Rascal Flatts 2008 Concert Tour – “It Still Feels Good” Tour

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Rascal Flatts hits the road as they kick off the next leg of the “Still Feels Good” 2008 concert tour. “We love being on the road and seeing our fans,” said Gary LeVox, Rascal Flatts lead singer. “It’s why we love what we do.” Rascal Flats has sold more than 15 million albums, scored 9 number 1 singles and 17 top 10 hits and current CD “Still Feels Good” became their third-straight album to debut at number one. Be sure to get your Rascal Flatts Concert Tour Tickets NOW! Simply use the ticket selection menu on the right. Save time, buy online! Concert Tour dates are: Jan. 17 Manchester NH Verizon Center Jan. 18 New York, NY Madison Square Garden Jan. 24 Albany, NY Times Union Center Jan. 25 Buffalo, NY HSBC Arena Jan. 26 State College, PA Bryce Jordan Center Feb. 7 Toronto, ONT Air Canada Centre Feb. 8 Ottawa, ONT Scotia Bank Place Feb. 15 Moline, IL I Wireless Center Feb. 16 Ft Wayne, IN Allen Co. War Memorial Coliseum Feb. 17 Dayton, OH Nutter Center Feb. 21 Orlando, FL Amway Arena Feb. 22 Jacksonville, FL Jacksonville Coliseum Feb. 28 New Orleans, LA New Orleans Arena Feb. 29 Memphis, TN FedEx Forum March 1 Little Rock, AR Alltell Arena March 7 Salt Lake City, UT Energy Solutions Arena March 8 Las Vegas, NV Mandalay Bay March 11 Houston, TX Reliant Stadium- Houston Rodeo March 24 Calgary, ALB Penngrowth Saddledome March 25 Edmonton, ALB Rexall Place March 26 Saskatoon, SK Credit Union Centre March 28 Winnipeg, MAN MTS Centre April 2 Vancouver, BC General Motors Place April 4 Portland, OR Rose Garden April 5 Tacoma, WA Tacoma Dome April 9 Fresno, CA Save Mart Center April 10 Sacramento, CA Arco Arena April 11 San Jose, CA HP Pavilion More info on the Rascal Flatts 2008 TourCountry Music Photo Gallery

Toby Keith, Chuck Wicks, Gary Allan, Tim McGraw – Country Boys in The News

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Toby Keith established his own record company, Show Dog Nashville, in September 2005, and that’s created a unique situation in which Toby will be releasing three full albums this year. One of them is intended to fulfill an obligation to his former label. It will end up a little similar to Garth Brooks‘ The Ultimate Hits package, bolstered by a retrospective of his career through ’05. “I’m giving them one [new] single, and then they’re going to put on every hit song that we had from ’93, ‘Should’ve Been A Cowboy‘ on up to ‘As Good As I Once Was,’” Toby tells Neil Haislop’s Nashville IQ. “That’ll be out in the spring.” Also coming in 2008 are two albums on Show Dog: a new studio album and the soundtrack to the movie “Beer For My Horses“. Country newcomer, Chuck Wicks joins Brad Paisley for his Bonfires And Amplifiers Tour which kicked off in Denver last night. “I am so excited to be on the road with Brad Paisley, and I know that I will learn so much from him,” said Wicks. “To go from playing for small audiences to opening an arena show in such a short time is incredible. I don’t know what to expect, but I expect great things.” Wicks single, “Stealing Cinderella,” is currently a top 15 hit and continues to climb the country music charts. It was the fastest rising single from a debut artist in 2007. Gary Allan‘s new album, “Living Hard” is received well by fans worldwide. The positive reviews are flooding in, like this one from “As Long As You’re Looking Back tells the listener to move forward, don’t dwell on the past. If you can’t quit reliving the past, you don’t have much of a future, getting your heart broke is not the end of the world, there is more out there. “Wrecking Ball” reminds me of a Lynyrd Skynyrd song, it has the southern rock feel, great song to dance to, try to stay in your seat and not tap your foot to the beat. Talks about a woman that just catches his eye and that is it, he is putty in her hands, he knows she isn’t good for him, but just can’t help himself.” People.com reports that country music superstar Tim McGraw joined former Saturday Night Live star Jimmy Fallon in an impromptu, late-night, sing-a-long. The pair reportedly took over the mostly empty lounge around 1 a.m., and, with a female friend pounding away on the piano, sang their way through such standards as “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough,” and Willie Nelson‘s “Always on My Mind.” The only audience was a booth of four women, but the singing duo, standing on opposite sides of the piano, belted out lyrics, as laughter flooded into the hotel lobby. When asked about the noise by a curious hotel patron, the desk clerk reportedly apologized, saying, “Jimmy Fallon and Tim McGraw singing together … Only at the Beverly Hills Hotel.”Country Music Photo Gallery

