Lady Antebellum's Hillary Scott & husband Chris Tyrell. Photo courtesy of Capitol Nashville.

Congratulations to Lady Antebellum‘s Hillary Scott and Chris Tyrell, who announced to their fans they are officially married through a video posted on the band’s website on Sunday, January 8.

“I’d like to introduce you to Mrs. Hillary Scott Tyrell,” said Chris, as Hillary showed off her new wedding ring.

“We got married, and we just wanted you to hear it from us first,” added Hillary. “We love you, and we’re so excited to be starting our life together, and we just had to let you in on the exciting news.”

The pair were married on Saturday, January 7 during an intimate ceremony surrounded by family and close friends. Hillary and Chris exchanged vows just before sunset in upstate New York. The bride wore a custom Vera Wang strapless mermaid dress with abstract all-over lace underlay, layered tulle skirt with horsehair banding and hand-cut corded lace applique with hand-applied crystal and pearl beading. She complemented the gown with a mantilla veil with hand-cut chantilly lace applique. The groom donned a gray Ermenegildo Zegna suit. According to People.com, Contemporary Christian singer Steven Curtis Chapman performed for the couple’s first dance.

Hillary and Chris met in 2010 on Tim McGraw’s Southern Voice Tour when Lady A was the special guest, and Chris played drums for Love & Theft.The couple was engaged last summer around the Fourth of July weekend.

Hillary shared the advice she received from fellow newlyweds. “If I ask(ed) advice to newlyweds, most of them have literally said, ‘At a point during the reception, sneak away, the two of you sneak away and hide behind a wall and look through a window and just observe what’s going on and just see everyone enjoying it and having a great time. It’s like to have that visual, to have that mental picture for the rest of your life.’”

“My only advice, and I’ve told her and told them,” said Hillary’s band mate, Charles Kelley, “[is] I think the first year, it was definitely a learning experience and learning, ‘Getting to know you,’” he sang. “It was just learning how to compromise, and I feel like after that, it really got just easy. And so, just be patient and love each other…”as hard as you can love…,” he sang.

“Oh, boy!” laughed Hillary.

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Miranda Lambert's 2011 CD, Four The Record. Photo courtesy of Sony Music Nashville.

There’s always a bit of added pressure when an artist follows up a critically acclaimed record that achieved successes like the Academy of Country Music’s Album of the Year award. However, what sort of pressure exists when an artist’s last two albums won that illustrious prize, as Miranda Lambert’s Crazy Ex-Girlfriend (ACM Album of the Year Winner 2008) and Revolution (Winner 2010) both did?

Working again with Producer Frank Liddell, and welcoming Chuck Ainlay and Glenn Worf into the studio, award-winning singer/songwriter Miranda delivers controlled chaos on her new album Four the Record. The project, due in stores next week, toes the line between traditional country and Americana with loose arrangements and well-placed modern rock distortion.

Songs like “Mama’s Broken Heart,” with creative percussion and vintage guitar sounds, builds through the verse before becoming unhinged in the chorus. Can’t get revenge and keep a spotless reputation, Miranda sings with calculated anger about the song’s pregnant teenage subject being abandoned by her boyfriend. On “Fastest Girl In Town,” Miranda’s rebellious nature is front and center. You got the bullets, I got the gun/ I got a hankerin’ for getting into something, she sings seductively.

With each album, Miranda continues to evolve her sound, and Four The Record is no exception. Tracks like “Fine Tune” illustrate that the 27-year old Texan is more than willing to take risks. Miranda uses a sexy R&B groove, fuzzy slide guitar and distorted vocals to push through the metaphor of getting a love tune-up. She sings of her engine of a heart that would not start before a big hook noting symptoms like, my pulse was nearly gone/ I was almost in need of a defibrillator. Continue Reading

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Miranda Lambert's Four The Record album cover. Photo courtesy of Sony Music Nashville.

Miranda Lambert’s highly anticipated new album, Four The Record, comes out November 1 and she is sharing a few details as the date grows closer. The first single, “Baggage Claim,” is already a Top 15 hit and features Josh Kelley on background vocals and Steve Winwood on the B-3 organ. Besides the standard 14-song album, there will also be a Limited Deluxe Edition version that includes a bonus song and a DVD featuring Miranda sharing the stories behind her new music.

