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Tag Archives: Hunter Hayes
Hunter Hayes Breaks World Record
Warner Music Nashville’s Hunter Hayes teamed up with The Flaming Lips on June 28th at the O Music Awards for a performance with a purpose. The Flaming Lips were trying to break a Guiness World Record by having the “Most Live Concerts In 24 Hours (Multiple Cities)” title. Their Benny’s Boom Room performance in Haittesburg, MS was successful in their attempt, and Hunter opened the show for the band.
In other Hunter news, he was given a gold certification by the RIAA for selling more than 500,000 digital copies of his hit single “Wanted” from his debut self-titled album. It’s the first certification in his career. He’s currently out on his “Most Wanted” tour which is selling out venues in both Canada and the United States. He’ll be hitting the road with Carrie Underwood on her “Blown Away” tour later this year.
Payton Rae Turns Heads at CMA Music Festival
Payton Rae may only be 16-years-old, but the Internet phenom showed her star power in Nashville during CMA Music Fest last week. She wowed fans at the Hard Rock Cafe Stage, with both her voice and her fashion choice. Rae rocked a pair of pink Betsey Johnson dresses to show off her self-proclaimed “passion for fashion!”
In addition to wow-ing crowds, Payton was wowed by some of the performances she got to see. “All of the performances I saw this week were over the top amazing,” said Payton. “If I had to pick my favorites, I would have to say Carrie Underwood’s ‘Good Girl’ performance at the 2012 CMT Music Awards and Hunter Hayes’ show at LP Field.”
While Payton was setting the stage ablaze in Nashville, her new single, “Stomp The Fire Out,” hit country radio and all of the major video channels, including The Country Network (TCN), GACtv.com and AOL. The CMA highlighted Payton Rae on their blog, noting that the 16-yr old “Generation YouTube” Internet star “draws the next generation of @CountryMusic enthusiasts.” Payton is already a huge star on social media, with over 140,000 Twitter followers, 68,000 Facebook fans and over 6.6 million YouTube channel views in less than two years.
While her single climbs the country charts, Payton Rae is preparing to hit the road on the 2012 Camplified Tour, beginning in July. The tour, which is in its 11th year, showcases emerging teen stars by bringing them to over 50 camps and putting them before over 50,000 campers between the ages of 6 and 17.
For more info on Payton, please visit: www.paytonraemusic.com.
Hunter Hayes Hits Nashville
Hunter Hayes will hit Nashville next week during CMA Music Festival for several appearances and live performances. Hunter will kick off the week on Wednesday, June 6th at the 2012 CMT Music Awards. On Thursday, June 7th at 11 am, Hunter will sign for fans at The Warner Sound booth inside the Nashville Convention Center. Following the signing, Hunter and his band will perform at 6PM at Downtown Nashville’s aVenue. Hunter has billed his nearly two-hour set list “Music City’s Most Wanted.”
On Saturday June 9th, Hunter will share the stage with country music stars Eric Church, Luke Bryan, and Faith Hill. To wrap up his week in Nashville, Sunday, June 10, Hunter will make a stop at the Martin Guitar tent on Broadway at 1:30PM. He will then head to a sold out “Coffee Break Experience” with fans later that afternoon.
If you are unable to make it to CMA Fest, have no fear. You, too, can get your fill of Hunter soon. Hunter will be featured in the upcoming new episode of CMT Crossroads: Joe Walsh and Friends, starring Joe Walsh from The Eagles, accompanied by Kenny Chesney, Brad Paisley, Sara Evans, Luke Bryan and Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top. The artists will perform Walsh’s hits and Eagle’s classics. The show premieres on Saturday, June 23rd at 11 PM ET.
For more information and a complete rundown of Hunter Hayes’ CMA Festival activities, please visit www.HunterHayes.com. Let us know if you are heading to CMA Fest and what Hunter events you plan to attend!
