Keith Urban photo courtesy of Capitol Nashville.

Keith Urban will return to the stage for the first time since undergoing successful vocal cord surgery late last year with a performance on the Grand Ole Opry February 3. Keith’s performance will take place as the Opry wraps its winter run at the historic Ryman Auditorium. The Opry returns to the Grand Ole Opry House the next day.

Other artists scheduled to appear on the Opry with Keith are Charley Pride and the Oak Ridge Boys, with more artists to be added. Keith is also scheduled to perform on the Opry on March 9 at the Opry House. Vince Gill, Emmylou Harris, Del McCoury, Craig Morgan, Ricky Skaggs, Josh Turner and more will appear on the Opry stage in coming weeks.

Fans can purchase tickets at opry.com or by calling 1-(800) SEE-OPRY. The Opry can be heard live on 650 WSM-AM, SIRIUS XM Satellite Radio, and opry.com. You can also catch re-airs of Opry Live on GAC! Check Air Times >>

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Emmylou Harris photo by Rocky Schenck, courtesy of Nonesuch Records.

Emmylou Harris is teaming up with Rodney Crowell, her famed Hot Band’s original guitarist, for a duet album, reports Billboard.com. They are working with producer Brian Ahern, who first worked with Emmylou on her major label solo debut, Pieces of the Sky, in 1975.

“At one point before the Hot Band, the Hot Band was me and Rodney sitting around with two acoustic guitars learning Don Gibson songs,” Emmylou said. “It’s kind of a thing we always said, ‘We’ve got to do a duet record,’ and he’s been busy and I’ve been busy. But earlier this year I just decided that I wanted to do a record with him, and if we didn’t book it and plan it and set aside some time, it would be something we’d get to the end of our lives and regret we’d never done it.”

The album will feature mainly cover songs, but they have considered songs Rodney wrote for others but never recorded himself. They are pretty far along in the recording process, but have been battling sickness and hope to finish the project soon. They are hoping to play a few shows together as well.  “I’m sure we’ll do something, but he’s got his career and I’ve got mine, so I don’t know what we’ll be able to do for sure,” Emmylou said.

This year is also the 25^th anniversary of Emmylou’s first Trio album with Linda Ronstadt and Dolly Parton. To celebrate, the GRAMMY-winning collaboration will be re-released alongside 1999’s Trio 2 (as well as session outtakes), in a boxed set. Emmylou will also keep touring in support of 2011’s Hard Bargain. Emmylou wrote 11 of that album’s 13 tracks. “I’m very happy with that record,” she said. “I figured it was time to put on the writing hat, and I gave myself some time write, really cleared my schedule and put my energy into writing. I think it shows. We perform a lot of songs from that album, and it’s always good to have new material that you like to go with all the old stuff that I still, fortunately, like. It keeps you fresh.”

Emmylou’s next performance is scheduled for January 27 in Champaign, Illinois. Her Hard Times album is nominated for a GRAMMY in the Best Americana Album category.

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Emmylou Harris photo courtesy of Schmidt Public Relations.

The Grand Ole Opry will celebrate Emmylou Harris’ 20^th anniversary as an Opry member on January 21, 2012 at the historic Ryman Auditorium in Nashville. Emmylou was inducted into the Opry on January 25, 1992. Emmylou will perform and will be honored by Vince Gill, Rodney Crowell, Shawn Colvin — who will be making her Opry debut that evening — and more.

“Emmylou is treasured not just by all of us at the Grand Ole Opry, but also by fans around the world,” Pete Fisher, Opry vice president and general manager, said. “She’s shared so many great musical moments with us over the past 20 years, singing with and introducing us to some of her favorite musical collaborators. We’re excited to celebrate her Opry anniversary at the Ryman, a stage on which she’s displayed such incredible artistry through the years.”

