October, 2008

Jake Owen, Chuck Wicks and former Miss Tennessee host webisodes featuring a backstage look at awards...

George Lopez to play villain and Cyrus will be Jackie Chan's sidekick...

Williams III had the highest chart debuts in his career with new album, Damn Right Rebel Proud...

Big line-up this weekend with Trace Adkins, Brad Paisley, John Conlee and more...

The Red Cross is teaming up with some of Country's biggest names to honor military veterans next month. Headliner Billy Ray Cyrus, along with Josh Gracin, Bo Bice and Rocky Lynne will be performing at a special concert on Saturday, Nov. 8, at Koka Booth Ampitheatre in Raleigh, N.C...

Dancing With the Stars champ Julianne Hough will join the Grand Ole Opry’s newest member, Craig Morgan, on the Red Carpet at the 2008 CMA Awards. Hough and Morgan will host a 30-minute special, CMA Awards Red Carpet Live! Presented by Chevy, featuring red carpet arrivals of all the big stars to the awards...

The 44th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards will take place on Sunday, April 5, 2009, at 8 p.m. EST on the CBS television network, it was announced. The Country Music honors will air live from the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, where George Strait will be presented with the Artist of the Decade Award...

Shepherd opens up about life on tour, her family and what Sugarland is really like...

Television show to highlight singer/songwriter's path to musical stardom...

Want to work for a record label? Warner Brothers Nashville is giving a sneak peek of the A&R rep life with the new A&R Team venture...

All you've got to do is call...

"Just A Dream" is her latest in a growing list of No. 1 singles, with a total of nine No. 1 singles to date. Underwood will also be hosting the 2008 CMA Awards coming up Nov. 12...

Kenny Chesney is dominating the charts once again, this time with his new album, Lucky Old Sun, which debuted at No. 1 on Billboard's top albums chart...

The 2009 MerleFest, slated for April 23-26, 2009, on the Wilkes Community College campus in North Carolina has announced its most amazing line up to date, including Emmylou Harris, The Grascals and more!...

Dress up like Country Music legend Dolly Parton for Halloween this year, and you could appear on her Web site...

She plans to keep on maintaining her workout regime and continue touring with baby in tow...

Fiddler said he is "disgusted" when people don't exercise their right to vote...

Artists without traveling entourage rely on Nashville's Trim Classic Barber and Legendary Beauty for their look...

Shania Twain's ex will produce Nickelback album...

Country star Kellie Pickler joined fellow American Idol alum Carrie Underwood as a vegetarian, Pickler told People magazine. Roughly five months ago, Pickler decided she couldn’t eat red meat anymore and made the change to eating veggies all the time...

Country singer and Dancing with the Stars dancer Julianne Hough had surgery to remove her appendix yesterday. According to her Web site, she is now resting comfortably...

Country Music's Biggest Night will feature actress Reese Witherspoon as an award presenter at the 42nd annual CMA Awards show on Nov. 12. Well-known for her portrayal of June Carter Cash in Walk the Line, Witherspoon will share the stage with Country Music stars Rodney Atkins and Kellie Pickler, who will perform on the show...

Becomes one of three male Country artists to accomplish the feat...

Features live performances, interviews and music videos...

After Gregory's success from his first single, "Crazy Days," he's ready to release his newest single, "What It Takes"...

Berg, Shapiro, Hiatt honored at Monday's ceremony...

Country Music newcomer Adam Gregory and bluegrass legend Del McCoury to perform...

Trace Adkins' tenth studio album, properly titled X, will hit store shelves on Nov. 25. In preparation, he will be whipping up a media storm...

Keith Urban fans have come together to create a limited edition 2009 calendar to raise money for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.  The fan-designed calendar showcases concert photos of Urban taken by members of his fan club...

Brad Paisley is scheduled to release his newest album, Play, on Nov. 4, the same day as the presidential election. Paisley's album features many great names in music offering their talents to a few recordings, including B.B. King and Keith Urban, and emphasizes Paisley's guitar-playing ability...

Former baseball player Derek Sholl is promoting his debut Country single...

With the release of his third ablum, Zachary Hunter talks about his career, inspirations and more...

Austin discusses the band, the music and the story behind this new group moving up the industry ladder...

Also joins other Country ladies on Elvis Presley Christmas Duets album...

In front of family, friends and fans, Craig Morgan of BNA Records was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry Saturday, Oct. 25, by Opry member John Conlee. Morgan was also invited to join by Conlee during a special concert for U.S. troups at Fort Bragg in Fayetteville, N.C...

