March 31, 2009 - The Eli Young Band will make their national television debut this Thursday, April 2 on Jimmy Kimmel Live on ABC (12:05 a.m. eastern/11:05 p.m. central). The band will perform their current single Always The Love Songs, now 15 on the Mediabase chart and 16 on the R&R/Billboard Hot Country Singles Chart.... »»»March 31, 2009 - Jack Ingram is playing Cuba. The singer is touring U.S. military outposts in Cuba, playing four shows over five days through the USO. When he returns, look for Ingram to head to Las Vegas for the ACM Awards.
"The amazing thing about music is the places it'll take you if you're open to it," Ingram said.... »»»March 31, 2009 - "Conway Twitty, The Man, The Music, The Legend, The Musical," the story of the singer has told by his children, added country singer Elizabeth Cook to the cast. Cook will portray of one Conway's daughters, Joni Twitty, in the musical.
"We are thrilled to have Elizabeth Cook join our 'musical' family,"... »»»March 31, 2009 - It's a big day for new releases with superstar Keith Urban, Rodney Atkins, a well-respected, veteran trio of country performers and a few bluegrass albums from stars in that genre as well among the releases.
Urban is out with "Defying Gravity," (Capitol Nashville) which contains his 18th top 10 single, Sweet Thing.... »»»March 31, 2009 - Brad Paisley won Video of the Year for Waitin' on a Woman, and Paisley and Keith Urban duet took Vocal Event of the Year for Start a Band, the Academy of Country Music announced today.
For the video award, the producers were Mark Kalbfeld and Jim Shea, while Shea and Peter Tilden directed.... »»»March 30, 2009 - Mac McAnally, musician, songwriter and singer, is out with his first single for ShowDog Nashville You First. The song is the first from his upcoming debut CD for the label.
Last month, McAnally, a member of Jimmy Buffett's Coral Reefer Band, had a number song he wrote for Kenny Chesney, Down the Road.... »»»March 30, 2009 - Taylor Swift notches the fourth number one country single. White Horse, from Swift's triple-platinum Big Machine Records sophomore album "Fearless," claims the top spot atop the USA Today/Country Aircheck chart (powered by Mediabase), reaching a radio audience of more than 34 million listeners this week alone.... »»»March 30, 2009 - Joe Nichols' brand new single, Believers, arrives at radio today.
"This song is about passion - when people have passion about something, the sky's the limit," Nichols said. "It's also about believing in something bigger than what's right in front of you. There have been a lot of times in my life,... »»»March 30, 2009 - Ramblin' Jack Elliott will take to the road in support of his upcoming release, "A Stranger Here," due April 7 on Anti- Records. Produced by Joe Henry (Bettye LaVette, Solomon Burke, Elvis Costello/Allen Toussaint), "A Stranger Here" is a collection of pre-WWII blues songs, re-crafted with backing by... »»»March 30, 2009 - Lucinda Williams is cutting her fans a break due to the economy.
While unable to do anything about fees attached to her concert tickets, the singer will give fans a credit back at her merchandise table.
"I cannot, in good conscience, sit back and watch my fans get blatantly
gouged," said Williams.... »»»March 30, 2009 - Steve Wariner is working on a Chet Atkins tribute disc. Wariner is putting the finishing touches on the disc with plans to release it this summer.
Wariner self-produced the music, which will be on his own SelecTone label. The music is a combination of some songs that Atkins recorded and originals that... »»»March 29, 2009 - Reba McEntire will debut her new single, Strange, on the Academy of Country Music Awards live on CBS, Sunday, April 5 at 8 p.m. The single is the first from her upcoming disc, due out later this year. The full length will be her first album for the label after previously being with MCA Records.... »»»March 27, 2009 - Country Standard Time is going web only, suspending publication of the 16-year-old magazine. The lack of advertising for the free magazine was cited by owner Jeffrey B. Remz as the reason for closing Country Standard Time magazine.
"I tell people that I'm in two bad businesses - music and magazines," Remz said Friday.... »»»March 27, 2009 - Rodney Atkins is heading to New York next week to promote the release of his new album, "It's America" (Curb Records). Atkins and band will kick things off, Tuesday March 31 live on NBC's Today Show (10 a.m. eastern) performing the Top 5 hit It's America.
