Friday 30 August 2013

Country Billboard Chart News August 28, 2013

Country Billboard Chart News August 28, 2013

In Brief:  Billboard Country Charts

Country Album Chart ** No. 1 (2  weeks) ** CRASH MY PARTY   Luke Bryan
Hot Country Songs ** No. 1 (2 weeks) **  “That’s My Kind of Night” Luke Bryan
Country Airplay ** No. 1 (1 week) ** "Little Bit Of Everything”  Keith Urban   
Country Digital Songs ** No. 1 ** (2 weeks)  “That’s My Kind of Night” Luke Bryan

Billboard Top 200 / Country Album Chart News

Luke Bryan's CRASH MY PARTY spends a second week at No. 1 on the Billboard Top 200 Albums (BB200), and the Billboard Country Album chart shifting another 158,991 copies, according to Nielsen SoundScan (down 70%) for a 2 week total (including street violations) of 687,360. 
Out of 29 chart-toppers, it's only the sixth album this year to spend multiple weeks at No. 1 with Taylor Swift's 2012 release RED being one. It is also the first country album by a male solo artist to spend multiple weeks atop the list since pop and R&B veteran Lionel Richie with TUSKEGEE racked up two frames at No. 1 in the spring of 2012 or by a male “core” country artist to spend two weeks at #1 since George Strait’s 50 Number Ones did the trick in October 2004.
The second-week sum of “Crash My Party” was enough to fend off a challenge from the set that arrived at No. 2: John Mayer's "Paradise Valley" which sold 143,582 units.
Bryan also headed The Billboard 200 for a week in March with Spring Break…Here To Party. He’s one of only two artists to top the chart for three weeks so far this year. The other is Justin Timberlake, who did it with just one album, The 20/20 Experience, in March and April.

Duo Florida Georgia Line with HERE’S TO THE GOOD TIMES dropped 8-12 on the BB200 and held at No.2 on the country chart. Their album has now pulled ahead of this weeks No.4 country slot Blake Shelton’s BASED ON A TRUE STORY…to become the top-selling country album so far in 2013. “Here’s To The Good Times” which was released December 4, 2012 has sold 845K copies so far this year which is 4,000 more than Based On A True Story… (The duo’s album sold an additional 181K copies in 2012.)

Country rap/Southern rock duo The Lacs (Clay “Uncle Snap” Sharpe and lead vocalist/ guitarist Brian “ Rooster” King) enjoyed a career-best rank and biggest sales week on Billboard’s Top Country Albums with 14,460 copies sold to land at No.3 on the country chart (#23 BB200, #5 on Billboard Rap Charts) with their third album, KEEP IT REDNECK (Backroad/Average Joes).
Their previous best was a No.16 bow (#68 BB200) with 190 PROOF, which debuted in April 2012 with 6,745 units sold and was on country album chart for over 72 consecutive weeks. The duo first appeared on the chart with “Country Boy’s Paradise”, which set an opening-week peak at No. 52 in March 2011. The new album also starts with the duo’s best rank at No.7 on the Independent Albums tally.
The Lacs (short for Loud Ass Crackers) also wrote the theme song for “Mud Lovin’ Rednecks,” a new reality show that premiered Aug. 27 on Animal Planet.

This third studio album released August 20th from the duo was produced by label CEO Shannon "Fat Shan" Houchins. Sixteen tracks include "Field Party (Remix)" featuring newcomer JJ Lawhorn and Colt Ford and the album is a spitting image of how the boys live their life. Y’all call it an accent:
We call it a drawl / Y’all say gimme that / And we say please, miss / Y’all eat oatmeal /
And we eat cheese grits / We do it for the shiners / And them dirt road riders / For them forty hour workers / And the party all nighters
The title track, “Keep It Redneck” is a play-it-loud and proud new song which proclaims the importance of staying true to your roots. "Relacs" introduces Season 12 American Idol contestant, Sarah Ross, on this fun, beach-themed, summertime song. Brian King and Clay Sharpe, continue to challenge the status quo with the duo’s trademark in-your-face musical magic as well as a few new fresh variations. “Our music is not one dimensional,” Clay Sharpe of The LACS says. “We take the good out of
rock, the good out of country and the good out of rap and mix them together and create something different. We build from scratch.”  Brian King says, “That’s what our fans want and that’s exactly what we’re giving them.”
The video for “Keep It Redneck” garnered the fastest rising views in The LACS’ history already reaching over 250,000 views. Touring over 150 dates per year, what began organically on a street corner and continued in Walmart parking lots all across the South, has now spread to fields filled with fans primed to hear The LACS’ latest.

Critical reception The Lacs  “Keep It Redneck”  - 15 Tracks / Time: 54:15

Roughstock  (Rating: 4 STARS) There's a growing movement in Country Music and that has helped artists like The Lacs move hundreds of thousands of albums. The Lacs move from the harder-edged "Keep It Redneck" to the softer, timeless country melodies of "Kick Dust"  and "She's Runnin'" -- both which feature their label's A&R exec Noah Gordon on vocals -- while "Empites" has a jovial, retro surf rock feel to it as well. There are moments where crossover-ready songs like "Make Things Right" and "Get Lost" come across the album but what will surprise many is how strong the songwriting and production is..... It's not for everyone, but neither is any sort of music and that's what's so appealing about Keep It Redneck. The Lacs know who they are and that's exactly what they sing and rap about throughout the album.
Available in the UK from Amazon CD - MP3 and iTunes Spotify

27-year old Mississippi native, Charlie Worsham's debut album, RUBBERBAND (Warner Brothers), which features the Top 20 radio airplay hit "Could It Be" landed at No.12 Country (#64 BB200) selling some 6,000 units. 
He is known for his banjo skills and signature orange chucks. He opened for Taylor Swift on her SPEAK NOW Tour, is due to hit the road with Miranda Lambert and Dierks Bentley. "Could It Be" is a song about a friendship turning into a romantic relationship but Charlie said those lyrics have no basis in his real life. Speaking of his friend and "Could It Be" co-writer Ryan Tyndell, Charlie says:
 "We were both just in the dumps, man. We didn't have anything going on. We were kind of depressed. 'Could It Be' is such a hopeful song, I think we wrote it out of a desperate need to have something hopeful going on."

Critical reception for “Rubberband” - CD

Roughstock (Rating 3 STARS)
When Charlie Worsham sings about Mississippi in July, in a mid-tempo song of the same name, he knows exactly what he’s talking about. This talented new country singer was born in Jackson, Mississippi. The music Worsham makes is by no means Mississippi Delta sounds, though. He’s Country all the way, with enough pop sheen to attract radio airplay, but not so much that it scares off purists..... Although Rubberband is Worsham’s debut album, he’s also attracted a few A-list performers to help him out with it. Both Vince Gill and Marty Stuart contribute to “Tools of the Trade,” a song about the specialized music business skill set....As solid as Rubberband is, Worsham still sounds like he’s working to develop his own voice in a few places....As a vocalist, Worsham leans closer to the Blake Shelton/Keith Urban model than, say, the low voiced types, such as Trace Adkins. He sings with a high, pure voice that would also sound really great on bluegrass harmonies – if he ever decides to go that route. Rubberband is not an instant classic. Nevertheless, in the places where it’s good, it’s really good...The best thing about Rubberband is that, no matter how much it rocks, it never sounds like rock music in a country boy’s clothing.

