The Writings Of Taylor Swift

Taylor Swift is writing entire sentences on her arms.  Those sentences are actually lyrics from songs not her own, but those of artists she admires.  

USA Today has compiled a list of Taylor's "arm lyrics" and explains why she may have chosen each one. 

Here's a sampling:

June 8th: "I slept in castles and fell in love because I was taught to dream," from Faith Hill's "Fireflies."

Why: Faith is one of Taylor's big musical influences.

June 7th:  "One life, you got to do what you should," from U2's "One."

Why: Earlier this year, Taylor said she'd like to duet with Bono.

June 4th: "I guess we're all one phone call from our knees," from Mat Kearney's "Closer to Love."

Why:  Taylor's a fan and has gone to see Kearney in concert.

June 3rd: "It took a while to understand the beauty of just letting go," from the Dixie Chicks' "Fly."

Why: Taylor was inspired by the Dixie Chicks when she first started writing songs.

June 2nd: "And for one desperate moment there, he crept back in her memory," from Tom Petty's "American Girl."

Why: The song plays over the sound system before she takes the stage on tour, and she counts Petty among her musical heroes.

May 28th:  "I recommend getting your heart trampled on to anyone," from Alanis Morissette's "You Learn."

Why: USA Today says Taylor has Alanis' albums on her iPod.

May 27th: "You gotta keep your head up, and you can let your hair down," from Andy Grammer's "Keep Your Head Up."

Why: Taylor had tweeted about singing along to this current hit on the way to her tour rehearsal.

May 21st: "You've got every right to a beautiful life," from Selena Gomez's "Who Says."

Why: Selena and Taylor are old friends.

Taylor Swift closed out the 2011 CMA Festival June 12th with her arm-lyric saying, "Remember me in ribbons and curls, love your baby girl" from Sugarland's song, Baby Girl.

The arm lyric trend is catching on in Taylor fan world. Several young girls had Taylor Swift lyrics written down there arms at the CMA Music Fest concert, along with her signature 13 on the hands.

Source: USA Today/ABC Radio News

Chris Young Has Gone Neon

Chris Young celebrated the release of NEON with his first appearance on ABC-TV’s Good Morning America on July 12.  Chris performed his GOLD single “Tomorrow.” 

‘Tomorrow’, was recently certified by the RIAA with sales surpassing 550,000 digital downloads.

Young is also planning appearances on Fox News and Better TV. 

Young headed south to join Jason Aldean’s sold-out My Kinda Party tour with stops in Orange Beach, Alabama, Tampa, and West Palm Beach with additional dates booked throughout the remainder of the year.

Chris has scheduled a performance on Jimmy Kimmel Live! July 27. He’ll perform two songs from the new CD, NEON on the show

Source: Sony Music PR/CMTT

Toby Is Krystal Clear On His Daughter's CD

Toby Keith says penning material for Krystal's debut album has been a new experience for him, since it's forced him to look at life from a female perspective. 

However, Krystal isn't just recording her dad's material. According to the country music industry publication "Row Fax," Toby is currently searching for some uptempo songs and ballads for Krystal's record.

No release date has been announced for Krystal's album, but it's expected to become available sometime this year. 

Toby will issue the disc on his Show Dog-Universal Music label.

Source: Westwood One

Reba Hitting The Road

Reba will embark on the ALL THE WOMEN I AM tour this fall throughout the US and Canada. 

The upcoming, 31-city venture kicks off on September 1 in Ft. McMurray, Alberta, Canada with special guests The Band Perry, Steel Magnolia and Edens Edge slated to open select US dates.

Presales for select shows have begun. Only RebaNet fan club members will have the exclusive opportunity to purchase up to four tickets maximum of the best seats available via Reba.com. 

According to Pollstar, who has been tracking tour revenue and attendance figures since 1981, Reba ranks as the #1 touring female Country artist of all-time. She has sold well in excess of 9 million tickets (including shared bills) since monitoring began three decades ago and has logged more than $274 million dollars in gross revenue. 

For up-to-date information regarding the ALL THE WOMEN I AM tour and public on-sales (as early as today), visit Reba.com.