This is Atkins' follow up to platinum-selling... »»»March 27, 2009 - After a decade of success with Broken Bow Records, which launched the careers of Jason Aldean and Craig Morgan, President/CEO Benny Brown announced the opening of a new record label, Stoney Creek Records.
"I am extremely excited to expand our involvement within the Nashville music community," said... »»»March 27, 2009 - Kellie Pickler finally has a fan club. Members will receive the first chance at tickets to shows, photos and videos, a members-only message board, exclusive contests and giveaways and the chance too meet the singer. Members also qualify for merchandise discounts at her store, pre-sales on concert... »»»March 26, 2009 - Darius Rucker notched his second number 1 single with It Won't Be Like This For Long on the Billboard country song chart for the week ending April 4, while Taylor Swift continued atop the album chart with "Fearless."
Rucker previously was number one with Don't Think I Don't Think About It.... »»»March 26, 2009 - Roots rocker Duane Jarvis, also a member of the West Coast country community, is in hospice after a 16-month battle with colon cancer, the Los Angeles Times said Wednesday.
Jarvis played with Lucinda Williams, John Prine, Dwight Yoakam and Dave Alvin. He also released several albums, including "Far... »»»March 26, 2009 - Martina McBride and the National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline (NTDAH) partnered in a new program, My Time to Shine, in conjunction with the release of her new album "Shine."
As the mother of three daughters, McBride is involved in the need to increase awareness for teens and parents about teen dating... »»»March 26, 2009 - Dan Seals, a duo with John Ford Coley, died at 59 of cancer. Seals had 11 number 1 hits on the country charts between 195 and 1990, including 9 consecutive number 1 songs.
Seals was born Feb. 8, 1950 in McCarney, Texas. He lived in a two-room house with his parents, older brother Jimmy - of Seals &... »»»March 26, 2009 - Those Darlins, the country/punky trio from Murfreesboro, Tenn. will release their self-titled debut July 7 on their own Oh Wow Dang Records.
For vinyl lovers, the disc will be out June 23. The first single is Wild One. The group just played at SXSW in Austin to good... »»»March 26, 2009 - Carrie Hassler and Hard Rain have a new banjo player, Zach Gilmer.
The 17-year-old Virginia native began playing the banjo at age 10, began formal lessons at 14, and the same year placed third in the Virginia Folk Music Association's (VFMA) Junior Entertainer category. The following year, he placed... »»»March 25, 2009 - Taylor Swift will be first with "Fearless" when the Billboard country album chart is out Thursday. Carrie Underwood had a big leap, moving to second with "Carnival Ride." They were the only two country albums in the top 20 on the overall sales chart. Swift was 6th and Underwood 15th.... »»»March 25, 2009 - Gloriana was chosen by the Academy of Country Music to document their first trip to the Academy of Country Music Awards in Las Vegas for an exclusive web series at CBS.com. The group will give fans a special behind-the-scenes look at the days leading up to their first ACM experience.... »»»March 25, 2009 - Jason Aldean, Rodney Atkins, Jamey Johnson, Jake Owen and Taylor Swift are added to the performance lineup for the nightly concerts part of the 2009 CMA Music Festival at LP Field. The four-day festival takes place Thursday through Sunday, June 11-4 in Nashville.
"We are delighted to add four of... »»»March 25, 2009 - Family band Gold Heart signed with Rural Rhythm Records, it was announced Wednesday.
"The buzz on Gold Heart was incredible at last years IBMA World of Bluegrass convention, said label President, Sam Passamano, Jr. "This emerging new group seemed to be a main topic of many discussions regarding what new music is hot.... »»»March 25, 2009 - Emily West will release her new single That Kind of Happy to radio Monday, April 6. Sherrie Austin, Mallory Hope and Will Rambeaux wrote the song produced by Mark Bright.
"The first time I heard it, I was totally sold," said West, who released Rocks In Your Shoes last summer. "The melody terrified me... »»»March 24, 2009 - Dolly Parton, Merle Haggard, Harland Howard, Jerry Reed, Kenny Rogers, Randy Travis, and Hank Williams Jr. were among those named Tuesday to receive Academy of Country Music Awards. Awards to instrumentalists and venues also were disclosed by the ACMs, which are being held April 5 in Los Vegas.... »»»March 24, 2009 - Doyle Lawson celebrates 30 years of recording with Quicksilver with his 34th release - "Lonely Street" (Rounder) on May 5. The album, produced by Lawson, features 12 bluegrass and gospel tracks.
