More artists announced for CMA Music Festival

It's time to start planning your daily music stops at the 2013 CMA Music Festival as CMA just announced more than 30 artists that will perform on the Chevrolet Riverfront Stage. The lineup includes Brett Eldredge, Sara Evans, Gloriana, Casey James, Craig Morgan, David Nail, Jerrod Niemann, Eric Paslay, Tate Stevens, Gretchen Wilson and more! Visit CMAfest.com for the full lineup and to begin adding your favorites to your own schedule!

Tickets to the nightly LP Field concerts sold out faster than ever (a record-setting six weeks in advance), but the good news for the fans is if you didn’t get a ticket for LP Field there are nine other entertainment and music stages, plus special events, and activities throughout downtown Nashville to enjoy for free.

ACM Presents: Lionel Richie & Friends

New performers: Tim McGraw, Sara Evans, Luke Bryan and Jennifer Nettles have been added to the line-up for the tribute show being taped at MGM Garden Arena in Vegas April 2nd, the day after the ACM Awards.

The show will air April 13th on CBS. For a countdown to the ACMs, click here.

Three Different Endings For Sara

Sara Evans released her new video for "My Heart Can't Tell You No" with three different endings.  Fans must watch the clip at iTunes, CMT and VEVO to see them all. 

Sara has also launched a contest at SaraEvans.com with the winner getting an autographed iPad including all three version of the "My Heart Can't Tell You No" video.  

It's the latest single from her #1 album, Stronger.

Sara Evans And Rascal Flatts Together

Sara Evans feels Rascal Flatts music compliments her music.

“Last fall, I did, like a three or four day run with them, of shows, and I think that’s sort of how this tour came about,” Sara say. ”I do think it’s a perfect match. I mean, Gary and I actually kind of have similar type voices, and our music goes together great. I absolutely love Rascal Flatts. I love their music.”

Sara knows one thing that she does not have in common with the men of Rascal Flatts… their hair care routine.  

“I know that I don’t use as much hair care product as they do, because my hair is just long and straight, and that’s all I do, and I’m very, very low maintenance,” she revealed. “I don’t even like to let my hair girl curl my hair, ’cause I just…I don’t like all the big fluff. I think less is more… But I know where to go if I need hair spray or gel!”

Sara will be performing on the Rascal Flatts tour throughout the next couple of months. A full list of dates can be found on her website

Fan Fair And Sara Evans

Sara Evans has many memories of the annual CMA Music Festival, previously known as Fan Fair, one particular moment stands out.


"I had my own booth at Fan Fair when I was 9 or 10 years old," Sara tells The Boot. "I made a little record and I had a manager in Missouri, so we came up to Fan Fair to sell those records and try to get me a record deal. Clearly it wasn't meant to be at 10 years old, but my memory is that I went to use the bathroom, and I met Sylvia. I was in shock. I didn't actually meet her, [though] I just stared at her like an idiot for a few minutes. Remember how she always used to wear her hair in a circle and put a clip in it? I got to watch her redo her circle ... her hair circle, and I'll never forget it as long as I live."


The song Sara recorded to sell was called 'I'm Gonna Be the Only Female Fiddle Player in Charlie Daniels Band.'


Sara will play two shows during next week's CMA Music Festival: her fan club party at Nashville's Rocketown on June 8 and her performance at LP Field June 9.

Flatts Fest Is On

Rascal Flatts are anticipating their inaugural Flatts Fest tour, which promises fans music, activities and non-stop fun.


"You'll be able to come and hang all day," lead singer Gary LeVox tells a Detroit, Michigan radio station. "You'll be able to win stuff all day long. You can come and shoot archery, we're going to have mobile karaoke that we'll judge. The Army will be there. Mossio [Archery Equipment] is a big sponsor. You can win stuff all day long. We'll have pitching greens, golf course, skate parks for kids. It's going to be a blast."


The tour will have a few pranks. "Justin Moore's going out with us, Easton Corbin and Sara Evans," Gary says. "They don't know this, but it will be like 'who can break the most window's out of Easton's bus,' and Sara's [going into] the dunk tank."


The Flatts Fest kicks off June 18 in Bristow, Virginia.