2011 ALL THE WOMEN I AM dates: * The Band Perry, Steel Magnolia, Edens Edge ** The Band Perry only 

September 1 – Ft. McMurray, Alberta

September 4 – Canfield, Ohio

September 17 – Bangor, Maine

September 22 – Niagara Falls, Ontario

September 23 – Niagara Falls, Ontario

September 24 – Gilford, New Hampshire

September 26 – Halifax, Nova Scotia

September 29 – St. John’s, Newfoundland

September 30 – St. John’s, Newfoundland

October 2 – West Springfield, Massachusetts

October 6 – Moline, Illinois*

October 7 – Bloomington, Illinois*

October 8 – Maryville, Tennessee**

October 13 – Green Bay, Wisconsin*

October 14 – Ft. Wayne, Indiana*

October 15 – Huntington, West Virginia*

October 20 – Bozeman, Montana**

October 21 – Casper, Wyoming**

October 22 – Bismarck, North Dakota**

October 27 – Sioux City, Iowa*

October 28 – St. Louis, Missouri*

October 29 – Kansas City, Missouri*

November 3 – Omaha, Nebraska*

November 4 – Tulsa, Oklahoma*

November 5 – Wichita, Kansas*

November 10 – Grand Rapids, Michigan*

November 12 – Atlanta, Georgia*

November 17 – Lafayette, Louisiana*

November 18 – Biloxi, Mississippi*

November 19 – Tupelo, Mississippi*

Exclusive Presale Will Be Available Through Reba.com 

Source: Aceshowbiz.com/Valory Music PR/NG

Willie And Pot Continues

Willie Nelson's Texas pot case still isn't resolved. 

Hudspeth County Judge Becky Dean Walker has once again rejected a plea deal prosecutor Kit Bramblett hammered out for Willie. 

Bramblett recently arrived at an agreement with Willie's lawyer, Joe Turner, to have the charge reduced from possession of marijuana to possession of marijuana paraphernalia. The arrangement involved Willie entering a "no contest" plea and paying a 500-dollar fine and court costs. Turner says it's usually "a done deal" after mailing in the paperwork, which he did last month. And the judge signed off on it -- but scratched out her signature after taking a closer look at the document. 

Dean Walker says she felt the penalty wasn't severe enough. She explains that it's her belief an average citizen -- under the same circumstances -- would be facing much harsher consequences. The judge has been adamant throughout the case that Nelson wouldn't receive any preferential treatment. 

Bramblett previously offered to let Willie resolve the case by appearing in court and singing his 1975 hit "Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain," as well as paying a fine and court costs. Dean Walker rejected that idea as well. 

Nelson's case stems from an arrest last fall, when agents searched his tour bus at a border patrol checkpoint in Sierra Blanca, Texas and reportedly found several ounces of marijuana.

Source: Westwood One

ACM Thinking Phoenix

http://www.flickr.com/photos/pyrat_wesly/

The Academy of Country Music is being urged to reconsider bringing its annual awards show to Phoenix. 

"The Arizona Republic" says the group Sound Strike, which launched a boycott of Arizona after the state passed the controversial immigration bill SB 1070, doesn't want the ACM to hold the 2012 ACM Awards in the Valley of the Sun. 

However, Sound Strike organizer Javier Gonzalez doesn't specifically mentioned the law in his appeal. Arizona Governor Jan Brewer attended the ACM Awards this past April in an effort to persuade the Academy to come to the Phoenix area next year. 

The ACM is reportedly considering combining the awards show with the Country Thunder USA festival, which takes place each April in Florence, Arizona, for a "Super Bowl of country music" at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.

Source: Westwood One

Jewel Celebrating Baby

Jewel has teamed with Bravado! Designs to donate thousands of nursing bras and tank tops to a charity called Baby Buggy.

The clothing will be distributed to mothers in need in Dallas, Texas and New York.

"This is an unparalleled opportunity and honor to play such a meaningful role in the lives of other new mothers, and help to assure that all women get the products and care they need for themselves and the next generation," says Jewel. "Bravado! Designs and Baby Buggy have given me the tools to make a real difference in the lives of other new mothers. Through this affiliation, I am able to provide quality products and necessary services to support at-risk mothers who struggle to provide the best possible future for their babies."

Jewel's own countdown to baby is on! She and her husband, rodeo star Ty Murray, are expecting their first child, a little boy, any day now.

Source: The Boot

Dwight Is Back

Dwight Yoakam has recruited some musical heavy-hitters for his next album, due in early 2012 on his original record label home, Warner Music Group. 

The new CD marks Dwight's return to Warner Bros. after a decade of recording for a smaller imprint label. He began his career on Warner's Reprise Records imprint, with the platinum-selling 'Guitars, Cadillacs, Etc., Etc.' album, released in 1986. "I'm pleased to be back in partnership with Warner Music Group for the release of my new music," says Dwight. "I'm excited about the enthusiasm they've expressed in their desire to once again be the conduit for my songs and recordings, as well as the ensuing musical journey that it will take us on."

