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Grammy Recap: Our Favorite Moments

Nicole Piering — Tue, 12 Feb 2013 17:23:12 +0000

The 55th Annual Grammy’s took place on Sunday, February 10th and our favorite country artists were well-represented with performances and more. It was impossible to pick a favorite moment, so we picked a few of the best…

Taylor Swift Brings in the Clowns: We’ve never been asked to open the Grammys (or much more than our own mail), but we’d assume it’s a big responsibility that comes with a ton of pressure. With her genre-bending, Alice-in-Wonderland-themed opener, Taylor Swift set the tone for a night of unforgettable performances with her hit about never, ever, ever, EVER getting back together. Although she nabbed a Grammy in the pre-telecast for her collaboration with the Civil Wars, it was her performance that had everyone buzzing. Most notably, there was that moment when she pulled her best Madonna, suddenly acquiring a British accent. Although much has been made about what that meant, we here at Keepin’ It Country have decided it could’ve only been aimed in one direction…

Dierks Bentley & Miranda Lambert Rep for Country Music: In what was the only true country performance of the night, country’s reigning Queen Supreme Miranda Lambert was joined by tour mate Dierks Bentley on a mash-up of their Grammy-nominated songs, “Over” and “Home.” Although, in the words of the great Randy Jackson, Dierks was a bit pitchy at times, he and Miranda proved great ambassadors for country music with their heartfelt collaboration. Dierks should probably watch out though, Miranda totally outsang him on his own song. We wouldn’t complain if she stole “Home” and re-cut it as her own.

Zac Brown & Band Escape Breaking Amish: Although the Zac Brown Band almost lost out on their Grammy for Best Country Album to Zach Braff (more on that later), the facial-hair-band of country music nabbed their third career trophy. Zac looked especially dapper in his fedora, but it was soon beanie business as usual for his performance. Zac joined greats like Mavis Staples, Brittany Howard of the Alabama Shakes and Elton John in a rousing tribute to the great Levon Helm. Personally, I’d like to thank them for this performance, as I spent my entire life thinking that the lyrics to “The Weight” were “Take a load of granny.” Apparently, it’s Annie.

Carrie Underwood and the Technicolor Dream-Dress: We’ll admit it, our immediate though when Carrie took the stage to perform her “Blown Away”/ “Two Black Cadillacs” mash-up was that she looked like she was was wearing her best Miss America gown. While her vocals shone at the beginning of the performance, she was quickly upstaged…by her dress. It made a fashion statement, literally as it took on a life of its own. Frankly, if it wasn’t for the rewind button on my DVR, I’d have no idea what she sang. That performance was all about the dress, which took on various colors, designs and images quicker than Walt Disney World’s Cinderella Castle at the park’s closing. There were swirls and colors and butterflies, and although we have no idea what that has to do with either of her songs about death, we were impressed.

Everything Kelly Clarkson: From photo-bombing Ellen & Portia (take that Bill Clinton!) to bringing down the house with one of the best vocal performances of the night, Kelly was one of the night’s biggest unintentional stars. Upon winning Best Pop Vocal album, she slalomed through the celeb audience, stopping briefly to pet John Mayer, slap Katy Perry and get stuck to Miranda Lambert – literally. She than gave one of the most scattered and endearing acceptance speeches of the night, shouting out Adele, Miguel, Pink & her “sexy fiance.” Moments later, she returned to the stage, poised and professional. Honoring Patti Page & Carole King, Clarkson effortlessly crooned her way through “The Tennessee Waltz” & “Natural Woman” before slipping back into her dorky and unassuming manner as she accidentally announced that Zach Braff, not Zac Brown, had won the Grammy for Best Country Album.

Honorable Mention – Little Big Town Nabs a Little Big Grammy: It may not have happened on the live telecast, but it’s about dang time Little Big Town won a Grammy. The quartet nabbed their first Grammy for Best Country Duo/ Group Performance for “Pontoon.” Turns out, even the Grammy voters can’ts resist a little mmmmmmotorboatin.’

Get Blown Away By Carrie’s 2012!

Jennifer Swirsky — Wed, 16 Jan 2013 01:22:38 +0000

When we caught wind of just how incredible Carrie Underwood‘s 2012 was, we were simply blown away. Not only were we amazed by the laundry list of successful moments Carrie experienced, but we were exhausted just thinking about everything Carrie accomplished in only 366 days (Leap Year, y’all … are we observant, or what?)! The following is what Carrie’s year consisted of:

Carrie played to more than a half-million fans throughout her 62-show 2012 “Blown Away Tour.” She not only ranked as the top female country touring artist of the year according to Pollstar’s Year-End chart, she also played her first concerts in Australia and the U.K, where her concert at London’s Royal Albert Hall sold out in only 90 minutes.

