Mel McDaniel Benefit Performance and Auction

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Mel McDaniel needs your help! Benefit auction and concert to assist Grand Ole Opry member. Friends and fellow country artists of Grand Ole Opry member Mel McDaniel have joined forces deliver a music-filled, star-laced benefit concert and auction Thursday, Aug. 13, for the ailing singer. McDaniel was hospitalized July 6 following a mid-June heart attack and placed in a medically induced coma by doctors. On July 22, an Opry spokeswoman reported that the Oklahoma-born singer, whose hits include “Stand Up,” “Baby’s Got Her Blue Jeans On” and “Louisiana Saturday Night,” was being released to a rehabilitative center for continuing care. In a collective effort to assist McDaniel and wife Peggy with their mounting medical costs, members of the Nashville country-music community have organized a 6-10 p.m. concert and silent auction at the famed Nashville Palace, 2611 McGavock Pike, with proceeds benefiting singer-songwriter McDaniel. Broadcast veteran Keith Bilbrey reportedly is set to emcee the event, which will feature guest performances by some of McDaniel’s Opry family, including Little Jimmy Dickens, Jean Shepherd and Jim Ed Brown, as well as Rick Blaylock, Alison Clements, Jared Rogers, Tommy Cash, Buddy Jewel, David Ball, Guy Gilcrest, T-Bell, Jet Jurgensmeyer, Helen Cornelius, Ken Peletier, Ricky Lynn Gregg, Jimmy Fortune, T. Graham Brown, Billy Are, Hank Beach, Charlie Louvin, Don Wayne, Jack Greene, Jimmy C. Newman, Larry Paxton and Candi Apple Red, among others. McDaniel’s band, Oklahoma Wind, will provide backing music for the lineup. “Mel and his wife are such dear people and friends to so many,” said InLight Records artist and volunteer performer Tommy Cash. “We hope to have a great turnout for this event and make some great music along the way. Our prayers and thoughts are with the McDaniel family at this difficult time.” Benefit organizers report that thus far more than 50 items have been donated for auction, including the following: • One-week stay in Gatlinburg (three stays up for auction) • Two guitars autographed by Opry Members • One “Ole Mel” logo guitar with Mel’s likeness painted by artist Guy Gilchrist • Larry Black Family Reunion DVD sets (three sets) • Dinner at Blue Moon Lagoon ($75) • Three-day Stays at Two Rivers Campground (two stays valued at 110 each) • Golfing at Gaylord Springs Golf Links (two) • Electronic/digital fire-proof safe ($339 value) • Dewalt radio ($140 value) • Tours from Tommy’s Tours for two people (two tours for auction) • Guitar autographed by Carrie Underwood • Two-night stay at Gaylord Opryland with dinner for two at Volare (694 value) • Bob Evans gift certificates • CDs, T-shirts, pictures of many artists • Autographed Titans football TICKETS: Tickets to the Aug. 13 benefit concert/auction, available at the door only, are $10 per person. (No presale tickets available for this event.) For additional admission or ticket information, please contact the venue at 615-889-1540 or visit www.nashvillepalace.net.Country Music Photo Gallery

