Carrie Underwood will be releasing new album Tuesday, May 1. This will be Carrie’s fourth album and the debut single”Good Girl” will be released to Country radio February 23.
February is a busy month for Carrie as she will also be appearing on “CMT Crossroads” with Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler (with initial airings on CMT Sat. Feb. 4th, 11pm ET and Sun. Feb 5th, 2am ET and 10am ET). She is also scheduled to make an appearance on the Grammy Awards, Country Music Seminar and at the Nordstrom Nashville Symphony Fashion Show.
For the latest on Carrie go to www.carrieunderwoodofficial.com
The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Downtown Nashville had a banner attendance year in 2011. Attendance totaled 507,510 which is the largest number of visitors in the Museum’s 44-year history.
“We would like to thank our local, national and international visitors for such strong support,” said Museum Director Kyle Young. “Our attendance revenue last year increased nearly 30% over 2010, and our Museum Store and events revenues were up by 18% and 23%, respectively, over the prior year, as well. In today’s challenging economic climate, we don’t take this for granted.
“We attribute the strong year to multiple factors,” Young added. “It was the final year of our major exhibition Family Tradition: The Williams Family Legacy, Presented by Suntrust, the most popular and acclaimed exhibit in our history. And it was a very good year for Nashville tourism in general. There’s really a fantastic synergy happening with the city right now. Music City’s centrally located, a manageable drive from many parts of the U.S., and a great value. And, it’s an exciting city, alive with music and boasting an array of cultural offerings found nowhere else. We’re proud to be one of those ‘can’t-miss’ Nashville experiences.”
For more on the Country Music Hall fo Fame, visit www.countrymusichalloffame.org .
Adams had pulled to the side of the road to assist another driver when a vehicle came into the shoulder hitting the two cars and killing Adams.
The Tallahassee show has been rescheduled to Thursday, May 17. For a full look at Miranda’s tour dates click here
According to Steve Buchannan, Gaylord Entertainment SVP of Media/Entertainment, “The weak spots, dips and just the wear and tear of the shows that we’ve done over the last 18 years ultimately made it a necessity. Being able to (build) a stage that really meets the demands of current production values is really very critical.”
The last night of the current stage will be on Friday, February 3 when the Oak Ridge Boys, Charley Pride, Keith Urban and more will play for The Opry at the Ryman Concert. The new stage will be ready on February 20 when The Band Perry is scheduled to perform. Wood from the current stage will be incorporated into the new stage with 18 inch deep strip that wbe stage will run along the edge of the new stage.
Kenny Chesney leads the pack with nine nominations followed by Jason Aldean with six. Lady A and Brad Paisley both received four and Toby Keith,Taylor Swift Grace Potter and the Eli Young Band all got three nominations. The ACM Awards will air April 1 from Las Vegas.
The full list of nominees are:
On-Air Personality Of The Year – National
CODY ALAN, CMT RADIO LIVE WITH CODY ALAN
KIX BROOKS, AMERICAN COUNTRY COUNTDOWN WITH KIX BROOKS
CROOK AND CHASE, CROOK AND CHASE COUNTDOWN
LON HELTON, CMT COUNTRY COUNTDOWN USA
LIA, THE LIA SHOW
On-Air Personality Of The Year – Major Market
KELLY FORD & RIDER, KYGO-FM, DENVER, CO
CLEDUS T. JUDD, DAVE MCKAY, VERONICA, WQYK-FM, TAMPA, FL
LISA DENT and RAMBLIN’ RAY, WUSN-FM, CHICAGO, IL
TRISH BIONDO, WUSN-FM, CHICAGO, IL
EDWARDS & LEE (CHUCK EDWARDS & LINDA LEE), WYCD-FM, DETROIT, MI
On-Air Personality Of The Year – Large Market
RANDY CARROLL & JAMIE MARTIN, KAJA-FM, SAN ANTONIO, TX
DAVE O’BRIEN, WLHK-FM, INDIANAPOLIS, IN
MIKE, MARTY AND JANIE, WQDR-FM, RALEIGH, NC
BILL CODY, WSM-AM, NASHVILLE, TN
BIG DAVE AND CHELSIE, WUBE-FM, CINCINNATI, OH
On-Air Personality Of The Year – Medium Market
STEVE & GEOFF IN THE MORNING, KUZZ AM/FM, BAKERSFIELD, CA
CASH AND CAREY (NATALIE CASH AND JIM CAREY), KWEN-FM, TULSA, OK
TOM & BECKY, WBBS-FM, SYRACUSE, NY
ROGER, TOM & MELISSA, WPCV-FM, LAKELAND, FL
SCOTT WYNN & SUE WILSON (WYNN AND WILSON IN THE MORNING), WQMX-FM, AKRON, OH
On-Air Personality Of The Year – Small Market
SCOTTY & CARISSA IN THE MORNING, KCLR-FM, COLUMBIA, MO
BILL BARRETT, TIM FOX AND TRACY BERRY, KKNU-FM, EUGENE, OR
PHILIP GIBBONS, WGSQ-FM, COOKEVILLE, TN
BEARMAN AND KEN IN THE MORNING, WUSY-FM, CHATTANOOGA, TN
BRENT LANE, WYCT-FM, PENSACOLA, FL
Radio Station Of The Year – Major Market
