Make Holiday Memories With Your Favorite Country Stars

Enjoy the magic of the holidays with your favorite Country stars, as they perform classic Christmas songs and share their treasured holiday memories.

It’s a night of celebration guaranteed to get you in the spirit! “CMA Country Christmas” comes to ABC this Monday, Dec. 2 at 9|8c, hosted by Sugarland’s Jennifer Nettles.

Behind the scenes:

Richie McDonald Lights Country Music Hall Of Fame Christmas Tree

The Hall kicked-off this year's Deck the Hall season in style Friday night.

Lead singer of Lonestar, Richie McDonald put visiters in the Holiday spirit with a concert, tree lighting, and autograph signing.

The event was live from the Museum Store, Presented by CMT


Following the concert, McDonald signed copies of his CD If Every Day Could Be Christmas, purchased from the Museum.

The Final Performance of Garth Brooks' Critically Acclaimed One-Man Show Tonight On CBS-TV

It has been exactly one month since Brooks performed for tonight's rare live broadcast concert special, "GARTH BROOKS, LIVE FROM LAS VEGAS," from the Encore Theater at the Wynn Las Vegas  (9:00 - 11:00 PM LIVE ET/ delayed PT) on the CBS Television Network.

It's Brooks' final performance of his critically acclaimed, one man show which has played to sold out audiences for the past three years in a very intimate setting, playing his guitar as he takes the audience through the musical journey that led him to become the number one selling solo artist in U.S. history. He will share his experiences listening to different musicians throughout his life, starting with the music of Merle Haggard and George Jones. Then, other musicians who influenced him like Simon & Garfunkel, James Taylor, Otis Redding, Bob Seger, George Strait and many, many, more. Throughout the show, Garth will perform some of their classic songs and show you how they influenced his greatest hits.

"Blame it all on my roots," said Brooks, "This is the soundtrack of my life. Growing up the last of six kids, music was the life blood of our family and as you can imagine, mom, dad, and each kid had his or her own favorite stuff and it all funneled down to me."

"We're thrilled whenever we get the opportunity to create a television event with an amazing live performer, and there is no one better than Garth Brooks," said Jack Sussman, Executive Vice President, Specials & Events. "Garth will give the audience a rare opportunity to not only hear his classic hits, but also the music that became the soundtrack of his life and how those influences from the country, rock and pop worlds set him on the road to become the biggest selling solo artist in history."

In 2009, Brooks announced that he was out of retirement and entered a multi-year "relationship" with Las Vegas resort developer Steve Wynn for performances at his Encore Theatre at the Wynn Las Vegas. The show has been hailed by the Los Angeles Times as "genius," by EW.com as an "absolute revelation," and Oprah Winfrey deemed it the "hottest ticket."

The Band Perry At The (CMT) Crossroads With Fall Out Boy

Grammy-nominated, multiplatinum band Fall Out Boy is teaming up with hot country trio The Band Perry for an all-new episode of CMT CROSSROADS.

Kimberly Perry and Patrick Stump stood on stage huddled around a microphone, pens in hand, with a lyric sheet to The Band Perry’s current single “Don’t Let Me Be Lonely.”

(Patrick) Stump, lead singer for rock group Fall Out Boy, was baffled — even with the help of a teleprompter — the first time his group and Perry’s sibling trio attempted the soaring ballad in rehearsal. While Kimberly Perry nailed the lyrics to her trio’s song, Stump didn’t even attempt the lines assigned to him and asked to go through the song with just Kimberly Perry and a guitar.

“There were a lot of rhythms that just came in sideways in my head,” Stump said of “Don’t Let Me Be Lonely.” “By the end of it, that will probably end up being my favorite song because that was the one we spent the most time on.”  -- Tennessean writer Cindy Watts


The groups are collaborating for the first time together, swapping stories and sharing lyrics from their hit songs.

CMT CROSSROADS: FALL OUT BOY AND THE BAND PERRY will premiere tonight (11/29) at 11 p.m. ET/PT only on CMT.