Jason Aldean: Live Video DVD

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Jason Aldean has completed production and is set for release on his first-ever live DVD “Wide Open Live & More!” Jason Aldean joins the ranks of those country music superstars releasing live DVD’s this August with the launch of “Wide Open Live & More!” due out August  25th from Eagle Rock Entertainment. The footage was filmed at the Knoxville Coliseum this spring and features performances from his first three chart-topping albums. For a sneak peek, enjoy this video of “Big Green Tractor” which was just released on Friday! Big Green Tractor Official Press Release: New York, NY (July 24, 2009)–Country music fans swarmed the Knoxville Coliseum in March for a sold-out live concert DVD taping with platinum-selling country rocker Jason Aldean. Fans across the country will soon be able to find the Eagle Vision set titled Wide Open Live & More! in stores on Aug. 25 (Pre-book order date August 5, MSRP $14.98 for DVD, $24.98 for Blu-ray). The 15-song hi-definition special, available on DVD and Blu-ray, directed by Ivan Dudynsky, captures Aldean’s high-octane stage show and includes his biggest radio hits, as well as fan-favorite album cuts from his first three albums; Jason Aldean, Relentless and the already GOLD certified Wide Open. Bonus interview footage with the Georgia-native rounds out the 86-minute collection. “This is the coolest thing we’ve ever done together as a band,” said Aldean from Los Angeles, where he is taping The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien. “We aren’t quite at the point yet that we can afford to have all the toys on stage that some of the bigger guys out there have, so we have to work a little harder to get the crowd going. The energy in Knoxville was off the charts, and it’s just really special for us to have that night recorded. Now, people who might not be able to make it to one of the shows, but are curious to know what we do, can check it out too.” A tease of the live DVD debuted as the new music video for Aldean’s current smash country love song “Big Green Tractor” on Fri., July 24 through MySpace Music. The clip will also begin airing on all video networks in the coming weeks. Fans can catch Aldean headlining his Wide Open tour through the fall, as well as opening a handful of dates for superstar Keith Urban in the coming weeks. He will also tape an episode of E!’s highly rated late night talk show Chelsea Lately on Tues., July 28 and will perform on ABC’s CMA Music Festival: Country’s Night to Rock on Aug. 31. For additional tour dates and more on the upcoming live DVD, visit www.jasonaldean.com Eagle Rock Entertainment is an international media production and distribution company operating across audiovisual entertainment programming. Eagle Rock Entertainment works directly alongside talent to produce the highest quality programming output covering film, general entertainment and musical performance. Eagle Rock Entertainment has offices based in London, New York, Germany, France & Toronto. Track Continue reading Jason Aldean: Live Video DVD→

Sugarland World Movie Premiere!

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Sugarland to premiere “Live on the Inside” in 35 theaters across the US! Sugarland will be debuting the upcoming DVD from their CD/DVD release Live On The Inside in 35 theatres across the country on Thursday, August 6th. This is a cinematic treat for all music lovers and will feature the powerhouse duo in high definition digital cinema performing 16 songs from their nationwide tour. For a preview and tickets, follow this link! Cities: Auburn, AL – Wynnsong 16 Huntsville, AL – Monaco Pictures Mobile, AL – Wynnsong 16 Troy, AL – Continental Cinema 5 Surprise, AZ – UltraStar Surprise Pointe 14 Lake Havasu, AZ – UltraStar Lake Havasu 10 Apple Valley, CA – UltraStar Apple Valley 14 Oceanside, CA – UltraStar Mission Marketplace Riverside, CA – UltraStar University Village 10 San Diego, CA – UltraStar Poway Creekside Plaza Coral Springs, FL – Coral Square 8 Gainesville, FL – Gator Cinemas Columbus, GA – Carmike 15 Savannah, GA – Victory Square Stadium 9 Iowa City, IA – Coral Ridge 10 Chicago, IL – Orland Park Cinemas Woodhaven, MI – Emagine Woodhaven Detroit, MI – Emagine Canton St. Paul, MN – Marcus Ultra Cinema at Oakdale Fayetteville, NC – Market Fair 15 Jacksonville, NC – Carmike 16 Fargo, ND – Century-Fargo Omaha, NE – Twin Creek Cinema Buffalo, NY – McKinley 6 Theatres Buffalo, NY – Lakewood Cinema 8 Columbus, OH – Pickerington UltraScreen Chattanooga, TN – Northgate 14 Murfreesboro, TN – Wynnsong 16 Cookeville, TN – Highland 12 Nashville, TN – Thoroughbred 20 Edinburg, TX – Carmike 20 Tyler, TX – Carmike 14 El Paso, TX – Carmike 16 Madison, WI – Point UltraScreen Cinema Milwaukee, WI – Ridge Cinemas The concert footage, which was shot at Rupp Arena in Lexington, KY by director Shaun Silva captures Jennifer Nettles and Kristian Bush in their most comfortable and adored setting…on stage. This one-time event will give fans an inside look at their upcoming CD/DVD set, Live On The Inside, available exclusively at Walmart August 4th.Country Music Photo Gallery