Lawson co-wrote one of the songs, Down Around Bear Cove, with Josh Swift. "Swift started this instrumental," said Lawson.... »»»March 24, 2009 - One half of Big & Rich, one of country's finest singers and a tribute disc to a Tex-Mex star are among the CDs out today.
John Rich is a busy guy. He has his duo with Kenny Alphin, aka Big & Rich. He is the driving force behind the reality country TV show "Gone Country." And he is active in writing... »»»March 23, 2009 - Elvis Costello is going back to roots, releasing an acoustic album in June recorded in Nashville with T Bone Burnett, according to Billboard.
"Secret, Profane & Sugarcane" swill be out June 2on Hear Music, part of Concord Records. In 1986, Costello released a country disc, "King of America," also produced by Burnett.... »»»March 23, 2009 - Love And Theft will make their debut on the Grand Ole Opry stage this Saturday, March 28.
"I grew up listening to and watching the Opry," said Love And Theft's Eric Gunderson "and it's definitely going to be a night I will remember forever."
"It's gonna be awesome taking that stage where so many... »»»March 23, 2009 - Brooks & Dunn, Jamie Foxx, Jack Ingram, Alan Jackson, Jamey Johnson, Miranda Lambert, Montgomery Gentry, John Rich, LeAnn Rimes, Blake Shelton and Lee Ann Womack will perform at the television taping of George Strait - ACM Artist of the Decade, An All Star Concert Special from the MGM Grand Garden Arena... »»»March 23, 2009 - Sissy's Song, the new video from Alan Jackson's number one selling album "Good Time," debuts today on CMT in heavy rotation and on GAC in power rotation. The song is the fourth single from the CD.
Jackson wrote it after the sudden death of Leslie "Sissy' Fitzgerald who worked in the Jackson household... »»»March 20, 2009 - Neal McCoy, Linda Davis and singer/songwriter Michael Martin Murphey will be inducted into the Texas Country Music Hall of Fame, according to Longview, Texas' News-Journal. The three will be inducted Aug.... »»»March 20, 2009 - Toby Keith will receive an award from a Marine Corps associated group later this month.
The Marine Corps-Law Enforcement Foundation will present Keith with the Johnny "Mike" Spann Memorial Semper Fidelis Award at its 14th annual New York City gala on March 26. Named for the Marine Corps captain-turned... »»»March 19, 2009 - Darius Rucker scored his second number one single on the Billboard country chart with It Won't Be Like This For Long. He took over the top from Keith Urban's Sweet Thing, which fell to third for the week ending March 28. Rucker previously had a number one with Don't Think I Don't Think About It.... »»»March 19, 2009 - Dierks Bentley, Brad Paisley Brooks & Dunn, John Rich and Montgomery Gentry were announced to appear at the 38 CMA Music Festival June 11-14, in Nashville.
Over four days, the event features concerts, autograph signings, family activities,and more.
Bentley, Brooks & Dunn, Montgomery Gentry, Paisley,... »»»March 19, 2009 - Martina McBride will be in New York for back-to-back appearances on NBC's Today, with an interview and performance airing Tuesday, March 24 and a second interview and performance to air in Today's 10 a.m. slot on Wednesday to coincide with the release of her new CD, "Shine."
The syndicated Live with... »»»March 19, 2009 - Lady Antebellum premiered a new music video for I Run To You on CMT.com this morning, which starts airing on CMT and GAC Monday.
The video, filmed by first-time director and Lady A's videographer Adam Boatman, intermingles a performance by the band with a pay-it-forward message of helping those around you.... »»»March 18, 2009 - Willie Nelson postponed six tour dates due to illness, according to his web site. The illness was not specified.
Postponed dates were March 17 in Lake Buena Vista, Fla.; March 18 in Melbourne, Fla., March 19 in Panama City, Fla., March 20 in Choctaw, Miss., March 21 in Marksville, La. and March 22 in Springdale, Ark.... »»»March 18, 2009 - Jonathan Singleton & The Grove just released the lead single Livin' In Paradise from their forthcoming debut album on Universal South. Dann Huff produced.
"At the time when we were writing this song, my wife and I were pretty broke," said Singleton. "This song basically says that it's not the big... »»»March 18, 2009 - John Rich's solo disc, "Son of a Preacher Man," comes out March 24 on Warner. The set features his hit single Shutting Detroit Down.
