Category Archives: Artists

LeAnn Rimes Supports Tornado Victims

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LeAnn Rimes Holds Benefit for Victims of Recent Tornadoes. With yet another bout of tornadoes and storms devastating parts of the U.S., country stars and country music fans continue to rally in support of the victims coping with the aftermath. LeAnn Rimes and husband Eddie Cibrian are no exception. Rimes has announced she will be co-hosting a special event with Cibrian, “An Evening with Leann Rimes” in an effort to raise funds and support those still reeling from the consequences of the storms. “We all need a hand sometimes and this is the time. Our heart goes out to Alabama and Missouri and all those affected by the recent tragedies there. I am happy Eddie and I can help out in some way.” -LeAnn Rimes The benefit will include an all acoustic set performed by Rimes as well as a silent auction before the show with signed memorabilia from Reba McEntire, Kelly Clarkson, Justin Bieber, Kim Kardashian, and the cast of Glee. In addition, attendees will have the opportunity to bid on a special auction for a private drink with Rimes and Cibrian after the show. The concert and auction will be held at Jacksonville’s Ponte Vedra Concert Hall on Sunday, June 5th. Tickets run for $65.00 or $100.00 for VIP seating. VIP seating also includes an autographed photo from LeAnn Rimes and a private Q&A. All proceeds will go to benefit the victims of the recent storms.

Randy Travis Supports Troops

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Randy Travis and Cracker Barrel Team Up to Support U.S. Troops. Randy Travis has teamed up with Cracker Barrel Old Country Stores and GAC to release a collection of his hits in addition to 3 brand new songs on a 12 track album. The album is currently available exclusively at Cracker Barrel, and was released to honor U.S. service men and women. “After touring quite a number of our country’s military bases and performing repeatedly for our troops, I can tell you that there is nothing as rewarding as doing these shows for our service men and women.The love they have for this country is inspiring.” -Randy Travis Right in time for Memorial Day, it has been announced a portion of the album sales will be donated to the Wounded Warrior Project. Founded by a group of veterans and friends in Roankoke, VA, the Wounded Warrior Project is a non-profit, non-partisan organization with offices in Jacksonville, FL., New York City and Washington D.C. It’s primary goals are to raise awareness among the public in regard to injured soldiers’ needs, and to provide aid to these soldiers through various programs. In an additional effort to honor U.S. troops for Memorial Day, Cracker Barrel Stores are urging Americans to get involved and write messages of appreciation to our service men and women. Those who participate will automatically be entered to win a grand prize including a Cracker Barrel Rocker, Randy Travis CD, & collection of Wounded Warrior merchandise. Submissions are due Monday, May 30th at 12pm ET. Click here for more details and contest rules.

Craig Morgan Hosts Benefit

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Craig Morgan Hosts 5th Annual Celebrity Dirtbike Ride and Concert! Country star Craig Morgan will once again host the 5th annual Celebrity Dirtbike Ride and Concert August 6 and 7. This charity event will take place in his hometown of Dickson, Tennessee and will benefit Billy’s Place, a home for temporarily displaced children. The foundation was thought up by Morgan while serving as an Assistant Sheriff’s Deputy in Dickson and later he made it a reality. Saturday morning will have a dirtbike exhibition and will be followed by a group trail ride and lunch. Sunday morning will be the first ever celebrity skeet shoot and later that evening Morgan and some fellow country artists will take the stage for an acoustic show. All events are family-friendly and tickets can soon be purchased here. Celebrity participants will be announced at a later time.

