Sugarland’s Kristian Bush. Photo courtesy of the CMA.

Country music is invading Paris. The Country Music Association will hold the first International Country Music Marketing Summit at Disneyland Paris on March 1. The summit is part of the association’s mission to help expand the format around the world.

“With immediate and convenient access to Country Music, the world market is fertile ground for our industry and artists,” Steve Moore, Chief Executive Officer of CMA, said. “Country artists are selling out major venues; our CMA Songwriter Series is returning to the U.K. and Ireland in February; and new events like the ‘C2C: Country to Country’ Country Music festival at the O2 Arena in London in March are a strong indication of the burgeoning popularity of the music and the need for this type of educational platform across the world.” Continue Reading

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Chris Young photo by Randee St. Nicholas, courtesy of Sony Music Nashville.

The Country Music Association’s CMA Songwriters Series is heading back across the pond. The series will return to the U.K. and Ireland in February 2013 with Kristian Bush, Chris Young, Brett James and host Bob DiPiero playing dates in Dublin, Belfast and London.

“With the successful debut of the CMA Songwriters Series in the U.K. and Ireland earlier this year, fans across the pond proved that they are passionate about Country Music,” Steve Moore, CMA Chief Executive Officer, said. “We look forward to taking this Series overseas once again and introducing more of our fantastic songwriters to fans abroad.” Continue Reading

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Keith Urban photo by Beau Grealy, courtesy of GQ Australia.

Keith Urban checked in moments before he took to the stage as part of the Willie Nelson tribute during the CMA Awards and he had – what’s his name? – with him! Blake Shelton joined Keith on film but played coy about his name and what award he’d just won.

Besides discussing whether they thought Luke Bryan or Jason Aldean would win Female Vocalist of the Year, there was also talk of a kiss on camera which ended in a little motorboatin’ instead! Continue Reading

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Jon Pardi photo courtesy of Capitol Nashville.

Jon Pardi had a CMA Awards to remember even though he wasn’t nominated for an award. Not only did he ‘accidentally’ crash the Red Carpet, he got to spend the night cruising around Nashville in a red Bentley, which left him speechless.

“We were just dumbfounded,” he said. “We were walking around the car, looking inside of it, and we were like, ‘Are you sure this is ours all night? This is ours all night, so I can put my stuff in here?’ And he was like, ‘Yes, it’s yours all night.’ So, it was my ride home, it was everything.”

Jon wasn’t nominated and wasn’t scheduled as a presenter so he wasn’t credentialed to walk the red carpet. He ended up walking it anyway thanks to his driver for the night and a security detail, who happened to be a fan after seeing him perform at the Capitol Street Party. Continue Reading

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Jennifer Nettles photo courtesy of Country Music Association.

Christmas is coming to ABC and it’s full of country stars! CMA Country Christmas, hosted by Jennifer Nettles, will air Thursday, December 20 at 9p|8c on ABC and repeat Saturday, December 22 at 9p|8c and Sunday, December 23 at 3p|4c.

CMA Country Christmas Photo Gallery >>

The two-hour special features songs and stories from Jennifer, Dierks Bentley, Lady Antebellum, Little Big Town, Martina McBride, Scotty McCreery, The Band Perry, Keith Urban, Colbie Caillat, Katherine Jenkins and John Legend. Continue Reading

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Miranda Lambert (L) and Blake Shelton onstage during The 46th annual CMA Awards at the Bridgestone Arena on November 1, 2012 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images)

GAC’s Top 20 Country Countdown is recapping the 46th Annual CMA Awards, “Country Music’s Biggest Night.™” Host Nan Kelley will count down this week’s videos and viewers will hear from Eric Church, Tim McGraw, Kenny Chesney, Thompson Square, Little Big Town, Hunter Hayes, Miranda Lambert and Blake Shelton from the CMA Awards press room!

Photos, videos and more from the CMA Awards >>

Top 20 Photo Gallery »

On the countdown, the question remains: Can Carrie Underwood make it yet another week at No. 1 with “Blown Away?” Or will Taylor Swift, Luke Bryan or someone new claim the top spot? Tune in to Top 20 tonight at 8p|7c for a full wrap up from the CMA Awards!

Check the full schedule » Continue Reading

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Tim McGraw photo courtesy of The GreenRoom.

Tim McGraw hosted an exclusive party in downtown Nashville the night before the CMA Awards where he treated a few hundred guests to a performance featuring songs from his new album, Two Lanes of Freedom, out February 5. The night included a performance by The Mavericks and an appearance by R&B star Ne-Yo. The party was captured on film and the footage used for a lyric video for Tim’s new single, “One of Those Nights.”

“Special…it was just an unbelievably special night,” Tim said.  ”I thought the video was a cool way to capture it and share it with all our friends who came out to celebrate with us. There’s definitely a new energy and a feeling of freedom with this record, and I think everyone there felt that in our performance that night. It was just a blast for me and the guys to finally be able to perform the new songs and to give Nashville a preview of what’s to come.”

Watch the video below: Continue Reading

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Eric Church accepts the award for Album of the Year during the 46th annual CMA Awards at the Bridgestone Arena on November 1, 2012 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images)

Eric Church never expected to win a CMA Award. But last week, he picked up his very first award for Album of the Year for his Chief album. Backstage after accepting his trophy, he reflected on the journey it took to achieve the honor.

“Our path’s been a little bit different,” he said. “I distinctly remember playing for about eight people in Amarillo, Texas, about four years ago, and to go from there to here is quite surreal. A lot of it I owe to the fans.”

See photos, interviews and more from the CMA Awards! >>

As discouraging as it was to play for small crowds while struggling to have his music played on radio, Eric didn’t give up. “The only way we could get our music out there was to keep playing shows,” he said. “In doing it that way, we laid this foundation. I think when radio started to come on board and the industry started to come on board, it made it that much sweeter.” Continue Reading

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Dierks Bentley photo courtesy of Capitol Nashville.

Ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes at the CMA Awards? Dierks Bentley shows you in the latest episode of DBTV!

It’s essential to look your best while walking the CMA Awards Red Carpet and Dierks let cameras tag along to his wardrobe fitting – or is it a fashion disaster? Plus, check out where Dierks rehearses before taking the CMA stage to perform his latest single, “Tip It On Back”!

See photos, interviews and more from the CMA Awards! >>

Watch the video: Continue Reading

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Country music stars sure love Twitter! This week, the hot topic is the CMA Awards! Dierks Bentley and Kelly Clarkson prove they’re still fans, Hunter Hayes celebrates his New Artist of the Year win, Faith Hill has a red carpet dilemma and Carrie Underwood reveals just how many dresses she wore. Here are our picks for a special CMA Awards edition of Top 10 Country Tweets Of The Week:

Photo courtesy of Twitter.com/HunterHayes.

Hunter Hayes – HunterHayes: Guys, I cannot believe this… I’m like speechless. Thank you thank you thank you! All the love going out to you all tonight!!!

Carrie Underwood - CarrieUnderwood: Got the official count for the CMAs figured out. From red carpet to the end of the show, I’ll be wearing 12 beautiful dresses! Can’t wait!

Zac Brown Band – ZacBrownBand: Carrie Underwood looks amazing even without makeup. Totally unfair. We spend hours before each show to look this mediocre. #CMAawards

Photo courtesy of Twitter.com/DierksBentley.

Dierks Bentley – DierksBentley: total creeper shot of me and @willienelson!! Continue Reading

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