Blake Shelton Brings Sunshine To Water Tower Town

A Tweet from Blake:  Ahhhh!!!! It's this Tuesday!! My new album comes out THIS Tuesday!!!!! This calls for a drink. #BRINGINGBACKTHESUNSHINE

A Personal Message From Carrie Underwood

Click to hear what she has to say and a preview of her new music.

Farm Tour #6 Is Just Days Away

Luke Bryan is bringing some of his talented friends to perform on his sixth annual Farm Tour shows this fall. 

Cole Swindell, The Peach Pickers (Dallas Davidson, Rhett Akins and Ben Hayslip), Chancie Neal and DJ Rock will join the tour as it stops in eight southern towns beginning October 1st in Knoxville.

 All Farm Tour dates are currently on sale with tickets available at www.lukebryan.com.  VIP experiences are also available through the website and a special “Harvest Time VIP Experience" includes a general admission ticket that comes with an exclusive VIP viewing area with a premium view of the stage, a parking pass, access to VIP only restrooms, limited edition Farm Tour poster, private cash bar and more.  Find out more information from Luke's official VIP partner, CID Entertainment at: http://www.cidentertainment.com/events/luke-bryan-farm-tour-2014/ .

Farm Tour 2014
October 1         Knoxville, Tennessee              Maple Lane Farms
October 2         Auburn, Alabama                    Ingram Farms
October 3         Tallahassee, Florida                 Cross Creek Place
October 4         Gainesville, Florida                  Whitehurst Cattle Farm
October 8         Statesboro, Georgia                  Perry Field
October 9         Athens, Georgia                       Meldon Farm
October 10       Columbia, South Carolina        Culler Farms
October 11       Macon, Georgia                        Midway at Central City Park
(dates & cities subject to change)

All Farm Tour dates are currently on sale with tickets available at www.lukebryan.com.  VIP experiences are also available through the website and a special “Harvest Time VIP Experience" includes a general admission ticket that comes with an exclusive VIP viewing area with a premium view of the stage, a parking pass, access to VIP only restrooms, limited edition Farm Tour poster, private cash bar and more.  Find out more information from Luke's official VIP partner, CID Entertainment at: http://www.cidentertainment.com/events/luke-bryan-farm-tour-2014/ .

Last year Luke performed for over 115,000 fans in eight Farm Tour towns breaking the previous year’s record.  A portion of the proceeds are granted for local college scholarships (“Luke Bryan Farm Tour Scholarship”) to students from a farming family within the communities the tour plays.

Farm Tour is sponsored by Texaco, Cabela’s, Miller Lite, and AT&T U-verse® .

A Sleepy Justin Moore Says Three Kids Is It For Him

Moore and his wife Kate welcomed their third daughter, Rebecca Klein, into the world a little over two months ago (July 14), and Justin says, “She’s happy and healthy and doing great but she doesn’t like to sleep too much.” In fact, Justin says, “I’m definitely having to go on the road right now to get sleep.”

Justin has three little girls, 4-year-old Ella, 2-year-old Kennedy and baby Rebecca, who he absolutely loves and adores, although he does say, “I wouldn’t mind having a boy but I love my girls.” However, he has absolutely no plans to have anymore children, although his wife might have other thoughts. Justin says, “My wife told me the other day, it was like four in the morning and we were up with the baby and she said, ‘I could do this again.’ I said, ‘Get away from me! I’m going to work, leave me alone.’” The “Home Sweet Home” singer jokes, “She can’t keep her hands off of me!”

Justin laughs and says it’s probably a good thing he’s out on tour right now with Miranda Lambert right now so that he’s not home with any possibility of baby number four.

Jerrod Niemann Reveals Wedding Plans

Details on the country crooner’s imminent nuptial plans with fiancée, Morgan Petek in San Juan, Puerto Rico on Sunday, October 12,  have been revealed exclusively to People Magazine.

In lieu of wedding gifts, Niemann and Petek have requested donations be made to Niemann’s recently established non-profit organization, Free The Music USA.

Born out of the couple’s deeply rooted belief that every child deserves the opportunity to explore their own musical talent, Free The Music USA is dedicated to collecting used musical instruments and giving them to children in need. Philanthropy has always been a cornerstone of Niemann and Petek’s relationship, and their shared passion for promoting music education is perfectly reflected in Free The Music USA. Donations in honor of their upcoming nuptials can be made here.

