2009 CMA Awards Nomination Announcement Sep. 9

Thursday, August 27, 2009

Yes, its getting close to that time of year again, and Country Music Alive will be providing you all the updates on the 2009 CMA Awards.

The nominees will be announced live on September 9, 2009 during the 8:30 AM/EST portion of ABC's Good Morning America. Darius Rucker and Lee Ann Womack will have the honors this year of making the announcements.

Chuck Wicks will announce the finalists for the 2009 CMA Broadcast Personality and Radio Station of the Year in four categories (small, medium, large, and major markets) as well as the finalists for the CMA National Broadcast Personality of the Year live on Premiere Radio Networks.

The 43rd Annual CMA Awards airs live on ABC Wednesday November 11, 2009 from 8-11pm EST. For the second year, Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood will host the event.

Don't Forget Your Older Country Music

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Every Tuesday, there is new music hitting the store shelves. Very rarely does a Tuesday come and go without a new album from a country artist. Most of the time its 3-4 new titles to get excited about.

At the quick pace albums are released, due to the vast number of artists, rather than the quality artists releasing music on a rapid pace,(That's for another post one day,) you can easily forget about your older music. Now, I am not talking about going out and purchasing older music; I am talking about the music you already own.

Into today's modern age of technology, the access to your older music is available to you at your fingertip... literally. I mean think about it. Take that I-Pod and move the dial and you just may discover something you haven't listened to in awhile.

I sure did.

Oh, and I'm not just talking about that older hit song you like and that everyone listens to either. I'm talking about those artists and albums that you won't hear right off the radio.

You see, night before last, I was working on a cleaning project. I decided to turn the I-Pod on and see what I could find, rather than putting on one of newest albums. I found Jeff Wood's 1997 release "Between the Earth and the Stars." I don't believe you will be able to purchase this one at a retailer any longer, but wow... what an album ("You Just Get One" charted #44, "Use Mine" charted #55, and "You Call That A Mountain" charted #63.) It was an odd feeling. The album felt like I hadn't heard it, but yet, I new all the words to the songs. Once the 2nd song began, it was a great feeling.

I bet you have an album that you can remember that was your favorite for the longest time, but it was replaced in your routines of listening. It may be one of today's established artists or it could be a one-hit wonder, or heck, someone that never even charted.

So, give it a try, pull out that older CD or take the thumb to the wheel of the I-Pod and see what you can find. I'd love to hear your story.

Big Dreams & High Hopes: Jack Ingram Breaks World Record

Did you hear an interview with Jack Ingram yesterday on your favorite? You weren't alone. He did 215 radio interviews in 24 hours, according to cmt.com.

In promotion of his new album, "Big Dreams & High Hopes" Jack Ingram broke the Guinness Book of World Record for the most radio interviews in a 24-hour period. The previous record was 96.

In case you didn't get to hear one of the 215, Jack Ingram's new album hit stores today that includes the single "Barefoot & Crazy."

Zac Brown Band Goes Platinum

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

According to their Twitter page, Zac Brown Band's album "The Foundation" has gone platinum. Pretty cool... one great album for sure. It's one of those that you can put on and keep listening and listening. If you haven't got your copy of "The Foundation" that includes "Chicken Fried," "Whatever It Is," and "Toes," I think it is about time to get it... it is one highly talented album.

"The Foundation" was released November 18, 2008.

Jason Aldean New DVD "Wide Open & More"

Monday, August 17, 2009

CMT : News : Jason Aldean's Live DVD Certified Gold Prior to Release

Pretty impressive; Having a DVD certified gold before its even available for sale. That means 50,000 units have been shipped and ready for sale next week, August 25, 2009. The DVD is a concert DVD that was recorded in Knoxville, TN and is quiet the treat. It includes a full concert and a great behind the scenes look at the setup that has Jason Aldean discussing many topics; a really enjoyable listen for sure. The video is high quality and extremely enjoyable.

If you have been a fan of Jason Aldean and his 3 albums, this is a must own.

"Jason Aldean: Wide Open and More" is available in DVD or BluRay format for pre-order now from Amazon.com or in stores August 25, 2009.

More on Brooks & Dunn

Friday, August 14, 2009

Above, you will find a great video from CMT.com that discusses the end to Brooks & Dunn. Plain and simple... they believe they have done all they can really. The duo announced on August 10 that they would be parting ways after the release of their greatest hits compilation #1s…And Then Some on September 8 and “The Last Rodeo Tour” in 2010.

Enjoy the video. They do a great job discussing this topic--directly from Ronnie and Kix.

CMT has a special presentation that will start to air in October titled "Invitation Only: Brooks & Dunn."

cmt.com photo credit: Photo Credit: WireImage.com/Rick Diamond

Monday, August 10, 2009

Well, it is official. The following information is posted on Brooks & Dunn's official website:

"To Our Fans:After 20 years of making music and riding this trail together, we have agreed as a duo that it's time call it a day. This ride has been everything and more than we could ever have dreamed.... We owe it all to you, the fans. If you hear rumors, don't believe them, it's just time. We will release our #1's and then some" on September 8th and bid you farewell one last time in 2010, with The Last Rodeo Tour...(dates to be announced).

Brooks & Dunn"

Wow, well what can I say. Pretty hard news to take in a lot of ways. What a talented and fun duo. They are the masters of a country music duo; they know country music and know how to perform it. Both Ronnie and Kix are so instrumental in the country music community and are pure icons. Yes, I could go on for awhile, but I think I'd rather turn the I-pod on and take a listen to their music. One more album to come, but will be mainly hits from its title.

George Strait New Album "Twang"

Are you ready? Yes... George Strait has another album ready for release tomorrow August 11, 2009. "Twang" includes “Living For The Night,” the first single from the albumhit the Top 15 mark in just three weeks making it one of the fastest rising singles of his career. This is Strait's 38th album, yes, you read that right, 38 Strait albums.

Each and every Strait album is special, any country music fan knows that. This one, however, just may be a bit more special than the rest to Strait and his fans. This is the first time since Strait's sophmore release that he has written a song on the album. Furthermore, his son, Bubba Strait, has co-written "Living For The Night" and "He’s Got That Something Special" with George Strait and Dean Dillon, "Out Of Sight Out Of Mind" co-written by the father/son pair exclusively. Bubba also has solo writing credit on one song, "Arkansas Dave." That has to be one proud father... having his son write a song for one of his albums. Not only a country album, but a on a Strait album that requires such a high-class penmenship to make it.

Other notable writers on the album include Jim Lauderdale, Sherrie Austin, Blaine Larsen, Delbert McClinton , among many others. I've heard it more than once, writing credit on a Strait album is one of the highest honors a songwriter can have.

Looking through the linear notes, there is even one song fully in Spanish titled "El Ray."

George Strait's 38th album, "Twang," hits stores and available for download tomorrow, August 11, 2009.

Quick Update

Thursday, August 06, 2009

I decided that I did not know enough about CSS to begin design work on the new website... So, I am actively enjoying learning CSS (a web design code) to get things the way I want the site to look like.

It took just a little time to find just the right book that I wanted to use for guidance.

I hope in the next day or so to begin posting more regularly here with country music topics.