http://www.countrystandardtime.com/news.asp The latest country music news from CountryStandardTime.com Copyright 2007, Country Standard Time 3 Feb 2012 09:40:55 GMT 3 Feb 2012 09:40:55 GMT 60 http://www.countrystandardtime.com/news/newsitem2.asp?xid=6088 http://www.countrystandardtime.com/news/newsitem2.asp?xid=6088 Dierks Bentley prepares for the release of his sixth studio album, "Home," with fan events, television appearances and album release shows in support of the disc, out on Tuesday. Bentley will officially kicked off release week at the Ryman Auditorium, with a special album release show in Nashville last night.... Country Music News http://www.countrystandardtime.com/news/newsitem2.asp?xid=6087 http://www.countrystandardtime.com/news/newsitem2.asp?xid=6087 Hoots & Hellmouth kick off 2012 with a busy schedule of touring and a new disc. The Philly-based foursome, led by Sean Hoots, will be out with "Salt" on April 10 on sonaBLAST! The rootsy band apparently is delving into indie rock on the new release. Hoots & Hellmouth is comprised of Robert Berliner, Mike Reilly, and Todd Erk comprise the band. Tour dates are: Feb. 4 - Elk Creek Cafe - Millheim, PA Feb. 8 - Higher Ground - Burlington, VT... Country Music News http://www.countrystandardtime.com/news/newsitem2.asp?xid=6086 http://www.countrystandardtime.com/news/newsitem2.asp?xid=6086 Jessie James' new video, When You Say My Name, debuted today on CMT. Directed by Kristin Barlowe, the video will also debut on CMT.com and CMT Pure, the network's digital all-music channel. James' first single for Show Dog - Universal Music, was produced by label president Mark Wright and released digitally on iTunes this week with plans to launch at country radio later this year.... Country Music News http://www.countrystandardtime.com/news/newsitem2.asp?xid=6074 http://www.countrystandardtime.com/news/newsitem2.asp?xid=6074 Lady Antebellum capped off the opening weekend of their Own the Night 2012 World Tour on Sunday by setting an all-time venue attendance record at Bloomington, Ill.'s U.S. Cellular Coliseum. With more than 32,000 fans packed arenas this weekend for the first three dates of the tour, Lady A broke Kenny Chesney's record.... Country Music News http://www.countrystandardtime.com/news/newsitem2.asp?xid=6089 http://www.countrystandardtime.com/news/newsitem2.asp?xid=6089 Keith Urban returns to the stage tonight at The Opry in Nashville, his first time out since throat surgery late last year. "I'm really looking forward to being back on stage and more specifically on the Opry stage. When I was told earlier this week that the Ryman was going to start renovations on the stage after our show I thought, 'you know, when we say we're really gonna tear it up tonight, maybe they're worried I mean it literally?"... Country Music News http://www.countrystandardtime.com/news/newsitem2.asp?xid=6084 http://www.countrystandardtime.com/news/newsitem2.asp?xid=6084 The 2012 Country Throwdown Tour will feature Gary Allan, Justin Moore, Josh Thompson, Eric Paslay and Sunny Sweeney. The tour has announced onl8y two dates - May 18 in Gulfport, Miss. and May 26 in Gilford, N.H. The Bluebird Cafe tent stage artists and local acts still msut be announced. More dates will be announced with the tour hitting... Country Music News http://www.countrystandardtime.com/news/newsitem2.asp?xid=6083 http://www.countrystandardtime.com/news/newsitem2.asp?xid=6083 Carrie Underwood's new CD will be released on May 1. No title was given for the disc. Produced by Mark Bright, the forthcoming album will be the fourth studio album on 19 Recordings/Arista Nashville for the five-time Grammy winner. The debut single co-written by Underwood, Good Girl, will be released to country radio on Feb. 23.... Country Music News http://www.countrystandardtime.com/news/newsitem2.asp?xid=6082 http://www.countrystandardtime.com/news/newsitem2.asp?xid=6082 A country music contest featuring five artists, including Kellie Pickler, is being launched by