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:

1. 21 – Adele
2. Speak Now – Taylor Swift
3. Born This Way – Lady Gaga
4. My Kinda Party – Jason Aldean
5. The Gift – Susan Boyle
6. Tha Carter IV – Lil Wayne
7. Pink Friday – Nicki Minaj
8. Sigh No More – Mumford & Sons
9. Loud – Rihanna
10. Teenage Dream – Katy Perry Continue Reading

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Kix Brooks photo courtesy of the Country Music Association.

Tim McGraw surprised Kix Brooks with the news that he won his second CMA National Broadcast Personality of the Year Award. Kix, who hosts ‘American Country Countdown with Kix Brooks,’ received the call from Tim during Monday night’s taping of the weekly countdown program.

Tim’s call to Kix wrapped up a day of surprise phone calls for several radio stations and broadcast personalities. Taylor Swift called CMA Station of the Year and CMA Personality of the Year winners in the Major, Large, Medium, and Small Market categories from her Nashville home Monday morning. Kid Rock called his hometown radio station, WYCD, to let Chuck Edwards and Linda Lee of “Edwards & Lee” know they won the CMA for Major Market Broadcast Personality of the Year. Other than Kix, these are the first CMA wins for all station and personality winners.

“Winning your first CMA Award is a special moment for anyone, and we’re so happy Tim, Kid Rock, and Taylor were able to help us recognize the great work from these talented broadcasters,” Steve Moore, CMA Chief Executive Officer, said. “Country radio is the foundation of our industry, and it is our honor to shine the spotlight on those who are working tirelessly to share Country Music with their communities.” Continue Reading

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Taylor Swift photo courtesy of Big Machine Records.

Kid Rock and Taylor Swift helped the CMA notify the CMA Broadcast Personality of the Year and CMA Radio Station of the Year winners Monday morning. Kid Rock called his hometown radio station, WYCD, to let Chuck Edwards and Linda Lee of “Edwards & Lee” know they won the CMA for Major Market Broadcast Personality of the Year. Taylor notified the station they also won Major Market Station of the Year.

Kid Rock’s phone call came after Taylor personally notified several other winning radio stations and broadcast professionals across the country of their wins earlier in the morning. Taylor spread the news by calling Major, Large, Medium, and Small Market Broadcast Personality and Station of the Year winners from her Nashville home.

The CMA Broadcast Personality of the Year and CMA Radio Station of the Year winners – all first time winners in their categories – will be recognized during the 45th Annual CMA Awards hosted by Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood. The awards will air live on ABC on November 9 at 8/7 CT from the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville.  Continue Reading

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Kid Rock photo courtesy of Webster & Assoc.

Kid Rock will help the famed Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge in Nashville celebrate its 51^st birthday. The Tootie’s Orchid Lounge 51st Birthday Bash will take place on November 23 at the Ryman Auditorium, just across the alley from Tootsie’s. Kid Rock will perform as part of his nationwide tour, giving money to and raising awareness for people in need.

“Every time I end up at Tootsie’s its a good night, and I don’t expect this night to be any different,” Kid Rock said. “It’s cool to be celebrating their birthday party with them; I like parties and seem to excel in that type of atmosphere.”

“We couldn’t be happier that Kid Rock is working with us to make the Tootsie’s Birthday Bash a ‘rockin’ good time for everyone in Nashville,” Steve Smith, owner of Tootsie’s, said. “Kid Rock is a part of Tootsie’s history.  It’s going to be a memorable night.” Continue Reading

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l-r: Colt Ford, Jason Aldean & Brantley Gilbert. Photo by Dan Harr, courtesy of Essential Broadcast Media.

Colt Ford and a few of his friends raised over $85,000 during a benefit show at the Georgia Theater on August 16. Colt, Rhett Akins, Jason Aldean, Dallas Davidson, Mike Dekle, Edwin McCain, James Otto, and surprise guests Brantley Gilbert, Rachel Farley, and Corey Smith came together during the ‘Colt Ford and Friends’ concert that raised funds for families of fallen Senior Officer Elmer “Buddy” Christian and wounded Senior Officer Tony Howard.

