Brad Paisley:

“George Jones’ life is an example of so many wonderful things. How someone’s God-given gifts can make this a richer, better place.  How one human being can overcome adversity, addiction, and life threatening obstacles time and time again.  That it is not the stumble or fall that counts, but the willingness to stand again. How a keen sense of humor and a twinkle in a person’s eye can still prevail even after all of life’s hard knocks.  How mistakes, missteps, and bad choices are not the end of the world if a person chooses to turn them into something good. And George’s life is above all the strongest example of how the love of a great woman can get a man through anything. All of this made its way beautifully into every note of the greatest voice country music will ever know.  And one of the greatest friends you could ever have.

We miss you already, George.

Brad”

Dolly Parton:

“My heart is absolutely broken.  George Jones was my all time favorite singer and one of my favorite people in the world.  My heart goes out to Nancy and all his family and friends.”

Gary LeVox of Rascal Flatts:

“He was the greatest country vocalist that ever lived! Through the years we have all tried to emulate the passion in his voice, but no one can fill his shoes.”

Merle Haggard:

“The world has lost the greatest country singer of all time. Amen.” 

Easton Corbin:

“I am deeply saddened to hear about the passing of one of my all time heroes, George Jones. Georges’ music was real and he was able to touch thousands through his songs. Not only was he a great singer, but he also had the ability to make you relate to every one of his songs, no matter who you are. He and his music will remain timeless in the world of country music. My thoughts and prayers are with his family through this difficult time.”

Blake Shelton (via Twitter):

Just landed in LA. Listened to “The King Is Gone” and “Who’s Gonna Fill Their Shoes” over and over again just like always. Can’t accept it. Really REALLY bad news. We’ve lost a country music legend. And I’ve lost a hero and a friend. Goodbye George Jones…

Kelly Clarkson (via Twitter):

Sad to hear about George Jones passing. That man touched a lot of lives with his music. Thanks for setting the bar for the rest of us. #RIPGeorgeJones

Read more reactions and quotes below:

Hank Williams Jr.:

“Today is a sad day in Country music.  We have lost another piece of history.  George Jones was not only a good singer, but was a good friend.  He will be missed by many.”

Faith Hill (via Twitter):

We lost one of the best voices God created this morning. Our hearts are saddened to hear that George Jones has passed away. Our thoughts and prayers are with Nancy and all of the family.

Randy Travis:

“I am very thankful I got to know George, he’s one of the greatest singers that ever lived.  I actually loved the man and really enjoyed the time I got to spend with he and Nancy.”

Keith Urban (via Twitter):

If I’m blessed enough to make it there, I look forward to you giving me the grand tour. Rest in peace George Jones!!!!! -KU

The Oak Ridge Boys lead singer Duane Allen:

“There’s a huge emptiness in the music world today from the passing of our good friend George Jones. But, the void is filled with the many memories that will be with us forever. We love you, George.”

Reba McEntire (via Twitter):

My prayers go out to Nancy Jones today. Her partner and husband George Jones passed this morning. We’ll miss George very much. RIP.

Miranda Lambert (via Twitter):

God bless the gift George Jones shared with us. That voice will live on forever.

Dierks Bentley (via Twitter):

man….heartbroken. nancy and @gjpossum had a beautiful marriage and special relationship. love you nancy. long live the possum. gonna miss my buddy. real sad. as sad as i am, i know my friend terry eldredge @TheGrascals is devastated. no bigger fan. many nights listening to jones together. #thedoor

The Farm:

We truly lost one of the best today.Thanks for all your years of great country music that will live on forever. Rest in Peace George Jones. George- you have inspired me since I was a little boy. Performing with you was one of the true highlights of my life. I will miss you. ~NH

Lady Antebellum‘s Hillary Scott (via Twitter):

Saddened by the passing of George Jones Sending prayers up for his wife and family Country Music will never be the same.

Related posts:

1. George Jones Dead at 81
2. Country stars react to Mindy McCready’s suicide
3. George Jones Released From Hospital

See what some of country’s brightest stars had to share about the sad news:

Oak Ridge Boys: We sang “Farther Along” last night in honor of Mindy McCready. One day we will know!!!!!

