Category Archives: Featured

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Country Artists To Perform At 2013 Billboard Awards

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Taylor Swift Leads In Billboard Music Award Nominations. Country Music will be represented in Las Vegas yet again, as another award show is coming up. Taylor Swift, Kacey Musgraves and The Band Perry are all scheduled to perform at this year’s Billboard Music Awards. The show will air live Sunday, May 19 on ABC from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Country Nominees: Swift has a pretty good chance of taking at least one award home, seeing how she has 11 nominations for the night. Swift is in the running for Top Artist, Top Billboard 200 Album, Top Female Artist, Top Hot 100 Artist, Top Billboard 200 Artist, Top Digital Songs Artist, Top Social Artist, Top Country Artist, Top Country Album, Top Streaming Song (Video) and Top Country Song. Swift is also up for the Milestone Award. Jason Aldean is up for three awards: Top Male Artist, Top Country Artist and Top Country Album. Luke Bryan also has three nominations: Top Country Artist, Top Country Album and Top Country Song. Hunter Hayes is up for Top Country Artist and Top Country Song. Carrie Underwood is nominated for Top Country Artist and Top Country Album. Lionel Richie is nominated for Top Country Album and Eric Church and Florida Georgia Line are also up for Top Country Song.

Texas Musicians Come Together For West

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Texas Artists Come Together To Help The Community Of West, After The Recent Tragedy. After the explosion of a fertilizer plant in West, Texas, the Texas Thunder festival organizers and the musicians scheduled to attend, have decided to support the West community. The Texas Thunder music festival will be May 17-19 in Gardendale, Texas. The Randy Rogers Band, Aaron Watson, Charlie Robison, Wade Bowen, Casey Donahew Band, Josh Abbott Band, Stoney LaRue and many more will perform and raise funds for those affected in the tragic explosion last Wednesday. “For 13 years now our band has been traveling I-35 and stopping in West, TX along the way to sample the good food,” said Randy Rogers. “It’s become a staple on our tour. Now it’s time for us to give back.” Texas Thunder presents an all-star, all-Texas line-up, with both musicians and fans coming together to help bring support to those who need it most. Weekend passes are available for a discounted price of $65 with camping starting at $110. A very limited number of single-day tickets are available for $35. “We are disheartened by the tragedy in West, Texas. Texans are passionate about their communities and upon hearing of this tragedy, the Texas music community reached out to lend a helping hand,” says event organizer Brian Andrews. “100% of net proceeds from the Texas Thunder music festival will benefit the schools and first-responders of West, Texas.” Texas Thunder tickets are now available for purchase at Graham Central Station in Odessa, Rockin’ Rodeo Midland and Arriba Midland. For more information or to purchase tickets and camping, please visit www.texasthunderfest.com or call (855) 362-0535.

Wade Bowen Classic 2013

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The “Wade Bowen Classic” Celebrity Golf Tournament and Concert Has Been Set For June. Wade Bowen’s 15th Annual Bowen Classic celebrity golf tournament and concert to benefit The Bowen Family Foundation is just around the corner. The benefit is set for June 2 and 3 in Bowen’s hometown of Waco, Texas. Over the past four years, Bowen has raised close to half a million dollars for various charities. “’The Classic’ is something I look forward to putting together all year,” said Bowen. “I’m so proud that my fans and artist friends keep coming out to help raise so much money.” The event kicks off with an all-star concert at 2:30PM on June 2 at Indian Springs Park featuring Bowen and some of his friends, including the Josh Abbott Band and Neal McCoy, with more artists announced soon. The event resumes the next morning at 10AM with a two-man golf scramble at the Cottonwood Creek Golf Course. Tickets to both portions of the event are on sale now at www.wadebowen.com/classic. Tickets to golf in the tournament are $180 and include two concert tickets. Fans interested in just the concert can purchase tickets for $20 in advance or $25 day of show, kids 12 and under get in free. Location Addresses: Indian Springs Park – 100 University Parks Drive between Franklin and Washington Ave. Cottonwood Creek Golf Course – 5201 Bagby, Waco, TX.

