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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.”