Kenny Chesney’s The Big Revival Gets Big TV

Kenny’s The Big Revival is an album about finding the fire to embrace your life with passion. With a September 23 release date, the East Tennessean is going to be bringing the music to network television in a way that says he’s fired up and ready to take his new music to America with verve. Starting with “The Today Show” on street date, Chesney will also perform on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” (9/24), “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” (9/26), “CONAN” (9/29) and “The Talk” (10/2), as well as sit for interviews with both “Entertainment Tonight” and “Access Hollywood” live from Rockefeller Center (9/23).

“Normally I don’t get geared up for this much television,” Chesney says. “But this record makes me wanna get out and talk about it. Starting with ‘American Kids,’ all of the songs on here say so much about how the people who see their lives in my music commit to their lives – it’s a lot like showing their home videos on network TV! I’m gonna be sick of talking about me, but not this record; The Big Revival is a whole other kinda record for me.”

Already singled out by USA Today, Rolling Stone, PEOPLE, Entertaiment Weekly and USA Weekend, Chesney’s 15th studio project marks the evolution of an artist who has kept his finger on the pulse of real people living in America since releasing “Young” in 2001. For Chesney, born and raised in a small East Tennessee town, life in smaller towns embraces its own way of being.

“When I went in to make this record, that’s what I wanted: songs that captured the real of life in the flyover, that talked about the passion people live with and the fun they make, how hard they work and the way they set themselves free right where they are. So taking the music straight into their living rooms seems like taking it to the source.”

Contacts for Kenny Chesney:

Columbia Nashville
Wes Vause
(615) 301-4373
 
Essential Broadcast Media, LLC
Ebie McFarland
(615) 327-3259

Darius Is Already In A Holiday Spirit

Capitol/Nashville’s Darius Rucker will release his first Christmas album, Home For The Holidays, on October 27th. 

The twelve track album will include holiday classics as well as two Rucker originals, “Candy Cane Christmas” and “What God Wants For Christmas.” Also, special guest Sheryl Crow joins Darius on the holiday standard “Baby It’s Cold Outside.”

"I am so excited to finally make a Christmas album,” shares Darius. “This has been a lifelong dream and I hope my fans enjoy listening as much as I enjoyed making it."

In addition to recording his Christmas album, Darius has been working on his fourth solo county album to be released in early 2015.  The album’s debut single “Homegrown Honey” has just been released to Country radio and is climbing the charts.

Tim McGraw Releasing Most Country Album In A While For Him

Tim makes no secret that he is influenced by many different musical genres and even musical decades, especially the 70’s, but he says his new album, Sundown Heaven Town, is “probably a little more country than the last couple records” he’s released.

Although that doesn’t mean that it’s going to sound like Johnny Cash or Willie Nelson or Merle Haggard. Tim explains, “It’s a country album because I’m singing it, but if you want to say, ‘Is it a traditional country? …’ It’s not a traditional country album, but I think it’s very encompassing of everything that I’ve done in my career. I think it’s a good microcosm of what my 20 years in music has been in a lot of ways, so I think that you can certainly hear parts of my career through all these songs.”

Sundown Heaven Town is out this week and features Tim’s latest single, “Shotgun Rider,” as well as his top five hit, “Meanwhile Back at Mama’s.” Fans can pick up the standard edition of the album which contains 13 songs, or a deluxe version, which features 18 songs.

Jake Hosts ACM Honors In Nashville

Country music fans, superstar Music City talent and industry elite turned out in force last week for the Academy of Country Music’s 8th Annual ACM Honors, an evening dedicated to recognizing the special honorees and off-camera category winners from the 49th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards. 

The sold-out special event, hosted by Jake Owen, was held in Nashville at the historic Ryman Auditorium and was sponsored by City National Bank.

The evening included a mix of live music, historical video retrospectives and current video tributes and interviews with industry veterans honoring Special Awards recipients Bob Beckham (posthumously), Steve Buchanan, Jack Clement (posthumously), Dean Dillon, Toby Keith, Kris Kristofferson, Ronnie Milsap, Paul Moore, BuckOwens (posthumously), Carrie Underwood and Rascal Flatts.  Studio Recording Awards (formerly MBI Awards) recipients include Shannon Forrest, Paul Franklin, Dann Huff, Charlie Judge, RobMcNelley,Justin Niebank,Michael Rhodes and Bryan Sutton.  Industry Award winners include Brian O’Connell of Live Nation, Nicole More of Neste Event Marketing, Austin City Limits Live at The Moody Theater in Austin, TX, Billy Bob’s Texas in Fort Worth, TX, Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, TN, Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville, TN,Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CT and Mohegan Sun Wolf Den in Uncasville, CT.  Shane McAnally was honored as Songwriter of the Year.

