Country Bites News snippets June 3 - June 9, 2013
SOURCES / LINKS shown in RED
UK & IRISH News
The Hayley Oliver Band are to release a new album at the end of June titled ABINGER GROVE (The name of the street where the rehearsal studio resided). It will be made available on CD, UK iTunes and digital download outlets.
Their superb new single appears on the June Hotdisc #174 (Track 5) is called "Could I Be More Blue" (written by Tim Frazier / Phil McNikiza). It features Albert Lee on guitar and was a new entry at No.11 on the Hotdisc Top 40 and No.2 on the Hotdisc British & Irish chart. The first promotional single "Right Person At The Right Time" has now spent 8 weeks at No.1 on the British chart (No.3 peak Hotdisc Top 40) which means the south east band hold a rare 1-2!
Albert Lee, Gerry Hogan and John Permenter have made positive comments when they laid down their parts on the record which was humbling for Hayley and her band.
Gretchen Peters is back in the UK for the second time this year for Part 2 of her “Woman On The Wheel Tour”. She will be joined on all the June UK shows by Barry Walsh and Christine Bougie, and Ben Glover will again be providing support except for Glastonbury. Check out the tourdates
Fort San Antone management have released information that sadly US country singer & actress Laura Bell Bundy will NOT now be appearing and is having to cancel her date at Fort-San-Antone on Friday 12th July. Bundy’s team realised they didn't have enough time to get her from Lancashire to Ireland for her show the next day. Anyone who has bought tickets or booked rooms can either call the office on 01772633162 for a refund. Laura Bell and UK band McKay are still down to support Rascal Flatts on their European dates.
Taylor Swift performed at the Capital FM Summertime Ball 2013 at Wembley on Sunday June 9th. Arriving on the Capital FM carpet the "I Knew You Were Trouble" singer showed off her slim pins.
She wore Oscar de la Renta cream and black blouse and shorts with Office shoes and Neil Lane jewels.
The '22' singer performed an amazing set, her only live show in the UK this year!
See pictures of Taylor Swift performing live at Wembley Stadium here.
Robbie Williams, Will.i.am, Jessie J, PSY, Union J, Olly Murs and The Wanted were also on the line-up. She later sent out 4 tweets:
Looking out into a crowd of 80,000 with their phones up, all lit up, was breathtaking. London. I just adore you. #CapitalSTB
Taylor Swift @taylorswift13 Backstage at Wembley Stadium, eating candy, waiting to play later on- stoked for tonight! #CapitalSTB …..Fireworks at the end of Taylor's performance! http://instagram.com/p/aWjh-yINdI/
Thanks @edsheeran for surprising the crowd and coming out to sing 'Everything Has Changed'. Everyone went INSANE. #CapitalSTB
Earlier in the day, Taylor was spotted coming out of good friend and actress Gwyneth Paltrow‘s home after lunching together.
Taylor attended the Summertime Ball event, fresh from performing on Britain's Got Talent on Saturday June 8th. She performed her new single, a duet with Ed Sheeran called “Everything Has Changed”. She wore a Kandy Kiss Polka-Dot Crop Top (Juniors now $8.40) + Collective Concepts Pleated Skirt available at nordstrom.com and Petra Oxford suede shows featuring a lace-up front and low stacked heel available at www.nastygal.com.Check out the BGT photos at mirror.co.uk
The biggest selection of records, cds and music related is now being gathered for the VIP Music Fairs this month:
Sat 15 June - London Westminster, Sat 22 June - Birmingham Custard Factory (boutique/retro village) and Sat 29 June - Norwich St Andrews Halls - www.vip-24.com
The ABC of British Country Music Live listings for Artists, Bands & Clubs What's On - www.allbritishcountry.co.uk/whatson
UK CHART NEWS
On the Official UK Singles Top 100 Chart (Week June 15, 2013)
Taylor Swift’s new single”Everything Has Changed” (Mercury) feat. Ed Sheeran made its bow at No.53. Her other singles from RED saw “22” fall 18 slots 50-68 in its 16th chart week. Swift’s “I Knew You Were Trouble” (Mercury) which peaked at #2, moved up fell 52-78 on its 35th chart week.
Thanks to a performance by teen rocker contestant Mitchel Emms of Lady Antebellum’s “Need You Now” on The Voice UK talent show resulted in Lady A’s single jumping from No.174 to enter the Top 100 at No.66
On the Official UK Albums Top 100 (Week June 15, 2013)
Taylor Swift’s RED was up 9 places, moving 34-25 in its 33rd chart week.
Lady Antebellum fell back 12 places (54-66) in their fifth week with new album GOLDEN. Whilst their album NEED YOU NOW
Scraped into the Top 100 once more at No.93
Official UK Country Album Chart (Week June 15, 2013)
Lady Antebellum remain at No.1 with GOLDEN (Decca) for a 5th week.
