• KEITH URBAN RETURNS TO HSN THIS WEEKEND. (PRESS RELEASE)

    ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., December X, 2014 – Fresh off his win at last month’s Country Music Awards, and being nominated for two GRAMMY Awards® for ‘Best Country Solo Performance’ and ‘Best Country Duo/Group Performance’ just last week, Keith Urban returns to leading entertainment and lifestyle retailer HSN, to give fans and music lovers the chance to be a guitar player too, with the HSN debut of Urban’s Deluxe “Player” Guitar Collection on December 14th.

    “I first started playing the guitar when I was six and I remember feeling an instant connection to it,” said Urban. “So it was important to me to make learning it as easy as possible, for any age, and to create an affordable, quality instrument so that as many people as possible could have a chance to discover the joy of playing. I believe that’s exactly what we’ve been able to do.”

    Appearing live across all of HSN’s platforms – TV, online and mobile – four-time GRAMMY Award® Winner Keith Urban will be on HSN on Sunday, December 14th at 12:01 AM ET and throughout the day. Urban follows up his previous three guitar collections for HSN with this one-day-only exclusive set that will be available for $299.95, $100.00 off of the regular HSN price.

    “We are excited to launch Keith’s Deluxe Player Guitar Collection with the amazing breakthrough lesson series ‘30 Songs in 30 Days’,” says Joy Mangano, President of Ingenious Designs. “Not only is Keith a tremendous guitar player and performer, but a great teacher as well.  He makes it so much fun for people who have always wanted to play the guitar to discover the joy that music can bring!”  

    Urban’s largest guitar collection to date, the Deluxe “Player” package comes with a 30-DVD lesson series where Keith personally teaches aspiring musicians the fundamental building blocks needed to learn how to play 30 hit songs: 15 of his top hits and 15 classic rock favorites. Each disc includes: 

    • a full lesson designed for you to build as you go to master the song from start to finish
    • a one-on-one solo performance practice session to cement the flow of the song
    • a play along with the band practice session
    • a final session featuring a backup band where you become the star

    As part of his music mission, Keith brings his years of experience with this ultimate package in hopes to share the gift of music, inspiring you to set out on your own musical journey and become the next Player!   

    The exclusive Deluxe “Player” series arrives just in time for the holidays and features two versions of the guitar: an all-wood body, handcrafted, Acoustic-Electric guitar with built-in on board 4 band EQ and tuner; or the Solid Body Electric guitar complete with double humbucker style pick-ups, 3 way selector switch and volume and tone controls. Each complete 50-piece set is available in four stunning color ways including the Keith Urban signature Brazilian Burst, Rich Black, Crimson and Jade. Other features include: a beautiful cognac distressed faux leather padded case with interior cushion to cradle the guitar; an adjustable guitar strap, a chord chart poster; a powerful 15-watt amplifier with built in reverb and overdrive; an extra set of comfort-coated strings; five signature picks and more!

    The Keith Urban Deluxe “Player” Collection launches on HSN live on Sunday, December 14 at 12AM ET for a one-day-only price of $299.95 (over a $1,400 value) for the complete 50-piece guitar and lesson package. For more information, visit HSN.com or join the conversation @HSN on Facebook and Twitter.

    Urban recently released his seventh studio album FUSE, which marked the first time that ANY country artist has simultaneously debuted at #1 on the all-genre charts in the United States, Canada and Australia. He recently completed his “Raise ‘Em Up” Tour, and last month won a CMA for Musical Event of the Year for his #1 song “We Were Us” featuring Miranda Lambert. Last week, Urban was honored as the “Artist of the Year” by CMT. Urban has also received three Academy of Country Music® Awards earlier this year, bringing his total to twelve, and he has won four GRAMMY Awards. He is the first artist to win the Country Music Association’s Horizon Award® for best new artist and to go on to win Best Male Vocalist, a title he’s captured three times, as well as the coveted Entertainer of the Year Award. He’s won an American Music Award® and People’s Choice Award®. He’s had 17 No. 1 singles, including three from FUSE, and five consecutive platinum or multi-platinum albums.

