Dwight Yoakam photo by Cambria Harkey, courtesy of New West Records.

Dwight Yoakam, Aaron Lewis, Easton Corbin, Casey James, Sara Jean Kelley, THE FARM, The MyClymonts, The Roys, and Thomas Rhett have been added to the Country Thunder lineup. Celebrating its 20th anniversary, Country Thunder will take place July 19-22 in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin. Big & Rich, Jason Aldean, Blake Shelton and Toby Keith have been announced as headlining acts.

Fans can purchase a 4-day pass to the festival for $120 at www.countrythunder.com or by phone at (866) 802-6418 through March 30. Single tickets will go on sale April 1. Campsites are also available, starting as low as $100 for the entire weekend. Camping and amenity add-ons can be purchased online.

Current Announced Line-Up

Thursday

5:30-6:30pm      Sara Jean Kelley

7:00-8:30pm      THE FARM

9:00-10:30pm    Big & Rich

Friday

2:30-3:30pm     The McClymonts

4:00-5:00pm      Wade Bowen

5:30-6:30pm      Steve Holy

7:00-8:30pm      Luke Bryan

9:00-10:30pm   Jason Aldean

Saturday

1:00-2:00pm     The Roys

2:30-3:30pm     Casey James

4:00-5:00pm     Aaron Lewis

5:30-6:30pm     Easton Corbin

7:00-8:30pm     Dwight Yoakam

9:00-10:30pm   Blake Shelton

Sunday

1:00-2:00pm     Thomas Rhett

4:00-5:00pm     Hunter Hayes

5:30-6:30pm     Neal McCoy

7:00-8:00pm     Brantley Gilbert

8:30-10:00pm  Toby Keith

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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.

Also in the lineup to perform are Katy Perry, Adele, Coldplay and Rihanna, Foo Fighters, Bruno Mars, Paul McCartney and Nicki Minaj. LL Cool J will host the GRAMMYs for the first time.

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Miranda Lambert photo by Randee St. Nicholas, courtesy of Sony Music Nashville.

Dierks Bentley, Miranda Lambert and Gwyneth Paltrow have been announced as presenters at the 54^th Annual GRAMMY Awards. They are just the latest country stars to be added to the awards. Lifetime Achievement Recipient Glen Campbell will perform with special guests Blake Shelton and The Band Perry. Jason Aldean with Kelly Clarkson, and Taylor Swift are also slated to perform.

Other performers on the GRAMMYs include Katy Perry, Adele, Coldplay and Rihanna, Foo Fighters, Bruno Mars, Paul McCartney and Nicki Minaj. LL Cool J will act as host of the GRAMMYs for the first time.

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.

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“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 .

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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.

Previously announced performers include Jason Aldean with Kelly Clarkson, Taylor Swift, Coldplay and Rihanna, Foo Fighters, Bruno Mars, Paul McCartney and Nicki Minaj. LL Cool J will be the evening’s host.

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Lionel Richie sings “Endless Love” with Shania Twain on his new CD, Tuskegee. Photo by Alan Silfen, courtesy of UMG Nashville.

Lionel Richie will release Tuskegee, a collection of 13 of his hit songs recorded as duets with some of the biggest names in country music, on March 27. Duet partners include Jason Aldean, Tim McGraw, Blake Shelton, Darius Rucker, Rascal Flatts, Kenny Chesney, Shania Twain, Kenny Rogers, Willie Nelson and more.

In addition to the album, the Academy of Country Music and dick clark productions will tape an all-star concert special, Lionel Richie and Friends In Concert at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, in Las Vegas on April 2. The special will air at a later date on CBS. Jason Aldean, The Band Perry, Kenny Chesney, Lady Antebellum, Martina McBride, Rascal Flatts, and Kenny Rogers are among the artists scheduled to perform.

On Tuskegee, Lionel returns to his roots, paying tribute to his hometown of Tuskegee, Alabama where he was shaped as a man and a musician. He grew up listening to country, gospel, R&B and classical music and it was in Tuskegee that he helped form the Commodores and wrote some of his earliest hits.

“Tuskegee is where it all began, the place where I felt that everything was available and possible,” he said. “It’s where I learned about life and love and the power of music, and the place I built a musical foundation that knows no genres or boundaries.”

The artists who worked with Lionel have their own connections to the legend’s songs. “Every Lionel Richie song that I can think of I had a personal experience with – high school homecomings, proms, you name it,” Gary LeVox of Rascal Flatts said. “Lionel was always playing in my house. His music always said what we felt and couldn’t express.”

Says Darius Rucker, who joins Richie on “Stuck On You,” “I wanted to work with Lionel because he is one of my idols. Lionel’s more a part of my DNA really than an idol. It was an absolute honor to work with him.” Adds Jason Aldean, who selected “Say You, Say Me,” “I’ve always been a huge fan. He is probably one of the best singer/songwriters of this generation.”

This isn’t Lionel’s first venture into country music. His songs have been recorded by Conway Twitty, Kenny Rogers and Alabama, while other artists have covered his songs in their sets. He’s performed on the CMA Awards three times and his 2011 performance received two standing ovations.

“When I did the CMAs and the room was singing along with me, it was really more like a family reunion than it was a concert or show,” Lionel said. “It was just great validation to know that the music was accepted like it was.”

On the album, Lionel asked his duet partners to choose the song they wanted to record and ignore his original version. He encouraged them to make it their own. “I wanted it the way they would do it in their show, which means I captured their essence,” he said. “You make the song a Willie Nelson song. You make the song a Rascal Flatts song.