Country Stars of Twitter

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Reach your favorite country stars direct thanks to Twitter! Twitter has quickly become the fastest and easiest way to chat one-on-one with your favorite country music stars. The service has helped us get an inside look into how these performers live their day to day lives, letting them share updates with us as small as the shoes Kellie Pickler buys or the news of when Brad Paisley’s newest son was born. Get connected today! Here is a list of all the country stars (so far) that we’ve found on Twitter! Newest Twitter Members: Eli Young Band Chris Young Brantley Gilbert Scotty McCreery A-Z Adam Gregory Alison Krauss Big&Rich Big Kenny Billy Currington Billy Ray Cyrus Blake Shelton Bomshel Brad Paisley Bucky Covington Carrie Underwood Carter Twins Chely Wright Chris Young Chuck Wicks Cowboy Troy Craig Morgan Country Weekly Danielle Peck Darius Rucker Darryl Singletary Darryl Worley David Nail Dierks Bentley Dolly Parton Due West Emerson Drive Emily West Eric Church Eric Durrance EzraJane Faith Hill Gary Allan Gary Levox George Strait Gloriana Grand Ole Opry Gretchen Wilson Heidi Newfield Jack Ingram Jake Owen James Dupre James Otto Jason Aldean Jay DeMarcus Jessica Harp Jessica Simpson Jewel Jimmy Wayne Jo Dee Messina Joe Don Rooney Joe Nichols John Rich Josh Carter Josh Turner Julianne Hough Justin Moore Keith Anderson Keith Urban Kellie Pickler Kenny Chesney King Billy Lady Antebellum LeAnn Rimes Lee Ann Womack Little Big Town Love and Theft Luke Bryan Martina McBride Matt Stillwell Michelle Branch Miranda Lambert Montgomery Gentry Oak Ridge Boys Randy Houser Randy Travis Rascal Flatts Reba Rodney Atkins Sara Evans SHeDAISY Sugarland Taylor Swift The Road Hammers The Ryman Tim McGraw Toby Keith Trailer Choir Trent Tomlinson Vince Gill Whitney Duncan Willie Nelson Zac Brown Zac Brown Band Zach Carter Find an artist on twitter that we missed? Leave it in the comments below!

New Release from Tim McGraw: Southern Voice

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Tim McGraw to release first studio album in over two years this coming fall. Tim McGraw has been out of the limelight for a while but now he’s back! Tim’s latest labor of love, the new album “Southern Voice” is due out this fall from Curb Records. The album was produced by Bryan Gallimore who is also credited with Tim’s last chart-topping release “Let It Go”. Tim McGraw is planning a nationwide tour in 2010 in support of the album. The first single, “It’s a pleasure doing business with you”, was released to radio this month.Country Music Photo Gallery

Elvis Presley: The Ed Sullivan Shows: The Performances

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Hot off the press! Elvis Presley: The Ed Sullivan Shows: The Performances Image Entertainment is proud to present Elvis Presley: The Ed Sullivan Shows: The Performances, available on DVD August 4th. The collection of Elvis’ three unforgettable appearances on The Ed Sullivan Show attracted a record-breaking audience when they first aired and are available on DVD for the first time ever. Share the excitement of Elvis Presley’s earth shattering introduction to the nation in these three unforgettable episodes from The Ed Sullivan Show, now on DVD for the first time ever, and experience for yourself why Elvis became the legendary King of Rock and Roll! Appearing on the show Sept. 9, 1956, Elvis sent shock waves through a repressed nation with his soulful singing, wild hip gyrations and raw energy, attracting a record-breaking TV audience of more than 60 million people. Presley returned on Oct. 28, 1956, continuing to provoke ecstatic screams with hits such as “Don’t Be Cruel,” “Love Me Tender” and “Hound Dog.” In fact, these exhilarating performances were so explosive that Elvis was filmed above the waist during his final Sullivan show appearance on January 6, 1957. Rockin’ Special Features: * A rare home movie capturing a very early Elvis performance, shot on August 7, 1955, at Magnolia Gardens near Houston, Texas * Elvis and Ed remembered * Elvis is on his way! Ed Sullivan Show clips * Special Elvis moments including an appearance by comedian John Byner * Home movies of Elvis and Priscilla, Elvis and his friends cutting up on a film set and some of the first shots of daughter Lisa Marie * New collectible booklet featuring liner notes by Griel MarcusCountry Music Photo Gallery