SheDaisy, Taylor Swift, Leann Rimes, Dolly Parton, Jewel – Country Ladies In the News

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SheDaisy is poised to release a Greatest Hits album Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2008. 12 tracks, including “Little Goodbye’s“, “Don’t worry bout a thing“, and “God bless the american housewife“. Talyor Swift hits week 7 at the top of the Billboard song and country charts with “Our song“, followed in second by Sugarland‘s “Stay” and has Carrie Underwood sneaking up on her, going from #19 to #12 this week with “All American Girl“. Leann Rimes is set to host the Colgate Country Showdown Finals for the second consecutive year. The national finals will be held on Thurs., Jan. 24 at Nashville’s legendary Ryman Auditorium. This legendary country music talent competition has been running now for 26 years. Past winners include Sweethearts of the Rodeo, and Dave Durham & Bull Durham. For more information about the finalists, and more about the Colgate Country Showdown, visit www.countryshowdown.com. Dolly Parton will play this year’s SXSW music fest in Austin in March. The South By Southwest Music Conference and Festival takes over the streets and venues of Austin, Texas, March 7-16, 2008. On Friday, March 14, Parton will play at the newly refurbished Austin City Music Hall. Parton will release a new album in either late February or early March on her own label. Meanwhile her upcoming world tour is still in the planning stages. Jewel is rush-releasing her first country single, “Stronger Woman” straight to radio on February 11th. “Jewel has made a strong commitment to country radio and is in the midst of an extensive radio tour,” says Jon Loba, Vice of President of Promotion and Artist Development. “The response to ‘Stronger Woman‘ on these visits has been overwhelming. After many requests from stations to play this song early, we have decided to move up our digital release date. CD singles will still not ship until Jan. 22 because we don’t have them in house just yet!”Country Music Photo Gallery

Urban and Kidman Expecting : Charlie Daniels Gets Inducted: Bluebird has a Birthday

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Just a few noteworthy news bites: E! Online reports that Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban are now expecting their first child together after a year and a half of marriage. This is in addition to the two children Nicole had adopted with former husband Tom Cruise. CMT says legendary Charlie Daniels will finally join the ranks at the Country Music Hall of Fame on January 19th. He will be honored by Marty Stuart and Connie Smith at his induction ceremony. Country Weekly reminds us that the well-renowned birthplace of many of todays greatest artists turns 25! The Bluebird Cafe celebrates a milestone for certain!Country Music Photo Gallery

Country Album Sales Dropped 16.3 Percent in 2007

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“Country albums in 2007 suffered a 16.3 percent dip in sales from those of a year before, falling from almost 75 million copies to just under 63 million, according to the annual compilation from Nielsen SoundScan.”-CMT Rumor has it sales are down in Nashville. While some seem surprised by this, I certainly am not. It used to be that each new star had somethin’ about them that really stood out. The hot canadian. The rustic cowboy. The rodeo man. The girl next door. You know who I’m talkin’ about. But in the year 2007 if I were interested in buying say… 10 new albums from the newest chart-toppers I’d be hard-pressed to find 10 that sounded different from each other. Hmmm… tough choice #1; Kelli Pickler or Taylor Swift? Kenny Chesney or Kieth Urban? Who can tell the difference anymore? I think sales only dropped in proportion to the number of options. ~WC~ Country Music Photo Gallery

Steve Holy Gets Held at Gunpoint

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Steve Holy‘s new album “Men buy the drinks” may not be the best advice after all. According to CMT , Steve was out having drinks, took the party home, then found himself held at gunpoint: “Two Dallas police officers are on administrative leave after allegedly holding Steve Holy and a friend at gunpoint at the singer’s home in Dallas during the early hours of Dec. 27. The Dallas County district attorney’s office is investigating to determine whether aggravated assault charges should be filed against officers Randy Anderson, 25, and Paul Loughridge, 48. Holy said he and a friend were at a bar on Greenville Avenue when he began talking to an off-duty police officer he was acquainted with who introduced him to Anderson and Loughridge, who were also off duty at the time. After the bars closed, the five returned to Holy’s house to play foosball. When the officer Holy knew left the house, Anderson and Loughridge began questioning whether he was a country singer and became belligerent even after he showed them a CD cover. At one point, the two men allegedly held a gun to the back of Holy’s head while he was face down on the kitchen floor. They eventually allowed Holy to go upstairs to get his identification, and he told his wife to call 911.” I can hear the radio parody now… “I got a brand new guardsman… I had him trained just to defend… ” ~WC~Country Music Photo Gallery

