recently returned to “Dancing with the Stars” to perform her current
single “Little Bit Gypsy” from her recently released album, The Woman I Am. It was Pickler’s last night as the reigning Mirror Ball Trophy winner. Earlier that morning, Pickler had performed “Little Bit Gypsy” on “The View.” Pickler
also performed in “Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade” on Nov. 28, and was
scheduled to perform on “CMA Country Christmas” on Monday, Dec. 2 on
ABC. She was recently announced as a performer for the “American Country
Awards” on Tuesday, Dec. 10 on FOX. Pickler is nominated for an ACA Award for Music Video of the Year – Female for “Someone Somewhere Tonight” from The Woman I Am.
which helps provide medical and financial assistance to music community
members in need, with a $10,000 donation to aid in their efforts. “We
first learned about the program when we visited the offices of The
Recording Academy® in LA and were completely blown away by
what the organization does to help support our music community,” shares
FGL’s Brian Kelley. “We couldn’t think of a better way to show our
support.” FGL’s Tyler Hubbard adds, “This year has been full of amazing
blessings for us and we are so thankful to be able to give back and show
our gratitude.”
NEWS: TEN is the title of the latest digital album from Nu-Blu,
founded ten years ago by husband and wife team, Carolyn and Daniel
Routh. Nu-Blu has become one of today’s most popular bluegrass
groups. Now with five albums to their credit, Nu-Blu has developed a
unique sound that combines their love for bluegrass music and respect
for its traditional roots, along with an edgy feel that gives their
music a fresh energy and spirit. More at www.Nu-Blu.com
RELEASES: On 11/25, FGL released HERE’S TO THE GOOD TIMES…THIS IS HOW
WE ROLL, a deluxe CD/DVD version of their Republic Nashville
chart-topping debut, which produced three consecutive, multi-week #1
smashes in the US and Canada – GOLD-certified “Round Here,”
PLATINUM-certified “Get Your Shine On” and MULTI-PLATINUM “Cruise” – and
their Top 20-and-climbing single “Stay.” The enhanced project will
include five new songs, the buzzed about “Cruise” (Remix) featuring
Nelly and a look at the making of the album, in addition to all official
music videos with behind-the-scenes footage – “Cruise” directed by
Brian Lazzaro, “Cruise” (Remix) featuring Nelly directed by Marc
Klasfeld, “Get Your Shine On” directed by Declan Whitebloom, “Round
Here” and “Stay” directed by Peter Zavadil – and the unreleased video
for “It’z Just What We Do,” directed by Michael Monaco. Co-writer Luke
Bryan, who the hot duo opened for on his DIRT ROAD DIARIES TOUR, is
featured on the title track “This Is How We Roll.”
CHARITY
NEWS: Christmas 4 Kids, Inc. is a two day event that is the result of a
year of fund raising by the organization. The event is held in December
each year. On the first day, December 16th, for a small donation per
person, the public has the opportunity to tour the buses of some of
their favorite country music stars. 50 buses are expected this year.
The buses are open from 5:00 PM. to 9:00 PM. at Walmart in
Hendersonville (weather permitting). The artists are invited to come out
after 5:00 PM. to sign autographs. For he second day of the event, all
the buses are sent to the schools to pick up the children who enjoy a
meal and a photo session with Santa. After a couple of hours of fun at
the church, they once again board the buses. Their
destination…Wal-Mart and shopping. Each child is assigned an adult
chaperone before entering the store. This is for security reasons and
to be sure that each child spends their $150 on anything THEY want.
MUSIC HALL OF FAME: Country Music Hall of Fame dates to remember.
December 10, 7:30pm: A Celebration of Museum Artist Members 2013, a
Benefit for the CMHoF featuring Katie Armiger, Brent Cobb, Chris Janson
and Corey Smith…. December 21, 2:00pm: ‘Sweet Dreams & Holiday
Cheer.’ Mandy Barnett will perform songs from and discuss her new album,
‘I Can’t Stop Loving You: The Songs of Don Gibson.’ Details at www.countrymusichalloffame.org
and with select online retailers. The Cracker Barrel Old Country Store®
exclusive album release, featuring 12 classic songs, fulfills a promise
Barnett made to her friend, Gibson, that she would one day record an
album of his music. It celebrates the Country Music Hall of Fame
member’s legacy and coincides with the 10th anniversary of Gibson’s
death on Nov. 17, 2003. “I Can’t Stop Loving You: The Songs of Don Gibson” sells for $11.99. “I Can’t Stop Loving You: The Songs of Don Gibson”
was produced by Barnett and recorded in Nashville. It features
legendary musicians and Country Music Hall of Fame members Harold
Bradley, Hargus “Pig” Robbins, and Charlie McCoy, all of whom played on
several of Gibson’s original recordings of these songs. The 12 songs
featured on “I Can’t Stop Loving You: The Songs of Don Gibson” (were all written by Gibson)
a seasonal single and video filled with the Virginia troubadour’s
down-home warmth and charm. The video, directed by Andrew Piland,
inspires a sense of peace and quietude, reflecting a season of
restoration and hope. The striking red barn and manor house featured
throughout the video are located at Windsor Castle Park in historic
Smithfield, Virginia. Additional scenes were shot inside downtown
Smithfield’s The Christmas Store. Fans can purchase the ALMOST
CHRISTMAS EP (Northwind Records) and single online at Amazon and iTunes. More info at www.mikeaikenmusic.com.
