Taylor Swift photo courtesy of Facebook.com/TaylorSwift.

Taylor Swift, along with fun. and Maroon 5, leads the finalists for the 2013 Billboard Music Awards with a total of 11 nominations, including several in all-genre categories. In addition to nominations for Top Country Artist, Top Country Song and Top Country Album, Taylor is also up for the coveted Top Artist award as well as Top Female Artist.

Luke Bryan and Jason Aldean are tied as the second most-nominated country artists with three nominations each. Luke is up for Top Country Artist, Top Country Song for “Drunk On You” and his tailgates & tanlines album is up for Top Country Album. Jason Aldean is up for Top Country Artist and Top Country Album for his Night Train album, but he’s also up for the all-genre Top Male Artist award.

See photos from the 2012 Billboard Music Awards >>

See photos from the 2011 Billboard Music Awards >>

“I’m really proud to be the guy that gets to represent our genre in that ‘Top Male’ category and wave that flag for country music,” Jason said. “Our genre is bigger and more diverse than ever, and it’s just cool to be part of this movement that’s happening right now. I’ve been so focused on getting the tour going this year and just making certain our first run of stadiums is everything the fans expect it to be, that this totally caught me by surprise. Thanks to everyone who has bought a ticket or downloaded an album. I’ll do my best to represent and make y’all proud!”

Nominations are based on album and single sales, radio airplay, touring, streaming and social media interactions with data tracked by Billboard, Nielsen and Next Big Sound.  The 2013 Billboard Music Awards will air live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Sunday, May 19 at 8/7c on ABC.

See a full list of country nominees below and visit Billboard.com for a complete list of nominees!

Top Country Artist

Jason Aldean
Luke Bryan
Carrie Underwood
Taylor Swift
Hunter Hayes Continue Reading

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Zac Brown Band photo by Cole Cassell, courtesy of Southern Ground Artists/Atlantic Records.

Zac Brown, Brittany Howard of the Alabama Shakes, Mumford & Sons, Elton John and Mavis Staples will join together for a special tribute to the late Levon Helm as part of the annual In Memoriam segment during the 55^th Annual GRAMMY Awards on Sunday, February 10. Hosted by LL COOL J, the GRAMMYs air live on CBS at 8p|7c.

Additionally, Ryan Seacrest, Ne-Yo and Dave Grohl have been added to the list of presenters. Previously-announced presenters include Hunter Hayes, Keith Urban, Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, Beyoncé, Jennifer Lopez, Pauley Perrette, Prince, Carly Rae Jepsen, Katy Perry, Kaley Cuoco and Neil Patrick Harris. Continue Reading

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Hunter Hayes photo courtesy of Warner Bros. Nashville.

Hunter Hayes and Kelly Clarkson are among the latest artists added to Sunday night’s 55^th Annual GRAMMY Awards. Hunter, who is nominated for three awards, will present while Kelly, also nominated, is set to perform. Joining Hunter as presenters from the country genre are Keith Urban, Tim McGraw and Faith Hill while Miranda Lambert and Dierks Bentley, Carrie Underwood and Taylor Swift are also scheduled to perform.

Also added to the lineup of presenters are Beyoncé, Jennifer Lopez, Pauley Perrette and Prince along with previously announced presenters Carly Rae Jepsen, Katy Perry, Kaley Cuoco and Neil Patrick Harris. It was also announced that Bruno Mars and Rihanna, as well as 16-time GRAMMY winner Sting will join together for a special performance. Continue Reading

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Keith Urban photo courtesy of Capitol Nashville.

Keith Urban, Tim McGraw and Faith Hill along with Carly Rae Jepsen, Katy Perry, Kaley Cuoco and Neil Patrick Harris have been announced as presenters at the 55th Annual GRAMMY Awards. Country music will be well-represented throughout the night with live performances from Miranda Lambert and Dierks Bentley, Carrie Underwood and Taylor Swift scheduled for the live broadcast.

