Sara Evans Releases Third Novel

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Sara Evans Releases Her Third Novel, “Love Lifted Me”. Sara Evans released her third novel, “Love Lifted Me“, on Tuesday, January 3rd. This is the third and final installment of her trilogy of books including “Softly and Tenderly” and “The Sweet By and By” which she began releasing in 2010. All three of the books were co-written with Rachel Hauck. For ordering details, click here. I’m wondering if Sara will start up another series of books or keep focusing on her musical career. Have you read any of her books so far? Would you like to see more of them?

Taylor Swift Stars In Les Miserables

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Taylor Swift Offered Role In Film Adaption of Classic Les Miserables Taylor Swift has been offered the role Eponine in an upcoming film adaption of the classic Les Miserables for which she recently auditioned. Word on the street is that Swift was up against Hollywood talents like Lea Michele, Evan Rachel Wood and Scarlett Johansson. While there hasn’t been word yet on whether or not she will expect the offer, it seems likely. Universal is set to start production in March with an end goal of a December 2012 release. Taylor has grounded her career in country music (remember, she won CMA Entertainer of the Year just a few weeks ago…), and accumulated a massive fan base and wide appeal beyond the country genre collaborating with pop stars and rappers. So, it seems, despite an onslaught of industry awards, she has been reaching beyond the country music world for some time now. Reportedly, she is working on another album, but with an offer like this, I can’t help but wonder if Swift is jumping ship and making a change in her career path. What do you think? Is Taylor Swift leaving country music behind or just making room for more avenues of success?

BamaJam 2012 Dates Announced

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BamaJam Returns for 2012! BamaJam is back after missing the 2011 festival circuit, and the 2012 dates have been set! This year BamaJam will be from June 14th to June 16th outside Enterprise, AL in rural Coffee County. So far these are the only details available for this year, but with previous headliners including the likes of Brooks & Dunn, Jason Aldean, Taylor Swift, Hank Williams Jr., Kid Rock and others, we can be sure the line-up will be a good. This will be the fourth BamaJam to take place since its beginning in 2008. It was canceled last year due to federal charges leveled at festival founder, Ronnie Gilley for bribing legislators. He is no longer a leader in the organization of the festival, but remains on staff with a company working with the festival’s entertainment venue, BamaJam Farms where the music event will be held. Stay tuned for more details on 2012 BamaJam!

Chris Young Sells Out Billy Bob’s Ft. Worth

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Chris Young Finds Out How Big The Crowds Are In Texas! Chris Young had a sold out performance on New Year’s Eve at Billy Bob’s in Ft. Worth, Texas. With close to 6,000 tickets sold, this was Young’s biggest headlining show to date! “Chris Young’s high energy performance in front of a sold out crowd was among the best New Year’s Eve shows in Billy Bob’s Texas History. It was perfect to close 2011 with the talent and optimism of a star that has such an unlimited future ahead of him. We are already looking forward to his return to Billy Bob’s.” -Venue President, Concho Minick Young’s massive success in the region has sparked other big dates as he is set for headlining shows at the San Antonio rodeo with more dates to be announced in the coming weeks! Young is also the special guest on Miranda Lambert’s “On Fire” tour, beginning January 12th in Rockford, IL. “You” is Young’s current single from his album NEON. The hit is in the Top 10 and rising!

Norah Jones Releases Country Album

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Norah Jones’ Side Project The Little Willies Release Album of Country Covers Norah Jones is know for her soulful voice and music as a jazz/pop artist. However, she is releasing a second album titled For The Good Times of country covers with side project, The Little Willies. The group first got together in 2003, and now includes Norah on piano/vocals, Richard Julian on vocals, Jim Campilongo on guitar, Lee Alexander on bass, and Dan Rieser on drums. This is the follow up to their first album, The Little Willies. The track listing includes covers of several of the iconic classics like Loretta Lynn, Dolly Parton, Johnny Cash and, of course, Willie Nelson. The band is in fact named after Nelson, as he was one of her childhood favorites! You’ll find a complete track listing below, and be sure to check out what promises to be an intriguing album! I know I’m curious to hear their rendition of “Jolene“! For The Good Times releases Tuesday, January 10th and is currently available for pre-order. For The Good Times, Complete Track Listing 1. I Worship You 2. Remember Me 3. Diesel Smoke, Dangerous Curves 4. Lovesick Blues 5. Tommy Rockwood 6. First City 7. Permanently Lonely 8. Foul Owl On The Prowl 9. Wide Open Road 10. For The Good Times 11. If You’ve Got The Money I’ve Got The Times 12. Jolene 13. Pennies On The Floor (Bonus Track)

Lauren Alaina Releases New Video

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Lauren Alaina Debuts New Video for Single “Georgia Peaches”. Lauren Alaina is set to release her video for her single “Georgia Peaches” this Friday, January 6th. The video will release on CMT at 8am ET/PT and will feature a 15 minute behind-the-scenes peak of the shoot. The video debut will also include an interview with Alaina! Lauren will be kicking off her tour with Jason Aldean and Luke Bryan on January 20th in Greenville, SC. In the meantime, watch Alaina’s performance of “Georgia Peaches” from NYE! (This young lady sure knows how to work a crowd!) [youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oJxdgQf1rYs#!]

