Martina McBride has released a video for her new single "For These Times" this week to CMT. The video has not become the sensation among fans as the singer expected.

Fans have expressed their concern that the video looks too "amateur" and are upset that McBride does not appear in the video.

The Martina McBride official fanclub received a letter from the singer, where she calls the video a "really original, interesting idea for a video treatment in that I had never (surprisingly) seen a video in country music video.

"We figured since we all already kind of see 'that video' in our heads, we didn't really need to spend 150,000 dollars to shoot it!" McBride said. "I thought it may be more interesting to do something unexpected and out of the box."

The letter continues to explain how McBride had originally planned to release the video to YouTube and Myspace before major media outlets.

"I understand that may not be a popular decision, but it was an artistic decision nonetheless, and I am the artist so I'm the one that gets to make those!" McBride continued. "And you are the fans and you are the ones who get to decide whether or not you like it."

Labels: Martina McBride

The Wreckers' first live CD/DVD Way Back Home: Live From New York, will hit stores Dec. 4, 2007. The CD/DVD, which was recorded during a sold-out show at the Bowery Ballroom in New York City on July 13, 2007, is a rare glimpse into the music and friendship behind The Wreckers. The project features their #1 Country single, "Leave The Pieces," along with the title track, "Way Back Home."

"I am so excited to offer this live CD/DVD to our fans," Michelle Branch said. "The Fans continually come out to support us and this is our way of giving back to them. We also give the fans who are unable to come out to our shows, an amazing opportunity at they have the best seat in the house with this DVD."

The duo released their debut album Stand Still Look Pretty in May 2006. The album debuted at #4 on the Top Country Album charts. The Wreckers were the first duo to reach #1 with their debut single, "Leave the Pieces," since Brooks & Dunn in 1991 and the first female duo to reach #1 with their debut single in over 50 years.

Branch and Harp announced they will both pursue solo projects next year.

Labels: The Wreckers

After selling out nine shows in Kansas City, MO, earlier this month, superstar Garth Brooks today announced a concert to benefit those affected by recent fires in southern California. Money will also be set aside to fund future firefighting efforts.

Brooks will play the Staples Center in L.A. on Jan. 26. The tickets will go on sale via Ticketmaster for $38.60 plus tax and handling charges.

"I'm flattered they've asked, and I'm honored to accept," Brooks said. "This is going to take a team effort like nothing I have ever been a part of before."

The L.A. Times and American Express are sponsoring the show.

Fires raged across parts of southern California in October displacing over 500,000 residents and causing over $1 billion in damages.

Brooks' "Ultimate Hits" is the #1 country album in the nation this week.

Labels: Garth Brooks

Rascal Flatts will make their first appearance on Oprah this Fri., Nov. 30, for a "Home For The Holidays with Your Favorite Country Stars" themed show. For their portion of the show the band performs "She Goes All The Way" with Jamie Foxx and talk with Oprah about how the two acts came to record together. Foxx's appearance was a surprise to Oprah.

Gary, Jay and Joe Don flew to Chicago for the taping last week after their performance and win as "Favorite Country Band or Group" on the American Music Awards in Los Angeles.

The group wrapped their 2007 tour in early November just prior to winning their fifth consecutive CMA Group of the Year Award and will be honored with the Harmony Award at the Symphony Ball in Nashville during its annual event in December. The Harmony Award is presented to individuals who have demonstrated continued interest and support of music in Nashville.

Labels: Rascal Flatts

Great American Country (GAC) will bring the music of multi-platinum recording artist Trace Adkins to fans across the nation as the official media sponsor of the 2008 Trace Adkins American Man Tour.

Fellow Capitol Records recording artist Luke Bryan, rising country sensations Jason Michael Carroll, Bucky Covington, Kellie Pickler and comedian Bill Engvall will be among opening acts on select dates throughout the tour.

The eight-week American Man tour launches January 24

Labels: Trace Adkins

John Rich gave animal rights activists a run for their money earlier this month on the CMA Awards. The singer performed while wearing an authentic fur coat.

The coat caused outrage among members of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA). The group sent an email to Rich explaining to him that "animals were killed for their fur" and detailed the inhumane processes carried out by foreign companies to obtain the fur.