Scotty McCreery Wins American Idol

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Scotty McCreery Is America’s Next Idol. It is official. Scotty McCreery is the winner of American Idol‘s 10th Season. The live finale show aired Wednesday, May 25th from the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles, and was quite the spectacle. Per tradition, the show paired the two finalists, Lauren Alaina and Scotty McCreery, with all-star performers. This year as country music dominated, Lauren was paired with Carrie Underwood singing “Before He Cheats“ and Scotty sang along with Tim McGraw on “Live Like You Were Dying“. I guess since Josh Turner already sang a duet with Scotty, he was out of the running. Also, it would just be unnecessary for the show’s producers to yet again bring attention to the fact that Scotty is a seventeen year old just trying to sound like Josh Turner. It absolutely amazes me that Scotty could win over Lauren. The two finale performances prove once again that Lauren is clearly not only the more talented of the two, but actually has depth and an amazing stage presence. It’s true that the start to Lauren’s performance is just a little bit rocky. However, I want to point out that Lauren began her duet with Carrie walking out on stage after she had already sung the intro. Tim sang for a solid 30-seconds before Scotty even arrived on the stage. In essence, Tim was a distraction from Scotty’s shallow talent while Carrie was a supplement to Lauren’s abundant talent. Also, there is the whole issue of stage presence. America is familiar enough with the concept of show-biz at this point to know it takes more than good vocal chords to make a star. At the end of the day, Lauren was born with what it takes, and I hope for Scotty’s sake that at same point he gets a clue. During Lauren’s performance she interacts with Carrie and really gets into the song making it truly fun to watch. Her nerves are obvious at the beginning, but she powers through and really draws in the audience. On the other hand, Scotty is painfully awkward on stage. The most we get out of him is a dramatic closing of his eyes when he hits a long note or the occasional kneeling mid-song to (I am assuming, it’s honestly hard to tell) flirt with the girls near the stage. The most frustrating quirk is that through the entire performance Scotty looks like he’s holding his stomach like he might be about to throw up. Sure, he should be nervous, its a big moment. Yet, he should work through that and put a little more effort into the performance for his fans’ sake. Despite Scotty’s win, I remain skeptical. I think what little energy is evident in his performance is fueled by his ego, which is no doubt swelling thanks to America’s votes. There is, perhaps, potential in Scotty, that Idol will no doubt take great pains to nurture seeing as he is now bound to them by a rock solid Continue reading Scotty McCreery Wins American Idol→

Taylor Swift’s Story of Us Video

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Taylor Swift’s Video for The Story of Us Premiered. Taylor Swift‘s latest video capturing her single “The Story of Us” was released Tuesday, May 24th on MTV. The video proves yet again that this country starlet has some depth. Maybe her lyrics are not dealing with ground breaking concepts or issues, but she definitely seems to consistently bring in a creative twist. The video context places Taylor in a library crowded with students, herself included complete with a pleated skirt, button-up shirt, tie get up and private school vibe, when she catches the eye of her ex. There are so many ways this video could go horribly wrong (may I bring your attention back to the pleated skirt ensemble?), but it doesn’t. It plays well depicting a realistic scenario with a subtly sarcastic and humorous tone. Admittedly, the video is a little all over the place, but that’s to be expected. My favorite thing about this video is the ending, but I suppose I won’t give it away. I will just say, it’s quite different from “Love Story“. Check the video out now! Tags: Taylor Swift, Music, More Music Videos

Dolly Parton’s New Album

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Dolly Parton Releases New Album Better Day. Dolly Parton has announced the debut of her new album, Better Day, will be June 28th released on her own record label, Dolly Records. The first single off the album is titled “Together You & I“, and Dolly will perform it live for the first time on The Ellen Degeneres Show on Friday, May 27th. Fans can expect the video for this single sometime soon after Dolly’s Ellen performance. Additionally, Parton will be kicking off a world tour July 17 in Knoxville’s Thompson Boling Arena with multiple dates scheduled in the U.S. The tour will continue to Europe in August and September, and then to Australia in November.

Josh Kelley Debuts Gone Like That

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Josh Kelley Releases His Second Single Gone Like That.” Josh Kelley debuted his new single “Gone Like That” Tuesday, May 23 on CBS’s The Talk. “Gone Like That” is the second single to be released from Josh’s debut country album, Georgia Clay on which he wrote or co-wrote each of the 15 tracks. This particular single is especially poignant as it played a role in his transition into being a country singer/songwriter. “When I sent “Gone Like That” into my publisher to pitch to a country artist, he said he really wanted me to record it. Hearing his reaction to this song really gave me the confidence to pursue making a country album – something I wanted to do for a long time. Writing and recording ‘Gone Like That’ really made that dream of mine seem real and achievable and I’m so excited for it to be a single.” -Josh Kelley Josh has most recently been on tour with Miranda Lambert and will join Taylor Swift‘s Speak Now tour in August and September. You can check out Josh’s Live performance on The Talk here. [youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bjVKXPBUZyM]

