This year’s theme will be “Rebels and Renegades, the Outlaws are IN”. The past three benefit concerts have raised a collective $1.5 million, which is directed toward the Museum’s operating expenses, caring for the collection, exhibitions, programs, and more.
Museum board president Vince Gill created All for the Hall, an artist-led fundraising initiative for the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. Funds raised from the concert also go toward preservation efforts, exhibitions and educational programs about the culture and value of country music.
“The purity in making music on your own terms – to create art in your own way – for me, is at the heart of the outlaw spirit,” said Urban. “It’s those outlaws that we celebrate this year, who not only made it possible for a guy like me to do what I love, but who play a pivotal role in the strength of Country music’s diversity.”
Tickets will go on sale on March1st at 10AM CST. For ticket and VIP package information, visit Ticketmaster.com.
Katie Armiger, who has become one of the biggest and brightest independent female artists in country music today, released her much anticipated fourth studio album “Fall Into Me” on Cold River Records yesterday. The rave reviews for the album, in which Katie had a hand in writing all 14 tracks, have been rolling in dubbing it her best yet. “Fall Into Me” features Katie’s current single “Better In A Black Dress,” which is her first Top 40 hit single and continues to climb the charts. Tune into GAC Daily Countdown all this week at 5pm CST (check local listings) to check out exclusive performances from Katie’s album release party in Nashville.
“Fall Into Me” is a deeply personal album for Katie that takes listeners on a journey through one of the most poignant relationships she has experienced in her young life. It is clear with every note on “Fall Into Me” that Katie has grown, not only as an artist and songwriter, but as a woman as well. Katie worked with several well-known songwriters including Blair Daly (Faith Hill, Keith Urban, and Tim McGraw), Joe West (Julianne Hough, Toby Keith, and Jimmy Wayne), Bruce Wallace (Dierks Bentley, Trace Adkins, and Montgomery Gentry), and Skid Mills (Saving Abel, Sister Hazel).
When we reached out to Sean Patrick McGraw for an interview, we knew that he was ridiculously talented, but after chatting with him, we learned that he’s both ridiculously talented AND ridiculously hilarious. Read on to hear what Sean has to say about his stint on reality TV, Montgomery Gentry recording his song, “My So Called Life,” and sharing the stage with some of country’s biggest names. If that’s not enough, he also shares his candid opinions on Taylor Swift, karaoke and a little Dustin Lynch song called “Cowboys and Angels.”
Read on to meet the sarcastic, hilarious and uber-talented, Sean Patrick McGraw.
Miranda Lambert is helping out some friends in need next year, replacing Lady Antebellum‘s headlining date at Country Fest in Wisconsin. The superstar trio were forced to cancel dates next year because member Hillary Scott is expecting her first baby. Miranda will headline the festival alongside Toby Keith and Jason Aldean.
Miranda is the first headliner for the four-day festival on Thursday, June 27th. It’s the only solo tour stop in June 2013 for Miranda.. She’l be hitting the road with the Pistol Annies for most of the Summer.
“We could not be more excited to announce Miranda Lambert as a Headliner for Country Fest ‘13!” says Country Fest. “She not only puts on the most entertaining and high energy show for her fans, she is adding this solo date to her previously scheduled tour dates with Pistol Annies to join the Country Fest Family here in Cadott. We cannot thank Miranda enough & look forward to her return this year!”
Tickets & Camping for the 27th Annual Country Fest are currently available at Early Bird Pricing at countryfest.com . Prices increase January 23, 2013. Nearby hotels are available with continuous daily shuttle service for non-campers. Free mobile phone app also available now in app stores for Country Fest.
Easton is helping to celebrate NRA Country’s love of the outdoors, the brave men and women in uniform, and love for family. He shares:
“Growing up in a small Florida town, I have such a love for the outdoors and beauty of our land. I appreciate all the freedoms we enjoy everyday including my love of making music and sharing it with the fans. When traveling throughout the United States, I ride my Harley and am spoiled by taking in the different landscapes, fresh air and wildlife. My name is Easton Corbin and I am NRA Country.”
As part of the September promotion, fans can register to win an Easton Corbin prize pack including: an autographed copy of his brand new CD, 8×10, t-shirt, hat, “Lovin’ You is Fun” vinyl single, and a limited edition hatch show print poster. Fans can also check out a behind the scenes video to get a rare glimpse of Easton in the studio making his new album.
Visit http://nracountry.com/this-is from now through the end of September to check out the video and register to win. Good luck!
Country music’s resident rapper, Colt Ford, released his brand new album “Declaration of Independence” to stores nationwide TODAY. The brand new studio album features collaborations with Jason Aldean, Wayna Morris of Boys II Men, Kix Brooks, Montgomery Gentry, Jake Owen, Darius Rucker, and many more country stars. The record was produced by Dan Huff (Rascal Flatts, Keith Urban), along with long-time collaborator Shannon “Fat Shan” Houchins.
“This album is very real and honest and by far the best record I’ve ever made,” Colt says with pride. “The last two records—I stand up and cheer for them—but I tried to make a lot of people happy on the last two records and I took the edge off of it. On this record I put the edge back on there.”
