Country Bites News snippets October 21 - October 27, 2013

Country Bites News snippets October 21 – October 27, 2013

SOURCES / LINKS shown in RED

UK & IRISH News

VIP Packages for Dolly Parton's Uk "Blue Smoke" Tour dates were made available on Oct 24th

Packages range from  £295.00 - £495.00 vailable from Tickemaster UK

Country star Tayor Swift has been signed for an exclusive charity gig hosted by Prince William at Kensington Palace. Taylor and Jon Bon Jovi will headline the Centrepoint Winter Whites Gala, performing for just 200 guests on November 26.

William and Kate moved into Apartment 1A at Kensington Palace just a few weeks ago and will celebrate in style while raising money for Centrepoint (The Duke of Cambridge is patron of the charity for homeless youngsters).Tickets are £500 each, with special VIP tickets also on offer. Special guests are also expected to include James Blunt. while VIP ticket holders can expect an exceptional buffet, speeches and awards and carriages from 11.30pm. Prince William, patron of the organisation, will award Jon Bon Jovi, the Great Britain Youth Inspiration Award.

Dermot O'Leary confirmed there will be an X Factor performance on Sunday Nov 3rd, from Taylor Swift, who will be joined by Bangor, Northern Ireland Snow Patrol frontman Gary Lightbody. Taylor has "The Last Time" (written by Swift Lightbody and Jacknife Lee) coming out in November as her next UK single. This will be officially released, Nov 4th, the day after Taylor performs on X-Factor. Taylor Swift performed (>> Video) “The Last Time” with Gary in Sacramento, California on the RED Tour on the night of 27th August. It was the first time the pair had performed the duet and Taylor was overjoyed at sharing the stage with Gary. "The Last Time" is currently on the BBC Radio 1 "B" Playlist for the week Oct 28th is available on Amazon UK and

UK iTunes.

Kacey Musgraves’ “Follow Your Arrow” and Taylor Swift ft. Gary Lightbody with “The Last Time” remain on the BBC Radio 2 Playlist “B” as the Zac Brown Band’s “Island Song leaves the list.

Mary Chapin Carpenter’s debut orchestral record, Songs From The Movie, will be released January 14 on Zoë/Rounder Records. Recorded at Air Studios in London, the album was arranged and conducted by six-time Grammy Award winner Vince Mendoza (Sting, Diana Krall, Chris Botti, Elvis Costello, Björk, Joni Mitchell) and was produced by Carpenter and Mendoza along with Matt Rollings (Keith Urban, Lyle Lovett). 

Featured on the album are new interpretations of ten beloved songs by Carpenter, including “Between Here and Gone” and “Come On Come On.”. In celebration of the album, Carpenter is set to embark on her first tour with a live orchestral backing. The tour will run throughout 2014 and includes a special debut performance at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra on January 24 as well as a date at L.A.’s Disney Concert Hall with L.A. Philharmonic on February 8.

Songs From The Movie pairs Carpenter’s songbook with an ensemble of London’s finest orchestral musicians and features Peter Erskine (Weather Report, John Abercrombie, Rod Stewart, Michael Bublé, Joni Mitchell, Diana Krall) on drums. Of the recording process, Carpenter comments, “Working with Vince Mendoza was incredibly inspiring. His arrangements gave these existing songs new meanings, new colors, new feelings, new destinations. To hear them played by the world class orchestra assembled at Air Studios was beyond any artistic experience that I could have imagined”.

One of Scotland's most predominant mid-winter music festivals, which attracts the Celtic and World music talent from around the globe, with more than 150 acts performing around the city of Glasgow. Celtic Connections takes place from Thursday 16th January until Sunday 2nd February 2014. More than 2100 artists will take part in 300 events in over 20 venues across Glasgow including Bobby Womack, Suzanne Vega, Lloyd Cole, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Seth Lakeman, Julie Fowlis, BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, Capercaillie, Karine Polwart, The Milk Carton Kids, Tim O'Brien and many more.