Thunder On The Mountain Presents: Live Google + Hangout with JT Hodges

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Thunder On The Mountain and CMNB Bring You a LIVE Google + Interview with JT Hodges! This week, in conjunction with upcoming country music festival Thunder On The Mountain, we kicked off our very special interview series, “Thunder On The Mountain Presents…“, with Rose Falcon, and we’re keeping things going with our second installment welcoming the talented and swoon worthy JT Hodges! This fest is sure to rock the Ozarks June 6-8, and event organizers have put together a really amazing line-up! Our interview series will be featuring some of these talented artists (including JT and Rose!)  over the next few weeks. So, be sure to catch Hodges when he joins us for a chat via Google + Hangout on Wednesday, May 1st at 3:45pm central! You’ll be able to watch the video below, but you can also find it live, in the moment, on our Google + page. You can also RSVP via Facebook to keep track of updates. We’ll have more folks like Colt Ford, JJ Lawhorn, Easton Corbin and others on the schedule soon! Have a burning question you really want us to ask JT? Then make sure you let us know before next Wednesday! Be sure you’re following us (@CMNBlog) and (@THUNDERontheMTN) on Twitter, and tweet us your questions with the #Thunder2013 and tagging us! If you aren’t a big Twitter fan, you can just leave your Qs in the comment section below. Watch Now: For event info, ticket details, lodging information and more be sure to stop by the official Thunder On The Mountain website!

Daryl Wayne Dasher Brings Old School Sound with New Album

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Daryl Wayne Dasher Brings An Old School Country Sound with New Album, Great Big Sky. Independent country/folk/Americana artist, Daryl Wayne Dasher released his sophmore album, Great Big Sky, today (Tuesday, April 23rd), and the new record is currently available via iTunes. The new project is the follow-up to his 2009 solo debut, Long Road Now. “Making this album took more out of me than anything I’ve ever done before. There were many steep emotional ups and downs during the writing process, recording, and especially the mixing of ‘great big sky.’ I liken it to going on a really long hike on the Appalachian Trail. There are many seemingly pointless ups and down, moments of vision and joy, moments of being totally drained both emotionally and physically, times when you ask “why am I doing this?” and times of perfect clarity.” -Daryl Wayne Dasher Dasher pulls together a more traditional country, folk and Americana sound with lyrics and themes pulled from daily living and experience. With this listeners will find eleven genuine and original tracks that boast a very real quality and talent that provides a refreshing reprieve from the usual suspects being marketed out of the Nashville scene. Be sure to follow the iTunes link above to give Great Big Sky a shot, and find more from Dayrl on his own site and of course, Twitter (@dwdmusic)

Josh Charles Hits Country Scene with Wasted On Love

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Josh Charles Breaks Onto Country Music Scene, Offers Up Single “Wasted On Love.” Josh Charles is one of those folks who is not only talented, but also a down to earth person, trying to find a way to pursue his passions. Luckily for us, his passion is country music, and he is offering up a traditional country sound with relatable and genuine lyrics. These qualities are right at the forefront of his current single “Wasted On Love,” and it’s one of those easy going tunes that you’ll listen to once or twice and then catch yourself humming along to later when you’re cleaning the kitchen or getting ready for bed. It’s just the kind of song that sticks with you. After listening to the single more than a few times myself, I had the chance to “meet” (via phone) the man behind the music! He let me know that really, he just tries to be himself, and that kind of honesty goes a long way when your profession is centered on country music. He may just be getting his start with “Wasted On Love” and previous single “Life Ain’t Fair,” but having performed gigs opening for the likes of Blake Shelton and working on new music, including a full album hopefully soon, Josh is in the early stages of really making a name for himself. This is one on the rise artists that I sincerely think is worth a few minutes of your time! So, take a break from your busy day and enjoy his music below. Then be sure to find him on Twitter (@JoshCharles) to let him know what you think. Listen: “Wasted On Love.”