Jessica Simpson goes Country

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I can’t say I’m a supporter of this latest career move. Just because someone let you throw on a pair of daisy dukes doesn’t mean you’re the next heart of the southland! Billboard reports that this Texas pop princess is really just a country girl at heart: “I am a country girl,” says Jessica Simpson. “I grew up in Texas, and country music was what I listened to. I always wanted to make a country album, but I wanted to wait until the time was right.”“I think there is a strength in female country artists,” Simpson adds, citing Martina McBride, Shania Twain, Faith Hill and Reba McEntire as some of her inspirations.Asked what has surprised her most since starting the follow-up to 2006’s “A Public Affair,” Simpson says, “Nashville is a very warm city. The people are friendly and kind. There is a sense of community, which thrives on music. There is no animosity … only respect for one another’s talent.” Well Jessica, may you find much respect, and hopefully a little talent in your new endeavor. Her newest project is due out of Capitol Nashville later this year. ~WC~Country Music Photo Gallery

Keith Urban joins Kenny Chesney on the 2008 Poets and Pirates tour

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Kenny Chesney will get a little help from old friend Keith Urban when he hits the road next summer on his annual stadium tour . Kenny announced Friday that Keith would join him for the July 26 date in Foxboro, Mass., followed by as many as eight other stadium shows on his 2008 Poets & Pirates tour. Kenny Chesney first took Keith Urban out on his Guitars, Tiki Bars & a Whole Lotta Love tour three years ago. “Which is why I’m glad I have the ability to play stadiums,” Kenny says. “It’s the only way that it would make sense for Keith where he is in his career to be able to come out and do some shows with us. We couldn’t do this anywhere else…and it’s something I’ve wanted to do since he played the first stadiums shows with us three years ago. “If you’re committed to bringing the fans the best show possible,” Kenny continues, “who else would you call? Keith does it all — and he’s someone I’ve spent time in the islands with, toured the country with, laughed with, hung with, made music with. It’s gonna be as much fun backstage when we’re not rocking as it is onstage — and that’s saying something.” Keith Urban says he’s excited about joining the tour too. “What Kenny Chesney’s stadium concerts are is the biggest party you’ve ever been to with the loudest ghetto blaster you’ve ever heard and the audience still singing louder than us,” he says. “Me, I’m just a kid like 65,000 others that are going to run away with the circus this summer. Bring it on, Kenny.” The tour will also feature LeAnn Rimes as an opening act. ~Courtesy of GACTV Be sure to get your Kenny Chesney 2008 Concert Tour Tickets NOW! Simply use the ticket selection menu on the right. Save time, buy online! 2008 Tour Dates: 04.26.08 University of South Carolina – Columbia, SC 05.03.08 Pizza Hut Park – Frisco, TX 05.10.08 M & T Bank Stadium – Baltimore, MD 05.24.08 Cleveland Browns Stadium – Cleveland, OH 05.31.08 University of Phoenix – Phoenix, AZ 06.08.08 AT & T Park – San Francisco, CA 06.14.08 Heinz Field – Pittsburgh, PA 06.21.08 Soldier Field – Chicago, IL 07.05.08 LP Field – Louisiana Pacific Field – Nashville, TN 07.13.08 Turner Field – Atlanta, GA 07.17.08 Verizon Wireless Amphitheater – Virginia Beach Virginia Beach, VA 07.19.08 Lincoln Financial Field – Philadelphia, PA 07.26.08 Gillette Stadium / New England Patriots – Foxboro, MA 08.02.08 Ford Field – Detroit, MI 09.13.08 Lucas Oil Field – Indianapolis, IN Stay tuned for additional tour dates!Country Music Photo Gallery