Rich decided to respond to the group personally, writing, ""I would like you to please forward my apologies to any of your members that are fans of Big and Rich that took offense to me wearing a fur coat on the CMA awards. Trust me, it was never my intent to upset anyone."

The singer agreed to wear faux fur coats in future public performances.

"I do not agree with many of your organization's views or tactics, but I do respect your passion for animal rights, as I am an animal lover as well," Rich continued. "I appreciate your willingness to address me on this subject."

Labels: John Rich

Willie Nelson is looking to become dog's best friend. The country music star has filmed a television spot supporting an anti-dogfighting bill that is moving through the Georgia Legislature.

In the ad, Nelson looks into the camera while "Georgia on My Mind" plays in the background.

"Dogfighting is against the law in Georgia, but the laws are so weak, the beautiful state of Georgia has become a haven for dogfighters from around the country," he says.

The bill would make it a felony for anyone to sell, trade or transport dogs for the purpose of dogfighting.

Labels: Willie Nelson

After missing the #1 spot to the Eagles last week, Garth Brooks has a #1 album with his Ultimate Hits package. The set moves to the top with around 204,000 units moved this week.

Brooks' Hits package features many of his signature hits, such as "The Thunder Rolls," as well as his recent #1 single "More Than A Memory," which stands at #3 this week on Billboard's country airplay chart.

The country legend has also announced one more concert date, the Staples Center in L.A. The show comes after Brooks sold out nine dates at Kansas City's Sprint Center in early November. The proceeds of the concert will go to those families affected by last month's devastating wildfires.

Brooks is music's biggest selling artist with over 105 million records sold.

Labels: Garth Brooks

Trace Adkins is giving his fans a cool deal: a collection of hits and a chance to hear them live. Adkins is the first country artist ever to launch an album pre-order/pre-sale with iTunes and Ticketmaster.

Adkins' American Man, Greatest Hits Volume II will be available for pre-order on the iTunes Store beginning today. For two weeks fans will be able to pre-order the 13-track special bundled album for only $9.99. This album will include not only the 13 songs but will include eight of Adkins' biggest videos, a special American Man, Greatest Hits Volume II digital booklet.

Those who pre-order the album will receive access to a Ticketmaster website pre-sale for the opportunity to purchase tickets to 15 dates on Adkins' upcoming 2008 tour before they go on sale to the public. The pre-sale is only for select dates and scheduled to begin Wednesday, Dec. 5, at 5:00 PM

American Man, Greatest Hits Vol. II is in stores Dec. 4.

Labels: Trace Adkins

As Country On-Demand reported last night, fiddle legend Charlie Daniels was invited to join the Grand Ole Opry last night at his annual Christmas 4 Kids charity event at the Ryman Auditorium.

Daniels was hosting the show when Opry member Martina McBride delivered the surprise Opry invitation.

"Peace, joy, love, and wishes fulfilled. These are the timeless treasures of Christmas," McBride said. "Thank you, Charlie, for all you’ve done to make Christmas wishes come true for thousands of children through the years. Now it's time to make a wish come true for you, too. You're officially invited to become a member of the Grand Ole Opry. Merry Christmas!"

"I can not even begin to tell you folks... this is very emotional for me," Daniels said. "I never ever in my wildest dreams when I came to Nashville with my precious wife and son dreamed that this would happen. To think that now my name will be added along with all these great country artists. Thank you."

Following the Opry invitation, the Ryman's stage curtains were pulled to reveal the Opry's classic barn backdrop, and an Opry microphone stand was added center stage. Daniels performed the rest of the benefit show in front of the famous backdrop. Daniels will be officially inducted into the Opry during an Opry at the Ryman performance later this winter.

Labels: Charlie Daniels, Grand Ole Opry, Martina McBride

Charlie Daniels has been asked to become a member of the Grand Ole Opry. Daniels headlined the CHRISTMAS FOR KIDS concert this evening at the Ryman Auditorium.

Daniels is most famous for his hit "The Devil Went Down To Georgia."

More details to follow.

Labels: Charlie Daniels, Grand Ole Opry

Dolly Parton will release her first studio album of all-new material in four years on Feb. 5, 2008. The album, Backwoods Barbie, is the singer's first mainstream album this decade.

