Country music CMT News: News in Brief

[RIDER]

Amy Grant, Vince Gill Announce Christmas Tour
September 26, 2008
Amy Grant and Vince Gill will launch a 15-date Christmas tour on Dec. 4 in Manchester, N.H. The tour will conclude with shows at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville on Dec. 22 and 23. Gill's daughter, Jenny, will serve as a harmony vocalist in the 12-piece band, which will include a horn section. "Some of our earlier Christmas tours were with a symphony orchestra," Gill said. "This time, though, we wanted to create more of an intimate, living room feel." In addition, Grant will release a new Christmas album, The Holiday Collection, on Tuesday (Sept. 30), featuring songs from her previous holiday albums, as well as four new songs. She and Gill co-wrote one of the new songs, "Baby It's Christmas."

 

[RIDER]

Josh Turner's Band Member Marrying Martha Stewart's Assistant
September 26, 2008
Josh Turner and Martha Stewart will both attend a wedding this weekend in Nashville, celebrating the marriage of Turner's band member, Kevin Haynie, to Stewart's assistant, Liesl Menning. Haynie and Menning met when Turner performed "Firecracker" on Stewart's television show last year. The wedding will be filmed for a one-hour special to air on the Style network in December. Photos will also be featured in the winter edition of Martha Stewart Weddings magazine.

 

[RIDER]

George Jones University Sessions Underway
September 26, 2008
George Jones University launched its fall session with an invitation-only party at Jones' ranch near Nashville on Thursday night (Sept. 25). The program, which continues through Saturday (Sept. 27), educates aspiring country artists in the workings of the music business, including artist management, booking, record labels, publishing, touring and legal considerations. Classes are held at Jones' home twice a year. Jones is not expected to appear during the current program.

 

[RIDER]

Ten Trace Adkins Songs to Sing With Him
He Joins 38 Special for New Episode of CMT Crossroads
September 26, 2008; Written by Craig Shelburne

Trace Adkins

If I was a rock star who got offered to perform on CMT Crossroads with Trace Adkins, these are the 10 songs I'd put at the top of my wish list. But first, of course, I have to learn how to sing in tune, play (and hold) a guitar and somehow grow my hair out. Until then, Adkins is teaming with 38 Special for a new episode of CMT Crossroads, which will debut on Saturday (Sept. 27) at 8 p.m. ET/PT.

"Every Light in the House Is On"

The instrumentation is relatively understated, so Adkins' deep vocals are front-and-center on his breakthrough ballad. Have you ever tried to sing the word "gesture" in that lower octave? Not easy to do.

"(This Ain't) No Thinkin' Thing"

The guy can dance! Thanks to the twangy licks at the beginning, this one's instantly recognizable. Good luck with the tongue-twister in there: "It's physical, chemical, emotional devotion ..."

"I'm Tryin'"

Although it's about a newly-divorced guy, anybody who's determined to get on with their lives can relate. When this single was released in 2001, things could have gone either way at this uncertain point in Adkins' career, but he forged ahead -- good move. It became a Top 10 single.

"Then They Do"

A new song on his first volume of greatest hits, this ballad firmly introduced Adkins as a family man. It's not as overly sentimental as it could have been, and it's possibly the slowest song in his catalog. He doesn't sing it much in concert, unfortunately.

"Songs About Me"

As somebody who constantly has to justify a career in country music to clueless people, I can relate. I'm only four inches shorter than Trace, so I hope I never have to squeeze in next to him on an airplane.

"Arlington"

Adkins is the first to insist that this is not a political song. I'd agree with that. I am grateful that my grandfather came back from the war, but maybe that gives me a greater appreciation for the ones who didn't.

"Honky Tonk Badonkadonk"

When this song was new, I shocked myself at a concert by somehow knowing every line. To this day, I don't know how that happened. I'm thankful that it helped songwriter Jamey Johnson keep the lights on for a while, too.

"I Got My Game On"

A friend who knows almost nothing about country music once said to me, "I like Trace Adkins. He's got some common sense." Of course, she was watching Celebrity Apprentice. Trace, you represented us well.

"I Wanna Feel Somethin'"

Frustration and disenchantment -- not exactly what he's known for lately. (What, no skin?) Although it's somewhat unexpected from him, a lesser singer would have turned this into a melodramatic mess.

