Share
-
Trace Adkins is Keepin’ it Country:
Tag Archives: Shania Twain
EXCLUSIVE: Interview with Trinity Bradshaw
Trinity Bradshaw is a budding artist you ought to pay attention to. This country singer-songwriter is making a name for herself here in Canada with several notable accomplishments under her belt. The 21-year-old native of Summerside, Prince Edward Island was named 90.3 Amp Radio’s Amp Radio Rock Star earlier this year, a competition that saw her and others being judged by top music execs. She was also declared the winner of Sugar Crisp’s The First 15, a Canadian national songwriting competition, in 2011.
2013 is proving to be an exciting year for the young artist. Trinity is set to play at some major festivals, including Musexpo in California, the Calgary Stampede and Big Valley Jamboree. Moreover, her self-titled debut EP will be released tomorrow (May 7th) and we’re certain that it will be just the beginning of what is to come from this Canadian talent.
Exclusive Interview: Introducing Tiffany Houghton
I recently had the opportunity to sit down with country up and comer, Tiffany Houghton, while she was visiting New York. Upon meeting the Texan talent, she apologized profusely for her “messy” hotel room and excitedly told me about her adventures in the big apple.
Although she may be only nineteen, and technically, a Nashville newbie, Tiffany Houghton has always been driven by her love for music. When I asked Tiffany how she got into performing, without skipping a beat, she responded “Oh, I was born. I’ve always loved music. They say that I could sing before I could talk. I’ve always loved to perform,” She tells us. “I’d get on our kitchen counter and sing to the family. But I really got professionally into music when I was 10 and moved to NY, and did some Broadway and musicals and some acting.”
Shania Twain Hits Vegas Stage
Canadian country queen Shania Twain is finally back performing for fans – with a two-year Vegas residency that she kicked off last week. The 90-minute show is the new headlining act at Cesar’s Palace on the Strip, where she performs all of her biggest hits. It’s already started off on December 1st with great reviews from fans and critics alike – so here’s hoping we’ll get a new tour from Shania!
She shared with reporters last week:
“The show is very fun for me. I was a bit worried that we were staying in the same place. Was I going to lose that edge? But I’ve never had a show this exciting before.”
It’s the first time she’s taken the stage in eight years. There’s still plenty of tickets left for future dates of her “Still The One” shows at Cesar’s Palace through Ticketmaster.com. What do you think about country stars moving to Vegas? Who do you think would have a great show?
A Look Back at AMAs Fashion
This Sunday marks the 40th Anniversary of the American Music Awards, and when we think of decades past, we think of one thing — crazy fashion choices! So, in anticipation of this year’s big show, we decided to do a little fashion policing of our own (sorry Joan), because though the awards are really about the music, the thing that seems to get the most lasting buzz is the red carpet do’s and don’t's! Below are our staff’s picks for country music’s fashionistas and fashion faux pas in AMA history!
Pretty Little Liar Turned Country Artist
Lucy Hale, best known for her role as Aria Montgomery, eclectic teenage stalkee who dates her older and nerdier high school teacher on ABC Family’s “Pretty Little Liars,” is ready to venture out from in front of the lens and spend some time in the recording studio.
Hale, a Memphis native and “American Juniors” winner (yes, we just took you back to 2003, when Deborah Gibson made her “comeback” and the Thompson sisters from Season One of “The Voice” were cute little teeny-bopping kiddos) recently signed a recording deal with Hollywood Records and hopes to revisit her country music roots. Hale cites her influences as Shania Twain, Faith Hill, and Britney Spears. One of these things is not like the other, huh? Well, Hale explains that she grew up listening to Twain and Hill, but Spears lit a fire in Hale to pursue a musical career.
Hale is scheduled to hit the recording studio later this year with a single and album due out in 2013. Best of luck to Lucy Hale as she enters into the country music community! Something tells us she will be widely accepted by musicians and fans alike.
Saddle up, Lucy! –A
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.
VIDEO: Kelly Clarkson Covers Shania Twain
Kelly Clarkson has always had a special bond with her fans, and has involved them in her career since the beginning. After all, Clarkson and her fans have literally been together since she first stepped on the American Idol stage back in 2002. The multi-Grammy award winner is currently on the road, and takes the time to acknowledge the fan support at each tour stop by thanking them for voting for her and being with her the last 10 years.
Throughout the Stronger Tour, the powerhouse singer has been taking fan requests via Twitter. Every show, she picks a different request to perform. Alternating between her own songs and covers, she paid homage to Shania Twain by performing “You’re Still The One” at her tour stop in Windsor, Ontario last week. Of course, Clarkson and her band did a beautiful job with the song.
We love the fan request idea, and it has given us some amazing covers from KC.
The Stronger Tour is a must see! For tour dates and information visit: www.kellyclarkson.com.
PS: It is not a country cover, but Kelly did a fantastic cover of Paramore’s “The Only Exception” over the weekend. Check it out here: http://youtu.be/44YuCZIPmjw
Country Ballads Compliation Album To Be Released Jan 24th
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.
Country Stars Make TLC’s Top 10 Weddings Of 2011 List
TLC put together a countdown of the top ten weddings of 2011, and some of country music’s biggest weddings made the cut. Shania Twain, Miranda Lambert and Blake Shelton, Kellie Pickler and Kyle Jacobs, and LeAnn Rimes and Eddie’s weddings all charted in the chart. Kate Middleton and Prince William were named the number one wedding of the year. No surprise there! TLC just aired the special tonight. Country music had the most weddings charting out of all genres!
What would you consider to be the biggest country music wedding of 2011?
ABC To Get Fans Up Close With CMA Special
The Country Music Association and ABC announced today that they will air a “CMA Up Close Presents Road To CMA Awards” which will air on local ABC affiliates October 28th and November 9th. It’s a 30-minute program focusing on past CMA awards highlights and artist interviews.
Artists in the special include Miranda Lambert, Jason Aldean, The Band Perry, Dierks Bentley, Little Big Town, Scotty McCreery, Kristin Chenowith, Brad Paisley, Rascal Flatts, Blake Shelton, Sugarland, Taylor Swift, Shania Twain, Taylor Swift, and Chris Young. They will all share their favorite memories from the CMA Awards of the past and what it was like to be nominated and performing for the first time at the award show.
