Kraft Entertainment, the producers behind the successful festival has announced that the festival will once again be held at the Gillette Stadium located in Boston. Tickets, priced at $82.50, $52.50, and $29.50 have already gone on sale since Jan. 30. Here’s a look at the top three artists lined up for the festival.

Brad Paisley (http://bradpaisley.musiccitynetworks.com/)
With the successful release of his eighth studio album, “American Saturday Night,” he has successfully cemented his spot as one of the top male artists in the genre today, producing a string of hit country music songs. “Then,” the album’s first single just became the 14th No. 1 song of his career. His other hit songs include “Whiskey Lullaby,” “Time Well Wasted,” “When I Get Where I’m Going,” “Waitin’ on a Woman,”‘Online,” and “Start a Band.” Paisley has also received numerous awards including three Grammys (Best Country Instrumental Performance for 2008 and 2009, Best Male Country Vocal Performance for 2009); a host of ACMs (Album of the Year for 2005 and Top Male Vocalist of the Year for 2007, 2008 and 2009, to name a few); and major awards from the CMAs (Album of the Year for 2006 and Male Vocalist of the Year for 2007, 2008, and 2009), among many many others. Paisley is still in the thick of his “Paisley Party Tour,” dishing out new country songs for his fans.

Darius Rucker (http://www.dariusrucker.com/)
Former front man for defunct band “Hootie and the Blowfish,” Rucker has successfully crossed over to country music to critical and commercial acclaim.  His debut album helped made him a bona fide country star through hits such as “Don’t Think I Don’t Think About It,” “It Won’t Be Like This for Long,” and “Alright,” all of which reached No. 1 on the U.S. Hot Country Songs chart. In 2009, Rucker was nominated for three awards—Male Vocalist of the Year, Favorite Male Artist, and New Artist of the Year—at the 2009 Country Music Awards. Winning New Artist of the Year helped solidify his status as the first African-American country music artist to have won in nearly 30 years. Currently, Rucker is busy recording his second album containing new country songs, and is on tour with Rascal Flatts for the last leg of the “American Living Unstoppable Tour.”

Jason Aldean (http://www.jasonaldean.com/)
Aldean, known for his no-nonsense country music songs, has had three albums released through Broken Bow Records: Jason Aldean, Relentless, and Wide Open. Together, all three albums have produced nine hit singles which graced the Billboard country singles charts, most of whom went straight to No.1: “Why,” “She’s Country,” “Big Green Tractor,” and “The Truth.” Aldean is currently headlining the “Wide Open Tour.”

Twelve-time host, Reba McEntire, herself a recipient of no less that twelve ACM awards, will again grace the awards ceremony, a night typically filled with performances of the previous year’s top country songs. According to Orly Adelson, President of Dick Clark Productions and the Executive Producer of the ACM Awards, McEntire was a logical choice because, “no one does it better than Reba McEntire. She always brings spunk and personality to the show and we are honored to have the queen of country music back to host the Awards for the 12th time.”

Since its inception in 1964, the ACM Awards has honored the country music industry’s best musical talents for almost half a century. Previous winners include the music industry’s best and brightest stars- a who’s who of the country music scene for the past years. Its most prestigious award, The Artist of the Decade, has been given to country music heavyweights such as Marty Robbins (1960s), Loretta Lynn (1970s), Alabama (1980s), Garth Brooks (1990s), and George Strait (2000s). Another major award, Entertainer of the Year, have been given to the likes of Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson, Roy Clark, Barbara Mandrel, Garth Brooks, and Brooks and Dunn, as well as newer artists such as Toby Keith, Kenny Chesney, and Carrie Underwood.

As reported in a country music blog, this year, fans also get to vote for the artists who will win in the three Top New Artist Categories. The nominees for this year’s new artist categories are Luke Bryan, Jamey Johnson, and Chris Young for Top New Solo Vocalist; Bomshel, Joey + Rory, and Steel Magnolia for Top New Vocal Duo; and Eli Young Band, Gloriana, and The Lost Trailers for Top New Vocal Group.

Some of the artists that have already signed on to perform their hit country songs in what is expected to be a star-studded event include McEntire, Kenny Chesney, Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban, and Rascal Flatts. Another special event which has been announced as part of the 45th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards celebration this year is the all-star concert special, “ACM Presents” brooks and Dunn- The Lat Rodeo,” which will be taped the following night at the same venue. This show will later be aired over on CBS. This comes as a special tribute for Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn, who together, became the best-selling duo in the history of country music. They will also be feted with the Milestone Award in recognition of their career achievements.

