November 27, 2008 - The Zac Brown Band reached the top of the Billboard country song chart with its first single Chicken Fried. The Georgia band took over the top spot for the week ending Dec. 6 from Taylor Swift's Love Story, which slipped to third. Swift stayed number one on the country album chart with "Fearless.... »»»November 26, 2008 - John Berry is doing an annual rite of November and December - his 13th consecutive holiday music tour. The first half of the show is comprised of his hits, and the second half is The Christmas Show. The tour winds down in his native Georgia on Dec. 22.
Tour dates are:
Nov. 28 - Jackson, TN
Nov.... »»»November 25, 2008 - It's a quiet release week on a holiday week with Trace Adkins having the field to himself. The singer is out with "X," his 10th disc. Adkins' first single is the gospel flavored Muddy Water. Frank Rogers, who handles production chores for Brad Paisley, did similar duty for Adkins.... »»»November 25, 2008 - Cowboy singer Michael Martin Murphey will put out "Buckaroo Blue Grass" Feb. 10, 2009 on bluegrass label Rural Rhythm Records. Michael's son, Ryan, produced the album, wrote all arrangements, sang harmony vocals and played rhythm guitar. The CD includes several new songs and many Murphey classics... »»»November 25, 2008 - Former Drive-By Truckers member Jason Isbell is slated to release his
second disc in February 2009 on a new label for him, Lightning Rod Records.
Jason Isbell and The 400 Unit's self-titled disc drops Feb. 17. Isbell debuted on New West Records. This is his first release with his band The 400 Unit:... »»»November 24, 2008 - Sara Watkins of Nickel Creek signed a record deal with Nonesuch Records, and a CD produced by John Paul Jones of Led Zeppelin fame will be out in 2009.
Watkins, a songwriter/fiddler for Nickel Creek, will have her self-titled debut out April 7. Gillian Welch and David Rawlings, Elvis Costello drummer... »»»November 24, 2008 - The Raconteurs invited Ricky Skaggs and singer Ashley Monroe into the studio to re-record their new single Old Enough from the band's "Consolers Of The Lonely" album (Third Man/Warner Bros). The result is a bluegrass inspired version of the track.
Patrick Keeler of The Raconteurs said, "We wanted to... »»»November 24, 2008 - Rhonda Vincent said two new band members joined her backing band The Rage. Aaron McDaris and Ben Helson are part of the new group, while seven-year Rage veteran Kenny Ingram and Darrell Webb have left.
McDaris joins her from the successful band The Grascals, playing banjo. Helson joins her from Ricky... »»»November 24, 2008 - Emerson Drive's David Pichette and wife Jill welcomed their first child Emma Victoria Pichette into the world on Friday Nov. 21. Emma made her entrance at 5:35p.m. weighing in at 5 pounds and 14 ounces.
"This is definitely the greatest moment of my life. To see your own take her first breath and hear her first cry.... »»»November 24, 2008 - A Doug Sahm tribute is coming in late March, featuring Levom Helm, Los Lobos, Delbert McClinton and Alejandro Escovedo. "Keep Your Soul: A Tribute to Doug Sahm" will commemorate the 10th anniversary of the singer's death.
The disc, out March 24, 2009 on Vanguard, covers songs from throughout Sahm's... »»»November 24, 2008 - Mark Chesnutt's long-time guitarist Delaney Jackson was injured last Thursday afternoon, while cleaning his pistol at his residence. He accidentally shot himself in the hand, according to Chesnutt's publicist.
Jackson has played lead guitar for Chesnutt and his band for just over 12 years.... »»»November 24, 2008 - Brad Paisley, Taylor Swift, Carrie Underwood and Rascal Flatts won awards at the American Music Awards show Sunday.
Paisley took home favorite male country artist, while Swift won the female award. Rascal Flatts was voted the favorite country group. Underwood won best country disc for "Carnival Ride.... »»»November 24, 2008 - Former Wilco member Jay Bennett's solo disc is now available. Bennett was slated to release "Kicking at the Perfumed Air," in October, but that was delayed because Bennett was working on what he described as "a very personal and concise 10-song album called 'Whatever Happened I Apologize.... »»»November 21, 2008 - There is life after the PovertyNeck Hillbillies for singer Abby Abbondanza. He went solo and just released the "Promised Land" CD. He launched the CD with a party in Pittsburgh.
