Author Archives: HaleighT

About HaleighT

HaleighT grew up in rural Sallisaw, Oklahoma, completely immersed in the country music lifestyle. She works with CMNB as our field assignment journalist, gathering concert reviews and exclusive interviews from every artist she can. When she's not out on the road, she's in our web studio filming "Takin' a Break With HaleighT" a short weekly opinion and news segment that launched in 2011.

I Was Country When Country Wasn’t Cool

Posted on by

Blog Rodeo March 2013: Is The Love That Country Music Is Feeling The Real Deal? Or Will It Be Gone Before You Can Say Gaucho Pants? I consider country music to be one of the staples in my life. I grew up on the lyrics and have never been afraid to show my support in front of large crowds of strangers. As cliché as it sounds, I feel a real connection with Barbara Mandrell’s famous words, “I was country, when country wasn’t cool.” The topic for this month’s Country Music Blog Rodeo is “why is the mainstream in love with country music?” Well, for the most part I think people like to jump on the latest trend train and make sure everybody knows they have a first-class, window seat! We all know someone who bought skinny jeans and bubble necklaces in every color. Maybe you know a girl who proudly displays a bright pink browning sticker on her vehicle, yet she has never spent a minute in a deer stand. There are plenty of examples I could throw your way, but you get my point. If the “man” is telling them one thing is all the rage, then they’ll be the first on their block with that particular item. The Voice introduced countless people to Blake Shelton, Oklahoma’s own outspoken troubadour, and opened the doors wide open to display the country scene. I’m not saying it’s impossible that someone, who once was only a fan of Rap music would never hear of Shelton, but I will say that it was a pretty good chance. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t think it’s bad for country music to gain new fans…heck bring them all…but only those who are truly connecting to the music will last. In my opinion, those are the only ones you can call “fans.” Some things I know, you aren’t a cowboy/cowgirl just because you grew up in Texas, you aren’t an expert on country music because you have two Brad Paisley CD’s and a Shania Twain cassette tape, and I’m not a hillbilly because I live in Arkansas. No matter what TV show is or isn’t getting a high rating, my love for country music isn’t going anywhere. Blog Rodeo Roundup: See What Everyone Else Is Saying! CMchatLive: “Insight from Country Stars like Scotty McCreery, Sunny Sweeney, Tracy Lawrence and more!“ Urban Country News : “Why Country Music Is Like the Zombie Apocalypse“, “A Love Affair For The Ages“ For The Country Record: “TV and Nashille: It’s Merits and Implications for Country Music“ UKCountryMusic: “Is Country Music About To Be Mainstream In The UK?“ Country Music Tattle Tale: “For The Love of Country Music“ Country Music Pride: “Country Music Has A Little Something For Everyone, Traditional, Pop, Americana and More“ Keepin’ It Country Blog: “Everyone Loves Country Music“ Focus On The 615: “The Mainstream Hasn’t Fallen In Love with Country, Just The Opposite,” “Remember When Country Wasn’t So Cool?“ Country Music News Blog: “The Mainstream Has Fallen Continue reading I Was Country When Country Wasn’t Cool→

Trace Adkins Donates Big To Red Cross

Posted on by

Red Cross Thanks Trace Adkins For Donating NBC’s All-Star Apprentice. Trace Adkins presented a check for $670,000 to the American Red Cross on last night’s episode of NBC’s “All-Star Celebrity Apprentice.” The sum was Adkins’ to donate after his team won the first task on the season premiere on March 3. “We could not ask for a better representative of the Red Cross,” Red Cross President and CEO Gail J. McGovern said. “Trace brings humor, honesty, hard work and grit to everything he does. On behalf of the countless people who will benefit because of your participation in the ‘Apprentice,’ thank you, Trace, from the bottom of my heart for getting the job done once again.” On the first episode, Adkins led his team to victory with the help of multiple generous donors including Red Cross Celebrity Cabinet members Amy Grant and Nikki Taylor, philanthropist T. Boone Pickens, Domino Sugar, as well as members of the Nashville community including the Grand Ole Opry, Creative Artists Agency, Diamond Coach, Blaster Records, Diamond Gusset Jeans, the firm of Flood, Bumstead, McCready & McCarthy (FBMM), Kyote Tractor, Music City Merchandise, Nashville Hospitality Industry, Pruf LED Show, Dog-Universal Music and Vector Management. Adkins is a recent addition to the Red Cross Celebrity Cabinet and his family was the recipient of Red Cross services when his home was claimed by fire in 2011. Adkins was the Red Cross spokesperson for its 2012 Holiday Giving Campaign and supported its Holiday Mail for Heroes program that benefits active military members, veterans and their families. “We will be watching and rooting for Trace as a true ‘Red Crosser,’” McGovern said.”No matter what happens next, we are so very proud of Trace and his association with the Red Cross.”

