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.

Craig Morgan Celebrates His Birthday And Makes Scripted Acting Debut Tomorrow

He appears July 17th on TNT’s drama “Rizzoli & Isles.”

PHOTO (L TO R): Sasha Alexander, Craig Morgan, and Angie Harmon
CREDIT: TNT/Doug Hyun

Morgan makes a guest appearance as Dr. Billy Ray Higgins, a medical examiner who comes to Boston for the Bullet and Blast Injuries Symposium. While visiting, he helps Jane Rizzoli (Angie Harmon) and Maura Isles (Sasha Alexander) with a murder case.  Tune in to TNT to catch the premiere at 9:00pm ET.    Craig has made a name for himself with massive radio airplay of his signature hits:  “Bonfire,” “Almost Home,” “Redneck Yacht Club,” “That’s What I Love About Sunday” and “International Harvester”.  His latest single “Corn Star” is the follow up to Morgan’s Top 15 hit and title track “This Ole Boy.”

He received one of country music’s highest honors when he was inducted as a member of the Grand Ole Opry in 2008.

Prior to becoming a country music and TV sensation, Craig Morgan spent over 10 years of active duty in the Army and an additional nine years in the Army Reserves.  He is an avid supporter of America’s military personnel and a recipient of the 2006 USO Merit Award. In addition to a prolific country music career, he hosts the award-winning show “Craig Morgan: All Access Outdoors” on The Outdoor Channel, now airing in its third season through end of the year. For more information on Craig, follow him on Twitter @CMorganmusic.

Craig Morgan Ready To Re-up

Craig on the right.  Photo from CountryWeekly.com

Craig Morgan wants to serve in the military again.

Before his music career took off, Morgan spent 10 years of active duty in the Army. Then he spent nine years in the reserves. Part of the time he was stationed in Panama and was part of the military operation that removed dictator Manuel Noriega from power.

About himself, Craig Morgan says “once a soldier, always a soldier.” Since 9/11, he’s made nine trips overseas to entertain U.S. troops and he’s hosted more than a dozen events at military bases stateside. Morgan says “as an entertainer now, it’s very weird.”

Morgan was one of the first performers in Afghanistan after the U.S. invasion. He says they still were sweeping up glass in the Kandahar airport when he arrived.

In 2006 Morgan was given the USO Merit Award for his support of the military.

The Day Job Before They Were Famous

A new GAC reality series called “Day Jobs” began airing October 2^nd will take various country stars back to the jobs they had before they hit it big.

“It’s really a celebration of the folks who do those jobs every day,” said the show’s executive producer Sarah Brock.

Here’s a rundown of the stars featured on the show, along with the job they’ll be doing:

Trace Adkins – roughneck/offshore oil rig

Chris Young – AC unit installation

Craig Morgan – Army soldier

Little Big Town’s Kimberly Schlapman – waitress

Rodney Atkins – landscaper

Eddie Montgomery – butcher

David Nail – Dairy Queen employee

Gary Allan – construction worker

Troy Gentry – bartender

Danny Gokey – truck driver

Clay Walker – cattle rancher

Morgan To Military

Craig Morgan wants to serve in the military again.

Before his music career took off, Morgan spent 10 years of active duty in the Army. Then he spent nine years in the reserves. Part of the time he was stationed in Panama and was part of the military operation that removed dictator Manuel Noriega from power.

About himself, Craig Morgan says “once a soldier, always a soldier.” Since 9/11, he’s made nine trips overseas to entertain U.S. troops and he’s hosted more than a dozen events at military bases stateside. Morgan says “as an entertainer now, it’s very weird.”

Morgan was one of the first performers in Afghanistan after the U.S. invasion. He says they still were sweeping up glass in the Kandahar airport when he arrived. 

In 2006 Morgan was given the USO Merit Award for his support of the military. 

Songs To Boat Away The Remainder Of Summer

Discover Boating, the U.S recreational boating industry's non profit arm, took to Facebook to get the songs that best capture beating the heat on a boat. Their are 195,000 Facebook fans of boating. Around 1500 took the time to vote on the top 10 list. Here were the results including five country songs by Zac Brown Band, Craig Morgan, Kenny Chesney, Alan Jackson, and Lyle Lovett.

Here are the Top 10 Boating Songs according to Discover Boating fans.

