Saturday, 11 May 2013

Country Bites News snippets April 29 - May 5, 2013

Country Bites News snippets April 29 – May 5, 2013

SOURCES / LINKS shown in RED

UK & IRISH News

Laura Bell Bundy and the Tim McKay band are supporting Rascal Flatts on their UK dates.
On March 16th 2013 McKay opened for Brantley Gilbert at the Manchester Academy
Laura Bell Bundy will be playing her only solo UK date at Fort San Antone on Friday 12th July with support from McKay and Jess Roberts .

The George Jones Irish connection - Two of Ireland's great country singers, Mike Denver and Jimmy Buckley, had the honour of recording with George Jones in recent years.
Mike, who recorded The Real Deal with his idol, said: "I never expected to meet George Jones, let alone do a duet with him. He was the Daddy of them all, the royalty of country music."
Jimmy said he still can't believe that he got to meet and record The Grand Tour with George. "Working with George Jones doesn't get much better for any country music fan," he said.


Derek Ryan has an extensive Irish tour lined up, check out his May/June dates for the coming months

THIS year's Tipp FM Country Music Awards at the Clonmel Park Hotel will feature the cream of Irish entertainment, including Jimmy Buckley, Declan Nerney, Philomena Begley, Gina, Dale Haze & the Champions, Crystal Swing, The Indians, Trudi Lalor, Paddy O'Brien, Louise Morrissey, Dave Lawlor, Lisa Stanley, Aiden Quinn, Michael Collins, Gary Gamble, Jason Travers and The Davitt Country Band.

Gweedore, West Donegal based Jacqui Sharkey has a brand new self penned single out called "Pretty Words", released April 29th available on CD Baby and iTunes
She is currently working on completing her second album, which is being produced by Manus Lunny and is expected to be released before the Summer of 2013.
Fans of the Phil Mack Country Show on Showcase TV may well be familiar with her music through her videos which have been aired the last few years, last month "If I Had You" aired.

UKCountryRadio.com are compiling a “Greatest Hits" the Top 30 country songs of all time as selected by listeners/ country fans in conjunction Up Country and Cross Country magazines who are taking part in this with them.
You have to select your all-time favourite three country songs, they can be from any era. Email them to greatesthits@ukcountryradio.com , or send them to the magazines. What does this hope to achieve or prove?

UKCountryRadio.com will be at the CMA Music Festival (42nd Fan Fair) which takes place in Nashville on June 6-9 presenter Will "Big Dawg" Downie will be providing updates from the biggest country music festival in the world throughout the weekend.

UK CHART NEWS
On the Official UK Singles Top 100 Chart (Week May 11, 2013)
Taylor Swift’s new UK single “22” dropped 22-26 in its 11th week. Swift’sI Knew You Were Trouble” (Mercury) which peaked at #2, dropped 41-47 on its 30th chart week.

On the Official UK Albums Top 100 (Week May 11, 2013)
Taylor Swift’s RED was up 7 places 24-17 in its 28th chart week. Johnny Cash’s 2CD 75 track compilation album THE REBEL was down from No.59 to No.81 after 2 weeks
Kacey Musgraves’ SAME TRAILER, DIFFERENT PARK (Decca) dropped off the Top 100 chart in her third week.

Official UK Country Album Chart (Week April 27, 2013)
Steve Earle & The Dukes (& Duchesses) moved back to No.1 from No.2 swapping places with Kacey Musgraves’ SAME TRAILER DIFFERENT PARK.
Kenny Chesney with LIFE ON A ROCK (Blue Chair) debuts at No.3 
LeAnn Rimes on her third week with new album SPITFIRE (Curb) fell back 6 slots, moving 3-9.
Tate Stevens with his self titled TATE STEVENS (Syco Music) dropped 2 places 12-15 in his second chart week.
Johnny Cash & Willie Nelson live album VH1 STORYTELLERS (American Recordings) was new on the chart at No.11

On the Hotdisc Chart (May 6, 2013 Chart)
Billy Yates and The Hayley Oliver Band continue their stranglehold at the top of both Hotdisc Top 40 and British & Irish Hotdisc charts this week. The Hayley Oliver Band climbed from No.5 to No.3 on the Top 40 with their first single in over a year, "Right Person At The Right Time" in the main chart.

