Rascal Flatts photo courtesy of Big Machine Records.

Rascal Flatts will launch a brand new tour this summer and they’re taking several fellow country bands out on the road with them. The American Band Tour will feature Little Big Town, Eli Young Band and Edens Edgeas special guests. The new tour will kick off June 15 in Hartford, Connecticut.

“We are always looking for new ways to re-energize our live shows,”  Jay DeMarcus said. “We thought bringing out these bands, whom are among some of our favorite vocal groups, would make a great night of entertainment!”

Rascal Flatts is currently on the road with their Thaw Out 2012 Tour with special guests Sara Evans and Hunter Hayes. They will release their new album, Changed, on April 3.

ShareThis

Tim McGraw's 2012 CD, Emotional Traffic. Photo courtesy of Webster & Associates.

Tim McGraw’s Emotional Traffic album debuted at No. 1 this week on the Billboard Country Chart. This mark’s Tim’s 13th career No. 1 debut. His first new music since 2009’s Southern Voice, Tim is thrilled with how his fans have reacted.

“The most beautiful thing about this No. 1 debut, over the others, is that it was driven by the fans and their eagerness to finally have this music in their hands,” Tim said. “The fans don’t care about the business side of things. They just want the artists they follow to keep putting out great songs, and I think we have delivered some of the best songs of my career on Emotional Traffic.

Read our review of Tim McGraw’s Emotional Traffic >>

Tim will join good friend Kenny Chesney this summer on their co-headlining Brothers of the Sun stadium tour. They will kick off the tour on June 2 in Tampa and will stop at the nation’s biggest stadiums through August. With new music in the hands of his fans, Tim is looking forward to getting back on the road. “The reaction to the album makes me even more excited to get back on the road this summer on the ‘Brothers of the Sun’ tour,” he said.

Tim will head to Australia next month for a performance with wife Faith Hill and GAC wants to send YOU! Enter our GAC Country Down Under Sweepstakes for your chance to win a trip to CMC Rocks The Hunter 2012, Australia’s biggest international country and roots music festival, held March 16-18. The three-day event will feature over 30 artists including Tim & Faith, Dierks Bentley, Wynonna, Eli Young Band, Tracy Lawrence and more!

ShareThis

Dierks Bentley's 2012 CD, Home. Photo courtesy of The Green Room PR.

Dierks Bentley will continue his Country & Cold Cans Tour this spring with stops in 20 cities across the country. Eli Young Band and a combination of Will Hoge and The Cadillac Black will join him as special guests. The tour kicks off in Los Angeles on April 13. Tickets for the date go on sale February 10 with more tour and on sale dates to be announced soon.

“Country & Cold Cans was such a great tour last fall,” Dierks said. “It’s just way too much fun to stop and we knew we had to continue it into the spring and make another run across the U.S. when we get home from Canada and Australia. We’re even going to Alaska, giving new meaning to COLD cans.”

Dierks has nothing but good things to say about his opening acts and plans on catching their shows while out on the road. “I’m excited that EYB is coming out with us again, great dudes and they put on a killer show,” he said. “I’m also a big fan of both The Cadillac Black and Will Hoge, so I’m looking forward to watching their sets every night.”

Dierks will release his latest album, Home, on February 7. His current single, “Home,” is nominated for Song of the Year at the upcoming ACM Awards.

ShareThis

Eli Young Band photo courtesy of HBPR.

Eli Young Band is slowly revealing their 2012 plans. They’ll hit the road with Dierks Bentley on the 2012 leg of his Country & Cold Cans Tour which kicks off in Los Angeles on April 13 and also head Down Under with one of country’s super couples. “Some of them we can’t announce,” said Mike Eli, “but we get to go to Australia in March with Tim McGraw and Faith Hill which is absolutely incredible.”

They will also launch their own headlining tour, the Keep On Dreamin’ Tour, which will run throughout the year in between dates with other headliners. The rest of their touring plans are top secret. “There are two other big tours that we’re waiting on them to announce so that we can talk about it,” Mike said. “Those are happening in the summer and late spring.”

