Stars Welcoming the New Year

Many of them are working to help fans celebrate. Several artists have taken the time off around the holidays and will hit it hard when they return to the road in mid-January. Some artists have resolutions, and some are very helpful with their own hangover cures for those who imbibe too much on New Year’s Eve.

Lady Antebellum will perform live on Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest as cameras will cut away to their headlining concert during Music City’s New Year’s Eve Bash on Broadway. The ABC show will also feature performances by Taylor Swift, One Direction, Elton John, Gavin DeGraw, Florida Georgia Line, Meghan Trainor, Fergie, Idina Menzel, Iggy Azaela, Jason Derulo, Train, Snoop Dogg and Nashville star Charles Esten, among others. Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest airs at 8pm ET on ABC.

By the way, more than 100,000 people are expected to attend the big New Year’s Eve concert in downtown Nashville. It will be one of the largest crowds Lady Antebellum has performed for in their career, and they are so excited. “It’s such a way to celebrate the end of what was one of the greatest years of our career. It’s fun — rewarding in every sense of the word,” Lady A’s Hillary Scott tells the Tennessean.

Keith Urban will spend New Year’s Eve (along with his family) in Niagara Falls, Canada headlining a free show. Nick Jonas and Shawn Mendes will also perform.

Kelleigh Bannen will be wrapping her stint as opening act on Cole Swindell’s Down Home Tour on New Year’s Eve at Wild Bill’s in Duluth, Georgia.

Sam Hunt will ring in the New Year at Boondocks in Springfield, Illinois.

Darius Rucker Can't Pick Just One Christmas Film

Rucker loves to take it easy during the holidays after being on the road all year long. One way he winds down with his family is to watch Christmas movies…however, he can’t pick just one favorite.

“That’s such a hard question, favorite Christmas movie, because there are so many great movies that I can think of just off the top of my head that are great Christmas movies,” says Darius. “But it would be a tie between Miracle on 34th Street, which is still just great acting, great movie. I just love it. I love watching it. I watch it probably four times every Christmas and cry at the end every time. And I love Elf. I just think Elf is one of the absolute great stories and just funniest movies I’ve ever seen, and it just happens to be a Christmas movie. It’s one of my favorite movies.”

Catch Darius, who recently released his Christmas album Home for the Holidays, during the 33rd annual Christmas in Washington concert Friday (December 19th) at 8pm ET on TNT.

Kenny Chesney Groundbreaker

When Kenny sang “Til It’s Gone” during the live telecast of the first AMERICAN COUNTRY COUNTDOWN AWARDS on FOX, the Top 5 hit was delivered not as a love song to a paramour, but as an invitation and celebration to everyone who’s loved the East Tennessean’s music. On hand was good friend Vince Vaughn who presented the eight-time Entertainer of the Year the Groundbreaker Award in recognition of the places and people Chesney has brought his music to. 

As Vaughn told the sold out audience in Nashville’s Music City Center, “Few artists have single-handedly elevated country music to new heights. They are the groundbreakers. They are the artists who will never be forgotten. In stadiums and arenas all over America, Kenny’s been a game-changer in live music. Tour after tour, album after album, great song after great song, Kenny Chesney continues to thrill county fans and break ground as only he can.” 

For Chesney, visibly moved by the award, it was a moment to reflect upon the miles traveled, memories made and people rocked. Acknowledging that God gave him a song – and that song took him places he could never have imagined, he haltingly offered, “So many of you fans out there tonight, here in this room and out there watching on TV... have allowed me to literally hold your lives in my hand through my music and the songs we’ve all shared over the years. I take that responsibility seriously, and I thank you for caring about the music.” 

Having taken 2014 off the road to focus on making The Big Revival, his 13th Billboard Top Country Albums debut, Chesney will be mounting his most wide-sweeping tour in 2015. Fueled by the two-week, Grammy nominated #1 “American Kids” and “Til It’s Gone,” as well as the viral “Flora-Bama,” The Big Revival is slated for 17 stadiums, a few key festivals and almost 40 arenas and amphitheaters. For the man who sold out two shows in Foxboro’s Gillette Stadium in 12 minutes and gone clean at several other stadiums, it’s looking to be a pretty wild summer. 

“I’ve missed hearing the fans singing these songs back to me,” Chesney says. “You know, watching that package before we played really reminded me how powerful the relationship with my audience is. You inspire me. You drive me. And especially, you feed me. These songs are my life, but ultimately, they’re all your’s, and I’m honored to be part of your world...” 

With rehearsals beginning after the new year, look for a changed up set, a great big stage and a band that’s spent a year off the road – and are looking to make some music. More onsales will be announced after the holidays, but until then, there’s The Big Revival, an album Billboard wrote “captures the zeitgeist of American youth in a way John Mellencamp once owned,” and “Christmas In Blue Chair Bay,” a seasonal single that’s been shipped to country radio.

Contacts for Kenny Chesney
Columbia Nashville:  Fount Lynch - (615) 301-4373
PR:   Ebie McFarland - (615) 327-3259

Jason Aldean Artist Of The Year, Luke Bryan, Florida Georgia Line Lead 2014 American Country Countdown Awards Winners

• Huff Po:  "Pregnant Carrie Underwood Is A Vision In White"
• Rolling Stone:  "Its nominees were unexpected, but its winners were told in advance. Audience members were encouraged to drink and tweet from the on-set "Twitter bar." And the hosts didn't crack any Taylor Swift jokes.... In a musical genre of awards show after yet another awards show, the inaugural American Country Countdown Awards certainly made a unique mark."

Complete list of winners (click)

Red carpet interviews (click)

Taylor Swift Is One Of Barbara Walters' Most Fascinating People

Watch the promo on ABC World News Sunday.

Luke Bryan Is #1 On Jukeboxes

TouchTunes, the largest in-venue interactive entertainment platform in North America, today released its annual Year-End Music Charts reporting on the top played songs and artists of 2014. Based on songs played across its domestic network of over 60,000 jukeboxes, TouchTunes' Year-End review provides unique insight into the music choices of bar and restaurant patrons regionally and nationwide.

Luke was TouchTunes' Top Played Artist in 2014, closely followed by AC/DC and Eric Church. "Since I started my career playing bars across this country, it makes me proud to be TouchTunes' Top Played Artist this year," commented Bryan. "I hope I can continue to make music that makes people want to have fun."

Timed with the announcement, TouchTunes is also offering Luke Bryan fans a chance to win a trip for two to Luke Bryan's 'Crash My Playa', an all-inclusive concert vacation in the Riviera Maya, Mexico. Fans can enter the sweepstakes at participating TouchTunes locations and directly online at www.touchtunes.com/lukebryan.

TouchTunes' Most Played Song of the year was Brantley Gilbert's "Bottoms Up." The song was a smash hit from Gilbert's Just As I Am, which recently won Favorite Country Album at the 2014 American Music Awards. Upon hearing the news, Gilbert said, "Just found out that "Bottoms Up" was the most played song on TouchTunes in 2014. It means so much to me that the song resonated with so many people."