The music may not be available until next week from Rich, one-half of Big & Rich, but the iheartmusic web site enables listeners to stream the entire CD.... »»»March 18, 2009 - After pre-releasing their new single Here Comes Goodbye to iTunes last week, Rascal Flatts set the record for the largest first week digital scans for a country debut single, according to their publicist. According to Nielsen Soundscan, 126,000 copies of were sold last week.
It was not immediately... »»»March 17, 2009 - Radio & Records is no longer publishing an Americana music chart, nor including it in an email blast it sends out, but that didn't seem to bother the head of the Americana Music Association at all.
Josh Bennett, R&R, direct of music operations, said Tuesday, "We never did our own (chart).... »»»March 17, 2009 - Brad Paisley finished the Paisley Party Tour after seven months Saturday by playing the Sommet Center in Nashville. The show sold-out in advance and had more than 13,000 fans attending. Blues guitarist Robben Ford joined him on the show-closer, Let the Good Times Roll.
The tour played to more than... »»»March 17, 2009 - A left of center singer and a former member of Alabama debut new CDs today.
Jeff Cook was a founding members of Alabama, but now is on his own with "Ashes Won't Burn" (Quest) through digital download. Cook plays "country, soul and rock-n-roll," he says. The 12 songs include previously released... »»»March 17, 2009 - "Defying Gravity," Keith Urban's new album, will debut exclusively on iLike with a new track a day beginning today. The album drops March 31.
For the 11-day duration of the promotion, Urban will personally introduce each song from his new album via a daily video clip. iLike will syndicate the Urban... »»»March 16, 2009 - Jo Dee Messina's web site, www.jodeemessina.com will go dark the entire day of Earth Hour. Messina previously was announced as the Nashville Earth Hour 2009 celebrity spokeswoman to encourage people to turn off nonessential lights in their homes for one hour at 8:30 p.m. on March 28
When fans log onto... »»»March 16, 2009 - Sara Evans is turning author. Evans will publish her debut novel with Thomas Nelson later this year, part of a four-book deal. The novel will be out in conjunction with a new album by Evans on RCA Records. She is currently in the studio writing and recording and will perform at various tour dates throughout 2009.... »»»March 16, 2009 - Country Thunder Records, the home of Heartland, closed today, a victim of the stock market downturn.
"It's not a fun deal," said Herb Graham, who started the Nashville-based label. Graham cited the economy as the reason for the decision.
Heartland, who had a number one hit with I Loved Her First for... »»»March 16, 2009 - Songwriter McAnally, who just had an umber one hit singing with Kenny Chesney on Down the Road, now has a record deal again. He signed with Show Dog Nashville, Toby Keith's label.
"There's nobody more respected, at least when it comes to musicians and
people who really know this business, than Mac... »»»March 16, 2009 - Voting by the public for the entertainer of the year award presented by the Academy of Country Music starts today. Nominees include Kenny Chesney, Brad Paisley, George Strait, Carrie Underwood and Keith Urban.
People can vote by logging on to www.voteACM.com or www.cbs.com/acma.... »»»March 15, 2009 - Ryan Adams and actress Mandy Moore married Tuesday in a simple ceremony in Savannah, Ga., MTV reported Friday.
The two only became engaged about a month ago. The wedding ceremony lasted eight minutes. "She was thrilled to be getting married. She was giddy but not in a childish way.... »»»March 15, 2009 - Humorous country/rootsy singer Todd Snider is back with a label after going his own route. "The Excitement Plan" comes out June 9 on Yep Roc. Don Was produced the disc, which includes an appearance by Loretta Lynn.
"The Excitement Plan" is "an old gypsy term" Snider adopted from his father.... »»»March 13, 2009 - Brad Paisley is the favorite country artist in a poll released last week at the Country Radio Broadcasters conference, while Jimmy Wayne tops the list of the least favorite artists.
According to the survey, based on a scale of one to five, Paisley was rated at 4.5. Rounding out the top five were George Strait (4.... »»»March 13, 2009 - Taylor Swift, who has been in Australia for the past 10 days playing a series of sold-out concert dates, will take part this weekend in the Sound Relief concert in Sydney to help raise money for victims of the recent deadly Australian brush fires. Swift extended her Australia trip by several days when... »»»March 13, 2009 - The Red Stick Ramblers return on May 19 with "My Suitcase Is Always Packed," their fifth album and second for Sugar Hill Records. The Red Stick Ramblers offer a hybrid of Cajun, honky-tonk and swing.