Emmylou has erased the boundaries between country, folk and rock ‘n’ roll. She began performing folk music while in college in the ’60s. In  the late ’60s, she met Gram Parsons, formerly of The Byrds, and he became her mentor and singing partner, drawing her into the ’70s country-rock movement. She worked with him until his death in 1973.

Since Gram’s passing, Emmylou has developed a musical style all her own that combines folk music with an electric base. She has seven No. 1 songs and 27 Top 10 hits to her credits. Some of her most-recognized hits include. “If I Could Only Win Your Love,” “Born To Run,” “Together Again,” “Sweet Dreams,” “Making Believe,” “To Daddy,” and “Heartbreak Hill.”

Emmylou received the Centrury Award from Billboard Magazine in 1999 and was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2008. She has also won 12 GRAMMY Awards. For tickets to the Opry, call (800) SEE-OPRY or log on to www.opry.com.

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Neil Perry, Kimberly Perry and Reid Perry of The Band Perry backstage at The GRAMMY Nominations Concert Live! Countdown to Music's Biggest Night at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on November 30, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

Nominations for the 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards® were announced tonight by The Recording Academy®  on “The GRAMMY® Nominations Concert Live!! — Countdown To Music’s Biggest Night®,” which aired live on CBS.  From the country category, fans got to see The Band Perry perform their new song “Independence,”  Jason Aldean took the stage with Ludacris to perform “Dirt Road Anthem,” and Sugarland joined forces with Lady Gaga to close out the show with a performance of “You And I.”

The Recording Academy changed up and whittled down the categories this year — here are the ones related to country music and few others you might be interested to see…

Best New Artist (all genres)

The Band Perry
Bon Iver
J. Cole
Nicki Minaj
Skrillex

Best Country Solo Performance

“Dirt Road Anthem” — Jason Aldean
“I’m Gonna Love You Through It” — Martina McBride
“Honey Bee” — Blake Shelton
“Mean” — Taylor Swift
“Mama’s Song” — Carrie Underwood

Best Country Duo/Group Performance

“Don’t You Wanna Stay” — Jason Aldean With Kelly Clarkson
“You And Tequila” — Kenny Chesney Featuring Grace Potter
“Barton Hollow” — The Civil Wars
“Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not” — Thompson Square

Best Country Song

“Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not”
Jim Collins & David Lee Murphy, songwriters (Thompson Square)
“God Gave Me You”
Dave Barnes, songwriter (Blake Shelton)
“Just Fishin’”
Casey Beathard, Monty Criswell & Ed Hill, songwriters (Trace Adkins)
“Mean”
Taylor Swift, songwriter (Taylor Swift)
“Threaten Me With Heaven”
Vince Gill, Amy Grant, Will Owsley & Dillon O’Brian, songwriters (Vince Gill)
“You And Tequila”
Matraca Berg & Deana Carter, songwriters (Kenny Chesney Featuring Grace Potter)

Best Country Album

My Kinda Party — Jason Aldean
Chief — Eric Church
Own The Night — Lady Antebellum
Red River Blue — Blake Shelton
Here For A Good Time — George Strait
Speak Now — Taylor Swift

Best Bluegrass Album

Paper Airplane — Alison Krauss & Union Station
Reason And Rhyme: Bluegrass Songs By Robert Hunter & Jim Lauderdale — Jim Lauderdale
Rare Bird Alert — Steve Martin And The Steep Canyon Rangers
Old Memories: The Songs Of Bill Monroe — The Del McCoury Band
A Mother’s Prayer — Ralph Stanley
Sleep With One Eye Open — Chris Thile & Michael Daves

Best Americana Album

Emotional Jukebox — Linda Chorney
Pull Up Some Dust And Sit Down — Ry Cooder
Hard Bargain — Emmylou Harris
Ramble At The Ryman — Levon Helm
Blessed — Lucinda Williams