1. “A Pirate Looks at Forty″ - Jimmy Buffett

A Parrothead favorite, released in 1975. The song is one of Buffett's "Big 8" played at every show he performs.

2. “Come Sail Away” - Styx

3. “Redneck Yacht Club” – Craig Morgan

This song was filmed at Percy Priest Lake in Nashville. It's what you expect with Craig, he and his buddies having fun on and around the water. Blake Shelton and Aaron Tippin also show up.

4. “Southern Cross” - Crosby, Stills & Nash

5. “It's Five O’Clock Somewhere” – Alan Jackson feat. Jimmy Buffett

Massive number one country song for Alan Jackson. Yes, that is Alan's boat in the video.

6. “Knee Deep” - Zac Brown Band feat. Jimmy Buffett

Number one song from the Zac Brown Band. This song makes me want to run off.

7. “Boats” - Kenny Chesney

No video from Chesney was ever done for this song, and its not a song he performs live. It really does capture boating.

8. “Sloop John B” - The Beach Boys

9. “If I Had A Boat” – Lyle Lovett

10. “Rock The Boat” - Hues Corporation

A classic hits staple, Rock The Boat by the Hues Corporation rounds out the top 10. Some consider the song the first "disco" song on the Billboard chart. I don't hear it.

Craig Morgan Drives a Charity Home Run

Billy's Place is a lot brighter today following Craig Morgan's 5th annual Charity Motocross Ride, Concert, and Sporting Clay Shoot. The event pulled in more than $95,000 more than the previous two years combined.

Billy's Place supports children's causes in Middle Tennessee and is planning to build a home in Dickson for displaced children.

One of the big money raisers was the chance to give Craig a "high and tight" haircut. The bidding hit $1200. Bucky Covington, Sarah Darling, and Pam Tills also were part of the activities for Morgan's event.

Craig's current single is "This Ole Boy," which is the title track and single from his new CD coming early next year. You can catch Morgan in the Outdoor Channel series, "Craig Morgan All Access Outdoors."

Craig Morgan And Bin Laden

Craig Morgan spent years in the U.S. Army's Airborne division and was happy about the announcement of Osama bin Laden's death was made.

"I don't care about where they buried his body, or any of that," Craig tells The Boot. "The fact that he's dead and gone is a wonderful thing for this world -- not just our nation and their nation -- period. He's a bad guy, and he deserved to die, and he did."

Craig's opinion stands, despite the fact that it took a decade from the terrorist attack on 9/11 for bin Laden to meet his end. "I don't think it was strange that the search took that long at all," he continues. "America, we as a people are very ignorant, because we think everything that happens over here is the way that things happen everywhere else, and it's not that way. The images that you see on TV cannot do justice to the terrain and what takes place in Afghanistan, Pakistan and that region. I could disappear in Pakistan, and I'm a Caucasian with blond hair and blue eyes! People have no idea how simple it is. That would be like me going to New York. Let me go to New York, and I'll bet you I could disappear for 10 years and you couldn't find me!"

Craig’s second season of his show 'Craig Morgan: All Access Outdoors,' is on the Outdoor Channel.

The show features Craig doing all the things he loves, from motocross racing to big-game hunting, and has become one of the network's top-rated shows.

Craig is also in the studio working on a new full album for Black River Entertainment, which is due out early next year, and will feature his brand new single, 'This Ole Boy.'

Craig Morgan Outdoors

outdoorchannel.com

Craig Morgan is back for season two with 13 new episodes of “Craig Morgan: All Access Outdoors” premiered on the Outdoor Channel Saturday.


Craig Morgan throws open the doors on his life – both on stage and in the field. The reality show gives viewers an all access, backstage pass to Craig’s travels as he and his crew pursue big thrills and big laughs across North America in a quest for the ultimate hunting adventures.


Each week, Craig is joined by fellow country music artists as well as professional athletes and motocross celebrities.


Viewers can catch Craig every Saturday morning at 11:00 a.m. (EST) on Outdoor Channel. Check local listings or Outdoor Channel to find out how to get the network in your area.

Source: CMTT

Craig Morgan On Disappearing and Bin Laden

Craig Morgan spent years in the U.S. Army's Airborne division and was happy about the announcement of Osama bin Laden's death was made.


