Category Archives: Artists

Shooter Jennings Touching Goodbye to Former Art Teacher

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Shooter Jennings shares a heartfelt goodbye via twitter to a teacher that became a great friend. When a teacher makes an amazing impact on us, we carry that throughout our whole lives. If we are lucky, we take an opportunity to tell them what an amazing difference they made for us. And when we lose them, it breaks us. It hurts as much as any family member or loved one’s passing does, and then a little bit more in ways theirs can’t, because it impacts the very thing inside of us they helped to awaken. With that being said, our hearts at CMNB go out to Shooter Jennings as he and most likely countless other former students mourn the passing of his beloved art teacher Mr. Gene Sizemore. It's w great sadness that I hear of my good friend and art teacher Gene Sizemore's passing. I will never forget my dear friend + blues fan. I used to go visit Mr. Sizemore after I graduated, anytime I was in town really. We would smoke cigarettes and listen to the radio and talk about music, and playing music, and bands we loved and Jesco White. He was always my favorite. Anytime I had a day off in town I would him down and hang out with him. I WANTED to hang out with him as much as I could. He was one of those guys who got me, and I got him. It was as simple as that. I had no idea he was sick. I remembered when I quit smoking one time and I felt so guilty that I couldn't smoke with him. Then the next time he had quit and I was smoking by myself. I knew we would remain friends forever. I just saw him about two and a half yrs ago when I played at the USN auditorium. I'm happy he got to meet Misty . He was just the coolest, and I'm really gonna miss him. Please take the time to visit the teachers that mattered to you in school whenever you can. They give their lives over to expanding minds and opening hearts to the unknown. They need to know it was appreciated. It's w great sadness that I hear of my good friend and art teacher Gene Sizemore's passing. I will never forget my dear friend + blues fan. — Shooter Jennings (@ShooterJennings) October 21, 2015 I used to go visit Mr. Sizemore after I graduated, anytime I was in town really. We would smoke cigarettes and listen to the radio and talk — Shooter Jennings (@ShooterJennings) October 21, 2015 about music, and playing music, and bands we loved and Jesco White. He was always my favorite. Anytime I had a day off in town I would track — Shooter Jennings (@ShooterJennings) October 21, 2015 him down and hang out with him. I WANTED to hang out with him as much as I could. He was one of those guys who got me, and Continue reading Shooter Jennings Touching Goodbye to Former Art Teacher→

TUNE-IN ALERT: Travis Tritt Discusses Firsthand Paranormal Encounters On Lifetime Movie Network’s “The Haunting Of…” on Oct 29

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Travis Tritt on Country Music News Blog

Kim Russo Visits Tritt’s Blue Ridge Mountains Cabin And Uncovers Dark History (Nashville, Tenn. – Oct. 19, 2015) Travis Tritt is scheduled to appear on “The Haunting Of…” on Oct. 29 at 9 p.m. EST / 9 p.m. CST. The one-hour episode, airing on Lifetime Movie Network (LMN), will feature the award-winning music star discussing strange occurrences he’s encountered at his lakeside cabin in The Blue Ridge Mountains. In this episode, world-renowned psychic-medium Kim Russo visits the house and uncovers the dark history of the secluded residence. “The Haunting Of…” is an original series featuring Kim Russo as she gives an exclusive look at celebrities who have had their lives changed by paranormal events. To view a trailer featuring snippets of this season’s “The Haunting Of…” visit here. For more information on Travis Tritt, visit his website TravisTritt.com and follow him on Twitter and FaceBook.

Taylor Swift Joins the Rockabye Baby Artist Line-up

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Taylor Swift becomes the newest artist to be featured in Rockabye Baby’s extensive collection of relaxing country music renditions for kids. Restless kids keeping you up at night, parents? Just shake it off. If you feel like you’re never, ever going to get back to sleep, spin these lush lullaby versions of Taylor Swift’s biggest hits. Because a peaceful night never goes out of style. [bctt tweet=”Sample the naptime notes of #Rockabye @TaylorSwift13 right here at CountryMusicNewsBlog!”] Taylor Swift Lullaby Tracklist 1. Blank Space 2. Bad Blood 3. Shake it Off 4. 22 5. I Knew You Were Trouble 6. We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together 7. Style 8. Mean 9. Our Song 10. Mine 11. You Belong With Me 12. Love Story

