Rascal Flatts photo courtesy of Big Machine Records.

Rascal Flatts will launch a brand new tour this summer and they’re taking several fellow country bands out on the road with them. The American Band Tour will feature Little Big Town, Eli Young Band and Edens Edgeas special guests. The new tour will kick off June 15 in Hartford, Connecticut.

“We are always looking for new ways to re-energize our live shows,”  Jay DeMarcus said. “We thought bringing out these bands, whom are among some of our favorite vocal groups, would make a great night of entertainment!”

Rascal Flatts is currently on the road with their Thaw Out 2012 Tour with special guests Sara Evans and Hunter Hayes. They will release their new album, Changed, on April 3.

ShareThis

The JaneDear girls photo courtesy of Warner Bros. Nashville.

The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s latest spotlight exhibit will be in support of the American Heart Association and Go Red For Women. The Exhibit, Something in Red, will feature red ensembles from several country stars including Sara Evans, Naomi Judd, and Lorrie Morgan. The exhibit opens on February 3, National Wear Red Day, and runs through April 2012.

The red dress symbolizes the fight against heart disease in women. Several country artists have parented with the American Heart Association and the museum to raise awareness for the disease, which is the number one killer in women.

Some of the dresses featured in Something in Red include Sara Evans’ dress from the1999 Academy of Country Music Awards, Naomi Judd’s leather-like jacket and skirt she wore at the 1987 Country Music Association Awards, the dress worn by the JaneDear girls’ Danelle Leverett on the cover of the duo’s debut album (photo above) and Susie Brown’s dress from the 2011 ACM Awards, and gowns worn by Lorrie Morgan and Julie Roberts on the Grand Ole Opry.

Spotlight exhibits such as Something in Red supplement themes and topics in the museum’s core exhibition, Sing Me Back Home: A Journey Through Country Music. These short-term exhibits give a closer look at a person, group or aspect of country music, or spotlight recently donated items or special anniversaries. Current spotlight exhibits focus on the ACM Awards, Bobby Braddock, Nudie Cohn, Bill Monroe, Rascal Flatts, Reba, Jean Shepard and Porter Wagoner.

ShareThis

Miranda Lambert and Blake Shelton pose with awards at the 45th annual CMA Awards at the Bridgestone Arena on November 9, 2011 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images)

Miranda Lambert and Blake Shelton will perform “America the Beautiful” together prior to the kickoff of the Super Bowl in Indianapolis on February 5, reports the Associated Press (via Yahoo). One of the most-watched events of the year, Kelly Clarkson is slated to perform the National Anthem. The Super Bowl will air live on NBC.

Blake and Miranda aren’t the only country artists who will be in Indianapolis for Super Bowl events, however. Darius Rucker and Dierks Bentley will perform at concerts in Super Bowl Village in the days leading up to the Super Bowl, while Sara Evans will perform at the Taste of the NFL’s 21st Annual Party With a Purpose on February 4. Madonna has been announced as the Super Bowl’s halftime performer.

The Super Bowl isn’t the only chance Kelly will have to hang out with Blake and Miranda. Kelly, along with Miranda, will serve as a mentor for Blake’s team on the second season of The Voice which premieres on NBC right after the Super Bowl.

ShareThis

Rascal Flatts photo courtesy of Big Machine Records.

Rascal Flatts is planning to release their latest album in April. They’ve chosen “Banjo” as the lead single from the new project. The song officially hits radio January 17. Jay DeMarcus describes the song as a track about getting away.

“[It’s] a sentiment about getting away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, finding a spot way out in the country and drivin’ and drivin’ and drivin’ until you go so far you start to hear a banjo,” he said.

The song is a bit of a departure in sound for the band and they’re looking forward to adding it to their live show. “It’s got that raw countriness to it that’s just so fun,” Joe Don Rooney said. “I think everybody, by the first chorus, will get it and be singing along to it.”

Rascal Flatts fans will have a chance to hear the song live when the band kicks off their Thaw Out 2012 tour on Thursday, January 12 in Charleston, West Virginia. Sara Evans and Hunter Hayes will be joining the group as special guests.

ShareThis

Taylor Swift on stage during her Speak Now...Help Now benefit concert at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, TN on May 21, 2011. Photo credit Christie Goodwin.

When tornadoes ravaged the southeast in the spring, country stars picked up their guitars and went to work, raising money through a series of concerts and benefits to aid recovery and relief efforts. Tornadoes struck seven states in the South, killing 329 people and destroying entire communities.

