Lady Antebellum’s Interview Backstage at the 2011 ACM Awards. Lady Antebellum cleaned up at this year’s ACM Awards having won 3 awards for Vocal Group of the Year and Album of the Year as both artist and producer. In all the excitement, they took the time to chat for a few minutes about the making of the album, their success, what’s next and what they would be doing if it they didn’t have music! You can check out the interview now!
Craig Morgan to Headline Debut of First Annual NRA Country Jam. Craig Morgan, whom you may know for his sassy farmer championing tune “International Harvester“, is a former service member and a continuing supporter of the U.S. Military. Thus he has been chosen as the headliner for NRA’s First Annual Country Jam at Stage AE in Pittsburgh, PA Friday, April 29th. Fellow Black River Entertainment Label mates Sarah Darling and Due West will be opening the show. A portion of the proceeds from ticket sales will go the Folds of Honor Foundation, a non-profit which provides post-secondary educational scholarships for children and spouses of U.S. military service members killed or disabled during service and has provided $9.8 million in scholarships since 2007. To find out more about the country jam click here.
David Nail’s “Let It Rain” Video Strikes A Nerve. Singer/songwriter David Nail is talented to be sure. He manages to encompass the bittersweetness of broken relationships and lost loves in an honest and relatable way that avoids being cliche through songs like “Red Light“, “Clouds” and “Missouri” featured on his first album, I’m About To Come Alive. His latest single, “Let It Rain” seems to follow the same vein. In true country form, “Let It Rain” is all about cheating. The interesting thing, though, is it is told from the sorrowful perspective of the remorse-filled cheater. The song truly feels honest, and is just as relatable as David’s earlier songs. However, the video for “Let It Rain” puts an entirely different spin on the song. Quite frankly, it robs the lyrics of their honesty creating a shady, decidedly un-country vibe. From the opening shot of “the mistress”/”mistake”/”one-night stand” showering in the hotel bathroom to the sleek, and modern style of the hotel in which the video is set, the entire setting presents an image contrary to the remorse in the lyrics and Nail’s voice. It is difficult to believe the message of the lyrics or to feel anything beyond disdain when we’re seeing the aftermath of the affair which caused a wife pain and ended a marriage. Another, startling aspect of the video is the distance between the two characters in the video. They are never seen to interact at all, which just adds to the assumption that the affair was of little meaning. This creates even less sympathy, and causes a disconnect between the listener and the song. Overall, the video on some levels ruins the song and leaves me feeling unsettled, and unsympathetic. You can watch the video now, and let me know what you think. [youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pvxAiLqF7C0]
Country Nominees Announced for 2011 Billboard Music Awards! The 2011 Billboard Music Awards nominees have been announced, and country music is well represented in multiple categories! Check it out below! Nominees are determined by chart performance as well as social and streaming activity as compiled by Billboard between February 28, 2010 and March 1, 2011. The 2011 Billboard Music Awards will be televised on ABC on Sunday, May 22nd at 8pm ET. Top Country Artist Jason Aldean Kenny Chesney Lady Antebellum Taylor Swift Zac Brown Band Top Country Album Jason Aldean My Kinda Party Lady Antebellum Need You Now Sugarland The Incredible Machine Taylor Swift Speak Now Zac Brown Band The Foundation Top Country Song The Band Perry If I Die Young Lady Antebellum Need You Now Miranda Lambert The House That Built Me Sugarland Stuck Like Glue Taylor Swift Mine Top Artist Taylor Swift Justin Bieber Lady Gaga Eminem Rihanna Top Billboard 200 Album Taylor Swift Speak Now Lady Antebellum Need You Now Eminem Recovery Susan Boyle The Gift Justin Bieber My World 2.0 Top Duo/Group Lady Antebellum U2 Linkin Park Bon Jovi Black Eyed Peas Top Streaming Song (Audio) Lady Antebellum Need You Now Bruno Mars Just The Way You Are Nelly Just A Dream Eminem feat. Rihanna Love The Way You Lie Taio Cruz Dynamite Top Billboard 200 Artist Taylor Swift Lady Antebellum Eminem Susan Boyle Justin Bieber Top Female Artist Taylor Swift Rihanna Katy Perry Lady Gaga Ke$sha
Jason Aldean and Kelly Clarkson to Perform on American Idol! Jason Aldean and Kelly Clarkson, American Idol’s Season 1 winner, will be featured as guest performers on Thursday night’s results show episode of American Idol. The two will be performing their hit song “Don’t You Wanna Stay“. Be sure to tune in to what promises to be an eventful show! The episode airs this Thursday, April 14th at 8/7c on FOX.
Toby Keith Performs Live on Dancing With The Stars. You might have caught Toby Kieth performing his latest single “Somewhere Else” at the ACMs, but if you didn’t it’s okay. Even if you did, and you want to see it again, you can! Keith will be performing LIVE on Dancing with the Stars next Tuesday, April 19th at 9pm ET/PT on ABC. You can also check out the “Somewhere Else” now, by clicking here. Keep your ears and eyes peeled because Keith is kicking off his “Locked and Loaded” tour with Eric Church, in just a couple months, June 30th in Mt. Pleasant, MI.
Faith Hill Returns with Second Flower Ad for Teleflora. Faith Hill is teaming up with Teleflora for a second time, this go round for Mother’s Day! Faith initially collaborated with the flower arrangement designers this year for Valentine’s Day, and the launch was hugely successful. A mother herself, she knows how important it is to support moms, and has designed eight new bouquets for “The Collection by Faith Hill” specifically for Mother’s Day! You probably caught the hilarious and popular Teleflora Valentine’s commercial when it aired during the Superbowl earlier this year. Well, Faith is reuniting with the well meaning but clueless sound engineer for a second 30-second television spot, which is set to air on network TV and women-focused cable television channels, Wednesday, April 27th. If you missed it the first time, you can check out the hilarious television spot now. [youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c8VBQioFH44] I Wonder what the engineer will try to say to his mom? I really hope he stays away from her rack… You can check out “The Collection by Faith Hill” by clicking here.
Trace Adkins Special Guest Judge on CMT’s Next Superstar! Trace Adkins, in an effort to promote the release of his latest single “Just Fishin’“, will be appearing as a special guest judge on this week’s episode of CMT’s Next Superstar. The remaining contestants are given the task of performing in groups of three on the street for tips only. The group who receives the least amount of tips will have to “sing to survive” with Adkins as their judge! The episode airs this Friday, April 15th at 9pm ET on CMT. You can check out Adkins new single by clicking here!
Brad Paisley Featured On Cover of Billboard Magazine! Congrats are in order for Brad Paisleyfor making the cover story for this week’s issue of Billboard magazine! Brad discusses his country roots and eventual rise to stardom, as well as getting detailed on his latest album, “This is Country Music“, giving Billboard and fans a little background on each individual song! You can check out the Brad feature by clicking here!
Ashton Shepherd Performs National Anthem for NASCAR. Ashton Shepherd, whose current single “Look It Up” is rising in popularity on country music airwaves, is set to perform the National Anthem this Sunday, April 17th at the prestigious Aaron’s 499 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race in Talladega, AL. Ashton’s performance, as well as the race, will be televised on FOX, so check local listings!