"You're Gonna Miss This"

This one's a career song, earning him his first CMA nominations in a decade. When he was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry a few years ago, I wondered what he'd some day shuffle out to play in his old age. Now I know.

 

[RIDER]

Darius Rucker Has Top Album and Song
Eli Young Band's CD Debuts at No. 5
September 27, 2008; Written by Edward Morris

Darius Rucker

OK, Darius Rucker, we get the message.

The former frontman for Hootie & the Blowfish dramatically asserts his hillbilly creds this week by scoring both the top album and top song on Billboard's country charts. The album, which debuted at No. 1 with first week sales of more than 60,000 copies (according to Nielsen SoundScan), is Learn to Live and the song "Don't Think I Don't Think About It."

Four other albums make their first chart curtsy: the Eli Young Band's Jet Black & Jealous (at No. 5), Kristy Lee Cook's Why Wait (No. 8), The Imus Ranch Record by various artists (No. 11) and Eric Durrance's Angels Fly Away (No. 70).

How Great Thou Art: Gospel Favorites From the Grand Ole Opry, another multi-artist collection, returns to the chart at No. 66.

Only two new songs rear their lyrical heads: Dierks Bentley's "Feel That Fire" (No. 49) and Darryl Worley's "Tequila on Ice" (No. 56). Taylor Swift's "Love Story" catapults from No. 25 to No. 18 in just its second week on the chart.

Completing the Top 5 albums list in the No. 2 through No. 4 slots are Sugarland's Love on the Inside, Jessica Simpson's Do You Know (which was last week's No. 1) and Taylor Swift.

The No. 2 through No. 5 songs are Kenny Chesney's "Everybody Wants to Go to Heaven," Jimmy Wayne's "Do You Believe Me Now," Kid Rock's "All Summer Long" and Toby Keith's "She Never Cried in Front of Me."

Who knew that the future of country was rock?

 

[RIDER]

Powered by:
2006
Sara Evans files for divorce from Craig Schelske in Franklin, Tennessee, citing infidelity, verbal abuse and heavy use of pornography. She immediately withdraws from ABC-TV's "Dancing With The Stars" series
2002
Cyndi Thomson announces she's quitting as a recording artist, after making just one album. In her official statement, she says she's unable to commit herself to the amount of work required
1997
John Denver dies in a plane crash near Monterey, California when the engine quits on the test plane he's piloting. Denver leaves a string of folk-influenced pop-country hits, including "Thank God I'm A Country Boy," "Annie's Song" and "Back Home Again"
1996
Trisha Yearwood pulls down a #1 single in Billboard with "Believe Me Baby (I Lied)"
1993
Giant Records releases "Common Thread: The Songs Of The Eagles," with some of the royalties to benefit the Walden Woods Project. Just some of the artists contributing songs: Clint Black, Alan Jackson, Brooks & Dunn, Vince Gill and Trisha Yearwood
1991
Ricky Van Shelton's "Keep It Between The Lines" drives to #1 on the Billboard country singles chart
1987
Randy Travis takes three honors during the 21st annual Country Music Association awards at Nashville's Grand Ole Opry House: Male Vocalist of the Year; Album, for "Always And Forever"; and Single, for "Forever And Ever, Amen," also named Song of the Year
1985
Marie Osmond and Dan Seals combine to register a #1 single in Billboard with "Meet Me In Montana"
1981
Barbara Mandrell becomes the first act to win consecutive Entertainer of the Year awards from the Country Music Association during its 15th annual show at Nashville's Grand Ole Opry House. Mandrell, who co-hosts with Mac Davis, also wins Female Vocalist
1969
Dixie Chicks fiddler Martie Maguire born in York, Pennsylvania. The hip and sassy female trio earns numerous awards between 1998 and 2003 before an offhand political remark makes them a controversial band

 

[RIDER]

Rascal Flatts Visit Children's Hospital in Nashville
October 10, 2008
Rascal Flatts performed Thursday (Oct. 9) at the Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt in Nashville while hosting a small party for the young patients and their families. With their record label, Lyric Street, being owned by Disney, they also brought along several characters, including Cinderella, Snow White and Mickey and Minnie Mouse. "Fast Cars and Freedom" and "What Hurts the Most" were among the songs the trio performed. Following the party, the band visited the hospital rooms of other children who were unable to attend the party. Rascal Flatts will perform its annual benefit concert for the hospital on Oct. 17 at Nashville's Sommet Center. They have raised more than $2.2 million for the facility during the past three years.

