Saturday 14 July 2012

Country Bites News snippets July 9 – July 13, 2012

Country Bites News snippets July 9 – July 13, 2012

Links / Sources shown in RED

UK & IRISH News
Newbie Scott Coner along with Tanya Tucker have gone to number one on the Hotdisc Top 40. Their duet song "Maybe She Lied" is getting heavy promotion on Internet country station CMR Nashville. Just behind is Rob Allen at #2 with “Pale Rider” who tops the British & Irish chart.

Eric Church's "Springsteen" is on the Radio 2 "A" Playlist!  (15 and 20 per week)

With sales of 5,259 copies, Mary Chapin Carpenter’s new album ASHES AND ROSES has debuted at #26 on the UK Album Chart and #1 on UK Country Album Chart. Ashes And Roses is Carpenter's 11th studio album, and equals her highest chart placing, as set by Stones In The Road in 1994. Ashes And Roses' immediate predecessor, The Age Of Miracles, reached only number 101 in 2010.

Kris Kristofferson now has 5 UK dates in place starting Tuesday 4th December to Wednseday 12th December, 2012. Full details on Tour Dates page 

Charley Pride has announced UK dates in addition to his previous Irish ones (Ticketmaster.co.uk):
Friday 9th November - Indigo O2, London  (£39 - £50)
Saturday 10th November - Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool
Sunday 11th November - Royal Concert Hall, Glasgow

The Phil Mack IRISH TOUR 2nd time around has confirmation of venues
Starring Raymond Froggatt, Dave Sheriff, Shunie Crampsey, Brian Coll, Louise Morrissey, Johnny Carroll, Sandy Kelly, The Ryan Turner Band, Tom Laverty, The Heggarty Twins and The Wee Amigos. They will be hosted by Lisa Stanley and Phil Mack.
Other Artists May Be Added
Thursday 18th & Fri 19th October - The Allingham Arms, Bundoran, Co Donegal
Saturday 20th October -West County Hotel, Ennis , Co Clare
Sunday 21st October - The Rackethall Hotel, Roscrea, Co Tipperrary
Monday 22nd October - Armagh City Hotel , Armagh, Co, Armagh
Tuesday 23rd October - The Red Cow, Dublin

Mike Denver was the toast of the country back in March when he married his partner Liz Gannon, from Kilbeggan, Co.Westmeath.
Then the popular entertainer, from Portumna, Galway, whisked his new bride off on a dream honeymoon to the Caribbean, Miami and Las Vegas after their wedding celebrations in Kilronan Castle, Co. Roscommon.
"It was a great auld day," Mike says this week as he looks back on the moment he became a husband. "We were surrounded by our families and close friends and that's what made it special. And, while it had rained each side of it, the day itself was fine, which is always a big bonus." Mike is now looking forward to the big country music festival at Cut Loose in Holycross, Co. Tipperary, on Sunday, July 22 which also features Jimmy Buckley, Robert Mizzell, Paddy O'Brien, Louise Morrissey and Crystal Swing.

UK COUNTRY ALBUM RELEASES
(Released 9 July 2012) Robert Plant & The Band of Joy – Live from the Artists Den (DVD) Format: DVD-Video, PAL Amazon UK
*  Track list and Watch a clip of  “Gallows Pole” from the DVD at www.rollingstone.com ,  DVD to feature Zeppelin classics, traditional songs and new material.

(9 July 2012) Woody Guthrie  Woody at 100 - Centennial Collection (3CD) + 150p book [Box set, Import] Amazon UK
(10 July 2012) Rhonda Vincent – SUNDAY MORNIN’ SINGIN’ LIVE [Import] Amazon.Uk MP3 format
(10 July 2012) Elizabeth Cook / Gospel Plow [7-Track E.P.] - £10.99 www.smartchoicemusic.com - Amazon UK MP3
(10 July 2012) Hank Williams, Jr. – OLD SCHOOL, NEW RULES [Import] 
(16 July 2012) Zac Brown Band – UNCAGED – Amazon UK

AUSSIE NEWS
Singles Chart News - Adam Harvey's Dig Two Graves is at number one for the third week in a row, Jetty Road with Sweet Goodbye is at two, The Harmonators' Perfect Storm is at three, Camille & Stuie's Beverley Joy is at four and America's Blake Shelton is at five with Drink On It. Carrie Underwood is at six with Good Girl, The McClymonts' Piece Of Me is up three to seven, Amber Lawrence's The Man Across The Street enters the top 10 at eight, as does McAlister Kemp's Cool Beer Hot Women (at nine) while Chelsea Basham' with I Make My Own Sunshine is at 10.

