Randy Owen and John Rich. Photo courtesy of St. Jude.

Randy Owen presented John Rich with the first-ever Randy Owen Angels Among Us Award during the annual songwriter’s dinner at the Country Cares for St. Jude Kids seminar over the weekend. The award recognizes a member of the country music industry who has demonstrated commitment and dedication to kids battling cancer and other deadly diseases at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Last year, John won NBC’s Celebrity Apprentice, where he competed on behalf of St. Jude and raised more an $1.4 million for the organization.

“St. Jude holds a very special place in my heart,” John said. “It’s like no other place and I’m just so honored to help raise awareness for this organization and to receive the first-ever Angels Among Us Award from Randy.”

“This past year John really embodied what Country Cares for St. Jude Kids is all about,” Randy said. “It’s really unbelievable to look back over the past 23 years and see what the country music industry has helped us accomplish for St. Jude. This award is a way for us to say thank you to select members of the industry for their continued commitment and support.”

Randy organized Country Cares for St. Jude Kids in 1989 when he appealed to fellow country music artists, radio stations, and country fans to help support St. Jude’s mission. Since it began, Country Cares has raised more than $400 million for St. Jude. Continue Reading

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Shania Twain and her husband, Frédéric Thiébaud, on their January 1, 2011 wedding day. Photo credit: Robert Evans, RobertEvans.com.

Several country stars tied the knot in 2011. Two of them even kicked off the year with New Year’s Day nuptials in tropical places! Shania Twain married husband Frédéric Thiébaud in Puerto Rico on New Year’s Day in front of 40 close friends and family. Shania announced their engagement on her website on December 21, 2010.

Kellie Pickler and husband Kyle Jacobs also tied the knot on New Year’s Day. The pair scraped their plans for a big Nashville wedding and eloped to Antigua where they were married at sunset. “We didn’t have anything but us and God and our minister,” Kellie told People, “and I can’t think of a word that can quite describe how perfect it was.”

LeAnn Rimes married actor Eddie Cibrian on April 22 at a private home in California. The 40 guests invited believed they were attending an engagement party but were surprised with a wedding ceremony. The couple exchanged personalized vows and Eddie’s sons Mason and Jake, from his previous marriage, were in attendance. “I’m looking forward to settling down,” LeAnn told People before her wedding. “Settling into our life.”

Chely Wright, who made headlines in 2010 when she came out, married her partner, Lauren Blitzer, during a ceremony at Lauren’s aunt’s home in Connecticut on August 20. Since Lauren is Jewish and Chely is Christian, both a rabbi and a reverend presided over the wedding. “The freedom of being out and open about who I am allowed me to find and fall in love with Lauren – the most amazing woman I’ve ever known,” Chely told People. Continue Reading

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Blake Shelton photo courtesy of Warner Bros. Nashville.

Three-time GRAMMY® nominated artist Blake Shelton is setting sail with some of his country music friends on the “Blake Shelton & Friends Cruise” from October 14-21, 2012. Adding to the already previously-announced acts, Trace Adkins, Easton Corbin and Neal McCoy are Lee Brice, Randy Houser, Justin Moore and Jerrod Niemann. The “Blake Shelton & Friends Cruise” is a seven-day cruise to the Caribbean on board the Norwegian Cruise Lines “Pearl.” For more information on the cruise, visit www.BlakeSheltonCruise.com.

And in a recent development, Flying Dutchmen Travel is pleased to announce that due to a redeployment of ships in their fleet, the Norwegian Cruise Lines are substituting the Norwegian “Pearl” in place of the original ship the “Jewel.” The upgrade will treat guests to one of the cruise lines’ newest ships and includes an array of luxurious improvements. All original cabin reservations will be automatically transferred.

