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TAYLOR AND LADY ANTEBELLUM HAVE PERFORMANCES ON GRAMMY AWARDS SHOW
Written by Neil Haislop   
Dec 23, 2009 at 12:06 PM

TAYLOR AND LADY ANTEBELLUM  HAVE PERFORMANCES ON GRAMMY AWARDS SHOW

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TAYLOR SWIFT and LADY ANTEBELLUM are among the GRAMMY AwardS nominees that will have performance spots on the 52nd Annual Grammy Awards show on January 31st, 2k10.  Other announced performers include  Beyoncé, the Black Eyed Peas, and Maxwell.
 
Taylor Swift has eight nods: Record Of The Year, Song Of The Year (with Liz Rose), and Best Female Pop Vocal Performance for "You Belong With Me"; Album Of The Year and Best Country Album for Fearless; Best Pop Collaboration With Vocals for "Breathe" (with Colbie Caillat); and Best Female Country Vocal Performance and Best Country Song (with Liz Rose) for "White Horse."
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lady Antebellum has two nominations: Best Country Performance By A

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Duo Or Group With Vocals and Best Country Song (with Tom Douglas) for "I Run To You."
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

JIMMY  WAYNE WALKS ACROSS AMERICA FOR THE HOMELESS

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Anybody that knows the Jimmy Wayne story, a person rescued from disfunctional parents by the Foster Care system, knows that he cares deeply about people that are among the disenfranchised population of America. That's why Wayne will launch his “Meet Me Halfway” campaign on January 1, 2010 when he begins his solo walk halfway across America in Nashville, TN.
 
Wayne’s intention is not only to raise awareness of the plight of the homeless, especially at risk children, teens and young adults, but also raise funds for organizations that benefit homeless youth, including HomeBase Youth Services, a Phoenix, AZ -- based organization that provides essentials for homeless young adults. Wayne will begin the walk at 10:00 a.m. CT on January 1st at Monroe Harding in Nashville, another organization that services at risk children and young adults. He plans to walk to Phoenix, AZ.   
 
“I realize beginning a mission like this in the dead of winter and walking through the middle of the country is going to be difficult, but I hope and pray I am up to the challenge,” Wayne said. “It’s going to be cold, rainy and maybe even snowing and that ground I sleep on at night is going to be really hard. But that’s what the homeless are dealing with each and every winter they go without a home of their own.  Our country is too great for us to have people who are suffering so.  And events of the past 12 to 14 months have increased the number of people—especially children and young adults—without a safe place to sleep. We as a nation have got to end homelessness and we've got to help these kids.”
 
Wayne grew up in a variety of foster and group homes, and occasionally found himself homeless as a teen. He was given a second chance when Bea and Russell Costner gave him a home and fresh start when he was only 16 years old. He has never forgotten the generosity of the couple, who were in their 70's when they took Wayne in.
 
"Bea and Russell took a chance on me, and I was certainly no poster child for adoption," Wayne said. "I was this teenager with long hair and tattoos, but they saw past that to the scared kid I was. They met me halfway by offering me a place to live and the opportunity to go back to school.  But in turn I had to meet them halfway by helping myself, which meant studying, doing chores and following the rules. They provided me with a way to help myself make a life. They gave me a home, love and respect."

Wayne's concern for the welfare of the homeless has deepened and accelerated during the past year, with so many people losing their homes to decaying real estate and financial markets.
 

“It’s been really hard to sit still and watch everything going on in our country since last year’s troubles on Wall Street began,” Wayne said. “While so many of these people received bailouts, and even bonuses, blue collar and Middle America has suffered. From my past, I know first hand what the homeless are experiencing—no roof over your head, no real certainty that there will be any food for the day and just hoping the pair of shoes on your feet lasts another winter. No one in this country should be faced with that kind of situation -- especially kids.  But unfortunately thousands of people are going though this each and every day.”
 

Wayne selected HomeBase Youth Services as the recipient of any donations people care to make because of the work they do with homeless young adults (age 18 –21).  Like most charitable organizations, HomeBase has also been hit hard by the economic woes of the country. HomeBase is an Arizona-based, non-profit organization founded in 1991 to address the growing needs of at-risk and homeless youth age 21 and younger.  At age 18, many youth "age out" of the foster care or juvenile justice systems without the necessary life skills to live independently; as a result, they quickly end up homeless and on the streets.  Other youth choose to flee their homes after years of mental, physical and emotional abuse or neglect.  HomeBase addresses the needs of this "forgotten" population, and assists these promising young people with the tools they need to live healthy, independent lives. The programs and services include Street Outreach, Mobile Medical Outreach, Employment and Life Skills Training, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Care, a Resource Center, a Transitional Living Program and an Independent Living Program. The mission of HomeBase Youth Services is to teach at-risk and homeless youth how to become self-sufficient adults.
 
 
"Because I was helped when I needed it, I want to try and help now," Wayne said. "If the bit of celebrity I have can help me raise awareness of this situation --that there are kids and young people out there who need our help, then I feel like I have accomplished my goal.  I'm not asking people to come out and walk with me, but I am asking them to meet me halfway by getting involved-- donate money, adopt a kid, learn more about the foster child/foster parent program in your local community.  There's so much one person can do, and so many ways they can make a difference. It just takes one person to help someone to a better life."
 
Marmot Sportswear is providing Wayne with essential cold weather clothing for Meet Me Halfway. For additional information on "Meet Me Halfway" and Wayne, please visit www.jimmywayne.com  . To learn more about HomeBase or make a donation to this organization, please visit www.hbys.org  .

 

ZAC BROWN DEBUTS NEW VIDEO ON CMT AND ITUNES

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The Zac Brown Band debuted the music video for their latest single "Highway 20 Ride" in a world premiere yesterday  morning on CMT and the homepage of CMT.com. The video is also available for purchase exclusively on the iTunes Store (www.iTunes.com).
Purchase the video on iTunes directly at: www.iTunes.com/ZacBrownBand
Filmed in Atlanta and directed by Darren Doane, who also directed the music video for "Toes," "Highway 20 Ride" stars Zac Brown and depicts "a quiet message from father to son that will give you goose bumps," notes CMT blogger Alison Bonaguro.
"Highway 20 Ride" is the fourth single from Zac Brown Band's platinum-certified, major label debut 'The Foundation' (Atlantic Records), which ranked #14 on the 2009 Top Billboard 200 Albums tally.

 

 

 

NEW ARTIST SUMMER SCHAPPELL GIFTS MUSIC TO SOLDIERS

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Summer Schappell
Summer Schappell, one of the most promising new singers to emerge this year,  has found a way to warm up the holiday’s for the US Troops serving in Iran and Afghanistan.  The young Northern California teenager has donated 100 of her newly released CD along with a personal note thanking the men and women through the organization Music for the Troops.com.
 
Summer’s first single, "Chocolate is a Vitamin" was recently released on Gateway Entertainment, Inc and is garnering great reviews across the country.  In her note, she said  “It makes me sad that many of you will not be with your families at this special time of year.  I wish I could send a CD to every person in every service.  I hope you enjoy my music and it lifts your spirits.”
 
SCHAPPELL has already attracted key Endorsements from Jovani Dresses and Lucchese Boots...the openings for major artists like Josh Turner as well as her own shows…. .the positive response from radio stations nationwide to her new single “ Chocolate is a Vitamin “ along with the 111,000 plus MySpace fans who have fallen in love with Summer and her music has made this a spectacular year for this young teen.  Her talent, hard work and determination to succeed brings this blued California dreamer closer to her dream.

 

 

 

 

DANNY GOKEY DEBUTS ALBUM

American Idol Season Eight finalist and 19 Recordings/RCA Nashville recording artist Danny Gokey is new on the radio with his irresistible debut single, “My Best Days Are Ahead of Me,” and fans can be looking forward to a full album, titled My Best Days, scheduled for release in early March 2010.
 
In addition to enjoying “My Best Days Are Ahead of Me” on the country airwaves, the digital single is available this week for the first time, and listeners can stream the track on the recently launched dannygokey.com, where fans can also sign-up for Danny’s newsletter and access forums, wallpapers, news, upcoming events, photos, video, and much more.
 
An intimate Danny Gokey performance of “O Holy Night” is now available on USA Today’s website usatoday.com. For a limited time during the holiday season, this video can be viewed on the home page or Life or Idol Chatter sections. (Links: www.usatoday.com/life/default.htm or www.idolchatter.usatoday.com.)
 