Lonestar debut on the chart at No.2 with LIFE AS WE KNOW IT (4 STAR)
Kacey Musgraves’ SAME TRAILER DIFFERENT PARK (Decca) held at No.3 in her 8th week
On the Hotdisc Chart (June 9, 2013 Chart)
The new June 2013 Hotdisc #174 CD produced a clutch of new entries on their first week of impact. Newcomer to Hotdisc, David Shelby, has gone straight to No.1 his debut European single, "Kick A Little Dirt Around". His song swept aside last week's number 1 record by the Lawrence John Project, which drops to No.3 while Nicki Gillis still retains her No.2 slot.
There were three entries inside the Top 10 with another newcomer, Hoyt Hughes, coming in at 5 with his first single in this territory, "Happy Ending," while Andy Griggs debuts at No.10 with "I Don't Let Go” (written by Troy Verges and Rivers Rutherford)
The Hayley Oliver Band lead the British contingent at No.11 with "Could I Be More Blue" which lands at No.2 on the British and Irish Top 10 behind the bands other song, "Right Person At The Right Time" which has now spent 8 weeks at #1.
Chip Taylor (#14), Randy Thompson (#16), Stephanie Jansen (#17), Joanna Mosca (#19) and Tony Clarke (#20) all land their new singles inside the Top 20 this week.
UK COUNTRY ALBUM RELEASES
(14 May 2013) Deana Carter - Icon [Import] (Capitol Nashville) - CD
(27 May 2013) Country Soul Sisters 2: Women In Country Music 1956-79 (Soul Jazz) - CD
(28 May 2013) Madison McKenzie - A Part of Me (Madi M Music)
10 Tracks /Time: 38:22 - MP3
(28 May 2013) Joe Diffie, Aaron Tippin, Sammy Kershaw - All in the Same Boat [Import] - CD
(4 Jun 2013) The Roys - Gypsy Runaway Train [Import] (Rural Rhythm)
(11 June 2013) Various Artists - Now Country 6 (UMG Nashville/Sony)
18 tracks / Time: 1:01:54 - CD
Covering hits from the back half of 2012 and the first part of 2013, Now That's What I Call Country, Vol. 6 rounds up staples of contemporary country radio. Now That's What I Call Country, Vol. 6 offers a lot of bang for the buck.
AUSSIE NEWS
Troy Cassar-Daley has revealed that he has had throat surgery in the US to repair his voice. The multiple Golden Guitar Award-winner let his fans know via a statement via his Facebook page that he recently had surgery after visiting a doctor in Boston while on tour in the US after he was concerned that he had lost some vocal range. The Doctor, Dr Steven Zeitels, is famous for having repaired the voices of John Mayer, Adele and Steven Tyler
NEWS
Tracy Lawrence was hospitalized for allergic food reaction the singer is expected to make a speedy recovery. He was the first artist casualty of this year’s CMA Music Festival—a day before it officially began. Lawrence was hospitalized for observation at a local hospital, but is expected to recover in time to make it to LP Field Thursday night, where he’ll perform in front of 70,000 country music fans on the festival’s biggest stage.
Taylor Swift who inaddition to her thriving music career and many endorsement deals, also has her own line of perfumes with famed cosmetics company Elizabeth Arden. After the successful launch of her first scent, Swift is set to release a brand-new fragrance and breaks down the process of creating her new perfume. The new fragrance, entitled "Taylor by Taylor Swift," is her follow-up to her debut perfume, "Wonderstruck," released worldwide last year by Elizabeth Arden. "Taylor" is described as a "burst of fresh fruits and flowers, blending luscious lychee and sparkling tangerine with a whisper of magnolia petals."
Take a look behind the scenes of Tay's new fragrance in this Entertainment Tonight video - http://et.tv/11kl9C4
Cassadee Pope the Republic Nashville recording artist went to the top of the iTunes Country Singles charts, just six months after she achieved the same feat upon winning Season 3 of NBC’s The Voice. The song “Wasting All These Tears”, was #3 and rising on the iTunes All-Genre chart. Pope returned to the highly-acclaimed show night to debut her new single
Americana News
The Recording Academy announced that the American Roots Music Field has expanded to include a new category and award: Best American Roots Song. This category compliments the field that already includes: Best Americana Album, Best Bluegrass Album, Best Blues Album, Best Folk Album and Best Regional Roots Album - Here is the Grammy Press release.
Alison Krauss and Jerry Douglas gathered friends Shawn Colvin, Amos Lee, Teddy Thompson, Angel Snow and Sarah Jarosz this past weekend (June 1, 2013) for "Cross County Lines," a preview concert for Americana Music Association's new one-day festival to be held in Franklin, TN during the Spring of 2014. The new festival will complement the Association's week-long festival and conference, now in its 14th year, held in the Fall (Sept. 18-22)
Crossing County Lines: Americana – as the big tent pitched by the Americana Music Association – is its own conundrum. Drawing an audience that’s decidedly 30+, it embraces an eclectic group of artists who have massive critical acclaim and yet have yielded no major superstars. Indeed, many of the hallmark artists are over 50; even the younger, break-out artists fail to bring younger fans in mass to the oeuvre…read more at nodepression.com
US Tours
MCA Nashville singer / songwriter Drake White joins Toby Keith and Kip Moore on the Hammer Down Tour starting June 14 in Cincinnati, OH. Drake will perform on twelve dates with Toby Keith with stops in major markets including Pittsburgh, Chicago, Cleveland, Philadelphia and Boston. Previously, Drake has opened for Eric Church, Kid Rock, Alan Jackson, Lynyrd Skynyrd, ZZ Top, Willie Nelson, Little Big Town and most recently, Blackberry Smoke.
