Universal Universal Music Group Nashville Pressroom

Luke Bryan is nominated for New Artist of the Year at next week’s CMA Awards. He will also be performing during the show, as well. Check out the attached artist spotlight from the CMA.,

The first round of CMA Awards presenters has been announced and Dierks Bentley‘s name is among them. He will be joined by Jake Owen, Billy Currington, Reba, Kellie Pickler, LeAnn Rimes and Lauren Alaina.

Previously announced performers include Keith Urban, Lady Antebellum, Luke Bryan and Eric Church, along with Brad Paisley, Carrie Underwood, Blake Shelton, Taylor Swift, Miranda Lambert, Kenny Chesney and Rascal Flatts, among others.

The 45th Annual CMA Awards will air live from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena November 9th at 8pm ET on ABC.

After more than 20 years of making records and performing for fans, Alan Jackson is one of the most recognizable voices AND faces in the music world. While some celebrities might find that being famous makes it hard to go out and enjoy themselves, Alan Jackson says it’s never been a problem for him. Though Nashville-area residents are used to seeing stars around town and are known for being respectful, Alan doesn’t mind if someone approaches him. “I’ve never been bothered by people wanting autographs,” says Alan. “I’m glad that they’re even interested.”

• Alan is currently making his way up the country charts with his latest hit, “Long Way to Go.”
• Alan is nominated for the Musical Event of the Year award at next week’s CMA Awards for his Zac Brown collaboration, “As She’s Walking Away.” The 45th Annual CMA Awards will be broadcast live from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena November 9th at 8pm ET on ABC.

AUDIO: Alan Jackson says he isn’t bothered by fans when he’s out in public.

AJ (being famous) 110311 OC: … want to go. :26
“I don’t go out in the cowboy hat and look like I’m on stage or something any or very often unless we’re going out to a nice restaurant for dinner, my wife or something might dress up, but most of the time, I’ve just got on old tennis shoes and a ball cap. And people around Nashville are used to seeing the singers around town anyway, so they typically don’t bother you too much. You know, I’ve never been bothered by people wanting autographs. I’m glad that they’re even interested, and so I don’t really worry about it. I go where I want to go.”

Dierks Bentley tweeted a photo of his fan(s) doing “The Wave” at his hockey game on Wednesday night.

Go behind the scenes on Lady Antebellum‘s recent trip to Augusta, Georgia for their homecoming dedication. Plus, see clips from their amazing performance!

Keith Urban, Alan Jackson, Lady Antebellum and Dierks Bentley will perform at the 2012 San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo. The lineup also includes Miranda Lambert, Jake Owen, Ronnie Dunn and Trace Adkins, among others.

DATES:

Keith Urban — Feb. 11th

Lady A — Feb. 17th

Alan Jackson — Feb. 23rd

Dierks Bentley — Feb. 25th

While in Texas for the San Antonio Rodeo, Keith Urban will headline a February 10th gala in Austin benefitting the Beyond Battan Disease Foundation, which is working towards eliminating serious and often fatal, inherited childhood diseases. “Date Night With Keith Urban” will include a full concert performance as well as a pre-party VIP event.

Don’t forget — Alan Jackson will be inducted into Nashville’s Music City Walk of Fame on Sunday (November 6th). The event, which will also induct Kix Brooks, among others, is free and open to the public.

Keith Urban has been tapped to pay tribute to one of his heroes, Glen Campbell, on next week’s CMA Awards show. He joins two other guitar slingers, Vince Gill and Brad Paisley, in paying tribute to the legendary performer, who earlier this year announced he had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. Keith, who was previously announced as a performer on the show, is nominated for Entertainer and Male Vocalist of the Year. He has won four CMA Awards to date: Entertainer in 2005 and three consecutive Male Vocalist of the Year Awards (2004-2006).

• Keith has released his latest single, “You Gonna Fly,” which seems to be marching up the country charts. It’s the follow-up to his recent No. 1 hit, “Long Hot Summer.”

AUDIO: Keith Urban explains why he’s such a big fan of “guitartists” such as Glen Campbell.

