Joey+Rory release Free Bird as their next single

Can You Duet viewers were captivated by Joey+Rory’s unique rendition of the classic anthem “Free Bird” when they performed it acoustically on the CMT reality show last summer. Highly anticipated at the duo’s live performances, fans have already embraced this song as a part of Joey+Rory’s remarkable cross-generational appeal. The track has now been released to country radio nationwide as their next single, following the smash success of “Cheater Cheater”. Their dynamic power, and intimate chemistry has pushed Joey+Rory to the forefront of the newcomer crowd, earning them a nomination for the ACM’s 2009 Duo of the Year. Best of luck to the couple, and if you like it, request it from your local radio station!Country Music Photo Gallery

Rascal Flatts Reveal Fan-Designed Album Cover

Rascal Flatts put out the call that they wanted a fan to design their Unstoppable album cover, and Chris Kubik answered! Rascal Flatts made a special announcement congratulating artist Chris Kubik from Arlington Heights, IL last night before their sold out show in Madison Square Garden. Thousands of entries were submitted on the People’s Choice website from fans all over the world, and the boys had narrowed it down to just four finalists. Of those four, Chris Kubik won the popular vote, also submitted by fans, and couldn’t be happier!Country Music Photo Gallery

Taylor Swift, James Taylor, Keith Urban and more help out Musicians On Call

Musicians On Call announce James Taylor as headliner, and auction items from Rascal Flatts, Keith Urban, Taylor Swift and more! From the Press Release: Musicians On Call (MOC) announces Grammy award winner, James Taylor as the headliner for their 5th Annual Benefit Concert & Auction which will take place at the world-famous Hard Rock Cafe New York in Times Square on February 24, 2009. The exclusive V.I.P. event will include a red carpet, with special appearances by artists and celebrities committed to the cause. As music and philanthropy are at the core of the brand, Hard Rock International has partnered with Musicians on Call for the benefit event, helping the charity to continue its mission of room-to-room hospital performances by both local musicians and national celebrities. “Musicians On Call’s campaign to bring music straight to the bedsides of patients in hospitals would not be able to continue to expand without the donations made at our annual event.” says Leslie Faerstein, Executive Director Musicians On Call. “It’s an exciting night made even more special by a performance by James Taylor. The impact of this one night has a profound effect throughout the rest of the year improving the health and spirits of thousands of patients one song and one bed at a time.” The charity auction includes items from some of today’s hottest country stars such as: Two tickets to Rascal Flatts 2009 tour with backstage passes Keith Urban Backstage BBQ Experience Leann Rimes signed memorabilia Signed guitars from Taylor Swift, Rascal Flatts, Brooks & Dunn, Miranda Lambert, John Michael Montgomery, Blake Shelton and more! The auction began on February 10th and will close March 5, 2009 so there’s still time to bid on your most wanted items, and help out an amazing cause! For more about Musicians On Call, or to bid on items in the auction, please visit the Musicians On Call page on CharityBuzz!Country Music Photo Gallery

Jamey Johnson gives a bit of anti-valentine sympathy

Jamey Johnson is ridin’ high on his recent successes, but he’d have you believe he’s not ridin’ high on love this Valentine’s day! Jamey Johnson is all about the bitterness this Valentine’s day, with a third release off his Grammy-Nominated album “That Lonesome Song“. “Mowin Down The Roses” is a funny,tongue-in-cheek look at romance gone wrong. He’s even gone one further and added a few anti-valentines ecards to his site for fans to send out to their not-so-sweethearts. Get to know Jamey a bit better here: [youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ebXfYeUI9E] I’m sure this’ll get a lot more airplay than his controversial second release “The High Cost of Living“.  Some bloggers seem to feel that the delicate nature of subjects such as drug use, prostitution, and all those wrong choices people make on the way to doin’ right are going to scare away radio program directors. I don’t seem to think so,but then again, I’m not ClearChannel.Country Music Photo Gallery

2009 ACM Nominees are announced, Brad Paisley, Kenny Chesney, Jamey Johnson, and George Strait clean house!

ACM nominations have been announced and Brad’s keeping good company with 6 nominations, alongside Heidi Newfield, Pirate Kenny, King George, and Jamey Johnson! The 44th annual Academy of Country Music Awards show is  upon us and the nominees have been announced! This morning Julianne Hough, LeAnn Rimes, Kelli Pickler, and Jessica Simpson read off the list of nominations on a special press conference in Nashville. Brad Paisley received the highest count at 6, followed close behind (by surprise) former Trick Pony singer, Heidi Newfield. Other high-riding nominees include Jamey Johnson, George Strait, Kenny Chesney, Carrie Underwood and more!

