Black Book Guide to Official Country Muisc Fan Clubs: The Top 100

Are you a country music fan? Here's a book for you: The Black Book Guide to Official Country Music Fan Clubs: The Top 100, from Trace Adkins to Trisha Yearwood.

The Black Book Guide includes the latest news and information about how to join your favorite country music fan clubs.

Want free stuff? The book lets you know how to get free pictures, music and more.

Are you a business owner or company manager? This and other fine Black Book Press titles are available as private editions for promotional use.

Private editions are printed with your logo or message on the cover and a personalized introduction to company history included with the text.

For more information, visit the website at http://www.blackbookpress.com/ or email amy@blackbookpress.com

Julianne Hough Dances with the Stars and Sings

Dancing with the Stars dancer Julianne Hough is really a country music singer at heart.

Paired with Indy car driver Helio Castroneves and Olympic speed skater Apolo Anton Ohno, she won two DWTH titles.

Hough just released her first album, self-titled Julianne Hough, and dropped the first single "That Song in My Head."

Her first taste of fame came from Dancing with the Stars, but Hough says she always had a song in her heart.

Said Hough: "Before I was on the show, I was planning to move to Nashville, but then I was asked to be on Dancing with the Stars. I thought, I can't turn down this much exposure. This could be a very big platform in helping me get my foot in the door. So we put (the music) on hold, and after the season, we went straight to Nashville and started meeting with producers and songwriters and record labels. It was going really well, and then the next season of (Stars) started, and I had to put the music on hold again. But even if I wasn't going to get signed, we were going to go ahead and do it ourselves."

That didn't happen. "Luke Lewis (head of Mercury Records) had never seen the show, but he'd heard about me. When I met him, it felt like I connected with him really well. It just felt right. The minute I got finished with (Stars), I went to Nashville, and we started rocking and rolling. We literally made the album in two months."

To check out Hough's freshman effort "That Song in my Head," visit at her website at http://www.juliannehough.com

Kenny Chesney Takes Home Top Honors at the 2008 Academy of Country Music Awards

There were no big surprises last night at the Academy of Country Music Awards show held at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, with Kenny Chesney taking home the top honors.

Well, maybe there were a few mild rumblings with the Best New Duo or Group award. Lady Antebellum edged out Carolina Rain and The Wreckers. It had to be close. Congratulations to all for a year of good music.

Country music is jam-packed with talent. Even the losers are winners when it comes to album sales and fan appreciation.

And the award goes to:



Entertainer of the Year: Black Book favorite Kenny Chesney took home the Entertainer of the Year Award for the fourth time.

"This one is really actually special because long before I had a hit record, the fans always came to the shows. And I want to thank you guys for voting and for being there for me," Kenny said.
Click here for info on Kenny Chesney's fan club.

Male Vocalist: Brad Paisely

Female Vocalist: American Idol Carrie Underwood.

Best Duo: Brooks & Dunn

Best Group: Rascal Flatts

Best New Female Vocalist: Taylor Swift

Best New Male Vocalist: Jack Ingram

New Duo or Vocal Group: Lady Antebellum

Song of the Year: "Stay" by Sugarland

Album of the Year: Crazy Ex-Girlfriend by Miranda Lambert

Vocal Event: "Find Out Who Your Friends Are," by Tracy Lawrence with Tim McGraw and Kenny Chesney

Best Video: "Online" by Brad Paisley

Crystal Milestone Award: Garth Brooks

Click here to see red carpet photos of the stars arriving at the Academy of Country Music Awards.

Like Johnny & June is Heidi Newfield's New Hit

Heidi Newfield has a great big hit with her new song "Like Johnny & June."

I heard it on the radio on Saturday for the first time. Even though I had arrived at my destination (the grocery store) I stayed in the car to listen to the entire song. Awesome!

Great melody. Great lyrics. Her voice aches as she sings. Made me a believer. Yes, I want a love like Johnny & June!

You can hear the song online at http://www.heidinewfield.com/.

Do yourself a favor and go to the website right now and listen to "Like Johnny & June." I guarantee you'll listen again and again to this great big old hit in the making.

Good job, Heidi. A well deserved hit for the artist who went solo in 2007 after years with Trick Pony.

Call your radio station and ask to hear "Like Johnny and June." Buy the record. Go to Heidi's website and take a listen. This is the first big hit of the summer. You read it here first at the Country Music Fan Club blog!

Heidi doesn't have an official fab club yet, but we are predicting it won't be long until she makes the Black Book Guide to Official Country Music Fan Clubs: The Top 100. Until then, check out her website for a bio, news and, of course, "Like Johnny & June."

