Universal Universal Music Group Nashville Pressroom

Alan Jackson will release Precious Memories Volume II tomorrow (March 26^th), the first volume having been recorded and released in 2006 and topping three album charts – Top Country Album, Top Christian Albums and Top Christian & Gospel Albums – during its first week of release.

The first volume of “Precious Memories” started as a Christmas gift for the singer’s mother, and was urged by some friends, family and record label execs to release it to his fans.

He equates many of the gospel standards to country songs. “They’re a lot like country songs. They’re memorable melodies, and they’re well-written subjects that appeal to common people,”  the Georgia native says. “When you really start listening to those songs, as a songwriter now, I’m especially amazed at how good they are, you know, in the melodies and even some of the melodies are similar, almost, to a country song. That’s one reason I love ‘em.”

He culled through 30-40 more gospel songs with his wife to come up with the tracks on Volume II.

Precious Memories Volume II Track List:
1. Amazing Grace
2. He Lives
3. Just As I Am
4. Love Lifted Me
5. O How I Love Jesus
6. Only Trust Him
7. There Is Power In The Blood
8. Precious Memories
9. Sweet Hour of Prayer
10. When the Roll is Called Up Yonder
11. Wherever He Leads I’ll Go

Alan Jackson shares his thoughts on why the songs he recorded for Precious Memories Volume II endure and resonate with people.

AJ (country & gospel) OC: …that sound. :54“T
hey’re a lot like country songs. They’re memorable melodies, and they’re well-written subjects that appeal to common people. When you really start listening to those songs, as a songwriter now, I’m especially amazed at how good they are, you know, in the melodies and even some of the melodies are similar, almost, to a country song. That’s one reason I love ‘em. And I think people that grew up in church, it’s not unlike your young days in high school and whatever you listened to on the radio, you know? Those are songs that [when] you hear them now, they really take you back to that feeling of that moment. And I think that’s what these songs do for people that heard ‘em every Sunday and especially like the church I went to had a big ol’ pipe organ and a piano and that was just a monstrous sound. It was very – even though I wasn’t that crazy about being at church when I was a young man, that music – I loved that sound.”

Greensboro, NC — Country superstar George Strait thanked a brave Triad service member Saturday night, during his performance at the Greensboro Coliseum.

Strait with the help of retired Army Lt.General Leroy Sisco presented Winston-Salem native Ryan Hamilton with the keys to a new home, according to Greensboro CBS-TV affiliate WFMY.

It’s all part of the “Homes 4 Wounded Heroes” program, which is provided through the Military Warriors Support Foundation.

Hamilton is a retired Army sergeant. He was hit by an IED, while serving in Iraq in 2007.

This is the 17th home Strait has given away, so far, as part of his “The Cowboy Rides Away” tour.

Check out the video here.

Newcomer Drake White hits the airwaves with his debut single, “The Simple Life,” on Monday (March 25th). The Hokes Bluff, Alabama native was destined to become a singer-songwriter, especially since he began rhyming words at a very young age. “We laugh about it now, because I used to get in trouble rhyming,” says Drake. “I would start rhyming with duck, and you know where that ends up. That’s true, like I always rhymed at a very young age – 7, 8, 9 – but poetry always intrigued me.

Check out the video below to see an acoustic version of “The Simple Life.”

AUDIO: MCA Nashville’s Drake White says his penchant for rhyming words (and later songwriting) came at an early age.

Drake White (rhyming words) OC: …secretive-type thing. :33
“My dad worked at Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company, and my mother was a cosmetologist in a garage, one-chair shop, so, I mean, it was a pretty awesome, cool, simple type of life. We laugh about it now, because I used to get in trouble rhyming. I would start rhyming with duck, and you know where that ends up. That’s true, like I always rhymed at a very young age – 7, 8, 9 – but poetry always intrigued me. And I grew up in a place where guys didn’t cry, guys didn’t, you know, so poetry was kind like, I really didn’t tap into it until I was about 14 or 15, and that was kind of a secretive-type thing.”

LINER Drake White (Simple Life intro)

In the latest episode of ScotTV, Scotty McCreery enjoys the nice warm weather in sunny Florida before the show. See how life on the road can be a wild ride!

