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Toby Keith tornado relief concert details
As we previously reported here on Keepin’ it Country, country superstar, and Oklahoma native, Toby Keith has been busy organizing a tornado relief concert. His charity concert, which will be held on July 6th at Memorial Stadium at the University of Oklahoma, will raise money for victims of the May 20th deadly tornadoes. Tickets will be $25 each and will go on-sale on Friday, June 21st, with proceeds benefiting the United Way of Central Oklahoma.
About the concert and the devastation in his home town of Moore, Toby said:
“I grew up in Moore, I live in Norman and I’ve got lots of family and friends who were directly affected.”I know these folks and they’re resilient, but we’re going to keep helping them any way we can. I’m proud to get together with some others from around here who are just as committed as I am to supporting these communities.”
Special guests so far announced include Trisha Yearwood, Ronnie Dunn, Willie Nelson, and Garth Brooks. We’ll keep you updated as more country stars are added to Toby’s line-up.
We are also running a special event in support of the United Way of Central Oklahoma. Keep checking out Keepin’ it Country for our online auctions.
Drake White added to Toby Keith’s Hammer Down Tour
MCA Nashville singer/songwriter Drake White joins Toby Keith and Kip Moore on the Hammer Down Tour starting June 14 in Cincinnati, OH. Drake will perform on twelve dates with Toby Keith with stops in major markets including Pittsburgh, Chicago, Cleveland, Philadelphia and Boston. Previously, Drake has opened for Eric Church, Kid Rock, Alan Jackson, Lynyrd Skynyrd, ZZ Top, Willie Nelson, Little Big Town and most recently, Blackberry Smoke. See below for list of tour dates.
The Hokes Bluff, AL native released his debut single “The Simple Life” to radio in March and this week it cracks the Top 40 on the Mediabase country chart.
See which dates you can catch Drake on Toby’s tour below. Are you going to any?
EXCLUSIVE: Interview with Krystal Keith
It’s been a pretty big last few weeks for Krystal Keith. The Show Dog Universal artist released her self-titled EP, and debut music video “Daddy Dance With Me.” We had the chance to speak to Krystal earlier this month about the release of her EP, music video, and the best advice she’s ever gotten for the industry, her upcoming full-length album “Whiskey & Lace,” surprising her dad, Toby Keith, at her wedding, crashing the stage as a child at her dad’s show, why she thinks Miranda Lambert is so bad-ass, and much more.
Make sure to pick up your copy of her self-titled EP, which is available now on iTunes or other digital music retailers, and get to know Krystal in our exclusive interview below:
CMT to celebrate Willie Nelson’s 80th birthday
Here’s one special you won’t want to miss. CMT is planning on celebrating country icon Willie Nelson‘s 80th birthday with a very special taping of “CMT Crossroads: Willie Nelson & Friends From Third Man Records.”Announced to be part of the big birthday celebration will be performers Ashley Monroe, Jamey Johnson, Sheryl Crow, Neil Young, and Leon Russell. The episode will air in May, but we don’t have an exact date yet.
Fans are also asked to take part in Willie’s 80th birthday celebrations by visiting birthday.willienelson.com/ and submitting a video talking about why you’re a fan of the country legend. The birthday submissions are being put together by Farm Aid,who is gathering up good wishes for Willie Nelson from America’s family farmers, and artists. They’ll round up your funniest, most heartwarming testimonials to make a video for Willie on his big day on April 30, 2013.
One of the artists helping to celebrate with a video message is Kenny Chesney. Check out his special birthday message for the icon:
“We’re All For The Hall” Announcement
Keith Urban‘s “We’re All For The Hall” benefit concert for the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum will return for the fourth consecutive year.
The show, which will feature an all-star lineup, will take place at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on April 16th, 2013. Some of the invited artists include Keith, Vince Gill, Trace Adkins, Jason Aldean, Rosanne Cash, Eric Church, Brantley Gilbert, Kid Rock, Kris Kristofferson, Loretta Lynn, Tim McGraw, Montgomery Gentry, Willie Nelson, Billy Joe Shaver and Hank Williams, Jr.
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.
Kenny Chesney shares details on new album
With “Pirate Flag” beaming out at the stroke of midnight, Kenny Chesney figured the time was right to release the title of his much anticipated April 30 Blue Chair/Columbia release. “Life On A Rock,” co-produced with longtime collaborator Buddy Cannon, captures the thematic core of the 10 song set that’s been recorded and mixed in Los Angeles, Hawaii, Jamaica, Key West, London and Nashville, Tennessee.
Kenny says about the title:
“It all depends on what kind of rock you’re looking at. Just living here on this planet, we’re all living life on a rock; but for me, and for this record, it’s about the way life is when you live on an island. Everywhere you go, there’s everyone you know; you know everything about them, and they know everything about you… and well, that’s just a whole other way to be.
