Reigning CMA Vocal Group of the Year Little Big Town will host the summer's hottest television music event when the ABC Television Network airs "CMA Music Festival: Country's Night to Rock" on Monday, August 12th beginning at 7pm. The special first aired in 2004 and is marking its 10th anniversary in 2013. This is the ninth time ABC will broadcast the special – which invites the whole country to America's largest Country Music celebration.
Garth Brooks and the Encore Theater in Las Vegas are filming upcoming shows this weekend and July 4th weekend to memorialize his time on the Encore Theater stage. The special will also then be available on DVD. Certified by the RIAA in 2000 as the #1-selling solo artist in U.S. history, Garth Brooks has sold in excess of 128 million albums and has received every accolade the recording industry can bestow on an artist.
Oklahoma native Blake Shelton is doing everything he can to help out his home state in the wake of the devastating tornado that decimated the town of Moore on Monday including organizing a benefit concert for the victims of the storm. Shelton is a native of Ada, Oklahoma, which is 75 miles south of where the tornado touched down. Blake and wife Miranda Lambert opened Tuesday's "Voice" episode with a version of "Over You," in tribute to the Oklahoma Tornado victims, while information to donate to the American Red Cross was shown on the screen.
Eric Church, Luke Bryan and Miranda Lambert all have four nominations to lead the field for the 2013 CMT Music Awards. Voting for the CMT Music Awards continues at CMT.com until Sunday, June 2nd at midnight ET. The 2013 CMT Music Awards will feature performances by Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, Taylor Swift, Hunter Hayes, Little Big Town, and more. The show airs on Wednesday, June 5th at 7:00 p.m., CT on CMT and CMT.com. Kristen Bell returns as host joined by Jason Aldean.
Martina McBride is part of the General Mills' Save Lids Save Lives program. You can send in lids on specially marked General Mills products and they will donate money for breast cancer research. General Mills donates 10 cents to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure for every lid sent in up to $2.5 million. The campaign runs through June 30th.
Brad Paisley will appear on the season finale of ABC's Nashville tonight. Brad will play himself and perform with Connie Britton's Rayna and Charles Esten's Deacon during a mock CMA Awards show. Brad's wife, Kimberly Williams-Paisley, who has a recurring role on the show as Peggy Kenter, will also appear in the Nashville season finale TONIGHT. The drama was picked up by ABC for a 2nd season last week.
Country Music Hall of Fame member George Strait became the first music artist in history, regardless of genre, to place 60 songs at the top of the charts when Mediabase named "Give It All We Got Tonight" as this week's most played song on country radio. The song is the first single from Strait's new album Love Is Everything, released last week.
--Darius Rucker will visit Jimmy Kimmel TONIGHT for a performance of his just released album, 'True Believers.' Jimmy Kimmel Live airs weeknights at 10:35 CT on KSPR.
Darius Rucker will release his third country studio album, True Believers, Today. Darius wrote ten of the twelve tracks. Rucker's first two country albums, Learn To Live and Charleston, SC 1966 both topped the Billboard Country album chart and produced five No. 1 singles. In 2009 Rucker was named New Artist of the Year at the CMA Awards. Most recently, he achieved a personal goal and childhood dream when he was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry on October 16, 2012.
Reigning ACM and CMA "Vocal Duo of the Year" Thompson Square will debut its new single, "Everything I Shouldn't Be Thinking About," on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno Tonight. The pair just celebrated their 14th wedding anniversary on May 15th. Thompson Square made its national television debut on Tonight Show in 2011, performing it's #1 smash, "Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not" which has since gone on to sell over 2 million singles. The duo is currently touring with Luke Bryan on his Dirt Road Diaries Tour through October.
Wynonna will return to ABC's Dancing with the Stars for Tonight's finale. She'll join the other celebrities from this season's cast on the show, including remaining finalist Kellie Pickler. Wynonna will perform her cover of Foreigner's "I Want to Know What Love Is." The Dancing with the Stars finale airs Tonight at 8:00 p.m. CT on KSPR.
