The 2011 soundtrack to Footloose. Photo courtesy of Warner Bros. Nashville.

It’s almost bred into the idea of a film soundtrack that there’s always a possibility of something fun, artistic and uniquely different around every corner. This is because most often a third party was the one picking music specifically to fit a film. Sometimes a soundtrack is like the Director’s mix tape, and other times it can be a mixture of genres and styles picked to match a film’s visual impact.

Footloose Director Craig Brewer, whose remake of the 1984 classic will hit theaters in October, has a history of making music-intensive films. Hustle & Flow (2005) focused on Memphis hip hop (winning the Oscar for Best Original Song), and Black Snake Moan (2007) was knee-deep in Mississippi blues. Brewer, originally from Virginia, told Entertainment Weekly in 2010, “I can promise Footloose fans that I will be true to the spirit of the film. But I still gotta put my own Southern grit into it and kick it into 2011.” After previously focusing on Southern hip hop and blues for his musical choices, Brewer turns his attention to country, rock and Americana to compliment Footloose.

The Footloose soundtrack features new versions of four songs used in the original film. Blake Shelton adds some serious twang to his crisp remake of the legendary title-track originally by Kenny Loggins. The excitement in Blake’s voice is contagious, sounding like he’s having a fantastic time singing, Whoa, Milo, come on-come on let’s go!, while the band rips through the song. Here’s a 30-second preview of Blake’s version:

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On the power ballad “Almost Paradise,” Victoria Justice, of Nickelodeon fame, and Hunter Hayes share sweet harmonies over an acoustic/electric arrangement. Newcomer Jana Kramer, known from acting roles on shows like “Entourage,” belts out a faithful version of “Let’s Hear It For The Boy” over a funky bass line and upbeat drums. The most strikingly different take is on “Holding Out For A Hero,” originally cut as a disco/pop song. Here, 15-year-old South Carolina native Ella Mae Bowen sings well beyond her years with a touch of Tori Amos in her tender voice, accompanied by only an acoustic guitar and accordion on her slow, wishful version.

Country artists such as Zac Brown, Big & Rich and Whitney Duncan lend their talents as the collection skews heavily country. Zac Brown channels 70s Southern rock a la Allman Bros. Band and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young on “Where The River Goes,” and Big & Rich reunite on the collection’s first single, “Fake ID,” with a little help from Gretchen Wilson. While over half the songs are provided by country artists, some of the deeper cuts have an edge and grit that fill out the album nicely.

Roots/Americana artist Lissie (named Paste magazine’s No. 1 Best New Solo Artist of 2010) displays a haunting and soulful voice on the delta blues-tinged “Little Lovin’.” Blake’s fellow coach from NBC’s The Voice, Cee Lo Green, Continue Reading

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Clockwise from top left: Jason Aldean, Blake Shelton, Brad Paisley & Taylor Swift.

Topping the list of final nominees with five nominations each for The 45^th Annual CMA Awards are Jason Aldean, Brad Paisley, Blake Shelton, and Taylor Swift. Right on their heels are The Band Perry and Zac Brown Band, who each received four nominations as a group, while individual members Kimberly Perry (of The Band Perry), Coy Bowles and Zac Brown (of Zac Brown Band) each earned a solo nod as a songwriter.

“‘Country Music’s Biggest Night(tm)’ is shaping up to be a tight race with an outstanding group of new and established nominees topping the list,” said Steve Moore, CMA Chief Executive Officer. “With no clear frontrunner there will be a heightened level of excitement and anticipation for the CMA Awards in November.”

The 45^th Annual CMA Awards will be hosted for the fourth time by Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood and broadcast live from the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Wednesday, Nov. 9, 8-11 p.m. Eastern on ABC.

For the sixth year, the announcement of the final nominees in five of the 12 CMA Awards categories was made live on ABC News’ Good Morning America with The Band Perry and Jake Owen delivering the news from the heart of New York City’s Times Square. Finalists in the other seven categories were announced by Jerrod Niemann and CMA Vocal Duo and New Artist of the Year nominees Thompson Square from the historic Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, which was home to the first broadcast of the CMA Awards in 1968.