Best Song Written For Visual Media

“Born To Be Somebody” — (From Never Say Never)
Diane Warren, songwriter (Justin Bieber)
“Christmastime Is Killing Us” — (From Family Guy)
Ron Jones, Seth MacFarlane & Danny Smith, songwriters (Danny Smith, Ron Jones & Seth MacFarlane)
“I See The Light” — (From Tangled)
Alan Menken & Glenn Slater, songwriters (Mandy Moore & Zachary Levi)
“So Long” — (From Winnie The Pooh)
Zooey Deschanel, songwriter (Zooey Deschanel & M. Ward)
“Where The River” Goes — (From Footloose)
Zac Brown, Wyatt Durrette, Drew Pearson & Anne Preven, songwriters (Zac Brown)
“You Haven’t Seen The Last Of Me” — (From Burlesque)
Diane Warren, songwriter (Cher)

For a complete list of GRAMMY nominees in all categories, visit grammy.com.

The 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards will be held on “GRAMMY Sunday,” Feb. 12, 2012, at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles and once again will be broadcast live on CBS from 8 – 11:30 p.m. (ET/PT).

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Charlie Daniels photo courtesy of Webster PR.

The Grand Ole Opry is returning to its most famous former home, the historic Ryman Auditorium in Nashville. The Opry began its three month winter run at the Ryman on Tuesday night with a show featuring Rascal Flatts, Rodney Atkins and more. Artists scheduled to appear at the Opry at the Ryman include Dierks Bentley, Emmylou Harris, The Civil Wars, Marshall Tucker Band, Charley Pride, Darius Rucker, Josh Turner, Keith Urban, Charlie Daniels and more.

Over the weekend, the Opry helped Charlie Daniels celebrate his 75th birthday with a cake before his performance. Check out the photo HERE.

During the show, Tennessee National Guard Major General Max Haston promoted Charlie to the Guard’s rank of Brigadier General. Charlie was inducted into the Opry family in 2008. 

To purchase tickets for an upcoming Opry show, visit opry.com or call (800) SEE-OPRY.

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Oct 31, 1912 – Dale Evans born in Uvalde, Texas. In December 1947, she marries Roy Rogers, with whom she stars on radio and TV. She also writes their classic closing theme “Happy Trails”

Oct 31, 1921—Malissa Monroe dies at the family home near Rosine, Kentucky. No one bothers to tell her son, 10-year-old Bill Monroe, that she’s dead until after she’s already been buried

Oct 31, 1931 – Lester Flatt marries Gladys Stacy at the courthouse in Cookeville, Tennessee

Oct 31, 1934 – At a Halloween party in Halifax, Hank Snow meets his future wife, Minnie Aalders

Oct 31, 1947 — Promoter Connie B. Gay books Eddy Arnold for the first-ever country show at Washington, D.C.’s Constitution Hall. Also on the bill are comedians Minnie Pearl and Rod Brasfield

Oct 31, 1952 – Hank Williams checks into a Shreveport hospital with acute intoxication

Oct 31, 1954 – When Eddy Arnold plays Memphis’ Ellis Auditorium, a young Elvis Presley finds his way backstage. Presley meets Arnold and The Jordanaires, and spots–though he does not talk to–Colonel Tom Parker

Oct 31, 1960 – Elvis Presley records “Crying In The Chapel” at Nashville’s RCA Studio B. The single goes unreleased, however, for more than four years

Oct 31, 1964 – Darryl Worley born in Savannah, Tennessee. Noted for the strong traditional influence on his music, the lanky singer builds a solid career after his 2000 debut, striking a major chord for patriotism with his 2003 release “Have You Forgotten?”

Oct 31, 1966 – Decca releases Loretta Lynn‘s “Don’t Come Home A’Drinkin’ (With Lovin’ On Your Mind)”

Oct 31, 1974 – Emmylou Harris records “If I Could Only Win Your Love” and her first single, “Too Far Gone”

Oct 31, 1983 – Lee Greenwood tapes the syndicated “Solid Gold” in Los Angeles, then visits the home of MCA chairman Irving Azoff to present him a tape of “God Bless The U.S.A.”