the Ram Truck brand. The series will culminate in an invitation-only 2012 Ram Jam concert event Dec. 29 in Nashville where all five artists will perform. Pickler was the first artist announced. The Road to the Ram Jam series will help bring country... Country Music News http://www.countrystandardtime.com/news/newsitem2.asp?xid=6085 http://www.countrystandardtime.com/news/newsitem2.asp?xid=6085 Chris Young notched another number 1 song on the Billboard Country Songs chart with You for the week ending Feb. 11 while Tim McGraw debuted in first on the Billboard Country Albums chart with "Emotional Traffic." Young took over for Luke Bryan's I Don't Want This Night to End, which fell to second. McGraw replaced Toby Keith's "Clancy's Tavern," which slipped to sixth.... Country Music News http://www.countrystandardtime.com/news/newsitem2.asp?xid=6080 http://www.countrystandardtime.com/news/newsitem2.asp?xid=6080 The CMA Foundation is donating $1.4 million to benefit music education programs for Nashville's 78,000 public school students from 2011 CMA Music Festival through the "Keep the Music Playing" campaign. "Putting instruments in the hands of children is one of the most important initiatives undertaken by CMA on behalf of our artists," said Steve... Country Music News http://www.countrystandardtime.com/news/newsitem2.asp?xid=6075 http://www.countrystandardtime.com/news/newsitem2.asp?xid=6075 Drove-By Truckers lead singer Patterson Hood is protesting a possible Wal-Mart in downtown Athens, Ga. with a song. After it's Gone is the new single just released by Patterson Hood and the Downtown 13. The song was inspired by the threat of a Wal-Mart in the heart of the downtown that nurtured the band's career. Hood assembled The... Country Music News http://www.countrystandardtime.com/news/newsitem2.asp?xid=6081 http://www.countrystandardtime.com/news/newsitem2.asp?xid=6081 Miranda Lambert, Gwyneth Paltrow and Dierks Bentley will present awards at the Grammys, it was announced Wednesday. The show is Sunday, Feb. 12 in Los Angeles. Previously announced performers include Jason Aldean and Kelly Clarkson; Glen Campbell with The Band Perry and Blake Shelton and Taylor Swift.... Country Music News http://www.countrystandardtime.com/news/newsitem2.asp?xid=6076 http://www.countrystandardtime.com/news/newsitem2.asp?xid=6076 Tim McGraw's 11th studio album, "Emotional Traffic," debuted at number one this week on the Billboard Country Chart, making it his 13th career number one debut. The disc sold more than 67,000 units, taking over the top spot from Toby Keith's "Clancy's Tavern." The CD is the second best selling CD in the U.S. behind Adele's "21." The hits Felt Good on My Lips and the current single Better Than I Used To Be are on the McGraw release.... Country Music News http://www.countrystandardtime.com/news/newsitem2.asp?xid=6077 http://www.countrystandardtime.com/news/newsitem2.asp?xid=6077 Willie Nelson is going home. Sony Legacy announced today that Nelson is rejoining the label for at least five new albums starting this spring and the release of archival material. From 1975-1993, Nelson cut top-selling singles and albums for Columbia Records, beginning with 1975's smash "Red Headed Stranger."... Country Music News http://www.countrystandardtime.com/news/newsitem2.asp?xid=6078 http://www.countrystandardtime.com/news/newsitem2.asp?xid=6078 Rascal Flatts announced today they will launch a brand new tour beginning this summer, "The American Band Tour." The tour will feature an all band set-up with Little Big Town, Eli Young Band and Edens Edge opening. The shows will begin in Hartford, Conn., on June 15 and go into at least September.... Country Music News http://www.countrystandardtime.com/news/newsitem2.asp?xid=6079 http://www.countrystandardtime.com/news/newsitem2.asp?xid=6079 Road warrior Justin Townes Earle will embark on a headlining tour this spring, including dates at New York's Webster Hall and Nashville's Ryman Auditorium to support his upcoming CD " Nothing's Gonna Change the Way You Feel About Me Now." ¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬ The new album is Earle's fourth release and drops March 27 on Bloodshot Records . The CD is the follow-up to his 2010 album, "Harlem River Blues."