“And coming from Luttrell, Tennessee, I can tell you, ‘life on a rock’ isn’t all that different from life in a real small town. It’s slower, it’s easier, it’s more invested and it’s also more about really enjoying the moments as they are, when they are.”
While the driving “Pirate Flag,” an anthem of rebelling against the day-in, day-out, has already been singled out by USA Today as their Song of the Week atop their Grammy-based Listen Up! column, Life On A Rock is a varied platter of music, ranging from introspective ballads to staccato shuffles, a duet with Willie Nelson and a bit of reggae. It also celebrates a way of life most people live without ever realizing.
“At the end of the day, what defines life for most people, certainly for me, are the people you share it with. When you live in close proximity, you share the highs and lows of every day life and become close in ways you can’t even explain. Years go by… People move on… But that time, those friends remain with you no matter where you go. That’s where the treasures of being alive are found.
“When I first went to the islands, I met a lot of people who were making a life beyond anything any of them knew… They were boatmen, bartenders, waitresses, real estate folks. They were all loving life, living a dream and coloring outside the lines with this real sense of freedom; they took a country singer from East Tennessee into their tribe at a time when having friends outside everything I knew was important. Time passes, life moves on, but those friends lasted, and this album in a lot of ways is about the power of that kind of friendship to endure.”
Endurance is something Chesney understands. Kicking off his No Shoes Nation Tour March 16 at Tampa’s Raymond James Stadium, the 8-time Entertainer of the Year will bring summer alive for fans across 46 concerts at a mix of football stadiums, arenas and amphitheaters. Life On A Rock, indeed.
Bo Bice making Broadway debut in 2013
Bo Bice, Sugar Money Records artist, signs with newly-formed Altar Agency and announces the upcoming lead role in the revival of the 1980’s Broadway musical ‘Pump Boys and Dinettes’. The production will be held at the Circle in the Square Theater with preview performances to commence March 19, 2013 with an official open April 8th.
The original production opened off-Broadway in 1981 and moved to Broadway in February 1982, completing 573 performances over 16 months. The musical is a tribute to rural American life centered around a roadside restaurant and filling station on Highway 57 in North Carolina. Tony winner John Doyle (for “Sweeny Todd”, Director) is also set to direct the ‘Pump Boys’ revival, where the cast ensemble doubles as the show’s band. It received both Tony and Drama Desk Award nominations for Best Musical.
Bice, a runner-up finalist to Carrie Underwood on American Idol’s fourth season, has released three studio albums. He has also recorded and performed with Carlos Santana, Ritchie Sambora, Willie Nelson, Chad Kroeger and Lynyrd Skynyrd, amongst others, and is now expanding his already eclectic repertoire to include Broadway.
Good luck Bo! What country singer do you think would be great at a Broadway role?
Our Top 10 Favorite CMA Awards Moments
1. All things Miranda and Blake! We just cannot choose between Miranda and Blake’s heartfelt, emotional acceptance speech after winning “Single of the Year” for “Over You,” Miranda’s fiery performance, Miranda’s classy acceptance speech for “Female Vocalist of the Year,” Blake’s confusion during his speech for “Male Vocalist of the Year,” and Blake’s acceptance for “Entertainer of the Year.” The Shelton household has a lot of redecorating to do because they are bringing home many new trophies after last night’s show!
2. Mmmmmotorboatin’…Brad Paisley teaching the pure and innocent people of the world just what Little Big Town is doing out there in the ocean…We would like to thank Brad for the entertainment and sex education we received at an hour that was far too early for such content on basic television!
Our Keepin’ It Country CMA Predictions
With the CMA’s coming up on Thursday night, country fans everywhere are buzzing with anticipation over who will claim the biggest awards. Will Taylor repeat as Entertainer of the Year or could someone else finally upset her shocked face? Could Kelly Clarkson score a major upset for female vocalist? Is there really any other choice besides “Red Solo Cup” for music video of the year?!
Even OUR staff couldn’t agree, so read on and let us know who you think will score big on Thursday night!
Tim McGraw & Faith Hill to Perform at CMA Awards
Country music’s original super-couple Faith Hill and Tim McGraw will finally be performing again at the Country Music Association (CMA) Awards on November 1st. Faith will perform her latest single “American Heart” during the broadcast, and Tim will preview a new song from his upcoming untitled album with Big Machine Records. They’ll later join Blake Shelton and Lady Antebellum in a special tribute to country legend Willie Nelson during the award show.
Faith and Tim will be taking residency in Las Vegas with a special Soul 2 Soul stay at the Venetian. Their Vegas shows kick off December 7th. It’s the biggest musical event in the Venetian’s history, but it is limited so make sure you find a way to see their shows before its too late! Their shows will go on for ten weekends starting this December and ending April 26th.
Who else do you want to see perform at the CMAs this year? Are you going to be tuning in?
