Country music stars sure love Twitter! This week, Scotty McCreery goes to the prom, dinner is on Blake Shelton, Taylor Swift celebrates Shirley MacLaine’s birthday with friends, while Carrie Underwood celebrates hubby Mike Fisher’s Preds victory and Brad Paisley goes to South Park. Here are our picks for the Top 10 Country Tweets Of The Week.

Photo courtesy of Twitter.com/ScottyMcCreery.

Scotty McCreery – ScottyMcCreery: #Prom 2012! Left to right thats @JBowes_3 n @iRock_BGB, Me n @Yoo_gabagaba, and @Sawyer_63 n @kkstubs12

Blake Shelton – BlakeShelton: It’s Sunday and y’all know what that means?!!! Chick-Fil-A for everyone on me…!!!!

Charlie Daniels – CharlieDaniels: Little Jimmy Dickens is a national treasure At the age of 91 he still knows how to truly entertain people,I hope he lives another 91 years.

Photo courtesy of Twitter.com/taylorswift13.

Taylor Swift – TaylorSwift13: We dressed up full-time fancy and went out in celebration of Shirley MacLaine’s birthday. @DiannaAgron @AshAvignone @ClaireWinter Continue Reading

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Carrie Underwood photo courtesy of Sony Music Nashville.

The Nashville Predators have made it to the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs and they have some famous fans backing them, reports the Associated Press. Vince Gill can be found by the rink, taunting opposing players. Hockey fan Dierks Bentley attends games regularly and plans to be at second round games against the Phoenix Coyotes in both Phoenix and Nashville.

Martina McBride and Wynonna Judd join the house band during intermissions and Keith Urban and Nicole Kidman were spotted wearing the free t-shirts given out to fans as they cheered the Preds on to their series-ending victory over Detroit last week. Reba can often be found watching the game and Carrie Underwood may be the biggest fan of all – she’s married to Preds center Mike Fisher.

In Nashville, they call this ‘hockeytonking.’ “We’ve got a really good thing going,” Nashville coach Barry Trotz said. “Anyone who’s come and seen us play in Nashville in the playoffs, or even during the regular season for that matter, get blown away by what Nashville has to offer, what pro sports have to offer and what the Predators have to offer.”

Mike Fisher agrees. “Guys love coming to Nashville,” he said. “It’s something different. There’s no other city like it as far as music, the Honky Tonks, and we stay right downtown and the weather’s usually great, a lot of people. Guys usually circle the Nashville trip on the schedule when they come to town, and the atmosphere just keeps getting better and better, and it’s fun.”

Mike’s biggest fan, wife Carrie Underwood, will likely miss most of the Predators second round action. Her new album, Blown Away, hits stores May 1 and she’s busy with promotional obligations. “She doesn’t like it when she misses it, but now obviously it’s crunch time for her,” Mike said. “It’s kind of her playoffs now with the album release. She’s excited about that and has a lot of work to do.”

But Carrie will be rink-side cheering her husband and his teammates on, should they make it to the Stanley Cup Finals. “I would start canceling stuff,” she said. “I’m not going to lie. I do not cancel things ever. We are always good about making plans, keeping plans and I don’t mind working so, but I would cancel things for the Stanley Cup.” Continue Reading

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Top 20 Country Countdown.

On tonight’s episode of GAC’s Top 20 Country Countdown, the battle for the top spot rages on. Carrie Underwood’s latest, “Good Girl,” had a two week run in the No. 1 spot before Hunter Hayes debuted at the top of the charts with his new video, “Wanted,” and has stayed there ever since.

Tune in tonight at 8/7 CT as host Nan Kelley counts down this week’s Top 20 chart, chosen by your votes, to reveal if Hunter can keep the top spot or if Carrie, Alan Jackson, Miranda Lambert or someone else can claim the title! Don’t forget to place your votes for next week’s countdown – we’ve added new videos from Kenny Chesney & Tim McGraw, Carter’s Chord and Kelly Clarkson to the ballot! Check the full schedule »

Plus, while you’re watching Top 20, you’ll have a chance to win $1,000 in our Top 20 for $20,000 Sweepstakes! Just watch Top 20 then come back here to GACTV.com and answer the weekly question. A new $1,000 winner will be chosen each week and one grand prize winner will win $20,000! Enter Now >>  Continue Reading

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Carrie Underwood's 2012 CD Blown Away. Photo courtesy of Sony Music Nashville.