 

 

CMT REVEALS THE 20 VIDEOS OF THE YEAR IN A SPECIAL EPISODE OF
“CMT TOP 20 COUNTDOWN” AIRING FRIDAY, DECEMBER 25


Taylor Swift tops the list when CMT counts down the 20 biggest country music videos of the year in a special year-end episode of CMT TOP 20 COUNTDOWN on Friday, December 25 at 11:30 a.m., ET/PT. CMT host Lance Smith will count down the best videos of 2009, as well as his favorite moments of the past nine years, on his final episode as host of the series. Smith recently announced that he would be exiting the show at the end of 2009 to pursue a career in acting.
Swift’s smash video “You Belong With Me” spent 19 weeks on the countdown this year, and held court at the #1 spot for eleven of those weeks in a new Top 20 record. The COUNTDOWN is based on a weekly analysis of CMT.com activity, digital and physical retail sales, radio airplay, other online activity and viewer voting.  For the second year in a row, Swift was the most-streamed artist on CMT.com, CMT VOD and CMT Mobile.
CMT’s Top 20 videos of 2009:


Position
Song Title
Artist
Label
1.
You Belong With Me
Taylor Swift
Big Machine Records
2.
Whatever It Is
Zac Brown Band
Atlantic/Big Picture/Home Grown
3.
She’s Country
Jason Aldean
Broken Bow Records
4.
I Told You So
Carrie Underwood
Arista Nashville
5.
Sweet Thing
Keith Urban
Capitol Nashville
6.
White Horse
Taylor Swift
Big Machine Records
7.
American Ride
Toby Keith
Show Dog Nashville
8.
Need You Now
Lady Antebellum
Capitol Nashville
9.
Best Days Of Your Life
Kellie Pickler
BNA Nashville
10.
Do I
Luke Bryan
Capitol Nashville
11.
Here Comes Goodbye
Rascal Flatts
Lyric Street Records
12.
Only You Can Love Me This Way
Keith Urban
Capitol Nashville
13.
Big Green Tractor
Jason Aldean
Broken Bow Records
14.
Toes
Zac Brown Band
Atlantic/Big Picture/Home Grown
15.
People Are Crazy
Billy Currington
Mercury Records
16.
The Climb
Miley Cyrus
Walt Disney Records
17.
Alright
Darius Rucker
Capitol Nashville
18.
Cowboy Casanova
Carrie Underwood
Arista Nashville
19.
Out Last Night
Kenny Chesney
BNA Nashville
20.
I Run To You
Lady Antebellum
Capitol Nashville

            Visit CMT's press-only Web site www.cmtpress.com for more information and downloadable photos on all of CMT's programming.




Last Updated ( Dec 23, 2009 at 12:45 PM )
This week's Top 5 songs & MORE
Written by Neil Haislop   
Dec 21, 2009 at 12:31 AM

This week's Top 5 songs:

ImageREBA McENTIRE   "Consider Me Gone"   #1

LADY ANTEBELLUM   "Need You Now"    #2

LUKE BRYAN    "Do I"  #3

DIERKS BENTLEY  "I Wanna Make You Close Your Eyes"   #4

TIM McGRAW'S "Southern Voice"  #5

 

 

REBA AND GEORGE...QUEEN AND KING OF COUNTRY

ImageReba McEntire's first #1 release was her 1982 hit, "Can't Even Get The Blues."  George Strait also released his first #1 in 1982 with "Fool Hearted Memory."

If anybody asks you why they rank as the reigning King and Queen of country music, with all the hot new singers shaking things up in today's country music, just remind them that Reba and George remain on their thrones because they're still scoring #1 hits 27 years after they did it the first time.

 

 

 

 

 

TOBY KEITH WRAPS UP THE DECADE WITH HIGH HONORS TOP ARTIST OF DECADE

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Toby Keith has been named Billboard's #1 Country Artist of the Decade and #1
Country Songwriter of the Decade. Toby also ranked among the top selling artists in all-genres landing at #3 on Billboard's Top 200 Artists of the Decade.
 
In addition to the Billboard artist and songwriter of the decade titles, Toby was honored by the Nashville Songwriters Assn. International (NSAI), which awarded him its prestigious Songwriter/Artist of the Decade Award (2000 – 2009) for his hits including "How Do You Like Me Now," "Courtesy Of The Red, White And Blue (The Angry American)," "Beer For My Horses," "I Love
This Bar," "As Good As I Once Was" and "God Love Her."

In this decade alone, his singles have spent more than a year at No. 1 on the charts, giving the singer-songwriter a No. 1 smash every year since his debut single "Should've Been A Cowboy" hit the top of the charts in 1993. This year, he landed the 27th No. 1 single of his career and 16th of this
decade, with "American Ride," the track off his 15th studio album of the same name that debuted at the top of the Country Albums chart.
 
On the road, his 2009 U.S. America's Toughest Tour presented by Ford F eries played to more than a million people marking the ninth consecutive year the hard-touring artist will cross the impressive million ticket threshold.  Overseas, Keith embarked on his first European tour in November
where he sold-out a two-week run that included nine shows in six countries.

He recently returned to Norway where he performed at the 16th annual Nobel Peace Prize concert.


OTHER TOBY NOTABILITY....

Keith also journeyed to the Persian Gulf on his seventh consecutive USO
tour, visiting small, remote forward operating bases in Iraq and Afghanistan
and performing 17 shows in 11 days.  Since working with the organization in
2002, he has traveled to more than 10 countries, participated in more than
128 events and entertained more than 118,000 service members.

In recognition of his service here and abroad, this year, Toby received the
Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) Distinguished Service Award
for his exceptional support of military people and the Marine Corps-Law
Enforcement Foundation's Johnny "Mike" Spann Memorial Semper Fidelis Award for being "always faithful" (Semper Fidelis) in his loyalty to and support
of America's troops.

Beyond music, Keith has also starred in two successful major motion
pictures, owns a chain of restaurants as well as his own record label, and
recently launched his own clothing line.


SPEAKING OF TOBY THE RECORD COMPANY MOGUL...


UNIVERSAL SOUTH JOINS WITH SHOW DOG TO LAUNCH
SHOW DOG-UNIVERSAL MUSIC


Toby Keith and Mark Wright have announced Friday that Show Dog Nashville and Universal South will merge into Show Dog-Universal Music, a combination that "will create a more effective and efficient home for developing and marketing new and established talent." Toby will serve as a Principle of the new label and Mark Wright as President.  It is a move that underscores their shared commitment to expanding the marketplace for new music.
 
“Show Dog-Universal will still have the feeling of being an independent label with strong and personal relationships with all our artists.  That is what Show Dog Nashville and Universal South have always been about, but combine the two labels and you have a powerhouse with more staff and better opportunities for our artists. I look forward to working closely with my friend and partner Mark Wright,” said Toby.
 
“The launch of this new company creates even more value for our combined artists, employees and business partners," stated Mr. Wright. "Together, our best-in-class team will create even more opportunities for our artists, while expanding the services we offer. This is truly one-plus-one equaling three.  Moreover, I am delighted to be partnering with Toby, with whom I have shared a close friendship for many years.  His remarkable achievements as an artist and businessman define creative leadership at its very best. He will be invaluable to taking this company to even greater heights.”
 

 

JOE'S DIARY SCORES A MILLION VIEWERS'

If you missed the first airing of the GAC Television special Joe Nichols: My Military Diary, the network  has plans for multiple rebroadcasts in the coming weeks.  Viewers can watch the touching special on Christmas Day (9:30 pm EST), as well as December 26th (1:30 a.m and 11:00 am EST) and January 12, 2010 (9:00 pm EST).
 
The documentary style special was shot earlier this year when Nichols toured US military bases in Kuwait and Iraq. The initial airings of the special were viewed by more than one million people and drew solid ratings for the network.
 
"Getting to meet our men and women in uniform and hear their stories was an incredible experience for me," Nichols said. "I think this television special really drives home the point of what they're going through over there, so far away from home and family."
 
Nichols will take the holiday to spend time with his own family, and hit the road again in 2010.  His new single, the driving, up-tempo "Gimmie That Girl," has already cracked the Top 30 of the charts and shows no sign of slowing down.
 

 

 

KNOXVILLE DECLARES GRETCHEN WILSON DAY

County Mayor Mike Ragsdale and City Mayor Bill Haslam proclaimed Thursday, December 17, 2009, "Gretchen Wilson Day" in honor of her support and effort on behalf of Adult Education across the state of Tennessee.
Wilson, a Grammy-Award winning country music singer and recent GED (General Equivalency Diploma) graduate in Knoxville for a concert to promote her new single "Work Hard, Play Harder" at Cotton Eyed Joe Thursday evening, was presented with a Proclamation stating "it is the goal of Knox County Schools Adult Education and Knox County governing bodies to enroll citizens without high school diplomas in GED programs."

