Gibson announces Brad Paisley acoustic guitar

You should know this by now, but we'll say it again anyway: In addition to being one of Music City's most affable stars, country hit-maker Brad Paisley is one heck of a guitar picker. The folks over at Gibson Guitar certainly know this, and they're giving Paisley his very own Gibson acoustic guitar model.

The Brad Paisley Gibson Acoustic J-45 is based on the 1942 J-45 Legend Model flat-top acoustic, set to Paisley's preferences and adorned with his signature. There's no shortage of spruced-up features on this thing, and you can check out the full rundown at Gibson's site.

We'll keep it short and sweet for the folks who don't want to think about "a hand-sprayed nitrocellulose lacquer custom early 1960s style Cherry Sunburst finish." This guitar is pretty darn fancy. They're only making 300 of them, and it'll set you back a little over $5,000 to own one. Perhaps Paisley will pull one of these babies out during his H20 tour this summer.

Lonestar visits 'The Price is Right'

Lonestar fans should tune in to The Price is Right on Thursday, June 16, as the country crew takes over house-band duties on the long-running game show.

The band's been making the TV rounds of late showing off their newest album, Party Heard Around the World, which hit stores in April. And hints are afoot that this Price is Right episode won't be prize-boring: The band's press folks say that viewers can expect an "exciting showcase," replete with a San Diego trip, Lonestar concert tickets and merch and the favored Price bounty ("a new car!").

The Drew Carey-hosted game show airs on CBS weekdays at 10 a.m. locally.

Rodney Atkins Live on the Lot for FREE performance and autograph signing

Carl Black kick starts CMA Music Festival with Rodney Atkins and all his fans Live on the Lot Tuesday, June 8, 5p-8p

Join WSIX's Big D and Bubba Live on the Lot at 5:00 pm to claim your spot for the concert and autograph line. Dinner is on us and provided by our friends at Hooters and Bar B Cutie as well as the famous "Carl Black hotdogs". Free ice cold Coca Cola products in the bed of the Silverado. Bring the whole family to meet Rodney and hear him talk about his Carl Black Chevy Silverado oh yea, and sing some number one hits and his new single Farmer's Daughter.

Be sure and Register To Win Rodney autographed items including a Gibson Epiphone guitar and more on site at the Carl Black kiosk.

George Strait Re-Issues Live CD, Announces Fall Tour Dates

The ACM Artist of the Decade, George Strait, just announced the re-release of a classic Strait concert album and additional fall tour dates. In September and October, George will be taking his show across the U.S., starting September 9 in Columbus, Ohio. Summer tour mates Reba McEntire and Lee Ann Womack will also be joining him in these cities:

September 9 – Columbus, OH – Nationwide Arena

September 10 – Lexington, KY – Rupp Arena

September 11 – Nashville, TN – Bridgestone Arena

September 16 – Columbia, SC – Colonial Life Arena

September 17 – Birmingham, AL – BJCC

September 18 – Bossier City, LA – CenturyTel Center

October 14 – Pittsburgh, PA – Consol Energy Center

October 15 – Philadelphia, PA – Wachovia

October 16 – Buffalo, NY – HSBC Arena
October 21 – Minneapolis, MN – Target Center

October 22 – Fargo, ND – Fargodome


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KEITH URBAN TO PERFORM AT STARRY NIGHT BENEFIT CONCERT IN LOS ANGELES ON JULY 23

Keith will headline the GRAMMY Foundation®'s signature benefit Starry Night concert on July 23, 2010, at the LA Tennis Center at the University of California, Los Angeles.

This event is presented in association with the Farmers Classic tennis tournament and will be held three nights before the tournament opens. Starry Night will benefit the GRAMMY Foundation's GRAMMY in the Schools® music education programs for high school students and the Southern California Tennis Association Foundation. Keith is serving as GRAMMY Camp's honorary dean to affirm his commitment to the GRAMMY Foundation's music education programs for young people.

"Keith Urban's career is defined by both exceptional musicianship and extraordinary generosity," said Neil Portnow, President/CEO of The Recording Academy® and the GRAMMY Foundation. "And it is meaningful and moving that Keith is lending his time and talents during the busy summer touring season in support of the GRAMMY Foundation and our GRAMMY in the Schools music education programs. We are also delighted to have the Avett Brothers showcase their unique and powerful music at our Starry Night benefit."