The new disc contains 11 songs in both English and Cajun French and was produced by Gary Paczosa and Brandon Bell.... »»»
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March 13, 2009 - The Academy of Country Music today announced plans to unveil its newly re-branded charitable fund, ACM Lifting Lives at the 44th annual Academy of Country Music Awards. Trace Adkins will perform his song Til the Last Shot's Fired with the West Point Glee Club in support of Wounded Warrior Project... »»»March 12, 2009 - Not even Taylor Swift could stop the U2 onslaught. The rockers took over the number 1 spot as the best selling CD in the country with "No Line on the Horizon." That left Swift's "Fearless" in second with sales of 52,000 units, down 29 percent. U2 sold 484,000 units.
Keith Urban held down the number 1... »»»March 12, 2009 - Texas band The Belleville Outfit is gearing up to release "Time to Stand," the group's second album of roots music, May 12. The Belleville Outfit will preview cuts at Southwest by Southwest 2009 later this month and at its second appearance at MerleFest in April.
The group is comprised of Rob Teter... »»»March 12, 2009 - The ever busy Kenny Chesney will have yet another release out in May. "Greatest Hits: Vol 2" is slated to arrive on May 19 with a dozen of his biggest hits and Out Last Night, a brand new song written with Brett James over Christmas vacation
"It's hard to believe it's been eight years since we... »»»March 11, 2009 - American Idol will feature a Grand Ole Opry theme March 17 and 18 as contestants will select and perform songs popularized by Opry members.
Opry members Carrie Underwood and Randy Travis will sing together Travis' classic hit I Told You So, now also Underwood's latest single. Brad Paisley will make... »»»March 11, 2009 - Shooter Jennings will get the best of treatment when Universal South releases "Bad Magick: The Best of Shooter Jennings" and the .357's on Tuesday, March 24, the label announced today. The CD will contain 13 sons from Jennings' last 4 albums, plus two unreleased tracks.
Combining a blend of country,... »»»March 11, 2009 - Trace Adkins, Julianne Hough, Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert, Martina McBride and Reba McEntire will perform at the 2009 CMA Music Festival, it was announced Wednesday.
CMA Music Festival will be held Thursday through Sunday, June 11-14, in downtown Nashville. The event features concerts, autograph... »»»March 11, 2009 - Deborah Allen was hospitalized Friday with appendicitis after debuting a song the day before at the Country Radio Seminar event.
Allen previewed her new song There's A Last Time For Everything in Nashville. She wrote the song with Curtis Wright. The song can be heard at LastTimeForEverything.... »»»March 11, 2009 - Old 97's front man Rhett Miller will release a collection of new songs on June 9, his fourth solo album and the first on Shout! Factory. The self-titled album is the darkest of Miller's release, according to the label.
"My approach to songwriting has always been to take a heavy subject and put it to a bouncy tune.... »»»March 10, 2009 - The first of four songs from Rascal Flatts' upcoming CD "Unstoppable" is out today. Here Comes Goodbye, the first single, is available from iTunes as a single and music video. Rascal Flatts will pre-release three additional songs from "Unstoppable" via iTunes each consecutive Tuesday leading up to the... »»»March 10, 2009 - The Kentucky General Assembly cited the band Exile for its "extraordinary talent" spanning more than three decades of musical achievements. The citation was presented to the band March 2 following a brief performance on the floor of the House chamber for members of the state legislature.
Formed in Richmond, Ky.... »»»March 10, 2009 - Soulful country singer Ronnie Milsap goegs the gospel route on "Then Sings My Soul: 24 Favorite Hymns & Gospel Songs," (EMI CMG) which is out today. Songs on the two-CD set include I'll Fly Away, Amazing Grace,Stand By Me and People Get Ready.
Sometymes Why offers their Signature Sounds debut "Your... »»»March 9, 2009 - Jason Michael Carroll will see if he can match his chart-topping debut album and back-to-back top five singles of Alyssa Lies and Livin' Our Love Song with his second disc, "Growing Up Is Getting Old," set for release on April 28.