KUPL-FM, PORTLAND, OR
KYGO-FM, DENVER, CO
WQYK-FM, TAMPA, FL
WXTU-FM, PHILADELPHIA, PA
WYCD-FM, DETROIT, MI
Radio Station Of The Year – Large Market
KAJA-FM, SAN ANTONIO, TX
WLHK-FM, INDIANAPOLIS, IN
WQDR-FM, RALEIGH, NC
WUBE-FM, CINCINNATI, OH
Radio Station Of The Year – Medium Market
KATM-FM, STOCKTON, CA
KUZZ-AM/FM, BAKERSFIELD, CA
WBBS-FM, SYRACUSE, NY
WYRK-FM, BUFFALO, NY
Radio Station Of The Year – Small Market
KCLR-FM, COLUMBIA, MO
KUAD-FM, WINDSOR, CO
WUSY-FM, CHATTANOOGA, TN
WXFL-FM, FLORENCE, AL
Entertainer Of The Year:
JASON ALDEAN
KENNY CHESNEY
BLAKE SHELTON
TAYLOR SWIFT
BRAD PAISLEY
Male Vocalist Of The Year:
JASON ALDEAN
KENNY CHESNEY
BRAD PAISLEY
BLAKE SHELTON
CHRIS YOUNG
Female Vocalist Of The Year:
SARA EVANS
MIRANDA LAMBERT
MARTINA McBRIDE
TAYLOR SWIFT
CARRIE UNDERWOOD
Vocal Group Of The Year:
THE BAND PERRY
ELI YOUNG BAND
LADY ANTEBELLUM
RASCAL FLATTS
ZAC BROWN BAND
Vocal Duo Of The Year:
LOVE AND THEFT
MONGTOMERY GENTRY
STEEL MAGNOLIA
SUGARLAND
THOMPSON SQUARE
Songwriter of the Year:
RHETT AKINS
DALLAS DAVIDSON
BEN HAYSLIP
LUKE LAIRD
DAVID LEE MURPHY
Vocal Event Of The Year:
“Country Boy” - AARON LEWIS f. GEORGE JONES & CHARLIE DANIELS
“Don’t You Wanna Stay” – JASON ALDEAN f. KELLY CLARKSON
“Old ALABAMA” – BRAD PAISLEY f. ALABAMA
“Remind Me” – BRAD PAISLEY f. CARRIE UNDERWOOD
“You & Tequila” – KENNY CHESNEY f. GRACE POTTER
Video Of The Year:
“Tattoos On This Town” – JASON ALDEAN
“Homeboy” – ERIC CHURCH
“Red Solo Cup” – TOBY KEITH
“Just A Kiss” – LADY ANTEBELLUM
“Mean” – TAYLOR SWIFT
Single Record Of The Year:
“Crazy Girl” – ELI YOUNG BAND
“Don’t You Wanna Stay” – JASON ALDEAN f. KELLY CLARKSON
“Red Solo Cup” – TOBY KEITH
“Tomorrow” – CHRIS YOUNG
“You & Tequila” – KENNY CHESNEY f. GRACE POTTER
Song Of The Year:
“Crazy Girl” – ELI YOUNG BAND
“Home” – DIERKS BENTLEY
“Just A Kiss” – LADY ANTEBELLUM
“Threaten Me With Heaven” – VINCE GILL
“You & Tequila” – KENNY CHESNEY f. GRACE POTTER Album Of The Year:
“Chief” – ERIC CHURCH “Four The Record” – MIRANDA LAMBERT
"Hemingway’s Whiskey" – KENNY CHESNEY
“My Kinda Party” – JASON ALDEAN
“Own The Night” – LADY ANTEBELLUM
Producer of the Year:
MARK BRIGHT
BUDDY CANNON
NATHAN CHAPMAN
JAY JOYCE
FRANK LIDDELL
Audio Engineer of the Year:
JEFF BALDING
DEREK BASON
JOHN KELTON
MILLS LOGAN
JUSTIN NIEBANK
Bass Player of the Year:
MIKE BRIGNARDELLO
KEVIN "SWINE" GRANTT
MARK HILL
MICHAEL RHODES
JIMMY LEE SLOAS
Percussionist/Drummer of the Year:
MATT CHAMBERLAIN
CHAD CROMWELL
SHANNON FORREST
CHRIS MCHUGH
GREG MORROW
Guitarist of the Year:
J.T. CORENFLOS
KENNY GREENBERG
JAY JOYCE
BRENT MASON
ADAM SHOENFELD
Fiddle Player of the Year:
GLEN DUNCAN
STUART DUNCAN
LARRY FRANKLIN
JOE SPIVEY
JONATHAN YUDKIN
Piano/Keyboard Player of the Year:
TONY HARRELL
JOHN HOBBS
JOHN JARVIS
CHARLIE JUDGE
MICHAEL ROJAS
Specialty Instrument(s) Player of the Year:
ERIC DARKEN
AUBREY HAYNIE
ILYA TOSHINSKY
JOHN WILLIS
JONATHAN YUDKIN
Casino of the Year:
AGUA CALIENTE CASINO - RANCHO MIRAGE, CA
IP CASINO - BILOXI, MS
ISLAND RESORT CASINO - HARRIS, MI
MANDALAY BAY HOTEL & CASINO - LAS VEGAS, NV
WINSTAR WORLD CASINO - THACKERVILLE, OK
Nightclub of the Year:
BILLY BOB’S TEXAS - FT. WORTH, TX
BUCK OWENS’ CRYSTAL PALACE - BAKERSFIELD, CA
GRIZZLY ROSE - DENVER, CO
TOBY KEITH'S I LOVE THIS BAR & GRILL - MINNEAPOLIS, MN
WORMY DOG - OKLAHOMA CITY, OK
Venue of the Year:
BOK CENTER - TULSA, OK
BRIDGESTONE ARENA - NASHVILLE, TN
FIRST MIDWEST BANK AMPHITHEATRE - CHICAGO, IL
JIFFY LUBE LIVE - BRISTOW, VA
SPRINT CENTER - KANSAS CITY, MO
DON ROMEO Talent Buyer of the Year:
ETHAN HIRSCH - WILSON EVENTS
JIMMY JAY - JAYSON PROMOTIONS, INC.
R.J. KALTENBACH - KLEIN’S ATTRACTIONS
GARY OSIER - GARY OSIER PRESENTS
HUSTON POWELL - C3 PRESENTS
Promoter of the Year:
BEN FERRELL - VARNELL ENTERPRISES, INC.
BRAD GARRETT - POLICE PRODUCTIONS
BRIAN O’CONNELL - LIVE NATION
GLENN SMITH - GLENN & LINDA PRESENT
ED WARM - JOE’S BAR
Online voting for all fan voted categories will be available at www.voteACM.com
He will join previously announced performers, Taylor Swift, Nicki Manaj, Paul McCartney, Jason Aldean, Kelly Clarkson, Coldplay, Rihanna, the Foo Fighters and Bruno Mars. For more info visit www.grammy.com
In 2010, Gary LeVox, Jay DeMarcus and Joe Don Rooney donated $3 million to the Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt’s Pediatric Surgery Center. They also serve as spokespersons for the national suicide prevention organization, The Jason Foundation, and have been members of the American Red Cross Celebrity Cabinet for seven years.
The trio will receive the award at 10:30 a.m. CT on Feb. 22 at the Nashville Convention Center immediately following the keynote address.
