Country Music Fan Clubs

Sissy's Song & Closer To Love

2009-07-07T07:30:00.000-07:00

Do you like Alan Jackson's Sissy's Song? Then check out Matt Kearney's Closer to Love. It's more pop than country, but still awesome. I love the acoustic versions - soulful, simple, true.

Some of the passages have a similar melody, showing once again that music from the heart crosses all genre.

Here's a clip of an acoustic performance of Closer to Love.

And here's Alan Jackson's video of Sissy's Song.

More Sexy Men of Country Music

2009-06-02T08:39:00.000-07:00

Last week I blogged about People Magazine's top picks for country music's sexiest men. Let's face it, the list was incomplete at best.

But wait, there's more!

Country music has no shortage of sexy men. Here are ten more who should be added to the list (in alphabetical order).

Jason Aldean - Mr. Yummy
Garth Brooks - He's Garth
Zac Brown - The Country Boy
Billy Currington - Love Those Blue Eyes
Ronnie Dunn - The Sexiest Voice
Toby Keith - The Badboy
Gary LeVox - The Most Unforgetable Voice
Craig Morgan - My Kind of Redneck Boater
Darius Rucker - New School Country
George Strait - Old School Sexy, aka The Classic

For more information about all of your favorite country music fan clubs, get an e-book or print copy of the Black Book Guide to Country Music Fan Clubs: The Top 100 by Amy Jordan at http://www.blackbookpress.com/ or Amazon.

Country Music News: More Concert Dates - Kenny Chesney, Shawn Colvin

2009-05-26T07:19:00.001-07:00

Kenny Chesney Fan Club News - Presales for ID and VA Concerts

Kenny Chesney's Sun City Carnival Tour is making its way across North America and we have more dates rolling out next week.

Members of the Kenny Chesney Fan Club will have access to buy tickets before they go on sale to the general public. The next presales will take place this Tuesday for shows in ID and VA.

Thursday, July 14
Taco Bell
Boise, ID
Presale Begins 5/26 @ Noon MT

Saturday, August 29
Nissan Pavillion
Bristow, VA
Presale Begins 5/26 @ Noon ET

Members will be able to purchase presale tickets by logging into the fan club and going to the ticketing page. Go to www.kennychesney.com for more information.

Fan Club News From Shawn Colvin - New York City in November

Received the following details about Shawn playing New York City in November:

Shawn will be playing three nights at New York City's new City Winery, November 2, 3 and 4. This beautiful new venue is an intimate room with great sound, great sightlines, and a superb menu of food and drinks (including, of course, an impressive wine selection). City Winery is the perfect showcase for what promises to be three memorable evenings with Shawn.

Starting today, fans will have a 72 hour *EXCLUSIVE* opportunity to be able to buy tickets for these shows. You can purchase tickets via the links below (currently hidden from the public). Tickets will go on sale to City Winery members on Monday May 25th and to the general public on Thursday May 28th. For tickets, go to www.citywinery.com and click on the Music & Events link.

Country Music's Sexiest Men

2009-05-19T06:47:00.000-07:00

The sexiest men of country music are featured in People Magazine.

They are, in alpabetical order, according to the publication:

Trace Adkins, the Roughneck
Dierks Bentley, the Free Spirit
Luke Bryan, the Smooth Talker
Kenny Chesney, the Heartbreaker
Jack Ingram, the Marathon Man
Tim McGraw, the Great Romantic
Jake Owen, the Catch
Brad Paisley, the Charmer
Blake Shelton, the Joker
Josh Turner, the Family Man
Keith Urban, the Heartthrob
Chuck Wicks, the Leading Man

Country Music: Richie McDonald's Six Foot Teddybear Hit

2009-05-05T06:02:00.000-07:00

Country music singer Richie McDonald has a huge hit with his new single "Six Foot Teddybear."

The former Lonestar frontman hits all the right notes on "Six Foot Teddybear." It's a fun tune, reminiscent of the Lonestar hit "Mr. Mom." No surprise it's written by the same writer, Ron Harbin.

Click here to hear "Six Foot Teddybear" on Richie's My Space page.

Richie said this on his website: "Now, with the release of 'Six-Foot Teddybear,' he launches his much-anticipated solo career and demonstrates that he is just now hitting stride.

“We had a great run and made a lot of wonderful memories,” he says, “but I feel like I'm doing what I'm supposed to be doing now. This feels right in my heart.”

The single, an upbeat look at the way domestic life can soften the most seemingly hardened man, displays both McDonald's singing and writing talents and his long-standing ability to bring together family love and great music."

Richie's solo fan club is free. Sign up now for the latest news, interact with other RM fans, have opportunities for meet & greets (coming soon), exclusive contests and more.

For more information about all of your favorite country music fan clubs, get an e-book or print copy of the Black Book Guide to Country Music Fan Clubs: The Top 100 by Amy Jordan at www.blackbookpress.com or Amazon.

Taylor Swift's New Video "The Best Day" Starring Taylor!

2009-05-04T11:40:00.000-07:00

A CMT exclusive: Get ready for Taylor Swift! Exclusively until Mother's Day, CMT.com has Taylor Swift's video for "The Best Day!" You can find all the assets below for the video. THEN on Monday, see Taylor's new video for "You Belong with Me" exclusively at CMT.com!

The video features clips of a younger Taylor with mom (I'm guessing).

Check out clips from Taylor Swift's new video "The Best Day" online, compliments of CMT.

Country Music Fan Clubs of 2009 AMC Winners

2009-04-07T03:08:00.000-07:00

Women headlined the 2009 ACM Awards, with Carrier Underwood taking home top honors for Entertainer of the Year, Taylor Swift netting Ambum of the Year, and Julianne Hough received Top New Artist.

The winning artists and the links to their fan clubs are:

Entertainer of the Year, Female Artist of the Year: Carrie Underwood

Album of the Year: Fearless by Taylor Swift

Vocal Event of the Year - "Start A Band": Brad Paisley and Keith Urban

Top Vocal Duo: Sugarland

Top Vocal Group: Rascal Flatts

Top Male Vocalist, Video of the Year - "Waitin' On a Woman": Brad Paisley

Top New Artist: Julianne Hough

Top New Vocal Group or Duo: Zac Brown Band

Single Record of the Year - "You're Gonna Miss This": Trace Adkins

Song of the Year - "In Color": Jamey Johnson

For more information about all of your favorite country music fan clubs, get an e-book or print copy of the Black Book Guide to Country Music Fan Clubs: The Top 100 by Amy Jordan at www.blackbookpress.com or Amazon.

Kenny Chesney Fan Club News

2009-03-30T08:44:00.001-07:00

Today we received this update from Kenny Chesney's Fan Club.

Kenny Chesney's Sun City Carnival Tour is making its way across North America and we have several dates rolling out next week.

Members of the Kenny Chesney Fan Club will have access to buy tickets before they go on sale to the general public. The next presales will take place this Tuesday for shows in Arkansas, South Carolina, California and Florida.

Saturday, May 16
Alltel Arena
Little Rock, AR
Presale Begins 3/31 @ Noon CT

Thursday, May 21
Bi-Lo Center
Greenville, SC
Presale Begins 3/31 @ Noon ET

Saturday, July 18
AT&T Park
San Francisco, CA
Presale Begins 3/31 @ Noon PT

Friday, August 7
Veteran's Memorial
Jacksonville, FL
Presale Begins 3/31 @ Noon ET

Members will be able to purchase presale tickets by logging into the fan club and going to the ticketing page.

Kenny is offering more chances to be upgraded to receive tickets in the sand bar, special general admission areas inside the stage. In many venues we will be giving away 25 pairs only to those folks who bought through fan club presales!

If you are not currently a member you can join today by clicking here.

For the latest tour dates and news, check out www.Kennychesney.com for the most up to date information.

Ronnie Milsap Fans Delight: New Gospel CD Drops March 10

2009-03-04T06:13:00.001-08:00

Back in the day I was two-stepping at the Winchester to some of Ronnie Milsap's greatest country hits, from "I'm a Stand By Your Woman Man" to "Smokey Mountain Rain." Good times!

In comparison to chart-topping heydays of the 70s and 80s, the next two decades were kind of quiet by Ronnie standards, but we're pleased announce hes back with Then Sings My Soul, a collection of gospel songs scheduled for release on March 10.

I'm looking forward to the CD because Ronnie has the track-record to deliver what could be the gospel release of the year. His accomplishments include 40 # 1 hits, more than 25 million records sold, seven Grammy Awards, four Academy of Country Music Awards and eight Country Music Association Awards.

Visit the website at http://www.ronniemilsap.com/ to listen to clips from the new CD and to sign up for his free email newsletter and to check for upcoming tour dates.

Martina McBride Sound Check and Fan Club News

2009-02-20T05:55:00.000-08:00

Click here to check out Martina McBride in a sound check moment and interview.

In the video she performs:

How I Feel
This One’s for the Girls
Wrong
I Love You
Independence Day

Martina McBride Fan Club Info

The cost is $20 a year.

Benefits include:

Official Martina McBride Fan Club Membership card
$10.00 Gift Certificate to Martina's online Store* Special Discounts on Martina Merchandise
Contests & Prizes
Concert Pre-sales
Opportunities to Get Up Close and Personal with Martina

To join, visit the website at www.martinamcbride.com.

Martina's new album Shine drops on March 24th.

For more information about all of your favorite country music fan clubs, get an e-book or print copy of the Black Book Guide to Country Music Fan Clubs: The Top 100 by Amy Jordan at www.blackbookpress.com or Amazon.

Country Music Stars Featured in Charity Auction

2009-02-17T13:32:00.000-08:00

The Musicians On Call annual charity auction with Charity Buzz features a number of wonderful items by country music superstars.

The main auction closes on March 5, but some items close early. Check it out online at http://www.musiciansoncall.com/.

Now up for bid:

Rascal Flatts Tickets (2) with Meet and Greet
Current Bid: $1,200.00
Closes: Mar 5, 2009

Keith Urban Concert Tickets (2)
Current Bid: $825
Closes: March 5, 2009

Steven Van Zandt Autographed Electric Guitar
Current Bid: $500
Closes: March 5, 2009

Taylor Swift Autographed Guitar
Current Bid: $400
Closes: March 5, 2009

Rascal Flatts Autographed Guitar
Current Bid: $275
Closes: March 5, 2009

Also up for auction:

Alabama Autographed Guitar
Wynonna Judd Autographed Guitar
Brooks & Dunn Autographed Guitar
Miranda Lambert Autographed Guitar
John Michael Montgomery Autographed Guitar
LeAnn Rimes Autographed Memorabilia
4 Grand Old Opry VIP Tickets with Hotel Accommodations
Kenny Chesney Autographed Guitar
Montgomery Gentry Golf Club
Blake Shelton Autographed Guitar

Heidi Newfield Scores 5 Academy of Country Music Award Nominations

2009-02-12T12:07:00.000-08:00

Heidi Newfield and her big summer hit "Johnny & June" scored five Academy of Country Music Award nominations.

Last May I blogged about the former Trick Pony singer when I first heard Newfield's soulful story about a love like Johnny and June, writing: "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!"

The usual suspects are up for Entertainer of the Year, only this time they are joined by Carrie Underwood.

When was the last time a female won Entertainer of the Year? The Dixie Chicks won the title in 2000, Shania Twain won in 1999, and Reba took home the honor in 1994. Barbara Mandrell won in 1980, Dolly took the title in 1977, and Loretta Lynn was the first woman to receive the honor in 1975. Country music superstars all, these talented women.

Reba is hosting the big event on April 4.

And the nominees are:

Entertainer of the Year
Kenny Chesney
Brad Paisley
George Strait
Carrie Underwood
Keith Urban

Top Male Vocalist
Kenny Chesney
Toby Keith
Brad Paisley
George Strait
Keith Urban

Top Female Vocalist
Miranda Lambert
Heidi Newfield
Taylor Swift
Carrie Underwood
Lee Ann Womack

Top Vocal Group
Lady Antebellum
Little Big Town
Rascal Flatts
Randy Rogers Band
The Lost Trailers

Top Vocal Duo
Big & Rich
Brooks & Dunn
Joey & Rory
Montgomery Gentry
Sugarland

Top New Male Vocalist
Jamey Johnson
James Otto
Jake Owen

Top New Female Vocalist
Sarah Buxton
Julianne Hough
Ashton Shepherd

Top New Vocal Duo or Group
Eli Young Band
The Lost Trailers
Zac Brown Band

Record of the Year
Miranda Lambert, "Gunpowder & Lead"
Jamey Johnson, "In Color"
Heidi Newfield, "Johnny & June"
Brad Paisley, "Waitin' on a Woman"
Trace Adkins, "You're Gonna Miss This"

Song of the Year
George Strait, "I Saw God Today"
Jamey Johnson, "In Color"
Heidi Newfield, "Johnny & June"
Brad Paisley, "Waitin' on a Woman"
Trace Adkins, "You're Gonna Miss This"

Video of the Year
Heidi Newfield, "Johnny & June"
Carrie Underwood, "Just a Dream"
Taylor Swift, "Love Story"
George Strait, "Troubadour"
Brad Paisley, "Waitin' on a Woman"

Vocal Event of the Year
Josh Turner feat. Trisha Yearwood, "Another Try"
Brooks & Dunn feat. Reba McEntire, "Cowgirls Don't Cry"
Kenny Chesney with Mac McAnally, "Down the Road"
Sugarland feat. Little Big Town & Jake Owen, "Life in a Northern Town"
Brad Paisley with Keith Urban, "Start a Band"

Can You Duet? Country Music Television Audition

2009-02-11T06:47:00.001-08:00

Country Music Television is now casting for Season 2 of the popular show "Can You Duet?"

Think you can sing? Well, grab your partner and start practicing for your chance at fame and fortune.

There is an open casting call scheduled for March 7, 2009 at Wildhorse Saloon, 120 2nd Ave. N., Nashville, TN 37201, The doors open at 8 a.m.

For more information visit the website or call 1-800-813-5077.

Country Music at the 2009 Grammys

2009-02-09T05:10:00.000-08:00

Country music was well represented at the 2009 Grammy Awards.

Keith Urban offered a soulful jam on Al Green's "Let's Stay Together" with the Reverand himself, Justin Timberlake and Boyz 2 Men.

The unlikely couple of rock guitar legend Robert Plant and bluegrass fiddler Alison Krauss took home five Grammys for "Raising Sand," including Record of the Year and Album of the Year honors. T Bone Burnett produced the album. The pair also won Country Collaboration with Vocals, Pop Collaboration with Vocals and Contemporary Folk/Americana Album.

Carrie Underwood brought the house down with her voice and her outfit in a performance of "Last Name," the song that won her the Country Female Vocal Performance Grammy.

Brad Paisley took home the Country Male Vocal Performance Grammy for "Letter to Me."

Sugarland won Country Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals: "Stay."

George Strait won the Grammy for Country Album for "Troubadour."

Country Instrumental Performance honors went to "Cluster Pluck," Brad Paisley, James Burton, Vince Gill, John Jorgenson, Albert Lee, Brent Mason, Redd Volkaert and Steve Wariner.

Bluegrass Album was awarded to "Honoring the Fathers of Bluegrass: Tribute to 1946 and 1947," Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder.

"Lovin' Life," Gaither Vocal Band, won Southern, Country, Bluegrass Gospel.

Miley Cyrus and Taylor Swift sang a Swift duet: "15."

Jimmy Wayne: Country Music's Rebel with a Cause

2009-02-05T10:00:00.000-08:00

Country music singer/songwriter Jimmy Wayne followed up the successful single "Do You Believe Me Now" with "I Will," #23 this week on the Country Single Billboard chart. So where is his fan club?

Jimmy has a popular MySpace page but no formal fan club. At least not yet. Tour dates are included. (See you in Florida in the fall, Jimmy!)

Maybe fan clubs just aren't his style. The North Carolina native has hardscrabble roots and worked hard to get to Nashville As a child he endured abandonment, violence, foster homes, and homelessness. He managed to go to college and became a prison guard, where an inmate influenced his early songwriting.

Once in Nashville, Jimmy began to shine. First he wrote for others, hits like Tracy Byrd's "Put Your Hand in Mine" (with Skip Ewing). His first Billboard single was "Stay Gone" in 2003.

It's nice to see him in the spotlight now. Looks like he is in it to stay.

Writes Thom Jurek, All Music Guide, "Wayne may be pretty, but he is substantive and presents an entirely new twist on the entire country tradition."

He is country music's rebel with a cause. And country is better for it.

Amy Jordan blogs about country music fan clubs. She is the author of the Black Book Guide to Country Music Fan Clubs: The Top 100, from Trace Atkins to Trisha Yearwood (Black Book Press).

No Darius Rucker Official Country Music Fan Club...Yet

2009-02-02T06:21:00.000-08:00

He's got two big old hits that have recently climbed the Top 40 charts but still no official fan club for country sensation Darius Rucker.

After a successful career as frontman for Hootie & the Blowfish, Rucker went country in a big way with the chart-topping song "Don't Think I Don't Think About It" from the Learn to Live album.

Now he's followed that up with the popular ballad "Love Will."

You can sign up for a free email newsletter at http://www.dariusrucker.com/. Hopefully, a fan club will be forthcoming.

Upcoming Tour Dates
February 12
Shooting Star Casino
Mahnomen, MN

February 13
Four Bears Casino & Lodge
New Town, ND

February 14
Washington Pavilion
Sioux Falls, SD

February 18
At&t Center
San Antonio, TX

February 27
Diamond Jo Casino
Dubuque, IA

February 28
Elliott Hall of Music - Purdue University
West Lafayette, IN

Ladt Antebellum Called Country's Hottest New Band

2009-01-27T06:55:00.001-08:00

Who doesn't like the fresh country sound of Lady Antebellum?