UK COUNTRY ALBUM RELEASES
(30 April 2013) Johnny Cash/Willie Nelson VH-1 Storytellers (Commercial Marketing)
Originally released in 1998 VH1 Storytellers is a live album bearing the production signature of Rick Rubin.

(3 May 2013) Natalie Maines - Mother (Columbia) Time: 45:52 10 Tracks
(6 May 2013) Thea Gilmore - REGARDLESS (Full Fill/Fruitcake) 11 Tracks Time: 43:25

(6 May 2013) Lady Antebellum - Golden (Capital) Time:43:51  12 Tracks
(6 May 2013) Pistol Annies - Annie Up (Sony Music CMG) 12 Tracks Time: 42:29
(7 May 2013) Mickie James - Somebody's Gonna Pay (eOne Music) [Import] 12 tracks Time: 45:52

CANADIAN NEWS

The Country Music Association of Ontario announced the nominees for their first-ever country music awards, and
Michelle Wright has been nominated in the Female Artist of the Year category, and along with her co-writers, Patricia Conroy and Danick Dupelle, as Songwriter of the Year for her song, “Another Good Day”.
The Awards will be held on Monday, May 27, at the Markham Theatre in Markham, Ontario

On April 27, 2013 the Saskatchewan Country Music Awards were handed out at the Dakota Dunes Casino in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan during the 24th Annual Saskatchewan Country Music Association Awards Weekend & Festival. Codie Prevost accepted 2 SCMA awards including “Fan's Choice Entertainer of the Year” & “Male Vocalist of the Year”. He performed a new song on the Awards show from his upcoming fourth album release.

NEWS

Sunday Mornin’ Country, the annual Country and Gospel music show, is pleased to announce that the GRAMMY award-winning country artist Linda Davis and veteran country singer and hit songwriter, George Hamilton IV will host this year’s show, to be held June 9, 2013 at 2:30 PM at the Grand Ole Opry House. 
Named a Top-20 Tourism Society Event, Sunday Mornin’ Country, now in its 34th year, has been traditionally an outlet for many country music fans that are in town attending the CMA MusicFest to come and see one final show featuring over a dozen country and Gospel artists.
Little Big Town was recently announced as a nominee for a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Original Song –“GOOD AFTERNOON” for Good Afternoon America on ABC. “Good Afternoon” was co-written by Little Big Town, Brett Warren and Brad Warren and was produced by Jay Joyce and recorded in Nashville, TN this past summer.
What an unexpected honor to be nominated for an Emmy,” exclaimed Jimi Westbrook. “This is something we never could have dreamed up as a band and we are beyond thrilled to say the least!”

Jason Aldean's personal life made headlines everywhere when news broke that he filed for divorce from his wife of 12 years, Jessica Ussery.
Aldean has been quiet about the topic, but has released an official statement on the matter through PEOPLE magazine.-
"This is a really tough time for my entire family," Aldean says in the statement. "Jessica and I have been together since we were teenagers. We've been through a lot of ups and downs over the years as we grew up together as a couple”.
"She will always be important to me because she is the mother of my children," he continues. "I know that we will both always make our daughters our number one priority."
Jason and his wife Jessica
 2012 American Country Awards
(Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)
Aldean cited irreconcilables in the paperwork filed in a Williamson County, TN court on April 26. The couple has two daughters,  Keeley, 10, and Kendyl, 5. The divorce comes after Jason was photographed kissing season 11 American Idol contestant Brittany Kerr in Los Angeles last fall. Jason issued a public apology and he and Jessica appeared together on CBS This Morning last December, saying they were trying to learn from their mistakes.

The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum's Hot Nights at the Hall summer concert series for museum members will return on June 4 with a performance by Ashley Monroe. The series, which debuted in the summer of 2010, features live music; complimentary food; a cash bar; autograph signings; a limited edition, commemorative Hatch Show Print poster and exclusive access to the museum and Museum Store.  Upcoming performers include Sarah Darling on July 19 and Craig Campbell on August 9.

Annie Haul: Fans are making quick detective work of Pistol Annies' interactive online graphic novel, Pistol Annies and the Case of the Stolen Gear. The search has resulted in the recovery of a custom Gibson guitar in Louisville, signed lyrics in Austin, and a leather jacket in Atlanta. More stuff is still missing and the girls are posting clues, asking for help.
The Ultimate “Annie Up” Fan Pack is now available which includes a physical or digital copy of “Annie Up,” poster & limited edition comic book with your name printed inside Just $19.99 while they last!

