Kenny Rogers 2012 CMHOF Artist In Residence

Intimate Ford Theater Performances on May 9 and 10 Will Mark the 10th Anniversary of the Museum’s Annual Residency Program. Rogers will bring his signature soulful voice, his catalog of hits and the stories behind the music when he presents two intimate evening performances on May 9 and 10 at 7:00 p.m.

Established in 2003, the museum’s residency program annually honors a musical master who can be credited with contributing a large and significant body of work to the canon of American popular music. Honorees are given a blank canvas—the museum’s acoustically pristine, 213-seat Ford Theater—and are encouraged to lend their own creative brushstrokes to an up-close-and-personal musical experience. Previous honorees include Cowboy Jack Clement, Earl Scruggs, Tom T. Hall, Guy Clark, Kris Kristofferson, Jerry Douglas, Vince Gill, Buddy Miller and Connie Smith.

“Kenny Rogers is the consummate entertainer,” said Museum Director Kyle Young. “As a member of a band or duo or as a solo artist, he has conquered the jazz, folk, pop and country worlds—not to mention his success as an actor and photographer. Kenny has the gift of telling stories and making you believe he lived them. We are thrilled that he will help us celebrate the 10th anniversary of our Artist-in-Residence program by bringing his stories and songs to the Ford Theater for two unique shows.”

Known for instantly identifiable, sweetly raspy vocals and an ability to vividly inhabit each song he performs, Kenny Rogers has sold more than 120 million records worldwide and recorded more than 65 albums during his storied career. He has charted a record in each of the last seven decades, including 12 #1 albums.

Kenny Chesney To Debut New Song On ACM Awards Show

At the same time, he's picking up another impressive award: Chesney's 10.5M Tickets Sold Scores ACM Crystal Milestone.

Production for The 'Brothers of the Sun' Tour, starring Kenny and Tim McGraw, is in full swing.

One of the many elements that will be included in Chesney's upcoming shows this year is a video montage of his fans having fun that will be shown on video screens during Chesney's chart-topping hit, "Out Last Night." Fans from Kenny's official fanclub were asked to submit photos and video of themselves having fun with friends and family, and thousands of entries were received. The video is being edited now and fans can see who was "Out Last Night" starting on June 2 in Tampa, FL with the kick-off of the 'Brothers of the Sun' Tour, with Kenny Chesney and Tim McGraw. The coast-to-coast, all-stadium tour also includes Jake Owen and Grace Potter & The Nocturnals.

On June 19, Chesney will release his brand new album on BNA Records.

Josh Turner's Equipment Trailer Sports Cracker Barrel Logo

From Arkansas to Virginia, New York to Florida and all the highways and byways traveled in between, Cracker Barrel is sponsoring Turner’s tour through December 2012.

“We sponsored Josh’s tour and released the CD Josh Turner Live at the Ryman in 2007, and we’re very pleased to be traveling down the road with him a second time,” said Julie Craig, Cracker Barrel Marketing Manager. “He’s an indelible part of country music and we are proud to continue our association with such a talented, grounded, and genuine artist. We’re looking forward to working on another new project with Josh later this year, but we’re not quite ready to share the details on that just yet.”

A Hannah, S.C. native, he has been songwriting and performing since he was a young child, and in support of music education, created The Josh Turner Scholarship Fund to assist students interested in pursuing a future in arts/music. As a high school student, he had very little access to music education, therefore realizes first-hand the importance of arts in the schools.

Family More Important Than Awards Now For Martina McBride

Republic Nashville's McBride released her first album 20 years ago, she's had number one songs and platinum albums, headlined her own tours and she's won just about every major award she can win, including the ACM Female Vocalist Award, which she's won three times and is nominated for again this year.

With all of that already under her belt what are her hopes for the future?

Martina says, “That's a complicated question. I mean the first thing that comes to mind is that I just hope that I get to keep doing this for a long time. I love to perform, I love to sing and make records and make music.” But anyone who knows Martina knows that her family is her top priority, so she says on a personal level, “As my daughters get older, my oldest daughter's going to be going into college in a couple of years. So I just hope I'm able to be there for them and help them anyway I can.”

