Zac Brown Band Loves "Jack" And Jukeboxes

Game on! Play the Jack & Zac O-Matic challenge for a chance to win a 1954 Seeburg R Jukebox, customized and restored by Jack Daniel's and filled with some of Zac Brown Band's favorite tunes! The more you play, the better your chances to win. 

Check out how Jack Daniel's restored the Jukebox you could win (video).

Have you joined Jack & Zac yet? Zac Brown Band fans have first dibs to download a FREE exclusive LIVE version of ZBB's "Goodbye In Her Eyes" when you join and download here!

"Luke Bryan Is Country’s Next Poster Boy"

“It’s all a dream. All I ever wanted to be is a big ol’ country star and I cannot believe it’s happened,” Bryan says in his Southern drawl. “It’s the time of my life and I’m loving every day.”

“Luke simply has that elusive ‘it’ factor,” says Mike Dungan, chairman/CEO of Universal Music Group Nashville (UMGN). “He is a ramped-up Elvis. His stage performance and persona are ex-traordinary. His genuineness and sincerity are evident in everything he does. And most important, his songs are right in the pocket. This one is going to be a force for a long time.”

A native of Leesburg, Ga., Bryan honed his skills in local clubs before moving to Nashville in 2001. His first success came as a songwriter, penning songs for Travis Tritt and Billy Currington, who took Bryan’s “Good Directions” to No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart. Bryan landed a deal with Capitol Records and his 2007 debut single, “All My Friends Say,” peaked at No. 5 on Hot Country Songs and his first album, “I’ll Stay Me,” hit No. 2 on Top Country Albums. Since then, he’s placed 18 titles on Hot Country Songs, among them the No. 1s “Rain Is a Good Thing,” “Someone Else Calling You Baby,” “I Don’t Want This Night to End” and “Drunk on You.” The latter two are from Bryan’s third studio album, “Tailgates & Tanlines,” which arrived in August 2011 and spent four weeks at No. 1 on Top Country Albums. It has sold 1.9 million copies, debuted and peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 and was the eighth-biggest-selling album of 2012 overall. It moved 1.1 million copies last year, finishing at No. 2 on Billboard’s year-end country tally. Bryan came in at No. 3 on the country artist list.

This is an excerpt. For the complete story, buy this week's issue of Billboard.

Charlie Daniels Recovers After Successful Pacemaker Implant Surgery

The Grand Ole Opry star is recovering after having a pacemaker implanted today (3-28), at a Nashville area hospital.

During a doctor visit on Monday (3-25), Charlie was diagnosed with a mild case of pneumonia and admitted to the hospital for a series of routine tests.  The tests revealed that a pacemaker was needed to regulate his heart rate.

He plans to be released from the hospital on Friday (3-29).  The family asks for your thoughts and prayers for Charlie as he recovers.  He will spend the next two weeks at his home.

Charlie recently celebrated 5 years as a member of the Grand Ole Opry, where he is a regular performer.

“I just had not been feeling well and wanted to get checked out,” says Daniels.  “I am thankful the doctors found the problem and were able to implant a pacemaker to get my heart rate regulated.  I am feeling so much better and looking forward to spending Easter with my family.”

Charlie’s performance at MTSU’s Murphy Center in Murfreesboro, TN, as part of the World Outreach Church Easter service,  has been cancelled.

Two CDB concert dates, Englewood, NJ (4-5), and Newark, OH (4-6) have been cancelled and will be re-scheduled. 

Charlie will resume his touring schedule with an appearance in Lynchburg, VA on April 11th and continue his tour schedule with the following dates:  Verona, NY (4-12), Chester, WV (4-13), Opry (4-18), Vidalia, GA (4-20), Wilkesboro, NC (4-25), Florence, SC (4-26), Priceville, AL (4-27), Indio, CA (4-28)

Media Contact:
Webster & Associates Public Relations & Marketing
Kirt Webster - 615-777-6995 x230

For The Charlie Daniels Band
Paula Szeigis -  615-443-2112 x123

Back From Hiatus, "Nashville" Continues To Compete

"Since its launch last fall, ABC’s highly hyped “Nashville” has gone from drama series about the music industry to a wild and crazy soap opera, with the music industry sometimes involved."

Hayden Panettiere and Connie Britton sat down with the women from The View and Jonathan Jackson, Charles Esten, and Clare Bowen & Sam Palladio performed.

Watch the four clips from the show below and get more at The View!

Jason Aldean Coors Light Spokesmodel

Click for the latest from "Aldean's Army."

All this for that thirty seconds:

It's Time To Vote For ACM Entertainer Of The Year

Here's the link to voice your choice!

Lady Antebellum "Golden"

For the Seven-time GRAMMY winning trio, their upcoming fourth LP "GOLDEN" out May 7 was figuratively – and literally – born on the move.

The harmony-based trio and its sizeable fan base bonded heavily during the band’s headlining Own The Night World Tour– an over-sized road trip, if there ever was one. The shows themselves were inspirational. But so was the time offstage. Lady A made a point of experimenting and creating with its road band as the one-nighters and the miles of travel piled up. That behind-the-scenes interaction inspired much of the music on GOLDEN, an instantly infectious project in which Lady A discovered new edges for its already-successful foundation.

“We were just kind of in that live show mindset for this album,” said Lady A’s Dave Haywood. “We had that perspective of being on a tour and having seen what translates in an arena. We have a better idea what kind of songs are so relatable where it shakes everybody like, ‘Oh, my God, I’ve totally been there.’”

“Every band I love that’s been here for a long time has reinvented itself in some way,” added Charles Kelley. “There’s a balance to it. I get a little annoyed when people reinvent themselves too much because there’s a reason people fell in love with you in the first place, but I think it’s important not to regurgitate the same stuff over and over again.”

Lady Antebellum’s familiar, established blend remains firmly intact, but there’s a sense of renewal about it, too.  Lady A and veteran producer Paul Worley return as co-producers on GOLDEN, a reinvented version of Lady A that’s familiar but simultaneously unlike any of its predecessors. It’s an achievement that comes from the band’s journey, and from its willingness to risk. “Downtown,” GOLDEN’s funky lead single, first announced the new direction in January. The band gave it an energetic, playful performance with a noticeably cleaner production than the previous album. The recording uses fewer instruments – each of them framed distinctly in the sound – and Scott delivers the lead vocal with a full-on attitude that’s never been completely realized in previous recordings.

