Gary Allan shot the music video for his latest single, “Every Storm (Runs Out of Rain)” in Nashville’s historic Germantown area. The clip was directed by Stephen Shepherd, who also directed the videos for “Watching Airplanes” and “Learning How to Bend.” The music video is expected to hit outlets next week. Check out the preview clip below.
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Diana Ross, Megan Hilty, Demi Lovato, Chris Mann, Scotty McCreery and
Hosted for the second year by Conan O’Brien, star of TBS’s late-night series CONAN, the star-studded concert will premiere Friday, Dec. 21, at 8 p.m. (ET/PT), exclusively on TNT. Celebrating its 31st anniversary this year, Christmas in Washington is a holiday tradition benefiting the Children’s National Medical Center. The concert is attended each year by the President and First Lady, as well as many other Washington VIPs. This will mark TNT’s 14th year presenting Christmas in Washington. Christmas in Washington is set to be taped at the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C., on Sunday, Dec. 9. |
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Diana Ross‘ famed and remarkable career, spanning four decades, has resulted in major awards and accolades and music history milestones. She is a consummate performer, as well as one of the most iconic female singers of all time and one of the most prominent women in popular music history and in the pop culture of the 20th century. Diana Ross’ international achievements were acknowledged by the prestigious Kennedy Center Honors in 2007. The honor celebrated her lustrous career of excellence in music, film, television and theatre, as well as her cultural influences, humanitarian work and contributions to American culture. Career milestones include induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, The Grammys Life Time Achievement Award, the Songwriter’s Hall of Fame Awards, The National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences Hero Award, the NAACP Entertainer Award, Billboard Awards Female Entertainer of the Century and an International Lifetime Achievement nod on the World Music Awards. The icon is forever cemented in history with two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The Guinness Book of Records jointly awarded her with its Lifetime Achievement Award and the title of “Most Successful Female Vocalist of All Time.” Ross’ phenomenal music career is marked by chart and commercial successes. She has amassed a total of 18 number-one singles. In the U.S. alone, to date, she has tallied 31 Top 10 singles and 14 Top 10 albums, selling over 100 million units around the globe. Beginning in the ’60s, as leader singer of the world-renowned group The Supremes, Ross achieved the unprecedented feat of 12 number-one singles in the U.S., making them the most successful American group in history and rivaled only the by The Beatles for the position of the biggest hit group of that generation. |
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Megan Hilty stars in NBC’s musical drama Smash as the seasoned triple-threat Ivy Lynn. She was recently signed to Sony Music in a partnership between Sony Masterworks and Columbia Records. Her new album will be released in early spring 2013. Hilty was most recently seen as Lorelei Lee in the Encores! production of Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, for which she earned rave reviews. She provided Snow White’s singing in the film Shrek the Third. Her voice has also been featured in Disney’s Tinker Bell: Secret of the Wings, The Secret Life of Magic Gourd and Phineas & Ferb, as well as Glenn Martin DDS, American Dad, Tinker Bell and the Pixie Hollow Games and Robot & Monster. Hilty recently wrapped production on Summertime Entertainment’s animated film Dorothy of Oz, slated for release in 2013. A native of Seattle, Hilty moved to New York City after graduating from the prestigious Carnegie Mellon University, and quickly made her Broadway debut as Glinda in Wicked. She went on to perform the role in both the national tour and in Los Angeles. After receiving critical acclaim for her portrayal of Doralee Rhodes in Broadway’s 9 to 5: The Musical, Hilty was honored with nominations for Lead Actress in a Musical at the Drama Desk Awards, Outer Critics Circle Awards, the Drama League Awards and L.A. Stage Alliance Ovation Awards. Hilty has previously performed with the Cincinnati Symphony and at Feinstein’s in New York City. She can also be heard alongside Placido Domingo on the opera star’s duet album. Hilty’s television credits include guest-starring roles in The Closer, Melissa & Joey, Bones, Desperate Housewives, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, Shark, Ugly Betty, Eli Stone and The Suite Life of Zach & Cody. Hilty’s film credits include The Bitter Feast and the short “The Happiest Man Alive.” |