Willie Nelson Concert Proceeds to Benefit West, Texas

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Willie Nelson’s Previously Scheduled Show In Austin Now to Benefit West, Texas. Following the tragic and deadly fire and subsequent explosion at a fertilizer plant in West, Texas that has impacted the entire community in the area, Willie Nelson has reworked his already scheduled April 28th Austin, TX show into a benefit concert. All proceeds will go to help West Volunteer Fire Department now dealing with the aftermath of this week’s events. The announcement was originally made via Twitter, and then later posted on Nelson’s website along with an interview featured on Texas Monthly. The previously scheduled concert on 4/28 at @thenewbackyard will now benefit West VFD Details to come soon — Willie Nelson (@willienelson) April 18, 2013 Willie, a Texas native, actually grew up very close to the West community, and tweeted his condolences after the news broke. West has been in my backyard all my life.My heart is praying for thecommunity that we call home. #westtx — Willie Nelson (@willienelson) April 18, 2013 It never ceases to amaze me how some folks are so ready to provide aid when it is needed, and Nelson has yet again earned my respect by practicing what he preaches! Amidst a week full of pain and loss, our hearts are with everyone in West, TX.

George Jones Hospitalized In Nashville with Fever

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George Jones Suffering from Fever and Irregular Blood Pressure In Nashville Hospital. Our thoughts and prayers are with country icon George Jones, as he has been hospitalized in Nashville, TN due to a fever and irregular blood pressure, both discovered after a routine check up. Jones has been working towards a final concert in Music City in November of this year as part of an extended “good-bye” tour. Unfortunately, he has had to cancel more than one show over the past year or so because of health related issues. The 82 year old artist is still considered one of the most important country music artists in the industry, having influenced generations of aspiring artists and fans alike. After over 50 years in the music biz though, he has called it quits on recording, and is currently working on a final project along with Dolly Parton. We sincerely wish him the best, and hope for a speedy recovery.

Thunder On The Mountain Presents: LIVE Google+ Interview with Rose Falcon

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Thunder On The Mountain and CMNB Bring You a LIVE Google + Interview with Rose Falcon! The inaugural Thunder On The Mountain festival is coming to the Ozarks June 6th – 8th, and we’ve teamed up with them to bring you exclusive, LIVE interviews with some of the awesome folks on their amazing line-up! Between now and June, we will be featuring these interviews via Google +, and will be asking not only our questions, but your questions too! The series kicks off on Monday, April 22nd, and we will be chatting with the talented and lovely Rose Falcon who recently released an EP titled 19th Avenue, Vol. 2! The hangout will start at 2pm central, so don’t be late! You can watch the chat below, and don’t forget to RSVP on Facebook! Thunder On The Mountain presents…Rose Falcon!

Concert Season Is In Full Swing

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HaleighT’s Favorite Time of the Year is Here. Even though the weather has been toying with my emotions, I realized something today…concert season is officially here! No, there isn’t an actual date on everybody’s calendars to confirm this, but trust me it has begun. Attending concerts is definitely in my top three things to do on a regular basis, so I rarely go too long without seeing a live show. So when I say concert season I mean multiple shows, back-to-back, every week (it can be stressful and the most fun you will ever have at the exact same time). Looking back in my concert-going files, I seem to remember this magical season starting a bit earlier in the year. But whatever the case, this year’s season started in April for me and I’m thrilled! I’ve decided to give those of you who aren’t quite seasoned in concert season a few pointers. 1. Know when to say no. Just because there are four shows in one week in your area, doesn’t mean you have to attend them all. Yes, multiple shows in one week are tons of fun. But you need to make sure you don’t get sick of fighting with the crowds too soon, you have a whole season ahead of you. 2. Plan ahead. When you do make it to some shows, give yourself a budget (unless you’re loaded). You don’t want spend all your money the first night on shots and shirts. Decide what night you will go all-out with dinner, a cab, merch and plenty of drinks. The other nights, eat at home, drive yourself, take pictures and stick to the drinks that don’t require any form of identification. 3. Pace yourself and hydrate. If you do feel the need to sip on the sauce a few nights in a row, make sure you don’t over do it. You don’t want to be hungover the next day or you’ll never enjoy the next nights show. Plenty of water is always smart. 4. Go with good company. Make sure you go to shows with a good friend or a good group of them. You’ll be cursing yourself on the inside if the person sitting/standing next to you won’t shut up about their horrible ex that you really don’t give two you-know-whats about. Those are just a few tips that I hope help you out. I’ve got more in this crazy head of mine that I have acquired over the years, so keep your eye out for them. Until then, catch a show and enjoy!