47th Annual Academy Of Country Music Awards' Guest List Gets Bigger

• Performers Sara Evans, Carrie Underwood and Keith Urban have been added.
• Presenters 2 Broke Girls' Beth Behrs and Entertainment Tonight's Nancy O'Dell have also joined the telecast.
• Lee Brice, Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brothers, JT Hodges, Kip Moore, Craig Morgan and Thompson Square will perform at the ACM Experience's Salute To The Military Presented By NRA Country.
• HLN's Robin Meade will host the free March 31 concert at Las Vegas' Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino, and check presentations will be made to the Folds Of Honor Foundation, Nellis Air Force Base Youth Programs and the Wounded Warrior Project.

Epic concert footage, fan videos and a Scottish Fold (huh?). Those are just some of the highlights in vote campaign videos from New Artist and Entertainer of the Year ACM nominees. Since the polls opened Monday (3/19), New Artist candidates Scotty McCreery and Brantley Gilbert posted campaign videos starring their legions of fans lobbying for votes. Fellow nominee Hunter Hayes dug up an old clip of himself playing with Hank Williams, Jr., who endorses Hayes as the future New Artist winner. Entertainer nominee Jason Aldean delivered a personal message, while Blake Shelton and Brad Paisley videos lean heavily on tour footage. Taylor Swift co-stars with her Scottish Fold cat Meredith in her clip. Click the links for the videos and go to VoteACM.com to support your favorites. The New Artist ballot closes Sunday (4/1) at 5pm PT, while the Entertainer ballot will remain open during the April 1 telecast.

Kenny Chesney, Vince Gill and Alan Jackson are among those who scored early ACM Awards this week. Off-camera honors included Chesney's Crystal Milestone award for selling more than 10 million tickets and popularizing country outside the genre. Career Achievement went to Gill for his work over the past year to promote country throughout the entertainment industry, and Jackson is the Jim Reeves International recipient for his contributions to the worldwide acceptance of the genre. Emmylou Harris, Billy Sherrill, Ricky Skaggs and Dwight Yoakam are the Cliffie Stone Pioneer Award recipients for being pioneers of the genre. All honorees will be celebrated during a Sept. 24 event in Nashville. View the full list here.

-- Country Aircheck

Reba's TV Future - Short-term And Long Term

ABC has picked-up a pilot TV show called "Malibu Country" starring Reba as a woman that divorces her rock-star hubby and moves her three kids from Nashville to Malibu to resurrect her singing career.

A premiere date has yet to be announced. Of course, she's celebrating her birthday week by cohosting the ACM Awards with Blake Shelton as well.

Lady Antebellum To “OWN PROM NIGHT” With Tornado Ravaged Henryville High School

Three weeks ago, GRAMMY winning trio Lady Antebellum began a contest offering fans a chance to OWN THE NIGHT with a private concert at their prom this spring.

After carefully reviewing each submission, the trio unanimously chose the community of Henryville, IN for their story, resilience and unity following devastating tornados earlier this month (watch the video announcement). Not only was their own submission moving, but schools across the country spontaneously submitted videos campaigning on behalf of Henryville High School to receive the special concert, including the winning submission by Silver Creek High School.

To see Silver Creek High School’s winning video submission on behalf of Henryville High School, click here

Due to a previously scheduled commitment, the trio won’t be able to make Henryville High School’s scheduled prom.

In lieu of a performance at their official celebration, the band has decided to throw a bigger event on May 16 in nearby Louisville, KY for the school’s Juniors and Seniors followed by a benefit for the community. Details for all arrangements will be shared over the next few days as they are confirmed.

"Lady A" To Open For Bruce Springsteen

It was announced yesterday that the seven time GRAMMY winning trio will open for American music icon Bruce Springsteen on July 14 for a sold out concert at Hyde Park as part of this year’s Hard Rock Calling festival in London, UK.

"It's Springsteen…there is no entertainer we look up to more than him," said Lady A's Charles Kelley. "I'm going to be like a little kid at Christmas watching his show. It's the biggest honor for us to be invited to play this festival…the entire lineup is awesome!"

High demand overseas of previously announced OWN THE NIGHT 2012 WORLD TOUR dates has also prompted Lady A to make special arrangements to accommodate more fans. The July 13 date in Glasgow, UK has moved to a bigger venue, the Clyde Auditorium, and the group recently added a second night in Dublin, Ireland at the Olympia Theatre.

Lady A’s current single “Dancin’ Away With My Heart” off their PLATINUM and GRAMMY winning disc OWN THE NIGHT is currently climbing the Top 10 on country radio charts. The album has already spawned two No. one hits “Just A Kiss” and “We Owned The Night,” which inspired the current tour’s name. The trio will continue their streak of sold out tour dates today in Seattle, WA at Key Arena as they return from the Canadian leg of their tour.

