Carrie Underwood photo by James White, courtesy of Sony Music Nashville.

Carrie Underwood and Lady Antebellum have been added to the list of country stars who will be a part of the 54^th Annual GRAMMY Awards. Carrie will join Tony Bennett for a performance while Lady A will serve as presenters. A tribute to the late Etta James by Alicia Keys and Bonnie Raitt has also been added. The GRAMMYs will air on CBS on Sunday, February 12th at 8/7 CT.

Other country artists scheduled to perform include Lifetime Achievement Award recipient Glen Campbell, with Blake Shelton and The Band Perry, Jason Aldean with Kelly Clarkson and Taylor Swift. Dierks Bentley, Miranda Lambert and Gwyneth Paltrow will be among GRAMMY presenters. Continue Reading

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The Band Perry photo courtesy of Republic Nashville.

When The Band Perry learned they were hitting the road with Brad Paisley on his Virtual Reality Tour, they knew they had a lot to look forward to. One of the things the sibling trio was most excited about however was catering. Brad is known for going all out, serving up things like prime rib and crab legs.

“That is, actually, how we gauge tours are how good catering is,” Reid Perry joked. “Just because when you’re out on the road, at least for us, food is a passion that feels like home for us.” Kimberly Perry says their love of food comes from the fact that they were born and raised in the South.

Watch The Band Perry’s “All Your Life” video! >>

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Glen Campbell photo courtesy of Big Hassle PR

Glen Campbell, who is set to receive a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Recording Academy, will perform on the GRAMMY Awards with Blake Shelton and The Band Perry. Glen has won five GRAMMYs over his career and is currently on the road for his Goodbye Tour after announcing last year that he has Alzheimer’s.

Blake Shelton is nominated for two GRAMMYs, including Best Country Solo Performance for “Honey Bee” and Best Country Album for Red River Blue. The Band Perry is up for Best New Artist. The 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards will take place on Sunday, February 12. The show will air live from the Staples Center in Los Angeles on CBS at 8/7 CT. Continue Reading

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David Nail photo courtesy of UMG Nashville.

Glen Campbell is one of David Nail’s musical heroes. So when Glen played live at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville on Tuesday, David jumped at the chance to see his idol live – even though it was his wife Catherine’s birthday. Catherine gave her husband a free pass and stayed at home while David took in Glen’s show. The tour stop was part of Glen’s farewell tour after being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s last year.

“Obviously some of his ability comes from muscle memory,” David said. “But the heart, the soul that he brings those songs, that comes from some place deep inside. That – even with teleprompter – is why he is an artist who made such a mark, and who continues to influence people like me all these years later. I didn’t experience him on the radio, I found him. And Glen Campbell – who I found some time in the ’90s through a Greatest Hits I album I played top to bottom, again and again – defines what it means to be a singer.”

When film producer/writer/director James Keach, the man behind Walk The Line and The Long Riders, heard about David’s admiration for Glen, he offered David a last minute invitation to sit for an interview that will be included in an as-of-yet-untitled documentary on the country music legend.

Read our review of David Nail’s The Sound of a Million Dreams! >>

“When I turned the guys in my band, who’re even younger than me, onto Ghost on the Canvas (Glen’s final recording), they didn’t really know who he was,” David said. “Now it’s something every one of them is suggesting we play on the bus. He hasn’t just survived, he’s remained an artist who makes a mark, which is something I think anyone who does this should aspire to.” Continue Reading

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Grammy-winning artist Glen Campbell.

In June, Glen Campbell revealed in an exclusive interview with People magazine that he has Alzheimer’s disease. The “Rhinestone Cowboy” singer and his wife, Kim, decided to go public with Glen’s diagnosis because they wanted his fans to know what was wrong.

“Glen is still an awesome guitar player and singer,” Kim said. “But if he flubs a lyric or gets confused onstage, I wouldn’t want people to think, ‘What’s the matter with him? Is he drunk?’”

The couple told People he had been suffering from short-term memory loss for years before being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. Glen embarked on a farewell tour in the fall of 2011 and also released his last studio album, Ghost on the Canvas, in August. “I still love making music,” Glen said. “And I still love performing for my fans. I’d like to thank them for sticking with me through thick and thin.”

Glen and Kim sat down with ABC’s Terry Moran, co-anchor of Nightline, to discuss Glen’s disease and how the family is coping. Married for nearly 30 years, Kim said Glen’s sense of humor has helped the family deal with the difficult time.