"The support from the fans around Pittsburgh has always been so amazing," Abbondanza said. "It's an incredible feeling and... »»»November 21, 2008 - A brand new video of Elvis Presley and Martina McBride doing Blue Christmas from the Elvis Presley "Christmas Duets" CD, was just released this week.
McBride is one of a number of country acts doing duets with Presley. Othyers include CarrieUnderwood, Amy Grant and Annie Murray.... »»»November 20, 2008 - George McKnight will become host of a bluegrass internet/radio show broadcast, Banks of the Ohio: Music from the Homeplace of Bluegrass," from the International Museum of Bluegrass. The weekly internet and broadcast radio program is a production of the International Bluegrass Music Museum, which is... »»»November 20, 2008 - Taylor Swift scored a chart triple by leading the Billboard overall top 200 and country albums charts and country song chart for the week ending Nov. 29 with "Fearless" and Love Story respectively. Swift, who also of course as atop the country album chart, was first on the song chart for the second week running.... »»»November 20, 2008 - A massive 10-CD, 150-song collection of Bob Wills & His Texas Playboy's "Tiffany Transcriptions" will be out Jan 27, 2009 on Collector's Choice, the reissue label's first ever box set.
The 1940s San Francisco radio transcriptions from the king of Texas swing music are remastered.... »»»November 19, 2008 - With his new movie not quite open, Tim McGraw is looking ahead to another possible movie project about a man in east Tennessee who faked his own death with the help of the town and a funeral parlor.
McGraw is in "The Four Christmases," which opens next week with Dwight Yoakam, Reese Witherspoon, Vince... »»»November 19, 2008 - Faith Hill will hit the Big Apple to promote her recently released Christmas album "Joy to the World." The 11-song recording, released on Warner, was two years in the making, and features such classics as Holly Jolly Christmas, O Holy Night and the current single A Baby Changes Everything.... »»»November 19, 2008 - Taylor Swift will have the best selling CD in the U .S. when the Billboard charts are officially released Thursday. "Fearless" sold 529,000 units, far ahead of second place sales of 183,000 by David Archuleta.
The sales by Swift were the biggest for a country CD since The Eagles' "Long Road out of... »»»November 19, 2008 - Darrell Webb, most recently guitarist for Rhonda Vincent, will join Michael Cleveland and Flamekeeper as lead vocalist and guitarist in December. Webb replaces Todd Rakestraw.
Raised in a West Virginia home rich with the sounds of hard core traditional bluegrass, Webb started playing mandolin when he... »»»November 18, 2008 - Clint Black is suing a partner in his Equity records venture, claiming in a Tennessee court that he was not fully aware of the contract Little Big Town signed the label. LBT has since left Equity for Capitol Nashville.
Black is suing manager/accountant Charles Sussman and his Music Row firm, Gudvi,... »»»November 18, 2008 - Montgomery Gentry just released an interactive version of their video for the Top 5 hit, Roll With Me, exclusively on-line at www.hearsomethingcountry.com. Filmed using the 360 degree filming process, this marks the first short-form country music video to be seen panorama style. Viewers can watch the... »»»November 18, 2008 - Lorianne Crook will host her first Celebrity Kitchen Holiday Special Thursday with Trisha Yearwood helping out. Yearwood along with her mother, Gwen, will make two special holiday desserts, as well as a little music from Yearwood. The program airs Nov. 20 at 8 p.m. eastern on RFD-TV.... »»»November 18, 2008 - A few singers, a bluegrass star and a southern band that came seemingly out of nowhere to have a hit single on their hands lead the releases out today.
The Zac Brown Band was not known until Chicken Fried burst on the scene as a big hit. The band now releases "The Foundation" (Atlantic).... »»»November 17, 2008 - The video for Brad Paisley and Keith Urban's current duet, Start A Band, will debut on GAC tomorrow, Tuesday Nov. 18. The video captures the guitar-slingers dueling it out lick for lick and introduces a couple of young budding guitarists (Paisley and Urban look-a-likes) in a guitar showdown setting.... »»»November 17, 2008 - Jessica Simpson will be appearing on The Ellen DeGeneres Show this Wednesday, Nov. 19. Simpson will talk about her move to country and her new disc. She will perform her new single, Remember That, penned by Rachel Proctor and Victoria... »»»November 17, 2008 - Luke Bryan signed a sponsorship deal with Miller Lite, starting this week and going through 2009.