Auto Accident Causes Lynn Anderson To Miss George Jones "Final No Show"

"I regret that I was unable to make the George Jones Tribute Concert last Friday.  I was so looking forward to singing with my girls and singing the praises of the great "Possum."  Unfortunately, my trusty old SUV blew a front right tire on the way to meet my agent and head for Bridgestone Arena.  It left the road, and I ended up in the gravel, giving me a pretty good cut on my head.

A good Samaritan saw me leave the road and immediately called an ambulance. Next thing I knew, I was headed to a local hospital and after two days I was released and I'm on the road to recovery.  I would like to extend a personal thank you to the gentleman that came to my aid Friday evening.  However, I did not even get his name as things were happening so quickly.  If you are that person, would you please contact PLA Media or connect with me on Facebook or Twitter.  I would like to thank you in person.  I recently had just undergone surgery to install a pacemaker and was a new user of blood thinners. Because of his actions, I will be able to make a swift recovery.  I definitely have a lot to be thankful for this holiday season and look forward to the premiere my new Gospel project and hitting the road in 2014. Thank you for my family, fans and friends for sticking with me and being so supportive."

Kellie Pickler Dances With The Stars Again

The country music singer/songwriter returned to “Dancing with the Stars” last night to perform her current single “Little Bit Gypsy” from her recently released album, The Woman I Am. It was Pickler’s last night as the reigning Mirror Ball Trophy winner, and she praised this season’s final four contestants during her chat with host Tom Bergeron.

Watch her performance HERE. 

Earlier this morning, Pickler performed “Little Bit Gypsy” on “The View.” Watch her performance HERE and her interview HERE.

 

Later this week, Pickler will perform in “Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade” on Thursday, Nov. 28, from 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM/ET on NBC.   

 

Next week, she will perform the Christmas classic “Man with the Bag” on “CMA Country Christmas” on Monday, Dec. 2 from 9:00-11:00 PM/ET on ABC. And, she was recently announced as a performer for the “American Country Awards” on Tuesday, Dec. 10 from 8:00-10:00 PM/ET on FOX. 

 

Pickler is nominated for an ACA Award for Music Video of the Year - Female for "Someone Somewhere Tonight" from The Woman I Am.

USA Today on Tyler Farr: "Large and In Charge"

Farr may have first gone redneck crazy at age 7, when he found a black snake beneath a railroad tie in front of his house in Garden City, Mo., and decided to chase one of his younger sisters with it. "I was butt-naked in cowboy boots," says the country singer, now 29. "I would pester my sister until my mom beat my bottom. Then I didn't chase her with snakes no more — I moved on to other tactics."

Farr, currently on tour with Florida Georgia Line, has a gruff, raspy voice, thanks in part to bursting a blood vessel on one of his vocal cords while playing in country rapper Colt Ford's band in 2009. But once upon a time, he attended Missouri State University on a vocal performance scholarship. So if you need a country singer to lend a little twang to an aria, Farr's probably your guy. "I've had to bust it out a couple times because people just can't believe and have to hear it," he says.

 - writer Brian Mansfield (click for the whole article/review)

Tim McGraw And Faith Hill Won’t Skimp On Thanksgiving

Tim is incredibly fit these days, working out regularly and eating healthy, but he admits when Thanksgiving rolls around, all bets are off. 

“Thanksgiving is one of my favorite meals of the year so I’m not going to skip out on anything,” says Tim.  “My wife cooks a great Thanksgiving dinner and we have the traditional turkey and cornbread dressing and all the vegetables that are grown in our parents’ garden. We have cornbread and peas, green beans, butter beans, cranberry sauce—all those things.  So, we don’t miss out on anything at Thanksgiving.” 

We know Faith Hill makes some pretty incredible cornbread in a well-seasoned cast iron skillet, so we’re sure that will be on Tim’s plate come Thursday.