"When new country came along several years back, most artists my age got shoved off to the side, no matter how talented they might still be," Parton said. "I tried a few country albums after that, but to no avail and no chart play. I'm as good as I ever was if I was any good so I'm going for it. Country music is my favorite and I do it best, so I wrote a bunch of songs."

One of those songs is Parton's first top 40 hit since the early '90s, "Better Get To Livin'". The song offers advice from Parton about how to stay optimistic on life.

"Believe me when I tell you my life is not perfect, Parton remarks. "I work hard. I fall down, I get up and I keep going. I pray a lot. I not only believe that tomorrow will be better, but that the next minute or the next hour will be better. You have to find the good in everything and in everybody, and believe that it is all for a reason."

Labels: Dolly Parton

Carrie Underwood is back in familiar territory. Last night, she took three awards at the American Music Awards, and today, Billboard has her at #1 on their Hot Country Singles airplay chart.

"So Small," the first single from her sophomore album, Carnival Ride, is Underwood's fourth #1 single on Billboard. The single set airplay and digital sales records.

"'So Small' is a feeling song on how people invest so much of their time and energy into things that aren't really important. And you don't really realize that until it's too late," Underwood says of the single she co-wrote.

"The smallest thing can almost ruin my day, and at some point I realize, 'Good gracious, Carrie! What are you doing?' I have a great life, and we need to remember the things that are truly important."

Underwood joins Keith Urban on the "Love, Pain, and whole crazy Carnival Ride Tour" that kicks off Jan. 31.

Labels: Carrie Underwood

Country band Sugarland was the surprise hit at the American Music Awards when Beyonce joined them in a surprise bluegrass performance Sunday night.

Sugarland's Jennifer Nettles said the idea came about from the duo's publicist because they perform the song in their act.

Nettles said backstage that she was nervous going note-for-note with Beyonce. "We were face to face, and there were a couple times when she was looking at me and I was blushing because I thought I was going to turn to stone in her beauty. She is so talented and so grounded."

Nettles' musical partner Kristian Bush, who was on stage and witnessed it all, stated, "I was the luckiest man."

American Music Award Country Winners:

Favorite Male Artist
Tim McGraw

Favorite Female Artist
Carrie Underwood

Favorite Band, Duo or Group
Rascal Flatts

Favorite Album
Carrie Underwood/"Some Hearts"

T-MOBILE AWARD TEXT-IN AWARD
Carrie Underwood

Labels: Sugarland

Tim McGraw's second greatest hits package, Tim McGraw Reflected: Hits Vol 2, has officially been certified double platinum for sales of two million. This brings McGraw's career total album and single sales to 40 million.

"Tim McGraw is one of the most consistent hit makers in the history of Soundscan," said Benson Curb, VP Sales Curb Records. "Reaching double platinum is a significant accomplishment in today's world of CD sales. Tim's continued success is attributable to his unfailing ability to create amazing music."

McGraw, who recently won his 11th CMA award and his first-ever BMI award as a songwriter for the co-penned hit "My Little Girl," has released eleven albums since 1993, nine of which are now multi-platinum albums. His latest CD, Let It Go, has sold over one million copies since its release this spring.

Labels: Tim McGraw

It will be a little Grand Ole Opry and a little Grand Opera when Alan Jackson joins Andrea Bocelli for TNT's "Christmas in Washington" next month. The annual event will be hosted by Dr. Phil and Robin McGraw.

The concert is a holiday music celebration which will benefit the National Children's Medical Center. It will be taped at the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C. The President and Mrs. Bush as well as other VIPS from the area are expected to attend.

Others scheduled for the show include R&B singer Ne-Yo and "High School Musical" star Vanessa Hudgens. "Christmas in Washington" will have its premiere on TNT on December 12th.

Jackson's "Let It Be Christmas" is in stores now.

Labels: Alan Jackson

Faith Hill will perform live on NBC's "Today" in a special concert that will be simulcast to the soldiers of the 1st Cavalry Division's Black Jack Brigade at Camp Prosperity in central Baghdad.

The performance, which airs Monday, Nov. 19, marks the first time ever "Today" has simulcast a live concert from New York to Iraq.

In addition to the Black Jack Brigade, who are just finishing their 15-month deployment and will be redeployed right after the holidays, 200 wounded soldiers will gather at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center gym in Washington, D.C. to watch the concert live.