Tania Kernaghan has been making hit records for almost 20 years, and now she's released a 20 track album of her songs that are the favourites of her many fans. The pack also includes a DVD. Tania talks with CMR's Nick Erby about her music, her love of Australia which she now shares through regular appearences on a travel TV show.   >>   Audio

(Nashville, Tenn. – July 9, 2012)  Australian-born Country artist Craig Morrison continues to receive positive feedback from critics and reviewers in response to his self-titled U.S. album release and debut single, “Fences.”
Respected MusicRow contributor and music critic, author and historian Robert Oermann wrote, “This Aussie cracks the U.S. country marketplace with a gently rolling social statement about the nature of barricades in our lives.  Well written and expertly produced, it’s a mighty promising debut”   (Read More – Aristo PR
Kasey Chambers and Shane Nicholson have announced that they will release a second album together in 2012.
The revered husband and wife country stars previously released the album Rattlin' Bones in 2008, which became only the second husband and wife duo album to debut at number one in Australian history.
The new album, WRECK & RUIN is set for release Friday, September 7, with the first single, 'Adam and Eve,' to be released July 23.
The album will feature 13 songs was produced by renowned record producer and Kasey's brother, Nash Chambers, who has produced many of the duo's solo albums.
In a press release Kasey and Shane said “Having been almost five years since we made Rattlin’ Bones we thought it was time to 'Tempt Fate' and challenge our marriage by making another album together!
“We have both made solo albums in between but in the back of our minds we always knew we would end up making music together again."


BLUEGRASS NEWS
The nominations for 2nd round ballot for the 2012 International Bluegrass Music Association awards have been announced. Votes can only be cast by IBMA Voting Members  (Rural Rhythm Press Release)

NEWS
CMT reports that Country album sales for the first half of 2012 increased by approximately 1 million units over those for the same period last year, according to a survey from Nielsen SoundScan, the company that tracks actual music sales in the U.S.
Country album sales jumped from 18.4 million to 19.4 million copies, a 5.6 percent rise, higher than that of any other genre.
The period covered by this survey was from Jan. 2 to July 1, 2012. The top seller so far in 2012 is Lionel Richie’s TUSKEGEE (912,000 sales) followed by Carrie Underwood, whose album BLOWN AWAY has sold 602,000 copies to date.

Julianne Hough may be working her way toward bona fide movie star status with roles in “Footloose” and co-starring alongside Tom Cruise in the new movie “Rock of Ages.” But the blond dancer, who got her start on “Dancing With the Stars,” says she still hasn’t given up on a career in country music. Hough released her first country album on Mercury Nashville Records in 2008, and her second album is complete. She says she’s waiting for “the right time” to release it.
I was really, really looking forward to the record and we released one single from it and it didn’t do too well,” Hough told AOL’s The Boot while promoting “Rock of Ages.”  -  Then ‘Footloose’ came about, and everything has been having a lot of momentum with my films. Once you’re on the train, you better ride it, so I’m here doing this, and I’m loving it. I feel like when I have the time to focus on it … [I’ll return to] my music. I love performing. If I’m not performing, there’s something missing in my life. I hope it will happen sooner rather than later, but I’m not gone.” 
   