Tim McGraw Remembers When Christmas Changed For Him

With three daughters, Christmas is all about family and kids for McGraw, but he does recall one of his fondest memories of Christmas from his own childhood.

“I think one thing that I remember as a kid that was sort of a turning point for me growin’ up,” says Tim, “is I grew up with my mom and my two sisters. I remember bein’, I don’t know probably eleven-years-old or so, and my mom askin’ me to put together a doll house for my sisters, and that was the first time that I actually got to participate and like be the man of the house with my mom and put together all the Christmas stuff for my sisters, and that was sort of a big sort of a graduating to a young man, I think, in my eyes thing for me.”

As Tim heads into the holidays, his latest single, “Shotgun Rider,” off his Sundown Heaven Town album is top three and continuing to climb. So it looks like he could be celebrating Christmas with a new #1 song.

One Million Tickets In Four Months!

Garth Brooks has broken his first day sales record in Buffalo set 17 years ago - 90, 533 tickets have been sold today and tickets are still selling!

Garth will play six concerts at the First Niagara Center on Thursday, March 5th at 7:30PM, Friday, March 6th at 6:00PM and 10:30PM, Saturday, March 7th at 6:00PM and 10:30PM, and Sunday, March 8th at 7:00PM. Brooks last played Buffalo September 23 - 28, 1998.

Tickets went on sale today, Friday, December 5th at 10:00AM EST.  There is an eight ticket limit per purchase. Tickets can only be purchased at www.tickets.com/garth or 1-800-228-6622 and also tomorrow at the First Niagara Center box office. 

Tickets will cost $56.97 plus $1.28 tax, a $2.50 facility fee and a $5.50 service charge for a total of $66.25.

Media Contact:
Nancy Seltzer, Nancy Seltzer & Associates - 323 938 3562

You're Looking At The Set For Eric Church's New Video

“Talladega” weaves performances filmed at Nashville Speedway with a narrative about the passing of time that’s augmented with archival Super 8mm footage of family, celebration and, of course, racetrack scenes.

The video’s release caps a stellar year for Church. The Outsiders enjoyed one of 2014’s best debuts regardless of genre and will likely appear on several year-end best-of lists.

He was a top nominee at the CMA Awards as he continued to push country music in new directions, appeared on the cover of Rolling Stone’s first country issue, and played to his largest crowds yet.

Eric is on the road with his "The Outsiders World Tour" mates Dwight Yoakam and Halestorm through Dec. 13 before kicking off the 2015 leg of the tour in January. For tickets or to learn more about Eric Church, visit www.ericchurch.com and www.facebook.com/ericchurch, or follow @EricChurch on Twitter.

Encore! Encore!

More than 8.9 million Country Music fans tuned in to "CMA Country Christmas" on ABC-TV. Thanks for making #CMAchristmas a part of your holiday this year!

The "CMA Country Christmas" show was so popular that ABC will air it again on Saturday, Dec. 20 at 9/8c. If you can't wait till then, watch online and On Demand NOW through Watch ABC!

You can also download a full set list of the songs performed on the show by clicking here.

A Road Warrior Kicks Back In Costa Rica For The Holidays And Then A Busy 2015

Kip Moore:  “I’m gonna do a little solo radio tour for a while right after this tour, and I’ll probably be doing that until the second week of December. And then I’ll go to Costa Rica to surf for a couple of weeks, then I’ll spend Christmas, and then I go back out on the radio tour for another two weeks. Then I have like two weeks off in January where I’ll go surfing one more time, and then we hit it hard for the rest of the year.”

Going From Two Kids To Three Is Great

Joe Don Rooney of Rascal Flatts and his wife Tiffany welcomed their third child, Devon Olivia, into the world two months ago, and Joe Don says it has been a little challenging, but mostly it’s been great to see how his kids all interact. “It’s pretty cool to see Jagger being six, Rocky being four and now Devon Olivia being a little over a month old.”

Joe Don smiles and says, “Jagger’s kind of like, he walks in the room, we might be feeding Devon, and he’s like, ‘Oh that’s sweet, a little baby.’ And he pats her on the head like she’s a puppy dog and then he pretty much leaves the room. He’s kind of like in and out. Rocky being four years old, she’s a girl obviously, and she wants to hold Devon and feed her. She’s very motherly, very hands on, very one on one with Devon and she just loves her. It’s so sweet.”

It’s been fun to see how the kids react differently to the baby, but Joe Don admits, “It’s challenging in some ways, just because your time is spread out a little bit more, but coming home to a full house is really, really sweet. It’s a really amazing, powerful feeling that I feel blessed to get to feel.”
Rascal Flatts just released their new single, “Riot.” Now they’re taking some time off for the holidays before getting back to work in 2015.

Start Your ACM Country Fan Holiday Shopping NOW!

Check out the ACM Awards official merchandise online store.

As we approach the 50th Anniversary of the ACM Awards (April 19th on CBS!), they're offing 10 Days of Giveaways this holiday season Monday-Friday, starting December 1st – December 12th!

Check back each day as a new featured artist will be revealed and enter for your chance to win prizes & a signed copy of the ACM’s first-ever ACM commemorative book, This Is Country: A Backstage Pass to the Academy of Country Music Awards, from the artist of the day! 

Check www.acmcountry.com on Monday December 1st for your first chance to win!

Purchase your own copy of This Is Country: A Backstage Pass to the Academy of Country Music Awards, HERE!

What God Wants For Christmas

Darius Rucker recently released his first Christmas album, Home for the Holidays. He co-wrote two songs on the collection – the 2009 “Candy Cane Christmas,” which originally appeared on Now! That’s What I Call Christmas 4 and his new holiday single, “What God Wants for Christmas.” He teamed up with producer Frank Rogers and songwriter Monte Criswell.

“Monte Criswell had this great idea and this great thing he had come up with of ‘What God Wants for Christmas,’” says Darius. “We sat down and the first thing I did was I Googled ‘What God Wants for Christmas,’ and I couldn’t believe no one had ever written that…So, we sat down and just the whole time was so inspirational I think for all of us. We were sitting there writing the song and it was coming. Every line somebody said was a line we used and it was a great line. We wanted to write one of those songs that years from now people are still listening to and people are still – and it’s important to people. We wanted to put God back in Christmas, and that’s what we tried to do with that song.”

Home for the Holidays also features such classics as “Baby, It’s Cold Outside” with Sheryl Crow, “O Come All Ye Faithful,” “Winter Wonderland” and “White Christmas,” among others.

Thomas Rhett's Thanksgiving Requires Dressing, Hold The Gravy

Rhett has been out touring all year and he will continue through mid-December, but he does plan to take a few days off to celebrate Thanksgiving with his family.