Special Awards recipient Merle Haggard was previously presented with the ACM Crystal Milestone Award for his 50 years in country music on the 49th ACM Awards in April.

Check out photos from the red carpet here.

Country music fans, superstar Music City talent and industry elite turned out in force tonight for the Academy of Country Music’s 8^th Annual ACM Honors, an evening dedicated to recognizing the special honorees and off-camera category winners from the 49^th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards.  The sold-out special event, hosted by Jake Owen, was held in Nashville at the historic Ryman Auditorium and was sponsored by City National Bank.
The evening included a mix of live music, historical video retrospectives and current video tributes and interviews with industry veterans honoring Special Awards recipients Bob Beckham (posthumously), Steve Buchanan, Jack Clement (posthumously), Dean Dillon, Toby Keith, Kris Kristofferson, Ronnie Milsap, Paul Moore, BuckOwens (posthumously), Carrie Underwood and Rascal Flatts.  Studio Recording Awards (formerly MBI Awards) recipients include Shannon Forrest, Paul Franklin, Dann Huff, Charlie Judge, RobMcNelley,Justin Niebank,Michael Rhodes and Bryan Sutton.  Industry Award winners include Brian O’Connell of Live Nation, Nicole More of Neste Event Marketing, Austin City Limits Live at The Moody Theater in Austin, TX, Billy Bob’s Texas in Fort Worth, TX, Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, TN, Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville, TN,Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CT and Mohegan Sun Wolf Den in Uncasville, CT.  Shane McAnally was honored as Songwriter of the Year.
Special Awards recipient Merle Haggard was previously presented with the ACM Crystal Milestone Award for his 50 years in country music on the 49^th ACM Awards in April. 
 Artists who performed in tribute to honorees included:

•       Dierks Bentley performing “Love’s Gonna Live Here”  in tribute to Buck Owens
•       Billy Burnette performing “Ballad of a Teenage Queen” in tribute to Cowboy Jack Clement
•       Shawn Camp performing “Guess Things Happen That Way” in tribute to Cowboy Jack Clement
•       Rodney Clawson, performing “The Chair” in tribute to Dean Dillon
•       Hunter Hayes, performing “I Wouldn’t Have Missed it for the World” in tribute to Ronnie Milsap
•       Will Hoge performing “Me & Bobby McGee” in tribute to Kris Kristofferson
•       Jack Ingram performing “Sunday Morning Coming Down” in tribute to Kris Kristofferson
•       Tony Joe White performing “Polk Salad Annie” in tribute to Bob Beckham
•       Lee Ann Womack performing “An Empty Glass” in tribute to Dean Dillon
•       Dwight Yoakam performing a medley of “My Heart Skips a Beat,” “Cryin Time,” “Together Again” and “I’ve Got a Tiger by the Tail” in tribute to Buck Owens
•       Kacey Musgraves, Kelly Clarkson & Hillary Scott performing a medley of “Merry Go Round,” “Tie It Up,” and “Downtown” in tribute to Shane McAnally
•       Sam Palladio & Clare Bowen, performing “If I Didn’t Know Better” in tribute to Rascal Flatts and Steve Buchanan
•       Oak Ridge Boys performing “Elvira” in tribute to Paul Moore
•       The Swon Brothers performing a medley of “Wasted” and “See You Again” in tribute to Carrie Underwood