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Demi Lovato has made quite a name for herself as a singer and actress with three studio albums, four movies, and numerous television series to her credit. The Dallas-bred 20-year-old started in show business at the age of 7 and rose quickly, becoming a bona fide star with credits like Barney & Friends and Sonny with a Chance by the time she was 15. She then cultivated a promising singing and acting career with standout roles in the Camp Rock movies and as the star of the 2009 film Princess Protection Program. In the late 2000s, while maintaining a rigorous TV and film shooting schedule, Lovato released two massively successful solo albums: Don’t Forget (2008), which debuted at #2 on The Billboard 200, and Here We Go Again (2009), which bowed at #1. Her latest album, Unbroken, has spawned two platinum singles: “Skyscraper,” which received an MTV VMA for Best Video with a Message, and her #1 smash hit, “Give Your Heart a Break.” Lovato can also be seen alongside Simon Cowell, L.A. Reid, and Britney Spears at the judges’ table for season 2 of The X Factor. |
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Chris Mann captured the hearts of millions while drawing the praise of multi-platinum talents such as Christina Aguilera and Cee Lo Green on the hit NBC television series The Voice. Following one of Mann’s many electrifying performances on the show, Aguilera told him, “I feel the heavens open up when you sing.” America agreed and when the series ended, Mann had not one, but two songs on the iTunes Top 10 Pop Singles Chart. He’s now going worldwide with his debut album, Roads, which entered Billboard’s HeatSeekers Chart at #4 and its Classical Chart at #5. It also shot to #5 on the iTunes Pop Album Chart. Roads arrives via Faircraft/Republic, a new imprint headed up by multi-platinum producer and veteran A&R exec Ron Fair, who has worked with Mary J. Blige, Black Eyed Peas, Il Volo and Christina Aguilera, to name a few. Among Roads‘ many highlights is Mann’s cover of the Damien Rice hit “The Blower’s Daughter,” which features a special guest appearance by Aguilera. The album also includes Mann’s stunning rendition of “My Way,” re-worked specifically for Mann by legendary songwriter Paul Anka. Influenced by Pavarotti, Robbie Williams and Frank Sinatra, Mann’s blend of classically trained tenor and contemporary pop vocals is a sound that’s rare in music today. Said Cee Lo, “He is by far one of the most incomparable vocalists I have ever heard.” Mann also recorded an exclusive holiday album for Walmart entitled Home for Christmas, which hit #1 on their Best-Selling Albums Chart and entered Billboard’s Classical Crossover Chart at #12. |
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Scotty McCreery became American Idol‘s youngest male winner in 2011, as well as the show’s first country male winner. Since then, the Garner, N.C., native quickly emerged as country music’s most successful new artists. McCreery’s first studio album, Clear As Day, debuted at #1 on the Billboard Top 200 and Top Country Albums charts, making him the youngest man in history to open at the top of the all-genre chart with a debut release. It also garnered the highest sales of any country solo album released last year, held the #1 spot on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart for six weeks and earned Platinum status in just 13 weeks. McCreery won New Artist of the Year at both the 2011 American Country Awards and the 2012 Academy of Country Music Awards. He also won the USA Weekend Breakthrough Video of the Year for “The Trouble With Girls” at the 2012 CMT Music Awards. McCreery was ranked #1 on Billboard’s list of Top New Country Artists for 2011 also earned the No. 4 spot on Billboard’s 2012 List of the Top 21 Under 21. He spent most of 2012 opening for Brad Paisley’s Virtual Reality Tour 2012. McCreery recently released Christmas With Scotty McCreery, which debuted at #1 on the Billboard Top Seasonal Albums chart and remains one of this season’s top holiday albums. He continues to perform and record while pursuing an undergraduate degree at North Carolina State University. |
