Country Stars In Line-up For Johnny Cash Tribute in Austin. Country artists including Kenny Chesney, Ronnie Dunn, Shooter Jennings, Kris Kristofferson, Jamey Johnson and more, are in the line-up for a special tribute concert, “We Walk the Line: A Celebration of the Music of Johnny Cash“! The concert is scheduled for Friday, April 20th in Austin, TX, and will be held at the Austin City Limits Live Venue. Tickets will go on sale Wednesday, February 29th.
Rascal Flatts Get A Little Wild in New Video for Banjo. Rascal Flatts has released the video for their brand new single, “Banjo“, and its kind of crazy ride. The concept for this video is really fun with Gary Levox, Jay DeMarcus and Joe Don Rooney all filling different “jobs”, and somehow managing to end up singing about a Banjo. Now, I will admit the leggy scantily clad banjo player intercut throughout the video is kind of overkill, and LeVox basically ends up muddin’ in the back roads of Nashville in a tour bus full of sight seers which is a little absurd. At the same time though, they definitely get points for an original idea, and doing something I really didn’t expect! Check it out below, and see what you think. Are you a fan of their new single? Rascal Flatts, “Banjo”. Banjo – Rascal Flatts – Rascal Flatts Videos
Lady Antebellum New Video for Single Dancin’ Away With My Heart. Lady Antebellum‘s have released a video for their nostalgic single “Dancin’ Away With My Heart“. For the most part, this video is really simple. It mostly just utilizes footage of the trio performing the song at concerts with a little backstage footage mixed in. I think fans will definitely get a kick out of the video’s open though. Each of the Lady A’s members shares a memory of their first dance and which song they were dancin’ to! Its fun to get this little bit of insight into the band and where they get the inspiration for their music! Check out the video below! When was your first dance? What song did you dance to? Lady Antebellum, “Dancin’ Away With My Heart”. [youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fU00qvYuq24]
Little Big Town And Jay Joyce Are Set To Collaborate On The Band’s 5th Studio Album! Little Big Town announced that they will be working with producer, Jay Joyce, on their fifth studio album. Karen, Kimberly, Jimi and Phillip will be hitting the studio this week to work with Joyce who has previously worked with Eric Church and the Wallflowers. This Wednesday fans can get a look inside the studio and the recording process via Livestream. The band will fill fans in on exciting details about the new album, starting with a live chat at 5:45 pm CST. Once the chat is over the stream will remain live the rest of the night. Here is the link that will allow you access to all the fun! http://new.livestream.com/littlebigtown/studiocam
CMNB Would Like You to Meet JT Hodges! I recently had the chance to chat with this ACM New Artist nominee (He was in the group of finalists, but didn’t make the final three. He said it was great just to be considered at all though!) So, let me tell you, this guy is about as down-to-earth as they come! With deep roots in the music business, JT Hodges is a legitimate artist with some serious musical chops! Growing up in Fort Worth, TX helping out at his Dad’s studio, he was exposed to a range of music at a young age, and this influence is evident in the depth and quality of his own music. You may have heard his debut single, “Hunt You Down” which hit airwaves summer of 2011, or perhaps, you checked out single #2 that released just a week or so ago, “Goodbyes Made You Mine“. (If you haven’t taken a listen to these tunes yet, I suggest you make that happen!). In these songs you will hear a genuine, honest voice with just the right mixture of classic country and a bit of a rock edge. Hodges says that the rock element is definitely there in his music, but he gravitates towards country music because he likes songs that have something to say and that’s what country offers. These two singles will be featured on his debut (most likely self-titled) album which is tentatively slated for a Summer 2012 release. Hodges told me that the album is representative of his journey up to this point with inspiration for various tracks ranging from things that happened from six months to ten years ago! He also said that there’s just a little somethin’ on the album for everyone, no matter what you like! So, keep your ears open for JT’s album this summer, and in the mean time, check out his two singles! I’ll give you a head start and include one of his videos below (Bonus points if you can tell me where it was shot…just by watching)! JT Hodges “Hunt You Down” Video. [youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i8uTAFIW1RA&ob=av2e]
Luke Bryan Shares Rendition of “Someone Like You” with Fans at Concert. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: One of the best things about Luke Bryan is that this man knows how to put on a good show. He interacts with his fans, he gets a little crazy, and he isn’t afraid to step outside of the box! Most recently, he shared his rendition of Adele‘s popular single “Someone Like You” in his performance on tour with Jason Aldean in Nashville. Bryan doesn’t really hit all the high notes like Adele can, but there’s something simultaneously cute and sexy about him singing along with his baseball cap and jeans to this particular song. Oh, and did I mention that he is playing the piano (he says he sucks at it, but I’m not buying it)…I mean, does anyone else think that’s hot? Check it out below! Luke Bryan Sings “Someone Like You”. [youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NQ7AGl2t79c]
George Strait Canceled Saturday Concert at Last Minute. George Strait canceled his Saturday, February 25th concert at literally the last minute. The performance in Kansas City was part of a brief tour with Martina McBride, and Strait canceled his part of the gig after McBride’s hour-long opening set. Reportedly, he came out on stage, sang one song from his latest album, Here for a Good Time, then had to call it quits when his voice became hoarse. This was the last stop of the short tour, but George (presumably along with Martina) will make-up the concert on March 3rd at the Sprint Center. We sure do hope he’s doing alright!
Taylor Swift Has Got Herself a Date to the ACM Awards. Taylor Swift has invited fan, Kevin McGuire, to attend the ACM Awards with her! Kevin is an 18yr old from Somerdale, NJ, who is suffering from leukemia. Swift’s invite comes in response to the Facebook campaign created by McGuire’s sister. The teen hoped that Taylor would attend his prom with him, but in a post written by Swift, she stated that she couldn’t make it to the prom. I think an invite to the ACM Awards in Vegas could just as easily lead to a night Kevin would cherish! Regardless of whether or not you’re a fan of her music, you can’t deny that it takes a generous and cool person to invite a fan to an industry award show. Taylor is currently nominated for three ACMs. Click here for the complete list.
Here Is The Music Video For Keith Urban’s New Single “For You.” Keith Urban’s latest single “For You” is one with a pretty deep meaning. At first listen, I thought it was a love song, but when I immediately played it again I realized that there was more to it. This just goes to show how each person can take a song a different way. The song also features Urban’s amazing guitar skills that he is known for! For those of you who haven’t heard it, you can get two birds with one stone…Listen and watch the video now!
Chris Young’s Caricature Is Unveiled At The Nashville Palm. On February 22, Chris Young autographed a caricature of himself on the wall of The Nashville Palm. He will be a permanent fixture on the walls of the restaurant, with fellow country artists and more. “Chris is a great addition to our since he has participated in several fundraising events at The Palm for Make A Wish Foundation of Middle Tennessee as well as Stars for Stripes. We’re honored that Chris could stop by in the midst of CRS week and his national tour. We’re proud that he’ll be a permanent fixture here.” -Paige Dixon, sales manager for The Palm The caricature tradition started when Pio Bozzi and John Ganzi opened The Palm in 1926. They had no money to decorate and offered meals in exchange for cartoon work by artists. Today all Palm locations feature a variety of caricatures of celebrities, politicians, athletes, regular customers and people of note as well as classic cartoons. “The Palm is such a mainstay in this city and in the music community. It’s pretty cool to be part of this Nashville institution.” -Chris Young