"The Bryan family and Miller Lite go way way back," joked Bryan. "This is an amazing opportunity to be in partnership with such a long standing solid American brand like Miller Lite. I look forward to working with them.... »»»November 17, 2008 - John Anderson, Clint Black, Joe Diffie, George Jones, Tracy Lawrence and Darryl Worley contributing to a charity CD to help rebuild an Alabama high school destroyed by a tornado last year.
Country Crossing Records will release "We Are Enterprise: The Album To Help Rebuild Enterprise High School," on Dec. 16.... »»»November 17, 2008 - Jewel's new country CD could be going for cheap this month, but the Country Music Hall of Fame will benefit. On Nov. 28, the day after Thanksgiving, fans can obtain copies of Jewel's first country album and seventh career album, "Perfectly Clear," by making a $1 minimum donation to the hall of fame.... »»»November 16, 2008 - Randy Weeks will follow his 2006 album "Sugarfinger" with "Going My Way" on Certifiable Records on Feb. 24, 2009. Weeks recently moved from Los Angeles to Austin, which is reflected on the CD. The album was produced by Will Sexton and features such players as long-time guitarist Tony Gilkyson plus... »»»November 14, 2008 - Tracy Lawrence will spearhead the "Third Annual Tracy Lawrence Mission Possible Turkey Fry," helping those in need, on Nov. 25. The result of this year's event will be the distribution of 400 turkeys to create more than 6,500 meals for the Nashville Rescue Mission.
Celebrity participants are being... »»»November 14, 2008 - The war of words between Taylor Swift and ex special friend Joe Jonas is heating up into a "he said, she said" affair.
Swift said a few days in an interview with Ellen DeGeneres on her talk show that he "dumped her over the phone in 27 seconds." Jonas, of course, is one third of the Jonas Brothers, a pop boy band.... »»»November 14, 2008 - Taylor Swift has another number one on the Billboard country song chart with Love Story, the first single from her just released "Relentless" disc for the week ending Nov. 22. The song took over from Carrie Underwood's Just a Dream, which fell to fourth. On the album chart, Brad Paisley debuted in first... »»»November 13, 2008 - Josh Gracin and wife Ann Marie welcomed a new addition to their family Wedesday. Daughter Isabella Sophia Gracin was born in Nashville. Isabella is the couple's fourth child and joins sisters Briana and Gabby and brother... »»»November 13, 2008 - Elections to the Americana Music Association Board of Directors resulted in five new members, including singer Tift Merritt. Ten incoming directors were elected to the board for 2009-2010.
New board members include Tamara Saviano, freelance writer of Ellis Creative in the Publications category,... »»»November 13, 2008 - A tribute to Shel Silverstein is in the works with Alison Krauss, George Jones, Ray Price and Emmylou Harris among those aboard. Bobby Bare Jr. and Sr. are executive producing the effort.
The disc is slated to be released Sugar Hill/Vanguard in mid 2009. Slated to contribute are Black Keys, Band of Horses, Dr.... »»»November 13, 2008 - Ten years ago, Brooks & Dunn and Reba McEntire topped the charts together with their If You See Him/If You See Her, and last night they debuted their version of Cowgirls Don't Cry live at the 42nd Annual CMA Awards. The song is Brooks & Dunn's newest single from their "Cowboy Town.... »»»November 12, 2008 - Kenny Chesney was the highest grossing country act on the road, according to Billboard Boxscore. Chesney pulled in $86 million in his tour for the period from Nov. 14, 2007 to Nov. 11, 2008.
The Eagles were 9th at $56.6 million, while Rascal Flatts was 10th with $55.8 million.
