Country Music Rocks

Keith Urban Becomes An Opry Member This Weekend

Apr 192012

Keith Urban will become a member of one of the most prestigious institutions in country music – the Grand Ole Opry – on Saturday (April 21st). He couldn’t be more proud to represent the famed organization. “It’s a big moment for me,” says Keith.

“I was thinking what it means to me to be inducted into the Opry is probably no more than just a feeling of they know where my heart is – that’s what it means to me to get this induction. My whole childhood is predominantly immersed in traveling around to country festivals and performing and competing in these talent quests. And you know, I was in this heavy metal band for like two weeks, and I got fired for playing these chicken-picking guitar solos ‘cause it’s a band that plays all this Judas Priest and Whitesnake and everything, but I’m totally immersed in Ricky Skaggs at the time. I bought Highways and Heartaches, and I just discovered Ray Flack and I’m like, ‘This is fantastic.’ And I’m like, [sings guitar picking] every time they throw me a solo, and I got fired from the band. You know, I was 15, and that to me, that sums up what my conundrum was at the time was sort of like, ‘Well, what do I do? What sort of music should I be making?’…And the foundation was always country, so to get this induction…this is exactly where my heart is; always has been.”

Keith Urban had no clue that his Opry induction would take place on April 21^st. “I didn’t know anything about it. All I know is that it was a friend of my wife’s birthday on the schedule, which apparently is totally fictitious, but [laughs] that was it. It was Monica’s birthday on the 21^st. So, I didn’t question it. I was just gonna go.”

If you can’t be there in person to see Keith’s induction for yourself, you can catch it on TV. Noteworthy at the Opry, featuring the entertainer’s induction, will air live Saturday, April 21st at 9pm ET on GAC.

In other news, he is hitting the airwaves with his new single, “For You,” and he is donating his proceeds to the Navy SEAL Foundation. For more information, log onto nswfoundation.org.

Keep up with Keith by visiting his official website, www.KeithUrban.net.

Trailer Choir’s “Big” Vinny Proposes At The Grand Ole Opry

Dec 062011

Photo Credit People Magazine April Dietz

Trailer Choir’s “Big” Vinny Hickerson is engaged to longtime girlfriend Lori Diaz. Hickerson is a current contestant on hit show The Biggest Loser and he popped to the question at the Grand Ole Opry while filming an episode for competition show.

“I wanted to take her there because it’s a place where so many dreams have come true, right there on that stage,” Hickerson tells PEOPLE exclusively. “My biggest dream is to be a great husband and a great father, and fall in love.”

“There was no one there but us and a camera crew,” says Diaz. “We sat down in the front row and he gives me a spiel about how he loves me more than anything.”

To top the evening off, Thompson Square performed a private performance of their hit single “Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not”. Check out the video and all the details by clicking HERE.

Brent Anderson To Make His Grand Ole Opry Debut

Brent Anderson, Grand Ole Opry No Responses »

Dec 022011

Sea Gayle Records/Arista Nashville’s Brent Anderson will make his Grand Ole Opry debut this Saturday, December 3, at the historic Ryman Auditorium. “I’ve dreamed about playing the Opry since I was a kid,” said Anderson. “To get the chance to play it now, especially while the Opry is back home at The Ryman, is an incredible feeling. I feel so lucky and blessed for the opportunity. I can’t imagine what it will feel like to stand on that stage, but I’m excited to find out.”

On the Ryman stage Saturday night, the Pascagoula, MS native will perform his debut single, “Amy’s Song,” which he co-wrote with Craig Fuller (founding member of the folk-rock group Pure Prairie League) and Chris DuBois (co-writer of Brad Paisley’s hits such as “Remind Me” and “Old Alabama”). Fuller and one-time Pure Prairie League lead singer, Vince Gill, provide the background vocals on the song.

“When Brent played me ‘Amy’s Song,’ I was just blown away with how it’s a unique new song but it incorporated an old classic,” says producer Frank Rogers. “And we thought, man it would be cool if we got the guy who sang the original to sing on this thing. So, we called Craig Fuller and he was all excited about it and Craig was replaced in Pure Prairie League by Vince Gill, so I called up Vince and he said ‘Craig Fuller – Absolutely!’ so they came over to the house and sang on the song together and it was the first time the two of them had ever sung together, which was really, really a neat experience.”

Fans can purchase “Amy’s Song” on iTunes by clicking HERE.

For more information on Brent go to www.BrentAndersonMusic.com.