Also, troops from numerous branches of the military from across the U.S. will meet on Rockefeller Plaza to see Hill.

Labels: Faith Hill

As Country On-Demand reported last night, Reba McEntire and Kelly Clarkson will tour in January for a limited time.

Today McEntire's website confirmed the dates for the tour. They are, as follows:

Jan. 17 Dayton, OH Nutter Center
Jan. 18 Louisville, KY Freedom Hall
Jan. 19 Morgantown, WV WV University
Jan. 24 Norfolk, VA Norfolk Scope Arena
Jan. 25 Winston Salem, NC Lawrence Joel Coliseum
Jan. 26 Fayetteville, NC Crown Center
Jan. 31 Wichita, KS Kansas Coliseum
Feb. 1 Tulsa, OK Mabee Center
Feb. 2 Bossier City, KS Century Tel
Feb. 7 St. Charles, MO Family Arena
Feb. 8 Indianapolis, IN Conseco
Feb. 9 Rockford, IL Metro Center
Feb. 14 Tupelo, MS Bancorpsouth Arena
Feb. 15 Jonesboro, AR ASU Convocation Center
Feb. 16 Kansas City, MO Sprint Center

Labels: Kelly Clarkson, Reba McEntire

Garth Brooks canceled his appearances on The View and Ellen in support of the writers strike underway in Hollywood.

Brooks was going to appear on the shows to support the release of his greatest hits plus disc, "The Ultimate Hits."

His publicist said, "This is the first time in many years that he has not done television in support of his music. His first appearance on television was to have been The Tonight Show, however the strike happened that day. We believe he is the first artist with product in the marketplace to not have the support of these appearances. Garth is proud of the position he has taken since he hopes to be a writer in the not too distant future."

The statement did not specify what was meant by Brooks hoping to be a writer.

Brooks did a nine-run set of concerts in Kansas City to support the CD release, his first shows in nine years.

Labels: Garth Brooks

After the massive success of their duet, "Because of You," Reba McEntire and Kelly Clarkson have decided to tour together.

The "Two Worlds, Two Voices" tour is set to kick off in January and will have a limited run into February. Clarkson will then head to Australia to promote her album My December.

Dates for the run have been finalized, but have not yet been announced.

McEntire and Clarkson first paired up after Clarkson captured the "American Idol" crown in 2002. The friendship led to the taping of CMT Crossroads and Clarkson's appearance on McEntire's Duets album this fall.

Labels: Kelly Clarkson, Reba McEntire

Jason Aldean will partner with retail giant Wal-Mart next month to provide fans with an exclusive original performance through its "Soundcheck" series. A bonus disc will be packaged as a companion piece to Aldean's #1 album Relentless and available for purchase in store and online beginning Dec. 2, 2007.

A segment of the hi-def performance will be featured nationwide in over 3,000 stores on Wal-Mart TV throughout the month of December. "Soundcheck" was taped earlier this fall in a Nashville studio and includes the Georgia-native's hit singles "Hicktown," "Why," "Amarillo Sky" and "Johnny Cash" and the current "Laughed Until We Cried," as well as exclusive interview footage.

Aldean, who has been honing his live performance skills in bars and clubs since he was 14 years old, just wrapped a year long tour with superstar group Rascal Flatts. Fans can catch Aldean headlining a series of his own shows in the coming months.

Labels: Jason Aldean

Anne Murray has recruited country superstar Shania Twain to duet on her new album, Anne Murray: Legends & Friends. Twain is among an all-star list including Martina McBride and Celine Dion.

"Shania came back to me so fast, I couldn’t believe it. Absolutely she was thrilled to do it, and did a great job too," Murray said. "I sent her all the songs and I asked her what she wanted to sing and she chose, of course, probably the best song, ["You Needed Me"]."

The best selling recording of her career, "You Needed Me" was responsible for Anne's first Grammy as a pop artist in 1978 for Best Pop Vocal Performance. It reached #1 on Billboard's pop chart and #4 on Billboard's country chart.

"I am so proud of Shania. Here is a woman who believed in herself, didn't let the industry dictate who she was, the music she recorded, the clothes that she wore or the country she lived in," Murray said. "She sings great and I love the sound of her voice.

