Jun
12
Lee Greenwood photo courtesy of Webster & Associates.
Lee Greenwood’s “God Bless the USA” has been banned from a kindergarten graduation. PS 90 principal Greta Hawkins pulled the song because it’s not “age appropriate” according to the NY Post. The song’s opening lyrics, If tomorrow all the things were gone/I’d worked for all my life/And I had to start again/with just my children and my wife, are the center of the controversy. Lee released a statement in response to the song being pulled.
“I wrote “God Bless the USA” about the love I have for this country and the struggle we have gone through to remain free,” he said. “Our country was founded on the principle that it welcomes people of all cultures and gives them the same rights we have as citizens. However, I feel compelled to echo the faith or our forefathers who all believed in God and a respect of a higher authority. Personally, denying the children of PS 90 to sing “God Bless the USA,” offends me as a Christian. My song is about hope, faith, spirit and pride. How could that be wrong on any level?”
To add to the controversy, Justin Bieber’s pop hit “Baby,” a song about teenage love, was kept on the playlist. Principal Hawkins’ decision is supported by City Schools Chancellor Dennis Walcott. Continue Reading
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May
18
Carrie Underwood photo courtesy of Sony Music Nashville.
Carrie Underwood will be among the artists performing live during Sunday’s Billboard Music Awards. Carrie was included in the first round of performers announced, a list that includes Justin Bieber, LMFAO and The Wanted. Julie Bowen and Ty Burrell of ABC’s Modern Family will serve as hosts for the show.
Lady Antebellum leads the country finalists for this year’s Billboard Music Awards with four nominations. Blake Shelton and Jason Aldean follow them up with three award nominations each. Lady A, Taylor Swift and Scotty McCreery are also up for multi-genre awards. Continue Reading
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May
8
Lady Antebellum photo courtesy of Capitol Nashville.
Lady Antebellum will release “Wanted You More” as their latest single from their GRAMMY-winning album, Own The Night. Written by the trio with Jason Gambill, Jonathan Long, Dennis Edwards and musician Matt Billingslea, the song came about during a sound check and became “Wanted You More” over the course of several more tour stops.
“One of the added benefits of being out on the road so much is the time it gives us during the day to write,” Dave Haywood said. “The three of us love writing together, but it’s always special when something starts organically with the guys in our band.” Continue Reading
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Feb
24
Toby Keith photo courtesy of Show Dog-Universal Music
Toby Keith is the lone country artist nominated for Favorite Male Singer at Nickelodeon’s Kids’ Choice Awards. He’s up against Usher, Bruno Mars and Justin Bieber in the all-genre category. The nomination comes in the middle of a wave of popularity brought on by Toby’s latest single, “Red Solo Cup.”
One of the fastest hits in Toby’s career, “Red Solo Cup” launched with a viral video that recently surpassed 15 million views and features several of Toby’s famous friends such as Joe Nichols and Eric Church, among others. Single sales skyrocketed and pushed Toby’s latest album, Clancy’s Tavern, back into the No. 1 spot on the country album chart.
The success of “Red Solo Cup” has leaked into merchandise sales as well. Demand for the ‘Proceed To Party’ t-shirt has exceeded supply via Toby’s online store. The song was also featured in Fox’s hit TV show, Glee, and was recently the Free Track of the Week on Tap Tap Revenge, the No. 1 best-selling app store music game. Continue Reading
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Dec
29
Taylor Swift's Speak Now CD. Photo courtesy of Big Machine Records.
Billboard.com has compiled their list of the Top 200 Albums of 2011. Adele’s 21 was named the No. 1 album of the year, but Taylor Swift’s Speak Now album came in at No. 2. Jason Aldean’s My Kinda Party was also in the Top 5, coming in at No. 4. Rascal Flatts‘ Nothing Like This album took the No. 17 spot and Lady Antebellum’s Need You Now came in at No. 19.
Other country albums in the Top 50 include Zac Brown Band’s You Get What You Give at No. 23, Lady Antebellum’s Own The Night at No. 25, The Band Perry’s self-titled debut at No. 30, Sugarland’s The Incredible Machine at No. 33, Keith Urban’s Get Closer at No. 36, Kenny Chesney’s Hemingway’s Whiskey at No. 42, and Brad Paisley’s This Is Country Music at No. 46.
The Year-End top-selling albums are ranked by sales data as compiled by Nielsen SoundScan.