Carrie’s acclaimed fourth album, Blown Away, was released in May and quickly became a fan-favorite, debuting at Number 1 on the Billboard Country and All-Genre Sales Charts. Blown Away remained at the top of Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart for an astounding seven weeks. Nielsen SoundScan tallies show Blown Away among the year’s best-sellers, ranking as the Number 2 Country album and Number 7 album in All Genres. Now certified Platinum, Blown Away has already launched back-to-back Platinum-certified Digital Singles with the chart-topping tracks “Blown Away” and “Good Girl.”

Carrie’s singles for “Good Girl” and “Blown Away” collectively spent a total of three weeks at Number 1 on the Billboard and Country Aircheck Country airplay charts. This is more than any other female country artist in 2012.

Carrie’s success continued on the video front, as well, with “Good Girl” logging a record-setting fourteen weeks at Number 1 on CMT’s Top 20 Countdown and becoming the show’s Number 1 video of the year. Similarly, Carrie’s cinematic video for “Blown Away” also became an immediate favorite, achieving an unprecedented cumulative fourteen weeks at Number 1 during its fifteen-week run on GAC’s fan-voted Top 20 Country Countdown.

As if this isn’t enough success, add in a GRAMMY nomination (for the record, Carrie already has five GRAMMY awards in her repertoire) for Best Country Solo Performance for “Blown Away” (which also earned a Best Country Song nomination for writers Josh Kear and Chris Tompkins). In 2012, Carrie also walked away with her seventh American Music Award in the category of Favorite Country Album. This win by Carrie made her the first artist in AMA history to capture the Country Album category on every album released. At the American Country Awards, she extended her reign as the most-awarded artist in the show’s three-year history, now with eleven ACA wins, with a pair of 2012 honors including Artist of the Year: Female.

At the CMT Music Awards, “Good Girl” was named Video of the Year, while Carrie shared honors for Collaborative Video of the Year for “Remind Me” with Brad Paisley. At year-end, Carrie was also named among CMT’s Artists of the Year.

Additionally, Carrie was all over the TV airwaves in 2012 and was featured in such original programming as CMT Crossroads: Steven Tyler & Carrie Underwood, Behind the Music: Carrie Underwood, and VH1 Presents: Carrie Underwood Unplugged, as well as the ACM Awards, American Idol, the Billboard Music Awards, CMA Music Festival: Country’s Night to Rock, the CMT Music Awards, Dancing with the Stars, the Dateline 20th Anniversary Special, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, Good Morning America, the GRAMMY Awards, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, Late Show with David Letterman, and Nightline, as well as Oprah’s Next Chapter: Carrie Underwood, Today’s Summer Concert Series, Teachers Rock, and more, including returning for the fifth consecutive year as co-host of the CMA Awards.

*CATCHES BREATH*

In addition to her television appearances, Carrie also graced numerous magazine covers in 2012, some of which included Billboard, Glamour, and SELF.

Blown Away made history this spring by debuting at Number 1 on Billboard’s Top Country Albums Chart, making Carrie only the second country artist in the forty-seven-year history of the chart to have each of their first four albums debut at Number 1. Blown Away also debuted at Number 1 on the All-Genre Billboard 200 Chart, making Carrie only the second country artist in history to have three consecutive albums debut at Number 1.

Makes you feel slightly lazy and unaccomplished, now doesn’t it? Congratulations on a huge year, Carrie! What do you hope to see/hear from Carrie Underwood in 2013?!

Country Artists Make the Grammy Album Cut

Jennifer Swirsky — Wed, 09 Jan 2013 01:23:52 +0000

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.

The entire track list is as follows:

1. The Black Keys “Lonely Boy”
2. Kelly Clarkson “Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You)”
3. Taylor Swift “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together”
4. Gotye feat. Kimbra “Somebody That I Used To Know”
5. Katy Perry “Wide Awake”
6. fun. feat. Janelle Monae “We Are Young”
7. Florence + The Machine “Shake It Out”
8. Pink “Try”
9. Maroon 5 feat. Wiz Khalifa “Payphone”
10. Carly Rae Jepsen “Call Me Maybe”
11. Miguel “Adorn”
12. Ed Sheeran “The A Team”
13. Hunter Hayes “Wanted”
14. The Lumineers “Ho Hey”
15. Alabama Shakes “Hold On”
16. Mumford & Sons “I Will Wait”
17. Frank Ocean “Pyramids”
18. Bruce Springsteen “We Take Care Of Our Own”
19. Jack White “Freedom at 21”
20. Muse “Madness”
21. Coldplay “Charlie Brown”
22. Adele “Set Fire To The Rain (Live At Royal Albert Hall)”

A portion of the proceeds from each album will go to the MusiCares and the GRAMMY foundation.