Various venues across Glasgow are utilised for Celtic Connections 2014 such as the Main Auditorium in the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, O2 ABC, The Tron, Òran Mór, The Mitchell Theatre, City Halls, Kelvingrove, St Andrews in the Square and the Old Fruitmarket will all play host to Celtic Connections events. Celtic Connections 2014 will also use the brand new SSE Hydro, Scotland's biggest ever music venue. See the full list of artists and events

The Hayley Oliver Band and The Gary Quinn band will play the the Truckstop Country Music Festival in Denmark (Christian 4. Vej 55, 6000 Kolding, Denmark 2014)  held on Friday 28th & 29th of June 2014 – See Website

Stockyard Country Music Festival Review (Page 94 in the Crxss Country Magazine)

Hog's Head Round Up (Page 104 in the Crxss Country Magazine)

We are very sorry to hear that Country Routes magazine is to cease publication, with immediate effect (Sat 26th)

UK CHART NEWS

Official UK Singles Top 100 (Week Ending November 2, 2013)

Taylor Swift debuts at No.45 with “Sweet Fiction” (Big Machine) with sales of 7,163 sales. It’s taken from the new Paul Potts biopic One Chance.

Official UK Albums Top 100 (Week Ending November 2, 2013)

Taylor Swift’s RED moved up from 89-78 on her 53rd chart week.

Willie Nelson’s TO ALL THE GIRLS (Sony Music) which debuted last week at No.72 (1,452 sales) dropped off the Top 100.

Official UK Country Album Chart  (Week Ending November 2, 2013)

Kacey Musgraves with SAME TRAILER DIFFERENT PARKHOODOO (Decca) moved 2-1 in her 28th week.

Willie Nelson’s TO ALL THE GIRLS dropped 1-2

Scotty McCreery makes a bow at No.6 with SEE YOU TONIGHT (Humphead)

On the Hotdisc Chart (October 27, 2013 Chart)  

Ray Scott held at No.1 with “Still Screamin’ My Name” for a third week with Michelle Wright holding at No.2 with her title cut single “Strong” .

Pete Kennedy with “Love Like That”, moved up 4-3 to remain at No.1 single on the Hotdisc British & Irish Chart for a third straight week. Stu Stevens’ is hot on Pete’s heels with “Remember Me At Sunrise” climbing 5-4 (#2 British & Irish Chart)

as former #1 Chris Higbee with “Living The Dream” fell 3-5.

Chip Taylor with his self penned “Ukrainian Girls” edged up another two slots 8-6. Andy Griggs also advanced 9-7 with the Waylon Jennings penned tune “Are You Sure Hank Done It This Way”.

UK COUNTRY ALBUM RELEASES

(30 Sep 2013) Andrew Gold & What's Wrong With This Picture & All This And Heaven Too & Whirlwind [Box Set]  (Demon Music Group) 3 CD's - Inlay Image

(14 Oct 2013) The Real... Dolly Parton [Box Set] (Sony Music CMG)

(3CD) 55-track, hit-packed retrospective.

(28 Oct 2013) Toby Keith - DRINKS AFTER WORK (DELUXE) [Deluxe Edition]

(Wrasse Records) CD - Amazon.com

28 Oct 2013 George Strait - Two On One: Strait Country / Strait from the Heart (Humphead) 20 Tracks / Time: 55:57 CD  For the first time, that all-important debut, STRAIT COUNTRY plus the follow-up, STRAIT FROM THE HEART, have gained a UK release via this special 2on1 reissue.