Taylor Swift White Horse Video Debut

Taylor Swift releases her new video for “White Horse” starring One Tree Hill’s Stephen Colletti. Taylor Swift’s new video for the radio hit “White Horse” has been released on GAC and CMT with a lot of praise. The video is the second to star a male member of the One Tree Hill cast, after “Teardrops on My Guitar” hosted teenage heartthrob Tyler Hilton. In the video Taylor shows a more vulnerable side, ditching the prom dresses and falling into the emotion of the song. She goes on to talk about love, heartbreak, and getting back on that horse after a fall. [youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ySqz4USHA4Y] You can catch Taylor Swift in concert on her very first headlining tour this summer with Kelli Pickler and Gloriana. Check out Taylor Swift concert dates at our partner site, CMOT!Country Music Photo Gallery

Tell Us YOUR Story!

Has a certain country star, or country song changed your life? We want to share your story with the world! CMNB is looking for readers’ stories about how one country artist or song impacted their life. Did you fall in love dancing to George Strait? Did one of Martina McBride’s songs pull you through a hard time? Does Taylor Swift give you the words to say what you’re feeling inside? Then let us hear it! Send your stories to mystory@countrymusicnewsblog.com The best stories will be published here on CMNB, and shared across our network. Some entries may even be eligible for prizes so send yours in today!Country Music Photo Gallery

Blake Shelton is playin with Fire

Blake Shelton releases a single from “Startin’ Fires” . Blake Shelton released a new single today titled “I’ll Just Hold On” from his album “Startin’ Fires“. This is his second single off the album and he’s hoping to match the great success that “She Wouldn’t Be Gone” enjoyed. I’d encourage fans to take a listen to the track which is now available on PlayMPE and Airplay Direct. If you like what you hear, then call your local radio station and show your support for my Oklahoma boy!Country Music Photo Gallery

Telluride, Grammy Updates, and Taylor Swift pairs with Miley Cyrus

Today in our Country Music Recap, Telluride becomes more than a song and a place,  The Grammys add a few more performers, and Taylor and Miley team up for “Fifteen”. Telluride is stirring a buzz in country music circles with their debut release of “Four Square Miles“. An up and comer in the industry, some sites are already pitting them against acts like Little Big Town and Lady Antebellum as the next big group! Find out more at your source for Underground Country Music! Taylor Swift and Sugarland have both confirmed that they will be performing at the 2009 Grammy Awards Sunday Feb 8th on CBS. Other superstars on the performing schedule include Kenny Chesney, Kid Rock, Carrie Underwood, Miley Cyrus, and Robert Plant with Alison Krauss. Sounds like a star-studded event to me! And speaking of Taylor and Miley, the two are rumored to be pairing up for a duet on Taylor Swifts new song “Fifteen”  during the Grammy Awards show! Stay tuned for more Country Music News from your pals at CMNB!Country Music Photo Gallery

Zac Brown Baby, Jamey Johnson Single, and Keith Urban on A&E

Zac Brown is expecting a new baby, Jamey Johnson releases a new single, and Keith Urban gets a biography on A&E in today’s country music news weekend recap! CMT Hot Dish reports that Zac Brown of the Zac Brown Band is expecting again. This will be his third child and they’re hoping for a little boy since the older two are both girls. Jamey Johnson is following up his chart-topping hit “In Color” with a new single “High Cost of Living” which is set to release on February 9th. The single covers sensitive topics such as divorce, prostitutes and drugs, and is the second off his album “That Lonesome Song” Keith Urban is laying it all out for fans to see in an upcoming biography on A&E. The production is still in the filming stages and there doesn’t seem to be any official news from either Keith Urban’s team or A&E’s staff as to when it’s scheduled to air, but be sure that we’ll keep you posted when we find out!Country Music Photo Gallery