Merle Haggard Surprises Audience at Grand Ole Opry

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Merle Haggard steals the Opry spotlight and surprises the audience with a few of his classic hits. Country music legend Merle Haggard gave Grand Ole Opry attendees a treat last night when he took the stage and performed some of his most-loved hits including “Big City,” Silver Wings,” “I Think I’ll Just Stay Here And Drink,” and “The Fightin’ Side Of Me.” Haggard, a Grammy®-winner and Kennedy Center honoree, had a night off as he rolled through Nashville and wanted to honor the Opry’s 90th Anniversary celebration with a performance on the storied stage. [bctt tweet=”@MerleHaggard Warms up for tour by stealing the @Opry spotlight! #CountryMusic”] The Country Music Hall of Fame member will begin his much anticipated joint tour with fellow music legend Willie Nelson tomorrow (Oct 19) in Roanoke, VA and continues on to Detroit (Oct 20), Bloomington, IL (Oct 21), Pikeville, KY (Oct 23), Milwaukee, WI (Oct 24) and Green Bay, WI (Oct 25). The tour is in support of their new album, Django and Jimmie. Haggard and Nelson are nominated for this year’s CMA Musical Event of the Year award. The Opry is in the midst of its 90th Anniversary celebration, which is set to continue throughout 2015. Among those coming soon to the Opry stage are Rascal Flatts, Loretta Lynn, Alison Krauss, David Nail, Old Crow Medicine Show, Radney Foster, Montgomery Gentry, Easton Corbin, Kacey Musgraves, Lauren Alaina, Del McCoury Band, Lorrie Morgan, and more. Additional information is available at 800-SEE-OPRY and opry.com.

Hunter Hayes to release The 21 Project November 6th 2015

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Hunter Hayes has been exploring different ways to share new music with fans throughout the summer, and on Friday, Nov. 6 the Atlantic / Warner Music Nashville artist will offer up his latest creation with the release of The 21 Project. Featuring three discs – one acoustic, one studio and one live – the special collection will showcase the life of seven songs through each variation. Tracks will include Hayes’ current Top 25-and-climbing single, “21,” as well as a brand new song, “I Mean You.” [bctt tweet=”So excited for @HunterHayes #the21project! How about you? #CountryMusic”] “This project has been a lot of fun for me, because it really brings the focus back to the music and shows how a song grows from its original form into something we play on stage,” said Hayes, who co-produced The 21 Project with Dann Huff. “We’re making our fall tour all about the music and connecting with fans in a closer setting, and just enjoying music together.” The 21 Project is available for pre-order now at http://smarturl.it/HH21ProjectPR with a track listing as follows: 1.“21” (Dallas Davidson, Kelley Lovelace, Ashley Gorley, Hunter Hayes) 2.“Young And In Love” (Hunter Hayes, Dan Omelio, Dave Barnes) 3.“Saint Or A Sinner” (Hunter Hayes, Lori McKenna, Barry Dean) 4.“Where It All Begins (feat. Lady Antebellum)” (Hunter Hayes, Charles Kelley, Dave Haywood, Hillary Scott) 5.“Suitcase” (Hunter Hayes, Ashley Gorley, Ross Copperman) 6.“The Trouble With Love” (Lori McKenna, Hunter Hayes) 7.“I Mean You” (Hunter Hayes, Jimmy Robbins, Ashley Gorley) Hayes will embark on his 21 Tour on October 22, playing a limited run of dates. The always-innovative entertainer collaborated with Spotify to help route his upcoming tour, targeting college markets with high densities of fans who stream Hayes’ music. Current dates for the 21 Tour include: Thursday, Oct. 22 – Western Carolina University – Cullowhee, N.C. Friday, Oct. 23 – Kent State University – Kent, Ohio Saturday, Oct. 24 – West Point Eisenhower Hall Theater – Highland Falls, N.Y. Thursday, Oct. 29 – Purdue University – West Lafayette, Ind. Friday, Oct. 30 – Aebersold Recreation Center at Slippery Rock University – Slippery Rock, Pa. Thursday, Nov. 5 – Western Kentucky University – Bowling Green, Ky. Friday, Nov. 6 – Notre Dame University – Notre Dame, Ind. Saturday, Nov. 7 – Illinois State University – Normal, Ill. Saturday, Nov. 14 – University of Oklahoma – Norman, Okla.