The concerts will occur during the week Vegas goes Country, the week of the 47th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards on Sunday, April 1 at 8 pm on CBS. For more info visit www.acmcountry.com.
Gaylord Entertainment and Dolly Parton’s Dollywood Company will be developing a $50 million 114 acre water and snow park adjacent to Nashville’s Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center and the Grand Ole Opry.
The yet-to-be-named park will open no later than the spring of 2014, with groundbreaking is expected in early 2013. The park will feature music and is expected to attract 500,000 the first year.
Mayor Karl Dean said the project demonstrates that Nashville is "unstoppable as a tourist destination.”
Gaylord shut down Opryland theme park at the end of 1997 and replaced it with Opry Mills Shopping mall.
For the fourth year in a row, The Academy of Country Music and GAC have announced that the “New Artist of the Year” category at the ACM Awards will be left up to the fans voting for their favorite new artist.
All newcomer categories including “New Female Vocalist,” “New Vocal Duo,” “New Vocal Group,” “New Solo Vocalist” and “New Vocal Duo or Group.” were combined into one overall category.
This year’s nominees include Brantley Gilbert, Hunter Hayes, JT Hodges, David Nail, Jerrod Neimann, Justin Moore, Scotty McCreery and Thompson Square.
Voting begans Monday, January 16th at either www.VoteACM.com or www.GACtv.com/ACM. The show will broadcast live on CBS-TV at 9p (ET) on Sunday, April 1.
The song is a first for Keith as he has never written or performed for a film.
"After seeing Act Of Valor, my co-writer Monty Powell and I wanted to capture the essence of not only what these men and women do so extraordinarily, but how that relates to all of us,” he said.
The film is about Navy Seals trying to balance their military life with their civilian life.
Vince Gill and wife, Amy Grant have been recognized by The Tennessean as 2011’s Tennesseans of the Year for their charitable efforts.
Grant and Gill have contributed in many ways including Grant hosting the Lipscomb University tree-lighting on behalf of the local food bank. They also played a fund-raiser to raise awareness and money for those who battle depression. The two also spent time meeting children from the Make A Wish program before their annual Christmas concert.
“Amy Grant and Vince Gill not only make a meaningful impact on the global stage through their music, but their philanthropy also helps people throughout Tennessee,” said the Tennessean editorial board. "Their years of charity work reached a crescendo in 2011, from St Jude Children’s Research Hospital and American Red Cross to Mental Health Association of Middle Tennessee and many, many more causes.”
A presentation was held for them where they received a quilt that included the 60 non-profits and organizations they have helped.
“I loved everybody in that whole room. That’s how I felt. It made me so glad to have lived in the same town for all of my life,” Grant said.
“I knew we were not in New York or Chicago because it was a whole room of people visiting, telling old stories, not in a rush.” Gill added, “I’m proud to be a part of that [philanthropic] community. I’m proud that there’s a whole side of Nashville that doesn’t have anything to do with music at all that likes us.”
“Nashville, it’s my hometown. It has a giving personality, and for a lot of people, [serving others] is a way of life.” Gill said that way of life started for him when his career took off in the 1980s, and he began to get invitations to play and host fund-raisers.
“I think the very first thing I did was host a little golf tournament for Mercy Homes because somebody asked me. ‘Really? You want me to host this? OK!’” he said. “If somebody thinks you can help, that’s such a great feeling.” And, Gill, a Country Music Hall of Famer, hasn't stopped chasing that feeling.
Longtime manager Terry Elam said that early on, he had to train Gill to ask folks who approached him about charity events to call his management office. But Gill went ahead and did plenty of events without managers ever knowing. For Grant, every career move starts with serving others, her longtime manager Jennifer Cooke says, "When I bring her something that's a good financial deal, one of the first questinos she asks is, 'What charity can we involve?'" Cooke said. One of the biggest is Compassion International, a worldwide Christian-based child-sponsorship program with which Grant has been affiliated throughout her career. The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee's Ellen Lehman says Grant and Gill do charity work with "the purest of motivations." "They are not in it for credit'; they're not in it for fame; they're not in it for what it can do for their careers," Lehman said. "They're grateful for the lives they have and want others to have better futures." For more information click here http://blogs.tennessean.com/tunein/2011/12/25/vince-gill-amy-grant-tennesseans-of-the-year/
Rather than calling his 2012 tour “Camobunga! 2012 World Tour” he has decided that the name “Virtual Reality World Tour 2012” is, he says, is much more fitting.
“When you see plans and sketches on paper it’s one thing but to actually see it in real life is something else, and that’s what happened to me when we were in tour rehearsals,” said Brad. “ When I saw the visuals and how exciting and sometimes mind-blowing they were I just felt the tour name needed to reflect what the fans were going to see. For two hours each night of the tour they can be taken away from reality – literally.”
The tour is scheduled to kick off in Grand Rapids, Michigan on January 12. The Band Perry and Scotty McCreery will be joining Brad as special guests. For more information visit www.bradpaisley.com
Someof the ongs on Bennett’s “Duets II” album will be performed including his duets with Faith Hill singing “The Way You Look ‘Tonight,” and Carrie Underwood singing “It Had To Be You.”
Other performers will include Willie Nelson, Lady Gaga, John Mayer, Michael Buble, Josh Grobhan, Norah Jones and Sheryl Crow.
For more info visit www.pbs.org.
Over 6,000 fans attended the concert making this his biggest headllining show of his career. Concho Minick, Venue President said that it was one of “The best New Year’s Eve shows in Billy Bob’s Texas history.”
Chris will be doing more Texas headlining dates including the San Antonio rodeo. Chris is also a special guest on the Miranda Lambert’s On Fire tour opening January 12 in Rockford, IL. Chris is coming into 2012 having received two Gold albums last year as well as may award nominations. He also toured with Jason Aldean.
Congrats to Wynonna Judd and Hwy. 101’s member Cactus Moser who got engaged on Christmas Eve. A wedding date has not been set and the two have been touring together as Wynonna and the Big Noise. This is Wynonna’s third marriage and at this point, no details have been disclosed.
Congrats and best wishes to Lady Antebellum’s Dave Haywood proposed to WMN’s VP Marketing and Brand Management Kelli Cashiola last Monday night (12/19). Dave’s proposal was done with help from an elaborate Christmas light display!