Nashvillegab  (Rating: Grade: A) "Rubberband" is a modern retelling of country music. While incorporating a vast collection of characters, it brings traditional storytelling into a contemporary setting. Unlike many of his counterparts, he believes in creating a captivating set, complete with varied tempos and themes. ..With beer-trucks-parties being the central theme to the male-dominated format, it's refreshing for a newcomer to make such bold statements with his music. He goes against the grain, setting a new bar for everyone else around him.

Country Weekly (Rating: A) In a world of thumping cadences, rhythmic recitations and not-another, yes-another party anthems, Charlie Worsham is breathing some incredibly fresh—and talented—air into country music that makes it sound a little like, surprise, country music. Honest acoustic, tinkling mandolin and, lo and behold, some banjo give Rubberband such a pure country sound that many would define it as “rootsy” in a New Grass Revival meets Diamond Rio kind of way.....It seems unfair to isolate any one track over another since all stand on their own. They’re laudable as much for their unique nature as they are for their honest-to-goodness goodness.
Peter Cooper On Music: Charlie Worsham off to a happy beginning

Just outside the top 25 Country albums, with sales of over 3,000 copies at No.26 (#124 BB200), saw the debut of Tracy Lawrence with his new album release HEADLIGHTS, TAILLIGHTS AND RADIOS, a $50,000 Kickstarter fan funded project. He recently performed at the Grand Ole Opry Tuesday, August 20th in Nashville, TN. Lawrence’s 14th studio album is his first on the Lawrence Music Group label, and his first since ‘The Singer’ in 2011. The ‘Time Marches On’ hitmaker says this is an album he’s been wanting to make for years, and he’s glad the current trends allow for a guitar heavy collection of songs.

Critical reception for “Headlights, Taillights and Radios” - 11 Tracks / Time: 39:30

Roughstock (Rating: 4 STARS) There are plenty of veteran country stars still making music, even as their careers have moved away from mainstream radio. One singer who still seems to be able to be relevant to Radio, even if it's only every couple of years at this point -- is Tracy Lawrence. Much like his 90s country brethren Tim McGraw and George Strait, a lot of what makes Lawrence who he is,  is his ear for selecting material that suits his strong, identifiable voice.....The melodies of much of Headlights, Taillights and Radios may suggest a modernized Tracy Lawrence ...it is that voice that ultimately makes Headlights, Taillights and Radios the strong album that it is.

"Footprints On The Moon" (Lyric Video)            
“Headlights, Taillights and Radios” is available on Amazon UK CD - MP3

Of note Jimmy Buffett’s 28th studio effort SONGS FROM ST. SOMEWHERE debuted at No.4 on the Billboard 200 (#1 Independent Albums) selling 55,357 copies.
It’s his 11th top 10 album; his sixth to make the top five. Buffett first charted in March 1974—before most of the acts in this week’s top 10 were born.
Buffett's ranking makes the record tied for the second-highest-charting album of the singer/songwriter's long career.
Two other Buffett albums also reached the fourth slot on the Billboard albums tally -- 1996's Banana Wind and 2006's Take the Weather with You -- while Jimmy topped the chart in 2004 with License to Chill.  Buffett's best-selling album to date is his 1985 hits compilation, Songs You Know by Heart, which has sold more than 7 million copies in the U.S.

Meanwhile, Jimmy has just released a new video for "I Want to Go Back to Cartagena," one of the tunes from Songs from St. Somewhere.  The clip features live and studio footage of Buffett duetting with Colombian singer/actress Fanny Lu in both English and Spanish. (C) ABC News Radio

The two musical icons Ricky Skaggs and Bruce Hornsby's reuniting has earned them a debut at #38 on the Country chart and #1 on the Billboard Bluegrass Album Chart with their Live album set CLUCK OL' HEN (Skaggs Family Records) which was released on August 20 - See Press Release

Related article Billboard 615
Bruce Hornsby Reunites With Ricky Skaggs for 'Cluck Ol' Hen'




(Issue dated Chart week of September 7, 2013)

(Country Album positions #1 - #25)


(TW) This Week, (LW) Last Week, Co (Country Album Chart placing / Movement)
































Top 25 Hot Country Songs (week of September 7, 2013)


On Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart - which blends:
a) All-format airplay, as monitored by BDS 
b) Sales, as tracked by Nielsen SoundScan and
c) Streaming, (tracked by Nielsen BDS from such services as Spotify, Muve, Slacker, Rhapsody, Rdio and Xbox Music, among others) according to BDS it results in:

Luke Bryan with “That’s My Kind Of Night” held onto the top slot for a second successive week.
One week after Luke became the second male artist to log two songs simultaneously in the top three on Hot Country Songs (Tim McGraw was the first), Florida Georgia Line became the first duo/group in the Nielsen BDS era (since January 1990) to manage the feat, as “Round Here” rose 8-3, joining its record-shattering, 24-week former chart-topper “Cruise” which holds at No.2 on the chart’s medal podium.

Jason Aldean posted his best Hot Country Songs rank in nearly a year, as “Night Train” (Broken Bow) flew up 11-4 in its 12th week (his 18th top 10), adding Airplay Gainer stripes (up 15% according to Nielsen BDS), his best since “Take a Little Ride” spent two weeks at the summit in October 2012.

Jennifer Nettles’That Girl” (Mercury) debuts at No. 37 on Hot Country Songs and No. 23 on Country Digital Songs (19,000 sold), her first solo appearance on the latter chart. She previously appeared as Bon Jovi’s vocal guest on “Who Says You Can’t Go Home,” which reigned for two weeks on Hot Country Songs seven years ago. She showcased her new single with a performance of  “Girl” on Aug. 20 on ABC’s “Good Morning America.”

Top 25 Hot Country Songs:

Luke Bryan with “That’s My Kind Of Night” stays Top The Chart! #1
Florida Georgia Line with “Cruise” stays at #2
Florida Georgia Line with “Round Here” is up 5 places, #8 - #3 p
Jason Aldean with “Night Train” jumps up seven slots, #11 - #4 p
Brett Eldredge with “Don’t Ya” stays at #5
Keith Urban with “Little Bit Of Everything” stays at #6
Thomas Rhett with “It Goes Like This” is up three slots, #10 - #7 p
Carrie Underwood with “See You Again” is down one, #7 - #8 q
Luke Bryan with “Crash My Party” falls six,  #3 - #9 q
Hunter Hayes with “I Want Crazy” is down six,  #4 - #10 q
Tyler Farr with “Redneck Crazy” is up one, #12 - #11 p
Randy Houser with “Runnin’ Outta Moonlight” falls #9 - #12 q
Easton Corbin with “All Over The Road” is up two, #15 - #13 p
Billy Currington with “Hey Girl” is up two, #16 - #14 p
Blake Shelton with “Boys ‘Round Here” falls three, #13 - #15 q
Darius Rucker  with former No.1 “Wagon Wheel” is down,  #14 - #16 q
Blake Shelton with “Mine Would Be You”is up four, #21 - #17 p
Justin Moore with “Point at You” is up one place,  #19 - #18  p
Tim McGraw with “Southern Girl” is up one slot, #20 - #19 p
Lee Brice with “Parking Lot Party” is up two slots, #22 - #20 p
Chris Young  with “Aw Naw” is up two slots,  #23 - #21 p
Tim McGraw & Taylor Swift with “Highway Don’t Care” falls, #17 - #22 q
Train feat Ashley Monroe with “Bruises” hops up, #30 - #23 p
Kip Moore with “Hey Pretty Girl” drops six, #18 - #24 q
Lady Antebellum with “Goodbye Town” stays at #25

