Ram Trucks Launches Battle Of The Bands Contest

Ram Truck has long been a supporter of the country music genre, from large to small musicians. Its partnership with Zac Brown Band to their very own country channel on Yahoo, Ram Country. 


With its love for country music, the brand is holding the first ever Ram Battle of the Bands. Ram is seeking out the next upcoming country band to help jump start their journey to stardom. Country bands are encouraged to submit their band video on the Ram Truck Facebook page for a chance to perform live. 


Videos will be watched by Country music fans and the top 10 videos with the most votes will move on to the Ram Truck panel of judges. The judges will pick the top two videos; those bands will perform live at the 2011 Rodeo Austin, where more than 25,000 fans will cheer them on. First place winner will take home $5,000, with second place taking home a cool $2,500.


Voting officially begins on Jan. 3, 2011 and just for voting for your favorite band, you can enter a chance to win a country music prize pack, including an iPod and iTunes gift card to add music library, along with some cool Ram Truck gear.
Click HERE for more information and HERE to head to Ram’s Facebook page to upload your video.

Rascal Flatts To Receive Star On Hollywood Walk Of Fame

It was announced today that Rascal Flatts was chosen for a 2011 star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame by the Walk of Fame Committee of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce. The band was selected from hundreds of nominations sent to the committee. 


“I am at such a loss for words that I can’t even describe how I feel,” says lead singer Gary LeVox. “What a great honor and symbol of accomplishment. “There are only a few things I can think of that are as big of an honor as receiving a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame,” shared Jay DeMarcus, background vocalist and bass player.

Lead guitarist and background vocalist Joe Don Rooney said, “This is the kind of stuff you dream of growing up as a kid. Having our name on the Hollywood Walk of Fame has to be one of the coolest things that’s ever happened to Rascal Flatts. I’m honored and completely humbled.”


Additional 2011 musical recipients include Melissa Etheridge, Los Tigres Del Norte, the Go-Go’s, Slash, Will i Am, and Bebe & Cece Winans and posthumously Buddy Holly and Louis Prima. And more celebrities from motion pictures, television and live performance theatre were also named.
Date of the presentation for Rascal Flatts has not yet been determined.

Alan Jackson’s First Australian Tour SOLD Out Within Hours This Past October

Tickets for Alan Jackson’s first ever tour in Australia – scheduled for March of 2011 – sold out within hours of being put on sale in October.

Ticket sales for the four announced dates – Melbourne (March 4), Sydney (March 7) and Brisbane (March 10 and 11) – sold so quickly that the tour was extended; an additional concert, a third show in Brisbane, was added to the schedule. That additional March 12th show sold out in 23 minutes.


“We’re looking at what may be the fastest selling country show or tour in Australian country music history,” said Rob Potts, CEO of Rob Potts Entertainment Edge and co-promoter of the tour. 


Alan Jackson on the concert sellout said, “I‘m a Southern man, and that‘s about as far South as we can go – let’s go do it!”        

Danny Gokey Would Like To Be On “Dancing With The Stars”

Danny Gokey tells CMT.com he’s eyeing another reality show. He says he would like to be on “Dancing With the Stars.” He says he likes dancing. And, on that show, “you lose weight, too.” 
Danny says Simon Cowell told him he couldn’t dance. But, he says if he were on “Dancing With the Stars,” he could tell him, “you know, Simon, I’ll show you one day.”


Danny is closing 2010 with the best first-week sales of any debut album this year by an American Idolfinalist. Danny’s My Best Days, released March 2, scanned in excess of 65,000 copies in its first week according to Nielsen SoundScan, outpacing opening-week sales on other 2010 debut releases, including those from American Idol Season 9 winner Lee DeWyze and runner-up Crystal Bowersox.

Miranda Lambert’s Christmas Gift will BLOW You Away!

Just another reason not to get Miranda Lambert ticked-off at ya. Looks like she got a custom gun for Christmas…Ain’t no hidin that sucker.

Taylor Swift Stalks Her Fans

On how she stalked a fan in Nashville one day. “I was driving near the mall and I saw this girl with my tour T-shirt on. She was probably 11. I made a U-turn and tried to follow her—I really had to do some maneuvering. I found her in a video-game store and just kind of walked up to her and said, ‘Oh, hi. I wanted to meet you.’ She had no idea what to say for about three minutes. Then her mom walked over, burst into tears, and proceeded to tell me that they’d driven all the way from Austin, Texas, just to see where I was discovered.”

Tim McGraw Has Love For His “Blankie”

Tim McGraw has always showed heart. When asked what he still has from childhood, Tim says, "I have a blanket that I got on my 12th birthday from my mom that I still sit in my chair with at home and watch movies.  


My kids love it, my wife loves it, everybody loves it...it's everybody's favorite blanket." Tim also says he cries at commercials and the last movie that made him cry was The Greatest.   