The Hokes Bluff, AL native released his debut single “The Simple Life” (>> video) to radio in March andit cracked the Top 40 on the Mediabase country chart.
Hunter Hayes will headline his first tour this Autumn with CMT On Tour: Hunter Hayes Let's Be Crazy. The 21-city run includes a two-night stand at Nashville's Ryman Auditorium Oct. 18-19 and will begin in Knoxville Oct. 10. Ashley Monroe will open.
TV
Jo Dee Messina appeared on the American morning NBC TV "Today" Show (June 3) belted out ‘Woman’s Rant’ a song she shared was "inspired by her one year old that did not sleep through the night, but my husband that did". It’s a song Messina hopes to include on her next Kickstarter funded album. "We could do it ourselves but it would be fun if we have the people involved" she said. The multiplatinum country singers music helped 48-year old Today presenter Hoda Kotb get through breast cancer. Watch her perform “A Woman’s Rant” - www.today.com
Cassadee Pope stole the show on The Voice on June 4, and made a triumphant return to TV just a day later at the 2013 CMT Music Awards to perform her iTunes chart-topping hit single. The talented 23-year-old sang “Wasting All These Tears” during the first 15 minutes of the awards show, and showed off her flawless vocals! She took the stage in a sexy sparkly ABS Sequined dress. The former “Hey Monday” frontwoman looked gorgeous in her gown, and showed off a pretty beauty look with her two-toned hair in waves down her shoulders, and her signature smokey eye.
2013 CMA Music Festival/42nd Fan Fair
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| 2013 CMA Music Fest Collage CLICK to ENLARGE |
Ronnie Dunn surprised fans in downtown Nashville for CMA Music Festival activities on June 5th night when he performed four songs on the rooftop patio of Rippy’s Bar and Grill on lower Broadway.
The performance happened as fans were departing the Bridgestone Arena after watching the CMT Awards. Dunn debuted four new songs: “Country This,” “Kiss You There,” “Cowgirls Rock ‘N’ Roll” and “Peace, Love and Country Music.” During “Kiss You There,” a flash mob took over Broadway for an impromptu dance to the delight of the crowd. Highlights Vid >> YouTube - EB Media Press
Global Artist Showcases Open CMA Music Fest: Twenty-one international Country artists representing seven different territories performed in downtown Nashville at the annual Global Events showcases, held June 3-4 during CMA Music Festival week. Richard Smith, David Bradley and female duo Ward-Thomas represented the UK, photos and report at musicrow.com
Nashville and Tamworth, Australia joined as Sister Cities at Signing Ceremony. Clare Bowen, the Australian actress/artist who portrays Scarlett O’Connor in the television show “Nashville,” attended the ceremony - Photo - Aristo Press
Lady Antebellum’s Ping Pong Tournament served up the fun! Table tennis hopefuls battled it out over the last couple days at Music City Center, paying a fee (benefiting the group’s LadyAID initiative) for a chance to compete in the final with Dave Haywood and Charles Kelly at the opening of Fan Fair X for CMA Musical Festival - Press Release
ASCAP celebrated the legendary Bluebird Cafe’s 31st birthday and kicked off the 2013 CMA Music Festival with an exclusive showcase featuring Eric Paslay, Striking Matches (Justin Davis & Sarah Zimmermann) and Alyssa Bonagura on Wednesday, June 5th.
CMA Close Up stage: George Jones' wife Nancy, his tour manager Bobby Birkhead, Jamey Johnson, Randy Travis and John Rich share memories about the Possum (image)
The Band Perry held a stylish brunch celebration for a packed house, full of avid fans, at their second annual “The Fans Perry” Fan Club Party at Nashville’s Mercy Lounge during CMA Music Fest. After answering questions from the media at a mini-press conference preceding the party, the trio posed for pictures and chatted with the 400 fans in attendance at the event at the end of a red carpet the fans walked (since they were the stars of the special day.)
Read more & Photo at countrymusictattletale.com
Mel Tillis received the R.O.P.E. Intl. Appreciation award presented to him during his performance on June 5th for R.O.P.E. (Reunion of Professional Entertainers) "Breakfast with the Stars" event.
The Nashville Palace was turned into a "salute to real traditional country music" as fans and media took in a "piece of the past".Some 40 artists from Hall of Famers, Grand Ole Opry members, Indie artists attended "the best show in Nashville"[according to promoter Marty Martel] to begin CMA Music Fest Week. "Mel Tillis delivered an awesome show with his super band The Statesiders" said Martel.
