Country Music Goes To New York City

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

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.

MaGraw & Underwood Honored at 2007 American Music Awards

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 News

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

Faith Hill & Tim McGraw Talk About Family Life and Touring

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 Goes Pop Culture

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.