The band could also be on the bill for a major tour this fall, but they’re still waiting for confirmation. They are thrilled to see so many dates filling their calendar this year. “This is the first year where we can look at our calendar and it’s pretty much set, which is a really nice feeling,” Jon Jones said. “It’s not like we know we’re going to be busy through the end of February and then hope we can pick up some shows.”

Eli Young Band just released their latest single, “Even If It Breaks Your Heart,” to country radio. It’s the follow up single to their first No. 1 hit, “Crazy Girl,” which is nominated for Single Record of the Year and Song of the Year at the ACM Awards. Eli Young Band is also nominated for Vocal Group of the Year.

See the full list of ACM Nominees >>

ShareThis

“It’s an honor to receive so much love from the Academy of Country Music after all they’ve done to support my music over the years,” Kenny said. “I can’t wait to get back on the road with my good friend Tim and throw one big spring break party all summer long.”

Blake Shelton is nominated for Entertainer of the Year and Male Vocalist of the Year. He learned of his ACM nominations a week after losing his father, Dick Shelton. “The support I have felt this week is overwhelming,” Blake said. “Thank you everyone for this honor.”

Jason Aldean took to video to thank his fans for all of their support after learning he’s nominated for six ACMs, including Entertainer of the Year, Male Vocalist of the Year, and Album of the Year.


Jason Aldean on WhoSay

SEE THE FULL LIST OF ACM AWARDS ARTIST NOMINEES HERE >>

Reigning ACM Top New Solo Vocalist Eric Church is nominated for Video of the Year for “Homeboy” and his latest album, Chief, is up for Album of the Year. He sees the Album of the Year nod as an especially high honor.

“I’ve never minced words about the fact that my passion is making great records for the sake of the music,” he said. “The fact that the ACMs have nominated us for the album category is quite the honor and frankly the one I revere the most. “Homeboy,” both musically and visually, is a song that tells a compelling story. I have a very special place in my heart for the video, and I’m very grateful that it is getting recognized. It’s been one hell of a year!”

Chris Young woke up on a tour bus en route to his next show on Miranda Lambert’s On Fire Tour to learn he’s nominated for both Single Record of the Year for his No. 1 hit “Tomorrow” and Male Vocalist Of The Year. He also recorded a video message to share his excitement with his fans.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Montgomery Gentry received their 14th ACM nomination when their name was included in the Duo of the Year category. With a year that has brought a lot of change for the duo, they are thrilled to be recognized.

“This last year has been just unbelievable,” Eddie Montgomery said. “We have a new album that T and I are so proud of, a new label that is rockin’ and the support we’ve had from our friends at radio and on the road is just awesome.”

“We are really proud to be nominated and blessed to be living our dream for as long as we have been,” Troy Gentry added. “As always, we are truly humbled to be included in this category once again.”

Lee Brice is nominated for Song of the Year as a co-writer alongside Liz Rose for Eli Young Band’s No. 1 hit “Crazy Girl.” “Liz Rose and I were just fortunate enough to be in the same room that magical day and wrote a magical song,” Lee said. “Within a few hours, the song came together. I’m so honored to be acknowledged along with these other amazing writers.”

The ACM Awards, hosted once again by Blake Shelton and Reba McEntire, will air live from Las Vegas on April 1 at 8/7 CT on CBS .

ShareThis

Randy Owen and John Rich. Photo courtesy of St. Jude.

Randy Owen presented John Rich with the first-ever Randy Owen Angels Among Us Award during the annual songwriter’s dinner at the Country Cares for St. Jude Kids seminar over the weekend. The award recognizes a member of the country music industry who has demonstrated commitment and dedication to kids battling cancer and other deadly diseases at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Last year, John won NBC’s Celebrity Apprentice, where he competed on behalf of St. Jude and raised more an $1.4 million for the organization.

“St. Jude holds a very special place in my heart,” John said. “It’s like no other place and I’m just so honored to help raise awareness for this organization and to receive the first-ever Angels Among Us Award from Randy.”