When he’s not on the road with his Weekend Road Trip Tour or in classes, Scotty’s been working hard on his next album.

The next date on his Weekend Road Trip Tour is Thursday (March 28th) in Aurora, Illinois.

Easton Corbin is climbing the country charts with his latest single, “All Over the Road,” the title track from his current album. He says the song is a feel-good song that makes you want to drive down the road with the windows down, but he explains it’s more than just that. “It’s also one of those songs that it’s about being with that person that makes you feel good and makes you feel that high.”

Easton is (ahem) all over the road with his own shows until he embarks on Blake Shelton’s Ten Times Crazier Tour beginning July 19th in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

In other news, Easton Corbin’s Ram Jam Truck Auction is LIVE! You can bid on Easton’s RAM 1500 Laramie Longhorn 4×4 to benefit the Freedom Alliance until March 28th. Visit the Ebay celebrity page here: www.ebay.com/roadtoramjam

AUDIO: Easton Corbin talks about his latest single, “All Over the Road.”

Easton Corbin (All Over the Road) OC: …that high. :12
“‘All Over the Road,’ it’s a feel-good, upbeat tempo song that really makes you want to roll your windows down. But, on top of that, it’s also one of those songs that it’s about being with that person that makes you feel good and makes you feel that high.”

LINER Easton Corbin (and my latest single is All Over the Road)

DARIUS RUCKER RELEASES “WAGON WHEEL” VIDEO FEATURING A&E’S DUCK DYNASTY CAST AND LADY ANTEBELLUM’S CHARLES KELLEY

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Capitol Records Nashville’s Darius Rucker recently shot the video for his critically acclaimed hit single “Wagon Wheel” in Nashville, Tenn. Directed by Jim Wright, the video features several guest appearances, including Jase, Korie, Sadie, Si and Willie Robertson from A&E’s Duck Dynasty and Charles Kelley of Lady Antebellum who along with bandmates, Dave Haywood and Hillary Scott, sing background vocals on the single. The video can be seen at http://vevo.ly/WYa6Df. 

“Wagon Wheel,” written by Ketch Secor of Old Crow Medicine Show and based on a sketch by Bob Dylan, has been exploding on the Country digital singles chart with double-digit increases for the last five weeks. The single is featured on Rucker’s upcoming country album, True Believers, in stores on May 21st.

Rucker recently had a childhood dream come true when he was inducted as the member of the Grand Ole Opry. His first two country albums, Learn To Live and Charleston, SC 1966 both topped the Billboard Country album chart and produced five No. 1 singles including “Come Back Song,” “This,” “Alright,” “It Won’t Be Like This For Long” and “Don’t Think I Don’t Think About It.” In 2009 Rucker was named New Artist of the Year at the CMA Awards.

For more information, please visit www.dariusrucker.com. 

True Believers album cover and Wagon Wheel video photos can be downloaded at http://bit.ly/13iARVC.

AUDIO: Darius Rucker explains how he got to be a big fan of A&E’s hit show, Duck Dynasty.

Darius Rucker (Duck Dynasty) OC: …fun, though. :33
DARIUS: “I was just sitting in the back of my bus one day and flipping through the channels and Duck Dynasty came on. It was a marathon. It started at 7 o’clock and at about 12 o’clock, I realized I was still watching Duck Dynasty. [laughs] I think what I like about it is it’s real. That’s what I love about it. It’s real. I love to…and it’s right in the middle of the South where I live, where I’m from, what I’m a part of, you know, I get everything they say, ‘cause I lived it. So, I love it. The personalities are great. Nobody’s funnier than Jase, except Si, you know. [laughs]” JASE: “Si is crazy.” DARIUS: “He’s crazy. He’s fun, though.”

AUDIO: Darius Rucker says Duck Dynasty is one of the only television shows he can watch with his kids, who weren’t happy they couldn’t come to the video shoot for “Wagon Wheel.”