(29 Oct 2013) Julie Roberts - Good Wine And Bad Decisions (Red River Entertaint)

CD (Import) - Amazon.com 

(29 Oct 2013) George Ducas – 4340 CD - Amazon.com

(29 Oct 2013) Thomas Rhett - It Goes Like This - CD - Amazon.com

Christmas/ Seasonal Releases

(29 Oct 2013) Mindy Smith - Snowed In  (TVX Records/Giant Leap Records)

5 track EP / Time: 18:23 MP3 - Amazon.com

(29 Oct 2013) Trace Adkins - The King's Gift (Caliburn) 10 Tracks/ Time: 41:44

CD - MP3 - Amazon.com

(29 Oct 2013) Kelly Clarkson - Wrapped In Red (RCA) CD - Amazon.com

(29 Oct 2013) Duck The Halls: A Robertson Family Christmas (Capitol)

Tracks / Time: 49:09 CD Import - MP3 - Amazon.com 

AUSSIE NEWS

The 2014 Souvenir Official Guide to the 42nd Tamworth Country Music Festival will be published in early January and the publishers are now taking purchase orders. Covering more than 2,500 events and activities, the 2014 Official Guide will be the country music roadmap for the countdown (seven days prior to the festival) January 10 to 16 and the official 10 day festival period from January 17 to 26.

Jasmine Rae, has a day after being nominated for an ARIA Award for her new album IF I WANT TO, has released a new single, "Just Don’t Ask Me How I Am", If I Want To claimed a #23 ARIA all Genre Albums Chart debut in August this year and this week was recognized with a 2013 ARIA Nomination for Best Country Album, in excellent company alongside the likes of Lee Kernaghan, Kasey Chambers and Shane Nicholson.

In light of the recent bushfires effecting NSW, some of Australia's biggest country stars have offered a kind hand of support to local communities. Total Country and Rooty Hill RSL along with John Williamson, McAlister Kemp, Adam Eckersley Band, Aleyce Simmonds and Dianna Corcoran have announced they are providing 100 tickets to each of the shows at the Total Country Weekend for the brave men and women of the fire fighting services.

CANADIAN NEWS

• Canada’s own Jaida Dreyer had her song “This Town” featured on a recent episode on the ABC TV drama “Nashville” . The song was performed by Clare Bowen (Scarlett O’Conner on the show) and Charles Esten (Deacon Claybourne). Dreyer co-wrote the ballad about the ups and downs of music city alongside Cory Mayo and Andrew Rollins. “This Town” reveals the struggles and triumphs that performers and songwriters face once they arrive in Nashville - Available on iTunes Canada
• Fresh Find: Livy Jeanne talks ‘Invisible’ tour. Alberta’s Livy Jeanne has co-written with some of country music’s finest songwriters and shared the stage with the likes of Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, One More Girl and George Canyon but when she was younger she was a victim of bullying, thankfully she found a way to survive it and now she’s giving back....>> "Invisible"

NEWS

Snapshot News:

Country Aircheck's Insider News (Oct 25, 2013)

Country Aircheck's Insider News (Oct 29, 2013)

• According to Facebook Garth Brooks will be making his announcement soon of his new album, world tour to follow and new television show reportedly directed by Martin Scorsese .Also TrishaYearwood sings on the album and plans to do some dates on the tour. Europe is the top of his list.
• The CMA Songwriters Series will return to the acclaimed Joe’s Pub in New York City for a two-night event on Wednesday, Dec. 4 and Thursday, Dec. 5. Celebrating nine years, the CMA Songwriters Series will feature guests Deana Carter, Rory Feek, James Slater, and host Bob DiPiero.
• Kellie Pickler was presented (photo - photo) with the Heart for the Warrior Award from the USO of North Carolina on Saturday, Oct. 19 at the Ninth Annual Salute to Freedom Gala in Raleigh, N.C.  The award is given to those who, through their selfless service and contributions, continuously lift the spirits of the troops and their families. – Press Release
• Shania Twain loves to give back, especially when kids are involved. Her nonprofit, Shania Kids Can, opened its first-ever Las Vegas Clubhouse at Tom Williams Elementary earlier this week. The organization strives to provide its students with the skills and ability to lead more fulfilling lives.
• Poll: Who’s Your Favorite Songwriter of 2013? Cast your vote at The Boot POLL
• Hillary Scott's maternity leave is over Nov. 6 as Lady A will perform new single ‘Compass’ at the CMA’s. As for baby Eisele, Hilary says when they sing to her, at 3-months old she already sings along. 