Billy Currington to appear on David Letterman

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Billy Currington has been scheduled to appear and perform on The Late Show with David Letterman August 19th Billy Currington is riding high on the success of his fourth #1 single “People Are Crazy” and will be celebrating with an appearance on The Late Show with David Letterman. Currington is currently enjoying an opening gig on Sugarland’s summer tour, and will be stopping into a few more towns before the tour comes to a close. Look for Billy Currington’s scruffy and sexy face in: Cold Spring, MN – 7/25 Cambrose, AB – 8/1 Sikeston, MO – 8/6 West Allis, WI – 8/8 Augusta, ME – 8/13 Poughkeepsie, NY – 8/14 Watertown, NY – 8/15 Lima, OH – 8/22 Randolph, OH – 8/27 Princeton, IL – 8/28 Louisville, KY – 8/29 Tuskahoma, OK – 9/4 Hidalgo, TX – 9/9Country Music Photo Gallery

2009 CCMA Fans’ Choice Award Nominees Announced

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Voting opens Friday, July 24 at CMT.ca for the 2009 CCMA Fans’ Choice Award The Canadian Country Music Association announced today the nominees for the 2009 CCMA Fans’ Choice Award: George Canyon, Doc Walker, Jessie Farrell, Aaron Pritchett and Johnny Reid. Beginning Friday, July 24 until Sunday, September 6 at 11:59 p.m. EST, the public can vote online at www.CMT.ca for their favorite Canadian Country Star. The winner will be announced during the CCMA Awards at GM Place in Vancouver, British Columbia on Sunday, September 13, 2009. The show will broadcast nationally on CBC Television at 8 p.m. with encore broadcasts on CMT in Canada. Country neo-traditionalist, George Canyon, is a multiple CCMA Award winner, two-time JUNO Award winner (Country Recording of the Year), and an ECMA winner for four consecutive years (2005-2008) for Country Recording of the Year and Video of the Year. Voting opens Friday, July 24 at CMT.ca for the 2009 CCMA Fans’ Choice AwardWinner of three CCMAs in 2008 (Female Artist of the Year, Rising Star, and Top New Female Talent of the Year) and nominated for a 2009 JUNO Award (New Artist of the Year), Vancouver BC’s Jessie Farrell has definitely made an imprint on the Canadian country music scene. The growth of Aaron Pritchett’s career is the result of solid planning and arduous work. Having toured with the likes of Brooks & Dunn, Alan Jackson and Toby Keith, Pritchett has garnered many accolades and awards, including a CCMA for Independent Male Artist of the Year and the Songwriter of the Year Award in 2007 for the anthem, “Hold My Beer.” Canadian success story and 2008 Top Selling Canadian Album of the Year winner and 2008 Male Artist of the Year, Johnny Reid recently saw his album Dance With Me go gold in just over 48 hours and platinum in just two months. Described as Canada’s hardest working country band, Doc Walker took home six awards at last year’s CCMA Awards Broadcast and recently took home a JUNO for Country Recording of the Year. With good old-fashioned perseverance and passion for what they do, Doc Walker has fast become one of Canada’s premier country music acts. For more information regarding the 2009 CCMA Awards, please visit www.ccma.org or www.countrymusicvancouver.com. Nominees will be announced at a media conference in Toronto, ON Wednesday, July 29. Tickets for the CCMA Awards are available at all Ticketmaster locations. Ticket prices range from $20 to $125 (plus applicable taxes and service charges).

