Joe Nichols is back at it again with his newly released video for “Sunny and 75” which is currently climbing the Billboard charts at #22 for country airplay. Take a look and listen and tell us what you think below!
Trisha Yearwood and Garth Brooks confirm 2014 tour plans. It’s just a big day for tour talk around here isn’t it? A few days ago Trisha Yearwood took to tv to promote her new cookbook. This is right on the heels of George Strait’s 2014 tour announcement. While at CBS Morning, Trisha confirmed that she and superstar husband Garth Brooks are indeed making plans for a joint tour. We expect the dates for this tour to be announced sometime between now and early November, just in time for this year’s CMA Awards. When probed for further details, Trisha Yearwood responded about her tour “It’ll be a whole different ballgame, you know, as man and wife, to do this together,” she said. “So, I’m looking forward to it.” When asked if there would be both an album and tour, Trisha answered, “That is part of the plan.” In the meantime we’ll keep our eyes peeled and you readers updated for any details that leak our way!
George Strait To Announce Final Tour Dates For 2014 On September 9th **Updated 9/10/2013** George Strait has announced his special guests that will perform with him at 6 cities during his ‘Cowboy Rides Away Tour’. The Texas Cowboy says that fellow Texan Miranda Lambert will join him for two shows in San Diego at the Valley View Casino on January 31st and at the MGM Grand Casino in Las Vegas on Feb. 1st. He also noted that Martina McBride would join him for three shows. They will be Los Angeles at the Staples Center on Feb. 8th, Philadelphia at the Wells Fargo Arena on Feb. 28th and at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ on March 1st. Strait also announce that Little Big Town would be his special guests for his show at the Palace in Auburn Hills, MI on Feb. 14th. Strait will announce other special guests in the near future. The Cowboy Rides Away Tour 2014 dates are as follows: January 9, 2014 CenturyLink│Bossier City, La. January 10, 2014 Frank Erwin Center│Austin, Texas January 17, 2014 CenturyLink Center│Omaha, Neb. January 18, 2014 Sprint Center│Kansas City, Mo. January 30, 2014 SAP Center│San Jose, Calif. January 31, 2014 Valley View Casino Center│San Diego, Calif. February 1, 2014 MGM Grand Arena│Las Vegas, Nev. February 7, 2014 US Airways Center│Phoenix, Ariz. February 8, 2014 Staples Center│Los Angeles, Calif. February 14, 2014 The Palace of Auburn Hills │Auburn Hills, Mich. February 15, 2014 Nationwide Arena│Columbus, Ohio February 28, 2014 Wells Fargo Arena│Philadelphia, Pa. March 1, 2014 Prudential Center│Newark, N.J. March 7, 2014 KFC Yum! Arena│Louisville, Ky. March 8, 2014 Allstate Arena│Chicago, Ill. March 21, 2014 Bridgestone Arena│Nashville, Tenn. March 22, 2014 Philips Arena│Atlanta, Ga. April 4, 2014 Intrust Bank Arena│ Wichita, Kan. April 5, 2014 Pepsi Center│Denver, Colo. April 11, 2014 The Moda Center│Portland, Ore. April 12, 2014 Tacoma Dome│Tacoma, Wash. April 18, 2014 Wells Fargo Arena│Des Moines, Iowa April 19, 2014 BOK Arena│Tulsa, Okla. May 23, 2014 LSU Tiger Stadium Bayou Country Superfest │Baton Rouge, La. May 31, 2014 Gillette Stadium │ Foxborough, Mass. TBD AT&T Stadium │Dallas, Texas **Update 9/10/2013** This was JUST posted to ALL Of George Strait‘s social outlets, and on George Strait’s official website: “Want to learn what cities George Strait will perform in during 2014 for the final leg of The Cowboy Rides Away Tour as they are revealed? Watch George’s press conference live from the iconic AT&T Stadium, home of the Dallas Cowboys, Monday, Sept. 9 beginning at 11:00 a.m. CDT at www.GeorgeStrait.com. In the meantime, you can re-watch last year’s announcement from Nashville’s Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum below. Live tweet to help us spread the word by using @georgestrait and #cowboyridesaway.”
