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.

Blake Shelton Concert in Arkansas

Blake Shelton Concert at the University of Arkansas. Blake Shelton put on a concert that was free to student’s of the University of Arkansas this past Saturday. The show was held at Barnhill Arena on the campus in Fayetteville and there was a limited amount of general admission tickets available to the public. The comedic country star gave the audience a glance at his childhood when he played segments of songs that filled his home as he grew up. To everyone’s surprise the songs were “Play That Funky Music White Boy“, “Centerfold“, and “My Prerogative“. Shelton played most of his hits including his latest single “Honey Bee“. A calling of the hogs by the Arkansas crowd brought him out for his signature song “Ol’ Red” and made it the perfect ending to a successful night. A big thank you and best wishes go out to the soon to be married man from everyone in Razorback Country!

CMT Music Award Front Runners

Predictions for the CMT Music Awards, Who’s It Gonna’ Be? Yesterday the nominees for the 2011 CMT Music Awards were announced. This is always an exciting time of the year for the artists and fans. People always say they are honored just to be nominated, but let’s get real…all the nominees want that CMT Belt Buckle in their trophy case! Let’s just go ahead and jump on in! Video of the Year is THE award of the night. The nominees are not limited to males or females, solo artists, duets, or groups; it is simply the best videos out there. It’s hard to tell who will come out on top, but I’m going to give it a shot! “Colder Weather” could possibly be my favorite song right now, but it will have a hard time competing with videos that have been out a lot longer.  The obvious front runners for this category are “The House That Built Me”, “My Kinda Party“, “Mine“, and “If I Die Young” because they did so well on the charts. “The Boys of Fall“, “Hello World“, “Stuck Like Glue“, “Why Wait” and “Undo It” each give us a story along with the lyrics that can’t be ignored. If it was up to me Kenny Chesney would be the winner, “The Boys of Fall” was a great video that deserves recognition. It went above and beyond and had that certain something that the others just didn’t. Male Video of the Year, just like all the other categories, is a tough one. “Bullets in the Gun” puts us in the moment and “Without You” shows us a personal side to Keith Urban. “The Boys of Fall” and “My Kinda Party” are sure to put some competition in this all male category, but to say that I would want anyone to win over Blake Shelton would be a lie. He is a funny guy who is great at turning on a more serious and sensitive side when certain videos and songs call for it. My pick is “Who Are You When I’m Not Looking“. Female Video of the Year has both ends of the spectrum, from a hard hitting break up song like Carrie Underwood’s “Undo It“, to a love conquers all approach like Taylor Swift’s “Mine“. In between we have “Turn On the Radio“, “A Little Bit Stronger“, and “The House That Built Me“. It’s hard not to sing along with all of these songs, but based on the video I think the clear choice is Miranda Lambert, “The House That Built Me“. Group Video of the Year gives us the usual nominees for this category, Lady Antebellum, Little Big Town, Rascal Flats, the Zac Brown Band, along with the new family trio, The Band Perry. I’m going to have to say they will take this category no questions asked. “If I Die Young” hit the charts like a ball of fire, there was no stopping this video or song! Duo Video of the Year has a known veteran in this category and that’s Sugarland! Yes, they are good at what they do, but Continue reading CMT Music Award Front Runners

ACM’s Girls’ Night Out on CBS

Top Female Country Artists to Preform on ACM Girls’ Night Out! Top female country artists give a not to be missed show on CBS Friday, April 22nd at 9 PM ET/PT, 7 Central! ACM’s Girls’ Night Out: Superstar Women of Country will feature Jennifer Nettles, Miranda Lambert, Reba McEntire, Martina McBride, Carrie Underwood and The Judds. The ladies will be joined by special guests that will take this show above and beyond. Ronnie Dunn will join Jennifer Nettles, the soon to be married Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert will share the stage, Rascal Flatts rocks with Reba, Little Big Town and Martina McBride collaborate, Vince Gill and Carrie Underwood light up the stage, and the rock legend John Fogerty will join The Judds. Miranda Lambert will also introduce her upcoming female group Pistol Annie. Each woman will be honored for an achievement from their career. An additional honoree will be the great Loretta Lynn recognizing her 50-year career. Be sure to tune in, this is something you won’t want to miss!