Duck The Halls Is #1 Again

Duck the Halls: A Robertson Family Christmas has held onto the top of the country charts for the THIRD WEEK in a row! The holiday collection, which features appearances by Luke Bryan, George Strait, Josh Turner, Alison Krauss and the whole Robertson family, sold more than 66-thousand copies to land at No. 1 on the country chart and at No. 4 overall on the Billboard Top 200. Luke Bryan’s Crash My Party follows at No. 2 on the country chart.

As the holidays are fast approaching, Willie Robertson said other than the health of his family, there’s really nothing he wants this year…except for one thing. “I can’t really think of anything that I want or need at this point,” he says. “Maybe a million of record sales on Duck the Halls Robertson Family Christmas. That would be a good Christmas gift.” The family’s holiday album is well on its way!

If you want to catch Willie performing “Hairy Christmas” with his pal, Luke Bryan, tune into the TV special, CMA Country Christmas, December 2nd at 9pm ET on ABC.

Forbes: Ten Top-Earning Country Music Acts of 2013

Country artists making Forbes' recent list of the Highest-Paid Musicians 2013:

• Toby Keith at No. 4 with $65 million
• Taylor Swift at No. 7 with $55 million
• Kenny Chesney tied with Beyoncé at No. 9 with $53 million
• Tim McGraw tied with Pink and Tiësto at No. 25 with $32 million 

Forbes uses data collected from Pollstar, the RIAA, Nielsen SoundScan and the artists themselves while taking into account ticket sales, merchandising, publishing royalties, endorsements and personal business ventures.

Madonna is No. 1 with $125 million.

The ranking is based on income from June 1, 2012 through June 1, 2013.

Loretta Lynn, Medal Of Freedom Honoree

LA Times writer Randy Lewis puts it beautifully: 

Loretta Lynn is among 14 Americans who were presented the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Obama on Wednesday at the White House.

Click to learn five of Lynn’s many cultural contributions since Butcher Holler, Ky.’s most celebrated resident arrived not only as one of the most distinctive singers in country music but also as a songwriter who reshaped what a woman could think, say and do in song and in life.

The award, created by President John F. Kennedy, recognizes significant achievements in politics, world peace, science, culture and other fields and is the nation’s highest honor presented civilians.

Shania Is Still The One

The song goes, Hey, did you happen to see the most beautiful girl in the world? And Country Weekly readers have replied, “Yes, we have!”

Congratulations to Canadian country stunner Shania Twain, whom readers voted Country’s Most Beautiful Woman for 2013. The brunette beauty remains as breathtaking as she was when she hit the scene more than 20 years ago. But the Top 10 list is diverse in terms of the artists’ physical attributes, ages and musical styles.Long-legged fellow Canadian, and country traditionalist, Terri Clark made the cut, and so did Terri’s hero, classic beauty Reba McEntire. The pretty, young Lauren Alaina and Katie Armiger also sizzle in the feature.

To read about the remainder of the Top 10, pick up the current issue of Country Weekly, featuring Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers on the cover.

Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan, Eli Young Band, Florida Georgia Line, Jamey Johnson, Trisha Yearwood Sing for Their Heroes in "ALABAMA & Friends" on GAC-TV

"For me, they were the Beatles," said Jason Aldean about country music super group ALABAMA in ALABAMA & Friends, a one-hour concert event premiering Wednesday, November 27, 9:00 p.m./ET on Great American Country. "Through Randy's voice, the songs, his charisma on stage, he had people in the palm of his hand. Watching the reaction those guys got from the crowd was part of the reason I wanted to be an entertainer."

Each artist performs their favorite ALABAMA hit with Aldean delivering "Tennessee River"; Luke Bryan on "Love in the First Degree"; Florida Georgia Line on "I'm In a Hurry (And Don't Know Why)"; Trisha Yearwood on "Forever's As Far As I'll Go"; Jamey Johnson on "My Home's in Alabama"; and Eli Young Band on "The Closer You Get". ALABAMA also performs "All American," one of two new tracks on their recently-released Alabama & Friends tribute album.