- See more at: http://www.acmcountry.com/news.html?n_id=699#sthash.z2QlutDI.dpuf

Country music fans, superstar Music City talent and industry elite turned out in force tonight for the Academy of Country Music’s 8^th Annual ACM Honors, an evening dedicated to recognizing the special honorees and off-camera category winners from the 49^th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards.  The sold-out special event, hosted by Jake Owen, was held in Nashville at the historic Ryman Auditorium and was sponsored by City National Bank.
The evening included a mix of live music, historical video retrospectives and current video tributes and interviews with industry veterans honoring Special Awards recipients Bob Beckham (posthumously), Steve Buchanan, Jack Clement (posthumously), Dean Dillon, Toby Keith, Kris Kristofferson, Ronnie Milsap, Paul Moore, BuckOwens (posthumously), Carrie Underwood and Rascal Flatts.  Studio Recording Awards (formerly MBI Awards) recipients include Shannon Forrest, Paul Franklin, Dann Huff, Charlie Judge, RobMcNelley,Justin Niebank,Michael Rhodes and Bryan Sutton.  Industry Award winners include Brian O’Connell of Live Nation, Nicole More of Neste Event Marketing, Austin City Limits Live at The Moody Theater in Austin, TX, Billy Bob’s Texas in Fort Worth, TX, Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, TN, Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville, TN,Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CT and Mohegan Sun Wolf Den in Uncasville, CT.  Shane McAnally was honored as Songwriter of the Year.
Special Awards recipient Merle Haggard was previously presented with the ACM Crystal Milestone Award for his 50 years in country music on the 49^th ACM Awards in April. 
 Artists who performed in tribute to honorees included:

•       Dierks Bentley performing “Love’s Gonna Live Here”  in tribute to Buck Owens
•       Billy Burnette performing “Ballad of a Teenage Queen” in tribute to Cowboy Jack Clement
•       Shawn Camp performing “Guess Things Happen That Way” in tribute to Cowboy Jack Clement
•       Rodney Clawson, performing “The Chair” in tribute to Dean Dillon
•       Hunter Hayes, performing “I Wouldn’t Have Missed it for the World” in tribute to Ronnie Milsap
•       Will Hoge performing “Me & Bobby McGee” in tribute to Kris Kristofferson
•       Jack Ingram performing “Sunday Morning Coming Down” in tribute to Kris Kristofferson
•       Tony Joe White performing “Polk Salad Annie” in tribute to Bob Beckham
•       Lee Ann Womack performing “An Empty Glass” in tribute to Dean Dillon
•       Dwight Yoakam performing a medley of “My Heart Skips a Beat,” “Cryin Time,” “Together Again” and “I’ve Got a Tiger by the Tail” in tribute to Buck Owens
•       Kacey Musgraves, Kelly Clarkson & Hillary Scott performing a medley of “Merry Go Round,” “Tie It Up,” and “Downtown” in tribute to Shane McAnally
•       Sam Palladio & Clare Bowen, performing “If I Didn’t Know Better” in tribute to Rascal Flatts and Steve Buchanan
•       Oak Ridge Boys performing “Elvira” in tribute to Paul Moore
•       The Swon Brothers performing a medley of “Wasted” and “See You Again” in tribute to Carrie Underwood