The winners of the 55th Annual Grammy Awards will be announced on February 10th on CBS.

Exclusive Interview: Meet Will Hoge

Nicole Piering — Sun, 09 Dec 2012 18:16:37 +0000

If you don’t know the name Will Hoge yet, it’s time for us to help change that. He’s been making music for well over a decade and has garnered an impressive fan base on the merits of his often-independent releases. He’s appeared on stage at the Grand Ole Opry alongside Vince Gill, performed on GAC’s flood relief program “Music City Keep On Playin,” and has opened for the likes of Needtobreathe, Sugarland, and the Civil Wars.

However, Hoge is also the man behind the Eli Young Band‘s #1, and now Grammy-nominated, Even If It Breaks Your Heart. That track is now nominated for Best Country Song and Best Country Duo/Group Performance, and we want to send our congrats to Will and the Eli Young Band! Read on for more about Will, his influences, his experiences in the industry and his opinion on Taylor Swift!

KIC: For those readers who may be ‘meeting’ you for the first time in this blog, can you give us a little bit of a back story as to how you became a singer/songwriter? And how would you describe your ‘sound’?

WH: I really just fell into it when I realized I hated school. I’d say its a mix of rock n roll and country influences.

KIC: When you’re writing songs, from where do you draw your inspiration?
WH: Just everyday real life experiences mostly

KIC: Do you prefer writing alone or with someone else?
WH: Whichever one gets the song written

KIC: Do you always write songs with the intention that you’ll release them, or do you ever write with other artists in mind?
WH: For a long time it was just for me. Over the last year or so I’ve been lucky enough to try writing for other folks too. I find it very freeing as a writer.

KIC: People may not know that you’re the man behind Eli Young Band’s ”Even If It Breaks Your Heart.” What’s the story behind that song and how did the Eli Young Band wind up recording it and taking it to number one?
WH: I wrote that with my friend Eric Paslay. It was for my album ‘The Wreckage’. It was really this story of my life growing up and falling in love with music. I released it as a single and absolutely NOTHING happened with it. I shouldn’t say nothing because EYB heard it and cut it. That’s led to far more success for me as an artist and songwriter and far more success for that song than I could’ve ever imagined.

KIC: We read about how you celebrated “Even If It Breaks Your Heart” hitting #1 (hint to our readers: He put a self-congratulating banner on his front lawn.) What’s the story behind that and where can we get one?
WH: That’s a one of a kind sign. It now resides in my shed. I’d joked with my wife and manager that since I didn’t (at that time) have a publishing deal that I should congratulate myself like all the big music row folks do. We laughed. Then they made the damn sign and put it up. It was really funny how much of a reaction it got.

KIC: What was it like performing at the CMA’s this year?
WH: Surreal. I’m so flattered that the EYB guys asked me to do it. I’m very lucky to count those fellas as friends.

KIC: You’ve performed at the Grand Ol’ Opry, shared the stage with Vince Gill, appeared on CMT…but what has been the biggest “pinch me”moment of your career so far?
WH: First night at the Opry with Vince is way way up there. The CMA nomination for sure. It’s been a crazy year on the whole

KIC: You’ve toured with everyone from Shinedown to Needtobreathe to the Civil Wars to ZZ Top to Sugarland. How does playing with such diverse artists affect your style on-stage? Who have you learned the most from?
WH: One of the things I love most about what I do is that I don’t change hardly at all between any of those artists. And I’m proud that what I do translates to that broad a spectrum of people. We’ve been fortunate to learn from all of them but I think the Shinedown folks really taught us the most. They went so above and beyond to make sure their fans got the experience they deserved. They were so giving of their time. Just really really inspirational.

KIC: If you could put together your dream tour starring yourself and two other artists, who would join you on the road?
WH: Man that’s too tough to answer.

KIC: Over the years, you’ve been an artist who’s toured many albums and songs to develop quite the grassroots following. How has your fan base grown and diversified over the years?
WH: It’s incredible to watch. I’m so fortunate that these people have stuck with me and they seem to grow and change right along with me. It’s great to see 50 year olds and teenagers side by side at a show. I hope that that as well as the country fan/rock fan keeps mixing as well.

