Quick Notes: Tidbits On Your Favorite Country Stars!

Alan Jackson Lists Nashville-Area Home for $38 Million

Alan Jackson has listed his Nashville-area home on the real estate market for $38 million. The listing is the highest-priced residential property for sale in the Nashville area. According to The Tennessean newspaper, the 19,000-square-foot house sits on 135 acres near the Harpeth River and includes six bedrooms, seven full baths and two half baths, along with a nine-car garage, basketball court, boathouse and two ponds.







TOBY KEITH - GOLF CLASSIC RAISES A BUNDLE

UNDATED (AP) - A half-a-million dollars. That's how much Toby

Keith's recent golf and music weekend raised this time. One of the

most popular auction items was a dinner party for 20 with Keith. It

got two bids of $32,500. The fundraiser is for Ally's House, which

helps Oklahoma families with kids who have cancer cover their

expenses. This is the sixth year for the fundraiser. Ally's House

is named for the late daughter of one of Toby Keith's former band

members.

The Jackson 5 visited Nashville's Municipal Auditorium in 1981 and grabbed this photo opportunity immediately after serenading William Lee Golden of The Oak Ridge Boys and his sons with the Oaks’ then current number-one hit, "Elvira". William Lee Golden and family returned the favor, singing "Happy Birthday" to Michael, who had just turned 23 years old. They presented Michael with a birthday cake immediately after this photo was taken.

Photo L to R:

Marlon Jackson
Joe Moscheo (former BMI VP)
B. James Lowry (former Oak Ridge Boys guitarist)
William Lee Golden (Oak Ridge Boys)
Michael Jackson
Jackie Jackson
Donna Jean Kisshauer (former ORB Promotion Manager)
Rusty Golden (William Lee's son)
Tito Jackson
Randy Jackson




"I took my sons to see The Jacksons at the Nashville Arena in late 1981. It was rumored at the time that it would be their last tour together. I love great entertainment and music of all styles and make a point to see the masters. The Jacksons were on the top of their game that night. They were incredible singers and dancers. Michael had an exceptional talent that shown the brightest. Backstage I was able to meet them all. They were very gracious. At that time, Elvira was at the top of the Pop charts and to my surprise they sung Elvira to me and my sons. It was an evening we will never forget. I was amazed to watch him over the years as he accomplished even higher achievements and became one of the world's greatest entertainers.

My thoughts and prayers are with his family."
– William Lee Golden (The Oak Ridge Boys)



There's a pretty cool video of HANK WILLIAMS JR. and JIMMY FALLON rolling through Hank's 1979 classic "Family Tradition". They recorded it AFTER Hank's appearance last week on "Late Night" . . . so it never made it on-air.


--It's totally irreverent and somewhat off-key . . . but that's in the spirit Hank meant it to be, don't you think? Check it out by clicking HERE

 

Toby Tackles Europe

TOBY KEITH TAKES HITMAKER STATUS TO EUROPE

(NASHVILLE, Tenn.) Singer, songwriter and entrepreneur Toby Keith ranks among North America's most successful entertainers by any standard, and that recognition continues to accumulate. Even so, the Oklahoma-bred music star continues broadening his horizons, quite literally, with plans for his first ever European tour.

With his Nov. 9 date in Glasgow, Scotland, Keith will start a journey around Northern Europe promoted by Live Nation International. Keith's international appeal as superstar artist, songwriter and movie star has been consistently growing outside of the US borders. His current album That Don't Make Me A Bad Guy, is already approaching platinum in Norway and has been overwhelmingly received halfway around the world in Australia, where his video for "God Love Her" is No. 1 at the CMC network.

"Country music goes through cycles of mainstream popularity internationally and 2009 has seen the genre go from strength to strength," says Universal VP/International Marketing Iain Snodgrass, with whom Keith's label partners in Europe. "Toby has been at the forefront of this and we are delighted that he's bringing his show to Europe."

ARE YOU READY FOR BOCEPHUS?

June 23, 2009 — Hank Williams Jr. and "Monday Night Football." The two have been a perfect fit for two decades, and Bocephus has started what might become a third decade by shooting the opening package for this year’s ESPN telecasts in Nashville’s Centennial Park.

 

"Are You Ready For Some Football?" — a rejiggered theme built around his 1984 hit "All My Rowdy Friends Are Coming Over Tonight" — added to Hank’s status with country music’s many sports fans and turned him into an NFL icon for football fans who don’t listen to country.

 

This year’s version debuts Sept. 14 when ESPN airs a "Monday Night Football" doubleheader as the Buffalo Bills visit the New England Patriots and the San Diego Chargers play the Raiders in Oakland. ESPN is scheduled to shoot exterior scenes at the Parthenon Tuesday night.


SUGAR ON YOUR TV!