When it’s time to sit down for Thanksgiving dinner, Thomas says, “My favorite Thanksgiving dish would probably be dressing. Every year both grandparents make a dressing, they’re kinda similar, but I don’t’ like gravy on my dressing, which is probably the weirdest thing in American culture. But, dressing is probably my favorite Thanksgiving dish.”

When Thomas reflects on what he’s thankful for this year, it will undoubtedly include his two number one songs, “It Goes Like This” and “Get Me Some of That,” and his current single, “Make Me Wanna,” which is rapidly approaching the top 20.

Sam Hunt On Letterman Monday

Hunt returns to late night TV Monday night to perform his brand new single, “Take Your Time,” on CBS’ Late Show with David Letterman. 

It's the follow-up single to Hunt’s Platinum-selling No. 1 smash, “Leave the Night On.” Both tracks are featured on Hunt’s album, MONTEVALLO, the No. 1 and best-selling country debut album since 2011.

Hunt recently announced his Lipstick Graffiti Tour launching in Jan. 2015.  The first ever headlining tour for the country newcomer sold out most markets within minutes of going on sale.  Limited tickets remain in select markets, and Hunt is exploring larger venues and second shows where scheduling permits. Check www.SamHunt.com for the latest touring news and ticket information.

Hunt’s “Take Your Time” impacts country radio Nov. 24.  For information, music, images, tour dates and more, visit www.SamHunt.com.

The Holidays Are Just Around The Corner. CMA is Ready. YOU?

The annual two-hour Christmas special "CMA Country Christmas" airs Monday, Dec. 1 at 8|7c on ABC. Promote tune-in for this family-friendly special.
Here are the assets for you to use to help:  CLICK HERE TO ACCESS THE PROMO TOOLS

• Web/Social/Email copy & talking points (prior to and day of air)
• Logos & key art
• Web banners
• Artist-specific social sharing images
• Video and audio content (with more being added soon)

Your CMA Marketing Team, Catherine, Amanda, Mary, Scott, Marty and Ben will be live posting on social networks using #CMAchristmas if you are interested in interacting night of show.

Click over to CMAchristmas.com for the full lineup and photos.

Lady Antebellum CRS 2015 Humanitarian Award

In December of 2012, Lady Antebellum established LadyAID, through which they continue to raise money and support kids in need on a local, national and global level through Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Children’s Miracle Network, and myLIFEspeaks.

Armed with this overwhelming passion to help kids everywhere, Hillary Scott has spent time in Haitian orphanages helping to rebuild and serve the children. Charles Kelley has hosted his own golf tournament to raise funds for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and his father’s John W Kelley MD Cardiovascular Endowment at University Health Care Foundation.  And Dave, along with Charles and Hillary, established a ping-pong challenge called Ping Pong & Songs during CMA Music Fest to benefit the children supported through LadyAID (a component fund of The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee).

Since the beginning of their career, Charles, Dave and Hillary of Lady Antebellum have used their music and their likeness to make a difference in people’s lives. Whether it was their most recent week-long 7FOR7 campaign where they traveled across the country to surprise and fulfill seven wishes for seven fans in seven days; to taking on rebuilding a flood damaged elementary school in Kingston Springs or lifting the spirits of the community of Henryville, IN by performing at their high school after tornadoes ravaged the town, raising more than $240,000 for them; to raising money for at-risk youth, Lady Antebellum has been there to lend not only their voices and time, but also their hearts and money to make a difference.

CRS President Charlie Morgan stated, "It is always humbling and inspiring to learn of the great work that Country Artists do behind the scenes to share the many blessings and gifts that come with fame and stardom.  I would argue no format has a more generous group of artists than we do and at CRS 2015 we will pay special tribute to one of the best, Lady Antebellum with our Artist Humanitarian Award."

The CRB Artist Humanitarian Award was created in 1990 by the organization’s board to honor those Country music artists who have exhibited exceptional humanitarian efforts during their career.  Past recipients of the annual award have included Carrie Underwood, Rascal Flatts, Tim McGraw and Faith Hill, Trace Adkins, Randy Owen, Toby Keith, Brad Paisley, Brooks & Dunn, Reba, Vince Gill, Garth Brooks and Charlie Daniels, among others.

Justin Moore Got Simple But Meaningful Advice From His Dad

Justin is a father of three, which means he’ll probably be passing on some life lessons and words of wisdom to his daughters, the way his dad did to him.

Moore says the best advice he remembers from his dad was pretty simple. His dad told him, ‘If you wanna do somethin’, go do it. You can do anything that you put your mind to.’

That advice is nothing new and it’s been around forever, but the fact that he gets to make a living performing and singing songs like his new single, “This Kind of Town,” “is a prime example of that bein’ so true.”

Eric Church On Austin City Limits This Weekend

The episode premieres Saturday (November 15th) at 9pm ET/8pm CT as part of the iconic PBS music series’ milestone Season 40. Church has blazed his own trail to superstardom and now makes his ACL debut with his signature brand of no holds barred country music.

Famous for a game changing live show, Church performs songs from his critically-acclaimed, chart-topping 2014 album The Outsiders in his ACL debut.

“This is gonna be fun,” says the North Carolina native, clearly enjoying his first visit to the ACL stage.

Church's appearance is a twelve-song tour-de-force that presents the performer at the top of his game. Delivering a host of hits in his trademark aviators, Church’s crowd-pleasing set is filled with anthems about youth, family and outliers that ignite through songwriting skill, powerful riffs and energetic vocals. Highlights include the rebellious “The Outsiders”, the autobiographical title track “Sinners Like Me” from his 2006 debut and the Grammy-nominated anthem “Springsteen” from his 2011 breakthrough Chief, with the Austin audience providing the “whoa-ohs” of the chorus.  Church brings it all home solo, showcasing his softer side with the heartfelt set-closing ballad “A Man Who Was Gonna Die Young.” 

ACL airs weekly on PBS stations nationwide (check local listings for times) and full episodes are made available online for a limited time at http://video.pbs.org/program/austin-city-limits/ immediately following the initial broadcast. The show's official hashtag is #acltv40.  

George Strait releases the deluxe edition of The Cowboy Rides Away: Live From AT&T Stadium

The deluxe package includes 28 live tracks on two CDs and a DVD of the 40-song show from his record-breaking final tour date in June at the AT&T Stadium in Dallas, Texas.

The collection includes exclusive commentary from King George, as well and went on sale yesterday exclusively through Walmart.

Join Strait for the historic concert were very special guests Alan Jackson, Eric Church, Vince Gill, Jason Aldean, Kenny Chesney, Sheryl Crow, Faith Hill, Miranda Lambert, Martina McBride and Asleep at the Wheel’s Ray Benson, as well as introducing George “Bubba” Strait, Jr.
The King of Country Music performed for more than 1 million fans during his two-year, record-breaking final U.S. tour, and he was just seen on last week’s CMA Awards performing his hit “Cowboys Like Us” with pal Eric Church.