"I don't care about where they buried his body, or any of that," Craig tells The Boot. "The fact that he's dead and gone is a wonderful thing for this world -- not just our nation and their nation -- period. He's a bad guy, and he deserved to die, and he did."


Craig's opinion stands, despite the fact that it took a decade from the terrorist attack on 9/11 for bin Laden to meet his end. "I don't think it was strange that the search took that long at all," he continues. "America, we as a people are very ignorant, because we think everything that happens over here is the way that things happen everywhere else, and it's not that way. The images that you see on TV cannot do justice to the terrain and what takes place in Afghanistan, Pakistan and that region. I could disappear in Pakistan, and I'm a Caucasian with blond hair and blue eyes! People have no idea how simple it is. That would be like me going to New York. Let me go to New York, and I'll bet you I could disappear for 10 years and you couldn't find me!"


Fans will get another look at Craig in his element when the second season of his new show, 'Craig Morgan: All Access Outdoors,' begins airing on the Outdoor Channel June 25.


The show features Craig doing all the things he loves, from motocross racing to big-game hunting, and has become one of the network's top-rated shows.


Craig is also in the studio working on a new full album for Black River Entertainment, which is due out early next year, and will feature his brand new single, 'This Ole Boy.'

Craig Goes Outdoors Again

Craig Morgan is back for season two with 13 new episodes of “Craig Morgan: All Access Outdoors” set to premiere on the network starting June 25th.


Craig Morgan throws open the doors on his life – both on stage and in the field. The hit reality show gives viewers an all access, backstage pass to Craig’s travels as he and his crew pursue big thrills and big laughs across North America in a quest for the ultimate hunting adventures.


Each week, Craig is joined by fellow country music artists as well as professional athletes and motocross celebrities.


Viewers can catch Craig every Saturday morning at 11:00 a.m. (EST) on Outdoor Channel. Check local listings or log on to www.OutdoorChannel.com to find out how to get the network in your area.

Kix Brooks Solo Album Half Done

Photo courtesy of Sony BMG Nashville

Kix Brooks is making progress with writing some new music of his own.


“I’ve got probably half of an album done,” Brooks said. “But I’m actually growin’ a little scruff here. I’m fixin’ to start a new movie in a few weeks, and I just finished another movie which has kind of slowed down my recording process, but my label seems to be very supportive about my movie roles. They’re not in a hurry, and I’m not either, honestly.”


“The new movie is called ‘To Kill a Memory,” he continues. “They’re actually building a cast right now. The movie I just got finished with is called ‘Thrift Store Cowboy.’ It’s kind of a darker version [of the original]. It’s fun, it really is. I was actually a theatre major in college, so it’s really fun to get around to try to remember some of those skills.”


Brooks says he’s got nothing but kind words to send Dunn’s way, regarding this year’s solo ACM performance and the release of ‘Bleed Red‘: “I think he’s doin’ great. He’s doin’ good and I’m happy for him.”


“He was really ready to just take the time and run on into his solo career, and I’m a little more inclined to take a step back and scratch my head while I’m working on this. We’re not the same guy!” he adds.


Brooks says he’s thrilled to be watching the blossoming careers of the country newcomers whom he’s worked with thanks to ‘American Country Countdown.’


“It’s a little different, not touring with Brooks and Dunn after 20 years of doing it,” he admits. “But I’m still doing quite a few shows right now. I’m doing the on the road series with American Country Countdown, working with any number of different acts: Luke Bryan, Craig Morgan, Lee Brice, Thompson Square.”


If you happen to be one of those lucky new acts on the rise, Brooks has one piece of solid advice: “Believe in what you’re doing, and keep doing it. Perseverance seems to be the common denominator on anyone that’s ever made it.”

Adventures Of Craig Morgan And The NRA

Craig Morgan headlined the first annual NRA Country Jam. The concert event was at Pittsburgh’s Stage AE with singers Sarah Darling and Due West set to open.


A former service member and active supporter of our U.S. military, Morgan, together with NRA Country, designated a portion of the proceeds from the NRA Country Jam to benefit the Folds of Honor Foundation.


“Not only are we going to give the fans a killer show at the first-ever NRA Country Jam,” shares Morgan, “it’s also incredibly rewarding to be able to support Folds of Honor in honoring our service members and their families.”