Fans and media from some 13 foreign countries were in attendance for R.O.P.E's show. Marty sent out special thanks to his friend from England, Duncan Warwick (the Editor of Country Music People) who was there and promised he would be back for next years breakfast. Duncan said he loved the show with Mel Tillis.
The artists in attendance included: Mel Tillis and His Band, Charlie Pride, Bill Anderson, Jean Shepard, Mac Wiseman, Jim Ed Brown, Jeannie Seely, Jan Howard, Razzy Bailey, T.Graham Brown, T.G. Sheppard, Kelly Lang, Tommy Cash, Helen Cornelius, Jimmy Fortune, Jim Glaser, Rhonda Vincent, George Hamilton IV, Georgette Jones, Bobby G. Rice, Leona Williams, Miss Jeanie, Allen Karl, Donna Cunningham, Rattlesnake Annie , Lulu Roman and more..Read more at whisnews21.com
and listen to Marty's spill in his "Off The Cuff News" >> Audio
The Grand Ole Opry Events
Kellie Pickler, Rascal Flatts, Keith Urban, Kree Harrison, Ricky Skaggs, Diamond Rio, Bill Anderson, and Lennon and Maisy from ABC’s Nashville all performed at the Grand Ole Opry last night as the Opry kicked off its CMA Music Week with two star-packed sold-out shows.
Pickler Back: Kellie Pickler came back to Nashville from her Dancing With The Stars win to perform at the Grand Ole Opry Tuesday 4th June. She sang her new single “Someone Somewhere Tonight” and was surprised when the Opry audience held up DWTS perfect 10 paddles (Image). "Did y’all plan that or did everybody just happen to have those in their pocket?" she asked. "That is so sweet. I wish y’all could’ve been the judges!" American Idol runner-up Kree Harrison made her Opry debut the same night and was joined by Keith Urban to perform Kris Kristofferson's "Help Me Make It Through The Night." "Unbelievably proud of @KreeHarrison," tweeted Keith. "So honored to share the stage @ her @Opry debut! You brought the house down
Read more at www.opry.com
The Grand Ole Opry presented by Humana honored six-time Grammy® winner Carrie Underwood on her 5th anniversary as an Opry member. She celebrated by closing the first of two shows with a special segment full of her music.
After a video presentation highlighting five years of Underwood Opry performances ran for the audience, Underwood said, “It’s so hard to believe it’s been five years, but what an amazing five years it has been full report at opry.com
CMA FEST: CMA Festival LP Field line ups JUNE 6-9, 2013 - lineup.cmaworld.com
CMA Fest Night 1: Taylor Swift and Zac Brown Band brought the hits as Night 1 of CMA Music Festival got underway at LP Field in Nashville. But the superstars didn't just go it alone—they both brought along some special guests.
In Taylor's case, it was Tim McGraw and Keith Urban, who helped re-create the magic of Tim's current single, "Highway Don't Care," which features Taylor on backing vocals and Keith on guitar. Taylor, acting particularly coy and playful last night, sang a few lines from her breakout hit “Tim McGraw” before teasing her line—I can't live without you, I can't live without you, baby— from “Highway Don't Care” and welcoming Tim to the stage. Naturally, the crowd went bananas. And the energy went up yet another notch when it came time for the song's solo and Keith materialized from stage right, guitar in hand. It was a magical, and distinctly CMA Fest, moment.
Taylor Swift @taylorswift13 Thank you @TheTimMcGraw & @KeithUrban for joining me onstage for 'Highway Don't Care' at CMA Fest!And thanks for the #1, country radio! FUN!
Not to be outdone, Zac Brown Band also had some aces up their sleeves. As the band lit into Kenny Rogers‘ “The Gambler,” out came Kenny himself to duet with Zac on the 1978 classic…. Read more
CMA Fest Night 2: Hunter Hayes, Blake Shelton and Little Big Town Light It Up + Lady A and Randy Travis...Read More/Photos
CMA Fest Night 3: Dierks Bentley and Kelly Clarkson Wow the Crowds, June 8 shows feature artists ranging from The Oak Ridge Boys to Florida Georgia Line.......
CMA Fest Night 4: Carrie, Gary, The Band Perry …and Some Hairy Weather..Carrie Underwood, Brad Paisley (>>YouTube) , Jake Owen, The Band Perry, Gary Allan and Lee Greenwood took Nashville’s LP Field by storm—before the actual storm hit—for the final night of 2013 CMA Fest.
Pam Tillis and Lorrie Morgan got evening’s performances underway by making Americans proud to be American performing the national anthem...Read More/Photos
CMT Review Article: 2013 CMA Music Festival: Kelly Clarkson, Keith Urban Lead a Musical Mix at LP Field
The CMA Music Festival set a new attendance record in 2013 with daily attendance topping 80,000 fans, a near 13 percent increase over the 71,000 in attendance in 2012 and a sellout of LP Field tickets six weeks before the event.