 

[RIDER]

Rascal Flatts to Build Playground in Birmingham, Ala.
October 9, 2008
Rascal Flatts will help volunteers build a playground in Birmingham, Ala., on Wednesday (Oct. 15). The band won the Academy of Country Music/The Home Depot Humanitarian Award earlier this year. Recipients are honored with a KaBOOM! playground built in the city of their choice. The construction project will take place at Princeton Alternative Elementary School. Volunteers include representatives of the ACM, The Home Depot and KaBOOM!, as well as members of the community.
.

 

[RIDER]

Jessica Simpson Will Open for Rascal Flatts in 2009
October 2, 2008
Jessica Simpson will be opening shows for Rascal Flatts when the trio continues its Bob That Head tour in 2009. Taylor Swift has been the opening act for this year's tour which ends Nov. 2 in Uncasville, Conn. Approximately 25 concerts are scheduled for the new leg of the tour which launches in mid-January. Specific dates will be announced later this fall.

 

[RIDER]

Toby Keith Ranks Third on Forbes' Musician List With $48M
September 24, 2008
Toby Keith earned $48 million between June 1, 2007, and June 1, 2008, making him the third highest-earning musician in that time frame, according to Forbes magazine. The Police ranked first with $115 million, followed by Beyoncé with $80 million. The Top 10 is rounded out by Justin Timberlake ($44 million), Madonna, Celine Dion and Rascal Flatts ($40 million each), Van Halen ($35 million), Genesis ($31 million) and Gwen Stefani ($27 million).

 

[RIDER]

Coming Soon: New Albums From Taylor Swift, Kenny Chesney and Many Other Stars
Music Row Looks Toward Filling Holiday Shopping Baskets
September 17, 2008; Written by Edward Morris

Taylor Swift

As usual, Music Row is preparing to unleash a torrent of superstar albums over the next three months to fuel the holiday-shopping frenzy. Among the sparkling new offerings are Rascal Flatts' first greatest hits package, Brad Paisley's first instrumental CD, Alabama crooner Randy Owen's first solo outing and Lee Ann Womack's first studio album in three years.

This month has already seen the release of Jessica Simpson's country debut project, Do You Know (Epic/Columbia Nashville), which will debut at No. 1 this week on Billboard's country albums chart, and Hootie & the Blowfish vocalist Darius Rucker's first solo album, a country project titled Learn to Live (Capitol). Other recent arrivals include Hal Ketchum's Father Time (Curb), former American Idol contestant Kristy Lee Cook's Why Wait (19 Recordings/Arista Nashville) and the Eli Young Band's Jet Black & Jealous (Universal Records South).

The big one to watch for, of course, is Taylor Swift's sophomore album, Fearless. It's due in early November. Then there are a Kenny Chesney collection in two separate editions and fresh lyrical dispatches from Toby Keith, Trace Adkins, Billy Currington and Billy Ray Cyrus. Tim McGraw will be raising his hand as well with his third greatest hits anthology.

In a later story, CMT.com will announce the titles and release dates of holiday albums from Faith Hill, George Strait, Julianne Hough, Elvis Presley (and "friends"), Fernando Ortega and Larry the Cable Guy.

Label sources emphasize that release dates may change.

Here is the list of major label country albums for the fall:

Sept. 23: Randy Rogers Band, Randy Rogers Band (Mercury Nashville)

Sept. 30: Craig Morgan, Greatest Hits (Broken Bow); Kellie Pickler, Kellie Pickler (19 Recordings/BNA Records)

Oct. 7: Big & Rich, Big & Rich Super Galactic Fan Pack 2, CD and DVD (Warner Bros.); Merle Haggard, 20 Hits, Volume 2 (Curb); Tim McGraw, Greatest Hits, Volume 3 (Curb)

Oct. 14: Kenny Chesney, Lucky Old Sun, deluxe edition (Blue Chair/BNA); Billy Currington, Little Bit of Everything (Mercury Nashville); Little Big Town, A Place to Land, re-release of original album with four new tracks (Capitol); John Michael Montgomery, Time Flies (Stringtown)