Country Celebs Faked Out On Twitter in 2010

In 2010, the latest Internet phenomenon: the Twitter fake star. Plenty of people assumed deliberately phony names — Not Kenny Chesney, Drunk Swifty, Rascal Fats, Bobblehead Brad — and used their online mask as a shield while they poked fun at the stars and the music business in general.  One of the more funny favorites to Martina McBride and others like Jimmy Wayne is “Drunken Martina”.


The phony Martina typically writes short jokes or suggests she’s drunk and throwing her celebrity around in a way that’s simply not in line with what we know about the real Martina.
“I think it’s hilarious,” the real Martina McBride said during a CMA Music Festival press conference, admitting she follows Drunken Martina. Then she took a long pause before adding, “That’s all I’m gonna say.”


One of the first phonies was Not Jake Owen, who certainly got the attention of his real namesake. “I’m amused,” the actual Jake Owen admits. “I don’t know who it is — it’s not me.” Some of the Not Jake material is simply wordplay. “Knock knock,” he/she wrote recently. “Who’s there? James Otto. James Otto who? James, you Otto get a haircut.”
But a lot of the Not Jake entries are mean or crude.
“Some of it’s funny,” the real Jake says. “Some of it’s absolutely on the line.” And it puts him in a strange place. Everybody knows it’s not the real Jake writing it, and yet the other artists see, or hear about, the put-downs. And it’s weird for him to see his name attached to the comments, even if there’s a “not” in front of it. “A lot of these people,” Jake grimaces, “are my friends.”


Are any of you following these fakers on Twitter?  Funny or not?

Gwyneth Paltrow Finds Country Fans Are 'Like Family'

Gywneth Paltrow liked the hardcore country fans. "I remember Faith [Hill] telling me in country music people really feel like they know you. For better or worse, it's really hard to make a mistake in country music or get a divorce or have a scandal, because they feel like you shouldn't be doing that kind of thing," Gywneth told The Boot. "But they are also there for you until the bitter end. It was such an education, because in the world that I know better, people are fickle: they like this band, they like that band. This is like 'I love Tim McGraw for life. I will buy every Tim McGraw t-shirt that ever comes out.' It's nice. It feels like family in that way."


Gywneth is married to rocker Chris Martin, frontman for Coldplay. While filming concert scenes in her role as Kelly Canter, she got a taste of what her husband and other performers experience, even though her crowd was paid to be there. "[On one song] I go down and am holding their hands. They were amazing," Gywneth says. "They knew the words and the way they were looking at me, I was like, 'I'm going to burst into tears, this is just insane.' I saw why people want to be rock stars. It's this amazing exchange of energy, it's incredible."


Gywneth is also excited that "Country Strong" may appeal to a more mainstream, middle-America audience than some of her other films. Country Strong' hits theaters nationwide on January 7. 

Dolly Parton To Receive GRAMMY Lifetime Achievement Award

The Recording Academy announced Wednesday that Dolly Parton will be honored with a GRAMMY Lifetime Achievement Award. Other honorees include Julie Andrews, the Kingston Trio, the Ramones, the Juilliard String Quartet, Roy Haynes and George Beverly Shea. 


The Lifetime Achievement honorees will receive their awards on February 12 in Los Angeles (one day before the 53rd annual Grammy Awards ceremony is held).  

Keith Urban Helped Nicole Kidman Through Tough Role

Keith Urban has to share wife Nicole Kidman with the world during the making and release of her movies, including the latest, 'Rabbit Hole,' Nicole, admits she's perfectly content to stay home with Keith and their daughter Sunday. 


"I'm in a place where I just don't want to take on too much," Nicole tells the Associated Press. "It's not about, 'Oh my gosh, I've got to get all these things for myself,' because I love being at home. But my husband and my mother will say, 'You shouldn't just abandon your talent. You should still get out there and do some things every now and then, because you'll appreciate that over the next few decades.' And I suppose they're right, because part of me could easily just keep nesting and staying at home."


In 'Rabbit Hole,' Nicole portrays a woman who is deep in grief over a lost child. As a mom of three herself, Nicole explains that the role took quite an emotional toll. "We had to talk it through. Keith was incredibly supportive through the whole thing," Nicole tells USA Today. "I had a lot of really bad dreams, which I know means my subconscious has been affected deeply. Keith would hold me. I'd wake up and be crying, and that happened a lot. But there's people going through this, and I was trying to be truthful and real."


Nicole says her time in the 'Hole' definitely made her appreciate her marriage and family even more. "It took me so long to get pregnant and have a baby, so I have enormous gratitude," she says. "I have two grown children with that enormous gratitude that they are healthy and sane and together, and are great, great people. So my sense of knowing what I have ... I'm not one of those people that needs to be reminded of what I have, but I weep when I hear the stories that people tell me of what they're going through. So my heart is open to that because of this film, because I've put my toe in the water, in a way." 


'Rabbit Hole' is in theaters now. Click here for local listings.