John Rich: Very sad to hear about Mindy McCready. When I was in Lonestar she was our label mate and we were friends. A tragic end to a talented life.

Jana Kramer: So sad to hear about the loss of Mindy. What an insanely talented woman.

Michelle Wright: As you may know Mindy McCready has passed on. She was a young promising country music artist in the mid ’90′s but faced a number of challenges and I’m so sad that she lost the battle with addiction and mental illness which can also cause depression. I’ve been sober now for several years and I know how hard it can be sometimes. RIP Mindy.

Jimmy Wayne: RIP @mindymccready We met 14 years ago @ Acuff & Rose. Who’d thought 14 years later on this day…. #why

Jason Blaine: Sad to hear about the passing of Mindy McCready. Thoughts & prayers for her young children. Tragic situation.

Carrie Underwood: I grew up listening to Mindy McCready… so sad for her family tonight. Many prayers are going out to them…

See more reactions below:

THE FARM‘s Damien Horne: Prayers go out to Mindy McCready’s family and friends.. She will live on thru her family, friends, fans, and her music~ dh#gonetoosoon

Darius Rucker: My love and prayers go out to Mindy Mccreedy’s family

George Canyon: Sad to hear about the passing of Mindy McCready. My heart goes out to her dear children, family and friends. She made beautiful music and will be missed.

Whitney Duncan: I just saw the news of Mindy McCready. So so tragic. She had a song of mine on her last record “by her side”. Loved her music growing up.

Jason Aldean: Just heard about Mindy McCready. My thoughts and prayers are with her family.

Wynonna Judd: Oh my! Mindy. Dear sweet girl. This is so sad. It just breaks my heart what addiction continues to take from this life.

Jerrod Niemann: Hate hearing about anyone committing suicide. May Mindy McCready rest in peace… #sosad

Related posts:

1. Mindy McCready commits suicide
2. Emergency Order Issued For Mindy McCready’s Son
3. Mindy McCready: Pregnant With Twins

To honor individual Breast Cancer Survivors and those we have lost to this disease, you can e-mail Women Rock For The Cure with the subject line “In Honor” or “In Memory” and the organization will include your loved ones’ names on the Opry Goes Pink Stage Screens on October 30th. The e-mail address is: womenrockforthecure@gmail.com.

Keepin’ It Country would like to take a moment to pay respect to all of the Breast Cancer Survivors and those who have fallen victim to the disease. We encourage those of you who go out to this amazing event to contact us on our Facebook or Twitter and share with us your stories and photographs.

Related posts:

1. Opry Goes Pink Returns October 30th
2. Women Rock For The Cure Announces Young Survivors Retreat
3. VIDEO: Martina McBride Turns The Opry Pink

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!

Related posts:

1. CMT Music Awards Presenters Announced
2. Nominees For The Teen Choice Awards Announced
3. Country Artists Up For Billboard Awards

The show, which begins at 5:00pm, will feature an all-star lineup, including Clint Black, Thompson Square, Lee Brice, Josh Thompson, Jana Kramer, The Farm, Mallary Hope, and The Willis Clan. With the help of sponsors Wrangler, Cricket Wireless, Carl Black Chevrolet, and GAC, fans will be able to enjoy a night of great music at no cost and have the opportunity to contribute to the American Red Cross. Donations may be made on-site.

“Last year was such a great experience to close down Broadway and to raise money and awareness for the American Red Cross we decided to do it again. This is an organization that helps so many people in all of our communities and they need support not just when disaster strikes. Looking forward to getting out there and working with Wrangler Western Wear and Cricket’s Muve Music to raise awareness and party with everyone in Music City,” said Atkins.

If you would like to participate in this event, but are unable to attend, you can stream the concert by visiting Wrangler’s Facebook page.

Related posts:

1. Rodney Atkins He’s Mine Video Premiere
2. Rodney Atkins & Randy Houser Join Thompson Square for 3rd Annual Josie’s Birthday Bash
3. Rodney Atkins Is Taking A Back Road Today

Here’s a little bit on what the group had to say about this big piece of news:

“Dreams do come true….

We poured our hearts and souls into this music… A SPECIAL thanks to Country Radio, our co-producer: Danny Myrick, all the great songwriters that we co-wrote with, Warner/Elektra Records, New Revolution, our managers & agents and especially to ALL THE FARM FANS for your support!!!”

