Carrie Underwood photo courtesy of Sony Music Nashville. Kelly Clarkson photo courtesy of kellyclarkson.com.

American Idol has churned out a number of country stars, none more well-known that Carrie Underwood — in addition to pop star Kelly Clarkson, who has dabbled in country music in recent months. As American Idol Season 12 moves into the first live shows, Billboard has released its ranking of the Top 100 songs by Idols based on their chart performance on the Hot 100.

Kelly’s “Since U Been Gone” comes in at No. 1 while her GRAMMY-winning hit “Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You)” follows it at No. 2. Kelly has 18 songs in the Top 100, including four in the Top 5 alone. Meanwhile, Carrie charted 20 songs in the Top 100, more than any other Idol. Her song “Before He Cheats” is her highest charting song in the Top 100, coming in at No. 9. Continue Reading

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Blake Shelton photo courtesy of Warner Bros. Nashville.

Each year we ask fans to help us choose the best of the best country music videos released during the prior 12 months for our year-end Top 50 Videos of the Year countdown. Here are the voting results for 2012 based on videos released and added to the GAC playlist from Nov. 1, 2011 to Oct. 31, 2012.

1              Blake Shelton—“Over”

2              Carrie Underwood—“Blown Away”

3              Carrie Underwood—“Good Girl”

4              Alan Jackson—“So You Don’t Have To Love Me Anymore”

5              Miranda Lambert—“Over You”

6              Little Big Town—“Pontoon”

7              Taylor Swift—“We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together”

8              Lady Antebellum—“Wanted You More”

9              Big & Rich—“That’s Why I Pray”

10           Kelly Clarkson—“Mr. Know It All”

11           Lady Antebellum—“Dancin’ Away With My Heart”

12           Miranda Lambert—“Fastest Girl In Town”

13           Kenny Chesney—“Come Over”

14           Eric Church—“Springsteen”

15           Luke Bryan—“I Don’t Want This Night To End”

16           Keith Urban—“For You”

17           Taylor Swift—“Begin Again”

18           Toby Keith—“I Like Girls That Drink Beer”

19           Zac Brown Band—“Keep Me In Mind”

20           Kenny Chesney/ Tim McGraw—“Feel Like A Rock Star”

21           Luke Bryan—“Drunk On You”

22           Hunter Hayes—“Wanted”

23           Billy Ray Cyrus—“Change My Mind”

24           Scotty McCreery—“Water Tower Town”

25           Dustin Lynch—“Cowboys And Angels” Continue Reading

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Tracy Lawrence photo courtesy of Rocky Comfort Records.

Tracy Lawrence is set to open the ACM Concert Stage at Cowboy Fanfest during the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas December 6-December 15. Tracy joins previously announced performers Chris Young, David Nail, Bucky Covington, Sarah Darling, Brett Eldredge, Jack Ingram, Ryan Beaver, Chris Janson and Aaron Watson.

Watch the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo LIVE on GAC >>

All performances will take place at the Rodeo Live Stage at Cowboy Fanfest, a new, fully interactive area. Doors open at Cowboy Fanfest at 10:00 a.m. PT and performances on the Rodeo Live Stage take place at 1:30 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. PT each day. Admission is free and open to the public. Specific dates and times of performances can be found at www.NFRexperience.com. Continue Reading

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

For the seventh year, the Academy of Country Music will host musical performances during the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas December 6 – December 15. Chris Young, David Nail, Bucky Covington, Sarah Darling, Brett Eldredge, Jack Ingram, Ryan Beaver, Chris Janson and Aaron Watson will all perform at the Rodeo Live Stage at Cowboy Fanfest, a new, fully interactive area.

“The Academy is pleased to continue our partnership with NFR and excited to bring some of country music’s top talent like Chris Young and new artists like Chris Janson to the fans at the inaugural Cowboy Fanfest,” Michelle Goble, SVP, Membership and Industry Relations, Academy of Country Music, said. Continue Reading

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Nan Kelley and Taylor Swift on GAC’s Top 20 Country Countdown. Photo courtesy of Julee Cobb.