Taylor Swift is all over the charts

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Taylor Swift is the darling of the Billboard country charts this last reporting period before Christmas. Her single, “Our Song,” holds at No. 1 for the second week, her self-titled album moves back to the No. 2 spot in its 60th week out and four selections from her Christmas album, Sounds of the Season, are twinkling on the lower branches of the song chart. The week’s highest charting new song is the Garth Brooks–Huey Lewis romp, “Workin’ for a Livin‘,” which enters at No. 50. That’s a worthy leap but pale in comparison to Brooks‘ “More Than a Memory,” the first single from his current album, which debuted at No. 1. The Eagles continue their long run at the summit of the albums chart with Long Road Out of Eden. According to the latest Nielsen Soundscan measurement, that collection has sold more than 2.2 million copies in just seven weeks. There are no new albums this week, but three former chart dwellers have returned to the list: Rodney Carrington‘s King of the Mountain (No. 70), Larry the Cable Guy‘s Morning Constitutions (No. 71) and the multi-artist Original American Classics: Country Greats (No. 74). In addition to the Brooks-Lewis duet, there are two new songs: Sugarland‘s “Winter Wonderland” (No. 58) and Swift’s “White Christmas” (No. 59). Carrie Underwood‘s Carnival Ride, Brooks‘ The Ultimate Hits and Rascal Flatts‘ Still Feels Good round out the Top 5 albums in that order. The remaining Top 5 songs, also in descending order, are Josh Turner‘s “Firecracker,” George Strait‘s “How ‘Bout Them Cowgirls,” Montgomery Gentry‘s “What Do Ya Think About That” and Sugarland’s “Stay.” Kenny Chesney’s hard-charging “Shiftwork” barrels from No. 34 to No. 25. Now it’s back to the mall. ~Courtesy of CMT.com Country Music Photo Gallery

The Greatest “Greatest Hits” Albums of 2007

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~Courtesy of CMT I’ve been making a list (and checking it twice) of some of the Greatest Hits albums in country music this year. Now you can see why Santa never forgets about Nashville. Slide this article beside the milk and cookies and hope for the best. Trace Adkins, American Man: Greatest Hits, Volume II (Capitol Nashville) Rather than finish a new album right now, Adkins opted to raise a ton of money for charity by appearing on TV’s Celebrity Apprentice. Five years of hits and three new songs are included here. Gary Allan, Greatest Hits (MCA Nashville) It took 10 years to build a catalog of hits, starting with “Her Man” in 1996. Highlights include “Smoke Rings in the Dark” and “Best I Ever Had,” plus two new songs. Garth Brooks, The Ultimate Hits (Pearl) This latest repackaging includes his instant No. 1 hit, “More Than a Memory,” all the fan favorites (“Friends in Low Places,” “The Dance“) and a DVD full of music videos. Sara Evans, Greatest Hits (RCA) If you only know her from Dancing With the Stars, this collection is a real fine place to start, spanning from 1998’s “No Place That Far,” to her current single, “As If.” Crystal Gayle, Greatest Hits (EMI) This collection dips into several label vaults for No. 1 hits like “Don’t It Make My Brown Eyes Blue,” “Talking in Your Sleep,” and her duet with Eddie Rabbitt, “You and I.” Faith Hill, The Hits (Warner Bros.) The mega-hit “Breathe” is the powerful centerpiece, but other choice cuts from her early career include “Wild One,” “It Matters to Me,” “This Kiss” and “Let Me Let Go.” Tracy Lawrence, The Very Best of Tracy Lawrence (Rhino) If you listened to country in the 1990s, you’ll recognize “Sticks and Stones,” “Time Marches On” and many more. Find out why his friends at radio supported his comeback. George Strait, 22 More Hits (MCA Nashville) A companion to 50 Number Ones, this disc picks up several classics that didn’t quite top the chart, including “Amarillo by Morning,” “The Cowboy Rides Away” and “Desperately.” It also features his latest single, “How ‘Bout Them Cowgirls.” Travis Tritt, The Very Best of Travis Tritt (Rhino) Often tagged as rowdy, Travis Tritt can write tender songs, too, from “Help Me Hold On” to “Best of Intentions.” When he sang “I’m Gonna Be Somebody,” the fans sure agreed. Keith Urban, Greatest Hits: 18 Kids (Capitol Nashville) In 2000, he finally broke through — and hasn’t looked back. “But for the Grace of God,” “Somebody Like You” and “Days Go By” (all No. 1 singles) are still fun to sing along with. Trisha Yearwood, Greatest Hits (MCA Nashville) From “She’s in Love With the Boy” to “I Would Have Loved You Anyway,” she has a knack for hearing a hit when she selects songs. For the first time, they’re all in one place — with two new songs. In addition, with the Sony/BMG merger, a number of artists are now represented Continue reading The Greatest “Greatest Hits” Albums of 2007→