Randy Travis Co-Hosting “TODAY” Wednesday Morning

He will co-host America’s most-watched morning show, on Wednesday, March 21, 2012, teaming with Hoda Kotb during the fourth hour on NBC.

The Grammy-winning singer will be filling the chair for Kathie Lee Gifford who is taking the week off. It’s all part of his phenomenal silver milestone in the music industry, marked by the Warner Bros. Records release of the Anniversary Celebration CD that includes a star-studded cast of collaborators and extensive North American concert tour. In addition, Travis also released the 11-track greatest hits package Randy Travis, available exclusively through Cracker Barrel Old Country Store locations.

Travis calls this week’s national television appearance an anniversary highlight. “Having appeared and performed on the “Today” show many times, I am honored to co-host. I look forward to teaming with Hoda Kotb and the NBC crew during my visit to New York”.

This coming weekend, Travis will take center stage in Music City as part of the Community Hymn Sing with the Nashville Symphony on Sunday, March 25, 2012 at Schermerhorn Symphony Center. Other special guests include Michael W. Smith, Marcia Ware and the vocal group, Committed, winners of NBC’s The Sing-Off. The Nashville Choir will also be featured during the annual spring event of inspirational music. Shows are set to begin at 2:30 & 7:30 p.m.

Taylor Swift Featured In "Hunger Games"

Swift will be featured on the Hunger Games Soundtrack, available today, twice with the previously released “Safe and Sound” and the second song “Eyes Open (click to watch the concert video debut).”

Yahoo! Music just interviewed Taylor about her appearances on the Hunger Games soundtrack.

Cruise With Country's Legends

“Larry’s Country Diner” and “Country’s Family Reunion” will, once again, take to the high-seas for a five-day “down-home” Caribbean Cruise. Fans can climb aboard the Royal Caribbean Liberty of the Seas cruise liner January 19-24, 2013 and enjoy entertainment featuring Bill Anderson, Jeannie Seely, Jim Ed Brown, Helen Cornelius, Gene Watson, Moe Bandy, T. Graham Brown, Ronny Robbins, with more artists to be announced.

Of course, there will be a special onboard Larry’s Country Diner show, featuring the entire cast, and very special stand-up performances by the ever-popular Nadine. The Liberty of the Seas, which will dock at ports of call including Cozumel and Belize, boasts amenities such as a 9-hole golf course, waterpark, full-sized sports courts, fitness center, day spa and unlimited onboard activites. Based on the success last year’s cruise, these will sell out quickly, so fans are encouraged to book early by calling: 1-800-820-5405 or by logging on to www.cfrcruise.com.

Kenny Chesney Benefit In The Bahamas

He will be taking part in a benefit concert in the Bahamas on May 26th as part of the Michael Douglas and Friends Celebrity Golf Tourney.

The event will help raise money for PLAN IT NOW, which grants scholarships to students who’ve been effected by severe weather.

Eric Church Sells Out His 21st Arena

Multi-ACM and GRAMMY-nominated Church will take The Blood, Sweat & Beers Tour under the blood red sky approximately 6,450 feet above sea level to perform at the infamous open-air Red Rocks Amphitheatre (Morrison, CO) for a sold-out crowd on May 19. This marks his twenty-first sold-out show on the tour, including his performance in New York City on Wednesday, March 14 at Hammerstein Ballroom.

“It’s so surreal. I don’t know what the hell happened in a year and a half post-CHIEF [current RIAA Gold-certified album], but it’s great. My fans have a passion for this music, I have a passion for it and we’ve both believed in it, and this is what has happened,” Church told the Cleveland Plain-Dealer in a recent interview.

He will also perform on NBC’s Late Night with Jimmy Fallon in support of his current single “Springsteen,” on Monday, March 19. The song is currently No. 20 on the Country Billboard chart after just six weeks -- by far his fastest-rising radio single to-date.

The Blood, Sweat & Beers Tour, which kicked off on January 19 in Fort Smith, AR, is Church’s first-ever headlining arena tour, a giant step up since performing in rock bars just a year ago to roughly 2,000 fans on a good night. Now, Church’s shows average 7,500 tickets sold.

Montgomery Gentry = The Music Is Right

In support of their recent nomination, The Academy of Country Music "Top Vocal Duo of The Year" nominees stopped by The Price is Right to tape a special episode dedicated to the 47th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards. The show features an appearance and performance from the duo and will air on March 30th (check your local times and listings.)