"I was so fortunate to have been exposed to music at such a young age," said Keith. "It touched my heart and opened up a world of adventure and possibilities beyond anything I’d ever known. Being a part of this concert, supporting the efforts of the GRAMMY Foundation and the Southern California Tennis Association Foundation, is something that I feel very strongly about, because I know firsthand what art, music and sport can do for our youth."

Tickets for the public go on sale at Ticketmaster on June 11 at 10AM PST.

Kellie Pickler Plans Signing at Opry Originals Shop

Kellie Pickler will be visiting with fans and signing autographs at Opry Originals: The Shop on Broadway located in downtown Nashville’s famed Lower Broadway area on Thurs., June 10, Noon – 2 p.m. Central. Kellie will perform a 30-minute acoustic performance in the store following the signing. Opening at 8 a.m., the store will distribute a limited number of autograph vouchers with the purchase of a Pickler CD or Pickler-branded prints and photos created exclusively for the signing at Opry Originals.

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Jamey Johnson, LeAnn Rimes, Keith Urban, John Mayer Join CMT Music Awards

Jamey Johnson, LeAnn Rimes, Keith Urban and John Mayer have been added to the performance lineup of the 2010 CMT Music Awards, which will air live June 9 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on CMT. Johnson will debut "Macon", a moody Southern-rock infused song from his upcoming fall release, while Rimes will perform a fully choreographed rendition of John Anderson's "Swingin'," from her forthcoming album, Lady and Gentlemen. In addition, CMT Crossroads partners John Mayer and Keith Urban will perform "Hit the Ground Running," a song featured on Urban's Defying Gravity album, for the first time on television. All performances from the 2010 CMT Music Awards will be streamed live and available for viewing after the show on CMT.com. Hosted by Kid Rock, the event will also feature previously announced performers Toby Keith, Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert, Tim McGraw, Brad Paisley, Carrie Underwood and the Zac Brown Band.

CMA Music Festival App

This is the official app for CMA Music Festival being held in Downtown Nashville, June 10-13. It is your official electronic guide to the festival! Find out when your favorite artists and bands are playing, create your own schedule, read about all of the artists playing at the festival, and navigate your way around Downtown Nashville...The CMA Music Festival app is your one-stop shop for everything going on downtown!

Get the official CMA Festival app here

"House That Built Me" Finds A Home At #1!

Fresh off the heels of her three ACM Awards including Top Female Vocalist and Album and Video of the Year, Miranda Lambert scores her second # 1 single with “The House That Built Me.” Earlier this year Lambert notched her first # 1 single with the self penned “White Liar,” from her critically acclaimed and award winning third album, Revolution.


Of the 14 tracks that comprise Revolution, Lambert wrote or co-wrote 11. And while she did not write “The House That Built Me,” the song has a special place in the hearts of Lambert and her parents. Lambert explains, "When I was about 5-years-old, my parents had their own business. And, you know, when the phone stops ringing and you're self-employed...the phone stops ringing. So we had to move and live with my uncle for a while. Then we got to rent this huge farmhouse that was dilapidated, I mean, it was in terrible shape. But it had so much potential and my mom could see that. We didn’t have a lot, but we had everything we needed and I don't feel like I ever missed out on one thing. I really learned valuable lessons at a young age and it means a lot to my parents because that made me who I am. 'The House That Built Me' describes that perfectly. I feel like the fact that I recorded this song lets my parents know that they did a good job with me."

After her headlining tour “Roadside Bars & Pink Guitars” makes a Texas stop this weekend, Lambert will head to Nashville for the CMT Awards where she’s nominated for “Video of the Year” and “Female Video of the Year” for “White Liar. She’ll also take part in the CMA Music Festival where she will perform on the LP Field stage on Friday night, June 11 and closing out the week with her appearance at Bonnaroo on Sunday, June 13th.

Three-time Grammy nominee, platinum-selling recording artist and hit singer/songwriter Miranda Lambert scored three awards at this year’s Academy of Country Music awards, including Album of the Year for Revolution, Female Vocalist of the Year and Video of the Year for “White Liar.” Her critically-acclaimed third album, Revolution debuted at number One and joins her previous two releases that debuted at the very top of Billboard’s Country Album Charts making her one of three artists in country music history whose first three albums landed the Number One spot out of the box.