In a statement, Bob Romeo, Executive Director of the Academy of Country Music, explained why they chose to do the special. “Brooks & Dunn have defined country music for 20 years.” He added, “With this all-star concert tribute, the Academy is honored to recognize Kix and Ronnie for their contributions to the country music industry, fans and to all the artists they have helped get a break in this business.”

Initial doubts about his ability to cross over to country music were soon dispelled when, on the strength of the top three singles the album has produced—”Don’t Think I Don’t Think About It,” “It Won’t Be Like This for Long,” and “Alright,” all of which reached the No. 1 spot on the U.S. Country Songs chart—Rucker was nominated at the 2009 Country Music Association Awards. Nominated for three awards, Male Vocalist of the Year, Favorite Male Artist, and New Artist of the Year, Rucker made history by being the first African-American winner in 30 years. His win sent country music blogs into overdrive as to the relevance of this achievement.

When asked about what he felt about being compared with the legendary Charley Pride, in an interview Rucker said, “When I was making the record, I didn’t really think about the cultural or historical significance. But when my record started getting into the charts, I started hearing things and I had to pay attention. Anytime you’re mentioned with Charley Pride — and Ray Charles, too — it’s a great feeling! To be one of the few African-American men to fare well on country radio, I can’t help but feel great about that.”

When his single “Don’t Think I Don’t Think About It,” made it to the No. 1 spot, he shared how he felt at that time. “Making this record, I never thought about being an African-American guy making a country record. I just thought I was a guy making a country record until my first song went top 20 and people started talking about it. I’m proud of that, I’m proud of being that guy who has taken up where Charley Pride left off.”

Today, country music blogs are once again abuzz with news regarding his second country album. Of course, his fans are hoping he will record the same brand of country songs that gave him hit singles with his debut offering.  At present, Rucker is preparing to continue the last leg of the American Living Unstoppable tor with Rascal Flatts. This month, he is also set to go back into the studio to record materials for his second country album. About this second album Rucker says, “I’m very excited with the songs. I think this last record ended up being about where I am today. This next record may be a lot more about what it took to get there. We’re writing some songs, and I’m going to cut a Radney Foster track for this record. I’m just really excited again.”

When asked about its release date, Rucker says, “We’re going to play it by ear” to which he adds, “When I leave the studio, and when I put it on in my car and can listen to it over and over, then I’m happy.”

For more information about Rucker’s latest activities, you can check out http://www.dariusrucker.com/.

The buzz was all worth it especially when up and coming superstars such as Taylor Swift, Miranda Lambert, Sugarland and Darius Rucker, along with veterans George Strait, Tim McGraw, and Brooks & Dunn, gave the night some memorable performances that served as highlights of what was billed as “country music’s biggest night.”

Clearly, the year’s biggest winner was Taylor Swift who won four awards including Album of The Year (“Fearless”), Music Video of the Year (“Love Song”), Female Vocalist of the Year, and the much-coveted Entertainer of the Year Award which was awarded to fellow young artist Carrie Underwood a year ago. In her acceptance speech after receiving the Entertainer of the Year Award she said, “In this moment, everything that I have ever wanted just happened to me.” Swift was still reeling in disbelief backstage when she was interviewed by Access Hollywood’s Nancy O’Dell saying, “I feel like I’m walking around in a dream right now, It’s… the CMA Awards and four awards? I can’t even believe that!”

Apart from Swift, the night’s big winners were vocal duo Sugarland who pulled an upset in the Vocal Duo of the Year category over sentimental favorite Brooks & Dunn who have announced their retirement this year. Another big surprise was Darius Rucker, former frontman of Hootie & the Blowfish, who won the New Artist of the Year Award, making history as the first black singer to have won this award for country music awards. Clearly surprised with his win, he thanked “the fans, thank y’all for accepting me. And most importantly, to country radio, you took a chance on a pop singer from Charleston, S.C., and God bless y’all for that.”

Popular group Lady Antebellum also walked off with two awards, Single of the Year (for “I Run to You”) and Vocal Group of the Year, beating out heavy favorites Rascal Flatts and the Zac Brown Band. In their acceptance speech Charles Kelley said, “Thank you so much for just letting us be up here and feel part of the community — the country music industry. You guys have been so supportive of us.”

Meanwhile, as predicted, Brad Paisley went on to win Male Vocalist of the Year in a category which included Kenny Chesney, Darius Rucker, George Strait, and Keith Urban as fellow nominees. Other winners include:  Jamey Johnson, Song of the Year (”In Color”) and Brad Paisley and Keith Urban, Musical Event of the Year (”Start a Band”).

