Brittany Joy Cooper
Jason Aldean, Lady Antebellum Have Top-Selling Albums of 2011
Nielsen and Billboard have released their 2011 Music Industry Report, and the findings are quite encouraging, especially for country music fans. With album sales up across the board for the first time in seven years and digital album sales on a surprisingly steady incline as well, Jason Aldean and Lady Antebellum released two of the top-selling records of the year.
John Rich Reaching Out to Young Oklahoma Mother Who Shot and Killed Intruder
On New Year’s Eve, an 18-year-old Oklahoma mother shot and killed an intruder to protect her 3-month-old baby, after she had just lost her husband to cancer on Christmas day. Now, John Rich of Big and Rich is on a mission to find this young mother and give her some much-needed help.
Carrie Underwood Donates $350K to Hometown Schools
Carrie Underwood may get to flit around onstage in shimmering gowns and attend swanky awards shows, but this Oklahoma girl who found her start on ‘American Idol‘ is certainly not one to forget her roots. The world-famous singer brought smiles to the faces of school administrators across her hometown of Checotah, Okla. this holiday, as she made donations totaling $350,000.
Rascal Flatts and Journey Reportedly Filming ‘CMT Crossroads’
After more than 90 shows in Europe and South America performing as the lead singer of Journey, Filipino rocker Arnel Pineda recently told ABS-CBN morning show Kris TV that the American rock band is about to take a step toward a country collaboration. According to LazyRocker.com, Pineda said that Journey have plans in 2012 to perform with Rascal Flatts for ‘CMT Crossroads.’
Miranda Lambert’s ‘The House That Built Me’ Impacts NASCAR Driver
At the 2011 Grammy Awards, Miranda Lambert took home a coveted award for Best Female Country Vocal Performance for her stirring single ‘The House That Built Me.’ It was one of those songs that came out of the pipeline resonating deeply with people across the country. NASCAR driver Jamie McMurray recently told Scene Daily that the song took on new meaning for him after his childhood Joplin, Mo. hom
Rascal Flatts’ Jay DeMarcus to Make Movie Debut in ‘Saving Santa’ With Trace Adkins
Rascal Flatts‘ Jay DeMarcus is slated to make his film debut next year along with Trace Adkins in the holiday film ‘Saving Santa.’ With Kix Brooks sitting in the executive director chair, it’s no surprise that this upcoming release has so many country ties. Touted as “a sweet, funny, holiday story about the belief in love, goodness and the spirit of Christmas,” ‘Saving Santa’ is set to debut next
Tim McGraw Releasing Christmas Song Next Week, Another Single in Early 2012
We all knew this was going to happen after the end of the court case with Tim and his now former label Curb Records!
Country megastar Tim McGraw says he plans to release a Christmas song next week and another single at the beginning of 2012. In a recent statement, McGraw said the holiday single, ‘Christmas All Over the World,’ will hit radio airwaves next week. This is especially noteworthy as it
Tim McGraw ‘Emotional Traffic’ 2012 Release Date Revealed
Finally!
In the early fall of 2010, Tim McGraw submitted his final version of a new record called ‘Emotional Traffic’ to Curb Records. The first single, ‘Felt Good on My Lips,’ dropped soon after, but no word came out about an album release date. Then, just hours after a court ruled this week (Nov. 30) that McGraw was free to sign with another label, Curb let the second single, ‘Better Than I Used
Mindy McCready Pregnant With Twins
The plot continues to thicken in the saga of country singer Mindy McCready, who went missing with her son Zander this week and now turns out to be seven months pregnant with twins. Though McCready insists she didn’t kidnap her 5-year-old son, it has been widely reported that she took him from her father’s Florida home Tuesday and doesn’t have legal custody of him.
Vince Gill Donates $12K to Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame
Oklahoma native Vince Gill recently made a $12,000 donation to the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame to help finish construction on a new children’s music exhibit. Gill was inducted into that Hall of Fame in 1999, and now he’s challenging other musicians and music lovers to follow his lead and donate to the cause.
2011 Cyber Monday Country Music Deals
As you scour the web for 2011 Cyber Monday deals today, don’t forget to check out the websites of your favorite country artists, many of whom are offering up great exclusive deals.
Brad Paisley’s ‘Diary of a Player’ Makes New York Times Best Sellers List
We’re not pulling for Brad Paisley to quit his day job, but the “Whiskey Lullaby” singer is shaping up to be quite the author. Paisley released his first book, ‘Diary of a Player,’ on Nov. 1, and the title has spent the past two weeks living on the New York Times Best Sellers list.