Last year’s inaugural Johnny Cash Music Festival was such a successful event, officials at Arkansas State University and festival founder Bill Carter decided to do it again this year. Confirmed performers include Willie Nelson, Dierks Bentley, The Civil Wars and Cash’s daughter Rosanne Cash. The 2012 event is scheduled to take place October 5 at ASU’s Convocation Center in Jonesboro.
Like last year’s sold out concert, proceeds from this year’s event will fund the restoration of the Johnny Cash Boyhood Home in Dyess, Arkansas, as well as support a scholarship fund established in the international superstar’s name.
In making the announcement, Cash’s son John Carter Cash noted, “There is a great talent lineup for this year’s event. Rosanne will be there to represent the family. Willie Nelson was a dear, dear friend of my father and is very close to our family. He will do a great job, as will Dierks Bentley and the Civil Wars

Carrie Underwood’s “Good Girl” music video has made history and her album sales now exceed 15 million. Holding the No. 1 spot on CMT’s Top 20 Countdown for a record breaking 14 weeks. After being released in March the video has spent more time on top of CMT’s Top 20 Countdown than any other video in history.
This surpasses her stats for her “Undo It” video held the No. 1 spot on CMT’s Top 20 Countdown for an impressive 12 weeks.
“Good Girl”, the lead single and video from Carrie’s latest album, Blown Away, was named “Video of the Year” at the 2012 CMT Music Awards held last month.
Following the release of Blown Away on May 1, Carrie has sold more than 15 million albums worldwide.
Carrie Underwood is nominated for “Choice Female Country Artist” at “Teen Choice 2012” which airs Sunday, July 22 being shown on the FOX Tv channel. Fans ages 13-19 can vote once each day per category for their favorite nominees at www.teenchoiceawards.com. (Sony Press Release)

Taylor Swift is set to perform at the iHeartRadio Music Festival at the MGM Grand Resort in Las Vegason Saturday Sept 22.
Taylor wrote on her Facebook (Mon July 9) : ''Oh hey! I'm writing you from Nashville, where I just sat in a big room with a lot of people and made a lot of decisions about a lot of things happening very soon. And as vague as that sentence was, I think you know what it means. Stuff is about to happen. And I love you more than ever. Taylor'' - Unconfirmed reports apparently, Taylor was at Republic Records and debuted her new single!!

Taylor Swift was named Forbes Magazine’s #1 highest-paid celebrity under the age of 30. It was estimated that Tay Tay earned around $57 million within the past year. She made $57 million last year through album sales (3 have gone platinum at least four times in these days of waning music sales), her tour and endorsement deals like Cover Girl and American Greetings. That’s almost 5 million a month!  Full list of FORBES’ highest paid.

Taylor Swift is taking fans behind the scenes of her most recent Covergirl Campaign and admits she considers herself a rebel at times. For the ad, Taylor sports three different looks including ‘rocker-rebel,’ ‘country boho’ and ‘glam.’ And though the CoverGirl says she feels most confident in the latter look, there’s a time and a place for the others. “This is something [rocker-rebel style] I kind of like to pull out every once in awhile — like at an award show or a party or something like that,” she admits.

Luke Bryan
needs a hand!

Luke Bryan got caught red handed on Tuesday night (July 7th) whilst at the Major League All-Star Game. Could “Pop country’s official pretty boy” be bothered to actually memorize the words of the American National Anthem? As he stood in the middle of Kauffman Stadium, holding the microphone in a very curious, gingerly manner, he could clearly be witnessed receiving aid from words written on his hand. Luke Bryan through his Twitter account admitted writing down a “few key words” on his hand and apologized to anyone offended:
 Morning everyone. I really wanna explain the national anthem performance from last night…I had a few keys words written down to insure myself that I wouldn’t mess up. I just wanted to do my best. I promise it was from the heart…If I offended anyone with my approach I sincerely apologize. Anytime I sing the anthem it is an honor and my heart beats out of my chest…I did check my watch because I knew the stealth bomber would fly over 2 minutes in and I knew a started a little late….

The Band Perry is hard at work on their sophomore album and it could include a song by one of their musical heroes. The trio had a co-writing session with Sheryl Crow earlier this year. While there’s no word on whether anything they wrote together will end up on the new record, Kimberly Perry gave Sheryl a rave review.
A huge influence of mine has always been Sheryl Crow,” Kimberly said. “Lyrically she’s so creative and completely unique to herself. She’s a strong lady and a fantastic performer. I have always looked up to Sheryl.”
Sheryl isn’t the only female songwriter Kimberly admires. She also lists Matraca Berg (“Strawberry Wine,” “You and Tequila”) and Natalie Hemby (“Baggage Claim,” “Pontoon”) among her influences. Natalie served as the opener for The Band Perry’s Ryman Auditorium show. “I’m in love with her voice, in love with her heart,” Kimberly said. “And we always really connect with male and female artists who bring the artist heart to their songwriting” (GAC News)

Luke Bryan's "Rain Is A Good Thing" this week become the 100th country song to sell 1 million digital copies. It's Bryan's fifth million-seller, which puts him in a tie with Jason Aldean for the most among male country solo artists. Taylor Swift comes out on top with 15 million-sellers, Carrie Underwood with 10 is second place followed by Zac Brown Band with seven.