NEWS: The Songwriter Agency now represents Country Artists Jo Dee
Messina. Jo Dee has charted 23 singles on the Billboard charts including
“Bye Bye”, “I’m Alright”, “Lesson In Leavin”, “Heads Carolina Tails
California”, and “Bring On The Rain”. Check out the video for her new
single, “Peace Sign”.
Colt Ford’s “Ride Through the Country (Revisited)” is a new spin on the
album that started it all. The new album features favorite old songs
with some new artists joining in. Download it on iTunes
now and hear the new album featuring Wynonna, Ronnie Dunn, Joe Diffie,
John Michael Montgomery, and many more! Prefer a hard copy? It’s
available now at your local Wal-Mart.
and Platinum-selling recording artist Kip Moore’s “Young Love” is
setting a powerful tone as the lead single from the follow up to his
debut album, UP ALL NIGHT. The track is available on iTunes
and is earning strongly positive reviews from critics and radio
already. Moore is nominated for four American Country Awards. The show
broadcasts live on FOX, Dec. 10 at 8pm ET.
SG’s Zac Brown Band will release THE GROHL SESSIONS Vol. 1 December
10th. The album will include the studio recording of “Day Of The Dead,”
which Dave Grohl performed with ZBB at the 47th Annual CMA Awards
NEWS: The family of George Jones has established a scholarship fund in
his honor at Middle Tennessee State University. Nancy Jones made the
announcement at the unveiling of the George Jones Monument at Woodlawn
Roesch-Patton Funeral Home and Memorial Park last week and will make the
first financial contribution. MTSU Recording Industry Department Chair
Beverly Keel will oversee donations. “MTSU is a very appropriate place
to honor George Jones because of its nationally known recording industry
program,” says MTSU President Sidney A. McPhee.
NEWS: Following its highly successful digital release on October 15,
the physical version of Chase Rice’s full EP Ready Set Roll hit store
shelves November 25, 2013. The album, which features the bonus acoustic
track “Jack Daniel’s and Jesus,” is released on Rice’s own Dack Janiels
label in partnership with T8 Records and distributed by RED and Thirty
Tigers. The digital release of Ready Set Roll spent nearly two weeks at
No. 1 on the Country Albums chart at iTunes from where it can be
downloaded.
third annual Beard Bash held last week at Nashville’s Tin Roof was
hair-raising fun. Appearances by Steve Wariner, Terri Clark, Craig
Campbell, James Otto, Cowboy Troy and Austin Webb. The Tin Roof donated
10% of all purchases to St. Jude through NSN. Awards will be announced
in December.
to show how country music has influenced the English language. The site
will feature words like “dobro” and “bluegrass” and, with any luck
we’ll also soon see “badonkadonk” and “holler and swaller.” Other
content will include social media posts hashtagged #CountryDefined,
trivia, audio and video playlists, as well as a chance to win prizes
including an Opry/Dictionary.com CD library and an Opry visit for two.
toured the Duck Commander Wine production facilities and bottling line
of wines that include Triple Threat 2011 Red Blend, Wood Duck 2012
Chardonnay, and Miss Priss 2012 Pink Moscato. The Robertsons will also be touring to support their new Christmas album, DUCK THE HALLS. More at www.duckcommander.com.
NEWS: Want to see a really funny Christmas video? Check out the LACS
new animated video, “Santa in a 4-Wheel Drive.” It features traditional
holiday decorations come to life with a muddy, backwoods twist, from
dancing LED yard-Santas and muddy snowmen on ATVs, to gun-totin’
gingerbread men, eggshine, and, of course, Santa in a 4-Wheel Drive.
Watch “Santa in a 4-Wheel Drive” at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DGYDmDWD7rI&feature=youtu.be
or go to YouTube and search for LACS.” Written by Clay Sharpe and Brian
King, the song is featured on Average Joes’ “Muddy Christmas” album
released in December 2012.
BELLS NEWS: Country star Rodney Atkins tied the knot with fellow
singer-songwriter Rose Falcon during an intimate beachside ceremony
Sunday, November 10 on Captiva Island, Fla. Twenty guests were in
attendance as the couple exchanged vows, including Atkins’ son Elijah,
who acted as best man. Officiating was Charles Hutchins, founder of
Holston United Methodist Home for Children, where Atkins spent his
infancy before being adopted. NOTE: Rodney & Rose with continue ‘The
Most Hits For The Money Tour,’ along with country guitar-slinger
Frankie Ballard.
WHO’S
LOOKING * WHO’S CUTTING: Lauren Alaina, Rascal Flatts, Mark
Chesnutt, Eli Young Band, Clay Walker and Rusty Williams.
Preshias Tomes Harris for Country Music News International