Watch Miranda’s Fan Q&A! >>

“I’m so ready for the fans to hear it,” Miranda said. “‘Baggage Claim’ is such a groovy song and I’m glad it’s the first single. But just like Revolution, not one song represents the whole album. There are ‘All Kinds Of Kinds’ of music on the record, and I’m so excited for it to get out there.” Continue Reading

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Lady Antebellum photo courtesy of The Greenroom PR.

The members of Lady Antebellum were enjoying their lives as students on September 11, 2001. Charles Kelley and Dave Haywood were in college at the University of Georgia while Hillary Scott was still in high school. When Charles woke up that morning, he had a very different day in mind.

“It was my birthday believe it or not,” Charles said. “Yeah. 9/11. So, I was in college, and yeah, it was wild. I mean, woke up, was getting ready to go to class. And I had a roommate come in and say, ‘Man, turn on the TV. Classes are canceled. You won’t believe…’ He had had an earlier class, and he comes in and says, ‘Turn on the TV.’ And we all got up and watched it. It was just wild. So, it’s hard to put into words. But I can [still] remember it and everybody can. It had such a huge effect on everybody.” Continue Reading

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Lady Antebellum's 2011 CD, Own The Night. Photo courtesy of The Greenroom PR.

In the roughly year-and-a-half since Lady Antebellum released their breakout album Need You Now, the young Nashville trio has quickly turned into one of the most recognizable and promising acts in any genre. Need You Now, with worldwide sales in excess of five million copies and five Grammy awards to its credit, introduced fans to the group’s dynamic harmonies and powerful delivery. Now, on their third album, Own The Night, Lady A shows their continued growth with a set of 12 songs wrapped in emotion and displaying a vibrant presence.

Working again with Producer Paul Worley, Own The Night focuses much of its attention on individual moments in time. “Dancin’ Away With My Heart,” with wistful open chords and a dreamy guitar melody, captures the interaction between older versions of two young first loves. I brush the curls back so I can see your eyes, Charles Kelley sings with a comfortable familiarity before Hillary Scott adds, And the way you move me was like you’re reading my mind. On the ballad “As You Turn Away,” Hillary takes the lead to explore the exact moment a heart breaks at the end of a relationship. Over deep, dramatic piano tones and stirring strings, Hillary sings with touching sadness through the bridge, One step my heart is breaking, one more my hands are shaking/ The door is closing and I just can’t change it. Charles adds backing harmonies in a poignant display of what makes Lady A so special. Continue Reading

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Lady Antebellum photo courtesy of The Greenroom PR.

In just a few years, Lady Antebellum has become one of the most popular and successful bands in country music. In GAC’s new special, Backstory: Lady Antebellum, premiering Sunday, September 11 at 8/7c, the trio sits down to reflect on how they met, became a band and started on the journey to superstardom. Hillary’s, Charles’ and Dave’s parents also help tell the story and share never before seen childhood photos and performance videos.

After graduating from the University of Georgia with a finance degree, Charles moved to Nashville to pursue a solo career. Dave, also a UGA grad, was working an accounting job in Atlanta. Having written together once in college, Charles contacted Dave and was soon driving to Atlanta every other weekend to write. Dave eventually quit his job and joined Charles in Nashville.

5 Things You Don’t Know About Lady Antebellum >>

“His brother (singer Josh Kelley) was a big influence on us so I figured maybe we could write songs for Josh or maybe for other country artists,” David said. He and Charles were decidedly against ‘day jobs’ as they pursued their music ambitions as solo artists, maxing out credit cards in the process. In 2006, Charles met Hillary in a Nashville club. Hillary was already a fan of Charles’ music from MySpace and the pair along with Dave agreed to write together. Continue Reading

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Country music stars sure love Twitter! Here at GAC, we follow them too. This week, Jake Owen and Colt Ford have a little fun with a mask, Lee Brice shares his secret to keeping beer cold, Lady Antebellum‘s Charles Kelley offers his solution to hoarding and Brett Eldredge does his best MC Hammer impression. Here are our picks for the Top 10 Country Tweets Of The Week.

Photo courtesy of Twitter.com/jakeowen.

