Country Star Stalker

Lionel Richie Headed To HSN For Live Country Concert

noreply@blogger.com (Web Guy) — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 13:15:00 PST

Lionel Richie Headed To HSN For Live Country Concert
Lionel Richie will help the Home Shopping Network kick off its new series of live performances entitled “HSN Live,” during which he will perform songs off his upcoming country album, “Tuskegee.” The album, due out on March 26th, is Richie’s collection of duets with big names in country music performing many of his hits. One of those collaborators, Kenny Rogers, has been confirmed to join him on stage to perform “Lady.” Richie will appear on “HSN Live” March 16th. The event will be preceded and followed by special programming on the network’s Facebook page, including more performances by Richie and an interview with Rogers.

Jimmy Buffett Tacks More Stops Onto Tour

noreply@blogger.com (Web Guy) — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 12:15:00 PST

Jimmy Buffett Tacks More Stops Onto Tour
Jimmy Buffett and his Coral Reefer Band have added more dates to the “Welcome to Fin Land” tour, this time spread throughout the Midwest and Hawaii. So far, two performances have been scheduled in Hawaii in mid-March, followed by three mainland shows: April 14th in Omaha; April 17th in Des Moines; and April 19th in Dallas. Buffett’s most recent studio set, “Buffet Hotel,” hit retailers in late 2009 via his own Mailboat Records. Buffett continues unveiling live collections for fans, with the latest offering being last September’s iTunes release “Volcano - Live 2011.” Recorded in the spring of 2011, the album showcases Buffett and the Coral Reefers playing all the songs from his 1988 album, “Volcano.”

LeAnn Rimes On New Album

noreply@blogger.com (Web Guy) — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 11:15:00 PST

LeAnn Rimes On New Album
Expect to learn a lot about LeAnn Rimes when her new album comes out. She says she’s finished writing and is headed into the studio to record next month. Rimes hasn’t released an album of original songs since her affair with new husband Eddie Cibrian and divorce from Dean Sheremet in 2010. Rimes says “life inspires. Good and bad. Pretty and ugly.” She says she laid out her heart and soul on the record and adds that her personal life comes out in her music. Rimes has been a tabloid magnet since the affair. She recently found a friend who can relate: Kim Kardashian. Rimes says they go to the same church and have hung out a couple times, adding they “click” on a certain level. Rimes says it’s great to have a friend in the industry because she doesn’t have too many of those.

Craig Campbell To Headline Daytona 500 Pre-Show

noreply@blogger.com (Web Guy) — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 10:15:00 PST

Craig Campbell To Headline Daytona 500 Pre-Show
Craig Campbell will make his way down to the Daytona International Speedway this weekend, where he’ll headline the Coca-Cola stage in the Midway Fan Zone prior to the start of the Daytona 500. Campbell will hit the stage Sunday and is slated to play a free, 90-minute set. Campbell plans to play “Family Man” and “Fish,” from his self-titled debut, as well as his new anthem “When I Get It.”

Trace Adkins Named Pilot Flying J Loyalty Program Spokesman

noreply@blogger.com (Web Guy) — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 09:15:00 PST

Trace Adkins Named Pilot Flying J Loyalty Program Spokesman
Trace Adkins has been named the spokesman for Pilot Flying J’s soon-to-be-launched loyalty program, which is set to kick off this spring. Pilot Flying J is the largest operator of travel centers and plazas in North America. Pro drivers, motorists and road warriors like Adkins rely on travel centers to survive while on the road. “As much as I travel, my band, crew and I certainly rely on Pilot Flying J travel centers as we tour the country,” Adkins said. “I think all the professional drivers, business travelers and motorists on our U.S. highways and interstates would say the same. I’m proud to partner with this driver-driven company as they serve and reward the men and women who are responsible for transporting the products and services of America!”