Presenters included the Oak Ridge Boys to Paul Moore, Kenny Chesney to Shane McAnally,Pete Fisher to Steve Buchanan, and Jack Ingram to Kris Kristofferson. Brenda Lee presented to Cindy Devault, who accepted with other family members on behalf of her father, Bob Beckham.  Jake Owen presented to Ronnie Milsap, to Alison Clement, who accepted on behalf of her father Cowboy Jack Clement, and to Buddy Owens, who accepted on behalf of his father Buck Owens.  The Swon Brothers presented to Carrie Underwood, Tim Tebow presented to Rascal Flatts, and Lee Ann Womack presented to Dean Dillon.  Justin Moore presented the Industry awards, and Thomas Rhett presented the Studio Recording Awards.  
Jake Owen opened the show with a performance of Ronnie Milsap’s hit “Back On My Mind Again.”
The house band for the evening, led by musical director Frank Liddell, Wyatt Beard (background vocals), Glen Duncan (fiddle), Paul Franklin (steel guitar), Jedd Hughes (guitar/utility), John Jarvis (piano/keys), Liana Manis (background vocals), Brent Mason (guitar), Jerry Roe (drums), included Glenn Worf (bandleader/bass).
SPECIAL AWARDS
Career Achievement Award – Toby Keith andRonnie Milsap received the Career Achievement Award, honoring an individual artist, duo, group or multiple artist collaboration that have advanced the popularity and acceptance of country music through their endeavors in the entertainment industry in multiple areas during the preceding calendar year. Past recipients of the Career Achievement Award include John Anderson, Vince Gill, Faith Hill, Tim McGraw, Johnny Paycheck, Carl Perkins, Reba and Kenny Rogers.
Cliffie Stone Pioneer Award – Bob Beckham was honored with the Cliffie Stone Pioneer Award, honoring individuals who are pioneers in the country music genre.  Past recipients of the Cliffie Stone Pioneer Award include Alabama,Garth Brooks,Johnny Cash,Charlie Daniels, Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brothers,Merle Haggard, Emmylou Harris, George Jones, The Judds,  Brenda Lee, Loretta Lynn, Willie Nelson, The Oak Ridge Boys, Dolly Parton, Charley Pride, Jerry Reed, Tex Ritter, Marty Robbins, KennyRogers, Billy Sherrill, Ricky Skaggs, Mel Tillis, Randy Travis, Conway Twitty, Porter Wagoner, Keith Whitley, Hank Williams, Hank Williams Jr., Bob Wills and Dwight Yoakam, among others.
Crystal Milestone Award – Merle Haggard received the Crystal Milestone Award during the 49^th Annual ACM Awards telecast, which is given to an artist or industry leader to commemorate a specific, remarkable achievement.  Past recipients of the Crystal Milestone Awardinclude Jason Aldean, Garth Brooks, Kenny Chesney, Gayle Holcomb, Jennifer Nettles and Taylor Swift. 
Gene Weed Special Achievement Award – Carrie Underwood received the Gene Weed Special Achievement Award, which acknowledges unprecedented, unique and outstanding individual achievement in country music. Past recipients of the Gene Weed Special Achievement Awardinclude Garth Brooks, George Burns, Jeff Foxworthy, Willie Nelson, Blake Shelton and George Strait.
Jim Reeves International Award – Steve Buchanan andRascal Flatts received the Jim Reeves International Award, which is presented to an artist for outstanding contributions to the acceptance of country music throughout the world.  Past recipients of the Jim Reeves International Award include Garth Brooks, Dick Clark, Roy Clark, Merv Griffin, Alan Jackson, Charlie Nagatani,Buck Owens,Dolly Parton,Taylor Swift,Keith Urban, and Lady Antebellum, among others. 
Mae Boren Axton Award – Paul Moore received the Mae Boren Axton Award, which is given in recognition of years of dedication and service by an outstanding individual to the Academy of Country Music.  Past recipients of the Mae Boren Axton Award include John Dorris, Rod Essig, Gayle Holcomb, Jack Lameier, Marge Meoli, Ray Pilzak, Gaynelle Pitts, Gene Weed, Tommy Wiggins and David Young.
Poet’s Award – Jack Clement (awarded posthumously), Dean Dillon, Kris Kristofferson, andBuck Owens (awarded posthumously),received the Poet’s Award, which honors songwriters for outstanding musical and/or lyrical contributions throughout their careers in the field of country music. Previous recipients of the Poet’s Award include Bill Anderson, Bobby Braddock, Guy Clark, Hank Cochran, Merle Haggard, Tom T. Hall, Harlan Howard, Roger Miller, Fred Rose, Don Schlitz, Cindy Walker and Hank Williams.
INDUSTRY AWARDS
CASINO OF THE YEAR:  Small Capacity - Mohegan Sun Wolf Den - Uncasville, CT
CASINO OF THE YEAR:  Medium Capacity - Mohegan Sun Arena – Uncasville, CT
NIGHTCLUB OF THE YEAR:  Billy Bob’s Texas – Fort Worth, TX
VENUE OF THE YEAR:  Small Capacity - Austin City Limits Live at The Moody Theater – Austin, TX
VENUE OF THE YEAR:  Medium Capacity - Grand Ole Opry House – Nashville, TN
VENUE OF THE YEAR:  Large Capacity - Bridgestone Arena – Nashville, TN
DON ROMEO TALENT BUYER OF THE YEAR:  Nicole More – Neste Event Marketing
PROMOTER OF THE YEAR:  Brian O’Connell – Live Nation
STUDIO RECORDING AWARDS (FORMERLY THE MBI AWARDS)
BASS PLAYER OF THE YEAR:  Michael Rhodes
DRUMMER OF THE YEAR:  Shannon Forrest
GUITAR PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Rob McNelley
PIANO/KEYBOARDS PLAYER OF THE YEAR:  Charlie Judge
SPECIALTY INSTRUMENT(S) PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Bryan Sutton
STEEL GUITAR PLAYER OF THE YEAR:  Paul Franklin
AUDIO ENGINEER OF THE YEAR:  Justin Niebank
PRODUCER OF THE YEAR:  Dann Huff
SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR
SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR:   Shane McAnally
- See more at: http://www.acmcountry.com/news.html?n_id=699#sthash.z2QlutDI.dpuf