There’s no escaping Carrie Underwood’s grasp on Blown Away, the country diva’s captivating fourth studio album, due in stores May 1. Like a lightning strike starting a fire, an intense tour-de-force ignites Carrie’s first record since 2009’s double-platinum Play On as the singer/songwriter displays compelling emotional range.

Blown Away opens with three songs that, quite honestly, serve as a potential watershed moment for what “Pop Country” can achieve. The crisp power chords and handclap fills of current Top 10 single “Good Girl” fuel Carrie’s electric vocal through rapid melodies building to an engaging hook. The intense title-track “Blown Away,” with tough sentiments like, There’s not enough rain in Oklahoma / To wash the sins out of that house, comes unhinged amidst swirling harmonies and kinetic instrumentation. On the dramatic “Two Black Cadillacs,” with a tale of revenge that would make even the staunchest traditionalist sit up at attention, rumbling percussion and meticulous strings set the scene as the song rages on. Yet, even with heavy thematic elements, the songs impressively maintain a pop/crossover shine and accessible sound, courtesy of Carrie’s pristine voice and modern delivery.

Working again with producer Mark Bright, Carrie co-wrote eight of the album’s 14 songs, including the aforementioned “Good Girl” and “Two Black Cadillacs.” This continues the trend of her taking on more of a role as a songwriter on her albums. The uplifting and empowering “Nobody Ever Told You” skips to an optimistic beat as Carrie sings, You shine like a diamond and glitter like gold /And you need to know, with the love of an older sister. On the lighthearted, “One Way Ticket,” Carrie’s voice glides over island-inspired rhythms while singing, Raise your hands in the air tonight / Put a little love back in your life, with a groove that should make both the ‘Bama and NYC girls hit the dance floor.

Blown Away succeeds in showcasing Carrie’s dynamic range. While the album begins with its darkest songs and moves toward its more optimistic, Carrie holds the collection together by continuously building on her previous work. The touching ballad “Forever Changed,” which deals with a loved one’s Alzheimer’s, has a similar feel to the mature understanding found in 2009’s “Temporary Home.” On “Cupid’s Got A Shotgun,” a fiery and fun barnburner complete with a duel against the god of love himself, Brad Paisley provides a healthy dose of guitar twang as the two reconnect after their No. 1 hit duet, “Remind Me.”

The stories here are often dramatic, but they’re grounded in relatable details. Songs like the nostalgic “Thank God for Hometowns” speaks of subtle Americana like ‘Prescott Lane’ while the curious “Do You Think Of Me” shares a universal sentiment by finishing the title’s question with, like I think about you? Carrie doesn’t shy away from complexities, and with a powerful voice unafraid to push the envelope, Blown Away could be just the album to show what’s possible for pop-influenced country.

Key Tracks – “Good Girl,” “Blown Away,” “Two Black Cadillacs,” “Nobody Ever Told You”

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Carrie Underwood & Nan Kelley on the set of GAC's Top 20 Country Countdown. Photo courtesy of Twitter.com/carrieunderwood.

Carrie Underwood  did double the work on this week’s Top 20 Country Countdown. She joined Nan Kelley as co-host, helping count down this week’s Top 20 videos, while also giving Nan the inside scoop on her new album, Blown Away, out May 1. There was also plenty of girl talk, with Carrie discussing being married to pro hockey player Mike Fisher and what their plans are for the future. Miss Friday night’s premiere? Check the schedule for re-airs throughout the weekend! Full schedule »

Plus, while you’re watching Top 20, you’ll have the chance to win $1,000 in our Top 20 for $20,000 Sweepstakes! Just watch Top 20 then come back here to GACTV.com and answer the weekly question. A new $1,000 winner will be chosen each week and one grand prize winner will win $20,000! Enter Now >> 

On the chart this week, the Top 5 remain unchanged, with Hunter Hayes holding on to the top spot after debuting there last week. Jason Aldean is the big mover, jumping four spaces to No. 14 with his latest, “Fly Over States.” Craig Morgan and Kip Moore also re-enter the countdown with their videos this week, coming in at No. 19 and No. 20.

