Nashville Noise

Blake Shelton Joining Nashville's 'Mainstream Elite'

2011-07-08T01:34:00.003-04:00

According to the New York Times, "Apart from perhaps Taylor Swift, Blake Shelton’s becoming the most important and visible ambassador from Nashville to the American mainstream." they reported in a feature on the emerging superstar Thursday. His upcoming album 'Red River Blue', marriage to Miranda Lambert and breakout performance on The Voice are all expanding his fan base in what is quite a prestigious media placement, even for a 'wise-cracking' country singer from Oklahoma.

Central to the theme of the feature are Shelton's thoughts on balancing his growing career with his personal life. "I've got to spend some time with my wife," he tells his manager during the heavy workload of The Voice. Shelton broke down and 'cried' after hearing the reply: "It's probably only going to get worse from here." Ultimately, he says he is unwilling to sacrifice his relationship with Lambert in pursuit of stardom. “The one thing we can’t allow to happen is we get so busy that we lose each other." Read the full article here. What a great attitude to have!

It seems like Mr. Shelton is building quite the career and reputation for himself. 2010 proved to be a successful year for the CMA Male Vocalist of the Year. With his time on the NBC hit show 'The Voice', a new married life and a highly anticipated new album out soon, it seems that 2011 might even top his success from last year!

(some parts via Lon Helton's Country Aircheck Artist News, NY Times 7-7-11)

CMA Fest 2011 - Quotebook

2011-06-14T13:26:00.003-04:00

Here's what some of your favorite country music stars had to say about their CMA Music Festival experience:

Quotebook: Heard behind-the-scenes during the 2011 CMA Music Festival:

"You're asking me to do math, which is dangerous. My first Fan Fair was in 1992." -Martina McBride

"It's such an amazing experience being surrounded by 50,000 people who are all singing the same thing. You look out and it's this never ending sea of people for as far as you can see." — Taylor Swift

"Can you sign this for me?" — Clay Walker to Dierks Bentley, who signed a notebook for Walker's daughter.

"My house burned down. I've felt like Rain Man for the last few weeks every time someone asks me a question, 'Trace, what do you want to eat?' 'My house burned down.'" — Trace Adkins

"I have a little video of my daughter's reaction when I sent Jay the picture of me with Justin Bieber. I made a complete fool of myself going up to meet him, but it was so worth it." — Sara Evans who showed press cell phone video of her daughter's reaction.

"The thing that really amazes me is not only the loyalty of the fan but the loyalty of country music back to the fan. You couldn't pull this together in rock n' roll, not so much because of the bands, but the egos of their managers. They'd go, 'Oh, my guy's too big to play that.' But you don't have that here." — Darius Rucker

"Happy birthday to you." — Media singing to Chris Young backstage for his 26th birthday, which was Sunday (6/12)

"These die-hard country fans come from all over the world. It's not just here in the US. It's the least we could do. We love going and signing and seeing familiar faces and being able to look them in the eyes and say thank you." — Lady Antebellum's Hillary Scott

Courtesy of Country Aircheck

Zac Brown Band, Kingsford Charcoal Team up for Once-in-a-Lifetime Opportunity

2011-05-05T23:19:00.002-04:00

Zac Brown Band and Kingsford Charcoal have partnered to host pre-concert Southern Ground 'Supper Clubs' at select dates during the 2011 tour! Supper Club passes will be available for purchase and through Kingsford contests online.

Beginning May 12, Kingsford will also offer a chance to win a Zac Brown Band concert trip package including a VIP 'eat-and-greet' experience with the band. Southern Ground Executive Chef Rusty Hamlin will prepare the recipes from the Southern Ground cookbook including the Boursin-Stuffed Filet, Your Mama's Collard Greens, Pocketknife Coleslaw and Revival Peach Cobbler. Find out more here: http://www.grilling.com/home/article/2621/

Mark Wills Announces 'Crazy Being Home' Campaign

2011-04-28T17:16:00.001-04:00

Mark Wills has partnered with USA Cares (a non-profit military assistance charity that supports post 9/11 military families in emotional health and recovery) to launch the Warrior Treatment Today ‘Crazy Being Home’ awareness campaign. The campaign will bring awareness and support to the severity of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and traumatic brain injury (TBI). Mark will serve as spokesman and his song “Crazy Being Home” will serve as its anthem. He has worked with USA Cares since partnering with them in 2009 for the Warrior Treatment Today program.

