CMA week is full of events leading up to the big awards show night. Wednesday night, CMA hosted CMA Songwriters Series with Bob Dipero, Brett James, Bratley Gilbert and Kristian Bush of Sugarland. The guys each took turns singing a song. It was a great night of music. As much as I love the big stage and huge productions, watching the songwriters sing their hits and tell stories about how the song was made is much sweeter. Brett James sang the following. The Truth (Jason Aldean, Out Last Night (Kenny Chesney), Cowboy Casanova (Carrie Underwood), Two Night Town (This song... Continue reading

Eric Church is recording a live album from two shows at Chattanooga's Tivoli Theatre. The first show was last night, and the second show will be tonight. After Church wraps up the second leg of his Beers, Sweat and Blood Tour this fall, he will be taking next year off. The live album will hold fans over until he releases new music in 2014. The Tivoli Theatre can seat about 1,750, and I'd say it was a full crowd. Thanks to Church Choir members, we had General Admission. I don't think we could have gotten any closer in the second... Continue reading

Hunter Hayes opened the show. I've had his album for awhile, and he is pretty good! Sang songs likeStorm Warning, Wanted, Somebody's Heartache, Love Makes Me. His Warner management surprised him on stage with a plaque for his number 1 song Wanted going platinum. He also surprised Warner with a plaque celebrating the number 1 song. I really like this kid - hope he sticks around. Next up was the woman herself, Carrie Underwood. She has a phenomenal voice! Can't imagine what this girl would be doing without American Idol. She opened the show with Good Girl, Undo It, Waster,... Continue reading

Eric performs at CMA Fest at LP Field on Saturday, June 9, 2012 "Funny how a melody sounds like a memory" ... Eric Church is making plenty of memories with his melodies from his third album "Chief." This week, Church scored his second number one single with "Springsteen." It is the second number one single - "Drink In My Hand" went number one in January. Eric Church's "Blood, Sweat, and Beers" in Nashville on May 5, 2012 The first leg of the "Blood, Sweat, and Beers" tour has already sold more than 450,000 tickets. Fall dates were recently announced with... Continue reading

Welcome Country Music Fans to Our Beloved City of Nashville, Tennessee Miranda Lambert Kellie Pickler Lady Antebellum Brad Paisley from the highest seat in the house! Blake Shelton Jake Owen Brantley Gilbert Carrie Underwood Randy Houser's Acoustic Set Eric Church's performance was one of the highlights of the LP Field show. It's about time he was invited to perform on the big stage. Everyone was given lights to sway during "Springsteen" - it looked awesome! Faith Hill - notice the microphone with a cord...don't see that much anymore Dierks Rascal Flatts Continue reading

HGTV's The Lodged offered fans some amazing experiences - live musical performances and autograph signings with popular country music stars and their favorite HGTV, DIY Network and Travel Channel personalities at CMA Fest this year! The Lodge also featured experiences such as a HGTV Red Carpet photo booth for fans to take pictures with their favorite stars and a DIY Network’s “Ice My Cup” cooling station for a snowcone treat. Throughout the weekend country music stars, Rodney Atkins, Lauren Aliana, Thompson Square, Jake Owen, Little Big Town, Luke Bryan and many more signed autographs for fans lucky enough to have... Continue reading

On Tuesday, June 5, award-winning and platinum-selling country star Rodney Atkins once again hosted the Second Annual “Music City Gives Back” benefit concert in partnership with Music City, Inc. The event was free to the public and featured an all-star lineup including the legendary Clint Black, Thompson Square, Lee Brice, Josh Thompson, Jana Kramer, The Farm, Mallary Hope, and The Willis Clan. Sponsors included Wrangler, Cricket Wireless, Carl Black Chevrolet, and GAC. Fans were given the opportunity to donate to the American Red Cross on site. The Willis Clan, Mallory Hope and The Farm kicked off the show. Once Jana... Continue reading

MCA Nashville sent me Kip Moore's album about two months ago. I listened to it occasionally when it popped up on my iTunes, and always loved what I heard, but never really got into consciously choosing to listen to the album. A few weeks ago "Somethin' 'Bout a Truck" began to rise up the charts, and just spent two weeks as Number One. When I heard he was playing a free show at Carl Black Chevrolet during CMA Fest week, I knew I had to go. This past week, I've been listening to the album, getting more familiar with the... Continue reading

