Lauren Alaina photo courtesy of UMG Nashville.

American Idol runner-up Lauren Alaina, 2005 CMA Horizon Award winner Dierks Bentley, Billy Currington, Jake Owen, Kellie Pickler, 2011 Country Music Hall of Fame inductee and six-time CMA Award winner Reba McEntire, and 1997 CMA Horizon Award winner LeAnn Rimes are the first artists and celebrities to be announced as presenters on The 45^thAnnual CMA Awards.

Singer/songwriter Matt Nathanson will perform his new single “Run” with the previously-announced Sugarland. Nathanson and Sugarland co-wrote “Run” and toured together earlier this year. The song is found on his Modern Love album, which also features his Billboard Hot AC Top 15 single “Faster.”

Singer/actress Laura Bell Bundy will host the Pre-Telecast Award Ceremony, where she will present Awards to the winners in three CMA Awards categories as well as to all of the recipients of the CMA Broadcast Awards. The winners of these Awards will be acknowledged during the television broadcast.

The 45^th Annual CMA Awards, hosted by Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood, airs live from the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Wednesday, Nov. 9 (8:00-11:00 PM/ET) on the ABC Television Network. Previously announced performers for “Country Music’s Biggest Night(tm)” include Jason Aldean, The Band Perry, Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Sara Evans, Faith Hill, Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert, Martina McBride, Scotty McCreery, Sugarland, Taylor Swift, Thompson Square, Keith Urban, Chris Young, and Zac Brown Band, plus Kenny Chesney and Grace Potter singing Continue Reading

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Lionel Richie and Shania Twain photo by Alan Silfen, courtesy of UMG Nashville.

Lionel Richie has been added to the list of performers at this year’s CMA Awards. Lionel will debut select duets from his upcoming country duets album, Tuskegee. Lionel is scheduled to perform selections from the album with duet partners Little Big Town, Darius Rucker and Rascal Flatts. The CMA Awards will air live on ABC on November 9 at 8/7 CT.

Tuskegee contains 13 duets with some of the biggest names in country music. Other artists joining Lionel on the album include Sugarland’s Jennifer Nettles, Tim McGraw, Blake Shelton, Kenny Chesney, Billy Currington, Jason Aldean, Shania Twain, Kenny Rogers, Willie Nelson and Jimmy Buffett.

“As my songwriting progressed, I realized that my songs perfectly translated to the country genre,” Lionel said. He was born and raised in Tuskagee, Alabama. “I am a country boy and proud of it. To do this project just felt natural,” he said. Continue Reading

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Storme Warren visits Luke Bryan out on his Farm Tour.

It was an all-star lineup on GAC’s Top 20 Country Countdown this week! Storme Warren went down to Claxton, Georgia to join Luke Bryan on his Farm Tour and also had the chance to chat with Dallas Davidson and Rhett Atkins, who joined Luke as special guests.

Check Out Our Farm Tour Photos >>

Back in Nashville, Nan Kelley welcomed Lauren Alaina to the studio to talk about her debut album, Wildflower, which hit stores October 11.

Read Our Review of Wildflower >>

If you missed Friday’s premiere, check the schedule for re-airs throughout the week!

On the chart this week, Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood’s “Remind Me” ends James Wesley’s run at the top of the charts, knocking his “Didn’t I” video down to No. 5. Gloriana rebounds from No. 19 to No. 7 this week while Lady Antebellum stays strong with two videos on the chart.

This Week’s Chart:

1. Brad Paisley w/ Carrie Underwood – “Remind Me”
2. Scotty McCreery – “I Love You This Big”
3. Thompson Square – “I Got You”
4. Lauren Alaina – “Like My Mother Does”
5. James Wesley – “Didn’t I”
6. Blake Shelton – “God Gave Me You”
7. Gloriana – “Wanna Take You Home”
8. Taylor Swift – “Sparks Fly”
9. Martina McBride – “I’m Gonna Love You Through It”
10. Keith Urban – “Long Hot Summer”
11. Steve Holy – “Love Don’t Run”
12. Lady Antebellum – “Just A Kiss”
13. Pistol Annies – “Hell On Heels”
14. Toby Keith – “Made In America”
15. Billy Currington – “Love Done Gone”
16. Jake Owen – “Barefoot Blue Jean Night”
17. Chuck Wicks – “Old School”
18. Lady Antebellum – “We Owned The Night”
19. The Band Perry – “All Your Life”
20. Alan Jackson – “Long Way To Go”

GAC’s Top 20 Country Countdown premieres every Friday night at 8/7c with re-airs throughout the weekend. Click here for a complete schedule.

Vote daily for GAC’s Top 20 Country Countdown »

Browse GAC’s All-Star Top 20 Photo Gallery »

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Top 20 Country Countdown host Nan Kelley with Montgomery Gentry. Photo by Jessica Robbins.

