Pistol Annies - CountryMusicRocks.net

Pistol Annies are scheduled to perform on Miranda Lambert’s ON FIRE tour beginning April 26 in Fresno, CA.  The female trio featuring Miranda Lambert, Ashley Monroe and Angaleena Presley and have been creating a huge buzz across the country ever since their live debut last April on the CBS special, “Girls’ Night Out”.  

Their title track, “Hell on Heels,” quickly reached Gold Certification and has garnered many accolades including Nashville Scene’s Top Album, Top New Artist and Top Duo or Group categories as selected by over 70 critics nationwide.  The trio’s album, Hell On Heels, debuted at #1 on the country chart last.

 “We have chemistry as friends, we have chemistry on stage, and we have chemistry in our writing,” says Miranda.  “It’s one of my favorite times during my show because I get to step into a different role.”  What began on a whim during a writing session a few years ago has become a musical journey for the ladies.   

Fans aren’t going to want to miss the Pistol Annies, as the reigning ACM & CMA Female Vocalist of the Year, Miranda Lambert, brings them to her ON FIRE tour at the following dates:

4/26 Fresno, CA – Save Mart Center
4/27 Mountain View, CA – Shoreline Amphitheatre
5/10 Omaha, NE – CenturyLink Center
5/11 Kansas City, MO – Sprint Center
5/12 Dallas, TX – Gexa Energy Pavilion
5/17 Tallahassee, FL – Tallahassee Leon Civic Center
5/18 Southaven, MS – Landers Center
5/19 Nashville, TN – Bridgestone Arena
6/1 Virginia Beach, VA – Patriotic Festival
6/2 Camden, NJ – Susquehanna Bank Center
6/3 Bristow, VA – Jiffy Lube Live
6/8 Indianapolis, IN – Klipsch Music Center
6/9 Chicago, IL – Wrigley Field
6/10 Detroit, MI – Comerica Park
6/14 Columbus, OH – Nationwide Arena
6/15 Cincinnati, OH – Riverbend Music Center
6/16 Maryland Heights, MO – Verizon Wireless Amphitheater
6/21 Corpus Christi, TX – American Bank Arena
6/22 Beaumont, TX – Ford Park Arena
6/23 New Orleans, LA – UNO Lakefront Arena

2012 has already been a busy year for Miranda.  In addition to bringing home the ACM honor for Female Vocalist of the Year, her critically acclaimed album, Four The Record, was also recognized as Album of the Year at the ACM Awards.

Special guest Chris Young and Jerrod Niemann will continue to support Miranda on these upcoming dates.

CMT Big New Music Weekend - CountryMusicRocks.net

Discover new music and fall in love with country’s biggest stars all over again as CMT presents CMT BIG NEW MUSIC WEEKEND, beginning Friday, April 27 at 6 a.m. ET/PT.  In an exclusive world premiere event, the network will unveil 12 brand new country music videos, paired alongside some of the biggest recent hits to create killer music hours all weekend long.

CMT BIG NEW MUSIC WEEKEND will include the newest videos by superstars Carrie Underwood; Miranda Lambert; Jason Aldean; Rascal Flatts; Luke Bryan; Taylor Swift with The Civil Wars; Eric Church; Kenny Chesney and Tim McGraw; Martina McBride and Train; and Kelly Clarkson.  Additionally, the weekend will include exclusive world premieres by Lady Antebellum (“Perfect Day”); Lee Brice (“Hard to Love”); Kix Brooks featuring Joe Walsh (“New to this Town”); a new version of Thompson Square’s “Glass;” Easton Corbin (“Lovin’ You is Fun”); David Nail (“The Sound of a Million Dreams”); Dustin Lynch (“Cowboys and Angels”); Aaron Lewis (“Endless Summer”); J.T. Hodges (“Goodbyes Made You Mine”); Casey James (“Cryin’ On A Suitcase-Live”); Thomas Rhett (“Something To Do With My Hands”) and Sonia Leigh (“Bar”).