You can preview the album at http://www.annemurrayduets.com

Labels: Anne Murray, Martina McBride, Shania Twain

Garth Brooks is back on Billboard this week with his Ultimate Hits package which starts out with 352,000 copies sold in its first week. That total was good enough for a #2 bow on the Country Album chart and #3 on the Billboard 200.

Brooks last visited the Billboard charts in 2001 with Scarecrow, which debuted at #1 with 466,000 copies moved. Because Brooks' Limited Box Set was only released at Wal-Mart retailers in 2004, none of the albums, including The Lost Sessions, were eligible for the Billboard chart.

The new "Ultimate Hits" boasts 30 hits and four new songs, including the album's first single, "More Than a Memory." The song made chart history when it became the first single to ever debut at No. 1 on the Hot Country Songs chart in September.

The Garth Brooks World Tour 2007 will wrap-up its nine-night run at Kansas City's Sprint Center tonight.

Labels: Garth Brooks

Dierks Bentley has his fifth #1 this week with "Free & Easy (Down the Road I Go)."

Bentley and bandmates Rod Janzen and Robbie Harrington started writing the song in the back lounge of the tour bus, and then finished it back in Nashville with Bentley's longtime producer Brett Beavers.

"This one is definitely special to me because the guys in the band were involved," Bentley said. "We've come a long way from the clubs and the bars, and as a band, this is definitely one of those moments that make me proud of what we've accomplished together so far."

After finishing up a four day run on his Bud Light sponsored "Throttle Wide Open" tour with opening act Jack Ingram, Bentley used his day off to jet to Kansas City to catch a Garth Brooks concert.

"He is an iconic live performer, and there continues to be a lot to learn from him," explained Bentley. "But I mostly went because I wanted to complete a circle that began in 1992, when I was 17 and sitting so high up in the rafters at my first Garth show that I could touch the roof of the arena. Last night, I was backstage. That's a pretty amazing feeling."

"Throttle Wide Open" stops this week include Murray, KY, Springfield, IL and Cincinnati, OH.

Labels: Dierks Bentley, Garth Brooks

Trisha Yearwood is a busy gal. She and husband Garth Brooks took the day off to promote her new studio album, Heaven, Heartache, and the Power of Love, in stores today. They return to Kansas City, MO, tomorrow night to wrap up the Garth Brooks World Tour 2007.

The album features Yearwood's 27th top 20 Billboard hit, the title track. The album, says Trisha, is a bit different from her typical records.

"There were just so many cool, uptempo songs that showed up for this record. And some of it was the enthusiasm that transferred into the studio," Yearwood said. "It just seems like this record was meant to be. So maybe those are my three words: "meant to be." Because when I listen back now, I hear how much fun I was having during the process."

Yearwood's album is her first release on Big Machine Records. Her CMT Crossroads episode with Babyface repeats on Nov. 15th on CMT at 12pm ET.

Labels: Trisha Yearwood

Taylor Swift says she's excited about her first Christmas album, "The Taylor Swift Holiday Collection," available exclusively at Target.

"There are two original songs on it, and I think this is a really cool chance to get more music out there before the second album," said Swift.

Swift laughs when talking about recording the songs in the middle of summer. She recalls the experience, "My producer, Nathan Chapman, strung up all these Christmas lights and had fake trees in the vocal booth."

The collection also includes well known holiday songs including "White Christmas" and "Santa Baby." Taylor will be on-hand in New York City's Rockefeller Center to perform music from the disc during the annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony, which will air on NBC on November 28th.

Labels: Taylor Swift

On November 13, Cracker Barrel will release Alabama: The Last Stand, a collection of previously unreleased recordings made during Alabama's 2003 farewell tour.

Available at all Cracker Barrel locations and online at crackerbarrel.com, this twelve-song, exclusive CD features several of Alabama's biggest hits, including The Closer You Get, Old Flame, Forty Hour Week, Feels So Right and The Fans.

"There are magical moments on this CD because these songs come straight from my heart," said lead singer Randy Owen. "I remember seeing the lights on the crowd when we did Feels So Right. We started the song with a piano and the crowd went wild when we got to the melody. I feel like we owe it to our fans to share this music with them."

