Keepin' it Country Media & Radio » Sara Evans

Nominees for ACAs Announced

Lydia Picknell — Wed, 10 Oct 2012 14:09:23 +0000

The nominees were just announced earlier this morning for this year’s American Country Awards. The third edition of the fan-voted award show will once again air live on FOX from Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas. While the co-hosts remain the same with Trace Adkins and Kristin Chenoweth, there is something new about the award show – the addition of the “Song Of The Year” category which will honor country music’s top songwriters of 2012. The nominees for Song of the Year are determined by the National Songwriters Association International (NSAI). The award show will air live on December 10th on FOX at 8 pm EST.

Artists leading all nominees this year are Luke Bryan with seven, and Lady Antebellum tying for second with Zac Brown Band with six nominations each. Eric Church and Taylor Swift both have five nominations each. Check out the full list of nominees below and let us know who you’ll be voting for. Fans can vote at theacas.com for their favorite artists, and make sure to tune in December 10th to see who wins!

Performers and presenters will be announced shortly, so stay tuned for that announcement too!

ARTISTS

Artist of the Year

Jason Aldean

Luke Bryan

Lady Antebellum

Taylor Swift

Zac Brown Band

Artist of the Year: Male

Jason Aldean

Luke Bryan

Kenny Chesney

Eric Church

Toby Keith

Artist of the Year: Female

Taylor Swift

Artist of the Year: Group

The Band Perry

Eli Young Band

Lady Antebellum

Rascal Flatts

Zac Brown Band

Artist of the Year: Breakthrough Artist

Artist of the Year: New Artist

Album

Album of the Year

Dierks Bentley, “Home”

Luke Bryan, “tailgates & tanlines”

Eric Church, “Chief”

Lady Antebellum, “Own the Night”

Blake Shelton, “Red River Blue”

SINGLES

Single of the Year

Jason Aldean, “Tattoos On This Town”

Luke Bryan, “I Don’t Want This Night To End”

Eric Church, “Drink In My Hand”

Chris Young, “You”

Zac Brown Band, “Keep Me In Mind”

Single of the Year: Male

Jason Aldean, “Tattoos On This Town”

Luke Bryan, “I Don’t Want This Night To End”

Kenny Chesney, “Reality”

Eric Church, “Drink In My Hand”

Chris Young, “You”

Single of the Year: Female

Sara Evans, “My Heart Can’t Tell You No”

Miranda Lambert, “Over You”

Martina McBride, “I’m Gonna Love You Through It”

Taylor Swift, “Ours”

Carrie Underwood, “Good Girl”

Single of the Year: Group

Eli Young Band, “Even If It Breaks Your Heart”

Lady Antebellum, “We Owned The Night”

Rascal Flatts, “Banjo”

The Band Perry, “All Your Life”

Zac Brown Band, “Keep Me In Mind”

Single of the Year: New Artist

Hunter Hayes, “Wanted”

Jana Kramer, “Why Ya Wanna”

Dustin Lynch, “Cowboys and Angels”

Kip Moore, “Somethin’ ’Bout A Truck”

The Farm, “Home Sweet Home”

Single of the Year: Breakthrough Artist

Lee Brice, “A Woman Like You”

Brantley Gilbert, “You Don’t Know Her Like I Do”

Gloriana, “(Kissed You) Good Night”

David Nail, “Let It Rain”

Jake Owen, “Alone With You”

Single of the Year: Vocal Collaboration

Kix Brooks featuring Joe Walsh, “New To This Town”

Kenny Chesney and Tim McGraw, “Feel Like A Rock Star”

Brad Paisley featuring Carrie Underwood, “Remind Me”

Rascal Flatts featuring Natasha Bedingfield, “Easy”

Zac Brown Band featuring Jimmy Buffett, “Knee Deep”

TOURING

Touring Artist of the Year

Jason Aldean

Kenny Chesney and Tim McGraw

Eric Church

Toby Keith

Lady Antebellum

Miranda Lambert

Brad Paisley

Rascal Flatts

Taylor Swift

Zac Brown Band

VIDEOS

Music Video of the Year

Luke Bryan, “I Don’t Want This Night To End”

Jake Owen, “Alone With You”

Blake Shelton, “God Gave Me You”

Keith Urban, “For You”

Chris Young, “You”

Music Video of the Year: Male

Luke Bryan, “I Don’t Want This Night to End”

Jake Owen, “Alone With You”