Oct 31, 1987 – Dolly Parton opens a restaurant in Honolulu, the Dockside Plantation

Oct 31, 1991 – Randy Travis accepts a unique Halloween treat: a gold album for “High Lonesome”

Oct 31, 1993 – Actor River Phoenix dies of a drug overdose outside the Viper Room in Los Angeles. His final picture was “The Thing Called Love,” based on Nashville’s famed listening room, The Bluebird Café

Oct 31, 1995 – Bryan White, Derek George and John Tirro write “So Much For Pretending” on Halloween, distracted periodically by trick-or-treaters

Oct 31, 1998 – Lari White blows out the speakers when she sings the national anthem before the Miami Hurricanes’ football game against Boston College

Oct 31, 2000 – “I Hope You Dance” becomes Lee Ann Womack‘s second platinum album

Oct 31, 2005 – “Inside TV” lists the Top 10 TV witches of all-time, ranking Lisa Hartman Black at #9 for her portrayal of Samantha Stevens’ grown-up daughter in the late-’70s series “Tabitha”

Oct 31, 2006 – During a Tuesday edition of the Grand Ole Opry, Jeff Bates gets down on one knee at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium to propose to Kelly Vaughn. She nods yes

Oct 31, 2007 – Taylor Swift goes trick-or-treating in Hendersonville, Tennessee, disguised as the hairy “Star Wars” character Chewbacca

Oct 31, 2010 – Trace Adkins performs for U.S. soldiers in Basra, Iraq, near the outset of a USO tour

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Robert Plant and Patty Griffin, with Gregg Allman, perform "Glory, Glory Hallelujah" during the finale of the 10th Annual Americana Honors and Awards Show. Photo by Erika Goldring.

Robert Plant’s Band of Joy picked up album of the year honors, and Buddy Miller earned an Artist of the Year nod, during the Americana Music Association’s 10th Annual Honors and Awards tonight at Nashville’s historic Ryman Auditorium.

The event celebrated a year of the best in roots music. It opened with a moving tribute to the late John Hartford, represented by an unaccompanied banjo and bolo hat side stage,  followed by Buddy Miller, Emmylou Harris, Alison Krauss, Jerry Douglas and Don Was performing “I’ll Fly Away” in celebration of the 10th Anniversary of the O’ Brother Where Art Thou? soundtrack.

Jim Lauderdale served again as master of ceremonies, his ninth in-a-row, while Miller led an all-star house band comprised of famed record producer Don Was on bass, Cody and Luther Dickinson on drums, guitars and various other instruments, Greg Leisz on steel guitar and John Deaderick on keys. Adding harmonies were The McCrary Sisters: Ann, Regina and Alfreda.

It was a big night for Miller, winning not only the Artist of the Year Award, but adding another Instrumentalist of the Year Award to his treasure chest of Americana trophies, now totaling twelve. Raul Malo and Carrie Rodriguez handed him the award. Marshall Chapman presented him with the Artist of the Year.

The 2009 New/Emerging Artist Justin Townes Earle cemented his place as one of Americana Music’s heirs apparent by picking up Song of the Year for “Harlem River Blues.”  John Oates and Mindy Smith presented.

The Avett Brothers walked away with another Duo/Group of the Year win, their third after winning in 2007 and 2010 and fourth overall,  while Mumford and Sons were crowned New/Emerging Artist of the Year. Mark Olsen and Gary Louris of The Jayhawks presented the Duo/Group  Award; The Greencards, winners in 2006, presented New/Emerging Artist.

Other award highlights of the night included a tearful Lucinda Williams accepting the Lifetime Achievement Award for songwriting from record executive Luke Lewis, who last year earned the Lifetime Achievement Award for Executive. She followed it with a haunting performance of “Blessed.”