The increase was attributed to expanding the event into the new Music City Center, which was dubbed the AT&T U-verse Fan Fair X. The new venue nearly tripled the size of the former space in the Nashville Convention Center creating room for new exhibits, additional stages, and attractions for families in the Keep the Kids Playing Pavilion… read the detailed report at
If you missed The Ultimate Country Music Fan Experience this year or if you're going through CMA Fest withdrawals, take a look at CMA's extensive photo gallery from the 2013 CMA Music Festival with almost 3,000 photos - Flickr Feed and relive the best four days of the summer!
COUNTRY AWARDS
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| CMT Music Awards 2013 Collage Click to ENLARGE |
The 2013 CMT Music Awards featured an interesting mix of old and new. Veterans like Blake Shelton and Carrie Underwood took home top awards.
Miranda Lambert pocketed multiple belt buckles with her single 'Mama's Broken Heart' winning Female of the Year and also CMT Performance of the Year for 'Over You’..
Newcomer Hunter Hayes also won an award, and Florida Georgia Line scored multiple buckles as well. Traditional vs. cutting edge, classic vs. new -- the 2013 CMT Music Awards had a little something for everyone.
Carrie Underwood enjoyed a whirlwind night as "Blown Away" swept up the CMT Music Award for Video of the Year on Wednesday night (June 5) in Nashville.
"Whew, the good Lord has been very good to me -- well, all of us in this room, for a long time," she told the fans. "First and foremost, I'd like to just thank Him for our love of music."
Underwood also praised Randee St. Nicholas, the video's director. With a radiant smile, the singer added, "My husband, it's his birthday! So, I got you a present! My fan club members and all the people here in town for CMA Music Fest awesomeness. And the fans! Thank you so much! ... I don't deserve this. Thank you."
Carrie’s performance of her new single “See You Again”, was dedicated to her home state of Oklahoma after the deadly tornadoes devastated the town of Moore. The former “American Idol” champion donated $1 million to the relief effort.
Upon claiming the buckle in the Group Video category, Lady Antebellum's Hillary Scott said, "We honestly never had more fun shooting a video. Our co-star, Beth Behrs [of 2 Broke Girls], pulled me out of my shell. And it was just really fun getting to go do a lot of illegal things. Thank you to the fans. We love you!"
Jason Aldean served as the show’s co-host, alongside actress Kristen Bell. He also opened the live telecast by performing “American Woman” with Lenny Kravitz, and returned later to perform his new single, “Night Train.”
Several of the performances—particularly in the early part of the show—proved pitchy. The 150-minute show offered 13 full-length performances and another six truncated versions of songs played into commercial breaks. The Mavericks served as the evening’s house band.
Taylor Swift rocked the stage at the June 5 CMT Music Awards with her show stopping performance of “Red.” Dressed in red, playing a red guitar and singing on a red stage, Taylor was literally red hot!
Taylor, 23, walked the red carpet in a pretty, cream strapless dress, but for the performance she wore a sexy red dress with a black bra sticking out and a thigh high split! This has got to be the sexiest Taylor has ever looked performing! Playing an electric guitar and whipping her hair back and forth, this is a whole new look for Taylor.
Cassadee Pope took care of Twitter coverage during the show and performed a commercial bumpout on the Nationwide Insurance Stage, as did Ashley Monroe, Dustin Lynch, Kree Harrison, Love And Theft and Randy Houser, all backed by house band The Mavericks, who paid tribute to George Jones with "The Race Is On."
2013 CMT Winners: www.cmt.com/cmt-music-awards
Video of the Year – Carrie Underwood, “Blown Away” (Presenters: Sheryl Crow and Kenny Rogers)
Male Video of the Year – Blake Shelton, “Sure Be Cool if You Did” (Presenter: Miranda Lambert)
Female Video of the Year – Miranda Lambert, “Mama’s Broken Heart” (Presenter: Lenny Kravitz Photo)
Group Video of the Year – Lady Antebellum, “Downtown” (Presenters:Dax Shepard,Kevin Bacon and Michael Bacon)
Duo Video of the Year – Florida Georgia Line, “Cruise” (Presenters: Jana Kramer and Charles Esten present)
Breakthrough Video of the Year - Florida Georgia Line, “Cruise” (Presenters: Kellie Pickler and Scotty McCreery)
Collaborative Video of the Year – Luke Bryan, Jason Aldean, and Eric Church, “That’s the Only Way I Know” (Presenters: The Band Perry) - Photo
CMT Performance of the Year – Miranda Lambert, “Over You” (Presenters:Duane "Dog" and Beth Chapman)
Nationwide Insurance On Your Side Award: Hunter Hayes (For Best new live act)
2013 CMT Performances:
Lady Antebellum and Darius Rucker ("Wagon Wheel"), Taylor Swift ("Red"), Dustin Lynch with The Mavericks ("Cowboys and Angels”), Keith Urban ("Little Bit of Everything"), Little Big Town and Keith Urban ("The Chain" by Fleetwood Mac),
