Lady Antebellum Resume Own the Night Tour

By Becca

Lady Antebellum

After an extended vacation Lady Antebellum is very anxious to get back out on the road with their Own the Night Tour.  “We’ve been off for about a month, which has probably been the longest break we’ve had since we started as a band, in all seriousness,” said Dave.  “It’s been a fantastic break.  Hillary got married and I got engaged and Charles has been running around on 10 different vacations, so to get back to touring is something I know we just can’t wait for.  We loved what we did in the fall and this is a continuation of the tour from the fall.”  While most of the show will stay the same Charles says, “We’ll change up a couple of the songs.  We got a couple of rehearsals in last week and we’ve got a couple new little surprises we’re gonna throw into this set, and we got to really hone in the set I feel like too over the fall.”  The tour re-launches this weekend with Darius Rucker and Thompson Square as the new openers, in Tulsa, OK, Des Moines, IA and Bloomington, IL, and Hillary says, “We’re excited.  The first three shows are sold out, so we’re looking forward to getting out there.”  The tour has already sold over half a million tickets before they’ve even played the first show.

George Strait Launches Winter Tour

By Becca

George Strait

George Strait will kick off his 2012 winter tour with Martina McBride tonight in Lafayette, Louisiana.  At the moment he has 11 dates on the books, running through the end of February.  Martina is excited to be on the tour because she says, “It’s been probably six or seven years since we’ve toured with him and that experience in itself was amazing, but we were doing stadiums.  But I think this tour will be even more intimate.”  Plus she’s hoping to get to spend some time with George.  She says, “I don’t know if he still does this but when we toured together before, there was a tent every night.  You could go and hang out with him if you wanted to.  He kind of likes to hang out, which I was surprised, and I took advantage of that.  You know I’m thinking if I get to hang out with George Strait, I’m gonna do that.”

Blake Shelton, The Band Perry and Glen Campbell Team for Grammy Performance

By Becca

The Band Perry

Grammy nominees Blake Shelton and The Band Perry will team up with Recording Academy Lifetime Achievement Award recipient and five-time Grammy winner Glen Campbell for a special performance on this year’s Grammy Awards.  Previously announced performers include Taylor Swift and Jason Aldean.  The awards will take place live from Los Angeles on February 12th on CBS.

Keith Urban Up for Four CMAA Awards Tomorrow

By Becca

Keith Urban

The Country Music Association of Australia will hand out their awards tomorrow in a ceremony known as the Golden Guitars, and Keith Urban is up for four awards, including Album  for Get Closer, Top-Selling Album, Male Artist and Single for “Long Hot Summer”.  Keith learned of his nominations when he was on vocal rest following his surgery to remove a polyp from his vocal cords and he tweeted, “Well, even though I can’t speak, I can read … and I was thrilled to hear about the four nominations!”

Dierks and Darius Playing Super Bowl Festivities

By Becca

Dierks Bentley

Dierks Bentley will be in Indianapolis this Sunday to play a free show on an outdoor stage in downtown Indianapolis as part of Super Bowl week.  He will headline the entertainment on the Verizon Stage for what is being billed Super Families Day.  Then on Thursday, Darius Rucker will perform on the same stage for Super Heroes Day in the Super Bowl Village.  Detailed information and a full schedule are online at indianapolissuperbowl.com.

Carrie Underwood and Faith Hill on Tony Bennett PBS Special

By Becca

Carrie Underwood and Tony Bennett

The PBS special, Great Performances featuring music from the CD Tony Bennett: Duets II will premiere tonight, featuring performances by Carrie Underwood, Faith Hill, Willie Nelson, Lady Gaga, John Mayer, Aretha Franklin and many others.  Carrie will sing “It Had to Be You” with Tony and Faith performs “The Way You Look Tonight.”

David Nail Builds Busy Touring Schedule

By Becca

David Nail

David Nail has been announced as the opening act for pop star Gavin DeGraw’s North American tour, which will kick off March 8th in Lexington, KY.  David will actually spend a good portion of 2012 on the road playing solo dates, opening for Billy Currington on his first headlining tour and opening for Gavin.  You can see a complete list of his tour dates on DavidNail.com.

Casey James Makes Opry Debut

By Becca

Casey James

American Idol alumni Casey James will make his Grand Ole Opry debut tonight.  “It’s amazing,” says Casey. “Not only will it be my first time on the Opry but my first time at the Ryman as well… just to be invited is a huge honor and privilege.  I am super excited to play on the same stage that so many great musicians have played over the years. ”  Casey’s self-titled debut album, featuring his current single, “Let’s Don’t Call It A Night,” will be in stores on March 20th.

