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Trace Adkins is Keepin’ it Country:
Search Results for: Kenny Rogers
Tim McGraw Finds Out Who His Friends Are
As we found out years ago, Tim McGraw, along with country music pals, Kenny Chesney and Tracy Lawrence, found out who his friends are. Well, Tim has teamed up with those friends to create a compilation disc, entitled “Tim McGraw & Friends,” scheduled for release by Curb Records on January 22, 2013. Colt Ford helped Tim out on the track, “Twisted,” which will be the first single off the special compilation disc. The album will be exclusively available at Walmart and will include 11 individual tracks:
Performers announced for CMT Artists of the Year Special
While the honorees themselves are still being kept top secret, CMT has announced a big list of performers for their 2012 Artists of the Year special. Performing this year will be country superstars Carrie Underwood, Miranda Lambert, Eric Church, Kenny Chesney, Luke Bryan, Chris Young, Kenny Rogers, Toby Keith, Hunter Hayes, Kacey Musgraves, Thompson Square, Jason Aldean, Eli Young Band and Sammy Hagar. While the station won’t announce the honorees, or even hint about who it could be, fans are encouraged to keep up-to-date in all the announcements at cmt.com.
The 90-minute special will be hosted by Rascal Flatts and “Nashville” show star Hayden Panettiere on December 8th, 2012 airing on CMT. Who do you think deserves to be honored at the third annual event?
Lionel Richie Receives First-Ever CMA Nomination
It’s almost hard to believe that a musical icon like Lionel Richie can still be receiving “firsts” in the industry today. He’s been nominated for his first-ever Country Music Association (CMA) Award for his duet with Darius Rucker with “Stuck On You” for Musical Event of the Year.
Lionel shares:
“I am thrilled to receive my first nomination from the CMA. I am so grateful to the country music community for embracing this project and making me feel so at home. To share this nomination with my friend Darius Rucker makes it even more special. I have a CMA nomination and a friend for life. It doesn’t get much better than that.”
Darius is just as excited as Lionel is over the nomination:
“I was so honored to have sung with Lionel and am overjoyed with this nomination.”
“Stuck On You” appears on Lionel’s platinum-certified Tuskegee. Tuskegee is the best-selling country album of 2012 and the first country album in more than a year to spend two consecutive weeks atop the Billboard 200. Richie has garnered album sales of more than 100 million, 22 Top 10 hits, five Grammys, an Academy Award, a Golden Globe and a host of other awards.
The album features duets of 13 of his timeless hits with Jason Aldean, Jimmy Buffett, Kenny Chesney, Billy Currington, Little Big Town, Tim McGraw, Willie Nelson, Jennifer Nettles, Rascal Flatts, Kenny Rogers, Darius Rucker, Blake Shelton and Shania Twain.
Josh Leo Celebrates 23 #1 Songs!
Renowned music producer Josh Leo is celebrating twenty-three number one singles this week. He’s personally written six number one singles, and has contributed to multiple gold and platinum selling albums and singles throughout his career – including for The Eagles’ Timothy B. Schmit. He was even the one responsible for the discovery of country superstar Martina McBride.
His latest number one is with RCA Nashville duo Love and Theft. He produced their new album and their number one single “Angel Eyes.” He’s pretty excited about the duo, and shares:
“Love and Theft is a TRUE duo!! Two great singers, songwriters and performers that equally carry the weight! I’m very fortunate to be given the opportunity to work with such talented REAL people!”
Eric Gunderson and Eric Barker Liles were just as excited to be working with Josh:
“Josh Leo is the man! He is a legend and it has been such a pleasure to work with him. We are so honored to be a part of his 23rd #1 song. We look forward to making music with Josh for years to come!” says Eric Gunderson.“Josh Leo!!!! Our other dad!!! I couldn’t be more happy for him to land his 23rd #1 record. We are honored to work with him and blessed to call him our friend. Congrats Josh!” comments Stephen Barker Liles.
Love & Theft’s single isn’t the only thing Josh is celebrating this week. He also produced Broken Bow Records’ artist Dustin Lynch‘s single “Cowboys & Angels.” Dustin’s single is currently number twelve before his self-titled debut album hits stores next week. Josh co-wrote Dustin’s single with Tim Nichols and Dustin himself.
Along with working as a producer on 23 number one singles, Josh has been the session guitarist for over 150 songs in his career. He also has a pretty impressive songwriting credits over his career: including six number one singles, including Alabama‘s “Down Home” and “Hometown Honeymoon,” Restless Heart’s huge A/C smash “Tell Me What You Dream,” and has had his songs recorded by Kenny Chesney, LeAnn Rimes, The Wreckers, Reba McEntire, Brenda Lee, Jimmy Buffett, Kenny Rogers, and many, many more.
Lionel Richie Has Best Selling Country Album of 2012
It’s official! Lionel Richie‘s “Tuskegee” is the best-selling country album for the first half of 2012. The record has sold an approximate 912, 000 copies, which is more than any other release so far this year, by the year’s mid-point on July 1st. That’s the halfway point for Soundscan’s tracking year. Lionel is in second to Adele’s “21″ for all-genre best sellers. To date, Lionel’s now topped sales with more than 934,000 copies sold of his country duets project.