Jason Aldean received first-time nominations in five categories in 2011 including Entertainer; Male Vocalist; Album for My Kinda Party, produced by Michael Knox; and Single and Musical Event of the Year for “Don’t You Wanna Stay” with Kelly Clarkson, also produced by Knox. Jason has two prior nominations including the Horizon Award in 2007 and in 2008 when the category changed names to CMA New Artist of the Year. Kelly was last nominated in 2007 for Musical Event of the Year with Reba McEntire for “Because of You.”

Jason’s golden touch in 2011 extended to songwriters Brantley Gilbert and Colt Ford, who penned his “Dirt Road Anthem,” nominated for Song of the Year.

CMA’s reigning Entertainer of the Year, Brad Paisley, received five nominations for Continue Reading

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Zac Brown Band photo courtesy of Girlilla Marketing.

Zac Brown Band and Jack Daniel’s have teamed up to provide fans with a one-of-a-kind concert experience. Officially kicking off at the band’s upcoming sold out two night stand at Red Rocks in Morrison, Colorado on September 5 and 6, the partnership includes U.S. and Canada advertising, a dedicated responsibility campaign and co-presenting tour support. It is the first major partnership between the famous Tennessee distillery and a musical artist in more than a decade.

“There is a natural affinity between Jack Daniel’s friends and Zac Brown Band fans,” said Jeff Arnett, Jack Daniel’s Master Distiller. “They are folks who embrace authentic values, love great music and the spirit of friendship. We couldn’t be happier to partner with ZBB.”

Jack Daniel’s will have a presence at the band’s pre-concert ‘Eat & Greets’ and the Jack Daniel’s experience, ‘Lynchburg on Wheels,’ will appear at several of Zac Brown Band-branded food and music festivals. There will also be ticket giveaways and other activities as well as a commemorative bottle program in support of Camp Southern Ground, Zac Brown’s camp for children with special needs. Continue Reading

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clockwise (l-r): Vince Gill, Emmylou Harris, Zac Brown & Sheryl Crow.

The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s ‘All for the Hall’ fundraiser will return to Los Angeles for the third straight year on Tuesday, September 13. Held at Club Nokia, the event will again follow a “guitar pull” format with performances and stories by Country Music Hall of Fame members Vince Gill and Emmylou Harris, and also Sheryl Crow and Zac Brown.

The Museum launched ‘All for the Hall’ in 2005. The campaign addresses the Museum’s need for long-term financial security and provides a safety net for the Museum and its work. This marks the fifth year the Museum has taken the event on the road, hosting ‘All for the Hall’ events in New York in 2007 and 2008 and Los Angeles in 2009, 2010 and now 2011. Continue Reading

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Blake Shelton photo courtesy of Warner Bros. Nashville.

Blake Shelton will be getting footloose and kicking off his Sunday shoes with the release of the upcoming Footloose soundtrack by Atlantic Records/Warner Music Nashville. Blake has recorded a remake of the iconic song “Footloose” to be featured on the soundtrack and in the Paramount Pictures update of the film. The soundtrack will be released on September 27.

The 12-track album will include eight new songs and remakes of four classics from the original soundtrack. Besides Blake’s rendition of “Footloose,” Victoria Justice and Hunter Hayes’ remake of “Almost Paradise’ is featured along with new music from Big & Rich, Cee Lo Green, David Banner, Whitney Duncan, Lissie and Zac Brown of Zac Brown Band.  Other classic songs featured on the album are “Holding Out For A Hero” by Ella Mae Bowen and “Let’s Hear It For The Boy” by Jana Kramer.