In related news, ABC’s record-breaking ratings for that weekend were also boosted by the “In the Spotlight” special which aired before the awards ceremony. In the report, Robin Roberts interviewed stars including Carrie Underwood and Tim McGraw.

Music wasn’t initially in the picture for Holy. He came from a large family whose occupation had been with their drilling business. In fact, if not for the music, Holy may have established a career here as well. Fortunately, Holy had developed an interest for music, which was his way of dealing with the death of his father, and later, his father. Clearly seeing country music love songs as his redemption, says Holy, “Music was the only thing that gave me relief.”

Upon his graduation from high school, Holy found himself among the 500 aspiring talents auditioning for “The Johnnie High Country Revue” in nearby Arlington, Texas. Little did he know that his involvement with the famed talent show will give him the break he had been waiting for; he finished first in the competition and went on to become Entertainer of the Year as voted by the show’s fans. After honing his musical skills throughout the Texas country music scene for several years, he eventually caught the attention of LeAnn Rimes and his father, Wilbur, who signed him to famed Nashville label Curb Records. Wilbur would later produce his debut album “Blue Moon.” At the same time, LeAnn also helped introduce him to a wider audience when she asked him to open for Rimes at the Las Vegas Hilton in 1998.

His debut single called “Don’t Make Me Beg,” was released in October 1999, and his debut album went on to produce two more Top 20 singles, culminating in his biggest single of the time, “Good Morning Beautiful.” This song introduced him to a wider audience when it was featured in the Jennifer Lopez movie. In 2006, Holy scored another hit with wildly popular “Brand New Girlfriend,” from an album of the same name released under Curb Records.

What sets Holy apart form his peers is that he is never afraid to experiment. In fact, he refuses for his music to be pigeonholed to just one stereotype citing various influences such as Charlie Rich, Mickey Gilley, John Conlee, Elvis Presley, Sam Cooke, and even a variety of Doo-Wop vocal groups as his vocal influences. In fact, in his Las Vegas show one would also hear him cover hits from artists such as the Commodores, Roy Orbison, and Dean Martin.

Of his songs, Holy says, “There’s no common thread in any of them. Basically, what’s going on in my life at the time is what I focus on musically.” Currently, he is busy working on his third album, which is set to be released early next year where it will be announced in our country music blog. The single “Might Have Been,” is already generating positive buzz. “People in radio have said this is probably going to be my biggest hit yet,” says Holy.

He adds, “Life is good, I think. I’m real excited. I can’t wait!” Indeed, it has been an interesting journey so far and country music fans will surely be waiting for his next album.

This album closely follows previous releases by Nelson, known for his wide range of musical influences, which he is never afraid to explore and produce great albums from. Just recently, Nelson released a solo album called “American Classic,” in which he explores the jazzified sound of standards with artists such as Diana Krall and Norah Jones. Prior to this, Nelson has also done collaborations with country singers such as Ryan Adams, Kenny Chesney, Wynton Marsalis, and even Toots Hibbert.

This time, Nelson has done it again, releasing a collaborative project with the best Western swing band in the US, none other than Asleep on The Wheel. Already, this album has been hailed by critics and fans as one of the best to have come out in 2009. It consists of twelve tracks handpicked by legendary producer Jerry Wexler consisting of songs that represent the history of Western swing—right from its Dixieland and blues roots. The tracks included are “Hesitation Blues,” “Sweet Jennie Lee,” “Fan It,”  “I Ain’t Gonna Give Nobody None o’ This Jelly Roll,”  “Oh! You Pretty Woman,” “Bring it on Down to My House,” “Right or Wrong,” “Corrine Corrina,” “I’m Sittin’ on Top of the World,” “Shame on You,” “Won’t You Ride in My Little Red Wagon,” and  “South,” which features Paul Shaffer and Vince Gill.

As for Asleep at the Wheel, “Willie and the Wheel” is a long overdue project whose early beginnings could be traced back almost two decades back when legendary producer Jerry Wexler first met the members of the band. It is quite ironic that Wexler had been initially reluctant to sign the band. Says Asleep at the Wheel band leader Ray Benson with a chuckle, “He said the guitar player needed to practice — me — and he was right!”

Nevertheless Benson and Wexler eventually became friends and when Benson learned of how Wexler had once hand-picked tunes that he thought would suit Nelson and Asleep at the Wheel, he approached Nelson about the project, and the rest is history. Fortunately, even though Wexler died in 2008. Willie and the Wheel were already able to complete the album, culminating in its release this year as a tribute to the great producer at the same time.