Hot Country Songs
** No.1 (2 weeks) / Streaming Gainer **  “That’s My Kind Of Night” Luke Bryan
** Airplay Gainer ** No.4 “Night Train” Jason Aldean
** Digital Gainer ** No.23 “Bruises” Train feat. Ashley Monroe
** Streaming Gainer  ** No.3 “Crash My Party” Luke Bryan
** Hot Shot Debut ** No.37 “That Girl” (Mercury) Jennifer Nettles


Billboard Country Airplay Chart Week of September 7, 2013

Keith Urban claimed his 15th No. 1 on Billboard’s Country Airplay  tally as “Little Bit of Everything” (Hit Red/Capitol Nashville) stepped 2-1 with the chart’s fourth-largest overall increase (up 2.9 million audience impressions, according to Nielsen BDS).

Urban most recently topped the chart with “You Gonna Fly,” which reigned for two weeks in March 2012. Between that track and his new leader, Urban peaked at No. 6 with “For You” last September. The 18-month absence at No.1 is the artist’s third-longest. Since his first week at No. 1 in February 2001, his lengthiest stretch between solo leaders was the 35 months that lapsed between “Better Life” in 2005 and “You Look Good in My Shirt” in 2008. That time span however included 2 titles that peaked at No. 2, two others that peaked inside the top five and one other Top 10 title.
"Little Bit of Everything" was released on May 20, 2013 as the first single from his upcoming eighth studio album, FUSE due to drop September 10, 2013. The song written by Brad Warren, Brett Warren and Kevin Rudolf has taken 15 chart weeks to reach the summit. This week it logged 46.087 million audience impressions (+2.861) and received 6,737 radio plays (+472) .
Label sources say that the second radio single will be “When We Were Us,” a duet with Miranda Lambert. The album also features a duet with Eric Church, titled “Raise ’Em Up.”

Billy Currington, returned to the Country Airplay Top 10 for the first time in 16 months with “Hey Girl” (Mercury), advancing 11-10 in its 25th chart week, marking the singer’s 15th song to reach the upper tier. He last competed in that region of the chart with “Let Me Down Easy,” which became his sixth No. 1 in April 2011. Currington’s new song introduces his fifth studio album (his first in three years), WE ARE TONIGHT, due Sept. 17.















Florida Georgia Line with "Round Here” climbed 7-4 taking the “Most Increased Audience” honours with a 4.338 million audience gain (40.724 million total), receiving 5,975 plays (+555).
Brad Paisley with his latest single "I Can’t Change The World” at No.39 won the “Most Added” trophy with 28 new radio commitments (ADDS) .
The only song to debut on the chart at No.59 was Dierks BentleyI Hold On” (Capitol Nashville) and thus landed the week’s “Hot Shot Debut” cup.

Country Airplay

*** No. 1 (1 week) *** "Little Bit Of Everything”  Keith Urban   
** Most Increased Audience ** No.4 "Round Here” Florida Georgia Line  
** Most Added ** No. 39 "I Can’t Change The World” Brad Paisley
** Hot Shot Debut ** No.59 “I Hold On” (Capitol Nashville) Dierks Bentley


Billboard Country Digital Singles Chart Week of September 7, 2013

Luke Bryan held onto the top of the Country Digital Singles chart with “That’s My Kind of Night” for a second week. Sales of 126,000 were down some 23% on its debut week.
His first album single, the title cut “Crash My Party”, returned to the chart at #5. The song’s sales were held back last week because many fans that had previously purchased the song opted to take advantage of iTunes’ “Complete My Album” feature.

Thomas Rhett held at No.3 with “It Goes Like This”, its sales of 51,000 took it part the GOLD certification 500,000 mark.
Other songs to gain RIAA Gold-eligibility are Billy Currington at #18 (508K total in 17 weeks) with “Hey Girl” and also Easton Corbin’sAll Over The Road,” at #21 (512K total in 22 weeks)

Jason Aldean’sNight Train” climbed up 4-8 in his 10th chart week.
Blake Shelton moved 15-8 with “Mine Would Be You,” in its 6th chart week.

Sugarland’s Jennifer Nettles debuted on the chart with sales of 19,000 for “That Girl,” the lead single from her upcoming solo debut.

Top 30 Digital Singles in Country Music (published August 28, 2013)

 (LW) Last Week  (TW) This Week 

*Numbers are rounded to nearest 1000th

































Billboard Boxscores (Selective Country concerts)

Rank Artist: #14
Event Venue City/State:
Brad Paisley, Chris Young, Lee Brice, The Henningsens San Manuel Amphitheater Devore, Calif.
Dates: Aug. 24, 2013   Gross Sales:  $702,338   Attend: 19,978 /19,978
Capacity Shows: 1 /1   Sellouts Prices:  $79, $25
Promoters: Live Nation

Rank Artist: #33
Event Venue City/State:
Sheryl Crow Durham Performing Arts Center Durham, N.C.
Dates:  Aug. 3, 2013      Gross Sales: $155,510   Attend: 2,003 /2,341          
Capacity Shows:  1 /0   Sellouts Prices: $126, $89, $79, $59   
Promoters: AEG Live/PFM/Nederlander

Monday 26 August 2013

Country Bites News snippets August 19 - August 25, 2013

Country Bites News snippets August 19 – August 25, 2013

SOURCES / LINKS shown in RED

UK & IRISH News

  • Australian Nicki Gillis is touring the UK in September. CMR Nashville are
    presenting her and her band plus special guest 60s star Frank Ifield. It happens on Friday 4th October at The Berkoff Performing Arts Centre, Alton College, Alton, Hants. Tel Box Office 01420 592221 Tickets £10. See Tour Schedule
  • Country Music Festival at Butlins Skegness 7th to 11th October 2013 (Gene Watson & Will Banister headline) - Flyer
  • The Breckland Country Music Festival, Pentney Norfolk in June (Cross Country Page 36 review - Image)
  • The Stockyard Country Music Festival takes place on 5 Sept - 8 Sept 2013 at the Pentney Bowls Club Narborough Rd Pentney King's Lynn Norfolk PE32 1JD UK . Appearing Kevin Barry, Jeff Gallant Band, Nicky James, First Chapter, Hayley Oliver Band, Aubrey Lovejoy & Tennessee Rain, Nashville Numbers, Lucy Leigh, Steve Cherelle and others. For more details Tel. 01953 889890 Mike Rix or Barbara or Tel. 01362 820947 George or Rita Watts See Flyer JPG
  • Boars Nest CMC in Norwich next 3 Months line up - Image
  • Florida Georgia Line's  24-week US No.1 smash "Cruise" feat. rapper Nelly after a second week stay on the BBC Radio 2 “B” playlist has now been upgraded to the “A” for the week commencing August 24th. The FGL duo comprising Tyler Hubbard (from Monroe, Georgia) and Brian Kelley (from Ormond Beach, Florida) are Country Music People’s cover feature in their Sept issue.
  • The Scottish New Music Awards a music awards event billed as “Scotland’s answer to the Grammys” has been axed after just two years. They were launched two years ago to help promote “emerging talent” in the industry. However organisers have pulled the plug on the event, due to be hosted by the Classic Grand nightspot in Glasgow in September, claiming they cannot afford to stage it again. The event had been criticised in some quarters for the quality of the winners and the running of the awards ceremony. Fan voting took place online, last year Glasgow Country/Pop duo Raintown were winners of Folk Traditional Recording Of The Year, for their album HOPE IN TROUBLED TIMES. Bruce Hotchkiss, the Falkirk-based founder of the awards, admitted he had “stepped on a few toes”, but said he was “absolutely gutted” at failing to raise the £10,000 needed to stage the show this year.
  • The ABC of British Country Music Live listings for Artists, Bands & Clubs. Send your events to allbritishcountry@gmail.com
UK CHART NEWS