To kick off the campaign, Mark will perform at the 6th Annual MiBlog Conference, presented by Military.com. “We’re honored that Mark would take time out of his busy schedule to perform,” said Andi Hurley, founder of The Annual MilBlog Conference. “Mark’s tireless support of the military community makes him a perfect fit for the MilBlog Conference.” Former Secretary of Defense, Donald Rumsfeld will also appear at the conference as a special guest.

Mark has traveled to Iraq and Afghanistan seven times to entertain troops, getting a unique look into the lives of our service men and women. A young man on active duty was the inspiration behind his choice to record “Crazy Being Home.”

“I was moved to record this song and put it out there by a young man who is on active duty with the special forces,“ Mark said. “His story and reaction inspired me in such a way that we hope it serves as a message to speak to all of our veterans to say ‘you are not alone.’ Suffering with PTSD is an injury of war and the Warrior Treatment Today ‘Crazy Being Home’ efforts are to open the door to make emotional and physical therapy available to anyone and everyone who suffers.”

Article via Great American Country (www.gac.tv)

Chris Young, Kenny Chesney, Luke Bryan Talk Number 1 Parties

2011-03-25T11:21:00.002-04:00

There's only one No. 1 song each week, but Nashville's seen more than its share of parties this week honoring chart-topping songs. A houseful of Luke Bryan's relatives came to town for Monday's bash (3/21) honoring "Someone Else Calling You Baby." "They have been in town since Thursday (3/17)," Bryan explained at the invite-only event. "It's been fun. It's been a zoo. Beau [Bryan's son] and my little nephew have been beating the fool out of one another all week, but other than that, all's well."

A week into the "Goin' Coastal" tour, Kenny Chesney flew to Nashville to thank songwriters JT Harding and Shane McAnally during Wednesday's (3/23) celebration honoring "Somewhere With You." "I hope you guys get to see what it's like when 50,000 people hear the intro of this song," Chesney told the songwriters. "Just to see the groundswell is a pretty amazing thing ... you created it."

Chris Young celebrated the history-making chart-topper "Voices," which was the first re-released hit to go No. 1 since Randy Travis' "On The Other Hand" in 1986. "I bought [Travis'] whole anthology collection as a kid and was listening to all his records," Young told media Monday (3/21). "It's pretty cool to be in the record books next to someone who's really a huge musical influence."

(courtesy of country aircheck)

Alan Jackson: Down Under

2011-03-15T10:26:00.002-04:00

Alan Jackson felt right at home in the land Down Under during his sold-out, six-date run that closed Saturday (3/12) in Brisbane. "I've flown over parts of the country that looked like Texas, Tennessee and the Northwest," Jackson says, comparing Melbourne to the Lone Star State and areas near Sydney to California wine country. He's obviously taken a shine to the continent and its people, and the feeling seems to be mutual.

"I've always heard great things about it, and everybody was right – it's a beautiful country and the people are really nice. The fans really love the kind of music I make." According to his camp, Aussie fans' love of Jackson's music showed on the overall Australian chart, on which his 34 Number Ones jumped 25 spots to No. 7 during his tour. AJ picks his tour back up stateside Friday (3/18) at the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo, where he'll be inducted into the Star Trail Of Fame for attracting more than one million fans to the event since his 1992 debut.

Information via Country Aircheck (3/14)

Country Music at the Grammys

2011-02-15T10:03:00.002-05:00

Country Music had a huge night at the 53rd annual Grammy Awards this past Sunday. Check out some behind-the-scenes quotes from some of your favorite country music artists had to say!

