November 30, 2011 - Taylor Swift and Jason Aldean led the country contingent with three Grammy nominations on Wednesday, including Best Country Solo Performance and Best Country Album.
The Band Perry will compete for Best New Artist. The trio will go up against Bon Iver, J. Cole, Nicki Minaj and Skillrex.... »»»November 30, 2011 - Mindy McCready must return her five-year-old son by Thursday or face arrest. While reports surfaced that McCready was missing, her publicist said that was not the case.
An Associated Press story said McCready talked with Florida police today and knew of the court order to return her son by Thursday at 5 p.m.... »»»November 30, 2011 - Tim McGraw is apparently a free man.
McGraw won a favorable ruling from Davidson County Chancery Court Chancellor Russell Perkins. He denied Curb Records' request for an injunction against McGraw during a hearing in Nashville.
McGraw has been very unhappy with the label, and the two have countersued each other.... »»»November 30, 2011 - The tributes to Bill Monroe continue in the centennial year of his birth because Tony Rice's "The Bill Monroe Collection" is coming out on Rounder Records on Jan. 31, 2012.
Rice recorded the music over 15 years. The material, consisting of major songs and instrumentals by Monroe, was recorded in a... »»»November 29, 2011 - The Country Music Association's CMA Songwriters Series is coming to England and Ireland for the first time with performances in February 2012 scheduled for London, Belfast and Dublin, CMA Chief Executive Officer Steve Moore announced today.
Bill Anderson, Clint Black and host Bob DiPiero will head overseas.... »»»November 29, 2011 - Alison Krauss & Union Station featuring Jerry Douglas were added to MerleFest 25.
MerleFest 25, presented by Lowe's, is slated for April 26 - 29, 2012, and will once again take place on the campus of Wilkes Community College in Wilkesboro, N.C. Krauss and band appear on the closing day.... »»»November 28, 2011 - Two Indianapolis women allegedly filed false injury claims with the state to obtain money set aside in the wake of the Indiana State Fair tragedy at a Sugarland concert, according to the Indianapolis Star.
Investigators say neither women was at the fair on Aug. 13 when a sudden wind kicked up,... »»»November 28, 2011 - Toby Keith's Red Solo Cup is officially the second single from "Clancy's Tavern" after the song became a viral hit.
While the collection's first single, Made In America, shot to number one, its successor has a head start. Already the to downloaded country song, the video has surpassed 4 million web... »»»November 28, 2011 - Lady Antebellum's anthemic We Owned the Night takes the top spot on the Billboard Country Singles chart this week, marking the trio's sixth career number one hit.
Brantley Gilbert had his first number one hit this past week with Country Must Be Country Wide.
Lady Antebellum already scored big... »»»November 28, 2011 - Keith Urban underwent successful vocal chord surgery last week for a polyp.
Urban will not be able to speak or sing for about three weeks. He was "doing fine," A Taste of Country quoted a spokesperson as saying.
"It's not an uncommon thing, and we've certainly been seeing a lot of it recently too,... »»»November 28, 2011 - Wayne Scott, who released his first album at 71 with the help of his son, Darrell, died on Friday at 77 after a car accident.
Darrell Scott said on his web site that his father apparently ran a red light in front of a semi-trailer in Corbin, Ky.
"I feel certain he was listening to music," Darrell... »»»November 28, 2011 - The Little Willies are playing three shows this week setting the stage for the release of its second disc, "For the Good Times," in January.
The band will tape Woodsongs Old Time Radio Hour on Nov. 28 in Lexington, Ky., which will air in early 2012. The show will air live at 6:59 p.m.... »»»November 27, 2011 - Kid Rock 's on-going club tour has raised more than $375,000 over the course of the 12-date run for local charities.
As the single Care from his "Born Free" CD is on the charts, Kid Rock premiered a video last week directed by Mark Pellington (first known for his video for Pearl Jam's haunting... »»»November 25, 2011 - Taylor Swift and Reba McEntire will headline the third Capital Hoedown in Ontario, Canada next August.