Click here to listen to the song and commentary on her myspace page.

Toby Keith Concert Photos

Check out the Toby Keith Concert photos at The Palm Beach Post.

Kenny Chesney Needs Your Vote

Are you a Kenny Chesney fan? (And who isn't?) Well, it's time to show your support by voting for Kenny for this year's Entertainer of the Year honors.

I admit that I adore Kenny. His music makes me smile, lifts my heart, gets my foot to tapping.

So I am going to show him some love by voting for him...at least twice, maybe three times.

50 million Americans called in a vote for American Idol last week. Certainly country music fans can do better than that!



Here is the news we received: Leading the industry with 11 Academy of Country Music (ACM) Award nominations, including a nod for what could be his 4th consecutive win for Entertainer Of The Year, Kenny Chesney needs your help.

For the first time ever, the ACM has given the fans the power to determine who receives the coveted honor of Entertainer Of The Year. From now through May 18, go to ACMVOTE.com and show your support for Kenny as Entertainer Of The Year. With this win, Kenny would join Garth Brooks and Alabama as the only artists to receive four Entertainer Of The Year awards. Help Kenny make history!

From his annual summer concert tours, that this year will include 14 NFL stadium stops, to his “Next Big Star” contest, which gives local musicians a chance to shine, Kenny works harder for his fans than any other artist.

And as a thank you to his fans, go to kennychesney.com, where you can enter to win an all expense paid fly away contest to see Kenny’s Poets & Pirates tour in San Diego, CA. Entries for the contest can be submitted beginning today through May 19. The winner will be chosen on May 21.

The “Boots at the Beach” contest includes (for a winner and one guest):

• Three-night stay in deluxe accommodations at Loews Coronado Bay Resort. The hotel is known for its captivating views, cool ocean breezes and island-like setting. Winners are greeted with hand-shaken margaritas and freshly-made salsa verde and pico de gallo waiting for you in your guestroom.
• All flights and transportation are included.
• Pair of Premium tickets to Kenny’s Poets & Pirates tour stop at Cricket Wireless Amphitheatre in San Diego.
• Surfing lessons at the nearby Silver Strand State Beach with soft surfboards, wetsuits and professional lessons by the best instructors around.
• Picnic on the Pacific with everything you need to enjoy lunch on the beach in one convenient basket.

Remember to tell your friends and family to vote for Kenny at ACMVOTE.com and sign up to win this amazing trip to enjoy Kenny on the beach in San Diego at kennychesney.com. Also, be sure to check kennychesney.com for the most up to date touring information.

Gunpowder & Lead: Miranda Lambert

Miranda Lambert fights back!

Gunpowder and Lead is an angry anthem. It ranks at the top along side the Dixie Chicks' Independence Day.

After being smacked around and shaken like a rag doll, she's gonna get a little crazy.

His fist is big but my gun's bigger
He'll find out when I pull the trigger
I'm goin' home, gonna load my shotgun
Wait by the door and light a cigarette
He wants a fight well now he's got one
And he ain't seen me crazy yet
Slapped my face and he shook me like a rag doll
Don't that sound like a real man
I'm gonna show him what a little girl's made of
Gun powder and lead

Even if you're not mad at your boyfriend, this song is infectious. You can't help buy sing along.

Miranda's voice is pure and true, and that wall of country sound behind her is awesome.

Check out this single and a few more from her Crazy Ex-girlfriend CD online at her website at www.mirandalambert.com.

Join the Ran Fan Club for only $20. You get:

• Official Ran Fans T-Shirt (optional)
• 8” x 10” photo
• Official Ran Fan membership card
• 7 1⁄2” x 4” bumper sticker
• Welcome Letter, Fun Facts, Bio
• Koozie
• Meet & greet opportunities
• Presale tickets
• Fan club party
• Exclusive online content

For more information about this and other fan clubs, buy the Black Book Guide to Official Country Music Fan Clubs: The Top 100, available at www.blackbookpress.com

Gretchen Wilson Graduates

Gretchen Wilson, country's favorite redneck women, finally received her high school diploma.

She took and passed the GED at age 34 because she wanted to set a good example for her daughter.

Gretchen has an awesome website at http://www.gretchenwilson.com/. You can watch five full-length videos online. There are also links to her photo gallery.

The Gretchen Wilson fan club is called Club 27. For only $25 USD a year you can get access to behind-the-scenes photos and exclusive video as well as your chance to purchase pre-sale tickets and maybe even meet Gretchen backstage