The band is making a name for itself across the country. Today the Palm Beach Post in a headline three inches high above the fold dubbed the group "Country's Hottest New band."

Lady Antebellum appears on the Pepsi Stage at the South Florida Fair at 7 p.m. on Thursday. Tickets are $20 - $25.

Gushed the newspaper: Sometimes the stars align.

That's the only way Hillary Scott of Lady Antebellum can explain the rookie band's phenomenal success.

"I was working on a solo career," Scott said. "Then I discovered (pop singer) Josh Kelley on MySpace Music. Josh is Charles' older brother, and that led me to listen to Charles' stuff. He had something that caught not just my eye, but my ear. One night out in Nashville I recognized him and told him I really liked his music."

That chance meeting led to a songwriting date and almost immediately Scott, Charles Kelley and compatriot Dave Haywood knew they had something special in their mix of hot country and soul-stirring R&B.

"We feel like fate had a hand in it, that somebody bigger is guiding the ship."

That guiding hand drove the band's first album to debut at No. 1 on Billboard in April, the first time a debut album for a new group or duo has achieved that milestone in the 45 years since the chart was launched. Proving it was no fluke, the self-titled CD topped dozens of critics' Top Ten lists for the year, won two big country music awards and is nominated for two Grammys.

Click here for the rest of the article.

Lady Antebellum has a MySpace page where you can hear the latest releases for free and a page on their label's website with a schedule of upcoming appearances but no formal fan club yet.

Country Music Goes To New York City

2008-12-04T08:53:00.000-08:00

Is anyone left in Nashville? Seems like some of country music's biggest stars spent the holiday in New York City.

The "tall man in a black hat" was everywhere. Country music superstar and Celebrity Apprentice finalist Trace Adkins was back in the Big Apple for the Macy's Day Parade. You also saw him on Fox and Friends and The O'Reilly Factor.

Sugarland remains a favorite of this blog. Here taping a performance in NYC. Click here to check out the Sugarland "movie" trailer. It's fun!

Darius Rucker rocked country at the parade. Click here to check out the pics on his web site.

Did you see Faith Hill on David Letterman? Here's the video. Man, can she sing!

And, of course, who can get enough of Tim McGraw on SNL?

On the Left Coast, Taylor Swift performed live at the AMAs.

Country Music News Today: Taylor Swift, Tim McGraw & Kevin Costner

2008-11-25T05:32:00.000-08:00

Lots of exciting news in country music today, especially because it seems as if everywhere you look these days in entertainment you see country music in the mainstream.

Taylor Swift, Tim McGraw and Kevin Costner are making country music news today.

Taylor Swift is on the cover of the Dec./Jan. CosmoGirl, and the magazine rightly likens her to a phenomenon.

Says the popular teen/young women publication: "Whether she is climbing up the country music charts or teaming up with politicians to fight for causes important to her, Taylor Swift is what we like to call a phenomenon."

Adding: "Taylor knew she wanted to be singer since the age of 10, but it wasn’t until two years later when she learned to play the guitar and wrote her first song (yes, she was only 12!) that she tapped into what would really allow her to connect with an audience and soon make her a star. Her music is relatable because she puts her life, her relationships, and her struggles on paper and shares it with the world — and at only 18 she has so many more experiences ahead and so many more songs to write."

Check out the Dec./Jan. issue of CosmoGirl to read about Taylor and learn the little secret she says Faith Hill taught her.

Live from New York! Tim McGraw hosted Saturday Night Live last weekend. Click here to see a video.

Versatile actor and director Kevin Costner was in Nashville with his band Modern West. Click here for an interview with Kevin Costner on Opry Live before he plays the Opry.

Read All About the 2008 Country Music Award Winners

2008-11-14T05:54:00.000-08:00

Are you a country music fan? You can read all about your favorite country music superstars and the winners of the 2008 Country Music Awards in the Black Book Guide to Official Country Music Fan Clubs: The Top 100 and on this blog.

And the winners are...

Entertainer of the Year
Kenny Chesney

Female Vocalist of the Year
Carrie Underwood

Male Vocalist of the Year
Brad Paisley

New Artist of the Year
Lady Antebellum

Vocal Group of the Year
Rascal Flatts

Vocal Duo of the Year
Sugarland

Single of the
"I Saw God Today" George Strait
Produced by Tony Brown and George Strait
MCA Nashville

Album of the Year
Troubadour George Strait
Produced by Tony Brown and George Strait

Song of the Year
“Stay” Jennifer Nettles
Jennifer Nettles Publishing

Musical Event of the Year
Robert Plant and Alison Krauss
“Gone Gone Gone”

Music Video of the Year
“Waitin’ On A Woman” Brad Paisley featuring Andy Griffith
Directed by Jim Shea & Peter Tilden

Musician of the Year
Mac McAnally – Guitar

Country Music News Today: Taylor Swift, Brad Paisley, Carrie Underwood & Toby Keith

2008-11-11T06:54:00.000-08:00

Taylor Swift Talks about Love and Writing on MTV

Taylor Swift talked about her breakup with teen heart throb Joe Jonas and the song she wrote about it, "Always & Forever," on MTV News.

The parting came in a brief phone call, Swift said.

She admitted her writing comes from a personal place.

"I like to write personal songs," Swift said. "I like to write songs that are very obviously about people. It's kind of hard to change your stripes. I like to write songs about love, and I like to write songs about relationships, and I like to write songs about boys."

Click here to read the complete story.

Country Music Awards Countdown

It's one day and counting until the Annual Country Music Awards, which airs live from Nashville at 8 p.m. on Wednesday on ABC.

Country music superstars Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood, the current male and female vocalists of the year, will host the big event.

Paisley and Underwood are schedule to perform, along with Trace Adkins, Brooks & Dunn, Kenny Chesney with The Wailers, the Eagles, Alan Jackson, cross-over Kid Rock, Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert, George Strait, Sugarland, Taylor Swift and Keith Urban.

Toby Keith Gripes about the CMA in People Magazine

Toby Keith says that in spite of being the top-earning country performer he gets no respect from the Country Music Association.

Toby is quoted as saying the Country Music Association "screwed him" in People Magazine. That's why he doesn't attend the awards show.

Click here to read the article in People.

Country Music Superstars Featured in Parade

2008-11-05T12:45:00.000-08:00

Parade Magazine went country this Sunday (11/2/08) with a feature on Keith Urban's beautiful wife, actress Nicole Kidman, and Carrie Underwood's favorite country music albums.

Parade Picks asked American Idol winner and country superstar Carrie Underwood to name her all-time favorite country music albums. She selected:

Greatest Hits by Martina McBride
The Right Place by Bryan White
The America Farewell Tour by Alabama
Greatest hits by Alan Jackson
Always & Forever by Randy Travis.

Click here to get information about Bryan White's fan club.

Fan club information for Martina McBride, Alabama, Alan Jackson and Randy Travis, as well as Carrie Underwood and Keith Urban, is in The Black Book Guide to Official Country Music Fan Club: The Top 100.

Johnny Cash is Still a Voice for America

2008-10-14T09:18:00.000-07:00

Johnny Cash remains a voice for America.

"I Am The Nation" is a spoken word documentary DVD/CD from the Johnny Cash vault. It is scheduled to be released by Legacy Recordings on Oct. 28th.

According to a spokesperson, "The film Johnny Cash's America is poignantly placed in the context of today'spolitical climate and this oration "I Am The Nation" reminds us what our country stands for at a time when Americans seem more divided than ever.

Johnny Cash’s America examines how Johnny became the most authentic celebrity voice our country had. He embraced all of America’s diversity without prejudice or partisanship and he had so much clout with the American people that every President in office during his lifetime courted Johnny Cash. Both the right and the left claimed him, although he remained non partisan.

He was championed by teenage punks, their parents, and their grandparents. He was embraced by soldiers and anarchists, by conservatives and liberals, yuppies and rednecks. When times demanded change, he was not afraid to change with them. When times were good, he sang in celebration. Untainted by partisanship and spin, Cash still remains a rare bridge in our culture. "

Click here to see a Quicktime clip.

Visit the website at http://www.johnnycash.com/

Country Music Award Nominations

2008-09-11T05:41:00.000-07:00

It's time for the Country Music Award nominations again, and Kenny Chesney leads the pack with seven nominations.

Kenny, the hardest touring man in country music, is the reigning "Entertainer of the Year," and he is up for the honor again this year.

George Strait and Sugarland received five nominations each.

Congratulations to all the nominees. They are:

Entertainer of the Year: Kenny Chesney, Brad Paisley, George Strait, Sugarland and Keith Urban.

Female Vocalist: Alison Krauss, Miranda Lambert, Martina McBride, Taylor Swift and Carrie Underwood.

Male Vocalist: Kenny Chesney, Alan Jackson, Brad Paisley, George Strait and Keith Urban.

New Artist: Jason Aldean, Rodney Atkins, Lady Antebellum, James Otto and Kellie Pickler.

Vocal Group: Eagles, Emerson Drive, Lady Antebellum, Little Big Town and Rascal Flatts.

Vocal Duo: Big & Rich, Brooks & Dunn, Montgomery Gentry, Sugarland and The Wreckers.

Single of the Year (to artist & producer): "Don't Blink" by Kenny Chesney, produced by Buddy Cannon and Kenny Chesney; "Gunpowder & Lead" by Miranda Lambert, produced by Frank Liddell and Mike Wrucke; "I Saw God Today" by George Strait, produced by Tony Brown and George Strait; "Stay" by Sugarland, produced by Byron Gallimore, Kristian Bush and Jennifer Nettles; "You're Gonna Miss This" by Trace Adkins, produced by Frank Rogers.

Album of the Year (to artist and producer): "Carnival Ride" by Carrie Underwood, produced by Mark Bright; "Cowboy Town" by Brooks & Dunn, produced by Tony Brown, Dunn and Brooks; "Good Time" by Alan Jackson, produced by Keith Stegall; "Just Who I Am: Poets & Pirates" by Kenny Chesney, produced by Buddy Cannon and Kenny Chesney; "Troubadour" by George Strait, produced by Tony Brown and George Strait.

Song of the Year (To Songwriter): "Good Time" Alan Jackson; "You're Gonna Miss This" Lee Miller, Ashley Gorley; "I Saw God Today" Rodney Clawson, Monty Criswell, Wade Kirby; "Letter to Me" Brad Paisley; "Stay" Jennifer Nettles.

Musical Event of the Year: "Another Try" Josh Turner featuring Trisha Yearwood; "Every Other Weekend" Reba McEntire & Kenny Chesney; "Gone, Gone, Gone" Robert Plant & Alison Krauss; "Life in a Northern Town" Sugarland featuring Little Big Town and Jake Owen; and "Shiftwork" Kenny Chesney (duet with George Strait).

Music Video of the Year: "Don't Blink" Kenny Chesney; "Good Time" Alan Jackson; "Stay" Sugarland; "Waitin' on a Woman" Brad Paisley; and "You're Gonna Miss This," Trace Adkins.Musician of the Year: Jerry Douglas, Paul Franklin, Dann Huff, Brent Mason and Mac McAnally.

The awards show will be held in Nashville on Nov. 12 and televised live on ABC.

get the inside scoop on all of your favorite fan clubs in the Black Book Guide to Country Music Fan Clubs: The Top 100.

Jimmie Wayne has a country muisc hit

2008-09-03T13:29:00.000-07:00

Jimmie Wayne has his first big country music hit.

"Do You Believe Me Now" is sitting at No. 5 on the Billboard country music chart.

Check out his website at www.jimmiewayne.com for free screensaver downloads and videos where Jimmie talks about each song on his album.

Jimmie has no formal fan club yet.

Upcoming appearance include:

York County Fair
September 10, 2008
York, Pennsylvania

10 Man Jam
September 26, 2008
Ft. Myers, Florida

WSLC Acoustic Show
October 3, 2008
Roanoke, Virginia

Wolf Den
October 8, 2008
Greensboro, North Carolina

Religious Event of Hope Restoration and Worship
October 17, 2008
Ft. Wayne, Indiana

Madison County Music Awards
October 25, 2008
Madison, Wisconsin

Coyote Joe's
November 14, 2008
Charlotte, North Carolina

Uptown Theater
November 19, 2008
Kansas City, Missouri

Mohegan Sun Arena
November 21, 2008
Uncasville, Connecticut

Darius Rucker Goes Country

2008-08-12T05:42:00.000-07:00

Darius Rucker appeared on CNBC's Power Lunch. Click here to see his interview "Basking in Country Success."

Check out his new country music video "Don't Think I Don't Think About It" here.

There is no official fan club yet, but you can join his online community for free at www.dariusrucker.com

Toby Keith on Glenn Beck: Country Music Star Talks About Hollywood, His New Movie, Politics and Ted Nugent

2008-08-05T05:40:00.000-07:00

Toby Keith did an hour-long interview on the Glenn Beck show, talking about everything from Hollywood to movie making to politics to Ted Nugent.

Toby's new movie Beer For My Horses is in theaters on Friday.

Here is an excerpt from the show:

GLENN: Okay. Toby, you've got a new movie that is coming out and it is, from what I understand, I haven't seen it yet, but it comes out is it wide release? What is it August 5th?

TOBY: It comes out August 8th.

GLENN: August 8th.

TOBY: We're in about a hundred locations, and Lion's Gate doing it. Roadside Attractions, Lion's Gate are doing this thing, they take these kind of movies, they know how to market them, they know how to blow them up. The last thing you want to do is spend twice as much as it costs to make the movie trying to decide. We'll find out here in the next two or three weeks what we have and if the public likes it, then we'll blow it up, it'll be a huge expansion.

GLENN: From the way you described it, it is kind of like the old Smoky and the Bandit. It's kind of that fun, light hearted, make fun of yourself, you know, rebel but not a jerk kind of you know, charming rebel.

TOBY: Right, I always make fun of myself first and then I can just rare back and laugh at everybody else. So, hey, you know what, it I met Burt Reynolds on a project a couple of years ago and he said, you know what, you're very charming and you you have the persona to be a very charming but when crossed dangerous guy, he said, that's the same quality, not that I'm not this guy, this is Burt Reynolds, I can quote him, he said, John Wayne had that charming but dangerous thing. He said if you'll gravitate to that, you can do what I do for a living, have fun at the same time. When I wrote this script with Rodney Carrington, comedy, it was a tip of the hat to Burt Reynolds.

GLENN: Willy Nelson is in the movie. Everybody is in the movie. Ted Nugent is in the movie. You're close with Ted, aren't you?

TOBY: You know, Ted has a great heart. Ted gets a bad rap for being an extreme right wing radical.

GLENN: He is one of the most giving man I've ever seen.

TOBY: Ted doesn't get any credit, which is the way it are usually works. They pick out one thing about you, blow it up. As extreme as he is, as hard as he drives it. He does a lot for kids, he is auto he never done drugs or alcohol, he appreciates that, tells kids not to open doors (those doors at his camps. He wants to live off the land like his four fathers did, God bless him, if he wants to eat deer every night for dinner, go for it.

Click here to read the interview or to listen to an audio playback at glennbeck.com.

Click here for more info about the Toby Keith fan club. The cost starts at $25.

Click here to get your copy of the Black Book Guide to Official Country Music Fan Clubs: The Top 100.

All I Want To Do Is Listen to Sugarland

2008-07-29T08:19:00.000-07:00

That song! That do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do...all I want to do.

All I want to do is listen to Sugarland's hot new single from their third album, Love on the Inside, which drops today. Click here to see the video.

I heard Jennifer on a local radio station, and she said Kristian's daughter inspired the little ditty that makes the song irresistible. It's flat fun!

"All I Want To Do" is #3 on the Billboard country music chart. There's a short review in praise of the album at Billboard with one error: Sugarland is not on the "cusp of super stardom"; Jennifer Nettles and Kristian Bush have broken through the barrier that separates new sounds we like and making music that will last a lifetime.

Nettles' star has long been shining. Before Nashville took notice, she fronted one of my all time favorite Georgia bands and the subject of my best obscure mix DVD - Soul Miner's Daughter. She had it then - a voice that could make you see inside yourself and cry- playing folk rock at bars around Athens. She's a little less angry and the songs are a little lighter, but the voice remains true. She can make you smile, too.

So, to correct Billboard, Sugarland has reached super stardom, and Love On The Inside is the fruit of their labors, ripe and lush and ready to be picked and played and enjoyed by country music fans everywhere.

A "deluxe fan edition" of the album was released last week at itunes.com. It includes a chance to WIN one of 5 Ultimate Sugarland Fan Experience Trips to the CMA Awards in Nashville, TN in the "PLATINUM TICKET" Instant Win Game. Check out the details at the Sugarland website -- http://www.sugarlandmuisc.com/

Upcoming shows:

TONIGHT 7/29/2008
Mississippi Valley FairgroundsDavenport, IA

8/1/2008
Oregon JamboreeSweet Home, OR

8/3/2008
BIG VALLEY JAMBOREECAMROSE, AB, CANANDA

Of course, Sugarland is in the Black Book Guide to Official Country Music Fan Clubs: The Top 100. Get your copy today at Black Book Press. Join the fan club today.

Country Music Today: 5 Reasons Why Jessica Simpson Ain't Daisy Duke

2008-07-27T08:56:00.000-07:00

1. She's "gone country" but ain't country. Who sold more records last year, Carrie Underwood or Jessica Simpson?

2. Remember, if you must, her short lived reality show: "I thought Chicken of the Sea was chicken." Please, Daisy Duke knows you can't chicken-fry tuna!

