ACM Honors Tuesday Night

The 7th Annual ACM Honors is shaping up to be an incredible evening! Dierks Bentley is amped up about hosting the event, and YOU can be a part of it with us. Why listen to us? 

 

Hear it straight from Dierks. WATCH HERE

 

ACM Honors will take place Tuesday, September 10th at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville. The evening is dedicated to recognizing the special honorees and off-camera category winners from the 48th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards. Honorees include Special Award recipients Jason Aldean, Guy Clark, Blake Shelton, Tommy Wiggins, Lady Antebellum and The Judds. Keith Whitley and Hank Williams will also be honored posthumously.

 

Performers for the night include Dierks, Rodney Crowell & Emmylou Harris, Vince Gill & Paul Franklin, Kree Harrison, Dave Haywood & Charles Kelley, Jamey Johnson, Robert Earl Keen, Lorrie Morgan, Jesse Keith Whitley, Chris Young, The Mavericks and Thompson Square. Presenters include Big & Rich, Deana Carter, Vince Gill, David Nail, Darius Rucker, Don Schlitz and Steve Wariner.

Tim, Faith and Hank Lived Here

And, Curbed's Rob Bear writes that you can own it next if you have $20 million:

Country music couple Tim McGraw and Faith Hill have listed their 753-acre farm, once owned by fellow music legend Hank Williams, on the outskirts of Nashville for a whopping $20M. But despite the high price tag, part of the estate, the antebellum mansion at the heart of the property, comes completely unrestored. That may not deter many buyers, as the house is in stunning original condition and a nearby log home has been renovated to a very high standard. It is unclear why the couple, who purchased this property back in 2001 haven't moved ahead with a renovation. It is not for lack of cash, as the pair have an estimated net worth of $135M, but perhaps they were distracted by a litany of other property transactions.

Vince Gill Saluting Hank Sr.

Vince Gill, Alan Jackson and Patty Loveless are among the stars contributing songs to the multi-artist compilation, Hank Williams: The Lost Notebooks, now in stores.  Bob Dylan spearheaded the project to find artists to finish incomplete Hank Williams, Sr. lyrics, and Alan Jackson contributed the album's first track "You've Been Lonesome, Too."  

Vince and his pal Rodney Crowell collaborated on the song "I Hope You Shed a Million Tears."  At first, Vince was a little intimidated by the prospect of working on the project, but having Rodney work with him made it fun. 

Vince and Rodney's song also features the Hank Williams' late steel guitar player Don Helms on his last recording before he died in 2008.  Norah Jones, Sheryl Crow, Merle Haggard, Jack White and Holly Williams are among the other artists on the Hank Williams: The Lost Notebooks project.

ESPN Supports Hank's Rights, Just Not On Their Channel

ESPN made it official Thursday morning, deciding to part ways with Hank Williams, Jr.  The network made this statement about the change,

"We have decided to part ways with Hank Williams, Jr. We appreciate his contributions over the past years.  The success of Monday Night Football has always been about the games and that will continue."‬‬

Hank Jr. meanwhile said it was HIS call, not ESPN's

"After reading hundreds of e-mails, I have made MY decision," he wrote. "By pulling my opening Oct 3rd, You (ESPN) stepped on the Toes of The First Amendment Freedom of Speech, so therefore Me, My Song, and All My Rowdy Friends are OUT OF HERE. It's been a great run."

Hank Jr.  had made a comment about President Barack Obama on cable's Fox and Friends drawing fire from a number of sources. You can see the video from the show at the link.

Hank Off If You Can't Take A Joke

ESPN pulled Hank Jr.'s "Are You Ready For Some Football" theme song opening from Monday Night's NFL football game between the Colts and Buccaneers.  

Junior had made remarks ESPN found offensive on the Fox and Friends TV show earlier in the week.  Hank had made a ridiculous reference comparing President Obama to Hitler in a clear parody.  ESPN didn't get the joke.  

Williams commented, "Some of us have strong opinions and are often misunderstood. My analogy was extreme – but it was to make a point. I was simply trying to explain how stupid it seemed to me - how ludicrous that pairing was."

No word on whether the network's response was for a single show or a more permanent move.  

Williams has had many controversies in his career, including losing a major sponsorship from Anheuser-Busch after a reported drinking issue.  Williams had trouble at a performance in Kansas City in the early 90's.  Reports were he had been drinking heavily before the show and was unable to finish the set.

Lost Notebooks Of Hank Williams Senior

More Hank Williams Senior news from Nashville for fans of traditional country music.  The "Lost Notebooks of Hank Williams" will be released in October.  Performers of Hank's song include Bob Dylan, Lucinda Williams, Sheryl Crow, Merle Haggard, and Jack White.  

The CD will be released in partnership with the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum's CMF Records, Egyptian Records (Bob Dylan's label) and Columbia Records.  There will be 12 songs on the CD.  Release date is October 4.

You can order the CD in advance at the link above or here.