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PSY, whose real name is Jai-Sang Park, is a Korean singer, songwriter and producer known for his energetic and flamboyant performances both on stage and in his music videos. This year, he became a global phenomenon with his hit single “Gangnam Style” and its enormously popular music video, which has received more than 800 million YouTube views and currently ranks as the most viewed YouTube video of all time. Before he became an international sensation, however, PSY spent the last 10 years building his career as one of South Korea’s most beloved icons. PSY attended Berklee College of Music and jokingly takes pride in being a freshman for a decade. While living on the East coast, he developed a love of hip-hop and later incorporated the urban sound into his debut album, PSY from the PSYcho World! Both his first album and his sophomore release, Cheap 2, made PSY popular and controversial among younger fans. Although he later moved away from a focus on hip-hop, the influence remains throughout his subsequent releases, including his most recent studio album PSY 6, on which “Gangnam Style” is featured. A talented and prolific songwriter, PSY has written or co-written every song he has released. He has also penned successful songs for many popular artists in Korea. Most recently, PSY was asked to write the official fight song for the South Korean national team in the 2012 London Olympics. The song, entitled “Korea,” showcases PSY’s signature sound, accented by traditional Korean instruments and melodies. He brought the modern spirit of Korean people, culture and history to life in the accompanying music video, further igniting the world’s interest in PSY. |
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TNT has been televising Christmas in Washington since 1999. The show has earned two Emmys® for Outstanding Musical Direction and 13 nominations overall. Christmas in Washington is executive-produced by 16-time Emmy® winner George Stevens, Jr. and directed and produced by six-time Emmy® winner Michael Stevens for The Stevens Company. Most recently, they earned Emmys® for the 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011 Kennedy Center Honors – one of only six programs ever to win in four consecutive years, George Stevens Jr. is the forthcoming recipient of an honorary Academy Award® for his lifetime contribution to motion pictures. For TNT, Ricki Rosenfeld and David Bryant serve as executives in charge of production. |
Kip Moore is crisscrossing the country as part of Eric Church’s Blood, Sweat & Beers Tour, but he’s done his share of traveling and experiencing local amenities in towns across the nation. However, probably the most exotic locale the Tipton, Georgia native resided for a time was Hawaii, where he moved after college. He inhabited a small abode, enjoying time to write songs and appreciate his surroundings. “I lived in a hut,” says Kip. “It was probably a 5 x 11 foot concrete slab with a little screen around it and had a little bathroom connected to it, and that’s all I needed. It was off in the woods, probably two miles from the beach…and I would hitchhike to the beach every day and I’d surf, and then I’d backpack all over the island.” He moved to Nashville in 2004, and signed a publishing deal before obtaining a recording contract with MCA.
The singer-songwriter, who took “Somethin’ ‘Bout a Truck” to number-one earlier this year, is currently sitting in the Top 5 with his latest single, “Beer Money.”
AUDIO: Kip Moore talks about living in Hawaii before making the move to Nashville.
Kip Moore (living in Hawaii) OC: …little means. :32
“I lived in a hut. It was probably a 5 x 11 foot concrete slab with a little screen around it and had a little bathroom connected to it, and that’s all I needed. It was off in the woods, probably two miles from the beach, a mile and a half from the beach, and I would hitchhike to the beach every day and I’d surf, and then I’d backpack all over the island. And I might be gone 5 or 6 days, and I’d come back to the hut,a nd I’d have my sleeping bag and that was it. I’d shower at the beaches and carry a bunch of tuna in my backpack and my guitar, and I’d write songs and surf, and that was it for about a half a year. I was a man of little means.”
Scotty McCreery recorded several holiday classics on Christmas With Scotty McCreery, including one that Elvis Presley made as a staple during the holiday season — “Santa Claus is Back in Town.” Scotty told us he had a slightly difficult time deciding between that and “Blue Christmas.” Check out the video below where you can catch Scotty in the studio recording “Santa Claus is Back in Town,” and why this song came out the winner.
Due to Lady A family drama, Webisode Wednesday will return next week.
Check out Lady Antebellum on iTunes: http://smarturl.it/ea3ldz
From keithurban.net:
Multiple Grammy Award winner and two-time ARIA Award winner Keith Urban will kick off his sold out The Story So Far Tour this January. Chugg Entertainment and Nine Live are happy to confirm the news that US rockers, The Madden Brothers will open all shows, except the final Brisbane performance, where Australian chanteuse, Washington, will warm the stage.