Oct. 21: Kenny Chesney, Lucky Old Sun, standard edition (Blue Chair/BNA); Hank III, Damn Right Rebel Proud (Sidewalk); Craig Morgan, That's Why (BNA); Lee Ann Womack, Call Me Crazy (MCA Nashville)

Oct. 28: Toby Keith, That Don't Make Me a Bad Guy (Show Dog); Rascal Flatts, Greatest Hits, Volume 1 (Lyric Street)

Nov. 4: Randy Owen, One on One (Broken Bow); Brad Paisley, Play (Arista Nashville)

Nov. 11: Taylor Swift, Fearless (Big Machine)

Nov. 18: Lee Brice, Picture of Me (Curb); Randy Houser, Anything Goes (Universal Records South)

Nov. 25: Trace Adkins, title to be announced (Capitol); Patti Page, Greatest Hits Live and Best Country Songs (Curb)

Although the exact date has not been announced, a late fall release is expected for Billy Ray Cyrus's Back to Tennessee (Walt Disney Records/Lyric Street Records).

 

[RIDER]

Powered by:
2002
"These Days" propels Rascal Flatts to its first #1 on the Billboard country singles chart
2002
Brad Paisley's "I Wish You'd Stay" video premieres on CMT's "Most Wanted Live"
2002
Tim McGraw makes his Grand Ole Opry debut at the Ryman Auditorium
2000
Two country artists are nominated in each of the three musical categories for the People's Choice Awards: Garth Brooks and George Strait, male nominees; Shania Twain and Faith Hill, female; and The Dixie Chicks and Alabama, band
1996
Mark Wills marries Kelly Mangus near Atlanta, Georgia
1995
Martina McBride joins the Grand Ole Opry during the taping of a CBS-TV special, "Grand Ole Opry 70th Anniversary Celebration," at the Opry House
1990
Garth Brooks receives the first of many multi-platinum certifications, as the "No Fences" album goes double-platinum
1975
Mindy McCready born in Fort Myers, Florida. Her sassy, confident approach nets late-1990s hits with "Ten Thousand Angels" and "Guys Do It All The Time," but she falls into a publicly reported downward spiral a decade later
1974
John Denver's "Back Home Again" resides at #1 on the Billboard country singles chart
1937
Record executive and producer Jimmy Bowen born in Santa Rita, New Mexico. A controversial figure, he works for MCA, Elektra and Capitol, producing hits for George Strait, Reba McEntire, Eddie Rabbitt and Hank Williams Jr., among others
​

 

[RIDER]

NASHVILLE SKYLINE: The Taylor Swift Incident: A Last Word or Two

So what can we say to the starry-eyed teenager who gets mugged by a drunk at the big prom and has her dream stolen? That it's all relative and it's just a dream after all? Or that all the big proms are just make-believe themselves? Or that they are truly
Read More


Sep 17, 2009

• Rascal Flatts Will Reissue Greatest Hits With Four Live Tracks
• John Fogerty Surprises Americana Conference With Nightclub Concert
• Wynonna Partners With Belmont University's Music Business Program
• Folk Singer Mary Travers of Peter, Paul and Mary Dies at Age 72

Sep 16, 2009

• Kellie Pickler Mixes Music and One-Liners at CMA Songwriters Showcase in L.A.
• Radney Foster Blends Rock and Redemption on New Album, Revival
• Rosanne Cash Previews Her New Album, The List, in Nashville
• CMT Insider: Carrie Underwood Unveils Songs From New Album

Sep 15, 2009

• Taylor Swift Hears From Kanye West and Enjoys Support From Other Artists and Fans
• Kenny Chesney Not Planning a Summer Tour in 2010
• John Fogerty Tapped for Lifetime Achievement Honor at Americana Awards
• Toby Keith, Craig Wiseman to Receive Songwriter of Decade Awards
• Luke Bryan Embarking on First Tour as Headliner
• Joe Nichols to Perform at Event Honoring the Dalai Lama
• Kanye West Issues Apology to Taylor Swift on Jay Leno's New Show

