Jeff Giles
Jason Aldean, Blake Shelton, and Taylor Swift to Perform at 2011 CMAs
You already know Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood are going to return for another round as hosts when the 45th annual CMA Awards roll around this year. But with the gala ceremony looming on the calendar, we still don’t know which performers will be joining them on stage.
Well, the night’s full lineup is still a closely guarded secret, but the first few names have been announced and it looks like
Taylor Swift’s ‘Speak Now’ Has Now Sold 5 Million Copies
Even for one of the biggest stars in the music business, Taylor Swift is having a heck of a year, including a sold-out tour with a series of celebrity guests and a pair of new Guinness World Records.
But as Taylor discovered last weekend, in a surprise ceremony hosted by her label, she isn’t finished collecting accolades in 2011.
How Did Lady Antebellum Get Through Their ‘Really Hard’ Early Years?
Lady Antebellum struck platinum with their first album and they haven’t looked back, sending each of their first nine singles to the top 20 and selling more than five million albums in the U.S. since 2008. It’s a success story that plenty of bands would love to duplicate, to say the least.
But no matter how quickly they found their audience, or how tightly the trio might harmonize at the mic, thin
Suzy Bogguss Explores the ‘American Folk Songbook’ on Her New Album
It’s been awhile since Suzy Bogguss scored her last big hit, but she’s continued recording regularly throughout the ’90s and beyond, and, unlike a lot of artists who face diminishing returns on the sales front, she isn’t chasing trends.
In fact, with her latest album, ‘American Folk Songbook,’ Bogguss chose material that’s been around even longer than the charts.
Trailer Choir’s ‘Big Vinny’ Hickerson Felt Like He’d ‘Won the Lottery’ When He Got Cast on ‘The Biggest Loser’
As a member of the country duo Trailer Choir, “Big Vinny” Hickerson has done things most people only dream of, including scoring a top 20 album and a top 40 single. And as evidenced by his nickname, as well as his vocals on Trailer Choir’s hit ‘Rockin’ the Beer Gut,’ he’s learned to use his ample girth as an asset.
A recent health scare made Hickerson see things differently, however — and now that
Miranda Lambert Urges Young Songwriters to ‘Know Who You Are’ [VIDEO]
If you want to make a living as a songwriter, Nashville is unquestionably the best place to be — even after a decade of dwindling record sales, it’s still home to a thriving publishing industry, as well as some of the most seasoned tunesmiths in the business.
But that doesn’t mean a good song is necessarily easy to find. In fact, Miranda Lambert found the experience so frustrating that she ended u
Lauren Alaina Asks Hunter Hayes to the Prom
Lauren Alaina and Scotty McCreery dashed the hopes of countless ‘McLaina’ fans recently when they debunked the persistent rumors that they were a couple. But even if they aren’t dating each other, that doesn’t mean the ‘American Idol’ alums can’t find love with other young songbirds.
In fact, Alaina has made no secret of the fact that she has eyes for rising country star Hunter Hayes — and as it t
Tim McGraw and Faith Hill’s Australian Tour Won’t Lead to US Shows
The last time they toured together, Faith Hill and Tim McGraw shattered records, so when they announced they’d be teaming up again for a string of Australian dates next year, American promoters — and plenty of American fans — were hoping it’d be the prelude for a stateside sequel.
Better start saving up for those plane tickets now, though, because McGraw and Hill say their Australian shows will be
Scotty McCreery Puts His Songs Through the ‘Mama Crying Test’
Your long wait is almost over, Scotty McCreery fans. The ‘American Idol’ winner’s first album, ‘Clear as Day,’ is just a couple of weeks away from release, and you’ll finally be able to hear the rest of what the ‘I Love You This Big’ singer has in store for you.
And if you don’t like it? Well, you can blame Scotty’s mom.
Brad Paisley’s First Book, ‘Diary of a Player,’ Set for November 1 Release
Howard Books
For most people, it would be more than enough to achieve success as an award-winning recording artist, prolific hit songwriter, and highly-respected musician. But Brad Paisley is not most people.
Having conquered the Billboard charts, Paisley decided to tackle a different kind of bestsellers’ list with his upcoming book debut, titled ‘Diary of a Player: How My Musical Heroes Made a
How Was Lady Antebellum’s Hillary Scott Inspired by ‘Sister Act 2?’
With millions of albums sold and a growing list of hits to their name, Lady Antebellum are one of the fastest-rising young acts in the music business. As they gear up to promote their just-released third album, ‘Own the Night,’ they’re on the verge of delivering one of the biggest sales successes of 2011.
And according to singer Hillary Scott, none of it might have happened if it wasn’t for Whoopi
Track Listing for Lauren Alaina’s ‘Wildflower’ Revealed
19 Entertainment
With its October 11 release date fast approaching, only a matter of weeks stand between Lauren Alaina‘s debut album, ‘Wildflower,’ and her fans.
Alaina revealed the album artwork not long ago, and now — thanks to one enterprising writer who got her hands on an advance copy — you can take a look at the full track listing, complete with songwriting credits.