Tracy Lawrence and some celebrity friends like Lorrie Morgan and Darryl Worley spent Tuesday morning frying turkeys for Nashville's less fortunate outside of the Nashville Rescue Mission. This is Tracy's fourth year in a row hosting this event and he says it's really turning into a special way to give back to his community:
"I really wanted to start doing something locally in the town that I love so much. I know there is such a need here and this has grown into just such a great event. There's so much outpouring of donations and people that want to contribute their time. It's just become such a real special event, and I think it's gonna continue growing over the next several years. It's just getting bigger and bigger every year."
Watch Tracy Byrd and Tracy Lawrence perform live and address their fans at the Music City Networks Fan Club Party in Nashville, TN during the CMA Music Festival!
Last night, music stars from a variety of genres were honored at The 2009 American Music Awards in L.A. The most nominated artist of the night, Taylor Swift, walked away with five of the six AMA trophies she was up for, including overall Artist of the Year, Favorite Female Artist in both the Country and Pop or Rock Music categories, Favorite Country Album for Fearless and Adult Contemporary Music's Favorite Artist. The only one she did not capture was the Pop or Rock Favorite Album, which went to Michael Jackson's Number Ones. Taylor accepted her awards via satellite from London, where she was rehearsing for a show. In her Artist of the Year acceptance speech, she noted what an honor it was to be in the category with Jackson, and thanked his family for their support. Among the highlights from the ceremony, Keith Urban performed an energized "Kiss A Girl" and Carrie Underwood sang a sultry "Cowboy Casanova."
Here is the list of country's AMA winners:
COUNTRY MUSIC
Favorite Male Artist: Keith Urban (1st AMA)
Favorite Female Artist: Taylor Swift
Favorite Band, Duo or Group: Rascal Flatts (5th AMA/4th consecutive)
Favorite Album: Taylor swift/ Fearless
POP or ROCK MUSIC
ADULT CONTEMPORARY MUSIC Favorite Artist: Taylor Swift
ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Country - Taylor Swift
T-MOBILE BREAKTHROUGH ARTIST NOMINATIONS
Country Breakthrough Artist - Gloriana
If you're in Austin and in the biz, come by and say hi...we'd love to meet you!
Last night, The 43rd Annual CMA Awards certainly lived up to the motto "Country Music's Biggest Night." Taylor Swift captured the most wins - four in all. She became the youngest person ever to win the prestigious Entertainer of the Year, as well as the first solo female act in 10 years to win the honor, which was presented by Tim McGraw and Faith Hill. Swift also took the trophies for Female Vocalist, Album of the Year for Fearless and Music Video of the Year for "Love Story." Male Vocalist went to Brad Paisley for the third consecutive year, and he received a second award for Musical Event for his collaboration with Keith Urban on "Start A Band." Darius Rucker was voted New Artist. Lady Antebellum captured their first Vocal Group win and their hit "I Run To You" was voted Single of the Year. Sugarlandwas named Vocal Duo for the third year in a row. Songwriters Jamey Johnson, James Otto and Lee Thomas Miller were honored with Song of the Year for writing Johnson's hit "In Color." Musician of the Year was given to Mac McAnally.
Carrie Underwood's "Cowboy Casanova" with a group of scantily clad women which prompted her co-host Brad Paisley to quip, "You cannot believe the view that Little Jimmy Dickens got from backstage." Keith Urban sang his new single "'Til Summer Comes Around" and the Zac Brown Band brought the packed house to its feet with their rendition of Charlie Daniels' classic "The Devil Went Down To Georgia." Tim McGraw performed "Southern Voice" while photos of southern legends flashed in the background. Sugarland's Jennifer Nettles sang an emotional "Keep You" while Kristian Bush plucked an acoustic guitar accompanied by a complete string section. Brooks & Dunn performed their final farewell CMA performance - along with Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top - singing "Honky Tonk Stomp." Kid Rock joined Jamey Johnson singing true blue country with a duet performance of Jamey's "Between Jennings and Jones." Taylor Swift opened the show with a performance of "Forever & Always" and then performed again her latest single "Fifteen" with a chorus of young teens surrounding her.
