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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The Band Perry photo courtesy of Republic Nashville.

The second annual ACM digital press conference, hosted by the Academy of Country Music, CBS Television and dick clark productions via ACM social media channels, will announce the nominees for the 48th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards, Country Music’s Party of the Year®, on Wednesday, February 13 at 9:30a|8:30c.

The Band Perry, 2 Broke Girls star Beth Behrs, Little Big Town, Scotty McCreery, Ryan Seacrest, Entertainment Tonight hosts Rob Marciano and Nancy O’Dell and more surprise guests will announce categories via videos posted in real time to fans and media simultaneously. The press conference will culminate with country music fans announcing the nominees for Entertainer of the Year.

Nominations will first be announced via the ACM Facebook page and Twitter feed, followed by a press release. Beginning TODAY, fans are invited to visit the ACM YouTube Channel to learn how to post videos announcing the name of the artist(s) they would like to see receive an Entertainer of the Year nomination. On Wednesday, February 13 during the real-time digital press conference, fans can watch to see if their video submission is used to announce their pick for the Academy’s biggest prize. And they’re in good company: Past participants in the ACM nominations press conferences have included Kenny Chesney, Toby Keith, Miranda Lambert, Brad Paisley, Rascal Flatts, Reba, Lionel Richie, Blake Shelton, Sugarland, Carrie Underwood and many more!

The 48th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards will be broadcast LIVE from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas Sunday, April 7, 2013 at 8 p.m. live ET/delayed PT on CBS.

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Blake Shelton photo courtesy of Warner Bros. Nashville.

Each year we ask fans to help us choose the best of the best country music videos released during the prior 12 months for our year-end Top 50 Videos of the Year countdown. Here are the voting results for 2012 based on videos released and added to the GAC playlist from Nov. 1, 2011 to Oct. 31, 2012.

1              Blake Shelton—“Over”

2              Carrie Underwood—“Blown Away”

3              Carrie Underwood—“Good Girl”

4              Alan Jackson—“So You Don’t Have To Love Me Anymore”

5              Miranda Lambert—“Over You”

6              Little Big Town—“Pontoon”

7              Taylor Swift—“We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together”

8              Lady Antebellum—“Wanted You More”

9              Big & Rich—“That’s Why I Pray”

10           Kelly Clarkson—“Mr. Know It All”

11           Lady Antebellum—“Dancin’ Away With My Heart”

12           Miranda Lambert—“Fastest Girl In Town”

13           Kenny Chesney—“Come Over”

14           Eric Church—“Springsteen”

15           Luke Bryan—“I Don’t Want This Night To End”

16           Keith Urban—“For You”

17           Taylor Swift—“Begin Again”

18           Toby Keith—“I Like Girls That Drink Beer”

19           Zac Brown Band—“Keep Me In Mind”

20           Kenny Chesney/ Tim McGraw—“Feel Like A Rock Star”

21           Luke Bryan—“Drunk On You”

22           Hunter Hayes—“Wanted”

23           Billy Ray Cyrus—“Change My Mind”

24           Scotty McCreery—“Water Tower Town”

25           Dustin Lynch—“Cowboys And Angels” Continue Reading

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Taylor Swift’s 2012 CD, Red. Photo courtesy of Big Machine Records.

Billboard.com has released their Top Country Albums of 2012. Taylor Swift’s Red tops the chart with albums from Luke Bryan, Lionel Richie, Lady Antebellum and Carrie Underwood rounding out the Top 5. Taylor also has two more albums appearing in the Top 50.

Billboard Charts are calculated using custom formulas collecting sales, streaming and radio play. What was your favorite album of 2012? Leave us a comment below!

1. Red – Taylor Swift
2. Tailgates & Tanlines – Luke Bryan
3. Tuskegee – Lionel Richie
4. Own The Night – Lady Antebellum
5. Blown Away – Carrie Underwood
6. My Kinda Party – Jason Aldean
7. Chief – Eric Church
8. Clear As Day – Scotty McCreery
9. Night Train – Jason Aldean
10. Uncaged – Zac Brown Band
11. The Band Perry – The Band Perry
12. Welcome To The Fishbowl – Kenny Chesney
13. Clancy’s Tavern – Toby Keith
14. Four The Record – Miranda Lambert
15. Halfway to Heaven – Brantley Gilbert Continue Reading

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Lionel Richie’s 2012 CD, Tuskegee. Photo courtesy of UMG Nashville.

Lionel Richie went a little bit country in 2012 with the release of Tuskegee, a collection of 13 of his hit songs recorded as duets with some of the biggest names in country music including Jason Aldean, Tim McGraw, Blake Shelton, Darius Rucker, Rascal Flatts, Kenny Chesney, Shania Twain, Kenny Rogers, Willie Nelson and more. Lionel returned to his roots on the album, paying tribute to his hometown of Tuskegee, Alabama.

Read our review of Lionel Richie’s Tuskegee >>

“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.” Continue Reading

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Faith Hill photo courtesy of WBR Nashville.

For the last Top 20 Country Countdown of the year and we brought you the best of the best! Host Nan Kelley along with Storme Warren and Suzanne Alexander revisited some of their favorite Top 20 moments, including interviews with Lionel Richie, Miranda Lambert, Blake Shelton, Kenny Chesney, Taylor Swift, Carrie Underwood, Lisa Marie Presley, Garth Brooks and Lady Antebellum! Miss Friday night’s premiere? Check the schedule for airtimes. Full schedule »

Top 20 Photo Gallery »

On the chart this week, Faith Hill takes over at No. 1 with “American Heart” while Dwight Yoakam drops down to no. 8. New videos from Gary Allan, Kelly Clarkson with Vince Gill, Sarah Darling and Uncle Kracker all make their countdown debuts.