Alabama spearheaded ‘BAMA RISING: A Benefit Concert for Alabama Tornado Recovery’ at Birmingham’s BJCC Arena on June 14 for Alabama tornado victims. The concert raised funds for relief efforts and featured performance from Brad Paisley, Martina McBride, Luke Bryan, Dierks Bentley, Kellie Pickler, Sara Evans and Darius Rucker, just to name a few. There was also an online auction component. The benefit raised more than $2 million for tornado relief efforts.

“We are so thankful that the show was a huge success and that we’re going to be able to do positive things to help those that the storm hurt so badly,” Randy Owen said. “The response has been incredible, and it’s a real tribute to the people of Alabama to see them helping their fellow Alabamians.”

Taylor Swift also pitched in, making the decision to open the doors of her final dress rehearsal for the North American leg of her Speak Now World Tour to fans as a fundraiser. One hundred percent of ticket sales from the Speak Now… Help Now show went directly to help tornado victims. Taylor expanded her fundraising efforts by streaming two performances during the Speak Now … Help Now benefit event.

View Taylor Swift’s Speak Now… Help Now photo gallery »

“I was watching the coverage of the tornadoes backstage at rehearsals, and I wanted to do something for the families affected by the damage,” Taylor said. “I’ve never opened a rehearsal to the public before, but I felt that inviting my fans to the last rehearsal for the Speak Now Tour would be a great way to raise money.”

Taylor’s Speak Now… Help Now show raised more than $750,000.

Kenny Chesney also got in on the action, making the decision to donate his fees from his Goin’ Coastal Tour stop in Tuscaloosa, AL on May 25 to GiveTuscaloosa.com, a clearing house for Tuscaloosa-area charities and services founded to aid in the recovery process. Kenny’s management team and booking representatives also donated their fees. Kenny nearly cancelled the date, but was encouraged by Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox to let the show go on.

“When we first heard about this tragedy we were stunned, as we have so many fans in the area and have enjoyed every visit that we’ve made there over the years,” Kenny said. “But Mayor Maddox convinced us that this is a great opportunity to bring the people of Tuscaloosa together in a positive way, and we are grateful for the opportunity to help them in this way.”

Blake Shelton and Reba McEntire also teamed up to raise money to help with recovery efforts. The pair raised $500,000 for Oklahoma tornado victims during their two sold-out Tornado Relief Concerts held May 25 and 26 in Durant, Oklahoma.

ShareThis

Sara Evans photo courtesy of Sony Music Nashville.

Sara Evans will perform at Taste of the NFL on February 4, reports Indystar.com. The food-focused fundraiser held on the eve of the Super Bowl features a chef from each NFL city paired with a current or former NFL player and benefits food pantries across the country. This year’s event will be held at Gleaner’s Food Bank in Indianapolis, the first time it has been held at an actual food pantry.

“I’m very excited to be performing at the 2012 Taste of the NFL event,” Sarah said. “It’s a great evening for attendees and does so much to tackle the cause of hunger across America.”

Other celebrities scheduled to attend the fundraiser include Taste of the NFL’s national honorary chairperson Tony Dungy, culinary host Ted Allen of the Food Network’s Chopped and TLC’s Cake Boss stars Mauro Castano and Joey Faugno. Tickets are $600 per person. For more information, visit the event’s website.

For more with Sara Evans – watch our exclusive interview clips and her Fan Q&A »

ShareThis

Martina McBride photo courtesy of Republic Nashville.

This year saw the return of four of country music’s biggest female stars: Martina McBride, Sara Evans, Shania Twain and Faith Hill.

Martina changed records labels and released her first new album, Eleven, since 2009. The album spawned the hits “Teenage Daughters” and “I’m Gonna Love You Through It.” Martina celebrated the release by embarking on a cross-country train tour, which ended with a special performance at the Empire State Building.

Read our review of Martina McBride’s Eleven! >>

“This is such an amazing time in my life and my career,” Martina said when she announced her new album’s release. “I feel like I’ve been given the support and power to go into the studio and write and create an album that pushes the boundaries of what people expect of me, while still being true to myself.”

Sara released her first new music since 2005’s Real Fine Place when Stronger hit store shelves on March 8. The album featured the No. 1 hit CMA-nominated hit “A Little Bit Stronger,” which was also a part of the movie Country Strong. Sara also returned to the road, touring with Rascal Flatts on their Flatts Fest summer tour and performed on both the ACM and CMA Awards.

“This song has had the biggest emotional response of any other single I’ve ever released,” Sara said after “A Little Bit Stronger” reached No. 1. “I think it is because almost everyone has gone through a difficult time in their life and most people can relate to the line in the song ‘even on my weakest days, I get a little bit stronger.’”