Country music fans, superstar Music City talent and industry elite turned out in force tonight for the Academy of Country Music’s 8^th Annual ACM Honors, an evening dedicated to recognizing the special honorees and off-camera category winners from the 49^th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards.  The sold-out special event, hosted by Jake Owen, was held in Nashville at the historic Ryman Auditorium and was sponsored by City National Bank.
The evening included a mix of live music, historical video retrospectives and current video tributes and interviews with industry veterans honoring Special Awards recipients Bob Beckham (posthumously), Steve Buchanan, Jack Clement (posthumously), Dean Dillon, Toby Keith, Kris Kristofferson, Ronnie Milsap, Paul Moore, BuckOwens (posthumously), Carrie Underwood and Rascal Flatts.  Studio Recording Awards (formerly MBI Awards) recipients include Shannon Forrest, Paul Franklin, Dann Huff, Charlie Judge, RobMcNelley,Justin Niebank,Michael Rhodes and Bryan Sutton.  Industry Award winners include Brian O’Connell of Live Nation, Nicole More of Neste Event Marketing, Austin City Limits Live at The Moody Theater in Austin, TX, Billy Bob’s Texas in Fort Worth, TX, Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, TN, Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville, TN,Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CT and Mohegan Sun Wolf Den in Uncasville, CT.  Shane McAnally was honored as Songwriter of the Year.
Special Awards recipient Merle Haggard was previously presented with the ACM Crystal Milestone Award for his 50 years in country music on the 49^th ACM Awards in April. 
 Artists who performed in tribute to honorees included:

•       Dierks Bentley performing “Love’s Gonna Live Here”  in tribute to Buck Owens
•       Billy Burnette performing “Ballad of a Teenage Queen” in tribute to Cowboy Jack Clement
•       Shawn Camp performing “Guess Things Happen That Way” in tribute to Cowboy Jack Clement
•       Rodney Clawson, performing “The Chair” in tribute to Dean Dillon
•       Hunter Hayes, performing “I Wouldn’t Have Missed it for the World” in tribute to Ronnie Milsap
•       Will Hoge performing “Me & Bobby McGee” in tribute to Kris Kristofferson
•       Jack Ingram performing “Sunday Morning Coming Down” in tribute to Kris Kristofferson
•       Tony Joe White performing “Polk Salad Annie” in tribute to Bob Beckham
•       Lee Ann Womack performing “An Empty Glass” in tribute to Dean Dillon
•       Dwight Yoakam performing a medley of “My Heart Skips a Beat,” “Cryin Time,” “Together Again” and “I’ve Got a Tiger by the Tail” in tribute to Buck Owens
•       Kacey Musgraves, Kelly Clarkson & Hillary Scott performing a medley of “Merry Go Round,” “Tie It Up,” and “Downtown” in tribute to Shane McAnally
•       Sam Palladio & Clare Bowen, performing “If I Didn’t Know Better” in tribute to Rascal Flatts and Steve Buchanan
•       Oak Ridge Boys performing “Elvira” in tribute to Paul Moore
•       The Swon Brothers performing a medley of “Wasted” and “See You Again” in tribute to Carrie Underwood