Miranda Lambert ("Mama's Broken Heart"), Luke Bryan ("Crash My Party"), Jason Aldean & Lenny Kravitz (“American Woman”),
Jason Aldean (“Night Train”), Carrie Underwood (“See You Again”), Florida Georgia Line & Nelly ("Cruise"), Kacey Musgraves(- "Blowin' Smoke") , Ashley Monroe, Rascal Flatts
2013 CMT Awards Photos - Carpet, Arrivals, Awards, Presenters, Performers Backstage at www.cmt.com
Slideshow (54 Pics) - www.huffingtonpost.com
CMT Music Awards 2013 Carpet Fashion - Who rocked on the CMT carpet for you? - BLOG Post
SINGLE / ALBUM NEWS
Since the release of the recent Jason Aldean hit "1994," everyone has been wondering "will the real Joe Diffie please stand up?" We now have the answer. "Joe-Joe-Joe Diffie" has been hard at work in the studio on a new song of his own with the help of D. Thrash of the up-and-coming group Jawga Boyz, and is ready to take the airwaves by storm with the new track. "Girl Ridin' Shotgun" (written by Joe Diffie/ Phil O’ Donnell/ Derek Thrasher) is a perfect summer-ready, windows-down song and Joe returns Aldean's favor by name-dropping him in the new tune. - Press Release -US iTunes
May of 2012, one of the preeminent figures of American Roots Music, Doc Watson, died at 89 years of age. This summer, Sugar Hill Records will unveil a career-spanning collection, The Definitive Doc Watson, that is an expansive tribute to the Appalachian music legend. An anthology that showcases Watson at his finest, the two-disc, 34-track project highlights the best of his solo work in addition to exploring the many albums he recorded with his son, Merle, as well as select guest appearances he made on the recordings of other artists.The album will be available on July 16. For track listing, read more at - www.glidemagazine.com
Charlie Worsham the Warner Music Nashville newcomer will be releasing his debut album, titled RUBBERBAND, August 20th on Warner Bros. Records. The 11 track release, which features his first single, “Could It Be,” was entirely co-written by Worsham, and co-produced with Ryan Tyndell. The album also includes a very special collaboration between Worsham, Marty Stuart and Vince Gill – two of his biggest musical idols — for the track “Tools of the Trade.” Before he wrote and recorded Rubberband, the Mississippi native was a busy in-demand studio musician along with being on the road. He worked with artists such as Eric Church and Dierks Bentley and shared stages with Taylor Swift and Miranda Lambert.
Jason Aldean's new single is the title track from NIGHT TRAIN and is likely to follow "Take A Little Ride" and "1994" to Gold-certified, Top 5. Listen at soundcloud.com
Chris Young will release his fourth studio album, “A.M.,” on September 17. It includes his current single, “Aw Naw,” which has become popular in his concert appearances (?!) - “We’ve been hard at work in the studio picking songs and recording an album that really reflects my live show,” says Young in a media release. He is currently on the road with Brad Paisley’s “Beat This Summer Tour,” which runs through August.
Vince Gill and famed steel guitarist, Paul Franklin, are proud to announce the release of BAKERSFIELD on July 30 via MCA Nashville. Gill and Franklin pay tribute to the “Bakersfield” sound by performing songs from two of Bakersfield’s sons; Buck Owens and Merle Haggard.
Gill and Franklin share the producing duties on the ten song set that makes up Bakersfield. Bakersfield was tracked in two days at Gill’s home studio, backed by a stellar band made up of John Hobbs, piano; Greg Morrow, drums; Willie Weeks and Brad Albin, bass; J. T. Corenflos, electric rhythm guitar; and Time Jumpers Kenny Sears, Larry Franklin, Joe Spivey, fiddles and Dawn Sears on harmony vocals. Gill played all the acoustic and electric guitar fills and solos. For more details/tracklist read the press release
Brother and sister duo, The Roys launch their new CD GYPSY RUNAWAY TRAIN, with an album release party at the Silver Dollar Saloon in Nashville on June 6th. The much anticipated third project, Gypsy Runaway Train, features seven standards and six newly composed songs. Recorded following the death of Lee’s beloved father-in-law, and during Elaine’s painful divorce, the songs address a broad spectrum of emotion. For Lee, the entire process was cathartic....bluegrasstoday.com
Their launch is underway with a flurry of radio, television, live performances and reviews. The duo celebrates the June 4 release by bringing their signature sibling sound to CMA Music Festival again this year with multiple shows scheduled.
More details and schedules Webster PR Press
Sara Hickman, one of Performing Songwriter’s 100 Most Influential Independent Artists, will release her Kirtland Records debut album SHINE July 23, 2013. The 10-song collection, which blossomed out of simple poems and visions on pieces of paper, is an adventurous effort for the official “State Musician of Texas,” whose songs were brought to life with guidance from Los Angeles-based musician, producer and fellow songwriter Jim Jacobsen.
Singer/songwriter Brenda Zitzman was set to perform at the CMA Music Fest as part of the Sherry Lynn Band.
