Search Results for "Merle Haggard"

Kellie Pickler photo by Kristin Barlowe, courtesy of Sony BMG.

Blonde and boisterous Kellie Pickler has frequently professed her appreciation of Dolly Parton, and the North Carolina native seems to have the same approach to the world as Dolly, who grew up across the stateline in neighboring Tennessee.

“I’m from a small town, but I don’t think small town,” Kellie told The Raleigh News & Observer. “I’ve always thought bigger. I’ve always wanted to travel the world and learn about other cultures and their religions and how they live. I’ve always been interested in the world. I think my biggest fear in life has always been to settle — to settle with a career and a lifestyle that I’m not completely happy about. … There’s nothing wrong with staying in a small town. But if you get a chance to step outside, go ahead and do it. That small town is always going to be there.”

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Garth Brooks is all smiles as he announces his new one-man show at the Wynn in Las Vegas, Nev. during a press conference on October 15, 2009. Photo courtesy of garthbrooks.com.

This morning at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville, Garth Brooks announced the end of his self-imposed retirement. In October 2000, he said he was retiring until the youngest of his three daughters had graduated from high school.

But that doesn’t necessarily mean fans will be getting a new album this year. At the Opry House, Garth said, “If we ever do tour again, if we ever put out new music again, it’s going to be another five years,” he said, reminding the audience that his youngest daughter, Allie, is only 13.

Garth revealed more of his future plans this afternoon at a press conference at the Wynn in Las Vegas. Continue Reading

Rosanne Cash photo courtesy of myspace.com/rosannecash.

When Rosanne Cash’s album The List is released on Tuesday, it will unveil only a portion of a much larger treasure.

When she was a teenager, Rosanne went on tour with her father, Country Music Hall of Fame member Johnny Cash, and he wrote out a list of the 100 most important country songs for her to learn if she intended to become an artist.

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Miranda Lambert is all smiles after chatting with her hero, Merle Haggard, at the 2009 ACM Honors in Nashville, Tenn. on September 22, 2009. Photo by Keri Braswell, GAC Staff.

The 2009 ACM Honors was a star-studded event, with everyone from Carrie Underwood to Joe Nichols to Kellie Pickler and more! GAC was there on the red carpet and we captured some pretty special moments, including Miranda Lambert’s giddy meeting with Merle Haggard (above). Continue Reading

Joe Nichols photo by Jon Smith, courtesy of Universal Records South.

Joe Nichols has titled his next album Old Things New, and it’s an appropriate name on several levels. For one, it stylistically balances old-school country with the genre’s current tone. For another, it’s the first time he recorded a CD since he underwent alcohol rehab.

Joe approached his music with a clearer mind than ever before. But that meant that when doubts crept into his mind, he couldn’t use liquor to numb his fears. As a result, it took 11 months to make the album.

“Everything was a sober thought for this album — very clear, very difficult, very difficult,” he told the national radio show GAC Nights: Live From Nashville. “A lot of emotions, a lot of questions. At one point in the middle of this album, I was like, ‘Man, can I even sing? Continue Reading

GAC's Bill Cody (r) chats with Randy Travis and Carrie Underwood on the red carpet at the second annual ACM Honors. Photo by Keri Braswell, GAC staff.

Nashville’s Schermerhorn Symphony Center was crawling with star power Tuesday night as the Academy of Country Music celebrated Randy Travis, Hank Williams Jr., Merle Haggard and Dolly Parton among others in its second annual ACM Honors.

Hosted by Lee Ann Womack, the event recognized a horde of winners of lifetime awards and musicians trophies with performances by Jamey Johnson, Joe Nichols, Blake Shelton and Steve Wariner, among others.  Carrie Underwood sang Randy’s “I Told You So,” Continue Reading

Hank Williams Sr. and Ray Price. Photo: courtesy of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.

By Deborah Evans Price

© 2009 CMA Close Up® News Service / Country Music Association®, Inc.

Ray Price could relax and look back on an incredible career. Instead, the Country Music Hall of Fame member is looking ahead. He’s starting his own record label, recording new music and performing for his enthusiastic fans.

But doesn’t he ever think about taking it easy, maybe doing a little fishing? “I’d be wondering why the hell I ain’t out there singing — that’s what I’d be doing on a fishing boat,” he said. “I love making music. It’s my life. I was born for it, I guess. I want to do it better and better and better and better. I’m not satisfied. I don’t think anybody should be.” Continue Reading

Barbara Mandrell photo courtesy of artist.

Barbara Mandrell spent years tending to her career, and that investment reached its full bloom in May when she took her place in the Country Music Hall of Fame. Now Barbara’s sprouting new roots in other ground-breaking ways: She’ll take part in the dedication of a Garden to the Stars in Nashville, and she’s been named the first female member of the Steel Guitar Hall of Fame.

Barbara and Lynn Anderson will be celebrity hosts on Sept. 29 when the Nashville Music Garden is officially dedicated in Music City across from the Hall of Fame and Museum. It’s the first garden to pay homage to entertainers with flowers that bear their names. The ceremony is expected to draw Continue Reading

Brad Paisley photo courtesy of Sony Music Nashville.

Brad Paisley is a happy man with Wednesday’s unveiling of the finalists for “The 43rd Annual CMA Awards”. Announced on Sept. 9 — 9/9/09 — Brad showed up 7 times on the list. His haul included his fifth straight nomination for Entertainer of the Year and his ninth in 10 years for Male Vocalist.

Set to co-host the awards on ABC with Carrie Underwood on Nov. 11, Brad also secured a spot in the finalists for Single and Song with his ballad, “Then”; earned an Album nomination with American Saturday Night; and shared a Vocal Event slot with Keith Urban for “Start A Band.”

Brad might be at the head of the class, but he was hardly the only one to receive good grades. Continue Reading

Jason Aldean photo courtesy of Broken Bow Records.

When Jason Aldean debuted “She’s Country” during last year’s edition of the Country Music Association Awards, he had no idea how big an impact the song would have on his career.

The exposure on a national television was great, but Continue Reading