June 22, 2009 — With a live CD/DVD combo set for release this August, Jennifer Nettles and Kristian Bush have lined up their first network TV special, "Sugarland: Live On The Inside," slated for Aug. 3 on ABC.

 

The special airs the night before the Live On The Inside combo reaches shelves at Wal-Mart, where it will be sold exclusively. Shot by award-winning director Shaun Silva last October at Lexington’s Rupp Arena, the special plays on the title of the duo’s 2008 album, Love On The Inside.

 

The one-hour special will feature "Settlin’," "Stay," "All I Want To Do" and "Something More," among other hits. The DVD consists of 16 songs, while the accompanying CD highlights their own material as well as selected covers of other acts’ songs, including Beyonce’s "Irreplaceable," Pearl Jam’s "Better Man," Kings Of Leon’s "Sex On Fire" and the B-52’s "Love Shack."

 

Sugarland delivered a seven-song set June 14 during the final stadium concert at the CMA Music Festival in Nashville. Performances from all four nights of that event will be culled into another ABC special, "CMA Music Festival: Country’s Night To Rock." It’s slated to air Aug. 31.



Maybe Next Year?

ALAN JACKSON - AQUAPALOOZA

LOS ANGELES (AP) - The question for Alan Jackson next month has to be: will he be wearing a Speedo or board shorts? On July 25th, Jackson will be performing on the edge of a lake at the aptly-named, AquaPalooza. He'll be at Lake Martin in Alexander City, Alabama. People have to come to the concert in their boat or raft. They stay in their watercraft during the while Jackson sings.

There's no place for cars to park.

 

Forbes Really, Really Likes Dierks Bentley!

It's almost impossible to predict if a performer will become a superstar. But "Forbes" magazine decided to try. They came up with a list of 10 personalities they think might breakout big . . . and DIERKS BENTLEY was the lone country performer on the list.

They considered how popular the artists are with their fans . . . and what it would take for them to crossover big. In the case of Dierks, they suggest he try to follow in KENNY CHESNEY'S footsteps.

 
CMT is reporting that the Zac Brown Band has canceled four dates they had scheduled in western Canada. Although they released no explanation as to why, a note on the band's Web site indicates they'll be rescheduling those shows at some point in the future.

 

Did you see the opening of the CMT Awards last night?  Taylor Swift's opening video was a clear highlight.
Check it out...

 

The fine people at "Shape" magazine asked JULIANNE HOUGH, LEANN RIMES and MARTINA MCBRIDE share the cover of their July issue . . . and all three said yes. And that's not even the best part. 

 

 

"Shape" persuaded all three of them to pose in bikinis. It's not the first time for LeAnn and Julianne. Each of them have posed on the cover before . . . but how awesome is it that "Shape" convinced Martina McBride to show off her rockin' 42-year-old body.

 

Martina tells Nashville's WKRN-TV how it went down, quote, "I got there and I'm thinking, okay, you know, I've been working out a little bit, I'll wear a tank top, maybe a pair of shorts, show a little legs, show a little arms.

 

 

"They whip out the bikini and I say, 'Oh, that's cute. Who's that for?' And they're like, 'Oh, that's yours' . . . I'm like, 'Hmmm, I'll be right back.'" 

 

 

Martina sneaked off to another room and called her husband for approval. And he was cool with it. She continues, quote, "I said, 'John, I think I'm going to be in a bikini on this thing,' and he's like, 'That's awesome!'"

 

 

The issue of "Shape" hits newsstands THIS WEEK. Here's a sneak preview of the cover . . . You're welcome!

No one doubts that KENNY CHESNEY is one of the hardest working men in country music. But his insane pace may finally be getting to him. He told "Entertainment Weekly", quote, "I can honestly say that my perspective of this is gonna change. 

 

 "I've had my foot on the gas pedal so hard for so long, and I've never looked at it as a sacrifice. But . . . I can say that I don't see myself with the foot on the pedal as hard as it's been down for 16 years. I think there is a part of life that I'm missing. 

 "The whole world doesn't revolve around this stuff. I've given and given and given and when I couldn't give any more, I gave. And then everybody said, 'We know you're tired, but we want you to give just one more time.' And that ain't gonna happen no more." 

 

 

--Kenny DOES believe all that hard work is the reason he won those Entertainer of the Year trophies, but he just doesn't have the stamina for it anymore, quote, "The things that you have to do to be in that spot? I'm not gonna do anymore. I'm not.

 

 

--"And if that means taking a year off and living on my boat and writing, I want to do it. Despite the consequences."

Meanwhile, Kenny DID find some time to unwind while on the road.

This is VERY difficult work, people... 

 

Hey Guys!
Kellie Pickler says she likes bikinis and would love to wear them all the time. 

Just...um...wanted you to know that....