3. Who do you want on your side in a bar fight -- Gretchen Wilson or Jessica "Oh, My, I Broke a Nail" Simpson?

4. Daisy Duke's shorts weren't cut from designer jeans. Get some Wranglers, girl!

5. Do not disrespect Dolly Parton by forgetting the words to her song in the house of country.

Photo link: Us Magazine

Montgomery Gentry #1

2008-07-11T06:33:00.000-07:00

Montgomery Gentry holds the #1 spot on the Billboard Country Music Singles chart with Back When I Knew It All.

Blake Shelton is #2 with Home, and Kenny Chesney takes the #3 spot with "Better as a Memory."

Rounding out the Top 10 are:

4. Good Time, Alan Jackson
5. Trying to Stop Your Leaving, Dierks Bentley
6. Put a Girl In It, Brooks & Dunn
7. Last Name, Carrie Underwood
8. All I Want To Do, Sugarland
9. I'm Still a Guy, Brad Paisley
10. I still Miss You, Keith Anderson

All of these Top 10 country music superstars are featured in the Black Book Guide to Country Music Fan Clubs: The Top 100. Find out how to join these fan clubs and get free stuff. You could even get to meet your favorite singer backstage at his/her next concert.

"Sweet Gravity": New Country Muisc from Due West

2008-06-26T06:31:00.000-07:00

Have you checked out the new music from Due West, the popular newcomers from the Big Star competition?

Click here to listen to free downloads from their self-titled CD Due West.

Not on the download is their new song "Sweet Gravity," but you can call your local radio station and request it.

Due West has two fan club activities:

1. Every Monday is “Me and Due West Mondays.” Fans post pictures of themselves with the band.
2. The band does free giveaways of different things on occasion.

The fan club is free. Join by emailing duewest@duewest.com or visit the website at http://www.duewest.com/

Jason Coley In Nashville Aug. 8 - 10

2008-06-26T06:22:00.000-07:00

Jason Coley and his band is slated to play Nashville this summer.

The places and dates are:

August 8, 9:30PM - 11:00PM - Cadillac Ranch
August 9, 6 PM - 10 PM - Tootsies
August 10, 10 PM - 2 AM - Tootsies

Check out his website for more dates and info, and to see a video of a live performance, at www.jasoncoleybyrd.com

Snoop Dogg Raps Country Music: "My Medicine" Featuring Willie Nelson

2008-06-20T05:21:00.000-07:00

Rapper Snoop Dogg goes country with "My Medicine." Willie Nelson joins him on the track.

The new song and video is dedicated to Johnny Cash, "my American Gangster."

It's not exactly mainstream country, with lines like "The more medicated the more dedicate" and "You can bet I'm high everyday" and "My loves going to last as long as my high."

Click here to see the "My Medicine" video.

Click here to see Willie Nelson and Snoop Dogg perform "My Medicine" live in Amsterdam.

Billy ray Cyrus On Miley

2008-06-17T09:35:00.000-07:00

Click here to see Billy Ray Cyrus on The Today Show. He talks about Miley's Vanity Fair photographs and Nashville Star.

Country Music Fan Clubs in the News

2008-06-13T05:14:00.001-07:00

Read about country music fan clubs and Black Book Press at Article Circulation -- How to Get Free Stuff From Country Muisc Fan Clubs!

Miranda Lambert Fan Club Members Get Chance to Meet "Gunpowder & Lead" Singer Songwriter

2008-06-09T06:16:00.000-07:00

Are you a Ran Fan?

Miranda Lambert's fan club offers a host of benefits for members, including the chance to meet the popular singer songwriter.

The official fan club kit includes:

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
Keychain

Additional benefits include:

Meet & greet opportunities
Fan club party
Exclusive online content
Advance ticket sales

The annual Ran Fan bash was held over the weekend at the CMA Music Fest in Nashville.

Join the club for $10 at www.mirandalambert.com

Click here to read James Brady's In Step With article about Miranda that appeared in Parade Magazine.

Country Music Fans in Nashville for 2008 CMA Music Festival

2008-06-02T07:17:00.000-07:00

Country music fans and entertainers are heading to Nashville for the annual CMA Music Festival, June 5 – 8, 2008

This year’s event promises to be bigger and better than ever, with country music favorites ranging from Celebrity Apprentice Trace Adkins to Wynonna.

The festival is billed as: “4 days, 30 hours of autograph signings, 100 hours of live music, 400 Country Music artists and celebrities, and thousands of revved up music lovers all combine to create the ULTIMATE COUNTRY MUSIC FAN EXPERIENCE!”

The 2008 CMA Music Festival is all about the music and the fan. Many of country music’s elite as well as newcomers are scheduled to perform. The list includes many of the entertainers featured in the Black Book Guide to Official Country Music Fan Clubs: The Top 100.

On stage this year are:
Adam and the Couch Potatoes
Trace Adkins
Charlie Allen
Deborah Allen
Bill Anderson
Keith Anderson
Katie Armiger
Rodney Atkins
The Band of Heathens
Jeff Bates
The Bellamy Brothers
John Berry
Bo Bice
Bonnie Lou Bishop
Brittini Black
Ash Bowers
Lee Brice
Lane Brody
Dean Brody
Brother Trouble
Jason Brown
T. Graham Brown
Luke Bryan
Laura Bryna
Sonny Burgess
Tracy Byrd
Carolina Rain
Jason Michael Carroll
Carter's Chord
Cash Creek
Troy Cassar-Daley
Katie Chance
Mark Chesnutt
Eric Church
The Clark Brothers
Will Clements
Stephen Cochran
Austin Cody
Dan Colehour
American Idol Bucky Covington
Cowboy Crush
Cowboy Joe & The Babcocks
Timothy Craig
Crossin Dixon
James Taylor Curtis
Billy Ray Cyrus
Justin David
Star DeAzlan
Kassie DePaiva
Drew Davis Band
Whitney Duncan
Eli Young Band
Emerson Drive
Erika Jo
Sara Evans
Eve & Mare
Jace Everett
Jessie Farrell
Shea Fisher
Flynnville Train
Colt Ford
Jimmy Fortune
Ashley Gearing
Billy Gilman
Gloriania
American Idol Josh Gracin
Grand Bob
The Grascals
Chris Gray
The Greencards
Ben Gregg
Adam Gregory
Bailey Grey
Jeff Griffith
Andy Griggs
Dennie Hall
Greg Hanna
Jennifer Hanson
Heartland
Ty Herndon
Faith Hill
Hot Apple Pie
James House
Randy Houser
Rick Huckaby
Jedd Hughes
Sierra Hull
Con Hunley
Indian Rodeo
Jack Ingram
James Intveld
Alan Jackson
Emma Mae Jacob
Jewel
Buddy Jewell
Sarah Johns
Jamey Johns
Ben "Cooter" Jones
Kat'Lee Jones
Jypsi
Sage Keffer
Kid Fiddlers
KingBilly
Jimmy Kish the Flying Cowboy
La Familia
ACM winner Lady Antebellum
Miranda Lambert
James LeBlanc
Zane Lewis
Little Big Town
Little Joe
Little Nashville
LoCash Cowboys
Lonestar
The Lost Trailers
Lucky Bucks
Rockie Lynne
Raul Malo
Miko Marks
Bobby Marquez
Marshal Reign
Daniel Lee Martin
Jason Matthews
Cody McCarver
Jeremy McComb
Neal McCoy
Mindy McCready
Mel McDaniel
Richie McDonald
Jason Meadows
Jo Dee Messina
Augie Meyers
Miss Lori
Chase Mitchell
Montgomery Gentry
John Michael Montgomery
Justin Moore
Craig Morgan
Lorrie Morgan
Zak Morgan
Cory Morrow
Brooke Morton
Mountain Heart
Megan Mullins
Michael Martin Murphey
The Murphy Band
Minnie Murphy
Mustang Creek
David Nail
Heidi Newfield
Gary Nichols
Joe Nichols
The Oak Ridge Boys
One Flew South
Jamie O'Neal
Todd O'Neill
James Otto
Jake Owen
Ashlee Page
Noe Palma
Rissi Palmer
Danielle Peck
Michael Peterson
Kellie Pickler
Pro Kids Show (Tim Hannig)
Jasmine Rae
Ruben Ramos
Eddy Raven
Johnny Reid
Reunionaires
Charlie Rich Jr.
Riders In The Sky
Rio Grand
The Road Hammers
Julie Roberts
Mica Roberts
Kenny Rogers
The Roys
Shawna Russell
Ryano
Ray Scott
Dennis Scott
Michael Scott
Crystal Shawanda
Ashton Shepherd
Thom Shepherd
Simply Barbara of Colorado
Damon Smith
Daniel Smith
Phil Stacey
SteelDrivers
Jeffrey Steele
John Stephan
Fisher Stevenson
Doug Stone
Sugarland
Trent Summar
Sunny Sweeney
Taylor Swift
TelluRide
The Hollow Trees
Keni Thomas
Brandi Thornton
Mel Tillis
Aaron Tippin
Rhonda Towns
Trailer Choir
Randy Travis
Josh Turner
Two Timers
Dan Tyminiski
Carrie Underwood
Phil Vassar
Wim van de Vliert
Jenna von Oy
Taylor Ware
Jimmy Wayne
Well Hungarians
Emily West
Whiskey Falls
Bryan White
Chuck Wicks
Rachel Williams
Trent Willmon
Mark Wills
Gretchen Wilson
Tommy Joe Wilson
The World's Greatest Fishing Band
Darryl Worley
Michelle Wright
The Wrights
Kyle Wyley
Wynonna
Billy Yates
Dwight Yoakam
Chris Young
Zac Brown Band
The Zinghoppers

CMA Music Festival is a charitable event benefiting music education in Metro Nashville Public Schools through a partnership with the Nashville Alliance for Public Education. To date, CMA has donated more than $1 million to purchase instruments and fund music programs for Nashville’s 75,000 school students. The philanthropic program, aptly titled “Keep the Music Playing,” was founded in 2005 as a way for the CMA Music Festival and its participating artists to give back to the community. Thanks to the generosity of HCA/TriStar, 800 Metro students were given tickets to attend the Saturday, June 7, concert at LP Field.

If you can’t attend CMA Music Festival this year, be sure to order your copy of the Black Book Guide to Official Country Music Fan Clubs: The Top 100. You’ll get all the information you need to know about how to join your favorite singer’s fan club and how to get backstage passes and free stuff.

For more information about the 2008 CMA Music Festival, visit the website at www.cmafest.com

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

2008-05-29T09:30:00.000-07:00

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

2008-05-28T12:06:00.000-07:00

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

2008-05-19T06:28:00.000-07:00

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

2008-05-12T11:41:00.000-07:00

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

2008-05-12T11:33:00.000-07:00

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

Kenny Chesney Needs Your Vote

2008-05-10T08:56:00.000-07:00

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

2008-05-07T14:43:00.000-07:00

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

2008-05-05T15:20:00.001-07:00

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

Dolly Parton

2008-04-22T09:39:00.001-07:00

From appearing on American Idol to songwriting to running Dollywood, Dolly Parton is a whirlwind of country music success these days. She's done it all -- performing before thousands and appearing in movies. Now she is putting out her own CD. See her new video, "Jesus & Gravity," on GAC.

Dolly News from GAC:

Dolly Parton has always been one of country music's most ambitious performers, and even now, more than 40 years after she first started appearing on the national charts, she continues to churn out projects.

The most obvious one is her recent album Backwoods Barbie, but it's hardly the only thing on her plate. She's about to open another season at the Dollywood theme park with a new ride and a new tribute to her former duet partner, Porter Wagoner. In the fall, she'll debut the theatrical stage version of 9 To 5. And she's also working on an autobiographical musical and a children's TV show, among several other projects.

"I can't tell anybody else how to run their life or their business, but I really believe I've got a good bead on myself," she told Billboard magazine. "I know who I am, I know what I can and can't do, I know what I will and won't do, I know what I'm capable of."

Dolly's latest video, "Jesus & Gravity," will air Friday on GAC's Top 20 Country Countdown.

Amy Grant Makes Small Changes

2008-04-22T09:35:00.000-07:00

“Small Changes” encourages families to share the simple changes they make in their lives to better their family’s health and well-being. Amy Grant believes that these little things can add up to make a big difference, whether that involves taking a bike ride after dinner, walking to work instead of driving or going to a concert to enrich the mind, body and soul through music.

The campaign also includes a television program, aptly named “Small Changes,” that showcases Amy Grant and some of the biggest names in country music. “Small Changes” will air on the Great American Country channel starting April 24th at 8:30 p.m. EST and will focus on what these stars are doing to make positive differences in the lives of their families.

For information about Amy Grant's fan club, see the Black Book Guide to Country Music Fan Clubs: The Top 100 at www.blackbookpress.com

Michelle Branch Online and in Concert

2008-04-09T09:33:00.000-07:00

Michelle Branch has a new website online at www.michellebranch.com.
The site include news, message boards, a blog, photos and a YouTube clip from Michell's 2008 Sundance appearance.
You can listen to streaming audio of her new song "Lay me Down."
There are five tracks you can purchase and download: All You Wanted, Are you Happy Now, Everywhere, Breathe and Goodbye to You.
Upcoming dates:
April 10th at the Norvo in Norfolk, VA.
April 11th at the Azalea Fest.

Willie Nelson: One Hell of a Ride

2008-04-02T05:29:00.000-07:00

Listen to WIllie Nelson's new album One Hell of a Ride free on AOL's music site.

Good times! The 4-CD set features the best of Willie and friends. Is that Waylon singing? Yes, it is. This compilation of music spans his five decade career and includes rough cuts, duets and #1 hits.

A can't miss for Willie Nelson fans. Pop a top and take a listen. Did I mention it's free.

My Top 10 George Strait Songs

2008-04-01T01:00:00.000-07:00

It is a big day for George Strait fans. His new album, Troubadour, is released today. And XM radio is launching Strait Country on XM 17.

To mark the occasion, here are my Top 10 favorite George Strait songs:

In alphabetical order:

All My Exes Live in Texas
Carried Away
Carrying Your Love With Me
Easy Come, Easy Go
How ‘Bout Them Cowgirls
I Cross My Heart
I Hate Everything
She Let Herself Go
You Look So Good in Love
Write This Down

You can find the lyrics, listen to music and watch videos free online at www.georgestrait.com.

For information about the George Strait Fan Club, check out the Black Book Guide to Country Music Fan Clubs: The Top 100 at www.blackbookpress.com

George Strait on XM Radio

2008-03-31T09:32:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow is the launch date for the new George Strait Channel 17 on XM radio.

The "All George All The Time" channel will run during April and May.

Strait Country - XM 17 celebrates Strait's new album, Troubadour.

The channel will showcase all the music from his 30 year career, plus even more features just for Strait fans, including:

Exclusive interviews with George Strait
Tracks from George's new album, Troubadour, every hour
Today's country stars talking about the influence George Strait has had on them and country music
Frequently asked questions about George's life, music, and career
Interviews from the biggest songwriters who George has showcased over the past 30 years
Exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the people and stories from the road over the past 30 years, including his long-time managers, producers, and more

"It's always a thrill to hear one of your songs played on the radio, but to have XM Radio dedicate an entire channel to my music is just amazing. I'm hoping fans and the millions of XM subscribers will enjoy hearing the new music from Troubadour, as well as revisiting their favorites from years past," said George Strait.

"King of Country" George Strait is one of the most successful and prolific country music artists of all time. With a career that spans more than 25 years, Strait has 55 number one songs on the country charts, more than any other artist, regardless of genre, 74 Top 10 and 78 Top 20 hits. He has sold more than 67 million records and counting, garnering him 32 different platinum or multi-platinum albums, the second most certifications of any artist in any genre, following only Elvis Presley.

Strait has received more than 50 major entertainment industry awards and countless nominations. The winner of 18 Country Music Association (CMA) Awards, Strait has received a record-breaking 73 CMA Award nominations.

In 2006, Strait was elected into the Country Music Hall of Fame.

Trace Adkins a Celebrity but not The Apprentice

2008-03-28T10:46:00.000-07:00

Trace Adkins made it to the finals of this season's Celebrity Apprentice, only to be edged out by Piers Morgan.

Trace was playing for his favority charity: FAAN (Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network). PERSONAL CONNECTION: Trace's 6-year old daughter had a severe, life-threatening reaction to peanut butter when she was just 18 months old, an experience Trace called "terrifying." His daughter also suffers from allergies to eggs and milk. Trace feels that research could lead to greater understanding of food allergies, and perhaps someday a cure.

Ten years into his recording career as a country chartbuster, with dozens of hits under his belt and eight top-selling albums, Trace Adkins has entered elite territory. The man long known for his imposing physical stature, world-class baritone and bedrock authenticity has clearly earned his place among the most identifiable and important artists of his generation. Adkins has built a solid career and a strong fan base by recording songs that possess insightful lyrics and cover a wide range of interests --many from his own life experiences.

A one-time pipe fitter on an offshore oil rig, Adkins worked his way up in the music business. In his younger days, he sang in a gospel group and then went on to perform in small honky-tonks and clubs throughout Louisiana and Texas. He made his move to Nashville in 1992 and never looked back.

Over the past decade, Adkins has racked up a long string of hits including "Every Light In The House Is on," "(This Ain't) No Thinkin' Thing," "I Left Something Turned On At Home," "Hot Mama," "I'm Tryin,'" "Rough & Ready," "Arlington," "Songs About Me," "Honky Tonk Badonkadonk," "Ladies Love Country Boys," "I Wanna Feel Something" and "I Got My Game On." He has sold millions of records, won dozens of industry awards and become a member of the prestigious Grand Ole Opry.

