Universal Universal Music Group Nashville Pressroom

Eric Church is taking part in the CMT’s Artists of the Year television special, airing Saturday night (December 8th) at 10pm ET. Eric, who performed his hit “Homeboy” during the special, says he really enjoyed all of the performances. ““The thing I enjoyed about the show, I really did, was the performances. I thought everybody did a different take on stuff. I loved what Carrie [Underwood] did. I thought Miranda [Lambert] had a really cool version of ‘Over You’ with the cello and the acoustic guitar. I thought it was great,” says Eric. “It was really cool to see guys that have worked very hard this year being one of the top artists, and it made me feel good about the music too. I think the future of what’s happening musically is good, and I’m excited to see where we go.”

While the honorees are being kept secret, several other artists will appear during the show, which was taped on Monday (December 3rd), including Lady Antebellum, Luke Bryan, Jason Aldean, Merle Haggard, Kacey Musgraves, Kenny Chesney, Carrie Underwood, Duck Dynasty’s Willie Robertson and many more.

Eric is currently closing in on the Top 5 of the country charts with his single, “Homeboy.”

AUDIO: Eric Church talks about his performance of “Homeboy” during the CMT Artists of the Year show.

Eric Church (CMT AOY) 1 OC: …it went. :36
“I’ve always wanted to do it kind of like it was recorded. We had the strings and the glissandi harp and all these little interesting orchestral things that were going on in the song; string quartet things. And I’ve always just heard a choir on it, you know, I’ve always heard that. We talked about recording it that way. We didn’t, but we talked about it. I really wanted to go out and just be me, acoustic guitar, orchestra, choir, that’s it, and we decided to do the whole band thing just to kick it up and give a little bit of a resemblance of what the song is. I’m happy with it. I haven’t had a chance to see it or anything, but I remember as the song ended, I felt good about it. So, I hope it went as good as I think it went.”

Eric Church (CMT AOY) 2 OC: …where we go. :24
“The thing I enjoyed about the show, I really did, was the performances. I thought everybody did a different take on stuff. I loved what Carrie [Underwood] did. I thought Miranda had a really cool version of ‘Over You’ with the cello and the acoustic guitar. I thought it was great. It was really cool to see guys that have worked very hard this year being one of the top artists, and it made me feel good about the music too. I think the future of what’s happening musically is good, and I’m excited to see where we go.”

FROM PEOPLE.COM:

First comes the sound of wedding bells, and next comes the baby rattle.

Lady Antebellum‘s Hillary Scott and drummer Chris Tyrrell, who became engaged on Independence Day in 2011 and married Jan. 7 in upstate New York, are now expecting a child.

“Chris & I are excited to announce that our Christmas gift has arrived a little early this year! We are having a BABY!” she wrote on Twitter Friday. “We feel so blessed!!!”

“Everything is brighter. Everything has a deeper meaning,” Scott, 26, previously said of her new husband. “He makes me feel more comfortable in my own skin.”

Scott has certainly had kids on the brain: On Monday, the band announced they are starting a new charity called LadyAID, which will focus on children’s hospitals and as well as other charitable causes.

Scott and Tyrrell met while they were in college, though things didn’t turn romantic until later. Lady Antebellum’s song, “Just A Kiss,” was inspired by Scott and Tyrrell’s relationship when they first began dating.

“MY CAUSE” WEB FEATURE FOR DECEMBER SPOTLIGHTS

LADY ANTEBELLUM AND “LadyAID™”

* * *

 WEB FEATURE AVAILABLE ON ACMLIFTINGLIVES.ORG STARTING TODAY

Tweet: December’s @ACMawards Lifting Lives’ MyCause is @LadyAntebellum & their charity “LadyAID™” – Watch the video below.

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Encino, CA (December 7, 2012) – ACM Lifting Lives® announced today that the December “My Cause” web feature will spotlight Lady Antebellum and their charity organization, LadyAID™. The web feature drives awareness of artist-supported charitable organizations and supports fundraising efforts for those philanthropies.