Many of the featured premiere videos will include a personal introduction by the artist.  Additionally, all of the BIG NEW MUSIC WEEKEND videos will be highlighted across CMT’s digital platforms including CMT.com, Facebook and @FollowCMT on Twitter.

CMTMA12_Logo

It’s proving to be Carrie Underwood’s year as she picks up five nominations for the 2012 CMT MUSIC AWARDS, it was announced this morning live on NBC’s “Today” show by host Hoda Kotb and guest co-host Willie Geist with guests Little Big Town, who received a nomination in the CMT PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR category.  The group also announced they will perform on this year’s live show. 

Women lead the pack this year as Miranda Lambert follows closely behind Underwood with four nominations; two for her solo work and two as a member of country trio and first-time nominees Pistol Annies, who are up for GROUP VIDEO OF THE YEAR and USA WEEKEND BREAKTHROUGH VIDEO OF THE YEAR awards.  Jason Aldean, Lady Antebellum, Rascal Flatts, Blake Shelton, Taylor Swift and Thompson Square are next in line tied for three nominations apiece.  Duo The Civil Wars also received three nominations, including two for their collaboration with Taylor Swift on the hit song “Safe & Sound” from “The Hunger Games” soundtrack.

The 2012 CMT MUSIC AWARDS mark the 11th anniversary of the awards show and will air LIVE from Nashville on Wednesday, June 6 on CMT and CMT.com.

The final nominees in each of the 2012 CMT MUSIC AWARDS categories include:

VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Best video of the year; awarded to the artist (male, female, group/duo or collaboration) and the video director.  Final nominees announced during live telecast, with final voting held online at CMT.com during the show.

  • Jason Aldean – “Dirt Road Anthem”
  • Kenny Chesney featuring Grace Potter – “You And Tequila”
  • Toby Keith – “Red Solo Cup”
  • Lady Antebellum – “We Owned The Night”
  • Miranda Lambert – “Over You”
  • Brad Paisley with Carrie Underwood – “Remind Me”
  • Rascal Flatts featuring Natasha Bedingfield – “Easy”
  • Blake Shelton – “God Gave Me You”
  • Taylor Swift featuring The Civil Wars – “Safe & Sound”
  • Carrie Underwood – “Good Girl” 

MALE VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Best video by a male artist; awarded to the artist

  • Jason Aldean – “Dirt Road Anthem”
  • Luke Bryan – “I Don’t Want This Night To End”
  • Eric Church – “Drink In My Hand”
  • Toby Keith – “Red Solo Cup”
  • Blake Shelton – “God Gave Me You”
  • Keith Urban – “Long Hot Summer”

FEMALE VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Best video by a female artist; awarded to the artist

  • Sara Evans – “My Heart Can’t Tell You No”
  • Miranda Lambert – “Over You”
  • Martina McBride – “I’m Gonna Love You Through It”
  • Kellie Pickler – “Tough”
  • Taylor Swift – “Ours”
  • Carrie Underwood – “Good Girl”

GROUP VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Best video by a group; awarded to the artists

  • Eli Young Band – “Crazy Girl”
  • Lady Antebellum – “We Owned The Night”
  • Pistol Annies – “Hell On Heels”
  • Rascal Flatts – “Banjo”
  • The Band Perry – “All Your Life”
  • Zac Brown Band – “Keep Me In Mind”

DUO VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Best video by a duo; awarded to the artists

  • Love and Theft – “Angel Eyes”
  • Montgomery Gentry – “Where I Come From”
  • Sugarland – “Tonight”
  • The Civil Wars – “Poison & Wine”
  • Thompson Square – “Glass”
  • Thompson Square – “I Got You”

USA WEEKEND BREAKTHROUGH VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Best video from an artist’s major breakthrough album; awarded to the artist (male, female, or group/duo)

  • Lauren Alaina – “Georgia Peaches”
  • Brantley Gilbert – “Country Must Be Country Wide”
  • Hunter Hayes – “Storm Warning”
  • Scotty McCreery – “The Trouble With Girls”
  • Pistol Annies – “Hell On Heels”
  • Thompson Square – “I Got You”