Vince Gill to Host America’s Opry Weekend Thanksgiving Special

Grand Ole Opry, Vince Gill No Responses »

Nov 112011

Grand Ole Opry and Country Music Hall of Fame member Vince Gill will host the America’s Opry Weekend Thanksgiving Special slated to air on radio November 23 through November 27. The radio program will celebrate Thanksgiving and the beginning of a music-filled holiday season, with Gill playing some of the year’s biggest hits about life, home, and thanks. The America’s Opry Weekend Thanksgiving Special will also contain cuts from Gill’s new release, GUITAR SLINGER, and several of his all-time holiday favorites, including some he’ll be singing with his wife Amy Grant on the couple’s 2011 “Twelve Days of Christmas” tour.

Among the artists and songs included in the Thanksgiving special are Gill’s “Blue Christmas,” Dierks Bentley’s “Home,” Martina McBride’s “I’m Gonna Love You Through It,” Blake Shelton’s “God Gave Me You,” Trade Adkins’ “Million Dollar View,” Carrie Underwood’s “Temporary Home,” and Brad Paisley’s “Winter Wonderland.”

In celebration of the radio special, opry.com has added a GUITAR SLINGER section to the site featuring an exclusive interview with Gill about the new album and a Guitar Town Sweepstakes offering guitars autographed by the award-winner and a three-day Nashville getaway.

Chris Young’s Opry Performance Of Keith Whitley Classic “Don’t Close Your Eyes”

Chris Young, Grand Ole Opry No Responses »

Nov 022011

Chris Young performs for the first time with a guitar that belonged to Keith Whitley on the Opry stage with a cover of Whitley’s own “Don’t Close Your Eyes”. “Keith Whitley has always been one of my musical heroes, so to get the chance to hold a piece of history in my hands and play his guitar on the Opry stage was beyond awesome,” shared Young.

Keith Urban Gets A Birthday Serenade At His Opry Performance

Grand Ole Opry, Keith Urban No Responses »

Oct 282011

Keith Urban Opry - CountryMusicRocks.net

Keith Urban sang his hits for a sold-out Opry House audience Tuesday night, and the audience sang right back. After the CMA Entertainer of the Year nominee performed his first song of the night, “Sweet Thing,” fans who were gathered near the stage serenaded the superstar with “Happy Birthday” in honor of his birthday on Wednesday. Urban concluded his Opry set with “Making Memories of Us” and “Where the Blacktop Ends.” The superstar is scheduled to return to the Opry twice next month.

Chris Young Plays Keith Whitley’s Guitar On “Opry Live”

Chris Young, Grand Ole Opry No Responses »

Oct 272011

2011 CMA New Artist of the Year nominee Chris Young recently showcased a piece of music history in a taped appearance at the Grand Ole Opry where he played a guitar once owned by the late Keith Whitley. Young, a fan of the iconic singer, acquired the Sigma by Martin – one of Whitley’s three primary guitars – from Music City Pickers, a company that buys and sells vintage musical instruments. The company’s founders, #1 hit singer/songwriter Brady Seals and former Gibson Guitars web editor Gabriel Hernandez, discovered the instrument on a buying trip to Lexington, Kentucky, in early August.

“Keith Whitley has always been one of my musical heroes, so to get the chance to hold a piece of history in my hands and play his guitar on the Opry stage was beyond awesome,” shared Young.

Tune in to Great American Country ( GAC) “Opry Live” on Saturday, October 29 as Young performs his recent hits “You” and “Tomorrow” in addition to Whitley’s “Don’t Close Your Eyes,” on the fabled guitar, airing at 9 pm ET on GAC.

Music City Pickers maintains an ever-evolving array of vintage and newer high quality instruments for sale. To view the current collection, visit the Music City Pickers website at www.musiccitypickers.com.

The Opry Goes Pink With Martina McBride, Kellie Pickler, GMA’s Robin Roberts & More…

Edens Edge, Grand Ole Opry, Kellie Pickler, Lauren Alaina, Martina McBride No Responses »

Oct 232011

The Grand Ole Opry_®, joined Women Rock For The Cure™ in the fight against breast cancer tonight with its third annual “Opry Goes Pink” show. ABC’s Good Morning America co-anchor Robin Roberts, herself a breast cancer survivor, was on hand as a special guest announcer and introduced the Women Rock For The Cure™ Honorary Survivor of the Year Yolanda Smith. Opry member Martina McBride flipped the switch, turning the Opry’s signature barn backdrop “pink” in support of breast cancer awareness. McBride’s current single, “I’m Gonna Love You Through It,” offers hope to those affected by cancer, and the powerful song is included on her Republic Nashville album, Eleven, released Oct. 11. Kellie Pickler turned the barn “pink” in the Opry’s second show of the evening. Additional performers tonight included Lauren Alaina, Edens Edge, Ronnie Milsap and more.