The Americana Music Association's marquis event, the Americana Honors and Awards show returns to the historically cool Ryman Auditorium September 12, 2012. It will once again be hosted by the iconic Jim Lauderdale, while the All Star Band will be led by the phenomenal Buddy Miller.

Saturday, July 14, 2012, would have been the 100th birthday of Woody Guthrie, one of America's most influential 20th-century musicians. In honor of the Woody Guthrie Centennial, Smithsonian Folkways presents an in-depth commemorative collection of songs, photos, and essays.Woody at 100: The Woody Guthrie Centennial Collection is a 150-page large-format book with three CDs containing 57 tracks, including Woody's most important recordings and 21 previously unreleased performances.More details and track listings at www.cybergrass.com 

Republic Nashville has revealed that they have just signed RAELYNN, an 18-year-old artist who was discovered by Blake Shelton on NBC’s “The Voice,” by the label. “It’s Official America. I’m a Republic Nashville recording Artist,” she tweeted. ”Thanks to @NBCTheVoice, @blakeshelton, @Miranda_Lambert and my FANS!!!”

CAPITOL NASHVILLE artist Dierks Bentley has recorded the song “Little Boxes” for the theme song for SHOWTIME series “Weeds.” Dierks’s version of the 1962 song will premiere on an episode later this season, which is the series’ eighth and final season.
When they approached me about recording the theme song for “Weeds,” I jumped at the chance. I'm a fan of the show and thought the guys in my band could put a cool country spin on it,” he shared. Steve Martin and The Decemberists are 2 others to have recorded it over the show’s run. Listen to Dierks take off “Little Boxes” on Facebook .
The politically satiral song was written by Malvina Reynolds in 1962, which became a hit for her friend Pete Seeger in 1963 >>  YouTube Audio. "Little Boxes" has been described as “the most subversive song ever to make the pop singles charts”

(Reuters) - Hank Williams, Jr. is a country singer, record executive and political pundit, and he wears all those hats on his new CD, OLD SCHOOL, NEW RULES. He picks up on politics where he left off last year with some more fighting words for President Barack Obama. Williams calls himself "an executive hillbilly," he speaks his mind, too, and has become a voice for some Americans who are discontent with Obama. Last year, cable TV network ESPN pulled his song from its "Monday Night Football" telecast after he publicly compared Obama to Adolf Hitler.
But the singer turned the backlash to his advantage by gaining some new fans for his outspokenness, and he continues to voice his political with the new CD released this week.
The opening track, "Take Back Our Country," includes lyrics like "...I'll go find a network wants to treat me right, y'all can take the change and stick it out of sight" and "Hey Barack pack your bags, head to Chicago, take your teleprompter with you so you'll know where to go

Chuck Wicks is workling hard towards album #2 due to drop end of the year. Jason Aldean will cut one of Chuck’s tunes. Chuck told Taste of Country that ‘I Don’t Do Lonely Well” is a true story and he couldn’t be happier that Jason Aldean is gonna cut it.