He has made countless appearances on national television including "The Tonight Show," "The Late Show with David Letterman," "The Conan O'Brien Show," "Last Call with Carson Daly," "The Late, Late Show With Craig Ferguson" and has been featured in numerous mainstream articles such as People, USA TODAY and Entertainment Weekly. Adkins has even tested the waters at voice-over work and acting, making special guest appearances on sitcoms like "Yes, Dear" and "My Name is Earl."

The double-platinum SONGS ABOUT ME release in 2005 featured the monster hit, "Honky Tonk Badonkadonk." The song ruled the country charts, with digital downloads surpassing 800,000 and more than 500,000 ringtone purchases--an impressive feat in a market primarily dominated by R&B & hip hop. His 2006 release of "Dangerous Man" scored the biggest first-week sales in his career and became his third CD to make its entry at the top of the charts. The album quickly received a Gold-certification from the RIAA and produced three more hit singles.
A seasoned performer, Adkins consistently performs to sell-out venues all across the country with his hard-driving stage show that's chalked full of hits. He has truly become of country music's top headlining and in-demand artists today.

Last fall Trace released his first book, "A PERSONAL STAND: Observations and Opinions from a Freethinking Roughneck" (Villard Books).

His ninth album for Capitol Records, AMERICAN MAN, GREATEST HITS VOLUME II was released in December.

George Strait on XM Radio

2008-03-13T10:31:00.000-07:00

Country music superstar George Strait is getting his own XM satellite radio channel.

Strait Country is set to launch on April 1 on XM Channel 17. It's the same date his new album Troubadour drops.

The channel will air from April 1 through May 31. It will play all George Strait music, plus interviews and programs about the star, all of the time.

Trace Adkins, Celebrity Apprentice

2008-02-18T10:04:00.000-08:00

Who doesn't love Trace Adkins on Celebrity Apprentice?
This favorite country music superstar holds his own on the the NBC show.
Here is Trace's show bio...
Ten years into his recording career as a country chartbuster, with dozens of hits under his belt and eight top-selling albums, Trace Adkins has entered elite territory. The man long known for his imposing physical stature, world-class baritone and bedrock authenticity has clearly earned his place among the most identifiable and important artists of his generation. Adkins has built a solid career and a strong fan base by recording songs that possess insightful lyrics and cover a wide range of interests --many from his own life experiences.
A one-time pipe fitter on an offshore oil rig, Adkins worked his way up in the music business. In his younger days, he sang in a gospel group and then went on to perform in small honky-tonks and clubs throughout Louisiana and Texas. He made his move to Nashville in 1992 and never looked back.
Over the past decade, Adkins has racked up a long string of hits including "Every Light In The House Is on," "(This Ain't) No Thinkin' Thing," "I Left Something Turned On At Home," "Hot Mama," "I'm Tryin,'" "Rough & Ready," "Arlington," "Songs About Me," "Honky Tonk Badonkadonk," "Ladies Love Country Boys," "I Wanna Feel Something" and "I Got My Game On." He has sold millions of records, won dozens of industry awards and become a member of the prestigious Grand Ole Opry.
He has made countless appearances on national television including "The Tonight Show," "The Late Show with David Letterman," "The Conan O'Brien Show," "Last Call with Carson Daly," "The Late, Late Show With Craig Ferguson" and has been featured in numerous mainstream articles such as People, USA TODAY and Entertainment Weekly. Adkins has even tested the waters at voice-over work and acting, making special guest appearances on sitcoms like "Yes, Dear" and "My Name is Earl."
The double-platinum SONGS ABOUT ME release in 2005 featured the monster hit, "Honky Tonk Badonkadonk." The song ruled the country charts, with digital downloads surpassing 800,000 and more than 500,000 ringtone purchases--an impressive feat in a market primarily dominated by R&B & hip hop. His 2006 release of "Dangerous Man" scored the biggest first-week sales in his career and became his third CD to make its entry at the top of the charts. The album quickly received a Gold-certification from the RIAA and produced three more hit singles.
A seasoned performer, Adkins consistently performs to sell-out venues all across the country with his hard-driving stage show that's chalked full of hits. He has truly become of country music's top headlining and in-demand artists today.
On Tuesday, November 13, Adkins will release his first book, "A PERSONAL STAND: Observations and Opinions from a Freethinking Roughneck" (Villard Books).
His ninth album for Capitol Records, AMERICAN MAN, GREATEST HITS VOLUME II was released in December.
Click here for the Celebrity Apprentice website.

Dolly Parton Returns with New Album & Tour

2008-01-28T05:27:00.000-08:00

Welcome Back, Dolly

Dolly Parton's New Album & Tour

The release date of Dolly Parton's Backwoods Barbie will now be in late February or early March to coincide with the launch of a world tour that begins Feb. 28 in Minneapolis.

Backwoods Barbie, her first mainstream country album in 17 years, was previously set for release on Feb. 5.

Parton is currently scheduled to perform a dozen shows in the U.S. and make a March 14 appearance at the South by Southwest music conference in Austin, Texas.

She'll spend June and July on a tour of Sweden, Denmark, Norway, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE BETTER GET TO LIVIN' VIDEO

Garth Brooks Webcast News

2008-01-24T08:49:00.000-08:00

GarthBrooks.com to Air Exclusive Pre-Show Webcast from STAPLES Center, Friday, January 25

Program will be hosted by music industry veteran Rick Barker and will air live from just inside of the Figueroa Street Entry starting at 4:30 PM Pacific

You could win Garth merchandise

Los Angeles, CA – GarthBrooks.com will air a one hour webcast on Friday, January 25 starting at 4:30 PM Pacific. The show will originate from the main concourse of STAPLES just inside of the Figueroa Street Entry.

Hosted by music industry veteran Rick Barker, the show will feature fan interviews, giveaways and the opportunity to contribute to the “Southern California 2008 Fire Intervention Relief Effort (F.I.R.E.)." Donations can be made by calling 1-800-713-2065 or going to http://www.mccormicktribune.org/2008firerelief.

Immediately following the webcast, Brooks will play a series of 5 sold-out concerts over the next two days. The first concert will air on CBS starting at 9:00 PM (live ET/delayed PT).

All proceeds from the five concerts, organized by Brooks and AEG (owners of STAPLES Center), and sponsored by American Express, Ticketmaster and official media sponsor the Los Angeles Times, will be donated to F.I.R.E. a campaign of the McCormick Tribune Foundation. The funds will be granted to agencies providing aid to victims and the first responders of the Los Angeles and San Diego wildfires in addition to providing financial assistance to California firefighting departments and organizations in need of additional or replacement firefighting equipment to better perform their heroic duties. The Foundation will also be responsible for granting administration and recordkeeping.

The webcast is free and does not require registration. During the show, several fans will be chosen at random to receive free LA concert merchandise. To be eligible, fans can go to www.garthbrooks.com/LA and enter their name and email address starting at noon Pacific on Tuesday, January 22.

About Garth Brooks
Certified by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) as the Number One selling solo artist in U.S. history, Garth Brooks has sold in excess of 123 million albums. He is the only solo artist in RIAA history to have six albums top the 10 million mark. This year Brooks became the first artist to put out a simultaneous edition of his latest collection for a charitable cause. Nov. 6, 2007 saw the launch of the pink edition of The Ultimate hits available only at the Susan G. Komen website. His body of work — including the groundbreaking No Fences, Ropin’ The Wind, The Hits and Double Live — propelled country music as a genre to the front pages of newspapers worldwide and the covers of magazines, to the point where Forbes declared on its cover, "Country Conquers Rock" and featured Brooks in a major music piece.

According to the RIAA, Garth Brooks is the top-selling solo artist of the 20th century. Brooks has received every accolade the recording industry can bestow on an artist, including: two Grammys, 17 American Music Awards, 11 Country Music Association Awards, 18 Academy of Country Music Awards, five World Music Awards, 12 People’s Choice Awards and 36 Billboard Music Awards. He was named Artist of the ‘90s at the 1997 Blockbuster Entertainment Awards, received the Artist Achievement Award at the 1997 Billboard Music Awards, and was named Artist of the Decade at the American Music Awards in 2000 and the Academy of Country Music Awards in 1999.

2007-12-26T06:35:00.001-08:00

CONTEST: WIN AN AUTOGRAPHED WHISKEY FALLS CD

Are you a Whiskey Falls fan? (And who doesn't love the hot newcomers!) CLICK HERE to enter for your chance to win an autographed prize package from Whiskey Falls, compliments of http://www.whiskeyfallsmusic.com/ and http://www.blackbookpress.com/ess.com/

The grand prize includes an autographed copy of the band's self-titled debut album, Whiskey Falls, a t-shirt and and 8X10 promo picture. The winner will be drawn on January 14, 2008.

WIN A WHISKEY FALLS CD CONTEST, CARRIE UNDERWOOD #1, RODNEY CARRINGTON

2007-12-16T08:53:00.000-08:00

CARRIE UNDERWOOD #1

Country music superstar and American Idol Carrie Underwood and
her new hit "So Small" shares the #1 spot this week.

Click here to check out the Carrie Underwood Fan Club.

WIN AN AUTOGRAPHED WHISKEY FALLS CD

Are you a Whiskey Falls fan? (And who doesn't love the hot newcomers!) CLICK HERE to enter for your chance to win an autographed prize package from Whiskey Falls, compliments of http://www.whiskeyfallsmusic.com/ and http://www.blackbookpr ess.com/

The grand prize includes an autographed copy of the band's self-titled debut album, Whiskey Falls, a t-shirt and and 8X10 promo picture. The winner will be drawn on January 14, 2008.

ENTER THE WHISKEY FALLS CONTEST

RODNEY CARRINGTON CONTEST WINNER

We have a winner! Congratulations to Lesha Anderson, winner of the RODNEY CARRINGTON CD contest!

RODNEY CARRINGTON CD CONTEST, BLUEGRASS CD WINNER, THE WRECKERS, SHAWN COLVIN

2007-12-06T05:45:00.001-08:00

CONTEST: WIN A RODNEY CARRINGTON CD

Attention: Rodney Carrington fans. You can win a Rodney Carrington "King of the Mountains" CD free just for sending an email with the subject line: WIN RODNEY!, compliments of blackbookpress.com and fanscape.com.

Rodney takes country comedy to a new level on his latest CD, "King of the Mountains." You can check it out online at http://www.rodneycarrington.musiccitynetworks.com/

With the release of a major new CD, live concert DVD, television special and book, 2007 promises to be the best (and busiest) year ever for multi-million copy selling Capitol recording artist and comedian Rodney Carrington.

"King of the Mountains," Rodney's first album of new material in more than four years, released April 3 and debuted at the top of the comedy charts. The album was followed by a Comedy Central special (April 14); his first DVD, "Rodney Carrington Live at the Majestic Theatre" (in stores May 1); and a book, Coming Clean (September). All will be supported by Rodney's first full year of touring since the debut of his television show in 2004.

CLICK HERE to send an email and win the free Rodney Carrington CD.

CONGRATULATIONS TO BLUEGRASS CD WINNER

Congratulations to Troy Bishop, winner of the PICKIN' ON TODAY'S ULTIMATE COUNTRY HITS VOLUME 4.

THE WRECKERS NEW CD OUT

The Wreckers new CD/DVD "Way Back Home: Live From New York City" is out today!
Listen to The Wreckers entire CD on CMT or imeem!

Watch Michelle Branch and Jessica Harp perform "Leave the Pieces," "Stand Still, Look Pretty" and "Different Truck, Same Loser" from the DVD only on CMT!

Watch the duo perform "Leave the Pieces", "My, Oh My", and "Cigarettes" only on AOL!
And last but not least, watch "The Good Kind" only on MSN!

THREE GIRLS & THEIR BUDDY TOUR

Shawn Colvin, Emmylou Harris, Patty Griffin and Buddy Miller will be hitting the road together in January 2008 for a select number of dates. Check out Shawn Colvin's website at http://www.shawncolvin.com/ for the dates and news. If you have never seen Shawn Colvin live you have missed magic! I saw her years ago at Sunfest -- a small woman with a big voice, and it was truly a magical moment. Don't miss this concert!

43rd Annual Country Music Awards Set; Win a Free Country Music Bluegrass CD

2007-12-04T07:57:00.000-08:00

43rd Annual Academy of Country Music Awards set for May 18, 2008, in Las Vegas

LAS VEGAS - The Academy of Country Music Awards will be held in Las Vegas for a sixth year, but will move from Tuesday night to Sunday.

The awards will be presented May 18 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. CBS will broadcast the show live.

"Las Vegas is an ideal place for the Academy to showcase country music's best and we couldn't be happier to have the show on a Sunday night," Executive Director Bob Romeo said Monday in a statement.

The event will include multiple nights of country music on Fremont Street in downtown Las Vegas and a celebrity Motorcycle Ride for the Academy's charitable fund.

WIN A FREE COUNTRY MUSIC BLUEGRASS CD

MaGraw & Underwood Honored at 2007 American Music Awards

2007-11-19T07:30:00.001-08:00

Tim McGraw and Carrie Underwood were among the top country winners last night at the American Music Awards.

Tim was named Favorite Male Artist.

Carrie was named Favorite Female Artist, and also took hone favorite album honors for "Some Hearts."

Rascal Flatts was named Favorite Group.

Sugarland performed to a full house during the ABC live broadcast.

Country Music Fans & CMA Award Winners

2007-11-08T05:55:00.000-08:00

FIRST TIMERS AND VETERANS SHARE HONORS AT “THE 41st ANNUAL CMA AWARDS”

Kenny Chesney, Brad Paisley, and Carrie Underwood Each Win Two on Country Music’s Biggest Night

Country Music’s newest stars and industry veterans stood shoulder to shoulder at “The 41st Annual CMA Awards,” as “Country Music’s Biggest Night™” honored a variety of its biggest artists.

Relentless touring phenomenon Kenny Chesney won his third Entertainer of the Year Award. “I can’t believe that I get to stand on the stages I stand on every summer and sing the songs I get to sing,” Chesney said. “I love Country Music and I love doing what I do.”

During the pre-telecast ceremony, Chesney won his first Award in the Musical Event of the Year category, sharing the honor with Tracy Lawrence and Tim McGraw for “Find Out Who Your Friends Are.” Chesney performed current single “Don’t Blink,” from his latest album Just Who I Am: Poets & Pirates.

Lawrence was a first-time winner. “This is something that we wanted to sing,” Lawrence said of his friends backstage. “We all related to it. I’m proud to have the friends I have. It wouldn’t have happened without these guys.”

In such a relatively short career, Carrie Underwood continues to rack up awards, winning her second consecutive Female Vocalist of the Year Award and adding a Single of the Year Award for smash hit “Before He Cheats,” produced by Mark Bright.

“Here I go again, the waterworks have started,” an emotional Underwood said. “If you had told me years ago that I would be nominated with the people I was nominated with I would have thought you were insane.”

Underwood performed “So Small” from her sophomore album Carnival Ride, which sold more than 500,000 copies in its first week’s release.

Nominated seven times for Male Vocalist of the Year, Brad Paisley finally won his first Award in the category.

“I can’t tell you what this means to me,” Paisley said. “I have always wanted to win it once and this will do.” Paisley got emotional when talking about his father, “who carried amplifiers and ran sound even though he didn’t know what he was doing.”

The Brentwood High School Marching Band introduced Paisley’s performance of “Online” with an instrumental cadence. Kellie Pickler and Taylor Swift, who made cameos in the Music Video of the Year winner “Online,” directed by Jason Alexander, joined Paisley on stage to dance with some members of the marching band.

Country Music Hall of Fame member George Strait added another CMA Award to his mantle, winning his sixth Album of the Year Award for It Just Comes Natural, produced by Tony Brown.

“Of all of the Awards I was nominated for tonight, this was the one I wanted to win the most,” Strait said.

Strait performed “How ‘Bout Them Cowgirls” from It Just Comes Natural.

Strait’s “Give It Away” won the Song of the Year honor for songwriters Bill Anderson, Buddy Cannon and Jamey Johnson.

Country Music Hall of Fame member Anderson commented, “Y’all have been letting me do this for 50 years and I love you.”

Johnson jokingly thanked his ex-wife who “deserves half of this song and half of this Award too,” referencing the lyrics of the song about a wife leaving her husband and all of their belongings behind.

Rascal Flatts, the top-selling artist of 2006 in all genres, proved why when they won their fifth consecutive Vocal Group of the Year Award. The group opened the show with “Still Feels Good,” the title track from their mega-selling new album, and closed out the broadcast with a duet with Academy Award-winning actor Jamie Foxx (“Ray”).

Breaking a six consecutive year win streak by Brooks & Dunn, a stunned Kristian Bush and Jennifer Nettles of Sugarland accepted their first Vocal Duo of the Year Award by paying tribute to those that came before.

“All of our success,” said Nettles, “it’s because we are standing on the shoulders of giants. We are happy to be receiving this Award.” The duo performed a stripped down “Stay” from their Platinum album Enjoy the Ride.

Seventeen-year-old Taylor Swift performed “Our Song” before winning her first CMA Award, the coveted Horizon Award.

“I can’t even believe that this is real,” the high school senior said. “I want to thank God and my family for moving to Nashville so I could do this. The fans – you have changed my life. This is definitely the highlight of my senior year!”

Vocal Duo and Single of the Year nominee Big & Rich dedicated their performance of “Loud” to the late Porter Wagoner. Fourteen-time Vocal Duo of the Year Brooks & Dunn performed the poignant “God Must Be Busy.”

The crop of Horizon Award nominees showed why Country Music’s future is bright. Rodney Atkins performed his No. 1 hit “These Are My People” from his album If You’re Going Through Hell.

Jason Aldean served up the carefree “Johnny Cash,” a tribute to the Man in Black’s restless nature.

