Carrie Underwood & Nan Kelley on the set of GAC's Top 20 Country Countdown. Photo courtesy of Twitter.com/carrieunderwood.

Carrie Underwood  did double the work on this week’s Top 20 Country Countdown. She joined Nan Kelley as co-host, helping count down this week’s Top 20 videos, while also giving Nan the inside scoop on her new album, Blown Away, out May 1. There was also plenty of girl talk, with Carrie discussing being married to pro hockey player Mike Fisher and what their plans are for the future. Miss Friday night’s premiere? Check the schedule for re-airs throughout the weekend! Full schedule »

Plus, while you’re watching Top 20, you’ll have the chance to win $1,000 in our Top 20 for $20,000 Sweepstakes! Just watch Top 20 then come back here to GACTV.com and answer the weekly question. A new $1,000 winner will be chosen each week and one grand prize winner will win $20,000! Enter Now >> 

On the chart this week, the Top 5 remain unchanged, with Hunter Hayes holding on to the top spot after debuting there last week. Jason Aldean is the big mover, jumping four spaces to No. 14 with his latest, “Fly Over States.” Craig Morgan and Kip Moore also re-enter the countdown with their videos this week, coming in at No. 19 and No. 20.

This Week’s Chart:

1. Hunter Hayes – “Wanted”
2. Carrie Underwood – “Good Girl”
3. Alan Jackson – “So You Don’t Have To Love Me Anymore”
4. Lauren Alaina – “Georgia Peaches”
5. Miranda Lambert – “Over You”
6. Luke Bryan – “Drunk On You
7. Keith Urban – “For You”
8. Josh Turner – “Time Is Love”
9. Lady Antebellum – “Dancing Away With My Heart”
10. Thompson Square – “Glass” Continue Reading

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

Lionel Richie’s Tuskegee is the best-selling album in the nation this week. The country duets project, pairing Lionel with some of country’s biggest stars on 13 of his greatest hits, took over the No. 1 spot on the Billboard Top 200 albums chart and is also at No. 1 on the Billboard Country Albums chart for the second week. Tuskegee is approaching gold certification.

“I love the feeling!” Lionel said. “You cannot beat the feeling of sitting on top of the charts. I had almost forgotten what it feels like, but now that I am there, I know exactly what it feels like. It feels great! It is really a very exciting time and I am enjoying the ride.”

Read our review of Lionel Richie’s Tuskegee >>

Lionel made sure to thank the 13 artists who joined him on the album. “With a record like this, you can’t take the bow alone,” he said. “You take it with the wonderful talent that came on board and believed in this project. It is just amazing to have all of the very talented artists, producers and musicians who participated in this. This was one big family reunion, as far as I am concerned. We take the bow together because it was an outstanding group effort.”

An iconic figure on the music scene, Lionel also issued thank yous to the staff at Mercury Nashville for their support. Most importantly, he expressed his gratitude to his fans, both old and new.

“They are the ones who made this possible,” he said. “This unbelievable result could not have happened without them. They are the ones who have stuck around forever with me. For the new ones and the old ones, it’s great to have them on board. To the fans, thank you for allowing me to enjoy what I do for all of these years, and for enjoying what I do. I thank you for being a part of my story.” Continue Reading

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Rascal Flatts' 2012 CD, Changed. Photo courtesy of Big Machine Records.

In many ways, the idea of being changed is appropriate for Rascal Flatts at this point in their career. When their longtime label Lyric Street Records shut its doors in Spring 2010, Rascal Flatts quickly partnered with current label home Big Machine Records and released the album, Nothing Like This, by that Thanksgiving. Throw in a management switch and that’s a lot to go through in a relatively short period of time. With their new project, Changed, now in stores, the group sounds refreshed and at home in their new surroundings.

Produced in partnership with Dan Huff (Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban), Changed is an 11-song collection big on tempo and classic Rascal Flatts power. The first single “Banjo,” currently Top 5 at radio, features flowing banjo surrounded by meaty, back home electric guitar riffs as lead singer Gary LeVox sings, You gotta go deep, way on back / Cross a few creeks and a couple little shacks. Gary’s strong voice and ability to reach high into his melodies comes through with almost hypnotic precision. On the piano based power ballad, “Come Wake Me Up,” his emotive singing conveys the pain as he shifts to a soaring chorus, singing, Tonight your memory burns like a fire / With every one it grows higher and higher in swaying ¾ time. Bassist Jay DeMarcus takes opportunities here in the verse to add a moody undercurrent that gives additional depth to the song.

