Blake Shelton photo courtesy of Warner Bros. Nashville.
Blake Sheltonand NASCAR driver Elliott Sadler became fast friends when they met at one of Blake’s shows in 2001. Blake and Elliott hit it off so well during that first meeting that Blake asked Elliot to make a cameo in his upcoming music video right then and there.
“I had a video coming out called “Ol’ Red,”” Blake said to NASCAR.com. “I asked Elliott that night –we already had hit it off – and I told him we were looking for some people to make cameo appearances in my “Ol’ Red” video. I asked him to play the part of my cousin. He came out and did it and we’ve been buddies ever since.”
As it turned out, Elliott wasn’t much of an actor – at least according to him. “I was pretty bad,” he said. “I wasted a lot of good film. Something that was supposed to take only two hours ended up taking over 10 because of how bad I was.”
Since Blake asked Elliott to be in his video, it only seems fair that he would let Blake drive one of his cars in return. While Elliott hasn’t let Blake behind the wheel, he was responsible for what Blake calls the scariest moment he has ever had in a motor vehicle. “The most scared I’ve ever been in a car or a truck was when I was deer hunting with Elliott in Virginia,” Blake said. “Thirty-five miles an hour is not that fast. But 35 mph backwards – on a dirt road – is really fast. And he scared the [expletive] out of me.” Continue Reading
Annabeth Barnes is just 16 but she knows what she wants to be when she grows up. “My name is Annabeth Barnes and I someday want to be a big-time stock car champion,” she declares. GAC’s new series, Born to Drive, will follow Annabeth, a former karting national champion, through her rookie season racing full-size stock cars at Hickory Motor Speedway in North Carolina, the legendary short track known as the birthplace of some of the top NASCAR drivers. The series premieres November 2 at 10/9 CT.
Watch a sneak peek:
At the heart of Annabeth’s racing success are her parents, Darren, a mechanic, and Tina, a furniture plant worker. The couple, who met at a race track, don’t have the financial means to support their daughter’s race track dreams on their own, so they knocked on the doors of businesses in their hometown of Hiddenite, North Carolina, in hopes of finding enough sponsorship money to put a car on the track.
“Since we don’t have money to spend, my dad is going to be my coach, crew chief and mechanic while my mom is going to take care of everything else,” Annabeth said. “I’m just going to keep on driving.” Annabeth, who doesn’t yet have a driver’s license, will be driving at more than 100 miles per hour on race day.
Blake Shelton photo courtesy of Warner Bros. Nashville.
Blake Sheltonand Hunter Hayes will perform during the Coca-Cola Racing Family Concert on November 17 in Miami Beach. The concert, part of the two-day NASCAR Championship Drive festival, will officially kick off Ford Championship Weekend at Homestead-Miami Speedway. In its second year, the festival features live music, driver appearances, a race hauler parade and much more.
“The fan response last year made the first-ever NASCAR Championship Drive event on Miami Beach a huge success that we expect to build upon this year,” Brian France, NASCAR Chairman and CEO, said. “When you combine NASCAR Championship Drive with another thrilling championship finish to the NASCAR season at Homestead-Miami Speedway, it’s a fantastic way to celebrate the exciting end to the NASCAR season in a way only South Florida can offer.” Continue Reading
Brad Paisley with Alabama shooting his video for "Old Alabama." Photo credit Ben Enos.
Brad Paisley joined forces with NASCAR.com today to roll out the world premiere of his video for “Old Alabama.” With the single already #2 on airplay charts, the video for “Old Alabama” features NASCAR legends Darrell Waltrip, Jeff Gordon and Rick Hendrick and iconic supergroup Alabama. Paisley and his multi-talented guests contribute to a visual road trip down memory lane as Alabama music videos from the 1980s play in the background as Paisley and Alabama perform. Images of Paisley are digitally composited into the original videos, making for a surprising and hilarious visual. A collection of high energy images of Gordon driving, Waltrip appearances and a special guest appearance by Hendrick capture the spirit and fun of the song. The video was shot on country roads in Charlotte, NC, and several takes took place at Hendrick Motor Sports Complex in Concord, NC.
Trace Adkins on location at the NASCAR Hall of Fame shooting segments for GAC presentation of "The Definitive Earnhardt." Photo courtesy of NASCAR.
