Category Archives: Artists

This Week in Country Music History

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Today’s country music seems to have forgotten its roots, so I thought I’d take a moment to remind the fans. Monday November 17th: 1938 – Gordon Lightfoot born in Orillia, Ontario. The pop singer-songwriter crosses into the country charts with his million-selling 1974 single “Sundown,” and writes Marty Robbins’ “Ribbon Of Darkness” and George Hamilton IV’s “Early Morning Rain” 1989 – “Steel Magnolias,” starring Dolly Parton, Sally Field, Olympia Dukakis and Julia Roberts, opens at theaters nationally 1997 -LeAnn Rimes’ “Blue” album is certified quintuple-platinum, while her single “How Do I Live” is recognized as double-platinum Tuesday November 18th 1949 – MGM releases Hank Williams’ “My Bucket’s Got A Hole In It.” Lurking on the B side: the classic “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry” 1969 – Conway Twitty records “Hello Darlin’” in an afternoon session at Bradley’s Barn in Mt. Juliet, Tennessee 1980 – Johnny Lee earns a gold single for “Lookin’ For Love,” his best-known contribution to “Urban Cowboy” 1980 – “Barbara Mandrell And The Mandrell Sisters” debuts on NBC-TV, with guests Dolly Parton and John Schneider Wednesday November 19th 1994 -Mary Chapin Carpenters earns a #1 country single in Billboard with “Shut Up And Kiss Me” 1996 – American Recordings releases Johnny Cash’s “Unchained” 1997 – George Strait’s four-CD set, “Strait Out Of The Box,” is honored for shipments of 5 million units Thursday November 20th 1946 – Songwriter Roger Murrah born in Athens, Alabama. His credits include “I’m In A Hurry (And Don’t Know Why),” by Alabama; “It Takes A Little Rain (To Make Love Grow),” by The Oak Ridge Boys; and “Don’t Rock The Jukebox,” by Alan Jackson 1961 – At the top of this chart stands a big, big man: “Big Bad John” takes Jimmy Dean to #1 on the Billboard country chart Friday November 21st 1955 – In a deal engineered by Col. Tom Parker, RCA Records buys Elvis Presley’s contract and master tapes from Sam Phillips’ Sun Records for $35,000. The papers are signed at the Sun Studios in Memphis 1981 – Hank Williams Jr.’s “All My Rowdy Friends (Have Settled Down)” settles in at #1 on the Billboard country chart 1986 – Lynn Anderson collects the only platinum album of her career, for “Rose Garden” which was later made famous again by Martina McBride Saturday November 22nd 1946 -Gene Autry rides in the Santa Claus Lane parade in Hollywood, as do Roy Rogers, Jack Benny and Red Skelton. When Autry hears children shouting, “Here comes Santa Claus,” he’s inspired to write “Here Comes Santa Claus (Down Santa Claus Lane)” 1973 – George Jones & Tammy Wynette sing “We’re Gonna Hold On” in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade 1980 – Kenny Rogers’ “Lady” goes to #1 on the Billboard country chart Sunday November 23rd 1950 – Hank Williams writes “Cold, Cold Heart” 1967 – Jack Greene becomes the first country star to appear in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade 1968 – Tammy Wynette sits at #1 in Billboard with “Stand By Your Continue reading This Week in Country Music History→

Alan Jackson to be Honored on CMT Giants

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Alan Jackson will be honored on CMT Giants which airs December 6, 2008. Friends like George Strait, Brad Paisley, Martina McBride and Lee Ann Womack serenaded Alan Jackson with his biggest hits. Even newer artists like Dierks Bentley, Miranda Lambert and Taylor Swift payed tribute to the small-town Southern man. The show will debut on CMT on Dec. 6. As is tradition on CMT Giants, Jackson sang a few of his own songs at the end. The show also features sincere testimonials from other famous friends, sprinkled among Jackson’s own stories and photographs.Country Music Photo Gallery