 

 

BILLY BURNETTE HAS BYPASS SURGERY

Legendary guitarist, artist, and hit songwriter Billy Burnette underwent a quintuple bypass surgery on Dec. 16.  Burnette, a former member and guitarist for Fleetwood Mac, had just returned from tour as a guitarist for John Fogerty when he felt short of breath and went to the hospital. Doctors admitted Burnette right away and successfully performed open heart surgery.  Billy is currently at Vanderbilt Hospital in Nashville, Tenn. where he is recovering.
 
Burnette, born in Memphis Tennessee, is the heritage of classic American music.  The son of rock-a-billy pioneer Dorsey Burnette, who with his brother Johnny, blazed the trail for the birth of rock and roll with the Rock N’ Roll Trio.  Their music influenced everyone from Elvis Presley to the Beatles.

Last Updated ( Dec 21, 2009 at 12:51 AM )
CHESNEY A TOP RANKED TOUR HEAVYWEIGHT FOR DECADE 1 - 2000 PLUS
Written by Neil Haislop   
Dec 16, 2009 at 10:23 AM

CHESNEY A TOP RANKED TOUR HEAVYWEIGHT  FOR DECADE 1 - 2000 PLUS

ImageAt first, it went almost unheralded enough that Kenny Chesney was putting over a million butts in seats year after year of the new century. But, it was soon undeniable that Chesney had moved up to Heavyweight class, not only among country acts, but  also among every other touring act in North America. That's now reflected in his ranking as the #3 among Top American touring acts of the decade.

According to Pollstar, Chesney grossed $434.4 million dollars during the first 10 years of the 21st Century. How good is that? It topped the Rolling Stones ($426.9 million), Bruce Springsteen ($416.4 million) and more. The top spot overall went to the Dave Matthews Band with $529.1 Million.

 

 

 

 

 

 

BRAD PAISLEY'S "AMERICAN SATURDAY NIGHT" ON TWO-DAY SALES EXCLUSIVE

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YESTERDAY, Brad Paisley's hot video for “American Saturday Night” debuted for purchase and download on iTunes with a two-day exclusive, December 15 and 16. Fans wanting to own it showed check it out today.   
 
Starting tomorrow fans can begin watching for the “American Saturday Night” video when it makes its television debut on December 17 at both CMT and GAC.
 
The song is the third single and the title track from Paisley’s American Saturday Night album, which also features the #1 singles “Then” and “Welcome to the Future,” which recently became Paisley’s 11th consecutive #1 smash.
 

 

 

 

KEITH URBAN FEELING THE LOVE BACK HOME

ImageKeith Urban arrived at the Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne three nights ago after a two-month break from touring.  He rehearsed with his band and then greeted nearly 50 members of the Australian media.  He performed a few songs from his “Escape Together World Tour” for them and then answered questions on a range of topics including his return to Australia, his four Grammy Award nominations, the tour and his plans for the holidays.   As one journalist put it, “I don’t know of any other artist that would do something like this for us, no less on the day of his first show here. It was incredibly gracious.”  A few hours later, he hit the stage, before a sold-out crowd of nearly 12,000.

The following morning the newspapers hailed Urban’s sold-out return to Melbourne and Wollongong and universally praised his performance. “The crowd was totally enthralled and he was as intimate with the crowd as one could be at Rod laver. A terrific spectacle,” printed the Melbourne News.  “Urban can make 12,000 fans in a stadium feel like they are with him in a room.  On stage he becomes one of them.  From the moment he comes out it’s one big party,” proclaimed the Undercover Music News.

And Urban couldn’t be happier.  “I’m most excited about being able to bring out whole show down here.  We don’t usually have the time to do that, but this time we had about two months in between and it was enough time to put all of this equipment on boats and ship it over.  It feels really good to do that because we’ve had this production since May of this year and we’ve done a lot of shows on this stage, so there’ll be a good familiar feeling being up here playing.”

Next up for Urban are two performances at Sydney’s Entertainment Center.  

 

 

 

TAYLOR TURNED 20 TURNS GIFT GIVER TO OTHERS

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When Taylor Swift turned 20 this month she did it with a Christmas-themed party for her inner circle of friends that included her band members and crew. Taylor personally baked butter and ginger-bread cookies for the festivities, but her biggest gift wasn't something she got, but something she gave, as in giving back.

She donated $250,000 to schools around the country that she's either attended or worked with. The money will pay teachers' salaries as well as buy books and fund various educational programs.

She told People.com, "Something I wanted to do at the end of this amazing year and especially on my birthday was give back to something I really believe in, which is education," says Swift. "The schools that I went to and the amazing people I got to learn from really turned me into who I am, and I wanted to give back."

 

 

 

FAITH ONLY ARTIST WITH TWO SONGS ALL-GENRE MOST PLAYED OF THE DECADE

ImageFaith Hill is the only artist, in any musical genre, to have two of the Top 10 most played songs of the decade (according to Nielsen BDS). Released to Country and Pop radio in November 1999, “Breathe” stands at #4 on the Chart, while “The Way You Love Me,” released on February 29th, 2000, comes in at #6.
 
“When I heard this I didn’t even know what to say,” said Faith Hill.  “I was absolutely floored.  The idea that these songs have connected the way that they have, with so many people, is just magical to me – it’s a tremendous honor.  It’s what inspires me to continue to make music.”
 
Both songs come from Faith’s breakthrough fourth studio recording Breathe, which to this date, remains one of the most successful country albums of all-time - having sold more than 8 million copies in the US alone.  It netted Faith three of her five Grammy Awards (Best Country Album, Best Female Country Vocal Performance and Best Country Collaboration with Vocals) as well as an American Music Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance.
 
The title track (“Breathe”) spent six weeks at #1 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart, 17 weeks at 1 on the Hot Adult Contemporary and hit #1 on the Adult Top 40 Chart.  The song also reached #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart and remained on the chart for 53 weeks.
 
“The Way You Love Me,” was the second single from Breathe.  It spent four weeks at #1 on the Billboard Country Charts in May of 2000 and was a Top 10 Billboard Hot 100 and AC track.  
 
Faith is currently working on her seventh studio recording.


 

WINDOWS 7 SECTION 7 FOLKS GET FREE TIM McGRAW FAN CLUB MEMBERSHIP

Windows and Live Nation on a new online community called Windows 7 Section 7. I is offering a cool thing to Tim McGraw fans.  People signing up for Windows 7 Section 7, they get a free Tim McGraw fan club membership. There are a number of other artists/groups participating as well – the entire list is available here <http://promo.livenation.com/fanclubselect/> .
 


DAVID NAIL SINGS FOR NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE

DAVID NAIL performed holiday standards "White Christmas" and "Chestnuts Roasting" and "Turning Home" from his record I'm About To Come Alive last Thursday, December 10 on Wall Street for the NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE'S TREE LIGHTING ceremony.

Nail also recently performed at a benefit show in Lakewood Ranch, Florida that raised funds for pediatric brain cancer and THE PAYTON WRIGHT FOUNDATION. Click here to view footage from the event, as well as performance and interview footage with Nail: http://www.davidnail.com/mediaplayer.aspx?meid=1364.



PHIL VASSAR RELEASES TRAVELING CIRCUS TODAY
 
Phil Vassar released his 5th studio album Traveling Circus yesterdaty just in time for the holidays.  Vassar took a unique, hands-on approach when it came to making Traveling Circus.  He produced the album himself and hired his road band to play on the album. His friend and a high school art teacher Jason Erwin painted all of the album art, aspiring videographer fresh out of film school Chris Cella produced the video for “Everywhere I Go,” and a young and aspiring photographer Wes Aldridge shot the new album photo shoot.
 
“I was excited to have the opportunity to take advantage of the creative liberty I was given to make this album,” states Phil.  “I was surrounded by some of the most talented people I know throughout the entire process and I think that really comes through when listening to the album.”
 



LITTLE BIG TOWN SHARES HOLIDAY SPIRIT WITH "GO TELL IT ON THE MOUNTAIN"

Little Big Town's version of the beautiful spiritual 'Go Tell It On The Mountain' is up on their MySpace player and their asking their fans to help them spread the holiday cheer by adding that song to their MySpace music player. As a token of their appreciation, Little Big Town will give each person that adds the song to their MySpace player a LBT guitar pick and fan chosen at random, will receive an autographed LBT print!