Shania made her return to CMA Music Festival for the first time in 15 years to sign copies of her autobiography, From This Moment On. She also released her first single in six year, “Today Is Your Day,” and had a reality show, Why Not? With Shania Twain, on OWN. Shania will return to the stage when she begins a two-year headlining stand at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas on December 1, 2012.

“This past year has been such an amazing journey and to find myself poised to play at The Colosseum is truly magical,” Shania said. “The Colosseum is an iconic location with unmatched energy, and I’m excited to bring a pop/country spin to the city. People from all over the world travel to Las Vegas and I’m so thrilled to be able to share my music with a truly global audience.”

Faith also returned to both the radio and the stage in 2011. She released her first new single in five years, “Come Home,” which she premiered with a performance during the CMA Awards in November. “It’s such a great song,” Faith said. “So well written – a beautiful lyric and sentiment – combined with a driving musical undertone and instrumentation. I’m really excited for fans of country radio to hear the song.”

Martina will tour with George Strait in 2012 while Sara will re-join Rascal Flatts on their Thaw Out tour. Shania will resume performing in Vegas and Faith is expected to release a new album.

For more on Martina and Sara:
5 Things You Don’t Know About Martina McBride
Martina McBride’s Fan Q&A
“Teenage Daughters” video
“I’m Gonna Love You Through It” video
Exclusive interview clips with Sara Evans >>

ShareThis

Taylor Swift photo courtesy of Big Machine Records.

Billboard.com has released their list of the Top Country Artists of 2011. Artists are ranked based on album sales, song downloads and airplay, touring revenue, Social 50 chart action, ringtone sales and streaming data provided by Nielsen BDS. Congratulations to Taylor Swift for being named the Top Country Artist of 2011! 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. Lady Antebellum
4. Zac Brown Band
5. Blake Shelton
6. The Band Perry
7. Rascal Flatts
8. Kenny Chesney
9. Brad Paisley
10. Luke Bryan
11. Keith Urban
12. Miranda Lambert
13. Sugarland
14. Eric Church
15. Scotty McCreery
16. Toby Keith
17. Thompson Square
18. Chris Young
19. Billy Currington
20. Tim McGraw
21. Sara Evans
22. Darius Rucker
23. George Strait
24. Carrie Underwood
25. Jerrod Niemann
26. Jake Owen
27. Eli Young Band
28. Justin Moore
29. Trace Adkins
30. Rodney Atkins
31. Brantley Gilbert
32. Ronnie Dunn
33. Alan Jackson
34. Reba McEntire
35. Dierks Bentley
36. Lauren Alaina
37. Easton Corbin
38. Josh Turner
39. Craig Campbell
40. Martina McBride
41. Joe Nichols
42. Sunny Sweeney
43. the JaneDear girls
44. Steel Magnolia
45. Steve Holy
46. David Nail
47. Jamey Johnson
48. Randy Travis
49. Ashton Shepherd
50. Uncle Kracker

ShareThis

Eli Young Band photo courtesy of Universal Records South.

Billboard.com has released their year-end Top Country Songs chart for 2011. Here are the 50 most popular country songs of the year based on radio airplay audience impressions as measured by Nielsen BDS. Congratulations to Eli Young Band for having the No. 1 song of the year with “Crazy Girl!” Of note, the song was co-written by Lee Brice who recorded “Love Like Crazy,” the Top Song of 2010.