On the Official UK Singles Top 100 Chart (Week Ending August 31, 2013)
Taylor Swift’s Everything Has Changed” (Mercury) feat. Ed Sheeran, was down 32-39 in its 14th retail week. Taylor’s “22” which was at No.91 falls off the Top 100.
Florida Georgia Line (feat. Nelly) with “Cruise” (ISLAND/NASHVILLE) which is now “A” playlisted on BBC Radio 2 makes its debut on the chart at No.75

On the Official UK Albums Top 100 (Week Ending August 31, 2013)
Taylor Swift’s RED was down six slots 37-43 in its 44th chart week.
The Civil Wars, the alt/Rock/Country duo fall 22 places from No 17 to No.39 in their 3rd week. Their debut album “Barton Hollow” which was a re-entry on the previous week dropped 94-96 in its 28th chart weeks.
Glen Campbell who debuted at No.35 (2,682 sales) last week with SEE YOU THERE (Surfdog) drops 31 places 35-66 in his second week on the chart. 

Official UK Country Album Chart (Week Ending August 31, 2013)
The top 3 remained the same with Glen Campbell’s SEE YOU THERE at No.1 for a second week. Nathan Carter with WHERE I WANNA BE (Sharpe Music) stayed at No.2. Lady Antebellum hold at No.3 with GOLDEN (Decca) in its 16th week.
LIFE Unheard from Johnny Cash landed at No.6, it’s a joint collaboration between LIFE and Sony Music Entertainment. The CD offers solo acoustic songs recorded at his House of Cash’s home studio in Hendersonville, Tenn., as well as live songs from the White House and Newport Folk Festival. The 12-song album also features a previously unreleased studio cuts.

On the Hotdisc Chart (August 25, 2013 Chart) 

Billy Yates’She Ain’t Got Nobody” hopped up from 2-1 making it his ninth Hotdisc Top 40 chart topper, one of them a duet with George Jones and another a tribute to the late great hero.
After 2-weeks at No.1 Chris Higbee falls 1-3 with his debut European single “Fiddles Rock” as Drew Gregory with “Truck.Beer.Girl” climbed 3-2.
Stephanie Jansen’sRunning From The Blues” at No.5 and Rachele Lynae at No.4 with “Fishin’ For Something” exchanged places while Branch & Dean’s former No.1 "The Dash" held at No.6.
Mike Atkin’sSummertime Song” moved up 2 slots 10-8 and Mexican Joe Walker rounds out the Top 10 with “Only Love” moving up 12-10
Yorkshire band Atlanta with the original composition "This Promise" jumped up 2 places 9-7 on the Top 40 and head the British & Irish Top 10 for a second week.

UK COUNTRY ALBUM RELEASES

(19 Aug 2013) Tedeschi Trucks Band  - Made Up Mind 11 Tracks/ Time: 52:56
CD - MP3  Blues-rock for those that like Bonnie Raitt
(19 Aug 2013) Johnny Cash - I Shall Not Be Moved (Lost Kash Records) 27 Tracks/ Time: 1:16:31
CD - MP3  Containing Over 40 Minutes Of Previously unreleased Session Takes (Hymns From The Heart Sessions March/April 1961)
(20 Aug 2013) Jimmy Buffett - Songs From St Somewhere (Mailboat Records)
16 Tracks/ Time: 1:05:27 CD Import - MP3
(26 Aug 2013) Various Artists - The Big E: A Salute To Steel Guitarist Buddy Emmons (Music Producers)
16 Tracks / Time: 56:49  CD - MP3 

AUSSIE NEWS

  • A new McAlister Kemp CD "Harder To Tame', is to be released January 17, 2014.
  • Melbourne artist John Flanagan has taken out two of the major categories at this years 2013 Gympie Music Muster Talent Search. His original composition Last Of The Cassette Men won Best Original Song and his performance earned him the overall Best Performance award.
  • “Addicted To The Diesel”  from Jayne Denham tops the Country Tracks Top 30 Australia's leading chart for a third week compiled by radio airplay of tracks released in Australia.
CANADIAN NEWS

  • Barefoot in the Backyard is pleased to announce pop and country singer-songwriter, k.d. lang and Canadian Astronaut, Chris Hadfield to join the lineup for Sarah McLachlan’s benefit celebration on September 14, 2013 in Edmonton, Alberta.
  • Top Country Charts in Canada (August 7) - Link
NEWS

Sugarland's insurer has filed new lawsuits: Two years after the stage collapse at the Indiana State Fair on August 13, 2011, killing 7 and injuring nearly 60 more, Sugarland has not been able to put the incident behind them. According to the Indy Star, Fireman's Fund Insurance Co., the firm that insured the band's musical equipment, has filed suit against the State of Indiana, the Indiana State Fair Commission and more along with several other companies that helped design and erect the doomed stage. The band is not named in the suit, but still faces their day in court following the deadly accident. Jennifer Nettles and Kristian Bush are due in court in February 2014 to determine whether they have any liability in the collapse.

Luke Bryan has revealed how MC Hammer helped him become a Country Superstar. Described as the "the hottest thing going in country music these days" some of the credit for that runaway success has to go to his steamy, onstage dance moves. A new viral video compiles all of Luke's signature gyrations, set to the hip-hop hit "Don't Drop That Thun Thun," by Finatticz. So, where did a country boy from Georgia learn to shake it so well? He tells Entertainment Weekly, "I'm from the age of MC Hammer and Michael Jackson and all of that, so I used to stand up and dance to them, like, all day." Luke's skin-hugging jeans are a
far cry from the baggy parachute pants MC Hammer used to rock in the early '90s, though. While he doesn't wear his pants that tight in real life, Luke would never disappoint the female fans who pay hard-earned money for his concert tickets. He adds, "If they want to see some tight jeans, I'll pull 'em on." Luke's latest single, "That's My Kind of Night," is tailor-made for his dance moves.