Dwight is also working on a new movie, teaming up once again with his 'Sling Blade' co-star, Billy Bob Thornton. "Billy wrote a new screenplay titled 'Jayne Mansfield's Car,'" Dwight tells the San Luis Obispo Tribune. "It's supposed to star myself, Billy Bob, and Dennis Quaid as three brothers in 1969, who are ex World War II vets wrestling with their own families and lives on a large cattle ranch in western Alabama."

'Jayne Mansfield's Car' does not yet have a release date.

Source: The Boot/San Luis Obispo Tribune

Lauren Alaina Debut CD

Lauren Alaina is recording her debut album. She’s already starting to write songs and is listening to demos for the project.

“I write as much as I can, but I’ve been really busy lately, so I’ve got to get back into it,” Lauren tells The Boot. “I want to write with Taylor Swift! But I think that’s kind of impossible. [laughs] And Miranda Lambert, Carrie Underwood — I like that they’re singers and writers, too … I just want to meet those people! [laughs]”

Lauren is also considering songs that are being pitched to her from Nashville songwriters.

“I’ve got quite a few songs to listen to, and a few of them I’m really excited about,” she says. “Country music’s really good about telling a story, so I want songs that tell good stories where people can say, ‘That happened to me!’”

No release date has been set for Lauren’s debut album. Fans can catch her on the American Idol LIVE tour this summer. 

Source: CMIL/The Boot

Eli Young CD Life At Best Coming

Eli Young Band has revealed the track listing for Life At Best, their new album that will be released on August 16. The album’s lead single is “Crazy Girl.”  

The entire track listing for Life At Best :

1. Even If It Breaks Your Heart

2. Crazy Girl

3. Every Other Memory

4. On My Way

5. Skeletons

6. I Love You

7. The Fight

8. My Old Mans Son

9. Recover

10. The Falling

11. War On A Desperate Man

12. Say Goodnight

13. How Quickly You Forget

14. Life At Best

To celebrate the new release, Eli Young Band is giving away a download of their song “Room Goes Dark”…

EYB is giving one lucky fan the opportunity to perform on stage with them. To enter the contest, fans can submit their own version of “Crazy Girl” in hopes to win a trip to Texas that includes airfare, hotel, and a chance to attend EYB’s album release party where they’ll perform “Crazy Girl” with the band.

Josh Turner Loves His Life

Josh Turner has been on the country charts for the better part of a decade, but he hasn't accomplished everything he set out to do just yet. He says, "I do want to dispel that myth and that rumor that I felt like was going around here a couple years ago that Josh Turner doesn't want to be a superstar. Well, that's a bunch of bull crap." 

Josh goes on to say he wants to be as big a star as possible, but he won't change who he is to make that happen. "One thing that I think people need to understand about me is I try to be normal," Josh says, "and I am aim to be normal 'cause I think the fans appreciate that."

Josh has scored number multiple number ones and platinum albums. He's keeping up a healthy tour schedule this summer too. Says Josh, "I'm still here, and I'm still enjoying what I do for a living."

Source: ABC News Radio

Eric Church Rocks

Eric Church says even though he’s out with Toby, fans can still expect the same rockin’ show that they’re used to getting when he headlines his own shows.

“We still bring it, we step on it pretty hard out there,” Church tells CountryMusicIsLove. “We got some bigger lights and stage stuff now. You know the bigger the venue, the more spectacle it is. That’s fun. It still comes down to the music though and the energy. I go out there and punch and kick and growl and do what I do, you know, and everybody, hopefully they get into it and we just feed off the crowd.”

Fans can catch Church on Toby Keith’s “Locked & Loaded Tour” through October. Eric’s wife is expecting his first child this fall and he is releasing his new album, Chief, on July 26.

Source: CMIL

Gary Allan Is Ready

Gary Allan is getting ready to release a new album, and it's been nearly 15 years since his first project, Used Heart for Sale, came out.

Gary won't be looking back and celebrating that milestone though. He tells TheBoot.com, "I've never listened to an album once it's finished. All I hear is what I should've done different. I beat myself up over it."

Instead, Gary likes to focus on what he's currently working on.

Surrounding himself with creative people helps him keep his music fresh. The hardest part is just remembering what songs he's written when it comes time to record an album. "My problem is that once I write them, I forget about them," Gary says. "I love them all when I'm doing it, so I have to step away from it a while and then go back and listen to decide if it's good."

Gary prefers singing his songs on the road.

Sleepless Night For Reba

Reba McEntire recalls one sleepless night when she realized she may have let her song When Love Gets a Hold of You get away.

"I was thinking, 'Oh my gosh, is that a song on the radio, or is that a song I've been hearing out of all of the demos? ... And have I put it on hold?'" Reba explains to GAC, recounting one evening during the album making process.

