Warner Bros. Records and Iconic Entertainer, Kenny Rogers, have announced they will join forces once again to create sweet music together.
Rogers made the revelation Wednesday night during his first of two sold-out performances at the Ford Theater in Nashville as the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum's 2012 Artist-in-Residence.
Rogers, whose catalog on Warner Bros./Reprise Records includes a string of multi-platinum albums and career hits recorded over the span of several decades, returns to where it all began in 1967 when his career was ignited with his mega-hit with the First Addition, "Just Dropped In (To See What Condition My Condition Was In)." Rogers' new album is being produced by award-winning producer, Dan Huff, and is scheduled for release later this year.
"I'm looking forward to returning home to Warner Bros. Records after all these years," commented Rogers on his new deal. "Our history together, combined with the incredible team that's in place now, provides the catalyst for a great new relationship going forward."
"With his unique storytelling ability and soulful voice, Kenny Rogers' music has touched generations across all musical formats. He has not only had a remarkable career but is truly an American icon," said John Esposito, President & CEO of Warner Music Nashville. "Warner Music Nashville looks forward to continuing his musical legacy but more importantly, having back home at Warner Bros. Records."
Recognized as one of the greatest entertainers and storytellers of all time, Rogers celebrated his 50th year in show business in 2008. In the incomparable span of his career, Rogers has sold more than 120 million records worldwide and recorded more than 65 albums. His long list of timeless classics includes an impressive 24 #1 hits - "The Gambler," "Lady," "Lucille," "She Believes in Me," "Islands in the Stream," and "We've Got Tonight" among them. Two of Rogers' albums, The Gambler and Kenny, are featured in the About.com poll of "The 200 Most Influential Country Albums Ever," and his Greatest Hits album has sold over 24 million copies worldwide to date. He is the RIAA's 8th best-selling male artist of all time with 1 Diamond album, 19 Platinum albums and 31 Gold albums.
"The Gambler," one of the biggest hits of Rogers' career, spawned five movies and became the longest running mini-series in the history of U.S. television seen by 100 million people. Rogers starred as Brady Hawkes. In addition, Rogers is an accomplished photographer, having studied under the assistant of photography great, Ansel Adams. He has published three photography books and authored four books, including one based on his hit tour and musical, "The Toy Shoppe."
A selfless humanitarian, Rogers assume his position at the forefront of the movement to aid the hungry after the death of his friend Harry Chapin - leading to the World Hunger Media Awards. He was also a participant in the "We Are The World" performance which raised millions for famine relief in Africa. Born in Houston, and raised in a housing project, Rogers was awarded the Horatio Alger Award in 1990, given to those who have distinguished themselves despite humble beginnings.
Want to see Grammy-award winning country star Eric Church LIVE on Saturday, May 5th at his sold out Nashville show?
NRA Country has a chance for you to win some tickets! Please visit HERE for more information.
GOOD LUCK!
Today brings the sad news that Levon Helm - the legendary drummer and vocalist from The Band - is losing his battle with throat cancer. Here is the announcement from his website:
Dear Friends,
Levon is in the final stages of his battle with cancer. Please send your prayers and love to him as he makes his way through this part of his journey.
Thank you fans and music lovers who have made his life so filled with joy and celebration...he has loved nothing more than to play, to fill the room up with music, lay down the back beat, and make the people dance! He did it every time he took the stage...
We appreciate all the love and support and concern.
From his daughter Amy, and wife Sandy
The Band first gained wide attention as Bob Dylan's backup band in the mid-60s, then with their album Music From Big Pink, released in 1968. The Band's final show in 1976 was immortalized in the live album and film The Last Waltz.
In addition to his work with The Band, Helm pursued a solo career and appeared in a handful of movies. He was diagnosed with throat cancer in the late 1990s.
Here's The Band performing "Up on Cripple Creek" in The Last Waltz. Turn it up real loud and send good vibes his way.
Yonder Mountain String Band put on one hell of a show at Stubb's on April 6, 2012, plucking and strumming their way through the night with a pretty lengthy setlist. I only wish I could recreate the serious bluegrass break dancin' by one fan in particular. It was impossible not to watch in awe-mazement.
Set I: Sideshow Blues, Pockets, My Gal, Don't Worry Happy Birthday, Blue Collar Blues, Years with Rose, Shake Me Up, Straight Line, New Horizons, Only a Northern Song, New Horizons Set II: All the Time, Ripcord Blues, Too Late Now, Polka on a Banjo, Ooh La La, Going Across the Sea, Big Spike Hammer, Just the Same, Jail Song, Cuckoo's Nest, Looking Back Over My Shoulder, Traffic Jam, 2 Hits, Southern Flavor Encore: Steep Grade Sharpe Curves, Going Where They Do Not Know My Name
photos by @crunchyMunckin
Has it ever been a dream of yours to star in a country music video? Here's your chance!