Keith Urban's You Tube page has a nice duet between Keith and Jamey Johnson who Keith says is "deeply authentic and such a part of a sound I haven't heard in Nashville for a long time."
Check out Keith\s You Tube page Click

LeAnn Rimes is fending off allegations of stalking.
The accusations come from Brandi Glanville, the wife of actor Eddie Cibrian who co-stars with Rimes in the Lifetime movie "Northern Lights." Rimes and Cibrian have dismissed rumors that they had an affair a few months ago, but Glanville seems to think the country star still has a thing for her husband. The 36-year-old model and mother of two tells the new issue of "Us Weekly," quote, "LeAnn is a stalker. She refuses to leave us alone - it is shameful and scary." Rimes' camp is firing back, however. In a statement to "People" magazine, they call Glanville's comments "incredibly defamatory," adding, quote, "LeAnn continues to remain above the fray and chooses not to play this out in the press." The 26-year-old singer has been working in Los Angeles while her husband of seven years, Dean Sheremet, has been working in Nashville.

Rimes was spotted chatting with Cibrian at a Los Angeles Lakers game last month, two months after the affair reports surfaced. In her interview with "Us Weekly," Cibrian's wife says Rimes intentionally tracked down Cibrian at the basketball game and accuses the singer of engaging in "disgusting" behavior as a way to get back in the limelight. Brandi Glanville goes on to say, quote, "She's hurting my family and messing with the wrong mom."

SHUTTIN' MORE THAN JUST DETROIT DOWN!

John Rich can't seem to stay on the right side of the law lately. After his arrest last week following an alleged assault on aspiring singer Jared Ashley, the country star is under fire again for alleged rowdy behavior at a popular Nashville restaurant.

Around 2:45 AM Tuesday morning, John reportedly walked into Cafe Coco and ordered a beer. The bartender informed him that he would have to finish his beverage by 3:00 AM, per state laws. John then asked to borrow a guitar, and began playing a few songs for the remaining patrons inside the bar, including a local TV news crew and a police sergeant. At 3:00 AM, while John was in the middle of a Roger Miller song, the bartender asked John to give up his beer, which he was unwilling to do.

"You don't interrupt me when I'm playing a Roger Miller song," John said defiantly, according to MusicCityTV.com. The server responded by saying, "I'll just take it then," which caused John to angrily grab the beer bottle from the server's hands and throw it over a fence, right in front of the police sergeant.

The officer advised John that he needed to leave immediately, which he did, without any criminal charges.

DIERKS DON'T DANCE !

June 2, 2009 — Chuck Wicks, Julianne Hough and Billy Ray Cyrus have all participated in "Dancing With The Stars," but there are a number of country stars who’ve nixed the idea, too. LeAnn Rimes passed because she was too busy, Trace Adkins said no because he wasn’t interested, and Dierks Bentley turned it down because he’d rather do what he does best.

"There’s a reason why I play guitar," Dierks told the national radio show GAC Nights: Live From Nashville. "I have no dance moves. I was asked to be on the first season of ‘Dancing With The Stars,’ and whether I wanted to or not, it was like, ‘Ah, sorry. There’s just no hope for me. I don’t care if you get the best trainer in the world.’

SMELLS LIKE TIM SPIRIT!   
                     
Tim McGraw is used to winning awards for his vocals, but now the country superstar is claiming trophies with his scent. On May 27th, The Fragrance Foundation held their 37th annual FiFi Awards in New York City. Tim McGraw's fragrance "McGraw" was this year's winner for Fragrance of the Year - Men's Popular Appeal. "McGraw" also claimed the title for Best Packaging of the Year - Mens Popular Appeal. Fragrance company Coty Inc., which produces "McGraw," took home a total of six FiFis on the evening. Coty's CEO Bernd Beetz discussed the awards saying, quote, "It is both an honor and a privilege to receive six awards, and have nine Coty fragrances nominated by The Fragrance Foundation."

A WILD & CRAZY BANJO GUY !

June 1, 2009 — Steve Martin is best known as a comedian, but he pulled out the banjo Saturday as he made his debut on the Grand Ole Opry, where he was so well received that he was asked to do an encore.

The greatest banjo player in Opry history is Earl Scruggs, and his influence was recognized heavily throughout the performance. Son Randy Scruggs was part of Steve’s band — along with Vince, Stuart Duncan, John McEuen and Tim O’Brien, among others — and Steve’s set list included "Daddy Played The Banjo," a song he co-wrote with another Scruggs son, Gary Scruggs.

"Who better to write a song called ‘Daddy Played The Banjo’ than Gary Scruggs?" Steve noted.

The song was one of three Steve performed from his album The Crow: New Songs for the Five-String Banjo. He kicked off his debut with "Pitkin County Turnaround" and had Vince and Amy Grant sing lead on "Pretty Flowers." "We’re thrilled and honored to have you here," Vince told Steve after calling him out for the encore. "Let’s pay a little tribute to Earl."