Lambert received rare perfect reviews from countless publications including 4 stars from Rolling Stone and USA Today, an ‘A’ from Entertainment Weekly and exuberant praise from SPIN, NY Times, Washington Post and more. Many have claimed Revolution the “Best Album of the Year” in any genre including Houston Chronicle and NPR’s All Things Considered.

She won the coveted ACM Album of the Year in 2008 and ACM Best New Female Award in 2007.

With this much artillery under her belt, it’s no surprise the fiery Texas bombshell packs a pretty hard punch - her live shows no exception. She is currently headlining the “Roadside Bars and Pink Guitars” tour. For more information, visit http://www.mirandalambert.com/.

Taylor Swift Plans 13-Hour Sign-A-Thon

She was born on Dec. 13, and Taylor Swift — whose Twitter account is @taylorswift13 — has forever deemed 13 her lucky number. She’ll put it to work in spades during the CMA Music Festival when she signs autographs for 13 hours on June 13.


Set for Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena, the marathon event kicks off at 8 a.m. and runs until 9 p.m. Taylor plans a short break around 2 p.m. to give an acoustic performance — hopefully six hours of inking her name will not have impaired her ability to clutch a microphone or play her guitar.

“My favorite thing about CMA Music Fest has always been getting to spend time with the fans, so this year I wanted to figure out a way to meet as many of them as possible,” Taylor says. “Thirteen is my lucky number, and the 13th is during Music Fest, so I think spending 13 hours that day with my fans is going to be amazing!”

Assuming she completes the mission, Taylor will eclipse her previous Music Fest peak. She signed autographs for eight hours two years ago.

The Bridgestone event is Taylor’s only Music Fest performance this year, though it’s not the only time she’ll be at Nashville’s downtown arena this summer. She’s also on the bill June 22 for Tim McGraw and Faith Hill’s flood-relief benefit. Others slated for that night include Brooks & Dunn, Carrie Underwood, Miley Cyrus, Miranda Lambert, Jason Aldean, LeAnn Rimes, Michael W. Smith, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Martina McBride, Amy Grant and Luke Bryan.

Rodney Atkins, Joe Nichols & Others Kick Off CMA Music Fest with Parade, Block Party

Chevy: The Official Ride of Country Music will help kick off the 2010 CMA Music Festival on June 9 with “The Sixth Annual CMA Music Festival Kick-Off Parade” at 11:30 a.m. Central through the streets of downtown Nashville.


Brenda Lee will serve as Grand Marshal and other artists participating in the parade include Lynn Anderson, Katie Armiger, Rodney Atkins, The Band Perry, Bo Bice, Ash Bowers, Carter Twins, Jeff Cook, Diana DeGarmo, Fast Ryde, Colt Ford, Brantley Gilbert, Gloriana, Josh Gracin, The Grascals, The Harters, Buddy Jewell, KingBilly, Jesse Lee, LoCash Cowboys, Lonestar, Jerrod Niemann, James Otto, Danielle Peck, Point of Grace, Marty Raybon, Pam Tillis, Trent Tomlinson, and Chuck Wicks. Members of the National Guard will drive artists along the parade route in Chevy vehicles, including the all new 2011 Silverado HD and the Military Specialty Camaro.

“Chevrolet has had a longstanding, natural relationship with country music, commonly and proudly rooted in American tradition,” said Phil Caruso, Chevrolet Sales Promotion Manager. “We’re excited about this year’s festival and happy to provide fans access to their favorite artists and opportunities to experience Chevrolet’s newest products and technologies.”

After the parade, “The Fifth Annual CMA Music Festival Block Party” will take place on the Chevy Music Stage on the Bridgestone Arena Plaza. The event is free and open to the public and performances are scheduled by David Nail, Chuck Wicks, Jerrod Niemann, Joe Nichols, and Randy Houser.

“CMA is proud to have such a great partner in Chevy,” said Sheri Warnke, CMA Vice President of Strategic Partnerships. “These two great events will certainly help rev up the excitement for this year’s Festival.”

Four more days of live entertainment on the Chevy Music Stage follow The Block Party and are also free and open to the public. Among those scheduled to perform are Bomshel, Mark Wills, Emily West, Ash Bowers, Whitney Duncan, and Jason Michael Carroll.