Lonestar’s hits include “Amazed,” “Come Crying To Me,” and “No News,” among many others. For more information visit www.lonestarnow.com. .
Other artists on the album include Shania Twain, Kenny Rogers, Willie Nelson, Kenny Chesney, Billy Currington, Jason Aldean, Blake Shelton and more.
Lionel said, “I was born and raised in Tuskegee, Alabama. I am a Country boy and proud of it. To do this project just felt natural.”
The People’s Choice Awards have announced their first round of nominees and Country artists include:
Favorite Country Artist Of The Year
The Band Perry, Blake Shelton, Brad Paisley, Jason Aldean, Keith Urban, Kenny Chesney, Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert, Rascal Flatts, Sugarland, Taylor Swift and Zac Brown Band.
Favorite Male Artist
Blake Shelton, Keith Urban, Kenny Chesney
Favorite Female Artist
Miranda Lambert and Taylor Swift
Favorite Album of the Year
Eric Church-Chief, Lady Antebellum-Own the Night, Blake Shelton-Red River Blue
Favorite Headline Tour of the Year
Kenny Chesney, Rascal Flatts, Keith Urban, Sugarland and Taylor Swift
For more information and to vote click here
Host LL Cool J will be announcing the 54th Annual Grammy Award nominees. More artists will be announced soon.
CMT and CMT.com will host the exclusive world premiere of Reba’s new video “Somebody’s Chelsea” on Monday, September 26 at 8 AM ET/.PTKicking off with a 15-minute special CMT Premieres: Reba – “Somebody's Chelsea,” fans can see behind-the-scenes footage from the video shoot, which was filmed in Los Angeles and directed by Trey Fanjoy.
Reba helped create the video concept with Trey, which showcases a storybook love affair told through a chance encounter on an airplane.“Somebody’s Chelsea” is from Reba’s new Valory Music Co. album,ALL THE WOMEN I AM.
“Somebody’s Chelsea” was co-written by Reba, Liz Hengber and Will Robinson. The inspiration for the song came from a line of dialogue in the film P. S. I Love You, in which Harry Connick Jr’s character tells Hilary Swank, “I’m going to go find somebody because one of these days, I want to be somebody’s Frank.” “I gasped and I got on the computer and emailed Liz saying, ‘This is a great idea for a song!’” said Reba. “So she got Will to help us with it and we wrote ‘Somebody’s Chelsea.’” “Somebody’s Chelsea” will premiere across CMT’s multiple properties including CMT, CMT.com, CMT Pure, CMT Top 20 Countdown, and CMT’s social media platforms.
The video will also debut on Palladia, MTV Networks’ high-definition music channel. CMT is the only Country music network in the unique position to deliver world premiere exclusives to fans on demand, on multiple platforms.
*Photo Credit: Bjoern Kommerell/The Valory Music Co.
Tickets on sale here.
The Dixie Chicks, Willie Nelson, Lyle Lovett, and Asleep At The Wheel will perform during Fire Relief: The Concert For Central Texas on October 17th. The event will take place at the Frank Erwin Center in Austin, TX, and will be hosted by the star of NBC-TV’s “Friday Night Lights” actor Kyle Chandler, and actor Turk Pipkin.
There will be special guest appearances by Shawn Colvin, the Court Yard Hounds, Steve Miller, the Texas Tornados, along with guitarists, Eric Johnson and Joe Satriani.
All proceeds will benefit the Central Texas Wildfire Fund at the Austin Community Foundation, to support its efforts to help families suffering from long-term problems from wildfires this summer.
Broken Bow Records building superstar Jason Aldean sold over 15,000 tickets for his February 24th "My Kinda Party" tour stop at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena in minutes this morning (9/23). Meanwhile, label buddy Luke Bryan will open the date. "It feels good to sell out any venue in any city, but to sell out your hometown is just an unbelievable feeling," said Jason. "I can't wait to come home for this one … you can bet me and the boys in the band will be ready to go that night!"
Visit Jason Aldean for more information.
Capitol/Nashville hot artist Dierks Bentley performs on NBC-TV’s “Late Night With Jimmy Fallon” on Thursday, September 29th at 12:35 AM (ET). Deirks will perform a version of Pink Floyd’s “Wish You Were Here” as part of Fallon’s week-long tribute to the rock band.
Learn more at Dierks Bentley.
Tony Bennett’s new album DUETS II contains three tracks with Country artists.
They include “On The Sunny Side Of The Street “ with Willie Nelson,” The Way You Look Tonight" with Faith Hill and “It Had To Be You” with Carrie Underwood.
The album also has many standards sung by today’s hottest artists like Lady Gaga, and many others.
Check out all the tracks at Amazon.com
Joining Randy will be Carrie Underwood, John Anderson, Josh Turner, Gene Watson, Connie Smith, Joe Stampley and more. Several performances from the night’s show will be part of an episode of “Opry Live” scheduled to premiere on GAC: Great American Country on Sat., Oct. 15 at 8 p.m. Central.
“Randy’s impact on country music over the past 25 years is evident both in the array of celebrated artists who have joined him on this acclaimed anniversary album as well those who will be accompanying him on the Opry stage next month. It will be a great show, celebrating the legacy of a truly special artist.” said Pete Fisher, Opry vice president and general manager.
“It is a great honor to join the Opry, GAC, and the many wonderful artists who have become friends in helping me celebrate 25 years of music. I am thankful for you and all the fans of Country Music” said Randy. Travis is one of the most recognizable voices in music, with sales in excess of 20 million records.
His impressive career successes include 18 No. 1 singles, seven GRAMMY® Awards, 10 Academy of Country Music Awards, 10 American Music Awards, two People’s Choice Awards, eight Dove Awards, five Country Music Association Awards, and a star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame. His latest album, Anniversary Celebration, was released in June and honors Travis’ twenty-five year legacy as well as his future in country music. For more information go to www.opry.com
Bellamys Offer Fans Chance to Win Week-Long Vacation in Seaside, FL
As result of the United States’ unstable economy, David and Howard Bellamy of Country music’s the Bellamy Brothers are offering fans the chance to win a week-long vacation at their newly remodeled beach house, Persuasion, located in the quaint community of Seaside, FL on the Gulf Coast.
“We tour every nook and cranny of this country,” notes David Bellamy. “We see the direct result of what this economy is doing to America and a lot of our friends and fans are having problems just making ends meet.”
