Category Archives: Featured

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Kenny Chesney Starts Up THE BIG REVIVAL 9/23

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Full-Tilt Studio Album Hits Hard As “American Kids” Takes Radio By Storm NASHVILLE, Tenn. (June 30, 2014) – Kenny Chesney made the decision to take the summer of 2014 off from his massive stadium tours to make sure he got the music for his 15th studio album right. With “American Kids” hitting country radio with 117 stations on add date – and landing at #20 on Billboard and #24 on Mediabase after just two days of airplay – and topping iTunes Country Chart since the digital release, the Luttrell, Tennessean has come to play. Hard. “The whole point of taking the time to get to a really creative place was to have the room to look at not what we’d done, but where we wanted to go,” Chesney says. “After all this time, if I can’t push myself and give the fans something that inspires them, that gets them pumped up, there’s no reason to just make a record to make a record.” That record – The Big Revival – arrives September 23. Produced by Chesney and Buddy Cannon, fresh from Willie Nelson’s #1 Band of Brothers, The Big Revival goes deep. With guest appearances from Alison Krauss, Dan Tyminski and Grace Potter, the 11 song album moves from the double-hooked, triple rhythmed “American Kids” to thumping rockers, a few personal ballads and even the amped up title track. “I think in anyone’s life, there are times when you just need to shake things up, really push yourself and find the thrill of what you do again,” Chesney says. “I went to dirt floor church revivals with my grandma as a little kid, and that power is electric. Scared me to death, but it shows you what it means to be alive. I think bringing that sort of passion to how you live your life is everything – and it’s so easy to lose touch with.   Find out more straight from the source! http://ebmediapr.com/kennychesney/664-kenny-chesney-starts-up-the-big-revival-923-

SUNNY SWEENEY RETURNS WITH NEW ALBUM, PROVOKED

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Third Studio Album to Hit Shelves on August 5; New Single “Bad Girl Phase” Causing a Stir on SiriusXM’s “The Highway” Sunny Sweeney is ready to talk, or rather sing, about it all – the good, the bad, and the ugly—on her new album PROVOKED, a 13-song sampling from the songstress American Songwriter raves as “a modern country music singer with a retro streak.” After her first two albums, Heartbreaker’s Hall of Fame and Concrete, this critically acclaimed Texas honky-tonker isn’t about to play coy now. Sweeney has teamed up with Thirty Tigers to release her third album on August 5, 2014 with SiriusXM’s “The Highway” already championing the lead single “Bad Girl Phase.” The album, produced by Luke Wooten, (Dierks Bentley, Brad Paisley, Kellie Pickler and more), tracks Sweeney’s coming to terms with the mistakes she has made and the recovery that the last few years have brought her. “The album is a journey from nearly hitting bottom and losing everything personally to regaining my footing and being able to find not only my true self again, but real happiness,” Sweeney reveals. Find out more straight from the source! http://ebmediapr.com/sunnysweeney/660-sunny-sweeney-returns-with-a-vengeance-on-new-album-provoked

"AMERICAN KIDS" ARE BEING HEARD

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Kenny Chesney fans are blowing up YouTube after just two days to get “American Kids” to the top of the charts! Kenny Chesney knew he had something special when he heard “American Kids,” but he didn’t think he’d hit the kind of nerve the decidedly icon-invoking tribute to being young and alive in the U.S. has struck. Hitting radio Friday, June 20 at 6 a.m. and iTunes at 7 p.m., the first single from Chesney’s eagerly anticipated fall release debuted at #27 on Billboard and #31 on Country Aircheck/Mediabase. With little more than two days play, it topped iTunes Country Songs chart and hit the all-genre Top 10 over the weekend. “I knew it was one of the freshest things in a long time when I heard it,” says the songwriter from Luttrell, Tennessee. “And then I heard it on the radio, and I couldn’t believe how great it sounded! ‘American Kids’ sounded as freewheeling and free-spirited as the folks I’m singing about… and no matter how old you are, I promise, unless you were one of those kids who just didn’t like fun, you know just how alive this feels.” Find out more straight from the source! http://ebmediapr.com/kennychesney/658-american-kids-are-being-heard

KRISTIAN BUSH ADDS MICHELLE MALONE TO TOUR

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Platinum-selling country singer Kristian Bush is gearing up for the summer run of his 2014 PUT YOUR SOUL IN IT Tour. Joining Bush on select tour stops will be wild-haired rock goddess and singer/songwriter Michelle Malone. The award-winning guitarist is the newest addition to his five-piece touring band. “I am honored and thrilled to play with Michelle,” says Bush. “To me, her voice and guitar are the music of Atlanta. I have been learning from her for years, and now it’s exciting to be learning right next to her.” Find out more straight from the source! http://www.sweettalkpublicity.com/index.php/news/235-kristian-bush-gears-up-for-summer-dates-with-award-winning-guitarist-michelle-malone-bush-welcomes-malone-as-the-newest-addition-to-his-five-piece-band-for-select-tour-stops-this-summer