This week, GAC’s Top 20 Country Countdown featured part two of Taylor Swift’s interview with Nan Kelley. Taylor and Nan discussed Taylor’s new album, Red, songwriting, career achievement and fan appreciation. Nan also revealed which of Taylor’s new songs gave her goosebumps and Taylor confessed which artist made her so nervous she almost didn’t ask them for a duet opportunity!

Watch Part One of Taylor Swift’s Interview >>

Top 20 Photo Gallery »

If you missed this week’s premiere, catch it again throughout the week! Check the schedule for airtimes! Full schedule »

On the chart this week, Carrie Underwood reclaims the No. 1 spot after being knocked out of the top position by Katie Armiger last week; and Taylor moves into the No. 2 spot with “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together.” Videos from Ray Scott, Clay Walker and Kip Moore all make their countdown debut this week.

This Week’s Chart:

1. Carrie Underwood – “Blown Away”
2. Taylor Swift – “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together”
3. Luke Bryan – “Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye”
4. Casey James – “Crying On A Suitcase”
5. Blake Shelton – “Over”
6. Miranda Lambert– “Fastest Girl In Town”
7. Eric Church – “Creepin’”
8.  Tim McGraw – “Truck Yeah”
9. Billy Ray Cyrus – “Change My Mind”
10. Rascal Flatts – “Come Wake Me Up” Continue Reading

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Jason Aldean visits with Suzanne Alexander on the Top 20 Country Countdown set. Photo by Julee Cobb.

The superstars were out on this week’s episode of GAC’s Top 20 Country Countdown! Jason Aldean stopped by to talk with host Suzanne Alexander about his new album, Night Train, and what his plans are for 2013. Plus, Taylor Swift was on hand for part one of her two-part interview with host  Nan Kelley to talk about her highly anticipated new album, Red, and reveal a few secrets from her “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together” video shoot.

If you missed this week’s premiere, catch it again throughout the week! You won’t want to miss out on this superstar-packed episode which also includes the premiere of Ray Scott’s new video, “Those Jeans.” Check the schedule for airtimes! Full schedule »

Top 20 Photo Gallery »

There was quite the shakeup on the chart this week. After 10 weeks straight at No. 1, Carrie Underwood falls to No. 2 with “Blown Away” while Katie Armiger takes the top spot with “Better In A Black Dress.” Casey James creeps into the Top 5 with “Crying On A Suitcase” and Tim McGraw’s “Truck Yeah” video debuts on the countdown at No. 16.

This Week’s Chart:

1. Katie Armiger – “Better In A Black Dress”
2. Carrie Underwood – “Blown Away”
3. Taylor Swift – “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together”
4. Casey James – “Crying On A Suitcase”
5. Luke Bryan – “Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye”
6. Joey + Rory – “When I’m Gone”
7. Lee Brice – “Hard To Love”
8. Blake Shelton – “Over”
9. Miranda Lambert– “Fastest Girl In Town”
10. Rascal Flatts – “Come Wake Me Up” Continue Reading

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Nan Kelley & Kimberly Schlapman on the set of Top 20 Country Countdown.

Little Big Town’s Kimberly Schlapman paid a visit to GAC’s Top 20 Country Countdown to talk about her new show, Kimberly’s Simply Southern, premiering this weekend on GAC! Check schedule for airtimes >>

On Kimberly’s Simply Southern, Kimberly finds herself in a different city each week, meeting folks who share her love of food. Back in Nashville, she takes her new knowledge into her own kitchen with the help of some of her famous friends. View photos and check out recipes from Kimberly’s Simply Southern »

If you missed Friday night’s premiere of this week’s countdown, check the schedule for re-airs throughout the weekend. Full schedule »

On the chart this week, Carrie Underwood continues her No. 1 streak with “Blown Away” while Katie Armiger sneaks into the No. 2 spot with “Better In A Black Dress” and Taylor Swift jumps from No. 16 to No. 4 with “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together.” Justin Moore’s new video, “Til My Last Day,” debuts on the countdown at No. 10.