Neal McCoy Releasing ‘XII’

noreply@blogger.com (Web Guy) — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 08:15:00 PST

Neal McCoy Releasing ‘XII’
Neal McCoy will release his new album ‘XII” on March 6th after a five-year hiatus. The album, produced by husband and wife team Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert, is McCoy’s 12th studio effort. Shelton called McCoy not only a friend but a hero, and spoke about producing the album, saying, “Our first priority with this album was that Neal only cut songs that he truly loved and was excited about. That was very important to us.” His wife commented, “It was a blast seeing Neal and Blake together…had the place laughing all the time. I think fans will hear three different artists coming together on this album with their individual takes on the music.” Tracks on the album include “A-OK,” “Real Good Feel Good” and “Crazy Women.”

New Music Coming From The Mavericks

noreply@blogger.com (Web Guy) — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 07:15:00 PST

New Music Coming From The Mavericks
The Mavericks are giving new music another go. They’ve signed a record deal with Valory and will release a new album later this year. It will mark the 20th anniversary since The Mavericks released their self-titled debut album in 1991. The band will launch a North American and European tour this summer. Their first stop will be in April at Stagecoach in Indio, California. It will be their first public performance since 2003.

The Band Perry On Paying Tribute To Glen Campbell

noreply@blogger.com (Web Guy) — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 06:15:00 PST

The Band Perry On Paying Tribute To Glen Campbell
The Band Perry feels like they were part of a “historical moment” at the Grammys when they took part in a tribute to Glen Campbell. Lead singer Kimberly Perry says their parents have always been fans and introduced them to Campbell’s music early on. Kimberly calls the band’s performance with him “an amazing crossroads” between generations. She says Campbell’s songs and his talent have “truly left a legacy that will continue to inspire new artists and new fans alike.” The Band Perry’s current single, “All Your Life,” is spending its second week at No. 1.

Artist Of The Day: Alan Jackson

noreply@blogger.com (Web Guy) — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 05:15:01 PST

Artist Of The Day:

Alan Jackson

Alan Jackson started performing professionally when he was 20, later starting his own Dixie Steel Band. His debut album, 1990’s “Here In The Real World,” produced his first No. 1 – “I’d Love You All Over Again.” His next album, “Don’t Rock The Jukebox,” produced four No. 1 singles with the title track, “Someday,” “Dallas” and “Love’s Got A Hold On You.”
“What I Do” debuted at No. 1 in 2004 and included the No. 1 tune “Remember When,” as well as “USA Today,” “The Talkin’ Song Repair Blues,” “Monday Morning Church” and “Too Much of a Good Thing.”
“Precious Memories,” a gospel album, was released in early 2006. The disc was named Country Album of the Year at the Dove awards. Later that year, Alan released “Like Red on a Rose,” produced by Alison Krauss.
“Good Time” was released in March 2008. The album helped Jackson reach the 50 million album sales mark. The title track topped the list of the 10 most requested and played songs of 2008. “Country Boy” also hit No. 1, as did “Small Town Southern Man.” Other hits from the album included “Sissy’s Song” and “I Still Like Bologna.”
Alan’s album “Freight Train” hit stores in March 2010. The album features 12 new tracks including “It’s Just That Way” and “Hard Hat and a Hammer.” Jackson received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on April 16, 2010.
Jackson celebrated the 20-year anniversary of his debut album with the November release of “34 Number Ones,” a career-spanning, double-disc collection featuring all 34 of his No. 1 hits, from 1990’s “Here in the Real World” to 2009’s “Country Boy.” The project debuted on the Top 10 on the country album chart and features a few bonus cuts, including a remake of Johnny Cash’s “Ring Of Fire” and his duet with the Zac Brown Band, “As She’s Walking Away.” That song earned Alan a Grammy for Best Country Collaboration.
Jackson was recipient of the American Country Awards first Greatest Hits Award in December 2010. The 17-time ACM Award winner, 16-time CMA Award recipient, two-time Grammy-honored artist and 2011 inductee into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame has written or co-written 24 of his 35 No. 1 singles, placing him in the company of Paul McCartney and John Lennon among songwriters who’ve written more than 20 songs that they’ve recorded and taken to the top of the charts. He’s one of the 10 best-selling artists since the inception of SoundScan, ranking alongside Eminem and Metallica.
Jackson’s latest hit, “So You Don’t Have to Love Me Anymore,” is from his forthcoming album, which will be released this year. Jackson will perform the song on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” on March 30th. The video for the single was shot at Coney Island in New York City.
Official website: www.alanjackson.com

‘Voice’ Judges Re-Up

noreply@blogger.com (Web Guy) — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 15:15:00 PST

‘Voice’ Judges Re-Up
With Season 2 of “The Voice” already doing well in the ratings, all four judges have agreed to come back for Season 3. Christina Aguilera, Cee Lo Green, Adam Levine and Blake Shelton all have re-signed with the show and will receive substantial salary increases for doing so. Aguilera will reportedly bank around $10 million, while Green, Levine and Shelton are expected to bring in $6 million. The show is likely to return in the fall to compete directly with “The X Factor.”