Tim McGraw celebrated his latest No.1 song in Nashville yesterday for the multi-week hit “Highway Don’t Care” with Taylor Swift, featuring Keith Urban on guitar. During the party, a video was played for the crowd that offers a look at the evolution of the song, from an idea in the writers room to finding its place as one of the most important songs of the year.

Trisha Yearwood was on CBS This Morning last week and said that a duets album with Garth Brooks which has been on the board for almost twenty years, will finally happen as the pair enter the studio in the near future and have plans to tour. She told CBS' Jeff Glor "It’ll be a whole different ball game, you know, as man and wife to go do this together. So I’m looking forward to it." Trisha also revealed that she is working on her first solo album in six years.

Dolly Parton‘s Pigeon Forge, Tenn. themepark Dollywood is about to super-size its entertainment offerings. Dolly Parton told Today in an interview that a 10-year, $300 million expansion project is in the works for Dollywood. For 2014, those plans include the Fire Chaser Express roller coaster, with a resort hotel to follow in 2015.
Dolly Parton, 67, in addition to her announcement regarding her 10-year, $300 million expansion plan is also planning an international tour and new music in the coming months. Parton says her new album will be out in late Autumn or early winter and that she’ll start touring in January. She says her current itinerary includes concerts in the United States in January and May and she plans to visit Australia in February and Europe in June.

Luke Bryan has booked a multi-pronged sponsorship with Texaco that includes the remaining dates of his Dirt Road Diaries summer tour and Farm Tour this fall. In addition to the Bryan tour, Texaco will be the official sponsor of the Country Music Association’s CMA Music Festival, CMA Awards and CMA Country Christmas.

With her new single ‘That Girl,’ Jennifer Nettles offers up a response to Dolly Parton’s ‘Jolene’

Sam Palladio and Clare Bowen (aka Gunner & Scartlet from the ABC series Nashville) played the Grand Ole Opry Friday August 23.
                                                          
Red Ed - Ed Sheeran the Suffolk born British singer-songwriter recently relocated to Nashville, but might be taking a shine to New York City. The “Give Me Love” singer sold out a headlining Nov. 1 concert at Madison Square Garden in three minutes  prompting him to add a second concert at the storied Manhattan arena on October 29. In 2012, he played his first NYC concert at the 250-capacity Mercury Lounge. Sheeran opens for friend and occasional collaborator Taylor Swift at Bridgestone Arena on September 19-21 in his new hometown.

Linda Ronstadt, 67, told AARP magazine she “can’t sing a note” because she suffers from Parkinson’s disease. Diagnosed eight months ago, Ronstadt began to show symptoms as long as eight years ago. But she ascribed her inability to sing to a tick bite (“my health has never recovered since then”), and believed the shaking in her hands resulted from shoulder surgery.
Ronstadt now uses poles to walk on uneven ground and a wheelchair when traveling, the AARP story said. Her autobiography will be released next month, but makes no mention of Parkinson's or the loss of her voice.

Stephen Moyer British actor and ‘True Blood’ star is cast opposite Carrie Underwood in ‘Sound of Music’ for NBC set to air on Dec. 5.

Taylor Swift had a great Sunday night (Aug 25) in Brooklyn. She won Best Female Video at the fan voted 2013 MTV Video Music Awards for "I Knew You Were Trouble"!
She was given the award by Daft Punk and Pharrell. In her acceptance speech, Taylor said to her fans, "Thank you so much for doing this for me." She later Tweeted, "I love you guys so much."

And Taylor Swift continued the awards event trend as she appeared to back-handedly thank Harry Styles the One Direction singer for their failed romance after receiving the award as the inspiration for I Knew You Were Trouble in her speech; "I also want to thank the person who inspired this song because he knows exactly who he is, because now I've got one of these", the camera then panned to an awkward looking Harry chewing some gum. An unimpressed Taylor reacted as she watched her ex Harry accept "Best Song Of The Summer" with his 1D bandmates - Image Taylor was also on presenter duties, the “Everything Has Changed” singer also handed off a gong to Bruno Mars.

TV: Kathy Mattea will host a new Nashville Public Television series on aging, “NPT Reports: Aging Matters,” that will premiere Sept. 12. It will focus on issues such as caregiving, finances, end-of-life care, dementia, and Alzheimer’s.
The issue is one that is near and dear to Mattea’s heart – she herself has had firsthand experience caring for the elderly since her mother Ruth and two of her aunts suffered from Alzheimer’s.

COUNTRY AWARDS
Sheryl Crow and Florida Georgia Line will announce the Final Nominees for "The 47th Annual CMA Awards" on "Good Morning America" Live From New York City on Tuesday, Sept. 10. Four-time CMA Award winner Steve Wariner will announce the Finalists for the CMA Broadcast Awards during CMA Membership Breakfast and Viewing Party in Nashville. All  Announcements Will Stream Live Via CMAawards.com

SINGLE / ALBUM NEWS
  • Kellie Pickler’s brand new single, “Little Bit Gypsy” was released by Black River Entertainment on August 20th. The single, which impacted radio comes from her upcoming album due later this year. Co-written by Pickler’s husband Kyle Jacobs with Tammi Kidd Hutton and Fred Wilhelm, “Little Bit Gypsy” is a lighthearted song that mirrors Pickler herself. “It’s a fun song and the lyrics are clearly me,” Pickler confesses. “My husband wrote it, and he didn’t really know what he was signing up for when we got together. I love that it starts off, ‘Boy, there’s a few things you need to know about me before you let your sweet heart get in too deep.’”  Kellie adds with a smile, “And, ‘Little Bit Gypsy’ is a fun to song in our shows too.” Produced by Frank Liddell and Luke Wooten, “Little Bit Gypsy” is digitally available on UK iTunes, Amazon UK
  • Texas spitfire, SaraBeth, is showing her softer side with the release of her second single, “Miss You Anywhere.” The second release from her debut EP “Kickin’ and Screamin,’” “Miss You Anywhere” is an upbeat, inspiring song that showcases SaraBeth’s powerhouse vocal abilities. With all-star producer Dean Sams, member of the Grammy award-winning group Lonestar, together they have produced an encouraging single written along with Misty Rae Carson. >> Listen - UK iTunes - Single Art
  • Jo Dee Messina’s fans have choosenPeace Sign” as her next single. She messaged
    fans, asking them to vote on which song they would like to be the album’s first single. In just 10 days she received over 220,000 impressions. It was a close call between “Peace Sign” and “Woman’s Rant,” but winning the vote for her first radio single is the upbeat, country-rock fun themed “Peace Sign” >> Listen It was made available to radio programmers Friday, August 23. Jo Dee is slated to release her new crowd funded Kickstarter ($100,000) album this September.
  • Miley Cyrus has set October 8 as the release date for her new album Bangerz, her fourth studio release. She announced the date on Twitter. "#BANGERZ  Oct8th," she tweeted. Cyrus also took the time to respond to a fan regarding the album's sound, saying: "I had no preconceived ideas w/ this record."
  • Shania Twain has revealed she’s working on new music and on the hunt for a new Producer. The superstar heads back to Las Vegas In mid-October,for another 22-show run of her Shania: Still the One shows at Caesars Palace. During her time off from her Sin City gig, she’s been working hard on new music at her home in Switzerland. The hard part is finding the right producer to help her with the project - “That’s the big challenge right now at the moment,” Shania told ABC News Radio. “It’s a fun challenge. I mean, it’s overwhelming. There’s a lot of amazing producers out there. I’ve just got to make sure that I find the right one suitable to what I want to do and where I want to go with things.” While she’s written the new songs by herself, the producer will help in deciding the sound of the new album. “That’s why it’s just so important that I get the right person to make sure that it’s the right mix and the right balance of everything,” she added.
  • Thomas Rhett announced details of his forthcoming debut album IT GOES LIKE THIS, revealing the cover art, track listing and release date (Oct.29)

