Ronnie Dunn Moves Forward with Solo Album

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The breakup has passed and goodbyes were sweet. Now Ronnie Dunn is ready to get back in the studio. Ronnie Dunn, of Brooks & Dunn fame, has been reported to be working on a solo album that may be out in mid-spring of 2011. Ronnie is said to take on a producing role as well as being the main talent, according to Renee Bell, executive vice president of A&R at Sony Music Nashville. We wish Ronnie Dunn the best of luck and are sure the faithful fans will support him.

Blake Shelton Joins Grand Ole Opry

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Blake Shelton would be the the first country artists invited to the Grand Ole Opry via Twitter, wouldn’t he? The Grand Ole Opry extended a more-than-appropriate invitation for the seldom-appropriate Mr. Blake Shelton to join the ranks using the popular micro-blogging service Twitter this week. Following a performance by Blake, a screen at the back of the stage displayed the note from @opry: “@blakeshelton, you’re invited to join the Grand Ole Opry. See you on 10/23/2010!” This marks the first new invite from the Opry following the devastating flood that ground Nashville to a halt earlier this year. I don’t know what I ever did in the last year or so to turn Nashville’s head a little bit, but whatever I did, man, I love this,” Blake said. “This right here is hands down the highlight of my career. Thank you so much. Miranda Lambert‘s response: “I am engaged to a member of the Grand Ole’ Opry!!!! That rocks:).” She sent it, appropriately, via Twitter. Country Music Photo Gallery

Taylor Swift: Todd VS High School

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Taylor Swift hits the silver screen again in Todd VS High School. Taylor Swift was spotted on the set of the upcoming film, Todd VS High School and is reported to play a supporting role. The film, due to release this fall, documents the real-life social experiment of Todd Gallagher as he re-enters high school. As a National Merit Scholar, and Mensa-level genius, it surprised many that Todd was kicked out of numerous schools and barely graduated due to a low GPA. This documentary takes you along as Todd re-enters high school seeking that elusive 4.0 grade, athletic success, and authority figure approval. This is Taylor Swift’s second big-screen film role, following her debut in Valentine’s Day in 2009.

WIN Kenny Chesney’s Hemingway’s Whiskey from CMNB!

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CMNB is giving away Kenny Chesney’s latest album Hemingway’s Whiskey, along with autographed album posters! Kenny Chesney‘s latest album, “Hemingway’s Whiskey” hits store shelves tomorrow morning, and to celebrate, Country Music News Blog is giving it all away! For the next three days, subscribers to our email newsletter will have the chance to win one of 3 Kenny Chesney Prize Packs each day! The prize pack includes one physical copy of the Hemingway’s Whiskey album, and one AUTOGRAPHED 9×11 Album Poster. To add to the fun, on Friday one special winner will receive a Grand Prize which includes one copy of the Hemingway’s Whiskey Deluxe Edition CD+DVD and one Autographed 9×11 Album Poster! Can’t wait to win? You can pre-order Kenny Chesney’s Hemingway’s Whiskey NOW on iTunes! *You MUST be subscribed to our Email Newsletter to win! *Winners will be selected by a random drawing from our entire list of email subscribers on Sept 28th, 29th, 30th, and Oct 1st, and notified individually. *Winners will be notified via email and have 48 hours to confirm. *Prize provided by Sony Music Group! *Please add news@countrymusicnewsblog.com to your safe-senders list to be sure you receive our winner notification!Country Music Photo Gallery

Taylor Swift Speak Now Track List

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Taylor Swift releases the track list for her upcoming album, Speak Now. We’re just a short month away from the release of Taylor Swift‘s new album, “Speak Now“, and fans are getting the first look at the list of songs included on the album. Speak Now Track List: 1. Mine 2. Sparks Fly 3. Back to December 4. Speak Now 5. Dear John 6. Mean 7. The Story of Us 8. Never Grow Up 9. Enchanted 10. Better Than Revenge 11. Innocent 12. Haunted 13. Last Kiss 14. Long LiveCountry Music Photo Gallery

Kenny Chesney – CMT Invitation Only – DVR Reminder

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Just a friendly reminder to set your DVR’s for Kenny Chesney’s Invitation Only, airing on CMT tomorrow night! CMT will premiere Kenny Chesney’s episode of “Invitation Only” on September 27th at 10p (ET). In this one-hour special, Kenny performs some of his biggest hits including “When The Sun Goes Down”, “Out Last Night,” and more. He also debuts five new songs from “Hemingway’s Whiskey,” including the title track and his latest single “Boys of Fall.” While answering questions from fans, Chesney reveals the strangest gift he has ever received from a fan, gives his advice to new artists and discusses what stands out about his new album.

Introducing Melanie Denard

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Powerful vocalist Melanie Denard makes her CMNB debut! Melanie Denard is about to punch country music right in the gut with her powerful voice, then cure the pain with her pure sweetness. This Georgia native is a newcomer to the mainstream country music industry, and she’s finding more and more welcome mats at every doorstep. Get to know Melanie Denard as she talks about her debut album “Dare to Live”. [youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9rMkNOi3DiI]Country Music Photo Gallery

Country Music on iTunes

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Country, Country Pop Rock, Country, Classic Country, Oldies, Nostalgia or Country, Top 40, Pop? If you use iTunes to purchase / organize your music, you may be familiar with the Genre column which allows you to assign a song as a particular Genre to assist in categorizing, sorting or creating playlists for your music. iTunes has 39 Genres available to choose from, including None, Custom and Unclassifiable (?), but what struck me as interesting is that there are 4 Genres for Country – the only Genre with more that 1 Genre choice. These Genres include “Country”, “Country Pop Rock”, “Country, Classic Country, Oldies, Nostalgia” or “Country, Top 40, Pop”. Has Country music become so diversified musically that 4 Genres are necessary? Would Taylor Swift or Carrie Underwood be classified as Country Pop Rock or Country, Top 40, Pop? How about Lady Antebellum or Zac Brown Band? How about Jason Aldean? Blake Shelton? How would these artists be classified? Veterans like George Strait and Alan Jackson, who still come out with new releases but have a “classic sound”, are they just Country or “Country, Classic Country, Oldies, Nostalgia”? You would think with all these Genres it would make it easy to search for “Country Pop Rock” music within the iTunes store, but that is not the case. In fact the top result for that search is the band Big Country. Anyone have any thoughts or am I the only one confused by this? Keep it Country, Jim Nash V. Jim Nash V is a contributing writer with a passion for country music. Jim works to promote line dancing and country music in Long Island New York. For more on Jim, visit YeeHawLI.comCountry Music Photo Gallery

Mike McGuire Releases Debut CD

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Mike McGuire, formerly of the hit band Shenandoah, releases 6-track solo debut. It’s been a while since someone played “Two Dozen Roses” on the radio, but Shenandoah‘s drummer Mike McGuire doesn’t mind. That’s because Mike has been writing songs and singing demos. While his songs have been recorded by big artists like Darryl Worley and Reba, it tTurns out, those demos are really where the good stuff happens. After much convincing from friends and fans, Mike McGuire has finally released his own 6-track solo debut. “Six Pack” celebrates a digital release on Amazon, iTunes, and other online retailers. There is no word on retail distribution at this time. “I never dreamed I’d be putting out my own solo project.”, says McGuire. “I’ve always just been a harmony singer and songwriter, but I had so many songwriter friends and Shenandoah fans encourage me to make my own CD because they had heard me singing my song demos and wanted copies. So I figured it would be fun to do and just did it.” Country Music Photo Gallery