• Kenny Rogers, Bobby Bare, Jack Clement were officially inducted into Country Music Hall of Fame on Sunday Oct 27th. The event included performances from some of their all-star peers and friends. John Prine, Kris Kristofferson, Marty Stuart and the Fabulous Superlatives, and Emmylou Harris paid tribute to Clement. Bare was honored by Rodney Crowell and Harris, Buddy Miller, Kristofferson and John Anderson. Rogers’ tribute came from Darius Rucker, Barry Gibb and Kelly Lang, Alison Krauss and Don Schlitz. >> Watch video highlights from the 2013 Medallion Ceremony.
• Now that Taylor Swift's RED tour is on hiatus, she can turn her attention to other things -- like filming her new role in the upcoming movie The Giver, and promoting "Sweeter than Fiction," the song she did for the new British film One Chance. She says working on the follow-up to Red is her "full time job." "I'm in full swing of writing the next album, because I've been conceptualizing it and working on it as much as I could given the tour schedule for the last year," Taylor told ABC News Radio. "But now it's my full-time job."
• Pistol Annies member Ashley Monroe and Chicago White Sox pitcher John Danks were married on Thursday evening (Oct. 24) at Blackberry Farm in Walland, Tenn. It was

  

  Ashley weds
  Click to ENLARGE

  the same location that Kelly Clarkson wed this past weekend."I married my best friend," says Monroe, 27, a Knoxville, Tenn., native. The ceremony was officiated by Blake Shelton, while Miranda Lambert, a member of the Pistol Annies with Monroe, was the maid of honor. Monroe and Danks met through a mutual friend in 2011 after a show in Chicago. They became engaged in September 2012. "Miranda's actually been helping me plan the detail part," Monroe told CMT.com at the ACM Awards in April. "We call Miranda 'Plannie Annie' because she can just make things happen." Monroe was due to perform Friday night (Oct. 25) in Chicago, as part of CMT on Tour with Hunter Hayes. Look for Ashley's wedding pictures to be featured in the next issue of People Country, on stands November 15. She posted a Twitter photo of her engagement ring and wedding band on her finger Friday morning. The caption reads, "I'm MARRIED!!!"
• Gloriana's Tom Gossin has weds his long-time girlfriend in Nashville. After 10 years of dating, Tom Gossin put a ring around the finger of his beautiful fiance Jaime Moffett over the weekend (Saturday, October 19) in Nashville. The couple's ceremony and reception took place at The Cannery, which was tuned into the Jazz Age, right up until their departure in a vintage Rolls Royce. Gossin called the wedding "the party of the decade," where they were surrounded by family and friends who have watched their fairytale romance unfold. The groom's younger brother and bandmate Mike Gossin, as well as Rachel Reinert, both were in attendance and served as best man and "groomslady," respectively. 

I'm Just A Country Pumpkin: Check out these exclusive GAC pumpkin-carving templates to turn  your pumpkin into a country superstar. 

There are 25 artist templates to choose from!

Here’s an alternative Taylor Swift pumpkin template [PDF]

Scary Perry: The Band Perry posted a Halloween costume guide for anyone that wants to go as Kimberly from the "Better Dig Two" >> video

Handmade Halloween Party Ideas Sampler 

Halloween Workshop Projects 

For A Trick Click Here (Craig Campbell sings the country version of "Royals" originally performed by Lorde)

For A Treat Click Here (Craig Campbell "Keep Them Kisses Comin'") 

For A Treat Click Here available on UK iTunes

TOURS

Jason Aldean took to Twitter Monday (Oct 29) about a fatal accident involving his tour bus. "With a heavy heart, I'm sad to say that a man passed away last night after stepping out in front of my bus in Indiana," posted Aldean. "In all the years I've been touring and all the miles we've driven nothing prepares you for something like this to happen. I'm praying for Albert Kennedy's family and friends today and ask that you do the same."

