Keepin' it Country Media & Radio » Kristin Chenoweth

CONTEST: Win An iTunes Gift Card From GCB

Lydia Picknell — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 20:26:12 +0000

ABC is putting together one heck of a sound track for their newest television series, “GCB.” The show follows the story of Texan Queen Bee Amanda Vaughn, (played by Leslie Bibb), who returns home after 20 years, but there’s a little payback for the original mean girl of the town. Will she be welcomed back with open arms, or will her town preach her the golden rule while stabbing her in the back? Everything’s always bigger in Texas… including the drama! The show is based off of the book “Good Christian Bitches” by Kim Gaitlin.

While the sound track for the show isn’t available until May 8th on Elektra Nashville, fans will get the chance to preview a new song each week on iTunes. Star Kristin Chenoweth (who plays Carlene Cockburn) contributes three tracks to the compilation album, including a duet with co-star Miriam Shor on the classic “This Little Light Of Mine”. Other artists featured on the super-star CD include John Rich of Big & Rich, the JaneDear Girls, Emily West, Dean Alexander, Damien Horne, Joanna Cotten, Don Derby, Jaime Hanna, and Bum Steers.

We’ve teamed up with ABC to give our readers the chance to purchase the tracks from the sound track each week with a $15 iTunes gift certificate. Two readers will receive the gift card courtesy of ABC. To enter, follow the instructions on the form below. The contest is open immediately until midnight EST on Wednesday, March 14th. The winners will be contacted by e-mail within 24 hours of the contest closing, then have 24 hours to respond or new winners will be chosen. Only readers with United States mailing addresses can enter this one.

Don’t forget to tune in to GCB on ABC on Sundays at 10 pm EST!

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Looking for an extra chance to win some GCB goodies? Take a chance in the GCB Twitter Sweepstakes by visiting GCBconfessions.com and using the hashtag #GCB on Twitter to get your entry in for some more fabulous prizes from GCB and ABC!

Kristin Chenoweth Announces Tour, Offering Country And More

Ted Efron — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 16:55:53 +0000

As promised, Kristin Chenoweth will be hitting the road to support her debut country album Some Lessons Learned. Today the Emmy and Tony award-winning actress announced a 19-city North American tour. Her first-ever tour will start May 9th in Seattle, WA and will wrap up June 24th in Kristin’s hometown of Broken Bow, OK.

The multi-talented Chenoweth will be performing songs from Some Lessons Learned, along with some of her most memorable songs and Broadway show tunes, including music from “Wicked,” “Promises, Promises,” and “Glee.”

Chenoweth co-hosted the American Country Awards back in December. After the show, she told us that she planned on touring. But those tour plans were temporarily put on hold while she was working on “GCB,” her new TV series on ABC. The series premieres on March 4^thwith Chenoweth playing the role of Carlene Cockburn.

Below are the tour dates, cities and venues. Tickets for select cities go on sale starting March 9th.

May 9 Seattle, WA Paramount Theatre

May 11 Berkeley, CA Zellerbach Auditorium

May 12 Los Angeles, CA Greek Theatre

May 18 Denver, CO Ellie Caulkins Opera House

May 23 Houston, TX Jones Hall

May 24 Dallas, TX Winspear Opera House

June 1 Philadelphia, PA Academy Of Music

June 2 New York, NY City Center

June 8 Boston, MA Boston Opera House

June 9 Baltimore, MD Hippodrome Theatre

June 10 Washington D.C. DAR Constitution Hall

June 12 Toronto, ON Massey Hall

June 13 Cleveland, OH PlayhouseSquare’s Palace Theatre

June 15 Detroit, MI Detroit Opera House

June 16 Chicago, IL Cadillac Palace Theatre

June 17 Minneapolis, MN State Theatre

June 20 Nashville, TN Andrew Jackson Hall

June 22 Atlanta, GA Cobb Energy Centre

June 24 Broken Arrow, OK Broken Arrow PAC

Kristin Chenoweth To Work OT For “GCB”

Ted Efron — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 20:47:01 +0000

Kristin Chenoweth, star of stage, screen (large and small) and country singer, is about to attack the airwaves. She’s going to be working overtime next week to promote her new ABC television series, “GCB” (which stands for Good Christian Belles. Although for some, the ”B” stands for something else!)

The TV series will be the main topic of discussion for the Emmy and Tony Award-winning actress, but at several stops she’ll be doing live performances. It’s a safe bet she’ll be doing songs from her album, “Some Lessons Learned.” The album was released in September and the ever-so-busy performer is still trying to find the time to get out and provide the album with more promotion. After hosting the American Country Awards this past December, she said she planned on taking her country show on the road; making radio stations tops and scheduling shows. We’ll keep you updated as that developes.