Nashville Trades Guitar For Music Note

noreply@blogger.com (Web Guy) — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 14:15:00 PST

Nashville Trades Guitar For Music Note
Guitars are out and Music notes are in as the symbol of Nashville’s music scene. City promoters have changed up the logo to show the variety of sounds coming out of Music City. The Nashville Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Grand Ole Opry and the local musicians union are on board. They’re all using music notes on their websites and signage. Pop stars like Ke$ha and Hot Chelle Rae, rockers like Paramore, Kings of Leon, Jack White and the Black Keys all call Nashville home. But Gaylord Entertainment VP Steve Buchanan who oversees the Opry says country music’s role in transforming Nashville into an all-genre music hub should not be underestimated. He says “country music is what Nashville is known for around the world.”

Keith Urban Joins Pinterest

noreply@blogger.com (Web Guy) — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 13:15:00 PST

Keith Urban Joins Pinterest
Keith Urban has joined Pinterest and, in just a short time as a member of the site, amassed almost 2,000 followers. On Urban’s page, you’ll find photos of him, official videos, song lyrics, pins from friends, events, albums, merchandise and the like. His board, titled “It’s a Love Thing,” boasts the subtitle “Just a few things Keith’s loving at the moment!” On this board, you’ll find Flo Rida’s “Good Feeling,” the Civil Wars, Nicole Kidman, the book “The Night Circus” and Old Booth App, featuring a photo where Urban Old Boothed himself. Fans and followers of Urban’s Pinterest page can find also pins about his new “For You” song from the Act of Valor soundtrack. Urban even re-pins things like an Instagram picture of “Why country music is the real deal.”

Rascal Flatts Changes It Up For New CD

noreply@blogger.com (Web Guy) — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 12:15:00 PST

Rascal Flatts Changes It Up For New CD
Rascal Flatts has revealed the track list for their upcoming album, “Changed.” The songs include the title track and the album’s leadoff single, “Banjo,” as well as tracks like “Hot In Here,” “Come Wake Me Up,” “Lovin’ Me,” “Hurry Baby” and “Great Big Love.” There are some titles that sound like break up songs, such as “She’s Leaving” and “Let It Hurt.” The last couple of songs are called “Sunrise” and “A Little Home.” The album comes out April 3rd. The band will also be releasing a deluxe version of the album that features four bonus tracks. Rascal Flatts is up for the Academy of Country Music’s vocal group of the year. They find out if the win on April 1st.

Aldean Sells Out Atlanta In Four Minutes, Adds Second Show

noreply@blogger.com (Web Guy) — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 11:15:00 PST

Aldean Sells Out Atlanta In Four Minutes, Adds Second Show
It took just four minutes for ACM Entertainer of the Year nominee Jason Aldean to sell out his May 19th “My Kinda Party Tour” show at Atlanta’s Aaron’s Amphitheatre at Lakewood. A second show has been announced for May 18th that will go on sale Friday. Aldean is nominated for six ACM Awards, including his second consecutive nods for Entertainer of the Year and Male Vocalist of the Year, as well as Album of the Year for “My Kinda Party,” Single Record of the Year and Vocal Event of the Year for “Don’t You Wanna Stay” featuring Kelly Clarkson and Video of the Year for “Tattoos on this Town.” The April 1st show will air live from Las Vegas on CBS.

