Country Music Stars Featured in Charity Auction

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

Country Music at the 2009 Grammys

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."

Country Music: Billboard Top 10

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

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 for the Birds(house)

Country Music Going to the Birds
DIERKS BENTLY, FAITH HILL, RASCAL FLATTS, KEITH URBAN, TRACE ADKINS, CLINT BLACK, SARA EVANS, LITTLE BIG TOWN, JOSH TURNER, THE WRECKERS AND WYNONNA are among the country music entertainers participating the in the celebrity birdhouse design auction. “The Birdhouse Thing” proceeds benefit the W.O. Smith Nashville Community Music School. To place a bid one of the birdhouses, go to the website at www.opryauction.com.

Nashville 4th of July on June 30th
The Nashville News is reporting JOHN MICHAEL MONTGOMERY is slated to headline the Stand Up For America celebration in Nashville on June 30. The annual celebration is being held on Saturday instead of Wednesday, July 4. The concert is at 8 p.m. at the Nashville City Park Amphitheater, followed by fireworks. Gates open at 4:30 p.m.


Hot Off the Newswire

NASHVILLE, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Country music superstar KENNY CHESNEY drew 1.3 million people to his 2006 concert tour, more than any other artist in pop, rock, rap or country music. Now, Great American Country (GAC) opens the door to let Kenny Chesney fans experience all the hard work and preparation that goes into creating a world-class stage show in an exclusive GAC special, Kenny Chesney Phases & Stages: The Flip Flop Summer Tour. The premiere episode of the two-part series airs on GAC April 21 at 9 p.m. ET, followed on April 28 by Part Two.

DALLAS (PRWeb) March 15, 2007 -- Country music singer/songwriter JULIE INGRAM is currently recording her new album at CURB Studio & EMI Studio in Nashville. The LongShot recording artist has teamed up with the veteran writing production team of Chris Dodson and Jeff Tweel, whose credits include Merle Haggard, Billy Ray Cyrus, Keith Whitley, LeAnn Rimes, BJ Thomas and Sam & Dave.

And the Winner is...

ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC AWARD NOMINATIONS

The nominations are in, and George Strait leads the pack with eight, including Song of the Year and Entertainer of the Year.American Idol Carrie Underwood got five nominations, including Album of the Year, Video of the Year and Top Female Vocalist.Also nominated: Rascal Flatts, Josh Turner, Gretchen Wilson, Brooks & Dunn, Chris Young and Taylor Swift.

KEITH URBAN

Keith is out of rehab and feeling great. He's making the rounds on TV and radio to thank fans for their support. He's nominated for Top Male Vocalist at the CMAs. Will wife Nicole Kidman attend with him? Keith is on tour again in May in Australia.

REBA

Reba is on tour April through August. For dates and cities, visit her website at www.reba.com

ALAN JACKSON

Alan Jackson will be releasing an album that will also feature the musical talents of George Strait and Jimmy Buffett. MCA Nashville has announced plans for "Live At Texas Stadium," a collection of individual and collaborative live performances by Jackson, Buffett and Strait. The album, which will be released to stores for sale starting April 3, will feature music from a 2004 mega concert event in Dallas featuring all three country music stars.