Tune in for GAC’s presentation of “The Definitive Earnhardt” hosted by Trace Adkins from the NASCAR Hall of Fame. This incredible special takes viewers and fans on a journey highlighting the events that created one of the greatest racers of all-time, the man nicknamed “The Intimidator.” Get the inside story on how he became the most polarizing and unforgettable name in stock car racing history. This exclusive 1-hour GAC special premieres on Tuesday, February 15 at 9/8c, coinciding with the 10th anniversary week of Earnhardt’s death and features interviews with Dale Earnhardt Jr., Jeff Gordon, Richard Childress, members of the Earnhardt family and many others. Check out some on the set photos in Trace Adkins’ photo gallery »
Here’s a sneak peek at the show and just a taste of how Dale Earnhardt came to be known as “The Intimidator”:
“The Definitive Earnhardt” premieres tonight, Tuesday February 15 at 9/8c. Upcoming re-airs include:
When you think of Dale Earnhardt what comes to mind? What are your favorite memories of this racing legend? Leave us a comment below and share your thoughts…
For more on Dale Earnhardt’s death and legacy visit the official NASCAR website.
Brad Paisley photo courtesy of Sony Music Nashville.
Brad Paisley will get a chance to drive at Daytona International Speedway on Sunday. Brad will be behind the wheel of a Chevy Camaro SS that will serve as the official pace car for the 53rd running of the Daytona 500. Before the show, Brad is slated to perform three songs as part of the televised Daytona 500 pre-race show which will begin airing at 12 noon eastern on Fox.
In other Brad news, it was announced today that his new album, This Is Country Music, will land in stores on May 24. The title track, which Brad debuted on the CMA Awards, has cracked Country Airplay’s Top 5. Fans can go to www.thisiscountrymusic.com to pre-order their copy and receive and instant download of “This Is Country Music.” Continue Reading
Scripps Networks Interactive check presentation (l to r:) Ellen Lehman, president CFMT, Ed Hardy, president GAC, GAC’s Storme Warren, Suzanne Alexander, Food Network’s Pat Neely, Gina Neely, HGTV’s Vern Yip, Travel Channel’s Samantha Brown, Adam Richman. Credit: Ed Rode/edrode.biz
From large corporations to small kids, their goal was the same: help middle Tennesseans rebuild after devastating floods. Donations from Sunday night’s live concert event and telethon, Music City Keep on Playin’ – A Benefit for Flood Relief on Great American Country Television, have reached $1.8 million and that amount will grow as donations made at www.gactv.com/help and through a texting component will continue through this Sunday, May 23.
With an all-volunteer production staff, crew and talent line-up, 100% of the money raised is going to help those most affected by what has been estimated to be $1.5 billion in damages. Organizers GAC, the Nashville Convention & Visitors Bureau and Gaylord Entertainment incurred all necessary expenses tied to the event.
The televised concert included performances by Keith Urban, Brad Paisley, Sheryl Crow, Lady Antebellum, Dierks Bentley, Rodney Atkins, Martina McBride, Kellie Pickler, CeCe Winans, Keb’ Mo’, Jaci Velasquez, Randy Montana and Will Hoge. NASCAR stars Tony Stewart and Clint Bowyer also appeared. Hosts James Denton and Kimberly Williams-Paisley were joined by on-air personalities from GAC, Food Network, The Travel Channel and HGTV. Stars also spent time manning phone banks alongside a fleet of volunteers. Click here to see photos from the night.
Hank Williams, Jr. photo courtesy of Curb Records.
The worlds of NASCAR and country music once again collide for the fifth annual Sprint Sound & Speed Presented by SunTrust on Jan. 8-9, 2010 in Nashville. Since its inception, the event has attracted an estimated 40,000 fans and has raised more than $800,000 for Victory Junction (a year-round camping experience founded by Kyle and Pattie Petty for children, ages 6-16, with chronic medical conditions or serious illnesses) and the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum.
Hank Williams Jr. kicks off the two-day event at the Grand Ole Opry on the Ryman stage, Friday, Jan. 8. Also performing will be Chris Young, plus there will be a special performance from NASCAR legend Kyle Petty and his band, with more artists to be added soon. There will also be appearances by NASCAR Sprint Cup drivers Greg Biffle and Kasey Kahne and others, during the Friday night event. Continue Reading
Randy Houser made a special stop last week at Victory Junction in Randleman, NC to lend his time and voice to the NASCAR-themed camp that caters to chronically ill children ages six to 16. Country music and NASCAR fans alike will have an opportunity to see just how much fun campers, and Houser, have on the 80 acre grounds when the 2009 Victory Junction PSAs begin airing on ESPN during select televised races this fall.
“We were thrilled that Randy Houser took the time out of his busy schedule to stop by Camp today with his band,” says Camp Founder Kyle Petty. Being big country music fans all of our lives, we all love his “old-school” style of music. Continue Reading