Kenny Chesney Fan Arrested For Trespassing

noreply@blogger.com (Web Guy) — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 10:15:00 PST

Kenny Chesney Fan Arrested For Trespassing
A Kenny Chesney fan has been arrested for trespassing on the singer’s property on Wednesday morning. Melissa Mansfield of Murrieta, California, was arrested around 2 a.m. and charged with trespassing and public intoxication. She was discovered in a bathroom near a swimming pool at his Nashville-area home after apparently sneaking around a fence, deputies said. She had reportedly been drinking wine. Chesney was not home at the time and has no connection with the woman, according to his publicist.

BamaJam Is Back

noreply@blogger.com (Web Guy) — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 09:15:00 PST

BamaJam Is Back
BamaJam is back. After taking off last year due to the legal problems of BamaJam’s founder, the festival is back in June with Tim McGraw, Zac Brown Band and Kid Rock. The three-day entertainment music festival will be in Enterprise, Alabama, June 14-16. BamaJam 2012 spokesman Darryl Worley will perform and host the opening night. McGraw will close out the first day on June 14th. Zac Brown Band will take the stage to headline Friday’s performances, and Kid Rock closes out the festival on Sunday. Tickets will go on sale March 2nd with 3-day $99 tickets available for a limited time only. Find out more at www.bamajam2012.com. Last year’s festival was canceled because of the legal hassles of promoter Ronnie Gilley, who pleaded guilty to bribery charges involving state officials last year.

Kix Brooks Readies Debut Single

noreply@blogger.com (Web Guy) — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 08:15:01 PST

Kix Brooks Readies Debut Single
Kix Brooks will release his first Arista Nashville solo single, “New To This Town” on March 19th. The single features Joe Walsh. After spending 20 years as one half of Brooks & Dunn, the most successful duo in country music history, Brooks is heading in his own direction. “It’s a freedom of sorts,” said Brooks. “It’s not a bitter freedom by any means, just sort of a ‘well that was fun, now what?’ Sort of like being at a theme park and looking around after riding the same roller coaster you finally say, ‘Ok I think I’ll try that one over there.’”

Jake Owen Up Late

noreply@blogger.com (Web Guy) — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 07:15:00 PST

Jake Owen Up Late
Jake Owen will perform his current Top 10 single, “Alone With You” and his multi-week No. 1 platinum single “Barefoot Blue Jean Night” on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” on February 21st. Both songs are from Owen’s album “Barefoot Blue Jean Night.” On March 1st, Owen will be a guest on “Chelsea Lately.”

Alan Jackson’s New Single

noreply@blogger.com (Web Guy) — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 06:15:00 PST

Alan Jackson’s New Single
Alan Jackson is set to perform his new single on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” on March 30th. “So You Don’t Have To Love Me Anymore” is the lead single from his upcoming album, due later this year. Jackson shot the video for the song at Coney Island in New York. The new album is the first from the joint venture between ACR, Alan’s Country Records, and EMI Records Nashville.

Artist Of The Day: Kenny Chesney

noreply@blogger.com (Web Guy) — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 05:15:01 PST

Kenny Chesney

Kenny Chesney’s debut album, “My Wildest Dreams,” was released in 1993. His other albums include “She’s All I Got,” “All I Need To Know,” “Me & You,” “When the Sun Goes Down,” “No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problems,” “Greatest Hits,” “The Road & The Radio” and “Just Who I Am: Poets & Pirates.”
Chesney’s “Greatest Hits II,” which debuted at No. 1 in 2009, yielded the No. 1 hit “Out Last Night” and “I’m Alive.” It was re-released in May 2010 with two new tracks – the ESPN college football anthem “This Is Our Moment” and the Top 5 hit “Ain’t Back Yet.”
Kenny produced the critically acclaimed high school football documentary “Boys Of Fall” last year. He also released his 3D concert movie “Kenny Chesney: Summer in 3D” and produced and narrated a biographical film, “The Color Orange,” on his favorite football player, University of Tennessee quarterback and Canadian Football League Hall-of-Famer Condredge Holloway. The film was produced for ESPN’s “Year of the Quarterback” series and premiered in February 2011.
Chesney’s album “Hemingway’s Whiskey” has yielded the No. 1 singles “The Boys of Fall,” “Somewhere With You” and “Live A Little.” “Hemingway’s Whiskey” debuted at No. 1, his sixth album to debut at the top of the charts and his 10th No. 1 album overall. “Reality,” the fifth single from the album, was released in October.
Kenny Chesney’s single “You and Tequila,” the duet with Grace Potter that’s up five Academy of Country Music Awards, was recently certified platinum. It’s the second million-selling song from Chesney’s platinum, No. 1 album “Hemingway’s Whiskey,” following “Somewhere With You,” which reached that mark last year. Chesney is up for a total of nine ACM awards, the most of any artist this year.
Chesney and Tim McGraw’s “Brothers of the Sun” has already sold more than 500,000 tickets. The tour will feature stadium shows on weekend dates at venues across the country, the only cities and venues Chesney will play in 2012. The tour, which kicks off in June, will also feature special guests Grace Potter & the Nocturnals and Jake Owen.
Official website: www.kennychesney.com