This Week’s Chart:

1. Faith Hill – “American Heart”
2. Taylor Swift – “Begin Again”
3. Taylor Swift – “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together”
4. Luke Bryan – “Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye”
5. Little Big Town – “Tornado”
6. Lady Antebellum – “A Holly Jolly Christmas”
7. Gary Allan – “Every Storm Runs Out of Rain”
8. Dwight Yoakam – “A Heart Like Mine”
9. Kelly Clarkson with Vince Gill – “Don’t Rush”
10. Toby Keith – “Hope On The Rocks”
11. Sarah Darling – “Home To Me”
12. Rascal Flatts – “Come Wake Me Up”
13. Justin Moore – “Til My Last Day”
14. Ray Scott – “Those Jeans”
15. Uncle Kracker – “Nobody’s Sad On A Saturday”
16. Eric Church – “Creepin’”
17.  Tim McGraw – “Truck Yeah”
18. Florida Georgia Line – “Cruise”
19. Jason Aldean – “That’s The Only Way I Know”
20. Kip Moore – “Beer Money”

Vote for GAC’s Top 20 Country Countdown now »

Programming Note: Following  this week’s show, the GAC Top 20 crew is taking a brief holiday break but will be back with the first countdown of 2013 on Friday, Jan. 11. Have a happy and safe holiday and remember to keep voting daily for all your favorite videos!

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Nan Kelley and Taylor Swift on GAC’s Top 20 Country Countdown. Photo courtesy of Julee Cobb.

It’s the last Top 20 Country Countdown of the year and we’re bringing you the best of the best! Host Nan Kelley along with Storme Warren and Suzanne Alexander relive some of their favorite Top 20 moments, including interviews with Lionel Richie, Miranda Lambert, Blake Shelton, Kenny Chesney, Taylor Swift, Carrie Underwood, Lisa Marie Presley, Garth Brooks and Lady Antebellum.

Top 20 Photo Gallery »

Top 20 is back at its usual time this week so tune in at 8p|7c for all the best moments of 2012. Plus, Nan will countdown the Top 20 videos for the week, chosen by you! Who will take the top spot for the last time in 2012? Tune in to find out! Check the full schedule » Continue Reading

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Taylor Swift photo courtesy of Big Machine Label Group.

Taylor Swift has been named Billboard.com’s Top Country Artist of 2012. Taylor was also Billboard’s Top Country Artist in 2011. Jason Aldean comes in at no. 2 with Luke Bryan, Lady Antebellum and Carrie Underwood rounding out the Top 5.

The Top 20 includes several new faces this year. Lionel Richie secured the No. 15 spot with the release of his country duets album, Tuskegee. Lee Brice, Hunter Hayes and Little Big Town also made the Top 20 this year.

Billboard Charts are calculated using custom formulas collecting sales, streaming and radio play. What do you think of this ranking? Who’d top YOUR Top 50 list? Leave us a comment below!

1. Taylor Swift
2. Jason Aldean
3. Luke Bryan
4. Lady Antebellum
5. Carrie Underwood
6. Eric Church
7. Zac Brown Band
8. Blake Shelton
9. Toby Keith
10. Kenny Chesney
11. The Band Perry
12. Tim McGraw
13. Miranda Lambert
14. Rascal Flatts
15. Lionel Richie Continue Reading

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Lady Antebellum wins the Band, Duo or Group award at the 2011 American Music Awards held at Nokia Theatre L.A. LIVE on November 20, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

The nominees for the all-genre, fan-voted American Music Awards have been announced and Carrie Underwood and Luke Bryan are tied for the most nominations for a country artist with two apiece. Carrie’s Blown Away  and Luke’s Tailgates & Tanlines album are both up for Favorite Country Album along with Lionel Richie’s country collaboration Tuskegee.

2011 AMA Awards Photo Gallery »

Carrie is also nominated for Favorite Country Female Artist alongside Taylor Swift and Miranda Lambert. Luke is up for Favorite Country Male Artist with Jason Aldean and Eric Church. Zac Brown Band, Lady Antebellum and Rascal Flatts are all nominated in the Favorite Country Group or Duo category. Continue Reading

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Kenny Rogers photo courtesy of Capitol Records.

“There are only two ways you can compete in this business: you do what everybody else is doing and you do it better or you do something nobody else is doing and you don’t invite comparison,” says Kenny Rogers in Backstory: Kenny Rogers premiering tonight at 8 p.m. Eastern on GAC.  Clearly the entertainment icon with a career spanning six decades knows what he’s talking about.  The special re-airs October 3 at 12 a.m., October 6 at 10 p.m. and October 7 at 2 a.m. and 7 p.m. (all times Eastern).

As he prepared to release his first autobiography, Luck or Something Like It, Kenny sat down and talked with great candor about his career and personal life including his five marriages.  Those who know him best – his wife, adult sons Kenny, Jr., and Christopher, Dolly Parton, Don Schlitz, Ken Kragen, Jim Mazza and others weighed in on the 73-year-old’s remarkable life.

Kenny grew up in Houston’s housing projects during the Great Depression.  After attending a Ray Charles concert when he was 12, he knew what he wanted to do. “They laughed at everything he said, they clapped,” remembers Rogers. “That’s what I chose to do.” Continue Reading

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