Taylor Swift sang the national anthem at a Double-A Reading Phillies game 11 years ago. She returned to the area Saturday night to sing the anthem again, but this time on a bigger stage...

The BamaJam Music and Arts Festival did so well during its debut this summer that organizers are already prepping for next year's shows with some big names on the roster, including Alan Jackson...

Pays tribute to late father in ceremony...

Get a sneak peak of Nashville newcomer Crystal Shawanda this week on iTunes.

Mansion going for $14.8 million...

Debut single to be released on Nov. 4...

Del McCoury, John Conlee, Little Jimmy Dickens and many more to perform...

Country’s macho man Trace Adkins opened his home to the DIY Network’s Indoors Out to help build an outdoor kitchen on his family farm. Hosts of the show Dean Marsico and Derek Stearns join Adkins at his home outside Nashville for three days while they start and finish the kitchen...

Faith Hill is 41 years old and has 3 children, but looking at the cover of Shape magazine, you wouldn't know it. The Country star and wife of Tim McGraw donned a bikini for the December issue of the magazine and talked about how Pilates helped her get in this kind of shape...

The three-time Grammy Award-winning recording artist Carrie Underwood unveiled her wax figure at Madame Tussauds New York this week. Underwood saw the wax likeness for the first time in front of cameras this past Wednesday... -- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} -->

Currington's third album garners rave reviews after debuting at No. 2...

Jake Owen to host another ABC.com webisode along with Chuck Wicks and former Miss Tennessee.

Milsap joins an all-star cast to honor this year's inductees...

Adds to already successful 2008...

Looks like Kenny Chesney's in heaven. After his latest single, "Everybody Wants To Go To Heaven" spent several weeks on top of the Country singles chart, his new album, Lucky Old Sun, debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard All-Genre Top 200 Album chart...

Multi-platinum artist Martina McBride will have the honor of turning on Elvis’ traditional blue holiday lights and decorations at Graceland this year. On Nov. 21 in Memphis, McBride will start the traditional lighting of the 13.8 acres of Graceland property. The area is open to the public, and fans also can join the ceremonies online at www.elvis.com from the GracelandCam...

They have spent more than 25 weeks at the top of the charts and on Tuesday, Oct. 28, Rascal Flatts will showcase the songs that put them there with the release of their first greatest hits album...

To present at Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum Awards...

Chris LeDoux's band carries on...

Jason Aldean, Rodney Atkins, Lady Antebellum and James Otto among featured artists...

Lucky winner receives all-expense paid trip to Nashville and mentoring session with Randy Travis...

March event announces some no-bull performers...

Surrounded by family and friends, Brad Paisley recently celebrated his two recent No. 1 hits, "I'm Still A Guy" and "Waitin' On A Woman," with a party Monday, Oct. 20., at the Musicians Hall of Fame in Nashville. The songwriters were also honored during a ceremony at the party...

Tim McGraw already has three little girls with wife Faith Hill, but this latest one is a little different. "My Little Girl," McGraw's first children's book, came out in stores today, and tells of a father spending time with his daughter...

Country Music legend Dolly Parton has released her first album in three long years, to radio stations only, using a digitial delivery company called AirPlay Direct. Parton is their Featured and Spotlight artist of the month for October...

Fan club members get exclusive talk with superstar...

October is Spina Bifida Awareness Month, and CountryAngel's Network is hosting a charity auction to raise awareness for spina bifida...

Country entertainment facility has land in Alabama...

If you can't make it to Nashville, catch it live on GACTV...

Chuck Collier, Gerry House, Bob McKay and Moon Mullins will be honored in March...

Rosanne Cash should be the Republican Vice Presidential Candidate. At least, that's what she said.  In a joking article for The Nation, the popular artist made an 11-point argument outlining why she would be a better candidate than Alaska Governor and current Vice Presidential Candidate Sarah Palin...

Scheduled for Nov. 11, Keith Urban will release a new concert DVD of his Love, Pain and the Whole Crazy World tour. The DVD will be sold exclusively at Wal-Mart stores, which includes Sam’s Club and Walmart.com.  ...

The Recording Industry Association of America announced Tim McGraw’s Greatest Hits and Sugarland’s Love on the Inside are among the latest to receive platinum certification during September. Albums are eligible for the RIAA’s platinum award for the sale of 1 million copies...