Y'all have been amazing at helping us track down our stuff, so now we'd like to offer you a chance to take some of it home! From a stylish v-neck “Hero” t-shirt to a one-of-a-kind “Revolver” leather jacket, there’s something for every fan to show the world what it means to “Annie Up!”


T-Shirt Swap: Jason Aldean uses a T-shirt to announce he'll co-host the 2013 CMT Music Awards with Veronica Mars' star Kristen Bell, and she does the same.
The show will air live from Nashville's Bridgestone Arena June 5, 2013.

Trisha Yearwood’s cooking show, Trisha’s Southern Kitchen, has been nominated for a Daytime Emmy. The third season of the program begins in the States on May 25.

US Show/Festival/Tour News

With nearly 50 artists confirmed, the Chevrolet Riverfront Stage will be the hot spot for daily concerts during the 2013 CMA Music Festival, Thursday-Sunday, June 6-9, in downtown Nashville.
The performances on the Chevrolet Riverfront Stage will kickoff on Thursday, June 6 at 10:00 AM/CDT with a high energy show from CMA Award-winning recording artist Sara Evans.
Artists performing on the Chevrolet Riverfront Stage include: Keith Anderson, Greg Bates, Blackberry Smoke, Craig Campbell, Mark Chesnutt, Brett Eldredge, Rachel Farley, Tyler Farr, Colt Ford, Gloriana, The Grascals, Steve Holy, Casey James, Kristen Kelly, Aaron Lewis, Lonestar, Love and Theft, Dustin Lynch, Jo Dee Messina, Ronnie Milsap, Craig Morgan, David Nail, Joe Nichols, Jerrod Niemann, Paslay, Maggie Rose, Corey Smith, Tate Stevens, Sunny Sweeney, Phil Vassar, Chuck Wicks, Gretchen Wilson, and Darryl Worley. For the line up and dates go to cmaworld.com
Eric Paslay is pumped already! CMA Music Festival Riverfront Lineup as sung by Eric Paslay! >> YouTube

Kacey Musgraves has been added to the lineup for this year's Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival. She'll join Paul McCartney, Mumford & Sons, Wu-Tang Clan and many more in Manchester, Tennessee June 13-16.
What is Bonnaroo?: 4 of the best days ever, 80,000 happy campers, 700 Acres of Tennessee Nature, 150 epic performances, 10+ stages of music, several dozen comedians, an escape into Excitement, Music Art, Discoveries, Trees, Fresh Air, Green Grass. A mini film fest. Details - lineup.bonnaroo.com

After ending his three-year run at the Wynn Las Vegas casino-hotel in November 2012, Garth Brooks is coming back for two weekends this summer. The first is Memorial Day weekend (tix go on sale May 6), the next, the weekend of July 6–7 (tix go on sale June 3).
So you can’t make any of those shows? You’re in luck again - Garth and his crew are recording those performances for a DVD. No release date for that yet.

TV
Lauren Alaina will be debuting her new single "Barefoot and Buckwild" on American Idol's result show Thursday May 9th - Watch it here 

Seven-time GRAMMY winning trio Lady Antebellum will light up national TV over the next two weeks with performances spotlighting tracks from their upcoming fourth studio album GOLDEN out May 7.
Release day will begin with appearances on Good Morning America and The Ellen DeGeneres Show and end with an exclusive and intimate release show at New York City’s newest hot spot The McKittrick Hotel for the Lady Antebellum GOLDEN Release Show presented by Citi. The VIP event will give a select number of fans the first preview of songs off the new album and a donation will be made to Musicians on Call On behalf of the group’s charity initiative LadyAID.
The next day, Lady A will begin their take-over on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon and set up residency at 30 Rock with interviews and performances on both Wednesday (5/8) and Thursday (5/9) nights’ shows. The following week, Lady A will jet to the West Coast for an appearance on Chelsea Lately (5/13) and a performance on NBC’s The Voice (5/14) before continuing on to Toronto for more media appearances and events.