They then launched into "Foggy Mountain Breakdown," one of the staples of Earl’s longtime partnership with Lester Flatt . Steve’s Opry debut will be featured Thursday on GAC’s Headline Country at 9 p.m. ET. Others in the episode include Gary Allan, Montgomery Gentry, Miranda Lambert and the Eli Young Band.



MONTGOMERY GENTRY JOIN THE OPRY!
May 27, 2009 — When Montgomery Gentry paid a visit to the Grand Ole Opry Tuesday, the duo got more than expected.

Charlie Daniels popped up from the seats in the Opry House and walked up to the stage to extend a special invitation, asking Eddie Montgomery and Troy Gentry to become the newest members of the Opry cast. Troy had difficulty coming up with words to show his apprecation, and Eddie used Charlie’s handkerchief to dab at tears of joy.

"The Grand Ole Opry, bay-bee!" Eddie yelled as the two launched into "One In Every Crowd."

Opry membership recognizes Troy and Eddie’s contributions to country, beginning a decade ago when they released their debut album, Tattoos & Scars. They’ve since become one of the genre’s best party acts, thanks to such hits as "Gone," "Hell Yeah" and "My Town." They’ll be officially inducted June 23. 

 

So are you following the Leann Rimes story? 
Here's a link to some video of what the mess is all about:

 

http://www.usmagazine.com/news/leann-rimes-and-eddie-cibrian-makeout-video-2009193

 

          

Three More Stars Announced for Chevy Court Sara Evans Moved to Opening Day 

Darius Rucker, Rick Springfield and Boyz II Men will play evening concerts at the New York State Fair’s Chevy Court this summer, adding their voices to an all-star lineup that will be available to Fairgoers for free.

 

Rucker, the lead singer for the Grammy-Award-winning rock band Hootie and the Blowfish, will bring his solo, country music tour to the Fair on Sunday, Aug. 30.

 

That date had originally been scheduled for country singer Sara Evans. Evans, one of country music’s most popular female vocalists, will now perform at Chevy Court on the opening day of the Fair, Thursday, Aug. 27.

 

Springfield, the ageless pop/rock star with a dual career as an actor in the daytime television drama “General Hospital,” will perform on Wednesday, Sept. 2, which is also Women’s Day at the Fair.

 

Boyz II Men, the best-selling rhythm & blues male vocal group of all time, will bring its smooth harmonies and synchronized dance routines to Chevy Court on Friday, Aug. 28.

 

“All of these performers are talented stars who pack venues across the country,” New York State Fair Director Dan O’Hara said. “We are delighted to be able to give families an opportunity to enjoy them for the price of Fair admission.”

 

The State Fair has also announced that Motown legend The Four Tops will play Chevy Court on Monday Aug. 31, and alternative rock band Switchfoot will play on Friday, Sept. 4.  More will be announced in the future.

 

This summer, the Fair is providing twice as many national acts on Chevy Court – the Fair’s “free” stage – as it has in the past.

 

Darius Rucker has been lead singer and rhythm guitarist for Hootie and the Blowfish since its formation, and his distinctive voice helped the band win a Grammy in 1996, produce four top 20 hits, and make one of the best-selling albums of all time.

 

In 2008, Rucker began a second musical career as a country singer and songwriter. His debut country album, “Learn to Live,” sold more than half a million copies as of February, making it a certified gold record. A song from that album, “Don’t Think I Don’t Think About It,” hit No. 1 on the country charts in September, making Rucker the first African-American to top the country rankings since 1983.

 

Rick Springfield began his music career as a teen sensation in the early 1970s, singing on “American Bandstand” and gracing the cover of Tiger Beat magazine. He became a mainstream, Grammy Award-winning rock and pop star in the 1980s, with his No. 1 hit “Jessie’s Girl.” Other popular Springfield songs include “Don’t Talk to Strangers,” “I’ve Done Everything For You,” “Love Somebody” and “Affair of the Heart.”

 

Springfield is also a successful actor, most notably in the role of Dr. Noah Drake in the ABC television soap opera “General Hospital.” Springfield established the role in the early 1980s, and then left the show to focus on music. He returned to “General Hospital” in 2005 and continues to have a recurring role.

 

Boyz II Men dominated the pop music charts during the 1990s as one of the most popular R&B and soul singing groups of all time. Their smooth sound – a harmony-filled combination of traditional Motown and rap that the group dubbed “Hip Hop Doo Wop” –helped them sell more than 60 million records. Between 1992 and 1997 the Grammy-winning group topped the Rhythm & Blues chart with five No. 1 songs, including “End of the Road,” “I’ll Make Love to You” “On Bended Knee,” “Motown Philly” and “One Sweet Day.”

 

The group’s most recent album, “Motown: A Journey Through Hitsville USA,” is a collection of cover songs from traditional Motown favorites like The Temptations, Marvin Gaye and Smokey Robinson.

