Martina McBride on the Grand Ole Opry. Photo by Chris Hollo, courtesy of Schmidt Relations.

Martina McBride will help the Grand Ole Opry go pink in the fight against breast cancer. She will flip the switch to turn the Opry’s barn backdrop pink for the night when the Opry teams up with Women Rock For The Cure for its third annual Opry Goes Pink show on October 22. Martina is also scheduled to perform. Her current single, “I’m Gonna Love You Through It,” offers hope to those battling cancer.

Watch Martina’s “I’m Gonna Love You Through It” video! >>

Lauren Alania, Edens Edge, Kellie Pickler, Ronnie Milsap and more will also perform and activities are scheduled to recognize breast cancer survivors and the fight against the disaease. When fans order tickets to the night’s 7pm show, $5 from every ticket will be donated to Women Rock For The Cure. Tickets are available at (615) 871-OPRY and opry.com. Continue Reading

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Ronnie Milsap's 2011 CD, Country Again. Photo courtesy of Webster & Associates.

The more we watch Ronnie Milsap’s new video, “”If You Don’t Want Me To,” the more we like it. The video features a line dance and for those of you who like to put on your boots and cut a rug, the steps have been posted on Facebook for all to learn. The dance is called ‘The Freeze’ and was inspired by the lyrics of “If You Don’t Want Me To.” Get the step sheet HERE.

Read our review of Ronnie’s new album, Country Again >> Continue Reading

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Ronnie Milsap's 2011 CD, Country Again.

Grand Ole Opry member and American music legend Ronnie Milsap has country in his soul. With 40 No. 1 country hits to his credit, third only to George Strait and Conway Twitty, he has already cemented a place for himself in the cathedral of holy honky tonks. On Country Again, his first new country set in five years, Ronnie shines as he once again shows how it’s done.

First and foremost, Country Again is couuuunnn-try. The overall feel is a blend of Nashville Sound (think strings, delicate supporting harmonies and a nice polish), honky tonk and pop production that stays true to Ronnie’s classic sound of the ’70s and ’80s. Songs like “A Better Word For Love,” an acoustic ballad with strings and a dreamy chorus, showcase Ronnie’s tender voice as he sings, Tonight when I’m out walking, I’ll ask the stars above/ if out there, somewhere, there’s a better word for love. His inflection and ability to squeeze every ounce of expression out of a single note are compelling. “You’re The Reason I’m Living” is a slow-burning love song with layered harmonies. Here, Ronnie lets all the twang hang out singing, A long long time ago, when I was down/ you picked me up and showed me true love still could be found.

Produced by Ronnie and Rob Galbraith, the twang is joyfully strong on Country Again. The repetitive, dirty electric guitar riff of the album’s title track sets the scene for some brilliant honky tonk twists. “Country Again” starts in straightforward, standard 4/4 time Continue Reading

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Ronnie Milsap's 2011 CD, Country Again. Photo courtesy of Webster & Associates.

Ronnie Milsap is gearing up to release his first country album in five years. He will release Country Again on July 26. The first single from the album, “If You Don’t Want Me To” – also known as “The Freeze” – will go to radio on July 18. With more than 40 No. 1 hits to his name, Ronnie is ready add to that list. “I’ve been very fortunate to have had a lot of successful records,” he said. “Now it’s time to make some more.”

The music video for the new single was filmed this past spring and showcases the dance ‘The Freeze,’ which was inspired by the song. To premiere Country Again, Milsap will return to the Grand Ole Opry stage on Saturday July 16, where he has been a member since 1976. Continue Reading

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Keith Urban & Nicole Kidman at the 2011 Music City Walk of Fame Induction Ceremony on Sunday, May 15. Photo by Ricky Moson/GAC Staff.

Yesterday may have been a gray day in Nashville, but you wouldn’t have known it, based on the smiles of Keith Urban and Bill Anderson. The two accomplished artists were inducted into the Music City Walk of Fame downtown and were joined by GAC host Bill Cody and 2006 inductee, Ronnie Milsap. GAC was a proud sponsor of the event and we have a must-see photo gallery from the event Continue Reading

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Trace Adkins photo courtesy of Show Dog-Universal Music.