Presenters included the Oak Ridge Boys to Paul Moore, Kenny Chesney to Shane McAnally,Pete Fisher to Steve Buchanan, and Jack Ingram to Kris Kristofferson. Brenda Lee presented to Cindy Devault, who accepted with other family members on behalf of her father, Bob Beckham.  Jake Owen presented to Ronnie Milsap, to Alison Clement, who accepted on behalf of her father Cowboy Jack Clement, and to Buddy Owens, who accepted on behalf of his father Buck Owens.  The Swon Brothers presented to Carrie Underwood, Tim Tebow presented to Rascal Flatts, and Lee Ann Womack presented to Dean Dillon.  Justin Moore presented the Industry awards, and Thomas Rhett presented the Studio Recording Awards.  
Jake Owen opened the show with a performance of Ronnie Milsap’s hit “Back On My Mind Again.”
The house band for the evening, led by musical director Frank Liddell, Wyatt Beard (background vocals), Glen Duncan (fiddle), Paul Franklin (steel guitar), Jedd Hughes (guitar/utility), John Jarvis (piano/keys), Liana Manis (background vocals), Brent Mason (guitar), Jerry Roe (drums), included Glenn Worf (bandleader/bass).
SPECIAL AWARDS
Career Achievement Award – Toby Keith andRonnie Milsap received the Career Achievement Award, honoring an individual artist, duo, group or multiple artist collaboration that have advanced the popularity and acceptance of country music through their endeavors in the entertainment industry in multiple areas during the preceding calendar year. Past recipients of the Career Achievement Award include John Anderson, Vince Gill, Faith Hill, Tim McGraw, Johnny Paycheck, Carl Perkins, Reba and Kenny Rogers.
Cliffie Stone Pioneer Award – Bob Beckham was honored with the Cliffie Stone Pioneer Award, honoring individuals who are pioneers in the country music genre.  Past recipients of the Cliffie Stone Pioneer Award include Alabama,Garth Brooks,Johnny Cash,Charlie Daniels, Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brothers,Merle Haggard, Emmylou Harris, George Jones, The Judds,  Brenda Lee, Loretta Lynn, Willie Nelson, The Oak Ridge Boys, Dolly Parton, Charley Pride, Jerry Reed, Tex Ritter, Marty Robbins, KennyRogers, Billy Sherrill, Ricky Skaggs, Mel Tillis, Randy Travis, Conway Twitty, Porter Wagoner, Keith Whitley, Hank Williams, Hank Williams Jr., Bob Wills and Dwight Yoakam, among others.
Crystal Milestone Award – Merle Haggard received the Crystal Milestone Award during the 49^th Annual ACM Awards telecast, which is given to an artist or industry leader to commemorate a specific, remarkable achievement.  Past recipients of the Crystal Milestone Awardinclude Jason Aldean, Garth Brooks, Kenny Chesney, Gayle Holcomb, Jennifer Nettles and Taylor Swift. 
Gene Weed Special Achievement Award – Carrie Underwood received the Gene Weed Special Achievement Award, which acknowledges unprecedented, unique and outstanding individual achievement in country music. Past recipients of the Gene Weed Special Achievement Awardinclude Garth Brooks, George Burns, Jeff Foxworthy, Willie Nelson, Blake Shelton and George Strait.
Jim Reeves International Award – Steve Buchanan andRascal Flatts received the Jim Reeves International Award, which is presented to an artist for outstanding contributions to the acceptance of country music throughout the world.  Past recipients of the Jim Reeves International Award include Garth Brooks, Dick Clark, Roy Clark, Merv Griffin, Alan Jackson, Charlie Nagatani,Buck Owens,Dolly Parton,Taylor Swift,Keith Urban, and Lady Antebellum, among others. 
Mae Boren Axton Award – Paul Moore received the Mae Boren Axton Award, which is given in recognition of years of dedication and service by an outstanding individual to the Academy of Country Music.  Past recipients of the Mae Boren Axton Award include John Dorris, Rod Essig, Gayle Holcomb, Jack Lameier, Marge Meoli, Ray Pilzak, Gaynelle Pitts, Gene Weed, Tommy Wiggins and David Young.
Poet’s Award – Jack Clement (awarded posthumously), Dean Dillon, Kris Kristofferson, andBuck Owens (awarded posthumously),received the Poet’s Award, which honors songwriters for outstanding musical and/or lyrical contributions throughout their careers in the field of country music. Previous recipients of the Poet’s Award include Bill Anderson, Bobby Braddock, Guy Clark, Hank Cochran, Merle Haggard, Tom T. Hall, Harlan Howard, Roger Miller, Fred Rose, Don Schlitz, Cindy Walker and Hank Williams.
INDUSTRY AWARDS
CASINO OF THE YEAR:  Small Capacity - Mohegan Sun Wolf Den - Uncasville, CT
CASINO OF THE YEAR:  Medium Capacity - Mohegan Sun Arena – Uncasville, CT
NIGHTCLUB OF THE YEAR:  Billy Bob’s Texas – Fort Worth, TX
VENUE OF THE YEAR:  Small Capacity - Austin City Limits Live at The Moody Theater – Austin, TX
VENUE OF THE YEAR:  Medium Capacity - Grand Ole Opry House – Nashville, TN
VENUE OF THE YEAR:  Large Capacity - Bridgestone Arena – Nashville, TN
DON ROMEO TALENT BUYER OF THE YEAR:  Nicole More – Neste Event Marketing
PROMOTER OF THE YEAR:  Brian O’Connell – Live Nation
STUDIO RECORDING AWARDS (FORMERLY THE MBI AWARDS)
BASS PLAYER OF THE YEAR:  Michael Rhodes
DRUMMER OF THE YEAR:  Shannon Forrest
GUITAR PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Rob McNelley
PIANO/KEYBOARDS PLAYER OF THE YEAR:  Charlie Judge
SPECIALTY INSTRUMENT(S) PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Bryan Sutton
STEEL GUITAR PLAYER OF THE YEAR:  Paul Franklin
AUDIO ENGINEER OF THE YEAR:  Justin Niebank
PRODUCER OF THE YEAR:  Dann Huff
SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR
SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR:   Shane McAnally
- See more at: http://www.acmcountry.com/news.html?n_id=699#sthash.z2QlutDI.dpuf

