Brad Paisley Featured On Cover of Billboard Magazine! Congrats are in order for Brad Paisleyfor making the cover story for this week’s issue of Billboard magazine! Brad discusses his country roots and eventual rise to stardom, as well as getting detailed on his latest album, “This is Country Music“, giving Billboard and fans a little background on each individual song! You can check out the Brad feature by clicking here!
Ashton Shepherd Performs National Anthem for NASCAR. Ashton Shepherd, whose current single “Look It Up” is rising in popularity on country music airwaves, is set to perform the National Anthem this Sunday, April 17th at the prestigious Aaron’s 499 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race in Talladega, AL. Ashton’s performance, as well as the race, will be televised on FOX, so check local listings!
The Judds Are Out and About Promoting Their New Television Show. The Judds are currently all over the place promoting their new, self-titled television series, “The Judds“ which aired last night on the Oprah Winfrey Network, as well as dishing about other new projects like their recently released album I Will Stand By You: The Essential Collection. They will be featured guests on several talk shows this week, including CBS’s The Talk, The TV Guide Channel, and The Late Show with Craig Ferguson. So, be sure to check local listings for dates and times! If TV talk shows aren’t really you’re thing, you can also catch the Judds on the cover of the April 11th issue of Country Weekly. The next episode of “The Judds” airs next Sunday, April 17th at 10pm ET/PT. So, set your DVR and don’t miss out!!
Steel Magnolia Aid “Cells Phones for Soldiers” Campaign. Steel Magnolia is helping U.S. troops by teaming up with Florida radio stations, CBS Radio Country WIRK/West Palm Beach and WQYK/Tampa to promote GM’s “Cell Phones for Soldiers” which is a non-profit campaign that will be running in Florida highschools local to the radio stations. The purpose of the campaign is to collect gently used cell phones in order to raise money to purchase sixty minute calling cards for troops who are serving abroad. The calling cards would enable military service personnel to connect with loved ones in the States. Students from various highschools will be competing with one another to see who can collect the most phones for the campaign. The school who wins will be rewarded with a free, live acoustic concert by Steel Magnolia!
Sugarland Hits Airwaves With Their Very Own Station! Sugarland, Jennifer Nettles and Kristian Bush, provides fans with an inside look at the inner-workings of the duo with their own radio station which hit airwaves this morning. The station is available on A.P.E. Radio at www.iheartradio.com/sugarland, Clear Channel Radio’s “iheartradio” network, and the iheartradio mobile app, and is programmed by Nettles and Bush! “I’m so excited to give fans this look behind the curtain at Sugarland and show what makes Kristian and me tick. People may be surprised about some of our musical influences, and we’ve got some great stories to share.” -Jennifer Nettles Sugarland Radio features not only Sugarland tracks but some of their favorite tunes! In addition to the music, the station also features conversational musings between Nettles and Bush as they discuss creating music, travels, charities they work on and many other topics. Click here to check out Sugarland’s own radio station now.
Chris Young’s Embarks on a Special Tour for American Troops Overseas. Chris Young is making a follow up visit to his 2009 overseas tour for American troops, as a part of “Stars for Stripes“ for which he serves on the board of directors. The tour is titled “Piece of Home” and Young will be performing for service men and women in Iraq and Kuwait. The tour will feature five full band shows in each country as well as several acoustic shows for troops on remote forward operating bases who seldom have the opportunity for entertainment. In addition to the performances, Young will be handing out iTunes gift cards to service personnel which he has collected with the aid of fans! The “Piece of Home” tour will last from April 13th through April 21st.
Kris Kristofferson To Be Honored with Achievement Award The multi-talented artist, actor and songwriter, Kris Kristofferson will be presented with the 2011 Career Achievement Award at the Nashville Film Festival this month. The festival runs from April 14th to April 21st at the Regal Green Hills Cinema and Kris will be presented with the award Friday, April 15th at 8pm. Kris will be receiving the award before the spotlight screening of “Bloodworth“ in which he portrays a musician who is estranged from his family and returns to them after a forty year separation. For more info on the upcoming film festival click here.
The Eli Young Band Have a New EP Set to Release Soon! The Eli Young Band has a new EP releasing in just a couple weeks on May 3rd!! So, all you fans who have been waiting with baited breath, have no fear! The EP will feature five brand, spankin’ new songs! For those of you who simply can not wait another second, the title track, “Crazy Girl” is available on iTunes now. The Eli Young Band have a full album set to release some time later this year, and fans who purchase the EP on May 3rd have the option of “completing” the album at a discounted price when it is available. Click here to check out the video for “Crazy Girl” now!
Danielle Car Tours Elementary Schools to Help Support Literacy Danielle Car, who hit the country scene last year, just wrapped up a ten school tour storytelling for students in her native Detroit to support “March Is Reading Month“ in an effort to help promote literacy. Having been a special education teacher before pursuing her music full time, Danielle really believes in creating awareness about literacy! “Storytelling and reading go hand in hand, and seeing as country music is indeed storytelling in itself, I couldn’t think of a better platform to promote “March is Reading Month” here in Detroit. From ‘Diary of a Wimpy Kid’ to ‘Sylvester and the Magic Pebble’, these are the seeds that will nourish the growing imaginations of future songwriters and authors for generations…I’m happy to help plant them!” -Danielle Car You probably know Danielle for singles like “Walk of Shame” and “Hazard to My Health“, and keep an ear out for more!
Chely Wright Has Officially Announced Her Engagement! Chely Wright is letting the world know that she and girlfriend Lauren Bitzer are officially tying the knot! Bitzer is the development director for non-profit organization Faith In America and the two met working together for gay rights advocacy. “The freedom of being out and open about who I am allowed me to find and fall in love with Lauren, the most amazing woman I’ve ever known.” -Chely The wedding is set for August, and will be held on family property in Connecticut.