Noise!

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The Muzak Heart & Soul Foundation’s prestigious one-of-a-kind music camp, NOISE! is happening right now in Music City. High school students from all across the United States were selected specifically based on merit and talent to attend NOISE! The students, ranging in age from 15-18, have high hopes of a career in the music industry and this camp is a wonderful opportunity for them to learn about the biz. At NOISE! students learn from a wide range of role models including artist managers, record label producers, music critics, audio architects and other industry insiders. They have the opportunity to create career plans, take field trips and show off their talent. Music industry professionals in Music City are volunteering their time this week to mentor the attendees and give presentations on their expertise in the industry. Professionals participating include: Rod Essig (Creative Artist Agency), Michael Knox (Producer/Jason Aldean, among others), Peter Zavadil (Award winning music video director), Mark Mason (Sr. Dir., Writer Publisher Relations, BMI), Jim Zumwalt (Entertainment Attorney), Alan Mayor (Celebrity/Music Industry Photographer), Hal Hassell (Digital Technology), Rob Blackledge (One Revolution Entertainment), Richard Orga (Black Ink Music Publishing), Chris Wallen(Multi – Hit Songwriter), Teena Camp (TSC Marketing) and Vanessa Parker-Davis (Splash! PR). “I had a blast visiting with the kids attending NOISE! Their excitement about the industry was very inspiring to me. I wish there had been an opportunity like this for me when I was their age,” said Michael Knox, Producer for country hit maker Jason Aldean and others. NOISE! student attendees are also visiting music industry businesses including; CMT, Capitol Records, Ocean Way Studios, BMI, Clear Channel Studios, Belmont University, Mike Curb College of Entertainment & Music Business, The Wildhorse Saloon, among others. At the end of their experience with NOISE! student attendees will have an opportunity to show off what they’ve learned on the last day of the music camp where they will make presentations in their particular field of interest. There will also be a special VIP reception for attendees and industry volunteers for an opportunity for the students to further connect with their mentors. Sponsors for NOISE! 2009 in Music City USA include: Best Buy Musical Instruments Store, Matchless Transportation Services, South Central Sound, BB&T, © 2008 Taylor Guitars, The Loveless Café, Loews Vanderbilt Plaza and Sambuca restaurant in Nashville, TN. The Muzak Heart & Soul Foundation was established as a 501(c )3 non-profit public charity organization in 1998 by Muzak LLC. The Foundation’s mission is to redefine and expand the scope of music education. The Muzak Heart & Soul Foundation helps students turn their passion for music into real world opportunities – by providing teens with new and exciting programs focused on all aspects of the music business. To learn more visit us online at www.Heart.Muzak.com or call us at 803.396.3512. Muzak Heart & Soul Foundation can be found on Facebook under the “causes” app. Facebook members can also request to join the Noise! 2009 group on the social networking site. Additionally, a MySpace Continue reading Noise!→

Townes Van Zandt Documentary – Be Here To Love Me

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Watch the stunning and award winning Townes Van Zandt documentary courtesy of Snagfilms.com “Be Here to Love Me,” chronicles the fascinating and often turbulent life of Townes Van Zandt with a simple unpredictability that mimics the way the artist lived his short life. The documentary features family and acquaintances such as Willie Nelson, Kris Kristofferson, Emmylou Harris, Lyle Lovett, Steve Earle and Guy Clark with rare footage of Van Zandt at home and on the stage. SnagFilms is a different kind of movie website where you can watch full-length indie films and documentaries for free, and even embed the films into your own blogs and websites. Each film is paired with a non-profit charity, often of the directors choice, so every movie you share helps not only spread the documentary’s message, but also supports a relevant cause! Become a filmanthropist and visit SnagFilms today!Country Music Photo Gallery