Brad Paisley, The Band Perry, Ronnie Dunn, Terri Clark and Canadian artists Gord Bamford, Dean Brody, Tara Oram, Marshall Dane, Chad Brownlee and High Valley also will perform in the Aug. 10-12, 2012 festival.... »»»November 24, 2011 - Brantley Gilbert scored his first number one song with Country Must Be Country Wide taking over the Billboard Country Songs chart for the week ending Dec. 3. On the album chart, Scotty McCreery was first, taking over from Miranda Lambert's "Four the Record," which dropped to third.... »»»November 23, 2011 - Sugarland was sued by almost 50 people in connection with the deadly collapse of their stage rigging in Indianapolis at the Indiana State Fair. The duo was named by 44 survivors in a lawsuit fled Tuesday in Marion Superior Court in Indianapolis. Four people died in the tragedy.
The complaints alleged... »»»November 23, 2011 - Jimmy Wayne will perform the National Anthem when the New Orleans Saints take on the New York Giants Monday Nov. 28. The game will be broadcast on ESPN beginning at 8:30 p.m. Eastern.
Wayne is the author of the newly released book, "Paper Angels" (Howard Books/Simon & Schuster).... »»»November 22, 2011 - The Farm's debut single, Home Sweet Home, was recently released.
The song, currently charting at 46 on Mediabase, comes the trio of Nick Hoffman (vocals, fiddle), Damien Horne (vocals, keyboard, guitar) and Krista Marie (vocals, guitar). The trio, who are on All In/Elektra Nashville/New Revolution,... »»»November 22, 2011 - Joey + Rory taped a television special, "Country's Family Reunion Presents Joey+Rory's A Farmhouse Christmas." The hour-long special will make its debut during the time slot of RFD-TV's "Country Family Reunion" show at 7 p.m. central on Friday, Nov. 25.
"We got to know Larry (Black) when we were... »»»November 22, 2011 - Alabama will receive the Greatest Hits Award at the American Country Awards in Las Vegas on Monday, Dec. 5. The veteran band, which gave its farewell tour in 2003, also will perform during the broadcast.
The Greatest Hits Award is presented to a country music act that has produced an extensive... »»»November 21, 2011 - Brantley Gilbert has turned the lyrics of his current single, Country Must Be Country Wide into his own reality because the song went number one this week for the singer's first chart topper.
The song is the first single off of Brantley's sophomore album "Halfway to Heaven Deluxe," which debuted... »»»November 21, 2011 - Dierks Bentley wrapped the first leg of his 2011 Country & Cold Cans Tour this weekend with sold out shows in Boise, Idaho, Bozeman, Mont. and Denver.
"It has been a great run to end the tour on...the fans out West came ready to party. The crowd in Boise set a record for beer sales.... »»»November 21, 2011 - Eric Church is bringing his The Blood, Sweat & Beers Tour to more than 50 cities in 2012, he announced today.
Church starts the tour Jan. 19 in Fort Smith, Ark. with announced dates through March in Orange Beach Ala. He is touring behind his third disc, "Chief." The disc contains the hits Homebody and... »»»November 18, 2011 - Alan Jackson and Kix Brooks - the newest members of the Music City Walk of Fame on downtown Nashville's Music Mile - will appear on "Masters Series," premiering Monday, Nov. 21at 10 p.m. Eastern on Great American Country.
Viewers will be treated to the induction of the current class that includes Peter... »»»November 18, 2011 - Alison Krauss, Kris Kristofferson, Dierks Bentley and The Band Perry have a high-powered gig on Monday - they're going to play the White House.
"Country Music: In Performance at the White House" will be a PBS music special recorded in the East Room of the White House. President and Mrs. Obama will host the event.... »»»November 17, 2011 - Taylor Swift climbed to the top of the Billboard Country Songs chart with Sparks Fly. Miranda Lambert held onto the top of the Billboard Country Albums chart for the week ending Nov. 26 with "Four the Record."
On the song chart, Blake Shelton stayed second with God Gave Me You.... »»»November 17, 2011 - Gloriana will perform on NBC's The Tonight Show With Jay Leno on Thanksgiving Eve, Wednesday, Nov. 23.
As a means of expressing thanks to the U.S. armed forces, Leno will host a special show for U.S. military personnel with the audience made up of representatives from each of the five branches of the U.S.... »»»November 17, 2011 - Carrie Underwood is the first artist announced to play the 2012 CMA Music Festival in Nashville. Underwood will play one of the nightly concerts at LP Field.