COLLABORATIVE VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Best video that featured a special collaborative appearance by artists; awarded to the artists (individual, group or duo)

  • Kenny Chesney featuring Grace Potter – “You And Tequila”
  • Brad Paisley with Carrie Underwood – “Remind Me”
  • Rascal Flatts featuring Natasha Bedingfield – “Easy”
  • Lionel Richie with Shania Twain – “Endless Love”
  • Taylor Swift featuring The Civil Wars – “Safe & Sound”
  • Zac Brown Band featuring Jimmy Buffett – “Knee Deep”

CMT PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR
Musical performance on a television show, series or variety special on CMT; awarded to the artist (individual, group or duo)

  • Jason Aldean – “Tattoos On This Town” from 2011 CMT ARTISTS OF THE YEAR
  • Lady Antebellum – “Dancin’ Away With My Heart” from 2011 CMT ARTISTS OF THE YEAR
  • Little Big Town – “Fix You” from MUSIC BUILDS: THE CMT DISASTER RELIEF CONCERT
  • Blake Shelton – “Footloose” from INVITATION ONLY: BLAKE SHELTON
  • Sting and Vince Gill – “If I Ever Lose My Faith In You” from CMT CROSSROADS: STING AND VINCE GILL
  • Steven Tyler and Carrie Underwood – “Just A Dream/Dream On” from  CMT CROSSROADS: STEVEN TYLER & CARRIE UNDERWOOD FROM THE PEPSI SUPER BOWL FAN JAM

 Fans can vote online at CMT.com, and on their mobile device at CMT Mobile or the CMT Insider app available on iPhone, iPad and Android now through June 4 to determine the winners.  The five finalists for VIDEO OF THE YEAR will be announced at the beginning of the live show and fans can then vote at CMT.com, CMT mobile, on the CMT Insider app and via text message throughout the live telecast (ET/CT only) to determine the night’s big winner.

Miranda Lambert with puppy - CountryMusicRocks.net

Miranda Lambert, the reigning 3-time ACM Female Vocalist of the Year, is headed home to Texas, to headline the 5th Annual Cause for the Paws concert benefitting Miranda’s own MuttNation Foundation.  On Friday, June 22nd, Miranda takes the stage at Ford Park in Beaumont, TX, joined by special guests Wade Bowen and The Josh Abbott Band.  Tickets go on-sale Friday, April 27th at 10am and are available at the Ford Park Box Office, online at www.ticketmaster.com and by phone at 800-745-3000.

Miranda’s love of animals led to the formation of MuttNation.  The foundation has successfully raised money across the country aiding organizations and governmental institutions or entities whose purpose is to build animal shelters for better care; increase pet adoption and encourage responsible pet guardianship; rehabilitate sick or unsocialized animals; fund spay/neuter programs; reduce/eliminate euthanasia of healthy animals; and train shelter dogs for purposes of therapy programs, assistance for wounded military personnel and dogs-in-prisons programs.

“We are so excited about the next chapter in our lives at MuttNation Foundation in aiding and assisting animals in need,” said Miranda’s manager Marion Kraft. “After four years in East Texas we found ourselves in need of hosting the benefit concert in a bigger venue. Beaumont, Texas reached out with open arms to help us with our mission. Aside from music, this is Miranda’s biggest passion in life and those of you who can attend the show are sure to have a time you won’t forget!  Also, remember that every penny of profit from the benefit goes into the fund that helps us accomplish our mission, to end animal suffering and homelessness.”

“I’m thrilled to say that in the past four years we have been able to contribute over $700,000 dollars to abused, abandoned, neglected or unwanted animals,” said Bev Lambert, the Director of MuttNation. “We plan on doing even more outreach in 2012. One exciting partnership that we have entered into in this past year is with the Red Star Emergency Relief Service to assist in disaster relief for animals displaced or abandoned as well as the rebuilding of shelters harmed or destroyed. The most exciting thing is that we are partnering with them to bring home our military service dogs from the recent war relief. The service animals are currently being retrained to provide service to the wounded warriors and as therapy pets for their families.”