“We embraced risk,” noted Hillary Scott. “When you are pushing yourself to not go back to the same well, you’re gonna come up with something different, or you’ll find songs that are different. And that’s what happened on this album.”

In some ways, GOLDEN also reaffirms the very beginnings of Lady Antebellum. The project focuses on deft songwriting and fresh uses of their talents, which was at the heart of what drew them together in the first place. In the end, the mix of their road experiences, songwriting and challenging outside songs adds a brightness to the album that’s reflected in the GOLDEN title.

Alan Jackson's Precious Memories Volume II Hits Stores Tomorrow

Alan Jackson named his first gospel album “Precious Memories,” but it took him until round two to get a song by that name on an album.

Jackson’s 11-song collection “Precious Memories Volume II” will be in stores Tuesday and this time it contains the title track.

“Everybody was like, ‘Why didn’t you put “Precious Memories” on the first one?” Jackson recalls. “Truth is we didn’t even sing that song in the Baptist Church. I don’t even think it’s in the hymnal. I love the song and we just picked that title for the first one and now it makes sense to do it, but it’s kind of backwards.”

As for the other 10 tracks on the album, Jackson says he and his wife Denise had some of the song choices made before they ever officially started making them.

“That first album was just a fluke,” Jackson says of the now double-platinum album. “I made that thing right quick for my mama and so many people loved it. All I been hearing is, ‘When you gonna make another one?’ We just picked up where we left off with the last one with all the songs we had and tried to figure out a few more that would work.”

In addition to “Precious Memories,” the album includes “Amazing Grace,” “He Lives,” “There’s Power in the Blood” and “When the Roll is Called Up Yonder.”

Blake Shelton’s New LP "Based On A True Story"

Us Weekly gives the album 3 ½ of 4 stars.  In support of the March 26th release, Blake is set to begin a run of media dates throughout the next two weeks, culminating with a performance you will not forget at The 48th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards on April 7 at 8pm ET/PT on CBS. Blake will begin with a performance on NBC’s The Today Show at 8amET/PT on March 26th and will be performing as part of Clear Channel’s iHeartRadio LIVE on March 27th at 7:00pmET. He will also make appearances March 28th on ABC’s Live! With Kelly and Michael at 9amET/PT and NBC’s Late Night with Jimmy Fallon at 12:37amET/PT. In addition, Blake will perform at a special private acoustic album release concert in Chicago, IL on March 29th as part of US99.5’s Live Country Series at Joe’s Bar.

The following week on April 2nd, fans can tune in for more performances from Blake on NBC’s The Tonight Show with Jay Leno at 11:35pmET/PT and on April 3rd, CBS’ The Talk at 2pmET/1pmPT. Blake wraps up his appearances with his good friend Chelsea Handler to perform on E!’s Chelsea Lately on Wednesday, April 3 at 11pm ET/PT during the talk show’s hour-long milestone 1081st episode celebration. This marks their first performance on the show. Blake will additionally appear on Access Hollywood, CBS This Morning, E! News, Entertainment Tonight, Extra, The Dennis Miller Show and Wait, Wait… Don’t Tell Me! on NPR.

Starting July 19 in Virginia Beach, VA, you can catch Blake live on his “Ten Times Crazier Tour.”

Tim McGraw Takes UK By Storm

Tim performed for the first time in London this past weekend at the O2 Arena.  His headlining set incited an overwhelming response from the first time audience with  Entertainment Focus noting that “When Tim hit the stage, the entire arena came on fire.” McGraw’s Big Machine Records debut TWO LANES OF FREEDOM was released last week to eager fans in the UK and landed at No. one on the iTunes Country Album chart.

 
While in London, Tim made a surprise appearance at a Ne-Yo concert to perform their song “She Is.”  Ne-Yo is just one of the many artists slated to perform at ACM PRESENTS: TIM McGRAW’S SUPERSTAR SUMMER NIGHT.  The show is taping April 8 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas and will be broadcast at a later date on the CBS Television Network.  

Next up for Tim is the launch of the 30 city TWO LANES OF FREEDOM TOUR on May 2 in Birmingham, AL.

Toby Keith Hits The Spring Break Slopes

... with his daughter Krystal Keith, who writes:  "Follow a girl as she begins her own journey into this crazy cool wonderful world that is Country music."

George Strait And Garth Brooks To Perform Together

GeorgeStrait and Garth Brooks, the two most recent ACM Artist of theDecade Award recipients, will perform together for the first time in history to pay tribute to Dick Clark at the 48^th ANNUAL ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS, to be broadcast live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas Sunday, April 7 (8:00 PM-11:00 PM, live ET/delayed PT) on the CBS Television Network. The ACM Artist of the Decade Award will be renamed the ACM Dick Clark Artist of the Decade Award, in honor of the iconic figure and longtime producer of the ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS. The ceremony, to be co-hosted by Luke Bryan and Blake Shelton, honors country music’s top talent, as well as the industry’s hottest emerging artists.

Dick Clark, who passed away last year, began producing the Academy of Country Music Awards in 1979 and helped introduce audiences all over America to the most talented artists in country music. Clark had long been an ambassador for a wide-range of musical genres and with his guidance, ushered the Academy of Country Music Awards through the decades to become one of the industry’s biggest events.    

“It is truly appropriate that we pay tribute to my father, longtime ACM Awards executive producer Dick Clark. As one of the current executive producers and Dick’s son, I’m honored that George and Garth graciously accepted my personal request to pay tribute to a man we all loved,” stated R.A. Clark.

“He was a friend to all of us and helped shape our organization.  There’s no doubt the Academy of Country Music wouldn’t be one of the highest-rated and watched awards shows without Dick’s vision and commitment,” commented Bob Romeo, CEO of the Academy of Country Music.

“Dick helped make country music accessible to a larger fan base and his efforts will not be forgotten. Garth and I were so grateful when we each received the ACM Artist of the Decade Award, so it’s only fitting that we’ll be honoring him with this tribute performance at the ACMs,” said George Strait. 