ACM Awards Nominations Facts and Reactions

By Becca

A few facts about the nominations from the Academy of Country Music:

Kenny Chesney



• First time Academy of Country Music Award nominees include: Grace Potter (3 nominations), Aaron Lewis (2 nominations), Thompson Square (1 nomination) and Love and Theft (1 nomination). (NOTE: Thompson Square is a semi-finalist for New Artist of the Year, so they could end up with 2 noms after those nominees are announced in Feb.)

• If Kenny Chesney wins Entertainer of the Year, it will be his fifth win in this category. He will be tied with Alabama, who has also won the trophy five times.

• If Brad Paisley wins Male Vocalist of the Year, it will be his sixth win in this category.

• Reigning Female Vocalist of the Year Miranda Lambert receives her sixth nod for Female Vocalist of the Year. If she wins, it will be her third consecutive trophy in that category.

• This is co-host Blake Shelton’s first Entertainer of the Year nomination.

Kenny Chesney received nine ACM nominations including:

Entertainer of the Year
Male Vocalist of the Year
Album of the Year (Artist) – ‘Hemingway’s Whiskey’ (BNA)
Album of the Year (Producer) – ‘Hemingway’s Whiskey’ (BNA)
Single Record of the Year (Artist) – “You And Tequila”
Singe Record of the Year (Producer) – “You And Tequila”
Song of the Year – “You and Tequila”
Vocal Event of the Year (Artist) – “You And Tequila”
Vocal Event of the Year (Producer) – “You And Tequila”

When he heard the news he said, “It’s an honor to receive so much love from the Academy of Country Music after all they’ve done to support my music over the years.  I can’t wait to get back on the road with my good friend Tim and throw one big spring break party all summer long.”

Blake Shelton

Blake Shelton received his first nomination for ACM Entertainer of the Year and a second nomination for Male Vocalist of the Year and he said, “The support I have felt this week is overwhelming.  Thank you everyone for this honor”.

Jason Aldean grabbed a video camera to record his reaction to his six ACM Award nominations and to ask his fans to “help a brother out” and vote for him for Entertainer of the Year at www.voteACM.com.

Toby Keith’s “Red Solo Cup” earned him three nominations for Video of the Year and as the artist and producer in the Single of the Year category.  He responded by saying, “I’m nominated for Single and Video? Cool! Proceed to party!”

Eric Church

Eric Church is nominated for Album of the Year for Chief and Video of The Year for “Homeboy” and he said, “I’ve never minced words about the fact that my passion is making great records for the sake of the music.  The fact that the ACM’s have nominated us for the album category is quite the honor and frankly the one I revere the most. “Homeboy,” both musically and visually, is a song that tells a compelling story. I have a very special place in my heart for the video, and I’m very grateful that it is getting recognized. It’s been one hell of a year.”

Chris Young’s “Tomorrow” is up for Single of the Year and he is nominated for Male Vocalist of the Year and when he heard the news he said, “Starting the day with two ACM nominations is a really nice thing to wake up to on the tour bus. Regarding the Single of the Year nomination, ‘Tomorrow’ co-writers Frank Myers and Anthony Smith were with me on the bus when I found out because we’re supposed to write together this weekend. So, we were having coffee in our sweatpants and high-fiving each other.”

Lee Brice

Lee Brice received an ACM nomination for Song of the Year as a co-writer of the Eli Young Band’s #1 song, “Crazy Girl,” which was also Billboard’s #1 song of 2011.  Lee said, “I’m so honored to be acknowledged along with these other amazing writers.”  He added, “I’m so happy for the Eli Young Band. They’ve worked so hard for so long, and they deserve all the success that’s coming to them.”

Montgomery Gentry received their 14th ACM nomination for Duo of the Year and Eddie Montgomery said, “This last year has been just unbelievable. We have a new album that T and I are so proud of, a new label that is rockin’ and the support we’ve had from our friends at radio and on the road is just awesome.”  Troy Gentry added, “We are really proud to be nominated and blessed to be living our dream for as long as we have been. As always, we are truly humbled to be included in this category once again.”