 

In addition to Chevy Court, the Fair has begun announcing 2009 Fair concerts scheduled for the Mohegan Sun Grandstand. Country superstar Kenny Chesney and singer/songwriter Jake Owen will take the grandstand stage on Friday, Aug. 28. Tickets cost $65 and $55 and are available online through Ticketmaster.com or by phone by calling 1-800-745-3000 or 1-866-448-7849.

 

For the latest concert announcements and Fair news, sign up for e-mail and text message updates at www.nysfair.org

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We found a couple of photos of what appears to be SHANIA TWAIN and her "boyfriend", FREDERIC THIEBAUD. 

They're riding horses near the pyramids in Egypt. There's no confirmation it's them, but I'm convinced. Check it out . . .

 



 

  Strait notes he's honored to join Marty Robbins, Loretta Lynn, Alabama, and Garth Brooks as a recipient of the Academy of Country Music's Artist of the Decade award. But the singer admits he finds it "unbelievable" that he's been tapped for the recognition, admitting it, quote, "wasn't anything that I set out to do or really ever imagined for myself." He adds that the award means a great deal to him, explaining that it feels "special" to him to be grouped with Robbins, Lynn, Alabama, and Brooks, whom he calls, quote, "originals, every one of them." Strait is only the fifth star to be named the ACM Artist of the Decade, but he's the first to receive his award with a separate ceremony. His music and career accomplishments were celebrated with an event last month in Las Vegas in conjunction with the 44th annual ACM Awards. The show, featuring a host of stars including Brooks & Dunn, Keith, Urban, Alan Jackson, Taylor Swift, and Sugarland, was taped for the TV special "George Strait - ACM Artist of the Decade All Star Concert." The two-hour musical salute will air on CBS Wednesday at 8:00 p.m. Eastern


Toby Keith's "Jewel " Getting Ready to Record First Album
UNDATED (AP) - Toby Keith's career has exceeded his wildest expectations. But he tells Country Weekly in its current issue that one of the biggest milestones in his life was his "two daughters going to college." The younger one, Krystal, is graduating from the University of Oklahoma this month, and Keith tells The Associated Press that she\'ll start working on an album next year. He says that was his promise to her if she graduated college. Krystal performed a duet with her dad of the song "Mockingbird"at the CMA Awards in 2004.




May 19, 2009 — Two weeks after a performance at Texas’ Pizza Hut Park was cut short by rain, Kenny Chesney returned this weekend to the Dallas-area venue for a free bonus show to make up to fans who rode out the bad weather in his previous attempt.

(HOOTIE & THE BLOWFISH SINGER) DARIUS RUCKER SAYS COUNTRY MUSIC IS *WHERE THE SONG IS*:
Kenny played about three hours Saturday, going barefoot for part of the set, which included covers of songs by U2, Tom Petty, the Kinks, Van Halen, the Eagles, John Mellencamp and David Allan Coe, among others.
Unlike the previous date at the park, this one was rain-free. But that doesn’t mean Kenny stayed dry.
"Some people were pulling a hot tub on a trailer," he says. "They were in the parking lot, and when I saw that, I headed to the bus, iced up a case of Corona and took it out. When I got there, they were having such a good time, I grabbed a beer and climbed in the hot tub with ‘em."
Kenny took a bit of a financial bath, too. He wasn’t obligated to do the extra date — he did as much as his contract required back on May 2. But he wanted to reward the fans who braved the foul weather the first time. Concert promoter Louis Messina told Billboard that Kenny footed the bill for his entire band and a full production.
It "cost him hundreds of thousands of dollars," Messina said. "This is why this guy is the real Entertainer of the Year."

Sugarland leads the list of nominees for the upcoming 2009 CMT Music Awards.
The duo has five bids, including Video of the Year, Duo Video of the Year and Collaborative Video of the Year. Brad Paisley, Taylor Swift, Lady Antebellum, and Rascal Flatts are also multiple nominees. Swift and Paisley each have four nods, while Lady A and Rascal Flatts have three bids each. Lady A's nominations include the top prize of Video of the year, while the group joins other newcomers Julianne Hough, the Zac Brown Band, and Jamey Johnson to vie for USA Weekend Breakthrough Video of the Year. Kenny Chesney, Toby Keith, Trace Adkins, and Brooks & Dunn are other top contenders heading into the event. The 8th annual CMT Music Awards will be presented in Nashville on June 16th, airing live on CMT and CMT.com at 8:00 p.m. Eastern. The finalists for the CMT Music Awards were announced yesterday, following a fan vote to pare down the initial lists of nominees in all categories except Video of the Year. Similarly, votes can now be cast through June 15th to pick all winners except Video of the Year.Video of the Year finalists will be announced at the start of the CMT Music Awards. Once the ceremony has begun, votes cast at CMT.com and via text message during the broadcast will determine who\'ll be the night\'s big winner.Here is the final list of nominees for the 2009 CMT Music Awards:

VIDEO OF THE YEAR

Trace Adkins, "You\'re Gonna Miss This" (Director: Peter Zavadil)

Kenny Chesney featuring The Wailers, "Everybody Wants To Go To Heaven" (Director: Shaun Silva)

Toby Keith, "God Love Her" (Director: Michael Salomon)

Kid Rock, "All Summer Long" (Director: Deaton Flanigen)

Lady Antebellum, "Lookin\' For A Good Time" (Director: Chris Hicky)

Brad Paisley, "Waitin\' On A Woman" (Directors: Jim Shea & Peter Tilden)

Rascal Flatts, "Every Day" (Director: Deaton Flanigen)

Sugarland, "All I Want To Do" (Director: Shaun Silva)

Taylor Swift, "Love Story" (Director: Trey Fanjoy)

Carrie Underwood, "Just A Dream" (Director: Roman White)

 

MALE VIDEO OF THE YEAR

Trace Adkins, "You\'re Gonna Miss This"

Toby Keith, "God Love Her"

Brad Paisley, "Waitin\' On A Woman"

Keith Urban, "Sweet Thing"

 

FEMALE VIDEO OF THE YEAR

Miranda Lambert, "More Like Her"

Martina McBride, "Ride"

Kellie Pickler, "Don't You Know You're Beautiful"

Taylor Swift, "Love Story"

 

GROUP VIDEO OF THE YEAR

Lady Antebellum, "Lookin\' For A Good Time"

Rascal Flatts, "Bob That Head"

Rascal Flatts. "Every Day"

Zac Brown Band, "Chicken Fried"

 

DUO VIDEO OF THE YEAR

Brooks & Dunn, "Put A Girl In It"

Montgomery Gentry, "Roll With Me"

Sugarland, "All I Want To Do"

Sugarland, "Already Gone"

 

USA WEEKEND BREAKTHROUGH VIDEO OF THE YEAR

Julianne Hough, "That Song In My Head"

Jamey Johnson, "In Color"

Lady Antebellum, "Lookin' For A Good Time"

Zac Brown Band, "Chicken Fried"

 

COLLABORATIVE VIDEO OF THE YEAR

Brooks & Dunn featuring Reba McEntire, "Cowgirls Don't Cry"

Kenny Chesney featuring The Wailers, "Everybody Wants To Go To Heaven"

Brad Paisley and Keith Urban, "Start A Band"

Sugarland, Little Big Town, and Jake Owen, "Life In A Northern Town"

 

CMT PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR (New Category)

Alan Jackson, George Strait, Brad Paisley, and Dierks Bentley, "Country Boy" from "CMT Giants: Alan Jackson"

Robert Plant and Alison Krauss, "Gone Gone Gone (Done Moved On)" from "CMT Crossroads: Robert Plant and Alison Krauss" Sugarland, Little Big Town, and Jake Owen, "Life In A Northern Town" from "The 2008 CMT Music Awards" Taylor Swift and Def Leppard, "Photograph" from "CMT Crossroads: Def Leppard and Taylor Swift"

 

WIDE OPEN COUNTRY VIDEO OF THE YEAR

Def Leppard and Taylor Swift, "Photograph"

Kid Rock, "All Summer Long"

Robert Plant and Alison Krauss, "Please Read The Letter"

Rehab featuring Hank Williams, Jr., "Bartender Song"

 

VIDEO DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR

Deaton Flanigan (award eligible videos include: Kid Rock's "All Summer Long" and Rascal Flatts' "Every Day")

Trey Fanjoy (award eligible videos include: Taylor Swift's "Love Story" and George Strait's "Troubador")

Roman White (award eligible videos include: Carrie Underwood's "Just a Dream" and Reba McEntire's "Every Other Weekend")

Peter Zavadil (award eligible videos include: Trace Adkins' "You're Gonna Miss This" and Joey + Rory's "Cheater Cheater")

Julianne Hough Will Be "Dancing" Again 

Julianne Hough was disappointed when she and Chuck Wicks were eliminated from this year’s "Dancing With The Stars" competition, though she was excited about the time it left her to concentrate exclusively on music — especially since she won’t be coming back to "DWTS" next season.

But that doesn’t mean she’s walking away from the ABC series permanently. In fact, Julianne expects that a year from now she’ll be competing once again with another celebrity partner.

"I am appreciative to be taking this coming season of ‘Dancing With The Stars’ off to focus on my other career paths like touring in support of my album and recording my next one," she told People. "I look forward to returning to ‘DWTS’ in early 2010."

Those opportunities include opening for George Strait on his current tour. The itinerary’s biggest highlight is the June 6 inaugural event at Cowboys Stadium in Irving, Texas. The bill also features Reba McEntire and Blake Shelton. 