My Cause is a way for ACM Lifting Lives to tangibly demonstrate the Academy’s support of country music artists. Many people have been helped by these fantastic charities, and ACM Lifting Lives bolsters that support by increasing awareness and funding for these very deserving causes. Over the past two years, ACM Lifting Lives has donated more than $45,000.00 to artists’ favorite charities through this program, and will again make donations in addition to driving fan awareness.

This month, “My Cause: LadyAID” highlights an organization started by Lady Antebellum to bring awareness to and generate support for children in need on a local, national and a global level. The multi-level campaign will reach 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, LadyAID is supporting Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals and on a global level, myLIFEspeaks and The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR). The LadyAID™ Fund is a component fund of The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee. Donations can be made to the charity by visiting www.ladyaid.org.

Click here to watch the December “My Cause” video and donate to this cause.

About ACM Lifting Lives

ACM Lifting Lives® is the philanthropic arm of the Academy of Country Music dedicated to improving lives through the power of music. Each year, ACM Lifting Lives provides grants to music therapy and music education programs. Other giving includes serving members of the country music community who face unexpected medical or financial hardship through the Diane Holcomb Emergency Relief Fund and partnering with artists to improve lives through music. For more information, please visit www.ACMLiftingLives.org.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

KEITH URBAN TO PERFORM WITH YOUNG MUSICIANS FROM THE GRAMMY FOUNDATION^®’S GRAMMY CAMP^® ON “AMERICAN COUNTRY AWARDS”

MONDAY, DECEMBER 10, ON FOX 

Hosts Trace Adkins and Kristin Chenoweth Also Set to Perform 

Country music superstar Keith Urban is set to perform with seven young musicians who have participated in the GRAMMY Foundation^®’s GRAMMY Camp^® music program on the AMERICAN COUNTRY AWARDS, airing live from Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas Monday, Dec. 10 (8:00-10:00 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed) on FOX. The performance is intended to highlight the need to support music-based initiatives that attract young people to music and encourage their musical pursuits. As part of the campaign, a $25,000 donation will be made to support the GRAMMY Foundation’s GRAMMY in the Schools programs, including scholarship support for GRAMMY Camp.

Through the years, Urban’s commitment to music programs has been consistent and unwavering. He’s been an active participant in the efforts of The Grammy Foundation’s Grammy Camp and Nashville’s Music Makes Us program and has encouraged aspiring musicians by giving them the opportunity to perform. His annual We’re All For The Hall concerts have raised nearly $1.5 million for the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, which supports numerous music-based initiatives, and just recently he participated in the Hall’s first All Access music program. 

Additionally, hosts Trace Adkins and Kristin Chenoweth each will be added to the list of performers for AMERICAN COUNTRY AWARDS.

The two-hour, star-studded special also will feature appearances by Eli Young Band, Lindsey Buckingham, Carmen Electra, Florida Georgia Line, Gloriana, Love and Theft, Penn & Teller and the San Francisco Giants’ Brandon Belt and Barry Zito. Previously announced participants include Natasha Bedingfield, Scotty McCreery, Lauren Alaina, champion cowboy Trevor Brazile, Casey James, Miranda Lambert, LeAnn Rimes, Lee Brice, Jana Kramer, Dustin Lynch, Ron White and Chris Young.

The two-hour live music spectacular offers country music fans the opportunity to vote for their favorite artists not only in traditional categories, but also in a previously unrecognized area – touring – encompassing the entire spectrum of country music.