2008 CMA Awards in Review

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The 2008 Country Music Association Awards Recap Last night’s 42nd annual CMA Awards show was both a hit and a miss in my book. Artists like Sugarland and Carrie Underwood demonstrated that they are not only hits on the radio, but hitsduring a live performance as well. Meanwhile, top-grossing artists like Taylor Swift and Jason Aldean show that sometimes all you need is a pretty face and a great marketing machine to back it. Many people are up in arms over the way that the night played out, and what it means for the current state of Nashville and the future of country music. My favorite country music news source, The 9513, cites “Country Music’s Biggest Night Wasn’t Country… if you are reading this website now, on the morning after, not because you’re looking for pictures of Kellie Pickler’s boobs but because you love country music, or because you like country music, or even because you have just a passing interest in one of the few contemporary art forms that can be said to be truly and uniquely American, you should feel both insulted and outraged by what you witnessed last night.” DH Country Music site administrator and Earps guitarist Ump had this to say: [youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p0PM9VeGfqQ] Join the conversation and tell us what YOU thought of last night’s 2008 CMA’s in our country music forum! Country Music Photo Gallery

2009 Stagecoach Festival Artists Announced

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Gas prices, struggling economy, and artist cancellations could make this the last Stagecoach Festival. The 2009 Stagecoach Festival (California’s Country Music Festival) planning is well underway, but some fear that the days of country music pilgrimages may be coming to a close. The past few years have seen a decline in ticket and merchandise sales for many event organizers and this year expects to be even worse. Fans who are are struggling with keeping their homes, or scraping pennies just to fill up their gas tanks certainly don’t have the luxury of buying music festival tickets or paying the expenses that are incurred on the trip there and back. Even lesser-known artists have been backing out of recent festival appearances because of high touring costs. But don’t tell that to these country concert stars. Kenny Chesney, Brad Paisley, Reba McEntire, Miranda Lambert and Lady Antebellum have already signed on to appear at  the 2009 Stagecoach Festival in spite of the obvious financial concerns. They will be joined by fellow artists Darius Rucker, Kid Rock, Little Big Town, Chris Cagle,  and many more! Tickets go on sale next week, and the success of this festival may determine the future of the event.Country Music Photo Gallery

Brad Paisley’s New Album Play In Stores Today!

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Brad Paisley is proud to release his new album “Play” to stores today! This album focuses on Brad’s amazing guitar skills and features collaborations with other chart-topping artists like Keith Urban, Buck Owens, Steve Wariner, BB King and even Andy Griffith. Each track brings forth little pieces of Paisley’s heart and soul. My personal favorites so far are tied between “Kim” which somehow pulls my heartstrings without a word, and the playful intro to “Start a Band” where you can hear him laughing about dropping his guitar pick into the body of the guitar which is something I’ve done more times than I can count. Now my question is, with the obvious skill, top names, and excellent musicianship on the instrumental tracks of this album, how many tracks do YOU think will get national radio airplay? I believe that Brad Paisley’s “Play” album sets the stage for a resurgence in skilled guitarists taking the spotlight in pop country, which is something I’ve sorely missed. For more reviews of Brad Paisley’s new album Play, check out our country music forum!Country Music Photo Gallery

Dierks Bentley Releases Bonus Video

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Fans are invited to take an inside look at the creation of Dierks Bentley‘s next album by promising to post a new behind-the-scenes video on Bentley’s Web site every Monday. This latest move shows both artists and fans how much the power of the internet and online social interaction is changing the face of artist promotion and how it gives fans an opportunity to get up close and personal to stars like Dierks Bentley. Dierks was an early adopter of online social tools in the country music scene which has no doubt aided in his success. So let’s celebrate his efforts and enjoy the special behind the scenes Dierks Bentley video.Country Music Photo Gallery

Jake Owen to Finish New Album

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Jake Owen is wrapping up in his producer’s studio over the next few weeks and shares his enthusiasm for  the wide variety of songs included in the coming album with CMT. “When I’m buying a record, I want to make sure I can listen to it from top to bottom, and to have an eclectic mix of songs,” he says. “Not songs that all sound the same. They’re random, you know, and that’s what keeps me as a listener.” Jake Owen proudly takes co-writing credit for 9 of the tracks on his new album, including the current hit, “Startin’ with me” but is just as excited about songs that  were provided to him.Country Music Photo Gallery

Brad Paisley Announces 2009 Concert Tour Dates!