PRESS RELEASES

  • The Band Perry has announced the WE ARE PIONEERS WORLD TOUR, their first worldwide headline arena tour in support of their heralded album, PIONEER. The tour will kick off in Gothenburg, Sweden on November 8, 2013 at Tradgarn and crisscross Europe for five weeks before the band jumps back across the Atlantic blazing trails across North America.
  • Chris Young was released from Hospital and returned home to Nashville this past weekend after being admitted last week to Presbyterian/St. Luke’s Medical Center in Denver for a dangerous bacterial infection as a result of a small cut on his leg.
  • BMI hosted its Biggest #1 Party ever celebrating Jake Owen’s Gold-Certified Smash ‘Anywhere with You’ - HI RES Photo - Fan Photos Facebook Gallery The event was held on Monday August 19 in the back lot of the BMI building off of Music Row. Owen initially floated the idea to his roughly 850,000 Twitter fans: "Thinkin' 'bout throwin' a free party in Nashville soon … Y'all wanna party?" Then later wrote "Beer will be flowing ... NASHVILLE food trucks will be rocking with us. Bring yo-self and some friends"
  • The Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum opened to the public Thursday, August 29th from 10am-5pm at their new location on the first floor of Nashville's Historic Municipal Auditorium - See promo video
  • Country Radio Seminar officials have relocated to a new address on Music Row.
  • Sarah Darling has been making heartaches disappear all summer long with her latest feel-good break-up anthem, "Little Umbrellas" and she debuted the song on national TV on FOX & Friends this Saturday (Aug 24).
  • Susan Toney, an American artist celebrated as a poignant lyricist, accomplished musician and transcendent vocalist, showcases a fusion of country, pop, rock, and rhythm and blues in her latest release entitled "Trail Of Light And Dark” is available on US iTunes with an official release due. Listen & Read the Press Release
  • Americana Festival has added The Bluegrass Situation ‘Midnight Windup’, ‘Communion Presents’ and ‘BBC Introducing’ . BBC Radio 2 host Bob Harris (OBE) brings ‘BBC Introducing’ to Americana for the first time.
  • Amber Hayes the A-OK Entertainment/GMV Nashville recording artist has garnered a Top 40 on the MusicRow Country Breakout chart with her current single “Any Day Is A Good Day.” -
  • Lonesome River Band, who is fresh off another performance at the Grand Ole Opry, will now head overseas and headline the 22nd Annual Bluegrass Music Festival in Omagh, Northern Ireland on August 31 and September 1, 2013.
  • Leah Turner (Columbia Nashville) has signed a management deal with Morris
    Artists Management
    president Clint Higham. Morris Artists Management’s roster also includes artists Kenny Chesney, Martina McBride and Jake Owen.
     

  • ASCAP, BMI and the CMA celebrated Brad Paisley's 22nd #1 single, "Beat This Summer," at a lunchtime party at the CMA offices on Music Row on Tuesday, August 20th. The song, a #1 on the Country Aircheck and MediaBase chart, co-written by Chris DuBois and Luke Laird, marked Paisley's 19th chart-topper as a songwriter and the 14th for both DuBois and Laird.
  • Josh Thompson will join NRA Country for an exclusive, free online concert on August 26 to benefit the National Environmental Education Foundation - http://neefusa.org .
  • Cracker Barrel Old Country Store congratulated Christian music songwriter and artist Steven Curtis Chapman and Bluegrass superstar duo Dailey & Vincent on their 2013 Dove Award nominations, announced on Aug. 21. Both artists released albums with Cracker Barrel (The Gospel Side of Dailey & Vincent and Chapman’s Deep Roots) that received a nomination in the Bluegrass Album of the Year category.
  • Curb Records posted ten major category nominations as announcements for The Gospel Music Association’s 44th Annual GMA Dove Awards.
  • Brad Paisley was joined on stage by John Fogerty as surprise guest on last night’s (8/22) show in Mountain View, CA
  • The Stetson Family brings Australia's best new Bluegrass to the States with the release of their newest disc, O WINDING RIVER. The Stetson Family are: Nadine Budge (Vocals, Guitar, Dobro), John Bartholomeusz (Vocals, Guitar), Andrew Carswell (Mandolin, Backing Vocals), Colin Swan (Banjo, Backing Vocals) and Luke Richardson (Double Bass, Backing Vocals). Nadine Budge was invited to the Songwriter Showcase at the IBMA World of Bluegrass 2012 in Nashville with her title cut song.

ARTICLES
  • Country Weekly On the Edge: Amanda Shires 
  • CMA Close Up (by By Bob Doerschuk) New Artist Spotlight: Charlie Worsham
  • GAC George Strait Reflects on the Early Days in Billboard...but on the heels of the announcement that he’ll receive Billboard’s Legend of Live Award.....It all started with a rock n’ roll garage band.
  • CMT Offstage Nashville Daughters Go Back to School  Tip No. 1: "Put your instruments down. It's time for school." That's what Lennon and Maisy Stella, who play Maddie and Daphne Conrad on ABC's Nashville, hear from their real-life mom in the morning before school.
  • rdstreets Top 10 Reasons Why the Music Industry is FailingThe MP3 format which made music truly portable also cheapened it by lessening the fidelity and hence the overall experience....The format sounds even worse coming from most computers (MySpace's music player serves as a prime example of how absurdly degraded the sound can get). And so it's time to improve our delivery and storage systems in order to create the infrastructure to improve the digital audio format (either back to WAV or something better).
  • CMT Edge 10 Americana Albums We’re Excited to Hear
  • According to 2Country.net Country Music is taking the UK by storm ?
  • Peter Cooper On Music: A salute to steel guitar pioneer Buddy Emmons

REVIEWS
LA Times Review: Taylor Swift sticks to the script; it reads, 'thrill fans' Taylor Swift gives a well-rehearsed show at Staples Center designed to delight fans. It works. the UK's Cher Lloyd (X Factor) (Video), Sara Bareilles pop by...But at Swift's most tedious, her vivid red shifted to pink and then turned beige. The fact a major sponsor of this tour is a greeting card company, American Greetings, is telling. There's an art, after all, to charismatically conveying basic, foundational messages through song in ways that resonate, and at times Swift felt more like a cipher than an artist, offering manufactured messages to eager consumers. She was so measured as to seem unreal, more a symbol than human. Her biggest hurdle was that steely, sexless veneer. She sang about the heart but not the pelvis, offered a world in which a kiss is the purest embodiment of physical
love....The sound of music connecting on such an enthusiastic scale is tough to argue with. It mattered on Monday night. Young lives were changed. Those seeking danger or rawness were in the wrong room.