The disc reunites Carroll with producer Don Gehman (Hootie & The... »»»March 9, 2009 - Carrie Underwood recorded a remake of Motley Crue's Home Sweet Home for the new season of American Idol. The song, which debuts March 11, will air each week as the farewell theme for contestants leaving the show. "Home Sweet Home will release as a digital single, found exclusively at iTunes through... »»»March 9, 2009 - Randy Owen received the Artist Humanitarian Award from the Country Radio Broadcasters Friday. The group also handed out Radio Promotion Awards, Radio Humanitarian Award and Tom Rivers Humanitarian Award at their annual event.
Owen co-founded Country Cares for St. Jude Kids in 1989 after meeting St.... »»»March 9, 2009 - Townes Van Zandt was always one of Steve Earle's greatest influences, and now the singer will give him the tribute treatment. Earle will release "Townes" on May 12th via New West Records. The 15-song set is comprised of songs written by Van Zandt. "Townes" will also be available as a deluxe 2-CD set,... »»»March 8, 2009 - Hank Locklin, 91, who had hits with Send Me the Pillow You Dream On and Please Help Me, I'm Falling, died Sunday.
Locklin, was born Feb. 15, 1918 in McLellan, Fla. At age nine, Locklin was bedridden after getting hit by a school bus. He learned to play guitar and already had started singing at church.... »»»March 6, 2009 - Leg fractures will keep Jewel out of the Dancing With the Stars competition, which starts Monday. Jewel was slated to appear with her husband, Ty Murray.
Jewel and Access Hollywood host Nancy O'Dell were announced Thursday as needing to withdraw. Jewel suffered tibia fractures in both of her legs.... »»»March 6, 2009 - Julianne Hough, Jake Owen and Zac Brown Band were named Top New Female Vocalist, Top New Male Vocalist and Top New Vocal Duo or Group respectively by the Academy of Country Music. The three winners are now nominees for the Top New Artist award, which will be given out on the 44th Annual ACM Awards... »»»March 6, 2009 - About 40 percent of American adults are country music fans, according to a survey conducted for the Country Music Association released this week.
"They like the "free" nature of the medium. They appreciate that it is family-friendly and acceptable for all ages. They like the mood enhancing, energizing... »»»March 6, 2009 - Brad Paisley is not taking his time to put out a new album. "American Saturday Night" drops June 30. The disc marks Paisley's eighth studio album, including a holiday collection and his most recent release, last year's mostly-instrumental excursion, the chart-topping "Play."
The first single, Then,... »»»March 6, 2009 - A Del McCoury 5-CD box set, "Celebrating 50 Years of Del McCoury," will be out May 12 on his own label.
With more than 30 new recordings of songs from McCoury's first 40 years of performing and an additional 18 from the Del McCoury's Band most essential tracks of the last decade, this box set includes... »»»March 6, 2009 - The Dixie Bee-Liners are in the studio recording their second album for Pinecastle Records. The bluegrassers are once again being produced by Bil VornDick at his Nashville studio.
The title of the disc "Susanville." The release will be comprised of songs written by the band and is a theme disc about... »»»March 6, 2009 - Darryl Worley will have the first record out for the new Stroudavarious Records label. "Sounds Like Life" is set for a June 9 release.
Stroudavarious was started by music veteran James Stroud, who signed Worley to his very first record contract and who helped him rise to national prominence.... »»»March 6, 2009 - The Oak Ridge Boys will participate in this year's South by Southwest (SXSW) Music Conference and Festival, scheduled to take place Wednesday, March 18 - 22 in Austin.
The Oak Ridge Boys will sit down for a SXSW Interview on Thursday March 19 at the Austin Convention Center. The group will expound upon... »»»March 6, 2009 - Toby Keith, Miranda Lambert, Tim McGraw, Heidi Newfield, Rascal Flatts, Sugarland and Taylor Swift will perform as part of the 44th annual Academy of Country Music Awards.
The ceremony, hosted by Reba McEntire, will be held in Las Vegas on Sunday, April 5 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on CBS.... »»»March 5, 2009 - Taylor Swift and Keith Swift are first on the Billboard overall top 200 album and country song chart for the week ending March 14 with "Fearless" and Sweet Thing respectively.