This year’s Cause for the Paws, benefitting Miranda Lambert’s MuttNation Foundation will take place Friday, June 22nd at Ford Park in Beaumont, TX.  Tickets start at $26.75 and are available at the Ford Park Box Office, online at www.Ticketmaster.com, and by phone at 800-745-3000.  Donations can also be made at www.muttnationfoundation.com.

Pistol Annies Record Day - CountryMusicRocks.net

Miranda Lambert, Ashley Monroe and Angaleena Presley, a.k.a. the Pistol Annies, will commemorate Record Store Day with the vinyl release of their critically acclaimed album, Hell On Heels.  The vinyl version will be released on Record Store Day which is Saturday, April 21. The CD and digital album was released in August of last year and has already yielded a Gold single with the title track.

In addition, by clicking HERE you can check out an animated record player where fans can listen to the album with the “fuzz and crackle” feel of a well-loved and worn vinyl record. By sharing the widget, fans are automatically registered to WIN an autographed copy of the album and a Sony USB Stereo Turntable to play it on.  Fans can find a list of participating independent record stores on the site as well.

“The music of the Pistol Annies is the three of us truly being ourselves—not only in our songwriting and storytelling, but also in the way we perform as a team.” We wanted to make music that people talk about but might not want to admit and it’s the kind of raw and honest country music that deserves to be on vinyl,” said Miranda.

The trio was born during a songwriting session with Lambert, a.k.a. “Lonestar Annie” and Monroe, a.k.a “Hipppie Annie.” While writing and sharing stories, Monroe decided that Lambert and Presley, a.k.a “Holler Annie,” needed to meet, and a midnight phone call with the three of them launched the group.  The three of them wrote and co-wrote every song on the album and were joined by Pistol Andy, a.k.a Blake Shelton, on the song “Family Feud.”

For more on the Pistol Annies go to www.pistolannies.com.

47th Annual ACM Awards - CountryMusicRocks.net

Winners have been announced for the 47th ANNUAL ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS, a star-studded ceremony broadcast LIVE last night on the CBS Television Network from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Fans named Taylor Swift, Entertainer of the Year, the evening’s biggest honor. This is the second consecutive year that Taylor Swift has been named Entertainer of the Year. This year marked a record breaking year with nearly one million fans casting their vote for Entertainer of the Year and New Artist of the Year categories, combined. 

Swift is the youngest and seventh solo female to take the award in the 40 year history of this category; previous winners include Loretta Lynn in 1975, Dolly Parton in 1977, Barbara Mandrell in 1980, Reba in 1994, Shania Twain in 1999, Dixie Chicks in 2000 and Carrie Underwood in 2008 and 2009.

Miranda Lambert won Female Vocalist of the Year and Blake Shelton won Male Vocalist of the Year.  This is Lambert’s third consecutive win as Female Vocalist of the Year and Shelton’s first win as Male Vocalist of the Year.

Lambert also took the prize for Album of the Year, making her the only female to have three consecutive albums win the category. Lambert previously won Album of the Year in 2007 for Crazy Ex-Girlfriend and in 2009 for REVOLUTION.

For the third consecutive year, Lady Antebellum won Vocal Group of the Year. Thompson Square won Vocal Duo of the Year, their first ACM Award win. Scotty McCreery was honored as New Artist of the Year in tonight’s broadcast, marking his first ACM win in the fan-voted category.

Jason Aldean and Kelly Clarkson won two awards tonight in the categories of Single Record of the Year and Vocal Event of the Year for their song “Don’t You Wanna Stay.” This marks a first win in both categories for Aldean and Clarkson.

Artists Lee Brice, Kelly Clarkson, Eli Young Band, Scotty McCreery and Thompson Square received their first time Academy of Country Music Awards.

Last Night, the Academy of Country Music sold-out two of the largest arenas in Las Vegas, the MGM Grand Garden Arena for the 47th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards hosted by Reba and Blake Shelton, and the Mandalay Bay Events Center for the 2nd Annual ACM Fan Jam, hosted by the Zac Brown Band.