Elektra recording artist, and Taylor Swift touring buddy, Ed Sheeran continues his extraordinary year with still another career milestone – after playing his first NYC show ever at the Mercury Lounge in early 2011, the 22-year old singer-songwriter has announced his debut headline performance at The World’s Most Famous Arena, New York City’s famed Madison Square Garden, set for Friday, November 1st. “My dad always said you haven’t made it ‘til you’ve played Madison Square Garden so it’s a massive honour,” says Sheeran. Tickets go on sale at 12 noon ET this Friday, August 23rd. Ed Sheeran fan pre-sale tickets will be available beginning Wednesday, August 21, at 12 noon ET
The Inspirational Country Music Association is excited to announce the finalists for the 2013 Inspirational Country Music Awards. Voted on by members, the categories include entertainer, artist, new artist, song, songwriter, group, duo, musician, radio, radio station, film and television honors, as well as newly-added categories Mainstream Country Male, Mainstream Country Female and Mainstream Country Group/Duo. This year’s finalists feature country music superstars, Bluegrass favorites and Inspirational Country music staples alike, including Dolly Parton, Carrie Underwood, Vince Gill, Darius Rucker, Chuck Day, Alan Jackson, The Roys and more. The 2013 ICM Faith, Family and Country Convention and Awards will take place at Two Rivers at Opryland in Music City on Oct 20-24, 2013; with the 19th annual Inspirational Country Music Awards taking place on October 24, 2013, at Two Rivers.
Yonder Mountain String Band is at it again with a super busy fall and winter 2013! Coming up in October and November 2013, YMSB hits select venues and music festivals in the Deep South, Midwest and Northeast, including their very own Harvest Festival (Mulberry Mountain: Ozark, Arkansas). For the fourth time, Yonder hosts the Harvest Festival from October 17 – 19, 2013. In December 2013, YMSB hosts “Strings & Sol” for the second-year-in-a-row at Now Sapphire Resort in Puerto Morelos, Mexico (Dec. 11 – 15), and performs a New Years Run at the Boulder Theater (Boulder, CO) from December 27 – 31. Stay up on all the latest YMSB news at http://www.yondermountain.com/
Thunder On The Mountain – Day 2 – Through The Eyes Of HaleighT. After some eggs and bacon bright and early, I showered and cleaned up and was ready for day two of Thunder On The Mountain! I was really excited to try EVERYTHING that Thunder had to offer, but unfortunately, because of the storms the previous week, there was no Ferris wheel. However the water-slide was set up and ready to go. I gave it some good thought and decided it just wasn’t hot enough for me to cross that off of my TOTM bucket list (there’s always next year). The Music. The music started early again and I made my way throughout the grounds to catch as many shows as I could. I started out with Woodshed at the George’s Majestic Backwoods Stage. I then split my time between Kelly Road, Kevin Fowler and Aaron Watson. I caught the first half of Kristen Kelly and the last half of Reckless Kelly. I really enjoyed RK’s set, especially because Cody Canada joined the guys. It’s always fun to see a long friendship like those guys have, play out on stage. Easton Corbin really impressed me. I loved his latest album and it was fun to see some of those songs live. After participating in a press conference earlier in the day for Sunny Ledford, I had to catch his show. It was a good time…he’s fun on stage and honestly does not care what anyone thinks of him. I must also add that the crowd for that show was interesting, but fun. After Sunny, I had a quick dinner and caught the second half of Montgomery Gentry. The night really got started when Luke Bryan hit the stage, I was with all my friends and we danced and danced while Luke shook his stuff on stage. Anyone who has ever been to one of his shows knows the crazy amount of energy he has and how contagious it can be! After Luke a small group of us decided to head to the Hideout, which was the dance club/karaoke part of TOTM. It was fun to watch people, but sadly for us we didn’t get to get on stage. The list of people wanting to sing was extremely long and if I would have known I would have signed up earlier in the day…because I’m all about some karaoke! For the second night in a row, I went to bed in the early hours of the morning. But again, I was up bright and early for the final day of TOTM!
From her glimmering mini skirt to her bedazzled microphone, Kristen Kelly sparkled at the inaugural Thunder on the Mountain country music festival. Currently on tour with Rascal Flatts, Kelly’s soulful, southern voice croons tales about love, love lost and, well, whiskey. “I may or may not be single thanks to Jack Daniels,” Kelly told the crowd before she belted out her catchy, unreleased tune, “When I Drink Whiskey.” Other crowd pleasers included a beautiful cover of “Angel from Montgomery” and, of course, her debut single “Ex-Old Man,” which had the audience singing and dancing along. “Life ain’t always easy, but it sure is beautiful. Never stop dreaming,” Kelly told the crowd at one point during her hour-long set. It’s pretty clear that the Lorena, Texas, native has experienced her fair share of heartache, as she later addressed the subject of having an ex-husband. Knowing what she’s been through causes her music to speak that much more loudly. A personal favorite Kristen Kelly tune, “He Loves to Make Me Cry,” is a smooth, romantic song that really shows off her range and strong vocals. It’s one of those songs that will make you want to grab your significant other and slow dance. Kelly seems like the kind of girl I’d want to be friends with. She’s genuine, she’s been through it and she’s got attitude. I feel as though she can drink with the boys while wearing heels and lipstick. Her music just makes you feel like – a woman. So, ladies, be sure to give Kristen Kelly a listen. This one’s for you. Don’t worry, boys. You can listen, too.