     

  • SCOTTY McCREERY HELPS RAISE $60,000 FOR 12.14 FOUNDATION. (PRESS RELEASE)

    NASHVILLE, Tenn. – (Dec. 5, 2014) – Mercury Nashville / 19 / Interscope Records artist Scotty McCreery performed a fundraising concert at the Toyota Oakdale in Wallingford, CT last night that raised $60,000 for the 12.14 Foundation.  Their mission is to develop programs that help children gain confidence, inspiration and skills to rise above and ultimately go beyond even the most horrific events.  The programs will be an innovative combination of exploration of the arts, and a coherent, evidence based personal development strategy.  The organization’s long-term goal is to build a special center to house these multi-disciplinary educational programs, including a performing arts center, which will be based in Newtown, but its doors will be open to benefit people nationwide. The center will honor those lost on December 14, 2012, while providing a venue that supports many forms of healing and forward-looking positive change.

    McCreery serves as a National Goodwill Ambassador for the 12.14 Foundation and was excited to bring his “See You Tonight Tour” (featuring special guest Danielle Bradbery) to the area and help them move closer to their dream. “Music has always been a positive force in my life, whether as a fan or now as an entertainer,” said the singer/songwriter. “It feels great to bring people together with my music and help such a worthwhile cause as the 12.14 Foundation.”    

    “Scotty’s benefit concert last night was nothing short of incredible,” said Michael Baroody, MD, Founder of the 12.14 Foundation. “He showed his strong support of the 12.14 Foundation, love for his country and honored the sacrifices of our troops. Even at such a young age, he serves as an example for all of us. In addition to his obvious musical talents, Scotty is genuine, kind and has unshakable conviction. His generosity from last night helps further our efforts to utilize the performing arts in helping children understand their strengths, passions and capabilities preparing them with tools for tomorrow.”

    McCreery is currently rising up the charts with his hit single “Feelin’ It” from his sophomore album See You Tonight, which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart. That album’s title song, a top 10 hit co-written by the singer, was one of three singles from the “American Idol” champion that were recently certified Platinum by the RIAA in the same week (the other two being “The Trouble with Girls” and “I Love You This Big” from his Platinum-certified first album Clear as Day, which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Top 200 Albums chart). The ACM, CMT Music, ACA, and ICM Award winner, who was recently ranked No. 2 on Country Weekly’s “2014 Country’s Sexiest Men Poll,” will be a presenter on the upcoming inaugural “American Country Countdown Awards” broadcast airing live from Nashville on Dec. 15 on the FOX Television Network. For tour dates and more information, visit ScottyMcCreery.com. Follow him on Facebook atFacebook.com/ScottyMcCreery and on Twitter @ScottyMcCreery.
     
    About the 12.14 Foundation
    The 12.14 Foundation’s long-range goal is to build a landmark, multi-purpose performing arts and education center of historical significance in Newtown as a beacon of hope and positive change for use by and to benefit people everywhere. To be designed by a team of world-class professionals, the center is intended to attract top tier performers and will incorporate advanced multi-media capabilities to extend the foundation’s reach to a worldwide audience.
     
    The foundation currently provides leadership training for Newtown students in conjunction with experts from the Yale University School of Management, and produces arts programming in other venues, such as its recent productions of “The 101 Dalmatians Musical,” “A ROCKIN’ Midsummer Night’s Dream,” and “Seussical: the Musical.” The productions garnered national attention and included the participation of more than 200 children from the Newtown area in collaboration with award-winning Broadway directors, actors and producers.
     
    For more information and to make donations, visit http://www.1214foundation.org. Mobile phone users can make a $10 tax-deductible donation to 12.14 Foundation by texting CTKIDS to 80077*.
  • CHRISTMAS AUDIO 2014: Little Big Town (AUDIO)

    The four members of Little Big Town, who have recorded a couple of Christmas tunes including “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” each have their own traditions, some carried over from childhood and some started when they had their own families. The entire band loves the holiday, and are featured once again on the ABC special CMA Country Christmas, which will re-air Saturday, December 20th at 9pm ET on ABC. Check out their stories below.

    Audio / LBT (Christmas tradition-Kimberly)

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    AUDIO: Little Big Town
    ‘s Kimberly Schlapman and her family have their annual Christmas tradition, which has happened every single year.