Buddy Miller accepts his Instrumentalist of the year award, one of two he collected at the 10th Annual Americana Honors and Awards Show. Photo by Erika Goldring.

Joining Williams in the Lifetime Achievement categories,  the legendary Gregg Allman received the Lifetime Achievement Award in Performance. Allman is one of the architects of Southern Rock and member of the Allman Brothers Band.  Keb Mo handled the presenting honors.

Alison Krauss gave the Lifetime Achievement Award for Instrumentalist to Jerry Douglas, equally revered for his solo work, session playing, and as a longtime member of Krauss’ Union Station.

R&B Legend Candi Staton presented the Jack Emerson Lifetime Achievement for Executive to Rick Hall, whose groundbreaking production work at FAME Studios created the Muscle Shoals sound, a unique style that crossed musical formats.  Afterward, she took to the Ryman stage to sing her hit “Heart On A String.”

Bob Harris crossed the pond to accept his Trailblazer Award from Emmylou Harris. The celebrated radio host and journalist works as a tireless advocate for exceptional artistry, playing a pivotal role in exposing listeners to rising talent, no matter the genre.

The annual Americana Award Show was peppered with standout performances, from Amos Lee (“Cup of Sorrow”), Elizabeth Cook (“El Camino”), Earle (“Harlem River Blues”), Jessica Lea Mayfield (“For Today”), Hayes Carll (“KMAG YOYO”), The Secret Sisters (“Why Don’t You Love Me?”), Miller (“Gasoline and Matches”), The Civil Wars (“Barton Hollow”), The Avett Brothers (“The Once and Future Carpenter”) and Plant (“Monkey”).

The event was broadcast live throughout Middle Tennessee on Nashville Public Television (NPT).  An abridged version will be broadcast on PBS stations nationwide on November 19th (check local listings) as a special episode of  Austin City Limits Presents.

2011 Americana Honors and Awards recipients

ALBUM OF THE YEAR: Band Of Joy, ROBERT PLANT

ARTIST OF THE YEAR: BUDDY MILLER

INSTRUMENTALIST OF THE YEAR:  BUDDY MILLER

NEW / EMERGING ARTIST: MUMFORD AND SONS

SONG OF THE YEAR: “Harlem River Blues” by JUSTIN TOWNES EARLE

DUO / GROUP OF THE YEAR: THE AVETT BROTHERS

Lifetime Achievement Award for Songwriter: LUCINDA WILLIAMS

Lifetime Achievement Award for Performance:  GREGG ALLMAN 

Lifetime Achievement Award for Instrumentalist:  JERRY DOUGLAS

Jack Emerson Lifetime Achievement Award for Executive: RICK HALL

Trailblazer Award: BOB HARRIS

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Vince Gill (with wife Amy Grant ) celebrates 20 years as a member of the Grand Ole Opry on Saturday, August 13, 2011. Photo by Chris Hollo, courtesy of Schmidt Relations.

The Grand Ole Opry honored Vince Gill‘s 20th anniversary as an Opry member Saturday night. Emmylou Harris, Martina McBride, John Anderson , The Time Jumpers, Vince’s wife Amy Grant and his daughter, Jenny Gill were all on hand to help celebrate. Vince opened the sold-out show by performing “Gotta’ Travel On” in honor of Opry Member Billy Grammer who passed away last week. He also played a Grammer Guitar he purchased just weeks ago.

Vince Gill (with Emmylou Harris ) celebrates 20 years as a member of the Grand Ole Opry on Saturday, August 13, 2011. Photo by Chris Hollo, courtesy of Schmidt Relations.

During the show, Vince and Emmylou performed “Two More Bottles of Wine” and “If I Needed You.” Martina stepped up to the mic to sing “Take Your Memory With You,” Vince’s first No. 1 single while Amy sang “True Love” with Vince accompanying her on guitar.