In the remake of Footloose, Julianne Hough plays Ariel while newcomer Kenny Wormald takes on the iconic role of Ren MacCormack. Dennis Quaid and Andie MacDowell also star. The movie premieres October 14 in theaters everywhere. In case you’re too young to remember the totally awesome, 1984 original, check out the movie trailer HERE. And then watch the 2011 trailer below: Continue Reading

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The 2011 CMA Music Festival is just around the corner and the CMA is teaming up with Kroger to make it more affordable for everyone to attend one of the Nightly Concerts at LP Field. Shoppers in Kroger stores in Middle Tennessee and Bowling Green and Hopkinsville, Ky. can stop by the Kroger Ticketmaster outlet found at the Customer Service desk to purchase a ticket to any CMA Music Festival Nightly Concert at LP Field. When the shoppers show their Kroger Plus Card at the time of purchase, they will receive a $10 discount, making the tickets $25 each, plus applicable fees.

CMA Music Festival takes place Thursday-Sunday, June 9-12 in downtown Nashville. Continue Reading

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Blake Shelton and Dierks Bentley at Dierks' all-star jam on February 12, 2011 in West Hollywood.

Earlier this week we told you about Dierks Bentley‘s Feb. 12 “hootenanny,” held at the legendary Hollywood club, the Troubadour, the night before the 53^rd Annual GRAMMY Awards.  Because many of his artist friends were already in town for the GRAMMY Awards, it was the perfect night for making music. Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert, Blake Shelton, Hayley Williams of Paramore and Dan Auerbach of the Black Keys were just some of the stars on hand for a two and a half hour smorgasbord of music. Jamey Johnson, Del McCoury and Zac Brown also made appearances.

This morning, Dierks posted a video from the all-star jam. We thought you’d like seeing what happens when your favorite stars get together just for the love of music. Watch the clip below and tell us what you think! Continue Reading

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Dierks Bentley photo courtesy of Capitol Nashville.

Dierks Bentley took his country act to Hollywood for the 53^rd Annual GRAMMY Awards and celebrated Saturday night with a Dierks-style hootenanny in West Hollywood, inviting friends from across all genres of music to join him onstage, reports the LA Times. Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert, Blake Shelton, Hayley Williams of Paramore and Dan Auerbach of the Black Keys were just some of the stars on hand for a two and a half hour smorgasbord of music. Jamey Johnson, the Punch Brothers, and Kris Kristofferson also made appearances.

“We’re not running a tight ship here,” Dierks said at the beginning of the show. Continue Reading

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Lady Antebellum poses in the press room with the award for Best Country Album for 'Need You Now' at the 53rd Annual GRAMMY Awards at the Staples Center, February 13, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kristian Dowling/PictureGroup)

– Written by Shannon Heim

Country’s own Lady Antebellum was the big winner at the 53rd Annual GRAMMY® Awards in Los Angeles Sunday night, taking home the trophy in five of the six categories in which they were nominated. The group’s crossover hit “Need You Now” won Song and Record of the Year as well as best Country Album, Best Country Song and Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals. Lady A members Dave Hayward, Charles Kelley and Hillary Scott were clearly stunned by the Recording Academy’s accolades. “We just cried our eyes out backstage and I can’t believe we’re up here once again,” Charles said while accepting for Record of the Year.

During their performance, the group slowed down a shortened version of “Need You Now” and sung bits of “American Honey,” and the classic “If You Don’t Know Me By Now,” a nod to Teddy Pendergrass, who died last year.

Lady Antebellum was the only country nominee in the Album of the Year category, which ultimately went to Arcade Fire’s The Suburbs.

The group’s dominance marked the second straight year a country crossover act was the night’s top story. Continue Reading

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Zac Brown photo courtesy of Southern Ground/Atlantic.

Zac Brown is surrounded by women – daughters, that is! The Boot reports that Zac and wife Shelly welcomed their fourth daughter, Joni Mason Brown, yesterday morning at their Atlanta, Georgia home. At 7 pounds, 14 ounces, baby Joni joins big sisters Justice, 4, Lucy, 2, and Georgia, 1. As thrilled as he is over his girls, Zac, one of 12 kids in his family, is still holding out for a boy. Continue Reading

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