... Country Music News http://www.countrystandardtime.com/news/newsitem2.asp?xid=6071 http://www.countrystandardtime.com/news/newsitem2.asp?xid=6071 Singer/songwriter Darrell Scott is back with his seventh solo disc, "Long Road Home." The disc was slated to be released in October, but was delayed. The 16 songs on the country disc were written as long as 30 years ago by Scott. Two songs ( The Country Boy and You're Everything I Wanted Love To Be ) were written at 16 with his late... Country Music News http://www.countrystandardtime.com/news/newsitem2.asp?xid=6072 http://www.countrystandardtime.com/news/newsitem2.asp?xid=6072 Blake Shelton will take the stage with wife Miranda Lambert at Super Bowl XLVI on Feb. 5 by singing a duet version of America the Beautiful. This will be their first TV performance since they married in May 2011. Their version will be available on iTunes beginning today, Jan. 31. Shelton will be returning to the second season of the... Country Music News http://www.countrystandardtime.com/news/newsitem2.asp?xid=6073 http://www.countrystandardtime.com/news/newsitem2.asp?xid=6073 Country trio The Farm is set to make their Grand Ole Opry Feb. 10. Comprised of members Nick Hoffman (vocals, fiddle), Damien Horne (vocals, keyboard, guitar) and Krista Marie (vocals, guitar), the act is keen on vocal harmonies. Performing as an acoustic trio for their Opry debut, the milestone follows the success of the band's first single release, Home Sweet Home, now 38 on Mediabase with more than 70 monitored stations playing the song.... Country Music News http://www.countrystandardtime.com/news/newsitem2.asp?xid=6070 http://www.countrystandardtime.com/news/newsitem2.asp?xid=6070 Another single. Another number one. That's life for Chris Young these days as You hits the top of the charts this week. "I am ecstatic," said Young. "I've been excited for each number one and to have five in a row feels amazing." Last week's number one was Luke Bryan's I Don't Want This Night To End. ... Country Music News http://www.countrystandardtime.com/news/newsitem2.asp?xid=6068 http://www.countrystandardtime.com/news/newsitem2.asp?xid=6068 Dierks Bentley announced today that he will bring his Country & Cold Cans Tour back to the U.S. this spring with 20 cities to be announced in the coming weeks. Republic Nashville's Eli Young Band will rejoin Bentley for the run, along with a combination of Will Hoge and The Cadillac Black in the opening slot.... Country Music News http://www.countrystandardtime.com/news/newsitem2.asp?xid=6069 http://www.countrystandardtime.com/news/newsitem2.asp?xid=6069 Darryl Worley signed a recording contract with Tenacity Records/Crazytown and will release his first single, You Still Got It, in March. "I am very excited about this new record label and am looking forward to seeing what the future holds in store for us," Worley said on his web site. Worley has had hits with I Miss My Friend, Have You Forgotten and Awful, Beautiful Life. ... Country Music News http://www.countrystandardtime.com/news/newsitem2.asp?xid=6066 http://www.countrystandardtime.com/news/newsitem2.asp?xid=6066 No only does Toby Keith have a hit single in Red Solo Cup and three Academy of Country Music nominations, he also is the number one truck guy. So says the Chicago Tribune. The newspaper "recently named him the number 1 spokesman for full-size trucks. Keith's tours have been sponsored by Ford F-Series since 2003, and the Tribune notes: "Toby looks like a truck owner, acts like a truck owner and looks comfortable talking with truck owners." That's the word from his publicist.... Country Music News http://www.countrystandardtime.com/news/newsitem2.asp?xid=6067 http://www.countrystandardtime.com/news/newsitem2.asp?xid=6067 