People: Take A Tour Of Brad Paisley's At-Home Bar

Plus (click): Get a glimpse of the country star's favorite bar accessory – a gift from the President

Keith Urban Is "Faithful" To His Fans

He created this karaoke video:

"The Raise 'Em Up Tour may have come to a close, but Keith Urban, his band and crew, as well as opening acts Jerrod Niemann and Brett Eldredge, are forever yours, faithfully," he says.

Miranda Lambert Rocks "Fashion Rocks"

(click to watch it) It’s an automatic guarantee that country queen Miranda Lambert will deliver on stage. Tonight’s performance of her bouncy tune “Little Red Wagon” was absolutely no exception.

A New "Baby-Bellum"

Lady Antebellum's Dave Haywood and wife Kelli Cashiola Haywood welcomed their first child on Sunday (September 7th).

“So happy to have a healthy baby boy here with us! Cash Van Haywood was born last night,” Dave announced on Twitter Monday afternoon. “Mom and Dad are doing great and couldn’t be happier!”

The newest Baby A weighed in at 7 lbs. and is 19 inches long. Cash is taken from Kelli’s maiden name Cashiola and Van is Dave’s father’s name.

The baby's arrival came a bit earlier than everyone expected, causing the group to cancel their show Sunday evening at Allegan County Fair in Michigan (Joe Nichols filled in for the band).

Dave has a few days to spend with his family before the release of the band's album release, 747, September 30th.

2014 CCMA Awards Show proves that Country rocks in Edmonton

The 2014 Canadian Country Music Association® (CCMA®) Awards Show, hosted by Jann Arden and Rick Mercer, celebrated eight CCMA Award categories in a televised ceremony, live from Rexall Place in Edmonton. The 2014 CCMA Awards Show was broadcast across Canada on CBC-TV at 8:00pm (8:30pm NT) and 10:00pm EST on CMT (Canada).

Crowd favourite Gord Bamford took home awards for both Male Artist of the Year and Single of the Year for his song, “When Your Lips Are So Close.” Jess Moskaluke and Tim Hicks both won their first CCMA Awards: Moskaluke for Female Artist of the Year and Hicks for CCMA Rising Star Award.

Johnny Reid won his fifth Fans’ Choice Award and Dean Brody won his third Album of the Year award, for Crop Circles. Amanda Wilkinson, and brother Tyler, Small Town Pistols, accepted the award for Group or Duo of the Year, and Brett Kissel took home the award for CMT Video of the Year for “3-2-1”.

The 2014 CCMA Awards Show brought together a wide array of Canadian country music’s brightest stars and included performances by Jess Moskaluke; Tim Hicks; Dallas Smith; Kira Isabella; Gord Bamford; Terri Clark; Paul Brandt with MacKenzie Porter and Lindsay Ell; Dean Brody and Brett Kissel. The show opened with a high energy collaboration featuring The Road Hammers, Paul Brandt, George Canyon and Tom Cochrane. Co-host Jann Arden also performed alongside Autumn Hill.

International country acts Dierks Bentley and Little Big Town also performed their songs of the summer: “Drunk on a Plane” and “Day Drinking”.

The full list of 2014 CCMA Award winners announced at the CCMA Awards Show is:

Fans’ Choice Award
Johnny Reid
Single of the Year “When Your Lips Are So Close” – Gord Bamford
Album of the Year
Crop Circles – Dean Brody
CMT Video of the Year “3-2-1” – Brett Kissel
Female Artist of the Year
Jess Moskaluke
Male Artist of the Year
Gord Bamford
Group or Duo of the Year Small Town Pistols
Rising Star
Tim Hicks

MEDIA NOTE: The complete list of all 2014 CCMA Award winners from ceremonies held throughout Country Music Week can be found at ccma.org.

Country Music Week 2015 and the 2015 CCMA Awards Show will be held in Halifax, Nova Scotia.