For more info and to hear "Go Tell It On The Mountain," please click the link below.
http://www.lotosnile2.com/littlebigtown/


Last Updated ( Dec 16, 2009 at 11:15 AM )
LUKE BRYAN #1
Written by Neil Haislop   
Dec 14, 2009 at 02:24 AM


LUKE BRYAN #1


LUKE BRYAN'S "DO I" DOES IT, UP ONE TO #1 THIS WEEK AS...

LADY ANTEBELLUM'S "NEED YOU NOW," slips one out of the top spot to #2 and...

REBA's "CONSIDER ME GONE" HOLDS FAST to #3 again this week...while

CRAIG MORGAN's "BONFIRE" Continues to simmer in 4th place...leaving...

DIERKS BENTLEY'S  "I WANNA MAKE YOU CLOSE YOUR EYES"

opens its eyes still at #5 this week.



 
GARTH BROOKS BEGINS LAS VEGAS GIG, A SMASHING SUCCESS

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PHOTO BY Henry Dilts
By now everybody knows that Garth Brooks came out of retirement for a 5 year contract to perform weekend shows at the Wynn Resorts Encore Theater in Las Vegas, on the condition that he could return home on a private jet to continue parenting his daughters on a full time basis as he's done for the last 10 years. The new gig began last Friday and Saturday as fans showed up from thousands of miles away to be as "one-on-one intimate" with Garth Brooks and his talent as you can be without having him singing in your living room.

The big question was, could the star whose show was so big and broad it entertained a million people in New York City's Central Park..be just as compelling by himself, with acoustic guitar and microphone in a venue that held about a thousand people?  
The answer, a resounding yes!
 
Anybody that saw his show over the years experienced moments when he and his guitar would take over the show for a few songs,... but, could Garth and his guitar for an hour and a half, be as riveting and joyful?

The press was invited for the 8 and 10 o clock shows on Saturday night and a song or two into the first show, the answer was quick to come...he can do this, after all, he's Garth Brooks! His voice is still so strong and in tune, so powerful in the joy and emotion that made him great, you don't  miss the big production on is records or the great band he had with him on the road.

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PHOTO BY Henry Dilts
Garth took the stage dressed in a hooded sweat shirt, baseball cap,  jeans and hiking boots. No fancy sets or audio visuals of any kind, just a stool for him to sit on, which he used only to hold his bottle of  water. Then, the tour-du-force of this master raconteur, humorist and vocalist  begins.

Prior to the show we asked Garth how he had been preparing for this unique experience, whether he been writing notes, recollecting stuff he thought he could use in the show?   But he says, "No, it's pretty easy to remember...and thank God I'm only 47, instead of 87, so it's pretty easy to remember the big milestones of my life."

Of course, it's one thing to have a good memory, but few people can recall the range of personal stories and tell them with such humor and pith that  Brooks does so amazingly well. It was a wonderful night of humor and great music from the guy who will likely go down as one of the greatest performers America has ever produced. It's also interesting  to hear the stories of his how his unique music was shaped by his being a fan of pop icons like James Taylor and Billy Joel.  Their songs were included as well as the songs of his greatest country music influences, "The two Georges, George Jones and George Strait."

TRISHA JOINS IN ON THE FUN


At Friday's press conference Garth was asked if Trisha would ever join him during these shows. He said, not that night because she wasn't feeling good. But , about an hour and 20 minutes into the  Saturday  8 o'clock show, Trisha came on stage to such a thunderous welcome, Garth exclaimed, "All of the sudden I'm 'Mr. Yearwood!''  

Trisha looks great and sang her debut hit "She's In Love With The Boy.'" Then Garth suggested "Walk Away Joe," and ended up singing some sweet harmonies with her on the song." She performed on the later show as well.


GARTH TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS WITH FAMILY


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Friday Garth provided an example of how the concerts and his family life will work. He flew in for the press conference and first show with his oldest daughter, Taylor," and Trisha. "We're flying out in the morning so that she can participate in a soccer match in Memphis."

Bottom line, the "Only Garth" shows at Wynn Resorts are a resounding success with the first audiences that managed to grab up the tickets to see this uniquely talented performer prove that "Only Garth", is plenty enough for a great night of music and memoirs from an American music superstar.

 

 

 

YEAR-END STATS & DECADE-END STATS


Big Machine Records enjoyed a great year in 2009, thanks to all of our great radio, retail, management and marketing partners.  Year-end and decade-end chart recaps from Billboard and Mediabase/Country Aircheck are outlined below:
 
Billboard [Year-End Stats]
#1 Artist of the Year – Taylor Swift (17 charted titles)
#1 Female Pop Artist of the Year – Taylor Swift (17 charted titles)
#1 Billboard Top 200 Albums Artist – Taylor Swift (3 charted titles)
#1 Billboard Top 200 Album – FEARLESS / Taylor Swift
#24 Billboard Top 200 Album – self-titled / Taylor Swift
#1 Billboard Top 200 Albums – Female Artists – FEARLESS / Taylor Swift (3 charted titles)
#4 Pop Imprint of the Year (Big Machine)
#3 Billboard Top 200 Imprint of the Year (Big Machine) (4 titles)
#9 Billboard Top 200 Label of the Year (Big Machine) (4 titles)
#2 Comprehensive Albums Artist of the Year – Taylor Swift (3 titles)
#1 Comprehensive Album of the Year – FEARLESS / Taylor Swift
#27 Comprehensive Album of the Year – self-titled / Taylor Swift
#4 Comprehensive Imprint of the Year (Big Machine) (4 titles)
#9 Comprehensive Label of the Year (Big Machine) (4 titles)
#3 Internet Album Sales Artist of the Year – Taylor Swift (1 title)
#1 Internet Album of the Year – FEARLESS / Taylor Swift
#3 Digital Albums Artist of the Year – Taylor Swift (2 titles)
#3 Digital Album of the Year – FEARLESS / Taylor Swift
#4 Hot 100 Artist of the Year – Taylor Swift (14 titles)
#11 Hot 100 Song of the Year – “You Belong With Me” / Taylor Swift
#76 Hot 100 Song of the Year – “White Horse” / Taylor Swift
#3 Hot 100 Female Artist of the Year – Taylor Swift (14 titles)
#4 Hot 100 Imprint of the Year (Big Machine)
#8 Hot 100 Producer of the Year – Taylor Swift
#1 Hot 100 Airplay Song of the Year – “Love Story” / Taylor Swift
#2 Hot 100 Airplay Song of the Year – “You Belong With Me” / Taylor Swift
#4 Hot Digital Songs Artist – Taylor Swift (16 titles)
#8 Hot Digital Song of the Year – “Love Story” / Taylor Swift
#25 Hot Digital Song of the Year – “You Belong With Me” / Taylor Swift
#67 Hot Digital Song of the Year – “White Horse” / Taylor Swift
#8 Hot Digital Imprint of the Year (Big Machine)
#15 Hot Master Ringtones Artist of the Year – Taylor Swift (3 titles)
#5 Mainstream Top 40 Artist of the Year – Taylor Swift (4 titles)
#5 Mainstream Top 40 Song of the Year – “You Belong With Me” / Taylor Swift
#8 Mainstream Top 40 Song of the Year – “Love Story” / Taylor Swift
#7 Mainstream Top 40 Imprint of the Year (Big Machine)
#1 Country Artist of the Year – Taylor Swift (9 titles)
#36 Country Artist of the Year – Jack Ingram (4 titles)
#1 Country Female Artist of the Year – Taylor Swift (9 titles)
#2 Country Imprint of the Year (Big Machine) (17 titles)
#4 Country Label of the Year (Big Machine) (17 titles)
#1 Country Albums Artist of the Year – Taylor Swift (3 titles)
#1 Country Album of the Year – FEARLESS / Taylor Swift
#6 Country Album of the Year – self-titled / Taylor Swift
#1 Country Album Imprint of the Year (Big Machine) (5 titles)
#2 Country Album Label of the Year (Big Machine) (5 titles)
#5 Country Songs Artist – Taylor Swift (6 titles)
#26 Country Songs Artist – Jack Ingram (3 titles)
#13 Country Song of the Year – “You Belong With Me” / Taylor Swift
#27 Country Song of the Year – “White Horse” / Taylor Swift
#47 Country Song of the Year – “Barefoot And Crazy” / Jack Ingram
#5 Country Songs Imprint of the Year (Big Machine) (12 titles)
#6 Country Songs Label of the Year (Big Machine) (13 titles)
#17 Country Producer of the Year – Taylor Swift (6 titles)
#1 Country Songwriter of the Year – Taylor Swift (7 titles)
#1 Hot 100 Songwriter of the Year – Taylor Swift (15 titles)
#1 Adult Contemporary Artist of the Year (2 titles)
#2 Adult Contemporary Song – “Love Story” / Taylor Swift
#14 Adult Contemporary Song – “You Belong With Me” / Taylor Swift
#2 Adult Contemporary Imprint of the Year (Big Machine) (2 titles)
#7 Hot Adult Top 40 Artist – Taylor Swift (3 titles)
#11 Hot Adult Top 40 Song – “Love Story” / Taylor Swift
#15 Hot Adult Top 40 Song – “You Belong With Me” / Taylor Swift
#8 Hot Adult Top 40 Imprint of the Year (Big Machine) (2 titles)
#1 Hot Videoclips Artist – Taylor Swift (5 titles)
#1 Hot Videoclips of the Year – “You Belong With Me” / Taylor Swift
#5 Hot Videoclips of the Year – “Love Story” / Taylor Swift
#3 Hot Videoclips Imprint of the Year (Big Machine) (7 titles)
#16 Music Video Sales of the Year – CMT CROSSROADS / Taylor Swift & Def Leppard
#8 Canadian Hot 100 Song of the Year – “Love Story” / Taylor Swift
#14 Canadian Hot 100 Song of the Year – “You Belong With Me” / Taylor Swift
#4 Canadian Hot 100 Artist of the Year – Taylor Swift (13 titles)
#2 Canadian Album of the Year – FEARLESS / Taylor Swift
#9 Canadian Hot Digital Song of the Year – “Love Story” / Taylor Swift
#28 Canadian Hot Digital Song of the Year – “You Belong With Me” / Taylor Swift
#94 European Hot 100 Songs – “Love Story” / Taylor Swift
#89 European Hot 100 Albums – FEARLESS / Taylor Swift
 
