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.

Trace Adkins a Celebrity but not The Apprentice

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.

Trace Adkins, Celebrity Apprentice

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.

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.