FGL Isn’t Concerned About Their “Place” In Country Music

Florida Georgia Line add a unique flavor to the country music mix with songs like their latest single, “Sun Daze,” which causes some people to want to define FGL’s place in country music and where they fit in, but Brian Kelley and Tyler Hubbard aren’t worried about things like that.

“We just think it’s important to keep our head down and keep workin’ and doin’ what we’re doin’,” says Tyler. “And to be honest man, I’m worried about Tyler and BK’s worried about BK, and together we’re worried about Florida Georgia Line, and that’s about it.”

They try to keep up with what other artists are doing, but they don’t spend a lot of time worrying about how it compares to what they’re doing. Tyler says, “For the most part, we’re worried about playin’ shows, writin’ songs and givin’ our fans what they want and tryin’ to live the best as we can.”

They hear the chatter that goes on around them but Tyler says, “We don’t really let it affect us very often.”

110,000 Tickets In 12 Minutes

The tradition continues in New England for Kenny Chesney and Jason Aldean as they have sold out two nights at Foxboro’s Gillette Stadium -- ten months in advance – in just under a dozen minutes. These latest sellouts mark Chesney’s 12th and 13th play sold out play at Gillette Stadium, birthplace of the No Shoes Nation.

“Let’s do it, Boston!” said Aldean.   “When we first started talking about doing stadiums together next summer, Kenny and I circled Foxboro on the map and made it top priority.  It’s going to be a long winter waiting on this one!” 

“Boston... You guys knock me out!” Chesney said when reached with the news. “Your passion for life, music and rocking inspires me more than you even know. I can’t believe it’s gonna be ten months ‘til I get there. But hearing this, man, I’m gonna be so ready when I get there.” 

Chesney has always had a special love affair with Boston. He created the Spread the Love Fund to aid the amputee survivors of the Boston Marathon bombing, as well as helping sell out Farm Aid when it was outside Boston. The years of multiple Gillette Stadium shows created enough talk amongst his camp the No Shoes Nation was named there, commemorated with a Super Bowl-style banner, which hangs in the end zone. 

For Aldean, Boston fans hit a grand slam for the superstar last summer when he sold out two nights at the iconic Fenway Park in just minutes with the Boston Globe noting the show was “a barn burner…professional, polished…full of big beats and brawny riffs.”  That same year, Aldean and his smoking five-piece band also performed at the Boston Strong concert to benefit the victims of the Boston Marathon bombings alongside Aerosmith, James Taylor and Jimmy Buffet. 

Chesney, a 4-time Country Music Association and 4-consecutive Academy of Country Music Entertainer of the Year, is the only country artist in the Top 10 on Billboard’s Top Touring Acts of the Last 25 Years; impressive given headlining began in 2002. Deemed “The King of the Road” by The Wall Street Journal, his summer concerts are legend. 

Reigning ACM “Male Vocalist Of The Year” Aldean has one of the year’s top selling albums in all genres with his latest release Old Boots, New Dirt.  He is also known for high intensity shows, sense of true grit and songs that capture the way his fans genuinely live their lives. The triple-platinum seller and country music’s most downloaded male artist in history has extended his Burning It Down Tour into 2015 with 23 dates, starting in Greenville, South Carolina February 12. 

Academy of Country Music Top New Artist Brantley Gilbert, who has hit #1 with “Country Must Be Country Wide,” “You Don’t Know Her Like I Do” and “Bottoms Up,” will bring his own brew to Foxoboro – as well as fellow songwriter/emerging artist Cole Swindell who hit #1 with both “Chillin’ It” and “Hope You Get Lonely Tonight.”

Brad & Carrie Host + Perform

Country Music’s Biggest Night gets cranked up tomorrow at 8|7c on ABC. Country's top stars will perform as the industry's top honors get awarded live from Nashville. 

See performances by Luke Bryan, Miranda Lambert, Lady Antebellum, Blake Shelton, Keith Urban, plus special guests Ariana Grande, Meghan Trainor, and for a full list of performers and presenters, visit CMAawards.com.

Blake Shelton On 60 Minutes

Nora O'Donnell did a terrific profile (click to watch it),

Shelton, whose new album debuted at No. 1, says the reason the music is so popular is because its listeners and artists share a bond. “It's not just our music, I think, that people feel like they can relate to. But it's us. It's the artists that they feel like they can relate to,”  he says.  “I know for me when I go home I hunt, I fish, and I plant corn, and I drive back roads.  I literally do the things that I sing about.”

For the profile, O’Donnell went on tour with Shelton, attending a concert in Little Rock, Ark., and then accompanies him to his home town of Ada, Okla.   There, Shelton drove her around to see the sights, including an apartment he once shared with his father in the lean years before he left for Nashville.  He sits down with her for a long interview on stage at the McSwain Theater in downtown Ada.  

Shelton’s current single “Neon Light” is No. 2 on the country charts and fans will also be able to catch him performing on this year’s CMA Awards, where he is up for 3 nominations including Entertainer of the Year, Male Vocalist of the Year and Single of the Year for “Mine Would Be You.”

Sam Hunt Scores His First #1 As An Artist

“Leave the Night On” lands at No. 1 on both the Billboard and MediaBase charts this week making it Hunt’s first chart-topping single as an artist. 

The song also becomes Hunt’s first RIAA-certified Platinum title, registering more than 1 Million in sales. Written by Hunt, Shane McAnally and Josh Osborne, “Leave the Night On” was the highest debuting new artist single in the history of Country Aircheck and quickly made its way to the peak position.

“Leave the Night On” is Hunt’s third No. 1 as a songwriter following “Come Over” recorded by Kenny Chesney and “We Are Tonight” recorded by Billy Currington. Additional writer credits include Keith Urban’s recent Top 10 “Cop Car.”

On all of that, Hunt shares, “I'm really excited that folks have connected to ‘Leave the Night On’ the way they have. This past year has been a wild ride and I can’t wait to see what the future has to hold.”

The No. 1 single leads the way for Hunt’s recent Oct. 27 album release, MONTEVALLO, on MCA Records Nashville. In support of last week’s release, Hunt performed on ABC’s “Good Morning America” and "Live with Kelly & Michael,” as well as an exclusive in-studio performance for iHeart Radio.

Identified as the “next big artist,” Hunt is the current talent focus of VEVO’s LIFT program and he was recently named winner of Spotify’s Emerge program, a first for a country artist.

Fans can find Hunt out on the road with Kip Moore and Charlie Worsham on the CMT ON TOUR: UP IN SMOKE Tour.

For more information, tour dates and music, please visit www.SamHunt.com.
facebook.com/SamHuntMusic | twitter.com/SamHuntMusic | instagram.com/SamHuntMusic

Reba, From Excitement To Mourning

As you have probably heard, after a 5 year illness, Reba’s daddy, “Clark” passed away less than 2 weeks ago. She was close to her dad, and fans may recall a loving song she wrote and recorded about him in the late 70’s, simply titled “Daddy.”