"I said, 'Did we put this song on hold? If we haven't, put it on hold, and if we have, double hold it,'" Reba says. "I just knew it was a very strong song that I wanted to sing. It was worth that one night of sleep that I missed."  

Source: The Boot

Carrie In Canada

wireimage.com

Carrie Underwood is returning to the Canadian capital, when her husband formerly played hockey, to headline a star-packed music festival.

The Ottawa Capital Hoedown, slated for August 11 - 13, will feature three days of performances by Kenny Chesney, Rascal Flatts, Miranda Lambert, Sara Evans, Doc Walker, Billy Currington, Easton Corbin and Justin Moore. The event, now in its second year, is expected to host more than 45,000 eager country music fans.

More details here.

Blake and Miranda

Kyle Rover/Startraks (People.com)

In Us Weekly, on newsstands now, Blake Shelton opens up about how Miranda Lambert helped save him from his wild and crazy partying ways.

“I was a single male country singer raising hell, going out after concerts to bars and drinking and doing whatever I wanted,” Blake recalls. “And why the hell not? I wouldn’t take it back, either.”

Now that he’s settled down with Miranda he jokes, “Man, I don’t know where in the hell I got the energy! I’m getting old now, and my hair’s going gray.”

Blake credits Miranda for helping him ”grow into a normal, adult routine” saying, “I grew tried of going out drinking until 7 a.m. and then waking up at noon and eating pizza. Now if I want to go drinking, I only want to sit at the house with Miranda watching ‘Snapped’ on TV at home.”

“It’s crazy because even if I’m just out on her bus while she’s on the road or watching her do her shows, I’m 100 percent comfortable because she is there,” Shelton adds. “She really is that rock for me and the center of all of this.”

For more on Blake’s exclusive interview with US Weekly, pick up the latest issue. 

Inside, he opens up about how his 2006 divorce affected his new marriage, when they plan to start a family, and how Miranda learned to brush off rumors.

Toby and Bluebird Money

Toby Keith's Bluebird Café appearance raised 20 thousand dollars recently to help pay off the debt the Nashville Songwriters Association International took on buying the famed Nashville listening room. 

Toby was proud to help out with the cause. "It's a great to have a place for songwriters to showcase their songs," Toby says. "It can open a door that just makes a song fly. Just one moment of inspiration and you're off. Nashville needs to keep the Bluebird alive and thriving."

The Nashville Songwriters Association International named Toby the Songwriter of the Decade in 2009.

Swift, Underwood Trendsetters

sodahead.com

Carrie Underwood & Taylor Swift have been seen all over the internet due to their trendsetting ways.

Carrie and Taylor went head-to-head in an MSN poll.  There may photos concerning their fashion in the poll for voting purposes.

Then Taylor was featured, in E!'s popular Bitch Stole My Look poll.  Readers are able to vote for Swift or Katie Holmes (Nicole Kidman's ex-husband's current wife).

Taylor was winning at time of press.   Let the fashion of sun dress and cowboy boots rule the country world I say….Just one radio producer’s opinion.

Gill On Hollywood Walk Of Fame Honor

http://www.flickr.com/photos/7294653@N07/

Vince Gill just has one request regarding his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame,  that if they could give him a spot next to his wife Amy Grant's star, "that would be awesome." 

Gill has fond memories of living in Los Angeles in the late '70s and early '80s and admits he was "such a young person" who "hadn't really accomplished much of anything." 

Vince adds that at the time even the possibility of achieving some level of success or fame hadn't crossed his mind, and when he'd walk down Hollywood Boulevard and see the Walk of Fame honorees it never occurred to him to imagine one day having a star of his own. 

Vince will be added to the Walk as a 2012 recipient, but that doesn't mean his star will be unveiled next year. He and the other honorees have five years to schedule their ceremony.

North Dakotan James Otto Pitches In With Flood Relief

A former resident of North Dakota, country artist James Otto is deeply saddened by the tragic loss the town of Minot, ND is experiencing due to the record flooding this week.

In an effort to help those suffering from the devastation, James hosted a live streaming benefit concert on StageIt.com last week with all proceeds including ticket sales and tips will be donated to Minot's local Red Cross.

Moreover, a benevolent fan who has chosen to remain anonymous will match up to $5,000 of monetary tips given to James during the show as an additional donation.

 “Since I am a former North Dakotan, this is near and dear to my heart. I hope all of you will join me for a very ‘Thirsty Thursday’ that’s more than just fun… it has the ability to make a great impact on those in need,” said Otto. “Please spread the word and join me!”

For more information visit James' web site, his Facebook page or Twitter account. 