This collaboration though is not a flash in the pan because Benson’s band has already played with Nelson over the years on country love songs and more. Says Benson of Nelson’s quirky musical style, “It’s idiosyncratic and unusual and totally original and unique. That’s the appeal: You do things the Willie way, or you fall flat on your face.” He adds, however, that “He’s a joy to play with. My drummer said he treats time like an avant-garde jazz musician. I love it. It’s amusing, it’s stimulating, it’s great fun!”

The festival is set to start with an inaugural Burbs ‘n Bush Party wherein people of all ages can come on down to the Town Square and help open the festival with free concert featuring a great line up of country music artists followed by fireworks display at 7:30 in the evening.  This shall kick off the four-day festival featuring events such as the Songwriters Cafe, theBush Poets B’fast, the talent search, the Beaut Ute Show, the Urban Blaze Concert, the Bush Balladeers program, the Farewell Concert, and many more. Of course, the highlight of the festival will be the Main Concert on Saturday which will feature the best country stars in Australia for eight hours of non-stop country music.

Already, the list of artists set to perform for the main concert includes the best of what Australia has to offer. Headlining the event will be Troy Cassar-Daley and John Williamson who will be joined onstage by fellow Australian country music luminaries, Harmony James, Kasey Chambers, Amber Lawrence and Beccy Cole, to name a few.

Troy Cassar-Daley is well known throughout the Australian country music scene for his critically acclaimed and commercially successful albums including his most recent effort, “I Love This Place,” which was released last April. Cassar-Daley is currently touring sold-out venues around Australia in support of this album. He has 14 Golden Guitars and three ARIAs to accompany his wildly successful tour dates. Fellow headliner John Williamson is best known for his timeless tunes such as ‘‘Raining on the Rock,” “Mallee Boy,” “True Blue,” “Rip Rip Woodchip,” and “Cootamundra Wattle.” Throughout his illustrious career, Williamson has won Golden Guitars and other prestigious awards.

Meanwhile, the lady musicians will be ably represented by Harmony James and Amber Lawrence. James is the singer behind the two hit singles, “Somebody Stole My Horse” and “Tailwind,” which was the first Australian song ever to win the country category of the International Songwriting Competition. This year, Harmony released her first full-length studio album, also entitled “Tailwind.” On the other hand, Amber Lawrence is an award-winning singer-songwriter who has performed at all the major festivals across Australia. She recently won Song of the Year at the Australian Independent Country Music Awards for the single “The Mile.”

If you would like to watch these artists perform live, you may purchase tickets sold at $26.90 – $54.90 (Early Bird); $29.90 – $64.90 (Standard); and $35.00 – $70.00 (Sold at the gate). To purchase the tickets and view other event details, you may visit the country music blog  http://www.urbancountry.com.au/

Country music artists

In December 2005, country music superstar Garth Brooks made a handsome donation to Integris Canadian Valley Regional Hospital in his hometown of Yukon, Oklahoma. The main stipulation in the contract was that the hospital management must use the money to build a cancer treatment facility that will be named after Brooks’ mother, Colleen Brooks, who died from cancer in 1999. Now, the artist drew both criticism and support for suing the same hospital for of $500,000 for alleged breach of contract.

In reports aired over CNN affiliate in Oklahoma City, KOKH, the controversial lawsuit has been filed in the District Court of Rogers County, Oklahoma, which basically asks that the donation be returned because the original contract had not been honored by Integris management. According to the original agreement, the donation should have gone to the establishment of a medical facility named after Colleen Brooks. However, although the hospital has undertaken a $27 million dollar renovation, to date, the building is yet to be built and in fact, there are indications that it will not be built at all as originally intended.

The lawsuit mentions that hospital officials showed building models during the preliminary meetings around the time when the donation was made. However, when an inquiry was made, it was found that the management had only informed Brooks in a vague manner that the donation would be “earmarked” for future use. To these allegations, the hospital’s top management is confident that this was just a misunderstanding. Although Crowe and Dunlevy attorney Terry Thomas, who is part of a team representing the hospital, declined to comment further, a spokeswoman for Integris stated that the hospital management was fully “optimistic that it will come to a swift and amicable end.”

Not everyone, however, is in a conciliatory mode. City council member John Tipps said, “Yukon has done a lot to help promote Garth Brooks over the years, and this is what he does to return the favor, sue our hospital over a misunderstanding.” He further told the The Yukon Review, “Maybe Yukon should consider removing his name from the street signs and the water tower. This is very unfortunate for the hospital, City of Yukon and its citizens.”

Due to the controversial nature of the case, country music fans are also divided with regards to the issue. While there are those who believe that Brooks has all the right to sue for breach of contract, there are also those who believe that making a donation should not have entailed stipulations in the first place.