As for next week’s schedule, here’s the rundown:

Feb. 28: Live phone interview with WPLJ in support of GCB (8:30-8:40am)

Feb. 28: Live with Kelly! (9-10am)

Feb. 29: Good Morning America (Live performance in the 8am hour of the show)

After her GMA performance, she’s off to a series of appearances with Sirius XM Radio:

10:00 to 10:20 On Broadway

10:20 to 10:35 Martha Stewart’s Morning Living

10:35 to 10:50 Larry Flick Morning Jolt

10:50 to 11:05am Broadminded

11:05 to 11:25am Judith Regan

11:25 to 11:40am Cosmo’s Wake Up with Taylor

11:40 to 11:55am Just Jenny

Chenoweth will end her week on Friday, March 2 by appearing in the 8am hour of Fox and Friends.

GCB premiers Sunday march 4 on ABC (10pm ET).

Kristin Chenoweth To Perform National Anthem At NFC Championship Game

Ted Efron — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 15:41:02 +0000

The NFC Championship Game will kick things off with a country sound with Kristin Chenoweth performing the Nation Anthem.

This Sunday’s game between the New York Giants and San Francisco 49ers kicks off at 3:30pm PST on FOX.

Chenoweth earlier announced her intention to hit the road this year in support of her “Some Lessons Learned” album. No official dates have been announced for that, but we do know she’ll be getting some very high exposure next week. On January 25th, the Broadway and TV star will be guest hosting “LIVE! With Kelly” on ABC.

The appearance on ABC is natural as Chenoweth has her own series, “Good Christian Belles,” that will be debuting in March. So don’t be surprised if there is a crush of Kristin between now and then.

REVIEW: Sherrie Austin “Circus Girl”

Ted Efron — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 20:58:28 +0000

It’s fitting that Sherrie Austin’s new album is called “Circus Girl.” With this project, the affable Australian singer/songwriter walks a high wire without a net. The album is self-written, self-produced and self-financed. Fortunately, we can apply one more “s-word” to Austin’s album: Satisfying.

It’s been eight years since her last release. It’s an understatement to say the country music landscape has changed a lot in that time. It would’ve been easy for Austin to try to reinvent who she is to fit that landscape. But instead of changing herself, she finds success simply by being herself.

Austin had a hand in writing every one of the 13 tracks on the album. She gives each song the voice of one who has lived life and learned about herself with every step and misstep along the way. It’s this voice of experience that gives the album its heart.

The album kicks off with the autobiographical title track “Circus Girl.” Austin has spent most of her life as a performer. While most of us can’t relate to what it’s like living your life in the spotlight, we can relate to sometimes feeling like a “round peg in a little town square”. It’s okay to not fit in. Happiness can be found if you approach life as fearless and confident as the girl on the trapeze.

“Tryin’ To Be Me” reflects on life and the “scars in the battle” of trying to be ourselves. Austin wrote the track to pay homage to George Harrison. The opening notes certainly will make any fan of the former Beatle think of his “All Things Must Pass” album.

The next two songs show that along with heart, Austin also has a wicked sense of humor. “I Didn’t” rips a former lover for the differences that led to a breakup. The biggest being “he thought he was God, and I didn’t”. In “If I Was A Man,” she imagines how she would be if she were the opposite sex. Naturally, she comes off as being Mr. Right until a surprise twist in the end.

(Note: ”I Didn’t” also appears on Kristin Chenoweth‘s “Some Lessons Learned” album. Chenoweth recently performed an over-the-top version of the song during the American Country Awards. It would be fun to see Austin perform it for comparison’s sake.)

“Just Want To Love You Tonight” steers the album back in a serious direction. Austin tackles the issue of one night stands from the woman’s perspective. The woman isn’t just a participant, but an instigator who along with her man, also lays down the ground rules.

“Get Your Leavin’ Done” continues the serious streak. It’s the end of a relationship. But instead of sorrow, the feeling is more one of resignation. Austin conveys that she acknowledges that it’s over and now it’s time to move out so they can move on.

“He’s All Yours” is bold, bluesy and full of drama. It’s both a kiss-off and a warning from one woman to another about a man who has done her wrong and will do the same to the next woman who falls for his lines. Austin shines through in her powerful delivery of the song which must be a show-stopper live in concert.

“Bad For Me” is another light-hearted approach to love. We all do things that we know are bad for us (like that extra Christmas cookie or two) and sometimes that includes who we choose to be with. This song appeared a few years ago on Danielle Peck’s “Can’t Behave” album. Austin reclaims it with vocal vigor and a banjo backing that gives it more of a country feel.

“Friday Night Girls” serves as an anthem for all the women out there who have reached a certain age where they see the game, but don’t feel the need to play it. They have experienced the world and are smart and strong enough to handle all of its ups and downs – even if just for a Friday night.

“Sleep With Me” is brilliant take on infidelity. The title of the song isn’t an invitation to someone else, but having to face the consequences from the decisions we make. We all have to face ourselves in the mirror, where we see the one person we always have to sleep with.