1. “Crazy Girl” – Eli Young Band
2. “Barefoot Blue Jean Night” – Jake Owen
3. “Take A Back Road” – Rodney Atkins
4. “Tomorrow” – Chris Young
5. “You Lie” – The Band Perry
6. “Am I The Only One” – Dierks Bentley
7. “You and Tequila” – Kenny Chesney
8. “Honey Bee” – Blake Shelton
9. “Just Fishin’” – Trace Adkins
10. “Let Me Down Easy” – Billy Currington
11. “Here For A Good Time” – George Strait
12. “Knee Deep” – Zac Brown Band
13. “Just A Kiss” – Lady Antebellum
14. “If Heaven Wasn’t So Far Away” – Justin Moore
15. “Made In America” – Toby Keith
16. “Country Girl (Shake It For Me)” – Luke Bryan
17. “Heart Like Mine” – Miranda Lambert
18. “God Gave Me You” – Blake Shelton
19. “Don’t You Wanna Stay” – Jason Aldean w/Kelly Clarkson
20. “What Do You Want” – Jerrod Niemann
21. “A Little Big Stronger” – Sara Evans
22. “Long Hot Summer” – Keith Urban
23. “This” – Darius Rucker
24. “Mean” – Taylor Swift
25. “Dirt Road Anthem” – Jason Aldean
26. “Remind Me” – Brad Paisley w/Carrie Underwood
27. “Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not” – Thompson Square
28. “I Won’t Let Go” – Rascal Flatts
29. “Without You” – Keith Urban
30. “Country Must Be Country Wide” – Brantley Gilbert
31. “Somewhere With You” – Kenny Chesney
32. “Who Are You When I’m Not Looking” – Blake Shelton
33. “Someone Else Calling You Baby” – Luke Bryan
34. “This Is Country Music” – Brad Paisley
35. “Voices” – Chris Young
36. “I Got You” – Thompson Square
37. “Sparks Fly” – Taylor Swift
38. “Back To December” – Taylor Swift
39. “Colder Weather” – Zac Brown Band
40. “Hello World” – Lady Antebellum
41. “Old Alabama” – Brad Paisley
42. “Put You In A Song” – Keith Urban
43. “Felt Good On My Lips” – Tim McGraw
44. “Bleed Red” – Ronnie Dunn
45. “Baggage Claim” – Miranda Lambert
46. “Live A Little” – Kenny Chesney
47. “Love Done Gone” – Billy Currington
48. “One More Drinkin’ Song” – Jerrod Niemann
49. “Family Man” – Craig Campbell
50. “Mama’s Song” – Carrie Underwood

ShareThis

Taylor Swift's Speak Now CD. Photo courtesy of Big Machine Records.

Billboard.com has just released its year-end charts for 2011. Here are the 50 most popular country albums for the year (based on album sales). Congratulations to Taylor Swift for taking the top spot with her Speak Now album!

1. Speak Now – Taylor Swift
2. My Kinda Party – Jason Aldean
3. Nothing Like This – Rascal Flatts
4. Need You Now – Lady Antebellum
5. You Get What You Give – Zac Brown Band
6. Own The Night – Lady Antebellum  Read Our Review >>
7. The Band Perry – The Band Perry
8. The Incredible Machine – Sugarland
9. Get Closer – Keith Urban
10. Hemingway’s Whiskey – Kenny Chesney
11. This Is Country Music – Brad Paisley  Read Our Review >>
12. Clear As Day – Scotty McCreery  Read Our Review >>
13. Number One Hits – Tim McGraw
14. Tailgates & Tanlines – Luke Bryan  Read Our Review >>
15. Chief – Eric Church  Read Our Review >>
16. Loaded: The Best of Blake Shelton – Blake Shelton
17. Red River Blue – Blake Shelton  Read Our Review >>
18. The Foundation – Zac Brown Band
19. Revolution – Miranda Lambert
20. Country Strong Soundtrack – Various Artists
21. Charleston, SC 1966 – Darius Rucker
22. 34 Number Ones – Alan Jackson
23. Stronger – Sara Evans
24. Paper Airplane – Alison Krauss & Union Station  Read Our Review >>
25. Outlaws Like Me – Justin Moore  Read Our Review >>
26. Enjoy Yourself – Billy Currington
27. Hits Alive – Brad Paisley
28. Halfway To Heaven – Brantley Gilbert
29. Here For A Good Time – George Strait  Read Our Review >>
30. Thompson Square – Thompson Square
31. All The Women I Am – Reba McEntire
32. Town Line (EP) – Aaron Lewis
33. Neon – Chris Young  Read Our Review >>
34. A Merry Little Christmas (EP) – Lady Antebellum
35. Bullets In The Gun – Toby Keith
36. Judge Jerrod & The Hung Jury – Jerrod Niemann
37. Play On – Carrie Underwood
38. Now That’s What I Call Country – Various Artists
39. American Idol Season 10 Highlights: Scotty McCreery – Scotty McCreery
40. Four The Record – Miranda Lambert  Read Our Review >>
    
41. Carolina – Eric Church
42. Fearless – Taylor Swift
43. Ronnie Dunn – Ronnie Dunn  Read Our Review >>
44. Hell On Heels – Pistol Annies  Read Our Review >>
45. Barefoot Blue Jean Night – Jake Owen  Read Our Review >>
46. Pass The Jar: Zac Brown Band and Friends Live from the Fabulous Fox Theatre In Atlanta – Zac Brown Band
47. Wildflower – Lauren Alaina  Read Our Review >>
48. The Guitar Song – Jamey Johnson
49. Easton Corbin – Easton Corbin
50. Steel Magnolia – Steel Magnolia

ShareThis