Billboard [Decade-End Stats]
#38 Artist of the Decade – Taylor Swift
#53 Top 200 Album of the Decade – self-titled / Taylor Swift
#56 Top 200 Album of the Decade – FEARLESS / Taylor Swift
#48 Top 200 Artist of the Decade – Taylor Swift
#11 Internet Album of the Decade – FEARLESS / Taylor Swift
#3 Top Digital Album of the Decade – FEARLESS / Taylor Swift
#3 Top Digital Albums Artist of the Decade – Taylor Swift
#2 Top Digital Songs Artist of the Decade – Taylor Swift
#6 Top Digital Song of the Decade – “Love Story” / Taylor Swift
#98 Top Digital Song of the Decade – “Teardrops On My Guitar” / Taylor Swift
#30 Hot 100 Airplay Song of the Decade – “Love Story” / Taylor Swift
#64 Hot 100 Airplay Song of the Decade – “You Belong With Me” / Taylor Swift
#40 Hot 100 Airplay Artist of the Decade – Taylor Swift
#35 Hot 100 Artist of the Decade – Taylor Swift
#73 Hot 100 Song of the Decade – “Love Story” / Taylor Swift
#29 Mainstream Top 40 Song of the Decade – “You Belong With Me” / Taylor Swift
#37 Adult Contemporary Song of the Decade – “Love Story” / Taylor Swift
#12 Country Artist of the Decade – Taylor Swift
#55 Country Song of the Decade – “Our Song” / Taylor Swift
#23 Country Songs Artist of the Decade – Taylor Swift
#10 Country Songwriters of the Decade – Taylor Swift
#9 Country Album of the Decade – self-titled / Taylor Swift
#10 Country Album of the Decade – FEARLESS / Taylor Swift
#11 Country Albums Artist of the Decade – Taylor Swift (3 titles)
#48 Country Albums Artist of the Decade – Trisha Yearwood (3 titles; 1 BMR)
#72 Hot Master Ringtone of the Decade – “Love Story” / Taylor Swift
 
Mediabase/Country Aircheck [Year-End Stats]
#22 Song of the Year – “You Belong With Me” / Taylor Swift
#30 Song of the Year – “White Horse” / Taylor Swift
#43 Song of the Year – “Love Story” / Taylor Swift
#54 Song of the Year – “Barefoot And Crazy” / Jack Ingram
#72 Song of the Year – “That’s A Man” / Jack Ingram
#76 Song of the Year – “Fifteen” / Taylor Swift
#1 Female Artist of the Year – Taylor Swift
#3 Artist of the Year – Taylor Swift
#5 Label of the Year (Big Machine – 5.9 share)
 


Below this is impressive and should be one of the BIG stories in Country Music now beside Taylor.

From Billboard Magazine's Decade/Year End Review Issue: Top selling artist of the decade in actual sales.

** Country artists
MCGRAW TOP SELLING COUNTRY ARTIST OF THE DECADE
01 Eminem 32,241,000
02 The Beatles 30,182,000
**03 Tim McGraw 24,769,000
**04 Toby Keith 24,469,000
05 Britney Spears 22,969,000
**06 Kenny Chesney 22,034,000
07 Linkin Park 21,421,000
08 Nelly 21,232,000
09 Creed 20,594,000
10 Jay-Z 20,424,000
11 Nickelback 19,817,000
**12 Rascal Flatts 19,408,000
13 Josh Groban 19,348,000
**14 Alan Jackson 18,857,000
15 N'Sync 18,303,000
**16 Dixie Chicks 18,178,000
**17 Johnny Cash 18,143,000
18 Kid Rock 17,614,000
19 Metallica 17,403,000
20 Celine Dion 17,363,000
**21 George Strait 17,275,000
22 Michael Jackson 17,261,000
23 Norah Jones 17,087,000
24 U2 16,817,000
25 Elvis Presley 16,486,000
26 Usher 16,329,000
27 Dave Matthews Band 16,025,000
28 AC/DC 15,935,000
29 50 Cent 15,868,000
30 Alicia Keys 15,561,000
31 Rod Stewart 15,561,000
32 Santana 14,975,000
33 Destiny's Child 14,878,000
34 Coldplay 14,604,000
35 Mariah Carey 14,341,000
36 Pink Floyd 14,164,000
**37 Shania Twain 13,850,000
38 Ludacris 13,442,000
39 Enya 13,422,000
40 Green Day 13,363,000
41 Andrea Boccelli 13,353,000
42 Outkast 13,277,000
43 R. Kelly 13,234,000
**44 Faith Hill 12,899,000
45 Mary J. Blige 12,614,000
46 3 Doors Down 12,551,000
47 Christina Aguilera 12,380,000
48 Limp Bizkit 12,378,000
49 Bon Jovi 12,378,00
50 Frank Sinatra 12,221,000

Source: Nielsen Soundscan for the period of January 2000 through the week ending Nov. 29, 2009.




JUSTIN MOORE NAMED BILLBOARD’S TOP NEW COUNTRY ARTIST OF 2009 ALSO GEARS UP FOR PAISLEY TOUR

 With a self-titled debut album debuting in the Top 5 on Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart, a breakthrough #1 smash “Small Town USA”, a follow-up single cracking the Top 30 (“Backwoods”), and a coveted opening slot on Brad Paisley’s 2010 American Saturday Night Tour, it not surprising that  Billboard has named Justin Moore as their 2009 Top New Country Artist!  “There are a lot of great artists that never get to experience this feeling.  I am forever indebted to everyone at country radio, and all the fans for this year.  This record has changed my year, my career, and ultimately...my life!  Thanks to all!  And I’m so excited to get out on the road with Brad after the New Year,” exclaims Justin.  “We got lucky last year to get in the arenas and open for Trace Adkins and Lynyrd Skynyrd and Hank Jr., but that was before the success of ‘Small Town USA’.  I can’t wait to bring our new stage show to Brad’s fans, and I think the mix of our music with Brad and Miranda’s should be a good mix for the fans.  I can’t stress what a huge opportunity this is, and I can’t thank Brad enough.  We love playin’ the clubs, but there is nothing like stepping on stage in front of thousands of people.  I think we’ll have a great time out there, and heck, Miranda and I both love to hunt, so maybe we’ll find time to go hunting if Blake doesn’t kick my butt!”

 
JIMMY WAYNE JOINS DARYL HALL FOR POPULAR WEB SERIES:

Jimmy Wayne’s cover version of Daryl Hall and John Oates’ 1976 hit single, “Sara Smile,” which he recorded with the duo earlier this year, is a country hit, and now serves as the centerpiece for the 26th installment of the acclaimed web series, Live From Daryl’s House, available starting Dec. 15 at www.lfdh.com.

