Share
-
Trace Adkins is Keepin’ it Country:
Kree Harrison Heads To American Idol Finale
Kree vs. Candice!
It’s all-female finale on American Idol this season, and the first time a lady will take the Idol crown since Jordin Sparks in 2007.
The big showdown is next week, and we are very excited because our country girl, Kree Harrison, is finale bound! After saying good-bye to Angie Miller last night, Kree will be competing for the title against Candice Glover.
Keith Urban predicted during the season that we would see Kree as a member of the Grand Ole Opry someday. I definitely think we have a future country success story on our hands.
Congratulations on making the Top 2, Kree! We’re rooting and voting for you. Good luck next week!
Check out the performance video of Kree slaying Rascal Flatts’ “Here Comes Goodbye:”
Sunny Sweeney signs with Thirty Tigers
Country music singer/songwriter Sunny Sweeney has signed with Thirty Tigers and will begin working on her next album.
Earlier this year, the Longview, Texas native was nominated for the Academy of Country Music’s New Female Vocalist of the Year Award. Previously signed to both Big Machine Records and its sister label Republic Nashville, Sweeney released two critically acclaimed albums: Heartbreaker’s Hall of Fame and Concrete. The latter album featured the Top Ten hit “From a Table Away,” which was the highest charting Billboard debut single from a female country artist in four years.
About her new home, Sunny said:
“I have long been a fan of Thirty Tigers and the amazing roster of talent they have worked with through the years, and am thrilled to become part of their family. I can’t wait to share my new music with my fans!”
Congratulations to Sunny! We can’t wait to see what she has in store next for country music.
Toby Keith to receive Songwriter Icon Award
Congratulations to Show Dog Universal’s Toby Keith! The country music icon will be receiving a very special award from The National Music Publishers Association (NMPA) and will be named the 2013 “Songwriter Of The Year.” He’ll be given the award in New York City on Wednesday, June 12th.
The NMPA’s Songwriter of the Year Award recognizes songwriters for their accomplishments throughout their career, and for achieving goals that match with NMPA’s mission. Toby has been spending time overseas performing for USO troops, and he is also being recognized for his Toby Keith Foundation charity.
NMPA President & CEO David Israelite had this to say about Toby:
“The NMPA is pleased to recognize Toby keith and U.S. Rep. Ted Deutch for their contributions to songwriting, music publishing and creator’s rights. Toby Keith’s talent as a singer/songwriter is remarkable, but his dedication to fans, his work with the USO, and his commitment to music and songwriting as a craft has greatly influenced the industry.”
We want to send our congratulations to Toby on this cool honor! What’s your favorite Toby moment?
Lady Antebellum visits Kravis Children’s Hospital
Two members of Lady Antebellum took time off of their busy schedules to visit patients at Kravis Children’s Hospital in New York as part of Musicians On Call (MOC). Dave Haywood and Charles Kelley gave an intimate performance which included their own songs, and some favorite kid-friendly tunes. Their acoustic set was broadcast on Mount Sinai’s KidZone TV, and they answered questions from the children in attendance. The group also made a donation to LadyAID, their charity, and MOC. LadyAID is their foundation, which was founded to raise awareness and generate support for the plight of children locally, nationally, and globally who cannot help themselves.
After their performance, Dave and Charles visited children at their bedsides in the pediatric unit who were unable to attend the performance. Check out the pictures below of their performance and let us know what you think of their new album “Golden” which was released earlier this week.
Lady Antebellum perform at Kravis Children’s Hospital
Lady Antebellum perform at Kravis Children’s Hospital.
Dierks Bentley to open Whiskey Row
Multi-Platinum singer/songwriter Dierks Bentley will open a bar in his home state of Arizona this summer, with the grand opening of Dierks Bentley’s Whiskey Row set for July 4. Located in the heart of Old Town Scottsdale’s entertainment district, Bentley teamed up with Ryan Hibbert, Mike Troyan and Jon Wright, owners of Riot Hospitality Group (RHG) and operators of El Hefe Super Macho Taqueria for the throwback 1920′s style saloon with a modern country vibe.
It’s a pretty exciting new project for Dierks, who explains:
“Opening a bar in my hometown is something I’ve always wanted to do. These guys have spent a lot of time and put a lot of thought into really cool details that will make it the perfect place to watch a game or listen to music or just get a few drinks with friends. I’m looking forward to helping break it in.”
Dierks Bentley’s Whiskey Row will be the first of its kind to enter Scottsdale; it will have an old school country flare with a Scottsdale twist. With warm wood surroundings, the venue features a 360-degree stage and massive 24 ft. TV. Being the most technologically advanced bar in the state, Whiskey Row boasts a state of the art HDMI video system managed by iPad technology which can control the video and sound from anywhere in the room. As an added benefit to guests, Whiskey Row will offer iPhone and USB charging stations available at the bar. Each premiere booth will feature three different beer taps and never before seen in Arizona, a liquor tap. These hi-tech taps will allow guests to pour their own beer and shots right at the table with no waiting.