Release of Gunslinger and performances highlight upcoming weeks...

After her success with her first album, Boukadakis prepares to release her sophmore album this month...

Tells women they deserve to be respected in new song...

Already shared stage with Alison Krauss, Ricky Skaggs, Sam Bush and more...

No charges have been filed in the reported Hollywood hotel fight...

Rosanne Cash should be the Republican Vice Presidential Candidate. At least, that's what she said.  In a joking article for The Nation, the popular artist made an 11-point argument outlining why she would be a better candidate than Alaska Governor and current Vice Presidential Candidate Sarah Palin...

With their new album underway, Zac Brown Band's newest single has experienced a lot of radio time. As their latest song is climbing up the charts, their new single's music video premieres today...

Despite numerous videos on top of the charts, it's the first time for Shelton to have a video debut at No. 1. His new album is coming in November...

Partnership formed to raise money for the Nashville Humane Association...

Willie Nelson is embarking on another environmentally-friendly enterprise...

The Whites, George Strait also take honors...

New names, including Trace Adkins, the Eagles and Lady Antebellum, have been added to the ever-growing list of performers for this year's CMA Awards. The show airs live from the Sommet Center in Nashville Wednesday, Nov. 12, at 8 p.m. EST on ABC.

Rascal Flatts recently put on a special performance for patients at the Vanderbilt Children's Hospital. Patients with all kinds of ailments packed the small theater to see the band perform. After having donated $2.2 million to the hospital in three years, the band still makes a point to make visits like this every year to the children at the hospital.

What do Derek Jeter, Tiger Woods, Superman and now Taylor Swift have in common?  The milk moustache.

The couple's second child is due in April...

Registering to vote was top priority when Swift turned 18 last year...

Rachel Thibodeau joins Little Champion Music...

Show tells of music man's career and family life...

Country Music artists Sugarland and Kenny Chesney took home the top awards from the 2008 International Entertainment Buyers Association Honors dinner this past Tuesday night in Nashville...

Jon Bon Jovi is now on the list of musicians requesting that Republican John McCain's campaign stop using songs without permission.Bon Jovi, an Obama supporter,  learned that the McCain campaign has used the song "Who Says You Can't Go Home" during rallies held by VP running mate Sarah Palin this week... e Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} -->

Taylor Swift and Kid Rock are among the melting pot of artists that will perform for the CNN and MTV collaboration, A Night for Vets: An MTV Concert for the BRAVE. The event will be taped before an invitation-only audience of young veterans and their families and premiers on MTV Oct. 24 at 8 p.m. EST...

Raises nearly 300K for children's hospital...

Extensive collection first exhibited at Tennessee State Museum...

New Loveless Barn to be premiere venue...

Military performance featured on GAC along with other male Country performances...

Winner of Top Female Vocalist in Australia travels the southeast promoting her music...

One of Country’s youngest stars Taylor Swift recently performed with Great Britain’s legendary arena rock group Def Leppard for an episode of CMT Crossroads. Fans can watch for this rockin’ episode on CMT Friday, Nov. 7 at 9 p.m. EST...

Country Music star Julianne Hough joined the 2008 American Music Awards host Jimmy Kimmel to announce this year's award nominees in Los Angeles on Tuesday, Oct. 14. Country Music will be well-represented, with Garth Brooks, Carrie Underwood and Rascal Flatts leading the list of potential award winners. Fan voting is underway at the American Music Awards Web site...

McEntire, Berg take home some of the biggest awards...

Performs for crowd of Chicago Marathon participants...

Superstar says he tried to persuade label Curb Records to release an album of new releases rather than greatest hits...

Gentry gives advice on how we can go green...

Keith ranks at No. 2 for his involvement with USO tours...

Montgomery Gentry and Lady Antebellum stop by the legendry Opry to perform...

Pickler tops this week's Billboard Country Albums chart with her self-titled sophomore album. As for Billboard's Country Songs chart, Chesney’s “Everybody Wants to Go to Heaven” took over the No. 1 position... 

Country artists to headline first show...

Chesney says he was emotionally and mentally exhausted, and it took him several years to get over the failed marriage...including some time alone at one of his favorite places in the Carribean...

Latest single becoming popular quickly on Texas radio...

Austin band not afraid to hit the road to build fan base...

Singer to release first single to Christian Country radio, with debut album to follow...

Rascal Flatts recently brought joy into the lives of patients of the Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital and their families. The Country band hosted a party for the patients last Thursday, Oct. 9, including a live performances as well as appearances by beloved Disney characters...