Grace Potter is legally blind but she says she likes her world a little blurry. She thinks it helps her as a songwriter and creative person by strengthening her other senses. She's got a heightened sense of smell, sensitive ears and good taste. She's taken up cooking duties on the road currently on tour with "You & Tequila" duet partner Kenny Chesney and Tim McGraw. Potter released a new album THE LION THE BEAST THE BEAT, on June 12. (musicicitynews)


SINGLE / ALBUM NEWS
Tim McGraw‘s first single for Big Machine Records, “Truck Yeah,” debuted at No. 22 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs Chart and No. 25 on the Mediabase/Country Aircheck Chart, marking his highest solo chart debut ever. His previous record was in 2002 when “Grown Men Don’t Cry” debuted at No. 30. “Truck Yeah” also set the pace this week as the No. 1 most added song with 99 stations on board.
Country radio has given me an amazing career already,” said McGraw. “I’m 20 years into it, so to be having my highest chart debut ever is such a cool thing. I can’t thank everyone in radio enough for the support they’ve shown me over the years and especially now as I’m starting a new chapter with a new label. It means more to me than ever…the best is really yet to come!”
“Truck Yeah” was written by Chris Lucas, Preston Brust, Danny Myrick and Chris Janson and produced by Byron Gallimore and McGraw. Click >>  HERE to listen to the Lyric Video.

Wanda Jackson who will be in the UK next week, turns 75 in October, but the rockabilly icon shows little sign of slowing down. On October 9th, Jackson will release UNFINISHED BUSINESSher 31st studio album – on Sugar Hill Records. With production by folk musician Justin Townes Earle, the album features performances of Woody Guthrie's "California Stars" (later set to music by Wilco) and Bobby and Shirley Womack's "It's All Over Now."
According to the singer, working with Earle encouraged her to return to her roots.
"From day one I really liked Justin's idea to take me back to my roots and make a record of country, blues, and rockabilly songs," Jackson tells Rolling Stone. "The band was extra tight and great to work with during the whole process. The record just sounds terrific and I'm hoping that my fans enjoy listening to it as much as I enjoyed making it."
In a short video from Nashville's House of David Studios, Jackson boasts of her country credibility. "I'm country music's first sex symbol, believe it or not," she declares. "And Bob Dylan called me a 'Hurricane in Lipstick.'"
The album track listing for Unfinished Business and a short video about the project can be seen at www.rollingstone.com
***  Wanda has 2 UK dates next week  Wed July 18 Thekla, Bristol &  Thurs July 19 Islington Assembly Hall, London - Tour Dates Page  ***

Country newcomer Greg Bates has released a five-song, self-titled EP to iTunes. His debut single, “Did It for The Girl,” is already in the Top 35 and quickly rising. It’s currently at #33 on the Hot Country Songs Chart (July 12, 2012). Produced by Jimmy Ritchey, the EP includes “Did It For The Girl” as well as “Brothers,” a song Greg dedicated to his brother during his Grand Ole Opry debut, “Go Time,” “Fill In The Blank” and “Lost In Caroline.”

PRESS RELEASES
Nashville, TN...(July 9, 2012)...Bucky Covington had a blast last week on the set of his new music video for the duet “Drinking Side Of Country” with Shooter Jennings. The video, which will premiere in the coming weeks, is full of non-stop neo-outlaw action, as Bucky and Shooter are up to no good, have a run in with the law, and end up in a high-speed chase through the tiny town of Greensburg, KY. The raucous video, shot during record high temperatures in the region, also features cameos by country star Kellie Pickler, 5-time WWE Champion and current TNA Impact Knockout wrestler Mickie James, and professional freestyle motocrosser Cowboy Kenny Bartram.
“Drinking Side Of Country,” written by Bucky and twin brother Rocky along with Ducky Medlock, and recorded and produced by Covington, will be impacting country radio soon.This new hit, along with “I Wanna Be That Feeling,” can be found on his highly anticipated sophomore album GOOD GUYS, expected to release on September 11, 2012.(Monarch Publicity Press Release)  

ARTICLES
Put Down The Camera And Watch The Show ... Really? NPR asks the question whether cell phones and camera use should be allowed at shows?
Here’s an example: Renée Wahl performing "Heartbreak Thing" at the Fillin' Station with band members Roger Prescott, Dan Seymour, and Herschel VanDyke.  >>   YouTube  

(8 July 2012) Sarah Jarosz takes a break from her studies to get jazzy 

Adam Sheets takes a look at the past and future of insurgent country music in the mainstream.