Montgomery Gentry and Tom McMillan dropped by for a visit on this week’s Top 20 Country Countdown. Eddie and Troy chatted with host Nan Kelley about their new video, “Where I Come From,” while Tom shared details about his new show, Tom’s Wild Life, which premieres on GAC Sunday at 9/8 CT. If you missed Friday’s premiere, check the schedule for re-airs throughout the week — and watch Montgomery Gentry’s new video online HERE

Watch a preview of Tom’s Wild Life! >>

Gloriana continues their stronghold on the top spot this week with “Wanna Take You Home” while Taylor Swift’s “Sparks Fly” rebounds to the No. 2 position, up from No. 6 last week. Blake Shelton’s new video, “God Gave Me You,” is the only new video on the countdown this week, debuting at No. 10.

This Week’s Chart:

1. Gloriana – “Wanna Take You Home”
2. Taylor Swift – “Sparks Fly””
3. James Wesley – “Didn’t I
4. Steve Holy – “Love Don’t Run”
5. Thompson Square – “I Got You”
6. Scotty McCreery – “I Love You This Big”
7. Brad Paisley w/ Carrie Underwood – “Remind Me”
8. Lady Antebellum – “Just A Kiss”
9. Lauren Alaina – “Like My Mother Does”
10. Blake Shelton – “God Gave Me You”
11. Keith Urban – “Long Hot Summer”
12. Jake Owen – “Barefoot Blue Jean Night”
13. Trace Adkins – “Just Fishin’”
14. Pistol Annies – “Hell On Heels”
15. Martina McBride – “I’m Gonna Love You Through It”
16. Toby Keith – “Made In America”
17. Billy Currington – “Love Done Gone”
18. Kenny Chesney w/ Grace Potter – “You And Tequila”
19. Jason Aldean – “Dirt Road Anthem”
20. Alan Jackson – “Long Way To Go”

GAC’s Top 20 Country Countdown premieres every Friday night at 8/7c with re-airs throughout the weekend. Click here for a complete schedule.

Vote daily for GAC’s Top 20 Country Countdown »

Browse GAC’s All-Star Top 20 Photo Gallery »

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Craig Morgan photo courtesy of Monarch Publicity.

Craig Morgan has been added to the lineup for the CMA Songwriters Series at Joe’s Pup in New York on October 7. Joining Craig will be host host Bob DiPiero, Scotty Emerick, David Lee Murphy and Josh Thompson. It is part of a two-night stand by the series at Joe’s Pub. The night before, Bob, Scotty and David Lee will be joined by Billy Currington.

“The CMA Songwriter’s Series is such a cool event,” Craig said. “I’m looking forward to returning to Joe’s Pub and joining Josh, Bob, David and Scotty for some great country music songwriting and storytelling.” Continue Reading

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Gloriana with Top 20 host Nan Kelley. Photo by Jessica Robbins.

This week on Top 20 Country Countdown Gloriana stopped by to talk with host Nan Kelley about their new video, “Wanna Take You Home,” and the changes the band has been through since Cheyenne Kimball parted ways in July. Plus, we presented the WORLD PREMIERE of Montgomery Gentry’s new video, “Where I Come From.” If you missed Friday’s premiere, check the schedule for re-airs throughout the week — and watch Eddie & Troy’s new video online HERE!

Gloriana also returns to the top of the chart this week, bumping Taylor Swift’s “Sparks Fly” from No. 1 to No. 6. James Wesley moves up to No. 2 with “Didn’t I” and Steve Holy‘s “Love Don’t Run” moves up to take the No. 3 spot after debuting at No. 11 last week.

This Week’s Chart:

1. Gloriana – “Wanna Take You Home”
2. James Wesley – “Didn’t I”
3. Steve Holy – “Love Don’t Run”
4. Thompson Square – “I Got You”
5. Scotty McCreery – “I Love You This Big”
6. Taylor Swift – “Sparks Fly”
7. Brad Paisley w/ Carrie Underwood – “Remind Me”
8. Taylor Swift – “Mean”
9. Lauren Alaina – “Like My Mother Does”
10. Lady Antebellum – “Just A Kiss”
11. Keith Urban – “Long Hot Summer”
12. Trace Adkins – “Just Fishin’”
13. Pistol Annies – “Hell On Heels”
14. Martina McBride – “I’m Gonna Love You Through It”
15. Jake Owen – “Barefoot Blue Jean Night”
16. Billy Currington – “Love Done Gone”
17. Toby Keith – “Made In America”
18. Alan Jackson – “Long Way To Go”
19. Luke Bryan – “Country Girl (Shake It For Me)”
20. Jason Aldean – “Dirt Road Anthem”

GAC’s Top 20 Country Countdown premieres every Friday night at 8/7c with re-airs throughout the weekend. Click here for a complete schedule.