All three members of Rascal Flatts turn in some of their finest performances on Changed. Guitarist Joe Don Rooney is allowed to run free on many songs, including the album-opening title track. A power ballad detailing redemption, Joe Don’s fluid guitar solos take the song to new heights, while Gary sings with passion, Here I am, changed. On “Hurry Home,” a mid-tempo pop-leaning ballad, tight textured harmonies from all three members in the chorus provide lush layers as Gary leads them singing, I swear that this not kissing you, missing you, has got me going crazy.

Rascal Flatts displays a renewed energy on the album, and nothing quite captures this like standout track “She’s Leaving.” A thick rhythm section, stomping guitars and intricate acoustic interplay drive the pounding song before a quick ringing chorus, Should’ve done this, should’ve done that / Should’ve seen it comin’ / Guess you don’t see nothin’ when you’re runnin’ round. The song is lean and mean, leaving nothing extraneous as they drive it home, and it pretty much has ‘hit’ written all over it with its undeniably catchy hooks.

Themes of transition rise to the surface throughout Changed. On “Let It Hurt,” a dramatic piano-based ballad, Gary implores those suffering to give their pain due time to process. Over the steady beat of “Sunrise,” Gary sings, We’re gonna change your life one sunrise at a time, when freeing a woman from a bad relationship. As evident here and in the empowering closing song “A Little Home,” dealing with the issues oftentimes leads to a better place. Just ask Rascal Flatts.

Key Tracks – “She’s Leaving,” “Sunrise,” “Come Wake Me Up,” “Great Big Love”

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LAS VEGAS - MAY 26: Producer Dick Clark and singer/host Reba McEntire speak on stage at the '39th Annual Country Music Awards' on May 26, 2004 at the Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino, in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

Television icon Dick Clark passed away yesterday at the age of 82 after suffering a massive heart attack, reports People.com. Clark became a household name as the host of American Bandstand and went on to host and produce the $10,000 Pyramid and other game shows, as well as the American Music Awards, the Academy of Country Music Awards, Golden Globes and, starting in 1972, Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve.

Clark suffered a stroke in 2004 that left him partially paralyzed and his speech impaired. Regis Philbin filled in for him for a year, but Clark returned a year later and addressed the audience regarding his slurred speech. He continued to appear on the show, but later passed the hosting reins to Ryan Seacrest.

Following the news of his passing, country stars took to Twitter and Facebook to offer their condolences and share their stories and memories of Clark and his legendary career. Kenny Rogers knew him well and issued a statement after receiving the news of his friend’s death.

“I’m one of the lucky people who can say that I knew Dick Clark personally,” he said. “Dick produced almost every awards show I was on during the ’80s, and he constantly encouraged me toward success. He will be missed by everyone–especially by those who knew him well.”

Little Big Town posted their condolences on Facebook. “To one of the greatest legends of our generation,” they wrote. “When we think of music & celebrations, we think of you. Thank you for what you gave us all. We love you, Dick Clark.”

Trisha Yearwood issued a similar statement through her Facebook page. “Sending love and strength to the Dick Clark family,” she said. “He was not only a legacy in the entertainment industry, but a really nice guy. We miss you. Rest in peace.”

Many more country stars tweeted their condolences:

Joe Bonsall of the Oak Ridge Boys – JoeBonsall: I knew Dick Clark since I was a kid His asking me to write a section in the book 25 years of Bandstand was such an honor This is a sad loss

Reba – Reba: I will truly miss Dick Clark. My thoughts and prayers go out to Rac, Kari and the whole Clark family. Rest in peace, Dick. You deserve it.

Brad Paisley – BradPaisley: My heart goes out to Dick Clark’s family.What a life.Thank you for all you did, and your friendship. Now go get the music rockin’ in heaven.

Joe Don Rooney of Rascal Flatts – JoeDonRooney: Dick Clark will be missed dearly! The effect he had on American music & American culture will be felt forever @rascalflatts thanks Mr. Clark Continue Reading

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Vince Gill invites Keith Urban to become the next member of the Grand Ole Opry during his "All For The Hall" benefit concert at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville on April 10, 2012. Photo courtesy of the Grand Ole Opry,. Photo credit Chris Hollo.

Keith Urban got the surprise of a lifetime when he was invited to join the Grand Ole Opry during his We’re All For The Hall benefit concert at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on April 10. Vince Gill along with Rascal Flatts, Diamond Rio and the Oak Ridge Boys extended the invitation by presenting Keith with a duffel bag containing the Opry’s iconic microphone stand. Vince was supposed to be introducing Merle Haggard but instead, invited his fellow Opry members back to the stage, leaving Keith confused.