"Oh my gosh, we were so stunned we started walking the wrong direction." — Hillary Scott of Lady Antebellum as they accepted the group's third Grammy
"Right before it went to No. 1, he asked if he could have it back, but it was a little too late." — Miranda Lambert on "The House That Built Me," which was originally pitched to fiancé Blake Shelton
"I ate a lot of fried chicken over the holidays. So, I'm cutting back on that a little bit, but man, it's going to be hard to curb the drinking. There's too much celebrating. So, I won't be backing down on that at all." — Lady Antebellum's Charles Kelley
"No. 3: Lady Antebellum and Lady Gaga form supergroup Lady Antegagum." — from David Letterman's "Top 10 Surprises at the Grammy Awards"
"This is our drummer. He couldn't make it out here for this weekend. It's become a tradition. We won Best New Artist last year and I wasn't eligible to come up on the stage, so they made a stick figure of me when they went up." — Zac Brown Band's Clay Cook explaining the stick figure of ZBB's drummer Chris Fryar he was holding backstage
"Blake doesn't listen to prompters or me or anybody else. He goes with the flow, so they were brave to let him present me." — Miranda Lambert on Shelton introducing her performance
"I was real honored when Zac asked me to be on this record. You know, it's pretty cool when a few of us Georgia boys can end up winning a Grammy out in L.A." — Alan Jackson on winning Country Collaboration with ZBB for "As She's Walking Away"

Via Country Aircheck 2-15-11

Artists React to ACM Nominations

2011-02-04T10:45:00.003-05:00

Check out what some of your favorite country artists had to say about their 2011 ACM award nominations!

"I wasn't even expecting any ... seven is unbelievable, especially Entertainer of the Year. It's hard for me to grasp that I'm in that category because I haven't done some of the numbers and some of the amazing things that other artists have. I'm just thankful that I have my foot in that door as a nominee." — Miranda Lambert

"In making Hemingway's Whiskey, it was important for me to push myself and my audience while at the same time staying true to who I am as an artist. That's why I'm so proud of this album and even more proud of the nomination for ACM Album of the Year." — Kenny Chesney

"This is something I've wanted all my life. To be able to do this for a living and have people like it, I couldn't ask for anything better. I am so blessed." — Easton Corbin

"I never dreamed I would get a nomination for anything. I just wanted to make a good song with my friend Jamey [Johnson]. I am so humbled to even be mentioned with the amazing artists in this category. I promise no one is more grateful than me!" — Colt Ford on his first ACM nomination for Vocal Event for "Cold Beer" with Johnson.

"It means the world to the band and crew. We take this seriously, obviously, and it's our livelihood, so being included in a category that is recognized nationally like that is validating for us, for sure. I am proud to represent all of the hard-working touring bands who are in the trenches playing 200 shows a year that have strong fan bases." — Randy Rogers Band's Randy Rogers on the Vocal Group nod.

"I am speechless. I can't believe we have been nominated for Top Vocal Duo of the Year! I remember playing out acoustically with Susie in backyards and colleges, living on taco soup, like it was yesterday. This doesn’t seem real.' — the JaneDear girls' Danelle Leverett

"What a way to start the day! I'm out on the West Coast deep in dreamland, and my hotel phone starts ringing at 5:30am and it's my manager screaming, 'Wake Up! We got three ACM nominations!' I grinned from ear to ear."— Lee Brice

"The triumph ... is shared by my family, my friends, bandmates, producers, my staff, my label, my booking agents, my publishers, my management, my publicists, my handlers, my wranglers, my fans, my dog, Willie's braids and that beautiful brunette in Toledo. Thanks all for the hard work and dedication. You all deserve each accolade. And thanks to the Academy voters for the recognition." — Jamey Johnson

"I hold my breath hoping for a nomination every year. It was nice to wake up this morning and hear the great news." — Little Big Town's Kimberly Schlapman on their Vocal Group nod.

The 46th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards will be broadcast LIVE from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas Sunday, April 3 at 8:00 PM ET on CBS.