In 2001, the Country Music Association honored Keith Urban with its Horizon Award, designating him a talented artist with a bright future. He is the first Horizon Award winner in history to go on to win the CMA’s Male Vocalist of the Year, a title he’s captured three times, and the coveted Entertainer of the Year. More than 15 million albums later, Urban is a four-time Grammy Award winner, who has also won a People’s Choice and American Music Award.  He’s won five Academy of Country Music Awards and had 14 No. 1 songs, including 28 Top 5 hits. In 2012, he became a member of the Grand Ole Opry. His latest CD, “Get Closer,” comes on the heels of his fifth consecutive platinum or multi-platinum release. It has produced three consecutive No. 1 singles: “You Gonna Fly,” “Long Hot Summer” and “Without You.”

In 2009, Urban was named radio’s most-played country artist, thanks to No. 1 hits such as “Sweet Thing,” “You’ll Think Of Me,” “Only You Can Love Me This Way,” “Better Life” and “Days Go By.” In addition, his 2002 smash, “Somebody Like You,” was named the No. 1 Country Song of the Decade by Nielsen BDS (based on radio airplay and audience impressions).

But Urban’s reputation as an elite songwriter, musician, vocalist and virtuoso guitarist is no more evident than when he is onstage. His electrifying concerts have played to sold-out venues in Australia, Germany, England, Canada and the United States, all while receiving high praise from critics. In fact, 2009’s Escape Together World Tour, as well as 2007’s Love, Pain & The Whole Crazy World Tour, were both, according to Pollstar, one of the top-grossing tours for their respective years. Last year, his Get Closer 2011 World Tour solidified Urban as one of the music industry’s best live performers.

About the GRAMMY Foundation’s GRAMMY Camp^®

The GRAMMY Foundation’s GRAMMY Camp offers selected high school students an interactive residential summer music experience. Focusing on all aspects of commercial music, this unique opportunity provides instruction by industry professionals in an immersive creative environment with cutting-edge technology in professional facilities. The program offers seven music career tracks: Audio Engineering; Concert Promotion/Production; Electronic Music Production; Marketing & Management; Music Journalism; Songwriting and a Performance Track for Bass, Drums, Guitar, Keyboard, Vocal and Winds & Strings. All tracks culminate in media projects, recordings and/or showcase performances. The GRAMMY Camp application deadline is March 31, 2013. In the past, approximately 75 percent of GRAMMY Camp participants who have applied for financial aid received assistance. Applications are online now at www.GRAMMYintheSchools.com^®.

About the GRAMMY Foundation

The GRAMMY Foundation was established in 1989 to cultivate the understanding, appreciation and advancement of the contribution of recorded music to American culture — from the artistic and technical legends of the past to the still unimagined musical breakthroughs of future generations of music professionals. The Foundation accomplishes this mission through programs and activities that engage the music industry and cultural community as well as the general public. The Foundation works in partnership year-round with its founder, The Recording Academy^®, to bring national attention to important issues such as the value and impact of music and arts education and the urgency of preserving our rich cultural heritage. For more information, please visit www.grammyintheschools.com. For breaking news and exclusive content, please like “GRAMMY in the Schools” on Facebook at www.facebook.com/grammyintheschools and follow us on Twitter @GRAMMYFdn.

Jennifer Nettles (of Sugarland) and husband Justin Miller are proud to announce the birth of their son, Magnus Hamilton Miller, who was born on December 6th, 2012. “We are so thankful for all the prayers and support and are excited to take some time together as a new family,” says Jennifer.

Luke Brryan performed his number-one hit, “I Don’t Want This Night to End,” on the Grammy Nominations Live TV special earlier this week. Go backstage and into rehearsals.

Eric Church has had an amazing year, with his first two No. 1 singles (“Drink in My Hand” and “Springsteen”), his first headlining arena tour (Blood, Sweat & Beers) and his first CMA Award (for Album of the Year for Chief) and his two recent Grammy nominations. Prior to all of these amazing things, he also worked long and hard on his third album, Chief, in which he gave it all he had, so he’s about to take some time off. First up is the Christmas holiday, which he’ll spend with his family in North Carolina. “Then we’re gonna try to get away as just a family, just the three of us and try and go have some time after that,” says Eric. He’s also preparing for his tour north of the border, followed by a handful of dates on Kenny Chesney’s stadium tour, No Shoes Nation.