 

 

"American Songwriter" magazine asked (HOOTIE & THE BLOWFISH singer) DARIUS RUCKER why he made the SWITCH from rock to country when he began his solo career. 

 

Darius said it's a combination of what he likes about country . . . and what he doesn\'t like about pop, quote, "I see this migration of my friends who grew up listening to REM and U2 and those pop rock bands that were big . . . they're going to country music now.

 

"And the reason I find that is right now pop is so beat oriented. And that's a great thing and I'm not knocking it, and there are people in pop writing great songs, but you can have a great beat in pop music and say almost anything over the top and have a #1 hit."

 

Darius points to the song, "Who Let the Dogs Out", as something that\'s all about the beat, quote, "You can't do that in country music.   "In country music, if you don't have a song that's touching that 34-year-old mother of three, then you're just not gonna have a hit.  "Country music is where the song is, and that\'s why I think you see so many singer/songwriters going there."


MIRANDA LAMBERT SAYS KENNY CHESNEY'S "SUN CITY CARNIVAL TOUR" CANCELED MEET & GREETS BECAUSE OF THE SWINE FLU:

Remember last week when swine flu was scaring the crap out of everyone? Well, it even forced KENNY CHESNEY'S "Sun City Carnival Tour" to cancel some meet & greets. That's what MIRANDA LAMBERT . . . who is one of the openers . . . told Grand Rapids, Michigan\'s B93 right before the tour headed into Texas. She said, quote, "I'm very concerned. It's kind of scary because (Texas) is where everything is showing up. "We\'re definitely taking (those) precautions." 

 

Keith Urban and Yahoo have versions of Kiss A Girl and Sweet Thing for you to stream for Free.  Click Here to see them...

 

Clint Black is delivering for his charity on NBC's "The Celebrity Apprentice." The singer was the project manager for KOTU on Sunday night\'s show as the groups were called upon to create an ad campaign for Right Guard deodorant. His team, which also included Joan Rivers and "Monster Garage" star Jesse James, won the challenge, but didn't complete the task without internal conflicts. James came to the group with a negative attitude and a dislike for Black, and wasn\'t shy about expressing his feelings. But Rivers was much more supportive, and when KOTU got the nod proclaimed it was, quote, "all Clint." Meanwhile, James' reluctance to give Black credit for the victory drew criticism from Donald Trump. But Black called it a team effort, and told Trump he received, quote, "a lot of great ideas" from both Rivers and James. For their effort, KOTU's ad will be featured in "Sports Illustrated" and on the magazine's website, SI.com. In addition, Black earned 20-thousand-dollars for the International Rett Syndrome Foundation.

Toby Keith spoke at a press luncheon and told them he's a...Democrat???  See the video by clicking here

 

 

Heidi Newfield, Randy Houser, Emerson Drive, Bill Anderson, the Oak Ridge Boys, and Larry Gatlin and the Gatlin Brothers are just a handful of artists on board for this summer's CMA Music Festival. They're among the first announced artists who\'ll perform on The Daytime Stage at Riverfront Park. Newfield will perform on the first day, along with Chuck Wicks, James Otto, Phil Vassar, Diamond Rio, and others. On day two, Houser and The Oaks will join Clay Walker, Bucky Covington, Eric Church, and "The Honky Tonk Tailgate Party," featuring Trent Willmon, Jeff Bates, Mark Wills, to provide some of the entertainment. Emerson Drive and Bill Anderson, as well as Keith Anderson, Tracy Byrd, Jo Dee Messina, Jason Michael Carroll, and the Lost Trailers are set for the festival\'s third day, while The Gatlins, Darryl Worley, Joe Nichols, the Eli Young Band, Gloriana, and Joey & Rory will help close the fest.

 
The 2009 CMA Music Festival will take place throughout downtown Nashville from June 11th through the 14th. The Daytime Stage concerts are free. However, those with four-day CMA Music Festival passes will get early access, and will be the only fans allowed on the Photo Line at Riverfront.

Below are the first announced performers for the CMA Music Festival's Daytime Stage at Riverfront Park:
   
Thursday, June 11
Bellamy Brothers
Diamond Rio
Neal McCoy
Heidi Newfield
James Otto
Randy Rogers Band
Ashton Shepherd
Phil Vassar
Chuck Wicks
Friday, June 12
John Anderson
Eric Church
Bucky Covington
"The Honky Tonk Tailgate Party" featuring Trent Willmon, Jeff Bates, and Mark Wills
Randy Houser
Oak Ridge Boys
Jamie O\'Neal
Aaron Tippin
Clay Walker

Saturday, June 13
Bill Anderson
Keith Anderson
Tracy Byrd
Jason Michael Carroll
Emerson Drive
Lost Trailers
Jo Dee Messina
Lorrie Morgan
Chris Young