New Jersey-based country singer Sherry Lynn was at the famed annual music event to promote her new single with country music legend Crystal Gayle. Lynn recently released the title track, written by Danny Wells, Jose Luis Pagan, Sarah Lenore from her upcoming sophomore album, “Beautiful Life,” (Steal Heart Records) a duet with Gayle. The track appears on the latest June Hotdisc #174 and made its bow at No.25 on the Hotdisc Top 40, it is available on US iTunes
PRESS RELEASES
Craig Morgan was returning home from a concert in Texas Sunday morning June 9th when two semis and a tanker collided in front of their bus when they got to Tennessee on Interstate 40 eastbound near Lobelville, just 30 miles outside his hometown of Dickson. He and his crew helped extinguish fires and since Craig’s an EMT, he helped the drivers - Monarch Publicity - Photo
Young female duo HanaLena (Hannah & Caroline) will be performing at some great venues in Tennessee and would love to see you there! - Press Release
Ride off into the sunset with Hank Williams the most legendary country artist of all-time when THE LAST RIDE arrives on Blu-ray and DVD June 4 from Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment. Featuring an all-star cast Thomas (E.T.), Jesse James (Jumper), Kaley Cuoco (“The Big Bang Theory”), Fred Dalton Thompson (“Law & Order”) and Stephen Tobolowsky (“Californication”), this powerful film retraces the final days of a true American icon.
Based on the controversial life story of singer-songwriter, Hank Williams, THE LAST RIDE tells the powerful tale of country music’s original bad boy. Read the full Press Release
SPITFIRE, the new album from LeAnn Rimes is available in America on physical CD available only at Walmart.
She performed the title track tonight on The Tonight Show with upcoming appearances on Chelsea Lately, Good Morning America, FOX News, EXTRA, The Wendy Williams Show, The View and The Talk - Curb Records Press
ARTICLES
The Top 30 Female Vocalists - …From a list that seemed endless came the tough task of narrowing it down to our Top 30. There is the obvious choices, the new and rising stars, the unexpected and the "who?" You'll have choices that we missed, as always. Ther will be some you've never heard of that you may be inclined to check out on your own and discover something new and exciting. The Alternate Root Top 30 Female Vocalists...right now!
MAGAZINES
Maverick Magazine’s July/August issue is now in the shops. Eric Church is the cover feature. The issue also features Darius Rucker, Patty Griffin, Society, Amelia Curran, Abrams Brothers, Paper Aeroplanes, Larkin Poe, Rascal Flatts, “New to You” The Willows, Tim McGraw and many more.
It includes a FREE 16 track MAVERICK MUSIC Volume 5 CD, which includes artists such as Burns & Kristy, Heidi Talbot, Kim Richey, Ange Hardy and Steve Earle & The Dukes (and Duchesses).
Preview a sample at www.magzter.com
Editor Alan Cackett awarded Brad Paisley’s WHEELHOUSE album 5 STARS saying “This is the kind of album people will pull out and listen to 50 years from now..No matter what comes out the rest of the year, WHEELHOUSE is my album of the year. No contest!
Country Music People June issue is out which has an in depth and well researched 12 page cover feature on the late George Jones which is a “must have” for his fans. Their 5 STAR album of the month goes to WANITA, Australia’s queen of honky tonk, who has been revealed as a gifted songwriter. Her new album, produced by Michel Rose and Michael Vidale, is traditional country all the way, with a slice of swing, rockabilly, honky tonk and even a bush ballad, all her own compositions.
Too Country For Country is what it is! Wanita has lived the life of her heroes, Patsy and Loretta, and stands by her conviction to be true to herself and never compromise when it comes to her music. The Original Wanita is the 3rd album from this Tamworth, New South Wales based artist and is a follow-up to her live CD recorded at The Pub with The Honky Tonk Bar Dwellers and Swingin’ Rockin’ Honky Tonkin’, her first official release.
Her single "Too Country For Country" is being promoted in Australia on the CRS 165 May disc, Watch the video >> YouTube - Cover Art Image
The album is available via CD Baby and smartchoicemusic.com (£14.99)
Hayden Pantierre: Nashville's Superstar on how she scored her dream life at 
last. View/download the May 2013 issue of Glamour Magazine and read the 7 page feature (p220 -227) at issuu.com or view the glamour photoshoot at www.glamour.com
last. View/download the May 2013 issue of Glamour Magazine and read the 7 page feature (p220 -227) at issuu.com or view the glamour photoshoot at www.glamour.com
On the meaning of her tattoo…“It’s Italian: Vivere senza rimpianti. When I was younger, I was upset, and my dad said he wanted to show me something. He slammed one door of the bathroom, and the closet door popped open—it was a trick with the air. He said, ‘Whenever one door closes, another one always opens.’ So my tattoo means ‘Live without regrets.’ It’s not that you don’t regret things in life, but you at least try to learn from them. It’s misspelled too [accidentally, as rimipianti]—so I literally have to live by that advice!”
