Songwriter and longtime husband of Tammy Wynette, George Richey, has left us. In a quiet service in Nashville, TN, close friends and family mourned the loss of George Richey. George was buried near his long-time wife, Tammy Wynette, and leaves us with a great legacy of songs recorded by his wife, and George Jones. Read more about George’s life and accomplishments at The Tennesseean.
Buck Owens gets a well-deserved star on the Bakersfield Walk of Fame. The Bakersfield Rotary Club has pooled together and donated a star to the Bakersfield Walk of Fame in honor of the legendary Buck Owens. Buck’s sons, Mike and Johnny, his nephew Mel and about 100 people including friends, and employees of the Owens family were there to witness the dedication and to say a few words about the honor. Dad would be proud of this,” said Mike. “Instead of the streets of Bakersfield, it’s more like the sidewalks of Bakersfield.” (Quote via Bakersfield.com) Buck Owens is credited with pioneering what is now known commonly as “The Bakersfield Sound”, mixing a electric guitar into country music with a slight southwestern spin. After 20 chart-topping hits, and a lengthy stint on the cast of the nationally successful show “Hee-Haw”, Buck and his Buckaroos were a well-known household name, and he was a beloved friend to all who knew him. He sadly lost his battle with cancer in 2006, leaving behind a legacy of music, innovation, and laughter.
Brantley Gilbert – The south’s best kept secret… until now! Lately the web has been all abuzz over Jason Aldean‘s newest single “My Kind of Party“, but surprisingly the buzz isn’t about Aldean! Fans throughout the southeast are making it known that the song’s writer, Brantley Gilbert, is the one we should really be watching. Trust me fans, we are! In a statement on Brantley’s site, it’s clear that he is enjoying the single’s success every bit as much as Jason Aldean is. I’m proud to see my name attached to Jason’s version and hope you guys feel the same. This is a big step for me as a songwriter and I couldn’t have asked for a better artist to perform the song. After all, he is a Georgia boy! I love how passionate you all are about this song and my music, I just want you to know that this is a good thing. Let’s show support as Jason runs “My Kinda Party” up the charts! This is a great thing for all of us, including you. Thanks again for all your support! Can I get a hell yeah?!!!! Brantley’s blend of country and rock has grabbed more than just Jason Aldean’s interest. Record label’s industry publications, and fans alike are clamoring for more from the “prodigal son” of the south. His sophomore album “Halfway to Heaven” is slowly making it’s way around the nation, and I predict, will be a sudden hit come this fall. Give Brantley Gilbert a try with “Kick it in the Sticks” off the new album “Halfway to Heaven” [youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JCsyA4DHwHE&feature=player_embedded] For more on Brantley, visit http://brantleygilbert.comCountry Music Photo Gallery
Lionel Richie has been added to the All for the Hall Benefit concert line-up! Lionel Richie has confirmed he will perform in September 23rd’s All for the Hall Benefit which will raise funds for the Country Music Hall of Fame. Dozens of stars are gathering in Los Angeles, California next month to host an all-star concert to raise funds for the long-term financial needs of the museum. Other stars on this year’s bill include Taylor Swift, Emmylou Harris, and Kris Kristofferson, as well as a fourth mystery guest. Tickets go on sale this weekend!Country Music Photo Gallery
Country Music News Blog wants to publish YOU! Country Music News Blog would like to invite you, our readers, to come test out your writing skills! We are currently looking for columnists who would like to contribute posts to our site. You can write for us one time, or aim for a weekly column. Any person chosen for the weekly column will receive a dedicated featured space on the homepage as well as a writer’s bio on the site. While we don’t pay for news, we do understand the importance of getting published and will give plenty of credit where credit is due. All contributing writers will receive special consideration for the schwaag that comes our way as well (review CD’s, books, DVD’s, etc). Still reading? Good! Here’s what we’re looking for: Something fun and witty to read, that country music fans can relate to. It doesn’t have to be about country music either, although that would be a natural fit. You could also write about cooking tips, parenting techniques, farm life, vehicle maintenance, getting by in these rough economic times… whatever you want! There is no corporate backing or politics that get in the way of simply sharing our love of the country music lifestyle, and we would love for you to share it with us. We’ll be happy to publish any article as long as it at least somewhat relates to the site here. We do have a few simple rules to follow before you send in that article though: 1. Be helpful. Although our editorial staff may post a negative review here and there, we try to stay in the area of constructive criticism so that the artists and readers can get something useful out of it. Teach us something. Show off what you’ve found. 