The recording of Tuskegee was some of the most fun Lionel has ever had in the studio. “Tuskegee is going to be one of the most special albums I’ve ever done in my life,” he said. “This is something that’s going to be so special forever because it’s a moment in time when these artists all got together and celebrated some music.”

Fans can catch Lionel talking about his new album right here on GAC. He will be a special guest on Top 20 Country Countdown on March 23 and sit down for an episode of On The Streets on March 27.

Lionel Richie’s Tuskegee Track List:

1. “You Are” with Blake Shelton
2. “Say You, Say Me” with Jason Aldean
3. “Stuck On You” with Darius Rucker
4. “Deep River Woman” with Little Big Town
5. “My Love” with Kenny Chesney
6. “Dancing On The Ceiling” with Rascal Flatts
7. “Hello” with Jennifer Nettles
8. “Sail On” with Tim McGraw
9. “Endless Love” with Shania Twain
10. “Just For You” with Billy Currington
11. “Lady” with Kenny Rogers
12. “Easy” with Willie Nelson
13. “All Night Long” with Jimmy Buffett

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Luke Bryan photo courtesy of Capitol Nashville.

Luke Bryan recorded his fourth No. 1 single this week when “I Don’t Want This Night To End” hit the top of the charts. Luke co-wrote the track with fellow Georgia natives Rhett Akins, Dallas Davidson and Ben Hayslip. The song is Luke’s fastest rising single to date and has sold over 1 million downloads, to be certified platinum.

“I Don’t Want This Night To End” also broke the record for the highest audience of any No. 1 single this year with 40 million audience impressions this week. The single follows up his last No. 1 and platinum-certified single, “Country Girl (Shake It For Me).” Luke spent the weekend playing the song for fans as a special guest on Jason Aldean’s sold-out My Kinda Party Tour, which kicked off Friday Night in Greenville, South Carolina.

“I thought ‘Country Girl (Shake It For Me)’ was going to be hard to beat in my shows but watching over 16,000 people jumping with their hands in the air last night just blew me away,” Luke said. “Thank you to radio and the country music fans for continuing to let me have fun with my music. I’m having a blast!”

“I Don’t Want This Night To End” will be featured on the latest volume of the NOW music series, NOW 41, in stores February 7. Other stars on the compilation CD include Adele, Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, Coldplay and LMFAO.  

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Luke Bryan photo courtesy of Capitol Nashville.

Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Faith Hill, Lady Antebellum, Brad Paisley, Rascal Flatts, and Zac Brown Band have been added to the lineup for the Nightly Concerts at LP Field during this year’s CMA Music Festival. Jason Aldean, The Band Perry and Carrie Underwood were previously announced as performers. This year’s CMA Fest will take place June 7-10 in Nashville.

Faith will be returning to the CMA Fest stage for the first time since 2008 after debuting her current single, “Come Home,” on the CMA Awards, while Eric will be making his LP Field debut. Fans can purchase tickets through Ticketmaster at Ticketmaster.com or 1-(800)-745-3000. They can also purchase them by calling 1-(800)-CMA-FEST (262-3378).

ABC will again film the Nightly Concerts during CMA Fest for the network special CMA Music Festival: Country’s Night to Rock. The special will air later this year. Re-live last year’s CMA Music Festival! >>

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Jason Aldean photo courtesy of Broken Bow Records.

Jason Aldean with Kelly Clarkson and Taylor Swift are among the first artists announced as performers at the 54^th Annual GRAMMY Awards. This will be Jason’s first performance on the show, while Taylor has performed previously. Other artists announced as performers include the Foo Fighters, Bruno Mars, and Nicki Minaj.

Jason and Taylor are up for three GRAMMYs each. Jason is nominated for Best Country Solo Performance for “Dirt Road Anthem,” Best Country Duo/Group Performance for “Don’t You Wanna Stay” with Kelly Clarkson, and Best Country Album for My Kinda Party. Taylor is also nominated for Best Country Solo Performance as well as Best Country Song for “Mean,” and Best Country Album for Speak Now.

In other GRAMMY news, MusiCares, the charitable arm of The Recording Academy which provides assistance for music people in times of need, will honor 14-time GRAMMY winner Paul McCartney as their 2012 Person of the Year. Paul and other artists to be announced will perform at a gala two nights prior to the GRAMMY Awards in Paul’s honor. All proceeds from the event, now in its 22nd year, will go to MusiCares.

The GRAMMY Awards will air live from the Staples Center in Los Angeles on CBS on CBS at 8/7 CT. Additional performers, presenters and special segments will be announced soon. Check out the full list of nominees HERE.

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Thomas Rhett photo by Justin Nolan Key, courtesy of The Valory Music Co.

When your father is Rhett Akins, a lot of people assume you want to be just like him. But Thomas Rhett, Rhett’s son, was the exact opposite. He had every intention of taking a different career path.

“My whole life, I’d always loved music,” Thomas said. “My dad taught me to play basic chords on the guitar when I was about thirteen. He never bought me a guitar, I always played all of his hand-me-downs. I told myself I was never going to do music ‘cause my dad did it. I always wanted to do something different.”

Thomas made some half-hearted attempts at being a musician. His tunes were a far cry from his dad’s country lyrics. “I was in a punk rock band in middle school called The High Heeled Flip Flops and I was the drummer,” he said. “We were absolutely terrible. We made a record in my dad’s living room and our singer sang in a British punk accent. We were just stupid, immature preteens.”

Fate intervened, however, and Thomas got serious about songwriting. Soon his songs were being recorded by Jason Aldean and Joe Nichols, among others. He landed a record deal with The Valory Music Co., the sister label to Big Machine Records, which houses Taylor Swift and Rascal Flatts, among others. Thomas will soon release his debut single, “Something To Do With My Hands,” to country radio.

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