TV

• Shania Twain made a rare appearance on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show,” while Keith Urban and Dierks Bentley faced off on late night TV shows.
• Garth Brooks is bringing his one-man show into America's living rooms with a two-hour TV special on Friday, November 29. Garth Brooks: Live from Las Vegas will broadcast live on CBS from the Wynn Las Vegas, where Garth has been performing since 2009.
• Ground Work: Clare Bowen from ABC-TV's Nashville joined Zac Brown Band on stage at the Southern Ground Music And Food Festival in Charleston, SC Saturday night (10/19) - Image

COUNTRY AWARDS

• Great American Country will be broadcasting an exclusive red carpet pre-show carried live nationally. CMA Awards Red Carpet Live premieres Wednesday, November 6, 7:00 p.m./ET on the network. The event will feature GAC personalities Suzanne Alexander, Nan Kelley and Storme Warren chatting with country’s biggest stars about their nominations, performances, pre-show rituals and favorite CMA Awards moments, while highlighting the night’s fashions and more. Here are all the CMA AWARDS 2013 nominees.
• Lady Antebellum and The Band Perry have joined the lineup of superstar performances at this year's CMA Awards. Keith Urban and Miranda Lambert will also team up for the first time live on stage to perform their new single, "We Were Us." Visit CMAawards.com to view all the nominees and performers!
• Kenny Rogers will receive a special honor at the upcoming 47th Annual "CMA AWARDS" on Weds, Nov 6th. He will be presented with "The Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award" and be honored with a musical tribute by Jennifer Nettles, Rascal Flatts and Darius Rucker.

SINGLE / ALBUM NEWS

The Toby Keith Drinks After Work Deluxe 'ZinePak Edition is an exciting collectible for all Toby Keith fans. 

The deluxe package features his 13-track CD, which includes the hit single, "Drinks After Work" and three bonus tracks. The 'ZinePak also includes a 64-page magazine celebrating Keith's legacy in country music, both on and off-stage, with an exclusive interview, discography, photos, fun facts, lyrics, Wild Shot drink recipes, and two custom drink coasters.This limited-edition fan collectible is only sold at Walmart and available while supplies last.

Miranda Lambert is in the studio right now getting her next album done before the Christmas break.

PRESS RELEASES

• Chase Rice's six-song digital EP continues to dominate iTunes downloads as No.1 Digital Country Album. Rice has hired RPM to handle radio promotion for his new EP Ready Set Roll, in addition to employing Sony Music Entertainment’s RED and Thirty Tigers to handle distribution.
• Yahoo Music’s Ram Country presents three exclusive performances from Chris Young from his fourth studio album, including the title track, current single “Aw Naw” and fan-favorite, “Who I Am With You.”
• “Introducing Lucy Hale” webisode debuts on Vevo (a sneak peek into the making of the  24-year old singer’s highly anticipated debut country album) . Lucy “Pretty Little Liars” actress, joins a star-studded lineup to perform live on CMA Country Christmas from Bridgestone Arena on November 8.
• Mandy Barnett and Cracker Barrel Old Country Store announce the release of her 12 song "I Can’t Stop Loving You: The Songs of Don Gibson", Barnett’s newest CD, which will be available on November 11 at all Cracker Barrel Old Country Store locations. The title track of Barnett’s album is among Gibson’s best known songs. "I Can’t Stop Loving You" was a No. 7 hit on the Billboard Hot Country Singles Chart for Gibson in 1958, a No. 3 hit for Kitty Wells in 1958, and a No. 1 hit for Conway Twitty in 1972.
• Rascal Flatts (“Mainstream Inspirational Country Song”), Martina McBride (“Mainstream Country Female Artist”), Scotty McCreery (“Mainstream Country Male Artist),” Joey+Rory (Mainstream Country Duo or Group) and The Roys (Inspirational Bluegrass Artist) were among the winners at The 19th Annual ICM Faith, Family & Country Awards on Oct 24th. Highlights of the evening included Gene Higgins being presented with the “Living Legend Award,” as well as performances by Guy Penrod and special guest Sarah Darling. Miss Tennessee USA 2014 (Kristy Landers Niedenfuer ) and Miss Tennessee Teen USA 2014 (Morgan Moseley) presented the winners with their trophies! For a complete list of winners read the Press release or visit faithfamilycountry.com 
• Brother/sister duo The Roys pulled off a "three-peat" at the 19th Annual ICM Faith, Family & Country™ Awards, winning the organization's coveted Bluegrass Artist of the Year Award for the third consecutive year.