See photos from We’re All For The Hall >>

“Vince went up to the mic and instead of introducing Merle asked Rascal Flatts to come back onstage,” Keith said. “I thought they must be getting presented with some new millennial plaque of some sort. Then he asked Diamond Rio to come back out because they had just played and the Oak Ridge Boys came back out.

“I realized now this is all Opry members and Vince said that he had a gift for me,” Keith continued, reliving the moment. “Jay from Rascal Flatts brought out this big black duffel bag and I thought ‘what?’ I couldn’t for the life of me imagine what was in it. I unzipped it and there it was. Just extraordinary.”

Keith will be the first artist from outside of North America to become a member of the Grand Ole Opry. Growing up in Australia, Keith and his family traveled around to different country music festivals where Keith would play. At age 9, he took the stage for the very first time. “I think I sang ‘Let Your Love Flow’ by the Bellamy Brothers,” he said. “And I just loved it.”

Even though Keith didn’t get the Grand Ole Opry on the radio growing up Down Under, he still felt its influence. “There is a particular Australian kind of country music but the majority of it was influenced by American country music of course,” he said. “So the Grand Ole Opry played a big role. And even though we didn’t get the Opry in Australia–it wouldn’t broadcast that far–I knew about the Opry.”

Keith got his start state-side as part of the trio The Ranch. The group disbanded shortly after their 1997 debut album and Keith struck out on his own. He clearly remembers the first time he played the Opry stage as a solo artist.

“The first time I played as a solo artist was a particularly great memory for me,” he said. “There’s something about the audience too that I haven’t felt that thing from other audiences. Maybe it’s coming from me as a performer walking out onstage and being in that environment. But there’s a different kind of connection. There’s a warmth that’s really specific to the Opry audience and that stage and in that environment that is really wonderful to play.”

Keith will officially be inducted into the Grand Ole Opry on Saturday, April 21. You can watch the induction ceremony live right here on GAC on the premiere of Noteworthy at the Opry at 9/8 CT. The new series will feature performances and personal, inside stories from the top acts in country music along with interviews with artists and other celebrities about the artists and music featured in each episode.

“Keith Urban’s Opry induction this Saturday will provide the perfect sneak peek of our new series, Noteworthy at the Opry, which is set to roll out in late May” said GAC GM/SVP Sarah Trahern.  “Keith will share career highlights that brought him to this place in the Opry family, while Trace Adkins and Josh Turner will be featured in performances and in-depth interviews.” Continue Reading

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Glen Campbell photo courtesy of Big Hassle PR

CMA Music Festival has included a legendary element to this year’s concert lineup. Glen Campbell, Ronnie Milsap, Kenny Rogers and The Mavericks have been added to the Nightly Concerts held at LP Field during the festival, which takes place June 7-10 in downtown Nashville.

Glen Campbell will open the performances at LP Field on Thursday, June 7. Ronnie Milsap will open on Friday, June 8, Kenny Rogers on Saturday, June 9 and The Mavericks on Sunday, June 10. The Night Concerts will once again be filmed for an ABC concert special to air in late summer.

The current lineups for the Nightly Concerts are as follows in alphabetical order:

Thursday, June 7: Jason Aldean, Glen Campbell, Lady Antebellum, Brad Paisley, and Zac Brown Band

Friday, June 8: The Band Perry, Brantley Gilbert, Ronnie Milsap, Jake Owen, Blake Shelton, and Carrie Underwood Continue Reading

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Eli Young Band photo courtesy of HBPR.

Eli Young Band is enjoying a wave of success that includes a No. 1 song, an ACM Award for Song of the Year for “Crazy Girl,” and opening slots on some of the biggest tours in country music. The band has worked long and hard for this moment, but they don’t hold a grudge against fellow artists who  may have had an easier path to stardom.

“We try really hard to not be judgmental about the way that other people get there, but we like the way we did it and we feel like we appreciate it a lot,” Mike Eli said.

The band wouldn’t trade the experiences they’ve had along the way, nor the lessons they’ve learned. While stars like Carrie Underwood, Kellie Pickler and Scotty McCreery have become household names on shows like American Idol, Eli Young Band doesn’t think that route would have worked for them.