The venue will serve a familiar American Gastropub Fare cuisine with a modern twist. All menu items will be made from scratch in house, using organic meats and locally farmed produce. Not only will the menu offer mouth-watering entrees but will feature sweet tooth-curbing desserts such as bourbon vanilla bean ice cream and a signature Arizona honey pecan ice cream topped on a warm apple fritter. The drink menu is just as unique with a new version of a boilermaker, which is a shot of whiskey dropped into a glass of beer. The bar is also set to offer 40 different types of whiskey. Reservations can be made by visiting the website at DierksWhiskeyRow.com and the venue will be located at 4420 N. Saddlebag Trail in Scottsdale, AZ.
Will you be making the trip to check it out? What country artist do you think should have their own bar next?
Katie Armiger joins Pastry as Brand Ambassador
Country singer Katie Armiger has been chosen as the newest brand ambassador for Pastry, the lifestyle brand focused on producing ‘Sweet, Chic and Unique’ apparel, accessories and footwear for junior girls worldwide. Katie is the first country singer chosen to be a face of Pastry and she joins current standout celeb brand ambassadors Cody Simpson, Alli Simpson, Madison Pettis, Jessica Jarrell, MZ Bratt, Colette Carr, Vanessa Simmons and Angela Simmons.
About becoming part of the Pastry family, Katie said:
“I am so honored and excited to join the Pastry family. Not only do I love the shoes, I love the message Pastry sends to young girls encouraging them to express themselves in a unique and fun way. I’m excited for the future of this new relationship and can’t wait to start promoting this terrific line.”
Cold River Recording artist Katie Armiger has charted five singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. Since 2009, every video she has released has been voted by fans onto GAC’s “Top 20 Countdown” including “Leaving Home,” which lodged itself in the countdown for an astonishing four-and-a-half months. Fan votes also netted her the No. 1 spot in Country Weekly’s Hottest Bachelorette issue two years in a row, as well as the No. 3 slot in the magazine’s most beautiful women in country music list. In 2012, she appeared during a pivotal date on ABC’s hit show “Bachelor Pad.” 2013 kicked off with the release of her current album, Fall Into Me, which became her highest charting album debuting at #7 on Billboard and iTunes Country Album chart on day of release. The album includes her current single, “Playin With Fire” which is at Country radio now and the recently released music video which debuted at #2 on GAC Top 20 Fan Voted Countdown.
CONTEST: Win a copy of Pistol Annies’ Annie Up
WINNERS ANNOUNCED!
Thanks to our friends at Sony Music Canada, we have two copies of Pistol Annies brand new album “Annie Up!” to giveaway to our awesome readers. The sophomore album from the all-girls trio was released earlier this week to critical and fan acclaim. The record features current lead single “Hush Hush”. The group, comprised of Miranda Lambert, Ashley Monroe, and Angaleena Presley.
The girls released their fun music video for “Hush Hush” this week. The video, which features their actual families, follows the three as they share their secrets at a church pot luck. Check it out below before getting your entries in to our contest with Rafflecopter.
Our “Annie Up!” contest is only open to legal residents of the United States and Canada, and for those of the age of majority or have parental permission to enter. The contest is open immediately until midnight EST on Monday, May 13th. Winner has 24 hours to respond to their e-mail before a new winner will be selected. Good luck!
Kacey Musgraves releases Blowin’ Smoke video
Country music fans have been paying attention to singer-songwriter Kacey Musgraves. The country newcomer has begun to take over country music, and her brand new music video for “Blowin’ Smoke” will be released TODAY on her official website. The video will be able to be viewed on YouTube and other outlets on Monday.
Fans can enter the discussion about her new single by using hashtag #BlowinSmoke on Twitter. Behind-the-scenes footage from the video shoot will be released on her website during the weekend. The video was shot in L.A. by director Honey (Kings of Leon, Ke$ha), and is set in a local diner with Kacey as the waitress going through her day in her dead-end job.
Are you loving Kacey’s debut album like we are? Let us know what your favorite tracks are from her album by using hashtag #KeepItCountry on Twitter.
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:
Dean Brody named HELLO! Canada’s most beautiful
Congratulations to Canadian singer-songwriter Dean Brody! He’s just been named one of HELLO! Canada’s most beautiful people. He’s one of the handpicked Canadian stars for the issue, which is out on news stands today.
Dean has earned his spot on the list given his tremendous success across the country with his latest album DIRT. Raised in Jaffray, British Columbia, the singer-songwriter has become a household name in Canadian Country music. This year alone, he has been nominated for Country Album of the Year at the 2013 JUNO Awards and sold out his “The Dirt Tour” across Canada. He has charted four smash hits from his sophomore album, including the Gold-selling anthem “Canadian Girls,” “It’s Friday” ft. Great Big Sea, “Bob Marley” and his latest single “Dirt,” currently the #1 Most Added Single at radio this week.
Dean begins the summer festival circuit this June, with plans to release a brand new single this August in anticipation of his upcoming third album this November 2013.