A highlight of the night came when Jenny performed her dad’s hit “If You Ever Have Forever In Mind” while Vince sat on stage with a look of pride on his face. Vince shared with the audience that more than 20 years earlier, he had turned down his very first invitation to play on the Opry because if conflicted with Jenny’s grade school talent show.

Vince Gill (with daughter Jenny Gill ) celebrates 20 years as a member of the Grand Ole Opry on Saturday, August 13, 2011. Photo by Chris Hollo, courtesy of Schmidt Relations.

Opry Vice President and General Manager Pete Fisher presented Vince with a framed print commemorating his anniversary. “The friendships I’ve built here mean more to me than every song I’ve ever sung out here on this stage” Vince said. “I wouldn’t know how to do this [music] without this place.” Vince held the print up and declared “Here’s to the next 20!”

As he closed the show, Vince performed the very first song he ever performed on the Opry stage, “When I Call Your Name.” He offered a quote from Roy Acuff before he sang. “In the immortal words of Mr. Roy [Acuff], ‘You better sing the one that brung ya.’”

During the show, a video tribute to Vince was shown. Fans can view it at http://Opry.com.

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clockwise (l-r): Vince Gill, Emmylou Harris, Zac Brown & Sheryl Crow.

The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s ‘All for the Hall’ fundraiser will return to Los Angeles for the third straight year on Tuesday, September 13. Held at Club Nokia, the event will again follow a “guitar pull” format with performances and stories by Country Music Hall of Fame members Vince Gill and Emmylou Harris, and also Sheryl Crow and Zac Brown.

The Museum launched ‘All for the Hall’ in 2005. The campaign addresses the Museum’s need for long-term financial security and provides a safety net for the Museum and its work. This marks the fifth year the Museum has taken the event on the road, hosting ‘All for the Hall’ events in New York in 2007 and 2008 and Los Angeles in 2009, 2010 and now 2011.

“California, with its rich country music history, has proven to be a supremely appropriate and welcoming location for this event,” said Museum Director Kyle Young. “Our 2009 All for the Hall Los Angeles debut gave us an opportunity to focus on West Coast country music history and remind our guests that these artists and executives and their songs are a part of the story we both preserve and teach at the Museum.”

Vince Gill and Emmylou Harris as well as Kris Kristofferson, Lionel Richie and Taylor Swift performed at last year’s event which was also held at Club Nokia. To purchase tickets, contact Rachel Shapiro at rshapiro@countrymusichalloffame.org or by telephone at (615) 416-2069 or (800) 852-6437.

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Photo courtesy of Grand Ole Opry®. Photo by Chris Hollo.

The Grand Ole Opry will honor Vince Gill on his 20^th anniversary as an Opry member on August 13. Emmylou Harris, Martina McBride, John Anderson , The Time Jumpers, Vince’s wife Amy Grant and his daughter, Jenny Gill, will be on hand for the celebration.

“Over the past 20 years, Vince Gill has helped create dozens and dozens of incredible nights of music here at the Opry, welcoming some of his best friends and musical collaborators to the stage, debuting new material, and performing his hits that have since become country classics,” said Pete Fisher, Opry vice president and general manager. “He plays the Opry because he loves it, and the Opry family loves him right back. We’re excited to celebrate Vince’s 20 years with us among some of his best friends and biggest fans.”

“I’ve been a part of a really special family for 20 years,” said Vince. “It’s hard to believe when some people have been there for 60 years like Little Jimmy Dickens,” Vince said. “What is interesting about an anniversary is that it doesn’t seem to make any sense because the Opry is so timeless. It seems to epitomize all things at all times. You have a brand new artist and someone that is 90 years old up there on a given weekend. That to me makes it feel timeless. I’ve been there for 20 years and I’m hoping for 40, and maybe if I’m really lucky, I’ll get 60.”

Besides celebrating 20 years in the Opry family, Vince will receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame next year. He is also scheduled to release a new song late this summer with a new album, Guitar Slinger, to follow this fall.

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