The leader was Bon... »»»November 12, 2008 - Justin Townes Earle finished up his follow-up to "The Good Life" with a release due in March 2009. The album is called "Midnight at the Movies" on Bloodshot Records. The label will release it in CD and LP forms. Earle continues to tour in the U.S. and abroad. He hits Australia soon and revisits the... »»»November 12, 2008 - Kenny Chesney won his only award of the night, but it was the biggest award of the night - Entertainer of the Year - at the 42nd annual Country Music Association awards. This marked the fourth time Chesney received the honor.
"As much as tonight is about awards, I really believe that being able tos... »»»November 12, 2008 - Boston-based country band Guns Girls and Glory will see their first release, "Inverted Valentine," picked by Lonesome Day Records for distribution starting in late January or early February 2009. Label head Randall Deaton said Wednesday this would lead the way for a second release from the band on... »»»
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Country News Digest
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November 12, 2008 - Barry Scott & Second Wind signed with Rebel Records. Scott played with Doyle Lawson for about four years, ending with "Dig a Little Deeper" in 2005. Scott plays guitar and is lead vocalist for the new band. Second Wind consists of Matt Munsey on mandolin and vocals; Travis Houck on Dobro and bass... »»»November 12, 2008 - John Rich performed during a 90-minute ceremony Tuesday for President Bush and thousands of veterans during the rededication of the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum in New York. After a 2-year, $115 million renovation and redesign, the Intrepid, was formally rededicated.
Rich performed a patriotic... »»»November 12, 2008 - Brad Paisley will debut at number one on the country music charts when they are released by Billboard Thursday with "Play." The disc, which contains 11 instrumentals, sold 53,697 units and scores a Top 10 debut on the all-genre Billboard 200. Paisley's fourth consecutive non-seasonal disc to debut atop... »»»November 12, 2008 - Terri Clark is leaving the major labels to go the indie route. She told fan club members that she was ending her relationship with BNA Records, which never released a full disc of Clark's music. Clark indicated she would like to concentrate more on her career in her homeland, Canada, along with overseas possibilities.... »»»November 11, 2008 - Taylor Swift earned song of the year honors at the 56th Annual BMI Country Awards Tuesday for Teardrops on My Guitar, co-written with Liz Rose.
Casey Beathard earned his second BMI Country Songwriter of the Year crown. Publishing powerhouse Sony/ATV Music Publishing Nashville claimed its seventh... »»»November 11, 2008 - Superstar Reba McEntire signed with The Valory Music Co., ending her long relationship with MCA Nashville. The move, which has been the subject of questions for about a year, reunites McEntire with industry Scott Borchetta, now President & CEO of Big Machine Records and The Valory Music Co.... »»»November 11, 2008 - Rascal Flatts announced final leg of their "Bob That Head Tour" kicking off in Kansas City, Mo. on Jan. 17, 2009 with Jessica Simpson opening.
The band recently wrapped up touring for 2008 and played before 1.2 million fans this year.
Tour dates are:
Jan. 17 Kansas City, MO Spring Center
Jan.... »»»November 11, 2008 - Bradley Walker's new video, A Little Change, a track off his 2006 debut album "Highway of Dreams" (Rounder), is going into rotation at CMT Pure starting Thursday. GAC will also be adding the clip into their specialty programming for both the "Edge Of Country" on Nov. 14 and Positively GAC on Nov. 16.... »»»November 11, 2008 - Keith Urban's "Love, Pain & the whole crazy World Tour" live DVD, hits Wal-Mart stores, including Sam's Club and Walmart.com, today. The DVD includes Urban performing 18 songs in concert from his "Love, Pain & the whole crazy World Tour."
Performing 150 shows in 6 countries and 3 continents, Urban... »»»November 11, 2008 - Taylor Swift had a massive hit with her self-titled debut and tries following up with "Fearless" (Big Machine) on Nov. 11. This is Swift's second full-length CD. In between, she released a deluxe edition, a Christmas set and a Wal-Mart exclusive CD. The 13-song disc includes the hit single "Our Love.... »»»November 10, 2008 - Richard Marx and Vince Gill teamed up to record The Beatles classic And I Love Her, featured on Marx's November release, "Sundown." The longtime friends have previously worked together with Gill singing background vocals on Marx's 1994 multi-platinum release "Paid Vacation" and Marx co-writing and... »»»November 10, 2008 - Nicole Kidman and fellow Australian actor Hugh Jackman, who are co-starring in the upcoming movie "Australia," will present an award together on the 42nd Annual CMA Awards on Wednesday, Nov. 12.