Ever Wonder How A Lawyer Apologizes

Sara Evans'divorce attorney, John Hollins, Sr. has issued a public apology to Sara's ex-husband Craig Schelske. The apology stems from remarks Hollins made about Schelske to People magazine in 2006.
Schelske sued Hollins for slander over those comments, which alleged that Hollins had pictures to back up allegations Schelske was unfaithful to Evans and used pornography during their marriage.


According to The Tennessean, Schelske accepted a settlement from Holling earlier this year that included the apology.


It reads:
To Whom it May Concern:
My firm represented Sara Evans in a highly contested divorce from Craig Schelske. I represented Sara Evans to the best of my ability. I regret that my actions on behalf of Sara Evans caused Mr. Schelske harm in any way.


John J. Hollins


Evans and Schelske are now back in a court battle over custody of their three children. Evans has since remarried.

Red Cross Disaster Relief Concert

Hank Williams Jr., Alabama, Lady Antebellum, Keith Urban, Tim McGraw, Ronnie Dunn, and Sara Evans will perform in Nashville on Thursday May 12 at a 90-minute CMT disaster relief concert. Proceeds will benefit the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund.


The Associated Press reported Williams initially wanted to do a local benefit, but then reached out to CMT to help make it bigger.“I don’t want to raise $50,000,” Williams said. “I want to raise a lot of money. And I want people who are motivated to be part of it as we try to help these devastated folks.”


“Basically home for me is Alabama,” Williams says. “That’s where mama and daddy are buried. That’s probably where I’m going to be. And I have lots of friends in Tuscaloosa. And, you know, I lived in Cullman for a long time, and Cullman was flattened.”


The tornado outbreak across the south was the second deadliest in the history of the United States. 329 people were killed across seven states.


The 90-minute special will air live from Nashville at 9 p.m. ET/PT on CMT and will be simulcast on CMT.com. Additional artists will be announced soon. Ticket information has not yet been released.


To make a $10 donation to the American Red Cross disaster relief efforts, text REDCROSS to 90999.

Country Charts In Review

Credit: billboard.com

Sara Evans' 'A Little Bit Stronger' takes over the top of both the Mediabase/Country Aircheck and Billboard country singles charts this week.


Miranda Lambert's 'Heart Like Mine' is No. 2 on both and Kenny Chesney's 'Live a Little,' drops to No. 3. Holding steady at #4 sits Jerrod Niemann's 'What Do You Want from Me' while Rascal Flatts gains one spot with 'I Won't Let Go', now at #5. Brad Paisley and Alabama take 'Old Alabama' to #6 and Keith Urban climbs two places ending up at #7 with 'Without You.'


Darius Rucker's #1 hit 'This' still hangs on at #8, Taylor Swift enters the Top 10 with 'Mean' at #9 and The Band Perry again remains at #10 with 'You Lie.'


Sara relates to 'A Little Bit Stronger,'. "I'm definitely relating to that title," Sara said. "I mean, I feel stronger in every single way. No one wants to go through a hard time in their life, but everyone's going to, and most people have. I just feel stronger now in every single way possible: physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually, romantically. Just in every single way, I'm a stronger woman because of going through hard times. 'A Little Bit Stronger' is definitely a huge statement, not only for me, but hopefully, it speaks to my fans."


The country songstress is nominated for a CMT Music Award for Female Video of the Year for 'A Little Bit Stronger,' which is from her latest album, 'Stronger.' The 2011 CMT Music Awards will air live from Nashville June 8 on CMT.

Darius To The Rescue

Darius Rucker is throwing his support behind the American Red Cross. He's among the new members of the organization's National Celebrity Cabinet.


Darius says he feels honored to be included in the Cabinet and adds that he has a lot of respect for the Red Cross for the way the organization steps up when there's need.


Rucker explains that the Red Cross does an "extraordinary" job of both meeting the immediate needs in a community when disaster strikes and also remaining prepared to provide support over the long term.


Other new American Red Cross National Celebrity Cabinet members include Christian singer Michael W. Smith, actress Kristin Chenoweth, TV personality Nate Berkus, and Latin star Rogelio Martinez. Rucker is the latest country star to sign on with the Red Cross.


Reba McEntire, Sara Evans, Rascal Flatts, Tim McGraw, and Brooks & Dunn are just some of the many country artists who have given their time to the organization's National Celebrity Cabinet over the years.