Blake Shelton Dishes on the Single Life

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People Magazine seems to be just as interested in how the newly single Blake Shelton is doing these days as his fans are. In the next issue Blake makes the cover while a “close friend” of his dishes about how he’s doing now that he and Miranda Lambert are over. “Clearly he was upset during the breakup, but he’s not someone to sit around and lick his wounds,” says a close friend of the country singer. “He’s about moving forward and not looking in the rearview mirror.” [bctt tweet=”Find out how single life has been treating #BlakeShelton #CountryMusic”] Leaning on his Voice crew and costars and spending quality time with his male pals (the star recently returned from an annual hunting trip), Shelton – who announced his divorce from Lambert, 31, in July – “has bounced back very quickly,” says the friend. “He experiences all the same ups and downs as anyone else, but he is doing so well and is always the life of the party.” On set in Los Angeles, “Everyone wants to hang out with him,” says the friend. “He’s been upbeat and enjoying his time with the coaches. They are a tight-knit group.” “This is the most loving combination [of coaches],” Shelton – whose compilation album Reloaded: 20 #1 Hits comes out Oct. 23 – told PEOPLE earlier this summer. “We spend time together a lot mostly just talking [and ] having life discussions. That’s my favorite part of being on this show is those friendships that I’ve made. We love each other.” Shelton, 39, is also working on new music (“This is the most excited he’s been about an album,” says another source) and has lost at least 20 lbs. in the last several months. “There’s been a silver lining for Blake,” says the pal. “He has the time to take care of himself and he’s taken positive steps in his life to spend time with friends and family.” “I’m in a good place,” he told CMT recently. “I wasn’t, but I am now. It’s amazing how quickly life can turn around for you. I’ve had some pretty cool things in recent times that have happened, and I’m loving it.” Rumors of a new album, and of course his success as the most boisterous of the Voice coaches are also keeping Blake busy these days. You can find out more in the newest issue of People that hits the stands this Friday.

OLIVIA LANE RELEASES OFFICIAL LYRIC VIDEO FOR BRAND NEW SONG “YOU PART 2”

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NASHVILLE, TN (March 31, 2015) – After popular demand by fans, Big Spark Music Group powerhouse vocalist-songstress Olivia Lane has released the official lyric video for her brand new song, “You Part 2”. Lane takes the reigns in the sassy video for the carefree track that was written by the singer, along with Ilya Toshinskiy and Danny Myrick. [bctt tweet=”Catch @OliviaLaneMusic’s brand new #LyricVideo for ‘YouPart2’ at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iD0iZN6Bcss&feature=youtu.be”] In correlation with the release of the official lyric video for “You Part 2,” fans are highly encouraged to vote for Lane as part of the prestigious Macy’s iHeartRadio Rising Star national campaign. Voting begins today (3/31) for the prominent newcomer who was one of only five emerging Country music acts to be chosen for this nationwide platform. She will be exposed to hundreds of radio stations across the country, including exposure on all of iHeartMedia’s platforms. Fans can vote up to 50 times per day at iHeartRadio.com/RisingStar by logging in with an email address, Facebook account or Twitter – using #RisingStar #OliviaLane. The lyric video for “You Part 2” will be featured on the official website for the Macy’s iHeartRadio Rising Star national campaign, along with official rules and guidelines for the fan-favorite competition. Find out more straight from the source! http://www.sweettalkpublicity.com/index.php/news/328-olivia-lane-releases-official-lyric-video-for-brand-new-song-you-part-2-prominent-newcomer-one-of-top-25-acts-chosen-for-macy-s-iheartradio-rising-star-national-campaign

American Trio, The Cains, Welcomed By UK Music Fans While On Multi-City European Tour

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The Cains perform at Culpepper Club in Basildon on Sept. 11, 2015. Photo credit: Get Flex’d (Nashville, Tenn. – Sept. 30, 2015) – Country music trio, The Cains, return to the U.S. after spending two exciting weeks on the I Stand Alone U.K. Tour. The group opened for U.K. artist, Sasha McVeigh, on select dates in various clubs that took them to London, Glasgow, Oxford, Manchester and more. [bctt tweet=”See how @TheCainsMusic faired with fans overseas! #CountryMusic #TheCains”] Sibling member, Logan Cain commented about the tour, “From start to finish, the U.K. has done for us what we want to do for others¾ feel loved. Each and every person we encountered went out of his or her way to make us feel welcome. We have an extremely busy 2016 planned and to have this opportunity as one of our first touring experiences will impact the course of our career forever.” In March of 2015, hot off the heels of a successful radio debut and packed performances at Country Radio Seminar 2015, The Cains broke onto the U.K. Country music scene with their first international appearance at London’s Country-to-Country (C2C) festival, Europe’s largest and most well attended Country music event of the year. After their wildly successful C2C performances, the group landed a cover feature and four-page spread on the U.K.’s leading Country music magazine, Up! Country Magazine. The group has also recently inked a booking agreement with Nashville’s The Kinkead Entertainment Agency. The Cains perform at The Ruby Lounge in Manchester on Sept. 18, 2015. Photo credit: Get Flex’d For more information on The Cains, visit www.TheCainsOfficial.com and follow them on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook. Read more at AristoPR!

Garth Brooks Announces San Jose Tour Stop!

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In the latest of tour announcements from the most entertaining man in country music, Garth Brooks has let it be known that his next stop will be San Jose, California! [bctt tweet=”I Can’t WAIT to see #GARTHinSANJOSE! #GarthBrooks”] Garth Brooks San Jose Shows will run November 13th and 14th. Details on tickets and showtimes can be found at the links below!