Randy Travis will join 2nd Annual American Giving Awards

Randy Travis will join Second Annual American Giving Awards presented by Chase.  It’s set to air Saturday, December 8, 2012 on NBC at 8:00/7:00 p.m. (CT) from the Pasadena Civic Auditorium in Pasadena, CA. Travis will serve as a musical performer during the awards show, which is a celebrity tribute to community heroes.  Celebrated actress Glenn Close will be honored with the AGA Leadership Award for her philanthropic endeavors. Twenty-five grant recipients from previous Chase Community Giving programs have been selected to participate in the inspiring, star-studded event.  Five of the charities will be chosen to share $2 million in grants.

“Giving back to the community is something that I support and believe is truly important.  I am honored to be part of this year’s American Giving Awards,” says Travis.

"Grammy Nominations Live" From Nashvile

Last night's Grammy Nominations Concert Live broadcast from Nashville featured country performers, Little Big Town, and Chris Young, as presenters…plus…performances by Luke Bryan, Hunter Hayes, a terrific tribute to Johnny Cash by The Band Perry and Dierks Bentley singing "Jackson."  Also, 6-time grammy winner, Taylor Swift, co-Hosted the show with LL Cool J.

In the opening Taylor welcomed LL Cool J. to town, offering to be his tour guide of music city.  Taylor then tried her best rapping ability and LL sang a bit of Taylor's "Mean."
Hunter Hayes lead off the singing announcements of nominees singing the list of nominees that included Kelly Clarkson and Maroon 5.

The show, broadcast from Nashville's Bridgestone Arena, was broadcast on HDTV and CBS TV..

Launching in conjunction with last night's  "The GRAMMY Nominations Concert Live…Countdown To Music's Biggest Night, airing Dec. 5 on CBS, music fans can log on to GRAMMY.com or CBS.com to pre-order the album and enter to win a trip for two to the 55th Annual GRAMMY Awards. Music's Biggest Night will be held on Sunday Feb. 10, 2013 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles.

 - NEIL HAISLOP's NASHVILLE IQ ©

Luke Bryan Headlines College Football Championship Game Day Fan Zone Concert

The Orange Bowl has announced that Dr Pepper is bringing Bryan to headline the Bud Light Championship Game Day Fan Zone presented by Allstate on January 7th, 2013.

Bryan’s performance outside Sun Life Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla., will cap off a day of fun activities for fans leading up to the 2013 Discover BCS National Championship Game.

The Bud Light Championship Game Day Fan Zone will take place on January 7, 2013 from 1:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. in the parking lots across from Gates G & H of Sun Life Stadium. In addition to Bryan’s musical performance, fans will enjoy interactive games and exhibits, a wide variety of food and beverages and performances by team bands, cheerleaders and local talent. Admission to the Bud Light Championship Game Day Fan Zone is $30 and is not included in the ticket price for the 2013 Discover BCS National Championship Game.

Artists who have performed at previous Bud Light Game Day Fan Zones have included Little Big Town, All American Rejects, Smash Mouth, Collective Soul and Kevin Rudolph.

The Band Perry's Broad Musical Influences

If you listen to The Band Perry’s “Better Dig Two,” it’s obvious they don’t operate from a cookie cutter perspective when it comes to choosing songs or the way they deliver those songs, whether they write them or get them from other writers. 

A lot of that can be attributed to their varied musical influences. Kimberly admits, “I love soul singin’. So I love everybody from Aretha Franklin and Janice Joplin, all the way to the attitude of say, a Loretta Lynn, Patsy Cline, some of my very favorite singers.” 

Kimberly says one person she gets inspiration from is Bob Dylan. “I love Bob Dylan’s lyrics. They’re so visual and just have a really cool craft. They’re just some of my favorites.”

Carrie Underwood Joins "The Sound Of Music" Cast

Carrie Underwood will be starring in the live broadcast of “The Sound of Music” as Maria von Trapp on NBC-TV.

Underwood will be stepping into the role played by Julie Andrews in the 1965 Oscar winning film.

The Chairman of NBC Entertainment Robert Blatt said "Speaking for everyone at NBC, we couldn't be happier to have the gifted Carrie Underwood take up the mantle of the great Maria von Trapp," "She was an iconic woman who will now be played by an iconic artist."

The live broadcast will be a 3 hour event on NBC TV near the holidays in 2013.

  - The Examiner's Shannon Alexander