INTERVIEWS
  • CMIL Five Questions with Charlie Worsham ...Country newcomer Charlie Worsham has been hard at work on his debut album, Rubberband, which is set for release Aug. 20. The Mississippi native, who is known for his banjo skills and signature orange chucks, is eager for fans to finally hear the project...
  • GQ&A: Kacey Musgraves  …You put out three albums before your breakthrough Same Trailer Different Park. Any early lyrics you particularly regret? There's a lot about those I really regret: particularly the ten gallon cowboy hat I'm wearing on the front covers. There's a song on there called "Sweet Prairie Muffin" - we'll leave it there.
BOOKS
Country Faith Full:  Carrie Underwood, Miranda Lambert, The Band Perry, Brad Paisley and more will fill the pages of a new book entitled Country Faith. The devotional from Zondervan, a member of HarperCollins Christian Publishing, will feature favorite scriptures from the artists along with how their lives have been impacted by their faith. Available in stores and online Nov. 5.

LISTEN
  • Listen to Charlie Worsham's new album RUBBERBAND - soundcloud.com ..Standouts: Tools of the Trade  ***, Mississippi in July ** , How I Learned to Pray **, Young to See *, Trouble Is * Rubberband *, Love Don't Die Easy *
  • Singer-songwriter Lindi Ortega is set to release her latest album "Tin Star" this Autumn. Stream the title cut at Paste Magazine
  • Lilly Drumeva is a Bulgarian bluegrass and country musician who has been conducting research at Western Kentucky University as part of her Fulbright Scholarship. Listen to an interview and some excerpts from Lilly of the West's album "Swings and Heartaches"
  • Sam Baker’s new lyric video for “Isn’t Love Great,” (Says Baker, “‘isn’t love great’ [is] a love song. A couple in love invents their own language. Calling someone a gimp means ‘I love you.’ Calling someone a fat man may not mean a man is fat.  It means he is loved)
  • A slowed down version of a classic Dolly Parton song has become an online hit when the star's 1973 track 'Jolene' was reduced from 45 beats per minute to 33bpm, making Parton's vocals deeper. So would you buy a Slow Jam/ Slow Ass version of Taylor Swift’s smash hit "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together"?





SPOTIFY COUNTRY
For users of this online music streaming service here are some of the more recent additions and recommendations.
When its free and easy on Spotify who needs music piracy? You might get the party started at the White House

Kellie Pickler – Little Bit Gypsy -  New country radio single
Steve Holy – Radio Up - To impact radio Sept 2, 2013
Glen Campbell – See You There - August album release that debuted on UK & Bilboard charts
Ashton Shepherd – This Is America - August 19, 2013 album release
American Young – Love Is War (Single) - To impact country radio Sept 9, 1013


WATCH

  • Taylor Swift has set a new milestone in Staples Center history by selling out 11 shows at the L.A arena, breaking the record for the most sold-out shows for a solo artist.  Taylor was honored by Staples Center with a beautiful plaque commemorating her achievement - watch the video of the event
  • Taylor Swift welcomed Sara Bareilles to the stage Monday night (Aug 19) in Los Angeles continuing the tradition of inviting her favorite artists to duet with er onstage during her current RED tour. Sara joined Taylor in a rendition of her current hit, "Brave." Afterwards, Taylor tweeted, "Tonight at Staples was an absolute DREAM. @SaraBareilles came out to sing 'Brave', one of my favorite songs. And she completely smashed it!!" Sara tweeted a photo of two young girls posing with Taylor, and wrote, "My nieces were really happy!! I sang BRAVE with the unbelievably kind and generous @taylorswift13. What a gem of a human. Thank you for the sparkle, the screaming, the twinkle, the dreaming, and most of all the pep talk @taylorswift13. Your fans are amazing!"
  • Country Music's Night to ROCK at CMA Fest 2013 >> Full show
  • Lorrie Morgan and Pam Tillis have rather enjoyed the whole process with their 'Grits and Glamour' shows. Inside Music Row caught up with Lorrie and Pam at the Country Music Association to hear what the album 'Dos Divas' and the 'Grits and Glamour' shows are all about. "There are still a lot of who really love early 90's country music, they’re hungry for that style" said Tillis. DOS DIVAS sold 691 copies to debut at #62 on Billboard Country Album chart
  • Ashley Monroe recently performed "You Got Me" live at New York City's Webster Hall.
  • Mindy SmithSober” (Bing Lounge) Portland, OR . Mindy Smith recorded live in session for Bob Harris BBC Radio 2 broadcast (Aug 22)
  • Sheryl Crow has debuted her live video for “We Oughta Be Drinkin’” from her new album, Feels Like Home, set for a September 10.
  • Duo Branch & Dean second single "The Dash"
  • Jason Isbell “Traveling Alone” http://vevo.ly/8xgNqa

COUNTRY FASHION

Taylor Swift was spotted having dinner at The Farm in Beverly Hills, California on Thursday (Aug 22). 

She wore a Contrarian ‘Colette’ v-back dress ($225.00) with a sweet strawberry print with a fit-and-flare silhouette.

Rose-pink bow-front Kate Spade New York ‘Kalle’ wedges ($298.00), a Lauren Merkin ‘Stevie’ equestrian-style shoulder bag and black Ray-ban wayfarers ($168.87) accessorized her look, with her signature red lippie and a half-up, half-down style completing her look.


Taylor Swift attended 2013 MTV Video Music Awards at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York on Sunday night (Aug 25) in a stunning creation by Herve Leger by Max Azria.The attention grabbing Bandage dress, a celebrity staple for red carpet events, shows what an ex-boyfriend is missing flaunting the curves.
You can buy Taylor’s Hervé Léger By Max Azria gown from HerveLeger.com for a cool $3,500.
But to get the look opt for the Lipsy Ruched Maxi Dress with Lace Detail for £68.00 at ASOS




Here Tay was in major temptress mode, as she took to the red carpet at the, where she also took home the Moon Man trophy for Best Female Video. The “I Knew You Were Trouble” singer took a slight detour with this vampy vintage-glam vibe.
She was dripping with an air of femme-fatale fierceness, striking a hands-on-hip pose in her plunging Herve Leger gown compete with that dangerous neckline with crystal-embellished detail at the bodice and mermaid hem which fitted the 23-year old like a glove!
Her stylist created an amazing faux bob with the retro pin curls.
She opted for Prada platform sandals, these heels feature blue and black suede, buckled halter strap and sky-high 130mm heel. 
They’re available in maroon suede at Saks Fifth Avenue or black & white patent leather at Nordstrom.
Other accessories included Lorraine Schwartz black diamond dangle earrings and bracelets and Ofira statement rings accessorized her look. Read more at dailymail.co.uk

Miley Cyrus channeled her inner funk-star at the 2013 MTV Video Music Awards. The ‘We Can’t Stop’ entertainer was nominated for four Moon Man statues, including ‘Best Song of Summer’, ‘Best Editing’, ‘Best Pop Video’ and ‘Best Female Video’.
And she certainly outfitted herself for the big night in a statement vintage look by Dolce & Gabbana. The bodycon, black long-sleeve crop top and matching high-waisted leggings were dotted with rows of colourful, bonbon-like gemstones.
She wore Mile-high Giuseppe Zanotti black platform sandals fit right in to the funky-fun spirit, as did her matte-red lip and the twisted mini-buns atop her head. Lorraine Schwarz jewels added more sparkle – Fashion Pic

Ellie Goulding who is No.1 on the UK Singles chart with "Burn" was one of the Brits who took to the red carpet at the 2013 MTV Video Music Awards she dazzled in a nude floor-length turtleneck gown which was covered in spikes and featured a thigh-high slit. Tousled tresses and Brian Atwood ‘Obsession’ pumps provided the finishing touches - Image - Fashion Pic
The previous weekend she sparked gossip when she was reportedly spotted sharing a kiss at V Festival with Niall Horan are yet to confirm that they're an item, it seems that One Direction fans have already been very vocal about the possible romance!.