Abigail Washburn released videos of her Chinese tour on her web site. ""In November & December 2011, I headed to China to tour the historic Silk Road that Marco Polo made famous centuries ago; the major trade route of the ancient world," Washburn said in an email release.... Country Music News http://www.countrystandardtime.com/news/newsitem2.asp?xid=6064 http://www.countrystandardtime.com/news/newsitem2.asp?xid=6064 , Lee Brice, nominated today by the Academy of Country Music in the "Song of the Year" category for Crazy Girl said the writing was magical. The song because a hit for Eli Young Band. Brice shares writing credit with collaborator, Liz Rose. Crazy Girl was Billboard's number 1 country song for 2011, and Brice's Love Like Crazy was the at the top for 2010.... Country Music News http://www.countrystandardtime.com/news/newsitem2.asp?xid=6063 http://www.countrystandardtime.com/news/newsitem2.asp?xid=6063 Luke Bryan reached the top of the Billboard Country Songs chart for the week ending Feb. 4 with I Don't Want This Night To End, displacing Drink In My Hand by Eric Church, which slipped to third. There was a new number one on the album chart as well. Toby Keith's "Clancy's Tavern" topped the chart," taking over from Lady Antebellum's "Own the Night," which was second.... Country Music News http://www.countrystandardtime.com/news/newsitem2.asp?xid=6062 http://www.countrystandardtime.com/news/newsitem2.asp?xid=6062 Glen Campbell - currently out on the road for his "Goodbye Tour" - will join current Grammy nominees The Band Perry and Blake Shelton for a special performance on the 54th Annual Grammy Awards on Sunday, Feb. 12 in Los Angeles . Shelton is up for two awards: Best Country Solo Performance for "Honey Bee" and Best Country Album for "Red River Blue." The Band Perry is nominated for Best New Artist.... Country Music News http://www.countrystandardtime.com/news/newsitem2.asp?xid=6061 http://www.countrystandardtime.com/news/newsitem2.asp?xid=6061 Kenny Chesney was the leading Academy of Country Music Awards nominee with nine. Jason Aldean followed with six nominations, which were announced digitally on Thursday morning. Lady Antebellum grabbed five, Brad Paisley four and Taylor Swift, Toby Keith, Grace Potter and the Eli Young Band three.... Country Music News http://www.countrystandardtime.com/news/newsitem2.asp?xid=6065 http://www.countrystandardtime.com/news/newsitem2.asp?xid=6065 Montgomery Gentry grabbed their 14th Academy of Country Music nomination Thursday for Top Vocal Duo of the Year with Eddie Montgomery saying it capped an "unbelievable" year. "This last year has been just unbelievable," Montgomery said. "We have a new album that T and I are so proud of, a new label that is rockin' and the support we've had from our friends at radio and on the road is just awesome."... Country Music News http://www.countrystandardtime.com/news/newsitem2.asp?xid=6059 http://www.countrystandardtime.com/news/newsitem2.asp?xid=6059 Garth Brooks won a $1 million ruling in a court suit against an Oklahoma hospital that failed to build a women's health center in honor of his late mother. Jurors ruled Tuesday that Integris Canadian Valley Regional Hospital in Yukon, Okla. must return Brooks' $500,000 donation plus a similar amount in punitive damages. Brooks said he had reached a deal in 2005 with the hospital's president for the center, but sued after finding out Integris sought to use the money for other projects.... Country Music News http://www.countrystandardtime.com/news/newsitem2.asp?xid=6056 http://www.countrystandardtime.com/news/newsitem2.asp?xid=6056 Alan Jackson will perform a special luncheon performance at CRS 2012 on Thursday, Feb. 23 in Nashville. "This will be a very special experience from a country music icon and a true American original," said Capitol Nashville President and CEO Mike Dungan. After spending his career on Arista, Jackson shifted to Capitol Records Nashville, which... Country Music News