INTERVIEWS
We hope to be in the studio by the end of July and we need to get our next record finished and we hope to get it out in mid-September,” spills Michelle Wright read her interview with suite101.com

Kellie Pickler

EW asked Kellie Pickler about her recent split with label Sony Music Nashville (she was on BNA, with whom she was contracted for three albums), and she was quite open about the whole shebang. Pickler’s third album 100 PROOF, which debuted at #2 on the Billboard Country Chart (January 29, 2012) has struggled more than her previous efforts and sold 74,000 copies (Small Town Girl, sold over 800,000, and her self-titled sophomore disc, has passed 400,000 sales).
So was it at all frustrating for you to make this rootsy, strong, self-reflective album and then to split ties with Sony?
Well, it wasn’t promoted. When my album came out, I didn’t even have a song out on the radio. Nobody does that. [The label was] spread thin. When I was making my record, the CEO left. He retired. They brought in Gary [Overton]. My A&R left. They brought in somebody else. I went through four heads of promotion when my record was coming out. The only consistency was inconsistency.
Did that make recording tough?
Recording this album, to be honest — and I don’t mind saying this — the process was hell. We couldn’t agree on songs. The thing is, my life is a country song. I don’t need to be manufactured, and I don’t need anyone to tell me what to say or what to sing.
So do you know where you want to go business wise from here?
I’ve thought about the major labels versus the more independent ones.The ones that actually can probably do more for you. They have more to prove. [You want] to sign with someone that is about the music and gets you.

LISTEN
Listen to Canadian Big Ride Entertainment artist Marlee Scott and her latest release BEAUTIFUL MAYBE in full at music.aol.com

Fed up with UK Rainfall? Well here’s some more: The adorable blonde bombshell Rankin Twins from Texas are back with a great song “Rain” that is burning up the Texas Music Chart and TexNet50 Internet Chart  >>   Listen

Listen in FULL to the new album UNCAGED by Zac Brown Band that hit stores July 10. Lead singer Zac Brown says the new CD shows "powerful chemistry that's developed by living, traveling and working as a band. We're always trying to push the barrier of our musicianship and I'm proud to say that there is a little bit of something for everyone." Uncaged contains plenty of collaborations, including co-writes with Jason Mraz, Sonia Leigh, Nic Cowan and Wyatt Durrette. Additionally, friend and frequent duet partner Amos Lee contributes guest vocals to “Overnight” – music.aol.com
For those that have SPOTIFY installed it is also available here

Listen to “One Down” from 4-girl Austin band The Trishas’ upcoming album, High, Wide & Handsome -  soundcloud.com

This is a CMR Coffee break feature on Alan Jackson's 14th album "Thirty Miles West" with spoken material provided by Sony Music plus an American radio interview with KMLE Country.  >>   Audio

WATCH
NSW Australia artist Victoria McGee with “Don’t Leave the Leavin’   >>    YouTube
The first single has come into the CMC chart at #47 and comes  McGee's second- soon to be released album FIRE IN THE WIND, McGee debut's the album to radio with the stunning duet "Don't Leave The Leavin", featuring the voice of Geoff Robertson, (The Robertson Brothers), the marriage of these two voices on record is nothing short of unstoppable. The album is produced by Nashville Legend & Hall of Fame Inductee Louie Shelton, whose production and career credits include, The Monkees, Seals and Crofts, Lionel Richie and Kenny Rogers to name a few. It's been well worth the wait for this album from one of Australian Country's Finest Voices, who plans to head to Nashville on business with Shelton in 2012.

Miranda Lambert, Ashley Monroe and Angaleena Presley aka Pistol Annies bring their tongue-in-cheek, autobiographical “Takin’ Pills” to life in their new music video. The song finds celebrating everything the self-help books warn against, including cigarettes, pills, booze, truck-stop burgers and fries.