This Week’s Chart:

1. Hunter Hayes – “Wanted”
2. Carrie Underwood – “Good Girl”
3. Alan Jackson – “So You Don’t Have To Love Me Anymore”
4. Lauren Alaina – “Georgia Peaches”
5. Miranda Lambert – “Over You”
6. Luke Bryan – “Drunk On You
7. Keith Urban – “For You”
8. Josh Turner – “Time Is Love”
9. Lady Antebellum – “Dancing Away With My Heart”
10. Thompson Square – “Glass” Continue Reading

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Carrie Underwood & Nan Kelley on the set of GAC's Top 20 Country Countdown. Photo courtesy of Twitter.com/carrieunderwood.

Carrie Underwood is pulling double duty on this week’s Top 20 Country Countdown. She not only gave host Nan Kelley the inside scoop on her new album, Blown Away, out May 1, she’s also acting as co-host! Carrie and Nan will count down this week’s Top 20 videos together and find out where Carrie’s latest, “Good Girl,” falls on our countdown.

Besides chatting about her new music, Nan and Carrie also got down to business in the girl talk department. Tune in tonight at 8/7 CT to hear Carrie dish on being married to pro hockey player Mike Fisher–whose team, the Nashville Predators, is in the Stanley Cup Playoffs– and what their plans for the future are! Check the full schedule »

Plus, while you’re watching Top 20, you’ll have the chance to win $1,000 in our Top 20 for $20,000 Sweepstakes! Just watch Top 20 then come back here to GACTV.com and answer the weekly question. A new $1,000 winner will be chosen each week and one grand prize winner will win $20,000! Enter Now >>  Continue Reading

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Rascal Flatts' 2012 CD, Changed. Photo courtesy of Big Machine Records.

In many ways, the idea of being changed is appropriate for Rascal Flatts at this point in their career. When their longtime label Lyric Street Records shut its doors in Spring 2010, Rascal Flatts quickly partnered with current label home Big Machine Records and released the album, Nothing Like This, by that Thanksgiving. Throw in a management switch and that’s a lot to go through in a relatively short period of time. With their new project, Changed, now in stores, the group sounds refreshed and at home in their new surroundings.

Produced in partnership with Dan Huff (Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban), Changed is an 11-song collection big on tempo and classic Rascal Flatts power. The first single “Banjo,” currently Top 5 at radio, features flowing banjo surrounded by meaty, back home electric guitar riffs as lead singer Gary LeVox sings, You gotta go deep, way on back / Cross a few creeks and a couple little shacks. Gary’s strong voice and ability to reach high into his melodies comes through with almost hypnotic precision. On the piano based power ballad, “Come Wake Me Up,” his emotive singing conveys the pain as he shifts to a soaring chorus, singing, Tonight your memory burns like a fire / With every one it grows higher and higher in swaying ¾ time. Bassist Jay DeMarcus takes opportunities here in the verse to add a moody undercurrent that gives additional depth to the song.

All three members of Rascal Flatts turn in some of their finest performances on Changed. Guitarist Joe Don Rooney is allowed to run free on many songs, including the album-opening title track. A power ballad detailing redemption, Joe Don’s fluid guitar solos take the song to new heights, while Gary sings with passion, Here I am, changed. On “Hurry Home,” a mid-tempo pop-leaning ballad, tight textured harmonies from all three members in the chorus provide lush layers as Gary leads them singing, I swear that this not kissing you, missing you, has got me going crazy.

Rascal Flatts displays a renewed energy on the album, and nothing quite captures this like standout track “She’s Leaving.” A thick rhythm section, stomping guitars and intricate acoustic interplay drive the pounding song before a quick ringing chorus, Should’ve done this, should’ve done that / Should’ve seen it comin’ / Guess you don’t see nothin’ when you’re runnin’ round. The song is lean and mean, leaving nothing extraneous as they drive it home, and it pretty much has ‘hit’ written all over it with its undeniably catchy hooks.

