Photo Credit Dale Manning

On a recent trip to New York, Craig Campbell stopped by the AOL Studios to participate in their popular music series called “In House”, an original web series where AOL Music welcomes an artist to the office for interview, live performance, photo shoot and chill session with the staff.  Craig Campbell has the distinction of being the first ever country artist to be featured in the program.  You can check out Craig’s visit HERE beginning today.

Craig Campbell’s latest single, “When I Get It,” co-written by Campbell with Jason Matthews and Jim McCormick, is described by Music Row as an “extremely likeable, hard-times, sing-along tune.” The inventive new music video, which was shot by director Wes Edwards in one continuous take, depicts Campbell’s belongings being repossessed by movers played by his true-life band members.

Campbell will also be hosting a Livestream chat on Monday, January 30th at 7PM CT/8PM ET where he will be talking about upcoming tour dates and playing a few songs live. Check www.facebook.com/CraigCampbelltv on Monday for more information about how to join in.

It’s been a tough couple of weeks for Miranda Lambert as her father-in-law, Dick Shelton, passed away last week and now she has learned of the death of a childhood friend.  Last night Lambert tweeted, “I have lost a friend I’ve had since 3rd grade today in a tragic accident. When will this pain end. Please pray for peace.” 

Miranda opened up today on social media to talk about her loss. “Thanks for the prayers. My friend is Mark Adams. We became friends at 9 years old. He was a great person. He is now in heaven with his dad.  Please call your friends, especially the ones you haven’t talked to In a while or maybe are not on great terms with and tell em u love em.  It’s so hurtful when it’s too late to do that.”

Thoughts & Prayers go out to Miranda Lambert during this difficult time.

Curb Records recording artist and BMI songwriter, Lee Brice, was nominated today by the Academy of Country Music in the prestigious “Song of the Year” category for his composition, “Crazy Girl,” recorded by the Eli Young Band. Brice shares writing credit with collaborator, Liz Rose. “Crazy Girl” was Billboard’s No. 1 country song for 2011, and Brice’s well-known hit, “Love Like Crazy,” was the No. 1 song for 2010.

Reacting to the nomination, Brice said, “Liz Rose and I were just fortunate enough to be in the same room that magical day and wrote a magical song.  Within a few hours, the song came together. I’m so honored to be acknowledged along with these other amazing writers.” Brice also extends his congratulations to the Eli Young Band for their ACM nomination for “Single of the Year” for “Crazy Girl.” “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.”

For more information on Lee Brice, visit www.leebrice.com.

The Eli Young Band earned three nominations for the 2012 Academy of Country Music Awards. The band earned nominations for Single of the Year and Song of the Year for their PLATINUM-plus smash “Crazy Girl,” which was also named Billboard’s #1 Country Song of 2011. The band also received a nomination for Vocal Group of the Year.

Wednesday night, the band kicked off the first leg of their “Keep On Dreamin’ Tour” in West Palm Beach, FL. Special guest, Capitol Records recording artist Eric Paslay, will join the tour for select dates, beginning this Friday (1/27). Several of the shows have already SOLD OUT, including a 2-night stand in Chicago. In March, EYB will take a break from their tour to fly to the land down under for two weeks as the sole support for the Tim McGraw and Faith Hill nationwide Australian tour. Upon returning to the U.S, EYB will make a stop in Vegas on April 1 for the ACM Awards prior to resuming their scheduled dates for the “Keep On Dreamin’ Tour.” The band will headline in 23 cities nationwide before the tour comes to a close in Las Vegas, NV on April 28. 

Weeks ago, the band was tapped as USA Today’s “On The Verge” artist of the week and just day’s later the band made their second appearance on The Tonight Show With Jay Leno.  Other recent TV appearances have included spots on Late Show With David Letterman, the ACA Awards (FOX) and FOX’S American Country New Year’s Eve Live.

This Monday (1/23), their new single “Even If It Breaks Your Heart” made a splash at Country radio, grabbing 44 adds the first week. The accompanying video has garnered over 158,000 downloads after earning a coveted spot as the iTunes Video of the Week.

Be sure to catch EYB on tour and see what the buzz is about.  A partial list of tour dates follows, additional date to be announce in the coming weeks. 

Log onto www.eliyoungband.com for more information. 