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BRAD EXTENDS THE PAISLEY PARTY TOUR INTO 2009! Brad Paisley has announced the last leg of The Paisley Party tour which will extend into early 2009. Paisley has invited fellow Opry member Dierks Bentley to be his very special guest on the 24 day tour starting in January with Darius Rucker opening January dates and Crystal Shawanda February dates.   View All Upcoming Shows Current CMA and ACM Male Vocalist of the Year, Paisley received his first Grammy Award this year for Country Instrumental, “Throttleneck.” The Paisley Party has played to over 502,000 fans so far this year and last year’s Bonfires and Amplifiers Tour was ranked #2 in total attendance for country tours by Pollstar. Play – Paisley’s highly anticipated guitar-driven mostly-instrumental album will be released November 4 and includes special guest vocals and collaborations with B.B. King, Keith Urban, Steve Wariner and Buck Owens. 2009 The Paisley Party tour dates: 1-15 Tupelo, MS BancorpSouth Center 1-16 Little Rock, AR Alltel Arena 1-17 New Orleans, LA New Orleans Arena 1-18 Pensacola, FL Pensacola Civic Center 1-22 Austin, TX Frank Irwin Center 1-23 Bossier City, LA CenturyTel Center 1-24 Tulsa, OK BOK Center 1-25 Lubbock, TX United Spirit Arena 1-29 Dayton, OH Nutter Center 1-30 Moline, IL iWireless Center 1-31 Omaha, NE Qwest Center 2-12 London, ONT John Labatt Centre 2-13 Hamilton, ONT Copps Coliseum 2-14 Ottawa, ONT Scotiabank Place 2-17 Winnipeg, MAN MTS Centre 2-18 Regina, SK Brandt Centre 2-19 Saskatoon, SK Credit Union Centre 2-20 Edmonton, ALB Rexall Place 2-21 Calgary, ONT Penngrowth Saddledome 2-24 Vancouver, BC General Motors Place 2-26 Spokane, WA Spokane, Arena 2-27 Portland, OR Rose Garden 2-28 Tacoma, WA Tacoma Dome 3-1 Yakima, WA Yakima Valley SundomeCountry Music Photo Gallery

Kenny Rogers on FOX Business Network

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Kenny Rogers makes a guest appearance on FOX Business Network Kenny Rogers spoke with FOX Business Network’s Charles Payne about the niche he has in the country music market and how he can’t compete with Keith Urban and Kenny Chesney, but they’re too young to do what he does. Below are excerpts from the interview: On what kind of artist he is: “As far as musically goes, I think I’m boxed in to who I am and what I do best, and I try not to compete in areas that I don’t feel I can compete in. I think I’m an excellent story teller and I have always said if you give me a song that touches me I think I can make it touch you.” On comparing himself to current popular country artists: “As far as going out there and doing the heavy country rock, I can’t compete with Keith Urban and Kenny Chesney and those guys, so I don’t try. I mean, I do what I do best. Honestly, I think they’re too young to do what I do, so it’s a nice niche I have.” To see the full interview, follow this link. You can catch Kenny Rogers live by checking the Kenny Rogers Concert Tour schedule.Country Music Photo Gallery

Country Music Fan Videos – Sugarland

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Young performers are often inspired by today’s top country artists. Sometimes the best compliment an artist can receive is from the children that love them. And with every new hit, there’s a fan out there who can’t get enough. Today’s country artists can be the biggest inspiration to children’s dreams and I personally believe that deserves to be praised. The beauty of the internet age is that fans no longer have to love their favorite artists in the privacy of their own home. They can broadcast that love out to the world and make millions of people smile, as well as possibly reaching the artist they idolized in the first place. Who knows? Maybe we’ll see some of these same kids ten years from now rockin country music radio. Here is my favorite video this week from young country music fan who obviously knows what she wants to do!  [youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LtaHtgRYUX8]  Sugarland  – All I Wanna Do Performed by 6 year old Kimmie Sugarland is currently on tour. For Sugarland concert tickets and tour dates please visit our partner site, Country Music On Tour.Country Music Photo Gallery