Top 20 Albums of 2011:
- 21 – Adele
- Speak Now – Taylor Swift
- Born This Way – Lady Gaga
- My Kinda Party – Jason Aldean
- The Gift – Susan Boyle
- Tha Carter IV – Lil Wayne
- Pink Friday – Nicki Minaj
- Sigh No More – Mumford & Sons
- Loud – Rihanna
- Teenage Dream – Katy Perry Continue Reading
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Dec
27
Taylor Swift photo courtesy of Big Machine Records.
Billboard.com has released its list of the Top Artists of 2011. Adele tops the multi-genre chart with Rihanna, Katy Parry, Lady Gaga and Lil Wayne rounding out the Top 5. Taylor Swift is the only country artist to make the Top 10, ranking No. 8. Jason Aldean and Lady Antebellum found themselves ranked inside the Top 20 with Jason coming in at No. 13 and Lady A at No. 20.
Artists are ranked according to chart performance on the Billboard Hot 100 songs chart and the Billboard 200 albums chart. Other country artists making the Top 50 include Kenny Chesney at No. 28, Blake Shelton at No. 29. Zac Brown Band at No. 32, The Band Perry at No. 35, Rascal Flatts at No. 38 and Brad Paisley at No. 45.
Top 20 Artists of 2011:
- Adele
- Rihanna
- Katy Perry
- Lady Gaga
- Lil Wayne
- Bruno Mars
- Nicki Minaj
- Taylor Swift
- Justin Bieber
- Chris Brown
- The Black Eyed Peas
- Eminem
- Jason Aldean
- Britney Spears
- Wiz Khalifa
- P!nk
- Pitbull
- Kanye West
- Ke$ha
- Lady Antebellum
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Nov
9
Taylor Swift photo courtesy of Big Machine Records.
Taylor Swift has received three People’s Choice Awards nominations while Blake Shelton and Lady Antebellum snagged two apiece. Keith Urban and Rascal Flatts are also nominated for a PCA Award each. The People’s Choice Awards will air live on CBS on November 11 at 9/8 CT from Los Angeles.
Taylor received nominations for Favorite Country Artists along with Blake, Lady Antebellum, Keith Urban and Rascal Flatts. She is also nominated for all-genre Favorite Female Artist with Adele, Beyoncé, Katy Perry and Lady Gaga as well as Favorite Tour Headliner with Bon Jovi, Katy Perry, U2 and Usher. Continue Reading
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Aug
9
Photo by Mark DeLong, courtesy of the CMA.
Christian Kane’s latest video, “Let Me Go,” is now playing on GAC and GACTV.com. The video tells the story of the challenges and surprises that come with being in love. “I believe this ballad speaks to everyone,” Christian said of the song. “Women are always smarter than us, but we never listen…they seem to always know what’s better for us than we do.”
Shot in the desert of East Lancaster, California, the video showcases Christian’s acting skills and was directed by Roman White, whose credits include videos for Carrie Underwood, Kelly Clarkson, Reba McEntire, Justin Bieber, Martina McBride and Taylor Swift. Roman has been nominated for 11 Emmy awards and has taken home three. He and Christian worked together on Carrie’s video for “So Small.” Continue Reading
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Jun
16
Taylor Swift photo courtesy of Big Machine Records.
Taylor Swift and Carrie Underwood work hard – and their bank accounts prove it. Both country superstars were recognized on Forbes Best Paid Celebrities Under 30 list along with artists from across all genres, the big screen and athletics. Pop star Lady Gaga topped the list, grossing $170 million from 137 shows in 22 countries.
Following Lady Gaga is Justin Bieber, who is also the youngest moneymaker on the list. The teen heartthrob made a cool $53 million while Miami Heat star LeBron James came in third with $48 million and fourth place went to tennis star Roger Federer with $47 million. Taylor, with a sold-out world tour and several multi-platinum records to her name, rounded out the top 5 with $45 million.
Carrie came in at No. 19 on the list with Continue Reading
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May
31
Brantley Gilbert photo courtesy of The Valory Music Co.
Justin Bieber who? Brantley Gilbert has reached the fan-requested No. 1 spot on Eventful as the most in-demand artist across all formats, beating out Justin Bieber. Brantley was quick to thank those who got him there – his fans.
“Look what ya’ll have accomplished!” Brantley said. “We really can’t take credit for this. Thanks to each and every one of you, y’all are more than a blessing, and words can’t express how much we appreciate that everywhere we go feels like home… Country Must Be Country Wide!”
“We love being able to help a great artist like Brantley connect with his fans through the Demand it! platform,” said Jordan Glazier, CEO of Eventful. “It’s an example of how artists can utilize social media to drive awareness and ticket sales for their live performances.” Continue Reading
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