Just 2 days prior to her father’s passing, Reba had been so excited as she announced that she would be releasing music via Big Machine’s new label, NASH ICON MUSIC. In a press conference that same day, Reba stated that she was humbled and grateful, and revealed that she had been recording…as she puts it “an awful lot” in the last couple of months.

“The one thing we’re sticklers about is keeping the emotion. Not to make it perfect, because I’m not perfect. And when I make a boo boo every once in a while; I’m not talking about being off pitch, but if it’s a little slower and the harmonies are not just right stacked immediately on each other, if it makes it sound like we’re in a living room singing together at a good party…That’s the way I like it. I want it to feel heartfelt, lots of soul with it.”

Reba’s first record contract came in 1975, and when asked to compare the studio experience from then to now…She smiled and said “It’s faster.” She went on to talk about how making music isn’t about being perfect in the studio.

Watch Live This Wednesday On ABC

Country Music’s biggest stars are coming together on one stage for one night at "The 48th Annual CMA Awards" – Country Music’s Biggest Night! Watch live from Nashville this Wednesday, Nov. 5!

See performances by Luke Bryan, Miranda Lambert, Lady Antebellum, Blake Shelton, Keith Urban, plus special guests Ariana Grande, Meghan Trainor, and more!

Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood take the stage to host for the seventh year in a row. Watch to see who takes home Country’s top honors live Wednesday, Nov. 5 at 8|7c on ABC! For a full list of nominees visit CMAawards.com.

Jimmy Kimmel To Appear Simultaneously In Los Angeles And Nashville Via Hologram To Celebrate The 2014 CMA Awards

Through the use of cutting-edge technology, Jimmy Kimmel will host the show “cross-country” on Country Music’s Biggest Night. 

On Wednesday, November 5, the late night host will be live in Hollywood, California while simultaneously being transported to Nashville, Tennessee via hologram.

To celebrate “The 48^th Annual CMA Awards,”  Jimmy Kimmel Live will broadcast via Hologram to a live audience at the CMA Theater in the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville.  

Using technology from Hologram USA, Kimmel’s monologue will be beamed  to the Nashville stage.  
His first guest, Julie Bowen (“Modern Family”) will be an in-studio guest in Hollywood while his second guest will be an unannounced CMA Award winner from that evening’s event who will be interviewed as a hologram by Jimmy on stage in Hollywood. 

The show will also feature a musical performance from reigning CMA Vocal Duo of the Year Florida Georgia Line from Nashville that will also be hologrammed to Hollywood, California as if live on Kimmel’s outdoor stage for his studio audience.

Hunter Hayes Supports USO With Pre-CMA Show

The CMA Award-winning artist and four-time GRAMMY nominee is kicking off the week leading up to "The 48th Annual CMA Awards" with a free nighttime concert in downtown Nashville on Monday, Nov. 3 as part of Hayes’ involvement with the USO’s “Every Moment Counts” campaign.  A rare hometown performance for Hayes, the street party commemorates one of many “moments” in honor of Sergeant First Class Tyler Arnold and his family, who will be in attendance at the show along with servicemen and women currently stationed at nearby Fort Campbell. SFC Arnold has been deployed six times, including multiple trips to Iraq and Afghanistan, and is being recognized  by the USO  for his service, sacrifice and strength during the “moments” Arnold missed with his wife and two young daughters during his deployments.

As “Every Moment Counts” approaches its one year anniversary, Hayes has partnered with the USO to create special #USOmoments for troops and their families at each of 17 stops on his Tattoo (Your Name) Tour, which commences Tuesday, Oct. 28 at Best Buy Theater in New York City.  At each show, Hayes has created a unique moment recognizing all service members and their families while integrating concert-goers, including invited troops and their families, in an unprecedented way utilizing customized Glow Motion Technologies wristbands as part of the USO “Every Moment Counts” campaign.  All fans in attendance at the shows can download the official Hunter Hayes Tour App (available for Apple and Android phones) to physically integrate into the tour’s lighting design and participate in the entire show using #YouAreTheShow.
The app is available now at http://smarturl.it/HHMobileApp.

To date, Hayes has performed at two USO concerts--one at Naval Station Norfolk in Virginia and one at Royal Air Force Mildenhall in the U.K.--in support of the “Every Moment Counts” campaign.

Randy Houser, Tracy Lawrence & Troy Gentry Join Terri Clark, Chuck Wicks & Darryl Worley for Tootsie's Birthday Bash on Nov. 12

Platinum-selling powerhouse vocalist Randy Houser, multi-platinum CMA and ACM award-winner Tracy Lawrence and one half of the fan-favorite country duo Montgomery Gentry Troy Gentry are the latest additions to the star-studded Tootsie's Orchid Lounge 54th Birthday Bash line-up.

Hosted by America’s Morning Show host Blair Garner, the annual Broadway street party will also feature performances by Terri Clark, Chuck Wicks and Darryl Worley, with even more exciting artist announcements coming soon. Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge Annual Birthday Bash attracts some of the biggest stars in music, including surprise appearances by Kid Rock, Jamey Johnson, Randy Houser, Dierks Bentley, Colt Ford and more. 

 

The event, which takes place Nov. 12 on Broadway between 4th and 5th Avenue, will host entertainment on an outdoor stage throughout the day and is FREE to the public. For more information, please visit: www.tootsies.net.

RaeLynn Performs At National Association for Music Education Conference

In celebration of the 30th Anniversary of Music In Our Schools Month, The Valory Music Co. recording artist joined Boston Brass to debut “Always Sing,” a song she wrote with Nicolle Galyon and Jimmy Robbins for music students nationwide, yesterday (10/26) at the Gaylord Opryland Resort in Nashville, TN.

The performance is one of the many highlights planned for a four-day national music education conference taking place this week. The conference draws music education professionals from across the country and centers on ways in which “Music Education Orchestrates Success”—in school, in work, and in life. Following the conference, “Always Sing” will be available to National Association for Music Education (NAfME) members as part of the Concert for Music In Our Schools Month. Song arrangements will be made available to NAfME members digitally on the NAfME.org website.

In conjunction with Music In Our Schools Month, Give a Note will engage schools across the country to submit their versions of “Always Sing” for yet-to-be-announced surprises along the tour. For a second consecutive year, Big Machine (parent company of The Valory Music Co. imprint) and Give a Note Foundation will partner for the Music In Our Schools Tour in March 2015. Rick DeJonge from Jupiter Band Instruments worked with RaeLynn and her team to arrange the music for several types of ensembles.

The Give a Note Foundation was started in 2011 by the leaders of NAfME and has since provided more than $1 million in grants to more than 75 schools in addition to generous support from many groups and organizations.  Through their partnership with Jupiter Band Instruments, Boston Brass has been helping to raise awareness for the Give a Note Foundation at their concerts for about two years.