"We are thrilled to have two of Hollywood's biggest stars join us for 'Country Music's Biggest Night,'"... »»»November 9, 2008 - Merle Haggard went home Saturday, five days after having lung surgery in a Bakersfield, Cal. hospital. It was discovered during a previous biopsy that he had non-small cell lung cancer, "which has a far better cure rate than the small (oat) cell cancer," according to a statement released Sunday.... »»»November 8, 2008 - Tim McGraw will host Saturday Night Live in his first appearance on the show on Nov. 22. McGraw becomes the first country music artist this decade to host the show. Previous hosts were Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton and Garth Brooks.
"I'm looking forward to hosting the show," said McGraw.... »»»November 7, 2008 - Patty Loveless fans waited three years for a new record her - the covers disc, "Sleepless Nights," which dropped in September. Loveless whittled a list of more than 500 classics to 14.
But a few more are on the way because Loveless will release two additional takes on tracks across digital music stores on Dec. 2.... »»»November 7, 2008 - Darius Rucker will no longer present an award at the 42nd Annual CMA Awards next week, but that's because the singer will perform. New presenters added to the lineup are Vince Gill, Julianne Hough, Jake Owen, John Rich and Jimmy Wayne. The awards will be held Wednesday, Nov. 12 in Nashville.... »»»November 7, 2008 - Josh Turner launched the Josh Turner Scholarship Fund to provide assistance to high school students who would like to pursue a career in arts and entertainment.
"Growing up in rural South Carolina, I attended a 1-A school and there were only 75 people in my graduating class," said Turner.... »»»November 7, 2008 - Merle Haggard underwent surgery for the removal of a cancerous growth in his right, according to a posting on his web site Wednesday. "Merle is recuperating from the surgery and doing better and better each day. I would like to personally thank all of you who took the time to send your love, support,... »»»November 6, 2008 - Carrie Underwood isn't dreaming any more. She's number one yet again on the Billboard country song chart with Just a Dream for the week ending Nov. 15. This marks her second straight at the top. On the album chart, Toby Keith debuted in first with "That Don't Make Me a Bad Guy."
On the song chart,... »»»November 6, 2008 - Andy Friedman may moonlight as a cartoonist for The New Yorker, but the Brooklyn resident is also forging ahead with a country career. On Jan. 27, 2009, Friedman will release his second studio album, "Weary Things" (City Salvage/Kindred Rhythm), and the first recorded with his band The Other Failures.... »»»November 6, 2008 - Jeffrey Steele, one of Nashville's most successful producer/songwriters and a judge on Nashville Star, will release three CDs this month via Best Buy. And he also has been busy by writing I Thought I Lost You with Miley Cyrus, the key track that Cyrus and back up vocalist John Travolta sing in the... »»»November 6, 2008 - Bluegrass bassist extraordinaire Missy Raines, seven time recipient of the International Bluegrass Music Association's award for Bass Player of the Year, signed with Compass Records with an album due in February. Now fronting her hot new band The New Hip, Raines is looking to put out an album that fuses... »»»November 6, 2008 - Guitar ace Gurf Morlix, who has worked as producer, guitarist and multi-instrumentalist for the likes of Lucinda Williams and Warren Zevon, is getting set to release his own fifth album, "Last Exit to Happyland," on the Rootball Records label on Feb. 17, 2009.
Prior to embarking on his own career,... »»»November 6, 2008 - Jason Michael Carroll is hitting the airwaves with Where I'm From, the first single from his new album, arriving in 2009. Carroll had two top five singles, Alyssa Lies and Livin' Our Love Song from his debut. Where I'm From is at radio now and going for adds on Monday.
The new single, written by... »»»November 6, 2008 - Tickets for MerleFest 2009 go on sale on Tuesday, Nov. 11. MerleFest, celebrating its 22nd year from April 23-26, 2009, will feature more than 90 acts performing on 15 stages. Among the performers are Emmylou Harris, Dailey & Vincent, The Grascals and the Del McCoury Band.