2. Keep it clean. No cussing, adult-natured content, or slander. There might be a kid or a lawyer reading somewhere. 3. Keep it original. If it’s already posted somewhere else, then we won’t post it here. The best you might get is to have the post summarized, and then a link added to the original article for more information. 4. Be patient. Not all articles are right for the site, and we find that out by letting a live human being read through them, check facts, and possibly edit for search engine friendliness before we’ll post it live. This takes time. If you have a specific date you want an article to start running, please include that in your email but we can make no guarantees. 5. No Sales Pitches! You can review a product or service that our readers may be interested in, just know that each submission is read thoroughly and anything deemed as a “sales pitch” will considered a sponsored post. Not sure of the difference between a sponsored post or guest post? Email me and we’ll go over it. Please send all article submissions (including related pictures, links, and possibly MP3’s) to whiskeychick@drunkenhillbilly.com for review.Country Music Photo Gallery
Luke Bryan joins his wife in celebrating the birth of their second child, Tatum Christopher Bryan! Luke and Caroline Bryan welcomed their second son into the world today. Tatum “Tate” Christopher Bryan was born in a Nashville area hospital, weighing in at 6.8 pounds and is 21 inches long. Mother and son are doing well and will be released for home soon. “Nothing like coming home after an eight day run and having an early surprise like this!,” exclaimed Bryan. “Such an amazing day for me and my family. We are so blessed to have another healthy baby boy. All the fishing holes in Nashville better look out when I get out there in the next few years with Tate and big brother Bo!! Tate is now the baby brother to two-year old Thomas Boyer “Bo” Bryan. Country Music Photo Gallery
Miranda Lambert offers an intimate performance on CMT’s Invitation Only August 23rd. Set your DVR’s for August 23rd as Miranda Lambert offers a closer look at her performances of her top hits. This episode of CMT’s Invitation Only is sure to please as the feisty Miranda gives fans a special performance of “The House that Built Me“, “Only Prettier” and many more of her signature tunes. Who knows… maybe she’ll even dish a little on “Makin Plans” with Mr Blake Shelton for their upcoming wedding!
It’s time to get your orders in for Zac Brown Band’s You Get What You Give! Zac Brown Band fans are chompin at the bit to get their hands on the new album “You Get What You Give” and now’s your chance to get ahead of the game! ZBB has opened up shop for pre-orders of the album, and given fans the option of including some pretty sweet schwaag packs to go with it! Check it out at ZacBrownBand.com!
Rosanne Cash provides a personal, and engaging account of her life thus far in “Composed”. Rosanne Cash has long lived in the shadow of her father’s legacy. His notoriety within the country music and Americana circles has long been both a demon and a blessing that his eldest daughter has danced with throughout her life. But unlike the media, that is NOT what she focuses on in her auto-biography that hit store bookshelves today. In my line of work I receive dozens upon dozens of books to review each month, each telling the story of one artists’ life or another. In each I usually find a predictable formula… a chronological telling of facts as they built up to the celebrity we now know from news media, radio and movies. But in Composed: A Memoir you forget that you are reading such a tale. Instead, she has managed to write her story in such a way that you feel as if you have been allowed the rare opportunity to sneak a peek into the diary of an old friend.You find yourself relating to her experiences with her place in the family, her self-esteem, and the way individual events alter her perception of life. From beginning to its current stopping point, you are fully enveloped in her world, and as you reach the end of the book, it is abundantly clear her story is far from over.Country Music Photo Gallery
Can’t get enough of Dierks Bentley? Well neither can CMT! Achieving more of a mature success than Dierks could ever hope for, his “Up On The Ridge” release has him high up on the top of country music charts, and on the favorite’s list of most country music journalists. I guess that’s why CMT has put Dierks high up on the Featured Artists list. Take a look at CMT’s Dierks Bentley tribute!Country Music Photo Gallery