ACM Award Nominees Announced

By Becca

The nominees for the 47th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards were announced this morning via a virtual press conference.  Kenny Chesney leads the nominations with a total of 9.  Jason Aldean earned 6, Lady Antebellum scored 5 nominations, Brad Paisley has 4 and Toby Keith, Taylor Swift, Eli Young Band and Grace Potter (for her work with Kenny Chesney on “You and Tequila” each picked up 3 nominations.    The awards will be hosted by Reba and Blake Shelton live from Las Vegas on April 1st on CBS.  Here is a complete list of nominees:

ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR
Jason Aldean
Kenny Chesney
Brad Paisley
Blake Shelton
Taylor Swift

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 DUO OF THE YEAR
Love and Theft
Montgomery Gentry
Steel Magnolia
Sugarland
Thompson Square

VOCAL GROUP OF THE YEAR
The Band Perry
Eli Young Band
Lady Antebellum
Rascal Flatts
Zac Brown Band

ALBUM OF THE YEAR [Award to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company]
Chief – Eric Church (EMI-Nashville)
Produced by: Arturo Buenahora, Jr., Jay Joyce

Four The Record – Miranda Lambert (RCA)
Produced by: Chuck Ainlay, Frank Liddell, Glenn Worf

Hemingway’s Whiskey – Kenny Chesney (BNA)
Produced by: Buddy Cannon, Kenny Chesney

My Kinda Party – Jason Aldean (Broken Bow Records)
Produced by: Michael Knox

Own The Night – Lady Antebellum (Capitol Records Nashville)
Produced by: Lady Antebellum, Paul Worley

SINGLE RECORD OF THE YEAR [Award to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company]
Crazy Girl – Eli Young Band (Republic Nashville)
Produced by: Mike Wrucke

Don’t You Wanna Stay – Jason Aldean With Kelly Clarkson (Broken Bow Records)
Produced by: Michael Knox

Red Solo Cup – Toby Keith (Show Dog-Universal Music)
Produced by: Toby Keith

Tomorrow – Chris Young (RCA)
Produced by: James Stroud

You And Tequila – Kenny Chesney Featuring Grace Potter (BNA)
Produced by: Buddy Cannon, Kenny Chesney

SONG OF THE YEAR [Award to Composer(s)/Publisher(s)/Artist(s)]
Crazy Girl – Eli Young Band
Composers: Lee Brice, Liz Rose
Publishers: Cake Taker Music (BMI), Mike Curb Music (BMI), Sony/ATV Tree Publishing (BMI), Sweet Hysteria Music (BMI)

Home – Dierks Bentley
Composers: Brett Beavers, Dierks Bentley, Dan Wilson
Publishers: Big White Tracks (ASCAP), Chestnut Barn Music (BMI), Chrysalis Music/BMG Rights (ASCAP), Chrysalis One Songs (BMI)

Just A Kiss – Lady Antebellum
Composers: Dallas Davidson, Dave Haywood, Charles Kelley, Hillary Scott
Publishers: Dwhaywood Music (BMI), EMI Blackwood Music, Inc. (BMI), EMI Foray Music (SESAC), Hillary Dawn Songs (SESAC), Radiobulletspublishing (BMI), String Stretcher Music (BMI), Warner-Tamberlane Publishing Corp. (BMI)

Threaten Me With Heaven – Vince Gill
Composers: Amy Grant, Vince Gill, Dillon O’Brian, Will Owsley
Publishers: Grant Girls Music (ASCAP), Vinny Mae Music (BMI), Willie-O Music (ASCAP)

You And Tequila – Kenny Chesney Featuring Grace Potter
Composers: Matraca Berg, Deana Carter
Publishers: Deanaling Music (ASCAP), Hannaberg Music (BMI), Songs of Universal Inc. (BMI), WB Music Corp. (ASCAP)

VIDEO OF THE YEAR [Award to Producer(s)/Director(s)/Artist(s)] *(Off Camera Award)
Homeboy – Eric Church
Producer: Brandon Arolfo
Director: Peter Zavadil

Just A Kiss – Lady Antebellum
Producer: Don Lepore
Director: Shawn Silva

Mean – Taylor Swift
Producer: Oualid Mouaness
Director: Declan Whitebloom

Red Solo Cup – Toby Keith
Producer: Mark Kalbfeld
Director: Michael Salomon

Tattoos On This Town – Jason Aldean
Producer: John Burke
Director: Wes Edwards

VOCAL EVENT OF THE YEAR [Award to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company] *(Off Camera Award)
Country Boy – Aaron Lewis Featuring George Jones & Charlie Daniels (R&J Records)
Produced by: Aaron Lewis, James Stroud

Don’t You Wanna Stay – Jason Aldean With Kelly Clarkson (Broken Bow Records)
Produced by: Michael Knox

Old Alabama – Brad Paisley Featuring Alabama (Arista Nashville)
Produced by: Frank Rogers

Remind Me – Brad Paisley Duet With Carrie Underwood (Arista Nashville)
Produced by: Frank Rogers

You And Tequila – Kenny Chesney Featuring Grace Potter (BNA)
Produced by: Buddy Cannon, Kenny Chesney

OFF CAMERA AWARDS – The following off-camera awards will be presented during the annual ACM Honors event held in Nashville this fall.

SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR
Rhett Akins
Dallas Davidson
Ben Hayslip
Luke Laird
David Lee Murphy