Blake Shelton, “God Gave Me You”

Keith Urban, “For You”

Chris Young, “You”

Music Video of the Year: Female

Sara Evans, “My Heart Can’t Tell You No”

Miranda Lambert, “Over You”

Martina McBride, “I’m Gonna Love You Through It”

Taylor Swift, “Ours”

Carrie Underwood, “Good Girl”

Music Video of the Year: Group or Collaboration

Gloriana, “(Kissed You) Good Night”

Lady Antebellum, “Dancin’ Away With My Heart”

Little Big Town, “Pontoon”

Love and Theft, “Angel Eyes”

The Band Perry, “All Your Life”

Music Video of the Year: New Artist

Hunter Hayes, “Wanted”

Casey James, “Let’s Don’t Call It A Night”

Jana Kramer, “Why You Wanna”

Dustin Lynch, “Cowboys and Angels”

Kip Moore, “Somethin’ ’Bout A Truck”

Song of the Year:

Trace Adkins, “Just Fishin’” (Casey Beathard, Monty Criswell and Ed Hill)

Jason Aldean, “Fly Over States,” (Michael Dulaney and Neil Thrasher)

Jason Aldean, “Tattoos On This Town” (Michael Dulaney, Wendell Mobley and Neil Thrasher)

Lee Brice, “A Woman Like You” (Phil Barton, Johnny Bulford and Jon Stone)

Kenny Chesney featuring Grace Potter, “You And Tequila” (Matraca Berg and Deana Carter)

Eric Church, “Springsteen” (Eric Church, Jeff Hyde and Ryan Tyndell)

Ronnie Dunn, “Cost of Livin’” (Phillip Coleman and Ronnie Dunn)

Eli Young Band, “Even If It Breaks Your Heart” (Will Hoge and Eric Paslay)

Toby Keith, “Red Solo Cup” (Brett Beavers, Jim Beavers, Brad Warren and Brett Warren)

Tim McGraw, “Better Than I Used to Be” (Ashley Gorley and Bryan Simpson)

Sara Evans Performing the National Anthem at the NBA Finals

Jennifer Swirsky — Wed, 13 Jun 2012 20:06:07 +0000

Sara Evans will perform the national anthem in front of millions on Thursday, June 14, prior to Game 2 of the NBA Finals between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Miami Heat at the Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City.

You can catch Evans’ performance live on ABC beginning at 8:53 p.m. EST.

CMT Music Awards Presenters Announced

Tia — Mon, 04 Jun 2012 16:27:52 +0000

With only two days remaining until the 2012 CMT Music Awards, Nashville is brimming with excitement in anticipation of the big night.

Today, a list of presenters were announced for Wednesday’s show. The list includes: Jason Aldean, Sara Evans, Ronnie Dunn, Alan Jackson, Jake Owen, and Kellie Pickler. Previously-announced performers The Band Perry, Carrie Underwood and Luke Bryan will also be on hand to present awards.

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.

The show will feature performances from some of the best in country music: Kenny Chesney, Eric Church, Toby Keith, Lady Antebellum, Little Big Town, Willie Nelson, Brad Paisley, Pistol Annies, Rascal Flatts, Darius Rucker, Hank Williams Jr. and Zac Brown Band.

The show, hosted by Toby Keith and actress Kristen Bell, will air live from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena June 6th at 8PM EST on CMT and CMT.com.

We will be at the show, so be sure to check back with us as Keepin’ It Country will be up-to-date on everything related to the Awards and CMA Fest!

Hunter Hayes Hits Nashville

Jennifer Swirsky — Thu, 31 May 2012 11:24:31 +0000

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!

CMT Crossroads: Joe Walsh & Friends

Lydia Picknell — Tue, 29 May 2012 17:38:59 +0000

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!

POLL: ACM Awards – Female Vocalist Of The Year

Jeanna D. — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 18:36:52 +0000

Next up in our ACM Awards‘ polls is Female Vocalist of the Year. It’s another tough category with these fantastic country ladies!

Who gets your vote this year: Sara Evans, Miranda Lambert, Martina McBride, Taylor Swift, or Carrie Underwood?

We love hearing from you all so thank-you for participating.

Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll.

Check out our other ACM polls as well:

New Artist: http://www.keepinitcountryblog.com/2012/03/acm-awards-artist-poll/

Vocal Duo: http://www.keepinitcountryblog.com/2012/03/acm-awards-poll-duo/

Vocal Group: http://www.keepinitcountryblog.com/2012/03/acm-awards-poll-vocal-group/

Additional ACM Performers Announced!