Via Country Aircheck Artist News

2011 ACM Nominees Announced, Miranda Lambert Leads with Seven

2011-02-01T09:54:00.002-05:00

Lambert continues her hot streak as the leading nominee for the 2011 ACM Awards with seven nominations, including Entertainer of the Year, Female Vocalist of the Year, Single record of the Year and Song of the Year for her hit "The House That Built Me". Kenny Chesney and Zac Brown Band are tied for second with five nominations each. Check out the full list of nominees here. Did your favorites make the cut?
The top nominees are:

Entertainer of the Year
Jason Aldean
Toby Keith
Miranda Lambert
Brad Paisley
Taylor Swift
Keith Urban

Female Vocalist of the Year
Miranda Lambert
Reba McEntire
Taylor Swift
Carrie Underwood
Lee Ann Womack

Male Vocalist of the Year
Jason Aldean
Brad Paisley
Blake Shelton
George Strait
Keith Urban

Album of the Year
Hemingway's Whiskey--Kenny Chesney
Need You Now--Lady Antebellum
The Guitar Song--Jamey Johnson
Speak Now--Taylor Swift
Up On The Ridge--Dierks Bentley
You Get What You Give--Zac Brown Band

Top Vocal Group of the Year
Lady Antebellum
Little Big Town
Randy Rogers Band
The Band Perry
Zac Brown Band

Brad Paisley's H2O Tour to be Featured on History Channel Special

2011-02-01T09:37:00.002-05:00

Brad Paisley's H2O Tour will be featured during Friday's (2/4) Modern Marvels on the History Channel at 9pm ET. This episode will include behind-the-scenes footage of what it takes to move a huge production from one city to another in a few short hours.

This sounds like it should be a pretty interesting show... Remember to set your DVR's!

Blake Shelton to Co-Host ACM's With Reba

2011-01-14T10:38:00.001-05:00

After two years as a solo act, Reba has invited Blake Shelton to form a duo to co-host the upcoming 46th Annual Academy Of Country Music Awards. "This is an incredibly special moment for me," Shelton says. "I am humbled that Reba invited me to co-host with her. She is not only a mentor to me, but a true friend." Although Shelton promises a lot of onstage shenanigans, the pair's first hosting gig does not make them eligible for the Top Vocal Duo category. "[But] with the two of us together on live TV, you never know what we might say!" Voting for the 2011 ACM Top New Artists kicks off Jan. 27 at noon ET and the ACMs air live April 3 at 8pm ET on CBS-TV.

Fan Voted Top 10 of 2010

2011-01-02T10:33:00.003-05:00

Here are the results for our fan votes top 10 singles of 2010. Did yours make the cut?

Carrie Underwood led the chart with three singles in the top ten, Danny Gokey came in a close second to Miranda Lambert's 'The House That Built Me' and number ten was a tie between 'Put You In A Song' by Keith Urban and 'The Breath You Take' by King George, each with three votes.

1. 'The House That Built Me'- Miranda Lambert
2. 'I Will Not Say Goodbye'- Danny Gokey
3. 'Mama's Song' - Carrie Underwood
4. 'Little White Church'- Little Big Town
5. 'Stuck Like Glue'- Sugarland
6. 'Temporary Home'- Carrie Underwood
7. 'Undo It'- Carrie Underwood
8. 'Need You Now'- Lady Antebellum
9. 'Smoke A Little Smoke'- Eric Church
10.(TIE) 'The Breath You Take'- George Strait/ 'Put You In A Song' - Keith Urban

Who's Been Invited to Miranda & Blake's Wedding?

2010-12-07T16:20:00.001-05:00

Miranda Lambert says what's on her mind and on her wedding day, she’ll have no problem showing off what God gave her!

“She’s a real woman and I love that about her,” Lady Antebellum’s Hillary Scott said Monday at the American Country Awards, “so it will be something that shows off her curves.”

Scott, along with her two bandmates, has been invited to attend the nuptials and has already begun planning her wedding gift for the pair.

“They’re perfect for each other,” said Scott, who added that she’s thinking about getting them “some kind of pistol,” since “they like to hunt together.”

Scott, however, may be putting more thought into the wedding than Lambert’s fiance, Blake Shelton, who says he’s letting Lambert do all the planning.

“Last I heard the wedding date was in the spring, but that’s a constantly changing event,” he said. “Miranda is going to do this exactly how she wants to do it and I’m staying the hell out of the way.” Blake wisely commented.