The Pistol Annies

Shot in Nashville, the video is a fun take with Lonestar Annie (Miranda), Hippie Annie (Ashley) and Holler Annie (Angaleena) driving around various parts of the city and rehearsing for a gig with their instruments and various vices. “We had a blast filming this video,” said Miranda.
We left the driving to me since I was just smoking,” laughed Angaleena.
Takin’ Pills’ illustrates how the Pistol Annies stomp their cowboy boots into territory no established country star has dared to tread, at least not since the heyday of Hank Williams Jr. and Waylon Jennings,” said the Associated Press. 
 >>   YouTube

Katie Armiger "Better In A Black Dress" Katie gives up her wedding dress for a black dress.  >> YouTube
Written by Katie and Blair Daly. Video Directed by Stephen Shepherd

Australian Country Music Singer / Songwriter and finalist for the Queensland 2012 Music Awards Harmony James newest single is out with a great new video! On the back of her #1 Country Airplay single Pride and the #3 Country Airplay single Don’t Say It. Emmylou’s Guitar is the story of a hopeful busker that Harmony confesses, is not her. Although, the observant listener can detect the similarities of her journey – a teenaged girl strapping on her guitar outside Woolworths in Cairns, a notebook of scribbled lyrics at her feet and a big sister quietly egging her on.
“Emmylou's Guitar” [Official Video]   >> YouTube

Ryan Laird is a native of rural Ontario, and life is currently crazy good for the singer/songwriter. This up and comer had a top ten single at the end of 2011 with 'I'm Your Man'  that he co-wrote with his friend Jason McCoy. This earned him a nomination for a radio music award.  His brand new single Girl Crazy is one of those perfect summer soundtrack songs and is currently being added to Canadian country radio now. The video for Girl Crazy directed by Jordan Eady was filmed in LA and is being shown on CMT Canada. Both 'I'm Your Man' and `Girl Crazy' are from the June 5 release RYAN LAIRD through On Ramp Records/EMI Music Canada.
“Girl Crazy” (Official Video)    >>  YouTube 

COUNTRY GOSSIP
Jake Owen and wife Lacey Buchanan just revealed to People.com that they are expecting their first child, a baby girl, this November.
It’s been a BIG year for Jake.The singer proposed to Lacey in April and the couple tied the knot just one month later.
We actually found out Lacey was pregnant after I had asked her dad for his permission,” the singer tells People. “From the day I met her, there was no doubt in my mind I wanted to marry her, and we always knew we wanted a family.”
Jake continues, “The way we saw it, the baby news was a bonus on top of the engagement, but we didn’t want anyone to think we were getting married because Lacey was pregnant, and we wanted to celebrate our wedding first.”
We didn’t want to go public with it until we found out if it was a boy or a girl,” adds Buchanan. “The pregnancy was just something we wanted to keep for ourselves for a little while.”
The newlyweds found out they were expecting a baby girl on July 2. Jake’s first thought? “I was scared at first because I don’t know anything about girls,” Owen says, adding they have picked out names, but are keeping their favorites under wraps.

Taylor Swift spills "I once used a Sharpie as eyeliner in an airplane bathroom because I didn't have any with me," the songstress reveals to refinery29.com. "I don't recommend it. Back in February "The "Eyes Open" singer revealed in Vogue magazine she had fascination with the Kennedy family saying the clan's matriarchs inspire her fashion sense as well - "I love looking at photos of Ethel and Jackie Kennedy back in the '50s and '60s," the 22-year-old notes. "Something about that elegance is really lovely and makes me want to dress more like they did. I'd never thought about wearing pearl earrings or head scarves before [being inspired by] them

Rascal Flatts’ member Jay DeMarcus and his wife, Allison, are counting down the the days until their new little bundle makes his debut next month. Jay and Allison recently revealed that they will name the new baby Dylan Jay DeMarcus.

TWEETS
Darius Rucker: Secret out after @opry (performance),” Rucker tweeted. “I recorded a version of ‘Wagon Wheel’ for my new record & @ladyantebellum sings on track.”
Old Crow Medicine Show must approve of Rucker borrowing their song. Following the “Opry” performance, the band tweeted: “We had an amazing weekend at the @opry! Sharing the stage with @dariusrucker and @billydean.

Amanda Shires and Jason Isbell are engaged ! Their Twitter followers would know that over the last several months there was a courtship going on, many times from separate states. As of yesterday Isbell promised to make her an honest woman by tweeting “Happiest day of my life. @amandashires said yes!” along with this pic. Later on Shires tweeted “Loveliest day ever.” …Isbell tweeted a few hours before the announcement “Damn right I’m listening to Supertramp.”

Sugarland’s Kristian Bush tweets, “today I’m thankful for chocolate sea salt popsicles.”

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