Trace Adkins Civil War

Trace Adkins was in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania last week on behalf of the Civil War Trust's efforts to preserve endangered Civil War sites. 

According to ABC affiliate WHTM, Trace and the Civil War Trust are also seeking to promote education and tourism surrounding the Civil War battlefields. They hope to preserve more than 50 thousand acres of historic Civil War battlefields across the nation. 

Trace has previously testified before the U.S. Congress on the matter.

Shelton Chases Honey Bee To Nest

Blake Shelton only took seven weeks for "Honey Bee" to become a Gold digital single, which is the shortest time ever for a song by a solo male country artist to reach the sales plateau. 

Blake says "Honey Bee's" success also forced him to speed up the timetable for his next album and that his own working style left him in good shape to wrap up sessions for his new CD earlier than originally anticipated. 

He explains that he'll go into the studio anytime he has a song he wants to record, knowing he'll use it eventually, and as a result he already had five songs ready to go when crunch time came. 

"Honey Bee" is the lead-off single from Shelton's upcoming album, "Red River Blue," which will be in stores today!

Rascal Flatts P*ssed Off

Joe Don Rooney admits the first few years were a disappointing because he did not play on such songs like 'Prayin for Daylight' and 'Feels Like Today'.

"When I look at it, yeah, I was pissed off. Jay [DeMarcus] and I didn't play a lot on those albums," he reveals to the Chicago Tribune. "At the same time, we had some amazing hit songs."

Joe Don says switching to producer Dann Huff for their fourth studio album, 'Me and My Gang,' made all the difference. "Dann was a big proponent of having us play and bring our personalities into the music -- not only our voices, but our personalities," Joe Don acknowledges.

Rascal Flatts are working on their second album for Big Machine Records while traveling across the country this summer as the headliners of the inaugural Flatts Fest, with Sara Evans, Easton Corbin and Justin Moore serving as opening acts.

Drinks Are On Chesney

Kenny Chesney one day, in 2002, decided to join the fans for some pre-concert fun.

"It started purely out of boredom. There are only so many hours you can sit on the bus and watch TV or play basketball or whatever we do to pass the time before we go out onstage," Kenny admits to Billboard.

"One day I could see all the tailgaters and everybody out there. It was this whole other world out there, so I said, 'I'm gonna go out there in the middle of it and see it” Kenny continues.

Kenny can relate to his fans' excitement by surprising them before shows.

"I'm a huge Aerosmith fan," he explains. "If I was out there with my buddies hanging out, having a few beers before the show and Steven Tyler rolled up and gave me a margarita, I'd never forget it. So that was something that I thought about."

Immensely appreciative of his own fans, Kenny says they often mirror himself.

"They are incredibly passionate, hard-working, fun loving, life loving, music loving bunch of people. They reflect me a lot.” Kenny goes on “The Fans know every word and it shows you they're not just listening to the songs on the radio, it's literally part of their life. I never would have imagined that would be the case."

Toby Keith's Business Empire

Toby Keith has many different things going on besides music. Restaurants and his own Mezcal drink are among some of the ways he is the highest paid singer in country music. 

A special part of Toby’s dynasty is a 3 year-old race horse named “Sherriff Cogburn,” who is a certified winner.

Keith owns 330-acre Dream Walkin' Farms in Pauls Valley, Okla., where he breaks and trains his young horses and keeps a broodmare band of more than 110.

At any given time Keith has between 100 and 200 horses in training, racing them across the Midwest at places like Prairie Meadows, Remington, Oaklawn, and Sunland Park.

Toby has been involved in horse racing for more than 14 years as an owner, breeder, buyer, and pinhooker.

Toby is quite the businessman which makes him the most successful revenue generating star in country music.  Besides the horses, he owns a chain of growing restaurants but also has his very own ‘Mezcal’ drink that is being released.  He also has a barbeque sauce that he uses at his eating locations. Toby says his thinking process on owning various products make for good business.

source countryforever.com

Brickyard 400 Plus Country Music

The "Brickyard 400 presented by BigMachineRecords.com" is the first time a label has ever presented a national televised race in the 100-year history of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

The pre-race performances July 31 feature Rascal Flatts (who will also perform the National Anthem), while Reba will sing "America The Beautiful." That morning, Justin Moore, The Band Perry, Brantley Gilbert, Thomas Rhett and others will perform acoustic sets, and several artists will be available to meet fans and sign autographs.

BMLG also recently sponsored driver Dan Wheldon, winner of the 2011 Indianapolis 500. "Music and racing are in my DNA," says Big Machine Label Group President/CEO Scott Borchetta. "If you don't have tickets, run, don't walk – this is going to be an incredible day."