"They were just perfectly poetic for a southern person," said Luke Bryan of the group that's sold 73 million albums and charted 43 No. 1 hits. "They may be big stars but they felt like the guys down the street. They knew who their audience was and spoke right to them."

"I think it's given us renewed energy," said ALABAMA lead singer Randy Owen of the outpouring they continue to receive from today's top country music stars. The concert was filmed during one of two sold-out ALABAMA concerts at Nashville's historic Ryman Auditorium.

Danielle Bradbery Makes Grand Ole Opry Debut

The seventeen-year-old performed last week from the hallowed institution’s most famous former home, the Ryman Auditorium.

“The Heart of Dixie” darling showcased her vocal prowess on the lead single as well as “Daughter Of A Workin’ Man,” a new tune from her forthcoming Big Machine Records release, slated for Monday (11/25).

Complimenting the new music, Danielle also belted out the emotional “A Little Bit Stronger” (Sara Evans).

The Texas native has earned an opening slot on Brad Paisley’s summer tour and also made surprise appearances on Shelton’s as well.

Danielle will also appear on The CW’s Hart of Dixie, performing her aptly-titled debut single, on 11/25.

Follow Danielle’s journey here: https://twitter.com/Dbradbery.

It's "George Jones Week" In Nashville

Monday, Nov. 18

Unveiling of George Jones Monument at Woodlawn Roesch-Patton Funeral Home and Memorial Park & a Special Announcement from Nancy Jones

What:     The George Jones monument will be unveiled and there
                will be a special announcement from Nancy Jones
Who:      Nancy Jones & Guests; Event is open to the public
When:    Monday, Nov. 18
                Media Arrival: 3pm
                Event Start: 3:30pm
Where:  Woodlawn Roesch-Patton Funeral Home and Memorial Park, (660 Thompson Ln Nashville, TN 37204)


Thursday, Nov. 21

Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge 53rd Birthday Bash
Honoring George Jones
Featuring Performances by Terri Clark, Darryl Worley, Daryle Singletary, Troy Gentry & More

What:    Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge 53rd Birthday Bash Honoring George Jones
Who:     Terri Clark, Darryl Worley, Daryle Singletary, Troy Gentry & More
When:   Thursday, Nov. 21
               Start time: 5:30pm CT
Where: Broadway between 4th and 5th Ave


Friday, Nov. 22

Playin' Possum! The Final NO SHOW
All-Star Tribute

What:    Playin' Possum! The Final NO SHOW All-Star Tribute
Who:     For a full list of performers, please visit: www.georgejones.com
When:   Friday, Nov. 22
               Start time: 7:30pm CT
Where: Bridgestone Arena (501 Broadway)
Notes:  Media credentials will allow photographers in FRONT OF HOUSE ONLY. No backstage access.  TV crews will be given access to audio/video mult box.

Media Contact: 

Caitlin DeForest / 615-777-6995 x240 | 256-899-3439 (c)
caitlin@websterpr.com 
 

Ronnie Dunn Visits Boys & Girls Club, Raises Funds For Kentucky Charity

“The most memorable thing was meeting the kids and a lot of the recipients and people that are involved [behind the scenes],” said Dunn. “It has to mean something, or it’s not worth doing it. It’s for me as much as for anybody else.”

 

Last year, he surprised guests at the Holiday Bash (a follow-up fundraising event to the concert) and presented a check for $75,000 from the show. The Holiday Bash 2013 will take place December 6 at the National Corvette Museum.

 

Joining him at this year’s Commonwealth Broadcasting annual event were rising country stars Brett Eldredge and Parmalee. All net proceeds were donated to selected non-profit organizations that focus on children’s education and welfare, including the American Red Cross, Big Brothers Big Sisters of South Central Kentucky, Boys & Girls Club of Franklin-Simpson County, Boys & Girls Club of Glasgow-Barren County, Caring for China’s Orphans, Chuck’s United Hope Foundation, Greensburg Shelter House, Hope Harbor, Junior Achievement of South Central Kentucky, Kentucky Legal Aid, National Corvette Museum, Southern Kentucky Performing Arts Center, The Center for Courageous Kids and United Way of Southern Kentucky.