Videos of the Week – May 30th
It’s that time of the week again where we here at Keepin’ it Country start browsing through YouTube to find three of our favorite videos to share with our readers this week. Our Videos of the Week segment includes three videos, one music video of the week, one cover of the week by a favorite artist, and one live performance of the week. Check out our picks for the week of May 30th and share your favorites with us and you might see them on next week’s edition!
MUSIC VIDEO OF THE WEEK:
Gloriana – (Kissed You) Goodnight
This has been a song stuck in my head since Warner Music played it for us at the CRS Luncheon with Faith Hill back in February. It’s one of those music videos that actually follows the story of the song, and it flows pretty nicely. It’s a pretty song with the perfect video production, and for that it’s our video pick of the week for music video. Check out “(Kissed You) Goodnight” and let us know what you think:
See our picks for live performance of the week and cover of the week below:
CMT Crossroads: Joe Walsh & Friends
This will be one episode of CMT Crossroads you won’t want to miss. Joe Walsh of the Eagles is calling in a few Nashville friends for a superstar-packed episode of CMT Crossroads - “Joe Walsh & Friends.” Some of the guests announced as performers with the guitarist include Brad Paisley, Kenny Chesney, Sara Evans, Luke Bryan, and Hunter Hayes. Each singer will join the rock star for one of the Eagles biggest hits like “Life In The Fast Lane,” “Life’s Been Good To Me,” and more classics.
It’s something that Joe himself is pretty pumped up for. He shares:
“It’s an honor and a privilege to be on board for a CMT Crossroads episode. I’ve hand-picked some old friends and some new friends and we’re going to make sure it’s a special evening. Nothing beats Country music with a little Rock & Roll sprinkled on top. We’re going to mix up a batch and see what happens. I got a real good feeling about it. Nashville, here we come!”
The episode will air Saturday, June 23rd at 11 pm EST on CMT!
Hunter Hayes Becomes Guitar Brand Ambassador
Looks like Hunter Hayes may be carrying a little extra baggage with him on Carrie Underwood‘s “Blown Away” tour this year. The young Warner Music Nashville artist has teamed up with C.F. Martin & Co. as the brand ambassador, and he’ll be bringing his 42-style with him when he opens up for the country superstar this year. Hunter, who played every instrument on his debut album, takes these things seriously. He’s pretty excited about his new opportunity:
“It is an absolute honor to be named an official Martin Ambassador and to be recognized by the Martin family. To me, the Martin brand is a name I can trust. They make timeless guitars and prove themselves time and again with their elegant tone and sound. The craftsmanship that goes into every piece is one that has shaped some of my favorite music, and is certainly at the forefront of my own sound. I can’t wait to show off my new Parlor 42-style model on the road!”
To see the full-list of tour dates that Hunter will join Carrie on, visit hunterhayes.com.
Nominees For The Teen Choice Awards Announced
Some of our very own country starts are among the list of nominees announced today for The 2012 Teen Choice Awards.
Lady Antebellum is nominated for Choice Music Group alongside Selena Gomez & The Scene, Gym Class Heroes, LMFAO and The Wanted. Taylor Swift is nominated in the Choice Single by a Female Artist for her song “Eyes Open” and Choice Female Artist.
Blake Shelton is up for Choice Male Artist against Justin Bieber, Drake, Bruno Mars and Pitbull.
Nominees for the Country categories are as follows:
EXCLUSIVE: Interview With Ray Gibson
You read it here first: Canadian singer/songwriter Ray Gibson is an artist that the country music world undoubtedly needs to watch out for.
Hailing from Maple Ridge, Vancouver, this eighteen year old is turning heads with both her originals and covers. She even caught the attention of country superstar Carrie Underwood. The artist posted Ray’s cover of “Good Girl” on her Facebook for all of her fans to see on Ray’s eighteenth birthday – what a great present! If that weren’t enough, the newcomer is working alongside Canadian country artist Aaron Pritchett. The two have been writing together and have recorded videos of them singing some of Aaron’s songs. Ray also won the Carly Rae Jepsen cover contest for her rendition of “Call Me Maybe”.