(Via WMZQ.com 98.7 WMZQ, Washington, D.C.)

CMA "Country Christmas" Special COMING SOON!

2010-11-17T10:30:00.004-05:00

The day after the 44th Annual CMA Awards, the CMA taped their latest television event. For the taping of this special, Nashville's Bridgestone Arena was transformed into a winter wonderland which included snow, Christmas trees, garland and more . The 14-song special will feature many of todays biggest country music stars performing their favorite Christmas classics:

Brad Paisley- "What Child is This?"
Kellie Pickler- "Santa, Baby"
Sugarland- "Winter Wonderland, "O Come, O Come Emmanuel"
Rascal Flatts- "I'll Be Home For Christmas", "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen"
LeAnn Rimes- "White Christmas", "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree"
Martina McBride- "O Holy Night", "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas"
Darius Rucker- "Candy Cane Christmas"
Little Big Town- "Go Tell It On the Mountain"
Reba- 'Santa Claus is Comin' to Town"
Sheryl Crow W/ Brad Paisley- "Run, Run Rudolph"

Be sure to set your DVR's or mark down the date! The CMA "Country Christmas" special will air at 9:30pm ET Nov. 29 on ABC.

44th Annual CMA Awards Recap

2010-11-10T23:14:00.000-05:00

NASHVILLE—Brad Paisley took home the coveted “Entertainer of the Year” award. Miranda Lambert led with four awards Sunday at the 44th annual Country Music Association Awards in Nashville, TN.

Top-selling Lambert had a huge night Wednesday, taking home four trophies, including: “Album of the Year” for ‘Revolution’, “Top Female Vocalist”, “Song of the Year” and “Music Video of the Year” both for her emotional hit “The House That Built Me”.

Lambert’s hard work this past year did not go unnoticed. Lambert took home trophies for “Album of the Year” for her critically appraised album “Revolution” as well as “Top Female Vocalist”, beating out Carrie Underwood, Reba McEntire and Taylor Swift.

Other big winners on the night were Zac Brown Band, who took home the “New Artist of the Year” award and Lady Antebellum who won “Vocal Group of the Year” and Blake Shelton who walked away with a big “Top Male Vocalist” award- His first in this category.

Sugarland took home the “Vocal Duo of the Year” award, and performed their latest hit, “Stuck Like Glue”

Other acts performing included Brad Paisley with a never-before-heard song, “This is Country Music”, Carrie Underwood, Taylor Swift, Keith Urban, Blake Shelton, Kenny Chesney, Miranda Lambert and Lady Antebellum with an emotional performance of their latest, “Hello World”.

Perhaps the greatest performance of the night came as Miranda Lambert and cross-over artist Sheryl Crow performed “Coalminers Daughter” alongside country legend Loretta Lynn, celebrating Lynn’s 50 years in the music industry.

Toby Keith Talks iPhone Recording

2010-10-04T22:55:00.002-04:00

The iPhone's got Toby Keith 'hooked'. Keith logged more than 60 song ideas, melodies and hooks using one of his iPhone apps. "For years I carried a little voice recorder around to collect my thoughts for songwriting," Keith says. "But they're like sunglasses; you lose them. You always have your phone with you, and it's backed up every time you dock it at home. So if you lose your phone, you're only going to lose whatever you put on there since you docked it. For me, it's the greatest thing that's happened to songwriting since the invention of the pencil... the quality of the ideas were turned up tremendously and it showed through on this album." The result is Keith's 10-track 14th studio album, "Bullets in the Gun" Out TUESDAY!!!

WIN A FREE Velveeta Shells & Cheese PRIZE PACK!!!! "Best Side of Dinner Challenge"

2010-07-12T10:48:00.006-04:00

Hey y'all!

Kraft Foods & Velveeta Shells & Cheese have been kind enough to supply Nashville Noise with a prize pack valued at over $125! This prize pack and contest is in celebration of Rodney Atkins current 12-week, nationwide "Best Side of Dinner Tour" sponsored by Velveeta Shells & Cheese, to bring families together with his new single "Get Together." The Velveeta Shells & Cheese prize pack includes:

Free coupons for Velveeta Shells & Cheese
One Velveeta Shells & Cheese "The best side of Dinner" apron
A Velveeta Shells & Cheese oven mitt
One deluxe Serving Bowl
One 13' Solid and Slotted Nylon Spoon Set
One $25 grocery store gift card

To be eligible to win your very own Velveeta Shells & Cheese prize pack, enter the giveaway by sending an e-mail to:

ajl1861@vt.edu

include your name, address and your funniest family dinnertime story. A winner will be randomly chosen on Monday, July 19 and notified via e-mail.

Good luck, we look forward to reading all of your dinnertime stories!

Kraft Foods is providing the prizes for this program at no cost to me. This program is not administered or sponsored by Kraft Foods or its affiliates, but solely by Nashville Noise.

Country Throwdown Tour REVIEW!!!

2010-06-07T13:05:00.004-04:00

Hell y'all!

I was at the 2010 Country Throwdown Tour this Sunday June 6 in Bristow, Va and I just wanted to let you know how it went. First of all this concept is awesome. Incase you didn't know already, the creator of Vans Warped Tour started this tour with the same idea in mind. I have to say, so far, it is working out great! If you go, make sure you go in at 1...skip tailgating, that can wait for another concert. The Bluebird Cafe Singer/Songwriter Stage was extremely cool. After singing, artists and songwriters like Ashley Ray, Sarah Buxton, Walker Hayes, Troy Olson, etc... would sit at their merchandise booths and just take pictures and sign whatever. It was a great experience. Jamey Johnson was amazing, I highly recommend seeing him, and as usual Eric Church and Montgomery Gentry rocked the house! Another great thing about this tour is that in between set changes on the main stage, the singer/songwriters from the Bluebird Cafe stage were up on the main stage entertaining as the crew set up for the next act. This way you don't go but a couple minutes without music! Overall, I give this tour an A+ and can't wait to see who's on it next year! If you weren't planning on going, think again....don't miss out!!

Jamey Johnson: Two New Albums Out Soon!

2010-05-28T08:53:00.003-04:00

I know this is sort of old news (about 12 days or so) but I have just heard about this so I figured I would pass it along to all those who are a little out of the loop like myself. Grammy Award winner Jamey Johnson, whos last album, "That Lonesome Song" was released in 2008 by Mercury Nashville, will be releasing two new albums this year! Rolling Stone Magazine is reporting that Johnson has plans to release two new albums. The first album, 'The Guitar Song', will be released in July. Jamey refers to it as his “white album” because it contains more upbeat, radio friendly type material. In the fall he plans to release a darker, more gloomy album that is still untitled, which he calls his “black album,” this album will have a similar vibe to "That Lonesome Song". "If I record all this material, I fully intend to get it out." Says Johnson. I for one CAN NOT WAIT!

Vote Whitney Duncan's "Right Road Now" on GAC top 20!

2010-05-24T00:20:00.002-04:00

(Via Whitney Duncan Fans)

Whitney’s “Right Road Now” video is now on the voting list for GAC’s Top 20 Countdown (yay)!!! Let’s start voting hardcore! Each Friday GAC airs the top 20 videos of the week, and if Whitney’s video makes it on the countdown we will be giving away a prize! The first prize will be an autographed copy of Whitney’s album, “Right Road Now”.
Here’s how it will work:
1. Vote for Whitney’s video on GAC
2. Twitter users- update your twitter status to
“I voted for @whitneyduncan’s “Right Road Now” video on @GACtv Top 20 Countdown http://bit.ly/cukEoj via @WhitDuncanFans”
(please tweet it everyday, everytime you vote. You may want to save it to your “favorites” so it will be easier for u to tweet via copy & paste)
Myspace users- send out a mass message (and include us in it so we know)I voted for Whitney Duncan’s “Right Road Now” video on GAC ’s Top 20 Countdown http://bit.ly/cukEoj ”
3. We will keep trace of the status’ that have been updated since we made a way for it to be sent to us to when it’s updated. We will randomly choose a winner every Friday when the countdown airs on tv.
Remember it MUST make the countdown!