KIC: You released “Modern American Protest Music” on September 18th and on your website, you admit that it’s a different type of record for you. What was your goal with that project?
WH: Really just to get the songs heard. Part of that ‘announcement’ as well as simply the title of the album is to let folks know what they’re getting into. It’s a batch of socio-political themed songs and I didn’t want anyone coming into thinking it was just another record about love and girls and cars etc. it’s a bit of a challenging record to the listener but I think it’s something I needed to get out of my head to make way for more songs and the next album

KIC: If you could define your career by only ONE song you’ve ever written, what song would you choose?
WH: Even If It Breaks Your Heart

Lightning round:

All-time Favorite Country Song: This changes by the minute. But right this second lets say ‘The Grand Tour’ by George Jones
Guilty Pleasure: Don’t really have any guilt about any of my pleasures
Favorite Food: Italian
Writing or Performing: Yes please
Last song you listened to: ‘Bad Ol Days’. It’s mine from the new album I’m finishing as we speak
Would you rather be rich or famous: Neither. I’ll take healthy and happy.
You can have dinner with anyone, dead or alive. Who do you pick?: Martin Luther King Jr
Taylor Swift, yay or nay?: Big big yay

Will Hoge’s “Modern American Protest Music” is available now. For more info, you can visit his official website at www.willhoge.com or follow him on Twitter.

2013 Grammy Hall of Fame Inductees

Jennifer Swirsky — Wed, 21 Nov 2012 14:42:13 +0000

The Recording Academy announced the newest additions to its legendary GRAMMY Hall Of Famecollection. While inductees range from rock to pop, to showtunes to comedy, there are, of course, a few representatives from country music making their way into the coveted Hall of Fame! Congratulations to the following country music inductees (though, they pre-date all of our existences in this world!):

“ACT NATURALLY”
Buck Owens
(Johnny Russell, Voni Morrison)
Capitol (1963)
Country (Single)

“BONAPARTE’S RETREAT”
W.H. Stepp
(Traditional arr. Stepp)
Library of Congress (1937)
Country (Single)

“FOGGY MOUNTAIN BANJO”
Lester Flatt, Earl Scruggs And The
Foggy Mountain Boys
Columbia (1961)
Country (Album)

“THE TITANIC”
Ernest V. “Pop” Stoneman
(Ernest V. “Pop” Stoneman)
Okeh (1924)
Country (Single)

Eric Church’s Band Urges You To “Put A Club In My Hand”

Jennifer Swirsky — Wed, 29 Aug 2012 01:13:02 +0000

The musicians behind platinum-selling country music artist Eric Church are banding together to benefit Grammy’s MusiCares and asking for other members of the industry to do the same. On September 25, 2012, Eric Church’s band will host the inaugural “Put A Club In My Hand” charity golf tournament at Gaylord Springs Golf Links in Nashville, Tennessee. A shotgun start will occur at 1:30 p.m. Professionals and musicians in the industry are invited to compete for the championship, and will also have access to complimentary food, prizes, contests and more.

The mastermind behind the golf tournament is Eric’s bass player, Lee Hendricks, who came up with the idea alongside Eric’s other band members: Jeff Cease, Jeff Hyde, Driver Williams, and Craig Wright, as well as Michael Todd Stembridge, Eric’s set carpenter. The purpose of the tournament is to benefit MusiCares, a non-profit GRAMMY organization that provides a safety net of critical assistance for music professionals in times of need.

“I lost a lot of equipment in the Nashville flood, but MusicCares® came in immediately and helped me recover from those financial losses. We, as a band, would love to see Music City step up and repay them for helping to alleviate so much hardship within our community in such a dire time of need, and also acknowledge what they do on a daily basis to make sure all of us are taken care of,” says Hendricks. “They’ve done so much for us…we want to give back.”

The tournament will include a long-drive competition, a closest-to-the-pin contest, and a putting contest. Thirty-six teams will compete for the championship in a four-man scramble format.

When discussing his band’s mission, Eric stated, “I could not be more proud to have my guys step up and decide to do something on their own to give to an organization that helps so many musicians in need. They realized how much they had been helped and wanted to ensure other people would have that opportunity in the future. I certainly will be supporting their efforts and want everyone else to join me.”

Cost of registration is $150 per person. Registration includes tournament entry, a $50 credit in TaylorMade/Adidas mobile pro shop, and complimentary food and beverages.

Prizes to be given away include a PRS guitar and a not-to-be-missed Hawaiian vacation package.

To register, visit ecbgolf.preferredfan.com and enter the password “Swingsteen2012″ where prompted.