Ticket purchases can be made... »»»November 6, 2008 - Kenny Chesney, Brad Paisley, Reba McEntire and Kid Rock are the key acts who will spearhead the 2009 edition of StageCoach. The event will be held April 25-26, 2009 at Indio, Cal., the same place it has been held the past 2 years.
Others on the bill include Little Big Town, Miranda Lambert, Chris... »»»November 6, 2008 - The Ellen DeGeneres throws an album release party for Taylor Swift's sophomore album, "Fearless," on Tuesday, Nov. 11. The show's entire hour is devoted to all things Swift as DeGeneres will be joined by Swift, who will perform Love Story and Should've Said
No as part of the album release bash.... »»»November 5, 2008 - The Larry Stephenson Band, J.D. Crowe and an all star bluegrass band are among the performers slated to play a benefit for founding member of the New Coon Creek Girls Vicki Simmons later this month.
Simmons is best known as one of the founding members of the New Coon Creek Girls in 1979 and performed... »»»November 5, 2008 - Jewel will go on the road in January 2009 for a solo acoustic headlining tour. The three-time Grammy nominee recently released her first country album and seventh career album, "Perfectly Clear," in June. She also toured with Brad Paisley, a judging seat on NBC's "Nashville Star" and was married to... »»»November 5, 2008 - Toby Keith and Rascal Flatts will have the top selling country albums on the charts when they are officially out Thursday. Keith's "That Don't Make Me A Bad Guy" was fifth on the overall chart with 91,000 units sold, while Rascal Flatts' first greatest hits set was sixth with 89,000.... »»»November 5, 2008 - Jason Aldean will debut the lead single, She's Country, from his third studio album on the 2008 Country Music Awards next Wed., Nov. 12 on ABC. The track also will be available for download through iTunes. Aldean's fan club, the Aldean Army, will get a free download through www.jasonaldean.... »»»November 4, 2008 - Heidi Newfield's latest single, Cry Cry ('Til The Sun Shines) went for adds at country radio Monday. The song is the second single from her debut solo album, "What Am I Waiting For." Cry Cry was written by Hillary Lindsey, Aimee Mayo, Chris Lindsey and Marv Green.
The song is the follow-up to... »»»November 4, 2008 - Julianne Hough's performance of My Hallelujah Song on Dancing With the Stars was pushed back a week to Nov. 18. No reason was given for the delay.
Hough has been recovering from recent surgery for endometriosis. She is a two-time winner of the dancing... »»»November 4, 2008 - Kevin Costner and Modern West will debut on the Grand Ole Opry Saturday as the Opry returns to the Ryman Auditorium in downtown Nashville for its wintertime run. Costner will be in Nashville promoting his first country album "Untold Truths," set for a Nov. 11 release. The Academy Award winner joins a... »»»November 4, 2008 - Merle Haggard and Shelia Shipley Biddy will be honored by the Country Radio Broadcasters at the Country Music DJ and Radio Hall of Fame Dinner and Awards Ceremony on March 3, 2009. Haggard will receive the Career Achievement Award, while Shipley Biddy, who has worked at record companies and been a... »»»November 4, 2008 - Brad Paisley goes the instrumental route on many songs of his new CD, "Play." He also has a new single with Keith Urban, I>Start a Band. BB King and Steve Wariner also play on the disc.
Randy Owen is best known for fronting Alabama, but he goes out on his own on "One On One," a John Rich-produced disc... »»»November 3, 2008 - Jerry Douglas's set on West Virginia Public Broadcasting's "Mountain Stage" will air today and is currently up on the National Public Radio web site at http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=96514854. Douglas will also appear on "A Prairie Home Companion" this Friday, Nov. 7 and Saturday, Nov. 8.... »»»November 3, 2008 - Miley Cyrus, star of Disney's "Hannah Montana" and the upcoming Walt Disney Pictures animated film "Bolt," returns to the 42nd Annual CMA Awards CMA Awards to present a trophy alongside her father, Billy Ray Cyrus. They previously appeared together on the CMA Awards as presenters in 2006.... »»»November 3, 2008 - The Academy of Country Music announced today that open submissions for the 44th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards will begin for the radio awards categories on Monday, Nov. 10, earlier than usual to maximize the time that radio stations nationwide will have to prepare submissions.... »»»
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