Taylor Swift is one of the lead nominees for the 2013 Billboard Music Awards, with 11 nods. Country Music performances include: Taylor Swift and The Band Perry. Shania Twain, Jennifer Nettles of Sugarland and Florida Georgia Line will be among the presenters at this Sunday's BillboardMusic Awards. The 2013 Billboard Music Awards will air live from Las Vegas this Sunday, May 19th at 7:00p.m. central on KSPR.
"ACM Presents: Tim McGraw's Superstar Summer Night," will air at 8:00pm CT this Sunday on KOLR10. The show will feature high-octane performances and musical collaborations in a two hour star-studded concert event to benefit ACM Lifting Lives. Guests include: Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan, Taylor Swift, DierksBentley, Keith Urban, Lady Antebellum, The Band Perry, Faith Hill, John Fogerty chart-topping R&B artist, Ne-Yo and International pop star Pitbull.
Trace Adkins is again in the finale as the NBC reality series "All-Star Celebrity Apprentice" comes to an end this Sunday night. Adkins finished the runner up to Piers Morgan the last time he competed on the show. This time around he's up against Penn Jillette as he works to complete this season's final task. Adkins has already served as project manager twice this season, and won both times. So far he's raised a total of 710-thousand-dollars for his charity, the American Red Cross. If he wins, he'll be able to give an additional 250-thousand-dollars to the organization.The "All-Star Celebrity Apprentice" finale will air on KY3 this Sunday at 8:00pm CT.
The Band Perry will perform on the season finale of American Idol TONIGHT. They will team up with eliminated 4th runner-up contestant Janelle Arthur. Season-eight runner-up Adam Lambert will perform with finalist Angie Miller. Legendary crooner Frankie Valli will sing with the top five male contestants. Former AmericanIdol judge Jennifer Lopez is also a musical guest for the finale, which will air at 7:00pm TONIGHT on Fox. And speaking of the American Idol finale, Keith Urban will perform his new single, "Little Bit of Everything," on the show tonight. Keith is still in the studio finishing up his new album and will only have a month to really concentrate on the new project after tonight's finale of Idol. He'll hit the road on the Light the Fuse tour in July.
Faith Hill is among the singers who may be a judge on Simon Cowell's 'X Factor' this season. Reba McEntire was also rumored to be a judge but she seems to be out of the running, according to sources. The auditions for the next season of X-Factor starts in less than two weeks so look for an announcement soon.
Luke Bryan is scheduled to release his fourth studio album on August 13th. This new album will be the follow up to tailgates & tanlines. No name for the new project as of yet. The first single from the fourth album "Crash My Party" is Luke's fastest rising single to date.
Ray Price has been hospitalized. After being admitted, The 'For the Good Times' singer shared the news on his Facebook page, thanking fans and friends for their prayers and support. It's wasn't made clear when Price was hospitalized, or where. Price shared that his pancreatic cancer was in remission last February and he'd be undergoing physical therapy. He was diagnosed in 2012 when doctors found a tumor while removing his gallbladder.
--Brad Paisley will perform on ABC's The View and CBS's Late Show with David Letterman TODAY. 'The View' airs weekdays at 10:00am CT on KSPR and 'The Late Show with David Letterman' airs at 10:35pm CT on KOLR10.
George Straitreleases his40th studio album TODAY, May 14th, titled "Love Is Everything." George wrote or co-wrote all of the albums 13 tracks. George continues The Cowboy Rides Away Tour, his final U.S. trek, set to wrap up next year.
Dierks Bentley will release his 6th studio album Riser this fall. Written and recorded in the year following his father's death, the album draws its title from "I'm A Riser," a song about resilience and determination. His five previous studio albums have sold more than five million copies, garnered 11 GRAMMY nominations and earned him an invitation to join the Grand Ole Opry.
Taylor Swift will guest star on the FOX comedy "New Girl" Season 2 season finale TONIGHT. The folks behind the hit Fox comedy New Girl say the singer "came and nailed" her upcoming cameo on the show's season finale, and rave that she was "very good." Taylor's previous acting credits include "CSI" on the small screen, "Valentine's Day" on the big screen and hosting "Saturday Night Live." The Season 2 Finale will air at 8:00pm CT on FOX.