Howard Bellamy adds, “As we tour, we see the struggle on the faces and in the eyes of so many people. We hope this little vacation package giveaway will brighten a few faces out there.”
For contest details and how to enter, fans can visit the Bellamy Brothers’ official website.
Learn more here.
Friday (9/16), they'll announce the first wave of artists to perform during the cruise including Trace Adkins, Easton Corbin and Neal McCoy. More artists will be announced within the next few weeks. For more info, reach out to John at 707.888.2622 or check out Blake Shelton Cruise.
Brant Cotton just wrapped a guest starring appearance on the new season of NCIS: Los Angeles on CBS. The Bakersfield-born singer plays LAPD Capt. John Duncan and he had a blast playing with the S.W.A.T. arsenal of weapons his role required. The show will air in October on Tuesdays at 9pm/8pm CT on CBS.
Brant is keeping up hisTV IQ with his second Ford Truck commercial airing nationally and he just finished a West coast tour of fairs and top Country music venues including a two night stand at the famous Museum Club in Flagstaff, AZ.
Performances are scheduled for Albuquerque, Chicago and New York.
Get all the facts here. All Aboard!
This event will be hosted by songwriter Craig Wiseman and this year’s benefit will also feature Dave Barnes and Dallas Davidson.
The events help to raise awareness of hunger issues in the Music City community and proceeds will go to The Second Harvest Food Bank Of Middle Tennnessee. Over the last six years, this event has raised $389,032.
Event tickets are on-sale for $35 here. For VIP seating contact the Second Harvest Food Bank at 615.329.3491.
Capitol Records/Nashville superstar Dierks Bentley takes his"Miles & Music For Kids" charity motorcycle ride and concert to Chicago, IL, on Sunday, October 9th. This is the first time the event will be held in the Windy City, and will consist of an hour and a half ride, ending with a street festival outside of Joe’s Bar.
Musical performances include Republic Nashville group Eli Young Band and Sea Gayle/Arista/Nashville artist Jerrod Newmann. Tickets for the event go on sale Friday, August 26th and can be purchased at here.
The 21-city arena tour will feature special guest MCA/Nashville artist JoshKelley on all dates and a combination of Eden’s Edge, and Randy Montana on a rotating basis.
"GAC and everyone who works over there have always shown us so much love and support, even from the very beginning of our career and the release of our first single,” said Lady A’s Dave Haywood. “This ‘Own the Night’ tour has been so much fun to plan. We're excited that we'll have our friends at GAC out on the road with us and helping us put together a once-in-a-lifetime experience for Country music fans."
GAC President Ed Hardy added, “GAC has loved Lady Antebellum from their earliest days and we’re thrilled to be hitting the road with them in November. The tour kicks off in Knoxville, TN on November 11th.
Click here for a complete list of tour dates
New recordings by the Country music legend Connie Smith, long acclaimed as one of the greatest singers in the history of the genre have been as rare as the voice and knowing singing she brings to them. Long Line of Heartaches, her first full album of new material since 1998 (and only her second since 1978) is an event in the making. That’s not just for the rarity, or because her legions of fans have so long awaited this news, but because in its range of undiluted traditional Country moods, themes, rhythms and sound, this new Sugar Hill release is simply, unmistakably a new Connie Smith masterpiece, offering the pleasures of the very best that saw release during her remarkable run of recordings during the 1960s and‘70s. “And that,” she says. “is exactly what I wanted to accomplish. I’ve had people ask me what this album was going to be like, since it’s been a long time since they’ve heard me on record, but my musical tastes have remained the same. I wanted this to be traditional country, and it is.” “One of the reasons that I wanted to do this recording, and it’s a personal reason, is that I have such a deep love for traditional country music. We can talk about the music slipping away, or we can do something about it. The only way I know to do something about it is to keep singing what I’ve always loved.”
The album’s dozen new tracks, potent songs of heartache, joy, and spirit recorded at Nashville’s celebrated RCA Victor Studio B, where Connie recorded most of her chart-topping hits in her first years as a recording artist, include five new traditional country songs co-written by Connie and husband Marty Stuart, the project’s producer. Having become an overnight country sensation in 1964 when her first single, “Once a Day”, became a number one hit, the first time a female Country singer’s debut single accomplished that. Connie Smith enjoyed a string of hits in the following years that have become country standards, including “Ain’t Had No Lovin’”, “Just One Time”, “Run Away Little Tears” “I never Once Stopped Loving You” and “The Hurtin’s All Over”. She became a star whose iconic voice has influenced other singers for decades. She has recorded a string of 53 albums notable for their quality and range. To this legacy she now adds Long Line of Heartaches, featuring her band The Sundowners and, for the first time, her three daughters, Julie, Jeanne and Jodi who add striking family harmonies on the contemporary hymn “Take My Hand.” “I still love to sing as much as I ever did. I could sing at the kitchen sink and I’d be happy. I feel it is my destiny to sing.”
Connie Smith Tour Dates
- 10-01 Sandstone, MN - Midwest Country Music Theater
- 10-08 Renfro Valley, KY - Renfro Valley Entertainment Center - New Barn
- 10-12 Americana Music Convention - Showcase time tba
- 01-14 Weirsdale, FL - Orange Blossom Opry
- 02-03 Pace, FL - Farmer's Opry
- 02-04 Weirsdale, FL - Orange Blossom Opry
- 04-17 St. Cloud, MN - Paramount Theatre
Country rocker JasonAldean announced today that he will donate all proceeds from his Sept. 30th show in Roanoke, Va. to Susan G. Komen for the Cure® as part of his 6th Annual Concert For The Cure. The concert on the eve of breast cancer awareness month will take place at the Roanoke Civic Center. Fans can purchase tickets beginning Aug. 26 at HomeTownBankTix.com or Livenation.com , and those who are not able to attend can make a donation at Jasonaldean.com.
“Breast cancer is something that’s affected me, my family and just about everyone I know,” said Jason. “Last year, we took the benefit on the road and raised a lot of money in Evansville, Ind. It was such an incredible night! I love looking out and seeing all the pink tshirts in the crowd…it's amazing what we can do and how much money we can raise when we all come together for this cause."
The benefit concert is part of Jason's My Kinda Party Tour, which continues to crisscross the country selling out the nation's biggest amphitheaters with openers Chris Young and Thompson Square. For more information about Susan G. Komen for the Cure®, breast health or breast cancer, visit .komen.org or call 1-877 GO KOMEN.
Fan club members can purchase tickets for the first date beginning tomorrow and tickets for the general public will go on sale this Friday (August 19) through Ticketmaster. Additional tour dates will be announced over the coming weeks.
"It's been a killer summer playing festivals all over the country and partying with the most die-hard country music fans out there," says Dierks. "We're going to crank up the 'Country & Cold Cans' tour in the Fall and keep it going. I can't imagine that I'll have to convince Jerrod or EYB to have a cold beer or two…they are always up for the party."
For more ticket information about the 2011 Country & Cold Cans Tour, visit www.dierks.com
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As of this writing, Covington, VA is leading the Alan charge!
For more information go to www.alanjackson.com
Now in its fifth year, CMC Rocks the Hunter is the biggest international country and roots festival outside of North America. This will be Faith’s first concert down under and the first time the two of them have performed together outside of North America. Tim’s Southern Voice tour came through Australia in 2010 and his sold-out arena shows and headline performance at CMC Rocks North Queensland received rave reviews.
“This is as big as it gets”, said festival co-promoter Rob Potts. “McGraw has been talking about coming back since the end of his last tour and we couldn’t think of a better gift to the fans than delivering two of the biggest stars in music at one festival”.
Previous years have seen performances by Alan Jackson, Taylor Swift, John Butler Trio, Kasey Chambers, Sugarland, Joe Nichols, Gary Allan, Pete Murray, Ian Moss, John Williamson, Jack Ingram and The Waifs.
For more info click here .
The second annual American Country Awards will air live on FOX from Las Vegas Monday, December 5 and be hosted by Trace Adkins along with Emmy and Tony Award winner Kristin Chenoweth.
American Country Awards is the only country music awards show that gives fans the opportunity to vote for their favorite artists not only in traditional categories but also in previously unrecognized areas of the business such as touring, encompassing a broader spectrum of country music and giving recognition to areas that no other awards show has.
Last year was the first year for the American Country Awards and featured performances by Trace Adkins, Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan, Easton Corbin, Alan Jackson, Toby Keith, Rascal Flatts, Reba, Blake Shelton, Steel Magnolia, Josh Turner, The Band Perry and Uncle Kracker, as well as appearances by Laura Bell Bundy, Rodney Carrington, Jeff Dunham, Travis Pastrana, Jaron and The Long Road to Love, Jewel, Lady Antebellum, Jennette McCurdy, Bret Michaels, Ty Murray, Jerrod Niemann, Michael Waltrip and Lee Ann Womack.
This year’s nominees and presenters are yet to be announced.
When Hank Williams died at the young age of 29 he left behind a scuffed, embroidered brown leather briefcase that contained bound notebooks full of lyrics and song ideas. Some were finished, others just started.
"The Lost Notebooks of Hank Williams" is a long-awaited collection of these previously unrecorded Hank Williams lyrics set to music and performed for the first time as completed songs by a roster of artists with a musical and spiritual kinship to Hank.
The musical compilation will serve as an audio companion to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum's Family Tradition: The Williams Family Legacy, a 5,000-square-foot exhibition presenting an intimate, behind-the-scenes portrait of Hank Williams. The exhibition is the largest and most popular temporary exhibition in the institution's history. The exhibit, which includes Hank Williams' notebooks and other memorabilia, will close on December 31, 2011.
The tracks and artists included in the collection are: The track listing includes
1. Been Lonesome, Too - Alan Jackson
2. The Love That Faded - Bob Dylan
3. How Many Times Have You Broken My Heart? - Norah Jones
4. You Know That I Know - Jack White
5. I'm So Happy I Found You - Lucinda William
6. I Hope You Shed a Million Tears - Vince Gill and Rodney Crowell
7. You're Through Fooling Me - Patty Loveless
8. You'll Never Again Be Mine - Levon Helm
9. Blue Is My Heart - Holly Williams
10. Oh, Mama, Come Home - Jakob Dylan
11. Angel Mine - Sheryl Crow
12. The Sermon on the Mount - Merle Haggard
"The Lost Notebooks of Hank Williams" is available for pre-order at Amazon.com.
The series will kick off Tuesday, September 13 at 7 p.m.
Kenny is a die hard University of Tennessee fan who played football and baseball in high school and has worked with ESPN before. He co-directed and produced “The Color Orange” about his idol Condredge Holloway, a U of T quarterback in the 70’s who was the first African American to start at that position. Last year, Kenny produced "The Boys of Fall," a documentary about how high school football shapes young men and their communities. That film was inspired by Kenny's song of the same name.
Joan Lynch, "Rise Up"'s executive producer and ESPN’s vp of content development, describes Chesney’s new song – an acoustic number titled "Rise Up" – as “a call to action.”
"It’s the first time Kenny has been asked to compose a song for television," says Joan. “He said to me, ‘Joan, this is the hardest thing I’ve done.’ And then he watched the [New Orleans episode of Rise Up] and he wrote the song in two hours. I couldn’t believe it when he emailed me the lyrics.”
Due November 1st
For The Record will be her 4th album and the follow-up to her platinum certified Revolution. That project yielded 3 #1's:
- White Liar
- The House That Built Me
- Heart Like Mine
and 1 Top 10:
- Only Prettier.
Most recently she was included in Vogue Magazine’s list of “American Idols: Icons of Stateside Style.” Leading fashion designers were asked to name their top iconic celebrities. Tommy Hilfiger announced that Taylor and Katy Perry were chosen.
Taylor also has a new fragrance that she with launch in October with Elizabeth Arden. The fragrance, named “Wonderstruck,” is from the cut “Enchanted” from Taylor’s current album “Speak Now.”
"Wearing perfume is such a unique way to create memories. Like songs, a scent can take you back and allow you to relive a moment in time,” Taylor remarked.
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Kenny Chesney made it on to the Cosmopolitan’s list “What’s Sexy This Week: Guys on Tour.”
Cosmo described Kenny as “worn-in jeans, cowboy hats, cut-off tees…Kenny may not have Katy Perry’s costume budget, but we still think his, um, tractor’s sexy." Read more here
Their Fourth Consecutive Year
The show airs live from the Bridgestone Arena/Nashville on Wednesday, November 9th on ABC-TV.
For her part, Carrie tells us, "I'm so honored to be asked back with my friend, Brad. The creative process of getting ready for the show is a blast, and I look forward to sharing Country Music's Biggest Night with all the fans!"