• Longtime Charlie Daniels Band background vocalist Carolyn Corlew (photo - photo ) was crowned Ms. Senior America (Oct 24) at the National pageant at Resorts Casino Hotel's Superstar Theater in Atlantic City, NJ. The competition featured 34 women age 60 and older from around the country.
• Andy Griggs' latest project NAKED (released Feb 26, 2013) has landed on the Initial Grammy Ballot in 4 Categories -
• Music City News congratulates Susan Toney on multi-nominations for Grammy consideration -
• Joanna Mosca is to open for superstar LeAnn Rimes at  The Paramount (370 New York Ave., Huntington, NY) on Thursday, November 21.
• Mayor Karl Dean and Country Music Stars Casey James, Sarah Darling, Striking Matches honour music teachers at NAfME’s 2013 National In-Service Opening Night Concert
• The 3rd Annual "No Shave November" will kick off next FRIDAY (11/1), benefitting ST. JUDE CHILDREN’s RESEARCH HOSPITAL. Team Lady Antebellum is up and running, led by member Dave Haywood, who has pledged to let it all grow throughout the month.
• George Ducas celebrates 4340 "Official" Album release day

ARTICLES

Billboard: Will Hoge Feels Good About 'Never Give In' 

Under The Spotlight: 2Steel Girls Are Far From A ‘Train Wreck’

REVIEWS

Julie Roberts ‘Good Wine & Bad Decisions’ – Album Review

INTERVIEWS

Taste Of Country Brantley Gilbert Interview: Hitmaker Talks Mexico Trip, Biggest Fears and How YouTube Would Have Killed His Career.

Logan Brill: Walking Wires To Success – Interview

MAGAZINES

Scotland's Music Festivals Supplement

MUSIC NEWS Scotland the latest weekly GIG guide

Americana Rhythm Music Magazine (fall 2013 issue) featuring an interview with Darrell Scott

LISTEN

Preview songs from Stephanie Quayle's new EP "Stand Back" on soundcloud - US Trio Bundle Package

Listen to Toby Keith's "Shut Up & Hold On" which goes for adds at country radio on Nov 18.

Logan Brill "Month Of Bad Habits" 

Julie Roberts, 'Good Wine & Bad Decisions': Exclusive Album Premiere

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?

New Releases

Toby Keith – Drinks After Work

George Ducas – 4340

Ty Herndon – Lies I Told Myself

Caitlin – Caitlin - Just twelve years old (Birthday Oct 23rd) astonished everyone by winning the Heartland Idol audition in Highlands County, Florida. She can't go to American Idol because she is has to be fifteen. Playback Records president Jack Gale heard her and was so impressed, he rushed her to Nashville, where she cut her debut album with the top Nashville pickers, produced by Gale and Jim Pierce.

Taylor Swift – Sweeter Than Fiction (New Single)

Seasonal/ Christmas Releases

Mindy Smith – Snowed In

Trace Adkins – The King's Gift

Check out our Halloween Country Playlist with established and new names

WATCH

• Lorrie Morgan “My Night To Howl”
• Jacqui Sharkey “Take Me To Paris” filmed Oct 17th - iTunes
• ‘Little Letters’, is the third album by Paper Aeroplanes
• Sara Evans premiered a new video for “Slow Me Down” on Yahoo!, it co-stars NASCAR driver Carl Edwards, Evan's new set is scheduled for early 2014.
• Christie Lamb - "All She Wrote" first single from upcoming Debut Album -
• Aleyce Simmonds "Believe" from her second full album release. It debuted at #4 on the ARIA, All Genres Hit seekers chart and #7 on the Australian Country Albums Chart.
• Matt Kennon's "Real Good", coming out soon on a new EP.
• Robby Johnson "South Of Me"
• Kelly Clarkson shares a beautiful Wedding Video. The video is by her videographer, Weiss Eubanks and was shot at Blackberry Farm in Walland, Tenn.. It is set to “Heavenly Day” by Patty Griffin. Perfect!
• In their first appearance since Hillary Scott had her baby, Lady Antebellum debuted their new single "Compass" on The Ellen Degeneres Show Tuesday (10/22). Watch here after the advert -
• Shania Twain also stopped by The Ellen Degeneres Show (10/23) to talk about her Vegas run and play a game of "Head's Up." Watch here.

COUNTRY FASHION

Carrie Underwood attended the T.J. Martell Foundation’s 2013 Honors Gala, on Tuesday Oct 22nd, which supports research into AIDS, cancer and leukaemia, held at Cipriani 42nd Street in New York City.

Carrie
Click to ENLAGE

The country singer was honoured with the ‘Artist Achievement’ Award, which she collected wearing a Randi Rahm periwinkle tone-on-tone beaded tulle dress with a V-back.

There is no question that this is very much a ‘Carrie’ dress, as it is uber girlie and has plenty of embellishments. The standout frock was perfectly modest with its round neckline and capped sleeves, but the masses of matching blue sparkly sequins that were arranged into floral and butterfly designs gave the appearance of the Blue Fairy from Disney's Pinocchio.

Standing at a petite 5ft 3in, the stunning blonde added some height to her frame with Soft-pink Giuseppe Zanotti pointy-toe pumps, which gave the illusion of lengthening her legs.

A nude clutch with a cluster of silver star embellishments, and Johnathon Arndt jewels accessorized the look. A sweeping updo, smoky eyes and glossy lips provided the finishing touches.

Durango supports Country Music’s rising stars! Check out some of Sarah Darling’s fabulous music as well as some of her favorite Durango boot picks

COUNTRY GOSSIP

• Jason Aldean‘s split from wife Jessica Ussery was one of the more scandalous country music headlines of last year. The singer issued a statement, an apology and an admission after he was caught kissing a former ‘American Idol’ wannabe at a bar, chalking the indiscretion up to too much alcohol. He and Ussery eventually filed for divorce and Aldean has been relatively tight-lipped…until now. Aldean will discuss the divorce, and the headlines that got he and his wife to that point, during a televised chat with ABC anchor Robin Roberts. ‘In the Spotlight With Robin Roberts: Countdown to the CMA Awards’ airs on Tuesday, Nov. 5.
• Kelly Clarkson and her husband Brandon Blackstock’s new home. It’s a $2.8 million dollar mansion in Hendersonville, TN - 17,000 sq feet - 7 bedrooms and 9.5 bathrooms, plus a home theater, gym and four private lakes. - Image . Kelly, 31, who tied the knot with music manager Brandon Blackstock, quietly purchased the sprawling estate under a trust last year and is now living there with her new husband. A local source told E! News: "When Kelly is here, she is home. She is friendly to everyone." The blonde beauty recently revealed she is hoping to be pregnant with her first child in time for Christmas and has admitted a baby is all she wants as a gift from Brandon
• Keith Urban has revealed he and Nicole Kidman send each other texts of a sexually explicit nature. The 46-year-old country musician and his actress wife have to spend a lot of time apart because of their busy careers and so have found ways to keep the romance alive in their relationship when they can't be together. Keith - who is a judge on 'American Idol' - says he and Nicole, 46, prefer to keep in touch with phone calls but on occasions they can't resist sending each other naughty messages and photos.During an interview on 'The Ellen Degeneres Show', he stuttered as he confessed: "We never text, we never email. Phone calls only, which I really love. Well, maybe one text. Maybe one cool kind of, you know ... one of those kinds of texts, yes, one of those ones with the accompanying photo. One of those kind of texts."
• Blake Shelton has slammed new rumours Miranda Lambert is cheating on him. The 'Voice' USA judge insists he and the singer's marriage is still going strong amid reports they are headed for a "$40 million divorce." The 37-year-old hitmaker tweeted on Friday night (25.10.13): "I just read back to back NEW stories that @mirandalambert and I are having a baby, divorcing, cheating and feuding with @cher. Must be true!"
• Dolly Parton has revealed she keeps an emergency wig by her bed at night in case there's an earthquake and she needs to get up and get out of her house quickly. The 67-year-old country singer admits she keeps the hairpiece at hand in case there's an earthquake and she has to get up and get out of her house quickly. During an interview on UK TV show 'Daybreak', the 67-year-old star said: "I do [have an emergency wig], especially when I'm in Los Angeles because they have so many earthquakes there.
• Nicole Kidman has said she's now found her "great love." The 46-year-old actress is crazy about her husband Keith Urban, 45 - who she wed in 2006 - and she thinks when she tied the knot with first husband Tom Cruise in 1990 when she was 23 she was not mature enough tto be making such a massive commitment. Speaking to the new issue of Vanity Fair magazine, she said: "With no disrespect to what I had with Tom, I've met my great love now. And I really did not know if that was going to happen. I wanted it, but I didn't want it for a while, because I didn't want to jump from one relationship to another. I had a lot of time alone, which was really, really good, because I was a child, really, when I got married [to Cruise]. And I needed to grow up."Nicole thinks love can be "very intoxicating" as there is somebody else who understands exactly what you're going through in life and you can live in your own "bubble".