Coaches on the smash hit Australian debut of The Voice, Urban and Joel Madden sparked a friendship early in 2012 based on their shared love of music of all kinds. Performing on stage with twin brother and Good Charlotte co-member, Benji, these shows will be audiences first ever time to see the famed brothers present their newly created live format with a brand new band. Currently writing and recording in their new LA studio, creating a brand new sound, The Madden Brothers will be bringing audiences a dynamic set including new tracks from their upcoming album, as well as some Good Charlotte classics and a few selected covers. Joined by their newly formed live backing band, this is set to be something not to be missed.
Joining Keith Urban for the Brisbane show on Sunday 27 January, is 2-time ARIA Award winner, Platinum album seller and APRA Breakthrough Songwriter, Megan Washington. As well as these many accolades, Washington has also been named the inaugural Vanda & Young Songwriter of The Year. The full depth and breadth of Washington’s talent however was best signified in the release of the critically acclaimed ‘Insomnia’ EP and associated live show. Where most artists would have pursued obvious commercial routes, ‘Insomnia’ presented a darker, more intimate side to Megan’s writing. Comfortable as a mentor on The Voice, as she is performing songs from ‘Insomnia’ with members of the ACO – Washington is the real deal.
These shows have been completely sold out for some time, but with the possibility of new seats being released, fans that missed out are advised to stay tuned for more details.
KEITH URBAN: THE STORY SO FAR TOUR DATES:
Friday 25 January Entertainment Centre, Brisbane – with special guests The Madden Brothers Saturday 26 January Entertainment Centre, Brisbane – with special guests The Madden Brothers
Sunday 27 January Entertainment Centre, Brisbane – with special guest Washington
Wednesday 30 January Allphones Arena, Sydney – with special guests The Madden Brothers Thursday 31 January Allphones Arena, Sydney – with special guests The Madden Brothers
Saturday 2 February Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne – with special guests The Madden Brothers Sunday 3 February Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne – with special guests The Madden Brothers
Scotty McCreery is definitely in the Christmas spirit. Tonight (Wednesday), he will perform during the NBC-TV special Christmas in Rockefeller Center, along with a star-studded lineup, which includes Trace Adkins, Mariah Carey, Cee Lo Green and many others. The special airs tonight at 8pm ET.
The North Carolina native will also premiere his GAC-TV special, Christmas With Scotty McCreery and Friends, on Saturday December 1st at 11pm ET. From his new Christmas album, Scotty performs “Let It Snow”, “Santa Claus Is Back In Town” and “Christmas In Heaven.” The show will re-air several times over the holiday season, so go to GACTV.com for more information.
In other news, he donated $5,000 from his Beacon Theatre show in New York City on Friday to World Vision’s Hurricane Sandy Relief. He was joined by fellow American Idol-alum Pia Toscano.
AUDIO: Scotty McCreery talks about some of his favorite holiday movies.
Scotty McCreery (Christmas movies) OC: …all the time. :18
“Some of my favorite holiday movies are The Santa Clause one, that’s with Tim Allen. He was at the CMAs this year. That was pretty cool to see him there. I didn’t get to meet him. I would’ve liked to have. But, Home Alone: Lost in New York. All of those are good ones. A Christmas Story, now that’s a classic, A Christmas Story right there. That’s on every Christmas. We watch it all the time.”
AN ALL-STAR PERFORMANCE LINEUP OF TALENT ANNOUNCED FOR
“CMT ARTISTS OF THE YEAR” PREMIERING SATURDAY, DECEMBER 8 ON CMT
The Exclusive Night of Music Honoring 2012’s Brightest Stars to Include Appearances or Performances by Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan, Kenny Chesney, Eric Church, Eli Young Band, Sammy Hagar, Hunter Hayes, Toby Keith, Miranda Lambert, Kacey Musgraves, Willie Robertson, Kenny Rogers, Thompson Square, Carrie Underwood, Chris Young and More
90-Minute Special to be Hosted by Rascal Flatts and Hayden Panettiere
NASHVILLE – Nov. 27, 2012 – The celebrity line-up for the third annual 2012 CMT ARTISTS OF THE YEAR continues to heat up with appearances or performances by some of the biggest names in entertainment, including Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan, Kenny Chesney, Eric Church, Eli Young Band, Sammy Hagar, Hunter Hayes, Toby Keith, Miranda Lambert, Kacey Musgraves, “Duck Dynasty” star Willie Robertson, Kenny Rogers, Thompson Square, Carrie Underwood, Chris Young, with more to be announced. Country super group Rascal Flatts and “Nashville” actress Hayden Panettiere will host the event that honors the top country acts of 2012 when it premieres on Saturday, December 8 at 11:00 p.m., ET/PT.