Sep 14, 2009

• Taylor Swift Emerges From a Strange Night at the MTV Video Music Awards
• Taylor Swift Gets Apologetic Blog From Kanye West, Support From Her "Hero"
• Taylor Swift's VMA Win Marred by Kanye West
• HOT DISH: Nominees for CMA Awards Raise Their Heads

 

[RIDER]

• News Main
• CMT News Clips
• Nashville Skyline
• Hot Dish
• Today in Country Music
• News Archives

NEWS PHOTOS

• Taylor Swift at the VMAs
• VH1 Divas 2009

Love and Theft Find "Runaway" Success After an Extremely Painful Year

Love and Theft are cruising up the country chart now with "Runaway" after a long stretch of spinning their wheels. The harmony-driven trio -- Brian Bandas, Stephen Barker Liles and Eric Gunderson -- rehearsed for six months before playing any shows, then
Read More


Sep 22, 2009

• ACM's George Strait Tribute Concert Leads to $750,000 Endowment
• Diamond Rio, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band Release New Albums
• Jason Aldean Will Release "The Truth" as Next Single
• Nine Major Videos to Premiere During CMT Big New Music Weekend
• Alison Krauss & Union Station Performing at Central Park

Sep 21, 2009

• Chris Young Bows Sophomore Album as New Single Goes Top 10
• Kenny Chesney Concludes Sun City Carnival Tour in Indianapolis
• Lucinda Williams Marries During Her Minneapolis Concert
• Little Nashville Opry in Indiana Destroyed by Fire
• Lady Antebellum's "I Run to You" Used in Financial Ad Campaign
• HOT DISH: Even a Spoiled Jerk Can't Spoil Taylor Swift's Future

Sep 19, 2009

• Brooks & Dunn Gallop In With No. 1 Album of No. 1 Songs (And Then Some)

Sep 18, 2009

• Tim McGraw Tells CMT Insider About New Music, Longtime Fans
• Americana Music Event Rewards Buddy Miller and Celebrates Music
• Bucky Covington Will Play Hometown Show on Sept. 26
• Anne Murray's Autobiography, All of Me, Due Oct. 27
• Patty Loveless Partners With Christian Appalachian Project

Sep 17, 2009

• NASHVILLE SKYLINE: The Taylor Swift Incident: A Last Word or Two
• Rascal Flatts Will Reissue Greatest Hits With Four Live Tracks

 

[RIDER]

Powered by:
2004
Drummer Keech Rainwater, of Lonestar, marries CMT Canada employee Elissa Lansdell in Toronto. The ceremony includes a taped performance by the band of "Amazed"
2002
Diamond Rio's Brian Prout and "Breathe" songwriter Stephanie Bentley-Prout have a daughter, Lily Arlina Kay Prout, in Nashville
2001
Alan Jackson records "Drive (For Daddy Gene)" and "That'd Be Alright"
1999
"Something Like That" takes Tim McGraw to #1 in Billboard for the first of five weeks
1993
Sara Evans marries Craig Schelske in Boonesboro, Missouri
1993
The Postal Service issues a series of stamps honoring four important country music acts: Hank Williams, The Carter Family, Patsy Cline and Bob Wills
1971
West Plains, Missouri, celebrates Porter Wagoner Day by renaming a city street Porter Wagoner Boulevard
1962
Loretta Lynn joins the Grand Ole Opry
1961
Leroy Van Dyke's "Walk On By" spends the first of 19 weeks at #1 on the Billboard country singles chart
1934
Royce Kendall born in St. Louis, Missouri. Teaming with daughter Jeannie, The Kendalls use gospel harmony to create a series of suggestive singles, including the million-selling "Heaven's Just A Sin Away," "Pittsburgh Stealers" and "Teach Me To Cheat"

 

[RIDER]

Alison Krauss & Union Station Gather for Rounder Records' Anniversary Concert

Alison Krauss & Union Station gathered at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville on Tuesday night (Oct. 12) to serenade the three founders of Rounder Records, the independent label which celebrates its 40th anniversary in 2010. Krauss and her band join
Read More


Oct 13, 2009

• Rascal Flatts Perform With Toto During Musicians Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony
• Taylor Swift Earns Six American Music Award Nominations
• Carrie Underwood Plans Two-Hour Variety Special for Fox Network
• Rascal Flatts Will Perform "Why" on Tonight Show on Wednesday
• Sugarland's Gold and Green Among New Christmas Releases