The festival is slated for Thursday through Sunday, June 7-10 inn downtown Nashville. The event will once again be filmed for an ABC special... »»»November 17, 2011 - Craig Campbell will be the special guest this weekend on CMT's Southern Fried Flicks With Hazel Smith.
The episode, which also features CMT original film "Reel Love" starring LeAnn Rimes and Burt Reynolds, premieres this Saturday, Nov. 19 at 8 p.m. Eastern.
Campbell and Smith will discuss southern... »»»November 17, 2011 - Josh Thompson released Comin' Around as the lead single from his second studio album, due out next year.
Thompson teamed up with Kendell Marvel and Rodney Clawson to pen the song, which offers an introspective look at how growing up can sometimes draw people back to the places and things they once... »»»November 16, 2011 - Billy Currington is set to kick off 2012 with his first headlining tour.
Currington, who toured with Kenny Chesney's Goin Coastal tour throughout this year, invited label mates David Nail and Kip Moore to go out on the road with him.
Exact dates for the tour have not been announced.... »»»November 16, 2011 - Taylor Swift will be profiled this Sunday on CBS 60 Minutes. The segment includes concert and backstage footage from Swift's Speak Now World Tour, and correspondent Lesley Stahl's in-depth report offers viewers a candid conversation with the singer and a first-ever glimpse inside her Nashville condominium.... »»»November 16, 2011 - The CMA Songwriters Series once again returns to New York City's Joe's Pub, on Sunday, Dec. 18 with four hit songwriters.
Writers participating are Tim Nichols (Live Like You Were Dying recorded by Tim McGraw, I'd Rather Ride Around With You recorded by Reba, and I'll Think of a Reason Later,... »»»November 16, 2011 - Trace Adkins is country music's Sexiest Man. At least that's what Country Weekly voters said.
Adkins will be the cover story of the magazine this Friday. As a thanks, Adkins is making a live version of Million Dollar View available for download on both TraceAdkins.com and CountryWeekly.com, beginning today.... »»»November 15, 2011 - Rodney Atkins will perform at the 2011 National Christmas Tree Lighting festivities on Thursday, Dec. 1 in Washington, D.C. Atkins will join television and radio personality Carson Daly who is hosting the event with additional musical performances from OneRepublic and singer-songwriter Marsha Ambrosius.... »»»November 15, 2011 - A new Glen Campbell disc recorded three decades ago will see the light of day in January.
Campbell's 1975 "Live in Japan" was originally issued only across the Pacific. The album will receive its worldwide CD release on Jan. 24, 2012 on Real Gone Music, which is distributed by Razor & Tie.... »»»November 15, 2011 - David Nail releases his second disc, "The Sound Of A Million Dreams" (MCA Nashville) today, the lone major release. Nail's debut did pretty well. "I'm About To Come Alive" earned Nail a Grammy nomination for Best Male Vocal Country Performance for his hit Turning Home and an Academy of Country Music... »»»November 15, 2011 - Blake Shelton will headline the Coca-Cola Racing Family Concert at NASCAR Championship Drive Thursday, Nov. 17 at the Homestead-Miami Speedway in Miami Beach.
Multi-talented musician, writer, producer and singer Hunter Hayes, who just released his debut in October, will be the featured guest.... »»»November 14, 2011 - Sunny Sweeney tied the knot on Friday in Las Vegas, marrying long-time beau, Jeff Hellmer.
Sweeney and her new husband, a sergeant with the Austin Police Department and former Staff Sergeant in the US Air Force, got married at the iconic A Little White Chapel in Las Vegas surrounded by a small group... »»»November 14, 2011 - Love and Theft released their debut single, Angel Eyes, on RCA Records Nashville today.
It could be a lucky day as well for Love and Theft - Stephen Barker Liles and Eric Gunderson - because
Nov. 14 is Liles' mother Susie's birthday and Gunderson's mother Cheryl's birthday.... »»»November 14, 2011 - Dierks Bentley announced today that his sixth Capitol Nashville studio album, "Home," will be out Feb. 7, 2012.
