Category Archives: News

2011 CMA Awards Date Announced

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The Date Is Set For 2011 CMA Awards! The date is set! The 45th Annual Country Music Association Awards will air live from Nashville’s Bridgestone Area Wednesday, November 9th at 8/7CT on ABC! CMA organizers are already gearing up for the big night, and expressing their excitement for what promises to be a barrel of fun for country music stars and fans. “The CMA Awards recognizes the best in the format – that’s what makes this ‘Country Music’s Biggest Night’. The CMA Awards is one of the most highly anticipated events for our industry each year. It’s a night to honor our finest performers, songwriters, record producers, musicians, and music video directors.” -Steve Moore, CMA Chief Executive Officer No news yet on who will be this year’s hosts or presenters. Last year Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood made it a memorable night, and you can bet whoever hosts this year will put on an equally great show. We are also waiting to find out what performances will be featured that night! So, make sure you mark your calendar and stay tuned for more details! We’ll make sure we get them to you as quick as we can. In the meantime, let us know who you want to see host and perform at this year’s CMA Awards! Check Out HaleighT’s take on the 45th Annual CMA Nominations here! [youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HXj4oCjYjNc]

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.

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

Miranda Lambert and Blake Shelton Wedding Pictures!

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Can’t wait to see Miranda Lambert’s wedding dress, the cake, or the handsome groom in pictures? Neither can we! The pictures from Miranda Lambert and Blake Shelton‘s Saturday night wedding are still trickling in, with this first shot coming out in this preview from Us Weekly. I absolutely LOVE Miranda’s dress and think she looks WONDERFUL! The photographer they hired had this to say on his blog: “Blake & Miranda’s wedding images will be published in Us Weekly magazine coming later this week. I have to say that Miranda & Blake’s wedding images are really beautiful. One big reason they have great wedding photographs besides their genuine down to earth personalities which made my time behind my camera easy, was the fact that they cared more about great wedding photography, then old traditions. They took my advice and saw each other before the wedding and took all their photos before their nuptials, so after they said “I DO” and walked down the aisle, they could go do whatever they wanted, instead of spending time taking photographs. Spending time alone or spending more time with your guests is a smarter choice, especially when your normal human reaction after you kiss and travel down the aisle is “Let’s go party and be with our friends and family” A wedding is a celebration and when the months of planning are over, It’s time to PLAY! “- Robert Evans, Photographer We promise as the pictures come out we’ll have em for you here… right here… right in this very spot! For now let’s enjoy some blurry paparazzi shots from the British Daily Mail. We just got the dish on the newlyweds bling. Both Blake and Miranda’s rings were custom made by Beverly Hills jeweler Johnathon Arndt who also handcrafted Carrie Underwoods’ engagement ring and wedding band. Miranda’s ring is a 5-carat white diamond eternity ring, and Blake’s ring features a black diamond mounted on the inside (a detail specifically requested by Miranda) and a hand engraving based on one of Shelton’s tattoos. For the reception, Miranda changed into a strapless silk dress from Priscilla of Boston… my guess is this design right here. Stay tuned for more details!

Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert Wedding Details

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Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert are tying the knot TODAY! After much excited anticipation, word has finally come out that Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert‘s wedding will be held today at an undisclosed location in Texas. More details, pictures and tasty tidbits will be added to this announcement as they come to light. Here’s what we know so far: The wedding was held at Don Strange Ranch near Boerne, Texas, a community located approximately 45 minutes from San Antonio Blake will be wearing a sharp coat, blue jeans and cowboy boots. Miranda will be wearing her mother’s wedding dress. Miranda has been on an all meat and veggie diet to prepare for the dress… no potatoes or mayo here! Miranda’s ring is platinum and diamonds. Dierks Bentley will be in attendance as he just facebooked “adios jägermeister country tour. me and the boys had a blast. one last pic. headed to a wedding. see ya! “. Reba and husband Narvel will also be in attendance as well as Martina McBride, the Bellamy Brothers, Charles Kelley and CeeLo Green. Neal McCoy will be performing at the reception. Miranda’s bachelorette party was held at the Kentucky Derby, while Blake opted for an all-guy camping trip. Venison will be served at the reception, and rumor has it, Miranda hunted the deer herself. There was a total of 550 guests No word yet on the planned honeymoon location, but Blake will be back on stage with Reba in just ten short days for the disaster relief concert benefiting Oklahoma tornado victims.

Zac Brown Band’s “Knee Deep” Released

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Zach Brown Band Choose “Knee Deep” as Third Single. The Zac Brown Band has chosen their duet with Jimmy Buffet as the third single to be released off their latest album, You Get What You Give. Zac Brown Band is currently nominated for the 2011 CMT Music Awards for Group Video of the Year and CMT Performance of the Year. Click here to vote! You can also catch the Zach Brown Band in their upcoming performance on Jimmy Kimmel Live tonight!