TNA wrestler and country singer Mickie James drop kicks a new album and gives an interview to I Am Entertainment Magazine
View it online at issuu.com
Lisa Matassa: On music, family and living out her dreams in the current May/June issue of I Am Entertainment, read it online at
WATCH
Check out The Band Perry’s acoustic video for the band's single 'DONE.' - Video Link
Taylor Swift's new single with Ed Sheeran "Everything Has Changed"
The video adorably focuses on the friendship of two kids–baring a cute resemblance to the songbirds–during various school day activities. By the end of the video we get our first glimpse of Ed and Taylor who sports a ponytail while clad in a pretty white short sleeve fit-and-flare crochet “Floral Flirtation” dress by French Connection.
You can buy the dress on sale for $130 online at FrenchConnection.com - Fashion Pic
After a two-year break between new material, CMC Award winner, Jasmine Rae, is finally back with a brand-new single 'If I Want To' and a new album just over the horizon. CMC caught up with the country star to talk about what she's been up to for the last two years
>> YouTube
TV
LeAnn Rimes explained how her husband inspired "You've Ruined Me" from her new album SPITFIRE on Chelsea Lately last night (6/5) Watch - uk.eonline.com
COUNTRY FASHION
Cassadee Pope stopped by Extra in the French Connection “Unno” Fit-And-Flare Dress ($158.35 – $228.00); also at Lord & Taylor - ($128.24) and Dillards ($228.00). Get the look for less with dresses from Jessica Simpson ($59.99) or Target ($27.99).
LeAnn Rimes hit The Grove in Los Angeles for an interview with Mario Lopez on “Extra” on June 5, 2013
The 30-year-old singer-turned-actress wore a summer outfit that I’m ready to recreate! LeAnn selected the indigo tie-dye “Solstice” tank dress by JOE’s, which features ruching along the lower sides. LeAnn kept her accessories on more of a minimal side with stacked beaded bracelets in bone, brown and deep green to pick up some of the hues in her dress. A twisted knot hairstyle, punchy pink lips, and a pair of brown suede Rag & Bone “Kinsey” ankle boots - rag-bone.com completed her daytime look - Fashion Pic
Taylor Swift posed with fans backstage of her tour in Denver wearing a pair of Kimchi Blue Printed Rosie Pinup Shorts ($49.00) from Urban Outfitters
Scarlett O'Conner (Clare Bowen) was spotted wearing the Free People Menagerie Embroidered Crochet Sweater on Season 1, Episode 17 "My Heart Would Know" on "Nashville" available at nordstrom.com - IMAGE
CMT Music Awards 2013 Carpet Fashion
COUNTRY GOSSIP
When Taylor Swift sang recently with the Rolling Stones in Chicago, it appears The Stones had to start the show an hour late because she wasn’t on time. Their fans took to Twitter to write some not very nice things. As she started singing, one wrote, “my ears are hurting, what have I done to deserve this horrifyingly cruel punishment! Taylor Swift get off and stop ruining this song.”
Taylor is getting the itch to write more songs. Less than eight months after the release of her fourth studio album, Red, the 23-year-old singer says she's feeling the beginning of her next creative phase.
"It's starting," she told reporters backstage at the CMA Music Festival in Nashville on Thursday. "All the anxiety is starting. When the anxiety starts, the writing happens right after, usually."
CMA Festival Gossip - On Sunday June 9th was the finale of Nashville’s CMA Fest but a big storm made it so artists could only play two songs. As it got worse, Jake Owen was only allowed one, he got mad and threw his guitar down and his fans booed as he walked off stage because they only let him play one song. They were all yelling "Jake" during breaks in Carrie Underwood's set and rumors soon spread his set was cut short due to headliner Carrie being a diva and refusing to shorten her song list. Jake saw the rumors and Tweeted that it wasn’t Carrie’s fault.
Hayden Panettiere was offered drugs and alcohol as a child star. The 'Nashville' actress - who shot to fame in US daytime soap 'One Life to Live' aged six - has revealed she resisted offers of illegal substances and booze as a young girl in Hollywood, and credits her family and friends for helping her avoid the same pitfalls as troubled actresses Amanda Bynes and Lindsay Lohan.
She told TV show BBC 'Breakfast': "I'm no different to anyone else and those same doors were opened to me and they are very easy to walk through - drugs, alcohol, being in inappropriate places where you shouldn't be at a certain age. It's a very tough position to be in but I had great people to pull me back from it."
Despite staying on the straight and narrow, the 23-year-old beauty admits it was "tough" growing up in the spotlight because she was often painted with the same brush as the "wild child" actresses, such as Lindsay Lohan.
She explained: "Being a young female growing up in this industry is tough. And I grew up in the generation of the wild child. I was guilty by association. So everyone sits there and waits for you to fall of your horse”.
PHOTO
Fry Guys: Jana Kramer and Brantley Gilbert are lovin' it late night at McDonald's after the 2013 CMT Music Awards.
Wimbledumb: Lady Antebellum's Charles Kelley and Dave Haywood face off against Little Big Town's Jimi Westbrook and Phillip Sweet at Ping Pong & Songs in the Fan Fair X exhibit hall during CMA Fest – Image
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