Aaron Kelly Going Nashville
Last night was an ending and a beginning for Aaron Kelly. The “American Idol” tour ended with a concert in Indianapolis – which begins what he hopes will be a successful country career. Kelly says he’ll be looking for an apartment in Nashville, a town he’s very familiar with because he’s been going there with his mom since he was 11. Kelly says he’s been writing music so he can “be 100 percent prepared” to show music executives he can be a country idol.
Jeff Bridges Ready To Get Back To Music
Jeff Bridges says “Crazy Heart” really fanned his “music flame.” So he’s taking that heat and creating more music. The actor says he’s “put a little band together” to play some gigs. He’s starting by performing tonight and Thursday at Fallsview Casino on the Canadian side of Niagara Falls. Bridges also says he and T Bone Burnett, who produced the music in “Crazy Heart,” are talking about doing more music together.
Blake Shelton’s Concert Special
With the No. 1 country song, “All About Tonight,” Blake Shelton’s taking the next step by doing his first TV concert special. “Blake Shelton Live: It’s All About Tonight” airs on GAC September 8th. It was shot at Roberts Stadium in Evansville, Indiana. The 90-minute special includes a duet with Miranda Lambert.
Nashville Songwriters Hall Of Fame
Four songwriters will be honored by the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. The induction ceremony is October 17th. Stephen Foster is considered America’s first professional songwriter and is remembered for songs like “Oh! Susanna” and “Camptown Races.” The other posthumous award is going to Paul Davis. He wrote Tanya Tucker’s “Love Me Like You Used To” and Lorrie Morgan’s “Back in Your Arms Again.” Pat Alger collaborated with Garth Brooks for “The Thunder Rolls,” “Unanswered Prayers” and others. He also wrote Hal Ketchum’s “Small Town Saturday Night.” Also being honored is Steve Cropper who wrote some non-country classics including “The Dock of the Bay,” “In the Midnight Hour,” “Green Onions” and “Knock on Wood.”
Barbara Mandrell, Sisters Join Charity Event
Barbara Mandrell and her sisters Louise and Irlene will mingle and take photos with guests at the Nashville Palace in Nashville tomorrow for a charity event hosted by Barbara’s daughter, Jaime Dudney. The event raises money for Suba Environmental Education of Kenya, a nonprofit that provides ministries, environmental education, orphan care and HIV relief. Auction items include the sparkling green dress worn by Reba McEntire at the 2010 CMT Music Awards, an autographed dulcimer from Dolly Parton, an autographed guitar from Kenny Chesney, the wardrobe from Little Big Town’s “Little White Church” video, and a Wonder Woman lunchbox autographed by Lynda Carter.
Brad Paisley Distributes More Water
Brad Paisley has announced the second leg of his “H2O World Tour.” Thirteen dates have been added to the previously announced 45 stops – extending the tour through November 20th. The tour has played to more than 600,000 fans in just three months with 38 sellouts, including 51,000-plus in Gillette Stadium near Boston. Darius Rucker and Justin Moore will continue to open the shows.
Tim McGraw Honored For Women’s Shelter Fundraising
Tim McGraw will accept an award in October for his fundraising efforts with his wife, Faith Hill, on behalf of battered women’s shelters in Tennessee. The True Ally Award will be presented to McGraw at the 2010 Men Stopping Violence annual awards dinner in Atlanta on October 2nd. The dinner recognizes men who have dedicated time and resources to fostering safety and justice for women.
Currington Sets Record
Billy Currington drew more than 20,000 fans Saturday night to Cardinal Stadium in Louisville to surpass a 20-year Kentucky State Fair attendance record previously set by Charlie Daniels. Currington releases his fourth album, “Enjoy Yourself,” on September 21st.
Jake Owen’s Concert Moved To Larger Venue
Jake Owen’s annual concert in Vero Beach, Florida, will take place in a bigger venue this year. The show, which has sold out four years in a row, will now be held at the historic Holman Stadium on December 10th. The annual concert is part of the Mardy’s Tennis & Jake’s Music Fest to Benefit the Mardy Fish Foundation. It will take place in the baseball stadium used as the summer home for the Los Angeles Dodgers. General admission tickets run $15.
Jerrod Niemann Nabs First CMA Nod
Jerrod Niemann is one happy camper after he earned his first Country Music Association award nomination yesterday. Niemann is up for New Artist of the Year. His career has exploded this year thanks in large part to his chart-topping album, “Judge Jerrod & The Hung Jury,” which debuted at No. 1. He also hit it big with the No. 1 single “Lover, Lover.” Jerrod will be on the road with Gary Allan and Randy House on Allan’s “Get Off On The Pain” tour, which begins September 9th.
Joey+Rory Team Up With Southwest Airlines
Joey+Rory are flying high after teaming up with Southwest Airlines for a sweepstakes called “This Trip’s For You.” The contest kicks off this week and runs through September 20th. The title of the contest is a play on their current single, “This Song’s For You.” Southwest Airlines will send one lucky winner and their guest to Houston to see the duo perform. Joey+Rory will join Don Williams for a month of theatre shows beginning September 30th. Meanwhile, the duo was nominated yesterday for Duo of the Year by the CMA. Their next album, “Album Number Two,” drops September 14th.
CMA Nods
Miranda Lambert competes against herself in two categories in the first round of nominees announced yesterday by the Country Music Association. Nominees were announced in seven categories and the remaining five categories will be revealed today on ABC’s “Good Morning America.” Lambert’s songs, “The House That Built Me” and “White Liar,” are nominated in the Single of the Year and Music Video of the Year categories. Lambert also is up for Song of the Year for “White Liar,” which she co-wrote with Natalie Hemby. The 44th Annual CMA Awards will air live on ABC from Nashville on November 10th. The categories and nominees announced yesterday:
New Artist of the Year: Luke Bryan, Easton Corbin, Jerrod Niemann, Chris Young and Zac Brown Band.
Vocal Group of the Year: Lady Antebellum, Little Big Town, Rascal Flatts, The Band Perry and Zac Brown Band.
Vocal Duo of the Year: Brooks & Dunn, Joey + Rory, Montgomery Gentry, Steel Magnolia and Sugarland.
Single of the Year: “A Little More Country Than That” – Easton Corbin, “Hillbilly Bone” – Blake Shelton f/ Trace Adkins, “Need You Now” – Lady Antebellum, “The House That Built Me” – Miranda Lambert, and “White Liar” – Miranda Lambert.
Song of the Year: “A Little More Country Than That” – Eason Corbin, “Need You Now” – Lady Antebellum, “The House That Built Me” Miranda Lambert, “Toes” – Zac Brown Band and “White Liar” – Miranda Lambert.
Music Video of the Year: “Hillbilly Bone” – Blake Shelton f/ Trace Adkins, “Need You Now” – Lady Antebellum, “The House That Built Me” – Miranda Lambert, “Water” – Brad Paisley and “White Liar” – Miranda Lambert.
Musician of the Year: Paul Franklin, steel guitar; Dann Huff, guitar; Brent Mason, guitar; Mac McAnally, guitar; and Randy Scruggs, guitar.
