs” and their latest hit “Crazy Girl,” which has received over 2 million video views online! Continuing to play across the country, EYB is giving fans a taste of their upcoming album LIFE AT BEST, due in stores August 16! Can’t wait for the full album, then visit iTunes to download the latest 5-song EP.
“INDEPENDENT ARTIST OF THE YEAR” BURNS & POE JOIN ONTOURAGE MANAGEMENT
Burns & Poe, named Music Row magazine’s “Independent Artist of the Year” (2010) has signed on for management with Ontourage Management Group (OMG). OMG will exclusively manage the pair’s day-to-day activity as well as spearhead potential sponsorships, special appearances and future recording plans. The alliance with OMG comes next in line of major milestones for Keith Burns and Michelle Poe who made their entry in the country music scene official as a classic country pairing in 2009.
Their latest single, entitled “Second Chance” (Keith Burns/Michelle Poe/Tom Stipe) is currently at radio with video airplay on television screens across the country and online (including CMT.com, GACtv.com, Roughstock.com and YouTube). The cut is their third release from the pair’s double-disc, self-titled debut album, released last month.
THOMPSON SQUARE’S KEIFER SUPPORTS TORNADO VICTIMS
During the 2011 CMT Music Awards, Keifer Thompson, half of the duo Thompson Square, who grew up right outside Joplin, MO, wanted to show his support for the victims of recent tornados. He did so by wearing a black tee-shirt with white lettering simply saying, “Joplin, MO.” While backstage at the awards show, Kiefer ran into the Gilbert family from Joplin, MO. They shared their personal story of loss during the storms with Keifer, and thanked him for spreading awareness.
The tee-shirt worn by Keifer Thompson is now available for purchase with all proceeds being donated to the Joplin Red Cross to assist in relief efforts. Fans and supporters can visit Thompson Square’s website at www.thompsonsquare.com to order.
MONTGOMERY GENTRY PERORM FOR FATHER’S DAY
Montgomery Gentry, will perform a free charity concert after the Braves vs. Texas Rangers game on Father's Day, Sunday, June 19, at Turner Field in support of Major League Baseball's Father's Day celebration, an annual League-wide initiative to promote prostate cancer advocacy, awareness and research. Fans who purchase tickets for the regular season game will will be treated to the special postgame concert at no extra charge. Prostate cancer survivors will receive a free game ticket, t-shirt and the opportunity to participate in a special ceremony before the game. Family and friends of survivors can purchase tickets for $12. Register for Prostate Cancer Awareness Day today at braves.com/pcawareness. For a close encounter with the country stars, fans can purchase VIP Field Passes for $25 at braves.com/montgomerygentry to watch the postgame concert from the infield. $5 from each field pass will be donated to the Prostate Cancer Foundation to support cancer research.vvv
BILLY DEAN CELEBRATES FATHER'S DAY WITH FOX & FRIENDS
Fox News Channel viewers are in for a special Father's Day treat on this Sunday’s weekend edition of Fox & Friends. GRAMMY Award-winning country music crooner Billy Dean stops in with hosts Clayton Morris, Alisyn Camerota and Dave Briggs for a fitting Father’s Day tribute performance of his hit song, “Let Them Be Little.”
Dean has re-released the heart-tugging family anthem on his latest project, a 5-song EP titled Earning Our Place On Earth. The album is sponsored by Naturipe® Farms, which recently instituted Dean as its celebrity spokesperson. Naturipe® Farms is a farmer-owned producer of fresh berries grown by local family farms offered at Kroger, Wal-Mart, Whole Foods Market, and other retail stores.
COUNTRY NEWS FOR FANS 