“That Kind Of Happy” once again leans on life’s lessons. This up-tempo shot of smartness is about realizing that happiness comes in all forms. By letting go and accepting yourself for who you are, you’re able to find the kind of happy that doesn’t come with a matching set of sadness.

“Streets of Heaven” actually was the title track of Austin’s last album. The deeply personal song is based on a family experience and is her highest-charting song to date. She says she re-cut it for this album to remind herself that even though this is an independent release, she’s not the one who is ultimately in control – God is.

The Christmas song “Naughty Or Nice” puts a neat, little bow on the album. It features Shane Stevens (who co-wrote “American Honey” for Lady Antebellum). Holiday songs are risky as they can be hit or miss. This one falls on the “hit” side and its funky rhythm will have fans rockin’ around the Christmas tree for years to come.

Score 8/10

2011 ACA Show Pictures

Lydia Picknell — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 20:25:15 +0000

Thanks to FOX, we have the latest pictures from the American Country Awards that aired last night. The second annual country music award show had a lot going on, with performances never before seen anywhere else, and even some surprising wins in the fan-voted award show. Re-live the moments with the pictures below and tell us what your favorite part of the award show was.

Don’t forget to click on each picture to get the full size!

Toby Keith performs Red Solo Cup.

Miranda Lambert presents the Artist Of The Year Award

For more pictures, click the “Read more” button:

Kristin Chenoweth performs at the ACAs last night.

Carrie Underwood wins Female Artist Of The Year

Blake Shelton performs God Gave Me You

Thompson Square wins Best Single By A Group

Thompson Square perform “Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not”

Jamie Little & The Big Show present Best Single By A Group

Love And Theft present at the ACAs

Scotty McCreery wins New Artist Of The Year

Scotty McCreery performs at ACAs.

The Band Perry perform at the ACAs

Host Kristen Chenoweth at the ACAs

Blake Shelton wins Music Video of the Year

Jason Aldean wins Album Of The Year

Chris Young wins Single Of The Year

Lauren Alaina and Bill Engvall present Single Of The Year

Host Trace Adkins opens the ACA awards.

Pistol Annies perform “Hell On Heels” at the ACAs

Toby Keith Performing Red Solo Cup At ACA’s

Lydia Picknell — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 14:47:22 +0000

Toby Keith has just announced that he will make the broadcast debut of “Red Solo Cup” at the American Country Awards on FOX on Monday night. This will be the first time that his fan-favorite funny little drinking single will be performed on television. The song became an internet viral sensation less than a week of it’s release on YouTube, and thanks to fan demand, it has just officially become Toby’s newest single.

The Second annual American Country Awards will be co-hosted by Trace Adkins and Kristin Chenoweth and is the only country music award show that gives fans all the power to choose the winners. Also performing for the first time at an award show are the Pistol Annies, who join previously announced performers Blake Shelton, Scotty McCreery, Thompson Square, Eli Young Band, Alabama, and The Band Perry. Appearing on the night will be Miranda Lambert, Josh Turner, Lauren Alaina, Jordin Sparks, The Big Show, The JaneDear Girls, Bill Engvall, Larry Mahan, Rodney Carrington and the male cast of “Pawn Stars.”

The ACA’s air live on FOX at 8 pm EST on Monday, December 5th. We will have our very own Ted Efron and Jessica Crans on the Red Carpet and backstage at the award show, so check back with us to get the latest news directly from the award show.

Oklahoma Music Hall Of Fame Induction Ceremony Set For November 10

Alisha Parramoure — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 01:25:51 +0000

Actress and music artist Kristin Chenoweth and the late jazz great and NBA star Wayman Tisdale are among the eight honorees announced to be inducted into the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame in Muskogee, on November 10.

According to CBS affiliate KOTV/TULSA, among the other honorees announced are singers Cheevers Toppah, the late Jesse Ed Davis, THE OKLAHOMAN Entertainment Editor Gene Triplett, composer Ralph Blane, and Ventures members Nokie Edwards and the late Bob Bogle.

For more information on this historical event, please visit their website at OklahomaMusicHallofFame.com.

Matt Mason Named CMT’s Next Big Superstar

Lydia Picknell — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 00:36:53 +0000

Last Friday, June 10th, Matt Mason was named CMT’s Next Big Superstar on CMT’s new reality singing competition. As the winner of the show, he receives a recording contract with Warner Music Nashville’s Elektra label and will be the opening act for Luke Bryan’s CMT On Tour. His opening slot will be sponsored by CMT.

The hour-long finale episode featured a performance by Kristin Chenoweth before Mason was named the winner at the end of the show.

“It’s all very surreal. I’ve wanted this for so long. I couldn’t be more grateful for this opportunity and look forward to making the most of it. Huge thanks to everyone who voted for me.”

CMT’s Next Big Superstar returns in late 2011 / early 2012.