Brad adds, "It's hard to believe this will be our fourth year to host the CMA Awards - it's such an honor to be invited back. I love working with Carrie, she's a class act and a complete balance to my non-class act. I'll try my best to not mess it up."
The Farm Aid line up continues to grow!
Jason Mraz, Jamey Johnson, Jakob Dylan, Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real, Will Dailey & the Rivals, Robert Francis, Pegi Young & the Survivors, Rebecca Pidgeon, Billy Joe Shaver and John Trudell will all join Farm Aid board members Willie Nelson, John Mellencamp, Neil Young and Dave Matthews at Farm Aid 2011.
“Farm Aid is a movement inspired not only by the passion of Willie Nelson, John Mellencamp, Neil Young and Dave Matthews, but also by the more than 400 artists who have donated their performances at our shows over the years,” said Carolyn Mugar, executive director of Farm Aid. “This year, we are thrilled to welcome back several familiar faces to the Farm Aid stage as well as some first-timers for what is sure to be a remarkable day of music, food and inspiration.”
Since 1985 Farm Aid has traveled the country to support organizations that work locally, regionally and anitonally to strengthen family farms. This year Farm Aid will take place in Kansas City, Kansas on August 13 at the LIVESTRONG Sporting Park. To learn more about Farm Aid 2011 go to www.LIVESTRONGsportingpark.com and www.farmaid.org.
Roots And Wings Releases Digitally July 26th
Of the album's title, Terri tells us, “The past year and a half was full of bitter and sweet and while it was tough, I feel it’s times like that when our minds grow the most so it definitely inspired me to write many of these songs.”
She put in some serious writing time, co-writing 9 of the 10 tracks with hit songwriters like Kristen Hall (formerly of Sugarland), Tia Sillers and Tom Shapiro. She also called in the background singing services of Alison Krauss, Sonya Isaacs and Kristen Hall.
Terri is Country Music's only female hat act and the only Canadian female member of the Grand Ole Opry. She's a perenial Canadian Country Music Association winner, including 8-times the CCMA Entertainer of the Year.
According to Pollstar, who has been tracking tour revenue and attendance figures since 1981, Reba ranks as #1 touring female Country artist of all-time. Since the monitoring began 30 years ago she has sold more than 9 million tickets and has logged more than $274 million in gross revenue.
Presales for select shows will begin this Saturday (July 9) at 10 CST. Go to www.Reba.com for a complete tour schedule and details on ticket sales.
CBS has been airing the Grammy Awards since 1973. The 54th Annual Grammy Awards will take place on Sunday, February 12, 2012 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles from 8-11:30 p.m.(ET/PT).
"CBS and the Grammys continue to be a partnership of two great brands combining to create one of television's most celebrated nights," said Nina Tassler, president, CBS Entertainment. "It is an event that has become an entertainment force in generating audience, social media conversation and music sales."
For more information click here.
Toby Keith comes in at #11 after making $50 million last year. Toby makes his money not only from making music but also from endorsement deals with Ford, a mezcal line and a restaurant chain.
Taylor Swift came in #13 having made $45 million after her new album “Speak Now” went triple-platinum barely a month after its release in October. Taylor also brings in $750,000 per night when she is touring.
Brad Paisley made $40 million last year putting him #15 thanks to touring and various corporate sponsorships from Sea Ray boats, Chevy and Skinny Water.
Tied with Beyonce and Muse at #18 is Tim McGraw. Despite issues with his record company, Tim pulled in $35 million after touring and starring in Country Strong with Gwyneth Paltrow. Tim also has a very successful line of cologne.
Thanks to radio play and endorsements as well as a very successful tour, Rascal Flatts earned $34 milllion putting them in the spot #23.
Kenny Chesney rounds out the list at #24 after having making $30 million last year thanks to a successful tour of 24 shows promoting his new album “Hemingway’s Whiskey.”
The top spot on the list went to U2 making $195 million last year. In second place was Bon Jovi earning $125 million and Elton John was #3, with $100 million. For the complete list click here.
Last Year's Televised Event Scored Major Ratings!
CMA CEO Steve Moore tells us, "The CMA Awards recognizes the best in the format - that's what makes this Country Music's Biggest Night. The CMA Awards is one of the most highly anticipated events for our industry each year. It's a night to honor our finest performers, songwriters, record producers, musicians, and music video directors."
Last year's show was the #1 rated entertainment show for the week among the key advertising Adults 18-49 sales demographic. The special beat its nearest competition by 5.7 million viewers and by 74 percent in Adults 18-49, according to Nielsen. Held during November Sweeps (Nov. 10), The 44th Annual CMA Awards dominated the night winning all six of its half-hours. With a primetime sweep, ABC finished #1 on Wednesday in Viewers across all key demos including as well as finishing as the top broadcaster with Teens (12-17) and Kids (2-11).
In Total Viewers (17.2 million) and Adults 18-49 (4.7/13) it was ABC's strongest Wednesday in 12 months with an estimated 33.8 million viewers watching at least some portion of the three-hour gala.
The CMA Awards nominees and winners are determined by the 6,000 industry professional members of CMA, which was the first trade organization formed to promote an individual genre of music in 1958. Winners will be determined in a final round of voting by eligible voting members of the Country Music Association.
Oklahoma natives, Reba and Blake Shelton raised $500,000 for victims of recent tornados in Atoka County, OK during two sold-out “Tornado Relief Concerts” at the Choctaw Events Center in Durant on May 25 and 26. Susie McEntire-Eaton and Kelly Clarkson made a surprise guest appearance at the May 26 relief show.
Reba was born just outside of Kiowa, which is approximately 30 miles away from the greatest devastation. Blake was born in Ada and currently resides in Tishomingo, less than 50 miles from the Atoka County border. Reba and Blake entertained their hometown crowd for over two hours each night.
The pair opened the event with a duet of “Oklahoma Swing.” Both sang their hits including Reba’s “The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia,” “Why Haven’t I Heard From You,” “Turn on the Radio” and “Consider Me Gone.” Blake interjected with his well known tunes including “All About Tonight,” “Goodbye Time,” “Hillbilly Bone” and “Some Beach.”