No matter what the public opinion is, Brooks seems to be heartbroken over the whole ordeal. According to Brooks’ spokesperson, “This is deeply personal. This deals with his mother, the hometown and the people he grew up with.” Nevertheless, the singer is apparently determined to do what is right.

Through the joint effort initiated by the organizers of The Willamette Country Music Festival and Sharing Hands, a local non-profit organization, the food boxes were then distributed to deserving families from around the Brownsville area.

This donation was made possible by the The Willamette Country Music Festival’s organizer’s ingenious plan of pledging free general admission three-day passes to country music fans who will donate a food box for the worthwhile cause. The announcement was also made through various country music blogs. After the collection drive, over 4,000 pounds of food items were collected and stored at Randy’s Main Street Coffee. The volunteer group Sharing Hands, under the supervision of director Don Andrews then oversaw the packaging and food distribution. As an added Christmas gift, presents were also given for children in each household.

This program, which was conceptualized in time for the holiday season, was also a way for the organizers to drum up support for the Third Annual Willamette Country Music Festival, slated for Aug. 19th to the 22nd at Brownsville, Oregon, USA. Sponsored by Bi-Mart, the festival invites country music fans from all over the country to this great outdoor country music concert event which features nightly concerts from country music’s biggest stars; overnight RV and tent camping facilities; a food and merchandise fair; and the popular Bi-Mart Family Fun Zone including a climbing wall, inflatable bounce houses & slides for kids, and mechanical bull rides—all guaranteeing a fun activity for young and old country music fans alike.

Previous performers included Restless Heart, Josh Gracin, Jamie O’Neal, Rockie Lynne, Jason Meadows and John Michael Montgomery, among others. This year, Darryl Worley has signed on to be part of the headlining acts for the festival’s opening concert night. Aside from providing good music and wholesome family entertainment, festival organizers are also committed to helping out the community by assisting in providing funds for local sports and arts programs to local high schools. This year, the main recipients were the almost 100 families given food boxes for the holidays, a program which was undertaken in collaboration with Sharing Hands.

Indeed, country music fans will not just get good music and clean family entertainment from previous Willamette Country Music Festival, they have also been given opportunities to share their hearts through its worthwhile community programs.

For more details about the festivities, you can check out http://WillametteCountryMusicFest.com; call (5-41) 497-7588; or send an email to CountryFestSales@aol.com.

Susan Tucker, the show’s creator says, “It’s important to draw attention to the fact that, beyond the world of the major label artists, there is a whole other realm of artists; those that are out there making great music and working hard, all without the money and support of a major record label.” Tucker, of the Nashville-based Copeland Tucker Management has certainly made the right choice of venue where such an important event could be held.

Owned and managed by the Gaylord Entertainment Company, the legendary Wildhorse Saloon is a popular country/western-themed restaurant located right in the heart of Nashville—ground zero for the country music scene. With an extremely large dance floor, open bar, and spacious indoor concert atrium, this is certainly one of the premier venues in Nashville and is perfect  for a huge event such as “Country Indie.”

“Country Indie” is actually a series of monthly shows that shall be kicked off on December 15^th, 2009, with a concert to be headlined by Kim McLean and Sage Keffer. McLean, is of course, an award winning songwriter whose beautiful country love songs have been recorded by the likes of Trisha Yearwood, Tim McGraw, Lee Ann Womack, and The Martins. Her music has also been featured on shows such as West Wing and Hope and Faith. Her “Angels and Eagles” duet with Ms. Dolly Parton, which is included in her CD, “Happy Face” won the Americana Song of the Year from the Just Plain Folk Awards. Meanwhile, Sage Keffer is a regular from the CMA Music Festival. Born in New Mexico and raised on the Colorado-Wyoming border, Keffer nabbed a voice scholarship at Lamont School of Music in Denver and continued to pursue a career in country music. Today, he is one of the most buzz-worthy recording artists from the Nashville scene. These two artists will perform in the inaugural concert, which shall be hosted by Nashville’s indie artist, Rachel Williams.

The monthly events will spotlight three top-level acts during each installment. Says Tucker, “There are so many great country singers & performers that country music fans would love to embrace, but they’re not getting the opportunity to know these artists for a number of reasons.” She further explains, “One of which is a lack of radio support. I’m hoping this series will help these hard working and talented artists further their careers.”

Tickets for the show, which will begin on December 15 at 7:00pm, are at $6.00. You may visit the following for more information and updates: www.wildhorsesaloon.com, myspace.com/countryindie, or facebook.com/countryindie.