    LBT (Christmas tradition-Kimberly) OC: …Santa comes. :28
    “My favorite holiday tradition is, it’s happened very year that I can remember that I’ve been alive. We would go over to my grandmother’s house and have Christmas over there, and everybody would come home to Mama and Daddy’s house. We’d sit down and Mama hands out everybody a gift, and we act like we don’t what it is, but we do ’cause it’s always Christmas pajamas. So, everybody opens their Christmas pajamas and goes and puts ’em on, and we come back to the living room and we sit around Daddy and he reads The Christmas Story. And we tuck ourselves in until Santa comes.”

    Audio / LBT (Holiday movies)

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    AUDIO: The members of Little Big Town talk about some of their favorite Christmas movies and holiday specials.

    LBT (Holiday movies) OC: (Phillip) …whatever I touch. [LAUGHS] :38
    KAREN: “One of our favorite Christmas traditions is gathering around the television to watch holiday movies. And I know [for] Kimberly, it starts with [KIMBERLY: “It’s a Wonderful Life.”] It’s a Wonderful Life. Ours is holiday movies and records, like certain records have to be played in order for Jimi.” JIMI: “You have to start out the season right with Elvis, a little Elvis Presley.” KAREN: “I like the Charlie Brown Christmas movie.” KIMBERLY: “It’s sweet.” KAREN: “Yeah, it is sweet.” JIMI: “I like all those classic ones like the Rudolph and what is the one with the Abominable Snowman?” KIMBERLY: “Frosty, the Snowman?” PHILLIP: [sings] “I’m Mister Heat Miser/whatever I touch…” [LAUGHS] (The song is from the Claymation special ‘A Year Without a Santa Claus.’) 

    Audio / LBT (Karen-making candy)

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    AUDIO: Little Big Town’s Karen Fairchild talks about making candy at Christmas with her mother and grandmother.

    LBT (Karen-making candy) OC: …peanut butter inside. :19
    “Christmases at our house usually included making candy with my mother and my grandmother. We did everything from potato candy to chocolate dipped peanut butter (JIMI: “That all sounds amazing.”) and fudge. My mom’s fudge recipe is amazing.” KIMBERLY: “What is potato candy?” KAREN: “It does use a potato, but it’s rolled and it has peanut butter inside.” 

    Audio / LBT (Phillip-tradition)

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    AUDIO: Little Big Town’s Phillip Sweet talks about having his own Christmas tradition with wife Rebecca and daughter Penelopi.

    LBT (Phillip-tradition) OC: …to Christmas. :13
    “We do a little Christmas tradition in our house. We do, you know the little tree in the countdown to Christmas? We put little treats in each little doorway. [Penelopi] opens the countdown to Christmas. (KIMBERLY: “Cuuuute.”) She gets a new little treat every day leading up to Christmas.”

    Audio / LBT (Kimberly & Karen-favorite childhood gift)

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    AUDIO: Little Big Town’s Kimberly Schlapman and Karen Fairchild recall their favorite childhood Christmas gift from Santa Claus.

    LBT (Kimberly & Karen – favorite childhood gift) OC: (KAREN) …Andy Gibb. [laughs] :46
    KIMBERLY: “I remember when I was a kid, I really badly wanted a record player, and I got one of those little box record players and it was blue and white plaid. And then I got Andy Gibbs’ 45 to go on it, and I was in love with Andy Gibb.” KAREN: “You mean Britney Spears?” KIMBERLY: “Yes, Britney Spears.” JIMI: “Justin Bieber.” KIMBERLY: [LAUGHS] Justin Bieber. I loved my little record player. I wish I still had it. It was blue and white checked.” KAREN: “Checked. Checked means plaid, people. Checked. [Jimi laughs] I got a bicycle for Christmas, and I remember it was like a yellow three-speed. [KIMBERLY: “Whoa! Sounds fancy.”] Remember those? Speaking of Andy Gibb. [EVERYONE LAUGHS]

  • NEWS AND NOTES: Kip, Scotty, Darius, Sam, Little Big Town, Jennifer

    Kip Moore and Scotty McCreery are among the artists announced as presenters for the American Country Countdown Awards. They’re joined by Kix Brooks, Sara Evans, Hunter Hayes, Chris Young, Thomas Rhett, Chase Rice, Cole Swindell and Maddie & Tae, along with Brooklyn Nine-Nine’s Terry Crews, The Walking Dead’s Emily Kinney, NASCAR’s Jimmie Johnson, Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw and Miss America 2015 Kira Kazantsev. The show will air live from Nashville’s Music City Center December 15th at 8pm ET on FOX.