On the song chart, Urban moved from third to first, knocking out Toby Keith's God Love Her, which slipped to second.... »»»March 5, 2009 - A new show is coming to Grand Ole Opry and WSM every Thursday night from 7-9 p.m. beginning March 26. Opry Country Classics will feature the traditional country songs performed by the legends and today's superstars in country.
To kickoff this one-of-a-kind show, WSM listeners can purchase tickets for... »»»March 5, 2009 - If you can't make it down to Nashville tonight to hear Jamey Johnson and Holly Williams performing at The Stage on Broadway in Nashville, check out the performance on the web.
The show will be at Johnson's web site, www.jameyjohnson.com. Label mate Williams will open the show at 11 p.m.... »»»March 5, 2009 - For the first time since Johnny and Rosanne Cash did it, a father and daughter made the Billboard country song chart with different songs. Miley Cyrus debuts with The Climb (Walt Disney/Hollywood/Lyric Street) at 48 and father Billy Ray bows with Back to Tennessee (Walt Disney/Lyric Street) at 59 on... »»»March 5, 2009 - Gloriana will make their Grand Ole Opry debut this Friday, March 6. Gloriana just released their single Wild At Heart, from their forthcoming debut album on Emblem Music Group.
"Performing at the Grand Ole Opry is really a dream come true for all
four of us. We are so thankful and honored that at... »»»March 5, 2009 - Taylor Swift, George Strait, Jamey Johnson, Carrie Underwood and Montgomery Gentry are the nominees for top album at the Academy of Country Music Awards. Most of the nominees were announced last month, but on Thursday the ACM announced these nominations because of a change in rules.... »»»March 4, 2009 - Taylor Swift will have the number one album in the U.S. once again tomorrow when the charts are released with "Fearless." The disc had a sales increase of 18 percent, selling 73,000 copies, according to Nielsen SoundScan. This marks Swift's 11th week at the top since the disc's November release.... »»»March 4, 2009 - The Country Music Association is donating more than $1 million to Nashville's more than 75,000 public school children from 2008 CMA Music Festival. CMA's "Keep the Music Playing" program funds music education in Metro Nashville in partnership with the Nashville Alliance for Public Education (NAPE), it announced today.... »»»March 4, 2009 - Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out released their first single from their upcoming CD. "Hard Rock Mountain Prison" became available Tuesday on-line. This is the longstanding bluegrass band's first release for their new label, Rural Rhythm Records.
A self-titled disc should be out May 19 with a dozen songs of new music.... »»»March 4, 2009 - Taylor Swift, who this week spends her 11th week at number 1 on Billboard's Top 200 all-genre sales album chart, guest stars tomorrow night on one of her all-time favorite TV shows, the top-rated CSI: Crime Scene Investigation.
CSI airs nationwide on the CBS network at 9 p.m. ET/PT.... »»»March 4, 2009 - The Sweetback Sisters, a honky tonk, alt.-country band from Brooklyn, inked a record deal with Signature Sounds. "Chicken Ain't Chicken" will be out June 16. Eric Merrill, who has produced Crooked Still, produced the Sweetbacks.
The band covers songs by Josh Ritter, Ray Price and Roger Miller.... »»»March 4, 2009 - Merle Haggard received the Career Achievement Award Tuesday from the Country Radio Broadcasters at their annual get together.
Jack Ingram performed Are the Good Times Really Over and Emmylou Harris performed Kern River prior to Haggard's reception of the Career Achievement Award.... »»»March 4, 2009 - Luke Bryan will release an iTunes exclusive "Spring Break With All My Friends" next Tuesday, containing two new songs.
The EP includes an acoustic version of his top 5 debut it All My Friends Say and two songs he wrote to perform in all the college towns he plays throughout the year - Take My Drunk Ass... »»»March 3, 2009 - Dave Alvin will lead his new band The Guilty Women on their new self-titled album due out May 26 on Yep Roc Records. That's the same day the Alvin-curated tribute to late friend and band mate Chris Gaffney, "Man of Somebody's Dreams: A Tribute to the Songs of Chris Gaffney" will be out.... »»»March 3, 2009 - The original 24-track analog recording of a Johnny Cash concert on July 28, 1990 at the Paramount Theater, Asbury Park, N.J. - "The Great Lost Performance" - is on eBay. The auction ends March 11 and has a starting price of $4,999.
This collection of music consists of 3 2-inch, 24-track tapes on 14-inch reels.... »»»March 3, 2009 - Three veterans and one relative newcomer with deep music roots are out with new albums today.