Ted Efron — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 14:27:28 +0000

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).

ACM Presents Lionel Richie Lineup Announced

Lydia Picknell — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 13:35:53 +0000

The Academy of Country Music has announced their full line-up of artists for their Lionel Richie special. The all-star concert tapes on April 2nd in Las Vegas, a day after the ACM awards, but will be aired on CBS on April 13th. Lionel is celebrating the release of his country duets album “Tuskegee” in a big way by inviting some of his friends to perform with his at the special. Joining Lionel on-stage will be Rascal Flatts, Kenny Chesney, Kenny Rogers, and Tim McGraw. Singing some of Lionel’s biggest hits as a tribute to the singer will be The Band Perry, Lady Antebellum, Sara Evans, Martina McBride, Tim McGraw, Jason Aldean, Jennifer Nettles, and Luke Bryan.

“It has been so rewarding to have my songs embraced by country music artists,” said Lionel Richie. “Since Conway Twitty recorded ‘Three Times a Lady’ and Kenny Rogers sang ‘Lady,’ I have been welcomed into the country music family with open arms. It’s the ultimate compliment to have country artists record and perform songs that I’ve written. I’ve always felt right at home in country because I was raised just down the road from Nashville in Tuskegee, Alabama, where I was immersed in country, R&B, gospel and classical music. This show will be a homecoming and family reunion combined, and I’m so glad that viewers will be able to share these special moments with us. It will be a night that I will remember for the rest of my life.”

Tickets for “Lionel Richie And Friends In Concert” are on-sale right now at ticketmaster.com. Tickets start at $100 and benefit ACM Lifting Lives, which focuses on improving lives in the United States through music.

Country Ballads Compliation Album To Be Released Jan 24th

Lydia Picknell — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 01:01:59 +0000

The world’s best-selling, multi-artist album series “NOW! That’s What I Call Music” will be trying their chances with a country music album on January 24th. They’ve put together some of country music’s biggest ballads of the last few years on a compilation album titled “NOW! That’s What I Call Country Ballads” just in time for Valentine’s Day. The album will be released both digitally and physically in stores wherever music is sold.

Some of the stars featured on the album include Taylor Swift, Martina McBride, Rascal Flatts, Lady Antebellum, and Jason Aldean with Kelly Clarkson. Some of the inclusions are interesting and may surprise some fans. See the official track listing below and make sure to let us know what you would have chosen if you had the power to make your own ultimate country music ballad album.

NOW That’s What I Call Country Ballads (CD, digital)

1. Taylor Swift – Forever And Always (Piano Version)
2. Keith Urban – Tonight I Wanna Cry
3. Rascal Flatts – What Hurts The Most
4. The Band Perry – If I Die Young
5. Martina McBride – I’m Gonna Love You Through It
6. Luke Bryan- Do I
7. Jake Owen – Don’t Think I Can’t Love You
8. Lady Antebellum – American Honey
9. Jason Aldean/Kelly Clarkson – Don’t You Wanna Stay
10. Shania Twain – Forever & For Always
11. Carrie Underwood – I Told You So
12. Sara Evans – I Could Not Ask For More
13. Kenny Chesney – Better As A Memory
14. Dierks Bentley – Come A Little Closer
15. Chris Young – The Man I Want To Be
16. Darius Rucker – Don’t Think I Don’t Think About It
17. George Strait – I Saw God Today
18. Alan Jackson – Remember When

Rascal Flatts Release New Single

Jeanna D. — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 21:28:12 +0000

What’s better than new music from some of our favorite boys?

Rascal Flatts has released their new single, “Banjo,” from their upcoming album set to drop this spring. The song will officially impact country radio on January 17th.

Jay DeMarcus describes the song as:

“a sentiment about getting away from it all, getting away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and sort of breaking out and finding a spot way out in the country and drivin’ and drivin’ and drivin’ until you go so far you start to hear a banjo.”

You can listen to the song on the Flatts’ official website: http://www.rascalflatts.com/videos.

Meanwhile, the super trio hits the road this week with special guests Sara Evans & Hunter Hayes for their Thaw Out 2012 Tour. The trek kicks off in Charleston, West Virginia on Thursday, January 12th. Click here for more information and tour details.

Don’t forget to get those requests in for “Banjo” to your local radio stations!