 

On September 30, Dunn traveled to the area and paid special visits to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Franklin-Simpson County and Glasgow-Barren County, The Center for Courageous Kids and a local United Way program. He participated in some of the organizations’ daily activities, getting to know staff members and spending one-on-one time with kids.

 

Watch highlights from the day by clicking here.

 

For more information on how to purchase tickets or donate items for the charity auction, click here.

FGL New York Shows Sold Out

Breakout duo Florida Georgia Line rocked AEG Live's Best Buy Theater in New York last night when they performed a special anniversary benefit concert celebrating Billboard's 10th Annual Touring Conference & Awards.  The Sold Out show featured the duo's hits "Round Here," "Get Your Shine On," "Cruise," and more. The performance was presented by Citi and benefitted Musicians on Call - a nonprofit organization that brings live and recorded music to the bedsides of patients in healthcare facilities across the country.   

Earlier in the evening, Citi gave cardmembers the exclusive opportunity to get up close and personal with the award-winning duo during an intimate Q&A preshow experience at Hill Country Barbecue Market.  For this special Q&A, Florida Georgia Line fans were able to use Twitter to ask questions about their chart-topping debut album HERE'S TO THE GOOD TIMES, first ever headline tour and experiences on the road.   Billboard's Ray Waddell moderated the event.

Florida Georgia Line has skyrocketed since releasing consecutive, multi-week #1 smashes in the US and Canada with the GOLD-certified "Round Here," PLATINUM-certified "Get Your Shine On" and 6X PLATINUM "Cruise." Breaking the record for longest #1 on Billboard's Hot Country Songs Chart, "Cruise" has sold over 6.1 million downloads in the US alone and is the second best-selling Country single ever, according to SoundScan. FGL is the only artist in history to join Brooks & Dunn in having their first three singles hit #1 for multiple weeks each. Poised to follow in the success, FGL's new emotionally fueled Top 15-and-rising single, "Stay," showcases another side of their unique sound and tight harmonies.

Canada Country Aircheck also reports FGL are helping Canadian Dallas Smith establish his career in the USA by having him open shows for them on their tour and getting their record label to look at and sign Dallas to the label.

Toby Keith Grand Marshal For NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Ford EcoBoost 400

The singer-songwriter, actor, and music producer will serve as Grand Marshall for the NASCAR race (Ford EcoBoost 400) at Homestead-Miami Speedway on Sunday, November 17. 

Keith will deliver the most famous words in motorsports, “Drivers start your engines,” to commence the 15th NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race in South Florida and the 12th consecutive championship finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

“Toby Keith is an American icon and, like Homestead-Miami Speedway, he has a great partnership with Ford,” said Homestead-Miami Speedway President Matthew Becherer. “He is the perfect individual to officially start the Ford EcoBoost 400.  We’ll have live music before the race from Miami’s own DJ Irie and a soon-to-be-announced concert act. And then, Toby will keep the excitement going by giving the command for drivers to start their engines and begin 267 laps of championship racing.”

Keith released his 17th studio album “Drinks After Work” on October 29, 2013.  One of the most prolific songwriters and touring artists, Keith has performed many concerts in the Middle East for the U.S. armed forces.  The Oklahoma native has 32 number one song singles to his credit.

For more on Ford Championship Weekend: homesteadmiamispeedway.com.

Now Brad Paisley Tour Will "Beat This Winter"

Brad’s Beat This Summer Tour has been extended through the first of March and renamed appropriately Beat This Winter Tour. 

Tour dates include a Nashville play at Bridgestone Arena on Feb. 22 and a stop in Paisley’s home state at Charleston Civic Center in Charleston, WV on March 1 (click to see all the new dates).

Special guests on the final leg of the tour are Chris Young and Danielle Bradbery.

The Tour is presented by Cracker Barrel Old Country Store®.