“American Idol” alum Kellie Pickler offered the heart-wrenching “I Wonder,” a song she wrote about the mother who abandoned her when she was 2 years old.

Little Big Town, who were nominated for Vocal Group of the Year as well as Horizon, performed their hit “Boondocks.”

Josh Turner, who was nominated for Male Vocalist of the Year, exploded on screen and with the audience at the Sommet Center with his hit “Firecracker” from his new album Everything Is Fine.

Fellow Male Vocalist nominee Keith Urban performed “Everybody” from his Platinum album Love, Pain & the whole crazy thing.

Female Vocalist of the Year nominee Miranda Lambert hit the target with her rocking “Gunpowder and Lead,” from her sophomore album Crazy Ex-Girlfriend.

Fellow Female Vocalist nominee Reba McEntire, one of Lambert’s heroes, performed “When You Love Someone Like That” with LeAnn Rimes from her monumental Reba Duets album.

Alison Krauss, a six-time Female Vocalist nominee, performed “Simple Love” with her band, Vocal Group of the Year nominee Union Station featuring Musician of the Year winner Jerry Douglas on dobro.

Legendary group the Eagles made their awards show debut, performing “How Long” from their new album Long Road Out of Eden, their first studio album in 28 years.

The 2007 inductees into the Country Music Hall of Fame – Ralph Emery, Vince Gill and Mel Tillis – were recognized for their career accomplishments in a video montage.

The CMA Awards featured a new format this year with multiple segment hosts sharing hosting duties throughout the broadcast. ABC Television personalities James Denton of “Desperate Housewives,” Kimberly Williams-Paisley of “According to Jim” and Kate Walsh of “Private Practice” split hosting duties with Country stars Sara Evans and Rimes.

Presenters included Dierks Bentley, Luke Bryan, Jason Michael Carroll, Bucky Covington, Sheryl Crow, Jewel with Ty Murray, Kid Rock, Montgomery Gentry, Blake Shelton and Gretchen Wilson.

The winners of “The 41st Annual CMA Awards” are:

ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR
Kenny Chesney

MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Brad Paisley

FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Carrie Underwood

VOCAL GROUP OF THE YEAR
Rascal Flatts

VOCAL DUO OF THE YEAR
Sugarland

HORIZON AWARD
Taylor Swift

ALBUM OF THE YEAR
It Just Comes Natural
George Strait
Produced by Tony Brown and George Strait
MCA Nashville

SINGLE OF THE YEAR
“Before He Cheats”
Carrie Underwood
Produced by Mark Bright
19 Recordings Limited/Arista Records

SONG OF THE YEAR
“Give It Away”
Bill Anderson / Buddy Cannon / Jamey Johnson
Sony/ATV Tree / EMI Blackwood / Run Slow Music

MUSICAL EVENT OF THE YEAR
Tracy Lawrence featuring Tim McGraw and Kenny Chesney
“Find Out Who Your Friends Are”
Rocky Comfort Records/CO5

MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR
“Online”
Brad Paisley
Directed by Jason Alexander

MUSICIAN OF THE YEAR
Jerry Douglas – Dobro

In 1958, CMA was the first trade organization formed to promote a type of music. Its membership includes nearly 6,000 companies and music industry professionals around the globe.

These CMA award winners are featured in the Black Book Guide to Country Music Fan Clubs: The Top 100.

Country Music News, Gossip and Commentary: Carrie Underwood

2007-11-01T08:15:00.000-07:00

Carrie Underwood

Check out Carrie Underwood online in these exclusive AOL Sessions. These live video performances are free. "Wasted" is awesome!

Carrie Q & A Interview

Q. What is the main difference between 'Carnival Ride' and your first album?

A. I got to write a little bit more on this one. And we got more time to make it really fantastic. I've really gotten the opportunity to get excited about this one. It was great, because I was there for every step, so I think it's definitely more me!

For the rest of the interview, click here.

Carrie Underwood has a fabulous fan club. You can join for $24.95 plus S&H. Benefits include a members only t-shirt, sticker and photo; a welcome letter and membership card; meet and greet opportunities; and exclusive online content. Click here for information.

Country Music News: Carl "Buster" Page

2007-10-11T11:07:00.000-07:00

New Music By Carl "Buster" Page

Click here to listen to a clip of Heaven's Floor, an awesome new song written and performed by new country music singer/songwriter Carl "Buster" Page.

WIN BIG & RICH's NEW BOOK
end us an email with your favorite Big & Rich story. It can be your best concert memory, why you like a particular song, or why you joined the fan club. The best response will get a free copy of All Access Big & Rich, compliments of Fanscape and Black Book Press. Email amy@blackbookpress.com

100 Fan Clubs in a Black Book
Order it now at Amazon.com

Country Music News - New Videos Online; Brad Paisley; Rascal Flatts

2007-09-24T09:01:00.000-07:00

NEW VIDEOS ONLINE

Click here to watch KENNY CHESNEY'S "Don't Blink" video.

Click here to watch CARRIE UNDERWOOD's "Wasted."

Click here to watch CRAIG MORGAN's "International Harvester."

Click here to watch KELLIE PICKLER's "Without a Sound."

BRAD PAISLEY FANS STABBED

Two men were stabbed after attending a BRAD PAISLEY concert Saturday night at the Sound Advice Amphitheatre in West Palm beach.

The men were taken to an area hospital. They were reportedly too "impaired" to identify their attacker.

RASCAL FLATTS INTERVIEW - From CMT

Rascal Flatts are at the top of their game right now. The trio -- Gary LeVox, Jay DeMarcus and Joe Don Rooney -- outsold every other artist in 2006 and performed for more than 1 million fans. And although Kenny Chesney cut "Take Me There" first (and co-wrote the song), he gave it to Rascal Flatts. In turn, the group took the song to No. 1 and used it to launch their new album, Still Feels Good, which will be released Tuesday (Sept. 25). Click here to read more.

Country Music: Kenny Chesney, Garth Brooks, Taylor Swift, Merle Haggard, Big & Rich Contest

2007-09-03T06:09:00.000-07:00

KENNY CHESNEY

Attn: KENNY CHESNEY fans! The country music superstar will appear on ABC's Good Morning America Show on Sept. 13. Kenny will sing "Never Wanted Nothing More."

Said Kenny: "It's the same idea as morning drive. When people are starting the day, it just sets the tone for your entire day and if we're going to kick-off a record, you wanna pull all that energy from New York City and put it right back into your music. If we can get that into people's homes, it'll be perfect."

Kenny will end the day in New York on NBC's "Late Night with Conan O'Brien."

GARTH BROOKS

GARTH BROOKS has a new single out: "More Than a Memory." A new 3-disc set (2 CDs, 1 DVD) titled The Ultimate Hits will go on sale Nov. 6.

MERLE HAGGARD

Also out on Nov. 6, Time Life issues a 3-CD set titled "Legends of American Music: Merle Haggard - The Original Outlaw." (Note: merlehaggard.com is still offline. If anyone has information, please email to amy@blackbookpress.com)

JASON MICHAEL CARROLL

You can hear "Living Our Love Song" on Jason Michael Carroll's My Space page. This follow up to "Alyssa Lies" is a hit.

TAYLOR SWIFT

I would not have thought so unless I saw it myself, but it is worth watching Taylor Swift's "Teardrops on my Guitar" duet with America's Got Talent youngster Julienne Irwin. [Note to NBC: You really should have this stuff accessible on your website. You are missing fan traffic.]

WIN BIG & RICH's NEW BOOK

Send us an email with your favorite Big & Rich story. It can be your best concert memory, why you like a particular song, or why you joined the fan club. The best response will get a free copy of All Access Big & Rich, compliments of Fanscape and Black Book Press. Email amy@blackbookpress.com

Country Music News: Big & Rich Contest, Merle Haggard

2007-08-21T15:01:00.000-07:00

BIG & RICH CONTEST

Are you a Big & Rich fan?

Do you want to win a free copy of the new All Access Big & Rich book and DVD?

Here's how: Send us an email with your favorite Big & Rich story. It can be your best concert memory, why you like a particular song, or why you joined the fan club. The best response will get a free copy of All Access Big & Rich, compliments of Fanscape and Black Book Press.

All Access Big & Rich is jam-packed with more than 200 color pages of behind-the-scenes photos and stories about the Muzik Mafia. You learn the stories behind the songs and get to know more about superstar entertainers Big Kenny and John Rich. Plus you get the All Access Big & Rich DVD, too. The book sells for $24.99 and is available online and in book stores.

Include your name and contact info and email your contest entry to: amy@blackbookpress.com

Join the Freak Parade. Become a member of the Big & Rich fan club for only $25 and you'll receive meet and greet opportunities, pre-sale ticket availability, exclusive audio and video online, member only news and photos, free desktop screensavers and buddy icons, and more.

Information about the Freak Parade and all of your favorite country music fan clubs is available in the Black Book Guide to Country Music Fan Clubs: The Top 100. Click here to order for only $7.95.

MERLE HAGGARD

We received an email that the merlehaggard.com web site is not operational. At present, when you log onto the site it says "Account Suspended." The snail mail address we have for the fan club is: Merle Haggard Fan Club, c/o Libby Roberts, 235 Murrell Meadows Dr. #72, Sevierville, TN 37876. If anyone has additional information, please email amy@blackbookpress.com

Country Music News: Big Dog Daddy

2007-08-14T05:36:00.000-07:00

Toby Keith brought his Big Dog Daddy tour to South Florida Saturday night and rocked the house with his unique blend of country.

Janis Fontaine offered this review in the Palm Beach Post today:

WEST PALM BEACH — Even in the heat, I love freedom of the outdoor space at Sound Advice. If you've never seen a concert there, I recommend the venue. And if you can see a superstar like Toby Keith, so much the better.

Keith took the stage shortly after 9 p.m. Saturday following opening acts Flynnville Train and Miranda Lambert. Train delivered a solid set, showing that these guys are obviously great musicians. But their look is more sloppy than sexy - they all have longer hair than I do - and probably won't appeal to the fans who buy the CDs - women, who on top of talent want someone nice to look at.

Miranda Lambert, on the other hand, is very nice to look at. But she started her set with one of the worse faux pas in the music business - she said hello to the wrong city. That's like calling your date by the wrong name. How invested can you be if you can't get the name right?

Lambert tried to make up for it but giving a rocking performance. I was impressed with her stamina. Playing the stage at SAA in August is a bit like trial by fire, and the Kerosene girl didn't falter there. She took the stage to strains of American Woman in a teal tank and jeans, and played her signature pink guitar, then went right into Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, the title cut from her second CD. She almost seemed to kick up a little breeze with her attitude.

The native Texan gracefully swept the sweat from her brow and delivered What About Georgia and Me and Charlie Talking, then followed the lighthearted Dry Town with the dark Gunpowder and Lead. They bathed her in red for the dark ballad about killing an abusive boyfriend: "His fist is big but my gun's bigger..."

Lambert kept up the pace for the rest of her set, flinging her long blond hair about and running across the stage even at the end of her set. Aside from the tiny but important mistake, she delivered a great show. But she knew that we were there for the Big Dog.

As usual, Toby opened with a video featuring a Ford truck (his sponsor) and Larry the Cable Guy: The Adventures of Big Dog Daddy and Possum Boy. Hilarious.

Then the curtain opened to reveal Keith's new set. (Unlike Tim and Faith he revamped just about everything this year and spared no expense.) No Ford truck center stage this year, but the whole set was based upon its grill. Sort of subliminal advertising.

And Keith did not forget where he was. As a date, he was fully engaged. Lots of eye contact - I don't know how you make a crowd of thousands feel like they're making an individual connection, but he did.

He looked great in a black T-shirt and jeans, very fit and strong. The set showcased his 10-piece band, with dozens of lights and a huge video screen behind the band that looked like a big trampoline.

Keith opened with Big Dog Daddy, the title cut from his new CD, and followed with Honkytonk U. He showed pictures of his grandma and himself as boy, great for the "Aaww" factor. The show, which on many levels seemed spontaneous, was a well-orchestrated game plan careully designed to give the fans an emotional experience. And it worked.

Keith played drinking songs: Get Drunk and Be Somebody, Whiskey Girl; love songs: He Ain't Worth Missing, You Should't Kiss Me Like That; and redneck songs: As Good As I Once Was, Who's Your Daddy. But when he sang his first No. 1 single, I Shoulda Been a Cowboy, the crowd shouted loud enough to drown him out.

After a whirlwind of hit songs, Keith and his band played a Ted Nugent song, and he scoffed, "I can rock but they can't sing country!"

When the show "ended" the crowd knew it wasn't over. We hadn't heard the patriotic songs, songs at the core of who Keith is. To chants of Toby and USA, he returned for the encore. He played American Soldier and Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue amid fireworks and flames.

It was the perfect good-night kiss.

More Miranda

Last week, Miranda gave this interview to Janis Fontaine at the Post:

"I'm partial to people with cocky attitudes," Miranda Lambert says with a laugh. "If you like it, great, if you don't, go somewhere else. I guess it gets translated into my music."

Lambert is not only talking about Toby Keith, whose Big Dog Daddy Tour she opens for on Saturday at Sound Advice Amphitheatre, but her second attitude-laden album, Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, which was released to rave reviews in May.

"This album has some extreme songs, but it's more just about being strong," she said by phone from St. Louis. "That's more the message that I'm trying to send: Be strong in whatever you're doing. Be a strong woman and stand up for yourself."

Lambert, the Nashville Star reality show finalist who set the country music scene on fire with her first platinum-selling disc Kerosene, has been standing tough for a long time. She learned to do for herself in tiny Lindale, Texas, about 40 miles east of Dallas, population 2,500.

Her parents were private investigators. "My parents didn't shelter me much. I grew up in a really great home and in church, but my parents had parties on the porch with Dad and everybody playing music and drinking beer, and I was just exposed to that lifestyle. They never tried to shelter me from that so I saw a lot early in my life."

On Kerosene, released when she was just 22, Lambert showed a maturity most artists work years for.

"People used to call me an old soul, and I think I was, and now I'm kind of catching up with it. When I started writing Kerosene I was 17 years old and I didn't really have a lot of life to write about. But being on the road for three years has taught me a lot. I think on this album I really wrote more from my point of view, rather than taking other people's perspective."

Lambert, like her lyrics, is thoughtful and complex: "Sweet like a kiss, sharp like a razor blade," as one line goes. She's a contradiction: A girly-girl who killed a deer with a bow last November; a sophisticated songwriter and accomplished guitarist who'll be only 24 on her next birthday.

In 2003, Lambert got national exposure when she came in third on the first season of Nashville Star, a country version of American Idol. She says losing that contest was a blessing.

"I was 19 years old and I wasn't ready to make a record in a month. For me, I got all the exposure of the winner that season because I was on all nine episodes, but I didn't have to have that big yellow sticker - Nashville Star Winner - on every album from here on out, and I also had plenty of time. I waited two years to put an album out and he (winner Buddy Jewell) had to put one out in a month. So I think it was a blessing I had time to build it.

"I think you can't really put your heart and soul into something you're rushed to do, especially in the creative sense. To me music is something that's very personal and that you really need to take time (with) and if you win, you don't have that time. When you're in such a rush, you maybe settle for a couple of songs you don't believe in."

Initially the picturesque blonde worried that her record label might want her to do just that: Sing songs she didn't like or believe in.

"I was ready with my whole spiel. Luckily, I had a great label. I signed with Sony and they just said, 'We signed you to be a writer, we signed you for who you are, now go and make your album.'

"It gave me a lot of confidence, but it was also a lot of pressure to do it right. I got to do this my way, but what if it's not successful? About a month before the album came out, I remember just being scared to death. Luckily, it worked."

Worked is an understatement. Kerosene debuted at No. 1 on the country charts, sold more than a million copies, earned her a Grammy nod, and was named one of the best albums of the year by The New York Times, Rolling Stone and Blender magazine.

And Kerosene's clever lyrics and catchy melodies helped Lambert distinguish herself in a country music landscape that seems to be littered with pretty blondes lately. She set herself apart from Carrie Underwood, Kellie Pickler and Taylor Swift, she said, by carving herself out a niche as the country-rocker girl.

"Every one of us has a different style," Lambert said. "I think I do something a lot different in my music and on stage. I sing about things other girls don't tend to sing about; drinking and cheating and real life situations and I think that sets me apart. And I have a tattoo," she laughs.

"It's a tough road, though. Everybody's looking at you and waiting to see who's going to have the next hit. I think I have more of an edge than the other girls, but thank God there's room for all of us."

Country Music News

2007-07-28T06:21:00.000-07:00

TRACY LAWRENCE

Attention: Tracy Lawrence fans. There is a wonderful, if brief, interview with Tracy online at CMT.

About recording "Find Out Who Your Friends Are" with Kenny Chesney and Tim McGraw, Tracy says: We've all been friends for years. We've talked about it off and on -- for a long time -- of us doing something together. I sang on a track on one of Chesney's albums a couple of years ago with George Jones, and we bounce around and do those things periodically. I thought it would be real cool for the three of us to get together. I thought the lyrics of the song applied so much because they've had their whole deal with the horse.

[Chesney gained national media attention in 2000 when he rode away on a deputy's horse at the New York State Fair. McGraw was charged with attacking the deputies as they tried to corral Chesney and the horse.]

Kenny's had his bumps in the media, and everybody has, but we all met at the same time early on in our careers. And to see everyone succeed to the level that we all have is really pretty amazing -- for three kids to have met all those years ago and still actually have a good relationship with each other. When my vocal was done on the record, I burned copies of it and sent it to both of them. We talked on the phone a couple days later. They loved it and said it was a good idea. We booked a studio and everybody got together to finish up a record.