“I commend the Academy on naming the ACM Artist of the Decade Award after Dick Clark.  Although there is no award the entertainment industry has that can match the magnitude of the star Dick Clark was, and still is, it is an honor to get to be a part of the Academy’s tribute to him.  There may be others who have contributed as much to the music industry, but there is definitely no one that has contributed more than Dick Clark.  He was music’s best friend, and a dear friend to me,” said Garth Brooks.

Recipients of the ACM Artist of the Decade Award include Strait in 2009, Brooks in 1998, Alabama in 1988, Loretta Lynn in 1979 and Marty Robbins in 1969. The ACM Dick Clark Artist of the Decade Award is an Academy honor bestowed on a country music artist only once every decade.

Performers:

George Strait has won twenty Academy of Country Music Awards, including the Artist of the Decade award, an award that has only been given to four other acts in the Academy’s history.  He also holds the record for the most No. 1 hits on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. He has sold more than 68 million records, garnering him 32 different platinum or multi-platinum albums resulting in the most RIAA platinum certifications in country music and the third in all genres, behind The Beatles and Elvis Presley. Strait recently released his newest single, “Give It All We Got Tonight”—the first release from his forthcoming 2013 album, Love is Everything, due in stores on May 14. Strait also placed #1 on Pollstar’s Concert Pulse chart in March after the first leg of his on-going two-year final U.S. tour, “The Cowboy Rides Away Tour” with special guest Martina McBride.

Garth Brooks is a pivotal figure in the history of country music, garnering over twenty ACM Awards, including six Entertainer of the Year Awards, an Artist of the Decade award, and a Cliffie Stone Pioneer Award, honoring individuals who are pioneers in the country music genre. Certified by the RIAA in 2000 as the #1-selling solo artist in U.S. history, Brooks has sold in excess of over 128 million albums and has received every accolade the recording industry can bestow on an artist. With his commercially savvy fusion of post-Merle Haggard country, honky-tonk, post-folk-rock sensitive singer/songwriter sensibilities, and '70s arena rock dramatics, Brooks brought country music to a new audience in the '90s — namely, a mass audience. Before Brooks, it was inconceivable for a country artist to go multi-platinum. He shattered that barrier in 1991, when his second album, No Fences, began its chart domination, and its follow-up, Ropin' the Wind, became the first country album to debut at the top of the pop charts. He is currently raising his children in Oklahoma.

Alabama Fan Appreciation Show

The countdown is on until the official launch of the highly anticipated new tour by country music's most iconic group ALABAMA. But before Randy Owen, Teddy Gentry and Jeff Cook launch their 2013 Back to the Bowery Tour, they will hold a very special fan appreciation concert to relive the memories made from the very stage where it all started back in 1973.
 
On Thursday, April 4, ALABAMA will perform at the historic Bowery in Myrtle Beach, SC in a free concert for those who have supported their career over the past 40 years. Current fan club members will have the opportunity to win their way into the intimate concert through a special lottery drawing, with the remaining standing room only capacity being available to follow on a first come, first serve basis.

ALABAMA first got their musical start at the Bowery back in 1973 when the three cousins from Ft. Payne, Alabama were selected as the venue's summertime house band. From there, they went on to break records and make history as one of the most recognized and respected bands in country music. As seasoned performers, concert goers are guaranteed to enjoy a stellar show with back-to-back hits, including "Song of the South," "Love in the First Degree," "If You're Gonna Play in Texas (You Gotta Have a Fiddle in the Band)," and many more.

Legendary Performers Work For Cash

Vince Gill, Larry Gatlin and the Gatlin Brothers, Jimmy Fortune of the Statler Brothers and Joanne Cash Yates will join show host Tommy Cash for the third annual Johnny Cash Music Festival, according to an announcement made today by concert producer and festival founder Bill Carter.

The 2013 event is set for August 17 and will once again take place at Arkansas State University’s Convocation Center in Jonesboro, AR.  Showtime is 7:00 pm and tickets will go on sale April 1 (see box office info below).

As in year’s past, proceeds from this year’s event will fund the restoration of the Johnny Cash Boyhood Home in Dyess, Arkansas, as well as support a scholarship fund established in the international  superstar’s name. Already, four young people are attending ASU thanks to the money raised at the previous events.

“We have been extremely happy not only with the progress on Johnny’s boyhood home, but also with the funding of this scholarship,” Carter said,  “Johnny’s family made it clear from the start that giving children from his hometown area an opportunity to get a college education is something Johnny would have been very proud of. Likewise, the Dyess area will benefit from the economic boost we feel certain this museum will bring to the community. We’re grateful to the artists who are coming in this year to put on a great show for a great cause.”

The restoration of the home is well underway and according to Dr. Ruth Hawkins, director of Arkansas Heritage Sites, the museum is projected to open in the Spring of 2014. The goal is to establish the Johnny Cash Boyhood Home as a museum to honor the legacy of the Man in Black. Keeping the attraction in Cash’s hometown of Dyess will help boost the local economy. It is of interest to note another piece of historical data attached to the house.  Cash’s family moved to Dyess and the 40 acres of land as part of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s New Deal.

“We have made great progress on the actual restoration of the house and are now working with members of the Cash family on acquiring the appropriate furnishings, which are being carefully researched,” Hawkins said. “Thanks to Joanne’s and Tommy’s great memories, it’s going to seem as if the Cash family has just stepped outside the door to head to church.”

Tickets for the Johnny Cash Music Festival will go on sale April 1st.

Kenny Chesney Takes Tampa

They were waving pirates flags in Section 303 and 334, at the top of Raymond James Stadium when the lights came up and Kenny Chesney strode to the mic to kick off his 2013 tour in the home of the Buccaneers. For the next two-plus hours, Chesney played old songs, his brand new song and some real surprises.

"We've been waiting to get back out here, and it felt gooood," Chesney said. "It was our third time coming to Tampa to kick off the tour, and there's a reason. It's Florida... It's warm... It's near the ocean... and these fans are just off the chain."