“He’ll tell a joke, laugh at it and a few minutes later tell the same joke, laugh, and then we laugh at him because he’s just enjoying it so much,” she said. “You just make the best of each day and try not to worry about tomorrow.” Continue Reading

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Glen Campbell photo courtesy of Big Hassle PR.

The Allman Brothers Band, Glen Campbell and George Jones are among the artists announced as recipients of The Recording Academy’s Special Merit Awards. All three, along with Antonio Carlos Jobim, the Memphis Horns, Diana Ross and Gil Scott-Heron, will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award. Dave Bartholomew, Steve Jobs and Rudy Van Gelder were announced as Trustees Award honorees and Celemony and Roger Nichols were named Technical GRAMMY Award honorees.

“This year’s honorees offer a variety of brilliance, contributions and lasting impressions on our culture,” said President/CEO of The Recording Academy Neil Portnow. “It is an honor to recognize such a diverse group of individuals whose talents and achievements have had an indelible impact on our industry.” Continue Reading

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Taylor Swift accepts award for Entertainer of the Year at the 45th annual CMA Awards at the Bridgestone Arena on November 9, 2011 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images)

The 45^th Annual CMA Awards is in the books and it was another year to remember. Two artists took home their first CMA honors, a living legend was honored by three of country music’s biggest stars and another superstar made her return to the CMA stage for the first time in five years, just to name a few of the highlights. In no particular order, here are our Top 10 Moments from this year’s CMA Awards:

Taylor Swift – Taylor took home the biggest prize of the night when her name was called for Entertainer of The Year for the second time. “I am so happy right now!” Taylor exclaimed after accepting her award from Reba McEntire. Taylor thanked the artists who joined her for special appearances during her tour, reading each of their names from a list on her arm. She also thanked her fans for filling arenas and stadiums across the country night after night. “I’m so happy we had so many to play for this year,” she said. “You have made my year. Thank you so much!” Taylor also debuted new music during the show, performing “Ours” acoustically.

The Band Perry – It was a big night for The Band Perry, who won their first  CMA awards, taking home three trophies by the end of the night.  The sibling trio won Single of the Year for their hit “If I Die Young” and Kimberly Perry was honored as the track’s songwriter  with the Song of the Year award. “Thank you to the beautiful fans of country music,” Kimberly said while accepting the Single of the Year trophy. “It is the joy of our whole lives to sing this song night after night.”

The trio also won the CMA for New Artist of the Year. “We just wanted to thank everybody so much for the last few years that you’ve given my brothers and me,” Kimberly said with her brothers, Neil and Reid Perry, by her side. “We promise to keep working hard every day out on the road and here at home in Nashville to continue to earn this award. Thank you so much for the honor of tonight.”

Jason Aldean – Always a nominee but never a winner, Jason finally heard his name called. Jason took home two awards, one for Musical Event of the Year for “Don’t You Wanna Stay,” his duet with Kelly Clarkson, as well as the coveted Album of the Year award for his triple platinum My Kinda Party. A visibly-moved Jason thanked his wife Jessica for “putting up with my schedule and everything that’s been going on over the past few years” while accepting his Album of the Year trophy. He also thanked his producer, Michael Knox, and gave a shout out to his daughters, saying he hoped they were in bed soon.

“I definitely think Album of the Year is a big one,” Jason said backstage. “From the guys who play on every song to the producer to the management to the label. It’s kind of a group win. To me, it’s big. Hopefully this album will be around long after I’m gone.”

See photos from this year’s CMA Awards Red Carpet! >>

Glen Campbell Tribute –Vince Gill, Keith Urban and Brad Paisley teamed up for a moving tribute to country music legend Glen Campbell. The three performed a medley of Glen’s hits “By the Time I Get To Oklahoma,” “Wichita Lineman” and “Galveston” with Jimmy Webb, the man who penned the songs, joining in on piano. Glen, who announced earlier this year he’s been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease and embarked on his farewell tour, sang along in the audience before joining the group onstage. “It was awesome, it really was,” Glen said backstage after the performance. “The whole thing was just wonderful.” Continue Reading

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(clockwise, l-r) Eric Stonestreet photo courtesy of ABC Television Network; Reese Witherspoon photo by John Russell, courtesy of CMA; Ginnifer Goodwin photo courtesy of ABC Television Network; and Kellan Lutz photo courtesy of 42 West.

