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Trace Adkins is Keepin’ it Country:
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The Voice: Team Blake Advances to Top 10
Team Blake advances another week and is stronger than ever!
It was Top 12 time on The Voice this week, and the voting was left completely up to the public. The coaches did not get a vote nor could they save anyone. Usher and Shakira each ended up losing a team member in Vedo and Garrett, respectively, while Team Blake & Team Adam remained in tact.
That means Danielle Bradbery, Holly Tucker, and The Swon Brothers move on! Blake sure did put together a powerhouse country team.
Congrats, Team Blake! We’re rooting for you. Keep it up and keep it country!
The Top 10 take the stage Monday night on NBC at 8/7c!
Check out the video of Blake performing with his team on Tuesday:
Joel Crouse makes Opry debut
Massachusetts-born singer/songwriter Joel Crouse grew up listening to all genres of music, but it wasn’t until years later that he realized his favorites all had one similarity–the stories. It was at that moment, at the ripe age of 14, that Crouse first discovered his passion for country music. He immersed himself with the lyrics with one goal in mind: to be heard on the same country radio he grew up listening to. Little did he know someday one radio program in particular that he loved, Grand Ole Opry on 650 WSM AM, would feature his voice. Fast-forward to Saturday, May 11, 2013–one move to Nashville and a record deal later–the now-20 year old country crooner is well on his way having made his debut on the hallowed Grand Ole Opry stage.
He was overwhelmed playing on the historic stage, he explains:
“I was overwhelmed with emotions that I don’t even know how to describe. There’s something about the moment you step on its stage…for me, it was the first time I’ve truly felt like a part of the country music community. I’ll never forget that moment.”
Crouse was joined by his mother, father, sister, grandmother and friends as he waited side-stage for his name to be called by Opry member Jeannie Seely. Crouse then performed his self-penned “If You Want Some,” his current Top 40 single on Show Dog-Universal Music, and “That’s Why God Made Love Songs.”
He actually got some pretty cool advice from an Opry member before hitting the stage:
“I actually received some great advice from Darius [Rucker]. He said, ‘It’ll be surreal’ and to take it all in cause you won’t get another first time, and I really took that to heart.”
Crouse will step from the Opry stage to a Red stage as he joins Taylor Swift‘s Red Tour beginning May 28 in Glendale, Ariz. at Jobing Arena.
Dierks Bentley to release personal album Riser
Dierks Bentley is getting ready to release what he believes will be a defining new album this Fall. “Riser,” his brand new record, will be his most personal yet – written and recorded the year after his father’s death.
The title for his new album comes from the song “I’m A Riser,” a song about spiritual, personal and societal commentary on re-commitment, but he also can relate it to the battlefield of the music industry.
On why he believes this album will be his most personal yet, Dierks says:
“Life in general has a way of knocking you down. It’s different reasons for different folks – could be personal reasons, could be family reasons, your job, drugs, alcohol. That song really applies to anybody that’s lived. There have always been those moments when we have to get back up and get on our feet. They are defining moments…breakthrough moments.”
The theme throughout Dierks’ brand new album is accepting change and learning to grow and learn from it. “Riser” will showcase Dierks’ artistic depth and a new intensity that country fans may not have expected from him previously.
Dierks teamed up once again with Arthur Buenahora Jr. (who was executive producer on his first two albums), and producer Ross Copperman (writer of “Tip It On Back”).
Keith Urban will not return to American Idol
Reports out this week are indicating that country superstar Keith Urban, along with the rest of the judge panel, will no longer be a part of American Idol’s next season. Keith had left Australia’s version of The Voice to join American Idol this season. Host Ryan Seacrest will remain with the show, becoming the only original member of the cast from the first season that crowned Kelly Clarkson. The 13th season of American Idol will undergo massive changes to try and bring back in the viewers that it has been losing through the last few seasons – including ratings being down 22% this season alone.
As well as the judge changes, FOX will also change how its weekly themed nights will operate. The only thing that may be left that will still resemble American Idol will be the audition episodes. FOX is trying to bring back its core audience, which is believes is younger viewers, and they don’t think that the current judges are doing that.
The show has kick started the careers of country stars Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Kellie Pickler, Lauren Alaina, Scotty McCreery, Casey James, Danny Gokey, Bucky Covington, Josh Gracin, and Kristy Lee Cook, among others. Who is your favorite American Idol star?
Randy Houser to debut new music video TODAY
The artist American Songwriter proclaimed as “one of Nashville’s best voices,” Randy Houser, is back with the follow-up to his No. 1 smash hit “How Country Feels” with a new music video for Top 30-and-climbing single “Runnin’ Outta Moonlight.” The latest music video from the “pitch-perfect” (Washington Post) singer will debut TODAY on cmt.com and CMT.
“Runnin’ Outta Moonlight,” penned by writers Dallas Davidson, Ashley Gorley and Kelly Lovelace, is off Houser’s Jan. 22 Stoney Creek Records release, How Country Feels. The lead single and title track, “How Country Feels,” became Houser’s first RIAA Gold-certified record and now, Houser has earned a Breakthrough Video of the Year CMT Award nomination for the “How Country Feels” video – directed by Wes Edwards.
The “Runnin’ Outta Moonlight” video, also directed by Edwards, was the first ever to be shot inside a planetarium (Edwards shot in Nashville’s Sudekum Planetarium). Using the most advanced, light-sensitive digital cameras available to date, Edwards was able to capture a full band performance with the night sky as the backdrop, adding a unique dynamic to the video and story-line as a whole.
Houser explains how he recorded the track:
“‘Runnin’ Outta Moonlight’ was a last minute find for us. My buddy Dallas sent me the song the day before our last day in the studio. Wes then came in with such a great concept for the video with the planetarium and effects; I’m really proud of the way it all turned out.”