Through three decades of recording and touring, Alabama sold more than 73 million records. Shortly after signing their first record deal, Alabama charted its first number one single, beginning a string of 21 consecutive number one hits. In 2005, Alabama was inducted into the Country Music Hall Of Fame.

Labels: Alabama

Two of the biggest acts in country music, Keith Urban and Carrie Underwood are hitting the road together in 2008, on the Love, Pain & the whole crazy Carnival Ride Tour, a name combining the titles of each artist's most recent album.

Tickets for the 24-city trek, which launches Jan. 31, 2008, will go on sale Dec. 1.

The tour will visit New York City, Tallahassee, Kansas City, Denver, San Jose and Baltimore, among other cities.

"I'm looking forward to hitting the road with Carrie, and to bringing our audiences together for what I think will be a magical night of sights, sounds, songs and solos," said Urban.

"I can't think of a better person to begin 2008 with than Keith," offers Underwood. "He is an amazing entertainer and a well-respected musician, singer and songwriter."

Keith, whose Greatest Hits: 18 Kids will be released Nov. 20, has been on the road since April in support of his chart-topping album Love, Pain & the whole crazy thing. In that time, he's performed shows on three continents.

Carrie's new album Carnival Ride recently debuted at No. 1, selling over 500,000 copies in its first week, and immediately becoming the best-selling debut of any female artist in 2007.

Labels: Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban

CMT relives "Country Music’s Biggest Night" when it re-telecasts the 41st ANNUAL CMA AWARDS on Thursday, November 22 at 8:00-11:00 p.m., ET/PT. The show, which originally premiered on ABC, features the genre's biggest stars live from Nashville's Sommet Center.

A three-hour television event, the show includes performances by Jason Aldean, Rodney Atkins, Big & Rich, Brooks & Dunn, Kenny Chesney, Eagles, Alison Krauss, Miranda Lambert, Little Big Town, Martina McBride, Reba McEntire performing with LeAnn Rimes, Brad Paisley, Kellie Pickler, George Strait, Sugarland, Taylor Swift, Josh Turner, Carrie Underwood and Keith Urban. Rascal Flatts performed the opening song, and then returned for a second performance with Academy Award- winner Jamie Foxx.

Stars from television and music collide at the gala event, with appearances by Dierks Bentley, Luke Bryan, Jason Michael Carroll, Bucky Covington, Sheryl Crow, James Denton, Sara Evans, Jewel with Ty Murray, Kid Rock, Montgomery Gentry, LeAnn Rimes, Blake Shelton, Kimberly Williams-Paisley, Kate Walsh, Gretchen Wilson and Dwight Yoakam.

CMT's 2007 CMA Red Carpet Presented By Chevy will also be re-telecast Thursday, November 22 at 7:00-8:00 p.m., ET/PT. CMT hosts Lance Smith, Katie Cook and Adam Black are live on the red carpet for unparalleled event coverage.

CMT.com features a comprehensive CMA Awards microsite, complete with CMA news, interactive message boards, video streaming and photo galleries. The site features all of the nominated videos, as well as Radio CMA, where fans can listen to the nominated tracks online. This marks the eleventh consecutive year CMT has provided in-depth online coverage of the CMA Awards.

Labels: CMA Awards, CMT

Kenny Chesney has his plans set for 2008. He will embark on the "Poets & Pirates Tour," expected to last most of the summer. Dates have not been finalized.

The Poets & Pirates Tour follows on the heels of Chesney's wildly successful Flip Flop Summer Tour, which included 6 NFL Stadiums in Boston, Cleveland, Detroit, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and Seattle and marked the 6th summer in a row that he played to more than 1 million fans.

Chesney will be joined by fellow country star LeAnn Rimes, currently on the radio with her hit "Nothing Better To Do."

"I think LeAnn Rimes is as good a singer as there is out there, and she knows how to have fun onstage," Chesney said. "I am a big fan and everybody better be ready for pretty incredible time. I know I'm looking forward to seeing her out there and getting to hear her sing."

Chesney and Rimes will be performing tonight at the 41st Annual CMA Awards; Chesney is up for four awards while Rimes will co-host segments of the show.

Labels: CMA Awards, Kenny Chesney, LeAnn Rimes

CMA nominated Group of the Year Little Big Town releases their new album to stores today. The disc, A Place To Land, features the hit single "I'm With The Band," the "gemstone" of the project.