COUNTRY AWARDS
The CMA Broadcast Awards are among the most prestigious awards given out in the field of Country Radio. The CMA are now accepting submissions for the 2013 CMA Broadcast Awards. The balloting season began Monday, May 6 for Broadcast Personality, Station, and National Broadcast Personality of the Year at broadcast.cmaawards.com

SINGLE / ALBUM NEWS

Although the abrupt cancellation of several tour dates fueled rumors of a breakup, The Civil Wars are back with a self-titled follow-up to their Grammy-winning album, Barton Hollow.
The album is set for a late summer release on Sensibility Music/Columbia Records. Most recently, the group contributed to the soundtrack for “A Place at the Table” with T Bone Burnett.
A statement was released through their website: thecivilwars.com

LeAnn Rimes is releasing her new album, SPITFIRE, in America on June 4, 2013. Rimes, who co-wrote nine of the songs on her newest offering, says “This album is a peek into my world; who I am, what I’ve gone through, what my emotions are.  It’s an
intimate conversation between me and whoever’s listening. I hope I’m saying things that are hard for others to express. It certainly took me a lot of work to get to this point. And it’s still easier to sing these thoughts than it is to say them out loud.  The intimacy in my music is just beginning.”
 Curb Records is receiving global reviews for LeAnn’s brilliant album, Spitfire.  Her performances with Rob Thomas (Matchbox 20), Jeff Beck, Alison Krauss and Dan Tyminski are amazing and a great representation of LeAnn’s ability as an artist and songwriter, says Curb Records Chairman, Mike Curb.  LeAnn and producer Darrell Brown have created a very special musical adventure that is delivered straight from LeAnn’s heart.  We’ve always known she is a great singer.  This album simply proves outright that LeAnn is a great, multi-faceted artist.”
The physical CD will launch exclusively at Walmart , read the Full Press Release

George Strait LOVE IS EVERYTHING (May 14) 'ZinePak is a must-have for George Strait fans. It features a 13-track CD of Strait's 40th album, Love Is Everything, which includes the hit single, "Give It All We Got Tonight" and a commemorative set list from his farewell U.S. tour, The Cowboy Rides Away Tour. This Limited Deluxe Edition 'ZinePak also includes a 64-page magazine celebrating Strait's legacy in Country music - walmart.com

PRESS RELEASES

Marty Raybon has won 4 Christian Gospel Music (CGM) Fan Awards including “Favorite Song” for “I’ve Seen What He Can Do”, “Favorite Male Vocalist”, “Favorite Musician” and “Favorite Crossover Artist” at the 4th annual CGM Fan Awards show presented by Christian Voice Magazine.  The Awards were announced during the 2013 CGM Fan Award show at the Smoky Mountain Convention Center in Pigeon Forge, TN on April 27th – Rural Rhythm Press Release

Larry Gatlin & John Rich pay Tribute To George Jones…When John Rich heard of George Jones’ passing on Friday morning, he asked his wife for a glass of room-temperature Crown and an hour to himself. He took the glass out to his roof-top deck, sat down facing Vanderbilt University Medical Center and pictured a beam of light transporting the legendary country singer up to heaven.....Absolute Publicity 
  
Curb Records responed to positive news that The Big Machine / Tim McGraw Issues will be heard by Nashville’s The Federal Court who took jurisdiction of Curb Records’ continuing lawsuit with Tim McGraw and Big Machine Records. The lawsuit raises issues of tremendous significance which are important not only to Curb Records, but also to the recording industry and many other industries – the enforceability of contracts in Tennessee. Curb Records contends in the lawsuit that:
a) McGraw ignored his obligation to deliver his required Fifth Option Period album to Curb Records
b) The album he did provide, Emotional Traffic, consisted of old material recorded before the time during which he was permitted to record the Fifth Option
Period album
c) McGraw ignored his delivery obligations and Curb Records’ approval rights
d) McGraw destroyed or erased many recordings owned by Curb Records
e) McGraw refused to accept his recording advance check and sent the check back to Curb Records so that McGraw could claim non-payment and f) McGraw attempted to deliver the required Fifth Option Period album before he was allowed to do so.