3rd Annual George Strait Golf Tourney Raises More Than $425,000 For Troops

The newly crowned CMA Entertainer of the Year and Texas businessman Tom Cusick hosted the third annual Vaqueros del Mar Invitational Golf Tournament and Auction at Tapatio Springs Hill Country Resort & Spa in Boerne, Texas on Saturday, November 2 and Sunday, November 3. Strait and Cusick, who are joint owners of the resort and spa, first created the fundraiser in November 2011 to support wounded U.S. servicemen and women. This year’s event benefited Feherty’s Troops First Foundation, an organization that provides meaningful assistance to military members who have been wounded serving in Iraq or Afghanistan.

 

The weekend-long event was filled with non-stop excitement, kicking off with a roping competition at Cusick’s exclusive Texas hill country community Estancia at Thunder Valley, just minutes from the resort. Strait participated in the roping event, and Norma Strait and Silvia Cusick made a grand entrance by riding into the rodeo arena on a pair of Texas Longhorn bulls.

 

More than 450 invited guests also participated in a high-energy live auction, which raised an impressive $425,000 within a half-hour. At one point, Strait even sweetened the pot by removing his boots and offering them as part of a package deal, which sold for $130,000 alone. Rick Kell, co-founder of Feherty’s Troops First Foundation, presented Strait and Cusick each with an American flag that was used during operations Enduring Freedom and Proper Exit in Afghanistan. The weekend came to a close with Strait, ever the consummate entertainer, leading a lively jam session that included special guests Asleep At The Wheel, Ray Benson, Dean Dillon, Keith Gattis, Jamey Johnson, Jewel, Kyle Park and Randy Rogers.

 

Click here to view highlights from the Vaqueros del Mar Invitational Golf Tournament and Auction.

 

For more information on George Strait, please visit www.georgestrait.com.

 

For more information on Feherty's Troops First Foundation, please visit www.troopsfirstfoundation.org.

Wedding Bells for Rodney Atkins

Atkins tied the knot with fellow singer-songwriter Rose Falcon during an intimate beachside ceremony Sunday, November 10 on Captiva Island, Fla. Twenty guests were in attendance as the couple exchanged vows, including Atkins’ son Elijah, who acted as best man. Officiating was Charles Hutchins, founder of Holston United Methodist Home for Children, where Atkins spent his infancy before being adopted.

On Saturday, friends and family were treated to a day of fishing in the beautiful waters surrounding Captiva. Rose crafted many of the wedding decorations herself, including wedding programs made of CD cases and a handmade bracelet for each female guest. Male guests each received a custom hat made to match the baseball cap worn by the groom.

Rodney and Rose also took a special moment during the wedding ceremony to recognize the 51st anniversary of Allen and Margaret Atkins, presenting Margaret with a three-carat aquamarine ring (a nod to Rodney’s birthstone).

When asked about their plans after the wedding, Rodney and Rose both responded, “Our life is a honeymoon.” They are returning to Nashville and will continue on The Most Hits For The Money Tour, along with country guitar-slinger Frankie Ballard.

Follow Rodney on Twitter @RodneyAtkins and Facebook at www.Facebook.com/RodneyAtkins.

Vince Gill To Be Honored with CRS Award In February

Gill will be honored with the 2014 Country Radio Broadcasters, Inc. Career Achievement Award at the Country Radio Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on Tuesday, Feb. 18 at 6 p.m.

Emmylou Harris and Rodney Crowell will perform a tribute to Gill as well as presenting him with the prestigious award during the event.

The CRB Career Achievement Award is presented to an individual artist or act that, through their creativity, vision, performance or leadership has made a significant contribution to the development and promotion of country music and country radio. Previous winners of this award include Dolly Parton, Brooks & Dunn, Merle Haggard and George Strait.

"Vince Gill is unquestionably one of the greatest artists in the country genre,” said Bill Mayne, Executive Director of CRS. “His body of amazing work continues to evolve, and his performances inspire us all. He is a remarkable ambassador for Country music with his talents, grace, class, leadership, humility, humanity, style and wicked sense of humor. We are very proud to present Vince with this richly deserved honor."

