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Trace Adkins is Keepin’ it Country:
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Kacey Musgraves added to Bonnaroo lineup
Mercury Records’ rising newcomer Kacey Musgraves has just been added to a major festival. The singer-songwriter will represent country music at this year’s Bonnaroo Festival. She shares the stage with music heavyweights Paul McCartney, Mumford & Sons, The Lumineers, and country icon Dwight Yoakam. Bonnaroo takes place June 15th through to the 16th in Manchester, Tennessee. Are you planning on going?
It’s been a pretty big year for Kacey, who released her debut country album “Same Trailer, Different Park” which was a number one on its release. Her first radio single, “Merry Go ‘Round,” was certified gold a few weeks ago by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). She’s also performed on the Ellen Show, had songs featured on the hit television drama “Nashville,” and opened for some pretty big acts.
What music festivals are you planning on going to this year?
Exclusive Interview: Introducing Josh Charles
It’s the eve of the release of “Wasted on Love,” the first single from country piano-man Josh Charles. The song will be released via Downhome Records/ THC: Music/Ingrooves/Fontana, and is Charles’s first single since 2011′s critically-acclaimed “Life Ain’t Fair.” In addition to releasing his single this month, Josh recently went to Nashville, where he recorded with Grammy Award winner, Toby Wright and he’ll be backed by Blake Shelton‘s touring band, Rob Byus, Tracy Broussard, Kevin Post and Beau Tackett.
We discussed his background, who he’d LOVE to duet with, country music in NYC, his oddest job (hint: I’ve fallen and I can’t get up) and more! Plus, what’s it like to open for Blake Shelton? Read on to find out!
Country Music Blog Rodeo: The Year of the Country Crossover
Over the last few years, country music has certainly expanded beyond the old stereotype of boots, big hair and ten-gallon hats. Artists like Taylor Swift and Lady Antebellum have huge pop hits, the Zac Brown Band & Jason Aldean sell out Madison Square Garden and the Scotty McCreerys and Tate Stevens of the world rise to fame via televised talent shows. On the flip side, Mumford & Sons get played on country radio, UK-lite-rocker Ed Sheeran tours with Taylor Swift and Kelly Clarkson performs on the CMA’s. Over the last few years, it has become commonplace for country musicians to dabble outside of their genre, and if January of 2013 is any indication, this trend is only going to continue into 2013.
Interestingly enough, I grew up claiming that I loved all music “except country.” (Seriously – I think I wrote that on my Myspace…don’t judge me, I’m from NY.) However, after being taken to see Rascal Flatts at Madison Square Garden, my perspective on the genre completely changed and I was hooked. Now I’ll listen to anything from Garth to Reba to Taylor to Jason. However, if you were to ask a purist of country music, they’d probably argue that Rascal Flatts is just a boy (err, man) band in cowboy boots, Taylor is a dubstep-loving pop act and Jason’s renegade hick-hop style bastardizes country music. Yet, on the heels of Aldean selling out a show at New York’s Madison Square Garden in mere minutes, I’d argue that the biggest development of country music in 2013 will be the pure magnitude of its reach and ability to cross over, while also openly welcoming those who dabble and stretch the ideas of what typical “country” is.
Carrie Underwood to perform at GRAMMY awards
Carrie Underwood is going to continue to be a little bit everywhere, as she’s been announced as the latest performer added to the superstar line-up of the GRAMMY awards. While we aren’t sure if she’ll be performing new single “Two Black Cadillacs” or “Blown Away” at the award show, we’re confident she’ll be one of the highlights of the night.
Other performers at the 55th annual GRAMMY Awards include Taylor Swift, Mumford & Sons, and Rihanna among many other stars.
What song do you hope Carrie sings at the award show? The GRAMMYs air live from L.A.’s Staples Center on CBS on Sunday, February 10th at 8 pm EST.
Country Artists Make the Grammy Album Cut
Country superstar Grammy nominees Hunter Hayes and Taylor Swift were chosen to appear on the 2013 Grammy Nominees Album. The album, which will be released on January 22 by Capitol Records and Grammy Recordings, will feature Hunter’s “Wanted” and Taylor’s “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together”. Hunter is nominated for Best New Artist, while Taylor’s single is up for Record of the Year. Also featured on the album is country music’s stepchild, Kelly Clarkson, as well as Taylor’s current opening act, Ed Sheeran.
What Country (and Non-Country) Songs Kelly Clarkson Should Cover Next
Kelly Clarkson has become a genre-defying queen of cover songs lately, throwing a new random offering into each of her live shows. While we love pretty much everything she does, we’re naturally more drawn to her country covers. Here are just a few suggestions that we’d love to hear from Kelly.