Winners of the CMA Broadcast Personality and CMA Radio Station of the Year received a special call on their stations' studio lines from Bucky Covington, who relayed the good news. The recipients of the CMA Broadcast Awards will be recognized during The 42nd Annual CMA Awards, which airs live from the Sommet Center in Nashville on Nov. 12 on ABC...

Two of music's biggest names will be teaming up for a soon-to-be legendary set of performances on New Year's Eve in two, count 'em two, cities...

Humantarian Award winners partner with ACM to benefit elementary school in Birmingham...

Joined by now good friends Lady Antebellum and Eric Durrance...

Rimes takes the next week to rest her voice...

Multi-platinum artist has been an inspiration to so many others, it's fitting that he will be hosting the 2008 Inspirational Country Music Awards...

Emmylou Harris should be watching the box office numbers this week. Specifically for the new Richard Gere, Diane Lane romantic film Nights in Rodanthe.Harris wrote a song specifically for the film that runs over the credits of the movie called "In Rodanthe." It marks the first time in Harris' career that she has an original song featured in a film.

Hank Williams Jr. will bring his rowdy entertainment somewhere else besides Monday Night Football this coming Monday.  Bocephus will perform at a Republican campaign rally in Virginia Beach, Va., where both John McCain and Sarah Palin will be in attendance...

Two big nights loaded with Country Music entertainers this weekend...

Swift and Jonas end their five-month courtship...

Is Country Music ready for the depths of Lee Ann Womack?

Narrated by Oscar-winning actor, Chris Cooper, the documentary will take viewers through rare materials, including never-before-seen footage, and 27 of Johnny Cash's recordings.  There will also be intimate interviews with superstars like Merle Haggard, Loretta Lynn, Al Gore, Sheryl Crow, Snoop Dogg and others.The anticipated documentary on the legend of Johnny Cash will air October 23 on the Bio Channel.

Current album will be re-released with extra tracks...

This weekend, Gary Allan will be one of a number of special guests at the 2008 Dale Earnhardt Jr. Celebrity Sports Auction kickoff in North Carolina.  Allan will be headlining a concert at the annual fundraiser, proceeds from which benefit The Dale Jr. Foundation.

Tickets are now available to the public for the 2008 Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum Awards Show.  Among this year's inductees are Booker T. and the MGs, The Memphis Horns, The Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section, The Crickets, Al Kooper, and Billy Sherrill.  Special guests include Percy Sledge, Eddie Floyd, Phil Everly, and Country Music legends George Jones and Barbara Mandell.

Assisted fire squads with fighting the blaze, rescuing livestock, digging fire trenches...

Dierks Bentley lets fans decide by voting on cover for new greatest hits cd...

Industry's biggest names contribute to soundtrack...

Clay Walker raises money for MS research with ride to Jack Daniels Distillery...

Country Music artist releases new single she helped write and produce...

 George Jones, Tracy Lawrence already scheduled to perform at new venue...

Duo releases second CD/DVD package including concert footage, unreleased songs and special guests...

Once again, Nicole Kidman has said she does not regret her marriage to Tom Cruise. She added that she would hope that her children, however, would not marry as young as she did. The couple married in 1990 when Kidman was 22, and were married for ten years before divorcing in 2001...

The partnership between the Country Music singer and the cell phone and wireless provider will include in-store appearances at Cricket retail locations, exclusive mobile content including custom ringback tones and interviews and cross-promotion of Gregory's fall club tour dates with partner radio stations nationwide. ...

Singer donates CD proceeds to charity...

Evie Bentley weighs in over 7 lbs...

Award-winner presents radio show...

Lawsuit settled Friday for an undisclosed amount...

Little Jimmy Dickens and Jamie O'Neal on stage...

Today, Belmont University opened its doors for the second 2008 Presidential Debate. Known for spawning big-name Country artists like Brad Paisley, Julie Roberts, Jost Turner and Trisha Yearwood, Belmont is switching gears for the day and focusing on politics...

Alan Jackson will be honored as the next CMT “Giant” in the 90-minute special CMT Giants. Jackson will be honored by fellow Country artists George Strait, Brad Paisley, Taylor Swift, Dierks Bentley, Lee Ann Womack and Miranda Lambert during a live taping at Nashville's Ryman Auditorium…

Kenny Chesney spent all summer on stage rocking out to millions of fans -- he spent last weekend tackling ESPN's GameDay and ABC's Saturday Night Football as a guest anchor. Chesney took the weekend off to enjoy some college football before his new album, Lucky Old Sun, is released on Oct. 14. The first single off the album, "Everybody Wants To Go To Heaven," recently hit No. 1 on the Country singles chart...