With the highest charting debut single by a solo female artist in 2014, RaeLynn was recently selected as the first female for iHeart Media’s On The Verge, which showcases an artist that has the potential to break out of the pack with a great song. From her slow ballad “Love Triangle” to the empowering debut single “God Made Girls,” the spunky 20-year-old has penned a diverse catalog of songs. Taste of Country insists, “fans of every age will find a trio of lyrics to get behind” from the Texas native’s lead track. “Cheerful, charming, ultra-talented and downright hilarious” according to Popcrush, the songstress revealed a different side, spearheading the whimsical vision for the “God Made Girls” music video. Flashing pizazz while honoring her Country roots, RaeLynn made her Grand Ole Opry debut in September and the social media maven commemorated the career milestone with an “Op-Rae Selfie” from center stage. With a lengthy run on Season 2 of The Voice, RaeLynn garnered a plethora of fans, including mentor Blake Shelton. RaeLynn will join Miranda Lambert’s Certified Platinum Tour in early 2015.

Get Ready To Take Your Shoes Off, Nation

After a year making The Big Revival, his 13th #1 Country Album debut, Kenny Chesney is ready to get back to the fans.

With the multiple week #1 “American Kids” and “Til Its Gone” currently sitting at #18 on Billboard’s Country Singles chart, his new music has reinvigorated the No Shoes Nation.  Now Chesney returns to where he draws inspiration, energy and a reason to believe in the power of music: his 2015 tour!

The man The Wall Street Journal deemed “The King of the Road” mixes it up playing arenas, amphitheaters and stadiums. He kicks off on March 26, his birthday in Nashville -- and also teams with presenting sponsor Corona Light to do it.

“I can’t think of a better way to celebrate,” Chesney, who confirmed he’s bringing The Big Revival Tour to America today on ABC's Good Morning America, says. “I’ve been ready to get out there for a long time. Now that we’re announced I’m fired up! This new music brings a new energy to the show, and it’s gonna take what we do to a whole other level.

Impressive considering each of his headlining tours since 2002 has sold over a million tickets– making him the only country act in Billboard’s Top 10 Touring Acts of the Past 25 Years. That’s a strong showing, given Chesney’s only been headlining half that time.

“We’re going to be mixing up the line-up, too: different markets will have different acts playing with us. A few will be on all the stadium shows, some doing pieces – but I promise everybody who’s coming out rocks hard, and understands turning a crowd on.”

Chesney knows how to pick’em. Over the years, Keith Urban, Miranda Lambert and Carrie Underwood have supported Chesney’s full-tilt tours, as well as beyond genre artists Grace Potter and Uncle Kracker.

“This is really about us and the fans... the fact that every year, so many people make their summer about coming to see us. I’ve missed that sense of community and that passion for the music. There’s gonna be some stuff from the new record and songs people haven’t heard in a while. There’s gonna be a whole lot of music and some surprises…

“I didn’t know if I could take the music as far as we were able with the album. That’s the beauty of giving things time to be what they’re meant to. We’re already working on next year’s video. I’ve seen the stage – and the lights. As the set list comes together, and we start locking down rehearsals, this is gonna be a wild night. I hope the fans are ready.”  

Rolling Stone echoes that, saying The Big Revival “continuously brings a sense of musical energy and emotional urgency...” and Billboard raved it “captures the zeitgeist of American youth in a way that John Mellencamp once owned.” Look for this year’s tour to offer the same kind of energy, intensity and excitement.

“Because of the number of artists we’re pulling into this tour, the roll out is a little trickier, but I think it’s going to be worth the wait and the finding out. Rather than locking in one thing, I wanted to make each market the best it could be. People will be fired up when they see who’s playing where. That means, there’s more news to come... A lot of our favorite cities are on the list, so are some places we’ve never been. Get ready!”

Contacts for Kenny Chesney:
Columbia Nashville - Ann Inman - (615) 301-4466
Essential Broadcast Media, LLC - Ebie McFarland - (615) 327-3259

Little Big Town Turn The Lights On

LBT released their album, Pain Killer, this week.

Anchored by their current Top 10 hit, “Day Drinking,” the album boasts several key life-affirming tracks, including “Quit Breaking Up With Me,” the title track, “Girl Crush” and “Turn the Lights On,” which the band can certainly identify with and even use to help other artists who have given up.

“We were talking about when you’re chasing something that you want to do as an artist, and you get knocked down or you’re gonna get rejected, you have to decide what you’re gonna do at that moment,” explains Little Big Town’s Karen Fairchild. “You’re either gonna pick yourself up and be a better artist, better person, or you’re just gonna lie down and take it and just go away. We see it happen all the time. So many talented people come to Nashville and some quit, and they might be the best singers and songwriters and they just give up, because they get knocked down a couple of times.”

If Little Big Town had done that when they lost a record deal…or three…it would have been a very sad day in Nashville to not hear these four voices blend and soar as they were born to do.

Little Big Town, who is nominated for CMA Vocal Group of the Year, will sing the National Anthem at Game 3 of the World Series between the San Francisco Giants and the Kansas City Royals on Friday (October 24th) beginning at 8pm ET on FOX.

Trisha Yearwood Shows How It's Done At Game #1

10/21/14: Trisha Yearwood performs the national anthem prior to the start of Game 1 of the World Series (click to watch and listen)

What's new with her?  click here

Keith Urban Back To Judge For American Idol

It will be his third season, which begins airing after the first of the year.

Urban, along with Jennifer Lopez, Harry Connick Jr. and Ryan Seacrest (as host), are currently crisscrossing the country for the audition process. Last year’s judges’ panel seemed to really click and they all became friends, and Keith says it feels like no time has passed since they were behind the desks. The “Somewhere in My Car” singer has also noticed some great talent coming through this year.

“This season, I think we’re finding some really strong talent,” says Keith. “It’s all [in] the journey. You find these diamonds in the rough, or sometimes you just find straight-out [snaps] diamonds, and I love watching the journey of them.”

Keith is nominated for four CMA Awards this year, including Entertainer, Male Vocalist, Album of the Year for Fuse and Musical Event of the Year for “We Were Us” with Miranda Lambert. The 48th Annual CMA Awards will air live from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena November 4th at 8pm ET

Maddie & Tae Can Kill Some Serious Time On Pinterest

The duo have been on the road a lot promoting their debut single, “Girl in a Country Song,” and one of the ways they like to kill time while they’re traveling is by checking out the Pinterest app on their phones.

Tae admits she’s one Pinterest and Twitter way too much. Maddie also loves Pinterest and she says, “I pin a lot of home décor stuff that I wish I could make that I really can’t, like a bunch of DIY stuff that I wish I could do but I never have time. That, and I love pinning recipes that I never get around to cook, but I still love it (laughs).”

Perhaps one day their schedule will slow down enough that Maddie & Tae can actually make some of the crafts and recipes they love pinning.

NEWS AND NOTES: Keith, Little Big Town, Strait, Lady A, Kacey, Luke, Dierks

Keith Urban picked up two ARIA Award nominations (Australia’s version of The Grammy Awards). He’s up for Best Country Album (for Fuse) and Best Live Act (for his Light The Fuse Tour). In the States, he’s nominated for several CMA Awards, including Entertainer, Male Vocalist, Album of the Year (for Fuse) and Musical Event of the Year for “We Were Us” with Miranda Lambert.

