Keith Urban and Little Big Town Are "Flying High"

Many collaborations are happening (click to watch one of them) on Keith Urban's Light the Fuse Tour 2013, but here's one that happened in Cincinnati between him and Little Big Town on his No. 1 hit, "You Gonna Fly."

Adam Gregory, Canada's 2013 Music Humanitarian

“I feel incredibly privileged to be receiving this award.  With our annual fundraising initiative for the Ronald McDonald House Central Alberta celebrating its 10thanniversary next year, we are honoured to share this award with the incredible nurses, doctors, parents and patients who make all of our work worthwhile.”   -- Adam Gregory

“A distinguished member of the Canadian country music industry for the last decade, Adam Gregory has played a role in improving the lives of many in Canada.” said Chair of the CCMA Board of Directors, Ted Ellis. “His involvement with the Ronald McDonald House of Alberta has demonstrated his incredible dedication to community involvement and we are proud to be celebrating his successes this year.”

Adam began his music career at the age of 13 and has since earned accolades across North America for the honest storytelling of his music. With two Top 40 hits in the United States and continued success in Canada, Gregory has released five full-length albums, one of which was certified gold in Canada.  He has amassed four CCMA Award nominations (Rising Star/Male Artist of the Year/Album of the Year/Fans’ Choice Award) and two JUNO Award nominations (Best Country Male Artist/Best New Solo Artist).

Leveraging his success both in Canada and the United States, Gregory has lent his talent to a long list of charitable organizations including Make A Wish Foundation, Stollery Children’s Telethon and the Canadian Kidney Foundation for fundraising purposes and the results have been nothing short of astounding.

One of Gregory’s greatest accomplishments is his commitment to support the Ronald McDonald House® Central Alberta. Recognizing the need for this type of support in Red Deer, Gregory was quick to establish Adam Helps The House – Ronald McDonald Benefit, an annual event that has raised more than $180,000. 
 
“On the occasion of country music star Adam Gregory receiving the 2013 Slaight Music Humanitarian Award, I would like to congratulate Adam for his ongoing commitment to humanitarian and charitable causes," said President & CEO of Slaight Communications, Gary Slaight. “Adam represents everything that the Slaight Music Humanitarian Award is intended to celebrate. In selflessly giving, Adam has helped and inspired many."

Adam Gregory will receive the Award during this year’s Country Music Week at the CCMA Gala Dinner & Awards presentation, which takes place at an industry event on Saturday, September 7th in Edmonton, Alberta.

More information about the 2013 Slaight Music Humanitarian Award and other Canadian Country Music Association Awards of Achievement is available online at www.ccma.org under “Awards”.

An Affectionate Salute to the Music of Buck Owens, Merle Haggard

With the release today of Vince Gill and Paul Franklin’s album Bakersfield, fans are transported to one of the most glorious periods in country music history.  And to heighten their listening experience, an interactive website (click to see it) has been specially designed to immerse fans personally in the sights and styles of those turbulent times.   Bakersfield is Gill and steel-guitarist Franklin’s tribute to the early music of Buck Owens and Merle Haggard, both of whom fashioned their distinctive sounds while playing the clubs and honky tonks of Bakersfield, California.  Unlike the more sedate sounds then spinning out of Nashville, West Coast country music tended to be raw, urgent, amplified and unfiltered.