ESPN sportscaster and “Good Morning America” correspondent Erin Andrews, actor Josh Dallas (star of ABC’s “Once Upon a Time”), 2011 World Series MVP and   St. Louis Cardinals third baseman David Freese, actress Ginnifer Goodwin (star of ABC’s “Once Upon a Time”), actor Kellan Lutz (star of the “Twilight” movie series and the upcoming “Immortals”), Muppet icon Miss Piggy, Emmy Award-winning actor Eric Stonestreet (star of ABC’s “Modern Family”), actress Emily VanCamp (star of ABC’s “Revenge”), and Academy Award-winning actress Reese Witherspoon have been added as presenters on The 45^th Annual CMA Awards.

The 45^th Annual CMA Awards, hosted by Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood, airs live from the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Wednesday, Nov. 9, 8-11 p.m. Eastern on ABC.

Previously announced performers for “Country Music’s Biggest Night(tm)” include Jason Aldean, The Band Perry, Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Sara Evans, Faith Hill, Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert, Martina McBride, Scotty McCreery, Taylor Swift, Thompson Square, Keith Urban, Chris Young, and Zac Brown Band, plus Kenny Chesney and Grace Potter singing their hit collaboration “You and Tequila;” Vince Gill, Brad Paisley, and Keith Urban performing a tribute to Glen Campbell; Rascal Flatts and Natasha Bedingfield singing their current hit duet “Easy;” Lionel Richie performing select duets with Little Big Town, Rascal Flatts, and Darius Rucker; Blake Shelton joined by Continue Reading

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Glen Campbell photo courtesy of Big Hassle PR.

Reigning CMA Entertainer of the Year Brad Paisley and former CMA Entertainers of the Year Vince Gill and Keith Urban will pay tribute to Country Music Hall of Fame member and former CMA Entertainer of the Year Glen Campbell during The 45^th Annual CMA Awards. The three guitar virtuosos’ performance saluting the legendary singer/musician will be a highlight of “Country Music’s Biggest Night.”

The 45^th Annual CMA Awards, hosted by Brad and Carrie Underwood, airs live from the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Wednesday, Nov. 9, 8 to 11 p.m. ET on ABC. Previously announced performers include Jason Aldean, The Band Perry, Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Sara Evans, Faith Hill, Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert, Martina McBride, Scotty McCreery, Sugarland, Taylor Swift, Thompson Square, Keith Urban, Chris Young, and Zac Brown Band, plus Kenny Chesney and Grace Potter singing their hit collaboration “You and Tequila;” Rascal Flatts and Natasha Bedingfield singing their current hit duet “Easy;” Lionel Richie performing a medley of hits with Little Big Town, Rascal Flatts and Darius Rucker; and co-hosts Brad and Carrie in their first live televised-performance of their No. 1 song “Remind Me.”

Check Out Our Complete CMA Awards Section >>

Glen Campbell was named both CMA Entertainer and Male Vocalist of the Year in 1968, and was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2005. The legendary performer has sold more than 45 million albums and recorded such classic hits as “Wichita Lineman,” “Gentle On My Mind,” “Galveston,” “By the Time I Get to Phoenix,” “Southern Nights,” and “Rhinestone Cowboy.” As a musician, Glen was part of the much-heralded Wrecking Crew that performed on a variety of artists’ albums. His guitar prowess is featured on the Beach Boys‘ seminal album Pet Sounds and on Frank Sinatra‘s megahit “Strangers in the Night,” among others. He acted alongside John Wayne in the movie “True Grit,” and hosted The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour on television from 1968-1972. Earlier this year, Glen announced he had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. He is in the midst of his successful Goodbye Tour after releasing his final album, the critically-acclaimed Ghost on the Canvas.

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Grammy-winning artist Glen Campbell.

Glen Campbell sat down with Terry Moran, co-anchor of Nightline, for his first television appearance since announcing he has Alzheimer’s disease earlier this year. The pair, joined by Glen’s wife, Kim, discussed Glen’s career as well as how he is dealing with his diagnosis as he embarks on his final tour to say thank you to his fans. The Glen Campbell Goodbye Tour is in conjunction with the release of his final studio album, Ghost on the Canvas, to be released August 30.

“I have been blessed, I really have,” Glen said during the interview. “I figured it out that I’m not that bright, but God gave me a break.”

Kim, married to Glen for nearly 30 years, shared how she and their family are coping. “He’ll tell a joke, laugh at it and a few minutes later tell the same joke, laugh, and then we laugh at him because he’s just enjoying it so much,” she said. “You just make the best of each day and try not to worry about tomorrow.” Continue Reading

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