Country Music fans will have the opportunity to test drive brand new Chevys during CMA Music Festival. Chevy will donate $10 for every test drive to the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee to aid relief efforts for victims of the recent floods.

Chevy is also giving away a ticket upgrade to the Nightly Concerts at LP Field, will host activities, appearances and meet and greets on the Chevy Stage in the Sports Zone and will also have a booth in the Greased Lightning Fan Fair Hall.

The 5th Annual CMA Music Festival Block Party

If you're heading to Nashville for CMA Music Fest, get your pen and to do list ready! Wednesday, June 9th, Randy Houser will hit the stage at The Fifth Annual CMA Music Festival Block Party! The FREE show takes place on the Chevy Music Stage on the Bridgestone Arena Plaza (at the corner of Fifth Avenue and Broadway). T...he party star...ts at 12:50PM and Randy hits the stage at 3:30PM!


Full line-up includes...

1:00 PM - David Nail

1:35 PM - Chuck Wicks

2:10 PM - Jerrod Neimann

2:45 PM - Joe Nichols

3:30 PM - Randy Houser

For more information on the 2010 CMA Music Fest visit http://www.cmafest.com/

Hank Williams 'Complete Mother’s Best Recordings… Plus!' due in September

Those who figured the two recent box sets of Hank Williams’ “Mother’s Best” recordings represented the mother lode of Williams’ work were only partially correct.


Those box sets will be combined into one massive collector's box, with 15 audio discs featuring pristinely recorded songs and conversation, a DVD which features interviews with band member Don Helms and opening act Big Bill Lister and over 100 pages of liner notes from historian Colin Escott.

Set for a September 28 release, Hank Williams Complete Mother’s Best Recordings… Plus! will be packaged in an antique working radio that will play Williams’ songs when the dial is pressed.

For more on the set, visit http://www.hankwilliamsmothersbest.com/.

Alan Jackson's home sells for $28 million

The Williamson County home of country music star Alan Jackson and his wife, Denise, has sold for a record $28 million — $10 million less than the asking price.


It is the most expensive residential sale in the greater Nashville area since 1997 and the first sale to surpass the $11.4 million paid for Tanya Tucker's Williamson County home in 2007, according to Lucy Smith, president of the Greater Nashville Association of Realtors.

The buyers of record are Willis J. Johnson and Reba J. Johnson, trustees of Willis J. and Reba J. Johnson Revocable Trust. The home closed May 28, according to Williamson County property records.

The Franklin home, which was on the market for 11 months, includes more than 17,000 square feet of living in the property's six-bedroom house, a 20-car garage, a log cabin and barn with a two-bedroom apartment and a stocked and aerated lake with a boat house. The property sits on 135 acres on scenic Moran Road, which is lined by large, high-end residences with acreage and livestock. The road, usually off the beaten path, has seen high traffic in the month since the floods peeled 800 feet of pavement off nearby Sneed Road.


Forbes.com ranked Alan Jackson ninth among the nation's top-earning country music stars, estimating his 2009-10 earnings at $12 million.

http://www.tennessean.com/article/20100601/ENTERTAINMENT06/100601073

Taylor Swift, Kenny Chesney Deliver Strong Performances at Bayou Country Superfest

BATON ROUGE, La. -- Louisiana State University's Tiger Stadium -- aka Death Valley -- experiences throngs of passionate football fans every fall. But months before the onslaught of Tiger mania, the first-ever Bayou Country Superfest inspired comparable excitement in the venerable stadium during Memorial Day weekend.


Featuring headliners Kenny Chesney and Taylor Swift, plus Brooks & Dunn, Keith Urban, Kellie Pickler, Jason Aldean, Jake Owen, David Nail, Justin Moore and Gloriana, Superfest's marathon Saturday and Sunday (May 29-30) concerts drew a two-day total of 85,000 to the LSU campus.

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More Artists Join CW Fashion Show

Additional artists have been added to the 4th Annual Country Weekly Fashion Show and Concert, which will be held June 8 at Nashville’s Wildhorse Saloon.


