It’s been a tragic few days for country music stars and country fans. The legendary George Jones passed away in a Nashville hospital, and country stars have reacted in shock and sadness over the loss of an icon. See what some of your favorite stars have said about the great George Jones:
“George Jones’ life is an example of so many wonderful things. How someone’s God-given gifts can make this a richer, better place. How one human being can overcome adversity, addiction, and life threatening obstacles time and time again. That it is not the stumble or fall that counts, but the willingness to stand again. How a keen sense of humor and a twinkle in a person’s eye can still prevail even after all of life’s hard knocks. How mistakes, missteps, and bad choices are not the end of the world if a person chooses to turn them into something good. And George’s life is above all the strongest example of how the love of a great woman can get a man through anything. All of this made its way beautifully into every note of the greatest voice country music will ever know. And one of the greatest friends you could ever have.
“My heart is absolutely broken. George Jones was my all time favorite singer and one of my favorite people in the world. My heart goes out to Nancy and all his family and friends.”
“He was the greatest country vocalist that ever lived! Through the years we have all tried to emulate the passion in his voice, but no one can fill his shoes.”
“I am deeply saddened to hear about the passing of one of my all time heroes, George Jones. Georges’ music was real and he was able to touch thousands through his songs. Not only was he a great singer, but he also had the ability to make you relate to every one of his songs, no matter who you are. He and his music will remain timeless in the world of country music. My thoughts and prayers are with his family through this difficult time.”
Just landed in LA. Listened to “The King Is Gone” and “Who’s Gonna Fill Their Shoes” over and over again just like always. Can’t accept it. Really REALLY bad news. We’ve lost a country music legend. And I’ve lost a hero and a friend. Goodbye George Jones…
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.
Blazing into the fourth quarter of 2012, Curb Records is celebrating some serious heavy metal success with a number of their top country stars striking gold and platinum status in digital sales. The latest stack of RIAA certifications adds to the decades of top awards and accolades for the label, which has just marked its 50th Anniversary as one of the industry’s leading independent music companies. The trail of gold and platinum albums for Curb dates back to 1962 when the company was founded by Mike Curb. Clearly a visionary, Curb has continually adapted to a changing music industry. The label looks forward to the last quarter of 2012 and into 2013 with a number of exciting new projects and releases.
RIAA Certified Platinum
Rodney Atkins “Take A Back Road” 1.3+ Million
Rodney Atkins “Watching You” 1.04+ Million
Rodney Atkins “Farmer’s Daughter” 1.04+ Million
Tim McGraw “My Little Girl” 1.03+ Million
RIAA Certified Gold
Rodney Atkins “These Are My People” 533k+
Lee Brice “Hard To Love” 567k+
Tim McGraw “I Need You” 722k+
Tim McGraw “Southern Voice” 667k
Tim McGraw “If You’re Reading This” 651k+
Tim McGraw “Something Like That” 569k+
Tim McGraw “Last Dollar (Fly Away)” 523k+
Steve Holy “Brand New Girlfriend” 518k+
Hank Williams Jr. “A Country Boy Can Survive” 776k+
Remember when ESPN banned Hank Williams Jr‘s “All My Rowdy Friends” song from their station? Just when country music fans have forgotten about that little bit of trouble, he’s said some controversial statements about American President Barack Obama again.
During his concert at the Iowa State Fair on Friday night, he said a little more than what organizers probably were hoping for. According to the Des Moines Metromix, Hank said:
“We’ve got a Muslim president who hates farming, hates the military, hates the US and we hate him!”
Read the full story over at Metromix. What do you think about celebrities voicing their opinions on politics? Do you think it’s a good thing or should they stick to singing?
Last night in Nashville, Hank Williams, Jr. and Brad Paisley took the stage together during the CMT Music Awards to sing a new song called “I’m Gonna Get Drunk And Play Hank Williams.” The song will be faeatured on Hank’s new album, “Old School, New Rules,” that will be available everywhere on July 10.