WILLIE NELSON

Attention: Willie Nelson fans. An awesome, Willie Nelson three-part interview with David Breskin in Musician magazine in 1982 is available online.

Part 1 http://stillisstillmoving.com/?p=1919
Part 2 http://stillisstillmoving.com/?p=1932
Part 3 http://stillisstillmoving.com/?p=1947

CMT

CMT has a new blog for country music lovers at http://blog.cmt.com/ Categories include albums, news, tours and, of course, CMT shows. Also a handful of artist under "Popular Topics." It is worth a look.

COUNTRY MUSIC FAN CLUBS

Your favorite country music fan clubs are included in the BLACK BOOK GUIDE TO OFFICIAL COUNTRY MUSIC FAN CLUBS: THE TOP 100, FROM TRACE ADKINS TO TRISHA YEARWOOD. Now available at amazon.com

Country Music: Billboard Top 10

2007-07-20T05:51:00.000-07:00

Big and Rich have the number one song in country music this week, according to Billboard (7-28-07):

1. Big & Rich - Lost in this Moment
2. Kenny Chesney - Never Wanted Nothing More
3. Keith Urban - I Told You So
4. George Strait - Wrapped
5. Taylor Swift - Teardrops on My Guitar
6. Jake Owen - Startin' With Me
7. Montgomery Gentry - Lucky Man
8. Rodney Atkins - These Are My People
9. Jason Aldean - Johnny Cash
10. Bucky Covington - A Different World

It is good to see some of the new country music voices holding their own on the charts.

Billboard's Top Country Albums are:

1. Brad Paisley - 5th Gear
2. Taylor Swift - Taylor Swift
3. Toby Keith - Big Dog Daddy
4. Carrie Underwood - Some Hearts
5. Big & Rich - Between Raising Hell and Amazing Grace
6. Tim McGraw - Let It Go
7. Jason Aldean - Relentless
8. Rascal Flatts - Me & My Gang
9. Sugarland - Enjoy the Ride
10. Keith Urban - Love, Pain & The Whole Crazy Thing

Carrie Underwood's "Before He Cheats" is #18 on the Billboard Top 100 chart this week, down one. Still, the unmistakeably country song has crossed over onto the mainstream chart for 46 weeks now!

Big & Rich's "Lost in This Moment" stays at #38 on the Hot 100, with 17 weeks on the chart.

Taylor Swift's "Teardrops On My Guitar" is up one spot to #40 on the Hot 100, with 19 weeks on the chart.

Tim McGraw & Faith Hill's "I Need You" is up four to #50 on the Top 100, with 9 weeks on the chart.

Country Music at Live Earth

2007-07-13T06:58:00.000-07:00

The 7/7/07 Live Earth concert for the planet was seen in more than 100 countries and included a taste of country music

KEITH URBAN sang an awesome rock duet of "Gimme Shelter" with Alicia Keys, then went on to play "Days Go By," "Stupid Boy" and "I Told You So." CLICK HERE to see the "Gimme Shelter" video.

BON JOVI sang a mixed set that included "Lost Highway" and "Who Says You Can't Go Home."

KELLY CLARKSON sang rock - no shade of her REBA duet.

You can catch all of the concerts online at http://www.liveearth.org/

COUNTRY MUSIC: REBA & KELLY CLARKSON

2007-07-04T06:53:00.000-07:00

REBA & KELLY CLARKSON DUET

Did you see the REBA and KELLY CLARKSON Crossroads show on CMT last week? If not, it is sure to be rerun.

Once again REBA shows herself to be the a fantastic performer, capable of soulful country and rock. And Kelly held her own with her idol, Reba.

One difference in their singing - Kelly says Reba can hit the low notes she can't, and Reba says Kelly can hit the high notes.

Together, they made some beautiful and memorable music.

You can watch the video of the REBA & KELLY CLARKSON duet of "Because of You" online at YouTube and CMT.

The CD version is online, too. CLICK HERE.

the live performance of REBA and KELLY singing "Since U Been Gone."

the live performance of REBA and KELLY singing "Does He Love You."

the REBA and KELLY Crossroads interview.

Lyrics to BECAUSE OF YOU
by Reba McEntire featuring Kelly Clarkson
(Lyrics & Music by: Kelly Clarkson/David Hodges/Ben Moody)

I will not make
The same mistakes that you did
I will not let myself
Cause my heart so much misery
I will not break
The way you did
You fell so hard
I've learned the hard way
To never let it get that far

Chorus
Because of you
I never strayed too far from the sidewalk
Because of you
I learned to play on the safe side
So I don't get hurt
Because of you
I find it hard to trust
Not only me
But everyone around me
Because of you
I am afraid

I lose my way
And it's not too long before you point it out
I cannot cry
Because I know that's weakness in your eyes
I'm forced to fake a smile, a laugh
Every day of my life
My heart can't possibly break
When it wasn't even whole to start with

Because of you
I never strayed too far from the sidewalk
Because of you
I learned to play on the safe side
So I don't get hurt
Because of you
I find it hard to trust
Not only me
But everyone around me
Because of you
I am afraid

I watched you die (I watched you die)
I heard you cry
Every night in your sleep (in your sleep)
I was so young (I was too young)
You should have known better
Than to lean on me (lean on me)
You never thought of anyone else
You just saw your pain (you never saw me)
And now I cry in the middle of the night
For that same damn thing

Because of you
I never strayed too far from the sidewalk
Because of you
I learned to play on the safe side
So I don't get hurt
Because of you I find it hard to trust
Not only me
But everyone around me
Because of you
I am afraid

Because of you (oooh)
Oooh Because of you (oooh)

CARRIE UNDERWOOD FAN CLUB NEWS

2007-06-26T16:56:00.000-07:00

CARRIE UNDERWOOD FAN CLUB NEWS

The official fan club website for American Idol winner and country music superstar Carrie Underwood is www.carrieunderwood.fm . (NOTE the URL if .fm, not .com.)

The cost to join Carrie's fan club is only $24.95 a year.

The benefits are many, including:

Meet and greet opportunities (subject to availability).
Pre-sale ticketing opportunities.
Members only t-shirt.
Members only sticker.
Members only photo.
Exclusive web content, including audio, video and photos
Personalized @carrieunderwood.fm email address.
Private message boards, blogs and chats.
Carrie's online journal, and more.
Join the Carrie Underwood fan club community and when you are online your login is on the home page, so other members know who is available to chat.

The snailmail address is:

The Official Carrie Underwood Fan Club PO Box 8639 Emeryville, CA 94662

Carrie is a wonderful role model for young women. In a world where the media is obsessed with bad-girl images like Paris and Lindsay, Carrie is a talented breath of fresh air. Show Carrie you appreciate her by joining the fan club today. Better yet, give a young female freind, sister or daughter a membership.

You can see Carrie live in Canada at the Merritt Mountain Music Festival in Merritt, BC, on July 13, and at the Craven County Jamboree on July 15.

Additional upcoming appearances:

07/19/07 Twin Lakes, WI, US Country Thunder

07/21/07 Harrington, DE, US Delaware State Fair

07/28/07 Dixon, CA, US Dixon May Fairgrounds

08/02/07 Detroit Lakes, MN, US WE Fest

08/04/07 Camrose, AB, CA Big Valley Jamboree

08/26/07 Syracuse, NY, US New York State Fair

09/02/07 Allentown, PA, US Great Allentown Fair

09/08/07 York, PA, US York Fair

Country Music Fan Club Interviews On the Radio

2007-06-20T08:21:00.000-07:00

Catch my radio interviews about country music fans clubs:

WYTZ, Y97.5 Country, in S.W. Michigan, with morning man WILD BILL. And he is wild! Thursday, June 21, between 6 - 10 a.m.

WKKG, Indiana Country 101.5, with Joy Reynolds. Check out her Big & Rich photos online.

Call in with your fan club story and you could win a free copy of the Black Book Guide to Official Country Music Fan Clubs: The Top 100.

Keep the tradition alive - JOIN A FAN CLUB TODAY!

Toby Keith Interview

2007-06-18T15:10:00.000-07:00

Photo: Toby on USO Tour, 2007

Published in the Palm Beach Post

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Toby Keith called his new album "Big Dog Daddy," and yes, it's more bravado from the brash country star.

Keith, a pitchman for Ford trucks, was asked to come down to Dallas to unveil the new F-450 Super Duty. "I walked up on it, got in it and one of the Ford guys said, 'Well, what do you think, Big Dog?' And I said, 'This is a Big Dog Daddy.'"

The line got such a laugh that Keith decided to write a song around it.

Of course, Keith being Keith ("How Do You Like Me Now," "I Wanna Talk About Me"), he made it a first-person chest-thumper about a guy who's "got 'em all screaming from here to Cincinnati."

For the first time in his career, Keith produced most of the new disc on his own, and "Big Dog Daddy" might be the first in any musical genre to include a song about an oil pump jack.

Released on his own Show Dog Nashville Records, it finds Keith returning to more familiar territory after experimenting with horns and R&B rhythms on his last record. The first single, "High Maintenance Woman," is No. 7 on the Billboard chart.

The 45-year-old Oklahoman spoke with The Associated Press recently about his music, his politics and why it's not such a good idea to bounce song ideas off your spouse.

AP: This is the first album you've produced on your own. Is that something you've wanted to do for a while?
Keith: I never thought I had the time or energy. I'm at a point in my life where it's time to do it. If I had gotten halfway in and felt I didn't need to be doing this, I would called a friend and got them to do it.

But it went well.

AP: Do you ask your family for their opinion on songs?
Keith: Once it's done, I'll play it for them. But I never let it influence what songs I record. What if you play something racy for your wife? To me, that muddies the process in what you're trying to do creatively. If I play a song like "High Maintenance Woman" about a guy stalking a woman, and my family goes "I don't know about that" — and I don't record it — I'm not being very true to my music.

AP: Are they surprised by your choices sometimes?
Keith: Even in your own family, you're not going to make everybody happy. Even my closest fans are not going to like everything I do.

AP: You recorded two songs by outside writers on this album, "Love Me if You Can" and "White Rose." That's rare for you.
Keith: Both are so damn good I couldn't resist. They're very well-written. I've been sitting on "White Rose" for five or six years. Craig Wiseman wrote "Love Me if You Can," and the amazing thing is it's exactly where I stand, word for word. I couldn't have written it any truer. When one of those comes along, once in a while you have to record it. I think your ego is too big if you don't.

AP: You do a lot of shows for the troops overseas. Have you ever had any close calls?
Keith: I set the standard for other artists to go there. I want the troops coming home and talking about where they saw me and they can't believe I was there. Maybe other acts will be inspired to do it, but I don't want to scare them off either.

AP: How close to battle were you?
Keith: We spent three or four nights on the Pakistani border in small tents. Most artists have to worry about mortar attacks. We stayed at a camp where you had to worry about getting hit in the head by sniper fire. But you don't have to do what I do. You can go to the green zones or stay in the country and go to the military hospitals.

AP: Do you consider yourself a traditional country singer?
Keith: I'm one of the only guys who've sold as many records as I have in our business and never had a crossover hit. Tim (McGraw) and Faith (Hill) and Shania (Twain) and Keith (Urban) and Kenny (Chesney) have all had crossover hits. I've sold 30 million records and written enough songs to be in the 50 million airplays club, which is the Bee Gees, Elton John, John Lennon. And not one time have I ever had a pop spin. So the pop world doesn't view me that way. I take a lot of pride in that.

AP: People view you as being very outspoken. What do you think is the biggest misconception about you?
Keith: I supported the ousting of the Taliban (in Afghanistan) 100 percent. My 9/11 song ("Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue") was all about that. But the far left won't allow that to be. They have to plug me into every pro-war thing they can find. I'm not a political person (Keith describes himself as a lifelong Democrat more interested in "right or wrong" than "left or right"). I get painted that way. I never said I support the Iraq war, but I never said I didn't either.

AP: Do you support the war?
Keith: That war has been over since 48 hours after it started. Our military disarmed them in two days. The dictator has been ousted. They (Iraq) need to step up with their oil money and fund it on their own. I don't say we shouldn't be in there. I say we should be there and step back and let them have their own fight. The U.S. should stand back and make sure the Syrians and the Iranians and the Saudi Arabians don't get involved and allow it to unfold.

Check out Toby's fanclub online at http://www.tobykeith.com/.

LeAnn Rimes Gives Disabled War Vet a Van

2007-06-13T05:50:00.000-07:00

LEANN RIMES continues to make the news. Last week I reported on LeAnn's Shape Magazine cover. Now she is the country music hero of choice for vets everywhere after presenting a specially equipped van to an disabled Iraq War veteran.

Navy Seebee Peter Reid, of Palm Bay, Florida, was injured in a mortar attack in Iraq in 2004. He was partially paralyzed, blinded in one eye and suffered a brain injury. Since then he gets around in a motorized wheelchair.

The wheelchair limited his travel because it took two people to lift the chair into his van.

Enter LeAnn Rimes, who presented a brand-new, wheelchair-accessible Chevrolet van to Peter and his wife.

LEANN plays a concert at Cypress Gardens in Winter Haven, Florida, on Saturday, June 16.

here to go to LeAnn's Fan Club page on her official website.

The Black Book Guide to Official Country Music Fan Clubs is available at http://www.blackbookpress.com/ and amazon.com

LeAnn Rimes, Country Music Fan Clubs

2007-06-07T12:10:00.000-07:00

LEANN RIMES

LEANNE RIMES graces the cover of July Shape Magazine.

COUNTRY MUSIC FAN CLUBS

CMA MUSIC FEST starts today in Nashville and runs through the 10th. If you didn't get to attend you can still learn about your favorite country music entertainers, including how to join the best fan clubs, what you get, and how to get free stuff. All of the information you want is in the Black Book Guide to Country Music Fan Clubs: The Top 100, from Trace Adkins to Trisha Yearwood. On sale now for only $7.95. Click here for the Top 100 country music fan clubs.

Country Music Duo Meets Poet: Montgomery Gentry and Maya Angelou

2007-05-31T05:46:00.000-07:00

Country music superstar duo MONTGOMERY GENTRY offered up a special performance of their hit song "Some People Change for AN EVENING WITH DR. ANGELOU at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center's Jackson Hall in Nashville last Monday.

The Frisk Jubilee Singers joined MONTGOMERY GENTRY on stage for the song, a special request by Dr. Maya Angelou, the Pulitzer prize winning poet and author.

Dr. Angelou is a fan of MONTGOMERY GENTRY. She met the duo when she interviewed them for "Oprah and Friends" on XM Satellite Radio.

"When I listen to Montgomery Gentry they are young men I can claim as my sons--they don't know that, but it's alright," said Dr. Angelou, who says she owns all of their CDs.

The admiration is mutual.

"To meet someone as inspiring as Dr. Angelou and to hear her in this kind of setting has been one of the most incredible experiences of my life," said Troy Gentry.

"She is absolutely an amazing lady said Eddie Montgomery.

Gentry went to to add that he found Dr. Angelou to be an inspiration and that he was honored to have been a part of the Nashville stop of her Unique Lives tour.

Faith Hill & Tim McGraw Talk About Family Life and Touring

2007-05-22T06:35:00.000-07:00

This morning I heard a wonderful interview about family and touring with FAITH HILL and TIM McGRAW on WIRK by JD (of JD & The Crew).

The dynamic country music duo is slated to play South Florida this summer when their Soul2Soul Tour 2007 hits the Bank Atlantic Center stage on Tuesday, July 24.

Thirty-three performances are slated for the nine week tour. The two and a half hour show will include several first time musical performances by Tim and Faith, as well as the #1’s such as “Live Like You Were Dying,” “Breathe,” “Don’t Take The Girl,” “Cry,” “I Like It, I Love It,” “It’s Your Love,” “This Kiss,” as well as Tim’s new single with Faith titled, “I Need You.”

In spite of a hectic schedule, the couple always makes time for family. Tim talked about coaching his daughter's softball team to an undefeated season, with Faith in the stands cheering each game.

When on the road the couple likes to get out and see local sights but seldom has time to really enjoy a visit when on tour. It is work.

You can listen to clips online at www.wirk.com

South Florida fans will want to check out Faith and Tim's respective fan clubs for information about joining, as well as how to get backstage passes for this upcoming show. The website for faith is www.faithhill.com and for Tim it is www.timmcgraw.com. Both website have free music clips and photos.

Country Music Award Winner Fan Clubs

2007-05-17T05:47:00.000-07:00

There were no big surprises in Tuesday night's 42 Annual Academy of Country Music Awards, and all of the winners are on the Black Book Guide to Country Music Fan Clubs: The Top 100 list.

Entertainer of the Year: Kenny Chesney
Top Female Vocalist: Carrie Underwood
Top Male Vocalist: Brad Paisley
Top Vocal Duo: Brooks & Dun
Top Vocal Group: Rascal Flatts
Top New female Vocalist: Miranda Lambert
Top New Male Vocalist: Rodney Atkins
Top New Duo or Group: Little Big Town
Single of the Year: "Give It Away," George Strait
Album of the Year: Some Hearts, Carrie Underwood
Video of the Year: "Before He Cheats," Carrie Underwood
Vocal Event of the Year: "Building Bridges," Brooks & Dun, with Cheryl Crow and Vince Gill

Featuring 100 fan clubs in a black book, the Black Book Guide to Official Country Music Fan Clubs: The Top 100 gives you complete information about how to join your favorite fan clubs and how to get free stuff like photos, music downloads and autographs. The cost is $7.95. The Black Book Guide to Official Country Music Fan Clubs is available at http://www.blackbookpress.com/ and amazon.com

Live From Las Vegas - The 42nd Annual American Country Music Awards

2007-05-15T06:10:00.000-07:00

Live From Las Vegas - It is the 42nd Annual American Country Music Awards.