‘Colt Ford and Friends’ brought more than 200 people to a private reception and silent auction at the Hotel Indigo’s Rialto Room for a pre-show celebration. 1,100 fans filled the Georgia Theatre later on for an evening featuring the artists ‘in the round’ with Colt’s band backing them. The concert came about after Colt learned of the shooting in his community earlier this year that left his high school friend, Senior Officer Howard, injured and resulted in the death of Senior Officer Christian. Colt organized the fundraiser in less than a month.

“I want to say thank you to all of my friends who helped us have such a special night in my hometown,” Colt said. “To all the artists who joined in to perform or who donated items to help raise money, y’all are amazing, and I am thankful to call you all friends.  This could not have happened without y’all.” Continue Reading

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Trace Adkins will perform during "CMA Music Festival: Country's Night to Rock" airing Sunday, Aug.14, on the ABC Television Network. Trace is pictured performing at the Nightly Concerts at LP Field during the 2011 CMA Music Festival. Photographer: John Russell / CMA.

Trace Adkins has been added to the list of performers appearing during CMA Music Festval: Country’s Night To Rock. The three hour primetime concert special will air on ABC on August 14 at 8/7 CT. The special was taped during this year’s CMA Music Festival in Nashville.

Trace joins a lineup that includes performances at LP Field from Alabama with Brad Paisley, The Band Perry, Josh Turner featuring Scotty McCreery, Zac Brown Band with Alan Jackson , Martina McBride with Lauren Alaina, Jason Aldean with Kelly Clarkson, Sara Evans, Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert, Rascal Flatts, Reba, Darius Rucker, Blake Shelton, Sugarland, Taylor Swift,  Keith Urban, Dierks Bentley and Little Big Town. Continue Reading

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Dierks Bentley & Little Big Town photos courtesy of Capitol Nashville.

Dierks Bentley and Little Big Town have been added to the list of performers appearing during the three-hour, primetime special “CMA Music Festival: Country’s Night to Rock. The special, filmed during this year’s CMA Music Festival, airs Sunday, August 7 at 8/7 CT on ABC.

“The strength of this television special, and the format, is the diversity of our stars and the depth of their talent,” Steve Moore, CMA Chief Executive Officer, said. “No matter what your taste, or which end of the country music spectrum you chose, you will find artists and performances in the special that will keep you entertained.” Continue Reading

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Clockwise from top left: Josh Turner & Scotty McCreery; Alabama & Brad Paisley; Zac Brown Band & Alan Jackson. Photos courtesy of CMA.

CMA Music Festival: Country’s Night to Rock” just got bigger. More artists have been added to the broadcast, filmed during this year’s CMA Music Festival and scheduled to air on Sunday, August 7 at 8/7 CT on ABC. For the first time during the special, fans will be treated to scenes from backstage and interviews during the three hour show. There will also be a late night jam session featured and a camera crew following American Idol’s Scotty McCreery and Lauren Alaina as they navigate their first CMA Music Festival.

Artists added to the lineup for the special include  LP Field performances from Alabama with Brad Paisley, The Band Perry, Josh Turner featuring Scotty McCreery and Alan Jackson performing with Zac Brown Band. Previously announced performers include Martina McBride with Lauren Alaina, Jason Aldean with Kelly Clarkson, Sara Evans, Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert, Rascal Flatts, Reba, Darius Rucker, Blake Shelton, Sugarland, Taylor Swift and Keith Urban. Continue Reading

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Sugarland's Jennifer Nettles. Photo by Kate Powers, courtesy of UMG Nashville.

Jennifer Nettles helped raise more than $50,000 for the Attic Community Playground through an online auction she recently hosted on CharityBuzz. The auction ran from April 18 to May 11 and items up for grabs were from some of the biggest artists in music such as Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban, Kid Rock, Kenny Chesney, Reba, Martina McBride and of course, Sugarland.

“Thank you to all of the wonderful artists who donated tickets and passes for the ACP online auction,” Jennifer said. “Also, thank you to all of the fans who bid! Your donations are allowing students an opportunity to explore their excitement and passion for music.” Continue Reading

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