Eric Church is currently closing in on the Top 5 on the country charts with his latest single, “Creepin’.”

AUDIO: Eric Church talks about his plans for the next few months, including those for Christmas.

Eric Church (Christmas plans) OC: …year is off. :37
“We’re going back to North Carolina for a week or so, spend some time with my family. Then we’re gonna try to get away as just a family, just the three of us and try and go have some time after that. Then we have a little bit of time, we have the rest of the month of January before we do a Canadian tour, which I’m excited. I think all those shows are gonna be sold out, it looks like most of them are and to be able to go to another country and have that happen, is just really a special thing for me. So, I’m looking forward to that. It’s gonna be cold. It’s gonna be February in Canada. I get it. It’s gonna be snowy, but we’re gonna go do that. And after that, it’s just [Kenny] Chesney and the rest of the year is off.”

Dierks Bentley revisits an amazing year through his DBTV episodes, including his Home album release party at The Ryman, his bus, Goldie, hitting one-million miles and hitting the beach in Australia, among others…and this is just Part 1!

ALAN JACKSON CONGRATULATES NEPHEW ADAM WRIGHT ON FIRST GRAMMY® NOMINATION

“So You Don’t Have to Love Me Anymore” Nominated as “Best Country Song”

“So You Don’t Have to Love Me Anymore,” recorded by Alan Jackson, has earned a GRAMMY® Award nomination as “Best Country Song.” The song was written by Alan’s nephew, Adam Wright, and Jay Knowles. “You know, the first time I heard that song, I knew it was a great song,” Jackson says. “I was proud to have it. Everybody that heard it, the first thing they’d say was ‘Man, that thing gave me goosebumps on my arms!’ It’s just a great song, a great melody. I’m a songwriter, and I appreciate songs…so I definitely appreciate this song.”

“The first time I heard Alan sing it, it really put tears in my eyes and not just because I was hearing someone doing our song,” Wright says. “It was the emotion of having an experienced singer who could convey it…whose heart was connected with his voice. It hurt in ways that song is supposed to hurt. The fact that he can do that with a song is why he’s been so successful – there just aren’t many people on earth who can do that.”

The song has received many accolades, with the New York Times noting, “Jackson does sublimely expressive things with ‘So You Don’t Have to Love Me Anymore,’ a fine tear-jerker that captures a distinctly masculine blend of gallantry, taciturnity and martyrdom.”

Artists have echoed the media’s praise, with Taylor Swift telling Lon Helton’s Country Countdown USA, “That is, to me, one of the best songs he’s ever put out. I read those lyrics for the first time and just got chills.” Zac Brown said, “That’s classic country. That’s a heartbreaker, tears-in-the-beer song done well. It’s a selfless song, but it’s just a great way of telling that story.” And Miranda Lambert tweeted to her followers, “‘So You Don’t Have to Love Me Anymore’ is the $hit!!!”

“So You Don’t Have to Love Anymore” was recorded by Jackson for Thirty Miles West, which topped the country chart when it was released in June. The 55^th annual GRAMMY Awards® will be held on Sunday, February 10, 2013 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. The event airs live on CBS-TV (8:00-11:30pm ET).

Alan Jackson speaks about “So You Don’t Have to Love Me Anymore,” the song that earned his nephew, Adam Wright, and Jay Knowles their first Grammy nominations (as writers in the “Best Country Song” category).

AJ (Grammy nod for So You Don’t) OC: …this song :33
“You know, the first time I heard that song, I knew it was a great song. I called the writer, who just happened to be…one of the co-writers on it is my nephew Adam Wright who lives here in Nashville and is a singer-songwriter. I called Adam and I said, ‘Man, this is a great song. You sure you want to let me have it? I mean, there’s a lot of people that can sing this thing out there.’ And he said no – if I wanted it, he wanted me to sing it. So I was proud to have it. Everybody that heard it, the first thing they’d say was ‘Man, that thing gave me goosebumps on my arms!’ It’s just a great song, a great melody. I’m a songwriter, and I appreciate songs…so I definitely appreciate this song.”

Eric Church picked up a pair of Grammy nominations for Best Country Solo Performance and Best Country Song for “Springsteen,” which he co-wrote with Jeff Hyde and Ryan Tyndell…one of which was announced during the Grammy Nominations Live concert on Wednesday night (December 5th).

Dierks Bentley and The Band Perry kicked off the show with a tribute to Johnny Cash performing “Jackson,” while Luke performed his multi-week number-one hit, “I Don’t Want This Night to End.”

Other UMG Nashville artists picking up nominations include Dierks, Eric Paslay, Little Big Town (who announced the nominees for Best New Artist) and Jamey Johnson. Also picking up a nod was Alan Jackson’s song, “So You Don’t Have to Love Me Anymore.” Check out the country nominees below:

Best Country Solo Performance:
Dierks Bentley “Home”
Eric Church “Springsteen”
Ronnie Dunn “Cost of Livin’”
Hunter Hayes “Wanted”
Blake Shelton “Over”
Carrie Underwood “Blown Away”

Best Country Song:
“Blown Away” – Josh Kear & Chris Tompkins (Carrie Underwood)
“Cost of Livin’” – Ronnie Dunn & Phillip Coleman (Ronnie Dunn)
“Even If It Breaks Your Heart” – Eric Paslay & Will Hoge (Eli Young Band)
“So You Don’t Have to Love Me Anymore” – Jay Knowles & Adam Wright (Alan Jackson)
“Springsteen” – Eric Church, Jeff Hyde & Ryan Tyndell (Eric Church)

Best Country Duo/Group Performance:
Eli Young Band “Even If It Breaks Your Heart”
Little Big Town “Pontoon”
Taylor Swift & The Civil Wars “Safe & Sound”
The Time Jumpers “On the Outskirts of Town”
Don Williams, featuring Alison Krauss “I Just Come Here for the Music”

Best Country Album:
Uncaged – Zac Brown Band
Hunter Hayes – Hunter Hayes
Living For a Song: A Tribute to Hank Cochran – Jamey Johnson
Four the Record – Miranda Lambert
The Time Jumpers – The Time Jumpers

AUDIO: Eric Church says his Grammy-nominated “Springsteen” takes him back to when he was 16-years-old at his first amphitheater experience.

Eric Church (Springsteen inspiration) OC: …everybody out there. :38
“Springsteen’ is one of those songs that every night that I sing it, I can remember being 16 years old at Verizon Wireless Amphitheater in Charlotte, North Carolina – my first amphitheater experience up there on the lawn. And I can remember spreading that blanket down, and I can still see the faces of the people that were there with me; I still remember what the weather was like; I can still remember what the air smelled like, what the sky looked like. And I think the great thing about that song – you always try to write music and record music that sparks a memory, and there’s a line in the song – ‘Funny how a melody sounds like a memory.’ That’s exactly what ‘Springsteen’ is for me, and I hope that that’s what it’s for for everybody out there.”

AUDIO: Eric Church talks about Grammy nominations.

Eric Church (Grammy nominations) OC: …Grammys. :10
“If you’re a musical artist, the Grammys are pretty much the Holy Grail, because it’s all genres, it’s everybody, it’s peers. That’s why they are revered the way they are – you know, they’re the Grammys.”

AUDIO: Dierks Bentley talks about his Grammy-nominated “Home.”

Dierks Bentley (Home-Americans) OC: …the bad. :09
“You know, we’re all Americans. I think that’s the most important description of all of us and I think we wanted to write a song that really captured the spirit of this country – the good and the bad.”