You can cruise the high seas with Little Big Town during the 2015 Carnival LIVE concert series. The band will perform three times on the “Fun Ships” in Nassau (March 30th, 31st and April 1st). Visit www.carnival.com/CarnivalLIVE for more information.

George Strait is featured cover-to-cover in a new commemorative “bookazine” that was just released by the Academy of Country Music. The collector’s edition celebrates the Country Music Hall of Famer’s career, life (including exclusive photos from his Texas ranch), behind-the scenes and much more. The “bookazine” is on newsstands now.

Lady Antebellum and Kacey Musgraves will be among the artists performing on the new ABC TV Special, Countdown to the CMA Awards: 15 Songs That Changed Country Music next month. The special, which is hosted by Robin Roberts and also features Luke Bryan, Keith Urban, Dierks Bentley, Darius Rucker, Tim McGraw, Brad Paisley, Florida Georgia Line, Hunter Hayes, Rascal Flatts and Martina McBride, will air Monday, November 3rd at 10pm ET on ABC.

Lady Antebellum are together again with Stevie Nicks. They appear on the song “Blue Water” from the legendary performer’s new album, 24 Karat Gold.

  -- Universal Music/Nashville

Glen Campbell and His Family Featured On NBC-TV This Week

Already one of the most acclaimed documentaries of the year ahead of its October 24 release, GLEN CAMPBELL…I’LL BE ME, will give movie-goers an intimate look at the life and musical legacy of Country music icon Glen Campbell and his family. Directed by James Keach (Walk The Line) and produced by Trevor Albert (Groundhog Day), the film shows the three-year period after Glen’s diagnosis with Alzheimer’s disease.

Landing the first interview with Glen and his family in advance of the documentary premiere, NBC Nightly News will air the special segment tomorrow (10/7) while TODAY will feature another portion of the interview on Wednesday (10/8). The piece was filmed in Nashville with NBC News correspondent Cynthia McFadden with Jake Whitman serving as producer of the package.

Additionally, a music video for Glen’s final recording, “I’m Not Gonna Miss You,” will first appear on NBCNews.com today

The Hollywood Reporter’s film critic Scott Feinberg recently said this of Oscar documentary contenders: “I’m not sure any can match James Keach’s Glen Campbell: I’ll Be Me, a gut-punching look at what Alzheimer’s Disease has done to the titular music legend — and the remarkable way in which the 78-year-old and his loved ones have conducted their lives since his diagnosis in 2011.”

The GLEN CAMPBELL…I’LL BE ME SOUNDTRACK EP fro Big Machine Records is now available at all digital music retailers. The five-song set includes Glen’s final recording, “I’m Not Gonna Miss You,” a cover of “Gentle On My Mind” by The Band Perry, an original song and performance by daughter Ashley Campbell and two LIVE performances from his final tour stop at the Ryman Auditorium.

Click here to watch video segments.

Country Is Well-Represented In Film

Thomas Rhett, Hunter Hayes, Lady Antebellum, Eric Paslay, Kacey Musgraves, Kip Moore, David Nail, Thompson Square and Colbie Caillat, among others, are among the artists featured on The Best of Me soundtrack.

“Having a song in The Best of Me soundtrack is really cool for me," says Thomas. "Me and my wife have been huge fans of Nicholas Sparks for a long time. I thinkt hat most girls were since they saw The Notebook. For me, I actually got to read the book, The Best of Me, which was awesome. This is the first song I’ve ever had in a movie before. So, it’s a really cool thing,"

Hunter agrees, and says it's a dream come true for him to have a song in the movie. "One of the coolest things as a songwriter is being anywhere at any point in time and being caught off guard by hearing your song," says Hunter. "And one of the coolest, I’ve always thought, one of the biggest dreams is sitting in a movie theater watching a movie [and having your song come on]."

The soundtrack to the film was released this week, while the film adaptation of Nicholas Sparks' film hits theaters nationwide October 17th.

Scotty McCreery Celebrates 21st

McCreery will celebrate his 21st birthday on Thursday (October 9th), and he’s asking fans who are thinking of sending him a gift, to instead make a donation to the 12.14 Foundation.

Scotty serves as a National Goodwill Ambassador for the Newtown, Connecticut-based foundation that plans to build a multi-purpose performing arts and education center as a beacon of hope and positive change for use by and to benefit people everywhere. McCreery has made multiple visits to Newtown to meet with families there since the 2012 shooting tragedy which shocked the nation.

“I’ve got such wonderful, generous fans, and they have been e-mailing my fan club asking what they could send me to celebrate my birthday,” says Scotty.  “They’ve already given me far more than I could ever have imagined by letting me live out my dreams, so I would like to encourage the fans to donate to the 12.14 Foundation. Together we can support a great organization doing positive things in a town that is still recovering. Let’s help them reach their goal of building a state-of-the art performing arts and education center. That would be the best birthday gift I could receive.”
Donations can be made by visiting the organization’s website at http://www.1214foundation.org/donate/. For those mailing checks, donations can be sent to 12.14 Foundation, P.O. Box 90, Newtown, CT, 06470. 

Scotty will continue to support the organization when he bring his “See You Tonight Tour” with special guest Danielle Bradbery to the Toyota Oakdale in Wallingford, CT on Thursday, Dec. 4th for a 12.14 Foundation Benefit Concert.

Scotty is planning on a low-key birthday celebration with his buddies. “We’re gonna go to the beach and kind of hang out for the 21st party, and then we’re gonna head out from there and go to Pinehurst and we’re gonna go play a little golf,” says Scotty. “It’ll be a big time. Me and the guys are sure to enjoy that.”

After celebrating his birthday, McCreery will return to the road with upcoming dates in Fayetteville, North Carolina on October 17th, Toms River, New Jersey October 18th and Bethlehem, Pennsylvania October 19th.

For tour dates and more information, visit www.ScottyMcCreery.com.

The now-legal adult has grown up before the nation’s eyes since winning the 10th season of American Idol at age 17.

Little Big Town Invited To Join The Opry

The critically acclaimed Grammy®-winning vocal group (Karen Fairchild, Phillip Sweet, Kimberly Schlapman and Jimi Westbrook) was invited to join the Grand Ole Opry by Opry member and friend Reba McEntire.  The group will be formally inducted into the Opry on Fri., Oct. 17 by Opry member Vince Gill.

As the group finished a three-song set with its smash “Pontoon,” McEntire appeared from the side of the stage, improvising on the song’s last few words. “I know the Grand Ole Opry is very important to y’all, because this is the first place you guys played together as a group in 1999,” McEntire began after the impromptu collaboration. “I have been asked to ask y’all, Little Big Town, would y’all like to be a member of the Grand Ole Opry?”