Tim McGraw at Show Me Music and Arts Festival

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Country Star Line-up Featured at First Show Me Music and Arts Festival. The first ever Show Me Music and Arts Festival will take place June 17-19 in Springfield, MO, and will feature a line-up of country music stars on the festival’s main stage including Tim McGraw, Trace Adkins, Little Big Town, David Nail, and Big & Rich (see below for a complete list of performances and stage details). The festival will also feature the Show-Me Saloon Stage with additional musical performances, a Celebrity Chef Pavilion Stage with Food Network stars like Chefs Robert Irvine, Ellie Krieger, and Aaron McCargo, and a Comedy Tent Stage including acts from comedians Jamie Kaler and Jon Reep. Besides all the entertainment available for festival attendees, there will also have a Kid Zone which includes a Ferris Wheel, games, and entertainment, the Show-Me Arts and Crafts area featuring over 30 exhibitors, and many food and drink vendors featuring festival fare from all over the world. There are multiple ticket options including VIP packages, weekend passes and daily passes only. Additionally, there are also camping options available. For more information on ticket options and details click here. The concert line-up is as follows: Main Stage, Friday June 17th 1:30pm – Bush Hawg 3:00pm – Love and Theft 4:30pm – Matt Kennon 6:00pm – David Nail 7:30pm – Gloriana 9:00pm – REO Speedwagon 11:00pm – Trace Adkins Main Stage, Saturday June 18th 11:30am – Brennin 1:00pm – The McClymonts 2:30pm – Jessie James 4:00pm – Nitty Gritty Dirt Band 5:30pm – Sawyer Brown 8:30pm – Big & Rich/Gretchen Cowboy Troy/ 2 ft. 11:00pm – Train Main Stage, Sunday May 19th 11:30am – Steve Holy 1:00pm – Kellie Pickler 2:30pm – Joe Nichols 4:00pm – Little Big Town 5:30pm – One Republic 7:30pm – Tim McGraw

CMT Music Awards New Performers

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CMT Music Awards Adds New Performances to Line-Up. The 2011 CMT Music Awards is shaping up to be a stellar event. A new list of featured performances has been announced including Toby Keith, Luke Bryan, and Zac Brown Band. Sheryl Crow will be performing with the show’s host, Kid Rock. Additionally, Big & Rich will be involved marking their first television appearance together in three years as well as their first CMT performance together since 2005. The duo has a new song, “Fake I.D.” in the works for the soundtrack of the upcoming remake of Footloose. These performances are added to the already star-studded line-up which includes Jason Aldean, Sugarland, Rascal Flatts, Lady Antebellum and Keith Urban. The CMT Music Awards will air live on Wednesday, June 8th in Nashville, and you can catch the show on CMT or cmt.com. Fan voting is still open! Click here to see a complete list of nominees.

Brad Paisley Old Alabama Video

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Brad Paisley Debuts Old Alabama Video and Releases This Is Country Music. Brad Paisley released his much anticipated ninth album, This Is Country Music, Monday, May 23rd and it is now available for fans! The project features 15 tracks and is jam packed with guest appearances including “Old Alabama” with the band Alabama which is already a hit single (currently #1 on Billboard!). Other notable highlights include Clint Eastwood’s expert whistling on “Eastwood“, Carrie Underwood’s contributions on “Remind Me“, and Don Henley’s input on “Love Her Like She’s Leavin“. Additionally, Brad collaborated on tracks with Sheryl Crow, Blake Shelton, Carl Jackson, and Marty Stuart. See below for a complete track listing! Brad is out and about promoting This Is Country Music with appearances on Good Morning America, Hannity and The Late Show with David Letterman set for Tuesday, May 24th and The View on Wednesday, May 25th. On Saturday, May 21st, Brad stopped by in Charlotte, N.C. to debut the new video for “Old Alabama” at the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race. The video world premiered on multiple platforms, including SPEED, NASCAR.com and on the world’s largest HD video board at the Charlotte Motor Speedway before the start of the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race. The video for “Old Alabama” is a whole lot of fun, and features appearances by Darrell Waltrip, Jeff Gordon, Rick Hendrick, and of course Alabama. Next up is Brad’s 2011 Summer Tour, H2O II: Wetter & Wilder! He will be kicking it off June 3 at the Farm Bureau Live at Virginia Beach in Virginia Beach, Virginia. You can watch the video for “Old Alabama” Now. Track Listing for This Is Country Music 1. This Is Country Music 2. Old Alabama (Featuring Alabama) 3. A Man Don’t Have To Die 4. Camouflage 5. Remind Me (Duet With Carrie Underwood) 6. Working On A Tan 7. Love Her Like She’s Leavin’ (Featuring Don Henley) 8. One Of Those Lives 9. Toothbrush 10. Be The Lake 11. Eastwood (Featuring Clint Eastwood) 12. New Favorite Memory 13. Don’t Drink The Water (Featuring Blake Shelton) 14. I Do Now 15. Life’s Railway To Heaven (Featuring Marty Stuart, Sheryl Crow and Carl Jackson)