Universal Universal Music Group Nashville Pressroom

Alan Jackson was among the inductees into the Music City Walk of Fame on Sunday (November 6th). Radio veteran Lon Helton introduced him to the hundreds of fans lined up to catch a glimpse of the country legends. Kix Brooks, clothing designer Manuel, Dr. Bobby Jones, Dottie Rambo, Les Paul and Nashville television anchor Dan Miller. The honorees were recognized officially with the unveiling of commemorative sidewalk markers in the Walk of Fame Park in downtown Nashville. The Music City Walk of Fame, located on Nashville’s Music Mile, is a landmark tribute to those from all genres of music who have made significant contributions to preserving the musical heritage of Nashville and have contributed to the world through song or other industry collaboration.

“After all I’ve been through and accomplished and all the great luck I’ve had, when I think about 20-something years ago the first time I was driving down Music Row with a paper sack full of songs, I never could’ve imagined standing here in front of the Country Music Hall of Fame in the heart of Nashville and in the heart of country music, and having ’em put my name down in this concrete that’ll be here for a long time, that’s just something you never thought about and never dreamed about,” says Alan. “I never dreamed it could happen. Hell, I could thank a million people out there, but the fans are the ones to me that put that name there.”

As of right now, Keith Urban will still take part in a tribute to Glen Campbell, one of his heroes, on Wednesday night’s CMA Awards. (Note: last week, it was announced he had to cancel all but his single song commitments since he has developed a polyp on one of his vocal cords. He will undergo surgery later this month.) Not only is he in awe of Glen’s guitar playing, but his vocal ability, as well. “I saw him play and was just floored by how incredibly he sang,” says Keith, adding, “and his guitar playing, it’s really very impressive.” Playing clubs and events prior to his moving to Nashville, Keith would often perform a handful of Glen’s songs, including “Galveston,” but it wasn’t until he truly went through the lyrics that he realized just what it meant. “I did that song for years live, you know, when I was a kid right up until I was 20 or something or other. And somebody here in town asked me if I could write out the lyrics for it, because they wanted, you know, a copy of it,” recalls Keith. “After all these years of singing that song, it wasn’t until I sat down and wrote the lyrics out, just cried like a baby…that’s absolutely the first song that’s just completely rocked my world. It’s tragic and beautiful.” Keith will be joined by Vince Gill and Brad Paisley for the tribute.

• Keith, who is also set to perform one of his own songs as well, is nominated for both Entertainer and Male Vocalist of the Year. The 45th Annual CMA Awards will air live from
  Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena Wednesday (November 9th) at 8pm ET on ABC.
• Keith will also be featured in the ABC special, In the Spotlight With Robin Roberts: All Access Nashville, next Tuesday (November 8th). He’ll be joined by Kenny Chesney, Faith Hill, Sugarland, Scotty McCreery and Lauren Alaina in the show airing at 10pm ET.

AUDIO: Keith Urban talks about both Glen Campbell’s guitar playing and his vocal abilities.

Keith Urban (Glen Campbell’s vocal abilities) OC: …extraordinary. :15

“His vocal abilities — I saw him play and was just floored by how incredibly he sang. And his guitar playing, it’s really very impressive. And of course his work on a lot of other people’s records too is pretty extraordinary.”

AUDIO: Keith Urban says he didn’t realize just how tragic Glen Campbell’s hit, “Galveston,” was until he wrote out the lyrics to the song and listened to songwriter Jimmy Webb’s version of the song.

Keith Urban (Galveston) OC: …and beautiful. :43

“Galveston, and I did that song for years live, you know, when I was a kid right up until I was 20 or something or other. And somebody here in town asked me if I could write out the lyrics for it, because they wanted, you know, a copy of it. And after all these years of singing that song, it wasn’t until I sat down and wrote the lyrics out, just cried like a baby. Just, with all due respects to Glen, he sings it with such gusto that it, that I didn’t realize how tragic the song was, and then I did a writer’s night with Jimmy Webb, and he did it on piano, and it was just devastating. And, that’s absolutely the first song that’s just completely rocked my world. It’s tragic and beautiful.”

Here are some excerpts from Lady Antbellum‘s Hillary Scott in the December issue of Redbook magazine due on newsstands November 15th:

On her meeting her fiancé Chris:

We met in college—we went to different schools in Tennessee and met through mutual friends. I thought off the bat that he was really attractive, and I could tell that he was kind. Kindness just oozes out of him. I wanted to date him when I met him! And he just wanted to play basketball. [Laughs]

Keith Urban is set to undergo throat surgery later this month, to remove a polyp which has developed on his vocal cords. The out-patient procedure, while minor, will require complete voice rest followed by an undetermined period of  recuperation that will require the postponement of the All For The Hall benefit concert, which was originally scheduled for January 18th at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena.

While the CMA Entertainer of the Year nominee has had to scale back his appearances requiring multiple songs, he will honor his pre-existing one-song performance commitments leading up to the minor vocal cord surgery at the end of this month. All other appearances will be rescheduled in the new year. 

Lady Antebellum’s Hillary Scott appears on the cover of the new issue of Redbook, which hits newsstands November 15th. She talks about finding love with drummer Chris Tyrrell and how her future husband makes her feel. “Everything is brighter. Everything has a deeper meaning,” she says of her relationship with her fiancé. “I’ve found a guy who truly embraces me for who I am and appreciates the things that I don’t necessarily love about myself. He makes me feel more comfortable in my own skin.”

Check out more of the Redbook article in USA Today.

 LUKE BRYAN TAPPED AS SPECIAL CMA AWARDS RED CARPET CORRESPONDENT FOR THE “ELLEN DEGENERES SHOW! 

CMA Awards nominee Luke Bryan has been asked to be the Nashville red carpet correspondent for the “Ellen DeGeneres Show” at the 45^th Annual CMA Awards on Wed., Nov. 9th.  The CMA red carpet segment will air on the “Ellen DeGeneres Show” on Thurs., Nov. 10th.

Luke made his first appearance on Ellen in late September to perform his smash hit “Country Girl (Shake It For Me)” and also portrayed “Pierre” in Ellen’s ongoing soap opera drama, “As the Tide Turns.”   Watch it below:

Luke is nominated in the New Artist category and will also be performing on the CMA Awards this year. Fans can tune in on Wed., Nov. 9th at 8:00pm ET on ABC.

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.