Darius Rucker (Duck Dynasty) 2 OC: …all week. :23
“You know, being a father and stuff, there’s not a lot of shows I can watch with my kids, and we sit and watch it. Like my kids are angry at me right now. When I told them they weren’t coming these two days, when I told them y’all were coming and they couldn’t come, my middle daughter is still not talking to me. She wouldn’t talk to me on the phone last night. [laughs] But, you know, for me, it’s my favorite show. I tweeted the other day that it’s my new Monday Night Football. It’s my favorite show. It’s the show I wait for all week.”

AUDIO: Jase Robertson from Duck Dynasty explains why he feels fans connect with the show.

Jase Robertson (Duck Dynasty) OC: …who they are. 1:03
JASE: “We call ‘em the TV people; when they showed up, I think they were going to try to do a typical reality show with all the fits of rage and dysfunction and we’re like, ‘We actually get along and love each other.’ Now, we like to laugh and have a good time. But when they met Si, they said, ‘You know what? I think we can make this work.’ [laughs] DARIUS: “I’m sure. I’m sure.” JASE: “We get to be ourselves, and it’s a family show, because we love each other. We give each other a hard time, but at the end of the day, our favorite thing they show on TV, which is the favorite thing we do, is we gather around the table and we eat real good and we say a prayer, and we say, ‘Whatever happened today, this is what it’s all about.’ And in the meantime, we laugh and have a good time, and I think that’s why people like it. Everybody likes to laugh or sometimes they need to laugh because they’re going through something tough, and they see a family for who they are.”

Keith Urban checks in from the studio where he’s working on his next album. He also asks fans to watch out for a BIG announcement coming on Monday in the latest episode of Urban Chat.

LUKE BRYAN TO HOST ACM & CABELA’S GREAT OUTDOORS ARCHERY EVENT

RAM TRUCKS RETURNS WITH FAN-FAVORITE “RAM RIDE AND DRIVE” ANCHOR SPONSORSHIP

DIET DR PEPPER RED CARPET EXPERIENCE GIVES FANS TIME IN THE SPOTLIGHT

KRAFT COUNTRY KITCHEN SERVES UP FOOD & FUN

Encino, CA (March 22, 2013) – The Academy of Country Music announced today four high-profile brand partnerships with Cabela’s, Dr Pepper, Kraft and RAM Trucks that will enhance fan participation and attendance at the free, open-to-the-public ACM EXPERIENCE, a family-friendly country music lifestyle event held April 5-7, 2013 at The Orleans Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.

“We’re excited that some of America’s most well-known brands have partnered with the ACM to create engaging and unique experiences for fans,” said Teresa George, Senior Vice President, Brand Integration and Strategic Partnerships for the Academy of Country Music.

ACM & Cabela’s Great Outdoors Archery Event

Luke Bryan, co-host of the 48^th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards, will host the ACM & Cabela’s Great Outdoors Archery Event at THE ACM EXPERIENCE, a unique event from 10:00am-11:30am PT on Saturday, April 6^th that will bring together country music artists, military personnel and fans in an archery exhibition featuring 3D and traditional targets. ACM Awards nominee Jason Aldean, country music artists Kix Brooks, Easton Corbin, Chris Janson, Justin Moore, Jon Pardi and Thomas Rhett and A&E’s “Duck Dynasty” stars Willie Robertson and Jep Robertson will test their skills and knowledge on bow hunting, using Cabela’s state-of-the-art archery equipment. A special “Fan Zone” will allow the public to be close to the action and also to test their bow hunting skills with Cabela’s Pro Staff from noon-2:00pm PT. The Fan Zone is free and open-to-the-public and is located at THE ACM EXPERIENCE in the East Parking Lot of The Orleans Hotel and Casino. 

Diet Dr Pepper Red Carpet Experience

Fans can sample the One of a Kind taste of Dr Pepper, Dr Pepper TEN and Diet Dr Pepper and get their time in the spotlight at the Diet Dr Pepper Red Carpet Experience, a special photo area duplicating the red carpet arrivals line at the Academy of Country Music Awards. Country music artists Craig Campbell and Thomas Rhett will be featured guests at the Diet Dr Pepper Red Carpet Experience where they will sign autographs and take photos with fans. 