A Warm Bowl of Chili From Zac Brown on a Cold Day

Zac Brown's own homemade "Campfire Chili" recipe will keep you warm on a cold day. Zac tells Parade.com 
When I was growing up, my dad and I would go hunting and camping every weekend. Like everyone in my family, he is an amazing cook, and I’ve tried to learn a lot from all of them. But I don’t like cooking just for myself; I enjoy feeding other people, particularly outdoors. There’s something so comforting about eating outside, especially when there’s nice fall weather, like now. I have an outdoor kitchen at home in Georgia, and I try to never eat inside. 


This recipe is an amalgam of all the chilies I’ve had over the past 10 years. Putting it together is a big, rich labor of love. I’ve made it many times in one pot over a campfire, first cooking all the meats down, then pouring off the fat before everything else goes in to simmer. I imagine having a bowl while sitting by a blaze, a Kristofferson song playing out on crisp Black Diamond Strings while the crickets chime in. Later, frogs will do a cover of the Oak Ridge Boys as cedar logs crackle in the fire. That’s when the world feels right.

Campfire Chili
Directions: 
1. Brown together: 
1 cup diced white onion 
1 lb. beef-tenderloin tips, diced into 1/2-inch cubes 
2 lbs. ground bison (If unavailable, substitute ground beef.) 
1/2 lb. ground pork 
1 Tbsp olive oil 


2. Drain the grease. Then add the following: 
1 Tbsp masa flour 
1/2 Tbsp garlic powder 
14.5-oz. can organic beef stock 
14.5-oz. cans organic chicken stock 
8-oz. can organic tomato sauce 
4-oz. can mild diced green chilies 
1/2 Tbsp ground cumin 
1 fresh jalapeño pepper, 
chopped fine 
1 tsp black pepper 
3 Tbsp organic chili powder 


3. Simmer 1 hour. Then add: 
4 oz. organic tomato sauce 
4 Tbsp organic chili powder 
2 Tbsp mild chili powder 
2 Tbsp ground cumin 
1 tsp garlic powder 
1 tsp Tabasco 
1/2 Tbsp brown sugar 
15.5-oz. cans low-sodium pinto beans, drained 
15.5-oz. cans low-sodium kidney beans, drained 


4. Simmer 45 minutes and eat.

Reba Is Ready for Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert to Wed

Reba McEntire is patiently waiting for Blake & Miranda’s Nuptials. "I'm excited," Reba says. "I really do have a maternal relationship with Blake, so I'm looking forward to it."


Reba's was overcome by emotion when Blake was named Male Vocalist of the Year. "They are a company, but they're a family," Blake explained backstage at the CMA Awards. "When you're brought into that, they treat you like family. When Reba was standing there emotional and was crying, and Narvel was crying ... I've been with them for five years now, and it's been a battle [for us]. I mean, every day has been a grind and it's just not been easy. [It's] like when you've been pushing on a wall and pushing, and that moment when it finally hits the ground, that's kind of what it felt like [to win the CMA award]. It's awesome!"


Reba's also ready for whatever Blake and Miranda come up with, venison-filled menu and all. "It's going to be a very different wedding but I'm looking forward to it," Reba assures. "Anything to do with Blake and Miranda is always a lot of fun."


Reba just wrapped up filming of a guest appearance on CMT's new sitcom 'Working Class,' starring another former 'Reba' castmate, Melissa Peterman. The series debuts January 28 at 8pm ET/PT. 

Kenny Chesney became his own definition of a winner

Back in 1995 Kenny Chesney was asked for his definition of what makes somebody a winner in country music. As it turns out Kenny was describing himself in the long run,
Kenny said, "A winner? A lot of people look at success in different ways. To some people success means winning awards. Awards are great and I hope I win a bunch of them, but that doesn't mean success to me.  


Let me say this. Somebody asked me the other day what was your long term goal? I said "to be here for a long term." If I'm here for a long term, that' s success, that's a winner. That means you've sold a lot of records. That means you've made a lot of fans. That is what it's all about. Those fans. Pleasing them and having fun doing it. To me, that's a winner. "

Shania Twain Speaks Of Love & Engagement In Open Letter To Fans

Posted on Shania Twain‘s official website…


Seasons greetings to all! I’ve spent much time over the course of this past year, learning about others who have suffered loss in their lives and taken inspiration from how they’ve managed to overcome it. I’m learning that grief and the suffering of loss, challenges me to be more sensitive and understanding of other’s and also more accepting of my own struggles. Challenge reminds me how important it is to let those who love me, care for me when I need it. The support of others has helped me to move forward less fearful of change, allowing me to embrace the beauty of life today and remain more open to whatever it brings tomorrow.


The people who make my life the most joyful are the ones I am able to lean on because of my own humanness. In the last two and a half years of adjusting to life after separation and divorce, I needed to lean on others more often than I was accustomed to. These people have been gifts, and I am fortunate to have so many of these beautiful people – friends, family and beloved fans, who’s support I cherish more deeply with each day that passes. Now another year is about to pass, and I would like to thank everyone who helped me believe that new beginnings are possible and that love can be trusted. Thank you!