NRA Country Artist Of The Month

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Trace Adkins Announced As NRA Country January Artist Of The Month! January’s NRA Country Artist of the Month is Trace Adkins! The month-long promotion gives fans the opportunity to check out a never before seen, behind the scenes look at a recent photo shoot on his personal farm near Nashville. The exclusive video can be seen here! In addition to the video, fans can register to win a NRA Country prize pack, including a hat and t-shirt of choice! Click HERE from now through the end of January to register to win! “I grew up in the Sportsman’s Paradise – Louisiana, so I guess it isn’t a surprise that the great outdoors has always been a big part of my life. All my favorite memories involve the outdoors – whether it was playing outside as a kid, playing football in college, goofing around with my kids, or going hunting. I support NRA Country because they share my love of the outdoors and my wish to safeguard America’s hunting heritage. I am Trace Adkins and I am NRA Country.” Fans can also catch Trace at the 2nd Annual NRA Country Jam on April 13th, during the NRA Annual Meeting in St. Louis. Tickets will be on sale soon, just visit NRACountry.com for more information. For those of you wanting to see Trace in concert and do your part to help charities at the same time you are in luck! Great tickets and VIP Charity Packages are available exclusively at NRACountry.com to benefit NRA Country Cares, working to help charities supporting our military, American farmers, firearm safety and other important causes. Click HERE for more information!

Tim McGraw Emotional Traffic Releases January 24

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Tim McGraw’s Long-Awaited Emotional Traffic Will Release January 2012! After a long court battle which was partially resolved in November, Tim McGraw and Curb Records have set a release date for the long-awaited Emotional Traffic album, and fans can expect it to be available January 24th. The album features 12 tracks including latest #1 hit, “Felt Good On My Lips” and his current single, “Better Than I Used To Be”. The entire album was co-produced by McGraw along with Byron Gilmore, and McGraw also co-wrote, “I Will Not Fall Down” with Martina McBride and Brett and Brad Warren. Interestingly, R&B star Ne-Yo is thrown into the mix somehow featured on the “Only Human” track. All in all, we’ve been really curious about this album for awhile, and with these new details the curiosity is only growing! Emotional Traffic Complete Track Listing 1. Halo 2. Right Back Actha Babe 3. One Part, Two Part 4. I Will Not Fall Down 5. The One 6. Better Than I Used To Be 7. Touchdown Jesus 8. The One That Got Away 9. Felt Good On My Lips 10. Hey Now 11. Only Human 12. Die By My Own Hand

Chicago Bluegrass and Blues Festival 2012

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Details on the 2012 Festival Showcasing Bluegrass and Blues! The Chicago Bluegrass and Blues Festival is in its fourth year, and for the 2012 round of performances they are going to need more than just one weekend. Festival organizers have expanded the festivities to include an additional weekend in January. There will be a line-up of amazing performances on Saturday, January 21st and a second line-up of equally amazing performances on Saturday, January 28th. You can find details on both line-ups below! Tickets for the 21st run between $39.50 and $59.50. Tickets for the 28th are going for $35-$45. Saturday, January 21st, 2012 “Big Mon Jam” feat. the Del McCoury Band & David Grisman The Bluegrass Ball feat. The Travelin’ McCourys, Bill Nershi of String Cheese Incident, and Jeff Austin of Yonder Mountain String Band Additional Full Sets Include Del McCoury Band David Grisman Quintet Joe Purdy The Giving Tree Band Henhouse Prowlers Majors Junction Saturday, January 28th, 2012 Drive-By Truckers Dawes Joe Pug Van Ghost Bailiff Jaik Willis The Shams Band Great Divide Jon Drake & The Shakes Ben Ripani Music Co. Go Long Mule The Future Laureates Band Called Catch Michele McGuire Paper Thick Walls

Yonder Mountain String Band Cabin Fever Tour

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Details On Neo-Bluegrass Group, Yonder Mountain String Band, 2012 Tour! Yonder Mountain String Band will be kicking off 2012 with their Cabin Fever Tour! The neo-bluegrass group will be hitting spots from the Gulf to Appalachia to the Midwest between February and March. So, chances are they are coming somewhere close to you! For a complete list of tour dates, see below! Beyond tackling their Cabin Fever Tour YMSB is also finishing up an album to release later this year! Their current album, The Show is currently available. Yonder Mountain String Band 2012 Cabin Fever Tour Dates 12.27.2011: Boulder, CO @ Boulder Theater 12.28.2011: Boulder, CO @ Boulder Theater 12.29.2011: Boulder, CO @ Boulder Theater 12.30.2011: Boulder, CO @ Boulder Theater 12.31.2011: Boulder, CO @ Boulder Theater – SOLD OUT 2.08.2012: Fayetteville, AR @ George’s Majestic 2.09.2012: Baton Rouge, LA @ Varsity Theatre 2.10.2012: Nashville, TN @ Marathon Music Works 2.11.2012: Atlanta, GA @ Tabernacle 2.12.2012: Birmingham, AL @ Workplay Theatre Soundstage 2.15.2012: Pensacola, FL @ Vinyl Music Hall 2.16.2012: Orlando, FL @ Beacham Theatre 2.17.2012: Fort Lauderdale, FL @ Revolution 2.18.2012: St. Petersburg, FL @ Jannus Live 2.19.2012: Jacksonville, FL @ Freebird Cafe 2.22.2012: Charleston, SC @ Music Farm 2.23.2012: Asheville, NC @ The Orange Peel 2.24.2012: Asheville, NC @ The Orange Peel 2.25.2012: Knoxville, TN @ Tennessee Theater 2.26.2012: Charlottesville, VA @ Jefferson Theatre 2.29.2012: Lexington, KY @ Buster’s 3.01.2012: Columbus, OH @ Newport Music Hall 3.02.2012: Covington, KY @ Madison Theatre 3.03.2012: Madison, WI @ Orpheum Theatre 3.04.2012: Urbana, IL @ Canopy Club 3.24.2012: Live Oak, FL @ Suwannee Springfest Haven’t met YMSB? Check out this video of their live performance on Craig Ferguson to see just how awesome they are! [youtube:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g8WQRB2C1gI]