TWEETS

Lori McKenna @LoriMcKennaMA The amazing @TheBrandyClark has a record out today called 12 Stories. It needs to be bought & listened to. It's necessary - trust me.

Kacey Musgraves: everyone go buy @TheBrandyClark's new record. it came out today ok bye.” Thank you Kacey!!!!!! #followyourarrow

PHOTO

• You can always spot a country artist by their fringe, even amidst confetti. Tegan (of Tegan & Sara), Sara Bareilles, Sara, Katy Perry, Kacey Musgraves, Ellie Goulding and Bonnie McKee. Katy’s We Can Survive concert at The Hollywood Bowl benefitted the Young Survival Coalition. The girls ended the night with everyone onstage to perform Katy's single "Roar." - Image
• Switch Hit: LeAnn Rimes flips the switch on the Opry's Signature Barn as the fifth annual Opry Goes Pink gets underway. LeAnn, Amy Grant and Opry members Lorrie Morgan, Pam Tillis were among the performers at Tuesday's show (10/22) to support the fight against breast cancer.
• The Phil Mack promotion Team with Bernadette Ruddy & Sadbh Thomas at The Circus Tavern!
• Mickie James - Oct 2013 Photoshoot by Storyteller Photography.
• Honest Radio Promo Ad: for Jerrod Niemann
• Gather friends. Enjoy an adult beverage. Listen to country radio. >> Play Bro-Country Lingo Bingo.
• Honest Competition Ad: Chris Young Parody-

BIRTHDAYS

October 28: Charlie Daniels (1936), Brad Paisley (1972)

October 30: Timothy Schmitt (Eagles - (1947), T Graham Brown (1954), Patsy Montana (1914),

Kassidy Osborne (SheDaisy)  (1976)

October 31: Kinky Friedman (1944),  Kate Campbell (1961), Darryl Worley (1964)

November 1: Bill Anderson (1937), Lyle Lovett (1956), Keith Stegall (1954), 

November 2: k d lang (1962), Beverly Mahood (1974)

November 3: J D Souther (1945)

R.I.P

Leon Ashley, country singer-songwriter, died at age 77 on Sunday, Oct. 20 after a lengthy illness. Ashley made history in 1967 when he became the first person to have a No. 1 hit with a song he wrote, published and sang on his own record label (Ashley Records). That song, “Laura (What’s He Got That I Ain’t Got”,  became a favorite also recorded by artists such as Marty Robbins, Claude King, Kenny Rogers, The Newbeats, Frankie Laine, Tom Jones, Hank Locklin, Tommy Collins, David Houston and Brook Benton. Songs "Mental Journey" and "Flower of Love" charted at #14 and #8 on Hot Country Songs in 1968.