Additional performers include Alicia Keys with Maroon 5, Frank Ocean, The Black Keys, FUN., The Lumineers, Mumford & Sons, Rihanna, Jack White, Justin Timberlake and Elton John with Ed Sheeran. LL COOL J returns as host of Music’s Biggest Night. The GRAMMYs will air live on CBS on February 10 at 8p|7c. Continue Reading

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LOS ANGELES, CA – JANUARY 09: Singer Taylor Swift (L), winner of Favorite Country Artist, accepts award from actress Olivia Munn onstage at the 39th Annual People’s Choice Awards at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on January 9, 2013 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images for PCA)

The people have spoken and they have named Taylor Swift as their Favorite Country Artist at the People’s Choice Awards. Olivia Munn, who earlier joked that Taylor’s “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together” was written about her, held on to the trophy a little too tightly, reminding the audience of Kanye West’s interruption at the MTV Awards. Taylor went along with the moment, saying “This always happens” before graciously thanking her fans.

See photos from the People’s Choice Awards! >>

“You guys have blown my mind with what you have done with this album, Red,” she said. “I want to thank you for caring about my music and caring about me.” Continue Reading

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Hunter Hayes photo courtesy of Warner Bros. Nashville.

Songs from Hunter Hayes, Taylor Swift and Kelly Clarkson will be among those featured on the 2013 GRAMMY Nominees album. Set for release on January 22 by Capitol Records and the Recording Academy, the album will feature 22 critically-acclaimed hits from chart-topping artists across various genres.

The 19th edition of the collection includes many of the most widely recognized GRAMMY categories representing nominees for Record Of The Year, Album Of The Year, Song Of The Year, Best New Artist, Best Pop Solo Performance, Best Pop Vocal Album, Best Rock Performance, Best Rock Song, and Best Rock Album. A portion of the proceeds from the album benefit the MusiCares Foundation and the GRAMMY Foundation. Continue Reading

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Carrie Underwood photo courtesy of Sony Music Nashville.

Taylor Swift and Carrie Underwood are the most-nominated country artists at tonight’s People’s Choice Awards with three nominations each. The two country powerhouses are up for Favorite Female Artist alongside Adele, Katy Perry and P!nk. They are also up for Favorite Country Artist with Blake Shelton, Jason Aldean and Tim McGraw.

Carrie’s Blown Away album received a nod for Favorite Album honors alongside projects from Justin Bieber, Maroon 5, Fun. and One Direction. Taylor’s “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together” is up for Favorite Song next to tracks by Carly Rae Jepsen, Maroon 5, Fun. and One Direction. Blake Shelton is up for Favorite Male Artist with Chris Brown, Jason Mraz, Justin Bieber and Usher.

See full list of country nominees below and check out our 2013 People’s Choice Awards photo gallery HERE:

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

Men’s Health Magazine has published their list of Top 100 Hottest Women of 2013. A few country stars made the cut, including Jana Kramer at No. 59, Julianne Hough at N0. 28, Carrie Underwood at No. 24 and Taylor Swift at No. 12. The hottest woman in 2013 according to Men’s Health? Katy Perry. View the full list here.

Here at GAC, we let the fans pick the Top 10 Sexiest Women of Country Music. Carrie Underwood took the top spot, with Kellie Pickler, Miranda Lambert, Faith Hill and Shania Twain rounding out the Top 5. See who else fans voted onto the list HERE. Continue Reading

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Keith Urban photo courtesy of Capitol Nashville.

Keith Urban is a fan of good music. As 2012 came to an end, he shared his favorite songs of the year and created a Spotify playlist for fans to listen along with him. Songs from Eric Church, Jason Aldean, Little Big Town, Miranda Lambert, Florida Georgia Line and Taylor Swift were among some his favorites from the year.

“What a phenomenal year this has been,” Keith wrote. “As we come to the end of 2012 and the new year is yet to explode open..AND IT WILL!!..I thought I’d attempt to single out some songs that I really loved this year for all kinds of reasons! Impossible to narrow it down to 12 without leaving out equally great songs for 2012….BUT in no specific order, here we go!! 12 songs that lodged in my head and inspired me this year!!” Continue Reading

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Taylor Swift photo courtesy of Big Machine Label Group.

Taylor Swift, Toby Keith and Kenny Chesney are among the highest paid musicians in the world according to Forbes. They made the magazine’s annual World’s Highest Paid Musicians list, coming in at No. 8, 10 and 17 respectively. The rankings are based on earning between May 2011 and May 2012.

At just 22 years old, Taylor Swift grossed $1 million per night while on the road, putting her at No. 8 on the list with a total gross of $55 million for the year. Additionally, her contract as a face of Cover Girl as well as other sponsorships and her ventures into fragrances and greeting cards increased her pay day. Continue Reading

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