RECORD-BREAKING DUO FLORIDA GEORGIA LINE ENLISTS FRIENDS FOR “THIS IS HOW WE CRUISE”; Four-Day Cruise to Include Multi-Platinum Superstar Nelly, Hot Newcomer Thomas Rhett & More; Current Single “This Is How We Roll” featuring Luke Bryan Certified GOLD and

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NASHVILLE, TN – (March 27, 2014) – Award-winning duo Florida Georgia Line, in partnership with Sixthman Ltd., announced the first ever “This is How We Cruise” music festival at sea, and they are bringing along their friends multi-platinum superstar Nelly, hot newcomer Thomas Rhett, Colt Ford, The Cadillac Three, Canaan Smith and Chris Lane. Artists will perform on multiple stages throughout the ship as well as host activities, intimate fan experiences and live on-stage collaborations aboard the Norwegian Pearl from November 8-12. The four-day musical cruise will set sail from Miami, FL, to Great Stirrup Cay, Norwegian’s Private Island in the Bahamas. Guests will enjoy the Norwegian Pearl’s 13 bars and lounges, 19 dining experiences, outdoor pool, hot tubs, expansive spa and fitness center and more. For more information and reservations, visit www.fglcruise.com. The record-breaking duo is riding high as their latest single, “This Is How We Roll” featuring Luke Bryan, has been officially certified GOLD for sales exceeding 500,000. The song is from the deluxe version of their chart-topping, PLATINUM-certified debut album HERE’S TO THE GOOD TIMES (Republic Nashville). FGL has exploded since releasing four consecutive, multi-week #1 smashes in the US and Canada with the PLATINUM-certified hits “Stay,” “Get Your Shine On,” “Round Here,” and 6X PLATINUM “Cruise,” whose sales are combined with the remix featuring Nelly. Breaking the record for longest #1 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs Chart, “Cruise” has sold nearly 6.8 million downloads in the US alone and is the best-selling digital Country single of all time according to SoundScan. FGL has racked up four nominations – Vocal Duo of the Year, Album of the Year (HERE’S TO THE GOOD TIMES), Single of the Year (“Cruise”) and Vocal Event of the Year (“Cruise” Remix featuring Nelly) – for the ACM Awards. The talented pair will also host the ACM Fan Jam during the show, which airs April 6 at 8:00P Eastern on CBS. The unstoppable duo is currently on the road as direct support for Jason Aldean’s NIGHT TRAIN Tour and will turn up the heat with their headline run – THIS IS HOW WE ROLL SUMMER SERIES 2014 – featuring special guest Nelly and opening act Chris Lane. For tour dates and more, check out www.FloridaGeorgiaLine.com. ABOUT SIXTHMAN: Sixthman, headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, creates festivals at sea designed to set the stage for moments that make life rock! Since 2001, we have been pioneering themed cruise experiences for bands, brands, and their fans and are proud to be celebrating our 11th year and the accomplishment of executing 45 full ship charters, hosting over 85,000 guests for nearly 400,000 days on vacation at sea with world class artist and brand partners such as KISS, Kid Rock, John Mayer, Lynyrd Skynyrd, 311, Zac Brown Band, Lyle Lovett, Barenaked Ladies, Sister Hazel, Turner Classic Movies, VH1, along with engaging festivals such as The Rock Boat and Cayamo. INC Magazine recognized us as America’s Fastest Growing Travel Company and the 87th fastest growing company across all segments on Continue reading RECORD-BREAKING DUO FLORIDA GEORGIA LINE ENLISTS FRIENDS FOR “THIS IS HOW WE CRUISE”; Four-Day Cruise to Include Multi-Platinum Superstar Nelly, Hot Newcomer Thomas Rhett & More; Current Single “This Is How We Roll” featuring Luke Bryan Certified GOLD and→

Jesse Whitley Honors His Father’s Memory with Return of Keith Whitley’s Homecoming Concert on May 9, 2014