"Where I Come From" is the first single off their seventh studio album, Rebels On The Run, released October 2011. Breaking down musical barriers with hits songs like "My Town," "Something To Be Proud Of," and anthems like "Hell Yea" and "My Town," Montgomery Gentry are well on their way to adding yet another staple song in their career.

Go To The Movies With Rascal Flatts

Their new album featuring their latest single “Banjo” releases on April 3rd. Two days later, on April 5th, their new theater event—a mix of high-energy concert & in-depth documentary—Rascal Flatts Changed, will be in theaters nationwide.

Jay DeMarcus explains, “This is our own documentary that we spent the last few months putting together and doing extensive interviews about everything from growing up in broken homes to how we got started in music to right now and things that have happened in our lives that changed us.”

The one night only event will give fans a chance to get to know Gary, Jay and Joe Don individually, which Jay says, “is kind of neat, because most of the time we spend a lot of time focusing on the band but … I think that people are gonna really see a lot of different sides of the three guys in Rascal Flatts during this 90 minutes.”

"I Just Lit A Cigar With A Lazer"

Brad Paisley is on the cover of Cigar Aficionado magazine this month.

Click the link to watch video of backstage at the shoot.

Toby Keith, Zac Brown Band, The Band Perry, and Luke Bryan Stampede To Kansas In June

The seventeenth annual WIBW-FM, 94.5 Country outdoor festival will take place June 21-24, 2012 and will feature 25 artists.

Past Country Stampede performers have included such artists as: Brad Paisley, Lady Antebellum, Brooks and Dunn, Big & Rich, Alan Jackson, Reba, Keith Urban, Toby Keith, Kenny Chesney, ZZ Top, Martina McBride, Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, Rascal Flatts, Hank Williams Jr., and many more.

More "Virtual Reality" To Be Announced Soon

Brad Paisley’s Virtual Reality World Tour 2012 presented by Chevrolet finished the first leg of the tour this past weekend in Baltimore, Knoxville and Lexington. The tour began mid-January and played to over 218,000 fans, with 19 sell-outs. Special guests on the tour have been reigning ACM and CMA New Artist of the Year and contenders for the 2012 ACM Vocal Group or Duo The Band Perry and reigning American Idol and current nominee for the 2012 ACM New Artist Scotty McCreery.

Last Friday evening, at Thompson Boling-Arena in Knoxville, Carrie Underwood implemented her perfectly planned sneak attack on Paisley with very few people in on the surprise or even knowing she was on the premises. When she walked out on stage and joined him on their No. 1 hit duet, “Remind Me,” Paisley was taken completely off-guard but didn’t miss a note. The crowd went wild. Later Underwood tweeted, “Had so much fun tonight surprising @BradPaisley—Thanks Knoxville!!” Paisley responded with a retweet and “Coolest thing that’s happened this tour!”

More Virtual Reality World Tour dates will be announced soon.

ACM Presents: Lionel Richie & Friends

New performers: Tim McGraw, Sara Evans, Luke Bryan and Jennifer Nettles have been added to the line-up for the tribute show being taped at MGM Garden Arena in Vegas April 2nd, the day after the ACM Awards.

The show will air April 13th on CBS. For a countdown to the ACMs, click here.

CMHOF Adds Three Luminaries

Garth Brooks, Hargus "Pig" Robbins, and Connie Smith will become the newest members of the coveted Country Music Hall of Fame.

Brooks will be inducted in the "Modern Era Artist" category, while Smith will be inducted in the "Veterans Era Artist" category. Robbins will be inducted in the "Recording and/or Touring Musician Active Prior to 1980" category, which is awarded every third year in a rotation with the "Non-Performer" and "Songwriter" categories. Brooks, Robbins, and Smith will increase membership in the coveted Country Music Hall of Fame from 115 to 118 inductees.

"There are great artists and talents, and then there are Connie, 'Pig,' and Garth," said Steve Moore, CMA Chief Executive Officer. "Connie has been one of the most celebrated female voices in music for more than 45 years, setting a golden standard for the thousands of female vocalists who came after her. 'Pig' overcame adversity to become one of the most sought-after session musicians in the industry, contributing his considerable talents to classic songs that have been treasured by fans all over the world since the late '50s. And, Garth led modern Country Music to unbelievable heights of commercial success and pop culture relevance after bursting onto the scene as part of the now-legendary 'Class of 1989.' These three artists are more than just performers...they are forces of nature who are deservedly entering the Country M usic Hall of Fame."