WEST TEXAS HELPS WEST, TX: Governor Rick Perry lent his support to the Texas Thunder Music Festival that will raise money for those affected by the recent fertilizer plant explosion in West, Texas.  The music event that will host The Randy Rogers Band, The Josh Abbott Band, Wade Bowen, Stoney LaRue, Casey Donahew Band, among others will take place May 17-19 in Gardendale, Texas ... Webster Associates Press
The Expedition Show are very excited to announce that their new CD, STORMY HORIZONS, on Mountain Fever Records will be officially released on Tuesday, May 14th! Sample tracks see East Public Relations press release 

Bigger Picture recording artist Craig Campbell readies for new album with numerous live and Televised Appearances in support of his upcoming CD, NEVER REGRET….For his sophomore project, Campbell continues to work with Grammy Award winning producer Keith Stegall (Alan Jackson, Zac Brown Band) and CCMA Album of The Year producer, Matt Rovey. Campbell co-wrote six of the twelve songs on this album and his no-nonsense warm baritone and relatable songs make the collection unapologetically country and fresh.  The album’s lead-single “Outta My Head,” which has recently been praised by peers Luke Bryan and Chris Young on twitter, is quickly climbing the country radio charts - Monarch Publicity

Lucas Hoge, The Roys, Danielle Peck, Jett Williams, Buddy Jewell and Andy Griggs recently provided their support to the newly launched "HonorOne Campaign" by recording public service announcements and detailing their personal experiences with the military

A collaborative album by Aaron Tippin, Joe Diffie & Sammy Kershaw is set to release on May 28, 2013. The 12-track album ALL IN THE SAME BOAT features all-new music as well as freshly recorded versions of a few familiar songs like Tippin's smash hit "Kiss This" and Kershaw's 1993 chart topper "She Don't Know She's Beautiful." "I decided to go with two brand new songs and one old Neil Young song, 'Heart of Gold,' for my tunes on the album," says Diffie - Absolute Publicity 

ARTICLES
The Hollywood Reporter - Tate Stevens' Debut Album: Track-By-Track (Exclusive)

CMA Close Up - LeAnn Rimes Rises Above ControversyFor the past four years, a tabloid-skewed version of LeAnn Rimes’ life has played out online and in public. With her new album, Spitfire, (released June 4) the twice-married, 30-year-old singer tries to set the record straight.
It’s an emotional roller coaster ride of everything I felt, everything a human being could feel, in the last four years,” she said. “I didn’t set out to write a record that attacked the stories that have been out there. I’ve always said there’s 10 to 15 percent truth in those stories — the rest is BS. There’s a lot being thrown around out there. Any real artist takes what they’ve been through and uses it for their art. That’s basically what I’m doing.”
Rimes co-wrote eight of the 14 songs on Spitfire, her first album of mostly new material since Family in 2007. “She’s loosened her tongue, she’s loosened her  heart, she’s loosened her spirit,” said producer Darrell Brown, who wrote many of those songs with her. “She’s writing ungodly better than she has in her entire life.”.............

Taste Of Country - Lady Antebellum Remain Loyal to Country Music…Extract: There are several artists who have crossed the lines between country music and pop — superstar Taylor Swift is one of the first to come to mind. There are other musicians, such as Kelly Clarkson or iconic singer/songwriter Jewel, who have jumped from pop music into success on country radio. With trio Lady Antebellum‘s raw talent and infectious albums, it would be easy for them to walk away from country music. But they’re committed to staying country…..
 “We feel loyal to the country market,” Kelley states. “I don’t know how well we would fit in between Bruno Mars and Phoenix. It’s so funny. We think maybe we’re not the country-est thing in the world until we’ve played some shows with pop artists. Then it’s like, ‘Yep. We are definitely really country.’

WBKR.com - Moon Talks With George Jones by Moon Mullins + audio clips

Daily Mail UK - George Jones Obituary …Extract: Jones was a purist who lamented the transformation of country music from the family feeling of the 1950s to the hit factory of the early 21st century. He was so caught up in country, old country, that when a record company executive suggested he record with James Taylor, Jones insisted he had never heard of the million selling singer-songwriter. He was equally unimpressed when told that Neil Young had come to visit backstage and declined to see him, saying he didn't know who he was. He did listen to the Rolling Stones, only because of the guitar playing of Keith Richards, a country fan who would eventually record with Jones.