Keith Urban (Glen Campbell) OC: …guitar player. :22

“I’ve always been a fan of what I like to call guitartists, you know, those guitar-artists like Glen Campbell — who’s probably one of my biggest influences – those guys who knew a good song, had a great voice and played great, and just the all-around guys with a guitar, you know? ‘Cause when you think of Glen Campbell, you think of, I think of ‘Galveston’ and ‘Wichita Lineman,’ then I also think of him being a phenomenal guitar player.”

DIERKS BENTLEY EXTENDS THE COUNTRY & COLD CANS TOUR INTO 2012 WITH INTERNATIONAL TOUR DATES

Bentley Preps for Canadian and Australian Runs

Beginning Feb. 15

Nashville, TN – Oct. 31, 2011 – Multi-Platinum singer/songwriter Dierks Bentley announced today that he will take his COUNTRY & COLD CANS Tour into 2012 with international dates kicking off in Vancouver, BC on Feb. 15.  Following the Canadian leg of the tour, Bentley will travel Down Under for five headlining shows with Australian country star Lee Kernaghan.
 
“You can find hard core country music fans all over the world, and I love being able to tour other countries and bond over that music we all love,” said Bentley. “The Fall leg of the Country & Cold Cans Tour has been crazy and really exceeded all my expectations.  I’m looking forward to taking it to Canada and Australia in 2012…they do make Labatt and Fosters in a can, right?!”

Of Bentley’s “energized” two sold out COUNTRY & COLD CANS shows in NYC, the New York Times said, “Mr. Bentley was master of the party, the musical equivalent of buying a round for everyone in the bar.”

International Country & Cold Cans 2012 Tour Dates:
2/15   Vancouver, BC
2/16   Kamloops, BC
2/17   Prince George, BC
2/18   Dawson Creek, BC
2/19   Edmonton, AB
2/21   Calgary, AB
2/22   Saskatoon, SK
2/23   Winnipeg, MB
3/9     Toowoomba, QLD
3/10   Brisbane, QLD
3/13   Melbourne, VIC
3/15   Canberra, ACT
3/17   Hunter Valley, NSW
 
Bentley’s anthemic “Home” is the new single off his upcoming sixth Capitol Nashville studio project that is scheduled for release in early 2012.  Fans can catch the COUNTRY & COLD CANS Tour in the states this weekend in Kent, OH (11/3), Danville, IL (11/4) and Springfield, IL (11/5). For more information and a full list of tour dates, visit www.dierks.com.

Dierks Bentley is vaulting up the country charts with his new single, “Home.” He wrote the tune with Brett Beavers and Dan Wilson just a few days after the tragic massacre in Arizona earlier this year. “Home” is not only a call to inspire hope in others, but it is a truthful tribute to America, as well. “I think through honest is where you find real relief, real inspiration, real hope, real understanding of what’s going on,” Dierks explains. “I’m extremely patriotic. I love this country, and I love the history of this country.” To write a patriotic song, Dierks knew he had to balance it just right so it wouldn’t come off as a chest-thumping tune. “Tackling a song like this – I’m trying to make it honest and helpful without just going for the easy, easy win, but also to make sure people will listen to it and play it. That’s kind of a tough middle ground to do, but in the end, it’s honest. And country music has always been about honesty, and that’s what makes it great.”

• “Home” is the second single from Dierks’ forthcoming album, due early next year. The first – “Am I the Only One” – went to No. 1.
• “Home” will be available via iTunes on November 8th.

More than 3,000 fans came out to see Lady Antebellum perform at the new amphitheater named in their honor in Columbia County, Georgia. The group has local ties to the Augusta area. Two members – Charles Kelley and Dave Haywood – grew up in the community, attending Lakeside High School. The show kicked off with the dedication ceremony for the pavilion named after them. “Being in Lakeside High school gym, and having those things, disco ball – it’s the song about looking back and remembering that time whether it’s your first love, or first kiss, it brought me back to high school,” Lady A’s Charles said during a press conference prior to their show. “There’s our little Augusta connection.” Proceeds from the concert benefit the University Healthcare Foundation.

• Lady A’s “Hello World” picked up the Video of the Year award at Friday’s 2011 Inspirational Country Music Awards.
• The trio is up for the Vocal Group of the Year award at this year’s CMA Awards, which will be broadcast live November 9th at 8pm ET on ABC.
• Lady A, who are nearing the top of the country charts with “We Owned the Night,” will kick off their Own the Night 2011 Tour November 11th in Knoxville, Tennessee.