Oct 12, 2009

• Jamey Johnson, Randy Houser Bring Outlaw Country Back to New York City
• Steve Martin Dispels All Doubts About His Banjo Skills
• Taylor Swift's New Oprah Appearance Airs Wednesday
• Tim McGraw Plans TV Appearances for Southern Voice
• Toby Keith, Brad Paisley in New Book, Horse Country, at Cracker Barrel
• HOT DISH: Vince Vaughn, Jason Bateman Surprise a Hillbilly

Oct 10, 2009

• Miranda Lambert's Revolution Seizes the Album Summit

Oct 09, 2009

• Fifteen Teens Who Found Country Music Success Before Taylor Swift
• Brad Paisley Talks About Fatherhood in New Issue of People Country
• Waylon Jennings' Early RCA Albums Will Be Reissued on Nov. 24
• Darryl Worley Co-Writes With Tennessee Titans QB Kerry Collins
• Trace Adkins, Eric Church Singing at NFL, NASCAR Events
• Keith Whitley Tribute Concert Scheduled in Nashville

 

[RIDER]

Keith Urban's "Only You Can Love Me This Way" Is Nation's No. 1 Country Song

Keith Urban's "Only You Can Love Me This Way" has arrived as the No. 1 country song after a 16-week climb. And once again, Taylor Swift's Fearless has broomed out the upstarts, interlopers, usurpers and Johnnies-come-lately to reclaim its historic
Read More


Oct 23, 2009

• Taylor Swift Sells Out 15 Shows of Fearless 2010 Tour Within Minutes
• Robert Earl Keen Gets Back to Storytelling for a New Album
• CMT Insider Interview: On the Set of Gloriana's Latest Music Video
• Tim McGraw Announces Southern Voice Tour With Lady Antebellum
• Elvis Costello, Avett Brothers, Steep Canyon Rangers Booked for MerleFest
• Tickets to Garth Brooks' Las Vegas Engagement Go on Sale Saturday

Oct 22, 2009

• NASHVILLE SKYLINE: Garth Brooks Goes Back to Work
• ASCAP Applauds Kenny Chesney, Brett James for Writing "Out Last Night"
• Alan Jackson Collection of Clothing, Collectibles Coming to Cracker Barrel
• Jamey Johnson, Randy Houser Offer Postcards for USO During CMT on Tour
• Keith Urban's We're All for the Hall Concert Brings in $500,000

Oct 21, 2009

• Tim McGraw Makes Noise With His Southern Voice in Chicago
• Kenny Chesney, Taylor Swift Booked for Louisiana Music Festival
• Randy Houser Will Play CMA Songwriter Series Prior to CMA Awards
• Chet Atkins' Wife, Leona, Dead at 85
• Carrie Underwood Promotes New Album, Play On, in Singapore
• Lee Ann Womack Releases New Single, "There Is a God"

Oct 20, 2009

• Alan Jackson, Ashley Gorley, J.D. Souther Triumphant at ASCAP Country Awards
• Martina McBride and Vince Gill Rally for Rocketown

 

[RIDER]

SESAC Honors Monty Powell as Its Songwriter of the Year

SESAC, the privately owned performance rights company, declared Monty Powell its songwriter of the year Monday night (Nov. 9) at an awards dinner held at its Nashville headquarters.
Read More


Nov 10, 2009

• George Strait Will Have Limited Role in New Film, A Pure Country Gift
• Taylor Swift Receives Three People's Choice Award Nominations
• Sugarland's Network TV Special Will Air Friday on CMT
• Carrie Underwood's Opry Performance Will Stream on MySpace
• Montgomery Gentry Delivering New Single
• Big Kenny, Josh Thompson Release New Albums
• Jerry Lee Lewis' EP Features Merle Haggard, Kid Rock

Nov 09, 2009

• Brad Paisley, Carrie Underwood, Taylor Swift Rehearsing for CMA Awards
• Kenny Chesney Editing His Summer in 3D Film
• Jason Aldean Offers Preview of New Video, "The Truth," on Twitter
• Joey & Rory Presenting "It's Christmas Time" Single on Nov. 16
• American Idol's Danny Gokey Debuts New Single in Hometown
• HOT DISH: A Girl Named Taylor Swift