“This past year John really embodied what Country Cares for St. Jude Kids is all about,” Randy said. “It’s really unbelievable to look back over the past 23 years and see what the country music industry has helped us accomplish for St. Jude. This award is a way for us to say thank you to select members of the industry for their continued commitment and support.”

Randy organized Country Cares for St. Jude Kids in 1989 when he appealed to fellow country music artists, radio stations, and country fans to help support St. Jude’s mission. Since it began, Country Cares has raised more than $400 million for St. Jude.

More than 25 artists were on hand to participate in Country Cares including Lauren Alaina, Kix Brooks, Martina McBride, Brent Anderson, Katie Armiger, Lee Brice, Edens Edge, Eli Young Band, Randy Houser, Kip Moore, Josh Thompson and James Wesley. Nearly 800 radio and music industry professionals were also present to work together on executing the annual radiothon fundraisers for St. Jude. To learn more about Country Cares for St. Jude Kids visit www.countrycares.org.

ShareThis

Lee Brice & Sara Reeveley photo courtesy of Webster & Associates.

Congratulations to Lee Brice and his new fiancee, Sara Reeveley! Lee celebrated the New Year by popping the big question to longtime girlfriend, Sara, the mother of the couple’s 3 year-old son, Takoda. The couple was on vacation in Key West Florida when Lee proposed on January 2, 2012. A date has not yet been set.

Sara, 29, an Ohio native, and Lee, 32, originally from South Carolina, have known each other for 13 years. The couple’s long-term romance began when they met on a beach in South Carolina. Sara was only 18 at the time.

Lee’s current single, “A Woman Like You,” is climbing the Billboard Country Song chart and is currently at No. 26. In 2011, he was nominated for three ACM Awards for his Top 5 Billboard country song, “Love Like Crazy,” (two for Single of the Year, and one for Song of the Year.) “Love Like Crazy” was also named Billboard’s Most Played Song of 2010. In addition, in 2011 Lee also co-wrote the Eli Young Band’s breakthrough No. 1 hit, “Crazy Girl.”

“I finally get to marry that beautiful girl I met on Myrtle Beach years ago,” said Lee. “I can’t wait to get Sara and Takoda to Nashville so we can all be together.”

ShareThis

Edens Edge photo courtesy of Big Machine Records.

Have you made your New Year’s Eve plans yet? Check out where you can catch some of your favorite country stars ringing in 2012, both live and on TV:

Edens Edge will perform at the third annual “Bash On Broadway” in Nashville along with The Farm, Jeffrey Steele and headliner Lynyrd Skynyrd.The free show will take place on Broadway beginning at 7 p.m. on New Year’s Eve and will be broadcast live to a national audience on Sirius XM Radio. GAC’s Storme Warren will serve as emcee.

The Band Perry will close out the year with a performance on Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest, as part of the Los Angeles celebration. The special will air on ABC December 31.

Rodney Atkins, Joe Nichols and Lauren Alaina will perform live from the Las Vegas strip during FOX’s American Country New Year’s Eve Live special. Hosted by Rodney Carrington, the special will also feature performances by Eli Young Band and Toby Keith and include coverage from the ball drop at New York City’s Time Square. Tune in to FOX at 11/10c December 31 to catch it.

Chris Young will be headlining a New Year’s Eve show at Billy Bob’s in Fort Worth, Texas.

Sarah Darling will headline the 4^th annual New Year’s Eve Beach Ball Drop at Pier Parkin Panama City Beach, FL. Taking the stage at 10:45 p.m., Sarah will be the final performer before the 800-pound glowing beach ball begins its descent and final countdown to 2012.

The Grand Ole Opry will ring in 2012 with Friday and Saturday night Opry performances at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville. John Conlee, Craig Morgan, Mandy Barnett, Jeannie Seely, Jimmy Wayne, Little Jimmy Dickens and Jean Shepard are all on the schedule for the December 30 show, while Little Jimmy Dickens, Jimmy Wayne, Jett Williams, Jan Howard, Mandy Barnett and Dailey & Vincent are all scheduled to appear on December 31.