2010 is leaving me with a renewed faith in love and commitment. I believe in the right to be loved and the blessing of being able to love in return. Talking about love, I am excited to share some personal news with you; I’m in love! Frederic Nicolas Thiebaud has been a true gift to me as a compassionate, understanding friend and over time, an amazing love has blossomed from this precious friendship. Fred and I are happy to announce, our ENGAGEMENT! 


Love, peace and happiness is taking me in to 2011 and I’m feeling refreshed and optimistic about the future. I’m looking forward to what the new year has in store and to sharing it with you. So, I’ll be in touch with more news and details soon. Until then, have a fantastic holiday season and I wish you love.
Sincerely,
Shania   

Garth Brooks Has Trisha Yearwood’s “Blessing” To Tour Again

Garth Brooks told media that he has his wife’s blessing to do another full production arena tour around 2014-2015. At this time, his youngest daughter Allie Colleen (14) will have graduated high school and his contract with Wynn Encore Resort in Las Vegas will have ended. 


"I don't see anything like this [his show] out there right now," Garth said, "No offense to anyone out there who is on tour."  

Reba Wraps 2010 With a New No. 1 Hit

Reba McEntire has scored her 35th No. 1 single as her latest, 'Turn on the Radio,' climbs to the top of both the Mediabase/Country Aircheck and Billboard country charts this week. 


2010 for Reba began with her multi-week No. 1 hit 'Consider Me Gone,' and wraps 2010 with another chart-topper. Jason Aldean's 'My Kinda Party' moves to No. 2 on both charts, followed by Tim McGraw's 'Felt Good on My Lips' at No. 3.


Reba on the excitement level compared to her first hit, 1983's 'Can't Even Get the Blues?' "It's probably not as exciting as the first one, because that just blew us all away, but yes, it's very exciting," Reba told The Boot. "I'm very honored and grateful that I get to do what I love so much at the level I'm getting to do it right now. Who could ask for anything more? Having a song at the top of the charts is a great way to end the year."


Reba was in Los Angeles last week, filming her appearance on Melissa Peterman's new CMT sitcom, 'Working Class.' She now has the rest of the year to enjoy her chart-topping success and reflect on the past year, before heading back out on the road with George Strait and Lee Ann Womack. The trek kicks off in Austin, Texas January 14. 

Lady Antebellum Are Most-Heard Country Artist of the 2010

Lady Antebellum is tops according to radio trade publication Country Aircheck. 


It’s annual year-end 'Most-Heard' artists list with Lady A's Dave Haywood, Charles Kelley and Hillary Scott taking top honors as the Overall Most-Heard Country Artist of 2010. 


The trio were also named the Most-Heard Country Duo or Group, a category in which they placed third last year. In addition, their crossover hit, 'Need You Now,' was country's No. 3 Most-Heard Song of 2010.


Carrie Underwood and Brad Paisley scored the Most-Heard Country Female and Male artists titles, while Easton Corbin was recognized as the year's Most-Heard New Artist.


Country Aircheck’s No. 1 most heard country song of 2010 is Josh Turner's 'Why Don't We Just Dance.' Rounding out the rest of the Top 5 for the year: 


Joe Nichols' 'Gimmie That Girl' at No. 2
Lady Antebellum's 'Need You Now' at No. 3
Easton Corbin's 'A Little More Country Than That' at No. 4 
Chris Young's 'The Man I Want to Be' at No. 5.  

Rascal Flatts Planning “Flatts Fest”

Rascal Flatts‘ Joe Don Rooney revealed to CMT Radio that the group is planning a multi-artist music festival, called “Flatts Fest,” for July of 2011.


“It’s definitely going to be a multiple-artist bill for sure,” Rooney said. “It’s going to be some big names. It’s going to be a lot of fun. It’s just going to be a big party.”


“Country really hasn’t had like a Lollapalooza. There’s a Buzzfest that happens here in Nashville. There’s Ozzfest that happens nationally. … We [thought], ‘Let’s do a Flatts Fest. Let’s invite some big name artists out and just have fun and let the fans enjoy a big day of music, a big night.” While no specific information about “Flatts Fest” has been announced or confirmed, Rooney says, “It’ll be a blast.”  
   

Carrie Underwood’s “Soul Surfer” Will be Shown in Churches First

Carrie Underwood’s first movie, “Soul Surfer,”  will be seen by church and community leaders first for free. The hope is those people will praise the movie and then, word-of-mouth will fill the theaters with paying customers when it opens.


When notice was first sent out on Thursday, the preview material said: “These exclusive pre-release screenings are for church and ministry leaders ONLY. All leaders will need to check-in upon arrival.” But, by Friday, the wording changed to: “This advanced screening is ONLY for key leaders . All others are invited to see the movie when it opens in theaters on April 15.”