 

 

 

 

CRAIG MORGAN THROWS A YULE LOG ON THE “BONFIRE”
NEW CHRISTMAS VERSION OF HIT SINGLE RECORDED IN HOTEL BATHROOM --REALLY

“But I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night..."
Craig Morgan is throwing a fresh Yule log on the bonfire this season, releasing an all-new holiday-themed version of his current Top 5 smash hit single “Bonfire.” “Bonfire,” from Craig’s BNA Records CD That’s Why, is in its fourth week as country radio listeners’ current favorite song, topping all radio research surveys and heading for the top of the country radio charts. The new version of the song shipped to country radio last week and will be digitally available for purchase beginning December 21st.
 
“This song is getting huge crowd response at all of my shows, and I’ve played it live A LOT over the past few months,” says Craig. “When you tour like I do, you spend a lot of hours on the bus, and one day I was just playing around with this song and also riffing on some Christmas stuff I was thinking about putting in the show, and then I started messing with the lyrics. Within about ten minutes I had this new version, and everyone got a kick out of the idea...my band, family, even management and the label, so we decided to run with it!”
 


PHIL VASSAR RELEASES VIDEO FOR “EVERYWHERE I GO”

Phil Vassar has released the video for “Everywhere I Go,” his current single from his new album Traveling Circus, in stores December 15.  Written by Phil and Jeffrey Steele, “Everywhere I Go” is a touching, emotional song about healing and remembrance that appeals to many situations and is gaining momentum on country radio.  The video has been ad
ded to rotation on CMT and GAC and can be seen here.

 

 

 

 

 

JAMES OTTO TO PERFORM NATIONAL ANTHEM AT MINNESOTA VIKINGS GAME
Warner Bros. Records’ recording artist, James Otto, will perform the national anthem this Sunday, Dec. 13 for the Minnesota Vikings home game in Minneapolis, Minn. The Vikings will play the Cincinnati Bengals at 1:00 p.m. EST, airing on CBS. Otto will return to Minnesota to perform at the Grand Casino Hinckley on Jan. 17th.
 

Last Updated ( Dec 14, 2009 at 04:37 PM )
KENNY CHESNEY FINALIZES 2010 FESTIVAL SHOW SCHEDULE
Written by Neil Haislop   
Dec 10, 2009 at 02:45 PM

 

 RASCAL FLATTS WRAPS 2009 WITH A NASHVILLE SHOW

ImageRASCAL FLATTS will bring Christmas cheer to the kids at the Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt in Nashville, Tenn. when they welcome in the holidays by flipping the switch on the holiday trees lining the hospital’s Main Street TODAY.
Rascal Flatts will also visit with patients and families attending the tree lighting ceremony. The trio has raised over 3 million dollars for the hospital over the last few years.
 
THEN, the guys will make their final performance of the year on the stage of the Grand Ole Opry Friday, December 11. In honor of Rascal Flatts, the Opry is donating tickets for their appearance to the patients, families and staff at the Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital.

 

 

MONTGOMERY GENTRY AND FRIENDS RAISE $80,000
AT FIRST COUNTRY ON THE BEACH EVENT

 

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Montgomery Gentry and friends Chris Young, Jon Stone, Tim Nichols, Wade Hayes, Trent Willmon and Jim Quick with Coastline raised $80,000 for the first annual Country on the Beach on December 3-6 benefiting the T.J. Martell Foundation.
 
Held at the beautiful Beach Palace Resort in Cancun, Mexico, the event featured an all-inclusive guest package with activities such as adventure zip line tours, snorkeling, swimming with the dolphins, water volleyball, spa treatments, poolside relaxation, all food and beverage and great country music in the evenings.
 
“Eddie and I were thrilled when the TJ Martell Foundation asked us to host their first Country on the Beach event.  We are very proud to help raise money for such a worthy cause.  Cancer research is very near and dear to my heart and we are both honored to have helped,” said Troy Gentry of Montgomery Gentry.
 
Sponsors of the Country on the Beach event included American Airlines, GAC TV, the Country Music Association, Wrangler, Travelin Inc., Vacation Express and the Beach Palace Resort.
 



JOHN RICH GRAND MARSHALED MUSIC CITY CHRISTMAS PARADE

 
John Rich, was the Grand Marshall for the recent 55th Annual Nashville Christmas Parade.  John, along with Two Foot Fred, Cowboy Troy, Carter’s Chord, Steel Magnolia and Nashville Mayor Karl Dean,  turned on the lights of the Christmas Tree at the Public Square and then kicked off the parade  spreading the holiday cheer to thousands of individuals and their families.  

Proceeds from the parade, hosted by Piedmont Natural Gas, benefitted the Piedmont Natural Gas Share the Warmth Round Up program, helping provide emergency energy assistance to Nashville-area residents throughout the year.



MAC McANALLY CO-PRODUCES NEW JIMMY BUFFETT ALBUM

Mac McAnally may have scored his first No. 1 as an artist
and received more awards and nominations than at any other time in his
career in 2009, but the Dec. 8 release of Jimmy Buffett's, Buffet Hotel
serves as a reminder that he remains a key collaborator with Buffett.

It's not surprising that Buffett wants to have Mac McAnally producing his record.
Mac produced Jimmy's monster License to Chill Album and Buffett later thanked Mac telling  him, "I just got the biggest check from a record company that I ever got."

..A longstanding member of the Coral Reefer Band, McAnally has produced a
number of Buffett's studio albums including Take The Weather With You,
License To Chill and Beach House On The Moon. He's co-produced Buffet Hotel
with Mike Utley, and has co-write credit on three of the collection's 12
songs. Mac and Buffett teamed for "Summerzcool," the pair added Will
Kimbrough to the writing session for "A Lot To Drink About" and a
Buffett/Flanagan/McAnally credit goes to the album's title track.

Prior to Buffet Hotel's release, McAnally most recently was honored with a
Grammy nomination for his collaboration with Kenny Chesney on the song "Down
The Road," which was a No. 1 hit for the pair and was written by Mac. He was
also recently honored as CMA's Musician of the Year at the Nov. 11 show, and
was feted by ASCAP and Nashville Songwriters Association International for
"Down The Road" as well.



REBA STUFF ON EXHIBIT AT THE COUNTRY MUSIC HALL OF FAME


ImageReba McEntire items are on display at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, including the jaw-dropping, eye-popping sexy Sandi Spika Borchetta-designed dress she wore on the 1993 CMA Awards while singing with Linda Davis on "Does He Love You."  The Reba exhibit runs to June 13, 2010.

 

 

 

TRACE ADKINS CONTINUES HIS ACTION HERO ADVENTURE WHEN "LUKE McBAIN #2" HITS COMIC BOOK STORES WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 16

Trace Adkins continues his  adventure as an action-hero when 12 Gauge Comics releases Luke McBain #2 on Wednesday, December 16. The four-part series about a southern renegade hero was inspired by Adkins' likeness and persona.
 
Luke McBain #1 was released in early November and sold out at the distributor level just 48 hours on the stands. The first issue established McBain as an innocent ex-con returning to his home in Louisiana after 14 years, leaving readers on the edge of their seats anticipating the next issue.   
 

 

 

 

CHRIS YOUNG'S DECEMBER TO REMEMBER

This month will be a keeper for Chris Young, with a new single, "The Man I Want To Be," at radio and the video of the song hitting on GAC and CMT, plus a GAC special.

In addition, fans can be watching for Chris tomorrow night as GAC premieres the new special, Stars for Stripes: Wounded Warriors Return.  Hosted by GAC’s Nan Kelley, the one-hour broadcast documents an overseas trip earlier this year that found Kelley, Young, and fellow country star Craig Morgan, together with wounded warriors Sergeant First Class Joseph Bowser (U.S. Army, retired) and Staff Sergeant Scott Lilley (USAF), as they toured and visited with servicemen and women at bases and hospitals in Kuwait, Iraq, and Germany.  The special premieres December 10, at 9:30 PM ET, on GAC.

 

 

KENNY CHESNEY FINALIZES 2010 FESTIVAL SHOW SCHEDULE

 

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When Kenny Chesney announced that he would not stage a full-tilt stadium-sized tour in 2010, a lot of people thought that meant the high energy performer would not perform at all. Kenny was quick to say, he couldn't imagine a summer without his fans, stories have a way of taking on a life of their own.

Now with the announcement of Chesney's July 25th appearance to close the long-running 4-day Country Thunder Festival in Wisconsin, the man who puts the fun in summer has a six large scale performances on the books - and a few more interesting opportunities to make music for the people who love and live his songs in discussion.