Her covers range from songs by artists like Adele, Lil Wayne and Katy Perry to Taylor Swift, Carrie Underwood and Miranda Lambert. Ray’s original songs, such as “Couple More Kisses” and “Barefoot On The Beach” showcase her incredible vocal range and writing talents. Something interesting to note is that this young artist has taught herself to play both the guitar and piano and plays the instruments solely by ear!
Now, this YouTube sensation is starting to write original material and is looking ahead to creating her own record and performing for fans. She will be writing songs in Los Angeles this summer and Nashville in the fall.
We caught up with Ray to talk about her influences, what she loves about the country genre and plans for her future in country music.
Trust us when we say that you won’t be disappointed by this girl’s gift: her voice.
Country Stars Talk About Mother’s Day
Country stars took to Twitter today to express their love and gratitude for all the moms out there, especially their own. See what they had to say below!
@OfficialJackson: Hope all you moms have had a happy Mother’s Day!
@blakeshelton: Happy Mothers Day momma!!!!! I love you…
@CartersChord: Happy Mother’s Day to our lovely mom @carterrobertson! And to all you other mamas out there, hope you feel very celebrated today!
@davidnail: For all of us Mommy Boy’s out there, Happy Mothers Day!
@EliYoungBand: Happy mothers day to our moms and all you great moms out there!
@FrankieBallard: How can you not love my Mom?
@HillaryScottLA: Happy Mother’s Day @lindadavismusic!!! I’m the luckiest daughter in the world to have you as my mama!
@HunterHayes: Happy mothers day to all the moms out there. Especially MY mom, the best AND coolest one. ;)
@kramergirl: The strongest lady I know. If I’m half the mother she is I’ll be okay! Happy mothers day to all the moms out
@katiearmiger: Happy Mother’s Day to all of those amazing moms out there!
@KeithUrban: Happy Mother’s Day!
@kristianbush: Happy Mother’s Day to all mothers, without whom we would really be nowhere.
@Lauren_Alaina: Happy mothers day @Kristytara (: tell y’alls momma thanks for everything she does for you and play her my song “like my mother does” (; muah
@martinamcbride: Thanks for all the Mother’s Day wishes! Hope it’s a special day for all you moms!
@reba: Red Velvet cupcakes for Mother’s Day w @Shelbilly.
@taylorswift13: Celebrating this Mother’s Day, reflecting back on past matching velvet holiday ensembles.
@thompsonsquare: happy mothers day!!!!
We here at Keepin’ It Country hope all you moms out there had a great Mother’s Day!
Hunter Hayes On Mother’s Day
Just in case you forgot, Warner Music Nashville’s Hunter Hayes wants to remind fans that Mother’s Day is this weekend. The Academy of Country Music’s New Artist of the Year nominee credits his mom with keeping his family together.
“I just know that my mother is like the glue to our family. She’s the most patient person I know and there’s no love like hers because it’s unconditional.”
While Hunter might not be good in the kitchen, he still knows a way to help show his mother how much he appreciates everything she’s done.
“Dad and I aren’t too good at the culinary thing (like hopeless) so we take mom to a really nice restaurant to have a long-relaxing dinner after church on Sunday.”
Hunter has been a pretty busy guy the last few years, with his career soaring to new heights. He shares the best surprise he ever pulled on his mom for Mother’s Day:
“I think the best thing I ever pulled off was surprising my Mother last year for Mother’s Day. I was on my radio tour for weeks at a time and hadn’t really planned on coming back home, but I was able to get a flight home to spend time with her. She knew nothing. Booked the flight, stayed at a friend’s place the night before, even called her that morning as I was driving up and made her think I was on the road. She was shocked! It went great!”
What are you planning on doing for Mother’s Day this year? Are you like Hunter and planning on taking her out for a nice dinner, or are you going to cook and do chores around the house for her instead?