With more than 17 studio albums recorded and more than 26 million copies sold, Gill has had an incredible career as a singer, songwriter, producer and multi-instrumentalist. He has won 20 Grammys and 18 CMA Awards, including CMA Entertainer of the Year, Song of the Year and CMA Male Vocalist of the Year. He has already been inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame and the Country Music Hall of Fame.

The Country Radio Hall of Fame dinner and induction ceremony unofficially kicks off Country Radio Seminar each year. CRS 2014 will be held at the downtown Nashville Convention Center February 19-21, 2014.

For information about the Country Radio Hall of Fame Dinner and Ceremony tickets, contact the Country Radio Seminar offices at 615-327-4487.

Taylor Swift Surprised By Her Former Bosses At The CMA Awards

If Swift looked like she was in complete shock when Rascal Flatts, Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, George Strait, Keith Urban and  Brad Paisley all emerged on stage to present her with the Pinnacle Award Wednesday night’s CMA Awards, it’s because she was. 

Taylor wasn’t expecting any kind of big presentation because she says, “The way it was explained to me is, ‘They’re going to be giving you this award that they gave to Garth Brooks a couple of years ago,’ and it was kind of presented to me as if it was sort of an off-camera thing, which is wonderful, and I was excited.  I thought it was gonna be kind of like, ‘And earlier today, Taylor got the Pinnacle Award.  Good for you Taylor.’  Our next performance is…”

Instead, she was surprised with a video package featuring some of her favorite people like Julia Roberts, Justin Timberlake and Reese Witherspoon and then she says, “You have the ultimate surprise, which was my former bosses who all took me under their wing and took me out on tour with them as an opening act, all of them walking out on stage together and standing there and (I’m) just thinking ‘This is out of a dream.  This isn’t a real thing that’s happening to me right now.’”

Taylor was grateful for the planning and coordinating that must have gone on to pull off such a thing and backstage at the CMA Awards she said, “It’s one of the nicest things that people have ever done for me, to be honest.”

2013 CMA Awards Winners – Full List

Taste of Country reports:  Tim McGraw won two CMAs before the 2013 broadcast even started on Nov. 6. His wins for Music Video and Musical Event of the Year were not surprising.

‘Highway Don’t Care’ was also up for Single of the Year. 

Kacey Musgraves, Blake Shelton and Taylor Swift had the most nominations going into the Nashville-based awards ceremony. Florida Georgia Line was also a favorite to leave needing a small moving truck to lug home trophies.

George Strait was named Entertainer of the Year at the 47th CMA Awards.

It's Country Music's Biggest Night

Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood take the CMA Awards stage for the sixth consecutive year as hosts.

Tune in TONIGHT at 8|7c on ABC for an unforgettable night of performances, collaborations and, of course, Awards!

CMA Week Updates

1.  Click here to directly access CMA Blue Room video interviews recorded Monday and Tuesday from the Premiere Radio Remotes at the CMA Awards.

2.  The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) hosted the 51st Annual ASCAP Country Music Awards on Monday, November 4th in the Grand Ballroom at Nashville’s newly opened Music City Center.

The writers of country music's most performed songs of the period between April 2012 and March 2013 were honored before an audience of Nashville's most distinguished songwriters, top country stars and music industry leaders.

Special tribute was paid to George Strait, who was presented with the ASCAP Founders Award in a segment that included musical homage to the “King” of country from Garth Brooks, Alan Jackson and Lee Ann Womack.

Shania Twain Joins Canada's Country Legends On A Postage Stamp

Canada Post’s 2014 stamp program will demonstrate the diverse combination of achievement, progress, culture and tragedy that helps define Canada.

In a new series to be issued in July, country music stars Tommy Hunter, k.d. lang, Renée Martel, Hank Snow and Shania Twain will appear on stamps for the first time. Distinguished athletes – curler Sandra Schmirler, figure skater Barbara Ann Scott and freestyle-skiing pioneer Sarah Burke – will be featured in February in a set of stamps commemorating Canadian Women Winter Athletes.