Just in time for Spring Break 2012, country cutie Rich O'Toole is looking for his "Drunk Girl" to star in his next music video. If you think you're the girl for the part, post a picture or YouTube video on Rich O'Toole's Facebook wall with a maximum of three reasons why you think that YOU should be the official "Drunk Girl."
Be sure to listen to the track, too - the lyrics could be slightly different than you might expect. Perhaps even put the song on 'Repeat' to get the creative juices flowin'! You never know - the winner could potentially be the girl with the most 'likes' or 'comments,' so you've got a lot of people to impress!
Entries must be received by April 23rd, 2012 at midnight. On that day, the top ten finalist will be announced and the winner will be determined on April 30th.
The video will be shot in Austin, Texas on May 6, 2012. Girls who think they've got what it takes to be the star of the video should be at least 18 years or older. Oh, and let's keep it classy, ladies - no nudity or super sexy photos. This contest is all about havin' fun!
Good Luck!
On Monday's first Live Shows episode of 'The Voice,' it was Team Blake Shelton vs. Team Christina Aguilera - two teams of talented vocalists taking the stage one by one to show viewers their worth. All made a splash, but not as big as 17-year-old country cutie RaeLynn.
The small-town Texas singer first won her way onto the vocal competition show - and into Shelton's heart - with Pistol Annies' "Hell on Heels" in her audition. With her recent performance, it's clear that the ACM Male Vocalist of the Year (and Pistol Annies founder Miranda Lambert's hubby) made the right choice in keeping her around.
Although she wasn't singing a country song, RaeLynn totally rocked in country style as she sang Maroon 5's smash revenge hit "Wake Up Call." "We're gonna punch America in the face with country," she said and she intro-ed into the song, perhaps in hopes to win the heart of Shelton's buddy and fellow judge Adam Levine, who is the band's lead singer.
While her vocals weren't 100% perfect, RaeLynn definitely made up for with entertainment and sass. Even Christina Aguilera mentioned that she was impressed with the teen's sass, mentioned the performance was undeniably sexy - even for a youngster.
When it was Shelton's turn to share some words, he told her she was "representing the new generation of country music so well" - she has the new sound of the genre. He also said - referencing the ACM Awards - that everyone in Nashville is apparently already supporting Rae.
RaeLynn's time on "The Voice" is determined on votes, however. Fans can choose their favorite from all of the performances and vote via text, internet and even by downloading RaeLynn's Maroon 5 cover on iTunes.
Be sure to watch the results show tonight!
Banjo pioneer Earl Scruggs died yesterday morning in Nashville, Tennessee, according to the Associated Press. He was 88. The death was confirmed to be of natural causes by Scruggs' son Gary.
Scruggs was known best for his three-finger and string-bending approached to banjo playing. His most famous recording appearance was the 1949 recording "Foggy Mountain Breakdown." Scruggs also performed in the movie Bonnie and Clyde and "The Ballada of Jed Clampett" from The Beverly Hillbillies.
It's not just bluegrass, it's American music," bluegrass fan turned country star Dierks Bentley said. "There's 17- or 18-year-old kids turning on today's country music and hearing that banjo and they have no idea where it that came from. That sound has probably always been there for them and they don't realize someone invented that three-finger roll style of playing. You hear it everywhere."
An undeniable pioneer in bluegrass music, Earl Scruggs revolutionized the way the banjo was played and influenced counless musicians in the process.
Here is a video of Earl Scruggs performing Fireball Mail" on early 60's TV:
It was announced today that seven time GRAMMY winning trio Lady Antebellum will open for American music icon Bruce Springsteen on July 14 for a sold out concert at Hyde Park as part of this year’s Hard Rock Calling festival in London, UK. "It's Springsteen…there is no entertainer we look up to more than him," said Lady A's Charles Kelley. "I'm going to be like a little kid at Christmas watching his show. It's the biggest honor for us to be invited to play this festival…the entire lineup is awesome!" High demand overseas of previously announced OWN THE NIGHT 2012 WORLD TOUR dates has also prompted Lady A to make special arrangements to accommodate more fans. The July 13 date in Glasgow, UK has moved to a bigger venue, the Clyde Auditorium, and the group recently added a second night in Dublin, Ireland at the Olympia Theatre.
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