“Soul Surfer” is the story of Bethany Hamilton, the teenaged surfer in Hawaii who lost her arm in a shark attack. Carrie Underwood plays a youth counselor in the movie.
You can find more details at: http://www.soulsurferwave.com/ 

Eddie Montgomery Undergoes Successful Surgery

Montgomery Gentry‘s Eddie Montgomery is currently recovering from a successful surgery to treat prostate cancer.

According to the band’s official website, the surgery took place early last week. Doctors report that no further treatment should be needed.


Eddie now plans to enjoy some down time at home with his family. After the holidays, Eddie and Troy will head overseas for a USO Tour.  

Julianne Hough's New Video Is Too Hot for CMT

Julianne Hough bared all in the video for her latest single, 'Is That So Wrong,' and apparently it is so wrong for CMT. 


The network has elected not to play the steamy new clip, which features the former 'Dancing With the Stars' vixen playfully romping around her apartment, wearing next to nothing and showing off some sexy dance moves. 


Julianne divulged the video ban to a crowd in Baltimore during a radio-sponsored, acoustic Christmas concert last weekend. 


Meanwhile, Julianne is spreading the holiday cheer this season, appearing at several charity shows. She also helped pal Taylor Swift celebrate her 21st birthday last week in Nashville. 

Rascal Flatts to Duet with Justin Bieber

Rascal Flatts will be recording a duet with Justin Bieber. The trio are heading into the studio this week to work on the song, while Justin is expected to be in Nashville sometime in the near future to record his part. The song will be included on Justin’s next project, according to Gary LeVox, Jay DeMarcus and Joe Don Rooney.


The trio shared the news with Nashville radio DJ Gerry House as guests on his show.   

Josh Turner & Wife Welcome Third Son

People.com is reported that Josh Turner and his wife Jennifer welcomed their third son, Crawford Marion, into the world on Monday (12/13) at a Nashville area hospital. Marion, as they’ll call him, weighed in at 6 lbs., 15 oz. and measuring 19 inches long.


Jennifer wasn’t due until Christmas, but since their first two sons, Colby Lynch (18 months)  and Hampton Otis (4 years), came early, the couple was prepared for Marion’s early arrival as well.


Jennifer and I are overjoyed at Marion’s arrival,” Turner tells People. “He’s a strong, handsome little boy with a resilient spirit. Thanks to all of our family, friends and fans for their thoughts and prayers.” 

Jay and Allison Demarcus Welcome Baby Girl

Jay Demarcus and his wife Allison welcomed their daughter into the world Friday December 17th.  Maddie was born just before 5pm weighing in at 6 pounds 10 ounces.  Mom and baby are said to be doing just fine!

Garth Brooks Concentrates on Fun Factor of Nine Benefit Shows

Garth Brooks gave a quick press conference before the start of his 9 Nashville relief shows which included 2 shows last night.


Garth says there is not a price tag he could put on the feeling of helping out his fellow neighbors with his nine shows in Nashville, and that since no one is making money from these shows, except for the flood victims, it will be all about having fun. "The feeling is so good that money can't buy this," Garth told The Boot. "And this is one of those things that the money's going to do a great thing, but the money isn't even up on the business part of it, because your promoters are not working a business deal, your building's not working a business deal or percentage deal. Every one just says, 'Well, we're just here to make sure everything's running smoothly, but none of us are making any money, so let's just go have fun.' And that relaxed feeling come up on stage, it'll be in the audience, as well."


These shows are Garth's first concert appearances in Nashville in over a decade, and are the only arena shows he will do all year. 


Garth sold more than 140,000 tickets, and what started as one benefit concert to help flood victims exploded into nine sold-out shows. 

Tim McGraw, Taylor Swift, Brad Paisley Among Top Tours of 2010

The economy seemed to not bother concerts -- especially country concerts in 2010. 


Billboard posted its top 25 tours for 2010, based on total gross earnings, and several of Nashville's biggest stars made the cut.


Tim McGraw is the highest ranking country star on the list, coming in at No.13. McGraw played 71 shows and sold out 29 of them making 44 Million. Taylor Swift was No. 15. She sold out 45 of her 47 concerts, grossing just over $40 million.


Brad Paisley came in at No.17, selling out half of his 62 shows, and grossing more than $38 million -- a feat all the more respectable since he lost all his concert gear three weeks before his H20 World Tour open. George Strait and Reba McEntire are No. 18, grossing more than $36 million and selling out 13 of their 27 co-headlined shows.


Rascal Flatts and Carrie Underwood round out the top 25, landing at No.23 and No.24, respectively. The Flatts guys earned more than $31 million from their 54 shows, while Carrie earned just under $30 million and selling out almost half of her 81 shows.

Rascal Flatts Honored During Tuesday’s Opry Performance

Rascal Flatts wrapped a year-long celebration of their 10th anniversary year with a performance at the Grand Ole Opry on Tuesday.  To top off their Opry appearance, Nashville Mayor Karl Dean presented the band with an official city proclamation for their devotion to and support in the Nashville community in the past few years.
  
