Country On-Demand :: Under The Radar

Thursday, January 31, 2008

Live from Abbey Roads

Rascal Flatts is in the UK and today they performed from Abbey Roads. The press likes to think that Nashville has sent only LeAnn Rimes to perform there before. They would be wrong, however, and tell your friends that ONLY Country On-Demand has it right. Shania Twain played a full set for Abbey Roads in July 2003 before she embarked on a three-show trek to promote her upcoming world tour.

Tuesday, January 29, 2008

Brad Paisley's instruments

The next Paisley album will showcase his guitar and not his voice. We've received word that Brad is recording an instrumental album set for release sometime this year. A rep from Arista Nashville says the label isn't ready to do press just yet. Look for more information in a few months.

Monday, January 28, 2008

At the 10, the 5, touchdown!

Before the undefeated New England Patriots take on the New York Giants, country legend Willie Nelson will help FOX pre-game Superbowl XLII. Nelson will be joined by Sara Evans on a performance of his legendary hit "Mama's Don't Let The Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys." Also joining the tailgating fun will be Trace Adkins, performing his hit "I Got My Game On."

A girl's best friend

The RIAA has issued digital platinum certification for Taylor Swift's "Teardrops On My Guitar," signifying more than 1 million paid downloads. "Our Song" has been certified digital gold for more than 500,000 downloads.

Thursday, January 24, 2008

Counting 'em up

Garth's two-disc Ultimate Hits is certified 5x platinum. Mind you, it is a double disc and got the double disc certification.

Wednesday, January 23, 2008

'Yeehaw' they said as the bell rang

John Rich of Big & Rich and the gang from CMT's "Gone Country" show ring the bell at the New York Stock Exchange on Wednesday, Jan. 23rd.

Burn, baby, burn

Taylor Swift has made a change to her new single - or at least, her label has. "Picture to Burn" originally goes something like "Tell your friends that I'm obsessive and crazy. That's fine, I'll tell mine you're gay." Not anymore. The radio edit has been changed so that the last line now says, "That's fine. You won't mind if I say (into chorus)." Hmm.. the song goes for adds Feb. 4.

Thursday, January 17, 2008

Jo Dee Messina is not "done"

Jo Dee Messina's new single is "I'm Done" from her currently shelved album. Good going, Curb! Let's see what happens. Thoughts?

Tuesday, January 15, 2008

The King shall return!

Word out of UMG is that George Strait is recording a new album right this very moment. They anticipate the record to be ready for a release in the spring. He's on tour right now with Little Big Town and Sarah Johns.

Monday, January 14, 2008

You never know with him

I tell ya what, Garth is the man.

CBS will air a live portion from one of Garth Brooks' five upcoming concerts in Los Angeles on Jan. 25. The one-hour special, which will be taken from his third concert at the Staples Center that day, is titled Garth Brooks: Live in L.A.!. He will also perform two concerts there on Jan. 26, after selling 85,000 tickets in less than an hour. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Southern California 2008 Fire Intervention Relief Effort (FIRE). Viewers may also donate to the organization during the concert broadcast.

I love Garth.

Friday, January 11, 2008

Next from "Duets"

I hear from my friends at MCA Nashville that a new single is in the works for Ms. Reba, but which song? Well, that is "still being discussed." There are no wrong choices, in my opinion.

It must be nice

Cledus T. Judd, the king of country parody, welcomed a baby girl to his family recently. Interestingly enough, the girl's godfather is no other than Gary LeVox of Rascal Flatts. Cledus and Gary are good friends, although I don't think Cledus is exactly the fourth member of the Flatts gang.

Thursday, January 10, 2008

A good lesson for all

I ready this on GAC's website. Neil Haislop does the news over there. I thought it was a touching piece and a reminder of the power of giving to others:

Sara Evans knows tough times, having gone through a very public divorce this past year. But she says that considering the rough times and challenges faced by our troops overseas and their families helps put her troubles in perspective.

"I can't even imagine what that would feel like," Sara tells Dial-Global of the troops' dangerous assignment and being separated from their families. "When you think about those kinds of situations, it really puts your life into perspective. You can be going through a lot, but so are other people."

