Billy Ray Cyrus's 2011 CD, I'm American. Photo courtesy of Walt Disney Records.

The idea started on a USO tour to Iraq and Afghanistan in 2009. It started when Billy Ray Cyrus was performing to troops on a mission to give back to those who serve our country. It started as performances of songs like the patriotic title track from his debut album, “Some Gave All,” were being interrupted by the sound of bombs in the distance.

Since that time spent overseas, what started as a short tour bringing a semblance of home to the battlefield evolved into an 8-song concept album honoring our men in uniform. Billy Ray Cyrus’ latest project, I’m American, is an impressive collection of patriotic country/roots-rock songs dealing with the truths, hopes and issues soldiers and their families face both overseas and at home. To Billy Ray, this collection is his “way of giving back and saying thank you to them for the gift of freedom.” Tonight on GAC at 8:30 p.m. Eastern, you can see our special with BRC called Billy Ray Cyrus: I’m American. Check out photos from the special HERE.

“Runway Lights,” the album’s opening track and first single, erupts to life with Continue Reading

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With hits like “Have You Forgotten?” and “I Just Came Back From A War”, Darryl Worley‘s support of our troops has never been in question.  With his latest release, “Unsung Heroes”, Darryl pays homage the families of our brave troops and the hardships they also endure as their loved ones serve our country.

Check out Darryl’s live performance here:

“Unsung Heroes” is now available as a FREE download at www.darrylworley.com.

With every download $1.00 will be donated to the U.S. Army Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation Command (FMWRC), a charity formed to benefit the families of the men and women serving overseas, as well as 9/11 Families for a Secure America Foundation (www.911safoundation.org). The song, which honors the often overlooked family members of U.S. troops, is also available for a free download for those serving in the military, past to present.

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Country songs are often a mirror to the world, a reflection of the times. As a tribute to  the men and women who have served our country, we’ve put together a list of some of our favorite songs and videos that honor our troops – heartfelt compositions that look at war through the eyes of the men and women who fight, as well as the families who are left behind to pray that their loved ones return home safely.  If you don’t see your favorite on our list, leave us a comment below and let us know!

We at GAC extend our sincerest thanks and appreciation to all soldiers and their families!

“‘Til the Last Shot’s Fired” – Trace Adkins

This heartfelt song is about the life of soldiers through various wars, starting with America’s Civil War and continuing through our current conflicts in the Middle East. Trace Adkins conveys the soldiers’ fervent wish that their job would at some point be eliminated for good. Trace delivers as only Trace can.

“American Soldier” – Toby Keith

This song depicts the everyday life of a soldier, from not being able to call in sick to working through the holidays while standing up for liberty. Toby never fails to bring the soldiers to their feet when he performs this one on his many USO tours.

“Angel Flight” – Radney Foster/Darius Rucker

The title of this song refers to the flight on which a soldier killed in war comes home. Radney wrote the song with Darden Smith, then asked Darius Rucker to sing on it with him. The song was inspired by a series of Angel Flights that brought home a group of men known as the Red River Four. Proceeds from sales of the song benefit the groups who help families in crisis. Continue Reading

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Darryl Worley photo courtesy of Stroudavarious Records.

Darryl Worley’s support of our nation’s military is well-known and the singer is once again doing his part by offering a new song, “Unsung Heroes,” for download. For every download, $1.00 will go to the U.S. Army Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation Command (FMWRC), an organization that aids families of those serving overseas, as well as 9/11 Families for a Secure America Foundation. The song is available as a free download for those who are serving or have served our country.