JANUARY
25: West Palm Beach, FL
27: Oxford MS-Lyric Theatre – w/Eric Paslay
28: Norman, OK
29: College Station TX-Harry’s  – w/Eric Paslay

FEBRUARY
14: Jackson, MS
15: Fayetteville AR-George’s – w/Eric Paslay
16: Columbia MO-Blue Note – w/Eric Paslay
17: Wichita KS-Cotillion – w/Eric Paslay
18: Dallas, TX
25: Chicago IL-Joe’s – w/Eric Paslay
26: Chicago IL-Joe’s – w/Eric Paslay
29: St. Louis MO-The Pageant – w/Eric Paslay

MARCH
1: Detroit, MI
2: Pittsburgh PA-Pepsi Roadhouse – w/Eric Paslay
5: Houston, TX
6: Baton Rouge LA-Varsity Theatre – w/Eric Paslay
7: Nacogdoches TX-Banita creek – w/Eric Paslay
10: Austin, TX

APRIL
6:  Miami, OK
11: El Paso TX-Whiskey Dick’s – w/Eric Paslay
26: Stillwater, OK
28: Las Vegas, NV

47th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards nominees were announced earlier today with Average Joes Entertainment’s Montgomery Gentry nominated for Top Vocal Duo of the Year.   

This nomination is the duo’s 14^th ACM nomination, their first on their new record label home, but the duo says it means just as much to them as their very first nomination. “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,” says Eddie Montgomery.

Troy Gentry adds, “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.”

In preparation of the Academy of Country Music Awards, Montgomery Gentry will make a ‘special’ appearance on Fox News Channel’s HUCKABEE as well as CBS This Morning’s 2nd Cup Café.  More details coming soon.

The 47^th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards will be broadcasted live from the
MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Sunday, April 1 (8:00-11:00PM live ET/delayed PT) on the CBS Television Network.

For details visit www.ACMcountry.com. For more information on Montgomery Gentry, visit www.montgomerygentry.com

Blake Shelton was honored this morning with TWO Academy of Country Music Award nominations including their most prestigious honor, Entertainer of the Year. He is also nominated for Male Vocalist of the Year.

“The support I have felt this week is overwhelming,” commented Blake. “Thank you everyone for this honor”.

The 47th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards is hosted once again by Reba and Blake and will be air live on the CBS Television Network from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Sunday, April 1 at 8:00 PM ET/PT.

Photo Credit John Peets

Eric Church surprised fans at the 2011 ACM Awards with his Awards show performance debut of his hit “Smoke A Little Smoke” from the RIAA Certified Gold sophomore release, Carolina. Many speculated it was the start of incredible things to come for the EMI Records Nashville singer, and they were right. Additional milestones soon followed: No. 1 album debut on the Top 200 Billboard charts with CHIEF, his first-ever GRAMMY nomination for Album of the Year, his first No. 1 single with “Drink In My Hand,” which was recently RIAA Certified Gold, and now, his first industry-voted ACM nominations for Album of The Year for CHIEF and Video of The Year for “Homeboy.”

“I’ve never minced words about the fact that my passion is making great records for the sake of the music,” says Church. “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!”

Turning heads out on his first-ever headlining arena tour, Eric Church: The Blood, Sweat & Beers Tour, Church is seemingly on fire right now when it comes to inching closer to achieving sought-after megastar success. He set venue records in Southaven, MS over the weekend with a record attendance for a show in that arena – beating a record previously set with his performance alongside Jason Aldean. After witnessing his live show, the Los Angeles Times said, “Vehement… propelled further still by the voices of his fans singing along.” Followed by the Oakland Tribune who said, “[Church is] arguably the hottest artist in country these days… this guy’s a major talent and soon to be one of country’s premier stars.”

To purchase tickets for Eric Church: The Blood, Sweat & Beers Tour, which includes special guest Brantley Gilbert, visit www.ericchurch.com. VIP Packages are also available for fans that want to experience an up-close, exclusive backstage acoustic concert.

The ACM Awards winner for the Album of the Year and Video of The Year categories will be announced LIVE on CBS on Sunday, April 1 at 7 p.m. CT / 8 p.m. ET.

For more information on Eric Church, visit his official website at www.ericchurch.com.

Scotty McCreery will be making an appearance this spring on The CW’s popular show Hart of Dixie.  McCreery will perform his hit song “The Trouble With Girls” during a scene with Zoe Hart (played by Rachel Bilson) and George Tucker (Scott Porter).  Scotty’s episode is scheduled to air on April 23rd.  Tune in to the Hart of Dixie on The CW Monday evenings at 9pm EST.