•    Robert Plant and Alison Krauss were the biggest winners in the 2009 Grammys when they swept all five categories they were nominated for, including Album of the Year and Record of the Year for “Please Read the Letter.” Their album, Raising Sands, was a perfect merging of Krauss’ bluegrass roots and Plant’s classic-rock vibe. Their win over more “popular” acts such as Coldplay, Adele, and Leona Lewis made everyone sit up and have another look (or listen) to Americana music.
•    In the same night, King of Country George Strait won his first-ever Grammy after 30 years. He won Best Country Album for Troubadour.
•    Taylor Swift’s “Love Story” became the first single in the history to hit the top mark on the pop chart after crossing over from country on Billboard. This was just the beginning for the Tennessee native, as she seemed to be everywhere you turned in 2009—the country and music charts, Internet blogs and tabloids, retail stores, television, award shows, fashion shows, and soon movies. She ended the year with countless awards and recognitions from various award-giving bodies, most notable of which is the Entertainer of the Year award from the CMA and the Associated Press.
•    Still on Swift, what was supposed to be her most memorable moment last September at the VMAs was ruined when hiphop star Kanye West rudely interrupted her acceptance speech for Best Female Video. This stunt catapulted Swift’s fame higher into the stratosphere and ensured her place in America’s consciousness.
•    Country crooner Kenny Chesney sold more concert tickets than any other act in the decade, country or otherwise, according to industry tracker Pollstar. Bringing in $455.6 million at the gate, Chesney is the third highest-grossing artist of 2000-2009, coming after the Dave Matthews Band and Celine Dion. Meanwhile, according to Billboard magazine, Chesney was also this decade’s top 2 country act, which bases its ranking on sales figures recorded by Nielsen Soundscan.
•    Mary Ellin Travers, “Mary” in the famed folk trio “Peter, Paul, and Mary” died September 16 following a long struggle with leukemia. Several of the most popular songs from the folk music genre were recorded by Peter, Paul, and Mary, including “Lemon Tree,” “Puff (The Magic Dragon),” “If I had a Hammer,” “Leaving on a Jet Plane,” and “Blowin in the Wind.”
•    Former Hootie and the Blowfish frontman Darius Rocker has made the successful crossover to country with the release of his platinum-selling album Learn to Live. He was the CMA’s Best New Artist of the Year, making him the first black artist to win a CMA since the 1980s.

This year, after launching the “CMT 2009 Music City Madness Video Contest Video Contest,” CMT has announced the winner— Chance McKinney, native of Missoula county, MT and a state school teacher from Washington. With his video for the song “Be Real,” McKinney bested hundreds of other hopefuls in a rigid online selection process consisting of six rounds of competition and millions of fan votes. Other finalists included Danny Hamilton of Torrance, California (”Bury the Devil”), Mumblefinger of Red Bluff, California (”Exactly Like You”), and Angela Ragsdale of Los Angeles, California (”I Turn U Turn”).

As part of his prize, McKinney—who is a trigonometry and statistics teacher at Kamiak High School in Mukilteo, Seattle—will fly out to Nashville to complete a series of activities that begins with a recording of his own “CMT Studio 330 Sessions” television show and a private showcase with A&R executives at the Valory Music Co. label which handles popular country singers such as Reba McEntire, Jewel and Jack Ingram. The whirlwind visit will culminate in a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to have a backstage visit with country superstar McEntire.

In a celebratory email he sent out to his fans, McKinney said, “Thanks to the efforts of the Trib and other media outlets, we did it.” He then added, “I’m so lookin’ forward to gettin’ back down to Sandy for the holidays and spendin’ time with the family.” Sandy is, of course, McKinney’s adopted hometown where his wife Lisa Lisa B. Herron-McKinney—whom he recently married—resides.  McKinney also thanked his students who played a major role in his win. “My best friend and next-door teacher at the school, he talked to his students and encouraged them to spread the word,” according to McKinney. “So I had this huge student network working for me and voting on the site, and I didn’t even know it until I got into the final 16.”

Prior to being named the winner of the contest, McKinney said in an interview, “I’ve been at this for a long time now, doing all the non-glorious work that goes into being a successful musician.” When asked if he had what it takes to win the contest, he answered, “I think if I can win this competition, it’ll be a result of all that work, and it could really lead to the next step for me.”

McKinney—who has already opened concerts for established artists such as Montgomery Gentry, George Strait, Kenny Chesney, and Gary Allan—has mentioned that he considers Alan Jackson as a “major influence.”

For more of the McKinney madness, you may check out his website at http://www.chancemckinney.com/.

For the past years, 4 FINI, Inc. has successfully staged what the music industry calls the “longest running traveling music and extreme sports festival in the world.” Now, they are trying to translate that success in promoting country music artists using the same concept of having multiple stages, pre-show parties, and a wide range of merchandise booths that will be set up throughout each stop. Aside from the headliners set to perform on three stages—a main stage and two side stages—more artists, singers, and songwriters will be featured in the Bluebird Cafe Tent.

Sarah Baer, tour co-producer and marketing head of 4FINI, Inc. said in a statement, “We feel country music will welcome this type of touring festival.” She added, “Fans of any music genre are looking for a place where they can experience a full day of quality music from new faces, along side well known acts, and at a value price. The music we’ve had the pleasure of booking on this tour is going to surprise and excite a lot of people come May. It’s a group of truly talented musicians and singer-songwriters that have never toured in this capacity. I’m expecting great things.” Meanwhile, Kevin Lyman, co-producer and tour founder said, “Very much like other projects we have been involved with, this project is about bringing together a great group of artists and attractions at a fair ticket price for music fans.”

Aside from the confirmed headliners, Montgomery Gentry, Jamey Johnson, Little Big Town and Jack Ingram, other acts that have signed on to join the tour include Jonathan Singleton & The Grove, the Eli Young Band, Emily West, Lost Trailers, Eric Church, and Ryan Bingham. More artists and sponsors are expected to join the tour which shall start from May 13 and will run through to June 20.

Troy Gentry of Montgomery Gentry said, “When Eddie and I were approached about doing the Country Throwdown Tour, we immediately said yes. We loved the idea of it being like a big festival, a big party. I mean, that’s what Montgomery Gentry is all about. We’re keeping the ticket prices low because we know it’s hard out there. Fans are going to get a lot of entertainment for their money. This tour is going to be a great experience for us, the other artists and especially the fans.”

Indeed, this tour has been conceived with country music fans in mind. “The fans are the real winners here with all of the great artists we have the honor to work with on this tour. Breaking new acts is the lifeblood of this business, and I look forward to this new and innovative Tour….you never know what magic can happen with this much talent gathered in any given market….not the Tour you want to miss in 2010!” says Brian O’Connell, Country Music Touring President for Live Nation.