Joining host Clay Walker, emcee Suzanne Alexander (GAC) and already announced artists Joe Nichols, Love and Theft, Bucky Covington, Pam Tillis, Aaron Tippin and Thea Tippin are Katie Armiger, Trailer Choir, Cowboy Troy, Julie Roberts, Carter Twins, Trent Tomlinson, Sarah Darling, Whitney Duncan, Danielle Peck, Burns & Poe, Gwen Sebastian, Jesse Lee, Coldwater Jane, Brett Eldredge, Jeremy Crady, Brian Stace, Jessie James, John Carter and Johnny Gates of The Invite.

The event benefits Musicians On Call, a nonprofit organization with the mission of bringing music to the bedsides of patients in healthcare facilities.

Doors open at 11 a.m. for the event. At 11:30 a.m. Joe Nichols will sit down with After Midnite’s Blair Garner for an intimate one on one conversation about Joe’s evolution in the music business over the past few years followed by a short acoustic performance. The Fashion Show begins at 12 noon with acoustic performances following at 1 p.m.

Premium seating tickets are available at http://www.musiciansoncall.org/ and all other tickets (starting at $35) can be purchased at http://www.ticketmaster.com/. All tickets include lunch.

The Country Weekly Fashion Show and Concert is sponsored by Durango, Wrangler, Roper, Silpada Designs and Lifetime Television.

VISIT GAC’S BOOTH & MEET THE STARS!

GAC will once again be on-hand at the CMA Music Festival exhibition hall with a star-studded line up of artists. If you plan to be this year's CMA Music Festival, plan to spend some time taking pictures and getting autographs at the GAC Booth — #200! Note: Artists' schedules are subject to change. Please stop by the GAC booth for the most up-to-date schedule.
Some artists scheduled to appear are: Luke Bryan, Jake Owen, Jerrod Niemann, Randy Houser, Bo Bice, Kellie Pickler and many more!

CLICK HERE TO SEE FULL LIST AND SCHEDULE

Brad Paisley's H20 Tour gets rave reviews

Brad Paisley's 2010 H20 Tour has hit the road and is taking the country by storm! The reviews are flooding in and AOL's TheBoot.com says "Ticket buyers beware: Attending a show on Brad Paisley's H20 World Tour may spoil you for all other concerts and festivals and perhaps even Disney World." Don't miss it - tickets available at http://www.bradpaisley.com/

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Nike Donates Merchandise To Flood Victims

Hands On Nashville, Nike and Metro Schools worked together Friday to distribute 35,000 pieces of Nike merchandise to families of flood victims at McGavock Elementary School.


When the flood hit the region, employees at the Opry Mills Nike Factory Store went inside the store by boat and salvaged the items.

Instead of simply throwing the items away, Nike decided to give them away to about 4,000 flood victims who need help.

Nashville school employees selected families of students who had been affected by the flood to receive the free items.

MNPS students, faculty and their families, along with other flood-affected households, were invited by local churches to visit McGavock to select merchandise. The store was staffed by more than 100 Hands On Nashville volunteers and Nike employees throughout the day to help with distribution.

In addition to donating the merchandise from the Opry Mills Factory Store, Nike also donated $50,000 to Hands On Nashville’s flood relief efforts.

Each family member was able to take home 10 items.
 
http://www.wsmv.com/community/23710012/detail.html

Dierks Bentley Switches Things Up

Dierks Bentley has built his reputation as an artist by mixing mainstream country with alternative sounds, playing clubs with Cross Canadian Ragweed and even playing a date on Chicago’s Lollapalooza stage.


But for his next album, Up On The Ridge, he’s scaling back on the volume for an album that’s built around acoustic and bluegrass sounds. One of country’s hardest-working artists, Dierks used the opportunity to scale back on his schedule, too.

“I love bluegrass. I love acoustic music, so I’ve always wanted to make a record like this,” he told Billboard. “Last year, I needed to slow the wheels down a little bit, take some time off to make this kind of record. The original thought was I’d make a bluegrass record and a country record. And once I started working on the bluegrass record, I quickly became aware that this was the only record I’d be making, because we started breaking down the barriers between genres.”

Dierks enlisted a bunch of fellow artists to appear on the album, including Jamey Johnson, Alison Krauss, Vince Gill, Miranda Lambert, Kris Kristofferson, Chris Stapleton and Del McCoury. In fact, Dierks hit the road with Del on the Up On The Ridge Tour, though he finished it before the album even came out.

Up On The Ridge is officially in stores on Tuesday, June 8.