Read the announcement on their Facebook page here and wish the group luck! You’ll be seeing a lot more from them this year, and they were chosen as one of our Ones To Watch for 2012. Read our exclusive interview with Damien Horne, Nick Hoffman and Krista Marie right here on Keepin’ it Country.

Related posts:

1. Jana Kramer Announces Album Release Date
2. Lady Antebellum Announce New Tour Date
3. Dierks Bentley Announces Album Release Date

Krista, Nick, and Damien share what it was like to play the Grand Ole Opry, how hard it is for Krista to work with two boys every day, what Nick learned from Kenny Chesney, and what fans can expect from their debut album expected out later this year. THE FARM is Keepin’ it Country’s Ones To Watch for 2012:

You guys just recently had your Grand Ole Opry Debut.

Damien: We did! It was amazing, it’s one of those things that you really can’t put into words because it’s so magical. It was a surreal experience. We were invited, first of all, which was a shock.

Krista: Especially being so early on in our careers.

Damien: Just being able to play at the Grand Ole Opry and to watch the crowd’s reaction, and being out in that circle where so many legends have played before, was surreal and a magical moment.

Nick: It was a dream come true for all of us for different reasons. You know, when you think about the Opry and what it means to country music – it’s a rite of passage for everybody. When you get the chance to step through a door like that, your career and your life is defined pre-Opry and post-Opry. What a cool experience, like Krista said, to have happened to us so early on in our careers together. Nothing short of a dream come true.

Krista: We were so busy up until just recently on our radio tour, and that was a moment for me personally where I went “wow! this is really for real.” It was a little bit of a light into a doorway to saying “okay, THE FARM is for real, and country music is accepting us.” To be invited back was a  huge honor, and it was such a big moment for all of us.

Nick: We’ve actually been invited back over Twitter (laughs).

Krista: Big points for social media!

So how did the three of you meet?

Damien: We met through song writing. Nashville is a song writers’ haven, and there’s so many people in this town that are such great song writers. You kind of get together with people you don’t really know, maybe through a mutual friend who goes “hey, you should write with so-and-so.”

Nick: It’s the Nashville way.

Damien: It really is. So, you have three individuals who don’t really know each other, who know about each other but don’t really know-know each other. We got together for the  first time together to write.

Nick: Ironically enough, the first song together we ever wrote is called “Home Sweet Home,” our first single. It doesn’t happen very often, and it could have just as easily went the other way. We could have gotten together in a room and tried to find common ground and tried to write a song, and it could have gone the other way “oh, it was really nice to meet you,” you know? Then gone our separate ways, but it didn’t. We ended up writing this song together that made us want to write another one, then another one.

Krista: That first song writing session started our path towards THE FARM and towards being a group.

Nick: None of us were looking at being in a group.

Krista: The three of us were on our on trajectory – Nick was with Kenny for the last 12 years, and was looking for his own solo aspirations. I had a deal with Broken Bow for a while, and Damien was out opening for John Legend and Muzik Mafia. So, we were all out doing our own thing and for this to happen was just really organic.

Like Krista was saying, Nick you were on tour with Kenny Chesney, but is there anyone you’d love to tour with?

Nick: I bet all three of us have different answers for that. Inside of country, the nice thing about THE FARM is that we are all so different and that our influences are all so different that if you listen to our record that is coming out this year, each song is really quite distinctly different from the next one. We really could be right at home with anybody. That’s what’s cool, and that’s what I think the fans are going to like about it is that our music has a little bit of something for everybody: it might be a little injection of Damien’s soul and R&B, or it might be a little bit of Krista’s jazz standards and classics that come through,  or it might be my bone dry country stuff that comes through. You really don’t know what you’re going to get when it comes to THE FARM, and that’s what’s so cool about it.

Krista: I look forward to the day when we’ll get to do a Crossroads, where it’s literally three different genres, or four of them, that come together. Nick could be right there fiddling with Charlie Daniels, I could be up there with Andrea Bocelli, or Damien with John Legend -

Nick:  Crossroads is actually supposed to be different genres coming together. It’s supposed to be the opposite. So, I would be the guy with John Legend, you’d be the one with Charlie Daniels. That’s what Crossroads is.