Festivities started on Sunday with the annual ACM Motorcycle Ride for charity, hosted by MONTGOMERY GENTRY.

After the ride, country superstars took to the stage at the Fremont Street Experience in downtown Las Vegas for a free concert to kick-off the ACM Awards.

Performers included Montgomery Gentry, Phil Vassar, Trent Tomlinson, Keith Anderson, Little Texas, Emerson Drive, Craig Morgan, Trick Pony, James Otto, Big Kenny, Carolina Rain, Ray Scott, Heidi Newfield, Halfway to Hazard, Whiskey Falls, Rowdy and Memarie, among others.

Gretchen played a set with special guests Big and Rich and Heart's Nancy Wilson.

The 42nd Annual Country Music Awards airs tonight t 8 p.m. on CBS live from the MGM Grand in Las Vegas with REBA hosting.

Nominee milestones include:

George Strait leads with 8 nominations.
Brooks & Dunn receive 7 nominations.
Rascal Flatts receives 6 nominations.
American Idol Carrie Underwood receives 5 nominations.
Big & Rich receives 4 nominations.
Vince Gill, Josh Turner and Gretchen Wilson all receive 3 nominations.

And the nominees are:

ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR
• Brooks & Dunn
• Kenny Chesney
• Tim McGraw
• Rascal Flatts
• George Strait

TOP MALE VOCALIST
• Kenny Chesney
• Toby Keith
• Brad Paisley
• George Strait
• Keith Urban

TOP FEMALE VOCALIST
• Sara Evans
• Faith Hill
• Miranda Lambert
• Martina McBride
• Carrie Underwood

TOP VOCAL GROUP
• Diamond Rio
• Emerson Drive
• Little Big Town
• Lonestar
• Rascal Flatts

TOP VOCAL DUO
• Big & Rich
• Brooks & Dunn
• Montgomery Gentry
• Sugarland
• The Wreckers

TOP NEW MALE VOCALIST
• Rodney Atkins
• Craig Morgan
• Chris Young

TOP NEW FEMALE VOCALIST
• Miranda Lambert
• Kellie Pickler
• Taylor Swift

TOP NEW DUO OR VOCAL GROUP
• Heartland
• Little Big Town
• The Wreckers

ALBUM OF THE YEAR [Award to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company]
• Hillbilly Deluxe - Brooks & Dunn (Arista Nashville)
Produced by Tony Brown, Ronnie Dunn and Kix Brooks
#3 Produced by Mark Wright, Tony Brown, Ronnie Dunn, Kix Brooks
# 6 Original demo produced by Kix Brooks, Tom Shapiro, Bob DiPiero
• It Just Comes Natural - George Strait (MCA Nashville)
Produced by Tony Brown, George Strait
• Me and My Gang - Rascal Flatts (Lyric Street Records)
Produced by Dann Huff, Rascal Flatts
• Some Hearts - Carrie Underwood (19 Recordings Limited/Arista Records)
#1, 2, 4, 7, 10 & 13 Produced by Mark Bright
#3, 6, 8, 9, 11 & 12 Produced by Dann Huff
• These Days - Vince Gill (MCA Nashville)
Produced by Vince Gill, John Hobbs, Justin Niebank

SINGLE RECORD OF THE YEAR [Award to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company]
• Before He Cheats
Carrie Underwood, Produced by Mark Bright
19 Recordings Limited/Arista Records
• Give It Away
George Strait, Produced by Tony Brown, George Strait
MCA Nashville
• I Loved Her First
Heartland, Produced by Walt Aldridge
Lofton Creek Records
• What Hurts the Most
Rascal Flatts, Produced by Dann Huff, Rascal Flatts
Lyric Street Records
• Would You Go With Me
Josh Turner, Produced by Frank Rogers
MCA Nashville

SONG OF THE YEAR [Award to Composer(s)/Publisher(s)/Artist(s)]
• Amarillo Sky
Jason Aldean
Writers: John Rich, Big Kenny, Rodney Clawson, Bart Pursley
Publishers: © 2005 Rich Texan Music (ASCAP), Bound For Sound Music (ASCAP) All
rights admin. By WB Music Corp. (ASCAP) Big Love Music (BMI) Admin. By Carol
Vincent and Associates. Grinnin’ Girl Music (BMI) Bar Two Beat One Music (ASCAP)
Used by permission. All rights reserved.
• Before He Cheats
Carrie Underwood
Writers: Chris Tompkins, Josh Kear
Publishers: That Little House Music (ASCAP)/ Mighty Underdog Music/Sony/ATV Cross
Keys Publishing (ASCAP)
• Give It Away
George Strait
Writers: Bill Anderson, Buddy Cannon, Jamey Johnson
Publishers: © 2006 Sony/ATV Tree Publishing/Mr. Bubba Music, Inc., admin. by Sony/ATV
Music Publishing (BMI); Run Slow Music, admin. By ICG (ASCAP); EMI Blackwood
Music Inc. (BMI)

• If You're Going Through Hell (Before the Devil Even Knows)
Rodney Atkins
Writers: Sam and Annie Tate, Dave Berg
Publishers: Gravitron Music, SESAC, Whaddayadef Music, Cal IV Songs, Bergbrain Music,
ASCAP
• Would You Go With Me
Josh Turner
Writers: Shawn Camp, John Scott Sherrill
Publishers: © 2005 Sony/ATV Songs LLC/All Mighty Dog Music/Travelin' Arkansawyer
Music, admin. By Sony/ATV Music Publishing; Sony/ATV Songs LLC/All Mighty Dog
Music/City Wolf Music, admin. By Sony/ATV Music Publishing (BMI)
VIDEO OF THE YEAR [Award to Producer(s)/Director(s)/Artist(s)]
• 8th of November - Big & Rich
Producer: Steve Lamar
Director: George Flanigen, Robert Deaton, Marc Oswald
• Amarillo Sky - Jason Aldean
Producer: Brittany Hailes
Director: Wes Edwards
• Before He Cheats - Carrie Underwood
Producer: Randy Brewer
Director: Roman White
• Hillbilly Deluxe - Brooks & Dunn
Producer: Mark Kalbfeld
Director: Michael Salomon
• The Seashores of Old Mexico - George Strait
Producer: Shelli Jury
Director: Trey Fanjoy

VOCAL EVENT OF THE YEAR [Award to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company]
• Building Bridges - Brooks & Dunn with Vince Gill & Sheryl Crow
Produced by Tony Brown, Ronnie Dunn and Kix Brooks
Arista Nashville
• I Don't Want To - Ashley Monroe & Ronnie Dunn
Produced by Mark Wright
Columbia Nashville
• Me and God - Josh Turner featuring Dr. Ralph Stanley and Marty Roe, Dana Williams and
Gene Johnson of Diamond Rio
Produced by Frank Rogers
MCA Nashville
• Politically Uncorrect - Gretchen Wilson featuring Merle Haggard
Produced by Gretchen Wilson, John Rich and Mark Wright
Columbia Nashville
• That's How They Do It In Dixie - Hank Williams Jr. with Gretchen Wilson, Big & Rich and
Van Zant
Produced by Doug Johnson for Curb Productions
Curb Records

Country Music News, Gossip & Commentary: Bucky Covington, Terri Clark

2007-05-10T05:42:00.000-07:00

BUCKY COVINGTON Debut Sales Soaring

News from buckycovington.com

BUCKY COVINGTON SELLS MORE THAN 100,000 CDs IN FIRST THREE WEEKS OF RELEASE

Nashville, TN…(May 9, 2007) – American Idol Season 5 finalist Bucky Covington continues to establish himself as the hottest new artist in country music, having sold in excess of 100,000 copies of his self-titled debut CD in just three weeks.

His debut single “A Different World” is generating strong phone requests as it enters the top 20 and continues to climb the Billboard chart.

Bucky Covington debuted at #1 on Nielsen SoundScan’s Country Top 75 Chart on April 25th with 61,000 units sold.

Covington’s debut CD entered Nielsen SoundScan’s all genre Top 200 chart at #4 and was the only new country act to open inside the top five this year.

Covington has the distinction of having not only 2007’s biggest unit debut from a new country artist, but also the best first week sales and highest Top 200 debut for any new male country artist since Billy Ray Cyrus in 1992.

FAN CLUB OF THE WEEK: BUCKY COVINGTON

You can join the BUCKANEERS, Bucky Covington's new fanclub, online. Click here for fan club details.

TERRI CLARK to Perform at at CMA Music Fest

Nashville, TN. (Top40 Charts/ BNA Records) - Terri Clark, the hardest working showgirl in country music, gets to do what she does best - play for the fans - in her hometown, as the Country Music Association tapped the 4-time CMA nominee to open their annual Fan Festival with a rocking set on the Cumberland River . Hitting the Greased Lightning Stage at 10:00 a.m. sharp on Thursday June 7th, Clark will ring in the 2007 CMA Music Festival with her signature take-no-prisoners performance style and a fistful of hits, that include her first BNA smash 'Dirty Girl.'

Click here to read the rest of the story at top40-charts.com

Justin Timberlake, Big & Rich, Blake Shelton & the Top 10 Country Albums

2007-05-04T06:15:00.000-07:00

Country Music News, Gossip and Commentary

JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE

JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE is going back to his Tennessee roots.

He told USA Today: "I've had a good share of the spotlight. I don't feel I need too much of it right now. I want to write country music because I grew up in Tennessee...."

The popular singer says he wants to concentrate on song writing. He wants to express himself through different types of music.

If BON JOVI can do it, why not TIMBERLAKE?

BIG & RICH

BIG and RICH, along with COWBOY TROY, will be soaking up the sunshine in Florida this weekend. The MUZIK MAFIA crew will be performing at SUNFEST in West Palm Beach on Sunday.

According to the Muzikmafia.com website: "It's about putting a bluegrass guy up there with a rock 'n roll gut and seing what happens."

Big & Rich will be happening on the stage at 7:30 p.m. Other music acts start at noon on the closing day of Sunfest. Tickets are available at the gate.

BLAKE SHELTON

Check out news and clips from BLAKE SHELTON's new album on his website at www.blakeshelton.com Pure BS is BLAKE'S fourth album. It was released on Monday. The single "Don't Make Me" is number 17 on the Billboard Country Chart this week.

BILLBOARD TOP 10 COUNTRY ALBUMS
1. Carrie Underwood - Some Hearts
2. Martina McBride - Waking Up Laughing
3. Tim McGraw - Let it Go
4. Alison Krauss - A Hundred Miles or More: A Collection
5. Taylor Swift - Taylor Swift
6. Rascal Flatts - Me and My Gang
7. Bucky Covington - Bucky Covington
8. Larry the Cable Guy - Morning Constitutions
9. Sugarland - Enjoy the Ride
10. Alan Jackson, George Strait, Jimmy Buffett - Live at Texas Stadium

Country Music News, Gossip, Commentary: Show Dog Records, Brad Paisley

2007-04-29T15:50:00.000-07:00

TOBY KEITH'S SHOW DOG RECORDS

TOBY Keith fans will want to check out the website for his new Show Dog Records label at http://www.showdogrecords.com/ . You'll find all of the latest TOBY news, including upcoming events.

Also on the site are links to Show Dog Records artists -- Rushlow Harris, Broken Bridges, Lindsey Haun and Flynnville Train.

BRAD PAISLEY

Click here for a review of BRAD PAISLEY'S concert in Chattanooga.

CHARLIE DANIELS HONORED

From the Equestrian News Release Wire

FORT WORTH, Texas —The American Paint Horse Association (APHA) recently awarded renowned country music entertainer Charlie Daniels with its Legendary Achievement Award.

Daniels was honored for his work over the past 25 years in breeding American Paint Horses and spotlighting their beauty, versatility and athletic talents. APHA also issued him a lifetime membership certificate.
Daniels raises horses on his Twin Pines Ranch in Tennessee.

Photo: Charlie Daniels & Brenda Lee.

CMA Award Show Performers, Bucky Covington, Billy Ray Cyrus

2007-04-26T13:48:00.000-07:00

CMA AWARDS SHOW PERFORMERS

Jason Aldean, Vince Gill, Little Big Town, Josh Turner and Taylor Swift have joined the line-up of performers at the upcoming Academy of Country Music Awards show.

Also on the show are: Rodney Atkins, Brooks & Dunn, Kenny Chesney, Miranda Lambert, Tim McGraw, Brad Paisley, Rascal Flatts, George Strait, Sugarland, Carrie Underwood and Reba McEntire with special guest Kelly Clarkson.

The 42nd Annual Academy of Country Music Awards show airs live at 8 p.m. on May 15 on CBS.

BUCKY'S DEBUT

Country Standard Time reports that BUCKY COVINGTON's self-titled debut CD opens at number 1 on Nielsen Soundscan's Country Top 75 chart with 61,000 units sold. Covington's debut CD also enters the all genre top 200 chart in fourth and is the only new country act to open inside the top five this year. The sales figure is the best first week sales and highest Top 200 debut for any new male country artist since Billy Ray Cyrus in 1992.

BILLY RAY CYRUS

Speaking of BILLY RAY CYRUS, he is still dancing his way to acclaim on Dancing With the Stars. Catch him on the ABC show on Monday at 8 p.m. The results are aired on Tuesday night at 9 p.m. Even when he misses a step he still looks like he is having the time of his life. Vote BILLY!

Country Music News, Gossip & Commentary: Amy Grant, Big & Rich, Billy Dean

2007-04-19T07:28:00.000-07:00

AMY GRANT COLLECTS FOOD FOR AMERICA’S SECOND HARVEST

AMY GRANT helped kick off a one million meal drive for America’s Second Harvest in New York yesterday. The singer has long been associated with program and spreadthesharing.com, which collects stories of sharing. (Photo: Dima Gavrysh, America’s Second Harvest.)

CRUISE WITH BILLY DEAN & JULIE ROBERTS

BILLY DEAN and JULIE ROBERTS are headlining a country music cruise aboard the Royal Caribbean Empress of the Seas. The ship leaves from Philadelphia and goes to Bermuda for seven nights on September 29. Make your reservations early. For more information, visit Billy’s website at http://www.billydean.com/

FROM THE AP NEWSWIRE: BIG & RICH CANCEL SHOW

HIGHLAND, Calif. -- Big & Rich left fans disappointed after they backed out of an April 12 concert at the last minute because of a dispute over a young guest.

The country music duo of "Big Kenny" Alphin and former Lonestar singer John Rich had been set to perform at the San Manuel Indian Bingo and Casino.

To accommodate the wishes of an ill 5-year-old girl, a local radio station had arranged for the young fan and her family to meet Big & Rich and see the show. But the casino, which bans anyone under 21, wasn't notified.

"While we are sympathetic to the request from the young fan, we are held accountable to the requirements that prevent anyone under the age of 21 from entering our facility at any time," Steve Lengel, director of casino operations, said in a statement.

Big & Rich then canceled the show.About 1,600 people were allegedly kept waiting in the arena for over an hour before it was announced that Big & Rich wouldn't perform. Refunds were offered.

"This was an unfortunate incident and caused great inconvenience for our guests," Lengel said.

Rich said in a statement that he was concerned about offending fans.

"We did have the opportunity to spend some quality time with the young girl and her family on our bus that evening. I am sorry for the girl, the family and all our fans that did not get to see the show," Rich said.

2007 CMT Award Winners

2007-04-17T06:01:00.001-07:00

CARRIE UNDERWOOD, KENNY CHESNEY, RASCAL FLATTS, SUGARLAND, JACK INGRAM & TAYLOR SWIFT Take Home Top Honors

The fans have voted, and the belt buckle goes to….

American Idol CARRIE UNDERWOOD was queen of the 2007 Country Music Television Awards last night in Nashville, taking home the Video of the Year and Female Video of the Year for her anger-fuel hit single “Before He Cheats.”

Said Underwood, “Thank you, fans. I've had such an amazing, blessed two years. I started out on a fan-based show, and you guys have continued to support me throughout everything. ... Everybody around me has been so amazing. We're so blessed. I hope we continue to be blessed because this is awesome."

KENNY CHESNEY won the Male Video of the Year for “You Save Me.”

RASCAL FLATTS was awarded the Group Video Award for the smash hit “What Hurt the Most.”

SUGARLAND continues their meteoric rise with Duo Video of the Year for “Want To.”

JACK INGRAM won the Wide Open Country Video for the clever “Love You.”

And newcomer TAYLOR SWIFT picked up the Breakthrough Award for a single named for a previous buckle winner, “Tim McGraw.”

These superstars and more are included in the Black Book Guide to Official Country Music Fans Clubs: The Top 100. Click here buy the book at Amazon.com

Click here to check out the 2007 CMT Awards photo gallery.

Ain't No Hos in Country Music

2007-04-16T05:34:00.000-07:00

Ain't No Hos in Country Music

The question is not: Should Don Imus have been fired -- for a bad joke or a racist remark, you choose. The question is: Why perpetuate a culture that makes a living on the backs of hos and bad jokes about them in the first place?

The Rev. Al Sharpton, Jessie Jackson, the NAACP and other civil rights groups were up in arms last week over Imus. Nappy headed hos! Them’s fightin’ words. Imus apologized. CBS folded and fired him.

So why are these same critics and CBS still making a profit on those fighting words, today as they did yesterday? Rap and hip-hop music is a business that makes millions of dollars singing about bitches and hos. The genre objectifies women and glorifies the use of drugs and alcohol and guns. Show me the money. Show me the bling. And if it comes with a scantily clad woman dancing beside me, so much the better.