Labels: CMA Awards, Little Big Town

Garth Brooks has surpassed "the King" Elvis Presley as the top-selling solo artist in history, moving 123 million units in his career.

The Recording Association of America made the proclamation Monday while giving Brooks Diamond Awards for his albums "Sevens" and "Garth Brooks." A diamond award is for sales of more than 10 million copies each. Four of Brooks' albums have received diamond awards.

"This award reflects the magnitude of the country audience and what they can accomplish when they act together," Brooks said at the presentation, held at his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame outside the Capitol Records tower.

The RIAA keeps track of albums shipped plus digital downloads sold.

Brooks was also presented the Academy of Country Music's Crystal Milestone Award. This is the first time the award went to the artist. Brooks has won 18 Academy of Country Music Awards throughout his career, including Artist of The Decade in 1998.

Brooks issues his Ultimate Hits, a 3-disc package, tomorrow nationwide, and begins his nine-show run at Kansas City's Sprint Center tonight.

Labels: Academy of Country Music, Garth Brooks, RIAA

Peers, fans, family, and friends celebrated the life of Porter Wagoner yesterday at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville.

Garth Brooks and wife Trisha Yearwood, Dolly Parton, Vince Gill, Marty Stuart, and Travis Tritt were among those in the audience, while Patty Loveless, John Conlee, Steve Wariner, The Whites, and Ricky Skaggs were also in attendance.

As with Porter's life, his memorial service was filled with music. Stuart and The Whites sang two of Porter's favorite songs, "Precious Lord Take My Hand" and "He Took Your Place." Duane Allen of the Oak Ridge Boys sang a song Porter wrote, "When I Sing For Him." Gill, Skaggs and Loveless contributed Vince's classic "Go Rest High on that Mountain."

The service closed with members of the Opry, led by Parton, singing the Hank Williams Sr. classic "I Saw the Light."

Prior to the service a slide show of images from Porter's career flashed across an on-stage screen. Porter was remembered with numerous flower arrangements, including ones in the shape of a wagon wheel, a guitar, and one of his famous rhinestone jackets.
Wagoner passed away last Sunday, not long after learning he had lung cancer. He was 80.

Labels: Dolly Parton, Garth Brooks, Grand Ole Opry, Porter Wagoner, Vince Gill

Pop singer Jewel has been signed to The Valory Music Co., a new imprint formed today by Scott Borchetta. The label is a sister-label to Borchetta's Big Machine Records.

With over 27 million albums sold worldwide and with three Grammy nominations under her belt, Jewel's Country roots go back to her upbringing.

"I grew up on a ranch in Alaska, and my favorite memories are of sitting around a camp fire with my father and listening to the songs he wrote and sang," Jewel said. "It was pure country music, and it has made me a sincere fan of country music ever since."

Her first single for The Valory Music Co. is scheduled for the first quarter of '08.

The Valory Music Co.'s initial artist roster will also include Country Soul singer Jimmy Wayne whose debut self-titled album has sold nearly 500,000 copies as well as newcomer Southern Country stylist Justin Moore.

Labels: Jewel

She's the reigning CMA and ACM Female Vocalist and two-time GRAMMY winner, and Carrie Underwood continues the record-breaking ways of her debut album, Some Hearts, with the explosive arrival of Carnival Ride, which vaults to #1 atop Billboard's Top Country Albums and all-genre Billboard 200 charts with mammoth first-week sales of 527,101.

Carnival Ride also earned the highest first-week sales for any female artist in any genre this year. Underwood also sold more albums last week than any solo female artist since Shania Twain in 2004. The album also notched the largest country debut in digital album chart history, with digital sales of 44,928.

Carnival Ride's first smash single, "So Small," is currently inside the country airplay Top 5 and follows a string of four consecutive #1 country singles from her first album. Released in November of 2005, Underwood's Some Hearts became the best-selling, single-disc country album by a solo female in the new millennium and, with sales topping 1.3 million copies this year alone, has so far remained the best-selling country album of 2007.

Underwood will also perform on The 41st Annual CMA Awards on November 7, where she is a triple nominee, up for Female Vocalist of the Year, as well as Single of the Year and Music Video of the Year

Labels: Carrie Underwood