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Photo courtesy of Universal South. Photo credit: Danny Clinch

Randy Houser and Rodney Atkins are joining the lineup for Thompson Square’s Third Annual Josie’s Birthday Bash, to be held November 16 at Nashville’s Wildhorse Saloon. The annual charity concert was created by the husband and wife after they learned a close friend’s granddaughter, Josephine, was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis. Proceeds from the concert will go to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

“We’re so grateful to have great friends like Rodney and Randy,” Keifer Thompson said. “We know first- hand how hard it is for the families of children who have cystic fibrosis – not to mention how difficult things are for the children themselves. We’re happy to be able to give back. This is a cause that’s truly close to our hearts”

“The country music community is the greatest,” Rodney said. “When Keifer and Shawna called about this event and explained what a great cause it was for, it was an honor for me to say yes.”

5 Things You Don’t Know About Thompson Square >> Continue Reading

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Reba McEntire photo courtesy of Valory Music Co. Taylor Swift photo courtesy of Big Machine Records.

Artists, music industry elite and country music fans turned out for the Academy of Country Music’s 5th Annual ACM Honors, an evening dedicated to recognizing special honorees and off-camera category winners from the 46th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards on September 19. Hosted by Joe Nichols, the event was held at the historic Ryman Auditorium which was awarded with the ACM for Venue of the Year.

The evening was a mix of live music, historical video retrospectives and current video tributes and interviews. Garth Brooks, the late Hank Cochran, John Dorris, Larry Gatlin & the Gatlin Brothers, Tom T. Hall, Reba, Taylor Swift and the film Country Strong were the Special Award recipients of the night. The winners of the Musician, Bandleader, Instrumentalist (MBI) categories and Industry Awards were also honored.

Several performances honored artists during the event. Rodney Atkins and Jerrod Niemann honored Garth by each performing a song of his each. Brett Eldredge performed his current single “It Ain’t Gotta Be Love” which is featured in Country Strong while The Isaacs honored Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brothers with a medley of their hits. Dean Dillon, Jamey Johnson and Joe Nichols paid tribute to Hank Cochran while Montgomery Gentry and The Whites honored John Dorris. Buddy Miller and Lee Ann Womack honored Tom T. Hall. Randy Houser, Thompson Square, Jack Ingram and Larry Gatlin & the Gatlin Brothers, with Romain Virgo, also performed.

Presenters included Ronnie Dunn, Ralph Emery, John Michael Montgomery, The Oak Ridge Boys and the Academy’s Bob Romeo. Robin Meade presented Industry awards while Laura Bell Bundy handed out MBI awards. Continue Reading

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The Oak Ridge Boys Photo Credit: Jarrett Gaza

The Oak Ridge Boys, Brett Eldredge and Robin Meade have been added to the lineup for the 5^th Annual ACM Honors. Joe Nichols is set to host the event and will also perform. ACM Honors is an evening dedicated to recognizing special honorees and off-camera winners from the 46^th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards. This year’s event will be held at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville on September 19.

Artists previously announced include Ronnie Dunn, Rodney Atkins, Randy Houser, Jack Ingram, Jamey Johnson, Montgomery Gentry, Jerrod Niemann, Thompson Square, Lee Ann Womack, Dean Dillon, Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brothers, The Isaacs, The Whites, Laura Bell Bundy, Ralph Emery, John Michael Montgomery and songwriter/producer Buddy Cannon. Continue Reading

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Ronnie Dunn photo courtesy of Sony Music Nashville.

Ronnie Dunn, Rodney Atkins, Randy Houser, Jack Ingram, Jamey Johnson, Montgomery Gentry, Jerrod Niemann, Thompson Square and Lee Ann Womack are among the artists who have been added to the 5^th Annual ACM Honors lineup. Joe Nichols is set to host the event and will also perform. Other artists scheduled to perform include Dean Dillon, Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brothers, The Isaacs, and The Whites.

ACM Honors is an evening dedicated to recognizing special honorees and off-camera winners from the 46^th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards. This year’s event will be held at the Ryman Auditorum in Nashville on September 19. Laura Bell Bundy, Ralph Emery, John Michael Montgomery and Buddy Cannon are also scheduled to appear. Tickets are still available at Ticketmaster.com and are $37 each. Continue Reading

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Randy Houser and his fiancee, Jessa Lee Yantz. Photo courtesy of Alicia Katy Photography.

Congrats to Randy Houser, 34, and fellow singer-songwriter Jessa Lee Yantz, 29, on their engagement! Randy confirmed the big news with People magazine after fans began inquiring if it was true, after they noticed Yantz’s sister, Alicia, tweeting her congratulations on July 22.

“I had no idea anyone would care that I’m engaged,” said Randy. “But I want to thank everyone for their outreach and support regarding the news of our engagement.

“I finally found the person that I can’t be without,” Randy told People. “Jessa makes me Continue Reading

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Joey + Rory photo credit: Bryan Allen

Lee Greenwood, Joey & Rory, Ricky Skaggs and The Roys are set to perform at the 17^th Annual Inspirational Country Music Awards on October 28 in Nashville. Storme Warren and Megan Alexander will host the event, held at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center. Additional events during ICM-Faith, Family and Country Week will be held at the Millennium Maxwell House Hotel, including the Power Source No. 1 party, showcases, talent and songwriting contests, seminars, worship services, retail exhibits and more.

Before the awards, the first-ever PINK Carpet Gala Event will take place as breast cancer survivors and country artists celebrate and raise awareness for the cause. During the ceremony, orchestra seating will be filled with breast cancer survivors, each of which will be sponsored by a family member, friend, or business. Continue Reading

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Taylor Swift on stage in Seoul, South Korea on the Asian leg of her 2011 Speak Now World Tour. Photo courtesy of Taylorswift.com.

As the sun starts setting a little later and temperatures heat up, it’s time to start thinking about those wonderful summer days and nights. What better way to spend them than watching your favorite country artists sing your favorite songs? In no particular order, here’s our list of the Top 10 must-see summer music tours:

Taylor Swift’s “Speak Now World Tour”

Taylor Swift continues her “Speak Now World Tour” this summer headlining major stadiums and arenas across North America. Getting things started with two shows at Omaha’s Qwest Center Memorial Day Weekend, Taylor hits more than 50 dates through mid-September as she takes the scenic route through more than 20 states and 4 Canadian provinces. Detroit’s Ford Field, Foxboro’s Gillette Stadium and 4 sold-out appearances at Los Angeles’ Staples Center in late August are all on the itinerary. If you’re reading this and haven’t bought your tickets yet, it’s time to start calling every friend and cousin you have since all but 6 shows are sold out through September 21. Opening acts include NeedToBreathe, Randy Montana, Frankie Ballard and James Wesley. Tickets range from $27.00 – $89.50.

Jason Aldean’s “Summer 2011 My Kinda Party Tour”

Jason Aldean keeps rollin’ this summer and hosting nothing but good times at 18 shows scheduled through July and August. The party starts July 8 with a high profile gig at Milwaukee’s famed Summerfest before performing in 12 states coast to coast as well as Alberta, Canada. Other key dates include July 23 at Wyoming’s Cheyenne Frontier Days and a Saturday night show August 13 at the Missouri State Fair in Sedalia, MO. Chris Young and Thompson Square join on most dates to kick the party into high gear. Tickets range from $23.25-$70.00.

Brad Paisley’s “H2O II World Tour”

Has Brad Paisley ever taken a break from the road? It seems the current ACM Entertainer of the Year just keeps on giving the fans exactly what they want since he was forced to dry out his road gear after May 2010’s Nashville flood. If you remember, this was just before kicking off the original “H20 World Tour.” Paisley fittingly kicks off the new edition of “H2O II World Tour” at the Virginia Beach Ampitheatre on June 3 with 19 shows through the Midwest and Eastern seaboard before heading to Europe in early August. Tour stops include Country Stampede in Manahattan, KS on June 25 and Maine’s Scarborough Downs on July 17. Special guests include Blake Shelton and Jerrod Niemann. Tickets range from $30.00-$125.00. Continue Reading

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