Krista: But we could put it all together as one, and it could be one giant crazy cool disaster or train wreck – or it could be amazing. We’ll cross that crossroad when we get to it.

So how did you guys come up with your name?

Krista: We were all sitting together and focused on our own solo aspirations and when we finally decided on if we were going to be a group, we looked at each other and said “if we’re going to do this we’re going to have to be all-in, and we’re going to have to bet the farm.”

Damien: We were like oh hey! There’s our name! That’s a cool name, let’s just go with that.

Krista: THE FARM stuck.

If you could write with any artist out there, not necessarily country, who would it be? Dead or alive.

Nick: This is a great question. Two people come to mind instantly for me, but because we’re all so different I think that individually we would all have different answers. That’s the cool thing about our group. For me I’d love to write with Harlan Howard who has written like every monster, monster, monster country music song. I’d love to write with him or I’d love to write with Buck Owens. For me, those two guys are the best country song writers ever out there.

Krista: Just off the top of my head I’d have to say maybe it would be kind of cool to write with Frank Sinatra or Elvis Presley. I mean, come on, right?

Damien: If I could just pick from anybody it definitely would be like Michael Jackson or Stevie Wonder. Maybe Adam Duritz from the Counting Crows.

Nick: I’d love to write with James Taylor. I love that singer-songwriter stuff, I think that would be pretty cool if we got to write with him. On the country side, I’d love to write with Dwight Yoakam.

So, Krista.. does it drive you crazy to be working with two guys?

Krista: Oh my gosh! I thought you’d never ask! You know what, there are moments – wait, Nick is now up on the chair. Nick is in the ceiling…

I think he wants to get out of here after that question.

Damien: Yeah, he’s had enough.

Nick: It’s cold in here! I saw her shivering over there.

Krista: Okay, let me just say that honestly I love these two guys but I’m not going to say that it doesn’t have its wear and tear on me,  but every now and then I wish we had just a little bit more estrogen in the car. We have one female radio rep on the road with us, but most of the time it’s a bunch of guys. Our management team is all guys, and our road team is all guys, so it’s all guys, guys, guys, guys. Which is great, but every now and then it’s nice to have a female around to side up with. I am so happy and so fortunate that we found each other, on the road it’s just so nice to have three people. Nick’s a rock and Damien’s a rock – I’m not sure what I am, but I’m in-between them. It’s just really nice to have them, not only for support, but they’re so talented and I just appreciate, and in a way I’m really honored to be around them.

Nick: That’s so pretty.. so pretty.

Krista: Damien keeps the both of us – Nick and I – on the straight and narrow all the time. When we get a little crazy he just whacks us on the side of the head and tells us to smarten up.

What’s the best piece of advice anyone’s ever given you about the industry?

Krista: The harder you work, the luckier you get.

Nick: The best advice I ever got about the music business I got from my Grandpa. He was a musician and always told me a very similar thing, he said “no matter how far you get, you always have to continue to work hard. You can’t just stop, you can’t rest.” I just believe in that. I believe that the harder you work, the luckier you get.

Krista: You just can’t ever stop, like you said, just look at Kenny Chesney who you were with for 12 years.

Nick: Exactly. I’ve learned a ton from him – that you can’t rest just because you have a number one hit. That you have to always look for the next one. He said that when he’s 90 and on his death bed, he wants to look back at his life and see that he did everything he could. That’s our mantra, and that I promise you and anybody in this industry that we’ll try to give them a run for their money on work ethic. That we’ll try to out work everybody, and that it’s not that they’re not working hard, but that everybody here is going to work harder.

Damien: It’s basically the same thing. The one thing that sticks out in my mind when anybody asks me this is that a good friend of mine from the Muzik Mafia, Cowboy Troy, said to me “hey man, these are the three things that have always worked for me.” Just always be there when the opportunity is there. Second of all, be prepared, be more prepared than everybody else when you show up. There’s always going to be people who have worked just as hard as you have to be right there too. The third thing is to just be consistent in everything you do. It will give you an edge over some people out there. There’s a lot of talented people out there who deserve to be in our position, and we aren’t going to take that lightly. It’s those three things – to be prepared, be there, and be consistent.