This Week’s Chart:

1. Carrie Underwood – “Blown Away”
2. Katie Armiger – “Better In A Black Dress”
3. Scotty McCreery – “Water Tower Town”
4. Taylor Swift – “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together”
5. Lee Brice – “Hard To Love”
6. Blake Shelton – “Over”
7. Miranda Lambert– “Fastest Girl In Town”
8. Joey + Rory – “When I’m Gone”
9. Dustin Lynch– “Cowboys and Angels”
10. Justin Moore – “Til My Last Day”
11. Kenny Chesney – “Come Over”
12. Casey James – “Crying On A Suitcase”
13. Jason Aldean – “Take A Little Ride”
14. Bucky Covington w/ Shooter Jennings – “Drinking Side of Country”
15. Pistol Annies – “Takin’ Pills”
16. Big & Rich – “That’s Why I Pray”
17. Lady Antebellum – “Wanted You More”
18. Easton Corbin – “Lovin’ You Is Fun”
19. Rascal Flatts – “Come Wake Me Up”
20. Jerrod Niemann – “Shinin’ On Me”

Vote for GAC’s Top 20 Country Countdown now »

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.

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AMERICAN IDOL: SEASON 12: L-R: Mariah Carey, Keith Urban, Ryan Seacrest, Nicki Minaj and Randy Jackson on the set of AMERICAN IDOL Sunday, Sept, 16. CR: Michael Becker / FOX.

It’s official – Keith Urban is joining American Idol. After media outlet The Country Vibe reported Keith had said yes back in August, Keith himself has now confirmed he’ll be on the upcoming 12^th season. He (along with Nicki Minaj) joins previously announced new judge Mariah Carey and Idol staple Randy Jackson in the judges’ chairs.

“It’s really an honor to have been invited to be a part of the American Idol family,” Keith said. “I’m looking forward to working with everyone and to seeing the same passion that I have for music in all of the participants.” Continue Reading

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Easton Corbin chats with Top 20 Country Countdown host Nan Kelley. Photo by Cheryl Ecton.

Easton Corbin is busy with the release of his new album but he made time to pay GAC’s Top 20 Country Countdown a visit! He sat down with host Nan Kelley to talk about his new project, All Over The Road, out September 18, and his current single, “Lovin’ You Is Fun.”

Read our review of Easton Corbin’s All Over The Road >>

If you missed Friday night’s premiere of this week’s countdown, check the schedule for re-airs throughout the weekend. Full schedule »

On the chart this week, Carrie Underwood remains in the top spot while the rest of the Top 5 is also unchanged. New videos from Rascal Flatts and Taylor Swift make their countdown debuts at No. 19 and No. 16, respectively.

This Week’s Chart:

1. Carrie Underwood – “Blown Away”
2. Scotty McCreery – “Water Tower Town”
3. Little Big Town – “Pontoon”
4. Katie Armiger – “Better In A Black Dress”
5. Blake Shelton – “Over”
6. Miranda Lambert– “Fastest Girl In Town”
7. Lee Brice – “Hard To Love”
8. Joey + Rory – “When I’m Gone”
9. Kenny Chesney – “Come Over”
10. Casey James – “Cryin’ On A Suitcase” Continue Reading

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Bucky Covington's 2012 CD, Good Guys. Photo courtesy of Monarch Publicity.

Five years after his self-titled debut, Bucky Covington is set to release his sophomore album, Good Guys, on September 11. Like his sound and style, which offers a warm mixture of ’70s country paired with a contemporary radio-ready feel, the new project is a mixture of old and new.

In early 2010, Bucky was working on a follow-up record to be released that year. However, his label Lyric Street Records shut its doors and the album didn’t make it to stores. There are probably few things more frustrating for an artist, but on Good Guys, the former Top 10 American Idol contestant gets a chance to give many of those songs a second life.

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