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The concert will feature performances by Jesse Whitley and guests, Stephen Cochran and Bryan Moffitt, and will be held in Sandy Hook, Ky. (Nashville, Tenn – April 1, 2014) – Jesse Keith Whitley, the son of country music icon, Keith Whitley, is bringing back the Keith Whitley Homecoming Concert to honor his father’s memory on May 9, 2014 in Sandy Hook, Ky. May 9, 2014 marks the 25th anniversary of the passing of Keith Whitley, who was 34-years-old at the time of his death. When Keith first achieved major success in the early 1980s, he began returning each year to his hometown of Sandy Hook, Ky. for what would become an annual Keith Whitley Homecoming Concert. It was his way of giving back to the community and the people he loved and cherished. To honor his father’s memory and music, Jesse Keith Whitley is reviving the Homecoming Concert tradition this year, with special guests Stephen Cochran and Bryan Moffitt. The special concert will be held on May 9 at 7 p.m. ET at Lakeside Elementary School, 155 Lakeside School Road, in Sandy Hook, Ky. Advanced tickets are $10 and day of tickets are $15. Kids 12 and under are free. To buy tickets or for more information visit www.keithwhitleyhomecoming.com or call 606-207-1077. Jesse will recapture some of his dad’s magic in the homecoming show, performing many of Keith’s songs, including “Don’t Close Your Eyes,” “Kentucky Bluebird” and “Miami, My Amy.” He will also debut his own forthcoming single, “Shadows,” a story about an envisioned conversation between him and his father, who is indeed a “hard act to follow.” Though Jesse’s voice is hauntingly reminiscent of his dad’s, he has worked to craft his own distinctive style. At 26-years-old, he is touring extensively and has already shared the stage for sold-out concerts with many artists, including Mark Chesnutt, Sammy Kershaw, Little Big Town, Rascal Flatts and The Eli Young Band. In addition, he made his debut on the Grand Ole Opry on May 9, 2013 to a standing ovation and an encore. He is a rising star that comes from country royalty on both sides of his family.  His mother is country superstar Lorrie Morgan and his grandfather is Grand Ole Opry legend George Morgan. For more information, please visit www.keithwhitleyhomecoming.com. Jesse Keith Whitley

iHeartRadio Music Award Finalists!

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While the iHeartRadio Music Awards cover all genres, it seems country music was pretty light in the fan submissions in this year’s list of award finalists, with only one mention outside of the country music category. Taylor Swift fans (Labeled “Swifties) were nominated as Best Fan Army, while COUNTRY SONG OF THE YEAR finalists include: “Highway Don’t Care” Tim McGraw feat. Taylor Swift “Boys ‘Round Here” Blake Shelton “That’s My Kind of Night” Luke Bryan “Mine Would Be You” Blake Shelton “It Goes Like This” Thomas Rhett The awards will air May 1st at 8/7central on NBC

Jarrod Niemann’s High Noon is a Lowdown Good Time!

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Yesterday I was tuned into SiriusXM and caught a brief interview with Jarrod Niemann on The Highway where he discusses the inspiration behind the album “High Noon“. He pointed out that he wrote the whole album out of a frustration with the winter that never seemed to end. I couldn’t agree with that statement more! Spring is finally here, bonfires are lighting and those winter blues are finally lifting, so let’s raise a cup and sing along with Jarrod! Here’s the first track off that album “Drink to that all night”

Official 2014 CMAFest LineUp and Schedule!

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Nashville’s BIGGEST festival is coming back THIS June 5th-8th and it looks like it’s going to be one heck of a party. The CMA team has released the official CMAFest Schedule with a complete daily performer lineup, and we’ve got all your details right here on CountryMusicNewsBlog.com! CMAFest lineup in LP Field*: Thursday June 5, 2014 Brantley Gilbert Dierks Bentley Luke Bryan Rascal Flatts Tim McGraw Friday June 6, 2014 Blake Shelton Eric Church Jason Aldean Miranda Lambert The Band Perry Saturday June 7, 2014 Chris Young Darius Rucker Florida Georgia Line Keith Urban Little Big Town Sunday June 8, 2014 Brad Paisley Hunter Hayes Lady Antebellum Thomas Rhett Zac Brown Band *Performers are listed alphabetically. Stage times have not been released.

Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood Moving to Nashville

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In an interview with CMT Trisha Yearwood recently revealed that she and superstar husband Garth Brooks are planning to move away from Oklahoma and back to Nashville, TN. This comes on the heel of Brooks’ youngest daughter finishing high school and moving off to college in the fall. The empty nesters are gradually getting back into the music scene after taking things relatively easy in the last decade. “I have loved living in Oklahoma,” CMT.com reports Yearwood said. “It’s been a great place to raise our girls, and the thing I’ll miss the most is that I’ve made some of the best friends I’ll ever have. But we’ll always be best friends. “Garth and I have always sort of been gypsies. If you do this for a living, home for us is really just where we are together,” Yearwood told the website. “…There’s an energy about Nashville that I love and I miss. And it’s so awesome right now. It has a new energy that’s so cool. And it makes sense because it’s been a bit of a challenge to not live there and to have to fly in and out for work.”