COUNTRY GOSSIP

  • Jake Owen was apparently angered by Tom Petty's recent disparaging comments about country music, calling it "generic" and "bad rock with a fiddle,". The country artist hit back, labeling Petty's comments "ridiculous": "It's unfortunate that he'd make a ridiculous, uneducated comment like that about a format he's not even a part of," he said during an interview with SiriusXM."First off, why?" Owen asked. "That bums me out a little bit . . . but everybody makes ignorant comments from time to time. My dad always said there's an a-for every seat so if you don't like it, get out."
  • Taylor Swift’s not only a talented singer and songwriter, but she also bottles her own homemade jam, at least according to a picture posted on her tour mate Ed Sheeran’s Instagram page on Monday. But it’s the label that’s sure to get a lot of attention. The photo's caption states, “Taylor made me some homemade jam.” The snapshot is of a jar with a handwritten label that reads, “Yo Ed – I’m really happy 4 you and I’m gonna let u finish but this is the best JAM OF ALL TIME – T.” -
  • Christina Aguilera has chosen Suffolk's very own Ed Sheeran as her advisor for season five of 'The Voice USA'. The pop diva has reclaimed her judge's chair on the new series of the singing contest, ousting mentor Shakira, and Christina has asked Ed to help her work with her new crop of contestants, according to HuffPost TV. The 'A Team' singer who toured with Taylor Swift will appear during the Battle Rounds, which will air on October 14th and 15th. Fellow coach Blake Shelton recently revealed he is happy Christina and Cee Lo Green are returning to 'The Voice USA', after taking a short break to focus on their own music careers.
  • Julianne Hough's new romance is getting serious. The country-pop singer/proffesional dancer/'Safe Haven' actress who split from 'American Idol' host Ryan Seacrest in April after three years together - brought her new boyfriend Ari Sandel to meet her close friends at actress Cara Santana's birthday bash in the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood on Saturday night (17.08.13), according to gossip website JustJared.com.
  • Kelly Clarkson is excited to officially become a stepmom. The 'Stronger' hitmaker,  really enjoys looking after Brandon Blackstock children from a previous marriage but admits she can be strict.The 31-year-old singer said: "I have a 12-year-old and a 6-year-old now ... after being single for six years! We all live together and everything ... it's so different, but it's perfect."They're awesome and I actually really dig the mom thing ... I am quick to go, 'I told you not to touch that!'... I am totally my mom. My mom was a hard mom."
  • Kelly Clarkson and Brandon Blackstock aren’t calling off their marriage, but they are calling off their big, fancy wedding. Instead of a huge extravaganza, they’re going easy on themselves and eloping. The 31-year-old songstress reveals that the wedding was just too much to handle. “We are so busy that we finally just came to terms the other night and were like, ‘So, we change our minds and we want to elope,’” Clarkson shares with People. “We just got so overwhelmed by it — all the decisions.” Clarkson said she was going crazy with the wedding plans, adding that she was ‘over it’ — apparently really over it.
  • Sugarland Still Not Breaking Up, Kristian Bush Confirms….Although they haven’t called it quits on Sugarland, Bush didn’t give any concrete information on when the duo will reunite. “I’ve been making music for 20 years. I mean, before I had Sugarland, I had another record deal with another band, so this is just what I do when I wake up in the morning, and it will be what I do when I wake up in the morning tomorrow,” he adds. “Jennifer [Nettles] and I will get back to it as soon as we get back to it.” As far as their personal relationship goes, Bush insists that he thinks of his partner in crime just like family. He feels nothing but excitement about her new solo record. “Oh my God, Jennifer is putting a record out. I couldn’t be anything except her biggest fan,” he says. “We’ve been playing together for years.
  • Pistol Annie Ashley Monroe will be married soon to White Sox pitcher John Danks Photo . Bandmate Miranda Lambert’s been handling some details, including making the reception centerpieces.
  • Florida Georgia Line’s remix of ‘Cruise’ with Nelly was the 3rd highest selling country single in history so Brian and Tyler say they’re now open to singing with other rap artists and Lil Wayne’s on their wish list.
  • Taylor Swift has been getting "life advice" on how to find the right man from Julia Roberts. 45-year old Roberts, has been in touch with the 'I Knew You Were
    Trouble' star 23-year-old singer since they starred alongside each other in 2010 comedy movie '
    Valentine's Day', and Julia has recently been helping the blonde beauty find a man. A source told National Enquirer magazine: "When they met, Julia was blown away by Taylor's talent and beauty. "They've stayed in casual touch, and Julia's three kids have become big fans of Taylor's music. "Julia sees a lot of her younger self in Taylor, so she reached out to her recently to catch up and offer some life advice." The source added: "Julia's counselling Taylor on how to find the right guy and how to spot warning signs when relationships go bad." "Julia's urging Taylor to stay hungry and competitive but not let petty fights spill over into public. Julia has also been sharing beauty tips with Taylor, urging her to take good care of her skin, take up yoga to help her maintain and tone her stunning figure and keep a calm mentality.
TWEETS
  • Frankie Ballard @FrankieBallard “@typicalkristen: Beer gets a barefoot country girl swayin' to a song that's playin on a radio
  • Jo Dee Messina – JoDeeMessina: Met w #DWTS (Dancing with The Stars) Tuesday. Hoping to make the fall season. Fingers crossed
  • Taylor Swift – TaylorSwift13: I wanna see you be brave. @SaraBareilles @STAPLESCenter - IMAGE
BIRTHDAYS
August 26: Jimmy Olander (Diamond Rio)  (1961)
August 28: LeAnn Rimes  (1982), Shania Twain (1965), Sherrie Austin (1970) 
August 29: Shawn Camp (1966), Don Schlitz (1952)
August 30: Kitty Wells (1919)
September 1: Conway Twitty (1933), Boxcar Willie  (1931), Steve Goetzman (Exile) (1950) 

R.I.P
Leo Duffy, one half of the English bluegrass duo, the Duffy Brothers, passed away on Saturday, 17 August from bowel cancer, which had only very recently been diagnosed.The Duffy brothers, Leo (banjo) and Ray (guitar), mixedbluegrass music – with impeccable sibling harmonies as well as virtuoso instrumental abilities – with humor in a very fluid and thoroughly enjoyable show. They became professional entertainers in 1978 after winning the Marlboro Country Music Talent show at the Wembley Festival of Country Music. They toured as special guests on the Charley Pride Show some years ago.