Following is the list of winners in the 11 categories voted on by the membership (excluding the Entertainer of the Year and New Artist categories, which were voted on by a combination of professional ACM members and fans):

Entertainer of the Year

  • Taylor Swift

Male Vocalist of the year

  • Blake Shelton

Female Vocalist of the year

  • Miranda Lambert

Vocal Duo of the year *(Off Camera Award)

  • Thompson Square

Vocal Group OF THE YEAR

  • Lady Antebellum

NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR

  • Scotty McCreery

ALBUM OF THE YEAR [Award to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company]

  • Four The Record – Miranda Lambert (RCA)

Produced by: Chuck Ainlay, Frank Liddell, Glenn Worf

Single Record of the Year [Award to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company]

  • Don’t You Wanna Stay – Jason Aldean With Kelly Clarkson (Broken Bow Records)

Produced by: Michael Knox

Song of the Year [Award to Composer(s)/Publisher(s)/Artist(s)]

  • Crazy Girl – Eli Young Band

Composers: Lee Brice, Liz Rose

Publishers: Cake Taker Music (BMI), Mike Curb Music (BMI), Sony/ATV Tree Publishing (BMI), Sweet Hysteria Music (BMI)

Video of the Year [Award to Producer(s)/Director(s)/Artist(s)] *(Off Camera Award)

  • Red Solo Cup – Toby Keith

Producer: Mark Kalbfeld

Director: Michael Salomon

Vocal Event of the Year [Award to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company] *(Off Camera Award)

  • Don’t You Wanna Stay – Jason Aldean With Kelly Clarkson (Broken Bow Records)

Produced by: Michael Knox

 

Country Dance XBox - CountryMusicRocks.net

***CONTEST CLOSED***

Congratulations Michael, Kristy, Alison, Kim, & Connor!

Are you ready to Kinect – Country Style??? Country Dance All Stars for Kinect/Xbox 360 gaming system is available NOW! The Country Dance™ All Stars in-game setlist features over 30 chart-topping hits from the biggest names in country music. Country Dance All Stars, an entertaining dance game with bonus sing-a-long features, debuts exclusively on Kinect™ for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft.  The Country Dance All Stars game is loaded with songs from award-winning country artists including 18 CMA 2011 award winners, including Carrie Underwood, Blake Shelton, Miranda Lambert, Sugarland, Luke Bryan, Keith Urban, Rascal Flatts, Josh Thompson, Tim McGraw, Jake Owen and Many Many More!

To celebrate the release of Country Dance All Stars for Kinect/Xbox 360, we have FIVE Country Dance All Stars Games to giveaway!!! To enter to win, please fill out the form below.  Five winners will be chosen at random after contest closes on April 9.  One Entry Per Person, please.  Good Luck!

Country Dance All Stars for Kinect/Xbox 360 is available in retail stores now.  With Easter just around the corner, this game would make a great addition in some Easter Baskets!! For more information about Country Dance All Stars or the Country Dance game franchise, please visit www.game-mill.com.

Chris_Young - CountryMusicRocks.net

THE TALK is going Country!  Next week, the daytime talk show will celebrate the 47TH ANNUAL ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS with special guests, segments and live performances, including ACM Awards host Reba, country superstar Miranda Lambert and ACM Award-nominated performer Chris Young,  Thursday, March 29 and Friday, March 30 (2:00-3:00 PM, ET; 1:00-2:00 PM, PT/CT).

On Thursday, March 29, Miranda Lambert will join the ladies at the table as a guest co-host.  Also during the show, ACM nominated singer Chris Young will perform his recent #1 hit, “You.” Young is nominated for the ACM Male Vocalist and Single Record of the Year awards.

ACM Awards host and country music icon Reba will visit THE TALK and preview the Awards show on Friday, March 30.

The 47TH ANNUAL ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS, “Country Music’s Party of the Year®” honoring country music’s best and introducing the industry’s hottest emerging talent, will be broadcast LIVE from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Sunday, April 1 (8:00-11:00PM live ET/delayed PT) on the CBS Television Network. The show, produced by dick clark productions, will be hosted for the second consecutive year by Reba and Blake Shelton.