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George Jones Dead at 81
It’s a sad day for country music.
Country legend George Jones passed away this morning, April 26, at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee at the age of 81. The Country Music Hall of Famer and Grand Ole Opry Member was hospitalized on April 18 with fever and irregular blood pressure.
Jones was born in Saratoga, Texas on September 12, 1931, and is considered one of the most influential legends in the history of country music. His music spans decades, with “He Stopped Loving Her Today” being arguably one of the greatest country songs of all time.
Jones recently embarked on a farewell tour, title the Grand Tour, to celebrate his career. An all-star farewell concert was planned for November 22 at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena.
Jones is survived by Nancy Jones, his wife of 30 years, his sister Helen Scroggins, and by his children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
He’s also survived by an enduring legacy and catalog of country classics. We’re certain that no one will fill those shoes.
George Strait to release brand new album
The King of Country Music is releasing a brand new album! George Strait‘s “Love Is Everything” will hit physical and digital music retailers on May 14th. It’s the 40th record from the country legend, which will be released on his longtime home at MCA Nashville.
“Love Is Everything” will feature 13 tracks, including the top 15-and-still-climbing single “Give It All We’ve Got Tonight,” and four songs co-written by George himself, and his son, Bubba Strait, and Dean Dillion. His current single is on track to become George’s 60th number one single of his career, and fans wanting to help him get his 60th can visit sixtyforsixty.com, use hashtag #60for60 and request the single at your local radio station. The movement is aiming to get George his 60th number one before his 61st birthday on May 18th.
In the midst of his two-year final U.S. tour, The Cowboy Rides Away Tour, Strait recently set an all-time attendance record at Reliant Center when he closed out this year’s Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo, performing to a crowd of 80,020 fans. The tour has so far sold out 16 of 16 venues played. Were you one of the lucky few to score tickets to his farewell tour?
Are you going to pick up George Strait’s brand new album? What is your all-time favorite George Strait song?
Kellie Pickler’s Drummer, Gregg Lohman, Seriously Injured in Car Accident
Kellie Pickler’s drummer, Gregg Lohman, was seriously injured in a car accident involving four cars on Interstate 65 near Louisville, Kentucky on Saturday. He is currently in ICU at Louisville Hospital. According to Nashville TV station WKRN, he is in serious but stable condition.
Kellie shared this statement on her Facebook & Twitter pages:
“@kelliepickler: Yesterday, my drummer Gregg Lohman was in a horrific car accident and is currently in ICU. Gregg is not just my drummer, he is family. I believe in miracles and the power of prayer, so it would mean the world to me, my band, and Gregg’s family if you would please keep him in your prayers. Thank y’all so much. -Pickler”
Our thoughts and prayers are with Gregg, his family, Kellie, and the band/crew. We hope Gregg makes a full recovery and will be back behind his drums soon.
*Pictures are from Gregg’s Myspace page.
The Bobby Bones Show is now in Nashville!
Last Tuesday, February 19th, we here at Keepin’ It Country had the pleasure of welcoming Mr. Bobby Bones to Nashville! The press conference took place at the Ford Theater in the Country Music Hall of Fame, where Bobby and his radio crew answered questions and took photos with some of Bobby’s favorite country stars, who were invited to help welcome him to his new city.
To start off the conference, Brad Paisley (although he couldn’t be there in attendance) shared a special video message announcing that he would be Bobby’s first guest on Monday, February 25th. The Big 98′s AntMan and Amy Paige then hosted a question & answer session with Bobby, opening up questions to anyone in attendance. Some of the country stars in attendance at the conference were Brett Eldridge, Charlie Worsham, Chris Janson, Craig Campbell, Dustin Lynch, Eric Paslay, The Farm, Gloriana, Greg Bates, Jake Owen, Jana Kramer, Joe Nichols, Joel Crouse, Josh Thompson, Jon Pardi, Kristin Kelly, and Parmalee.
“Thank you guys all for coming, it really means a lot to me and I’m gonna play your records a whole lot more since you’re here” Bobby joked, to all the artists who took their time to attend.
Bobby informed us that he grew up on country and he already feels at home in the transition from hosting on Top 40 radio to Country. ”To entertain and be with country music, it just feels so natural, and I feel like there is a big wide open avenue for a show like ours that makes people laugh, that relates and identifies with the new generation of country. I think that’s our goal and that’s what we’re set here to do.”
The Bobby Bones Show first started in Austin, TX in 2003. It debuted in Nashville on February 18th, 2013 and is now syndicated on Country radio stations nationwide. You can tune in Monday through Friday from 5 to 10am central time.
We’re glad to have you here in Nashville, Bobby! You can check out our photos from the event below!
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CELEBRITY DEATH MATCH: Kelly Clarkson v. Clive Davis
As you have likely heard, Clive Davis used nineteen pages of his memoir to share “stories” about Kelly Clarkson and his “experiences” working with her during her time under his wing. Mind you, we use the words “stories” and “experiences” loosely here, as Kelly rebutted the allegations Clive made in his book, explaining that his recollection contained “lapses and misinformation”.
You probably know that Clive Davis is a huge music mogul (and egomaniac?) who has been credited for many artists’ careers, including Aretha Franklin, Barry Manilow, Christina Aguilera, Carlos Santana, Jennifer Hudson, and the late great Whitney Houston. Clive has also been credited for his hand in Kelly’s career, before she parted ways after some artistic differences. Kelly, as you very well are aware, won Season 1 of American Idol and was catapulted into fame, never allowing anybody to change her or tell her there was something she could not do. And, not surprisingly at all, Kelly’s hunches have never served her wrong, as she continues to be a hitmaking, album selling, touring, award-winning artist over ten years after we first met her on the Idol stage.