They passed license plates that said "No Shoes" and "Nation," high school yearbooks and oversized pirate flags to the stage. They sang along to "You & Tequila," "Everybody Wants To Go Heaven," "Anything But Mine" and "Out Last Night." They got to see Kacey Musgraves duet with Chesney on the #1 "Come Over." They were thrilled to hear No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problem's "On The Coast of Somewhere Beautiful" and an all-alone moment for the intimate "Old Blue Chair."

With spring training underway, ESPN analyst Jon Gruden, Philadelphia Phillies pitchers Roy Halladay and Cole Hamels, as well as Yankee Kevin Youkils and USC 4 year quarterback Matt Barkley, whose awaiting the NFL draft, joined 47,492 members of the No Shoes Nation for the start of another season on the road for the man who's sold over a million tickets each of his past 10 tours.

"We brought back some songs we've not done in a while, like 'How Forever Feels,' stripped things back a bit for 'You & Tequila' and even pulled out one no one in the band saw coming with 'Old Blue Chair'," he said of the tour's first show. "It was as fluid as it's ever been - and the music really took us places tonight. Trusting the music, and the fans, is a big part of it."

Joining Chesney for the first night was CMA Album of the Year winner Eric Church, who turned in a set that was as intense as it was crowd-rallying. Texas' Academy of Country Music award winners the Eli Young Band and acclaimed newcomer Kacey Musgraves also did sets that drew out the crowd.
 
"I think this is one of the best packages we've had. It's very progressive, very music and very much about connecting with the fans. I think it's going to be an incredible summer."

Omaha Hosts Taylor Swift Tour Kickoff

Swift tells fans what they can expect when her new show comes to town (click for video clips).

You can tag yourself, find your friends, and buy panoramic prints of the the world's largest 360 degree photo, taken at the show.

Check it out at taylorswift.fancam.com

Getting On Kacey Musgraves' 'Mary Go Round'

• “I’m kind of a big believer in people doing whatever the hell they want to do, since I feel like society is probably going to have an opinion either way.”
  
•  “A label’s typical plan would be to put something out that’s safer and get fans, and then push buttons, but my idea is to push buttons first, scare off the people who are gonna be scared off, and then the right people will like you for who you really are, and stay with you.”

- To Carlo Rotella (author of “Playing in Time: Essays, Profiles and Other True Stories” and director of American Studies at Boston College in Sunday's New York Times

Florida Georgia Line Parties With The Spring "Breakers"

... at the "breakers" of Orange Beach, Alabama.

From Brian & Tyler’s Facebook page:

3.9.13 - ANNOUNCEMENT - FINALLY, we can disclose all of the details!! We did a REMIX of "Cruise"...AND, we recruited our new friend @Nelly_Mo to join in on it!! He KILLED it. Some radio stations are already picking it up now, and we're being told ...you'll be able to purchase the REMIX in early April. How cool is that???? #sojackedup

Check out the last 15 seconds on Nelly's new video for "Hey Porsche" to hear a teaser of it!!

Their label reports that the guys also sang on a Nelly track called “Walk Away”.

Darius Rucker Hosts ACM Lifting Lives Celebrity Golf Classic

This will be Rucker's second consecutive year as host of one of the events leading up to this year's ACM Awards. The event will take place April 6th at TPC Las Vegas and will benefit ACM Lifting Lives' Diane Holcomb Emergency Relief Fund, which provides immediate relief to those in need in the music industry.

To say Darius is an avid golfer is an understatement -- he loves the sport, and not just for the athleticism. "I love being outside. I get outside so little, really, if you look at the whole thing," says Darius. "It's me against the course. I love that."

The 48th Annual ACM Awards will air live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena April 7th on CBS.

The South Carolina native is currently making his way up the country charts with his latest single, "Wagon Wheel," which is from his upcoming album, True Believers.

Spring Break...Here To Party = Luke Bryan

Bryan’s "Spring Break…Here to Party" debuted atop the Billboard Top 200 album chart with nearly 150,000 copies sold as of today.

The songs included in the collection are from his previous four Spring Break releases -- 2009’s Spring Break…With All My Friends, 2010’s Spring Break 2…Hangover Edition, 2011’s Spring Break 3…It’s A Shore Thing and last year’s Spring Break 4…Suntan City – as well as two new songs, “Just a Sip” and “Buzzkill.”

“We’re just proud that we started a little idea and that it’s grown into something,” says Luke. “We just felt that it was time to put a physical CD together that people can go purchase in all kinds of all environments.”

Luke will perform the second show of a two-night stand in Panama City Beach tonight (Wednesday) and travel to Gulf Shores for a show in Orange Beach, Alabama tomorrow (Thursday).

The ACM-Entertainer of the Year nominee and ACM Awards host can be seen on the small screen this weekend and next. His CMT special, Luke Bryan: Spring Break…Here to Party, will air Sunday (March 17th) at 2pm ET and on GAC’s Top 20 Countdown on March 22nd at 8pm ET.

Lady Antebellum First Artists To Enlist For Fan Fair X

X marks the coolest daytime spot for Nashville’s “signature” event in the new AT&T® U-verse® Fan Fair X (FFX) with autograph signings, concerts, lifestyle exhibits, marketplace, live broadcasts, demonstrations, and more in the brand new, cutting-edge Music City Center during 2013 CMA Music Festival, June 6-9 in Nashville.

Leading the way is “Lady A Day at FFX.” To kick the week off, the group will cut the ribbon when the doors officially open to the FFX on Thursday, June 6. From the new Fan Fair X, Lady A will perform, sign autographs in their custom “backstage” booth @ClubLabellum, answer questions from fans in an interview segment called CMA Close Up, and is launching their PING PONG & SONGS event to include the thousands of fans in town for the Festival. Fans can also register at FFX for a private meet and greet with the group at LP Field on Friday, June 7.

“I’m looking forward to being in the new Music City Center,” said Lady A’s Hillary Scott. “We’re really excited to be given the opportunity to merge our PING PONG & SONGS event with Music Fest and this new fan experience CMA is creating. Now that fans from all over the country will be able to play ping pong against us, Charles and Dave are going to have to brush up on their skills! All the money we raise at our booth will go to LadyAID – it’s going to be so fun for us and for the fans!”

