Toby Keith certainly had a wealth of tunes to choose from for his forthcoming album, Bullets in the Gun. He actually ended up taking two of the songs off the album that he thought were potential singles. Keith shares with Billboard.com, "When I finished cutting the tracks, I felt like I had six or seven singles. And I figured they're only gonna release three singles off this album. So I said, 'Man, there's no way I'm gonna let these [other] songs just be lost on the album,' so I ended up actually pulling two tracks off this album and putting them in the can for the next one, just so they wouldn't be lost." Toby wrote a lot for the CD, attributing it to "more time writing by myself." He still brought on co-writers, though, noting, "The co-writing thing keeps me from being lazy. When you've got a co-writer out here for two or three days and he's taking the time to fly out here and be with us, it makes you get up and work."
The album's first and current single, "Trailerhood," came out of a motorcycle ride in Oklahoma. Keith passed by a trailer home park where he used to reside and said to his companion, "'Let's turn around at the trailerhood and get out of here.' It just kind of sprung out; I made a faux pas and said 'trailerhood' instead of neighborhood or trailer park, and it made me laugh. So I just took my phone out and sent myself a message and then wrote it over Christmas break." Look for Bullets in the Gun – including a deluxe edition – to drop on October 9.
Next year certainly will be a memorable one for Randy Travis; it's the 25th anniversary of his first album on a major label, Storms Of Life. In honor of the milestone, Randy will team up with various artists for a project that includes duets with Alan Jackson, Josh Turner, Tim McGraw and Kenny Chesney. Also appearing on the album will be John Anderson, who will collaborate with Travis on his 1986 hit "Diggin' Up Bones." Randy shares with The Wilkes-Barre Weekender, "I didn't know this, but when it was written, there was actually a third verse to the song, and we added that on the record. And it's hilarious." As for Carrie Underwood's contribution to the forthcoming CD, Travis reveals, "She wants to do something old, and I don't even know what we're going to do yet." You can look for the album to come out during the first half of next year.
Jason Aldean will release his fourth studio album, My Kinda Party, on November 2. Jason shares, "The album is named My Kinda Party because it's totally representative of what I like and what my fans have come to expect on my records and at the 'party' we throw at our shows." He adds, "I think the key is knowing who you are as an artist and taking it to an extreme without ripping anybody else off... it's all about knowing what it is that sets you apart." For Aldean, he's pleased with the recording process of his albums. Jason explains, "I don't want my records to sound like everybody else's. The only way to do that is to cut it like we do... with my touring band and with an engineer that nobody else uses in Nashville, and I'm really proud of tht." The CD will contain 15 tracks, including a duet with Kelly Clarkson. Fans can see the unveiling of the album cover today at facebook.com/jasonaldean.
Blake Shelton will co-host NBC's Today show with Hoda Kotb this morning. It marks Blake's third appearance on the show this year, and his second in less than two weeks. Shelton quips, "I don't think the Today show knows what they really signed up for with me co-hosting." He adds, "I mean, have you read my tweets? I hope they're ready to sensor me." The last time Blake visited the show, he chatted with hosts Hoda and Kathie Lee Gifford about his newly-released SIX PAK,All About Tonight, as well as his #1 tune of the same name.
What do Jason Aldean and Brantley Gilbert have in common besides both being some of the sexiest men in country music AND being from Georgia? They both have done versions of Gilbert's track "My Kinda Party." Aldean's version has already entered the Hot Country Songs chart at #41. This isn't the first time Jason has recorded a song by Brantley, "The Best of Me" was recorded by Jason Aldean for his "Wide Open" album. Country fans can also look forward to "Dirt Road Anthem" written by Gilbert will be another Aldean single due out this fall.
Keith Urban feels "blessed" to have Nicole Kidman as his wife.
The country singer - who has a two-year-old daughter, Sunday Rose, with the Oscar-winning actress - says Nicole is his ideal partner because they both have the same values in life.
He said: "I'm fortunate to have a wife who understands about career as well. We're very blessed to have each other, and you recognize the importance of all the facets of our lives. But family is very, very strong in our lives."
While Keith enjoys his music career, he says his family will always be his priority.
Talking about maintaining a balance between work and family, Keith told Parade.com: "I don't know if there's any secret to it. Everybody sort of finds their own way to keep their life balanced. I know for me, family is first and I just make sure that I spread my time amongst the things that I love to do as well. Balance is never achieved, it's just maintained. And so far I've been able to maintain it."
As well as being dedicated parents to little Sunday, Keith and Nicole also take it turns to cook.
He said: "At home, I do a little bit of cooking. My wife and I share the cooking duties a little bit."
LeAnn Rimes insists she isn't trying to be a mother to Eddie Cibrian's two sons.
The singer-and-actress - who lives with her 'Northern Lights' co-star and his boys, Mason, seven, and three-year-old Jake, from his marriage to Brandi Glanville - hit back at claims she was trying to replace the model in the children's lives after referring to them as her "boys" on her twitter account.
One of her followers wrote: "Please remember those 'boys' have a Mother. It seems you don't give credit to that. Hapnd to me not a good feeling. (sic)"
To which LeAnn replied: "I do, but it doesn't mean I can't share our happiness. Please remember I'm a part of their lives too. Seems people don't give credit to that."
Eddie and Brandi - who divorced last year following his affair with LeAnn - share joint custody of their sons.
LeAnn recently took to her twitter account to say how happy she was with her new family unit.
She tweeted: "So sweet when a 3 year old climbs in bed and says "why are you so pretty!" what a doll he is, so kind :) It's amazing the things kids say. (sic)"
Last month, LeAnn - who was married to ex-husband Dean Sheremet when she met Eddie in early 2009 - and Eddie moved into her home together along with Mason and Jake.
A source said: "It just made sense for them. Eddie's lease was up and LeAnn's home was bigger and already familiar to Eddie's sons.
"It's somewhere the kids know and it allows Mason to stay in the same school district, which was important to them, that there's continuity for him. They take moving in with the kids with a lot of responsibility. They want to make sure that it was done in the right way."
The lead single from Jamey Johnson's forthcoming much talked about album, due in stores September 14, is called "Playing the Part." The song, which arrived at country radio yesterday, will be available through iTunes on August 24.
Johnson's The Guitar Song is a 25-song double album with thematically linked sets of songs dubbed the Black Album and the White Album. Johnson says, "The original idea was always to do a double album. It is an album that is a tale. The first part is a very dark and sordid story. Then everything after that is progressively more positive, reassuring and redemptive." The Guitar Song will also be available as a limited edition, black and white triple LP vinyl set that includes a deluxe lyric book.
« Previous entries