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Trace Adkins is Keepin’ it Country:
Tag Archives: Keith Urban
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!
Keith Urban Working “Feverishly” On Next Album
Keith Urban has been one busy guy. After becoming the newest member to the Grand Ole Opry, he’s been spending time in Australia taping their version of NBC’s hit The Voice. He might have just celebrated his latest number one “You Gonna Fly,” but Keith is already looking ahead: he’s writing and listening to more songs than ever before for his new album.
In an interview with The Tennessean, Keith says that he feels more freedom than ever before this time around. He’s exploring new avenues and listening to songs from songwriters he hasn’t worked with before. He’s determined to focus on new chapters of his life, and he’s excited about how it’s turning out so far.
“I’m really excited about it in a sense that this creative pull and voice and calling is the strongest I’ve ever felt it. I’m just going where it’s going.”
While Keith doesn’t yet have a time frame for when fans can expect his new record in stores, he admits that he feels blessed to not have to worry about a deadline. He’s going to let his creativity flow and shape the album that he wants to make.
Welcome To The Opry, Keith Urban
Last night was undoubtedly one of the highlights of Keith Urban‘s career. It was also a night for his many fans to be proud of the artist and man he is.
Keith was honoured by Opry members, friends and fans last night at the Grand Ole Opry as he was officially welcomed into the Opry family. He brought the crowd to its feet by kicking off the night performing “Days Go By.” Later on, he performed “Without You” acoustically with his wife Nicole Kidman looking on from backstage.
Opry members Trace Adkins and Josh Turner had the honour of officially inducting Keith into the Opry with General Manager Pete Fisher. After being handed the microphone trophy, which contains part of the Ryman Auditorium stage, Keith delivered a heartwarming acceptance speech…
Are You On Team Keith?
Our favourite Aussie, Keith Urban, is proud to be a judge on his country’s version of The Voice. The show, which premiered Sunday night (04/15), features some of the music industry’s favourites as judges, including Joel Madden, Seal, Delta Goodrem and of course, Keith.
This weeks episodes featured the first set of blind auditions. Keith welcomed some of Australia’s best onto his team, including: Adam Martin, Jimmy Cupples, Cam Tapp, Brett Clarke and Kelsie Rimmer.
Keith became interested in judging after his wife Nicole Kidman got him watching the U.S. version: “I got to know who Adam Levine is,” Urban said. “It made me hear his music differently. As an artist, I wanted the opportunity to have people see that side to me” (source: The Hollywood Reporter).
The show will continue on next week as Keith and the other judges make additions to their teams in the next set of auditions.
Check out Keith’s promo video for the show and be sure to check out Team Keith’s official page HERE.
All For The Hall: A Night To Remember
Last night (04/10), some of the biggest names in country music gathered at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville in front of a crowd of 16,000 to raise money for the Country Music Hall of Hame and Museum.
This is the third year Keith Urban and Vince Gill have put on the All For The Hall show. Following suit with giving themes to each of the past shows, Keith made this year’s theme duos, vocal groups and bands. And some of the best acts were in attendance: Rascal Flatts, The Oak Ridge Boys, Diamond Rio, Pistol Annies, Lady Antebellum, The Band Perry, Thompson Square, Little Big Town and Alabama.
If that set list wasn’t enough, Keith added to the excitement by bringing out some special guests including Merle Haggard and Don Williams.
Both Keith and Vince acted as co-musical directors and house band leaders. They sat in on most songs and brought their bands together throughout the night.
The best moment of the night, of course, was Keith’s surprise: Rascal Flatts brought out a black duffel bag for Keith for him to find an Opry microphone stand inside. Read more about Keith’s surprise here.
(Photo courtesy of George Walker IV/The Tennessean)
VIDEO: Keith Urban Invited To Join Grand Ole Opry
As we reported, Keith Urban will be the newest member of the Grand Ole Opry. Urban’s invitation to join the Opry came during last night’s the “All For The Hall” benefit concert at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena that Urban was co-hosting.
Late in the show, concert co-host and Opry member Vince Gill called Urban out to the stage to present him with a gift. Fellow Opry members Rascal Flatts, Diamond Rio and the Oak Ridge Boys also came out to share the moment. Urban was presented with a large duffel bag. Inside the bag was the Opry’s signature microphone stand. As soon as Urban saw it, Gill announced Urban’s invitation to join the Opry. (See Urban’s’ Opry invitation below. Video courtesy Opry.com)
As reported on the Opry site, Urban’s invitation to join is a historic one. Born in New Zealand and raised in Australia, Urban will be the first artist from outside North America to become an Opry member. His formal induction into the Grand Ole Opry will be Saturday, April 21.
Again, our congrats to Keith!
Keith Urban invited to join the Opry
April 10, 2012 will be a day Keith Urban never forgets. At the All for the Hall concert event, Keith Urban was invited to join the Grand Ole Opry by Vince Gill, Rascal Flatts, Diamond Rio and the Oak Ridge Boys. We send our congratulations out to Keith. This is a huge honor and one we are sure he will never forget. Keith’s induction will take place on Saturday April 21st.
Additional ACM Performers Announced!
The already sky-high star power of the Academy of Country Music Awards hit the stratosphere today with the announcement that Sara Evans, Carrie Underwood and Keith Urban will be performing during the broadcast.
The newly announced trio of singers join previously announced performers Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan, Kenny Chesney, Eric Church, Toby Keith, Miranda Lambert, Tim McGraw, Blake Shelton, Chris Young, The Band Perry, Lady Antebellum and Rascal Flatts.
Also announced today is the scheduled appearance of Beth Behrs (from CBS’ 2 Broke Girls) and Nancy O’Dell (Entertainment Tonight) as presenters.
Just a reminder that voting is now open for both the Entertainer of the Year and New Artist of the Year awards. Fans may vote once a day by visiting www.voteacm.com.
The 47th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards will be broadcast live from the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on April 1 (8pm on CBS).
New Artist: Matt Dunn
Sometimes you have to travel the world to find your way home. Such is the case for Matt Dunn.
The 28-year-old grew up in a military family that had him crisscrossing the country. His stops included Hawaii, Virginia, Michigan, Indiana and California. When it came for his own time in the service, a stint in the Army took him overseas to Iraq.
Music was part of his life in the Middle East and when he came home, it became his career calling . His passion for music brought him to Texas, where he’s honing his craft in the Dallas/Ft.Worth area.
In our interview with the up-and-coming artist, we found out the unique way he joined Jack Ingram, the inspiration he took from a technology titan and one of the best answers ever for who he would like to tour with.
While in Iraq did you have your guitar with you and, if so, did you keep everyone entertained?