The Platinum-selling group, made up of members Dave Haywood, Charles Kelley, and Scott, has won seven CMA Awards, including Vocal Group (2009-2011), Single (2009 for “I Run to You” and 2010 for “Need You Now,” which also earned them an additional Award for producing), and New Artist of the Year (2008). They first performed at CMA Music Festival in 2007 on the Riverfront stage and have performed at LP Field every year since (2008-2012). They will be performing again during the Nightly Concerts in 2013. LadyAID™ was set up by the trio as a philanthropic effort created to bring awareness to and generate support for children in need locally, nationally, and globally.

The multi-level organization is a component fund of The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee. For more information, visit LadyAID.org.

The Band Perry Are Ready To Rock "Down Under"

The Band Perry will be in Australia this Friday for CMC Rocks the Hunter, Australia’s biggest international country and roots festival. 

They’re all excited because Reid says, “This will be the first time that we head to Australia,” but Kimberly admits there is one thing she is not excited about. “I’m a little bit nervous about the spiders, though. I hear they’ve got those Huntsman Spiders that are as big as my hand, which I’m a little terrified over.” 

Neil is looking forward to trying out his Australian accent when he orders some shrimp on the barbie, although we’ve heard it, and he might want to use the long flight over to practice a little. 

The three-day outdoor festival will be a great place for The Band Perry to introduce Australian fans to some of their new music, including their most recent #1, “Better Dig Two,” and their current single, “DONE.”

Strait Sells Out San Antonio In Six Minutes

George Strait is in San Antonio this weekend for the final day of competition at his 31^st Annual George Strait Team Roping Classic, so it’s only appropriate that the King of Country celebrates another career milestone in the city today— San Antonio’s Alamodome announced their fastest and largest sell-out of over 72,000 tickets sold in just six minutes as part of his final two-year tour, The Cowboy Rides Away Tour.

 

The tour stop will take place on June 1, 2013 and will mark Strait’s eighth performance at the venue since he opened the facility that is affectionately referred to as, “The house they [the city] built for George.”  

Strait’s The Cowboy Rides Away Tour placed No. 1 on Pollstar’s Concert Pulse last week, averaging $1.4 million in gross sales per show, topping Justin Bieber, Neil Young & Crazy Horse, Dave Matthews Band, and The Who (top 5 respectively).

 

Strait is currently working on a forthcoming album slated for release late spring. The album will feature his current single, “Give It All We’ve Got Tonight,” which is Top 15 and climbing. The single could mark Strait’s 60^th No. 1 on longtime label, MCA Records Nashville. Fans are encouraged to visit sixtyforsixty.com to help spread the news.

 

The tour will continue next weekend with a record-breaking stop of over 77,000 in attendance at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Texas.   

 

Remaining The Cowboy Rides Away Tour 2013 Dates:

Mar 17  |  Reliant Stadium  |  Houston, Texas

Mar 22  |  Bi-Lo Center  |  Greenville, S.C.

Mar 23  |  Greensboro Coliseum  |  Greensboro, N.C.

Apr 5     |  The Pit  |  Albuquerque, N.M.

Apr 6     |  Pan American Center  |  Las Cruces, N.M.

Apr 12   |  Verizon Arena  |  N. Little Rock, Ark.

Apr 13   |  New Orleans Arena  |  New Orleans, La.

Jun 1     |  Alamodome  |  San Antonio, Texas

Trace Adkins Is On His Way To All-Star Celebrity Apprentice

.. and so are his fans, via his website.

Entrants complete tasks related to his role on the show for a chance to win a grand prize trip to the live finale.

Fans will also have the opportunity to preview Adkins' upcoming album Love Will ... scheduled for release this spring.

Darius Rucker Enlists Some Special Guests For His New Video

Rucker has been shooting his latest music video for his new single “Wagon Wheel” in Nashville, TN this week.  The video directed by Jim Wright features several guest appearances including Jase, Korie, Sadie, Si and Willie Robertson from A&E’s Duck Dynasty and Charles Kelley of Lady Antebellum who along with Dave Haywood and Hillary Scott sing background vocals on the single.

“My wife came up with the idea to have the Duck Dynasty (DD) guys in the "Wagon Wheel" music video, and I thought we had no chance because they're so busy so I never even said it out loud,” explains Rucker. “Thank God she called my manager because the DD folks took this video to a whole new level! Big thanks to them and Charles... It was a good time for sure, and I can't wait to see how the video turns out!”

“Wagon Wheel” was written by Ketch Secur of Old Crow Medicine Show and is based on a sketch by Bob Dylan.  The hit single is from Rucker’s upcoming third solo country album, True Believers, which will be released this Spring.

Rucker recently had a childhood dream come true when he was inducted as the newest member of the Grand Ole Opry.  His first two country albums, Learn To Live and Charleston, SC 1966 both topped the Billboard Country album chart and produced five No. 1 singles including “Come Back Song,” “This,” “Alright,” “It Won’t Be Like This For Long” and “Don’t Think I Don’t Think About It.”  In 2009 Rucker was named New Artist of the Year at the CMA Awards.

Brad Paisley’s First Interactive Book

Building A Wheelhouse, will go on sale Tuesday, April 9, simultaneously with Paisley’s Wheelhouse and Wheelhouse (Deluxe Version) albums.

The Building A Wheelhouse Interactive Book, an iTunes exclusive, and the regular and deluxe version of the Wheelhouse album are available now for pre-order on the iTunes Store.

Building A Wheelhouse is an exploration of the recording process involved in Paisley’s 8^th studio album, Wheelhouse. 

Designed with Apple’s digital book creation app, iBooks Author, Building A Wheelhouse offers an in-depth Multi-Touch look at the album, from both songwriting and production perspectives, with insights from Paisley and the collaborative team behind the making of this album.  Unique features include exclusive interviews, video and photo galleries.

First Round of Performers Announced for This Year’s ACM Broadcast

Luke Bryan, Kelly Clarkson, Hunter Hayes, Miranda Lambert, Blake Shelton, George Strait and The Band Perry are scheduled to perform as part of the 48^th ANNUAL ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS. 

This is the first round of artists announced as performers on this year’s broadcast. The ceremony, which will be co-hosted by Bryan and Shelton, honors country music’s top talent, as well as the industry’s hottest emerging artists, is produced for television by dick clark productions and will be broadcast LIVE from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas Sunday, April 7, 2013 at 8:00 PM live ET/delayed PT on the CBS Television Network.

Performers:

Luke Bryan will be co-hosting the Awards telecast for the first time and is one of the fastest rising stars in country music.  He is nominated for four awards, including Entertainer of the Year, Male Vocalist of the Year, Album of the Year for tailgates & tanlines, and Vocal Event of the Year for “The Only Way I Know” with Jason Aldean and Eric Church.  He is currently headlining his first major tour, the “Dirt Road Diaries Tour,” and has earned five platinum singles. 

Kelly Clarkson is nominated for Vocal Event of the Year for “Don’t Rush” with Vince Gill, her third nomination in that category.  Last year, she took home two ACM Awards, including Vocal Event of the Year and Single Record of the Year for “Don’t You Wanna Stay” with Jason Aldean.  To date, Clarkson has released 5 studio albums, sold more than 20 million albums worldwide, 10 million albums in the U.S., and has had 10 singles in the Top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles Chart. Clarkson recently won the GRAMMY® for Best Pop Vocal Album for her last studio album Stronger. Last November, she released her Greatest Hits – Chapter 1 album, which features three new tracks, as well as a compilation of some of her greatest hits to date.

Hunter Hayes has six ACM nominations, including two in the Song of the Year category as the artist and composer, as well as in the Single Record of the Year category as the artist and producer for “Wanted.”  He rounds out his nominations with New Male Vocalist of the Year and Video of the Year for “Wanted.”  Hunter’s GRAMMY® nominated self-titled debut album has garnered three smash hits, including his current single, “Somebody’s Heartbreak,” which has already entered the Top 5 and is certified Gold, as well as his near Triple Platinum-selling No. 1 single “Wanted.”  Hunter Hayes is a celebrated musician, songwriter and performer who is currently on the “Blown Away Tour” with Carrie Underwood.

Miranda Lambert, reigning ACM Female Vocalist of the Year, has earned five nominations including her seventh consecutive nod for Female Vocalist of the Year and second nomination for Entertainer of the Year.  In addition, Lambert was nominated for Single Record of the Year and twice nominated for Song of the Year, as artist and composer, for “Over You.”  Lambert is currently on the “Locked & Reloaded” Tour with longtime friend Dierks Bentley. 

Blake Shelton, ACM reigning Male Vocalist of the Year returns to co-host the Awards telecast for the third consecutive year.   He is nominated for three awards - Male Vocalist of the Year, Song of the Year as composer for “Over You” with Miranda Lambert and Entertainer of the Year, the Academy’s most prestigious honor.  His current single, “Sure Be Cool If You Did,” is his fastest No. 1 record topping the charts in only eight weeks on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs Chart.  “Sure Be Cool If You Did” is off his new album, Based On A True Story…which is available everywhere on March 26. You can also catch Shelton kicking off his “Ten Times Crazier” tour on July 19 in Virginia Beach, VA. 

George Strait has won twenty Academy of Country Music Awards, including the Artist of the Decade award, an award that has only been given to four other acts in the Academy’s history.  He also holds the record for the most No. 1 hits on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart.  He has sold more than 68 million records, garnering him 32 different platinum or multi-platinum albums resulting in the most RIAA platinum certifications in country music and the third in all genres, behind The Beatles and Elvis Presley.  Strait recently released his newest single, “Give It All We’ve Got Tonight”—the first release from his forthcoming 2013 album.  Strait also placed No. 1 on Pollstar’s Concert Pulse chart in March after the first leg of his on-going two-year final U.S. tour, “The Cowboy Rides Away Tour” with special guest Martina McBride.

The Band Perry returns to the ACM Awards this year with their third Vocal Group of the Year nomination, just two short years after they were honored with the New Artist of the Year award in 2011. The sibling trio’s sophomore album PIONEER will be released on April 2, 2013 and has already spawned the smash, RIAA Certified Platinum single, “Better Dig Two,” which quickly became the No. 1 Billboard Hot Country Song, making it the fastest-rising song of the band's career.  It is their third chart-topping single landing at No. 1 on the Country Radio Charts for two consecutive weeks.  The Band Perry is currently on Rascal Flatts’ “Changed Tour” and will appear on CBS’ The Late Show with David Letterman on April 1, 2013.

About the Academy of Country Music Awards

The 48^th Academy of Country Music Awards is dedicated to honoring and showcasing the biggest names and emerging talent in the country music industry.  The show is produced for television by dick clark productions and will be broadcast LIVE from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas Sunday, April 7, 2013 at 8:00 PM live ET/delayed PT on the CBS Television Network.

Jason Aldean Surprises Charlie Daniels At Benefit Concert

Daniels was surprised while hosting a special free concert last night to support Lipscomb University’s Yellow Ribbon Enhancement Program as part of the Charlie Daniels’ Scholarship for Heroes event.  Fellow patriots and country stars, the multi-platinum, multi-award winning chart-topper Jason Aldean and the GRAMMY® award-winning Lee Greenwood walked unannounced onto the stage to offer their support for our military.  

The concert also featured return performances by Chris Young and The Grascals, as well as Keni Thomas, Bleach and Lynyrd Skynyrd guitarist Sparky Matejka, and included a presentation with Mary Byers, President of Gold Star Mothers, Inc., an organization of mothers who have lost sons or daughters while in service of their country.

“The motto for the USO is ‘until they all come home.’ Last night's event at Lipscomb addressed the fact that many did not come home,” explained Greenwood.  “I'm proud to have been a part of this event and congratulate my friend Charlie Daniels for being a leader in our Nashville community.”

Daniels, a staunch supporter of the military, was pleased with the event and the support by the community.  Corporate sponsors and donors included iostudio, Humana, Waltrip Brothers’ Charity Championship, Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Twice Daily, Bridgestone, Chase, Operation Homefront, Clear Channel, Dollywood, Shofner Vision Center, Trauger & Tuke, Glover Group Entertainment, SunTrust and DSI.

“We have so many heroes whose needs fly below our radar,” said Daniels. “This shouldn’t be happening and this event is helping to make sure it doesn’t.”

For more information on Lipscomb University’s Yellow Ribbon Enhancement Program, call 615-966-5176 or visit lipscomb.edu/campuslife/veterans.

ABOUT THE FEDERAL YELLOW RIBBON PROGRAM:
In 2009, the Post-9/11 GI Bill was established as an education benefit program for individuals who served on active duty after Sept. 11, 2001. It is administered by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Based on a veteran’s length of service, he or she may be eligible to receive the cost of tuition and fees, not to exceed the most expensive in-state institution of higher education.

 

Media Contacts:
For Jason Aldean
The Green Room PR
Mary Hilliard Harrington / 615-242-7444

 
For The Charlie Daniels Band
Paula Szeigis / 615-443-2112 x123 

 
For Chris Young
Monarch Publicity
Cindy Heath / 615-429-2203

For Lee Greenwood
Webster & Associates Public Relations & Marketing/ 615-777-6995 x227
 
For Lipscomb University
Kim Chaudoin / 615-966-6494

Gary Allan, Dierks Bentley, Eric Church, Kelly Clarkson, Florida Georgia Line, Hunter Hayes, Miranda Lambert, Jake Owen, Brad Paisley, Blake Shelton, Taylor Swift, The Band Perry, Keith Urban, and Zac Brown Band

Where can you find more CMA Award winners and nominees than at the annual CMA Awards? Try the 2013 CMA Music Festival!

The star-packed lineup is bursting at the seams with reigning trophy winners, former Award recipients, and nominees all performing for the most ardent, passionate fans in the world during CMA Music Festival, Thursday through Sunday, June 6-9, in Nashville.

“We have an amazing lineup of talent for this year’s Festival,” said Steve Moore, CMA Chief Executive Officer. “I know our fans will be entertained and enthralled to see our annual family reunion of the best and brightest performers in the industry.”

More artists have just been announced including Gary Allan, Dierks Bentley, Eric Church, Kelly Clarkson, Florida Georgia Line, Hunter Hayes, Miranda Lambert, Jake Owen, Brad Paisley, Blake Shelton, Taylor Swift, The Band Perry, Keith Urban, and Zac Brown Band.

Previously announced performers for this one-of-a-kind, award-winning festival include Luke Bryan, Lady Antebellum, Little Big Town, and Carrie Underwood (with more artists to be announced soon).

• Allan made his first appearance at Fan Fair in 1997. In 2003, he received his first CMA Awards nomination for the Horizon Award (now known as the New Artist of the Year). He last played LP Field in 2006 and he opened the concerts at Riverfront Park in 2011.
• Bentley made his first Festival appearance in 2003 at Riverfront Park. He has performed at LP Field seven times and has 10 CMA nominations to his credit including a win in 2005 for the Horizon Award.
• Reigning CMA Album of the Year winner for Chief, Church will be making his second, consecutive appearance at LP Field in 2013. He played Riverfront from 2006-2009. Church was the top CMA Awards nominee in 2012.
• Clarkson is no stranger to the LP Field stage having played the Nightly Concerts in 2007 and 2011. She has four CMA Award nominations to her credit and one win for Musical Event of the Year with Jason Aldean in 2011 for “Don’t You Wanna Stay.”
• What a difference a huge hit (“Cruise”) and a year make for Florida Georgia Line. In 2012, the duo performed on one of the events numerous free stages downtown, and now they will have their first LP Field performance in 2013.
• Reigning New Artist of the Year Hayes made his first Festival appearance in one of the free areas in 2011. In 2012, he was invited to LP Field, and he will be making his return appearance in 2013.
• Reigning CMA Female Vocalist and Song of the Year winner Lambert first played Riverfront in 2004 and has performed at LP Field every year since (2005-2012). She has 22 CMA Awards nominations and has won six times, including three for Female Vocalist of the Year (2010-2012).
• Owen has played Riverfront four times (2005, 2006, 2010, 2011) and LP Field three times (2008, 2009, 2012). Owen has two CMA Awards nominations including Musical Event of the Year (2008) and New Artist of the Year (2009).
• Paisley, who has hosted the CMA Awards with Underwood for the past five years, made his first Fan Fair appearance in 1998. Since then, he has performed on the LP Field stage 10 times (2001-2004, 2006, 2007, 2009-2012). He has 58 CMA Awards nominations and 14 wins including three for Male Vocalist of the Year (2007-2009) and one for Entertainer of the Year (2010).
• The reigning CMA Entertainer of the Year Shelton performed at Riverfront for the first time in 2001. Since then, he has played at LP Field six times (2002, 2005, 2006, 2010-2012). He has 15 CMA Awards nominations and five wins including three for Male Vocalist of the Year (2010-2012) and Song of the Year with wife Lambert for “Over You” (2012).
• Swift first played Riverfront in 2006 and has played LP Field four times (2007-2009, 2011). She has 15 CMA Awards nominations and seven wins including her first for the Horizon Award in 2007 and two for Entertainer of the Year (2009, 2011), which ties her with Barbara Mandrell for wins in that category by a female artist.
• The Band Perry’s first CMA Music Festival performance was at Riverfront in 2010. They performed at LP Field in 2011 and 2012. The sibling trio has garnered six CMA Awards nominations and two wins including New Artist of the Year in 2011 and Single and Song of the Year (for composer Kimberly Perry) for “If I Die Young” in 2011.
• Urban has played LP Field seven times. He has collected 25 career CMA Awards nominations and won six trophies from the Horizon Award in 2001 to Entertainer of the Year in 2005. He has been named CMA Male Vocalist of the Year three times (2004-2006).
• Zac Brown Band has appeared at CMA Music Festival every year since 2008 when they performed at Riverfront and have played LP Field every year since (2009-2012). The band has 12 CMA Awards nominations and one win for New Artist of the Year in 2010. Zac Brown has six solo CMA Awards nominations to his credit.

Now is the time to experience CMA Music Festival. According to Budget Travel Magazine, Nashville is one of the Top 10 Best Budget Destinations and CMA Music Festival is “the” time to visit. And Conde Nast Traveler selected Nashville as one of the Best Places to Go in 2013 citing easy access to “incredible live music.”