“Tuskegee” claimed the number one spot on the Billboard Top 200 Albums Chart for two consecutive weeks, and sat atop the Billboard Country Albums Chart for an impressive four weeks in a row. In only five weeks, “Tuskegee” was certified platinum for selling more than 1 million copies.
“What a year!” Richie says. “This album has taken me on an unforgettable journey filled with new friends, new jokes and new musical inspirations. I am overwhelmed and humbled by the success of Tuskegee and am thrilled by how it has been embraced by music lovers of all ages and backgrounds around the world.”
Lionel’s album was released back on March 26th and debuted at the number two spot on the Billboard 200 and number one on the Country Albums chart. It was his best first-week sales that Soundscan has tracked since 1991. It’s become an immediate worldwide hit, debuting at number one on Canada’s Top Albums Chart, and reaching the top 20 albums charts in 10 different countries. It went top 10 in the United Kingdom, Denmark, Holland, Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong and Sweden. It was his first number one debut in Canada since Soundscan started tracking, and his first number one record in Canada since his 1983 release “Can’t Slow Down.”
The album features 13 duets of Lionel’s biggest hits with some of the brightest stars in country music. Artists featured on the record include Shania Twain, Kenny Chesney, Jimmy Buffett, Little Big Town, Tim McGraw, Blake Shelton, Jennifer Nettles, Rascal Flatts, Kenny Rogers, Darius Rucker, Jason Aldean and Billy Currington.
Lionel will be performing at Boots and Hearts Music Festival in Bowmanville, Ontario this August. We’ll be there, will you? Tickets are still available for this amazing country music festival, which runs August 9th through to the 12th at the Canadian Tire Motorsports Park. For more information, or to get your tickets before they sell out, visit bootsandhearts.com/.
Kenny Rogers Wows at CMA Music Fest, Rocks Bonnaroo & Performs at Songwriters Hall of Fame Induction
In the past week alone, Kenny Rogers has done more than some artists do in years. On Saturday, he hit the LP Field stage for CMA Fest, on Sunday, he took the stage at Bonnaroo and on Thursday, he hit New York City to perform at the Songwriters Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony.
At LP Field, Rogers played four songs to a sold-out crowd, and at Bonnaroo, he thrilled the crowd. He was the only artist to play at both events, and at Bonnaroo, he was joined on stage by Lionel Richie to perform “Lady.” He then later joined Phish on stage to perform “The Gambler.” Billboard Magazine called his appearance “spellbinding,” ”breathtaking, and “one of the 10 best performances of Bonnaroo 2012.”
On Thursday night, Rogers took the stage in New York City in honor of songwriter, Don Schlitz, the writer of “The Gambler.” Schlitz, who has penned several timeless hits, was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame this year.
Kenny is currently on a world tour that will cross the United States, Australia, New Zealand and Asia. He is also working on his autobiography, entitled “Luck or Something Like It,” which is scheduled to be released on October 2nd. He will also begin working on a new record with acclaimed producer Dann Huff.
Kenny Rogers 2012 Tour Dates
6/15 Luhrs Performing Arts Center – Shippensburg, PA
6/16 MGM Grand at Foxwoods – MGM Grand Theater – Mashantucket, CT
6/20 Kickapoo Lucky Eagle Casino – Eagle Pass, TX
6/22 IP Casino Resort & Spa – IP Showroom – Studio A – Biloxi, MS
7/13 Alabama Theatre – North Myrtle Beach, SC
7/14 Chastain Park Amphitheatre – Atlanta, GA (With Glen Campbell)
7/20 Chukchansi Gold Resort & Casino – Coarsegold, CA
7/27 Meadowbrook – US Cellular Pavilion – Gilford, NH (With The Oak Ridge Boys)
7/28 Parc Beauséjour – Rimouski, QC, Canada
8/10 CBS Arena – Christchurch, Addington, New Zealand (With Glen Campbell)
8/12 Vector Arena – Auckland, New Zealand (With Glen Campbell)
8/15 State Theatre – Sydney, NSW, Australia (With Glen Campbell)
8/16 State Theatre – Sydney, NSW, Australia (With Glen Campbell)
8/18 Darwin Festival – Darwin, N. Territory, Australia
8/21 Perth Convention Centre – Perth, Australia
8/23 Palais Theatre – Melbourne, VIC, Australia (With Glen Campbell)
8/24 Newcastle Entertainment Centre – Newcastle, NSW, Australia (With Glen Campbell)
8/26 Gympie Muster Outdoor Festival – Gympie, Queensland, Australia
8/29 Adelaide Festival Theatre – Adelaide, Australia
9/09 Wayne County Fair – Wooster, OH
9/24 Bloomsburg Fair – Bloomsburg, PA
9/28 Durham Fair – Durham, CT
10/12 Arena Theatre – Houston, TX
10/13 WinStar Casino – Thackerville, OK
10/18 Taipei, Taiwan – National Taipei University Stadium
10/21 Singapore, Singapore – Singapore Indoor Stadium
10/23 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – Arena of Stars
10/26 Seoul, Korea – Olympic Hall
Additional tour dates, including the 2012 Christmas & Hits Tour, to be announced.