http://www.countrystandardtime.com/news/newsitem2.asp?xid=6058 http://www.countrystandardtime.com/news/newsitem2.asp?xid=6058 Josh Thompson's Change Is Comin' Tour will kick off on Feb. 3 in Charlotte, N.C. and continue through April. The Wisconsin native is touring in advance of his second disc, "Change," due out later this year. "The road definitely feels like home to me," said Thompson. "I tour as much as I possible can. If I have a day off, I feel guilty. I'm so excited to share this new music with my fans...I hope they love it as much as I do. Come out and party with us." Tour dates are:... Country Music News http://www.countrystandardtime.com/news/newsitem2.asp?xid=6055 http://www.countrystandardtime.com/news/newsitem2.asp?xid=6055 Lady Antebellum has sold more than half a million tickets for their upcoming Own the Night 2012 World Tour starting Friday in Tulsa, Okla. with Darius Rucker and special guest Thompson Square. Advance sell-outs at include the Staples Center in Los Angeles, Allstate Arena in Chicago, American Airlines Center in Dallas and the DCU Center in Worcester, Mass.... Country Music News http://www.countrystandardtime.com/news/newsitem2.asp?xid=6060 http://www.countrystandardtime.com/news/newsitem2.asp?xid=6060 Scotty McCreery is set to make a special appearance on The CW series "Hart of Dixie" this spring. In an episode that's scheduled to air on April 23, the American Idol star will play himself for a performance of his hit single, The Trouble With Girls. The track comes from his debut album, "Clear As Day," which was certified Platinum... Country Music News http://www.countrystandardtime.com/news/newsitem2.asp?xid=6057 http://www.countrystandardtime.com/news/newsitem2.asp?xid=6057 Rascal Flatts bassist and vocalist Jay DeMarcus and his wife Allison, a former Miss Tennessee and a current CMT personality, are anticipating the birth of their second child this summer. The couple have a daughter, Madeline Leigh, born Dec. 17, 2010. "This was definitely a huge surprise, but we're so thankful and excited that Maddie is going to have a brother or sister," said DeMarcus. "We're really gonna have our hands full."... Country Music News http://www.countrystandardtime.com/news/newsitem2.asp?xid=6054 http://www.countrystandardtime.com/news/newsitem2.asp?xid=6054 Carrie Underwood will release her new single, Good Girl, to country radio on Feb. 23. The five-time Grammy winner's new CD will arrive later this spring. Underwood wrote the track with Chris DeStefano and Ashley Gorley, who co-wrote two of Underwood's number one hits Don't Forget to Remember Me and All-American Girl. Once again Underwood teamed up with Mark Bright, who produced her two previous albums as well as seven tracks from her debut album "Some Hearts."... Country Music News http://www.countrystandardtime.com/news/newsitem2.asp?xid=6053 http://www.countrystandardtime.com/news/newsitem2.asp?xid=6053 A lucky 13 songwriters were honored by Country Music Association with an award honoring them for having three chart topping hits in the past year. Among those honored were Taylor Swift, Hillary Scott, Brad Paisley, Zac Brown and Luke Bryan "This occasion affords CMA the opportunity to honor true creators," said CMA Board President-Elect Troy... Country Music News http://www.countrystandardtime.com/news/newsitem2.asp?xid=6050 http://www.countrystandardtime.com/news/newsitem2.asp?xid=6050 The very long awaited new Tim McGraw disc, "Emotional Traffic," is finally out today on Curb. The disc includes his number one hit Felt Good On My Lips along with a duet with Faith Hill. The music has been the subject of an on-going court battle between McGraw and Curb Records. McGraw is now free to pursue a deal with another label.... Country Music News http://www.countrystandardtime.com/news/newsitem2.asp?xid=6052 http://www.countrystandardtime.com/news/newsitem2.asp?xid=6052 The Karl Shiflett and Big Country Show signed with Pinecastle Records, it was announced Tuesday. Take Me Back" will be released this