“Anyone who knows me knows I can't not play,” says the man who won 4-consecutive Academy of Country Music as well as 4 Country Music Association Entertainer of the Year Awards. “I need my fans… I need the music… and I need to get out there and feel that energy. While nobody   realizes how much work goes into one of my shows - and that's the level of production that I think my fans deserve   -- that doesn't mean I don't believe my guys can pick and play with the best of 'em.

“I never intended not to play, I just needed to take my foot off the gas for a year when it comes to creating those huge shows, all the video and lights and staging and stuff. To me, this is taking it back to what my whole career has been built on: the music, the people who love it and coming together to rock as hard as we possibly can - no tricks, bells or whistles.”

In addition to late July's Country Thunder Festival, Chesney will also be appearing at Bama Jam, the Bayou Country Superfest, the Craven Country Jamboree, WE Fest and the multi-genre Hullabalou in Louisville, Kentucky. For the man who's been playing NFL stadiums for the past 5 years, this is a way to maintain the large audiences without having to rent the flooring, the chairs and the extra PA.

Currently at work on his late April 2010 “Kenny Chesney: Summer in 3-D,” the same kind of concert film experience previously captured only by the Rolling Stones and U2, the singer/songwriter is also writing and listening to songs for his next album and dreaming up a couple special projects to be launched sometime in the new year.

 
 
TOBY KEITH VIDEO TO GO ON SMOOTH JAZZ TOUR

 
Toby Keith’s “Cryin’ For Me” video, his tribute to the memory of his friend, Wayman Tisdale, will be featured in its entirety during Dave Koz’s “Dave Koz & Friends” smooth jazz Christmas tour.  Dave Koz, also a friend of Wayman Tisdale’s, lent his saxophone talents on Toby’s current single.
 
Also, Toby Keith and company head to Oslo, Norway TODAY where Toby will be performing in the Nobel Peace Prize concert in Olso, Norway on Friday, Dec. 11th and it will be broadcast live via CNN.com .
 

PHIL VASSAR GIVES THE GIFT OF FREE MUSIC THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

To celebrate the 2009 Holiday season and the release of his 5th studio album Traveling Circus on December 15, Phil Vassar is giving a Christmas gift to all of his fans in the form of 5 free holiday songs.   Click here to download for free Phil Vassar An Acoustic Christmas.
 
Traveling Circus marks Phil’s 5th  studio album and is available in stores on December 15 just in time for Christmas.  “Everywhere I Go,” written by Phil and Jeffrey Steele, is the current single from this much anticipated album and is gaining momentum on country radio. The recently shot video can be seen here.
 
Track Listing for Phil Vassar An Acoustic Christmas:
1. Silent Night
2. Little Town Of Bethlehem
3  Holy Night
4. What Child Is This
5. Away In A Manger (featuring Haley Vassar)
 
Track Listing for Traveling Circus:
1. Life (Phil Vassar)
2. Lemonade (Phil Vassar/Charlie Black/Tim Ryan)
3. Everywhere I Go (Phil Vassar/Jeffrey Steele)
4. John Wayne (Phil Vassar/Tom Douglas)
5. Tequila Town (Phil Vassar/Kelly Loveless)
6. Bobbi With An I (Phil Vassar/Craig Wiseman)
7. She’s On Her Way (Phil Vassar/Tim Nichols/Jeff Outlaw)
8. A Year From Now (Phil Vassar/Craig Wiseman)
9. Save Tonight For Me (Phil Vassar/Tim Ryan/Julie Wood)
10. I Will Remember You (Phil Vassar/Kenny Chesney)
11. Where Have All The Pianos Gone (Phil Vassar/James Slater)

Last Updated ( Dec 10, 2009 at 02:58 PM )
LADY ANTEBELLUM MAKES IT A MONTH AT #1
Written by Neil Haislop   
Dec 07, 2009 at 12:21 AM


LADY ANTEBELLUM MAKES IT A MONTH AT #1

ImageLady A's "Need You Now" is now 4 weeks at #1 this week...they've now spent a total of 5 weeks atop the charts this year adding in the one week at #1 for "I Run To You," in July...as

LUKE BRYAN's "Do I", does it at #1 again this week...with...

REBA...holding fast at #3 with "Consider Me Gone" ....while...

CRAIG MORGAN's "Bonfire" burns a notch brighter this week moving up one to #4...as..

DIERKS BENTLEY's "I Wanna Make You Close Your Eyes," levitates up two to round out the Top 5 at #5 for the week.



 

RASCAL FLATTS' MEMBERS IN HARM'S WAY IN JANUARY?

RASCAL FLATTS will tape an appearance on the hit CBS television drama CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, slated to shoot in early January. The band will play themselves in a storyline that finds one of the members in harms way. Episode is slated to air early next year. CBS Television, Thursday’s 9pm ET / PT. They're not saying which member will be "in harms way" when the episode tapes.
 
Gary, Jay and Joe Don made a previous acting appearance on episodic television before when guest starring on Yes, Dear in 2006.

 

 

AND,  IS IT JACK DON ROONEY, OR JOE DON INGRAM?

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Joe Don
Jack Ingram tells AOL's the boot of  how a pair of fans thought he was a  member of Rascal Flatts.  "I was in Hartford, Ct., and these two girl baggage handlers came running down the jetway, freaking out [saying] 'Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh!' I had just played a show and I was in my gig clothes from the night before. I was kind of puffing up like, 'Yeah, that's right.' [laughs] And they go, 'You're ... you're ...' I'm getting ready to say, 'Yes, I am,' and they go, 'You're the guitar player in that band!' notes Jack. “They thought I was Joe Don Rooney from Rascal Flatts. And I was like, 'Yep, that's me. Want me to sign anything for you?' I signed "Joe Don" on their stuff and went about my business!"

 

 

 

 

ALAN JACKSON RELEASES ANOTHER GEM OF POWERFUL SIMPLICITY

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Alan Jackson is one of the very best at finding and delivering simple songs that have powerful appeal. His latest, "It's Just That Way," is just that way.
That's because Jackson's other gift is to deliver a good song as if he wrote it...it's just that way with this one written by Vicky McGahee, Kylie Sacklley and Alan's longtime producer, Keith Stegall. This is the debut single from his upcoming 2010 album.

 

 

 
TAYLOR'S REACTION TO 8 GRAMMY NODS

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When Taylor Swift said after winning Entertainer of the Year at the CMA, she said she'd achieved all of he dreams...except, as it turns out Grammy Gold. When Tayor picked up 8 Grammy nominations she said,  "I started freaking out and jumping up and down. I honestly never would have predicted this, eight nominations — I'm ecstatic, and blown away and so so thankful," the stunned country sensation said.  Swift's haul of eight nods was only second to another blonde superstar — Beyonce, who got 10. 
But Swift, who has been nominated for a Grammy before, says winning one would be her dream triumph: "The thought of that absolutely is something that you daydream about."  Swift was in Los Angeles to do a concert and to do some work on her upcoming movie "Valentine's Day"; she had an early call on the set Thursday morning. 

ALSO...

Taylor Swift earned her first attention as a serious new artist to contend with when she lit up the digital music sales world almost from the git go. And, recently, RIAA tallied up just how huge her impact has been in that world and what a ramp it provided for her launch to superstardom.
 
RIAA writes, "Taylor Swift makes her digital sales thresholds official with the following awards: 4X Platinum Digital Single for “Love Story”; 2X Platinum Digital Single for “Teardrops On My Guitar”; 2X Platinum Digital Single for “Our Song”; 2X Platinum Digital Single for “You Belong With Me”; Platinum Digital Single for “Should’ve Said No”; Platinum Digital Single for “White Horse”; Platinum Digital Single for “Tim McGraw”; Platinum Digital Single for “Picture To Burn”; Gold Digital Single for “You’re Not Sorry”; Gold Digital Single for “I’m Only Me When I’m With You”; Gold Digital Single for “Fearless”; and Platinum Mobile Mastertone for “Love Story”.  For more info visit www.riaa.org.