GRAMMY Charity Auctions Off Music Memorabilia
The GRAMMY Charity Online Auctions newest auction series is the “A Little Bit Country…A Little Bit Rock And Roll Auction.” This series launched after the MusiCares MAP Fund Benefit Concert honoring Alice In Chains vocalists Jerry Cantrell. Bidders can bid now through June 10 on extraordinary memorabilia at www.ebay.com/grammy, with all proceeds benefitting MusiCares and the GRAMMY Foundation.
There is be country memorabilia signed by Jason Aldean, The Band Perry, Miranda Lambert, Kenny Rogers, George Strait, Carrie Underwood, and more!
For more inform on MusiCares or the GRAMMY Foundation, visit www.musicares.org or www.grammyfoundation.org. To bid on the memorabilia, visit www.ebay.com/grammy.
Ronnie Dunn Releases Exclusive Cracker Barrel CD
If you’ve been looking for new music from Ronnie Dunn, Cracker Barrel is the place to go. As of May 21, “Ronnie Dunn – Special Edition” will be available exclusively in Cracker Barrel stores and online at crackerbarrel.com. Although the bulk of the CD was previously released by Dunn in 2011, this exclusive features two unreleased bonus tracks. Additionally, a portion of sales from this CD, which costs $11.99, will be donated to the Wounded Warrior Project.
Ronnie Dunn specializes in songs about real life and real love, combined with rich patriotism. “More than ever before, I feel as though this album gave me a chance to tell my own story through songs that mean a lot to me,” says Dunn. “And it’s particularly gratifying because, by working with Cracker Barrel, a portion of the CD retail sales will be donated to Wounded Warrior Project. To me, that truly makes this CD a special edition.”
Cracker Barrel is equally as pleased to pair with Dunn on this project. “We’re pleased to work with Ronnie Dunn on a collection of songs we not only think will resonate with our guests, but also will support our nation’s Wounded Warriors,” said Julie Craig, Cracker Barrel Marketing Manager. “Ronnie shares his heart and his life-learned lessons through music and the result is a very special mix of memorable songs.”
Tracklisting for Ronnie Dunn – Special Edition:
1. I Love My Country (Previously Unreleased)
2. Singer In A Cowboy Band
3. I Don’t Dance
4. Your Kind Of Love
5. How Far To Waco
6. Once
7. Cost Of Livin’
8. Bleed Red
9. Last Love I’m Tryin’
10. Let The Cowboy Rock
11. I Can’t Help Myself
12. I Just Get Lonely
13. Love Owes Me One
14. Keep On Lovin’ You (Previously Unreleased)
Dunn joins a plethora of country stars who have released CDS exclusively with Cracker Barrel, including Dolly Parton, Rodney Atkins, Kenny Rogers, Josh Turner and many more. For more information on Dunn, visit www.ronniedunn.com.
Kenny Rogers Inks Long-Term Deal With WB
Warner Brothers Records and Kenny Rogers are teaming up once again. The legendary music icon made the announcement at his first first of two sold-out shows Wednesday night at the Ford Theater in Nashville. Kenny’s career with Warner has given the icon a string of multi-platinum albums and hit singles, and he’ll be returning to the place where it all started in 1967. His new album will be produced by Dan Huff and is expected out later this year.
“I’m looking forward to returning home to Warner Bros. Records after all these years,” commented Kenny on his new deal. “Our history together, combined with the incredible team that’s in place now, provides the catalyst for a great new relationship going forward.”
Kenny has been recognized as one of the greatest entertainers of all-time. In 2008, he celebrated his 50th year in show business. He has sold more than 120 million albums worldwide and he has recorded more than 65 albums over his career. He has a long list of timeless classics like “The Gambler,” “Lady,” “She Believes In Me,” and, “We’ve Got Tonight.” Two of his albums, “The Gambler,” and, “Kenny” are listed in about.com’s 200 Most Influential Country Albums Ever.
Keep an eye out for Kenny’s new record with Warner Music later this year.
EXCLUSIVE: Interview With Jason Charles Miller
Jason Charles Miller is definitely not your ordinary urban cowboy. Rather, he represents the dark, gritty side of country music – the type of country music that should receive more acknowledgement than it does.
Regardless, this Virginia native knows his way around the entertainment industry. Although he might be most known for heading the rock band Godhead, Jason has travelled many paths throughout his life. His impressive resume includes writing, producing, voiceover recording and acting. If that wasn’t enough, Jason is busy overseeing his own recording studio, Central Command Studios.
We caught up with Jason today to talk about the release of his new single “Up To Me,” his recent signing with Render Records, how he feels about the music industry and what he has to offer.
We can promise you that this man has a mind and heart evident in both his thoughts and music that any country music fan could appreciate and love. Take a look for yourself:
