Universal Universal Music Group Nashville Pressroom

It’s that time of the year to hurry to the malls and inflate your emails with alerts to your favorite online shopping stores. If you’re looking for a quick and easy list, search no further! Sugarland’s Kristian Bush has provided us with another easy Holiday Gift Guide to soothe your shopping needs. Check it out below!

The holidays are here, and we all start depending on each other and the Google search bar for answers on complex gift-giving. Well, my friends, here is my collection of stuff I like and stuff I dare you to give to yourself or others. They say the best gift is the one you want to keep for yourself, and I would gladly (or embarrassingly) keep all of these for myself, if given the option.

Drinking Situation
This looks kind of crazy Southern and awesome and has to hit my list. Not because I want one, but because I am dying to buy one for someone. Maybe even just to see someone drink out of it. It’s like my obsession with the TV show “Bootleggers” has collided with my obsession with walking around Syd Mashburn’s in Atlanta. Simultaneously hip and tacky.

The Prisoner
If you have someone in your life that enjoys wine, this is a real treat. I don’t know how popular this wine is in real life, but I think it is pretty amazing and it is popular in mine.

Palomino Blackwing 602
I think last year’s Palomino was a gateway drug and now I am staring down a long dark hallway of beautiful, perfectly-sharpened grey Palomino Blackwing 602 pencils with black erasers. Now it’s all I think about. How do black erasers remove pencil lead and make it disappear into the white of the paper??? Good news: You can find out for yourselves, because the good people at the Palomino Pencil Company are offering Sugarland fans a discount and exclusive offer this holiday season. Click here to purchase!

CB I Hate Perfume
I am still obsessed with these. The Smell of Snow one is amazing, as is the Beach one.

Unraveling Calendar
I have not really been interested in a calendar since maybe college, and then it was only for the pictures, and less for the marking of time. This is the first time I have seen something that makes me curious. Although it means making sure you don’t have a pet or a two year old running near it, this calendar may be one to really show time moving.

Cigar Box Guitars by Mike Snowden
These are hands down the coolest things I have found this year, and that is honestly even in comparison to the new donut shop down the street. I give these as gifts myself. I love Mike and his craftsmanship is unreal. If you have someone in your life that plays guitar, they will love this, and if you have someone who doesn’t but always wanted to? Well, three strings are the perfect way to start.

Concert Bracelet
This cracks me up every time I see them. I wrestled with these things for years and years trying to get them off. Now someone has decided they are ready to go back on. For the rock club girl in your life. I think they come in silver as well.

Angry Birds Star Wars Everything
Enough said here. Choose the Empire. Long live the 501st.

Bezzerwizzer
This game is pretty awesome. I had it on the bus this year and bought another one for my house. My kids actually think it is funny to ask me an entire card full of questions while I make breakfast just to see if I can answer them all. It’s like working out, but with your brain.

For The Art Collector – James Hance
When I have vivid dreams and my brain mixes up all of my favorite pop culture books and movies and TV shows and it all smears together in my mind as I shake off the night and begin my day, sometimes all the right things are misplaced in all the right places. James’s art is like that for me. It is perfect.

For The Gadget Person – Photojojo Phone Lens Series
So Instagram gives my life more meaning with every lomographic click of my phone screen, and the filters make it so that my plastic camera itch is easily scratched without all the waiting to get film developed. Now the missing part is all of the cool lenses that “real” camera’s have. Wait, the sounds of ingenuity in the distance seem to be jingle bells this year. Check out these cool, easy-to-use tiny lenses for your phone camera. They really work and will blow your mind how much they change your pictures. I like the fish eye and the wide angle.

This Year’s Headphones
OK, so I live for music and I travel every week so my headphones are my stereo. Here is a quick guide to some quality out there, no matter what you have to spend.

First things first: It is socially ok to have big headphones again, so please, if you have the space in your carry-on or bag, take the closed-back headphones with you. We musicians and producers work hard to make our music sound as interesting and cool as we can when we record, and shoving sound out of plastic ear buds is like looking at pictures in black and white instead of color.

Okay, preaching is finished:

AKG K77
Stylish, affordable and sound good.

Sure SRH440
These are your mid-range, your Honda Civic, workhorse, won’t-have-to-replace-them-in-five-years headphones.

Audio Technica ATH-M50S
I use these every day. It’s what I listen with when I record, and when I evaluate my own music and recordings. Get the curly cable if you are feeling retro.

I have only tried the Dr. Dre Beats headphones once and it was more for the novelty of talking on my phone through the mic that hangs off the headphones. I didn’t get to spend any time listening to music so you are on your own there. They are quite popular and come in groovy colors, but look at the ones above for price comparisons.

Toys Section
The Original Silly Putty
I totally used to spread it out and use it to lift the pictures off of the comics. The most distinctive smell ever.

Army Men
We could play with these for hours on end, invading the living room and then retreating back to the kitchen.

Water Powered Space Rocket
Because I still am amazed every time it launches.

Top
The top is one of the oldest toys in the world. They say that the spinning top originated independently in cultures all over the world. To me, it is one of the most fascinating and hypnotizing examples of physics. Get one and see how long you stare.

Curve Balls
(aka things I can’t believe that I found that I kind of want)

We need this in our lives. All of us.
U-Socket USB Wallplug

Just to see if anyone at the coffeshop is looking.
TARDIS Journal

I dare you. I just dare you.
Bluetooth Handset Gloves

– kb

Lady Antebellum Headlines Star-Studded Special with Backstreet Boys, Colbie Caillat, Brad Paisley, Yolanda Adams, Classic Holiday Characters & Favorite Disney Friends

Music, magic and merriment come together when Disneyland Resort in California and Walt Disney World Resort in Florida present the 29th annual Disney Parks Christmas Day Parade holiday TV special, airing December 25th on the ABC Television Network. Hosts Nick Cannon and Mario Lopez, along with co-host Maria Menounos, lead the two-hour telecast with GRAMMY® Award-winning trio Lady Antebellum headlining the seasonal celebration. Joining the trio during the coast-to-coast party are international superstars Backstreet Boys, soulful pop songstress Colbie Caillat, CMA Award winner Brad Paisley, Christian music chart-topper TobyMac, “American Idol” Season 11 champion Phillip Phillips, Gospel legend Yolanda Adams and Disney Channel star Ross Lynch.

The award-winning television spectacular also features special appearances by Sarah Hyland, Nolan Gould and Aubrey Emmons-Anderson from ABC’s hit comedy “Modern Family,” actor Patrick Warburton, Olympic Gold Medal-winning gymnast Gabrielle Douglas, and the popular pint-sized duo from daytime TV, Sophia Grace & Rosie. Travel expert and television personality Samantha Brown checks in throughout the program, filling families in on the fun they can experience at Disney Parks in the upcoming year. Brown also will share other ways to vacation with Disney, including Aulani – A Disney Resort & Spa in Hawaii, Adventures by Disney and Disney Cruise Line.

Don’t Miss a Moment of the Magic! Tune-in times are as follows, on the ABC Television Network (check local listings):

• Eastern Standard Time: 10 a.m.-noon
• Central, Mountain, Pacific Standard Time: 9-11 a.m.
• The show also will air in Canada on CBC Network, and across the globe on the American Forces Network.

Viewers can go HERE for updates on the show and join the social media conversation before and during the telecast with the hashtag, #DisneyParade

Holiday liners from UMG Nashville artists, including Alan Jackson, Billy Currington, Darius Rucker, David Nail, Dierks Bentley, Easton Corbin, Eric Church, Eric Paslay, Gary Allan, George Strait, Jamey Johnson, Jon, Josh Turner, Keith Urban, Kelleigh Bannen, Kip Moore, Lady Antebellum, Little Big Town, Luke Bryan, Randy Rogers Band, Sugarland and more!

LINER AJ (Christmas)
“Hi! This is Alan Jackson, and I’m wishing y’all a very Merry Christmas.”

LINER Billy Currington (Happy Holiday Season)
“Hi! Billy Currington here, wishing you and your family a safe and Happy Holiday Season.”

LINER Darius Rucker (Christmas)
“Hey y’all! What’s up? This is Darius Rucker, wishing you a Merry Christmas.”

LINER David Nail (Christmas)
“Hey! This is David Nail, wishing you a very Merry Christmas.”

LINER Dierks Bentley (Happy Holidays)
“Hey everybody! It’s Dierks Bentley, wishing you a very Happy Holiday season.”

LINER Easton Corbin (Happy Holidays)
“Hey everybody! This is Easton Corbin, wishing you and your family a Happy Holidays.”

LINER Easton Corbin (Merry Christmas)
“Hey everybody! This is Easton Corbin, wishing you a Merry Christmas.”

LINER Eric Church (Christmas)
“Hey everybody! It’s Eric Church, wishing you a very Merry Christmas.”

LINER Eric Paslay (Christmas)
“Hi! I’m Eric Paslay. Hope you have a Merry Christmas.”

LINER Eric Paslay (Happy Holidays)
“Hi! I’m Eric Paslay, wishing you a very Happy Holiday Season.”

LINER Gary Allan (MerryChristmas)
“Hey! This is Gary Allan. Merry Christmas.”

LINER George Strait (Happy Holidays)
““Hey everybody! This is George Strait, wishing you and your family a Happy Holiday season.”

LINER Jamey Johnson (Happy Holidays)
“Hey! This is Jamey Johnson, wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.”

LINER Jon Pardi (Merry Christmas)
“Hey! This is Jon Pardi, wishing you a Merry Christmas!”

LINER Josh Turner (Happy Holidays)
“Hey! I’m Josh Turner, wishing you and your family a Merry Christmas and a Happy Holiday season.”

LINER Keith Urban (Christmas)
“Hi folks, this is Keith Urban, wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas.”

LINER Keith Urban (Holiday season)
“Hi everyone, this is Keith Urban, wishing you and all your family the very best this holiday season.”

LINER Kelleigh Bannen (Merry Christmas)
“Hey y’all, it’s Kelleigh Bannen, and I hope you have a very Merry Christmas.”

LINER Kelleigh Bannen (Happy Holiday Season)
“Hey there! It’s Kelleigh Bannen, wishing you a very Happy Holiday Season.”

LINER Kip Moore (Christmas)
“Hey guys, this is Kip Moore, wishing you a Merry Christmas.”

LINER Kip Moore (Happy Holidays)
“Hey y’all, it’s Kip Moore. Happy Holidays!”

LINER Lady A (Christmas)
“Hey everybody! We’re Lady Antebellum, wishing you a very Merry Christmas.”

LINER Lady A (Happy Holidays)
“Hey everybody! We are Lady Antebellum. Happy Holidays.”

LINER LBT (Very Merry Christmas)
“Hey! We’re Little Big Town, and we just want to say Have Yourself a Very Merry Christmas.”

LINER LBT (Happy Holidays)
“Hey! We’re Little Big Town. Happy Holidays!”

LINER Luke Bryan (Christmas)
“Hey! It’s Luke Bryan, wishing you a Merry Christmas.”

LINER Luke Bryan (Happy Holidays)
“Hey! It’s Luke Bryan. Happy Holidays!”

LINER Randy Rogers (Merry Christmas)
“Hey everybody, this is Randy Rogers from the Randy Rogers Band. Merry Christmas from our family to yours.”

LINER Sugarland (Happy Holidays)
“Hey! This is Jennifer…and Kristian…from Sugarland, wishing you Happy Holidays.”

LINER Sugarland (Merry Christmas)
““Hey! This is Jennifer…and Kristian…from Sugarland, wishing you a Merry Christmas.”

LINER Uncle Kracker (Merry Christmas)
“Hey! This is Uncle Kracker, wishing you a Merry Christmas.”

Don Williams’ new video for “Imagine That” with Keith Urban went live on CMT.com. and you can see it on CMT Pure starting Wednesday evening at 8:30pm ET!

Lady Antebellum’s first Christmas special, On This Winter’s Night, on Wednesday night (December 5th) on GAC. The trio shot the special on Monday night (December 3rd) at Nashville’s Schermerhorn Symphony Center, and performed holiday favorites, which are featured on their new Christmas album, On This Winter’s Night, including “A Holly Jolly Christmas,” “I’ll Be Home for Christmas,” “Blue Christmas,” “The First Noel,” “Christmas Baby,” “Silent Night,” “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” “Silver Bells,” “Let It Snow,” and “This Christmas,” in addition to the original “On This Winter’s Night.” Hillary, Charles and Dave will share personal Christmas memories and the trio will be joined by students from Nashville’s W.O. Smith Music School. The special will also re-air on December 6th and 8th.

Sidenote: Most of Dave Haywood‘s family, including his 91-year-old grandfather who made his first trip to Nashville, were in the audience for the show.

The band is also featured in the CMA Country Christmas special on December 20th at 9pm ET on ABC, than again on Dec. 22nd and Dec. 23rd!

AUDIO: Lady Antebellum’s Dave Haywood talks about his favorite Christmas gift.

Lady A (Dave-favorite Christmas gift) OC: (Charles) …cover, too. :14
DAVE: “My favorite Christmas gift was probably my very first guitar from my grandpa about 15 years ago. And more recently I got a red Gibson, that red one we use onstage was given to me from my dad years ago.” CHARLES: “It was on our first album cover too.”

Scotty McCreery releases a video for “Christmas Comin’ Round Again” from his new holiday album, Christmas With Scotty McCreery.

If you haven’t been to a Lady Antebellum show, now is your chance to watch it without having to get dressed up, find parking or ever leave your house. The band released their Own the Night World Tour DVD on Tuesday (December 4th), and the video, which is also available digitally and on Blu-ray, is more than just a concert; it also features documentary-style behind-the-scenes footage with the trio.

Lady A’s Hillary Scott says they’d hear from the fans constantly about a live DVD. “We would have people ask us all the time, whether it was in the meet-&-greet or on Twitter or on Facebook, like ‘When are y’all doing a live DVD? When are y’all doing it?,’” she says. “And so, we have a video camera with us everywhere, like kind of video-diaried our entire career up to this point.”

Charles Kelley says it’s also a way to get folks to “test-drive” a Lady A show. “I think it was a way to maybe even selfishly just try to promote future shows and say, ‘Guys, come check us out if you’ve ever wondered if you’d be into it,’” he explains. “Well, you can almost test-drive it; test-drive a Lady A show before you come watch.”

Lady A (live DVD) OC: …come watch. :39
HILLARY: “We would have people ask us all the time, whether it was in the meet-&-greet or on Twitter or on Facebook, like ‘When are y’all doing a live DVD? When are y’all doing it?’ And so, we have a video camera with us everywhere, like kind of video-diaried our entire career up to this point, and so to not get a full show in completion like that, I think we would’ve kicked ourselves down the road.”

CHARLES: “And we wanted too the people that didn’t come see us, a little part of what we’ve done. I mean, we’re really proud of this tour, and so, for us I think it was a way to maybe even selfishly just try to promote future shows and say, ‘Guys, come check us out if you’ve ever wondered if you’d be into it.’ Well, you can almost test-drive it; test-drive a Lady A show before you come watch.”

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Award-winning county star Darius Rucker heads to the west coast this week to appear on NBC’s The Tonight Show with Jay Leno on Wednesday, Dec. 5 at 11:35 p.m. ET.  Rucker will perform “True Believers,” the title track and lead single off Rucker’s forthcoming 2013 release.

On Saturday, Rucker will join Natasha Bedingfield, Colbie Caillat, host Joel McHale, Gary Sinise, and more to celebrate community ‘true believers’ at the 2012 American Giving Awards, airing Dec. 8 at 8 p.m. ET on NBC.

Available this spring, Rucker’s third country album, True Believers, explores new creative territory for the platinum-selling star as he continues to evolve as an artist.  The album also includes collaborations with Sheryl Crow, Dave Haywood, Mallary Hope, Charles Kelly, and Hillary Scott.

For information, images, tour dates, music and more, please visit www.DariusRucker.com.

Gary Allan is giving away a free download of his new hit single “Every Storm (Runs Out Of Rain)” as an incentive for fans to donate to the Red Cross.

Allan was scheduled to headline a show in Atlantic City the week Sandy hit.  The show, like many others in the northeast, was canceled due to the storm.  Allan shot the video for his new single just two weeks later in Nashville.  Shortly afterwards Allan and his team started to realize how timely his song was, and that it could be used as a tool to help others in need.  When disasters like Superstorm Sandy devastate communities, your support helps ensure the Red Cross is there to provide warm meals, shelter, and hope to families when they need it most. 

Allan said, “My song ‘Every Storm (Runs Out Of Rain)’ is about hope and light at the end of the tunnel. With the devastation in the northeast region by Sandy, I thought this song was extremely timely. I wanted to partner with the Red Cross on this because they have always offered hope for those in need.” 

The ‘donate to download’ widget features the NEW video for “Every Storm (Runs Out of Rain)”, a Donate button that directs you to The American Red Cross’s page with many ways to help support the cause, and a download link to get an exclusive acoustic version of the single.  Use this link when posting to socials:  http://mnt.st/Uc1XCT .

NASHVILLE – During a press conference to announce their new global charity initiative LadyAID™, Lady Antebellum was surprised today when CMA Chief Executive Officer Steve Moore presented the group with the CMA International Artist Achievement Award.

Formerly the International Touring Artist Award, the CMA International Artist Achievement Award recognizes outstanding achievement by a U.S.-based artist who contributes to the awareness and development of Country Music outside the United States.

“We’re so honored,” said Hillary Scott. “This year especially, being able to take our tour to Europe and then to Australia, and meet even more of our fans all over the world, and to take Country Music that far, we don’t take that lightly. We really, truly do want to make this town and the Country Music community proud when we go overseas and perform.”

“We wish Lady Antebellum much success as they help children around the world,” said Moore. “And it is because of their work around the globe as ambassadors of Country Music that we are presenting them with the International Artist Award.”

Lady Antebellum has sold more than 11 million albums worldwide. Their “Own the Night World Tour” staged performances in 11 countries for more than one million fans including sold out shows in Dublin, London, Toronto, and three-nights at the famed Sydney Opera House. The trio’s first world tour also earned Billboard’s all-genre “Breakthrough Award” at the 2012 Billboard Touring Awards for its total ticket sales and other touring data.

The group are multiple-award winners including most recently the 2012 CCMA International Best Selling Album Award (Canada). They were nominated for the 2012 Brit Award for Best International Group (UK). They received a CMC Music Award nomination for International Artist of the Year (Australia) as well as the 2011 Juno Award for International Album of the Year (Canada).

Among their many international accomplishments, their hit “Need You Now” went to No. 1 in Brazil, Mexico, New Zealand, and Switzerland; and Top 5 in more than 20 countries. The album was certified Triple Platinum (Canada); Double Platinum (South Africa); Platinum (Australia and New Zealand); and Gold (China, Ireland, Taiwan, and UK). 

Lady Antebellum was certified Platinum (Canada) and Own the Night has been certified Platinum in Canada and Gold in Australia and South Africa.

Previous winners of the CMA International Artist Achievement Award include:

AUDIO: Lady Antebellum’s Hillary Scott and Charles Kelley talk about their CMA International Artist Achievement Award.

Lady A (CMA International Award) OC: (Charles) …hopefully proud. :49
HILLARY: “We’re so honored to receive this award, especially this year really started to feel like we were touring a little bit more globally than we have before. This European tour and then Australian tour this year were beyond our wildest dreams. I mean, we had such an amazing time, and I think that gives us a perspective to see outside of just these borders here in America. It’s all been culminating over the past 12 months of us really feeling like we have a platform and we need to use it.”

CHARLES: “We feel like our voice has grown so much more and our fan base has grown so much more, and they’re so much more diverse, and to see the CMAs get behind us like that with their support is pretty humbling. We’ve got big shoes to fill, and we’re gonna try to make everybody here in Nashville and our fans hopefully proud.”