After hugs with McEntire and between the members as well as a collective “yes” from the group, McEntire said, “Special moments like this—they’re priceless.”

Speaking for the group, Fairchild cheered, “Thank you, Grand Ole Opry! We will try to make you proud!”

Brantley Gilbert Lays All His Tricks On The Table

Brantley has always said he is an open book and doesn’t hold much back from his fans, so it’s not surprising that he doesn’t have any hidden talents.

He says, “I really am kind of an open book and kind of a ‘what you see is what you get’ kinda guy. I don’t have any hidden talents like I can’t juggle, I can’t do card tricks.”

The “Small Town Throwdown” singer says he’s not even a card player when he gambles. When he does go to a casino Brantley says, “The only gamblin’ I do is roulette and I only pick red or black. Course that usually turns out pretty good for me, I got some good luck gamblin’. So far, knock on wood.”

It's A Big News Day For Garth Brooks

Singer/songwriter Garth Brooks confirmed today that his highly-anticipated new album, available November 11th, will be titled, MAN AGAINST MACHINE. The album will be released on Pearl/RCA Nashville and will feature his current hit on country radio, “People Loving People.”

"Music has always been a reflection of where mankind is at the time.  For 14 years, I have watched heart and soul, dreams and individualism, fighting for their very existence in a world of increasing technology.  This album is a reminder to all those who dream, work, and fight for what they believe; do not give up your vision," said Garth Brooks.

Fans can pre-order the album at garthbrooks.com (http://smarturl.it/garthbundled2c)  and ghosttunes.com(http://smarturl.it/garthghosttunes). In addition to the album, fans can order an additional mega bundle including all eight iconic studio albums digitally updated, the new double live 25th Anniversary Edition featuring 30 songs along with 30 videos, an instant download of the new single, “People Loving People” and the bonus track, “Send ‘Em On Down The Road.”

Tickets for Minneapolis went on sale today. Back in 1998, October 6th through the 14th at the Target Center, Garth played nine shows. This time around he will be playing ten shows. Over 153,000 tickets have been sold and he is still selling!!!

Purchase tickets and see a list of the shows at www.axs.com/garth

Garth, who in 2000, was certified by the RIAA as the #1-selling solo artist in U. S. history and has sold 134 million albums to date, virtually receiving every music award possible, is currently on his world tour.

It Was A Big Day For Jason Aldean Yesterday

 

About Brittany Kerr Engagement: "It's Pretty Good Times"—Watch E! Online Video.

Jason could not help but break into a smile as he was asked about his engagement by Ellen DeGeneres. (click to watch it)

CMA + Country Superstars Almost Ready For (Sold Out!) Awards And Then Christmas Shows

The star-studded lineup for Country Music’s Biggest Night™ continues to grow with today’s announcement of additional performers for “The 48th Annual CMA Awards.”

Not only are they hosting for the seventh consecutive year, Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood will each perform during the three-hour live broadcast Wednesday, Nov. 5 (8:00 PM/ET) on the ABC Television Network from the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville.

Strike up the bands, because joining the superstar lineup are three of the hottest groups in County Music – Lady Antebellum, Little Big Town, and The Band Perry. Previously announced performers include Luke Bryan, Miranda Lambert, Blake Shelton, and Keith Urban.

Paisley is among the top CMA Award winners of all time, with 14 trophies. He is a former CMA Entertainer of the Year (2010) and three-time CMA Male Vocalist of the Year (2007-2009), with multiple wins in the Music Video and Musical Event of the Year categories. Paisley’s first CMA Award came in 2000 when he won the Horizon Award, now known as New Artist of the Year.

A three-time CMA Female Vocalist of the Year (2006-2008), Underwood is again nominated in that category in 2014, as well as Music Video and Musical Event of the Year with Lambert for “Somethin’ Bad.” Underwood is a five-time CMA Awards winner with 21 career CMA Awards nominations. She has been nominated for Female Vocalist of the Year every year since her first nomination in 2006 (2006-2014).

Lady Antebellum has 16 career CMA Awards nominations and six wins including three for Vocal Group of the Year (2009-2011), two for Single of the Year (“I Run to You” in 2009 and “Need You Now” in 2010), and a win for New Artist of the Year in 2008. In 2014, they are nominated for Vocal Group of the Year and Music Video of the Year for “Bartender.”

Little Big Town has 16 career CMA Awards nominations and has been nominated for CMA Vocal Group of the Year every year since 2006 – and 2014 is no exception. The group has won three CMA Awards including Vocal Group of the Year (2012, 2013), and Single of the Year in 2012 for “Pontoon.”

The Band Perry has eight career CMA Awards nominations and two wins including New Artist of the Year (2011) and Single of the Year for “If I Die Young” (2011). The sibling trio is nominated for Vocal Group of the Year in 2014 (they have been nominated in this category each year since 2010).

Tickets for “The 48th Annual CMA Awards” are officially sold out, marking the sixth year in a row the ceremony has sold out in advance.

Winners of “The 48th Annual CMA Awards” will be determined in a final round of voting by eligible voting members of the Country Music Association. CMA Awards balloting is officiated by the international accounting firm of Deloitte & Touche LLP. The third and final ballot will be emailed to CMA members emailed to CMA members Thursday, Oct. 9. Voting for the CMA Awards final ballot ends Monday, Oct. 27 (5:00 PM/CT).

Jennifer Nettles returns to host CMA Country Christmas for the fifth year in a row. The special, which tapes in front of a live audience November 7th, will air during the holiday season on ABC.

“After being the host of ‘CMA Country Christmas,’ for five years now, it is hard to pick one thing I love about it. There are so many fun moments,” Nettles said. “Whether it is the performances or duets, getting to perform Christmas songs with great artists is really fun for me.  It’s really a fun show all around.”

Artists scheduled to perform and celebrate the season include Little Big Town, Jennifer, Michael W. Smith, Dan + Shay, Brett Eldredge, Sara Evans, Lucy Hale, Hunter Hayes, Broadway star Idina Menzel, LeAnn Rimes and Carrie Underwood.

For the third year, audience members are being encouraged to bring a new, unwrapped toy to the taping to help make the holidays brighter for Nashville area children. The Nashville-based non-profit group Generosity will have volunteers on site with specially marked bins to collect toys beginning at 5:00 PM/CT on Nov. 7. In 2013, the group collected more than 5,000 toys.

“Our artist community is extremely generous and so are our fans,” Trahern said. “It is our goal to make sure no child goes without a present this Christmas and we are grateful to our partners at Generosity for helping to make this a dream come true for children in Nashville.”

Tickets for “CMA Country Christmas” are on sale now and can be purchased at CMAChristmas.com; by calling (800) 745-3000; or in person at the Bridgestone Arena Box Office, located at 501 Broadway (corner of Fifth Avenue and Broadway, Nashville). Tickets for “CMA Country Christmas” are $25 for Upper-Level seating and $50 for Lower- and Club-Level seating. Ticket prices include tax, but exclude applicable service fees.