ShareThis

Rascal Flatts photo courtesy of Big Machine Records. Photo credit Chapman Baehler.

Years from now when Rascal Flatts looks back on 2011, they’ll see it as a year of changes and big accomplishments. From recording songs with pop stars to becoming members of the Grand Ole Opry, the trio will have fond memories of the year.

“We started off the year with our own network special, which was thrilling, and there are very few acts that can say they’ve had their own television network special,” Jay DeMarcus said. “We had a video with Justin Bieber, a song, a duet with him. So a lot of things that were milestones in our career – members of the Grand Ole Opry and other things that affected us professionally, too.”

The year held a lot of highs, but also had some emotional lows. Overall though, the band isn’t complaining. “It’ll be one of my favorite years to look back and remember because so many of the goals that we had set for ourselves years ago had finally come true,” Jay said.

2012 is shaping up to be another year to remember. The band kicks off their Thaw Out 2012 Tour in January, plans to release a new album later this year, and will announce plans for a summer tour in the coming months.

This year was a big one for Brantley Gilbert as well. He spent more time on the road than a lot of artists, sometimes playing 4 or 5 shows a week. He knows pounding the pavement is a part of building his career and he’s seeing it pay off in the form of fan response. “Feedback’s always been pretty positive,” Brantley said.

The difference now is that it’s Brantley’s own music people are loving. “People responded real well to cover songs,” he said. “Now they’re responding well to originals, so that’s pretty awesome for us.” Brantley will join Eric Church on his The Blood, Sweat & Beers Tour in January.

For Eli Young Band, 2011 has contained a lot of special moments, including getting their first No. 1 with “Crazy Girl.” The band also had some pretty big gigs that will help make 2011 a year they won’t forget.

“One of the coolest experiences for all of us onstage is doing the Houston Rodeo for sixty thousand people,” Jon Jones said. “It’s an incredibly tough figure to wrap your head around, how many people that really is, there to see you… and just the energy of that stage and the four of us. That was such a big milestone for us.”

For Mike Eli, playing the Grand Ole Opry for the first time goes down as a major milestone in 2011. “We played three songs and I think we started that first note then all of a sudden, it was over,” he said. “And that was an incredible feeling to play that stage for the first time.”

The band will release their latest single, “Even If It Breaks Your Heart,” to radio on January 23.

ShareThis

Taylor Swift photo courtesy of Big Machine Records.

Billboard.com has released their list of the Top Country Artists of 2011. Artists are ranked based on album sales, song downloads and airplay, touring revenue, Social 50 chart action, ringtone sales and streaming data provided by Nielsen BDS. Congratulations to Taylor Swift for being named the Top Country Artist of 2011! What do you think of this ranking? Who’d top YOUR Top 50 list? Leave us a comment below!

1. Taylor Swift
2. Jason Aldean
3. Lady Antebellum
4. Zac Brown Band
5. Blake Shelton
6. The Band Perry
7. Rascal Flatts
8. Kenny Chesney
9. Brad Paisley
10. Luke Bryan
11. Keith Urban
12. Miranda Lambert
13. Sugarland
14. Eric Church
15. Scotty McCreery
16. Toby Keith
17. Thompson Square
18. Chris Young
19. Billy Currington
20. Tim McGraw
21. Sara Evans
22. Darius Rucker
23. George Strait
24. Carrie Underwood
25. Jerrod Niemann
26. Jake Owen
27. Eli Young Band
28. Justin Moore
29. Trace Adkins
30. Rodney Atkins
31. Brantley Gilbert
32. Ronnie Dunn
33. Alan Jackson
34. Reba McEntire
35. Dierks Bentley
36. Lauren Alaina
37. Easton Corbin
38. Josh Turner
39. Craig Campbell
40. Martina McBride
41. Joe Nichols
42. Sunny Sweeney
43. the JaneDear girls
44. Steel Magnolia
45. Steve Holy
46. David Nail
47. Jamey Johnson
48. Randy Travis
49. Ashton Shepherd
50. Uncle Kracker

ShareThis