Sheryl Crow’s Country Album with Brad Paisley

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Sheryl Crow Is Currently Working On A New Country Album with Brad Paisley. Sheryl Crow is by no means a new face on the music scene, but she has been spending a lot more time on the country side of things recently. She has recorded two songs with Kid Rock, performed “Coal Miner’s Daughter” with Loretta Lynn and Miranda Lambert at the CMA Awards and is also featured on Brad Paisley’s upcoming album. It seems all these baby steps are leading her to a bigger plunge, recording her own all country album. “I already had a pretty strong country influence in my music. You listen to ‘Strong Enough’ and ‘If It Makes You Happy’’, there’s a lot of country influence in there already, but there’s just no pedal steel and no fiddle. The lyrics are nearing what I consider straightforward country lyrics; they’re a little left of center…I’m working on it right now. I’m doing some work with Brad Paisley. I’ve been doing a lot of writing. Hopefully it’ll be out early next year.” -Sheryl Crow Well, we look forward to seeing what you come up with, Sheryl, especially if Brad Paisley is involved!!

Eric Church’s New Album

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Eric Church Announces Release Date for Upcoming Album. Eric Church has announced his new album, Chief, will be released July 26th. Already receiving critical praise, this marks Eric’s third studio album, and it will be available nationwide on this date. Eric took a little time off from the world (a whole month at a cabin in North Carolina!), and really slowed down to get into the creative mode to produce this album which he later recorded in Nashville. With Chief, Eric was really trying to stretch his creative boundaries and at the same time remain relevant. “I have a theory that all of us [artists] only get a small window of time to make records when people will really listen and care. It’s up to us to move the needle. People like Waylon and Cash or Garth and Strait,– they all took the format and said, ‘We’re going over here,’ and they each changed the direction of the music a little bit– helping to make it what it is today.” -Eric Church Keep an eye out for the album, but while you’re waiting you can check out Eric’s new video for “Homeboy” which will be available Monday, May 9th!

CMT Music Award Front Runners

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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→

2011 CMT Music Awards Nominees

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Complete List of CMT Music Awards Nominees Announced! Nominees for the 2011 CMT Music Awards were announced this morning April 27th, on NBC’s the Today show. Nominations were revealed in a segment featuring CMT host Evan Farmer and Today co-hosts Kathie Lee Gifford and Hoda Kotb. The Band Perry also performed on the show. Jason Aldean is dominating so far with a total of four nominations. Other notables with multiple nominations include: Mranda Lambert, Taylor Swift, Sugarland, The Band Perry, Lady Antebellum, Rascal Flatts, Kenny Chesney and Carrie Underwood. You can vote now!! Online fan voting in all 10 categories is now open at CMT.com through June 7. The show will take place in Nashville on June 8 and will air on CMT and cmt.com. Stay tuned to find out who will be performing! A complete list of nominees is featured below: Video of the Year Jason Aldean – “My Kinda Party” Kenny Chesney – “The Boys of Fall” Lady Antebellum – “Hello World” Miranda Lambert – “The House That Built Me” Rascal Flatts – “Why Wait” Sugarland – “Stuck Like Glue” Taylor Swift – “Mine” The Band Perry – “If I Die Young” Carrie Underwood – “Undo It” Zac Brown Band – “Colder Weather” Male Video of the Year Jason Aldean – “My Kinda Party” Kenny Chesney – “The Boys of Fall” Tobey Keith – “Bullets in the Gun” Blake Shelton – “Who Are You When I’m Not Looking” Keith Urban – “Without You” Female Video of the Year Sara Evans – “A Little Bit Stronger” Miranda Lambert – “The House That Built Me” Reba McEntire – “Turn On the Radio” Taylor Swift – “Mine” Carrie Underwood – “Undo It” Group Video of the Year Lady Antebellum – “Hello World” Little Big Town – “Little White Church” Rascal Flatts – “Why Wait” The Band Perry – “If I Die Young” Zac Brown Band – “Colder Weather” Duo Video of the Year Steel Magnolia – “Last Night Again” Sugarland – “Stuck Like Glue” The Civil Wars – “Barton Hollow” The JaneDear Girls – “Wildflower” Thompson Square – “Are You Gonna Kiss Me or Not” USA Weekend Breakthrough Video of the Year Lee Brice – “Love Like Crazy” Aaron Lewis – “Country Boy” Jerrod Niemann – “Lover, Lover” The Band Perry – “If I Die Young” Thompson Square – “Are You Gonna Kiss Me or Not” Collaborative Video of the Year Jason Aldean with Kelly Clarkson – “Don’t You Wanna Stay” Justin Bieber featuring Rascal Flatts – “That Should Be Me” Kid Rock featuring Sheryl Crow – “Collide” Aaron Lewis featuring George Jones and Charlie Daniels – “Country Boy” Loretta Lynn, Miranda Lambert and Sheryl Crow – “Coal Miner’s Daughter” CMT Performance of the Year (musical performance on a television show, series or variety special on CMT) Martina McBride and Train – “A Broken Wing” from CMT Crossroads: Train and Martina McBride Reba McEntire – “If I Were a Boy” from Unplugged: Reba Darius Rucker and Adele – “Need You Now” Continue reading 2011 CMT Music Awards Nominees→