I've been waiting for Randy Montana to release an album for over a year now after I saw him open for Lady Antebellum at the Ryman in March of 2010. Montana and Hillary Scott have been friends for several years, and she invited him to open the show. Scott even joined Montana to harmonize on "Last Horse." The album version will feature Emmylou Harris on harmonies. On July 26, I won't have to wait any longer. My favorite songs of his, which will also be on the album include, "Ain't Got Much Left of Lovin' You," "Last Horse" and current... Continue reading

Night 2 at LP Field kicked off with Ashton Shepherd looking so cute sporting a baby bump. She is expecting her second child in a few months. She sang her current single, “Look It Up” and her new album is due in stores on July 12. Dierks Bentley was up next with a short set, including, “Feel That Fire,” “What Was I Thinkin’” “Up on the Ridge” and closing with “Sideways.” Lady Antebellum entertained the crowd with “Our Kind of Love,” “American Honey,” and “I Run To You” along with new single, “Just a Kiss.” Fans got a special treat... Continue reading

So I am way behind on this review and won’t be able to do the concert justice from my memory now, but I wanted to share with you some pictures from Sugarland’s Incredible Machine Tour stop in Nashville on April 16, 2011. Matt Nathanson and Little Big Town opened the show. I missed Matt Nathanson because of the Little Big Town meet and greet, but I did hear the crowd go wild with his Journeys cover. Little Big Town began the show with their Bruno Mars cover, Grenade. I was so excited when Kimberly told me they were going to... Continue reading

A few days ago, I brought you a review of the Music City Gives Back Concert headlined by Rodney Atkins. Turns out more than 6,000 fans attended the free show to help raise over $90,000 in gifts, donations and sponsorship dollars to help relief efforts for the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund. Continue reading

Photo courtesy of CMA The 2011 CMA Music Festival sold out each night at LP Field for the second year in a row. The estimated daily attentence for the festival was 65,000 people each day. Steve Moore, CMA CEO, said, "To meet the outstanding sell out of 2010 again in 2011 speaks volumes about the strength of this event, the dedication of our fans, the support of our local community, and the popularity of our music and artists." Photo courtesy of CMA - Exhibit Hall CMA Fest is a unique festival type of festival that isn't replicated in any other... Continue reading

Last night Taylor Swift closed out the 2011 CMA Festival. Her arm-lyric said, "Remember me in ribbons and curls, love your baby girl" from Sugarland's song, Baby Girl. The arm lyric trend is catching on in Taylor fan world. Several young girls had Taylor Swift lyrics written down there arms at the concert last night, along with her signature 13 on the hands. Continue reading

Thousands of people have swarmed Music City for the 40th anniversary of the CMA Fest/Fan Fair. Fans packed into LP Field last night for a star studded line up. Steve Wariner and Bill Anderson hosted the show on Thursday night. The first act up was Zac Brown Band. Brown said, “We’re very proud to be kicking things off.” Throughout their hour-long set, they sang hit after hit with special guests along the way. Hits included, “Toes,” “Free,” “Colder Weather” with Amos Lee and “As She’s Walking Away” with Alan Jackson. Brown introduced newcomer Sonia Lee by telling the crowd they... Continue reading

WOW. Keith Urban’s 2011 Get Closer World Tour is going to be one hell of a show! Today, Keith Urban opened the doors to his 2011 Get Closer World Tour rehearsals for friends and family, industry folks, media, fan club members and radio contest winners. The lucky audience members were the first to get a sneak peak of the stage and take part in a once in a lifetime opportunity to see Keith Urban in a setting that most fans would only be able to dream about. Urban greeted the crowd by saying he was a little nervous because he... Continue reading

In support of the recent tornado devastation in Northern Alabama, The Civil Wars have launched a special online auction from June 8-18 (items will go live at 10 PM ET). All proceeds will go to The Salvation Army Tornado Relief Fund of Alabama. Autographed George Strait Cowboy Hat The auction will feature limited edition items donated by The Civil Wars along with numerous other world-renowned musicians. Contributions include Adele, Alison Krauss & Union Station, Bon Iver, Brad Paisley, Bright Eyes, Carrie Underwood, Christina Perri, Drive By Truckers, Emmylou Harris, Flo Rida, George Strait, Hank Williams Sr., Brandi Carlile, James Vincent... Continue reading

