More Performers Added To CMA Music Festival Lineup
- A whole slew of performers were added to the lineup for the CMA Music Festival, including everybody’s favorite Celebrity Apprentice, Trace Adkins. The lineup also sees Randy Travis returning after a decade long absence.
- Do Lyle Lovett and Australian pop singer Ben Lee look alike? Sixty-eight percent of the voters at Spinner see at least some resemblance.
- Asked why he still tours, 77 year-old George Jones says he has a big problem, “when I get home I get bored and I go a little berserk.” He has 95 concerts scheduled for this year and still enjoys playing for people, but admits he has to start slowing down and expects to only play 50 shows next year. Aside from touring, he’s been working on a new studio album with Tanya Tucker.
- Phil Vassar discusses his routine for staying in shape, but the real highlight is the high school picture of him sporting his track uniform.
- Martha Stewart’s dog died. It’s not country music related — she did spend some time in prison, a common country music theme — but I feel like you should know these things.
- The Nashville Scene podcast Scenecast Episode 128 is out with an hour worth of music from Thad Cockrell, Reckless Kelly, Dixie Bee-Liners, Steve Earle, Allison Moorer, and a bunch of other acts. It’s definitely an eclectic mix of music.
- PopMatters’ Charles A. Hohman describes Lady Antebellum as a “two-hot-guys, one-hotter-gal outfit” before giving their debut album a 5/10 rating, but he says “their affective songs deserve to swipe some airtime from the execrable Rascal Flatts.”
- On April 29th Tim McGraw will release a super duper special limited edition combo pack of both his greatest hits CD’s exclusively through Wal-Mart with a “unique” price point of only $11.98.
- Matt F. predicts that Rodney Atkins‘ “Invisibly Shaken” will be his fifth No. 1 from one album.
- One of the most successful Australian country artists Kasey Chambers and her husband Shane Nicholson will release their first album together on April 19. Titled Rattlin’ Bones, the album sees them exploring the “earthy, rootsy side of country music.” Benard Zuel says “this album is more narrative and character-driven than ever” and that if you “land on almost any track there’s going to be a mention of God, the devil, various angels and the odd demon.” Chambers revealed that one of the records they were listening to before writing this album was Satan Is Real by The Louvin Brothers. Check some of it out on MySpace.
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April 17, 2008 at 9:39 am Permalink
Wow, it seems like a lot of people named “Matt” not only like country but write about it too. ;)
I have Shane Nicholson’s last record and it’s a very good adult pop rock record with some country dashed in on a few tracks. Together with his wife, that will be special.
April 17, 2008 at 9:50 am Permalink
All you Matts use one initial last names, too!
April 17, 2008 at 10:05 am Permalink
My news pick of the day from AllAboutCountry:
“Colgate Country Showdown To Air This Weekend -
Hosted By LeAnn Rimes
The 26th Annual Colgate Country Showdown airs on FOX-TV this Saturday, April 19th at 5 pm (ET).
The finals took place on January 24, 2008 at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville and were hosted by Curb/Asylum star LeAnn Rimes. The five national finalists competed in front of a panel of music industry judges for the chance at $100,000. This weekend to see who walked away with the prize.”
The Colgate competition is always interesting to watch although I don’t know if any of the previous winners have ever gone on to have a successful career? Highly recommended for Nashville Star fans!
Ben Lee is most famous here in the US for having been a long term boyfriend of actress Claire Danes. I saw him perform live once and wasn’t too impressed….
Kasey Chambers has been a favorite artist of mine since about 2002 but strayed far from her country roots on her last album “Carnival”, which was also her poorest selling album. Ashley Monroe did a fine job of covering Kasey’s composition “Pony” on Ashley’s “Satisfied” album. Hopefully Kasey will bring the “Rattlin’ Bones” acoustic concert tour to the US at some point…..
April 17, 2008 at 2:18 pm Permalink
“He has 95 concerts scheduled for this year…”
…at least 30 of which he plans to show for.
April 17, 2008 at 2:39 pm Permalink
but isn’t there a kind of novelty at this point to attending a George Jones show that he no-shows?
April 18, 2008 at 8:55 am Permalink
Does Phil Vassar have a routine that will keep him from sucking?
April 18, 2008 at 8:56 am Permalink
BTW, Reckless Kelly (no relation) RULES!!!
April 18, 2008 at 11:18 pm Permalink
I completely disagree about the prediction on Rodney Atkins. I really like the song, but I don’t see it going any higher then top 20. I think it will be a real slow climb, and then drop.
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