Saving Country Music.com - Don Maddox Recalls One Of George Jones’ First Big Breaks

Independent UK - George Jones Obituary …George Jones: Country singer whose music was informed by his tumultuous life of excess. When Wynette poured away all the drink and hid the car keys, he drove to a bar on the lawnmower
George Jones was one of the greatest country singers, but despite the fact that he has had more records in the US country charts than anybody else, he was largely unknown outside that genre. He ignored trends; he never wanted to go pop; and his albums were shoddily packaged with minimum playing time. Nobody tried to widen his appeal, least of all Jones himself, who was even paranoid about appearing in New York and once ruined an industry showcase by reworking his country hits as though he were Donald Duck….. Drunk, pissed and coked up >> YouTube

Nashvillescene.com by Jewly Hight - George Jones gave country music an emotionally revealing model of masculinity, and it matters even more today …..

George Jones Quotes:
When asked about Taylor Swift and other young stars: “What they need to do really, I think, is find their own title”
“I’d rather sing a sad song than eat”
“There are questions I’m still not wise enough to answer, just wise enough to no longer ask.”
“Country fans need to support country music by buying albums and concert tickets for traditional artists or the music will just fade away. And that would be really sad.”
“Our steak and martinis is draft beer with weenies
“Country music to me is heartfelt music that speaks to the common man. It is about real life stories with rather simple melodies that the average person can follow. Country music should speak directly and simply about the highs and lows of life. Something that anyone can relate to.”
“Me and the bottle have always been friends, we’ve had a few old nasty fights but the bottle would always win. So when I go to answer that final curtain call, I can hear these words being whispered by all… Ol’ George stopped drinking today.” - George Jones

INTERVIEWS
The Tennesean Peter Cooper On Music: Kenny Chesney takes his own advice to heart…Extract: He thinks about this stuff, and other stuff, too. If the devil’s in the details, Chesney knows him well. “I am constantly planning,” he says. “It’s a challenge for me to be still. I really, really struggle to do it.” And so Chesney’s new album, “Life on a Rock,” was a struggle. Due out on Tuesday, April 30, much of it was written in stillness, without a plan....

Billboard - Kenny Chesney, 'Life On A Rock': Artist Track-by-Track Review
Chesney talked about these songs with Billboard's Ray Waddell on a sunny April day at the offices of Sony Music in Nashville

MAGAZINE
Taylor Swift, Carrie Underwood and Tim McGraw are among People magazine's 2013 Most Beautiful. The cover features Gwyneth Paltrow and has hit newsstands.
Simply Stunning: Stars & Their Aww-dored Pets …Miranda Lambert, Blake Lively and more Hollywood beauties share the spotlight with their equally striking sidekicks. No photo shoot featuring the country singer would be complete without her best accessory: dog Delilah. "The unconditional love you get from an animal, especially a dog, is better than anything else," Lambert told PEOPLE Country. "They're so grateful and the love they give you back is like nothing else."

LISTEN
Listen to Patty Griffin’s new album AMERICAN KID on The Wall Street Journal Blog due May 7 on New West Records recorded in Memphis with Luther and Cody Dickinson of the North Mississippi Allstars. Most of the 12 songs on the album are about her father, a World War II veteran who returned home to live for a time in a Trappist monastery before becoming a high school science teacher and raising seven children.“The bulk of the record was written at a time where I knew my father was passing away,” Griffin says.

SPOTIFY COUNTRY
For users of this online music streaming service here are some of the more recent additions and recommendations.
When its free an easy on Spoify who needs music piracy.
Just added May album releases!
Lady Antebellum – Golden - (Released 6 May 2013)
Pistol Annies – Annie Up - (Released 6 May 2013)
Haley Sisters – Sweet Music Man – Brand new single

FREE DOWNLOADS

Granger Smith with seven top ten singles, three tours in Iraq and Kuwait to play for the American Soldiers, and three shows at the White House (including two performances for the President himself), is well on his way to leaving a large footprint on American music. “Music is what I do,” says Granger. “If I can help someone get lost in the moment of a song long enough to forget the worries of the world, or long enough to remember what’s most important, then I’ve done my job.” - noisetrade.com
 
WATCH
Tim McGraw unveiled his video for “Highway Don’t Care” with Taylor Swift, featuring Keith Urban on guitar, live to fans worldwide on Monday, May 6 in a first-ever music video premiere event with Google+ Hangout. The video, directed by Shane Drake, features dramatic and heart-stopping footage for the triple threat collaboration that is driving to the top of the charts.