Trace Adkins has never been afraid to try new things…in life or in music. Sometimes his music makes you think, while other times you might want to “shut your mouth and slap your grandma,” all while shaking your “Honky Tonk Badonkadonk.” (Sorry Grandma!)

His journey to the top has been anything but ordinary.  In fact, he’s lucky to even be alive. He’s gone from operating rooms to Donald Trump’s boardroom and from the Grand Ole Opry stage to the silver screen. It’s not hard to understand why “Ladies Love Country Boys,” and this one in particular.

Here at GAC, we love him too! Don’t miss Part 2 of The Collection: Trace Adkins airing TONIGHT on GAC at 8/7c! What’s your favorite Trace Adkins video? Leave a comment below and let us know!

In honor of The Collection: Trace Adkins, this week’s GAC Trivia Time* is all about Trace:

Sep 11, 1983 – Trace Adkins rides out Hurricane Chantal on an oil rig in the Caribbean

Feb 21, 1994 – Trace Adkins’ first wife shoots him with a .38-caliber revolver, the bullet penetrating both lungs and both chambers of his heart

Jun 25, 1996 – Capitol releases Trace Adkins’ debut album, Dreamin’ Out Loud

Nov 23, 1996 -Trace Adkins makes his debut on the Grand Ole Opry. After singing “Every Light In The House,” he drops to one knee, calls out girlfriend Rhonda Forlaw and asks her to marry him. She says yes Continue Reading

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Carrie Underwood photo courtesy of Sony Music Nashville.

Thanksgiving is officially a holiday, but that won’t stop many of country music’s top stars from working while the rest of us eat.

Taylor Swift, Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban and James Otto are a few of the artists who have Turkey Day activities planned. Some of those appearances — including Taylor’s first-ever network special — were already shot. But others, such as Gloriana’s appearance in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, indeed occur in real time.

Here’s a roundup of country-related Thanksgiving stuff:

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Rascal Flatts photo courtesy of Big Machine Records.

Rascal Flatts and four members of the Country Music Hall of Fame will all receive additional recognition next month when they’re embedded in the Music City Walk of Fame in downtown Nashville.

Little Jimmy Dickens, Kris Kristofferson, Mel Tillis and the late Eddy Arnold — all of whom have bronze plaques nearby in the Hall of Fame — will have their names etched in the pavement alongside Rascal Flatts Nov. 7. So will the late Bobby Hebb, a Nashville-based artist who earned a 1960s hit with “Sunny.”

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David Nail photo courtesy of UMG Nashville.

When David Nail played Jonesboro, Ark., this past weekend, he called the date the “hardest show I’ve ever done.” At the same time, it was “the best show we’ve ever done.”

That mix of highs and lows was not a surprise to him. David has a personal history in the area, a bunch of his friends were in the house, and he even predicted to The Daily Dunklin Democrat that “emotions will be running high” when he took the stage.

David hails from Kennett, Mo., which is a mere 50 miles from Jonesboro. And he attended Arkansas State University, where he was performing as the opening act last weekend for Lady Antebellum. It was David’s first show on campus since he broke out nationally, and it had a bit of a full-circle meaning for him. He had sat in the seats at that same concert hall before — in fact, the very first concert he attended as a fan was a 1992 Garth Brooks show in the same building.

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James and Amy Otto photo courtesy of WMG Nashville.

James Otto and his beautiful wife Amy are proud to announce the birth of their daughter, Ava Katherine Otto. Born this past Tuesday night at 9:23pm at a Nashville-area hospital, Ava Katherine came into this world weighing 8 lbs., 2 oz. and is 19 1/2 inches long.

“We can’t believe Ava is finally here! She is beautiful like her Mama and I am already wrapped around her tiny finger. I am so grateful I made it home in time to be here for her arrival–it has truly already changed our lives,” said Otto. Continue Reading

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