Check out two preview pictures of Houser’s new video, courtesy of Broken Bow Records:
Carrie Underwood is new voice of NFL
Oklahoma superstar Carrie Underwood is the new voice of Sunday Night Football. The “All-American Girl” will replace Faith Hill as the singer for the opening theme song to the NFL’s “Wait All Day For Sunday Night.” The choice is a slightly funny one, as Carrie is married to Nashville Predators player Mike Fisher in the National Hockey League (NHL).
About becoming the new opening singer, Carrie said:
“I am thrilled to be a part of NBC’s ‘Sunday Night Football’ and am so honored they asked me. I have always loved football season, and it is so exciting to now become part of it every Sunday night!”
Carrie’s opening will make its debut during the Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants game on Sunday, September 8th.Are you excited to see Carrie every Sunday night? Who was your choice to replace Faith?
Rascal Flatts & Journey add NJ Concert
Country superstar trio Rascal Flatts made headlines last month when they announced their Pennsylvania date with the legendary Journey. Due to popular demand of the once-in-a-lifetime show, the groups decided to add a second date in Atlantic City, New Jersey on August 4th at Boardwalk Hall.
Their first date together will be held on August 1st in Hershey, PA. The Voice winner Cassadee Pope will open both shows.
Tickets for their Atlantic City show will go-onsale through Ticketmaster this Friday, May 10th at 10 am EST.
Rascal Flatts and Journey first performed together on the 2012 CMT Music Awards when they closed the show with Journey’s megahit “Don’t Stop Believin’.” The two groups also participated in a special edition of the critically-acclaimed CMT Crossroads series during Super Bowl XLVII in 2013.
Blake Shelton is Keepin’ It Country on The Voice!
With auditions, battle, and knockout rounds complete, The Voice will be moving on to live competition next week.
This week, Blake, Adam, Shakira, & Usher each chose a final four to represent their teams. The competition is fierce this season and is sure to be great entertainment.
Our very own country rep, Mr. Shelton, is a 2-time Voice champ and reigning winner. He’s kept it pretty diverse in the past, but he is country strong with Team Blake moving forward.
The remaining team members are Danielle Bradbery, Holly Tucker, Justin Rivers, and The Swon Brothers. While there was a great deal of talented artists, I definitely think Blake got it right this week.
There really is only one artist on the original Team Blake that I hoped would have made it to the playoffs, and that is Caroline Glaser. I wish Blake had decided not to pair her and Danielle against each other in the battle rounds. I would have liked to have seen both of them representing Team Blake in the live shows. However, Caroline is with Team Adam now, and that really is the beauty of the steal. It allows the coaches to keep talent that maybe would have been let go too soon.
Will Blake and his country crew make it a 3-peat this season? There are some powerhouses this year, especially on Team Adam. While we know that Blake’s buddy, Mr. Levine, is always gunning to take the title from him, Shakira and Usher are definitely equally determined to win it all. The next few weeks should be a good battle!
The live rounds kick off on Monday night on NBC at 8/7c. Don’t miss it!
Team Blake!
Curb Records taking Tim McGraw back to court
Just when everyone thought the Curb Records vs. Tim McGraw court battle was finally done, Tim’s former record label threw a curve ball. The label won its battle to take the case to a Federal Court, and have sent us their response to the news. Check out why Curb Records says they’re so happy to be going back to court against Tim McGraw and his new record label Big Machine Records.
The following is a statement sent out by Curb Records:
Curb Records, Inc. was pleased to learn that Nashville’s Federal Court took jurisdiction of Curb Records’ continuing lawsuit with Tim McGraw and Big Machine Records. The lawsuit raises issues of tremendous significance which are important not only to Curb Records, but also to the recording industry and many other industries – the enforceability of contracts in Tennessee. Curb Records contends in the lawsuit that:
- McGraw ignored his obligation to deliver his required Fifth Option Period album to Curb Records; and
- The album he did provide, Emotional Traffic, consisted of old material recorded before the time during which he was permitted to record the Fifth Option Period album; and
- McGraw ignored his delivery obligations and Curb Records’ approval rights; and
- McGraw destroyed or erased many recordings owned by Curb Records; and
- McGraw refused to accept his recording advance check and sent the check back to Curb Records so that McGraw could claim non-payment; and
- McGraw attempted to deliver the required Fifth Option Period album before he was allowed to do so, attempting to end his recording obligations prematurely, among other things.
Exclusive Interview: Introducing Brandon Chase
If you’ve visited the Rising Stars of Country section on iTunes, there’s a chance you’ve seen Brandon Chase. His new EP, Country Enough, is featured there alongside the likes of country’s hottest new names, Charlie Worsham, Joel Crouse, Parmalee and more. However, if you haven’t heard his music yet, it’s time we introduce you to this mega-talented Texan singer- songwriter.
KIC: For those readers who may be ‘meeting’ you for the first time in this blog, can you give us a little bit of a back story as to how you began performing?
BC: I started out my musical journey by singing in my church’s youth band when I was about 13/14. They had an audition to join the band, and for some reason, I just knew I had to try out. I went into it having absolutely no music experience other than beating on some drums. After making the band, I started teaching myself piano, which eventually led to guitar as well. I started writing worship songs for our youth band and found that I had a passion it. So I decided to major in songwriting in college which eventually evolved my writing into secular country songs. Now I’m performing all over town and loving every minute of it!
KIC: We read that you graduated high school at 15 and completed a master certificate for songwriting through Berklee at 18. What’s next?
BC: I actually graduated from Berklee at 17 believe it or not! But hopefully the next step in my life/career will be to tour the US and get the opportunity to meet all the amazing fans that I have had the pleasure to connect with through Facebook and Twitter.