Gill, a 20-time Grammy winner and member of the Country Music Hall of Fame, and Franklin, a 13-times recipient of the Academy of Country Music’s steel guitar player of the year award, grew up riveted to Owens’ and Haggard’s music.  Now playing together in the superband The Time Jumpers, the two old friends decided this was the ideal time to remind the world of what it’s been missing—not by recording a sound-alike salute but by re-animating the very heart of the music with their own affectionate and reverent interpretations.   Bakersfield is a perfectly matched set of five Owens and five Haggard classics.  Owens is represented by “Foolin’ Around,” “He Don’t Deserve You Anymore,” “Nobody’s Fool But Yours,” “But I Do” and “Together Again,” while Haggard stands forth via “Holding Things Together,” “I Can’t Be Myself,” “Branded Man,” “The Bottle Let Me Down” and “The Fightin’ Side Of Me.” These 10 songs were originally released between 1961 and 1974, the years during which America fought a divisive war in Vietnam, witnessed the triumph of the Civil Rights movement, suffered the assassinations of John F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King, soared to the moon, experienced the British invasion, the Summer of Love and Woodstock and was battered by the humiliation and resignation of a president.  But in Bakersfield—if we are to believe its music—the biggest problem was heartache, and the greatest joy was falling in love.  Owens and Haggard had both these bases covered. The RoadToBakersfield.com website is filled with features to draw fans into the Bakersfield milieu.  One application allows them to upload their own photos and then outfit themselves either as members of Owens’ band, the Buckaroos, or Haggard’s band, the Strangers.  These sartorial adornments include bow ties, hats and belts emblazoned “Buck” and “Hag,” as well as period instruments, amplifiers and microphones. The user can then share these “amended” photos across all the social networks.  Here also are videos of Gill and Franklin discussing the making of Bakersfield, background material for the media and sales links (iTunes, Amazon, etc.) for purchasing the music.  The site will be updated weekly with new features.

LA Announces "Take Me Downtown" Tour '13

Seven-time GRAMMY award-winning trio Lady Antebellum has announced the first leg of their headlining tour 2013. The group has invited Kip Moore and Kacey Musgraves to join the arena tour kicking off Nov. 8 in Southaven, MS and running through December. Fans can purchase tickets and special VIP experiences beginning Sept. 13. Visit www.ladyantebellum.com for the most updated on-sale information and www.cidentertainment.com/ladyantebellum for VIP opportunities.

“We spent almost every day last year backstage writing for our album GOLDEN, so we were really focused on writing songs that would connect with the fans in these arenas.  We definitely learned a lot about ourselves as live performers and the type of catalog we wanted to have so that we could go out and try to give the fans the best show they've ever experienced," explains Lady A's Charles Kelley.  "All of that was the jumping off point for this tour, and now it's time to take it to the next level."

 Last year, Lady A hosted over one million fans across the globe in 11 countries on their first headlining world tour, which earned them Billboard Touring’s “Breakthrough Award,” CMA’s “International Artists Achievement Award” and will accept the “Jim Reeves International Award” at this fall’s ACM Honors. The shows were inspirational and critics praised the band’s “youthful exuberance and unending energy.”

Danielle Bradbery Balances High School With Her New Career

Danielle is 16 and still in high school, but "The Voice" season four winner/protege of Blake Shelton also just released her debut single, “Heart of Dixie,” and her career is taking off, which means she’s got to figure out how to balance both worlds. 

“I started off high school in my huge, regular high school with everybody else but as this whole Voice thing started, I got an online schooling and it’s for students who travel, so that was a big help for that. But now that this is continuing, it’s kind of up in the air right now.” 

Some young performers choose to stick with home or online schooling, while others like Scotty McCreery took on the challenge of continuing to attend classes at his regular high school and is now attending college. Danielle says, “We’re definitely trying to figure out if I should go back to school or keep online schooling. It depends on my schedule. We’re thinking if I went back to my regular school, it’d be kinda crazy. We’re still trying to figure that out.”

Platinum For Tim, Luke and Gold For Kelly

Canada Country Aircheck reports:                                     

• Big Machine's Tim McGraw has received platinum certification from the RIAA for "Highway Don't Care."
  
• Capitol's Luke Bryan earned platinum for his album Doin' My Thing, as well as gold for his song "Crash My Party."
• 19/RCA/Columbia's Kelly Clarkson received a gold cert for her album Greatest Hits: Chapter One.

Dierks Bentley Cohosts "The View" Friday

Dierks will make a stop in New York this week to co-host The View! The episode will air this Friday, July 26 at 10:00am CT on ABC.

Dierks will also reveal his new single with a first-time television performance of the new song off his forthcoming album RISER.

His "Country Cares" Concert including The Band Perry, Randy Houser and David Nail for families of the 19 Granite Mountain firefighters that died battling Arizona wildfires was held this past Monday.

The event, promoted by both KMLE/Phoenix and KAFF/Flagstaff, raised over $475,000.

Carrie's "Blown Away" Tour Live DVD

Learn all about Carrie Underwood here, and check out a preview of the DVD here:

Florida Georgia Line To Hit 32 Cities This Fall

Over the past year, FGL has cherished the good times seeing their QUADRUPLE PLATINUM debut single “Cruise” dominate Billboard’s Hot Country Songs Chart at #1 for 19 straight weeks, the longest stretch for any song in the past 50 years and their aptly titled, GOLD-certified Republic Nashville debut HERE’S TO THE GOOD TIMES top the Billboard Country Albums Chart.

The breakout duo has taken home ACM and CMT awards and scored opening slots for Taylor Swift’s THE RED TOUR and Luke Bryan’s DIRT ROAD DIARIES TOUR.

This fall the buzzworthy newcomers will celebrate with their fans nationwide on their first headline run -- HERE’S TO THE GOOD TIMES TOUR 2013. 

Kicking off October 3 in Brookings, SD, the tour will go through December.

The 32-city tour features openers Colt Ford, Tyler Farr (select dates) and Dallas Smith (select dates).

Already becoming a hot ticket, the first show to go on sale – 10/19 at Whitaker Bank Ballpark in Lexington, KY - sold out in a record-breaking 23 minutes with 10,718 tickets. 

“We can’t wait to give our fans what they have been asking for all year … our own headline tour,” says Tyler Hubbard. “It is unreal and the first night of the tour can’t get here fast enough!” 

Brian Kelley shares, “This is another dream of ours coming true. I couldn’t be more excited and more proud of the tour. Having Colt,

Dallas and Tyler along with us is going to make for a party!” 

Florida Georgia Line has skyrocketed since releasing back-to-back, multi-week #1 smashes in the US and Canada with the PLATINUM-certified “Get Your Shine On” and “Cruise,” which combined with the Top 10-and-climbing (Top 40 Charts) remix featuring Nelly, has sold nearly 5 million downloads. The record–breaking duo, comprised of Tyler Hubbard (Monroe, Georgia) and Brian Kelley (Ormond Beach, Florida), is the first in 21 years to top the Country airplay charts with their first two singles, according to Billboard. The ACM New Artist of the Year and New Vocal Duo or Group of the Year winner’s current single “Round Here” is Top 20-and-rising at Country radio. 

Garnering buzz among fans, media and several Superstars across genres – including Taylor Swift, Keith Urban and Ed Sheeran – the hot newcomers most recently scored two CMT Music Awards for Duo Video of the Year and Breakthrough Video of the Year as well as a Teen Choice Awards nomination for Choice Country Group. Fans ages 13-19 can vote once a day via teenchoiceawards.com, with results airing August 11 at 8P ET on FOX. VEVO has selected FGL for the coveted LIFT program, offering exclusive content across the world’s leading all-premium music video and entertainment platform. 


HERE’S TO THE GOOD TIMES TOUR
10-3 Brookings, SD Swiftel Center
10-4 Mankato, MN Verizon Wireless Center
10-5 Fargo, ND Scheels Arena
10-6 Bismarck, ND Bismarck Civic Center
10-10 Murray, KY CFSB Center
10-11 Muncie, IN Emens Auditorium
10-12 Champaign, IL Assembly Hall
10-13 Bowling Green, OH Stroh Center
10-16 Springfield, MO O’ Reilly Center
10-19 Lexington, KY Whitaker Bank Ballpark SOLD-OUT
10-23 Carrollton, GA The Coliseum/Univ. of W. GA
10-31 Chicago, IL Sears Center Area
11-1 St. Louis, MO Chaifetz Arena
11-2 Cedar Rapids, IA US Cellular Center
11-3 Milwaukee, WI Eagles Ballroom
11-7 Florence, SC Florence Civic Center
11-8 Knoxville, TN Knoxville Civic Coliseum
11-9 Greenville, SC BiLo Center
11-15 New York, NY Best Buy Theater
11-16 Upper Darby, PA Tower Theater
11-17 Reading, PA Eagle Theater
11-21 Huntington, WV Big Sandy Superstore Arena
11-22 Salem, VA Salem Civic Center
11-23 Greensboro, NC Greensboro Coliseum
11-29 Ft. Worth, TX Billy Bob’s Texas
11-30 Belton, TX Bell County Expo Center
12-1 Austin, TX ACL Live at the Moody Theater
12-6 Los Angeles, CA Club Nokia LA Live
12-11 Fresno, CA Save Mart Center
12-12 Reno, NV Reno Events Center
12-13 Eugene, OR Matthew Knight Arena
12-14 Kent, WA ShoWare Center

For on sale dates and more click here.

Tim, Faith and Hank Lived Here

And, Curbed's Rob Bear writes that you can own it next if you have $20 million:

Country music couple Tim McGraw and Faith Hill have listed their 753-acre farm, once owned by fellow music legend Hank Williams, on the outskirts of Nashville for a whopping $20M. But despite the high price tag, part of the estate, the antebellum mansion at the heart of the property, comes completely unrestored. That may not deter many buyers, as the house is in stunning original condition and a nearby log home has been renovated to a very high standard. It is unclear why the couple, who purchased this property back in 2001 haven't moved ahead with a renovation. It is not for lack of cash, as the pair have an estimated net worth of $135M, but perhaps they were distracted by a litany of other property transactions.

Reba: All the Women I Am

The inimitable Reba will participate in a special interview at the Country Music Hall of Fame^® and Museum on Saturday, August 10.

The August 10 program, which will take place in the museum's Ford Theater at 2:30 p.m., will feature Reba sharing highlights of her life and career; it will also include archival video and photographs.  The interview is included with museum admission and free for museum members; seating is limited and a program pass is required. 

It will also be streamed live at www.countrymusichalloffame.org. 

Other exhibit opening weekend programs include a Reba-themed Songwriter Session on August 10 and a film screening on August 11.  A detailed schedule of grand opening activities is below.
    
The exhibit will also be accompanied by a beautiful 104-page companion book, also titled Reba: All the Women I Am.  Published by the museum's Country Music Foundation Press, the image-rich volume expands on the exhibit story; it includes a foreword by Reba and dozens of photos (many previously unpublished).  The book will be available in the Museum Store.
    
"Reba is the most successful female country performer of her generation, and a major influence on many of the female recording artists who have followed her," said Museum Director Kyle Young.  "Her achievements and accolades are almost too numerous to mention:  She has sold more than 50 million records, charted nearly 60 Top Ten singles and 24 #1 hits*, and been honored with nearly 50 major awards, including two Grammy awards, the Country Music Association Entertainer of the Year award and the Academy of Country Music Entertainer of the Year award.  And, of course, she was elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2011.
    
"It's impossible to overstate Reba's impact on country music, and her contributions go well beyond recording," Young continued.  "She heightened production values for country concerts, adding elaborate stages, video screens and multiple costume changes.  Such innovations are now de rigueur on the tours of top country artists.  Furthermore, through her work on Broadway, in film, and as the star of two television comedies, Reba has helped to heighten and expand the profile of country music, lifting all boats in her magnificent wake.  We are looking forward to telling the rich, inspiring and always entertaining story of one of country music's brightest lights."

Kenny Chesney Debuts Video Via USA Today

The paper's  Brian Mansfield writes that Chesney's new video was 12 years in the making.  "It's got a lot of my life in it, a lot of the friends I met down in the islands back even before I started building my life as I know it now," says the native of Luttrell, Tenn., who spends most of his time off the road in the Virgin Islands. "Like the song, there's a lot of life in this video, and it's got a lot of people who inspired me in the ways they lived their lives."

Chesney shot the video for his current top-20 single at some of his favorite spots in the Virgin Islands, as well as during rehearsals for his 2013 No Shoes Nation Tour, which takes him to Salt Lake City tonight and to Denver's Sports Authority Field at Mile High on Saturday.

"I went back to a couple of these old bars and sat with me and a guitar," Chesney says. The older footage comes from "back when we used to have the camcorders that flipped out, before you could make a movie on your phone" and features many longtime friends and figures that played key roles in his life.

"This video probably has more of my life and more of my heart — and we spent less on it — than anything I've ever done," he says.

Gord Bamford and Dean Brody Face Off Again

The Canadian Country Music Association®(CCMA®) announced the full list of nominees for the 2013 Canadian Country Music Association Awards.

Leading the pack with seven nominations is Gord Bamford, nominated for CCMA Fans' Choice, Album of the Year (presented by Walmart), CMT Video of the Year, Single of the Year, Songwriter of the Year, Record Producer(s) of the Year, and Male Artist of the Year.

Following closely behind, Dean Brody has earned five CCMA Award nominations this year. Like Bamford, Brody will compete for top honours within the CCMA Fans' Choice, Single of the Year, Songwriter of the Year (two nominations), and Male Artist of the Year categories.
 
The CCMA Fans' Choice Award nominees were also announced today with nomination leaders Gord Bamford and Dean Brody again going head to head with powerhouse performers George Canyon, Terri Clark, and Johnny Reid to compete for the prestigious award voted on by Canadian country music fans.

Voting for the CCMA Fans' Choice Award winner is now open at www.ccma.org.  All voters will automatically be entered into a draw to win the Ultimate Fan Contest with the lucky winner being whisked away to Edmonton to attend Country Music Week® and present the Fans' Choice Award on the CCMA Awards Broadcast.

The 2013 CCMA Awards Broadcast will be celebrated live from Rexall Place in Edmonton, Alberta, and will air on Sunday, September 8 at 8 p.m. (8:30 NT) on CBC-TV, with encore airings on CMT (Canada) starting at 10 pm ET.

The CCMA also announced that lauded Canadian artists Emerson Drive, and Dallas Smith as well as Platinum-selling international sibling trio The Band Perry will perform live on the 2013 CCMA Awards Broadcast.

Tickets to the 2013 CCMA Awards Broadcast are available at all Ticketmaster locations, online at www.ticketmaster.ca or charge by phone at 1-855-985-5000.  More tickets have been released and range in price from $34 - $90.25 plus service charges.

Jason Aldean Sells Out Two Nights At Fenway Park

The Boston Globe's Sarah Rodman review is glowing:

It was the first country concert at the park and given that it sold out in minutes, chances are Aldean’s Saturday show, which also sold out lickety split, won’t be the last. (Or at least the contemporary version of it that Aldean plays, which sometimes requires spelunking to find the “country” in some of his songs.) As he did at the Boston Strong benefit concert in May, Aldean came out swinging. As fireworks shot off the top of the stage, he lit into the barn burning “Crazy Town” and for 83 minutes kept up a brisk pace.

The Georgia native led his crackling five-man backing band through a professional, polished, and likable outsized arena country show, full of the big beats and brawny riffs of hits like “Johnny Cash” and “She’s Country” that have vaunted him to stadium status. (Although he promised an “epic” show, he should be careful throwing that word around, especially when a man nearly twice his age played a set more than twice as long at the same venue a few days earlier.)

Banter was generally kept to a minimum in favor of rocking but Aldean did talk about how excited he was to play Fenway since he’s a huge baseball fan who grew up with posters of Wade Boggs and Jim Rice adorning his walls.

ACM And Jerrod Niemann Lift Lives

Everyone needs a little break from reality, and what better way to do it than by visiting the islands?! 

Well, we may not be able to send you to the tropics, but the ACM Lifting Lives Music Campers created an original song called “Livin’ on Island Time” with Niemann and songwriter Lance Miller that will do the trick! 

Check out a clip from their performance on the Grand Ole Opry and other highlights from the incredible week with Lauren Alaina, Jake Owen, Love and Theft and producer Ross Copperman. 

CMA Songwriters Miranda Lambert, Kip Moore, Brett James and Bob DiPiero Perform In Boston

Miranda, Kip, Brett and Bob will be streaming the CMA Songwriters Series live from the Royale Boston Nightclub July 11.

The series showcases the best of Country's mega-hit songwriters.

Each night of the series features successful songwriters, who line up on stage and, with guitar in-hand, take turns telling the stories behind their hit songs and performing them in the raw as originally written.

Dierks Bentley Stands Up For The Fallen

The Arizona native will make a special trip back to his home state in two weeks to headline the Country Cares Concert, co-presented by CBS Radio Country KMLE/Phoenix and Guyann Country KAFF/Flagstaff, AZ. The show is scheduled for Monday, July 22 at Tim's Toyota Center in Prescott Valley, AZ and will benefit the families of those 19 brave members of the Granite Mountain Hotshots who lost their lives last week battling that massive Arizona wildfire. This unprecedented tragedy left 51 children without fathers.

"We want to make as much for those families as we can and hopefully start something that will continue on long after the music is over as far as remembering the firefighters and their families and these kids that live on as well," Bentley told Radio And Music Pros  "We want to help get something rolling to look after them and help them move forward."

Tickets go on sale at noon this Friday, July 12 at KMLE1079.com and at the Tim's Toyota Center box office. Fans and community members will have the chance to buy concert tickets and special VIP packages with proceeds going to the United Phoenix Firefighters Charities who will distribute directly to the families of the 19 fallen firefighters. "We hope this benefit concert gives everyone affected by this tragedy the opportunity to come together and heal," said KMLE PD Tim Richards. "We want to raise as much money as possible to help the families of these amazing heroes."

 

Additional artist announcements and more info will be posted at dierks.com and KMLE1079.com.

Cracker Barrel and Clint Black Say "I Do"

Black’s newest CD, which will be available on August 5 at all Cracker Barrel Old Country Store® locations and online at crackerbarrel.com and select digital retailers. The release will feature 11 of Black’s heartfelt favorites as well as three new recordings exclusively created for this album.

“It’s truly an honor to join the Cracker Barrel family,” said Black. “It’s exciting to have new music available for the fans. I hope listeners love the new songs and enjoy rediscovering the ones we’ve previously released.”   

Black wrote or co-wrote all 14 songs on the album, and produced all the tracks except for “She Won’t Let Go,” which he co-produced with the song’s co-writer, Frank Rogers. 

 

Black’s wife of almost 22 years, singer/actress Lisa Hartman-Black, performed two songs with him: the title track, which was a No. 1 hit on the Billboard Country Singles chart, and “Easy for Me to Say.” 

 

Clint also performed a duet with Carolyn Dawn Johnson on “Our Kind of Love.”

Randy Travis Hospitalized

He has been admitted to a Texas hospital and is listed in critical condition.  The Grammy winner is suffering from complications of recently acquired viral cardiomyopathy.  Travis was admitted into the medical facility yesterday. 
 
Randy Travis is best known for "Three Wooden Crosses," "Forever and Ever, Amen," "Diggin' Up Bones," and "Deeper Than the Holler”.

Media Contacts:

Webster & Associates Public Relations & Marketing
Kirt Webster / kirt@websterpr.com / 615-777-6995 x230
Kay Waggoner / kay@websterpr.com / 615-777-6995 x221

Is "Tim McGraw Live" In The Future?

McGraw is so excited about the freedom he has to be able to get new music to his fans these days, whether it’s his latest single, “Southern Girl,” or live cuts, but if he could make any kind of album he wanted to, just for fun, he has a few ideas about what he might like to do. 

“I mean, I love ‘70’s rock,” says Tim. “I grew up listening to it. But on the other hand, I love Merle Haggard. I love George Strait. I’m sure one of these days, that there’s something that I would probably do. If I could do my favorite songs of all times in every genre, yeah I would love to do that. But I don’t think it’s the time to do that yet.” 

For now he’s focused on promoting the music on his Two Lanes of Freedom album. And before he makes that album of all his favorites there’s something else he’d like to do. “I think more than anything that I would love just to go in and camp out at a club somewhere and make a live record,” says Tim. “I think that’s something that I would like to do."

65,000+ Attend; "Today, The Healing Begins"

Garth Brooks made the statement which says it all for the star-studded benefit with all funds going to United Way.

Ronnie Dunn closes his set on Saturday, July 6, 2013 at The Oklahoma Twister Relief Concert at the University of Oklahoma's Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla. with "Peace, Love and Country Music." Over 65,000 concertgoers were in attendance with many waving American flags while Dunn proudly displayed the Oklahoma state flag.

Donations are being accepted online via the United Way homepage at www.unitedwayokc.org or by texting REBUILD to 52000 which will give an automatic $10 donation to the United Way of Central Oklahoma's May Tornado Relief Fund.

Twitter: #TKOKrelief

Miranda Lambert Raises Big Bucks For Mutts

Her charitable organization, "MuttNation Foundation," has raised over $400,000 in the first half of 2013.

The foundation developed from Miranda's love of animals, and despite her busy schedule, she continues to personally be active and involved in the foundation's efforts of pet adoptions, building animal shelters, creating awareness about spay/neuter programs and more.

See more country star "pet" causes (click).

Ducks head North for Summer

Of course, Phil Vassar, Sawyer Brown, Brantley Gilbert, Tim McGraw, Randy Travis, Doc Walker, Small Town Pistols, The Dixie Chicks, Bill Anderson, Gloriana, Chad Brownlee, Scotty McCreery, High Valley and Kenny Chesney, among many others headline Craven, Saskatchewan's annual Jamboree, but the big announcement this week involves A&E's Duck Dynasty star, Willie Robertson who also joins the party.

Robertson is the business behind the beard as President of the Duck Commander empire. He is also one of the stars of A&E's Duck Dynasty, the wildly successful reality show that features Robertson's entire family as they work together in the family business, and follow their passion of duck-hunting and outdoor adventuring.

New to Craven 2013, be sure to check out Circus Electronica at the East End of Main Street. Presented by RHINO'S DJs Sub Fizix Productions. Open from 9 pm to close Friday-Sunday come dance the night away to live DJs mixing all types of music late into the night. Don't miss the best party inside the biggest party of the summer!

The Craven Country Jamboree is the longest running music festival in Canada offering an amazing experience on the same picturesque site for over 30 years.

In July, fans enjoy world-class entertainment and quaint prairie charm. The festival attracts super stars like Kenny Chesney, George Strait and Taylor Swift, and features new Canadian talent each year.

Besides the main stage talent, the Pump Roadhouse beer gardens features fun local acts to the thousands of people attending each night. As well, there are plenty of other activities to keep fans entertained like bull-riding demonstrations, a hypnotist, a song-writers circle, and Circus Electronica, an electronic dance party.

Across the river, the Craven Country Jamboree can accommodate 8,500 campers, easily becoming the third largest town in Saskatchewan each year.

With its storied history, famous performers, and friendly appeal, the Craven Country Jamboree puts Canada on the map on the world stage of festivals.

For more information, visit Craven Country Jamboree at www.cravencountryjamboree.com, like us on Facebook at www.fb.com/cravencountryjamboree, or follow @CCJsask. 

The Oklahoma Twister Relief Concert is now less than one week away!

Tickets have completely sold out, with net proceeds (minus only credit card merchant fees and OK sales tax) benefiting The United Way of Central Oklahoma May Tornadoes Relief Fund.

Country Aircheck:  "I got old memories of that place," Toby Keith says regarding the University of Oklahoma's Stadium. "I was raised inside of 10 miles of that stadium, I sold Cokes in that stadium when I was 13." The Norman, OK venue plays host to Toby's Oklahoma Twister Relief Concert July 6, and he says his former workplace reached out with open arms to make itself available for the star-studded event. "I made a few phone calls, got Garth Brooks, Ronnie Dunn, Trisha Yearwood, Sammy Hagar, Willie Nelson, Mel Tillis, John Anderson, and we just added Carrie Underwood." Carrie plays the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville the same night and plans to join the Oklahoma proceedings via satellite. "She wanted to participate, and we’ve got some other guests that are gonna work between the sets that are going to surprise people."

If you were unable to get tickets and would like to do something to help with the rebuilding of Moore, and the surrounding communities affected by the tornadoes in May, you can still help!  Verizon Wireless is offering a text-to-donate capability before, during and after the benefit concert.   Customers of any wireless carrier may donate by texting the keyword REBUILD to 52000, which will give an automatic $ 10 donation to the United Way of Central Oklahoma's May Tornadoes Relief Fund. Verizon Wireless customers will be limited to five text donations. Donations are also being accepted online via the United Way home page at www.unitedwayokc.org. To give by credit card, call 405-523-3598, 405-523-3597, or the United Way of Central Oklahoma's main number: 405-236-8441. Checks may be mailed to the United Way of Central Oklahoma, P.O. Box 837, Oklahoma City, OK 73101 with notation for May Tornadoes Relief.

Thank you for your support of the great people of Oklahoma!

Kellie Pickler: Dancing Star Spotlight CMHOF Exhibit Opens Today

Kellie Pickler and dance partner Derek Hough won season sixteen of ABC-TV's Dancing with the Stars.

Relive their triumph through this new spotlight exhibit, featuring Pickler's costume and trophy, starting today at The Country Music Hall Of Fame.

Then, next week, explore the intricate costumes and accessories featured in the new Carrie Underwood: The Blown Away Tour Exhibition, and learn about the designers who created stage wear for Underwood and for other artists who have clothing displayed in the Museum. Participants in this hands-on workshop will design their own paper guitar, paper microphone, or handkerchief using fabric swatches, rhinestones, glitter, sequins, ribbons, and fringe. Ages 5 to 15. Free. Presented in support of Carrie Underwood: The Blown Away Tour Exhibition.

Families are encouraged to tour the Museum at a discounted rate following the program. Visit the Box Office for more information.

Billy Currington Behind The Scenes Of His New Video

“Hey Girl” is the first single from Currington’s new album, We Are Tonight (September 17th) and is one of the Top 10 best-selling debut tracks this year.

A behind-the-scenes look here at the making of the video shows an in-depth look at the 12- hour shoot.

“Hey Girl” was written by Rhett Akins, Ashley Gorley and Chris DeStefano and produced by Dann Huff. Currington explains why he was drawn to the song and shares studio footage from the recording of this album here.

It's All-American All-Star Week At The Grand Ole Opry

The stars will be shining during a week of shows and special events at the Grand Ole Opry July 2 – 6, making it an “All-American All-Star Week.”  Free music and other fun on the Opry Plaza are set to complement superstar appearances and musical salutes to the red, white and blue on the Opry stage throughout the week.

Alison Krauss, the most awarded female artist in the history of the Grammy_® Awards, is set to mark her 20^th anniversary as an Opry member on Wednesday, July 3.  Joining Krauss will be bluegrass great Larry Sparks and multi-award-winner Jamey Johnson. On July 5 and 6, the Opry will host two shows each evening with country music superstar Carrie Underwood appearing both nights. Underwood will be joined by  CMA award-winning group The Band Perry and more on Friday and by Lennon & Maisy from ABC’s hit series Nashville, among many others, on Saturday.

Opry Plaza Parties throughout the week are set to include food and fun with lawn games, giveaways, and a dunk tank each night, with proceeds from the dunk tank benefiting  American Red Cross Disaster Relief.  Plaza Parties will include free music on an All-American Plaza Stage July 3, 5 and 6 featuring Nashville talents Carolyn Martin (Wednesday), Justin Myers (Friday), and Blue Mother Tupelo (Saturday).

Rascal Flatts Show Rescheduled Due to Rain

RF had to cancel their Thursday show in Clarkston, Michigan, because of severe thunder storms.

It has been rescheduled at the DTE Energy music Theatre on August 15th.

The group heads to Europe in July.