The 90-minute special is the most exclusive gathering of country music superstars of the year and celebrates the class of 2012 with an incredible evening of wall-to-wall performances and special appearances from others in entertainment. For the first time ever, CMT is keeping the illustrious list of honorees top secret until they are revealed on the night of Saturday, December 8. Past artists named as CMT Artists of the Year include Jason Aldean, Kenny Chesney, Lady Antebellum, Brad Paisley, Taylor Swift, Carrie Underwood, and Zac Brown Band.
“I always dreamed of coming to Nashville and putting music out that drove people to come to a live show and join in the live show experience,” says Luke Bryan in Luke Bryan Farm Tour airing exclusively on GAC. Bryan’s energetic, hit-filled live show was filmed before 14,000 of his closest friends at one of his Farm Tour stops in Athens, Georgia. As the tour’s charitable endeavor, proceeds from the Farm Tour go to college scholarships for students from a farming family within the communities the tour played. GAC is pleased to present the platinum star’s first televised concert special.
“Growing up in Georgia we’d put some speakers in a tractor shed, call a few folks, light a big bonfire, collect money at the cattle gate and that was our gig,” Bryan jokes about the Farm Tour prototype. “This is the same thing; it’s just a lot bigger.” The star’s recent eight city Farm Tour attracted 100,000 fans, doubling the attendance of his ’11 Farm Tour. Swelling crowds are something he’ll have to get used to as he embarks on his first headlining tour, Dirt Road Diaries, in 2013 and he’s quick to give credit to Kenny Chesney, Tim McGraw and Jason Aldean. “When I rewind and look back over the years of getting to open for Chesney and McGraw and Aldean, I’ve taken little things and watched what they do,” he says. “The pressure is trying to put on the best show and reinventing what the country music audience might have already seen.”
Viewers will be treated to performances of “Rain is a Good Thing,” “Do I,” “Drunk on You,” “Don’t Want This Night to End,” “Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye,” “Shore Thing,” “Country Girl Shake It For Me” and “Mukalee Creek Water” backed by his band and surrounded by state-of-the-art staging, lighting and even fireworks. They’ll also get a behind the scenes glimpse into everything that goes into producing such a large-scale concert. While in Athens Bryan also stops by the Georgia Theatre, the place that while growing up, he dreamed of playing. “I’ll never forget the joy of selling out the Georgia Theatre and the fact that we never had set lists on stage, I’d just call the songs out,” he recalls. “I never want to lose that spontaneity, I’ve always wanted to keep it real, let it be about having fun and grow the show.”
The Luke Bryan Farm Tour television special premieres Wednesday (November 28th) at 10pm ET on GAC-TV. The show will re-air Thursday (November 29th) at 2am ET and 10am EAUDIOT; Saturday (December 1st) at 10pm ET and Sunday (December 2nd) at 2am ET.
AUDIO: Luke Bryan talks about his annual Farm Tour.
Luke Bryan (Farm Tour) OC: …keep it rockin’. :17
“I think what’s cool about the Farm Tour is these things are big events for these towns. I just love the fact that people can come out and have a big time, listen to some music, and it’s just a fun experience all around. And I want to do what I can to keep it rockin’.”
Kelleigh Bannen talks about her dream performance venue, musical inspirations (Dolly & Garth are among them) and more with CMT’s Listen Up Series. Kelleigh is the Listen Up Artist of the Month.
Kelleigh is currently on the radio airwaves with her debut single, “Sorry on the Rocks.”