I know y'all can do this to help out the beautiful and talented Whitney Duncan!

SUNDAY NEW ARTIST SPOTLIGHT!!

2010-05-16T08:55:00.003-04:00

This weeks Sunday spotlight artist is newcomer Matthew Huff. Matthew is a singer/songwriter from Arkansas and has been gaining popularity over the last year and is really starting to take off. His debut single"Back Again" is already climbing up the Music Row Chart and is now at 120 after only four weeks. He lists his biggest influence as Keith Urban, and writes a lot of strong emotional lyrics that everyone can relate to. Matthew is currently touring with the band Riverbilly and will be opening for David Nail in Little Rock on May 27. For more info on Matthew Huff and to hear some of his music, visit his website at www.matthewhuffmusic.com or follow him on Twitter- @MatthewHuff_Mus. The single "Back Again" can be played on the home page by scrolling to the bottom.

Seven Questions with Ashley Ray

2010-05-05T11:42:00.002-04:00

The past couple years have been a whirlwind for Show Dog-Universal recording artist and songwriter Ashley Ray. The Kansas native spent the better part of last year on tour with Eric Church and has since been touring relentlessly with her band throughout Texas.

Due to a rapidly growing fan base demanding music, Ashley’s debut EP was released May 4. The EP features five songs, including her successful single “Dirt Cheap”, which features Mike Eli of the Eli Young Band. This May, Ashley will embark on the highly anticipated Country Throw Down Tour, which kicks off in Tampa.

I recently sat down with Ashley Ray to ask her a few questions about her new music, her career so far and what’s ahead. The following is an edited selection from and interview Ashley Ray recently granted Nashville Noise.

Q: How was it growing up in Kansas and does it influence your songwriting at all?

Ray: Absolutely! Growing up in Kansas was all I could have ever asked for, especially now that I’m older and don’t get to go back that often, I really realize how it's shaped me as a person. I grew up on a farm so there was always something to work on, be fixed and/or fed. I think that’s why I’m such a hard worker to this day. It’s helped my songwriting of course, because I was and still am a tom boy/country girl. I get to write about what I know, there's nothing cooler than that!

Q: You were on the “Young and Wild” Tour last year with Eric Church and Jonathan Singleton & the Grove. That must have been crazy! How was that for you, experience wise?

Ray: That was amazing! Eric hand picked me and really stuck to his decision. Most of the time artists don’t get to go out on a big tour like that unless they have a single out on the radio. I have the highest amount of respect for him because he sticks to what and who he believes in. That’s the greatest character trait an artist can have I think. The tour was craziness. Jonathan, the guys and I hung out and drank all Eric's Jack every night! We got to be in front of his loyal and crazy fans every night and share our music with them. I’d stay out there with those guys 365 days a year if I could!

For the past year or so, you have been touring hard throughout Texas, and have managed to be successful on the Texas Regional Country Chart with your single “Dirt Cheap”. What made you decide to take your music to the Texas scene? How does it compare to Nashville?

Ray: Texas and Nashville have a completely different music scene. It was fun to see how different they really are. You can tour your whole life in the state of Texas and never leave...its really cool. I decided to head down there for a bunch of reasons...One, I have a bunch of buddies (Randy Rogers Band, Wade Bowen, The Eli Young Band) who kept telling me I should head down and do some shows with them. I couldn’t pass up an offer to hang/party and play music with my buds! Two, Nashville can be a slow business sometimes. I have had a finished record for two years now, all I want and all I’ve ever wanted was to take my music to the fans and play for them. Texas seemed like a place I could do that, so I did. Plus, I’m weirdly connected to Texas in many different ways. My best girlfriends live down there now, my manager is from there and Austin is my most favorite city in the U.S. I followed my gut and I’m thinkin’ it paid off because I met so many wonderful people down there!

Your self titled debut EP was released on May 4th. Can you give us a little background on it? What can we expect to hear on this record?