With music sales down in the year’s third quarter, Country Music seems to have taken the hardest blow...

Release date for Shelton’s new album, Startin’ Fires, moved up...

Band scores hit album, tour...

Current single, "Hometown Heroes," adopted by Air Guard too...

Toby Keith's sophomore film, Beer For My Horses, is no longer in theaters, but fans will still have two opportunities to see it. The DVD release, as well as a TV airing, are coming in November...

As Nashville prepares for Belmont University’s hosting of the 2008 Presidential Debate, a private Grand Ole Opry show took place Sunday night for the visiting public figures. Belmont University proudly showcased alumni featuring Trisha Yearwood, Brad Paisley, Josh Turner and Julie Roberts. Darius Rucker made a special appearance, as did CBS’s Face the Nation host Bob Schieffer...

Recording a studio album is an exercise in artistry. Each detail can be shaped as closely as possible to the performer's vision, exactly as a painter transforms a blank canvas into a reflection of life. Live albums differ almost to the point of being opposite in nature. They are essentially journalistic endeavors, chronicling - or glossing over - each detail.... Martina McBride knew this...and her decision was - do it anyway...

Looks to example set by Keith Urban and Nicole Kidman...

CMA and ACM go head to head for one blogger...

Stephen Baldwin stars in video for latest single...

Rising Country Music star surprised to hear new single on radio just as she wished it would play...

Wow! Josh Turner, Sara Evans, Jimmy Wayne, Joey + Rory, Eric Church...

Rascal Flatts is set to continue their Bob That Head tour into 2009 with 25 extra dates being added. Jessica Simpson will be the opening act for the 2009 leg of the tour, which begins in mid-January. Dates and locations will be announced later this year.

The International Bluegrass Music Awards last night rewarded newcomer duo Daily & Vincent as they took home Entertainer, Emerging Artist and Gospel Performance awards. Other winners of the night include Barry Bales of Union Station, Jamie Dailey and Dale Ann Bradley. The show was hosted by Bluegrass legend Del McCoury.

Toby Keith has been a Democrat his entire life, but events during this year's campaign have changed his stance. The Country superstar has changed his vote this year, registering instead as an independent, citing attacks on Vice Presidential candidate Sarah Palin as a reason. 

Country Music power couple are among the growing list of celebrities to call an island home...

Shorter tour still draws over a million...

Neon Halo hit shelves Tuesday, Sept. 30...

October is Opry Month!...

On the heels of the Farm Aid's successful 23rd annual concert last weekend, the board members of the organization, Willie Nelson, John Mellencamp, Neil Young and Dave Matthews, wrote an open letter to Congress this week urging them to consider redirecting funds to working families."The return on investment in the family farm includes thriving local economies, nutritious food for better health, a safer and more secure food supply, a cleaner environment and more renewable energy," they wrote...

Awards shows have been opting for multiple hosts lately, and the CMA Awards is no exception. Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood have been announced as hosts for the 2008 CMA Awards, to take place Nov. 12 live from the Sommet Center in Nashville"I am so excited to host a show I grew up watching, and am so thrilled to spend this night with the fans and Brad," said Underwood. "It's going to be a party!"...

With a national media tour and much anticipation about her sophomore album coming out soon, Kellie Pickler took some time to announce a new contest.Pickler announced a new texting contest on The Today Show this week. From now until Oct. 13, fans can text the word "Pickler" to the number 66937. One person will be chosen at random to receive an exclusive acoustic concert for themselves and one hundred fans in their hometown."This is going to be so much fun," Pickler said. "It is great for the fans because it doesn't cost the winner anything. All we ask is that you feed us!"...

Free concert Saturday, Oct. 4, in downtown Nashville...

Hank Cochran CT scan is clear for now...

Trace Adkins, Brad Paisley, George Jones to honor Dickens with a special performance and ceremony at the Opry.

Movie star Kevin Costner will release a Country album in November with band Modern West.

Landmark concert of Scruggs' first headlining performance at Ryman Auditorium available on CD, digital download.

Promotes video, guest-hosts countdown...

Country Music star treasures memories of 5th visit overseas to entertain troops...

Young star reflects on how songwriting has helped her personal life...