Sunday, June 14
Eli Young Band
Larry Gatlin and the Gatlin Brothers
Gloriana
Josh Gracin
Jessica Harp
Joey & Rory
Joe Nichols
Collin Raye / Restless Heart
Darryl Worley

It's a boy for country crooner Brad Paisley and actress-wife Kimberly Williams-Paisley. A rep for the couple confirms that Kimberly gave birth to a healthy baby boy Friday morning at a Nashville-area hospital. Both mother and baby are said to be resting comfortably. No word yet on a name for the newest addition to the Paisley family. The Paisleys are also parents to two-year-old William Huckleberry Paisley. The toddler is named after the famed Mark Twain character Huckleberry Finn. Brad Paisley is gearing up for his American Saturday Night concert tour, scheduled to kick off June 5th. His new album of the same name will be released on June 30th. Kimberly\'s acting credits include the ABC sitcom "According To Jim." She has also appeared in several feature films including "Father of the Bride."


RASCAL FLATTS BREAKS A TIE WITH NEW ALBUM
UNDATED (AP) - Rascal Flatts are at the top of the Billboard 200 with their new album, Unstoppable." That gives them four No. 1 albums, the most of any group this decade. And it breaks them out of a tie with the Dave Matthews Band, Disturbed, Linkin Park, Staind and System of a Down. The CD sold 351,000 copies last week. The "Hannah Montana" movie soundtrack is back at No. 2 on the Billboard 200, after taking first place at the box office last
weekend. And Jason Aldean debuts at No. 4 with his third album,"Wide Open." His CD sold over 109,000 copies.

 JAKE OWEN TOOK A RANDOM FAN TO DINNER . . . BECAUSE SHE ANSWERED HIS TWEET:

If people are giving you a hard time for Twittering . . . here\'s a little story that might shut them up. JAKE OWEN was flying into Dallas for his show last week when he decided to check his Twitter account to see if anybody in the area was paying attention.
--Some fan named DeDe answered his Tweet . . . so he rewarded her by taking her out to dinner. Here's a photo of Jake Owen and DeDe enjoying a frosty beverage together . . .

KEITH URBAN has the #1 album in America. His album, "Defying Gravity", sold 171,000 copies in its first week, which was enough for it to reach the top of the "Billboard 200". It\'s Keith\'s first all-genre #1.


ARE LEANN RIMES AND HER HUSBAND SEPARATED???
LEANN RIMESstill isn't talking about her alleged affair with her "Northern Lights" co-star EDDIE CIBRIAN . . . but everyone else is. "Extra" says LeAnn is "reportedly separated" from her husband, Dean Sheremet.

 --They\'re also saying that LeAnn expected Eddie Cibrian to leave his wife so they could be together. And someone on the World Wide Blogosphere claims that LeAnn and Eddie still text each other back and forth all the time.

 

TOBY KEITH SONGS ADDED TO "ROCK BAND"
Toby Keith might not exactly be a rock star, but the country singer is contributing his music to "Rock Band." A new "Toby Keith 6-Pack" will be available for the game next week. The set includes Keith\'s first single, "Should\'ve Been a Cowboy," as well as "She's A Hottie," the chart-toppers "How Do You Like Me Now," I Love This Bar," "Who's Your Daddy?," and his collaboration with Willie Nelson, "Beer For My Horses." The songs will be available for downloading for the Xbox 360 on April 7th. Two days later those with PlayStation systems can access the material.

JOHN RICH LESS THAN IMPRESSED WITH 2008 "NASHVILLE STAR" EXPERIENCE

 

It seems unlikely that John Rich will be eager to return to "Nashville Star." The singer tells Nashville's "Tennessean" newspaper that with last year's sixth season, which aired on NBC following a five-season run on USA, quote, "I thought this was really going to represent country music, put us on a new level." But instead he contends the network, quote, "completely bastardized what country music is about," and he, quote, "wouldn\'t touch 'Nashville Star' with a 40-foot pole." Rich, who served as a judge and mentor for some of the finalists, adds that contestants Melissa Lawson -- who won the competition -- and Gabe Garcia, quote, "were the saving graces of that show."

 

The future of "Nashville Star" appears to be up in the air. TheFutonCritic.com recently reported that NBC was scrapping the reality competition series, while neither USA nor CMT, which last year offered rebroadcasts of the NBC shows, have said whether they plan to pick it up.  

A FLYING PIECE OF SOUND EQUIPMENT HIT DARRYL WORLEY IN THE HEAD AND SENT HIM TO THE HOSPITAL LAST THURSDAY . . . BUT HE RETURNED TO FINISH THE SHOW
DARRYL WORLEY got bashed in the head by some flying sound equipment at his concert last Thursday in Billings, Montana. He wasn't knocked out, but he did go to the hospital for SEVEN STITCHES. And then he returned to perform for almost an hour.