    Darius Rucker will perform during this year’s Christmas in Washington special, airing December 19th at 8pm ET on TNT. Hunter Hayes, Rita OraChristina Perri and Aloe Blacc also are set to perform. Dwayne The Rock Johnson will host the show.

    Sam Hunt is headed to the Super Bowl to perform during the DIRECTV Super Fan Festival. The three-day event will take place in Phoenix, Arizona and also include performances by Zac Brown Band, Thomas Rhett, The Cadillac Three, Imagine Dragons, Snoop Dogg and more.

    This year’s CMA Country Christmas, featuring performances by Little Big Town, Brett Eldredge, Hunter Hayes, Carrie Underwood, Michael W. Smith, Brad Paisley with Stephen Tyler, Dan + Shay, as well as the show’s host Jennifer Nettles and Idina Menzel, will re-air Saturday, December 20th at 9pm ET on ABC.

     

    Video / FROZEN - "Let It Go" | Idina Menzel & Jennifer Nettles | CMA Cou

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  • KELLEIGH BANNEN RELEASES THE VIDEO FOR ‘SMOKE WHEN I DRINK.’ (VIDEO)

    Kelleigh Bannen‘s video for “Smoke When I Drink” premiered Friday (December 5th) on VEVO.

    Video / Kelleigh Bannen - Smoke When I Drink

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  • ERIC CHURCH’S VIDEO FOR ‘TALLADEGA’ PREMIERES ON VEVO. (VIDEO)

    The video for “Talladega” — the fourth single from Eric Church‘s Grammy-nominated album, The Outsiders — premiered on VEVO on Friday (December 5th). Check it out below.

  • LADY ANTEBELLUM WILL HOST THE FIRST ANNUAL CHEERS FOR CHARITY EVENT. (PRESS RELEASE)

    Nashville, TN – December 4, 2014 –  The members of Lady Antebellum are set to host their First Annual “Cheers For Charity” on New Year’s Eve (12/31) in Nashville, TN where fans are invited for dinner, drinks and music. The event is set to be held at the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum and all proceeds will benefit LadyAID, the trio’s philanthropic effort created to generate support for children in need locally, nationally and globally. Tickets begin at $250 and are available for purchase starting today at http://www.nowplayingnashville.com/event/detail/441888069/
     
    “We really wanted to do something special and fun in Nashville before everyone revs up for their big New Year’s Eve plans later that night,” said Lady A’s Hillary Scott. “The opportunity to host an event here at home and play music for our Nashville friends to raise awareness for a cause we truly believe in gives us so much happiness. ‘Cheers’ to a great New Year’s Eve in Nashville!”
     
    LadyAID’s multi-level organization reaches children across the state of Tennessee through grants to Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. On a national level, Lady Aid is supporting Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals and myLIFEspeaks on a global level. LadyAID is a component fund of The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee.
     
    “Cheers For Charity” will precede the band’s headlining show in downtown Nashville, portions of which will also be broadcast live on Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest beginning at 8pm CST on ABC. For more info including a full list of appearances, visit www.LadyAntebellum.com.
  • ERIC CHURCH GETS READY TO RELEASE THE VIDEO FOR HIS LATEST HIT, ‘TALLADEGA.’ (PRESS RELEASE)

    Nashville, Tenn. – (Dec. 4, 2014) – This week, Eric Church debuts the music video for his latest hit single, “Talladega.”

    Church Choir members will get an exclusive first look at the video today (Thursday, Dec. 4) at EricChurch.com. “Talladega” will then premiere Friday (Dec. 5) on Vevo.com and Saturday (Dec. 6 at 11 AM/ET) on “CMT Hot 20 Countdown,” before being released to all video outlets on Monday (Dec.8).