Nick: All of us have been in town for a long time. THE FARM is the end of a long three paths that found each other in the end. One of my favorite quotes is from a friend of mine in Big Kenny, and I’ll never forget when he looked me in the eyes and said: “man, if you are positive and you project positive energy, no matter how bad it gets, and you manage to stay positive then that positivity will always come back to you ten-fold.” I believe in that, I believe that it’s easy to get negative when the doors keep getting shut. We’ve all been told no more times than we’ve heard yes. That’s what everybody goes through – Jason Aldean got turned down by every record label five times. I think if you stay positive then good things will happen for you.

Is there one thing that you guys are hoping to accomplish this year?

Krista: Well lets see.. a GRAMMY, an ACM, a CMA -

Nick: One thing! I know this, that our focus is on “Home Sweet Home.” I think the one thing that we want to accomplish is to make it the best first single that it could be. We believe we have a great first record, and we want to see it do as well as it can and get it as far as it can, and get as many people to hear the song as possible. To really break it all down – it’s really all about that, and what an honor it is to have an opportunity to get a song out on a major label and on the radio. It’s a dream come true.

Have you heard it on the radio yet?

Nick: We have! We were all together, actually, the first time we heard it.

Krista: We were driving through Norfolk, Virginia. It was on The Eagle in Virginia, and we were going up there to play a show and it just came on as we were on the way to the venue. That was the first time that all three of us have heard it on the radio for the first time. It was a moment for us.

Nick: It was really a strange thing because they’re back in the backseat freaking out, and I’m in the front seat trying not to cry. Literally, it was that big of a deal. It was a really interesting juxtaposition because they were filming it and they were like “yeah!! lets go look at Nick!” and I’m like crying.

Krista: We were like “Nick? Are you alright? Nick looks upset!”

Nick: So they were like “lets put the camera back on us. YEAH!!” It was a really cool moment, and really cool that we got to experience it together. It was our first.

Krista: We were really fortunate too to have some really great radio guys to come on early too, and to really believe and take a leap of faith and play our music early. They were one, and that is really where it all starts. Without them, we wouldn’t have been heard.

Nick: A big part of it is too is when we get the question that always gets asked – “if you could tell fans one thing about you guys, what would it be?”. I was thinking about that on the way to see you, and one of the reasons these people are taking a shot on us is because they like the song, but also, seeing us live is really fun. We try to bring all the fun we can with us to our shows. We try to tell our fans to just please come see us because you’ll come see us again. Be ready to party.

Krista: Yeah, get your farm party on! Get ready to shake your booty.

Is there anything else you want to say?

Damien: I love you momma.

Nick: We just want our fans to come out on this journey with us. A group is a little different than a solo act because you’re watching it evolve before your eyes. So, anybody who comes along with us on our journey and starts early… we want to all evolve together. I think this thing for us is all about bringing the music to people.

—

THE FARM’s debut album is coming out later this year. Stay tuned to Keepin’ it Country for more details on their debut album. Their first single “Home Sweet Home” is out on radio now! Make sure to let us know where you hear it.

Related posts:

1. PHOTO OF THE DAY: The Farm Backstage at the Opry
2. The Farm To Make Opry Debut
3. Review: Single – “Home Sweet Home” by The Farm

The group originally made their debut as a songwriting trio on the Opry stage back in February, when I had the chance to sit down with them for an interview which will appear on our site later this week. THE FARM is made up of Nick Hoffman (fiddle, vocals), Damien Horne (vocals, keyboard, guitar) and Krista Marie (vocals, guitar).  They performed with a full band on their April appearance, with both their first single “Home Sweet Home,” and “Be Grateful” which will also appear on their debut album.

PHOTO: Krista Marie; Danny Myrick (Co-producer; Co-writer “Home Sweet Home”) Nick Hoffman, Damien Horne.

THE FARM will be releasing their debut album on All-In Records/Elektra Nashville later this year.

Related posts:

1. The Farm To Make Opry Debut
2. Rascal Flatts Become Grand Ole Opry Members As The Opry Turns 86
3. Review: Single – “Home Sweet Home” by The Farm