The upcoming album's anthemic title single was released to iTunes last week and hit the Top 10. Am I The Only One was the first single from the disc and became Bentley's eighth career number one.... »»»November 14, 2011 - Kenny Chesney and Tim McGraw will reunite for the Brothers of the Sun Tour this summer for a 19-date stadium tour.
"Tim and I have been great friends since we first toured together, and I can't wait to get back on the road with him," Chesney said. "He's one of my closest friends in music and in... »»»November 11, 2011 - Blake Shelton, Dierks Bentley and Big & Rich will headline the 19th Country Thunder Arizona.
The festival is scheduled for April 12-15, 2012 at Canyon Moon Ranch in Florence, Ariz.
Bentley will officially kick off the festival on Thursday night, while Big & Rich will headline Friday's show.... »»»
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November 11, 2011 - Rascal Flatts, will kick-off a special Thanksgiving week all-star line-up on NBC's Today as part of the Toyota Concert Series on the plaza in Rockefeller Center. The band will perform on the morning show Monday, Nov. 21 and will be joined by Natasha Bedingfield on their current hit Easy from current... »»»November 11, 2011 - Lady Antebellum's third disc, "Own the Night," was certified Platinum by the RIAA for sales of 1 million units 4 weeks after its release. The group has now sold a career total of 7 million albums worldwide and on Wednesday night claimed its third consecutive CMA "Vocal Group of the Year" trophy.... »»»November 11, 2011 - In celebration of Veterans Day, Gloriana released Soldier Song today from their forthcoming second studio album on Emblem Music Group/ Warner as a free download for 24 hours today exclusively at www.gloriana.com/soldiersong.
The song, written by band members Tom and Mike Gossin and producer Matt... »»»November 10, 2011 - Miranda Lambert capped off a big week by topping the Billboard Country Albums chart with "Four the Record" for the week ending Nov. 19. Lambert won the CMA Female Vocalist award on Wednesday night. Lambert took over for Toby Keith's "Clancy's Tavern," which fell to third. Eli Young Band scored its... »»»November 10, 2011 - The night was "surreal" for The Band Perry.
The trio won three Country Music Association awards on Wednesday: New Artist of the Year and Single and Song of the Year, although the latter actually went to Kimberly Perry as the writer of If I Die Young.
"Growing up, we watched the CMA Awards every year,... »»»November 10, 2011 - Lauren Alaina will kick off the first game of the NFL's Thanksgiving Day tripleheader with a televised performance of the national anthem between host Detroit Lions and the Green Bay Packers on Thursday, Nov. 24 at 12:30 p.m. Eastern on Fox.
Alaina will be joined by PLAY 60 youth ambassadors from the... »»»November 10, 2011 - FOX News Channel entertainment producer Ashley Dvorkin received the CMA Media Achievement Award backstage in the media center Wednesday during the CMA Awards.
"It is such an honor to receive this award from the CMA member publicists," said Dvorkin. "Thank you to everyone involved.... »»»November 10, 2011 - Taylor Swift became the second woman ever to win the CMA Entertainer of the Year award two years in a row.
Until last night's award, Barbara Mandrell was the only woman to have done so. Alabama, Hank Williams Jr., George Strait, Garth Brooks, Vince Gill, Alan Jackson and Kenny Chesney all won it more than once.... »»»November 10, 2011 - Vince Gill will host the America's Opry Weekend Thanksgiving Special slated to air on radio Nov. 23-27. The radio program will celebrate Thanksgiving and the beginning of a music-filled holiday season, with Gill playing some of the year's biggest hits about life, home, and thanks.... »»»November 9, 2011 - Taylor Swift scored the biggest honor of the night at the 45th Country Music Association awards - Entertainer of the Year.
Swift jumped to her feet and gave hugs to her mother and Tim McGraw.
"I'm so happy right now. This is for fans who filled those stadiums...all over the world this year. This is so amazing.... »»»November 9, 2011 - ABC and the Country Music Association extended their broadcast agreement through 2021, ABC Entertainment Group President Paul Lee and CMA Chief Executive Officer Steve Moore announced today. The CMA Awards, the CMA Festival: Country's Night to Rock and the CMA Country Christmas will be on ABC for another decade.... »»»November 9, 2011 - Are Big Machine's days numbered?