--Lady Antebellum will perform TONIGHT on NBC's 'The Voice.' The show airs at 7:00pm CT on KY3.
Kenny Chesney will chat with Katie Couric on her syndicated TV show Today. The show, which also features two segments of First Responders in the Boston Marathon Bombing and a mother/daughter who were both injured, focuses on Chesney's Spread The Love Fund, earmarked to help the injured get prosthetics and related care. He will perform a stripped down version of Life on a Rock's "Spread The Love." Chesney's portion of the money from all downloads of "Spread The Love" will go to the Spread the Love Fund. www.bmc.org/kenny
--Lady Antebellum joins host Chelsea Handler on 'Chelsea Lately' TONIGHT on E! The show airs weeknights at 10:00pm CT.
--Luke Bryan will appear on The Late Show with David Letterman TONIGHT, May 13. Luke will perform his new single "Crash My Party," the first song from his next studio album due out later this summer. Late Night with David Letterman airs weeknights at 10:35pm CT on KOLR10.
Jana Kramer is starring in the new feature length military war drama Approaching Midnight. In the feature-length film, Kramer plays Aspen Malverne, the daughter of a mayor in small town America. She has met her end, but therein lies much of the mystery. Check out the official and long awaited trailer above and follow the films Facebook page to be notified of upcoming screenings, events and contests. You can find out more about the film online at: www.approachingmidnightfilm.com. No word on a release date on the movie as of now.
Kenny Rogers, Bobby Bare and "Cowboy" Jack Clement will officially become the newest members of the Country Music Hall of Fame on Sunday, October 27. Typically held in the Hall's Ford Theater, the Medallion Ceremony is an all-star tribute that serves as the formal induction into country music's most exclusive ranks. It's also the occasion when the Hall unveils the honorees' bronze likenesses that will hang in the Rotunda. Kenny Rogers is being honored as this year's Modern Era Artist, for hits ranging from "The Gambler" to "Lucille" to "Islands in the Stream," his duet with Dolly Parton. Bobby Bare is the Veterans' Era Artist, known for songs like "Detroit City" and "500 Miles Away From Home." "Cowboy" Jack Clement enters the Hall of Fame in the Non-Performer category, for producing acts ranging from Johnny Cash to Jerry Lee Lewis to U2.
--Lady Antebellum plays night two of a dual show performance on 'Late Night with Jimmy Fallon' tonight. The show airs at 11:35 CT on KY3.
Carrie Underwood will sing the introduction theme to NBC's 'Sunday Night Football' broadcast beginning this fall. The musical weekly introductions will begin on September 8th with a matchup between the N.Y. Giants and Dallas Cowboys. NBC made the official announcement yesterday. The opening song is a spinoff of Joan Jett's 'I Hate Myself for Loving You.' NBC said Underwood was their first and only choice upon learning Hill wouldn't return in 2013.
George Strait's 40th studio album, 'Love Is Everything,' will be released May 14th, just before his 61st birthday. George has more No. 1 hits than any other artist from any genre, including the Beatles and Elvis Presley. Strait is currently on the Cowboy Rides Away Tour, which will take him through this year and next year before he retires from the road. And although he is retiring from touring, he has stated that he has no plans to retire from recording new music.
--Lady Antebellum Begins Two Night Performance Stint on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon tonight. The first appearance will be tonight. The show airs at 11:35pm on KY3.
--The Band Perry will perform on the season finale of American Idol next week on May 16th. The Hollywood Reportersays the group will team up with recently-eliminated contestant Janelle Arthur. The finale will air May 16 on Fox.
Lady Antebellum releases their 4th studio album, 'Golden' today and to mark the occasion, they will be on the Ellen show this afternoon.
Eric Church, Luke Bryan and Miranda Lambert all have 4 nominations to lead the field for the 2013 CMT Music Awards. Voting for the CMT Music Awards begins now at CMT.com and continues until Sunday, June 2nd at midnight ET. The 2013 CMT Music Awards marks the 12th anniversary of the awards show on Wednesday, June 5th at 7:00 p.m. on CMT and CMT.com. Kristen Bell returns as host joined by, Jason Aldean.