“Let’s not forget that many of our brave soldiers and their families are still sacrificing every day to bring freedom to people in various places in the Middle East,” Darryl said. “Now more than ever, they need our support and encouragement. The military folks make a difference every day, for which they have our respect and admiration. Now it’s our turn – the civilians – to help make a difference in their lives.” Continue Reading

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If you’re going to be in or around Nashville during the month of May, the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum is the place to be. The Museum has all sorts of country music-centric events going on, from ‘Cookin’ Out Country’ which is a weekly outdoor lunch at the Museum with country music artists including Bryan White and Darryl Worley. There are several concerts and movie showings and of course, the Medallion Ceremony, which will induct Reba McEntire, Bobby Braddock, and Jean Shephard into the Country Music Hall of Fame. Some of the big events coming up this month are listed below and you can see the complete schedule HERE.

Cookin’ Out Country

May 4 – Richie McDonald
May 11 – Darryl Worley
May 25 – Bryan White

Serving lunch from 11:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Performances – 11:45 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
Autograph Signings – 12:15 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Hot Nights at the Hall -Three Nights of Amazing Music

Friday, June 17 – The Night Train to Nashville Reunion Concert, with house band led by Jimmy Church

Friday, July 8 – Stealing Angels

Friday, August 5 – Carter’s Chord Continue Reading

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A quiet Sunday night took a wild turn as reports of Osama bin Laden’s death spread like wildfire.   Then, a little bit after 11 p.m. ET, President Barack Obama addressed the nation to confirm the report.  President Obama outlined that U.S. Special Forces had killed bin Laden early Sunday morning at a compound located in a small town in Northern Pakistan.  The President described a successful, targeted operation that ended with bin Laden’s body in the possession of the troops that executed the mission. Bin Laden’s death comes just months before the 10-year anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks that he claimed responsibility for.

As the news of bin Laden’s death spread, country stars reacted with a flood of messages on Twitter.  Here are just a few:

reba: So proud of our President and our military!

DierksBentley: God Bless our troops and their families… thank you for the sacrifices you all make for our freedoms and our Country. what a great moment.

BradPaisley: If you see someone in a military uniform tomorrow, for heaven’s sake give them a hug. Or a drink. Or a new car.

saraevansmusic: So proud of our American soldiers for the incredible job they did in taking out Bin Laden! Praise the Lord! Thank you!

darrylworley: Thank God! I knew this day would come. I have never been so happy to hear the news of someones death.

blakeshelton: Sorry if this seems disrespectful but I’m so glad that piece absolute #### Osama is dead..

johnrich: Ya’ll wanna know who got fired? OSAMA.

leannrimes: Omg, Bin Laden!!! Blessings to our troops and a bit of peace for our country and those who lost loved one’s in 9/11.

joebonsall: Now Osama knows what it is like to get fried alive… God bless our military… I hope it hurt like HELL!! Keyword being HELL!!

billycurrington: this news is awesome !

juliannehough: Justice has been done

thompsonsquare: GOD BLESS AMERICA! This is a great day.

sarahbuxton: God BLESS those soldiers who carried out this mission successfully! What a bunch of bad asses. America, America, God shed his grace on thee!

TheJoshThompson: God Bless the U.S.A! I hope the news is true.

billyraycyrus: Just saw the news! OSAMA BIN LADEN is dead !!! How crazy is that ! Only in my life could i be at FT Hood on the night this happened …

steelmagnolia11: Osama Bin Laden is dead! Wow.. Watching news now.

joshgracin: Great Night for the USA…. Great Night for the families of 9/11…. Big step toward the preservation of humanity.

jamesotto: I wondered if this day would ever come. Did y’all think we’d ever here this amazing news?

Leave us a comment and let us know how you felt when you heard the news.

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Gary Allan photo courtesy of UMG Nashville.

Gary Allan will kick off the Daily Concerts on the Chevrolet Riverfront Stage during this year’s CMA Music Festival with a 10:00 a.m. CT show on June 9. Reflecting 40 years of country music, the stage’s daily lineup will feature past, current, and future superstar artists. The Riverfront Stage concerts are free and open to the public.

“Gary Allan will provide a dynamic start to 2011 CMA Music Festival at the Daily Concerts on the Chevrolet Riverfront Stage,” said Steve Moore, CMA Chief Executive Officer. “This stage is packed with great hit-makers from the ’70s through today, spotlighting all the decades of CMA Music Festival’s existence. And it’s free! We invite everyone to come and enjoy the great music on the Chevrolet Riverfront Stage.”