Themes of transition rise to the surface throughout Changed. On “Let It Hurt,” a dramatic piano-based ballad, Gary implores those suffering to give their pain due time to process. Over the steady beat of “Sunrise,” Gary sings, We’re gonna change your life one sunrise at a time, when freeing a woman from a bad relationship. As evident here and in the empowering closing song “A Little Home,” dealing with the issues oftentimes leads to a better place. Just ask Rascal Flatts.

Key Tracks – “She’s Leaving,” “Sunrise,” “Come Wake Me Up,” “Great Big Love”

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Carrie Underwood photo courtesy of Sony Music Nashville.

On the eve before the release of her new album, Blown Away, Carrie Underwood will perform a live concert from the world-famous Ed Sullivan Theater in New York City for the ‘Live On Letterman’ concert webcast series. The concert will stream live and on demand at http://www.cbs.com/late_night/liveonletterman/ on April 30 at 8/7 p.m. Central.

Carrie will perform her latest single, “Good Girl,” as well as hits from throughout her career. She will also debut music from Blown Away, which hits stores May 1. The ‘Live On Letterman’ series has more than 100 million views to date and has hosted some of the most established musical acts across the globe.

Fans will also be able to view the live feed or watch the concert on demand through CBS properties, including select CBS Radio stations and via a live audio stream on Radio.com’s mobile applications. Carrie’s concert will stream live on CBS’ JumboTron in Times Square and will be available on demand through VEVO.com. Continue Reading

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Carrie Underwood photo courtesy of Sony Music Nashville.

Carrie Underwood is thrilled her husband Mike Fisher and his hockey team, the Nashville Predators, have made it to the Stanley Cup playoffs. But she tells People.com she’s not as excited about the facial hair that comes along with a trip to the post-season.

“I’m not looking forward to the playoff beard,” she said. “[The players] all grow out their facial hair during the playoffs. So before they started, I told Mike, ‘You need to shave close.’ He always looks good with a little stubble, but it’s probably going to get out of hand soon.”

While Carrie fully supports Mike, she has retaliation in mind for the excess facial hair. “I’m going to stop shaving, too,” she said. “Just kidding!”

Carrie makes an effort to be as many of Mike’s games as possible, a feat made easier when he was traded to the Nashville Predators from the Ottawa Senators in February 2011. When she can’t be there cheering in the stands, she tries to find a TV or, as a last resort, a radio.

“Sometimes I can’t watch, so I have to listen to the games [on the radio], and that’s horrible,” she said. “But I’ve gotta cheer him on even if I’m just listening.” Continue Reading

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Nan Kelley & Keith Urban backstage at the We're All For The Hall benefit concert, Wednesday, April 11, 2012.

This week on GAC’s Top 20 Country Countdown, Nan Kelley joined Keith Urban at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena for his annual We’re All For The Hall benefit concert and learned about the importance of preserving country music’s history straight from Keith! Some of the special guests invited by Keith to perform also stopped by to discuss their involvement in the event, which raises money for the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.

Besides chatting with Keith and his famous friends, Nan also counted down this week’s Top 20 videos! Miss Friday night’s premiere? Check the schedule for re-airs throughout the weekend! Check the full schedule »

On the charts this week, Hunter Hayes’ latest video, “Wanted,” debuts on the countdown at No. 1 while Carrie Underwood’s “Good Girl” falls to No. 2 after spend the past couple of weeks in the top spot. Jason Aldean’s new video, “Fly Over States,” also debuts on the countdown this week at No. 18.

This Week’s Chart:

1. Hunter Hayes – “Wanted”
2. Carrie Underwood – “Good Girl”
3. Alan Jackson – “So You Don’t Have To Love Me Anymore”
4. Lauren Alaina – “Georgia Peaches”
5. Miranda Lambert – “Over You”
6. Keith Urban – “For You”
7. Josh Turner – “Time Is Love”
8. Luke Bryan – “Drunk On You
9. Lady Antebellum – “Dancin’ Away With My Heart”
10. Thompson Square – “Glass” Continue Reading

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