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Taylor Swift heads to CBS Early Show Saturday, announces deal with clothing line

Wednesday, May 14, 2008 – Taylor Swift, who leads the field of female nominees for this year's Academy of Country Music Awards, will perform on the CBS Early Show this Saturday morning, May 17. Taylor will perform from the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas, the site of the 43rd Annual Academy of Country Music AwardsThe following night, May 18, Swift will perform live on the ACM Awards telecast, where she is nominated for three awards: Album of the Year, Top Female Vocalist, and Top New Female Vocalist.

Swift also announced a partnership deal with L.e.i. Brand Partners. Jones Apparel Group said Swift will be the face of the L.e.i. Back-to-School 2008 print, mobile and online advertising campaign, to be called "This is L.e.i. Country." The campaign will feature Swift surrounded by an assortment of L.e.i. denim jeans and tops. L.e.i. (life. energy. intelligence.), the brand for juniors, junior plus and girls, will be available exclusively at Wal-Mart stores nationwide beginning in July 2008 for Back-to-School, and in Canada in the fourth quarter of 2008.

"Taylor Swift perfectly exemplifies the spirit of L.e.i. - she has the authenticity, spirit, intelligence and wit of the modern American girl, and she is a role model for today's youth," said Jack Gross, Group Chief Executive Officer, Jeanswear Division for Jones Apparel Group. "This collaboration marks another exciting step towards strengthening our strong merchandising relationship with Wal-Mart and bringing the L.e.i. lifestyle brand to a broader audience of juniors and girls consumers. We are proud to collaborate with Taylor and believe that this partnership is ideal for L.e.i., Wal-Mart and Taylor herself, as we bring junior consumers' favorite jeans to their favorite store."

Swift, said, "When I'm onstage I'm likely to be wearing sundresses and cowboy boots, but when I'm offstage, hangin' with my friends, songwriting or taking care of business, my comfort zone is a great pair of jeans. L.e.i. jeans fit great and look great, and the price is right. I love the jeans, and I love what L.e.i. stands for, Life. Energy. Intelligence."

The "This is L.e.i. Country" campaign will debut in August issues of Teen Vogue, Cosmopolitan, Seventeen and US Weekly. The campaign will feature an online component targeting the junior girl audience, which will include sweepstakes and contests tied to meeting Swift and attending her concerts.

More news for Taylor Swift

CD reviews for Taylor Swift

Fearless CD review - Fearless
Taylor Swift took the county world by storm with her huge selling debut and its five hit singles. With a huge marketing push and myspace, Swift was on her way. Kind of like an Avril Lavigne for the teen female country set. Sophomore slump? There's no indication of that. Swift once again writes her material - all 13 songs here with help sometimes from Liz Rose, Colbie Caillat and John Rich. Swift writes of what she knows about - relationships and teen love come and gone in songs speak to her fans. »»»
Taylor Swift Limited Deluxe Edition CD review - Taylor Swift Limited Deluxe Edition
She plays guitar, writes her own songs and is a hit factory off the strength of her first record. Oh, and she's 17. At an age when most worry about the SATs, Swift cobbles tunes that reach right through the radio and plug into even the most padlocked-hearted listener. Whether it's the wistful remembrance of the bygone sweetheart (the big hit "Tim McGraw"), the unrequited longing for a friendship to catch fire (another hit, "Teardrops on My Guitar") or the heady »»»
The Taylor Swift Holiday Collection CD review - The Taylor Swift Holiday Collection
Taylor Swift's Christmas offering, much like her last name, is over swiftly. There are only six songs on this short disc: two originals, a couple modern holiday tunes and two traditional favorites. One original, "Christmas When You Were Mine," speaks of better days. It's a sad song where Swift finds it hard to find much cheer. "Merry Christmas everybody/That'll have to be something I just say this year." "Christmas Must Be Something More" »»»
Editorial: American Idol's Carrie Underwood can sing – If anyone saw the Super Bowl – what a great great game that was – they would have heard American Idol winner and country superstar Carrie Underwood sing the National Anthem. Underwood did with her voice what Kelly Clarkson did last week with her written words – give it to Scott Borchetta, the head of Big Machine Records,, who tried defending Taylor Swift by knocking American Idol performers. »»»
Concert Review: McBride, Adkins shine sometimes – As Martina McBride pointed out, the pairing of the country singer with Trace Adkins on their current jaunt was surprising. After all, she's of diva-quality voice, petite, non-controversial unless you call singing songs that empower women controversial. Adkins, on the other hand, has not been afraid to speak his mind with a kick butt attitude.... »»»
Concert Review: Eilen Jewell wears her musical hats well – Eilen Jewell wears a lot of musical hats. The Idaho native, who now lives in Boston, fronts the Eilen (ee-lin) Jewell Band, a pretty much traditional country band. She's a member the Sacred Shakers, an octet doing gospel country with a country beat. And she has yet another project, Butcher Holler, covering Loretta Lynn songs.... »»»
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