Fans can purchase tickets to 2013 CMA Music Festival through Ticketmaster at Ticketmaster.com or 1(800)745-3000. They can also purchase them by calling 1(800)CMA-FEST (262-3378). Ticket prices are based on the level of seating at LP Field for the Nightly Concerts, and range from $135 to $350 plus handling fees. A limited number of four-day parking passes for LP Field are also available (parking is not included in the Festival ticket price), ranging from $60 for Cars to $140 for an RV/Motorcoach, plus handling fees.

Greg Bates Hopes To Tour With Brantley Gilbert Again

When it was first announced that Bates would be going on tour with Gilbert last year he admits, “It was definitely an interesting pairing to go out and be on the road with Brantley, who obviously – our music is not similar, other than having the country name to it and it was something that I was not worried about but definitely, it caught my attention just like I’m sure it caught some fans attention before they came to the show.” 

But looking back on the tour Greg says, “I think it was a huge success. Being out with Brantley, I got to see how a tour should be run and all of his guys were so great to me and my guys. We just had a blast. I can’t say enough about how much fun it was to go out. I think we all kind of hated to see it end when it did. Hopefully we’ll get to tour with him at some point again real soon.” 

For now, Greg is promoting his new single, “Fill in the Blank,” with his own shows at clubs, fairs and festivals across the country.

Taylor Swift Joins Florida Georgia Line Onstage for ‘Cruise’

Taste Of Country's Amy Sciarretto reports:

At the CRS New Faces of Country Music Show Friday night (March 1), Florida Georgia Line performed, closing out their set with their No. 1 hit ‘Cruise.’ That’s nothing out of the ordinary, right? Wrong! While it was an expected and high octane way for Brian Kelley and Tyler Hubbard to end the set, the performance got a major dose of star power when Taylor Swift “cruised” onto the stage to join the band for an impromptu duet.

With no loud and proud intro, no fanfare and no warning, Swift showed up for the second verse.

Wearing a simple and tight black mini dress and knee high boots, Swift looked sexy and she certainly enjoyed herself, performing with the band, sashaying across the stage and rocking out.

It was beyond fun to see Swift perform the band’s smash hit, letting her hair down a little and interacting with Kelley and Hubbard as they played their instruments.

The ‘I Knew You Were Trouble’ singer stayed on the stage for the rest of the song. She gave the group a shout-out as the song wound down and hugged the boys before she made her graceful exit.

CRS New Faces Show Rocks Friday Night

- Becky Brenner

Warner Brothers Meets Columbia Records On Sony Boat At CRS

-- Becky Brenner

Tim McGraw’s ACM Superstar Summer Night

Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan and Taylor Swift are scheduled to perform.

Fifteen time ACM Award winner, acclaimed actor and entertainer Tim McGraw is handpicking the hottest music of summer and calling on his friends to help kick off the 2013 touring season. The two-hour star-studded concert event will feature performances and collaborations from country, pop, rock and more, as well as a few surprise special guests from the worlds of film and television. All proceeds will benefit ACM Lifting Lives, the charitable arm of the Academy, and an organization that McGraw was closely affiliated with over his last tour.

"I hope I can help turn the fans on to some of the best live music that will be on the road this summer and really put a spotlight on the ones I know they won't want to miss," said McGraw. "I also feel a responsibility to help raise some money and awareness for ACM Lifting Lives and all the good work they do. They supported me last summer with our HomeFront program and helped me give away a house to a Veteran in need in every market we played in, so I'm excited to get some of my friends together and repay the favor."

Fifteen time ACM Award winner, acclaimed actor and entertainer Tim McGraw is handpicking the hottest music of summer and calling on his friends to help kick off the 2013 touring season. The two-hour star-studded concert event will feature performances and collaborations from country, pop, rock and more, as well as a few surprise special guests from the worlds of film and television. All proceeds will benefit ACM Lifting Lives, the charitable arm of the Academy, and an organization that McGraw was closely affiliated with over his last tour.
"I hope I can help turn the fans on to some of the best live music that will be on the road this summer and really put a spotlight on the ones I know they won't want to miss," said McGraw. "I also feel a responsibility to help raise some money and awareness for ACM Lifting Lives and all the good work they do. They supported me last summer with our HomeFront program and helped me give away a house to a Veteran in need in every market we played in, so I'm excited to get some of my friends together and repay the favor."
- See more at: http://www.acmcountry.com/timspecial.html#sthash.gcawhRBZ.

Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan, Taylor Swift and Ne-Yo are scheduled to perform at ACM Presents: Tim McGraw's Superstar Summer Night - See more at: http://www.acmcountry.com/timspecial.html#sthash.gcawhRBZ.dpuf

Darius Rusker, Justin Moore, Rodney Atkins and Jana Kramer 2013 Tour

Rucker is calling all ‘true believers’ to meet him out on the road this summer for his newly announced headlining tour in support of his upcoming True Believers album release this spring.

 

The True Believers Tour kicks off on May 9 in Estero, Fla. and will work its way through more than 20 cities across the U.S. before wrapping up in Clarkston, Mich. on June 30.

  

Darius will treat concert-goers to tunes from across all three of his country albums, including current critically-acclaimed single “Wagon Wheel” and any number of his five No. 1 hits like “Come Back Song,” “This,” “Alright” and more.

 
“This is going to be an exciting summer,” predicts Rucker.  “I’ve got an album I can’t wait for y’all to hear and I’m hitting the road with a great group of artists.  We’re gonna have a good time!”

Joining Rucker on select dates will be special guests RIAA platinum-selling Rodney Atkins, top-charting country singer Justin Moore, and 2013 ACM New Female Vocalist winner and New Artist of the Year nominee Jana Kramer.  

Rucker will be offering two pairs of tickets to each tour date through an auction on www.DariusRucker.com with proceeds benefiting both the Country Music Association’s “Keep The Music Playing” initiative and the Academy of Country Music’s “Lifting Lives” program. 

 

Media Contacts:

Ebie McFarland / Leigh Parr

(615) 327-3259

Lori Christian

Universal Music Group Nashville

(615) 524-7563