Vote daily for GAC’s Top 20 Country Countdown »

Browse GAC’s All-Star Top 20 Photo Gallery »

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Country music stars sure love Twitter! In this week’s edition of Top 10 Tweets, Brad Paisley shares a photo of his European tour (see his timeline for more!), Jake Owen and James Otto celebrate birthdays, the Grand Ole Opry hires a ‘little’ help, Billy Currington shares a George Jones memory and The Band Perry has some interesting fans in line for their show. Here are our picks for the Top 10 Country Tweets Of The Week.

Photo courtesy of Twitter.com/BradPaisley.

Brad Paisley – BradPaisley: You see a priceless French painting…

Billy Currington – BillyCurrington: last time I saw Jones he said hey Dierks hows ur wife. I said I don’t have a wife. He laughed and said u a funny one. Im like not u 2 jones

Jake Owen – JakeOwen: Wow. Thanks for all the Birthday wishes. I’m so thankful for life, happiness, and amazing friends. I’m ready for this chapter in life.

Photo courtesy of Twitter.com/Reba.

Reba McEntire – Reba: Who are all these people????

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Kenny Chesney photo courtesy of Sony Music Nashville.

If you can’t make it to Boston tonight to see Kenny Chesney and fellow songwriters Bob DiPiero, Matraca Berg, Brett James, Wendell Mobley and Craig Wiseman as part of the CMA Songwriter’s series, you can stream the event online. NoShoesRadio.com and CMASongwritersSeries.com will both carry the show from Boston’s Royale Nightclub starting at 8/7c.

Tonight’s show isn’t your only chance to catch Kenny in Boston this weekend, however. Kenny has moved his show scheduled for Sunday, August 28 to tomorrow, August 26, in light of the impending arrival of Hurricane Irene. Following the devastating stage collapse as a result of high winds just before Sugarland took the stage at the Indiana State Fair almost two weeks ago, Kenny made the decision to move the show with the safety of his fans in mind. Continue Reading

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Suzanne Alexander & Trace Adkins on the set of Top 20 Country Countdown.

Suzanne Alexander welcomed Trace Adkins to the set of GAC’s Top 20 Country Countdown this week. It’s always a good time when Trace stops by and this time was no exception. He and Suzanne talked about his new album, Proud To Be Here, as well as caught up on how Trace and his family are doing after a fire destroyed their home in June. And of course, Nan Kelley counts down the Top 20 videos! If you missed the premiere, check the schedule to catch one of the re-airs throughout the weekend!

The theme of the week is big debuts, with 3 of the Top 5 songs making their countdown entrances. Gloriana topples Katie Armiger‘s stronghold on the top spot with their new video, “Wanna Take You Home.” American Idol winner Scotty McCreery’s “I Love You This Big” comes in at No. 2 and fellow Idol-alum Lauren Alaina’s “Like My Mother Does” checks in at No. 5.

This Week’s Chart:

1. Gloriana – “Wanna Take You Home”
2. Scotty McCreery – “I Love You This Big”
3. Katie Armiger – “I Do But Do I”
4. Brad Paisley w/ Carrie Underwood – “Remind Me”
5. Lauren Alaina – “Like My Mother Does”
6. Lady Antebellum – “Just A Kiss”
7. Blake Shelton — “Honey Bee”
8. Chris Young – “Tomorrow”
9. Trace Adkins – “Just Fishin’”
10. Jason Aldean – “Dirt Road Anthem” Continue Reading

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Ronnie Dunn with GAC host Nan Kelley on the set of Top 20 Country Countdown. Photo by Jessie Robbins.

Host Nan Kelley welcomed Ronnie Dunn to the set of GAC’s Top 20 Country Countdown this week. The pair chatted about the success of Ronnie’s debut single as a solo artist, “Bleed Red,” as well as his self-titled new album and life after 20 years as part of Brooks & Dunn. If you missed the premiere, check the schedule to catch one of the re-airs throughout the weekend!

On the charts this week, Katie Armiger remains in the No. 1 position with “I Do But Do I.” Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood’s duet “Remind Me” makes its countdown debut in the No. 2 position while Toby Keith’s latest, “Made In America,” debuts at No. 13 and Pistol Annies’ “Hell On Heels” rounds out the list of video debuts this week at No. 17.

This Week’s Chart:

1. Katie Armiger – “I Do But Do I”
2. Brad Paisley w/ Carrie Underwood – “Remind Me”
3. Trace Adkins – “Just Fishin’”
4. Blake Shelton — “Honey Bee”
5. Chris Young – “Tomorrow”
6. Lady Antebellum – “Just A Kiss”
7. Taylor Swift – “Mean”
8. Jason Aldean – “Dirt Road Anthem”
9. Luke Bryan – “Country Girl (Shake It For Me)”
10. Jake Owen – “Barefoot Blue Jean Night” Continue Reading

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