Kraft Country Kitchen

You don’t want to miss the delicious food trucks and vendors at the Kraft Country Kitchen, complete with over 13 food vendors, relaxing backyard picnic area, and of course, the world-famous Oscar Mayer Weinermobile.

RAM Ride and Drive Arena

Fans attending THE ACM EXPERIENCE will have the opportunity to “ride country” on a free, 25,000-square-foot interactive Ram Ride and Drive test track. The one-of-a-kind Ram outdoor course pairs riders with professional drivers so fans can experience firsthand the performance, capabilities and competitive advantages of Ram 1500 pickup trucks, the 2013 Motor Trend Truck of the Year. The Ram Ride and Drive is comprised of several obstacles, including a thrilling 13-foot climb where passengers experience the traction capabilities of a Ram pickup truck when driving over a 30-degree angle Ram Mountain. Fans attending the Ram experience will also see one of the most feared opponents on the monster truck racing circuit, the RAMINATOR. Weighing in at an incredible 10,300 pounds, the Ram-sponsored race truck is powered by a 2,000 horsepower HEMI engine and stands 10 feet tall and 13 feet wide. At select times during the Ram experience, the RAMINATOR will fire up and perform, smashing rows of junk cars. Country fans will be able to take a ride in the RAMINATOR ride truck and have autographs signed and photos taken with championship driver Mark Hall in the Ram Ride and Drive arena. Easton Corbin and Thompson Square will be signing autographs in the Ram Ride and Drive arena during the weekend as well.

“The Ram Truck track will be engaging and memorable for riders as they experience the refined interior, capabilities and handling of the award-winning 2013 Ram 1500,” said Fred Diaz, President and CEO – Ram Truck Brand, Chrysler Group LLC. “Ram Truck fans and country music fans are one and the same, as they are cut from the same cloth. Last year’s inaugural ACM EXPERIENCE event at the Academy of Country Music Awards was a big hit and we are excited to be back again to give our mutual fans the opportunity to ride and drive the most innovative lineup of full-size pickup trucks on the market.”

ACM EXPO Presented by Roper

Part of the free, open-to-all ACM Experience is the ultimate country marketplace, the ACM EXPO Presented by Roper, which will encompass more than 200,000 square feet of shopping, interactive booths, gaming, dining and more. Unique vendors from all over the nation will offer a variety of apparel and accessories including customized jewelry, western wear, original art, homemade crafts and much more.

Additional events and activities at the ACM EXPO Presented by Roper, include:

· Exclusive Genetics Bucking Bull Arena where fans can come see the future bull stars of tomorrow compete as yearling bulls in the EG Bucking Bull Champion’s Tour for over $25,000 in prize money.

• · Coors Light Beer Garden where attendees can take a photo with the Coors Light “Official Beer of NASCAR” show car and relax with a cold one while watching many of the big screen TVs.
• · ACM and ACM Lifting Lives® booth will offer a chance to win tickets to attend the ACM Awards on Sunday! Also, check out the ACM trophies up close, see what’s new at the ACM, purchase merchandise, become a member of the ACM A-list and win prizes.
• · CMT booth which brings “Dog and Beth: On the Hunt” to Las Vegas for fans to get a chance to meet America’s favorite bounty hunting team, get photos with friends and join the Dog Pack for access to exclusive extras and a chance to win awesome prizes.
• · Great American Country (GAC) booth where guests can win a Kenny Chesney-signed guitar, get a sneak peek at GAC’s newest season of the hit show “Farm Kings,” highlights from ACM Red Carpet broadcasts and more. Get a custom photo with GAC show hosts that can be shared from your smart phone. Additionally, meet GAC personalities Suzanne Alexander, Storme Warren and Nan Kelly, who will be at the booth throughout the event to take photos and sign autographs.
• · The Roper Booth will feature appearances and autograph signings by Cowboy Troy, Dustin Lynch and Joe Nichols.
• · The Kid Zone features activities, jump houses, obstacle courses and an Extreme Bungee Jump.