The surprise of the night went to Barbara Mandrell who was presented with a segment for entering the Country Music Hall of Fame this year. Martina McBride sang Mandrell's huge hit song "I Was Country When Country Wasn't Cool" along with Hall of Famer George Strait. {Ed. Note: Be sure to check for audio from the CMA Awards Backstage and About Last Night for TV clips.}
Husband/wife duo Joey&Rory are offering their take on holiday traditions this November with their poignant single “It’s Christmas Time” and a unique children’s album from songwriter think-tank The Song Trust entitled Merry Kidsmas.
The couple is partnering with CMT One Country for both projects. A portion of the proceeds from the sales of “It’s Christmas Time” will be donated to the local affiliate of Feeding America, The Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee, and a portion of the proceeds from Merry Kidsmas will benefit the USO through the end of 2009.
The Joey&Rory single “It’s Christmas Time” is a tune written during a stay at Joey’s family farmhouse in Indiana. It will be released digitally on November 24 and has been serviced to country radio for adds on November 16.
To hear "It's Christmas Time," "Box of Rocks" and "Bring Him Home Santa," visit http://www.frontpagepublicity.com/joeyrory/audio_holiday09.php
Recently, Shania Twain updated her fans via her blog at shaniatwain.com about her trip to New York City. While she was there, Shania checked out the 25th Anniversary Rock 'n Roll Hall of Fame concerts at MadisonSquareGarden. One performance definitely affected her in a major way: Bonnie Raitt's rendition of "Love Has No Pride." Shania was "sobbing in the audience" during the song. She wrote, "This is a song from my early childhood and it ripped at my heart to hear her soulful voice cry it out so painfully. I am a HUGE fan of Bonnie and have spent many hours listening to her CDs over the years. She is one of my absolute fave's and so is that song." Twain also took in performances by Simon and Garfunkel, Stevie Wonder, Bruce Springsteen and John Fogerty, Metallica and Mick Jagger.
Although she loves being an artist, Shania enjoyed her chance to be just a fan. She wrote, "The whole night I was on the 'other side' of the fence, so to speak, taking in the music and the backstage experience like a true fan would. It's nice to step outside of my 'artist' self and just enjoy and admire what everyone else is doing for a change." The event was inspiring for her, too. Twain adds, "Knowing so many of the people backstage from crew to performers, agents, security, etc., I felt at home, but nothing was expected of me other than to be myself, hang, catch-up with friends and have a laugh. Very good for the soul and super motivation to go home and keep writing music."
Headliners Montgomery Gentry, Jamey Johnson, Little Big Town and Jack Ingram are among the 10 initial acts to be announced for the first-ever "Country Throwdown Tour," set to run from May 13 through June 20. Other artists confirmed for the first annual multi-stage country tour include Eric Church, the Eli Young Band, Lost Trailers and more.
Troy Gentry of Montgomery Gentry comments, "When Eddie [Montgomery] and I were approached about doing the 'Country Throwdown Tour' we immediately said yes. We loved the idea of it being like a big festival, a big party. I mean, that's what Montgomery Gentry is all about! We're keeping the ticket prices low because we know it's hard out there. Fans are going to get a lot of entertainment for their money. This tour is going to be a great experience for us, the other artists and especially the fans." For more information, visit countrythrowdown.com .
The “King of Country” is back! 17x CMA Entertainer of the Year nominee George Strait will kick off his arena tour early next year and this time, he’s bringing along one very special lady – Reba McEntire.
The superstar acts performed together for the first time in many years for a sold-out crowd at the Cowboy’s Stadium inaugural event in Dallas. Selling out in less than an hour, fans and critics proclaimed the show one hot ticket! The concert was hailed by the Dallas Morning News as “an extravaganza” that “showcased Strait at the pinnacle of his musical game” and Ft. Worth Star Telegram wrote “Reba McEntire’s performance was a breathtaking master’s class in effortless brilliance.”
“I can’t wait to get back out there and perform some of my new favorites from Twang along with hits the fans already love,” says Strait. “And with my friend Reba, we will make it a really spectacular night.”
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