“Declaration of Independence” is being released on Colt’s own Average Joe’s Entertainment. Over his career so far, Colt has already sold more than one million albums and over three million downloads of his songs. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see those numbers quickly rise with the guest stars lending their talents to Colt’s album. Check out the official track listing of Colt’s new album below and let us know what is your favorite country collaboration of all-time:
Sony Music Nashville duo Love & Theft have been announced as the NRA Country Artist of the Month for August. The pair, who just released their self-titled sophomore album, are joining some of the biggest names in country music for the title. Former NRA Country Artists of the Month included Trace Adkins, Rodney Akins, Gretchen Wilson, Lee Brice, Justin Moore, Montgomery Gentry, Craig Morgan, Sunny Sweeney, and Josh Thompson. Love & Theft teamed up with the NRA to support the brave men and women fighting overseas, appreciation for the outdoors, and love of family.
“NRA Country represents everything Love and Theft believes in. Our love for our families and this great country, preserving our American freedom, and most importantly a sincere appreciation and respect for our men and women in uniform and for their service abroad and at home.” – Stephen Barker Liles and Eric Gunderson / Love and Theft.
As part of the NRA Country promotion, the duo will be giving fans the chance to win a Love & Theft prize pack which includes two tickets to the public concert of the winner’s choice, two meet and greet passes, and an autographed poster with a copy of their brand new album. They’re also letting fans to get to know them a little bit better with a behind-the-scenes video with rare in-studio footage from the making of their album on NRAcountry.com/this-is.
Singer-songwriter Josh Thompson has been named the July NRA Country Artist of the Month for his support of the brave men and women overseas serving the United States and his love of the great outdoors. His strong beliefs and love of family and outdoor life joins previous NRA Country Artists of the Month Sunny Sweeney, Craig Morgan, Trace Adkins, Justin Moore, Gretchen Wilson, Lee Brice, and Montgomery Gentry for the title.
“Before I moved to Nashville, I took a wilderness course where I lived entirely off the land for 9 months. During that time I gained a deep appreciation for our beautiful land and freedom in this country. I’m eternally grateful to those who fight to protect that freedom every day. When I’m not making music, my favorite place to be is way out in the country surrounded by open fields, blue skies and fresh air. I am Josh Thompson and I am NRA Country.”
As part of his NRA Country promotion, Josh is giving fans a special behind-the-scenes look at Josh at his NRA Country photoshoot, on his bus, and on the road. Fans can also enter to win a Josh prize pack including Two tickets to the public concert of their choice, two meet-and-greet passes, a t-shirt, photo and CD sampler of his music! To enter to win, and to see the behind-the-scenes footage, visit nracountry.com/this-is.
Each month a new artist will be highlighted by NRA Country. Who do you want to see as the next Artist of the Month?
Today’s the day that Chris Cagle fans have been waiting for – a brand new studio album from the country singer. The Bigger Picture Group singer released “Back In The Saddle” everywhere today, which includes his top-15 Billboard hit single “I’ve Got My Country On” along with 10 other new tracks produced by ACM and CMA award winner Keith Stegall. Chris wrote five of the tracks: “Southern Girl,” “Something That Wild,” “Dance Baby, Dance,” “Now I Know What Mama Meant,” and his next single “Let There Be Cowgirls.” See the full track-listing below.
“The experience I’ve had making this record has rekindled the passion I had for music when I recorded my first record,” Cagle introduces. “BACK IN THE SADDLE is MY life! I wouldn’t change anything about it; it is a record that I can live or die by and be content. I have given the fans my heart and soul, if it’s not good enough, I can live with it. If it is good enough, well then, I can’t wait to see what happens!”
The album includes songs written by some of the top songwriters today, including Danny Myrick (Jason Aldean, Craig Morgan), the Warren Brothers (Dierks Bentley, Toby Keith, Martina McBride, Tim McGraw), and even Kim Trible (Journey, Shania Twain, Montgomery Gentry). Check out the full track listing of the 11-song album below and let us know what you think of Chris’ brand new studio record.
In other Chris news, he’ll be featured on GAC’s “On The Streets” tonight, so be sure to tune in in 25 minutes to catch his episode! If that’s too early, it will repeat all day including at 2 pm est, 5:30 pm est, and again at 11:30 pm est.
Country music duo Montgomery Gentry are taking things back to their roots with the launch of their brand new music video “So Called Life” today. The latest single off of their “Rebels On The Run” album has reunited the pair with their old sponsor Jim Beam, who premiered the music video twenty minutes ago on their Facebook page. Montgomery Gentry got their start in 1994 with Jim Beam’s Country Band Search, and that was the reason why the pair decided they had to partner up with the number one bourbon company again.
Fans interested in checking out the world premiere of “So Called Life” can visit the Jim Beam Facebook page right now before catching it anywhere else!
Montgomery Gentry are out on the road, with their next tour stop in Louisville, Kentucky on Friday night. Best of all? It’s a FREE show, so make sure to get your information and head out to see some great, free country music this weekend.