Jake Owen – JakeOwen: @coltford feeling the awesomeness of my horse mask. It’s not just a mask. It’s a lifestyle.

Eric Church – EricChurch: Thank you fans for making CHIEF the #1 Country & Top 200 album this week! Can’t thank my fans enough & look forward to where this takes us

Justin Moore – JustincoleMore: Had a blast at the brickyard today. Got to present paul menard with the trophy in victory lane alongside Reba. Be jealous!

Photo courtesy of Twitter.com/leebrice.

Lee Brice – LeeBrice: It’s just how we roll… Continue Reading

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Lady Antebellum on the set of their video for "Just A Kiss." Photo courtesy of The GreenRoom PR.

The music video for Lady Antebellum‘s fastest rising single to date “Just A Kiss” premiered today simultaneously on the band’s official website and on VEVO.  “Just a Kiss” is the lead single off Lady Antebellum’s third Capitol Nashville studio album OWN THE NIGHT which will be released on September 13.  Fans can pre-order OWN THE NIGHT beginning today.

Lady Antebellum joined up with award-winning director Shaun Silva to shoot the video, it was their first time working together.  For their scenes in the video Lady Antebellum stayed closed to home, filming here in Nashville.  Meanwhile, director Shaun Silva actually took the two lead actors on a trip to London to shoot several of their scenes on location.

Watch the video for “Just A Kiss” now:

Must-See Lady Antebellum Photos
Check out the latest photos of Charles, Hillary and Dave in action »

5 Things You Probably Don’t Know About Lady A
Watch highlights from their recent visit to the GAC studios »

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What do you think of Lady A’s new video?  Leave us a comment below with your review…

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Photo courtesy of Twitter.com/Miranda_Lambert.

Congratulations to country’s “Royal Couple,” Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert, who tied the knot in a Texas ceremony today! Us Weekly reported that the wedding took place at the Don Strange Ranch.

The 27-year-old beautiful bride wore her mother’s wedding dress as she walked down the aisle in front of 550 family members and friends. The couple’s famous friends attending included Reba McEntire, Cee Lo Green, MartinaMcBride , Dierks Bentley, Lady Antebellum‘s Charles Kelly and the Bellamy Brothers.

After the ceremony, Miranda told Us, “I’m married to my best friend! Looking forward to a lifetime of laughter.”

Blake, 34, added “I wanted to be married to Miranda the day I proposed. Finally, it’s official!”

Browse photos from some of Blake and Miranda’s most memorable moments »

The night of the wedding, tweets came in from many of the “royal couple”‘s well-known pals: Continue Reading

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Anna Wilson's album, Countrypolitan Duets. Photo courtesy of Jim Havey PR.

Anna Wilson & Friends
Countrypolitan Duets

Drawing inspiration from “That Nashville Sound” of the late 1950s and 60s when country music began incorporating the sounds of mainstream pop, Nashville-based singer/songwriter Anna Wilson’s latest project blends classic country and jazz through duets with stars from both genres.

Ms. Wilson herself is uniquely positioned to take on such a genre-bending job. Though known from her own albums as a sultry jazz singer with a classic voice, she has written several hit contemporary country songs such as Chuck Wicks’ 2009 “All I Ever Wanted” and Lady Antebellum’s “If I Knew Then” from the trio’s 2010 album Need You Now. Countrypolitan, produced by Anna’s husband and current SESAC Songwriter of the Year, Monty Powell, features duets with some of country’s most recognizable names, including Keith Urban, Lady Antebellum, Ray Price and Kenny Rogers.

Set over mostly standard jazz arrangements and featuring clean electric guitars, smooth bass lines, horns, keyboards and percussion, Countrypolitan reinterprets classics like the album’s first single “You Don’t Know Me,” with American Idol finalist Matt Giraud. Anna also offers “Night Life” with jazz guitarist Larry Carlton and “For The Good Times” with Kenny Rogers. Anna’s voice is best on slow-burning songs, such as “Good Time Charlie’s Got The Blues” with Keith Urban. Here, her sad vocal melody truly conveys the blues as she sings “I’ve got my pills to ease the pain/ Can’t find a thing to ease the rain” before sweetly harmonizing with Keith to sing “Some gotta win/ Some gotta lose.” Continue Reading

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