Nov 08, 2009

• Taylor Swift Aims Verbal Jabs at Kanye West on Saturday Night Live

Nov 07, 2009

• Taylor Swift's Fearless Reclaims Top Album Crown (Again)

Nov 06, 2009

• Dierks Bentley Fan Is Hero Who Ended Fort Hood Shooting Spree
• Willie Nelson Abandons Usual Routine for Special Performance in Nashville
• Taylor Swift Talks About Hosting Saturday Night Live
• Trisha Yearwood Finds More Family Recipes for Her Second Cookbook

 

[RIDER]

Taylor Swift's Fearless Returns to No. 1

Now sporting a "4" beside its title to indicate that it's shipped 4 million copies to record stores, Taylor Swift's Fearless rebounds to the top of Billboard's country albums chart, elbowing aside Carrie Underwood's Play On, which hel
Read More


Dec 04, 2009

• Carrie Underwood's Big Voice Fills a Chicago Bar
• CMT Insider: Sugarland Among Grammy Nominees Praising Taylor Swift
• Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum Will Update Main Exhibit in 2010
• Trace Adkins Will Play Bodyguard in TV Pilot Shooting This Week in Nashville
• Billy Ray Cyrus, David Nail Will Light Tree at New York Stock Exchange

Dec 03, 2009

• NASHVILLE SKYLINE: Garth Brooks: $5! Taylor Swift: $9.97
• Tim McGraw Will Play Husband/Manager of a Country Singer in Next Film
• Brooks & Dunn Will Perform at NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards
• Faith Hill's Upcoming TV Special Will Feature Reba McEntire, Carrie Underwood
• BMI Salutes Composers of Toby Keith's "American Ride"
• Taylor Swift Nets Eight Grammy Nominations

Dec 02, 2009

• CMA CEO Tammy Genovese Resigns
• Keith Urban Flies In From L.A. for No. 1 Party in Nashville
• Kellie Pickler Will Appear at CMA Event for Music Education in Nashville Schools
• Billy Currington Creates Relief Fund for Central American Countries
• Defamation Suit Against Dixie Chicks' Natalie Maines Dismissed
• Big Bill Lister, Who Rediscovered "There's a Tear in My Beer," Dies at 86
• Jack Cooke of the Clinch Mountain Boys Dead at 72

Dec 01, 2009

• Miranda Lambert Stays True to Her Musical Vision on Revolution

 

[RIDER]

Taylor Swift, Lady Antebellum Still Reside in Their Chart Penthouses

Score another week at the peak of the Billboard charts for Taylor Swift's blockbuster CD, Fearless, and Lady Antebellum's infectiously imploring single, "Need You Now."
Read More


Dec 19, 2009

• It's Official: LeAnn Rimes' Husband Files for Divorce

Dec 18, 2009

• Randy Houser Closes Out a Whirlwind Year
• Toby Keith's Show Dog Records and Universal South Records Merge
• Dolly Parton's Handwritten Lyrics to "I Will Always Love You" Auctioned for $7,150

Dec 17, 2009

• NASHVILLE SKYLINE: The Decade: Taylor Swift and Carrie Underwood Topped It
• Josh Turner Plans Deluxe Version of Haywire With Four Bonus Tracks
• Ricky Skaggs Auctioning Guitar Lick in a Jar for Charity
• George and Nancy Jones Accepting Visitors and Toy Donations for Holidays

Dec 16, 2009

• CMT Insider: Rascal Flatts Visit Children's Hospital in Nashville
• Breach of Contract Cited in Garth Brooks' Lawsuit Against Oklahoma Hospital
• Taylor Swift Featured on Cover of People Magazine's Year-End Issue
• ACM Awards Broaden Entertainer of the Year Category to Eight Nominees
• Gloriana, Randy Houser Among Five Artists Chosen for CRS New Faces Show
• Singer-Songwriter Jesse Winchester's Wife Insisted on a New Album

Dec 15, 2009

• Steve Wariner Talks About His Grammy-Nominated Tribute to Chet Atkins
• Darius Rucker Will Perform at New Orleans Jazz Fest
• Kenny Chesney's Greatest Hits II Certified Gold
• Phil Vassar Releases New Album, Offers Free Christmas Music

Dec 14, 2009

• Garth Brooks' Return: It's a Work in Progress