summer as the group's first CD for the label after several on Rebel. "I am excited about our recent signing with one of the most legendary record labels in bluegrass music. As I look forward to our first release I consider it a honor to be a part the Pinecastle artist roster which includes some of the most influential artists known to the genre," she said.... Country Music News http://www.countrystandardtime.com/news/newsitem2.asp?xid=6051 http://www.countrystandardtime.com/news/newsitem2.asp?xid=6051 Travis Tritt, Jerrod Niemann and Brantley Gilbert are among the new acts announced Tuesday to the line-up for the Country Stampede festival in Kansas in late June. Toby Keith, Zac Brown Band, The Band Perry and Luke Bryan were previously announced to play The Big 94.5 Stampede Country Stampede in Manhattan, Kansas. Travis Tritt will be performing Friday, June 22 on a bill with Zac Brown Band. Steve Holy also was added to the schedule.... Country Music News http://www.countrystandardtime.com/news/newsitem2.asp?xid=6049 http://www.countrystandardtime.com/news/newsitem2.asp?xid=6049 Trace Adkins announced the Songs & Stories Tour this spring. These evenings of performances will incorporate stories, both humorous and meaningful, that pay homage to Adkins' working-man roots and rich musical heritage. The tour starts March 8 in Des Moines, Ia. And ends May 17 in Atlanta. Tickets for March dates go on sale to the public on Friday (Jan. 27).... Country Music News http://www.countrystandardtime.com/news/newsitem2.asp?xid=6047 http://www.countrystandardtime.com/news/newsitem2.asp?xid=6047 Jason Aldean kicked off the 2012 leg of his My Kinda Party tour with a sold-out first run in Greenville, S.C., Fayetteville, N.C. and Orlando this weekend. Each of those shows set new attendance records for the arenas. Fellow Georgia natives Luke Bryan and Lauren Alaina joined Aldean, with DeeJay Silver returning to the tour to keep the party going between sets with his signature rock and country mixes.... Country Music News http://www.countrystandardtime.com/news/newsitem2.asp?xid=6046 http://www.countrystandardtime.com/news/newsitem2.asp?xid=6046 Billy Currington will kick off his first headlining tour across the country on March 24 in Mississippi. Currington, who recently started work on his fifth studio album, has announced 11 dates for his 2012 tour that will make stops in San Antonio, Knoxville, Tenn., and Charlotte, N.C. Label mates David Nail and Kip Moore will open the shows.... Country Music News http://www.countrystandardtime.com/news/newsitem2.asp?xid=6045 http://www.countrystandardtime.com/news/newsitem2.asp?xid=6045 Tim McGraw's recent number one single, Felt Good On My Lips, struck digital download gold on the sales front. The good news comes on the countdown to McGraw's much anticipated new studio album, "Emotional Traffic," being released by Curb Records tomorrow. The single is included in the new package.... Country Music News http://www.countrystandardtime.com/news/newsitem2.asp?xid=6048 http://www.countrystandardtime.com/news/newsitem2.asp?xid=6048 Keith Urban gives his fans a look at his Get Closer 2011 World Tour with the release of his newest video for Your Gonna Fly. The video begins airing today on CMT and GAC. The song is the fourth single from "Get Closer" and is the follow-up to his previous consecutive ones Long Hot Summer and Without You. The single is currently seven on the Billboard/BDS chart and six on the Mediabase/Country Aircheck chart.... Country Music News http://www.countrystandardtime.com/news/newsitem2.asp?xid=6044 http://www.countrystandardtime.com/news/newsitem2.asp?xid=6044 Brad Paisley will provide the musical halftime entertainment for the NFC Championship Game today. The San Francisco 49ers will host the New York Giants at Candlestick Park at 6:30 p.m. Eastern on Fox. The winner of the game will represent the NFC in Super Bowl XLVI on Feb. 5. Paisley is out on his Virtual Reality World Tour and will perform... Country Music News