Several artists have spoken out since yesterday when Clive’s memoir was released and Kelly spoke up about his “memories” of their encounters and working relationship. Martina McBride, Jennifer Nettles, and Chely Wright have all declared their membership on Team Kelly. So, we ask you — whose team are you on (Team Kelly or Team Clive) and which musicians have you seen vocalize where their loyalties lie? Help us figure out who will win this celebrity death match! Our money is on our girl, Kelly!
Here are just a few of our fave country celeb tweets:
@martinamcbride @kelly_clarkson YOU GO GIRL!!!!! Love it.
@chelywright: I just listened to @Kelly_Clarkson sing the Anthem again.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xfu… She’s IT! I believe her account over Clive’s any day
@JenniferNettles: @kelly_clarkson You could sing the phone book and it would be brilliant! Proud of you for speaking your truth. Solidarity sistah!
@LynnAshow (Lynn Anderson)
Team @kelly_clarkson ! “Because of you” was a beautiful song and u continue to compose and use those huge pipes to the top of the charts.
@blairgarner KELLY IS A ROCKSTAR RT @kelly_clarkson: Clive Davis is releasing a memoir and spreading false info about me http://say.ly/GLO5cY7
@leannrimes @blairgarner @kelly_clarkson love this girl!
@chantalkreviaz @kelly_clarkson loving your courage and truth!!! wow…inspired. xx chantal http://marquee.blogs.cnn.com/2013/02/19/dont-mess-with-texas-kelly-clarkson-has-a-few-words-for-clive-davis/ …
And just to be fair, here are some of our faves that support Clive:
And that’s that!
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.
Exclusive: Interview with Blu Sanders
You might have heard of Eli Young Band. Or Kelly Clarkson. Or One Tree Hill. If you have heard of any of these, chances are you have met Blu Sanders and have loved Blu Sanders. Blu Sanders is a singer/songwriter from West Texas who has shared his talent with the masses with such songs as a guitarist for Eli Young Band and writer of “Get In the Car and Drive;” writer of Kelly Clarkson and Vince Gill‘s “Don’t Rush;” and One Tree Hill season 7, episode 2′s “Hands.” We got the chance to sit down with Blu and talk to him about his career, life, performing, writing, and even his “not safe for work” texting … Read on to learn more about this multi-talented artist who we were so fortunate to get to know!
EXCLUSIVE: Interview with Craig Campbell
We were lucky enough to sit down and talk to Craig Campbell recently and learn a lot about this singer/songwriter/fisherman who does NOT do interviews in his pajamas (trust us, we asked!). With Craig’s five-track “Outta My Head” EP coming out today, we thought sharing this interview with our readers on this very special day would be a great way to celebrate this release. Read further to find out about Craig’s trek up the ladder to a coveted music career, odd jobs, family life, and his “idiocy” when he first heard his own song on the radio. Oh, and if you want to know what to get Craig for Christmas this year, you can find out his dream gift too!
EXCLUSIVE: Interview with Kennedy Noel
Have you met our friend, Kennedy Noel? If not, there is no better way than to get to know a bit about this talented, eloquent, hard-working fifteen-year-old who will, undoubtedly, take the music world by storm soon enough! You might recognize Kennedy from an episode of ABC’s hit show, “Nashville,” where she played an extra – you know, that teen who caught Juliette stealing nail polish on camera, which set Juliette’s career and life into a downward spiral (tsk tsk Kennedy!). You may also recognize Kennedy from Kelly Clarkson’s “Because of You” music video, as well as the young musical genius who played piano behind Kelly during her performance of “Because of You” at the 2006 Grammy Awards. Needless to say, Kennedy has done huge things in her small time here, and now that we have gotten to know Kennedy, we can easily say that she has a long, successful road ahead of her and we are incredibly excited to be along for the ride!
Have you ever wondered how a teenage singer/songwriter juggles her dreams and her reality? Have you ever wanted to know what it was like to grow up in a family of musicians? Have you ever thought about what musically inclined families do to ring in the holidays? If you answered “yes” to any of these things, look no further. World, meet the incredibly talented, up-and-coming Kennedy Noel!
Justin Moore to Headline Jersey Shore Benefit Concert
Justin Moore is set to take the stage of the Wildhorse Saloon in Nashvile, TN on Tuesday, November 27th as the headlining act for a Jersey Shore benefit concert. The artist’s performance will support his publicist and friend, Carly Caramanna, and the Jersey Shore Relief Fund. All proceeds will be split equally between the Caramanna family and New Jersey victims of Hurricane Sandy.
Carly’s family home and business were destroyed by the storm. Justin’s efforts to help his friend and other victims will be accompanied by performances from Jake Owen, Thomas Rhett, and Randy Houser. The show will follow Justin’s performance at the Grand Ole Opry the same night.
For full details about the concert, as well as how you can support the Jersey Shore Relief, read below:
Date: Tuesday, November 27th, 2012
Time: Doors at 7PM, show at 8:30PM
Location: Wildhorse Saloon, 120 2nd Ave. N. Nashville, TN
Tickets: Available at 11AM on Saturday, November 17th online, as well as at the door
Check out www.jerseyrelief.com to learn how you can support the cause.