Sara admits that she is still healing herself. "I think that the best thing that you can do for yourself when you're going through a hard time is pray for somebody else," says Sara. "So, I would just say to them that they're in my prayers."

What the..??

Yes, somebody actually got paid to come up with that artwork. I have to say, this is probably the strangest and most hideous album cover I have yet to see in the world of country music.

Monday, January 7, 2008

They want to rock this country

Here in America, we are anxiously awaiting the nomination of the presidential nominees. Tomorrow night, the voters of New Hampshire go to the poll. And while every candidate has his or her plans to change this country, only one is ready to "rock this country" - Barack Obama. I hear the Democrat is now playing Shania Twain's "Rock This Country" at his campaign rallies throughout the Granite State. His rival, Hillary Clinton, had considered using the song has her campaign's theme song.

Sunday, January 6, 2008

Remember when

Do you remember the "How Do I Live?" fiasco of the late '90s? Tom Roland of CMT does, and he's wrote a piece about it on CMT Blogs. I think the debate of who's song is best, Trisha v. LeAnn, continue to this day.

Anyway, the significance is this:

As it turns out, this week - Jan. 6 to be precise - marks one decade since it set a precedent in the Grammy Awards. When the nominations were announced, Yearwood's version of "How Do I Live" rivaled Rimes' version for Best Country Performance by a Female, marking the first time two singers squared off in the same category with the same song.

Friday, January 4, 2008

Is it CMT or RTV?

You know, CMT's gone reality as of late. And I think the latest casualty is CMT's Top 20 Countdown. I noticed when watching a part of it today that the show has been chopped from 3 hours to just 2 hours -- allowing host Lance Smith to no longer feature full-length music videos. Those that CMT deams unworthy are reduced to just 30 second clips with commentary by Smith. I tried contacting CMT about it, but I haven't heard back. When (if) I do, you'll see this on the front page.

Thursday, January 3, 2008

Shall we spin?

Nielsen Soundscan issued its 2007 year-end report. Here we go:

Album sales (CD-LP-Digital): 500.5 million, -15%
Digital Track sales: 844.2 million, +45%
Digital Album sales: 30.1 million, +40%
Overall Album sales (Albums + track equivalents): 584.9 million, -9.5%

Country sales were off over 16% from 2006. That's the third worst in music.

I wonder how the CMA will spin this. Expect their report tomorrow or early next week.

The Twain tracks

I was able to get an official statement from Mercury Nashville regarding the story we published concerning a new Shania Twain album:

"There is no firm release date at this time. We will notify the press and fans as soon as we have a release date set."

There are several other rumors and speculation that have reached my desk, but for now, that's all from the Row.

More about Carrie.

I just posted a piece about Carrie's remarkable year already - and it just started! And, I just found this out from Sony BMG -- Carrie fans, don't expect a video for "All-American Girl." Seems touring is going to keep Ms. Carrie just a tad bit too busy. But no matter; as I pointed out, the song is already top 20.

Wednesday, January 2, 2008

Truly unbelievable!

Seriously, folks. Is the RIAA trying to kill the music industry??! Music sales are already going to be down over 18% from 2007 and now they are going after the consumer even more. They are trying to tell you, and me, that copying of LEGALLY bought music is also illegal. Fans across the board are in an uproar -- and rightfully so! We payed for the damn songs and you can bet we have every right to use it for personal use!!

After an onslaught of lawsuits against college students, some costing those without money to spare over $220,000, the RIAA now feels that it can tell us how we can use what we bought. Incredible. Be careful, though -- the RIAA has gotten $9,250 PER SONG for those who have illegally shared material that they had purchased and put on their computerl. But you can bet your bottom dollar I will NOT be buying an album and then REBUYING the song from iTunes to have it on my computer.

When you're hot..

Taylor Swift, arguably the hottest female (yes, I'm saying hotter than Carrie) in country radio and no doubt the hottest new artist in, perhaps, the industry, may send out one more single to radio from her debut album. I'm told that it's "a possibility" from her publicist at Big Machine Records. Rumor has it the label is considering "Picture To Burn" (my choice) and "Oh My, My, My." Expect her sophomore album in the fall of this year.