THE ACM EXPERIENCE and ACM EXPO hours of operation at The Orleans Hotel and Casino are:

Ø Friday, April 5^th – 10am – 10pm PST

Ø Saturday, April 6^th – 10am – 10pm PST

Ø Sunday, April 7^th – 10am – 4pm PST

For updates on all THE ACM EXPERIENCE activities, and times for autograph signings, please visit www.theacmexperience.com

About THE ACM EXPERIENCE:

THE ACM EXPERIENCE is a free, open-to-the public country music lifestyle event created for fans by the Academy of Country Music. The fan-focused, three-day event, held April 5-7, 2013 at The Orleans Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, includes the ACM EXPO presented by Roper, ACM & Cabela’s Great Outdoor Archery Event, Ram Ride and Drive, Cooper Tire Stage, Kraft Country Kitchen, the ticketed ACM Party for a Cause Festival and more. The events will culminate in the 3^rd Annual ACM Fan Jam and Post-Awards Concert, a ticketed event headlined by Brad Paisley, on Sunday, April 7, 2013. For updates on The ACM Experience, the ACM Awards and all Academy events, please log onto www.ACMcountry.com, like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/AcademyOfCountryMusic or follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/ACMawards.

Jon Pardi is having the time of his life being on the road with Justin Moore’s Outlaws Like Me Tour, which also features his buddy, Dustin Lynch. All three love to play country music and to have a good time, however, that good time doesn’t necessarily include playing pranks on each other. “I’m pretty much sure this is not going to be a prank tour,” says Jon. “We all just say it like it is, get it done, kick ass and then go to the next show and high five and then have some beers later on.”

Jon, who is currently making his way up the country charts with his latest single, “Up All Night,” is in St. Joseph, Missouri tonight (Friday) and Farmington, Missouri on Saturday with the Outlaws Like Me Tour.

AUDIO: Jon Pardi explains that it’s all serious business of playing music and having a good time on the tour with Justin and Dustin, so he is not expecting shenanigans. [NOTE: Credit Albright & O’Malley & Brenner for the audio.]

Jon Pardi (Justin Moore tour is kick ass) OC: …later on. :11
“I’m pretty much sure this is not going to be a prank tour. We all just say it like it is, get it done, kick ass and then go to the next show and high five and then have some beers later on.”

Alan Jackson was probably never more surprised in his life when his first Precious Memories album of gospel classics sold more than two-million copies…and continues to sell. He first recorded the album as a present for his mother, but at the urging of friends and family, he released it to the public.

Some of the stories he’s heard about people loving Precious Memories have come from the most random people. “I was at the airport renewing my parking pass, you know. And this young woman was behind the desk there and she was doing all the paperwork, and she saw my name there and she said, ‘Are you Alan Jackson the singer?’ And I said, ‘Yes.’ And then [she said], ‘You did the Precious Memories gospel music?’ And I said, ‘Yes.’ She said, ‘Well, I’m from South Africa, and we watched that program (that we did , the television special) over there.’ And she said they sang all the songs – they called them ‘sacrees,’ I guess like ‘sacred,’” recalls Alan. “She was so excited and wanted to know how she could get a copy of that TV program. So I think we sent her one out there.”

Alan will release Precious Memories Volume II on Tuesday (March 26th).

AUDIO: Alan Jackson admits he was surprised how many people embraced his first Precious Memories album.

AJ (gospel surprise) OC: …it’s amazing. :57
“I’ve heard so many things, I tell you. I was at the airport renewing my parking pass, you know. And this young woman was behind the desk there and she was doing all the paperwork and she saw my name there and she said, ‘Are you Alan Jackson the singer?’ And I said, ‘Yes.’ And then [she said], ‘You did the Precious Memories gospel music?’ And I said, ‘Yes.’ She said, ‘Well, I’m from South Africa, and we watched that program (that we did , the television special) over there.’ And she said they sang all the songs – they called them ‘sacrees,’ I guess like ‘sacred.’ And she was so excited and wanted to know how she could get a copy of that TV program. So I think we sent her one out there, and then I’ve heard stories of a friend of mine whose parents are missionaries and went to China for the first time or some time and [they] went to this, walked into this church over there and all the Chinese people were singing along to my CD over there because they didn’t have music, so they were just singing all the songs it. I’ve heard so many crazy stories like that, just from all over. It’s amazing.”