That could be the case because Sony Music is reportedly interested in buying the home of Taylor Swift, according to an article in today's Bloomberg News.
The financial journal said Sony was in negotiations with the six-year-old label," according to two people with... »»»November 9, 2011 - Tonight's the night for the Country Music Association. Jason Aldean, Brad Paisley, Blake Shelton, Taylor Swift and Keith Urban vie for Entertainer of the Year at the CMA Awards in Nashville.
The show, which starts at 8 p.m. on ABC, features more than 20 performances by nearly 30 artists.... »»»November 9, 2011 - Miranda Lambert made history with her new album "Four The Record," which debuts atop Billboard's Top Country Albums chart. Lambert becomes the first country artist in the 47-year history of the chart to have each of her first four albums debut at number one.
With more than 133,000 albums sold,... »»»November 8, 2011 - Robert Plant, Emmylou Harris, Gregg Allman, Alison Krauss, The Avett Brothers and The Civil Wars will appear on "ACL Presents: Americana Music Festival," airing starting Nov. 19 on PBS stations nationwide (check local listings).
The hour-long special was filmed live at the Ryman Auditorium on Oct.... »»»November 8, 2011 - The Civil Wars will release "Tracks In The Snow" as a special edition 10" vinyl exclusive to Record Store Day's Black Friday (Nov. 25) installment.
Pressed on white vinyl, this four-song holiday record features an original title track, a stripped down rendition of the hymn O Come O Come Emmanuel, as... »»»November 8, 2011 - The McClymonts won the 2011 CMA Global Country Artist Award, it was announced Monday.
The Australian sisters - Brooke, Samantha and Mollie McClymont - were presented with the honor during the annual CMA International Reception as part of festivities around the 45th Annual CMA Awards.... »»»November 8, 2011 - Dailey & Vincent will explore the gospel bent of their music on "The Gospel Side of Dailey & Vincent," out Jan. 9, 2012 on Cracker Barrel. The project will be the duo's first-ever gospel album and their second CD with the Cracker Barrel.
Three-time International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA)... »»»November 8, 2011 - Joe Nichols is the lone major CD release today, although Rascal Flatts has a live concert DVD out.
Nichols is out with "It's All Good," a 10-song collection. The single is Take It Off. Buddy Cannon and Mark Wright both had hands in producing the music.
Rascal Flatts is out with "The Best of Rascal... »»»November 7, 2011 - Craig Morgan does it all these days - TV, football and even music.
Late last week, Morgan visited the set of the hit Lifetime series "Army Wives" where he filmed a guest appearance for the show's sixth season, set to air in early 2012.
A 10-year Army veteran, Morgan also took to the football field... »»»November 7, 2011 - The Eli Young Band is celebrating their first number one hit with Crazy Girl on both the Billboard Hot Country Singles Chart and the USA Today/Country Aircheck powered by Medibase Chart.
EYB took over the top from Blake Shelton's God Gave Me You.
Over the weekend, Dierks Bentley surprised Eli... »»»November 6, 2011 - Brad Paisley won the ASCAP Songwriter/Artist of the Year Saturday from the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers at its 49th annual country music awards on Sunday in Nashville, while The House That Built Me was the Country Song of the Year.
The writers of country music's most performed... »»»November 4, 2011 - International Bluegrass Music Association Executive Director Dan Hays announced today he is resigning after 21 years.
Hays will leave in February 2012. The IBMA booard announced that its Executive Committee - Executive Chairman Stan Zdonik; Vice-Chair Jon Weisberger; and Board members Craig... »»»November 4, 2011 - Shelby Lynne will appear in the live broadcast of the 85th Anniversary Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade from New York City.
Riding on the Marion-Carole Showboat float, Lynne will perform Ain't Nothin' Like Christmas, an original song from her first-ever holiday album, "Merry Christmas.... »»»November 4, 2011 - Abigail Washburn and her band the Village will embark on a tour along the Silk Road of Mongolia and Western China, in an effort to build cultural bridges by collaborating with local musicians in a tour starting later this month. She currently is touring the U.S. on the East Coast.
Sponsored by the U.S.... »»»November 3, 2011 - Lauren Alaina, Dierks Bentley, Billy Currington, Jake Owen, Kellie Pickler, Reba McEntire and LeAnn Rimes are the first artists and celebrities to be announced as presenters on the 45th Annual CMA Awards.