1. Not Ready to Make Nice by the Dixie Chicks - At a recent concert, Kelly tackled “Wide Open Spaces,” and although we totally dug it, “Not Ready to Make Nice” is the Chicks’ classic that we’re DYING to hear KC take on. It’s got that power and grit that we know Kelly would sound incredible with.
Life After The Voice: Interview With Xenia
Xenia was the most interesting contestant on the first season of NBC’s The Voice. One of the last two surviving members of Team Blake, she surprised everyone with her strong performances and pretty vocals. Viewers found themselves rooting for Xenia during the first season, and we caught up with her earlier today to see what life has been like since The Voice for the 17-year old talented singer. She released her first EP “Sing You Home” in December on Universal Republic Records, and thanks to Blake Shelton, she recorded a duet with one of her favorite artists of all-time.
See how being on The Voice has shaped her, what she learned coming from the competition, why she’s thankful Blake is in her corner, and what fans can expect from her this year. Here’s a hint: Xenia will be big and we haven’t seen the last of her. She’s our final “Life After The Voice” feature.
Country Stars Make 2012 GRAMMY Album
Some of country music’s brightest stars have been announced as part of the tracks on the 2012 GRAMMY nominees album. Blake Shelton, Taylor Swift, The Band Perry, Lady Antebellum, Jason Aldean with Kelly Clarkson, and Eric Church have all found their way alongside some of the top artists of all genres. See the full track listing below. The album features 22 tracks from Grammy-nominated artists and will be available from Universal Republic Records both digitally and physically on January 24th, 2012.
For fans who buy a copy of the album, they’ll be entered into a sweepstakes for the chance to attend the 2013 GRAMMY awards. Each album will contain a special code to enter online to get your name into the drawing. The 18th edition of the compilation album showcases nominees from some of the top categories at this year’s award show, including: Record Of The Year, Album Of The Year, Best New Artist, Best Country Album, and Best Pop/Duo/Group Performance. A portion of the proceeds from the album will go towards the GRAMMY foundation and Musicares.
See which country stars made the cut below:
EXCLUSIVE: Interview with Dia & Meg Frampton of Meg & Dia
It’s been a few months since Dia Frampton was named the runner-up of NBC’s first season of “The Voice.” The Team Blake Shelton finalist was just shy of first place by less than 2% between herself and Javier. We caught up with Dia, and her equally as talented and lovely sister Meg, to get all the details on their lives after The Voice, the new album, robots, why people on the internet are mean, if Meg would ever consider trying out for a new season of “The Voice,” and if it’ll be Dia Frampton or Meg & Dia touring with Blake Shelton on his 2012 “Well Lit & Amplified” tour starting in January. See if your questions made the cut below.
Dia also reveals to us her new album release date and title, her single, and the details on a song she recorded with Blake Shelton.
Jason Aldean Is Now Two Times The Party
Less than a year since it’s release, Jason Aldean’s “My Kinda Party” has just been certified as double platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). His record has sold over two million copies, and still remains the best selling country album of 2011. “My Kinda Party” features three consecutive number one hits including “Don’t You Wanna Stay” with Kelly Clarkson, “Dirt Road Anthem,” and the title track of the album. All three singles have also gone platinum for selling over one million digital copies each. His current single “Tattoos On The Town” is flying up the charts and is well on its way to becoming his fourth mega-smash from the album. “My Kinda Party” is keeping up with some pretty cool company on the all-genres charts: Lady GaGa, Adele and Mumford & Sons.
“It’s always been a big dream of mine to have Platinum albums, but this Double Platinum thing snuck up on me,” says Aldean. ”It is beyond anything I could have dreamed or expected. It takes a whole lot of people to make it happen…from songwriters to the label to radio to my band and road crew…I just can’t tell you how thankful I am, and also how much respect I have for all the hard work that went into this project.”
Jason scored five Country Music Association Award nominations for the November 9th broadcast. His nominations include Male Vocalist Of The Year, Album of the Year, Single Of The Year, Musical Event Of The Year and the prestigious Entertainer Of The Year. “Dirt Road Anthem” also racked up a nomination for the songwriters Colt Ford and Brantley Gilbert.
“I’ve been working my tail off out on the road for years building my career, and up until last week, it sorta felt like if you hadn’t been to one of the shows, maybe you didn’t know what was happening,” commented Aldean. “It feels like I’ve finally been invited to the party, and it feels incredible to have your friends and peers pat you on the back and recognize the work that’s gone into the last year.”
His “My Kinda Party Tour” has been selling out major venues across the country all year and continues to roll through the United States through November. For a full list of tour dates visit JasonAldean.com.