Rascal Flatts received a standing ovation by the Opry audience after the proclamation was read. “This is such a privilege to be here tonight to thank you in person for all that you do for the community and for the children in this city,” said Mayor Dean. “Thank you so much Mayor,” remarked Jay DeMarcus of Rascal Flatts.  “We love calling Nashville home and thank everyone in this city who have helped us help the community and for being a part of our career.” 


The proclamation recognizes the band for their numerous charitable endeavors and honors, many locally based in Nashville, including the Jason Foundation and the Monroe Carell Jr Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt, where they were recently honored by the naming rights for the hospital’s only pediatric surgery center, “The Rascal Flatts Surgery Center.”  

Lee Brice Ends 'Crazy' Year With Billboard's Hottest Country Song

Lee Brice has topped Billboard's year-end Hot Country Songs chart, as the tune was the most-heard country song of the year. The list is part of Billboard's 'Year in Music' special double issue.


'Love Like Crazy' took a record-breaking year to reach the No. 3 position on Billboard's country singles chart, and went on to become Lee's first gold-certified single.


"Watching this song climb the charts is sort of like that rush I feel when I perform it live," Lee notes. "It's that gratification that someone out there is digging what I do, and it just doesn't get better than that."


Billboard's Top 10 Hot Country Songs of 2010 


1. 'Love Like Crazy,' - Lee Brice
2. 'Rain Is a Good Thing,' - Luke Bryan
3. 'Why Don't We Just Dance,' - Josh Turner
4. 'All Over Me,' - Josh Turner
5. 'The Man I Want to Be,' - Chris Young
6. 'Roll With It,' - Easton Corbin
7. 'Gimmie That Girl,' - Joe Nichols
8. 'All About Tonight,' - Blake Shelton
9. 'Come Back Song,' - Darius Rucker
10. 'She Won't Be Lonely Long,' - Clay Walker

ACM Awards Announced For April 3rd!

The 46th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards will take place in Las Vegas at the MGM Grand on Sunday, April 3rd on CBS.


In addition, the Academy will tape an all-star concert special, Girls’ Night Out: Superstar Women of Country at the same location Monday, April 4th, 2011 to air at a later date on CBS.


Tickets to both shows will go on sale on Wednesday, January 11th. Tickets sales from Girls’ Night Out: Superstar Women of Country will benefit ACM Lifting Lives, the charitable arm of the Academy of Country Music, which works to improve lives through music. 


For more information, log onto www.acmliftinglives.org

Brad Paisley Developing New TV Series?

Country star Brad Paisley signed on to help develop a new TV drama for the CW in October 2009.  The series was tentatively called "Nashville," focusing on a young woman who's destined for fame as a singer and a man who is struggling in his career as a songwriter.


Paisley said, quote, "very excited to portray the country music world of my favorite town, Nashville, by showing the exciting life of musicians, songwriters and performers -- all very talented people."  He notes, quote, "Country songs are like great scripts already and it's going to be fun to see how some unfold on the show."  Paisley is scheduled to be contributing songs to the project, and he's also expected to appear on select episodes.  But the singer says he won't be the only familiar face on the screen, adding, quote, "Look for some of your favorite country music stars to make their acting debuts on the show -- either by playing themselves or as a character in the script."  


Has the project been scrapped or is this the next phase along with the upcoming book in 2011? 

Jerrod Niemann has a connection to Pro Football Hall Of Famer & Fox NFL Sunday football analyst Terry Bradshaw

Jerrod Niemann feels “What Do You Want” — is a ballad of an unwelcome ex who resurfaces in your life.  It’s not only Jerrod’s favorite song on the album, but it also marked a turning point for him in his approach to songwriting. 


Jerrod co-wrote “What Do You Want” with Richie Brown and Rachel Bradshaw. Rachel, who is also in the music video just happens to be the daughter of Pro Football Hall of Famer and NFL on FOX analyst Terry Bradshaw.

LeAnn Rimes #1: Santa's Hollywood Naughty List

Here’s Hollyscoop’s list of the naughtiest celebrities in Hollywood who are definitely getting coal in their stockings this year!  For the full scoop on why they made the list...click HERE!


10. Alexis Neiers
9. Paris Hilton
8. Demi Lovato
7. George Lopez
6. Miley Cyrus
5. Jesse James
4. Tony Parker
3. Charlie Sheen
2. Lindsay Lohan
1. LeAnn Rimes : LeAnn gets Hollyscoop’s #1 pick because nobody likes a home wrecker.  She basically flaunted her affair with Eddie Cibrian for everyone to see, and then cried because everyone hates her now. 


Last year at this time, Leann and her ex Dean Sheremet decided to divorce. It wasn’t long before LeAnn moved right in with Eddie. They pose for the paps like it’s going out of style, and expect everyone to think they’re adorable just because they’re in love. 


We understand that sometimes the love fizzles in a marriage, and you can even start developing feelings for someone else. But the way she went about the whole thing is just despicable. You’re naughty to the max, LeAnn, and deserve nothing but coal in your stocking this year!

Kenny Rogers Given Key To Atlantic City

Photo via www.pressofatlanticcity.com

Kenny Rogers collects Keys to the City like other people collect matchbook covers or belly button lint and has an amazing 11 of them that he's been presented with. 


Kenny added #12 to his collection. Atlantic City, Mayor Lorenzo Langford presented Kenny with the key to the city of Atlantic City to honor him for his "outstanding efforts as a performer, artist, and for his help in promoting Atlantic City."


Kenny says he's honored and says, “For what it’s worth, I have a key to the city of Florence, Idaho, and this is so much better.”  

Eric Church Can’t Stand Posers

Eric Church says one thing he can't stand in music these days are the "posers" -- the artists who pretend to be something they're not to sell records or perpetuate their fame. 


"For me, it's all about being who I am and making music about that," he tells Boulder's CU Independent. "Because trying to pretend to be someone else just to have new songs or just to sell records really drives me crazy. 'Lotta Boot Left To Fill' is one of our biggest songs of the night. I think people can relate to it, and they can relate to it how I relate to it. It's one of my pet peeves, people who use their five minutes of fame regardless of where it is ... but I think it's the artists' responsibility to make records that stand up with the Waylon Jennings and the Johnny Cashes and the people who really built this format."    

Jimmy Wayne Helps Prepare Gifts for 'Paper Angels'

Jimmy Wayne donated his time this past weekend to help Nashville's Salvation Army warehouse prepare the gift-giving process for their annual Angel Tree Program  Friday (December 17). Jimmy, helped the volunteers in attendance sort through gifts given by families and individuals to children and elderly folks throughout the area who will be unable to supply gifts for their own family. Emotions ran high as some of the fans in attendance were moved to tears by the sight of hundreds of bags filled with clothes, toys and household items.


Look for Jimmy on CBS' 'A Home for the Holidays,' which will share touching stories about foster-care adoption. During his segment, Jimmy will talk about project Meet Me Halfway and tell his story of life on the streets as a foster child. He will also perform his hit, 'Paper Angels,' which was inspired by the Salvation Army's Angel Tree Program, which he was a recipient of in his youth. 'A Home for the Holidays' will air on Wednesday, December 22.

Miranda Lambert, Blake Shelton Hit the Road for the Holidays

Miranda Lambert and Blake Shelton can be seen at a gas station or airport near you this holiday season.


"Plans for the holidays are pretty simple. We're having the Shelton-Lambert Family Tour I call it, where we go from one house to the next and it takes three days to actually get Christmas," Blake tells The Boot. "Everybody knows what I'm talking about. You can't go to that family member's house because they hate them, so you have to go to both of them. So, we have that, then we go to Texas and come back to Oklahoma. It takes about four days to get Christmas over with."


Families have their own specific traditions, and when two of those families blend, it takes a bit of an adjustment and compromise. "I'm adjusting now to how Miranda and her family handle Christmas every year, because these things seem like they were set in stone," he admits.


As far as Blake’s favorite holiday tune, it would have to be 'I'll Be Home for Christmas.' "I don't really know why. I love the melody of the song," Blake says. "In fact, I've only recorded one Christmas song, and that was it. I love what it says, especially once I moved to Nashville. I was just a kid, a teenager, and I was going to be going home for Christmas that year. That song was just kind of my life, but nothing mattered to me more than getting back home after being gone for about six months or eight months without ever having gone home, and this was the first time I'd ever been away from home. I guess for that reason it still is my favorite Christmas song, and I'm lucky enough to say that I've never missed a Christmas at home to this day."


Blake does not have a date on the books until he hits the stage in Lacross, Wisc., January 28, while Miranda will ring in the new year with a two-night stand in Temecula, Calif., December 30 and 31.  

Win an Autographed Guitar from Rascal Flatts and Toby Keith!

It’s that time of year, when everyone’s favorite country artists get in the spirit of giving…away prizes!


To celebrate the release of their new album, Nothing Like This, Rascal Flatts are giving away a signed guitar and 5 signed copies of the CD. Visit their Facebook profile http://facebook.com/RascalFlatts and click on the “Music” tab to enter.


Fans can still enter to win an acoustic guitar signed by Toby Keith, a framed Toby poster, or a signed copy of Trace Adkins’ Cowboy’s Back in Town here: https://pages.umusic-mail.com/tobykeithholidaysweeps/

Turn Your Story Into A Country Song

What makes you a fan of country music? Ask any music fan that question and more often that not, their response will be something along the lines of “the songs relate to my life.” If you agree with that statement, and we’re assuming you do, you’ve got the chance to have your life made into a country song!