Thunder On The Mountain – Day 1 – Through The Eyes Of HaleighT. It is hard to believe that after months of preparation and exited jitters, the first-ever Thunder On The Mountain is behind us. After the three days of non-stop music, I find myself still trying to recover from my sleep deprivation and the loss of my voice. My fun filled work-cation began Wednesday night, June 7. I drove through the beautiful Mulberry Mountains and arrived at the festival grounds to check in and get my media credentials. I then drove to Ozark and had supper at Rivertowne BBQ, the smoked bologna with baked beans was to die! While eating, my partner in crime for the weekend, Melissa and I made some new friends. They were a group, I believe from Iowa, who had floated the river all day and would also be attending TOTM. Campground Set Up. The next morning was a bit of a hectic one, not for me but for those campers who decided to be at the festival gates when they opened at 6am. My cousin, Amme, rolled into the area with her fiancé and a group of friends around 4am. They had eight trucks and 11 campsites between them, over 20 people in their own little village. To say this group came prepared and ready to party is an understatement! Their headquarters were fully equipped with tents, canopies, ice chests, generators, grills, yard games and more. Fortunately for those festival goers who decided to wait for the sun to rise before they showed up, their entrance to the campgrounds and set up went a little smoother. In my down time between morning responsibilities and the first show, I along with Melissa, Riley and Tia (two of my weekend neighbors) went to get the feel of the land. We saw some interesting campsites, passed out fans to cool off festival goers and crossed a treacherously muddy field. At one point we had to cross a newly formed river by using an air mattress that was left behind from Wakarusa as our bridge. We really should have followed the flags that marked off the rough areas…oops. The Music Although campers and festival goers were still rolling in, the music for the day and the entire weekend began at 12:45pm. The first band to take the Country Pavilion stage was Whiskey Myers and boy was this an excellent choice! They definitely set the mood for the weekend and got the crowd primed and ready to go. As soon as Whiskey Myers set was over, the hardest part of TOTM began, choosing which stage to go to and what act to see, because from this point on there were multiple stages occupied with live performances. My day seemed like a whirlwind, I saw Aaron Watson, Shooter Jennings, parts of Bucky Covington, Greg Bates and Reckless Kelly before a short dinner. I then, was BLOWN AWAY by Randy Houser’s performance. I had seen him before, but his type of Continue reading Thunder On The Mountain-Day 1
Like the roads leading up to Mulberry Mountain, the talent of the musical acts appearing at the first ever Thunder on the Mountain country music festival was steep. With headliners Luke Bryan and Toby Keith and over 50 other acts including Justin Moore, Easton Corbin, Montgomery Gentry, Casey Donahew Band and Thompson Square, this festival did, in fact, bring the thunder. In addition to three days and three stages filled with booming entertainment, the festival’s setting was a force to be reckoned with. Located on 650 acres of breathtaking hills, big skies and gorgeous scenery, it was hard not to consider your surroundings as another main act. Camping, fishing, rafting, hiking and even helicopter rides were available to festival goers – along with a wide selection of food and shopping options. The Bud Light Main Stage housed the festival’s bigger acts. If you were looking for a more private show, the Country Pavilion and George’s Majestic Backwoods Stage provided a smaller, more intimate backdrop. The great thing about country music is how gracious the artists are when it comes to their fans. Recurring statements such as, “Thank you,” “We couldn’t do this without you,” and “We love you,” were uttered from artists’ lips throughout the entirety of the festival. On Saturday night when the last of the tour buses rolled out and the dust settled, hearts sank, yet simultaneously fluttered with excitement at the thought of what is in store for next year. If you couldn’t make it to Thunder on the Mountain this year, do yourself a favor and don’t make the same mistake twice. Make the drive up that curvy, winding road in 2014. You won’t be disappointed.