Aussie country artist Jayne Denham "Addicted To Diesel"

Gary Allan recently stopped by AOL Sessions for an intimate, acoustic performance of his chart climbing single, “Pieces.” The track is the second official single from Gary’s ninth album, Set You Free, following the #1 Country hit, “Every Storm (Runs Out of Rain) - music.aol.com

Kacey Musgraves, 'Blowin' Smoke' (Sessions). She performs 'Blowin' Smoke', 'Merry Go Round', 'Follow Your Arrow', 'Silver Lining' and 'My House' . This girl has what it takes, absolutely superb!
She had made the unapologetic music she wanted to make, as an introduction to country fans. And while she has her critics for advocating pot smoking, one night stands and embracing homosexuality through her music, the lovers far outweigh the naysayers - music.aol.com
Related news: This One's For The Girls: "I got really tired of those standard country characters," Kacey Musgraves tells Rolling Stone in their Best of Rock 2013 issue. "For girls, either you're a wilting flower who's been done wrong or, like, a ball-busting, angry redneck bitch who's gonna burn your house down." Kacey is featured alongside "Nashville's Newest Hitmakers" Ashley Monroe as The Stoner Girl, Dustin Lynch as The New Hat In Town, Hunter Hayes as The Country Bieber and The Band Perry as The Arena Rockers

TV
Kenny Chesney on Ellen Drinking Game >> YouTube

COUNTRY FASHION
 
Nicole (Emilio Pucci)
Click to Enlarge

Nicole Kidman attended the Bloomberg and ‘Vanity Fair’ cocktail reception, which was hosted after the 2013 White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner at the residence of the French Ambassador in Washington, D.C.
The statuesque actress was a vision in lavender in this top-to-toe embellished Emilio Pucci dress.

She kept her accessories to a bare minimum with Manolo Blahnik shoes, a creamy Bottega Veneta clutch and a perfectly matched pair of Fred Leighton earrings.

She had strawberry-blonde strands styled into slightly tousled waves and wore a glossy mauve lip.








Gwyneth Paltrow attended the Hollywood premiere of The Iron Man 3 Premiere. She wore Antonio Berardi from the Fall Collection (top and maxi skirt) and Christian Louboutin sandals with plain hair and makeup.
Making the dress look chic and feminine, with her killer bod she show a bit of butt cheek on the red carpet

Gwyneth Paltrow also appeared on the  Tonight Show with Jay Leno, wearing LA Jimmy Choo ‘Fauna’ Booties


Available in the UK, price tag  £795 - www.jimmychoo.com

Taylor Swift poses with a fan in Franklin, Tennessee wearing a Blockstep Sweater from Madewell ($98.00) - www.madewell.com

Miranda Lambert attended the 2013 Barnstable-Brown Derby Gala at Barnstable-Brown House on May 3, 2013 in Louisville, Kentucky. Miranda looking lovely donned in a ballet pink strapless Corey Lynn Calter dress on the country star. She got in the Kentucky Derby spirit with a soft blush decorative hat and went totally pretty wearing glossy pink lipstick and opted for long lovely lashes.
This year Miranda took the stage to perform at the event hosted by Patricia Barnstable Brown and Priscilla Barnstable which benefitted the Barnstable Brown Diabetes and Obesity Center at the University of Kentucky. Country music was well represented by Clay Walker; Kix Brooks, formerly of Brooks & Dunn; Travis Tritt; Lee Ann Womack; and Eddie Montgomery, of Kentucky’s Montgomery Gentry. Video - copiousnotes.bloginky.com
Lambert famously celebrated her bachelorette party at the gala in 2011. She’s attended the party each year since.
Last year Mrs. Blake Shelton wore a pretty Spring 2012 strapless white silk dress by Lela Rose with metallic abstract jacquard polka dots. The asymmetrically cut design featured peek-a-boo dark grey tulle layering beneath her full skirt.
Miranda styled her long blonde curls in a low, loose side ponytail and accessorized with gunmetal ball jewelry to match the dots on her dress. She finished off her look with a black sequin fascinator with matching netting and a bright pair of red satin platform “Paloma” pumps by Charlotte Olympia.
She choose a fascinator instead of a hat because she was fascinated with the Royal Wedding and Kate Middleton so channeled that!  >> YouTube

Source: Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images North America)



R.I.P
Bob Brozman, author of The History and Artistry of National Resonator Instruments, a guitarist and self-described “roving guitar anthropologist” who collaborated with musicians from Northern Ireland to Guinea to India to Papua New Guinea, died on April 23 at his home in Santa Cruz, Calif. The cause was suicide, he was 59. 