COMPLETE LIST OF TAYLOR SWIFT’S GRAMMY NOMINATIONS
Album of the Year - Fearless
Record of the Year - "You Belong With Me"
Song of the Year - "You Belong With Me"
Best Female Pop Vocal Performance - "You Belong With Me"
Best Pop Collaboration w/ Vocals - "Breathe" (w/ Cobie Caillat)
Best Female Country Vocal Performance - "White Horse"
Best Country Song "White Horse"
Best Country Album - Fearless

ALSO, Taylor now has a lot of content on COMCAST ON DEMAND
 
TAYLOR SWIFT CHANNEL FOUND UNDER ‘MUSIC’ CATEGORY

1.      Change                                                

2.      I’m Only Me When I’m With You    

3.      Love Story                                          

4.      Our Song                                             

5.      Picture To Burn                                 

6.      Teardrops On My Guitar                 

7.      Tim McGraw                                       

8.      White Horse                                        

9.      You Belong With Me                        

10.   The Best Day                                     

11.    Fifteen                                                  

12.    Our Song BTS                                            

13.    Picture To Burn BTS                                 

14.    Teardrops On My Guitar BTS                

15.    White Horse BTS                                        

16.    You Belong With Me BTS
17.   Saturday Night LIVE (Taylor hosts)

 



REBA SINGS WITH WORLD'S GREATEST TENOR

Last night Reba McEntire sang "Blue Christmas" with Andrea Bocelli on the PBS holiday special  "Andrea Bocelli and David Foster: My Christmas."  Be sure to set your Tivo or other DVR recorders to catch repeats of this HD show and Reba's appearance with Bocelli...this is destined to be a new Holiday Classic.



KIX & RONNIE POST THE LIST OF TOWNS TO SEE THEIR GOODBYE CONCERT

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Brooks & Dunn said they weren’t about to call it a day as a recording duo without one more chance to party with their fans, and Kix and Ronnie are ready to do it in style with the announcement of dates for their final tour, The Last Rodeo.  

Of course there's no possible way they could stop in the hundreds of towns they appeared in throughout their nearly two decades of performing...but they'll bid farewell live to a bunch of their fans  when the tour launches on April 23 of next year, with 47 shows running through August 8.

A list of dates and markets for The Last Rodeo appears below.  Ticket on-sale dates will vary, but fans be watching for updates on the duo’s website at www.brooks-dunn.com or the Live Nation website at www.livenation.com and as always by checking local information for ticket availability in their area.


Brooks & Dunn’s “The Last Rodeo” Tour:
(There will be a special Nashville date to be announced at a later time).
 
April 23            Sacramento, CA
April 24            Mountain View, CA
April 25            Indio, CA
April 30            Spokane, WA
May 1              Tacoma, WA
May 2              Vancouver, WA
May 4              Calgary, Alberta
May 5              Edmonton, Alberta
May 6              Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
May 14            St Paul, MN
May 15            Bloomington, IL
May 16            Columbus, OH
May 21            Phoenix, AZ
May 22            Albuquerque, NM
May 27            Wichita, KS
May 28            Tulsa, OK
May 29            Dallas, TX
May 30            Baton Rouge, LA
June 3              Charleston, WV
June 4              Charlotte, NC
June 5              Raleigh, NC
June 11            Tampa, FL
June 12            W Palm Beach, FL
June 13            Jacksonville, FL            
June 17            Hershey, PA
June 18            Virginia Beach, VA
June 19            Washington, DC
June 25            Hartford, CT
June 26            Boston, MA
June 27            Bethel, NY
June 29            Milwaukee, WI
July 2               Dauphin, Manitoba
July 8               Fort Loramie, OH
July 9               Cleveland, OH
July 10             Darien Lakes, NY
July 15             Atlanta, GA
July 16             Indianapolis, IN
July 17             St Clairsville, OH
July 18             Cincinnati, OH
July 23             Minot, ND
July 24             Cheyenne, WY
July 25             Omaha, NE
July 29             Detroit, MI
July 30             Pittsburgh, PA
August 6           Kansas City, KS
August 7           St Louis, MO
August 8           Chicago, IL

ALSO...
Congratulations to Brooks & Dunn for earning the 15th GRAMMY Award nomination of their career! Earlier this week, Kix and Ronnie were nominated for Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals for their smash, “Cowgirls Don’t Cry.”
By the way, the B&D/Reba duet version of “Cowgirls Don’t Cry” is one of 30 great songs on the duo’s career-spanning #1s … and then some collection, which features23 #1 hits. The two-disc set is in stores and online now. 




JUSTIN MOORE LOSES TWO LOVED ONES IN ONE WEEK


Last week, Justin Moore’s paternal grandfather, Tom Moore passed away last Wednesday from cancer that was only diagnosed about 6 months ago.  He was 72 years old, retired Navy.  Both of Justin’s grandfathers were the subjects of his song “Grandpa” on his self-titled debut album. 
Then, early this week, Justin learned that his maternal Aunt Glenda also passed away from a long battle with cancer.  According to Justin’s manager Pete Hartung, Tom and Glenda were two of the most important people in Justin’s life.  He always referred to Glenda as his Second Mom, and Tom was the one who taught him how to hunt and fish.  Tom had Justin in a deer stand when he was 2 years old.  Our thoughts and prayers remain with Justin during this very difficult time.

 

 

 

CRAIG MORGAN OFFERS CHRISTMAS VERSION OF "BONFIRE"

Craig Morgan is having some holiday fun with a playful Christmas version of his current hit, “Bonfire,” and while he was initially reluctant to record a Yuletide edition, he talked himself into it! Craig tells us, “The more I thought about it, the more I thought it would be somethin’ that’d be a lot of fun to do while we’re touring, right up to the holidays.” So Craig worked it up, got his producer to come out on the road, and you can be listening for it now on your favorite station!    
 Craig Morgan talks about the holiday version of his latest hit, “Bonfire.” “When we first started talkin’ about it, I’m like, ‘Man, how are we gonna do this…without it bein’ too cheesy?’ Initially, I said, ‘No,” I wasn’t gonna do this, but the more I thought about it, the more I thought it would be somethin’ that’d be a lot of fun to do while we’re touring, right up to the holidays. And I sat down and started piddling with it a little bit, and five minutes later, we had it finished, and I called my co-producer. And I was on the road touring out in Georgia somewhere, and he brought a…brought the studio down, set it up in a hotel room, and I re-recorded the vocals over the top of the original tracks, and that’s what we ended up with.”

 

 

JASON MICHAEL CARROLL LOVES STORY SONGS..LIKE HIS LATEST
Jason Michael Carroll is on the radio now with, ”Hurry Home,” about young runaway is very much in keeping with one of the things Jason Michael loves about country music: the storytelling. Even with lyrics about things you haven’t personally experienced, he says, songs can still be relatable. “You can find an aspect or a piece of the story that means something to you,” he says. ”Music, in its rawest, is probably the most basic form of entertainment. Somebody singin’ a song around a campfire. How many times have you stopped and just paid attention? That’s what music is to me.”
 

 

 

COVINGTON CLIP TO GAC TOP 20


Bucky Covington’s new music video for his current rising single “Gotta Be Somebody” recently made its debut on Great American Country’s fan-voted Top 20 Countdown.  Directed by Devin Pense, this high-energy, live video spotlights his hometown community of Rockingham, NC.  Filmed in the local town square during Bucky’s recent homecoming concert, the video features a packed crowd of over 6,000 fans, friends and family who all roared with excitement to be a part of this surprise video shoot.  "Gotta Be Somebody" can also be viewed at various online outlets.
Bucky Covington’s latest single “Gotta Be Somebody” is a country style version of the Nickelback smash written by band members Chad Kroeger and Ryan Peake, along with co-producer Joey Moi.  Currently climbing the country charts, this song is from his upcoming sophomore album, I’m Alright, to hit streets in spring 2010.  Currently, Bucky is on the road playing shows all across the country and will be performing in San Diego, CA on December 11 and 12.


TRAILER CHOIR DEBUTS ANIMATED VIDEO FOR ‘HOLLA’-DAY VERSION OF ‘ROCKIN’ THE BEER GUT’

Santa Claus looks suspiciously like Trailer Choir’s Big Vinny in the band’s fun, new animated video for “Rockin’ The Beer Gut (‘Holla’ Day Version).” The group’s Crystal Hoyt makes an appearance as a sexy Mrs. Claus while the trio’s Butter shows up in ‘holla’-day attire. There’s also an antlered, red-nosed rein-cow. You just have to see it to believe it.
 
Check out all the fun right here: http://www.trailerchoir.com/videos or search for “CheerGut” on YouTube.
 
The Show Dog Nashville band is performing it at all of their concerts this holiday season, including upcoming shows in St. Louis (12/8), Greeley, Colo. (12/9), Tampa (12/18) and Nashville (12/19).  You can also check out their special ‘holla’-day segment on CMT’s Hazel’s Southern Fried Flicks premiering on Dec 12 and re-airing on Dec. 13 (check local listings for times and channel).
 




Last Updated ( Dec 07, 2009 at 12:36 AM )
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