Darryl Worley will close the Daily Concerts on Friday, June 10, Billy Ray Cyrus on Saturday, June 11 and Terri Clark on Sunday, June 12. Terri last performed at CMA Music Festival in 2007, Billy Ray in 2008 and Darryl in 2010.

The current daily artist lineups in alphabetical order:

Thursday, June 9: Gary Allan, Emerson Drive, Colt Ford, Jack Ingram, Sammy Kershaw, Craig Morgan, James Otto, Jake Owen, Randy Rogers Band, and Steel Magnolia.

Friday, June 10: Frankie Ballard, Bucky Covington, Brett Eldredge, Jo Dee Messina, Randy Montana, Heidi Newfield, Sawyer Brown, Phil Vassar, James Wesley, and  Darryl Worley.

Saturday, June 11: Crystal Bowersox, Jason Michael Carroll, Billy Ray Cyrus, Steve Holy, Lonestar, David Nail, Corey Smith,  Mel Tillis, and Chuck Wicks.

Sunday, June 12: The Bellamy Brothers, Terri Clark, Larry Gatlin and the Gatlin Brothers, Josh Kelley, LoCash Cowboys, Jerrod Niemann, Troy Olsen, and Sunny Sweeney.

Performance order will be listed on CMAfest.com, the official website of CMA Music Festival, closer to the event. Additional artists will be announced. Artists and dates subject to change.

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Harley Allen photo courtesy of MySpace.com/harleyallenmusic.

GAC extends condolences to the loved ones of singer/songwriter Harley Allen, who died today after fighting lung cancer. Harley came from a musical family; his father was bluegrass artist Red Allen. Harley was an artist on Mercury Records in 1996 and his album Another River contained the song “Between The Devil And Me,” which Alan Jackson recorded a year later.

Harley’s body of work will be enjoyed for years to come. The list of country hits penned by him is long, but includes:

Blake Shelton’s “The Baby”
Alan Jackson’s “Everything I Love” and “The Angels Cried” Continue Reading

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Country music stars sure love Twitter! Here at GAC, we follow them too. This week, Kellie Pickler celebrates good times with a cocktail, Terri Clark critiques Steve Tyler’s “American Idol” footwear and Gloriana‘s Mike and Tom Gossin contemplate starting a new trio with Nick Jonas of the Jonas Brothers. Here are our picks for the Top 10 Country Tweets Of The Week.

Kellie Pickler photo courtesy of Twitter.com/kelliepickler.

Kellie Pickler:  @kelliepickler    It’s 5 O’clock somewhere…(ps: ignore my un-manicured nails)

Taylor Swift:  @taylorswift13    I can’t believe we’re about to play our last show on the Asian tour– Oh and Hong Kong, I’m pretty much in love with your city.

Darryl Worley:   @darrylworley    Going to write with Craig Campbell this morning. He’s a great country singer. Listen to his new single.

Julianne Hough:   @juliannehough    At my Womens Health cover shoot! Having a BLAST!! Florence and the machine, ceelo, quirky rock dance ish music was what I asked for

Photo courtesy of Twitter.com/joeyandrory.

Joey + Rory:  @joeyandrory    more photo shoot picture taking today… I’m about all smiled out, but my bride is still going strong! Continue Reading

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Darryl Worley photo courtesy of Stroudavarious Records.

After six years of effort, the Darryl Worley Cancer Center is set to open in Savannah, Tenn., next month.

Originally expected to open next year, the facility is located on the grounds at the Hardin Medical Center, allowing people in the area to have radiation and chemotherapy locally instead of driving long distances for their treatments. The cancer center cost $2 million to build, and Darryl has worked with a couple of Hardin County medical agencies to raise $1.7 million toward the project. They hope to have the remainder by the time construction is completed.

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