Following two albums of covers, Raul Malo releases his first album of original material in seven years, "Lucky One" (Fantasy). The first single is Hello Again. Steve Berlin of Los Lobos fame produced the... »»»March 3, 2009 - Keith Urban fans will get a bit more than "Defying Gravity" if they act early.
Urban releases his new CD March 31, but that will preceded by releasing a song a week from the CD. For those doing so on iTunes and buying the rest of the album within two weeks of release, they will receive a bonus track, Call My Name.... »»»March 3, 2009 - Joe Nichols kicked off a multi- city tour of Australia Feb. 27 in Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia and will spend 10 days touring the country. These dates mark the artist's first ever tour of Australia, and has been dubbed the Size Matters Tour.
"I've always been told that Australians love country... »»»March 3, 2009 - Music fans looking to go to the annual MerleFest in North Carolina in April will receive a discount on their tickets if bought before Friday, April 3. That is the last day to purchase 4-day and 3-day tickets at the early bird price, representing an average 10-percent discount.
"During these economic... »»»March 2, 2009 - Toby Keith America's Toughest Tour will continue the road warrior ways of its leader this summer. Trace Adkins will open the shows, which start June 18 in Holmdel, N.J.
Stops are planned in Boston, Charlotte, Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Dallas, Buffalo, Washington, DC, Hartford, Indianapolis,... »»»March 2, 2009 - Little Big Town has opening acts for its A Place to Land tour - four of them. The bands ranging from North Dakota to Nashville and Kentucky were picked by fans in a nation-wide contest.
The winners are Josey Greenwell from Bardstown, Ky.; 32 Below from Fargo, N.D.; Corinne Chapman from Nashville and J.W.... »»»March 2, 2009 - Tracy Lawrence is going a different route - the inspirational path - with his new single Up To Him from the inspirational country music compilation "The Rock."
The CD, produced by Lawrence and Julian King, will be out in June, the second from his label. Up To Him goes to country and Christian radio... »»»March 2, 2009 - Jason Aldean will film a live concert DVD in front of a sold out crowd of 4,600 on Friday, March 6. The hi-definition DVD, produced by Barry Ehrmann and directed by Ivan Dudynsky, will be filmed at the Knoxville Coliseum in Knoxville, Tenn. for release this year.
"Making a live DVD has been a dream... »»»March 2, 2009 - Ernie Ashworth, longtime star of the Grand Ole Opry, died in Nashville today at 80. Ashworth's heyday was in the 1960s with the number 1 song Talk Back Trembling Lips.
Born Ernest Bert Ashworth in Huntsville, Ala. on Dec. 15, 1928, he began his career singing on Huntsville radio station WBHP.... »»»March 2, 2009 - Randy Travis' fifth greatest hits album "I Told You So: The Ultimate Hits of Randy Travis" comes out March 17 with 2 new tracks, it was announced today. The 2-CD, 32-track album includes Forever and Ever Amen, Three Wooden Crosses and the album's first single Turn It Around, which will impact radio on March 12.... »»»March 2, 2009 - Jo Dee Messina will launch the five-week Music Room Series tour, a combo of song and story behind the song, in April.
The tour, which starts April 16 in New York, is centered around Messina's music and the stories behind hits like Heads Carolina, Tails California, I'm Alright, Bye Bye and Bring On The Rain.... »»»March 2, 2009 - The Honky Tonk Tailgate Party, headed up by Mark Wills, kicks off in Dallas on April 17, at Gilley's. Wills invited Trent Willmon to return and with Jeff Bates also playing.
"I am so excited to get back on the road and start performing with my buds again," said Wills. "The Honky Tonk Tailgate Party... »»»March 2, 2009 - Rootsy musician Tim Easton will be back with his fifth album, "Porcupine," April 28 on New West Records. The Joshua Tree, Cal. resident's sound is rooted in blues, rock and. Easton will be on the road with a band, including a stop in Austin for South By Southwest.
Easton returned to Alex The Great and... »»»March 1, 2009 - Jack Black, better known for his acting than his music, made his Grand Ole Opry debut Saturday night at the Ryman Auditorium. Black joined his father-in-law Charlie Haden, along with Haden's triplet daughters and son, on stage as they appeared on the Opry to promote Haden's Grammy nominated CD "Rambling Boy.... »»»
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