Jon Wolfe The Only Time You Call-Music Video

Posted on by

The Official Music Video For Jon Wolfe’s “The Only Time You Call.” Below is the official music video for Jon Wolfe’s single, “The Only Time You Call.” The song comes from his album, It All Happened In A Honky Tonk, and follows singles “Let A Country Boy Love You,” “That Girl In Texas,” “I Don’t Dance” and the title track. The deluxe edition of the album has 15 songs and was released in January of this year. I have quickly become a fan of this song. It is a classic story of an ex and that dreaded, but reoccurring booty call. The story might have been covered in songs before, but this one stands out. It has a great melody set to nice, classic vocals that I am drawn to. The video for “The Only Time You Call” is below. It was shot in Nashville and was directed by Mason Dixon. Take a look and tell us what you think! Watch Jon Wolfe “The Time You Call” Official Music Video.

Darius Rucker To Host ACM Golf Tournament

Posted on by

Darius Rucker Will Be Hosting The ACM Lifting Lives Celebrity Golf Tournament. The Academy of Country Music announced today that Darius Rucker will host the ACM Lifting Lives Celebrity Golf Classic at TPC Las Vegas for the second consecutive year on Saturday, April 6, 2013. The ACM Lifting Lives Celebrity Golf Classic, ACM Weekend at Fremont Street Experience, ACM Party for a Cause Festival, THE ACM EXPERIENCE and more will all be taking place in conjunction with “The Week Vegas Goes Country,” leading up to the 48th ANNUAL ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS­. The award show will be broadcast LIVE from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas Sunday, April 7, 2013 at 8:00 PM live ET/delayed PT on the CBS Television Network. The ACM Lifting Lives® Celebrity Golf Classic—the seventh held since 2004—brings together country music artists, record label executives and other members of the music community in a star-studded scramble tournament to raise funds and awareness for ACM Lifting Lives’ Diane Holcomb Emergency Relief Fund, which provides immediate relief to those in need in the music industry.

Kyle Park Beggin’ For More-New Album

Posted on by

Kyle Park Is Getting Ready To Release His New Album, Beggin’ For More. Kyle Park is set to release his new album, Beggin’ For More, on March 19. The album will include “The Night Is Young,” Park’s previous Texas radio No. 1 single and current, climbing single, “True Love.” “I had an amazing time recording this album and must admit that these songs are some of my favorites that I have ever done,” says Park. “I’m excited to share this music with my awesome fans.” Park produced the album and wrote 12 of the 13 tracks. Below is the music video for “The Night Is Young” and the track listing for Beggin’ For More. Beggin’ For More Tracklisting: 1. The Night Is Young (Kyle Park, Thom Shepherd) 2. Beggin’ For More (Kyle Park, George Ducas) 3. You Make Me Believe (Kyle Park, Cody Johnson) 4. True Love (Kyle Park) 5. Long Distance Relationship (Kyle Park) 6. Ain’t No Woman of Mine (Kyle Park, Cody Johnson, Jesse Raub Jr) 7. Tagged (Kyle Park, Thom Shepherd) 8. Live Through The Pain (Kyle Park) 9. He Got You (Ralph Murphy, Bobby Wood) 10. Turn That Crown Upside Down (Kyle Park, Josh Abbott, Rich O’Toole) 11. Like Nobody Will (Kyle Park) 12. Fit For The King (Kyle Park) 13. Bad Timing (Kyle Park)

Spring Is In The Air with Country Concerts on the Way

Posted on by

HaleighT Counting Down The Days ‘Til Outdoor Concerts Begin. Even though spring doesn’t officially start for a few more weeks, I can’t help but get excited! We had a couple days of beautiful weather this week around the CMNB headquarters, and I took full advantage of them. Yes, I’m talking windows down and radio up! I don’t know about y’all but I find myself daydreaming about the warmer weather and all that comes with it. At the top of the list…outdoor venues! The first concert scheduled for our backyard at (The AMP) is Little Big Town on April 19th! It’s sure to be a party, and I can’t wait to see LBT perform their recent hits! If you are in our area (and don’t already have them) make sure you get your tickets (info below) for the kickoff of The Amp’s 2013 season!