Sooner state native Toby Keith got to show a little home state favoritism on his current, 11th USO tour. He posed for photos with crew members from the USS Oklahoma City in Guam, and toured nuclear attack submarines like the SSN Oklahoma. Toby was also given the honorary submariner award and got to inspect a Tomahawk missile launcher. A line of shirtless guys with the letters "Toby K USA" in red and blue greeted him at that night's concert. Toby wraps up the 10-day USO tour TODAY.
Hunter Hayes made a stop in his hometown of Breaux Bridge, Louisiana last week, where he received keys to the city from the Mayor, the Parish President and the Louisiana Lt. Governor. The city declared April 29th "Hunter Hayes Day."
Garth Brooks and the Encore Theater in Las Vegas are planning to film upcoming Memorial Day and July 4th weekend concerts to memorialize his time on the Encore Theater stage. The special will also then be available on DVD. On Memorial Day weekend there will be 2 shows on Friday night May 24 and 2 shows on Saturday night, May 25. On July 4th weekend there will be one show on Friday night, July 5 and one show on Saturday night July 6.
Love and Theft - Stephen Barker Liles and Eric Gunderson will perform at theThumbs Up For What's Wright benefit concert at Tin Roof Nashville on Wednesday, May 15. Love and Theft join previously announced artists David Nail, Chris Janson, Kristen Kelly, Randy Montana, and special guests to support the Thumbs Up For Lane Childhood Cancer Foundation and the Payton Wright Foundation, raising money to fight pediatric cancer. More details at: tinroofbars.com.
George Jones was remembered in a 1 hour and 39 minute public memorial service broadcasted on TV networks and streamed online at the Grand Ole Opry yesterday. Many stars paid tribute singing hymn and gospel themed songs including Brad Paisley. Before Brad sang, he encouraged young people to find out about what all the "ruckus" was about regarding George Jones and to discover his music. Some interesting stories and facts were revealed during the speeches and comments about George Jones at the service. For example, the nickname "Possum" came from a WSM-AM DJ in the late 50's when George had a buzz cut. The name stuck because he looked like a possum. And the only time a sitting First Lady of the United States presented the highest honor for an artist, The Kennedy Center Honor of Achievement, was in 2008 when Laura Bush did so. It was at her request to introduce Jones for the impact his music had on her growing up in Texas.
Tim McGraw has teamed up with Chase and Operation Homefront for his HomeFront program, through which he awards a new, mortgage-free home to a military veteran and his or her family at each tour stop. Tim gave away 30 homes in 2012, and this year he will give 31 deserving families a new home on the 'Two Lanes of Freedom' tour that kicked off last night. Tim says he was on-board with Homefront from the moment he heard about the idea. Tim says the reaction from the soldiers and their families make it even more special. Beyond awarding homes to deserving families, the goal of Chase's partnership with Tim McGraw is to help raise awareness about the issues facing veterans and their families including employment, homeownership and education. For more information, visit OperationHomefront.net.
RascalFlatts has teamed up with CMT to help country fans honor their mothers this Mother's Day with a Mother's Day ecard and a contest with a grand prize trip to see the Flatts in concert. Rascal Flatts' Love Your Momma contest is now underway at CMT.com, and the grand prize includes tickets to see the band in Lake Tahoe, NV on July 19. Airfare, hotel and a meet-and-greet with the band at the show are also included. The contest runs through May 15th.
Gloriana will perform "Can't Shake You" in the season finale of The CW series Hart of Dixieon May 7th. The trio is currently on the road performing headlining shows across the country in support of their critically acclaimed second studio album, A Thousand Miles Left Behind. More information go to: www.Gloriana.com.
Tim McGraw will kick off his Two Lanes of Freedom Tour today and he says the biggest thing that will set this tour apart from his past tours is the music. Tim also says he and the band have planned some cool musical transitions between songs. More than anything Tim says the focus will be on the music verses huge production or tricks. And we'll get to see it! Tim McGraw will play at the Black Oak Amphitheatre in Lampe on June 23rd.