Big and Rich performed their new single “Fake I.D.” last night on the 2011 CMT Music Awards. The song also includes Gretchen Wilson on backup vocals. “Fake I.D.” is also going to be used in the remake of “Footloose,” starring Julianne Hough, which is slated to be released in October. Last night Julianne tweeted, “@juliannehough Watching CMT awards Big and Rich are performing Fake I.D. from #footloose” with the following picture attached. John Rich is excited to play “Fake I.D.” over and over again. Backstage Big Kenny discussed how excited they were to get back out there with the Muzik... Continue reading

Kid Rock returned as host for the CMT Music Awards this year. He opened the show with Wynonna and performed with Sheryl Crow. For those of you who missed their performance, you can check out Kid Rock and Sheryl Crow on tour this summer in a city near you. The dates are listed on his website. He discusses going on tour with Sheryl backstage, see video below. Kid Rock also talked about his relationship with Nashville and how he feels about country music today. Continue reading

The Band Perry walked away with the USA Weekend Breakthrough Video of the Year for "If I Die Young" last night at the 2011 CMT Awards. The group was also nominated for Video of the Year and Group Video of the year, also for "If I Die Young." The group also performed their latest single "You Lie," with an interesting twist by opening with Eminem and Rihanna's "Love the Way You Lie." The group discussed their decision backstage in CMT MEDIA ZONE powered by Bing, see below. Fans can catch The Band Perry on tour this summer with Tim McGraw.... Continue reading

Luke Bryan performed “Country Girl (Shake It For Me)” last night on the CMT Awards. The performance marked the first time Bryan received a full performance slot on an awards show. His energy was incredible, and definitely one of the highlights of the awards show. Bryan said he couldn’t remember one thing he did during his performance; “It was such a ride for me being up there, the whole moment.” “Country Girl (Shake It For Me)” has been Bryan’s fastest rising single to date. He said, “I think it was the right song at the right time for me to... Continue reading

Presenters Clay Matthews and Hines Ward Performers Big & Rich with Gretchen Wilson Presenters Laura Bell Bundy and Ricky Schroeder American Idols Lauren Alaina and Scotty McCreery Host Kid Rock Presenter Kristin Chenoweth Nominee, Performer and Winner of the USA Breakthrough Video of the Year for "If I Die Young," The Band Perry Nominee, Presenter and Performer, Luke Bryan Continue reading

David Nail's Fan Appreciation Party took place today at 1:30 p.m. at the Tin Roof in Nashville. Nail has always been a fan of Tin Roof, playing several times at the Nashville location throughout his career and other locations across Tennessee and Kentucky. He must be a fan of their food too, commenting on Twitter earlier "@davidnail I can almost taste the Tuna Melt." Personally, I always go for the Sunny Quesadilla...yummy! Anyways, check out a couple video clips from the party today. Nail invited songwrighters on stage with him to perform Turning Home and Red Light. Scooter Carusoe joins... Continue reading

Rodney Atkins headlined a free concert downtown on Broadway last night in Nashville, kicking off CMA Fest a few days early for fans in attendance. The “Music City Gives Back” concert, presented by Wrangler and sponsored by Carl Black Chevrolet, Crown Royal, GAC, Sennheiser, Tempus Jets and THE BIG 98 COUNTRY, featured Atkins along with friends, Thompson Square, Josh Thompson and Mallory Hope. The purpose of the concert was to increase awareness and accept donations of needed items and raise funds for tornado victims for the American Red Cross Relief Fund. Donations to the American Red Cross Relief Fund can... Continue reading

Taylor Swift opened her last dress rehearsal for the Speak Now Tour to fans to raise money for victims of the recent deadly tornadoes across the Southeast. Fans swarmed into Bridgestone Arena in Nashville with their complimentary light-up wands and commemorative t-shirts. The two-hour show was much more of a theatrical presentation than your typical country concert. Taylor has some talented dancers with her on tour who keep the audience entertained when Taylor isn’t front and center. I loved the dancers swinging from the bells during the show. She does a great job connecting with all of her fans in... Continue reading