In celebration of the upcoming movie Country Strong, the makers of the movie want to hear YOUR story! Click HERE to tell your story (in 1,500 characters of less) of how you overcame adversity and turned a negative situation into a positive one at some point in your life. Four winners will be selected for the following prizes…


 (1) Grand Prize: A Sony/ATV songwriter will turn the winning
story into a song, plus the winner will receive a $2,000 Sony Style Gift card


(3) Runners-Up: DVD prize packs
The contest winner will be announced during movie release week.


Country Strong, starring Gwyneth Paltrow and Tim McGraw, is the story of a rising young singer-songwriter who gets involved with a fallen, emotionally unstable country star.  The movie will premiere nationwide on January 7, 2011.

Stocking Stuffers For The Country Music Fan: A Western Romance Novel by Carolyn Brown

Carolyn Brown (a.k.a. Abby Gray) is a romance writer and has been since she was able to write as a child. She began reading when she was five years old and is still going strong as a happy grandmother. She became serious about her writing when her third child had days and nights mixed up – voila – out came the paper and pencil to get through the long nights and eventually a career was born.


She has a unique way of tying her stories and titles in with country music artists and song titles. “I Love This Bar” of course has many mentions of Toby Keith’s musical accomplishments and “Hell, Yeah” is taken from a line of Gretchen Wilson’s “Redneck Woman”. She also has 2 more books in this series – “My Give a Damn’s Busted” (Jo Dee Messina’s hit) and “Honky Tonk Christmas” which was inspired by Alan Jackson’s Beloved Holiday Classic.


Carolyn Brown has also written another trilogy of Western romance novels: “Lucky in Love”, “One Lucky Cowboy” and “Getting Lucky”.  Carolyn’s information can be found on her website at http://carolynlbrown.com/.

Tim McGraw Lands New Movie Role

Tim McGraw has landed another movie role! McGraw will star alongside Ryan Reynolds and Denzel Washington in the upcoming film, Safe House.


Cinema Blend reports that “Reynolds plays a young CIA agent who needs to move a criminal (Washington) from a compromised safe house to a secure location.” McGraw will play a spy. “I get to play actually something action-packed,” McGraw said. ”Shoot people and all that stuff. I’m looking forward to all that stuff.”


McGraw’s latest movie, Country Strong, hits theaters everywhere January 7.   

Emerson Drive Deliver Hits Package, Tour in Early 2011

In February 2011, Canadian country group Emerson Drive will celebrate a decade together by releasing their first-ever greatest hits CD and hitting the road for a 33-city tour. 


'Decade of Drive' arrives in stores on February 8, 2011, the same day the band kicks off their Decade and Driving tour in Victoria, British Columbia.


"This tour is a celebration and a thank-you to our fans," says lead vocalist, Brad Mates. "We have spent 10 years out on the road sharing our music across North America. We can't wait to take the party back out on the road. It's exciting for us to show what we have accomplished so far, and give fans a look at the next decade. We have new music that just adds to the fun." 


The CD's first single, 'When I See You Again,' is a touching ballad that reflects the band's emotions in the aftermath of losing their friend and bassist Patrick Bourque, who took his own life in September 2007, a month after leaving the band.


Click here for a complete list of Emerson Drive tour dates.

Stolen Harley Cycle For Cancer Fundraiser Is A Total Loss

In August it was reported about The Pink Lady - a pretty pink Harley that was signed by a handful of country stars such as Dolly Parton, Tim McGraw, and Carrie Underwood that was destined to be auctioned off to benefit the Susan G. Komen Foundation had been stolen.


A few weeks ago the bike was found and a 45-year-old Lexington, Kentucky man was charged with stealing the motorcycle. Now the bike has been deemed a total loss. 
Officials with the Susan G. Komen Foundation in Lexington say the motorcycle is damaged beyond repair with broken spokes, the seat ripped off and several celebrity autographs scratched off.    

Vince Gill & Amy Grant on the Road for Christmas

Vince Gill looks forward to his annual Christmas tour with wife Amy Grant, but perhaps not for the reasons you might imagine. “I like Christmas songs and all, but are you kidding me? I get to ride around on a bus with my wife? That’s 80 percent of the reason I do this,” he tells Country Weekly with a hearty laugh. “Trust me, I’m a guy.”
There’s another reason as well, Vince admits. “It’s always fun to see people in a red sweater and some of slacks instead of a wife beater and a pair of shorts,” he says with a laugh.


The show features of mixture of well-known Christmas songs as well as some non-holiday material. “It won’t be all be Christmas, Christmas, Christmas,” Vince reports. “There will be a few things in there that are just sentimental and pretty. [Amy's] really, really grand at this, putting this kind of night together.”

The following December dates are scheduled:
14th   Durham Performing Arts Center - Durham, N.C.
17th   Crown Theatre - Fayetteville, N.C.
18th   War Memorial Auditorium - Greensboro, N.C.
19th   Cabarrus Arena - Concord, N.C.
20th   Fox Theatre - Atlanta
21th   Ryman Auditorium - Nashville
22th   Ryman Auditorium - Nashville