Toby Keith may not need to win a talent show to garner a crowd, but he's giving one lucky American Soldier the chance at becoming the Next American Soldier Idol during the grand opening of his new I Love This Bar and Grill in Mesa, Arizona on June 3. The karaoke contest will happen before [...]

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There are several new songs flying up the charts right now. Be sure to check these out: Believers--Joe Nichols (Universal South Records) This positive, mid-tempo confection seems like an attempt to reclaim Nichols' "Impossible" days. Unfortunately, the background music drags, and [...]

Continue reading "Nichols, Lambert, Worley single reviews"

George Strait has a lot to celebrate today. CBS is airing the George Strait: ACM Artist of the Decade special tonight at 8:00pm EST. He also releases his new single, "Living for the Night," which should be available at radio stations across the nation at NOON CDT tomorrow (May 28th). [...]

Continue reading "Strait Headlines Artist of the Decade Tribute, Releases New Single"

According to an interview with CMA's Close Up News Service, when times get tough, country music gets going. Three industry veterans chatted with the publication recently to discuss why country music listenership has typically remained stable or even increased during hard economic times. [...]

Continue reading "Country Music has its roots in Hard Times"

Petite vocal powerhouse Martina McBride will be featured on the Fox News Channel this weekend as part of their "Secrets of Success" series. This special also features mega-preacher Joel Osteen; it airs on Sunday, May 24th at 2:00 PM EST. Don't fret if you miss the secret to [...]

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For her arguably lackluster take on Motley Crue's "Home Sweet Home" on Tuesday's American Idol finale, Carrie Underwood looked decidedly... casual. In the wake of the Barbie doll-esque yellow frock she donned for Oprah and the theatrical, voluminous red dress she wore for the [...]

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Australia's The Daily Telegraph features a great interview with Keith Urban, if you haven't read it. The crazy-talented guitarist talks about learning to play in Australia's pubs and bars, the ode to his wife in the liner notes of his new album, Defying Gravity, and about how [...]

Continue reading "Urban Talks about Aussie Pubs, Real Love, and his Humbling Moment"

Has no one from Nashville relayed the news of Jessica Simpson's faltering country music career to actress Jennifer Love Hewitt? Apparently not. It seems the I Know What You Did Last Summer actress is still intent on trading a script for a mic. She has had a brief singing career, with a [...]

Continue reading "Move on over Simpson, Come on over Jennifer Love Hewitt"

One of my favorite things is Trisha Yearwood's powerful voice and her knack for hearing a great song (check out the gems, "Cowboys Are My Weakness," and "Let the Wind Chase You," off Heaven, Heartache, and the Power of Love). But have you wondered, "what are [...]

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Former Cheers Star John Ratzenberger has allegedly filed for a restraining order against his 45-year-old girlfriend, claiming that she is capable of violence because she listens to country music. According to the site TMZ.org, Ratzenberger filed today in L.A. County Superior Court, saying his ex [...]

Continue reading "Does Country Music make you Crazy?"

Brad Paisley and his wife (actress Kimberly Williams-Paisley) are celebrating six years together, along with the birth of their second son, Jasper Warren, who arrived last month. In People Magazine's June Country Special issue, Paisley opens up about what keeps their bond strong while [...]

Continue reading "Brad Paisley's Secret to a Good Marriage (It isn't the Guitar Playing)"

John Rich may be "fightin' mad" about the government bailing out bankers and giving auto workers a bad deal, but he's not the only one. While Rich is "Shuttin' Detroit Down," rapper Eminem will be "living it up..in that New York City town" for an [...]

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He may not have been "hood-sliding like Bo Duke," as Dierks Bentley sings, but singer Jimmy Wayne pulled his own stunt to make it onstage for a show in Fort Walton Beach, FL last week after becoming trapped inside his own tour bus. The incident was filmed and put on Youtube shortly after. [...]

Continue reading "Jimmy Wayne training to be Bo Duke?"

"Redneck Woman" singer Gretchen Wilson was in Washington this week, speaking to about 150 members of Congress to encourage more funding for Adult Education Programs. She was invited to tell her own (much-publicized) story of dropping out of high school as a teenager, and then returning to [...]

Continue reading "Gretchen Wilson: High-politic Redneck"

As Keith Urban gets ready to launch his "Escape the World Together" tour this week at the Mohegan Sun Resort & Casino, he says he is always working to keep a close-knit feel to his concerts even in a huge arena setting. His new stage features a 3,500 square foot platform with two [...]

Continue reading "Keith Urban wants to get close"

***Clint Black heard those dreaded words last night from CEO Donald Trump. The singer/songwriter was the latest contestant fired during Celebrity Apprentice. Although he did not fare as well as Trace Adkins last season (Trace was the runner-up in last year's competition, while Black came in [...]

Continue reading "Rumors from the Row"