Petition To Remove Blake Shelton From Grand Ole Opry

Posted on by

Organized Groups Planning A “March” On Music Row To Remove Blake Shelton From The Grand Ole Opry. Blake Shelton ruffled some feathers recently when he made comments like nobody wants to listen to their grandpas music. It was a big to-do with plenty of fans, musicians and industry folks for a good week, and then Shelton made a few apologies and legends like Merle Haggard accepted them. Well…we only thought the fuss was over. Several organized groups are still up-in-arms about the situation and have decided to take action. By action they mean having Shelton removed from the Grand Ole Opry. Bob Everhart, President of the National Traditional Country Music Association since 1976, had this to say, “We organized a large non-profit corporation 39 years ago to prevent the very thing Blake Shelton is espousing. Today we have joined forces with the Traditional Music Association of America; Classic Country; The Real Old Farts & Jackasses; American Music Group; and several other organizations who are very concerned about the insults Blake Shelton tosses around so nonchalantly.“ Maggie Penn, who heads up a country music association in Michigan, echoed Everhart’s concerns. “We are going to march on Nashville. We are demanding that Blake Shelton be removed from the Grand Ole Opry. We are also demanding that huge radio conglomerates respond to our requests to feature more traditional and classic country music on these so-called country music radio stations. Clear Channel is one of the worst offenders. Mr. May, CEO, of Clear Channel needs to remember that the frequencies they broadcast on do not belong to them, they belong to us.“ The “march” is set for April 17th down Music Row in Nashville. My question for you is, do you think all of this is necessary? We want to know what you think, so fire away in the comment section below!

Lady Antebellum Downtown-Music Video

Posted on by

The Official Music Video For Lady Antebellum’s New Single, “Downtown.” Below is the official music video for Lady Antebellum’s new single, “Downtown.” The song is fun and can get stuck in your head in seconds! “Downtown” is the first single from Lady A’s upcoming album, Golden, out May 7. The video is kind of cheesy, but that’s alright. It also features Beth Behrs from CBS’ Two Broke Girls. Y’all check “Downtown” out and tell us what you think!

2013 ACM Awards Performers Announced

Posted on by

George Strait and More In The First Round Of Performer Announcements. It was announced today that Luke Bryan, Kelly Clarkson, Hunter Hayes, Miranda Lambert, Blake Shelton, George Strait and The Band Perry will perform at the 48th Annual Academy Of Country Music Awards. The ceremony will be broadcast LIVE from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas Sunday, April 7 at 8 PM live ET/delayed PT on the CBS Television Network. This is only the first round of performers to be announced so keep your eyes and ears open, because we will let you know as the rest of the artists set to perform are announced!

Scotty McCreery Announces Webisode Series

Posted on by

Scotty McCreery Unveils New Webisode Series, “ScotTV.” Scotty McCreery has released the first two episodes of his brand-new webisode series, “ScotTV.” The series will give fans a behind-the-scenes experience with Scotty as he embarks on his first headline tour, sneak peeks of his forthcoming sophomore album, and much more. “We always have a lot of fun out on the road and these first episodes of ScotTV are just the beginning,” says McCreery. “2013 is going to be a new chapter in my career and I’m excited to share it with all my fans. I hope they’ll enjoy the ride as much as I do.” McCreery is also announcing more dates for his first headlining tour. The Weekend Roadtrip Tour kicked off on February 14 and will make stops through May. Scotty is also giving fans a first listen to new music from his next album, scheduled for release later this year on 19/Interscope/Mercury Records. Below is episode 1 of “ScotTV,” enjoy!