    “Talladega” is the fourth single from Church’s critically acclaimed 2014 album The Outsiders, a CMA Album of the Year Award nominee. The poignant song looks at memory through the lens of a youthful trip taken to the iconic Alabama racetrack. Like an earlier single from The Outsiders, the chart-topping “Give Me Back My Hometown,” “Talladega” showcases Church’s softer side and his ability to filter shared universal experiences through deeply personal points of view.

    The video, directed by Peter Zavadil from a concept by Church’s longtime manager John Peets, arrives as the song is set to break into the Top 10 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs Chart. “Talladega” is the North Carolina native’s 14th Top 20 entry on that chart.

    “Talladega” weaves performances filmed at Nashville Speedway with a narrative about the passing of time that’s augmented with archival Super 8mm footage of family, celebration and, of course, racetrack scenes. The video’s release caps a stellar year for Church. The Outsiders enjoyed one of 2014’s best debuts regardless of genre and will likely appear on several year-end best-of lists. He was a top nominee at the CMA Awards as he continued to push country music in new directions, appeared on the cover of Rolling Stone’s first country issue, and played to his largest crowds yet.

    Church is on the road with his “The Outsiders World Tour” mates Dwight Yoakam and Halestorm through Dec. 13 before kicking off the 2015 leg of the tour in January. For tickets or to learn more about Eric Church, visit www.ericchurch.com and www.facebook.com/ericchurch, or follow @EricChurch on Twitter.

     

  • DARIUS RUCKER WINS GRAMMY FOR ‘WAGON WHEEL.’ (AUDIO)

    Darius Rucker picked up the Grammy Award for Best Country Solo Performance for his No. 1 hit, “Wagon Wheel.” The song is from his latest album, True Believers.

    Audio / Darius Rucker explains how he came up with the idea of recording “Wagon Wheel” for his new album.

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    Darius Rucker (Wagon Wheel) OC: …finished it. :43
    “Somebody had played ‘Wagon Wheel’ for me years ago. It was one of those things that didn’t really…and I didn’t really get it. So, I’m at my daughter’s high school talent show, and I’m sitting in the audience with my family. We were watching my daughter, and the faculty band gets up. It’s just the faculty from her school, and they play ‘Wagon Wheel.’ And I’m sitting in the audience, and they get to the middle of the chorus, and I turned to my wife, and I go, ‘I’ve got to cut this song.’ I’m serious. This all happened in three-and-a-half minutes, four minutes, while they’re playing the song. And so I’m texting Frank Rogers, ‘Do you know this ‘Wagon Wheel’ song?’ He’s like, ‘Yeah. It’s by Old Crow Medicine Show.’ He said, ‘A lot of people have cut it.’ I said, ‘I don’t care! [laughs] I’m cutting it!’ He’s like, ‘Yeah, dude. We’ll try it. We’ll cut it.’ And so…I cut it, and it was great after we finished it.”

     

     

  • LITTLE BIG TOWN’S FANS GO ‘CRAZY’ OVER ‘PONTOON!’ (AUDIO)

    Little Big Town’s “Pontoon” has been called “the hit of the summer,” and may be linked to the spike in sales of pontoon boats. The response from the Top 5 song – written by Natalie Hemby, Luke Laird and Barry Dean – has been overwhelming for the band as they’ve made their way across the country as part of Rascal FlattsChanged tour. “Now, for the first time we don’t have to say a word,” says LBT’s Phillip Sweet. “We just have to start the song and the crowd immediately knows what it is – that’s started happening, so it’s been so fun to see that.” Bandmate Kimberly Schlapman agrees, especially after the opening notes of the song. “They go crazy! It’s so fun.”

    “Pontoon” is the first single from the band’s forthcoming album, Tornado, available September 11th.

     

    Audio / Little Big Town’s Phillip Sweet and Kimberly Schlapman talk about the response “Pontoon” is getting in concert.

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    LBT (Pontoon response) OC: (Kimberly) …so fun. :18

    PHILLIP: “The response has been awesome. Now, for the first time we don’t have to say a word. We just have to start the song and the crowd immediately knows what it is – that’s started happening, so it’s been so fun to see that.” KIMBERLY: “Yeah, right after erh, erh, erh, erh, erh, whaaa-o, they go crazy! It’s so fun, so fun.”