Of the Don Imus firing, infamous rapper Snoop Dogg said, "It's a completely different scenario. [Rappers] are not talking about no collegiate basketball girls who have made it to the next level in education and sports. We're talking about hos that's in the 'hood that ain't doing sh*t, that's trying to get a nigg* for his money. These are two separate things. First of all, we ain't no old-ass white men that sit up on MSNBC going hard on black girls. We are rappers that have these songs coming from our minds and our souls that are relevant to what we feel. I will not let them muthaf*ckas say we are in the same league as him. Kick him off the air forever."

Well, of course, that explains it.

But it doesn’t explain why comics on urban The Steve Harvey Morning Show can regularly do a bit parodying southern rednecks that would make a ho blush, and no one says a word.

That’s because, as civil right attorney Constance Rice puts it, it is what he does.

“But there’s also no basis for firing him [Imus] or ending his show. Firing Mr. Imus for racist riffs would like firing Liberace for flamboyance. It is what he does,” said Rice.

Other than evoking an out-dated reference to the long past Las Vegas entertainer, I agree with Ms. Rice. It is what Imus does – he’s a equal-opportunity mouth, and in America he should be free to speak as he pleases. If you don’t like what he says, change the channel. That's what I do when Steve Harvey makes fun of rednecks.

There ain’t no hos in country music. That’s because if there were, country music fans would turn the dial. It’s a choice.

Save your self-righteous indignation, Mr. Sharpton and Mr. Jackson and Snoop Dogg and CBS. Until you stop encouraging rappers to sing about bitches and hos by making it profitable, you are as bad as those you accuse.

In Country Muisc News Today: Johnny Cash, Kenny Chesney, Tracy Lawrence, Little Texas

2007-04-12T05:59:00.000-07:00

JOHNNY CASH

The former home of JOHNNY and JUNE CARTER CASH, now owned by BeeGee Barry Gibb, was destroyed by fire Tuesday.

Only the stone chimneys remained of the 13,880-square-foot house in Hendersonville, Tennessee. The cause of the blaze is unknown.

The Johnny and June Carter Cash family lived in the lakeside home from 1968 until their deaths in 2003. Scenes from cash's last video "Hurt" were shot at the house. (Photo: Reuters)

KENNY CHESNEY TOUR

KENNY CHESNEY kicks off his Flip Flop Summer Tour 2007 in Omaha tonight.

The tour name comes from Kenny's philosophy for living. In an interview with CMT, he said: "I have a friend that lives down in the islands. He's 60 years old and has never worn a pair of shoes in his whole life. He's either been barefoot or wearing flip-flops, and I thought, "I wish I could live like that." And then I thought for a second, "Well, you kind of do live like that." (laughs) ... It just creates a great atmosphere, and so I try really hard to bring a lot of the way I live my life into my music and especially into my tour. It's just another example."

Click here to read the CMT interview.

KENNY CHESNEY is featured in the Black Book Guide to Official Country Music Fan Clubs: The Top 100.

TRACY LAWRENCE INTERVIEW

TRACY LAWRENCE fans will want to check out CountryInterviewsOnline for an interview about his new album For the Love, recorded on his own label, Rock Comfort Records.

When asked about influences for the new album, which mixes traditional country, honky-tonk and rock, Tracy said: "What I really drew from was that I really wanted to go back to my early motivation with music, from when I first came to Nashville. I wanted to cut a more traditional album, but I didn’t want it to be dated. So I really looked for a lot more positive lyrics, more up-tempo stuff. I just wanted to get away from chasing the pop direction like everyone’s done so much of in the last several years. I guess I just wanted to go back to the basics and cut an album that was true to me."

LITTLE TEXAS Missing Years

LITTLE TEXAS has a new album, aptly named Missing Years, coming out on June 12.

Country Music Goes Pop Culture

2007-04-10T06:02:00.000-07:00

COUNTRY GOES POP CULTURE

Country stars are stepping into the mainstream celebrity pop culture in a big way. Look for BIG & RICH tonight on the "Dancing with the Stars." They will sing "Save a Horse Ride a Cowboy" and "Lost in this Moment." The big question of the night: Will BILLY RAY CYRUS stay to dance another waltz or has America voted him off the show?

American Idol and country darling CARRIE UNDERWOOD is gracing the cover of the May issue of Cosmopolitan Magazine. In the accompanying article Carrie talks about her meteoric career, dieting and romance. May Cosmo hits the newsstands today. Carrie's "Before He Cheats" is #22 on the Billboard Hot 100 this week. The album, "Some Hearts," is #17 on the Billboard Top 200 Album Chart.

TIM McGRAW TOPS 3 BILLBOARD CHARTS

TIM McGRAW hit a triple this week claiming the top spot on the Billboard Country Album Chart and Top 200 Album Chart with "Let it Go," and the Billboard Hot Country Songs with "LAst Dollar (Fly "Away)."

Country Music News: Tim McGraw, Bucky Covington, Merle Haggard, Allman Brothers

2007-04-06T06:42:00.000-07:00

TIM McGRAW TOPS BILLBOARD CHARTS

Country music superstar Tim McGraw tops both the Billboard album chart and song chart this week. "Let It Go" debuts at #1 with 330,000 sold copies last week. Breakout single "Last Dollar" is the at the top of the song charts.

BUCKY COVINGTON FANS

For all you Bucky Covington fans, check out the Team Covington Blog. The former American Idol's self-titled debut album hits stores April 17.

MERLE HAGGARD WEBCASTS

Who knew Merle Haggard was so technologically advanced? He is selling webcasts now on his website http://www.merlehaggard.com/. Most are $15, but there are two free ones available: a blooper (with Marty Stuart) and a Christmas greeting.

ALLMAN BROTHERS TOUR

The ALLMAN BROTHERS are headed to Live Oak, Florida, for the annual Wanee Festival, April 13 - 14.

Other cites on the Southern rockers' itinerary include:

May 4 - Memphis, TN - Beale Street Music Festival
MAy 5 - New Orleans, LA - Jazz & Heritage Festival
July 31 - Rama, Ontario - Casino Rama
August 3 - Gilford, NH - Meadowbrook Farm
August 4 - Newport, RI - Newport Folk Festival
August 7, 8 - Boston, MA - Bank Boston Pavilion
August 14 - Bristow, VA - Nissan Pavilion (w/ Ratdog)
August 15 - Burgettstown, PA - Post-Gazette Pavilion (w/ Ratdog)
August 17 - Camden, NJ - Tweeter Center (w/ Ratdog)
August 18 - Bushkill, PA - Mountain Laurel Center (w/ Ratdog)
August 19 - Darien Center, NY - Darien Lake Performing Arts Center (w/ Ratdog)
August 21 - Wantagh, NY - Nikon at Jones Beach Theater (w/ Ratdog)
August 22 - Holmdel, NJ - PNC Bank Arts Center (w/ Ratdog)
September 2 - Snowmass Village, CO - Jazz Aspen

Country Music News

2007-04-05T05:58:00.000-07:00

BILLY JOE SHAVER

From the CMT Newswire: Billy Joe Shaver turned himself in at a Waco, Texas, jail on Tuesday (April 3) after he shot a man at an area bar on Saturday night (March 31). After posting $50,000 bond, Shaver was released. His attorney stated that Shaver acted in self-defense after an aggressive drunk man followed Shaver out of the bar with a knife. Click here to read more...

LITTLE BIG TOWN

LITTLE BIG TOWN's album The Road to Here went platinum, with more than 1 million copies sold! Little Big Town's Karen Fairchild said, "The only reason we're here is that we've kept showing up." We hope they continue to make musictheir own way, because it is working!

LITTLE BIG TOWN is this week Fan Club of the Week.

DOLLY PARTON will receive the Johnny Mercer award at the Songwriters Hall of Fame Dinner in New York on June 7. A legendary songwriter herself, DOLLY well deserves the honor.

Talent Search, Billy Joe Shaver in Shooting, Free Gretchen Wilson Concert

2007-04-03T13:08:00.000-07:00

Capitol Records to Launch Country Music Talent Search

Capitol Records Nashville is launching an online country music talent search called “The Road to Nashville,” with the winner receiving $50,000 and a chance to record three demos in Nashville.

Starting today, contestants can audition online.

BILLY JOE SHAVER Involved in Shooting

BILLY JOE SHAVER shot a man in the parking lot of a bar Saturday night in Lorena, Texas. The country singer says it was in self-defense after a drunken stranger confronted him with a knife in the parking lot.

GRETCHEN WILSON Free Concert

GRETCHEN WILSON is set to perform a free concert at the Fremont Street Experience in Las Vegas on May 13. The concert coincides with the debut of her new album, One of the Boys.

Books Go Country

From CMT News in Brief, DENISE JACKSON, wife of country superstar ALAN JACKSON, has written a memoir about their life together and the rediscovery of her faith after the near-failure of their marriage. It's All About Him: Finding the Love of My Life will be published in July by Thomas Nelson Publishers. Denise Jackson co-wrote the book with Ellen Vaughn. Alan Jackson wrote the foreword and recorded two songs on a bonus CD specifically for the project. The book will also include photos of the couple and their family.

From Country Standard Time, CHARLIE DANIELS is releasing his book "Growing Up Country: What Makes Country Life Country" Tuesday. Daniels will appear on the nationally televised Fox News TV shows Hannity & Colmes on April 3 and Fox & Friends on April 4.

Both ALAN JACKSON and CHARLIE DANIELS are in the Black Book Press Guide to Official Country Music Fan Clubs: The Top 100.

Michelle Branch Stalker Arrested, Tim McGraw Interview on CMT, Top 100 Country Music Fan Clubs

2007-03-31T06:47:00.000-07:00

MICHELLE BRANCH STALKER ARREST REPORT

A man accused of stalking MICHELLE BRANCH, the dark-haired half of the duo THE WRECKERS, was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct at the singer's concert in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, last week after she spotted him in the audience. Click here to read the arrest report online at tmz.com, which notes the suspect's 1993 Pontiac Grand Am was impounded.

What kind of food does Branch require backstage when she is on the road? Cheese, hummus, Oreos and Krispy Kreme doughnuts. Click here to see the rider from a 2003 concert.

TIM MCGRAW INTERVIEW

Country music superstar TIM McGRAW is the subject of an in depth feature on CMT Insider Special Edition scheduled to air on Sunday night at 9 p.m. When asked about starting a new record label, SonicStyle records, McGRAW said: "Just to be able to do the things you want to do musically that might not necessarily find its place on a major label for long. I mean, we're doing things with major labels, but Lori McKenna, who is a great singer-songwriter, is the first artist. ... And then we've got Halfway to Hazard [a duo] that's coming out, too. ... As an artist, I love all kinds of music, and I can't cut everything that I love. First of all, I can't sing everything that I love. So to have the chance and to be successful enough to do something like this ... to have a part in making the record and be a part of somebody's career that you really respect, it just gives you a chance to do that. And I'm just excited about seeing people take off and hoping I can have something to do with it."

Read more about the interview at CMT online.

McGRAW and THE WRECKERS are among the Top 100 Fan Clubs in the new Black Book guide. Click here to see the entire list.

Kenny Chesney & Carrie Underwood Top Billboard, Dolly Parton Fantasy, Guitar Auction

2007-03-30T05:38:00.000-07:00

CHESNEY, UNDERWOOD TOPS ON BILLBOARD CHARTS

KENNY CHESNEY'S "Beer in Mexico" and CARRIE UNDERWOOD'S "Some Hearts are still holding top positions on the Billboard album charts. Other ranked albums include GARY ALLAN's "Greatest Hits," RASCAL FLATTS'S "Me & My Gang," TAYLOR SWIFT'S self-titled debut and the DIXIE CHICKS' "Taking the Long Way."

WILLIE NELSON, MERLE HAGGARD & RAY PRICE debuted in the seventh slot with "Last of a Breed." Indeed, they are.

Topping the Billboard song chart: CHESNEY's Beer in Mexico," followed by TIM McGRAW's "Last Dollar" and UNDERWOOD's "Wasted." RASCAL FLATTS was fourth with "Stand" and MARTINA McBRIDE was fifth with "Anyway." BRAD PAISLEY and GEORGE STRAIT, also, cracked the top twenty-five.

Source: Billboard

DOLLY FANTASY

What's on DOLLY'S mind when it comes to romance? Dolly jokes with London reporters about her fantasies.

GUITAR AUCTION

New York, NY (Billboard Publicity Wire) March 30, 2007 -- Christie's announced that guitars from the collection of the late MERLE TRAVIS will be auctioned in the Fine Musical Instruments sale on April 2 in New York. Influential to many musicians, Travis was recognized for his unique finger-picking guitar style, called "Travis Picking." Because of his prolific writing and performing he was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame as well as the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame.

Both the Gibson electric arch-top guitar, Style Super 400 (estimate: $15,000-20,000) and the C.F. Martin D-28 (estimate: $100,000-150,000) represent a unique partnership between the artist, Merle Travis and artisan Paul A Bigsby, which culminated in some of the most important design innovations in American guitar making in the years following World War II.

From 1944 to 1982, Travis appeared in 16 films and made countless recordings as both a solo musician and a session player. His unique style of finger-picking guitar would come to be known as Travis Picking and influence the likes of Hank Thompson, Scotty Moore, Doc Watson and the great Chet Atkins, all of whom acknowledged his contribution.

Wynonna Files for Divorce, New Album Releases, CMT Music Awards

2007-03-29T07:45:00.000-07:00

WYNONNA
WYNONNA filed for divorce from D.R. Roach on the heels of his arrest last week on charges of aggravated sexual battery on a minor. Wynonna expressed her disappointment in a statement on her website, which reads, in part, "I am obviously devastated.... We will more forward with our faith, family and our friends...." The couple married in 2003.

MUSIC CITY WALK OF FAME
It's not all bad news for WYNONNA, however. The country music superstar and EMMYLOU HARRIS are among those being inducted into the Music City Walk of Fame in Nashville on April 22.

NEW ALBUM RELEASES
March album releases: GARY ALLAN, DIERKS BENTLEY, JACK INGRAM, TIM McGRAW
April album releases: American Idol BUCKY COVINGTON, MARTINA McBRIDE, PAM TILLIS
May album releases: JASON ALDEAN, JOHN ANDERSON, JOSH GRACIN, FAITH HILL, MIRANDA LAMBERT, BLAKE SHELTON, GRETCHEN WILSON

VOTE FOR THE CMT MUSIC AWARDS
Have you voted yet for your favorite country music entertainer? Click here to cast your vote for the CMT Music Awards.

Country Music Superstar Considers Politics

2007-03-26T17:33:00.000-07:00

TIM McGRAW
Country music superstar entertainer Tim McGraw may have political aspirations on the horizon. Read all about it in an article in Florida Today. His latest album, LET IT GO, includes two duets with wife FAITH HILL.

THE STATLER BROTHERS
THE STATLER BROTHERS were names "Virginians of he Year" by the press association. The honor comes, in part, in recognition of the annual 4th of July concert the brothers give for free in their hometown of Staunton each year.

REBA
By now we all know REBA has been tapped to host the 42nd Annual Country Music Awards. What will she wear? A traditional Hollywood designer, or a fashion newcomer with a country connection?

Click here for BLACK BOOK GUIDE TO OFFICIAL COUNTRY MUSIC FAN CLUBS: THE TOP 100 news release online.

HANK JR. & LYNARD SKYNARD TOUR ANNOUNCED

2007-03-25T13:19:00.000-07:00

HANK JR. & SKYNARD ON TOUR

A match made in heaven (or hell)! HANK JR. and LYNYRD SKYNARD start their ROUDY FRYNDS TOUR on April 11 Huntsville, Alabama. Other cities on the tour are: Tampa, Indianapolis, Peoria, Baltimore, Raleigh, Nashville, Charleston, WV, dayton, Auburn City, MI, Sioux City, Minneapolis, Orange Beach, Atlanta, Greenville, SC, albany, NY, Louisville and St. Charles, MO.

Click here for the country music fan club of the week.

Click here for the TOP 100 Country Music Fan Clubs.

KEITH URBAN was seen snapping a photo of paparazzi last week in Brentwood, California. The picture is online at tmz.com

September 25 is rumored to be the release date for the next RASCAL FLATTS album. Their "Me & My Gang" album has sold some 3.8 million copies, according to SoundScan.

Did you see CARRIE UNDERWOOD on SNL last night? Awesome performance. PEYTON MANNING was show host.

Country Muisc Loses Bucky Jones

2007-03-21T05:40:00.000-07:00

Country singer BUCKY JONES was killed early Saturday morning when he was struck by a car as he walked along a Texas highway after his vehicle had blown a tire. The Dallas Morning News reported the driver of the car who struck him is being held on a charge of intoxicated manslaughter. Jones released al album titled “Lucky Star” in 2005.

The BILLY DEAN fan club is gathering online greeting for his April 2 birthday. If you want to sign the birthday guestbook, visit the fan club web site at http://www.billydean.com/guestbook.cfm

Country music legend MERLE HAGGARD is selling his latest single online. An MP3 download of “Hilary” is only $1.99 at his website – merlehaggard.com.

Brad Paisley, Miranda Lambert & Billy Currington to Appear at CMA Music Fest

2007-03-16T15:29:00.000-07:00

Hot off the newswire:

2007 CMA Music Festival Is 'Time Well Wasted' as Brad Paisley, Miranda Lambert and Billy Currington Join Performance Lineup

NASHVILLE, Tenn., March 16 /PRNewswire/ -- The celebration of America's music is growing as artists continue to join the lineup for 2007 CMA Music Festival, Thursday-Sunday, June 7-10 in Downtown Nashville. Brad Paisley, Miranda Lambert and Billy Currington are the latest
artist additions to the CMA Music Festival performance roster. For complete details, visit the website at www.cmafest.com

Are you a Pam Tillis fan? Check out her latest interview on Blog Critic's Magazine.