The Tennesean reported that Tim Hensley (Oct. 8, 1962 - April 30, 2013) passed away  from liver failure.
The 50-year old multi-instrumentalist was in Kenny Chesney’s band for 11 years and Patty Loveless’ band for ten. He released one solo album a Country/Acoustic Country/ Bluegrass set titled LONG MONDAY (Rural Rhythm), in 2008.

The late Tim Hensley

The album produced by Kenny Chesney and ACM Song of the Year writer Buddy Cannon featured  guest appearances from Vince Gill, Sonya Isaacs and Loveless and songs from John Prine, Rodney Crowell, Carl Jackson and Larry Cordle, John Scott Sherrill, Tim Stafford and Ronnie Bowman, and Hensley himself. This was a first record that summed up a lifetime of living inside the music for the Cincinnati-born and raised tenor harmony singer since learning to sing in a Pentecostal family, then becoming part of the Altar Way Singers.
Tim Hensley, a multi-instrumentalist and recording artist spent 11 years as a key member of country superstar Kenny Chesney’s touring band and in-studio team. Mr. Hensley also spent 10 years in Patty Loveless’ band, and a year with Ricky Skaggs.
Tim gets up there every night and rocks with us,” Chesney said, “but its after the shows, walking back to the bus that you can hear his voice in the halls, singing what he truly loves.”
A superb harmony vocalist, he sang on major albums including Chesney’s “When The Sun Goes Down” and “No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problems,” Skaggs’ “Comin’ Home To Stay” and Loveless’ “When Fallen Angels Fly” and “Trouble With The Truth.” His vocals onstage and in the studio were a hallmark of Loveless’ live shows and records in the 1990s.
Mr. Hensley’s one solo album, 2008’s “Long Monday,” came about after years of singing and playing bluegrass songs with Chesney and other band members. Mr. Hensley exited Loveless’ group for Chesney’s in 1999, though he contributed to Loveless’ new-century albums including “Mountain Soul” and “On Your Way Home.” (Mandolin/Background vocals)
He lent his vocal harmony to many recordings including Irene Kelley’s 2001 album Simple Path.
When Kenny Chesney took a hiatus from touring in 2010 when he went back on the road in 2011, Mr. Hensley did not re-join his ensemble. In September 2012, he married the former Carla Camboni.
I am going to marry my soulmate,” Mr. Hensley posted on Facebook before the wedding. “I am the luckiest man in the world.”
"Ridin' Out The Storm" (written by Rodney Crowell) (Acoustic) - Tim Hensley >> YouTube
“You'll Never Leave Harlan Alive” - Patty Loveless, MerleFest 2002, Tim Hensley on Banjo and harmony >> YouTube
Tim playing acoustic guitar / bvox (the guy in black) appeared in my favourite Patty Loveless live video “He Hurt Me Bad” (In A Real Good Way) >> YouTube

George Jones’ funeral took place on Thursday, May 2nd, 2013 at The Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville, Tennessee, starting at 10 am and was open to the public. "George would have wanted his fans and friends everywhere to be able to come and pay their respects along with his family," said publicist Kirt Webster.
"Thanks to George’s friends, fans, and loved ones for the outpouring of love at this terrible time," said his wife Nancy Jones. "I love you all."
The service included music from Charlie Daniels, Vince Gill w/ Patty Loveless, Alan Jackson, Ronnie Milsap, Kid Rock, The Oak Ridge Boys, Brad Paisley, Randy Travis, Travis Tritt, Tanya Tucker, and Wynonna.  Former First Lady Laura Bush, Kenny Chesney, Grand Ole Opry VP&GM Pete Fisher, Governor Bill Haslam, former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee, Barbara Mandrell, and CBS News' Chief Washington Correspondent Bob Schieffer all made special remarks.
Family, Friends and Fans Come Together for George Jones’ Funeral – Pictures
Photos: Fans and friends pay respects to George Jones - denverpost.com
See Blog Post - George Jones Memorial Service May 2, 2013

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