Run with the previously-announced Sugarland. Nathanson and Sugarland co-wrote the song and... »»»November 3, 2011 - Toby Keith debuted in first with "Clancy's Tavern" on the Billboard Country Albums chart for the week ending Nov. 12. Blake Shelton led the Billboard Country Songs chart with God Gave Me You.
Keith took over the top spot from Scotty McCreery whose "Clear As Day" fell to second.... »»»November 3, 2011 - Keith Urban will undergo throat surgery later this month, to remove a polyp which has developed on his vocal chords.
The surgery, an out-patient procedure, while minor, will require complete voice rest followed by an undetermined period of recuperation that will require the postponement of the 'All... »»»November 3, 2011 - Faith Hill's new single, Come Home, will be out next Wednesday, followed by her first television performance of the song on ABC's broadcast of the 45th Annual Country Music Awards, a show on which Hill hasn't appeared in five years. Immediately following it's premiere on country radio the song will be... »»»November 3, 2011 - Jimmy Wayne debuted as a writer this week. The fictional account of his childhood, "Paper Angels," was released Tuesday by Howard Books, an imprint of Simon & Schuster. The release marks singer's debut as an author, and is a work of fiction inspired by Jimmy's own childhood as a recipient of the... »»»November 2, 2011 - Toby Keith will have the top country CD in the U.S. when the Billboard charts are released Thursday. "Clancy's Tavern" was fifth on the overall chart with 69,000 units sold. Keith was behind Coldplay, which debuted in first with "Mylo Xyloto," selling 447,000 units.
Scotty McCreery was second on the... »»»November 2, 2011 - Amy Grant and Vince Gill will embark on their sixth Christmas tour. The Twelve Days Of Christmas - Amy Grant & Vince Gill kicks off Dec. 7 in Baltimore and wraps with two shows in Nashville at the Ryman Auditorium justy before the holiday.
"Christmas audiences are special," said Grant.... »»»November 2, 2011 - Blake Shelton invited Kenny Loggins to join him during a performance of the classic hit Footloose as the opening song for the 45th Annual CMA Awards next Wednesday in Nashville.
Written by Loggins and Dean Pitchford as the title song for the motion picture of the same name, "Footloose" was a number 1... »»»November 2, 2011 - For the third consecutive year, all available tickets for the 45th Annual CMA Awards are sold out.
The awards, hosted for the fourth year by Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood, air live from the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Wednesday, Nov. 9 at 8 p.m. eastern on ABC.
"The Awards have sold out... »»»November 1, 2011 - Brad Paisley published his first major book, "Diary of a Player," with Howard Books, an imprint of Simon and Schuster, today.
The book was co-written with David Wild, a contributing editor to Rolling Stone.
Tune-in to see Paisley give personal insight on the writing of the book tonight on ABC's Nightline 11:30 p.... »»»November 1, 2011 - Reba will hos the 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards Ceremony on Dec. 2 at Wynn Las Vegas.
The ceremony honors the 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup champion and other drivers who finished in the top 10 of the final series standings.
In addition to her host duties, Reba will perform Turn on the Radio from... »»»November 1, 2011 - Dailey & Vincent, Sam Bush, Bela Fleck & The Flecktons, the Punch Brothers featuring Chris Thile, Jim Lauderdale, Marty Stuart and the Fabulous Superlatives and Tedeschi Trucks Band will play MerleFest 25, slated for April 26 - 29, 2012, at Wilkes Community College in Wilkesboro, N.C.... »»»November 1, 2011 - Willie Nelson is reaching way way back with his next release - a covers album mainly of songs from the 1950s.
"Remember Me, Vol. 1" will be out Nov. 21 on R & J Records with 14 songs hand-picked by Nelson from among the top Billboard hits of the last 70 years. Artists and songwriters in Nelson's... »»»November 1, 2011 - There's only one release today, but it's a big one - Miranda Lambert's "Four the Record." It's been a great year for Lambert. Not only did she get married to Blake Shelton, who sings on one song on the new disc, but Lambert's professional career has surged. She also released a CD earlier this year with... »»»
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