Hank and Brad played to a crowd of nearly 30,000 people on the streets of Nashville as they played on a stage outside of Bridgestone Arena, where the Awards took place.
Tonight was a special night! Having Brad perform with me and especially on my new album is something special…It’s a good ‘ole honky-tonk song that Brad-cephus and Bocephus had a lot of fun playing tonight! – Hank Williams, Jr.
I count as one of my greatest blessings in this career being able to get to know Hank…When I heard the song, I said, ‘This is perfect’. It’s such a great tribute to his dad. The idea that two of us from this generation are getting together to forget a woman with the music of his father is too much fun! It’s a highlight for me! – Brad Paisley
“I’m Gonna Get Drunk and Play Hank Williams” is available now as a digital download on iTunes. You can preorder Hank’s new album at www.hankjr.com.
Several other presenters comprise the list, such as American Idol finalists Colton Dixon and Skylar Laine, CMT hosts Tom Arnold and Steve Austin, 2012 Indianapolis 500 winner Dario Franchitti, Twilight star Ashley Greene, Tony Hawk, Denise Richards, Dax Shepard and Jordin Sparks.
If you’re a Hank Williams, Jr. fan who hasn’t liked him on Facebook yet, what are you waiting for? The country crooner just passed a million “likes” on the social networking site and is ready to celebrate in true country fashion. As a thank you to his loyal (and social fans), Williams is offering a free download of his new single “That Ain’t Good.” The song is available now through midnight on Memorial Day at www.hankjr.com.
Williams realizes the importance of his loyal fan base. “I have the most loyal fans and that’s what make my job so easy,” Williams said. “I only do 20-25 shows a year and my fans love the music. The best way to celebrate with them is to offer a free download of my new single this holiday weekend.”
“That Ain’t Good” is the first single from “Old School, New Rules,” a twelve-song package that’s available for pre-sale now at www.hankjr.com. The collection of tunes is set for a July 10th release and includes a duet with Brad Paisley on “I’m Gonna Get Drunk And Play Hank Williams” and a new duet with the legendary Merle Haggard on his classic “I Think I’ll Just Sit Here and Drink.”
This year’s award show will air live on CMT and CMT.com on June 6th live from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena, hosted by Toby Keith and Kristen Bell. We’ll be there so stay tuned to Keepin’ it Country.
It was announced today by Blaster Records that Hank Williams, Jr.’s new album, “Old School, New Rules,” will be release on July 10th. The album will feature twelve songs, including duets with Brad Paisley and Merle Haggard. The first single off the album, “That Ain’t Good,” has been sent to radio, with a video coming in the next few weeks.
I’m excited about this new album…I’m definitely ‘Old School’, and I am making music with ‘New Rules’. People know I’m gonna say exactly what I think and this album is exactly that.
The track listing for “Old School, New Rules” will be as follows:
1. Takin’ Back The Country
2. I’m Gonna Get Drunk And Play Hank Williams (with Brad Paisley)
3. Three Day Trip
4. Old School
5. We Don’t Apologize for America
6. You Win Again
7. Cow Turd Blues
8. Who’s Takin’ Care of Number One
9. That Ain’t Good
10. Keep The Change
11. Stock Market Blues
12. I Think I’ll Just Stay Here And Drink (with Merle Haggard)
Pop superstar, and sometimes actor, Justin Timberlake was caught hanging out with a country music legend last weekend in Mississippi. We have pictures of Justin with Hank Williams Jr. backstage after Hank’s concert in Southhaven, MS. Hank had nothing but good things to say about the former boyband member, who apparently knows more about country music than fans may have realized:
“What a great guy! Justin is a friend of my rebel son Kid Rock. He sure is a good country boy. We talked about girls, guitars, turkey hunting, going on cruises and how much we hate them, even though Bobby (Kid Rock) is on one right now and loving it, ugh! Hell, Justin and I even talking about recording a blues song sometime.”
Check out the pictures of the two backstage below: