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Tag Archives: Taylor Swift
Exclusive Interview: Sean Patrick McGraw
When we reached out to Sean Patrick McGraw for an interview, we knew that he was ridiculously talented, but after chatting with him, we learned that he’s both ridiculously talented AND ridiculously hilarious. Read on to hear what Sean has to say about his stint on reality TV, Montgomery Gentry recording his song, “My So Called Life,” and sharing the stage with some of country’s biggest names. If that’s not enough, he also shares his candid opinions on Taylor Swift, karaoke and a little Dustin Lynch song called “Cowboys and Angels.”
Read on to meet the sarcastic, hilarious and uber-talented, Sean Patrick McGraw.
Country Artists Make the Grammy Album Cut
Country superstar Grammy nominees Hunter Hayes and Taylor Swift were chosen to appear on the 2013 Grammy Nominees Album. The album, which will be released on January 22 by Capitol Records and Grammy Recordings, will feature Hunter’s “Wanted” and Taylor’s “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together”. Hunter is nominated for Best New Artist, while Taylor’s single is up for Record of the Year. Also featured on the album is country music’s stepchild, Kelly Clarkson, as well as Taylor’s current opening act, Ed Sheeran.
Tim McGraw album details!
Country music icon Tim McGraw is revealing more details about his highly anticipated release “TWO LANES OF FREEDOM.” His first album for Big Machine Records will be released on Feb. 5, 2013 and is set to prove once again that on stage and on record, he remains dedicated to delivering music that is innovative, heartfelt and authentic.
“I feel like I’ve progressed in my work, and I’ve always strived to get better,” says McGraw. “On my last album, I was discovering some new sounds and new things that I wanted to do, scratching the surface of the direction I wanted to head. This album was a way to reach a little further back, to all that I’d done throughout my career, and bring both sides together—it’s a combination of that discovery, along with some rediscovery.”
On “TWO LANES OF FREEDOM,” the sense of nostalgia comes through on the hard-driving current single “One of Those Nights.” The reverie of that song, though, is countered by the humor and joy of “Southern Girl” or the feel-good hangover of “Mexicoma.” McGraw maintains that it was the album’s title track that really established the tone for the entire project.
“When we cut ‘Two Lanes of Freedom,’ there was such a freshness to it,” he says. “The track has this sort of Gaelic drive to it and really sets a palette for the whole record because it’s so visual—it has that summery, hazy image and I think that made the whole record open up for me.”
McGraw reaches some especially emotional depth in his performances on such songs as “Number 37405,” the lament of a singer-turned-convict. Most powerful of all might be “Book of John,” a wistful account of a family going through the journal left behind by its late patriarch. The album closes with “Highway Don’t Care,” a breezy yet complex track that features Taylor Swift (the song is featured as number 13 on the album as a nod to her) and Keith Urban.
Check out the official cover and track listing below and let us know what you think! Will you be picking up a copy next year?
Nashville Is On the Globe
The Golden Globe, that is. This morning, the nominees for the 2013 Golden Globe Awards were announced, and Nashville certainly made a showing; and we mean both “Nashville” the television show and residents of Nashville whose names you might recognize from the world of country music.
In the category of Best Actress, Television Drama, ABC’s “Nashville” was represented by a nomination for Connie Britton (who plays Rayna James in the highly coveted television series). In the category of Best Supporting Actress, Television, ABC’s “Nashville” was again represented by a nomination for Hayden Panettiere (who plays Juliette Barnes). Also getting nods for their involvement in film projects are Keith Urban and Taylor Swift. Keith lent his vocals to the soundtrack for “Act of Valor” with his song “For You,” while Taylor’s “Safe & Sound” was included on “The Hunger Games” soundtrack.
Good luck to the Nashville noms! Tune in on January 13 to see if any of the Golden Globes make their way back to Music City!
Taylor Swift to host American Top 40
Country music superstar Taylor Swift will take over popular radio countdown program American Top 40 this weekend. She’ll help announce the charts and play the top 40 pop songs in the United States, answer questions from fans, talk about her brand new album “RED” and current single “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together.” That tune is currently number two on this week’s countdown, but make sure to tune in to see if she can take over the top spot while she’s on air!
Taylor’s edition of American Top 40 airs December 1st and 2nd on multiple radio stations across the United States and Canada. Check your local top 40 music station’s schedule to see when American Top 40 airs near you. Who would you pick to host their own radio show?
Taylor Swift Breaks Record with New Single
Congratulations to Big Machine Records’ superstar Taylor Swift! Her huge hit single “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together” has just shattered a Billboard record by keeping the number one spot for the seventh straight week this week on the Hot Country Songs list. It’s now her longest running number one single on the Billboard charts of her career so far. Taylor’s 2006 single “Our Song” is now her second-longest number one single, holding the top spot for six weeks.
Taylor’s brand new album “RED” is serving its third week on-top of the Billboard album sales charts. It’s already sold more than 1.8 million copies in the United States alone since it hit stores. It sold an additional million copies worldwide, and topped the charts in 42 different countries.
Have you gotten your copy yet of Taylor’s new album? Do you think it’s more country or more pop?
Our Top 10 Favorite CMA Awards Moments
1. All things Miranda and Blake! We just cannot choose between Miranda and Blake’s heartfelt, emotional acceptance speech after winning “Single of the Year” for “Over You,” Miranda’s fiery performance, Miranda’s classy acceptance speech for “Female Vocalist of the Year,” Blake’s confusion during his speech for “Male Vocalist of the Year,” and Blake’s acceptance for “Entertainer of the Year.” The Shelton household has a lot of redecorating to do because they are bringing home many new trophies after last night’s show!
2. Mmmmmotorboatin’…Brad Paisley teaching the pure and innocent people of the world just what Little Big Town is doing out there in the ocean…We would like to thank Brad for the entertainment and sex education we received at an hour that was far too early for such content on basic television!
Our Keepin’ It Country CMA Predictions
With the CMA’s coming up on Thursday night, country fans everywhere are buzzing with anticipation over who will claim the biggest awards. Will Taylor repeat as Entertainer of the Year or could someone else finally upset her shocked face? Could Kelly Clarkson score a major upset for female vocalist? Is there really any other choice besides “Red Solo Cup” for music video of the year?!
Even OUR staff couldn’t agree, so read on and let us know who you think will score big on Thursday night!
Taylor Swift Announces RED Stadium Tour
Last week Taylor Swift made a pretty exciting announcement – that she’ll be heading out on the “RED Tour” in 2013! Taylor will play to fans in both the United States and Canada on this North American Tour, which kicks off March 13th and 14th in Omaha, Nebraska in a double-header. She ends the tour with three back-to-back concerts in Nashville on September 19th, 20th, and 21st. She made the special announcement on ABC’s All Access Nashville with Katie Couric last week.
On The “RED Tour”, Taylor is currently slated to headline 58 shows in 45 cities in 29 states and 3 provinces in 2013. Acclaimed singer/songwriter Ed Sheeran, whose duet with Taylor from her RED album, “Everything Has Changed,” has already reached the #1 position atop iTunes all-genre Top Songs chart, will be a special guest on all of the shows on the tour.
The 2013 dates will include nine stadiums – Detroit’s Ford Field, Dallas’s Cowboys Stadium, Toronto’s Rogers Centre, Winnipeg’s Investors’ Group Field, Vancouver’s BC Place Stadium, Pittsburgh’s Heinz Field, Philadelphia’s Lincoln Financial Field, Foxborough, Mass.’s Gillette Stadium and Chicago’s Soldier Field.
About the tour, Taylor says:
“I didn’t think I could be any more excited about my RED album, but then I start thinking about how I’m going to put the new show together for The RED Tour. I have so many ideas about how to really bring this music to life, and I can’t wait to share the new show with all my fans!”
See the full list of tour dates below. Will you be going?
People’s Choice Awards Begin Open Nominations
The People’s Choice Awards have kicked off their open nominations phase on Tuesday, asking fans on who should make the final ballot for the fan-voted award show. In the country category artists nominated include the Zac Brown Band, Blake Shelton, Carrie Underwood, Taylor Swift, Eric Church, Luke Bryan, Rascal Flatts, Scotty McCreery, Jason Aldean, and Dierks Bentley with the option to write-in your favorite artist that didn’t make the list. Voting is open now at peopleschoice.com/pca.
The award show will air live from Los Angeles’ Nokia Theatre on Wednesday, January 9th at 9 pm EST on CBS. Who are you voting for?