“These stamp collections visually narrate some of our country’s defining moments – from our darkest days to those of immense pride, the 2014 program offers us some incredible stories to remember,” says the Honourable Lisa Raitt, Minister of Transport and responsible for Canada Post.

“Collectively we continue to capture moments that will long live through our stamp collection. And we encourage everyone to take note of these stories as they truly mark who we are as Canadians,” says Deepak Chopra, President and CEO of Canada Post.

Darius Rucker Hits The 2014 Road With Eli Young Band

It’s been a record year for Rucker. Arguably one of the most applauded singles of the year, “Wagon Wheel” has helped the platinum-selling entertainer earn multiple nominations from the CMA and ACA Awards. Fans of his third chart-topping country album, True Believers, can catch Rucker out on the road next year performing nationwide, featuring the Eli Young Band with special guest David Nail.

 
The tour will kick off January 29, 2014 in Champaign, Ill. at State Farm Center with tickets going on sale beginning Nov. 15. An exclusive pre-sale will be available beginning Nov. 7 on dariusrucker.com. Rucker is teaming up with Tickets-for-Charity and CMT One Country to offer premium seats to benefit the USO and Pattison's Academy -- available exclusively at www.ticketsforcharity.com. 

 

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette calls Rucker’s live show “a killer set,” and The Morning Call hails him as “the best male performer in country music right now."

 

“As an entertainer, there’s nothing like seeing the fans react to your music. I’ve been blessed to have country radio take six of our songs to No. 1, so we thought it was the perfect time to take the True Believers Tour on the road,” shares Rucker.  “It’s going to be an awesome show with some great entertainers as both Eli Young Band and David Nail deliver live.”

 

Rucker will perform during "The 47th Annual CMA Awards," which airs live on Nov. 6, and on "CMA Country Christmas," which will air on Dec. 2. Both specials will air on the ABC Television Network.

CMA Awards 2013 Adds "Second Screen Experience"

For the first time in Country Music history, “The 47^th Annual CMA Awards” will offer an immersive, all-access, second-screen camera experience placed directly in the fans’ hands on CMAawards.com.

Dubbed CMA Awards 360, the virtual CMA Awards backstage pass is the first integration of its kind on a Country Music awards show. Before and during the Wednesday, Nov. 6 CMA Awards on ABC, fans will have access to 11 different camera views only on CMAawards.com:

• Red Carpet –The hottest stars show off the latest fashions with multiple camera positions to catch every second of the building excitement towards the show.
• Backstage – Only CMA has eyes on what really goes on behind-the-scenes, with three hosts covering all of the backstage action. You never know what big star will stop by for a chat!
• Director’s View – What’s it like being in the control room during an intense live network show? Sit in the virtual director’s chair with CMA Awards director Paul Miller.
• Audience Cam – When the commercials come on, the show doesn’t end. Fans can now find out what their favorite celebrities are doing during those two-minute breaks!
• Press Room – After the big CMA Awards winners give their acceptance speeches, they come to the Press Room to talk to the media and fans at home get a front row seat! for all the Q&As.

CMA Awards 360 puts viewers in control, giving the user a “choose your own adventure” experience, where they can watch what they want, when they want.

“Today’s Country Music fans are sophisticated and tech savvy, and they crave a second-screen experience for Country Music’s Biggest Night™,” said Ben Bennett, CMA Director of Digital Strategy. “We’re excited to engage the format’s passionate fans in this new way, while bringing them closer than ever before to the behind-the-scenes action at the most prestigious Country awards broadcast.”

The live streams will start at 5:00 PM/ET on Wednesday, Nov. 6 at the start of the CMA Awards Red Carpet, and will continue through the live, three-hour CMA Awards broadcast at 8:00 PM/ET on the ABC Television Network.

Similar to the Oscars and the Grammys, the CMA Awards are voted on by elite members of the Country Music industry, and it is widely recognized as Country’s top Awards achievement.

For more information on the CMA Awards, visit CMAawards.com.