“I think you look at Carrie Underwood and some of the huge, huge monster talent that’s come out of those [shows and] it’s undeniable that was the perfect way for her to get to center stage,” Jon Jones said. “But something like that I don’t think would have been for us.” Continue Reading

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Vince Gill invites Keith Urban to become the next member of the Grand Ole Opry during his "All For The Hall" benefit concert at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville on April 10, 2012. Photo courtesy of the Grand Ole Opry,. Photo credit Chris Hollo.

The We’re All For The Hall benefit concert hosted by Keith Urban and  Vince Gill raised $465,000 for the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. Now in its third year, the sum pushes the total raised by the annual event to approximately $1.5 million. Nearly 14,000 fans filled Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena for a show that featured Keith, Vince, Alabama, Rascal Flatts, Lady Antebellum and many more, including surprise appearances by Don Williams and Merle Haggard.

“This museum, and country music in general, could not ask for greater ambassadors and caretakers than Vince Gill and Keith Urban,” Museum Director Kyle Young said. “They have such a reverence for this music’s history, and are passionate about its future. The first We’re All for the Hall benefit, in 2009, was a game changer for this museum in terms of both fundraising and awareness, and this year’s show, the third, has again helped take this institution to another level.”

See photos from We’re All For The Hall! >>

“The support that We’re All for the Hall has continued to receive truly validates the importance of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum and its place at the epicenter of country music,” Keith said. “To all of the fans that have come out to the shows, the artists that have given so generously of their time and to the commitment of dollars, equipment and products that our corporate partners have given us, I thank you all from the bottom of my heart.  We’ll see you again next year.”

During the show, Keith was surprised with an invitation from Vince Gill, Rascal Flatts, The Oak Ridge Boys and Diamond Rio to become the next member of the Grand Ole Opry. Keith will be inducted into the Opry on April 21. You can watch the historic moment live on GAC in our new series, Noteworthy At The Opry airing at 9/8 CT. Here’s a sneak peek of the show:

Continue Reading

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Nan Kelley & Keith Urban backstage at the We're All For The Hall benefit concert, Wednesday, April 11, 2012.

This week on GAC’s Top 20 Country Countdown, Nan Kelley joined Keith Urban at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena for his annual We’re All For The Hall benefit concert and learned about the importance of preserving country music’s history straight from Keith! Some of the special guests invited by Keith to perform also stopped by to discuss their involvement in the event, which raises money for the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.

Besides chatting with Keith and his famous friends, Nan also counted down this week’s Top 20 videos! Miss Friday night’s premiere? Check the schedule for re-airs throughout the weekend! Check the full schedule »

On the charts this week, Hunter Hayes’ latest video, “Wanted,” debuts on the countdown at No. 1 while Carrie Underwood’s “Good Girl” falls to No. 2 after spend the past couple of weeks in the top spot. Jason Aldean’s new video, “Fly Over States,” also debuts on the countdown this week at No. 18.

This Week’s Chart:

1. Hunter Hayes – “Wanted”
2. Carrie Underwood – “Good Girl”
3. Alan Jackson – “So You Don’t Have To Love Me Anymore”
4. Lauren Alaina – “Georgia Peaches”
5. Miranda Lambert – “Over You”
6. Keith Urban – “For You”
7. Josh Turner – “Time Is Love”
8. Luke Bryan – “Drunk On You
9. Lady Antebellum – “Dancin’ Away With My Heart”
10. Thompson Square – “Glass” Continue Reading

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Vince Gill invites Keith Urban to become the next member of the Grand Ole Opry during his "All For The Hall" benefit concert at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville on April 10, 2012. Photo courtesy of the Grand Ole Opry,. Photo credit Chris Hollo.

Keith Urban received the surprise of a lifetime when Vince Gill along with Rascal Flatts, Diamond Rio and the Oak Ridge Boys invited him to become the next member of the Grand Ole Opry during Keith’s annual We’re All For the Hall benefit at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville on April 11. New Zealand-born and Australian-raised, Keith will be the first artist from outside North America to become a member of the Opry family.  Keith will be formally inducted into the Opry on April 21.

If you want to visit the Opry in person, Gaylord Opryland Resort’s ‘Night at the Opry’ package is a great way to do it. The package includes a preferred ticket to the Opry and room accommodations. For a limited time, the package starts at $106 per person based on double occupancy for select dates through May.  Additional dates are available from only $132 per person based on double occupancy. For reservations, call 1-888-677-9872 or visit www.GaylordOpryland.com. While there, you can shop at Opry Mills too, which recently re-opened following severe damage from record flooding in Nashville in May of 2010. Continue Reading

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