The Grammy Nominations Concert To Be Held in Nashville

Lydia Picknell — Tue, 21 Aug 2012 15:19:44 +0000

Looks like Hollywood is turning a little country. On December 5th, Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, TN will host the Grammy Nominations Concert LIVE! on CBS. It’s the first time in its five year existence that the special is being held outside Los Angeles, which is something that The Recording Academy’s President and CEO Neil Portnow is pretty excited about:

“We are excited for the opportunity to bring ‘The Grammy Nominations Concert LIVE!’ to Nashville this year as we recognize our nominees for the 55th Annual Grammy awards. Nashville’s rich musical and cultural history is so important and vital to our industry, and indeed to the world — a fact The Academy has recognized for decades by locating one of our most thriving and active Chapters there. We look forward to celebrating the year in music in such a passionate, vibrant and flourishing city.”

The special is a new way for the Recording Academy to announce the nominees for the prestigious award show. Formerly, the nominees were announced through press releases from inside a hotel ballroom. The Recording Academy started the nominations concert as a way to get fans excited for the nominations and to renew interest in their award show.

Who do you hope to see nominated this year? Do you think country music has a shot at taking the major category awards?

55th Annual GRAMMY Awards News

Lydia Picknell — Thu, 31 May 2012 12:29:37 +0000

We were just sent the date for next year’s GRAMMY awards, which will be once again held at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. Get ready to set your DVRs for February 10th, 2013 for the 55th Annual GRAMMY Awards on CBS. The Grammy Nominations LIVE Concert will be held this year on December 5th, 2012 on CBS. The concert announces the nominees in the major categories with performances from some of the biggest names in music today.

The eligibility for the 55th Annual GRAMMY Awards nominations runs from October 1st, 2011 to September 30th, 2012. Who would you vote for if you had the power?

The GRAMMYs Release Statement on Dick Clark’s Passing

Lydia Picknell — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 23:48:19 +0000

The Recording Academy released a statement tonight on the tragic passing of music industry icon Dick Clark. He passed away from a massive heart attack earlier this morning at St. John’s Hospital in Santa Monica. Dick was 82 years old.

“Recording Academy Trustees Award recipient Dick Clark was an entertainment icon, bringing music into the homes of millions of Americans over his nearly 60-year career. His shows “American Bandstand” and “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve” blazed new trails in pop music and became pivotal celebrations of music on television, spotlighting both established and emerging artists. Our deepest heartfelt sympathies go out to his family, friends, fans, and all who have enjoyed his great contributions to music and entertainment. He will be terribly missed, and his legacy will live on forever.”

Our thoughts are with Dick’s friends and family during this hard time.

Grammy Pre-Telecast Country Winners!

Jessica Crans — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 23:24:04 +0000

It’s the moment we’ve all been waiting for – The GRAMMY’s are airing tonight! All but 8 of the GRAMMY categories are handed out during the pre-telecast, including the majority of the Country categories. Find out who the winners were below!

Best Country Solo Performance

Dirt Road Anthem – Jason Aldean
I’m Gonna Love You Through It – Martina McBride
Honey Bee – Blake Shelton
Mean – Taylor Swift – WINNER
Mama’s Song – Carrie Underwood

Best Country Duo/Group Performance
Don’t You Wanna Stay – Jason Aldean With Kelly Clarkson
You And Tequila – Kenny Chesney Featuring Grace Potter
Barton Hollow – The Civil Wars – WINNER
Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not – Thompson Square

Best Country Song
Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not – Jim Collins & David Lee Murphy – songwriters (Thompson Square)
God Gave Me You – Dave Barnes, songwriter (Blake Shelton)
Just Fishin’ – Casey Beathard, Monty Criswell & Ed Hill – songwriter (Trace Adkins)
Mean – Taylor Swift – songwriter (Taylor Swift) – WINNER
Threaten Me With Heaven – Vince Gill, Amy Grant, Will Owsley & Dillon O’Brian – songwriters (Vince Gill)
You And Tequila – Matraca Berg & Deana Carter – songwriters (Kenny Chesney Featuring Grace Potter)

Best Country Album will be announced and awarded tonight on the televised awards.

You can catch the 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards tonight on CBS at 8:00 p.m. (ET/PT). Country artists set to perform tonight are Jason Aldean (with Kelly Clarkson), Taylor Swift, Carrie Underwood (with Tony Bennett) and The Band Perry and Blake Shelton will join Glen Campbell and the Recording Academy Lifetime Achievement Award winner for a very special performance. Be sure to tune in!