Ray: You can expect to hear every part of me, Ashley Ray! I’m tough, when I say that, I hope you know I’m not tooting my own horn, it’s just a fact! I get my strength from my mama mostly and I’m proud of that. I don’t take any bullshit and that’s important to have as a woman in this business, whether it be having meetings or driving my big ass 15-passenger van to every bar in Texas! But I do have a heart and I’m still a woman and yes that means I’m emotional at times...you'll hear that too...basically you hear these five songs you'll know who I am!

What is your favorite song on the record?

Ray: Geez, this is the most difficult question I face, having to pick one favorite song, whether it be on my EP or not...its like having to choose favorites with your kids... “I Figured it Out” is my favorite up-tempo probably and “Dirt Cheap” is special to me because it’s my first single. I’m just excited for people to hear it and let me know which ones are THEIR favorites!

The Country Throw down Tour kicks off May 14 in Tampa. You are in the line-up on the Bluebird Café stage. I know that the guy who started Warped Tour started this tour too, so what can the fans expect? Are you excited to be part of a tour this big?

Ray: I’m ecstatic! I can’t believe they actually gave us songwriters/artists an opportunity like this! I feel truly blessed and lucky to be apart of it!! Fans can expect to get up close and personal with us in the bluebird songwriters tent. I want to talk to each and every person who comes through that tent! And I know the other writers will too! I wish something like this would have been going on when I was younger, I would have loved to have had the opportunity to sit right smack dab in front of my favorite songwriters. Songs are where music and artists start. I hope that the fans can walk away knowing that!

What is country music to you?

Ray: Absolutely everything! It’s a release, its a relationship, its my fulfillment. Music in general is air to me! Besides my family, it’s the thing I can remember that I’ve loved the longest!

Ashley Ray is our ARTIST OF THE MONTH

2010-05-02T10:46:00.003-04:00

Our "artist of the month" for May is Ashley Ray. Kansas native Ashley Ray was on the Young and Wild Tour with Eric Church last year and has since been touring with her band around Texas. Ashley's latest single "Dirt Cheap" Has made it's marks on the Texas Country Chart, but now she is releasing her first EP on May 4! The EP will feature five songs, including the hit 'Dirt Cheap" featuring Mike Eli from the Eli Young Band. This summer, Ashley will be part of the Country Throwdown Tour that kicks off May 15 In Tampa. To find out more about Ashley, visit her website at www.ashleyray.com

CMA Announces Riverfront Line-up for 2010 CMA Festival

2010-04-29T13:54:00.001-04:00

Thursday, June 10: The Judds will give the kick off performance, followed (alphabetically) by Keith Anderson, Diamond Rio, Colt Ford, Joey + Rory, Love and Theft, Neal McCoy, Jake Owen, Josh Thompson, and Clay Walker.

Friday, June 11: Rodney Atkins, The Band Perry, Bucky Covington, Eli Young Band, Jack Ingram, Patty Loveless, Craig Morgan, Sawyer Brown, Gretchen Wilson, and Chris Young.

Saturday, June 12: Big Kenny, Lee Brice, Mark Chesnutt, Emerson Drive, Gloriana, Josh Gracin, Lorrie Morgan, David Lee Murphy, Joe Nichols, and Mel Tillis.

Sunday, June 13: The Bellamy Brothers, Sammy Kershaw, Lonestar, Jo Dee Messina, James Otto, Restless Heart, Steel Magnolia, Pam Tillis, Uncle Kracker, and Darryl Worley.

SUNDAY NEW ARTIST SPOTLIGHT!!

2010-04-25T11:12:00.002-04:00

This weeks spotlight artist is ASHLEY RAY. You may or may not have heard her name yet. Chances are though, if you live in TX, you are well aware of her talent. Ashley Ray is from Kansas, and last year she embarked on the "Young and Wild" tour with Eric Church and Jonathan Singleton and the Grove. Now Ashley is continuing to build up her fan base, and has been playing throughout Texas relentlessly. Her current single "Dirt Cheap" is continuing to climb up the TX regional charts. Ashley will have a five song EP out May 3, and will be touring on the Country Throwdown Tour! For more info, visit her site at www.ashleyray.com. Hear "Dirt Cheap" and some of her other songs here: http://tinyurl.com/2fe7u7l. Enjoy!