Toby Is Done Making Movies

noreply@blogger.com (Web Guy) — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 11:15:00 PST

Toby Is Done Making Movies
Toby Keith’s movie career ends with “Beer for My Horses” and “Broken Bridges,” because the singer says the return to films isn’t worth what it does to his first career, country music. “When I did the movies, it affected my songwriting. I think I had quality songs and we had hits and stuff, but it affected my day-to-day, my system, my routine and the volume of songs that I bring to the table when I record an album,” Toby tells The Country Vibe. “I got little or no bang. You know, songs get heard on the radio forever, but movies are like here and then they’re gone. ... There’s just not enough bang for my buck to waste that much time into a project.” Besides, he says, he has done what he meant to do. “[I] proved to myself that I could act and be in a movie with the Burt Reynolds and Kelly Prestons and people like that of the world, Tess Harpers, and hold my own. And it was like, ‘Alright, I done that. Now what did I get out of that?’ Other than the experience, we’re good.”

Wynonna Judd’s Wedding Plans

noreply@blogger.com (Web Guy) — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 10:15:00 PST

Wynonna Judd’s Wedding Plans
Wynonna Judd is gearing up for her wedding – but fans expecting a huge ceremony will be disappointed. The singer, who got engaged to fellow musician Cactus Moser on Christmas Eve, says the theme of the ceremony will be “barefoot and just fun.” “I’ve been to so many events and done so many push-up bras and sparkles and hairspray,” Judd says. “I just want to be free and have fun,” she says. “So I don’t know. Something simple and sweet.” The wedding will take place on Judd’s farm in the fall because, as she puts it, “it’s not a sweaty time for brides.”

Loretta Lynn Teams With Bret Michaels

noreply@blogger.com (Web Guy) — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 09:15:00 PST

Loretta Lynn Teams With Bret Michaels
Bret Michaels is getting some help from his friends for his new solo album, “Get Your Rock On.” Loretta Lynn will join him on a new version of Michaels hit with Poison back in 1988 called “Every Rose Has It’s Thorn.” Michaels says growing up, his dad loved country music and “Coal Miner’s Daughter” and a duet with Loretta Lynn will be a “really awesome time.” Michaels says he also wrote two songs with Lynn.

New Music From Waylon Jennings

noreply@blogger.com (Web Guy) — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 08:15:01 PST

New Music From Waylon Jennings
Waylon Jennings’s family will soon release songs the country music icon recorded shortly before his death 10 years ago. Musicians who worked with Jennings have gathered to finish the tracks. At least eight of the 12 songs on the tentatively titled “Goin’ Down Rockin’: The Final Recordings” were written by Waylon, and eight have not been released before. The release later this year is part of a new effort by Jennings’ family to establish a Waylon business brand similar to the booming estates of artists such as Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley and Hank Williams.

Mel Tillis Receives White House Honor

noreply@blogger.com (Web Guy) — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 07:15:00 PST

Mel Tillis Receives White House Honor
Mel Tillis is one of the new recipients of the National Medal of Arts. President Barack Obama bestowed eight National Medal of Arts and nine National Humanities Medals during a ceremony at the White House East Room. The president urged the honorees to help mentor a new generation of artists and scholars. Tillis’ citation calls him one of the most inventive artists of the golden generation of singer-songwriters. The White House notes that Tillis has written more than 1,000 songs and recorded 60 albums.