The duo also showcased their current singles “When Love Gets a Hold of You” (Reba) and “Honey Bee” (Blake). Reba and Blake sent their audience home with a sense of optimism. Performing alone for the first time all evening, Blake performed “Ol’ Red” before Reba made her solo appearance for “Fancy.”
Originally Blake and Reba had anticipated one fundraising event but when it sold out in less than two hours, they announced a second show. All proceeds from both shows will go towards Atoka County’s ongoing relief efforts through the Tushka Disaster Relief Fund.
Fans can text “OKGIVE” to 27722 to make a one-time $10 donation, which will be added to their monthly cell phone bill. Checks can also be made out to the Tushka Disaster Relief Fund and mailed to: 101 SE 1st Street, Tushka, OK 74525.
For more information about The mGive Foundation, please visit http://www.mGive.org
Ruby Records, an independent label based in New Hampshire, has opened a Nashville office. The Nashville office will handle the release of Jimmy LeHoux.
Thompson Entertainment Group will handle the marketing and PR while Tom McBee & Associates will handle the radio promo for the single.
"…we have two people who could do very well in country music. If you look at some of the biggest sellers of the past couple of years they have been Taylor Swift, Lady Antebellum and Miranda Lambert," said Yahoo! Music managing editor Lyndsey Parker.
If Carrie Underwood, who is the contest’s top earner with 12.2 million albums sold, is any indication this could be another great boost for the country music industry.
There was concern this year that without Simon Cowell judging the show would lose viewers. However, after four years of falling ratings, the overall audience was up four percent this year at 24.8 million regular viewers. Apparently they feel more comfortable with the kinder, gentler judging style of Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler and Jennifer Lopez who joined veteran Randy Jackson this season
Shania Is One Busy Lady
At one time we weren't hearing much about Shania. But she is back in a big way!
Next week she will be recognized by getting a star on the Walk of Fame in Hollywood.
She will then come to Nashville for the CMA Music Festival for the first time in 15 years and be on hand signing her new book “From This Moment On.” She will also host a private brunch for the Oprah audience members that she invited to the Fest when she appeared on the Oprah Show recently.
Red River Blue
He's on one fantastic roll, isn't he? Blake Shelton has scheduled the release of his 9th studio album on July 12th. We now know the title of that new album: Red River Blue.
The first tune from the set, Honey Bee, is moving into heavy rotations now at Country Radio. Again, Scott Hendricks produces the album for Blake.
“Hosting the CMT awards was a wonderful bridge to a great after party,” he told US Weekly. “I’m looking forward to crossing that bridge again this year.”
In the nomination department Jason Aldean is leading the pack with four nominations for this year’s awards, followed by Lady A, newlywed Miranda Lambert, Rascal Flatts, Taylor and the Zac Brown Band with three nominations each.
Breach of Contract Surrounding Emotional Traffic Album
Billboard.biz is reporting that that Curb is seeking unspecified damages, a 6th "option period" album and injunctive relife preventing Tim from entering into another recording contract.
Curb says Tim's contract required him to record the album "no earlier than 12-months and no later than 19-months from the delivery of the previous album. Southern Voice was released in 2009. Emotional Traffic has yet to be released.
A spokesperson for Tim McGraw has issued this statement:
Sadly, after a twenty year relationship which has provided unprecedented success for both parties, Curb Records has chosen to end its accord with Tim McGraw by filing suit against him. Tim McGraw delivered his new album, Emotional Traffic, to Curb in the fall of 2010. The label is holding the album hostage from country music fans in an attempt to force Tim McGraw to serve perpetually under a contract that he has already fully and faithfully completed.
The only song Curb has released from the album, Felt Good on My Lips, was a multi-week #1 hit. Although Curb has not released the album, Tim McGraw has decided to perform new songs from Emotional Traffic on his current tour because he feels it is one of his best ever. Most importantly, Tim McGraw wants to thank his fans for their continued support in his efforts to release new and exciting music.
Carrie Underwood landed in the second spot after entering the country world in 2005 after winning American Idol. In addition to her musical talents she has most recently established herself as a rising star in television and film.
The final ranking of What's Your 20? 20 Greatest Women, 20 Years is as follows:
1. Reba McEntire
2. Carrie Underwood
3. Shania Twain
4. Taylor Swift
5. Martina McBride
6. Dolly Parton
7. Faith Hill
8. Alison Krauss
9. Miranda Lambert
10. Jennifer Nettles of Sugarland
11. Sara Evans
12. Trisha Yearwood
13. Dixie Chicks
14. LeAnn Rimes
15. Hillary Scottof Lady Antebellum
16. Patty Loveless
17. Wynonna
18. Emmylou Harris
19. Lee Ann Womack
20. Gretchen Wilson
The First Anniversary Of The Devastating Floods
The Grand Ole Opry marked the first anniversary of the flood that devastated much of Nashville and temporarily displaced the Opry from the Grand Ole Opry House with a star-packed show celebrating Music City’s heart and resilience.
Play On, Nashville! happened Tuesday (5/3), at the Opry House. Among those scheduled to perform are:
- Brad Paisley
- Dierks Bentley
- Luke Bryan
- Charlie Daniels Band
The Grand Ole Opry House was Nashville’s most famous icon affected by the May 2010 flood. Four feet of water engulfed country music’s most famous stage, and the show temporarily moved to several other Nashville venues throughout the summer before returning to the Opry House following an around-the-clock six-month recovery and restoration.
Nashville charitable organizations including Hands On Nashville, the American Red Cross, and United Way of Metropolitan Nashville will provide promotion codes to their supporters such that $10 from every ticket purchased using the codes will be returned to the charity.
Proceeds from Play On, Nashville! commemorative prints available exclusively at the Opry House that night will go to Hands On Nashville, the volunteer resource center responsible for connecting over 125,000 volunteers to flood-related projects.
Opry VP/GM Pete Fisher tells us, “The May 2010 flood devastated homes, businesses, and lives, but it also showcased the unsinkable spirit of our city and its citizens in ways we are still learning about a year later. We want to celebrate that the Opry’s hometown is stronger than ever the best way we know how— with a one-of-a-kind night of great music.”
80,000 Enjoy 90 Artist Performing On 14-Stages
First and second day attendance surpassed any of the previous years numbers...and that goes back 24-years! Event Director Ted Hagamen tells us, “With over 90 artists playing on 14 stages, representing everything from bluegrass and blues, 
Pictured: Doc Watson and Randy Travis prior to Thursday night's show.